Dayton937

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

Archives for November 2021

Co-op Dayton Awarded JMK Innovation prize – $175,000!

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Since 2015, The J.M. Kaplan Fund has reached across America to identify and elevate early-stage projects with transformative potential in the fields of social justice, the environment, and heritage conservation. The fourth cycle of the Prize was launched in January 2021—as the country was reeling from a pandemic and grappling with racial and political tensions—and by April received a record 2,826 applications from all fifty states, as well as numerous territories and tribal nations.

The Fund announced the 2021 J.M.K. Innovation Prize awardees, ten exceptionally promising, visionary organizations that are tackling America’s most pressing challenges while building community and collective power. Each will receive up to $175,000 over three years and join a resource collaborative of fellow innovators designed to support their journey as change agents.

We couldn’t be prouder to announce that CO-OP DAYTON was selected as one of the awardees!

 

Co-op Dayton is boldly showing how collective worker power can transform communities through a “cooperative ecosystem.” As in other cities across the Midwest, majority Black neighborhoods in segregated Dayton have suffered from disinvestment and dwindling access to goods and services such as grocery stores and health care. Amid capital flight and wealth extraction, Co-op Dayton’s incubator program nurtures worker-owned enterprises through assistance with access to capital, business development, and advocacy tools to boost neighborhood resilience. Having mobilized a cooperative grocery store in a former West Dayton food desert that now has 5,000 community member-owners and 25 worker-owners, Co-op Dayton envisions a future when retail co-ops are served by cleaning and delivery co-ops, while real estate investment and construction co-ops redevelop homes in surrounding neighborhoods. Through its work building cooperative businesses, the initiative continuously brings in neighbors—as member-owners, activists, and movement leaders—to gain political and economic power. The upshot is a model for grassroots revitalization in the face of deep urban abandonment that creates jobs, renovates buildings, and—through a culture of ownership—reconnects people with their community.

571 Grill and Draft House Closed for the Week

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New Carlisle’s 571 Grill and Draft House will close this week to allow their  staff to rest up.

  This was posted on their facebook page:
“We know this is an unorthodox move for our industry, but times are not ordinary.
Business has been EXTRAORDINARY, and we thank you for that! We are so Grateful!!!
But our staff has been running on empty for a long time, and the holidays are approaching, and we expect to be busier.
So this week we hit the “PAUSE” button.
We will be back at it next Tuesday, November 23rd.
Hope to see you then!”

571 Grill and Draft House

12389 Milton-Carlisle Rd.
New Carlisle, OH 45344
(937) 845-0089

Tues- Thurs: noon – 9pm

Fri & Sat  11am – 9pm
11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

McDonald’s Egg McMuffin Only 63¢ For 50th Anniversary

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To celebrate McDonald’s iconic breakfast sandwich’s 50th anniversary, tomorrow, November 18th, they’re offering up Egg McMuffins for just 63¢–the same price you paid when they first came onto the McDonald’s menu in 1971. Plus, there’s no coupon needed to snag this offer!

This deal is only available on November 18th exclusively when ordered through the McDonald’s app!

Christmas in Springboro 5K Run/Walk

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Christmas in Springboro 5K Run and Walk, presented by Reign Realty.
Supporting Sponsors: Pages Flooring, People’s Bank, Mr. Boro’s Tavern & The Barrel.
Proceeds go to Operation Santa at the Springboro Police Department
Saturday, November 20, 2021
Packet pickup November 19th at The Barrel, 857 W Central Ave, Springboro from 6 to 8 pm.
Registration begins at 7:30am at the entertainment tent
(Located on the corner of E. Market St. and Main St.)

Dayton Barrel Works First Anniversary Celebration

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To help celebrate our one-year anniversary at Dayton Barrel Works (we released our spirits on Election Day 2020), we are releasing something special and unique. The release will coincide with a bourbon event to take place on November 20th to showcase not only our spirits but also our newly opened event center and roof top bar. This special release is a blend that we put together using 5yr old 21% rye bourbon and 4yr old 95% rye rye whiskey. We took two barrels of each and finished the spirits in former Colombian rum barrels. These barrels started their life as Jack Daniels barrels some 30 years ago before going to be used for rum until earlier this year, so they offered a tremendous amount of flavor.

