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1) KEVIN HART
Kevin Hart continues to conquer Hollywood. Reteaming with his “Central Intelligence” co-star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” seemed like a solid investment but the action comedy has been one of the biggest box office successes of the season.
The actor-comedian is also the author of the New York Times number one bestseller, “Can’t Make This Up: Life Lessons.” With everything going on, Hart still find time for comedy. The Philadelphia native is currently on The Irresponsible Tour, which he launched in September.
Hart brings the tour to town for a stop at the Nutter Center, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Fairborn, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27. Cost: $68, $88, $148. Limit four tickets per household. Call 937-775-4789 or visit www.nuttercenter.com.
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2) STEVEN REINEKE & DPO
For the next SuperPops Series program, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra will welcome Tipp City native Steven Reineke as guest conductor. The graduate of Miami University of Ohio is music director and conductor of The New York Pops and principal pops conductor for the National Symphony Orchestra and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. The DPO presents "Sophisticated Ladies with Steven Reineke" at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 26 and 27. The concert also features guest vocalists N'Kenge, Montego Glover and Capathia Jenkins. Cost: $13-$79. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
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3) SEX WITH STRANGERS
Laura Eason explores fame, hooks up and budding relationships in the digital age in her romantic comedy "Sex with Strangers." The Human Race Theatre Company's presentation of the 2009 play is presented at the Loft Theatre, 126 N. Main St., Dayton, Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 1 through 18. Most performances begin at 8 p.m. except for 7 p.m. shows on February 4, 6, 7, 13 and 14 and 2 p.m. matinees on February 4, 11 and 18. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
4) PARAGON RAGTIME ORCHESTRA
Since its founding in 1988, Rick Benjamin's Paragon Ragtime Orchestra has focused on ragtime music and vaudeville favorites of the early 20th century. That made the ensemble the perfect act for "The Clown Princes" at John Legend Theater, 700 S. Limestone St., Springfield, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27. For this program, the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra will provide live musical accompaniment to a trio of silent films: Buster Keaton's "One Week," Harold Lloyd's "Get Out and Get Under" and Charlie Chaplin's "Easy Street." Cost: $22.50-$33.50. Call 937-324-2712 or visit www.springfieldartscouncil.org.
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5) MIREYA MAYOR
Mireya Mayor is not your average scientist. She is the mother of six children and a former Miami Dolphins cheerleader. She is also a Fulbright scholar who earned a PhD in anthropology before becoming a world-renowned explorer, wildlife correspondent and inspirational speaker. Dr. Mayor discusses her globetrotting adventures in "Mireya Mayor: Pink Boots and a Machete," a National Geographic Live Series at Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, at 3 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28 and 29. Cost: $27-$42. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
6) BERNSTEIN SONGFEST
This month, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra has been exploring compositions by Leonard Bernstein. First there was "Jeremiah: Fire in the Heart," a Classical Connections Series concert on Sunday, Jan. 21. The DPO continues its presentations of the composers work with Bernstein Songfest in Dayton Art Institute's Renaissance Auditorium, 456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28. The Dayton Philharmonic Chamber Series program features vocalists soprano Olivia Yokers, mezzo-soprano Noragh Devlin, tenor Michael Anderson and baritone Alexander Harper from Dayton Opera's Artist-in-Residence program. Cost: $22 adults, $20 educators, military and seniors 60 and older, $14 students. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
>> Dayton Philharmonic offers Bernstein Songfest
7) MID-WINTER BEACH PARTY
With the Gem City weathering a historically cold January, plenty of area residents have been dreaming about escaping to warmer climates for a respite from the snow and ice. However, if a trip south isn't in the cards, Yellow Cab Bldg., 700 E. Fourth St., Dayton, has cooked up an evening to put attendees in a summery frame of mind. Yellow Cab's Mid-Winter Beach Party, at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, features tropical music, tiki drinks, food, a limbo contest and projected videos of bright and sunny beaches. Cost: Free. Visit www.yellowcabtavern.com.
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8) RESTOCK 2018
Hippies vs. Metalheads is the theme of Restock 2018 at Oddbody's Music Room, 5418 Burkhardt Road, Dayton, on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 26 and 27. However, it's all in the name of great music and charity rather than a rock 'n' roll competition. The festival to benefit the homeless and hungry is divided into two programs: Jam Band Night with the Ohio All Stars, Cheezcake, Electric Orange Peel and Riding with Cheech on Friday and Metal Night with the Reefer Hut, Forces of Nature, Transylvania Hellhounds, Burn the Dead and Dark Soul on Saturday. Music starts at 6 p.m. each night. Cost: $15-$20. Call 937-813-4272 or visit www.oddbodys.com.
9) MICHAEL QUU
Long Island native Michael Quu sharpened his stand-up skills in the comedy clubs of New York before migrating to Los Angeles. Today, he travels the country building his fan base at a grassroots level with a stage show that mixes comedic storytelling with observational humor. Quu is in town for a one-nighter at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, 88 Plum St., The Greene, Beavercreek. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31. Cost: $15-$47.80. Call 937-429-LAFF (5233) or visit www.daytonfunnybone.com.
10) RELOAD WITH KICKIN’ HORNS
Reload with Kickin' Horns is a local super group featuring players such as trombonist Rich Begel of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, vocalist Kurt Kishler and keyboardist Steve Makofke. The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance's EDGE concert series presents the band at a Led Zeppelin-themed beer release party at Warped Wing Brewing Company, 26 Wyandot St., Dayton, from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1. Cost: Free. www.daytonperformingarts.org/edge.
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