I'm Supposed to do WHAT Today?

All over my Facebook feed today, I've seen things about today, February 29th, being Sadie Hawkins day.  Now, I thought that SHD was in November, firstly, but also I had NO idea it meant that I'm supposed to ask a man to marry me today.

Seriously.

Like, for real.

WHAT?

I'm not kidding, not even a little bit.  Here's the link someone put up to be checked out:

Sadie Hawkins Leap Day Ridiculousness

And then I read it and I realized why I had never heard it before:  I'm not Irish.  Not even a little bit, not even on St. Patrick's Day.  I'm Spanish, and we do a lot of dumb things like run with bulls.  So every nationality has their thing I suppose.  I had just never heard of this for Leap Day.  Does it mean that I give him a ring?  Do I have to get down on one knee?  Why am I even asking?  (Note to my lovely, patient boyfriend: don't worry.  I'm just asking these questions for the sake of asking.) 


Do you know anyone who indulges in this tradition?  Will you?

I Googled  both "Leap Day Events Raleigh"  and "Sadie Hawkins Day Events Raleigh" and nothing came up.  Well, maybe.  I'm not great at Googling, so there might  be a flash mob.  But I don't think so.  So, if you're going to celebrate, you'll need to make your own fun.

Happy Leap Day!  If you're out and about tonight in the Triangle, look around.  Maybe you'll see girls getting down on one knee. But probably not.

Alli


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I'm A Sucker...For Homeless Pets

Earlier today, I saw this tweet pop up in my feed:

I thought to myself, "hmm...I like to walk.  I also would like to be a super hero, so long as I get to wear a cape."  So, I clicked the link, and it took me here:

The dog walk is coming!  The dog walk is coming!  

Last year, I had the honor of being one of the emcees for the K9 3k Dog Walk for the SPCA of Wake County.  It was such a fun day!  There are dogs everywhere, stuff for dogs (and owners, too!) to check out, water stations for your pets, and the streets of downtown Raleigh are turned into one big dog walk.  The SPCA of Wake County has been doing this walk for a few years, and it's helped them raise enough money to become no-kill.  

I love animals, I have two dogs and my Brit and I just adopted two super awesome cats from the SPCA of Wake County in December.   They do great things at the SPCA, from their low-cost spay and neuter clinic--which I have used--to their efforts helping to rescue local animals from hoarding situations, and everything in between.  You can help them keep up their great efforts by walking in the walk.  To sign your business up, your team up, or even just yourself and your dog (or even without your dog!)  click this link and do it.  Early birds even get a discount. 

Help homeless animals April 21st. Be a super hero, with or without a cape. 

Alli

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The "Wall" You Must See

This week, Radio 96.1 is giving away tickets to see Roger Waters perform Pink Floyd's "The Wall" July 9th at the RBC Center (which, by then, will be PNC Arena).  Since this tour started nearly two years ago, I never thought I'd get the chance to see it in Raleigh...which is why I flew to California to see it with my mother.

Yes, I appreciate the irony of seeing the performance of an album much about Roger Waters' complicated relationship with his mother...with my mother.  She lives in San Francisco, and we made a deal - if I picked up my airfare from here to the Bay Area, she'd buy the tickets.  "Do you know how much they are?", I asked.  Know this - my mother doesn't sit in cheap seats.  She goes big or doesn't go at all - so the face value of the tickets was $249.50.  Each.  The tickets were about 10 rows up, one section back from the stage (which looked like great placement).

When we arrived at Oracle Arena in Oakland and presented the ticket to the usher, she told us there was an issue and we needed to go to the box office.  I was worried but knew there was no way the tickets were fraudulent because I bought them through the proper website channels...didn't I???

The box office attendant takes the tickets and says, "Mr. Waters apologizes for the inconvenience, but the pyrotechnics from the "wall" are too close to your seats, so he had to move you."  He hands me our new tickets. I look at them, look at my mom, and say, "We're in the 2nd row on the floor".

2nd row center, to be specific.  This was the view from our seats.

Whether you win tickets from Radio 96.1 or buy them, I can tell you - even at those nutty prices, it was worth every penny.

Foster
Radio 96.1

The future of hockey in NC

I went to my first Canes game of the year last night.  It was St. Baldrick's Night, and nearly 200 people came out to shave their heads in support of the incredible charity that funds childhood cancer research.  

I could not get over how many kids - as young as 4 years old - got their heads shaved because they wanted to support kids that were going through a tough time.  It was inspiring and awesome!

Oh, and there was a hockey game - the Hurricanes took on the Anaheim Ducks and lost in a shootout.  But you know what?  Not having seen the team play in awhile, I have to say they play a completely different style of hockey under their new coach, Kirk Muller.  They fight for every puck and never give up.  Eric Staal is energized again and fun to watch.  

