Dayton937

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

Archives for October 2020

Esther’s Li’l Secret Launch Party

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The first collaboration beer between Esther Price & Warped Wing was in 2014 and was a Caramel Scotch Ale.  Next up was a Milk Chocolate Brown Ale in 2015.  2016 brought a Chocolate Peanut Brittle Porters, followed by a Winter White Ale with Chocolate and Vanilla Creat in 2017.  A Chocolate covered cherry Stout came about in 2018 and last year it was a a Chocolate Sea Sat Caramel Scotch Ale.

If you’d like to be one of the first to find out what the creation will be for 2020, you’ll want to make a reservations for the launch party and dinner on Saturday, November 7th.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Warped Wing will be hosting a private ticketed event in the Downtown Dayton Taproom on Saturday, November 7th. The brewery will be closed to the public and you must have a ticket to attend (back of brewery will be open for carryout 4pks and bottles of ELS).

Your $60 ticket includes:

• (1) Esther’s Li’l Secret 4pk cans
• (1) BA Esther’s Li’l Secret 12.7oz bottle
• Lasagna Dinner {Lasagna (meat or vegetarian), Caesar salad & garlic knot}
• 5oz pour of Barrel Aged ELS
• 13oz pour of ELS in limited keepsake glass
• Gratuity

AVAILABLE TIME SLOTS
11am • 1pm • 3pm • 5pm • 7pm • 9pm
(time slots are 1.5hr long with 30 minutes between groups for cleaning/sanitizing before seating the next group)

For reservations, please call  937-222-7003 (option 5) between the hours of 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis.

Esther’s Li’l Secret will be launching ONLY at the Downtown Dayton location on November 7th. It will be available the following week down in Springboro at the Warped Wing Barrel Room & Smokery.

The Martians Are Coming! 

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Need a break from politics? How about a Halloween date with Martians?

 

Orson Welles and his crew created a panic when they presented THE WAR OF THE WORLDS live on the radio on Halloween night in 1938. It was a hair-raising performance, with incredible acting and dazzling sound effects.

Join WYSO and students from Wright State University’s Theatre, Dance and Motion Picture program for some Halloween fun this Saturday night at 8pm as they recreate this historic broadcast live on the air. It’s been relocated to the Miami Valley and stars young actors from Wright State’s theatre department.

This is one-night only appointment listening available only at 91.3FM or streaming live at wyso.org.

New trails open at Germantown MetroPark

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Germantown MetroPark’s extensive hiking system has become even more robust with the opening of new trails. The easy-to-trek, natural surface trails allow the public to experience a successful conservation project: the transformation of former farmland into a pollinator prairie and wetland, part of Five Rivers MetroParks’ mission to protect the region’s natural heritage.

A number of trails have been improved or expanded in recent years as part of MetroParks’ strategic trail initiative, another conservation effort that improves habitat and decreases erosion. However, the trails at Germantown are the first new ones in a MetroPark in several years.

 

Two new trails and a new extension of an existing trail are now open: The 2-mile purple trail loop and the 0.7-mile brown loop are new, along with a new, 2.3-mile section of the park’s orange trail. This new extension increases the orange trail to 9.3 miles, making it Germantown MetroPark’s longest and most challenging trail. The extension of the orange trail, part of the Twin Valley Trail, also increases the mileage of this backpacking trek to nearly 30 miles.

 

All the new trails can be accessed from the sled hill/Twin Valley Trail parking lot, 6206 Boomershine Rd., and at a new gravel lot a little further south down the street. The new trails are suitable for beginners and seasoned hikers alike and are part of MetroParks’ new Heart Healthy Trails initiative. Trails can be viewed and navigated in MetroParks’ new mobile app, powered by OuterSpatial.

 

The trails traverse through several habitats, allowing hikers to experience Montgomery County’s rich biodiversity. Indeed, the opening of the trails is the culmination of a years-long conservation project.

 

Five Rivers MetroParks acquired the land on which the new trails were built with a grant from the Clean Ohio Fundin 2015. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service also helped fund this conservation project since protecting the dwindling monarch population is one of its priorities.

The 107-acre site was primarily farmland at that time, along with some woodlands. Since then, MetroParks staff and volunteers have transformed this greenspace with the goal of creating a special natural area for birds, bees and butterflies — particularly monarchs.

 

Efforts to create this greenspace include:

  • In 2015, native seeds from MetroParks’ prairie seed nursery, also located at Germantown MetroPark and managed by Five Rivers MetroParks, were planted. The seeds of native plants attractive to pollinators — such as milkweed, the only plant on which monarchs lay their eggs — were used. By 2018, the pollinator prairie already was in full bloom and buzzing with such insects and birds as red tail hawks, locusts, Carolina wrens, field and song sparrows — and lots of monarchs. Other wildlife have been spotted, including rabbits, deer, coyotes and fox. All this indicates the area has a healthy ecosystem.
    • In 2018, MetroParks staff began constructing a new wetland, using a series of levees to back up water.  The wetland complements the prairie’s wildlife array by creating habitat for such species as dragonflies and a variety of frogs.
  • In 2019, MetroParks trail specialists Mark Allen and Michael Cooper, with help from numerous volunteers, led the construction of the new trails — which is no easy task. Ecological protection, physical management and community needs must be balanced. That includes:
  • Assessing the site, which includes examining topography and boundaries
    • Conducting plant surveys for a year to inventory species and ensure new trails won’t damage rare plants
    • Mapping the final trail — then starting the physical work of building it

“The public values trails as one of the most used and appreciated amenities of a park system,” regional park manager Mike Osborne said. “Most of the hard work of designing a sustainable trail is done before the shovels hit the ground. But the effort up front results in greatly improved eco-health, a decrease in maintenance costs and staff time, and with increased patron use and satisfaction.

