Dayton Ohio

Rock Bands Unite to Help Beat Cancer at Blind Bob’s

January 20, 2020 By LIbby Ballengee

I say it often: the Dayton music community is full of the most generous people I know. It’s often a two way street, and this weekend, musicians take care of three of their biggest supporters, who are currently battling cancer. If you love rock’n’roll, this show is a win-win all around!

Night of the Beat (Cancer) takes place at Blind Bob’s on Saturday January 25th, to benefit Jaime Testa, Amanda Hensler and Tyler Gilcher. All three of them have been major supporters of the Dayton music community, staples in the Oregon District, and have huge hearts! They absolutely deserve a fantastic party in their honor, raising money to help them continue their fight.

Music is of course on the agenda! Four area rock bands that are donating their time and talents to this party, including: Abertooth Lincoln, Weathervein, Business Casuals, and We Are The Movies.

Sabrina Cox, one of the organizers of this event, explains what makes this event so special: “Last year was really hard for Oregon District, and Dayton as a whole. In the midst of all the tragedies, three beloved members of the Oregon District community were also fighting cancer. We are a community that comes together to love each other in every situation – and this is no exception. The Cancer Cuties, as we lovingly call them, are our friends, family, and neighbors. All the money collected at the door goes directly to them.”

Amander Hensler is one of the “Cancer Cuties” who is benefiting from Saturday night’s Night of the Beat concert.

How to Go?

Saturday January 25th at Blind Bob’s

Doors 9pm

$7 at the door (additional donations encouraged!)

21+

FB event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1022647121404471/

Dayton Battle of the Bands Launches 6 Week Series

January 12, 2020 By LIbby Ballengee

The Dayton Battle of the Bands launches as a 6 week series, starting this week on January 14, 2020, running through February 25, 2020. The goal with this friendly competition is to shine light on new and upcoming bands in the Dayton area, while providing a prize package that helps launch them to their next level!

This new endeavor is a collaboration between The Brightside Music & Event Venue, Sound Valley, and Venus Child Productions. Carli Dixon, the owner and powerhouse behind The Brightside explained the motivation for this series: “Dayton has a long history of musical innovation, and we want to help elevate the next generation of Dayton talent.” For that reason, this competition is only open to bands and musical acts that have been performing (in their current entity) five years or less and are within a 35 mile radius of downtown Dayton.

Performing on The Brightside’s big stage in the Ballroom at the Sound Valley Winter Music Fest is part of the prize package for the Battle of the Band winner.

Twenty local acts were selected by a judge’s panel, with genres ranging from hip hop to metal, and from Americana to electronic originals. The prize package for the winner includes an EP session with famed sound engineer Patrick Himes at Reel Love Recording Studio, a music video with Sound Valley, professional photo shoot with Mike Jones, and a premiere spot on the big stage at The Brightside for the Sound Valley Winter Music Festival. Along with support from those professionals, WYSO 91.3 FM and Prime Time Party Rental are sponsoring this first year’s competition.

Week 1 kicks off on January 14th and continues every Tuesday evening through February 25, 2020, which is when the finals will be held. In case of in-climate weather, February 18th will be used as a make up date. See full schedule and details on how to go below:

How to Go:

Where: The Brightside at 905 E 3rd St Dayton 45402

When: Week 1- Jan 14, 2020 / Week 2 – Jan 21, 2020 / Week 3 – Jan 28, 2020 / Week 4 – Feb 4, 2020 / Week 5 – Feb 11, 2020 / Week 6 – Rain date make up on Feb 18, 2020 (if needed) / Finals – Feb 25, 2020

Time: Doors 7pm, music starts promptly at 7:40 after some announcements

Cost: $5 advance tickets via https://www.soundvalleydayton.com/events/ – OR $10 at the door

Schedule: Band 1 – 7:40pm / Band 2 – 8:20 / Band 3 – 9:00 / Band 4 – 9:40
Music ends at 10pm. Winner announced at 10:30

All ages welcome! Handicapped accessible. On site parking available.

NOTE: Due to the volume of participants, there will be no friends and family guest list.

Muse Machine presents “In The Heights” with bonus Pre-Show Celebration!

January 9, 2020 By LIbby Ballengee

One the Dayton’s most valuable assets is its robust arts community, from visual art, music, and all forms of performing arts. We cultivate that talent in our youth, through innovative programs like Muse Machine, which serves over 75,000 students in southwest Ohio.

