Local art galleries, shops, restaurants, and other small businesses offer opportunities to jump start resolutions for 2022
If you’ve made a few New Year’s resolutions, there are some opportunities to stick with them on Friday, Jan. 7, as Dayton prepares for First Friday. The first First Friday of 2022 features special programming and highlights small businesses downtown. Here are a few suggestions to get you on the right track in your new year.
Fitness & Health
● Space Three, 39 S. St. Clair St.: Space Three will offer a free sampler class (Barre, TRX, and Swerk dance fitness), starting at 5:15 p.m. Wellness Flow also will be on site with drips and B12 shots from 5 to 7 p.m.
● RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E. Monument Ave.: Sheltered under the covered pavilion, the MetroParks Ice Rink sets the scene as a perfect winter wonderland in downtown Dayton. Get a good workout skating around the rink, and take a break with hot chocolate from the concession area. Visit metroparks.org/ice-rink to learn more, find daily open hours, and see a schedule of events. Admission: $6 daily, ice skate rental: $2 daily. Ages 3 and under are free with a paying adult.
Patronize the Arts
● Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, Schuster Center, 1 W. Second St.: Enjoy the Dayton Philharmonic’s “East Meets West” concert at 8 p.m., featuring music from Mozart and Strauss, infused with Turkish and Hindustani music.
● First Friday at Front Street, 1001 E. Second St.: Dayton’s largest community of artists invites you to celebrate and support your local art community with live music, live art demos, food trucks, art exhibitions, workshops and artist talks. Explore more than 50 studios, galleries and boutiques. Buy original art, designer jewelry, artisan candles, glassware and other handcrafted goods directly from local artists. Shop clothing, home décor, spices and even tropical fish! Monthly Art Hops at Front Street are always free to attend. Also at Front Street, the “Artists Helping Non-Profits” benefit show opens during First Friday at The Orphanage and Momentum galleries, with 100 percent of sales donated to the Black Mountain College and Museum & Arts Center.
Buy Local
● The Entrepreneur’s Connection, 200 Wayne Ave.: Shop from dozens of locally owned businesses conveniently located in one spot. Open noon to 7 p.m. on First Friday at The Wheelhouse in Oregon East.
● 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 25% off your entire purchase!
Self Care
● Deaf Monty’s, 22 Brown St.: Treat yourself to a flight of four dry red wines for $10. Other wines are also available for individual tastes, by the glass or bottle. Deaf Monty’s makes a great stop while you wait for a table at a nearby Oregon District restaurant.
● Table 33 Dayton, 130 W. Second St.: Fridays are wine night at Table 33, with $3.33 wine pairings with any entree.
