8 events you should check out in Dayton this weekend

The cast of Dayton Playhouse's production of "Once On This Island." PHOTO BY RICK FLYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

Credit: RICK FLYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

Credit: RICK FLYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

The cast of Dayton Playhouse's production of "Once On This Island." PHOTO BY RICK FLYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

A chance to support local restaurants, a tribute to a Broadway icon, a regional premiere musical, and celebrating cats and dogs on the big screen are just some of the notable options around Dayton this weekend. Here are eight events to keep on your radar.

Backwater Voodoo in Miamisburg, owned by Maria and Eric Walusis, is a warm, cozy new restaurant and bar influenced by the couple’s love for New Orleans, and the city’s contribution to Tiki cocktail history and rebirth. They also own Watermark, which is next door to Backwater Voodoo, and the two restaurants share a patio dining area. CONTRIBUTED/ALEXIS LARSEN

Credit: CONTRIBUTED/ALEXIS LARSEN

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Credit: CONTRIBUTED/ALEXIS LARSEN

1. Winter Restaurant Week

When: Sunday, Jan. 22 through Sunday, Jan. 29

Where: Various locations

Details: Attention foodies! The Miami Valley Restaurant Association’s Winter Restaurant Week promises another round of tasty dishes and special deals.

Cost: Meals range in price from $20.23-$50.23

More info: 937-461-6872 (MVRA) or dineoutdayton.com

Center: Evette Nicole Wiliamson (Ti Moune) and Naman Clark (Daniel) are joined in "Ti Moune's Dance" by the company of Dayton Playhouse's production of "Once On This Island." PHOTO BY RICK FLYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

Credit: RICK FLYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

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Credit: RICK FLYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

2. “Once On This Island”

When: Friday, Jan. 20 and Saturday, Jan. 21 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. The show runs through Jan. 29.

Where: Dayton Playhouse, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton

Details: Director/choreographer Aaron Washington helms a lovely, unified, technically sound and culturally resonant production of this charming, Caribbean-flavored one-act musical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (”Ragtime”). Evette Nicole Willamson, singing delicately and sweetly, leads the cast as Ti Moune, a headstrong peasant girl who falls in love with the wealthy Daniel (Naman Clark). In addition to Washington’s fluid and flavorful contributions, including choreographing the spirited “Ti Moune’s Dance,” principal standouts include sassy Roniece Hutchins as Asaka (”Mama Will Provide”), the elegant Jovoné Lewis as Erzulie (a vision in soft pink and gold while rendering the beautiful ballad “The Human Heart”), the imposing, vocally strong Jarrod Davis Jr as Papa Ge, and the terrifically firm, compassionate duo of Alexandra Leigh (Euralie) and Antwan Terrell (TonTon), Ti Moune’s adopted parents.

Cost: $18-$20

More info: 937-424-8477 or daytonplayhouse.com

The works of prolific Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim (pictured) will be saluted by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra in "An Evening of Sondheim." The SuperPops concert features Wright State University’s School of Fine and Performing Arts on Friday, Jan. 20 and Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Schuster Center. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer, file)

Credit: AP

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Credit: AP

3. “An Evening of Sondheim”

When: Friday and Saturday, Jan. 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets, Dayton

Details: Dayton Performing Arts Alliance presents the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra in “An Evening of Sondheim,” a salute to Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim. Students from Wright State University’s Musical Theatre program will join the orchestra for songs from “Into the Woods,” “Sweeney Todd” and other productions. (Don Thrasher)

Cost: $26-$85

More info: 937-228-3630 or www.daytonlive.org

Allie Haines in promotional photos for TheatreLab Dayton's production of "In the Green" slated Jan. 19-21 at the PNC Arts Annex. PHOTO BY KNACK VIDEO + PHOTO.

Credit: KNACK VIDEO + PHOTO

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Credit: KNACK VIDEO + PHOTO

4. “In The Green”

When: Thursday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Where: PNC Arts Annex, 46 W. Second St., Dayton

Details: TheatreLab Dayton presents this innovative, edgy regional premiere musical about Hildegard von Bingen, one of the most influential women in medieval history. Cast consists of Rachel Hertenstein, Danielle Kubasky, Melissa Hall, Allie Haines and Adelyn Helms. Garrett Young directs. The performance is held in 90 minutes without intermission.

Cost: $28-$43

More info: 937-228-3630 or visit daytonlive.org

Nashville-based troubadour Mark Stuart, who performed frequently at Canal Street Tavern in the 2000s, returns to the area for a solo show at Nowhere in Particular Cabinet of Curiosities Brew House in Kettering on Friday, Jan. 20.

Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

5. Mark Stuart

When: Friday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Nowhere in Particular Cabinet of Curiosities Brew House, 4716 Wilmington Pike, Kettering

Details: Local fans of country and Americana music may remember Mark Stuart from his appearances at Canal Street Tavern in the 2000s. He performed there with his Austin, Texas band the Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash and performing with Stacey Earle. The Nashville-based artist, who is more a troubadour these days, returns to Dayton for a solo show. (Don Thrasher)

Cost: No cover. Musician tip jar show.

More info: 937-999-4133 or https://nipcoc.com

"Kopecki" ("The Dog God") will be screened at The Neon on Sunday, Jan. 22 as part of a screening of The New York Dog Film Festival. CONTRIBUTED

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

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Credit: CONTRIBUTED

6. The New York Cat and Dog Film Festival

When: Saturday, Jan. 21 at 12:30 p.m. (NY Cat Film Festival) and Jan. 22 at 12:30 p.m. (NY Dog Film Festival)

Where: The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St., Dayton

Details: This curated program is a collection of short films ranging from touching documentaries to joyful animated pieces.

Cost: $10 each. 10 percent of all ticket sales will be given to The Humane Society of Greater Dayton.

More info: 937-222-8452 or visit neonmovies.com

7. Tony Woods

When: Friday, Jan. 20 at 8 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 21 at 7:15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.

Where: Wiley’s Comedy Club, 101 Pine St., Dayton

Details: Considered one of Dave Chappelle’s inspirations, Tony Woods, an original member of “Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam” on HBO, will be in town for three shows. Woods also appeared in Netflix’s “They Ready” presented by Tiffany Haddish.

Cost: $25-$50

More info: 937-224-5653 or wileyscomedy.com

Dayton Live presents “On the Trail of Big Cats,” a National Geographic Live program from award-winning photographer Steve Winter, at Victoria Theatre in Dayton on Sunday and Monday, Jan. 22 and 23.

Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

8. “On the Trail of Big Cats”

When: Sunday, Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. There is also a performance Monday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m.

Where: Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton

Details: Dayton Live presents a National Geographic Live! presentation. From trekking India’s Himalaya in search of rare snow leopards and stalking the elusive jaguar through Latin American jungles to chronicling the nocturnal activities of the “American lion” or cougar, award-winning photographer Steve Winter will discuss his many adventures.

Cost: $30-$47

More info: 937-228-3630 or visit daytonlive.org

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