 

“The new trail at Germantown MetroPark has been designed to protect special natural areas and inspire a personal connection with nature for generations to come,” Osborne added. “It’s also a great place for people to learn about biodiversity, as several habitats can be viewed in a compact area with an easily accessible trail.”

 

During the past 30 years, Five Rivers MetroParks staff and volunteers have planted and restored nearly 1,000 acres of prairie — the equivalent of almost 760 football fields. According to the National Park Service, the prairies of North America once covered 200 million acres and supported myriad wildlife, but less than 1% of this native habitat remains. That makes prairie restoration critical to protecting the environment since prairies benefit the soil and provide habitat for native wildlife, especially such pollinators as butterflies and birds. Pollinators are required for 85 percent of the world’s flowering plants to reproduce, and one-third of humans’ food is produced with the help of pollinators.

 

“In general, all pollinators are in trouble — and they’re all necessary for our natural areas and agricultural production,” said Grace Dietsch, Five Rivers MetroParks wildlife biologist. “Germantown MetroPark is a large natural area close to the Upper Twin Valley Conservation Area. In this larger, more stable natural area, we have an opportunity to enjoy great success.”

Dixon’s Violin Outside Concert

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Join us for a rare opportunity to experience Dixon’s mesmerizing music, as seen on TED.com, at Electric Forest, & Burning Man.

Please bring your own chairs, masks, and social distancing practices. This is a limited capacity event, likely to sell out in advance.

U.S. Air Force Museum Recognized with Heritage Award For Space Suit Exhibit

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The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force was recently selected by the U.S. Air Force History and Museums Program as a recipient of a 2020 Air Force Heritage Award for its Space Suit exhibit.

The award recognizes outstanding achievements by Air Force History and Museums personnel that foster a better understanding and appreciation of the Air Force, its history and accomplishments.

Located in the museum’s Space Gallery, the multi-part Space Suit exhibit was unveiled in 2019 for the 50thanniversary of the first moon landing, and features seven reproductions of space suits spanning the era of American spaceflight – including Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and the Space Shuttle. Each suit represents the ones worn by U.S. Air Force astronauts on historic missions and allows visitors to see how space gear evolved over time.

 

Air Force astronauts whose individual suits are featured as reproductions in the exhibit include Gordon Cooper (Mercury-Atlas 9), Michael Collins (Apollo 11), and David Scott (Apollo 15). Other USAF astronauts featured through images and text include Thomas Stafford, Edward White, Buzz Aldrin, Catherine Coleman, Susan Helms, and Mark Lee.

The exhibit’s innovative design features six stand-alone cases, which allow for 360-degree views, along with a suspended space suit simulating a space-walk against the gallery ceiling’s black background. Interpretive text and images accompany each suit as well.

 

 

According to National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Director Mr. David Tillotson, receiving the 2020 Air Force Heritage Award for the Space Suit exhibit is a significant honor for the museum.

“This award recognizes the great pride we take in telling the Air Force story to a global audience, and an important chapter of that story is the USAF involvement with the space program” said Tillotson. “The Space Suit exhibit not only illustrates what astronauts historically wore, but also explains key aspects of their missions and perhaps even serves as a catalyst to spark the imaginations of our younger visitors by inspiring them to pursue careers with the Air Force, Space Force, or NASA.”

Mendelson’s Final Auction

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Mendelson’s Outlet ‘The First Place to Look for Every Last Thing!’ is going out BIG with an auction of one of the largest, one-of-kind items in the country. Also, a reminder our first-floor retail merchandise ‘$29.95 Shopping Cart Extravaganza’ continues!

“55 years of merchandise, it’s got to go!” Said owner Sandy Mendelson. “We have to be out of the building by December 31. This is a wonderful opportunity and final chance to get a piece of history.” He added. 

The in-person and on-line auction is Wednesday, October 28, 10am and will last all day. Items on the auction block include Industrial Antiquities, NCR & GM Industrial Surplus, Vidmar Cabinets, Industrial Grade Pallet Racking, HUGE Quantity Material Handling Carts, Forklift Chargers, Genie Arial Work Platform & Personal Lift, Monarch Toolroom Lathe, Bridgeport Vertical Mill, Hardware Bins & Cabinets, Parts plus much more.

Mendelson’s, located at 340 East First Street in downtown Dayton will have an on-site inspection of auction items Monday, October 26, and Tuesday, October 27, 10am to 4pm both days. Auction is Wednesday, October 28, and removal of items day of sale, and October 29, 30, 8:30am to 4:30pm.

For a complete list of merchandise visit Mendelson’s at www.meci.com or www.inmachinesoulutions.com click ‘current auctions.’

Ohio Beer Sparkles Again at National Competition

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Ohio craft breweries put forth yet another strong showing at the 2020 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) awards ceremony, held on Friday, October 16. After bringing home a total of 15 medals last year, the Ohio delegation scored nine awards at the nation’s most prestigious brewing competition.

Wolf’s Ridge Brewing in Columbus led the field of Ohio entrants with two medals at the 2020 competition. Daybreak won the gold medal in the Coffee Beer category, marking the second award for the beer after taking silver in 2019. Wolf’s Ridge also took the bronze in the Smoke Beer category with their Buchenrauch smoked lager.

Fat Head’s Brewery scored a gold medal for Goggle Fogger in the German-style Wheat Ale category. Fat Head’s has now won awards in 12 straight GABF competitions, earning a total of 26 medals.

Moozie from Cincinnati’s Brink Brewing won gold for the third consecutive year in the Sweet Stout or Cream Stout category. Brink has won at least one GABF medal in each year since its founding in 2017.

Masthead Brewing from Cleveland won gold for Augenblick in the Munich-style Helles category. This is Masthead’s second GABF gold medal and third medal overall.