A Night of Ohio Original Rock with Ekoostik Hookah and Subterranean!

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Join us at The Brightside in Dayton, Ohio for a fun night of original, psychedelic  rock with the legendary and long-running band, Ekoostik Hookah and Dayon’s own 4-piece powerhouse, Subterranean!  Both bands are known for their amazing musicianship and epic sets. Don’t miss a full night of jams in The Brightside’s beautiful Vodvil Ballroom.

 

Friday, November 19, 2021. Doors open at 8pm. Music 8:30pm – 12:30am

Tickets are  $15 and can be bought online.

AGES 18+

Recipients of the inaugural “Winsupply Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence”

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The Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce has launched a new award recognizing the entrepreneurial spirit alive and well in the region’s business leadership. The first Winsupply Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence were awarded to Errin Siske and Andrew Banks during a ceremony and cocktail reception at the Winsupply Center for Leadership at Carillon Park on November 16, 2021.

Chris Kershner, president & CEO, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce; Andrew Banks, Performance Wraps; Errin Siske, Spark Space Creative; John McKenzie, president, Winsupply. Photo credit: Matt Herman.

These recipients were chosen because they exemplify the American entrepreneurial spirit. By their creativity and determination, they have established and nurtured successful business ventures in the Dayton region.

“There is no better place to launch a business than Dayton,” said Chris Kershner, president & CEO of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce. “We are a community that supports one another and embraces the spirit of entrepreneurs. The business climate in Dayton is perfect for people to turn an idea into a profitable, scalable business, and the entrepreneurs we recognized with this inaugural award are proof of that.”

Errin Siske – Spark Space Creative

Spark Space Creative is a branding and design studio that partners with nonprofit organizations to build their brands, and tell their stories. Errin turned what started as a freelance job into blossoming business with a full staff. She was chosen to be one of the 40 participants for the Goldman Sachs Small Businesses program which help participants develop a business network and benefit from support services. She actively chooses clients who are non-profit and who need her help.

 

Andrew Banks II – Performance Wraps

Performance Wraps is an award-winning vehicle wrap company in Miamisburg. Andrew purchased the company in 2017 and turned it into a highly successful provider of many advertising and decorative stick-on coverings for our business community. He’s recognized as a leader in his field, and an excellent B2B networker.

The award is powered by Winsupply, a leading supplier of plumbing supplies, HVAC equipment, pipe, tubing, water heaters, and more located in Dayton, OH.  The Winsupply Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence is part of a larger celebration of entrepreneurs for National Entrepreneur Month (November), during which the chamber highlighted area entrepreneurs throughout its event programming, social media accounts, and other communication channels.

Downtown Dayton Partnership’s Special Improvement District Annual Meeting

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The Downtown Dayton Partnership (DDP) hosted its annual review of progress in the Special Improvement District (SID) at the White House Event Center on Tuesday, Nov. 16. Property owners, business leaders, and community partners gathered as DDP staff and guest speakers took to the stage to highlight progress in the urban core.

Highlights from the event included brief presentations from Pam Plageman, Executive Director of the Montgomery County Convention Facilities Authority, and Jason Woodard, President of Woodard Development. Retail Lab participant Kia Wilson from Kia Cake & Co. shared an update on her new shop that will be opening in the Biltmore and Sarah Hackenbracht, President & CEO of the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association, provided an update on the organization’s new space in the Fire Blocks District.

“Downtown progress was strong in 2021,” said Sandra K. Gudorf, president of the Downtown Dayton Partnership. “More than $1.65 billion in projects have been completed in the greater downtown since 2010. There are $600 million in projects in the works – things are definitely not slowing down, and the progress we have seen this year, despite the pandemic, is remarkable.”

