http://www.gogoraleigh.com The Latest in Retail, Entertainment, and Development in Raleigh Fri, 01 Apr 2016 13:01:14 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.3.3

http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2014/05/14/maybe-the-foxes-are-sending-triangle-a-message/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2014/05/14/maybe-the-foxes-are-sending-triangle-a-message/#comments Wed, 14 May 2014 21:54:01 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/?p=7466 For five decades now the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area has been termed “The Triangle”, and for good reason. As three cities/towns hosted the most important academic, medical and business centers, it was only natural to focus on the three entities. While we expected infill in The Triangle, we perhaps didn’t see our grown concentrations morph the area into a different shape; a red fox. The area’s satellite imagery reveals much growth from Chapel Hill and Carrboro toward Raleigh, but Raleigh’s growth has been along outward spokes to the northeast, southeast, and southwest. According to the figure, Umstead park appears like a saddle on the little fox, and Jordan Lake looks like a long line of droll from Carrboro/Chapel Hill, the mouth of the dog. While I’m not assigning any character traits to communities based on this morphology, the shape does spur some interesting questions such as: Why hasn’t Creedmoor Road/hwy 50 seen any retail development? Why has the...

]]> For five decades now the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area has been termed “The Triangle”, and for good reason. As three cities/towns hosted the most important academic, medical and business centers, it was only natural to focus on the three entities. While we expected infill in The Triangle, we perhaps didn’t see our grown concentrations morph the area into a different shape; a red fox .

The area’s satellite imagery reveals much growth from Chapel Hill and Carrboro toward Raleigh, but Raleigh’s growth has been along outward spokes to the northeast, southeast, and southwest. According to the figure, Umstead park appears like a saddle on the little fox, and Jordan Lake looks like a long line of droll from Carrboro/Chapel Hill, the mouth of the dog.

While I’m not assigning any character traits to communities based on this morphology, the shape does spur some interesting questions such as:

• Why hasn’t Creedmoor Road/hwy 50 seen any retail development?
• Why has the Apex/Garner axis been kept so rural?
• Why has the Durham/Wake Forest axis been kept so rural?

Maybe these little red foxes that are invading our cities are simply a calling; the new mascots for the area. Instead of “The Triangle”, we could be called “The Fox”. The airport code could be changed to “FOX”. The 10 o’clock news could be the Fox News Hour…. oh wait.

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2014/04/15/need-help-discovering-great-cookbooks/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2014/04/15/need-help-discovering-great-cookbooks/#comments Tue, 15 Apr 2014 21:40:34 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/?p=7452 If you have ever found yourself overwhelmed in the cooking section of a bookstore or at Amazon.com, you aren’t alone. There are hundreds and hundreds of cookbooks out there and it is difficult to discern the good from the bad. One of the best ways to improve your cookbook collection is to look at what cookbooks the great chefs are using. One of the most exposed and interesting selections in the area is at Rise, the biscuit/donut shop in the Southpoint mall complex. It’s a fun look; rewarding to see some of your favorites, but also a great chance to add to your own list or your gift...

]]> If you have ever found yourself overwhelmed in the cooking section of a bookstore or at Amazon.com, you aren’t alone. There are hundreds and hundreds of cookbooks out there and it is difficult to discern the good from the bad.

One of the best ways to improve your cookbook collection is to look at what cookbooks the great chefs are using. One of the most exposed and interesting selections in the area is at Rise, the biscuit/donut shop in the Southpoint mall complex. It’s a fun look; rewarding to see some of your favorites, but also a great chance to add to your own list or your gift lists.

[imagebrowser id=22]

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2014/02/27/tta-video-features-orangedurham-light-rail-flyover/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2014/02/27/tta-video-features-orangedurham-light-rail-flyover/#comments Fri, 28 Feb 2014 03:40:18 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/?p=7336 A video tucked away neatly at ourtransitfuture.com shows a flyover of the planned light rail system for Chapel Hill and Durham. The 14-minute video begins behind the parking decks of UNC’s hospital, and follows the route all the way to its eastern terminus near NCCU, east of downtown Durham. What’s remarkable in the plan is the amount of elevated guideway that is planned, especially in thinly populated areas of Chapel Hill. Elevated guideways significantly increase costs because each span between stanchions must hold the weight of a train and its passengers for each direction of track supported. The elevated guideways allow the train to travel through the wetlands of east Chapel Hill and to traverse large roads, such as 15-501, where grade separation is required. The section near the Smith Center is, perhaps, the most perplexing. There seems to also be a difference in opinion between Orange and Durham Counties regarding the mixing of modes on existing streets. Grade level...

]]> A video tucked away neatly at ourtransitfuture.com shows a flyover of the planned light rail system for Chapel Hill and Durham. The 14-minute video begins behind the parking decks of UNC’s hospital, and follows the route all the way to its eastern terminus near NCCU, east of downtown Durham.

What’s remarkable in the plan is the amount of elevated guideway that is planned, especially in thinly populated areas of Chapel Hill. Elevated guideways significantly increase costs because each span between stanchions must hold the weight of a train and its passengers for each direction of track supported. The elevated guideways allow the train to travel through the wetlands of east Chapel Hill and to traverse large roads, such as 15-501, where grade separation is required. The section near the Smith Center is, perhaps, the most perplexing.

There seems to also be a difference in opinion between Orange and Durham Counties regarding the mixing of modes on existing streets. Grade level crossings are avoided, at great costs, in Chapel Hill where the MLK area of Durham integrates the rail down the road’s median and with its large intersections.

As I stated in the previous post, the plan really does a nice job at connecting most of the high-traffic destinations on the line. The line includes the UNC hospitals, the Smith Center, and Friday Center. While the line does not access the older parts of UNC’s campus, passengers can freely transfer to Chapel Hill’s excellent bus service for access to the older parts of campus (same goes for Duke). In Durham, Duke is accessed via its hospital. The plan presents several redevelopment nodes in Durham County, especially the Duke Street area where the system connects to Amtrak. While some of the planned stations are not at current population centers or destinations, they are at gaps in the city which will be easily filled, unlike the layout of Charlotte’s Blue Line.

