#soNCsavvy

Events in North Carolina

#FilmFriday | My *No Spoiler* Review of @Avengers #InfinityWar + Movie Experience @AlamoRaleigh !

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Disclosure: I received complimentary movie passes however opinions about my experience are my own.

Finally the wait is over! I am thrilled that Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR is now playing in theatres everywhere! I got up this morning, put on my camo leggings, some tribal face paint and was ready to watch the battle on the big screen at the new Alamo Drafthouse in Raleigh. Last week, I went to the Alamo Drafthouse Raleigh Grand Opening VIP Event and could not wait to come back for opening weekend of Avengers: Infinity War!

This movie, which is an unprecedented cinematic journey ten years in the making that spans the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, arrives with great anticipation from Marvel film fans as well as those of us who enjoyed Black Panther. I personally could not wait to see T’Challa [My Favorite Hero] and the rest of my #WakandaForever peeps in Infinity War. Ever since the post-credits Black Panther scene showing Shuri and Bucky together, I have been looking forward to seeing everyone together in Infinity War. Although there are some scenes in Wakanda, this film is not a Black Panther II. WATCH this new featurette on the film that talks about the Avengers going to Wakanda:

https://youtu.be/nD2e8eu5568

What you will see in Avengers: Infinity War is The Avengers and their Super Hero allies sacrificing all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe! It is not only action packed but described as..”the ultimate, deadliest showdown of all time.” The PG-13 rating is spot on. I personally do not think it is suitable for young children. Especially if they are not able to sit for the length of the film which is two hours and 40 mins. For me, that time flew by because the movie was good but the experience at Alamo Drafthouse made it great..here’s why:

Since I went to the 10:45am show, I ordered the avocado toast, which was tasty, and a Mimosa to celebrate Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR opening! The seats were comfy and the service was great. I loved the convenience of ordering from my seat. Speaking of seating, you can even pre-select your seats before you go!

SobeSavvy Tip: Arrive early to Alamo Drafthouse Raleigh and order from Video Vortex Bar. Stay later and pick out 2 VHS, DVD, or Blu-Ray movie rentals for FREE! What a great way to watch any of your favorite Marvel Studio movies again.

Also, pick up some cool Avengers: Infinity War merchandise for sale at Alamo Drafthouse Raleigh.

To learn more about Avengers: Infinity War:

Like AVENGERS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avengers

Follow AVENGERS on Twitter: https://twitter.com/avengers

Follow AVENGERS on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avengers/

Visit the official AVENGERS website here: http://marvel.com/avengers

AND

To make plans to go see it at Alamo Drafthouse Raleigh,

Like Alamo Raleigh on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alamoraleigh

Follow Alamo Raleigh on Twitter: https://twitter.com/alamoraleigh

Follow Alamo Raleigh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alamoraleigh/

Visit the official Alamo Drafthouse website here: http://drafthouse.com/raleigh

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR arrives TODAY in theatres everywhere on April 27, 2018! If you live in Raleigh, plan to see it at ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE for a unique movie with dining experience.

Do you plan to go see Avengers Infinity War opening weekend? Ever been to Alamo Drafthouse? Share your thoughts below! Thanks for reading!#infinitywar

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

2116 New Bern Ave

Raleigh, NC 27610

Hey #Raleigh, Want Tasty #Tacos and #MexicanFood at your #CincoDeMayo party? Check out @Cantina18 ‘s New Catering Menu!

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Raise your hand if you are in countdown mode for one of my favorite foodie holidays, Cinco De Mayo! Bring on the tacos, guacomole, nachos, margaritas because it is almost time to Fiesta! Needless to say I was very excited to receive an invite for SobeSavvy.com to join other media guests for an early Cinco de Mayo celebration at Cantina 18 in Cameron Village.

