Here are the winners of Best of Dayton 2019-20 in the arts, entertainment and music categories, as voted by the community.
BEST ARCADE/GAMING
Underwater themed nine hole mini golf course. Contributed Photo by Alexis Larsen
Credit: HANDOUT
Underwater themed nine hole mini golf course. Contributed Photo by Alexis Larsen
Credit: HANDOUT
Credit: HANDOUT
🥇WINNER: Scene75
6196 Poe Ave., Dayton | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Canal Street Arcade & Deli
308 E. 1st St., Dayton | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: DK Effect
1600 E. Third St., Dayton | Website | Facebook
BEST ART GALLERY
“Samurai, Ghosts and Lovers: Yoshitoshi’s Complete 100 Aspects of the Moon,” in on display at the Dayton Art Institute. The exhibition is a rare look at all 100 works in Tsukioka Yoshitoshi’s epic series of Japanese woodblock prints. A selection of works from the DAI’s Japanese collection, as well as local and national loans, including rare samurai suits, are also on display. The exhibition will be on view until May 3. LISA POWELL / STAFF
“Samurai, Ghosts and Lovers: Yoshitoshi’s Complete 100 Aspects of the Moon,” in on display at the Dayton Art Institute. The exhibition is a rare look at all 100 works in Tsukioka Yoshitoshi’s epic series of Japanese woodblock prints. A selection of works from the DAI’s Japanese collection, as well as local and national loans, including rare samurai suits, are also on display. The exhibition will be on view until May 3. LISA POWELL / STAFF
🥇WINNER: Dayton Art Institute
456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Front Street Studio Gallery
1001 E. 2nd St. Bldg 100, Dayton | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Edward A. Dixon Gallery
12 S. Ludlow St., Dayton | Website | Facebook
BEST BOWLING ALLEY
Xenia’s Kelsey Rose competes at Beaver-Vu Bowl during the Baker Bash on Monday. The Bucs won the Bash by beating Greenon, Centerville and Mechanicsburg in the final round. Greg Billing/CONTRIBUTED
Xenia’s Kelsey Rose competes at Beaver-Vu Bowl during the Baker Bash on Monday. The Bucs won the Bash by beating Greenon, Centerville and Mechanicsburg in the final round. Greg Billing/CONTRIBUTED
🥇WINNER: Beaver-Vu Bowl
1238 N. Fairfield Road, Beavercreek | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Poelking Lanes South
8871 Kingsridge Drive, Centerville | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Poelking Woodman Lanes
3200 Woodman Drive, Kettering | Website | Facebook
BEST COMEDY CLUB
Eddie Griffin headlines a show at Funny Bone in Beavercreek, Saturday, February 27, 2010..
Credit: MediaMoments.com / Peter Wine
Credit: MediaMoments.com / Peter Wine
Eddie Griffin headlines a show at Funny Bone in Beavercreek, Saturday, February 27, 2010..
Credit: MediaMoments.com / Peter Wine
Credit: MediaMoments.com / Peter Wine
🥇WINNER: Dayton Funny Bone
88 Plum St., Beavercreek | 937-429-5233 | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Wiley's Comedy Club
101 Pine St., Dayton | 937-224-5653 | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: The Black Box Improv Theater
518 E. 3rd St., Dayton | 937-369-0747 | Website | Facebook
BEST CONCERT VENUE
TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
🥇WINNER: Rose Music Center at The Heights
6800 Executive Blvd., Huber Heights | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Fraze Pavilion
695 Lincoln Park Blvd., Kettering | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Schuster Center
1 W. 2nd St., Dayton | Website | Facebook
BEST COUNTY FAIR
🥇WINNER: The Great Darke County Fair
800 Sweitzer St., Greenville | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Montgomery County Fair
645 Infirmary Road, Dayton | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Greene County Fair
120 Fairground Road, Xenia | Website | Facebook
BEST DANCE GROUP
The Celtic Academy of Irish Dance performs at a past St. Patrick's Day celebration. FILE PHOTO
The Celtic Academy of Irish Dance performs at a past St. Patrick's Day celebration. FILE PHOTO
🥇WINNER: Celtic Academy of Irish Dance
85 Woodman Drive, Dayton | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Dayton Ballet
126 N. Main St., Suite 210, Dayton | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
840 Germantown St., Dayton | Website | Facebook
BEST FESTIVAL
