Dayton937

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

The Featured Articles

“Pina” A must see film for lovers of dance and film!

By Leave a Comment

It is not very often that I get to write about dance presented in a different medium. But a film like Pina is an exception worthy of all of the attention and buzz. This incredible documentary is of the works of Pina Bausch, one the most stunningly original artistic voices of our lifetime. Ms. Bausch agreed to work with the brilliant film director Wim Wenders, who was inspired to create the film after seeing a performance of her company Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch. Filmed in 3-D and 2-D, this is a dazzling treat no matter the cinematic format. In the film, you will get the opportunity to see her work as presented on the stage and also re-staged for non traditional spaces, including the outdoors. The visceral nature of her work was ripe for this cinematic love poem. Her singular vision is something to behold. Do not be surprised if you encounter all of the dancers from our community in the audience. They are delirious with excitement to experience this film. I can think of no better endorsement.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNuQVS7q7-A’]

To learn more about the company and Pina Bausch go to:

http://www.pina-bausch.de/en/index.php

Pina is currently in the running for a Best Documentary Oscar at the 84th Annual Academy Awards being presented this Sunday. And honestly when can you say you have seen one of the oscar nominated films in this category?

PINA opens Feb. 24 at the Neon Movies and showtimes are below:
Fri, Sat, Sun (Feb 24-26)
2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30

On Becoming a Bad Ass

By Leave a Comment

Kristen Wicker and Amelia Robinson spar at Drake's Downtown Gym to prepare for Dayton Knockout.

Kristen Wicker and Amelia Robinson spar at Drake's Downtown Gym to prepare for Dayton Knockout. PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM GREENE.

“Girl, the jig is up,” my best friend is telling me on the phone as I’m freaking out about my recent discovery that I am not, after all, a born fighter. “Your shit is totally exposed.”

She’s right, and I know it. I rappelled off a 27-story office tower. In the bazaars of Cairo, Egypt, I’ve nonchalantly weaved through cow carcasses hanging from their hooves and dripping blood. I’ve chased a group of punk kids in my former inner city hood. I have a bunch of big tattoos and own three genuine leather jackets. I’ve hiked through the Grand Canyon on trails forged by mountain goats and swam with sharks and barracuda in the Red Sea. (OK, I admit that last one was by accident, but it still didn’t faze me.) I will walk right up to a sketchy-looking somebody hanging out downtown and tell him to move it right along.

But my bad ass credentials have never before been tested as they have in the past three months as I’ve trained to box some of my best friends as part of Dayton Knockout.

I signed up for this charity boxing event ― which will be held this Saturday, Feb. 25, at Memorial Hall ― to be part of something super cool, help a good cause, get in shape and maybe lose a few pounds. I’d been boxing at Drake’s Downtown Gym for nearly two years, and I’ve yet to encounter a workout that makes me feel like more of a bad ass than giving a punching bag a hefty one-two.

Immediately, it was on. My girlfriend and I started trash talking. And texting. And posting.

I hope your bucket list is wheelchair accessible.

They’re gonna find your torso in a corn maze.

I hope you enjoyed your smoothie because after I knock all your teeth out, you’ll only be able to digest soft foods.

I’m gonna snack on your kidney on a stick.

I hope you liked wearing head gear because soon it will be a permanent fashion accessory for you.

I hear they make software now that can help you re-learn how to walk.

Halfway through our training, I missed nearly two weeks of practice after some complications from what was supposed to be minor surgery. She sent me flowers ― a beautiful bouquet of roses, actually ― with a card reading, “Sickness will not protect you.”

Then we sparred for the first time. And she rattled my teeth as if they were shells in a wind chime.

Which took the muscle right out of my trash talking. Truth is, I’m not a bad ass. I’m just really good at pretending.

I even had my friend fooled.

“What do you mean, you’ve never fought before? I thought you said you were some kind of crazy, black-haired punk rocker in high school!”

“Those Barbies wouldn’t fight me,” I explained. “Their Aqua Net puff bangs would have gotten flattened.”

“Didn’t you fight your sister?” She was incredulous at this point.

“My sister is eight years younger than me. The worst thing I ever did was put peas in her peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”

***

Monster Truck Rally at Hara Arena.

Monster Truck Rally at Hara Arena. Bad ass grade: D

I did try to up my bad ass quotient after my first Saturday-practice skull crushing. I figured it would help me find my inner fighter.

A friend and I went to a monster truck rally at Hara Arena. I imagined it just like in the commercials: big ass trucks crushing cars and motor bikes daredeviling over piles of dirt. Whoopee! We picked out the perfect outfits, complete with cowboy boots and denim and plaid flannel and bandanas. I insisted we arrive early to have a cocktail at the Hara Pub and spotted an extra five bucks for VIP tickets so we could gain access to a pre-party and obtain a complimentary skull and crossbones flag.

Commercials can be misleading.

“We don’t open the bar for family events,” the woman scanning our tickets tartly replied at my dismay that the pub was closed. The VIP tickets must have stood for Very Ignorant Person, because everyone seemed to be enjoying the “perks” of said tickets. The skull and crossbones flags appeared to have come from one of those little plastic cups in a pizza parlor vending machine. The cars were already crushed, and there wasn’t a speck of dirt (unless you count the grime coating all that is Hara Arena). Some of the drivers couldn’t even get their trucks to spin in the donut competition. Some dude in an ostrich costume as raggedy as an old shag carpet came out and did a 10-minute skit that nearly made us peel our eyeballs out of our skulls.

The best part of the night was when a kid in the row behind us recognized Hell’s Bells two gongs into the song. “Your mother would be so proud,” sighed the woman with him.

We left at intermission. I think my bad-assery actually dropped in value that night.

Rock Star Wrestling

Rock Star Wrestling in Dayton. Bad ass grade: A

Then I took the grand opening of Rock Star Wrestling on East Third Street for a spin. Now, this was some bad ass I could get behind ― men in singlets and Captain America-esque costumes jumping on the ropes around the ring and tossing each other like salad. Hell, YES, that’s what I’m talking about! Complete with kids heckling the wrestlers from the front row!

I definitely ingested a nice womp of bad ass that night. Problem was, I drowned it in beer and Long Island Iced Teas and was left with only blurry pictures on my phone.

***

I have been humiliated by the realization I’m lacking in the bona fide bad ass department before.

The first time I went to a Gem City Roller Girls bout, I was convinced it should be me out there zipping around on skates, hunched into the breeze created by my own speed, elbowing and snarling and falling-but-getting-right-back-up. Oh, the girl power! The striped socks and black skirts and skulls! The clever yet sinister names!

Then I went to Skateworld of Vandalia with my rock star girlfriend. She’s trotted the globe playing searing guitar with bands and always has been much cooler than I am. It was the same in the skating rink.

Gem City Roller Girls. Bad ass grade: A+

Gem City Roller Girls. Bad ass grade: A+

My feet had not known a pair of roller skates since Members Only jackets were in style, you did the Hokey Pokey and Space Invaders was the game to beat. I decided I should warm up with a spin in the kids’ practice area.

At first, I figured the floor was warped in weird ways that were preventing me from getting my Pac Man Fever back. Then, I decided I was just too tired and sloppy from an exhausting week. Next, I concluded that I was just being sensible, as the place was jam-packed with little kids’ birthday parties. If a big girl like me fell on one of these 3-year-olds, that youngster could be smushed like a cupcake. Why risk it?

Finally, my friend ― skating backward and doing spins ― convinced me to make my way to the big kids rink. By then, I was too paranoid to let go of the side railing. As I clunked and slithered my way around the ring as if I were walking on an oil spill, I felt a poke in the small of my back.

I turned to find a little girl, probably five years old, her hair in pig tails. “Excuse me, miss,” she asked in her pip-squeak voice. “Can you move? You’re blocking my way.”

“No,” I said, the word falling from my mouth like a brick. I grabbed her hand and ― still desperately clutching the railing ― swung her around me.

I then proceeded to get the hell out of the rink and take off those damned skates as fast as I could. On our way out, my friend handed me a brochure about skating lessons. I shoved it in the bottom of my purse.

***

Twisted Wicker in the blue corner psyching herself up to bust some jaw.

Twisted Wicker in the blue corner psyching herself up to bust some jaw. PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM GREENE.

I haven’t given up on becoming a boxer as I did with becoming a Gem City Roller Derby Girl. I have been practicing my jab to the point where my knuckles are bruised. I’ve watched Rocky I, II and III, along with YouTube videos of real-life boxers, to observe in-the-ring moves. I’ve been listening incessantly to “We Are the Champions,” “Eye of the Tiger” and the song I chose to play as I make my way to the stage at Memorial Hall, “Mama Said Knock You Out.”

