Top 10 things to do this week

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

It’s Halloween weekend, and there are plenty of ways to spend it.

LAST CHANCE THIS WEEKEND

>> Haunted houses

>> Corn mazes

>> Ohio Renaissance Festival

>> Pumpkin picking

10 TOP EVENTS THIS WEEK

1) DAYTON BALLET’S ‘GATSBY’

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, “The Great Gatsby,” has been reimagined numerous times in film and on stage. However, Dayton Ballet is presenting a different take on the story in a program from choreographer Ron Cunningham, artistic director of Sacramento Ballet.

“The Great Gatsby” — which opened at Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton on Thursday, Oct. 26 — is presented through Sunday, Oct. 29. Dayton Ballet will be joined Billy Novick’s Blue Syncopators, Dayton blues singer Felita LaRock and dancers from Dayton Ballet II and the Dayton Ballet School.

Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $14-$72. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

2) HAUNTFEST ON FIFTH

It's once again time for people dressed as pop culture oddities to rub shoulders with other enthusiasts costumed as ghosts, zombies, witches, monsters and other frightful creatures. The occasion, of course, is Hauntfest on Fifth 2017. The city's annual Halloween celebration returns to East Fifth Street in the Oregon District, which will be blocked off between Patterson Boulevard and Wayne Avenue. Hauntfest features a costume contest, beer sales and live music from Team Void, the Terrifying Experience and Barstool Brown. 7 p.m. to 1 am. Saturday, Oct. 28. Cost: $5 in advance, $10 at the gate. Call 937-974-2494 or visit www.downtowndayton.org.

>> Everything you need to know about Hauntfest on Fifth

>>PHOTOS: Hauntfest on Fifth 2016

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

3) SIXTIES SPECTACULAR

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees the Lovin' Spoonful is known for hits such as "Summer in the City" and "Do You Believe in Magic?" The rock group headlines the Sixties Spectacular at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27. The traveling package of artists of the 1960s also features special guests Gary Lewis & the Playboys, Dennis Tufano of the Buckinghams and Bob Miranda of the Happenings. Cost: $37-$67. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

4) ‘BAT BOY’

For the outrageous off-Broadway hit, "Bat Boy: The Musical," the creators drew inspiration from "Weekly World News" stories about a half-boy, half-bat. The rock 'n' roll musical, which has book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming and music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe, premiered in 1997 and has been presented by regional theater companies since 2002. Dare to Defy presents "Bat Boy: The Musical" at the Schuster Center, Mathile Theatre, Second and Main streets, Dayton, on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27 and 28. Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee on October 28. An additional show is presented on Friday, Nov. 3. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

5) JEWISH FEDERATION FEST

The Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton's Cultural Arts & Book Festival continues with two programs. Rabbi Naomi Levy presents "Einstein & the Rabbi: Searching for the Soul" at Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Drive, Dayton, at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30. Cost: $5 in advance, $8 at the door. Author Jill Santopolo presents "The Light We Lost" at Coco's Bistro, 250 Warren St., Dayton, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1. Cost: $30, includes food. The Cultural Arts & Book Festival is presented on select dates through December 7. Call 937-610-1555 or visit www.jewishdayton.org.

6) BACH SOCIETY

For the first concert of its new season, the Bach Society of Dayton is focusing on the works of Francois Poulenc. The program features pieces by the French composer such as "Gloria" and "Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani in G Minor. Music director John Neely and the Bach Society present "The French Connection" at Kettering Adventist Church, 3939 Stonebridge Road, Kettering, at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29. Featured performers include soprano Minnita Daniel-Cox and organist David Crean. Cost: $20 adults, $15 active military, $10 students. Call 937-294-2224 or visit www.bachsocietyofdayton.org.

7) ‘THE HOUSE’

In his 2014 play "The House," Brian Parks uses an empty nest couple's decision to sell their family home and downsize to a condominium as the set up for a modern farce. The Human Race Theatre Co. presents the Midwest premiere of the play at the Loft Theatre, 126 N. Main St., Dayton. "The House," which opens on Thursday, Nov. 2, is presented through November 19. Show times are 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, with 2 p.m. matinees Sunday. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

8) DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

It's time again for Dia de Los Muertos Dayton, the local celebration of the Day of the Dead on Sunday, Oct. 29. The annual event begins with a pre-party at Yellow Cab Bldg., 700 E. Fourth St., Dayton, from 2 to 7 p.m., followed by the parade at 4 p.m. The parade will go from the Yellow Cab building and proceed through the Oregon District. The parade ends at Missing Peace Art Space, 234 S. Dutoit St., Dayton, which will host a party until 7 p.m. Cost: Free. Visit www.yellowcabtavern.com or www.missingpeaceart.org.

9) TROPIDELIC

Tropidelic, the danceable six-piece band from Cleveland, released its new album, "Heavy is the Head," on October 13. Tropidelic is now on the road supporting the release, including a concert at Oddbody's Music Room, 5418 Burkhardt Road, Dayton, at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. The bill also features local bands Subterranean and Jah Sol. Doors open at 8 p.m. Cost: $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Call 937-813-4272 or visit www.oddbodys.com.

10) TIMELESS MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS

La Comedia Dinner Theatre, 765 W. Central Ave., Springboro, is ringing in the season with "Timeless Memories of Christmas." This new holiday revue, opening on Wednesday, Nov. 1, features Christmas carols, costumed performers and elaborate sets. Show times are 12:30 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Cost: $61-$75 adults, $30 children 11 and younger. "Timeless Memories of Christmas" is presented Thursdays through Sundays through Dec. 31. Call 937-746-4554 or visit www.lacomedia.com.

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