Gem City Living | Say goodbye to summer at a concert, festival or pumpkin patch☀️

Hello, readers! There’s a lot to do around town as we mark the last weekend of summer in this week’s edition of Gem City Living.

In the mood to groove? Be sure to head downtown Saturday for Dayton Summerfest taking place from 3 to 8 p.m. at Levitt Pavilion. The Rotary Club of Dayton presents this free, family-friendly concert featuring soul, funk and blues artists Heather Redman & The Reputation, Noah Wotherspoon Band, and Dayton Funk All-Stars. Food trucks on site include The Food Dude, Soca Food Truck, What The Taco, Lazy Baker Pizza Maker, Dayton Urban BBQ and Remarkable Ice.

Levitt Pavilion in downtown Dayton will host the Dayton Summerfest concert on Saturday, Sept. 21. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

icon to expand image

Credit: Tom Gilliam

This week’s newsletter also explores cultural and food festivals, films, theater, an art exhibition dedicated to peace, a remembrance of a well-respected Dayton artist, and more.

Let us know what you think. If you have thoughts, feedback or news tips, please email me at Russell.Florence@coxinc.com.

***


😊Activities: 10 things to do in the Dayton region this weekend

The Hispanic Heritage Festival, Rubber Duck Regatta, Hairborn and Taste of Dayton are among top events this weekend.

The 23rd annual Hispanic Heritage Festival, hosted by PACO (The Puerto Rican, American and Caribbean Organization), will take place Saturday, Sept. 21. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

icon to expand image

Credit: Tom Gilliam


🎃Guide: Where to get pumpkins in the Dayton region

If you’re thinking about picking up pumpkins soon, check out our guide to several area patches.

Fall fun at Young's Jersey Dairy includes a pick-your-own pumpkin patch - CONTRIBUTED

icon to expand image


🖼️On display: Project Peace Post exhibit in Dayton highlights various artistic traditions, history of countries

This exhibit at the International Peace Museum features 198 digital portraits of peace advocates worldwide encompassing the International Day of Peace on Saturday. The collection honors individuals combating injustice, with each portrait inspired by the advocate’s story and cultural heritage. The project involved 96 artists over eight years. Find out more about this exhibit.

The Project Peace Post exhibit at the International Peace Museum. CONTRIBUTED

icon to expand image


📚Literati: Jimmy Carter receives Holbrooke award from Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation

Congrats, Mr. President! Jimmy Carter has been named this year’s winner of the Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke Distinguished Achievement Award from the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation. The announcement comes less than two weeks before his 100th birthday. The Dayton Literary Peace Prize events will take place the weekend of Nov. 9-10. His grandson, Jason Carter, will accept the lifetime achievement prize on his behalf.


🎭Theater: ‘South Pacific’ at the Schuster: Dayton Opera, Wright State and Dayton Philharmonic collaborate

A 75th anniversary salute to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical will take place Saturday and Sunday at the Schuster Center featuring such tunes as “Some Enchanted Evening” and “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair.” Read more about the production.

Wright State University senior Juno Brosas is being fitted for her costume at the Schuster Center Monday September 9, 2024. Brosas is playing the role, Liat, in musical, South Pacific. JIM NOELKER/STAFF

Credit: Jim Noelker

icon to expand image

Credit: Jim Noelker


🍽️Food and Dining: Traditional Mexican dish is focus of Birria Fest food truck event this weekend

Birria Fest, taking place Saturday, is the last in a series celebrating 11 years of Yellow Cab Tavern food truck rallies. Multiple vendors will serve the traditional Mexican stew in tacos and other dishes. Read more about the event.

Birria Fest returns to Yellow Cab Tavern in Dayton on Saturday, Sept. 21. CONTRIBUTED

Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

icon to expand image

Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO


🏃‍♂️‍➡️Recreation: 28th annual Air Force Marathon: What you need to know

The 28th annual Air Force Marathon takes place this weekend at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Approximately 8,500 athletes from 50 states and 18 foreign countries will participate. Read more about this year’s event.

Full and half marathon runners pour through the starting line of the 27th annual Air Force Marathon on Sept. 16, 2023, near the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. More than 8,500 runners and 1,500 volunteers from all 50 states and 18 countries participated in the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jaima Fogg)

icon to expand image


🎬Film: Fall festivals in the region: Diverse lineups begin this weekend

Here’s a look at four diverse film festivals (Reel Culture Film Series, Dayton Independent Film Festival, Yellow Springs Film Festival and Out Here Dayton Film Fest) offering screenings ranging from regional premieres to profiles of legendary artists in front of and behind the camera.

