University of Dayton

Dayton Bar Stars – Gretchen Kelly

May 9, 2017 By Brian Petro

Gretchen Kelly, about to do some work…

The University of Dayton is an amazing asset for the city. It is one of the best Catholic universities in the country, educating roughly 10,000 students in a variety of disciplines. Their development has helped the city, from their incredible law and entrepreneurship programs to their basketball program with has drawn national attention. The school is continuing to grow, taking an active role in the rebirth of the Arcade downtown and providing a solid foundation for growing businesses around campus. The number of events that occur at the university, from small gatherings in the library to hosting the First Four, are staggering. It is not too much of an exaggeration to say if you go to an event at the University of Dayton, Gretchen Kelly has had some hand in the drinks being poured there.

Gretchen has been working at the University of Dayton for years, starting in the dining halls and working her way up to a supervisor for all of their catering. But when she has the opportunity, she is back with the staff pouring drinks for thirsty guests. To work some of the events there, she has one accolade that few other bartenders in the city can claim; Secret Service clearance. Serving some of the patrons at Flyer games requires clearance by some of the top officers in the country. You may have seen her more recently at The Main Event, the huge gala was thrown by the Dayton Metro Library to provide a sneak peek at their beautiful new library. You may have even noticed her at an Art Ball or two, bartending with Kohler Catering. Her skills are in high demand at some of the top events in the area. They are also in demand at the Oregon Express, where you can find her on the odd night mixing cocktails, pulling beers, and enjoying the live bands that toll through that venue.

Her radio show will be back in June, with unknown bands you need to hear.

If you have not been on the receiving end of her bartending abilities, it is possible you have enjoyed one of her other passions: working with musicians. She has been booking bands for years at notable venues like the Canal Street and her home bar, Oregon Express. Her bartending adventures have taken her as far as Loveland, OH, where she ran the stick for a bar owned by the head cheerleader for the Cincinnati Bengals. She is still booking talent at the Express, even as she is transitioning to a new format for her radio show. The station and the show will be launching in June. Her one-hour show will focus on up-and-coming unsigned bands from around the world.

Gretchen has been a staple at the University of Dayton for years, and it looks like she will be one for many more. From small breakfast meetings to an UD Arena filled to capacity, she will be there taking care of her guests with a smile. Yet another amazing asset at UD.

How did you get into bartending?

After three years as a server at the Oregon Express, they trained me as a bartender. I had four different people train me.

Gretchen with one of her loves.

What is your favorite drink to make?

A Chocolate Martini with the chocolate syrup swirled in the glass.

Which drink makes you internally cringe?

When it’s busy, anything with a blender!

Do you have a favorite spirit you like to work with?

Vodka, because you can mix it with anything.

When you go out for a drink in Dayton, where is your favorite place to go?

Too many places to name!

Who is the most famous person you have served?

Band members from LIVE and Collective Soul.

What do you do when you are not bartending?

Work some of my other jobs. I have an internet radio show (Can I get more information on this new venture?)

A small part of The Main Event Crew.

What are your favorite trends from the last year?

It seems more people are drinking Tullamore D.E.W., an Irish whiskey.

What trends do you see coming to Dayton over the next six months?

I will love any trend that does not require a blender.

What advice do you want to give bartenders just getting into the business?

The best way to learn is from other experienced bartenders. Then you can develop your own style of drinks.

What do you love most about Dayton?

Most everything!

Most interesting thing you have seen from behind the bar?

Tending bar at an event at the Boonshoft Museum and watching my friends slide down the slides while wearing evening gowns and tuxedos.

Getting ready to go at the Oregon Express.

How has bartending changed in the time you have been in the industry?

Too much technology at some places. It takes more time to ring up drinks on a system at times. Some of the pre-measuring takes away from the speed and unique techniques of a good bartender from making the perfect drink.

Any interesting stories about having to deal with a difficult customer?

I had a guy at a wedding once say to me ” If I get too drunk you are driving me home.” I replied, ” Here is your Coke.”

What do you wish customers knew that helped you do your job?

Do NOT to try and get our attention by saying “Hey baby.”

If you were not a bartender, what career would you be pursuing?

Bartending for me is like breathing. I have to bartend.

Dive Bar Thursday: Flanagan’s Pub

March 16, 2017 By Brian Petro

Welcome to the pub!

With St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, everyone looks to the Irish cultural touchpoints in town. When you are looking for a dive bar that is also Irish, the field goes down considerably. The Dublin Pub is thrown out immediately; it is incredibly Irish, but incredibly lovely as well. Paddy’s Irish Pub falls into the same category at the Dublin Pub. Tremendous and very nice, not especially divey. Harrigan’s Tavern? Difficult to classify it as a dive bar. Their menu is pretty extensive, which digs into the debate of what earns the distinction of a dive bar vs. a diner. At the moment, Harrigan’s still fits into the diner category until someone convinces me otherwise. I would make the same argument for O’Leary’s Pub and Grub, though most of my experience there was admittedly for trivia. Which left us one place suggested to explore: Flanagan’s Pub. This staple is best known for being part of the party atmosphere in Dayton every March 17^th, but did you know it was also open the other 364 days of the year?

Flanagan’s Pub (101 E. Stewart St., Dayton, OH 45409) is off the beaten path. But not by much. Nestled on the side of the road with a gas station for a neighbor, it is possible that as you explore the University of Dayton area, you could miss it. It has been a staple in the neighborhood for over twenty-five years, predating most of the shiny businesses that are there now. It has always been a friendly place for hard working people to get a drink, whether your work was done on a factory floor, the streets of the city, or in a library huddled over a book. Before it became the staple it is now; a laborer could get a beer topped with a raw egg and a shot of whiskey for just one dollar. How do you beat that deal? The discount has changed a little: if you are a police officer or firefighter, you can get 20% off your food bill. There are other ways Flanagan’s supports our first responders, but that is for later.

