| Hello, readers! From Miamisburg to Vandalia, this weekend aims to please with a variety of noteworthy events. If you enjoy theater and are in the mood for a good cry, you simply cannot miss “The Notebook,” a musical I’ve adored since its 2022 world premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Elsewhere around town, Yellow Springs is gearing up for pumpkins and a popular street fair, The NEON is hosting its annual LGBTQ+ film festival and a pair of candlelight concerts in Dayton will illuminate feelings of nostalgia.
The outstanding Dayton premiere of “The Notebook,” one of the finest contemporary musicals of the last five years, continues its heartwarming, humorous, tear-jerking and vocally strong look at love in the midst of adversity through Sunday at the Schuster Center courtesy of Dayton Live. Beautifully co-directed by Dayton native Schele Williams and Tony Award nominee Michael Greif (“Rent”), “The Notebook,” based on the Nicholas Sparks best seller of the same name, brings romance to the forefront as it spans the decades-long, tumultuous relationship between privileged Allie and blue-collar Noah. In this refreshing, purposefully diverse version, skillfully adapted by Bekah Brunstetter (“This Is Us”) with gorgeously introspective songs by Ingrid Michaelson, three couples depict Allie and Noah at various stages in their journey. Angela Birchett (Older Allie), original “Pippin” star John Rubinstein (Older Noah), impressive understudy Jessica Money (Middle Allie), Ken Wulf Clark (Middle Noah), Makena Jackson (Younger Allie) and Kyle Mangold (Younger Noah) are collectively dynamic and believably partnered. In particular, Birchett delicately navigates the emotional whirlwind of Alzheimer’s, Rubinstein is a wonderfully relatable, determined presence, hunky Clark radiates charm, and Jackson and Mangold are delightfully vulnerable lovebirds. Versatile Anne Tolpegin (Mother/Nurse Lori) and chipper Connor Richardson (Johnny) are also terrific in featured roles that shine an earnest spotlight on caregiving and rehabilitation.
👨👩👧👦 Family things to do Ghostbustin’ in the Burg: The sixth annual Ghostbusters Weekend returns Saturday and Sunday in Miamisburg presented by The Real Ohio Ghostbusters. In addition to the Historic Plaza Theatre offering four “Ghostbusters” movie screenings throughout the weekend, there will be a “Ghostbusters”-themed car show in Riverfront Park, vendors, food trucks, games, raffles and many opportunities to encounter “Ghostbusters”-inspired vehicles and costumed characters. Pumpkin Sip & Paint: A fun, creative evening filled with food and music happens Friday at Young’s Jersey Dairy. Pumpkin decorating is the main event but you can also enjoy a complimentary wine/wine ice cream/ice cream flight with your ticket purchase. Vandalia Fall Festival: This free, family-friendly event happening Saturday at the Vandalia Sports Complex offers music, food trucks, a pumpkin patch, corn pit, vendors, inflatables, games, arts and crafts and more.
🎃 Guide: Haunted houses in Dayton and Cincinnati areas 💘 Date night picks Candlelight Concerts: Enjoy the music of Fleetwood Mac and Michael Jackson by candlelight Sunday at the Dayton Masonic Center. You can hear such hits as “Go Your Own Way” and “Landslide” at 6:15 p.m. followed by “Billie Jean,” “Man in the Mirror” and “Thriller” at 8:45 p.m. Mariachi Herencia de México: Chicago’s two-time Latin Grammy-nominated, 14-piece mariachi band brings their La Nueva Generacion Tour to the Victoria Theatre Friday. “When you’re doing something that’s traditional, something from the mariachi repertoire, it’s important to us that we keep the essence,” said César Maldonado, founder, artistic director and manager of the group. Out Here Dayton Film Fest: The 21st annual salute to queer cinema from around the world happens Friday through Sunday at The NEON in downtown Dayton. Saturday highlights: Top Drawer Shorts as well as director Jeffrey Schwarz’s “Mineshaft: The Cruising Murders,” the untold story of the controversy surrounding the making of William Friedkin’s 1980 thriller “Cruising” (Schwarz will make a guest appearance). Sunday highlights: “Loves Company,” a parody of Stephen King’s “Misery” starring Rachel Dratch (“Saturday Night Live”), and “A Very Like Crazy Date,” which concerns a first date gone bad.
😊 Three for free African American Visual Arts Guild: The city of Springboro’s Performing Arts Center’s Gallery, 115 Wright Station Way, presents the Guild’s fifth project titled “Encore” which features work by more than 15 artists. An artist reception will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The exhibit, which continues through Oct. 25, “presents a visual and written view that stays true to the themes and artwork created for the past four projects to redefine, enhance or extend the stories based on the artist’s interpretation.” Dayton Studio Tour: This new community-wide initiative from The Contemporary Dayton, located inside the Dayton Arcade, takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. A self-guided tour will “allow the public to visit participating artists’ studios throughout the Dayton area, meet artists and experience the creative spaces where their work is made.” The day will conclude with a Studio Tour After Party from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Contemporary Dayton. Yellow Springs Street Fair: Celebrate arts, culture and community Saturday in Yellow Springs. The festivities will feature more than 200 vendors, live music, local food and shops, craft beer, live performances and a Kids Zone.
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