Dayton937

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

Lisa Grigsby

Whoo Cooks for You – The Region’s Top Chefs- That’s Who!

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whooTablesIn what has become an annual tradition, on Sun, September 14th from 4-8pm under the trees of  Glen Helen  local chefs join together to create a  culinary adventure to benefit The Glen Helen Raptor Center. These chefs from the area’s top restaurants will provide a bountiful six course feast sourced from local area growers.

Prior to dinner, in true raptor fashion, devour mouth watering charcuterie from “Smoking Goose” and sip a signature cocktail; Raptor’s Delight, while you tour our Raptor Center. Then, move on to our fine dining tent, refill your beverage and bid on our themed “Birds of Prey Silent Auction”. Further support our programs by choosing to “Adopt a Raptor”.

 Here’s the 2014 Menu:

Chef Elizabeth Wiley

Meadowlark – Wiley 
Hors d’oeuvres on the lawn of the Raptor Center
Stuffed Mushrooms, Chinese Dumpling-style
Peaches and Belletoile Cheese wrapped in Fennel-Peppercorn Salami
Celery Sticks stuffed with Green Chile Pimento Cheese
Fried Green Tomatoes with Chowchow Mayonnaise

Fresco – Chef Jenn DiSanto
Sweet Corn and Chevre Flan with Summer Succotash,
Arugula and Basil Pesto and Za’atar Marinated Prawns

Carr

Chef Carrie Walters

DLM – Carrie Walters
Thai Chilled Melon Soupwith Ginger,
Chili and Fresh Herbs

Roost – Dana Downs
Butter-poached Lobster and Fulton Farm Wild Mushroom Tortelloni with Lemon Burro Bianco Sauce

Wheat Penny – Liz Valenti
Porchetta with Double Corn Polenta and Fresh Fennel and Olive Salad

Ann_Kearney_Rue_Dumaine

Chef Anne Kearney

Seasons –  Doug McGregor
Cheese Course:
Blue Jacket Dairy Feta in a filo cup, drizzled with White Mountain honey
Seasons’ own housemade Rosemary Queso Fresco and heirloom cherry tomatoes with corn tortilla chips
Yellow House Sheep’s Milk Blue Cheese with apples and raspberries

Rue Dumaine – Chef Anne Kearney
Dessert:
Café au lait pot de crème,
bittersweet chocolate ganache,
Mississippi crackle cookie

Enjoy great music, a silent auction, Ohio wine and beer, and close encounters with our education raptors, Glen Helen Naturalists and Director of our Raptor Center, Betty Ross.

End your evening with an exceptional decadent dessert that will melt your senses and send you home with the satisfied feeling that you have indeed made a difference in the rehabilitation and care of Raptor’s at Glen Helen.

Limited seating available, purchase your place at the table for $150 now by visiting www.glenhelen.org or call Ann Simonson at 937-769-1902 ext. 1103.

 

Dayton’s Newest Food Truck: Jimmie’s StrEATery

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Ht5A5mZo_400x400It’s been a long time coming, but we’re happy to announce that Dayton’s newest foodtruck, Jimmie’s StrEATery, will be debuting at Warped Wing Brewing Company this Wed, August 27th at 7:00 pm!

 Jimmie Brandell, the chef and owner of Jimmie’s Ladder 11 got started on his truck last year, thought he’d have it out by the end of last summer, then had a little back surgery and the truck was parked while he recovered.  But good things are worth waiting for and the food coming out of this mobile kitchen should be good!

Here’s the list of street eats  that will be for sale on the truck:

Sandwiches

$8 Fried Green Tomato “BLT”- Green tomatoes beer battered with Warped Wing’s Flying Rye IPA, apple wood bacon, fresh spinach leaves, and Siracha mayonnaise on toasted wheat bread.

$8 Tom’s Turkey- Thinly sliced turkey topped with, creamy coleslaw cut daily, and a sliced hardboiled egg on a toasted hoagie roll.

$9 Blackened Chicken Sandwich- Grilled blackened chicken topped with, apple wood bacon, grilled onions, tomato, Swiss cheese, and Baja white sauce, stuffed inside a toasted hoagie roll.

$9 Arugula Pesto Chicken Sandwich- Grilled chicken topped with arugula pesto, roasted red pepper, asiago cheese, and a balsamic reduction on a toasted hoagie roll.

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$3 French Fries- House cut French Fries deep fried to perfection.

$3 Creamy Coleslaw- Hand cut creamy coleslaw cut daily.

$4 Spinach Salad- Spinach leaves, red onion, cucumber, tomato, feta cheese, with a garlic vinaigrette.

$4 Jimmie’s New Orleans Style Gumbo- Chicken, Andouille sausage, shrimp, and okra

FilmDayton Festival: The Award Winners

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Award-for-Web-1-1This weekend was the 6th annual Eichelberger FilmDayton Festival  and the  second year as a submission based festival.  For the first time they honored filmmakers with audience choice awards from various shorts blocks during the festival. Members of this weekends audience  participated in the awards process by voting for their favorite films.The actual awards was commissioned by FilmDayton and designed and created by talented local glass artist Susan Cannon.

The first group of awards presented tonight are the SUN DOG AWARDS –
These awards are presented to our newest and youngest film makers who participate and compete in the annual Sun Dog film festival for Junior High and High School students. The top 4 student short films were shown at the beginning of our feature films. These award winners are in no particular order as follows:

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SunDog winner Carly Vagedes

“Surrounded” (Brian Ferenchik – Hilliard Davidson)
“Run from Risk” (Khari Anthony – Centerville High School)
“5 Seconds” (Kylee Griffin and Grace Brooks – Southern Middle School)
“Julian” (Carly Vagedes – Stivers School)

Flick My Clip, curated by Ryan Singer
Poker Noir –  By B-side comedy, a film that takes Friday night poker games to an extreme.
Accepting for the film were Caz Finnegan and Max Cothrel.

