Classical Becomes Cool

Here is my live music roundup for the weekend. There's lots of fun to be had, so don’t miss out!

Thursday, April 23

Credit: Libby Ballengee

Credit: Libby Ballengee

I don't know about you, but I'm ready to start this weekend now! There is no better way to do that then getting over to Blind Bob's for an awesome line up of live music. Coming all the way from Los Angeles, The Woggles are headlining, supported by local favorites The Loveless , Magic Jackson and SWARM . The Woggles' sound is a mix of 60's rock'n'roll, rhythm & blues and surf rock -- you know, the stuff you love on vintage vinyl. Their live shows have been described by the Village Voice as "a dance party rave-up that could melt Dick Clark's face off." Now how fun does this sound? Show starts at 8 p.m. with $8 cover, a total steal for this lineup!

Thursday is also Mick Montgomery's birthday! He is so renowned for his prolific work in the Dayton music scene, we named a street after him ! On behalf of Dayton music fans, we wish you a rockin' one Mick! Cheers!

Friday, April 24

Downtown in the Oregon District, there are always great options on hand, including Noah Wotherspoon at Oregon Express. Noah became locally famous at young age for being a blues child prodigy. Coming home after winning the Best Guitarist Award at the 2015 International Blues Challenge is going to be a real treat! Show starts at 9:30 p.m.

Credit: Libby Ballengee

Credit: Libby Ballengee

If you're in the UD area, stop by Jimmie's Ladder 11 for a sweet show with the bands Old News and Salvadore Ross. The latter is starting off the evening, with their fuzz-inspired psychedelic rock, and the former will be playing very listenable original alternative folk. Enjoy!

Yellow Springs folks are in for a terrific night of music starting with Trey Stone and the Ringers at Emporium at 7 p.m. They play what I like to call "good mood music" and are comprised of an extremely talented group of musicians. If that gets you warmed up, then head over to Peach's for the hometown band Emma Woodruff and The Ruffians at 10 p.m.

Country fans in town should head to Oddbody's Music Room which has country star cutie Chris Lane coming to town, supported by local special guests Ashley Martin and Red Nektar. This is an 18+ event, $15 DoS. Doors at 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 25

For those of you that aren't the late-night types or have kids in tow, check out Todd the Fox at the Sugar Maple Festival in Bellbrook at 2:30 p.m. He's highly entertaining and will be a daytime treat!

The outskirts of town have acoustic bands in store for Saturday evening, both starting at 7:30 p.m.: The Dayton Mandolin Orchestra performing at the  First Presbyterian Church in Yellow Springs for FREE. Donations are accepted at the door. Rum River Blend  will take the stage at Troy's Mayflower Arts Center Theatre, delighting fans with traditional bluegrass, folk, and roots music.

Credit: Libby Ballengee

Credit: Libby Ballengee

Dayton Encore! – a group dedicated to introducing the fine arts to young professionals in Dayton – is hosting a lovely evening of classical culture. Starting with a pre-show mixer at Dublin Pub from 5:30-7:30, this is a great way to meet other YPs and enjoy this newly renovated bar. The group will then head over to the Schuster Center for Dayton Philharmonic's treasured performances of Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor and Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. These are some of the greatest classical pieces ever written and a great opportunity to get amazing seats at discounted prices! Performance starts at 8 p.m. For ticket information here . (Remember to wish a Happy 20th Anniversary to conductor Neal Gittleman !)

If this is all much too slow of a pace for you, don't worry. Metal fans will be over at the Rock Star Pro Arena for Victory Heights , a hardcore band from Denver, supported by Miami deathcore band Neurotic November , with additional supporting acts. Rock fans will be at Oregon Express to see local faves  Shotgun Surprise. And alternative/indie rockers will be loving the  Grenades?!, Playfully Yours and Nashville's  Pilot Rouge  show at Blind Bob's. (Love that Playfully Yours covers " She Drives Me Crazy" -- one of my guilty pleasures!)

Sunday, April 26

Credit: Libby Ballengee

Credit: Libby Ballengee

Couldn't make the Saturday Dayton Philharmonic show with Dayton Encore? Don't worry, there is an

amazing

opportunity to take part on Sunday. The

is offering

for young professionals for the 3 p.m. Sunday performance at the Schuster Center. Not only is this show free, but the tickets are front and center! Can’t get any better than that! The music, Gubaidulina: The Mystic, is very contemporary, and perfect for a new, young audience. Call

and mention “Encore!” for to take advantage of this awesome offer!

If you enjoy the Dayton Encore performances this weekend, sign up for their young professional's series subscription for the 2015-2016 series that is on sale now! It's $150 for 6 performances, including great seats for all three art forms: Dayton Ballet, Dayton Opera and the Dayton Philharmonic. Price includes the cost of the pre-performance receptions, excluding beverages. There is a limited quantity available, so get these quickly! For tickets call Maeda Thompson at 228-3630 x3222.

As always, thank you for supporting the live music scene in Dayton. Cheers!

Your Dayton Music Insider,

Libby Ballengee

Note to Readers:   This lineup is for April 23-26, 2015. Please click the links to find out detailed information about the bands, venues and events, including start times, directions and pricing. I try to link band names with samples of their music. Always check with the venue about start times and ticket availability. As you can see, I try to promote as many shows as possible, but there will be some I miss. Keep me in the loop:  @LibbyBallengee

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