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