Cleveland’s Noble Beast Brewing’s Murder Ballads won its second consecutive GABF medal, a silver in the International Dark Lager category. Murder Ballads took bronze in the Baltic-style Porter category in 2019, which was not included in the competition this year.

Fretboard Brewing from Blue Ash and Little Fish Brewing from Athens each won their first GABF medals in 2020. Little Fish earned a silver for Cleft in the Fruited Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer category, while Fretboard won silver for Crazy Train in the Belgian-Style Ale or French-Style Ale category. Both breweries have previously won awards at the Brewers Association’s World Beer Cup competition, which was canceled in 2020.

Centerville’s Lock 27 Brewing scored their first GABF medal win, a bronze for Wolk in the Belgian-style Witbier.

Since 1987, 50 Ohio craft breweries have combined to win 162 medals – 54 gold – at the Great American Beer Festival.

“In a year that has been defined by struggles, it’s very satisfying to see our Ohio breweries celebrating a victory today,” said Mary MacDonald, executive director of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. “As much uncertainty and turbulence as our industry has seen, the constant that has remained is that Ohio breweries are still making world-class beer despite all of 2020’s challenges.”

History, Mystery, Mayhem and Murder at Woodland Cemetery: Counterfeiter Nelson Driggs

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Nelson Driggs was known as one of the most famous counterfeiters in the United States. Secret Servicemen from back in the day regarded him “as one of the cleverest counterfeiters in the country.” His life was filled with adventure and crime but there was a soft-side of him too.

Prior to Driggs landing in Dayton, he had served time in the Joliet, Illinois penitentiary for manufacturing counterfeit money. He had been sentenced for fifteen years and served nearly all of it but was released early for good behavior.

When he came to Dayton, he settled in town on South Main Street but soon moved out to the road house known as The Abbey on Home Avenue near the Soldier’s Home. It was here that Driggs is said to have dealt in counterfeit money with his notorious partner Jim Guyon. Guyon was also very well known by the Secret Service and in 1888, the G-men “swooped down” upon The Abbey one evening with Guyon fleeing but Driggs and his wife captured.

The trial of Nelson Driggs and his wife Gertie became one of the most remarkable and interesting trials in the history of the U.S. Courts. The trial was held in Cincinnati and “almost every witness called sprung a surprise in his or her testimony.” Charges against Driggs and his wife were discharged.

Nelson Driggs was also known as a generous man and a good friend to the poor. He was known to house the poor in his home giving them food, clothing and shelter during the winter months and never asking for anything in return. He didn’t like to talk about these small acts of kindness.

He was a man who always paid his bills and one time he went to the Dayton Herald office to pay his subscription bill. He laid a small sack of Mexican dollars on the counter. Of course the money was refused and Driggs vowed to never pay his bill again, but he did pay it, each and every year and promptly too. Rumor was that he made the trip to Mexico to dispose of some of his own counterfeit bills. Upon his return he had a bag of good Mexican money and a herd of ponies.

Nelson Driggs died at The Abbey on December 17, 1895. He was 84 years old. He was laid to rest at Woodland Cemetery on April 23, 1896 in Section 110 Lot 2982.

 

You can visit the gravesite of Nelson Driggs and all of the other people on the History, Mystery, Mayhem and Murder Tour at Woodland Cemetery by going to our Tour page and downloading our Woodland Mobile App. 

Woodland Cemetery, founded in 1841, is one of the nation’s oldest rural garden cemeteries and a unique cultural, botanical and educational resource in the heart of Dayton, Ohio. It is the final resting place of the Wright Brothers, Erma Bombeck, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Charles F. Kettering, John H. Patterson, Gov. James M. Cox, George P. Huffman, George H. Mead, and Levi and Matilda Stanley, King and Queen of the Gypsy’s and more than 111,000 others who made it great in Dayton.

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum is located at 118 Woodland Avenue off of Brown Street near the University of Dayton Campus. The Cemetery and Arboretum are open daily from 8 am to 6 pm and until 7 pm during Daylight Saving Time. The Mausoleum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information, call 937-228-3221 or visit the Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum website.

RTA Partners to Provide Access to Early Voting

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The Greater Dayton RTA is helping local residents get out to vote this election season by partnering with the Dayton Unit NAACP, League of Women Voters of the Greater Dayton Area (LWVGDA), and East End Community Services to provide a free day pass to individuals that may experience transportation barriers during the early voting period from October 6 to November 2.

The RTA understands the necessity for reliable transportation in order to vote, and that’s why the agency’s board of trustees decided in 2018 to provide free rides for all customers, both on fixed-route and paratransit bus services, on all certified election days. Given the added pressures of the international COVID-19 pandemic, extending this service to accommodate early voting was the right thing to do, said RTA CEO Mark Donaghy.

 

“We are pleased to partner with these great community-based organizations to ensure that every citizen is able to exercise their right to vote by removing the barrier of access through our network of services,” Donaghy said.

 

Early Vote day passes can be received at the following locations, and those with questions about the program should contact these agencies:

 

  • East End Community Services: 624 Xenia Ave., Dayton—Mon.-Fri., 8 am- 5 pm, or call 937 258-1898
  • League of Women Voters: 127 N. Ludlow St., Dayton—Mon.-Fri., 9 am- 2 pm, or call 937-228-4042
  • Dayton Unit NAACP: 1528 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Dayton—call 937-222-2172

Program partners said they are grateful of RTA’s assistance with providing access to those wishing to vote early.

 

“It is commendable that RTA has made an executive decision to participate in our democracy from a voter mobilization standpoint,” said Dr. Derrick L. Foward, President of the Dayton Unit NAACP.

“We are thankful to partner with RTA to eliminate transportation as a barrier for people to vote,” said Susan Hesselgesser, Executive Director of LWVGDA.

 

“By working with RTA, we are assuring that voters in Montgomery County can vote early in person or drop off their mail-in ballots at the Board of Elections, without any transportation cost,” said Jan Lepore-Jentleson, Executive Director of East End Community Services.

