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.

Free Drive-In Movies

Poyner Place in Raleigh is offering free drive in movies on Thursday nights from now through the month of October. From the line-up on their official website, it looks like just about everything is family-friendly. Follow up on Friday nights with live music at the pond at Poyner Place, and your weekend is off to a great start!

Triangle Restaurant Week

Been chomping at the bit to visit the 42nd Street Oyster Bar off Glenwood South, but you lack the cash flow to really enjoy it? Look no further!

Triangle Restaurant Week is just days away. From May 17-23, the list of fabulous restaurants at this website will offer an one appetizer + one entree + one dessert for a flat rate of $15 (lunch) or $25 (dinner). This is quite the deal for some of these restaurants and worth checking out on date night with your love muffin or with coworkers/friends. With options in restaurants all across the Triangle, there's bound to be one near you.

Dance Festival in Chapel Hill - May 1, 2010

Looking for something to do this weekend? If I didn't already have solid plans, I would probably be attending the Arts On The Green Fair and Dance Festival this weekend in Chapel Hill. I enjoy dance in many forms, and this event sounds like a sure bet with performances in ballet, Bollywood, Brazilian Capoeira (wow, I've always wanted to try this), and more. There will also be artists and vendors selling their wares at various price points.

This event on Saturday, May 1 lasts from 10 AM to 5 PM, is free and open to the public, and has a rain date of Sunday, May 2.

For more information, visit the Southern Village - Events website.

Model Home Interiors Clearance Sale this Friday!

Bargain hunters in Raleigh-Durham, if you haven't heard of the MHI Warehouse sale yet, I am so, so happy to give you the scoop.

Here's how MHI works. The furniture you see in model homes at new housing developments is rented thru Model Home Interiors. When the builder no longer has a need for the furniture in a model home, it goes back to the warehouse to wait for the builder's next model. But when the builder no longer needs the items, they negotiate a price with MHI to sell it at deep discount prices. Quality, lightly-used items -- furniture, accessories, lamps, art, beds, etc -- are sold directly to the public. And voila - we score the deals.

Now, let's talk "real-life" logistics -- the stuff you won't find on the website. The sale historically happens on a Friday during a three-hour window. I got my email today (you can sign up for notifications on their website) for the event this Friday, April 2 from 9:00 am - Noon. The sales are held randomly -- at one point they were doing three-per-month, but lately they've been once a quarter, more or less.

As with so many deals, there are caveats. You may have to sacrifice some time to get a shot at the best selection, or you can keep your time (have breakfast at Bob Evans or Brig's) and take your chances with leftovers. From the email:

All Furniture Items Have A Three-Part Invoice Attached

• Only if you wish to purchase an item, write your name on the invoice.
• Take the TWO top copies off of the invoice leaving the Pink copy only on the piece.

So if you arrive late (meaning, around 9:01 am), you'll see quite a few pink slips on beautiful furniture. BUT around 11 am when most of the people are gone, the white and yellow slips go BACK onto the stuff people decided not to buy. And voila, you score a deal... leftovers, but still pretty good stuff! Example: we went later in the morning and found a two-year old Lane sectional sofa that retails for more than $3,000. Got it for around $600. I have friends that bought lovely dresser sets and armoires for a couple hundred dollars (or less!).

Parking is kinda crazy around 8:30, 9 am. Make sure you park in the designated places (the blue areas on the pic above, sorry it's so small), or you might get towed. Around 11, parking is a breeze -- you can post up right by the door.

Location: 2522 S. Tricenter Blvd, Durham 27713 (off Cornwallis Rd in RTP). Entrance is at the back of the warehouse.

FYI - they don't deliver. You can haul it away immediately, or they will hold it for you for free through Thursday of the following week. Any longer than that, and you pay a daily a fee. Debit, credit, cash and check are accepted.

Bring your coffee or cocoa, wear your comfy shoes, and have at it! :)

Shop Tour: Furbish in Raleigh

It's Friday, and I have the day off. Woo-hoo and Thank God! Whenever I'm off I make an effort to check out off-the-beaten-path shops and boutiques, if not to buy, then at least to soak in the artistry that comes in so many forms, the shapes and colors that inspire me to paint, make jewelry, etc. This weekend I'm hoping to visit Furbish, a new design store in Raleigh. I'll take pics when I visit, but in the meantime, check out this wonderful profile on the Decor8 blog -- Shop Tour: Furbish in Raleigh).

So you think you can dance?

SYTYCD on Fox is one of my fave reality shows. The athleticism, creativity and personality of the choreographers and dancers just thrills me. Russell (yay!) won Wednesday's Season 6 finale, proving that anyone can learn and grow as a dancer.

