HyperLocal News for Fayetteville, North Carolina

Durham Bulls Baseball: Good times at the ballparkFinding an outing that is as alluring for adults as it is for kids isn’t always easy to come by. But when you are sitting in the stands at a Durham Bulls baseball game, it’s clear you’ve discovered the ideal spot for inexpensive entertainment for all ages.

Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek: The Triangle's largest amphitheatreThe Triangle has its fair share of outdoor music venues, but the largest by far is Raleigh’s Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek. Located southeast of the city, off of I-40 and I-440 on an expansive tract of land known as Walnut Creek Park, this outdoor amphitheatre has played host to many of music’s biggest and brightest since 1991.

State Farmers Market: Got to be NCSo the slogan goes, “When you want the best, it’s got to be NC agriculture.” That applies to all of the local produce, poultry, beef, pork, seafood, dairy products, peanuts, herbs, flowers, plants and trees you can imagine. And all of these items and more can be found seven days a week at one of the largest farmers' markets in the state just off of Lake Wheeler Rd. in Raleigh.

The Rialto: Specialty cinema in Five PointsEvery town worth its cinematic salt should have its own independent movie theater that caters to the sharp, thought-provoking specialty films floating around out there in the cultural ether. For cinephiles and anyone else that desires more than just the raging Hollywood blockbuster found at the generic multiplex, there's the single screen Rialto Theater in the center of Raleigh's Five Points.

Raleigh Municipal Rose Garden: A treasure abloom in University ParkWilliam Shakespeare wrote, “Of all flowers, methinks a rose is best." How fitting that the lovely Raleigh Municipal Rose Garden, boasting 60 rose beds of 56 varieties, is adjacent to the historic Raleigh Little Theatre and its 1,700-seat amphitheatre, one of the oldest continuously operating community theatres in the country.

Raleigh Amphitheater: Downtown's newest performance venueDowntown nightlife just got another exciting shot in the arm with the recent opening of Raleigh's new boutique amphitheater. The venue on the southwest edge of downtown promises entertainment bookings through October for a capacity crowd of 5,500 visitors to enjoy.

IMAX Theatre at Marbles Kids Museum: Larger than life 3D entertainment in downtownRising 50 feet high and 70 feet wide, images on the IMAX screen command attention. Add the 3D glasses, 44 speakers and 16 amplifiers within the theater, and immediately you are moved from viewing a movie to actually being transported INTO it. And guess what else -- Raleigh is the sole city in NC where you can experience a truly 3D-capable IMAX adventure.

Artspace: An engaging hub of creativityOn the corner of Davie and Blount Streets in downtown Raleigh sets 30,000 square feet of thriving artistic energy and inspiring creativity. Enter Artspace, one of the largest open-studio artists’ facilities in the country, and engage with professional artists within their personal studio spaces to truly experience the artistic process in action.

Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market: Eat and Shop Local on City PlazaGrab some of the sweetest strawberries you’ve ever tasted and some of the brightest, freshest greens and veggies just out of the garden while you give a listen to a local musical performance and indulge in an old fashioned homemade cookie or artisan cupcake before you go back to your daily grind. All of this locally provided sustenance, entertainment, and more unfolds and transforms City Plaza on Fayetteville St. on Wednesdays from 10am-2pm through October 27.

Marbles Kids Museum: Enter and unleash the funAt Marbles Kids Museum, prepare for a full on explosion of fun. From the minute you enter the light, bright lobby and turn the corner to see the life-sized chess pieces in Curiosity Square, children's imaginations are suddenly unleashed.

Sadlack's Heroes: A Raleigh hangout like no otherConsidered a nightly staple by some, a midday sandwich lunch stop by others, it’s certainly a neighborhood watering hole with a fun live music scene for all. Professors, students, blue collar shifters, burgeoning musicians, fledgling artists and nearby dwellers all cross the Sadlack’s threshold and walk away with a story or two to tell.

V Week in the Triangle: Fundraising to end the big C (August 14-22)When beloved N.C. State men’s basketball coach, the late Jim Valvano took the stage at the 1993 ESPY Awards to receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, thunderous applause followed his ten minute speech that commanded the room and went on to inspire millions. Beginning this Saturday, August 14, Valvano’s spirited, infectious energy ignites the 2010 V Week in the Triangle concluding with the grand finale -- the 17th Annual Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic.

Friends For Hamid Benefit Concert: Community bands together on SundayThere’s always good music to be found and heard in the Triangle, but this Sunday, good local music comes together for an even better cause at downtown Raleigh’s Pour House Music Hall in honor of local chef and owner of Mo’s Diner, Hamid Mohajer.

Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week: Time to dineWhether you are new to the downtown dining scene or a regular chow hound at Raleigh's dining hot spots, for seven days beginning Monday, August 23, three-course prix fixe menus priced at $20 and $30 are yours for the taking at more than 25 popular downtown eateries.

Cherry Bounce Festival 2010: Lit, flicks & beatsThe Cherry Bounce. It’s a cocktail. It’s a festival. And this year, the third time's the charm. This three-day fest, themed "Recess for Restless Minds," takes creative shape Thursday, July 29 - Saturday, July 31 in downtown Raleigh.

Raleigh Wide Open 5: 12 hours of extreme entertainment on July 31Of all the days on the summer calendar, the final day of July is certainly going to put an exclamation mark on summer FUN in Raleigh. From 11am-11pm, Raleigh Wide Open 5 is the name of the extravaganza, and extreme entertainment is the order of the 12-hour day into night.

