Downtown Launches Summer in the City with Packed First Friday
Special events, festivals, music, art, food, beer, active living, home tours all part of lineup
For more information: Val Beerbower, 937-224-1518 ext. 230
DAYTON, Ohio, May 27, 2015 — Warmer weather is rolling into the Miami Valley and with it comes
food, festivals and fun — and the region’s best events are all happening in downtown Dayton.
Summer in the City is a celebration of all things fun and festive in the heart of the city. “We had a great
season launch with Art in the City on May 8, and we’re really excited to roll out the next phase of events
and programs,” said Downtown Dayton Partnership President Sandra Gudorf. “We’re collaborating with
our partners and businesses to present a slate of events that connects visitors to their downtown in an
intentional, meaningful way.”
The Great Dayton Adventure Race, June 5
Dayton Multi Sport Festival, June 5-6
The first event is a partnership with a downtown newcomer, the Dayton
Multi Sport Festival, taking place June 5-6 at RiverScape MetroPark. The
festival features a 5K race on Friday night, and a 10K and half marathon
race, plus the MS charity bike ride on Saturday. Free fitness activities and a
health and wellness expo highlight both days of the festival. “Our city has
many health and wellness-oriented businesses right at our front door, and
this event will help show off all the active living amenities downtown
residents and employees already take advantage of,” Gudorf said.
The DDP, Five Rivers MetroParks and Topo Adventure Sports will kick off
activities Friday, June 5, with a timed, clue-based foot race through the city.
The Great Dayton Adventure Race offers teams of one to four people the
chance to win $250, $150 or $100 for first, second and third place,
respectively. All finishing teams will be eligible for gift cards and other prizes to local businesses. “The
race could be a fun team-building exercise for companies or boards, or just an interesting way to explore
the city,” Gudorf said. Additional information plus the registration link can be found at
downtowndayton.org. Race participants can relax with craft beers, bluegrass music, slacklines and disc
golf as part of a special Pickin’ in the Park at RiverScape MetroPark. The Great Dayton Adventure Race is
sponsored by DP&L and Sinclair Community College.
Both the Dayton Multi Sport Festival and The Great Dayton Adventure Race are taking place in
conjunction with other downtown Dayton activities, including the Greater Dayton LGBT Center’s annual
Dayton Gay Pride parade and festival, and First Friday, which includes art, music, food, shopping and
other special activities. The following list includes a snapshot of scheduled activities:
Art
• Clash Dayton, 521 E. Fifth St.: Collaborative art show “Wonderland,” featuring artwork and
merchandise from artists Robert W. Walker, Amy Kollar Anderson, Liz Dearth and Kristin Morris. More
“Alice in Wonderland”-themed items on display and for sale. 241-9434
• Dayton Visual Arts Center, 18 N. Jefferson St.: Featuring “things left behind,” a New Zealand-inspired
watercolor and cut-paper constructions by John Emery; and “The Interior,” delicate and delightful
scientific illustrations and fantasy landscapes drawn from maps, artifacts and nature by Amy
Sacksteader. Storefront window art by visiting-artist Patrick Vincent. Call 224-3822.
Entertainment
• The Black Box Improv Theatre, 518 E. Third St.: Share your social media profile and enjoy a watching a
whole improvised show devoted to your stories. This show includes a short intermission. Also featuring
First Friday Improv Jam: Following the 8 p.m. show, the free Improv Jam will start at 10 p.m. and will be
a kind of “open mic” experience. Arrive by 10 p.m. to submit your name if you want to jump on stage.
BYOB. Call for ticket prices and availability. Call 369-0747.
• Courteous Mass Dayton, Don Crawford Plaza, 220 N. Patterson Blvd.: Bring your bike every First Friday
for a group ride, starting at 5:30 p.m. All riding levels welcome. This month’s ride features stops at
various active living-themed businesses and amenities. Visit www.courteousmassdayton.com.
• Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Ave.: George Bernard Shaw’s “Heartbreak House” is a comedy
about romance versus commerce set in World War I. Show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $12-$19.
Call 278-5993.
• The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St.: Playing documentary-style film “Iris” as well as other titles. Call 222-SHOW
(7469) for prices and show times.
• Practice Yoga, 504 E. 5th St.: Five-Dollar Fridays: All levels welcome at this 75-minute class with Ross
Stambaugh, 5:45-7:00 p.m. Drop-in only (no pre-registration), $5. 321-7676
• Riff Raff Tavern, 130 N. Patterson Blvd.: Live performances by Dallas Moore Band, starting at 9 p.m.
Call 558-0808.
• RiverScape MetroPark, 111 E. Monument Ave.: Monthly summer Pickin’ in the Park series features
bluegrass artists Hocking River String Band and The Appleseed Collective. Craft beer sales and food
trucks available along Monument Avenue. Call 275-PARK (7275).
• Wiley’s Comedy Joint, 101 Pine St.: Featuring nationally renowned comedian Bob Zany, with opening
act by Mitch Burrow. $12 and two-item minimum. Shows at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Call 224-5653.
