10 great things to do in Dayton this weekend

The Pizza Bandit is among the food trucks set to participate in the first-ever Dayton Pizza Fest on Saturday, March 24. STAFF

The Pizza Bandit is among the food trucks set to participate in the first-ever Dayton Pizza Fest on Saturday, March 24. STAFF

If you’re a fan of pizza, musical theatre, thought-provoking art and vintage toys in addition to country music and rock and roll, here are 10 events you should keep on your radar.

1. Dayton Pizza Fest

When: Saturday, March 25 from 5-9 p.m.

Where: Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St., Dayton

Details: The 10-year anniversary of The Yellow Cab Food Truck Rallies continues with the latest specialty food fest: the first-ever Dayton Pizza Fest. Vendors serving pizza, pizza themed dishes and more include: The Pizza Bandit; Kung Fu BBQ; Blind Dogs; I Heart Ice Cream; Freda’s Food Truck; ILLYS Fire Pizza; Wheel Fresh Pizza; Ma Dukes Street Food; Crusin Cusine; Cray Cray Cajun; Freakin’ Rican; Cupzilla Korean bbq; The Forking Pierogi; and Spin City Cotton Candy.

Cost: Free

More info: Facebook

Veronica Stern (Anya) and Willem Butler (Dmitri) in the national tour of "Anastasia," slated March 21-26 at the Schuster Center.

Credit: EVAN ZIMMERMAN FOR MURPHY MADE

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Credit: EVAN ZIMMERMAN FOR MURPHY MADE

2. ‘Anastasia’

When: Through March 26; 8 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday

Where: Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets, Dayton

Details: Created by the Tony-winning collaborators of “Ragtime,” “Anastasia,” presented by Dayton Live under the elegant direction of Peggy Hickey and featuring Linda Cho’s gorgeous Tony-nominated costumes, is an account of a brave young woman setting out to discover the mystery of her past. The engaging, vocally sublime Veronica Stern brings passionate determination and curiosity to her spunky-turned-sophisticated portrayal of Anya, particularly delivering a dynamic rendition of “Journey to the Past” that reaches a spine-tingling climax bolstered by Aaron Rhyne’s phenomenal projections. Principal standouts include the charming, vocally strong Gavin Creel-esque Willem Butler as Anya’s scrappy love interest Dmitry, the comical duo of Bryan Seastrom (Vlad) and Madeline Raube (Countess Lily), and understudy Sarah Statler as the fittingly regal Dowager Empress.

Cost: $26-$109

More info: 937-228-3630 or daytonlive.org

Country singer Ryan Mundy, who grew up in Clark County, performs at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway on Saturday, March 25.

Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

3. Ryan Mundy

When: Saturday, March 25 at 8 p.m.

Where: Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, 777 Hollywood Blvd., Dayton

Details: Rising country singer Ryan Mundy grew up in Clark County. His singles include “Dancing While the Sun Sets,” “On You” and the latest, “Truck Thang.” Mundy returns to Hollywood Gaming for a concert. (Don Thrasher)

Cost: Free

More info: 937-235-7800 or www.hollywooddaytonraceway.com

Tanner Gleeson (Gabey), center, (clockwise from upper right) Amy VanDyke (Ivy Smith), John Cuozzo (Ozzie), Melissa Matarrese (Claire de Loone) and Trinity Woolf (Hildy Esterhazy) in Wright State University's production of "On the Town." PHOTO BY WRIGHT STATE THEATRE

Credit: WRIGHT STATE THEATRE

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Credit: WRIGHT STATE THEATRE

4. ‘On the Town’

When: Through April 8; 8 p.m. March 24, 25, April 7 and April 8; 2 p.m. March 25, 26 and April 8; and 7 p.m. April 6

Where: Festival Playhouse of the Creative Arts Center at Wright State University, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy., Fairborn.

Details: Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden and Adolph Green’s classic 1944 musical about three sailors on 24-hour shore leave in World War II-era New York City features such tunes as “Come Up to My Place,” “Lonely Town,” “I Can Cook Too” and “Some Other Time.” Choreographer Josh Walden’s stunning ballets are a signature component of this stellar production.

