Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More
Love to paddle, row, fish or bird watch? You’ve come to the right place. MCD publishes river maps of the Great Miami River, Stillwater River and Mad River water trails to help you plan your next – or first – kayaking or canoeing experience. The water trail maps show you public access points, river miles, safety information and more. Download them or contact your local park district for a printed copy.
You can also download more detailed maps of the Great Miami River in 10-mile sections. These river access and bike trail 10-mile segment maps will give you a variety of trip ideas.
Within the Great Miami River Watershed Water Trail, you can enjoy
Six rivers and streams – the Great Miami River, Stillwater River and Mad River, along with Twin Creek, Greenville Creek and Buck Creek – make up one of only 21 national water trail systems (designated by the U.S. Department of the Interior) and the only one in Ohio. The three rivers are state-designated water trails, too. And the Stillwater River and Greenville Creek are state-designated Scenic Rivers.
RiverScape MetroPark is positioned at the center of more than 300 miles of paved, off-street bikeways in the Dayton region – the nation’s largest bike trail network. You can rent bikes to explore this incredible bikeway network on Saturdays and Sundays, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. A variety of bicycles are available, as well as a host of child attachments.
Bike rentals will be available through Sept. 5. Reservations will be required for rentals during the week from 9 am to 5 pm, and walk-ups will be accepted on the weekends from 9 am to 2 pm. Reservations can be made by calling 937-275-7275. The Bike Hub is also open and memberships are available online.
Men’s, women’s and tandem bikes are available as well as youth bikes and weehoo attachements for children to ride behind an adult bike. Rentals are available for 1-, 2-, or 3-hour time blocks and rates start at $8 per hour. Helmets, water bottle cages and trail maps are included with rentals.
Rental Rules
The Lebanon Country Music Festival is an annual festival held in Lebanon, Ohio to celebrate country music, family fun, and one-of-a-kind vendors.
Festivities kick-off on Friday evening. Saturday brings you amazing music, great food, drinks, and shopping with Main Street Lebanon merchants and visiting vendors.
Last year we had 12,000 people come and enjoy this festival and we want you to be a part of it this year as we grow with you! So come on and start Stompin’ in the Street!
The Dayton Marcos were one of the original eight teams of the Negro National League in 1920. Despite that claim, only three known photos exist of players in Marcos uniforms.
A group of citizens and artists hope to change all that. The goal of the campaign is to raise money to depict players who played for the team, in period-appropriate Dayton Marcos jerseys, as well as historically accurate scenes through art.
“It’s hard for many people to appreciate history they can’t see,” says Alex Smith, a researcher, and organizer for the project. “But we have plenty of data, and images of many prominent players who played for Dayton at other stops in their career. We want to use the power of art to tell these stories, and help people connect with a heritage our city already has but isn’t properly recognized.”
Prominent local artists including Willis “Bing” Davis, Dwayne Daniel, James Pate, and Morris T. Howard are connected to the project.
The fundraiser, organized with local 501(c)(3) Planned2Give, seeks to raise $20k for numerous pieces of art, a historical marker, new reproduction jerseys, and the hope to eventually create public art.
To donate, visit daytonmarcos.org.
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force visitors will have a unique opportunity to see dinosaurs in the museum’s galleries during “Operation: Dinosaur” on Saturday, June 12 from 4-7 p.m. The museum will close at 8 pm.
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force often focuses its events and programs on STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. This time the museum will focus on an area of science it doesn’t often get a chance to explore – paleontology. In addition to learning about the nuts and bolts of aircraft, visitors can learn about the fossils and bones of dinosaurs!
During this free event visitors can see a carnotaurus, raptor, baby raptor, stegosaurus, triceratops and tyrannosaurus rex. These realistic dinosaurs, presented by T.A.G. Art Company, can be as big as 9 ft. tall; they can move, blink, open their mouths and ROAR! Building 2 has been designated a “roar-free” zone for visitors that may have sensory-sensitivity.
Other activities for kids and families to enjoy during the evening include a dinosaur question game, tornado demonstration, youth fossil dig and dinosaur-related giveaways (while supplies last).
In addition, a paleontologist and geologist from the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery will join the event and share their knowledge of dinosaurs.
The museum simulators are adding prehistoric-themed rides to their line-up to include a movie ride titled “Dino Safari” and a virtual reality ride titled “Dive in Prehistoric Seas VR.” (There is a cost per ride).
The Museum Store will remain open until 8 pm. The Valkyrie Café will remain open until 7:30 pm and will add dino nuggets to their menu for this event. For more info check the museum’s website.
The City of Dayton announces two neighborhood grant programs for 2021.Juliet Fromholt, long-time music host and director of digital and programming strategy at WYSO 91.3 FM, will begin leading the radio station’s music department on July 1. She assumes this position after 15 years with WYSO and as the music department is broadening its reach and becoming a key part of the station’s listener growth strategy.
