Midtown magazine November/December 2022

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022

DINING OUT FOR CHRISTMAS EVE 12 LOCAL OPTIONS 53 FESTIVE EVENTS

NC MUSIC MURALS

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

+ GIVING BACK

MIDTOWN

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INFLUENTIAL WOMEN OF WAKE

DOWNTOWN

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NORTH RALEIGH

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BEAUTY EXPERTS

WAKE FOREST

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CLAYTON

10/18/22 12:34 PM

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10/18/22 12:32 PM

Raleigh | Cary | Rocky Mount Greenville | Los Angeles baileybox.com

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8 | midtownmag.com

E DITOR’S LET T ER

I

first saw Ira David Wood III’s “A Christmas Carol” in 2004—and quickly understood the hoopla! Even my husband wanted to see it again the next year. (Considering he once fell asleep during a New York Broadway performance of “Phantom of the Opera,” that’s saying a lot.)

So when our very own “Talk of the Triangle” podcast hosts Adam Cave and Photo by Joe Woolworth shows (from left to right) Melissa Wistehuff, Ira David Wood III, Beth Shugg and Adam Cave Melissa Wistehuff had the opportunity to interview the legendary IDW III for our November episode, I cleared my schedule. We spent nearly two hours engaging in a humorously heartwarming conversation about Wood’s childhood, family life and rise to fame. Raleigh is lucky to have this humble and talented entertainer in our midst. The podcast episode went live November 1 and I strongly encourage you to give it a listen.

Flip through our holiday issue and you’ll find “A Christmas Carol” among the many festive events featured in our “Merry Moments” holiday roundup on page 50. Next year the show celebrates its 50th anniversary, and that is when Wood will leave his role as “Scrooge” in the very capable and masterful hands of his son, Ira David Wood IV. So if you haven’t seen IDW III perform the star role, order tickets now. This show sells out quickly and there aren’t many opportunities left to see this Raleigh legend perform.

On page 42, we expand on another local annual holiday event: the Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour. You'll learn all about why the tour is so special and how it helped save a beloved Raleigh neighborhood.

As the holiday season escalates, simplify meal planning with “Dining Out for Christmas Eve” on page 32, where you’ll discover 12 local restaurants serving up elegant holiday meals the evening of December 24.

Don’t miss our holiday gift guide, which starts after page 54. We’ve presented 48 unique ideas from local businesses in a specially sized, detachable booklet. And if holiday decorating is what you most look forward to, be sure to check out "Holiday Jewels" on page 58, featuring tips from Keith Lloyd, a local interior designer.

Read “For the Children” on page 62 to learn about five nonprofits helping local kids live happier, healthier lives. And our “Giving Back” special section on page 69 showcases additional local nonprofits working to make life better for Triangle residents.

A mural movement is on the rise across North Carolina, and Chapel Hill–based, Charlotte-born Scott Nurkin is a big part of it. “Where Legends Were Born” on page 72 explores how Nurkin conceived the idea of memorializing some of North Carolina’s great musicians through mural masterpieces across the state.

We also introduce a brand-new special section in this issue: Influential Women of Wake on page 79. Meet amazing role models who work hard every day to make this region one of the country’s finest places to live.

Get a closeup look at The Raleigh Ringers on page 98. Check out a candid conversation with Broadway star and Theatre Raleigh founder Lauren Kennedy Brady on page 102, and find out why it might be worthwhile to visit the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office on page 106. Our Chef’s Table story spotlights Vinnie’s Steak House and Tavern on page 110. And on page 115, explore our “Beauty Experts” special section for advice on proven beauty regimens, treatments and products available right here in the Triangle. ’Tis the season for festive fun and food. From our staff to yours, we wish you the merriest of holiday seasons, and hope this issue brings joy to you and yours as you savor every moment!

Beth Shugg, Editor 10 | midtownmag.com

PUBL I S H ER Ronny Stephens EX EC UTI V E EDI TOR Beth Shugg A RT A N D WEB DI R ECTOR Sean Byrne G R A PH I C DES I G N ER Dathan Kazsuk GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND COPY EDITOR Cindy Huntley CON TR I BUTI N G EDI TOR Janice Lewine S OC I A L MEDI A A ND COMMUN I TY EN G AG E M E NT MA N AG ER Melissa Wistehuff ACCO UN T EX EC UTI VE S Sherry Braswell Stefanie McClary DI STR I BUTI O N Joe Lizana, Manager DistribuTech.net CON TR I BUTI N G WR I TER S Elizabeth Brignac, Kurt Dusterberg, Katie Jansen, Janice Lewine, Charlotte Russell, Kristen Schrum, Anita Stone, Caitlin Wheeler, Melissa Wistehuff CON TR I BUTI N G PH OTOG R A PH ER S Bruce DeBoer, Alisha Cleveland, MASH Photography, Josh Manning, Jenny Midgley, New Depth Creations Midtown magazine is published six times annually. Any

reproduction in part or in whole of any part of this publication

is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.

Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.

Midtown magazine is not responsible for unsolicited

manuscripts, photography or art. Unsolicited material is welcome and is considered intended for publication. Such material

becomes the property of the magazine and is subject to editing.

Midtown magazine will not knowingly accept any real estate advertising in violation of U.S. equal opportunity law.

SUBSCRIPTIONS 6 print issues (1 year) Available online at midtownmag.com 4818-204 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27609 Phone: 919.782.4710 Fax: 919.782.4763

12 | midtownmag.com

STEVEN SHELL LIVING

BORN IN LONDON ENJOYED AROUND THE WORLD EST. 1992

Raleigh, NC 2030 Clark Avenue @stevenshelllivingraleigh 919.803.1033

Mount Pleasant, SC 640 Coleman Blvd. @stevenshellliving 843.216.3900

“So much more than just a great furniture store ”

CONTENTS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

FEATURES 32 D INING OUT FOR CHRISTMAS EVE

12 local restaurants serve up

an elegant holiday experience

42 H ISTORIC OAKWOOD Find out how a candlelight tour saved a beloved

42

Raleigh neighborhood

50 MERRY MOMENTS Celebrate the season with

festive events across the region

54 A HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Local vendors offer

inspiring gifting options

58 H OLIDAY JEWELS

Deck the halls with these

professional decorating tips

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58

62 F OR THE CHILDREN

Five nonprofits are helping

local kids live healthier lives

ON THE COVER Vidrio Chef Saif Rahman presents his festive

72 WHERE LEGENDS WERE BORN

Bengali Holiday Turkey (recipe on page 34).

