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Dayton Most Metro

Dayton PRIDE Celebration cancelled for 2020

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In a statement released by the LGBT Center, PRIDE 2020 is officially cancelled:

“It is with heavy hearts that the Greater Dayton LGBT Center Board of Directors has decided to cancel in-person LGBTQIA+ Pride for Dayton this year. We originally postponed the events for Pride weekend from June to August hoping the local effects of the COVID pandemic would have been minimized by that time. Unfortunately, it is painfully obvious that we are not able to hold large gatherings and parades such as Pride without risking the health and wellbeing of our community. Although it is never easy to make a decision such as this, we decided that your health is the most important thing this year.

Of course, we can’t just skip recognition of Pride during 2020 so we will be shifting our August 22 celebration from in-person to online. We are still putting plans together, but we will be holding a televised and Facebook Live event from 1pm to 3pm. The celebration will be similar to our Pride Stage Show featuring local speakers and entertainment. Please stay tuned for more information and plan to join us online August 22nd!”

 

With an estimated  5000 people packing Courthouse Square for this annual event, the cancellation isn’t much of a surprise, as the pandemic makes it just unsafe to proceed. Normally a 3 day celebration, with a bar crawl on Friday, parade and festival on Saturday and Sunday is the PFLAG 5K and the Spikes and Heels kickball tournament.

PFLAG has decided they are able to move forward with their Running with Pride 5K on Sunday, Aug 23rd.  The race steps off at 9am from Welcome Park on Edwin C. Moses Blvd.

 

 

Dayton Live Announces Two Week Run For HAMILTON in ‘21-‘22 Season,

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Dayton Live is pleased to announce it will welcome the first Dayton engagement of HAMILTON to the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center next year in the 2021-2022 Season. In addition, Dayton Live announces a new lineup for the upcoming Premier Health Broadway in Dayton Season. Due to closures and restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020-2021 season will be delayed, launching in January 2021 with slightly revised programming.

 

“We’re thrilled to announce HAMILTON’s premiere engagement in Dayton,” said Ty Sutton, President & CEO of Dayton Live (formerly Victoria Theatre Association), the nonprofit arts organization that presents the Premier Health Broadway in Dayton Series at the Schuster Center. “We’ve been working to confirm dates for this incredible theatrical powerhouse since 2018. In fact, the question I get more often than any other is when will HAMILTON be here? Now we can officially confirm: HAMILTON is coming to Dayton.”

HAMILTON is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, HAMILTON has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre—a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education. With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire,HAMILTON is based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography. It has won Tony®, Grammy®, and Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and an unprecedented special citation from the Kennedy Center Honors.

 

HAMILTON will play two weeks of performances (16 shows) in 2022 at the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center. On-sale dates for single tickets and group tickets will be announced at a later date. The best way to guarantee access to tickets for the limited engagement is to purchase Season Tickets for the full 2020-2021 Premier Health Broadway in Dayton lineup, which will begin in January 2021, and renew your Season Tickets for 2021-2022 when the time comes. Premier Health Broadway in Dayton Season Ticket Holders will have access to HAMILTON tickets before they are available to the general public. Visit daytonlive.org/hamilton-faq for answers to frequently asked questions.

 

A REVISED PREMIER HEALTH BROADWAY IN DAYTON SEASON

 

“The shutdown of Broadway in New York City has had a wide-reaching effect on performing arts centers and Broadway presenters around the country,” Sutton said. “In addition to not having a clear picture when our venues will be open again, nearly all Broadway tours have closed at least temporarily and are not going to be playing in the fall. This necessitated a great deal of juggling on everyone’s part and I’m happy to say we retained most of our season, and also were able add a huge Broadway hit – and one of my favorite titles – DEAR EVAN HANSEN.”

 

The winner of six 2017 Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, DEAR EVAN HANSEN features a book by Tony Award® winner Steven Levenson, a score by Grammy®, Tony® and Academy Award® winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), and direction by four-time Tony Award® nominee Michael Greif (Rent, Next to Normal).

 

Declared “One of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history” by the Washington Post’s Peter Marks, DEAR EVAN HANSEN opened at the Music Box Theatre to rave reviews on December 4, 2016. There, it has broken all box office records and struck a chord with audiences and critics alike, including New York Times critic Jesse Green, who, in his May 2019 re-review of the show, declared it “more and more ingenious with each viewing. It is more hopeful than ever.”