International Shorts 
Whose Afraid of The Big Black Wolf, by Janez Lapajne, Slovenia. A film set in the Alps in 1944 as a multicultural triangle between a shepherd boy and two officers from opposite sides with two tunes and one flute.

Ohio Shorts
Sinner Victim Saints, directed by Moses Flores,
Upon meeting a stranger claiming to have supernatural powers at his wife’s funeral is feted the opportunity to exchange his life for hers. receiving the award is Cody Brown and Gregory Kennedy

US Shorts 
Personal Day,directed by Philip Jessen,
The story of two disgruntled office workers who, by complete coincidence, choose the same day to bring guns to work and “resign”.

The Filmmaker Award—to honor career achievement of excellence in filmmaking – Jim Klein208259_1032329977767_1833_n
An excerpt from the nomination by Shayna McConville

“I have the great pleasure of knowing Jim as a friend, colleague and an integral part of Dayton region’s educational and creative economy. A filmmaker, film advocate and film editor for over forty years, his work has encouraged audiences to look at political and social issues through smart, important and engaging documentary filmmaking.

An educator at Wright State, Jim has impacted the careers of countless emerging filmmakers. His work has been recognized, collected and nominated by such agencies as the Library of Congress, the Academy Awards and the Emmys. Jim is also the co-founder of New Day Films, which strives to deliver “dynamic, provocative storytelling to educational institutions…ensuring access to a wide range of contemporary and classic films. Considering Jim for the Filmmaker Award this year is a great testament to his Salazarb and issues that impact our contemporary lives.

Enjoy the video retrospective produced by local filmmaker Andrew Fiscus:

 

The Key Award—to honor special service to the filmmaking community – Jonathan McNeal

Highlights about Jonathan from the nomination from Ann Rotalante

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“Many people know Jonathan because of his “day job.” For over a decade, he has managed The Neon, Dayton’s only independent movie theater.

But many people don’t realize that Jonathan is also a talented, award-winning filmmaker in his own right. He is a 1996 graduate of Wright State University’s prestigious motion picture production program. His documentary short The Rubi Girls is a joyous, uplifting chronicle of the professional men behind the comedic, charity-driven, Dayton-based drag troupe. The Rubi Girls premiered at the 2003 San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, and went on to win Audience and Best of Festival Awards at the Fire Island Film & Video Festival and the Out on Film Festival in Atlanta.

Each year Jonathan seeks out new, innovative, and interesting films to program here in Dayton by attending the Toronto International Film Festival, where he screens the latest independent films premiering on the festival circuit. While traveling, he writes a daily online blog to give his readers a little sneak peek to some of the films that will eventually be programmed at The Neon. His blog also allows those back home in the Miami Valley to live vicariously through his marathon movie-watching sessions, Q&A’s with filmmakers and stars, and the occasional industry party where he rubs elbows with celebrities.

Jonathan is also an ardent supporter of filmmaking and filmmakers in the Miami Valley. He offers his time and expertise on professional and student productions. He works closely with local filmmakers who need to have test screenings or local premieres of their finished work at The Neon. Jonathan volunteers his time to support FilmDayton, and has taught film production classes at both Stivers School for the Arts and Wright State University, inspiring the next generation of filmmakers.

Perhaps most notably, Jonathan McNeal is the founder and programmer of the the Downtown Dayton LGBT Festival. This festival takes place each October and will celebrate it’s ninth year in 2014. This popular festival screens the very best in contemporary LGBT cinema and offers something for everyone in the community-at-large.”

Video montage produced by local filmmaker Andrew Fiscus:

Chappys – Now Serving Lunch Daily

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chappy'sChappys Tap Room & Grille, located at 2733 W Alex Bell Rd in Moraine, is now open for lunch every day at 11am starting today!  They have a special lunch menu with most of your favorites and some new items as well that include lunch baskets, pork tenderloin sandwich and beer brined pork chop sandwiches.

 

They will offer the lunch menu Monday through Friday from 11am to 3pm and then offer the full menu starting at 3pm.  Saturday and Sunday  full menu starsat 11am. And while you’re there, be sure and check out all the beers on tap, probably the best selection in Dayton!

  • Half Pound Charcoal Grilled Burger – served Chappys way – American cheese, red onion, tomato and mayo on the side
  • Bacon, Swiss & Mushroom Burger – 1/2 lb. Charcoal Grilled Burger topped w/Bacon, Swiss & Mushrooms
  • Davey Boy – Double Decker Charcoal Grilled Burger w/American cheese, lettuce & special sauce
  • Pulled Pork Sandwich – slow smoked, pulled and mixed w/BBQ sauce
  • Boneless Chicken Breast – Charcoal Grilled – Crispy Fried – Blackened – BBQ – served w/lettuce, tomato & red onion
  • Smothered Chicken Sandwich – boneless chicken breast smothered w/cheddar and Monterey jack cheeses, sautéed onions and mushrooms
  • Buffalo Chicken Sandwich – hand battered, boneless chicken breast tossed in mild or hot sauce, topped with choice of ranch or blue cheese, lettuce and onion
  • New Orleans Style Po Boys – dressed w/lettuce, tomato & mayo
  • Beer Battered Chicken or Blackened Chicken
  • Cajun Fried Shrimp
  • Fresh Fish Sandwich – Charcoal Grilled – Beer Battered – Blackened

FilmDayton Celebrates Films & Filmmakers

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FilmDayton LogoIt’s  the final day of the Eichelberger FiilmDayton Festival and the schedule includes workshops, shorts and feature films, just like it has all weekend.  Based at The Neon in downtown Dayton, hundreds of festival attendees are exposed to films made with local Dayton connection as well as ‘best of the fest” flicks from some of the countries biggest festival like  Tribeca and SXSW.  Here’s the lineup for today:

The Critics Perspective Workshop  Sunday, August 24 – 12PM – ThinkTV
What makes a great film? Filmmakers and critics Jeff Reichert and Farihah Zaman will navigate you through the complex world of film criticism. Reichert and Farihah’s documentary, This Time Next Year, will be shown Sunday evening

 

US Shorts Block   Sunday, August 24, 12:30-2:30 PM – The Neon

My Date With Adam
A wedding planner uses internet dating to find the perfect man—only to discover that he’s more than just perfect.

