Carrboro Music Festival

I just attended a wonderful event today -- one that should get more media coverage than it does -- the Carrboro Music Festival. It's an annual one-day free event celebrating local musicians. There were over 20 music venues across the compact town center, with hundreds of music acts, which were each given either 30 or 60 minutes to play.

I was struck by the musical breadth -- from jazz to rock to hip-hop to folk -- and the generally high quality level. But then perhaps I shouldn't be surprised -- it's just that I don't often get a chance to listen to local music, considering very little of it makes its way onto local radio, and I don't frequent night clubs.

Perhaps the best part of the event was how well integrated it was into Carrboro, and what a delight it was to wander through streets shut-down to auto traffic, and to catch a different band playing basically on every block. Most of the stages were outdoors, but they also effectively used indoor venues such as the ArtCenter of Carrboro. It was great to have a beer while listening to a folk artist at the "beer garden" near the railroad track crossing, or just wander a short distance and discover a great rock band around the corner.

And there's one more very important aspect of the event -- the town itself. I was trying to picture what it would be like in downtown Raleigh, and I couldn't picture it. At least, it wouldn't resemble the Carrboro event very much. Is it perhaps the quaintness of the town? The way commercial and residential features are mixed in a way that invites pedestrian and bicycle travel? Perhaps it is because the town itself has a presence and size that doesn't overwhelm a person, but is inviting and pedestrian-friendly. That's something that I miss in the anti-pedestrian cul-de-sac suburban sprawl that is North Raleigh.

Weekend Activities

Some weekend suggestions, if you’re not heading to the movie theater to see the latest Narnia movie, “Prince Caspian”:

* To kick off the summer (a little early), the largest art festival of the year in Raleigh is taking place this weekend. Artsplosure takes over the streets around City Market Saturday and Sunday. And it’s big – last year 80,000 people visited it over the two days. Lots of art and food for sale, events for the kids outside the Marbles Museum, and almost non-stop live bands both days – more info is here http://www.artsplosure.org/.

* To add to parking woes downtown, house peepers on Saturday from 11 to 5 can pay $10 and join the annual Downtown Raleigh Home Tour -- http://www.raleighdowntownliving.com/. There are 20 homes and condos open for viewing. If you ever wondered what it would be like to live downtown, take a look at the modern, sterile, high-priced condos before the condo real-estate market crashes.

* If you find yourself in downtown Durham this weekend, could you tell me how to exit from the downtown loop? It’s crazy confusing! Once you’re there, view all the renovations taking place downtown, and this Saturday (1-10pm) and Sunday (1-5) you can visit the Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival celebrating African American music and traditions at the Durham Athletic Park -- http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/parks/bimbe_Index.cfm

• The big event this Saturday is the Salute to the Troops in downtown Raleigh -- http://www.wral.com/news/local/page/2727914/ . At 10:00, there’s a parade -- it’s being called the largest military parade in the state’s history! Plus, there’s a flyover of F-15 jets, and a whole lot more.
  
  
  
• If you need a drink or two after the parade, there’s the World Beer Festival downtown -- http://www.allaboutbeer.com/wbfraleigh/ -- with two all-you-can-sample beer sessions: noon – 4 or 6 – 10. Online tickets sold out weeks ago though, so you may be too late. I’m not sure how the military folk are going to get along with the beer fans, but it should make for some interesting street scenes.
  
  
  
• In Durham, Duke Gardens is holding its bi-annual Plant Sale and Festival from 9-2 on Saturday -- http://www.hr.duke.edu/dukegardens/plant_and_craft_festival.htm. Several area nurseries will be there selling plants and crafts, and there will be live music. And if you haven’t seen the wisteria arbor in bloom, it’s worth the trip just for that.
  
  
  
• Early voting: If you’re a Wake County resident, with nothing better to do this weekend, why not vote? You can vote early in several “One-Stop” early voting locations throughout the county this weekend (Sat 10-5 Sun 1-5). No need to give an excuse either – just show up – even if you haven’t registered yet! Voting location info here: http://www.wakegov.com/elections/onestop/default.htm
  
  
• Cary Spring Daze festival is this Saturday, 9 to 5 at Bond Park. Outdoor arts festival with local crafts for sale. Details here: http://www.townofcary.org/depts/prdept/events/springdaze/ and a cool map here: http://townofcary.org/depts/prdept/events/springdaze/SDFunMap04.pdf
  

There’s so much going on in Raleigh this weekend, and so little time!

• First, on Saturday from 11am to 7pm, there’s the Turkish Festival at the Fairgrounds -- http://ncturkishfestival.com/

The Whirling Dervish dancers might even show up. I get dizzy just watching them.

• Also, at the Fairgrounds this weekend (Friday through Sunday) is the biggest azalea sale of the year, held by the Gardeners of Wake County. Details on the sale are here: http://www.gardenersofwakecounty.org/. It used to be relaxed fun, but now there's a big rush on Friday. It's still fun, but if you have a specific variety you're interested in, they might be out of the 3-gallon size (and just have the rather puny 1-gallon size left) by mid-morning on Saturday. Sick of azaleas? They have lots of other plants, such as gardenias, herbs and perennials.

• Speaking of azaleas, the WRAL Azalea Gardens (just off Hillsborough Street near NC State University) should be in peak bloom this weekend. Here’s their website -- http://www.wral-gardens.com

• Earth Day is next Tuesday, but the NC Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh is having a big Earth Day event on Saturday, sponsored in part by Burt’s Bees, the local natural cosmetics company, with special exhibits, a puppet show, and several interesting bands, including The Rosebuds (a local band that I’ve actually heard of, and have downloaded some songs from them onto my iPod last year). More info here: http://www.naturalsciences.org/calendar/Earthday08.pdf.
  
  
• More Earth Day festivities are at the NC Art Museum. There will be bands, of course. A renovated section of trail will be reopened with a unique feel of the open prairies, so bring your sunscreen. Some new outdoor artwork is expected, also. Check it out here: NC Art Museum Festivals