Durham NC

Disney’s @TheLionKing is back @DPAC 5/16 – 6/9/24 ! #TheLionKingMusical #OnlyAtDPAC #TruistBroadway

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Disney’s THE LION KING has returned to The Triangle on Thursday, May 16 And Play for Four Weeks Through Sunday, June 9th at DPAC !

I attended the media night of the long-awaited return engagement of Disney’s THE LION KING on Thursday, May 17th at 7:30 p.m. The show’s four-week premiere engagement in 2011 & five-week in 2016 played a sold-out run at DPAC, so I was excited to experience this beloved Broadway Hit again but this time with our 12 year old daughter!

The movie is a family fave, and to see the story of Simba, Mufasa’s noble son come to life is quite amazing! The music, the costumes, the creativity used to make the audience apart of the circle of life is why THE LION KING remains ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. See a preview and get a peek of the show below:

https://youtu.be/Dx8Rfpc8Sqk?si=WjI1ZNDPwVBeIB1R

The Show of a Lifetime

ABOUT THE LION KING

Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, more than 100 million people have experienced the phenomenon of Disney’s THE LION KING ane now you can too! Tony Award winning director Julie Taymor brings THE LION KING story to life with an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals with one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway

THE LION KING is the winner of six Tony Awards®:  Best Musical, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Choreography and Best Direction of a Musical.   The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from The Lion King animated film along with new songs and additional musical material. The resulting sound of THE LION KING is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award®-winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” to the haunting ballad “Shadowland.” 

DPAC is such a wonderful venue to watch THE LION KING musical. You will leave feeling like you’ve just visited an African savanah! So get your passport, I mean tickets to experience this musical. With so much authenticity and appeal, this show is a sight to see!

For Ticket Information, go Online at DPACnc.com

· DPAC Ticket Center: 919.680.2787

123 Vivian Street, Durham, NC

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**GREAT NEWS !! The digital lottery is now open for Disney’s The Lion King.
On stage, May 15 thru June 9.
A limited number of tickets for $30 + Tax & Fees will be sold to the winners of DPAC’s official lottery.
The lottery will be open from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM the day prior to each performance. Winners will be notified via email within minutes after closing if they have won and have one hour to purchase their tickets. Winning seat locations vary per performance and may be filled as single seats. This offer is online only.
To enter, visit DPACnc.com or https://bit.ly/3UXoEUx

REVIEW | @Godsmack #VibezTour Rocks Durham, NC @DPAC @LiveNationNCSC

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If you enjoy live music that rocks and rolls, thrills and sends chills to your soul, then you must experience Godsmack • Vibez Tour, an intimate evening of acoustic/electric performances + untold stories from Godsmack with special guest Bastian da Cruz!

On Friday, March 08, 2024, fans came to see the band perform at Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC), located in Durham, NC for a memorable, magical and miraculous night of music. For almost 30 years, Godsmack has an amazing way of connecting with fans on what they are going through in life and how we all can have our spirits lifted up with their songs. This is a very unique concert experience unlike I’ve experienced from the moment you step in the venue, the “Vibez” were set:

How Godsmack sets the mood on Vibez Tour

In continued support of their latest studio album Lighting Up The Sky, multi-platinum Grammy-nominated hard rock band GODSMACK is transforming their thunderous pyro-filled amphitheater rock show into a more intimate experience. The band is set to deliver a series of intimate evenings featuring acoustic/electric performances and untold stories in theatres across North America.

With over 20 years of chart-topping success, GODSMACK have cemented themselves as 21st-century hard rock titans. To date, they’ve accomplished a staggering 11 #1 singles at mainstream rock radio and have achieved 20 Top 10 hits at the format (the most of any act since February 1999). Additionally, they’ve enjoyed four Grammy nominations and were named Billboard Music Award’s Rock Artist of the Year in 2001. Selling over 20 million records worldwide, the band has released eight studio albums; Godsmack (1998), Awake (2000), Faceless(2003), IV (2006), The Oracle (2010), 1000hp(2014), When Legends Rise (2018), and Lighting Up the Sky (2023).

GODSMACK is Sully Erna (vocals, guitar), Tony Rombola (guitar), Robbie Merrill (bass), and Shannon Larkin (drums). Sully Erna’s voice is as fantastic as ever and leaves an impact on the souls of the audience. Equally, Shannon, Tony and Robbie pour their hearts into their performances creating powerful music!