Ask for a cocktail, and you shall receive one.

Those that remember the days that Patrick ran the place also remember the beer selection. While favorites like Pabst Blue Ribbon ($2.50 pints every day), Stroh’s, and Red Dog are still available, the rest of the menu has expanded considerably. There are now craft beers of all stripes on tap. From the hoppy Bell’s Two Hearted IPA to the rich, dark smoothness of Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Blackout Stout, there is a little something for everyone. Pull up a stool on Saturday and you can enjoy $3 pints of local favorite Warped Wing all day! They are not afraid to experiment, either. Bubbles, the new rosé cider by Rhinegeist, was provided some space on the lines. There is also still plenty of Schöfferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen on draft they would not mind you coming in and finishing off. Possibly for brunch?

Brunches are popping up all over, and Flanagan’s Pub offers a dandy one from 11 AM to 4 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. If you are studying, you can get it (and anything else on the menus) to go back to your dorm. Omelets, sandwiches and specialty Belgian waffles are on the menu, along with any other breakfast food you could want. Their lunch, very popular with the hospital workers, police, and teachers during the week, has just as much variety. Pizza, wings, sandwiches and other bar fare is readily available until 10 PM every day, because you are going to need something to soak up the drinks while you sit and watch the University of Dayton play.

Is it an Irish bar? You tell me…

Games pre-empt almost any other event there, and they host the Flyer Feedback Show after each match. Wednesday night trivia, one of their most popular evenings, often loses its home when the Flyers are on the court. If you head in on a Friday or Saturday night, live music will be playing while you enjoy the cozy atmosphere. They are also open to any other events that may suit your fancy. The bar is available for private events. Rates depend on the number of people you are bringing, and what night you plan on hosting your little shindig. A Friday night gathering is going to be more expensive than crashing the place on a Tuesday night. But the opportunity is there, and they may even make a good deal on the food for you!

Of course, all this is nothing compared to the one event they are best known for: St. Patrick’s Day. WTUE makes their headquarters there for the day, and this year they will be joined by ALT 103.9. Doors will open at 6 AM for the festivities that will go on well past the end of the last March Madness first round game. From six to eight AM, the proceeds from the $10 cover fee ($15 if you want in and out privileges) will go to the fine men and women of the Dayton Fire Department. The public will also be allowed to participate in a live auction, also benefitting our friends at the DFD. From 8 AM to 10 AM admission is FREE. That’s right; you can enjoy live local bands and tasty pints of Guinness without having to pay the entry fee. If you need to get out and stretch your legs, maybe give your liver a break, you can catch the shuttle to the Dublin Pub and see what they have to offer. Maybe rush over and see another set by one of your favorite bands. While you are there, you can revisit past St. Patrick’s celebrations by looking over the pictures they have hanging on the wall by the stage. Those images go back decades and are now shown to a new generation of real Irish (for a day) folk.

The calm before the storm…

Sitting on the edge of a neighborhood in the center of a college campus, this emerald has sparkled for everyone. The regulars here still have their voices heard by the new owners, which has kept the feel of the bar the same as it was back in the day. They have had their creations added to the specialty cocktail menu, and they are in just as regularly as always. When the green dust settles on March 18th, and your liver is ready to head back out, be sure to add Flanagan’s Pub to your list of venues. Or just sneak back in for a hearty breakfast the next day. We hear it is the perfect cure for a hangover.

Flanagan’s Pub is located at 101 E. Stewart St, Dayton, OH 45409. They are open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 2:30 AM, and Sunday from 11 AM – 4 PM. You can call them at (937) 228-5776, or email them at flanagansdayton (at) gmail (dot) com. You can follow their shenanigans on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

UPDATE – MOMMY and IT FOLLOWS Are Opening at THE NEON!

March 24, 2015 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

Earlier today, I made an announcement about WOMAN IN GOLD opening at THE NEON on April 1…that plan has changed. The Weinstein Company has made big changes to their release strategy for WOMAN IN GOLD. After confirming April 1 as its opening date for us, they have yanked it away (from us and numerous other cinemas across the country). At this time, we don’t know if we will be able to play the film when it finally becomes available in our market. That said, I have made the appropriate changes to this week’s newsletter below. Thanks for your understanding – this is very frustrating news (not to mention a terrible waste of time, energy and our valuable on-screen marketing).

We are officially overbooked at THE NEON, and we need to get moving with some titles. Though LEVIATHAN is one of the best reviewed films we’ve played in a long time (and audiences were in awe this weekend), it didn’t perform well for us…so Thursday will be your last chance to catch it at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open 2 new films. Xavier Dolan’s MOMMY will screen once a day starting Friday, and IT FOLLOWS will get a full run (we haven’t played a horror film in a long, long time – this one is getting great reviews). All that said, we’ll keep bothSECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL and WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS for another week. For this week’s remaining showtimes (they’re different than the upcoming week – which are listed below), please visit our website at www.neonmovies.com

Synopsis for MOMMY: From Wunderkind Xavier Dolan comes this year’s Oscar submission from Canada – MOMMY. Dolan has won numerous awards at Cannes and around the world for his 5 feature-length films, and he just turned 26. “A feisty widowed single mom finds herself burdened with the full-time custody of her rambunctious 15-year-old ADHD son. As they try to make ends meet, Kyla, the peculiar girl across the street, offers her help. Together, they find a new sense of balance, and hope is regained.” (taken from Roadside Attractions) This is a strictly limited engagement with just a handful of screenings, and we’re one of a few cinemas in Ohio to play it. Don’t miss it! Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

