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Writer and editor Home > Blogs > Brain Droppings > Archives > 2009 > November > 13 > Entry
Peace prizes, gallery shows and other stuff
There was plenty of interesting stuff going on in town last weekend, but the main event had to be what was happening on the stage at the Schuster Performing Arts Center Sunday night, Nov. 8.
That was where the 2009 Dayton Literary Peace Prizes were awarded, the fourth year of a flourishing event that shines a truly elegant and worthy spotlight onto our city. This year’s winners — journalists E. Benjamin Skinner and Thomas Friedman, novelists Richard Bausch and Uwem Akpan, and New York Times reporters Nicholas Kristof and his wife, Sheryl WuDunn — opened the eyes of the audience to such injustices as modern-day slavery and the horrors of warfare, and yet at the same time inspired with the idea that motivated individuals can make a difference in the world.
This event, an outgrowth of the famous Dayton Peace Accords, seems to be one of the city’s best bets for redefining its image on the national and world stage. At least, that is the hope of many. Let’s see how it goes.
— Still speaking of the Schuster Center, I often wonder when I see Dr. Ben wandering through the Wintergarden, always with a smile on his face, whether it isn’t just a bit surreal to stand inside a big building with your name on it.
— Speaking of surreal, bravo and a shout-out for Vol. 2 of the Dayton version of Pecha Kucha, the fast-paced, slam-style talk-about-anything program that’s caught on around the world and has finally come here. The second one happened Friday, Nov. 6, in the very cool Excelsior Building in the Oregon District, with a dozen or so speakers sharing their opinions and expertise by running through 20 slides for 20 seconds before a drinking, happy audience. From the history of Dayton’s 1970s funk scene to the fine points of creating the perfect backyard retreat, the event was a feast for the mind. Keep ‘em coming.
— Speaking of the Oregon District, there was a ton of other neat stuff going on that First Friday — almost too much to see and do, which is what you want. Hats off to the more than 130 local artists who closed out the “Creative Soul of Dayton” exhibition that evening in the new gallery space on the top floor of the Armory Building. It was great work, and an eye-popping show. Word is that the building’s owners, the law firm Gottschlich & Portune, are hoping to keep the space open for more art from now on. Stay tuned ..
— Still speaking of Oregon, I was prowling around Fifth Street on Thursday evening and was surprised how few folks I saw … Maybe just an off night. Thoughts, anyone?
— Speaking of the ’70s, here’s a question for anybody who had a ticket to Arrival from Sweden, the ABBA tribute show with the Dayton Philharmonic last night: Could any of us who were on dance floors in, oh, 1977 or so have imagined that some distant day in the future we would be paying good money to hear “Waterloo” played out in front of a symphony?
— Speaking of dancing, I’m still trying to imagine the local arts scene without Rhythm in Shoes in it…. As they wind down, I’m finding myself wishing I’d seen more of them over the years. Ah, regrets.
— Speaking of art, make a point to stop by the Dayton Visual Arts Center’s exhibition of sculpture by Pamela Decoker of Oxford, who turns tiny items like buttons and screws into crisp, monochromatic acrylic arrangements that delight the eye. And while you’re there, remember that DVAC’s “ARTtoBUY” Holiday Gift Gallery of local art is open, just in time for Christmas shopping.
— Speaking of Christmas: Good grief, already?
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