Top 10 things to do this week

1) “CIRCUS 1903”

Before the invention of television and before movies were big business, one of the major entertainment spectacles was the circus. The producers of the successful magic show, “The Illusionists,” are recreating that experience with “Circus 1903.”

Victoria Theatre Association presents this Premier Health Broadway Series production at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, Tuesday through Sunday, June 13-18. The program, subtitled "The Golden Age of Circus," features a cast of strongmen, contortionists, acrobats and other performers plus puppetry from Significant Object.

Show times are 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Sunday with 2 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday. Cost: Tickets start at $30. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

>> 20 fun (and FREE) things to do with the kids this summer

2) JOHN LEGEND

John Legend hasn't called Springfield home since he went away to attend the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1990s, but we'll still proudly claim him as one of the region's most successful musical exports. The singer, born John Roger Stephens, has sold more than 8-million albums, won 10 Grammy Awards and an Academy Award. His fifth studio album, "Darkness and Light," was released in December. Legend performs with special guest Gallant at Rose Music Center, 6800 Executive Blvd., Huber Heights, at 7 p.m. Monday, June 12. Cost: $62-$102. Call 937-228-2323 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

>> QUIZ: How much do you really know about this local LEGEND?

3) YELLOW SPRINGS STREET FAIR

Downtown Yellow Springs will once again be overrun with street performers, vendors, artists, musicians and patrons when the Yellow Springs Street Fair and Music & Beer Fest return to the village on Saturday, June 10. The spring edition of the twice-yearly event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while the Music & Beer Fest runs from noon to 7 p.m. Cost: Free. Offsite parking with free shuttle service at Yellow Springs High School and Young's Jersey Dairy. Call 937-767-2686 or visit www.yellowspringsohio.org.

>> The insider’s guide to the Yellow Springs Street Fair

4) WOMEN OF SONG

For "Women of Song," the final SuperPops Series concerts of the season, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra is tapping into the vast history of female singers. The concerts are presented at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 9 and 10. The diverse program includes songs such as Aretha Franklin's "Think," "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me," by Dusty Springfield, Barbara Streisand's "Don't Rain on My Parade," "Chandelier" by Sia and Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats." Cost: $13-$79. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

5) JEWISH CULTURAL FEST

The Jewish Cultural Festival returns to Temple Israel, 130 Riverside Drive, Dayton, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 11. The seventh annual event features educational programs, vendors, games, live music, open-air market, food and kosher craft beer. Jewish dishes are available from vendors such as El Meson, Pasha Grill, Smokin' Bar-B-Que and Bernstein's Catering. Performers include IndyKlez, the Miami Valley Music Men, the Boxcar Suite and the Shimmy Cats. Cost: Free. Call 937-496-0500 or visit www.tidayton.org.

>> What to know about the Jewish Cultural Fest

6) CHALK ABOUT IT

Since 1995, Life Essentials has been providing professional services to promote and enhance the quality of life for local seniors and people with mental illness. To help raise financial support for that ongoing mission, the local organization is hosting Chalk About It, its third annual fundraising chalk art festival at The Greene, 4452 Buckeye Lane, Beavercreek, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 10. Cost: Free. Proceeds benefit Life Essentials. Call 937-586-0545 or visit http://lifeessentials.org.

>> NEW DETAILS: Dayton’s newest gamer bar & café reveals plans

7) GRIFFIN HOUSE

Many modern acts prefer to perform on weekends and stay home through the week when show attendance can be low. Not Griffin House. The singer-songwriter from Springfield is taking an old school approach. He recently launched his latest tour, which will see him hitting the road for about four weeks. The Springfield Arts Council's Summer Arts Festival begins a new season of programming with a performance by House at Turner Pavilion, Veteran's Park, 250 Cliff Park Road, Springfield, at 8 p.m. Friday, June 9. Cost: Free. Other concerts on the festival schedule include the Springfield Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, June 11, and Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers on June 29. Visit www.springfieldartscouncil.org.

>> MORE: Griffin House to open Summer Arts Festival

8) DISNEYANA EXPO

Each year at this time, collectors of Walt Disney memorabilia will descend on the Gem City to buy, sell and trade a wide variety of items during the Dayton Disneyana Expo. The Dayton Plane Crazy Chapter of the Disneyana Fan Club presents its annual gathering of Disney collectors at the Holiday Inn, 2800 Presidential Drive, Fairborn, Friday through Sunday, June 9-11. This year's special guests are Mike Peraza and Patty Peraza. The expo opens at 1 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Cost: Adults $10 per day or $15 for two-day passes. Free for children 17 and younger with a paying adult. Early-bird admission is $30. Visit www.daytondisneyana.org.

9) YELLOW CAB MUSIC

Yellow Cab Bldg., 700 E. Fourth St., Dayton has a busy weekend with two big shows. GemFest 2017, at 8 p.m. Friday, June 9, is a fundraiser for SICSA. Todd the Fox, McGuff & the Dumpster Fires and Stella's Demise will be covering songs from the 1980 and 1990s. Cost: $5. All proceeds benefit SICSA. On Saturday, June 10, Cincinnati bands the Harlequins and Leggy will perform at Yellow Cab with Dayton's own Oh Condor and Columbus-based Dayton expats Brat Curse. Show time is 8 p.m. Cost: $7 in advance, $10 at the door. Visit www.yellowcabtavern.com.

>> The best places to enjoy live, local music in Dayton

10) BANANA SPLIT FEST

There's some serious debate over where the banana split was invented. Was it Ohio or Pennsylvania? The mild controversy hasn't stopped the folks in Wilmington from celebrating the creation of the dessert for more than two decades. The 23rd annual Banana Split Festival returns to downtown Wilmington on Friday and Saturday, June 9 and 10, with food vendors, games, a car show, eating contest, baseball tournament and live music from Crossroad Station, Lauren Kelly, Smoooth, Sawgrass, Flashback and others. Festival hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Cost: Free. Visit www.bananasplitfestival.com.

>> 10 ways to eat your way through June

About the Author