The Triangle Explorer

The 6th Annual All American Marathon is scheduled to be held on March 29, 2020 in Fayetteville. The race offers a Full Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5k option. If you are interested in running I have an All American Marathon Discount Code to share for this race. You can save 15% off registration using the promo code ToddAllAmerican.

I’ve run the half marathon twice already and am looking forward to doing it again in 2019. The Marathon and  Half Marathon starts in Festival Park in Historic Downtown Fayetteville and finishes on Fort Bragg at the Main Post Parade Field. The 5K starts and finishes at the Main Post Parade Field on Fort Bragg sharing the finish line with the Full and Half Marathon. Every registered participant receives a performance t-shirt & customized finisher medal.

Last year there were over 3,700 runners at the event where runners were treated to a race course that gave them an inside look at Fort Bragg. The race has a lot of local support and everything about this race is done really well. I highly recommend you check it out if you are looking for a spring race to add to your calendar this year.

I don’t have any specific time goals for this race. I’m just looking forward to running with friends and using the race as motivation to improve my overall fitness in the new year. One of my favorite places to train is the Raleigh Greenway so if you see a guy out there running with an All American shirt and have a question about the race feel free to chase me down! #RunStrong

All American Marathon
March 29, 2020
Fayetteville, NC
www.allamericanmarathon.com
Discount Code: ToddAllAmerican

Benelux Coffee – Cameron Village

Benelux Coffee is a nice local coffee shop located in the Cameron Village area of Raleigh along Oberlin Road. It’s a spacious cafe with lots of seating making it perfect for meeting friends or just lounging around nursing a hot mug of coffee on a quiet morning in the Oak City. They roast their own coffee beans and offer a full menu of coffee, espresso, and cold brew drinks. They also have baked goods and Belgian Waffles. One thing I really like about this shop is they offer one free refill on their drip coffee. Next time you are over in Cameron Village check them out!

Company of National Tour of “On Your Feet!”
(Photo by Matthew Murphy)

This past Tuesday my wife and I braved the bitter cold and attended opening night of On Your Feet! at the Durham Performing Arts Center. We had been looking forward to this show for months and it did not disappoint! The show was easily one of the best we have ever seen with a fantastic performance by a great cast showing off amazing vocals and dance moves. It was a wonderful way to kick of the 2018 season at DPAC.

On Your Feet! made it’s Broadway debut on November 2015 where it enjoyed a run of 746 performances before closing in August 2017 and is now on it’s first U.S. national tour. The musical tells the story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan and chronicles their personal and professional lives starting with how they first met in Cuba to their transition to the Miami music scene where the launched the now iconic band “Miami Sound Machine”. It is an inspiring story of their perseverance and hard work to make the successful music crossover into American culture while facing adversity and battling stereotypes along the way.

Christie Prades as Gloria Estefan, Mauricio Martinez as Emilio Estefan & Company of “On Your Feet!”
(Photo by Matthew Murphy)

This was a very tight production. Each element of the show, from the singing, to the dancing, to the vibrant colors of the costumes and beautiful sets and lighting complimented each other perfectly resulting in one of the best theater experience I have ever had. There was only one tiny little hiccup with the set early in Act I that required a brief intermission, but hey that comes with the territory of live entertainment and working out opening night kinks!

That small blip aside, On Your Feet! really shines with it’s talented cast and the score (much of it from the songbook of Gloria and Emilio). So talented in fact that I didn’t even realize Arianna Rosario, who played Gloria Estefan on the night we saw the show, is the understudy to Christi Prades. Rosario was fantastic as Gloria and let me tell you she is her own star. Her vocals were great throughout then night and her dancing and acting make her a true triple threat. Mauricio Martinez was equally impressive as Emilio Estefan. The two sounded great together during their duets, and have a great chemistry on stage as the relationship of their characters evolve from young lovers, to music business partners, to husband and wife.

Adriel Flete and Company of “On Your Feet!”
(Photo by Matthew Murphy)

While the show weaves through the growth in personal relationships between Gloria and here Mother and Emilio, the big breakthrough of the plot comes from the professional side of the story – when Gloria identifies the Latin pop crossover sound she wants — the classical salsa rhythms with “a funk baseline and a strong back beat on the drums and all the lyrics in English.” And with each song the chorus and dance moves kept the energy of and the rhythm of the going all night long. And while the show is filled with wonderful renditions of Estefan’s greatest hits, each number serves a purpose for moving the story along and is not just dropped in the show for the sake of adding another familiar song.

