Downtown Dayton Partnership

Holly Jolly Social: A Holiday Pop-Up Experience
2024-11-19, 2024-11-20, 2024-11-21 | Two Social, 123 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Get ready to celebrate the season at Holly Jolly Social! We’re decking the halls and transforming Two Social into a festive haven with cheerful décor, seasonal cocktails, and plenty of holiday spirit. Join us for a cozy and merry time this holiday season! (11/8-1/12)

Exhibit: Experiencing Veterans & Artists Collaboration (EVAC) Project
2024-11-19 08:00 - 18:00, 2024-11-20 08:00 - 18:00, 2024-11-21 08:00 - 18:00 (America/Detroit) | Galleries at Sinclair College, 444 W. Third St., Bldg. 13, Dayton, OH, 45402
The Sinclair Community College Art Department proudly announces new exhibits featuring works from the Experiencing Veterans & Artists Collaboration (EVAC) Project and contemporary steel sculptures by artist Chris Mohler.
The exhibits will be displayed in the Burnell R. Roberts Triangle Gallery and the Works on Paper Gallery from November 8 through December 14, 2024. The EVAC Project uses storytelling and art to bridge the gap between veterans and civilians.
Through the collaboration, over 60 veterans share their life stories, which are then interpreted into visual artwork by talented artists. As visitors explore these powerful stories alongside the artwork, the exhibit fosters empathy and a deeper connection with the experiences of veterans. Chris Mohler’s collection of steel sculptures shares a common theme of personal storytelling. Each piece reflects a chapter of Mohler’s life, inspired by topics such as current events, human existence, science, politics, personal joys, sacrifices, and social injustices. Mohler, however, encourages viewers to derive their own meanings from the works, allowing for an open-ended exploration of the art.
A virtual artist talk will take place on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. via Zoom. More details can be found at Sinclair.edu/ArtGalleries.
The exhibitions are free and open to the public.
Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Both galleries are located on the fourth floor of Building 13 at the corner of West Fifth and Perry Streets in downtown Dayton.

94th Annual Waffle Shop
2024-11-19 11:00 - 14:00, 2024-11-20 11:00 - 14:00, 2024-11-21 11:00 - 14:00 | Christ Episcopal Church, 20 W. First St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Hungry to be fed? “Waffle Shop” returns as a dine-in or carry-out event again this year! Waffle Shop is a 90+ year tradition at Christ Church. This year, the 94th Annual Waffle Shop will be held November 19-22, 2024. We raise funds through the sale of our beloved waffle lunches, and then grant 100% of the proceeds to small local non-profits benefiting our brothers & sisters living on the margins in our community. In 2023 we awarded grants to 9 local organizations making a difference for the poor and marginalized in our community. A great lunch for a good cause!

Rainbow Open Mic
2024-11-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Dayton Metro Library – Main Library, 215 E. Third Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Rainbow Open Mic, Tuesday, November 19, 6-8 pm, Main Library, Bassani Theater Off Third, 3rd Floor: It’s time to register for this month’s open mic for those adults who want to perform, but a waitlist is also in place. Performances should include content that is appropriate for a public setting and be original.

Exhibits: Merry Grinchmas: Art of Dr. Seuss’ Holiday Classic & (B)ART! America’s Funniest Animated Family
2024-11-20, 2024-11-21, 2024-11-22 | The Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton, OH, 45405, United States
The Dayton Art Institute (DAI) will close its 2024 Special Exhibition season with an exciting presentation of two combined traveling exhibitions, Merry Grinchmas: Art of Dr. Seuss’ Holiday Classic & (B)ART! America’s Funniest Animated Family, on view now through January 19, 2025. Just in time for the holidays, enjoy these nostalgic exhibitions highlighting two beloved classics that continue to influence the art of animation. View original drawings of Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) and Chuck Jones, who brought Dr. Seuss’ beloved holiday tale to life in the 1966 animated special How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, then laugh alongside Homer, Marge, Lisa, Maggie and Bart as you experience the original handmade animation cels of the acclaimed series.

“The art displayed in our newest exhibitions explores the significant influence animation has had in pop culture and the worlds of art, entertainment and business,” said DAI Head Curator & Curatorial Affairs Director Jerry N. Smith. “Animation art is beloved worldwide, and for many of us, this medium is our introduction to art. This work showcases how in each animated classic, thousands of individual artworks come together to tell a story and create a larger singular work.”

In 1966, the animation of Chuck Jones brought to life Dr. Seuss’ treasured 1957 children’s book How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The animated story is a true television classic, with generations tuning in annually to watch the story of redemption with the despicable Grinch, the sweet Cindy Lou Who and the innocent dog Max. The exhibition Merry Grinchmas: Art of Dr. Seuss’ Holiday Classic features original cel art used in the cartoon’s production, along with concept drawings by Jones (famous for Looney Tunes) and those by Dr. Seuss.

