May 30, 2013 · 11:57 am

Weekend Picks! May 31st – June 2nd

Weekly Stuff

This weekend is jam packed with fun events. My list of picks features everything from celebrating the Triangle’s 25 Stylish movers and shakers, to food truck rodeos and dixieland jazz bands. See below for my full list of things to check out this weekend. Enjoy!

Friday May 31st

Carolina Style Magazine -Triangle’s 25 Most Stylish People
Join Carolina STYLE Magazine as we celebrate the 25 Most Stylish fashionistas, business leaders, socialites and philanthropists who are influencing positive change right here in the Triangle.

Begin your evening with photos on the STYLE Red Carpet, and make sure to smile for the cameras! Event is held at the gorgeous AIA Center for Architecture and Design and preview live fashion exhibits by featured designers. Complimentary Hors d’ Oeuvres & Open Bar.

When: Friday 7-10pm
Where: AIA Center for Architecture & Design in Raleigh
More Info: website

Decatur Street  Dixieland Band at Papa Mojo’s Road House
The Decatur Street Beat Dixieland Band has played foot stomping; toe tapping, New Orleans style Dixieland music since 2004. The group is made up of experienced Dixieland musicians, Dick Sloane – trombone, Keith Longmire – clarinet and saxophone, Mike Acquesta – banjo, and Irv Eisen – tuba. They bring to central North Carolina and the world what they feel is the happiest and liveliest music and you can’t help but feel their enthusiasm and love for the sounds of Decatur Street in New Orleans.

When: Friday 9 pm
Where: Papa Mojo’s Road House in Durham
Tickets: $8
More Info: website

Saturday June 1st

Help One Now Community Garage Sale
HUGE community garage sale at Hope Community Church in Raleigh to raise money for children rescued from human trafficking in Haiti.  The garage sale party that will feature moonbounces, games, food, and of course, good garage sale deals! People have been encouraged to sell their excess (not just junk), so expect great items for sale!

When: Saturday 7am-noon
Where: Hope Community Church- Raleigh
More Info: wesbite

FOOD WAGGIN’ Food Truck Rodeo to Benefit the SPCA
Chow down for a great cause! Bring your friends, bring your dogs, and enjoy the company of fellow animal lovers.  Enjoy fare from local Triangle food trucks, live music from ROCKSHOW, and a children’s play area. Confirmed food trucks include: Chirba Chirba Dumpling, Klausie’s Pizza, Captain Ponchos Tacos, Chick-N-Que and Porchetta. Each participating food truck will donate 10% of their sales to the SPCA, AND Wilkinson will match their donations dollar for dollar!

When: Saturday 1-5pm
Where: Wilkinson Supply Co. ~ 3300 Bush Street Raleigh, NC
More Info: website

Rebus Works Food Truck Rodeo & Gouge Wrestling
Free family fun event! The food trucks have offered to donate some of their profit to help pay for wrestling and the rest will go towards The Saturday Market. Not a rasslin fan? How about great food truck food (There will be 8 local food trucks), cold beer (including beer from several local breweries) and a nice spring evening outdoors. Maybe check out some really cool art at Rebus as well.

When: Saturday 5-9pm
Where: Rebus Works (301-2 Kinsey Street) in Raleigh
More Info: website

9th Annual Beaver Queen Pageant
The Beaver Queen Pageant is a family-friendly event with lots to charm the younger spectators, as well as the older ones. Bring a picnic, blanket, and chairs, and cheer on your favorite contestants! The pre-show entertainment begins at 4pm at Duke Park, and the pageant kicks off at 5pm with the parade featuring this year’s contestants. This year’s theme is “The Big Beaver Revival”. The contestants’ talents will dazzle you! Their costumes will amaze you! You never know what to expect from our crafty beavers.Proceeds from the pageant go to the Ellerbee Creek Watershed Association.

When: Saturday 4-7:30pm
Where: Duke Park Meadow in Durham
More Info: website

Sunday June 2nd

Raleigh 70.3 Ironman
This will be the first half-IronMan event held in Raleigh. The event features over 2,000 competitors starting off with a 1.2 mile swim at Jordan Lake, followed by a 56 mile bike course going through Chatham County and Wake County before entering downtown Raleigh where a 13.1 mile run course will take athletes to the finish on Fayetteville Street. Check out the event website for the various course maps and head on out to cheer on the competitors!

