This is always a great event in downtown Raleigh at the First of the Month...There is great art…read morethroughout the city, and of course there is music and other fun events......It covers quite a large area so saying that don't limit yourself just to the shops in the Downtown area...There are also some good spots on Glenwood, Hillsborough, and other parts of Raleigh that are also part of the First Friday activities...I think you will Truly Enjoy yourself!!!

I have been going to Raleigh's First Friday since I moved to North Carolina and they never…read moredisappoint. It took me a while to get the layout and come to the realization that it's impossible to hit all the vendors in one night, but I still try! As of late I usually start in the Depot and grab a beer at Tasty Beverage (they don't have "specials" but they're always great!) or go to Jose and Sons for 1/2 price appetizers from 5-7pm, then head over to CAM. From there you can walk down Martin Street and hit four galleries (including Design Box, Visual Art Exchange, 311 Gallery and Tipping Paint Gallery). You might want to sign up (ahead of time) for a free cocktail class at ABV or venture downtown from here. It's easy to pick up the R-Line and take it to R-15. From there walk down E. Cabarrus and visit Flander's Gallery and Lump Gallery (located directly next to one another). From there you can walk down S. Blount and visit Artspace, from there you can swing through City Market which sometimes has live bands playing on the cobblestone streets. Walk up Blount and turn left on Hargett stopping at Adam Cave Fine Art Gallery. Keep walking down Hargett and you'll soon find yourself in an outdoor market (they set it up when the weather's nice outside Raleigh Times Bar). You'll have bands, drinks and see all different media from local artists. That's usually all I can get to in one night, but there are lots more galleries to check out. I have yet to visit the galleries on Glenwood, but it's on my list! First Friday has an AMAZING website that lists all the art galleries, exhibits AND the food and drink specials on a map: http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/first-friday-raleigh/map. It's super convenient and easy to use. If you haven't visited First Friday yet, now's your chance, you won't be disappointed!

The Studio at Theatre Raleigh is a nice facility. There is plenty of free parking available and the…read morebuilding is well-lit if you are at the space at night. I visited The Studio for a comedy performance. I will check for future events as I had just been familiar with Theatre Raleigh and didn't realize they had a second performance space. I had heard of it but assumed it was a rehearsal spot for their shows. The Studio is a rentable facility and can be used for dance classes, rehearsals or small performances. I'd guess The Studio can seat around 75-80 patrons. I saw two restrooms and a kitchen area.

My friend and I were told about Crazy Camp Music Park by a bar patron at Bull McCabes and it…read moresounded interesting enough to cross town and check it out. Hidden in plain view below cosmic cantina, I have never noticed the small sign even though I walk by practically weekly. Walking in we were greeted by the faint smell of incense in the entry way. walking through the sleeping bag curtain, the main room is very cool, decorated with log benches, rope swings, log see-saws and a simple wood bar giving the ambiance of a camp bon fire sing-along. What makes this bar so interesting is it operates like a continuous open mic with various guitars, bass, and drum set available for anyone to play music and jam along. they broadcast the music live online so that you can listen to the recordings the next day.

CCMP is one of my most favorite places in Durham! I…read morefrequented this cozy little jam room/pub as a Dukie and thoroughly enjoyed every single visit. They have a set-in stage with a drum-kit, selection of lead and bass guitars and a pretty decent audio setup, open to all visitors. You write your name on a whiteboard and wait for your turn to jam with some of the best non-professional musicians in Durham. Even otherwise, you can walk in with a bunch of friends and start playing your own music any time. Something that makes this place extra special is the fact that it is open only on Fri and Saturdays, between 9pm-2am. Extras: candle light setting-indoor wooden swings-park benches- open bar and a bartender who is an amazing drummer

It's hard to walk into UNC's Carmichael Arena and not appreciate the sheer magnitude of basketball…read moretalent that competed under its roof. Coach Dean Smith led the 1981 Tar Heel team to a national championship here, with the help of a few guys named Jordan, Worthy and Perkins. Before the team relocated to the Dean Dome in 1986, the venue was considered one of the loudest (and some say, hottest) in college basketball, and Coach Smith's legacy still looms large in the building today. Yes, the seats can be tight and uncomfortable, the concourses cramped and the concession stands undersized, but Carmichael remains a North Carolina treasure, as well a great place to enjoy a women's basketball game, a volleyball match or a gymnastics meet.

