Downtown Dayton Partnership

Live Trivia
2026-08-12 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | 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!

Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am – Film Screening and Community Dialogue
2026-08-12 18:30 | THE NEON, United States
Join us as we partner with Dayton Metro Library and Charles F. Kettering Foundation for a special screening of TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM as part of “Beloved. Ohio Celebrates Toni Morrison” — Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 6:30.
As we reflect on America’s 250th, we want to celebrate Toni Morrison, born in Lorain, Ohio, and her contribution to the American story.
The screening will be followed by a discussion led by Dr. ShaDawn Battle – Assistant Professor, Gender and Diversity Studies Program – Xavier University.
“This artful and intimate meditation on the legendary storyteller examines her life, her works, and the powerful themes she confronted throughout her literary career. Toni Morrison leads an assembly of her peers, critics, and colleagues on an exploration of race, history, the United States, and the human condition.”
A limited number of FREE tickets will be available in-person (limit 2 per person) at THE NEON’s Box Office starting June 21. Other tickets will be available for $5 each (in-person or on-line) starting on June 21.

Director
Timothy Greenfield-Sanders
Producer
Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, Tommy Walker, Johanna Giebelhaus, Chad Thompson
Cast
Toni Morrison, Oprah Winfrey, Angela Davis

Community Fitness Series: Bootcamp
2026-08-12 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-08-10 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
2026-08-12 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!

CURIO at Courthouse Square
2026-08-12 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-08-11 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.

LeMonde Light Lane
2026-08-12, 2026-08-11 | Third Street, Third Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Light Lane is an interactive public art installation created by LeMonde Studio. It combines stationary bicycles, projection mapping, lighting, and sound to create a human-powered immersive experience that encourages play, sustainability, and community interaction. Four bicycles will be featured on Third Street in front of The Dayton Arcade during this month-long exhibit.
Light Lane is sponsored by PNC.

Art in the City Juried Art Show
2026-08-12, 2026-08-11 | Dayton Arcade, 35 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402
In this special juried exhibit, you can vote for your favorite piece of artwork submitted by local artists! These pieces will be displayed in the newly opened North Arcade wing of The Dayton Arcade as part of Art in the City. Visit the art in person and then vote here: bit.ly/4vMrKu5. The Juried Art Show is organized by the Dayton Society of Artists and supported by the Dayton Daily News.

Movies at THE NEON
2026-08-12, 2026-08-11 | THE NEON, United States
Downtown Dayton’s independent movie theater has a great lineup of films showing every day.
Visit neonmovies.com for a schedule of what’s playing today!

The Photography of Jake Schneider
2026-08-12, 2026-08-11 | Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
We’re excited to welcome the photography of Jake Schneider to our walls for the month of August. Get to know more about Jake ans preview his work at https://sites.google.com/view/jake-schneider-

Liz Quay, Jayne Struble, and Kathy McGhee Art Exhibits
2026-08-12, 2026-08-11 | Galleries at Sinclair College, 444 W. Third St., Bldg. 13, Dayton, OH, 45402
The Sinclair Community College Art Department is pleased to present “Marks & Stitches” by Liz Quay & Jayne Struble in the Burnell R. Roberts Triangle Gallery along with “Printed Landscapes” by Kathy McGhee in the Works on Paper Gallery. Through the collaborative lens of “Marks & Stitches” Struble and Quay delve into the connections found in nature and the human body. Their collaboration is an exploration of the invisible ties that bind humanity together and highlight the beauty of interconnectedness. Struble’s graphite drawings of the landscape investigate the way visual artifacts, such as images, are a tangible yet fragile representation of one’s memories, while Quay explores the tension and stagnation that is generated through managing emotional balance through fiber art and experimental sculpture. McGhee’s “Printed Landscapes” utilizes a variety of printmaking techniques to capture intimate moments of beauty in the landscape and explore the relationships between plants and the places they exist. She is inspired not only by the experience of being in nature but also by the visual patterns created through line, texture, and color as organisms naturally coexist. There will be a virtual artist talk via Zoom on Friday, July 10, 2026, at 12pm. Visit www.sinclair.edu/artgalleries for details. The exhibitions will be on display from July 6–August 14, 2026. Galleries are located on the fourth floor of building 13 (located at West Fifth and South Perry Streets). The galleries are free and open to the public from 8am–6pm Monday–Friday and 9am–12pm Saturdays. Free and accessible parking is located in Parking Lot K.