From this year’s presentation, big numbers came out of the SID:

  • Public and private-sector investments completed in greater downtown Dayton total $1.65 billion with $600 million in the pipeline.
  • The Rediscover Downtown Dayton Action Plan engaged more than 100 community volunteers in identifying 11 priority recommendation areas for downtown’s pandemic recovery and future growth.
  • Investments in downtown’s housing continued, with a 66% growth in downtown housing since 2015, and 80% growth since 2010.
  • Despite the pandemic, new businesses opened their doors. 29 new first floor businesses in 2021.
  • 20 new Black-owned businesses have opened downtown within the last 18 months.
  • More than $200 million has been invested in projects within two blocks of Main Street. Since 2015, 75% of the total greater downtown investment has been in the core.
  • 80 businesses are participating in Downtown Dollars, an e-gift card program that supports small businesses.
  • The Downtown Ambassadors continue to earn high praise from downtown businesses and property owners for their roles in keeping the city clean and safe.

 

Housing growth downtown:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • 29: Total number of participants
  • 28: Women/minority-owned businesses
  • 100: Percentage of current cohort that is woman/minority-owned

Rediscover Downtown Dayton Action Plan

  • Blueprint for downtown’s recovery after Covid-19
  • Launched in July: www.downtowndayton.org/rediscover
  • Capitalizes on funding/development opportunities
  • 8 subcommittees; almost 100 volunteers engaged
  • 11 priority recommendation areas
  • 6-12-month horizon for recommendations

 

 

Visit www.downtowndayton.org more information about the Downtown Dayton Special Improvement District and the Downtown Dayton Partnership.

Brooklyn’s Jonathan Scales Fourchestra Performs at The Brightside

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Brooklyn’s Jonathan Scales Fourchestra is in town on Thursday November 18, 2021 performing at The Brightside (905 E 3rd St, Dayton). This inventive crew delivers complexities for the modern ear. It promises to be a joyous evening of steel pan jazz fusion!

Jonathan Scales is one of the most innovative steel pannists on the planet, and is redefining and challenging traditional expectations of his signature instrument. In his hands, the sonic palette of an instrument often associated with cruise ships and tropical resorts is radically expanded to mimic the role of horns, piano, vibraphone or marimba due to his stunning, virtuosic technique. Scales’ mesmerizing compositions have captivated listeners and elevated him to the status of a true composer, forging new territory in the medium of instrumental music.

This concert will take place in the Brightside’s cozy Vodvil Bar. $12 advance. $15 day of show. All ages are welcome. Thursday November 18, 2021. Doors open at 7pm. Music from 8-10pm. Tickets can be purchased at this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jonathan-scales-fourchestra-tickets-204834614847

Covid Policy: The Brightside wants everyone to enjoy music safely, so they ask that patrons wear masks while moving through the building, unless patrons wants to optionally show proof of vaccination, or a negative covid test. The venue has installed UV-C air filters to sanitize superbugs, like covid.
To learn more about The Brightside’s concert season, visit thebrightsidedayton.com

Prepared Thanksgiving Meals for 2021

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Less stress, more time with family.

If cooking Thanksgiving dinner in 2021 isn’t your idea of enjoying Thanksgiving and it brings on too much stress, consider buying a deliciously cooked meal instead! Here’s a list of places  (list in progress, we’ll continue to add to it as we hear of more options! ) you can order your holiday meal from.

All you have to do this year is turn your oven on (required in most cases to heat up the food), set the table, light a few candles, and spend time relaxing with family. It doesn’t get any easier & stress-free…and we know you all could use less stress in your lives this holiday season.

Amber Rose Restaurant and Catering 

1400 Valley St, Dayton, OH 45404    (937) 228-2511

Bernstein’s Fine Catering

3100 Woodman Dr., Kettering, OH 45420    (937) 898-2761

Bravo Italian Kitchen

2770 Miamisburg Centerville Rd,  Centerville (937) 439-1294

Thanksgiving Feast:

Slice White Turkey meat with homestyle gravy
Spicy Italian Sausage Stuffing
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potoatoes
Cranberry Sauce
Pumpkin Pie

SMALL $78.99. FEEDS 3 |  LARGE $148 FEEDS 6 |

Pre-Orders must be placed by 8:00am EST Nov. 23rd.