Described as a “festive setup featuring Mexican fusion dishes made with local meats & fish, plus craft margaritas“, this restaurant is one that I enjoy coming to with my family when we want fresh, flavorful Mexican food. Just listen to what my daughter, #outandboutAva had to say about their guacomole during a previous visit.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfUC-Q9hUWQ/

Last night’s exclusive event showcased the launch of Cantina 18‘s new catering menu and I am so excited to share the information with you! Take a look at the amazing eats you can have at your next Mexican themed party or any gathering:

Enjoy the convenience of letting someone else prepare delicious food for you to serve to your family and friends! No matter if you have vegetarians or meat lovers at the party, there will be something for everyone to enjoy!

My favorite bites from last night were the goat cheese guacomole, the house made salsas, the shrimp quesadilla and chicken tinga. Pretty much anything coming out of Chef Jason Smith’s kitchen is going to be AMAZING! Check out my video recap of last night’s event:

SobeSavvy Tip: Follow along on social media and read more about the dining experiences @Cantina18 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

*Have you ever been to Cantina 18? 🌮 DO YOU PLAN TO CELEBRATE Cinco De Mayo?🎉 Let me know in the comments below!

Cantina 18

Cameron Village

433 Daniels St

Raleigh, NC 27605

Enter to Win 2 Tix @GreatGrapesFest on May 5 + @drinkeatrelax ‘s Beer & Bacon Fest May 19 @BoothAmp in #Cary #NC

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Springtime here in the Triangle means the beginning of outdoor festival season and there are two ‘drink.eat.relax‘ events coming up in May that you don’t want to miss! Koka Booth Amphitheatre in the Town of Cary is where all the fun is happening on May 5, 2018 at the GREAT GRAPES WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL and again on May 19, 2018 at the BEER & BACON FEST. Tickets to both of these fun festivals are ON SALE NOW and I have two tickets to giveaway for each event! Two lucky readers will have a chance to win a pair of tickets to enjoy the fun! Here are the details about both festivals:

TWEET THIS:

Follow @SobeSavvy and Enter to Win Tix to 2 @drinkeatrelax events happening in May @boothamp!🍷🍴🍺🥓 Details at https://www.SobeSavvy.com

Great Grapes Wine and Food Festival

Spring is Here and It is Wine Time! Join us for the largest and most fun casual NC wine festival in the Triangle with HUNDREDS of wines available from over 22 wineries. As you enter…take your souvenir tasting glass and stroll from tent to tent and table to table, tasting and sampling the rich heritage of North Carolina vines. As you sip and savor the afternoon, relax in the beautiful green setting of the Town of Cary’s Booth Amphitheatre.

•200+ Wines from 22+ Wineries
•Great Live Music
•Fun Festival Eats
•Arts and Crafts and Gourmet Items
•FREE Kids Area

Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the lawn. Bring the family, bring your friends and take a day to UNCORK THE FUN!

TICKETS

VIP SESSION TICKET: $49.00 IN ADVANCE: $55.00 ON THE DAY OF EVENT
VIP Session: 11am – 6pm.

REGULAR SESSION TICKET: $33.00 IN ADVANCE…..$35.00 ON THE DAY OF EVENT
Regular Session: 12-6pm.

Designated Driver Ticket: $20 ONLY AVAILABLE ONSITE! Includes admission into the event ONLY.

For more information go to www.boothamphitheatre.com.

PLEASE NOTE: Photo ID IS REQUIRED as proof of age & proof of identity.

KIDS 12 & UNDER ARE FREE!

PARKING
GENERAL PARKING: Parking is free of charge in Amphitheatre owned lots. Some local businesses may charge a fee to parking in their lots. A limited number of PREFERRED parking space are available for $10.00 per car in advance or $15 on the day of event (cash only).

A limited number of accessible parking space are available on a first come first served basis with the proper hang tag or license plate. If using *Uber, I’m giving you $5 off each of your first 4 Uber rides. To accept, use code ‘2ackv’ to sign up. Enjoy! Details: https://www.uber.com/invite/2ackv

Please follow the signs & our Parking Staff to the pick up & drop off area.

ALL EVENTS WILL GO ON AS SCHEDULED RAIN OR SHINE, however in the event of severe weather please check website and social media for any updates or changes to the event.

