So I was stumbling around YouTube tonight and came across (through various linking, Googling, etc.) something kind of cool happening soon: the 2009 Twestival!
Apparently, it is an event that is happening world round, and nearly 200 US cities are hosting Twestival parties.
Twestival is a Twitter-ran eco-conscious charity event held on February 12th where 100% of all proceeds at the events will go towards getting clean water to poverty-stricken countries around the world.
There's more information about the Raleigh Twestival here. Enjoy and maybe see you all on February 12th!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Bravo Channel - Time Warner Cable
Although this is old news, the Bravo channel was added onto the Time Warner Cable roster for Raleigh subscribers back on December 31st. However, I was just informed (as I have a feeling many other local bloggers were informed about too) that Bravotv.com's daily news blog, The Dish, has given Raleigh a personal shout out!
It's pretty cool we get a shout out between a post about supermodels and a chef, but I wish people would recognize us for more than just Dawson's Creek. I mean, we do have One Tree Hill to be completely proud of! :P
It's pretty cool we get a shout out between a post about supermodels and a chef, but I wish people would recognize us for more than just Dawson's Creek. I mean, we do have One Tree Hill to be completely proud of! :P
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Burning Coal Presents...
Way to Heaven!
Burning Coal Theatre Company in downtown Raleigh (near the Krispy Kreme off of Peace Street... mmmmm)is kicking off the new year with another great new production. The show opens up tonight, Thursday, January 22nd in the Meymandi Theatre at 7:30 PM.
Way to Heaven is a bit different, in terms of production, to the average play you see on a night out. The play, written by Juan Mayorga, is presented to the audience in both English and Spanish, on alternating nights of course!
The dramatic play will surely set the path for Burning Coal Theatre Company's year, which will only lead its audience to crave for even more brilliant works out of them!
Burning Coal Theatre Company in downtown Raleigh (near the Krispy Kreme off of Peace Street... mmmmm)is kicking off the new year with another great new production. The show opens up tonight, Thursday, January 22nd in the Meymandi Theatre at 7:30 PM.
Way to Heaven is a bit different, in terms of production, to the average play you see on a night out. The play, written by Juan Mayorga, is presented to the audience in both English and Spanish, on alternating nights of course!
A representative of the Red Cross is sent to investigate alleged atrocities in Germany at the start of World War II. What he finds is a beautiful, serene, model city, peopled with smiling Jewish citizens. Will his report to the Red Cross reflect what his eyes have seen ... or what his heart is telling him?
The dramatic play will surely set the path for Burning Coal Theatre Company's year, which will only lead its audience to crave for even more brilliant works out of them!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
First Snow of 2009!
As I'm blogging this, Raleigh (along with the rest of the state) is seeing snow flurries fly all through out our skies. Go on and check out your window!
UPDATE: Here's a video to go along with the story!
Early in the morning on Tuesday, January 20th 2009 (which just by chance is the inauguration day), the state of North Carolina is seeing blankets of snow coming down on them! Although this isn't the first snow of the season, it is the first snow "storm" in 2009 and the most relevant snow "storm" we've seen this season.
Meteorologists are predicting anywhere from 2"-6" of snow fall throughout the state. Central North Carolina, such as Raleigh and the Triangle, are expected to receive the most snow fall with numbers anywhere between 4"-6".
The snow storm was first seen in Raleigh, North Carolina around 12:00 midnight-ish. Currently at 6:00 AM, the snow fall has grown much denser, stronger, and now sticking everywhere that it touches down on, including downtown Raleigh (which is a total rarity). If the storm keeps up, then there is no doubt that the meteorologists will be correct especially considering that the high for tomorrow/ today is 28 degrees. Guess we will have to wait until the sun up to know more of what is to happen!
UPDATE: Here's a video to go along with the story!
Early in the morning on Tuesday, January 20th 2009 (which just by chance is the inauguration day), the state of North Carolina is seeing blankets of snow coming down on them! Although this isn't the first snow of the season, it is the first snow "storm" in 2009 and the most relevant snow "storm" we've seen this season.
