Dayton937

Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

Archives for June 2017

Nibbles hosts Tiki Night!

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Nibbles Restaurant at 105 S. Second Street in downtown Miamisburg brings in  Summer with Tiki Night on Tuesday, July 11th at 6:30pm. This special event will feature food with a tropical theme, paired with classic Tiki drinks sure to wash away your troubles!

Four courses of Chef Maria’s delicious food each paired with a mini-cocktail from our Barman’s trove of tropical concoctions for $64 per person.  As with most of Nibbles theme nights-this will sell out quickly!

 

 

Four Course Dinner Menu with Cocktails

Hawaiian Poké
the traditional island favorite, marinated in soy, sesame, and citrus
Paired with: Trader Vic’s Mai Tai
From a base of rum and Orgeat, comes this minor miracle
Werewolves may be sighted in the vicinity.

Braised Pork Belly Tacos
with grilled pineapple-mango-jicama slaw
Paired with: Fog Cutter
A triple-threatof rum, brandy, and gin, known to induce untoward behavior.
Polynesian Fish Ribs
crispy Pacu ribs in a sweet Pacific glaze with fried plantain chips
Paired with: Zombie The ultimate Tiki drink! A special blend of rums, fruit
juices, and secret spices.
All hail Don the Be achcomber!
Coco Lopez Rum Cake
a Polynesian spin on Tres Leches, with cream of coconut and a rum soak
Paired with:  The Genuine Piña Colada
Made just as God intended, with Coco Lopez and pineapple juice.
Takes you right back to Ricky Ricardo and the Club Babalo

Reservations by phone only!
(937) 802 -0891

 

Roadtrip: Cleveland (on the) Rocks

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Porco

Porco Lounge and Tiki Room

Most people know it as the Mistake on the Lake. The Cuyahoga (ky-uh-HOEG-uh) River, running through the industrial heart of the city to Akron and into Geauga County, is best known for a 1969 fire that helped spark a conversation about the environment while cementing Cleveland’s reputation as a city on the decline. That river had burned at least thirteen other times, but that was the one that made it into TIME magazine. As a child, I remember notifications in the Plain Dealer, Cleveland’s newspaper of record, about restrictions on what fish you could eat out of Lake Erie because of toxin accumulation. Until recently, it had also suffered a fifty-two year major sports championship drought, broken by the Cleveland Cavaliers. I will add that the minor league Lake Erie Monsters sparked the rally by winning the Calder Cup in the AHL, but I am biased to hockey. Cleveland is seen as a Rust Belt-relic, a big city that could have been, and a major city in a fly over state. Outside the state, it has a questionable reputation.

Inside the state, and especially inside the city, we know better. While the national media is just starting to sing the praises of “The Land”, the city itself has been doing what it always does: ignoring the critics and just keep improving. The Cleveland Clinic is a world leader in medicine with a sprawling campus on the east side of the city. Just past that is University Circle, home to a beautifully renovated Cleveland Museum of Art. University Circle also houses Severance Hall, home to one of the best orchestras in the country and Case Western Reserve University, ranked 37th in the country for its undergrad program by U.S. News and World Report. Looking for the largest performing arts center outside of New York City? We welcome you to Playhouse Square, complete with amazing bars and restaurants in walking distance. Many of you may Platform-1know that A Christmas Story was filmed in The 216, but did you know parts of Spider-Man 3, The Avengers, Air Force One, and Captain America: Winter Soldier were also filmed there? It is also home to the largest Hungarian population outside of Hungary, and has a generally eastern European flavor.

We have not even touched on the food. Michael Symon has done amazing things to put Cleveland on the culinary map. Lola laid the ground work for the empire he has built there, and it continues to grow. Jonathon Sawyer made his mark in the city as well, being recognized by the James Beard Foundation in 2015 with their Best Chef Great Lakes for his work at The Greenhouse Tavern, Noodlecat, and Trentina. There is no need to focus on fine dining. Slyman’s Restaurant will make you a sandwich as big as your head. You can pick up a host of delicious treats at the venerable West Side Market in Ohio City, or get a classic taste of Cleveland at Sokolowski’s University Inn (another Beard Award winner). The explosion of the food scene has fanned the flames of a thriving cocktail and beer scene.

Yes, Cleveland bars and watering holes can stand up to any other gin joint in the country. I will listen to the fact that they may be behind on the trends, but that has never bothered the waves of thirsty people lining up to have a beer, a glass of wine, or a well-crafted cocktail after a long day at the office. They are as complex and impressive as anything you will find on the coasts. Our bartenders are leaving the state frequently to discover what other liquors and spirits are becoming popular and reporting their findings. This involves either developing their own concoction to match the flavors or appealing to the liquor control board in Ohio to make it available. This is Cleveland after all. Nothing is given, everything is earned.

If you are going to be in The Land in the near future, here is a list of a bars for you to visit, from the best cocktail bars in the city to cramped dive bars with all the atmosphere you can soak in.

