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

Archives for January 2025

Submissions Now Open for Emerging Visions Youth FilmFest

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Emerging Visions Youth FilmFest is the only festival of its kind in the greater Dayton Region.

At Emerging Visions Youth FilmFest (Previously “The FilmDayton High School Film Festival”), our mission is to empower and celebrate the creative voices of young filmmakers in grades 6 through 12, providing them with a dynamic platform to showcase their unique perspectives and innovative storytelling. As a vibrant extension of FilmDayton, a distinguished regional film commission in Ohio, that advances the art, craft and business of film in the greater Dayton region, we are dedicated to fostering a supportive community that nurtures artistic growth, cultivates cinematic skills, and encourages the exploration of diverse narratives.

What makes this festival unique is the educational opportunity provided to students and teachers through our open judging event. Student are invited to screen their films in front of a panel of professional filmmakers and receive real-time feedback from the panel and their peers. Based on panel’s decision, the winning films will be screened at our Festival, the host theater for the final screening is TBD, and will be based on demand required and capacity needed to facilitate a pleasant viewing experience for filmmakers and guests.

Formerly the SunDog Film Festival which originated in 2003, previously participating schools include Centerville, Greenville, Kettering Fairmont, Hilliard Davidson, Kings, Miami Valley Career Technology Center, Stivers School for the Arts, The Miami Valley School, Upper Arlington, Wilmington, Yellow Springs, Ferguson MS, McKinney MS, and Franklin Jr. High.

Submit now via Film Freeway.
  • Earlybird Deadline
  • Regular Deadline
  • Notification Date
  • Event Date
Awards & Prizes

The top three films from each category will be screened at the Festival

The top 3 films in each category will be recognized as award winners, with the top winner in each category awarded a small prize package (TBD).

Additional Awards – Awarded a certificate:
– Best in Show – Highest scoring submission across all categories
– Judges Choice – A submission that is chosen by the judges to be recognized
– Best Storytelling – A submission selected by the judges that shows exemplary storytelling
– Best Cinematography – A submission selected by the judges for exemplary cinematography
– Best Wardrobe (Includes hair and makeup) – A submission selected by the judges for exemplary wardrobe and costuming
– Best Editing/VFX – A submission selected by the judges for exemplary editing or visual effects
– Best On-screen Talent – One person chosen from the submissions that showed exemplary acting, hosting or voice-over

Submissions MUST have been produced in the last 18 months (23/24 – 24/25 school years), be a student enrolled in a 6-12th grade educational institution in southwest region of Ohio. Submissions created as part of class assignments are accepted, as well as submissions produced independently outside of class assignments.

Your submission’s total runtime (TRT) must NOT exceed the five minute time limit. Credits are included in your TRT and credit runtime must NOT exceed 30 seconds.

All music and other copyrighted material (images, videos, etc.) used in the films must be properly licensed.

Local Deli Celebrates National Hot Pastrami Day All Week Long

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Get ready to celebrate a deli classic in style! All The Best Deli, Dayton’s destination for authentic New York-style fare, is marking National Hot Pastrami Day (Tuesday, Jan 14th) with a weeklong special. From January 13 to January 19, 2025, enjoy $8 off every pound of their premium, hand-sliced pastrami, the perfect excuse to indulge in this savory favorite.

Renowned for its tender, flavorful pastrami, All The Best Deli combines traditional recipes with high-quality ingredients to deliver a taste that’s second to none. Whether you’re crafting the ultimate sandwich, adding a flavorful twist to your recipes, or simply snacking on its smoky, spiced goodness, this deal is a must for pastrami enthusiasts.

“National Hot Pastrami Day is the perfect occasion to showcase one of our signature items,” said Lee Schear, owner of All The Best Deli. “Our pastrami has always been a customer favorite, and we’re thrilled to offer this deal as a thank you to the community that supports us every day.”

