First Friday: Spring has Sprung Edition

Spring has sprung! April 4 First Friday in downtown Dayton

The sun is shining, flowers, are blooming, birds are singing - spring is finally here!

Spring has officially sprung, and downtown is in bloom! With sunshine in the air, flowers blooming, and a fresh energy all around, there’s no better time to celebrate than during First Friday from 5-10 p.m. on Friday, April 3. April is full of little joys waiting to be discovered, bright new spring menus, cheerful happy hours, inspiring art, can’t-miss shopping sales, and plenty more surprises all month long.

As you enjoy the spring day, remember that the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) is in effect daily from noon until midnight all year-round! Guests 21 years and older are invited to purchase a DORA beverage from a participating business to sip and stroll while enjoying the gorgeous spring weather around Downtown Dayton! Get a refresher on the rules, see the boundary, and a list of all participating vendors at downtowndayton.org/DORA.

ART, DANCE, MUSIC, AND FILM

• The Black Box Improv, 518 E. Third St.: Take in comedy from Friday House Team “Grandpa’s Scream Jar” and a special show! Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St.: Join us for an evening of awesome live music with Wreck League, Echo Days, and Al Holbrook! 8 p.m., 21+, $10 at the door.
• The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St.: See “Jason REVOK: Mutually Exclusive,” “Jamea Richmond-Edwards: Leviathan,” and “Paul Verdell: Tabernacle” now through June 6. Plus, April Member’s Spotlight Exhibition “Amy Dolan: Along the Path” through April 25. The gallery is open until 8 p.m. for First Friday. Free and open to all.
• Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North: Visit the latest special exhibitions, “Captivating Clay: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics from the Horvitz Collection,” “Engaged: Rings from Around the World,” “Tony Foster, Exploring Time: A Painter’s Perspective,” “Exploring Feminism,” and “Symbols of Hope: Eunshin Khang.” Open until 5 p.m. on Friday. 
• Dayton Live, Schuster Center, 1 W. Second St.: Direct from Broadway, comes the acclaimed Tony Award®-winning musical SUFFS about the brilliant, passionate, and funny American women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote. Tickets available at daytonlive.org
• Dayton Society of Artists, 48 High St.: Join the DSA from 6-8 p.m. on First Friday for the closing reception of “Part of a Whole: 1/2” the first installment of the Dayton Society of Artists’ annual members’ exhibition!  
• Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Ave.: See “I Love You Because” on First Friday! This musical from the mid-2000's is a twist on Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. A young, uptight greeting card writer's life is changed when he meets a flighty photographer. Along with their eccentric friends and siblings, they learn to love each other, not despite their faults, but because of them. 
• Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave.: It’s Free Juke Box Friday from 6-9 p.m.! Stick around for Irish First Fridays with a Miami Valley Pipes & Drums performance at 7 p.m. and more music at 9 p.m.
• Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 222 N. St. Clair St.: See The posthumous exhibition of the Nature Photography of Bro. John Lemker. Brother John Lemker was a beloved teacher, religious formator, and acclaimed photographer whose images appeared in many prominent publications, as well as anchoring Gallery St. John at Mount Saint John in Dayton. He considered his work “behind the lens” a form of prayer, once noting in an interview, “There comes a point when you can see with your whole self, and your soul says, ‘that’s it!’ “
• Front Street, 1001 E. Second St.: On the first Friday of every month, our tenants join together and invite you to hop around Dayton's largest community of artists and artisans. From 5PM-9PM, come explore, create, and shop while enjoying live music and hot food! Monthly Art Hops at Front Street are always free to attend. We offer free, lit parking on and around our campus. We are a family and pet-friendly community! In addition to our monthly Art Hops, we also have special Saturday Shops every weekend, from 11-AM-4PM. 
• K12 Gallery & TEJAS, 341 S. Jefferon St.: See “A Collective of Works: Joshua Gill & Atlas Hughes.” Josh and Atlas have been students at K12 TEJAS Gallery since they were 5 years old, and also were in our AIT (Artist in Training) program, this show is a collection of works by them over the years and part of their Senior Portfolio. Plus, see artwork of students from Chaminade Julienne & St. Alberts Catholic School during the school year!
• The Neon movie theater, 130 E. Fifth St.: See “The Drama” and “Fantasy Life” on First Friday! 
• Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St.: Spring vibes incoming with The Eco and support from Novel Vibrations, Nate Rettig, Grunch, and STZ. Doors at 8p, music at 9p. $10 at the door.
• Toxic Brew Co., 431 E. Fifth St.: Art and Brews: Fresh local art on the walls with new beers and drink specials with plenty of Non-Alcoholic options
• Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St.: Join us to celebrate survivors and community at Yellow Cab with a Sexual Assault Awareness Month Benefit Show. Get some pizza and drinks while you listen to great music from Good Soup, Stump, LimeLight, Ink, and Monkey’s Paw. We also have some great vendors selling vintage clothes, jewelry, and more! Tickets are $10 for pre-sale through Cincy ticket and $12 at the door. All ticket sales are going to “Take Back The Night” nonprofit organization!!