Synopsis for IT FOLLOWS: It’s been a long time since THE NEON has screened a horror film, and fans on Facebook seem enthusiastic for the engagement of this critically acclaimed film…let’s see if that excitement really translates to solid box office numbers. “For 19-year-old Jay (Maika Monroe), fall should be about school, boys and weekends out at the lake. But after a seemingly innocent sexual encounter, she finds herself plagued by strange visions and the inescapable sense that someone, or something, is following her. Faced with this burden, Jay and her teenage friends must find a way to escape the horrors that seem to be only a few steps behind.” (taken from RADiUS/Weinstein Co.) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

Don’t forget that tomorrow, Wednesday, March 25, The Alumni Chair in Humanities at UD will present special screenings of Stanley Kubrick’s classic film PATHS OF GLORY – starring Kirk Douglas. Dr. Tony Smith will introduce the award-winning film, and the screenings are free for UD faculty, staff and students. Tickets for the general public are available for a suggested donation of $5. Seating will be on a first come, first serve basis. The movie will screen at 7:30 and 9:30. The presentation of this film is part of the World War I cohort project at UD.

LUNAFEST is Back! On Sunday, April 12 at 3:00, The Dayton Women’s Rights Alliance will present the popular touring festival of short films by, for about women! “Established in 2000 by LUNA, the makers of the Whole Nutrition Bar for Women, LUNAFEST connects women, their stories and their causes through film. This traveling film festival spotlights the work of a diverse array of talented women filmmakers with intelligent, funny and thought-provoking themes. Equally important, LUNAFEST can be used as a ‘fundraiser-in-a-box.’ helping hosts raise money for nonprofits in their own communities, as well as the Breast Cancer Fund. 100 percent of all net proceeds are donated to charity. LUNAFEST’s main beneficiary, the Breast Cancer Fund…Tickets are $5 for students with valid IDs and $10 for general admission. Lunafest is sponsored by The Dayton Women’s Rights Alliance – a feminist organization whose members work to promote and protect the rights of women of all classes, races and cultures. We seek to foster education and activism, and we work with community organizations challenging sexism, racism, homophobia, ageism, classism, poverty and other manifestations of injustice.” (taken from DWRA press notes) Click this LINK to read more about the films.

The Dayton Jewish International Film Festival is preparing another incredible slate of films for you. Screenings will kick off later in April, and the official website will be available soon, but if you want to take a peek at some of the titles, visit The Jewish Community Center’s Event Page by clicking this LINK.

Every year when I come back from The Toronto International Film Festival, people ask me how hard it is to get tickets and participate. While anyone can go to TIFF (you don’t have to be an industry insider), so many people don’t realize that there’s a huge, incredible, well-respected film festival just a few hours away. The Cleveland International Film Festival has grown and grown over the years, and I’ll be attending the final 5 days of the festival – staring tomorrow. Check out the official website to see just how impressive it really is.

I hope you’ll help keep THE NEON nice and busy in my absence, and I hope to see you soon when I get back.

Thanks for your continued support.
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, Mar. 27 – Thursday, April 2:

THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL (PG) 2 Hr 2 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 2:10, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:40

WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS (NR) 1 Hr 26 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:15, 9:50
Sunday: 12:15
Monday – Thursday: 8:00

MOMMY (R) 2 Hr 19 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 4:40
Monday – Thursday: 5:10

IT FOLLOWS (R) 1 Hr 40 Min
Friday & Saturday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45
Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:10, 5:30, 7:50

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)

April 3 – WILD TALES

April 10? – WHILE WE’RE YOUNG
April 17 – TRUE STORY
April ? – RED ARMY
TBD – GREY GARDENS
TBD – WILD TALES
TBD – ’71
TBD – FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD

Oddbody’s Host UD Metal Conference after Show with Alex Skolnick

November 25, 2014 By Mike Ritchie

Forces of Nature (photo by Mike Ritchie)

There was an addictive, contagious energy in Oddbody’s on Saturday November 8^th. Maybe it was due to the night being the top off, after party to three days of multi diverse and cultural information given by respected academic scholars at the University of Dayton on the global impact and culture of metal music and its growing community of supporters. Maybe it was because each of the three bands that performed on stage were handpicked from a group of over a dozen hopefuls from around the state to play for a crowd of appreciative metalheads and also….because one of the distinguished conference guests of the day was in attendance to watch them throw down.

The three full days of lectures and presentations were a true international experience for the 85+ in attendance. With 32 of the 36 presenters being from esteemed collegiate institutions bringing their knowledge and expertise to the eyes and ears of over 50 undergraduate/graduate students and a few select pillars of the local community. Seven countries were represented including the US, England, Canada, Germany, Norway, Sweden and Puerto Rico with Ohio, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Utah, Missouri, Texas, California, Florida and Illinois also represented. Over the course of the conference over 40 attendees averaged each presentation so all information brought and taught was welcomed, wanted and assimilated by ‘suit and tie guys’ and ‘long haired metal heads’ possibly at the same table. Mr. Skolnick averaged the biggest audience with over 50. The film March of the Gods on opening night drew 32 attendees and the art exhibit “Mask: Face Paint, Head Coverings, and Masks in Popular Culture” drew approximately 35 for the formal showing plus more during the week.

Conference topics included: “Queer Metal Matters: Metal, Sexuality, and the Future”, Metal and Religion, Community and Metal, Extreme Metal and the Aesthetics of Community, Metal Under Totalitarianism, Metal and Culture, Cultural Legitimation of Metal, Metal and Education, Metal to the Extreme, Women and Metal, Metal as Performance, “Louder Education–Alex Skolnick,” Defining Metal, and “Heavy Metal: A Business, A Lifestyle, Past, Present, Future”

Lick the Blade (photo by Mike Ritchie)

It’s not every day an Ohio band gets to play a show with a man who’s traveled and performed on the world’s stages with the roaring bellow of Chuck Billy and Bay Area thrash legends Testament. A man many on stage with a guitar idolized and many within the crowd grew up head banging and moshing to his music. On the evening of Saturday November 8^th, Alex Skolnick was at Oddbody’s.

