Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N., Dayton, will take advantage of its prime location that evening to piggyback off the city’s celebration with its own party. Celebrate Independence Day, watch the fireworks and explore the museum’s new “Call of Duty” exhibition.
Red, Art & Blue, a special members-only event, runs from 8 to 11 p.m. Cost: $25 adults, $15 youth 17 and younger. Call 937-512-0152 or visit www.daytonartinstitute.org.
2) FREEDOM’S CALL TATTOO
Aircraft flyovers, parachuting demonstrations, high school drumlines and a kids zone are just some of the attractions at Freedom's Call Tattoo. The annual patriotic celebration returns to the grounds of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Museum, 1100 Spaatz St., Fairborn, at 4 p.m. Friday, June 26. Music will be provided by McGuffey Lane, Kestin Howard and the Air Force Band of Flight. The evening closes with a 10 p.m. fireworks display. Coolers, backpacks, glass bottles, pets and weapons are not permitted, but lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. Cost: free. Call 937-255-7207 or visit www.wpafb.af.mil.
3) MELISSA ETHERIDGE AND BLONDIE
Melissa Etheridge and Blondie represent two different parts of the musical spectrum — bluesy folk-rock for the former and new wave for the latter. However, one key trait both acts share is a dedication to good, catchy songs, which is reflected in the chart singles and top selling albums from each. Etheridge and Blondie will share the stage at the Rose Music Center, 6800 Executive Blvd., Huber Heights, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 1. Doors open at 6 p.m. Cost: $43-$62. Call 937-228-2323 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
4) TOXIC BREW BLOCK PARTY
Just a few years ago fans of craft beer weren't able walk into any bar in downtown Dayton and order a beer prepared on the premises. Today, there are four breweries downtown serving their own creations, including Toxic Brew Company, which became the first establishment to do so in more than 50 years when it opened in the Oregon District in 2013. Toxic Brew is celebrating the occasion with a Two Year Anniversary Block Party at Fifth and Jackson streets from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, June 28. The special event features live music, food trucks, local art and hourly craft beer tappings. Cost: free. Call 937-985-3618 or visit www.toxicbrewcompany.com.
5) CITYFOLK CELEBRATION
The Cityfolk Festival wasn’t held downtown last summer for the first time since it began in 1999. However, the original spot on Courthouse Square, Main and Third streets, Dayton, wasn’t without a diverse day of music last year. Sunni Russo and a number of former volunteers organized last June’s Cityfolk Reunion concert. It went so well, the organizers are hosting another show, the Cityfolk Celebration at Courthouse Square on Saturday, June 27. Music begins at 1 p.m. with a performance by Seefari. Other acts are Acarya, Corndrinkers, Paige Beller, Celtic Academy of Irish Dance, Blackbirds and Gem City. Cost: free. Call 937-838-2875 or email cityfolkreunion@gmail.com.
6) RAIL FESTIVAL
Virtually every size of train, from thumb-sized N gauge models that would fit in your pocket to authentic rolling stock locomotives, is featured in the upcoming Rail Festival. Dayton History and Carillon Park Rail and Steam Society present the 10th annual event at Carillon Historical Park, 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton, on Saturday and Sunday, June 27 and 28. Rail Festival 2015 features model train displays, free miniature train rides, live steam engines, and food and merchandise vendors. Festival hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. $8 adults (18-59), $7 seniors (60 and older), $5 children (3-17) and free children younger than 3 and Dayton History members. Call 937-293-2841 or visit www.railfestival.com.
7) PARTYARTY
"Bringing Performing Arts to Life" is the tagline for PartyArty 2015 and that will certainly be the case with the full power of the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (DPAA) behind it. Members of DPAA member organizations, Dayton Ballet, Dayton Opera and Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, perform at this event at the Connor Group Bldg., 10510 Springboro Pike, Miamisburg, from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, June 26. Proceeds from this fundraiser benefits DPAA's education programs for area school children. Cost: $125. The evening's attire is cocktail casual. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
8) MONTGOMERY GENTRY
Country duo Montgomery Gentry has released eight albums full of rollicking blue-collar country since forming in 1999. "Folks Like Us," the latest full-length from the chart-topping act, was released June 9 by Blaster Records and continues that tradition. Montgomery Gentry, currently on tour in support of the new album, performs with special guest Alexis Gomez at Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd., Kettering, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27. Cost: $30-$55. Call 937-296-3300 or visit www.fraze.com.
9) SUNWATCH POW WOW
American Indian dances, historical presentations and group discussions are among the activities during the Keeping the Tradition Pow Wow at SunWatch Indian Village and Archaeological Park, 2301 W. River Road, Dayton, on Saturday and Sunday, June 27 and 28. The Miami Valley Council for Native Americans presents the 27th annual event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $8 adults, $5 seniors and students 6 to 16. Dayton Society of Natural History Members admitted half price and free for children 5 and younger. Call 937-268-8199 or visit www.sunwatch.org.
10) DJ CLAY
DJ Clay honed his craft working the turntables on more than a dozen tours for Insane Clown Posse and other acts from the group's Psychopathic Records roster. It's not surprising DJ Clay has also branched out on his own with a series of successful mixtapes. The rapper-producer performs at Oddbody's Music Room, 5418 Burkhardt Road, Dayton, on Saturday, June 27. Special guests 614 Villainz, Menace 2 Sobriety and Ghost will also perform. Doors open at 7 p.m. Cost: $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Call 937-813-4272 or visit www.oddbodys.com.
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