Lights Out for my Underground RDU Blog

Hey everybody,

Life is calling. Between ministry service, a new family business, my other blog, my YT channel, plus being a wife and (soon) a foster parent, I'm finally realizing some of my projects have to come to an end. And small as it might seem, simply knowing this Underground RDU blog is here, waiting, begging for more regular updates, is just more than my brain cells can handle! 

Slowly, I'm whittling away at some other personal projects too, because I need and have a deep desire to be more spiritually and creatively focused. I want to go hard after the things God has called me to do, and pursue the things I really enjoy. Sadly, this blog simply didn't survive the cut.

I'm not one for long goodbyes, but to the 10 or so of you who follow this blog, I believe it's only right and fair to give you a fond and respectful, "Farewell!" Thanks for reading and commenting, and keep enjoying your days in and around this beautiful state!  I love NC.

Peace,
Shoni Freeman

African-American Cultural Festival, Labor Day Weekend

I'm a festival fiend. Yes, it's true. I used to go to street fairs all the time when I lived in NYC, and if they had them in my hometown of San Angelo, TX, I would have been all over it!

Photo Source

Fellow festival fiends, I just found out about this African-American Cultural Festival taking place this weekend, Sat, Sept 1-Sun, Sept 2, in Downtown Raleigh. It's all happening at the historic and revitalized Fayetteville Street. From the festival's main website:

The inaugural Festival was held on September 4 and 5, 2010 and exceed everyone's expectations, with more than 15,000 in attendance. The 2011 Labor Day Festival brought more than 23,000 people downtown and featured two dozen juried artists and vendors, a Family Village with crafts and entertainment geared toward children, and local and national musical acts on the Main Stage on City Plaza.

In the two years since they started, I haven't visited this festival yet, but it sounds like a growing event with plenty to see and do.  Apparently it has a little something for everyone, including dance, inspirational rap, jazz, quilt history, two food courts (aw snap!), and an arts-and-crafts market.

If you've been to this festival before, please comment and let me know what to look for when I go. After all, sharing is caring. ;-)

My neglected blog... and a quick update!

It's so SAD how I've neglected this little blog. I've been so busy enjoying myself in RDU and points nearby, I haven't really taken the time to post about it like I should. That said, let me break down three little things which are going on locally, or just a short drive away:

Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC
Photo Source/Credit

1) Are you ready for some footbaaaaall?! DH and I are hoping to get in a little Panthers action this year. With Charlotte only a quick two-hour drive from RDU, it might be just the thing to usher in the fall sports season. Be warned -- tickets are a pricey! For the Panthers-Cowboys game on Oct 21, 2012, nosebleed tickets start at around $115 a pop, and that's not even near the 50-yard line.

Mmm... doesn't that look healthy!
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2) Taste the Sweet Frog. So you'd basically have to be a hermit to not notice all the frozen yogurt spots popping up around our area. There are many to choose from, but my favorite so far is Sweet Frog, particularly the location at Plantation Point (BJ's complex off Capital Blvd). They run specials every day, it's kid-friendly and date-night friendly, and the customer service thus far has been great. (Although it may sound like it, no I don't work for them. I just love this spot.)

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3) Wanna dance? Now that you've had your fill of frozen yogurt, burn off some of those calories with a FREE group dance fitness session at one of your local Raleigh parks! While walking the other day, I met a  nice rep from the City of Raleigh who filled me in on the city's Dancing in the Park program. At the Spring Forest location, it will be on Thursdays starting Aug 23 (through Oct). Did I mention it's free? It's happening all over town, including a Michael Jackson themed dance on Aug 27 in Chavis Park.

And now, back to work I go...
Shones