Fromholt came to WYSO in 2006 as a volunteer music host. Since then, she has worn many hats, including webmaster, digital strategy developer and even Clark County reporter. She says she is thrilled to be able to focus solely on strengthening WYSO’s music department. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to grow our musical presence while providing support to our ongoing programs,” she says. “WYSO already is a destination for music discovery, and we have so much potential to serve our local community through music on the air, online and in person.”
WYSO General Manager Luke Dennis says Fromholt was a natural choice for this leadership role. She has always programmed music for her weekly WYSO shows, “Kaleidoscope” and “Alpha Rhythms,” and she regularly books in-studio performances. “Also, she just ‘gets’ WYSO,” Dennis says. “Few people have as well-rounded an understanding of this station, its audience and its mission.” Fromholt also has deep connections in the region’s music scene. “She has earned the respect of the local music community because she recognizes and knows how to spotlight emerging and veteran musicians,” Dennis says. “She also has strong relationships with public radio music stations across the country, always learning from what they’re doing and bringing great ideas back to WYSO.”
Fromholt is proud that the mix of local and national music on WYSO—from funk to bluegrass to rock—satisfies a wide range of musical tastes. “I’m excited to deepen our commitment to our listeners and our local musicians and venues and to continue to make WYSO a destination for great music,” she says.
“This is a time of big, exciting changes for WYSO music,” Dennis says. In February, Evan Miller became the new host of Excursions. Just prior to that, the station expanded its mid-day music programming to five hours, brought back the nationally hosted show “World Cafe” and revised the Saturday night lineup to create seven hours of bluegrass, roots and Americana music. “As a hybrid format station, offering news/talk and music in equal measure, I believe that our musc shows are our best opportunity to attract new listeners,” he adds. “Who doesn’t want to discover their next favorite song, their next favorite artist? And once we get a new listener’s attention through music, that listener is more likely to stick around to discover the enlightening and entertaining news and storytelling programs we offer.”
Filling the role formerly held by Niki Dakota, Fromholt will lead a team of two staff music hosts and 10 volunteer hosts. She will oversee the development of new, local music shows; as well as dynamic new partnerships with music venues, arts organizations and other creative media outlets. This summer WYSO will hire a digital producer to take over Fromholt’s website and social media management duties.
“I’ve always been proud to be part of WYSO’s community service mission,” Fromholt says. “And I’m so looking forward to shaping the way we can serve our community with great music.”
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| “Tell me there will be a third Deadpool!” Sonia Kincaid (Salma Hayek) speaks with a disheveled Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) in a scene from THE HITMAN’S WIFE’S BODYGUARD. Credit: David Appleby. © 2021 Lionsgate Publicity. All rights reserved. |
WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:
DIRECTOR: Patrick Hughes
THE BACK STORY: The sequel to 2017’s The Hitman’s Bodyguard, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard once again stars Ryan Reynolds as Michael Bryce, a Triple A-rated bodyguard … Or at least he was. You see, he’s been having recurring nightmares after dealing with Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson), the man responsible for one of his greatest failures.
Unfortunately for Michael, his sabbatical from bodyguarding is about to come to an abrupt end thanks to Sonia Kincaid (Salma Hayek), a.k.a. Darius’ equally hotheaded – and lethal – wife. It seems her hubby has been kidnapped by the Italian mafia, the country where Michael just so happens to be trying to enjoy a much-needed vacation. But, as all three of them are about to find out when Aristotle Papadopolous begins to enact his plan to restore Greece as the head of European civilization, there will be no vacations anytime soon, especially as the body count starts rising.
THE REVIEW: The Hitman’s Bodyguard was a fun but frivolous hit when released to theaters nearly five oh so seemingly long years ago. The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, while fun, definitely ups the frivolous nature of things, feeling at times more like a live action video game than anything resembling a true movie. Sure, there are some fun moments, but as a whole, the film is an unnecessary sequel akin to an Ocean’s Twelve or Thirteen where you can clearly tell the cast is having fun – possibly more than the audience.
Take plausibility out of the equation and The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard is still a ridiculous, trio buddy comedy with Grand Theft Auto-level violence and profanity that, if he wasn’t in the movie, would likely make Jackson blush. Hayek is the clear star of the film as she proves she can be as rough and tumble as her male counterparts, but overall, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard is … Silly. Seriously. It’s a movie that feels like a 90s high school teen would have written or, at best, Michael Bay. It’s got some fun moments, but it’s nothing that will be the highlight of anyone’s resume thanks to the aforementioned video game level violence, constant quips and absolutely inane plot twists and turns.
