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Archives for January 2016

‘Wholly Moses!’

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IIMG_0960f you want to get to the heart of how people feel about art, ask the kids. Three quarters of the way through the Grandma Moses exhibit at the Dayton Art Institute, you will find a slew on index cards left by students from around the Dayton Area giving their insight into the show. ‘Naive,’ ‘Outsider,’ ‘Less Educated,’ and ‘ a Totally Cool Old Lady.’ Agreed.

Within the first steps you take, you find that Moses made the best of her life. Stunning and intricate embroidered pieces, tight in their stitching and heavy in appearance, show her expertise. It’s meticulous and rich in textures. ‘Viewers get an opportunity to see where Moses relied on the traditional stitches she used, and where she departed into a creative territory all her own,’ says Dr. Aimee Marcereau DeGalan, Chief Curator at the DAI.

For Moses, born Anna Mary Robertson, it was a passion she would have to alter when arthritis took its toll. At age 78, she found a new way to express herself, paint. Wallpaper, fire boards, wooden slats all played backdrop to Moses’ unique, sweet and signature style.

The paintings, 50 are on display, capture innocence, excitement and simplicity, of which Moses was the master. Unlike the maturity of her handicraft, her paintings have a childish, soft sense that take you into the heart of farm life Moses was proud to share. Among the pieces in the, ‘American Sampler’ exhibit, you will find works by Woldemar Neufeld, ‘crazy quilts’ by Mary O’Brien and lithographs from Currier and Ives. At the top of my list, a sampler done in 1825 by the eight year old Catherine Sophia Van Horne from Piqua, and the calico apron worn by Grandma Moses when she painted.

Do not miss the video that accompanies the show, you get to know the ‘Totally Cool Old Lady’ who lived to 101, and explains everything from her take on death, to how we all are painters! When it comes to showcasing the best in visual arts, the Dayton Art Institute once again proves, they have it all ‘sewn up!

 

Editors Note:  You have until Feb 21st to see this exhibit.

Museum HoursDayton Art Institute DAI

Tuesday – Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 5:00 p.m.
Extended hours until 8:00 p.m. on Thursdays
Closed Mondays

Exhibition Admission

Museum Members: Free
Adults: $14, Seniors (60+): $11, Students (18+ w/ID) & Active Military: $11
Youth (ages 7-17): $6, Children (6 & under): Free

 

 

Kettering’s Art on the Commons Festival: Call for Artists

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Art on the Commons is now accepting artist submissions for its 28th annual festival. Organized by Rosewood Arts Centre, Art on the Commons takes place on Sunday, August 14, 2016, from 11 am until 5 pm at Kettering’s Lincoln Park Civic Commons. Free to the public,Art on the Commons is one of the region’s most popular summer fine arts festivals, drawing a regional audience of over 7,000 in one day.

This festival’s three-person jury features some of the most talented artists and art appreciators in the region. The 2016 panel includes Thom Meyer, a photographer, Kettering Arts Council member and community arts advocate; Scott Huntington, director of the Columbus Arts Festival; and Amy Deal, a painter and collage artist based in Dayton.

Artists may submit their fine arts and fine crafts for jurying into the festival through March 31,2016. Media categories include ceramics, digital art, fiber/leather, glass, jewelry, metals/stone, mixed media, painting, photography, works on paper and wood. All artist participants must be juried, no exceptions. All works must be of original design and produced by hand. No kits,handicrafts, or manufactured items will be accepted for jurying or displayed in the booths. Only individual artists may submit work. Submissions by retail outlets or galleries are not eligible.

All submissions must be made online at www.zapplication.org. Five images – four representing the artists’ work and one representing a booth display – are required. A $20 entry fee is due at the time of submission. Artists will be notified of jurying results by May 2, 2016. Art on the Commons is sponsored in part by the City of Kettering’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts with support from the Kettering Arts Council, the Ohio Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

For additional information about Art on the Commons, call Rosewood  Arts Centre at (937) 296-
0294, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.playkettering.org/aotc.

UpDayton To Grow Impact in 2016

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updaytonUpDayton, an initiative launched in 2007 to make Dayton a magnet for young and creative talent, held their 2016 Launch Event on January 26th at the Schuster Center, following the Dayton Development Coalition’s Annual Meeting. UpDayton leaders detailed the ways that young professionals, college campuses, businesses and community organizations can join the movement to create change in the city.
Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley stressed the city’s commitment to strong partnership and challenged young people to get involved, “We need your help recreating the downtown space that is our authentic urban core.” UpDayton works closely with the city and county governments, as well as other area organizations and non-profits to accomplish their mission of talent attraction and retention.
The growing support from community partners and sponsors has also allowed UpDayton to experiment with new ideas and formats as well as further develop its Discover Dayton program. The program is an effort to engage local employers and college campuses by providing perception-changing experiences of the Dayton region for students and young professionals.

“In 2015 we encountered hundreds of young Daytonians excited and ready to make their mark on

Ferguson_Headshot

Updayton Director AJ Ferguson

Dayton’s transformation. They sense a new era beginning in Dayton and know it needs their energy and ideas,” said AJ Ferguson, the organization’s director. UpDayton wants incoming volunteers to discover a variety of opportunities in both what UpDayton organizes and what others are doing to make a difference in Dayton. Ferguson adds, “UpDayton fuels a movement far bigger than itself. If Dayton wants to attract the next generation of talent, then the people and approaches of the next generation have to
permeate everything our community is doing.”

Dayton Development Coalition leaders invited UpDayton to partner in their annual meeting for two reasons: to drive interest among young professionals in the bigger picture of the region’s economy and to encourage businesses and community organizations to support and engage with UpDayton. Specifically, UpDayton invites more employers to participate in its Discover Dayton program. UpDayton also announced plans to hold a Talent Symposium in late summer. This event would bring employers and
community leaders together to discuss the region’s talent needs.
UpDayton also announced the date of the 2016 UpDayton Summit and a change to the event format. This annual event brings young creatives together to share their needs and concerns for the region, and to vote on ideas to make the Miami Valley a better place to live, work and play. Winning ideas receive $1000 seed money from UpDayton and a team of interested volunteers. Along with the move to an evening event, the Summit format is changing to better reflect the needs of the community and will feature a “Shark-Tank/TED Talk” format with project pitches. The goal is to have project ideas be further refined than at past summits to allow them to have a stronger start and more impact in the community. The 2016 UpDayton Summit will take place the evening of Thursday, April 28th.

