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Archives for August 2019

Nearly $70,000 Raised Thanks to Benefit Concert

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The Dayton Oregon District Tragedy Fund of The Dayton Foundation received an additional $68,634 in contributions on Sunday, August 25, thanks to thousands of Dayton-area residents who attended the Gem City Shine Oregon District Benefit Concert hosted by Dave Chappelle, the Oregon District Business Association, Downtown Dayton Partnership, City of Dayton, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce and others. One hundred percent of all contributions to the fund will assist the families whose loved ones were taken and individuals who were severely injured in the August 4 Oregon District mass shooting.

“Gem City Shine was an incredible event for our citizens to come together to honor the lives that were lost in the tragedy and show support for our community,” said Phil Parker, president and CEO of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce. “We sincerely thank our other partner organizers of this event, as well as the dozens of other businesses and organizations both near and far for helping to raise charitable dollars for the Dayton Oregon District Tragedy Fund. The outpouring of support and compassion for the victims, their families and our community has been heartwarming.”

Thanks to donations received to date, plus pledges and other contributions, the fund’s assets have surpassed $2.5 million. Donations to the fund may be made online at www.daytonfoundation.org/oregontragedy or by texting DAYTON to 20222 for a one-time $10 donation. Checks also may be sent to The Dayton Foundation (please note the new address) 1401 S. Main Street, Suite 100, Dayton, OH 45409. “Dayton Oregon District Tragedy Fund” should be designated on the check or in the credit card form”s fund name field. The Dayton Foundation is waiving all administrative fees and paying all credit card processing fees for donations to the fund.

‘The Book of Mormon’ Review – Victoria Theatre Association – Naughty by Nature

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Forget 42nd Street. There’s nothing more naughty, bawdy and gaudy than Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone’s unapologetically irreverent and utterly hilarious musical The Book of Mormon, skillfully opening the Victoria Theatre Association’s 2019-2020 season at the Schuster Center.

Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone’s 2011 Tony Award-winning musical The Book of Mormon, presented by the Victoria Theatre Association, continues through Sept. 1 at the Schuster Center. (Contributed photo)

Recipient of the 2011 Tony Award for Best Musical and 2012 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, The Book of Mormon addresses themes of friendship, betrayal, faith, culture clash, oppression, disillusionment, and self-worth centered on the spiritual convictions and mission associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As two polar opposite Mormon missionaries seek to save souls in dire, disease-stricken Uganda, their journey of initial reluctance and overwhelming adversity comically evolves into a greater understanding of their potential and purpose. Charming tunes such as Hello, Two by Two, You and Me (But Mostly Me), Man Up, and I Am Africa set the perfect tone in both brazen humor and profane substance. In particular, Joseph Smith American Moses, a playful spin on The Small House of Uncle Thomas ballet from The King and I excitedly performed by the Ugandan villagers, is truly one of the most shocking, jaw-dropping numbers ever conceived in musical theatre.

Under the wonderfully witty direction of Parker and Casey Nicholaw, this terrific, ensemble-driven tour, featuring Nicholaw’s dandy choreography, is engagingly led by the outstanding duo of Liam Tobin (cool, confident Elder Price) and Jordan Matthew Brown (awkward, compulsive liar Elder Cunningham). Tobin’s spirited determination, chipper smile and demeanor, humorous obsession with Orlando, and superb rendition of I Believe are hallmarks of his charismatic, sunny portrayal. Brown, relishing his embodiment of the showier Cunningham, is fully committed to the slacker mentality inherent in the role as well as the longing for companionship, attention and accountability simmering within it. In strong, funny featured roles, Andy Huntington Jones delights as the closeted Elder McKinley (Turn It Off is a razzle dazzle hoot), the lovely Alyah Chanelle Scott brings winsome spunk to her endearing portrayal of impressionable Nabulungi (Sal Tlay Ka Siti blossoms with hopeful desire), Ron Bohmer is properly authoritative in multiple roles including Joseph Smith and Mission President, Jacques C. Smith is a credible source of reason as Nabulungi’s dad Mafala, and Corey Jones effortlessly intimidates as the General.

Overall, anyone familiar with the audaciousness of Parker and Stone’s South Park and Lopez’s Avenue Q will not be surprised at the level of vulgarity and silly pop culture cheekiness on display. However, if you’re easily offended by crude language, religious mockery or the sight of Jeffrey Dahmer and Adolph Hitler simulating sex acts in hell this simply may not be the show for you.

