The highlight (and one that is truly “high”) is the annual Over the Edge fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Miami Valley. Volunteers who have raised enough money will rappel “over the edge” of the 27-story KeyBank Tower. Spectators can watch from Courthouse Square below, cheering on their harnessed heroes. Stick around for the Over the Edge Drop Party, featuring live music by Hey There Morgan, food vendors, wine, and craft beer from Warped Wing.
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Elsewhere downtown, visitors can find plenty of art experiences, live theater, local bands, food and drink specials, and shopping events like the circus-themed event at Clash Dayton, downtown’s go-to resource for Halloween costumes.
Art
- Coco's Bistro, 250 Warren St.: Coco's Bistro will host the closing reception of the show, Stamas+Stockhill: Coming Full Circle. Paintings by Nick Stamas and Mark Stockstill, two local artists who started their art careers at The Dayton Art Institute, will be on display and for sale. Enjoy food and drinks surrounded by art and friends from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Dayton Visual Arts Center, 118 N. Jefferson St.: The Dayton Visual Arts Center is pleased to present the opening reception of Art Werger: Below the Surface, a solo exhibition featuring the works of a noted Ohio University professor and printmaker. The reception takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Call 224-3822.
- Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 12 S. Ludlow St.: The Edward A. Dixon Gallery will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. for First Friday. Original works and limited edition's will be on display and available for purchase.
- The Front Street Building Co., 1001 E. Second St.: It's time for another First Friday at Front Street! This event features over two dozen art studios and artists all in one location, including painters, sculptors, glass makers, and jewelry makers. Call 331-9061.
- K12 Gallery & TEJAS, 341 S Jefferson St.: K12 Gallery & TEJAS will host the opening reception of S.O.S. II., Signs of Suicide Traveling Exhibition. The exhibition features 30 large scalepaintings to bring awareness to the silent epidemic of suicide. Their Children's Galleries will feature artwork created by local middle and high school student's responses to the theme of suicide prevention and mental health. Opening reception is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. Call 461-5149 for more information.
- Knack Creative, 42 W. Fifth St.: Don't miss the Dayton Immigrant Portrait Series in the Knack studio, open 4-8 pm Oct. 4-6. The show will be in conjunction with the distinguished speaker event, hosted by Catholic Social Action Office Archdiocese of Cincinnati and Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley.
- Puff Apothecary, 33 S. St. Clair St.: Join hosts Boy Blue and Puff Apothecary in front of the Saint Clair Lofts for Hair Raising: A Chalk Art Competition! Free chalk will be provided. No entrance fee but sidewalk space for entrants is limited. Artists of all ages are welcome and people can work in teams. Rules and the theme of the competition will be explained at the event. Sign-up starts at 3 p.m. and the competition begins at 4 p.m. Participants will be judged and three winners will be announced at 7 p.m.
- Wells & Co. Custom Tattoo, 110 E. Third St.: Wells & Co. will present, "Art from the Farm," an art exhibit inspired by and created at Howler Farms by Erin Volk Gabbard. The Drunken Waffle Food Truck will be on site to satisfy all your feasting needs. Event starts at 7 p.m. Call 979-4601.
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Music
- Blind Bob's, 430 E. Fifth St.: Featuring happy hour from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., $1 off well drinks. Live music by Vacation, Big Eyes, Raging Nathans, Yardboss, and SKRT. Call 938-6405.
- Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave.: Featuring Irish First Fridays, with a happy hour, a performance by the Miami Valley Pipe and Drum group starting around 7 p.m., and live music by Roger Drawdy at 8 p.m. Call 224-7822.
- Gilly's, 132 S. Jefferson St.: Old Skool Groove Night from 8 p.m. to midnight, $5 admission charge. Call 228-8414.
- Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St.: The Tracers return to play music from bands like R.E.M., The Replacements, David Bowie, and The Cure at 9:30 p.m. Call 223-9205.
- Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St.: Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Taylor Kropp will perform at the Trolley Stop as part of his Coming Up for Air Fall Tour. Show Starts at 7 p.m.
- Wells & Co. Custom Tattoo, 110 E. Third St.: The tattoo parlor and art gallery will host a listening party for the new Buffalo Killers album, "Alive and Well In Ohio." The band's 8th album (the first recorded at their own Howler Hills Farm Recording studio) features album cover artwork by Wells & Co. Artist/Owner Chad Wells.
