May 4, 2016 · 4:46 pm

42nd Street Dances into Durham!

 

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Lamont Brown as Andy Lee (center in yellow) and Company in Audition
(Photo by Chris Bennion)

Growing up in New Jersey just a short drive from Manhattan it was common to see television commercials for popular Broadway shows when I was a kid. I have fond memories of watching clips of the dance numbers from the Tony Award winning 42nd Street on my old tube TV picking up the stations out of New York. I never did get the chance to see it growing up, but as luck would have it the traveling production is in town this week at the Durham Performing Arts Center running through Sunday, May 8th. I caught the show last night after a quick dinner at Bar Virgile and still have the catchy tunes stuck in my head.

Based on Busby Berkeley’s 1933 movie adapted from a novel by Bradford Ropes, 42nd Street is a classic Broadway show filled with amazing tap-dance routines and a story dripping with nostalgia. Set during the throws of the Great Depression when Americans had to foster the old “can do” attitude to survive, big-named theater director Julian Marsh (played by Matthew J. Taylor) is trying to mount a comeback with his latest stage production.

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The Company of 42nd Street in “Lullaby of Broadway”
(Photo by Chris Bennion)

The musical opens to the scene of aspiring dancers auditioning for Marsh’s “Pretty Lady” under the instruction of choreographer Andy Lee (played by Lamont Brown). Peggy sawyer (Caitlin Ehlinger) is a Broadway hopeful fresh off the train from Allentown Pennsylvania. She may have missed the audition but she soon gets an impromptu chance to impresses with here clever dance steps and earns herself a last minute spot in the show’s chorus.

Kaitlin Lawrence plays stage diva Dorothy Brock. She’s the star of “Pretty Lady” but only because her rich boyfriend is bankrolling the production. On opening night Dorothy breaks her ankle and Peggy is blamed and promptly fired. Realizing they will all be out of a job if the show does not go on,  the cast catch up to Peggy just moments before she gets on a train headed home and convince her to take over the lead role to a fantastic rendition of the classic “Lullaby of Broadway”.

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Caitlin Ehlinger as Peggy Sawyer (center) and the Company of 42nd Street
(Photo by Chris Bennion)

Though nervous the show is a tremendous success all but ensuring Peggy will become a star. She hasn’t forgotten where she comes from though. Rather than going to the high society official opening party, the final act closes with Peggy instead opting to join her dancing friends at the chorus party instead.

42nd Street has all the glitz and glamour of Broadway days gone by. The skillful tap-dancing routines and flashy costumes coupled with the popular upbeat music directed by J. Michael Duff in the orchestra pit make for the highlight of the show.  This production will put a smile on your face and have you tapping your feet right down to the final number.

42nd Street continues through May 8th at the Durham Performing Arts Center. For more information and to order tickets visit http://www.dpacnc.com/events/detail/42nd-street.

 

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May 2, 2016 · 2:00 pm

Bull City Ciderworks to Reopen in New Durham Location Later This Summer

Cider

This past Saturday was Bull City Ciderworks’ final day of operation at their South Elizabeth Street location in Durham. Business was great, but they had to close to make way for a new Durham Police Station.  They went out in style with one last party that featured food trucks, local vendors, live music, and a large gathering their loyal cider fans.

Don’t worry though they won’t be gone for very long. They are moving to a new spot in Durham just down the road on the corner of Dillard & Roxboro with plans to open by late summer or early fall. In the meantime you can still find their growlers in local Whole Foods stores and visit their Lexington production facility which opened this past March. To get updates on the progress of their new space you can follow them on facebook and twitter at @bullcitycidery.

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April 28, 2016 · 3:06 pm

Weekend Picks: April 29th – May 1st

 

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The Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo is Sunday 1-6pm

This weekend is packed with events from food truck rodeos to free outdoor music. Here are a few fun things going down the next few days that caught my eye. Happy exploring!

Lobster Food Truck at Wine & Beer 101 – Friday
Cousins Maine Lobster food truck will make Wine and Beer 101 Raleigh it’s 2nd stop on their 1st Anniversary Weekend Celebration! Founder Sabin Lomac of Cousins Maine Lobster as Seen on Shark Tank will be here so come meet and chat with him.

Midtown Farmers Market Iron Chef –Saturday
Chefs from North Hills compete to be the Midtown Farmers’ Market Iron Chef. Just like the popular TV show, a secret ingredient will be revealed the morning of, Chefs have limited resources and time to create two dishes for judging. Chefs from: Midtown Grille, Mura, and Sur La Table. Challenge runs from 9am-11:30am.