The Dayton Celtic Festival took over downtown at Riverscape MetroPark and the surrounding areas from Friday, July 26 to Sunday July, 28. The free festival featured workshops, vendors, food, beer, children’s activities and Irish music. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Credit: Tom Gilliam
The Dayton Celtic Festival took over downtown at Riverscape MetroPark and the surrounding areas from Friday, July 26 to Sunday July, 28. The free festival featured workshops, vendors, food, beer, children’s activities and Irish music. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
🥇WINNER: Dayton Celtic Festival
Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Troy Strawberry Festival
Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Yellow Springs Street Fair
Website | Facebook
BEST FISH FRY
Jeff Hecht (from left), Paul Westhafer, Todd Post and Ted Hecht fry fish at the Alter Fish Fry in Kettering on Feb. 23. CONTRIBUTED
Jeff Hecht (from left), Paul Westhafer, Todd Post and Ted Hecht fry fish at the Alter Fish Fry in Kettering on Feb. 23. CONTRIBUTED
🥇WINNER: Kettering Alter High School
Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Carroll High School in Dayton
Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Our Lady of the Rosary
Website | Facebook
BEST FOOD TRUCK EVENT
Monthly brunch food truck rallies returned to the Yellow Cab in Dayton on Sunday, April 7. The food trucks in attendance included El Meson, Drunken Waffle, Twisted Taco, Greek Street Food Truck, Son of a Biscuit, EAT, Bricky Barrels Smoked BBQ LLC, Billie Gold Bubble Tea and Sweets on the Streets. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Monthly brunch food truck rallies returned to the Yellow Cab in Dayton on Sunday, April 7. The food trucks in attendance included El Meson, Drunken Waffle, Twisted Taco, Greek Street Food Truck, Son of a Biscuit, EAT, Bricky Barrels Smoked BBQ LLC, Billie Gold Bubble Tea and Sweets on the Streets. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
🥇WINNER: Yellow Cab Food Truck Rallies
Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Bites in the Heights at Rose Music Center
Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Miami County Food Truck Rally
Website | Facebook
BEST GALA
Dayton Art Institute Art Ball 2019 took place on Saturday, June 8, 2019. (Photos by E.L. Hubbard, contributing photographer)
Credit: E.L. Hubbard
Dayton Art Institute Art Ball 2019 took place on Saturday, June 8, 2019. (Photos by E.L. Hubbard, contributing photographer)
Credit: E.L. Hubbard
Credit: E.L. Hubbard
🥇WINNER: Dayton Art Institute Art Ball
Website
SECOND PLACE: Humane Society of Greater Dayton Pet Afflaire
Website
THIRD PLACE: Wright State ArtsGala
Website
BEST GOLF COURSE
🥇WINNER: Yankee Trace
10000 Yankee St., Centerville | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: NCR Country Club
4435 Dogwood Trail, Kettering | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Beavercreek Golf Club
2800 New Germany Trebein Road, Beavercreek | Website | Facebook
BEST HAUNTED ATTRACTION
Land of Illusion s Haunted Nights includes six haunted attractions in one Scream Park. CONTRIBUTED/E.L. HUBBARD
Land of Illusion s Haunted Nights includes six haunted attractions in one Scream Park. CONTRIBUTED/E.L. HUBBARD
🥇WINNER: Land of Illusion
8762 Thomas Road, Middletown | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Lewisburg Haunted Cave
4392 Swishers Mill Road, Lewisburg | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Kings Island Haunt
6300 Kings Island Drive, Kings Mill | Website | Facebook
BEST HOLIDAY TRADITION
🥇WINNER: The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill
75 Water St., Clifton | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: A Carillon Christmas
1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Rike's Christmas windows at the Schuster Center
1 W. 2nd St., Dayton | Website | Facebook
BEST INTERACTIVE GAMING VENUE
Bitter winter cold doesn’t slow the swing of one of the hundreds of happy duffers who made their way to West Chester Township’s Top Golf attraction. The three-story driving range includes state-of-the-art heaters that keeps golfers 20-degrees warmer than outside temperature.
Bitter winter cold doesn’t slow the swing of one of the hundreds of happy duffers who made their way to West Chester Township’s Top Golf attraction. The three-story driving range includes state-of-the-art heaters that keeps golfers 20-degrees warmer than outside temperature.
