August 2 First Friday: Art in the City pre-pARTy Edition

For More Information: Call (937) 224-1518 or e-mail sands@downtowndayton.org

July 26, 2024, (DAYTON, Ohio) – This month’s First Friday will give guests a very special sneak peek at Art in the City, presented by AES Ohio! Arts and creativity take center stage next weekend as we celebrate the robust and diverse visual and performing arts scene right here in downtown Dayton. Of course, First Friday favorites like food and drink savings, special events, and great deals at downtown’s unique retailers will still be in effect as we come together to highlight the creativity of our community.

Guests are encouraged to visit favorite patios and hotspots as they’re transformed into a Party on the Patio! From 6-8 p.m. on First Friday, August 2, catch local performers playing live music while you raise a toast to the arts and enjoy a delicious dinner. August’s First Friday also marks the official start to voting in the 2024 Juried Art Show. 29 downtown businesses will host artwork from 29 of the area’s most talented new and emerging artists, as juried by the Dayton Society of Artists. A public vote on Dayton.com will decide the winner of $250. Voting will go live at noon on Friday, August 2, and will continue until noon on Friday, August 16. Find a map and listing of this year’s participating locations in the 2024 Art in the City Event Guide.

After kicking things off during First Friday, be sure to join us from 1-7 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, for Art in the City, presented by AES Ohio! More than 300 artists will be sharing their talents through live performances, hands-on demonstrations, community projects, the Art Bazaar and more! A map and listing of all Art in the City events can be found on the Art in the City webpage. Be sure to RSVP to the Facebook event for updates leading up to the big day!

Check out the individual First Friday listings below, and remember the most up-to-date event listings can be found in the online calendar published on the Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website. Subscribing to the weekly e-vents email newsletter also keeps one up to speed. For more information about First Friday, or to find business addresses, parking, upcoming activities and more, visit the DDP website at DowntownDayton.org. Invite friends and family to partake in First Friday fun! “Like” and share the First Friday Facebook page.

PARTY ON THE PATIO

• Gather by Ghostlight, 37 W. Fourth St. (Rotunda Patio): Miah Qumsieh (Acoustic singer/songwriter)
• Heart Mercantile, 601 E. Fifth St.: Faye Williams (Indie rock)
• Lily’s Dayton, 329 E. Fifth St.: Viva la Strings (String instruments)
• Winans Coffee & Chocolates, 221 N. Patterson Blvd.: Dan Rivers (Acoustic singer/songwriter)

JURIED ART SHOW

• Fairfield Inn, 305 E. Monument Ave.: “River at Dawn” by Susan Richards
• Winans Coffee & Chocolates, 221 N. Patterson Blvd.: “Boston Slush” by Margie McCullough
• Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 222 N. St. Clair St.: “My Girls” by Sara Darrah
• AC Hotel Dayton, 124 Madison St.: “Loneliness” by Mihir Patel
• The Delco, 115 Madison St.: “City Stroll” by Nancy Dankof
• Dayton Beer Company, 41 Madison St.: “Totality” by Kim Shelton
• Quench Aesthetics & Wellness, 607 E. Third St. #150: “Samurai With Lemons” by Kim Ceccarelli
• 5 Star Salon Academy, 125 E. Second St.: “Beautiful Korean, Yu Ji-in” by Lydia Moon Hee Kim
• Rabbit Hole Books, 29 W. First St.: “Overjoyed” by Terri Hamlin
• International Peace Museum, 10 N. Ludlow St.: “Miriam and the Women” by Masada Warner
• Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, 8 N. Main St. Ste. 100: “My Conversations With An Octopus” by Tami Beale
• After5, 111 E. Third St.: “The Ancestors” by Ronald Duckett
• Joui Wine, 117 E. Third St.: “Sunshowers” by Ashley Simons
• Tony & Pete’s, 129 E. Third St.: “Antenna” by Grace Ramsdell
• Dayton Metro Library, 215 E. Third St.: “DID YOU HEAR ME? YOU ARE SO LOVED” by Anna Sebaly
• Warped Wing Brewing Company, 26 Wyandot St.: “Courage to Shine” by Marlene Steele
• Vidia’s Closet, 27 S. St. Clair St.: “Fire and Ice” by Emily von Stuckrad
• Sole Touchers, 37 S. St. Clair St.: “Crushed” by Josalan Credlebaugh
• Reduce & Reuse Refillery, 133 E. Fourth St.: “rocky top, self portrait” by Jennifer Carine
• The Hub at the Dayton Arcade, 31 S. Main St.: “Hornets and Magnolias” by Lauren Wells
• The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St.: “Black on Black Radiance” by Erin Smith Glenn
• Gather by Ghostlight, 37 W. Fourth St.: “The Ireland Tree” by Brendan Higgins
• America’s Packard Museum, 420 S. Ludlow St.: “Cardinal Glow” by Charlene Fox
• Golden Hour Piercing, 411 E. Fifth St.: “Deep Magenta Majesty” by Tamiko Stump
• Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St.: “And If I Must Die…” by Jenna Houseman
• Mike’s Vintage Toys, 508 E. Fifth St.: “Acid Test” by Lindsey Tribelhorn
• Clash Dayton, 521 E. Fifth St.: “Interior Shot” by Jesper Beckholt
• Chairapy, 605 E. Fifth St.: “City Vibrations” by Maria McGinnis
• Jimmy’s Italian Cuisine & Bar, 824 E. Fifth St.: “Classics + Classy” by Rachel Z. Meyer

