Fullsteam Ahead!

Today marks the first retail availability of the fine brews from Fullsteam, Durham's latest contributor to the local beer scene. Five of Fullsteam's innovative "Southern Ag" beers will be on tap, including:

• El Toro cream ale
• Rocket Science IPA
• Carver sweet potato beer
• Summer basil farmhouse ale
• Hogwash hickory-smoked porter
  

Fullsteam is well known for their strong presence in the Durham community, from frequent tweets about their progress, to pouring samples at events, to driving their '67 Dodge "Mullet" around town. I'm excited to be able to buy and try their selection of creative brews, and look forward to their next big milestone - the opening of their tavern.

The event will be held at Tyler's Taproom in Durham, starting at 5pm.

The Weekend Has Landed - July 23rd

*Friday*

Retrofantasma @ Carolina Theatre - What better way is there to combat a triple-digit heat index than spending the evening in a gloriously air conditioned historic theatre. Tonight they will be showing a John Carpenter double-feature. First up at 7pm is Dark Star, Carpenter's first major film as a director. At 9:30pm they will be screening Prince of Darkness, the second film in Carpenter's Apocalypse Trilogy.

*Saturday*

TxakoliFest @ Six Plates - The annual collaboration of Six Plates and Wine Authorities to celebrate the Basque white wine served from a traditional porron. Advance tickets are for sale for the 2-5pm time period, and it opens to general admission at 5pm. It is $10 at the door. The live music schedule is as follows (image courtesy Wine Authorities):

1. Emily Lynch 2:40pm
2. Chris Bryant 3:45pm
3. Shana Tucker 4:50pm
4. Delta Rae 6pm
5. J. Timber 7:50pm
6. Swaso 9:30pm
7. Fleau 11pm

*Sunday*

Bull City Food Truck Round-up @ Durham Central Park - Nine of the triangle's food trucks will be present, including:

• OnlyBurger
• Daisy Cakes
• Mom's Delicious Dishes
• Parlez Vous Crepe
• Joe's Diner
• Fired Flour
• Bulkogi Korean BBQ
• Big Red Bus
• Locopops

Music will be provided by Deejay Piddipat, and the event runs from 5-7:30pm.

The Weekend Has Landed - July 16th

Girls Rock NC Showcase

Girls Rock NC is a nonprofit organization that runs programs that encourage girls to be confident, creative members of their communities. Girls make bands, have workshops in teamwork, body confidence, zine-making, DIY clothing, recording, Tech Talk, songwriting and more. During the two week camp, these talented girls will form bands, write a song, and then perform it on stage. The first showcase is tonight at the Pinhook, starting at 6pm with a $5 suggested donation.

Do Itcha Damn Self

Those of you that appreciate music might as well settle in at the Pinhook for the long hall, as when the Girls Rock NC showcase starts to wind down, a one man band jubilee and art fair will carry the torch. Performers include (with links to their normal bands):

• Frank Fairfield
• Phil Cook
• Dan McGee
• Catherine Edgerton
• Django Haskins
• Dave Rogers
• Colin Booy
• Matt White

A craft fair will run from 7-9pm, promoting and sharing various artsy, crafty, and foodie related ways to "do it yourself." $8 suggested donation. Music starts at 9:30pm. Chaz of Bull City Records has put together a full write up, if you'd like some more details.

Third Friday

Not in the mood for music? Well, it just so happens to be Third Friday. For your alternative forms performance art, we recommend:

• Movies in the Park @ Durham Central Park - This month's theme is "Let's Go France," with a mix of poets, movie stars, farmers, wine makers, and marionettes - sharing aspects of French culture. 9pm/FREE.
• The Year of Empty Wine Bottles @ Manbites Dog - A new dance theater production by Killian Manning. Fri+Sat 8:15pm, Sun 3:15pm. $8-16.