Every January, Muse Machine presents a musical that features more than 100 young people from across the Miami Valley. I was re-introduced to these musical performances last year, and I was simply blown away by the talent these teenagers display. There is no doubt, several . are bound for Broadway!

This year Muse Machine presents “In the Heights“, a musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda (creator of Hamilton). The story explores three days of the characters’ lives in the NYC Latino neighborhood of Washington Heights. On the brink of change, friends and family bring their hopes and dreams to life. The score features hip-hop, salsa, meringue and soul music.

The Muse Machine musical has been praised by The Dayton Daily News as “a performing arts all-star effort,” while The Oakwood Register has called it “an evening of true theatrical joy… ” You can see it for yourself Thursday January 16th through Sunday January 19th at the Victoria Theatre in Dayton, Ohio, January 16-19, 2020. Tickets available now through Ticket Center Stage.

Of course attending the performance is a fantastic way to support the organization. If you want to go above and beyond, and have some pre-show fun with fabulous people, consider attending Muse Machine’s annual Social & Show from 5:30 – 7:30 on Friday, January 17, 2020.

There you’ll enjoy cocktails & heavy hors d’oeuvres at Table 33. Each ticket will include food and two drink tickets with choice theatre seating. It’s an evening you won’t want to miss! Ticket sales for the Social & Show end January 11, 2020, so don’t delay!

HOW TO GO?

Social & Show Pre-Show Party / Fundraiser

Friday, January 17, 2020

5:30 – 7:30pm
Cocktails & heavy hors d’oeuvres
Table 33 (130 W 2nd St, Dayton OH 45402)

Muse Machine presents the hit musical
IN THE HEIGHTS at 8pm
From Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of HAMILTON
Victoria Theatre (138 N Main St, Dayton OH 45402)

Each ticket includes food, two drink tickets and deluxe theatre seating (seats will be assigned on a first come, first served basis). $45 Ticket for Social only / $100 Social & Show

For info and registration: http://musemachine.com/social/

In the Heights performances:

Thursday January 16, 2020 7pm

Friday, January 17, 2020 8pm

Saturday, January 18, 2020 3pm

Saturday, January 18, 2020 8pm

Sunday January 19, 20020 2pm

Tickets start at $27 and can be purchased here: https://my.ticketcenterstage.com/overview/6144?fbclid=IwAR04TtWvd-b5JrnGUPpTueUuNmU0tlgtFZOS2nboT3JzjTZBIG_wUJYA77w

Dayton Battle of the Bands Announced for 2020

December 13, 2019 By Dayton Most Metro

Dayton is well known for our impressive history of pushing musical boundaries, from the invention of Funk to the incalculable influence of early 90s alternative bands Guided by Voices and The Breeders. As a new decade launches, a group of Dayton music enthusiasts are joining forces to launch the next generation of local music.

Local music promoter Libby Ballengee (of Venus Child Productions) recently partnered with The Brightside, a new mid-size, multi-purpose event venue located in downtown Dayton. “I was so excited when The Brightside opened because there was finally a place downtown that could hold 500 person concerts. It’s the perfect size for grassroots promoters like me.”

The key assets of The Brightside are its enormous stage and top-notch sound engineers. It’s a quality experience for performers and the audience alike. However, for new bands, it’s a big leap in cost and attendance to get up on that big stage. Ballengee felt bad about having to turn away inquiries, and sought a way to support new bands looking for a break.

In conversations with fellow promoter and ticketing agent Zac Pitts from Sound Valley Dayton, and The Brightside’s owner Carli Dixon, Ballengee realized that they shared a mutual vision for the future of Dayton’s music community. Given Dayton’s rich musical history and impressive talent pool, how could they support the next generation of Dayton musical innovators?

The idea for a Dayton Battle of the Bands rose to the surface. Many Daytonians remember Canal Street Tavern’s Dayton Band Playoffs, although some like Pitts, were a bit too young to attend himself. While inspired by the idea, the group wants to use the platform of a competition to be more of an incubator for new bands. Bands will receive feedback from music industry experts during the playoff rounds, and the winner will get a full promotional package to take them to the next level.

The winner of Dayton Battle of the Bands will perform on the ballroom stage at The Brightside, among other prizes. PHOTO BY LIBBY BALLENGEE.