Cost: $15-$25

More info: 937-775-2500 or https://liberal-arts.wright.edu/fine-and-performing-arts/box-office-and-current-season

Jimy Bleu, a left-handed Stratocaster slinger, fronts Kiss The Sky, the internationally touring tribute to Jim Hendrix, performing at JD Legends in Franklin on Friday, March 24.

Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

5. Kiss The Sky

When: Friday, March 24 at 8:30 p.m.

Where: JD Legends, 65 Millard Dr., Franklin

Details: Kiss The Sky, the internationally touring tribute to Jim Hendrix, returns to town. The group is fronted by Jimy Bleu, a left-handed Stratocaster slinger just like the man himself. The show features some of Hendrix’s most iconic moments on stage with the Experience and Band of Gypsys. (Don Thrasher)

Cost: $15-$25

More info: 937-746-4950 or jdlegends.com

Left to right: Rachel Oprea (Helen Dukas), Jim Walker (Albert Einstein) and Peggy McDonald-Allen (Margaret Harding) in Dayton Theatre Guild's production of "Relativity." CONTRIBUTED

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

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Credit: CONTRIBUTED

6. ‘Relativity’

When: Through April 2; 8 p.m. Fridays, 5 p.m. Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays

Where: Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Ave., Dayton

Details: Debra Kent fluidly directs Mark St. Germain’s quietly engrossing one-act play concerning the mysterious family history of Albert Einstein circa 1949. Jim Walker, an outstanding, fully realized Einstein, receives heartfelt support from Peggy McDonald-Allen as Margaret Harding, Einstein’s daughter searching for answers, and Rachel Oprea as Helen Dukas, Einstein’s dutiful, headstrong maid. If anyone finds another play about Einstein, writes a play about Einstein or would like to hire someone to portray Einstein, reach out to Walker. He’s the real deal.

Cost: $14-$21

More info: 937-278-5993 or daytontheatreguild.org

The 2017 Dayton Dancing with the Stars Champions.

Credit: A Special Wish Dayton

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Credit: A Special Wish Dayton

7. Dancing with the Dayton Stars

When: Saturday, March 25 at 7 p.m.

Where: Wright State University Nutter Center, 3640 Col Glenn Hwy., Fairborn

Details: The 18th annual Dancing with the Dayton Stars, benefiting A Special Wish Foundation of Southwest Ohio, is a night of dancing and great music featuring local community leaders paired with professional dancers. All proceeds from the dance will go directly to granting the wishes of local children who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.

Cost: $150 (individual tickets)

More info: https://www.aspecialwishdayton.org/upcoming-events/icalrepeat.detail/2023/03/25/36/-/2023-dancing-with-the-dayton-stars.html

8. The Great Ohio Toy Show

When: Saturday, March 25 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center, 120 Fairground Rd., Xenia

Details: Vintage and modern toys galore will be on display at this event featuring 700 vendors tables, multiple food trucks, live DJ and more.

Cost: $5 per adult from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Early admission starts at 8 a.m. at $10 per adult. Children 12 and under are admitted free. There is also free parking.

More info: Facebook

Artist Paul Kroner's "Box News" is among the works of art within "Trash Talk," slated March 3-25 at the Edward A. Dixon Gallery. CONTRIBUTED

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

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Credit: CONTRIBUTED

9. ‘Trash Talk’

When: Saturday, March 25 from 1-4 p.m. (closing reception)

Where: The Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 222 North Clair St., Dayton

Details: “Trash Talk,” created by artists Paul Kroner and Devan Horton, intends to “shine a light on trash and its literal and metaphorical implications.”

Cost: Free

More info: www.eadgallery.com/exhibitions/

Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old student at the University of Wyoming, died Oct. 12, 1998 having been brutally beaten in an anti-gay hate crime. His life is commemorated in Craig Hella Johnson's cantata "Considering Matthew Shepard," slated March 26 at Wright State University. CONTRIBUTED

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10. ‘Considering Matthew Shepard’

When: Sunday, March 26 at 4 p.m.

Where: Schuster Hall of the Creative Arts Center at Wright State University, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy., Fairborn

Details: In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the death of gay college student Matthew Shepard, Wright State’s Choral Music Program presents Craig Hella Johnson’s gorgeous, Grammy-nominated oratorio honoring Shepard.

Cost: Free

More info: https://liberal-arts.wright.edu/fine-and-performing-arts/music/collegiate-chorale-spring-concert-96866

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