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2014/02/25/fta-approves-light-rail-development-for-chapel-hilldurham/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2014/02/25/fta-approves-light-rail-development-for-chapel-hilldurham/#comments Wed, 26 Feb 2014 03:30:31 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/?p=7328 Triangle Transit Authority tonight announced that the FTA has approved the request to begin development of a 17-mile light rail line that would connect Durham and Chapel Hill. The line would serve UNC, east Chapel Hill, the 15-501 corridor to South Square, Duke, Downtown, and NCCU. The project would use no rail corridors west of Duke University, instead using existing highway right of way. The development phase will likely take 2 years, followed by a 3 year engineering phase. If all goes as planned, service would begin as early as 2024, and will cost $1.34 billion. * * * Whah! 1.34 billion for a 17-mile project? That comes to $79million per mile, but expect costs to probably double if all goes as planned. For comparison’s sake, the Triangle Parkway toll road cost 137.5million for a 3.4 mile stretch ($40m/mi) and the Western Wake Freeway cost $446.5 million  for a 12.6 mile stretch ($35m/mi). Those projects were completed in 2012. Let the shouting match begin. People who...

]]> Triangle Transit Authority tonight announced that the FTA has approved the request to begin development of a 17-mile light rail line that would connect Durham and Chapel Hill. The line would serve UNC, east Chapel Hill, the 15-501 corridor to South Square, Duke, Downtown, and NCCU. The project would use no rail corridors west of Duke University, instead using existing highway right of way.

The development phase will likely take 2 years, followed by a 3 year engineering phase. If all goes as planned, service would begin as early as 2024, and will cost $1.34 billion.

* * *

Whah! 1.34 billion for a 17-mile project? That comes to $79million per mile, but expect costs to probably double if all goes as planned. For comparison’s sake, the Triangle Parkway toll road cost 137.5million for a 3.4 mile stretch ($40m/mi) and the Western Wake Freeway cost $446.5 million  for a 12.6 mile stretch ($35m/mi). Those projects were completed in 2012.

Let the shouting match begin. People who oppose this are “backward”, “stupid”, and “living in the 50s” while those who are for it are “blowing all of our money” and “jacking up taxes”. Both sides have good points. A friction-free connector of the three universities and downtown Durham will really help all entities from a productivity standpoint. Perhaps if node-oriented development occurs, then fewer cars will be on the already congested, pathetic pair of roads that connect Chapel Hill and Durham.

On the other hand it isn’t prudent to ignore the costs and the state of technology. Light rail is a really expensive way to move people. One only has to look at Disneyworld to see a large transit system that has opted for bus transit for all expansion in the last 32 years. Also consider the prodigious number of transit systems that carry unsustainable costs. Are ridership projections accurate or would it turn out to be like Austin’s MetroRail which averages fewer than 2,500 riders a day ? Granted, Austin’s routing execution was poor and it runs few trains per day, so it’s considered a $130 million flop in that city.

My prediction is that this line will get built, but the costs will more than double by the time it is built. Given the large number of college-oriented riders this system would have, it would probably be well-traveled, so we, the public, just have to figure out if we want to support its cost structure.

map of planned route at N&O

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2013/11/20/7234/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2013/11/20/7234/#comments Wed, 20 Nov 2013 17:01:45 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/?p=7234 From the Vault: On Monday the News & Observer's Andrew Carter published an article about UNC doing a feasibility study about Smith Center renovations. While the university claims the facility is still "first rate", fans and recruits know better. Access to the building is among the worst in the country, seating is cramped, bathrooms are dirty and in disrepair, there are no luxury boxes for revenue generation, and student seating is too far from the court to offer a home court advantage like other teams enjoy. The photo shows the men's room situation, where those who choose to wash their hands are rewarded with only a frigid trickle of water and empty soap dispensers. None of this is new, however. In 2000 Tar Heel fans had these same complaints about the then 15-year old Smith Center. I submitted four options (featuring 4 to-scale cutaway diagrams) to then Athletic Director Dick Baddour with only a polite form letter in reply. Unfortunately the only renovations since...

]]> From the Vault:

On Monday the News & Observer’s Andrew Carter published an article about UNC doing a feasibility study about Smith Center renovations. While the university claims the facility is still "first rate", fans and recruits know better. Access to the building is among the worst in the country, seating is cramped, bathrooms are dirty and in disrepair, there are no luxury boxes for revenue generation, and student seating is too far from the court to offer a home court advantage like other teams enjoy. The photo shows the men’s room situation, where those who choose to wash their hands are rewarded with only a frigid trickle of water and empty soap dispensers.

None of this is new, however. In 2000 Tar Heel fans had these same complaints about the then 15-year old Smith Center. I submitted four options (featuring 4 to-scale cutaway diagrams) to then Athletic Director Dick Baddour with only a polite form letter in reply. Unfortunately the only renovations since that time have focused on player and coach areas and lower level chair replacement. Problems with the building remain, and it is good that the university is reviewing options.

Attached is the 2008 gogoraleigh post that reposted the original 2000 plans for renovating the Smith Center. The success of the student section behind the home goal shows that Project 1a is quite feasible, and likely the rest still are.

There once was a snowy night back in the year 2000. As two feet of snow fell on the Triangle, the UNC Tar Heels were to face the Maryland Terrapins in the Dean Smith Center. Weather prevented most ticket holders from attending, so all seating was opened to general admission. The the court was surrounded by screaming students and those at the game said it was "magic" as the Heels upset the Terps. On my twelve-year-old UNC blog, Tar Heel HOOPla , I posted some ideas for renovating the Smith Center shortly after the game. The plans would allow the court to be permanently surrounded by students while appeasing the building’s donors. (I also sent these to Athletic Director Richard Baddour, but only received a polite form letter in return.) As the Dean Dome completes its 23rd season, not much has changed. The building doesn’t allow the team to get the most support possible. It isn’t a lost cause, though. These same ideas could still be applied to give UNC a better home court advantage. Here is that 2000 article:

Dana’s Smith Center Renovation Plans

As UNC plays its 15th season in the Smith Center , the debate over student seating rages on. Both of the times in the 15 years that seating has been changed to “general admission”, the court has been surrounded by students, and the players have responded with a resounding performance. This could become the norm for the Smith Center with some easy improvements. Clearly N.C. State has shown with their new arena that placing students, the most active and audible fans, around the court creates an intimate, loud setting in a large venue. Simply reassigning student tickets to the first several rows will not suffice as students usually stand for the entire game. Because the lower level descends to the court surface smoothly, the only way to accommodate standing students without obstructing other lower level patrons is to sink the front rows.