On December 6th, 2019, a call for submissions will begin via daytonbattleofthebands.com. Bands or musical acts of any genre, that have been established 5 years or less and within a 35 mile radius of downtown Dayton are eligible to apply. There is no fee to apply or perform. Online registration opens December 6, 2019 and closes on December 22, 2019.

There is one more informational sessions for bands to get more information about the competition on Tuesday, December 17th. A band representative MUST attend one of these sessions to show proof of residency and to review how competition will work. Bands have a few days after the December meeting to complete their online registration.

Twenty bands will be selected by a review process by local judges, which includes Dr. Samuel N. Dorf, Associate Professor of Music at the University of Dayton, Tiffany Johnson, CEO of GigMerge and former VP of A&R for a Sony affiliate, Don Thrasher, longtime musician and journalist at the Dayton Daily News, among many others.

Once the 20 participating bands are selected, they will be scheduled to perform a 20 minute set in The Brightside’s listening room, over a 5 week period January 14th, 2020 – February 11th, 2020 on Tuesday evenings. Four bands will play their best originals each week, the winners moving onto the finale will take place on February 25, 2020. Bands proceeding to the finals are picked through an equal mix of audience and judge’s votes. The Final winner will be selected by audience votes only.

This is a wonderful promotional opportunity for all 20 bands that participate! The winner will receive a full promotional kit including their very own EP recording session with Reel Love Recording Studio, a music video by Sound Valley, a professional photo shoot, and a chance to play the BIG stage at The Brightside during the Sound Valley Winter Music Festival on Saturday March 7, 2020.

Exciting details and updates to come! For additional details follow: https://www.daytonbattleofthebands.com

NEXT EVENT:

Musician Open House and Dayton Battle of the Bands Sign Up

at The Brightside – 905 E 3rd St Dayton, OH

Tuesday December 17, 2019 from 6:30-8:30pm.

Free Admission!

Join in DCDC’s “In the Spirit of… Abundant Blessings” Holiday Performance

December 3, 2019 By LIbby Ballengee

Dayton’s own world renowned Dayton Contemporary Dance Company is back for a hometown an unforgettable holiday extravaganza with In the Spirit of… Abundant Blessings, a celebration of the African-American church. Performances take place on Saturday, December 7 at 7:30pm or Sunday, December 8 at 4pm at the Victoria Theatre, located at 138 N. Main St. in Dayton.

This holiday performance is a switch up from recent years. The company has been performing the beloved Littlest Angel production traditionally. Although a tradition, this swap up is sure to excite Dayton audiences. Not only is the dance quality tremendous, there is live music too!

Music is provided by a collection of amazing talent including The Jeremy Winston Chorale, the Frederick Douglass Elementary Children’s Choir, Judah Band, Music Director Deron Bell with a mass community choir, and nationally renowned gospel singer – the legendary Shirley Murdock. This performance transports audiences to a higher plane of joy and belonging. It’s a holiday offering the entire family is sure to enjoy!

DCDC will also be paying tribute to Sheri “Sparkle” Williams’ 46th year with the company, as is DCDC’s and one of the nation’s most recognized contemporary dance artists.

“This is a wonderful culminating event for our 50th Anniversary. In the Spirit of .. is one of my favorite offerings because it brings the community together. It is a season for giving and sharing. Stepping into our 51st season is no small feat; if not for our dream of our founder, Jeraldyne Blunden, we would not have this wonderful legacy that lives on throughout Dayton, the nation, and the globe. I’m looking forward to celebrating with you the gifts of our abundant blessings.” – Debbie Blunden-Diggs, DCDC Chief Artistic Administrator and Producing Director.

HOW TO GO?

Saturday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m. or Sunday, December 8 at 4:00pm

Victoria Theatre, located at 138 N. Main St. in Dayton.

Tickets are $28 are available at ticketcenterstage.com (scroll to pick Sunday performance) or by calling 937-228-3630.

Group Tickets available for groups of 10+. For group tickets contact [email protected] Student, Veteran & Senior discounts are also available.

D Funk All-Stars present an Old School Groove Night

November 4, 2019 By LIbby Ballengee

If you’re feeling the biting winds of winter already, there is going to be a reprieve this weekend at the hottest dance party of the season: the legendary D Funk All-Stars present an Old School Groove Night in The Brightside’s Vodvil Ballroom!

