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Hello, readers! The first weekend of March across the Dayton region brings drumming, coffee, concerts, visual arts and voting rights to the forefront.
After six weeks of preliminary rounds, and taking home the win in the Funk / Jam / Reggae / Ska category the week prior, Empire Pool was voted the 2025 Dayton Battle of the Bands winner. Photo credit: Victoria Swearingen
It all comes down to Saturday night. The 2026 Dayton Battle of the Bands finale at The Brightside Music and Event Venture will feature six winning bands from the playoff rounds competing for the championship title from genres consisting of Americana/country/folk, hip-hop/rap, hard rock/metal/punk, pop/rock and funk/blues/jam.
“Our goal has always been to create a true launchpad for Dayton musicians,” said organizer Libby Ballengee, founder of Venus Child Productions, at the start of the competition in January. “Each week highlights a different musical style, which changes year to year based on who applies. It keeps the series fresh and helps audiences discover new local favorites.”
👪 Top Family Things to Do
Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Family Concert : Sunday’s concert at the Schuster Center is titled “Rhythms of Wonder — United By the Beat.” Expect an uplifting program spanning cultures and generations. LEGO Club : The Huber Heights Branch of the Dayton Metro Library invites families to enjoy a Friday afternoon experience devoted to all things LEGO including movies, games and crafts. Old Town Trade Fair : Step back into the 18th and 19th centuries Saturday and Sunday at the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center. Activities include broom making, basket weaving and spinning demonstrations along with vintage clothing, games, outdoor furniture and jewelry. An American Portrait: Gershwin, Barber & Beyond : The Poiesis Quartet will join the Dayton Philharmonic for a salute to American music Friday and Saturday at the Schuster Center featuring George Gershwin’s “An American in Paris” and Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings.” “The Poiesis Quartet are the winners of this year’s Banff International String Quartet Competition,” said Maestro Keitaro Harada. “The Dayton Philharmonic is the only professional orchestra on their calendar because we found them first. You will definitely not want to miss this concert.”Drum Tao : This percussion extravaganza, happening Friday at the Victoria Theatre, features energetic drumming paying homage to traditional Japanese customs while infused with theatrical flair. This new tour, titled “The Best,” also incorporates a variety of traditional Japanese instruments including flutes and harps alongside the massive taiko drums.Scythian : Jump start your St. Patrick’s Day vibes by checking out this popular Celtic rock roots band returning to Dayton Friday at The Brightside Music and Event Venue. Dayton Art Institute Art for All Day : Enjoy free admission to the Dayton Art Institute Saturday and Sunday. Art for All weekends serve the museum’s mission to ensure accessibility for the community.Dorothy Lane Market Coffee Crawl ‘Let Ohio Women Vote’
The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company presented 'Black by Popular Demand', the second of two shows at Victoria Theatre in downtown Dayton on Sunday, March 1, 2026. Performances featured in this gallery are as follows: WAWA ABA by Stafford C. Berry, Call(ing) by Qarrianne Blayr, Martyrs Road by Kevin Ward and In My Fathers House by Debbie Blunden-Diggs with special guest GD Harris. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s outstanding presentation of “Black By Popular Demand” took place Feb. 28 and March 1 at the Victoria Theatre.
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