Looking for ideas:

music: we like Tift Merritt, Tres Chicas. Can you recommend a club with that sort country/folk orientation?

dinner: we want something genuinely Carolinian, or at least Southern.

hotel: nice but not fancy.

Thanks

You will have to see who is playing and when you will be here? There are places but the Triangle is a big place with 3 different downtown areas. Can you tell me when you are coming? I always suggest the Clarion downtown Raleigh since you can walk to everything. There is also the Sheraton which is on the mall, but you may have to walk more. One of the music halls just closed, Martin Street Music Hall. It was a nice place. The best place downtown to see a good band is "The Lincoln Theatre". Just depends on who is playing. You need to pick up our weekly paper 'The Independent" (http://indyweek.com/durham/current/) at most grocery stores and other places. The main places downtown Raleigh with live music are numerous. There is also the Alltel amphitheater and even check the RBC Center and the Cary Koka Booth Amphitheatre to see who is playing. Chapel Hill has a little more when it comes to Alt-Country sound. See what is playing at the famous Cats Cradle and I believe there is music live in Chatham County where many of the alt-country groups play. In Chapel hill, there is also the club "Local506" and the Carrboro Arts Center. Durham has a few clubs. In Chapel Hill, the Carolina Inn is walkable, but could be a little expensive, so you can stay at other places and "cab it." Chapel Hill has so many musicians that many of the people in the book stores and restaurants are musicians. (one of my favorites are Thad Cockerell(often opens for Tift)or some local like Greg Hawks). But if they are in town or playing anywhere near, you have to see SCOTS (Southern Culture on the Skids)with a little more country knee-slapping rock n roll. For restaurants, Raleigh has gone through the last 25 years a strip center and chain restaurant take over so now they are trying to build back downtown. Much going on but not sure where you are from. For restaurants in downtown Raleigh, if you want Oysters, got to 42 St, but the much of the rest of the food is disappointing. For breakfast, go to Big Eds in City market for southern flare, or if you want something that is diner like with locals, go to Finches, which is the only downtown diner left that serves breakfast. Crowded and not fancy at all, it is ran by a Chinese woman and her family. Also look at Nana's or Humble Pie (Tapas) in the warehouse district. You must go to Glenwood south and at leas walk through at night. I can tell more in another post. In Chapel Hill, go to Mama Dips for some true southern cooking done right. Many more. But please give me an idea when you will be here and I will look and see who is playing and where. I remember the days when I use to see Ryan Adams at the local bar as we both had "a fancy" for the bartender and I think they ended up together, as I also believe he wrote "Heartbreaker" about her......but could be my imagination...

Here are a few things

Ryan Adams first concert since he left Raleigh after the breakup of WhiskeyTown. (He talked bad about the triangle since they did not support him. Local radio was good years ago but was bought out by the big boys and songs are planned by average income and education level" now out of NYC. He did not get the support so he moved to LA then NYC.

MEYMANDI CONCERT HALL (Downtown Raleigh): June 8: Ryan Adams & The Cardinals ($23/$26) On Sale Now

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Elejandro is a big influence of Ryan Adams. Catlin Cary, of course, was played violin and vocals for Whiskeytown)

Elejandro Escovedo
Thad Cockerell and Catlin Cary (Whiskeytown)
Cats Cradle June 18, Chapel Hill

Thad Cockrell & Caitlin Cary (CD release party)

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June 25, Cats Cradle

DAVE AID:

The Spinns, The Meek, Southern Culture On The Skids, Terry Anderson's Olympic Ass Kicking Team, Chrome Plated Apostles, Snatches Of Pink, The Drunks
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Friday, July 8
Chatham County Line (Local favorites and maybe even national)
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Cats Cradle, Chapel Hill, August 9th

Kasey Chambers (The Australian alt-country sensation)

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Lincoln Theater Downtown Raleigh (near the Sheraton)(blocking off the street for a street pary
June 5th Great Line up

High Life Fest

Outside Stage
Barefoot Manner 9:15-11:00
Steep Canyon Rangers 7:15-8:45
Chatham County Line 5:00-6:45
The Avett Brothers 3:00-4:30

Lincoln Stage
Kokolo Afrobeat Orchestra 11-
Mood Cultivation Project 8:15-10:15
Creekside 6:15-7:45
St. Somewhere 4:30-5:45
Red Belly Band 2:30-4

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One of my favorites. Kevin Kenny comes to Raleigh from Atlanta a lot. The ex-Drivin n Cryin lead singer/songwriter is a great accoustical act and great when he has a band.

