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LIbby Ballengee

Dayton participates in the March For Our Lives

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Student at University of Dayton speaks at Dayton’s March for Our Lives. March 24, 2018. Photo by Libby Ballengee

Dayton student speaks at Dayton’s March for Our Lives. March 24, 2018. Photo by Libby Ballengee

On March 24th, 2018, Dayton Ohio participated in a sibling march at Courthouse Square to support the March For Our Lives in Washington, D.C. The march was created by, inspired by, and led by students who are rightfully scared of the rampant mass shootings across the country, particularly in public schools. They are demanding that their lives and safety become a priority. 

All the Dayton area students and teachers who spoke were powerful and passionate, rejecting the current government’s proposed solutions and half measures. Arming teachers is a dangerous and unfunded idea, a hero’s tale that is based on fantasy and not fact. The lack of universal background checks and gun show loop hole is a crime. And reminding politicians who are bribed by the NRA that they’re time is up. They are now, or soon will be, of voting age. It was a powerful and moving display of solidarity that will not soon be forgotten.

Organizers of the March For Our Lives are suggesting that all concerned citizens do three things: Register, Educate & Vote. Here are some ways to get started:

Register to Vote here – April 9th Deadline for voter registration for May 8 primary election (30 days before primary election). Oct. 9th Deadline for voter registration for Nov. 6 general election.

Protestors at Dayton’s March for Our Lives. March 24, 2018. Photo by Libby Ballengee

Educate yourself about Candidates here

Vote in upcoming Elections:

May 8, 2018. Primary Election Day. Polls open from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm

November 6, 2018. Election Day. Polls are open 6:30 am to 7:30 pm

Connect with March for Our Lives Dayton:

You can also follow March for Our Lives Dayton on Twitter: @MarchForOurLivesDayton

Or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/MarchForOurLivesDayton

The National March for Our Lives website: https://marchforourlives.com/

Move & Meditate!

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You can feel it in the air – spring is almost here! This is the perfect time to shake off the winter “blahs” and bring more movement and meditation into our lives. On Saturday March 3, 2018 you can do just that with a 2 hour mixed session of Yoga, BollyX and Heartfulness meditation.
First, stretch your muscles and align your body with Yoga to prepare yourself for some lively movement to Bollywood music with a BollyX dance workout, and then cool down and refresh your spirit with Heartfulness Meditation! There is no set fee for this event. Donations are welcome, but not required. Any collected will go to support  the Heartfulness Center in Dayton that offers free meditation and yoga classes to the community.
How to Go?
Saturday, March 3rd
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 
Venue: Ayurveda Natural Health Center, 1342 N. Fairfield Rd, Suite B, Beavercreek, OH 45432
(Park in the parking lot across from CVS, between the Shell gas station and Valvoline and then there is a walkway from the parking lot to the front door behind the Shell gas station)
Limited space. Please email [email protected] org to reserve your place as soon as possible.
Visit www.daytonheartfulness. org for more information on the Dayton Heartfulness Center.

Local talent on display at the 5th Annual WinterFolk Festival

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Although it’s considered “off” season for music festivals, wintertime ones are some of my favorites! We’ve all got cabin fever, and just need to get out of the house and have fun! One of the most highly anticipated of those winter festivals is right around the corner: The 5th annual WinterFolk Festival at Yellow Cab Tavern on Sat, Jan 13th.

It’s a spectacular night of  music, art, food, & fun for all ages. This includes a non-stop line-up of best roots and folk musicians from the tri-state area, including beloved acts The Repeating Arms, Tod Weidner, David Payne, Starving in the Belly of the Whale, Kyleen Downes, The Goldberrys, OldNews, Bloody Tambourine, and several more!

It’s also about this time of year, I’m missing food trucks. Come hungry and catch the Drunken Waffle serving food on-site, along with Yellow Cab Tavern’s craft brews and cocktails. This year’s event has expanded, with even more artisans and vendors selling handmade goods. It’s an all around perfect night out!

How did this event come about? Well, it was inspired by a love of music, of course, and also the venue itself, Yellow Cab Tavern. In its infancy, WinterFolk organizers could see the potential in YCT, starting the festival as a fundraiser, which led to the venue’s recent upgrades. This type of collaboration is sign of a true music community! Make sure you stop on out to support these wonderful folks!

 

How to Go?

Where: The ‘Old’ Yellow Cab Building (700 E Fourth St. Dayton, Ohio 45402) is located at the corner of Fourth St and Walnut just outside Dayton’s historic Oregon District. Plenty of FREE parking is available on and off street at the event.