Cocktails

Rouge Awakening at Velvet Tango Room

Rouge Awakening at Velvet Tango Room

Velvet Tango Room (2095 Columbus Rd, Cleveland, OH 44113, 216-241-8869) – The VTR is mentioned first because when you ask about Cleveland cocktails, this name will roll off anyone’s tongue. House made bitters and syrups, numbered and entertaining menus, and three to four ingredient cocktails keep patrons coming back to see what spirited magic is being conjured next. It must be some wizardry, because the bartenders here make it all look effortless. The Rouge Awakening was developed to help one of the bartenders find her love of Campari, and she nailed it by adding rhubarb and grapefruit to the mix. If you want to stay with the environment’s speakeasy history, order up a refreshing Bourbon Daisy featuring their house made ginger beer.

Porco Lounge and Tiki Room (2527 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44113, 216-802-9222) – Just a little south of downtown you will find a little slice of tropical heaven. Porco has done its homework on tiki; their cocktails are served in an amazing variety of glasses, with fancy umbrellas and toys garnishing the drinks. Toys aside, these cocktails are serious business. They have all the kick of the classic tiki cocktails along with the juices and the spices. You can choose what level of Painkiller you are looking for, from one to three. The Heart of Darkness is well balanced between the citrus and the rum, while the Mai Tais and Zombies offer a little boozier kick. Depending on the group size, you can get most of their cocktails in a punch-sized Scorpion Bowl format for sharing.

Society Lounge (2063 E 4th St, Cleveland, OH 44115, 216-781-9050) – Its proximity to Quicken Loans Arena (home of the Cavs), Progressive Field (home of the Indians), and Playhouse Square make this an incredibly popular spot. Walking down the stairs takes you from the early 21st century to the early 20th century. The low lighting and the décor set the low key mood, preparing you for a lovely night of cocktails. Their menu is as much of a work of art as the cocktails, leading you to the libation you want with simple graphics and a key. They offer a full spectrum of drinks, from rare classics like the Corpse Reviver #1 to their own complex creations like the Smokey Robinson (which is actually smoked as you order it).

Beer

Taps at Platform Beer Company

Taps at Platform Beer Company

Great Lakes Brewing Company (2516 Market Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113, 216-771-4404) – It would be irresponsible of me to suggest any other place for a good beer in this town before I mention Great Lakes. Located near the West Side Market in Ohio City, it is an ideal location to stop after a long day of shopping or to eat before a downtown event. Their food offerings, many made with the beers they brew and locally sourced ingredients, are delicious as well. Their core beers, like Dortmunder Gold (which they also use in their mustard) and Edmund Fitzgerald porter are always on tap, as well as some unique seasonal and brewery-only offerings. Lake Erie Monster is an amazing imperial IPA for summer, and their Oktoberfest in the fall is top notch. You can book a tour of the brewery and learn a little bit about some of Cleveland’s haunted history as you do.

Platform Beer Company (4125 Lorain Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113, 216-202-1386) – There are two amazing things happening at the Platform Beer Company. The first is offering excellent beers in a casual, industrial setting. The exposed brick walls mesh well with the polished steel vats and unique beer handles. They offer their wide range of beers, from rich, smoky stouts like Anathema #1 to fresh, sour goses like 9021 Goz-uh, brewed with watermelon, as pints or in flights for you to sample. The second thing the company’s commitment to helping other local brewers start their own brewery. Not just how to brew beer, but how to run the business end of it as well. If you get hungry here, they have different vendors coming in daily for a variety of eats. Or you can hit the Plum Café and Kitchen next door and bring it to the brewery with you.

Butcher and the Brewer (2043 E 4th St, Cleveland, OH 44115, 216-331-0805) – The farm-to-table movement is alive and well on the north coast of Ohio. This outstanding space offers as much locally sourced ingredients as they can buy, and that goes for their beers as well. They are all solid brews, from the summery Repeater kölsch to the rich and creamy Midnight Oil milk stout. You can taste the freshness in the food, and since it is seasonally purchased the menu changes frequently. Community is not just something they support with their dollars; their long tables encourage you to make friends as you dine and drink.

Offerings at Great Lakes Brewing Company

Offerings at Great Lakes Brewing Company

Wine

Press Wine Bar (2221 Professor Avenue, Cleveland, 44113, 216-566-9463) – One of the first places on this list where “open, light and airy” would be the best way to describe the atmosphere. Press offers an extensive beer and cocktail menu in addition to their global wine list. Their selection includes exotic bottles like the 2011 Numanthia “Termes” Tempranillo from Spain to locally produced Riesling from South River Vineyard in Ohio. In addition to the well-balanced bar offerings, they have a food menu that ranges from small bites to full meals. The décor is just as impressive as the food and drink, highlighting the openness of the space.

Humble Wine Bar (15400 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, 216-767-5977) – It is hard to determine which is more impressive, their wine list or the pizza they serve. If you do not feel like one of their delightful pizzas to go with your wine, you can select from their small plate and charcuterie menu. Their list offers a vast selection of wines for the meal you select, whether you have a glass of the 2013 Foxglove Zinfandel to go with the Quatro Formaggio pizza or bottle of 2015 Terlato Pinot Grigio with a White Wine Cheese Plate. Add a patio into the mix and you have a great way to finish a day.