 

The Book of Mormon continues through Sept. 1 at the Schuster Center, 1 W. Second St., Dayton. Performances are 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Act One: 62 minutes; Act Two: 60 minutes. Tickets are $30-$133. For tickets or more information, call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com. For information about the production’s pre-show lottery, visit victoriatheatre.com/shows/book-of-mormon. Also, patrons are advised the show contains strong adult content and language.

McCoy on Movies: Brittany Runs a Marathon

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Brittany Runs a Marathon uses heart, not clichés to produce inspiring, entertaining and relatable journey

“I gotta keep running … It’s the only way to avoid hearing that blasted ‘Old Town Road’ song anymore!” Brittany (Jillian Bell) takes to the streets in a scene from BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON. Credit: © 2019 Amazon Studios. All rights reserved.


WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:


KEY CAST MEMBERS: Jillian Bell, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Micah Stock, Micaela Watkins, Lil Rel Howery, Kate Harrington, Patch Darragh and Alice LeeDIRECTOR(S): Paul Downs Colaizzo

THE BACK STORY: Brittany (Jillian Bell) is a hard-partying late 20-something who is living it up in New York City with her roommate/bestie Gretchen (Alice Lee). With her sister (Kate Harrington) and the brother-in-law who basically helped raise her Demetrius (Lil Rel Howery) back in Philadelphia, Brittany isn’t too concerned that she’s late to work all the time, she drinks too much and her place is a mess, but she’s too busy living her best life to care. 


Then she goes to see a doctor (Patch Darragh) to try to score a prescription for Adderall only to receive some bad news: One, she’s not getting it and two, she needs to lose 44-55 pounds for health’s sake.


Inadvertently befriended by her upstairs neighbor Catherine (Micaela Watkins) and the wanting-to-do-better-for-his-child-Seth (Micah Stock), Jillian decides to try to join their running group to get into better shape. But as she is soon to find out, running outside isn’t going to be the only challenge in her life since she’s been running away from all the other problems that have manifested themselves into who she is today.
THE REVIEW: Inspired by true events, Brittany Runs a Marathon is a very good movie. It’s doesn’t provide a revelation in terms of its story, how it arrives to its final destination or contain some element of its cinematic presentation that is so overwhelmingly unique that it propels it to something resembling classic status. What it does do, however – thanks to a very fine leading performance by Bell that many will understand and find more relatable than many of us will care to admit if the numbers are true – is present a story that makes you root for the main character will in turn examining your own shortcomings (and potentially inspire you to do better, too).Leaving out the more over-the-top elements one might find in a Amy Schumer or Rebel Wilson picture, Bell – best known for her comedic turns in films such as 22 Jump Street and Rough Night – makes Brittany a person (let alone woman) you know. In a culture where many publicly either body shame the overweight or crucify those that do, Bell’s performance digs just a little bit deeper into tackling issues like how our bodies make us feel about ourselves as a whole, the complications that come with perception of the types of lives overweight people have resigned their selves to and dealing with setbacks not just with exercise, but life as a whole.

This emotional depth exhibited by Bell, Watkins, Stock and Utkarsh Ambudkar as Brittany’s annoying co-worker is what keeps the film from feeling and being formulaic. Not everything is wrapped up nearly with a bow, the characters aren’t so cookie cutter you could simply replace them with others from another movie and there’s no over-the-top, that doesn’t make sense EXCEPT to make “x” happen moment. Instead, you get a woman trying to change her life while fighting demons that many of us face, working through them as best she can and coming to a place where she can be happier than she is not.

Seeing Brittany Runs a Marathon may just do the same for you … Or at least New Balance hopes so given all the product placement in the movie.

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

 


Tour De Gem Biking Fundraiser

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Tour de Gem is an annual bike tour of Dayton for the benefit of local charities.

  • An event created to foster a sense of community, history, pride and healthy living through cycling, while establishing an ongoing fundraising vehicle for local charities
  • A well supported, enjoyable ride attracting cyclists of all ages and abilities from throughout the Region
  • The Start/Finish be at RiverScape in downtown Dayton. The routes will take riders through many local communities spotlighting a wide variety of local area Gems!

Is Your Chili Award Winning?

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Our 9th Annual Chili Cookoff is schedule for Saturday, September 7th in Centerville. If you think YOUR chili recipe is worthy of becoming OUR chili for one year, you need to enter! Email [email protected] for more information. Feel free to pass along or tag anyone else you think may want to enter. Oh, and we’ll give you $250 cash if you win and your chili on the Archer’s menu for a year !

