Category Archives: Weekend Picks

May 7, 2014 · 3:39 pm

Weekend Picks: May 8th – 11th

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

The fun continues this weekend with several opportunities to catch some great live music, stroll local gardens, gaze upon the stars, and enjoy some sweet treats at a new dessert spot in Raleigh.  My weekend picks:

Thursday May 8th

Midtown Beach Music Series at North Hills – Band of Oz
The midtown beach music series at North Hills has grown to become a favorite Thursday evening activity drawing fans from all over to enjoy the most famous beach bands around. This week’s band is the Band of Oz. The best parking for this event is located in the Cap Trust Tower. Event info

Sarah P. Duke Garden in Bloom
Now is the perfect time to visit Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Not just this Thursday but really anytime this week and the entire month of May. The colors should really be popping at this point on the 55-acre oasis at Duke University. Admission is free. For more info about the garden visit http://gardens.duke.edu.

Friday May 9th

Bittersweet – Dessert & Cocktail Lounge Grand Opening
Bittersweet officially opens it doors this Friday at 5pm. They serve desserts, cocktails, and counter culture coffee. This is the kind of place where you can get “bourbon with your pie, champagne with your cake. and Irish whiskey with your coffee”. In otherwords, a place you should definitely check out! Bittersweet is located at 16 East Martin Street in downtown Raleigh. http://bittersweetraleigh.com

Second Friday Art Walk in Chapel Hill
The 2nd Friday Artwalk takes place in Carrboro and Chapel Hill from 6:00 – 9:00 pm on the second Friday of every month. It’s a great opportunity to explore the many arts venues and businesses in both towns as well as socialize with other art lovers in the community. Many of the galleries will have live music and other art related entertainment. http://www.2ndfridayartwalk.com

Duke Teaching  Observatory Open House – 9pm
The Duke Teaching Observatory is a teaching facility for the Duke Physics Department. It is also an active site for science outreach to the community. They will hold an open house viewing this Friday starting at 9pm. Depending on the weather you may be able to gaze upon planets like Jupiter, the star Castor, as well as the Ring Nebula and Cigar Galaxy. Click here for a map of the observatory location in Duke Forest. Check here for an update on the status of the open house (they cancel when weather does not cooperate). Visit their website for additional Open House Info

Saturday May 10th

Second Saturday Brunch at Rebus Works
Special saturday Brunch prepared by Captain Ponchos Tacos with music from a live Mariachi Band. Doors open at 10:30am. To purchase your tickets and additional information including the full menu visit their website here.

PopUp Market at Sola Coffee
Sola is hosting another handmade crafts and art  “pop-up” market featuring local artisans this Saturday from 9:30am-1:30pm. Then later that evening check out some internationally acclaimed Irish music by Colleen Raney and Han Zaraki. Music starts at 7:30 w/ $5 cover. http://www.solacoffee.com

Sunday May 11th

Free Yoga with Lululemon at Midtown Park in North Hills
Join Lululemon Athletica this Sunday 11-12 for free yoga on the lawn of the new Midtown Park at North Hills. Event Info

Jazz Brunch with Justin Johnson at Weaver Street Market
Amazing guitar player Justin Johnson will perform this Sunday on the lawn in front of Weaver Street Market. Justin is a wizard with the guitar and plays incredible instrumental blues and jazz. These Sunday Jazz Brunches (grab food and drink inside Weaver Street Market) are a springtime favorite of mine. Event Info

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April 23, 2014 · 8:56 am

Weekend Picks! April 24-27th

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Weekend Picks ~ April 24-27th

The stage is set for the last weekend in April to go out with a bang. There is so much going on you will be hard pressed to pick where to go. It is going to be a gorgeous weekend to be outside and enjoy good food, local beer, and lots of music! Here are my weekend picks:

