Over the next several days, the Funny Bone will host two comics that made their names on television. Aries Spears, who was a breakout star on "MADtv," returns to the club through Saturday, April 15. Show times are 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Cost: $25-$55.
Dustin Diamond took a slightly different route. He was a child star, appearing as Screech on the long-running "Saved by the Bell," and didn't turn to stand-up until he was an adult. Diamond performs at the Funny Bone Comedy Club at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 18. Cost: $17-$47. Call 937-429-LAFF (5233) or visit www.daytonfunnybone.com.
>> RELATED: Dustin Diamond coming to town for comedy show
Credit: Mark Fisher
Credit: Mark Fisher
2) EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE
There are plenty of traditions at Carillon Historical Park, 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton, but few at the Dayton history museum have enjoyed the longevity of the Easter Sunrise Service. Local residents have been flocking to the outside event in the shadow of the large carillon for seven decades. Dayton History presents the 76th annual service at Carillon Historical Park at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, April 16. Cost: Free. Call 937-293-2841 or visit www.daytonhistory.org.
>> RELATED: Reasons to go to Easter sunrise service at Carillon
3) RAIN
The members of Rain have been paying tribute to the music of the Beatles since the 1970s. It has evolved from a club show into a massive theater production. This year marks the first time the group has performed "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" in its entirety to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking album. The multimedia show also features other songs from the Beatles' catalog, costume changes and walls of LED screens featuring photos and video. "Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles," which was a hit on Broadway, is presented at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, at 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 18. Cost: $25-$70. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
>> RELATED: Believe it or not, Corey Feldman bringing his ‘Angels’ concert tour to Dayton.
4) AMIGOS LATINOS GALA
Each spring, the Office of Latino Affairs at Wright State University celebrates the achievements of the Dayton-area Latino community with its Amigos Latinos Gala. The fourth annual event — at the Nutter Center, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Fairborn, from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, April 14 — features dinner, an awards presentation, silent auction, cash bar and a live salsa band. Cost: $75. Proceeds benefit El Puente Learning Center and Latino student scholarships at Wright State University. Visit www.wright.edu.
5) MUSHROOMHEAD
May 13 will mark three years since Mushroomhead released its eighth album, "The Righteous and the Butterfly" but word on the band's Web site is they started recording the follow-up in August. The costumed hard rockers from Cleveland haven't announced a release date yet, but the band has remained busy on the road, including European dates in January. Mushroomhead, back on the road in the United States, performs with openers Unsaid Fate at Oddbody's Music Room, 5418 Burkhardt Road, Dayton, at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 14. Doors open at 6 p.m. Cost: $25-$30. Call 937-813-4272 or visit www.oddbodys.com.
>> RELATED: These are the concerts you won’t want to miss in 2017.
6) “BETWEEN PART II”
A sickly child grows into a damaged woman, dealing with the fallout from personal trauma, memory loss and the absence of her preacher father, who is traveling the world spreading the gospel. That is the set up for "Between Part II" by Stephanie A. Wright, who drew on her life as a preacher's daughter for this original play. "Between Part II" is presented at Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 15. Cost: $29. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
7) INTERNATIONAL FEST
Wright State University will have a decidedly international feel this weekend. In addition to Friday's Amigos Latinos Gala, the campus is the site of the annual Wright State International Festival. The event, at WSU, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Fairborn, from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 15, offers cultural performances, food, beer, live music and more. Cost: $5 admission, free for WSU students with Wright1 Card. Visit www.wright.edu.
8) TALKING HEADS TRIBUTE
Dayton Ballet Barre holds its share of fundraising events with a dance theme but the upcoming "Stop Making Sense" show is something quite different. This dance party, at Oddbody's Music Room, 5418 Burkhardt Road, Dayton, at 9 p.m. Saturday, April 15, isn't about ballet or advances in modern movement. This benefit is a musical tribute to Talking Heads and the participating musicians make up a who's who of local talent, including Brian Hoeflich, Patrick Himes, Nathan Lewis and John Dubuc. Doors open at 8 p.m. Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the door. This show is 18 and older. Call 937-813-4272 or visit www.oddbodys.com.
>> RELATED: Talking Heads tribute this weekend for good cause
>> DON’T MISS: Local brewpub to host special Harry Potter night with cash prizes.
9) ADULT EASTER EGG HUNT
Around this time each year, area youngsters, many of them in their Sunday best, tromp through fields and lawns in search of Easter eggs and other treats. The folks at Riff Raff Tavern on the Canal, 130 N. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, decided it was time to let grownups participate in the holiday tradition. At 8 p.m. Friday, April 14, the downtown establishment is hosting an Adult Easter Egg Hunt, where participants can search for eggs filled with gifts, candy and tickets for drinks and food. Cost: Free. Call 937-558-0808 or visit www.riffraffonthecanaltavern.com.
>> MORE: Your guide to best Easter egg hunts this weekend
10) THE CLAUDETTES
The Claudettes began in 2011 as piano-drums duo that specialized in instrumental boogie-woogie blues. The Chicago-based band added a guitarist and vocalist in 2016, which has expanded its sound considerably. That change in direction is reflected in the group's new EP, "Pull Closer to Me." The Claudettes, led by pianist Johnny Iguana, perform at the Blue Note Bistro, 23 E. Central Ave., Miamisburg, at 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 14. Cost: Free. Call 937-247-3000 or visit www.bluenotebistro.com.
>> MORE: The Claudettes coming to town for show at Blue Note Bistro
About the Author