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Touring Guide: Raleigh, NC
This week's "On the Road" column takes us to the Southeastern U.S. where we check out Raleigh, NC. Raleigh is nicknamed the City of Oaks, a title that is still considered valid by builders, developers, and others wishing to alter the city of Raleigh. The beautiful temperature is on average 59.1 degrees each year. During the school months, kids from all over attend Raleigh's beautiful schools including NC State, Shaw University, Meredith College, St. Augustine's College, St. Mary's College, and Peace College (all valid for school bookings).
Onto a bit of the history… Raleigh was selected as the capital of North Carolina in 1792. The first capitol building there was burned to the ground in 1831 and the current building standing, has been serving as the capital since 1840. Its experience during the Civil War saw Sherman occupy its inner-borders in April of 1865.
Some attractions in Raleigh include:
* NC Museum of History (919 715 0200) – See the history of some of the greatest battles in U.S. history. Until Oct, they have a special on the NC Postal History as well. Starting in mid-September, you can catch 3,500 square foot exhibit on the NC role in the Civil War.
* Parks – What's better for an artist than a stroll in the park, a spot by the water, and a chance to write a new tune about nature? Raleigh has 140 parks in all… Jordan Lake (919 362 0586) is said to be one of the most beautiful to see in all of NC, and is just 30 minutes outside of your. It is over 46,000 acres with a gorgeous 14,000 acre lake embedded within. Shelley Lake (919 420 2331) is located on the northern part of Raleigh. It has 2 _ miles of paved trails winding through this 53 acre lake. Pullen Park (919 831 6468) is located just off of the NC State Campus and right in the middle of town. There is plenty to do there including Theatre in the Park, a carousel, the train, and a beautiful lake with paddleboats.
Restaurants in the area:
1. Finch's Family Restaurant (401 W. Peace St. - 919 834 7396) – Have you seen "American Pie" yet? It's probably not that Finch. Channel 11 calls them the "Best Breakfast Joint in the World". Most items are under $6.
2. Rathskeller Restaurant (2412 Hillsborough St. – 919 821 5342) – Salads, burgers, sandwiches, you name it. Their appetizer "Monterey Cheese Fries" sounds fantastic.
3. Mitch's Tavern (2426 Hillsborough St. – 919 821 7771) – They have cute little pocket sandwiches, and great dinner plates. The "Smoked Turkey Reuben" sounds like a steal with homemade potato salad and fresh kraut. It prices in at $5.50.
4. CupAJoe! (5039 Falls of the Neuse Rd. - 919 876 4588) – Great little coffee joint with computers to check your email while on that long road trip. Their roasted turkey breast sounds fantastic! The prices are certainly reasonable with combos and soups available. They also have two other locations on 3100 Hillsborough and in the Mission Valley Shopping Center.
Coffee Shops:
1. Caribou Coffee – 2519 Fairview Rd. (919 782 9001)
2. Caribou Coffee – 6511 Falls Neuse Rd. (919 790 5397)
3. Coffee Corner and Deserts – 222 N. Bloodworth St. (919 832 9111)
4. Dilly's Coffee Shop – 8601 Six Forks Rd. (919 846 6342)
5. Keagan's Coffee House – 2522 Hillsborough St. (919 834 1366)
6. And plenty of Starbucks locations of course…
Here is a list of cheap hotels if the club isn't fronting the bill:
* HJ Inn Raleigh – 3120 Newbern Ave. (919 231 3000)
* BW Skyland Inn – I85 at 70W (919 383 2508)
* Belvidere Motel – 2729 S. Wilmington St. (919 828 2327)
* Econo Lodge – 5110 Holly Ridge Dr. (919 782 3201)
* Guesthouse Inn – 3500 Wake Forest Dr. (919872 9300)
Venues:
The Longbranch - 608 Creekside Dr. (919 834 9935)
Large club with a capacity exceeding 1,000. They handle top 40 and country acts only. The Longbranch is booked by The Beacham Agency (talent buyer – Dick Beacham) at 615 370 9220.