Thursday April 24th
The Grand Taste Experience at DPAC
TASTE 2014 is a five-day festival of food, wine & beer events, taking place between April 23 and 27,2014. The Grand Taste Experience will be held in the atrium of the DPAC and include fine wines, locally brewed beers, local spirits, coffee, and culinary creations from celebrated local chefs.
http://tastetheevent.com/home/

Friday April 25th
Art of Cool Music Festival (Fri & Sat) – Durham
The Art of Cool Festival is a two-day music festival with 2 outdoor stages, 6 indoor venues and over 20 world-class performances presented by the Artof Cool Project. The title sponsor of the Art of Cool Festival is the American Tobacco Campus.
http://aocfestival.org

Amateur Cookie Baking Contest – 9th Street Bakery in Durham
Friday night 5-8pm. $8 for audience members includes unlimited cookies, coffee, milk, and tea. If you would like to compete please email ninthstreetbakery@gmail.com. It is free to compete but you must register in advance and plan to bake at least 2 dozen cookies.
https://www.facebook.com/events/301449803341546

Front Porch Music Series at Carolina Inn – Chapel Hill
The Carolina Inn begins the 12th season of its popular end-of-the-workweek celebration called “Fridays on the Front Porch” on Friday, April 25 from 5-8 p.m. Along with live music, The Inn offers seasonal picnic offerings ($14 grill menu and $9 kids menu with gluten free options), various beverage selections and fun times under the shady oaks and magnolia trees. There is no cover charge or reservations for the event. Event Info

Wake Forest Spring Fling
The Wake Forest Elementary School Spring Fling and Food Truck Rodeo is scheduled April 25, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., with games, raffles, a silent auction and more. 136 W Sycamore Ave., Wake Forest, 27587. Art over at “The Wandering Sheppard” has all the event details on his blog here.

Gringo A Go Go Grand Opening Celebration
Gringo is a new Taqueria in downtown Raleigh. This Firday from 4 – 10 they celebrate their official grand opening!We will be having live music from the Dex Romweber Duo AND the and The Eddie Taylor Trio.There will be GREAT food and beer as well as various specials including:  Shrimp Cocktail,  Ceviche,  ShrimpTacos,  Burritos,  Margaritas, Cervezas, Light Snacks, and $2 beer bottles!
https://www.facebook.com/events/280446022132771/

Saturday April 26th
Brewgaloo – Raleigh
Local Beer, Food Trucks  and music 2-10pm in Downtown Raleigh- City Plaza. No cover. Presented by Shop Local Raleigh. Enjoy over 46 NC breweries, 27 food trucks and 11 local bands. I suggest getting there early to avoid any lines. Going to be a great time!
3rd Annual Brewgaloo 

The Pitt BBQ Cuegrass Festival
Beer, Bluegrass and BBQ take over W. Davie Street in downtown Raleigh in Front of the Pitt BBQ.12-6pm. I suggest bringing a lawn chair and finding a spot to relax and enjoy an afternoon of great music and food.
Pitt BBQ 6th Annual Cuegrass 

E3 Field Day Event – Raleigh
E3 Project is excited to host the first ever Feel the Beat Field Day on April 26th, at Dorothea Dix Campus Field (Blair Drive, Raleigh). Join us for a day full of activities and surprises for kids and their families. This is a FREE event – we’ll have a ton of fun with a chance to learn cool stuff about healthy living (and snacking!) and having some classic field day laughs. Come out, bring a friend, bring your bikes, and reconnect your heart with healthy, active, AWESOME fun!
E3 Project’s Earth Day Field Day 

Piedmont Farm Tour – (Sat & Sun)
Learn about the Triangle’s local and organic farm & food scene. Meet local farmers & tour their farms! The tour is self-guided and farms and sites are located throughout the Triangle in Alamance, Chatham, Durham, Orange, and Person counties. Visit any farm in any order.And, don’t forget to take a cooler so that you can take home some of the farm fresh products for sale at many farms. 
http://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/pft/

