Category Archives: Weekend Picks

November 19, 2013 · 12:47 pm

2013 Triangle Christmas Parades, Tree Lightings, & Holiday Concerts!

Angus Barn Christmas Tree

The Angus Barn at Christmas ~ Raleigh, NC

I know it is still November but Christmas events like the 2013 Raleigh Christmas Parade and the North Hills Tree lighting are set to kick off this Saturday (Nov. 23rd). With that in mind I thought now would be a good time to share my annual list of events scheduled in the Triangle this holiday season. There is so much going on so if I missed anything please leave me a comment or shoot me and email and I will add it to the list. Thanks!

Parades

Tree Lightings

Holiday Concerts / Performances

Holiday Historic Home Tours

Other Holiday Events

Holiday Markets – Shop Local!
My Friend Kim over at TriangleLocalista.com has put together an awesome list of upcoming Holiday Markets.  To shop for locally made products from local artisans view her wonderful Triangle Holiday Markets post here.

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November 1, 2013 · 6:14 am

Weekend Picks! Nov. 1st-3rd

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Weekend Picks! Nov. 1st-3rd

I’ve been busy preparing for my first marathon so this week’s list of picks isn’t as comprehensive as in the past, but I still think I’ve picked some great stuff going on each day nonetheless. I’ll admit I added the City of Oaks Marathon as the lone event Sunday because I want everyone to come out and watch me run – just kidding! This will be my first marathon, but I really didn’t include it because I’m running it. In fact I happen to think being a spectator at a road race is actually a lot of fun and the cheering and encouragement from people along the course is really appreciated by the tired runners. No matter how you choose to spend it, I hope you have a great weekend!

Friday November 1st

Music & Coffee at Oak City Roasters – Downtown Raleigh
Jacob Dixon and Candice Young are the headlining musicians for November’s First Friday celebration at Oak City Roasters tonight. Oak City recently opened their new roastery location in the Boylean Heights Area of downtown Raleigh right next to the Boylean Street Brew Pub. Stop by tonight for an evening of great music and coffee and check out their new place!
https://www.facebook.com/OakCityRoasters

“Last Waltz” Outsiders Art Gallery Closing Sendoff! – Durham
Outsiders Art Gallery is closing and they want to go out with a last hurrah! So, on November 1, they are having their “Last Waltz” which will include an auction of one piece per artist that they’ve shown over the last four years. Please join them a night of art, a food truck mash-up with Only Burger, Pie Pushers & Ko Kyu and music performed by Matt Phillips and the Philharmonic, Katharine Whalen, The Blue Tailed Skinks, The Bulltown Strutters and special guests. $10 suggested donation at the door.
https://www.facebook.com/events/584242534976691/

Baguettaboutit Grand Opening Celebration – Raleigh
Another Triangle Food truck has opened a brick & mortar restaurant (don’t worry they will still do the food truck too!). Check out the Grand Opening Celebration of their Baguettaboutit’s new brick and mortar location Friday from 5-8pm. The event will feature several food trucks in the parking lot out front including American Meltdown, Captain Poncho’s Tacos, and Red Hot & Blue, Chick-N-Que and Sweet Traditions Cupcakes.
http://baguettaboutit.com/

Saturday November 2nd

Pop-Up Market at Sola Coffee & Cafe’ – North Raleigh
Sola Coffee & Café in North Raleigh is hosting their first Pop-Up Market this Saturday from 10am-2pm. At least 12 vendors will be set up in the parking lot outside selling and array of art, jewelry, vintage clothing and other handmade items. While you’re there I recommend popping inside for one of their great lattes made with locally roasted Counter Culture Coffee and trying one of their new gluten free scones.
http://solacoffee.com/

Whisk Grand Opening Celebration – Cary
To help kick off the opening of this locally owned & operated store and in anticipation of the upcoming holiday baking season the folks at Whisk are holding a Grand Opening Event all weekend long (Nov. 1st-3rd) . The event will feature a series of free in-store cooking demonstrations and special discounts on cookware & bakeware. I’m a huge local coffee fan (surprise!) so I am hoping to stop by Saturday for the free coffee cupping being hosted by local roaster Muddy Dog Coffee. For a full list of their cooking demonstrations see the link below.
http://www.whiskcarolina.com/event-classes-calendar/2013-11