Project #1

Project #1 focuses on placing students around the basketball court. To date there are two popular solutions floating around. One plan, Project 1a, involves replacing the current collapsible seating in the first 11 rows with lower-rise collapsible seating. Given that the 12th row (the first row of permanent seating) patrons should not have their view obstructed by standing students, there should be a drop-off of 43″ from the 12th to 11th rows. This will allow patrons to see over rowdy students that are up to 6′2″ tall. The first row of permanent seats, unobstructed, would become a premium seat location. This new seating would seat students exclusively, so the quality of the chair is not important. Seat width can be as narrow as the seats upstairs, too, since students won’t be using these seats as much as paying patrons.

While Project 1a is a fairly inexpensive solution, it substantially compromises the students’ view. If the current collapsible seating were removed, there would be a wall about 96″ high just in front of the 12th row. After accounting for a 43″ drop, the new collapsible seating could only be 53″ tall. Given those dimensions,11 rows of collapsible seating would only provide an 8.8 degree rise from the floor. While this is almost 50% steeper grade than the current configuration at N.C. State, 8.8 degrees is still too shallow to enjoy the game to the fullest. Also, these seats would be decidedly inferior to those currently in place for non-basketball events.

Project 1b replaces the collapsible seating with the best overall aesthetic and functional solution. In this plan the collapsible seating and Smith Center playing surface would be removed and the floor would be excavated 82″ down. A new floor and collapsible seating would be installed.

This new, lowered section of collapsible seating would ascend not at the current 15 degree angle, but at the 20 degree angle seen in the permanent rows of the lower level. Keeping this 20 degree angle is essential to preserving the views of the students and the ticket-holders in those seats for non-basketball events.

In either plan the permanent aisles would not be confluent with the new fold-back seating, so the aisles would have to be reconfigured in at least 4 places so that students in lower rows could access the concourse. While the removal of the existing fold-back risers and the reconfiguration of a few aisles would remove several seats, the new seating arrangement would put nearly 2800 students in the first 11 rows lining the court providing the rowdiest, most intimidating home-court atmosphere in the nation.

Projects 2, 3, and 4 outline several ideas concerning the addition of luxury suites to the Smith Center. While luxury suites can ease UNC’s budget, they also can offer some incentives for lower level patrons to give up the seats affected by Project #1.

Project #2

Project #2 involves replacing the current suites and seats under the second level overhang with luxury suites. These suites would be replete with 8 leather seats overlooking the playing surface, a countertop for bar and food service, a television, and a private bathroom.

Fifty-two such luxury suites could be placed with ease in the Smith Center. ( seating map ) There would be two non-adjoining suites at the top of sections 127, 126, 125, 124, 121, 118, 117, 116, 113, 110, 109, 108, 107, 104, 101, 100, 133, and 130. Single suites would top sections 123, 122, 120, 119, 115, 114, 112, 111, 106, 105, 103, 102, 132, 131, 129, and 128. Each suite would need to be about 15 feet deep (from the back of the second row of leather seats to the concourse door). In order to accommodate the addition of the suite, approximately five rows (Z, AA, BB, CC, DD) of current seating would need to be removed (shown in grey).

Project #3

Project #3 involves the construction of a “halo” ring of luxury suites. Due to the design of the Smith Center, the only way to achieve this is to essentially build a structure resembling a ring of Kenan Stadium press boxes. These suites could actually be as large as desired, but are portrayed in the illustration as being 15′ deep. These suites would contain all the amenities mentioned in the lower level suites, but also would have a private concourse and elevator service to the Bowles Room. As shown in the diagram, about 3 rows of current seating (rows W, X, and Y) would be sacrificed to the 2 rows of leather luxury seats.

Clearly the view from a halo box is inferior to all others in the arena, so some incentives would need to be offered. First class wait service and food of the quality level of the Carolina Club would be offered. Halftime and final game statistics would also be delivered to each suite. Pampering the patrons in the halo boxes is an absolute must, though, in order to fill such suites.

Project #4

Project #4, the most aggressive plan, focuses on placing luxury suites in the bottom of the upper level. Certainly the edge of the upper level is a cherished view, and these such suites would be even more cherished. In order to accommodate a suite in this prime location, a massive overhaul of the Smith Center would have to occur. Because rows E, F, and G and the vomitories would be removed, a separate, third level concourse for rows H through Y would have to be built over the current concourse. Stairways, restrooms, and concession stands would be placed in exterior additions to the existing Smith Center structure.

The second level suites would get their own concourse which would overlook the first floor (existing) concourse. These suites would have four rows of luxury seating, accommodating 32 patrons. Because the upper level ascends at an unbroken 34 degree rise, there would be an uncovered portion approximately 14′ 7″ deep. Some privacy could be offered by mounting an awning (shown as a heavy read line) at the end of the suite’s ceiling. Two private restrooms may be needed in these suites.

Certainly the Smith Center is one of the finest college venues in America, however some improvements could make the Heels more formidable at home. Clearly what is best for the team is placing the students around the court. As we saw in UNC’s game against Maryland and in all of N.C. State’s home games, students give a major boost to the team. While surrounding the court with students will make games more lively, those holding seats on the first 11 rows will have to be displaced. Surely there will be resistance to reassignment from some Smith Center donors. However plenty would minimally sacrifice their seat location in the name of improving the arena’s atmosphere. It is time for everyone involved to do what is best for the University.

