Tag Archives: Things to do in the Triangle

May 13, 2015 · 8:04 am

Weekend Picks: May 14th-17th

Once again the calendar is jam-packed with lots of fun events this weekend. Saturday is particularly full making it hard to narrow down my choices, but I do my best below with a quick rundown of fun things to check out this weekend. If you are looking for music events throughout the summer remember to check out my recently updated post about upcoming spring and summer concert series across the Triangle. As always, I hope you enjoy some time outside and happy exploring!

Thursday May 14th

Back Porch Concert Series American Tobacco Campus
The legendary Back Porch Music on the Lawn series returns Durham’s American Tobacco Campus May 14-September 10th with 8 free shows. This Thursday enjoy music by John Howie Jr and Rosewood Bluff. Free Picnics and chairs welcome. Music starts at 6pm. Event Details

Friday May 15th

Got to Be NC Festival (Friday-Sunday)
A free family friendly event at the NC State Fairgrounds this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with an agricultural twist. Enjoy carnival games and rides, live music, food, animal and agricultural displays, antique tractors, and more. Festival Info

Blues on the Plaza at Northgate Mall in Durham
Northgate Mall hosts their “Blues on the Plaza” music series each Friday in May. This Friday’s musical guest is Blues Rocket. They also have at least one food truck scheduled for each event. You can view the full schedule with bands and food truck lineup here: Event Details

Saturday May 16th

Artsplosure (Friday-Sunday)
Artsplosure’s returns to downtown Raleigh this Friday, Saturday and Sunday with art, music and food. Check the event website for all the details of this great event that celebrates excellence in the performing and visual arts and brings artists and the larger community together to improve the quality of life and cultural environment. Event Details

Tour D’Coop Urban Chicken Tour
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. Event Details

Gouge Wrestling & Food Trucks at Nickelpoint Brewing – Raleigh
This fun event will feature Gouge Wrestling, Craft beer, and food from local food trucks Manna, Cockadoodlemoo, Bo’s Kitchen, Chick-n-Que. The special evening starts at 5pm at Nickelpoint Brewing in Raleigh’s Five Points area. Event Details

Durham Bulls Star Wars Theme Night
One of the most highly anticipated annual Durham Bulls promotions is the Star Wars Night at DBAP. Fans can take photos and interact with their favorite Star Wars characters while being entertained by in-game features from a galaxy far, far away. During the event, the Bulls will sport full C-3PO themed uniforms, which include jerseys, pants, socks, and hats inspired by the goldenrod protocol droid. The game-worn jerseys will be available in both in-game and online auctions, with all proceeds going to the Autism Society of North Carolina. Event Details

Classic Car Show in Downtown Cary
Classic Car Show along Academy Street in downtown Cary from 9am-2pm on Saturday. There will also be activities for kids like “touch a truck” and food from local food trucks Big Mike’s BBQ, Will & Pop’s and Dusty Donuts. Event Details

Sunday May 17th

Midtown Bluegrass at North Hills
Free Live Bluegrass music this Sunday by The Vicki Vaughn Band at North Hills new Midtown Park. Relax on the grass and enjoy music from 4-7pm. Blankets, lawn chairs and coolers are allowed. However, bringing alcoholic beverages is prohibited. Beer and food will also be available for purchase at the concert. Event Details

Wake Forest Food Truck Rodeo
This Sunday Wake Forest will host another big food truck rodeo with over 20 local trucks. The event takes places from 12-4pm at 405 S. Brook Street. There are tons of great local trucks schedule including the ever popular American Meltdown, Chirba Chirba, and the new Cousins Main Lobster. As always for even more food truck events check out The Wandering Sheppard’s Local Food Truck Blog for a full rundown of all the weekend food truck events.

Save the Date: May 21-25th

Photo courtesy WRAL Balloon Festival

Memorial Day Weekend WRAL Balloon Festival ~ May 21-25th
A hot air balloon festival is coming to Raleigh, Zebulon and Wake county Memorial Day Weekend. This weekend long family friendly event includes a “Mass Ascention & Balloon Glow”, Competition Flights, and Tethered Balloon Rides. Spectating at the events is free but balloon rides will involve fees charged by the individual operators. This is the first balloon festival in the area in over 25 years and something I definitely don’t want to miss! Event Details

Weekend Picks: March 27-29th

Go Ape Canopy Tour in North Raleigh
(Photo courtesy Go Ape)

This weekend looks to be a little cooler, but it should be dry and sunny and there are still plenty of ways to get out and enjoy the day. I’m maintaining an updated list of upcoming spring events here for April & May. In the meantime here are a few quick picks of things to check out the weekend. Happy exploring!

