Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More
food trucks booked:
ATC The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA will bring one of the greatest pop phenomena back to life at Rose Music Center on August 20!Many critics agree, The Concert: A Tribute To ABBA is the most amazing and authentic ABBA tribute show in the world. Come dance, come sing, having the time of your life at THE ULTIMATE TRIBUTE CELEBRATION!
Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning at 10AM on Friday, April 12 at Ticketmaster.com and the Rose Music Center Box Office.
*The Concert: A Tribute To ABBA is not affiliated with the original ABBA group or Mamma Mia.
The Dayton Art Institute (DAI) has announced details for its 2024 Art Ball fundraiser, taking place Saturday, June 8. Presented by The SharpGroup – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty & UnlistedHomes.com, the black-tie gala, a Dayton tradition since 1957, returns to celebrate its 67th anniversary.
“We are excited to welcome guests to the 67th anniversary of Art Ball,” said DAI Director & President Michael R. Roediger. “As one of the museum’s largest annual fundraisers, this Dayton classic is vital to supporting the DAI’s operating budget.
This year’s Art Ball continues the long-standing tradition of being inspired by an artwork from the DAI’s permanent collection. Art Ball Chairs Julie Forman and Marty Gehres have selected It’s Raining Colored Dots, a silkscreen on paper, as the artistic feature for this year’s event. Created by Oakwood High School graduate Petah Coyne around 1977, the brightly colored work is a recent gift to the collection from longtime friend of the DAI, Linda Lombard.
“Our goal was to choose a work that captured the vibrancy and spirit of the Disco Era,” says DAI Associate Board members Julie Forman and Marty Gehres. “Our guests will see the artwork’s influence throughout the event, from beautiful décor and exquisite food to the music and atmosphere. We can’t wait to follow the call of the disco ball at Dayton’s best black-tie event of the year.”
Art Ball begins at 7 pm with cocktails, specialty martinis and hors d’oeuvres, followed by an elegant, seated dinner in the museum’s Harry A. Shaw Gothic Cloister and the Great Hall. Following dinner, guests may enjoy live music by Tommi Lea’s Groovy Get Down, a Silent Disco experience, open bars, select bourbons and much more. For an additional ticket price, guests may attend a VIP cocktail hour with high-end wines and hors d’oeuvres, which will offer early entry to Art Ball for a private reception at 6:00 p.m.
Art Ball traces its roots back to Dayton’s Holiday Ball, which began in 1957. Organized by the Junior League of Dayton, the event was held at the DAI, with proceeds benefitting the museum. The event moved to the spring in 1963 and was rechristened as “Art Ball.” In 1965, the DAI’s newly formed Associate Board took over planning and organizing the gala. More information about Art Ball, its history and this year’s featured artwork can be found online at www.daytonartinstitute.org/artball.
Reservations are required for Art Ball, and attendance is limited. Tickets may be purchased online beginning April 6 for non-members. They were for sale April 3rd for members. For more information about reservations and to request an invitation, contact External Affairs Director Mike Griest at [email protected].
Art Ball also includes the Grand Draw Raffle in its fundraising efforts. Only 600 tickets will be sold for $100 each, with the chance to win prize packages valued at $2500 -$25,000, including a week’s stay for up to 14 people in the Turks and Caicos Islands and beautiful jewelry provided by James Free Jewelers. Ticket holders need not be present at Art Ball to win. Those purchasing three or more raffle tickets receive one free Oktoberfest Preview Party ticket (valued at $95). Grand Draw Raffle tickets may be purchased online beginning March 22. For more information about the Grand Draw Raffle and to purchase tickets online, go towww.artballraffle.com.
Embark on a journey through spring’s finest flavors with a 4-course feast, perfectly paired with wines steeped in rich heritage.
Randy Combs, and his wife Gloria own the Spicey Rooster BBQ CO. Their food trailer is called the Rooster Coop.
Ready for a show stopping, heart pounding family adventure? The Great Pages Circus has the finest international circus acts and artists for a spectacular show each year! Two shows each day on Wed, April 10 & 11 at 4:30pm or 7:30pm at the Clark County Fairgrounds. Buy an adult ticket for $20 and get 2 free kids tickets. You can purchase tickets online.
Although our Elephants and Tigers have now retired, we still present our liberty ponies, horses, and camels.