This limited-time deal is the perfect opportunity to stock up and savor the unmistakable flavor of All The Best Deli’s pastrami. While you’re there, don’t forget to explore their full menu of deli classics, from hearty soups to piled-high sandwiches, and everything in between.

All The Best Deli
5940 Far Hills Ave
Dayton, OH 45429

937.999.4204

Open 7 Days a Week
7:00 AM to 8:00 PM

It’s BOGO time at Buffalo Wild Wings

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According to a press release we received on behalf of Buffalo Wild Wings, we know that for a limited time, the restaurant will be offering four days of BOGO deals every week. Mondays through Thursdays, the chain will be offering different deals to satisfy our cravings and our taste buds.

So what exactly are the BOGO deals that we can expect at Buffalo Wild Wings?

B-Dubs  offers Buy One, Get One 50% off traditional wings on Tuesdays and Buy One, Get One Free boneless wings on Thursdays. The deals are available for dine-in, takeout or delivery to give guests four- straight days of deals

 

New BOGO Burgers at Buffalo Wild Wings added to weekly deals

“On Mondays and Wednesdays, Buffalo Wild Wings burgers are now Buy One, Get One Free for
a limited-time only – that’s two burgers for the price of one, twice a week!

 

BOGO Burgers_with text
New BOGO Burgers at Buffalo Wild Wings added to weekly deals

Depending on what day you go to Buffalo Wild Wings, you will be able to save some money on some menu favorites.

 

 

 

Bill Franz’s Buy Local Spotlight: Noah Faler

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Today’s Buy Local Monday conversation is with Noah Faler at Yellow Springs Pottery

Yellow Springs is a great place to buy local. It’s filled with locally owned restaurants, locally owned shops and art by local artists. Whenever I’m in Yellow Springs I like to stop by Yellow Springs Pottery, a cooperative retail store run by nine excellent ceramic artists. Recently I talked with the most recent artist to join this co-op, Noah Faler.
“I was a visiting artist here last summer” he told me. “Then they invited me to join the group. Yellow Springs Pottery has been around for 51 years, and has always had wonderful pottery for sale. I remember walking through the store when I was a high school student, marveling at the work. Now I’m selling my own work here; its my dream.”
“This shop is a great place for people who would like to start collecting work by local artists, because the nine ceramic artists here have such different styles. There’s something here to appeal to everyone. And there’s a wide range of price points.”
“My own work is always evolving. I like to push forms and patterns. Sometimes I try a new pattern or a new shape and explore it, one piece then inspires another concept.”
I asked about three pieces that had a geometric design that included orange – not a typical pottery color. Noah picked one of them up and showed me how the pattern was interesting, but very different, when viewed from the side or from the top or from the bottom. I asked Noah how he learned to be a potter.
“I started making pottery on the wheel when I was a student at Xenia High School. I loved it and took all the ceramics courses they had. Then I took a break from pottery for a while but found that I really missed it. I found myself back on the wheel and I’ve had my hands in clay ever since.”
“Three years ago I quit my job and committed myself to pottery full time. I make my work in my home studio in Spring Valley, about 20 minutes drive from here. I also teach pottery fundamentals at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts in Hamilton. I love inspiring others to take the wheel.”
Kings Yard
222 Xenia Avenue
Yellow Springs, OH 45387

Hours
​Sun – Fri 12:00 – 5:30
Saturday 11:00 – 5:30

Dayton’s Fastest Growing Podcast ‘DDQ’ Gets Pick-Up for Year 2!

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Dayton is known for its love of the arts and its dedication to theater. Thanks to the podcast ‘Dayton Drama Queens’ we get to go behind the scenes and meet those folks that make these iconic entertainment venues tick. In it’s first year the podcast featured: Jonathan McNeal-the Neon Movies; Brent Johnson-The RubiGirls; Darren Brown-traveling ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show‘; Philip Drennen-Off Broadway, ‘Big Gay Jamobree’; Shaun Yu-Classical Dayton; Kathleen Clawson-Dayton Opera; Mike Griest-DAI; Dan Zehringer-WSU Arts and Music; David Moyer and Mackensie King-TheatreLab Dayton; and Kappy Kilburn and Emily Wells-Human Race Theater Company. Check out this sizzle reel from Season 1.