The Pour House (Raleigh downtown/Moore Square)
Thu 6/2/2005 9:00 PM
Doors: 8:00 PM

Kevn Kinney's Sun Tangled Angel Revival

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Again, when are you planning on coming?

One last thing. You must and I mean YOU MUST, if you like alt-country and everything that made it what it is today ......you must listen to WUNC-FM 91.5 FM on Friday and Saturday nights. The show is "Back-Porch Music" from 8:00 till 1:00 or so and is a true gift and glory of living here in the Triangle. Also, you might want to check out 89.9 WSHA (Shaw University) and listen to their stations on Friday/ Saturday night for a real mix of all kinds of music. WSHA on Saturdays also has Reggae, African and Latin music all day. Where standard radio got sold out to the "glass towers", public and college radio offers a strong alternative to more than idoit call-in shows, yelling DJs, canned music. Also check out 88.1 WKNC (NC State) and WXYZ (UNC)89.???? if WXDU is till there (DUKE) 89.9??.

Subway Scoundrel knows the music scene. Is the Longbranch bar stil open? They've had music in the past, but I've never been there.

If you don't want to stay in downtown Raleigh, maybe something by Crabtree mall. It's a nice mall and if it's hot and humid, it's a good way to spend a few hours in the air-conditioning.

Do you like Andy Griffith show? There is a statue in Pullen Park of Andy and Opie heading to the fishing hole.

Food wise, The Angus Barn (near the airport) is a tradition since about the beginning of time. If you like steaks, you'll love this place. If you're a veggie, try someplace else.

How long is your visit?

Lot of restaurants/places to see near NCState university. Take the Hillsborough street exit on I440 or even Western Blvd exit and you can see a number of restaurants on the side. Also the State campus is wortha visit.

Yes, Longbranch is still there. Worth a look to see who is playing. Longbranch will have some fairly big shows but usually is smaller acts of of corporate country radio. But names you have heard if you like "pretty boy" country (sorry for attitude issue on corporate county music). Another bigger band are the $2 Dollor Pistols if they are still around. Check out our local (and national) (our Lost Highway)record lable called "Yeproc" http://www.yeproc.com/ Alot of international acts (Paul Weller, Bob Mould, etc) but some locals and many of the areas alt-country acts. (not a fan of the term alt-country (alternative country) but don't know what else to call it More on food, you can go a little outside of downtown and if you see a Barbeque place (not a corporate $2M place but a small building with B-B-Q in the name), stop and eat the Eastern NC with a vinigar base BBQ. That is real NC. Get some hushpuppies, Brunswick Stew, Slaw and some chopped "Q". Might be able to get some at Big Eds in City Market for lunch. (Big Eds not opened for dinner)

Thanks for your extensive replies. I am looking WAY ahead, coming May of next year, from Seattle, on our way to a wedding down near Cape Fear. Sounds as though we could stay in Chapel Hill and just go to Cat's Cradle and be fine. I was in Chapel Hill a few years ago and ate well in a soul-food restaurant not far from campus, but can't remember the name. Subway -- could I e-mail you for current music advice long about May 1? If so, e-mail me so I will have your address.
[email protected]
Thanks again.

The Brownstone is my favorite hotel in Raleigh. Outside Raleigh both The Fearrington House and The Washington & Duke are tops but expensive.

I like to eat at Margaux Cafe (expensive), 518 West (my husband calls in a chick restaurant), and 42nd Street Oyster Bar.

You probably ate at Mama Dip's. Still going strong.

ncgrrl -- I found the Mama Dip's website. Looking at the description and a map, it must be the place I stumbled upon, though I thought it was a one-word name. Anyway, I loved it, ate lunch there three days in a row.