Oktoberfest at West 94th Street Pub – Durham
Celebrate Oktoberfest at West 94th Street Pub in Durham this Saturday from 2-6pm. They will hold the event in the parking lot in front of the pub and will have live music, German Style food and local beer from LoneRider, Triangle Brewery, White Street Brewery, and Foothills Brewery. The event is a benefit for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC. Tickets are $5 per sample station of $15 to sample all stations. If you donate 5 canned food items you can sample all the stations for just $10.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/West-94th-St-Pub/216732515166

Sunday November 3rd

City of Oaks Marathon – Raleigh
Come on out and cheer on the runners of the half and full marathon this weekend! Bring a cowbell! This is a great way to spend Sunday morning outside on what is forecasted to be a beautiful day! I’ll be out there running my first marathon so keep an eye out for a guy wearing maroon Virginia Tech Hokies visor! If you snap a picture of me in the race feel free to tag me in it on instagram so we can all have a good laugh at how funny I look running!
http://www.cityofoaksmarathon.com/

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October 25, 2013 · 9:25 am

Weekend Picks! Oct. 25-27th

Weekend Picks October 25-27th

Weekend Picks October 25-27th

As the cold weather rolls in and October comes to an end it is time to enjoy Oktoberfest and Halloween parties! If parties are not your thing my other picks include beer tastings, live music, coffee, and of course a food truck or two.  Details for my top pics are below followed by a sneak peek at some fun events going on in November that you will want to add to your calendar today! Have a great weekend!

Friday October 25th

White Street Brewery Halloween Party – Wake Forest
A fun night of Bluesy Rock & Cajun food and great beer at White Street Brewery this Friday from 6:30-10:30pm. Enjoy live music from Tin Whistle Band NC. The Baton Rouge Cuisine food truck will also be parked outside to satisfy that craving you just got for Cajun food! Come out in costume. There will be judging individual as well as group costumes!
https://www.facebook.com/events/529622977111726/

Live Music & Dinner at Sola Coffee – North Raleigh
Sola Coffee regularly hosts live music each Friday & Saturday around 7:30pm. This Friday they play host to Embers End playing Indie/Folk . There will also be a Big Boss Brewing beer tasting that night. Then on Saturday enjoy Americana/Acoustic Rock from Wyatt Espalin from Nashville.  While you’re there check out Sola’s new dinner menu featuring pizzas, cheese plates, bruschetta, and the latest wine & beer selections in addition to their great coffee!
http://solacoffee.com

Saturday October 26h

CAM Raleigh “Dance of the Dead” – Downtown Raleigh
Join CAM Raleigh for the Triangle’s most thrilling Halloween bash. Paperhand Puppet Intervention, DJ Paypal (LuckyMe), video installation by Richard Gurnsey, an altar and authentic cuisine from downtown Raleigh’s own Centro will transform the museum for a night like no other. Show off your best get-ups for your chance to win some amazing prizes and local artwork! For details and ticket information visit their website.
http://camraleigh.org/fright/

Bottle Mixx One Year Anniversary Party – North Raleigh
The folks at Bottle Mixx are excited to celebrate their first full year in business this Saturday from 10am-9pm. They will be sampling various beers throughout the day including a specail Foothills Beer cask tapping. The American Meltdown food truck will be there from 1-4, and there will be free t-shirt and other prizes given away throughout the day. Check the event website for a full rundown of the days activities!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1457676557789975/

D-Town Oktoberfest at Motorco – Durham
Motorco Music Hall invites the community to don their lederhosen or drindl and raise a Spaten mug to Dtown Oktoberfest. The free, family-friendly event begins at noon. Good Beer and celebrations will be the order of the day with Motorco dressed as a traditional beer hall, inside and out. Live music from The Little German Band accompanied by traditional dancers from 1PM-4PM. There will be plenty of Spaten Oktoberfest, the world’s premier Oktoberfest beer, served in Liter & 1/2 Liter Steins. Traditional German bratwurst with all the trimmings will be available as well as German pretzels.
http://motorcomusic.com/great-big-dtown-oktoberfest

Cooking Class at Neomonde Deli – North Raleigh
On Saturday at 3pm at their Strickland Road location Simone will be demonstrating how to prepare some Mediterranean sweets, just in time for the holiday season. Email neomondeoffice@gmail.com to register for this class ($10) fee.
http://www.neomonde.com