Meteorologists are predicting anywhere from 2"-6" of snow fall throughout the state. Central North Carolina, such as Raleigh and the Triangle, are expected to receive the most snow fall with numbers anywhere between 4"-6".
The snow storm was first seen in Raleigh, North Carolina around 12:00 midnight-ish. Currently at 6:00 AM, the snow fall has grown much denser, stronger, and now sticking everywhere that it touches down on, including downtown Raleigh (which is a total rarity). If the storm keeps up, then there is no doubt that the meteorologists will be correct especially considering that the high for tomorrow/ today is 28 degrees. Guess we will have to wait until the sun up to know more of what is to happen!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Metered Parking for Downtown Raleigh
Yay.
That is my initial response. I'm not too incredibly thrilled about this, but before I go into a rant, here is a bit more about the story.
On Tuesday, City Council voted 7-0 to convert various downtown street hourly parking spaces into metered parking spaces. Here's the reason they gave:
I can view that to be truthful, but there's just a tiny part me that thinks it is more than just the city's answer to relieving the stress of parking hunts. With the recent fee increase on parking fines, the state-wide budget cuts, and of course with the country's economic downfall, it makes me question just how much of the reason behind this new system is money-based. I'd completely understand if the main objective for this new system was to bring in a new means for city income, but can't they just admit to it if that were the case?
Being a downtown resident, I'm constantly having to struggle with friends and family on helping them find free parking close by. With this new system, it will surely discourage most of the people I know from coming to downtown. Of course, that may not be the case for most citizens since a dollar or two may not seem bothersome.
Even as mentioned on New Raleigh, this could be an effort to start getting more people using public transit, especially considering there will be a free downtown drunkulator, erm, circulator starting in February.
If this is a push for encouraging downtown transit usage, it seems to be one of the first real pushes the city has done then.
In final, I believe that this could be a good thing for the downtown visitors who only make it out to downtown on occasions and a potentially not-so-great thing for downtown residents who have cheap friends. Only time will tell!
That is my initial response. I'm not too incredibly thrilled about this, but before I go into a rant, here is a bit more about the story.
On Tuesday, City Council voted 7-0 to convert various downtown street hourly parking spaces into metered parking spaces. Here's the reason they gave:
"The purpose of the plan is to discourage long-term parking in on-street spaces so there is more turnover."
I can view that to be truthful, but there's just a tiny part me that thinks it is more than just the city's answer to relieving the stress of parking hunts. With the recent fee increase on parking fines, the state-wide budget cuts, and of course with the country's economic downfall, it makes me question just how much of the reason behind this new system is money-based. I'd completely understand if the main objective for this new system was to bring in a new means for city income, but can't they just admit to it if that were the case?
Being a downtown resident, I'm constantly having to struggle with friends and family on helping them find free parking close by. With this new system, it will surely discourage most of the people I know from coming to downtown. Of course, that may not be the case for most citizens since a dollar or two may not seem bothersome.
Even as mentioned on New Raleigh, this could be an effort to start getting more people using public transit, especially considering there will be a free downtown drunkulator, erm, circulator starting in February.
If this is a push for encouraging downtown transit usage, it seems to be one of the first real pushes the city has done then.
In final, I believe that this could be a good thing for the downtown visitors who only make it out to downtown on occasions and a potentially not-so-great thing for downtown residents who have cheap friends. Only time will tell!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Let's Commercialize Raleigh!
So, I recently stumbled upon a blog or two that really got me thinking (and one got me to actually DO something). Wouldn't you just love to see an H&M pop up in downtown Raleigh? Or a Sephora pokes it pretty, little nose in Cameron Village? Or have an American Apparel open up off of Glenwood South (or more preferred, Fayetteville St.)? Well, it could happen.
How? Well, if you click on the first link I provided (Raleigh Philosophical Society), the people at RPS made it a bit easier to DIRECTLY contact some great commercialized stores in hopes of bringing them to Raleigh. Because of that list, it made it VERY easy for me to send off e-mails to H&M, Dean & Deluca, and American Apparel. Out of those three, I have received responses from both H&M and Dean & Deluca within a twelve-hour period.
