durham

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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#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

đź‘€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!⤵️


CONNECT WITH ME – Leslie at SobeSavvy.com Facebook |YouTube| Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

Event Recap | The Art of Cool Festival 2018 – 5th Yr Anniversary @aocfest #AOCFEST | by SobeSavvy.com

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The Art of Cool Festival 2018 has come to a close, but we here at SobeSavvy.com was fortunate to attend and share with you some of the magical moments from #AOCFEST. There has been so much growth since we attended the Art of Cool Fest in 2015, and I am so glad to be apart of highlighting this amazing festival. This past weekend, we celebrated the 5th Anniversary of this great music festival that brings jazz-inspired music, artists and all the Cooligans together in Downtown Durham, NC. Trust me, you don’t want to miss next year!

This year the AOCFEST experience was expanded to include Jazz, R&B, Hip Hop and Soul performances by renowned artists from around the world! 20+ artists, 6 venues, 1 price to enjoy: Live Music Concerts, shop from local vendors at the Urban Street Market, dance, mingle and network at the various Day Parties, savor Durham cuisine from the featured Food Trucks and quench your thirst at the Beergarden. The AOCFEST 2018 truly had something for everyone. It’s an amazing sensory experience you must see, taste, hear, and feel!

DAY 1- SEPT 28

The fun began on Friday with the arrival of music lovers to Downtown Durham. Festival goers could shop for some official merch at Wristband City, grab a cocktail, and listen to live music at various pop ups and attend free Innovate Your Cool seminars / workshops focused on Innovation, Music and Culture. I caught at DJ set on the rooftop at Unscripted Hotel where The Lux Blog held a meet-up mixer to welcome everyone including bloggers/social media influencers to the Art of Cool festival. It was a vibe!

Downtown Durham is a walkable city and the perfect place to host the AOCFEST because all the venues are conveniently within walking distance to each other. Just a couple of blocks over from Unscripted, I was able to catch MeShell N’degeocello at the Carolina Theater. She is a talented singer and musician who reminded us in the audience that although the lighting was not ideal, MUSIC. IS. SOMETHING. YOU. FEEL. She took us down memory lane by singing her funky smooth renditions of Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam “I Wonder If I Take You Home”, Al B. Sure “Night & Day” and TLC ‘s “Waterfalls” along with her classic song “Grace” from her album Bitter.

Maxwell headlined at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, which is new on this list as an official AOCFEST stage. Everyone who was either seated in the stadium watching his concert from the jumbo screen or on the field could see his moves and feel his groove! There were so many favorite songs by the incomparable male singer that turned into a sing-a-long, such as “Pretty Wings”, “Bad Habits” and “Fortunate”.

Watch Video Highlights of Photo Recap from Day 1 As Seen on the Scene by SobeSavvy.com! ⤵️

Day 2 – SEPT 29

Downtown Durham was the place to be for the second and last day of music and festivities. Even if you were not going to the concerts, there were so many ways to support the community and enjoy the amazingly cool city of Durham. A 90’s style vintage pop up party hosted by The Key to Style was my first stop before heading to the heart of the Bull City. CCB Plaza, near the iconic bull statue, is where emerging artists performed cyphers and Hip Hop radio station K97.5 held a block party showcasing local talent.

From there, I took a short walk to Pinhook, an iconic live music venue in Durham perfectly sized for intimate performances. Durham’s own Zoo Cru were up first. This quartet of musicians jammed out to their own unique sounds that is really beyond description. Not electronica and not R&B but a subtle blend of both. I love to support local, so I enjoyed my first listen from this popular band.

Next up at Pinhook was renowned trumpeter Keyon Harrold. He has done music and horns for A listers such as Beyonce and JayZ over the years. In addition, Mr. Harrold did the music for the hollywood movie “Miles”, so his resume is unmatched. Wynton Marsalis has called him “The Future of the Trumpet”. He did not dissapoint. His breath control and range were simply amazing. He was paired with a female vocalist which added a different angle to his horn. Unique and dynamic music is just one of the many things you will always experience at AOCFEST.

