1) SPEAKER SERIES

If your New Year’s resolution involves getting out and feeding your brain with a stimulating evening out, then you should investigate a few of the local speaker series coming up locally over the next several days. The topics range from conservation and wildlife to adventure vacations.

The Aullwood Winter Speaker Series presents “Conservation on the Edge” by Chris Bedle, director of the Cincinnati Museum Center Preserve. The program, the first in the series, will be held in the Marie S. Aull Education Center at Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm, 1000 Aullwood Road, Dayton, at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6. Up next is “Alaska: A Conservation Connection” on Jan. 13. Cost: $5 adults, $3 children, free members of Friends of Aullwood and National Audubon Society. Call (937) 890-7360.

Photographer Eleanor Moseman presents “One Woman, Her Bicycle & 15,000 Miles Across Asia” at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8. Moseman’s presentation is part of The Adventure Speaker Series, co-presented by Five Rivers MetroParks and Wright State University at a variety of locations through Feb. 7. Up next is “The Movement: One Man Joins an Uprising” on Jan. 17. Cost: free. Call (937) 277-4374 or visit www.metroparks.org. 

2) CYCLEFEST USA

Motorcycle builders, vendors and a visit from “Sons of Anarchy” co-star Ryan Hurst (Opie) are just some of the draws when the annual Cyclefest USA returns to Dayton Expo Center, 3900 McCauley Ave., Vandalia, on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 5-6. The motorcycle trade show and exhibition runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $13. VIP passes are available for a meet-and-greet with Hurst. Call (937) 333-4700 or visit www.daytonconventioncenter.com.

3) PAT DAILEY

Pat Dailey is not at the top of the pop charts, but he lives a life many successful performers would envy. The legendary singer-songwriter divides the majority of his work schedule each year between summers performing in Put-in Bay, Ohio, and winters performing in Key West, Fla., with national dates scattered throughout. Dailey returns to Canal Street Tavern, 308 E. First St., Dayton, at 9:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4. Doors open at 8 p.m. Cost: $20 in advance, $24 day of show. Local performer Mark Bondurant opens the show. Call (937) 461-9343 or visit www.canalstreettavern.com. 

4) FIRST FRIDAY ART HOP

The First Friday Art Hop is often thought of as summer time activity, but the ongoing citywide celebration of arts, culture, local commerce and more takes place the first Friday of each month. So even though winter is fully upon us now, the popular event is returning to various locations in downtown Dayton at 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4. Bundle up and head downtown and see what the city has to offer. Cost: free. Call (937) 224-1518 or visit www.downtowndayton.org.

5) CITYFOLK CONTRA DANCE

Like all good dance parties, Cityfolk’s monthly contra dance events are equal parts social gatherings and live band bashes. The difference between these and other dances is a different caller is enlisted each month to teach participants the steps to each dance. All ages are welcome and no experience is required. The caller teaches all dances during a 7:30 p.m. instructional class followed by dancing at 8 p.m. The contra dances are held at Michael Solomon Pavilion, 2917 Berkley Ave., Kettering, the first Friday of the month through May. The Corndrinkers with caller Kathy Anderson are on the bill for the first monthly installment of 2013 on Friday, Jan. 4. Cost: $7 adults, $5 students with valid ID and free children 12 and younger. Call (937) 496-3863 or visit www.cityfolk.org.

6) DAYTON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

The Shofar (ram’s horn) is the unique instrument weaving a unifying thread through the three featured pieces in “The Awakening.” This program, part of the Miami Valley and Good Samaritan Hospitals Classical Series, is being presented by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, at 8 p.m. Thursday and next Saturday, Jan. 10 and 12. Cost: $9-$59. The DPO is also at the Schuster Center at 8 p.m. next Friday, Jan. 11, for Copland’s Call of Heroism, a special concert featuring the music of Aaron Copland. Cost: $9-$39. Call (937) 228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

7) “CRAZY FOR YOU”

For three decades Muse Machine has been engaging young performers and young audiences alike with arts-integrated classroom instruction and interactive workshops. Muse Machine also produces concerts and musical theater pieces such as “Crazy for You,” the Tony Award-winning musical comedy being presented at Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, on Thursday through next Sunday, Jan. 10-13. Show times are 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. next Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Jan. 12 and 2 p.m. Jan. 13. Cost: $29-$63. This is your chance to check out some future local stars today. Call (937) 228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

8) MIAMI VALLEY HOME SHOW

While many Daytonians still have the recent snow storms on our mind, others are already looking toward spring and the opportunity to make major home renovations, minor repairs or a landscaping makeover. If you’re looking for some inspiration to spark some fresh ideas, the experts at the The Miami Valley Home Improvement Show should be able to help you out when the annual winter event returns to Hara Arena, 1001 Shiloh Springs Road, Trotwood, on Thursday through next Sunday, Jan. 10-13. Cost: $8 adults, free for children younger than 12. Call (937) 278-4776 or visit www.haracomplex.com.

9) ROGER DRAWDY & THE FIRESTARTERS

There are plenty of talented Celtic groups in this region but few of them have the pedigree of Roger Drawdy & the Firestarters. Drawdy, who began performing professionally in his native Ireland at 14, has been living in the United States since 1993. Even though he has infused his music with some elements of acoustic rock he hasn’t forsaken his roots, which he deftly showcases on his new album, “Concentric Circles.” Drawdy, now based in Covington, Ky., brings his band back to Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave., in Dayton at 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4. Cost: $5. Call (937) 224-7822 or visit www.dubpub.com.

10) MYSTERY DINNER THEATRE

Behind the scenes machinations at a marathon dance competition provide the backdrop for “Deadly Dancing,” the latest original production from Mayhem & Mystery Dinner Theatre. The new show, at the Spaghetti Warehouse, 36. W. Fifth St., Dayton, opens Monday, Jan. 7, and runs through March 1. Show times are 7 p.m. Mondays, with special Friday performances on Jan. 18, Feb. 15 and March 1. Cost: $25.95 for dinner and show. Call (937) 461-3913 or visit www.mayhemmystery.com.