Here’s the setlist (and playlist of their hits!

1. Time

2. Love-Hate-Sex-Pain

3. Voodoo

4. Turning to Stone

5. Spiral

6. One Rainy Day

7. No Quarter

8. Nothing Else Matters

9. Serenity

10. Touché

11. Truth

12. Growing Old

13. Lighting Up the Sky

14. Under Your Scars

15. Bulletproof

16. Long Train Runnin’

SobeSavvy.com Recap Highlights #VibezTour

Columbia, SC you’re up next on March 10th! Get ready for an exciting night of live music from Godsmack. Get Tickets from LiveNation >>For more Tour Info, visit Godsmack.com >> Donate to scarsfoundation.org to support those who suffer from depression, PTSD , mental illness,etc

Check out some of my favorite moments from the concert and of you were there I’d love to hear what you thought of the show (or your fave Godsmack song) in the comments below! ⬇️

Review | See why MJ The Musical is definitely a Thriller @DPAC Oct 10-22, 2023

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MJ The Musical, the four-time Tony Award winning new musical has arrived in Durham,NC as part of Truist Broadway at DPAC. Fanfare and excitement was in the air for this Broadway production show, which has been playing to sold out shows in New York since February 2022. It was easy to see why. Michael Jacksons career defies description. Winner of 15 Grammys and the holder of 39 Guiness Book Of World Records, Michael Jackson is widely regarded as the best all-around entertainer the world has ever known. This musical is definitely a celebration of his unique and unparalleled artistry.

This musical is centered around his rehearsal for his 1992 Dangerous World Tour. The choreography on stage was mind blowing and for some moments you actually THOUGHT you were witnessing Michael Jackson! The singing and dancing was so spot on that you felt like you were seeing him in concert. So many critics have called this a runaway hit for how brilliantly and gorgeously the choreography is executed.

Beyond MJ‘s signature moves and sounds, the musical gives the audience a look at his creative mind and collaborative spirit. The audience is taken on a journey of his early life, performing with his family, the sacrifices, and his success while featuring an ensemble of actors and dancers who do an excellent job at bringing the stories and memories to life!

Get your tickets via Ticketmaster.com>>>here This AMAZING show runs until Sunday OCT 22

For more info, go to DPACnc.com and www.mjthemusical.com

Diana Krall Thrills All @DPAC | Concert Review

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Grammy and Juno award winning jazz star Diana Krall performed at the DPAC last night during her North American Tour. Jazz lovers around the world have been enthralled with her unique delivery of jazz standards and original songs since the late 90’s.

Due to COVID, this is her first tour in almost 3 years. She performed to an almost sold out crowd as a quartet. Many singers these days need all sorts of bells and whistles so her stripped down set reinforced the fact that she is a jazz singer of the highest caliber. Her catalog of songs is so deep there was no way she could sing all of her hits. What she chose was more than satisfying. See Setlist here Diana Krall Average Setlists of year: 2022 | setlist.fm

She mentioned more than once how ecstatic she was to be back on stage and able to perform in front of audiences again. Every band member got a chance to highlight their instrument command to roaring audience approval!

TOUR INFORMATION

Diana Krall is more than a smoky voice and accomplished pianist. She is a force, a vibe and a mood. Below are the next couple of tour dates before she picks it up again on a European leg next spring.

10/16 TANGER CENTER GREENSBORO, NC

10/17 PEACE CENTER Greenvile, SC

As always, the DPAC is one of the best venues ever for seating and acoustics. It was a true pleasure to see a world class artist at a world class venue. To see who is coming to the DPAC next, check out their website at http://www.DPACNC.com

See the Magic of Broadway and Celebrate the Music, History and Journey of The Temptations @DPAC @AINTTOPROUD musical Now Showing Dec 7th – 12th in Durham NC

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Last night, I had a chance to witness the magic of Broadway at DPAC in Durham, NC. AIN’T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS tells the unforgettable story of the legendary quintet that Billboard Magazine named the greatest R&B group of all time. The audience got to discover what it took for them to get to theat number one spot. It took talent, sacrifice, perseverance, love, some funk and a whole lot of soul!

From the music to the choreography, which won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography, this musical depicts The Temptations’ extraordinary journey. Their brotherhood set the foundation for every musical group that has come after them. The original members may be gone but the music lasts forever. Ain’t Too Proud is a must see production that tells history like you’ve never seen before to an amazing musical score!