Review Roundup – ‘A Streetcar Named Desire,’ ‘Roar of the Greasepaint…’ and ‘Broadway Beveled’

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A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

Wright State University respectably embraces the sexual heat and damaging dysfunction within Tennessee Williams’ splendid 1948 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama “A Streetcar Named Desire.” However, the action, directed by Jason Podplesky, occasionally glides off-kilter, specifically in Act 1 when character-conscious decisions are paramount to ground this searing tale of betrayal and pain.

wsu streetcar

(left to right) Tommy DiMassimo as Stanley Kowalski, Ellie Margolis as Blanche DuBois and MacKenzie Stephens as Stella Kowalski in Wright State University’s production of “A Streetcar Named Desire” (Contributed photo by Chris Snyder)

 

When faded, fragile Southern belle Blanche DuBois (Ellie Margolis) enters the New Orleans home of her sister Stella Kowalkski (MacKenzie Stephens) and brother-in-law Stanley (Tommy DiMassimo), it’s puzzling to see Stella greet Blanche nonchalantly. There should be an immediate connection, an immediate history, established between these two women. Strangely, it seems as if Blanche is initially viewed as an intruder rather than a loved one genuinely seeking solace emotionally and physically. Many scenes later, Stanley overhears Blanche telling Stella how much she despises him, but Stanley’s contemplative reactions are intended to generate sympathy which doesn’t feel authentic to the moment. As one of the most arrogant, disgraceful and crude men ever created, Stanley shouldn’t have to pause to second guess anything because his temperament simply doesn’t call for it. Why should he care about Blanche’s opinion? On the opposite end of the spectrum, the utmost importance of David J. Castellano’s set is to indicate cramped, dingy intimacy, but his design is too clean and spacious. When did the Kowalskis move to the Homearama section of working class Elysian Fields?

Still, these artistic predicaments do not hinder an assortment of powerful performances. The remarkably astute Ellie Margolis (attractively costumed by Emily Sollinger and memorable last season as Lady Catherine de Bourgh in WSU’s “Pride and Prejudice”) impressively navigates the role’s challenging, multifaceted arc especially Blanche’s humorously tipsy tendencies (Margolis’ comedic timing is very enlivening) and heartbreaking unease stemming from the death of her gay ex-husband which still rattles her to the core. The physically imposing DiMassimo (another “Pride and Prejudice” standout as Mr. Darcy) winningly embodies Stanley’s volatile, dangerous and unpredictable brutishness just as Williams intended, particularly as Stanley launches into detective mode setting in motion Blanche’s unfortunate demise. Stephens, pleasantly compatible with DiMassimo, becomes very impactful when Stella reminds Stanley of Blanche’s hardships in an attempt to help fill in the blanks. The dynamic Cody Lewis is a perfectly genial fit as vulnerable bachelor Harold “Mitch” Mitchell, Stanley’s military buddy/co-worker who sides with him when the going gets tough and perhaps lives to regret allowing Blanche to walk out of his life. The cast includes Julia Gomez (particularly terrific as Eunice Hubell in the unnerving final scene), Joey Logan (Steve Hubell), Owen Kresse (Pablo Gonzales), Christian Schaefer (Doctor), Megan Valle (Nurse), Brittany Williams (Neighbor Woman), Nerissa Johnson and Alejandria Solis (beautifully haunting Flower Women), and Ian Patrick Ashwell (Young Collector) along with ensemble members Kenneth Erard, Clint Hinderer, Kat Tilt, Alexia Vlahos, and trombonist Haley Knuth.

This “Streetcar” is not without bumps, but arrives at a satisfying finish nonetheless anchored by Margolis’ captivating finesse.


“A Streetcar Named Desire” continues through Feb. 7 in the Festival Playhouse of the Creative Arts Center at Wright State University, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy., Fairborn. Performances are Jan. 30, Feb. 5 and Feb. 6 at 8 p.m., Feb. 3 and Feb. 4 at 7 p.m., and Jan. 31, Feb. 6 and Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. The production runs 2 hours and 50 minutes with one 15-minute intermission. Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 for seniors and students. For tickets or more information, call WSU box office at (937) 775-2500 or visit www.wright.edu/theatre-dance-and-motion-pictures/performances/ticket-information



THE ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT, THE SMELL OF THE CROWD

Delightful tunes and a committed cast are great benefits within Dayton Playhouse’s sufficient production of Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley’s rarely staged 1965 British musical comedy “The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd.”

greasepaint

(left to right) J. Gary Thompson as Sir, Christy Carson as The Kid, Ted Eltzroth as Cocky, and the Urchin ensemble in Dayton Playhouse’s production of “The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd” (Contributed photo by Art Fabian)

 

Set at a rocky place at dawn, colorfully realized within a forest setting by scenic designer Chris Newman, “Roar…” symbolically examines status and power between the privileged and downtrodden by way of a continuous, tiresome game of one-upmanship. The wealthy Sir, authoritatively representing the upper class, cruelly and constantly bends the rules to his advantage which absolutely perplexes the meek, kindhearted Cocky, embodying the lower class. As Sir’s treachery and teasing progresses, Cocky realizes he’s been trapped in a foolish, embarrassing exercise. He ultimately seeks to outwit Sir and valiantly regain his self-esteem.
Sir and Cocky’s peculiar relationship runs an odd gamut from charming to deplorable, but director Jim Lockwood commendably keeps spirits high even when the stagnant script dips into racist waters. Bricusse and Newley briefly pulls the rug out from under the audience in Act 2 by having Cocky swap ranks with Sir when an African-American desires to join their offbeat contest. It is an alarmingly uncomfortable moment serving as a cautious reminder that not much has changed in 50 years. Beyond race relations, it is also apparent how relevant this material is in terms of one’s pursuit of happiness. After all, at some point in time, a Sir or Cocky will enter your life determined to keep you from believing in your potential.

J. Gary Thompson (a fittingly arrogant, hypocritical Sir) and Ted Eltzroth (an amiable Cocky) are well-matched and receive the bulk of the dandy score which includes such standards as “A Wonderful Day Like Today,” “The Joker,” “Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me),” and “Nothing Can Stop Me Now!” Eltzroth particularly shines in the pulsating “Joker” fueled by firm accompaniment by musical director Judy Mansky’s orchestra, specifically percussionists Zach Green and Felicia Dellis. Admirable featured portrayals are offered by Christy Carson (The Kid, Sir’s trusty sidekick), lovely soprano Krissy McKim-Barker (joining Eltzroth for the beautiful “My First Love Song” as The Girl), Naman Clark (providing an expressive rendition of “Feeling Good” as The Negro), Don Ray (formidable as The Bully), and an engaging ensemble of Urchins consisting of Malcolm Casey, Kathleen Durig, Jamie Pavlofsky, Carrin Ragland, Stacey Ward, and Alicia Walton. Choreographer Allison Eder’s playful routines, particularly in numbers as “It Isn’t Enough” and “Put It In the Book,” are also noteworthy in this showcase bound to appeal to diehard musical theater fans who crave opportunities to see forgotten musicals.