Counter Culture Grand Opening – Saturday
Counter Culture Coffee has moved to Downtown Durham and you are invited to tour the new facility, taste our coffee, learn about home brewing, and check out their pop-up store. Grand Opening Celebration 10am-4pm this Saturday at 812 Mallard Ave.

Bull City Ciderworks Exit Party – Saturday
April 30th will be Bull City Ciderworks’ final day of operation at the South Elizabeth Street location. Stop by one last time on Saturday to enjoy a pint of cider, food trucks, and the East Durham Pie Company PopUp Slice shop. 

North Hills Midtown Music Festival – Saturday
Enjoy free live music in Midtown park at the 2nd Annual Midtown Music Fest from 2-9pm this Saturday. There will be four bans throughout the day along with food trucks and craft beer and wine for purchase.

Cary Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival – Saturday
Spring Daze features over 180 North Carolina artists, entertainment on four stages, delicious festival food and Cary’s annual Earth Day Celebration. Event is held in Cary’s Bond Park from 9am to 5pm.

Six Sundays Music in Wake Forest – Sunday
Free live music at E. Carroll Joyner Park in Wake Forest from 5-7pm. This week’s performer is the EG Peters band featuring beach music and tunes from the 60’s & 70’s.

Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo – Sunday
The first downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo of 2016 takes place this Sunday from 1-6pm. There will be over 50 trucks and local craft beer for sale along Fayettville Street. 

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April 25, 2016 · 3:45 pm

Free Spring & Summer Concerts ~ 2016

North Hills Midtown Music Fest

Now that the spring & summer concert season is upon I thought now would be a good time to share my annual list of free and low cost music series around the Triangle. Things kick off this weekend with the North Hills Midtown Music Fest on Saturday, April 30th. If I missed any music events below feel free to let me know in the comment section.

Raleigh

  • Beach Music at North Hills
    Beach Music series Thursday nights April 21st through August 11th.
  • Bluegrass at Midtown Park
    Sunday afternoon bluegrass at North Hills Midtown Park May 15th and Sept 18th.
  • Oak City 7
    Tribute bands in City Plaza multiple Thursdays May through August.
  • Pickin’ in the Plaza
    Bluegrass Music in City Plaza multiple Thursdays June through August.
  • Triangle Town Center Creekside Wind Down (details coming soon)
    Music & Food Trucks each Friday starting May 20th through August 5th

Durham

Chapel Hill

Carrboro

Cary

Apex

Clayton

Hillsborough

Wake Forest

Saxapahaw

Pittsboro

Chatham County

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April 21, 2016 · 6:55 pm

Weekend Picks April 22nd-24th

 

Magnolia Still

Magnolia Still Plays Bull City Ciderworks This Saturday 6-9pm
(Photo courtesy Magnolia Still)

 

Looks like another great weekend of weather and fun events. Below are my top picks of things to do this upcoming weekend.

Live Music & Food Truck at Bull City Ciderworks
This Saturday Magnolia Still performs at Bull City Cidery from 6-9pm. Food Truck Bull City Street Food will also be there from 3-8pm. The Cidery will have two new Small Batches to try – Plum Crazy & Strange Brew (Candy Corn + Bacon). As you probably already heard, the Cider will be temporarily closing the taproom after April 30th to move to their new location in Durham, so this is one of the last weekends to enjoy it for a while.

Herbfest
The Annual Wake Forest Herb Festival returns to Festival Park in downtown Wake Forest April 22, 23, 24 and April 29, 30, & May 1. After a long cold winter now is the time to start planning your summer garden. At the festival you will find a huge selection of Non GMO organic herbs, heritage tomatoes, heirloom vegetable plants & local grown perennials for our climate.

Brewgaloo Craft  Beer Festival
If you are into craft beer you wouln’t want to miss Brewgaloo on Saturday in downtown Raleigh. There will be 85 breweries and more than 50 food trucks and 11 bands to enjoy. Event is held in Raleigh City Plaza and along  Fayetteville Street.

Earth Day Celebration at Funny Girl Farm
A kid-friendly Earth Day celebration at Funny Girl Farm in Durham Saturday from 9am-3pm. Pick up some pie by the slice from East Durham Pie Company, and enjoy live music, fresh produce, samples of local products. Tour of the farm starts at 10am.

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