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Dayton Music

Dayton Battle of the Bands featuring Americana / Bluegrass / Folk

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Dayton Battle of the Bands 2025 continues with our COUNTRY / BLUEGRASS acts, featuring:

Emerald Alliance
Simon Fink Band
The Barnharts
The Wayward J’s

Not familiar with any of the bands participating? That’s the fun! This is a fantastic way to discover original, local music! Each ticket buyer gets one vote (in person).

The winner of this round earns a spot at the Dayton Battle of the Bands Finale, among other prizes!

Week 5 is held on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at The Brightside (905 E 3rd St, Dayton).

Doors open at 7pm (NOTE: due to equipment load in, we cannot let patrons in earlier than 7pm).

Show runs from 7:30pm – 10pm. Winner announced at 10:30pm

Please be prompt to see all the bands performing!

Tickets are $10 advance / $15 at the door.

Advance tickets are recommended.

Ticket link

Rose Announces Two Shows: Bonnie Raitt & Buddy Guy

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Bonnie Raitt is heading back out for her fourth year on tour just months after being recognized for her lifetime of artistic achievements as part of the Kennedy Center’s 47th Class of Honorees in Washington, DC last December. Raitt and her world-class band will headline theaters and amphitheaters around the country performing songs from her enduring catalog, including Rose Music Center at The Heights on Saturday, September 6.  Her tour has taken her across the U.S. and Canada with stops overseas in Australia, England, Ireland, Scotland and Europe since the release of her critically acclaimed, three-time GRAMMY Award-winning studio album, Just Like That… in 2022.

Raitt said, “I’m looking forward to having my longtime pal and one of my favorite artists, blues legend Jimmie Vaughan & The Tilt-A-Whirl Band be our special guests for the late Summer tour. We’ve shared many gigs and duets over the years but never as a ‘double trouble’ co-bill.  Bound to be some good blues rockin’ going on – can’t wait to hit the road together!” Vaughan agrees,“Thrilled to play some shows with my talented friend Bonnie Raitt and her band!  It’s been a long time coming!  Myself and The Tilt-A-Whirl Band are excited to be part of this great tour.”

Raitt earned her 31st GRAMMY nomination in December, Best American Roots Performance, for her contribution to the track “Nothing In Rambling,” a wonderful cover of Memphis Minnie’s song featuring Fabulous Thunderbirds founding member Kim Wilson, along with Bonnie, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal and Mick Fleetwood.  The track appears on the Fabulous Thunderbirds’ latest album, Struck Down, also nominated for the GRAMMY Award for Best Traditional Blues Album.

Eight-time GRAMMY® Award-winning blues legend Buddy Guy is giving fans another chance to experience his electrifying live show with the newly announcedDamn Right Encore Tour. Extending his historic farewell run into summer 2025, the tour will feature headline dates across the U.S., including a return to Rose Music Center at The Heights on Saturday, June 14 with support by special guest Eric Gales.

As one of the last living legends of the blues, Buddy Guy has inspired generations of musicians, from Jimi Hendrix to Eric Clapton and John Mayer. His Damn Right Farewell tour has been a celebration of his extraordinary career, and the newly added Damn Right Encore dates give even more fans the opportunity to witness a blues master at work.

Tickets for both of these shows will go on sale to the public beginning at 10AM on Friday, February 7 at Ticketmaster.comand the Rose Music Center Box Office.

 

 

Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms and Spin Doctors To Play the Rose

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Multi-platinum rock legends Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms have joined forces for an electrifying co-headlining summer tour. Currently headlining The 90s Cruise at sea, the bands behind iconic hits like “Run-Around” and “Hey Jealousy” have announced a 30-date tour set to kick off this July. The trek will bring their high-energy performances to amphitheaters and theater stages across the U.S., including Rose Music Center at The Heights on Saturday, July 12.

Blues Traveler — currently celebrating 30 years since the release of their GRAMMY® Award-winning breakthrough hit “Run-Around” — and Gin Blossoms will be joined on the tour by legendary alternative rock band Spin Doctors, best known for their chart-topping hit “Two Princes.”

Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning at 10AM on Friday, February 7 at Ticketmaster.com and the Rose Music Center Box Office.

John Popper of Blues Traveler shares, “Getting to play with dear old friends like Gin Blossoms and The Spin Doctors is one of the great benefits of a touring career that spans almost four decades now. These are exceptional players and performers, and they push us to play even harder. Everybody digs in and makes each other better. We are looking forward to a great year of music!”

“We can’t wait to rock this summer with our old friends Gin Blossoms and Spin Doctors,” Chan Kinchla of Blues Traveler adds. “It’s gonna be a great run, lots of hits, lots of jammin’ and I’m sure plenty of cross pollinating. We are looking forward to seeing everyone all around the country this summer!”

Robin Wilson of Gin Blossoms says, “We have a long and colorful history with Spin Doctors, and have crossed paths with Blues Traveler many times. A lot of people have great memories with these three bands. It will be a really fun summer.”

“Hitting the road with our friends Blues Traveler is going to be an absolute blast,” Jesse Valenzuela of Gin Blossoms continues. “These shows will be packed with great songs, good vibes, and the kind of summer nights you never forget.” Gin Blossoms’ Scott Johnson adds, “There’s nothing like the energy of a summer tour — great crowds, killer music, and the open road ahead.” We’re beyond excited to hit the stage with Blues Traveler.”

Spin Doctors’ guitarist Eric Schenkman shares, “We are absolutely stoked to hit the road this summer with our old pals and 90’s cohorts Gin Blossoms and Blues Traveler. It’s gonna be epic.”

ABOUT BLUES TRAVELER:

35 years ago, the four original members of Blues Traveler—John Popper, Chandler Kinchla, Brendan Hill, and the late Bobby Sheehan—gathered in their drummer’s parents’ basement in Princeton, NJ to jam. From these high school sessions emerged a band that would go on to release a total of 14 studio albums, four of which have gone gold, three platinum, and one six-times platinum- selling more than 10 million combined units worldwide. Over an illustrious career, Blues Traveler has played over 2,000 live shows in front of more than 30 million people, and, in “Run-Around,” had the longest-charting radio single in Billboard history, which earned them a GRAMMY® for “Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.” In 2021 Blues Traveler released the GRAMMY®-nominated Traveler’s Blues (Round Hill Records), a collection of reimagined and recharged classics from the American blues songbook, and the group’s first official blues album. The second release in this series, 2023’s Traveler’s Soul, takes a similar approach- consisting of cover songs from a specific genre, this time classic R&B and Soul.

ABOUT GIN BLOSSOMS:

Gin Blossoms is an American alternative rock band formed in 1987 in Tempe, Arizona. The band rose to prominence following the 1992 release of their first major label debut album, New Miserable Experience, and the first single released from that album, “Hey Jealousy” became a Top 25 hit and went gold. New Miserable Experience eventually went quadruple platinum and three other charting singles were released from the album including “Allison Road” and “Until I Fall Away.” The band’s follow-up album, Congratulations I’m Sorry (1996), went platinum including the GRAMMY-nominated “As Long as It Matters” and the Top 10 single “Follow You Down.” Gin Blossoms continue to tour every year and in recent years have shared the stage with Collective Soul, Barenaked Ladies and Hootie & The Blowfish.

ABOUT SPIN DOCTORS:

Best known for their multi-platinum album Pocket Full of Kryptonite, which sold 10 million albums worldwide and featured hits like the GRAMMY®-nominated “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong,” the Spin Doctors are a defining band of the ‘90s alt-rock scene. With their infectious hooks, bluesy grooves, and high-energy live shows, the band continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Led by original members Chris Barron (vocals), Eric Schenkman (guitar), Jack Daley (bass), and Aaron Comess (drums), Spin Doctors remain a force in rock music, blending funk, blues, and pop into their unmistakable sound. The band will release their first album in 12 years Face Full of Cake on April 11 via Capitol Records.

