Downtown Dayton Partnership

Thursday Night Karaoke at MJ’s
2026-09-10 22:00 (America/New_York) | MJ’s on Jefferson, 20 N. Jefferson St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Come on out for an amazing night of singing and fun at MJ’s on Jefferson! Sign up to sing by utilizing our kiosks that are set up or download the app on your phone of Songbooks Online and sign up then input our show code of MJSONJ to view and submit your song choice or choices via your phone or tablet. Amazing drinks and even pizza available if you start to crave some carbs!

Music Bingo Thursdays
2026-09-10 20:00 | The Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, USA
We have music bingo every Thursday! It’s free to play, lots of fun, hosted by KG, and there are prizes galore. Come check it out!

Open Mic Night
2026-09-10 19:30 - 22:30 | The Barrel House, 417 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Open Mic Night – sign up online, then show up and show out.

Music Bingo
2026-09-10 19:00 - 21:00 | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Turn up the fun and test your knowledge at Music Bingo, where your favorite songs replace the numbers and every round feels like a mini dance party. Grab your friends, sing along, and play for prizes! Settle in by the RiverScape Café with some food and drinks, then see how fast you can match the tunes to your card. The first to hit five in a row takes the win with a variety of prizes, so keep your ears sharp and your bingo marker ready! Music Bingo is free to participate, but we recommend coming early as bingo sheets are limited. The RiverScape Café will be open with a variety of flatbreads, sides, desserts, and refreshments available for purchase. For those 21 and over, there will also be a full menu of cocktails, wine, and beer available for purchase as part of the Downtown Dayton DORA.

Hot Toddies Jazz Band
2026-09-10 19:00 | Levitt Pavilion Dayton, 134 S. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Hot Toddies Jazz Band

September 10 @ 7:00 PM

Free Admission

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Series:

Brytus-Wilkinson Family Jazz Series

Genre:

Jazz/Swing

THE HOT TODDIES JAZZ BAND are a fun-loving hot jazz & swing band from NYC. They have an eclectic mix of styles perfect for dancing, lindy hop, and good times!
Since May 2022 the band has maintained a weekly residency at the prominent Manhattan nightclub, Somewhere Nowhere, and built it into one of the most popular jazz nights in New York City, averaging over 300 people each night year-round. Playing to mixed crowds of swing dancers, jazz fans, and large numbers of 20-30 year olds (curious about jazz via social media), the band developed a unique & high energy approach to performing… as guitarist Justin Poindexter describes, “a hard-swinging chemistry and spirited repertoire developed between our core group of musicians…”
Founded in 2018, the band quickly became one of the top swing bands on the scene in NYC, the birthplace of the dance. In Summer 2023 they headlined the beloved outdoor swing dance at Lincoln Center in front of over 2,000 people during “Summer for the City” (formerly Midsummer Night Swing). This was also the release of their debut full length album, that was praised by critics, on Jazz Charts for 3 weeks (hitting #11 on the NACC Top 30), and playing on over 50 radio stations nationwide. Their 2021 debut EP “Quarantine Tracks” featured wacky music videos for “Dunkin Bagel” and “Five O’clock Coffee” – both hitting over 100k views on social media. Their new album “Triple Step” will be released on all platforms on September 20th, and available on CD, cassette, and vinyl.
Sharing their love of this music and connecting with swing communities and dancers everywhere is part of what inspires the band. This year the band toured extensively across the US, driving nearly 5,000 miles to play for swing dances in Austin, Santa Fe, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Rochester, Denver, Washington DC, San Antonio, Fort Worth; and at festivals such as Levitt Pavilion Dayton in Ohio, Green Box in Colorado, Hudson River Park in Manhattan, Cornell University, and headlined Lincoln Center’s “Summer for the City” (formerly Midsummer Night Swing) series bringing in an audience of over 2,000 people.
The band also plays throughout NYC at acclaimed venues such as The Blue Note Jazz Club, The Whitney Museum, The Public Hotel, Somewhere Nowhere, The Players Club, The Montauk Club, The Standard, The Backroom, Foxtail; plus events such as The Gatsby Party, Shanghai Mermaid, Mad Hatter’s Ball, Mardi Gras, Gotham Jazz Festival, International Lindy Hop Championships “After Party;” and private events for The Whitney Museum, BizBash, Nice Ltd, The Red Cross, BNI, St Johns University, Mann Investments, among others.
Led by noted composer / producer / drummer PATRICK SOLURI (Prohibition Productions), the band features some of today’s top musicians in the swing & trad jazz worlds including noted vocalists QUEEN ESTHER (James “Blood” Ulmer) and HANNAH GILL (Post Modern Jukebox); as well as trumpeter ALPHONSO HORNE (Jazz at Lincoln Center), Grammy winning reedman LINUS WYRSCH, trombonist JAKE HANDELMAN (Gordon Webster Band), guitarist JUSTIN POINDEXTER (Jazz at Lincoln Center), and IAN HUTCHISON (Sw!ng Out, Eyal Vilner Big Band).
Projects Unlimited & Wyse Family Foundation Gem Series Opener: EDDIE BROOKSHIRE QUARTET ft. Brenda Flowers