 

Registered voters can vote in-person or drop-off their absentee ballot at the Montgomery County Board of Elections. The drop box will be available 24/7. In addition to the Early Vote day pass, RTA will be providing free rides system-wide on Election Day, November 3, 2020.

New DAI Exhibit Bring the Spirit of the Performing Arts to Life

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Groundbreaking exhibition reveals what happened when prominent painters and sculptors–such as Pablo Picasso, David Hockney and Henri Matisse–turned their attention to the stage

Stages may still be dark at theaters around the country, but theDayton Art Institute (DAI) will bring the spirit of the performing arts to life with its latest Special Exhibition. Picasso to Hockney: Modern Art on Stage reveals what happened when prominent painters and sculptors turned their attention to the stage and collaborated with writers, musicians and dancers. The exhibition opens October 17 and will be on view at the DAI through January 17, 2021. Current museum hours are Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sundays, noon – 5 p.m. The exhibition

 

Picasso to Hockney contains works by some of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century, including Pablo Picasso, David Hockney, Henri Matisse, Fernand Léger, Natalia Gontcharova, Joan Miró, Louise Nevelson, Robert Indiana, Jim Dine and many others. It pulls back the curtain on a lesser known but equally inspiring aspect of these artists’ creative expressions—their collaborations as designers of sets, costumes, lighting, scenery and, in some instances, complete performances. These artists contributed stunning designs to world-renowned plays, operas and ballets, such as Pulcinella, La Création du Monde(The Creation of the World), King Arthur and The Mother of Us All.

 

“It is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy stunning works, which were made for the stage by major artists who are known primarily for their paintings and sculpture,” said Dr. Jerry N. Smith, the DAI’s Chief Curator and Director of Education. “The art on display, since it was created for the theater, offers a novel look at major art movements of the 20th century. For example, to see a breathtaking costume created by Henri Matisse that was once worn by an actor on stage, or a series of painted designs by Jim Dine for stage sets, helps us appreciate the artists and their creativity in new ways.”

Organized by the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio, Texas, Picasso to Hockney features 115 objects of set and costume design, and it offers fresh insights into artists and movements, from Cubism and Constructivism to Surrealism and Pop Art. The exhibition presents a rare opportunity to experience more than 100 years of original performance designs by renowned visual artists who took their creativity to the stage. Spectacular costumes from the theater, such as dresses by Lesley Dill, and several costumes by Robert Indiana, are also included in the exhibition. Picasso to Hockney invites visitors to explore how these visual artists challenged conventional theatre practices and often redefined their own work in the process.

 

Drawn from the McNay Art Museum’s Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts, Picasso to Hockney aligns with Robert L. B. Tobin’s belief that, “designs come to life only when they are used.” The late San Antonio art collector and performance advocate ensured his collection would be accessible to the public. Tobin hoped this collection would serve to educate and inspire future generations of young theatre makers.

 

“Dayton is known for its vibrant arts community, so it’s only fitting to present this exciting combination of visual and performing arts from the Tobin Collection at the Dayton Art Institute,” said DAI Director & CEO Michael R. Roediger. “Picasso to Hockney shines an inspiring light on the arts, as well as the artists who bring the arts to life. Your Dayton Art Institute is open and ready to safely welcome you to the museum. I hope you’ll take the opportunity to view this amazing exhibition from our friends at the McNay Art Museum and support the DAI.”

 

Several online programs and at-home activities will be offered in conjunction with Picasso to Hockney, including:

 

  • DAI Book Club: Language of Art
    Saturday, Oct. 24 & Thursday, Nov. 5, 12–1 p.m. each day
  • Draw from the Collection … Live via Zoom!
    Saturday, Nov. 7, 3–4 p.m. & Thursday, Nov. 19, 12–1 p.m.
  • Retrofit: Turning Today’s Clothes into Period Costumes
    Videos and downloadable lessons to be released Nov. 20, Dec. 4 & Jan. 8
  • Curatorial Conversations: Picasso to Hockney: Modern Art on Stage
    Friday, Dec. 4, 1:30 p.m.
  • ARTventures at Home
    Downloadable lesson to be released on Dec. 28

 

In addition, A Date at DAI will offer a specially designed self-guided tour of the exhibition, aimed at those visiting the museum with their “special someone” the weekend of October 30–November 1.

 

For more about these programs and the exhibition, visit www.daytonartinstitute.org/stage and join the conversation on social media with #PicassoToHockney.

 

The Dayton Art Institute’s showing of Picasso to Hockney: Modern Art on Stage is presented with support from BENEFACTOR SPONSOR Premier Health and SUPPORTING SPONSORS Carolyn & Robert H. Brethen, Norma Landis & Rick Hoffman, Perfection Group and PNC, with ADDITIONAL SUPPORT from Jessup Wealth Management. SUPPORTING MEDIA SPONSOR is ThinkTV.

 

Admission to Picasso to Hockney is included in the museum’s general admission: $15 adults; $10 seniors (60+), active military and groups (10 or more); $5 students (18+ w/ID) and youth (ages 7–17); free for children (ages 6 & younger). Admission is also free for museum members. Prices include admission to the Special Exhibition, all Focus Exhibitions and the museum’s collection galleries.

 

For more information about visiting the Dayton Art Institute, go to www.daytonartinstitute.org or call 937-223-4ART (4278). Connect with the Dayton Art Institute on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest for additional information, behind-the-scenes photos and videos, and exclusive offers.

Colin & Brad: Stream Of Consciousness Live Stream

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In an innovative move, Dayton Live presents an all‐new compelling live entertainment experience that audiences can enjoy from the comfort of their own homes with the convenience and ease of Zoom.