Although that seems to be a somewhat computer automated response, it does give a shimmer of hope to those who truly are hopeful. Especially considering of the years-past rumors of a possibility that H&M would come to downtown Raleigh.
... :'(
Anyway, one can only hope Dean & Deluca can find that "right" location here in Raleigh someday soon!
While at work today (I work in Cameron Village), I couldn't shut up to any of my co-workers about the "what ifs" of the possibility of having some commercialized stores making an appearance in Cameron Village. I mean, think about it, the Village would be an IDEAL location for the not-so-daring corporate honchos to try out one of their stores. Cameron Village already gets plenty of foot traffic, both during the weekdays and weekends, plus everyone who goes there typically has the mindset to at least shop for something. Don't get me wrong, I do understand the appeal Cameron Village has for the fact that they have many independent boutique-style stores, but I could see an even greater improvement in customer and sale counts if they push for more mainstream, commercialized stores like H&M, Urban Outfitters, Armani Exchange (c'mon Raleigh, we need one!), Burberry, Sephora, etc.
Cameron Village is also close enough to downtown to have it be dubbed the "fashion district" of downtown Raleigh, and hopefully bring more of downtown towards that direction as well. With both a rather controversial residential tower and a two-story Chik-Fil-A (the first ever, I believe) slated for construction soon, Cameron Village will be seeing some changes. Now, the question is: Will Cameron Village be able to attract more commercialized businesses (beside Victoria Secret)to make it an even great "downtown" attraction? That may not be something we can make happen, but we can certainly try to!
What I'd love for everyone to do is to go out and contact each business you'd love to see in Cameron Village, on Glenwood South, or throughout the Fayetteville St./ Downtown District and let them know that you WANT them here! The more voices heard, now matter how small they may be, may give us just a bit more hope to have them here! Also, let me know what commercialized businesses you'd love to have here!
Thanks goes out to:
Raleigh Philosophical Society
The Raleigh Connoisseur
gogoraleigh
Each of them for having very comprehensible and helpful blogs!
How? Well, if you click on the first link I provided (Raleigh Philosophical Society), the people at RPS made it a bit easier to DIRECTLY contact some great commercialized stores in hopes of bringing them to Raleigh. Because of that list, it made it VERY easy for me to send off e-mails to H&M, Dean & Deluca, and American Apparel. Out of those three, I have received responses from both H&M and Dean & Deluca within a twelve-hour period.
Hello Myles,
We appreciate your interest in H&M.
Since our launch in the U.S. 9 years ago, we have been focused on a rapid expansion and are currently looking for the perfect location in your area.
Although that seems to be a somewhat computer automated response, it does give a shimmer of hope to those who truly are hopeful. Especially considering of the years-past rumors of a possibility that H&M would come to downtown Raleigh.
Dear Myles,
Thank you for your recent email to Dean & Deluca.
At the present time, we have no plans for a store in Raleigh, North Carolina. However, this area is a great market and we would love to come once we find the right location!
... :'(
Anyway, one can only hope Dean & Deluca can find that "right" location here in Raleigh someday soon!
While at work today (I work in Cameron Village), I couldn't shut up to any of my co-workers about the "what ifs" of the possibility of having some commercialized stores making an appearance in Cameron Village. I mean, think about it, the Village would be an IDEAL location for the not-so-daring corporate honchos to try out one of their stores. Cameron Village already gets plenty of foot traffic, both during the weekdays and weekends, plus everyone who goes there typically has the mindset to at least shop for something. Don't get me wrong, I do understand the appeal Cameron Village has for the fact that they have many independent boutique-style stores, but I could see an even greater improvement in customer and sale counts if they push for more mainstream, commercialized stores like H&M, Urban Outfitters, Armani Exchange (c'mon Raleigh, we need one!), Burberry, Sephora, etc.