These highlight our fabulous aerial, juggling and clown acts to complete the family experience and whenever possible Earhart’s Globe of Death makes an appearance with adrenaline rushing motorcycle mayhem.
Your circus experience will last approximately an 90 minutes. Of course we love to show off, so the more noise you make, the more we do! We love to ask for
volunteers. Be ready to make some noise if you want Ringmasters James or Colleen to notice you.
Circus souvenirs are available before, during and after the show. Be sure to get your official CIRCUS PAGES COLORING BOOK and color your own memories.
We are cash only event but have an ATM available.
The Gourmet Deli at Top of the Market on Webster Street is now permanently closed. They had closed for Spring Break on March 23r for a week, and then made the decision to permanently close the business.
Just received this message from the Mendelson’s:
“We are so grateful for all of our Deli Patrons over the years! We have enjoyed serving all of you! Our Family has decided to close our weekly lunch offerings at the Deli. Although you will not be able to visit during lunch time, we will remain open for meetings and events at the Top of the Market. We will be happy to host groups of 15-500 in our Bistro, Loft or Warehouse space. Please call 937 294 6600 for further information.
Again, we are so Thankful for all the years you have enjoyed The Deli! The memories will last our family a lifetime.”
Greg Bowers is the vocalist and composer for the Dayton project, Arland. I sat down to chat with him in his Belmont home about the band, ballads, Black Sabbath, and his upcoming single, “The Day My Dream Comes True” (out April 8, 2024).
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Arland is your middle name?
GREG BOWERS: Yep, exactly. Exactly.
So with this project being mostly you, why not call it “Greg Bowers?”
BOWERS: I don’t know if you’ve ever searched Greg Bowers online but there is a jazz pianist who will come up. That’s my uncle. He releases music under that moniker, so I had to do something else. But, [Arland is] a very interesting name. It’s the single-name thing.
With building a band in the studio — without exactly having one — what does playing music ideally look like for you?
BOWERS: At this current stage, it’s not so much about playing music as it is the composing and writing of it, and eventually releasing it. I do need that band so I can actually start to go out and play music more consistently.
I think the beauty of what is happening with music right now is that bands can just exist on record. The live music aspect, as a form of getting the music out there, expands reach, but bands can exist without performing.
BOWERS: Yeah.
I know from the way you just said yeah that you wouldn’t want it that way.
BOWERS: It’s not so much that I wouldn’t want it that way, but I haven’t experienced it [as a band yet].
If you were able to make it work solely in the studio, would you do that?
BOWERS: I think I might. I consider myself a writer — a musician. So from that perspective, being able to focus on writing songs, composing songs — that’s what really appeals to me. Playing music is cool. But for me, the focus is really on telling these stories and getting them out there.
What kind of music were you influenced by?
BOWERS: I grew up in this very religious environment. And so we had a lot of your more traditional [Contemporary Christian music]-type stuff. Eventually, I started to move toward the crossovers. There were a few metalcore bands. Have you heard of August Burns Red? They’re metalcore.
No, but you can throw “-core” after anything and I generally understand what you’re saying.
BOWERS: So metalcore, from my understanding, tends to be very heavy: lots of uncleans, but also lots of cleans. High soaring vocals, and very melodic guitars, as well. I was, and still am, very focused on the vocal side of things. I used to listen to Josh Groban, as well. Very vocally-focused.
I know how [Reel Love Recording Company Producer] Pat [Himes] works in the studio; he likes to double a lot of things. And when I’m listening to your vocals, I believe that’s what’s going on. There are points when I think you sound a little like Ozzy [Osbourne].
BOWERS: Ozzy. Interesting.
Have you ever gotten that comparison?
BOWERS: I have never listened to Ozzy Osbourne or Black Sabbath.
Ever?
BOWERS: Ever. So that’s interesting.
That blows my mind.
BOWERS: I have a really weird musical background.
We’ve gotta listen to some before I leave.
BOWERS: Sounds good.
So you released “Islands” in January 2022, which, for lack of a better word, is a ballad. There are movements, but…
BOWERS: One thing I have trouble with is music genres. What is a ballad? What is a ballad to you?