And I’ve been spending a lot of time envisioning myself as a fighter. Faking it. Which I know I can do. After all, these days, when I tell people I’m clinically shy (I am! Like turning a bowling ball in your stomach to talk to a stranger kind of shy!), they don’t believe me. They are totally faked out.

I realize now that becoming a bad ass is like aging: It’s less about the number of times you’ve toasted your birthday or the number of years you’ve been giddy about the arrival of spring. It’s just a a thought you create and control in the mechanics of your brain.

At least, that’s what I’m telling myself as I walk into that ring. I may be wearing a costume of sorts, but it’s genuine boxing garb, the same the pros wear. And I will be feeling like a genuine boxer ― and bad ass.

JAB!

Dayton Knockout benefits AIDS Resource Center Ohio and Dayton History. The event takes place at 8 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 25, at Memorial Hall. Doors open at 7 p.m. Buy advance tickets online or at Drake’s Downtown Gym, Ghostlight Coffee, Lucky’s Taproom & Eatery, Brixx Ice Co., Square One Salon, and the Dublin Pub. Food and drinks will be available, and an after party featuring live music by Funky G and the Groove Machine will be held in the Memorial Hall basement after the fights.

Click here to read J.T. Ryder’s article on the history of boxing in Dayton. Click here to listen to a radio story Amelia Robinson and I produced about the fight.

The Big Ragu and Crew, Rise & Shine at The Blueberry Cafe

By Leave a Comment

Mushroom Omelette and Toast

Do you know The Muffin Man?  He lives at The Blueberry Cafe !  We set out on a morning Food Adventure to check out this Bellbrook restaurant that has developed quite a loyal following, including some of our friends.  Nestled into a row of shops, not far from State Route 725 and main street lies this popular eatery.  What keeps people coming back?  The quaintness, the menu, and the Muffin Man!  Packed with personality, The Blueberry Cafe has a small dining room that stays fairly busy all year long.

Upon entering, customers are greeted by a hostess, who stands in the midst of a mini-country store filled with various knick-knacks from purses to homemade items.  As patrons are seated in the tiny dining room, one may realize this is not your ordinary breakfast joint.

Sure, the menu staples are the traditional French toast and Belgian waffles, but it is accented  by specialty quiches, fantastic bacon and Queen City Sausage.  They also feature “big as your plate” pancakes that are fluffy and tasty. A true Food Adventure.

One a side note, each serving plate in the restaurant is as unique as the food.  We recommend going for one of the signature breakfast platters, which range from four to nine dollars, and give a great value for your dollar.  For the whole menu including  lunch choices, click here.

The Strawberry Shortcake Muffin

Last but not least, is one of the biggest attractions at The Blueberry Cafe, …. the MUFFINS !   We told you this place has personality emanating from the menu to the employees.  One such employee is Tony the “Muffin Man.”

Almost like a superhero, he enters the dining room with his trademark chef’s hat.  He twirls from table to table with his display plate of muffins, dazzling the diners.  Excitement builds as he delicately describes the day’s specialty muffins in his deep, rich voice.  Appealing to the eyes and the mouth, the fresh homemade muffins are around $2.50-$3.00 and worth a try.

The Blueberry Cafe is open daily from 7am -2pm, and is open for dinner only on Friday evenings from 5pm-8pm.

Next time you wake up on a lazy day, with your stomach growling, take a trip to Bellbrook’s Blueberry Cafe.  When you see the muffin man, tell him Food Adventures sent you !

Have you been to see the muffin man?  Please comment below with your thoughts on The Blueberry Cafe.

Please visit FOOD ADVENTURES  on FACEBOOK and “like” us to become an official fan !

[album: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/BlueberryCafe bellbrook/]

J. Gumbo’s—Providing Us with a Reason to Celebrate Mardi Gras!

By 2 Comments

Ready for a magic trick? I’m guessing the first thought to pop into your head after reading that they offer Southern cuisine included some variation of the word “spicy;” whether that was preceded by “too,” “adequately,” “awesomely,” or “freakishly,” can be your little secret, but let me tell you one of mine—at J. Gumbo’s, it’s not about how much spice they can pack into a bite. “It’s more about the flavor,” clarified John. And there’s nothing like some good Southern flavor to celebrate Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras, which just so happens to be tomorrow, the very day that J. Gumbo’s is offering a remarkable all-you-can-eat special!

Pairing well with their unique selection of food, J. Gumbo’s also has a very unique story.  John Krabacher, manager and chef, was able to sit down with me last Friday to give me a history lesson, including that of himself and the company. John grew up along Brown Street, having his first Cheese Steak from Milano’s when it still occupied J. Gumbo’s present location. He even had his first beer at Timothy’s! He and his friends lived among these college parts and even developed a weekend routine, which included sneaking past the cops who always used to wait in Arby’s parking lot. After some growing up, John has become a chef, helped run Kanoe Cafe, and shared recipes through his blogs; John’s latest adventure is managing this newest baby of the J. Gumbo’s franchise. Whilst speaking to me about it, he said, “If you told me two years ago I’d be here, I’d tell you that you were nuts. I don’t like franchises.” So naturally I wanted to know why he decided to dive into this franchise. Usually a chain like this wants to stick to certain recipes, which, in John’s opinion, takes away from the creativity of the food. But John’s great ideas, knack for taste, and personal relationship with the founder has given him the ability to tweak recipes, and now he proudly claims his J. Gumbo’s houses the best food of the franchise. This was only possible with the help of his right-hand lady, Erin. “Erin’s really good at what she does,” which consists of a whole slew of things, including perfecting their bread pudding recipe; baking their corn bread, bread pudding, and apple cobbler from scratch; and the daily task of keeping John in line. They complement each other brilliantly, both fully understanding what is needed for their Store Number Thirty-Nine to succeed.

Jambalaya with Garlic Bread

Store Number One was founded by a thoroughbred jockey, named Billy Fox. He was getting tired of the stable food, so he started cooking Cajun. After his career as a jockey, he retired to Louisiana, where he started Gumbo A Go-Go. Eventually, after some hard work, the company evolved to what we have today on Brown Street—J. Gumbo’s. Their gumbo has evolved along with them, which can now only be described as none other than delicious. Considered by John to be the restaurant’s must-have item, their gumbo has improved a lot over the years. If you’re interested in more of a sweet dish, J. Gumbo’s offers a vegetarian entrée, entitled Bumblebee Stew, which happens to be my absolute personal favorite. Pair that with their Jambalaya, and you’ve got my ultimate Southern combination. Want to dive into something with a little more zing? Their Voodoo Chicken, tomato-based and spicy, might just be what you’re craving. Billy Fox actually started the company on only two recipes: the previously mentioned Voodoo Chicken and what they call Drunken Chicken—made with black pepper and pepper corn seasoning, marinated for 24 hours in beer. College students, let me repeat that—BEER! And don’t worry, not Natty.

Bumblebee Stew

On that note, John was very excited to tell me they will be getting their liquor license very soon and plan to house an assortment of Louisiana brews, the perfect way to top off this Southern meal. If you’re still a bit hesitant to try something completely new, J. Gumbo’s offers free samples to first-timers. Try it out this Tuesday, the twenty-first of February! And once you realize you love it, you will be happy you chose to come to J. Gumbo’s on Fat Tuesday. ‘Why?’ you ask. Because this Mardi Gras, J. Gumbo’s is having ALL YOU CAN EAT for only $12! You get a stamped card once you pay, and you can come back for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if you so choose. This is the ultimate gift for your taste buds, whether you’re just seeking flavor or hoping to get a little spicy on Mardi Gras!

And to keep us all coming back, J. Gumbo’s is dishing out the deals every week. Mondays are Kid’s night, where Looney Ballooney, a local balloon artist, makes balloon figurines for the families, giving dinner a whole new dimension of fun. Tuesdays, in general, college students can save 10% all day by showing their ID to the cashier. On Wednesdays, municipal workers get 10% off all day, and J. Gumbo’s is just waiting to hear of other specials in which we, as customers, would like to partake. Eating there will satisfy our taste buds; why not satisfy our wallets, too?

J. Gumbo’s casual, down-home Southern cuisine and atmosphere, complete with music of the South, is sure to win you and your taste buds over. I’ve always ventured to have my readers try something new. I haven’t steered you wrong before, and I’m not planning to now. Cajun and Creole food may be completely new to you, as it was for me, or it may be a trip down memory lane of your last trip down South. Either way, J. Gumbo’s is definitely worth a visit. Especially this Mardi Gras!