ART, DANCE, MUSIC, AND FILM

• 1Eleven Flavor House, 111 W. First St.: Enjoy displays from local artist Taliaferro Sebastian
• The Black Box Improv, 518 E. Third St.: Take in comedy and an Improvised Musical from Friday House Team “Midwestern Beef.” For tickets and other information, visit DaytonBlackBoxImprov.com
• Blind Bob’s 430 E. Fifth St.: Come and rock with Mayliner, Buffalo Ryders, and Eyeswatter. Doors open at 8p.m. 21+ show. $10 at the door.
• The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St.: See three exhibits now on display at The Co: Katherine Kadish & David Leach, “Crossroads,” Andy Snow, “Time Bends, Space Blends,” and Tess Cortés, “Vanishing Point.”
• Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North: Visit the latest special exhibitions, “Hand-Colored Photographs,” “Captivating Clay: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics from the Horvitz Collection,” “Those Who Care,” “Riveting: Women Artists from the Sara M. and Michelle Vance Waddell Collection,” and “The Quiet World of Edward Hopper.” Open until 5 p.m. on Friday.
• Dayton Society of Artists, 48 High St.: Visit pieces selected for this year’s Juried Art Show at 30 locations around downtown Dayton. Map is available on the Art in the City webpage.
• Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave.: Free Juke Box Friday 6-7 p.m.! Irish First Friday Miami Valley Pipes & Drums performance at 7 p.m. and music at 9 p.m.
• Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 222 N. St. Clair St.: See the opening reception for the “We’re Doing It ALL Wrong® – 4th Annual Art Exhibition” from 6-10 m. Light refreshments will be provided. Free street parking is available.
• Front Street, 1001 E. Second St.: Enjoy an evening of live music, food trucks, studio and gallery hopping, shopping, and more! It is always free to attend and park at our art hops. We are a family and pet-friendly community. With artwork and handmade goods from more than 250 artists, you’re going to want to get here early!
• Moeller Brew Barn, 416 E. First St.: Hear live music at the Brew Barn from 7-10 p.m.
• The Neon movie theater, 130 E. Fifth St.: See the full schedule online: neonmovies.com.
• Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St.: Join us for 199X – a 90s dance party! Sexbox will be playing 90s RnB, Hop Hop, Rave, Brit Pop, Punk, and any other genres to set a nostalgic mood. Entry is free!
• RiverScape MetroPark. 237 E. Monument Ave.: Pickin’ in the Park with Whiskey Bent Valley Boys and My Brother’s Keeper. Free live music from 6-9 p.m. under the RiverScape pavilion.
• Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St.: Cab Grass presents another show in the 2024 Roots & Heritage concert series! Cover starts at 7pm, music starts at 8pm. All ages welcome with a guardian. $17 in advance of $21 at the door.