I was in awe of the actors as they sang, danced (I lost count of how many splits David Ruffin did) and relived some of the many highlights of The Temptations life and treasured hits, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” and so many more.

Every member of the original group played a role in their success. However, I left with a new found respect for Otis Williams, his ambition and his tenacity to keep the group stronger together. Like Aristotle said “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts“.

The show is here until Dec 12th, so get your tickets now at dpacnc.com

Spring 2020 Family Fun Things To Do in Durham, NC @DurhamNC

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I am so happy Spring is just around the corner here in the Triangle! With warmer temps on the horizon in our weekly forecast and daylight savings time happening this past Sunday, I was motivated to get out and have some family fun in Durham, NC. It just takes 30 mins/28 miles to get to Downtown Durham from my home in Raleigh, so I love going there often. But this time, I wanted to play tourist and make a list to share with you some Spring 2020 Family Fun Things To Do in Durham, NC! Planning things to do was easy when I got an email from Discover Durham announcing their new Spring Guide.

The guide included an original lo-fi album, a variety of spring festivals to check out, a listing of lady bosses in the community (just in time for Women’s History Month), and more! Here are the places we checked out in Durham, NC:

Nolia Family + Coffee

We headed to Durham for a full day of fun but before we got started, we went to get the fuel most parents need to get thru the morning: coffee! Nolia is a must when visiting Durham because as per their name, they are all about Family + Coffee. This business is a unique child centric coffee shop where owner/Justin said “kids here are not just tolerated, they are celebrated!” This was evident from the moment we walked in this cute minimalist space. They had a storyteller on one side with kids sitting on the floor and having a great time. Beautiful vibes were everywhere with a feeling of community and inclusion. They have small selections of coffee and tea and some good pastries to boot. You can also shop local and get a candle from Bright Black, a Black, family owned company that uses scent as a medium and candles as a platform to share positive narratives about Blackness. We ordered a delicious apple pastry, a pour over coffee and a kids hot cocoa to go. Everything was good and we will be back!

Name: Nolia: Family + Coffee
Website: www.noliacoffee.com
About Us: Nolia Coffee is Durham’s family-centric, specialty coffee shop.
Social Media: Facebook & Instagram – @noliacoffe

The Carolina Theatre of Durham

Earlier in February, I attended a media mission hosted by Discover Durham, where invited media were introduced to local businesses in Durham and informed about what is new in 2020. While I was there, I spoke with The Carolina Theatre of Durham and learned about their Family Saturday Series. Tickets are just $5 and includes free popcorn and a drink. to catch a show at the historic Carolina Theatre. This show featured Beverly Botsford, Dancing Drums, which showcased an array of percussion instruments and celebrated universal rhythm. Children and families enjoyed this very interactive show. The audience was encouraged to sing, clap along, make their own beat and join her on stage to play the instruments. My daughter got a kick out of seeing her father play the bongos! A good time was had by all.

SobeSavvy Tip: The theatre has a free exhibit on the top level called “Confronting Change” that speaks to it’s racial segregationist past and how it eventually allowed all people of all colors to finally be treated as equal. Make sure you check it out no matter what show you are there to see!

Name: Carolina Theatre of Durham, Inc.

Website: www.CarolinaTheatre.org

About Us: Since 1926, the Carolina Theatre has been dedicated to presenting vibrant, thought-provoking film and live performances that contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of downtown Durham and the greater Triangle Region. Our nonprofit has operated the venue for more than 25 years, using both commercial and mission-driven programming to establish the venue as so much more than just a building to its community. From concerts to comedy to cinema and more, the Carolina Theatre remains an important cultural beacon of a growing region.

Social Media: Facebook & Instagram – @carolinatheatredurham; Twitter – @carolinadurham

EAT| Pizzeria Toro

We were ready for lunch after seeing the show at The Carolina Theatre. Since we were parked conveniently across the street in the free parking deck, we decided to walk around and find somewhere to eat. Downtown Durham has so many great places to dine but we decided to try a spot called Pizzeria Toro because it had wood fired pizz on the menu along with a great wine/beer list for us parents! They had a kids cheese pizza and hubby and I went with customizing our pizza by adding proscuitto. If you love thin crust, great quality cheese with a balance of fresh tomato sauce in a family friendly place with a trendy vibe, then go to Pizzeria Toro!