So grab your beads and meet down on Brown in front of the Crawdaddy sign. And have a happy, flavor-filled Mardi Gras!

 

J. Gumbo’s

1822 Brown Street

(937) 522-0704

Mon-Sat 11AM-10PM

Sun 12PM-9PM

www.jgumbos.com

Boxing in Dayton – From Past History to Present “Knockout”

By 23 Comments

On Saturday Night (February 25, 2012), 17 brave locals will enter the ring at historic Memorial Hall in Downtown Dayton to show the boxing skills they’ve learned over the past several weeks, months and even years of training at Drake’s Downtown Gym in the first Dayton Knockout V.I.P. Fight Night!  This highly-anticipated event is presented by AIDS Resource Center Ohio and Dayton History (in collaboration with Drake’s Downtown Gym) with proceeds benefiting these two excellent organizations.  Knockout Tickets are $15 advance/$20 door for General Admission, with limited $25 advance tickets available that include three drink tickets and admission to the Speakeasy Lounge AfterParty featuring Funky G and the Groove Machine.

Knockout V.I.P Fight Night is the first event in the Memorial Hall Theatre since Bill Cosby appeared there in 2001, and an opportunity for Daytonians to revisit the venue in which many big acts have performed over the past decades – not to mention some big boxing events in the early 1900’s.  Continue reading for an interesting look back at Dayton’s boxing legacy, and at the end of this article – a chance to win tickets for the Knockout V.I.P. Fight Night…

Dayton Is Far From Being Down For The Count


A Brief History Of Boxing In Dayton – By J.T. Ryder 

 

 Imagine yourself ascending the wide limestone steps of Memorial Hall in the early to mid 1900’s, with its godlike statuary flanking you and its French Renaissance façade looming before you. It would be easy to be timelessly transported to another era, one of arenas and sporting grounds strewn with the blood and sweat of athletic champions. Even through the thick, stone walls of the hall, you hear the pulsating roar of the crowd that has gathered here to witness yet another pugilistic match between two worthy contenders, a spectacle of violence that sways between splendor and civilized chaos.

As you enter the hall, the haziness of the cigarette and cigar smoke, coupled with the heat of the crowd, drifts through the glare of the primitive klieg lights, giving the hall a cavernous appearance, like a misty vision of Valhalla. The sounds of brutality and bloodshed echo and rebound off the shadowed walls. A sea of boaters, bowlers and fedoras move in an undulating wave as the staccato voice of the bout’s announcer breathlessly shouts out each blow in a stridently clipped voice. Spectators clench betting slips in their hands and cigars between their teeth as they bark out encouragement for their champion and profane epithets towards his challenger. Close up, the ring reveals two opponents, locked in a ballet of darting evasions and devastating blows. These two gloved gladiators are continually caught in the sharply contrasting light of the popping flashbulbs of the eager press’ phalanx Graflex, the photographer’s jockeying for a better position, chronicling the sportsmanlike spilling of blood and hoping to capture either the triumph of the reigning champ or the rise of a new title holder, imprisoning the moment in emulsion.

Gene Tunney & Jack Dempsey at Memorial Hall

There was a time when Daytonwas a Mecca for boxing. There were countless gyms focused on boxing that dotted the city. Individual boxing clubs sprouted up, creating cross town rivalries that defended their honor in the various rings and exhibitions throughout the city. The Dayton Gym Club loomed large within the local and national boxing community. In 1950, it was voted as one of the best fight clubs in the nation and was home to several of the local Golden Gloves teams. From the late 1890’s, nearly two dozen world champions fought at the gym and the World Welterweight title changed hands there when Honey Melody was knocked out in 15 rounds by Frank Mantell, November 1, 1907. Westwood Field was another location that saw it’s share of international boxing stars. On June 25th, 1917, Jack Britton lost his welterweight title to Kid Lewis and later on, in 1918, Jack Dempsey knocked out Terry Keller in five rounds at Westwood.

“Jones failed to display half the ability expected and many fans were highly disappointed with the showing of the Gorilla. The fight was really saved by the constant driving-in tactics of Williams who won seven on the twelve rounds, three being even, Gorilla taking the others.”– Wire Report from Dayton

Until the seating was elevated in the 1940’s, Memorial Hall was the premier site for the local boxing scene. On April 22nd, 1935, Joe Louis knocked out Biff Bennett during an exhibition match at Memorial Hall. During a fight with favored boxer Gorilla Jones on April 22nd, 1930 Tiger Roy Williams won in a twelve round decision at Memorial Hall. Many other boxer fought within the walls of Memorial Hall, including Manuel Castro, Jimmy Kelly, Danny Budd, Joe Glick, Mike Ballerino…the list goes on and on.

The city also spawned some national and international luminaries of the boxing world, including Joe Sekyra, the once top rated light-heavyweight and heavyweight boxer who later went on to train a Dayton Golden Gloves team. There was also the lightweight journeyman Eddie Brandt, who was also the former president of Old Time Boxers’ Club of Dayton. Sugar Costner, who was once the top ranked welterweight, beat Kid Gavilan and Ike Williams before losing to Jake LaMotta and Sugar Ray Robinson. Charles “Buddy” Knox was a heavyweight contender who also trained a Dayton Golden Gloves team. There was also world ranked featherweight Joe Marinelli who defeated two former world champs, Jimmy Perrin and Joey Archibald at Memorial Hall.

Chris Pearson

There are also some very well known boxers from the Dayton area (omitting Buster Douglas’ brief stay here in 1979 while he attended Sinclair Community College). First, there is Chris Pearson, who is actually from Trotwood, but close enough to be counted. Pearson has been labeled by many boxing aficionados as one of the best upcoming middleweight boxers and the one to watch. This south-paw has been a U.S. National Amateur Middleweight Champion gold medalist, a 2-time Silver Gloves Champ, a 4-time Jr. Golden Gloves Champ, an 8-time State Fair Champ, a Jr. Olympic Bronze Medalist, the Ringside World Champion and the National PAL Champion as well as the 2009 Police Athletic League national champion. In his short, burgeoning career, he has beaten four former Olympians (including Brazil’s Yamaguichi Florentino, a veteran of 151 fights) and Bakhyt Sarsekbayev of Kazakhstan, who was the 2008 Beijing Games welterweight gold medalist.

There is also Michael Evans, born July 22nd, 1977 and raised part of the time at his grandma’s apartment in Dayton’s Arlington Court housing project. Through a childhood altercation that led to fisticuffs, Evans got noticed and groomed by the local boxing community. He went on to become a national Police Athletic League champion, held two Junior Olympic titles, won a bronze medal at the Goodwill Games before going on to become the 2005 Golden Gloves champion. This led to him becoming a captain of the Team USA boxing squad, fighting bouts in China, Hungary, Ireland, England (including his sell out event against British Olympian Amir Khan at Liverpool’s famed Olympia ballroom), Japan, Thailand, Germany and all across America, including Madison Square Garden. Shortly before he was to lead Team USA into Russia, Evans was busted for selling crack cocaine to an undercover officer, drawing himself a four year stint at London Correctional Institute.

Next – Dayton native Ron Lyle. Continue reading…

2012 NCAA March Madness in Dayton, OH

By 2 Comments

The Road to the Final Four® begins in Dayton, Ohio, with the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship First Four® games on March 13 and 14 at the University of Dayton Arena. As part of the festivities around the event, the Dayton Local Organizing Committee for the First Four is proud to announce the inaugural NCAA First Four Festival – Dayton on March 11 in Dayton’s Historic Oregon District.

“The University of Dayton Arena is one of the most respected venues in all of college basketball and we look forward to kicking off March Madness with a huge Selection Sunday Celebration” – Greg Shaheen, NCAA interim executive vice president of championships and alliances.

The University of Dayton has hosted the start of the Division I men’s basketball championship each year since 2001, having hosted a single opening-round game from 2001-10. After the tournament expanded prior to the 2011 championship, Dayton was selected to host the inaugural First Four, consisting of four first-round games played over two days. The University of Dayton Arena, which has hosted more NCAA Division I men’s tournament games than any other arena in the country, will host the First Four next month and again in 2013, when it also will host second- and third-round games of the championship. Local fans have helped the University of Dayton regularly rank among the top 30 nationally in Division I men’s basketball attendance.

