New Year's Eve - The Clockwork Ball

Now here's a unique way to spend New Year's Eve if you like to dress in costume, love all things Victorian/Edwardian and think Jules Verne is the bomb! The  Davenport Sisters, two of the most fun club DJ's in the Triangle and who host a radio show (WCOM 103.5 LP-FM Carrboro/Chapel Hill) are hosting a Steampunk New Year's Eve celebration at Mansion 462 on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill featuring a live performance by Dexter Romweber & the New Romans. Jazz, Blues, Swing, Dark Cabaret, Gypsy Punk, & Dance music from times gone by or times that never were.
Music begins at 10pm
Admission: 18+, 21+ to Drink;
$10 without mask, $5 with mask
Appropriate Attire is Encouraged
MANSION 462
462 West Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
http://www.mansion462.com
For more information:
http://www.clockworkcabaret.com

http://tinyurl.com/ClockworkBall

New Year's Eve - Black & White Ball

Dance fans, here's an event for you. The Carolina Dance club is hosting the Black and White Ball for New Year's Eve. It is a smoke-free and alcohol-free event so you can dance all night in your black and white finest. No partner is necessary although last year we had a group of 10 folks and it was lots of fun. Admission includes a party favor, yummy desserts and a (non-alcoholic) toast at midnight. The Black and White Ball is being held at Temple Beth-Or 5315 Creedmoor Rd, Raleigh, NC (1/2 north of Crabtree Valley Mall). The doors open at 7:15PM and there is a free Swing lesson at 7:30pm. Social dancing from 8:30pm to 12:45am. This is a benefit for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Admission is $18.00 but get your tickets as soon a possible as it may sell out.

For details and tickets and details: http://www.musicanddance.com/cdc/special.html

New Year's Eve - First Night

There are so many choices for ways to spend New Year's Eve in Raleigh. The best $9.00 value in town is First Night Raleigh. It is a grand celebration of music, art and community that lights up downtown Raleigh. There are dozens of musical performances throughout downtown from Blues to Country to Classical. There are also comedy performances, Shakespeare and Magic shows. Coupled with all the amazing music is Artsplosure - a fantastic arts festival featuring over 170 artists. Watch the weather forecast and be sure to bundle up if its cold or carry an umbrella because you won't want to miss a moment.
Tickets are discounted through December 30th so buy your pin early.

http://www.firstnightraleigh.com/home.html

Found Some Found Art

If you don't know what Found Art is; its the ultimate in recycling. Taking "one man's junk" and making it "another man's treasure".  Found art was the foundation of my holiday giving this year as I re-purposed old hats, swimsuits and jewelry into cool and useful presents. And they got rave reviews too! 
Coming up January 9th the North Carolina Museum of Art is not letting being closed stop them from some interesting programming. They will host a free event at the Cameron Village Public Library at 2:00pm, The Art Hour: Found Objects. While it is a program for kids, I find those events targeted to children to be very engaging and inspiring. Registration is required. Click the link below for more information.
After their event, head off to the Scrap Exchange in Durham for more "junk to treasure"!
http://ncartmuseum.org/interim/events.php

Carolina Rollergirls are loved!

I love the Carolina Rollergirls. They are sassy, fun and marvelous athletes who know how to show thousands a good time.  Check out the fans choice award winners while we wait for the 2010 season to begin. See you at Dorton Arena!

http://carolinarollergirls.wordpress.com/2009/12/16/fans-choice-winners/

Plus you can tryout to be a roller girl in just a couple of weeks. I don't have the knees for it (although probably the hips) but you might! Strap on those skates and get in shape! Tryouts are Saturday, January 9th at the Skate Ranch in Raleigh.

http://carolinarollergirls.com/events.htm

Gone With The Wind -In more ways than one!

Sometimes I feel sorry for the newer generations who are stuffed full of sensory experiences all day long from multiple sources of input. I specially feel sorry for those who have never had the experience of waiting all week to "go to the movies" on Saturday and see a big screen, grand Hollywood production of a cinema classic. Now let's be clear, "Gone with the Wind" was my parent's movie experience (or even their parents first run experience) but in my small town with just one screen (the fabulous IOKA Theater) it was a BIG DEAL to see a movie like "Gone with the Wind", Dr. Zhivago" or "Lawrence of Arabia" - with an intermission with beautiful soundtrack playing.

So here is your chance. Go to the Carolina Theatre's EXCLUSIVE 70th Anniversary presentation of "Gone with the Wind".

The last showing is December 23, 2009 and there are weekend matinees. 

