Gem City Living | ‘Six Triple Eight’ premieres and other things to do in Dayton this weekend🎬

Happy Holidays readers! Hollywood’s take on the historic service of Dayton’s own Charity Adams Earley leads this week’s Gem City Living newsletter.

Directed by Tyler Perry, “The Six Triple Eight,” the inspiring story of World War II’s first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of color, will begin its local premiere Dec. 6 at The Neon. Kerry Washington stars as Captain Charity Adams, who at age 26, supervised the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion and served as the highest-ranking Black woman officer during World War II. The unit, stationed in Birmingham, England, Rouen, France, and Paris, sorted through 17 million pieces of backlogged mail in three months, ultimately delivering mail to more than seven million soldiers.

"Six Triple Eight." Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams in "Six Triple Eight." Cr. Bob Mahoney / Perry Well Films 2 / Courtesy of Netflix

Credit: Bob Mahoney/Perry Well Films 2/Courtesy of Netflix

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Credit: Bob Mahoney/Perry Well Films 2/Courtesy of Netflix

Additional screenings will be hosted by 6888 Kitchen Incubator (Dec. 8 at 1 p.m.) and Wilberforce University (Dec. 14 at 4 p.m.).

Earley, a Wilberforce alumna, served on a variety of boards, including Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Dayton Power and Light, Dayton Metro Housing Authority, the American Red Cross, and Sinclair Community College. Read more about the film and her legacy.

This week’s newsletter also spotlights upcoming holiday shows, budget-friendly family holiday activities to do with the kids, and our December calendar of events.

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: 10 things to do in Dayton this weekend

Trans-Siberian Orchestra returns to Dayton on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Nutter Center. (James McEachern/Trans-Siberian Orchestra via AP)

Credit: AP

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Credit: AP

In addition to the passion and pyrotechnics of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, there are multiple holiday concerts to enjoy this weekend along with a chance to support downtown businesses during First Friday. Here is our list of notable things to do in Dayton.


🎄Around Town: Events in the Dayton region throughout December

Holly Days at the Dayton Arcade in downtown Dayton will be held Dec. 11-13. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

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Credit: Tom Gilliam

From Holly Days at the Dayton Arcade featuring more than 50 vendors to a variety of community, music and outdoor activities, December will keep you booked and busy. Check out our list of notable events across the region.


👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Gem City Family: 4 Dayton-area holiday things to do with the kids that are budget-friendly

People can head to Cabela's to see Santa Claus for free during the holiday season. You will receive a free 5x7 and they always have extra activities for the kids to take home. It accepts walk-ins but you can also reserve a spot online up to 7 days in advance. PAMELA CHANDLER/CONTRIBUTED

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Seeing Christmas movies at Miamisburg’s Plaza Theatre or attending one of the Dayton Metro Library’s free holiday programs are just a few ways to enjoy the holidays with your kids without breaking the bank. Here are other tips to consider.


🎭Stage Notes: Adults-only ‘Frosty Night’ promises naughty holiday fun and other arts news

Left to right: Christine Brunner (Noel Claus), Tim Lile (The Snowman) and Mierka Girten (Sharon) in the Human Race Theatre Company's production of "A Frosty Night." PHOTO BY HUMAN RACE THEATRE

Credit: HUMAN RACE THEATRE

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Credit: HUMAN RACE THEATRE

Frosty the Snowman is up to no good at the North Pole in Mark Brown’s “A Frosty Night,” which has its world premiere at the Human Race Theatre Company beginning Dec. 11. Read more about this adult comedy as well as Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s back-by-popular-demand “Littlest Angel” and Sinclair Community College’s children’s holiday musical “Twas.


🎶Music: Yearlong Dayton Karaoke Idol culminates with Top 10 finale at Eudora Brewing

Karaoke contestant at Limelight Entertainment's Dayton Karaoke Idol semi-finals. Credit: Brandon Berry

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The Dayton Karaoke Idol finale will take place Dec. 7 at Eudora Brewing Company. The grand prize is $1000 and a year’s worth of paid gigs singing with Limelight Entertainment through 2025. Read more about the competition.