The Berkeley - 217 W. Martin St. (919 821 0777)
Greg books this well-known blues bar. They'll also stick their necks out to feature some folk, country, and acoustic acts. The capacity is around 350 and they do have an in-house PA. Tuesday nights in the past have been open mic type nights, and The Berkeley will normally do music 4 other nights of the week (W-SA). Greg's address to send promo to is: Grog Prod. – 206 Fenton – Raleigh, NC – 27604.
The Brewery - 3009 Hillsborough St. (919 834 7018)
This is another club booked by Greg and is slightly bigger than The Berkeley. They feature a wider range of acts, and normally look to put unsigned, touring acts in with big drawing names to give them some exposure. The Brewery also has an in-house PA. For a rock/pop/alternative act, The Brewery is the spot that you want to break into in the Raleigh area to build a strong following. The club has a strong student clientele base.
Greenshields Brewery & Pub - 214 E. Martin St. (919 829 0214)
Greenshields is the original brewpub of Raleigh with tons of ales and lagers. They have both an inside and outside area for music on Fri's and Sat's.
Lake Boone Club - 2442 Wycliff Rd. (919 571 1093)
Another larger club with a capacity just over 700. Jim Shires is the owner and brings in all types of bands. They web site for the club is: www.alternetcomm.com/lboone
The Ritz - 2820 Industrial Dr. (919 790 0490)
Probably a bit out of any small acts leagues with a 2,500 person capacity, but if you are beginning to make strong waves at the larger clubs in town, maybe there's a shot to open for a national here.
Humble Pie Bakery - (919 829 9222)
Don't know a thing about it except for the fact that they do have live music.
Lakeside Lounge - (919 833 6557)
Another mystery, and couldn't be found on the internet in any way except one site that said – we have music!
Kings - (919 831 1005)
Raleigh must be a pretty mysterious place, because this club is known to have live music as well, but isn't listed in any of the tour guides.
NC State University - (919 515 5918)
Contact the entertainment committee.
Press & Radio:
1. Music Monitor - 919 821 9343
Free monthly magazine in all of the local stores. They have a big regional push.
2. The Technician - 919 515 2411
School paper. They do have listings for shows.
3. News and Observer - 919 829 4500
They do an entertainment section on Fridays. Daily paper.
4. Spectator Magazine - 919 828 7393
Weekly arts and entertainment magazine. Definitely get your show listed here.
5. WKNC 88.1 - 919 515 2401
School station at NCSU. Web: www.wknc.ncsa.edu
6. WRDU 106.1 - 919 876 1061
Commercial AOR station. Have on-air interviews and performances
7. WDCG 105 - 919 860 1051
Their motto – "Music For All People"
CD Stores
1. CD Superstore - 919 847 2392
2. CD Warehouse - 919 848 3472
3. Heather Dog CDs - 919 834 8865
4. Borders - 919 755 9424
5. Borders - 919 845 1154
6. Sam Goody - 919 571 1887
Some of the buzzing local music artists are:
Undying (metal) - http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/120/undying.html
Polycarp (alternative) - http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/103/polycarp.html
Mag Wheels (alternative) - http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/103/mag_wheels.html
Leadfoot (pop/rock) - http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/63/leadfoot.html
Robert Stark (alternative) - http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/75/robert_stark.html
Vibraspank (urban/r&b) - http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/105/vibraspank.html
Ozone Quartet (pop/rock) - http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/26/ozone_quartet.html
Be sure to check out a special music site in Raleigh… http://www.raleighmusic.com.
I, of course, must lay out my disclaimer that this review does not include everything going on in the Raleigh area. So, if there's anything else that you would like to see added, please don't hesitate to drop a line to our degyshop.com crew (info@degyshop.com). Stay tuned for upcoming cities to be reviewed as I go, "On the Road with degyshop.com…"
Keep Gigging and See You Next Time…
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