A Day of Final Tribute Planned at  Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum

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In today’s world and economy, end of life rituals have become so varied that planning a funeral can be as elaborate as planning a wedding. Some funerals have readings, music, photos and videos while others are much more subdued, if there is even a funeral at all.
Cremation is being chosen over casket burial at an increasing rate, yet once the cremation is completed, many wonder what to do next. As many as 1 in 5 households have cremated remains of a loved one. Often times they have been placed on a mantel, in a closet or the bottom of a drawer and left forgotten until stumbled upon.
Woodland Cemetery understands the struggles a family goes through at the time of losing a loved one. Decisions need to be made and often times the cost can be as difficult as the loss of the loved one.
A Day of Final Tribute was created as a community service event to provide a final resting place for the cremated remains of your loved one in our Communal Memorial Garden. The program is open to the first 50 responders with cremated remains of an immediate family member. An appointment is required to meet with a Family Services team member at Woodland Cemetery on September 14th to submit required paperwork and make final arrangements.
Interments in our Communal Memorial Garden will take place at a later date and time. All religious denominations and faiths are welcome. This event is available to immediate family members only.
“We want families to know that once a cremation has been completed that there are options for a lasting tribute to their loved one’s memory,” stated Sean O’Regan of Woodland Cemetery. “This offers a permanent place of rest for the deceased and peace of mind for the surviving family.”
To register for this event, please go to http://bit.ly/WoodlandTribute and provide the requested information. A Family Service Representative will contact you directly to schedule your appointment. For more information or questions, please contact Angela McCracken at 937-228-3221. Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum is located at 118 Woodland Avenue in Dayton.

DAI Joins “Museums For All Program”

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As part of its ongoing efforts to make the museum accessible to all in the Dayton community, the Dayton Art Institute has joined the Museums for All program and announced the creation of Art Connections, a special discounted family membership available for anyone who receives SNAP benefits. 

Museums for All is a signature access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), administered by the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM), to encourage people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum-going habits.

The program supports those receiving food assistance (SNAP) benefits by offering discounted admission at participating museums, for up to four people, with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. The DAI will offer a discounted admission rate of $3 per adult, with free admission for youth ages 17 and younger, when a SNAP EBT card is presented at the museum’s Guest Services Desk.

The DAI is the first museum in Dayton to be part of this initiative; other participating Ohio museums include the Cincinnati Museum Center and the Akron Art Museum

In conjunction with its participation in Museums for All, the DAI will also offer a special Art Connections Family Membership for anyone in the community who is currently receiving SNAP benefits. Art Connections offers a specially discounted family membership for only $10 per year.

Art Connections memberships may only be purchased at the DAI’s Guest Service Desk, during regular museum hours. A valid SNAP EBT card must be presented at the time of purchase to receive this membership discount.

“Participation in Museums for All is part of the Dayton Art Institute’s broad commitment to seek, include, and welcome all audiences,” said Michael Roediger, CEO and Director of the Dayton Art Institute. “As the museum celebrates its centennial and looks ahead to its next 100 years, it’s important that this community resource is accessible to all.”

The Museums for All program helps expand access to museums and also raise public awareness about how museums in the United States are reaching their entire communities. More than 250 institutions participate in the initiative, including art museums, children’s museums, science centers, botanical gardens, zoos, history museums, and more. Participating museums are located nationwide, representing more than 40 states.

For more information about the Dayton Art Institute and these programs, please visit www.daytonartinstitute.org or call 937-223-4ART (4278).

Two Chili Cookoffs Slated for September !

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Archers Chili Cookoff

The Dayton area has 2 exciting chili cookoffs taking place in early September.  You can come eat the chili. or you can enter the contests and go for the win !

Do you love chili? Spicy or mild?  Beans or no beans?  Do you have a chili recipe that will knock out socks off ???

It may be time for you step up and fulfill you destiny as a Dayton chili champ.  Grab your stirring spoon and take plunge.

Food Adventures is here to tell you about 2 of our favorite annual events.

FIRSTLY —

ARCHERS CENTERVILLE hosts their annual chili cookoff


WHEN: SATURDAY, SEPT 7th at 4pm.
WHERE:  9496 Dayton Lebanon Pike,Centerville, Ohio 45458
WHAT: The winner gets $250, and their chili on the Archer’s menu for a year !T

Admission to the Archers restaurant is free, chili samples will be sold as requested.