ITEMS ALLOWED
•Lawn chairs
•Sealed Bottle of water (1 per person)
•Cameras
•All bags are subject to seach

PROHIBITED ITEMS
•Pets
•Drones
•Alcohol
•Weapons of any kind

For more information please visit www.uncorkthefun.com. Please drink responsibly.

BEER & BACON FEST

The BEER & BACON TASTING SESSION offers an exclusive tasting experience. Each guest will enjoy 15+ restaurant tasting stations (until 2pm) and fresh griddled bacon (until 3pm), a souvenir glass and boundless portions of over 75 craft beers and wines, plus 2 extra hours of alcohol sampling and all live entertainment. These tickets are limited and will SELL OUT!

Bottoms Up, Bacon Down
75 Craft Beers
15 Restaurants
10 Bacons From Across the US
LIVE MUSIC… and lots of Piggy Love

Cary’s Porkiest Playtime Returns and this time it will be even better. The ALL-YOU-CARE-TO-TASTE extravaganza comes complete with the best craft beers for your tasting pleasure… and of course the food of the Gods: BACON.

TICKETS
VIP Beer & Bacon Ticket Advanced Price: $59.00 Feb 9-March 18TH (midnight),
$69.00 March 19-May 18 (midnight), $79.00 DAY OF EVENT. Beer tasting session 12-6pm.

Regular Beer & Bacon Ticket Advanced Price: $39.00 Tickets are $45.00 DAY OF EVENT. Beer tasting session 2-6pm.

Designated Driver Ticket: $20 ONLY AVAILABLE ONSITE! Includes admission into the event ONLY.

For more information go to www.boothamphitheatre.com.

PLEASE NOTE: Photo ID IS REQUIRED as proof of age & proof of identity.

Kids 12 & under are FREE.

PARKING
GENERAL PARKING: Parking is free of charge in amphitheatre owned lots. Some local businesses may charge a fee to parking in their lots. A limited number of PREFERRED parking space are available for $10.00 per car in advance or $15 on the day of event (cash only).

A limited number of accessible parking space are available on a first come first served basis with the proper hang tag or license plate. If using *LYFT, Download LYFT app and you get 10$ off your first ride with code: BESAVVY1

Please follow the signs & our Parking Staff to the pick up & drop off area.

ALL EVENTS WILL GO ON AS SCHEDULED RAIN OR SHINE.

ITEMS ALLOWED
Lawn chairs
Sealed Bottle of water (1 per person)
Cameras
all bags are subject to seach

PROHIBITED ITEMS
Pets
Drones
Alcohol
Weapons of any kind

For more information please visit www.beerandbacon.com. Please drink responsibly.

Mandatory #SobeSavvyGiveaway Entry– Please answer the following question below in the comments:

Which festival would you like to attend:

a) Great Grapes Wine & Food Fest on May 5

or

b) Beer & Bacon Fest on May 19

**For more chances to win, click 👉a Rafflecopter giveaway to ENTER.

*One winner will be chosen to win 2 general adult admission tix for option a: Great Grapes Wine & Food Fest Valid Noon – 6pm. Includes a souvenir wine glass, unlimited wine samples, and all performances

*One winner will be chosen to win 2 Beer Only Tasting session admission tix for option b: Beer & Bacon Fest Valid 2pm – 6pm. Your admission includes a souvenir glass and boundless portions of over 75 craft beers and wines, and all live entertainment. Bacon/Food is a la carte.

Contest ends April 26, 2018 at noon. Winners will be chosen at random and have until 4/27/18 to claim prize. Good luck!

Top 4 Reasons Why @Kankirestaurant in #Durham #NC is the “Best Tasting Show In Town” #kankirestaurant #SobeSavvyEats

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Hey guys! I hope you had a fantastic weekend. Mine was filled with foodie fun because I had an exciting opportunity to try a restaurant and share about my experience with you! SobeSavvy.com recently was invited to a tasting experience at Kanki Sushi and Japanese Steakhouse Durham, which just happened to coincide with my mom’s visit to the Triangle to celebrate her 64th birthday. I decided to combine some work with pleasure and treat the whole family!