My husband loves wrestling and wanted to check out a match here in NC. We headed to visit with 2 of…read moreour kids to watch UNC v. Navy. Upon arrival my youngest had her headphones on and got anxious. She ran out. The staff was so kind. No one judged and sought to make her comfortable. It was truly a gift! Thank you for hiring staff that work to be kind!

I've heard this ensemble several times now and have thoroughly enjoyed every performance. They have…read morea very mellow and unique sound, with instruments ranging from the piccolo to the contrabass flute (if you stretch it all the way out, you'd have around eight and a half feet of tubing!). They play a wide variety of music from classical, contemporary compositions for flute choirs (who knew?), to transcriptions of popular works (e.g. tv show theme songs). If you get a chance, I recommend checking them out.

I like to believe I'm in the know with happenings around here, but I gotta confess that if it…read moreweren't for my Dad and StepMom, I might never have found this small tucked-away theatre RIGHT BEHIND Meymandi. (as in, connected to the building...really...if you've never looked back there, like we had not, you might never have noticed it either.) I have now learned that this is where Theatre Raleigh performs their Hot Summer Nights series. This week the new season kicked off with "Vanities". Lauren Kennedy starred in it Off-Broadway and has brought it to us and is directing it. My understanding is she is the mastermind behind the whole series, and let's face it...this talented Broadway star knows her stuff! Today was our first time here (thanks Dad for the tix!) and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Small, intimate theatre that holds around 100. Seating is general admission, but there is literally not a bad seat in the place. We were able to hear every word and see everything from where we landed, which was third row from the back. Seats were comfortable with not-bad leg room. The show, by the way, is fun and the three gals in it are terrific! They were all wonderful singers and great actresses as well. I do believe the show runs for another week or so. I absolutely love the intimacy of this theatre. Love that every show in the series is one I've never seen before and know nothing about. Looking forward to them all. Highly recommend to any and all theatre lovers to check out Theatre Raleigh at the Kennedy Center!

This past Saturday, I attended Theatre Raleigh's production of the Wolf held here at Kennedy…read moreTheater. Free nearby parking is available ,so that was a plus. Picking up tickets at will call went smoothly as well playbills were available. What was not available were 3 seats together. There is no assigned seating and although were were there 10 min before curtain, come early if you want best chances in being accomodated seating wise. As part of their Family series, Theatre Raleigh's The Wolf is a performance was suited for theatre lovers of all ages. I loved the intimacy of the Kennedy Theater as it made us feel like we were apart of the show! If you didn't see this particular show, it is back by popular demand for an encore performance and I highly recommend you plan a family date to attend. It's only 45 minutes long which I found was great amount of time to enjoy theatre with children. This show integrated music, dance, acting and fun into a tale about the Big ,Bad Wolf and all of the childhood stories he shows up in. Theatre Raleigh took a very creative approach in mashing up these fables/tales and put on a quality production. Support the arts and the young talent in Raleigh by attending any of the shows held at Kennedy Theater!

This is the last year Sir Walter Raleigh will be slinging a banjo. The IBMA will be moving to…read moreanother city next year. Great event. This weekend they block off Fayetteville st and the party begins. Bands are playing on the end of adjoining streets to Fayetteville St. stages are all over. You have anywhere from 5 to 12 live bands playing at one time. This is including the convention center. Sorry to see the IBMA leave Raleigh. This event draws people from all over the world. Biggest Bluegrass event in the country. If you go, check out the convention center , bands are playing there also.

Nothing says Fall more than Bluegrass music to me! Always excited when the World of Bluegrass comes…read moreback to Raleigh and am tickled pink that the IBMA has adopted Raleigh as host city for its annual gathering. Great atmosphere, music on every corner, and spur of the moment jams in every nook and cranny. Even if you aren't a fan you can't help but appreciate the harmonies, fiddlin', and finger picking skills of these talented artists. Plus there's plenty of food and crafts up and down Fayetteville Street. Great weather just makes it better. Y'all come!

I like to sing. This a Cappella group gives me that outlet. The chorus is one of the best in the…read morearea. They have a director who knows how to teach as well as direct. If you are looking for a wholesome outlet or a group to entertain, I whole heartedly recommend the Heart of Carolina Chorus.