(B)ART! America’s Funniest Animated Family showcases the often-irreverent antics of Homer, Marge, Lisa, Maggie and Bart—alongside many other unforgettable figures from the longest-running animated series on American television. Since its debut in 1989, there have been more than 770 episodes. Initially crafted through traditional ink-and-paint techniques on transparent acetate cels, the first 13 seasons (1989–2002) were produced by hand before transitioning to cost-effective digital animation. These hand-drawn cels are featured in the exhibition. In the early seasons elements, now vital to the series, were created, including the famous sofa and living room set used to open each episode, which is replicated at the DAI, allowing guests the chance to truly enter the fictional world of Springfield.

Fun and colorful, these two exhibitions showcase the art of illustration. A family-friendly and nostalgic outing, guests will enjoy more than 400 works of original art, as well as interactive sensory stations, educational resources and photo opportunities.

“In addition to learning about the art of animation and illustration, those attending our newest special exhibitions can expect a joyful, playful, and nostalgic experience,” said DAI Director & President Michael R. Roediger. “This artwork was created to bring a smile to your face and brighten your day. We’re excited to offer each guest the chance to slip away from any of life’s stresses and spend time reconnecting with characters they know and love. These two exhibitions are fun, colorful and truly memorable.”

Several related programs will be offered in conjunction with the Merry Grinchmas: Art of Dr. Seuss’ Holiday Classic & (B)ART! America’s Funniest Animated Family. These include:

Community Tour: November 2, 1–2 p.m.; November 23, 1–2 p.m.; December 7, 1–2 p.m.; December 19, 6–7 p.m.; January 18, 1–2 p.m.
Cost: Members: Free, Non-members: Included with the Price of Admission

Family Studio Special: December 7, 12:30–3:30 p.m.
Cost: Members: $20, Non-members: $25, Member Family 4-pack: $70, Non-member Family 4-pack: $90
Adult Studio Special: November 16, 12:30–3:30 p.m.
Cost: Members: $35, Non-members: $45
Ask Me Anything: November 7, 6–7 p.m., December 12, 6–7 p.m. and January 9, 6–7 p.m.
Cost: FREE

These exhibitions are from the collection of Bill Heeter and Kristi Correa. Admission to Merry Grinchmas: Art of Dr. Seuss’ Holiday Classic & (B)ART! America’s Funniest Animated Family is included in the museum’s general admission, which includes access to all Special and Focus Exhibitions currently on view, as well as the museum collection galleries. General admission is $15 adults; $10 seniors (60+), active military and groups (10 or more); $5 students (18+ w/ID) and youth (ages 7–17); and free for children (ages 6 & younger). Admission is free for museum members. Membership information can be found online at www.daytonartinstitute.org/membership.

Other current and upcoming Exhibitions at the museum include Captivating Clay: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics from the Horvitz Collection (on view until September 2025), Devil’s Promenade (on view until January 5, 2025), Making Faces: 18 Essential Kabuki Plays (on view until March 30, 2025) and The Need for Beauty (on view from November 30, 2024–May 18, 2025).

For more information about planning a visit, including current museum hours and updates, go to www.daytonartinstitute.org/visit or call 937-223-4ART (4278). Connect with the Dayton Art Institute on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest for additional information, behind-the-scenes photos and videos, and exclusive offers.

Polar Bear Express
2024-11-20, 2024-11-21 | Downtown Dayton
Thru Feb. 28 • Polar Bear Express
Routes throughout downtown; call for dates, times, and cost.
Book a ride aboard the abominably decorated Pedal Wagon for a 2-hour pedaling adventure through the festive streets of Dayton and to the best bars and restaurants. Reservations required. pedalwagon.com/dayton. 388-3006.

Before You Buy: Desktops, Laptops, Tablets, eBooks, and Smart Phones
2024-11-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Dayton Metro Library – Main Library, 215 E. Third Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Before You Buy: Desktops, Laptops, Tablets, eBooks, and Smart Phones, Wednesday, November 20, 10 am-12 pm, Main Library, Tech Lab A: The options can be endless and overwhelming when considering a purchase of a new technology tool. DML will teach patrons how to research before they buy. Registration is required – limited spots remain.

John Lauer: Demon Heads
2024-11-20 11:00 - 18:00, 2024-11-21 11:00 - 18:00 | The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Drawing on fantasy, queer culture, and architecture, Lauer creates demon heads out of paper. Combining digital and manual techniques, he first models the heads with architectural software, converts them into patterns which he cuts out of paper with a digital cutter, then meticulously assembles them by hand. Inspired by natural forms—bones, leaves, shells—demons and horned creatures burst forth from more placid human heads merging into structures that are both intertwined and interdependent symbolizing an inner struggle in conflict with the outside world.
John Lauer is an artist and architectural/exhibit designer who lives in a treehouse on the edge of Appalachia. He has a BA in Architecture from Washington University, St. Louis, an MFA in Design from Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI, and an M.Arch from Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta.