“The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd” continues through Feb. 7 at the Dayton Playhouse, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Act One: 70 minutes. Act Two: 50 minutes. Tickets are $18 for adults and $16 for seniors and students. For tickets or more information, call (937) 424-8477 or visit online at www.daytonplayhouse.com


BROADWAY BEVELED

Magnolia Theatre Company, Dayton’s only professional troupe devoted to producing female-centric plays/showcases, closes its second season with a wonderfully entertaining presentation of “Broadway Beveled: A Feminine Cabaret” at the Mathile Theatre of the Schuster Center.

In a fresh, unique twist, all the material in this breezy, intermission-less show (which is so good it should have been extended to two acts) stem from male-centric songs, scenes and monologues. How refreshing it is to see women expressing their viewpoints and nuances inside relationships, debates and yearnings typically revealed by men. In fact, it’s an outright thrill to see director/Magnolia founding artistic director Gina Handy and her enjoyable, elegantly dressed cast storm the stage as a female Congress in the terrific opener “Sit Down, John” (“1776”). But the boldest, most fascinating moments belong to two portions of David Mamet’s testosterone-driven “Glengarry Glen Ross” directed by Andréa Morales featuring Morales, Handy, Mandy Goodwin, Annie Pesch, and Fran Pesch. These diverse women of varying ages and personalities attack Mamet’s rhythms, vulgarity and cutthroat intent with compelling bite.

Additional standout sequences include Caitlin Larsen Deer’s hilarious “Drowsy Chaperone” monologue, Leah Mikesell, Annie Pesch and Morales’ New Yawkish take on the infectious “Fugue for Tinhorns,” Annie Pesch’s knockout physicality in a monologue from “One Man, Two Guvnors,” Handy’s smooth, pop-flavored “Corner of the Sky,” Megan Rehberg’s plaintive “This Nearly Was Mine,” Linda Kinnison Roth and Katie Momenee’s “Razzle Dazzle,” and an inspired “Rent”/“Newsies” mashup of “One Song Glory,” “King of New York,” and a double “Santa Fe” featuring Jasmine Easler, Annie Kalahurka (who also serves as a comical emcee), Goodwin, Momenee, and Morales. Also, Becca Kloha Strand provides choreography and Rebecca Childs serves as music director.

broadway beveled

(clockwise) Caitlin Larsen Deer, Mandy Goodwin, Fran Pesch, Leah Mikesell, Gina Handy, Annie Pesch, Megan Rehberg, and Andrea Morales are among the ladies of Magnolia Theatre Company’s production of “Broadway Beveled: A Feminine Cabaret” (Contributed photo by Gina Handy)



In an evening filled with joy and tenderness, special mention must be given to Annie and Fran Pesch’s radiant “No More” duet. The bond between mother and daughter cuts deep here as layers of subtext, memories and legacy fuels Stephen Sondheim’s gentle tune with a soaring, tear-jerking resonance. I can only hope Magnolia gives us more “Broadway Beveled” to see next season.


“Broadway Beveled: A Feminine Cabaret” continues through Jan. 31 in the Mathile Theatre of the Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets, Dayton. Performances are Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. The production runs 80 minutes without intermission. Tickets are $20 general admission and $15 for military, educators and students. For tickets or more information, call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

Cincinnati Reds Visit the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

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140108-F-JK230-001National Museum of the U.S. Air Force visitors will have the opportunity to meet members of the Cincinnati Reds organization on Jan. 30 from 11 am – 2 pm.

Catcher Devin Mesoraco; president of baseball operations Walt Jocketty; minor league pitcher Cody Reed; former catcher Corky Miller; chief operating officer Phil Castellini; broadcasters Thom Brennaman and Jim Day and mascot Mr. Redlegs are scheduled to appear at the museum stop.

The visit will begin with a question and answer session, followed by an autograph session and a chance to take photos of the Reds at the museum. Seating and autographs will only be guaranteed for the first 450 fans in attendance. Standing room will also be available for additional guests who wish to listen to the question and answer session.

One lucky fan will receive two tickets to the 2016 Opening Day game vs. the Philadelphia Phillies on April 4.

Museum doors open at 9 am. the-reds-are-working-on-extending-one-of-their-better-hitters-from-2014

The visit to the museum by the Reds is part of the 2016 Winter Caravan, which will make a total of 16 stops in five states, covering 3,300 miles. 

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the world’s largest military aviation museum. With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 17 acres of indoor exhibit space. Each year about one million visitors from around the world come to the museum. For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.

McCoy on Movies: The Finest Hours

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THE FINEST HOURS
Disney’s latest is an adequate but not awe-inspiring telling of Coast Guard heroics

“OK, so if I pull this hard enough, I get to be the next Batman after my brother?” Ray Sybert (Casey Affleck) attempts to keep his ship, the SS Pendelton, from sinking in a scene from Disney’s THE FINEST HOURS. Credit: Claire Folger. © Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.



WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE: 


 




 
 
KEY CAST MEMBERS: Chris Pine, Holliday Grainger, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, Graham McTavish, John Ortiz, Abraham Benrubi, Rachel Brosnahan, John Magaro, Michael Raymond-James and Eric Bana
 
WRITER(S): Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson (screenplay); Casey Sherman and Michael J. Tougias (book on which the movie is based).
DIRECTOR(S): Craig Gillespie
 
 
60 SECOND PLOT SUMMARY (OR AS CLOSE TO THAT TIME AS ONE CAN MAKE IT): Based on true events taking place on the evening of Feb. 18, 1952, The Finest Hours stars Chris Pine as Bernie Webber, a rather unassuming member of the U.S. Coast Guard’s station in Chatham, Mass. Despite his rather quiet nature, there’s something about Bernie that appeals to Miriam (Holliday Grainger), a woman who takes a quick liking him to enough to propose to him. Being a member of the Coast Guard, however, Bernie takes his job very seriously, which is why he will be sure to ask his commander, Cluff (Eric Bana), before he can actually tie the knot with Miriam.