It's tough to be a low budget team, but if they play like they did last night, they'll be in every game...and will be a team worth watching for a long time to come.

Foster

Radio 96.1

The Addams Family! (snap! snap!)

The folks at the Durham Performing Arts Center know how to bring in the big guns.  They've been doing their SunTrust Broadway series for some time, but only this year did I get to enjoy some of the shows they've brought in.  Broadway shows aren't for everyone--but I have to admit, I love them.  A good song, a good dance, throw in occasional jazz hands, and I'm good.

Back in October, DPAC sponsored a trip for me and other media members in the Triangle to head up to New York City and see a few shows that would be coming to DPAC this spring.  The Addams Family was one of the shows we saw, in addition to being given the rock star treatment all over New York City.

 Here's my view of the stage from the audience:

Yeah, yeah.  I know it's just a pretty red curtain.  But Broadway sorta frowns upon taking flash photography in a dark house.  You know, because the performers can trip and fall.  And die.  Ok, maybe saying "die" is an over exaggeration.  But you get my drift.

The production on Broadway starred Brooke Shields. I kept thinking how cool it was to be a few rows away from someone I had been seeing on TV and in print ads my entire life!   I would have taken a picture of her, but I like not being kicked out of places, so I didn't.  I'll suffice it to say though, it was an awesome show. It was funny, visual, great for kids.  The premise is that Wednesday is all grown up!  And she likes a boy!  A (holy moly!)  normal boy!  Hijinks ensue.  Uncle Fester is the perfect comic foil.  There were people all over the audience, cracking up, and I was one of them.

I bring up the Addams Family now because it will debut next week at DPAC.  Tickets are still on sale, you can grab them now at DPAC's website.   The show runs February 28th-March 4.  Do yourself a favor: go see it.  It'll be fun.  Plus, it's real Broadway and you only have to go to Durham; you don't have to get on a plane, or rent a hotel room.

You know, you can even win a pair of tickets tomorrow on Radio 96.1.  Just listen for the Swag Bag.

And hey, folks at DPAC?  Any time you want to take me to NYC and treat me like a rock star, I am willing.

Alli


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Spring Has Sprung! (Was Winter Ever Here?)

It's a beautiful, nearly-70 degree day in Raleigh. What's your idea of a perfect day? 

Are you walking the trails of the Art Museum? (my personal favorite!)

Are you hightailing it to Wrightsville Beach?

Or, are you just planning on ways to enjoy the day, even though you have to work (just like me!) I have a feeling I'll just have the windows down, blasting the radio.  I hope you enjoy these next few warm Triangle days!


Alli


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My Bald Six Year Old

That's my 6 year-old son Teddy.  A month or so ago, he told me he wanted to shave his head with me on St. Baldrick's Day.  I've been shaving my head for seven years to raise money to beat kids cancer - even since before he was born.

It's a pretty awesome feeling when you help sick children.  There are few things in life as awesome as kids helping other, less fortunate, kids....especially when it's your own kid doing the helping.

If you want to make Teddy's day, donate to his St. Baldrick's page:

http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/507800/2012

It's not too late to join the Radio 96.1 team this Saturday, 2/25 at the Hibernian Irish Restaurant and Pub in Raleigh - in fact, you can walk up and participate on the day of the event!  Our registrations are a little behind last year, so we could use your help.  Click the link below, then "participate with this team" to pre-register, and we'll see you there.

http://www.stbaldricks.org/teams/mypage/73606/2012


Foster

How Can I Ever Top This?

We had some people over this weekend.  We didn't feel like making snacks, so this is what we did instead:

Yep, that's a hot dog cart.  With the most personable hot dog guy in the world.  The Most Personable Hot Dog Guy In The World, who I'll just call Tyler from now on, was awesome.  Real Sabrett hot dogs.  Spicy sausage, Brats, even chips hanging off his umbrella.  It was a huge hit with our friends, and with us--because we didn't have to cook a thing.  The company we hired, GrillWorks Express , brought a full on cart with the works:  sauerkraut, onions, chili, condiments--you name it.  Plus, Tyler was a hit with the ladies, so that was incredibly fun to watch.  It was all good, and now we have NO idea how we're going to top the hot dog cart next time we have some folks over.  I will say this, though:  GrillWorks Express was awesome, and they're a local, family-owned business.  Chances are, when you hit up a Triangle-area Lowe's Home Improvement, one of their carts is sitting outside, waiting to serve you.  They need some fans on their Facebook page, so hit them up here, and hire them for your next shindig and bowl your friends over. 

Alli

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Where Should We Eat?

