A No. 1 New York Times bestseller, “The Wright Brothers” is the dramatic story of the Dayton duo who changed the course of history with powered flight. Known as America’s historian, author David McCullough is a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
The Dayton Metro Library’s discussions focus on the book, the author, his research and Dayton’s role in the Wright Brothers’ success. These gatherings are free and open to the public.
Upcoming discussions in March include a 3 p.m. p.m. discussion on Thursday, March 16 at the Burkhardt branch in Dayton; a 6:30 p.m. get-together on Monday, March 27 at the Miami Township branch; a 7 p.m. discussion on Monday, March 27 at the Trotwood branch and a discussion at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 30 at the West Carrollton branch.
For April's events, times and locations, visit DaytonMetroLibrary.org or call (397) 463-BOOK.
RELATED: More to know about David McCullough and “The Wright Brothers”
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Exhibit of Cuban Paintings in Troy
A special exhibit focusing on Cuban art has just opened at The Troy-Hayner Cultural Center, 301 W. Main St. in Troy and will be on display through April 30.
“Arte Cubano 2016” features a collection of contemporary paintings from Baracoa, Cuba. The show includes work by the Tiberacón group, an organization led by master artist and instructor Guillermo Orlando Piedra Labañino. The mission is to promote Baracoan culture and art in the communities surrounding Baracoa.
For more information, see www.troyhayner.org or call (937) 339-0457.
“The Addams Family” on stage at Stivers
Stivers School for the Arts, Dayton’s public arts magnet school, will present its spring musical, “The Addams Family Musical,” the weekend of March 17-19.
The show will feature “a live student orchestra, spooky special effects and an unforgettable cast of characters.” Last year’s spring musical at Stivers, “Bye Bye Birdie,” earned 19 “High School Daytony Awards” including Outstanding Musical Production, Ensemble Performance, Direction and Musical Direction.
Performances for this year’s musical are at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 19. The show is directed by Paula Powell, Director of Choirs at Stivers.
New gallery hosts reception
A new retail gallery, “The ARTery at Front Street: Gifts and Art from the Heart,” will host a free wine-and-appetizer reception from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 19, as part of the Third Sunday art hop in Downtown Dayton.
The ARTery, which bills itself as the largest community of artists and artisans in the history of the Dayton area, features local artwork, paintings, photography, pottery, collage, sculpture, 3-D art, handmade gifts and crafts.
The gallery is located near the Front Street real estate office on the 3rd floor of the B/C entrance at the very end of the hall. Many of the artists will be there and artwork will have special prices for the grand opening.
RELATED: A first look at the ARTery
“Ragtime” auditions slated
The Dayton Playhouse will hold open auditions for the musical “Ragtime” at 7 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, March 13 and 14 . According to the folks at the Playhouse, this is the first time the Tony-nominated musical is being produced by a community theater in our area. Production dates are May 5-21, 2017.
The show, set in turn-of-the-century New York, tells the stories of an upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician – all three united by their desire and belief in a brighter tomorrow.
The musical, which requires a large and diverse cast, includes parts for include all ages, types and ethnicities. It will be directed by Matthew Smith, with musical director, Ron Kindell and choreographers, Nabachwa Ssensalo-Harris and Michael Shepherd. Auditions are “open call” so no appointments are necessary but those auditioning are being asked to prepare a one-minute selection from a contemporary musical theater song — not “Ragtime” —and bring along sheet music in your key.
The Dayton Playhouse is located at 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave, Dayton. For more details, check out http://wordpress.thedaytonplayhouse.com/auditions/
Dayton native produces webseries
“Spring Street,” a new YouTube web series produced by Dayton’s David Beck, will premiere March 17.
We’ve written about Beck, whose film “For Francis,” premiered in Dayton and played at festivals worldwide. It has also been used to teach diversity and acceptance in public schools.
David was born and raised in Dayton, attended Immaculate Conception and St. Charles schools and Alter High School. His parents, Julie and Greg, reside in Kettering.
Beck says this new show “examines love in all shades; at the same time dissecting the disease of addiction and the hope of recovery in a frank, empathetic way.” The story, which will be told in nine parts this spring, revolves around a piano teacher’s life in New York City, his heroin-addicted pregnant sister and a new student with a duplicitous past.
RELATED: Taking a closer look at David Beck’s past work
“The song we used for the trailer, “How About You,” is a cover of a classic jazz song, sung by Meg Cavanaugh — a Dayton native who went to Alter High School with me,” writes Beck. “We recorded it in her studio in London, England where she now lives.”
Beck says this isn’t your typical love story. His non-profit company, “The Great Griffin,” aims to breakdown gender and LGBTQ stereotypes through new media, cinema, and theater. For more information: www.springstreetseries.com.
Teen photo contest announced
“Selfie” is the newest category in the Montgomery County Teen Photo Contest sponsored by the Dayton Metro Library. Students in grades 7-12 can also enter in three other categories including Black & White, Color and Digitally Enhanced.
Entries will be accepted through March 31. Cash prizes, courtesy of the Friends of the Library, will be awarded in each category: $100 first place, $75 second place, $50 third place.
“Judges will select the finalists in each category based on general quality and creativity, then the winners will be determined by popular vote on our website,” says Steve Moser, Teen Services Coordinator,
To enter, email photos as attachments to smoser@daytonmetrolibrary.org. In the body of the email, entrants must include their name, address, phone number, email address, school, grade, photo title and the category they are entering. Print 8x10” entries can be dropped off at any Dayton Metro Library location. For more information, visit DaytonMetroLibrary.org or call (937) 463-BOOK and ask for Steve Moser, Teen Services Coordinator.
Helen Welch in concert
The Miami Valley Community Concert Association presents Helen Welch in concert at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, at the Performing Arts Center at Centerville High School.
Welch, a native of England, is well known in the UK for her musical theatre roles and one-woman shows. Her concerts turn the spotlight on The First Ladies of Song including Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland and Karen Carpenter.
Tickets are $30 for adults, $5 for students 1st grade through college. Tickets can be purchased at the door, online at www.mvcconcert.org, or by calling (937) 938-1109 or (937) 297-0463.
REACH a success
The recent REACH Across Dayton conference at Sinclair Community College on Feb. 24 attracted a record crowd —430 signed up. Keynote speaker at the daylong event was Beverly Rodgers, who spoke about the Native Peoples of this land and the pressures they’ve faced — including loss of language and culture.
The conference aims to share information about diverse cultures and traditions, and to bridge the local Appalachian and African-American communities with song, art and discussion. Participants attended panel discussions, musical concerts, art sessions and hands-on workshops. “Dr. Rodgers was most informational – gained total different view of native Americans,” wrote one attendee. Wrote another: “I gained so much knowledge about things I knew nothing about.”
Each week arts writer Meredith Moss shares information about the people and events making arts news in our region.
If you have news you’d like to share, contact Meredith: MMoss@ coxohio.com
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