June 5 - Virtual First Friday
sponsored by DP&L
Straight from your home you can still experience First Friday virtually again this month, and enjoy the small businesses, experiences, and arts in downtown Dayton while getting what is likely some much needed entertainment. Schedule a “virtual date” with friends or family to interact with the Virtual First Friday together, while apart.

Order a takeout or delivery meal from one of the dozens of downtown restaurants committed to serving our community and keeping employees paid during this time, or dine out at one of the businesses now open for outdoor or indoor dining and drinking. Shop from a local retailer who has a full lineup of goods and gift cards for sale online, or those who've reopened for in-person shopping. Explore a local museum, art gallery or theater group through a virtual tour of their interactive online posts, current displays, or past works.

You'll find a listing of several Virtual First Friday options below, but be sure to check the Facebook event page, as we're adding more as we learn about what downtown's businesses and amenities are offering!

First Friday is sponsored by DP&L.

Downtown Dayton
is OPEN* for business!
Support your local, independent businesses! We’ve put together a list of downtown restaurants that remain open with carry out, curbside pickup, or delivery services available at downtowndayton.org/open and we're continuing to update it as we get information. Several of those businesses now are open with outdoor or indoor dining or drinks, and we've added columns for those services to our page. Many of our retail and service businesses also have found creative ways to continue doing what they do. Check out virtual experiences and other ways to stay busy and have fun with our new OPEN* - Things to Do page!

Virtual Visual Art

Boy Blue has created short visual documentary about his artwork and the process of making the chalk murals known and loved by Daytonians. Watch it here.

The Contemporary Dayton- Through June 20, view the latest installation "Remix" at thecontemporarydayton.org and a
NEW Virtual Studio Tour by Jason Lee here.

Culture Works is sponsoring Dayton Artist Stream: Culture Works has been providing grants to local artists to continue to create works from home while they're been unable to work in their studios:
- Yetunde Rodriguez shows us how blockprinting works
- Mikee Huber takes us on a virtual gallery tour of some of her creations
- Caitlin Cartwright tells us about the work she is doing with the organization We Care Arts to create a project rooted in hope. She also gives us a glimpse into her studio as she creates an original painting
- Dan Cleary shows us how he takes multiple photographs and turns them into a single, beautiful piece of art using Photoshop
- Ryan Taylor takes us through his entire photography production workflow. Learn how he photographs, edits, prints, and mounts his work to create a totally unique art piece

Dawn Marie Paul has shared a new video here of her new studio space and some of the artwork that hangs on her gallery wall in it. Also visit her website at dmpaul.com

Dayton Art Institute - The DAI is offering many of its programs online, as well as ways to view its art virtually. More info

Dayton Live and the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance bring you "At Home" experiences with the Dayton Philharmonic, Dayton Ballet and Dayton Opera at daytonperformingarts.org/dpaa-at-home

Dayton Society of Artists - Opening night for reMEMBERed, the annual Members Exhibit. The exhibition will be live at: daytondsa.org/remembered.

Downtown Dayton Public Art Walk: use our interactive Avenza maps tour to walk or bike along a route of the public murals on downtown Dayton buildings.

Essential Artists Dayton - The Collaboratory has put together the Essential Artists Dayton website, where local artists are able to sell their artwork. Find your next great piece of art here: essentialartistsdayton.org

Front Street Artists are hosting special events throughout the day as part of First Friday! Artists will be posting to the event's newsfeed all day long, sharing photos, videos, and even "how-to" projects offered by some of our artists and artisans! We will be offering gallery, studio, and outdoor tours, along with updates and check-ins with our artists and artisans.

Now and Zen DIY Studio - Order an "at home" DIY terrarium kit, available for pickup at the store or can be shipped to your home. Order online here: shopnowandzen.com

Picture Perfect Paint Parties - pick up supplies for a paint party. Info here.