 

The Grammy Award®-winning Original Broadway Cast Recording of DEAR EVAN HANSEN, produced by Atlantic Records, was released in February 2017, making an extraordinary debut on the Billboard 200 and entering the chart at #8 – the highest charting debut position for an original cast album since 1961 – and went on to win the 2018 Grammy Award® for Best Musical Theatre Album. A deluxe version of the cast recording, including six bonus tracks and a pop cover from Katy Perry of “Waving through a Window” is now available digitally.

 

In addition to winning six 2017 Tony Awards® and a 2018 Grammy Award®, DEAR EVAN HANSEN has won numerous other awards, including the 2017 Drama League Award for Outstanding Musical Production and for the off-Broadway production, two Obie Awards, a Drama Desk Award, and two Outer Critics Circle Awards and two Helen Hayes Awards. DEAR EVAN HANSEN is also the winner of the Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards three years running, and was just proclaimed the Best Long-Running Show and the Best Touring Production in the 2019 Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards.

 

DEAR EVAN HANSEN, produced by Stacey Mindich, features scenic design by David Korins, projection design by Peter Nigrini, costume design by Emily Rebholz, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, and hair design by David Brian Brown. Music supervision, orchestrations and additional arrangements are by Alex Lacamoire. Ben Cohn is the Associate Music Supervisor. Vocal arrangements and additional arrangements are by Justin Paul. Danny Mefford is the choreographer.

 

Casting by Tara Rubin Casting/Xavier Rubiano. Sash Bischoff, Adam Quinn and Danny Sharron are the Associate Directors. Judith Schoenfeld is the Production Supervisor. US General Management 101 Productions.

 

Here is the complete lineup for the 2020-2021 Premier Health Broadway in Dayton Season:

 

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

January 12 – 17, 2021 – Schuster Center

 

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

February 9 – 14, 2021 – Schuster Center

 

THE BAND’S VISIT

March 9 – 14, 2021 – Schuster Center

 

Disney’s THE LION KING

May 6 – 23, 2021 – Schuster Center

 

New!

DEAR EVAN HANSEN

June 8 – 13, 2021

WINNER OF SIX 2017 TONY AWARDS® INCLUDING BEST MUSICAL
AND THE 2018 GRAMMY AWARD® FOR BEST MUSICAL THEATER ALBUM.

A letter that was never meant to be seen, a lie that was never meant to be told, a life he never dreamed he could have. Evan Hansen is about to get the one thing he’s always wanted: a chance to finally fit in. DEAR EVAN HANSEN is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it. DEAR EVAN HANSEN has struck a remarkable chord with audiences and critics everywhere, including The Washington Post who says DEAR EVAN HANSEN is “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theatre history.” The New York Times calls it “a gut-punching, breathtaking knockout of a musical.” And “NBC Nightly News” declares the musical “an anthem resonating on Broadway and beyond.” DEAR EVAN HANSEN features a book by Tony Award® winner Steven Levenson, a score by Grammy®, Tony® and Academy Award® winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), and direction by four-time Tony Award® nominee Michael Greif (Rent, Next to Normal).

New dates!
CATS

July 6 – 11, 2021 – Schuster Center

 

New dates!

ANASTASIA

July 20 – 25, 2021 – Schuster Center

 

The Season Ticket Package will include the above shows with the exception of CATS, which was rescheduled from the 2019-2020 Season. But, you can add CATS as an additional show to your package. The much-anticipated touring productions of COME FROM AWAY and MEAN GIRLS, originally scheduled for the fall of  the 2020-2021 Season, will be moved to a future season. All programming is subject to change. The deadline to renew existing Season Ticket Packages and keep subscriber seats has been extended to July 20, 2020. For complete details on the Premier Health Broadway in Dayton series, go to daytonlive.org/broadway.

DAYTON LIVE COVID-19 TICKET GUARANTEE

 

Arts patrons all over the nation and beyond are concerned about how and when performances will again take place.

 

“We are eager for our venues to reopen and welcome you to life-inspiring performances,” explained Sutton.  “But we want each of our patrons to feel safe and comfortable attending performances in our fabulous venues. Rest assured, we will be doing everything in our power to make your experience with our venues feel positive and safe, from extended cleaning regimens to observation of all state and federal guidelines. As these recommendations and requirements become clear, we will communicate them to you.”

To this end, Dayton Live has issued a COVID-19 Ticket Guarantee. If, once Dayton Live’s venues are open and performances are again filling the calendar, a patron feels COVID-19 conditions make it unsafe to attend a performance/event, they’ll have several options starting 30 days before your performance. For more details on this ticket guarantee, go to daytonlive.org/ticket-guarantee.

