But March is also a big month in local music. Here are some music events you may not know about but should.
>> Tickets go on sale SOON for Luke Bryan’s Cincy concert — and here’s how to get yours
1) SECRET SHOW
All we say about this super secret concert on Friday, March 2, at Yellow Cab Tavern in Dayton is that it will go down in history. For those who were lucky enough to get a ticket before it sold out, we are jealous. For everyone else, tune into Dayton.com after the show for the deets. More info: Facebook.
>> Must-see concerts in and around Dayton in 2018
2) ALAN JACKSON
Alan Jackson became a country radio staple with his tales of the common man, chronicled in hits such as "Here in the Real World," "It's Five O'clock Somewhere" and "Gone Country." The Georgia native, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in October, is currently supporting his latest single, "The Older I Get." Jackson brings his Honky Tonk Highway Tour to the Nutter Center, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Fairborn, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 16. Cost: $39.99-$129.99. Call 937-775-4789 or visit www.nuttercenter.com.
>> Who’s coming to Country Concert ‘18?
3) DAYTON OPERA
For its latest production, Dayton Opera has selected the classic, "The Barber of Seville." The program, which features music by Gioachino Rossini and libretto by Cesare Sterbini, is presented at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, on Friday and Sunday, March 2 and 4. Baritone Jarrett Ott is Figaro to mezzo-soprano Alyssa Martin's Rosina. Both performers are making their debut with Dayton Opera this weekend, as is conductor Clinton Smith. Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $24-$94. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
3) MAZE WITH FRANKIE BEVERLY
It's been more than 40 years since Frankie Beverly and Maze emerged from San Francisco with its quiet storm brand of R&B. The hit-making machine went on to turn out numerous chart-toppers, including "Back in Stride" and "Can't Get Over You." The group presents An Evening with Maze featuring Frankie Beverly at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 31. The concert features a performance by special guest Alex Bugnon. Cost: $42-$72. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
4) DAILEY & VINCENT
Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent, known collectively as Dailey & Vincent, are truly stars of the stage and screen. The award-winning bluegrass act tours regularly, performing in person to adoring audiences, and beams itself into the homes of fans each week with new episodes of the popular RFD-TV series, "The Dailey & Vincent Show." Victoria Theatre's Universal 1 Credit Union VIC150 Music Series presents the duo in concert at Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 4. Cost: $25-$45. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
>> The Broadway shows we cannot wait to see in Dayton
5) NEWSBOYS
For its 2018 tour, platinum-selling Christian act Newsboys has welcomed back Peter Furler and Phil Joel. The former members are hitting the road with frontman Michael Tait and bandmates Duncan Phillips, Jeff Frankenstein and Jody Davis for a show revisiting hits from the group's three-decade career. The Newsboys United Tour, featuring special guest Zealand, hits Hobart Arena, 255 Adams St., Troy, at 7 p.m. Friday, March 16. Cost: $25 general admission, $45 premium package, $100 ultimate VIP package. Call 937-339-2911 or visit www.hobartarena.com.
6) DPO & THE SEA
The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra is focusing on the sea this weekend during a series of performances at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton. "A Sea Symphony," at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 16 and 17, features the title piece by British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams and Claude Debussy's "La Mer." Soprano Angela Mortellaro, baritone Grant Youngblood and the DPO Chorus under the direction of Hank Dahlman will also perform. Cost: $8-$64.30. "The Sea: Vaughan Williams' Siren Call," which includes "Fantasia on Greensleeves" and "A Sea Symphony," is presented at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 18. Cost: $8-$43. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
Credit: HANDOUT
Credit: HANDOUT
7) KANSAS
Classic rockers Kansas was set to bring its 2017 "Leftoverture Tour Live & Beyond" to Dayton on November 1. Unfortunately, the concert had to be postponed. The good news for Kansas fans is the group is back on the road and the cancelled date has been rescheduled. Kansas returns to town for a Vic150 Music Series concert at Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 21. Cost: $49.50-$95. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
8) THE CELTIC TENORS
With three platinum-selling albums and Top 10 singles in the United States and Europe, it's clear the Celtic Tenors have hit on a sound that resonates with fans of Irish music. The group, whose roots stretch back to the mid-1990s, launched a new United States tour on February 28. Springfield Arts Council presents the Celtic Tenors in concert at Kuss Auditorium, Springfield, at 8 p.m. Friday, March 16. Cost: $32, $42, $47 and $52. Call 937-328-3874 or visit www.springfieldartscouncil.org.
9) WARRANT
It's been more than a year since Lita Ford became the last act to perform at BMI Speedway, 791 E. Main St., Versailles. That changes at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 10, when the music venue and raceway returns from its break in concerts to welcome heavy metal band Warrant with special guest Steelheart. Doors open at 5 p.m. Cost: $30 in advance, $40 at the door. Other upcoming concerts at the 1,200-seat venue include Fuel with special guest Sponge on April 21 and Cinderella's Tom Keifer on June 2. More info: 937-526-9547 or www.bmikarts.com.
>> Concerts are back at BMI Speedway -- and you won’t believe who’s coming
12) JAZZ & BEYOND
Local group Puzzle of Light launches a new season of the Bob Ross Auto Group Jazz & Beyond series at the Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton, at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 8. The series continues with the Jimmy Leach Jazzlet on April 12, Mike Wade on July 12, Beatlejazz on Aug. 9, Bright Moments Quintet featuring Felita LaRock: The Great American Songbook on October 11 and Central State University Jazz Ensemble on November 8. Cost: $8 nonmembers, free for DAI members. Call 937-223-5277 or visit www.daytonartinstitute.org.
About the Author