Urban Nights: Walk on the creative side

DAYTON, OH (WDTN) - The Sept. 10 Urban Nights will bring out the artist in everyone.

At this free event from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, in downtown Dayton, the Oregon Arts District and Wright-Dunbar Business Village, attendees will have the opportunity to take a walk on the creative side.

More than 100 creative spaces and places will participate in this popular event that showcases downtown’s dining, nightlife, art, music, retail and housing options. New to Urban Nights this fall will be a variety of participatory activities, encouraging attendees to bring out their inner artists.

Jugglers, belly and tap dancers, and others will teach guests their craft and invite them to join in. If weather permits, Hauer Music will provide pianos at outdoor spaces throughout downtown, where visitors will be encouraged to tickle the ivories.

Other activities will include a chalk walk, karaoke on the Spotlight on Second stage near Kettering Tower, Wii games at the Health Fair in Wright-Dunbar, and more.

Back by popular demand is the Community Stage, located at the corner of Third and Jefferson streets. It will feature a variety of 10-minute performances from 6 to 10 p.m

Other highlights include a ’70s Karaoke Contest on the Loft Theatre stage from 6 to 9 p.m., hosted by The Human Race Theatre Company. The first 30 people to sign up, starting at 5 p.m., will compete.

Three finalists will win cash prizes and be invited to perform a warm-up act for The Human Race’s December production of “8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s.” Cyclists will gather at 5:15 p.m. at Don Crawford Plaza in front of Fifth Third Field for Urban Bikes at Urban Nights, a community ride through the action.

Details about participatory activities, a map of participating venues and a performance schedule, including a listing of all participating locations’ events and specials, will be available online at www.downtowndayton.org 

Most Urban Nights destinations are a short, walkable distance from each other, and the Greater Dayton RTA will provide free event trolleys to help patrons get around.

WDTN-TV2, is proud to be the media sponsor for Urban Nights.