Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More
In this Pilates class you will learn basic Pilates principles, how to change your posture to improve pain syndromes, strengthen the entire body and core muscles, and improve flexibility.
Free. No registration required.
Ages 16 & up. If under 18 years a parent or legal guardian must sign a waiver.
All abilities are welcome. Please bring a mat and water bottle.
Dark Star Orchestra will bring its critically-acclaimed live, Grateful Dead tribute performance to Rose Music Center at The Heights on Saturday, August 9.
Performing to critical acclaim for over 25 years and over 3,100 shows, Dark Star Orchestra continues the Grateful Dead live concert experience. Their shows are built off the Dead’s extensive catalog and the talent of these seven fine musicians. On any given night, the band will perform a show based on a set list from the Grateful Dead’s 30 years of extensive touring or use their catalog to program a unique set list for the show. This allows fans both young and old to share the experience. By recreating set lists from the past, and by developing their own sets of Dead songs, Dark Star Orchestra offers a continually evolving artistic outlet within this musical canon. Honoring both the band and the fans, Dark Star Orchestra’s members seek out the unique style and sound of each era while simultaneously offering their own informed improvisations.
Dark Star Orchestra offers much more than the sound of the Grateful Dead, they truly encapsulate the energy and the experience. It’s about a sense of familiarity. It’s about a feeling that grabs listeners and takes over. It’s about that contagious energy…in short, it’s about the complete experience and consistent quality show that the fan receives when attending a Dark Star Orchestra show.
Dark Star Orchestra has performed throughout the entire United States, including a sold-out debut at Colorado’s Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater, plus shows in Europe and the Caribbean with the band touching down in seven different countries. DSO continues to grow its fan base by playing at larger venues for two and even three-night stands, as well as performing at major music festivals including Bonnaroo, Milwaukee’s SummerFest, The Peach Music Festival, Jam Cruise, Wanee Festival, SweetWater 420 Festival, Mountain Jam, and many more.
In addition to appearing at some of the nation’s top festival, Dark Star Orchestra hosts its own annual music festival and campaign gathering, titled the “Dark Star Jubilee”, currently in its eighth year where DSO headline all three nights and are joined by a mix of established and up and coming national touring acts. Beyond the shores of the United States, DSO has taken its internationally-acclaimed Grateful Dead tribute to the beaches of Jamaica in the dead of winter for the past six years, with their event appropriately titled ‘Jam in the Sand’. Featuring an ocean-side stage, DSO sets up camp to perform shows for four nights along the tropical sands of an all-inclusive resort, selling out the event each year for hundreds of lucky attendees.
Fans and critics haven’t been the only people caught up in the spirit of a Dark Star show. The band has featured guest performances from six original Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, Vince Welnick, Tom Constanten and even toured with longtime Dead soundman, Dan Healy. Other notable guests have included Mike Gordon and Jon Fishman of Phish, Keller Williams, Warren Haynes, Steve Kimock, Peter Rowan, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot and many more.
“For us it’s a chance to recreate some of the magic that was created for us over the years,” keyboardist and vocalist Rob Barraco explains. “We offer a sort of a historical perspective at what it might have been like to go to a show in 1985, 1978 or whenever. Even for Deadheads who can say they’ve been to a hundred shows in the 90s, we offer something they never got to see live.”
Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning at 10AM on Friday, April 25 at Ticketmaster.com and the Rose Music Center Box Office.
Rosewood Arts Center, Kettering Health Art Gallery announces the opening of Yiyun Chen X Fremaux-Valdez Solo Exhibition on April 21st. It will run through May 24th. Yiyun Chen’s photographic project, Whispers in the Breeze, began as a pastime and was prompted by the artist’s wandering as a pedestrian along Lake Erie. The project became a ritual, and then a process of self-reflection and self-discovery for the artist as an Asian immigrant – exploring the relationship between people, environment and society.
The collaborative work of partners Ghislaine and Lando Fremaux-Valdez is on a gargantuan scale, executed in gouache and pastel on paper. Each drawing naturalistically portrays one or both of the artists’ bodies (sometimes many times over), but deranges them through fragmentation, anatomical corruption, and/or pictorial chaos
Closing Reception and Artist Talks: May 24, 2025, 1 – 3 p.m.
Back for its 14th year, Asian Food Fest returns to Court Street Plaza in downtown Cincinnati. This two-day food extravaganza celebrates Asian culture and cuisine. Expect a mouthwatering tour of small-plated Asian foods priced from $2-$10 and enjoy live entertainment, local craft and Asian beer, fun family activities and more. Comedy, cultural activities, and karaoke will highlight the entertainment line-up of more than 100 performers and entertainers across the two-day event! Experience the region’s largest celebration of Asian food and culture like never before!
