August 29 -
Record Store Day 2020
Omega Music, 318 E. Fifth St.,
10 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Celebrate Record Store Day with Omega Music! RSD will look very different this year, but we appreciate your continued support during this time. We’re focusing on the music and getting these really awesome releases into the store and into your hands in the most financially and socially responsible way. We’ve had to adapt to this new world we’re living in, and we’re doing our best to make it fair (and safe) for everyone.

The night before the release date, we will post a menu of everything we have in stock. Bring your filled out list to the store. We will have somebody at the door at 8AM to start collecting lists (and handing lists out to those of you who do not have printing capabilities). All items will be first come, first served. To minimize contact, we will keep all of the Record Store Day releases in our back room and our employees will pull the items for you! If you do not wish to come into the store, you can fill out a wish list online! For complete details and more info on how RSD 2020 will work, check out the Facebook event page here.

Sept. 4 & 5 - Downtown Dayton Sidewalk Sale
The Downtown Dayton Partnership, along with more than 30 small businesses and locally-owned restaurants, will throw a special Downtown Dayton Sidewalk Sale during September’s First Friday, on Friday, Sept. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m., and continuing Saturday, Sept. 5, from noon to 5 p.m. This open-air experience, an addition to the DP&L First Friday lineup, will take place throughout the streets downtown Dayton. We invite guests to explore downtown during the Sidewalk Sale, where they will find special attractions lining the pavement in front of their favorite downtown establishments. More details on the Facebook event page here.

Get to know 416 Diner
in our first OPEN* Business Spotlight!

In this new series, we'll profile some of the small businesses that make downtown great! We ask a series of questions about each business, letting them tell you about themselves in their own words, including their background, what services they offer, how they're responding to the pandemic challenges, and more.

It's a great way to learn more about your favorite businesses, or discover a new spot you may not be familiar with yet.

Our first Business Spotlight is 416 Diner. Find out what a West Virginia-style pepperoni roll is and much more - Click here to read.

The Contemporary Dayton
2020 Online Art Auction
& Benefit
The Contemporary Dayton is excited to present the 2020 Online Art Auction & Benefit, featuring artworks by over 100 local and Ohio artists. Bid ONLINE now through August 30. Online bidding will close on August 30 at 9:00 p.m. Viewing artworks and registration is FREE; you must register to bid.Bid LIVE on Saturday, August 29. Live Auction Livestream begins promptly at 7:00 p.m. on August 29. Livestream and registration is FREE; you must register to bid. More information here.

Dayton Art Institute's Virtual
Oktoberfest Fundraiser
To mark the 49th anniversary of Oktoberfest, the DAI is offering a unique online fundraising event. Even though you can’t spend the traditional weekend at the museum, listening to polka bands, perusing the artisans and having a pretzel with a mug of beer, you can take the DAI’s party-in-a-box and have your own Oktoberfest celebration at home. Virtual Oktoberfest offers an exclusive, limited-edition 2020 Oktoberfest mug and hat pin, as well as three different Oktoberfest t-shirts, and an invitation to a special livestream event to take place on Sept. 26. Three different Virtual Oktoberfest Party Packs are being offered. The virtual livestream event on September 26 will feature music and other special surprises. Get more details and place your order here.

PNC Tiny Thursdays...
at Home
Want to enjoy Tiny Thursdays at home? Explore a DAI artwork, watch a virtual read-aloud story and then follow along with project instructions found here!

August 28 - Sleeping Beauty: The Story of Briar Rose - DPAA Replay - Summer Streams
The classic story of Sleeping Beauty was first performed as a ballet in Russia in 1890, with music from the famed composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The story of the beautiful princess, her guardian fairies, the evil spell of the darkened slumber, and the magic kiss has been passed down through generations. Dayton Ballet Artistic Director Karen Russo Burke presents her own magical vision of this story, influenced by the artwork of Gustav Klimt. The Replay stream is a multimedia presentation blending still photographs and video clips of the Ballet’s production to the Orchestra’s musical accompaniment. Premieres Aug 28 at 8 p.m. More info.

August 28 - Early Risers
Early Risers is a morning pitch series that connects entrepreneurs to the things they need most, like first customers, key employees, mentors, funding, and more. Each startup gets 10 minutes to pitch, then the audience gets 5 minutes for Q&A. In the last two years, 90% of startups have gotten their ask granted through a connection made at Early Risers. So grab a cup of coffee & a donut and find a place you can plug into Dayton's startup community! August 28 at 8 a.m. More info.

August 29 -
Sprouting Dreams Saturday
The Barrel House, 417 E. Third St.;
noon-6 p.m.
Sprouting Dreams is coming back to The Barrel House! Come down on Saturday and get their amazing local vegan food! They'll be set up in our side parking lot from noon-6pm (or until sold out)!

August 29 -
Songwriter's Showcase
Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St.;
8 p.m.
We are so exited to welcome Amber Hargett back to The Yellow Cab Tavern stage on Saturday, August 29, at 8 p.m.! A $7 cover will start at 7 p.m. with music starting at 8 p.m. Please be sure to read our dining policies at yellowcabfoodtrucks.com before coming out.

August 30 -
OK, Karen Release
Toxic Brew Company, 431 E. Fifth St.;
1-5 p.m.
For one day only, Coco's Bistro is coming back to the Oregon District! We're celebrating the release of "OK, Karen" a 4.8% abv pilsner we made just for them. Chef Bryan Ondre and Bar Manager Nick Bohardt will be here doing there thing, slinging their amazing food and cocktails 1:00-5:00.

August 30 - Sunday Social
Tender Mercy, 607 E. Third St.;
2-4 p.m.
Sunday Social #2: a series of afternoon pop-ups with local chefs, food trucks, and friends continues with the culinarian homies at Jollity. Seatings available at 2pm or 3pm, with limited patio seating available on a first-come, first-served basis by request (weather permitting). Tickets include a choice from 4 unique Jollity sandwiches and a sweet treat for dessert, plus a $25 beverage voucher to apply to your selections off our full menu. For groups, please purchase tickets in one transaction to assure your party is seated together, and put special requests in the notes. 20% Gratuity is included at time of purchase. More info.

Starting Next Weekend! Shop, Dine, & Relax Out on 5th

Beginning Labor Day weekend on Friday, Sept. 4, 2020, Fifth Street will close to vehicular traffic between Patterson Boulevard and Wayne Avenue on weekends, to create a pedestrian mall in the Oregon District with increased service areas for bars, restaurants, and retailers, and increased space for the public to enjoy. The weekend closures will feature acoustic music and other live entertainment, special sales events, and amenities to elevate the guest experience. Out on 5th will continue every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through the end of October during this pilot phase. Along with the street closures, the Oregon District will be able to safely enact the DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area), which allows patrons to purchase an alcoholic beverage served in a designated cup and relax outdoors in the pedestrian mall. Find the DORA rules and more info here.

Support Our Local Small Businesses
When They Need You the Most!

The pandemic has been hard on all of us. So much of what we consider normal has changed, and we've all had to find ways to adapt. In downtown Dayton, the pandemic has been especially difficult for our great collection of independent small businesses who provide the products and services we love. We encourage you to continue to support these local businesses during this difficult time in any way you can. They're the backbone of our community, and they need our support more than ever.

If you miss your favorite local, independent businesses, check out our lists of what's OPEN*. We’ve put together a list of downtown restaurants with carry out, curbside pickup, or delivery services, as well as those open outdoor or indoor. 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 OPEN* - Things to Do page!

Now, more than ever, it's a great time to support local businesses and Be Downtown.