Tickets are $8.00 ($6.20 for matinees). Shows are at 7:30pm and weekends at 2:30pm & 7:30pm

The web site is below and remember "Frankly Scarlett, I don't give a damn" (The first movie swear word approved by the censors!  Blame it on Rhett!)

http://www.carolinatheatre.org/onscreen/

Nuts for Squirrel Nut Zippers

Plan ahead music lovers! Next Friday night the Squirrel Nut Zippers are taking the stage again in Raleigh at the Lincoln Theater. The opening acts are Sol Driven Train and The Neverhads.

Friday, December 18th

Doors open at 8:00pm and show starts at 9:00pm. Tickets are $20 in advance and $22 day of the show.


http://www.lincolntheatre.com/schedule.htm
http://www.snzippers.com/ 
http://www.soldriventrain.com/

Destroy All Sweaters

There is an amazing amount of high quality music in the Triangle area. We are fortunate to have a large number of bars, concert halls, university arts groups and professional and amateur performers and theaters. So - You are NEVER allowed to say in my presence "There's nothing to do". No whining about being bored with the same old-same old. Go online and see what's up! Read this blog. Pick up The Independent - an amazing newspaper that needs your support. So break out of your comfort zone and try something new.

Tonight, I will step out of my musical comfort zone (just because I am not familiar with the band) and am attending a concert of a "Weezer" cover band recommended by friends. "Destroy All Sweaters" is playing at The Pour House tonight at 9:30. Come on out!

http://www.the-pour-house.com/

222 S. Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27601

"Arrgggh, matey! Prepare to be boarded"

A celebration of all things Pirate is going on at the North Carolina Museum of History. "Knights of the Black Flag" is a wonderful exhibit and it will be ending January 3, 2010 so time is running out to see it. On Wednesday, December 16th the NC History Museum will join forces with the NC Museum of Art (closed until spring while they finish their new construction) for a Yo! Ho! Ho! Holiday Event. The party runs from 7:00pm - 9:30pm. The ticket price includes two drink tickets and admission to the exhibit. For more information click or copy the links below. 

http://ncartmuseum.org/interim/events.php#yo

http://ncmuseumofhistory.org/wgo/Programs.html

"And bells on her toes"

I attended the Jingle Ball last year and had a blast. My gang of guys and gals all appreciated an evening to dress up that did not cost a fortune and we all had fun. Admission was just a $20 child's toy (new & unwrapped) and boy was it worth it. Fabu food from Rocky Top Hospitality, a band with a wild spirit and lots of pretty, pretty dresses. It was so nice to see lots of folks having fun and it looks like there were lots of groups of people attending.

Here's the scoop (thanks to the Downtown Raleigh Alliance for the info):

16TH ANNUAL JINGLE BALL

Location // Marbles Kids Museum & IMAX Theatre
Date // Thursday, December 10
Time // 6:30 pm-10:30 pm

The 2009 Jingle Ball presented by the Capital City Clauses is fast approaching! Admission to the event is an unwrapped toy valued at $20 or more, or cash/check in the amount of $30 at the door. All toys are donated to The Salvation Army of Wake County's Christmas Cheer Program.

Come enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres by Rocky Top Hospitality, open beer & wine bar, and live music by Doug Clark's Hot Nuts.

Shop til you Rock!

How cool is this event?  Rock music and holiday shopping. No droning elevator music lulling you into a shopping fuzz - you will get energized into a shopping frenzy at this event! The Rock & Shop Market supports both local bands and 65 local artisans so all your holiday purchasing is like giving to two people!  Support your local artists!

THE 10TH ROCK & SHOP MARKET is at All Saints Chapel in Raleigh on Saturday, December 19th from 1:00-5:00pm. Entry is $3.00.  Only Burger is providing edibles and the Aviation Brewing Co. is providing beer!

http://www.rockandshopmarket.com/
Directions to All Saints: http://www.allsaints1875.com/

"Crazy" Christmas

Patsy Cline is one of the most enduring icons of country music. Her voice was haunting, her style ahead of its time and her tragic death in a 1963 plane crash solidified her legend. You can experience the music and persona of Patsy Cline at "Always...Patsy Cline" at  Theatre In The Park, 107 Pullen Road, Raleigh. December 10-12 at 8pm and December 13th at 3pm. Tickets are $20. For more information hit the website: www.realtheatre.org

Light Up for Christmas

Creating a Currier & Ives holiday spirit is easy if you plan to visit Historic Oakwood in Downtown Raleigh during the 38th annual Candlelight Historic Homes Tour. You can visit 13 beautiful historic homes on December 12th & 13th from 1-7pm. It is a perfect way to join with friends and enjoy a classic holiday tradition. 

Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 the day of the tour. Check the website link for ticket ordering information. The tour is held rain or shine. 

http://www.historicoakwood.org/candlelighttour2009.php

This is the South, right?