COLD Pick Up: Starting: Nov. 23rd – 10am til close, Thanksgiving Day: 25th, 10am – 3pm
HOT Pick Up Starting: Nov. 24th – 10am til close, Thanksgiving Day: 25th, 10am – 3pm

Brock Masterson’s Catering 

446 Patterson Road, Dayton OH 45419     (937) 298-1234 text (937-701-8926)

Please place orders by Noon on Friday, November 19th…limited meals will be available, place your orders early.

Pick it up the day before and reheat, so easy and you get to relax and enjoy your family.

Pick up on Wednesday, November 24th between 1 & 4 pm. Pull up to our commissary door and we will bring the meal out to your car.
Thanksgiving 2021 Dinner for 4 is $99 and  includes the following homemade favorites:
*Oven Roasted Turkey (white and dark meat, sliced/pulled)
*Giblet Gravy
*Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
*Praline Sweet Potato Casserole
*Cornbread Stuffing
*Seasoned Green Beans
*Cranberry Relish
*Artisan Rolls & whipped butter
**Add our Pecan Pie for $14 * Add our Banana Foster Crème Pie for $22
**Add our Chocolate Crème Pie or Coconut Crème Pie for $19 each

City Barbeque

  • Beavercreek: (937) 320-0000
  • Centerville: (937) 312-1350
  • Miller Lane: (937) 200-1660

We’ll be smoking bone-in hams, gorgeous whole turkeys, and ready-to-carve turkey breasts for your holiday table. All you have to do is pick your two favorite homemade sides and your holiday meal is in the bag!

The Big Meal: $164.99
feeds 12–16 with leftovers

  • a whole smoked turkey or bone-in ham
  • your two favorite sides, one pan each
  • a dozen buns or a quart of gravy

Turkey Breast Meal: $79.99
feeds 6–8 with leftovers

  • a slow-smoked turkey breast
  • your two favorite sides, one quart each
  • a half-dozen buns or a pint of gravy

(Individual meats are also available, with hams and whole turkeys for $89.99 each and smoked turkey breasts for $54.99.)  Supplies are limited, so these aren’t available to order online: these meals and meats are only over the phone or in-store. Find your local joint’s phone number below and give us a call to reserve your meal now!

Company 7 BBQ

1001 S. Main St., Englewood.     937-836-2777.
Holiday orders must be placed by 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 18, and can be picked up any time before 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 24.

  • Bone-in-Spiral Sliced Half Ham: Smoked low and slow with signature Company 7 rub. Average Ham is 15 lbs. and serves 15-20. ($5.50/lb)
  • Boneless Whole Ham: The same slow and low cooking with signature Company 7 rub, but no bone and no waste. Average Ham is 12 lbs. and serves 15-20. ($6.50/lb)
  • Boneless Whole Turkey Breast: Slow smoked and seasoned with Company 7 rub. Average Turkey is 9.5 lbs. and serves 15-20. ($6.20/lb)

Many sides  available for purchase by the pan, quart, pint or individual serving.

Cooper’s Hawk

5220 Cornerstone North Blvd, Centerville, OH 45440  (937) 900-9463​

Thanksgiving Dinner Package Heat and Serve Meal – Serves 6 for $174.99

Thanksgiving Dinner Packaged for Six Includes:

  • Pretzel Bread & Butter
  • Butternut Squash Soup with Spiced Pumpkin Seeds
  • Traditional Stuffing, Mary’s Potatoes, Roasted and Glazed Green Beans & Carrots
  • Slow-Roasted Turkey slices with Pan Gravy & Homemade Cranberry Sauce
  • Eli’s Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake with Vanilla Whipped Cream & Vanilla Sauce

Pre-order now as quantities are limited. Then pick up your “heat & serve” package on November 23 or 24.

