Fraze Pavilion
695 Lincoln Park Boulevard, Kettering, Ohio 45429
The Fraze Pavilion was built in 1991 and each summer since it has provided Southwestern Ohio with a fine lineup of artists (regional, national, and international) and festivals. Going to the Fraze is an experience one is not soon to forget. It might be due to the intimate seating, quality of acts performing, or outdoor setting. The Fraze Pavilion is located in the suburban town of Kettering, Ohio.
The Fraze has four seating options (in order of closeness to stage) plaza, orchestra, lawn, and terrace. Plaza seats are close to the stage, but are folding chairs. Orchestra seats are your typical stadium seats. Lawn seats are just that a lawn. No chairs are allowed on the lawn only blankets and rented seat backs. Terrace seats are bleacher seats you would find at any park. The best seats are the orchestra seats. They give the person watching the concert the most comfortable choice and are just far enough from the stage to really enjoy the show. Spend the extra on these sets, it is worth it. If you have a family or a big group of friends then the lawn could be a great experience.
If one wants to see their favorite show during the summer, the best suggestion is to go to the Fraze website and sign up for the e-newsletter. Many of the Fraze concerts sell out quickly. Some shows even sell out within a few hours after tickets go on sale. It is best to buy tickets early.
The Fraze does have concession stands and boxed lunches. The prices are what you would expect at any concert. The Fraze does not allow outside food into the pavilion.
Fraze concerts and shows happen rain or shine. No umbrellas are allowed, so if it looks like rain bring rain gear. Those Ohio summer showers will quickly come and go. The show will go on.
If one is looking for a low cost way to come to the Fraze, they offer $2 Tuesdays one Tuesday each month featuring regional artists, and $5 Fridays each month during the summer with some great artists appearing. The Fraze also offers lots of free festivals.
Come early parking fills up fast around the pavilion. More parking is available at the high school across the street, but there is a walk.
If one has never been in the warm summer air attending a live concert, then the Fraze is the perfect place to attend your first outdoor concert. The Fraze’s quality of live performance, willingness of staff, and outdoor setting will keep one coming back summer after summer.
The Stuart & Mimi Rose Music Center at the Heights
6800 Executive Blvd, Huber Heights, OH 45424
https://www.rosemusiccenter.com
The Dayton area is no stranger to outdoor concert venues. Since 1991 there has been the Fraze Pavilion. Last year Levitt Pavilion in downtown opened for free concerts. The largest by far is the The Stuart & Mimi Rose Music Center at The Heights.
The Rose Music Center is located north of town in the city of Hube Heights. The venue opened in 2015 and is the first in a group of building being developed in the area. It is right of the highway and very easy to spot standing by itself in a field. It also is one of the largest buildings in the area, which doesn’t hurt.
The Center has plenty of parking and is well suited for the crowds that it attracts. The interior is just a row of concession stands restrooms and the performance area. The concessions are standard concert venue far with hot dogs, sandwiches, and plenty to drink. Offerings are the same across the entire pavilion. No need to walk far distances for something special. The area around the center is also full of many options for a bite before the show, with more being built in the future. The restrooms are large and right next to the entrance of the seating area. They handle a lot of people and tend to back up very little at busy times.
The actual performance area is the main draw of the center. Unlike the Fraze all seats are covered. This roof covers the seats but is high enough not to block any views and to allow for ventilation on the hot summer nights. Containing 4,200 seat, it is one of larger venues in the county. The seating area is wide and deep angling toward the decently sized stage. Some of the back seats can be a little far from the stage, but are not too far to be able to enjoy the show. The back section is angled steep enough that views are not blocked too much. There are video screens and a good sound system to help make sure everyone has a good time, not just the people in front. The seats are comfortable without being anything to special. The Rose Center is located along a major highway (I-70). This makes for easy access to and from an event. This also means that during busy times some of the noise from the road will bleed into the venue. Any performance will usually drown this out.
The selection of acts are very similar to the ones at the Fraze. From well known new acts to older bands, The Rose has a little bit of something for everyone. While the Greater Dayton area seem too small to support two large venues, the differences between the more intimate feeling Fraze and the grand scale of the Rose set them apart enough for both venues to be supported and loved.
As the weather heats up so do the summer tours and The Stuart & Mimi Rose Music Center at The Heights is a great place to see a loved band or find a new favorite.
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