May 3 First Friday: Moms & Grads Edition

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

April 26, 2024, DAYTON, Ohio – May is a time for celebration! Whether you’re raising up the moms in your life or reveling recent grads, there’s no better way to kick off the fun than at First Friday in downtown Dayton! See a snapshot of all of the excitement downtown Dayton has to offer as you explore unique gifts from independent retailers, raise a toast at your favorite Happy Hour patio celebration, indulge in the menus of downtown’s delicious eateries, and take in art and live performances at downtown’s signature galleries, museums, and theaters.

Want to see what it’s like to live downtown? Join us later this month for the Downtown Housing Tour, presented by AES Ohio! Take a look inside some of the hottest housing options in downtown Dayton, explore essential community resources, take a guided walking tour of shopping, breweries, ghost stories, and more, and ask our “Resident Experts” all of your burning questions about what it’s really like to live downtown! The Downtown Housing Tour, presented by AES Ohio, is happening from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 11. More information and registration for guided walking tours is available now!

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.

ART, DANCE, MUSIC, AND FILM

• The Black Box Improv, 518 E. Third St.: Take in comedy from local improv group Low Hanging Fruit followed by a special show. For tickets and other information, visit DaytonBlackBoxImprov.com
• The Brightside, 905 E. Third St.: Join us for this very special fundraiser for our local NPR station: WYSO 91.3 FM. This show features Snarls, Jess Lamb & The Factory with special guest Siri Imani, and Dos.Grandiose. All ages welcome! Show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets available in advance and at the door.
• Corner Kitchen, 613 E. Fifth St.: Enjoy live music on the patio 8-10 p.m. every First Friday! Parking validated with $20 purchase.
• Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North: Visit the latest exhibitions, “Telling Stories: World Literature in Art,” “Hand-Colored Photographs,” “Captivating Clay: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics from the Horvitz Collection,” and “The Artistic Life of Aka Pereyma.” Open until 5 p.m. on Friday.
• Dayton Peace Museum, 10 N. Ludlow St.: Maggie Paxson’s Bomb Shelter Café is a sing-along event inspired by the music of embattled communities of the Holocaust and WWII. Live music and storytelling 5:30 – 8 p.m.
• Dayton Society of Artists, 48 High St.: The Dayton Society of Artists welcomes you to the annual spring juried exhibition, “PERSON PLACE THING.”
• Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave., 937-224-7822: Live music at the Dublin Pub! Stop by for a pint and listen to live music for Irish First Fridays. Free Juke Box Friday from 6-7 p.m., Happy Hour from 3-6pm; music by Dulahan starting at 8:30 pm.
• Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 222 N. St. Clair St.: Join us for an exhibition featuring several paintings by artist Marilynn Page, featuring a performance by the Dayton Dance Initiative. Light refreshments will be provided.
• Front Street, 1001 E. Second St.: Explore studios, galleries, shops and boutiques! This month the Front Street Gallery proudly welcomes artist, writer and educator, Timothy Wells and his solo show “Squiggle Conversates.” Grab a bite and enjoy live music in the courtyard. Arthops are family- and pet-friend and always free to attend! Visit frontstreet.art for more information.
• The Human Race Theatre Company, 126 N. Main St., 3rd floor: See “PEERLESS,” a dark, witty, comtemporary rift on “MACBETH” at the Loft Theatre at 8 p.m.. Tickets start at $10!
• 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 See the full schedule online: neonmovies.com. Also enjoy beer and cocktail specials during First Friday, and you can purchase a DORA drink at the Neon to walk around downtown Dayton’ Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area before or after the show.
• 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!
• Skeleton Dust Records, 133 E. Third St.: See works from local photographer, Fea Fotos, on display through April and May.
• 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

• Dayton Beer Company, 41 Madison St.: Get $2 off DBC pints from 3-5p.m.! Dragons Pre-Game Special: $4 DBC Core Beers 6-7 p.m.!
• Jimmy John’s, 220 N. Main St.: The Caprese Salami Pesto is back and also available as a wrap! For dessert, enjoy the new Lemon Berry Cobbler Cookie!
• 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 & Same Same Margaritas along with $2 off dips! Now taking reservations and catering orders!
• Moeller Brew Barn, 416 E. First St.: It’s a Party on the Patio! Enjoy specialty cocktails, beer, crafted grilled & smoked food. Join us pre-and-post games on the Patio. Open 11am-11pm. Happy hour 11am-5pm with $5 pints!
• Mudlick Tap House, 135 E. Second St., (937) 895-4066: 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.
• Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St., 937-223-9205: 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.
• 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.
• Table 33 Dayton, 130 W. Second St.: Fridays are wine night at Table 33, with $3.33 wine pairings with any entree.
• 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.: New menu launch, every first Friday! Try all 6 drinks on the new menu and get a free shirt! You have all month to collect all 6 drinks on the punch card.

SPECIAL SHOPPING DEALS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

• After5, 111 E. Third St.: Mention First Friday at checkout to take 20% off of your total purchase!
• Choice Juice Boxx, 31 S. St. Clair St.: Spend $50 at Varsity House to receive 10% off from your Choice Juice Boxx purchase.
• 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.
• Day Air Ballpark, 220 N. Patterson Boulevard: The Dayton Dragons take on the West Michigan White Caps! First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
• Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St.: Check out Dayton’s largest tattoo party! Featuring hundreds of professional artists and tens of thousands of tattoo options. A one-day pass is $10 and a weekend pass is $20.
• Dayton Metro Library, 215 E. Third St.: ESL Classes (English Classes) take place in the Opportunity Space every Monday and Friday, from 4:30-5:30 PM. New Americans are invited to take part in this free program that is taught in 3 different levels. For more information, contact the Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665.
• 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.
• 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.: Moms and Grads will be blessed with Buy One Get One 40% off this First Friday.
• Square One Salon and Spa, 506 E. Third St.: Calling All Curls! Try the new Aveda Be Curly Advanced Haircare and get 20% off Wavy, Curly, or Coily Blowouts. Or try our Exfoliating Skin Event for $75. Includes a special gift!
• 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.: When you shop this women’s clothing boutique in the St. Clair Lofts on First Friday, you can take 25% off your entire purchase! Spend $100 or more and receive a free $25 gift card.
• Water Street District, 210 N. Patterson Blvd.: Enjoy free fun with live performances, raffles, outdoor games, inflatables, free goodies, and more! Happening from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. before the Dayton Dragons game.
• Wild Whiskers, 33 S. St. Clair St.: New specials for May! Buy 2 bags of Vital Essentials Freeze-dried mini nibs, get 1 free! $3 off Himalayan Yak Cheese Chews, $5 off Vital Essentials frozen beef tripe, $2 off West Paw Rumbl, Tizzi, and Tux durable toys, get $2 off 5lb and $5 off 25lb bags of Firstmate, up to $4 off Gunni’s Cod treats, and $2 off select Skout’s Honor Products.

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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