From the moment we stepped inside of Kanki Durham, I could tell by the crowd that this was a popular place. They do not take reservations or hold seats, so make sure your whole party is there if requesting to sit at a hibachi table for dinner. If you’re not familiar with hibachi,it’s where the chef prepares your meal right before your eyes. After dining at Kanki Durham on Saturday, I liked to share with you my Top 4 Reasons Why Kanki Durham is The “Best Tasting Show in Town”:

1. Cozy & Beautiful Decor

If you’ve ever been to Kanki at Crabtree and Kanki off of Wake Forest Road, then you are familiar with the delicious menu. This location offers same menu but has a different feel than the other locations. From the beautiful stain glass decor, the aquarium, the lovely bar area and their cozy dining room, this restaurant is the perfect spot for dinner and a show.

2. Entertaining & Fun

#outandaboutAva is amazed by the hibachi Chef at Kanki Durham, the “Best Tasting Show in Town” | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

Our hibachi chef, Ricky was entertaining and showed special attention to my 6 yr old. She loved the food “show”. Chef Ricky did a myriad of delightful tricks that kept a smile on her face. She loved the “egg roll” the best! Watch this video to see a bit more of the action. It was so fun and entertaining to everyone young and old!

3. Flavorful & Fresh

If you like Japanese cuisine that’s flavorful and fresh, Kanki Durham‘s menu offers a great variety. The delicious menu is full of fresh sushi options, yummy appetizers and of course their well-known hibachi. Hibachi is what we wanted and hibachi is what we got. We started with a few appetizers of Gyoza pork steamed dumplings and also their lamb chops, which I plan to get everytime I visit. The lamb chops were so good they disappeared quickly before I could get a food pic! However, check out the Gyoza appetizer which comes 6 to an order and is perfect for sharing!

SobeSavvy Tip: Dine at Kanki Durham and enjoy a FREE appetizer per party with the purchase of an entree! Use coupon code: SOBESAVVY .Offer expires May 14, 2018

In addition to hibachi, Kanki Durham also has superb sushi choices. I ordered the sashimi sampler. It was fresh and delicious. My family ordered a classic chicken and steak, Ribeye and scallop and a Emperor‘s delight. Most hibachi entrees come with soup, salad and grilled shrimp prior to the main meal. Also there are a choice of two sauces to enjoy with your dishes. You’ll want to put the WHITE SAUCE on everything by the time you leave Kanki Durham! They have a great kids menu as well.

4. Family Friendly

When planning a family dinner, there are very few places as memorable as Kanki Durham. If you are looking for place to handle a big party, Kanki’s hibachi tables seat 9 people. We were a party of 5 so it was a communal affair with our other friendly table guests who were also celebrating a birthday! Our waitress made sure to ask if anyone was celebrating a special occassion. At the end of the meal, a traditional Japanese drummer appeared. He banged out their version of happy birthday to my mom’s delight. They gave her a sherbet with a candle. A sweet ending to a memorable night!

Thank you Kanki Durham for the invite and gift card for dinner for 2 to use towards my meal. In my opinion, your motto of being the “Best Tasting Show in Town” fits this restaurant well! The next time you are in Durham, make sure you dine here. Per my mom, it was “the best meal she has had all year”!

HAVE YOU EVER DINED AT KANKI BEFORE OR ANY OTHER HIBACHI STYLE RESTAURANT? HOW DID YOU ENJOY YOUR EXPERIENCE? SHARE IN THE COMMENTS BELOW⤵

Kanki Durham
3504 Mt. Moriah Road

Facebook: @KankiOfficialPage

Instagram/Twitter: @kankirestaurant

Enjoy #NationalNoodleMonth Eats in #Raleigh @ToriiNoodleBar @shopCrabtree #Ramen #dineCrabtree

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SobeSavvy.com Celebrates National Noodle Month at Torii Noodle Bar

There really is a holiday for everything and in case you did not know the month of March is National Noodle Month! Looking for a place to celebrate in Raleigh? May I suggest you go to Torii Noodle Bar at Kanki in the Crabtree Valley Mall. If you read my last feature on this restaurant, then you know it is one of my favorite places to dine especially with my daughter who loves noodles! This past weekend, we were hosted to try some of the noodle dishes on their menu and here are some highlights from our mother and daughter lunch date!

