I have a confession: Since joining the Levitt Foundation communications team as Content Writer in August 2023, I’ve been a wee jealous of my Levitt network peers who have experienced the Levitt National Tour firsthand. The program—a celebration of the collective impact of Levitt venues in cities nationwide—has nurtured joy, connectivity, and a sense of belonging in communities across America. Who wouldn’t want to join in on that free live music revelry?

So you can imagine how excited I was to have the opportunity to create my own Levitt National Tour memories this past August in Dayton, Ohio! I joined two of my colleagues, Levitt Foundation Executive Vice President Vanessa Silberman and Associate Vice President of Communications Chris Dzialo, on a brief yet blithesome adventure to experience this year’s Levitt National Tour artist, GRAMMY-nominated country soul twosome The War and Treaty, rock ‘n’ roll at Levitt Pavilion Dayton in western Ohio.

Levitt Foundation team members (L-R) Associate Vice President of Communications Chris Dzialo, Executive Vice President Vanessa Silberman, and Content Writer Sydney Sweeney at MetroParks RiverScape in Dayton, OH

My time at the Levitt National Tour show can be summed up in two words: joy and jams! (The fun actually began the night before: On Friday, August 23, our plane landed just in the nick of time to see Kentucky singer-songwriter Cole Chaney’s riveting performance.)

The fourth stop on the tour (which kicked off in Arlington, Texas, in June), The War and Treaty concert drew a diverse, all-ages audience from every corner of the city’s multicultural metro area onto the Levitt Dayton lawn for an electrifying evening of music, dance, and social connection.

As for my 48 hours in Dayton overall—it was an illuminating journey through a historical Midwestern city undergoing a period of redevelopment, with the Levitt acting as a catalyst for that revitalization. On Saturday afternoon, before The War and Treaty’s show, I was able to visit the striking Dayton Arcade: a previously underused historical site that, in part due to increased engagement in Levitt Dayton in Dave Hall Plaza, has recently been transformed into a mixed-used destination comprising retail shops, offices, event spaces, and housing. My favorite part of the complex was its sublime glass-domed rotunda, which continued to be well-preserved and protected over the last 120 years of the complex’s existence.

Along with several homegrown, beloved local eateries and the Dayton Art Institute, we also visited some of Dayton’s picturesque public green spaces, including downtown’s RiverScape MetroPark—a lush community destination (complete with interactive fountains?, kayak rentals, and even an ice rink!) situated along the banks of the Great Miami River (named after the Miami, a Native American people indigenous to the region).

Views from the inside of the breathtaking Dayton Arcade

Which brings us to the Tour performance itself. Read on for a recap of my experience witnessing the power of free, live music to strengthen one of America’s most diverse communities as it happened.

Uniting Souls through Country Soul

Though this was my first time seeing the Levitt National Tour come to life up close, I knew that if The War and Treaty’s on-stage spirit matched that of the energetic conversation I’d had with the wife-and-husband act a few months earlier, the Levitt Dayton concert would be a Levitt season standout.

Comprising Tanya and Michael Trotter Jr., The War and Treaty has been praised for both their recorded oeuvre and live performance panache. The band’s music—which fuses the warmth of blues, gospel, soul, bluegrass, and country—has earned the Trotters endless critical acclaim, including two recent GRAMMY nominations (including in the prestigious Best New Artist category).

As a Black duo in a predominately white genre, The War and Treaty are also bridging social divides. Last year, the band was nominated for the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music’s respective “Duo of the Year” awards, making history as the first Black nominees of both.

The War and Treaty performing at Levitt Pavilion Dayton. Photo by Love’Yah Stewart.

Lyrically, their songs explore themes of love, loss, commitment, and conflict, shaped by the couple’s lived experiences: from romance and parenthood to Michael’s military service in Iraq. Together, these artistic qualities translate into a passionate concert set guaranteed to light a fire in any soul. Needless to say, I was beyond ready for the Nashville act to rock my world—and upon arriving at the scene, it quickly became apparent that I was in joyous company.

Joining Together Through Music

A few hours before the 7 pm show, families and friends were already arriving on the Levitt Dayton lawn—propping up folding chairs and laying down blankets.

An open lawn setting is a hallmark of the Levitt concert experience. And yet if Levitt Dayton did have a front row, securing the best seats in the house were two audience members at the front of the lawn, named Tammy and AJ: a mother and teenage son pair who drove from Ohio’s Darke County, located about 40 miles from Dayton, to enjoy the power of free, live music performed by one of their favorite bands.

“I’ve loved them forever—they’re my favorite all-time duo,” AJ explained with a smile on his face, noting that The War and Treaty’s “Blank Page” and “Have You a Heart” (both were performed that evening) were songs that brought him happiness through difficult times.