He quickly discovers his request will have to wait, however, once a distress call comes in across the radio saying an oil tanker, the SS Mercer, has been split in two by a colossal storm just off the coast. Of course, that would be a problem in and of itself if it weren’t for the fact that a second oil tanker, the SS Pendleton, has suffered a similar fate – and taken its captain down to the bottom of the ocean’s depths in the process. Ray Sybert (Casey Affleck), has a plan to keep the ship from sinking – but he’s running out of time to do so. Going out to save the crew of the Pendleton in these conditions is seemingly nothing short of a suicide mission, yet Cluff – who has yet to win the hearts of his unit – sends Bernie out in the storm anyway. And being the company man determined to always do the right thing, Bernie goes, taking volunteers Richard Livesey (Ben Foster), Andy Fitzgerald (Kyle Gallner) and Ervin Maske (John Magaro) with him. 


What follows is what constitutes what is widely considered the greatest small boat mission in the history of the Coast Guard to this day …

WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? People who like movies with strong female characters; people who enjoy endurance pictures; those who love a classic Disney ending; Casey Affleck fans; those who enjoy 3D films where the special effects are an enhancement, not a distraction
 
WHO WON’T (OR SHOULDN’T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? Chris Pine fans coming in expecting him as a young Captain Kirk on the high seas; people who hate hokey endings; those who would rather watch a documentary about a historical event than a Hollywood novelization; Eric Bana fans; anyone with a fear of boats or easily gets seasick; anyone not interested in another boat movie after In the Heart of the Sea 
 
SO, IS IT GOOD, BAD OR ABSOLUTELY AWFUL? Ever seen one of those movies where for the first 30 minutes or so, you’re not emotionally invested in the story at all even though you can tell the filmmakers are building towards something that might be decent? If your answer is “no” or it’s been a while since you have, The Finest Hours will serve as a quick study in this phenomenon as the cliché idea of a film being a mixed bag has rarely been so fitting.


For a film that wants you to be enthralled with the idea of perseverance and romance, The Finest Hours sure doesn’t seem to be concerned with actually delivering it on a compelling level until very late in the film. Chris Pine nails being a working schlub so much that he, well, feels like a working schlub you have a hard time investing in emotionally. Sure he’s a nice enough guy it seems, but there is nothing inherently compelling – either on a surface level or deep-seeded in his emotions – that really makes you go “I feel him.” This wouldn’t be such an issue if Holliday Grainger wasn’t so fully committed to her role that she becomes the most intriguing figure in the film – and her only time on the water comes early and uneventfully. She steals the film as its emotional center even though her character is essentially reduced to being a headstrong woman who pines for her guy’s safe return home, so it shouldn’t be surprising that it’s fairly disappointing, really, that Pine’s understated performance actually, well, drags. Throw in Bana’s rather banal, maybe-it’s-supposed-to-be-comic-relief? performance as the overmatched Cluff and the only thing compelling about the finest hours is watching how things play out versus caring about why.


Casey Affleck fortunately provides a compelling character with subtle nuances to make him a guy you want to root for, making sure Sybert doesn’t fall victim of the trope of “he’s forced into this, now let’s heavy-handedly show you how he responds.” He provides a much-needed dosage of testosterone-fueled gumption, which is sorely lacking. The visuals of the film also do a solid job of keeping your attention as you watch the events unfold, which in turn give Affleck the best scenes to move things along. 


Other than that, though, you have too many elements that feel a bit stale to make the film rise above (no pun intended) “average” filmmaking. There’s the happy ship guy, the near-mutiny guys who have to learn the hard way to let the level-headed guy (Affleck) take charge, there’s the aforementioned guy who’s in charge who shouldn’t be (Bana) and just a general sense of 50s camp that doesn’t feel like nostalgia, but just pure camp. Sure, your grandparents will likely love it, but unless you’re a hopeless romantic, it’s not exactly Titanic or The Poseidon Adventure that they’re crafting here. I don’t mean to make it sound like I’m knocking the movie as it is quite watchable … It’s just that once you’ve finished the voyage, you can’t help but feel like there was something more that could have been.


A pure Disney movie at its best and worst moments, The Finest Hours isn’t exactly the best two hour jaunt into the dangerous seas, but it’s got enough solid components to entertain the average moviegoer once the tide starts to come in. 


OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

 

Natural Exercise!

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Daytonians the winter season is steadily moving forward, and it is less than two months until spring! Even though it is a little cooler outside and the days are a bit shorter, don’t let that stop you from getting out in nature and being active. There are many wonderful opportunities to do something good for your health and enjoy the great outdoors at the same time. Check out some of the different parks and guided hikes offered weekly in the Dayton metropolitan area.

 

Adult Exploration Hike at Hobart Urban Nature Preserve

The Miami County Park District will hold an Adult Exploration Hike on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at Hobart Urban Nature Preserve in Troy. Join the park district naturalist to discover the birds, plants, and trees while getting in some fabulous exercise and fresh air.  These hikes are an incredible opportunity to get out in nature and learn together, for free! This event will last about two hours and is appropriate for all levels, and that’s right, it is free of charge. Remember to layer up before you head out because it is still winter, and the trails may be a little damp as well. Break out of the normal exercise rut and get out to explore our beautiful community while doing something excellent for your body!

There you have it folks, a free event, a chance to do something active, and an opportunity to perhaps discover a new treasure in your own town. Let’s get out and get moving Dayton!

Bacon Fans Will Go Hog Wild at DLM’s Baconfest

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BaconfestImageBacon-lovers—step right up! For the third year, Dorothy Lane Market’s Baconfest celebration will be happening at all three DLM locations 11 am-5 pm on both Fri, Jan. 30 and Sat, Jan 31.

 

The local Dayton specialty grocery store is always known for having everything from the daily staples to the very best, and bacon is no exception. At Baconfest 2016, DLM will be debuting bacon-infused goodness throughout the store where bacon is the shining star (think 25+ bacon- laced products and 10+ tasty demos).

 

As visitors make their way through each store, there will be a variety of WWDW7b4IAiZIBECrhdraMFSH42tPcxtevZN7bcTHBmcproducts marked with Baconfest insignia DLM (think Sugar & Spice Bacon Salsa, Hot Pepper Bacon Jam, and DLM Maple Bacon Gelato). Plus, the DLM Bakery is joining in on the excitement with Chocolate Covered Bacon-Uncured Hickory Smoked Bacon dipped in chocolate ganache and then drizzled with white chocolate ganache and DLM caramel. Then, finished with a bourbon-smoked sea salt.  And they’ll be introducing Bacon Cheddar Pull-Apart Bread there. You’ll find bits of DLM Uncured Bacon nestled in a buttery, eggy, cobblestone bread made at our DLM Bakehouse.