 

Improv legends and “Whose List Is It Anyway?” veterans Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood deliver their indelible humor in an all‐new live improv show entitled STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS. This truly interactive hour is fueled by audience suggestions, leaving Colin and Brad to rely only on their wits and intuition. Hilarious and bubbling with irreverent humor, the duo captivates with their whip smart senses and off‐the‐cuff comedic brilliance.

Streaming directly to at‐home audiences, Dayton Live presents STREAM  OF CONSCIOUSNESS for two shows – Saturday, October 24 at 8 pm and Friday, October 30 at 8 pm. Passes to access this live streaming event are $35 (plus applicable service fees) per device and are on sale now athttps://www.daytonlive.org/events/colin-brad/ or by phone at 937-228-3630.

For this limited run of just two performances, capacity is kept at a minimum, with only 200 passes available per performance. Each pass or ticket allows viewing on one device, so you can choose to enjoy the show solo or share the fun with friends.

 

Sundance Hit THE FORTY-YEAR-OLD VERSION Starts Friday at The Neon

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This weekend, we’re adding a new film to the mix – a first time feature film from veteran playwright and television writer Radha Blank – THE FORTY-YEAR-OLD VERSION. This film was a huge hit at Sundance, and it’s currently rated “98% Fresh” on rottentomatoes. In addition, we are going to hold both ON THE ROCKS and THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7…and we have a couple special events coming next week too.

In our Virtual Cinema, we have two new films. MY NAME IS PEDRO, a film about a hero in public education, opened today. DATING AMBER, a coming-of-age film set in Ireland in the mid 90’s, opens Friday. More about both of those below.
Rave reviews for The 15th Annual Dayton LGBT Film Festival have been pouring in. People have loved our selections, and the virtual format seems to be going over very well. Many thanks to everyone who has supported this fest. There are still a couple selections you can check out before they expire. Check out the line-up at www.daytonlgbt.com
New Booking for In-Person Screenings:
Synopsis for THE FORTY-YEAR-OLD VERSION: This new, award-winning film from Radha Blank was a big hit at Sundance and is currently rated “98% Fresh” on rottentomatoes. “Radha is a down-on-her-luck NY playwright, who is desperate for a breakthrough before 40. Reinventing herself as rapper RadhaMUSPrime, she vacillates between the worlds of Hip Hop and theater in order to find her true voice.” Click this LINK to watch the trailer and click the image below to watch the a special piece about the creation of the film with Radha Blank.
New to our Virtual Cinema
Synopsis for MY NAME IS PEDRO: “Lillian LaSalle’s documentary explores what public education meant to South Bronx Latino maverick educator, Pedro Santana, and what he, in turn, meant to public education.” Click HERE to watch the trailer and click on the image below to purchase the film for $8.99.
Synopsis for DATING AMBER: “DATING AMBER is a poignant, honest and funny look at the highs and lows of teenage life where the only way to fit in is to not be yourself, even if this goes against your very being. Set-in Ireland during the mid-90’s, Eddie and Amber decide to stage a relationship in order to stop everyone speculating about their sexuality. Eddie is keen to follow his Dad into the military, while Amber dreams of moving to the liberal hub of London. However, their ‘ideal’ arrangement begins to fall apart, forcing Eddie deeper into denial as Amber realizes that a perilous future awaits her best friend unless she intervenes. DATING AMBER is a love letter to all those kids who grew up in a small town and who needed to escape in order to be themselves.” Click the image below to watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access for $12.
Continuing in our Virtual Cinema:
Synopsis for SAUL AND RUBY’S HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR BAND: Available now. “Like many survivors of the Holocaust, after World War II, Saul and Ruby moved to America, started families and careers, grew old, and retired to South Florida. For them, retirement could have been the last chapter in their story. But then they decided to start a klezmer band, named the Holocaust Survivor Band. This unique and compelling story is about having the courage to live one’s dreams, finding purpose and meaning in life at any age, the transcendent power of music, and the importance of speaking out against anti-Semitism and bigotry.” Click the image below to watch the trailer and then gain access to the film for $12.
Synopsis for AGGIE: Available now! “AGGIE is a feature-length documentary that explores the nexus of art, race, and justice through the story of art collector and philanthropist Agnes “Aggie” Gund’s life. Emmy-nominated director Catherine Gund focuses on her mother’s journey to give viewers an understanding of the power of art to transform consciousness and inspire social change. Aggie is internationally recognized for her robust and prescient support of artists–particularly women and people of color–and her unwavering commitment to social justice issues. After falling in love with art as a high-school student, Aggie discovers a new way of looking at the world.” Click the image below to watch the trailer and then access the film for $12.
A customer recently asked me to repost instructions as to how to use our Virtual Cinema. Here’s a LINK with a video I made about how it all works. Click HERE to see all the films that are still available in our Virtual Cinema.
Wanna know what’s coming down the road in our virtual cinema? (Click any title to watch that film’s trailer.) On Oct. 21, we’ll open the festival hit MAJOR ARCANA, and on Oct. 23 we’ll open a doc about photographer Burk Uzzle (you might not know his name, but you’ve seen his work) – F11 AND BE THERE. On Oct. 28, we’ll open the recently restored (both in quality and length) important documentary from William Greaves – NATIONTIME, and on Oct. 30 we’ll open the Spanish/French thriller MADRE (if you come to THE NEON for Oscar nominated shorts, you’ve likely seen the short film on which this feature is based). On Nov. 6, we’ll open Fredrick Wiseman’s new highly acclaimed doc CITY HALL as well as RADIUM GIRLS (we’re hoping to set up a special Q&A with the film’s directors). More titles are on the way…stay tuned!
As a reminder…tickets for STEVIE NICKS 24 KARAT GOLD THE CONCERT are on sale now. Current scheduled shows are for Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7:00 and Sunday, Oct. 25 at 1:00 and 7:00. If you’re a Stevie fan, you don’t need more than an announcement to get your tickets…but if you’re not sure, here’s a TRAILER.
Local filmmaker and author Mathew Klickstein has a new book hitting the shelves, so we’re taking a look at a film that he produced & directed about the same kids.”ACT YOUR AGE: THE KIDS OF WIDNEY HIGH STORY (2010) is a rollicking rollercoaster of a rowdy ride up the West Coast during the world-famous Kids of Widney High’s 2008 headlining tour from Los Angeles to Seattle and back. Intimately chronicled through a punk-influenced DIY ‘video diary’ lens, ACT YOUR AGE takes the viewer into the green rooms, hotel rooms, bars, onstage and into the road-tripping van of the Kids, a group of singer-songwriters with developmental disabilities initially based out of an East Los Angeles special-ed music program.
This new tenth anniversary edition of ACT YOUR AGE has been polished and remastered to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the groundbreaking Americans with Disabilities Act and the release of the Kids’ first book, THE KIDS OF WIDNEY JUNIOR HIGH TAKE OVER THE WORLD!, out in stores now. Come see the world through the eyes of a ‘Kid.’ ACT YOUR AGE director/producer Mathew Klickstein – a longtime author/filmmaker/journalist and recent transplant to Dayton – will be in-person for a brief introduction and follow-up Q&A after the film.” (taken from press notes) Tickets, $10 for general admission and $8 for seniors, are now available on our website. We had this event on the books before we knew about the presidential debate…alas this is a one-time only event that celebrates differently abled young people. After that first debate, didn’t you wish you’d had other plans???
Because distributors continue to push back their titles, we will have more weeks when we need to explore some classics. So on Oct. 23, we’re going to take a look at some early favorites from Tim Burton – PEE WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE and BEETLEJUICE. Please help us spread the word…these should be a lot of fun. (Maybe even free prizes for people who ride their bikes to THE NEON for Pee Week!! We’ll see.). We also plan to open POSSESSOR UNCUT – the new film from Brandon Cronenberg (a filmmaker who has a lot in common with his father – David Cronenberg).
We got news this week that we can open Ron Howard’s new film HILLBILLY ELEGY on Nov. 11. This highly anticipated film was partially shot in Middletown – home of the famous book’s author J.D. Vance.