 

This COVID-19 Ticket Guarantee applies to performances/events presented by Dayton Live or its nonprofit resident companies. Some events presented by licensees renting Dayton Live facilities may not be covered or might have additional restrictions. The guarantee is available to the original ticket buyer who purchased directly from DaytonLive.org or our former ticketing site, TicketCenterStage.com. Tickets purchased from resellers are not covered.

 

City appoints Deputy City Manager

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Dayton City Manager Shelley Dickstein has appointed veteran City employee LaShea Lofton as Deputy City Manager, effective immediately.
Lofton has served the City of Dayton and the community for more than 28 years. She was appointed the Director of the Department of Finance in 2013 and previously served as Director for the Department of Recreation & Youth Services for four years. Her first 18 years, Lofton worked across several departments in the roles of management analyst, senior budget analyst, senior community development analyst, senior community development analyst and community development administrator.
As the Director of Finance, she was responsible for managing a team of 65 finance professionals and the operations staff in two divisions: Tax & Accounting and Utility Revenue Administration. She also provided oversight for the financial management of taxpayer resources, received and disbursed all cash, and connected the City with the banking community by managing City investments.
“LaShea has tremendous experience and talents that will serve her well in this new position. She has led diverse teams in a myriad of operations for over 25 years. She is well versed in policy planning and creative problem solving and has a talent for process and system analysis. We are fortunate to have someone of her caliber join our City Manager team,” said Dickstein.
In her new role as Deputy City Manager, Lofton will provide leadership and oversight to the Departments of Aviation, Finance, Public Works, and lead the establishment of a new Department of Information Technology.

Free Masks for City of Dayton Residents

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The City of Dayton is distributing free face masks to Dayton residents, to help the community slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
A pack of 10 masks is available to each household and may be picked up at any Dayton fire station from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week until supplies are depleted. Proof of City of Dayton residency is requested.
The masks are disposable (not washable), but can be used several times if stored in a cool, dry place when not in use.
The distribution follows the July 1 City Commission approval of an ordinance requiring use of face coverings in most indoor locations (including retail stores and restaurants) and outdoor locations where social distancing is not possible.
Federal CARES Act funds are supporting the mask distribution by the City.
Dayton fire station locations:
Station 2, 1009 E. Third St.
Station 4, 300 N. Main St.
Station 8, 2636 Stanley Ave.
Station 10, 1234 S. Broadway
Station 11, 145 Warren St.
Station 12, 4236 Brandt Pk.
Station 13, 1723 W. Third St.
Station 14, 2213 N. Main St.
Station 15, 2801 Wayne Ave.
Station 16, 4111 Kings Hwy.
Station 17, 4118 W. Third St.
Station 18, 207 S. Smithville Rd.

Old Dayton Pizza at Riverside Hideaway Now Open!

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Owners Steve & Sherri Zelen purchased the old Green Lantern Bar on Old Troy Pike in Riverside last October.  Then they started working hard to transform the building to match their vision for what would become  Old Dayton Pizza at Riverside Hideaway. As they describe it, it’s a “Fun time sports bar …where locally sourced shenanigans pair with pizza.”  Their signature pizza features a Roman Style pizza crust.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve’s famous Roman Style pizza dough goes through a bulk fermentation process for 24 to 48 hours.  “Just the right amount of crunch to chew”, as he describes it.

There is also a full bar with 12 taps of ice cold beer!

 

 

 

 

They’ve totally remodeled the inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As well as the outside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now all they need is you to visit them and enjoy some pizza!

Old Dayton Pizza at Riverside Hideaway
3490 Old Troy Pike
Riverside, OH 45404

937-23303490

Hours:  Mon- Sat 11am to midnight

 

Online Ordering will be available soon

ruef Design launches Free Music Video Contest

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ruef Design, a Dayton, OH-area digital marketing agency, is offering to produce, film, and edit a music video for a local band or artist for FREE.

The lucky artist or band will work with ruef Design through the creative process and all phases of production to craft a music video, all on ruef Design’s dime.

Zack Ruef, owner of the Dayton-based digital marketing agency said he and his team came up with the idea during the recent quarantine.

Zack Ruef

“We love Dayton and would like to give something back,” Ruef said. “We believe in nurturing the arts and creativity, now more than ever.”