On Selection Sunday, March 11, thousands will flock to Dayton’s Historic Oregon District for the NCAA First Four Festival – Dayton to kick off the Division I men’s basketball championship. This all-day, free event begins at noon and will feature family activities, a First-4-Miler fun run, food, beverages, large-screen televisions for watching conference tournament championship games leading up to the selection show, live music and educational displays featuring the latest in Air Force technology. The region is the birthplace of aviation and is the home to Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Heated tents and the ability to go in to one of your favorite Oregon District Businesses, who are all gearing up to make this an event you won’t want to miss, are examples of how the weather won’t impact the day’s events.

“Participating with the NCAA during the First Four allows the Air Force to communicate the unique contributions we bring to national security” – Lt General Thomas J. Owen, Commander, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

Purchase your First Four® game tickets at www.NCAA.com/mbbtickets or www.daytonflyers.com or call TicketMaster at 1-800-745-3000. Learn more about the NCAA First Four Festival – Dayton at www.NCAA.com/firstfourdayton.

(from the Dayton Local Organizing Committee for the First Four)

Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical

By 1 Comment

Victoria Theatre Association presents the world premiere of TENDERLY: THE ROSEMARY CLOONEY MUSICAL, a musical about the inspiring life of legendary singer and actress Rosemary Clooney, playing February 21 – March 4, at the historic Victoria Theatre. TENDERLY is a product of the annual collaboration between Victoria Theatre Association and The Human Race Theatre Company.

Co-authors Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, who worked together on many projects, including Green Gables presented as part of VTA’s 2004-2005 Broadway Series, felt the story of Rosemary Clooney was a story they felt needed to be told.

“Everything appealed to us about the potential work,” say Vogt and Friedman, “from Rosie’s amazing personal story and her journey through very difficult times followed by a wonderful comeback – to the beautiful music that became her signature songs as an artist – to the fact that her roots are right here in Ohio and Kentucky. She faced many, many difficult times, some very heartbreaking, but she rose above it all and came out a winner. Her life is a lesson in overcoming obstacles and still being grateful, hopeful, and full of life. “

Tory Ross (photo credit: Scott J. Kimmins)

TENDERLY: THE ROSEMARY CLOONEY MUSICAL is the 22nd show The Human Race Theatre Company has produced for the Victoria Theatre Association’s Broadway Series. It is an intimate two-actor play starring Tory Ross as Rosemary Clooney and Scott Stoney as The Doctor, Friends and Family of Rosemary, and is directed by Kevin Moore.

Tory Ross, a graduate of The Miami Valley School and the University of Cincinnati’s Cincinnati Conservatory of Music plays the role of Rosemary Clooney. Tory has most recently been seen on stage in the touring production of the Broadway smash hit WICKED as the understudy for Madame Morrible and as part of the ensemble. She has also performed on Broadway in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and 9 to 5: The Musical.

Scott Stoney

Local actor Scott Stoney is a familiar face in Dayton and is an artist-in-residence with The Human Race Theatre Company known for his on-stage roles at the Loft and the Victoria Theatre. Victoria shows include among others Shenandoah, Wait Until Dark, The Boys Next Door, and Green Gables. His most recent productions for The Human Race Theatre Company include Permanent Collection, Twelfth Night, August: Osage County, and Brother Wolf.

Behind the scenes, Scot Woolley is Musical Director/Arranger, Bruce Goodrich is Scenic and Costume Designer and John Rensel is Lighting Designer. Technical crew includes: Technical Director Scott J. Kimmins; Head Carpenter D. Tristan Cupp; Production Stage Manager Heather Jackson; Assistant Stage Manager Kay Carver; Prop Master Heather Powell; and Producer Tara Lail.

Rosemary Clooney

Rosemary Clooney‘s singing career began in April 1945 when she and her sister Betty auditioned for Radio Station WLW in Cincinnati where they sang during the “Crossroads Café” show and then performed on “Moon River” with Hap Lee as organist. In 1946, the Clooney sisters began touring with the Tony Pastor Orchestra until 1949 when Rosemary moved to New York to begin her solo career as a singer and actress.

In 1951, Clooney recorded her trademark song, “Come On-a My House,” which lead to recordings of “Mambo Italiano,” “Tenderly,” “Half as Much,” “Hey There” and “This Ole House.” Some of her more famous movies include Red Garters (1954) and White Christmas (1954).

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5WpvL8g4IA’]

Clooney was a devoted wife to Jose Ferrer (whom she married twice) and mother to their five children Miguel, Maria, Gabriel, Monsita and Rafel. In 1997, she married long-time friend Dante DiPalo. Clooney’s career spanned several decades and continued to perform until her death in 2002.

For tickets call Ticket Center Stage at 937-228-3630, 888-228-3630, online at www.ticketcenterstage.com or visit the Box Office in person, located in the Wintergarden of the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center.

(from Victoria Theatre Association)

TICKET CONTEST

We have THREE PAIRS of tickets to see TENDERLY: THE ROSEMARY CLOONEY MUSICAL on Wednesday Feb. 22!  Simplythis article  and then comment below – we’ll draw three winners this Sunday Feb. 19 at 5pm.  GOOD LUCK!

If Life Gives You Limes…

By 2 Comments

Here is how you start the weekend

This coming Wednesday, February 22nd, is National Margarita Day. And, of course, we all love a good margarita. They are a staple drink at any Mexican restaurant, and for the most part the only tequila based drink most people can name. Blended with ice or on the rocks, they come in all flavors and in a coupe glass, usually with a salted (or in some cases, sugared) rim. And, if you are a Dayton native, you know that Elsa’sand their Bad Juans are THE margaritas to drink. Of course, you may also know that if you live in or near Tampa, Florida. There is an Elsa’s there, and Bad Juans are served in the Tampa Bay Times Forum Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The margarita is a drink that every bartender, amateur and professional, knows how to make. It is one of the basics.

What no bartender knows is where the margarita originally came from. In fact, no one knows. But the stories that hover around the origins of the drink are pretty incredible. One of the most told ones is that a wealthy socialite from Texas names Margaret “Margarita” Sames created the drink in 1948 at a party she was throwing at her vacation home in Acapulco. She stepped behind the bar and started to experiment, and had her guests judge the results. The most popular one was the one that went on to bear her name. It is a great story, but it also ignores the fact that in 1945, Jose Cuervo had an advertisement with the phrase “Margarita: it’s more than a girl’s name”. A story that would fit that timeline is the one where it is created in the 1930’s for a woman named Marjorie King by a bartender named Carlos “Danny” Herrera. She was supposedly allergic to all forms of alcohol…except for tequila. This was made as her drink. Or, maybe a rock star bartender named Enrique Bastante Gutierrez made it for a little known actress named Margarita Cansino. Some bartenders think it was not named for a woman at all, but it is a variation of a classic drink named a Daisy, which in Spanish is margarita. The Daisy was a much more complex drink with a brandy base, and added simple syrup and soda water.

The margarita is a cocktail that comes from a much simpler background, probably relating a little closer to the sours popular in the late 19th century. When we go out, we look to get pitchers, fishbowls, 55 gallon drums, any large container full of a slightly sour, greenish/yellowish beverage. The original recipe is a little closer to this:

Margarita

One too many margaritas can cause this

1.5 oz. tequila (I am a fan of El Espalon Reposado lately)
1 oz. orange liqueur (Triple sec, Grand Marnier, etc.)
.75 oz. lime juice

Combine the ingredients into a mixing glass over ice. Shake well, and then strain into a coupe glass with a salted rim.

To salt a rim, take a lime wedge and run it around the edge of the glass to add moisture. Then dip the edge into a plate with kosher salt covering it, pressing the salt into the edge. Lift the glass and tap the edge gently, knocking off any excess salt. You want the salt to be on the outside and edge of the glass, not the inside where salt may slide into and contaminate the drink.

Just over three ounces of liquid, which is much closer to what drinks looked like when it was created. Sour mix and other ingredients were added in the 70’s and 80’s so it would compete with the popular cocktails of the day in volume. It was about that time that the drink spread out of the Southern and Western United States, and move into the Midwest and East. Tequila gained some popularity during Prohibition, when it was smuggled into the U.S. for an extremely thirsty populace. That popularity waned when the U.S. ended its involvement in World War II, and alcohol producers could go back to producing drinking alcohol, not industrial. Then the spread of tequila, and tequila based drinks, went all over the country. The popularity of the margarita climbed as it spread through the nation, becoming the most ordered mixed drink in the U.S. in 2008, with Americans drinking 185,000 an hour at its peak. With its growing popularity, people started to experiment more with what they added to sweeten the mix, adding melon liqueur, strawberry liqueur, blue curacao, amaretto, as well as other spirits.