The event helped raise money for Project Read of Dayton and the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund. Each band played with sincere strength, passion, energy and vigor representing their scene and the Ohio scene as a whole. As the night progressed the musicians performed as if standing in front of a packed, screaming arena.

Cleveland’s Lick the Blade brought the second coming of Iron Maiden from the north with the soaring, searing Ted Anderson hitting Manowar pitch notes with a power metal groove. Dayton reps Engine of Chaos brought the middle ground dividing the night with a slower, smoother bluesy groove mixed in its Dio meets Cornel Seattle sound and finished with the always intense mammoth thrash attack of Forces of Nature.

An arena sized passion was present and played from the beginning with a collective unity showing visitors from other cities, states and countries what Dayton can deliver.

Cleveland’s Lick the Blade brought the modern day classic sound of Iron Maiden mixed with power metal sounds and the endlessly high octaves of vocalist Ted Anderson who ranged from Dickinson, to Halford to Tate peaks. Formed in 2004, they decimated locally, going through a few member changes before acquiring Anderson and songwriter/guitarist Brian French. Signing with Cleveland based metal label Auburn Records in 2006 they released their debut Graveyard of Empires in 2009. From growing popularity overseas they were invited to perform at the sold-out Headbanger’s Open Air Festival in Brande-Hörnerkirchen, Germany. “Royal Blood,” from Graveyard, earned spots on compilation CDs from both Germany’s Heavy and Poland’s Hard Rocker magazines and Lick The Blade was voted “Best Metal Band of 2009″ in Cleveland Scene magazine’s 2010 issue of its annual “Cleveland Music Awards” feature. They’ve opened for Loudness, Exodus, Vader, and 3 Inches of Blood and more currently with a certain amount of musical irony, former Iron Maiden vocalists Paul Di’Anno and Blaze Bayley. Their second album The Sun and Time is out now.

The “Mark of Nero” opened with galloping guitars as Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens aka Anderson owned on old school early Dickinson era maiden. There was history in them riffs on “Guns, Germs and Steel” as they went back to the Di’Anno club days when Eddie was just a face on a sign. They headed back to the inspiration of Ra and the Powerslave era on “Blood-Soaked Majesty.” The chalice runneth over with glorious crimson on the celebration table. “Voyage of the Damned” could be their “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” as the ship traveled through the sea of madness through murky fog, where spirits of dead pirates waited to steer their vessel a foul. A majestic opening with Anderson singing a soft wail of woe of land not seen till forever’s end. “Twilight of the Idols”, it’s metaphysical with twilight in the sky of the ancient and eternal idols. The hooded Charon the Ferryman made an appearance, pointing his oar to all souls looking for transportation after adding to his pouch of coins. “Charon’s Obol” gave protection to the soul with safe passage to the next world. Album title track “The Sun and Time” was next followed by “Thanatos” bringing the death of us all riding the battle plight of “The Trooper.”

Engine of Chaos with Alex Skolnick (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Engine of Chaos came out ready to deliver the midsection of the night’s metal from Ohio selection with a set heavy with jam, groove and blues. Sirens went off as guitar reverb filled the speakers and bass thundered in. The first crunch of the almighty riff hit with the thunderous melodic yell of Scott Toops. Title track from Uncover the Bones brought forth some dirty buried secrets straight from the depths of Nola, LA. They went Down with conformity playing the warriors call, marching with stained feet from “Blood on the Shore.” The guitars got slow, moody and melodic with their own super-“Unknown.” The silence of the swamp was mucked up and smashed by the “Tug River” as watery guitar notes slithered down the river like hissing snakes venom. The bouncy thrash infused blues of “The One” was fused and followed by the dark tale of the “Deceiver.” Some bitches were born to deceive. They got a lil’ Sabbathy on the “Change” then the premiere of the new/unreleased “Dream the Past.” Dude Mounts guitar chugged and marched with searing notes, telling them God-Damned “Lies.” “7 Demons” finished up the set with special guest vocalist Joseph Palmer.

Then a special encore happened with the world renowned guest guitarist. “This song needs no introduction. If you’re a metalhead you’ll know this.” Toops proudly proclaimed. “Are you guy’s metalheads out there? Are you mother——‘s metalheads out there?” The opening notes of one of the greatest metal anthems began. “I wanna hear ya Dayton Ohio, get the f- up off your chairs (in the back) and get up here!” Tonight Dayton gathered in their masses, to see Alex Skolnick on stage, shredding Sabbath, kicking our asses.

Forces of Nature came forth and played with the power and passion of the gods and goddess’s. Marc Godsey took the mic speaking with genuine, heartfelt emotion about how incredible the last few days had been, the knowledge gained at the conference and the feeling of true love, unity and dedication displayed by the local scene. Not to mention meeting one of your guitar idols and being on stage with him. He stamped the statement with “and I CAN’T WAIT to play this set.”

The opening iron welding riff and yelling notes of “Magnus Lee” shot out of Jimmy Rose and Marc Godsey’s guitars laying inflamed ground work for Tate Moore’s screeching serpent’s tongued dark demonic delivery. It was a sharp, hard punch to the face with a warm hello, saying we’re here, now f—–g pay attention! It started raining blood in the “Forest of Corpses” from a lacerated sky. Drums hit guitars grinded and riffed upward in a tale of tortured self-hate. Mary’s one messed up bitch, in a moshed up f’n mess.

