Top 10 things to do this week

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

It’s Halloween in Dayton two weeks in a row. We’ve got the scoop on some early Halloween celebrations right here ...

>> You don’t have to wait until Halloween for Halloween

Plus a whole lotta other fun things to do:

1) DAYTON OPERA

Gian Carlo Menotti was 11 years old when he wrote his first opera. The Italian-born playwright, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner, went on to produce more than two dozen works, including “The Consul” and “Amahl and the Night Visitors.”

Dayton Opera will be joined by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra to present “The Consul” at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, on Friday and Sunday, Oct. 20 and 22. Featured performers include Kara Shay Thomson, Cindy Sadler, Tyler Alessi and Layna Chianakas.

Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $24-$94. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

2) MASQUERAGE

"Lost Worlds" is the theme of Masquerage 2017, the annual ARC Ohio benefit. Since 2002, the event has raised more than $1,250,000 while also raising awareness of prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Masquerage returns to the Round House at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 1043 S. Main St., Dayton, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. Cost: Advance tickets are $65 general admission, $150 Red Ribbon Lounge. Tickets at the door are $75 general admission, $175 Red Ribbon Lounge. Visit www.masquerage.org.

>> What to expect at Masquerage 2017

3) PHILHARMONSTER

For the Dayton Philharmonic's annual PhilharMonster concert, maestro Neal Gittleman has created a live playlist with compositions of suspense and horror. The Family Series Halloween program, at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, features selections such as "Harry's Wondrous World" by John Williams, Robert Wendel's "Poltergeist Polka" and Overture from "Candide" by Leonard Bernstein. Cost: $14-$22. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

>> The best Halloween events for kids

4) ALTON BROWN

Alton Brown is known for his fascination with food but he has always spent a lot of time out of the kitchen. He is the best-selling author of nearly a dozen books, such as "I'm Just Here for the Food" and "EveryDay Cook," and hosted long-running television programs like "Good Eats" and "Iron Chef America." Brown also hosts a podcast and travels for live appearances. The celebrity foodie is currently on the road in the live, multimedia presentation, "Alton Brown Live: Eat Your Science," stopping at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24. Cost: $30-$85. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

5) ALE-O-WEEN

Each year at this time, the Ohio Craft Brewers Assoc. hosts an autumn beer event. Ale-O-Ween, formerly known as Dia de las Cervezas, is presented at The Steam Plant, 617 E. Third St., Dayton, from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. Ale-O-Ween features 30 craft beers from the Buckeye State. Cost: $40 in advance, includes souvenir glass and 20 tasting tickets for four-ounce samples. $15 designated driver tickets. Proceeds benefit the Ohio Craft Brewers Assoc. Visit www.ohiocraftbeer.org.

>> What to know before you go to Ale-O-Ween

6) ODDBODY’S MUSIC

This weekend, Oddbody's Music Room, 5418 Burkhardt Road, Dayton is hosting two very different rock bands that have been performing since the 1980s. Punk rock band DRI, which formed in Houston, Texas, in 1982, performs with Kaustik, at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20. The group's latest release is the EP, "But Wait … There's More" (2016). Doors open at 5 p.m. Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Living Colour, the rock band behind the Grammy-winning 1988 hit "Cult of Personality," performs Oddbody's at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. "Shade," the group's sixth studio album," was released in early September. Doors open at 7 p.m. Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Call 937-813-4272 or visit www.oddbodys.com.

>> See Living Colour in Dayton

7) MYSTIC INDIA

"Mystic India: The World Tour" is based on the concept of ancient India's transition into modern India. This internationally acclaimed Bollywood dance spectacular, currently touring the United States, features musicians, dancers and acrobats outfitted in opulent costumes. "Mystic India" is presented at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26. Cost: $25-$60. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

8) MIKE PARAMORE

Mike Paramore started his comedy career in Cleveland but he fine-tuned his act on the road. After honing his skills from Spokane, Wash. to Miami, Fla., he went on to be the grand-prize winner at the 2015 Cleveland Comedy Festival. Paramore has continued his hard-touring approach. The Ohio native is currently on the road doing a mix of college dates and comedy club gigs, including shows at Wiley's Comedy Joint, 101 Pine St., Dayton, on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20 and 21. Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and 7:15 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday. Cost: $20. Call 937-224-5653 or visit www.wileyscomedy.com.

9) BREWS AND BLUES

For the second year, self-described folkadelic band Nasty Bingo is hosting the autumn event, Brews and Blues. The showcase of homegrown music and craft beer is presented at Yellow Cab Bldg., 700 E. Fourth St., Dayton, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. For this show, billed as Nasty Bingo & Friends, the local group will be joined by special guests Gary King, Miss Lissa & Co., Gary Williams, Rite of Venus and Rachel Litteral. Cost: $10. Visit www.yellowcabtavern.com.

10) VINE & CANVAS

The upcoming presentation of Vine & Canvas, the wine tasting series at Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton, is focused on a very different type of spirit. "We've Got What You Mead," in DAI's Shaw Gothic Cloister at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, features a variety of handcrafted wine-style meads and Middle West spirits by Columbus-based Brothers Drake Meadery. Cost: Advance tickets are $30 for DAI members, $35 nonmembers. All tickets $40 at the door. "Bring on the Bubbly," the next installment of Vine & Canvas, is November 17. Call 937-223-4ART (4278) or visit www.daytonartinstitute.org.

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