One Armed Man
A wealthy cotton gin executive is confronted by a disgruntled former employee demanding the return of an arm lost in the gin’s machinery, in Oscar-winning writer Horton Foote’s chilling drama, One Armed Man.

Sheltered love
In blissful 1950s suburbia, a lovestruck bobbysoxer and her no-good-nik boyfriend seek refuge from her overprotective
and hot-headed father.

Two Lines Of Vagary
Brad is forced to reevaluate his life when he finds himself caught up in a cocaine scam.

Personal Day
‘Personal Day’ is the story of two disgruntled office workers who, by complete coincidence, choose the same day to bring guns to work and ‘resign’.

Poured: a lesson in d.i.y
The official documentary profiling THE D.I.Y. skatepark underneath the I-471 Bridge in Newport, Kentucky

Auditioning for Actors workshop  Sunday, August 24 – 2PM – ThinkTV
presented by Shaunn Baker and Jason Kaufman
Are you an actor looking for great tips on how to get the attention of casting directors? Here’s your chance! Jason Kaufman and Shaunn Baker are here to help you through the auditioning process. Jason Kaufman holds an MFA from the Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University and the Moscow Art Theatre School. He has appeared in numerous stage productions and television shows. Most familiar include CSI-Miami, Without a Trace and many major soap operas. He is currently an assistant professor at Wright State University. Shaunn Baker is Managing Partner for WorldStage Media, an award winning media and entertainment Production Company located in Dayton, Ohio. He has produced hundreds of projects for businesses in the Dayton area and worked with FilmDayton to bring to life a pro-am community filmmaking project in 2013.

Stomping Ground–      Sunday, August 24 – 3:15PM – The Neon

Ben & Annie are a young couple on a weekend trip to Annie’s small North Carolina hometown. At the local bar they run into Paul, a charming old friend of Annie’s, and Ben learns something he never new about his girlfriend: She believes in Bigfoot. In fact, she and her friends used to ‘hunt’ for the creature when they were kids. Before Ben knows it, he’s off on an impromptu Squatchin’ trip deep in the Carolina backwoods. Amidst the Squatch calls, campfire stories and beers, Ben quickly realizes that Paul may have an ulterior motive in bringing Annie to the woods. And something else out here seems to be after her as well. Everyone but Ben thinks it’s Bigfoot. But it can’t be, can it? After all, Bigfoot isn’t real… Stomping Ground is a microbudget relationship dramedy/horror hybrid feature by television producer & first time feature director Dan Riesser.
Stick around for a Skype Q & A with the director

 

This Time Next Year   Sunday, August 24 – 5:30PM – The Neon

Directed by Jeff Reichert and Farihah Zaman (with additional photography by local filmmakers Julia Reichert and Steve Bognar), The documentary This Time Next Year tells the story of a community banding together to support each other after the devastation that Hurricane Sandy brought to Long Island Beach, New Jersey. Both directors will be present for a Q&A Award-for-Web-1-1after the screening

The final event of the sixth annual film festival is the presentation of the  Annual FilmDayton Awards , recognizing those who make our region a fantastic place for film. Created three years ago the awards are designed to honor those who demonstrated excellence in filmmaking, devote service to the filmmaking community and display creativity and innovation in their work. The community nominates local talent, and the board of FilmDayton makes the final selections.  Award winners are celebrated with a five minute film that highlights their contributions to the film community and introduced by their nominators.  The ceremony is held at The Neon, begins at 8pm and is free to attend.  All are invited to join FilmDayton as we celebrate and thank those who make our community strong.

 

JimKleinFilmmaker Award Winner: Jim Klein

An educator at Wright State, Jim has impacted the careers of countless  emerging filmmakers. His work has been recognized, collected and nominated by such agencies as he Library of Congress, the Academy Awards and the Emmys. Jim is also the co-founder of new Day Films which strives to deliver “dynamic, provocative storytelling to educational institutions…
ensuring access to a wide range of contemporary and classic films.”

 

McNealKey Award For Special Service to The Regional Film Community Winner:  Jonathan McNeal

For over a decade, Jonathan McNeal has managed The Neon Theater, but his true talent is as an award-winning filmmaker.  He graduated from Wright State University in 1996 from the motion picture production program.  His documentary short The Rubi Girls is a joyous, uplifting chronicle of the professional men behind the comedic, charity-driven, Dayton based drag troupe; Jonathan performs as IIeasa Plymouth.  The Rubi Girls premiered at the 2003 San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.  From there, the film went on to win Audience and Best of Festival at the Fire Island Film & Video Festival and the Out on Film Festival in Atlanta. He is the founder and programmer of the The Dayton LGBT Festival, now in its ninth year.   Jonathan is an ardent supporter of filmmaking and filmmakers in the Miami Valley. He offers his time and expertise on professional and student productions.  Jonathan volunteers his time to support FilmDayton, and has more than once been a presenter at their monthly Film Connections meetings. He has taught film production classes at both Stivers School for the Arts and Wright State University, inspiring the next generation of filmmakers.