Photo by Bruce DeBoer.

Scott Nurkin’s murals celebrate North Carolina musical greats

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022

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DINING OUT FOR CHRISTMAS EVE 12 LOCAL OPTIONS 5 3 FESTIVE EVENTS

NC MUSIC MURALS

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

+ GIVING BACK

MIDTOWN

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INFLUENTIAL WOMEN OF WAKE

DOWNTOWN

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NORTH RALEIGH

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BEAUTY EXPERTS

WAKE FOREST

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CLAYTON

10/18/22 12:34 PM

CONTENTS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

DEPARTMENTS

98

MUSIC

The Raleigh Ringers ring in the holiday season

102 C ANDID CONVERSATION

Theatre Raleigh founder Lauren Kennedy Brady

makes an evolutionary move

98

102

106

110

106 COMMUNITY

Pay a visit to the

North Carolina State

Historic Preservation Office

110 CHEF'S TABLE

Vinnie’s Steak House and

Tavern mixes tradition with inventive new offerings

IN EVERY ISSUE 20

SPONSORED CONTENT

ON THE SCENE

Social Scene

Talk of the Triangle New Around Town Home Styler Sister Cities

122 OUT + ABOUT Dine + Draft

Foodie Focus Events

Midtown Mingles Kaleidoscope

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132

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HEALTHY LIVING

56

BUY LOCAL

61

POLISHED IMPRESSIONS

69

GIVING BACK

79 INFLUENTIAL WOMEN OF WAKE 115 BEAUTY EXPERTS 121 BEAUTY BUYS

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

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ON THE SCENE SOCIAL SCENE

The Midtown staff enjoyed an assortment of tacos, side dishes and cocktails in August at Bartaco. The restaurant’s outdoor patio is perfect for a cozy dinner.

The Midtown staff also enjoyed a Char-Grill burger upon hearing the news that the Raleigh landmark will soon be torn down—and rebuilt—to be incorporated as part of a new multiuse building.

The official viewing party for the “Love It or List It” episode featuring host Hilary Farr’s makeover of her own downtown Raleigh home took place in September at The Davie.

Dining al fresco during autumn on Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar’s outdoor patio makes for a stunning and memorable scene.

Taverna Agora hosted its inaugural Flavors of Greece event in August. The four-course feast featured dishes prepared by Executive Chef Spyros Skellas. Each course was paired with Greek wine.

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TE X T & PHOTOS BY M E LIS S A WIST EH U FF

NOVEMBER/DECMEBER 2022

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O N T H E S C E N E TA L K O F T H E T R I A N G L E INTRODUCING A BRAND-NEW PAGE FEATURING YOUR COMMENTS ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS! ALSO, CHECK OUT A SUMMARY OF OUR LATEST “TALK OF THE TRIANGLE” PODCAST EPISODES. All photos by Melissa Wistehuff unless otherwise noted

PHOTO BY DATHAN KAZSUK

Colletta Italian Food & Wine @collettacary announced their opening date (September 2!) @fentonnc + their exquisite menu, helmed

by Executive Chef Oscar Gnapi @chefoscargnapi.

From house-made pastas and focaccia to made-to-order wood-fired pizzas, the menu is so mouthwatering we simply don’t know how we’re going to be able to wait!

We’re particularly partial to the container gardens in their outdoor seating area.

—@fairviewgardencenter This girl is so excited!!!

—@jolene0826

Calling all @hgtv @_loveitorlistit fans!

We joined the official viewing party for tonight’s premiere of “Love It or List It” at @thedavieraleigh, showcasing host Hilar y Farr’s own home renovation here in Raleigh!

It was a treat to meet—and get a behind-the-scenes scoop from—the crew of @constructivedesigngroup as well as some of the local @hgtv team. We are in love with the end result, located near the Raleigh Rose Garden.

Our September/October issues are heading to newsstands this weekend, and we’re so excited for you all to see them. With the latest fashion, ghost stories + whiskey business, we’ve got you covered with all of the must-knows and must-haves throughout the Triangle this fall.

chose to love it. Turned out gorgeous.

—@savoryspiceraleigh

Good news, I can’t wait to try their food!

—@valelizcc

Well this is cool!

—@shoplocalraleigh

Wonderful! Excited to go, soon!

—@carlix_portella

cupcakes!

—@fairviewgardencenter

@juicekeys —@bluewatersparaleigh Thanks for having us!

—@juicekeys We love our friends at @juicekeys!!!!

—@kandy_apples_by_k

The photos are fabulous!!

Can’t wait to snag mine!

—@fentonnc @fentonnc We couldn’t imagine a more fasionable location!

—@caryliving

Watched the show. Glad Hilary

I made our reservation! I’m so excited and love Italian!

—@shannongoldbergsellsncrealtor

If only ever y meeting could be this sweet! Thank you @juicekeys for brightening our Tuesday with delicious, healthy treats!

A stunning sunset welcomed the @midtownraleighalliance State of Midtown: The Elevated Experience at @theeasternraleigh this evening.

Gorgeous!

Spectacular view!

—@difarapizzatavern —@enhancedlife_furnishings

Hate we missed the Bryan

So fun!! Love that show!!

—@sweetpicnics

Our “Talk of the Triangle” podcast, available

In November, you’ll hear our conversation with

wherever you download podcasts, introduces you to

Ira David Wood III as he begins his 49th season

the people, places and events worth talking about.

of “A Christmas Carol.” As for December, we

Episodes available for you to check out include:

will keep that under wraps for now! Each episode

“The Bees-ness of Pollen in the Triangle”

drops the first Tuesday of the month. Listen to

“RV Life”

them one at a time, or binge them all at once!

“Baseball Card Comeback”

Either way, you’ll be glad you tuned in. Learn

“Bolognese + Bourbon”

more at midtownmag.com/podcast.

“Capital City Ghosts” (in two parts)

Get Social With Us! 22 | midtownmag.com

midtownmag.com

@ midtownmagazine

@ midtownmag

@ midtownmagazine

ON THE SCENE NEW AROUND TOWN

WAKEMED OPENS OUTPATIENT PRACTICE FOR CANCER CARE PATIENTS

WakeMed Hematology & Medical Oncology, an outpatient practice for comprehensive cancer care and personalized treatments, opened at the Raleigh Medical Park in August.