🏡Around Town: 11 stops on this year’s South Main Candlelight Tour of Homes in Middletown

The South Main Candlelight Tour of Homes in Middletown will take place Sunday, Dec. 8. Historic homes, businesses and churches will be  showcased on the tour, a fundraiser for the South Main Street Historic Neighborhood Association. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

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Credit: Tom Gilliam

This weekend’s South Main Candlelight Tour of Homes in Middletown will include seven homes, two churches, The Windamere/Oglesby Barnitz Bank and Sorg Opera House. You can also enjoy free trolley rides, entertainment and a wassail stop. Read more about this biennial event.


🎶Music: Continuing to support Hurricane Helene victims: Springfield event planned for weekend

Rich Carey will perform at a benefit concert for Hurricane Helene victims. CONTRIBUTED

Credit: Contributed

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Credit: Contributed

Rich Carey’s band This Day and the Champion City Trio will take part in “From Springfield with Love” on Dec. 7 at Mother Stewart’s Brewing Co. in Springfield. Admission is free but donations to the Red Cross to help victims of Hurricane Helene, which include Carey’s family, will be collected. Read more about this concert’s mission to bring healing and hope through music.


🚗Worth the drive: Christmas Cave event celebrates holiday season underground

The Christmas Cave in Scioto County, Ohio sees guests exploring multiple tunnels and caverns filled with festive decorations. WHITE GRAVEL MINES/WEBSITE/CONTRIBUTED

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The Christmas Cave in Minford, located in Scioto County near Portsmouth, has drawn crowds of thousands to its displays of Christmas trees and lights as well as nativity scenes since 2016. Read more about the history of the cave and this faith-based holiday attraction.


🖼️In the Gallery: MLK’s 1964 Dayton speech inspires new art exhibition, collaboration

Harmon, Reginald. "Portrait of a King." Oil on canvas, 20” × 24. PHOTO BY REGINALD HARMON

Credit: REGINALD HARMON

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Credit: REGINALD HARMON

“Visual Voices: An Exhibition by African American Artists Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1964 Dayton, Ohio, Speech” is an exhibition crafted as part of Civil Rights Dayton 2024, a series of arts events and lectures done in partnership with Black Palette Art Gallery, EbonNia Gallery and the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. Curated by local artist and educator Willis “Bing” Davis, the thought-provoking exhibition of 29 works spotlights 13 African American artists, many from the Dayton area. A reception will take place Dec. 13 with the artists. Read more about their work.


A Day in the Life: Te’Jal Cartwright is a local entrepreneur building connection through telling stories

Te'Jal Cartwright, owner of Lore Storytelling, facilitating a workshop at The Hub Dayton. CONTRIBUTED

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Te’Jal Cartwright, owner of Lore Storytelling, a story coaching business, built her entrepreneurial career in media and digital marketing through her What’s the Biz series, which explores Black-owned businesses, and as outreach engagement marketer for Gem City Market and Preschool Promise. Take a deeper dive into her multitasking world as she reflects on her workload and favorite spots around Dayton.


📷 Photos: Dayton Holiday Festival Grande Illumination & Parade, Englewood Holiday Trail & Tree Lighting and The Rubi Girls perform at Dayton Arcade

Miss Ohio USA 2024 Macy Hudson, a Dayton native and 2017 Stivers School for the Arts graduate, participated in the 52nd annual Dayton Holiday Festival featuring the Grande Illumination and Dayton Children’s Parade Spectacular in Lights in downtown Dayton on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

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Credit: Tom Gilliam

The 52nd annual Dayton Holiday Festival featuring the Grande Illumination and Dayton Children’s Parade Spectacular in Lights took place in downtown Dayton on Nov. 29.

The annual Englewood Holiday Trail and Tree Lighting took place on Nov. 30.

The Rubi Girls celebrated their 40th anniversary with a performance of their annual Thanksgiving weekend show, “The Show Must Go On,” at the Dayton Arcade on Nov. 30.


❄️ICYMI: Kings Island WinterFest 2024: What to see, eat and ride

Kings Island WinterFest is open on select nights through the end of December. CONTRIBUTED

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Thousands of lights, multiple live shows, a sledding hill and a parade are among the enticing features of this year’s Kings Island WinterFest. Read more about what’s in store.


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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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