Sunday October 27th

An Afternoon of BOO-tiful Music  – Durham Central Park
Sunday 3pm at the Durham Farmers’ Market. Enjoy a family friendly concert by the Durham Community Band with music for Halloween. Kids, come in costume and enjoy a little trick-or-treating as you march to the music. Also, food and drink will be available from our amazing Durham area food trucks!
https://www.facebook.com/events/527669163969555/?ref=5

Jazz Brunch at Oxford Gastropub  – Downtown Raleigh
Check out the great Sunday brunch at the Oxford Gastropub on Fayettevill Street in downtown Raleigh and enjoy the Live Jazz music on the main stage from 11am-3pm. Brunch is served from 10am -3pmWe with a full spread of breakfast and lunch items, fabulous $5 Mimosas, as well as an impressive Bloody Mary Bar.
http://www.oxfordraleigh.com/


“Save the Date” – Upcoming Events in November!

A Passion for BreadLaFarm Bakery Open House  – November 5th
Missy and Lionel of La Farm Bakery in Cary are inviting the public to their Open House on November 5th from 6-8pm to celebrate Lionel’s first artisan bread book “A Passion for Bread“. Guests will be invited to tour the bakery, view baking demos, and enjoy Lionel’s hand-crafted breads alongside local cheeses & beers!

Wine authorites
Wine Authorities in Raleigh – Mid-November
Durham wine shop Wine Authorities  is planning for a Mid-November opening of their a retail location in Raleigh. It will be located at the Person Street Plaza (Person/Franklin Streets) in downtown Raleigh.

On November 1st, Wine Authorities will introduce their new store with a series of Enomatic cards strategically placed at historic sites and locally owned businesses in downtown Raleigh. Each day Heffley and his team will discreetly reveal the location via social media, and those who discover the cards will post via social media, then enjoy their Enomatic dollars once the store opens. And soon after opening, Heffley and his team look forward to hosting an open house featuring neighboring businesses and food trucks.


homebrewcontest

Southern Season Homebrew Contest – November 9th
Southern Season, the South’s premier destination for local and international fine food, wine, specialty gifts, cookware and cooking classes, is excited to announce the return of the store’s Homebrew Contest Saturday, Nov. 9 from 3-7 p.m

The competition gives homebrewers a chance to show off their best craft beer and enter it into a taste test for the chance to win a six month membership to Southern Season’s “Brew of the Month” club and a $300 store shopping spree. Brew submissions, which must be a winter brew, will be accepted through Monday, Nov. 5. Winners will be announced at the Beer Extravaganza and Awards Event taking place on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 3-7 p.m. at 201 S. Estes Dr. in Chapel Hill, N.C. Tickets to the event are $5 in advance and $8 at the door.

All winter brews will be judged by a panel of professional, amateur, and BJCP judges. To enter the competition, a $5 entry fee is required with each entry form, along with 3 – 12 oz. bottles of the home brew and the beer recipe.
http://www.southernseason.com/our-stores/chapel-hill/home-brew-contest-2/

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October 18, 2013 · 12:43 pm

Weekend Picks! Oct 18-20th

Weekend Picks October 18-20th

Weekend Picks October 18-20th

As we enter the third week of October one of the areas biggest annual event has come to town. The North Carolina State Fair kicked off this past Thursday and is one of my top picks for this weekend. If rides, petting zoos, and fried foods aren’t your thing, there are many other great events going on elsewhere in the Triangle this weekend worth checking out. Here are my top picks for this weekend!

Friday October 18th

North Carolina State Fair Kickoff Weekend!
The state fair has come to town and runs through Oct. 27th. There is something for everyone from the rides, fried food, animals, and live entertainment. Fireworks cap off each night too. Check the fair website for the full event schedule.
http://ncstatefair.org/2013/index.htm

Free Espresso Friday at Jubala Village Coffee – Raleigh
Did you know every Friday at Jubala Village Coffee in North Raleigh is “Free Espresso Friday”? Every Friday they buy 10 lbs of a “guest” espresso and give out free espresso shots until they run out. This Friday’s espresso is Counter Culture Coffee’s “La Golondrina”.
http://www.jubalavillagecoffee.com

Live Music at DeMarco’s – Donnie Howard Acoustic – Raleigh
Donnie Howard returns to the DeMarco’s Restaurant and Bar this Friday night at 8pm. Enjoy great pizza and Italian dishes along with a fantastic selection of wines and craft beers while listening to great live music.
http://www.demarcosnc.com

Saturday October 19th

Cooke Street Carnival – Downtown Raleigh
Cooke Street Carnival returns for a fifth year and this year they are having a block long cook-out. They will have bands and the art vendors like previous years, but this year they are focusing on food and drink with some of your favorite local food trucks, beer vendors, juices, vegan food, coffee, desserts, bread, a pickle eating contest and more.