Okay, I know I'm nowhere near as talented as the contestants on this show, but I've always loved to dance. Motivated by the movies Beat Street and Breakin, when I was 11 I made my first attempt at breakdancing in my parents tile foyer (ouch). Video Music Box with Donnie Simpson (dimples!) was my ticket to the latest video moves. And then after college when I moved to NYC, I was a regular at Webster Hall and The Shelter -- a true house head. Now my club days are over, and I'm dancing for The Lord, but I really want to learn technique. So where does an adult go to take dance lessons in the Triangle? Here's my short list. Jam on, people.

Ever considered belly dance? I've taken classes with Aziza Fadwa through Cary Parks and Rec (though she teaches all around the Triangle), and I think she's a fabulous instructor. She's encouraging and takes time to help people individually, especially when showing you those isolation moves. The women in her classes range in girth, and can really work it, which is comforting for those of us with a little *ahem* "more to love."

Ever wanted to try modern, ballet or hip-hop? The Arts Together community school in Raleigh offers weeknight classes for amateurs as well as experts, with some yoga and pilates classes thrown in for good measure.

You'll find various classes -- some even for free! -- at the Hayti Heritage Center in Durham, located just off NC-147 on Fayetteville Street. Check out the Creative Movement Dance class starting April 20 (free!). You might just see me in that one...

Ninth Street Dance in Durham has a wide range of dance classes for people of all shapes and sizes. The teach Krump, Capoeira, Hip-Hop, Swing, Broadway -- the possibilities are endless. Ninth Street Dance is on the second floor of a gorgeous old building with plenty of light. Bonus! It shares the main entrance with one of the best burrito joints in town, The Cosmic Cantina. Just trust me, you have to try it!

Do you know any good places for dance lessons in the Triangle? Please share!

Sorry for the sparse posts! and H&M is coming...

I started this blog, in part, to help me keep track of all the cool things I find in Raleigh-Durham on a regular basis. You would think there's nothing going on around here, but au contraire! I just need to take the time to blog more frequently...

One of my favorite recent stories in local business --> H&M is coming to Crabtree Valley Mall! Those of you who are unfamiliar with this European-born chain are in for a treat... *grinning and rubbing my hands together*

Along with Century 21 and Filene's Basement, H&M was one of my beloved playgrounds when I lived in NYC, particularly the location on 5th Ave near Rockefeller Center. Here in Raleigh I tend to frequent Target, TJMaxx, Marshall's, Ross, Forever 21, Ann Taylor (clearance section), consignment shops, DSW and SRI. It should be obvious that (a) I'm a deal seeker and (b) I don't mind digging and hunting. H&M feeds my need for edgy pieces at a better price... think Target clothes, but in a more daring way -- more applique, more interesting fabric, different drape. See for yourself at their site. The store is typically organized in sections of interesting color palettes, e.g. olive jackets with raspberry blouses, navy + black, pale gray + pale pink. Most of the digging takes place in the clearance section.

Some people think the clothese are cheaply made, but I beg to differ. To me, Forever 21 is cheaply made, but that's why I don't mind paying $6.80 for a top, knowing it might be threadbare in a year. One of my favorite sweaters -- a deep V-neck green one with bell sleeves -- came from H&M and I've worn it every winter for the last 8 years. I think I bought it for $20?It is just now developing a little hole and I'm sure I'll sew it up and get a couple more seasons out of it.

Are you a fan of H&M? Tell me about it! I wonder if they'll open a store at Triangle Town or somewhere in Cary as well... hmmmmm....

The Designers Downtown Market in Raleigh

Street markets first caught my attention when I moved from TX to NYC. On the lazy summer Saturdays, I took a subway to the heart of Manhattan, usually somewhere near the Village or Union Square, and just wandered until I bumped into one of many street fairs. Ah, the bliss of finding a hand-woven, jewel-toned skullie from Nepal, big bug-eyed sunglasses, or a brilliant red stone pendant, all with negotiable prices, of course.

The Designers Downtown Market in Raleigh is my satisfying mini substitute. Of course, it's no rival for the endless shopping buffet of NYC and neighboring tax-free New Jersey, but what a great taste... and the offerings are growing! According to their website, the first fair took place in 2005 under a the name "Crafter's Flea Market" at the parking lot of renowned bead store, Ornamentea. Today, the DDM still operates at the same location and operates at least five times a year.

The most recent market was this Saturday, July 11, and what discovered some lovely things. Check out this necklace made of orange rinds by Pam Or Designs. It carries the faint scent of citrus.
I also saw some beautiful hand-dyed scarves made by a young woman named Ryan (her website for Flamboyant Scarves isn't up yet), and eco-design jewelry made from bright, heavy weight recycled paper by Zass Design. Next time I'll do better with photos.

The next DDM is Saturday, Sept 12, 2009.