Archers Co-owner Dan Apolito and 2018 Archers Chili champ David Klass

***IMPORTANT !! Archers is looking for some more entries for this event !***
Email  [email protected] to enter the contest and he will give you all the info you need.
Last year, David Klass won the cookoff when his chili, made with Reigele beer was voted the winner.
Riegele is brewed in Dayton’s sister city in Germany, and Archers is one of the few places you can find this brew in the USA.

This year, the field is wide open and the judges are excited to see what incredible concoctions are boiled up for this fun cookoff !

If you think you make a good chili, here is your chance to win some $$$.

Enter the contest today !!

 

longhorn Steakhouse’s entry at the AMBUCS chili cookoff 2015

SECONDLY,

AMBUCS hosts their 32nd annual chili cookoff and casino night for charity


WHEN: FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13th from 6pm-11pm
WHERE: IBEW LOCAL 82 at 6550 Poe Ave, Dayton, 45414
WHAT: 16 Restaurants to battle it our for best chili in Dayton
WHAT ELSE: All the chili, beer, wine, hot dogs and soda you want included.
CASINO GAMES TOO !
WHY: AMBUCS charity for disabled Daytonians gets the proceeds
COST: $20 at the door – all ages welcome (16 and over must pay)

Casino Games at the AMBUCS chili cookoff Sept 13th

This is the grandaddy of all chili cookoffs in Dayton.   Sixteen area restaurants and a few notable cooks, bring their entries in to this contest.

And come on, how about the free hot dogs, beer. wine , soda and Casino games!  Yss this is correct they have allthe hot dogs you want with a toppings bar.  Make your own cheese coney or a loaded hot dog.

A beer truck will be there pouring endless beers for all those over 21 in attendance.  Usually light beers rule the roost.

There are usually mini bottles of wine and of course a full amount of soda pop.

A DJ will be on hand for those who love music and the dance floor will be open !

Want to try your luck?  Hit a dice game, showdown or black jack table.  More Monte Carlo style games will be there as well.  From spinning wheels to ring tosses, it will be a blast.  You may even see some BINGO !

Please make sure you dont’t miss these two events.  If you think you can cook then enter the chili contest at Archers and maybe you could win $250.   If you are a chili lover – these are must eats !!

Dancing at the AMBUCS event

The best part is the AMBUCS charity benefits from this night.  AMBUCS helps disabled children and adults by building them transportation bike to make their like easier and more mobile.  This helps them go places and enjoy more social outings.  Whether born with a challenge or suffering a crippling injury, AMBUCS helps adults and children in the Dayton area.  This is a worthwhile, and noble cause.

These two Food Adventures are some of the highlights of the year.

All the meat, beans and spices means it will be a GAS!

Judges at the 2018 Archers Chili Cookoff

Thank you for reading this week’s Food Adventure article.  We have weekly feature articles right here EXCLUSIVELY on Dayton Most Metro.   We are the Miami Valleys #1 food blog since 2008.  Join the thousands of Dayton Foodies on our Facebook by clicking here and “liking” our page.

Feel free to browse the gallery below from two chili cookoffs.

 

AMBUCS SHOWDOWN ABLE !

Archers Chili contestant 2018

The chef at Christophers talking chili

Archers Chili contestant 2018

AMBUCS CROWD

Mr Eatons Chili

The votes are in !

AMBUCS chili contestant

 

 

Wrapping Up August and It’s Great In Dayton!