Name: Pizzeria Toro

Website: http://www.pizzeriatoro.com

Social Media: IG/Facebook/Twitter

@pizzeriatoro

Durham Arts Council/Durham Arts Walk

After lunch, we walked off all that delicious pizza by attending Durham Arts Walk/Spring Market, an annual spring festival that celebrates community and its artists. It’s a great event – everything is family friendly but they also had a special kids activity area on the second floor of the Durham Arts Council building. One of the favorite features is the Durham Art Walk Drawing, which features some wonderful prizes, including a family four pack for the Durham Bulls. Here is more about the event details on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/519407152025095/

Name: Durham Arts Council
Website: http://www.durhamarts.org
About Us: As Durham’s local nonprofit arts agency, the Durham Arts Council (DAC) serves artists, arts organizations and the general public. DAC serves the public through continuing education classes, artist programs, large events, and access to the DAC building 7 days a week, including rotating exhibits and special event venues. The arts community is served through grants of cash and space, teaching, performing and public art contracts, exhibit opportunities and technical assistance. As a private nonprofit service agency, the Durham Arts Council is uniquely positioned to partner extensively with other community agencies, including Durham Public Schools, Student U, Granville Education Foundation, Durham Parks and Recreation, Durham Area Designers, Duke University and North Carolina Central University. DAC recently launched a new veterans art program and is about to launch a new artist/arts organization public database. Additionally, DAC continues to lead the Durham SmART public art program in partnership with downtown stakeholders, the City of Durham and Downtown Durham Inc.
Social Media: Facebook & Twitter – @durhamarts; Instagram – @durham_arts

Discover Durham Visitors Center

While downtown, we stopped by the Discover Durham Visitor Center. This bright space has all Durham related info under one roof. They also have an interactive computer wall map, free cell phone charging station and clean bathrooms for visitors! While letting our cell phones recharge, my daughter used a sticky pad to participate in a wall where visitors are encouraged to leave their own personal messages celebrating Women’s History Month. This place is the ultimate resource for any visit to Durham. Sightseeing guides and maps are free for all. Knowledgeable staff are there with suggestions and ideas of how to curate a great day in the bull city. We picked up a free “mural guide” booklet that allowed us to explore many of the murals and enjoy plenty of photo ops.

SobeSavvy Tip: Find 5 murals and return with your cell phone photo proof to get a prize (a beer glass celebrating Durham being 150 years old)! How awesome is that?!

Name: Discover Durham

Address: 212 W Main St #101, Durham NC 27701

Website: https://www.discoverdurham.com/

Social Media: Facebook/Twitter/IG @DurhamNC

Jeddah’s Tea

When you leave the Discover Durham Visitor’s Center you must make your way to Jeddah’s Tea, a cozy black female-owned tea house that has quickly earned a special place in Durham. Cool, laid back vibes were present and they have a massive selections of local teas as well as teas from around the world. I ordered a Matcha Latte while hubby went for some hot chocolate. My daughter opted to have ice cream from The Parlour, which is just a couple of doors up from Jeddah’s Tea, so it was a win win for all. We were all just so happy to support local and I love their motto: Tea to the people, for the people

Name: Jeddah’s Tea

Website: https://jeddahstea.com

Social: Facebook/IG @jeddahstea

Durham Bulls Athletic Park

The Durham Bulls are one of the sport jewels of the triangle. Arguably the most iconic AAA baseball clubs in the nation located right here in the bull city. Saturday they held their annual Fan Fest at the stadium. We strolled the grounds, met the mascots, and sampled some ballpark gourmet food. Some attendees even were allowed on the field to take actual batting practice. The field looked great and will be ready for opening day on April 9th this year. I look forward to returning for a game or two this summer!

Name: Durham Bulls Baseball Club
Website: http://www.durhambulls.com
About Us: The Durham Bulls, Triple-A Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, are excited to
showcase giveaways, merchandise, specialty jersey designs and more as we approach
the 2020 season. The Durham Bulls open the 2020 season at home on Thursday, April 9 against the Charlotte Knights.
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram & Twitter – @durhambulls

EAT|BORICUA SOUL

Located adjacent to the Durham Bulls stadium, Boricua Soul has their first brick and mortar incarnation of their popular food truck that folks here in the triangle have loved for years. This family owned casual eatery combines the essence of the South with the flavor of Puerto Rico. We ordered some empanadas, a side of mac n cheese and their sopa de pollo. Served in a little metal pot, the soup presentation alone won me over! My daughter and husband really commented on how great the empanada crust tasted as well as the fillings. This was the perfect place to go nearby to our final stop that day in Durham.