Odds and Ends

Griffin Cider House (12401 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, 216-767-5444) – What does a British citizen living in the United States do when the only ciders he can find are light ones? He starts his own cider house. Owner Richard Read creates his own full-bodied, English style ciders from local apples. There is a wide range of styles and flavors to choose from, from the incredibly popular unfiltered Burley Man to the summery Lemon Blues. On top of the ciders, they have one of the largest gin collections from Chicago to New York. The fifty different bottles they offer range from the local small batch gin made by Seven Brother’s Distillery, crowd favorites like Boodle’s, and high end players like Nolet’s Reserve. If you are not sure what to try first, gin and cider flights are available.

Portside Distillery (983 Front Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113, 216-586-6633) – Which comes first, the liquor or the beer? If you want to get into the technicalities of it, distiller’s beer comes first when making liquor, but Portside Distillery was envisioned as a distillery and brewery from the start. They have been producing locally sourced rums since 2012 and kicked off their beer production with their fan favorite 216 Pale Ale in 2015. Start your rum tasting journey with their traditionally distilled Silver rum, then wander a spectrum of flavors that include sweet Vanilla Maple to their unique Hopped rum.

Griffin Cider

Griffin Cider

TownHall Urban Café (1909 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44113, 216-344-9400) – This joint is jumping. Premium beers, craft cocktails, and a wide ranging food menu is just the start of why you should stop here. They offer a little something for any dietary need, whether you are vegan, looking for something gluten free, or just trying to eat a little healthier. Their attention to a range of diets on the menu extends to “Sophisticated Swill” with cocktails that include Carmine, a paleo-inspired libation featuring mint-infused Avión and kiwi-strawberry-jalapeño puree. For something more traditional, I point you to the Sandyfornication, a shrub-like sweet and fruity cocktail with a vodka base. They are located in the heart of Ohio City, with easy access to a number of other bars and other curiosities. You can celebrate your healthy meal and cocktails with a visit to Mitchell’s Ice Cream right next door. You get a reward, right?

While I know this is a long list of places to go in Cleveland, this leaves out some favorites like The Side Quest (games and cocktails), The Spotted Owl (classy, delicious history), and many others. The culture around spirits in the city rivals what is happening in any other major city. Innovation, grit, and pride in the bounty of northeast Ohio are part of everything that is produced up there. Next time you are in Cleveland, take a little extra time to dig into the variety of experiences the bars here have to offer. Just don’t order any flaming cocktails.

A big thank you to USBG Cleveland, especially Danina Calame of the Velvet Tango Room, and USBG Columbus for all of the help with this article. Cleveland has a diverse cocktail scene, and their suggestions helped narrow down my research. Cheers!

Thunderbirds visit Wright Brothers’ Sites, Ride WW II Bomber

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Members of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds jet team toured Wright brothers’ sites and flew in a World War II bomber Tuesday and Wednesday while in the area for the Vectren Dayton Air Show.

several members of the Thunderbirds with CAM pilots Eric Shiffer and Bill Weidenhammer. NAHA photo by Tim Gaffney

An earlier-than-usual arrival at Dayton International Airport for the air show taking place this weekend gave the 65-member team some free time. Pilots and several others took advantage of the break  to explore the rich aviation heritage of the National Aviation Heritage Area, culminating Wednesday afternoon in flights on one on of the vintage World War II bombers scheduled to fly in the air show.
A group of approximately 30 Thunderbirds took turns taking familiarization flights on the Champaign Aviation Museum’s B-25 bomber Champaign Gal Wednesday afternoon at historic Grimes Field Airport in Urbana. The twin-engine, bomber can carry six passengers at a time.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Thunderbirds members visited units of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, including the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center and the Wright Cycle Co.; Aviation Trail Inc.’s Parachute Museum; Dayton History’s Wright Brothers Aviation Center in Carillon Historical Park; Hawthorn Hill, the Wright family mansion in Oakwood, the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
The National Aviation Heritage Alliance (NAHA), the congressionally chartered nonprofit management entity for the heritage area, coordinated the tours with its heritage partners.
“This is the first time we’ve had the opportunity to show one of our premier military jet teams the aviation heritage in our heritage area,” said Tony Sculimbrene, NAHA executive director.
About NAHA
The National Aviation Heritage Alliance (NAHA) is a nonprofit chartered by Congress in 2004 as the management entity for the National Aviation Heritage Area, a region of national historical importance encompassing Montgomery, Greene, Miami, Clark, Warren, Champaign, Shelby, and Auglaize counties. The Heritage Area is one of 49 National Heritage Areas in a program administrated by the National Park Service, and the only one dedicated to aviation heritage. Visit aviationheritagearea.org for more information.

Dayton Introduces “Real Change Dayton”

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The Downtown Partnership just released this eblast about a plan for dealing with downtown panhandlers:

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Greetings, and thank you for your continued support of downtown Dayton. We at the Downtown Dayton Partnership hope you’re enjoying the warm weather and everything downtown has to offer this summer.

I wanted to take a minute to let you know about an initiative we’re spearheading to address panhandling issues. I know this has been a concern not only in our downtown community, but across the region and cities nationwide. We have been working with the United Way of Greater Dayton, the City of Dayton, Montgomery County (Health and Human Services), and several other supporting agencies to create a comprehensive campaign that will educate the public about the services these organizations provide, and encourages donations to these agencies, rather than individuals.

