10 things to do this week

Credit: Darion Brickell

Credit: Darion Brickell

1) GREATER DAYTON PRIDE

It’s a big year for Greater Dayton Pride weekend when PNC presents the 40th annual celebration Friday through Sunday, June 3-5. The events spanning three days will begin with the Affair on the Square with the Rubi Girls at 5 p.m. Friday. The evening concludes with a .5K bar crawl.

The parade begins at Cooper Park, at Second and St. Clair streets, at noon Saturday and makes its way downtown, where the Pride Festival continues from noon to 4 p.m. The Dayton Gay’s Men’s Chorus will perform at a ticketed event at Victoria Theatre at 8 p.m. Saturday. Sunday’s activities at Welcome Stadium include the PFLAG 5K run/walk at 10 a.m. and Spike & Heels Kickball Tournament.

Greater Dayton Pride begins at 5 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday. Cost: Free except for $22-$32 tickets to the Dayton Gay Men's Chorus concert. Visit www.daytonlgbtcenter.org.

2) ART IN THE CITY

Downtown Dayton Partnership and Dayton Visual Arts Center have joined forces to co-present Art in the City with pop-up galleries, art demonstrations and hands-on activities beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, June 3. This event, part of DP&L's Summer in the City promotion, features individual spotlight exhibitions by 25 artists in different locations, including downtown businesses and community venues. Cost: Free. The work is on display through June 17. Call 937-224-1518 or visit www.downtowndayton.org.

3) PICKIN’ IN THE PARK

Al Scorch has been kicking around Chicago's roots music scene for years but he is taking his music to new audiences through his new album, "Circle Round the Signs," which was released by Bloodshot Records on May 13. Scorch, a singer, guitarist and banjo player, brings his Country Soul Ensemble to the area for Pickin' in the Park at RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E. Monument Ave., Dayton, from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 3. Bigfoot Yancey from Indianapolis will also perform. Cost: Free. The series concludes with Sawgrass and Old Salt on August 5. Visit www.metroparks.org.

4) THE LION KING

When "The Lion King" premiered in Dayton in 2011, the Broadway musical enjoyed a sold-out four-week run. After much demand from area theater fans, Disney's multiple Tony Award-winning show about Simba, Scar and the others is back. "The Lion King," which opens a new run at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, on Tuesday, June 7, is presented through July 3. Show times are 8 p.m. with 2 p.m. Saturdays matinees and Sunday shows at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Cost: $25 and up. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

5) STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

The sweet, tasty strawberry, presented in myriad ways, is the hook for the annual Strawberry Festival, which returns to downtown Troy on Saturday and Sunday, June 4 and 5. However, the massive outdoor event, founded in 1977, offers much more than fruit. Expect tons of craft/artisan vendors, live music, the Little Miss & Mr. Pageant, a Diaper Derby and the festival's famous strawberry donuts, chocolate covered berries, strawberry shortcake, strawberry cheesecake, food vendors and more. Musical performers include Fourth Avenue, Higgins Madewell, Jerry Mullins and Shades of Grey. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Cost: Free. More info: www.gostrawberries.com

6) (HED) PE

It's still more than a month before (Hed) PE officially releases its 10th studio album, "Forever." The follow-up to 2014's "Evolution" comes out through Pavement Entertainment on July 22 but the members of the intrepid rap-rock band aren't sitting around their California homes waiting for the release date. (Hed) PE is currently out for a run of spring dates with special guests the Veer Union, which includes a show at Oddbody's Music Room, 5418 Burkhardt Road, Dayton, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 3. Doors open at 7 p.m. Cost: $15-$20. Call 937-813-4272 or visit www.oddbodys.com.

7) JEWISH CULTURAL FESTIVAL

Sharing traditions and faith with Jewish and non-Jewish members of the Dayton community is the focus of the Jewish Cultural Festival, which returns to Temple Israel, 130 Riverside Drive, Dayton, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 5. The sixth annual event features educational programs, vendors, games, live music, kosher craft beer and food. Jewish dishes will be available from area food purveyors such as El Meson, Pasha Grill, Smokin' Bar-B-Que and Bernstein's Catering. Musical acts include the Boxcar Suite, Dayton Jewish Chorale and the Miami Valley Music Men. Cost: Free. Call 937-496-0500 or visit www.tidayton.org.

8) MASTER CLASS

While the inspiration for Terrence McNally's play "Master Class" was an actual workshop conducted by opera legend Maria Callas, the playwright uses creative license to construct his tale. Although there is much interaction between the instructor and the three student singers studying with her, the play is more of an examination of Callas as an aging artist in crisis. Human Race Theatre Company presents the powerful "Master Class" at Loft Theatre, 126 N. Main St., Dayton, June 9 through 26. Most shows are 8 p.m. with 2 p.m. shows on June 12, 19 and 26, and 7 p.m. shows on June 12, 14 and 21. Cost: $32-$40 opening night, $27-$45 weeknights, $42-$50 weekends. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

9) THE OUTLAWS

The Outlaws has weathered its share of member turnover but that's not surprising considering the roots of the southern rock group stretch back to Tampa, Fla. in the late 1960s. Today, the band known for hits like "There Goes Another Love Song," "Freeborn Man" and "Green Grass & High Tides" is anchored by founding members Henry Paul (vocals, guitar) and Monte Yoho (drums). The group's most recent album, "It's About Pride," was released in 2012. The Outlaws perform with special guests McGuffey Lane at BMI Speedway, 791 E. Main St., Versailles, at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 4. Doors open at 6 p.m. Cost: $25. Call 937-526-9547 or visit www.bmikarts.com.

10) DAYTON PODFEST

For many podcast listeners, the people behind these online programs are often faceless figures that only interact with the special guests that come through their studios. Dayton Podfest, at the "Old" Yellow Cab Bldg., 700 E. Fourth St., Dayton, at 6 p.m. Friday, June 3, is an opportunity to get a peek behind the scenes and meet some of the creators behind local podcasts. That night Bottom of the Bottle, Gem City Podcast, Uncommon Geek, Completely Straight and the Learning Leaders Show with Ryan Hawk will all be presenting live programs. Cost: $5. Call 937-203-8175 or visit www.yellowcabtavern.com.

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