From Dayton, Ohio:

For a city with a population less than 200,000, Dayton rivals much larger metropolitan areas when it comes to support of the types of music that can cleanse the soul.

Cityfolk again leads the pack and has invited a tantalizing roster of high-profile acts to perform in the Gem City. And then there are the always-reliable nightclubs, and restaurants that continue to pump fresh blood into the heart of Dayton's musical nightlife.

To paraphrase Bette Davis, fasten your seat belts. You're in for a fabulous ride in 2009-10.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-21670 or kmoss@DaytonDailyNews.com.

CITYFOLK

The Miami Valley's ethnic and traditional arts presenting group offers a variety of performance series, educational activities and community events. Concert locations vary. For more information, call (937) 223-FOLK (3655) or visit www.cityfolk.org. For tickets, call (937) 496-3863 or order from the Web site.

Sept. 13-16: Culture Builds Community: Prophecy Music Project Residency

Oct. 30: Balkan Cabaret with Johnny Morovich. A night of traditional Balkan music and dance.

Nov. 7: The StepCrew. Canadian music and dance ensemble.

Nov. 7-12: Culture Builds Community: Son de Madera residency

Nov. 12: Son De Madera. String-driven music from Veracruz, Mexico

Nov. 19: Los Lobos. Three-time Grammy-award winners, Los Lobos are America's premier roots rockers.

Jan. 23, 2010: Del McCoury Band with Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers. Leader Joe Mullins is one of the finest banjo players of his generation.

Feb. 4, 2010: Natalie McMaster and Donnell Leahy. Fiddling dynamo Natalie McMaster returns to the Cityfolk stage.

Feb. 11, 2010: Chen Zimbalista. Virtuoso Israeli percussionist.

March 20, 2010: John Jorgenson Quartet. Gypsy jazz.

April 7, 2010: Wacongo Dance Company. Traditional songs and dances from Central Africa.

April 9, 2010: Lunasa. Bass-driven grooves that nudge Irish music into new territory.

CONTRA DANCES

Contra dance and waltzing to live music is presented the first Friday of each month from September through May. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with open waltzing followed by contra dancing at 7:30 p.m. and called dancing at 8:30 p.m. The dances are at Michael Solomon Pavilion, 2917 Berkley St., Kettering. Admission is $6, with children 12 and younger admitted free.

Oct. 2: Jim Vogt with Changeling

Nov. 6: Dudley and Jacqueline Laufman

Dec. 4: Kathy Anderson and the Corndaddies

Feb. 5, 2010: Susan Moffett

March 5, 2010: Darlene Underwood

April 2, 2010: Kate Power with musicians of Rhythm in Shoes

May 7, 2010: The Corndrinkers