Real Change Dayton is a collaborative awareness program that educates the public that there’s a better way to give if they truly want to help those in need, and to help ensure those in need receive emergency and long-term services. We realize this is A solution and not THE solution to address the larger issues behind panhandling. We want to reinforce the idea that our community’s generosity better serves those who are truly in need when directed to social service agencies in our community.

On Wednesday, June 21, we will publicly introduce the Real Change Dayton campaign. Components of the campaign include marketing materials and options for channeling donations to more appropriate avenues.

  • Posters, business-sized cards, and brochures will be distributed with information about Real Change Dayton to help spread the word. One set of cards includes information on ways to donate to Real Change Dayton. The other set can be given directly to those in need; it includes the United Way’s HelpLine and other information on obtaining services. We plan to distribute these materials to our downtown businesses (in particular our first-floor and consumer-based businesses) for them to share with their staff and customers.Let us know if you would like this information for display or distribution.
    • A new website, www.RealChangeDayton.org, will be the hub for information, highlighting local nonprofit and social service organizations and the services they provide to those in need.
    • Vibrantly wrapped retired parking meters will serve as collection sites for those who wish to make a monetary donation. Look for them in heavy pedestrian-traveled areas downtown.
    • A new text-to-give method provides a way to make mobile donations. All donations collected via meters and digital campaigns will be directed to United Way of the Greater Dayton Area and invested in program that focus on financial stability, positive health outcomes, and emergency services.

If you have any questions at all, please give me a call. Thank you once again for your support of downtown!

Sincerely,

Sandra K. Gudorf
President, Downtown Dayton Partnership

(937) 224-1518

US Debut for Ubuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence Is At DAI

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The Dayton Art Institute will be the first museum in the United States to host the new touring exhibitionUbuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence.

Ubuhle Women presents a spectacular overview of a new form of bead art, called the ndwango (“cloth”), developed by a community of women living and working together in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The special exhibition opens June 24 and will be on view at the museum through September 10.

Ubuhle (pronounced Uh-Buk-lay) means “beauty” in the Xhosa and Zulu languages and describes the shimmering quality of light on glass that for the Xhosa people has a special spiritual significance. From a distance, each panel of the ndwango seems to present a continuous surface; but as the viewer moves closer and each tiny, individual bead catches the light, the meticulous skill and labor that went into each work—the sheer scale of ambition—becomes stunningly apparent. A single panel can take more than 10 months to complete.

“Like all art, the works on display in Ubuhle Women are products of their context, providing guests with an opportunity to experience a new perspective,” said Katherine Ryckman Siegwarth, The Dayton Art Institute’s in-house curator for the exhibition. “These artworks present various topics relevant to the artists’ lives—financial stability, health issues, and importance of family, as well as how artworks can serve as memorials to those lost. These themes are universal and relatable topics to our guests, making the artworks accessible as well as impactful.”

The plain black fabric that serves as a foundation for the Ubuhle women’s exquisite beadwork is reminiscent of the Xhosa headscarves and skirts that many of them wore growing up. By stretching this textile like a canvas, the artists use colored Czech glass beads to transform the flat cloth into a contemporary art form of remarkable visual depth. Using skills handed down through generations, and working in their own unique style “directly from the soul” (in the words of artist Ntombephi Ntobela), the women create abstract as well as figurative subjects for their ndwangos.

 

Migration has defined the history of modern South Africa. The late-19th-century discovery of gold and diamonds—and, to a lesser extent, the cultivation of sugar cane—transfigured South African society with its demands for a large, flexible workforce of able men. As workers left their homesteads in rural areas to earn cash salaries, traditional social systems based on direct production from the land began to change.  Low pay and harsh working conditions forced many cane cutters to live apart from their wives and families for up to nine months of the year, which led to a breakdown of family life and traditional values.  Ubuhle was conceived in response to this social and cultural transformation.

Established in 1999 by two women—Ntombephi “Induna” Ntobela and Bev Gibson—on a former sugar plantation in KwaZulu-Natal, Ubuhle began as a way of creating employment for rural women by combining traditional skills and making them profitable. By incorporating a skill that many local women already had—beadwork, a customary form of artistic expression for generations of South African women—and teaching it to those who did not, they began to provide women with a private source of income and a route to financial independence.

 

Since 2006, the Ubuhle community has lost five artists to HIV/AIDS and other illnesses, nearly halving the number of active artists. Many of the ndwangos thus function as memorials to Ubuhle sisters who have lost their lives. Remembering the dead is a key motivation for the creation of many of these artworks, and it imbues them with a spiritual significance.

Due to the slow, meticulous process of creating a ndwango, the act of beading itself becomes a form of therapy: a way of setting down the issues that are closest to the artists’ hearts; a way of grieving; and a place to encode feelings and memories. In a sense—through their presence in the artist’s thoughts during the act of creation—the deceased enter the very fabric of the work, and so the ndwango becomes a site of memory.

 

The Ubuhle community exists today due mainly to the determination of Bev Gibson and Ntombephi Ntobela. Ntombephi is a master beader from the Eastern Cape whose tremendous skill, both as artist and teacher, has been the foundation block of this community. Ntombephi is known as “Induna,” which means “leader,” a term of great respect in South Africa. The title also suggests the responsibility she feels for the community as guardian of its future. Bev herself does not bead, but she has created the space for Ubuhle artists to explore, experiment, and transform the traditional art form. Bev has also been an indomitable source of energy and persistence in the emergence of Ubuhle’s growing vision. She and Ntombephi each bring their own unique skills to the establishment of the community, and it is largely thanks to them that these works exist at all.