The practice provides care for all types of cancer and the full-spectrum of hematology disorders, while providing subspecialty services in thoracic, gastrointestinal, genitourinary and breast oncology. The physician team includes Dr. Vijay Chaudhary, M.D.; Dr. Praveen Namireddy, M.D.; and Dr. Bilal Khalid, M.D. 23 Sunnybrook Road, Suite 220, Raleigh 919.350.2873

wakemed.org

PHOTO COURTESY OF WAKEMED

RALEIGH PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATES WELCOMES ZEV ZINGHER, M.D.

Dr. Zev Zingher, M.D., recently joined Raleigh Psychiatric Associates to provide mental health services to children and teens. Board-certified in adult psychiatry, Zingher recently completed a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at the University of Virginia. His approach to child and adolescent psychiatry includes a variety of therapies, including play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, family therapy and psychopharmacologic treatments, each where appropriate.

3900 Browning Place, Suite #201, Raleigh 919.787.7125

raleighpsych.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF DR. ZEV ZINGHER

THE CASSO DEBUTS IN GLENWOOD SOUTH

The Casso, a Tribute Portfolio hotel in Raleigh’s Warehouse District and Glenwood South, welcomed its first guests in September. The retreat, rooted in Southern charm, features 126 well-appointed rooms along with a full-service bar and restaurant called Good Day Good Night. The hotel is named after one of Raleigh’s largest and most popular hotels in the 1700s and 1800s— Casso’s Inn, which was also the registered birthplace of U.S. President Andrew Johnson in 1808.

603 W. Morgan Street, Raleigh 984.275.2220

marriott.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CASSO

NEW WATERS RECOVERY LAUNCHES IN RALEIGH

New Waters Recovery, North Carolina’s first fully integrated detox and mental health assessment facility located in North Raleigh, hosted a grand opening on September 8 that drew more than 250 attendees. The client-centered program incorporates holistic practices and provides a full continuum of medically integrated care for people struggling with addiction and mental health disorders in North Carolina and throughout the Southeast.

The event featured a live mural painting by artist Wiley Ross and speakers from the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, City of Raleigh and New Waters Recovery.

3810 Bland Road, Raleigh 919.670.8119

newwatersrecovery.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF NEW WATERS RECOVERY

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BY JAN IC E LE W I N E

StretchLab

S P O N S O R E D C O N T E N T H E A LT H Y L I V I N G

Move Better With StretchLab Experience the amazing benefits of a 1-on-1 assisted stretch Never heard of an assisted stretch before? It’s this amazing concept where someone helps you get a deeper stretch than you could on your own.

StretchLab, a 1-on-1 assisted stretching studio, has been helping people all over Midtown Raleigh and Wake Forest move better and improve their quality of life through assisted stretching. Owners Henry and Ada Gonzalez opened their first studio in 2021 and have since been helping people from young athletes to active seniors improve their mobility and flexibility. No matter your age, fitness level or lifestyle, an assisted stretch can help you increase your range of motion, improve your sports performance and decrease your risk of injury.

Everyone needs to stretch, but it can be difficult to get a deep stretch and hold it for long enough when doing it on your own. Regularly getting stretched helps decrease muscle tightness, allowing the body to loosen up and be more flexible. Better flexibility means better mobility. And better mobility means

being able to move freely. Many of StretchLab’s members love to get stretched because of the freedom of movement they’ve gained since starting their flexibility journey.

Some want to be able to move around with less pain.

And some simply want a great stretch. Regardless of the reason, StretchLab is here to help you move and feel better!

StretchLab offers customized 25- and 50-minute 1-on-1 sessions with highly trained Flexologists.

Each session is customized to an individual’s specific needs and goals so he or she can get the most out of each stretch. To help customize the session, all members can take advantage of MAPS, a revolutionary 3D body scanning tool that allows Flexologists to see imbalances in the body. By just doing three overhead squats, MAPS is able to measure an individual’s mobility, activation, posture and symmetry. StretchLab is the only assisted stretching studio with MAPS technology readily available.

Henry Gonzalez has a background in surgical robots.

Ada Gonzalez is a Physical Therapist and Pilates Instructor.

There isn’t one reason why someone finds themself at StretchLab. Some want to be able to run faster.

StretchLab 2920 Sherman Oak Place, Suite 120 Raleigh, North Carolina 27609 919.636.4147 stretchlab.com/location/midtownraleigh

The information on this page is provided to the public by the advertiser mentioned above.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

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OUT & ABOUT HOME STYLER

1

HOLIDAY

CHARM

Creating an inviting atmosphere starts from the moment you walk in the front door, and there’s no time quite like the holidays to make your mark. Fall pumpkins are a great way to dress up your entryway in November, before giving way to the holidays by adding a jingle to your front door or a modern look to accent your existing decor.

2

3

4

5 6

1. Leather bell door hanger, $29 (single jingle), $45 (triple jingle) and $79 (five-bell jingle) | Designed for Joy 2. Silver LED trees, $50 (small) and $85 (large) | La Maison 3. Velvet pumpkins, $19.95–$71.00 | NOFO @ the Pig 4. Farringdon large console, $1,330.15 (pictured); small console, $719.65 | Steven Shell Living 5. Orchid in Revelation cachepot with succulent and seed sphere, $350 | Inspirations 6. Grapewood bowl with moss and air plant, $250 | City Garden Design

26 | midtownmag.com

BY KURT DUSTE R B E RG Photos provided by vendors

THE BONE & JOINT SURGERY CLINIC SURGERY CLINIC

THE TRIANGLE’S TOP ORTHOPAEDIC SPECIALISTS THE TRIANGLE’S TOP ORTHOPAEDIC SPECIALISTS

Dr. Robert G. Jones, M.D. Dr. Paul L. Burroughs, M.D. Dr. Robert Dr. David T. Jones, M.D. G. Jones, M.D. Dr. Paul L. Burroughs, Dr. GaryM.D. D. Fleischer, M.D. Dr. David T. Jones, M.D. Dr. Gary D. Fleischer, M.D. Dr. James D. Crowther, M.D. Dr. Cary S. Idler, M.D. Dr. James Dr. Cary S. Idler, M.D. Madeleine Breen, PA-CD. Crowther, M.D. Dr. Johnny T. Nelson, M.D. Madeleine Breen, PA-C Dr. Johnny T. Nelson, M.D.

