The top 10 things to do this week

The First Friday Art Hop, a monthly citywide celebration, returns to various locations in downtown Dayton at 5 p.m. Friday. Some events are free that evening, however there will be charges for some special events.

For the first time, First Friday attendees can attend a beer tasting for Fifth Street Brewpub Co-op at Requarth Co. Supply One Showroom, 447 E. Monument Ave., from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Cost: $2 per taste or $10 for six tastes. View vintage flood photos and learn more about the 1913 disaster during the Great Dayton Flood Walk, which begins at 7 p.m. Cost: $10. Call (937) 224-1518 or visit www.downtowndayton.org.

It is still several weeks before Dayton Visual Arts Center’s massive 19th art auction on April 26, but the local arts organization is making the work available for early viewing. Prospective bidders can get a sneak peek of the available pieces during the Auction Preview Exhibition at DVAC, 118 N. Jefferson St., from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. Cost: free. The preview will remain on display during normal business hours through April 25. DVAC is open to the public 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Call (937) 224-3822 or visit www.daytonvisualarts.org.

To some music fans, Bob Seger is the epitome of the Midwestern rock star. The Michigan native, who formed his first band in 1961, made his name with blue-collar tales of determined underdogs and beautiful losers. Along the way, Seger sold more than 52-million albums and solidified himself as a classic rock radio mainstay. The 2004 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, performs with his Silver Bullet Band at the Nutter Center, Fairborn, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Cost: $78. Call (937) 775-4789 or visit www.nuttercenter.com.

Middle-aged writer Don Browning finds himself on a journey he never expected when he embarks on a trip to scatter his dead father’s ashes at his childhood home. That is the premise of “Leaving Iowa,” a powerful comedy of self-discovery written by Tim Clue and Spike Manton. Robb Willoughby directs a new local production, which opens at Dayton Theatre Guild, 40 Wayne Ave., on Friday. “Leaving Iowa” runs weekends through April 21. Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday on opening weekend and 8 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday the following weekends. Cost: $19 adults, $17 seniors and $12 students. Call (937) 278-5993 or visit www.daytontheatreguild.org.

Abstract paintings, figurative work and stylized wood sculptures are featured in “Intuitive,” a new group exhibition opening at the Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptures, 48 High St., on Friday. An opening reception for the participating artists will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. that evening. The work of painters Betsie Molinsky and Beth Duke and sculptor Marvin Olinsky is on display in the gallery through May 12. Cost: free. Call (937) 620-0754 or visit www.daytondsps.org.

Mistaken identities and amorous mayhem fuel the madcap antics that have become a hallmark of “Marriage of Figaro.” Dayton Opera continues its 2012-13 season with a presentation of Mozart’s classic comedy of manners at the Schuster Center, Dayton, on Friday and Sunday. Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Sunday. “Marriage of Figaro” is presented in Italian with English surtitles above the stage. Cost: $36-$92. Call (937) 228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

The Dragons Class A baseball team has its home opener at Fifth Third Field at 7 p.m. Thursday. Cost: $5-$20. Call (937) 228-2287 or visit www.daytondragons.com.

“Faces of Iran,” a new exhibition featuring photographs and drawings, opens at the Dayton International Peace Museum, 208 W. Monument Ave., at 1 p.m. Sunday. A light brunch will be followed by a presentation on Iran by the museum’s founder Steve Fryburg from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Rose Kurtz will be signing copies of her book “The Answer: The Road to Peace” at 3 p.m. “Faces of Iran,” which features drawings from English artist Emily Johns and photographs Fryburg took in 2006 and 2007, is on display through Friday, May 31. Cost: free. Call (937) 227-3223 or visit www.daytonpeacemuseum.org.

9) Local albums released

On Saturday, April 6, two local acts will release new albums. Yellow Springs-based string band Wheels celebrates the release of its harmony-filled third album at Gilly's, 132 S. Jefferson St., Dayton. Music begins at 8 p.m. Cost: $8. Call (937) 228-8414 or visit www.gillysjazz.com. That same evening, local guitar slinger Crazy Joe Tritschler will releases his latest retro-infused album on vinyl and CD at 9:30 p.m. at Canal Street Tavern, 308 E. First St., in Dayton. Cost $5. Call (937) 461-9343 or visit www.canalstreettavern.com.

10) ‘And a Child Shall Lead’

With “And a Child Shall Lead,” Zoot Theatre Company presents a true coming-of-age tale set in Nazi Germany. And, as always, it will be presented in a fashion unique to this local puppet troupe. Zoot presents “And a Child Shall Lead” at Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N., with an opening show on Friday. This production runs this weekend and next. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Cost: $18 adults, $15 seniors and students, $12 children 12 and younger. Call (937) 223-5277 or visit www.daytonartinstitute.org.

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