Top 10 things to do this week

1) DAYTON PHILHARMONIC

“Nature’s Way” is the first of two separate Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra programs offered this weekend at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton. The second Masterworks Series concert of the season is presented at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 14 and 15. The program features violin soloist Jessica Hung and “The Four Seasons” from Antonio Vivaldi and selections from Michael Gandolfi’s “The Garden of Cosmic Speculation.”

Artistic director Neal Gittleman and the DPO will provide a deeper look into Gandolfi’s “Cosmic Garden” during a Classical Connections concert at the Schuster Center at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16. This program features musical samples and explanations of the work before the concert followed by a post-performance Q&A and ice cream social.

Cost: $8 to $64.30 for Friday and Saturday tickets, and $14 to $43 Sunday. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

2) JERSEY BOYS

It has been more than a decade since “Jersey Boys” premiered Off-Broadway. The jukebox musical about the career of ’60s pop group Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons went onto be a smash hit not just on Broadway but in productions mounted in Europe, Australia, Canada and South Africa. “Jersey Boys” opens at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18. This production runs through Oct. 23. All show times are 8 p.m. except for shows at 2 and 8 p.m. Oct. 22 and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23. Cost: $30-$97. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

3) CONCERT FOR A CURE

Johnny Rzeznik is in the midst of a busy autumn with the Goo Goo Dolls. The band he has fronted since 1985 wraps a UK tour on Oct. 14 and launches a United States tour on the Oct. 22 but Rzeznik is still finding time to do a solo headlining show for the Mix 107.7 Concert for a Cure. The benefit show, at the Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St., Dayton, at. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, also features performances by A Great Big World, Simple Plan and Ben Rector. Cost: $30-$50. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

4) DISNEY ON ICE

Some of the most iconic characters in the Walt Disney stable of stars take center stage with more recent additions in the current Disney on Ice show, “Dare to Dream.” Mickey Mouse co-hosts the program with Minnie Mouse, who introduce Snow White, Rapunzel, Prince Naveen and others. “Dare to Dream” is presented at the Nutter Center, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Fairborn, Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 20-23. Show times are 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Cost: $15 and up. Call 937-775-4789 or visit www.nuttercenter.com.

5) CHOCOLATE FEST

An appearance by multiple Grammy and Dove award-winning gospel singer Larnelle Harris is just one of the draws at the Chocolate Festival presented by Faith and Friends Radio. The 14th annual event — in the roundhouse at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 1043 S. Main St., Dayton, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 — also features chocolatiers, vendors, local entertainment and a kids area. Cost: Free. Call 937-233-2484 or visit www.faithandfriendsradio.com.

6) HAL MELIA TRIO

Jazz music has taken Hal Melia around the country, including stints as a recording artist in Los Angeles from 1986 to 1991 and as an instructor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music from 1998 to 2004. However, the Chaminade High School graduate is back home where he teaches at Central State University and leads groups such as the Hal Melia Trio and Brass Tracks. The Miami Valley Community Concert Association presents the Hal Melia Trio at the Centerville Performing Arts Center, Centerville High School, 500 E. Franklin St., Centerville, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16. Cost: $30 adults, $5 students. Call 937-297-0463 or visit www.mvcconcert.org.

7) BODY TALK

For the latest Dayton Contemporary Dance Company program, “Body Talk,” choreographers Debbie Blunden-Diggs and Crystal Michelle are exploring the link between movement, oral storytelling, poetry and music. DCDC presents the show, co-titled “A Bringing Together of Dance and the Griot Tradition,” in the Schuster Center’s Mathile Theatre, Second and Main streets, Dayton, on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15 and 16. Show times are 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $40. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

8) SUBURBICON

Many folks still consider comic books entertainment for children but the truth is many industry events skew more toward adults than youth. That’s not the case with SuburbiCon: A Comic Creator Expo. The third annual all-ages event at Rosewood Arts Centre, 2655 Olson Drive, Kettering, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, features comic book creators, art activities and a fan art contest. The show also hosts the popular comic swap where no sales are allowed and participants trade pre-read titles. Cost: Free. Call 937-296-0294 or visit www.playkettering.org/rosewood.

9) CHARLIE FARLEY

Country music and hip-hop were once as far apart as two musical genres could possibly be but the styles have been slowly merging together since the 1990s when Toby Keith released the genre-blending “Getcha Some.” Since then, artists as diverse as Florida Georgia Line and Bubba Sparxxx have dabbled in the hick-hop arena. Charlie Farley, a modern day purveyor of country-rap from Arkansas, performs at Oddbody’s Music Room, 5418 Burkhardt Road, Dayton, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15. Doors open at 7 p.m. Cost: $15-$20. Call 937-813-4272 or visit www.oddbodys.com.

10) SHAUN LATHAM

Shaun Latham started doing stand-up in Tempe, Ariz., in 2001. Spurred by audience response, he moved to Los Angeles in 2004. He worked a string of jobs while pursuing his comedy dream before finally becoming a full-time stand-up in 2009. Latham, who tours frequently with Gabriel Iglesias, brings his #KeepItMovin Tour to Wiley’s Comedy Joint, 101 Pine St., Dayton, on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 14 and 15. 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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