Artsplosure Raleigh Kicks off May 15th & 16th

Once again Raleigh NC gets ready to kick off the summer season with the annual Artsplosure festival. This year the event hits the downtown Raleigh streets in the area in and around Moore Square and City Market on May 15th and 16th from 11am to 7pm.

The event attracts upwards of 80,000 people throughout the weekend and features plenty of food, live music, and over 170 juried visual artists and crafters from all over the country will have their wares for sale. The event is held rain or shine and is free to the public.

Photo Op: Raleigh Wide Open

Thousands came out to celebrate art, music and food and a newly revitalized Fayetteville Street Mall at Saturday’s Raleigh Wide Open. Although the North Carolina State Fair was going on simultaneously on the other end of town, and rain drowned out events for a couple hours, for the most part it did not dampen— er, damper— the events which also coincided with the music of Cherry Bounce Festival.

If that wasn’t enough, Krispy Kreme also debuted its new downtown location and Wheel of Fortune drew a large crowd with local tryouts for the show. The day culminated in a fireworks display over the newly opened plaza (with some fantastic new art installations) that provides a newly opened clear view between the State Capitol and the Progress Energy Performing Arts Center on opposite ends. See more on Raleigh Wide Open by the News and Observer.

Clayton Center 09-10 Season Launched

Season Graphics for The Clayton Center

The 2009-2010 Clayton Center performing arts series launches Saturday October 17th with two back to back performances by Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. This marks the second season that Skaggs and his bluegrass troupe have performed at the Clayton Center. With a full stage of uber-talented musicians, he always puts on a great show and leaves his audience always wanting more.

Killer Creative Group designed the season’s graphics including banners, posters, direct mail and the season playbill, the cover of which is shown above. The design features images of some of the artists scheduled to appear this season, and meshes well into the Center’s continued branding and website with its theme of Small Town. Big Time.

Check out the full season:

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Saturday, October 17, 4pm and 8pm

The Spencers: Theatre of Illusion Sunday, November 15, 4 PM

Dr. Etta (Family Specialist)   Friday, January 22, 8 PM

Destino Saturday, February 13, 8PM

Blues Bash V: Soul Mates featuring Eric Bibb and Ruthie Foster
Friday, February 26, 8 PM

John Pizzarelli Friday, March 26, 8PM

Mike Farris & the Roseland Rhythm Review Saturday, April 10, 8 PM

Tickets, Subscriptions and Information: (919) 553-1737 or theclaytoncenter.com

Raleigh Designers Downtown Market and Joan Jett Saturday

Saturday July 11 is shaping up to be a good Saturday here in Raleigh, starting with a return of Designers Downtown Market, on the 500-600 block of West Street from 9-3. Started in 2005, this semi-annual event has grown to a local Raleigh favorite, this time around featuring 46 talented crafters, artists, designers, photographers and artisans selling their wares in a small tent city next to Ornamentea. If you get the munchies, concessions will be available from Queenie’s Weenies and LocoPops.

Then head on over to Moore Square for Raleigh Downtown Live, with legendary rocker Joan Jett & the Blackhearts headlining, and The Bleeding Hearts playing a total of five sets. The Raleigh Bud Light Downtown Live series is free and always draws a good crowd. Full schedule:

2:00pm- Doors open
2:30-3:50pm – Panyelo
3:50pm -The Bleeding Hearts
4:15-4:45pm – Schooner
4:45pm -The Bleeding Hearts
5:10-5:40pm – The Beast
5:40pm- The Bleeding Hearts
6:05-6:35pm – Violet Vector
6:35pm- The Bleeding Hearts
7:00-7:30pm – The T’s
7:30pm- The Bleeding Hearts
8:00-9:00pm – I Was Totally Destroying It
9:40-11:00pm – Joan Jett

Killer Design for Clayton Concert Series

For the past 2 years the Town of Clayton Downtown Development Association has sponsored a downtown summer concert series featuring regional bands. The free concerts take place at the park in downtown Clayton, on Thursday evenings, beginning at 7:00pm. Raleigh graphic design firm Killer Creative Group was asked to design an image and promotions for the concert series, including a logo design, poster design, banner design, t-shirt design, and a postcard design.

The town has really been taking some fantastic steps to improve its downtown, including a new farmers market that was also recently started. If you are in the Clayton area, be sure to check out the improvements to Main street or stop by one of the Thursday concerts:

May 21, Liquid Pleasure
June 18, Abbey Road Live!
July 16, Legends of the Beach
August 20, Zydecopious
September 17, Band of Oz

Artsplosure festival returns to downtown Raleigh

Artsplosure '09 returns to Raleigh May 16th & 17th

Returning for its 30th installment to downtown Raleigh is the Artsplosure festival, a two-day smorgasboard of people-watching, sights, sounds, and tastes. Artsplosure ’09, centered around Raleigh NC’s Moore Square and City Market, will feature over 170 visual artists, selling fine art paintings, photography, jewelry, pottery, crafts–you name it. Expect a crowd of around 80,000 to stop by the two-day festival that will take place on Saturday and Sunday, May 16 & 17.

When you’ve had a chance to browse all the artist’s wares, check out some of the exhibits and performance artists (while you enjoy the tastes of all of the food that will have a little something for everyone). Don’t forget to bring a blanket to hang out at Moore Square and enjoy the live music performances, including Buckwheat Zydeco and the Big Bad Voodoo Daddies. 

Artsplosure is truly one of the most popular all-ages annual events that makes Raleigh such a great place to live. Now get out there and enjoy it!

Hillsborough St Renaissance March 14th

Promising a full day of arts, bands and live music, a fashion show, food vendors, and demonstrations of green and sustainable technologies (including an alternative fuel vehicle showcase), the Hillsborough Street Renaissance is scheduled Saturday March 14th from noon to 10pm.

As a celebration of the kick-off of the planned and much needed 2-year redevelopment of Raleigh NC’s Hillsborough Street, for the first time since its original construction in 1792 the street will be closed off for the festival between Gardner St. and Logan Ct. Proceeds from the event will support sustainable and community development.

Standing Room Only at Blues Bash IV

Johnny Winter and John Dee Holeman play The Clayton Center March 14th

Tickets for Blues Bash IV: Guitar Heroes are selling out fast. Seats are gone and it’s down to Standing Room Only tickets for the March 14th show, featuring the Piedmont country blues of John Dee Holeman and the scorching rhythms of the widely-respected Bluesman Johnny Winter.

If you haven’t seen a show at The Clayton Center yet, you need to check it out. Only fifteen minutes from Raleigh NC, it’s a very intimate venue and a great place to catch an act. Beautifully renovated from a former school auditorium, every seat is great. Even the Standing Room tickets overlook the stage from a second story balcony. One of the Triangle’s better kept secrets.

Blues Bash IV Standing Room Only tickets for the March 14th show can still be had at theclaytoncenter.com, but don’t hesitate— they are limited and going fast.