1) OHIO REN FEST
As always, costumed maidens, jousting knights and roaming minstrels are a huge part of the Ohio Renaissance Festival’s immersive 16th-century experience. However, there are also some unique themed weekends such as Time Travelers Weekend, Barbarian Invasion, Pirates Weekend and Fantasy Weekend.
The 28th annual Ohio Ren Fest opens for a new season of period-appropriate entertainment at its 30-acre English village, 10542 E. State Route 73, Waynesville, on Saturday, Sept. 2. Festival hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Cost: $22.50 adults, $20.50 seniors, military, police and fire, $9.50 children ages 5 to 12. Season passes $60. The festival is open Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 29, and Monday, Sept. 4. Call 513-897-7000 ext. 244 or visit www.renfestival.com.
>> 5 things to love about the Renaissance Festival
2) GARRISON KEILLOR
It has been a year since Garrison Keillor left his long-running radio program, "A Prairie Home Companion," but he hasn't retired completely. He is working on a screenplay and another book and has still found time to perform. The writer-radio host is currently on the Love & Comedy Tour with Aoife O'Donovan, Fred Newman and Richard Dworsky & the Road Hounds. Keillor brings the roadshow to Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd., Kettering, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6. Cost: $30-$50 in advance, $35-$55 at the door. Call 937-296-3300 or visit www.fraze.com.
3) SEUSSICAL
When Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty decided to create a musical featuring characters created by Dr. Seuss, the playwrights drew directly from original source material like "Horton Hears a Who!" and "Miss Gertrude McFuzz." This was a wise approach because "Seussical" has become a fan favorite since its Broadway debut in 2000. Dare to Defy Productions presents the musical at Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 7 through 9. Show times are 7 p.m. Thursday, and 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Cost: $18.50-$53.50. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
4) LADYFEST DAYTON
It wasn't long after the first Ladyfest was presented in Olympia, Wash. in 2000 that locally-produced offshoots of the festival began popping up in other cities. The first Ladyfest Dayton was in 2000 and it has become an annual event. The 2017 installment of the celebration of women in art and music returns to the Yellow Cab Bldg., 700 E. Fourth St., Dayton, on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 1 and 2. This year's lineup features Erika Wennerstrom of Heartless Bastards, Jasper the Colossal, Lung, Moira, SKRT, Cricketbows and others. Music begins at 6 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. Saturday. Cost: $7 per day at the door, free for children under 12 with adult admission. A portion of the proceeds benefit Oak Tree Corner. Visit www.ladyfestdayton.org.
>> What’s new at LadyFest Dayton?
5) FAIR AT NEW BOSTON
Local history is brought to life at The Fair at New Boston, which returns to George Rogers Clark Park, 936 S. Tecumseh Rd., Springfield, on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 2 and 3. This annual event gives attendees a glimpse of life as it was in the late 1700s through historical recreations, battles and vendors. Fair hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: Advance tickets $8 adults, $3 children 6-11. Gate prices $10 adults. $7 active military with ID, $3 children 6-11, free for ages 5 and younger. Call 937-882-9216 or visit www.fairatnewboston.org.
>> More than 100 things to do at Fair at New Boston
6) REGGAE FEST
Headliner Seefari is a long-time participant in the Dayton Reggae Festival but most of this year’s acts are first-timers. The City of Dayton presents the 30th annual outdoor concert — at RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E. Monument Ave, Dayton, at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3 — with performances by Dougie “Sima” Simpson & the Faith Band, Da Squad featuring Jamaica Rose and Mystic Reign, Rob Dread & the KMA, Lungu Vybez and Fya Key Band. The event also features vendors selling food, beer, merchandise and more. Cost: Free. Call 937-333-8400.
7) LEGENDALE
Andy's interest in online gaming goes from a harmless distraction to a life-changing romantic adventure. That's the set up for "Legendale," the new musical from Andrea Daly and Jeff Bienstrock. The Human Race Theatre Company presents the American debut of the play, which opens at the Loft Theatre, 126 N. Main St., Dayton, on Thursday, Sept. 7. "Legendale" is presented through Oct. 1. Times and ticket prices vary. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
8) BRUNCH FOOD TRUCK RALLY
Summer is coming to a close soon, which means the final Brunch Food Truck Rally of the season at the Yellow Cab Bldg., 700 E. Fourth St., Dayton, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3. Participants include The Drunken Waffle, Smokinbeebeeq, Greek Street Food Truck, The Wicked 'Wich of Dayton, StuffedatZays and Lily's Bistro. Brunch items include eggs, biscuits and gravy, bloody marys, mimosas, craft beer and coffee. Cost: Free. Visit www.yellowcabtavern.com.
>> Don’t miss the last brunch food truck rally of the season
9) VERONICA GRIM
It's been nearly four years since Veronica Grim of Switchblade Syndicate joined forces with Honey Osborn of Strawboss to form the Heavy Hearts in Long Beach, Calif. The Americana band, now based in Cincinnati, mixes roots rock with outlaw country and a hint of punk rock. Veronica Grim & the Heavy Hearts perform with Dark Backward, GeeGee's Punk Rock All-Stars, Big Lightning and Viceroy Kings at Rockstar Pro Arena, 1106 E. Third St., Dayton, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2. Cost: $6. Visit www.rockstarproarena.net.
10) AUGGIE SMITH
Auggie Smith was still fresh out of high school in Montana when he started doing open mike nights in Chicago in the fall of 1989. Two years later, he was working full time but it took a decade of roadwork to fully fine-tune his distinctive brand of topical humor. Smith, who is now based in Los Angeles, returns to town for a run at Wiley's Comedy Joint, 101 Pine St., Dayton, on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 1 and 2. Show times are 8 p.m. Friday, and 7:15 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Cost: $10. Call 937-224-5653 or visit www.wileyscomedy.com.
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