I saw Dayton Playhouse’s delightful production of the R-rated, puppet-driven musical “Avenue Q” last weekend and highly recommend it if you’re in the mood for profane silliness. I also expect Dayton Theatre Guild to deliver the goods as they enter February with their local premiere of “The Minutes,” a timely comedy about a contentious city council meeting.
Fans of the sexy Broadway musical “Chicago” will likely flock to see it again at the Schuster Center next week, and a revised look at the classic musical “Peter Pan” should be a great draw for families (there’s even a 10 a.m. Saturday morning performance!). Check out our list of February shows.
This week’s edition also spotlights the Dayton Record Fair, the Visual Voices storytelling of Black poets, the art of sign painting and a powerful Oscar-nominated epic.
Let us know what you think. If you have thoughts, feedback or news tips, please email me at Russell.Florence@coxinc.com.
***
😊Around Town: 10 things to do in Dayton this weekend
From the super tight harmonies of a cappella troupe Naturally 7 to the Dayton Philharmonic’s SuperPops tribute to the legendary Tony Bennett, diverse concerts aim to appeal this weekend. Check out our list of events which also includes comedy, photography and a look at Winter Restaurant Week.
🎵Music: Dayton Record Fair returns in February
Attention music fans! The Dayton Record Fair will take place Feb. 9 at Eudora Brewing Company in Kettering. You’ll have a chance to peruse or purchase thousands of new and used records, CDs, tapes and memorabilia including rare collectibles. A full food menu, sodas and craft beers will also be available. Here’s a preview of the event.
🎤Poetry: Visual Voices: Storytelling through Poetry
Credit: GLENNA JENNINGS
Credit: GLENNA JENNINGS
Celebrate the first weekend of Black History Month in the Wright-Dunbar district. On Sunday, Feb. 2, Ohio poets Leroy D. Bean, Krista Franklin, Amanda M. Hayden, Furaha Henry-Jones, Sierra Leone and Scott Woods will perform ekphrastic poetry, which describes a work of art and the poet’s response to it.
Curated by Leone, team member of the “Seed of Life” 8/4 Memorial, the event includes poetry and performing art integrating spoken word, music and movement. Coinciding with Willis “Bing” Davis' “Visual Voices: An Exhibition by African American Artists Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.‘s 1964 Dayton, Ohio, Speech,” the event will take place from 2-4 p.m. at Black Palette Gallery, 1139 W. Third St.
💖Around Town: Valentine’s Day options around Dayton
Credit: Contributed
Credit: Contributed
Still looking for ideas for the perfect outing on Valentine’s Day? From dinners and ice skating to music and comedy, check out our list of events for a romantic night on the town.
🎬Movie of the Week: “The Brutalist”
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Adrien Brody is one of the best and most expressive actors of his generation. I still get chills thinking of his extraordinary, Oscar-winning work in 2002’s “The Pianist,” and I was blown away again watching his equally emotional portrayal of architect László Tóth in this epic drama, spanning 50 years and nominated for 10 Oscars including Best Picture. Brody is the Best Actor frontrunner as the brilliant yet flawed Holocaust survivor with a drug addiction that rattles his pursuit of the American dream.
Guy Pearce, charming yet menacing as a wealthy industrialist, and Felicity Jones, a knockout as László‘s wife especially in a dinner scene you’ll never forget, heighten the action, which clocks in at a hefty yet impactful 3 hours and 35 minutes including intermission. For more information, visit neonmovies.com.
🖼️Fine arts: Museum of Art to host first national stop of new exhibition
Credit: Contributed
Credit: Contributed
The Springfield Museum of Art is saluting the seven-decade career of renowned Ohio-born artist Aminah Robinson in the traveling exhibition “Aminah Robinson: Journeys Home, a Visual Memoir.” The exhibit features more than 60 pieces reflecting her mission (the everyday lives of Black people and social injustice) and aesthetic (such as buttons, music boxes, fabrics and found objects). Read more about the exhibit.
🎵Music: Country singer who was on Team Blake on “The Voice” joins fiddle player for Hamilton performance
Country singer Chris Kroeze, runner-up on Season 15 of “The Voice” as a member of Team Blake, will join fiddle player, singer and songwriter Natalie Murphy on Feb. 1 at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts in Hamilton. Set list includes songs by Garth Brooks, Patsy Cline and Charlie Daniels. Read more about the concert and their collaboration.
🚴♀️Get Active: New Centerville wellness center has rowing fitness at the forefront
State-of-the-art rowing machines fill Row Cycle Fitness’ new Centerville facility. Row Cycle offers a variety of fitness classes and a full slate of holistic services. Read more about their programs from strength training to nutrition plans.
⭐A Day in the Life: Josh Flohre
Credit: Hannah Kasper
Credit: Hannah Kasper
As the proprietor of Ink & Hammer, Josh Flohre’s talents as a sign painter can be seen across Dayton from local coffee shops to salons and outside the region at restaurants and shops in Cincinnati and Columbus. Read more about his career including his passion for collecting antique signs and documents.
📷 Photos: Puppy yoga in Washington Twp., The Princess Bride Movie Party at The Brightside and Night of Poe in Waynesville
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
SICSA Pet Adoption and Wellness Center hosted a puppy yoga event Saturday, Jan. 25.
Literary Adventures hosted the Night of Poe event in downtown Waynesville Saturday, Jan. 25.
The Dayton Dinner Theater hosted The Princess Bride Movie Party at The Brightside Music & Event Venue Sunday, Jan. 26.
🎬 ICYMI: “The Six Triple Eight” among 2025 Oscar nominees
Credit: Bob Mahoney/Perry Well Films 2/Courtesy of Netflix
Credit: Bob Mahoney/Perry Well Films 2/Courtesy of Netflix
Tyler Perry’s “The Six Triple Eight,” chronicling the trailblazing story of World War II’s first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of color led by Daytonian Charity Adams Earley, is in the history books as an Oscar nominee. The film was recognized in the Original Song category for Diane Warren’s ballad “The Journey.” Read reactions to the Oscar nomination and more about the film, which is streaming on Netflix.
TELL US
Thanks for taking the time to read this newsletter. I encourage you to keep in touch. Share story tips or feedback about this newsletter by emailing me at Russell.Florence@coxinc.com.
About the Author