I loved On Your Feet! It had everything I look for in a musical. An inspiring story that is also entertaining and delivers a great message.  It was a fun night basking in the Cuban-fusion sound with a mix of just the right amount of nostalgia from the Miami Sound Machine Days.  I consider a musical a big hit with me when at the end I immediately think about how much fun it would be to see it again. I would see On Your Feet again in a heartbeat. Don’t miss your chance!

“On Your Feet!” has performances at DPAC through Sunday, January 7th. For tickets visit https://www.dpacnc.com/events/detail/on-your-feet.

Mauricio Martinez as Emilio Estefan and Christie Prades as Gloria Estefan and Company in     “On Your Feet”
(Photo by Matthew Murphy)

Gloria Estefan recently joined the latest class of Kennedy Center honorees, making her the first Cuban-American to receive the award. Next Tuesday audiences in Durham can see how it all started as DPAC kicks off the new year with The Broadway musical “On Your Feet!” based on the book by Alexander Dinelaris, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of the film “Birdman.” The musical tells the story of 6-time Grammy Award-Winning Music icons Emilio & Gloria Estefan and how they came to America to Cuba and changed the landscape of the music scene and formed their wildly successful Latin pop group Miami Sound Machine.

The musical takes fans through the highs and lows of the Estefans which includes their rise to pop music stardom and the infamous tour bus crash in 1990 that threatened to stop Gloria’s career. Fans of her work will love the production packed with songs. The show features over 20 of  their chart-topping, smash hits, including “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You,” “Conga,” “1-2-3,” “Get On Your Feet,” “Mi Tierra,” Don’t Want To Lose You Now,” and “Reach,” in addition to an original song written by Gloria and her daughter Emily Estefan.

Alma Cuervo as Consuelo, Claudia Yanez as Rebecca, Christie Prades as Gloria and Nancy Ticotin as Gloria Fajardo in “On Your Feet”
(Photo by Matthew Murphy)

Last week I had a chance to speak to Nancy Ticotin, who plays Gloria Estefan’s mother, Gloria Fajardo, in the production. Ticotin, a veteran of film, television and theater, has appeared in films including “Ransom,” “The Wiz,” and “First Wives Club,” and television shows “Law & Order,” and “Orange is the New Black.” She is an original member of Ballet Hispanico of New York.

What’s it like to play Gloria’s Mother? Is it challenging playing a nonfictional character?
Well her character is the antagonist in the story. As you know, while Gloria and Emilio were in love, her mother did not approve of the relationship. She rejected him and she and Gloria did not speak for almost two years. It wasn’t until  Gloria’s tour bus was involved in an accident in 1990 that they spoke again. When Fajardo went at the hospital and saw a distraught Emilio there by Gloria’s side she hugged him and from that moment she accepted him. Luckily I had the opportunity to meet with Gloria Estefan and speak for hours with her about her mother. It is always a challenge playing a real person. It is always a challenge playing a real person. If it were easy I would get bored and I can’t grow. I’m always digging in. That way I’ll always have something to share with the audience.

Some describe you as a “triple threat” with your background in dance, singing and acting. How did that help you prepare for your part in “On Your Feet”?
The role of Gloria Fajardo fits me perfectly. I get to sing, dance, and act, and combine it with my ethnicity and there really aren’t too many roles like that out there for women my age and my background. It really is a wonderful to have this opportunity

What is your favorite part or number in the show?
There are two moments that really stand out in my mind. One is when Emilio is arguing with a record label executive about the crossover appeal of the Miami Sound Machine. The label wants them to record in Spanish but Emilio insists on recording in English. And tells the executive to look at his face and the ‘Whether you know it or not, this is what an American looks like’. That always gets a great response from the audience! I also love the number ‘You’ll Be My Party Time’. I’m in the scene bouncing in my chair and bopping my feet and singing along and need to remind myself to stay focused and ready for my next line and not get so caught up in the party!