When: Sunday (All Morning)
Where: Various Locations – Wake, Durham, Orange County (See Website)
More Info: website

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May 24, 2013 · 1:40 pm

Weekend Picks! May 24-26th

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Jazz & More Brunch Sundays at Weaver Street Market in Carrboro

Holiday weekends are usually a little slower in the Triangle event wise, but you can still find some fun things to check out this weekend. This weekend there are some great live music performances to check out. Here my top picks for things to do this Memorial Day Weekend. Enjoy!

Friday May 24th

Live Music! Chris Titchner at Sola Coffee
If you are looking for some great live music, you don’t need to look any further than Sola Coffee in North Raleigh. They typically have live local music each Friday and Saturday night starting at 7:30pm. This Friday Sola is host to Chris Titchner (Acoustic Guitar &  lyric-driven tunes).

When: Friday 7:30pm
Where: Sola Coffee & Cafe, 7705 Lead Mine Road, Raleigh
More Info: website

Saturday May 25th

2nd Sip… Wine, Beer and Music Fest at “Sip…a Wine Store”
Join Sip…a wine store for their 2nd annual Wine, Beer and Music Festival. Each Festival event highlights a winery or wine region, a brewery, a local musician or band, and an event inspired special. This year’s Festivals promise to be even bigger and better with added events and the Huble Pig Food Truck. Music/Beer/Wine.

Tickets are $5.  Children, DDs are free. Wine and beer sold separately.

When: Saturday 4-8pm
Where: Sip…a wine store, 1059 Darrington Drive, Cary
More Info: website

Caged Bird Society 25th Annual Pet Bird Fair and Show
If you like birds this event is for you. The pet bird fair at the NC State fairgrounds this weekend will feature a large bird display area, birds from around the world , raffle, food & drink, and a large Selection of vendors.

When: Saturday 9am-5pm
Where: Kerr Scott Building at NC State Fairground
More Info: website

Sunday May 26th

Live Jazz & More Brunch at Weaver Street Market – Carrboro
Each Sunday during the summer you can enjoy a fun Sunday morning sitting in the shade taking in some free tunes at the Weaver Street Market in Carrboro. Free music every Sunday from 11-1. This weeks featured musicians are  Dana & Susan Robinson. Bring a blanket or chairs and relax.

When: Sunday 11am-1pm
Where: Lawn in front of Weaver Street Market in Carrboro
More Info: website

Wake Forest Six Sundays Music Series
Bring the kids, friends, a picnic, and a blanket! Town of Wake Forest, the Six Sundays in Spring concert series returns for 2013 on consecutive Sundays from April 28 through June 2. This week’s headlining musician is Ghezzi. These FREE concerts are held at E. Carroll Joyner Park Amphitheater. Opening bands starting at 3 pm, with the main acts starting at 5 pm and ending at 7 pm. Food vendors will there include VFW food trailer, the Lemon Tree, Sweet Traditions by LeAne (cupcakes) and Lumpy’s Ice Cream!

When: Sunday 5-7pm
Where: E. Carrol Joyner Park,  701 Harris Road, Wake Forest
More Info: website

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May 19, 2013 · 7:14 am

Jitters Coffee ~ Local Coffee On The Go In Cary!

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Jitters Coffee ~ Cary, NC

Update: Jitters is now closed. The owners have opened up a coffee shop at a new location called  Racin Java in Fuquay Varina. Visit their facebook page here.

I love to explore locally owned coffee shops in the Triangle and recently my coffee adventures took me to a unique little drive thru coffee shop in Cary called Jitters Coffee. Jitters is located in the entrance to the Food Lion shopping center parking lot off Kildaire Farm road just outside of downtown Cary. There are two things that make this little coffee shop so unique. The first is that it is a drive-thru coffee business that operates out of what I would describe as a coffee “hut”. You pull up to Jitters in your car and a friendly barista takes your order, creates your drink and hands it to you through a window. The second thing is Jitters is the only place in Cary that serves locally roasted Carrboro Coffee.

