Downtown Dayton’s Biggest Street Party, Urban Nights, Returns on May 13

Event showcases urban living, arts, music, dining and much more throughout downtown. 

The next Urban Nights will be held 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 13, in downtown Dayton, the Oregon Arts District and Wright-Dunbar Business Village. 

Approximately 30,000 people come downtown to experience this free event, when more than 100 establishments showcase downtown’s dining, nightlife, art, music, retail and housing options. Urban Nights also includes hands-on activities. For example, visitors also can create a piece of whimsical public art using jelly beans and have their pictures taken in a free photo booth. 

Visitors can enjoy a variety of musical entertainment and live performances at stages throughout downtown. Back by popular demand is the Community Stage, located at the corner of Third and Jefferson streets, which always provides an eclectic mix of 10-minute performances. To perform, fill out an application at  www.downtowndayton.org or contact Krystal Luketic at 937-224-1518 ext. 227 or luketic@downtowndayton.org. 

A weekend-long event also will open during Urban Nights. The Dayton Circus Creative Collective will host its sixth annual multimedia arts event, Sideshow VI, at Garden Station, 509 E. Fourth St., and in the nearby Yellow Cab building, 700 E. Fourth St. 

A map of participating venues and a complete performance schedule, including a listing of all participating locations’ events and specials, will be available online at www.downtowndayton.org in early May. Follow Urban Nights on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UrbanNightsDayton for regular updates and more information. 

“Urban Nights is the perfect opportunity to sample the many things downtown businesses and organizations have to offer,” said Sandy Gudorf, president of the Downtown Dayton Partnership. “The event also highlights the people and places that can only be experienced in one place: downtown Dayton.” 

The best way to see as much as possible during Urban Nights is to walk, and many of the destinations are just a short distance from each other. Greater Dayton RTA also will provide free event trolleys to help visitors get around. 

Urban Nights is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership, Culture Works, Montgomery County and the City of Dayton, with additional support from WDTN-TV2, DP&L, Greater Dayton RTA, Budweiser Select, the Downtown Priority Board, Sinclair Community College, Clear Channel and Mix 107.7-FM, KeyBank, and the Ohio Arts Council.

ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE: MAY 13, 2011

Main Stage: Courthouse Square

Sponsored by DP&L

5 to 5:20 p.m.                     Schuster Children’s Choir                                          

5:25 to 5:50 p.m.             Schuster Choir

5:55 to 6:25 p.m.             Steve Langemo and Joni Williamson, jazz duo                               

6:30 to 7 p.m.                     Jasper the Colossal, local indie rock band                                       

7 to 7:25 p.m.                     Easycreek, Southern rock

7:30 to 7:55 p.m.               Circle Nerdz, breakdancers   

8 to 10 p.m.                        This Side Up, local cover band

Spotlight on Sinclair: Second and Jefferson streets by the Kettering Tower

6 to 9 p.m.                           Entertainment programmed and performed by Sinclair Community College

Community Church Stage: Wilkinson Street between First and Second streets

6 to 8 p.m.                           Performances by choirs from downtown churches

8 to 10 p.m.                        Westminster Presbyterian Church, an evening with Keith Yoder

Community Stage: Corner of Third and Jefferson streets

Special thanks to Harvey Lehrner, owner of Don’s Pawn Shop, for use of the parking lot.

5 to 6:55 p.m.                     Performances by people from the community                               

7 to 10 p.m.                        Open call karaoke

Wright Dunbar Stage: Southwest corner of Third and Williams streets

6 to 10 p.m.                        Entertainment programmed by the Wright-Dunbar Business Village

Live on Five: In the historic Oregon Arts District next to the Trolley Stop 

7 to 8 p.m.                           Ryan Judy                                         

8 to 9 p.m.                           Chapter 3           

9 to 10 p.m.                        Encore Theater Company Summer Season Launch Party

RiverScape MetroPark entertainment pavilion: Monument Avenue

5 to 5:15 p.m.                     Neverquit Dance Crew and Studio 4                                    

5:20 to 5:40 p.m.               Fusion Dance Crew     

5:45 to 6:15 p.m.               4 Universal Elementz

6:30 to 8 p.m.                     Deron Bell Band

8:30 to 10 p.m.                  Son del Caribe