The podcast, which is available on Spotify, iHeart, Apple and Amazon, has gained in popularity over the last few months and is now coming out with new episodes weekly.  The podcast also has a video component when viewed on YouTube. ‘DDQ’ is hosted by Joshua Stucky and Philip Drennen and is filmed at the Mitosis Studio on Jefferson in downtown Dayton.

With another season, which begins filming in January 2025, the hosts are looking to extend their reach in the Dayton area, bringing to light more amazing arts in the Miami Valley. ‘You’ll be amazed what we are finding in the area. Kids’ theater, choruses, banjo groups….you name it! Dayton has it. We want to highlight it!’ Highlights from Season One :

The podcast had a rocky start. Just as they got the ok to begin production, Drennen was off to NYC to kick-off his show ‘BGJ.’ Stucky was left to host the first few episodes alone, but Drennen helped complete the season. If all goes well, the ‘DDQ’ group hope to start doing some live remotes throughout the year at local events.

If you know of a group or individual that would like to be part on the podcast’s success, you can always contact the hosts at [email protected].

 

Free Yoga Under the Wings!

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Start your year off right with Fitness Under the Wings! ✨
Join in for FREE yoga under the iconic aircraft at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force! 🧘‍♀️ The first class kicks off on January 11 from 8-9 a.m., with additional sessions on January 18, 25, and February 1. Doors open at 7 a.m. This peaceful and energizing session, led by Indigo Yoga, is perfect for all skill levels, whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a beginner.
🌿 Space is limited, so be sure to register in advance to save your spot! Prefer to walk? Take a stroll through the museum galleries before or after your yoga session. No registration needed for walkers.
Make your New Year’s resolution stick – we’ll see you under the wings! 🛩️

$5 Bowls from KFC are Back

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To kick off 2025, KFC has decided to bring back the bowls. So if you want tasty chicken, delicious sides and meals that combine both of these things, then these  chicken loaded bowls are gonna be your jam.

First off, we have to start with the newest addition to the bowl lineup. In this case, it is their new Nashville Hot Loaded Fries Bowl. If that sounds delicious, that’s because it is. This bowl features, crispy fries, pickles, their iconic coleslaw, the Original Recipe chicken nuggets, and of course a Nashville hot sauce on top. If you like a kick with your chicken, this is the bowl to try.

Of course, that’s not the only bowl they have on the menu to keep you warm this winter. There’s also a Nashville Hot Mac & Cheese Bowl, a Nashville Hot Famous Bowl, a classic Mac & Cheese Bowl and finally their iconic Famous Bowl.

Nashville Hot Loaded Fries Bowl
Bowls are Back: KFC Launches New Nashville Hot Loaded Fries Bowl + Five Bowls for Just $5

While the Nashville Hot Loaded Fries Bowl features fries (obviously), the other bowls are either mac & cheese or mashed potatoes as the base carb. Fans have picked the Mac & Cheese Bowl as the ultimate favorite. But if you want a kick of heat, then giving that Nashville Hot mac & cheese bowl a try is a must.

Even more exciting than the fact that we have these five bowls to fall in love with is the fact that they are just $5 each. Yes they will only be around for a limited time, but KFC is  excited for these bowls to be part of thei winter menu.

Popeyes New Louisiana Garlic Wings

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Rolling out just in time for playoff season, Popeyes bold new flavor is tossed in a buttery, garlic sauce with its Cajun flavors of New Orleans.

The 6-piece chicken wing flavor is marinated and tossed in a garlic-infused buttery sauce inspired by the Cajun flavors of Louisiana, bringing this bold new flavor from the tailgate to the couch nationwide.