As mentioned earlier, Elsa’s is the undisputed champion of the margarita in Dayton. However, that is not to say there is not competition for the crown. Pepito’s in Kettering has been known to serve a delicious margarita or two. El Meson also has a tasty margarita to enjoy with some of the best food in town. And El Toro can also throw its hat in the ring, offering a wide variety of tequilas as well as variations on classic. There are plenty of places to go to celebrate National Margarita Day on Wednesday. Just remember this article if you have to work the next day. Cheers!

 

Food Adventure’s Small Bites for 2/16/2012

By Leave a Comment

Banana Rum Crunch Crepe

Welcome to FOOD ADVENTURES‘ bi-weekly feature called

“Small Bites,” which is simply a quick take on some of our favorite local food items.

Here are our “Small Bites” for 2/16/2012:

 

THE BANANA RUM CRUNCH CREPE at BOULEVARD HAUS:

We appreciates fantastic food from German heritage.  Boulevard Haus in Dayton’s Oregon District is a favorite stop.  This German restaurant, with a contemporary twist, has developed one of the greatest desserts that we have ever eaten.    It is called the Banana Rum Crunch Crepe.  This monstrous crepe is $6.95 and can be shared among your entire table.  It is loaded with bananas, white chocolate, rum sauce, and is topped with pecan brittle and whipped cream.  This dessert is a MUST, and sticks out among the other amazing menu items at Boulevard Haus.  The crepe tastes so good that it is like an Oktoberfest in your mouth!

 

THE PEEL AND EAT SHRIMP at DUNAWAY’s BEEF and ALE:

Perfect Peel and Eat

Nothing beats a great appetizer to get your taste buds tingling.  Food Adventures has found one such joy at Dunaway’s Beef and Ale in Troy, Ohio.  Their Peel and Eat Shrimp are fresh, crisp, and spiced just perfectly.  This addicting menu item goes perfectly with a pint of beer, and Dunaway’s has a great selection of drafts.  These shrimp are definitely one of the best cold appetizers around.  The Cajun spice dust on the shells helps create the perfect flavor that will have you craving more.  The shrimp are large and can be ordered by themselves, or part of a full dinner deal.  Check the specials, and you may get to have this treasure at a reduced price.

 

THE BIG RAGU SUGGESTS:

99 Cent Hand Rolls at Saya

THE 99 CENT HAND ROLLS at SAYA:

In Fairborn, one of the best kept secrets is a restaurant called Saya.  Located on Kauffman Road, they have some of the freshest tasting sushi around.  Their most superb deal is the 99 cent hand roll.   Let’s face it, sushi can be expensive, so take advantage of this item’s bang, for less than a buck.  The Big Ragu prefers the spicy tuna hand roll.  Put Saya on your Food Adventure Hit List, and you wont be disappointed in their selection.

 

 

THE SUPER DUPER CHEESESTEAK CHALLENGE at THE SUBMARINE HOUSE:

16 Inches of Heaven

Let the Big Ragu suggest a tasty, food challenge for those with big appetites.  The Submarine House has held a yearly event called the Super Duper Cheese Steak Challenge.   Actually, it is going on right now until March 18, 2012.  If you can eat a 16 inch Super Duper Cheesesteak in 16 minutes,  it is FREE !  The “Super Duper” version of the cheesesteak means 3 times the meat and cheese as their normal 16 inch sub.  The cheesesteak must be topped with the “works,” which means mushroom, onion, hot peppers, mayo, lettuce and tomato.  If your time is good enough, you can move on to the finals at a later date!  The Big Ragu ate his sandwich in 6 minutes, but was nowhere near the champion’s time of 2 minutes.  The cheesesteak is fantastic and the event benefits Children’s Medical Center of Dayton.

 

Have you had one of our favorite SMALL BITES ?  Please feel free to comment below and let us know what you think !

Check out Food Adventures on FACEBOOK and “LIKE” us to become an Official Fan …

[album: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/Small bites 021712/]

 

Victoria Announces 2012-13 Slate

By 1 Comment

The Victoria Theatre Association unveiled one of its strongest Broadway Series lineups Monday, February 13 in the Wintergarden of the Schuster Center.

"Next to Normal" - May 7-19, 2013 – Victoria Theatre

Sponsored by Premier Health Partners, the primarily family-friendly, unabashedly commercial 2012-13 Broadway Series, containing four local premieres, is an attractive mix of classic and contemporary titles. The standouts: “Mary Poppins,” Disney’s delightful 2006 Tony Award-nominated spectacle (yes, Mary will fly inside the Schuster’s Mead Theatre) particularly adhering to the book by P.L. Travers and incorporating charming new songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe alongside Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman’s timeless originals; “Next to Normal,” Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey’s acclaimed 2009 Tony-nominated and 2010 Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical about a grieving dysfunctional family which will be produced by the Human Race Theatre Company; and “Dreamgirls,” a dazzling revival of Tom Eyen and Henry Krieger’s 1981 Motown-inspired hit notably inserting “Listen” from the Academy Award-winning 2006 film adaptation. The remaining productions are “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” (an adaptation of the 1954 holiday film of the same name which arrived on Broadway in 2008 following multiple regional engagements including Springboro’s La Comedia Dinner Theatre), Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire’s humorous 2008 adaptation of “Shrek The Musical” (based on the 2001 Dreamworks film of the same name), and Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice and Andrew Lippa’s 2010 adaptation of “The Addams Family,” a visually appealing creepfest which has received significant rewrites since closing on Broadway six weeks ago.

"American Idiot" - March 12-14, 2013 – Victoria Theatre

Included among the special Star Attractions is the regional premiere of Green Day’s “American Idiot,” an electrifying post-9/11 tale of three disillusioned friends (based on the band’s 2004 Grammy Award-winning album) which should have won the 2010 Tony for Best Musical. The local premiere of the 1980s-infused “Rock of Ages,” a 2009 Tony nominee for Best Musical which will hit the big screen this summer starring Tom Cruise, is also worthwhile. The Victoria warns that “American Idiot,” “Rock of Ages” and “Next to Normal” contain strong language and adult themes and may not be suitable for all audiences, particularly children under the age of 13.

The season announcement event, emceed by Kim Faris of 94.5 LITE FM and attended by over 500 arts patrons, also included lineups for the Projects Unlimited Variety Series and the PNC Family Series. Next season will also feature the debut of a promising, lecture-driven series entitled National Geographic Live!, a collaboration with Five Rivers Metro Parks spotlighting first-hand accounts of exploration. The lineups for National Geographic Live!, Michelob Ultra Cool Films Series and Physicians for Kids Discovery Series will be announced at a later date.

“Dreamgirls” - June 4-9, 2013 – Schuster Center

Season tickets for the six-show Broadway Series are priced at $235, the three-show Projects Unlimited Variety Series are $90 and the four-show PNC Family Series are $40. Single tickets will be available at a later date. For more information, call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

 

 

 

 

Premier Health Partners Broadway Series

“Irvin Berlin’s White Christmas”
November 27-December 2, 2012 – Schuster Center

“Shrek The  Musical”

"Shrek The Musical" - January 15-27, 2013 – Victoria Theatre

“The Addams Family”
March 5-10, 2013 –  Schuster Center

“Mary Poppins”
April 16-21, 2013 – Schuster Center

“Next to Normal”
May 7-19, 2013 – Victoria Theatre

“Dreamgirls”
June 4-9, 2013 – Schuster Center

Star Attractions

An Evening with Branford Marsalis
September 23, 2012 – Schuster Center

“Menopause The Musical”
October 12-14, 2012 – Victoria Theatre

"An Evening with Branford Marsalis" - September 23, 2012 – Schuster Center

“American Idiot”
March 12-14, 2013 – Victoria Theatre

“Rock of Ages”
May 21-22, 2013 – Schuster Center


Projects Unlimited Variety Series

Over the Rhine
October 26, 2012 – Victoria Theatre

The Intergalactic Nemesis: Target Earth
February 1, 2013 – Victoria Theatre

PSY
April 12, 2013 – Victoria Theatre

PNC Family Series

“Fred Garbo’s Inflatable Theater Company”
November 3-4, 2012 – Victoria Theatre

“Frindle”
December 1-2, 2012 – Victoria Theatre

“The Number 14”
February 16-17, 2013 – Victoria Theatre

“Circus Incognitus”
March 9-10, 2013 – Victoria Theatre

Foot Stomping Joy: The Music Of Genticorum

By Leave a Comment


French Canadians have a long history of being misunderstood. Only seven million or so people out of Canada’s 34 million total speak French as their primary language, and most of them live in a single province, Quebec. They live on an island of francais in an ocean of English.