MENU

Leslie, Founder of SobeSavvy.com and her daughter, #outandaboutAva enjoy Japanese soda at Torii Noodle Bar

Torii Noodle Bar has a menu that as soon as you open it you can see the mouthwatering noodle entree bowls available. Appetizers, entrees, beverages, and dessert are served at this intimate & modern noodle bar.

APPETIZERS

SobeSavvy Tip: If you use code “SoBeSavvy” at Torii, you can receive a free appetizer with purchase of an entree!
O

ffer is good through May 14, 2018 and Please limit one coupon per party.

We started with some edamame and dumplings before ordering our entrees. Edamame is good for you and great for sharing for only $3.95 on the menu. If your little dumpling loves dumplings as much as mine does, order the Gyoza. It’s flavorful and fun to dip into their signature ponzu sauce.

Edamame or Gyoza for an appetizer..which one would you choose?

ENTREES

My little one is having fun mastering the art of chopsticks and Torii Noodle Bar has a nice variety of noodle entrees that gives her the practice she needs! Not a pro yet? No worries, they will adjust the chopticks for little hands. She ordered the Yakisoba stir fried noodles and opted to get the sauce on the side. I love that you can customize the noodles to you or your childs liking. Hers was lightly tossed in soy sauce instead which she enjoyed!

Yakisoba Stir Fried Noodles are kid-friendly and flavorful at Torii Noodle Bar

At the wonderful suggestion of our server and being the seafoodie that I am, I was eager to havr the seafood scampi ramen. The portion of this is huge, which quite frankly I did not mind. It was chock full of fresh veggies, seafood and served in this amazing broth.

DESSERT

SobeSavvy Tip: You must save room for dessert and try the Japanese Mochi Ice Cream. We had the strawberry and mango flavors, however you can try a sampler of all the Mochi flavors offered. It was so yummy! A sweet ending to our tasty lunch.

SERVICE

All smiles after our delicious lunch with great customer service at Torii Noodle Bar

Sure, we ate and slurped and drank some fun Japanese soda, but what made the meal most memorable was the service. Our server named Lily, who is also a mom to a daughter named Ava, was simply wonderful. She was patient, knowledegable and pleasant. My little foodie has a lot of questions and is quite curious about things like wanting to know what Torii means in Japanese? Here is what we found out: The entrance of the Jinja (a Shinto shrine) has a traditional Japanese gate called a Torii (鳥居), (literally ‘bird abode’). A Torii is built to show the beginning of a sacred place. It symbolically marks the transition from mundane to sacred.

I think the name of the restaurant is a perfect fit because you will not get mundane service or food once you walk thru the doors at Torii Noodle Bar. The next time you are at Crabtree Valley Mall, treat yourself and your little one to oodles of fun while enjoying a bowl of noodles at Torii Noodle Bar!

Torii Noodle Bar At Kanki

Crabtree Valley Mall

4325 Glenwood Ave

(919) 782-9708

Hey #Raleigh, Start Your Morning Off Right @TheMorningTimes ! ☕ #Coffee + #Food + #Vibe in #DTR

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Ever try finding a spot with good food and good coffee prior to going to work? As simple as this sounds it’s not always that easy! Well have I got some good news for you. There is a restaurant/café/coffee shop located in the heart of downtown Raleigh called The Morning Times.

The Morning Times Menus..yes, they are kid-friendly!

This coffee shop has been a Raleigh mainstay since 2006 and are a favorite amongst the downtown crowds. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday Brunch, this eclectic coffee eatery offers freshly made baked goods of all sorts and they also have some awesome vegan options. You order downstairs when you come in and you can have it upstairs in their loft like space with tables and comfy chairs or you can have take out if time does not allow. Since I sometimes co-work this is also a good spot for coffee and your laptop.

The Morning Times is a bi-level coffee shop. There are a few tables downstairs, but upstairs has more seating and a loft vibe.

I was there along with my family recently for NCMA’s pop-up for upcoming Art in Bloom festival. Customers received a free flower outside of The Morning Times, which gets great foot traffic in the morning.