This year they are partnering with Learning Together, a local non-profit children’s organization and inclusive daycare to help donate some supplies for the children and give the kids some fun activities at the carnival. Please bring some supplies to donate or you can donate money at the event. We will put a full list of needed supplies on our website.
http://cookestreetcarnival.com/

Bull City Coop Tour – Durham
The Third Annual Bull City Coop Tour gives visitors an up-close peek into the living quarters of some of Durham’s feathered residents.

Maps for the self-guided tour will be available at the Durham Farmers Market and Bull City Burger and Brewery for a suggested donation of $5.00 per adult and $20.00 per carload. Kids under 12 are free. No donation amount will be turned down. Tourists will visit each location at their leisure as long as it is within the time limit, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m on Saturday October 19th, 2013.
http://bullcitychickens.com/bull-city-coop-tour/

Chickensrock – Bull City Burger & Brewery – Durham
Following the Coop Tour, be sure to swing by Bull City Burger & Brewery for more fun at their “Chickenstock Festival” from 4-8pm. It is a free, fun and funky edu-party that brings the community together to learn about urban chicken-raising and sustainable living. The event will feature live music, vendors and awards for Durham’s top-rated roosts!
http://bullcitychickens.com/chickenstock-festival/

Raleigh Roundup “Bourbon & Bubbles” Benefit Event
The 2013 Raleigh Roundup will be held on Saturday, October 19th at Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh. Join us for this fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society. Event includes live music, plenty of food and drink, a live and silent auction, a raffle, and plenty more fun. The 2013 Raleigh Roundup will take place on Saturday, October 19 at Marbles Museum in Raleigh. Tickets are $150 (see website for details)
Event Website

Taylor’s Wine Shop BBQ Event to benefit YMCA
This Saturday (October 19th) from 11am – 2pm, you can buy a plate of our very own pitmaster, Bill Brown’s BBQ. Plates are $10 each and include slaw, potato salad and a roll. BBQ sandwiches, handmade desserts and BBQ by the pound will also be available. All proceeds will go to the Gail Cash Memorial Endowment Fund to benefit the AE Finley YMCA.
Event Website

Sunday October 20th

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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 several artist vendors, local Beer, Food Trucks. Always a fun time and a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
http://popupsunday.com/

“Surveying the Terrain” at CAM Raleigh – Downtown Raleigh
Raleigh’s Contemporary Art Museum has a new exhibit called “Surveying the Terrain” This exhibit explores how ten contemporary artists are using maps, mapping technologies, cartography, surveying, science and politics to create artworks. The exhibition focuses on the how the artists’ relationships to the Earth, the art they create, and our relationships to each other are condensed, extended, distorted and interpreted by beauty, politics, environmental degradation, poverty, surveillance, privacy and censorship. And do not miss Family Sundae from 12-3pm this Sunday: explore the Surveying the Terrain exhibition, visit the Creation Station for hands-on activities, meet our student docents and experience CAM Raleigh’s interactive Family Sundae Ice Cream Bar (patent pending). Family Sunday is FREE thanks to the generous support of the CAM Raleigh community.
http://camraleigh.org/exhibitions/

Bull City Racefest & Food Truck Rodeo – Durham
Over 5,800 runners will race in Durham’s Bull City Race Fest & Food Truck Rodeo Sunday. The family-friendly event will feature Food Truck Rodeo at the finish line by Diamond View Park. There will be live music on the course which highlights Downtown Durham, Trinity Park, Duke’s Campus, and Forest Hills. Check the race course on their website and go out and cheer on the runners – always fun to do (bring a cowbell!). Afterwards join the runners at the food truck rodeo!
http://www.bullcityracefest.com

Walking Dead – Watch Party at Motorco- Durham
Don’t have AMC but want to watch one of the most popular shows on tv? Afraid to watch a show about zombies alone? Then head over to the Garage Bar at Motorco in Durham and watch the show with friends while enjoying a beer or cocktail. They’ll show last week’s episode at 8pm followed by this week’s new episode at 8pm. All on the big screen!
http://motorcomusic.com/tv-nite-walking-dead-7


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October 11, 2013 · 11:10 am

Weekend Picks! Oct 11-13th

Weekend picks

October 11-13th

The second weekend of October continues to be packed with a variety of things to do. Live music, Porsche exhibit at NCMA, food trucks, and competitive badminton top my picks for things to check out. There truly is something for everyone going on this weekend! Enjoy!