Cameron Village is also close enough to downtown to have it be dubbed the "fashion district" of downtown Raleigh, and hopefully bring more of downtown towards that direction as well. With both a rather controversial residential tower and a two-story Chik-Fil-A (the first ever, I believe) slated for construction soon, Cameron Village will be seeing some changes. Now, the question is: Will Cameron Village be able to attract more commercialized businesses (beside Victoria Secret)to make it an even great "downtown" attraction? That may not be something we can make happen, but we can certainly try to!
What I'd love for everyone to do is to go out and contact each business you'd love to see in Cameron Village, on Glenwood South, or throughout the Fayetteville St./ Downtown District and let them know that you WANT them here! The more voices heard, now matter how small they may be, may give us just a bit more hope to have them here! Also, let me know what commercialized businesses you'd love to have here!
Thanks goes out to:
Raleigh Philosophical Society
The Raleigh Connoisseur
gogoraleigh
Each of them for having very comprehensible and helpful blogs!
Friday, January 2, 2009
January's Triangle Theatre Guide
So a new year means a new set of entertaining theatrical plays hitting the theaters all throughout the Triangle! Below you can see a list of what the Triangle has to offer (If I'm missing anything, let me know and I'll add it up):
Broadway Series South @ Progress Eneregy's Center for the Performing Arts
A Chorus Line
National Touring Production! Straight from Broadway.
In an empty theatre, on a bare stage, casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. For 17 dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It's what they've worked for - with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives. It's the one opportunity to do what they've always dreamed -- to have the chance to dance. This is A Chorus Line, the musical for everyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all on the line. Winner of nine Tony Awards®, including “Best Musical” and the Pulitzer Prize for drama, this singular sensation is the longest-running American Broadway musical ever. Now A Chorus Line returns. Come meet the new generation of Broadway’s best. “A Chorus Line is back, and it’s thrilling!” - John Lahr, The New Yorker
Show dates: January 6th - January 11th, 2009
Suntrust Broadway Series @ Durham Performing Arts Center
Rent
Starring Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp from the Original Broadway Show and Film Adaptation of Rent.
Set in the East Village of New York City, RENT is about being young and learning to survive in NYC. It's about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award® for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize, RENT has made a lasting mark on Broadway with songs that rock and a story that really resonates. Whether it's your 1st time or your 100th time, the time is now for RENT!
Show dates: January 20th - January 25th, 2009
North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theatre
Love Letters
Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner, both born to wealth and position, are childhood friends whose lifelong correspondence begins with birthday party thank-you notes and summer camp postcards. Romantically attached, they continue to exchange letters through the boarding school and college years—where Andy goes on to excel at Yale and law school, while Melissa flunks out of a series of "good schools." While Andy is off at war Melissa marries, but her attachment to Andy remains strong and she continues to keep in touch as he marries, becomes a successful attorney, gets involved in politics and, eventually, is elected to the U.S. Senate. Meanwhile, her marriage in tatters, Melissa dabbles in art and gigolos, drinks more than she should, and becomes estranged from her children. Eventually she and Andy do become involved in a brief affair, but it is really too late for both of them.
Show dates: January 30-31, February 1, 6-8, 13-15
Show Times: Friday and Saturday Evenings at 8:00PM, Sunday Matinee at 3:00PM
Carolina Ballet
Balanchine - By George!
George Balanchine's natural curiosity and creativity led him to push boundaries that resulted in timeless classics that were so far ahead of their time, they are still amazing today. He embodied a passionate fervor that kept him working into his eighties, turning out a body of work that made him the Father of American Ballet. This season we present two of his amazing achievements: La Sonnambula and The Four Temperaments.
Show dates: January 29th - February 1st, 2009
Show Times: Thursday - Saturday Evenings at 8:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday Matinee at 2:00 PM
Burning Coal Theatre Company
Way to Heaven
A representative of the Red Cross is sent to investigate alleged atrociities in Germany at the start of World War II. What he finds is a beautiful, serene, model city, peopled with smiling Jewish citizens. Will his report to the Red Cross reflect what his eyes have seen ... or what his heart is telling him?