But there’s more than just the language barrier.

Misunderstandings over politics, religion, social identity and cultural traditions have colored, and occasionally seriously strained, Anglo-French relations in Canada for centuries. Happily, these things often tend to even out over time—perhaps as some sort of sly, karmic payback, Quebec is now home to some of the hippest, happiest music on the planet.

Genticorum, a traditional music “power trio” based in Montreal, Quebec, plays a kind of music that’s as misunderstood as any style in North America. Like their confreres in La Bottine Souriante, Les Chauffeurs á Pied, Le Vent du Nord and other traditionally minded Quebec bands, Genticorum is deeply rooted in the history and culture of French Canada, playing music that is similar to—but also very unlike—the music of Canada’s other traditional music hotbeds, Cape Breton and the Ottawa Valley.

Genticorum was formed in 2000, the three musicians in the band—Pascal Gemme (fiddle, foot percussion, vocals), Alexandre de Grosbois-Garand (wooden flute, electric bass, fiddle, vocals) and Yann Falquet (guitar, Jew’s harp, vocals)—having become friends after playing together at various traditional music festivals.

“We all discovered the traditional music of Quebec before we met,” says Grosbois-Garand. “We all studied instruments that we don’t play in the band. I studied bass and I play the flute. Yann studied electric guitar and he plays acoustic guitar. Pascal studied guitar and he plays fiddle.”

The traditional music of Quebec is a unique and totally captivating blend of musical ideas from near and far. “It comes from Irish and Scottish and music from France,” says Grobois-Garand by way of explanation. “There is a big so-called Celtic flair to it because there are a lot of Irish and Scottish reels that have become Québécois reels. Sometimes the reels will change a bit, or the way of playing them. That mixed with the French song tradition and marching band music from the United States and German polkas and waltzes.

“All that mixed together over a few centuries into what we refer to as Québécois traditional music. Most of the bands, including us, will focus more on the party aspect of it. But we try also to play some laments and some waltzes because it’s not just fast reels and call-and-response drinking songs. There’s much more than that, so we try to give the diversity of the tradition.”

The traditional music of Quebec contains several musical elements that set it apart not just from the Celtic music mainstream but also the regional Canadian styles of Cape Breton and the Ottawa Valley. The most obvious to casual listeners is probably the sound of the singing. The vocals are in French and are characterized by lush multi-part harmonies, call-and-response (chanson à répondre) choruses and a sonic richness not found in most traditional styles. Some of Genticorum’s vocal harmonies have an ancient sound that’s at times reminiscent of medieval madrigals. The band is also adept at a form of “mouth music” called turlutteries (conceptually similar to jazz scat singing or lilting in Irish music).

Driving, intricate “foot percussion”—provided by Pascal Gemme in the case of Genticorum—is one of the coolest parts of traditional Québécois music. Not only does this provide the band with a percussionist at no extra cost, a real boon for a small group like Genticorum, it adds an exciting touch to performances that audiences love, as well as a distinctive rhythmic signature that is quintessentially Québécois.


Band press kits

Maybe someday in the future, a musicologist or anthropologist will explain the astonishing, at times nearly unbelievable, facility that Canadian fiddlers appear to have for dancing while they fiddle, from Natalie MacMaster’s step-dancing to the ensemble work of the Step Crew to the seated tap dancing done by Gemme. If it were just one or two fiddlers who did this, it could be written off to individual obsession and long winters, but it seems like every fiddler who comes out of Canada possesses this wonderfully strange talent. Curious, eh?

Genticorum has released four critically acclaimed albums since 2002. The band’s debut, Le Galarneau, received widespread acclaim in the international music press. Sing Out noted accurately that “For a three piece, Genticorum makes a very full and glorious noise, both instrumentally and vocally” before predicting, “This is a band that’s going to go places.” The follow-up, Malins Plaisirs, earned a Canadian Folk Music Award, Ensemble of the Year, for the trio and was nominated for both Juno (Canada’s Grammy) and Felix (a regional prize in Quebec).

While their CD La Bibournoise, released in 2008, received international recognition,  Genticorum’s most recent album, Nagez Rameurs, was released in 2011 and was promptly hailed as “one of the year’s most unusual and beautiful collections of folk music” (New York Post). Graced by a particularly compelling collection of traditional and original songs and tunes and guest appearances by such musicians as Grey Larsen and Olivier Demers (Le Vent du Nord), Nagez Rameurs won Genticorum its second Ensemble of the Year award at the 2011 Canadian Folk Music Awards.

At last count, Genticorum has performed in almost 20 countries. The band has found enthusiastic audiences wherever it has played, from Scotland and Ireland to New Zealand and Australia. “We are within a certain tradition and play with a certain aesthetic, without really radical changes,” says Yann Falquet of the band’s wide-ranging appeal. “And people are able to enjoy it for what it is, whether they are Scottish folkies or Malaysian teenagers.” And pretty much everybody in between.

Cityfolk presents Genticorum, Sat. Feb 25 at Stivers Centennial Hall at 8 PM. Info and tickets are available at cityfolk.org or 937-496-3863.

(submitted by Jon Hartley Fox for Cityfolk)

 

Time to Put on the Ol’ Ruby Slippers – DPO Presents Wizard of Oz with Orchestra

By Leave a Comment

FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS – leave a comment below the article.  We’ll announce FOUR winners on Wednesday 2/15 for the 2/17 show.  GOOD LUCK!

It has been called a “timeless” motion picture. Because it is.

Produced in 1939 and televised at least once annually since 1956, the movie claims a truly rabid, multi-generational audience. Why? Because, as Steven Tyler of Aerosmith once observed, we’re all kids at heart. And we all love music…and fantasy.

On Friday, February 17 and Saturday, February 18 at 8pm in the Schuster Center, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Music Director Neal Gittleman will conduct the entire score to the MGM film The Wizard of Oz as it projects on a large screen above the orchestra, providing orchestral accompaniment to the film with the soundtrack stripped of all orchestral music; only the actors’ dialogue and vocals remain.

Many of us know the words to the movie’s songs by heart, the result of anywhere from one to 55 years’ worth of exposure. E.Y. Harburg’s lyrics set to Harold Arlen’s music with Herbert Stothart’s Academy Award winning (for Best Original Score) incidental music and instrumental underscore (some of it based on the songs, some borrowed from classical composers), are as familiar to us as our own family (hence, the derivation of the term).

With its use of Technicolor film, extraordinary characters, fantasy storytelling, and special effects, The Wizard of Oz won two Academy Awards and was nominated for Best Picture of the Year (Frankly, my dear, it lost to Gone with the Wind). And, believe it or not, it was a box office failure at first, failing to earn back the studio’s investment. In time, the trend reversed, and later re-releases compensated MGM for its initial poor showing.

It has become one of the most famous films ever made. The Library of Congress named it the most-watched motion picture in history. Viewer/critic polls often rank it as one of the Top 10 Best Movies of All-Time. And, of course, it is the source of many memorable quotes: I’ll get you, my pretty…and your little dog, too!; Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore; and There’s no place like home, to name a few..

This Kettering Health Network SuperPops Series concert reprises (always loved the sound of that word: re-pree-ses), or brings back, the event, originally performed before a sold-out Mead Theater in the Schuster Center in November, 2006. It was The Bomb. I know. I was fortunate to be there with my extended family, and we – along with the overwhelming majority of other attendees – sang our little hearts out. Most of us were even on key!

There’s an old axiom familiar to we Writers Guild members: “If it ain’t on the page, it ain’t on the stage,” meaning “you can’t damned well make a movie without a screenplay!” Strangely, it sometimes works the other way around: “It may be on the page, but that’s no guarantee it’s gonna’ make it to the film.” In short, the film winds up markedly different than the source text, in this case L. Frank Baum’s book.

Here’s what’s different. And, since we all know the movie so well, I’ll just cover what was in the book that got changed.

In the book, Oz was a real place. Glinda the Good Witch of the North had no name; she was actually two people, Glinda the Good Witch of the South and the Queen of the Field Mice. There were places called the China Country and people called the Hammerheads. The Wicked Witch of the West was only mentioned several times before she appeared one chapter towards the end. Dorothy rescued her friends, not the other way around. And she wore silver shoes, not ruby slippers.

Other than that….

Director Victor Fleming filmed the Oz sequences in three-strip Technicolor; the opening/ closing credits, the Kansas sequences, and Aunty Em’s appearance in the Wicked Witch’s crystal ball in black and white and colored them using sepia tone.