“Throwing Fists” in a cage or a concert, you’ll get hit back either way… and the cage is safer. Drums tapped ushering in the ram-rodder guitars smashing TV’s with wrecking balls, sledgehammers and other hardcore fist shaking plunder. It’s the only way to get that crap off “A.S.O.T.” “Nevermore” slows it down ‘a bit’, enough for a short pit-break before your personal “Apocalypse” comes on reentry. Get ready you stupid, stupid, stupid son of a bitch! Rose shined on the six minute instrumental opus “Dark Carnival” bringing the addictive emotional darkness and thrash poetry from his fingers. Something wicked as shit, this way came. The heavy pair of double D’s was shown in public again with “Deception” and “Devices.”

After the show Rose got his guitar neck signed by Skolnick and enjoyed a few surreal, inspirational moments with the guitar legend as did other members of Forces and other audience members throughout the evening.

Food Summit Celebrates Local, Healthful Eating

October 29, 2014 By Megan Cooper

The Montgomery County Food Policy Coalition, the University of Dayton’s Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Program and Growing Power Initiative, and the Partners for the Environment Food Team will host the 4th Annual Montgomery County Food Summit on Friday, November 7, 2014, from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the University of Dayton River Campus (Meyer Room), 1700 S. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, Ohio. The food summit is free and open to the public. The consumer demand for locally grown food and local products continues to expand within our region. Commissioner Judy Dodge says, “The demand for locally grown food and local products continues to expand as consumers see the health and economic benefits in our community. The summit will focus on connecting the Dayton region’s local food producers with local consumers; institutions, retailers, restaurants, and schools.”

The food summit will focus on connecting the Dayton region’s local food producers with local consumers, institutions, retailers, restaurants, and schools. A variety of markets, producers, and retailers will present information about their distribution successes and challenges. A facilitated discussion will be held to explore solutions for developing distribution support for our local farmers and producers. If you’re interested in the growing local food movement – CSAs, market, and more – please RSVP by November 4, 2014 to [email protected] or call 937-225- 6470.

From Farms to Tables: Connecting Producers to Consumers

Commission Dodge shared: Producers will share their stories about the successes, challenges, and economics of smaller farms, and a variety of market models will also be presented. In the afternoon we will engage in facilitated discussions to seek solutions in developing distribution support for our local farmers and producers.

WHEN: November 7, 2014, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m

WHERE: University of Dayton River Campus, Meyer Room; 1700 S. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, Ohio

What’s on the Schedule?

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Registration (Exhibit Fair, Networking)

9:00 a.m. – 9:10 a.m. Welcome:

Judy Dodge, Montgomery County Commissioner
Jim Gross, Health Commissioner, Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County

9:10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Producer Panel: Successes, Challenges and Community Support

Mile Creek Farm – Ben and Emily Jackle
Bowman & Landes – Carl Bowman
Hungry Toad Farm – Michael Malone
Shiloh Market – Zella Cook
EBT Connection – Christie Welch, Ohio State University

10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Break (Exhibit Fair, Networking)

10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Making a Connection to Local Food: Brian Raison, OSU Extension – A Study in Ohio’s Hospitals and Their Use of Local Foods

10:45 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Market Models:

2nd Street Market (Dayton) – Jimmy Harless
Findlay Market (Cincinnati) – Karen Kahle
Weinland Park Food District (Columbus) – Brian Williams, MORPC

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch (Exhibit Fair, Networking) & Keynote Speaker Dan Carmody – The Detroit Eastern Market (Detroit)

12:30 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.: Dennis Chrisman – Dorothy Lane Market

12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Distribution Models:

Patchwork Gardens – CSA model – George Mertz & Erik Vasilauskas
Our Harvest Cooperative – Kristin Gangwer
Mission of Mary – Stephen Mackell
Champaign County Virtual Farmers Market – Pam Bowshier and Mark Runyan

1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Break (Exhibit Fair, Networking)

2:00 p.m. – 2:10 p.m. Five Rivers MetroParks – Gardening Program

2:10 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. Facilitated Discussion & Report Out – Bob Steinbach

3:20 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Closing Remarks – Commissioner Judy Dodge

UD To Host Film, Discussion Series on American Music

January 14, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

The University of Dayton will host “America’s Music: A Film History of Our Popular Music from Blues to Bluegrass to Broadway,” a six-part film and discussion series about uniquely American musical genres including blues and gospel, Broadway, jazz, bluegrass and country, rock n’ roll, mambo and hip hop.

Each two-hour session will explore an American musical style through film and discussion led by a University of Dayton faculty member. The University is one of 81 sites nationwide selected to host the series. The series is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

“We are thrilled to participate in this exciting program that will explore different types of music, show how modern music has been influenced by older styles and bridge gaps among generations,” said Katy Kelly, communications and outreach librarian and project director.

The series will be complemented by an art exhibit by ArtStreet students and a closing celebration of art, food and musical performances.

All film screenings and discussions are 6-8 p.m. at ArtStreet, Studio B:

“The Blues and Gospel Music,” Tuesday, Jan. 21. Discussion led by Jim Hiller, a guitarist and singer, scholar of American popular song and music therapy lecturer. It will explore the birth of the blues from its African roots to its eventual prominence in places like Memphis, Chicago, New York and beyond. Films: “Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues” (2004) and “Feel Like Going Home and Say Amen, Somebody” (1983).
“Tin Pan Alley and Broadway,” Thursday, Feb. 6. Discussion led by Hiller exploring the 100-year history of musical theater and the story of its relationship to 20th-century American life. Film: “Broadway: The American Musical” (2004).
“Swing Jazz,” Tuesday, March 4. Discussion led by John McCombe, professor and director of undergraduate studies in English. Session spans nearly a century of jazz styles, while also highlighting America’s first integrated all-women swing band. Films: “Jazz: A Film by Ken Burns” (2000) and “International Sweethearts of Rhythm: America’s Hottest All Girl Band” (1986).
“Country Music, from Bluegrass to the Nashville Sound,” Thursday, March 13. Discussion led by Hiller; session traces the emergence of bluegrass from Appalachian descendants of Scotch-Irish settlers into a popular subgenre of country music. Film: “High Lonesome: The Story of Bluegrass Music” (1994).
“Rock,” Thursday, April 3. Discussion led by McCombe; explores the birth of the blues out of the Mississippi Delta. Film: “History of Rock ‘N Roll” (1995).
“From Mambo to Hip Hop,” Thursday, April 10. Discussion led by McCombe and Thomas Morgan, associate professor of American and African-American literature. Session explores how mambo — the Cuban hybrid of traditional danson fused with syncopated Afro-Caribbean rhythms — migrated to New York City from Havana in the 1940s and broke social and musical rules. Films: “Latin Music USA: Bridges”(2009) and “From Mambo to Hip Hop” (2006).
VOICES: America’s Music. March 25-April 25, ArtStreet Studio D Gallery. Reception, 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 15. ArtStreet student exhibit of music, photography and visual art.
1World Celebration, 7-10 p.m., Friday, April 25, ArtStreet Amphitheatre. This second annual event brings together the diverse voices and creative minds of the University of Dayton together with those from the city of Dayton in an end-of-the-year art, food and music celebration.
“America’s Music” is a project by the Tribeca Film Institute in collaboration with the American Library Association, Tribeca Flashpoint and the Society for American Music, through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.

For information and to register for the film series, visit http://www.udayton.edu/libraries/events/americasmusic.php or call 937-229-4274.

Kettering Cultural Arts Manager Picks Her Top Moments in Dayton Visual Arts 2013

January 6, 2014 By Shayna McConville 1 Comment

Dayton was home to numerous amazing art exhibitions, collaborations and projects in 2013. Although there were many, many more superb events that are not on this list, the arts listed below serves as a glimpse into the vitality of the Dayton region’s creative folks and spaces! Enjoy!

CIRCUS!
Dayton Visual Arts Centre

January 2 – 11
A collaborative project between artist Leesa Haapapuro and the Young People’s Homeschoolers program at K12 Gallery culminated into a short show at the Dayton Visual Arts Center. The young circus performers next to their murals, sculptures and paintings, created an incredible new world of possibility and magic for youth and adults.

Jud Yalkut: Visions and Sur-Realities
University of Dayton
Jan. 31 through March 7

Nam June Paik and Jud Yalkut, Beatles Electroniques, 1969

One of Dayton’s most treasured artists, Jud Yalkut was revered for his advocacy of the arts, his pioneer video works, his collages and his writing. The exhibition captured many of his artworks, including special screenings of his film and video works, many of which hadn’t been seen by the public in decades. Jud passed away in July 2013, marking an end of an era and a huge loss to the Dayton arts community. Learn more about the his timely retrospective and career here.

The week of May 4 – 12
Urban Nights, Sideshow 8, Art on the Playground and AIA Architecture Week
Throughout Dayton and Kettering

The high quality and numerous events that took place over the first and second weekends of May was inspiring; Dayton’s Urban Nights, The Circus Creative Collective’s Side Show 8, Kettering’s inauguralArt on the Playground and AIA’s Architecture Week brought thousands of people out to participate in Dayton arts and culture.

Reinvention Stories
Dayton Art Institute
June 30 – September 29

Emily Evans, Untitled (Twin Towers), 2012

As evidence of Dayton’s vitality, a special project launched in January captures the city’s pulse. Local radio station WYSO 91.3 and filmmakers Julia Reichert and Steve Bognar teamed-up to create the multi-platform media project Reinvention Stories, a series of audio stories and short films of Dayton and its residents. The project, instigated by WYSO’s general manager Neenah Ellis, is based on a series of questions: how does a city of inventors reinvent itself? How are individuals reinventing themselves? How are people dealing with the economic turmoil of recent years? How is Dayton doing? Through this documentation, a collection of videos and photographs were selected by Eva Buttacavoli, Executive Director of the Dayton Visual Arts Centre, and partnership with the Dayton Visual Arts Center and WYSO 91.3. Learn more bout the project at http://www.reinventionstories.org.

Inside Out 11M
August 4
Missing Peace Art Space and Synergy Incubator

Inside Out 11M at Missing Peace Art Space

Inside Out 11M is a project based on Jr’s Inside Out with a focus on the question of immigration. Focusing on the residents of Dayton, the project captured portraits of hundreds of kids, adults and seniors. From the website: “A nationwide participatory art initiative aimed at creating a portrait of America that includes immigrants and the descendants of immigrants alike.” Learn more about the project here.

HWD: Regional Sculpture Exhibition
August 26 – September 27
Rosewood Gallery

Roscoe Wilson, Austere Consumption

HWD, or Height x Width x Depth, featured dozens of artists working in three-dimensional form. Participating artists were featured from Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virgina, Kentucky, Michigan and Indiana. Highlights included the work of Don Williams, Terry Welker, Rebecca Emrick, Courtney Kessel, Carrie Longley, David Kenworthy, Erica Wine, and so many more. Learn more about the exhibition here and photos are here.

Soo Sunny Park
Unwoven Light
Wright State’s Robert and Elaine Stein Galleries
September 15 – October 13

Image courtesy of Wright State University

Exploring the boundaries between drawing and sculpture, Park’s chainlink fence and plexiglass transformed the Stein galleries into a moving experience. Originally commissioned by Rice University, Park’s beautiful installation has been traveling to galleries around the country.

National Bronze Sculpture Symposium
October 13 – 26
Yellow Springs Arts Council

Image courtesy of Bernie Carreno

The Yellow Springs Arts Council launched its first symposium in October, focusing on the process of lost-wax bronze casting. Commissioning four sculptors, including D’jean Jawrunner (New Mexico), Susan Byrnes (Cincinnati), Brian Maughan (Yellow Springs), and John Weidman (New Hampshire), the artists created works on site for two-weeks, culminating in a live pour of their molds. Exhibitions, lectures and artist talks complemented the artmaking daily. More info is here.