A Musical Treasure in North Raleigh

Looking for some good clean fun, food, and free live music on a Friday or Saturday night? Perhaps a nice place for an inexpensive date or night out with your kids? Check out Poyner Place in North Raleigh east of Triangle Town Mall. Located at off I-540 at the intersection of Triangle Town Center & Sumner Boulevard (Super Target, World Market complex), Poyner hosts "Live Music at the Pond," with jazz, acoustic, blues and R&B every Friday and Saturday from April through September, weather permitting.

The music starts at 7, but because the venue is becoming more popular now that it's been around for a few years, you may want to come a little earlier. Feel free to bring a blanket or a couple of lawn chairs and scope out a cozy spot next to the 8-foot vertical fountain (not shown in the photo, but it's really nice up close). Shane's BBQ, Dominic's NY Pizzeria (great calzones), ColdStone Creamery, and Applebees are all within walking distance of the venue.

Photo by Randy Pulley

How I Shop Goodwill*

*Many bloggers have discussed their thrift store shopping methods. This post is meant to share the ones that work specifically for me, in the hopes they might also help you. :)

When it comes to shopping, I'm thrilled by the digging. I realize this method of shopping is not for everyone, but if you're like me you experience a giddy, smug satisfaction from plucking some fabulous items from the racks of a TJMaxx, Marshall's or Ross at a deep discount from department store prices.

Increasingly, one of my favorite places to hunt is Goodwill, and its popularity seems to be growing for a number of reasons. The obvious motivator is the murky economy. Like so many millions of Americans, I recently joined the ranks of the unemployed. And just like everyone else, I want to stretch my dollar as far as possible every time and everywhere I shop. Shopping secondhand is a great way to achieve that goal. Another reason for increased business for GW is given in this Chicago Tribune article, which explores the emerging attitude of "conservative chic" -- embracing thriftiness while shunning the blinged-out showiness that was so popular just a few years ago. Regarding the psyche of the American consumer, it is evident people haven't stopped shopping, they're just shopping differently, per this Time.com interview with retail expert Paco Underhill:

Another key thing we are finding is that there are people in the parking lot of Trader Joe's and ALDI, and Goodwill and the dollar stores, that were never there three years ago. The demographic profile of people willing to shop down is expanding. (full article)

Goodwill marketers are successfully repositioning their stores in the minds of consumers to compete on a commercial level as a "discount retailer," akin to Wal-mart and Target. And speaking of my beloved red-themed store, my December visit to the Brodie Lane GW in Austin, TX, was full of Target clothes and shoes fresh off the clearance racks and obviously never worn! Lots of goods from Khol's too. The look and layout of the store was different from the traditional GW, with a silent auction of superior goods (purses, furniture, art) at the front, a specialty section of higher-end clothing brands, a well-developed jewelry section, and a rather sophisticated and modern glass facade. I should have taken a pic. T'was quite fancy! I look forward to seeing something that nice in Raleigh-Durham.

Here are my personal ideas about how to get the most out of a visit to Goodwill, especially if you're not used to thrift-store shopping. What works for me:

1) Be open-minded and prepared to spend some time combing the racks. If you go in looking for something very specific, such as a size 12, silk fuschia knee-length skirt, you might leave disappointed. Keep in mind that things can be altered to fit. Also, sometimes tags aren't true to size, especially when it comes to vintage items. (I recently bought a "size 10" dress online, and I'm *ahem* definitely bigger than a 10 by today's standards.) It's all part of the fun of the hunt!

2) Take advantage of the increase of brand name and store-specific clothes. Obviously leftover clearance items from Belk have to go somewhere. I'm noticing a huge increase in obviously new items with tags still attached en masse from various stores. I imagine there's a tax write-off for the donation made by those major retailers, and from a financial perspective the gift doubles as a method of eliminating an inventory expense. At the store on New Hope Church Rd in Raleigh, I saw this Merona skirt -- which was on the racks at Target as recently as November for $20 -- for only $4 with tags intact. I also saw lots of Ann Taylor, Lane Bryant, Old Navy and J. Crew blouses, and all kinds of Old Navy. Ask your local GW store when they receive drop-offs from major stores.

3) Go in the late afternoon, perhaps around 4 pm. New stock at my local store seems to come out continuously, and it seems the afternoon is the best time to see the fresh stuff. It has also been my best time to avoid lengthy lines.

4) Bring a pair of socks to wear in the dressing room. The floors can be kind of dirty, but I think this is true of most dressing rooms in general.


5) Pay close attention to details on the garments. I find that most items have been screened fairly well for stains, rips, tears, etc, but be on the lookout just in case. $4 isn't a deal if you take it home and can't wear the garment; it just means you blew $4 bucks! Check for any flaws under the arms, at collars, and along seams.

For more advanced tips, transferable trends, and great GW advice, please peruse the fabulous blog of the DC Goodwill Fashionista, which is relevant even outside The Beltway.

Do you have a favorite Goodwill location in the RDU area or a great find to share from a Goodwill experience?