Dayton Most Metro

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

First Friday

First Friday: Let’s Continue to Rock in the New Year!

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Help welcome Jennifer Sayger as my first guest artist of 2020. Jennifer will have her latest cassette tape collection of paintings featuring popular musicians on display. Do you have a favorite musician? Stop by to see which musicians she will have featured. Will Elton, Prince, Tom, or Madonna, grace the walls of the studio?

Mikee Huber will have the latest in my Detours and Connections series available. It will also be a three days after Mikee’s birthday and six days after Robert’s birthday!

Refreshments are available. Park on Ewing Street on the south side of the building, or in the parking lot on the north side of the building.

First Friday: Mikee Huber & Guest Artist Steve Wohler

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Help me welcome my guest artist for November, Steve Wohler! Join us for conversations, refreshments, and to see our latest art.

STEVE WOHLER

Applying the passion and ability God has given him, Steve works in oil on canvas painting American themes of the mid-western landscape and town-scape. Old cars and trucks in their natural habitat are a specialty. He works in a realistic, yet loose style that rings of the truth. Being from the Dayton, Ohio area, with its automotive cultural history, he has been fascinated by the area’s classic car and hot rod scenery since an early age.

Steve works in oil on canvas and has won several awards including multiple “Best of Shows”. He has had solo exhibitions at Fifth Third Center, Mayflower Arts Center, The City of Centerville, the Rusty Harden Studio and The Riverside Art Center in Wapakoneta.

He displays his paintings annually at the Dayton Concours d’Elegance at Carillon Park and is the featured artist at the 2019 Dayton Concours d’Elegance! Congratulations, Steve!

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The studio is located in the large two story building at the intersection of N. Keowee, Webster, and Ewing Streets. Parking is available on Ewing Street, on the south side of the building, or in he large lot on the north side of the building.

First Friday: Mikee Huber & guest artist Mary Beth Whitley

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Each month I display new art I’ve made and have a different guest artist. Help welcome my guest artist for the month of May, Mary Beth Whitley. There will be lite refreshments for you to enjoy while talking with the artists.

Mary Beth Whitley:
“My work brings attention to ordinary landscapes and objects found in nature that often go unnoticed or unseen due to our busy schedule. I am particularly interested in capturing the passage of time and/or movement or comparing the life cycle of nature to that of our own. Viewers are invited to consider the value of the natural world and to be more mindful of their interactions with nature. My artistic process combines the immediacy of a snapshot with natural beeswax to create visual experiences which prompt the viewer to look more closely at their surroundings.

Our existence is intimately linked to the natural world surrounding us. Through the use of color and light, I create work that reflects the beauty and importance of our interconnection with nature.”

There will be lite refreshments for you to enjoy while talking with the artists.

The studio is located at 903 N. Keowee Street, at the intersection of N. Keowee, Webster, and Ewing Streets. Parking is available on Ewing Street to the south of the building, or in the large parking lot to the north of the building.

First Friday, Spring Edition

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Spring is finally here, enjoy it with a burst of color during First Friday! I painted new art just for this event and will have lite refreshments available. Stop in to see my latest art and the art by my guest artist Rebecca Sargent.
There will be a special reception for her on Thursday, April 11th. Save the date.

My studio is part of the N. Keowee St. Studios located at the corner of N. Keowee, Webster, and Ewing Streets. There is plenty of parking on Ewing Street to the south of the building, and in the parking lot on the north side of the building. I recommend using Google Maps for 903 N. Keowee. Apple Maps will take you to the wrong block.

First Friday: Mikee Huber & guest artist Jennifer Sayger

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Okay Game of Thrones fans, help me welcome my guest artist of the month, Jennifer Sayger! I have new art on display each month, as well as a guest artist of the month so there’s always new art to enjoy. See you at First Friday!

Jennifer M. Sayger, Murage

From her home studio in Miamisburg, Ohio, Jennifer M. Sayger operates as a fine art and mural painting business that caters to a variety of residential and commercial clients, and depicts a wide range of realistic, abstract and classical subjects. From custom pet portraits to a reproduction of Raphael’s work, Jennifer has created timeless custom paintings on canvas and directly on walls.

An early interest in painting & art led Jennifer to complete her studies at the Modern College of Design in 1993, where she then went on to work for a local award-winning business to business advertising firm. She operated behind the scenes as a production artist and graphic designer for several local and national Fortune 500 companies.

In 2000, she decided to take a chance to go out on her own and open Murage Studios where she continues to develop with local designers, homeowners and
businesses in concept to completion with her variety of artistry.