What’s a festival without the opportunity to shop from a variety of vendors? The Urban Market, set up on Blackwell Street, was the answer for those of us who like to shop local. Vendors were on hand selling quality products such as clothing, artwork, accessories and natural body care products, like my favorite Nailah Shea. Enthusiastic and stylish crowds took advantage of the warm, sunny afternoon in the Bull City. It was fun for the whole family!

My AOCFEST experience ended with seeing the one and only Erykah Badu, who is the first female to headline the Art of Cool Festival. Nas had just rocked the mic and said goodnight as i was entering the stadium. Before Ms.Badu came to the stage at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, the crowd heard from the new President and VP of The Art of Cool Festival, Sulaiman and Lesleigh Mausi, Founders of The DOME Group, LLC. They thanked the sponsors and all the fans for a fabulous Art of Cool Festival weekend.

Ms. Badu came to the stage with her big hat, her big hair to match her big voice and asked..”Brothers, how y’all feel? Sistahs, y’all alrite” ? She really needed no introduction because her energy fills up any atmosphere. Erykah Badu almost single handidly created the genre called “Neo Soul”. Her music, style and delivery of colorful lyrics has made her one of the most unique talents of our time! Fans filled up Durham Bulls Athletic Park and joined together to celebrate her greatness which like her song, goes “On and On”.

Watch Video Highlights of Photo Recap from Day 2 As Seen on the Scene by SobeSavvy.com! ⤵️

Electric ending to another exciting and informative Art Of Cool Festival. The AOCFEST is one of the best music festivals that gets better every year. Be sure to check out aocfestival.com • #AOCFEST and make plans to visit Durham, NC to experience the Art of Cool Festival next year! Congratulations again to Art of Cool Festival for 5 years strong!

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!

Event Recap |Fun Times at #GalentinesDayPJBrunch !Celebrating #GalentinesDay in #Raleigh #NC

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Product gifted to SobeSavvy.com by Bedlam Vodka, Hard Candy and Lit Cosmetics

I have never celebrated Galentine’s Day before until this past Saturday when the lovely Nekeyeta Newkirk (Raleigh’s BBU Director, Stylist & Blogger @the_key2style) invited me along with some fellow bloggers and closest friends to a Galentine’s Day Pajama Jam Brunch. I love a great theme party as well as a chance to fellowship with other creatives, so I found me some PJs (shout out Carolina Thrift) and was ready to network and party! But first, I got in a quick mini photoshoot at home because that’s what we bloggers do!

Pajama Set: Soma Intimates, Embraceable Pajama Pants + Top French Scroll Black | Lipstick: Hard Candy Fierce Effects Matte , Crave

If you are like me and never celebrated Galentine’s Day before, it occurs on February 13 and its a chance for women to get together with their friends and celebrate sisterhood, friendship, Valentine’s Day and self-love! It’s a chance to connect with your tribe and support each other. We did all of that over some amazing food and drink of course. Take a look:

THE FOOD + DRINK

The Brunch menu was an amazing fusion of island and southern cuisine with buttermilk waffles including donut, blueberry and red waffle flavors and savory chicken wings sponsored by Big C Waffles + delicious strawberry cupcakes provided by Southern Lady Sweets ! Cohost Laing of Laing & Co., @justlaing, brought the vibes of the island with her saltfish and jerk chicken. Other brunch items like grits, andouille sausage, dumplings, eggs were also on the buffet style spread.

Sangria and speciality cocktails made with Durham’s own Bedlam Vodka were available to enjoy. I highly suggest when you are going to a party and asked to bring an adult beverage, #BringTheBedlam! And feel free to make this Galentine Martini aka Galentini to celebrate on Galentine’s Day or anytime!