 

Plus, for the first time, representatives from the Flying Pig Marathon will be onsite at Baconfest during select times and store locations to answer questions and register runners for the Flying Pig Marathon!

Eliza Neals and the Narcotics Bring The Blue’s To Taffy’s

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f3hvmk1cm9o6cyx4gygs4ax0cfloyznjELIZA NEALS is a dynamic front woman, multi-talented musician, confident producer and outstanding live performer plus the voice of the ’21st Century blues’ for a new generation.

Chosen for ‘Blues Magazine UK #24’ covermount CD compilation “In Safe Hands – The Next Generation of Blues Superstars” with Buddy Guy on the September 2015 cove

Human Race Presents A Classic: The Glass Menagerie

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glass-menagerieThe Human Race begins the second half of its 29th season with Tennessee William’s first great masterpiece, The Glass Menagerie. Memories come alive and love becomes desperate in this shimmering drama of a family on the edge. Tom struggles to make it in a modern day world while his reclusive sister hides amongst the small glistening crystalline creatures she collects. Their mother holds tight to a fantasy of Southern gentility and the belief that a certain gentleman caller will be the answer to their problems. With an edge as sharp as broken glass, it’s a story that cuts deep into the longing of human hearts. The production at The Human Race’s downtown Dayton home at The Loft Theatre is directed by Greg Hellems and features actors Scott Hunt, Jennifer Joplin, Claire Kennedy and Drew Vidal.

Director Greg Hellems revealed his unique and exciting vision of the play:

Even before it opened on Broadway in 1945, The Glass Menagerie had proved itself to be a powerhouse hit with audiences and critics, quickly earning the then unknown Tennessee (real name “Thomas”) Williams national recognition as a voice of his generation. Considered to be semi-autobiographical in nature, the play takes elements of Williams’ own early life—growing up in St. Louis with an overprotective Southern mother and an emotionally troubled sister, toiling in a shoe factory, a difficult relationship with his father—and pours them into the tortured soul of its protagonist and narrator, “Tom Wingfield.” Described by the playwright as a “memory play,” The Glass Menagerie was unusual for its time, the script was filled with considerable and detailed stage directions from Williams to ensure its presentation in the manner he envisioned, the story is filled with intentional symbolism and its dialogue highly poetic and lyrical in nature. Even after Williams went on to win two Pulitzer Prizes for A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, his The Glass Menagerie was heralded as a defining work that changed the American Theatre and opened up new ways of writing dramatic literature.

In defining his vision of The Glass Menagerie for The Human Race, director Greg Hellems focused on Williams’ early life and how he sought to purge himself of guilt and regret, just as his doppelganger on stage, “Tom,” must do. “I see the theatre as Tom’s purgatory,” explains Hellems, “in which he must make his nightly confession to explain his actions and to justify his decision to abandon his mother and his disabled sister.” The story in the play is Tom’s memory, but it’s telling has an unintended consequence. “The ghosts of Tom’s illusion—his mother, his sister, his co-worker, Jim—respond with vitality and life, and won’t succumb to Tom’s conscious desire to win us over,” Hellems says. “Once Tom steps into his memory, it is no longer under his control, and he must face the reality of his past decision.”
12440517_10153973782553013_419460117151032450_oThe four-member cast of The Human Race’s production features two of the company’s Resident Artists, native Daytonian Scott Hunt (Rent and Les Misérables on Broadway, Big River and Shenandoah with HRTC) as the troubled son, “Tom,” and Cincinnati’s Jennifer Joplin (HRTC’s Miracle on South Division Street, Other Desert Cities and God of Carnage) as his mother, “Amanda,” as well as Wright State University graduate Claire Kennedy (HRTC’s Lend Me a Tenor, Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet) as sister “Laura” and Ball State University assistant professor Drew Vidal (The Three Musketeers at Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Red Light Winter at Shafer Street Playhouse) as the gentleman caller, “Jim.”

Earlham College professor Eric Barker’s (The Repertory of St. Louis, CATCO, Richmond Shakespeare Festival) set combines a stylistic setting with real world furnishings in his first turn as scenic designer for The Human Race. Local artist/designer Ayn Kaethchen Wood (The Zoot Theatre Company, Yellow Springs Kids Playhouse, HRTC’s Under a Red Moon) serves as costume designer. Resident Artist John Rensel returns to set the mood as lighting designer. Sound designer Jay Brunner (HRTC’s The Santaland Diaries, The Full Monty, Family Shots) has created an original musical score to accompany the action onstage. Kay Carver is the production stage manager. The show’s producer is Human Race Associate Artistic Director Tara Lail.
Tickets for the preview performance of The Glass Menagerie on February 4 start at $35 for adults, $32 for seniors and $17.50 for students. For all performances February 5  – 21, single ticket prices start at $40 for adults, $37 for seniors and $20 for students. Prices vary depending on the day of the week and seating location. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. The Human Race is offering a pair of discount ticket opportunities. Side-area seats are available at all performances for $25 each, on sale two weeks prior to performance. The Sunday, February 7 7:00 pm performance is “Sawbuck Sunday”, when any available seat can be purchased in person for just $10 at The Loft Theatre box office two hours prior to the show. Discounts are subject to availability and some restrictions apply.

All performances are at the Metropolitan Art Center’s Loft Theatre, located at 126 North Main Street in downtown Dayton, Ohio. Show times for The Glass Menagerie are 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday evenings. Performances on Sunday and Tuesday evenings begin at 7:00 pm and at 2:00 pm on Sunday matinees.

Tickets and performance information on The Glass Menagerie are available at www.humanracetheatre.org or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630, and at the Schuster Center box office.

City Signs MOU to Begin Arcade Redevelopment

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The City of Dayton has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Cross Street Partners (Baltimore, MD) and Dayton-based Miller-Valentine Group to begin redevelopment efforts for the Dayton Arcade.

Cross Street Partners, in conjunction with Miller-Valentine, is in the early stages of seeking housing tax credits that, if successful, will provide 60 affordable housing units targeted for artistic and creative residents in downtown Dayton.

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photo courtesy of Tom Gilliam.

These units would be the first such opportunity in the Dayton region. The first phase of the project will focus on the historic Commercial Building (Fourth at Ludlow) and the Fourth Street apartment building.

“When I started the Arcade Task Force, my biggest concern was to ensure that our efforts would give us enough time to make the best decision for our taxpayers,” said Mayor Nan Whaley. “I am excited that we have partnered with a developer who has a long track record in successful adaptive reuse of historic buildings and urban mixed use development.”

