Category Archives: Events

July 6, 2015 · 9:41 am

Picture of the Week: Rainbow of Colors in Raleigh

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Sometimes I bring my camera with me when I go running in case I stumble upon anything interesting. Two weeks ago I switched up my morning run and followed a new route through downtown that took me along Oakwood Avenue. When I came across this row of colorful “shotgun” style houses across the street from the Oak Cemetery I just had to stop and snap a picture.

Based on my research online these homes were all built sometime around 1930 and were most recently renovated around 2009-2010. They were recognized by the Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for Community Appearance in 2010 for “outstanding new contributions to the character, environment and appearance of the City of Raleigh. If you are into unique architecture and older styles of homes I encourage you to get out and explore Oakwood and surrounding fringe neighborhoods.

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June 23, 2015 · 10:45 am

Triangle Fourth of July Fireworks 2015


Theworks

Below is my annual updated list of places to see Fourth of July Fireworks around the Triangle this year. Please note the actual date for each event as some towns celebrate before/after the fourth of July. There is a link next to each event listed that will take you to the event website for additional information. If I missed an event leave a comment below and I will be sure to update the list. Thanks and have a happy and safe 4th!

Fireworks in the Triangle 2015

A.E Finley YMCA (North Raleigh) – Info
A.E Finley YMCA Finley Freedom Festival Sunday, June 28th 6:30-9pm.This is the 25th year of the festival which will feature music, games, inflatables and local food trucks Sarge’s Chef, Barone Meatball, Chirba Chirba, Red Hot & Blue, Not Just Icing and Jam Ice Cream. Of course there will also be a great Fireworks finale at dusk!

Brier Creek (Raleigh) – Info
The fireworks on Saturday July 4th will be set off around 8:30pm and can be viewed from the parking lots at Brier Creek Commons and Brierdale Shopping Center. There is also am artisan fair scheduled from 4:30-7pm that will take place in the Eath Fare parking lot.

Cary – Info
Celebrate at Koka Booth Ampitheatre 3-10pm July 4 with music & fireworks. Music by the NC Symphony capped off with an incredibly spectacular fireworks display. Tarps, blankets & chairs allowed within venue gates; staking and tents are not permitted. Concert is FREE and open to the public.

Chapel Hill Kenan Stadium – Info
Fireworks at Kenan Stadium. The gates open at 7 PM July 4th. Family friendly activities including live music by Transit Vocal band and watermelon eating contest. Fireworks at Dusk.

Clayton – Info
The Clayton Parks & Recreation is hosting their annual July 4th Celebration on Saturday, July 4th at the Municipal Park on Stallings Street in Clayton. Activities begin at 4pm with family field events, Free Ice Cream and Watermelon, a Cornhole Tournament and live music. Get sprayed down by the Clayton Fire Department (a kid favorite!) Fireworks at around 9:15 p.m.

Durham – Info
Durham Bulls Baseball game on July 4th will be followed by their annual Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza. Tickets are required for the game, but gates will open for general admission at the end of the 7th inning. The dynamic fireworks show will begin immediately following the game.

Franklin County – Info
Fourth of July Celebration at Louisburg High School Saturday July 4th. Games, inflatables, music, food, and fireworks. Free admission. Gates open at 5:30pm.

Fuquay Varina – Info
Music, kid’s games and fireworks at Fuquay Varina’s South Park – 820 N. Main Street. Friday July 3rd, gates open at 6 PM.

Garner – Info
The town of Garner has their fireworks on Friday, July 3rd at the beautiful Lake Benson Park. The NC Symphony & Soul Play Band will perform. There will be a kidzone and arts and crafts as well. Gates open at 5pm with fireworks launching after dark following the NC Symphony performance.

Holly Springs – Info
Sunday, July 5th Independence Day celebration at Jefferson L. Snugg Farm at Bass Lake Park 5-9:30pm. Musical entertainment, Food vendors, Inflatables and games, Fireworks, Face Painting and Other Games, Cornhole Tournament. The fireworks show is slated to begin at 9:15 p.m.

Knightdale – Info
This is Knightdale’s Second Annual July 4th Celebration at Knightdale Station Park. Featuring fireworks, family activities, food trucks and music from The Embers. The event will begin at 5pm and conclude with the fireworks at 9:15pm. Make sure you come hungry – this event has a great food truck lineup with over 30 local food trucks!