Name: Boricua Soul
Website: http://www.boricuasoulnc.com
About Us: Boricua Soul merges favorites from both Puerto Rico and the South to create new and exciting dishes. Our Durham-grown food truck is excited to expand to the American Tobacco Campus.
Social Media: Instagram & Twitter – @boricuasoulnc; Facebook – @boricuasoul

Museum of Life + Science

This past Sunday, we headed to the Museum of Life + Science for a special event to commemorate International Women’s Day. It was called “Girl Powered Science: Inspiring The Next Generation of Scientists“. This event had multiple science tables where girls {and boys too} could participate in actual science experiments {cloud making anyone ?} and equally important speak with actual working female scientists, lab assistants and researchers. My daughter learned about DNA, weather formations and even more than she already knew about the pioneering women of the NASA space program. Almost every table was it’s own interactive project. I loved that I was exposing her to all the career opportunities and choices that formerly were not open to women.

We also explored more of the museum, including the cafe and even took a train ride around the grounds which was loads of fun for everyone. My daughter is an animal lover so she especially loved The Farmyard and seeing the butterflies in the Magic Wing Conservatory. There is always something new to see and do here, so a repeat visit is in our future!

Name: Museum of Life and Science
Website: http://www.lifeandscience.org
About Us: Located just north of downtown Durham, the Museum of Life and Science is one of North Carolina’s top family destinations. Situated on 84-acres, our interactive science park includes a two-story science center, one of the largest butterfly conservatories on the East Coast and beautifully landscaped outdoor exhibits which are safe havens for rescued black bears, lemurs, and endangered red wolves. Other popular attractions include over 60 species of live animals, Hideaway Woods, Dinosaur Trail, Ellerbe Creek
Railway, and Into the Mist.
Social Media: Facebook & Twitter – @lifeandscience; Instagram – @museumoflifeandscience

Durham,NC aka Bull City is rich in culture, and has plenty of things to do for everyone. If you are planning a visit here soon, I hope these Spring 2020 recommendations are helpful. Have you been to Durham,NC before? Do you have any family fun recommendations for our next visit? Please leave a comment below.

Thanks for reading!

Getting a selfie with the Durham Bull statue aka Major the Bull..is a must when visiting Durham aka Bull City!

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Looking for some hot stuff? Check out SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical @dpac @DonnaSummerBway #DonnaSummertheMusical #Durham

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Opening Night Review | SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical | Broadway’s Ultimate Disco Dance Party opens at DPAC on February 25th and runs through March 1st | SobeSavvy.com

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A must-see ELECTRIFYING TRIBUTE to a music diva who defined an era, broke barriers and inspired a generation! Leslie H., @SobeSavvy| SobeSavvy.com

The 1970’s gave the world a new music genre called Disco. This music gets a bad rap due to more than a few awful bands and singers. A few stand out. One singer came along in the late 70’s and instantly became ‘The Queen Of Disco”. Her name was LaDonna Adrian Gaines, better known as Donna Summer.

Production Photos courtesy of DPAC

See her story come to life in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, which opens at DPAC on February 25th through March 1, 2020. This production began a Broadway run in 2018. It received critical audience acclaim and the demand for Broadway’s Ultimate Disco Dance Party allowed for a North American Tour to begin on September 20, 2019.

The musical tells the story of the young girl from Boston with gospel roots who broke through all sorts of barriers to become the ultimate icon of disco and beyond! The score features over 20 of her classic hits to sing along to including “Hot Stuff”, “MacArthur Park” and “Bad Girls” to name a few. Her voice of a generation ended up being a voice for the ages and this musical does a great job in telling the story with 3 different Donna’s representing the stages in her life and musical career. Here’s a fun fact: Alex Hairston, an NC native plays Disco Donna! Each actress did a fantastic job in singing, dancing and portraying Donna in their own unique way!