“The state historic tax credit program, combined with federal historic tax incentives, will help develop the Arcade into something that is new, different and engaging,” said Steve Petitjean, Senior Vice President & Market Manager for Fifth Third Bank and Arcade Task Force co-chair.

An application to the Ohio Housing Finance Agency will be submitted in February of this year, with the hope that the project will receive an award later this year and begin development in 2017.

Last year, at the recommendation of the Arcade Task Force, the City Commission voted to award a contract valued at $700,000 to Miller-Valentine Group’s commercial construction division for emergency repairs to the multi-building complex.

David Bohardt, Arcade Task Force co-chair and Executive Director of St. Vincent de Paul said, “By making the necessary emergency repairs, we have given the developer team a chance to assemble a sound project and secure any financing they might need.”

The seven-building, 400,000-sq.-ft. property is a challenging project for any developer. However, the unique grouping of buildings and inspirational architecture represents a unique place-making opportunity for Dayton.

“The Arcade has a storied history and tremendous potential as a key anchor for downtown Dayton,” said, Bill Struever, Principal, Cross Street Partners. “We (Cross Street) take great joy in creating spaces that bring people and ideas together to create magical, high energy places in cities like Dayton.”

Capitalizing on the diverse pool of artistic and creative activities and functions in the Dayton area represents an opportunity to rethink the Arcade as a center for creativity. The upper floors of the buildings are well-suited for a mix of market-rate and affordable residential uses. The presence of creative residents and activities may inspire other investments.

Ed Blake, CEO Commercial, Miller-Valentine Group, said, “Dayton is not unlike many cities that basically have a stock of beautiful and historic buildings that are sitting empty and deteriorating. Once this project is completed, we hope the Arcade will serve as blueprint for other redevelopment ideas.”

First Anniversary For Craft Beer And Fine Wine Bottle Shop

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12439249_1015360635168835_8560929092162583745_nWe first wrote about The Barrel House – Coming Soon To Third And Wayne in January 2013.  At that time, Olive owner Kimberly Collett had recruited her cousin Jeff Heater to move from Maine to come to Dayton as her partner and manage this coffee shop for beer.  Jeff jumped write in to oversee the remodel of the building as the GM & Chief Beer Geek.

It took a while, to maneuver through some construction and lease obstacles and The Barrel House officially opened on Jan 30, 2015.  On the eve of their first anniversary celebration on Sat, Jan 30th,  Jeff took some time to talk with DMM:

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The picture that started it all.

While this is your first anniversary, when did planning for the BH start?
It really all started with a text picture of Chimay White, mid March, 2012.
When I lived in Columbus my favorite bar always had the beer on tap and I would tease my cousin with it. This particular time I was living in Maine and celebrating with a Chimay from my local bar. The reply text was “I have an idea if you want to come home”, and that got the ball rolling. The Olive had been open nine months or so and Kim saw the potential. Originally the idea was that by the time I actually made the move back, the store would be ready to open. I could live upstairs in the apartment, it would be perfect. We all know that didn’t happen!

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in the first year of business?
Facebook is a tool. No, seriously! A business tool. Social Media is an entirely different beast as a business. Alga-rhythms, paying to boost, who sees what, and on and on… One doesn’t want to be annoying yet it’s the way we keep up these days. It can be a double edged sword. Liking and sharing posts does a huge amount to spread the word. I’m trying to be better about tagging local breweries when we tap their beers or receive new package product.
We have such solid reviews, many sites contact us asking that we take it up a notch and pay to play.

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What’s the biggest surprise you’ve had about the business?
We are not a brewery! We leave that to the other guys. We get so much mail trying to sell us forklifts and spill kits and all kinds of fun stuff, however, we will not ever need any of it!

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If you had it to do again what one thing would you change?
Absolutely nothing. I’m a firm believer in the here and now. All the what-if’s in the world wouldn’t result in the same end product. Part of our whole logic was to open when it was finished, nothing we had explain away. I distinctly remember the day i realized it was ready. Still, when we see necessary changes needed, we have evolved. We adapted to the needs of the customer. We will continue to evolve.


What can we expect new or different in year two?
More controlled events. My goal from the beginning was to have one wine and one beer event each month. However big or small. It’s time to focus on that. I want people to know that the second Thursday of the month is some11822570_10153532885514314_1360217017406453574_nthing at the BH.
When we were the new kid, breweries and distributors were throwing stuff at us so fast, we were not in a position to say no. Now I know to be patient. Maybe it’ll come back around? Maybe it’s not worth the hassle?  As I say this, I’m already eating my words because the Ohio Craft Brewers Conference is hot on the heals of our Anniversary party. So five long days later we will have a Fatheads Meet and Greet event.

I like to think this is the end of the longest, toughest year of my life. I know it’ll never get easy, there will always be stress, and I’ll never really get a day off. But with the support of my wife, family and friends, I’ve…, we’ve made it this far. There is a great community of support here and I am certainly happy to be a part of it. We have a great staff, delivery a great product, and are committed to making our mark in the local beer scene. Here’s to many more years, Cheers!


We hope you’ll check out the 20 taps which include  17 craft beers, one gluten free cider a red and white wine at The Barrel House at 417 E. Thirds Street in downtown Dayton.  You can fill a growler or howler,  enjoy a flight of beers or pick a bottle of wine  off the shelf, use the insta-chill cooler  to chill your bottle in 5-7 minu10151196_847038572001043_8316600365813678939_ntes  while you lounge in the comfy chairs and use their free wifi. You can even carry in your own food, or have it delivered.

HOURS OF OPERATION:
Tuesday-Thursday 3p-10p
Friday & Saturday  12p-1a
Sunday                   1p-7p
Closed Mondays

Oregon Printing Communications Wins Big in National Print & Design Contest

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GPA, the market leader in substrate solutions for offset, digital, and wide format printing, announces the winners of their 2015 Print & Design Contest, which honors excellence and creativity in printing. Companies across North America submitted their entries on GPA substrates to compete in eight product categories for the Best of Category award; from the eight winning entries, one was chosen as Best of Show.  Oregon Printing Communications won this year’s Best of Show award for their creative spin on a corporate capabilities booklet in the Ultra Digital® Papers 2 category.

 The company, located in Dayton, OH, wanted to create a marketing piece that went beyond a list of services. They wanted to truly inspire their clients through stunning design, innovative printing techniques, and unique substrates. Amanda Pond, Marketing & Development Manager at Oregon, created the concept and worked with their digital print team leader, Jim Hoelscher, to bring it to life. The result is a striking booklet that cleverly plays with ink, substrates, opacity, light, and texture.

