Library kicks off arts project
You’ll learn how to write and illustrate comics at Rosewood Arts Centre’s third annual Comic Book Studio Day. The special event is slated for Saturday and presented in partnership with the Gem City Comic Convention.
“As a comic book and illustration fan, I created Comic Book Studio Day to provide professional comic creation workshops to the community,” explained Andy Dailey, Rosewood’s Youth Art Education coordinator. “Since then, it has grown from a few workshops into a bigger series of events that tie in with the Gem City Comic Con.” More than 100 attended last year.
This year’s event includes an exhibition by comic book historian Arlen Schumer. Instructors will include Scott Simmons, a freelance comic book and sketch card illustrator known for his artwork for Star Wars licensees, the Arcana graphic novel “The Dead Cell,” indie comics like “Our Super Mom,” “Halloween Man,” “Hero Chronicles,” and his creator-owned series, “Knights of P.O.W.E.R.” Other instructors include comic book writer Scott Bachmann, best known for his website Scottcomics; reviews for the site “Drunk on Comics” and his ongoing print and webcomic “Our Super Mo;” as well as Todd Beistel, a web designer from Hilliard, Ohio, and co-creator and artist on the ongoing comic book, “Yuri: The Awakening.”
Also on the schedule — from noon to 1 p.m. — is the Artist’s Row where this year’s instructors will be demonstrating their artwork and chatting with participants. The day will conclude with a drawing contest game from 2:303:30 p.m. Both the Artist’s Row and the drawing game are free to the public.
The workshops are a la carte, so you can sign up for any or all. The day starts with illustration workshops, one for ages 10-16 and another for ages 16 and older. A second morning session will be held for each age group, with an afternoon session to take place after Artist’s Row. Cost to attend is $20 per workshop for Kettering residents and $25 for non-residents. All those registering for all three workshops will receive a discounted price of $50 resident/$60 nonresident. Rosewood is located at 2655 Olson Drive in Kettering.
FilmDayton presents ‘Mad Men’ event
Andrew Strombeck, associate professor of English at Wright State University, devoted an entire semester to the topic of “Mad Men and Literature 1965–70. In anticipation of “Mad Men’s” final season, slated for April 5, FilmDayton has invited Strombeck to share his thoughts at the next Film Connections event.
The lecture will take place from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday at the Dayton Visual Arts Center, 118 N. Jefferson St. in downtown Dayton. Strombeck points out that it was very telling when the first episode of the final season of “Mad Men” opened with Don Draper reading Dante’s “Inferno.” He says throughout the seven seasons of the series, creator Matthew Weiner infused his scripts with many literature and cultural references of the period.
The event is free to FilmDayton members, $5 at the door for others. Attire from the ’60s and ’70s is welcome. For more information: www. FilmDayton.com
Arts organizations in our area gathered at the downtown Dayton Metro Library this week to learn more about a new project entitled “Check Out the Arts.” If you remember last year’s “Be a Reading Hero” that featured lots of programs involving firstresponders, you’ll have some idea of the scope of this next undertaking, which will kick off in September.
Arts organizations are being matched with library branches and together they’ll come up with a wide range of arts programming that may range from live performances to craft workshops. All of the programs will be free. We’ll keep you updated.
DPO at DAI today
If you’re wondering what to do this afternoon, consider heading for the Dayton Art Institute, where conductor Patrick Reynolds and Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Brass and Percussion musicians will present “Fantastic Brass,” the third concert in the 20142015 Chamber Series.
Larry Coressel from Discover Classical WDPR 88.1 will give a preconcert Take Note talk beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets for Fantastic Brass are $22 for adults and $14 for students and children; all tickets are general admission seating. For more information, visit www.daytonper formingarts.org.
50th anniversary Opera Ball is April 11
The Opera Guild of Dayton is in the midst of planning its the 50th annual Opera Ball, “Unforgettable,” from 6 p.m. to midnight on April 11 at the Moraine Country Club.
In recognition of the special anniversary, guests will be treated to a trip down memory lane with the music of the Fabulous Fifties and the crooners that made it such a special era: Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Patty Page, Perry Como, Johnny Mathis, Rosemary Clooney, Tony Bennett, The Platters, the three Fours (Aces, Lads, Freshmen) and others.
The evening includes dance music by The Bob Gray Orchestra, dinner and raffles. Since 1965 the Opera Ball has been the primary fundraiser supporting the Guild’s many educational programs for Miami Valley children and also provides major support for Dayton Opera productions, English surtitles for each performance and its Artists-inResidence program.
The Opera Guild of Dayton has provided more than $1.7 million to Dayton Opera from 2000 through 2014.
To make a reservation, call Nora Stang at 937-8323713.
Pirate and Pixie Party deemed a success
The Dayton Ballet Barre, the volunteer organization that supports the Dayton Ballet through audience development and community outreach, hosted a “Pirate and Pixie Party” at the Boston Stoker before the March 22 “Peter Pan” matinee.
Kids arrived in pirate and fairy costumes, dined on themed pirate and pixie food, listened to Captain Hook share stories and learned dance steps from Tinkerbell. The organization hosts a similar children’s event in conjunction with the “Nutcracker” and is planning an event for the “Cinderella” performance in the fall.
Big Read focuses on love, relationships
In conjunction with this year’s Big Read, “The Rosie Project,” the Dayton Metro Library is taking a closer look at love and relationships with programs designed to be both lighthearted and enlightening.
“Daring to Love: A Path to Healing, Growth, and New Love” will feature Marriage Works! Ohio and relationship coach Cynthia Belmer in a workshop that aims to help participants overcome barriers to love and recover from past hurts. It will be held from 1-4 p.m. at the library’s Huber Heights branch. “Can We Talk?... Taking The Fear Out of Social Communication” will feature presenter Ann Riegle Crichton, who will share lessons learned from years of teaching interpersonal communication, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on April 9 at at Brixx Ice Company, 500 E. First St., Dayton.
A literary speed dating Andrew Strombeck will discuss “Man Men and Literature” for FilmDayton. program, aimed at those ages 20 to 40, will be held from 6-8 p.m. on April 16 at the downtown Main Library.
Finally, Greg Schutte, director of Marriage Works! Ohio, will offer an overview of the crucial areas to explore in a dating relationship from 6: 30-8 p.m. on April 16 at the Northmont Branch Library.
For a list of Big Read programs, visit BigRead.org or call the Dayton Metro Library at 937-463-2665. All programs are free.
Yellow Springs quilter wins award
Yellow Springs quilter Pam Geisel took an honorable mention for her quilt “Lavender Diamonds” at the American Each week, arts writer Meredith Moss writes about the individuals and events making arts news in our region. If you have news you’d like to share with our readers, write to Meredith: MMoss@coxohio.com Please leave a daytime phone number. Quilter’s Society’s QuiltWeek held in Lancaster, Pa., in March.
Quilts were entered from 36 states and nine countries. The American Quilter’s Society hosts several shows annually, each with its own quilt contest.
Last chance to see mummies
Just a reminder that “Mummies of the World: The Exhibition” closes at Cincinnati Museum Center on April 26. The presentation in Cincinnati marks the eleventh stop of the exhibition’s national tour. Parents looking for ways to keep the children busy during spring break will find loads of enriching adventures at Cincinnati Museum Center, including this groundbreaking exhibition.