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2013/07/10/man-vs-food-durham-to-air-again-tonight/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2013/07/10/man-vs-food-durham-to-air-again-tonight/#comments Wed, 10 Jul 2013 19:01:04 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/?p=6953 The episode of Man vs. Food shot in Durham will be run tonight on Travel Channel (TWC 1354) at 9pm. From the Man vs. Food website: In this episode, Adam created the 2009 Doughman race and a team called the MvF Food Fighters to take on a series of events for the overall title! The final leg of the race was consuming four Sunny Side-Ups, maple cupcakes topped with cream cheese frosting! They placed a dissapointing 19th...

]]> The episode of Man vs. Food shot in Durham will be run tonight on Travel Channel (TWC 1354) at 9pm. From the Man vs. Food website:

In this episode, Adam created the 2009 Doughman race and a team called the MvF Food Fighters to take on a series of events for the overall title!

The final leg of the race was consuming four Sunny Side-Ups, maple cupcakes topped with cream cheese frosting! They placed a dissapointing [sic] 19th place.

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2013/06/18/dci-tour-2013-preview-coming-to-local-theaters-monday/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2013/06/18/dci-tour-2013-preview-coming-to-local-theaters-monday/#comments Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:29:16 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/?p=6882 On Monday at 6:30, Drum Corps International will stream its 2013 Tour Preview special to select theaters across the nation. The Raleigh sites are North Hills and Brier Creek. Tickets are $15, and are available in...

]]> On Monday at 6:30, Drum Corps International will stream its 2013 Tour Preview special to select theaters across the nation. The Raleigh sites are North Hills and Brier Creek. Tickets are $15, and are available in advance .

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2013/04/02/durham-discusses-new-tower/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2013/04/02/durham-discusses-new-tower/#comments Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:39:37 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2013/04/02/durham-discusses-new-tower/ Today the City of Durham is discussing a proposed 26-story tower that would be the city’s tallest. The project would stand next to the venerable Hill building, inside of downtown’s loop, and would contain 133 apartment units in the buildings upper 21 stories. Half of the street level would be retail while the rest of the building would be parking garage. There is a very nice pdf of the proposal posted at the Durham website. It includes details of the project, its positive and negative impacts on the surrounding neighborhood, and many, many renderings. I first should say that I love the architectural style of the building. The use of balconies to give the building a softer, rounded look is beautiful. The building would be a great improvement to the stale Durham skyline. I do have many deep concerns about the viability of the building as a business project, and concerns about its affect on future housing in downtown Durham. In Raleigh we saw the addition of two “highrise”...

]]> Today the City of Durham is discussing a proposed 26-story tower that would be the city’s tallest. The project would stand next to the venerable Hill building, inside of downtown’s loop, and would contain 133 apartment units in the buildings upper 21 stories. Half of the street level would be retail while the rest of the building would be parking garage.

There is a very nice pdf of the proposal posted at the Durham website. It includes details of the project, its positive and negative impacts on the surrounding neighborhood, and many, many renderings.

I first should say that I love the architectural style of the building. The use of balconies to give the building a softer, rounded look is beautiful. The building would be a great improvement to the stale Durham skyline. I do have many deep concerns about the viability of the building as a business project, and concerns about its affect on future housing in downtown Durham.

In Raleigh we saw the addition of two “highrise” condo buildings with the West at North project and the RBC Tower. Along with other projects such as Bloomsbury Estates, the Hue and the Paramount, Raleigh saw a fast glut of high-rise condo spaces in a very few years. Predictably the market was overbuilt for condos, and some projects either went to apartments or went into foreclosure. At this point does the downtown market of Durham need 133 sky-high apartment units when it really has…none? This is a big financial step for the developers into an untested market.

Does this project improve the quality of life in downtown Durham? For sure, the Durham loop is begging for some residential component. The area has much potential as a walkable, charming 24-hour live/work/play zone. I have serious concerns about any residential project that is more than 6 stories tall. Above 60 feet or so, residents are no longer part of the community, but rather, in their own world. It is more convenient in some cases to just go down to the car in the garage and drive to destinations. Would it be any different for this project? Does the Durham market want all of its apartment demand sucked up into one portion of one block.

In urban areas with an abundance of vacant lots, like Raleigh and Durham, I feel that the best residential plan for a viable long term community is in 3-4 story facilities. Row houses and small projects are far more likely to put pedestrians on the street, pedestrians who care about the neighborhood, than projects that allow residents to escape the very neighborhood being built.

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2013/03/25/pre-flight-parking-shutting-down/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2013/03/25/pre-flight-parking-shutting-down/#comments Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:51:27 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2013/03/25/pre-flight-parking-shutting-down/ The folks at Pre-Flight Parking near RDU informed me last night that the site is no longer taking new parkers, and will be closing as soon as the last car is claimed. Apparently within the last week the company that owns Fast Park bought out the Pre-Flight location last week. (A couple of employees said that they offered Pre-Flight employees $2 less per hour, too). So, it appear that there are now only three alternatives for parking at RDU: RDU: $12/day – Park across the street from either terminal FastPark Parking: $5.45/day – No walking, covered parking, complimentary car wash, bus delivery from your parking spot to terminal front door. District Drive Park & Ride: Free – Ride TTA’s bus ($2 each way, exact change) Route 100 (.pdf). Note that this option is only convenient for late morning/early afternoon arrivals and departures. Lot is not under surveillance, but there is security-by-obscurity in a safe area....

]]> The folks at Pre-Flight Parking near RDU informed me last night that the site is no longer taking new parkers, and will be closing as soon as the last car is claimed. Apparently within the last week the company that owns Fast Park bought out the Pre-Flight location last week. (A couple of employees said that they offered Pre-Flight employees $2 less per hour, too).