He continued: “Dayton is full of talent. As a creative agency, we know it first-hand: We are made up of passionate artists and designers and musicians, and we want to help promote local art and music! We think now more than ever we need positivity and creativity to thrive.”

The video will be for one original song (no covers), including location scouting and video concept development, as well as full video production and editing.

“Shooting a music video is a lot of fun, plus we’ll get the opportunity to meet and work with other local artists, so it’s a win-win!” Ruef said.

The initial entry submission period will run until July 10th, 2020. For full terms and conditions, and to enter, visit https://ruef.com/music-video-contest/.

ruef Design specializes in technical communications and marketing for business-to-business buyers in manufacturing, engineering, and industrial spaces, and have created music videos for high-profile artists and bands in Dayton and Cincinnati.

Greater Dayton LGBTQ+ Her/History Nomination

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According to one of the founders, Jerry Mallicoat, “the Greater Dayton LGBTQ Her/History Project began in 2019 as a way to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising by capturing, preserving and recognizing history and trailblazers for equality in our local area LGBTQ community. As we began discovering important stories, people and events, we quickly realized that it should be continued annually so that we can preserve our local her/history for future generations to understand how LGBTQ people have helped make our community more equal and affirming. History is happening every day, and we want to be sure it gets professionally preserved a. That’s why we will install much of the information and memorabilia we are collecting at Wright State University Library where it can be protected and searched through their catalogs, and inform future generations about how integral we have been to our community.”
Last year they profiled the pivotal historical people, places and events in our Dayton LGBT community. The October award ceremony held at The Brightside honored many including, The Rubi Girls, lesbian activists Nancy Grigsby, Wendy Stiver, Elizabeth Wiley and Liz Valenti, Gay activists like Leon Bay, Jim McCarthy and Rodney Veal as well as Allies.
Not it’s time to nominate a person, place or event that has been pivotal to the LGBTQ+ history in the Dayton area during the last 50 years.  People can make nominations by July 31 using the link below, and they can indicate whether they have memorabilia to donate. Criteria for nomination are included on the nomination form.
Below are criteria that may help you with your submission. Please submit your nomination by July 31, 2020.
Categories include:

1. LGBTQ+ people who have been pivotal in helping to make the greater Dayton community a better place for everyone.

2. LGBTQ+ people who have been instrumental in advancing equality for the LGBTQ community.

3. Pivotal events that helped advance equality or raise consciousness about LGBTQ+ issues.

4. Places/buildings/locations that have been pivotal or important in our local LGBTQ+ history.

5. Organizations or community groups that have been pivotal in the LGBTQ+ community.

6. Straight allies who have been pivotal in advancing equality for LGBTQ+ people/community.

People can also send information and questions to [email protected]. A steering committee of people from across the community will review nominations and select the most impactful – true trailblazers for equality – to be recognized at a virtual event on October 22.

Melt Introduces New Happy Hour Menu

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Melt Bar and Grilled launches a new Happy Hour menu at all locations on July 1st.  The new menu consists of old favorites and delicious new items – only available 3pm – 6pm Monday through Friday.  Come on, get happy!

Happy Hour Beer, Cocktails & Wine Specials

  • Bud Light & Miller Lite – $2.00 off 16oz & 22oz draft
  • $1.00 off all other draft beers – 16oz & 22oz
  • $1.00 off all can & bottled beer
  • $2.00 off all Signature Cocktails
  • $2.00 off all Spiked Seltzers
  • $3.00 off glass – house red or house white wine
  • $2.00 off all single serve wines
  • $4.00 off all half bottles

Mac & Cheese Crocks

  • Classic Cheesy Cheddar / Cheddar, romano, american, panko crumb crust. V, VG
  • Buffalo Mac / Cheddar, signature buffalo sauce, blue cheese. V, VG
  • Sweet & Smokey / Cheddar, caramel port onions, smoked gouda. V, VG
  • Bacon Ranch – Bacon, cheddar, ranch, scallions. VA, VG
  • Cheesy Tortilla – Roasted corn salsa, onion, tortilla crumbs, sweet chipotle, sour cream, scallions. V, VG

Melt Quesadilla / Grilled chicken, cheddar cheese, roasted corn salsa, sautéed onions, jalapeno, scallions, sour cream, house-made salsa picante. VA

Happy Corndogs / Happy size house-dipped corn dogs, chipotle ketchup & sweet mustard for dipping.

