The program runs the gamut from arias from Puccini and Verdi to Cole Porter’s “I Get a Kick Out of You” and classical compositions by Tchaikovsky and Strauss. Featured performers include DPO Concertmaster Jessica Hung and guest vocalist tenor Jonathan Burton.
The celebration also includes a pre-concert reception, a flute of champagne at intermission and a colorful, climactic balloon drop. Cost: $19-$69. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
2) HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS
The Harlem Globetrotters have been dazzling audiences with a unique brand of on-court wizardry since 1926 and the team remains as popular as ever today. The illustrious history, which still takes the beloved basketball squad to spots around the globe, was featured earlier this month in a new documentary that aired on ESPN. The Harlem Globetrotters return to the area for its annual New Year's Eve game at the Nutter Center, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Fairborn, at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. Cost: $26-$58, plus $66 VIP and $106 courtside. Call 937-775-3498 or visit www.nuttercenter.com.
3) SCOTTY BRATCHER
The name Scotty Bratcher should be familiar to anyone who has been following local blues for the past decade. Now 27, the Middletown native was 12 years old when he released his first album and had dropped two more by the age of 21. Bratcher, who recently signed a deal with Nashville-based WBA Entertainment, is currently working on his most high-profile project yet. Before that is released, however, the guitar-slinger will present a New Year's Eve show at Riff Raff Tavern on the Canal, 130 N. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Cost: $45. 937-558-0808 or www.riffraffonthecanaltavern.com.
4) JEFF DYE
Ring in the New Year with a little laughter courtesy of stand-up comedian Jeff Dye. The Seattle-based comedian, who has also been seen as a cast member of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and MTV's "Money From Strangers," performs at Wiley's Comedy Joint, 101 Pine St., Dayton, on Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 29-31. Show times are 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 8 and 10:15 p.m. Wednesday. Cost: $12 Monday and Tuesday, $25 Wednesday early show, $40 Wednesday late show. Call 937-224-5653 or visit www.wileyscomedy.com.
5) HOLIDAYTON 2014
It's been more than a decade since Mark McMillon started HoliDayton as an annual opportunity for his band The Story Changes to close out the year with a hometown rock 'n' roll party. Despite McMillon's growing responsibilities traveling the world as guitarist for Hawthorne Heights, he still finds time each year to get together with bandmate Chris "Poppy" Lee and some of their musical friends for the local band holiday showcase. HoliDayton 2014, which features Sleep Fleet, the 1984 Draft, The New Old-Fashioned and others, hits Blind Bob's, 430 E. Fifth St., Dayton, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27. Cost: $8. Call 937-938-6405 or visit www.blindbobs.com.
6) MUSIC OF PINK FLOYD
The music of Pink Floyd has long been the ideal soundtrack for laser light shows because the British classic rockers mixed a heavy progressive streak with a pop accessibility many of its peers lacked. Popular songs from the band's expansive catalog will provide the backdrop for The Laser Spectacular, which has been presented internationally for more than 25 years. The show hits the Schuster Center, Dayton, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27. Cost: $27-$44.50 adults, $25 students. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
7) FRANK MORAVCIK
It's been nearly two decades since Frank Moravcik formed his polka band in Cleveland. Taking his lead from pioneers such as Frankie Yankovic, he has remained busy by filling his schedule with concerts, community dances, folk festivals and cultural events. Polka fans can ring in the New Year with Moravcik and his celebrated band during this dinner and dance at the American Czechoslovakian Club, 922 Valley St., Dayton, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. Cost: $30. Call 937-287-4275 or 937-890-2367 or visit www.accdayton.com.
8) GREG WARREN
Missouri native Greg Warren was working for Proctor & Gamble in Cincinnati during his early years as a comedian in the mid-1990s. He made regular trips up to Dayton to hone his craft in front of local audiences. Although he lives in St. Louis now, he still makes this area a regular stop. Warren, who made his first appearance on NBC's "Late Night With Seth Myers" on Dec. 18, returns to town for a pair of New Year's Eve shows at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, 88 Plum St., The Greene, Beavercreek, at 7 and 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31. Warren is sticking around for the weekend with performances at 7:30 and 10 p.m. next Friday and Saturday, Jan. 1-2, and 7:30 p.m. next Sunday, Jan. 3. Cost: $45 Wednesday, $15-$45 next Friday and Saturday and $12-$42 next Sunday. Call 937-429-LAFF (5233) or visit www.daytonfunnybone.com.
9) COMIC & TOY SHOW
If you're interested in dipping into the stash of money you received for Christmas to splurge on some special goodies for yourself, stop into the Comic & Toy Show at Hara Arena, 1001 Shiloh Springs Road, Trotwood, on Saturday, Dec. 27. The one-day event features thousands of classic comics from the Golden, Silver and Bronze ages as well as current titles. Toys range from vintage items to the newest releases. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: $2, free for kids 12 and younger. Call 937-278-4776 or visit www.haracomplex.com.
10) ODDBODY’S NEW YEAR’S EVE
Since forming in Cleveland two years ago, Yosemight has established itself as one of the hottest jam bands in the region. The funky trio closes out a productive year with a New Year's Eve concert at Oddbody's Music Room, 5418 Burkhardt Road, Dayton, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. Local acts The Goods, Mainline Funk and Red Sun Pasta will also perform. Cost: $10 in advance, $12 day of show. Call 937-813-4272 or visit www.oddbodys.com.
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