Dayton's music is rooted in love

One of the beautiful ways to do that is by attending "Rooted in Love" - a benefit to help support a breast cancer patient in Dayton. That event, among many others, reminds me that this scene is at it's roots, comes from a place of love. Let's get back to that place, shall we?

Kicking off the weekend's festivities is Shades of Purple: A Tribute to Prince at Clash Dayton, in the Oregon District. The evening starts early at 5 p.m., and runs through 10 p.m. They plan to celebrate Prince's life and music with various musical performances and artists, including DJ Dustie Pitstick, Kyleen Downes, Gray McClary, Steve Zax, and Dave Berry. This is a free all ages event but they are accepting donations for Drug Treatment and Awareness. Please note that the outdoor musical performances are weather permitting.

Another budget friendly way to enjoy live music and the great outdoors is by attending one of Riverscape's free shows. This evening Kick-n-Flava is performing as part of the R&B Hot Summer Music Series. This is a super fun way to enjoy downtown, and early enough to be a pre-game for other events. Show is from 7:30-9:30 p.m. This is all ages show. Free admission.

I'm excited to see Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle back in town tonight! They are a highly entertaining Americana / folk band from Cincinnati, that audiences across the musical spectrum truly enjoy. You can catch them at Oregon Express at 9 p.m., with special guests ONA opening. $5 cover at the door. 21+

Another great band in that similar style, but more of a bluegrass feel, is performing down the street at

. Swing by around 9:30 p.m. to catch

perform. These guys are pros, and know how to get a bar hoppin'! 21+

Alternative Rock fans are stoked for the show at Blind Bob's featuring Bribing Senators, The Story Changes, and Move Home. If you haven't yet checked these bands out, and you like rock'n'roll, this is a very solid show. 9:30 p.m. $5 cover. 21+

The final battle for the Summer Slaughter Tour 2016, which is a huge annual metal tour. Our Final Prayer, Engraved Darkness, Eyes On Orion, Right Way to Nowhere, Shores of Elysium are all battling it out at Oddbody's Music Room. This is the "don't miss" event for metal fans in the area! Doors 5:30 p.m. Show 6 p.m. Tickets $20. 18+

Heading out of the Dayton area, you can catch The Doug Hart Band and Tyler Cochran Trio rocking out at Oscar's Bar & Grill in Vandalia. Show starts at 9 p.m. and is $5 at the door. And west of town in Eaton, genuine country artist Jim Burns takes the stage from 8-11 p.m. at Taffy's.

Saturday, June 11th

The aforementioned Rooted in Love Benefit is happening at Trolley Stop this afternoon from 2-6 p.m. This is an all ages benefit concert aimed at raising funds to help a local family offset the mounting financial challenges that come with diagnosed with breast cancer. Live music can be enjoyed from Jakob Freely, Al Holbrook, Skilless Villains and A Different Blue. All donations will be accepted at the door as well as several donation buckets throughout the venue.The Trolley Stop has been very generous in donating 10% of all sales from the entire day to this event so please come early, stay late, and feast upon the culinary delicacies that the Trolley Stop has to offer!

Afterwards, you can wheel on down to see Gray McClary playin' Plastic Blues at Fifth Street Brew Pub in the biergarten from 7-10 p.m. Great food and beer - can't go wrong here!

Some really spectacular events are happening this evening, starting with beloved local band

at the Old Yellow Cab Building. Fans have been waiting a long time for this album,, to come out, so a major celebration is in order!

will also be performing, as well as an exhibit of the amazing photography of Jennifer Taylor, Chris Corn, and Bill Cunningham. Food will be available from

.  Doors 8 p.m. Show 9 p.m. $7 at the door.

I'm also excited to see Paleface back in town, and performing at Blind Bob's. Paleface and Mo are a dynamic duo who remind me a bit of The White Stripes, but with their own unique style. They are from North Carolina, but are adopted locals, so show them some love! Seriously, the Avett Brothers and Beck are big fans, so that's tellin' ya something! They are performing with Speaking Suns, Elroy Meltzer, and The Flesh Pets. 9:30 p.m. 21+

Also in the District, you can catch Whiskey for Kids perform 2 sets at Oregon Express. They have such a wild mix of instruments, from a Glockenspiel to a ukele! Fun times! $5 at the door. 10 p.m.

Indie Rock group Rev Gusto is making a stop in Dayton from their home town of Kansas City. They are sharing the stage with local rockers Forage at South Park Tavern. Fans of the old school Dayton indie rock scene might be interested to hear what these up-and-coming groups are up to! 9 p.m. show.

Another evening of The Road to the Summer Slaughter Tour 2016 is going down, tonight with 80 Proof, I, Apollo, Shadowkasket, Two Punch Gun, and The Ruffins at Oddbody's Music Room. Doors 5:30 p.m. Show 6 p.m. Tickets $20.

Country fans, don't miss the long-running, super popular national act Montgomery Gentry. They are performing at JD Legends, right off 75 in Franklin. Show is from 5-11:30 p.m. Tickets are $34 and are available online here.

Last but certainly not least, a reminder that today is the Street Fair in Yellow Springs! Tons of live music all day, with a complete schedule here. The after party is at Peach's, of course, with Jonny Dreads & The Mystiks and Gin Soaked Angels. No cover. 18+

Sunday, June 12th

It's

time once again! This free annual concert is a great opportunity to see one of the genres we don't get to see enough of. There is also free water on site, along with food and merch vendors to purchase from. Get comfy and stay all day! Remember to bring a blanket or lawn chair. No tents, coolers, pets, grills, or outside food/drinks are allowed. Below is the full schedule of performances:

1 p.m. - Linda Dachtyl Trio

2 p.m. - John Slate

3 p.m. - Robert Cunningham Jr. & The Handsonic Global Band

4 p.m. - Chango

5 p.m. - Dayton Fresh Beat Project

6 p.m. - Otherwize H2H

7 p.m. - Michael Cruse Quintet

As always, thank you for supporting live music!

*Since publishing this, it's been justifiably been brought to my attention that the original wording of this sentence was offensive, and I do apologize for that. This week, I've received disturbing messages and comments due to an old interview I did over a year ago with the young lady inferred to, which were quite upsetting. Pulling in innocent bystanders is clearly going too far, so that was the perspective I was coming from when I wrote this. This is an extremely important issue that has been thought provoking for so many people. Again, my sincerest wish is that we can all grow from this situation, and become better people because of it. - LB