 

BBQ, Blues & Bacon – Dayton’s Newest Festival

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pigfestCombine the area’s finest BBQ restaurants, then mix in the rage that is sweeping the nation, BACON! Add some blues bands, 30+ craft vendors, a kids zone with bounce houses, clowns, face painting and balloons and you’ve got Dayton’s newest festival PIGGFEST USA.  Debuting this Friday from 5-10pm and Sat 10am -9pm at the Dayton Expo Center, Dayton native Chad Mullins is “excited about bringing Pitmasters for all over the country together for some for some of the best BBQ ever.”

Ribs, Brisket, Pulled Pork, Chicken, Bacon from:

  • Company 7 BBQ
  • Rudys Smokehouse
  • Pigtails BBQ
  • The Tin Roof
  • Piggin N Grinnin
  • Fatbacks BBQ
  • Porkys Smokehouse
  • Boston’s Bistro and Pub
  • Brixx Ice Company
  • G’s Cue BBQ
  • Bob Evans
  • Off the Bone BBQ

also on hand Waffle World, Rhonda’s Homemade Candies, Ritter’s Frozen Custard and Amaizing Grace Kettle Corn

10394554_10202270745631831_2412244247669876088_nBANDS – Friday

BANDS – Saturday

 

Ticket Info

 

  • Adults $7
  • Kids 7-12 $5
  • 6 and under FREE
  • Ticket good all weekend with hand stamp

$2 off coupons available from the PigFest website.

DMM Ticket Giveaway:
We’ve got your hookup for BBQ & Blues, just like this post,  fill out the form below, and leave a comment on why you should win tickets and we’ll announce three winners of a pair of tickets Wed night!  [form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]

 

Cheers To Beer Week!

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_MG_7621The fifth annual Beer Week officially kicks off today with a parade through the Oregon District at 4:30pm.  I remember viewing the inaugural parade in 2010, standing in front of Blind Bob’s.  I think it lasted about 3 minutes and featured Thai 9’s Sweaty Betty, a flatbead truck and about 60 people.  Today’s parade, which starts at The Dublin Pub, promises  a kazoo ban from Blind Bob’s, Dayton Brew Tour’s Groove Machine handing out samples of MikeSells new Beer Can Chicken Potato Chips, a large contingent of owners from Fifth Street BrewPub and much more.  The parade will end at Thai 9 where the ceremonial opening of Beer Week begins with special cask tappings from Warped Wing Brewing Co. and Toxic Brew Co., plus numerous craft draught beers will be tapped beginning at 5 pm.  Mayor Nan Whaley will be tapping the first cask.

The popularity of Beer Week continues to grow and  there are over  80 events on our calendar from tap takeovers, tasting and beer dinners. Due to the ever changing nature of these events, please check with your favorite beer bar for late additions or changes. Also many bars will be featuring special pricing and glass giveaways all week long.  Check out the beer dinners that are scheduled, and please check with each business about availability and the need for reservations.

Beer Dinners:

8/17 -23

The Melting Pot– four courses perfectly paired with four craft beers

Monday, 8/18 –

Rue Dumaine – Mad Tree Brewing Tasting DinnerDBW-Logo-no-date

Tuesday, 8/19

Archer’s Tavern – New Holland Beer Dinner

Spinoza’s Summer Beer Dinner featuring Rhinegeist Brewing Co.

Meadowlark Beer Dinner

Wed, 8/20

Jay’s Seafood Toxic Brew Dinner

McCormick & Schmick’s Samuel Adams & Great Lakes Throw Down Dinner

Thurs, 8/21

Jay’s Seafood Toxic Brew Dinner

10514553_10152224993913295_1017374682595554103_nThe Grand Finale of Beer Week is the ultimate area beer tasting – AleFest, which takes place on Sat, Aug 23rd. As we hope you’ve heard by now, there are a few changes this year. First the location- moving north to Wegerzyn Gardens gives the event room to spread out and plenty of free parking.  Also they have added a VIP tasting with 500 tickets available offering beer enthusiasts the opportunity to enter at 1PM to mingle in a relaxed environment with brewery representatives and industry experts. VIP tickets are $50 and only available for purchase online here!    General admission tickets, $40 at the door or $35 in advance, include 20 tasting tickets, a commemorative glass, and program guide. Designated drivers will be admitted for $15 and will receive a commemorative tasting glass as well as complimentary soda and water. No one under 21 will be admitted.  


We just heard from the folks at AleFest that they could still use a few more volunteers to pour beer.  The shift is from noon – 5:30pm and you’ll get your very own AleFest T-shirt in exchange for your time.  Sign up here to get one of these coveted spots.

Cheers to Beer Week!  Feel free to add a comment below about where we’ll find you sipping a tall cold one!

Food Trucks Converge In Springfield Saturday

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Thirty-five food trucks from Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati as well as Kentucky and Indiana are set to compete in the Springfield Rotary Gourmet Food Truck Competition on Sat, Aug. 16 in Veteran’s Park from 11am – 9pm.

Dayton area trucks that are signed up  to compete include:

Go Cupcake, C’est Cheese, Harvest Mobile Cuisine, Hunger Paynes, McNasty’s, PA’s Pork and Zombie Dogz.

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The winner of the $10,000 grand prize for Best Food Truck Cuisine will be decided by a panel of local celebrity judges, which includes:

Smith, a restaurant owner for more than 35 years, enjoys seeing passionate chefs who focus on five or six specialty items to feed the public.

“I’ve seen the evolution of food and dining from access to ingredients, the Localvore movement, Food Network and star chefs,” Smith said. “I love the idea of food trucks and their ability to set up, feed people in parking lots, street corners and special events.”

In addition to the grand prize for Best Food Truck Cuisine, 12 anonymous judges will choose winners of Best Truck/Cart Design, Best Customer Service and Best Menu, all of which will be awarded $1,000.  Each truck receives a $500 stipend just for participating.