So, it appear that there are now only three alternatives for parking at RDU:

• RDU: $12/day – Park across the street from either terminal
• FastPark Parking : $5.45/day – No walking, covered parking, complimentary car wash, bus delivery from your parking spot to terminal front door.
• District Drive Park & Ride: Free – Ride TTA’s bus ($2 each way, exact change) Route 100 (.pdf). Note that this option is only convenient for late morning/early afternoon arrivals and departures. Lot is not under surveillance, but there is security-by-obscurity in a safe area.

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2013/02/05/alton-brown-coming-to-dpac/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2013/02/05/alton-brown-coming-to-dpac/#comments Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:20:25 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2013/02/05/alton-brown-coming-to-dpac/ On April 18, Food Network’s Alton Brown will come to the DPAC in Durham. Tickets go on sale on Friday (2/8) at 10am....

]]> On April 18, Food Network’s Alton Brown will come to the DPAC in Durham. Tickets go on sale on Friday (2/8) at 10am.

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/10/24/sur-la-table-opening-tomorrow/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/10/24/sur-la-table-opening-tomorrow/#comments Wed, 24 Oct 2012 19:24:06 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/10/24/sur-la-table-opening-tomorrow/ The nation’s next Sur La Table store may land at Streets at Southpoint Mall tomorrow morning. The store, which carries a full line of cooking equipment, is aiming for “go” when the mall opens. I visited the Sur La Table store in SoHo a couple of weeks ago and while the store is similar to Williams Sonoma, the inventory is a bit more of a full complement cooking supply store and not quite as high-end than Williams Sonoma. It’s a store this market badly needs, especially the Raleigh market. A few things to note in the store: the selection of thermometers, knives, and the demo of the induction cooking surface. Also of note is the store’s Grand Opening Sale which gives customers a $10 gift certificate for each $50 spent thru the store’s closing on Sunday evening. The store also runs cooking classes, such as Sunday’s $47 Essential Knife Skills class, which has gotten rave reviews online. (ask them if they demo the CIA method of peeling a pepper!) The store is located in...

]]> The nation’s next Sur La Table store may land at Streets at Southpoint Mall tomorrow morning. The store, which carries a full line of cooking equipment, is aiming for “go” when the mall opens.

I visited the Sur La Table store in SoHo a couple of weeks ago and while the store is similar to Williams Sonoma, the inventory is a bit more of a full complement cooking supply store and not quite as high-end than Williams Sonoma. It’s a store this market badly needs, especially the Raleigh market.

A few things to note in the store: the selection of thermometers, knives, and the demo of the induction cooking surface. Also of note is the store’s Grand Opening Sale which gives customers a $10 gift certificate for each $50 spent thru the store’s closing on Sunday evening. The store also runs cooking classes, such as Sunday’s $47 Essential Knife Skills cla ss, which has gotten rave reviews online. (ask them if they demo the CIA method of peeling a pepper!)

The store is located in The Streets at Southpoint’s outdoor section.

map it

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/10/10/jim-gaffigan-coming-to-dpac/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/10/10/jim-gaffigan-coming-to-dpac/#comments Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:51:21 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/10/10/jim-gaffigan-coming-to-dpac/ America's top touring comedian, Jim Gaffigan, is finally coming to the Triangle! The performance will be Saturday, March 16 at the DPAC in Durham. No info is available from the DPAC site… yet....

]]> America’s top touring comedian, Jim Gaffigan , is finally coming to the Triangle! The performance will be Saturday, March 16 at the DPAC in Durham. No info is available from the DPAC site… yet.

]]> http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/10/10/jim-gaffigan-coming-to-dpac/feed/ 0

http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/10/08/bakatsias-opening-chapel-hill-greek-restaurant/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/10/08/bakatsias-opening-chapel-hill-greek-restaurant/#comments Tue, 09 Oct 2012 02:32:53 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/10/08/bakatsias-opening-chapel-hill-greek-restaurant/ I got a tip yesterday that GHG, George Bakatsias’ restaurant group, will be opening a Greek restaurant in the former Pyewacket space on W. Franklin Street. If this is true, it is some darned good news, and a nice departure from the Chinese/Mexican/Bland offerings that have plagued the reasonably priced Chapel Hill restaurant scene for so long. It’s also good news because I’ve always found Bakatsias’ restaurants impressive (even the Café Georgio that was in the depressing basement of Fine Feathers in University Square!). We’ll keep an eye on the timetable for this...

]]> I got a tip yesterday that GHG, George Bakatsias’ restaurant group , will be opening a Greek restaurant in the former Pyewacket space on W. Franklin Street. If this is true, it is some darned good news, and a nice departure from the Chinese/Mexican/Bland offerings that have plagued the reasonably priced Chapel Hill restaurant scene for so long. It’s also good news because I’ve always found Bakatsias’ restaurants impressive (even the Café Georgio that was in the depressing basement of Fine Feathers in University Square!). We’ll keep an eye on the timetable for this one!

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/10/08/burroughs-wellcome-tour-coming-next-weekend/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/10/08/burroughs-wellcome-tour-coming-next-weekend/#comments Mon, 08 Oct 2012 21:21:19 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/10/08/burroughs-wellcome-tour-coming-next-weekend/ Triangle Modernist Houses continues their excellent series of architectural tours with a tour of the former North American Headquarters for Burroughs-Wellcome. The building was one of Paul Rudolph’s best pieces, and has not been open to the public for decades. It was featured in the strange, salvaged Natalie Wood/Christopher Walken movie “Brainstorm.” The tour takes place on Saturday, October 20 from 9am to 1pm. Advance tickets are $9.95 and $15 day-of. Tickets and more information are available at the TMH Tour Page....

]]> Triangle Modernist Houses continues their excellent series of architectural tours with a tour of the former North American Headquarters for Burroughs-Wellcome. The building was one of Paul Rudolph’s best pieces, and has not been open to the public for decades. It was featured in the strange, salvaged Natalie Wood/Christopher Walken movie “Brainstorm.”

The tour takes place on Saturday, October 20 from 9am to 1pm. Advance tickets are $9.95 and $15 day-of. Tickets and more information are available at the TMH Tour Page .