The Dayton Arcade’s historic concourse will be open this First Friday

DINING AND DRINKS

• Bistecca, 137 N. Main St.: Join us from 4:30-6:30pm at our bar for Negroni Hour. Order our Flywheel Negroni and watch our one-of-a-kind hand-crafted Archimedean Excogitation Negroni machine work it's magic. Just one standout from Bistecca's Negroni menu.
• Club Evolution, 130 N. Patterson Blvd.: $2 Cherry Bombs during karaoke from 10p-2a!
• Dayton Beer Company, 41 Madison St.: Happy Hour runs 3-5 p.m.! Enjoy $1 off all DBC core beers.
• Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave.: Enjoy Happy Hour specials from 3-6 p.m.!
• Lily’s Dayton, 329 E. Fifth St.: Check out the updated drink and dinner menus! Friday nights are grilled dinner nights. Lily’s will serve its full dinner menu featuring a special plate of vegetables and proteins made on their propane grill! Weekday Happy Hour at Lily’s is 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. Glass of house white, rose, red, or sparkling wine for $6, house brand highballs are $5, and $1 off select beers! The patio is open starting at 65 degrees!
• Mikey’s Late Night Slice, 503 E. First St.: Party Hour gets you half off food and drinks from 4-5 p.m., and Happy Hour runs 5-7 p.m. with $3 Wells, $2 off drafts, and $2 off wine. From 4-8 p.m., carry out a whole pie starting at $25.50! Open until 3 a.m. on Fridays.
• Olive Mediterranean Grill, 44 W. Third St.: Stop by our downtown Dayton location with a guest who has never dined with us before. When your first-time guest joins you for a meal (dine-in only) or a pick-up order placed in the restaurant, you will receive 50% off your entire check. To qualify, the new customer must be present with you inside the restaurant at the time of ordering. This is our way of saying "Thank You" for growing the Olive Mediterranean family!
• Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St.: Happy Hour 4-7 p.m. with ½ off drafts and apps, $2 off liquor!
• Pins Mechanical Co., 416 E. First St.: Happy Hour from 4-7PM, with half-off all draft beers and $3 off specialty cocktails.
• Salar Restaurant and Lounge, 400 E. Fifth St., 937-203-3999: Kick off your First Friday with happy hour at Salar from 4-6 p.m. with cocktail specials, $5 house wine pours, $1 off of all beers, and bar bites specials. Enjoy dinner, too, available for dine in or carryout.
• Sueño, 607 E. Third St.: Happy hour at the bar runs from 4-6 p.m.!
• Tender Mercy, 607 E. Third St. (Lower Level), Happy Hour runs from 4-6 p.m. featuring half-off select Signature Cocktails, beer, and wine.
• Toxic Brew Co., 431 E. Fifth St.: Art and Brews: Fresh local art on the walls with new beers and drink specials with plenty of Non-Alcoholic options
• Troll Pub Dayton, 216 Wayne Ave.: Every Friday at the Troll Pub is part of W.T.F Happy Hours: Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 4-7 p.m. featuring 1/2 Priced Pints & 1/2 priced apps, and $4 Fireball Shots.
• Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St., 937-461-1101: Enjoy Half-off Happy Hour every day 3-7pm! $3 wells and half off select appetizers.
• Winans Coffee & Chocolates, 221 N. Patterson Blvd.: Happy Hour from 4 - 7 pm $1 off any glass of wine from our menu. $2 off each glass if you bring a friend!