Friday October 11th

Live Bluegrass Music at Sola Coffee – North Raleigh
Sola Coffee regularly hosts live music each Friday & Saturday around 7:00pm. This Friday they play host to local bluegrass band Ravenridge. While you’re there check out Sola’s new dinner menu featuring pizzas, cheese plates, bruschetta, and new wine & beer selctions in addition to their great coffee!
http://solacoffee.com

Deep River Brewery & D’Burritos Food Truck – Clayton
Have you been to Deep River Brewery in Clayton yet? I samples a few of their beers at a recent event and they are fantastic. This Friday the Brewery is open and the taps will be flowing. D’Burritos, a relatively new food truck featuring tex-mex dishes will be at the brewery selling food to feed the hungry local beer fans!
http://deepriverbrewing.com/

North Hills Friday Night Tribute Music Series – Raleigh
Midtown Events is hosting the last Friday Night Tribute band block party of the season this Friday night from 7-9pm on Park Street at North Hills. This Friday enjoy the tunes of the 1980’s tribute band The Breakfast Club!
http://www.northhillsraleigh.com/event/friday-night-tributes/

Saturday October 12th

NCMA Porsche by Design Exhibit Opens – Raleigh
Porsche by Design: Seducing Speed marks the North Carolina Museum of Art’s first design exhibition, exploring the history and development of the Porsche lineage from the 1930s to the present day. Featuring 22 automobiles, Porsche by Design presents cars owned by Ralph Lauren, Steve McQueen, & Janis Joplin, as well as the one-of-a-kind Panamericana concept car on loan from the Porsche Museum in Suttgart, Germany. The exhibit opens this Saturday October 12th and runs through January 20, 2014.
Exhibit Website

Live Music at Uncorked – Donnie Howard Acoustic – Raleigh
Donnie Howard returns to the Uncorked Wine Bar in Falls River this Saturday night at 6pm. Enjoy craft beers and a wide variety of wines while listening to his great acoustic performance. Donnie will be joined by Chuck Brown on percussion.
http://www.uncorkednc.com

Pop A Top: A Food Truck Rodeo – Raleigh
Rebus Works is hosting Pop A Top: A Food Truck Rodeo that will pair up seven food trucks with seven New Belgium canned beers. Pop A Top will include a Food Truck Rodeo, DJ, local art and craft vendors and New Belgium Brewing Company will have a “do it yourself” koozie silk-screening table manned by Oak City Collective.  There are a total of seven pairings and all the trucks will offer a $4 sample dish to go along with the $4 beers.
https://www.facebook.com/events/521107927918541/

Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival – Silk Hope
A music lovers’ paradise, Shakori Hills is a family-friendly celebration of Music, dance, art, & education. 4, days, 4 stages, & over 60 bands in beautiful Chatham County. Make sure you stop by the Coffee Barn for some Larry’s Beans Coffee! Festival runs Oct 10-13th!
http://shakorihillsgrassroots.org/

NC Adidas Badminton Open
Looking to enjoy something a little different this weekend? Badminton is an incredibly popular sport outside of the united states, but you have a unique opportunity to watch a host of competitive Badminton matches this weekend at the NC Adidas Open being held at NC State Oct 11-13th. Local resident Leon Grodski de Barrera of CocoaCinnamon  in Durham will be competing in a match this Saturday at 9am. You can view the full tournament schedule here.
http://ncopen.org/

Sunday October 13th

Massive Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo – Downtown Raleigh
Downtown Raleigh is set to host another huge Food Truck Rodeo this Sunday from 12-5pm. There will be over 50 food trucks lined up and running several blocks along end Fayetteville Street. There will also be beer and coffee for sale and seating. There is sure to be a crowd, so get there early and avoid the long lines!
http://www.downtownraleighfoodtruckrodeo.com/


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