 

“The Dayton Art Institute is thrilled to be the first venue for this new touring exhibition, which was originally developed by the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum,” said The Dayton Art Institute’s Director and CEO Michael R. Roediger. “Not only is the artwork beautiful, but the stories of the artists are also extremely moving. These dazzling artworks will amaze everyone who sees them—you do not want to miss this exhibition!”

The Dayton Art Institute’s presentation of Ubuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence receives support from Benefactor Sponsor Premier Health; Patron Sponsor Macy’s; Supporting Sponsors Liberty Health Care Corporation, Miller-Valentine Group and Synchrony Financial; Community Partner Central State University; Media Partners Dayton Daily News and WHIO-TV; with additional support from American Medical Response, Bead Stash, Dayton Chapter of Links, Inc., and Dr. Grace L. DeVelbiss, Frownies Skin Care, IGS Energy, School of Advertising Art, Taft/, and University of Dayton; JPS Preview Reception Sponsor is Jessup Wealth Management.

 

A number of events and programs will be held in conjunction with the exhibition, including:

 

  • ARTventures: Beaded Butterflies, July 8, 1–3 p.m.
  • Vine & Canvas Wine Tasting Series: Women & Wine, July 14, 6:30–9 p.m.
  • Draw from the Collection: Contemporary Beading, July 15, 1–3 p.m.
  • Curatorial Conversations: Ubuhle Women Exhibition Tour, July 20, 6–7 p.m.
  • Tony West and the Imani Dancers, August 12, 1–2 p.m.
  • Behind the Scenes of Ubuhle Women, August 31, 1–3 p.m.

 

For more about the exhibition and related programs, visit daytonartinstitute.org/ubuhlewomen. Use the hashtag #UbuhleWomen to join the conversation on social media.

 

Admission to Ubuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence is free for museum members. Non-member admission is $14 adults; $11 seniors (60+), students (18+ w/ID), active military and groups (10 or more); $6 youth (ages 7-17); and free for children (ages 6 & under). Prices include admission to the special exhibition and the museum’s permanent collection. Guided tours are available for individuals, groups and schools. For more information or to schedule a tour, contact Rique Hagen, at 937-223-4278, ext. 332 or [email protected].

 

Tickets for the exhibitions and related programs may be purchased at the museum’s Guest Services Desk or by phone at 937-223-4ART (4278) during regular hours, or online at daytonartinstitute.org. Connect with The Dayton Art Institute on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for additional information, behind-the-scenes photos and exclusive offers.

 

Ubuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence was developed by the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, Washington, D.C., in cooperation with Curators Bev Gibson, Ubuhle Beads, and James Green, and is organized for tour by International Arts & Artists, Washington, D.C.

 

 

Wine Gallery Tasting & Sale

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The Wine Gallery Wine Shop and Bistro located downtown at 5 W. Monument is hosting  a wine tasting and sale this evening, Saturday, June 24th,  beginning at 6pm featuring 24 wines sweet to dry available for tasting.  They will have whites, reds and pinks available  with special pricing for case purchases. If you have any events coming up this summer or early fall that require wine, you won’t want miss this event. They will have cases of wine as low as $40 for 12 bottles. But with  prices like this, they do not allow mixing of the cases.

You’ll also be able to enjoy all pizza’s, salads and appetizers at 1/2 off during the wine sale. Check our menu out at www.thewinegalleryandcafe.com

Call 937-224-9463 to reserve a table this evening. Cheers!

2 Historic District Garden Tours This Saturday

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Neighbors from the Oregon District and South Park will be opening their gardens to visitors Saturday, June 24, 2017, for Garden Tours. While each neighborhood is holding separate events, they’re so close to each other we’re sure you’ll want to take part in both!

Info for the Oregon District Event

The Oregon District is in full bloom and preparing for our annual garden tourGet to know Dayton’s oldest neighborhood by touring its gardens. The Oregon Historic Distict 2017 Garden Tour is a self guided tour of nine gardens that runs from 11 am to 3 pm on  Saturday, June 24. It begins at the gazebo in Newcom Founders Park (between Green, Brown and Hess Streets). Admission is $10. A select group of neighbors will open their gardens as part of this fundraiser for the Oregon Historic District Society.  This beautiful neighborhood dates back to 1829 and features fantastic homes and gardens.  Proceeds from this tour will benefit the historic preservation of the non-profit Oregon Historic District Society.

 

Info for the South Park Event

The South Park Garden Tour starts at 10am and is scheduled to end at 3pm. Tickets will be available the day of the event at the
Gazebo on Park Dr., near Wayne Ave.

  • See 8 beautiful gardens
  • Tour 4 historic homes
  • Collection of must-see gardens that can be enjoyed from the sidewalk.
  • Enjoy the newly painted mural on Wayne Ave. and South Park public garden spaces.
  • Link to more information
  • Link to event map

Purchase your tickets today at 106 Park Dr or on the day of the event at the South Park Gazebo (Park Dr. near Wayne Ave.)
$10 General Public / $8 Historic South Park, Inc. Members For more information, contact [email protected] – Kriss Gang or Tim Leach

Tickets for the South Park event come with a 24-hour Link Dayton Bike Share pass so you can check out the Oregon District Garden Tour and the South Park event all from the comfort of a Link bike.