“Sticking to our New Orleans roots? Now that just makes sense!” Amy Alarcon, VP of Culinary Innovation. “Especially in a year where such a big event is happening in our back yard, we needed to make sure our distinct Cajun flavor was tied to one of our signature wings, so that whether you attend the big game in Louisiana or watch from your house, you can get a real taste of New Orleans.”

Louisiana Garlic joins an already stacked lineup of Wing Flavors, both bone in and boneless, including Ghost Pepper, Sweet ‘N Spicy, Honey BBQ, Roasted Garlic Parmesan, Signature Hot, and Honey Lemon Pepper. The Louisiana Garlic flavor can be ordered for Popeyes’ classic boneless wings or spicy bone-in wings. Like all other flavors, it can also be ordered as an à la carte side dipping sauce.

 

America’s Got Talent 2024 Champion Richard Goodall

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Goodall, who has worked as a school janitor for 23 years, won the hearts of America when he appeared on the NBC competition series earlier this year. He immediately earned praise from the judges and viewers alike for his incredible audition, where he performed Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin. ‘”

Prosecuting Attorney Mat Heck Sworn in for 9th Term

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Today, Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck, Jr. was sworn in for his ninth term of office. Mr. Heck’s wife, the Honorable Cynthia M. Heck, Judge of the Vandalia Municipal Court, administered the Oath of Office. Following his swearing in, Mr. Heck administered the Oath of Office to his entire staff.

Prosecutor Heck reflected on his many years as the elected prosecutor, having been sworn in for the first time in August 1992. He noted that about half of his staff were hired during his most recent four-year term.

Mr. Heck noted that the past four years saw some significant changes, such as using Zoom to conduct business during the pandemic and gaining the ability to work from home. Since the end of the Covid-era restrictions, his office has moved to a business casual dress code and allows many of his staff to work from home one day per week.

Prosecutor Heck outlined some of the accomplishments his office has made over the past four years. The Criminal Division of the Prosecutor’s Office reviewed over 23,500 filings from law enforcement seeking charges. The Criminal Division also had more than 150 jury trials and over 70 bench trials. For all cases resolved over the past four years, the office has a conviction rate of 95% to the highest degree charged.

The Juvenile Division of the office reviewed over 6,300 new cases since 2021.

The Appellate Division files approximately 100 briefs in the Court of Appeals each year.

The Child Abuse Bureau at CARE House reviewed 418 filings over the past four years, most of which involved physical or sexual abuse and neglect of children. The Child Protection Unit had over 2,400 new cases involving in excess of 4,000 children, and the attorneys in that unit attended over 15,000 hearings.

The Criminal Non-Support Unit collected over a half-million dollars in child support payments, bringing the total since the unit was established in 2000 to well over $14,000,000 provided for the support of children. The Consumer Fraud Unit opened 155 new investigation cases and recovered over $1,100,000 in money taken from victims. The Diversion Division reviewed over 1,600 cases and accepted more than 700 new clients, recovering restitution for victims and allowing first-time, non-violent defendants the chance to avoid having a conviction on their record, and becoming responsible citizens.

The Civil Division initiated and oversaw several Opioid lawsuits, resulting in millions of dollars being recovered from opioid manufacturers and retailers for their role in the proliferation of those drugs. The DTAC Unit filed over 1,000 property tax foreclosures, resulting in the collection of over $7,000,000 from the sales.

The Grand Jury/Intake section of the office was very busy, with the Grand Jury hearing nearly 14,300 cases in just the past four years. The Victim/Witness Division added more than 5,300 new cases, providing much-needed assistance to victims of violent crimes. In December 2024, the 34th annual Homicide Victim Memorial Service was held.

Prosecutor Heck said, “Today, we renew our steadfast commitment to justice, public safety, and the victims of crime and their families. I am extremely proud of what my office does for the citizens of Montgomery County. I believe we have the best staff in the state of Ohio. If we work together, support each other and never forget why we chose to serve the public, then great things are going to happen.”