Show dates: January 22nd - February 8th, 2009
Show Times: Thursdays - Saturdays 7:30 PM, Sundays 2:00 PM
NOTE: The play alternates between being spoken in English and Spanish on various nights. You can view those nights here.
Common Ground Theatre
Souvenir: A Fanatasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins
An incapable coloratura and a down and out musical accompanist team up and achieve cult status fame. Their bizarre partnership yielded hilariously off-key recitals that became the talk of New York and culminated in a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall.
Show dates: January 9th - January 24th, 2009
Show Times: Thursdays - Saturdays Evenings at 8:00 PM, Sundays Matinees at 2:00 PM
Manbites Dog Theater
Hungry Ghost
A haunting winter tale featuring shadow puppetry, masks, bon raku, and marionette puppet styles comes to Manbites Dog this January, when Paperhand Puppet Intervention and Theater of Performing Objects present HUNGRY GHOST. Thematically based in ancient traditional (and contemporary) Asian religious belief and cultural myth, HUNGRY GHOST tells stories of the insatiable human condition. Intended for mature audiences.
Presented as part of Manbites Dog Theater's Other Voices Series
Show dates: January 14th - January 24th, 2009
Playmakers Repertory Company
The Young Ladies Of...
We’re thrilled to present the audaciously talented actor/playwright Taylor Mac in his moving exploration of a son’s desire to know his father. A father who led a very different life than the one the son has made for himself as a New York performance artist, who performs the show in drag, playing a ukulele and singing songs from Carousel. What can we say? It’s brilliant!
Show dates: January 7th - January 11th, 2009
Show Times: Wednesday - Sunday Evenings at 8:00 PM, Sunday Mantinee at 2:00 PM
Well
'Lisa’, the onstage playwright, attempts a memory play about her force-of-nature mother who though constantly ill manages to heal a community. Characters rebel at Lisa’s version of events, upending the story in a howlingly funny and emotionally powerful look at mother/daughter dynamics. This Tony-nominated Broadway sensation comes from the original voice of Lisa Kron, whose OBIE-winning 2.5 Minute Ride was a sold-out hit in last season's PRC2 series.
Show dates: January 24th - March 1st (In Rotation with The Glass Menagerie)
The Glass Menagerie
PlayMakers presents Williams’ masterpiece the way he always intended - as a break from “the exhausted theatre of realistic conventions.” A moving tale of a mother/daughter relationship complicated by the daughter’s disability, with universal themes of family conflict and dreams deferred, its groundbreaking theatrical form helped establish the memory play in the theatrical canon.
Show dates: January 25th - February 28th, 2009 (in Rotation with Well)
Broadway Series South @ Progress Eneregy's Center for the Performing Arts
A Chorus Line
National Touring Production! Straight from Broadway.
In an empty theatre, on a bare stage, casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. For 17 dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It's what they've worked for - with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives. It's the one opportunity to do what they've always dreamed -- to have the chance to dance. This is A Chorus Line, the musical for everyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all on the line. Winner of nine Tony Awards®, including “Best Musical” and the Pulitzer Prize for drama, this singular sensation is the longest-running American Broadway musical ever. Now A Chorus Line returns. Come meet the new generation of Broadway’s best. “A Chorus Line is back, and it’s thrilling!” - John Lahr, The New Yorker
Show dates: January 6th - January 11th, 2009
Suntrust Broadway Series @ Durham Performing Arts Center
Rent
Starring Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp from the Original Broadway Show and Film Adaptation of Rent.
Set in the East Village of New York City, RENT is about being young and learning to survive in NYC. It's about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award® for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize, RENT has made a lasting mark on Broadway with songs that rock and a story that really resonates. Whether it's your 1st time or your 100th time, the time is now for RENT!