Making this show extra special is the fact that it’s also longtime Dayton sound engineer Monika Shroyer‘s birthday party too! What a way to celebrate! The party kicks off with D Funk’s set and then moves into after party mode with DJ Dingo.

So grab your dancin shoes on and head on over for a truly Funkalious event!

How To Go?

Saturday November 9, 2019
at The Brightside Music & Event Venue (905 E 3rd St)

All ages are welcome!

Doors 8pm. Show 9pm.
$10 advance. $15 day of show.

Tickets available here: https://www.soundvalleydayton.com/events/d-funk-all-stars-with-dj-dingo

The Brightside hosts $10 Classical Concert!

October 27, 2019 By LIbby Ballengee

The Rodin Trio performs at The Brightside on October 30, 2019

The Brightside is committed to hosting a variety of events to the Dayton area, including classical music too! Dayton’s own Joshua Halpern (cello) is back home from globe trotting with his group, the Rodin Trio, to perform on Wednesday October 30th in the new venue’s beautiful Vodvil Ballroom. The trio is rounded out with Scott Cuellar (piano – faculty at Oberlin) and Philip Marten (violin – Assistant Concert Master at Cincinnati Symphony).

This particular performance is everything typical classical concerts are not: casual and affordable! Organizers are particularly encouraging students to attend for just $7, and $10 for adults – in advance. Quite the value to see performers of this caliber! Pre-sale tickets are available at SoundValleyDayton.com. Note: Ticket prices raise to $10 / $15 day of show.

When I asked Joshua why this hometown show is so special, he explained: “I got my start in Dayton in every way –– Nan Watson, my orchestra teacher at Oakwood, was the first person to put a cello in my hands. Early on I studied privately with her and a couple of other cellists in the Dayton Philharmonic. Betsey Hofeldt, a violinist in the DPO, was the first to introduce me to chamber music, which totally changed my life. I played for years in the Junior Strings Orchestra and the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. I wouldn’t have pursued music without all of these hometown influences and to be able to finally come back and not only see so many familiar faces but thank them with music, and show them (I hope) how I’ve continued to grow, is a really special kind of full-circle moment that brings me a lot of joy.”

If you’ve ever been curious about experiencing the power and beauty of classical music, this is the perfect opportunity!

The Program:
- Beethoven: Piano Trio No. 2 in G major, Op 1 No. 2
- Martinu: Piano Trio No. 2 in D minor, H. 327
  — Intermission–
- Mendelssohn: Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op. 66

How to Go?
- The Brightside at 905 E 3rd St, Dayton OH
- Wednesday October 30, 2019
- Doors 7pm. Performance 7:30-9pm.
- All ages welcome!
- General Admission: $10 adv / $15 day of show
- Student: $7 student adv / $10 day of show (Student over 18? Please bring ID)
- Tickets: https://www.soundvalleydayton.com/events/an-evening-with-the-rodin-trio

________________________________________________

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS

Since graduating from Oakwood High School in 2012, Josh has earned degrees from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University in Houston and from the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Most recently, he completed a chamber music tour of Germany that took him to Berlin, Mecklenburg, and to Beethoven’s former home in Bonn. In June, Josh was guest principal cello with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra for performances in the Netherlands and WHERE, and on tour to Taiwan and China.

Josh first played cello as a fourth grader at Harman Elementary. During high school, he was principal cello for the Oakwood High School Orchestra and the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and was a founding member of the Blackbird String Quartet at OHS. As part of the prep program at University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Josh was a founding member of the Polaris Quartet which won the gold medal in the junior division of the Fischoff International Chamber Music competition in 2011.

The Rodin Trio, established in 2017, also includes Philip Marten, violin, who is assistant concertmaster of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and Scott Cuellar, piano, who is on faculty at Oberlin Conservatory. The three musicians each maintain separate busy schedules, but are excited to be playing together again and bringing their music to Dayton.

GRAMMY award winning jazz comes to The Brightside Sunday October 20th!

October 16, 2019 By LIbby Ballengee

The Brightside Music & Event Venue invites you to another intimate evening of world class jazz-funk-world music from 3x Grammy award winning guitarist Bob Lanzetti, of Snarky Puppy fame!