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Entertainment
- The Black Box Improv Theater, 518 E. Third St.: Womit 2.0 takes the stage every Friday night from 9 to 10 p.m. The show format may change but the performers do not! They may interview an audience member, discuss personal stories, or simply take a one-word suggestion to create an hour of fun. BYOB. Call for ticket prices and availability: 369-0747.
- Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. Fifth St.: Dayton Chess Club hosts a quick tournament for U.S. 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 p.m. The first of four games begins at 7:30. Visit daytonchessclub.com for more details. Call 461-6283.
- Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Ave.: Do not miss the opening night for Jordan Harrison's drama "Majorie Prime." Set in a future age of artificial intelligence, this play explores loss and memory, the mysteries of human identity and the limits of what technology can replace. Show begins at 8 p.m. For ticket information, visit http://www.daytontheatreguild.org/tickets/ or call 278-5993.
- Wiley's Comedy Joint, 101 Pine St.: Enjoy a performance by comedian John Poveromo this First Friday. A Brooklyn-born, Jersey-raised stand-up with the perfect blend of self-deprecation and optimism makes Poveromo a dynamic and unpredictable performer that is both engaging and fun to watch. Friday's show begins at 8 p.m. There is a two-drink minimum for this event. To learn more, call 224-5653.
- Sinclair Community College, 401 W. Fourth St.: Sinclair Theatre presents "Blues for An Alabama Sky" by Pearl Cleage in the newly renovated Blair Hall Theatre, Building 2, on the downtown Dayton campus. Blues examines the conflicting political currents of the Harlem Renaissance as seen through the eyes of five passionate African Americans who have been influenced by Josephine Baker, Margaret Sanger, Langston Hughes and other contemporaries. Show starts at 8 p.m. For ticket information, visit www.sinclair.edu/tickets or call 512-2542.
- Schuster Center, 1 W. Second St., Head over to the Schuster Center for a "Neighborhood Get Together" before the 8 p.m. showing of the four time Tony Award winning musical, In the Heights. The offer includes a ticket to In the Heights and the pre-show reception. The 7 p.m. reception will include light appetizers, a complementary beverage and will be held in the Schuster Center's Emerson Lounge that over-looks the Wintergarden lobby. For ticket information, call 461-8295.
- West Minster Presbyterian Church, 125 N Wilkinson St., Meet award-winning filmmaker, David Barnhart and a panel who will discuss the film, "Locked in a Box." which follows the stories of individuals held in the U.S. Immigration detention system and those who visit them. This event is a part of the "Building Peace through the Arts in Dayton" series presented by the Peace Literacy Dayton Film Forum in collaboration with The Dayton Opera, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Dayton International Peace Museum and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. The event takes place at 7 p.m. and is free to the public. Call 999-7314 for more information.
- Roger Glass Stadium, 505 S. Ludlow St.: Come out and support the Eagles, as the Chaminade-Julienne Varsity football team takes on Roger Bacon High School. Game starts at 7 p.m. For game day and ticket information, visit: https://www.cjeagles.org/fall-sports/football
- Courthouse Square, 23 N. Main St.: Join the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Miami Valley for the Over the Edge Drop Party to celebrate the success of their Over the Edge event from 4 to 9 p.m. Admission is free and features the band, "Hey There Morgan." Food available for purchase and as well as a cash bar featuring craft beer from Warped Wing and wine. Proceeds from the drop party help support BBBSGMV.
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Food and Drink
- Blind Bob's, 430 E. Fifth St.: Featuring happy hour from 4 to 8 p.m., $2.50 well drinks.
- Deaf Monty's Wine, 22 Brown St.: $2-$3 tastings of select wines. Call 225-9463.
- Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St.: $5 food specials from 4 to 7 p.m.
- 416 Diner, 416 E. Fifth St.: Grab a bite to eat and take a selfie at the diner. Show your selfie to the wait staff and get 10% of your order.
Shopping
- Clash, 521 E. Fifth St.: Clash is turning into a Circus for October's First Friday! They will have tarot, face painting, fire performances and more. There will be a contest where you can vote for your favorite set of vintage circus themed photos shot by local photographers. Many costumes, including some from the shoot, will be on display and for sale.
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.
The Downtown Dayton Partnership's website has a complete list of downtown's arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more.
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