Specialists in minimally invasive surgical and non-surgical Specialists in minimally surgical non-surgical options of bone,invasive joint and muscleand injuries. options of bone, joint and muscle injuries.

• Neck & Spine • Neck & Spine • Joint Replacements • Joint Replacements • Shoulder • Shoulder • Sports Medicine • Sports Medicine

• Arthroscopic Surgery • Arthroscopic Surgery • Elbow, Hand & Wrist • Elbow, Hand & Wrist • Foot & Ankle • Foot & Ankle • Hip & Knee • Hip & Knee

For almost 50 years, our Raleigh practice has dedicated itself to providing our patients For almost 50 years, our Raleigh practice has dedicated itself to providing our patients with the most personalized care available by our top general and fellowship-trained, with the most personalized care available by our top general and fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopaedic surgeons. board-certified orthopaedic surgeons.

3801 Wake Forest Road, Suite 220, Raleigh ⅼ 919.872.5296 ⅼ raleighboneandjoint.com 3801 Wake Forest Road, Suite 220, Raleigh ⅼ 919.872.5296 ⅼ raleighboneandjoint.com

ON THE SCENE SISTER CITIES

JOY TO THE WORLD

Two North Carolina towns bring tidings of holiday nostalgia

BY M EL ISSA W ISTEHUFF CHRISTMAS TOWN U.S.A.

TANGLEWOOD PARK FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Named one of USA Today’s top 10 best holiday light displays in the

Tanglewood Park will host its 31st season of Festival of Lights

country, McAdenville merrily takes on the moniker of “Christmas

November 11–January 1. Located in Clemmons just outside

Town” each December. Situated along the South Fork Catawba River

Winston-Salem, and spanning 5 miles with more than 1 million

just west of Charlotte, McAdenville offers a picturesque downtown

glistening lights, visitors drive through spectacular scenes while

with plentiful places to dine and access to riverside walking trails,

listening to festive tunes and interactive music displays. Students

making this town of slightly over 1,000 residents a delight to visit

from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts compose

throughout the year.

original musical pieces to accompany the 80-plus displays along the

McADENVILLE

During December, however, McAdenville is transformed into a quintessential holiday dreamscape, reminiscent of a festive Hallmark

CLEMMONS

countryside route.

In addition to the drive-through experience, Tanglewood

Christmas movie. Its downtown streets are adorned with more

offers TOAST: Totally Outstanding Awesome Stroll through

than 250 evergreens covered in half a million red, white and green

Tanglewood—a 1.3-mile walk through the light display that also

lights. Bells and carolers welcome visitors, and over 100 beautifully

includes hot chocolate, food, s’mores and games.

decorated homes greet onlookers. The town’s Yule Log Parade, which

Welcome the New Year with Running of the Lights—a race

has taken place on Main Street since 1949, is led by the local high

through the Festival of Lights at midnight on New Year’s Eve. With

school marching band and children pulling a yule log to the Memorial

all of its merriment and enchantment, Tanglewood helps even the

Yule Log Fireplace in Legacy Park. Talk about a wonderful life!

grinchiest of hearts grow.

Learn more at mcadenville-christmastown.com.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRISTY GLIDDON

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Learn more at forsyth.cc/Parks/Tanglewood/fol.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF VISIT WINSTON-SALEM

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

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DINING OUT FOR CHRISTMAS EVE 12 local restaurants are serving up an elegant holiday experience by k r i s t e n s c h r u m

C

hristmas Eve dinner is widely recognized as a time for families to gather round a delicious meal and relax before the whirlwind of Christmas Day festivities begin. It’s a chance to reflect on what makes the holidays special: tables decorated in garland, Christmas crackers, family, friends and, of course, amazing food.

But what might make your Christmas Eve dinner even more enjoyable is if you don’t have to prepare it.

As luck would have it, some of the Triangle’s most celebrated chefs have done the work for you. Here are the delicious details on where to dine out for an exquisite Christmas Eve dinner. Bonus: Some of these chefs have also provided recipes for those of you who desire to make your own Christmas Eve dinner.

Call the restaurants or visit their websites to reserve a table. But don’t hesitate! Reservations fill up quickly at these establishments.

CHEF DAVID MITCHELL’S FIGGY PUDDING (MAY ALSO BE MADE WITH DATES, AS PICTURED HERE) Preparation time: Less than 30 minutes | Cooking time: 30–60 minutes | Serves 6 PUDDING INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

5 ounces of figs or dates, chopped 9 fluid ounces of hot water 1 teaspoon of baking soda 2¼ ounces of butter, softened 2¼ ounces of caster sugar 2 free-range eggs 5 ounces of self-rising flour

Preheat the oven to 370 degrees. Mix the figs, baking soda and water together in a bowl and leave the mixture to soak for 10 minutes. In a clean bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Still stirring the butter mixture, gradually add the eggs, making sure they are well mixed in. Still stirring, gradually add the flour, then add the date mixture. Pour the mixture into an 8-inch square cake tin. Place the tin in the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until cooked through.

TOFFEE SAUCE INGREDIENTS 7 ounces of butter 14 ounces of brown sugar 1 vanilla pod, split 9 fluid ounces of double cream

PLATES NEIGHBORHOOD KITCHEN 301 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 100, Raleigh 919.828.0018 | plateskitchen.com Plates Neighborhood Kitchen offers a Christmas Eve dinner created by Chef David Mitchell you can enjoy any time before 7:30 p.m. In years past, Plates has offered herb-rubbed prime rib, confit duck and succulent mountain trout. The warm and festive atmosphere provides an intimate setting for friends and loved ones.

Want to take the feast home with you?

Plates’ Christmas package feeds six to eight. Enjoy a roast turkey breast and leg confit dresses with warm gravy and sides such as fresh, roasted vegetables and Union Special baguettes with house butter.

For dine-in or takeout dessert, be sure to indulge in Mitchell’s famous Figgy Pudding.

PHOTOS BY BRUCE DE BOER

32 | midtownmag.com

To make the sauce, melt the butter in a thick-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, cream, and the seeds from the vanilla pod and stir well. Simmer for 5 minutes.

To serve, cut out a portion of the pudding onto a plate and pour the hot toffee sauce over it. Top with a dollop of fresh whipped cream.

