First Friday activities at participating businesses, however, are still going on as scheduled. Many of those events are taking place indoors, such as art gallery exhibits, live music, Cool Films, and shopping specials.
ORIGINAL STORY: Celebrate First Friday with the First Friday Street Party, the Downtown Dayton Partnership's DP&L Summer in the City signature event. There's a party on Pine in The Oregon District, and everyone is invited to enjoy themselves!
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The First Friday Street Party will also host registration and the after-party for the Great Dayton Adventure Race. Register as a solo racer or sign up with 2-4 other teammates to win cash and prizes on this fun-filled downtown scavenger hunt. You can register online at www.topoadventuresports.org/dayton.html, but walk-up registration will also be accepted.
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Here’s four CAN’T MISS points for this month’s shenanigans:
- Art everywhere! In addition to all your favorite downtown galleries featuring new exhibits with opening receptions, you can also take advantage of a flash sale at the annual K12 Gallery & TEJAS summer art sale, and a pop-up gallery at Square One Salon & Spa where proceeds from the sale will benefit Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley.
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- Sportsball! If you're a sports fan, we must apologize for making you choose between a Dayton Dragons game and the Dayton Dynamo soccer club. The Dragons play at Fifth Third Field and the Dynamo kick it in the new Roger Glass Stadium at Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School. Want to try a new sport? Hop on a bike for the group-led Courteous Mass ride or get your climb on at Urban Krag with $3 climb specials.
- Entertainment! Whether you choose to "Twerk and Sip" at Third Perk, color with cocktails and cupcakes at Twist Cupcakery, take in a Cool Film at the Victoria Theatre, or check out any number of local acts playing at your favorite bar, there's something fun to explore downtown.
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- Bonus! Due to the overwhelming amount of totally rad things happening downtown, there will be a special rate at the Transportation Center Garage. Park all night for just $3. Enjoy the recent upgrades like new lighting and landscaping. Don't forget to check out the new mural on the garage when you walk by!
Here’s a more extensive breakdown of everything to do, see, eat, and buy while you’re at First Friday.
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Art
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
• Dayton Visual Arts Center, 118 N Jefferson St.: Join us on First Friday for the opening reception of the DVAC Open Members' Show! Stop by the gallery and enjoy food, wine, and a colorful mix of art by DVAC members. Free and open to the public. Bring a friend! Call 224-3822.
• Dayton Society of Artists, 48 High St.: Join us for the Opening Reception of Unconventional, a juried exhibition featuring twenty-three artists based in Cincinnati, Dayton or Columbus, from July 7 through August 5. The opening reception, which is free and open to the public, First Friday, from 6 to 9 PM. Call 228-4532.
• Dutoit Gallery, 1001 E. 2nd St. Building 100: Dutoit Gallery presents member artist Gretchen Durst Jacobs with Line Link Space. The opening reception is from 6-9 p.m. Call 952-0246.
• The Front Street Building Co., 1001 E. Second St.: It's time for another 1st Fridays at Front Street! This event features over two dozen art studios and artists all in one location, including painters, sculptors, glass makers, jewelry makers, with a special visiting artist from Nigeria, Ben Ibebe. Call 331-9061.
• Front Street Experience Gallery, 16 Brown St.: In addition to the action going on at the Front Street galleries, don't forget to check out the new satellite location, conveniently located in the Oregon District, co-located with Spice Paradise, across the street from Thai 9. This month's featured artist is Margie Groves with ME Creations.
• K12 Gallery & TEJAS, 341 S. Jefferson St.: Add to your art collection with a special sale, featuring artwork created by K12 Gallery & TEJAS staff and teaching artists. July's First Friday offers a flash sale from 6-8 p.m.! Call 461-5149.
• Square One Salon & Spa, 506 E. Third St.: Check out the open house featuring art by Marilyn Hart. Wine and light fare will be available, and 100% of all art sales will benefit Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley.
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Music
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
• Blind Bob's, 430 E. Fifth St.: Featuring happy hour from 4 to 8 p.m., $2.50 well drinks. Live music by Paleface. Call 938-6405.
• Omega Music, 318 E. Fifth St.: Join us at 6pm on First Friday for a Lioness listening party! This Dayton musical group is dropping a new album entitled Time Killer.
• De'Lish Café, 139 N. Main St.: Featuring Friday Nights Unplugged with live soul, jazz and R&B music from 9-11 p.m. with no cover charge, plus $5 drink specials all night. Call 461-2233.
• Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave.: Featuring Irish First Fridays, with a happy hour, a performance by the Miami Valley Pipe and Drum group starting around 7 p.m., and live Celtic rock music by 9 Castle Close, starting at 9 p.m. Call 224-7822.
• Gilly's, 132 S. Jefferson St.: Old Skool Groove Night from 8 p.m. to midnight, $5 admission charge. Call 228-8414.
• Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St.: $5 food specials from 4-7 p.m. Live music by Cherry Lee and the Hot Rod Hounds starting at 9:30 p.m. Call 461-1101.