The Beverly Hillbillies pater familias Buddy Ebsen was originally cast as the Tin Man and joined the cast in recording the film’s songs in a studio before principal photography began. Then, problem of problems, Ebsen got sick…from the aluminum powder makeup of all things, and MGM dropped him from the cast and replaced him with Jack Haley.

But Ebsen’s singing voice stayed in the soundtrack.

The beauty of having watched a film like The Wizard of Oz sooooo many times as quite a few of us have is that, when we hear a song from the film, we can just about place it in its proper sequence in the story. Read the list of songs in sequence as they are heard in the film, and see if you remember where (i.e., which scene) each song was sung:

Over the Rainbow; Come Out, Come Out…; It Really Was No Miracle; We Thank You Very Sweetly; Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead; As Mayor of the Munchkin City;  As Coroner, I Must Aver; Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead (Reprise; don’t you just love that word?); The Lullaby League; The Lollipop Guild; We Welcome You to Munchkinland;  Follow the Yellow Brick Road/You’re Off to See the Wizard; If I Only Had a Brain; We’re Off to See the Wizard; If I Only Had a Heart; We’re Off to See the Wizard (Reprise); If I Only Had the Nerve; We’re Off to See the Wizard (Reprise); Optimistic Voices (background chorus);The Merry Old Land of Oz; If I Were King of the Forest.

A word about classical music in the film: an arranged version of Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain is heard during the scene in which the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion rescue Dorothy from the Wicked Witch of the West’s castle.

So, grab all your Janet Weiss and Brad Majors costume paraphernalia…no, no, that’s the other long-running film.

So, even though we‘re not in Kansas anymore, we can all get to downtown Dayton for Wizard of Oz with Orchestra.

And we won’t need to wear ruby slippers to get back home.

View Event Details

View Event Website

Get Inspired to “Get out and Live” at this week’s Adventure Summit

By Leave a Comment

The Adventure Summit

The Adventure Summit

(from our friends at Five Rivers MetroParks)

When cabin fever hits its apex, Five Rivers MetroParks and Wright State University come to the rescue, co-presenting the biennial Adventure Summit. This year’s event is set for February 10-11 at the Wright State Student Union. Admission and parking are free. There is a full slate of inspirational speakers, engaging hands-on activities, and intense competitions:

Gary Fisher - Trek Bikes

Speakers

This year’s featured speaker is Gary Fisher, noted as the “father of mountain biking” who broke the mold on traditional bicycle racing and took his sport to the hills, riding on bikes he modified to better negotiate the craggy surface of Mt. Tamalpais in California. Fisher is credited with early mountain bike prototypes and now works for Trek, where he participates in designing innovative cycling products as well as racing. Catch Fisher’s presentation, “The Past, Present and Future of Cycling,” at 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 10, in the Apollo Room. Other speakers this weekend include Deia Schlosberg and Gregg Treinish, who will share their experiences on a two-year, 7,800-mile trek of the Andes. Their presentation will be 12:30 p.m. Saturday, February 11. Local speakers also are on tap.

Activities

Once you’ve been inspired by a speaker or classroom presentation, why not try a few activities? Take a kayak for a spin in the pool, get a grip on the climbing wall or participate in a fitness session such as yoga or cycling. There’s something for everyone, and because there’s no cost, you can try it out risk-free.

Bouldering Competition

Bouldering Competition

Competitions

There are several competitions throughout the weekend that are as much fun to watch as they are for those competing. The indoor duathlon includes a 2-mile run/walk, followed by a 6-mile bike ride and concludes with a second 2-mile run/walk. One of the most popular competitions is the bouldering challenge, in which participants (many of whom come from all over the Midwest) face off on the climbing wall. New this year is the Canoe Battleship. Teams compete to try and “sink” the opposition’s canoe while bailing out their own. Rounding out the weekend is a kayak challenge, where slalom racing hits the pool.

Expo

Those who are ready to bring adventure into their lives can do so at the exposition area. Mingle with local, regional and national outdoor-related exhibitors, a variety of outdoor clubs, specialty retail shops, outfitters, resorts, and more organizations that will help you reach your outdoor adventure goals.

Cultural Exhibits

In addition to all things outdoors, Adventure Summit patrons can enjoylive music and craft beer tastings.

This will be a special year for mountain biking enthusiasts. In addition to attending an inspiring presentation from Gary Fisher, the 2012 Adventure Summit will showcase the region’s mountain biking community through inspiring presentations, engaging discussions and appearances by industry leaders. The Great Lakes Mountain Biking roundtable takes place Saturday, February 11. Participants will be able to mingle at the continental breakfast and submit their questions to Gary Fisher, International Mountain Biking Association President and Executive Director Mike Van Abel, national bike manufacturers, regional bike shop owners, state mountain bike club leadership, and IMBA’s new Great Lakes regional director. The focus of the mountain bike-specific tracts will be advocacy.

The Adventure Summit has something for everyone, from the “armchair adventurer” to the hard-core enthusiast. Visit www.theadventuresummit.com  for a complete schedule, competition registration, sponsorship details and more information. For further information, call Outdoor Recreation Special Events and Development Coordinator Tom Helbig at (937) 567-4478.


Mike-Sell’s: A Case For Success

By Leave a Comment

Countdown to the 2012 updayton Summit! updayton is committed to lighting the entrepreneurial fire of young talent. Over the next three months leading up to the 2012 Summit, updayton will present stories of emerging entrepreneurs and family legacies in business, and why they call Dayton the best place to do business.

Daniel W. Mikesell started a successful business selling dried beef and sausage but when he decided to expand and answered an ad to purchase a potato-cutting machine, he had no idea it would turn into a multi-million dollar enterprise that would span 100 years and counting. Today, Mike-Sell’s, a locally based, privately owned company, has maintained a strong local presence and national distribution in the snack industry. Despite the efforts of large snack companies to dominate the market through buyouts and price slashing, Mike-Sell’s has remained true to its commitment of producing the highest-quality products, allowing it to continue to be a competitive player in the industry.

In the true spirit of a Dayton original, Mikesell maintained his company’s headquarters in Dayton, Ohio as it grew. His legacy has continued with great grandson, Luke Mapp, grandson of Mikesell’s daughter, Mary Mikesell, and her husband Les Mapp, who ran the company until his death in 2005.

The family’s potato chip legacy is now in the hands of a team of industry professionals including President and CEO, David R. Ray and Mapp, who serves as the company’s Director of Marketing.

In a recent interview with Luke Mapp he shares his take on why the family business has survived the recession, the company’s plans for the future, and what today’s entrepreneurs should do to be successful—particularly those wishing to enter the snack industry.

Mapp has been part of the family business for more than a decade. He knows the entire operation from top to bottom. He is also acutely aware of the tremendous competition Mike-Sell’s is up against as one of the few regional potato chip companies that is independent from larger snack suppliers.

“The locals are very loyal to Mike-Sell’s and have been a big part of our success…”

“For many years, every little city across America had it’s own independently owned potato chip companies. Today, we remain with fewer than probably 50 others.” Mapp continued, “Giants like Frito Lay and Wal-Mart have affected how we do business. Frito Lay can offer lower prices that push margins to almost nothing, and Wal-Mart has changed how grocery chains buy product with its centralized buying method. The local retail manager used to have control over what his or her store carried, but now all of those decisions are made at the corporate level. Our relationships have changed tremendously and we’ve had to change our approach.”

The disconnect between local grocery stores and the supplier has made it difficult for Mike-Sell’s to expand at their desired level. On the flip side, it has moved Mike-Sell’s to alter the way it does business and distribute its products. Currently, the company sells two-dozen different chip and snack products. It has distribution centers in Dayton and Columbus, Ohio and Indianapolis, Indiana. The Dayton location is the company’s only manufacturing plant. Along with some cost-cutting measures, this is how Mike-Sell’s has survived through the current and past recessions.

“We have had to cut expenses like everyone else. Fortunately, we have a family-like atmosphere here. Everyone here is very supportive of decisions that have to be made.” As Mapp led a guided behind-the-scenes tour, he stopped along the way to chat with staff and to sample freshly made chips that had rolled off the line into the collection area to be seasoned and packaged.

At the end of the tour, Mapp talked about the company’s plans for the future. Over the years, the company has maintained its foothold in the industry by introducing new products like Honey Barbecue, its highest selling flavor and Groovy Chips, its highest selling non-flavored chip. They also added Kettle Chips to their line and are always considering new products to test with their loyal fans.

