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!
Photo credit

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.)

Photo credit

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

For the Foodies: Mawa's Taste of Africa

Mawa's Taste of Africa

Few things compare to the aroma of my mother-in-law's kitchen when she's making Liberian food -- so flavorful, spicy, and hearty. But she lives up north so I only get to enjoy cassava with palm butter, rice bread, and slap-yourself-silly pepper sauce a few times a year. On occasion, hubby makes a big ol' pot of the jollof rice (a.k.a. "that guuud rice", as it's been coined by my Southern friends). So boy was I pleased when I came across Mawa's on Yelp! I went with some coworkers and what a treat.

Mawa's is a cozy little place with a huge menu, so make sure you look online before you go, lest you end up dazed and drooling at the table. Rather than re-write the whole thing, check out my review on Yelp (see the gadget on this page), and if you go (or have already visited), please let me know what you think. In a nutshell, Mawa's combines attentive customer service with a wide selection of foods to suit any palatte (even the highly-Americanized) in a comfortable, casual atmosphere. Everything the reviews said about Mawa herself being a great hostess is true.

This place is not exactly like mommy's or hubby's cookin', but it's mighty good.

'via Blog this'

Upcoming Events - US Open, Blazen, DIESEL, & Cosby

Andy Roddick's killer serve! Aug 23, 2011 @ Winston-Salem Open
Photo Credit: Susan Mullane/camerawork usa

Wow, it's been a long time. Forgive me, ya'll. It's been a busy 12 months.

Friends have mentioned that we don't share enough of what's going on around town. So without further delay, here are some events going on around the Triangle and slightly beyond.

THE WINSTON-SALEM OPEN - August 20-27, 2011, Winston-Salem
This week-long event is part of the US Open Tennis series, which culminates in NYC next week.  A friend and I attended this event Tuesday, and I have to tell you -- if you're anywhere in this area and enjoy tennis action, this is a must-go event. For less than $40/ticket, we saw some of the best players in Men's tennis from around the world, including Americans Roddick, Isner, Blake, etc. Tickets are a little higher for this weekend. The court is quite intimate. You can experience 135 MPH serves less than 30 feet from you. It was so exciting, with great players, perfect weather, and a relaxing atmosphere! I just checked (4:30 pm ET) and you can still get tickets for tonight or tomorrow's events. FYI, Winston-Salem is less than a 2-hour drive from Raleigh.

D.I.E.S.E.L. Back to School Event - Saturday, September 17, 2011, Durham
I'm extremely excited in anticipation of this event, which is being hosted by my church. I've posted before about the Power Of The Tongue Cafe, and open mic poetry/ministry arts event for adults.  D.I.E.S.E.L. is a back to school night for youth age 13-19, as well as youth pastors/leaders. It's going to be an awesome day of spoken word, mime, dance, Christian rap, workshops and food... and did I mention it's free? For more information, please search "D.I.E.S.E.L." on Facebook or go to cupofsalvation.org.

BLAZEN - Saturday, September 10, 2011, Raleigh
We went last year with a couple of youth, and I have every intention of being there again this year. I'm hoping I can get a whole crew of people to roll with me. This is taking place at the Catch the Fire Center on Leesville Road, just off 540. Per an email I received from one of the team members:

"Please understand that we are NOT a dance team, we use dance and other forms of the arts to express God's heart to a generation that has grown weary of typical pulpit messages. Our heart is to see a generation awakened to the reality of God and see their hearts SET ABLAZE to forever burn for Jesus Christ." 

Here's a sample...

This is going to be soooooo good.

BILL COSBY - January 21, 2012, Live @ DPAC in Durham
It's hard to find live clean comedy, but I'm hoping Cos will fit the bill (ha). It's been a long time since I've seen Cosby, but it's certainly worth checking out. Plus, I've yet to visit the Durham Performing Arts Center and would like to see the inside of that gorgeous building. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Friday, Aug 26, 2011.

POTT Montage 10/2/10 at OneTrueMedia.com

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My church hosted an open mic this past Saturday. It was absolutely amazing! Here's a little montage I put together from our spring event (March 2010).

Corrine Bailey Rae in RTP

Ahhh, my posts have been so sparse! News of the illustrious Corrine Bailey Rae coming to RTP brought me out of the cocoon. She'll be at Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill, Thursday, September 9, 2010.