Dayton Mall Celebrates Fall with Festive Seasonal Events

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Dayton Mall announced today two events to celebrate the fall season with the community. Now that the school year is underway and fall is here, Dayton Mall is excited to host the following festive gatherings: Community Day on Oct. 24 from 2- 3:3opm and Candy Crawl on Oct. 28 from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm.

Fall Community Day at Dayton Mall will celebrate the season with fun for the whole family while supporting our neighbors in need. The event will feature entertaining activities such as live music from Midnight Rider – the ultimate party band with hits by the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Doobie Brothers, Chris Stapleton, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. In addition, Fall Community Day will feature balloon art for the kids and local Non-Profit and Volunteer Groups. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to support the Dayton Mall Non-Profit Co-Op. Through events like Fall Community Day, Dayton Mall continues to embrace its commitment to giving back to the Dayton community and the people it serves.

Candy Crawl offers a fun, safe place for local families to trick-or-treat. Dayton Mall will host a socially distanced Trick or Treat at participating stores throughout the mall. Costumes are encouraged, and guests must register through Eventbrite; additional information is available on the Dayton Mall website.

“With all of the unique challenges that we have faced this year, Dayton Mall is excited to provide an opportunity to come together to enjoy the fall season through Community Day and Candy Crawl”, said Dave Duebber, General Manager at Dayton Mall.  “We are passionate about serving as a gathering space for our community, and now more than ever, we are proud to be a place where families, friends, and the community can safely connect with each other.”

Dayton Mall remains focused on providing a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. In response to the continued need to address COVID-19, the Center has proactively implemented additions to the Code of Conduct, effective until further notice. These additions include the following guidelines:

  • Practice social distancing and stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) from other people.
  • Covering your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover in accordance with state and local guidelines.
  • Do not gather in groups.
  • Adhere to each individual tenant’s COVID-19 policies.
  • Adhere to all federal, state and local regulations, recommendations and mandates regarding COVID-19.

The Code of Conduct is posted on property and available online here.

In addition, Dayton Mall’s already rigorous disinfectant and cleaning practices will continue, many times per day, including periodically disinfecting areas most susceptible to the spread of germs. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispensers are located in highly-trafficked areas and walkways for public use.

Dayton Mall remains committed to supporting the local Dayton community through providing unique experiences year-round. The safety of guests and tenants alike remains the town center’s top focus, and Community Day and Candy Crawl are just one example of Dayton Mall’s ongoing efforts to maintain their role as a community lifestyle center no matter the circumstances.

Centerville, Dayton & Rudy Flyer Now Available in Lego Bricks

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The City of Centerville is excited to unveil a customized Lego set of their city. The set is available for presale now and will be released November 7th.

Profits will benefit the Centerville Community Improvement Corporation, which organizes loans and grants for small businesses. Designer Brixilated is based out of Cincinnati and specializes in developing customized Lego sets that can be used to support non-profits and  community initiatives. The final design includes Lego versions of the Municipal Building, The Golf Club at Yankee Trace, Stubbs Park Amphitheater, Centerville High School, Woodbourne Library, the Walton and Asahel Wright Houses, Bill’s Donut Shop, a gazebo and several Red Horse-Chestnut trees.

Watch a timelapse of the build:

Centerville Cityscape

Elk Pride Never Dies!  Centerville boasts bustling business centers, nationally-recognized public and private schools, nearly 50 parks and miles of hiking trails.    Packaged in craft, recycled-paper, each building kit contains:

  • 310 Lego® bricks
  • Printed Instruction manual (on recycled paper), containing information about Centerville’s beloved locations and rich history.
  • 3 custom-printed Lego® tiles

10% of each $60 sale will be donated to the Centerville Community Improvement Corporation (CCIC), which organizes loans and grants for small businesses.  Order here.