🥇WINNER: Top Golf
9568 Water Front Drive, West Chester | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Wild Axe Throwing
3251 Seajay Drive, Beavercreek | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Breakout Games Dayton
8120 Washington Village Drive, Washington Twp. | Website | Facebook
BEST LOCAL ARTIST
Leslea Hipp (right) of the Mural Machine works on a mural of cats on the side of Lily's Bistro in Dayton's Oregon District. CONTRIBUTED
Leslea Hipp (right) of the Mural Machine works on a mural of cats on the side of Lily's Bistro in Dayton's Oregon District. CONTRIBUTED
🥇WINNER: Leslea Hipp
SECOND PLACE: Tiffany Clark
THIRD PLACE: Michelle Carr
BEST LOCAL BAND/MUSICIAN
🥇WINNER: Summer Highway Band
SECOND PLACE: Until Rust
THIRD PLACE: The Fries Band
BEST LOCAL PODCAST
🥇WINNER: Fifth & Ludlow
SECOND PLACE: The Brohio Podcast
THIRD PLACE: Hall Around Town (Scott Hall)
BEST LOCAL THEATER GROUP
Human Race Theatre Company's Sweeney Todd.
Human Race Theatre Company's Sweeney Todd.
🥇WINNER: The Human Race Theatre Company
126 N. Main St., Dayton | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Dayton Playhouse
1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Black Box Improv Theater
513 E. 3rd St., Dayton | Website | Facebook
BEST MOVIE THEATER
🥇WINNER: Cinemark at The Greene
4489 Glengarry Drive, Beavercreek | Website
SECOND PLACE: The Neon
130 E. 5th St., Dayton | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Cinépolis Dayton
10251 Penny Lane, Miamisburg | Website
BEST MURAL
Tiffany Clark, founder of the Mural Machine, is creating a new mural at the entrance of the Oregon District in Dayton. LISA POWELL / STAFF
Tiffany Clark, founder of the Mural Machine, is creating a new mural at the entrance of the Oregon District in Dayton. LISA POWELL / STAFF
🥇WINNER: Gateway to the Oregon District mural
SECOND PLACE: Love You — Suicide Awareness mural
THIRD PLACE: Dayton Funk mural
BEST MUSEUM
Students from the Yellow Springs Community Learning Center gathered around the Apollo 15 command module in the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in July, shortly before the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing July 20. CHUCK HAMLIN / STAFF
Students from the Yellow Springs Community Learning Center gathered around the Apollo 15 command module in the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in July, shortly before the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing July 20. CHUCK HAMLIN / STAFF
🥇WINNER: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
1100 Spaatz St., Wright-Patterson Air Force Base | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Dayton Art Institute
456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
2600 DeWeese Pkwy., Dayton | Website | Facebook
BEST OKTOBERFEST CELEBRATION
The 49th annual Oktoberfest took place at the Dayton Art Institute at 456 Belmonte Park N. on Friday Sept. 27 through Sunday Sept. 29. The 3-day event, voted best festival in Dayton.com’s Best of 2018 contest, includes artisan booths, plenty of food, kid-friendly activities, music on two stages and lots and lots of international, domestic and craft beer and wine. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Credit: Tom Gilliam
The 49th annual Oktoberfest took place at the Dayton Art Institute at 456 Belmonte Park N. on Friday Sept. 27 through Sunday Sept. 29. The 3-day event, voted best festival in Dayton.com’s Best of 2018 contest, includes artisan booths, plenty of food, kid-friendly activities, music on two stages and lots and lots of international, domestic and craft beer and wine. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
🥇WINNER: Dayton Art Institute Oktoberfest
Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Minster Oktoberfest
Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Springboro Oktoberfest
Website
BEST PLACE FOR A BACHELOR PARTY
🥇WINNER: Top Golf
9568 Water Front Drive, West Chester | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Diamonds Cabaret
960 Miamisburg- Centerville Road, Miami Twp. | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Wild Axe Throwing
3251 Seajay Drive, Beavercreek | Website | Facebook
BEST PLACE FOR A BACHELORETTE PARTY
After 15 years, Club Masque closed permanently at 34 S. Jefferson St. in downtown Dayton after its last show on Saturday, Jan. 25. The final show, hosted by Carrie J. Summers, included a list of Masque favorites: Mocha Lisa, Scarlett Moon, Alexandria Bellterra, Johnny Justice, and Emilie Viktoria, Jareje Rashad, Amaya Sexton, Katrina Reelfish, Sky Black, Kayla Fame, and Kar Kar O’Daniels. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
After 15 years, Club Masque closed permanently at 34 S. Jefferson St. in downtown Dayton after its last show on Saturday, Jan. 25. The final show, hosted by Carrie J. Summers, included a list of Masque favorites: Mocha Lisa, Scarlett Moon, Alexandria Bellterra, Johnny Justice, and Emilie Viktoria, Jareje Rashad, Amaya Sexton, Katrina Reelfish, Sky Black, Kayla Fame, and Kar Kar O’Daniels. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
🥇WINNER: Masque
Currently closed and seeking to reopen in new location | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Raise Your Brush
169 N Main St,, Centerville | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: The Barrel House
417 E. Third St., Dayton | 937-222-4795 | Website | Facebook
BEST PLACE FOR A BIRTHDAY PARTY
A military ID means a free go-kart ride and game card discounts at Scene75 Entertainment Center.