DINING AND DRINKS

• 1Eleven Flavor House, 111 W. First St.: Happy Hour specials run 4-6 p.m.
• Dayton Beer Company, 41 Madison St.: Happy Hour runs 3-5 p.m.! Enjoy $2 off all DBC beer pints.
• Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave: It’s Irish First Friday! Enjoy Happy Hour from 3-6 p.m.
• Jimmy John’s, 220 N. Main St.: Try the new chicken or veggie Mediterranean Wraps available for a limited time!
• Lily’s Dayton, 329 E. Fifth St.: Happy Hour food and drink specials run from 4:30-6:30 p.m. every First Friday!
• Local Cantina, 503 E. First St: Happy Hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. with $5 Mustache Rides, $6 Local Margaritas, $2 Cerveza Amarilla, and $2 off appetizers
• Mudlick Tap House, 135 E. Second St.: Join us for Happiness Hours from 4-6 p.m. with $2 off draft beers and $2 off shareables, ½ price bottles of wine, $8 Old Fashioned, and $9 Manhattans.
• The Neon movie theater, 130 E. Fifth St.: Enjoy beer and cocktail specials during First Friday, and you can purchase a DORA drink at the Neon to walk around downtown Dayton’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area before or after the show.
• Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St.: Every First Friday join us for Happy Hour deals from 5 to 8 p.m. Stop in for some of the best pizza in Dayton. Dine in, carryout and curbside pickup available.
• RiverScape MetroPark. 237 E. Monument Ave.: The RiverScape Café is open from 5-9 p.m. with Happy Hour from 5-7 p.m. offering half-off select beer and cocktails for those 21+!
• Salar Restaurant and Lounge, 400 E. Fifth St., 937-203-3999: Kick off your First Friday with happy hour at Salar from 4-6 p.m. with cocktail specials, $5 house wine pours, $1 off of all beers, and bar bites specials. Enjoy dinner, too, available for dine in or carryout.
• Troll Pub Dayton, 216 Wayne Ave.: Every Friday at the Troll Pub is part of W.T.F Happy Hours: Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 4-7 p.m. featuring 1/2 Priced Pints & 1/2 priced apps, and $4 Fireball Shots.
• Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St., 937-461-1101: Enjoy Half-off Happy Hour every day 3-7pm! $3 wells and half off select appetizers.
• Two Social, 123 E. Third St.: Check out the new Summer drink menu!
• Winans Coffee & Chocolates, 221 N. Patterson Blvd.: Happy Hour wine is $8 a glass from 4-7 p.m.!

SPECIAL SHOPPING DEALS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

• After5, 111 E. Third St.: Shop new arrivals and shop a special in-store only sale to receive 20% off and a free gift with purchase!
• Choice Juice Boxx, 31 S. St. Clair St.: Spend $50 at Varsity House to receive 10% off from your Choice Juice Boxx purchase.
• Clash Dayton, 521 E. Fifth St.: Get ready for back to school with special clothing discounts!
• Club Evolution, 130 N. Patterson Blvd.: Audience applause chooses the winner of a karaoke contest and $75! No cover. Karaoke starts at 8:30 p.m. with the contest starting at 10:30 p.m.
• The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St.: Free Mindfulness & Meditation at The Co from 5:30-6:30 p.m.! No experience is necessary for class.
• Mintha’s Boutique, 520 E. Third St.: Get 20% off your entire purchase when you mention First Friday!
• Omega Music, 318 E. Fifth St.: New release day! Explore the new releases on vinyl, CDs, and more. All day 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Oregon District.
• The Oregon District, Fifth Street: Visit the pedestrian promenade at Out on 5th! Enjoy extended outdoor seating, vendors, entertainment, and more as you visit your favorite Oregon District businesses.
• RiverScape MetroPark. 237 E. Monument Ave.: Taiters Kayak Solutions will be offering kayak rentals from 4-8 p.m. Cost is $12 per person per hour.
• Pedal Wagon Dayton: Pedal Wagon Dayton: Hop around to some of Dayton’s best breweries on the Brewery Cruise! Seats are $35 for adults 21+ or rent a private ride for up to 15 people for $499! com/dayton/brewery-cruise/
• Picture Perfect Paint Parties, 123 N. Ludlow St.: Come and enjoy our grape tastings of the month and a mini-paint party canvas. Register at www.pictureperfectpaintparties.com or call 937-265-0691 for more information.
• Sole Touchers, 37 S. St. Clair St.: Shop 12-6p for 35% off select items!
• Talbott Tower, 131 N. Ludlow St.: Visit the businesses of Talbott Tower! Enjoy live music, food, and beer while you shop special discounts at more than 20 businesses.
• Vidia’s Closet, 27 S. St. Clair St.: Enjoy a special Spin the Wheel Sale! Spin to win prizes like up to 50% off your purchase or a Vidia’s Closet gift card.

The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more.

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