Jennifer is an active member of the Miamisburg art community. She is an exhibiting member of the Miamisburg Art Gallery and holds a seat on their board. She was the 2018 chairperson of the annual juried show and currently designs the newsletters. She is also involved in the newly constructed Miamisburg Art Council.

She enjoys using reclaimed materials in her art pieces — such as giving new life to old discarded canvases at antique malls or to wooden barn wood creations from her Miamisburg property.

She loves to stay and visit with her 95 year-old grandmother at Indian Lake during the summer months with her husband and two girls.

Local listening room welcomes folk singer Laurie McClain on First Friday

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Dayton has been missing having a true “listening room” since the closing of Canal Street Tavern. The Brightside, a new music venue downtown, is looking to fill that void. 

On First Friday, May 4, 2018, they welcome Laurie McClain, a folk singer / songwriter all the way from Los Angeles. While Laurie accompanies herself expressively on guitar, ukulele, viola, and harmonica, it’s her honey voice that soothes and her powerful lyrics that heal hearts. Reminiscent of 60s/70s folk, her songs are messages of hope for a weary world.

Here’s what a few of her fellow singer-songwriters have to say about Laurie:

“Will very much touch your emotions in a most valuable way.” -Steve Forbert

“Laurie has got to be from another planet. I’ve never met anyone – except maybe Richie Havens – who is so open-hearted and full of love for humanity, yet who appears to experience life on a different plane than everybody else. Her music is as innocent as it is informed by experience, as playful as it is rooted, and as detail-oriented as it is grand in scope.” -Devon Sproule

“Laurie turns each venue into her own living room, and each listener into a new friend with her disarming humor and passionate performance. She is a gem of uniqueness and authenticity.” -Michael Kearns

“Laurie is a true artist. She opens hearts and sings from a place of depth and love. She held my tough NYC audience with her masterful storytelling, strong lyrics and vulnerable voice, moving them to tears and laughter.” -Kathryn’s House Concert Series (NYC)

How to Go?

The Brightside Event & Music Venue at 905 E 3rd St Dayton, OH 45403

Friday May 4, 2018. Performance from 7-10pm.

$5 admission

All Ages

Free off-street parking

 

Celebrate ‘Independents’ Day with Locally Owned Businesses on July 1 First Friday

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first-fridayBefore the fireworks light up the sky, head to downtown Dayton where locally owned businesses are celebrating their own “independents” day for First Friday, 5 to 10 pm Friday, July 1. Check out the sales at local retailers, enjoy the food specials at independent restaurants, and take in a few performing arts – time is running out to see Disney’s The Lion King at the Schuster Center! The show rolls out of Dayton on Sunday, July 3.

For more information about First Friday, or to find business addresses, parking, upcoming activities and more, visit the DDP website at downtowndayton.org or use the location-based mobile site, mobile.downtowndayton.org.

Invite friends and family to partake in First Friday fun! “Like” and share the First Friday Facebook page or the event page. Courteous Mass has moved their bike ride to Friday, July 8th this month.

Art
• Dutoit Gallery, 1001 E. Second St., #100: Enjoy an art exhibition by Harry Vignocchi from 6-9 p.m. Call 952-0246.
• Front Street Galleries, 1001 E 2nd St.: Get a copy of Donnie Hutchinson’s new book titled, “Lead with Balance”. This softcover book teaches readers “how to master work life balance in an imbalanced culture.” Get a copy signed from 5-7 p.m. Call 266-3491.

Music
• Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St.: Featuring happy hour from 4 to 8 m., $2.50 well drinks. Music by Kelly Zullo, Paige Beller, Achilles Tenderloin on the patio from 6-8 pm and after, enjoy live music by Temper, Temper Temperature and Hell Yes, Goddammit on the indoor stage. Call 938-6405.
• Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave.:  Featuring Irish First Fridays, with a happy hour, live music by Jameson Folly starting at 8 p.m. Call 224-7822.
• Gilly’s, 132 S. Jefferson St.: Old Skool Groove Night from 8 p.m. to midnight. Enjoy the throwback hosted by DJ Galen Drake. Admission $5 at the door. Call 228-8414.
• Therapy Café, 452 E. Third St.: Featuring First Friday with 3DMentional. Admission $5. 9 pm to 3 am. Call 461-4000. Call 461-4000.
•The Trolley Stop, 530 E 5th St.: Enjoy live music from Hey There Morgan. Music starts at 9:00 pm.