Time / Cost: Doors will open at 7pm and the first performance will start promptly at 8pm. Tickets available exclusively at the door for $10, children 12 & under are free.

Children Celebrate the Season at the Sugar Plum Tea

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Downtown there are many treasured holiday events that delight children: the stunning window displays, the Tike Shoppe, and of course, Dayton Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” performance at the Schuster Center. 

Before the Sunday matinee performance, the Dayton Ballet’s volunteer organization, The Dayton Ballet Barre, hosts their annual Sugar Plum Tea, at the gorgeous Dayton Woman’s Club on Sunday December 17th.  It’s a delightful Christmas tradition that’s a perfect way to make The Nutcracker holiday tradition that much more special!

The afternoon starts off with a beautiful tea service, along with sandwiches, fruit, and delicious desserts. Parents are encouraged to get holiday photos of their little ones with the Nutcracker and Sugar Plum Fairy by the gorgeous Christmas tree inside the parlor. One of the Dayton Ballet teachers, along with two of the Dayton Ballet II dancers, give the children a dance lesson, followed by a reading the story of the Nutcracker.

Got a little one who is too little to sit still for the entire Nutcracker performance? This is a great intro event into the performing arts, and give them a taste of this beloved holiday tradition. Tickets are $15 for each child and adult and available from Ticket Center Stage or in limited quantities at the door. Tickets to The Nutcracker performance are sold separately.

How to Go?

The Dayton Ballet Barre’s Sugar Plum Tea

at The Dayton Woman’s Club: 225 NORTH LUDLOW STREET DAYTON, OH 45402

Sunday December 17th 12:30pm-2pm (The Nutcracker performance starts at 2:30pm)

 

Tickets $15 for both children and adults. This is a fundraiser for The Dayton Ballet Barre!

Enjoy an Evening of Celtic Music & Dance!

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Colleen Raney performs in Dayton for the first time at the Celtic Concert on December 10th at Stivers High School

For all the Celtic lovers out there, an upcoming event featuring Celtic music and dance, is just for you! The evening starts off with a performance by Celtic Academy of Irish Dance followed by local musical favorites Dulahan, followed by headliner and acclaimed Irish singer, Colleen Raney.  This show is being presented at Centennial Hall inside Stivers School for the Arts in downtown Dayton, and will benefit We Care Arts. This is a family friendly evening that’s sure to entertain Celtic lovers of all ages!

Colleen Raney has been referred to as “among the best in her genre” (Irish Music Magazine) and “one of America’s best traditional singers” (Tradconnect) . Her ability to convey her love of Irish music makes every performance a captivating experience! Colleen is making her first visit to the Dayton area and will perform here with her band, which includes: Hanz Araki on flute and vocals, Bethany Waickman on guitar and Ryan Davidson on upright bass and vocals. In addition to singing, Colleen also plays guitar and bodhran.

Dulahan‘s music pays homage to traditional and contemporary Celtic with 3 and 4 part harmonies and subtle hints of Roots/Americana. The Celtic Academy of Irish Dance is one of Dayton’s fine Irish Dance schools. Many of the students compete at the local, national and international levels, and they are a joy to watch!

Sunni Russo, the organizer of this concert, loved the variety of new music that Cityfolk brought to the Dayton area. She discovered many artists and musical styles she would not have known about otherwise.  In that tradition, she wanted to bring an artist, Colleen Raney, who has not played in Dayton before.

The Celtic Academy of Irish Dance performs at the Celtic Concert held on December 10, 2017 at Stivers High School

December 10th, 2017
Show from 7-10pm
Stivers High School
Tickets are just $25 and on sale now! 
For more info or if they prefer not to order online:
Tickets will also be available at the door.
The show will benefit We Care Arts, a great local charity! Check them out at www.wecarearts.org

12th Annual Santa Pub Crawl Benefits Toys for Tots

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The volunteers with The Gem City Podcast invite you to the 12th Annual Santa Pub Crawl, benefiting US Marine’s Toys for Tots campaign! This is always a fun time to gather with friends, don your most festive holiday gear, and give back to kids in our community. We want to make sure every child has a gift for the holidays this year, and annually this event gathers 1000 toys for Dayton area children!