CHEF STEVEN D. GREENE’S CHESTNUT SOUP INGREDIENTS 2 quarts of fresh chestnuts 2 quarts of frozen chestnuts 3 onions, peeled and sliced .75 liters of Madeira

2 bacon strips ¼ pound of butter 1 quart of milk Chicken stock

DIRECTIONS Add the bacon to a large braising pot and render.

Lightly caramelize the onions, then add the chestnuts and “truffles,” which are optional. Deglaze with the Madeira. Reduce the wine by half. Add double the volume of chestnuts worth of chicken stock and simmer until the nuts are tender. Blend with cold butter and pass through a chinois. Season with salt. *To make the potato butter mentioned in the bottom right paragraph, peel and quarter 2–3 Yukon gold potatoes. Add them to cool filtered water with 3 grams of salt. Boil the potatoes until they are tender.

While the potatoes cool, warm up 25 grams of heavy cream and ensure that you have 170 grams of soft plugra butter at room temperature. Strain the potatoes and put them through a potato ricer or a China cap. Whisk the riced potatoes with warm cream and butter in a mixing bowl. Add 3 additional grams of salt. For extra refinement, strain once more through a fine chinois.

HERONS AT THE UMSTEAD HOTEL AND SPA 100 Woodland Pond Drive, Cary 919.447.4000 theumstead.com/dining/herons Herons at the Umstead Hotel and Spa offers an elegant, romantic Christmas Eve dinner every year with a seasonal menu accompanied by a vast list of wines and spirits. Previously, the restaurant has offered a four-course experience featuring a roast duck beside pickled quince and caramelized sweet potato, and a stunning steakhouse filet served with potato butter* (recipe above), broccoli and sunchoke relish. Enjoy Herons’ five-star cuisine surrounded by the restaurant’s aesthetic private art collection and intimate, polished wood interior.

PHOTOS BY BRUCE DE BOER

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CHEF SAIF RAHMAN’S BENGALI HOLIDAY TURKEY 16–20 servings An 8- to 10-pound whole bird, washed and dried, is needed for this recipe.

SPICED BUTTER INGREDIENTS 6 tablespoons of softened ghee 2 sticks of unsalted butter, at room temperature ¼ cup of toasted ground cumin ½ cup of toasted ground coriander 2 tablespoons of ground turmeric 2 tablespoons of chili flakes

VIDRIO 500 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 100, Raleigh 919.803.6033 | vidrioraleigh.com Enjoy a beautiful collection of glass-blown decor, Mediterranean tiled walls and an incredibly vibrant menu at Vidrio for Christmas Eve. With an emphasis on the communal nature of dining, Chef Saif Rahman brings patrons together through a rich array of fresh fish, roasted meats and seasonal ingredients all cooked in the purest olive oil imported from Greece. Vidrio’s Christmas Eve menu offers limited but elevated cuisine highlighting his talented kitchen staff’s creativity.

Enjoy shareable entrees such as duck á l’orange, slow-roasted pork and lamb tagine, all served with their own Mediterranean twist.

3 tablespoons of mustard powder 2 tablespoons of Kashmiri chili powder 6 tablespoons of kosher salt (or more, to taste) 5 tablespoons of garlic paste 4 tablespoons of ginger paste Zest of 3 lemons

SPICED BUTTER DIRECTIONS Mix the ghee, butter, spices, garlic and ginger pastes, and zest together. Massage this spiced butter all over the turkey and let the turkey sit in the refrigerator for 4 hours.

Once the turkey has marinated for the full amount of time, take it out of the refrigerator and allow it to warm to room temperature, then proceed with the next steps.

STUFFING INGREDIENTS 2 cups of cooked kidney beans 2 cups of cooked chickpeas 1 orange, sliced thick

1 tablespoon of kosher salt 1 tablespoon of black pepper

STUFFING DIRECTIONS Mix the beans, orange slices, salt and pepper together. Set aside.

MIXED VEGETABLE INGREDIENTS 15 small red potatoes 1 bunch of celery, cut into 4-inch pieces 20 small-to-medium carrots, washed and unpeeled 3 large red onions, cut into quarters 2 bunches of parsley, washed and cleaned

¼ cup of fresh oregano ¼ cup of fresh thyme sprigs 3 leeks, with white and tender green parts cut into 1-inch rings 5 bay leaves ½ cup of peanut or sunflower oil ¼ cup of kosher salt

MIXED VEGETABLE DIRECTIONS Mix all ingredients together and put them in a roasting pan.

BENGALI HOLIDAY TURKEY DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Put the stuffing inside the turkey and tie the legs together to secure it. Put the turkey on top of the vegetables in a roasting pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, then turn the temperature down to 350 degrees. Cook for another 45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees when you stick a thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh (without touching the bone) and 155 degrees in the breast. Take it out of the oven and rest the turkey for 20 minutes before carving it. Check the breast’s final temperature; it should read 165 degrees from carryover cooking. Serve the turkey with the stuffing and roasted vegetables.

CHEF SAIF RAHMAN’S MEXICAN CHRISTMAS PONCHE 24–30 servings INGREDIENTS 2 gallons of water 4 cinnamon sticks 12 whole cloves 10 long tamarind pods, husks and seeds removed 7 large guavas, peeled and diced 4 medium red apples, peeled, cored and diced 3 medium pears, peeled, cored and diced

2 4-inch sugar cane sticks, peeled nd diced* 2½ cups of pitted prunes 1 cup of sultana raisins 3 medium oranges, sliced ¼-inch thick 14 ounces of chopped piloncillo or 1 cup of packed dark brown sugar* Brandy, mezcal or anejo tequila

DIRECTIONS Place water, cinnamon sticks, cloves and tamarind pods in a large pot and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer for 15 minutes.

Strain and discard all the spices and tamarind. Return the liquid back to the pot.

Add the guavas, apples, pears, sugar cane sticks, prunes, raisins, oranges and piloncillo or brown sugar. Simmer the mixture for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

To serve, ladle the punch into coffee cups or mugs, making sure each cup gets some chunks of fruit. If desired, add an ounce of brandy, mezcal or tequila to each cup. *Sugar cane sticks can be found fresh or frozen in most Mexican grocery stores, as can piloncillo, a raw form of pure cane sugar, also known as Mexican brown sugar.

PHOTOS BY BRUCE DE BOER

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OSTERIA G 5160 Sunset Lake Road, #101, Apex 984.229.7480 | osteriag.com For a family-oriented Christmas Eve dinner, try Osteria G’s authentic Italian comfort food.