Running from 11 am to 9 pm, the competition will also host live entertainment featuring four local bands –

The Ark Band– from Columbus – play roots reggae, calypso and soca music10293678_646039412128088_63987504580949955_o1

Cowboy Hillbilly Hippy Folk  – who claim their style is “wandering and waving through the grass”

Omega Point – a Springfield band that plays festivals and nightclubs

The Temps – The nerdy, musical geniuses play upbeat renditions of dance cover music from the 80’s to today.

And of course their is a beer garden for those 21 and older. Admission to the event is free.  Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and if you bring pets, they must be on a leash. Veteran’s Park, where the event will take place, was formerly known as Cliff Park, is located on the edge of Wittenberg University campus at 250 Cliff Park Road.

The money raised from the competition’s numerous sponsors will go toward the Springfield Rotary Club’s charities – Services to People with Disabilities, Polio Plus (the worldwide eradication of Polio) and the International Project in Lesotho.

 

Drink Up Summer At AleFest ** Ticket Giveaway**

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alefestHome9_DAYTONThe 16th annual AleFest Dayton returns to the Miami Valley on Saturday, August 23, 2014 showcasing over 400 unique beers and ciders from more than 180 craft breweries around the world with a special focus on Dayton area breweries.

This year’s event offers exciting changes starting with new owners, Jennifer Dean and Amanda Pond, a new venue, Wegerzyn Gardens (1301 Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton, OH 45414) and a brand new VIP ticket option.  Up to 500 beer enthusiasts will have the opportunity to enter at 1PM to mingle in a relaxed environment with brewery representatives and industry experts. Special cask tappings like abby XXXX from  Toxic Brew Company will also be a part of the VIP experience.  VIP  tickets are $50 and only available for purchase online here!.

General admission tickets, which run $40 at the door or $35 in advance, include 20 tasting tickets, a commemorative glass, and program guide. Designated drivers will be admitted for $15 and will receive a commemorative tasting glass as well as complimentary soda and water. No one under 21 will be admitted.  All guests can  enjoy the  live music and a variety of food from some of the Miami Valley’s favorite local restaurants will be available for purchase.  A portion of the proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio.

 

AleFest Co-Owner Jennifer Dean shares, “We’re especially excited to be able to showcase so many of our local beers.”  The explosion of local breweries has added a plethora of new options for beer enthusiasts and here are the local beers you’ll  be able to taste:

The Dayton Beer Co. – Oregon Alley IPA, Broken Empire Russian Imperial IPA10514553_10152224993913295_1017374682595554103_n

Eudora Brewing Company – Summer Pilsner, Boomerang IPA, Oatmeal Stout, Blonde Ale

Fifth Street Brew Pub – Scottish 85, Jo’s Midnight Stout

Lucky Star Brewery – Wicked Mutha Milk Stout, We Eat Honey Wheat, Ojos Locos Pale Lager

Toxic Brew Company – Black Toni, Cap City Hustler, Porn or Pawn Pepper

Warped Wing Brewery – Ermal’s, Self Starter, Secret Hoperation,

Yellow Springs Brewery – Goats Eye Belgian Style Pale Ale, Smoking Handsome Brown Ale, Greeat Lakes Collaboration

Cellar Dweller – Copperhead APA, Look Out Dry Irish Stout

Rhinegeist – Truth IPA, Zen Pale Ale, Cougar Blond

And like those aren’t tempting enough, there will be selecitons for the following Regional Breweries: Mission, North Coast, Stone, Breckenridge, Great Divide, Left Hand, Boulder Beer Co., Dogfish Head, 5 Rabbit, Revolution, Two Brothers, Alltech, Jolly Pumpkin, Heavy Seas, Sixpoint, Fad Heads, Hoppin Frog, Hinterland, Madtree, Jackie O’s, Unibroue, Chouffe, La Trappe, St. Feullien, JW Lees, Greene King, Aecht Schlenkerla, Schneider, Weihenstephaner, Schneider, Riegele, Bards, Wyders, Original Sin, Virtue, Sonoma and many more!


6021303794171097364Tickets can be purchased at www.AleFest.com or at any of your favorite beer venues listed below:

5th Street Wine & Deli, A Taste of Wine, Archer’s Tavern, Arrow Wine Centerville, Arrow Wine Kettering, Bee Gee’s Market, Beer Barn, Belmont Party Supply, Blind Bob’s, Bottle No. 121, Brixx Ice Company, Bruning’s Wine Cellar, Buffalo Wild Wings Troy, Bunkers Bar, Cellar Dweller Brewery, Centerville Carry Out, Century Bar, Chappys Tap Room & Grille, Company 7 BBQ, Cuvée Wine Bar & Cellar, Dayton Beer Company, DLM Centerville, DLM Oakwood, DLM Springboro, Dublin Pub, Eudora Brewing Co., Fifth Street Brewpub Co-Op, FiftyWest, Flanagan’s Pub, Flyboys Deli, Hareless Hare, Jerardi’s Little Store, Jimmie’s Ladder 11, Jungle Jim’s (Cincinnati), Jungle Jim’s (Eastgate), King’s Table, Liquor & Wine Warehouse Miller Lane, Listermann’s Brewing Supply (Cincinnati), Lock 27 Brewing Company, Lucky’s Taproom & Eatery, MadTree Brewing, Manor Wine & Liquor, Miami Valley Wine & Spirits (Tipp City), Milanos Atlantic City Subs Beavercreek, Milanos Atlantic City Subs Brown St., Milanos Atlantic City Subs SR 741, Oregon Express, Piqua Beverage Center, Pour Haus, River’s Bend Wine & Spirits, Rivertown Brewery, Rhinegeist, Rumbleseat Wines, Slyder’s Tavern, South Park Tavern, Spinoza’s Pizza & Salads, Star City, Tank’s Bar & Grill, Thai9, The Market, The Pub at the Greene, Toxic Brew Company, Trolley Stop, Wine Works, Yellow Springs Brewery, and Warped Wing.