This year’s event is on Saturday December 9, 2017 from 5pm – Midnight. You don’t have to arrive right at 5pm to participate – join in whenever you are able! Be sure to register at either Dublin Pub or Oregon Express by 8:30pm. Admission: Bring $10 or a toy of equal value (not in wrapping paper, please)

You will receive a card to get marked at each participating bar. Have your card filled out by 10pm and you are eligible for door prizes! Those fabulous door prizes are given out at 10pm at Blind Bob’s, where there will also be prizes for costumes!

How to Go?

5pm-8:30pm Registration at Oregon Express or Dublin Pub.

Addt’l participating bars include: Trolley Stop, Newcombs, Ned Peppers-Hole in the Wall, and Tumbleweed

10pm Costume contest at Blind Bob’s: Best Dressed Male, Female, Best Couple, Best Group – Plus Door Prizes!

Admission: Bring $10 or a toy of equal value (not in wrapping paper, please)

BIG thanks to our sponsors: Heidelberg / Budweiser, Buckeye Vodka, Dayton Most Metro, Folio DesignHaus

Boys Night Out with Mom benefits Ronald McDonald House

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The Red Shoe Society Dayton and the Jr. Red Shoe Society invites sons and their mothers, grandmothers, and friends to share an evening of dancing and games, to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Dayton. The Boys Night Out with Mom is a memory-making event that is both fun and teaches our young men the importance of giving back to help others.

Festivities include: Dinner & Dancing, Raffles, Sports, Games & Prizes, Sweets & Treats, and Photo Station! If you’re interested in attending, don’t delay, register today!

Proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Dayton and its mission to provide a “home-away-from-home” to families of critically ill or injured, hospitalized babies and children. Can’t attend but want to help? Share this event and Subscribe to their mailing list for future Red Shoe events.

How to go?

Sunday, October 8, 2017
NCR Country Club
4435 Dogwood Trail, Kettering
4:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Cost is $30 per guest, registration available until Wednesday, 10/4. Registration required to attend.

For questions, please contact Marisa Brown at [email protected].

Human Race kicks off 17-18 Season with Legendale

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The Human Race Theatre Company kicks off it’s 2017-2018 Season with a fun performance for the next generation of theatre fans! LEGENDALE, an exciting new pop-musical where reality and the digital world collide, opens September 7 and runs through October 1, 2017. 
The story is based on Andy, whose favorite way to escape his miserable job and humdrum life is the online game “Legendale.” He dreams of victory in its new tournament and winning the grand prize to become “the Lord of Legendale,” but is stuck competing as a lowly milkmaid. When things in the online world suddenly take a strange turn, Andy and his avatar must both discover their inner warrior. A blend of romance, adventure and virtual reality with a pop-infused score, it’s an inspiring tale like no other that’s sure to delight!
 
Human Race is offering fun ways to celebrate this first performance, and American Premiere of LEGENDALE! They have two very special upcoming nights that are extra special:
  • HRTC is hosting their very first COSPLAY CONTEST NIGHT  on September 11 with more than $1800 worth of prizes (full list of prizes and rules are posted on the FB event page). Comedian Jessica Graue is MCing the event. $10 for participants, $5 for general audience. Kids can compete too! Registration starts at 6:15pm, pre-judging at 7pm, and parade of costumes at 8pm. All participants ages 13 and up will receive a ticket voucher good for and show on our 2017-2018 Loft season.
  • Young Professionals Night is Saturday, September 16. The pre-show party begins at 5pm in the HRTC rehearsal hall on the second floor below the theatre. They have a massive selection of board games to play, a taco bar, margaritas and craft beer. We will also be giving away prizes donated from 2nd & Charles, The Human Race Theatre, and Sixteen 37. (board games, gift certificates, and more!) Tickets are available at www.ticketcenterstage.com by entering code YPGAME. A value of $70+ for $35!
Don’t miss out on this cutting-edge new musical, that’s perfectly timed after Game of Thrones finale, and during Renaissance Festival season. Fall is the perfect time to let fantasy worlds come alive! So please get your ticket for the first of many amazing productions by our own, Human Race Theatre Company!

How to go?
Performances run Sept 7th through October 1st (Mondays off)
Tickets start at just $12 and up! Special $10 any seat nights also available.
For more info on tickets, click here or call box office: (937) 228-3630
DMM Ticket Give Away:  We’ve got a pair of tickets and winner can pick the date they attend (based on availability).  To enter our drawing, just like and share this post and leave a comment below on why you deserve to win!
We’ll name our winner here Thursday, so check back to see if it’s you!
 

Dayton Ballet & DCDC Volunteers Duel Behind the Bar!