Dayton Battle of the Bands – Week 4 featuring Hard Rock / Metal / Punk

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Dayton Battle of the Bands 2025 continues with our HARD ROCK / METAL / PUNK bands, featuring:

Crossing the Rubicon
Electrified Melons
heavyhead
sheller
Southbound Beretta

Not familiar with any of the bands participating? That’s the fun! This is a fantastic way to discover original, local music! Each ticket buyer gets one vote (in person).

The winner of this round earns a spot at the Dayton Battle of the Bands Finale, among other prizes!

Week 4 is held on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at The Brightside (905 E 3rd St, Dayton).

Doors open at 7pm (NOTE: due to equipment load in, we cannot let patrons in earlier than 7pm).

Show runs from 7:30pm – 10pm. Winner announced at 10:30pm

Please be prompt to see all the bands performing!

Tickets are $10 advance / $15 at the door.

Advance tickets are recommended.

Jazz Jam at Wholly Grounds

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Join us for a fun night of jazz at Wholly Grounds, Feb 2, 7pm-9pm. We excited to be featuring vibraphonist, Josh Strange in a special set before the jazz jam. The event will be hosted by vocalist, Kelli Campbell and rhythm section, Moses Mabarak on keys, Connor Smith on bass and Noah Ramirez on drums. Tell a friend, bring a friend!

Rich Reuter and Nicholas Johnson at Oregon Express

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Dayton musician Rich Reuter will be joined by Cincinnati singer-songwriter Nicholas Johnson for an evening of music at Oregon Express. Rich will be doing a solo set and then backing up Nick on a set of his tunes. Great pizza and a selection of drinks are always available at the OE. No cover so you can spend your money on food, refreshments and merch.

The Fab Four – The Ultimate Beatles Tribute Return to Rose

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If you want to experience the best Beatles tribute ever, you won’t want to miss The Fab Four – The Ultimate Beatles Tribute when they return to Rose Music Center at The Heights on Friday, June 27. The 2025 tour brings their all-new show to the stage, celebrating The Beatles’ first visit to the USA, with performances from the Ed Sullivan show and the Meet The Beatles album played in its entirety with a few greatest hits from every era.  Hear your favorites including “I Want To Hold Your Hand”, ”I Saw Her Standing There”, ”All My Loving”, and so many more!

The Emmy Award-Winning Fab Four is elevated far above every other Beatles Tribute due to their precise attention to detail. With uncanny, note-for-note live renditions of Beatles’ classics such as “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Yesterday,” “A Day In The Life,” “Twist And Shout,” “Here Comes The Sun,” and “Hey Jude”, the Fab Four will make you think you are watching the real thing.

Their incredible stage performances include three costume changes representing every era of the Beatles ever-changing career, and this loving tribute to the Beatles has amazed audiences in countries around the world, including Japan, Australia, France, Hong Kong, The United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico and Brazil.

Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning at 10AM on Friday, January 31 at Ticketmaster.com and the Rose Music Center Box Office.

Reserved Seating: $54.50* – $34.50*

The Rose Music Center box office will be open on Friday, January 31 from 10am – 3pm for The Fab Four on sale.

While supplies last. Ticket prices include parking and are subject to price increase based on demand and applicable Ticketmaster fees. All events are rain or shine.

Totally Tubular 80’s New Wave Festival Coming to The Rose

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Following last year’s successful run, the 80’s New Wave tour TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL announces its return this summer and features artists that exploded in the pop culture zeitgeist in the 1980’s thanks mainly to the high rotation of their music videos on MTV. These artists have enjoyed a steady rise in popularity in recent years, with their music having a lasting impact. Tour creator and JPA agency founder Jon Pleeter calls the TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL “the best ‘80s party on the planet. The audiences last year fully embraced the spirit of the tour and were wildly enthusiastic. The party continues this summer.”

TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL will expand into new cities, including Huber Heights, OH for a performance at Rose Music Center on July 22, and will keep its popular compact set times highlighting each artist’s major hits.  The lineup is RIGHT SAID FRED, MEN WITHOUT HATS, HAIRCUT 100, THE TUBES, THE MOTELS, ANIMOTION, THE ESCAPE CLUB, and MUSICAL YOUTH.  Men Without Hats and The Tubes return to the tour this year while some artists, such as show closer Right Said Fred, have not toured the U.S. since the early 90’s. The tour will also offer an expanded merchandise line at shows and online, including limited edition/collector’s items.

Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning at 10AM on Friday, January 31 at Ticketmaster.com and the Rose Music Center Box Office.

A portion of proceeds from ticket sales will go towards food banks locally in each market.

 

 

Dayton Battle of the Bands – HIP-HOP / R&B acts

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Not familiar with any of the bands participating? That’s the fun! This is a fantastic way to discover original, local music! Each ticket buyer gets one vote (in person).
The winner of this round earns a spot at the Dayton Battle of the Bands Finale, among other prizes!
Week 3 is held on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at The Brightside (905 E 3rd St, Dayton).
Doors open at 7pm (NOTE: due to equipment load in, we cannot let patrons in earlier than 7pm).
Show runs from 7:30pm – 10pm. Winner announced at 10:30pm
Please be prompt to see all the bands performing!
Tickets are $10 advance / $15 at the door.
Advance tickets are recommended.
Ticket sales are used to cover production costs and prizes. Thanks for contributing!

Timely ‘Avenue Q’ lights up Dayton Playhouse!

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The best part of any job is getting to meet new people! I was so excited to get to learn about the director of Avenue Q at DPH, Ray Gambrel.

937: Thank you for taking time to tell us about a musical we all know, love and BOY is it timely! But first….let’s hear about you! I know we would all love to know a little bit about your theater life!

RG: Thank you for this opportunity! Actually, in Jr. High I saw our High School production of, Annie Get Your Gun. I loved it! I rushed to the library and got the original Broadway cast recording on vinyl and listened to it over and over. I was hooked! I went to Sinclair Community College and studied Theater-Performance. I quickly realized that acting may not be the best fit for me, so I took a Directing class taught by Marsha Hanna. She became my idol. I had the wonderful opportunity to help stage manage a production at Sinclair, and I really got to see her work. She really became my inspiration and I think about her every time that I direct. I then got involved with, at the time, Playhouse South (now Springboro Community Theatre), both, as an actor, and as a director.

937: I love Annie get Your Gun…hokey as it is. And actually Marsha inspired MANY of us! How did you make the DPH connection?

RG:I got involved with Dayton Playhouse years ago through FutureFest (as a director). FutureFest is such a wonderful theater experience, and have been lucky enough to direct several shows for the event. My first production for Dayton Playhouse outside of the Fest was last year’s play, The One Act Play That Goes Wrong. It was a great experience.
937: FutureFest is a treasure! So, why Avenue Q?
RG: First of all, I grew up, like many others, watching Sesame Street and The Muppet Show (as well as the movies). I’ve also always been fascinated by puppets. How they seem to just come to life. I used to direct little puppet shows for my friends and family. God love them for putting up with some of that. Avenue Q just had that great puppet aspect, with wonderfully catchy songs. And the story is hilarious, with a bit of heart. The “adult material” aspect also caught my eye.
937: It is such a ‘hoot!’ So, with this production, what can the audience expect?
RG: First, you will see a wonderful set, designed by Sean Mayo that looks like a rundown version of Sesame Street. That gives you a hint of what you could be in for. There are many puppets among a cast of 3 humans, so you’ve got a bit of fun stuff going on with that. Our Music Director, Lori Topping, is amazing and has truly added so much to this production. The band that she has brought together sounds phenomenal Just the best. And then you throw in the adult humor (that may shock you and make you blush for laughing at it). I wouldn’t recommend to those that are easily offended. This is for an adult audience.
937: A little insight Ray, most of my readers are not easily offended! HA HA!! And with that said, what a timely musical! Do you feel people are in need of more of this kind of comedy?
RG: Yes. We definitely need this kind of show to laugh at, and also to make us think. Especially in a time where there are many people that are upset and scared with everything going on in this country, and the world. It’s not the best of times, but this show can help you take a moment and relax. You’ll laugh a lot, maybe even shed a tear or two. Underneath all of the adult, sometimes crude humor, this is a show with heart.
937: And, what are you hoping the audience walks away with after the show?
RG: I hope that audiences walk out of the theater feeling not only happy, and that they had a great time, but that they also have more hope. That maybe there is a chance that with all of our differences, we can still come together as a community and support each other. I know that’s what I hope for. I I think that it’s there in this show.
937: Love that! And so, so hopeful that we can find common ground in this world. Any last thoughts for us Ray?
RG:  The entire cast and crew have worked so hard on this production. Many cast members spent hours helping to build and paint the set. Many of the actors came up with some wonderful ideas that really added to the show. One cast member, Emily Christine, even stepped up and choreographed many of the numbers (which is awesome by the way). The cast, like many shows, really pulled together and became a family. They truly care about this show, and each other. And I do believe that you will see all of this come through in their performances.
937: Thank you so much, again. I know, I know folks, cue jingle…. ‘Can You Tell Me How to Get, How to Get to Avenue Q?’ Details Below. Break a leg DPH….wait do puppets have legs?
Avenue Q (R)
Friday and Saturday Shows at 8pm, Sundays 2pm.