SPECIAL SHOPPING DEALS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

• After5, 111 E. Third St.: Mention First Friday at checkout to take 20% off of your total purchase!
• Choice Juice Boxx, 31 S. St. Clair St.: Spend $50 at Varsity House to receive 10% off from your Choice Juice Boxx purchase.
• Club Evolution, 130 N. Patterson Blvd.: Enjoy karaoke from 10p to 2a with $2 Cherry Bombs!
• CORPORATE, 119 E. Third St.: First Friday sale! Get 15% off from 11a-6p every First Friday
• The Dayton Arcade, 24 W. Third St. & 35 W. Fourth St.: The Arcade’s historic concourse will be open from 5-8 p.m., welcoming visitors to explore the heart of the complex. Visit Arcade tenants The Contemporary Dayton, The Garden Grille & Bar, Luke’s Grab & Go, Lucho, Maria’s at the Market, Pink Moon Goods, Too, Popup Gallery: John Landsidel Art, Road Runner Espresso Bar, Smales Pretzel Bakery, Table 33, Willow Rust, 6888 Kitchen, and 14 popup vendors! Enjoy acoustic music from 5-7 p.m. Come explore, grab a DORA drink, support local, and kick off your weekend at The Arcade!
• Smales Pretzel Bakery, 220 N. Patterson Blvd.: Gear up for baseball season at the Dragons Den! The Dragons Den will be open at Day Air Ballpark from 2-8 p.m. Guests can enjoy 15% off all purchases.
• Dayton Metro Library, 215 E. Third St.: Dayton Metro Library, 215 E. Third St.: Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to a Teen Hangout from 2-5 p.m. Registration is required. Learn more at daytonmetrolibrary.org
• Gem City Jewelry, 100 N. Main St. Ste. 125: First Friday Sale of 25% off all in stock jewelry, but only when you mention First Friday! Plus, an additional Happy Hour 10% OFF BETWEEN 1:00-2:00PM. Open Tuesday thru Friday 11am to 6pm and Saturday 11am- 3pm. 
• Gem City Tattoo Club, 436 E. Fifth St.: Tattoo flash sale! From 12:30-7:30 p.m., GCTC will offer traditional designs from our group of professional artists at a discounted price of $80-$100! Stop in and choose from 100s of designs. First come first serve!
• K12 Gallery & TEJAS, 341 S. Jefferson St.: Memberships to Save 50% OFF on ALL Saturday & Weekday Art Classes are ONLY $25 for a LIMITED TIME!
• K12 Gallery & TEJAS, 341 S. Jefferson St.: Friday Night Paint-In  2 Sessions available (4:00-6:00pm/6:00-8:00pm) $30.00 Per Person. Bring your own drink/snacks - For more information call 937-461-5149
• Omega Music, 318 E. Fifth St.: New release day! Explore the new releases on vinyl, CDs, and more. All day 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Oregon District.
• Soleil Movement Studio, 204 Wayne Avenue: Your first class is just $5! Register for Friday’s Guided Meditation, Mat Pilates, or Gentle Yoga Flow classes
• Square One Salon & Spa, 506 E. Third St: Enjoy First Friday & Saturday Styles! A new way to experience Square One with Preferred Pricing on Select Services! Available only on First Friday & Saturday of each month with select service providers. Book early – appointments fill quickly! 
• Vidia’s Closet, 27 S. St. Clair St.: When you shop this women’s clothing boutique in the St. Clair Lofts on First Friday, you can take 20% off your entire purchase! Shop in-store and enjoy a complementary glass of wine.
• Vogue Vision Photography, a Denise Danielle Photography company, 120 W. Second St.: Headshot Party! Only $99 for a 20 min session with 2 digital images. Makeup artist on site, prices may vary.

Links & Tags

Downtown Dayton Partnership.

Downtown Dayton Partnership - A nonprofit organization that includes information about working, living and having fun in downtown Dayton.