Brunch at Piedmont followed by Coon Rock Farm Tour (Sat & Sun)
Start the morning off with a delicious brunch at Piedmont in Durham followed by a visit to Coon Rock Farm. This is a great way to spend the day, enjoy the Piedmont Farm Tour, and support CFSA! Shearing 30 sheep (Sat), Grilling CRF pastured pig brats, $5, Ice cream from Homeland Creamery, $2/cup (choc, strawberry, butter pecan).Tour the farm and picnic. Richard & Jamie will lead tours every 30 minutes – or guests can check out the farm on their own.
http://coonrockfarm.com/blog/piedmont-farm-tour-this-weekend

North Hills Midtown Park Opening (Sat & Sun)
A celebration of North Hill’s new Midtown Park, an open green space and outdoor amphitheater in North Hills! Bring the whole family to enjoy: Live music, Food tastings, Family-friendly activities, A spring fashion show (3:30pm and 5:30pm Sunday, April 27th).
Opening Celebration Event Info

Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival – Bond Park Cary
The Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival is 9am-5pm Saturday in Cary’s Bond Park. Event features artists living in North Carolina with many craftspeople living right here in Wake County. Festival attendees can enjoy the beauty of Fred G. Bond Metro Park and visit artists in several areas. Event Info

Corvette International Car Show – Lake Wheeler in Raleigh
The Corvettes International annual Car Show will take place this year at Lake Wheeler.  from 8am-3pm. Entries are accepted from 8:00 – noon. Trophies will be awarded at 3:00. Viewing of cars is free and open to the public. Event Info

Sunday April 27th
Mini-Food Truck Rodeo Benefit at Cary Creative Center
Food Truck Rodeo featuring four fabulous food trucks, vendors, and MORE!  This event benefits Cary Creative Center’s C3 Raise the Roof Campaign, a fundraising initiative to help C3 relocate. Event runs from 11am-3pm. 
Event Info

Pop-Up Sunday at Ornamentea – Downtown Raleigh
POP-UP Sunday is this Sunday from 12-5pm in the Ornamentea Parking Lot. The event provides local businesses, artists and the community a chance to mingle. This Sunday’s market will feature tons of local shops, vintage collectors, recycled art, food trucks, and crafty activities to enjoy. The Record Krate will be spinning vinyl records and taking requests. RA Jeffreys has donated lots of Aviator Beer-you can try all their flavors for a donation to the SPCA of Wake County. If you prefer wine or Italian Ice, we will have that on hand too! Always a fun time and a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
http://popupsunday.com/

Wake Forest Herbfest
The Annual Wake Forest Herbfest returns to Festival Park in downtown Wake Forest April 18-19-20 and April 25-26-27. After a long cold winter now is the time to start planning your summer garden and thinking ahead about the veggies and herbs you want to grow this season. The Herbfest is a great local source to help start your garden and it a fun way to spend the afternoon in downtown Wake Forest. Event Info

Durham Earth Day Celebration
Attend Durham’s 2014 Earth Day Festival at Durham Central Park and learn how you can help Durham save energy and reduce our carbon footprint. Carpool, walk, ride the bus, or bike to this free, fun-filled, earth friendly event. Activities for kids, mini-parade, music, and food trucks.
http://durhamcentralpark.org/event/2014-durham-earth-day-festival/

Picture of the Week – North Hills Midtown Park

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Midtown Park at North Hills

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April 17, 2014 · 1:13 am

Weekend Picks! April 18-20th

lauraisbillie

Mint Julep Jazz Band
(Photo by Ashley Warren)

Easter weekend is usually a little quieter but there are still plenty of things to do in the Triangle this weekend. My selections this week include all my favorites: Music, Food Trucks, and Beer! Here are my weekend picks! 