Disco Donna (Alex Hairston), Diva Donna (Dan’yelle Williamson), Duckling Donna (Elease Hardy) | Production Photos courtesy of DPAC

Go and experience a disco party and musical tribute like no other in SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical. I made it a working date night and had so much fun!

For general event details, including the content advisory and age requirements, read here: https://www.dpacnc.com/events/detail/summer-the-donna-summer-musical
DPAC| Durham Performing Arts Center | 123 Vivian Street, Durham, North Carolina 27701|DPACnc.com

SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical opens at DPAC on February 25th and runs through March 1st

RECAP| Art of Cool Festival 2019 @AOCFest Ft. Jill Scott, Ari Lennox, Big Daddy Kane, RUN-DMC and more! #AOCFest

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Art of Cool Festival 2019 | Recap by SobeSavvy.com

Art of Cool Festival 2019 | Recap by SobeSavvy.com

Durham, NC was the place to be this past weekend (Friday, September 27-Sunday, September 29) for the 6th Annual Art Of Cool Festival also known as the AOCFest! This festival, which features great music, good food trucks,community engagement and sponsor activations, has quickly become the premiere late summer cultural experience that should not be missed!

PLAN YOUR STAY

Since SobeSavvy.com was there to provide local media coverage for the weekend, I decided to make it a workcation and checked into one of the official hotels of the AOCFest. The Aloft Durham Downtown proved to be an excellent choice with its urban style and comfort amenities PLUS it is the closest hotel to the festival’s main venue, Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Guests attending the festival were provided a special group rate if booked in advance. I definitely would plan ahead to stay here next year or anytime you want to Stay & Play in Durham!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B27LTcWn-oO/?igshid=turue3rlqx73

2019 LINEUP

Produced by The Dome Group LLC, AOCFest 2019 featured 20+ R&B, Neo-Soul, Hip-Hop, Jazz, alternative and spoken word artists at multiple venues in Durham.

FRIDAY

The Masonic Lodge is where various DJ parties were being held all weekend in one of their event rooms. DJ RNB was spinning and there was also a bar sponsored by Durham’s own Bedlam Vodka, who I had the pleasure of reviewing and sharing recipes >> here on my blog!

Later that evening, “Cooligans” were seen at the 2019 AOCFest Urban Vendor Market being held on Blackwell Street. Food Trucks along with a variety of vendors lined the closed down area. We had a few delicious shrimp tacos from @shrimptrucknc to fuel us up for the headliners at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park stadium next door.

We also did a little shopping at the 2019 AOCFest Urban Vendor Market and I purchased some organic Shea Butter products from Nailah’s Shea. I also ate chicken and waffles from Big C’s Waffles food truck. We also spotted “Thelma” from Good Times, Bernadette Stanis who had her books for sale and was taking pics with fans!

We arrived in time to see the group Black Violin were on the stage. A duo from Florida, this group takes classical violin training and combine it with a hip-hop twist.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/B272CFWHcSW/?igshid=1hg7apvp2u5s5

Next up was artist Ari Lennox. She is the first female signed to J.Cole’s record label. Fans got to hear and see her perform hits from her successful album entitled “Shea Butter Baby”. Her creative singing style and bold lyrics energized the crowd. Her future is limitless and as bright as her smile!

Up next was the the incomparable Miss Jill Scott. She has been an entire industry upon herself over the past almost 20 years. Album upon album of iconic poetry tinged R&B songs captured the attention of an entire generation. Her catalog is deep and she did not disappoint. Her stage presence is simply unmatched. She had the crowd in the palm of her hand. We sang the songs with her and just showered her with love and affection for all her music means to us. Great night to kick
off the festival.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B3DlpUVnDKt/?igshid=1x3mddvoqahze
SATURDAY
A stay at the Aloft Downtown Durham allowed for me to wake up to an awesome view of Diamond View Park at the American Tobacco Campus where Power Yoga, a free community engagement event hosted by The Art Of Cool Festival, was held at 10am & 11am on Saturday. Such a great way to start the day!

DJ Fatz took us back with a “2Pac vs Biggie” during a day party at Masonic Lodge. He did an awesome job blendiing two titans of rap by mixing their hits back to back. Every lyric to every hit record was sung by the festive crowd. Realizing how we lost both so young was sobering but celebrating their music was inspiring.

https://youtu.be/oO966ZzVbZY
We headed back to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park stadium for a night full of legendary hip-hop featuring
Big Daddy Kane, Whodini and RUN- DMC. Before they took the stage DJ
Skillz showed some amazing work on the 1’s and 2’s. He played everything from old school hip to new school R&B. This man truly is in a league of his own in the DJ world.

