On Facebook, Twitter and elsewhere, Ballengee has long written about that rarefied space where Dayton and homegrown music intersect. She has written for Dayton.com, on the “Music Insider” blog, joyfully dispelling the notion that there’s nothing to hear or do in Dayton on the weekends.
More recently, she’s taken a natural next step, starting her own music promotion venture, Venus Child Productions, shepherding acts and shows from Cincinnati to Dayton and beyond.
Ballengee has a lot going on. You can keep track on Twitter (@LibbyBallengee) or Facebook (
).
Ballengee is much more than rock and popular music. She also leads the Dayton Ballet Barre, a group of volunteers who support and draw attention to Dayton Ballet.
Ballengee and I sat down outside Ghostlight Coffee on a recent humid afternoon to talk about how a country girl found herself boosting ballet and promoting concerts. This is edited and condensed.
Q: What's the mission of the Dayton Ballet Barre?
Ballengee: "Long ago it started as the Dayton Ballet Foundation and kind of turned into the Friends of Dayton Ballet and then the Dayton Ballet Barre. It's been around. But unlike the (Dayton Opera) Guild and the DPVA (the Dayton Philharmonic Volunteer Association), those have been pretty consistent organizations for about 30 to 50 years.
“I took over (the Barre) a couple of years ago. We had real strong leadership a few years back with Jim Butler, who became our state representative (R-Oakwood). That’s when I actually joined the Barre …
“I took ballet classes my whole life. I’ve been a Dayton Ballet subscriber. My mom and I have gone since I was 4 years old.”
Q: Is it odd for someone like you, so immersed in popular music, to be a ballet supporter? Or does it feel natural?
Ballengee: "It's funny. I would say that I probably got a very strange sort of cycling through music. My parents are much older. My dad was born in '34. So they were predating the Beatles, so I really related to that. It was interesting because I actually grew up on classical music, going to the ballet. Which is kind of a weird first exposure.
“I grew up way out in the country. … I was south of Brookville, just west of Trotwood, really close to Sycamore State Park. We had a woodburner. We had chickens in the backyard. Having older parents, it was very ‘Little House on the Prairie.’ We didn’t have cable lines out there. …
“My first albums were Harry Connick Jr. and Genesis. Weird stuff when I was around 12. … I was exposed to pop music through school and friends, but I wasn’t necessarily the cool kid.”
Q: Why do you love music so much?
Ballengee: "I actually went to CD Connection at the Salem Mall. There was a guy who was really sweet, non-threatening, cool guy, working in the music store. … (I asked him) What do I have to listen to? And the first album he gave me was The Beatles, Revolver. Every week I would go in, and he would give me a new recommendation. …
“I think I have an appreciation for classical music and then studying all kinds of music growing up. I started band when I was in sixth grade. I played clarinet. I wasn’t great at it. I’m a much better promoter. (laughs)
“But I think that really helped me appreciate good music. For me, one of my favorite live bands to go see is Phish. I totally understand why people don’t like it. I get it. But from learning theory about music, that’s really helped me appreciate bands like that.
“So I think that’s where that comes from. Stay in band.”
Know someone who can handle Three Questions? We're looking for behind-the-scenes-but-still fascinating Miami Valley residents with something to say. Send your suggestions to tom.gnau@coxinc.com.
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