Feel the holiday spirit as you sit near the dining room’s Christmas tree adorned with rustic, homey ornaments. Osteria G’s Christmas Eve specials include a seasonal pasta dish incorporating fresh, wintry ingredients inspired by the holidays, as well as other Italian classics featuring a Christmas twist.

In the past, the restaurant has offered surf and turf with a béarnaise sauce, a slow-roasted herbstuffed porchetta and a rotating array of Tuscan wines, including a flavorful Montepulciano.

FOUR CHEFS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE: THE CHEFS OF OSTERIA G ARE (LEFT TO RIGHT) MANNY LOZANO, JOSEPH REINIS, JOSH HEINZ AND KYLE HAYS.

OSTERIA G’S WINTER SPICED POT DE CREME

Serves 8

INGREDIENTS 1 quart of heavy cream 1 tablespoon of vanilla paste 8 egg yolks 2 whole eggs 220 grams of granulated sugar

Pinch of salt 1 gram of cardamom 1 gram of nutmeg 20 grams of crushed cinnamon sticks 5 cloves

DIRECTIONS Boil the cream and vanilla paste. In a separate bowl, mix together all eggs, sugar, salt, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. Slowly add the scalded cream to the egg mixture, whisking vigorously.

Strain the mixture and fill eight 6-ounce ramekins. Arrange the ramekins in a pan and fill the pan with boiling water halfway up the outside of the ramekins.

PHOTOS BY ALISHA CLEVELAND PHOTOGRAPHY

Bake at 280 degrees until the mixture sets (when the amount that jiggles is the diameter of a nickel). Cool and serve.

MULINO’S ITALIAN KITCHEN & BAR 309 N. Dawson Street, Raleigh | 919.838.8595 | mulinoraleigh.com Looking for a place to host a party for the workplace? Skip the stress and celebrate the season with a holiday party at Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar. Though the restaurant is not open Christmas Eve, it’s the perfect destination for a holiday outing with friends, family or coworkers. Offering multiple private dining areas that can accommodate groups of varying sizes, as well as three gorgeous bars, Mulino’s Italian Kitchen & Bar makes it easy for you and your guests to enjoy a festive holiday cocktail.

CHEF SAMAD HACHBY’S CHANTERELLE AND PORCINI MUSHROOM RISOTTO Cooking time: 30 minutes | Serves 4 INGREDIENTS 240 grams (8.47 ounces) of Carnaroli rice 200 grams (7.05 ounces) of porcini 1 large porcino Grated Parmesan cheese Butter 1 shallot

Extra virgin olive oil 6 cups of vegetable broth 1 glass of white wine Pepper, to taste Parsley, to taste Sage, to taste

DIRECTIONS To prepare the porcini risotto, start by placing the mushrooms on a cutting board. Clean the mushrooms with a sponge and a small knife, without washing them, to remove the earthy parts, then cut them into strips.

Chop the shallot and fry it in a saucepan with a drizzle of oil. Add the rice and toast it, then blend it with the wine. Let the alcohol evaporate, then wet the rice with a ladle of hot broth and cook it, adding more broth if necessary.

Halfway through cooking, add the mushrooms and mix everything together. Once the rice is cooked, remove the saucepan from the heat and add a little grated Parmesan cheese and a knob of butter, then stir it vigorously to emulsify it. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

PHOTO COURTESTY OF MULINO ITALIAN KITCHEN & BAR

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CHEF'S PALETTE 3460 Ten Ten Road, Cary 919.267.6011 | chefspalette.net Chef’s Palette’s warm and friendly atmosphere offers a Christmas Eve dinner that is both a family-oriented and finedining experience all at once. The land-and-sea restaurant typically features a menu with home-cooked flair. The Christmas Eve menu features an eclectic array of appetizers, salads and entrees. Elevated comfort foods such as creamy shrimp and grits are enjoyed alongside pan-seared scallops, chicken Francese, steak frites and other all-American classics. For dessert, enjoy creme brûlée, pumpkin bread pudding and Chef Ryan Summer’s famous chocolate Oreo pie. In addition to a dine-in experience, Chef’s Palette is also offering a pickup option for its Christmas Eve dinner.

CHEF RYAN SUMMERS’ HERBES DE PROVENCE–MARINATED LAMB RACK WITH BALSAMIC RED WINE REDUCTION Serves 3–4 INGREDIENTS

HERB MARINADE INGREDIENTS

2 racks of lamb Herb marinade Balsamic red wine reduction

1 large shallot, minced 5 garlic cloves, minced 3 sprigs of rosemary, chopped ¼ cup of mint, chopped 1/3 cup of herbes de Provence (can be purchased at most grocery stores) 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS Combine the herb marinade ingredients into a large bowl and mix well. Cut up two racks of lamb into 2–3 bone portions. Add the lamb to the bowl, coating each piece well with the marinade. Cover and marinate the lamb in the refrigerator for 24–36 hours.

Grill the lamb until the meat reaches a temperature of 130 degrees. Let the meat rest for 5–10 minutes before serving with the red wine reduction, either on top of the lamb or on the side as a dipping sauce.

BALSAMIC RED WINE REDUCTION INGREDIENTS Half a bottle of red wine 1½ cups of balsamic vinegar Shallots, mint and rosemary, to taste Veal demi-glace or beef bouillon, to add flavor and consistency ¼ cup of honey 2 tablespoons of butter

BALSAMIC RED WINE REDUCTION DIRECTIONS Sweat the shallots. Deglaze with wine, balsamic and veal demi-glace or beef bouillon. Add the mint and rosemary, then reduce the mixture by half. Add in the honey and butter. Strain the mixture and then serve the sauce on top of the lamb or on the side as a dipping sauce.

Chef’s Tip: Serve the lamb and sauce with two bunches of broccolini. Blanch the broccolini, then cook it lightly in 3 tablespoons of butter with garlic, shallots and chicken stock, to taste. Serve all of the above with Israeli couscous with sautéed fresh tomato, olives and basil.

PHOTOS BY JOSH MANNING NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

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CHEF SPYROS SKELLAS’ GREEK CHRISTMAS LAMB IN PARCHMENT PAPER Serves 8 INGREDIENTS 1 8-ounce lamb leg, bone-out 8 ounces of kefalotiri (saganaki) cheese, shredded 4 medium-sized carrots, shredded 2 ounces of pine nuts, toasted 4 cloves of garlic 3 ounces of olive oil

1 teaspoon of pink whole peppercorn 3–4 branches of fresh thyme 1–2 teaspoons of oregano 2–3 branches of fresh rosemary 2 pounds of potatoes, peeled Salt, to taste Pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Wash and dry the meat. Toast the pine nuts without oil.