Festival Hours:
Saturday, April 26, 11am – 10 pm & Sunday, April 27, 11am – 8pm
Parking & Accessibility
Commuters and visitors are encouraged to carpool and use public transportation due to anticipated traffic and limited parking. Parking garages and surface lots will be open in areas surrounding the event taking place at Court Street Plaza.
Wheelchairs, medical scooters, rollators, walkers, canes, crutches, and other similar devices are permitted at the Festival to assist patrons with disabilities. The Festival does not provide personal care, golf cart rides, or wheelchair push service. Please bring an attendant if needed. They will have Accessible Restrooms as well as a Momentum Refresh Bus. The bus is equipped with a wheelchair lift, customizable grab bars, an overhead ceiling hoist, and a height-adjustable sink and universal changing table.
Location: E. Court Street between Vine & Walnut, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Conversation with Sandra Simi at Safari Treasures. Sandra sometimes shops in Belmont at Anita Nzigiye’s Ikaze East African Market, which is how I got her name.
Sun – Fri 10am – 5pm
closed Saturday
You’re invited to an unforgettable evening at The Brightside’s “Vod-Vil Bar” on Thursday, April 24th! Get ready to indulge in:
Burlesque Entertainment: Experience the captivating artistry of Gem City Burlesque.
Live Music: Enjoy electrifying performances from Ayn Swann & The High Standards.
Delicious Cocktails: Sip on expertly crafted drinks that will tantalize your taste buds!
VIP and Standard tables are available as well as single tickets (seated, no table). 🎟️
HOW TO GO?
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Doors 6:30pm
Show 7:30pm
The Brightside, 905 E 3rd St, Dayton
GA tickets $30 each / Reserved Tables for 2 $100 – $150
Get your ticket here: https://tickets.venuepilot.com/e/gem-city-burlesque-2025-04-24-the-brightside-music-event-venue-dayton-3631e0
Ages 21+
Join your community on May 1 as Levitt Dayton announces the 2025 Eichelberger Concert season with…a concert!
Cut the ribbon on the new concession stand and pick up your season schedule as early as 6 p.m. and Subterranean takes the stage at 7 p.m.
Subterranean is an improvisational rock band from Dayton, Ohio that is best experienced at a live show. Their infectious grooves and spontaneous yet polished musical ventures create a unique adventure for their audience every time they step onto a stage. The band has been together for over 10 years. Subterranean has played venues all around the region from Michigan to Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana and West Virginia. They have played many prestigious festivals such as The Werkout, Resonance, The Mad Tea Party Jam, and Hookahville. They have shared the stage with icons such as Ron Holloway, Bernie Worrell, Johnny Neel, and Doug Wimbish.
At the Levitt Pavilion Dayton you can tailor your experience to you! Whether you bring in your own food, beverage and lawn chair or purchase refreshments and rent a chair, your experience should be easy!
Friends of Levitt Pavilion Dayton is the non-profit that manages, programs, and fundraises for the Levitt Pavilion in downtown Dayton. Levitt Pavilion Dayton is reinvigorating Dayton’s urban core by reactivating Dave Hall Plaza, which in turn inspires people’s health, happiness, and well-being by offering enjoyable experiences through a rich spectrum of music genres. The venue also provides access to high quality cultural and educational experiences for all audiences from the community. Levitt Pavilion Dayton presents free family-friendly concerts with a reach annually to over 70,000 individuals of all ages and backgrounds in the Dayton region. As the only free major outdoor performance space in Dayton, they provide access to all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, or socioeconomic status.
First Bite at By Golly’s Springfield—Join Us for a Grand Opening Celebration! 
Be one of the first 50 guests in line before we open for a chance to win FREE BURGERS FOR A YEAR! TWO lucky winners will walk away with an entire year of mouthwatering burgers.
Family-Friendly Festivities:
Official Ribbon Cutting at 3:30 PM with the Greater Springfield Partnership—come be part of this special moment!
Miami Valley Meals makes thousands of meals each week to feed our community. transforming donated and rescued food into nutritious meals for those experiencing food insecurity. For their third anniversary in 2023 they unveiled a lineup of chef-created spice blends created in partnership with Big Axe Spice Salt Free Seasonings; The Root of Love, Give Back Garlic Blast, and Feel Good Fusion.
