Much of that growth is attributed to beer aficionados like Daytonian Joe Waizmann sharing their knowledge through events like Dayton Beer Week. The citywide celebration closes Saturday, Aug. 25 with the 14th annual AleFest at Carillon Historical Park, 1000 Carillon Blvd., in Dayton from 2 to 5 p.m.
If you’ve ever been curious about craft beers but didn’t know where to start, AleFest is the perfect introduction. More than 350 beers from more than 150 international craft breweries will be on tap that day by big name companies and rising brands such as Great Lakes, Thirsty Dog and Goose Island.
Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 the day of the event. Admission includes 20 beer samples, a sampling guide and a commemorative tasting glass. Call (937) 623-2337 or visit www.alefest.com.
2. CLASSIC ROCK ’N’ BLUES
Rock ’n’ roll package tours have been around since the 1950s but they’ve enjoyed a resurgence during this latest extended economic downturn. These type of shows are a win-win proposition because the acts get to perform for larger crowds and the audiences get more bang for their buck. The latest such multi-act bill to hit town is The Classic Rock ’n’ Blues Tour 2012, which makes a stop at Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd., in Kettering at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29. The show features Johnny Winter Band, the Edgar Winter Group, Rick Derringer, Leslie West and Kim Simmonds Cost: $27 lawn/terrace, $37 side orchestra (sections A&D), $42 center orchestra (sections B&C). Call (937) 296-3300 or visit www.fraze.com.
3. MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIR
Summer is coming to a close and the kids are back in school, which means one thing: The Montgomery County Fair is back with carnival rides, food, animal exhibitions, harness racing, tractor pulls, a rodeo, demolition derby, live music and more. The annual, late-summer event is at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 1043 S. Main St., in Dayton Wednesday through Monday, Aug. 29 through Sept. 3. Fair hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Cost: $5 daily, free for children 6 and younger with paying adult. Call (937) 224-1619 or visit www.montcofair.com.
4. DAYTON AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL
Dayton African American Cultural Festival — a family event designed to bring the richness of the African American experience to the community through culture, education and music — returns to town for two days. The event, on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 25 and 26, is at RiverScape MetroPark, 111 E. Monument Ave., in Dayton from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and at McIntosh Park, Riverview Street at Edwin C. Moses Boulevard, in Dayton from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Cost: Free. Call (937) 475-27-7 or visit www.daacf.com.
5. THE TASTE
The Taste, the 24th annual festival of restaurants, returns to Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd., in Kettering from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30. The event, presented by the Kettering-Moraine-Oakwood Chamber of Commerce, features chain restaurants such as Brio Tuscan Grille and MCL Restaurant and Bakery and locally-owned establishments such as Fricker’s, Belmont Catering and Christopher’s Restaurant. Cost: $25 in advance, $30 day of the event. $10 at the door for children under 10. Call (937) 296-3300 or visit www.fraze.com.
6. FLUTE AND ART GATHERING
Native flute music, storytelling sessions and workshops dedicated to traditional and non-traditional American Indian music is the focus of the popular Flute and Art Gathering. The three-day event returns to SunWatch Indian Village and Archaeological Park, 2301 W. River Road, in Dayton Friday through Sunday, Aug. 24 through 26. Festival hours are 4 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $6 adults, $3 seniors and children 6-16. Members pay half price. Free for children 5 and younger. Call (937) 268-8199 or visit www.sunwatch.org.
7. SMOKEY ROBINSON
Motown legend Smokey Robinson is no stranger to charity. He has lent his talents to a variety of causes over the year. The self-proclaimed singer, poet and philanthropist continues that charitable trend by headlining the 15th annual Celebrity Concert for Charity at Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd., in Kettering at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25. The concert, founded in 1998, is a fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and has featured headliners such as KC & the Sunshine Band, Richard Marx and Randy Travis. Cost: $35 lawn/terrace, $56 side orchestra (sections A&D). Call (937) 296-3300 or visit www.fraze.com.
8. BERT KREISCHER
Bert Kreischer, the actor, comedian and the former host of the Travel Channel series “Bert the Conqueror,” brings his irreverent and insightful brand of comedy back to The Funny Bone Comedy Club, 88 Plum St., The Greene, in Beavercreek Friday through Sunday, Aug. 24 through 26. Show times are 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $20 Friday and Saturday, $17 Sunday. Call (937) 429-LAFF or visit www.daytonfunnybone.com.
9. FILM DAYTON FESTIVAL
True to its name, documentary and narrative films by talented filmmakers with ties to the Gem City are the main draw for the FilmDayton Festival, which features screenings at The Neon, 130 E. First St., in Dayton Friday through Sunday, Aug. 24 through 26. However, the fourth annual event also includes a number of informative workshops at ThinkTV, 110 S. Jefferson St., in Dayton on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 25 and 26, and special events such as the first FilmDayton Awards at The Neon on Saturday, Aug. 25, followed by a filmmaker meet and greet party. For times and prices, visit www.filmdayton.com.
10. AACW BLUES AND JAZZ FESTIVAL
AACW Blues and Jazz Festival returns to Antioch College Amphitheater on Corry St., in Yellow Springs Friday through Sunday, Aug. 24 through 26. The 12th annual multi-act event features performances from Corey Harris and the 5YZMen, Nerak Roth Patterson Band, Preston Shannon, the Larry Humphrey Band and others. The festival closes Sunday morning with a Gospel Fest and Basket Meeting. Cost: Free. Visit www.aacw.org.
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