1) “26 PEBBLES”
On Dec. 14, 2012, the nation was shocked by a major tragedy in Newtown, Conn. That day, a 20-year-old gunman killed 20 students and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School. In the months afterward, playwright Eric Ulloa interviewed Newtown residents.
Those sessions were the inspiration for “26 Pebbles,” his provocative play examining the mass killing. Human Race Theatre Company presents a world premiere of the new drama at the Loft Theatre, 126 N. Main St., Dayton, Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 2-5.
Show times are 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, with a special 7 p.m. show on Sunday, Feb. 5. "26 Pebbles" runs through Sunday, Feb. 19. Cost: $12-$40. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
>> RELATED: Sandy Hook stories to be featured on Dayton stage in world premiere of 26 Pebbles
2) WINTER BREWSTER & SPIRITS
It's certainly a boom time for Dayton-made liquor and beer. If you haven't had a chance to sample offerings from local breweries and distilleries, Winter Brewster & Spirits is a good place to start. The tasting event — in the Schuster Center's Wintergarden, Second and Main streets, Dayton, at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27 — features samples from that more than a dozen local startups. Participants include spirit producers like Belle of Dayton and Buckeye Distillery and craft beer companies like Crooked Handle, Lock 27, FigLeaf and Lucky Star. Cost: $25 adults, $5 designated driver. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
>> RELATED: Winter Brewster at the Schuster: Local beer inside beautiful performing arts center
3) SOULFUL AND MORE
The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra will be putting a symphonic spin on R&B songs from the past and present at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28. "Soulful, " a Rockin' Orchestra Series concert, features singer Gavin Hope and the return of Canadian group Jeans 'n Classics. The DPO will change directions on Sunday, Jan. 29, with the Chamber Series presentation of the Concertmaster's Choice at Dayton Art Institute, Renaissance Auditorium, 456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton, at 3 p.m. The program features concert master Jessica Hung with Karen Manteufel, Sheridan Kamberger Currie and others. Cost: Saturday $27-$81, Sunday: $22 adults, $20 educators, military and seniors, and $14 students. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
4) JOHN WITHERSPOON
Actor-comedian John Witherspoon grew up in Detroit in a family of 11 kids, so he had to be quick-witted to survive. Those skills have served him well as a touring stand-up comic. While that's his main gig, Witherspoon is better known for roles in films like the "Friday" trilogy, "Soul Plane" and "Boomerang," and television shows like "The Wayans Bros." and "The Boondocks." He returns to town for a special engagement at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, The Greene, 88 Plum St., Beavercreek, at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27 and 28. Cost: $25-$55. Call 937-429-LAFF (5233) or visit www.daytonfunnybone.com.
5) LOVE, SEX & POETRY
Valentine's Day is still a couple of weeks away, but it's never too soon to examine the vagaries of romance. The highs and lows of building a relationship are explored during Metaphorically Speaking's "Love, Sex & Poetry: 'Til Death Do We Part." The new show is presented at Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28. Cost: $33.50-$83.50. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
6) THE GEEK GALA
DJ Dustbunny and Josher will be providing the soundtrack when Blind Bob's, 430 E. Fifth St., Dayton, hosts the Geek Gala at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28. The costume dance party for charity also features comedic relief from stand-ups Joe Young and Mat Thornburg. A Nintendo representative will be demoing games and passing out swag between 7 and 9 p.m. Cost: $10 general admission, $5 for people in nerd culture-inspired costumes. Proceeds benefit Extra Life of Dayton to support Dayton Children's Hospital. Call 937-938-6405 or visit www.blindbobs.com or www.extra-life.org.
>> RELATED: Relive your childhood at Blind Bob’s first Geek Gala
Credit: contributed photo
Credit: contributed photo
7) ISLAND LUAU
This winter has been unusually mild — but as we all know, the weather in Ohio can change fast. Whether it's a normal 30-degree night or it's unseasonably high in the 60s, the Yellow Cab Bldg., 700 E. Fourth St., Dayton, will have a warm, beach-like vibe when Smokin' Bee-Bee-Q and Hunger Paynes co-host Island Luau on Friday, Jan. 27. The tropical-themed night, which runs from 5 to 10 p.m., features food, craft beer and live music. Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Free for kids 12 and younger. Call 937-203-8175 or visit www.yellowcabtavern.com.
>> RELATED: Food trucks to host island luau this weekend
8) CHERRY LEE
Cherry Lee & the Hot Rod Hounds formed in 2011 after playing a successful one-off Halloween show. The rockabilly band’s early performances were mostly covers but today the group is known better for original songs like “Scary Mary,” “Rockin’ Riot” and “Record Machine,” which is also the title track of the group’s debut album from late 2016. The group performs at Tumbleweed Connection, 454 E. Fifth St., Dayton, at 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29. Call 937-228-5500.
9) HILAREE O’NEILL
In 2014, mountaineer Hilaree O'Neill led a team of National Geographic explorers on what would become a harrowing trek over more than 300-miles to ascend Hkakabo Razi. The mission was to determine if the mountain truly was the highest point in Southeast Asia. O'Neill will deliver a first-person account of the journey accompanied by clips from Renan Ozturk's documentary about the adventure when the National Geographic Live Series presents "Down to Nothing" at Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30. Cost: $27-$32. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
>> RELATED: Let these Adventure seekers inspire you to get outdoors
10) RV SUPER SHOW
If you've ever dreamed of packing your loved ones into a recreational vehicle and heading out on the open road to discover America, the first step is to get out and see checkout the latest models. There is a chance to do that when GS Media & Events presents the annual Cincinnati-Dayton RV Super Show at the Airport Expo Center, 3900 McCauley Drive, Vandalia, Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 2 through 5. Show hours are 1 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $8 adults, free kids younger than 16. Visit www.daytonrvshow.com.
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