Dayton Music Insider: Big Brews & Blues

Credit: Libby Ballengee

Credit: Libby Ballengee

Started to feel like summer this week, and the music scene is following suit. Lots of live shows, free shows, food trucks, and fun! Read on to find out where you can find the perfect show for you!

Friday May 19th

You know it's going to be a great weekend when it kicks off with one of Yellow Cab's Food Truck Rallies! Enjoy food trucks, free live music, local craft brews and tons of fun for the whole family! This week's live music is from Nasty Bingo, which is sweet! Rally starts at 5pm. Music from 7-9pm. Event ends at 10pm. Free admission. All ages.

Punk rock fans are in for a major treat Friday evening, with a special show to celebrate Joey Ramone's birthday! This is doubling as The Migraines 25th anniversary reunion, which is a 90s pop-punk from Fort Wayne, IN. Legbone, Bribing Senators, The Give-Ups, and FBS are also on this epic bill. Head over to Rockstar Pro Arena, 1106 E. Third St., Dayton, OH. All ages. (beer available w/ID) $8 pre-sale, $10 at the door. Tickets available at RockstarProArena.net/events

Credit: Libby Ballengee

Credit: Libby Ballengee

Floyd fans have been anticipating

's return to

.  This multi-million dollar tribute show includes songs from The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, The Wall and The Division Bell, as well as a special tribute to the Animals album, in its 40th anniversary year, with a show stopping rendition of ‘Dogs’.

Tickets for the Brit Floyd show range from $23.50-$49. Ticket prices include parking and are subject to applicable Ticketmaster fees and day of show increase. All events are rain or shine. Doors 7pm. Show 8pm.

Heading back downtown, in the Oregon District, Blues fans can enjoy 2 great local guitarists: Noah Wootherspoon at Oregon Express and Doug Hart at Trolley Stop. Sounds like a bar hoppin' Blues night to me! I thought I could only do that in Chicago, but this Friday night you can enjoy right here in Dayton! 9:30pm show start. $5 cover charges at each location. 21+

Credit: Libby Ballengee

Credit: Libby Ballengee

Also in the Oregon District, country fans will have fun with the

Band at Tumbleweed Connection. Be sure to check out Michelle's margarita sangria - YUM! 9:30pm-1:30am. 21+

Out in Yellow Springs, an absolutely awesome night of live music with improv rockers Subterranean at Peach's Grill. They just released their debut album "Loom" - which is getting rave reviews. Definitely swing by to see what all the buzz is about! 10pm. Free show!

Saturday May 20th

One of the "don't miss" events of the weekend is definitely

at Riverscape Metro Park. This 8th Annual event features live blues music, local cuisine, silent auction & a tasting of 60 all draught, all craft beers, focusing on Ohio

Credit: Libby Ballengee

Credit: Libby Ballengee

breweries and culminating American Craft Beer Week.

All proceeds benefit Diabetes Dayton, and this is their only fundraiser, so please show them some love! This group sends local diabetic kids to summer camp, and provide support to local diabetics. Ticket: $20 general admission, $35 Tasting Ticket presale, $40 Tasting Ticket at the door. VIP $50 (additional tastes +early entrance 4-5PM. NOTE VIP is not sold at the event) Visit event website for more information. Riverscape Metro Park. 4pm-9:30pm. 21+

Also downtown, another worthy benefit show: Benefit for Kayleigh! Kayleigh is an 11 year old girl from Cincinnati who had a brain tumor and then leukemia. She beat the brain tumor and very recently, her leukemia went into remission! Hooray! Funds are being raised to help her family with all the costs of this illness. This is an early show, and is a great pre-party for any of your weekend plans. Check out all the great musicians (below). Head over to the brand new Brightside Event & Music Venue for all the fun! Show from 6-10pm.

Credit: Libby Ballengee

Credit: Libby Ballengee

The lineup

6:00 Greg Mahan

6:30 Bettina Solas Stolsenberg

7:00 Matt Baumann

7:30 Pam Baugham

8:00 Eric Ballein

8:30 Kevin Milner

9:00 The American Landscape

A fun new band to check out from Columbus is The High Definitions, who are performing at Trolley Stop on Saturday night. They've got a bluesy hard rock feel, that I think a lot of you might like - especially as an after Big Blues & Brews show! 9:30pm. 21+ $5 cover.

Grateful Dead fans have two options for reliving their fave Dead tunes. Downtown, groove to Terrapin Moon at Jimmie's Ladder 11. 10pm-2am. $5 cover. 21+

Down south of town, at THE OLD CROW BAR in Middletown, you can catch The Schwag. Show 9pm. Tickets $10. 18+

Alternative fans, head over by Wright State for a sweet line up, including Grenades!?, Me & Mountains, and Swimming with Sharks, all performing at WO Wrights. Show 9pm. 18+ $5 cover.

Credit: Libby Ballengee

Credit: Libby Ballengee

There is a super fun show in Yellow Springs Saturday night with the

at Peach's Grill.

Relive Willard through the ages with performances by all three line-ups. Local bands Clemmer and A Shade of Red start off the night. 9pm.

Sunday May 21st

The Summer Singer Songwriter Series at Jimmie's Ladder 11, hosted by Brandon Hawk, continues this Sunday from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Chris Yakopcic, Joey Beach, and Simon Kingston are all performing. You can call to get reservations for the Acoustic Patio to listen to the show: (937) 424-1784.

Jazz fans – don't forget about the live jazz every single night of the week at Blue Note Bistro & Lounge in Miamisburg. It's a lush setting, with swanky live music. A great place for dates, or meeting up with friends!

As always, thank you for supporting live music!

Your Dayton Music Insider,
Libby Ballengee
Note to Readers:  The information above is for May 19th-21st, 2017. If I don’t list a price, I’m not sure what the price is. Typically cover charges for local shows are $5. Please click the hyperlinks to find out more about the bands, venues and events, including start times, directions, and ticket availability.   Check out the latest shows I’m promoting  @theVenusChild . You can keep up with my adventures on Instagram  here or follow me on Twitter  @LibbyBallengee Cheers!

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