Fashion designer Bob Mackie, right, subject of the documentary film "Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion," poses with Cher at the premiere of the film at the Directors Guild of America, Monday, May 13, 2024, in Los Angeles. The film will be shown Oct. 12 at the Out Here Dayton Film Fest at The Neon. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

icon to expand image

Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP


What’s the Buzz: New cafe called miDDay to open in Dayton

A new cafe specializing in elevated American cuisine and promising “coffee reimagined” plus a speakeasy is opening in Dayton next month. miDDay will be located at 800 S. Patterson Blvd. next to Old Scratch Pizza. Read more about its plans.

miDDay, a new cafe with coffee and elevated American cuisine, will be located at 800 S. Patterson Blvd. in Dayton next to Old Scratch Pizza. Pictured (left to right) are owners Chris Cheng, Taylor Moberly and Greg Innocent. NATALIE JONES/STAFF

Credit: Natalie Jones

icon to expand image

Credit: Natalie Jones


🎭Stage Notes: BritBeat Beatles tribute opens Arbogast season and other regional arts news

The Arbogast Performing Arts Center in Troy will kick off its 2024-2025 season Saturday with BritBeat: The Immersive Beatles Tribute Experience. Read more about the show and other arts tidbits.

The Arbogast Performing Arts Center, located at 500 S. Dorset Rd. in Troy, seats 1,200 people for education, arts, community and business events. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

icon to expand image

Credit: Tom Gilliam


🎵 Fall Arts Preview: 2024-25 concerts in the Dayton region

Concerts galore are in store as an abundance of orchestral, vocal and chamber performances prepare to fill area stages throughout the 2024-2025 season, particularly highlighted by Neal Gittleman’s 30th and final season with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. Check out the full list here.

Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra artistic director and conductor Neal Gittleman.

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

icon to expand image

Credit: CONTRIBUTED


🕹️What’s the Buzz: Local counselor connects with neurodivergent clients through their safe spaces - games, movies, TV shows

Dragons Den Counseling, located in Kettering and operated by Zach Webber, is dedicated to helping neurodivergent individuals and families navigate life’s obstacles through the power of imagination. Read more about the business.

Dragons Den Counseling, Zach Webber’s private practice that opened in Kettering in May, is dedicated to helping neurodivergent individuals and families navigate life’s obstacles through the power of imagination. CONTRIBUTED

icon to expand image


Community spotlight: Former teacher drums up musical inspiration among students

Meet Marta Wetzel, a retired teacher whose deep love of music includes a passion for steel drums, which she brought to Dayton Public Schools as well as schools in Preble County. Read her story here.

Marta Wetzel. CONTRIBUTED

icon to expand image


🍽️ Food and Dining: Meadowlark restaurant celebrates 20 years

Happy 20th birthday Meadowlark! Here are 20 reasons why we love one of Dayton’s most popular restaurants.

Meadowlark restaurant in Washington Twp.  PHOTO BY E.L. HUBBARD, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

icon to expand image


🎨In Memoriam: ‘A storyteller at heart’: Community mourns loss of Dayton visual artist

Dayton visual artist Douglas R. Fiely, whose memberships included Dayton Visual Arts Center, the Dayton Society of Artists and the Dayton Printmakers Cooperative, died Sept. 11. He was 74. A memorial party will take place Saturday at Front Street Studios. Read more about Fiely’s legacy.

Doug Fiely, seen here discussing his work at The Art Gallery at the Centerville Police Department in 2017, died Sept. 11. He was 74. CONTRIBUTED

icon to expand image


📷 Photos: Dayton Concours d’Elegance 2024 and Ringo Starr and His All-Star Band

Carillon Historical Park hosted the 17th annual Dayton Concours d’Elegance on Sept. 15 The Packard was the featured marque to commemorate its 125th anniversary.

Kettering’s Fraze Pavilion closed its 2024 season on Sept. 15 with a sold-out concert by legendary Beatles drummer/singer/songwriter Ringo Starr and His All-Star Band.


🖊️ICYMI: Are you interested in being Dayton’s first Poet Laureate?

The search is on for Dayton’s first Poet Laureate. The city of Dayton in partnership with Culture Works is accepting submissions from published and performance poets for the prestigious honor. Applications are open until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1. Here’s how to apply.

Paul Laurence Dunbar was Dayton’s first great poet and is often considered America’s first great African-American poet. CONTRIBUTED

icon to expand image


TELL US

Thanks for taking the time to read this newsletter. I encourage you to keep in touch. Share story tips or feedback about this newsletter by emailing me at Russell.Florence@coxinc.com.

About the Author