Top 10 things to do this week

1) JENNIFER KEISHIN ARMSTRONG

Family recipes, an Egyptian spy and the television world of Jerry Seinfeld are just some of the topics explored during the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton’s Cultural Arts & Book Fest. The annual festival begins with two events featuring “Seinfeldia” author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, who discusses how a show about nothing changed everything.

The opening night is at Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Drive, Centerville, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27. A Q&A with the author will be presented at Centerville Library, 111 W. Spring Valley Road, Centerville, at 11 a.m. Friday. Oct. 28. Events are $5 in advance, $8 at the door.

The Arts & Book Fest continues through Dec. 8. "My Fat Dad: A Memoir of Food, Love and Family, with Recipes," is presented Nov. 7, and "The Angel: The Egyptian Spy Who Saved Israel" on Nov. 9. Call 937-610-1555 or visit www.jewishdayton.org.

2) RUSSIAN ECHOES

For its new season "From Russia to Love," Bach Society of Dayton explores choral masterworks, holiday music and songs of passion and love. The opening concert "Russian Echoes" — at Kettering Adventist Church, 3939 Stonebridge Road, Kettering, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 — is an evening of choral music with special guests the Russian Duo. The Bach Society's four-concert season continues with "Sweet Sounds of the Holidays" on Dec. 4. Cost: $18 adults, $10 students. Call 937-294-2224 or visit www.bachsocietyofdayton.org.

3) DRACULA: BLOODLINES

The exploits of Count Dracula have been reimagined in many forms since Bram Stoker's novel was published in 1897. Two different interpretations will be presented locally this weekend. Dayton Ballet, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and Dayton Opera join forces for "Dracula: Bloodlines," which opened on Thursday, Oct. 20. This new work by composer Austin K. Jaquith and choreographer Karen Russo Burke is presented at Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton through Sunday, Oct. 23. Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $14 to $72. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

4) SINCLAIR’S DRACULA

Sinclair Community College Theatre Department is also celebrating the Halloween season with a staging of Bram Stoker's enduring tale. "Dracula" opens in Sinclair's Blair Hall Theatre, 444 W. Third St., Dayton, on Friday, Oct. 21. Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, and 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Cost: $18 adults, $15 students and seniors. All seats are $10 during a Throwback Thursday performance on Oct. 27. "Dracula," which runs through Saturday, Oct. 29, isn't recommended for young audiences. Visit www.sinclair.edu.

5) DAVID ALLAN COE

David Allan Coe was a problem child. The Akron, Ohio native spent time in reform school, correction centers and prisons so it's no surprise he carried that bad boy image into his music career. At 77, the outlaw country singer still embodies that outsider spirit that continues to make him a top live draw. Coe performs at BMI Speedway, 769 E. Main St., Versailles, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. Doors open at 5 p.m. Cost: $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Saw Creek opens the show. Call 937-526-9547 or visit www.bmikarts.com.

6) WSU GALA

For its upcoming gala event, Wright State University CELIA has drawn inspiration from William Shakespeare. "Encountering Shakespeare." The event will take place in WSU's Schuster Hall, Creative Arts Center, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Fairborn, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, featuring opera, instrumental music, period dancing and theatrical performances. Wright State student and faculty performers like Professor Bruce Cromer will be joined by actors from the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Cost: $40. Visit www.wright.edu.

7) ROY MERIWETHER

Roy Meriwether was only 3 years old when he began figuring out songs by ear on piano. The Dayton native was 17 when he started performing in local jazz clubs and 22 when his debut, "Soup & Onions," was released by Columbia Records in 1966. Meriwether, who moved to New York in 1976, continues to tour and record. The jazz pianist returns for a hometown show at Gilly's, 132 S. Jefferson St., Dayton, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. For this show, he'll be backed by Dayton-based musicians Eddie Brookshire (bass) and Fenton Sparks (drums). Cost: $20. Call 937-228-8414 or visit www.gillysjazz.com.

8) FESTIVAL OF PRAISE

The Festival of Praise Tour has grown each year. The third annual outing, subtitled "The Game of Life," includes more than 50 dates in two months. Comedian Earthquake hosts the traveling show, which features Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker, Israel Houghton, Karen Clark Sheard, Regina Belle and Casey J. Festival of Praise is presented at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26. Cost: $37 to $54.50. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

9) DIA DE MUERTOS

Residents of Mexico and Latin American countries have been celebrating Dia de Muertos for centuries. The holiday, which translates as Day of the Dead, is a celebration of lost love ones and has been growing in prominence in the United States. The fifth annual Dayton Dia de Muertos Parade and Celebration is presented on Sunday, Oct. 23. K12/TEJAS Gallery, 341 S. Jefferson St., Dayton, hosts a pre-parade gathering at 2 p.m. with storytelling, folk dancing and face painting. The parade begins at 4 p.m. and ends at Missing Peace Art Space, 234 S. Dutoit St., Dayton, which hosts an after-party with art, altars, food, music and dancing. Visit www.daytondayofthedead.com.

10) JENNY Q. CHAI

Jenny Q. Chai is recognized as a classical artist but the Chinese pianist isn't lost in the past. She embraces multimedia productions and new technology. She'll showcase those traits during a water sustainability-themed concert with music and video projection for the University of Dayton's ArtsLIVE series. Chai performs in UD's Sears Recital Hall, Jesse Philips Humanities Center, 300 College Park, Dayton, at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27. Cost: $16 general admission, $12 seniors, military and UD affiliates, $8 students and youth. Visit www.udayton.edu.

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