Special DMM Ticket Offer:  For our MostMetro.com readers we’ve got tickets to give away.  To be entered in our drawing, like and share this story, enter below and share a comment below on telling us about your favorite beer or  one you are looking forward to try! We’ll name our winners on Sunday! [form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]

 

 

Food Truck’s Finding Their Way Back Downtown

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rallyThe Yellow Cab Company is hosting their second monthly Food Truck Rally.  The first one, held on the second Friday in July had a great turnout with an estimated 1700 guests in attendance.

And according to organizer Brian Johnson, “it was a great event, but we learned some things and we’re adding more trucks, so the lines will be shorter and a 2nd beer truck as well.  We”ll be featuring  10 Ton Oatmeal Stout from Warped Wing, Toxic ‘s Toxic Fifth St. Wheat and Zoetic from Yellow Springs Brewery- we love the chance to promote locally owned businesses. ”   There will also be Red Hook Long Hammer IPA, Bud Light Lime, Yuengling, and Kona Big Wave Golden Ale on tap with Pinot Grigio and Cabernet Sauvignon available by the glass.    The craft beers will be $6.00,  the Red Hook and Bud will be $5, the other two domestics will be $4, the wine is $5, pop and water are $1.

 

He also shared that they’ll have more seating, but still encourages guests to bring blankets and lawn chairs  and enjoy picnic style.   Another addition is a children’s play  area,  with  games and activities and even a great photo opportunity to shoot a photo of your kids driving a child sized food truck!

Live music from Great Wide Open and Whiskey for Kids, with a dj between band sets will add1454906_1449182862024203_3464207988053488289_n to the festivities.  Food Trucks scheduled to attend include:   Cheeky Meat Pies, The Shakery, G’s Cue BBQ, Hunger Paynes, Voodoo Taco, McNasty’s, El Meson, Mohawk Freestyle Grill, Kowalski Hots, and Horseless Buggy Eatery.  In addition to the food trucks, they  will also have the Hair Bowtique, HouseMade Sirracha, Local Love Boutique, Ginniebug Creations selling desserts, and the Bright Fluff selling cotton candy.

And if you can’t make it this Friday, don’t worry, Yellow Cab will continue to host Food Truck Rallies on the 2nd Friday of each month through October, or maybe even November, weather permitting.

Luck Star Brewery Opens Friday

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luckystarAna & Glenn Perrine have been working for over a year on remodeling their 21,000 square foot building on 2nd Street in Miamisburg. The 170 year old building has been transformed into a taproom and Mexican style cantina.   Ana’s El Paso roots can be seen in the decor and on the menu of the Cantina.   Lucky Star Brewery & Cantina will be offering 5 beers to start  and guests will be able to order from an appetizer menu that includes beef, chicken and vegetarian tacos as well as a selection of dips and chips.  

Lucky Star will be opening up this Friday at 1pm with the ceremonial ribbon cutting at 3pm.

Glenn has a passion for IPA’s, big stouts and wheat beers and has been a home brewer for years.  He worked in a Colorado brewpub, where he picked up a passion for creating non-traditional brewing systems.  Lucky Star will have a 10 barrel brew system, which will the centerpiece of the tap room. By placing the brewing right in the middle of the room, guests will be able to smell the hops, and watch the process.lucky star equip

Just one block down from Star City Brewing, which opened last fall in the former Peerless Mill building , the opening of Lucky Star will create a brewery district in Miamisburg. Ana says, “we get along great with Brian and Justin, we’ve been over to their place and they’ve come over to visit us. There’s no doubt the two breweries will make Miamisburg more of a beer destination than just having one open.”   Lucky Star will be open 7 days a week, opening for lunch and staying open through the day, but hours may be adjusted once they’ve been open and find out what customers want, according to Ana.

Lucky Star will be the 10th brewery to open in the region and Carillon Brewing Co. is scheduled to open Aug 22nd.  Cheers to Dayton’s support of local beer!

 

Pints And Pin Ups For Pits Car Show & Fundraiser

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pp4p finalNatalie Phillips is a lady with a big heart that’s full of passion for the underdog.  Well in this case it’s more of a group of dogs – Bully Breeds: Bulldog Breeds, Pit Bull Breeds, Mastiff Breeds, and any mixes of the aforementioned. Natalie has spearheaded a benefit for  Miami Valley Pit Crew (MVPC),  a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that relies completely on donations.  It’s a network of  volunteer foster homes dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of abused, neglected, and misunderstood dogs and puppies. They educate owners and the public, on bully breeds and Breed Specific Legislation (BSL).

This Saturday, July 19th from 1pm – 10pm,  Boston’s Bistro and  Pub, located at 7500 N Main St, in Dayton,  will host Pints and Pin-ups For Pits.  Natalie describes this as “a huge event with 100% of proceeds going to MVPC. There will be a cruise in, live local music, pin ups, lots of raffles (including a Big Beers & Barley Wines basket), games, a kissing booth, vendors, food and to celebrate the end of Ohio Beer Week we will have all 17 taps with local/Ohio beer with a few special cask including Rhinegeist, who will be sending their first cask ever to this event.”

Talia Nicole

Talia Nicole

 

The Luscious Ladies are a Pin Up group, with chapters all over the United States. Models who specialize in everything vintage with a touch of class and sexiness.  These lovely ladies will be volunteering on  Saturday serving drinks, taking photos and making the place beautiful!

Steffen Evan Baldwin of Animal Cruelty Task-force of Ohio (ACT) will be doing a dog safety demo for kids at 3pm. Even if you don’t have your child with you, there will be a lot of information you can take home. ACT Ohio travels around the State educating children in an interactive way on dog safety, particularly around stray dogs, as well as helping them to understand in a child friendly way how dogs think and why they do what they do. In addition, your children will learn what the law requires companion animals to have every day (food, water, shelter), and why it’s so important for dogs. Children aged 4-7 are statistically most likely to be bitten by a dog and most bites are at home, and are preventable with a little bit of education! Former MVP Chesty Puller will be the demo dog!