FOOD

We decided to try their breakfast features of the day (a tomato and arugula omelette and $5.00 honey chicken biscuit) along with an order of their delicious French Toast from their regular menu. I really liked their unique way of making this breakfast classic with challah bread, mixed berries, whipped cream, maple syrup, topped with almonds. My daughter said it was hashtag #YUM!

COFFEE

A busy barista making a fresh cup of coffee at The Morning Times

The staff was friendly and quickly kept the line moving at The Morning Times. They have quite a selection of coffee from Counter Culture, which is a favorite in our household. We settled on a Vanilla Latte and also an authentic Macchiato {hint, it is not what most THINK it is} as a start to our day. If coffee is not your morning beverage of choice, “power up” with their freshly squeezed orange juice.

SobeSavvy Tip: Sign up for their “Eats Club”👉 HERE … and per their website: “Be among the first to know about special promotions such as beer dinners and cask nights at The Raleigh Times, Lebanese festivals at Sitti, blues & barbeque events at The Pit, Italian Feasts at Gravy and other good stuff in the works for our community of customers.”

Also, The Morning Times knows that it’s morning customers are limited on time so they have made it easy for you to order ahead⤵ Check it out!

Next time you find yourself in the Downtown Raleigh area, and looking for a place to grab your coffee & pastry to go or pull up a window seat to dine, head to The Morning Times!

THE MORNING TIMES

10 E Hargett St.

Raleigh, North Carolina 27601

Hey #Raleigh Families, this March see Little Shop of Horrors +Beanstalk! The Musical @RLT1936 #Theatre #Fun

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This weekend, you have two last chances to check out a favorite MUSICAL COMEDY of mine, Little Shop of Horrors! Raleigh Little Theatre extended its run thru March 4, 2018 with more performances playing at the Canton V. Sutton Theatre. I look forward to seeing the final performance as a “Sunday Funday” activity with my family.

I remember watching the remake of the original movie in 1986. I was 13 years old and seeing Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold as part of a Black female singing trio who brought the drama and comedy to life was a memorable moment in this musical comedy. I know all the lyrics, so I definitely will have fun seeing these 3 singers on stage.

If you are not a superfan like me, here is a brief synopsis of the story:

The meek floral assistant, Seymour Krelborn, stumbles across a new breed of plant that he names “Audrey II” after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down-and-out Krelborn, as long as he keeps feeding it BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out-of-this-world origins and intent toward global domination!

Little Shop of Horrors is part of the RLT Sutton Series. Book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken. Based on the film by Roger Corman and screenplay by Charles Griffith. Directed by Patrick Torres. The show is sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and Audrey II is sponsored by Bloom Works.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets are available now! Buy them online or from the box office at 919-821-3111. Group sales will also be available from the box office. Seating is Reserved Seating. Final Weekend Ticket prices (including taxes):

Adults: $29 Students/Seniors: $25

Seniors are age 62 and up. Students are through college.

************************************

Get your tickets now for an upcoming family friendly production, Beanstalk! the Musical!, opening March 16. It is the first production to open in the newly renovated Gaddy-Goodwin Teaching Theatre. The production puts a unique spin on the classic fairy tale. For more information go to Raleigh Little Theatre‘s website: http://raleighlittletheatre.org/

SobeSavvy Tip: Did you know RLT offers a summer camp? They are now registering for 2018 Summer Camp – ages 4-18 offered at RLT, Apex, Wendell and Wake Forest locations! Learn about their upcoming 2018/2019 Season: Acts of Courage!

This March, make plans to go see one or both of these Raleigh Little Theatre performances and support the arts with your family/friends. Check back here on SobeSavvy.com for my review of Beanstalk! the Musical! Hope to see you there!

DO YOU ENJOY THEATRE? WHAT WAS THE LAST PLAY YOU ENJOYED?