THE GIFT BAGS

Parties can be a drag without some kinda of swag..that is a gift bag for your guests to take home to remember how fun it was! The #GalentinesPJBrunch had some great swag bag sponsors. Make sure you check out these brands and upcoming projects:

Original Artwork from @Millifemme

Candles from @habibaloveskenton

Satin Bonnets from @captivatingcaps

Shea Butter Bath Soaps from @nailahs_shea

Upcoming Events

Darkness Rising Project ~ @castcarlita

Upcoming event @baabsbeauty

Upcoming event @shopnoblecompanion

I would like to thank the following SobeSavvy.com gift bag sponsors for the ‘Galentines Day Pajama Jam Brunch’. We randomnly selected a few ladies to go home with the following goodies:

Bedlam Vodka crew super soft t-shirts + Bedlam Vodka mini bottles | @bedlamvodka #bedlamvodka #bringthebedlam

Hard Candy cosmetics | @hardcandylife #hardcandymakeup #hardcandylife

Lit Cosmetics | @litcosmetics #LITCOSMETICS Follow Facebook: www.facebook.com/litcosmetics

…And Crabtree Valley Mall (where I recently went shopping for #MyVioletValentineseries and dining at Brio for Valentine’s Day Preview) and picked up sample goodies from Belk, complimentary dining coupons from Brio and some Crabtree and Evelyn hand cream.

We all had a wonderful time filled with laughs, good eats, great conversation, dancing and pictures of course. Find more of the fun at #GalentinesPJBrunch #BlogBaeBrunch, my instastories @SobeSavvy and my YouTube recap. Until next time ladies…

The Galentines Day PJ Brunch 2018 in Raleigh,NC was so much fun!

Have you celebrated Galentine’s Day before. How do you plan to celebrate this year? Let me know below and Happy Galentine’s & Valentines’s Day to you! đź’–đź’śđź’–

Hosting a #SuperbowlParty? Pick up a Party Pack of delicious BBQ & more from @CityBarbeque #Durham

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 Photos courtesy of City BARBEQUE unless otherwise stated

*Thanks to our friends at City Barbeque Durham , we here at SobeSavvy got a chance to do some pre-gaming and sampled a Party Pack to facilitate the following review.

Ready for the big game? My team didn’t make the Superbowl this year so I will soak my tears in what else ? BBQ of course !

Kickoff your Superbowl Sunday with my favorite local BBQ restaurant.. City BBQ https://www.citybbq.com/

They offer the best BBQ in the Triangle and beyond. Sliced to order Brisket, Pork BBQ and Ribs just to name a few. Their menu is quintessential BBQ.

According to their website..” All of our meats are smoked on-site at each restaurant, hand rubbed with spices, and take upwards of 18 hours to become pure barbeque perfection. Our employees prepare our sides throughout the day from scratch in the restaurant and give it the same attention they would give to their own family. This is barbeque in its truest form, created by people who are dedicated to doing it right ”

The love shows through and through. The beautiful smoked meats have a flavor that can only be described as, well indescribable !

Since the Superbowl is usually watched in a party atmosphere, City Barbeque can cater to any size crowd small or large.Check out their Party Pack

We chose pulled pork and brisket. Both are scrumptious. I fell in love w/brisket many years ago when I had my first taste in West Texas. City BBQ does not like to say they are Memphis, Southern or western BBQ. What they do say and I can attest to is that they are AWESOME BBQ !!

They also have shareables which are large size appetizers.We had their REAL hand cut french fries..with cheese..and bacon..CHEESE BACON FRIES! Enough to share, enough to keep to yourself..your choice !

We got also got full slab ribs. It comes in a special “rib sleeve” which while not microwaveable can be used heat them back up in the oven inside the sleeve.

Sides 

We tried peach cobbler. It’s made in house every day. I wanted to try it w/some ice cream but it disappeared so quick. Everyone said they loved it so I never got a chance !

We washed all this goodness down with a few of the craft sodas. The Bruce Cost Ginger Ale is made with 100% fresh ginger!

Put it all together and what do you get?  TOUCHDOWN…A plate full of goodness! 

Don’t forget sign up for their City Rewards https://www.citybbq.com/rewards/ where you Earn 1 point for every dollar spent on qualifying purchases when you scan your City Rewards app, or let us look you up via phone number when you visit City Barbeque. Special offers for those who download and use the app: Free Drink right away, Free piece of Triple Chocolate Cake on 2nd visit when you use the app, Bonus $5 reward on 3rd visit when you use the app, did we mention “use the app”… use it for maximum rewards!

So let City BBQ be the MVP of your SuperBowl Party!