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Click on a location and register to attend the event. There is a $5 registration fee to hold your seat that will be donated to a charitable organization selected by the location you are attending.
Arrive to the location at 6 pm on Tuesday. All supplies are provided along with instruction – but the creativity is up to you! Every mug will be cohesive with a Greater Dayton Mugs of Hope logo that will be pre-screened on each. 500 mugs will be painted during this event.
Apollo 11: a look back at the objectives and achievements of the historic first lunar landing mission. This is at the Mound Science and Energy Museum on Wednesday at 7pm.
The University of Dayton New Horizons Music Program are currently registering band musicians of all abilities for their 20th-anniversary season. They have an open house for interested people at the Temple Beth Or on Thursday, 10 to 11:30am.
Siebenthaler’s gardening experts are offering a Garden Planning program to teach you not only how to put your garden to bed this year, but also how to plan for your garden next year. Siebenthaler Company is a local business providing gardening goods and services to the Miami Valley. Registration for the program is required as space is limited. This is at Washington-Centerville Public Library on Thursday, 3 to 4pm.
Jah Soul is one BIG Family who enjoy hanging out with each other, playing music, and having a good time doing it. Their overall sound is a combination of styles – Reggae, Rock, Soul, Funk, & Disco. Mixing it up with sexy & well crafted, catchy original music to keep the party going in a funky way. They are at the Levitt Pavillon on Thursday, 7pm.
This is free…just bring your chair!
The house at 7020 Monte Carlo Drive in Englewood is having an Estate Sale. Everything a man would want is available including tools, garden items, small appliances, bookcases, books, & fine clothing. And for the woman are collectibles, kitchen items, & treadle sewing machine. Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 4pm.
Scale versions of some of history’s well-known airframes will take to the skies over Labor Day weekend during the Giant Scale Radio-Controlled (RC) Model Aircraft Air Show Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 4pm each day at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
Making Movies, a band that Rolling Stone says is “breaking down walls in the United States,” is a mix of Afro-Latino rhythms and psychedelic rock’n’roll that makes the group’s sound something unique.  This is at the Levitt Pavillon on Friday, 7pm.
This is free…just bring your chair!
Tonya Baker is an anointed psalmist, gifted songwriter, author, workshop instructor and blessing to the Body of Christ! She travels extensively nationally and abroad, reaching the nations with her gift of song and imparting wisdom and knowledge through the Word. Although, she travels and sings throughout the world, she’s passionate about serving as Worship Director at Mount Pisgah Church in Dayton. She’s at Levitt Pavillon on Saturday, 7pm.
This is free…just bring your chair!
Tour de Gem, The Dayton Cycling Classic, is an event created to foster a sense of community, history, pride and healthy living through cycling, while establishing an ongoing fundraising vehicle for local charities. The Start/Finish be at 237 E. Monument St. in front of the RiverScape Pavilion in downtown Dayton. The routes will take riders through many local communities spotlighting a wide variety of local area Gems. This is Sunday in the morning.
And if you want to hear some accordion music I’ll be there!
City of Dayton – Reggae Festival. Groove with the music and live in the reggae moment! Emcee for the Day: Niki Dakota. Food and merchandise vendors on site.
Levitt Pavillon, Sunday, 1 to 9pm.
This is free…just bring your chair!
The Art Show on ThinkTV16 begins with a new season. Episode 1 shows the colorful collages of Dayton artist Marsha Monroe Pippenger who combines painting, drawing, sculpture and assemblage. Sunday at 5:30pm

New Date For Walk Of Fame Induction Luncheon

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The Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame has set Thursday, Oct. 31, as the new date for its induction ceremony and luncheon at Sinclair Community College.

Wright Dunbar, Inc., which organizes the annual event, changed the date to accommodate a statewide pediatric mental health summit organized by Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association.

Coming in the wake of a deadly tornado outbreak earlier this year followed by a mass shooting in Dayton’s Oregon District, the summit was scheduled in Dayton at Sinclair on Sept. 26, the original date of the Walk of Fame ceremony.

“We apologize for the change,” said Harry Seifert, president and CEO of Wright Dunbar, Inc. He added, “When we were contacted by Sinclair College and the governor’s office asking us to change our event to another day so the Sinclair Conference Center could be used for the governor’s conference, we immediately knew that it was the right thing to do.

“We thank Sinclair for accommodating us on Oct. 31, and we hope our inductees, guests, sponsors, and attendees will understand the necessity for this change,” Seifert said.

The Walk of Fame program recognizes individuals and groups for their outstanding and enduring personal or professional contributions to the community, nation and the world and honors them by setting memorial stones in the sidewalks of Dayton’s historic Wright-Dunbar District.

As previously announced, three individuals and one performing arts organization will join the Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame. They are Jessie Gooding, John Gower, Betsy and Lee Whitney and the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.

“We have another year of outstanding inductees.  They are all excellent examples of the exceptional people who make this area a great place to live and raise a family,” Seifert said.

The 2019 inductees

Jessie Gooding (1926-)

One of the Dayton region’s foremost civil rights leaders, Jessie Gooding was born and raised in Minden, La. After serving in the segregated U. S. Army, he studied at Wilberforce University and became a chemist at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Witnessing—and experiencing—discrimination in the workplace, Gooding established equal employment opportunity and sensitivity training, which became mandatory in the Air Force in the 1960s. He also advocated for the Air Force to recruit top science and engineering students from historically black colleges and universities. Gooding is the longest serving president of the Dayton chapter of the NAACP (1982-2002.) Under his leadership the Dayton NAACP increased voter registration and pressed for reforms to end discrimination in education, employment, housing and law enforcement. He is co-author with Rosalind Vera Osinubi of Freedom and Justice for All: My Life and Dayton Civil Rights History.