What message do you hope people take away from seeing the show?
The story of Gloria and Emilio is the American dream. It’s a story of perseverance and hard work and never giving up and I wish the audience to leave with that strong message of hope in their hearts after seeing the performance.

“Get on Your Feet” has performances at DPAC Tuesday January 2nd through Sunday, January 7th. For tickets visit https://www.dpacnc.com/events/detail/on-your-feet.

Brewery Bhavana in Downtown Raleigh – Cans Now Available
(Photo by Triangle Craft Beer Alliance)

Christmas is just two weeks away! Are you are still looking for that perfect gift? Or maybe you have somebody on your Christmas list that has everything and you just need a few new ideas? Either way here are my recommendations for local places to shop and unique gifts ideas around the Triangle. Happy Holidays!

Locally owned and operated – Runologie is located in downtown Raleigh
(Photo by Runologie)

Gifts for Runners
Whether you are looking for a great pair of running shoes or awesome running accessories to stuff some stockings, both Runologie in Raleigh and Bull City Running in Durham have everything a runner needs. Both are locally owned and have a great staff that can help you pick out the perfect gift for the runner on your list.

Humbly Made Brand based out of Durham
(Photo by Humbly Made Brand)

Fashion & Apparel
Humbly Made Brand is a passionate Durham based brand with a focus on making unique clothing and high quality goods. Their cool t-shirts, hats and hoodies with local themes are the perfect gift for the “triangle explorer” who has everything. I really like their new item for the person on the go – a great canvas laptop travel bag (pictured above).

Videri Chocolate Factory is located in Raleigh’s Warehouse District

Chocolate Lover
Videri Chocolate Factory is the perfect place to get in the Christmas mood and find a decadent gift for even the toughest person on your list. Who doesn’t love chocolate? This bean to bar chocolate shop makes everything in house and has everything from dark chocolate sea salt bars to a case full of chocolate confections. Mix and max to create the ultimate customized chocolate gift box.

4th Dimension Coffee can be found at Cocoa Cinnamon in Durham
(Photo by 4th Dimension Coffee)

Local Coffee Gifts
Cocoa Cinnamon in Durham has begun roasting their own coffee under the brand name 4th Dimension Coffee. You can pick up a fresh roasted bag of their beans in any of there three shops in the Bull City. I also recommend checking out Black & White Coffee Roasters in Wake Forest – a new venture from the 2016 and 2017 US Barista Champions. Both of these roasters are creating some excellent coffee beans that every coffee nerd would enjoy.

Canvas on Demand is based out of Raleigh

For the Photographer
If you have a shutterbug in your family, or just love to take photos yourself check out Canvas on Demand. They can create everything from a canvas print of your favorite Instagram photo to a a multi-canvas wall display or a classic framed family photo. Best of all they are located right here in Raleigh. Use the special code “TRIANGLE82” for 82% off 16”x 20” premium photo to canvas prints at CanvasOnDemand.com.

Crude Bitters and Sodas is based out of downtown Raleigh
((Photo by Crude Bitters)

Spirits & Craft beers
If you are looking for great local beers to give as a gift I highly recommend picking up some beers from Trophy Brewing and Brewery Bhavana. For vodka and gin lovers check out Topo Organic Spirits in Chapel Hill as well as Durham Distillery. Speaking of cocktails, Crude Bitters makes some amazing bitter mixes that will help the mixologist on your list create unique cocktails and shrubs,

The Durham Performing Arts Center in downtown Durham

For the Theater Geek
I’ve really enjoyed catching the touring broadway shows at the Durham Performing Arts Center this past year and the 2018 season has a lot of wonderful shows scheduled. In addition to musicals the theater hosts a wide array of high profile music acts and national touring shows. Gift cards that can be used for purchasing tickets to the theater are now available and make the perfect “experience” gift for those looking to give the gift of entertainment.

Second Act Artisan Cheese
((Photo by Second Act)

For the Foodie
Another fun experience to give as a gift is a gift certificate to one of Second Act Artisan Cheese’s fun, unique and delicious cheese making workshops. The classes are run out of a fully equipped kitchen in North Raleigh that brings local foodies and cheese lovers together for a fun time creating and tasting cheeses. No experience needed, you supply the time they’ll supply the knowledge! Visit their website for more details about the individual workshops.