Friday April 18th
Mint Julep Jazz Band Plays Lounge at G2B – Durham
Shake off these winter blues and come check out the spring menu goodness at G2B Gastro Pub and the swinging jazz of the Mint Julep Quintet! It’s recommend making a reservation if you would like to eat or have a seat – please specify that you would like to be seated in the jazz lounge
https://www.facebook.com/events/309354969215013/

PopUp Jazz Jam at Cocoa Cinnamon – Durham
The Art of Cool project pop up jazz jam returns to Cocoa Cinnamon this Friday 4-7pm! Drop by and get your AOCFEST tics and enjoy FREE local live jazz! You will not want to miss this!
http://aocfestival.org/

Labour of Love Artist Last Third Friday – Durham
This is the final artist reception before Labour of Love closes it doors. The reception is from 6 pm – 9 pm with LabourLove Artists. Come to LabourLove and wind down from the work week with a glass of wine, creative people and art.  All events for third Friday are free and open to the public.
https://labourlove.com/2014/labourloves-last-third-friday-april-18th

 

Saturday April 19th
Wake County SPCA K9 3K Dog Walk – Moore Square Raleigh
The 15th Annual K9-3K Dog Walk is a benefit event to help animals in Wake and surrounding counties. All the money raised at this event goes to support the work of the SPCA of Wake County! Visit the website below for more information and to register.
http://www.spcawake.org/site/TR/CommunityFundraising/General

Brewery Olympics at Raleigh Brewing Company
Six local breweries, eight spectacular events, and a cask tasting. Come help vote for your favorite cask and watch the brewers take on each other in head to head challenges! Events include such daily brewery tasks as keg sacking, speed bottle capping, and grain bag carrying. The event is free to spectate, though the cask tasting includes a charge. A portion of proceeds will be donated to Ted and Erin Gross of Bottle Revolution to aid in her recovery process.
http://www.visitraleigh.com/includes/calendar-of-events/Brewery-Olympics/26639/

Fairview Garden  Flora & Food Trucks – Raleigh
Saturday from 11am-2pm. The Flora and Food Trucks series promotes the idea that local food and local plants go hand in hand.  Event attendees will have the opportunity to attend classes on vegetable gardening, herbs, perennials and container gardening. The events are family friendly and admission is free.  The food trucks will be charging their regular prices for the food offered.  Food trucks: Only Burger, Srage’s Chef, Will and Pops, Dump Pho King, Sweet Stacey Cakes
http://www.fairviewgardencenter.com/2013/02/events/floraandfoodtrucks/

Durham Farmers’ Market
The Durham Farmers’ Market runs from 8-12 each Saturday. It is my favorite market to visit. Not only do they have tons of great local farmers with a great selection of produce, but there are also food trucks along hunt street, live music, and great people watching. This market is very popular and has a great energy.
http://www.durhamfarmersmarket.com/

Sunday April 20th
Happy Easter! Easter Sunday Brunch Ideas:
Midtown Grille – North Hills – Raleigh
Driftwood – North Raleigh Lafayette Village
Lafarm Bakery – Cary
Piedmont – Durham
Joule Coffee – Downtown Raleigh

Looking Ahead to Next Weekend
A few things you may want to note coming up next Saturday April 26th:
Pitt BBQ 6th Annual Cuegrass – Beer, Bluegrass & BBQ
3rd Annual Brewgaloo – Local Beer and Food Trucks
E3 Project’s Earth Day Field Day – Yoga, Biking Dancing and more

 

 

 

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April 10, 2014 · 7:00 am

Weekend Picks! April 10-13th

Carrboro Open Streets

Spring is always a happening time in the Triangle and this weekend is no different. This week’s picks start with notable local beer news on Thursday followed by some fun outdoor and music events happening over the weekend. No matter what you end up doing I hope this list of things to do in the Triangle helps you discover something new about the area and get out side to enjoy this great warmer weather!

Thursday April 10th
Sam’s Bottle Shop Grand Opening – Durham
The people behind Sam’s Quick Stop are opening up a huge craft beer bottle shop on NC 54 in Durham. Grand Opening is this Thursday. Read all about it here.