Exploring Feminism
2026-08-12 | The Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton, OH, 45405, United States
February 7, 2026–January 31, 2027, Gallery 118
Feminism feels like a loaded term that, when presented to people, often triggers a gut reaction that it is positive or negative. But what actually is feminism? Presenting feminist artwork from the newly acquired Sara M. and Michelle Vance Waddell Collection, this three-part, rotating exhibition will demystify the origins, history and commitments of the feminist movement.
Often discussed in terms of waves, feminism has signified struggles for a range of causes at varying moments in time. Through Exploring Feminism, guests may become better acquainted with cycles of protest, self-expression and community-building for a movement that has continued to change and adapt to include more and different constituents within its umbrella of “feminists.”
No bras will be burned (and, in fact, never were) for this new exhibition featuring regional, national and international artists working in all manner of media.

Captivating Clay: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics from the Horvitz Collection
2026-08-12 | The Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton, OH, 45405, United States
April 13, 2024–January 3, 2027, Gallery 106
Today, Japanese ceramic artists are building on centuries of tradition and taking the art in dynamic and new directions. They are exploring the potential of clay to create both functional and abstract sculptural forms with an incredible range of surface textures and decoration. The aesthetic sensibilities are varied, from rough and imperfect to detailed and refined, but all show a mastery of the craft.
Drawn from the renowned collection of Carol and Jeffrey Horvitz—including recent gifts from them to the museum—this exhibition presents more than thirty artworks spanning eight decades. Traditionally a craft restricted to men, in recent years women have become some of the leading voices in the field and several examples are included.
Artists range from innovative pioneers in the twentieth century, several designated as Living National Treasures in Japan, to emerging, younger artists. Interspersed are examples from the DAI’s collection of historic Japanese ceramics. Across 2,000 years, these speak to the long history of the art in the island nation and their continued inspiration for artists today.

Fighters for Freedom: William H. Johnson Picturing Justice
2026-08-12 | 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
2026-08-12 | 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.

Karaoke with Zane
2026-08-11 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
2026-08-11 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.

Sunset Sessions with Reyna Spears
2026-08-11 19:00 - 21:00 | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Join us as we welcome Reyna Spears to RiverScape MetroPark! With roots stretching from the Andes Mountains of Peru to the stages of the Miami Valley, Reyna Spears brings passion, authenticity and powerful storytelling to every performance. Influenced by a lifetime of singing in churches across the United States and South America, her versatile style and captivating stage presence create a musical experience that connects with audiences long after the last note. Weather Dependent. All ages. Free.

Community Fitness Series: Tai Chi & Qigong at the River
2026-08-11 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
2026-08-11 15:00 - 18:00, 2026-08-10 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.

Pantry Partner Food Distribution
2026-08-11 15:00 - 17:00 | Dayton Metro Library – Main Library, 215 E. Third Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Dayton Metro Library is proud to partner with The Foodbank to make the Pantry Partner program possible; please visit https://thefoodbankdayton.org/ for more information. In accordance with federal civil rights laws and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, it’s agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating on or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, including gender identity and sexual orientation, disability, age, or reprisal for prior or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. This event is powered by The Center for Community Impact & Innovation at DML. DML welcomes everyone to our events. If you have questions or need any accommodations, please contact us so we can help make the event a good experience for you. The Center – Build Your Future Here

Community Fitness Series: Yoga
2026-08-10 18:00 - 19:00 | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Part of RiverScape Community Fitness series
Yoga
6:00pm – 7:00pm
AGE: All ages | FREE

Yoga with Aleasha will lead you in an all-levels yoga flow. If you’re a beginner, she will guide you through modifications to ensure you are comfortable to help you to become more familiar with poses. If you’re experienced, she will help grow your current practice. This class is truly for everyone! Weather Dependent.
Focus on wellness while spending time in nature. Enjoy a variety of free and effective workouts at RiverScape MetroPark.

Community Gardening at Cooper Park
2026-08-10 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.