John Gower (1953-)

John Gower is a life-long Dayton resident who has devoted his career as an urban planner to preserving Dayton’s history and making it a more enjoyable place to live. His advocacy for Dayton began as a student at the University of Cincinnati’s School of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, when he volunteered weekends in Dayton to board up abandoned homes in his Dayton View neighborhood. He has worked as Dayton’s downtown planner, director of community development, urban design coordinator, and most recently as reimaging strategist. The Living City Project he led has been called a catalyst for revitalizing downtown housing. He led architectural preservation efforts that resulted in the city’s Historic District Zoning and Landmarks Commission. His preservation advocacy continues even in retirement, and he has been a leading advocate for restoring the downtown Dayton Arcade.

Betsy and Lee Whitney (1930-, 1930-2018)

Betsy and Lee Whitney have been exemplary leaders in arts, social services, history and business organizations. Born in Yellow Springs, Betsy Baldwin  met Leon “Lee” Whitney in college at Ohio Wesleyan. They married in 1953. Lee joined his father-in-law’s insurance company, which grew to become Baldwin and Whitney with Lee Whitney as president. The Whitneys have been generous with their talents and resources.  A past president and board chair of the YWCA, Betsy served on boards and/or fundraising committees for the Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Dayton Visual Arts Center, Human Race Theater Company, Victoria Theatre Association, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, Dayton History, Leadership Dayton, Dayton Foundation and Wright-Dunbar Inc. Lee served as president of Dayton Children’s, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Downtown Dayton Partnership and the YMCA, and as a board member of the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, United Theological Seminary, and Westminster Church. Through his countless volunteer hours at Carillon Historical Park. He saw the need for a picnic shelter for schoolchildren. The Whitney Pavilion there now proudly serves visitors of all ages. Both Whitneys served on additional nonprofit boards and committees too numerous to list here.

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company

Nationally and internationally acclaimed local group on the dance stage and in film, DCDC has been a recognized cultural amenity in the Dayton arts scene for over 50 years. Few individuals or arts organizations in the region have represented Dayton on a larger scale. DCDC represents the Dayton region around the world. In this decade it has toured in Chili, China, Russia and Kazakhstan. PBS featured DCDC in the 2007 documentary “Dance in America: Dancing in the Light.” The film documentary “Sparkle,” which featured DCDC dancer Sheri “Sparkle Williams,” was selected to screen at Silverdocs, America’s largest and most prestigious documentary film festival in 2012. DCDC won the prestigious 2016 “Bessie” Award for Outstanding Revival for its performance of “Rainbow ‘Round my Shoulder” at the David H. Koch Theater in New York. DCDC was founded by Jeraldyne Blunden (1940-1999,) who was inducted in the Walk of Fame as an individual in 1999.

About the Walk of Fame and Wright Dunbar, Inc.

Since its inception in 1996 as a part of the City of Dayton’s bicentennial celebration, the Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame has recognized individuals and groups for their outstanding and enduring personal or professional contributions to the community, nation and the world. The Walk of Fame honors them by setting memorial stones in the sidewalks of Dayton’s historic Wright-Dunbar District. The stones can be enjoyed year-round on West Third Street between Broadway and Shannon and on North and South Williams Streets.

Wright Dunbar, Inc. a private non-profit organization, serves as a catalyst for economic development on West Third Street and manages the Walk of Fame as part of its mission in Dayton’s historic West Third Street Corridor in the neighborhood of Wilbur and Orville Wright and Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Dayton United: Benefit for The Dayton Foundation

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Come join us for a night of healing and unity at Dayton Masonic Live as Dayton United hosts a benefit for The Dayton Foundation with confirmed acoustic performances from Anthony Raneri from Bayside, Vinnie Caruana from Official: The Movielife and I Am the Avalanche, Geoff Rickly from Thursday, Chris Conley from Saves The Day, Joe Anderl of The 1984 Draft and possible others.

Tickets Now On Sale For Amber Rose Haunted Dinners

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October will be creeping up before you know it, and part of the Miami Valley’s haunted past is the AMBER ROSE RESTAURANT !  