Independence Weekend Has Landed - July 2nd

This weekend heralds in the Festival for the Eno, running for three days straight over at West Point on the Eno City Park. All proceeds go to the Eno River Association, dedicated to conserving and protecting the nature, culture, and history of the Eno River basin.

With over 17 bands performing each day, there will be no shortage of live music. Check out the full schedule - and plan accordingly.

Feeling crafty? There will be ~100 artisans showcasing their skills and their wares, from potters to metalsmiths to jewelers to painters.

Feel more at home in an urban environment? Want to fuel the flames of your inner pyro? The Durham Bulls will be playing the next four nights in a row, and each game will be concluded with a grand 20 minute fireworks display.

Don't like baseball? The Pinhook has a back patio with an ideal view of the fireworks, and it just so happens that they are holding a Reggae Night Benefit Show for Durham Community Media, Durham’s only public access TV station and community media center. Bands include Doco and Pure Fiyah, with late night being covered by DJ RYAH and the Infamous Cayenne The Lion King. Fri/10pm/$5-10 donation.

Saturday night will be a line-up of three bands - Shipwrecker, Filthy Bird, and Homoticons. 10pm/$5.

The Weekend Has Landed - June 18th

It's Third Friday, y'all!

Tis a great weekend to be out on the town -- here are some options.

Friday's Free Outdoor Concerts:

Kickin Grass @ Ambacco - A North Carolina based bluegrass band who use traditional instruments to deliver original material in a rootsy, Americana style. 6pm.

Café Mars @ Brightleaf - A versatile troupe of triangle musicians. 7pm.

Opening Weekend of Blackbird

The opening weekend of Manbites Dog Theatre's latest production, written by David Harrower and directed by Michael O'Foghludha.

Performances:

Thursday-Sunday June 17-20Wednesday-Saturday June 23-26Shows at 8:15 except Sunday June 20 at 3:15

Tickets:

$17 Fri/Sat/Sun; $12 weeknights; $2 Discount for Senior (62+), Military, and Students with i.d.; Season Vouchers accepted for all shows.

The INDY's 2010 Best of the Triangle Party

The party will showcase local products and services of finalists and winners from the reader selected contest. The participants will have tables set up at Golden Belt, offering samples and information from 6-9pm.

Live music will begin at 7pm on our outdoor stage in the courtyard, featuring:

• Lonnie Walker
• D-Town Brass
• Birds and Arrows
• Embarrassing Fruits

The event is free and open to the public, and will have a cash bar featuring beer, wine, and water - with proceeds to benefit Durham Central Park.

This Machine Kills Cancer Benefit Concert

The Triangle music community is rallying behind one of their own - Shayne Miel of The Future Kings of Nowhere, as he battles with cancer. Proceeds from the show with help cover some of his costly cancer treatments. It will also mark the launch of Friends with Benefits, a new non-profit organization that will help local musicians who have inadequate health care.

The event is being held at the Triangle Brewing Company, and will go on for nearly 12 hours, kicking off at 12:30pm. It's a $10 donation to get in, but bring plenty of extra cash to buy beer, cds, and participate in the silent auction. It's a massive line-up of bands... here's the schedule:

12:30 p.m. Catie Yerkes

1:00 p.m. Tea and Tempest

1:30 p.m. The Mercators

2:00 p.m. The Tourist

2:30 p.m. Mike Casey Magic

3:00 p.m. Beloved Binge

3:30 p.m. Wigg Report

4:00 p.m. Reese McHenry

4:30 p.m. Jason Kutchma

5:00 p.m. Tender Fruit

5:30 p.m. The Pneurotics

7:00 p.m. Mike Casey Magic

7:30 p.m. The Narcoleptics

8:00 p.m. Charles Latham

8:30 p.m. Bowerbirds

9:15 p.m. Silent Auction Winners

9:30 p.m. Schooner

10:00 p.m. Grey Young

10:30 p.m. Free Electric State

11:00 p.m. Hammer No More the Fingers