Brueprint Brewery Soft Opening – Apex
The Triangle’s newest brewery launches this Thursday with a soft opening starting at 5pm. This brewery is the first one in the area to be located in Apex. Check out their story and list of beers on their website.
 http://brueprint.com


Friday April 11th
RTP Food Truck Rodeo – Durham
Each Friday 11:30 am-1:30pm at 800 Park Office Drive in RTP. They typically have between 4-6 trucks.  Outdoor seating is provided and you’re welcome to bring picnic blankets, frisbees or hackysacks.
http://www.rtp.org/foodtruckrodeo

Nasher Museum Archibald Motley Exhibit – Durham
Archibald Motley includes 42 works from each period of Motley’s lifelong career, from 1919 to 1960. Motley’s scenes of life in the African-American community, often in his native Chicago, depict a parallel universe of labor and leisure. His portraits are voyeuristic but also genealogical examinations of race, gender and sexuality. 
http://nasher.duke.edu/motley

Saturday April 12th
Historic Boylan Heights Home Tour & Tunes – Raleigh
Ten homes in historic Boylan Heights will open their doors to the public to celebrate the neighborhood’s historic and artistic character as area musicians perform in homes along the tour in a nod to the neighborhood’s longstanding musical tradition. Ticketed event ($10/$15)
http://boylanheights.org/tours-and-tunes/

Carrboro Open Streets
Enjoy a day of free activities with your family, friends and neighbors. Bike, walk, skate, dance and play in a traffic-free public space on West Weaver Street, closed to cars Saturday from 10 am to 2:00 pm. 
http://carrboroopenstreets.com

PopUp Market & Tea Cup Gin Jazz Music at Sola Coffee – Raleigh
Saturday morning Sola hosts 15 local artisans at their Spring PopUp Market. These events feature local artists and crafters selling unique locally made products. Market runs from 10am-2pm. Then Saturday evening Sola turns back the clock with some good old fashion jazz music with the band Tea Cup Gin. They play jazz and show tunes from early 20th century. Tea Cup Gin draws inspiration from performers such as Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Waller, and Billie Holiday. Music starts at 7:30pm. Food, beer, and coffee served all evening.
http://www.solacoffee.com

Sunday April 13th
Rock-n-Roll Raleigh Marathon & Half Marathon – Downtown Raleigh
On Sunday 12,500 runners will descend on downtown Raleigh. It is always fun to watch these races and cheer on the competitors, but this race will have some added entertainment with musical performances scheduled in the morning and afternoon at the Red Hat Amphitheater. Check the even website for the full music schedule and showtimes!
http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/raleigh/entertainment

 

 

 

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April 1, 2014 · 11:55 am

Weekend Picks! April 3-6th

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Weekend Picks ~ April 4-6th

I know this week’s picks are coming out a little sooner than usual, but it is going to be a busy week and I wanted to share the news of some truly fantastic stuff coming up later this week. Of course today also marks the launch of NC Beer Month, starting off with “Casks on Fools” at Crank Arm Brewery today (4/1) at 3pm. To learn more bout local beer related activities in April visit my recent post here.

This weeks picks kick off with the Durham Bulls season opener on Thursday followed by a weekend featuring art, film, motorbikes, and a PopUp Ramen noodle bar! See all the details below and a great week!

Thursday April 3rd
Opening Day Game – Durham Bulls Baseball
The curtain will be lifted on the “new” Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Thursday, April 3 at 6:05pm when 605 West Apartments presents Opening Day. Gates open at 5:00pm for the game against division rival Gwinnett, giving fans plenty of time to enjoy pregame festivities that will feature a special entrance by Wool E. Bull, christening of new stadium video displays, full roster introductions, and National Anthem performed by the Duke Pitchforks.
www.DurhamBulls.com


