Each week, arts writer Meredith Moss writes about the events and individuals making arts news in our region. If you have news you’d like to share with our readers, contact Meredith: MMoss@coxohio.com Please include a daytime phone number.
Ever wonder who comes up with the wide variety of artistic suns featured on “CBS Sunday Morning?” One of them is Trotwood resident and artist, Rusty Harden whose creations are part of the CBS Sunday Morning Library of Images.
A display of her sunny images — including six that have been featured on the TV show — is being featured at the Trotwood Government Center, 3035 Olive Road. An Open House in Harden’s honor is slated for 6-8 p.m. on Friday, April 10.
The self-taught artist, who works in watercolors, acrylic and mixable oils, says she has always been fascinated by the sun. Harden says the sun makes people happy and she’s hoping others will feel happy when they view her exhibit. “I have a strong belief that art is the binding thread in any community,” she said. The city is also seeking Trotwood artists for future exhibits. Interested artists should contact Councilman Bruce Kettelle at (937) 837-6401.
Springboro Twins to sing National Anthem on Dragons opening day
Natalie and Anna Mussin Phillips, 11-year-old twin sisters from Springboro, have been selected as the winners of the Dayton Daily News/Dayton Dragons national anthem contest. The girls will sing at Fifth Third Field on Opening Day, April 12 when the Dragons host the South Bend Cubs.
Natalie and Anna were selected from a group of more than 300 who auditioned; finalists will perform at other Dragons games. The girls have been appeared in 18 productions at Centerville’s Town Hall and were also in the Kettering Children’s choir for a year. Both girls also play multiple instruments.
The Dragons conduct national anthem try-outs every year in front of a live audience and a panel of community leaders. About 350 perform each year. For more information or game tickets, see daytondragons.com.
The Escher Quartet at Vanguard
One of the world’s best-known chamber music groups, The Escher Quartet, will perform as part of the Vanguard Concert series at 4 p.m., Sunday, April 12, at The Dayton Art Institute.
The Escher, based in New York, has toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Australia and Asia. The group takes its name from Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher, inspired by Escher’s methods of interplay between individual components working together to form a whole.
Tickets for the concert are $20 adults, $15 students, and may be purchased at the door.
Photography will be on sale at Stivers
For the past 14 years, Dayton’s Stivers School for the Arts has hosted a silent auction of student and professional work to raise monies for the school’s photography programs. It’s a great opportunity to purchase photos for your home, office or art collection.
The 14th annual Photography Fundraiser is slated for 6-9 p.m. on Friday, April 10 at Stivers Fifth Street Gallery, 1313 E. Fifth St. in Dayton. This year’s event is entitled “Exposure.” Leah Stahl, co-chair of the school’s photography department said more than 200 photographs will be up for sale.
“Our students find their favorite photos from fine art and photography books and then e-mail the photographers to request donations,” she explained. Subject matter ranges from landscapes to portraits to abstract and montage and this year work from 14 countries will be represented. Starting bids are typically $20 to $60 and proceeds from the event will be used to purchase cameras, film, darkroom equipment and chemicals for student use. Last year a record $8,500 was raised.
Lunafest returns April 10
The traveling women’s film festival known as Lunafest will return to Dayton for the sixth time at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, at The Neon, 1130 East Fifth St.
The eight films that will be shown are by, for and about women. Local filmmaker Rani Crowe will also present her short film “Estragon’s Boot” about a surprising and humorous confrontation between a rebellious woman and her boss. The movie features local actors and a puppet created by Dayton’s Zoot Theatre Company. Crowe, assistant director of the School of Dance, Film and Theater in the College of Fine Arts at Ohio University, will speak about her film at the screening.
Tickets may be purchased at the door and are $10 ($5 for students) and all proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Fund and Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region. The event is sponsored locally by Dayton Women’s Rights Alliance and the American Association of University Women. For more information: www.lunafest.org
“Buzzer” has regional premiere at Playhouse in the Park
It’s pretty exciting that at the same time the drama “Buzzer” is premiering off-Broadway at New York’s famous Public Theatre, the show is also having its regional premiere at Cincinnati’s Playhouse in the Park.