Link & Drink: Dayton’s Newest Obsession!

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Those green Link bikes are everywhere you look these days…and so are Dayton’s watering holes! Why not combine the two and hop onto Dayton’s newest summer sensation: LINK and DRINK. The fun starts when you and your friends join the link system, and make your way across town, from UD to DAI, through South Park, Oregon and St. Anne’s! There are 27 stations throughout the downtown area to dock, discover and do Dayton!

Interestingly, many of those docks are strategically placed near some of Dayton’s favorite hang-outs – 5th Street BrewPub, Tumbleweed, DublinPub and many more.
‘We actually followed a map,’ says Alexis Larsen, who Link and Drink is attributed to. (Some people also refer to the excursion as Tour D’Alexis in her honor.) ‘By creating a map, we were able to pinpoint how to get around to EVERY station, and of course refresh ourselves along the way!’

The idea is to see the city using public transportation and appreciating all areas of the metro area. The original Tour D’Alexis began at the station located outside of McPhersonTown.

From there, the route went in a somewhat concentric-circular fashion, ending at Riverscape.
‘What made the trip special was posting on Facebook and having friends invite us in to their homes along the way for a refreshment! It was like a community project!’ says Brent Johnson, one of the LinkDrinkers.

Here are some things the LinkDrinkers want you to know before embarking on your own special tour of the city!

*Download the BCYCLE APP. This helps you know how many bikes await at each station. Also, if there is room to drop off a bike.

*Pay attention to all traffic laws, and do not imbibe until completing trip…have water, juice, pop or a beer or two along the route. BE CAREFUL!

*Take some money for breakfast and lunch. Eating is essential in the Dayton Metro area!

*Take a camera. Pictures of the event are essential!

*Check out what there is to see along the way….DAI, Wright Brothers Museum, Oregon District…etc.

*Have a navigator to ensure you hit all stations…nothing worse than missing out on one!

*Plan the day. You can do the map quickly, but take your time!

*See attached map for food suggestions! Take a bottled water for the longer stretches.

*Figure out where you will celebrate the end of your adventure.
Certainly, there are some great festivals and events coming to downtown this summer, but to be frank, the idea of friends, bikes, food, drinks, a wonderful city and exercise all in one has to be an option that excites all Daytonians.

Rest assured, two-wheels and 10 friends is the best way to see our town!

Free Prince Tribute Concert Headlines Garlic Fest

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Prince Tribute Band FREE CONCERT, July 22 at GARLIC FEST

Dayton Most Metro has EXCLUSIVE scoop on a free concert coming to the 2017 Garlic Fest Saturday evening, July 22nd.

A Prince Tribute band out of Chicago and Columbus, called “Prince Night” will perform hits from “Cream” to “Little Red Corvette,” and everything in between.  There may even be a Sheila E. and Appolonia song or two.

Get ready to party like it’s “1999,” because the concert will go off  “Purple Rain” or shine…

The band is set to hit the stage Saturday Night July 22nd at 7:30pm.

Beer and Food Vendors on Hand

 

The concert is FREE and will take place at the
Sons of Italy Bella Villa Hall
on 2625 County Line Rd,
Beavercreek, OH 45430.  
Many of you may know this site from September’s Italian Fall Festa, Dayton’s annual Italian Festival.

Folding chairs are welcome.
FYI no pets are allowed on premises due to insurance reasons.

Get Ready to Party Like its 1999 with Prince’s Greatest Hits

Come out to the Garlic Festival for an unforgettable night of Food, Adult Drinks, Music, and more.  

The Bocce Classic will also be underway, so you can watch one of the biggest Bocce Tournaments in the nation kick off.

Garlic Fest is part of a huge weekend at the Sons of Italy lodge.  Here is a breakdown of the weekend’s festivities.

All the songs you love from Prince !

FRIDAY JULY 21st – 5pm-10pm
SONS OF ITALY FOOD TRUCK RALLY
-Food Truck Rally with 15 Trucks 
-Beer Trucks & Wine
-Free Acoustic Band
-Craft Booths
-Beginner Bocce Ball Tournament called the “Bocce Bash” This is for charity and some local celebs will be on hand.
We need teams! Sign up here, but you must be a complete bocce beginner !
-10pm-11pm Food and Beer Vendors shut down

We expect a big, fun crowd for this festival!


SATURDAY JULY 22nd – 11am-10pm
GARLIC FEST & PRINCE TRIBUTE CONCERT
-15 Local Restaurants & Food Vendors
-Craft Booths
-Beer Trucks & Wine
-Free Cooking Demos inside the Bella Villa Hall noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm
-1pm-4pm Live Band “Blue Caboose”
-5pm Garlic Eating Contest
-6pm Bocce Classic Tournament Kickoff
-7:30pm Prince Tribute Band “Prince Night”
-10pm-11pm Food and Beer Vendors shut down

 

SUNDAY JULY 23rd 9am – ?

