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😊Around Town: 10 things to do in Dayton this weekend

The iconic music of Motown, an informative look at nature through the career of a National Geographic photojournalist, the sassy comedic stylings of Sommore, and a fun opportunity to ice skate to the music of Taylor Swift are notable events happening in the region this weekend.

⭐Around Town: Things to do in January: Shows on local stages, wedding expos, music events and more

Mark your calendars! There are a wide range of events to keep in mind as you plan your January schedule. From a pair of wedding expos and the annual Battle of the Bands to the Flyin’ to the Hoop basketball showcase and multiple Martin Luther King Jr. observances, there’s a lot to digest.

🎭Stage Notes: Here are 10 performances to see in January throughout the Dayton region

Tony Award-winning musicals, the local premiere musical adaptation of a blockbuster film, a frightful adaptation of a popular horror movie franchise, and the local return of a historic “Saturday Night Live” cast member are notable shows happening across area stages in January.

⛸️Around Town: Bored this winter? Here are activities at the MetroParks to get you out of the house

Looking for fun things to do during the winter months? Consider exploring the offerings of Five Rivers MetroParks, especially as the promise of snow entices sledders as winter kicks into gear. Check out our MetroParks guide.

💻Around Town: Popular anime convention Ohayocon coming to SW Ohio

Ohayocon, one of Ohio’s largest anime conventions, celebrates its 25th anniversary Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at the Dayton Convention Center. In addition to appearances by anime voice actors and two cosplay contests, the event includes gaming tournaments, scavenger hunts, workshops and more. Read more about this year’s festivities.

🎭Year in Review: These were the big stories in arts and culture in the Dayton region in 2024

From the exceptional, Dayton-themed beauty of Dayton Ballet’s world premiere of “The Nutcracker” to various leadership changes among local arts organizations, 2024 was active and memorable. Here’s a look at the top arts stories of last year.

📚Year in Review: Favorite author interviews from 2024

Book Nook columnist Vick Mickunas, who has offered insights for Dayton Daily News since July 2004, looks back on his favorite radio interviews with authors from 2024, including James Lee Burke who, in his mid-eighties, released two books last year.

🎵A Day In The Life: Multi-instrumentalist couple met in Dayton’s 1960s folk music scene

Kettering couple Sandy and Michael Bashaw have carved a unique musical imprint in Dayton as creators of the world music ensemble Puzzle of Light and experimental group Theater of Sound. Read more about their relationship and upcoming projects.

📷Photos: Armstrong Air & Space Museum Holiday Lights, The Bossler Mansion in St. Anne’s Hill, and Normandy United Methodist Church in Centerville

See the Holiday Lights at the Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta.

See the Bossler Mansion in Dayton’s St. Anne’s Hill historic district decked out for the holidays.

See Normandy United Methodist Church in Centerville decorated for Christmas.

🎬ICYMI: Documentary about filmmaker Julia Reichert now airing on Netflix

“Julia’s Stepping Stones,” a documentary chronicling Academy and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Julia Reichert’s influential career, premiered Dec. 18 on Netflix.

Crafted by Steven Bognar of Yellow Springs, Reichert’s husband who shared Academy and Emmy Award honors for their documentary “American Factory,” “Julia’s Stepping Stones” is told in Reichert’s own words. Before her death in 2022 she recorded the story of how she became a filmmaker.

Read more about the film and Reichert’s legacy.

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.