CURTIS MANN: Precious Blood
2024-11-20 11:00 - 18:00, 2024-11-21 11:00 - 18:00 | The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
CURTIS MANN: Precious Blood

THE DR. ROBERT L. BRANDT JR. FAMILY GALLERY
THE IRA & SUSAN THOMSEN FAMILY GALLERY

SEP 6 – DEC 21, 2024

Dayton native, Curtis Mann, returns home to present an experimental new body of work inspired by reflections on his childhood attending Parochial schools, his mother’s Catholic funeral services this past May, and the challenges he faced hiding and then embracing his atheism. Using a mixture of personal family photographs, found, and AI-generated images, Mann has cut and affixed them to shards of glass to create sculptural collages. The work presents us with questions about what a photograph is, about the precarious space between the image and the object, and about the larger ideas of absolute faith, its teachings, and leaders. The work also serves as a love letter to his mother and his own feelings of mortality. Curated by Jeffrey Cortland Jones.
Mann is a graduate of the University of Dayton, where he worked under the mentorship of Sean Wilkinson, whose work is on view in the companion exhibition, Flora, also on view. His work has been exhibited widely, most notably at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, France; the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago.

OPENING NIGHT / SEP 6

Members Preview with the Artist 5-6 pm / Public Reception 6-8 pm

ARTIST TALK / NOV 22 / 6:30 pm

Curtis Mann and Sean Wilkinson in Conversation with artist and writer, Carmen Winant
Doors open 6 pm / Reception immediately following ‘til 8 pm / FREE & open to all / The Tank at The Dayton Arcade

SEAN WILKINSON: Flora
2024-11-20 11:00 - 18:00, 2024-11-21 11:00 - 18:00 | The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
SEAN WILKINSON: Flora

THE MITOSIS GALLERY

SEP 6 – DEC 21, 2024

Wilkinson’s ongoing series of photographs, Flora (2020-2024) are the artist’s response to the exuberant vitality of plants, their thrusting and thriving, their boundless energy and raw power, their elegance and grace, their constant changing, and their utter disregard for anything to do with the human world. Photographed over many seasons at Dayton’s Five Rivers MetroParks, Wilkinson brings attention to change, the overlooked, the undisturbed, and how profoundly meditative life can be. Curated by Jeffrey Cortland Jones.
Wilkinson is a Distinguished Service Professor and Professor Emeritus at the University of Dayton, where he served as chair of the Department of Visual Arts and as the Graul Endowed Chair in Arts and Languages. He is the recipient of several Ohio Arts Council and Montgomery County Fellowships among many other awards and prizes. His work has been widely exhibited and housed in over twenty-five significant collections.

OPENING NIGHT / SEP 6

Members Preview with the Artist 5-6 pm / Public Reception 6-8 pm

ARTIST TALK / NOV 22 / 6:30 pm

Curtis Mann and Sean Wilkinson in Conversation with artist and writer, Carmen Winant
Doors open 6 pm / Reception immediately following ‘til 8 pm / FREE & open to all / The Tank at The Dayton Arcade

Transgender Day of Remembrance
2024-11-20 19:00 | Sinclair Conference Center, 301 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, USA
We are very pleased to announce our Keynote speaker for Transgender Day of Remembrance 2024 is singer/songwriter, dancer, model, actor and activist, Laith Ashley. Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual event here in Dayton to honor those transgender and non-conforming individuals who lost their lives in 2024 due to violence. All too often these individuals are estranged from their families so it is altogether fitting that we honor them and celebrate the life lived. On November 20th at 7:00 pm at Sinclair Community College’s conference center we will read their names, and light a candle for these individuals. Additionally, Khris Goins, founder of Black Trans Men of Ohio will speak along with Judas, a 21 y.o. person, and Chrissy Ray, a trans-female and of course our keynote speaker, Laith Ashley

The CoSHOP Holiday Shopping
2024-11-21 | The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
The Contemporary Dayton’s CoSHOP gets a holiday refreshing of new handmade ornaments, cards, decor and all sorts of giftables from a selection of local artists and artisans. At the Nov. 21 Preview Party, enjoy shopping, browsing the current exhibitions, and light bites from Gather. 224-3822.