Jazz Night with George Balog

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Join The Barrel House  for an evening of great drinks and even better music, while Dayton’s king of cool, George Balog takes us on an all-vinyl jazz journey. He’s spinning 7-11pm, no cover charge. Just vibes.

The String Cheese Incident Coming to the Rose in May

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The String Cheese Incident has announced a new run of tour dates for 2025. Joined by special guest The Wood Brothers, the tour includes a stop in Huber Heights, OH for a performance at Rose Music Center on Sunday, May 18.

The past three decades have written a story packed full of surreal experiences, epic moments, groundbreaking involvement and huge accomplishments. The String Cheese Incident has been recognized for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, for their community spirit, philanthropic endeavors, and for their innovative approach to the business of music.

When The String Cheese Incident’s growth first started gaining momentum in the 1990s, as the Internet was just beginning to take hold and the major-label business model was failing, the band decided to make music on their own terms.

Since then, The String Cheese Incident has gone on to carve out a completely unique approach to the business of music; they are truly pioneers of a new way of “making a band.” With the Internet as their tool, SCI was among the first artists to disseminate information online, such as tour dates, release information, and other news, to their growing fan base. Rather than doing business on such terms as “the bottom line,” SCI put their music and their fans first, opening companies of their own, including a ticketing company, a merchandise company and a fan travel agency, to best serve their community. The band’s record label, SCI Fidelity Records, has always operated under the same ideals. Even early on, SCI Fidelity embraced downloadable music and file sharing, delivering SCI’s “On The Road” series, where every show the band plays is made available for download on the Internet. Whether they realized it at the time or not, The String Cheese Incident was inventing grassroots band development. Today, literally hundreds of bands are using some version of this same approach to build their brand.

The String Cheese Incident’s commitment goes well beyond their immediate community, and even beyond the music community as a whole. Early on, the band took a serious interest in giving back to the communities that they visited, and they were among the first performers to encourage “Green” shows and tours. SCI’s support has helped give rise to such not-for-profit organizations as Conscious Alliance and HeadCount. All the while, The String Cheese Incident has stayed committed to music as a creative endeavor, not just in their recordings but also in their live performances. The list of SCI’s special guests and collaborators is long and diverse. Their annual events such as Electric Forest and Hulaween, and holiday shows such as New Year’s Eve, have helped redefine the concert experience and have garnered the band a reputation as live music vibe innovators.

Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning at 10AM on Friday, January 24 at Ticketmaster.com and the Rose Music Center Box Office.

Dayton Battle of the Bands – Singer-Songwriters

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Dayton Battle of the Bands 2024 continues with our SINGER-SONGWRITER acts, featuring:
Anna Marie
Celestial Howard
Jayla Leland
Kevin Dozier
Midwestern Mrs
Not familiar with any of the bands participating? That’s the fun! This is a fantastic way to discover original, local music! Each ticket buyer gets one vote (in person).
The winner of this round earns a spot at the Dayton Battle of the Bands Finale, among other prizes!
Week 2 is held on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at The Brightside (905 E 3rd St, Dayton).
Doors open at 7pm (NOTE: due to equipment load in, we cannot let patrons in earlier than 7pm).
Show runs from 7:30pm – 10pm. Winner announced at 10:30pm
Please be prompt to see all the bands performing!
Tickets are $10 advance / $15 at the door.
Advance tickets are recommended.