Concert begins approx 730pm

BOCCE CLASSIC BOCCE BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
-Beer Sales
-Italian Food
–Enter a team in the tournament click here

 

So “Let’s Go Crazy” on July 22nd when “doves are sure to cry..”  Just “Take Me with U” and wear your “Rasberry Beret.”

It’s GARLIC FEST 2017, and we want your extra time and your …. “Kiss.”

Bocce Ball Tournament Same Weekend

Tiem for a FOOD ADVENTURE !

Purple Garlic

READY TO ROCK ?

Lots of food vendors, tables and chairs, but Folding Chairs are also welcome

The magic of PRINCE NIGHT begins July 22nd ….

FIRST CONCERT IN OHIO !

PRINCE FANS and 80’s MUSIC LOVERS !

Purple for the night ….

There will be singing and dancing to the Prince tunes

 

 

 

Maxim Names 15 Best BBQ Sauces- 2 From Miami Valley

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Maxim Magazine recently released their 15 Best Damn Barbecue Sauces in America list.
According to the online article they used research from the National Barbecue News events to create their list:

The National Barbecue News holds two events every year that are NBN Rubs of Honor logofocused on helping readers and subscribers find the best barbecue sauce and rubs for chicken, pork, and beef. In 2017 we celebrate our 7th year of hosting and organizing these events that ANYONE can enter, regardless if you are a commercially available product or just a backyard enthusiast with a great product. Below you will find our winners list sorted for your convenience. We will also be posting up applications for upcoming events here as wel

Broken down by meat choices, here are the top 5 in each category for 2017.

Pork Sauces

#1  Roadhouse Blues by 1572 Roadhouse Bar-B-Q

This Rustic Outdoor Eatery is open Thursday through Sunday at 10542 East State Route 73 in Waynesville on the grounds of the Renaissance Festival. Pitmasters Chris Cavender and Mike Tenore  have proved to be a winning combination at 1572 Roadhouse Bar-B-Q.

Beef Sauces

3. Chief Smoky by Company 7 BBQ

This business founded by a family of firefighters has been winning awards since 2011. Visit them seven days a week at 1001 S. Main Street in Englewood, just off highway 70. They even have a drive through and a private banquet room that can seat about 100.

 

To see the lists in their entirety click here.

 

Jon Hung On Sky Asian: A Gem That You Have To Try

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It’s your local Dayton Asian-Canadian-American with another million dollar review. I have been taken by the fact that, after over a decade in the area, some really nice Asian restaurants have moved in. I’ve already written on Wat Da Pho and CJ Chan’s, and now I’ve had the chance to try Sky Asian Restaurant. And I have to say, like the others, I am taken aback by the quality. The restaurant itself is classy and dressed-up. It looks like something you’d expect in Hong Kong, not Dayton. The comfortable interior is supplemented by a small patio, making Sky one of the few places where you can get quality Asian cuisine and enjoy the sun while you do so.
The restaurant serves both Chinese and Japanese dishes. As I was having lunch with my wife, I elected the latter. We opened with friend pork gyoza and shrimp shumai, both of which were excellent: the gyoza was lightly fried on one side, and the shumai, clearly steamed, had a soft texture and subtle seafood flavor to it — so much so that the sauce threatened to mask it completely (thankfully, the sauce was on the side). 
My wife ordered two salmon rolls, which were reasonably priced and looked excellent. (I dared not steal one; she said she was hangry, and I’m smart enough not to steal my wife’s food when she’s hangry.) I got a hibachi steak bento box, which was less a box than a platter of well-seasoned, tasty Japanese bits. The preliminary salad was not over-dressed, and every bit of the box seemed perfect — and the steak must have been tenderloin or ribeye because it was juicy, tender, and clearly not a generic cut of sirloin or strip.
I didn’t get to try the Chinese food, but you can bet I’ll be taking another trip up there based on the Japanese food alone. This really is a Kettering-area gem that you have to try to believe. Sky is located at 4090 Wilmington Pike, between Woodman and Wilmington (near where they intersect), near the Meijer.

Chick-fil-A Now Offers Gluten Free Bun

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This month, Chick-fil-A is introducing a gluten-free bun to our menu. Made from a mix with ancient grains—like sorghum, amaranth, millet, quinoa and teff— this new bread option makes sandwich-eating-on-the-go easier for those looking to eat less or no gluten in their diet.  Its new bun is made with quinoa and amaranth and sweetened with molasses and raisins. It contains 150 calories and costs an additional $1.15.  Chick-fil-A will be one of a few fast-food restaurants to offer a gluten-free bread.

“We know our customers are looking for more gluten-sensitive alternatives. They asked, and we listened,” said Leslie Neslage, senior consultant of menu development at Chick-fil-A. “We heard positive feedback in test markets that the bun tastes better than some other gluten-free breads. That’s because instead of rice flower, we’ve made the bun with more premium ingredients like quinoa and amaranth. Our hope is that the Gluten-Free Bun addition opens up options for gluten-sensitive customers to enjoy more of our menu.”

What’s gluten-free at Chick-fil-A?

In addition to the new bun, here’s a list of other gluten-free items at Chick-fil-A. These items are sealed to prevent cross-contamination with other items in our kitchen made with gluten.