Witness Work: The Quilts of Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi by Dr. Sharbreon Plummer
2026-09-10 18:30 - 20:00 | The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Dr. Sharbreon Plummer is a public scholar, curator, writer, and interdisciplinary artist whose work explores Black art history, craft and material studies, southern folkways, and cultural memory. In this lecture, Dr. Plummer will examine cultural histories and the role of art and craft in democracy, particularly in relation to the current political climate and Mazloomi’s work within U.S. history. A native of South Louisiana, she has spent more than fifteen years developing programs and initiatives that support artists and communities of the global majority whose work advances freedom, liberation, and social change. Dr. Plummer’s latest publication, Stories in the Seams: A People’s History of Black Quilts and Their Makers, will be released in October, 2026. Free and open to all.

Leadership Capacity Building with Keanna Daniels
2026-09-10 17:30 - 19:30 | Dayton Metro Library – Main Library, 215 E. Third Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Leadership Capacity Building with Keanna Daniels, Thursday, September 10, 5:30-7:30 pm, The Center for Community Impact & Innovation, Main Library: This is a four-part monthly series designed to build leadership skills over time, with each session building on the previous one. Sessions are interactive, reflective, and grounded in real-life challenges. Registration required.

Session 1, September 10: Leading and Inspiring Others
Session 2, October 15: Developing Your Personal Advisory Board
Session 3, November 19: Sharpening Your Leadership Skills
Session 4, December 10: Community Resource Fair

Sinclair College Theatre presents Exit the King
2026-09-10 13:00, 2026-09-09 13:00 | Sinclair Black Box Theatre, 401 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Written by Eugene Ionesco and translated by Donald Watson September 9 – 11 Performance Schedule September 9 • 1 PM September 10 • 1 PM September 11 • 7 PM Performances in Sinclair’s Black Box Theatre Tickets are FREE – seating is first-come, first-served. Directed by Gina Neuerer This absurdist drama focuses on King Berenger, grappling with his mortality and letting go of his position and power. This dark and timeless tale comes at a key point in America’s own history. With the 250th anniversary of the nation now past, the many young and inspiring minds that represent the future of our country are asking: “What comes next?” Through this production we encourage everyone to get out and vote – let your voice be heard.

