The Nerve has a hit on their hands…not simply because the play is so-well written (by Sofia Alvarez SIRENS, MAN SEEKIN WOMAN); not just because the actors deliver punch after punch; not just because the direction is engaging and not just because it’s relatable material….but because of ALL of that! The story, at its core, really highlights the idea that somewhere along the line we have to go for our dreams, or leave them along the side of the road. It plucks at our desire to forever stay young, all the while knowing that the ‘jig’ is up. Through all of that is the age old question, can we ever really be honest with our friends…about their lives, their opinions, their art?
The play features four characters….Kevin (AJ Breslin) the one voice unafraid to face the fact that some parts of life in your 30s really just aren’t great; Nate (Christopher Hahn) the once famous, now joy-searching ‘pay me to show-up’ guy; Lil (Shalemar Davis), the performance artist unaware that she’s unaware and Molly (Lauren Everett) a do-gooder who faces the fact it’s time to dip her toes into some less calming waters. Each of the actors portrays their character with simple realness….you know them, you ARE them.
Friend Art, listed as a comedy, is much more than just laughs. It’s poignant, it’s promising and, at times, it’s peculiar! The scenes run in a sequence spaced oddly, and that, in part, is what makes it work so well. You are interested to know what combination of characters will pop up in the next vignette. And it keeps the show moving…and it moves…at times straight-forward, at others, with an awkward twist and revelation. You will see yourself in the uncomfortable, yet relatable, scene with Molly and Nate, as they imbibe and connect with their ‘inner-selves.’ You will recognize the people in your lives, who like Kevin, never meant to bend the truth in a malicious way. You will connect with Lil in her pursuit of self, of creativity, of fulfillment without fear. You ARE these people.
When the story, which is really more of an eavesdrop on friends’ conversations, gets to the gritty discussion about ‘what is love’ and ‘what is fidelity’ and ‘what difference does it ultimately make’ we see a cast so convincing that no matter your opinion of the answer, you can defend them all! That’s probably the biggest win in Friend Art, it leaves us open to the fact that we don’t have all the answers, never have, and never will. What we really have are those folk in our lives willing tom tell us how beautiful we are, even when the truth says otherwise.
There is a lot to love about Friend Art. It reminds you that friendships are vital relationships in our loves….that honesty rarely is honest, and maybe that’s ok….that our attitudes about work and life haven’t really changed that much in 40 years….and that we are all, no matter the city, the time, the space, hoping to find that simple circle that says, ‘You’re a Mess and I Love you For That!’
The play is directed by Jenna Valyn and Kaleigh-Brooke Scheiding. Performances are at the PNC Annex May 19th – May 29th.
For tickets go to: https://nerve.link/friend-art-dyt
Better Business Bureau serving Dayton and the Miami Valley hosted its Torch Awards For Ethics dinner (formerly the Eclipse Integrity Awards) this evening. About 400 people joined the organization at the David H. Ponitz Sinclair Center to honor five organizations with the prestigious Torch Awards For Ethics, five Students of Integrity Award winners, as well as its Legacy Award, Community Honor and Dave Donaldson Award of Distinction-3D Award recipients. It also presented its fourth class of Spark Award winners.
Bella Sorella Pizza Co., the winner in the 1-10 employee category, is a mobile food business serving premium, quality simple food with the freshest ingredients, which are many times harvested from its own garden and farm. Bella Sorella is unique as most of its staff doesn’t need to work; most are retired or already have well-paying full-time jobs, but they want to work with Bella Sorella. The team wants the company to have the best showing and reputation and this is evident time after time at events. They do it with smiles and good attitudes. Even though the business is small, it’s made a commitment to be involved in the community, providing support to Pelotonia, Aullwood, Kleptz YMCA and more. This family-run business is truly invested and dedicated to incredibly hard work and love of food.
The winner in the 11-50 employee category, NextGen Federal Systems, a national company with a local presence, provides innovative software and systems engineering solutions and services for Department of Defense and intelligence community customers. The company operates with integrity, thriving on customer collaboration and transparency. It follows industry best practices and gets customers involved in the development of systems the company builds for them. The company’s ethical culture begins with new employee orientation, is reinforced by the Employee Handbook Code of Conduct and Business Ethics and is followed up with annual trainings and check-ins. NextGen and its employees support local charities and engage in its communities. Its beneficiaries include Dayton VA Fisher House, Dayton Regional STEM School, Angel Tree and various Veteran activities. NextGen Federal Systems is focused on being an ethical company and seeks to be a trusted partner with all its constituents.
The winner in the 51+ employee category, Voss Chevrolet, a family-owned business, is the largest auto dealership network in the Dayton/Miami Valley area and is recognized as a leader and innovator in the industry. ‘Built on Trust, Driven by Integrity’ is the foundation of every policy and procedure created and followed at Voss Chevrolet. And, it starts with employees. The leadership knows a culture where customers are treated with respect is impossible without a culture that treats employees with respect. The leadership educates, trains and empowers every employee to carry the integrity in the organization out into the community. They give back to the community in many ways from local school events and sports to libraries, parks, festivals, parades and many other types of fund raisers. Integrity and character are more than just talk at Voss Chevrolet.