Each fall Dayton’s ghost enthusiasts get an opportunity to experience a paranormal presentation, along with a 4 course dinner from Amber Rose, paired with 4 beers.  This is a spooky Food Adventure event that you do not want to miss.

This year we will have TWO different dinner dates and TWO different menus to be announced in 2 weeks. 

Here are the dates:

Amber Rose management Aimee and Joe

OCT 5th 2019, 7pm – 9:30pm GHOST DINNER FOOD ADVENTURE:

The Amber Rose is Haunted


OCT 19th 2019, 7pm – 9:30pm GHOST DINNER FOOD ADVENTURE:

Both dates will feature different menus, but same scheduled layout.
4 Course Dinner (detailed menu to come soon)
4 Beer Pairings  (Detailed beer pairings to come soon)

Parasense

Paranormal Presentation from “ParaSense” Investigative Team
10pm After Party – Cash Bar until close with open access to “ghost hunt” in the basement.
$46 per person

Tickets are ONLY AVAILABLE online by CLICKING HERE !

Amber Rose is popular restaurant and catering business, known for Lithuanian and German style comfort food and gourmet meals.   It is located at 1400 Valley St. in Dayton, at the zip code 45404.

Do you believe in ghosts?

Make sure you stay tuned for detailed menu and beer info.  Seats are limited and in the past this event has sold out with over 100 participants.

For more information on Dayton’s favorite food blog, FOOD ADVENTURES, click HERE to like them on Facebook.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1400 Valley St

Do you believe in ghosts?

Coopers Hawk Winery and Restaurant Opens Monday

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Marketing Specialist Erin Kelly explains the Tasting Bar

The reputation Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant has built with it’s previous 38 locations has helped build the excitement for the debut of the Centerville Cornerstone location off of Wilmington Pike.

Opening to the public this Monday, August 26th at 11am, guests will enter the Napa-style  tasting bar.  A long open bar, backed by a wall of their 40+ wines, guest are encouraged to taste their way through the menu, with educated staff guiding them to find wines they enjoy.

They offer 3 tastings each featuring 8 wines:

  • a variety tasting featuring reds and whites $8
  • a sweet tasting $8
  • Lux tasting  – features their top tier wines $13

The tasting guides shares facts to help you learn about the wines, assist with pronunciation when needed and share pairing tips.  Erin Kenny, who serves as the marketing specialist for the chain explains that Cooper’s Hawk wants to make wine accessible to all and debunk the “snooty” reputation wine sometimes gets.

You’ll also see a variety of wine glasses, cork holders and novelty wine gifts and accessories merchandised on islands in the tasting area as well as  a case full of truffles in what they call their artisan market.

Continue on into the building and you’ll see the full serve bar, where you can sit at the bar, at a table or even a booth.  Enjoy a cocktail from their extensive list, many of which include wines in the mix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you head into the dining room, you’ll see a wall featuring the Winemaker’s Barrel Reserve, made each year and crafted from expertly-selected barrel lots to create a rich, yet elegant Bordeaux-style wine that we age in the finest oak barrels, adding sophistication and flavor dimensions. the 2019 Reserve is already sold out by the bottle, but you can get a taste at the restaurant.

 

 

 

Then you enter the dining room, which seats around 300, and in nice weather there are another 50 seats on the patio that overlook a pond with a fountain.  There are also 2 private dining rooms that seat about 24 each, that can be combined for private parties of up to 60 and are equipped with AV essentials needed for presentations.  Rooms are available for reservation with a minimum spend requirement, as opposed to a room fee.  If your order doesn’t make that requirement, you can always add a case of wine or two to take home to hit the mark.

The menu at Cooper’s Hawk pairs each item with a wine, by bin number to make it easy.  Wines by the glass are very reasonably priced ranging from about $7-13.

Appetizers include Asian Ahi Tuna, Drunken Shrimp,  Hummus, Asian Pork Belly Tostadas, Potstickers, Calamari, as well as a dish referred to as Chef Matt’s Perfect Pairing Plate (pictured below) which features a Trio of Cheeses: Stracciatella, Buttermilk Bleu, Sartori Parmesan, Honeycomb, Black Fig Jam, Grilled Polenta Crostinis and some candied bacon.  There is also an optional wine pairing  that compliments this plate.

Every single item on the menu is made in their scratch kitchen, which often runs with 20 cooks on the line and the attention to detail.  Actually that’s untrue, they do bring in their gluten bread, to assure that it is made in a gluten free kitchen.  They also offer a pretty extensive gluten free menu that includes steak, seafood, chicken and burgers.