Big Daddy Kane feat. The Symphony took the stage looking and sounding amazing! Back like he never left, he
performed as if he has not lost a step. His rapping skills go from fast to slow and he rocked the mic no matter the tempo. He was joined on stage by his Bboy dancer, his little son showed of his moves too, and the legendary Cool G Rap was there for an epic performance of The Symphony. If you ever get a chance to see Big Daddy Kane live you will see there Ain’t No Half Steppin EVER with him!

https://www.instagram.com/tv/B2-kFNQnAJ6/?igshid=cs8y664hxoo5

Next up was the group Whodini, who blazed the stage performing hit after hit such as “Big Mouth”, “One Love”, “The Freaks Come Out At Night” and “Friends”. Lead rapper Jalil did come out in his signature Zorro style hat and the ladies went wild!

By the time RUN-DMC took the stage, the electricity of anticipation was in the air. Rap was still in it’s infancy during the mid 80’s and RUN-DMC almost single handidly was responsible for rap crossing over to
mainstream America. Every successful rapper owe them a debt of gratitude. Time stood still during their set. It was as if they transported all of us back to the 80’s. Their catalog of hit records is immense. They only performed a sampling of them with “King Of Rock”, “It’s Tricky”, “Peter Piper”, “Run’s House” and many more! The crowd showed their love by coming dressed in Adidas, or rocking RUN DMC tees. Even AOCFest was selling “RUN AOC” tshirts to honor the group and he festival. RUN DMC are true icons that are rightly revered as some of the founders of Hip-Hop.

The festival ended on Sunday with a VIP Brunch featuring The Hamiltones that took place at the Durham Convention Center.

If I had one word to describe the Art Of Cool Festival 2019 it would be DOPE! Amazing weekend and phenomonal performances. The AOCFest once again proved that with the right mix of artists and audience, you can expect a dope cultural experience. 👀 Watch my full recap video for more fun highlights

For more information on the 2019 Art of Cool Festival (AOCFest), visit aocfestival.com.

Twitter: @AOCFest #AOCFest

Instagram: @AOCFest #AOCFest

Facebook: Facebook.com/AOCFest

Spotify: AOCFest Playlists

********Read previous AOCFest recap coverage >>>here

Did you attend AOCFest this year? If YES, who did you enjoy most? If NO, which artist would you have been most excited to see?

#DateNight Ideas|Plan a Havana Nights Theme Night Out in #Durham @amendolacigars @CubanRevolution

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It’s Friday night and my 7 year old has plans to go on her first sleepover, so I let my creative juices flow and planned a Date Night Out for my husband and I. The Theme: Havana Nights. The Place: Durham,NC …but first I had to get date night ready and shop for the perfect outfit. I hit up a thrift store for these Cuban inspired fashions.

DATE NIGHT OUTFIT

Red Dress + Heels by Jessica Simpson + Bracelet + Hair Flower Accessory and Printed Shirt for Him from Carolina Thrift

This Mama is date night ready!

Residents living in The Triangle are blessed to have a plethora of choices when it comes to date night. Durham was our area of choice this Friday night because its a vibrant city that has been in the midst of an urban renaissance over the past 10 years and it continues. There are a multitude of bars, lounges and hot spots all over Bull City. So we got in the car and headed to Downtown Durham. My husband made a customized Latin Jams playlist on Spotify for us to jam to along the way! My new fave is by Will Smith/Marc Antony/Bad Bunny! Have you heard it? Take a look and listen here ⤵️

Lounging at Amendola Family Cigar Co.

Living in Miami for almost 20 years, my husband and I grew an appreciation for cigars. However it is a pastime that we just don’t get a chance to indulge in as parents. I knew surprising him with a visit to Amendola Family Cigar Co. would be a great place to kick off our date night!