When I think of ballads, I think of hair metal that goes soft. Guns N’ Roses doing “Patience” or “November Rain.” Softer songs, but whoever’s pushing it has a heavier oeuvre. It doesn’t always have to be like that. There are just sweet people… are you confused by the ballad label?
BOWERS: I am, yeah. It’s not like I mind it at all. To my extremely limited and miniscule understanding, I’ve always kind of perceived a ballad as a “piano ballad,” or it’s a literal piano song.
You say you have an extremely limited understanding, but it sounds like you have a firm grasp of music in general.
BOWERS: I guess my term is “rock opera.” Movements, stories you’re telling somewhat through the lyrics, through the sections of music, sometimes through the music itself, to introduce a different feel — those types of things. Structurally, I’m definitely doing things but I don’t have great terms for them.
It’s interesting that you say it like this because I thought your second release “Day Breaks” also felt like a ballad. Your new song, “The Day My Dream Comes True,” isn’t necessarily a ballad but it has elements of one. But when I first heard your music a couple of years ago [via a Google Drive link], I heard screamo. And maybe that’s another term you don’t agree with, but there was something on the verge of screaming happening. So with these three releases being so much softer than the other stuff, what’s the choice to frontload those softer sounds?
BOWERS: At this point, there’s no guarantee there’s actual metal coming out, but there might be. The idea of frontloading, I guess, is hinged upon that.
You don’t disagree with the metal label?
BOWERS: No. I guess I don’t understand the metal side of things for the piano ballad. I’ve talked about a lot of this artsy-fartsy stuff, but I view “Islands” in a sort of quantum superposition, of being chronologically placed after my first two albums. But if you listen to the story or the message, it works well as a debut song.
So you’re saying that what you’re doing right now is George Lucas making the first Star Wars movie.
BOWERS: I don’t know if this will be anywhere near as successful, but I guess.
But that’s the idea behind it: “Islands” could be a stand on its own, but to give context there is also a prequel series in the form of those first two albums.
BOWERS: So when I was thinking about my debut single, something that really gets out there, I was thinking about these first two albums and the story they tell and where it all leads. And so it does all tie together in that sense, narratively.
If you had to boil down that narrative thread, what is that narrative thread?
BOWERS: It’s just a general person’s philosophy changing as they go through things, eventually sort of culminating in “Islands.” So that’s the trick: The answer is out there, but it’s not going to be obvious what it actually means until you’ve heard those first two albums.
When are we getting the first two albums?
BOWERS: The plan is [to release] “The Day My Dream Comes True” on April 8. Hopefully then, within the next few months or so, I’ll get the album out. It’s all written, basically all the music is recorded. We’re trying to get some strings in. And then do the final mix, mastering, that sort of stuff. Second album, obviously the lyrics are all written. [I’m] in the midst of writing the music. So, two or three years. Something like that.
To have it all.
BOWERS: Or at least this stage of it all.
This new song [“The Day My Dream Comes True”] feels like a breakup — with someone or something. And that’s not definitive, of course; that’s just my interpretation. But do you think you’ll ever come out with the true meaning, or will you always keep things vague? Not just for this song, but for everything.
BOWERS: It’s hard to say whether that’d be a good idea or fits where I want things to be in five years when this story is done. There are other songs that are more explicit. Other singles, other album ideas. This one in particular is much more open-ended.
In a world where everything is quick and constant, does it concern you that this long-term plan will be lost on people?
BOWERS: I don’t really worry about it, but I recognize that it’s absolutely a possibility. People are going to consume things at their own rate, to their own interests, and that’s fine. I still think in this perspective of telling a grander story across songs, across an album. Ultimately, all I can do is put out what I feel like I need to put out. And if people like it, they like it.
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After the interview, I gave Greg Bowers a tour of Black Sabbath’s catalog — from “Paranoid” to “Iron Man” to “War Pigs” but nothing seemed to catch on. I think he might’ve been confused by the whole comparison, and I suppose I was a little confused, as well.
Arland’s third single, “The Day My Dream Comes True,” along with its music video, will be released on the day of the Solar Eclipse, April 8, 2024. The significance of that is up for interpretation.
Franklin has a new coffee shop that is 
serving up breakfast and lunch. Julie, Kelly, Melissa all grew up in Franklin and graduated from Franklin High School. Now all three of them have kids in Franklin and Carlisle and wanted a place their kids could hang out. A place that also served lunch sandwiches. A place to grab a quick easy sandwich to go and so Grace Cafe was born.
