The Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress and singer presents An Evening With Leslie Uggams at the Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23. Before that solo performance with piano, Uggams will spend two days working with students in a musical theatre workshop at Wright State University.
The top six students from the workshop will join Uggams and music director Don Rebic on piano for the grand finale of Friday evening's performance. Cost: $37 and $47. Student discounts are available. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
2) SHEN YUN
The name Shen Yun should be familiar to most Daytonians. The world renowned Chinese dance company brought its unique show to town in 2012 and 2014 and received rave reviews for its colorful costumes and spellbinding choreography. Shen Yun, which formed in New York in 2006, returns to Dayton next week for performances at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 27-28. Cost: $52-$122. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
3) WINE AND BEER SCIENCE
It's been eight years since the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, 2600 DeWeese Parkway, Dayton, launched its interactive fundraiser, the Science of Wine. The popular adults-only program, which has become a signature event for the museum, returns with a new beer component to complement the wine selections, hors d'oeuvres and live music. Science of Wine and Beer Too runs from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24. Cost: $75 regular admission, $125 VIP admission. Reservations are encouraged. Call 937-275-7431 or visit www.boonshoftmuseum.org.
4) STRING QUARTET GEMS
The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra's Principal String Quartet is comprised of concert master Jessica Hung, principal second violin Kirstin Greenlaw, principal viola Sheridan Currie and principal cello Andra Lunde Padrichelli. The ensemble will be joined by principal double bass Deborah Taylor for the presentation of String Quartet Gems in Dayton Art Institute's Renaissance Theatre, 456 Belmonte Park N., Dayton, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25. The special chamber concert will showcase pieces by Beethoven, Baker and Dvorak. Cost: $22. Discounts are available for seniors, students, military and educators. Call 937-223-4ART (4278) or www.daytonartinstitute.org.
5) NEWBI RUBI PAGEANT
Do you have the talent and poise to be the next Rubi Girl? The celebrated Dayton-based drag troupe is searching for fresh talent during the Newbi Rubi Pageant at the IUE-CWA Union Hall, 313 S. Jefferson St., Dayton, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24. Celebrity judges will be on hand to help narrow down the field of performers. Doors open at 7 p.m. Cost: $20 general admission, $75 VIP. $100 contestant entry fee for interested participants, who also receive two VIP tickets. The event is a fundraiser for AIDS Resource Center Ohio. Visit www.arcohio.org.
6) TOUGHMAN CONTEST
It takes serious training for boxing or mixed martial arts, but the Original Toughman Contest is the great equalizer of the fight world. Having personal drive and grit are just as important as skill for this event, which allows everyday men and women from the Dayton area to fight in bouts based on weight classes and previous fighting experience. The Toughman Contest returns to Hara Arena, 1001 Shiloh Springs Road, Trotwood, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 23-24. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Cost: $15-$40 in advance, $20-$40 at the door. Call 937-278-4776 or visit www.haracomplex.com.
7) JAKE HEGGIE
In late February, Dayton Opera presents "Dead Man Walking." As a precursor, the company has joined forces with the University of Dayton to present An Evening with Jake Heggie and Soloists in UD's Sears Recital Hall, 300 College Park, Dayton, at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29. This concert — part of UD's "Rites. Rights. Writes. Initiative." — spotlights the opera's musical composer, Heggie, who is in town for a three-day residency. Thursday's concert includes a musical conversation with Heggie, who will also perform alongside UD vocal faculty members and members of Dayton Opera. Call 937-229-2545 or visit www.udayton.edu.
8) DAYTON POETRY SLAM
Dayton Poetry Slam has been on hiatus since May, but it's back with a new season and a new venue. The Slam, at Canal Public House, 308 E. First St., Dayton, at 9 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, also features an open mike segment. Cost: Free. The twice-monthly event will also be presented February 8 and 22 and March 8 and 22. Visit www.canalpublichouse.com.
9) GABRIEL RUTLEDGE
It's been more than a decade since Olympia, Wash.-based Gabriel Rutledge participated in his first open mike comedy night. It wasn't long before he gave up his pizza delivery job to pursue stand-up full time. Rutledge, the 2004 winner of the Seattle International Comedy Competition, is a frequent guest on the syndicated "Bob & Tom Show." He performs at Wiley's Comedy Joint, 101 Pine St., Dayton, on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 23-24. Show times are 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. each night. Cost: $15. Call 937-224-5653 or visit www.wileyscomedy.com.
10) BRUCE JORDAN/SINCLAIR JAZZENSEMBLE
As a music educator, Bruce Jordan spends much of his time instructing students on the finer points of performance. However, as often as he can, the local saxophonist takes his own talents to the stage to perform. Jordan, who began playing his instrument at age 12, will be joining the Sinclair Community College Jazz Ensemble for a concert in Sinclair's Blair Hall Theatre, Building 2, Fourth Street, Dayton, at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23. The program includes pieces by John Coltrane, Duke Pearson and Wayne Shorter. Cost: free. Call 937-512-2753 or visit www.sinclair.edu.
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