1) THE ADVENTURE SUMMIT
Dale “Grey Beard” Sanders, Susan Marie Conrad and Jordan Romero are among the featured speakers at The Adventure Summit presented by Wagner Subaru. The event targeting the region’s outdoor enthusiasts returns to Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Fairborn, on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 9 and 10.
The Adventure Summit features everything from skills events and demonstrations to live music, beer tastings and, of course, speakers. Romero, 21, presents “No Summit Out of Sight: The Youngest Person to Climb the Seven Summits,” Conrad presents “Inside: One Woman’s Journey Through the Inside Passage” and Sanders presents “Dale on the Trail: Hiking the Appalachian Trail at age 82.”
The Adventure Summit, which is a joint production of Five Rivers MetroParks and Wright State University, runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Cost: Free. Visit www.theadventuresummit.com.
>> Get active, get inspired, get adventurous at Adventure Summit
2) GOSPEL SUPERFEST
Gospel Superfest is the brainchild of Dayton native Bobby Cartwright Jr., who launched the popular televised event nearly two decades ago. Previous sessions of the program — which airs in more than 100 markets, including WHIO TV in Dayton and WXIX TV in Cincinnati — have been taped in New York, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Chicago and Cincinnati. The 18th annual Gospel Superfest will be presented at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10. The television taping will feature more than two dozen gospel recording artists. Cost: $41-$91. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
3) “THE SOUND OF MUSIC”
Generations of cinema fans discovered "The Sound of Music" from the popular 1965 film. However, the tale of the von Trapp family was already a smash on Broadway in 1959 and went on to win five Tony Awards. The play featured book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse with music and lyrics by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The Victoria Theatre Association's Premier Health Broadway Series presents "The Sound of Music," opening at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, on Tuesday, Feb. 13. This new production runs through Sunday, Feb. 18. Show times are 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, with 2 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday. Cost: $25-$98. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
4) CIRQUE D’OR
More than 30 performers, from acrobats and contortionists to aerial artists, will be in town for Cirque D'Or. The high energy show at Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, also features music and colorful costumes. The current Cirque D'Or tour features a new cast. Cost: $35-$55. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
>> Cirque event brings high-flying fun to Dayton
5) NEIL YOUNG TRIBUTE
As fans of his solo work and his music with the Buffalo Killers recognize, Andy Gabbard is a big fan of Neil Young. Now, he's putting that devotion on full display with "Road Eyes: Tribute to Neil Young and Crazy Horse." The recreation of the artist's "Live Rust" period is presented at The Yellow Cab Bldg., 700 E. Fourth St., Dayton, at 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10. Gabbard (vocals, guitar) will be joined on stage by David Fowler (bass) and his Buffalo Killers band mates Sven Kahns (guitar) and Joey Sebaali (drums). Cost: $7 in advance, $10 at the door. Visit www.yellowcabtavern.com.
6) PREACHER LAWSON
Primetime television programs don't get the viewing numbers they did in the pre-Internet era, but repeat exposure on a hit program can still help jumpstart a career. Take the case of Preacher Lawson, who was a finalist on season 12 of "America's Got Talent." He didn't win the top prize, but his quick wit and animated on-stage antics earned him new fans. Lawson parlayed that success into a steady stream of live bookings, including a show at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, 88 Plum St., The Greene, Beavercreek, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15. Cost: $25-$57.80. Call 937-429-LAFF (5233) or visit www.daytonfunnybone.com.
>> Don’t miss Paula Poundstone at the Victoria Theatre
7) LOVE, WINE & CHOCOLATE
If you want to treat that special someone to a Valentine's Day date, the Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton, has just the event for you. "Love, Wine & Chocolate," the latest installment of Vine and Canvas, is presented at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14. The romantic evening pairs a variety of red wines with specialty chocolates presented by Francoise Labrique Walusis from Madam Delluc Artisan Chocolatier. Cost: $35 in advance for members, $45 nonmembers. All tickets are $50 on the night of the event. Call 937-223-5277 or visit www.daytonartinstitute.org.
8) STAINED GLASS CONCERT
Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra's Stained Glass Concerts are part of the Norma Ross Memorial Community Concerts. This outreach series takes maestro Neal Gittleman and the musicians outside of the familiar confines of the Schuster Center for performances in other venues. The next Stained Glass Concert is presented at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 2067 N. Gettysburg Ave., Dayton, at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11. The program will feature all four movements of Mozart's "Symphony No. 35" and pieces by John Adams and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Cost: Free. Visit www.daytonperformingarts.org.
9) LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS
Neil Simon's creative resume is loaded with stories exploring mature romantic relationships such as "The Goodbye Girl" and "California Suite." The playwright continued down that path with "Last of the Red Hot Lovers." The comedy follows the exploits of Barney, a nebbish who wants to step out on his long-suffering wife and join the sexual revolution. X*ACT is mounting a new production of "Last of the Red Hot Lovers" directed by Connie Strait, which is presented at Xenia Area Community Theater, 45 E. Second St., Xenia, Friday through Sunday, Feb. 9 through 18. The opening-night gala begins at 6:30 p.m. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10, 16 and 17, and 3 p.m. Feb. 18. Cost: $17 general admission, $14 seniors and students. $20 opening night. Call 937-372-0516 or visit www.xeniaACT.org.
>> Don’t miss this steamy theater production
10) “WAYLON, WILLIE, CASH”
Last season, Springfield Arts Council presented a sold out tribute to Roy Orbison and the Everly Brothers. The performers from that show are returning to town for "Waylon, Willie, Cash: Outlaws and Highwaymen." The musical tribute to country outlaws Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash is presented at Kuss Auditorium, Clark State Performing Arts Center, 300 S. Fountain Ave., Springfield, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10. Cost: $32-$52. Call 937-328-3874 or visit www.springfieldartscouncil.org.
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