Cracker Barrel’s site
or in-store at your local restaurant and can be picked up through Nov. 27.

Thanksgiving Heat n’ Serve Family Dinner ($95) — comes chilled and ready to heat, serves four to six people. Includes one oven-roasted turkey breast, cornbread dressing, turkey gravy, cranberry relish, sweet potato casserole with pecans, choice of one Country Side (each serves four to six), and sweet yeast rolls. Can be prepared in two hours or less.

Thanksgiving Heat n’ Serve Feast ($145) — a complete Thanksgiving meal chilled and ready to eat that serves eight to 10 people. Includes two oven-roasted turkey breasts, cornbread dressing, turkey gravy, cranberry relish, sweet potato casserole with pecans, choice of two Country Sides (each serves eight to 10), sweet yeast rolls, and pumpkin and pecan pie. Can be prepared in two hours or less.

 

Dewberry 1850 inside the Marriott at the University of Dayton Hotel.

1414 S Patterson Blvd Dayton, OH 45409     (937) 586-4150

Dorothy Lane Market All-Natural Turkey Breast Dinner for Two

Each bag includes a complete dinner for two people, featuring our Sliced Turkey Breast, Old-Fashioned Cornbread Dressing, Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans Amandine, and Cranberry-Orange-Walnut Relish.  $30

 

El Meson

903 E Dixie Dr, Dayton, OH 45449     (937) 859-8229

Pre-ordering is open NOW at elmeson.net through Nov 21st! Curbside pick up on Thanksgiving between 11am -4pm

Tequila Marinated Turkey -served with Cranberry Jalapeno Salad, Three Root Mash, Roasted Mexican Corn, Chorizo Stuffing and for dessert a Butterscotch Pumpkin Bar,  Single serving $26 family serving $96

Paella Valenciana – Spanish saffron rice with chicken, pork, shrimp, chorizo, white fish, mussels, peas, tomatoes, and onions. topped with lemons and pimientos, Butterscotch Pumpkin Bar, $99 family serving

Garbanzos con Espinosa (Vegetarian)- Spanish chickpeas with spinach in a red sofrito sauce. Served with yellow rice, Cranberry Jalapeno Salad, Three Root Mash, Roasted Mexican Corn, Butterscotch Pumpkin Bar. Family serving $89

Ellie’s at the Mill’s Park Hotel

321 Xenia Ave Yellow Springs, OH 45387

Pick up is Wednesday, November 24th and orders are now open at millsparkhotel.com/thankstogo -or- by calling the front desk at 937-319-0400

Fatboy’s Smok’n BBQ

Firebird’s

3500 Rigby Road, Miamisburg, OH 45342       937-865-9355

Order by Nov 20th, pick up on Tues, Nov 23 or Wed, Nov 24

Turkey Feast $149.95

SERVES UP TO 6  – Roasted sliced Turkey Breast and Gravy, Homemade Cranberry Sauce, Parmesan Mashed Potatoes, Cornbread Dressing, Asparagus with Roasted Garlic Thyme Butter, Broccoli-Cheddar Casserole, Apple Cinnamon Bread Pudding, Bread and Whipped Butter

Turkey Feast will need to be finished in the oven and will include easy-to-follow cooking instructions (~60mins)

Prime Rib Feast $199.95

SERVES UP TO 6 *Uncooked* 4lbs Herb-RubbedPrime Rib with Au Jus & Horseradish sauce, Parmesan Mashed Potatoes, Cornbread Dressing, Asparagus with Roasted Garlic Thyme Butter, Broccoli-Cheddar Casserole, Apple Cinnamon Bread Pudding, Bread and Whipped Butter

Prime Rib Feast will be *uncooked* at time of pickup and will include easy-to-follow cooking instructions (~3hrs)

Key Ingredients

(937) 718-8826 or [email protected]