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/09/16/morrisville-town-and-country-hardware-being-replaced-with-walmart-express/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/09/16/morrisville-town-and-country-hardware-being-replaced-with-walmart-express/#comments Mon, 17 Sep 2012 02:13:33 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/09/16/morrisville-town-and-country-hardware-being-replaced-with-walmart-express/ A reader named Mike recently alerted me to an interesting retail story going on in Morrisville. It seems that the Town and Country Hardware (“formerly Ace”) at Davis and Morrisville Carpenter is closing on October 31. According to employees, the store’s lease was not renewed and the replacement will be a Wal-Mart Express. This is interesting on several levels. According to a News & Observer article in July, Wal-Mart has been rolling out 15,000 square foot stores in small towns to compete with large drug stores and Family Dollar stores. Morrisville, however, is suburbia, and there is a full-sized Wal-Mart store very close by at I-540 and 54. Secondly, this is apparently a dagger to the local Ace Hardware system and consumers’ ability to maintain equipment. A year ago I my lawn mower needed repair, so I took it to the Ace Hardware on Kildaire Road late on a Saturday afternoon. It took the store a month to return the lawn mower because that store is not an actual service...

]]> A reader named Mike recently alerted me to an interesting retail story going on in Morrisville. It seems that the Town and Country Hardware (“formerly Ace”) at Davis and Morrisville Carpenter is closing on October 31. According to employees, the store’s lease was not renewed and the replacement will be a Wal-Mart Express.

This is interesting on several levels. According to a News & Observer article in July, Wal-Mart has been rolling out 15,000 square foot stores in small towns to compete with large drug stores and Family Dollar stores. Morrisville, however, is suburbia, and there is a full-sized Wal-Mart store very close by at I-540 and 54.

Secondly, this is apparently a dagger to the local Ace Hardware system and consumers’ ability to maintain equipment. A year ago I my lawn mower needed repair, so I took it to the Ace Hardware on Kildaire Road late on a Saturday afternoon. It took the store a month to return the lawn mower because that store is not an actual service site. Rather, they sent all lawn mowers over to “the Davis Drive store” (presumably the one at hand). I’m not sure where Cary’s Ace is sending lawn mowers now, but if they are sending them to North Ridge, it will be 2 months to get one repaired.

It is extremely sad to see stores like this (that offer services to our appliances) drying up. It’s one thing to worry about the amount of garbage we could be composting, but it’s another thing to make servicing expensive items like TVs and lawn mowers so difficult that it is easier and/or cheaper to simply discard the item than to go through the service hassle.

map it

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/05/14/dental-school-puts-two-hotels-on-north-carolina-avenue/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/05/14/dental-school-puts-two-hotels-on-north-carolina-avenue/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 19:19:10 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/?p=6434 UNC School of Dentistry Welcomes Modern Era with Dedication of New Building At the end of April, the UNC School of Dentistry opened a $118 million expansion that greatly enhances the school’s ability to accommodate not only larger class sizes, but to educate more effectively. The facility also positions the school as a worldwide leader in dental research. The UNC School of Dentistry started out of a Quonset hut in some woods near the UNC Hospital in 1954. A few years later the “Old Dental Building” was erected and set the school on the path to being one of the South’s finest. However in 1969 the school opened Brauer Hall, 5-story complex that housed both clinical and educational spaces. It was an important step as the school was able to both grow its class sizes and split its clinics into specialized spaces. However as the next couple of decades passed, the school found itself unable to keep up with the state’s burgeoning population, and found itself with outdated...

]]> UNC School of Dentistry Welcomes
Modern Era with Dedication of New Building

At the end of April, the UNC School of Dentistry opened a $118 million expansion that greatly enhances the school’s ability to accommodate not only larger class sizes, but to educate more effectively. The facility also positions the school as a worldwide leader in dental research.

The UNC School of Dentistry started out of a Quonset hut in some woods near the UNC Hospital in 1954. A few years later the “Old Dental Building” was erected and set the school on the path to being one of the South’s finest. However in 1969 the school opened Brauer Hall, 5-story complex that housed both clinical and educational spaces. It was an important step as the school was able to both grow its class sizes and split its clinics into specialized spaces.

However as the next couple of decades passed, the school found itself unable to keep up with the state’s burgeoning population, and found itself with outdated clinical spaces that no longer met the standards of modern dental technology. With a boost from Butler leader Bud Tarrson and his wife Linda, the school opened Tarrson Hall, a 5-story companion to Brauer Hall, in 1997 that solely included clinical spaces to meet the school’s needs.

While Tarrson Hall greatly improved the patient care the school provided, it was an architectural paradox. At the dismay of myself and many Class of 1996 classmates, the school chose to extend the 1969 Internationalist façade from Brauer Hall onto Tarrson Hall. Yes, it was aesthetically consistent, but so are his-and-hers El Caminos. Functionally, however, the folks at Odell in Charlotte designed a masterpiece. Tarrson Hall pulled the patient experience toward the corner of the complex closest to the parking decks, allowing the school to renovate the opposite end of the school in a manner that best satisfied educational and research needs. No longer were patients seen ambling through student locker rooms and janitors’ closets looking for hidden clinical spaces. Tarrson simply restored logic to was the functional spaghetti of the 70s and 80s dental complex.

In 2000 the citizens of North Carolina approved a massive bond initiative that saw every UNC campus greatly improve its physical campus. At the end of this parade is the Koury Oral Health Sciences “building”. Composed of two fused buildings that greatly resemble hotels in the game Monopoly, the facility replaces two minor buildings of the once 5-building dental complex. It adds a new hands-on simulation lab for teaching clinical skills to dental students, a large auditorium, a large classroom, research labs, and numerous conference spaces. Not only will current and future students benefit, but also practicing dentists, as continuing education courses can perhaps find their way back into the “schoolhouse”. Koury is its own building, but that is easy to forget as architects utilized the resulting gangway as a large multipurpose atrium.

I took a brief tour of the facility last week and was duly impressed with the amount of detail and foresight that went into not only the design but the execution as well. The building is so well integrated that one is almost surprised to encounter any disconnect with the old complex.

