Keep the good Irish vibes flowing by checking out the talented vocalists-instrumentalists Saturday at the Schuster Center. They’re on their first tour of the U.S. direct from Belfast and London. Set list includes “Whiskey in the Jar” (joyfully performed with Irish jig March 17 on “The Today Show” in honor of St. Patrick’s Day), “The Parting Glass,” “Wild Rover” and legendary “Danny Boy.” Click here.
This week’s edition also spotlights Dayton Playhouse’s production of “The Cure,” the launch of theater troupe Gem City Groundlings and the careers of local artists Shon Walters and Andrea Chenoweth Wells.
Let us know what you think. If you have thoughts, feedback or news tips, please email me at Russell.Florence@coxinc.com.
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😊Around Town: Top events in the Dayton region this weekend
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Professional bull riding at the Nutter Center, Marlon Wayans at Dayton Funny Bone, a Michael Bublé tribute concert in Troy and Gem City Swing Night in downtown Dayton are among events vying for your attention this weekend. Click here.
🎭Theater: Gem City Groundlings wants to make Shakespeare accessible
Credit: Matt Silver
Credit: Matt Silver
Doing “next level Shakespeare” is part of the motivation behind Gem City Groundlings, Dayton’s newest theater company devoted to the Bard. They’ll open with “Macbeth” in June at two venues. Click here.
😊Around Town: Best of Dayton 2025
It’s time to nominate your favorites for our Best of Dayton 2025 contest. Nominations continue through March 28 across a broad spectrum of fun categories. We want to hear from you! Click here.
🎶Music: Noah + the Rescue Radio, bluesman’s rock side-project, returns to Brightside
Blues guitarist Noah Wotherspoon returns to Dayton with his rock-centric group Noah + the Rescue Radio Friday at The Brightside Music and Event Venue. Noah has impressed Dayton audiences since he was a teenager playing blues jams at Gilly’s and Canal Street Tavern. He’s the real deal. Click here.
⭐Community Gems: Nominate someone who is making a difference
The Dayton Daily News Community Gems initiative highlights people who give their time and effort to improve the lives of their neighbors and community. Do you know someone like this in your community? Follow this link to nominate them.
⭐A Day in the Life: Shon Walters
Credit: Hannah Kasper
Credit: Hannah Kasper
Shon Walters' furniture and functional art business, Eccentric Wood, turns 25 this year. His work has been showcased at The Contemporary Dayton, and he’s also the sole Dayton-based artist recently awarded an Individual Excellence Award by the Ohio Arts Council. Click here.
🎭Theater: Finding ‘The Cure’: Winning FutureFest drama will be on stage at Dayton Playhouse
Philadelphia playwright Alex Dremann‘s mother-son medical drama “The Cure” was a hit at the Dayton Playhouse last summer with critics and audiences alike. Performances continue this weekend. Click here.
🍽️Food & Dining: 2025 fish fry events in Montgomery, Miami, Greene and Warren counties
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Lenten fish fry events are being scheduled across the region. Check out our list here.
🎶Music: The Beach Boys to bring good vibrations to Fraze Pavilion
Credit: Amy Harris/Invision/AP
Credit: Amy Harris/Invision/AP
Are you ready for some fun, fun, fun? The Beach Boys are hitting the road this summer with a stop at Kettering’s Fraze Pavilion Sept. 7. Founding member Mike Love will lead the way through a catalog of hits including “California Girls” and “Don’t Worry Baby.” Click here.
⭐A Day in the Life: Andrea Chenoweth Wells
Credit: Contributed
Credit: Contributed
Andrea Chenoweth Wells is a soprano opera singer, intimacy director and University of Dayton music professor. Her April production of Johann Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus” is also being reimagined as a reality TV competition complete with celebrity judges, including yours truly. Click here.
🎢Outdoors: Updates coming to one of Kings Island’s most iconic rides — the Beast
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
Kings Island’s wooden roller coaster, the Beast, is currently undergoing major retracking. More than 20% of track will ultimately be replaced to ensure a smoother ride. Click here.
🏠Timeless Dayton: Linden Avenue historic home a grand painted lady built in 1884
A Queen Anne style, Victorian-era home in the Huffman Historic Area featuring its original woodwork is a beautiful testament to history and the art of renovation. Click here.
🧵Make a Difference: Local nonprofit wants the art, craft and sewing supplies you no longer need
Sister Trillium is a Yellow Springs nonprofit creative reuse store and community art space devoted to support accessible, sustainable and collaborative art making. Find out how you can help. Click here.
🎭Theater: ‘Fraggle Rock’ coming live to Clark State Performing Arts Center
Credit: Contributed
Credit: Contributed
Looking for family-friendly fun? Jim Henson’s classic characters Red, Gobo, Mokey, Wembley, Boober and more are coming to Springfield in “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Live!” Sunday at the Clark State Performing Arts Center. Click here.
📷Photos: St. Patrick’s Day in Dayton, St. Patrick’s Day Bash at Peach’s Grill in Yellow Springs and ‘LivingHERstory’ Women Strong Reception at African American Visual Arts Guild
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations took place March 17 at Dublin Pub and Flanagan’s Pub in Dayton.
Peach’s Grill in Yellow Springs hosted its 19th annual St. Patrick’s Day Bash March 15.
An opening reception for the “LivingHERstory” exhibition by the artists of “Women Strong” was hosted by the African American Visual Artists Guild at Central State University’s Dayton campus March 16.
🎶ICYMI: For Dayton By Dayton music celebration part of 2025 Levitt Pavilion season
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
For Dayton By Dayton, a celebration of local music, will take place June 14 at Levitt Pavilion. The sixth annual concert will also advocate for local businesses. Click here.
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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.
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