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Jitters Latte made with Carrboro Coffee

Don’t let the small size of Jitters fool you. They offer a full selection of coffee and espresso drinks that rivals the menu of any larger coffee shop. They even have fruit smoothies and a host of flavored shots to add to your favorite hot or cold beverage and offer various seasonal specialty drinks throughout the year. Their menu even features a frozen espresso drink called a “Granita” which is similar to a frappe but has a lot less calories. I had a sample of their Granita on my first visit and it was delicious. Of course my two favorite coffee drinks are lattes and cortados, and on this occasion I had a perfectly crafted latte (pictured above) and it even had some cool latte art action going on.

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The Drive-Thru Window at Jitters

Jitters has been serving the faithful coffee crowd in Cary for several years now but is under new Management as of October 2012. That’s when local residents Jennifer Vaaler and Brett Coleman took over the business. Since taking the reigns, Jennifer & Brett have brought new inspiration to Jitters by offering locally roasted Carrboro Coffee, which is one of my favorite coffee roasters – their espresso is amazing! They have also been updating the landscaping around the coffee hut by planting a cool little garden out front surrounding the larger than life coffee mug fountain. They even added some cool tropical banana plants along the backside of the hut making Jitters feel and look like a little coffee oasis.

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Jitters ~ A Coffee Oasis!

When it comes to great coffee spots, it is the little things the count. For example, while I was at Jitters taking pictures I saw several regulars pull up, Jenn & Brett knew them by name and began making them their “usual” drinks without even having to be asked. A neat little finishing touch on each hot drink is an easy to remove lady bug sticker on the “to go” cup lid to keep the steam in and the coffee warm. I highly recommend local coffee fans check out Jitters if you are looking for a new place to grab your coffee on the go or just want to try something new. I think you will be glad you did!

(Jitters is open 6:30am until 4pm Monday through Friday, 8am-3pm Saturday, and closed Sundays.)

Jitters Coffee
920 Kildaire Farm Road
Cary, NC 27511
Website: http://jitterscarync.wordpress.com/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JittersCary/info
Twitter: @JittersCaryNC

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May 16, 2013 · 11:12 am

This Weekend’s Picks! May 17-19th

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This weekend is packed with events. Everything from urban chickens,  to BBQ contests and art festivals . See below for my top picks for things to do this weekend. Enjoy!

Friday May 17th

Got to Be NC Festival (Fri/Sat/Sun)
Free family friendly event at the NC State Fairgrounds with an agricultural twist. Enjoy carnival games and rides, live music, food, animal and agricultural displays, antique tractors, and more. 

When: Friday / Saturday / Sunday 6-9:00
Where: NC State Fairgounds
More Info: website

Hillsborough Hogg Day (Fri/Sat)
Now celebrating its 31st Anniversary, Hillsborough Hogg Day offers family fun, good food, live music, crafters, merchandise vendors, games and rides, and a classic auto show – all in downtown Hillsborough!

When: Friday / Saturday
Where: Downtown Hillsborough – Behind Courthouse
More Info: website

Saturday May 18th

Tour D’ Coop
Raleigh’s city chicken owners invite you into their backyards for a first-hand look at keeping chickens in an urban environment.  This self-guided tour provides the opportunity to see over 20 coops, from tiny urban gardens to sprawling suburban lots. This is your chance to glean creative ideas from neighbors who are incorporating chickens and permaculture garden designs into their home landscapes to create an inspiring urban adventure.

When: Saturday 10am-4pm
Where: Various Locations in Raleigh (see map)
Tickets: See website for ticket information
More Info: website


Artsplosure (Fri/Sat/Sun)
Artsplosure’s mission is to produce high quality annual festivals that celebrate excellence in the performing and visual arts; to promote and bring recognition to national, regional, and local artists; and to bring artists and the larger community together to improve the quality of life and cultural environment.

Since its first festival in April 1980, Artsplosure has presented thousands of established and emerging artists whose works span across many disciplines and art forms in both traditional and non-traditional indoor venues and outdoor settings.