This local down-to-earth cigar lounge is a converted house with a full size walk in humidor and also a fire pit on the front patio that welcomes cigar aficionados to sit fireside and relax with their favorite cigar. It is the brainchild of founder Jeff Amendola. Originally from Bronx, NY. he states…”My interest in cigars created a bigger monster, collecting cigar boxes! In 2010, I decided to put my fascination and love for cigars into action and started my own cigar manufacturing business! I want the cigar smokers in my community and beyond to experience a fresh hand rolled cigar without having to go to Cuba, The Dominican Republic, or cities like Miami to enjoy a fresh hand rolled cigar.” Jeff invited us to try out two of their cigars. A full bodied Maduro for my husband and the Sweet Carolina, a mild cigar with a sugar tip, for me.

We sat and chatted over a glass of bourbon and rum (the lounge is BYOB} for about an hour while Jeff walked us through their business and supply line from Honduras. Only premium Honduran leaf and some in his line have Cuban seed. They sell cigars from Chocolate to Bold and everything in between! The lounge also offers various memberships that allow patrons to have their own custom name plated locker where they can keep their stash of cigars and libation secure on the premises. The comfy atmosphere and choices make Amendola the go to spot on a date night or just when you want to sit solo and reflect in a relaxing space. It’s the perfect place to pregame, end the night or just unwind anytime. Be sure to check them out and follow on Instagram @amendolafamilycigars.

Dinner at Cuban Revolution Durham

Let’s face it, when you mention NC, the words “latin” is not the first thing to come to one’s mind. Lucky for us we were invited to try out a restaurant called Cuban Revolution located in Durham’s Warehouse District on Blackwell Street. A stone’s throw from the DPAC and Durham Bulls Stadium, this restaurant/bar had quite a vibe on a Friday night!

Their menu covers the very best of Cuban cuisine. You can choose to get a few tapas and cocktails or a full blown dinner. The iconic Cuban Sandwich is front and center. All their sandwiches are made on pressed authentic Cuban bread. They also had different pork entrees in the Cuban tradition.

We started off our Havana Nights culinary adventure with two cocktails and two tapas : Mango Mojito • Caipirihna • Fried Green Beans • Gambas Ajo. The tapas were a recommendation of our server named Demi. She was quite helpful and knowledgeable of the menu. We decided to share a Havana Pork Platter. The pork is slow roasted in Mojo and Adobo served with rice, beans and plantains. It was just enough for the both of us to have room for some of their Key Lime Cheescake and a Cafe Cubano.

SobeSavvy Tip: Every Friday and Saturday night a band starts at 9:30pm, so make plans to enjoy a live performance with your meal. For more info, follow on Instagran @cubanrevolution

👀Watch YouTube Video of Highlights from our Date Night In Durham -“Havana Nights”❤

➡️As parents, date nights are rare, so I wanna know, on your last date night, where did you go? Let me know in the comments below!⤵️


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Celebrate #NationalVodkaDay with @BedlamVodka + Try this Fall #Vodka #CocktailRecipe

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October is here?! Can you believe it. Seems like the summer has gone by so quickly, which is why I try to make the most of every season. Life in general is to be celebrated and I like making the most of any occasion.

Today I am celebrating National Vodka Day and sharing with you a Fall cocktail recipe using Bedlam Vodka. Based in Durham, NC, Bedlam has a unique smooth flavor profile and was recently voted top 10 by USA Today as one of the 10 Best Craft Vodka Distilleries in the United States! A panel of 7 distinguished spirits experts from throughout the US nominated the final 10 distilleries and it was a proud moment to see my fave that is made here locally on the list! One taste and you will see why this vodka is an outstanding base for a myriad of different cocktails recipes as well as great served chilled by its self.

Fall means shorter days and a chill in the air (although here in NC, we are forcasted for high 80s this week). It also means fans of cocktail culture get a chance to indulge in seasonal favorites. Now I do enjoy Bedlam all year long, but I like to make one of my favorite cocktails for friends in celebration of the arrival of Autumn.

Hubby likes to mix things up for our patio chats and this time he created what I like to call “The Fall Harvest“. Served in traditional mule copper mug, the recipe is below:

THE FALL HARVEST COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS

Fresh Lime Juice
Ginger Beer
Apple Cider
Bedlam Vodka
half slice Fuji Apple on Top

●Shake ingredients and pour over ice filled Copper Mug and top w/apple

It’s an awesome fall cocktail for the season! Check out more Bedlam Vodka cocktail recipes here: https://bedlamvodka.com/cocktails/

Thank you for reading and please let me know in the comments below what cocktail will you be enjoying this Fall? Cheers🥃!