Friday March 27th

Final Friday Clothing Swap at Gather in Cary
In anticipation of warmer weather and lighter layers, Gather is hosting a clothing swap. The American Meltdown food truck will be serving up food and they’ll have wine, treats and music to groove to. Bring your clothes, your friends and lets swap! See you there! 6-9pm. Admission is free with the donation of clothing or $5 at the door.
https://www.facebook.com/events/878736568815884/

Live Music at Sola Coffee w/ the Andy Hawks Trio
Live jazz music, great food, coffee, and beer. Great opportunity to listen to live music in North Raleigh. Music starts 7:30pm. No Cover. http://www.solacoffee.com/

Saturday March 28th

Go Ape Tree Canopy Tour Grand Opening in Raleigh
Grand Opening of Go Ape Tree Canopy Tour. It’s a course made up of numerous rope ladders, 42 exciting crossings along with 2 Tarzan swings and 5 zip lines.. The ribbon cutting ceremony is at 9:30. Live music from 11 -3 and the D’Burritos truck will be selling tasty food. Contests and giveaways! Blue Jay Point Park in 3200 Pleasant Union Church Road in Raleigh. https://www.facebook.com/goapebluejaypoint

Tour De Brew – Raleigh
6 breweries, 3 bike rides, live music, family-friendly activities. All for the cause of clean water in Africa! More details and registration at www.tourdebrew.org.

Lego Convention
The name says it all. Huge Lego event at the Convention Center in downtown Raleigh. Saturday and Sunday 10:30am-4pm. Ticketed event. http://www.brickuniverse.org/

Dino Egg Hunt at Museum of Life & Science in Durham
Kids can look for five different dino eggs around the museum’s outdoor campus. Take photos with their resident dino and dig up some real fossils. The Museum’s Dinosaur Trail will be full of activity, adventure and prehistoric dinosaur excitement. Ticketed Event. http://lifeandscience.org/calendar/event-details/?id=2560

Live Music at Sola Coffee with The Harmaleighs
The Harmaleighs are a folk duo that calls Nashville, Tennessee home. They found a mutual love for folk/Americana and started creating music together. Music starts at 7:30pm. No cover. https://www.facebook.com/TheHarmaleighs

Sunday March 29th

Cardinal Direction Beerfest
Steel String Brewery of Carrboro and Beer Study in Chapel Hill join forces to host a Beerfest on Sunday featuring 12 North Carolina breweries showcasing their Saisons and other fine beers. Ticketed event. https://www.facebook.com/events/330037867197154/

Wake Forest Food Truck Rodeo
This Sunday with about 15 trucks 12-4pm at The Renaissance Center located at 405 S Brooks St. in historic downtown Wake Forest. Check out The Wandering Sheppard’s Food Truck Blog for a comprehensive look at this weekend’s food truck events. https://www.facebook.com/wakeforestfoodtruckrodeo

The Onyx Club Boys at Honeysuckle Tea house in Chapel Hill
Gypsy Jazz music at the AMAZING Honeysuckle Tea House in rural Chapel Hill. This unique tea house is situated on a large plot rural plot surrounded by gardens and provides and open air environment to enjoy tea & coffee drinks and listen to music. Check out their website for pics. It really is a hidden gem. Music on Sunday is 4-6pm. https://www.honeysuckleteahouse.com/

Looking Ahead & Other News

Burger Bach in Durham Now Open
A New Zealand inspired pub featuring an extensive burger menu just opened ion Ninth Street in Durham. Check out this great preview by Bites of Bull City for more information and pictures of the restaurant.

518 West in Downtown Raleigh to close in April
The 518 West Italian Cafe in downtown Raleigh has announced they are closing the restaurant on April 5th. You can read more about their announcement over at the News & Observer.