I guess I can't complain as a transplanted Yankee but it looks like there will a white (or ice) Christmas in part of Downtown Raleigh. The Winterfest Celebration kicks off on Friday, December 4th with lots of music, crafts, Santa & Scrooge. It looks like something for everyone including a real ice skating rink.  Look for Date & Skate nights every Thursday through January. Details on the grand opening celebration from the web site are below or follow the link.

LOCATION:
The AT&T Raleigh Winterfest Ice Rink will be located in City Plaza situated on the southern end of the 400 block of Fayetteville Street. 

http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/raleighwinterfest/general_info.htm

RALEIGH WINTERFEST KICKOFF EVENT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2009 from 5pm to 11pm

HEADLINER MICHELLE BRANCH LIVE IN CONCERT

Other Entertainment Includes:

• Figure Skating Performances
• Local Dancers and Choirs
• Live Music
• Ice Sculpting
• Sledding Ramps
• Free Carriage Rides
• Visit from Santa
• Ice Rink Open to the Public
(Admission and Skate Rental: $6)
• Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony

Crafters and Artisans:
• Ahpeele
• Annelore's German Bakery
• Autumn Spirits Photography
• JustNeem
• Raimbow Tree
• Stitch/Holly Aiken Bags
• Stampin Up
• SSD Jewelry
• Sweet T, a Cakery

The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and the Christmas Wish Program will be accepting donations during the kickoff event on Friday, December 4. To help these causes, you can bring canned food for the food bank and a $1 donation to the Christmas Wish Program.

Retrofantasma at the Carolina Theatre

The Carolina Theater in downtown Durham (next to the Marriott) hosts a wide variety of movies, concerts, plays and light opera. One of the movie programs I look forward to, aside from the Escapism Film Festival, is a year round film festival, Retrofantasma!  Showing some classic horror and Sci-fi movies on a real big screen, look for their films early in the month. For many viewers these movies have only been seen on TV or DVD so even the most campy film is a fun experience on a full sized screen.

ALIEN: The Director's Cut
(US, R, 1979, 116 min.)
Saturday, December 5th
Cinema One
7:00 p.m. 

LEVIATHAN
(US, R, 1989, 98 min.)
Saturday, December 5th
Cinema One
9:30 p.m. 

http://festivals.carolinatheatre.org/retrofantasma/

First Friday in Raleigh

One of the most fun activities there is in Raleigh is the First Friday Art Walk. Galleries, Restaurants and Shops open into the evening and it is an opportunity to meet some of  local artists while enjoying a glass of wine.

http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/firstfriday/index.htm

Durham celebrates their Art Walk on the third Friday & Saturday. I am not sure of plans for December in Durham as the web site has not been updated yet.

http://www.durhamartwalk.com/about.php

Much Ado About Nothing

While this is an excellent title for a blog post on any number of topics, it is actually Shakespeare's play that I want to mention. This week, the Burning Coal Theater opens my favorite Shakespeare play, "Much Ado About Nothing". The Thursday performances are just $10.00 - a great bargain. 

Burning Coal's new home at the Murphy School at 224 Polk Street is a great venue that provides an intimate environment for a live performance.  Their last production, "Hair", brought audience members into the play and onto the stage. It was a unique experience.

The show runs December 3-20 at 7:30 pm Thursday to Saturday and 2:00pm on Sunday.

http://www.burningcoal.org/

"Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death".

This quote by the irrepressible Mame Dennis of "Auntie Mame" fame challenges me to grasp life to the fullest. I have been lucky to live in a great location that provides a huge diversity of things to do, places to visit, concerts, theater, classic movies and events. The Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area is so rich in activities and events that I am hard pressed to spend time quietly at home. 

A few years ago I spent an amazing weekend with two close friends road tripping to the North Carolina Highland Games at Grandfather Mt. We each had a great time listening to Celtic rock music, watching the athletic games and celebrating history with my Scottish Clan, The Kennedys.  We had such a good time that we vowed to keep seeking out new and fun things to do and to include more friends in our adventures. As we attended events, concerts, movies and more we me more fun people and soon our group grew to include a wide variety of people in a 30 year span of ages and diverse interests. The group grew in part because we would be telling people about our activities and they would say "I wish I had known about that! Why didn't you tell me about it?" I had a problem remembering which friends wanted to attend which events.  As the circle of friends has expanded an e-list is not enough to keep up with all the abundant choices out there to live a rich and interesting life.  So this is the birth of the Banquet Blog. 

When I find interesting things to do I will post them and hope you will find the time to play. Feel free to pass back any upcoming events, links or ideas for local fun.