“Our main goal is to inspire people to do new and different things with print, and that’s exactly what our winning piece does. Seeing something like this win Best of Show is a tremendous amount of validation for the work that we do,” shared Judd Plattenburg, President at Oregon Printing Communications.

Oregon used five different GPA substrates in their booklet, including pearlescent, color, translucent, photo and uncoated papers. Plattenburg shared why they chose GPA papers for their project: “GPA has so many cool substrates for our HP Indigo press, available in the quantities we need, when we need them. That gives me the confidence that we can create groundbreaking pieces that inspire our customers, which helps them succeed. As a result, we become their trusted partner and share in their success.”

GPA’s Print & Design Contest is an annual opportunity for printers and end-users to showcase their best work and gain industry recognition. For a submission to be eligible, it must be from an actual job or promotion that was printed by a GPA customer on a qualified GPA substrate within the past year. This year marks a decade of the competition, which grows bigger and better each year, yielding new and unique examples of opportunities that GPA substrates create.

Lifting Weights Isn’t Just For Competition

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The fitness industry has made great strides toward making women feel more comfortable in weight rooms across the country, but there’s still some work to be done.

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Twenty years ago fitness types were still selling women the fiction that they might “get big” if they lifted heavy weights and didn’t spend countless hours “doing cardio.” Based on what I hear from new clients this old myth persists among many women, but it seems to be dying a slow death thanks to fitness thought leaders like Jen Sinkler and Neghar Fonooni, among others. There still exists a subtle roadblock, however, that prevents more women from abandoning the elliptical machines and Zumba classes in favor of the efficient transformation technique that is weight-bearing exercise:

Competition.

I asked an acquaintance in the gym yesterday how her training was going, and she somewhat sheepishly replied that she was doing her best, but that she wasn’t training as hard as others. It was a revelatory answer to a throw-away question meant more as a means of polite conversation than a piercing inquiry. I know her a little, and she’s impressively strong and impressively conditioned–but she probably couldn’t place at an elite level of any sort of Crossfit, powerlifting, or figure competition. My unscientific analysis indicates that she’s probably fitter than 90 percent of the women in her age group, yet she was somehow embarrassed that this wasn’t “enough.”

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Strength training is among the most efficient delivery systems for body and health transformation that there is. You can develop your conditioning, change your body composition, and push a host of health markers in the right direction by incorporating things like squats, deadlifts, presses, and rows into your weekly routine. Yet I worry that somehow this message is getting garbled into the notion that barbell training is only for people interested in Crossfit, powerlifting, or Olympic-style weightlifting.

I think part of the problem is that most big commercial gyms lag behind barbell style gyms when it comes to stocking plentiful free weights, and the barbell style gyms that exist do tend to have at least somewhat of an emphasis on competition, personal records, and Instagram stardom.

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Barbell training isn’t just for competition. It can be an important slice–but just a slice–of an otherwise well-rounded and interesting life full of art, music, friends, and good food. Approaching the squat rack doesn’t mean that you have to buy knee socks and booty shorts. All it means is that you’re interested in the most important movement pattern you can learn to do well (squat), that you’re interested in building muscle and bone density, and that you’re interested in being strong and mobile well into your 80s.

One of my worries about this post is that it wreaks of condescension, that I’m presupposing that women aren’t competitive. I’m not arguing that women somehow aren’t as competitive as men. What I am trying to do is grapple with the reality that the fitness industry generally has been an unwelcoming place for women when it comes to strength training. While I do think some of those walls are coming down–having been smashed by the strength of female leadership–I do think that the correlation between barbell training and competition does prevent some women from feeling completely comfortable pursuing strength. And I happen think that’s a shame.

 

 

Dayton Made Hot Sauce, Returns Feb 1

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Chef House’s Sriracha is back & we love her Thai Chile earrings

The hot sauce that took the Dayton area by storm, HouseMade Sriracha is coming back…

And HouseMade Sauces has given Food Adventures exclusive scoop on this one.  Maybe because we are cool, or maybe because our own Chef House is the owner and proprietor of the fiercely popular “HouseMade Sriracha Sauce.”  At any rate you can call us the “Pepper-azzi” for this one, because we have the insight on how Thai Chile peppers have affected this Miami Valley favorite sauce.

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— HouseMade Sriracha has sold out in stores all over the state, and due to a shortage of imported Thai Chile Peppers, HouseMade has been unable to refill the demand for the sauce for months.

— In the meantime, they developed a Peachy Sriracha using habeneros and a Green Sriracha, using Serrano peppers.  While these sauces gained cult followings, people have still yearned for that flagship sauce, the red sauce, the original “HouseMade Sriracha.” 

New Logo – Same Great Locally Made Sriracha !

— Why the pepper shortage? The Mediterranean fly!   Yes, an insect caused an import restriction meaning no produce from the Dominican Republic was allowed shipped to the USA.  This was the first time since 1989 that the United States has banned produce from that country. The last ban lasted 18 months. This fly attacks our citrus crops. It is divesting here.

But no fear hot sauce addicts.. your cravings will soon be answered, and this sauce will be flying off the shelves !

WHERE YOU CAN FIND HOUSEMADE SRIRACHA STARTING FEB 1st:

SPICE PARADISE: Dayton, Ohio12540959_1209963345683755_6442617605603907411_n

THE SPICE RACK: Dayton, Ohio

GHOSTLIGHT COFFEE: Dayton, Ohio

KEENER BUTCHER BLOCK: Dayton, Ohio

KROGER FRESH FARE: Stroop Rd in Kettering

ARROW WINE: Oakwood and Centerville locations

HEART MERCANTILE: Dayton, Ohio

TROY BULK and BARN DELI: in Troy, Ohio

Chef House is brewing up Thai Chile’s for Feb 1st !

WHATS IN THE FUTURE FOR HOUSEMADE SAUCES?

— Owners Chef LeeAnne House and Jason Kramer are now licensed from the FDA to bottle themselves and will longer have to go to a bottler.  They will oversee the batches and ensure that flavor and consistency you love, will be in every drop.  This is the closest thing to LeeAnne’s “home brew” that you will be able to get.

— CARROT MANGO HABANERO will be the next sauce to hit the shelves sometime in 2016.  We cant wait to try this Food Adventure in a bottle.

 — Continue to find HouseMade Sauces all over Ohio.  They are at various locations in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and of course Dayton.

— Look for continued national growth.  HouseMade is currently available in retail spots in Indiana, Kentucky and Georgia.