Object of Devotion:
Medieval English Alabaster Sculpture from the Victoria and Albert Museum
Dayton Art Institute
October 26 – January 5, 2014

Anonymous, English, The Fifth Sign of the Last Judgment, c. 1440-1470. Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

A stunning collection of medieval alabaster sculptures, on loan from the Victoria and Albert Museum, demonstrate the dramatic, narrative and intricate scenes interpreted from biblical texts. An art form popular in the 15th and 16th centuries, alabasters were considered a low-end of medieval craft for centuries. Over 40 examples at the Dayton Art Institute show the merit of this art form, which finally gained recognition by scholars and collectors in the twentieth century.

Bullet: Who Pulls the Trigger?
Art Street, University of Dayton
September 24 – November 3

James Pate and DECA students collaborative drawing

Art Street presented a complicated, difficult and important question within the multi-faceted collaborative art installation with artist James Pate, Dayton Early College Academy, South Chicago Art Center and Newtown, CT artists. Focused on creating a dialogue on issues of gun violence with a focus on South Chicago, Newtown and Dayton, panel discussions were a major component to the gallery exhibition. Artworks included New York artist S.B. Woods’ Meditation on Mourning, paintings made by Sandy Hook shooting survivors, Dayton-based artist James Pate and a group of DECA high school students. From the website: “This piece was conceived in part by James Pate, and in part by the students. After a conversation about gun violence, the students came to the consensus that ‘we as a society pull the trigger.’” Chicago artist Sarah Ward and students from the South Chicago Art Center created etchings of bullets to symbolize one for every person affected by gun violence on a daily basis. Read more about the exhibition here.

Dia de los Muertos
November 1

Dayton’s Day of the Dead parade and celebration took place on Friday, November 1, from the Oregon District to the historic St. Anne’s Hill neighborhood. Hundreds of folks participated, many donning costumes and painted faces as music, art and food commemorated our loved ones. Stivers School for the Arts students, professional and emerging musicians and artists contributed to the celebration. Spearheaded by volunteers, including Jean Howat Berry, MB Hopkins, Tonia Fish, Lisa Grigsby, and several others, the event found support from the community in its crowdsourcing fundraiser, as well as Welcome Dayton’s sponsoring of the parade, and Missing Peace Art Space and the Unitarian Fellowship for World Peace hosting.

Award-Winning Doc Part of Human Rights Discussion

November 20, 2013 By Megan Cooper Leave a Comment

The University of Dayton invites the Dayton community to a special screening of a recently released documentary by local filmmaker Aileen LeBlanc, Take Us Home, this Thursday, 7:30 pm, Sears Recital Hall (Humanities Building).

Take Us Home presents a personal, human look into the journey of Ethiopian Jews to Israel and sparks deep questions about justice, race, immigration, and identity. Following the screening Aileen LeBlanc will join Theo Majka and Mark Ensalaco for a panel discussion about the film. Refreshments will be served.

This is a FREE event sponsored by ArtStreet, the Human Rights Studies Program, and FilmDayton.

ArtStreet hosts the Friday Film Series – showcasing cutting edge, contemporary and classic films that focus on universal themes and include post-screening discussions with special guests.

ArtStreet Film Series Special Edition: Take Us Home

Date: November 21, 2013

Time: 7:30 pm

Location: Sears Recital Hall, Jesse Philips Humanities Center

Sponsor: ArtStreet, Human Rights Studies Program and FilmDayton

Contact:  Brian LaDuca

Phone number: 937-229-5101

Website: ArtStreet

Presented by ArtStreet, the UD Human Rights Studies Program and FilmDayton. Local filmmaker Aileen LeBlanc’s documentary presents a personal, human look into the journey of Ethiopian Jews to Israel – an issue which is in the news now and soon to be in the hearts of all who care about injustice, race, immigration, acceptance and identity. Hosted by director Aileen LeBlanc.

This event is free and open to the public.

Food Adventures gets Shish-Faced + $20 GIFT CERTIFICATE GIVEAWAY

November 20, 2013 By The Food Adventures Crew 42 Comments

Click to Enlarge: The Mother of all Shish Wraps

You ain’t gonna believe this shish. WANT A $20 GIFT CARD TO SHISH WRAPS?? THEN COMMENT BELOW ON THIS STORY. A WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN AT RANDOM !

When you think of Brown Street, you often think of people who are sh%# faced. But alas, we aren’t talking about those people. We are talking about people who are literally Shish Faced. These people are stuffing wraps in their mouths and can’t get enough of the great flavor. Want to get Shish Faced too? Then head to 1200 Brown Street, the home of a locally owned eatery called Shish Wraps. This family owned business has capitalized on the assembly line technique. Think of it as a Mediterranean version of Chipotle, and better too ! What you can expect is affordable, savory food, with a Lebanese influence.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Opened 8 months ago by first generation Lebanese-American brothers Simon and Tony Abboud who are both University of Dayton Graduates and Centerville grads.

— The focus is a healthy, fresh, tasty twist on Lebanese and Mediterranean food. Their motto is: “Live Long. Eat Healthy. Eat Shish.”

All meat is cooked over a rotisserie flame: You think you’re Hot Shish ?

— Menu items come from family recipes, a love of cooking, and results of experiments over the years.

— The main attraction are burrito like wraps featuring one of 3 meats: Chicken, Beef or Kafta (beef links blended with onions and spices)

— The meat is cooked over fire, on rotating kabob skewers for a char-grilled taste. No buttery, oily soaked meat on a flat grilling surface means HEALTHIER for you !

— Vegetarian? No problem. The falafel (fried chickpea fritters) and vegetable wraps are great meatless alternatives.

