when: Friday 22nd and 23rd March 7:45pm, Saturday 6:45pm
where: Nutter Center, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy., Dayton
detail: This event brings together outstanding bull riding talent from 30 cities in 20 states. Organizers say PBR will “bring high-energy sound, lighting, special effects, and seat excitement.”
Fee: $15-$105
More information: 937-775-4789 or ticketmaster.com
2. “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
when: Until March 31st. March 22, 23, 28, 29, and 30 at 8 p.m. 2pm on March 23rd, 24th, 30th, and 31st
where: Wright State University Creative Arts Center Festival Playhouse, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy., Dayton
detail: Joe Dear will direct and choreograph this outstanding production of composer William Finn and librettist Rachel Sheinkin's charming, hilarious and moving musical about six awkward spelling champions. Although the show has a double cast, you are sure to enjoy each character's unique performance and powerful vocals. Standout performers from the performances I attended included Claire Northcutt (Lonna Lisa Peretti), Sam Evans (Olive Ostrovsky), Aidan Edwards (Chip Tolentino), and James Newton ( William Burphy). Also, Ray Zap's colorful set design is beautifully complemented to enhance the mystique of Finn's wonderful ballad “The I Love You Song.”
Fee: $15-$25
More information: 937-775-2500 or liberal-arts.wright.edu/fine-and-performing-arts
Credit: Submitted photo
Credit: Submitted photo
3. Jeremy Camp
when: Friday, March 22nd 7:30pm
where: Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton
detail: Jeremy Camp has been one of the top names in Christian music since the release of his debut album “Burden Me” in 2000. He has won the GMA Dove Award five times and the ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Award four times. His latest single, “These Days,'' is the lead cut from his 14th studio album, “Deeper Waters,'' due out in May. Camp will perform with special guests Caleb and John. (Don Thrasher)
Fee: $39 to $59
More information: 937-228-3630 or daytonlive.org
4. Celtic tenor
when: Saturday, March 23rd 7:30pm
where: Schuster Center, 1 W. Second St., Dayton
detail: This program features classic arias, hauntingly beautiful Celtic harmonies, and popular contemporary songs.
Fee: $13.50-$88.50
More information: 937-228-3630 or www.daytonlive.org
5. “Ride the Cyclone”
when: Friday and Saturday, March 22 and 23, 7 p.m.
where: Blair Hall Theater, Building 2, Sinclair Community College, 444 W. Third St., Dayton.
detail: This funny and moving new musical by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell, directed by Chris Harmon, has become a sensation on TikTok. The story is about six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir who lost their lives in a freak accident on a roller coaster. When they wake up in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell a story to win a unique prize: a chance to return to life.
Fee: $15-$18
More information: sinclair.edu/tickets
Credit: Submitted photo
Credit: Submitted photo
6. Lone Star
when: Saturday, March 23rd, 7pm
where: Arbogast Performing Arts Center, 500 S. Dorset Road, Troy.
detail: Country group Lone Star was formed in Nashville by Texas immigrants in the early '90s. The band's self-titled debut was released in 1995 and set the stage for a hit-filled career. Since then, Lone Star has earned nine number one country singles and sold over 10 million records. Their latest single, a cover of Fleetwood Mac's “You Make Loving Fun,” was released on March 1st. (Don Thrasher)
Fee: $25-$65
More information: 937-418-8392 or arbogastpac.com
7. “Water”
when: Sunday, March 24th 5pm
where: The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St., Dayton
detail: This feature-length documentary film by Gary Beaver focuses on Ohio's water sources and what is being done to protect them for future generations. This one-time special preview of his will benefit the Little Miami Watershed Network. There will be a question and answer session after the screening.
Fee: $15
More information: 937-222-7469 or neonmovies.com
Credit: Erica Chambers Photography
Credit: Erica Chambers Photography
8. Local honey
when: Saturday, March 23rd, 8pm
where: Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St., Dayton
detail: Level Up Productions presents Local Honeys, the Kentucky-based Americana duo of Montana Hobbs and Linda Jean Stokely. Hobbs and Stokely mix down-home storytelling with modern updates of Appalachian music on albums like The Gospel (2019) and The Local Honeys (2022) . Local group Sam King & the Suspects will open the show. (Don Thrasher)
Fee: $15 in advance, $20 at the door
More information: new.oregonexpressdayton.com
9. “Guys and Dolls”
when: Until March 24th. Friday and Sunday lunch hours, and Friday through Sunday evenings.
where: La Commedia Dinner Theater, 765 W. Central Ave., Springboro.
detail: Playfully directed and energetically choreographed by Chris Beiser, this classic musical about romance and gambling returns to the La Comédie stage for the first time since 1986. The principals are Elliott Handkins (Skye Masterson), Emily Brennan (Sarah Brown), and Cole Fletcher (Nathan Detroit). and Alison Gabbert (Adelaide) are uniformly strong, particularly in Brennan's blissfully boozy “If I Were a Bell” and Gabbert's breezy, defiant “Adelaide's Lament.” Brilliant tenor Paul Hernandez is also notable for his outstanding rendition of “Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat.”
Fee: $70-$79
More information: 937-746-4554 or visit lacommedia.com
10. Matthias Krumm
when: Sunday March 24th 3pm
where: Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton
detail: Photographer, cinematographer and director Matthias Krumm will give a talk and introduce photography from around the world. He has undertaken projects and expeditions all over the world, from Malaysia to Antarctica and everywhere in between. His work has been featured in major publications such as The New York Times and his BBC Wildlife.
Fee: $25-$45
More information: 937-228-3630 or daytonlive.org