Looking for a place to create #art while enjoying your favorite #wine? Then hurry to @WineDesignCary 🎨🍷

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This past Saturday I joined some ladies at Wine & Design Cary,NC for a fun girls day out! It literally was a party with paint and a purpose. The purpose was to leave all worries behind and find the time to express yourself by creating art. No experience is necessary. You just need to be ready to release your creative juices. I would recommend this business as a fun thing to do in Cary or any of their other locations. All you have to do is sign up, show up, sip up and paint! Here’s how:

SIGN UP!

Head over to Wine & Design‘s website here: http://www.wineanddesign.com/locations/cary

Review the calendar to see the daily events. They offer a variety of paintings to choose from. We signed up for “BAE” which is a portrait of a beautiful black woman with an afro. I love big hair, so when I heard of this class, I had to be there!

Where: 🍷Wine & Design 🎨
483 James Jackson Avenue
Cary, NC 27513

The price of that class was $35 per person but will vary. How to pay & register: Online or by Phone, 919-535-8695.

SobeSavvy Tip: Use this $5 off coupon code when you book your class – WINE2018

SHOW UP!

Wine & Design stands apart from the other paint and sip studios in many ways. You can just show up during most weekdays at 11 am for their “Pop-In Paint” time. This is a time where you can feel free to paint whatever your heart desires on professional grade materials and products. Show up on the weekends for formal painting events. You can come solo, with some girlfriends or a great date night. Wine & Design is a great place to have corporate team building events and private parties. They also host kids birthday parties. No matter the reason why you chose to show up or who you show up with, be ready to have an awesome time!

SIP UP!

So what did I bring to Wine & Design? My favorite wine, friend(s), snacks, & laughter 👩🏽🍾🍇🥂🧀!! As featured on the popular show “Shark Tank”, this studio has the unique BYOB feature. Most places in the paint and party genre force patrons to purchase pre- selected wine and beer at their painting venue. Here, guests are encouraged to bring ANY wine or beer of their choice.

Come with a group where everyone brings their favorite bottle and you now have a wine tasting event amongst your neighbors! We brought snacks for our sips which included fruit, cheese, crackers, chips, hummus, veggie plates, and mini sandwiches set up on a side table and organized by our group’s party host. It was like having a painting picnic! The studio supplies, ice, cups and bottle openers if needed.

PAINT!

A lead painter (ours was Iseah Mills) guides all the guests for instructional painting of the specific portrait of the evening to take home to display proudly for their families and friends. All supplies and materials are provided: an apron, 3 paintbrushes, water, paint, paper towels, easel and canvas. I was pleasantly surprised to see the canvas was not blank but was lightly outlined with what we were going to paint. I loved the atmosphere of this studio. The pre-selected music playing had us all singing along while we sipped and painted. Faves from Maxwell, Lauren Hill, Erykah Badu, some oldie but goodies RnB were in rotation. Our instructor was very easy to follow and the flow of the class went well. No matter what was needed: more paint, extra paper towels, clean water..you name it and a staff member was there to get it for you. It was a sold out class with 3 tables and ten to each table. Although aproximately 30 ladies were painting, it did not feel cramped. Class lasted for 3 hours. A bit longer than I expected but hey….time flies when you are having fun!

My masterpiece is currently in my living room and I look forward to returning to Wine & Design Cary to paint, sip and get my art buzz on! I hope you are inspired to book a class soon and do the same because🍷+🎨= FUN! Check out more photos here of my experience at Wine & Design and see more of my experience here:

Have you ever gone to a paint and sip studio? What was your experience like?

Event Recap|6th Annual Bull City Food & Beer Experience @BullCityEXP @DPAC #Durham #Food #Beer #Event

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Yesterday, SobeSavvy.com joined a few thousand others at DPAC for the 6th Annual Bull City Food & Beer Experience! The word, “experience” accurately depicts this now iconic annual event that I had the pleasure of attending last year and sharing with you again. Enjoying 30 restaurants paired with 30 beers sounds like a great way to spend a ‘Sunday Funday’ especially while raising money and awareness for the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association.

Pale Ale, Stout, IPA, and various ciders were all properly represented here. Small local breweries served their craft beer and stood side by side with international powerhouse breweries. They all coexisted perfectly. A few liquor brands, such as Social House Vodka, also served up some samples of their spirits. Durham has such an incredible food and beer culture and this event does an amazing job showcasing it! Check out my facebook photo album highlighting more from this event, here.