CURIO at Courthouse Square
2026-09-10 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-09-09 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-09-08 12:00 - 14:00 | Courthouse Square, Third & Main Streets, Dayton, OH, 45422, USA
Free entertainment in the heart of downtown
Throughout the summer months, fun, out-of-the-box entertainment can be found on Courthouse Square, with CURIO serving as the hub of community, connection, and collaboration!
Big ideas can come in small packages, and CURIO is the first step in a larger, longer-term plan to revitalize Courthouse Square. This shipping container transformed into an event hub has been combined with fun outdoor seating and other touches to create downtown’s newest summer hotspot!
FIND THE CALENDAR OF SCHEDULED ENTERTAINMENT HERE:
https://downtowndayton.org/things-to-do/curio/#schedule
Bring your friends and coworkers for a midday break outside!
CURIO features free lunchtime entertainment from noon to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays each week during the summer months.
Food vendors also set up on Courthouse Square each weekday, allowing downtown workers and others to grab lunch from a vendor or a downtown restaurant and take in the entertainment while enjoying the outdoors downtown.
Be sure to “Like” CURIO at Courthouse Square on Facebook to get the latest updates on upcoming entertainment and more. You can also request to receive regular emails about what’s planned for CURIO.
If you are interested in performing on the Square or would like more information about CURIO, email events@downtowndayton.org.
CURIO at Courthouse Square is a program of the Downtown Dayton Partnership, with support from Montgomery County.

2026 Fine Art Faculty Exhibition Featuring Kevin Harris
2026-09-10, 2026-09-09, 2026-09-08 | Galleries at Sinclair College, 444 W. Third St., Bldg. 13, Dayton, OH, 45402
Sinclair Community College’s annual Fine Art Faculty Exhibition will usher in the beginning of the 2026-2027 academic year. Each fall, the Burnell R. Roberts Triangle Gallery, the Works on Paper Gallery, as well as other spaces around Building 13 display work from the faculty and adjunct faculty of Sinclair’s Art Department. The Burnell R. Roberts Triangle Gallery traditionally features one faculty member, and this year will exhibit works by Professor Kevin Harris. Inspired by urban birds’ instinct to weave human-made materials into nests along with the jazz concept of Chromatic Elaboration of Static Harmony, Harris produces one-of-a-kind prints that evolve through many iterations. His work inhabits the in-between spaces where repetition becomes variation, structure gives way to improvisation, and forms are continually transformed. A reception will be held September 3 from 4:30pm-6pm in Building 13’s 4th Floor Atrium. There will be a virtual artist talk with Professor Harris over Zoom on September 11, 2026 at 12pm. Visit www.sinclair.edu/artgalleries for further details. The Fine Art Faculty Exhibition will be on display from August 24 through September 21, 2026. Gallery spaces are located on the third and fourth floor of Building 13 (located at W. Fifth and S. Perry Streets). The galleries are free and open to the public from 8am–6pm Monday–Friday and 9–12 Saturdays. Free and accessible parking is located in Parking Lot K.

Fighters for Freedom: William H. Johnson Picturing Justice
2026-09-10, 2026-09-09 | The Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton, OH, 45405, United States
June 27–September 13, 2026, Gallery 120
William H. Johnson (1901–1970) painted the Fighters for Freedom series in the mid-1940s as tribute to African American activists, scientists, teachers and performers as well as international leaders working to bring peace to the world. It was his last body of work. This landmark exhibition brings together—for the first time since 1946—34 paintings featured in the series, drawn from the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM). This nationally traveling exhibition is accompanied by a scholarly, full-color exhibition catalog.
Of the series, SAAM states: “The exhibition illuminates the extraordinary life and contributions of Johnson, an artist associated with the Harlem Renaissance but whose practice spanned several continents, as well as the contributions of historical figures he depicted. Some of his Fighters—Marian Anderson, George Washington Carver, Mohandas Gandhi, and Harriet Tubman—are familiar figures; others—Nannie Helen Burroughs and William Grant Still, among them—are less well-known individuals whose achievements have been eclipsed over time. Johnson celebrates their accomplishments even as he acknowledges the realities of racism, oppression and sometimes violence they faced and overcame. Johnson clues viewers to significant episodes in the Fighters lives by punctuating each portrait with tiny buildings, flags and vignettes that give insight into their stories. Using a colorful palette to create evocative scenes and craft important narratives, he suggests that the pursuit of freedom is an ongoing, interconnected struggle, with moments of both triumph and tragedy.”