Entertainment
• The Black Box Improv Theatre, 518 E. Third St.: Come see the cast of Womit 2.0 put on #hashtag. They’ll interview an audience member as well as visit their social media pages in an effort to drum up some inspiration for improvised scenes. BYOB. Call for ticket prices and availability. The show starts at 8 pm. Call 369-0747.11253886_935413029856997_3022844219165847317_o
• Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. Fifth St.: Dayton Chess Club hosts a Quick tournament for US Chess Federation members. Games are perfect for club chess players and those experienced with online chess games who would like to test their skill over the board. The club opens at 6:30 p.m. and registration ends at 7:25 pm. The first of four games begins at 7:30. Visit daytonchessclub.com for more details. Call 461-6283.
• Fifth Third Field, 220 N Patterson Blvd.: Watch the Dayton Dragons play the West Michigan Whitecaps. Games starts at 7:00 pm. For tickets and more information, visit http://www.daytondragons.com or call 228-2287.
• MJ’s on Jefferson, 20 N. Jefferson St.: Join hostess Hellin Bedd with her Male Revue featuring male dancers and special guests. Show starts at 11 p.m. Kitchen hours 5:30 pm- 2 am with daily and weekly specials! Cover is $5 for 21+, and $7 for 18-20 with proper I.D. Call 223-3259.
• Nucleus CoShare, 411 W. Fifth St.: First Friday means it’s time for another Free Workday! From 8am to 5 pm, visitors can experience what a co-shared office environment is like, and get a preview of the benefits a membership to Nucleus CoShare provides. Call 259-4686.
• Schuster Performing Arts Center, 1 W 2nd St.: Experience the phenomenon of DISNEY’S THE LION KING! Join Victoria Theatre Association before Friday performances and enter-to-win DISNEY’S THE LION KING merchandise that you won’t be able to get anywhere else in Wintergarden between 7 and 7:30 pm for #FreeStuffFridays. After the show, take your ticket stub to UNO’s Pizzeria and Grill and get a free mini-dessert with drink purchase. Show starts at 8 pm. For tickets and prices visit http://schusterperformingarts.center-tickets.net/. Call 228-7591.

• Wiley’s Comedy Joint, 101 Pine St.: Participate in the Wiley’s Annual Fireworks Comedy Contest for a shot at $1,000 or simply watch and enjoy the comedians. $25 to enter the contest, $10 to watch and two-item minimum. Shows start at 7:15 & 9:30 p.m. Visit wileyscomedy.com for more information or call 224.5658.

Food and Drink
• Deaf Monty’s Wine, 22 Brown St.: Enjoy $2 tastings of select wines. Call 225-9463.
• De’Lish Café, 139 N. Main St.: Friday Nights Unplugged features live music plus $5 food and drinks specials and $4 wines. Call 461-2233.
• Fifth Street Brewpub, 1600 E. Fifth St.: Enjoy happy hour from 4-6 pm, $1 off all draft beer and wine and $1 off sharing plates. Call 443-0919
• Lily’s Bistro, 329 E. Fifth St.: Celebrate the restaurant’s three-year birthday on First Friday July 1. Enjoy “flash back Friday” cocktails from the very first menu, as well as dinner specials. Weather permitting, Lily’s will offer homemade, fresh, and unique lemonades available for purchase at the stand in front of the restaurant. Call 723-7637.
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Shopping
• Epic Life Fitness: 118 N. Jefferson St.: Patrons can stop by between 4-8 p.m.to schedule a free assessment and receive 20% off their first package with the purchase of four sessions or more. Call 371-8258.
• Link Dayton Bike Share (22 stations located throughout downtown): Make it a date! Link Bike Share will celebrate “independents day” with a buy-one-get-one-free offer on 24-hour membership purchase. Buy one 24-hour pass at any Link kiosk, and the promotion code for the free pass will be sent to via text message. Call 496-3825.
• Sew Dayton, 261 Wayne Ave.: First Fridays feature the free Stitch n’ Sip event. Bring your own beverage and sewing project and make new sewing friends! No need to register. Suggested crafts include: crochet, knitting, hand embroidery, cross stitch or paper craft. Open sew is from 5-8 pm. Call 234-7398.

Art is Everywhere During New Juried Show and Kickoff Event

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Artinthecitylogo-01It’s not a difficult task to discover visual arts in downtown Dayton. Whether you’re exploring a gallery space or admiring local products sold in downtown businesses, Dayton’s rich arts amenities abound. Last year, we introduced our first event in the new Summer in the City series in May, and it was a blast. But we’ve got a lot more in store for art lovers at this year’s event. Pack your bags, because you’re in for a trip! Art in the City is the next signature event of the 2016 DP&L Summer in the City lineup, and it promises to be quite the visual feast.