Morrisville – Info
Kick off your Independence Day celebration with a fireworks display in Morrisville Community Park Friday, July 3rd. Bring your blankets, chairs and snacks to enjoy the spectacular show. Music and activities will begin at 6:30pm; the Fireworks display will begin at dark, approximately 9:30pm.

Mebane – Info
Family Music Festival and Fireworks on Saturday, July 4th at the Mebane Arts & Community Center. The Entertainers will be playing Beach & Top 40 favorites beginning at 7:00pm until 9:30pm with fireworks following at 9:40. Bring your own seating to this fun-filled family event.

Raleigh – Info
All day celebration Saturday, July 4th noon-11pm with bands playing 3 stages, beer/wine tent, kids rides and games, street performers, eating contests, food and art vendors. Fireworks will light up the sky over the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts AND The Redhat Amphitheater starting at around 9:30 pm. View full event map & schedule here.

Wake Forest – Info
Fireworks Spectacular on Friday, July 3, at Wake Forest High School, 420 W. Stadium Drive. Gates open at 5:30. Beach music by Jupiter Jones at 6:30. Admission $5. Children under 6 free.

Zebulon – Info
The Carolina Mudcats will hold fireworks displays on Friday July 3rd, Saturday July 4th, and Sunday July 5th at Five County Stadium. Gates will open at 6 p.m. each night for the 7:15 p.m. games, with fireworks and patriotic music to follow the games’ conclusion.

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June 16, 2015 · 6:42 am

Tour De Fat in Returns to Durham this Saturday!

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Tour de Fat is New Belgium Brewing’s traveling celebration of all things bicycle to increase awareness and participation in cycling as a sustainable form of transportation. Each year Tour de Fat travels to 10 cities across the U.S. The day-long festivities are free in every city, but the proceeds from beer sales go to local non-profits.

The events kick off with a costumed bicycle parade around downtown Durham that will wind through downtown Durham, ending in grassy area by the Durham Performing Arts Center. That’s when eclectic entertainment takes over from musical acts to yo-yo performers, bike contests and even vaudeville acts (great people watching). To get a sense of what this family friendly event is like check out the short video below. To view the schedule of events on Saturday in Durham visit http://www.newbelgium.com/events/tour-de-fat/durham.aspx.

If you want to get a “Carnie Cut” to sport at the event make sure you stop by Pedro Williams in Durham on Friday. See details here. If you are in Raleigh you may also want to checkout the Yelp Pre-Party Kickoff Event at the Raleigh Historic Depot (Tasty Beverage, Jose & Sons, Videri Chocolate Factory) and take the train over to Durham.

Tour De Fat Durham ~ Saturday June 20, 2015
318 Blackwell Street, Durham NC
Bike Parade : 11am
Revilation: 12pm-5pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/829292973816701/

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June 8, 2015 · 7:22 am

Summer Music Update

The Jason Adamo Band at Midtown Music Fest

Over the weekend I attended the Midtown Music Fest in North Hills. It was a great music event featuring three bands (The Jason Adamo Band, Four Founders, American Aquarium) and local beer from Big Boss Brewing. Best of all the event was FREE. Now that summer concert season is upon I thought now would be a good time to share my updated list of upcoming free and low cost summer music in the Triangle. Check out the event websites below for additional details. Hope you have a great summer filled with music!

Raleigh

Durham

Chapel Hill

Carrboro

Cary

Apex

Clayton

Hillsborough

Wake Forest

Saxapahaw

Pittsboro

  • First Sunday Market
    Market featuring handmade crafts and music every first Sunday March through December 12-4 pm

High Point

Chatham County

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June 4, 2015 · 9:11 am

Picture of the Week: Bailey Spiritual Sounds Shout Band of Durham

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Last week I was in downtown Cary for the “Celebrate the Street” event commemorating the groundbreaking of the Academy Street improvement project.  One of the bands performing at the event was the Bailey Spiritual Sounds Shout Band. They are a church based brass band that performs at services held at the United House of Prayer in Durham on Holloway Street. The band takes its name from Bishop C.M. Bailey, the current leader of the church.

Of course I am biased because I play the trombone, but this band blew my mind! The band plays mostly contemporary gospel tunes that they learn by ear and jazz up on the fly. They perform them as a group with two to three members improvising solos while the rest of the group accompanies them playing pre-arranged rhythms and  grooves. Each performance is unique because there is so much improvising going on and they are creating their sound on the spur of the moment. It’s difficult to find many details online about when the band holds public performances but I do hope to catch them again soon. They really were incredible!

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