A military ID means a free go-kart ride and game card discounts at Scene75 Entertainment Center.
🥇WINNER: Scene75
6196 Poe Ave., Dayton | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
2600 DeWeese Pkwy., Dayton | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Magic Castle
4990 Wilmington Pike, Kettering | Website | Facebook
BEST PLACE TO ENTERTAIN THE KIDS
Mindy Peterson of Findlay and her daughters Rachel, 7, Renee, 2 and Ruby, 1, create music in Design Zone, an interactive exhibition at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. LISA POWELL / STAFF
Credit: Lisa Powell
Mindy Peterson of Findlay and her daughters Rachel, 7, Renee, 2 and Ruby, 1, create music in Design Zone, an interactive exhibition at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. LISA POWELL / STAFF
Credit: Lisa Powell
Credit: Lisa Powell
🥇WINNER: Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
2600 DeWeese Pkwy., Dayton | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Young's Jersey Dairy
6880 Springfield Xenia Road, Yellow Springs | 937-325-0629 | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Scene75
6196 Poe Ave., Dayton | Website | Facebook
BEST PLACE TO HEAR LIVE MUSIC
MojoFlo performed a free concert at downtown Dayton's Levitt Pavilion on Friday, July 19. The neo funk group is as known for their captivating stage performance as their infectious rhythms and catchy lyrics. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Credit: Tom Gilliam
MojoFlo performed a free concert at downtown Dayton's Levitt Pavilion on Friday, July 19. The neo funk group is as known for their captivating stage performance as their infectious rhythms and catchy lyrics. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
🥇WINNER: Levitt Pavilion Dayton
134 S. Main St., Dayton | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Blind Bob's
430 E. Fifth St., Dayton | 937-938-6405 | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Yellow Cab Tavern
700 E. 4th St., Dayton | Website | Facebook
BEST PLACE TO PLAY POOL
Kings Table is a great place to relax and catch up with family or friends with drinks, food and a game of pool. JIM INGRAM/CONTRIBUTED
Kings Table is a great place to relax and catch up with family or friends with drinks, food and a game of pool. JIM INGRAM/CONTRIBUTED
🥇WINNER: Kings Table Bar & Grill
2348 Grange Hall Road, Beavercreek | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Airway Billiards
2611 Needmore Road, Dayton | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Mack’s Tavern
381 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Washington Twp. | 937-813-7217 | Website | Facebook
HONORABLE MENTION: Southern Belle
134 N. Patterson Blvd., Dayton | Facebook
BEST ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION
The Dublin Pub, located at 300 Wayne Ave. in Dayton’s Oregon District, has one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day events in the state of Ohio. The event spans two days and includes live music and entertainment, as well as traditional Irish food and beers. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Credit: Tom Gilliam
The Dublin Pub, located at 300 Wayne Ave. in Dayton’s Oregon District, has one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day events in the state of Ohio. The event spans two days and includes live music and entertainment, as well as traditional Irish food and beers. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
🥇WINNER: Dublin Pub
300 Wayne Ave., Dayton | 937-224-7822 | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Flanagan's Pub
101 E. Stewart St., Dayton | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Harrigan's Tavern
4070 Marshall Road, Kettering | Website | Facebook
BEST OF DAYTON WINNERS IN OTHER CATEGORIES
>> Food & Dining winners
>> Bars, Beer & Nightlife winners
>> Shopping & Services winners
>> Fitness, Outdoors & Recreation winners
>> People & Places winners