Natalie and one of her beloved pupsWe asked Natalie about how she got involved with Pit Rescue?

NP: My friend was driving behind a car on Stewart St, when all of a sudden the door opens (while driving) and they threw a dog out of the moving vehicle.  The dog was a Mastiff breed and got pretty messed up.  He called around and no one would help him help the dog… until he stumbled upon Miami Valley Pit Crew (MVPC). They not only took her in, they vetted her and fostered her until she found her forever home. That left a big impact on me. I have always been an advocate for the bully breed. But, I’m not making a difference if I’m yelling at a wall or ranting on Facebook. So, I wanted to get involved. I contacted MVPC had my home visit and became a foster, and always will be…

Wyatt

Wyatt

Can you tell us about fostering these dogs?

NP: My 4th foster, Wyatt came to me at 9 weeks old with ringworm on his tail.. Because of the fungus he was on the “to be destroyed” list.  I took him in, kept him separated and sprayed an anti-fungal medicine on his tail and in a week he was just fine! Wyatt is now almost a year old and he was a foster failure.. We connected and I knew that he was already home. I know I can’t fall in love with every dog that comes through, but Wyatt was different.

What I respect the most from MVPC is that there is a strict process that every potential adopter has to go through to ensure the dog will have a great life. This makes it easier for me to love and let go when fosters come through my house. I have no doubt they are going to a fantastic home.  Every dog adopted from MVPC is spay/neutered, micro chipped, completely vetted (all vaccines) and heartworm tested.

The MVPC evaluates each rescue request to determine the dogs re-homing probability. We want to ensure each dog we take in can be rehabilitated into a family member. We work hard locally to educate bully breed owners and speak out against Breed Specific Legislation.

How big is the need for Pit Rescue in Dayton?

NP: Bully breeds, the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, are the most misunderstood, abused and euthanized dogs across the nation. They battle discrimination on a daily basis whether it is misinformed minds of society to breed specific legislation. High Kill shelters only allow only a certain number of bully breeds on the adoption floor… all others are killed. Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes average about 33% of shelter intakes nationally, but in large cities the numbers are as high as 40%-65%. About 75% of shelters euthanize Pit Bulls immediately upon intake.(stats thanks to Examiner.com) Even if they do make it to the adoption floor, they are the first to be euthanized when they get overcrowded. It’s sad that this stigma plagues the breed because they are loving, loyal, fun, very smart and want to learn. Education and responsibility is important with any breed of dog. Blame needs to start being put at the other end of the leash.

mvpc logo

If you can’t attend Saturday’s event you can still make a difference.  You can make donations, share photo’s of  adoptables on social media or foster! Check out the adoptables:www.mvpc.petfinder.com.   MVPC always need more fosters. You can find foster/adoption applications, or make a donation at www.miamivalleypitcrew.com

 

 

 

DMM’s Summer of Fun – Freebie Friday’s

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dmmFriFreebieAt DaytonMostMetro we love sharing all the cool things there are to do in the Miami Valley with all of you. Summer is a great time to explore our region and we want you to be able to explore and experience things you’ve never down here in your own backyard.

Right now there are over 3500 events listed in our calendar. Scanning the listing for things to do in June, July and August there are 380 Theater listings,  over 50 Festivals, 340 music related suggestions and more than 250 totally free events!  Now we know that sometimes your wallet dictates your options,  so we at MostMetro.com are committed to make it a summer of fun for more folks, by having a giveaway every Friday this summer!

We’re totally open for suggestions, too. In the comments below please give us some ideas of  local things you’d like to do for your summer of fun, and we’ll do our best to make it happen!  If you’ve got a giveaway you’d like featured, please send us an email.

We’ll kick it off our Summer of Fun promotion today by giving away a couple of pairs of tickets to Play it By Heart, a new musical by The Human Race 13375496386116959245Theatre Company that opens next Friday night and runs for four weeks at The Loft Theatre downtown.  Winners will be able to work with the box office to pick the show that works best for them, based on availability.  But you’ve got to enter to win, so read about the show and then fill out the form at the bottom of the post to have a chance to win!

10 ?’s with Kathi Kizirnis of Practice Yoga

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New-Practice-Yoga-Logo-header-test-e1317304774434Practice Yoga is a vibrant, friendly community of yogis of all shapes, sizes and ages dedicated to health, wellness and transformation through powerful and proven yogic practices. 

Located at 504 E. 5th St. in the Oregon District,  they just celebrated their 6th birthday!  As part of their celebration they are offering a Summer Pass: Two months of unlimited classes for $150 (you save $26) AND a sweet PY tank top! Buy anytime through June8; your pass activates on first visit.

This seemed like a good time to get to know owner Kathi Kizirnis, so we asked her to do a MostMetro.com 10 ? interview!  And she did!  Meet Kathy:

Growing up, what did you want to do for a living? Kathi Kizimis
I wanted to be a doctor: brain surgeon, no less! Now I study ‘rewiring’ the brain in much different ways…

 

How did you get into yoga?
I started with prenatal yoga, hoping to relieve aches and pains. It was a crappy VHS tape with a fairly well-known teacher named Alan Finger. It worked!
For someone who’s never tried yoga- why should they?
Oh, my. How much space do you have? The physical and mental benefits are well-documented: strength, flexibility, balance, improved stress response, immune function, etc. What’s not so obvious is the “hidden” practice … the changes in perspective, in behavior and, if you’re paying enough attention, biomechanics (how you sit, stand and move) that come with self-study. For me it’s about observation: If you find a new sense of wonder in how the body works, how your mind works, how they work together and how you interact with the world, that’s invaluable, whether or not you ever master headstand or the splits. Self-care and self-study are the real rewards.
 