Having recently celebrated their fifth anniversary they added a new spice to the lineup – The Spice of Life by Chef Marilyn! It’s a baker’s best friend and is perfect for fruit pies, cobblers, cakes cookies and quick breads.
Chef Marilyn Britt first joined MVM in the kitchen as part of her participation in Goodwill Easterseals’ Senior Community Service Employment Program, and upon completion, was hired on permanently. “I joined MVM because they are doing something positive for the world we live in by addressing and contributing to food insecurity, something I always wanted to do. The chefs that prepare the healthy meals love and enjoy their jobs.”
We asked Chef Marilyn to take a break from meal prep to answer our Chef 10 questions and here’s what she told us:
1. What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?
My favorite ingredient to cook with is basil – I love it! It can really uplift a dish and I buy some every time I’m in the store.
2. What ingredient do you dread?
I dread too much salt. As a transplant survivor, I limit my sodium and generally follow a healthy diet.
3. What’s your favorite dish to make?
My favorite dish to make is stir fry. It’s very nutritious and colorful. All of my children and grandchildren love it, and I love making it for them!
4. What’s your favorite pig out food?
My favorite pig out food is sweet potatoes – baked or as a pie. My sister Betty makes the best sweet potato pie. She really puts love in it and it puts a smile on my face.
5. What restaurant, other than your own, do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?
I like dining at J Alexander’s Restaurant. I like a few of the healthier options from the menu, the atmosphere and the service.
Chef Angie (left) and Chef Marilyn (right) with a table of meals.
6. What’s your best advice for home chefs?
After working at Miami Valley Meals with such a variety of donations – I’ve gotten to be creative and experiment with the team. Some of these ingredients, specifically certain spices and herbs – I hadn’t tried before but have now really grown to enjoy them. So, my advice would be to be creative and give it a try! You can always make small batches and you may find something new that you love.
7. If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?
I would invite Calvin Britt Jr., my sons TaeVon and Justin, as well as my best friend Cheryl. They all love a variety of foods and they are open to trying new things. I love cooking for them because they very much appreciate it and they always give their honest opinion. 🙂
8. Who do you look up to in the industry and why?
In the culinary world I look up to Chef Gordon Ramsey because he tells the truth when it comes to food and explains why.
In the nonprofit world I look up to Ms. Amanda because she always greets you with a smile (-: and she always makes her staff know she appreciates our hard work. She is truly concerned with each and everyone’s feelings.
9. What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?
On my days off I read and write letters. I also cook zucchini and banana bread to give away. The team at Miami Valley Meals loves them. (-:
10. Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story:
I was hired at the Monday Community Correctional program part-time in culinary but the very next day, they offered me a full time position. I was also training to become a bus driver at the time and weighing my options – but cooking is in my heart. I’m lucky I got the offer and grateful this led me on my culinary journey. Cooking brings me peace.
Thrill-seekers and families alike are counting down the days until Kings Island officially opens for the 2025 season on Saturday, April 19th. With extended hours, exciting new attractions, and beloved classics returning, Opening Day promises to deliver a full day of unforgettable fun.
Kings Island will be open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on April 19th, giving guests all day to explore everything the park has to offer. Early birds can take advantage of shorter lines in the morning, while night owls can enjoy the park’s dazzling evening atmosphere and illuminated coasters. They will be opened April 26 & 27, May 2nd & 3rd and May 9 and 10 from 10am to 9pm, and on May 4th and May 11th from 10am – 7pm and then daily starting May 14th.
This year, Kings Island is debuting “Sol Spin,” a brand-new flat ride in the Oktoberfest section of the park. Suspended high above the midway, Sol Spin launches riders into a swirling, soaring adventure with 360-degree rotations and epic views of the park.
Also new for 2025 is the revamped Camp Snoopy area, which has been expanded with two additional family-friendly rides: “Snoopy’s Soap Box Racers”, a junior coaster perfect for little thrill-seekers, and “Woodstock’s Wagon Wheel”, a gentle spinning ride that’s great for all ages.
Kings Island is home to over 100 rides, shows, and attractions, including:
Orion, one of only seven giga coasters in the world
The Beast, the longest wooden roller coaster on the planet
Mystic Timbers, a fan-favorite with a mysterious surprise ending
Planet Snoopy, voted the best kids’ area in the world several years running
Live entertainment – Enjoy a lineup of shows throughout the park, with performances suitable for the whole family.
Dining and Shopping: Savor a variety of food options and shop for souvenirs to commemorate your visit.