That healing sentiment was one I heard continually from audience members of all walks of life throughout the show as I got to know locals on the lawn. Another common expression was gratitude—visitors old and new, of all backgrounds, expressed how thankful they were to have access to a civic destination like the Levitt.

Levitt Pavilion Dayton by Love’Yah Stewart.

“I can’t believe the caliber of artists they [book] here that are free. We’re just extremely blessed and fortunate to have this venue in the community,” explained Tammy, who added that other artists they’ve seen at Levitt Dayton include bluegrass songstress Carlene Carter, who performed a free show at Levitt Dayton in 2022, and GRAMMY-winning act Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience (who’s delighted Levitt network audiences many a season).

I also met the Merrill family—first-timers of the free Levitt concert experience who were, much like Tammy and AJ, long-time fans of The War and Treaty. Having seen the band years ago at Nelsonville Music Festival (an annual, ticketed music festival in southeast Ohio). Nicole Merrill, said that her clan was excited to learn the Trotters were playing a show in Dayton—and a free one, at that!

“We drove up from Cincinnati, and so far the experience seems really great,” Nicole said, adding that her family was glad that the lawn featured plenty of shade. Indeed, the temperature was hot that day, 89ºF, to be exact. But as any outdoor concert enthusiast knows—hot days make for the most clement music nights. So, naturally, as the temperature dropped and the sun began to lower over the Miami Valley hills, the lawn swiftly began to fill.

A Multisensory Lawn Experience

The good vibes proliferated as more and more community members (and their canine friends) gathered on the green. Around me were the sights and sounds of Levitt magic: giggling children frolicking in the grass; adults unwinding with libations in hand; elders exchanging warm introductions and even warmer hugs; pre-show music (an engaging playlist of popular hits) flowing from the stage speakers.

Tasty eats from Dayton food trucks parked outside the Levitt lawn

And, of course, I’d be remiss to leave out a key dimension of the sensorial Levitt lawn experience: the aromas. Across the country, Levitt concert sites feature a smorgasbord of local food and drink vendors. That Saturday evening, Dayton’s finest food trucks lined up flanking the lawn, filling the air with the scents of charbroiled burgers and fried seafood spiced to perfection. I chowed down on the latter, courtesy of Dayton’s own D Fish D Chicken. (After all, you can’t cut a rug, or lawn, on an empty stomach.) With food in my belly, it was time for The War and Treaty’s healing soundscapes to nourish my—and, collectively, the local community’s—soul through music.

Levitt Foundation Executive Vice President Vanessa Silberman at Levitt Pavilion Dayton. Photo by Love’Yah Stewart.

Following joyous opening remarks from Levitt Pavilion Dayton Executive Director Lisa Wagner and Levitt Foundation Executive Vice President Vanessa Silberman, Dayton’s 2024 Levitt National Tour program began. “Our intention here today is that no matter who you are, all over this [lawn], everyone feels one thing: together,” proclaimed Michael Trotter, who that night acted as the musical duo’s de facto emcee. “Put that one finger up—together, one race. It’s not a black race, white race, rat race. It’s the human race. That’s our intention today.”

The show was just kicking off, yet I already stood in awe of Daytonians’ strong sense of connection, evidenced by the exuberant cheers following Michael’s message.

Levitt Pavilion Dayton Executive Director Lisa Wagner at Levitt Pavilion Dayton. Photo by Love’Yah Stewart.

Celebrating the Diverse Dayton Community

The Levitt National Tour show was not my first Levitt concert. Over the last year working at the Foundation, I’ve attended concerts at Levitt venues in Arlington, Los Angeles, and Denver. And while every Levitt venue shares a common goal—to build community through music—each Levitt music experience I’ve enjoyed has been distinct.

For instance, some performances I’ve been to have featured Tejano or indie pop, while others Indigenous heavy metal; certain sounds provoke partner dance, while others line dance and even (gentle) moshing; some audiences skew younger, some older; the backdrop of a Levitt show ranges from lively city blocks and tall buildings to peaceful valleys of pine and spruce. There’s always nuance and excitement no matter where I’ve been.

All the while, the collective mission of Levitt venues and concert sites across the country—carried out by the Levitt model that creates welcoming, inclusive destinations that connect people to each other and the place they call home—is what truly sets the tone and pace of each program. Michael’s emceeing echoed that mission: “Make noise for your community—the Land of Funk! This is your place; it belongs to you,” he cheered at one point during the show.

Michael Trotter Jr. of The War and Treaty. Photo by Love’Yah Stewart.