Happy Hour at Cooper’s Hawk runs from 3-6pm featuring $6 wines by the glass, and wine specialty drinks and a list of appetizers from $7-10.

They also offer a kids menu, a carryout menu and a catering menu.

The Wine Club at Cooper’s Hawk is an all-inclusive membership where you will not only receive our winemaker’s newly released wine each month, but also enjoy many great benefits including invitations to members-only events, exclusive discounts, points on purchases, birthday rewards, and aWine Club Newsletter with information on new wines, special events, and great recipes. Memberships start at $20 month and you have the option to pick up your wine or have it sent. Choose the membership type that’s right for you, variety (meaning you’ll get red and white varietals) Red, White or Sweet.  Gift memberships also available for 3, 6  or 12 months.

Thursday afternoon I was lucky enough to enjoy a media tasting, which started off with Chef Matt’s Perfect Pairing Plate and then a tasting menu that started with crispy brussels sprouts with cashews, mint and sweet thai chili, and as one who’s usually not a fan of this vegetable, thought it was one of the best dishes of the day.  We also tried the Asian pork belly tacos, shrimp and scallop risotto, pan-roasted barramundi, gnocchi carbonara(the gnocchi is one of the few ingredients not made in house), a ginger soy glazed NY Strip and for dessert the Cooper’s Hawk Chocolate Cake and Lemon Ice Wine Cheesecake.

We also had a chance to chat with Master Sommelier Emily Wine. She serves as the liaison between the company and its individual restaurants, engaging with guests and the brand’s 350,000+ Wine Club members to create unique experiences centered around wine and spirits. She spearheads initiatives designed to enrich the guest journey through education, immersive events, collaborative partnerships and curated lifestyle adventures. She also creates her own personal wine label for Cooper’s Hawk.

Emily is an internationally qualified sommelier, and one of only 149 individuals in the Americas to earn the designation of Master Sommelier. She is also one of 15 professionals who have been awarded the prestigious Remi Krug Cup for passing all three sections – theory, service and blind tasting – of the Master Sommelier Diploma Examination on her first attempt (most candidates sit for the exam two to three times, and some take it as many as six times).

Overall I walked away from this tasting impressed.  By the food, the wine and especially the service.  Which for a brand new restaurant is rare, but in talking with the management, they all credit the vision of founder Tim McEnery complete lack of pretense and  a culture that reflects his values – one that embodies respect, personal development and humility, and is designed to accelerate quality and innovation as the company grows at a pace that is both aggressive and manageable.

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

5220 Cornerstone North Blvd
Centerville, Ohio 45440

(937) 900-9463

Mon- Thurs 11am – 9:30pm

Fr & Sat 11am – 10:30pm

Sun 11am -9pm

The Symbolism Behind the Gem City Shine Logo

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Dave Chappelle’s son, Sulayman, collaborated with Ron Bass, a popular visual artist/designer, to create the look.

Symbolism:
– The bright yellow sun connotes a new day in the District
– The muscular arm reinforces the #DaytonStrong message
– The person with the flower suggest growth for the community
– The No Fear sign signals that we won’t abandon our neighborhood
– Love and Hope will keep us together as represented by the two people hugging the heart
– The airplane is a nod to Dayton as the birthplace of aviation
The Oregon Sign welcomes all to the District
– The Gem represents the brilliance of the people in Dayton, Ohio

People can get these commemorative T-shirts with a minimum donation of $20 at the event Sunday in the Oregon District. Proceeds will benefit The Dayton Foundation’s Oregon District Tragedy Fund.

Dayton at Work and Play: Bicycles For All

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We all know that Dayton is a bike friendly community. Bicycles For All may be the friendliest part of that bike community. They give bikes to kids and they sell reconditioned bikes to adults at reasonable prices.


Bicycles For All is a nonprofit – a good place to donate your old bike, or your helmets or other bike gear. Most of their bikes are fairly new, but Matthew is showing me a classic Huffy bike that was recently donated. It has a 1972 City of Dayton license plate. All of the workers at Bicycles For All are volunteers. When Matthew isn’t fixing bikes he’s making my favorite apple turnovers at Evans Bakery.

Bicycles For All is located in the basement of the red Armory building at 201 E. 6th Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402. Access to the entrance is off of Patterson in the parking lot behind The Armory Building. They are open on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6-9 pm.