Top 10 things to do this week

1) THURGOOD

This August will mark 50 years since Thurgood Marshall became the first African-American Supreme Court Justice. It was just one of the many history-making firsts for the Maryland native, who held that prestigious position until 1991.

Human Race Theatre Company presents “Thurgood” at the Philips Creativity Center, 116 N. Jefferson St., Dayton. Alan Bomar Jones stars in this one-man play written by George Stevens Jr. and directed by Scott Stoney. “Thurgood,” which opened Thursday, April 27, is presented Thursday through Sunday through May 14.

Show times are 8 p.m. with 2 p.m. Sunday matinees. Cost: $25. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

>> MORE: What to expect at Human Race’s ‘Thurgood’

2) SYMPHONIC QUEEN

For its upcoming concert “The Music of Queen,” Neal Gittleman and the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra recruited Richard Sidwell, a man who knows the music well. For the past decade, the British musician and arranger has been presenting a symphonic show featuring the cast and rock band from the hit British musical, “We Will Rock You.” This Rockin’ Orchestra Series Concert, featuring some of the best known songs by Freddy Mercury and his bandmates in the hit-making British band, is presented at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 29. Cost: $27-$81. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

>> MORE: Rock out with the music of Queen

Credit: Contributed

Credit: Contributed

3) DVAC AUCTION

More than 100 works from local artists, including paintings, photographs, glass and jewelry, will be on the block during Dayton Visual Arts Center’s 23rd Annual Art Auction. Participating artists include Dave Ackels, Jane Dippold, Katherine Kadish, Ray Must and Amy Powell. DVAC’s annual fundraising event is presented at Sinclair Community College, Ponitz Center, 444 W. Third St., Dayton, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 28. Cost: $50 DVAC members, $65 nonmembers. All tickets $75 at the door. Call 937-224-3822 or visit www.daytonvisualarts.org.

MORE: What you need to know about DVAC Art Auction

4) BEIGNETS ON THE BAYOU

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company celebrates its 48th anniversary with an evening with a New Orleans flair. DCDC presents the fundraising program, “Soulstice: Beignets on the Bayou,” at the American Packard Museum, 420 S. Ludlow St., Dayton, at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 29. Live music will be presented by Dean Simms’ Satchmo Band and the Red Hot Second Line Brass Band. Cost: $125. Proceeds benefit DCDC’s arts-integrated education and community engagement programs. Visit www.dcdc.org.

5) LUCINDA WILLIAMS

Lucinda Williams has received her share of accolades, from three Grammy Award wins and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association. One honor the country singer never imagined was receiving an honorary degree from Berklee College of Music, which will happen in just a few weeks. Williams, who released her 12th studio album, “The Ghosts of Highway 20,” in 2016, performs in concert at the Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 2. Cost: $39.50-$49.50. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

MORE: Lucinda Williams on stage at the Victoria Theatre

6) COCOA BROWN

Cocoa Brown started her show business career as an advertising associate for Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus but she was itching for more. She finally decided to leave office work behind and take her talents to the stage and she hasn’t looked back. The actor-comedian is performing at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, 88 Plum St., The Greene, Beavercreek, through Sunday, April 30. Show times are 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $15-$45 Friday and Saturday, $12-$42 Sunday. Call 937-429-LAFF (5233) or visit www.daytonfunnybone.com.

7) DAYTON DRAGONS

The Dayton Dragons have gotten off to a decent start this season under the guidance of new manager, Luis Bolivar. A former all-star player and hitting coach for the team, he is the ninth manager in the Dragon’s 17 seasons. The minor league team has already faced five different opponents in the young season and is the midst of a stretch of 26 games in as many days. On Thursday, April 27, the Dragons began a home stand against the Great Lakes blank at Fifth Third Field, 220 N. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, which continues through Sunday. Game time is 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $17. Call 937-228-2287 or visit www.daytondragons.com.

>> RELATED: Make the most out of a Dragons game

8) CANAAN SMITH

“Love You Like That” is the most successful song by Canaan Smith, reaching number six on the country music charts in 2014. The Virginia native puts a twist on the theme on his new single, “Like You That Way,” which was released earlier this month. Smith won’t be kicking his performance schedule into high gear until June but he slipping away this weekend for a one-off show at Oddbody’s Music Room, 5418 Burkhardt Road, Dayton. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 29. Doors open at 7 p.m. Cost: $15-$20. Call 937-813-4272 or visit www.oddbodys.com.

9) DAYTON BOOK EXPO

Close to 100 authors will be converging on the Gem City, when the eighth annual Dayton Book Expo is presented at Sinclair Community College, Ponitz Center, Bldg. 12, 444 W. Third St., Dayton on Saturday, April 29. Participating artists include Kris Allis, DL Wainright, Schott Bachmann, Ann Otto, Todd Anthonsen and Romarin Demetri. The expo runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: Free. Visit www.daytonbookexpo.com.

10) GEM CITY BALLET GALA

Gem City Ballet, the local pre-professional company, celebrates its 25th anniversary season with a gala concert at Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 29. The program features choreographer George Balanchine’s “Concerto Barocco” and “Fast Company” by Stuart Sebastian. Cost: $12-$32. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

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