Tracey Scott Wilson’s provocative new play,”Buzzer,” is set in a gentrifying neighborhood and deals with themes ranging from race and class to sex and real estate. The drama, which centers around three old friends living together in a neighborhood in transition, also has its funny moment. Both the acting and directing are terrific and its the kind of play that lends itself to discussion. The impressive cast features Cincinnati native Eric Lynch as Jackson, Alec Shaw as Don and Carly Zien as Suzy.
Ticket prices start at $30 and there are discounts for students. For more information, call the Playhouse Box Office at (800) 582-3208) or visit www.cincyplay.com.
Auditions slated for young performers
Local youth orchestras — including the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Dayton Philharmonic Youth Strings, and Dayton Philharmonic Junior Strings — will hold auditions for the 2015-2016 season at the University of Dayton’s music department on April 18, May 2, May 3, May 6, and May 7. To schedule an audition time, applicants must call the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance at (937) 224-3521 ext. 1136 or ext. 1118.
You can see these talented young musicians in action at the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s Spring Concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 25, at the Schuster Center.
Art quilts on display at First Baptist Church
“Inspirations in Fabric,” art quilts by Members of the Miami Valley Art Quilt Network, will be on display at the First Baptist Church, 111 W. Monument Ave. in Dayton through the end of April. A reception with the artists will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.on Sunday, April 26.
Themes of the show include Self-Portraits, Market Flags and Inspirational Flags and Quilts. For more information: ww.mvaqn.com
Arts Alliance plans programs
It’s been 10 years since the folks in Warren County got together to start what’s become The Arts Alliance, headquartered in Mason. They’ve been doing lots of creative things ever since.
“Create, Partake and Be Merry” is the slogan of the group’s upcoming Art Bar art-making workshops which will be held at Whole Foods Market in Mason, 5805 Deerfield Blvd. The workshops, 7-9 p.m., are $15 each. There will be a Beaded/Crochets Bracelets session on Thursday, April 16; a Yarn/Fiber Coiled Bowls session on May 21, and a Felted Birds workshop on June 18. Complimentary appetizers and refreshments are served. For registration and more information visit www.the-arts-alliance.org.
The organization is also hosting a“Green” Exhibition” at Sinclair Community College - Building “B”, 5385 Courseview Drive, Mason, from April 17 through June 30. A free opening night event from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on April 17, will showcase the paintings of Ohio native Maureen McDermott and her depictions of Connemara, Ireland. This one woman show will feature over 30 of McDermott’s oil paintings which capture the unique rural landscape, seascapes and scenes of the this region of Ireland. All of the paintings will be for sale.
Dayton Metro Library Spring Booksale: Biggest Sale Yet!
Looks like the upcoming Dayton Metro Library booksale will be one of the biggest ever. “We have five semi-trucks full of books, CDs, DVDs and other materials for this sale,” said Chris Birch, President of the Friends of the Library organization. The sale features books for children and adults as well as audio visual materials and other items.
The Spring Book Sale takes place at Hara Arena’s East Hall, 1001 Shiloh Springs Road. Hours are 4-8 p.m. on Friday, April 10; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, and 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, April 12. Admission and parking are free.
Books are $1 each, DVDs $3, Music CDs $2 per disc, Books on CD $5 per book, and special collection items are individually priced. All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Library.
Instagram photographers on display in Yellow Springs
Nancy Mellon defines instagram photography as “mindfulness, capturing and sharing a moment in time, communal play, a way of seeing.” An exhibit featuring eight instagram photographers is now on display at the Yellow Springs Arts Council. “#YSgram” shows Yellow Springs through the loving lenses of local photographers.” The show at 111 Corry St. is up through April 12.
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