Threads of History: Quilts by Carolyn Mazloomi
2026-09-10, 2026-09-09 | The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
June 12-September 12, 2026
Threads of History: Quilts by Carolyn Mazloomi is a landmark solo exhibition by award-winning artist, historian, and curator Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi. Now an octogenarian, Mazloomi remains one of the most visionary leaders in contemporary quilting, widely recognized for her lifelong efforts to elevate African American quilt traditions. Her striking black-and-white quilts memorialize the lives and legacies of African American freedom fighters, capturing resilience, resistance, and remembrance through bold imagery and layered narrative. Originally trained as an aerospace engineer, Mazloomi shifted her focus in the 1980s to advocate for African American quilt artists whose contributions had long been marginalized. Through her scholarship, mentorship, and the founding of the Women of Color Quilters Network, she has transformed the cultural landscape, bringing international recognition to quilting as both fine art and historical record. Her extraordinary impact has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Bess Lomax Hawes NEA National Heritage Fellowship, a United States Artists Fellowship, and an American Craft Council Honorary Fellowship. Her work is held in major collections, including the Smithsonian Institution and the American Folk Art Museum. Opening Reception: June 12, 2026, 6-8 p.m.

Wu-Tang Wednesdays
2026-09-09 19:00 - 23:00 | The Barrel House, 417 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Dayton’s legendary Ike B spins old school hip hop and whateva else he wants.

Live Trivia
2026-09-09 18:30 - 20:30 | Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E 4th St, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
We are excited to host live trivia every Wednesday at The Yellow Cab Tavern! Since there are a limited number of indoor tables, so please reserve as soon as possible.
Pepper Sprout Productions will be doing 3 rounds of general trivia from 6:30 – 8:30! Win prizes and gift cards! Watch their page on the day of for a clue about the bonus round theme!
You can enjoy pizza from The Pizza Bandit and beverages from The Yellow Cab Tavern!Pizza Bandit’s standard carryout, delivery, and onsite dining will be available from 4-9pm!

Community Fitness Series: Bootcamp
2026-09-09 18:00 - 19:30 | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Part of RiverScape Community Fitness series
Bootcamp
6:00pm – 7:30pm
AGE: All ages | FREE

Join The Unit for an exciting bootcamp workout that will take you through RiverScape in a whole new way. Whether you’re running the stairs, doing push ups near the reflecting pools, or stretching along the levee, this effective workout will keep you moving. Combined with the uplifting support of the community members that make up The Unit, this is a workout you will want to make part of your weekly routine. All fitness levels welcome and encouraged! Weather Dependent.
Focus on wellness while spending time in nature. Enjoy a variety of free and effective workouts at RiverScape MetroPark.

Kayak Rentals with Taiters Kayak
2026-09-09 16:00 - 20:00 | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Part of RiverScape Kayak Rentals series
Kayak Rentals with Taiters Kayak
AGE: 10 and up | $15.00, $25.00, $60.00

Paddle under the fountains with Taiters Kayak all summer long at RiverScape MetroPark! Kayakers launch from the bottom of the levee along the Great Miami Recreational Trail, and the rental options include: $15.00/30 minutes, $25.00/1 hour, or $60.00/day pass (the 4-hour rental window). Taiters Kayak staff will provide participants with brief instructions prior to entering the water – including a safety tutorial – and will help participants get into their vessels. All participants will be required to wear a properly fitted life jacket. Swimming is prohibited in the Great Miami River, but participants should come prepared to get wet. Participants will also not be permitted to go through the RiverScape River Run whitewater feature. No lifeguards are on duty, and paddling is at all participants’ own risk. All participants will be required to sign a waiver before entering their vessel, and all minors must have a parent/guardian present. Regular walk-up rental hours take place Wednesdays and Fridays, from 5-9PM (6/3-7/31) and 4-8PM (8/5-9/11). Visit Facebook.com/TaitersKayak or TaitersKayak.com for more information. Weather Dependent.
Get out and paddle on the Great Miami River with Taiters Kayak at RiverScape MetroPark!