It is better to think of Koury as a crescent that lines the western border of the complex. The needs for this building are quite different than those served by Brauer Hall, so architects eschewed floor height constraints set forth by the existing complex. Lab and large class spaces need high ceilings, so each floor is taller than those in Brauer, which creates a “malocclusion”, if you will, between the upper floors in the complex. The connection to Brauer Hall’s third floor is on a floating stairway landing, and connections to the Old Dental building are engaged by stairway landings and a two-sided elevator as well.

The teaching lab space in Koury is fantastic, easily serving a class size of 100 or more (Since 1969 the school could accommodate class sizes in the 75-83 range). Not only is the space bigger, the lab benches are updated with brand new equipment, and the A/V presentation system is up to date. More impressive, though, is the open space afforded by surprisingly few columns. This is more helpful to large class lab teaching than one would initially expect. The column issue is quickly noticed upon entering one of the recently renovated labs in Brauer Hall.

The large auditorium and the classroom are also fantastic, and are on par with the superb facilities found in other graduate school spaces on campus such as the Kenan-Flagler Business School. Additionally, the lab spaces are excellent, and presumably are the finest educational setting dental lab research spaces in the world.

As the science of Dentistry has evolved of the last half-century, so has the science of Education. In our four year period in the school, we were largely “lectured at” in lecture halls scattered throughout the dental and medical complex. They were cramped, run-down auditoriums that had been long-since converted into low-rise movie theater arrangements. Today’s era of education, however, advocates many more small group/discussion experiences. We saw hints of this style coming on in the 90’s, but the school, frankly, did not have the facilities to host such a model. Koury affords several locations for small group learning. I counted six conference rooms, but other minor spaces also exist.

The delivery of information has greatly changed since the mid-90’s. When we were not in lecture halls, we were in the basement of the Health Science Library viewing tapes of the driest of content. Now with the internet aiding this content’s delivery and the variety of spaces in Koury, students can learn the same material in a variety of ways with more flexibility.

The L-shaped atrium is one of the most fascinating pieces to the new dental complex. What was once a baron, dirty service entrance to Brauer Hall is now an excellent multipurpose space. Hallways in all of Koury’s five floors overlook the space which is largely lit by skylights during the day. The floor space of the atrium contains a new offering to the dental complex; a snack bar. The adjoining tables in the atrium all are located near numerous inset electrical receptacles in the floor, so the space can be used for small group study and other purposes at any hour.

Perhaps the most interesting element to the atrium, however, is the multifunctional elevator/stair column that now sits in the old connector space between Brauer Hall and the Old Dental Building. The landing facing the rest of the atrium contains a lectern, allowing one to address the cavernous room. From the the lecturer’s point of view, the atrium floor is not the only location imagined for the audience. There are perches on higher floors as well as the far corners of the atrium. This allows excellent sightlines for the audience of potentially hundreds in a space that for so many similar projects is discarded.

Most notable to drivers on Manning Driver, however, is the new pedestrian bridge that connects the second floor of Koury to the cafeteria in the Bowles building. This is another example of flawless design and execution, as pedestrians no longer have to dangerously cross one of UNC’s grand avenues.

Crossing the bridge is a pleasing experience. The walkway is covered in bricks, and feels like a continuation of the plaza spaces on each end, and is consistent with the more aesthetic older areas of the campus. The east view from the bridge is one of the best  public views in Chapel Hill, too. Finally, the drainage system for the bridge is outstanding without causing a danger to those wearing heels.

There are a few problems with the additional facilities, though. The entire West façade of the South half of Koury integrates the sidewalk, offering pedestrians a covered walkway insulated from cars on Columbia Street. However this cover stops short of the Koury main pedestrian entrance, leaving a disjointed experience. Furthermore, the walkway extending north to the Health Sciences Library immediately swerves toward the road and exposes pedestrians to what is essentially a highway. Also, there is a clearing of land where the old Dental Office Building was that could have been converted into a small transportation plaza that would have been better than the current Health Sciences Library bus stop.

Also, the west end of the atrium floor is on a level that is a couple of steps up from the main room. These two terrazzo steps, found at the bottom of the main Koury staircase, are not permanently marked and are not seen easily by those who have completed their move down the stairs. Finally, the receptacles in the floor of the atrium are already getting torn up by the café furniture. A different design is needed for these to continue to be functional and safe.

There is so much more to the Koury building than can be appreciated in a simple tour during a dormant week for the school. A whole chapter could be written about the lab spaces as well as the building’s pursuit of LEED Gold certification. However it is fair to say that the complex almost perfectly satisfies the needs of the school in the Modern Era. The steering committee, designers at Flad & Associates, and builders are to be commended for making the UNC School of Dentistry the marquis dental education facility in the world for years to come.

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/04/20/late-night-with-jimmy-fallon-coming-to-unc/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/04/20/late-night-with-jimmy-fallon-coming-to-unc/#comments Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:31:51 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/04/20/late-night-with-jimmy-fallon-coming-to-unc/ On Tuesday, April 24, “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” will tape their show from UNC. The show’s primary guest will by President Obama. Ticketing information is not available...

]]> On Tuesday, April 24, “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” will tape their show from UNC. The show’s primary guest will by President Obama. Ticketing information is not available yet.

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/04/05/100-great-concerts-coming-to-raleigh/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/04/05/100-great-concerts-coming-to-raleigh/#comments Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:02:11 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/04/05/100-great-concerts-coming-to-raleigh/ Summer is just around the corner, and that means another great concert season in Raleigh. From now until the end of September, there is a slew of shows guaranteed to ramp up the fun rate in the area. In fact, there are very few dates between now and mid-June that have no event scheduled, so save up, and get out of the house! There are 100s of good entertainment options coming this summer. The best 100 of them (as of today) are assembled below. Click the venue name for ticket information, opening acts, directions, and more. In addition, soon, all of these events will appear individually in the gogoraleigh DoIt Calendar, so you can easily add any event to your personal calendar. Date   Event Location 4/6   Alabama Shakes Cat's Cradle 4/7   Daughtry Greensboro Coliseum 4/7   Loretta Lynn DPAC, Durham...