Friday April 4th
First Friday Art Walk – Raleigh
First Friday is a free self-guided tour of downtown’s cutting edge cultural hot spots. Local art galleries, art studios, alternative art venues, and museums stay open late the first Friday of every month to welcome thousands of art-seeking enthusiasts downtown. The event runs from 6 pm-9 pm, but some venue hours may vary.  While downtown I also suggest stopping by the new Raleigh Wine Authorities to enjoy a glass of wine in their front sidewalk seating area to welcome the warmer weather that has finally arrived.
http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/first-friday-raleigh

Gregario’s Cuba Steakhouse Grand Opening Celebration
Celebrate the grand opening of Gregario’s in Durham Friday 6-8 p.m.! This after-work event will include free food, festive music and $2 drink specials. Enjoy the beautiful outdoor patio seating just in time for spring!
http://www.gregoriassteakhouse.com


Saturday April 5th
Full Frame & Food Trucks – Durham
Come out for a Food Truck Round Up at Durham Central Park and a FREE outdoor screening of one of the Full Frame Festival’s documentaries. Food trucks start at 5:30 and fim begins at 8:30. Food trucks scheduled include Iced Cupcakes, The Parlour, Pie Pushers, Sympathy for the Deli, Triangle Raw Foods, CJ’s Street Food.
http://durhamcookery.com/latest-news

Eurobike Show – Raleigh
From 9 AM to 3 PM, the Shops at Seaboard Station will welcome the fourth-annual Raleigh Eurobike, a celebration of the two-wheeled lifestyle and the machines that have become synonymous with style, performance and speed. From exotic Italians to the finest examples of German engineering to the British motorbikes that inspired a café racer revolution, Eurobike Raleigh will showcase some of the most exciting European motorcycles in central North Carolina.
http://www.raleigheurobike.com

Duke Garden Spring Plant Sale – Durham
Duke Gardens at Annual Spring Plant Sale is this Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon. You’ll find an array of plants ideal for this region, including Duke Gardens plants, trees, shrubs, vines, bulbs, decorative plant pots and lots of fantastic plants from specialty vendors. And you can get free gardening advice from our staff and master gardeners.
https://gardens.duke.edu/events/plant-sales

Rock & Shop Market – Durham
The Rock & Shop Market, an indoor fashion, art and music market featuring independent, emerging designers and bands from North Carolina, returns to Durham on Saturday, April 5th, 2014, from 11 to 6 p.m. Admission is $5
https://www.facebook.com/rockandshopmarket

 

Sunday April 6th
The Lucky – PopUp Ramen Noodle Bar – Raleigh
Two foodie friends have teamed up to create The Lucky, a pop-up Japanese noodle restaurant. They will transform Cafe Helios for one night only into a popup ramen restaurant to serve delicious ramen, in the style of the Tokyo noodle bar.  Sunday April 6th starting 7pm until the noodles run out!
http://jupitersgrocery.com

Triangle Tweed Ride – Raleigh
Part of Raleigh’s 10-day Oaks & Spokes Bicycling Festival! Registration opens at 1pm with crafts and mingling on the streets of City Market. Riders take to the streets in full fashion promptly at 2. We recommend laying out your duds and doing your nails the night before. To thoroughly enjoy the day, you’ll need to follow these simple guidelines: Bring $10 (cash only) to benefit Oaks and Spokes programming. Each participant of  will get 2 drink tickets.

http://oaksandspokes.com/event/2014-triangle-tweed-ride/

First Sunday – Pittsboro
Pittsboro’s First Sunday is an artisan market featuring handmade crafts, music, and food every first Sunday of the month from March through December. Join us from 12-4 p.m. in Pittsboro’s historic downtown.
https://www.facebook.com/PittsboroFirstSunday


Picture of the Week – Wafflegato!

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Jubala’s Wafflegato

Earlier this week I shared a post about Jubala Village Coffee celebrating their birthday by offering some special menu items this week. I made good on my promise and stopped by this morning for the famous Wafflegato. This is a shot of espresso poured over a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a small wedge of waffle added to the mix. It is a delicious treat and it is my picture of the week! They will be serving this Tuesday only as part of their “Re-tweet” Tuesday special!

 

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