Yes, I realize it's two posts in a row about food here on Radio 96.1, but I've started to realize that every time I head downtown for a fun, funky dinner, I always end up in the same places.  I want to try something new! Refreshing!  Something that's not just Snoopys Hot Dogs.  (No offense to the folks at Snoopys.  Y'all make a fine, tasty product.)  So, I was wondering, where do YOU go when you head downtown in Raleigh?  Now that we live closer to downtown,we are making a point to head there for dinner out or a beer or exploring once a week.  

Has anyone been to the London Bridge Pub yet?

Have you hit up Calavera?

What about places like Babylon, or Capital Club 16?  Comment here and let us know what we're missing.  We would love to try YOUR favorite place!


Alli

The Great Birch Beer Discovery

If the picture above means anything to you, chances are you've lived in the Northeast - and certainly if you've called Northeast Pennsylvania home, this stuff is as common as a Pepsi in New Bern.  Birch Beer, a soft drink made with birch that tastes a bit like cherry root beer, reminds me of visiting my Grandparents in Wilkes-Barre, PA in the summer, ordering pitchers of the treat at Joe's Grotto Pizza overlooking Harvey's Lake.  It reminds Alli of summers at the beach in New Jersey.

The thing about Birch Beer is that it's nearly impossible to find in North Carolina.  It's amazing how many delicacies from my various stops along the road are now available here (like Dinosaur BBQ Sauce from the legendary Syracuse, NY haunt, now available at The Meat House in Raleigh and Tastykakes, now available all over the place) - but Birch Beer?

It is a delightful day when you happen upon a cheesesteak shop in your town that an actual Philly transplant has opened.  Chances are it's going to be good.  Finding Birch Beer in the shop is unheard of, because they simply don't distribute the stuff this far south.

So kudos to Anvil of Anvil's Cheesesteaks for regularly having cases of Pennsylvania Dutch Birch Beer FedExed to his shop on Jones Franklin Rd. at the border of Raleigh and Cary.  You might as well be at the border of Wilkes-Barre and Kingston..the Birch Beer is delicious as ever and the steaks are great.  I'd keep going just because it's run by a guy named Anvil. - Foster

http://www.anvilscheesesteaks.com/

Where Have I Been, and Other Reasons I'm Late to the Jason Adamo Party

I'm a big fan of music, especially local musicians.  And, even though I've been in Raleigh for the last nearly 4 (!) years, I don't know why it's taken me so long to see Jason Adamo live. 

He has played for us many times here at Radio 96.1, but I always end up missing him for one reason or another, until last Summer.  Now, I take any chance I can get to see him.  He's always playing out--tonight, for example, you can catch him at Amra's on Glenwood starting at 9, and when he's in town he plays Hibernian on Tuesdays among other places.  He's got a soulful voice and does great covers and originals.  Plus, maybe he'll do you a solid and throw your name into one of the songs he's singing, like he did for me.  If he was looking to impress the people I was with, it worked.  They bought his album and sing his praises.  Good job marketing, Jason, good job.

I bring up Jason now, because he's got a new album coming out and he is trying to build up his Facebook fan page in order to promote it. He didn't ask me to promote it for him, but I'm such a fangirl I'm doing it.  Do Jason (and yourself) a favor and click this link to "like" him.

Jason Adamo's Fan Page

Then, go check out his video for one of his older songs, "Far Away,"  here.  See if you can spot all the Raleigh landmarks in it, just like in his other video for "Raleigh Nights."

"Bricks and Mortar," the new album will be out this Spring.  I've heard a sample of it, and it's great.  I hope he goes far.


Jason Adamo's last album, "Transistor," now available on iTunes.


Alli Morgan

Jay and Silent Bob are coming here???

I was at the Subway on Brentwood Rd recently when I opened a copy of the Indy Weekly and saw a pic of Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes - better known as Jay and Silent Bob.

What was this all about, I wondered?  I love the Jay and Silent Bob movies - as children of the 80's, like me, they make constant inane references from the decade and (like me) have an unhealthy appreciation for bands that probably don't deserve the adoration.  Exhibit A, this quote from "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back": "Presenting the greatest band in the world, MORRIS DAY AND THE TIME!!!"

It turns out that Smith and Mewes have a stage show called "Jay and Silent Bob Get Old" - which is bound to be awesome because a) they are my age and b) that's how I feel - like when the #1 post on Twitter after the Grammys was "Who is Paul McCartney"?

"Jay and Silent Bob Get Old" is playing the Carolina Theatre in Durham on March 15th.  I will be there. Will you? - Foster

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0E00476BC7BB8FF3?brand=carolinathtr&camefrom=CFC_CTD_WEB