Miami Valley Meals, the winner in the nonprofit 1-10 employees category and formerly known as Set the Banquet Table, was founded with the intent of supporting local hunger-related charities. The team has identified and implemented best practices for fighting food insecurity and cultivated lasting connections between itself and the human services network. It’s the only organization in the Dayton area that provides chef-prepared meals in bulk to local nonprofits using recovered food. Since its inception, it has partnered with 78 distribution partners, 30 food recovery partners and numerous other community organizations. The team has never lost sight of the goal to provide a nourishing meal that provides a sense of warmth, care and dignity for the recipient. By collaborating with each other, they have created a space free from discrimination and judgment, that’s welcoming for all and provides opportunities for growth. Miami Valley Meals has a culture centered on creativity, adaptability, respect and hospitality.
eliminate hunger and its root causes. The culture is focused on being able to adapt, continuously improve, “lead with yes”, be a leader in our community and nationally, believe in employees’ abilities to lead and lead with “grace in the gray space” for clients. The organization’s grown from distributing five million pounds of food in 2009 to distributing over 17 million in 2021. It rescues 6.5 million pounds of food annually through local food organization partnerships. Plus, it’s built a greenhouse, which can produce up to 1,000 heads of lettuce weekly. The Foodbank strives to be transparent to donors. In fact, it maintains a four-star rating on Charity Navigator and a platinum rating on GuideStar. The Foodbank is a strong servant leader, dedicated to world class excellence.
The Community Honor Award was presented to the Greater Miami Valley myVeteran Community. The organization brings together local Veteran service providers, resources, advocates, and other stakeholders to improve outcomes for Veterans, service members and their families. It drives a shared understanding among stakeholders of the complex challenges Veterans and transitioning service members face and leverages its collective strengths to improve the Veteran experience.
Think Patented is a marketing execution company that delivers its clients’ messages to their intended audiences through technology, printing, signage, promotional items, mailing and fulfillment solutions. Its team believes success is determined not only by revenue, but by the satisfaction and loyalty of employees, customers and vendors, and is only possible because of its commitment to ethics, innovation and community involvement. The company provides internship and apprenticeship programs to area youth, giving them real-world experience and helping them prepare for a career in the industry. The team also volunteers to provide mock interviews, portfolio reviews and externships for students at the Modern College of Design.
Agape Media specializes in video and photo production. By using light and sound, stillness and motion, filming and editing, heart and soul, Agape Media uncovers the best versions of stories to be told. The founder strives for integrity and trust in its workplace that reflects the success of its clients. Developing the business on deep friendships mixed with pre-established trust and respect, its team has the best interest for each other as individuals and the company. The ultimate goal for the team’s production is to be that craftsman and collaborative partner that builds virtual connections through storytelling. The company hasn’t hesitated to give back to the community. It works alongside and partners with local companies or nonprofits whenever possible. It’s committed to Declare, City of Trotwood, Elija Seabrook (artist and producer), Vandalia Barbershop, as well as nine different Christmas productions during the pandemic in 2020.
Pink Moon Goods specializes in crafting a selection of home goods that combine skill, intelligence and virtue for ethical living. The founder’s goal is supporting both the local economy and global market by bringing the best products to customers. Its priority is to source goods that promote sustainable practices with natural materials, promoting its commitment to reduce the carbon footprint. It views every new project as an opportunity to build a reputation for excellent service through designing, crafting and delivering a quality experience and product for every client. Operating with dedication and personal connections, it’s always welcoming others’ input and willing to ask for help to improve. They know creating trust will allow the business to adapt a positive brand image. In its efforts to give back, the founder has partnered with YWCA Dayton on multiple projects. The owner is also involved with GoRecycle to provide battery recycling.
Noticing a demand for homemade baby food, Taste T Love Baby Food – a company that offers convenient, nutritious and affordable options for customers – got its start. It creates homemade food options for first time eaters, toddlers and a growing population of all other ages and genres of people. From the start of its journey, the business has grown to serve outside of just online subscribers and farmer’s markets. Focusing on feedback, communication, transparency and recognizing the constant need for improvement is vital to the success of a leader, the team and business. Allowing the team to shine in different areas is a major factor contributing to how the business thrives. Showing support for the community, the team has given back in unique ways, such as partnering with childcare centers who are under Child and Adult Care Food Program and recently securing a partnership with Dayton Children’s Hospital.
Tumble LLC, a minority-owned, on-demand laundry and dry-cleaning start-up in the Miami Valley, was inspired by the owners after a personal struggle with laundry and dry-cleaning while living on a college campus. The team believes empathy, dedication, passion and hard work are key factors in building relationships and making a positive impact in the community. By bettering the business, it continues to devote itself to providing excellent customer service. Creating an honest and open policy in the workplace allows new ideas, growth and value to the business as a whole. With a mission to give back to the community, it recently partnered with Clothes That Work. For every order the business receives, it donates one article of clothing to Clothes That Work. The plan is simple – the more the business grows, the more it donates.
Curry & Grill, which was open for several years over at what we call the International Village, across from the Dayton Mall, has moved to a new space on Lyons Road (that once housed Sushi Hanna) and is opening today, May 8th.
Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley presents McGuffey Lane
Christine M. Haaker, partner-in-charge of the Dayton office, commented, “We are proud of Jonathan’s commitment and pleased to join other community partners to help Bike Miami Valley achieve its goal of providing bike-sharing services to those who live in and visit the City alike. Our contribution to the Link program now includes eight Thompson Hine branded bikes and reflects our commitment to Bike Miami Valley’s mission and the continuing expansion of great City offerings. We hope to see our bikes en route, providing riders enjoyment and easy access to transportation.”
In 2021, the Link: Dayton Bike Share Program expanded, adding ten new bike parking and pick-up locations, known as “hubs.” Users are invited to take advantage of the new locations and check-out the Thompson Hine bikes, using the Link Dayton app. Users can also participate in Link Bingo this month to win prizes while they ride. Participants do not need to register to participate in the bingo challenge, and bingo cards are available for download at 
Mexican Lager
Margarita Gose