Soak City Water Park at Kings Island will open to the public on Saturday, May 24th. The park is expected to feature the new RiverRacers, Ohio’s only side-by-side dual racing water coaster, and Splash River Junction, a new kids’ play area with seven slides.
For tickets, season passes, and more information, visit the official Kings Island website: Kings Island
Join us on April 22nd for an exciting Earth Day celebration! Take on the challenge of our Rockwall with a 15-minute climb for just $5 and experience the thrill of reaching new heights. After your climb, head to the field and plant your very own flower to take home as a reminder of your achievement and our commitment to a greener planet. 🌍🌿💪
*While supplies last.
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| The teaser poster for writer/director Ryan Coogler (Black Panther, Creed, Fruitvale Station) southern gothic horror thriller SINNERS. Credit: Alon Amir © All Right Reserved. |
WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:
CAST:
The Smokestack Twins Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan)
Sammie a.k.a. Preacher Boy (Miles Caton))
Beatrice (Tenaj Jackson)
Mary (Hailee Steinfeld)
Delta Slim (Delroy Lindo)
Remmick (Jack O’Connell)
Annie (Wunmi Mosaku)
Grace (Li Jun Li)
Bo Chow (Yao)
Pearline (Jayme Lawson)
WRITER /DIRECTOR: Ryan Coogler
THE PLOT: Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan) are twins who left their native Clarksville, Mississippi for a better life up north in Chicago long ago. Now, they are back and throwing around cash like it’s going out of style … For it seems that good fortune up north has led them back to Clarksville where they plan to open up their own juke joint. (It is 1932, after all.)
Their cousin Sammie a.k.a. Preacher Boy (Miles Caton) is a talented musician who’s pastor father (Saul Williams) has warned him about the perils of picking up the guitar he is fond of and playing secular music, a.k.a. the blues. But Sammie wants to follow his dreams, dreams which become stronger once he meets local legend Delta Slim (Delroy Lindo). Meanwhile, Smoke and Stack are building up their staff for their new venture, which, in addition to Delta Slim, includes local general store owners Grace (Li Jun Li) and Bo Chow (Yao), sharecropper Cornbread (Omar Benson Miller) and potions expert (and Smoke’s old flame) Annie (Wunmi Mosaku). Also hanging around is Mary (Hailee Steinfeld), a woman whose ethnic background has complicated her relationship with Stack, a.k.a. her former lover. Then again, Pearline (Jayme Lawson), a married woman in her own right, has caught the fancy of Sammie who is ready to let his little light shine.
All the parties find themselves in for an enjoyable opening night at Club Juke – until it isn’t. For once a man named Remmick (Jack O’Connell) comes a calling, their entire night is about to change … And all sinners will be punished for their deeds.
THE REVIEW: “No notes.” Those were the two words I texted a friend after finishing SINNERS, the latest collaboration between writer/director Ryan Coogler and his frequent muse, Michael B. Jordan. For in mixing in themes of music and its importance to the soul (literally), southern gothic themes relating to race and horror elements, Coogler’s latest film might be his best effort to date. For it is a cinematic experience of culture and storytelling that is a masterclass in creating and investing in characters and moments topped off with themes of love, loss and music.
Jordan has already staked his claim as one of Hollywood’s best young (aka under 40) talents; SINNERS finds him pulling off the remarkable task of playing twins and giving each enough depth to stand on their own. Whereas Stack is fast and smooth, Smoke is calculated, much more rough around the edges and yet both are passionate about their dreams and losses (as well as the impact of the women in their lives). Whereas Robert DeNiro’s recent turn as two mob bosses in The Alto Knights has been criticized by some as too much self-indulgence, it’s hard to imagine someone else turning in a dual performance that begs attention as much as Jordan does watching SINNERS.
Likewise, whereas Steinfeld’s and O’Connell’s character could quickly become one dimensional, both – just like Mosaku as Annie – craft personalities that are intricate to Smoke and Stack’s respective stories. While most will come to SINNERS for Jordan as the headliner, it is newcomer Miles Caton that is the film’s center, both musically and in terms of many of the various themes explored during the film’s two hours and 17 minutes. Caton’s future should be as bright as his performance is memorable which, given all he asked to do in his feature film debut, is saying something.
There have been many great duos in history from Abbott & Costello to Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson … With SINNERS following their previous efforts (Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), Coogler and Jordan have proven yet again they can make fantastic cinema together, this time exploring a new realm while maintaining all the elements – humor, timing, emotion and captivating scenes – that made all their prior journeys together work. Is that because of Jordan flexing his prowess to bring Coogler’s vision to life or Coogler putting his actors in the best possible light to shine? It’s both – and that’s what makes SINNERS a top film so far in 2025.