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Dayton is renowned for it’s incredible legacy in the history of American dance. In 1927, The Schwarz School of Dance (now Dayton Ballet School) was opened in Dayton, by the gifted Schwarz sisters, who returned home after performing professionally around the world. Ten years later, the sisters created “The Experimental Group for Young Dancers,” and staged a performance at the Dayton Art Institute. This was the first performance of what is now the Dayton Ballet, the second oldest regional ballet company in the US.

The Schwarz sisters instructed another pioneer of dance, Jeraldyne Blunden. In 1968, Jeraldyen went on to create her own school, Jeraldyne’s School of Dance. A few years later, she established the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, the first modern dance company in Ohio. The company regularly performs in Dayton, and around the world, including an upcoming trip to Russia and Kazakhstan next May as part of Dance Motion USA, a cultural diplomacy program organized by the U.S. Department of State and the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

These incredible achievements and milestones are being celebrated with style over the next year or two. The Dayton Ballet celebrates it’s 80th Season, and next year DCDC hits their 50th Birthday! Volunteers from the Dayton Ballet Barre and DCDC Ambassadors are joining forces Tuesday, September 5th, 2017 at Brixx Ice Company to kickoff these spectacular seasons! They’ll be slinging drinks as dueling bartenders, and might even have a dance off or two!

Enjoy commradere, drink specials, and a fun way to support these historic arts organizations. Best of all – there will be random ticket giveaways for the exciting up-coming seasons! There will also be ticket discounts available to anyone interested. Tickets to these outstanding artistic events are perfect for date nights, girls nights, and gifts!

How to Go?

Dayton Ballet Barre & DCDC Ambassadors

Dueling Bartenders / 2017-2018 Season Kickoff!

Tuesday, September 5th, 2017 from 6pm-8pm

Brixx Ice Company – 500 E 1st Dayton, OH

 

Experience Dayton’s First Ever Porch Fest!

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When the Collaborator himself, Peter Bekendorf, first approached me about putting on Dayton Porchfest, I thought he was crazy. Cleveland does it, he explained, involving 30 some porches all simultaneously playing free music throughout neighborhoods. That sounded like a tremendous amount of effort and energy. “Peter, I love the idea, but you’re crazy,” I’d say to him. He grinned with a gleam in his eye. “We’re going to do this,” he replied determinedly.

That was a year or so ago, and more recently, while perusing the interwebs, I stumbled across an article about International Play on a Porch Day on August 26th. I had no idea there was an international day dedicated to playing on porches! The IPPD website explained “Music goes beyond words. It can transcend the most difficult barriers. It ties us together like a thread through our hearts. Our skin is many colors but music is in our blood, our bones and our soul.” Given the current climate in our country and even community, it sounded like just the remedy we needed. I forwarded the info on to Peter, who immediately ran with it.

That is how Dayton’s first Porchfest was born. In just a couple short weeks, home owners in St Anne’s Hill, came together to support this idea in the most amazing way! What seemed like overnight the porches were lined up, as were the musicians, and schedules were being made. An after party at Fifth Street Brew Pub was also arranged. Kudos to Peter, the musicians, homeowners, and the entire team of ad hoc group of volunteers who are making these free concerts happen!

Come on out and enjoy the show Saturday August 26th, which is the official “Play on a Porch” day. Meet the St Anne’s neighborhood and support local music at the first of what will be an annual festival celebrating the quality and diversity of the Dayton music scene. All ages welcome! No cost! Bring a chair or blanket, and the whole family, for some summer fun!

How to go?

When: Saturday August 26, 2017 from 3:30pm – 10pm

Where: St Anne’s neighborhood. Starts at 4th and Henry Streets.

Cost: Free!

Ages: All!

Schedule:
Kickoff 3:30 – 3:45 TRSS Drum Corps at Fourth and Henry
Music Block 1 4:00 – 4:45 Craig Jackson Jazz Band, Charlie Campbell and Steve Makofka Accordion Duo, Nick Kizirnis and Firecreek.
Music Block 2 5:00 – 5:45 Harmonica Neil, Aaron Maheu, Spill The Wine, Sonny B. Gould and Blue-Eyed Grass.
Music Block 3 6:00 – 6:45 Berachah Valley, Skyp Krantz, John Dubuc, Andy Rush, Jack Ballengee Morris and Tim Spoores.
AfterFest 7:00 – 9:30 Nothing But Treble at Fifth Street Brewpub