  • Honest Kids Appley Ever After® Organic Juice Drink
  • Cinnamon Apple Sauce (Buddy Fruits®)
  • Milk
  • Simply Orange® Orange Juice
  • Waffle Potato Chips (catering only).

For guests who wish to minimize their gluten intake, here is a list of additional menu items offered at Chick-fil-A. (The fine print: Due to the handcrafted nature of our food, variations in our supplier ingredients and our use of shared cooking and preparation areas, we cannot ensure that our restaurant environment or any menu item will be completely free of gluten.)

  • Entrée
    o Grilled chicken filet (no bun)
    o Grilled Nuggets (8 or 12-count)
    o Grilled Market Salad*
  • Sides
    o Fruit Cup
    o Side Salad*
    o Superfood Side
    o Waffle Potato Fries™
    o Greek Yogurt Parfait*
  • Breakfast
    o Bacon slice
    o Sausage patty
    o Hash Browns
  • Kid’s Meal
    o Grilled Nuggets (4 or 6-count)
  • Beverages
  • Dipping Sauces and Dressings
    o Barbecue Sauce
    o Honey Mustard Sauce
    o Honey Roasted BBQ sauce
    o Polynesian Sauce
    o Zesty Buffalo Sauce
    o Chick-fil-A® Sauce
    o Garlic & Herb Ranch Dressing
    o Creamy Salsa Dressing
    o Avocado Lime Ranch dressing
    o Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette
    o Chili Lime Vinaigrette
    o Light Italian Dressing
    o Light Balsamic Vinaigrette
    o Fat Free Honey Mustard dressing

*Does not include toppings

– See more at: https://www.chick-fil-a.com/Stories/Inside-Chick-fil-A/2017/06/19/Whats-Gluten-Free-at-Chick-fil-A#sthash.LfUUgjhH.dpuf

World’s Largest FREE Swimming Lesson This Thursday

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Three Dayton recreation centers will host the 2017 World’s Largest Swimming Lesson on Thursday, June 22. The annual event is held in 20 countries, with a mission of teaching basic water safety and reminding everyone that learning to swim helps prevent drowning.
The Greater Dayton, Lohrey and Northwest Recreation Centers are official host locations, and admission is free. The lesson begins at 10 a.m.; participants are asked to arrive by 9:45 a.m. All ages are welcome; children (accompanied by guardians) are especially encouraged. Learn more about the event by visiting WLSL.org.
Since its inception, more than 195,000 children and adults have participated in World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, learning the vital importance of basic swimming skills. Drowning remains the leading cause of unintended, injury-related death for children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause of accidental death for children under 14. Research shows participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent among children ages 1 to 4, yet many children do not receive formal swimming or water safety training.

Dayton’s Department of Recreation and Youth Services offers swimming lessons year ’round. During the summer, the Pay You Back Stroke program reimburses lesson fees. Stop by any recreation center for details or go to daytonohio.gov/backstroke.
Recreation center locations:
Greater Dayton, 2021 W. Third St.
Northwest, 1600 Princeton Dr.
Lohrey, 2366 Glenarm Ave.

The Sons of Italy Invite You to Play Ball- Bocce Ball!

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In 1995, a group of bocce (pronounced BAH-chee) enthusiasts from the Sons of Italy in Dayton decided to host a small tournament in an effort to promote the game and their Italian heritage to the surrounding community.

The first tournament, played on five clay courts sported over 40 teams and was sparsely attended by those not familiar with the game. Little did those founders know, that this little tournament would become the unofficial “Ohio State Championship” and introduce thousands to their favorite pastime.

Since those days, The Bocce Classic has grown into an annual 3 day event that last year added an amateur contest.   They will be continuing with that on Friday night, July 21st, partnering  with UpDayton, who will benefit from the proceeds of this one night tournament.  The Bocce Bash,

Kevin Sorrice (center) with 2016 Bocce Bash champs

designed for those that are new to the game, will be just a part of the Friday night fun, with a 15 food truck rally and live entertainment. If you can roll a ball, you can play bocce! You just roll a big ball down the court toward a smaller ball. Whoever gets closest to the small ball (the pallina) gets a point. Teams of 4 will compete in a single elimination tournament with the winning team getting $200 cash and bragging rights.  Grab some friends, form a team and have some fun- sign up here.  Long time lodge member and Bocce enthusiast Kevin Sorrice explains, “While bocce was traditionally played by men, today women and kids enjoy the game as well. It’s a game that brings people together and you can play with a beer in your hand.”

For the more serious bocce players, consider the 2 day Bocce Classic Tournament.  This event, which kicks off on Sat, July 22nd has brought in teams from Canada, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky in the past. Teams of 4 will compete for some serious prize money:  First $2500 Second $1500 Third $1000.  You can find more info and entry forms online.

Since 1995, this event has generated proceeds of $208,000 for the support of local charities, the Bocce Classic Scholarship, and Italian Cultural endeavors. In addition to the competition of the game of Bocce, GarlicFest will be back with food & craft vendors, beverages along with the selected charities and their booths are part of the festivities as well as a garlic eating contest and a Prince tribute band.  This free event takes place on 10 acres of tree covered grounds and organizers are  expecting approximately 5,000 people to attend this event.