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1) DCDC REUNION
This year marks 50 years since the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company formed. Given that milestone, it's no surprise the acclaimed arts group is taking the opportunity to look back at five decades of movement and magic with a number of events in 2018.
First on the agenda is “The Gathering: A DCDC Family Reunion” at the DCDC Studios, 840 Germantown St., Dayton, at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23. This program, which was originally booked at the Dayton Woman’s Club, features current dancers and former company members, choreographers, board members and administration. Cost: $25.
The celebration continues on Saturday, Feb. 24, when DCDC presents the winter concert "Reunited" at Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, at 7:30 p.m. Current and past members of the company will perform. Cost: $24.50-$47. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
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2) DPO BRILL BUILDING TRIBUTE
Hits from the 1960s and 1970s composed by Neil Sedaka, Carole King, Burt Bacharach and other celebrated songwriters are the focus of the next installment of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra's SuperPops Series. The Jeans 'N Classics rock ensemble will once again join the DPO for Tribute to the Brill Building Songwriters at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23 and 24. Cost: $13-$79. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
3) FIGHT NIGHT
Each year, Dayton History gives interested area professionals a chance to step into the ring and display their skills during an amateur boxing exhibition. The annual Fight Night fundraiser with a 1920s flair is presented at Memorial Hall, 125 E. First St., Dayton, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24. Doors open at 7 p.m. Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Proceeds benefit Dayton History's education programming and conservation efforts at Carillon Historical Park and other Dayton History sites. Call 937-293-2841 or visit www.daytonfightnight.com.
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4) JOHN WITHERSPOON
John Witherspoon's main gig is stand-up comedian, but the veteran performer is responsible for some iconic characters on the big and small screens. He starred in sitcoms such as "The First Family" and "The Wayans Bros." and has done voice work on animated hits like "Black Jesus" and "The Boondocks." Witherspoon, who is probably best known as Mr. Jones in the popular "Fridays" film franchise, will reprise the role in the upcoming fourth and final film, "Last Friday." The actor-comedian returns to town for performances at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, The Greene, 88 Plum St., Beavercreek, on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23 and 24. Show times are 7:30 and 10 p.m. Cost: $25-$57.80. Call 937-429-LAFF (5233) or visit www.daytonfunnybone.com.
5) REBECCA LUKER
Rebecca Luker made her Broadway debut in 1988 as Christine in "Phantom of the Opera." The Alabama native and three-time Tony Award-nominee has also appeared in plays such as "The Secret Garden," "Mary Poppins" and "The Music Man." She also appeared on television programs such as "Boardwalk Empire," "Law & Order-SVU" and "Matlock." Luker, who recently appeared on an episode of "NCIS: New Orleans" on CBS, performs at the Loft Theatre, 126 N. Main St., Dayton, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24. Cost: $65, which includes a post-show reception. The VIP ticket is $140 and includes admission to a 6:30 p.m. reception with heavy hors d'oeuvres, wine and beer. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
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6) HOME & GARDEN SHOW
Whether you're hoping to boost your curb appeal or update your interior living space, there will be plenty of experts to provide guidance during the Miami County Home & Garden Show at Hobart Arena, 255 Adams St., Troy, Friday through Sunday, Feb. 23 through 25. The event, presented by the Western Ohio Home Builders Association, features plumbers, landscape architects, interior decorators, general contractors and other specialists to help you reinvent your living space. Show hours are 2 to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $5 adults in advance, $6 at the door, free for children 12 and younger. Call 937-339-2911 or visit www.hobartarena.com.
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7) WHISKEY MYERS
The members of Lynyrd Skynyrd may have recently announced the band was embarking on its farewell tour in May but that doesn't mean southern rock is dead. A new generation of acts like Blackberry Smoke and Whiskey Myers is keeping the genre alive. Whiskey Myers — performing with Muscadine Bloodline at Oddbody's Music Room, 5418 Burkhardt Road, Dayton, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23 — has been trafficking in its own Texas-bred blend of southern rock since 2007. The band's latest album, "Mud," was released in September 2016. Cost: $20-$25. Call 937-813-4272 or visit www.oddbodys.com.
8) ‘THE COLOR PURPLE’
"The Color Purple: The Musical" is the powerfully engaging stage play based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. The original production received 11 2006 Tony Award nominations. The book also spawned the Oscar-nominated film adaptation by Steven Spielberg. A new production of the show opened at La Comedia Dinner Theatre, 765 W. Central Ave., Springboro, on Thursday, Feb. 22. Show times are 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Cost: $61-$75 adults, $30 children 11 and younger. "The Color Purple" is presented through April 15. Call 937-746-4554 or visit www.lacomedia.com.
9) RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN
David Deitrick, who has been musical director for The Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra since October 2014, has programmed a set of Broadway favorites for An Evening of Rodgers & Hammerstein Classics. The concert, at Dayton Masonic Center, 525 W. Riverview Ave., Dayton, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 24 and 25, features selections from "The Sound of Music," "Carousel," "Oklahoma" and other shows. The repertoire includes popular songs such as "My Favorite Things," "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" and "I Whistle a Happy Tune." Show times are 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $20 adults, $18 students and seniors. Call 937-530-0515 or visit www.mvso.org.
10) MARK CHALIFOUX
Although he spent time living and performing in New York, Mark Chalifoux never lost the laidback Midwestern demeanor he developed growing in the suburbs of Cincinnati. The comic, who recently moved back to Ohio, performs at Wiley's Comedy Joint, 101 Pine St., Dayton, on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23 and 24. Chalifoux is currently developing material for his debut comedy album, which he'll record later this year for Audible. Show times are 8 p.m. Friday, and 7:15 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Cost: $10. Call 937-224-5653 or visit www.wileyscomedy.com.
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