Butternut squash bisque – $15 Quart

Roasted turkey gravy – $10 Quart

Sides: $35each (half disposable hotel pan serves 10-12)

Southern cornbread and sausage dressing

Traditional dressing with artisan country white bread

Creamy boursin cheese mashed potatoes

Sweet potato soufflé with strudel topping

Baked mac and cheese

Corn pudding casserole

Brussel sprouts with caramelized onions and bacon vinaigrette

Homestyle green beans with ham

Pies: $17

Pumpkin cheesecake with ginger snap crust

Caramel apple pie (crumb topped)

 

Kroger

Smoked Bone-In Turkey Dinner Bundle – The bone-in smoked turkey meal is perfect for a group of 6-8. Protein and sides come precooked and ready to heat and eat. Serves 6-8Includes: Bone-In Smoked Turkey, Green Bean Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole, Traditional Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Turkey Gravy, 12 ct Kings Hawaiian Rolls and a Pumpkin Pie. $75

Home Chef Oven Roasted Boneless Turkey Dinner Bundle

The boneless turkey meal is perfect for a group of 4-6. Protein and sides come precooked and ready to heat and eat. Serves 4-6 Includes: 3-4 lb Boneless Turkey, Green Bean Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole, Traditional Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Turkey Gravy, 12 ct Kings Hawaiian Rolls and a Pumpkin Pie. $60

Lily’s Dayton

Orders can be placed online only at https://www.lilysdayton.com/thanksgiving up until Tuesday, November 24 for a pre-selected pick up time on Wednesday, November 25 between 12pm-8pm. All menu items come with instructions to simply warm and serve at home.

Miami Valley Gaming

 6000 SR 63 LEBANON, OH 45036    513-934-7070
Must order by Nov 15th.  Pick up Wednesday Nov 24 11am – 6pm

Rob’s Restaurant

705 Arlington Rd, Brookville    (937) 833-3310

Heat & Serve Meals. All orders must be placed by 11am on Nov 22nd and pick up is Nov 24th from 10am-4pm.

Family Meals For 4 Meal –  $44.99 | For 6 Meal – $66.99 | For 10 Meal – $109.9      *add $25 per 2 people added

All included with meal: Turkey and Dressing, Ham, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy,  Green Beans, Cranberry Salad, Rolls & Butter

$12 Pies: Apple, Cherry, Coconut, Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Pumpkin Pie, Pecan

Salads by the pound $5.99: Pasta Salad, Waldorf, Cole Slaw, Cran-Raison Salad,  Cranberry Salad

Rich Taste Catering

working out of Dayton Women’s Club, 225 N. Ludlow St., Dayton.    937-524-5103

Order sides for you meal

  • Cornbread Dressing: Half pan is $40 and full pan is $65
  • Southern Style Green Beans: Half pan is $40 and full pan is $65
  • Tangy Collard Greens: Half pan is $40 and full pan is $65
  • Baked Macaroni & Cheese: Half pan is $40 and full pan is $65
  • Sweet Potato Soufflé: Half pan is $40 and full pan is $65
  • Roasted Chicken: Full pan is $65
  • Sweet Potato Pie: $25
  • Peach Cobbler: Half pan is $40

 

 

Dayton Dinner Theater launches new season on Sunday with “Star Wars”

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Dayton Dinner Theater is back! This fun Sunday tradition starts back on November 21, 2021, with the showing of Star Wars (A New Hope) at The Brightside Music & Event Venue from 6-9pm.

“I think it’s the perfect cure for the winter blahs,” says Dayton resident John Boucuvalas and founder of the Dayton Dinner Theater which opens back up on Sunday, after being shut down last year due to Covid. “I think it’s important to have something fun to look forward to when the days are short and the weather is cold and grey.”

The time off has allowed time for exciting new upgrades and partnerships such as having the renowned Dr. Willie Morris and the University of Dayton Jazz Ensemble to feature live music before the movie. They’ve also partnered with local caterer Brock Masterson, to create themed food and drinks specific to each film.