Food and Drink
• Belle of Dayton, 22 Brown St.: (Open till 8 p.m.) Stop by the bottle shop and tasting room from 5-7
p.m. to purchase spirits, glassware and apparel. Valid ID is required with liquor purchase and tastings.
Free admission. Call 867-2355.
• Deaf Monty’s Wine, 22 Brown St.: $2 tastings of select wines. Call 225-9463.
• De’Lish Café, 139 N. Main St.: Friday Nights Unplugged features live music plus $5 food and drinks
specials and $4 wines. Call 461-2233.
• Fifth Street Brewpub, 1600 E. Fifth St.: Pub grub specials from 4-5 p.m. and happy hour ($1 off all draft
beer) from 4-6 p.m. Call 443-0919
• Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St.: Featuring half-price pizza from 4 to 8 p.m. and live music. Call 2239205.
• Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St.: Happy hour specials, including $5 food items from 4-7 p.m. Call 461-1101.
Music
• Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St.: Featuring happy hour from 4 to 8 p.m., $2.50 well drinks. Lady Fest benefit
with music by Skurt and Dirty Socialites. Call 938-6405.
• Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave.: Featuring Irish First Fridays, with a happy hour, a performance by the
Miami Valley Pipe and Drum group starting at 7 p.m., and live music starting at 9 p.m. Call 224-7822.
• Gilly’s, 132 S. Jefferson St.: Old Skool Groove Night from 8 p.m. to midnight. Call 228-8414.
• Therapy Café, 452 E. Third St.: Eclectic, live music from Attak, Firecat 451, Drew Whitehead, K. Barry
and Oh! Shell! Plus drink specials and bottle service. $5 admission; free guest until 11 p.m. Official Clash
art show after-party. Call 461-4000.
• Tumbleweed Connection, 454 E. Fifth St.: Wine tasting on the patio from 5-8 p.m. Live music by Mike
Mulligan and Steam Shovel starts at 9:30 p.m. Call 228-5500.
Shopping
• Blush Boudoir, 120 N. St. Clair St.: Stop by the open house party and check out items from clothing
boutique Bloom plus Blush’s own intimates and accessories boutique, learn more about photo sessions
and scope out the space while nibbling and listening to live music. Call 559-6146.
• Sew Dayton, 261 Wayne Ave.: First Fridays feature the free Stitch n’ Sip event. Bring your own
beverage and sewing project and make new sewing friends! This month’s event features local quilters.
Call 234-7398.
• Strings Attached, 225 N. Main St.: Featuring open knit/crochet session. Bring your own knitting or
crochet project and enjoy the company of friends and light refreshments. Call 221-9585.
Summer in the City includes DDP and community partner programming, featuring:
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Festivals: Downtown is home to many fantastic community festivals, including the Dayton Celtic
Festival, the City of Dayton summer concert series, and newcomers like AleFest, Big Brews and
Blues, and the Multi Sport Festival.
Visual and performing arts: Gallery openings, musicals, paint-and-sip programs, concerts,
docent-led tours, collaborative public art, dance performances, summer camps and more from
the region’s best arts groups await downtown workers, residents and visitors.
Food, beer, fun: Downtown Dayton is home to some of the best local, independent restaurants,
and offers a concentration of craft breweries, tap rooms and distilled spirits. Watch for special
tappings, tastings, pre fixe courses, collaborative events and more activities intended to give
patrons a true taste of Dayton.
Shops and services: From haberdasheries to vintage thrift stores to sewing classes to upscale
salons, downtown Dayton offers plenty of places to shop and get pampered. Special events,
such as trunk sales, fashion shows or grooming programs, frequent the online calendar.
Live music: Dayton’s local music scene really shines when bands take the stage in downtown
Dayton. Country, rock, blues, pop, punk, metal, funk, jazz – it’s all happening downtown.
Active living: Besides exploring the city by foot or bike (including the new Link Bike Share
program), downtown boasts an assortment of health and fitness-related events,.
Signature events from the Downtown Dayton Partnership and its partners:
o First Fridays: This monthly art hop builds on its growing popularity as a way to sample
downtown businesses. First Fridays will continue through the summer and fall.
o The Square Is Where: This free lunchtime entertainment takes place daily on
Courthouse Square, including trivia, live music, giant outdoor games, and food vendors.
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July 10, Summer in the City Street Party: The DDP is teaming up with the Dayton Area
Performing Arts Alliance and the Victoria Theatre Association to throw an after-work
street party, kicking off the DPAA’s “Guitar Heroes” summer music series and The Cool
Films Series at the Victoria Theatre.
August 14, The Square Is Where Goes Over the Edge: As part of the Miami Valley Big
Brothers Big Sisters’ annual fundraiser, this event extends regular The Square Is Where
hours to party with games, live music, beer and more while rappelers “drop in” to
Courthouse Square.
September 19, Housing Tour: Urban living has never been more popular, and the
housing tour invites prospective homeowners and real estate lovers to visit some of the
hottest addresses.
More information about Summer in the City will be available online at downtowndayton.org. The best
way to ensure not to miss a single minute of downtown action is to subscribe to the DDP’s e-vents
email newsletter. Visit http://bit.ly/ddpsubscribe to sign up.
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