Here’s their opening menu:
179 E. 6th Street
Franklin, OH
Join Generation Dayton for a lively panel discussion featuring dynamic creative leaders from a variety of arts and culture organizations across the city. Discover how these organizations are cultivating belonging and making an impact, and learn how you can contribute to the vibrant arts scene in Dayton. Registration is required and includes lunch.
Panelists include:
Registration fee includes lunch.
Calling all sweet lovers! The Dorothy Lane Market Pastry Show is coming Thursday, April 18th. It’s a garden party-themed Pastry Show. For two hours guests will have the opportunity to try it all, from picturesque and delightful pâtisserie creations to more savory creative bites.
The Pastry team and Chef Carrie, DLM Culinary Director, will be leading the charge on savory bites and Artisan Bread creators have a few surprises lined up as well.
Throughout the year, DLM is constantly searching for new trends, gathering inspiration from travels and research. Their minds swirl with new recipes and their creative souls are fueled by the opportunity to test new techniques and ask “what if” when it comes to creating something new! You’re invited to be there to experience our resulting pâtisserie creations, including the most savory additions as well.
The Jared Stout Band is making their Dayton debut on April 4 at the Brightside.
Based outta Roanoke, VA, these fellas are a healthy blend of forward and backward trucker hats, smoky bars, pool sharks, whiskeys, brewskies, and spontaneous makeout sessions on dancefloors with women fresh outta love (see: the music video for their song, “Cost”).
A little alt-country and a little alt-rock ‘n’ roll, the band could sonically fit on a good chunk of American radio stations. You’ll find most of it here: finger-picking, semi-hollows, acoustics, electrics, solos, harmonicas and shakers, but I think we can all agree that staying true to their Appalachian roots and leaving the ten-gallons to the cowpokes — and opting for the truckers mentioned above — was the appropriate aesthetic choice.
Opening the show is local singer-songwriter favorite (and New Old-Fashioned frontman), David Payne, who is also a big fan of hats.
I reached out to The Jared Stout Band via Instagram for some inane questions and they (ostensibly Stout) were gracious enough to play along:
What are your feelings going into playing Dayton, and how does it differ — if at all — from playing other cities for the first time?
Jared Stout: We’re excited! A new city always comes with some nerves, but more than anything we’re excited to play in Dayton and throw a little flair at some Dayton lore.
Did you know the pop tab was invented in Dayton? Probably not, why would you?
JS: Had no clue! (Called it.) That’s cool. Fun fact, there was about a year or two in my life I was afraid to open pop tabs. I opened one with too much enthusiasm as a kid and cut myself on the can. Lesson learned. Now I pop with caution. We heard there’s a pending Limp Bizkit show in town, too… eventually.
Same as question one, but reframed now that you know about the pop tab — and therefore beer can — factoid.
JS: [Canned laughter via text.] Well, now with that info, we’re gonna have to ask the crowd to pop one with us… safely, of course. [More canned laughter via text.]
For someone who’s never seen you perform, what feeling do you want them to leave with after the show?
JS: We want them to feel full — visibly, audibly, and emotionally. We aim to bring an entertaining show from start to finish [to] our listeners. From songs that make you think back, to ones you’ve never heard before. Our goal is to introduce you to our style, music and energy, and send you home happy and full of good life.
What do you think of David Payne’s music?
JS: [Insert democratic and complimentary response here.]
Well, there you have it: a band who comes off as no bull, nose-to-the-grindstone country music with enough of a sense of humor and humility to answer questions with the words “pop” and “tab” in them.
And I’d be remiss to end this riveting piece of music journalism without having asked opener David Payne a question, to which he replied: “Stoked to have those guys in town! Excited to be opening up the show.”
It seems all involved are excited, so let’s hope you and your hats are, too.
The Jared Stout Band makes their Dayton (pop tab invention capital of the world!) debut on April 4, 2024 at The Brightside Music & Event Venue (905 E 3rd St, Dayton, Ohio 45402).
Doors are at 7 p.m. Local songbird David Payne opens the show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 pre-sale at VenuePilot. $15 at the door.