Prosecutor Heck was first elected to office in 1992 and was re-elected in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024.

Taste of Belgium To Shutter Bistro at The Greene

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Taste of Belgium’s bistro at The Greene, 10 Greene Boulevard in Beavercreek, OH, will permanently close this Sunday, January 12, at 8 p.m.

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The Beavercreek bistro, which opened in June of 2023, was Taste of Belgium’s first expansion outside of its established footprint in the Cincinnati market, receiving an outpouring of support and excitement from the Dayton-area community. “The evolution of full-service casual dining and changing consumer habits around dining out have significantly impacted the way we do business. As difficult as this decision is, we’re taking this opportunity to return to our roots and our original vision,” said Taste of Belgium founder Jean-Francois Flechet. “We expected a much stronger shopping season at The Greene during the holidays, but we just did not see the influx of people we had hoped for. We’re committed to ensuring the survival and sustainability of our business.”

Taste of Belgium has notified all Beavercreek team members of the closure. “The General Manager and the entire team at The Greene have been incredibly dedicated to the success of this bistro. From a focus on hospitality to ensure our customers feel valued and appreciated, to developing creative events and promotions to engage the community, they have truly gone above and beyond,” he added. The Greene bistro will be open normal business hours through Sunday, January 12.

 

How to Help the People of Los Angeles Dealing With Fire Disasters

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According to the state-run site Cal Fire, there are five active wildfires, including the now-contained Sunset Fire which burned dangerously close to the heavily populated and iconic areas of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

According to reports, tens of thousands of acres of land have been scorched to the ground, with more than 2,000 homes, businesses, and houses of worship destroyed down to their foundations.

The fires — rare for this time of year — raged out of control mostly due to gusting hurricane-force winds which blew embers for miles, igniting new fires which quickly leaped from building to building. Though the winds have died down, Los Angeles is under a red flag warning with the probability of high winds returning tonight and tomorrow.

Although we’ve seen reports of celebrities like Paris Hilton and Tom Hanks losing their homes, with a population of nearly 10 million people, Los Angeles County is home to millions of regular people who will have no jobs or even homes to go to.

Making an appearance on the Tonight Show last evening, Jamie Lee Curtis (who personally donated $1 to relief efforts), fought back tears as she said her entire neighborhood was destroyed by fire. She pleaded with the public to donate to the American Red Cross and to assemble an emergency evacuation kit filled with papers and medications should you need to escape your home at a moment’s notice for any reason.

 

If you want to donate to the American Red Cross or other relief efforts, here’s a list of places to start. This is not a complete list, so if you have a favorite organization, please share it in the comments below or send us a note and we’ll update this list.

American Red Cross provides shelter for families, serves meals, supports emergency responders, provides medical care, and delivers emergency relief supplies.

World Central Kitchen provides food to evacuated families and first responders.

Los Angeles Noah’s Legacy Fund provides care for animals affected by the wildfires.

Baby2Baby provides diapers, food, formula, and hygiene items to families

California Community Foundation provides funding to nonprofits aiding fire recovery and rebuilding.

California Fire Foundation provides immediate financial assistance to wildfire victims.

Direct Relief delivers medical supplies and financial aid to health facilities across Los Angeles County.

Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation provides critical equipment, technology, and emergency resources to support LAFD crews.

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank provides emergency food assistance to people affected by the wildfires.

Pasadena Humane is rescuing, sheltering, and reuniting pets with their owners.

United Way of Ventura County provides immediate financial relief to communities affected by the Palisades Fire.

Canine Rescue Club provides shelter for displaced pets.

Los Angeles Pet Food Pantry provides food for pets through its pet food pantry.

Gobble Gobble Give provides food and shelter for Los Angeles’ homeless.

Habitat for Humanity provides assistance in rebuilding homes.

