Shake off the mid-winter blues!

Friday, February 26th

Ready to get funky? You will be in heaven at Jimmie's Ladder 11 tonight with two amazing bands who are in town on a spring tour: SassafraZ from Columbus and Swift Technique from Philadelphia. A complete horn section, fabulous female vocals, and soulful jams are in store, and that's just from the first band! One of the most fantastic group of musicians you'll see on a local stage, with only a $5 cover! 9 p.m.

Another sweet show this evening can be found at Blind Bob's this evening with The Boxcar Suite, Red Clay Pigeons (Indiana), and California Widow. These guys are the epitome of heartland rock'n'roll. Think Tom Petty. Wonderful songwriting and guitar playing. What more can you ask for? 9 p.m. $5 cover. 21+

Hard rock fans will not want to miss

's "Take Your Time" CD Release Party at

. They have brought special guests

, The ZG's, and The Scratches to help them celebrate. This is an all ages show! 9 p.m. Doors. $5 cover.

The 6th Annual Dayton Does Dayton music extravaganza is going on all weekend at Gilly's. This year's event features the Joe Tellmann Band, Alyssa Hanson, Todd Clemmer, Reyna Spears, and more. For in-depth information about this festival, click here. 7:30 p.m. Friday and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26 and 27. $7 per night.

The Dawn Drapes, an alternative indie rock trio based in Harrisonburg, Virginia, are making a stop over at The Trolley Stop tonight. This dynamic three-piece gets rave reviews. Check them out! 9:30 p.m. $5.

Opera lovers, one of the true classics, Verdi's Otello, is being presented by the Dayton Opera. This is the first time this enthralling production of Shakespeare's epic story has been presented in Dayton. The gorgeous story, vocalists, and sets promises to be one of the unforgettable performances of the season. Making this production extra special, the Dayton Opera is also celebrating the 20th Anniversary with their dedicated artistic director, Tom Bankston. Read more about this special Dayton Opera Premiere here.

Help celebrate this achievement by attending the production Friday evening at 8pm, or Sunday the 28th at 3 p.m. Run times (approximate): Act I, 34 minutes; Intermission, 16 minutes; Act II, 38 minutes; Intermission, 12 minutes; Acts III and IV (performed together), 77 minutes. Plus there are pre-performance talks 1 hour before the show! Tickets range from $94-$38. Senior/Military/Educator: $2 discount. Early student rush option $15.

Attention Country fans! Ohio native

brings his band back from Nashville for a special benefit show. Bonus - American Idol star

starts off the night. All proceeds from this event will be used to fund projects in athletics and academics in the Huber Heights City Schools and the community at large. Tickets at the door are $ 15. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Show at 7:30 p.m. at the

at 5367 Fishburg Rd.

Hip Hop Fridays are a new feature at One Eyed Jacks in Fairborn. Live performances from D.O.P.E., Faith Baby, Mitch Willy, LGI, Lil Kirk, Steven Earnest, Steve Cooley, Sonny & Yung Krown, L.D. Unstoppable, JDotEasy Launchpad Mcquack, and DJ Inpulse. 10 p.m. $3

Bluegrass fans in Yellow Springs, don't miss local band Sawgrass, with special guest Paul Kovac, at Peach's Grill.  Free admission! Show starts at 9:30 p.m. 18+

Sean Nagata, a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Honolulu, Hawaii, is performing with special guest Mark Joshua at TAFFYs in Eaton this evening from 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Sounds interesting!

Saturday, February 27th

Metal and hard rock fans, please support the cancer benefit happening Saturday in Troy, starting at 4 p.m. at Redmans Picnic Grounds. The line up includes: Legbone, Menace 2 Sobriety, The Frankx, Throttle, Newman Tha Nutzo, Southside Souljas. $5 donation at the door. $1 beers will be available. Organizers will also have pop and water for others not planning on drinking.

Another all day benefit show is being held at W.O. Wrights, who is honoring the local band CounterFlux, who were killed in a terrible accident last week. They were talented musicians pursing their dreams and passion in music. They truly shined each and every time they took to the stage. They will fondly be remembered by their family, friends, and of course their fans.