Elle King can do many things, ranging from exuberant alternative/punk to soul pop. She’s also been a compelling presence in country music; winning both Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music Awards and breaking the 30-year-old, glass-ceiling record for women on the radio charts with the lead single “Drunk (And I Don’t Want To Go Home).” She’s collaborated with Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde and been on tour with Chris Stapleton for the better part of 2022; it’s been an unbridled love fest with Nashville’s music community.
She made it country music official with 2023’s Come Get Your Wife, a dozen glorious tracks that run a gauntlet of styles and attitudes leaving King’s roots showing. The quadruple Grammy nominee co-produced the album with award winning songwriter Ross Copperman and the result is a collection that moves through all the topics. From being a hot mess, a glorious excess, and a woman coming into her own, King has created a very real, small-town frayed at the edges but solid at core missal.
“Even the album title, it comes from something some asshole said to my partner one night. Something thrown off in a bar, intended to put me in my place… and he probably didn’t think twice about it. But I did.”
Indeed, she did. Elle King, singular, swaggering, sardonic, is a musically and personally fearless woman. With Come Get Your Wife, she sharpens her gaze, digs into her roots, puts her banjo front and center, and creates a record that’s as alive and electric as she is. Taking all the pieces – the rock, soul, (blue)grass and country that she loves – she’s made an album that demands your attention, then delivers on all cylinders.
“There’s something about how you put the pieces together,” King offers of her first true country project. “This whole album is a crazy quilt of all sorts of moments and things that might not seem to go together, but because they’re me, they do. It’s very Southern Ohio, very who we are – and very much a lot of people who are just like me, because I know they’re out there.”
Tickets go on sale THIS FRIDAY at 10am. Get more info ➜ bit.ly/elleking-24
Today is the first day of retirement for Rick Schaefer, the CEO of Brock Mastersons Catering. “It’s been 38 years,” Schaefer said. “It’s been a great run.” Rick worked his first festival in 1987 with his mom (who owned Nancy’s Porches in Oakwood) and a couple of employees. They set up the grill, making reubens, grilled salmon and pork chops. A neighboring vendor said “you’ll never last serving up that stuff,” but 38 years later Rick sure proved him wrong. When you see the Brock Masterson’s banner art festivals you knew you were gonna get some great crab cakes, hash with dill sauces and salmon.
Schafer says, “I can’t paint or draw, but cooking is my art.” He recalls that southern comfort food and family cooking together are the best memories of his childhood. Watching him grandma and aunt cooking were the the genesis that got him into cooking.
Rick has bottled his seasoning so you can use them at home. There are 5 flavors: Beef, Poultry, Pork, Seafood and Fiesta Dust, available at all 3 Dot’s Markets.
Brock Masterson’s was born in the back of his mother’s restaurant, staging for the festivals they cooked for. When I asked about where the name came from, Rick explained that Brock was his moms maiden name and Masterston’ was his partners(and now ex-wife) mother’s maiden name. Together they thought it sounded very authentic Irish.
In 2011 Rick brought on Traci M. Torkelson-Tobin to the business and he says she put us on the catering map. He calls Traci “his secret weapon under the radar, kicking ass. She’s been a real honor to have as part of the business” and as he made his retirement plans, he agreed to sell the company to Traci and her daughter Caitlyn. He says he’s burned out on cooking, cutting, cooling batches of 700 lbs of potatoes to make hash. He won’t miss making those huge quantities ever again.
Before the sale was final, they moved the kitchen to a new spot at Cross Pointe Center in Centerville, which tripled their prep space and gives them a 50 seat room for special events and cooking classes.
riding his bike
Rick said he feels good about stepping away now, with the business in good hands. He says the key to their success has been that they’re OCD about avoiding problems. In cooking for the Kettering Hospital Heart to Heart dinner for 500 in attendance, they make 600 meals. They over prepare, come early, stay late. It never got routine, weddings, company picnic, he never lost the rush.
While he was making these changes, he also sold his house in Oakwood and has downsized to a condo, so he can spend his retirement doing more traveling, which he loves to do. He also plans to keep riding his bike and playing tennis, and finds ways to give back to the community that he shares has been so good to him. “Dying broke is a success, he shared and plans to spend his savings exploring the world.
We wish all the best in his next chapter and thanks for all the great food!