For updates on the situation in Los Angeles County, visit LAFD.org.

Roost Closes After 13 Years in the Oregon District

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Roost, an Oregon District staple since November of 2011 operated by owner/Chef Dana Downs, showcased a menu of Italian dishes with a modern approach. This past August they rebranded as Culina, offering a small plates with a “fine casual” service model.

After just 3 months Downs announced November 14th  “While the change to the Culina concept from Roost has been well received, our loyal customers have spoken -So much so, that the decision has been made to return to the Roost Italian offering classic Roost entrees and sneaking in some of Culina’s most popular small plates.”

Fast forward to January 2025, the restaurant closed for a week long winter break.  Then suddenly the social media presence for Roost/Culina disappeared, reservations were turned off on the website and posts on the Instagram accounts were taken down and then the entire site was taken down.  We reached out to Chef Downs, but have heard nothing back.

Just a bit ago we were able to confirm the following communication was sent to Roost staff from owners Dana & Katherine Downs:

“Thank you all for your hard work and dedication during the holiday season. We deeply value the effort each of you has contributed to Roost, and it has been a privilege working alongside such a talented an committed team.  

After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to terminate al employment relationships at Roost, effective immediately….We are currently engaged in discussion with potential buyers for the restaurant, and they have expressed interest in retaining the current staff.”

The email continued with info about final paychecks and W2’s and wished them the very best in their future endeavors.

After so many years of great food and service, we hate when a restaurant goes out like this and we hope the entire staff lands on their feet quickly.

 

Sharp to Host American Dream TV

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One of our own has been selected as the host of the Emmy nominated American Dream TV. Brian Sharp a realtor and Director of Business Development for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional realty will host the real estate, culture and lifestyle program. Filming will begin this week.
The executive producer said specifically, they are looking for Sharp to interview and share the stories of the biggest voices in our city. The mover and shakers, innovators, philanthropists, etc. Those who are making a positive impact, as the show is meant to combat negative media with real and positive stories. This is a real show, not a fake reality show, and focused on positivity and the stories of our neighborhoods.  ADTV has featured some of the biggest names in real estate!
The show will be airing on cable, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, and Roku…and a lot will happen on social media.

Sharp is excited to highlight many of the positives of our community and show all of the reasons to make this home.  If you are considering listing your home and think it would make a great home to showcase on the program, please reach out to Sharp.
There is so much good in our community. Sharp is looking forward to letting others know just what the Miami Valley has to offer from arts and culture to dining to museums, and even metro parks and real estate.  Be on the lookout for episodes coming soon.

“Ghost: The Musical” Opens Friday at La Comedia

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Based on the hit Academy Award-winning 1990 film starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg, “Ghost: The Musical” tells the love story of Sam and Molly. After his untimely death and being trapped between two worlds, Sam vows to keep Molly from danger through the help of storefront psychic Oda Mae Brown. Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard’s original score includes the classic hit “Unchained Melody” famously heard in the film.

New Menu Just Released at Centerville Eatery

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Chef Adrian Madrigal Mendiola, the executive Chef at Meridien Uptown, has over 25 years in the culinary arts, training in Europe, South America, and is a graduate of  Le Cordon Bleu France.  He’s perfected the techniques of classical and multicultural cuisine. He  has just released a new menu for the Centerville eatery.

Meridien Uptown
28 W. Franklin St,
Centerville, OH 45459

(937) 723-6687

For those who love a reservation and want a guaranteed seat, we take reservations for about 60% of our regular tables.

If you can’t get a reservation, we absolutely take walk-ins. With 30 seats at our community bar and 20 seats at our regular bar, we can generally accommodate most people each night.

Wed & Thurs  4pm – 10pm

Fri: 4pm – Midnight

Sat: 11am – Midnight

Sun: 11am – 8pm

Note: Kitchen closes at 9pm on Wednesday and Thursday & 10pm on Friday and Saturday night.