Holiday Greenery Crafting
2024-11-21 11:00 - 16:00 | Now and Zen DIY Studio, 121 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Stop in for a jolly good time with whimsical holiday plant projects, including terrarium snowmen, air plant ornaments, and more!
Thursdays through Sundays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. through Dec. 22

Travel Tips with Jan Austin
2024-11-21 17:00 - 19:00 | The Dayton Woman’s Club, 225 N Ludlow St, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Speaker Series:
Travel Tips with Jan Austin
11/21 from 5-7pm
Jan Austin, local owner and tour operator of Dayton’s Bee On the Go Travel, will tell us about 100 great travel destinations, plus the pros and cons of using a travel agent vs. booking everything yourself. Be ready to share your experiences!

Christmas and Holiday Decor Exchange
2024-11-21 18:30 - 20:00 | Dayton Metro Library – Main Library, 215 E. Third Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Preparing for the season with the same old decor? Bring in your old Christmas/winter/holiday decorations and swap with your neighbors for something new! For adults.

Vienna Boys Choir: Christmas In Vienna
2024-11-21 19:30 | Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
The illustrious group of child musicians has been delighting music lovers across the globe for six centuries with their purity of tone, distinctive charm and popular repertoire. The enormously popular chorus is composed of four touring choirs that hail from dozens of nations and together give over 300 concerts a year around the world. CHRISTMAS IN VIENNA showcases these gifted musicians with voices of unforgettable beauty in an extraordinary program featuring Austrian folk songs, classical masterpieces, popular songs, and, of course, holiday favorites. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram raves “There’s no more gratifying sound than that of children singing. And there’s no more polished ensemble of children’s voices than the Vienna Boys Choir.”
The Vienna Boys Choir is one of the most famous choirs in the world, and one of the oldest. Boys have been singing at Vienna’s Imperial Chapel since at least 1296. In 1498 Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I. established a Court Chapel in Vienna where he declared that there were to be boys among the singers, thus laying the foundation for the Vienna Boys Choir. Today, the former imperial ensemble is a private, non-profit organization with a primary and grammar school for 330 boys and girls between the ages of six and nineteen with a focus on choral music and singing. The Vienna Boys Choir’s education, listed by UNESCO as cultural heritage, is open to all, regardless of origin, gender, nationality, or religion.
The four boys’ choirs perform almost 300 concerts per year, with almost half a million people attending. Since 1924, the choirs have completed more than 1000 tours in 100 different countries, clocking up a staggering 29,000 concerts.
On Sundays, the choirs sing mass in Vienna’s Imperial Chapel with members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the men’s chorus of the Vienna State Opera. They have performed with orchestras led by conductors such as Joana Mallwitz, Zubin Mehta, Riccardo Muti, Christian Thielemann, Simone Young, and Franz Welser-Möst; and appear at the Salzburg Festival and at the New Year’s Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic.
The Vienna Boys Choir partners with UNICEF and several other charities. In 2023, the Choir celebrated its 525th anniversary. To mark the occasion, Deutsche Grammophon released a live album of the anniversary concert in Vienna’s Musikverein, Decca Classics released a box set of 21 CDs, and Böhlau released a book on the Choir’s history. In 2024, the Vienna Boys Choir and the Vienna Girls Choir jointly received the European Culture Award.
Erasmus Baumgartner has been serving as Artistic Director of the Vienna Boys Choir and the entire Campus Augarten since 2023. The Choir’s President is Erich Arthold.

Blues with Noah Wootherspoon & Eric Jerardi
2024-11-21 19:30 - 23:00 | The Brightside, 905 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402
We are excited about hosting Blues-centric evening with our friends Eric Jerardi and Noah Wotherspoon. These two locals are legendary! This is a must-see show for blues and live music fans alike. All ages are welcome! Join us on Thursday, November 21st at 7:30pm at The Brightside (905 E 3rd St, Dayton). Doors open 7pm / Show starts at 7:30pm General admission seated tickets are $25 advance / $30 at the door Tables with tickets included: 2 top VIP Table – $80 (includes 2 tickets close to stage) 2 top Bistro – $70 (includes 2 tickets) 4 top Tables – $140 (includes 4 tickets under cc holder’s name) 10 top Table – $300 (includes 10 tickets under cc holder’s name) All ages welcome! Drinks available to purchase. Outside food allowed (no outside drinks) Venue: The Brightside Music & Event Venue – 905 E 3rd St. Dayton, OH Venue info: www.thebrightsidedayton.com Tickets are available at link: https://www.venuepilot.co/events/118760/orders/new

Small but Mighty 2024
2024-11-22 | Dayton Society of Artists, 48 High Street, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
SMALL BUT MIGHTY 2024
NOVEMBER 1 – DECEMBER 14
SMALL BUT MIGHTY 2024 is the Dayton Society of Artists small works exhibition and holiday gift shop. All work is 12″ x 12″ or smaller and includes a wide variety of mediums and styles.
DSA will also have a gift shop full of original and handmade goods such as ornaments, cards, jewelry and more! So add a little wonder to your holiday season and visit the Dayton Society of Artists.