The Mark Lomax Quartet performs A Love Supreme

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The Mark Lomax Quartet will perform a set of original compositions inspired by John Coltrane and the John Coltrane composition, A Love Supreme.

Lomax is the rare drummer who leaves you wanting more, leading his bandmates through a strikingly terse, brilliantly counterintuitive and ultimately joyous series of explorations.

Dr. Mark Lomax, II, is a critically acclaimed composer, recording artist, drummer, activist, and educator. In one of the timeliest and unprecedented pieces of work of our history, Lomax released 400: An Afrikan Epic in January 2019. This magnum opus consists of a 12 album cycle, a curriculum, and a documentary that ambitiously tells the story of the Afrikan diaspora. Divided into thirds, the Epic explores thousands of years of the history that is pre-colonial Afrika, the Ma’afa (400 years between 1619 and 2019), and Afro-futurism expressing a vision of what Blacks in America will heal toward in the next 400 years.
A highly sought-after lecturer, Lomax specializes in the socio-political, and spiritual aspects of African-American art music, race, and using the arts to build community.

Dayton Battle of the Bands kicks off at The Brightside!

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The 5th annual Dayton Battle of the Bands kicks off on January 16, 2025 at The Brightside Music & Event Venue. This exciting music series, presented by the venue along with Venus Child Productions and Sound Valley, highlights up-and-coming original bands across a variety of genres.

The series runs for 6 weeks, every Thursday from January 16, 2025 through February 27th (skipping Feb 20th for sold out Kim Deal concert). The winner of each week moves onto the Finale, held in the Brightside’s Ballroom on Sat, March 8th.

The playoffs result from a 50/50 mix of audience and judges’ votes. Every attendee receives a ballot upon entry and utilizes ranked-choice voting to select their top three favorite bands. Each week, music industry insiders and special guests serve as judges, with their votes carrying greater influence.

“Despite the ‘battle’ name, this series has been such a fun way to discover so much of the creative talent brewing in Dayton,” organizer Libby Ballengee shared with us. “Maybe you’ll find your new favorite band!”

The participating bands get professional photos to add to their press kit and the chance to audition for bookers from around the city including Levitt Pavilion, Blind Bob’s, Oregon Express, and more! This year, Dayton Battle of the Bands is partnering with Concert Archives to offer bands consolidated feedback from judges.

Photo by Jordan Lynn Freshour

For the Finalists who perform in the Finale, they all receive a video of one of their songs performed live, which is provided by Sound Valley. This is such an awesome asset for the band’s press kit. They also receive cash prize, free pizza for rehearsals from Dayton Pizza Factory, among other perks.

For the grand prize winner – they get all above plus an EP recording session with Dayton Sound Studios, a spot on Levitt Pavilion Dayton’s summer schedule, free t-shirts from Little Monster Printing, and $1000.

Past winners include: The Katawicks, Bohemian Funk, crabswithoutlegs, and Freakquency.

More details about Dayton Battle of the Bands can be found at their website: daytonbattleofthebands.com

HOW TO GO:

The Brightside Music & Event Venue (905 E 3rd St. Dayton, OH)

  • Jan 16 – Week 1 – Alternative / Rock
  • Jan 23 – Week 2 – Singer-Songwriters
  • Jan 30 – Week 3 – Hip Hop / Rap / R&B
  • Feb 6 – Week 4 – Hard Rock / Metal / Punk
  • Feb 13 – Week 5 – Americana / Bluegrass / Folk
  • Feb 27 – Week 6 – Funk / Jam / Reggae / Ska
  • March 8 – Finale featuring the winners from each week

7pm doors open / Music 7:30pm – 10pm

All ages

$10 advance, $15 at the door

Tickets & information available at
https://www.daytonbattleofthebands.com
Or https://www.thebrightsidedayton.com/

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. ‘”