NC Beer Month Coming in April
A month full on NC beer events. For a full schedule of activities visit http://www.ncbeermonth.com/

Weekend Picks: May 29th – June 1st

Halle Cultural Arts Center ~ Apex, NC

Thursday May 29th

Oak City Seven Free Concert w/ Atlanta Rhythm Section
The Free Concert Series in downtown Raleigh’s City Plaza kicks off this Thursday 5-10:30pm with a lineup of live music headlined by the Atlanta Rhythm Section. The Chirba Chirba Food truck will also be on hand to feed the hungry masses. Local brewers selling their beer including White Street, Aviator, Big Boss, Triangle Brewing, and Lone Rider. 5-10:30pm Event Details

Music on the Back Porch atAmerican Tobacco Campus
The legendary Back Porch Music on the Lawn series returns Durham’s American Tobacco Campus May 15-September 7 with 8 free shows. This Thursday enjoy music by Mandolin Orange. Free Picnics and chairs welcome. Music starts at 6pm. Event Details

Friday May 30th

Durham Bulls Game w/ Fireworks!
The Durham Bulls take on Lehigh Valley Friday evening at 7:05. Make sure you stick around after the game for the Free Fireworks. The stadium was recently updated and now features more local beer and food options. The fireworks really are a nice show after the game! Event Details

Sol Tacos Food Truck at Big Boss Brewery
There is a new food truck in town. If you haven’t had a southern inspired gourmet taco from Sol Tacos yet you can find the truck this Friday at Big Boss Brewery starting at 5pm. My personal favorite is the buttermilk battered flounder fish taco for just $4. Tacos and beer go perfect together.

Blues on the Plaza at Northgate Mall
Free Blues Music show 6-9pm featuring Charlley Ward & friends including many of the Triangle’s best blues artists musicians. Food available for purchase from Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse, CJ’s Street food, and Iced Cupcakes; Beer available for purchase from Carolina Brewery. Event Details

Saturday May 31st

Saturdays at Saxapahaw
The Saxapahaw Rivermill weekly festivities include performances by top bands featuring bluegrass, back porch, blues, folk, gospel, latin, celtic, funk, roots, americana and old time music and a thriving Farmer’s Market with fresh local produce, cheese, eggs, baked goods, flowers, honey, organic meat, locally produced wine, hand made arts and crafts and more. Saturday from 5pm-8pm. Admission is free though donations are appreciated. Event Details

Carolina Brewing Company Spring Bash
A family friendly event from 4-10pm at the brewery featuring live blues music, Food trucks, boucne house, corn hole and $4 PINTS of CBC beer. Proceeds benefit the MS Society. Food trucks scheduled include Sol Tacos, Deli-icious, Jam Ice Cream, ans Valentinos. Event Details

Larkspur Garden Party
Great opportunity to visit a local private garden and browse works from local artists. The Alvarino Norwood family invites you to visit their garden located off Atlantic Avenue in Raleigh this Saturday and Sunday. The garden is in full bloom and artists will be selling Saturday, May 31st from 10am until 6pm and Sunday, June 1st from 10am until 4pm. No early birds please. Event Details

Oxford Strawberry Jam Festival
Join the Granville Arts Council, Downtown Oxford Businesses, live bands and TONS of arts, crafts and food vendors for a jamming day kicking off the start of Summer. Event and Festivities will begin at 10 am and last through 4 pm. Keep an eye out for local food truck Not Just Icing serving their delicious cupcakes! Event Details

Apex Latino Arts Festival
The Town of Apex will be captivated by the Latino Culinary Fest, dance, music, arts and crafts on Saturday May 31, 2014. Latino Art Exhibition at the Halle Cultural Arts Center, artisan bazaar, and a day full of family craft activities. Event Details

Sunday June 1st

Food Truck Rodeo in Carrboro benefiting Fix-a-Home
The community is invited to the food truck rodeo, 3-7 p.m., Sunday, June 1 at the Carrboro Town Commons. The rodeo will include the following food trucks: Parlez-Vous Crepe, Chirba Chirba Dumplings, Pie Pushers, Steel String Brewery, Captain Poncho’s Taco Truck, MaMa Duke’s, and Tar Heel Creamery. Event Details

Jazz Brunch at Weaver Street Market in Carrboro
Every Sunday in the Summer you can visit Weaver Street Market, grab some food, and find a spot on the lawn or under a tree and listen to music from 11am-1pm. This week music is provided by Bucket Brothers w/ Giffanzo & Pelli. Always a treat to visit downtown Carrboro in the Summer. Event Details

Mark Your Calendars ~ Upcoming June Events!

Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo – June 8th
Find Over 50 of the Triangle’s most popular Food trucks in downtown Raleigh at the same time. Trucks line Fayetteville Street from the Capitol Building all the way to City Plaza. Serving from 1-6pm. Event Details

Txakolifest Wine & Food Event at Six Plates – June 14th
Two special sessions of wine and food at Six Plates featuring spritzy Basque wine, oysters, and pintxos (tapas). Six Plates teams up with the wine experts from Wine Authorities and several local chefs from several of the Triangles most celebrated restaurants for this special day of wine and food benefiting Urban Ministries of Durham. Event Details

New Belgium Tour De Fat – June 21st
Fun times, fun friends, fun bikes and fun beers. The Tour de Fat is back in Durham and better than ever! Bring a smile and your best costume, we’re about to have a good time. Event Details

Weekend Picks! April 18-20th

Mint Julep Jazz Band
(Photo by Ashley Warren)

Easter weekend is usually a little quieter but there are still plenty of things to do in the Triangle this weekend. My selections this week include all my favorites: Music, Food Trucks, and Beer! Here are my weekend picks!

Friday April 18th
Mint Julep Jazz Band Plays Lounge at G2B – Durham
Shake off these winter blues and come check out the spring menu goodness at G2B Gastro Pub and the swinging jazz of the Mint Julep Quintet! It’s recommend making a reservation if you would like to eat or have a seat – please specify that you would like to be seated in the jazz lounge
https://www.facebook.com/events/309354969215013/

PopUp Jazz Jam at Cocoa Cinnamon – Durham
The Art of Cool project pop up jazz jam returns to Cocoa Cinnamon this Friday 4-7pm! Drop by and get your AOCFEST tics and enjoy FREE local live jazz! You will not want to miss this!
http://aocfestival.org/

Labour of Love Artist Last Third Friday – Durham
This is the final artist reception before Labour of Love closes it doors. The reception is from 6 pm – 9 pm with LabourLove Artists. Come to LabourLove and wind down from the work week with a glass of wine, creative people and art. All events for third Friday are free and open to the public.
https://labourlove.com/2014/labourloves-last-third-friday-april-18th

Saturday April 19th
Wake County SPCA K9 3K Dog Walk – Moore Square Raleigh
The 15th Annual K9-3K Dog Walk is a benefit event to help animals in Wake and surrounding counties. All the money raised at this event goes to support the work of the SPCA of Wake County! Visit the website below for more information and to register.
http://www.spcawake.org/site/TR/CommunityFundraising/General

Brewery Olympics at Raleigh Brewing Company
Six local breweries, eight spectacular events, and a cask tasting. Come help vote for your favorite cask and watch the brewers take on each other in head to head challenges! Events include such daily brewery tasks as keg sacking, speed bottle capping, and grain bag carrying. The event is free to spectate, though the cask tasting includes a charge. A portion of proceeds will be donated to Ted and Erin Gross of Bottle Revolution to aid in her recovery process.
http://www.visitraleigh.com/includes/calendar-of-events/Brewery-Olympics/26639/

Fairview Garden Flora & Food Trucks – Raleigh
Saturday from 11am-2pm. The Flora and Food Trucks series promotes the idea that local food and local plants go hand in hand. Event attendees will have the opportunity to attend classes on vegetable gardening, herbs, perennials and container gardening. The events are family friendly and admission is free. The food trucks will be charging their regular prices for the food offered. Food trucks: Only Burger, Srage’s Chef, Will and Pops, Dump Pho King, Sweet Stacey Cakes
http://www.fairviewgardencenter.com/2013/02/events/floraandfoodtrucks/

Durham Farmers’ Market
The Durham Farmers’ Market runs from 8-12 each Saturday. It is my favorite market to visit. Not only do they have tons of great local farmers with a great selection of produce, but there are also food trucks along hunt street, live music, and great people watching. This market is very popular and has a great energy.
http://www.durhamfarmersmarket.com/

Sunday April 20th
Happy Easter! Easter Sunday Brunch Ideas:
Midtown Grille – North Hills – Raleigh
Driftwood – North Raleigh Lafayette Village
Lafarm Bakery – Cary
Piedmont – Durham
Joule Coffee – Downtown Raleigh

