1) URBAN NIGHTS
The fall installment of Urban Nights returns to downtown Dayton, the Oregon Arts District and Wright-Dunbar Business Village from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12. New activities include the Splatter Zone Hot Spot in the parking lot of Westminster Presbyterian Church on First Street and the Mini Midwest Outdoor Experience at Courthouse Square.
Gallery openings, the Over the Edge fundraiser, live music, special events and food and drink specials are just some of the reasons more than 30,000 people are expected to attend the latest installment of the popular downtown street party. Cost: free. Call 937-224-1518 or visit www.downtowndayton.org.
Like every year at this time, the Taste of Miami Valley kicks off during Urban Nights. More than 30 area food establishments will take part in Miami Valley Restaurant Association’s annual food event at RiverScape MetroPark, 111 E. Monument St., from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 and 13. Cost: Free admission. Food is $3 per taste. Visit www.tasteofmiamivalley.com.
2) CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE
Classic cars, antiques, race cars, hot rods, trucks, motorcycles and more will be featured in the Concours d’Elegance. The glitzy car show returns to Carillon Historical Park, 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14. Cost: $10 adults in advance, $15 day of show, $5 children 3 to 17 and free to Dayton History members and children younger than 3. Automobile enthusiasts interested in getting a jump on the festivities can attend the Concours d’Elegance Preview Party at Carillon Historical Park from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13. Cost: $85 per person, $75 Dayton History members and car participants. Call 937-293-2841 or visit www.daytonhistory.org.
3) CHRIS DUARTE
Although the release of his 13th album, “Lucky 13,” doesn’t happen until late November, Chris Duarte knows it’s never too early to start promoting a new release. The Texas-based blues rock guitarist is currently out with his band for a Midwestern promo tour, which includes a return to the familiar stage at Gilly’s, 132 S. Jefferson St., Dayton, at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18. Cost: $10. Call 937-228-8414 or visit www.gillysjazz.com.
4) CYCLOPS FEST
Since its inception in 2011, the Cyclops Festival has been putting a unique spin on festivals by not only programming music but also championing handmade items and do-it-yourself culture. The fourth annual event returns to John Bryan Center, 100 Dayton St., Yellow Springs, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13. In addition to music from DJs Nicky Illiopolis, Philly Phil, DJ Nordique, Skratchmatik and DJ Shane Creepingbear, Cyclops will feature vendors such as Barmaid Soap Company from Kettering, Backyard Living from Columbus and Preble Clayworks from West Alexandria. Cost: free. Visit www.cyclopsfest.com.
5) MIKE BIRBIGLIA
Dayton will always be a special place to stand-up comic Mike Birbiglia. Not only was Lisa Grigsby one of the first people to book him in the Midwest in the early 2000s in her old Jokers Comedy Club, but she also booked him as an opening act for one of his comedy idols, Mitch Hedberg. The comedian, author and filmmaker brings his Thank God for Jokes tour to Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12. Cost: $39, $49. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
6) FOLKS OF DAYTON MUSIC FEST
Musical variety will be the name of the game when the Folks of Dayton Music Festival No. 51 hits Polish Club Park, 3690 Needmore Road, Dayton, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13. This year’s lineup features local acoustic duo Higgins-Madewell with special guest fiddler Tom Leary from England, Dayton-based R&B group Kick-n-Flava, Cincinnati roots-rockers the Rattle Snakin’ Daddies and country singer Allison Babylon from Dayton. Gates open at noon. Cost: $15. Free for children 12 and younger. Net proceeds benefit A Special Wish Foundation. Bring your own lawn chairs, coolers and beverages. No glass allowed. Call 937-258-7355.
7) RUBBER DUCK REGATTA
The URS Rubber Duck Regatta, the 11th annual fundraiser for local children and adults with disabilities, returns to RiverScape MetroPark, 111 E. Monument St., Dayton, on Saturday, Sept. 13. The Quacky Kid’s Parade begins at 4 p.m., followed by the Big Duck Drop at 4:30 p.m. Adopt a duck for $5 or pick larger numbers for family, friends or co-workers. Quack packs of six ducks are $25, Quackers dozens of 13 ducks are $50 and a Flock of Ducks featuring 28 ducks are $100. Proceeds benefit United Rehabilitation Services, which assists about 3,000 people locally each year. Call 937-225-DUCK (3825) or visit www.daytonducks.com.
8) DAI FAMILY DAY
Celebrate Dayton Peace Week during a special Super Saturday Family Day at Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N., Dayton, at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13. The event features the installation of a Peace Pole on the DAI grounds, musical performances by local acts and outdoor art-making. Cost: $5 family of four for members and $10 family of four for nonmembers; $2 for each additional child. All materials are provided. Call 937-223-4ART (4278) or visit www.daytonartinstitute.org.
9) THE KOFFIN KATS
The members of Detroit trio the Koffin Kats are unrepentant road dogs. The retro rock act, fresh off a 60-day European tour, is back in the United States for a four-month coast to coast tour. The Koffin Kats perform at Rockstar Pro Arena, 1106 E. Third St., Dayton, at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14. Cost: $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Visit www.rockstarprowrestling.com.
10) DPAA ON THE SQUARE
The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance has joined forces with the Downtown Dayton Partnership and Montgomery County’s The Square is Where series. The result is four days of midday concerts at Courthouse Square on Monday through Thursday, Sept. 16-19. The series begins with a Carillon Brass performance at noon Monday, followed Violin Duets on Tuesday, Dayton Opera with the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Quartet on Wednesday and Dayton Ballet with Dayton Opera on Thursday. Cost: free. Call 937-224-3521 or www.daytonperformingarts.org.