When: Friday / Saturday  / Sunday
Where: Moore Square – Downtown Raleigh
More Info: website

Sunday May 19th

Pop-Up Sunday at Ornamentea
POP-UP Sunday is a monthly event that gives local businesses, artists and the community a chance to mingle. It’s not just art or antiques or food trucks, it’s a handpicked mix of all that and more! May 19th is going to be one big block party on West Street. POP-UP Sundaywill start up at noon for a food-truck-tailgate and shop-a-pallooza leading up to the Battle of the House Bands across the street at Southland Ballroom til 7:30pm. All the money raised from both events will benefit Haven House Services, a non-profit agency that changes outcomes for struggling youth and their families.

When: Sunday 12-5pm
Where: Ornamentea Parking Lot – Downtown Raleigh
More Info: website

Seeds Pie Social
Do you like pie? Then come to the Seeds Pie Social for an afternoon of sweet and savory pie. A $10 donation includes 4 tasting slices of pie or 5 if you bring your own fork and plate. All proceeds go to Inner-City Gardeners. Enter the best pie contest and you could win $500!!

When: Sunday 1-5pm
Where: Durham Central Park Pavillion
More Info: website

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May 13, 2013 · 8:44 pm

Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo Success!

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Food Trucks on Fayetteville Street

In case you missed it, this past Sunday downtown Raleigh was the host of a huge food truck rodeo – the biggest ever in Raleigh with over 40 food trucks in attendance. Trucks were set up along Fayetteville Street starting just south of the Capital Building. The inaugural event ran from noon to 5pm on Sunday, but if you missed it don’t worry, similar food truck events will be held on June 9th, August 11th, and October 13th. Visit DowntownRaleighFoodTruckRodeo.com for updates about future events.

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Barone – New Meatball Food Truck

Raleigh has checkered past with food trucks. While the food truck rules in the City of Oaks are not quite as lenient as in Durham, contrary to popular belief foods trucks are allowed in Raleigh. This was just the first time so many of them were all together at one time here in Raleigh. All in all I think the event organizers did a good job with this first event. There were over 40 trucks spanning a wide range of cuisine including meatball sandwiches, pizza, Korean bbq, and dumplings. Several of the local fan favorites were on hand like Klausie’s Pizza, Chirba Chirba, and American Meltdown. There were also a few new trucks I’ve never seen before from neighboring Greensboro like Urban Street Grill, and Great Escape.

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Seating Area

Everyone I talked to was appreciative of the seating areas provided so people had a place to sit and eat instead of being forced to stand and balance their plates. Of course there were some complaints about the usual long lines and wait times for some of the more popular trucks, but I have been to enough of these events to know it comes with the territory. Some say you should have more trucks, but honestly that just draws even more people and the popular trucks will always have a big fan base waiting in line. In general a good rule of thumb is to come early and come with a game plan so you don’t waste time looking for trucks you want to try.

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Local Beer – Aviator Brewing out of Fuquay Varina

Another great aspect of the rodeo was that it featured some of our great local breweries too. Three local breweries, Aviator Brewing, Carolina Brewing Company, and the City of Oaks newest addition Raleigh Brewing Company, were all on hand selling their brew. All three did a great job of ensuring they had enough beer and kept the line of thirsty rodeo fans moving.

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Sweet Stacey Cakes – Cupcake Food Truck aka “Smiles”

Several of my favorite trucks were at the rodeo and I made a point of hitting them first before the long lines started forming. I got a smoked turkey sandwich from Sympathy for the Deli and followed it up with a “Thin Mint” cupcake from Sweet Stacey Cakes. I never miss a chance to get food from these trucks when I see them and they never disappoint. Both really hit the spot on Sunday! Another favorite of mine is the Parlour Ice Cream truck. Their salted caramel ice cream is heavenly!

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Food Truck Fans

Looking back on Sunday’s event I think this first large scale rodeo in Raleigh will go down as a big success for the city and serve as an example of the growing demand for such events in Raleigh. Hopefully city leaders will continue to recognize the positive role food trucks play in the evolving downtown scene and will create an environment that encourages more of these events in the future. For information about future food truck rodeos in Raleigh check out DowntownRaleighFoodTruckRodeo.com or follow them on facebook.

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