Virtual Music &
Performing Arts

From the Culture Works Dayton Artist Stream stage:
- An original song written by Rick Burnette for his daughter's wedding
- Isaac Pastor-Chermak expertly performs a beautiful cello piece by a little-known composer
- Bill Perry shares an original song meant to be lighthearted yet sharing a message about COVID-19
- Countess V. Winfrey performs an original dance composition highlighting the many places we can go while in quarantine
- Nile Ruff performs an original dance composition about "dancing in our gardens" highlighting all of the beautiful things we still have access to during this pandemic
- Gabrielle Sharp keeps life happy and light as she dances through her daily routine
- Quentin Sledge uses movement exploration as a way to share joy and creativity with others during this difficult time

Edde Osborne will be live-streaming on his Facebook page playing flute, soprano sax, and alto sax to his recorded tracks.

Harmonica Neil - Check out Harmonica Neil's Facebook page for a livestream on Friday night that he says "will reflect our uncertain and turbulent times through musical positivity."

The Human Race Theatre Company: YouTube videos of past performances here.

Manuel Creative Arts Academy - Online Music and Dance Classes. More info.

Steven Gregory will perform a short live set on his Facebook page from his home similar to his ‘Living Room Live.’

Virtual Housing Tour

Did you miss our Virtual Downtown Housing Tour on May 16? You're in luck - the tour is still online to view on our website! The Virtual Housing Tour includes video tours, photo galleries, construction renderings, and more from a mix of apartments and condos in downtown Dayton, giving attendees several tastes of downtown living, plus how-to videos from experts with tips for your home, behind the scenes tours, and much more. Take the tour virtually at downtowndayton.org/housing tour. Sponsored by DP&L, Dayton.com, Vectren, and Thrive Mortgage.

Virtual Career Fair
The coronavirus pandemic has put a strain on recruitment efforts for businesses, yet demand is higher than ever in many industries and the pool of candidates continues to grow. We want to help employers connect to active and passive jobseekers in a virtual environment. Therefore, Ohio Newspapers will be hosting a Virtual Career Fair June 3-17, 2020. Jobseekers can pre-register now at anywherecareerfair.com/ohionewspapers
For more information or to discuss your needs, please call Erin Murdock at 937-305-5661.

Virtual Film, Books, History, Science, & More

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery Digital Programming here.

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park Wright Cycle Shop Virtual Tour here.

Dayton Metro Library has numerous free, online offerings available (eBooks, eAudioBooks, Homework Help, downloadable films/music, research tools, etc.). More info

The Neon movie theater is closed, but they will still continue to offer the latest in award-winning independent cinema. For the price of a "virtual ticket," you'll get to screen a movie at home that isn't available on any other streaming platform. Info here.

WYSO Public Radio - A Rev. Cool Virtual Dance Party on the air. 8-10 p.m. WYSO 91.3 FM & WYSO.ORG

Virtual Fitness Classes
& Recreation

Mitt Master: More info.
Rinse Cycle Dayton: More info.
Snap Fitness: More info.
Space Three: More info.
Speakeasy Yoga: More info.
Yoga XTC: More info.

Shop Local

There are many ways our community can support local businesses. We’ve put together a list of downtown retail and service businesses that remain open in some way here.

Food & Drinks

Find the listing of more than 75 of our downtown eateries and breweries that remain OPEN* for *delivery, *carryout, *curbside pickup, and modified *indoor/outdoor dining here.

Special offerings this First Friday include:

Basil's On Market presents the return of the Friday "all you can eat crab" event.

Reza’s Downtown is offering Take Home Lattes: your speciality custom beverage in a sealed bottle that will keep refrigerated for up to 5 days. Just shake well, pour on ice and enjoy.

Twist Cupcakery is celebrating five years in business downtown and giving a gift to YOU with the $5 Holla deal. Details here.

Warped Wing Brewing Company will be OPEN* for on-site consumption this weekend along with *carryout orders.

See an updated list of all the June 5 Virtual First Friday plans & invite friends here.