“The locals are very loyal to Mike-Sell’s and have been a big part of our success. Going forward the company will look to expand its distribution base nationally and increase its marketing efforts,” Mapp said, speaking optimistically about the future despite the sluggish economy. For example, Mike-Sell’s has begun implementing a new web-based strategy with a Super Bowl promotion offering 15% off online orders.

Luke Mapp

As the conversation came to an end, Mapp offered advice for entrepreneurs entering the snack foods market. “Do your homework. Know your audience. And think niche. Penetrating the snack market on a large scale will be nearly impossible. Instead, build a strong local following and let the retailers come to you. Be prepared to work hard. It takes dedication and perseverance to run any business. It’s not for the faint of heart.”

In a follow-up correspondence, this is what Mapp had to say about Dayton:  “Like, Mike-sell’s, Dayton has a rich history that has made it a successful and nurturing environment for businesses to grow. Dayton is full of reliable and talented people who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty and work hard—that’s important to any business. In addition, the Dayton area chamber of commerce and various other business friendly organizations work very hard to attract and retain local businesses and talented people to live, work and stay in Dayton, OH.”

Interesting facts about Mike-Sell’s:

A potato by another name is still a potato, sorta. It takes a lot of potatoes to make those tasty chips—but not just any potato. Mike-Sell’s uses chipping potatoes. These organically grown potatoes are purchased from Florida to Michigan. (Yes, Michigan! Not Idaho, which specializes in baking potatoes.) Most potato chip manufacturers use chipping potatoes because of their round shape and density, which withstands the cutting process.

Waste not; want not. “Recycle, reuse and repurpose” has been the standard at Mike-Sell’s for decades. They do everything from giving potato peels to pig farmers for feed to selling the potato starch to paper mills for paper coating. Mike-Sell’s uses every opportunity to be an environmentally friendly company.

Hands off. The potato’s journey from the truck to the bag is, for the most part, a hands-off venture. Modern technology and machinery allow potatoes to be cleaned, peeled, cut, fried, seasoned, bagged and boxed with little human intervention. This method decreases food contamination and safety issues with workers.

The Big Give Back. Mike-Sell’s has given millions of dollars to support women’s causes, education, and community arts. Mike-Sell’s giving program is overseen by Mikesell’s granddaughter,  Martha Mapp.  Some of those organizations include Clothes That Work, a clothing resource for job seekers, and the Linda Vista Project, a transitional housing program for homeless women and their children.

Dayton Opera’s Romeo and Juliet Makes for Perfect Valentine Outing

By Leave a Comment

It’s the perfect pairing: Shakespeare’s universal love story and February, the month of Cupid.

Dayton Opera is preparing to open Charles Gounod’s supreme opera Romeo and Juliet to be performed during the month of love on Friday, February 24 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 26 at 3 p.m. in the Schuster Center.  “Romeo and Juliet” has been adapted into countless films, plays and dance but no medium better expresses the love, longing and ultimate tragedy of this fated pair than Charles Gounod’s stunning opera,” said Thomas Bankston, Dayton Opera’s General and Artistic Opera. “This opera hasn’t been performed in more than 15 years and we are excited to assemble such a talented and beautiful group of singers.”

Acclaimed soprano Joanna Mongiardo, recognized for her effortless coloratura, makes her Dayton Opera debut singing the title role of Juliet. Her recent performance as Rosalina in Giordano’s rarely performed work Il Re with Teatro Gratticielo at the Lincoln Center was chosen in David Shengold’s selections for Das Opernwelt’s “Best of Year” 2011 issue.

Joanna Mongiardo

Joanna Mongiardo

Singing the role of Romeo is tenor Ryan MacPherson, also making his Dayton Opera debut. He is one of the most in-demand young tenors of this generation, well-known for his captivating stage presence and expertise with modern and contemporary music. He performed along with Mongiardo in a recent production of The Rakes’ Progress with Toledo Opera.

Baritone William McGraw, most recently performing in last season’s Fidelio, returns as Count Capulet, and baritone Chad Sloan as Mercutio and bass Nathan Stark as Friar Lawrence make their Dayton Opera debuts. Members of the Gem City Ballet choreographed by Barbara Pontecorvo, and the Dayton Opera Chorus, under the direction of Jeffrey Powell, will also be featured.

Albert Sherman, stage director for New York City Opera, returns to direct his fifth production for Dayton Opera, the most recent being 2009’s The Merry Widow. At the podium will be Patrick Reynolds, Assistant Conductor for the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, who conducted La Traviata in 2009.

Ryan MacPherson

Ryan MacPherson

“$15 Friday Nite Tweet Seats” returns thanks to the sponsorship of Dayton Power and Light. This initiative for young professionals, a first in U.S. opera, received regional and national press coverage and is being adopted by other arts organizations. The Tweet Seats are located in the balcony so the light from smart phones are not distracting to others.

“Yes we are tweeting and facebooking but not so much during – apparently it’s all too riviting. J At the pause between Act I and Act II, the lights of many devices came out like fireflies in the dark. It was great!” posted by Charity F., a Tweet Seat ticket holder at last October’s performance of Dayton Opera’s La Boheme.

Tickets are on sale now at Ticket Center Stage by calling 228-3630 or visiting www.daytonopera.org. Dayton Opera has teamed up with Veleta Wines on a special promotion. While supplies last, purchase two regular priced tickets to Romeo and Juliet and receive a complimentary bottle of Veleta Tempranillo wine at the performance. Use the code “Veleta” when ordering tickets.

Food Adventures make Pizzas at Johnny’s Slice of New York

By Leave a Comment

Manhattan Splitsville: Any 3 Toppings on each half

A day in the life of a FOOD ADVENTURER may include using culinary skills from time to time.  When Johnny’s Slice of NY Pizzeria in Centerville approached us about being “Guest Pizza Makers” for a day, we jumped at the chance.  We have enjoyed Johnny’s food, from their pizza to their calzones, so we couldn’t wait to toss a few pies for fun.

Owners Johnny and Michelle Rivera asked us to develop our own special pizza that would be added to their menu.  We came up with the “MANHATTAN SPLITSVILLE” pizza, which is any 3 toppings on each half of the pie.  The event took place on Sunday, January 22nd. Friends, family and Johnny’s regular customers joined us for the festivities.  That day only, the 18inch versions of the Manhattan Splitsville sold for the special price of $15.

We showed up an hour before the event, ready for training.  We were greeted by the staff who had made us special t-shirts adorned with our names  and the Johnny’s Slice of NY logo.  We changed into our uniforms and the phones began to ring with orders an hour before they opened!  Johnny took the orders and opened early, so we had to train on the fly!

Food Adventures helped both in the kitchen and bringing orders to the crowded tables.  He also welcomed customers and explained the special of the day.  We were at the front of the house, mingling with new and old customers.

Also, the Big Ragu was putting cheese and toppings on the pizzas and loading them into the oven.  He even brushed the crusts with garlic butter, then sliced the pizza pies into those huge NY slices.  It was a blast and we are very thankful for the people who came to visit and support the event.  We got to serve up slices of love, Food Adventure Style.

Fresh Homemade Calzone – the Best !

Those who have not had a chance to visit Johnny’s Slice of NY Pizzeria, need to try this family-owned place.  Johnny, who grew up in the boroughs of New York City, learned to develop his own pizza sauce, with a terrific flavor.  Their dough is made fresh daily.  They have many  specials including two New York sized slices and a soft drink for 6 bucks which is popular with the high school students.   Not in the mood for pizza? Let us suggest the calzone or stromboli, which are the best we have ever tasted.  Another favorite is the stuffed pizza creation called the Brooklyn Brawler.  This huge pizza is sold by the slice or whole.  There is even a “Brooklyn Brawler Challenge” where if two people can eat the 18-inch, eight-pound pizza stuffed with pepperoni, sausage, ham, bacon, mozzarella, and provolone in 30 minutes, they get it for free!  Winning contestants also get a T-shirt and picture on the “Wall of Fame.”   If the pie doesn’t get finished, the photo goes on the “Wall of Shame.”

Johnny’s also offers subs, salads, breadsticks and pasta dishes as well. Visit them at 57 W. Franklin Street in Centerville for authentic New York Style Pizza and more.  Below are lots more photos from our “Guest Pizza Makers Event.”  Maybe you will see yourself in the photo album.  Please feel free to leave your comments below about the event or your experience with Johnny’s Slice of NY Pizzeria.

Visit FOOD ADVENTURES  on FACEBOOK by clicking here.  “Like” us to become an official fan !!

[album: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/Johnnys Slice of NY/]