This past weekend I stopped by to see my friend Joe, the wine aficionado and owner of Wine 101. Don’t let the name fool you, while grapes may be his first love, he also has a wide variety of specialty microbrews in the wine shop. I have even spotted a few growlers of local Lonerider brew in the cooler on occasion. In fact, Wine 101 is having a beer tasting event Friday February 12th called the “Beer Olympics”. For $10 you get to celebrate the opening ceremony and the lighting of the Olympic flame in Vancouver by sampling over 25 beers from around the world at Wine 101. (No, you don’t have to try all 25!). After an evening of beer swirling guests will vote on their favorites and in Olympic fashion award gold, silver, and bronze medals to the beer champions. (I’m pulling for the Belgians!). So if you like beer and are looking for a fun way to kick off the 2010 Olympics check out the wine 101 website for more information.
Category Archives: Events
The International Auto Expo Returns to Raleigh in February!
Just in time to pick out a new Aston Martin for your Valentine! The 2010 North Carolina International Auto Expo returns to the the Jim Graham Building at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds located at 1025 Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh Thursday Feb. 11th through Sunday February 14th. Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for kids. Future drivers under the age of 6 get in for free. According to the event website, the auto show will offer you a glimpse of fuel-efficient hybrids, nods to the past with classics and highlights like the 2011 Chevy Camaro.
For more information check out the Event Website: Here
Filed under Events
2nd Annual Cuegrass Festival Returns to The Pit ~ April 17, 2010
The word on the street is that the second annual ‘Cuegrass Festival will occur on the afternoon of Saturday April 17th on the street outside The Pit at 328 W. Davie Street in downtown Raleigh.
Last year’s Festival was comprised of beers from LoneRider and Aviator breweries, three NC bands (Old Habits, Filmore Valley Boys and Town Mountain) as well as The Pit’s famous bbq and the “Pigs on Parade” silent auction (which features piggy banks from local artists sold to raise money for Feed the Farm, a local non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to N.C. farmers in need).
The Cuegrass Festival is a family-friendly event. People of all ages make up the crowd and many bring lawn chairs and blankets to set up in front of the stage to relax with their kids and listen to an afternoon of great music. You can heck the event website for more information.
Winterfest Ice Skating Rink in Raleigh’s Downtown City Plaza
If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the new outdoor ice skating rink located in downtown Raleigh’s New City Plaza before it closes for the season on February 15th. The rink is situated directly across the street from the new Marriot hotel at the southern end of Fayetteville Street. It opened back on December 4th and will remain open through February 15th due to popular demand. The rink itself is 45’ x 85’ in size and has maximum capacity of 140 skaters. The cost of admission is $6 and includes the skate rental. I spent some time in City plaza over the Holidays and was happy to see the rink getting a lot of use. It seems to be very popular with families and kids.
You can check out the Winterfest Website for special events. During the holidays they had “skate with Santa” night and also provided live music entertainment and outdoor movies some nights. They also have regular “date night specials” when Couples can show their receipt from local participating restaurants to receive a $4 discount for admission for two to the ice rink. They also offer free carriage rides e from 6 pm-9 pm on date nights for anyone wearing their ice rink admission wristband.
On Valentine’s Day Sunday, February 14 complimentary rickshaw and carriage rides will be offered from 5 pm-9 pm to anyone who has paid for admission to the rink. These rickshaw rides will begin in the 400 block of Fayetteville Street and will circle around the Capitol. According to the Winterfest website, the rickshaws will provide romantic music, a rose, and a blanket to keep you warm.
Filed under Events
The Durham Performing Arts Center DPAC
If you are looking to see a Broadway musical, concert, or comedy act check out the event schedule for the new Durham Performing Arts Center known as “DPAC”. Since opening in November 2008 the art center has presented more than 150 with over 250, 000 guests in attendance. Last year the DPAC sold out over 30 shows including musical acts Leonard Cohen, Steely Dan, and Harry Connick Jr., comedians Bill Cosby and Robin Williams and an entire week of Oprah Winfrey’s The Color Purple. Their schedule this year includes over 175 events throughout the upcoming year.
The venue is 100,000 square feet and has 2,700 seats. There are currently
10,000 season ticket holders and gets a lot of popular shows. Recently I purchased tickets for my wife and I to see Wicked there later this spring. Although the tickets went fast and it took a lot of tries through Ticketmaster online we were finally able to nab some tickets for the upper balcony. Fortunately the layout of the theater was designed to put you close to the stage, with no seat further than 135 feet away from the action. I am looking forward to both seeing the show and getting a look at the interior design of this modern theater. Some other interesting acts coming to PAC thsi year include Chicago, Paula Deen, The Ringo Star All Star Band, and Harry Connick Jr.
If you are in the Durham area and want to take a free tour of the venue, DPAC offers a public tour the first Monday of the month. The public tour will be given by DPAC staff and begin at 11:00 am. Tours include sights of the theatre from all levels, an extraordinary view from the Mildred & Dillard Teer Stage, and a city skyline panorama from the star terrace lobby. Tours will also get a chance to see where the stars prepare for show time. For more information, check out the DPAC website here: Link
Filed under Events
The Triangle Explorer 