First Fridays Art Walk: Kick off your month with cultureComing up is the first Friday of the month, which means it’s time to feed your artistic side. Go ahead, mark it on your calendar this month and every month going forward, and look up participating galleries and new exhibits for your monthly dose of culture.

4th of July: An evening of celebration at the NC State FairgroundsWith our nation’s celebrated summer holiday around the corner, grills are getting fired up, pool parties are being planned and picnics are in the works. If your plans have you in Raleigh on July 4th, a packed evening of family fun beginning at 5pm paired with an arsenal of fireworks at 9:15pm will light the night at the NC State Fairgrounds.

Komen NC Triangle Race for the Cure: Go PINK on Saturday, June 12Over 25,000 people will lace up their sneakers and show their support in the fight to end breast cancer during the 2010 Komen NC Triangle Race for the Cure on Saturday June 12. Since Jeanne Peck brought the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Race Series to Raleigh in 1997, this fundraising, awareness heightening footrace has grown to become the largest 5K in both North and South Carolina.

Midtown Beach Music Concert Series: Groovin' on the Commons through August 26Raleigh's about two hours from the nearest sandy beach, but pop over to North Hills on a Thursday evening through the end of August, and you’ll feel a little closer to the coast. Now in its third year, the Midtown Beach Music Concert Series is back in full swing and drawing thousands with lawn chairs in hand and dancing shoes on their feet to socialize, sip and Shag.

NC Museum of Art Summer Concert & Movie Series: Entertainment under the starsNothing could be finer than to be in Carolina at the NCMA's intimate amphitheater under the open sky. Showcasing legendary musical talent and critically acclaimed cinema, this season’s line up seems bent on giving you a reason to stay in town on the weekends.

Tell Me On A Sunday performs through August 29 at The Kennedy TheatreThe impressive summer season of Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy Theatre closes its three-month series on a high note with Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's Tell Me on a Sunday starring Lauren Kennedy.

Oak City Art Market this Saturday at The Raleigh City MuseumTomorrow, the Raleigh City Museum is bringing together a number of Raleigh’s popular artists and designers for a one day only merchandise market from 10am-4pm. Not to worry, the heat won’t be an issue, as the event is taking place inside of the museum.

Market Restaurant: Locally sourced, fresh diningYou’ve heard the saying before. You are what you eat. When you have the choice to eat locally sourced foods, do you? If your answer is yes, then make your way to Market Restaurant on Blount Street in the Mordecai neighborhood. Here, owner and head chef, Chad McIntyre, channels his awareness of his surroundings and his emphatic passion for preparing and serving local, fresh, unprocessed foods in his newly born establishment.

Moonlight Pizza Company: Out of this world specialty pizzasJust off the beaten path of busy Glenwood South and Hillsborough St., Moonlight's one gem of an eatery slightly hidden from the masses but certainly not forgotten. For diners desiring a relaxed spot for gourmet pizzas and zippy beverages, this is the place.

Krispy Kreme: Nostalgia served with a glazed doughnutIt's not exactly the same small-time Mom & Pop doughnut shop that it once was, but chat with a few Raleigh locals since the 1940s and they will tell you a thing or two about what has become the now iconic Krispy Kreme. There’s just something about spying through the glassed window to watch the Krispy Kreme signature doughnut making process that brings a smile to the 5 year old child and the 75 year old alike.

Oakwood Cafe: Cooking it up Argentine & Cuban styleTry to list five restaurants in Raleigh that offer Beef Napolitana, Milanesa a Caballo, Ropa Vieja, and Churrasco Steak all vying for your attention on the same menu. On second thought, don’t bother. You only need to know of one. At Oakwood Café, these authentic Argentine and Cuban dishes including other cultural staples have been served to devoted diners for just over a decade in the small, downtown corner restaurant.

Buku: Distinct dining without bordersThe question isn’t have you been to Buku, rather, it simply is when are you going to Buku? Acclaimed Chef William D’Auvray’s vision of preparing global cuisine inspired by the traditional street foods served from the pushcarts in cities all over the world has come to fruition on the corner of Wilmington and Davie streets in downtown Raleigh.

The Remedy Diner: A dose of healthy eatsIf you are suffering from a need for vegan or vegetarian fare, breakfast served day or night, or a special alcoholic concoction, then check into this downtown infirmary immediately.

Sono: High-energy sushi with flairWalk into Sono’s sleek downtown pad and you immediately feel an urban vibe. Sono’s décor and atmosphere alone make an impression on you long before you are able to size up the fish, but in keeping with its high energy surroundings, the menu offers an energy of its own.

Humble Pie: Eclectic Dining in the Heart of Raleigh's Warehouse DistrictConsider this scenario: You’ve got a craving for oven roasted mahi mahi, your friend is in the mood for braised short rib tostadas, and the couple joining you for a brief bite is interested in appetizers and cocktails prior to heading on to another engagement. Where to go? Be sure Humble Pie is at the top of your short list of choice dining establishments that fill this bill. Set in a repurposed warehouse, Humble Pie offers appetizer and entree items plated for sharing and enjoying.

Boylan Bridge Brewpub: Neighborhood brews paired with downtown skyline viewsComplete with an expansive deck and impressive pergola, both designed and built by owner and architect Andrew Leager, the Boylan Bridge Brewpub is the place to be on a sunny afternoon or warm evening with friends and neighbors. Let the sun go down while enjoying a pitcher of a local brew of your choice, and take in the view of the downtown Raleigh skyline.