The benefit and celebration of their lives will run from 5 p.m. - 2 a.m. Organizers are hoping to raise funds from this concert event to assist their families in their time of need. There is no cover for this event, but donations will be taken at the door and throughout the night from those that wish to assist in the cause. The schedule for the evening is as follows:

5:00 p.m. – 91 Charlie

6:30 p.m. – The Metalers

8:00 p.m. – Tino

9:30 p.m. – Tache Noire

11:00 p.m. – GB&AJ

12:30 a.m. – The Gringo

Please show support and love for everyone suffering from this terrible tragedy.

For the jam band scene, doesn't get much better than

,

and

at Canal Public House. These bands are truly talented, and makes for one hell of an after party if you're going to Dayton History's

Go across the street and get groove on after the smack down! Tickets: $8 adv $10 dos. Doors:8 p.m. Ages 18+

A lovely night of Americana folk, with a touch of bluegrass, can be found with touring band Mipso (North Carolina), along with local treasure The Repeating Arms at Oddbody's Music Room. Only $10 at the door. Doors 7 p.m. Show 8 p.m.

A really special show is happening in Fairborn with a FREE appearance by Blue Moon Soup, the bluegrass virtuosos from Yellow Springs. This is a close to hometown show at One Eyed Jacks, across from Wright State, and one of the few times you can catch these guys locally! 18+

If you're a rock fan and sticking around downtown, the Praey, Goodnight Goodnight, and Crosely Court show at Oregon Express is a sure bet! 9 p.m. $5 cover.

One of the rap/hip-hop staples for the last 30 years, the Egyptian Lover is performing at Therapy Cafe. This is one of the most highly anticipated shows of the year in this genre! The Egyptian Lover has been bringing you that sound you have enjoyed for 30 years. Some call it Electro, some call it Hip Hop, some call it Old School, some call it Rap, but he calls it "Dance Music." Egyptian Lover definitely makes music to make you dance! Other DJs will be performing throughout the night as well. 9 p.m. - 3 a.m. Tickets $19

South of town, a funky dance party can be found at the Old Crow Bar in Middletown. The one and only Freekbass is taking the stage along with very special super group The Almighty Get Down. 10 p.m. show. $10. 18+

Like bands like Head & The Heart and The Civil Wars? If so, check out Winchester Grey with special guest Zane Gerlach at Peach's Grill in Yellow Springs. Really talented guys!!

Country fans in Preble County, check out national act Jessica Hannan at TAFFYs in Eaton from 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. 

Really looking forward to the upcoming super jam: For the Love of Norman Jam at Oddbody's Music Room. Norman loved his birthday shows. Every year it was an opportunity to gather as many of his musical peers as humanly possible and throw one hell of a super jam. This year, Norman Dimitrouleas' peers are gethering without him. While it is sad that he is unable to join us this year, we plan to take this opportunity to honor our fallen friend with a birthday show like no other.

An all-star line up featuring; Dave R Katz, Dino Dimitrouleas, Rob Brockman, Danny Sauers, Chuckie Love, Chris Coalt, Nathan Lewis, Nathan Springhart, John Arthur Gentry Jr, Sharon A. Lane, Tony Herdman, Ronald Frost, George Stix Furman, Dale Lutz, Melissa Nicole Henry, Eric Henry, Brooks Daugherty, Kenny Amato, T-bone TheMetronome, Tony Scheetz, Mac Williams, Cody Otten, Phil Bradley-Hutchison, Tracy Sax Lakes, Aaron Armstrong, Charlie Tipton, Jonny Dread, Joshua Miller. Tickets $10. Doors 7 p.m. Music 7:30 p.m. 18+

As always, thank you for supporting live music!

Your Dayton Music Insider,

Libby Ballengee

Note to Readers:   The information above is for Feb 26th-March 2nd. If I don't list a price, it's because I'm not sure what the price is. Generally 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. 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. Check out the latest shows I'm promoting @theVenusChild. You can also keep up with my adventures on Instagram here.