Bob Lanzetti is a Brooklyn, NY based professional guitarist, composer, producer, and educator. He has performed and recorded with many artists throughout the NYC area as well as played in over 40 countries with the three time Grammy Award Winning jazz/funk collective, Snarky Puppy: Best R&B Performance in 2014 (“Something” featuring Lalah Hathaway), and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album in 2016 and 2017 (“Sylva” with Metropole Orkest and “Culcha Vulcha”, respectively).

Bob Lanzetti’s group consists of a collective of old friends who have been playing together in a variety of settings for over a decade. The band is able to move as one, effortlessly changing styles as well as weaving between composition and improvisation. The group draws inspiration from many genres of music. In a given performance you can hear hints of Americana, jazz, avant-garde, rock, afro-beat, country, and free improvisation, sometimes all within the same tune. Currently the group consists of Jordan Perlson on drums (Adrian Belew, Banda Magda, Becca Stevens Band) and Matt Aronoff on bass (Banda Magda, Fred Hersch, Kenny Werner).

Bob released his debut record as a leader entitled, Whose Feet are These That are Walking, in fall of 2017 to positive reviews and has done a number of US tours in support of the album.

HOW TO GO?

Sunday October 20, 2019

at The Brightside Music & Event Venue – 905 E 3rd St

Doors 7pm. Show 8-10pm

Advance tickets $10 (https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4372687)
Day of show $15

All ages Welcome!

Dixon’s Violin is a mesmerizing performance you don’t want to miss!

October 15, 2019 By LIbby Ballengee

Dixon’s Violin performs at The Brightside Music & Event Venue on Friday October 18, 2019.

Downtown’s newest indoor music venue, The Brightside, is dedicated to providing a true variety of quality music to Dayton’s audiences. This weekend proves that point! On Friday they host Dixon’s Violin, as seen on TED.com, at Electric Forest, at Burning Man, and across North America. This is a rare opportunity to see this mesmerizing music up-close-and-personal in their intimate listening room space!

The world’s premier visionary violinist, Dixon’s life mission is to inspire people – and he has done so across North America, including giving three TED talks/performances, performing for over ten years at Burning Man, plus radio, TV, and film appearances. A former technology leader and symphony violinist, Dixon walked away from a distinguished career to follow his dream full-time, and invented a whole new music genre. Dixon now improvises on a 5-string electric violin with a looping system he developed to create an all-live one-man symphony, guided by his remarkable personal story of life transformation.

Kicking off the show is Dance Furiously, a rock and roll orchestration of funk, electronica, jazz, pop & soul that blends together a compelling sound which tells the story of a thriving music community in Columbus, Ohio. The group emphasizes live improvisation & expression thru their live show and consistently opens up their songs and reinterprets them to make them sound uniquely new, each time.

HOW TO GO?

Friday October 18th

at The Brightside Music & Event Venue
905 E 3rd St
Dayton, OH 45402

7:00 PM Doors Open
8:00 PM Dance Furiously
9:00 PM Dixon’s Violin

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dixons-violin-at-hannahs-tickets-67059632165
$12 advance tickets / $15 day of show

All ages are welcome, children 12 and under are free!

Perfect Patios for Pups!

October 4, 2019 By Dayton Most Metro

Enjoy the patio at Wheat Penny with your pup!

It doesn’t get much better than quality time outside with man’s best friend and a cold drink in your hand. With the heatwave over and temperatures falling back to normal, some of our most comfortable patio days are ahead of us. Not sure what patios are dog friendly? Have no fear! Listed below are a few of our favorite canine friendly patios in the area. Be sure to check back as our list is sure to grow:

Dayton:

The Barrel House – 417 E. 3rd Street, Dayton
The Trolley Stop – 530 E. 5th Street, Dayton
Corner Kitchen – 613 E. 5th Street, Dayton
Toxic Brew Company – 431 E. 5th Street, Dayton
Lily’s Bistro – 329 E. 5th Street, Dayton
Fifth Street Brewpub – 1600 E. 5th Street, Dayton – (Dogs allowed Wednesdays only 6-9PM)
CoCo’s Bistro – 250 Warren Street, Dayton
Dublin Pub – 300 Wayne Avenue, Dayton
Libby Ballengee enjoys Lily’s Bistro’s front patio with Stella.
South Park Tavern – 1301 Wayne Avenue, Dayton
Wheat Penny Oven & Bar – 515 Wayne Avenue, Dayton
Milano’s – 1834 Brown Street, Dayton
Dayton Beer Company – 41 Madison Street, Dayton