Looking Ahead to Next Weekend
A few things you may want to note coming up next Saturday April 26th:
Pitt BBQ 6th Annual Cuegrass – Beer, Bluegrass & BBQ
3rd Annual Brewgaloo – Local Beer and Food Trucks
E3 Project’s Earth Day Field Day – Yoga, Biking Dancing and more

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Tagged as Durham Farmers' Market, Easter Sunday Brunch Ideas, Labour of Love Artist Last Third Friday, Mint Julep Jazz Band, PopUp Jazz Jam at Cocoa Cinnamon, Things to do in the Triangle, Wake County SPCA K9 3K Dog Walk, Weekend Picks

April 10, 2014 · 7:00 am

Weekend Picks! April 10-13th

Carrboro Open Streets

Spring is always a happening time in the Triangle and this weekend is no different. This week’s picks start with notable local beer news on Thursday followed by some fun outdoor and music events happening over the weekend. No matter what you end up doing I hope this list of things to do in the Triangle helps you discover something new about the area and get out side to enjoy this great warmer weather!

Thursday April 10th
Sam’s Bottle Shop Grand Opening – Durham
The people behind Sam’s Quick Stop are opening up a huge craft beer bottle shop on NC 54 in Durham. Grand Opening is this Thursday. Read all about it here.

Brueprint Brewery Soft Opening – Apex
The Triangle’s newest brewery launches this Thursday with a soft opening starting at 5pm. This brewery is the first one in the area to be located in Apex. Check out their story and list of beers on their website.
http://brueprint.com

Friday April 11th
RTP Food Truck Rodeo – Durham
Each Friday 11:30 am-1:30pm at 800 Park Office Drive in RTP. They typically have between 4-6 trucks. Outdoor seating is provided and you’re welcome to bring picnic blankets, frisbees or hackysacks.
http://www.rtp.org/foodtruckrodeo

Nasher Museum Archibald Motley Exhibit – Durham
Archibald Motley includes 42 works from each period of Motley’s lifelong career, from 1919 to 1960. Motley’s scenes of life in the African-American community, often in his native Chicago, depict a parallel universe of labor and leisure. His portraits are voyeuristic but also genealogical examinations of race, gender and sexuality.
http://nasher.duke.edu/motley

Saturday April 12th
Historic Boylan Heights Home Tour & Tunes – Raleigh
Ten homes in historic Boylan Heights will open their doors to the public to celebrate the neighborhood’s historic and artistic character as area musicians perform in homes along the tour in a nod to the neighborhood’s longstanding musical tradition. Ticketed event ($10/$15)
http://boylanheights.org/tours-and-tunes/

Carrboro Open Streets
Enjoy a day of free activities with your family, friends and neighbors. Bike, walk, skate, dance and play in a traffic-free public space on West Weaver Street, closed to cars Saturday from 10 am to 2:00 pm.
http://carrboroopenstreets.com

PopUp Market & Tea Cup Gin Jazz Music at Sola Coffee – Raleigh
Saturday morning Sola hosts 15 local artisans at their Spring PopUp Market. These events feature local artists and crafters selling unique locally made products. Market runs from 10am-2pm. Then Saturday evening Sola turns back the clock with some good old fashion jazz music with the band Tea Cup Gin. They play jazz and show tunes from early 20th century. Tea Cup Gin draws inspiration from performers such as Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Waller, and Billie Holiday. Music starts at 7:30pm. Food, beer, and coffee served all evening.
http://www.solacoffee.com

Sunday April 13th
Rock-n-Roll Raleigh Marathon & Half Marathon – Downtown Raleigh
On Sunday 12,500 runners will descend on downtown Raleigh. It is always fun to watch these races and cheer on the competitors, but this race will have some added entertainment with musical performances scheduled in the morning and afternoon at the Red Hat Amphitheater. Check the even website for the full music schedule and showtimes!
http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/raleigh/entertainment

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Tagged as Boyaln Heights Home Tour & Tunes, Brueprint Brewery, Carrboro Open Streets, Nasher Museum, Rock 'n' Roll Raleigh Marathon, RTP Food Truck Rodeo, Sam's Bottle Shop, Sola Coffee, Tea Cup Gin Jazz, Things to do in Raleigh, Things to do in the Triangle