“We were getting some big crowds and momentum when Covid hit, and now we are ready to be back and better than before,” says Boucuvalas. “Partnering with UD and Brock Masterson’s is great and adds a touch of class and familiarity for folks around here.”

With a full Sunday liquor license at The Brightside, the fully stocked bar features our signature $5.00 themed drinks along with a wide variety of mixed drinks, wines, and beer.

During the movie, Dayton Dinner Theatre features their famous interactive quote contest, fun facts, theme spotting, with a trivia contest during intermission. They truly make movies a social and interactive experience.

This year’s lineup mostly features comedies and quotable classics that line up with the interactive nature of the event. Tickets are $35 and must be purchased in advance. More information can be found at www.daytondinnertheater.com. Note: Tickets must be purchased in advance to allow for accurate food preparation.

Dayton Dinner Theater Schedule

Sunday, Nov 21, 2021 – Dayton Dinner Theater premiere featuring Star Wars & live jazz

Sunday, Dec 5, 2021 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring Christmas Vacation & live jazz

Sunday, Dec 12, 2021 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring Elf

Sunday, Jan 16, 2021 – Dayton Dinner Theater premiere featuring Wizard of Oz & live jazz

Sunday, Jan 30, 2022 – Dayton Dinner Theater premiere featuring The Princess Bride & live jazz

Sunday, Feb 6, 2022 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring Caddyshack & live jazz

Sunday, Feb 27, 2022 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring Airplane & live jazz

Sunday, March 13, 2022 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring The Holy Grail  

Sunday, March 27, 2022 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring Napoleon Dynamite

Sunday, April 10, 2022 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring The Big Lebowski & live jazz

 

Nominations Now Open for 2022 BBB Spark Awards For Entrepreneurs 35 and Under

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Better Business Bureau serving Dayton & the Miami Valley is pleased to announce nominations are open for the 2022 BBB Spark Awards. This is the fourth year the BBB will be presenting this award for entrepreneurship, which seeks to identify trustworthy entrepreneurs age 35 and under and new business owners less than three years in operation. It honors eligible social entrepreneurs, startup founders and new business owners from this community that embody and cultivate the Three C’s of Trust: Character, Culture and Community. These “trustmakers” are the future of our trusted marketplace.

Applications and nominations are accepted online at bit.ly/2022DaytonSparkAward. If you’d like to nominate an organization, the deadline to do so is February 1, 2022. Nominated companies must complete and submit their entries by April 1, 2022. (Organizations may self-nominate.) Award criteria can also be found at this Web site.

The Spark Award winners will be announced on May 10 during the BBB’s Torch Awards For Ethics. Additionally, recipients will be involved with telling their stories at BBB events throughout the year.

Winners from the class of 2019 were Catapult Creative, Goldfish Swim School and Scratch Bakery By Justin Tyler. In 2020 Butler Heating & Air Conditioning, Fox in Socks Soapery and Wilderness Agency were honored.

John North, president and CEO of BBB serving Dayton/Miami Valley says, “We are looking forward to celebrating the spark of these entrepreneurs and new business owners. They set the bar for others in our marketplace. They have hustle and light the way for others to follow.”

The Class of 2022 honorees will inspire others to take the leap into successful entrepreneurship. So, if you, or someone you know, is a young leader of an outstanding entrepreneurial company, submit a nomination or entry for the Spark Awards today.

If you have questions regarding this new recognition, call (937) 610-2270 or e-mail [email protected]

 

Wine Tasting Class- Thanksgiving Wine Pairing

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Sommelier Brian Demark will be putting on a special wine tasting class. Regaling us with his stories and teaching us as we taste. Urmila will make a sample of Thanksgiving Day food while Brian explains why and pairs them together. Please call and reserve your place as seats are limited!