Six years in,  what advice do you wish someone had given you before you started your business?
Worry less and work more. Other than that, nothing, because every business is unique — especially small businesses — and there are few, if any, “magic bullets” that work for all.

 

9bebb502-374a-4133-a33d-ca1639f9c668What’s the most rewarding part of owning Practice Yoga?
Our amazing community. Having a space in which to meet and connect with a wide variety of people in a super-relaxed and casual environment. The “Third Space,” or home away from home. Priceless.
The most frustrating?
The nuts and bolts of running and building business on a small budget. Also, it’s difficult to provide services for those who can’t afford studio classes. Yoga is and should be for everyone, but the reality is that quality continuing education is expensive, and teachers need to be paid what they’re worth. Plus, we’ve gotta keep the lights on. I’m working on expanding our community-outreach programs, though, to provide classes for underserved and in-need populations, including veterans, the mentally challenged and kids with attention disorders/behavioral problems.
What would you tell others about owning a business in downtown?  
I wouldn’t do this anywhere else. The ‘burbs might be more lucrative, but the people who live, work and venture downtown bring a special spirit to the studio, and want to support other downtown businesses. There’s a palpable sense of community and optimism, a kind of pioneering spirit. People talk to each other. And we’ve never had safety issues.

 

What do you do when you play hooky from work? 558284_10151704564432426_627487088_n
Um, yoga 🙂 And housework, and hang out with my husband, kids, cats and rabbit (none of whom practice yoga).
If you weren’t in the Yoga business, what would you be doing for a living?
Writing and editing, or physical therapy.
 
What 3 places in the Dayton Region should visitors not miss?
Roost Modern Italian in the Oregon District; any of the MetroParks; Second Street Market; Neon Movies (I’m not great with numbers).

Father & Son Launch Artisan Smoked Salmon Business

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M&M copyMartin Davis Jr. and his son Martin Davis III weren’t always smoked salmon experts.  In fact , Martin Jur. holds a PhD in computer science.  Martin III is a LEED certified professional, trained in architectural engineering.  Both men have spent the past few years consulting in the computer and web development industries.  So how do two detail oriented, tech-professionals decide to launch a business in the food industry?  As with many entrepreneurs, they’d come to that point in their lives where they felt the need to find their passion.

Martin Jr. had reached that point in a man’s career where he might choose to spend time rocking on his back porch or
launch into a second career. One evening, he and his son were discussing his next move and Martin III asked the big-daddy
question: “Dad, what makes you truly happy?” Because isn’t that what we all really want?
For this father and son team, memories of family trips to Alaska, fishing trips and of back-yard smoking of the river’s bounty
answered the question for both men. Martin Jr. had been smoking salmon for nearly 20 years on the family’s back porch.
He loved tinkering with the level of salt and sweetness in the brine and experimenting with the material to produce just the images-3
right flavor in the smoke. Friends and family raved about the final product and he frequently heard the words, “you could sell that!”

Martin III had spent time working as engineering tech for the National Park Service in Alaska. While there, he met men who studied the spawning patterns of Sockeye salmon and became enthralled with the attention the state gave to sustainability  of the species. Martin III still makes annual trips to the 49th state to fish the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers.  Although life led father and son toward technical careers, it was a tenacious Alaskan fish that truly held their heart.

Perfecting the Martin x Martin Original Smoked Sockeye Salmon recipe took 20 years. They weren’t in a hurry.
“Production volume is for the big, sterile commercial facilities,” says Martin Jr.  What’s important to them is the creation of a quality product that reflects their love of wild Sockeye Salmon and the integrity of their family name. Their goal is to produce a delicious smoked salmon for folks throughout the country who appreciate artisan quality.

 10410513_750906698274829_4468535683259220235_n
 Martin x Martin Smokery brines their salmon in a carefully managed, all natural mixture that has a much lower salt content than most of the similar commercially available products. This allows them to produce a product that features the taste of the delicious salmon itself, without its being overpowered by the brine. Their recipe makes a more versatile product and is a healthier alternative to most of the commercial competitors.  “Smoked Salmon has long been a “special feature” on holiday and special event tables,” says Martin Davis Jr., patriarch and recipe developer of the family duo. “We believe our unique low-salt, hot-smoked recipe has the potential to elevate smoked salmon from the occasional buffet to the every day.”
I had a chance to personally meet these guys and try their salmon when they participated in Fleurs et Vin last month, where they were a huge hit!  Martin x Martin Artisan Smoked Sockeye Salmon’s original recipe is now available for sale to the public and at wholesale pricing to those in the food service industry via their online storefront at www.martinsmokery.com.  For additional information about Martin x Martin Artisan smoked Salmon, contact Martin x Martin Smokery at 937-234-7281 or at [email protected].

Cold Brew Now On Tap At Ghostlight Coffee

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10405543_10152571464673273_5267839714880458696_nThis morning South Park’s Ghostlight Coffee becomes the first Dayton beanery to put  cold-brew coffee on draft. A concept borrowed from the bar rooms, the tap injection of nitrous oxide that gives beer a smoother, creamier feel (as opposed to typical carbonation which adds fizz and bubbles) and apparently it does the same for coffee.

A growing trend, started in Seattle, Ghostlight  owner Shane Anderson shares he’s “the 2nd Ohio location to bring in a kegerator  to offer the  Cold Brew, which comes out like a Guinness.  It’s going to take a little time to get the brew exactly right, but we’re excited to introduce this concept. Down the road I’m looking forward to experimenting with ciders and more.”  In a town that’s welcomed the microbreweries with open arms, coffee from a tap just seems a natural! Just think about it, you can grab a growler of coffee for the morning and then a locally made IPA for an early evening treat.

Here’s a California coffee shops explanation of the process:

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