In a large mixing bowl, add the shredded carrots, kefalotiri cheese, pine nuts, salt, pepper and oregano. Place the meat on a large piece of parchment paper. Rub it with salt, pepper and oregano. Make small incisions and tuck in pieces of garlic, some of the carrot and the cheese mixture. Use the remaining mix to cover the meat, then add the pink peppercorn and drizzle it with olive oil. Roll the meat into a firm roll and secure it with string or baker’s twine.

In a large mixing bowl, add the potato wedges and season them with salt, pepper and oregano.

Place the meat roll at the center of the parchment paper and distribute the potatoes all around it.

Add the herbs. Wrap everything and tie the parchment paper with some string or baker’s twine.

Dampen the paper and put it in the oven on a pan. Cook for about 2 hours.

TAVERNA AGORA 326 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh 919.881.8333 | tavernaagora.com Taverna Agora offers a quaint, family-oriented Christmas Eve experience, where diners can enjoy the tastes of Greece inside a charming, picturesque dining room. The familiar blue and white table coverings, ceramic pottery and rich images of the Mediterranean coasts will transport you to the Greek Isles while you enjoy a three-course Christmas Eve dinner. In the past, Taverna Agora has offered a 12-ounce ribeye and Astakos grilled lobster tail paired with imported Greek wines or hand-crafted cocktails.

The restaurant embodies Greek gathering tavernas and encourages a serene, communal atmosphere where friends and families can gather to enjoy a meal without stress.

PHOTOS BY MASH PHOTOGRAPHY

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ANGUS BARN 9401 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh | 919.781.2444 | angusbarn.com While not open for Christmas Eve, a holiday meal created by Angus Barn Chef Walter Royal is worth a visit. Shop the restaurant’s traditional country store while you’re there to find holiday snacks and appetizers that will make your home glow with Southern hospitality. Every holiday season, Angus Barn hangs beautiful garland, Christmas lights and gorgeous ornaments around its rustic dining room. It’s the perfect place to treat incoming family and friends.

ANGUS BARN BREAD PUDDING WITH BOURBON SAUCE Serves 10–12 PUDDING INGREDIENTS 2 loaves of French bread 2 quarts of milk 6 eggs 4 cups of sugar

4 tablespoons of vanilla 6 tablespoons of butter 2 cups of yellow raisins 2 cups of chopped pecans

PUDDING DIRECTIONS Soak the bread in milk and then add the raisins. Beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla together, then stir into the bread mixture until mixed well. Add the nuts and mix again.

Spray a large baking pan with cooking spray and pour the melted butter into the pan to coat the bottom. Pour the pudding mixture into the pan and bake in a water bath until it is very firm—about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Let it cool.

BOURBON SAUCE INGREDIENTS 2 pounds of butter, melted 8 cups of sugar

8 eggs 16 ounces of bourbon

BOURBON SAUCE DIRECTIONS Cream the eggs, sugar and bourbon. Pour the warm butter over the egg mixture.

Place the mixture in a double boiler and heat it until the sugar dissolves.

PHOTO BY JOSH MANNING

A FEW MORE OPTIONS SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE 410 GLENWOOD AVENUE, SUITE 100, RALEIGH Sullivan’s Steakhouse offers a warm, social and luxurious atmosphere within the walls of its yellow-brick Creamery Building location in downtown Raleigh. Guests will find the elegant lacquered bar tops and tables decorated for the holidays, as well as a cozy Christmas feel beneath floods of warm light and polished wood.

Enjoy Sullivan’s Steakhouse’s stellar a la carte menu, helmed by Executive Chef Mario Ledezma and featuring classics such as hand-cut steaks and signature cocktails. Customers can also participate in the restaurant’s holiday gift program, which offers guests a $10 gift card for every $100 enjoyed there. Make a Christmas Eve reservation at sullivanssteakhouse.com or by calling 919.833.2888.

A’VERDE COCINA + TEQUILA LIBRARY 2300 WALNUT STREET, CARY Experience a vivacious, lively atmosphere this holiday season at a’Verde Cocina + Tequila Library in Cary, where Top Chef alum Katsuji Tanabe takes a creative approach to Mexican fare. His trendy menu features fresh North Carolina ingredients and incorporates them into entrées that reflect the latest culinary trends. Choose from familiar dishes with an avant-garde twist: adobo marinated meat and sizzling vegetables, for example. Reserve a table for Christmas Eve at averdecary.com or by calling 984.200.3469.

THE PEAK ON SALEM 126 N. SALEM STREET, APEX Enjoy Christmas Eve right in the middle of historic, festively decorated downtown Apex at The Peak on Salem. The restaurant’s gorgeous lacquered bar, and brick and marble accents envelop diners in a cozy, upscale ambience, where prime cuts of steak and fine wines serve as the centerpiece for an amazing culinary experience created by Chef Steve Zanini.

The restaurant has offered a traditional three-course Christmas Eve dinner in the past, during which customers enjoyed twice-buttered cornbread and fresh salad alongside herb-roasted pork loin or prime rib entrées. Settle in and order a craft cocktail while enjoying an elevated, yet relaxed scene.

Make a reservation at thepeakonsalem.com or by calling 919.446.6060.

LUCKY 32 SOUTHERN KITCHEN 7307 TRYON ROAD, CARY For a Southern-inspired Christmas Eve meal, head over to Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen, where Chef Dan Hoskins serves up delicious comfort food rendered with an array of local ingredients. From fried green tomatoes to Cheerwine-braised short ribs, Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen offers every Southerner’s dream meal with a farm-to-table twist. Enjoy your favorite dishes in the restaurant’s beautiful garden patio or modern-chic dining room. Make a Christmas Eve reservation at lucky32.com.

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“My dream is not to just be your photographer but a friend along your side on your wedding day.”

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919.667.7282

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historic

Oakwood how a candlelight tour saved a beloved raleigh neighborhood by melissa wistehuff

T

photos courtesy of tom bagby unless otherwise noted

oday, Oakwood is regarded as one of Raleigh’s most prestigious neighborhoods.