Show dates: January 20th - January 25th, 2009
North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theatre
Love Letters
Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner, both born to wealth and position, are childhood friends whose lifelong correspondence begins with birthday party thank-you notes and summer camp postcards. Romantically attached, they continue to exchange letters through the boarding school and college years—where Andy goes on to excel at Yale and law school, while Melissa flunks out of a series of "good schools." While Andy is off at war Melissa marries, but her attachment to Andy remains strong and she continues to keep in touch as he marries, becomes a successful attorney, gets involved in politics and, eventually, is elected to the U.S. Senate. Meanwhile, her marriage in tatters, Melissa dabbles in art and gigolos, drinks more than she should, and becomes estranged from her children. Eventually she and Andy do become involved in a brief affair, but it is really too late for both of them.
Show dates: January 30-31, February 1, 6-8, 13-15
Show Times: Friday and Saturday Evenings at 8:00PM, Sunday Matinee at 3:00PM
Carolina Ballet
Balanchine - By George!
George Balanchine's natural curiosity and creativity led him to push boundaries that resulted in timeless classics that were so far ahead of their time, they are still amazing today. He embodied a passionate fervor that kept him working into his eighties, turning out a body of work that made him the Father of American Ballet. This season we present two of his amazing achievements: La Sonnambula and The Four Temperaments.
Show dates: January 29th - February 1st, 2009
Show Times: Thursday - Saturday Evenings at 8:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday Matinee at 2:00 PM
Burning Coal Theatre Company
Way to Heaven
A representative of the Red Cross is sent to investigate alleged atrociities in Germany at the start of World War II. What he finds is a beautiful, serene, model city, peopled with smiling Jewish citizens. Will his report to the Red Cross reflect what his eyes have seen ... or what his heart is telling him?
Show dates: January 22nd - February 8th, 2009
Show Times: Thursdays - Saturdays 7:30 PM, Sundays 2:00 PM
NOTE: The play alternates between being spoken in English and Spanish on various nights. You can view those nights here.
Common Ground Theatre
Souvenir: A Fanatasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins
An incapable coloratura and a down and out musical accompanist team up and achieve cult status fame. Their bizarre partnership yielded hilariously off-key recitals that became the talk of New York and culminated in a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall.
Show dates: January 9th - January 24th, 2009
Show Times: Thursdays - Saturdays Evenings at 8:00 PM, Sundays Matinees at 2:00 PM
Manbites Dog Theater
Hungry Ghost
A haunting winter tale featuring shadow puppetry, masks, bon raku, and marionette puppet styles comes to Manbites Dog this January, when Paperhand Puppet Intervention and Theater of Performing Objects present HUNGRY GHOST. Thematically based in ancient traditional (and contemporary) Asian religious belief and cultural myth, HUNGRY GHOST tells stories of the insatiable human condition. Intended for mature audiences.
Presented as part of Manbites Dog Theater's Other Voices Series
Show dates: January 14th - January 24th, 2009
Playmakers Repertory Company
The Young Ladies Of...
We’re thrilled to present the audaciously talented actor/playwright Taylor Mac in his moving exploration of a son’s desire to know his father. A father who led a very different life than the one the son has made for himself as a New York performance artist, who performs the show in drag, playing a ukulele and singing songs from Carousel. What can we say? It’s brilliant!
Show dates: January 7th - January 11th, 2009
Show Times: Wednesday - Sunday Evenings at 8:00 PM, Sunday Mantinee at 2:00 PM
Well
'Lisa’, the onstage playwright, attempts a memory play about her force-of-nature mother who though constantly ill manages to heal a community. Characters rebel at Lisa’s version of events, upending the story in a howlingly funny and emotionally powerful look at mother/daughter dynamics. This Tony-nominated Broadway sensation comes from the original voice of Lisa Kron, whose OBIE-winning 2.5 Minute Ride was a sold-out hit in last season's PRC2 series.
Show dates: January 24th - March 1st (In Rotation with The Glass Menagerie)
The Glass Menagerie
PlayMakers presents Williams’ masterpiece the way he always intended - as a break from “the exhausted theatre of realistic conventions.” A moving tale of a mother/daughter relationship complicated by the daughter’s disability, with universal themes of family conflict and dreams deferred, its groundbreaking theatrical form helped establish the memory play in the theatrical canon.
Show dates: January 25th - February 28th, 2009 (in Rotation with Well)
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