 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

HouseMade has won some regional and national Hot Sauce Competition Awards:

2014– WINNER of the specialty chili category at the Cajun Hot Sauce Festival in Louisiana.

2014 –  1st Place – Small Business Accelerator Contest in Columbus, Ohio

2015 – GRAND CHAMPION of the Cajun Hot Sauce Fest, in Louisiana for their Hot Honey

2015 – 1st Place Jungle – Jim’s Weekend of Fire, Specialty Chili Category for their Hot Honey

 

We cant wait to start pouring Sriracha on our eggs, wings, sandwiches, soups, chicken, seafood, vegetable and everywhere else we find a need.  If you have not gotten your hand on this sauce yet, you are missing a great taste of Dayton ingenuity.

We hold up a bottle of HouseMade Sriracha and toast you all:  “May it heat up your nights, and heat up your days, and tickle your taste buds in many ways.  Hold up your bottles and lets take a tally, here’s to the best  hot sauce in the Miami Valley!

 

“Like” Food Adventures on Facebook for more scoop on Miami Valley food that will knock your Aunt Connie’s socks off!

Until then, browse the photos below of the beloved Dayton made Sriracha sauce that will be back on shelves and restaurant menus next month.

 

Cartoon Version of Chef House

Everyone loves HouseMade Sriracha Sauce !

Logo of HouseMade Sauces

LeeAnee House and Jason Kramer of HouseMade Sauces

Stir it up

Thai chile Peppers are BACK !

Big Ragu toasts Dayton’s favorite Hot Sauce

Pulling the stems off of peppers

The Beginnings of Making HouseMade Sriracha

Bravo Beavercreek Opens Thurs, Jan 28th

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12070835_890349217709512_1816700586_nBRAVO! Cucina Italiana, a “polished casual” restaurant offering classic Italian food, offered a sneak peek last night of their newest location at The Mall at Fairfield Commons, which officially opens this Thursday, Jan 28th.  Located on the east side of the mall, in the space that was formerly one of the two Elder Beerman stores, now a newly created restaurant row, with  the recently opened Chuy’s, and the soon to open BJ’s Brewhouse.   I was welcomed at the door by a bevy of smiling  hostesses,  and quickly escorted to my table.  The brand new building is decorated to give you the feeling of an Italian bistro, elegant with white table cloths, but yet not stuffy. The high ceilings and large columns dividing the dining room into three sections, give the restaurant a very open and large feeling.  The new Beavercreek eatery has seats  for about a 120, with a small private dining room that can accommodate 20 guests,  according to Lisa Marie, one of the managers who’s transferred from the Dayton Mall Bravo, where she’s worked for 12 years.  Come spring you’ll also be able to enjoy patio seating.

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My meal started with manager Samantha delivering an appetizer to the table.  She shared that it was her favorite and it quickly became one of my new favorites, too.  Arancini Fritters are delicious little balls of cheesy risotto served with a spicy davolo sauce and a more mild pomodoro sauce.  Here’s some helpful info, you won’t find these on the dinner menu, but they are on the bar menu, but you can indeed order these at your table and at $3.95 they are a MUST ORDER!  Looking forward to going back and sitting at the beautiful bar, which runs across the front of the restaurant with a brilliant lighted bottle display, lots of bar stools and some comfy booths.  Be sure and take advantage of happy hour with a small plates menu starting at $3.95.

After appetizers, the Bravo! Chopped Salad with cucumbers, red onions, tomatoes, olives, Feta, red wine vinaigrette is a  crisp,fresh option. The Caesar is a classic and never disappoints.  If you’re a Lobster Bisque fan, they have one of the best! And the bread- that rosemary foccacia served fresh from the oven with a basil, thyme, and rosemary olive oil dipping sauce, I can actually make that a meal!

 

The menu is full of IMG_4133choices, with pizzas, pasta, selections from the grill like the Filmet Mignon Toscano, pork chops or jumbo shrimp and chef specialties like Veal or Eggplant Parmesan, Crab and Shrimp Cakes, and Chicken Scaoppini.  There’s even a selection of light entrees and gluten free pasta options.  I choose the Pasta Fra Diavolo with shrimp tossed in a mildly spicy tomato cream sauce with campanelle pasta.  The portions at Bravo are always generous and there were  about a dozen good sized shrimp in my dish.  It you like some heat with your pasta, you can ask your server to have the kitchen spice this one up. Speaking of kitchens, it’s an open kitchen in the back of the restaurant where you can actually see and hear the crew working on your meal.  It’s authentic without being obtrusive.

Another thing I’ve learned is if you’re getting full,  let them pack part of your dinner to go so you can order dessert.   My favorite is the decadent chocolate cake layered with white and milk chocolate mousse, iced with fudge ganache frosting. Of course there’s also the traditional Italian Tiramisu of lady fingers soaked in coffee liqueur, layered with creamy Mascarpone filling and finished with cocoa powder or a New York style cheesecake with a shortbread cookie crust, dusted with sugar and caramelized to order served with vanilla IMG_4132bean anglaise.  Or share the dessert trio of  vanilla bean crème brulee, cannoli crumble and warm chocolate peanut butter brownie.

 

And while the staff is all brand new, the 5 five weeks of training managed by a team of 13 trainers in town from other units makes for service that was on point, without being obtrusive.  My iced tea was replaced with a fresh glass several times, always before my glass was empty, a touch I truly appreciate.  Teamwork was spot on with nearby servers clearing glasses, and dishes as they were emptied. Samantha Woods, the service manager who moved from a North Carolina to open this Bravo, shared that the company has grown a lot since she’s been working with them for five years, and explained that the while the Bravo and Brio concepts are similar, Brio features a more tuscan grilled menu as opposed to the more pasta friendly Bravo menu. The company also has a third concept, Bon Vie Bistro, that’s only at Easton in Columbus, so far.

Speaking of growing, right after opening the Beavercreek store, Grand Rapids, Michigan gets their first Bravo next week. Chief Training Officer Diane McLaughlin shared that “we were impressed when it came to staffing, this location had great applicants and we had over half the positions filled in the first couple of weeks.  I can’t say the same about the Michigan store.  Of course it may have something to do with the fact we already have established a good reputation in the market.”  And if my visit last night was any indication, Bravo has another hit on their hands with the Beavercreek location.

 

 

BRAVO! Cucina Italiana   (937) 431-5460500bravobrunch

2727 Fairfield Commons

Sun -Thu: 11am -10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am -11pm

BRAVO! Brunch  is served Saturday and Sunday until 3pm.