Big Ragu loves Shish Wraps, so this isn’t his first rodeo. He told Chef House and Huongry Jax about it and now they are Shish heads too ! Now we’re gonna tell you some shish …

MUST EATS:

— CHIPS & HUMMUS : The creamy, garlic goodness of this hummus is amazing. This is seriously one of the most flavorful hummus plates in town, and it is homemade on site!

— SHISH FRIES: The Big Ragu will go on record as saying these are the best fries he has ever eaten. The fries are dusted with garlic, olive oil and a generous heap of feta cheese.

Kafta Bowl – spicy beef links over hummus, lettuce, pickles and tomatoes. MUST EAT !

— SHISH BOWL: You can choose chicken, or falafel but Jax says GET THE KAFTA BOWL ! Kafta is ground beef mixed with parsley and spices and it is some good shish. Served with hummus, Mediterranean pickles, tomatoes and lettuce, this is a healthy dish that tastes damn good. Be warned, you will be craving future visits for this stuff.

— SHISH WRAP: We love these. The menu says build your own, but may Big Ragu suggest the Chicken Shish Wrap? It comes with an incredible cabbage mix and load it up with your favorite veggies! Get Shish sauce or Tzatziki sauce on it which are must eats in themselves. An added bonus is that the pitas are lower calorie than other wrap places. You can choose your own meat, sauces and veggies so style it your way.

Honorable Mention: The Tabouli – a healthy choice that is freshly chopped in-house. It is seasoned with the perfect amount of lemon juice and served with pita slices.

Make sure you check out our gallery below with some incredible photos from our many visits to SHISH WRAPS… Our fans know we never post a story on a one time visit, this is not a “drive by.” You deserve better.

Now is a perfect time to get some of this good food as the UD Basketball season gets into swing. If you are downtown or near the U.D. campus, visit SHISH WRAPS, for a quick bite. This place is definitely “the shish.”

We realize everyone needs to get a little Shish faced now and then. For more info on menu and hours, visit the Shish website HERE. Visit 3 Shish Heads, Food Adventures, on Facebook and like them HERE !

HOLY SHISH ! We got a $20 GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY TO SHISH WRAPS ! Comment below on this article, tell us why you deserve the Shish, and fill out the entry form and we will choose someone at random ![form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]

[flagallery gid=67]

Milano’s: A Dayton Food Adventure

May 16, 2013 By The Food Adventures Crew 9 Comments

The Atlantic City Italian Sub – Get the baked option with pizza sauce

Atlantic City style subs that would make Snooki proud and Pizza loved by many locals. This is today’s Milano’s. But, Dayton Originals like THE FOOD ADVENTURES CREW remember when there was only one Milano’s on Brown Street. Purists will tell you, the subs tasted better then, because the old ovens were ‘seasoned’ from years of spices burnt into the baking area. Whether you love the “old school, dirty Milano’s”, or the “clean, modern Milano’s”, you can’t deny that this is one of the most popular eateries in the Miami Valley.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

– Founded in 1969 by Ron Woods and partners after visiting a restaurant in Lima, Ohio named Milano’s. They loved the food so much, they opened a place in Dayton the next year and decided to name it Milano’s.

– Sold to ThreeWitt Enterprises in 2001, revamped Brown Street location in 2005. Opened 2 more restaurants in 2008 in Beavercreek and Miami Township (St Rt 741).

– All-American style menu with subs, pizza and craft beer selections

– Family Friendly with tableside games and an arcade area that kids enjoy

Little known secret: The Calzones are delicious!

– Great outdoor patio dining area for enhanced fun on good weather days, and it smells better than Atlantic City.

MUST EATS:

– Calzones: A little known fact is that the calzones are great at Milano’s. Whatever ingredients you get, there is plenty of mozzarella cheese inside to cope with, so use that marinara dipping sauce.

– Atlantic City Italian Sub: Capicola, and 2 types of salami topped with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, oil, and spices. There is an option on this sub where they bake the sub and add pizza sauce. This is what makes the sandwich, so get the baked option with sauce!

– The CSP Sub: It comes with capicola, genoa salami, and provolone. It is topped with the usual lettuce, tomatoes, onions, oil, and spices. so good it will make J-Woww say “Wow.”

– Pizza: We think the sauce is tangy and tasty, so no matter what the toppings, you will have yourself a good “Situation.” The crust is made from scratch, daily. Milano’s touts the fact that they were voted favorite pizza in Dayton in 2011. Try it for yourself and let us know what you think.

– Meatball Sub: Have yourself a meatball day and dive into this saucy little number. This sub is filling, fun, a tad messy, but worth every bite.

Honorable Mention: The generous order of Garlic bread with Cheese is as big as the Trump Taj Mahal. The Cheesesteak sub is also worth a try.

Milano’s has decent side salads that go well with any main event. They also have a reasonably priced kids menu. Be warned, this place gets busy during peak lunch and dinner times.

Just in the mood for a beer? The inviting bar area always has some ‘off the wall’ choices on tap or in bottles. It is a great place to unwind with a cold one.

For the record, the Big Ragu, whose last name is Milano, has nothing to do with ownership of the restaurant. It doesn’t stop him from playing tricks on the wait staff with his I.D. from time to time. He wishes he did own it, because the food at Milano’s turns The Food Adventure Crew into a couple of Jersey teens. Please browse through our photo album below for some amazing pics from our Food Adventures to Milano’s.

If you are one of the few who hasn’t tried Milano’s, or you are new to the Dayton area, take a night and check this spot out. Go for our “must eats” and see if you enjoy their Atlantic City tastes.

Daytonians, sound off below!! Are the Milano’s subs better now or did you like the old ovens on Brown Street? Any other comments? Please share them with us!

Want to see more buns? Then “like” FOOD ADVENTURES on Facebook HERE !

[flagallery gid=38 name=Gallery]