For like all of us, SINNERS may not be perfect, but it’s about as close to perfect as any human making a movie of its nature could hope to be.
The Wonderlands’ Great Escape Tour of 2025 is one of the “don’t miss” music events of the spring! This special show features two other awesome bands local bands: crabswithoutlegs and October Tuesday.
HOW TO GO?
Friday, April 18, 2025
at The Brightside (905 E 3rd St Dayton)
Doors 7pm / Show 8pm
Tickets $15 advance / $20 at door
Wright Dunbar, Inc. is asking for artists to submit designs that will be used to beautify the Historic Commercial District, by wrapping the “silver” utility boxes! Four different designs will be chosen. The designs should be Wright Brothers/Aviation inspired, Paul Laurence Dunbar inspired or an inductee listed on the Walk of Fame www.daytonregionwalkoffame.org!
Screenshot
Each artist that has a design chosen will receive $500 & credit for the design, be listed on marketing materials & receive a spotlight on the Wright Dunbar Business District Association website www.wdbd.org. The top 10 designs will be chosen through voting on social media. The final designs will be chosen by Wright Dunbar, Inc. and then approved by the City of Dayton.
Artists must be Ohio residents to submit. Artists under the age of 18 will need their parents’ permission to enter their design. Designs should be submitted in Resolution 300 dpi (scale image/ require) or 150 dpi resolution (full image/accepted) in PDF format. Each utility box is a different size and the artwork will need to be resized to accommodate vents, hinges, doors and knobs. If your design is chosen we will provide a template for your particular box. One design submitted per artist. No logos, advertisements or names can be on the design. We encourage artists to submit their design to [email protected]. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 pm Thursday, May 1st. The chosen designs will be announced Wednesday, May 7th.
This beautification project is being funded by the City of Dayton Mini Grant Program & the National Aviation Heritage Alliance Small Grant Program.
For more information, contact Erica Hubler at [email protected].
Old Scratch Pizza’s Cones for a Cause program supports the incredible nonprofits making an impact in our community. The Cones for a Cause program is fueled by the generosity of their guests. When you enjoy an ice cream cone at any of their four restaurants, you have the opportunity to donate to this fund, allowing the funds to support impactful nonprofits in our community.This year they awarded six grants of $10,000 each to small nonprofits where these funds can provide the greatest support to at-risk groups and those lacking access to essential services. Grant funds will be dispensed quarterly in increments of $2,500, enabling us to maximize our impact.
In choosing their grantees they focus on Six Key Service Areas:
Addiction Services: We support addiction services to offer hope and resources for individuals and families affected by substance abuse, fostering a community where everyone can overcome addiction.
Food Insecurity: We address food insecurity to ensure no one in our community goes hungry, promoting health, dignity, and equity for all through access to food.
Education: We prioritize education to empower individuals with the tools they need to succeed, fostering a community where every person can reach their full potential.
Housing Insecurity: We focus on housing insecurity to provide support, stability, and pathways to independence, building a stronger and more compassionate community for everyone.
Animal Welfare: We advocate for animal welfare to protect and care for animals, fostering empathy and respect for all living beings within our community.
Human Equality: We champion equality efforts to create a community where everyone feels respected and valued, fostering opportunities for anyone to thrive.
The 2025 Cones for a Cause grantees are: 
The Food Bank Inc
SICSA
Miami Valley Meals
We Care Arts
FOA – Families of Addicts
Secret Smiles of Dayton
Old Scratch Pizza has $281,484 to 125 local non-profits since 2016. Keep supporting local non-profits by donating and grabbing some ice cream — because kindness is best served cold.
812 S Patterson Blvd
Dayton, OH 45402
440 Miamisburg Centerville Road
Centerville, OH 45458
2450 Dayton Xenia Road
Beavercreek, OH 45434
19 East Race Street
Troy, OH 45373
EXPLORING WRIGHT-DUNBAR—PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE Thurs. April 17 A History Presentation and Guided Walking Tour 5 pm-7pm Celebrate the rich history and vibrant revitalization of Dayton’s Wright Dunbar district in partnership with Preservation Dayton and the American Institute of Architects. Light refreshments 5-5:30 p.m.; The Evolution of Wright Dunbar presented by John Gower; 6 p.m Guided Walking Tour with Preservation Dayton Experts; 7:15
Optional social gathering at West Social Tap and Table
The event is free but space is limited. Register to secure your spot at https://www.eventbrite.com/…/exploring-wright-dunbar…