That balmy evening at Levitt Dayton, which serves a diverse population (38% of Dayton residents are Black and another 5% are Latino), the impact of inclusivity abounded. When I ran into Lisa, the venue’s executive director, on the lawn, she confirmed to me that, at that very moment, we were looking at about 3,500 to 4,000 audience members of all different races, ethnicities, cultures, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds, joining in community over the power of free, live music.

The Joy of Collaboration

In addition to bringing the community together for the concert experience, Levitt Dayton, like all Levitt venues, also attracts highly engaged locals looking to further support the nonprofit venue’s mission. As they say, teamwork makes the dream work—and the phenomenal National Tour show was made possible with the care of Levitt Dayton’s passionate volunteer team, who were always just a step away in their recognizable, fern-colored shirts.

Levitt Dayton’s dedicated volunteer crew

Whether holding down the concession booth or kindly answering audience members’ questions throughout the space, Levitt volunteers are, in many ways, the glue of the operation—a role volunteer Evelyn Ritzi has enjoyed for multiple years now. “I love volunteering at Levitt—I love interacting with all the different people from all walks of life, it’s so fascinating. And the music’s phenomenal and free,” she said.

Ritzi grew up in nearby Miami County and now lives in one of the many suburban townships surrounding the city. As a true Dayton native, she’s seen the impact of the venue firsthand, remarking that it brings the community together downtown.

Volunteers new to both Levitt Dayton and the city at large also spoke glowingly of the Levitt. College freshmen and volunteer lawn attendants Felicita and Wati had just moved to the city three weeks before the show—yet, after hearing such wonderful things about the pavilion, they quickly signed up to volunteer.

“This is our first concert here, but we love how this is such a central gathering place,” Felicita explained, adding that she and Wati live nearby and are looking forward to volunteering at future engagements.

That evening, Evelyn described the energy on the lawn and stage as “amazing.” You could say the same thing about every Levitt Dayton crew member I met that night, all coming together to make the pavilion’s 50+ free performances a year come to life.

Beyond volunteers, I connected with Levitt Dayton photographer Love’Yah Stewart. Both a professional and hobbyist photographer, Love’Yah, a longtime Dayton resident, fell in love with capturing the Levitt concert experience from the first time she attended a show. Not long after, her passion project turned into a proper gig—and today, she’s one of Levitt Dayton’s go-to creative collaborators.

Sydney enjoying the Levitt Dayton experience. Photo by Love’Yah Stewart.

“I’m so happy that the Levitt is here,” she told me. “As a music lover first and foremost, it’s just an awesome space for everyone to come together and just be—we can be family, we can laugh, we can cry, we can shout, and just have those moments together.”

The Midwestern community was doing just that before our very eyes. On the dance floor, pairs were grooving along to the band’s melting pot set—a mix of their original songs, including hits like “Lover’s Game” and “Hey Driver,” along with a few speaking to The War and Treaty’s blended sonic roots, from “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “I Will Always Love You” to devotional songs, accompanied by Michael’s keyboard under the night sky.

A Jubilant Ovation

As the band’s set wound down, an air of sentimentality fell upon the lawn, triggered by Tanya and Michael’s heartfelt “Amazing Grace” rendition. As Michael orated, the theme of the set—unity, belonging, and love—came full circle.

“I wanna tell you, you might be just like I was… Where you could be in a crowd, but you got on a painted smile that you know how to turn on,” the singer said. “Yet deep inside, you feel like nobody sees you. But you are not pointless, you are not worthless. We see you.”

A standing ovation from the audience followed, illustrating that the Tour’s purpose—to celebrate the collective impact of the Levitt network and nurture belonging within communities across America—was achieved yet again in summer 2024.

The War and Treaty earn a standing ovation from the audience at Levitt Dayton

On my way out, I ran into two locals, Donna and Harley: kindred country music lovers who enjoyed the show from their lawn chairs just a few feet in front of the stage. While Donna explained that she’d attended a Levitt Dayton concert prior to that evening’s Tour show, it was Harley’s first time on the lawn. After gushing about the experience, I asked if they planned on returning for more free live music. Harley’s response? “Absolutely!”

Witnessing the impact of the 2024 Levitt National Tour unfold at Levitt Dayton was unforgettable. As I continue my journey with the Levitt Foundation, I can’t wait to see future programs come to life as our Foundation spends down $150 million—expanding its grantmaking into new, exciting areas to fuel the movement for free live music in public spaces as a key driver for equitable, healthy, and thriving communities. Stay tuned for what’s in store!

Click here to learn more about how the Levitt Foundation is strengthening the social fabric of America through dynamic programs and partnerships, like the Levitt National Tour, that inject the joy of free, live music into public spaces.