Hello.

The venue for music lovers by music lovers.

We’re the Dixon family and we really put the ‘family’ in family-owned business. Oddly enough we never really planned to own a music and event venue, yet it suits us quite well.

The beauty of The Brightside is that we have been able to create a free-spirited and welcoming space for genuine people. Our mission is simple - to bring people together to dance, celebrate love, enjoy art, and build stronger community bonds…and have a good time while doing it!

Our music team is led by women (something truly unique in the music industry!): Carli Dixon, Venue Owner and General Manager, Libby Ballengee, Music Booker and Promoter with Venus Child Productions, Production Manager Sophie Whitt, and Beverage Manager Suzy Switzer.
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In our debut year, this team brought Guided by Voices, Brainiac & Miss May I back to their hometown, along with many exciting musical acts, including: Scythian, The Werks, The Nth Power, Ekoostik Hookah, Jennifer Hartswick, Ellis Paul Music, and Dead Horses among many others. ⁠
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We've also collaborated with Sound Valley to launch Dayton Battle of the Bands to give a platform to emerging local artists.⁠ We're always striving to create a thriving and vibrant local music scene.

We cultivate music and cultural curiosity through our adventurous line-up of public events, which includes all kinds of music genres, dance, art shows, and wellness experiences. Our goal is to create a welcoming, independently owned, community space in the heart of downtown, Dayton.

Meet Your Team

Carli Dixon

Co-Owner & General Manager

With nearly 30 years of experience running small businesses, Carli has made her stamp on The Brightside and the Dayton community. She is also a big music fan, yogi, avid world traveler, and mom. She loves indie folk and loves getting new music inspiration from public radio and her travels.

Libby Ballengee

Music Booker & Promoter

Libby is well know locally as Dayton's "Music Insider" for her relentless support of original music through her long-running music blog, podcast, event guide, and curated events. She especially enjoys jam, funk, and rock. Libby loves music so much that she got married at TBS with a rock-n-roll themed wedding.

Sophie Whitt

Production Manager

Sophie joined our team in October of 2023, and we are all left wondering how we ever did any of this work without her. A consummate event professional with years of experience in the industry, and a music-lover herself, Sophie brings knowledge and authentic enthusiasm to both our public and private events.

Hamilton Dixon

Co-Owner and Bar Manager

Hamilton is a renowned metal sculptor with large installations throughout the area including The Dayton Art Institute. His shop shares a parking lot with TBS and he's always happy to give guests a tour. Hamilton can often be found working behind the bar with Max. He's also our resident jazz and world music enthusiast.

Chris Popadak

Production Support is provided by Chris Popadak, past member and drummer for Hawthorne Heights of Dayton Ohio (drums, backing vocals (2017–2024; touring and session 2014–2017), Popadak brings years of touring and production experience.

Max Lightcap

Facility Support is provided by Max Lightcap, local underground promoter and music lover!

The memories we create together are why we are here...
so let's go make some new ones!

Brighter Days Ahead...

The Brightside Music and Event Venue once sat dark and abandoned. Follow our journey as we breathed fresh life into this forgotten hundred year old coal depot.