Chips & Salsa / Fresh fried tortilla chips & house made salsa picante. V

Melt Nachos / Fresh fried tortilla chips, cheddar cheese sauce, fire-roasted corn salsa, scallions, pickled jalapenos, house-made salsa picante, sour cream. V (chicken or ground beef extra)

Cheese Bacon Fries / Fresh-cut fries, cheddar cheese sauce, crisp bacon crumble. VA

Buffalo Chicken Tenders / Hand-breaded chicken strips tossed in our signature buffalo sauce with ranch dip.

Happy Bruschetta / Toasted bread, mozzarella, grilled tomato, hickory bacon, sweet balsamic, fresh basil. VA

V = Vegetarian Item
VA = Vegetarian Available
VG = Vegan Available

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Starts July 1

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Beginning July 1, the Ohio Development Services Agency and local Community Action Agencies and nonprofits will help income-eligible Ohioans maintain their utility service through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program. The program helps eligible Ohioans pay an electric bill, purchase an air conditioning unit or fan, or pay for central air conditioning repairs. This year, the program will run from July 1 until September 30, 2020.

 

“This year, we’ve extended the length of the program and expanded eligibility requirements so we can help more Ohioans during this health crisis,” Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Development Services Agency said. “We’re working with our local partners every day to help Ohioans in need.”

 

In 2019 more than 20,500 families across Ohio were assisted through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program.

 

The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households with an older household member (60 years or older), or households that can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health. Examples of conditions can include lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, asthma, etc. This year, households that were diagnosed with COVID-19 in 2020, have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, or are trying to establish new service on their electric bill are also eligible for assistance.

 

Ohioans can visit energyhelp.ohio.gov to start their application prior to their required appointment. This year appointments can be held over the phone or in person at a local partner Agency. To find an agency in your area or to schedule an appointment call, (800) 282-0880.

 

Eligible households can receive up to $500 if they are a customer of a regulated utility, or $800 if they are a customer of unregulated utilities such as electric cooperatives and municipal utilities. The assistance is applied to their utility bill, or to purchase an air conditioning unit or fan, or pay for central air conditioning repairs. Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance. For a family of four the annual income must be at or below $45,850.00.

 

Also new this year, Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus Program (PIPP) who meet the above criteria may be eligible for assistance towards their default PIPP payment, first PIPP payment, central air conditioning repairs, or may receive an air conditioning unit and/or fan.

 

For more information about the Summer Crisis Program are available at energyhelp.ohio.govor by calling (800) 282-0880.

4 Course Porterhousre Dinner for Two at Lily’s

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Lily’s Bistro, in the Oregon District, will host Super Dad’s Backyard BBQ Porterhouse for Two this Friday, July 3rd.  This special event will feature a four course, summer themed, menu with Executive Chef Don Warfe grilling up the main course, a 22oz porterhouse for two, on their back patio.

 

“We’re very fortunate to have three patios at Lily’s that allows us to spread people out in a safe way.” said Emily Mendenhall, Partner and Managing Owner. “We wanted to use these patios as an opportunity to throw a special event and grilling out seemed to fit the season!”

 

Guests are invited to enjoy a summer centric menu for two that includes Buffalo Deviled Eggs, Antipasto Salad, 22oz Grilled Garlic Herb Porterhouse Steak, and a “Super Dad Brownie.” Cocktail and wine specials will be available for purchase at the event.

 

“We brought on Chef Don Warfe right before all businesses were shut down,” Mendenhall said. “He was incredibly helpful to get us through our transitioning phases with carryout and delivery but we’re excited to start showcasing his creative skills. This event will focus on his love of summer ingredients and cooking techniques.”

 

Super Dad’s Backyard BBQ Porterhouse for Two will happen this Friday at Lily’s Bistro with two seatings, 6:00pm and 8:30pm.

First Course:  Buffalo Deviled Eggs
Blue Cheese, celery and spicy tangy buffalo sauce.

Second Course:  Antipasto Salad
Pepperoncini, grape tomato, red onion, kalamata olives, ham, salami, artichoke hearts, feta, fresh parsley, with red wine herbed vinaigrette over chopped romaine.

Main Course:  22oz. Grilled Garlic Herb Porterhouse Steak
Flame grilled to temperature Porterhouse Steak with garlic basil compound butter. Served with roasted Cajun potato salad, and a side of Mexican street corn.

Fourth Course:  Super Dad Brownie
Double chocolate stout brownie, house made vanilla ice-cream with amarena cherries, topped with a Caramel drizzle.

Tickets are $85 for two people (tip included) and seating is limited to 20 tickets total. Tickets can be purchased at lilysbistro.com