‘Music, Love, Laughs’ Recap of #LoveJonesTheMusical @DPAC #lovejonesmusical #NC 

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A generation ago, Generation Xers fell hard for a timely realistic urban love story that was the movie entitled, Love Jones. The movie made stars of it’s two main characters portrayed by actors Lorenz Tate and Nia Long. The movie was stylish with poetry reading and a iconic soundtrack that captured the mood of the late 1990’s. We all wished we could feel like that again. We wait no more !

Love Jones The Musical, a stage adaptation of one of the greatest urban films of all time, is touring the US and SobeSavvy.com was invited to review it last night at DPAC in Durham, NC. I am a big fan of this iconic movie and was thrilled to be apart of the 20th anniversary celebration of the film.My guest and I were ready to sing the songs and recite the poetry we all came to know and love, however MC Lyte made the audience aware that:  a) this is not the movie but a musical so expect lots of music b) there will be no poetry from the movie c) there will be no Nia Long or Lorenz Tate but if you want to see them,  watch the movie at home! The audience laughed along and was ready to have a great time!

Originally released as a movie in 1997, Love Jones became a cult classic that captured the imagination of an entire generation! Ask any culturally-aware man or woman over the age of 30 about Love Jones and you will almost certainly encounter a nostalgic, almost reverent, retelling of the classic, yet gritty, love story of Darius and Nina. The brand recognition of this title, amongst the core demographic, is astonishingly universal.
The screenplay, written and directed by Theodore Witcher, brings the title of the movie to life with the help of musical stars Musiq Soulchild, Chrisette Michele, Marsha Ambrosius, MC Lyte, Dave Hollister and Raheem DeVaughn ! Also Michel’le , who recently shared her story in the movie “Surviving Compton” on Lifetime, was there and sung one of my favorite songs “Something In My Heart” ! These stars all have a recognizable catalog of hits which truly made Love Jones – the Musical an event and had us all singing in our seats! 

This show is full of great music and dancing, and is produced with the size and scale of a concert, only with a theme. And that theme is the telling of a classic story that captured the hearts and minds of an entire generation of music and movie lovers.Tony Grant and Chrisette Michele did an amazing job telling the iconic and classic love story of Darius & Nina in Love Jones, the Musical.  I highly recommend seeing it and experiencing a night of r&b , hip hop and soul when Love Jones The Musical comes to your city. 
SobeSavvy tip : If you live in North Carolina, you have more chances to see this show tonight in Charlotte Oct 20 and Fayetteville Nov 9

For more information please go to www.LoveJonesTheMusical.com

To learn what is up next at DPAC, check out www.DPACnc.com 

#Durham enjoys a night of #RetroSoul @DPAC w/@LeonBridges & @LianneLahavas #ComingHome Tour

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A little more than a year ago Leon Bridges http://leonbridges.com/music-and-video/ was a 23 year old dishwasher in Dallas/Ft.Worth, Texas. He played whatever gigs he could get at local coffee houses there on the side. Tonight he performed before thousands at the DPAC arena in Durham http://www.dpacnc.com/ What a difference a year makes!

He put two of his songs on the Sound Cloud music platform last year that garnered the attention of Columbia Records who promptly signed him to do an album. While his first album was in production, he built further buzz during last year’s SXSW festival in Austin. He was THE topic of the entire festival and his following grew. His debut album entitled, “Coming Home” was released in June 2015. He had arrived. The Album’s title piece became a hit. The album was recorded on Analog straight to tape. This old school method {which D’Angelo also used for his underground album “Messiah”}captures a richness that digital simply cannot. He has been compared to Sam Cooke and the comparison is valid.

Lianne la Havas, http://www.liannelahavas.com/ the acoustic folk alternative singer/guitarist opened for him. This British ingĂ©nue has carved out her own little niche amongst her fans. Her crisp playing and song bird delivery was a delight to behold. She performed a few songs from her grammy nominated album, “Blood”. Instead of wardrobe changes, Lianne changed acoustic guitars 3 times during her set! It was A great beginning to a wonderful evening.

