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