FOOD: The Temple Bakery returns with delicious honey cake to tantalize your taste buds and immerse your mouth in the richness of these beloved Jewish desserts. In addition, Evans Bakery will offer challah each month and El Meson is our food truck partner this month. Pre-order your honey cake, challah, and more here: https://tidayton.wispform.com/e5629500.
The co-working, shared kitchen space that originally opened in downtown Fairborn is ready to open it’s doors after being closed for months during the Pandemic. Originally opened as a joint venture by Co-Hatch and the city of Fairborn, the operation is now fully owned and managed by the Fairborn Development Corporation, an organization focused on growth and business development for the city. Guests are invited to join Spark Fairborn for an open house on Wed, June 9th from 5-7pm or reach out to schedule a tour.
Spark works on a membership basis with a co-working space monthly membership that start at $100/month for a shared desk space, and 2 hours of conference room space/month with additional hours available at $25. A Dedicated Desk space runs $200/month and 4 hours of conference room time. Both memberships include free snacks and coffee and there is a community printing station available. 
Kitchen memberships for the commercial kitchen are still being reworked, but will be available in several levels, based on the amount of time you anticipating needed the facility starting with a minimum of 10 hours/month for about $15/hour. More info should be available at the open house. 
Spark Fairborn is also available to be rented out for private events at $75/hour with occupancy of up to 146 guests. The conference rooms holds 12-15 guests.
305 W. Main Street
Fairborn, OH 45324
Current Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8am – 5pm
Chef inspired menu’s will be the standard for this classic American bistro that opened this week at The Greene. Jaqua’s has been a work in progress since last summer, chef owner Bill Jaqua told us earlier this spring. Seating over 170, including a large patio, Jaqua shares his family has been in the hospitality business since 1960, running Heritage Events, one of the area’s largest catering companies.
The menu offers something for everyone, featuring flatbreads, pizza’s burgers, steaks and seafood.
They are even offering an upscale Sunday Brunch from 11am – 2pm. Featured on the brunch will be shrimp, crab claws, scrambled eggs, omelets made to order, bacon, sausage, ham, smoked salmon, caviar, pork loin roulade, carved prime rib, fresh fruits, salads, vegetables, sweet breads, belgian waffles, pancake and a homemade desserts table. For $27.50 per person brunch includes one mimosa.
Open from 11am – 10pm Friday – Tuesday. Closed Wed & Thurs.
Move your workout outdoors, come down to RiverScape and enjoy Yoga with Tori Reynolds. Please bring your own water bottle and towel or mat.
Free summer concerts all summer long. There are food trucks at each concert as well so come out for a great evening at the Eichelberger Amphitheater at the Heights!
Nicole Riegel is the director and writer of the film “Holler.” It’s a story set in a Rust Belt Ohio town that follows teenager Ruth as she spends her days collecting cans and scrap metal with her brother, trying to put together enough cash to avoid being evicted as she is torn between loyalty to her town, her family, and the dream of a college education. Riegel drew inspiration for this film came from growing up in Jackson, Ohio. She wanted to showcase young women from where she grew up seeking higher education. She shares that she grew up watching people on screen from Appalachia almost portrayed as jokes, as hillbillies, as ignorant, always men, never with a sense of humor or warmth or intelligence.
I grew up wanting to get out of Jackson, only to – as a grown woman, I sort of had to, you know, return to this place in order to have a future. So when I was a teenager, I wanted to be a film director. I wanted to write and direct my films. And I applied to art schools, and I was accepted. And I didn’t go because it felt like a betrayal to leave my family behind and my community, and no one in my family had ever gone to college at that point.
Instead she joined the Army National Guard because everyone in her family and her community joined the military. She was at Fort Jackson, S.C., being trained on the M16A2. At the end of her military years, she came back to Ohio and enrolled in a film class at Wright State University. There she was introduced to the documentarians Julia Reichert and Steve Bognar, and her world was opened up to incredible world of film. She then moved to Los Angeles a few years later to attend UCLA for graduate film school. In 202 the Palm Springs International Film Festival named Riegel their “Directors to Watch.”
Live music returns to the Levitt Dayton stage this summer with a diverse array of genres including bluegrass, hip hop, jazz, blues, funk, R&B, gospel, Christian, Celtic, classical, rock, country, Latin, reggae, ska, and psychobilly.
The season kicks off Saturday June 12th with Shamarr Allen. Hailing from the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, Shamarr Allen has influences in jazz, hip-hop, rock, funk rhythms, blues, and country. He is the lead vocalist and trumpeter of his band “Shamarr Allen & The Underdawgs.” In addition to displaying his skills on the front-line as a lead performer, Allen is also a music composer, writer, and producer. With a scintillating and unique sound, look, and exemplary talents, Shamarr Allen transcends musical boundaries.
All concerts begin at 7PM*. All concerts are free, and guests are invited to bring picnic blankets, chairs, food, and beverages.