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The headliner was up next. Leon’s smooth delivery and stage presence was magnetic. His clothing; bowling shirt and polished brown saddle shoes are an important part of bringing the 50’s and 60’s back to life. But garb alone is not enough for long term success. His talent is unique. He commanded the stage and had the audience in a soul induced trance. I was pulled into the rhythm of his guitar and yesteryear voice. Warm and rich like a warm mug of cocoa on a cold winter evening. Leon is different than everything else out there today and THAT is a good thing indeed.

Photographs of The Grand Opening of the Bohemian Garden @Boheme_Durham #beergarden

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On Sunday July 10, 2016, SobeSavvy.com joined guests for the official grand opening of the Bohemian Garden courtyard at Boheme , Durham’s newest  farm-to-table restaurant .  

The event, which featured an all you can eat Luau BBQ and live music in a dog friendly environment, took place in its lush garden patio area. A casually stylish crowd showed up to enjoy a beautiful late afternoon in their zen like outdoor space.

Beer, wine, and liquor beverages were available for purchase as well.  The bar also had tropical cocktails to go with the polynesian cuisine themed spread. A jazzy quartet kept the mood fun while all the guests and their four legged friends had fun. A true sanctuary and the perfect place to enjoy a warm summer evening as seen here in my video montage : 

Hope your enjoyed the photos and make sure Boheme and their garden patio are on your must to do list this summer !!

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#RuPaulBOTS Make ‘Herstory’ @DPAC RuPaul’s Drag Race Battle of the Seasons:2016 #Extravaganza Tour @RuPaulBots

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As you may have seen in Huffington Post , the Queens made history (well HERstory) by coming to Durham, NC and facing the challenges of the discriminatory HB2 law.
They came, they slayed, they conquered… and performed an amazing show!

RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE” FAN FAVORITES are on the road FOR LARGEST “BATTLE OF THE SEASONS” TOUR YET, TRAVELING TO 57 GLOBAL MARKETS which included A STOP AT DPAC MAY 22, 2016 .

Producer Entertainment Group and Sidecar Management, in conjunction with World of Wonder and Logo TV, announced the return of the world’s biggest touring drag revue, based on international mega­hit TV franchise “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (RPDR). Seeing this extravaganza up close was an opportunity I could not miss! I especially liked seeing the unscripted, unexpected SNATCH GAME live!

The “Battle of the Seasons” tour, now in its third consecutive year of growth, was hosted by series judge Michelle Visage and included an all­star cast of past winners, runners up and fan favorites from each season of RPDR, including: *Adore Delano, *Alaska, BenDeLaCreme, *Courtney Act, *Ginger Minj, Ivy Winters, Jinkx Monsoon, Katya, Manila Luzon, *Miss Fame, Pandora Boxx, *Phi Phi O’hara, Sharon Needles, *Violet Chachki and Willam to name a few. (Lineup varies by city and is subject to change. Check local listings for expected performers. *These were the performers at DPAC) In addition, select cities will feature an opening DJ set by Pearl.
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“Last year the world got merely a taste of RuPaul’s queens with the first global Battle of the Seasons Tour,” said Michelle Visage, host of the “Battle of the Seasons” tour and permanent judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race. “This year we are back, and these ladies are bigger and badder than before! Get ready for the ULTIMATE RuPaul’s Drag Race experience from the minute you walk through the doors. It is a once ­in­ a ­lifetime extravaganza that you will NOT want to miss!”

The “Extravaganza” tour began with a 14­ city Europe cycle launching from Antwerp, Belgium on March 17, 2016. The second leg of the tour kicked off in Seattle, Washington on April 19, 2016 and is crossing the United States and Canada with 43 stops.
We got to witness the eleganza and gag on the shade of it all in a night of unforgettable music and madness with the world’s most talented drag performers!
•    Ticket information for the 58­ date “RuPaul’s Drag Race Battle of the Seasons: 2016 Extravaganza Tour” is available now at www.RuPaulBOTS.com.

Follow the “RuPaul’s Drag Race: Battle of the Seasons” tour on Twitter, Instagram  and Facebook @RuPaulBOTS and join the conversation by using #RuPaulBOTS #Extravaganza. For more information visit: http://rupaulbots.com/.

Here is my photo montage featuring a few photos taken of the fans, the fun and the fierceness seen on the scene by SobeSavvy.com ! Enjoy!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFwDF3SiXN3/

 

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