]]> Summer is just around the corner, and that means another great concert season in Raleigh. From now until the end of September, there is a slew of shows guaranteed to ramp up the fun rate in the area. In fact, there are very few dates between now and mid-June that have no event scheduled, so save up, and get out of the house!

There are 100s of good entertainment options coming this summer. The best 100 of them (as of today) are assembled below. Click the venue name for ticket information, opening acts, directions, and more.

In addition, soon, all of these events will appear individually in the gogoraleigh DoIt Calendar , so you can easily add any event to your personal calendar.

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/02/07/outlet-mall-becoming-china-town/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/02/07/outlet-mall-becoming-china-town/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:26:30 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2012/02/07/outlet-mall-becoming-china-town/ In the most bizarre announcement in area real estate history, WRAL is reporting that plans are on the board to transform the failing outlet mall near the airport into a China town. The mall will include a cultural center, a hotel, restaurants, and businesses that are Chinese with out being “Americanized”. Learn more from the link. Washed-up Morrisville outlet mall to get Chinese makeover (via...

]]> In the most bizarre announcement in area real estate history, WRAL is reporting that plans are on the board to transform the failing outlet mall near the airport into a China town. The mall will include a cultural center, a hotel, restaurants, and businesses that are Chinese with out being “Americanized”. Learn more from the link.

Washed-up Morrisville outlet mall to get Chinese makeover (via WRAL)

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2011/11/22/clarksonnathanson-coming-to-dpac/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2011/11/22/clarksonnathanson-coming-to-dpac/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:00:00 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2011/11/22/clarksonnathanson-coming-to-dpac/ On January 31 the original American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, will play the DPAC in Durham. Matt Nathanson opens. Tickets start at $68....

]]> On January 31 the original American Idol, Kelly Clarkson , will play the DPAC in Durham. Matt Nathanson opens. Tickets start at $68.

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2011/11/22/herbie-hancock-coming-to-unc/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2011/11/22/herbie-hancock-coming-to-unc/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:00:00 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2011/11/22/herbie-hancock-coming-to-unc/ On Thursday, March 22, modern jazz great Herbie Hancock returns to the area. The show will be at UNC’s Memorial Hall. It appears tickets are not yet available to the public, but the information should appear here when they are....

]]> On Thursday, March 22, modern jazz great Herbie Hancock returns to the area. The show will be at UNC’s Memorial Hall. It appears tickets are not yet available to the public, but the information should appear here when they are.

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2011/11/22/elvis-costello-reschedules-dpac-date/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2011/11/22/elvis-costello-reschedules-dpac-date/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:00:00 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2011/11/22/elvis-costello-reschedules-dpac-date/ There is good news for those hoping to see Elvis Costello back in September. He has rescheduled the concert to April 29. Tickets are on sale now....

]]> There is good news for those hoping to see Elvis Costello back in September. He has rescheduled the concert to April 29. Tickets are on sale now.

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2011/11/22/wicked-returning-to-dpac/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2011/11/22/wicked-returning-to-dpac/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2011/11/22/wicked-returning-to-dpac/ On Wednesday, May 2, WICKED makes its triumphant return to the DPAC. There will be 32 performances spanning the entire month of May, so there is no excuse for not seeing it this time around! Tickets go on sale Monday, February 13....

]]> On Wednesday, May 2, WICKED makes its triumphant return to the DPAC. There will be 32 performances spanning the entire month of May, so there is no excuse for not seeing it this time around! Tickets go on sale Monday, February 13.

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2011/11/21/carolina-chocolate-drops-coming-to-unc/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2011/11/21/carolina-chocolate-drops-coming-to-unc/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:42:16 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2011/11/21/carolina-chocolate-drops-coming-to-unc/ On Friday, February 3, old-time revival band The Carolina Chocolate Drops return to the Triangle. This time they will be at UNC’s Memorial Hall. Tickets are on sale and are $69/59/49/29....

]]> On Friday, February 3, old-time revival band The Carolina Chocolate Drops return to the Triangle. This time they will be at UNC’s Memorial Hall. Tickets are on sale and are $69/59/49/29.

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2011/11/21/wynton-marsalis-returning-to-unc/ http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2011/11/21/wynton-marsalis-returning-to-unc/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:37:42 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2011/11/21/wynton-marsalis-returning-to-unc/ On March, Wynton Marsalis returns to UNC with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, a great, 15-piece big band. The performance takes place at UNC’s Memorial Hall. From the Carolina Performing Arts season brochure: The first jazz composer to win the Pulitzer Prize in music, New Orleans native Wynton Marsalis also was the first artist to win jazz and classical Grammy Awards in the same year. His Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) features 15 of jazz music’s leading soloists, drawing from an extensive repertoire including the masterworks of Ellington, Mingus, Coltrane and other great jazz composers, and original compositions by Mr. Marsalis, Benny Carter, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, Joe Lovano, Marcus Roberts, Geri Allen, Christian McBride and others. “Extraordinarily versatile…” – Los Angeles Times It appears that general public tickets are not available yet. Information should appear on the CPA page as they are made available....

]]> On March, Wynton Marsalis returns to UNC with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, a great, 15-piece big band. The performance takes place at UNC’s Memorial Hall. From the Carolina Performing Arts season brochure:

The first jazz composer to win the Pulitzer Prize in music, New Orleans native Wynton Marsalis also was the first artist to win jazz and classical Grammy Awards in the same year. His Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) features 15 of jazz music’s leading soloists, drawing from an extensive repertoire including the masterworks of Ellington, Mingus, Coltrane and other great jazz composers, and original compositions by Mr. Marsalis, Benny Carter, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, Joe Lovano, Marcus Roberts, Geri Allen, Christian McBride and others. “Extraordinarily versatile…”

– Los Angeles Times

It appears that general public tickets are not available yet. Information should appear on the CPA page as they are made available.

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