• Oregon Express Bar and Restaurant, 336 E. Fifth St.: A farewell show and punk rock fundraising event to the one and only Paige Beller! This will be her last show with Duderus, and we want to send her off right. The event will begin at 9 p.m. and tickets are $5. All proceeds go to the Pelotonia Fundraiser, with every dollar funding the James Cancer Hospital at the OSU Medical Center. Live music by Duderus, Dead Tüth and The Frankx . Info can be found at www.pelotonia.com/aaronhutchison.
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Entertainment
• The Black Box Improv Theater, 518 E. Third St.: Womit 2.0 takes that stage every Friday night from 8-9 p.m. The show format may change but the performers do not! They may interview an audience member, discuss personal stories, or simply take a one-word suggestion to create an hour of fun. BYOB. Call for ticket prices and availability: 369-0747.
• Club Masque, 34 N. Jefferson St.: Gage Gatlyn's Master Male Illusionist is a Talent Contest, for professional Drag Kings/Male Illusionists to earn the winner of a lifetime International Career Title! There are 3 talent categories. No prelims, no interview, no evening wear and no hotel requirements. For more information, visit www.MasterMaleIllusionist.com!
• Courteous Mass Dayton, Don Crawford Plaza, 220 N. Patterson Blvd.: Bring a bike every First Friday for a relaxed-pace group ride, starting at 6:30 p.m. All riding levels welcome. Visit www.courteousmassdayton.com.
• Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. Fifth St.: Dayton Chess Club hosts a Quick tournament for U.S. Chess Federation members. Games are perfect for club chess players and those experienced with online chess games who would like to test their skill over the board. The club opens at 6:30 p.m. and registration ends at 7:25 p.m. The first of four games begins at 7:30. Visit daytonchessclub.com for more details. Call 461-6283.
• Fifth-Third Field, 220 N. Patterson Blvd.: Dragons at home at Fifth Third Field against the South Bend Cubs; 7pm start, gates open at 6pm. For tickets call 228-BATS, or go to www.daytondragons.com.
• Nucleus CoShare, 411 W. Fifth St.: People everywhere are discovering the power of co-working. Nucleus CoShare understands that privacy, personal space, cost, and productivity can be a concern for those interested in the idea, which is why the public is invited to their FREE workday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.! Call 259-4686.
• Third Perk Coffeehouse and Wine Bar, 46 W. Fifth St.: Twerk and Sip at 6:30-8:30pm. Hosted by Transformers Fitness.
• Twist Cupcakery, 25 S. St. Clair St.: Kick back with friends, wine, snacks, and coloring during the popular Cupcakes, Coloring and Cocktails event at downtown's best cupcake shop! Purchase tickets online. Call 771-4099.
• Roger Glass Stadium, 401 S. Perry St.: Dayton Dynamo FC vs Erie Commodores FC kicks off at 7:30pm.
Check out the stadium guide for information on concessions, merchandise and pre-match festivities. Tickets can be purchased, 60 minutes before kick-off, at the Perry St. gate or in advance via the tickets page.
• Urban Krag Climbing Center, 125 Clay St.: Adventure on over to Urban Krag to harness their $3 climb specials. A staff member will provide a belay for the climber. Belaying involves tying the required climbing knots, managing the rope slack for the climber, catching their falls, and safely lowering them back to the ground. Call 224-5724.
• The Victoria Theatre, 1 W. Second St.: It's time for the summer favorite, the Cool Films series at the historic Victoria Theatre. Tonight's Cool Film: "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" (1962) is a campy — and even creepy — story about two sisters elevates sibling rivalry to a whole new level. Enjoy free popcorn and soda in the lobby starting one hour prior to show time, plus a theatre organ concert on the Mighty Wurlitzer! Tickets may be purchased at the Schuster Center box office in downtown Dayton, by phone at 937-228-3630 or online at www.TicketCenterStage.com.
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Food and Drink
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
• Deaf Monty's Wine, 22 Brown St.: $2-$3 tastings of select wines. Call 225-9463.
• De'Lish Café, 139 N. Main St.: Friday Nights Unplugged features live music plus $5 food and drinks specials and $4 wines. Call 461-2233.
• Blind Bob's, 430 E. Fifth St.: Featuring happy hour from 4 to 8 p.m., $2.50 well drinks.
• Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St.: $5 food specials from 4-7 p.m.
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Shopping
Credit: Downtown Dayton Partnership
Credit: Downtown Dayton Partnership
• The Cannery: 500 E. Third St.: Join us at The Cannery Block Party for this First Friday! We will have live music, raffles and food vendors. Participating retailers are Sherwood Florist, Carr's Photography Studio, Therapy Café, Square One, Speakeasy Yoga, Agnes & Orson Gift Shop and Black Box Improv Theater.
• Epic Life Fitness: 118 N. Jefferson St.: Stop by Epic Life Fitness to sign up for a free consultation and be entered for a chance to win a free month of their new Membership Based Personal Training! 3 days per week for just $249.99 per month! Call 371-8258.
• Tumbleweed Connection, 454 E. Fifth St.: Shop for jewelry at Eclectic Kate's out on the patio. Wine tastings and sangria from 4:30-7:30 p.m. and live music by The Dead Ringers later at 9:30 p.m.
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