McCoy on Movies: King Richard

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Biopic about Venus and Serena Williams’ father Richard serves up enough positive content to outweigh its drawbacks

“Girls, don’t you make fun of your daddy … These high socks and short shorts made many a NBA player a lotta money from the 1950s to about 1992!” Richard Williams (Will Smith, center) walks with his family – wife Oracene “Brandy” Williams (Aunjanue Ellis, far left) and their daugthers. From left to right: Tunde (Mikayla Bartholomew), Venus (Saniyya Sidney), Serena (Demi Singleton), Isha (Daniele Lawson) and Lyndrea (Layla Crawford, covered up behind Smith) in a scene from director Reinaldo Marcus Green’s drama KING RICHARD. Credit: Chiabella James © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.
WATCH THE TRAILER HERE: 


 
DIRECTOR: Reinaldo Marcus Green
KEY CAST MEMBERS: Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Daniele Lawson and Mikayla Lashae Bartholomew with Tony Goldwyn and Jon Berenthal
THE BACK STORY: Hailing from Shreveport, Louisiana, Richard Williams (Will Smith) isn’t the most respected man by his own admission. His wife Oracene – “Brandy” (Aunjanue Ellis) for short – loves him, however, as do his daughters: Tunde (Mikayla Bartholomew), Isha (Daniele Lawson), Lyndrea (Layla Crawford, Venus (Saniyya Sidney) and his youngest, Serena (Demi Singleton). While Tunde is set to soon graduate and go on to college and Isha is doing quite well in her studies, it’s Venus and Serena that Richard has the biggest plans for: The two biggest female tennis stars in the world. 
 
A dreamer and a little bit of a schemer, Richard has a couple of obstacles in his way: (1) He doesn’t have any funds to pay the coach he’s looking for to take his girls’ training to the next level; (2) He wants a coach to take the girls on for free … and (3) Since they live in Compton and (4) Are black and live in Compton, Cali., it’s not exactly an enticing prospect to most coaches. But Richard will not be shaken no matter how much life – and the local neighborhood thugs, hating parents of opposing players and anyone else – tries to keep him down. 
 
He has a 78 page plan for his daughters’ future he has no plans of deviating from by any means, even if it results in plenty of conflicts, potential missed opportunities and millions of dollars in the process.
THE REVIEW: An audience pleaser perfect for those who like films that are (1) Based on true events and (2) Present an overall, uplifting message, King Richard hits more than misses and accomplishes the goal of honoring – save for Smith’s terrible “N’awlins” accent – it’s subject’s achievements and their significance.
The film is a crowd pleaser in the fact that while it touches on certain aspects of the Williams’ story, it never goes too deep into the aspects that you know exist. This includes the racism that he and his daughters faced on their journey, Richard’s personal relationships as well as the gang violence near their home that had a very personal affect on their family. That’s possibly why the film’s best moments come in the instances where these subjects are touched upon, versus some of the lighter fare that that provides both comic relief and a bit of an after school special vibe at times. (The best exchange is by far the sequence where Richard and Oracene discuss their marriage in a raw yet productive fashion in a way to which that many couples – possibly Smith himself given his real-life spouse’s “entanglement” – can likely relate.) But knowing that this film is meant to focus on the positives and overcoming barriers, it’s understandable why it doesn’t dig deeper into these things. It does enough for you to get the point, even if there are times it seems a bit familiar.
That being said, King Richard ultimately presents a portrait of an imperfect man trying to do the best he can for his family, even if at times his actions seem to (or do) accomplish the exact opposite of that task. Jon Berenthal gets to show his range as an actor playing something other than a gun wielding heavy for a change as the oft-manipulated by Richard tennis coach Rick Macci and Ellis is a fantastic female counterpart to Smith’s Richard.
The film wouldn’t work, however, without the performances of Sidney and Singleton as Venus and Serena, respectively. Their athletics match their ability to deliver emotional connection to the audience, their talent underscoring their father’s drive and sometimes misguided actions since he knows what they could achieve one day. 
 
Given what they have achieved, director Reinaldo Marcus Green’s tribute to the man largely responsible for getting them on their way to do so might not exactly be fit for a king … But it’s definitely close enough.
OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):