Live at Three
2026-09-09 15:00 - 18:00 | The Garden Grille & Bar at the Hilton Garden Inn, 18 W. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Join us for live music by local artists, happy hour, award winning cocktails and curated bites at the historic Dayton Arcade at the Garden Grille and Bar (Hilton Garden Inn Downtown 2nd floor). Every Wednesday from 3p-6p.

Karaoke with Zane
2026-09-08 20:00 - 23:00 | Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E 4th St, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Yellow Cab Tavern Karaoke is BACK every Tuesday at 8pm with MC Zane Gerlach!
Entry is always free!
With a catalog of over 60,000 songs, we have your favorites to sing…and if we don’t, we’ll do everything we can to get it for you!
Get your friends and family together and we’ll see you on Tuesday nights at The Yellow Cab Tavern!

Karaoke
2026-09-08 19:00 - 23:00 | The Barrel House, 417 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Tuesdays – Karaoke with @raineyday.entertainment – $5 off full draft flights until 9 p.m.

Community Fitness Series: Tai Chi & Qigong at the River
2026-09-08 18:00 - 19:00 | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Part of RiverScape Community Fitness series
Tai Chi & Qigong at the River
6:00pm – 7:00pm
AGE: All ages | FREE

Offered by Immortal Tree Qigong. Each hour-long Tai Chi & Qigong session will start with breathing exercises, warm up, and gentle movements. You will then be guided through flowing movements that are part of the Tai Chi 24 form mixed with short standing meditations. We will end with a slightly longer guided standing (or sitting) meditation. This should leave a few minutes to answer questions or discuss any insights. Qigong and Tai Chi don’t require any special skills (other than breathing) or equipment (other than your body). Weather Dependent.
Focus on wellness while spending time in nature. Enjoy a variety of free and effective workouts at RiverScape MetroPark.

Artist in Training (AIT) Program
2026-09-08 15:00 - 18:00 | K12 Gallery & TEJAS, 341 S. Jefferson St., Dayton, OH, 45402
After school Artist in Training program geared for grades 3rd-12th grades. Classes are Monday-Wednesdays from 3:00pm-6:00pm. Open Studio time to explore different types of mediums such as Drawing, Painting, Clay, Digital Art. 20.00 per session for Members/40.00 per session for Non-Members.

Exhibit: Our Fire Is Stronger Than Your Bombs
2026-09-08 | The International Peace Museum, 10 N. Ludlow St., Dayton, OH, 45402
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The war continues until now, ruining the lives of millions of people and uprooting the principles of civilized life as we know it. The goal of the exhibition is to raise awareness of the war still raging in the heart of Europe. Our exhibit showcases some of the brilliant artworks of contemporary Ukrainian illustrators living and working in Ukraine, sometimes, with no power, water, cell signal, or Internet connection. Many of them have long collaborated with global media, in particular The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Zeit, Adweek, and other outlets. The 25 posters on display have been created by 9 emerging and well-established illustrators since the start of the full-scale invasion. A poster, as a form of fine art blending imagery and text, is a convenient and iconic statement, a means of rapid, shareable response to the urgent events and personal emotions they trigger. In the context of the massive information war, illustrators have become the voices of the art community, and their activism adds tangible strength to the ‘cultural troops’ who fight propaganda every day, broadcasting facts through artistic images and defending the truth as eyewitnesses.

Community Gardening at Cooper Park
2026-09-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Cooper Park
Hang with your neighbors at the Cooper Park Community Garden (behind the downtown library) as we weed, admire the native flowers, pick vegetables, water, and do other gardening tasks as needed throughout the season. All skill and ability levels are welcome! Contribute what you can and take what you need.