IMG_1530The Downtown Dayton Partnership is helping to roll out a new juried art show. The Dayton Visual Arts Center pulled together 26 talented local artists whose work will be on display in different downtown businesses. Our goals are simple: We hope to encourage art lovers to discover a new downtown business, and we want to introduce regular patrons to incredible local art. We’re also throwing another element into the mix: You get to decide which artist nabs the title of “People’s Choice” by voting for your favorite artist or artwork. Voting starts Friday, June 3, and closes at noon on June 17. Visit downtowndayton.org for details.

To kick off the open voting session, we’re hosting a huge visual arts party, complete with live demonstrations, hands-on activities, and other interactive programs throughout downtown. It’s free! It’s fantastic! It’s fun for all ages! And it lasts from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, June 3.

IMG_1681You can meet the artists from the juried show pop-up galleries in their spaces, and you can check out an array of other arts activities sprinkled around downtown, including:

  • The Front Street Experience: Watch artists blow glass and create street art on canvas, get your face painted, and take a selfie at the art wall, located on Courthouse Square. While you’re there, check out more fun going on for the kickoff of Dayton Pride weekend, Affair on the Square.
  • K12 Gallery & TEJAS: The whole family will enjoy visual arts activities and special performances by SMAG Dance Collective. Get down on the dance floor with music by DJ Tony Whitfield and DJ Scorpius Max. Visit “Make n’ Take” stations and create garden art planters and garden wire sculptures. Juice bar and snacks also available for purchase.
  • Mendelson’s Mural: A new mural-painting company, The Mural Machine, is taking art to the streets and transforming buildings. Watch them work on their current project, Mendelson’s Outlet, off First Street.IMG_1563
  • Live demos: Several downtown arts businesses will have live demonstrations, and you can browse artwork in the shop for sale. Check out Gallery 510 Fine Art at 508 E. Fifth St., Vessels at 227 N. Main St., Ink & Hammer at 506 Wayne Ave., Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors on 48 High St. in St. Anne’s, and the Front Street Galleries in the warehouse at 1001 E. Second St.
  • Art on 5th: Following the success of its first art show and handmade craft sale, theNorthGate returns with its next gallery and market, located at Fifth and Wilkinson in the former historic Salvation Army building.
  • Dayton Art Institute: If you haven’t seen the latest exhibit, Into the Ether, you’ll be inspired to visit the interactive light gallery when you visit the museum’s special Art in the City location near Lily’s Bistro (329 E. Fifth St.). Make your own luminary with color-changing LED lights!
  • Innovative Arts Nexus (IAN): The University of Dayton’s former Art Street program has gone beyond art as a creative medium for expression and turned it into an application for creative problem solving and innovation. Learn more about the process and challenge your perceptions at their interactive experience in front of the Clair Lofts (St. Clair Street between Third and Fourth streets).
  • IMG_1582Nucleus CoShare: Not only will you get to see one of the largest pop-up gallery installations at this space, you can experience a variety of other local artists. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could work here? Memberships to the co-shared office space are still available. Chat with the staff on-site to learn more about rates and benefits (besides being surrounded by inspirational artwork).
  • The Mosaic Institute of Greater Dayton: Create your own unique mosaic while you enjoy the sights and sounds of Pickin’ in the Park at RiverScape MetroPark. Be sure to try the free demo of the new Urban Family Challenge Food and craft beer will be available for purchase at this location. (Heads up – Monument Avenue will be closed from Patterson to St. Clair for this activity.)
  • African American Visual Artists Guild: Watch computer art and thread painting demonstration at their station in the Oregon District.
  • Courteous Mass: Get a new perspective on your city from the seat of a bike. Join a group ride to tour public art installations on a new iteration of the Bike the Arts Bonus: The new culture-wrapped Link Bike also will be unveiled! The ride departs from Don Crawford Plaza (Fifth Third Field) at 6:30 p.m.

The Boxcar Suite Celebrates New Life on the Limb EP

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12779290_788187994614930_900709669285513899_oOne of the city’s most beloved local rock bands, The Boxcar Suite are celebrating the release of their newest EP, Life on the Limb, by throwing a huge April Fool’s Day Party with their friends the Nick Frye Band. Join in on the revelry Friday April 1st at The Trolley Stop. Show starts at 9pm.

If you’re not familiar with The Boxcar Suite – it’s long overdue that you get familiar with them! They are likened to Tom Petty, Neil Young, but definitely that Dayton rock’n’roll edge. To get a taste of their newest music, check out their Room Full of Cowards video below.

You can also check out and even snag your own digital copy of the EP on the band’s music site here. And certainly if you get a chance, the best way to experience this band is live!

How to Go: Friday April 1st. Trolley Stop. 9pm. $5 cover.