Taking up space on all 3 levels of the beautiful DPAC lobbies, this event is always a crowd pleaser and this year was no different. Inside the actual theatre, they had the Stella Artois Onstage Experience featuring County Fare. This year the food in this area was served by various food trucks based in the Triangle. These meals on wheels have now become a staple in the food scene not just here but nationwide. Guests mingled on stage and enjoyed some awesome live music by Big Fat Gap and beer garden games like bean toss. One of my favorites were the dumplings by the food truck Chirba Chirba. One dumpling was pork, the other offering were their veggie dumplings. Simply delicious.

Guess what else coexisted perfectly with all that beer? FOOD OF COURSE ! Over 30 restaurants of every imaginable genre/cuisine was there. From Italian to sushi and EVERYTHING in between. The restaurants participating gave unlimited samples of the dish they were serving. What also makes this event unique is that most tables paired a specific brew for the specific restaurant dish. Some foods pair better with a stout or pale ale and vice versa. Attendees didn’t have to wander far to find the perfect beer for their dish, it was right there alongside it! My favorite part was the opportunity to meet and talk with the Chefs from some of my favorite local restaurants.

If I had to use one word to describe this event, I would say ‘Incredible’! Where else can you experience local food, beer, beverage,craft artisians, all in one place?! The foodie in me appreciates organized events like this that I can partner with and celebrate what is offered here. Watch this video for recap of all the food + beer + fun!

Thanks for reading and hope to see you next year! Cheers 🍻

Do you have a favorite food and beer pairing? Let me know in the comments below!

My experience opening night viewing @theBlackPanther Movie @Raleighwood Cinema Grill ! #BlackPanther #WakandaForever 

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Disclosure: I received complimentary media passes for viewing of first showing at Raleighwood, however opinions about my experience are my own.


In anticipation of BLACK PANTHER coming to theaters it was with great pleasure that I saw Raleighwood, “Triangles’ top rated movie theater, and only truly unique restaurant since 1993” was showing the movie on Thursday 2/15 !! I have heard about this cinema and how you can enjoy great food and drinks while watching hit movies in a casual and comfortable environment. Raleighwood hosted myself and a guest (my friend, fellow blogger Jen of jenoni.com rolled with me) to a girls night out in Raleigh to see a movie we all have been waiting for…BLACK PANTHER!

Why is this movie so important for us to see? Because as African-Americans we rarely, if ever get a chance to see ourselves as a super hero. Marvel Comic has solved that issue with this movie. Without giving away any spoilers, I will say this movie was Ahhh-maaazzzing! From the costumes, to the script, the setting and of course the great acting and action, this is movie that needs to be seen by EVERYONE! I especially loved the representation of powerful women in this film, which showed a great balance of the women leading and serving. SobeSavvy Tip: Stay past the credits (both of them) for movie extras. Just when you think it’s over. It ain’t over! You don’t want to miss what Marvel Studios have planned for BLACK PANTHER!

Synopsis: Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.

Check out this cool featurette for Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER about how the film went from the page to the screen!

Stay informed….

Like BLACK PANTHER on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackPantherMovie

Follow BLACK PANTHER on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theblackpanther

Follow Marvel Studios on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvelstudios/

BLACK PANTHER arrives TODAY in theatres everywhere on February 16, 2018! If you live in Raleigh, plan to see it at RALEIGHWOOD for a unique movie with dining experience. Get there early and choose from the various seating and table arrangements inside the theater. They serve food, beer and wine to be consumed before and during the feature film. We split an order of their chicken wings and a order of steak fries and it was pretty good! The whole experience was great and I plan to go back to see BLACK PANTHER again for the $5.50 matinee today!! Yep..it was that great !

Have you seen or plan to go see BLACK PANTHER? Share your thoughts below! Thanks for reading! Wakanda Forever!

Raleighwood Cinema Grill

6609 Falls of Neuse Road

Raleigh, NC 27615