For in-person collection from Woodbourne Library in Centerville on November 7, 2020 between 10AM and 5 PM, please choose ‘Local Pickup’ as your shipping option at checkout.

There is also a Dayton Skyline version which runs $50

Celebrate the Gem City, with this detailed, custom-designed model of iconic Dayton, Ohio landmarks built with LEGO® bricks.  Packaged in craft, recycled-paper, each building kit contains:

  • 326 Lego® bricks
  • Printed Instruction manual (on recycled paper), containing information about the design, architecture and history of the landmarks.
  • nameplate ‘Dayton’ sticker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For UD Fans – get a Lego Rudy!

Support your beloved Dayton Flyers with the officially-licensed University of Dayton Rudy Flyer mascot built with Lego® bricks- $25 Packaged in craft, recycled-paper, each building kit contains:

142 Lego® bricks
Printed Instruction manual (on recycled paper), containing information and fun facts about the University of Dayton and Rudy Flyer
nameplate ‘Rudy’ sticker

Duante’s Fond Farewell to his Favorite Dayton Foods – Part 2

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All things come to an end, and we knew at some point Duante Beddingfield would leave us. 

Duante Beddingfield

Many of you know him from his work covering arts and events over the years here at Most Metro or the local newspapers. Some of you may know him from his jazz performances, singing at venues like Gilly’s, Blue Note, and the Levitt Pavilion. Maybe you’ve listened to his Monday night jazz show, Equinox, on WYSO over the last three years, or attended Stivers School for the Arts with him, or salsa danced with him, saw him hamming it up onstage in a play or at a karaoke bar, or maybe he supported you as an artist or small business owner. Maybe he pissed you off at some point. Even if you’ve never met him, you probably knew Duante. 

We’re proud to be the first to announce he’s been hired to be the new arts and culture reporter for the Detroit Free Press. And proud to say we had him first! He’ll be leaving Ohio soon, but he asked if he could write one last thing on the way out. If you know Duante, you know he’s not only a major foodie but was also a professional restaurant writer in town for years, and so we’re presenting his list of the ten restaurants he’ll miss most when he moves to the Motor City. 

Duante was never known for keeping things short, so we’re posting it in two parts… You can find part one here, and part two is below.

 

5. The Oakwood Club (2414 Far Hills Avenue, Oakwood)

The Oakwood Club, and those ultra-comfy chairs.

You want the best steak in town? Don’t mess around. Welcome to The OC. Forget that other place that gets all the hype, and I’ll spare you my laundry list of reasons it’s overrated and one visit was more than enough for me. If you want a welcoming, quality fine dining experience that goes above and beyond for the customer, The Oakwood Club is here for you, providing top notch food and drink since 1962. 

I could go on about old-school steakhouses with dark wood paneling and the most comfortable dining chairs in the Valley, but instead I’m going to tell a personal story about why this place means something to me. The first time I came here, I was as poor as anyone could be. It was Christmas Eve, I’d lost my job, and I had about $18 in my pocket when a friend invited me to dinner as their guest. I almost declined because I felt I had no place in an upscale restaurant at that point in my life, but I eventually reasoned I was in no position to turn down a free meal, so I spiffed up and drove over. Here I was, this broke kid in my early twenties, feeling unworthy, not to mention self-conscious as hell as very much the only brown face in the room…but that evening, not only was I treated as welcome – I was treated as though I’d been there all along. 

When I returned later, under better life circumstances, I was remembered and greeted warmly. Outstanding service should be rewarded, and respect given makes for respect earned, so all these years since, I have made it a point to continue supporting The Oakwood Club as a regular. As I was shown in a time when I didn’t feel I deserved it, it’s a place where I’ve always belonged. 

Now, where food’s concerned, my last meal in Dayton will be the first thing I ever tried here. The garlic shrimp and linguine with twin filet mignons is one of the best deals around; for under $30, you get three large shrimp broiled in garlic, wine, and lemon butter, served with pasta tossed in a tomato vinaigrette, and they perfectly complement the twin filets cooked to order. (Little known fact, you can swap the shrimp out for scallops – I always do!) But there are some other can’t-miss items here, as well: their crisp salads, served in chilled metal bowls, and the killer creamy garlic-peppercorn dressing they still refuse to sell me the recipe for (jeez, I swear I won’t give it to anyone, help me out!!). The tower of thin, crispy onion straws (which reheat so beautifully in the air fryer or on a sheet of foil in the oven). 

And, another hidden gem of Dayton dining is buried here, where for $10.50, you can get the best burger for miles around, made from hand-cut steak trimmings. It’s no-frills, served on a fluffy bun with a thick slice of onion and tomato and a huge, crunchy slab of lettuce, and it’s everything you’ve ever wanted in a hamburger sandwich. And, now, I’m gonna hip to you probably THE number one biggest secret in the local restaurant scene. It’s not on the menu. If you’re there late in the evening, and it’s kind of slow, enough to where the kitchen can take its time with something one-of-a-kind…and you’re feeling adventurous…have Chef Nate come out to your table, and ask him about the West Side Burger. But first, you gotta ask yourself if you’re ready… (website | Facebook)

 

4. Amar India Restaurant (2751 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Centerville)

A host of delicious flavors awaits you at Amar India.

I’ve dined at some of the most respected Indian restaurants in the U.S., and I’ve never found better than what we have right here in the award-winning Amar India. What can you say? The food is just out of this world. The decor is spare, and the staff focus on their top priority: providing unforgettable meals in quantities that make you feel like someone’s gonna have to cart you out on a dolly. Who can be mad at that? 

I know many, many picky, unadventurous eaters who swear they hate Indian food despite never having actually tried it, and that’s a real shame, because they’re missing out on some of the richest flavor profiles in the known world. The most common base ingredients include rice, chicken, potatoes, spinach, tomato, onion, garlic, butter, seafood… I mean, we’re dealing in basics people from every country understand, they’re just spiced differently than you might be used to. Food, from culture to culture, rarely changes much in terms of what’s actually being cooked. What changes most tends to be the herbs, spices, and the method by which things are cooked. To look at food as a cultural pillar around the world is to see that we’re not that different; we’re all eating the same things, just tweaked a little. 

Amar India Restaurant

If you’ve never made an honest attempt at Indian cuisine, I challenge you to check out Amar’s extensive menu, find something with ingredients you understand, and try it with an open mind. Chicken tikka masala is a terrific entry point for newcomers, as is chicken curry. Vegetarians will go crazy for the saag paneer, homemade cheese cooked in spinach and cream. One of the sadder side effects of the Covid-19 era, for me, has been the loss of Amar’s glorious lunch buffet, which changes daily and is the best way to experiment and see what you like and what might not suit you, without spending much money. When coronavirus has passed and you hear the buffet has reopened – run, don’t walk! In the meantime, I highly recommend the aloo mater (potatoes and peas in curry sauce), dal soup, and garlic naan. And, most of all, my addiction, their aloo tikki. I don’t know what it is about these savory little herbed, deep fried potato patties, but I crave them constantly and could eat a whole platter of them. I’ve had them at many restaurants…no one else’s have ever come close. They’re one of the best menu items in Dayton. 

Something I really got into last year was ordering Amar on winter Friday nights when I’d had a really rough week and I was cold and angry and defeated and couldn’t bear the thought of cooking. I’d order Doordash from Amar and jump into a scalding hot shower, get out, put on pajamas, and right around the time I was knotting my robe, the doorbell would ring, and I’d have a steaming hot selection of comfort food. It felt like being hugged at the end of a very hard day. Maybe give it a try as we make that transition into the cold, dark part of the year. It was so rewarding each time. 

Amar is such a jewel, and this region is incredibly lucky to have it. A second location opened on Miller Lane in Dayton in 2017. (website)

 

3. Elsa’s Mexican Restaurant (3618 Linden Avenue, Dayton)

The original Elsa’s Mexican Restaurant, still in operation on Linden Ave. in east Dayton

Roll your eyes if you wanna, but there’s a reason this place is Dayton legend since 1979. There are now multiple locations around the region, but I love me a good hole-in-the-wall dive, and the O.G. Elsa’s over in the Belmont ‘hood still proudly wears that vibe. Their famous Bad Juan margaritas, so strong they limit them to three per guest, can take down even a heavyweight like me, so that warrants automatic respect. (And I’m not joking – please order them with caution. They can sneak up on you, especially after the second one.) Being perfectly honest, the chips and salsa are probably the worst in the city, and maybe even beyond, but their queso with chorizo is a winner (not gonna lie, I get it to go and eat it at home with better chips), and the ground beef tacos with Monterey Jack cheese are simple, perfect, and addictive. A semi-secret is their excellent chicken wings, which you wouldn’t expect from a cantina-type establishment. The fact is, for just a good, fun time unwinding with friends, you still can’t beat Elsa’s. The Bad Juan can’t be found anyplace else, and that’s something I will seriously miss. A lotta good memories. Well…the times I can remember, anyway. It’s a really good thing they stop you after three. (website)

 

2. Figlio Wood Fired Pizza (424 E. Stroop Road, Kettering)

My favorite date-night spot for over a decade, this hidden gem is tucked away in a back corner of Town & Country Shopping Center and is that place you’ve always meant to check out but always forget until you’re driving past on the way to eat someplace else. Make a plan. This warm, stylish joint is still, somehow, after 20-some years, the best-kept secret of Dayton’s dining scene. With the orange glow of the open kitchen’s giant oven and an ever-present soundtrack of breezy bossa nova and international jazz, the place has romance to spare, but what really elevates it to something special is the personal touch of the owners, Peter and Laurie, who personally choose the wines and write the descriptions for the specials. Each one ties the selected vintage to an experience from their life together, and after reading them for years, you feel you know the couple and keep coming back to hear more from them. 

Bonus: by popular demand, Figlio purchased the recipe for the Peasant Salad, the regionally famous signature from the long-gone Peasant Stock restaurant that formerly occupied the space. Elsewhere on the menu, while the pizzas are the stars of the show, I’ll tell you a secret – this place has the greatest spaghetti and meatballs you’ll ever find. As a rule, I never order spaghetti at a restaurant, because why pay for the simplest dish anyone can make at home? This is not your mom’s noodles with ground beef and doctored sauce from a jar. Trust me on this. Every person I’ve ever convinced to order it is now a believer. It’s next level. (website)

 

1. Sky Asian Cuisine (4090 Wilmington Pike, Kettering)

Sky Asian Cuisine

My home away from home the last year or so, I fell in love with this place during the summer of 2019. From the moment I entered with my group, we were treated like family. The second time we visited, they remembered our faces and called us by name, and we’ve returned again and again, often several times a week, to perch at the bar and enjoy the food, drinks, and conversation with the wonderful staff and regulars. The sleek interior provides a sexy, laid back setting for some of the best sushi options in the region, along with a full menu of delicious fare. Me, I’m a sucker for the teriyaki salmon. Don’t miss the happy hour treats, especially the tender gyoza – and last week, they debuted a seasonal Cajun seafood menu that’s been getting lots of attention. And a bonus, they offer their own delivery if you live within a few miles of the restaurant, which makes it significantly cheaper to order direct from them than via Doordash or similar. If you haven’t tried Sky yet, your new favorite awaits. Make a reservation! (website | Facebook)