An area steeped in rich history, Oakwood is

the city’s only intact 19th‑century neighborhood—and the first to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Since the majority of homes were built between 1890 and 1930, they reflect a wide range of architectural styles, including bungalows, Classic Revival, Second Empire and, perhaps Oakwood’s grandest style, Queen Anne. Treelined sidewalks, small front yards and sprawling front porches make Oakwood one of the most walkable—and beautiful—areas in the City of Oaks.

It’s hard to imagine Raleigh without Oakwood, yet in the early 1970s, North Carolina adopted the State Capital Plan, which called for the North-South Freeway to be built through the heart of Oakwood, thus demolishing all homes in its path. At the time, Oakwood was no longer as trendy as it had previously been considered.

The emergence of automobiles allowed residents to live further outside of the city’s center, and many of Oakwood’s homes fell into extreme disrepair.

The neighborhood’s homeowners, however, were desperate to save their beloved community.

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THE SOCIETY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC OAKWOOD Short on hope and time, Oakwood residents formed the Society for the Preservation of Historic Oakwood in the early 1970s. It was incorporated on November 1, 1972. “They knew that in order to save Oakwood, everyone else in town needed to see how special it was,” says Matthew Brown, an Oakwood resident since 1986 who is also a board member and immediate past president of the Society for the Preservation of Historic Oakwood. “If they could get the rest of the community to rally with them, perhaps they could make town officials change their minds.”

The inaugural candlelight tour was held on December 17, 1972. Although only 10 homes were showcased that first year, neighbors pitched in to make the homes look as spectacular as possible. Trees, garlands, embellishments and, of course, white (electric) candles—for which the tour is named—adorned each window.

The tour was a grand success, drawing approximately 700 revelers.

By welcoming the outside community into their homes, Historic Oakwood residents garnered the support they needed for Raleigh’s city council to nix the planned freeway.

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PHOTO COURTESTY OF KEVIN LORD

PHOTO COURTESTY OF STEVE JAHN

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TODAY’S CANDLELIGHT TOUR The Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour now attracts thousands of visitors every year. Musicians stroll the streets performing Christmas carols.

Carriages and rickshaws shuttle visitors between homes. Porch hosts armed with knowledge of the homes’ histories greet guests as they enter.

Quite often, the homeowners themselves are inside, happy to answer visitors’ questions.

The Oakwood Garden Club awards winners for decorations in categories such as Victorian, Traditional and Southern. While each year brings variations in decorations and, occasionally, new homes or themes, Brown says the tour strives for “tradition and continuity.”

The real draw, after all, is the homes themselves—not the holiday decor.

“Some homeowners take months to prepare their homes each season.

Some do all the work alone, while others hire professional decorators,” Brown says. “Everyone puts their heart into it.”

Brown shares that although it’s a treat for homeowners to show off their dazzling homes, it’s also “an opportunity to share the love of historical architecture, with the hope that other towns and neighborhoods will want to preserve their history, like we have.”

Victorian neighborhoods are rare in North Carolina cities. “There are no Victorian neighborhoods remaining in Durham or Charlotte,” Brown says.

“If other neighborhoods can see how we’ve come together to salvage our history and inspire others to follow suit, then it makes all our hard work even more meaningful.”

FUNDING OAKWOOD’S FUTURE The Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour is the primary fundraiser each year for the Society for the Preservation of Historic Oakwood, and its proceeds go a long way toward fulfilling its primary purpose of preserving the neighborhood. Many Oakwood homes would not exist today if not for the tour revenue, as it has assisted in the restoration of some of its most dilapidated houses. The society has also built a neighborhood park, planted hundreds of trees and helped maintain homes.

With all the changes Raleigh has seen in recent decades, this group continues to diligently conserve the remarkable history of one of the city’s most cherished neighborhoods. Learn more about the society and tour at historicoakwood.org.

CANDLELIGHT TOUR PRO TIPS The 2022 Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour is scheduled for December 10–11. Check-in is at the Tucker House, which is located at 418 N. Person Street.

• Arrive early! Although the event is referred to as a “candlelight tour,” ticket holders can enter as early as 12:30 p.m., and the tour ends at 7 p.m. The tour takes about three hours. Take advantage of the entire time to ensure that you are able to visit all the homes.

•

•

Watch your step. The sidewalks throughout Oakwood are as old as the homes, making for uneven walkways.

•

Veer off course to tour the adjacent 12.7-acre Oakwood Park or Historic Oakwood Cemetery, which dates back to the Civil War.

TELL YOUR STORY GLENAIRE BUILDS COMMUNITY

BY ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS TO SHARE THEIR LIFE STORIES Just as an aging neighborhood like Historic Oakwood has many stories to tell, so do Wake County’s elderly residents. For this reason, Glenaire, a life plan community in Cary, launched the “Tell Your Story” program, a monthly gathering during which residents share details about their lives. Created by activities director Hannah Erickson, "Tell Your Story" offers a glimpse into who people are, what defines them and what is important to them.

Transitioning into a retirement home often comes with unforeseen challenges.

Even when the logistics of a move are well-planned and thoughtful, settling in can take some getting used to.

Erickson says new residents often have a hard time making connections. “People usually move in without knowing other residents, so they essentially have to start over—make new friends, new connections and relationships—while entering into a new stage of life,” she says.

That’s why she created the “Tell Your Story” program. “Each person moves to Glenaire with a unique story. This program is a way to get them to share that story,” Erickson explains.

“Sometimes it takes thought-provoking questions to get people to open up about what shaped them before they moved here. It helps create bonds and build community—not only with other residents, but with the staff as well.”

Learn more at brightspire.org/glenaire.

PHOTO BY IZUSEK/GETTY IMAGES

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Your Dreams Are Our Business htb.com Personal | Mortgage Commercial | Business 220929-1015752048

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MERRY MOMENTS Celebrate the season in Raleigh and beyond

BY JANICE LEWINE

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPE FEAR BOTANICAL GARDEN

Experience holiday magic as the City of Oaks and surrounding towns dazzle with spectacular light displays, festive parades, joyous musicals and opportunities to greet Santa. Here’s our roundup of holiday happenings in and around Raleigh. Find more events online at midtownmag.com and on our sister magazine’s website at caryliving.com.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS IN THE GARDEN

MAGIC OF LIGHTS: A MAGICAL DRIVE-THROUGH HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE November 18–December 30 3801 Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh Coastal Credit Union Music Park shines brightly as guests weave through a spectacular 1-mile drive-through holiday lights display. Tickets start at $20 and are limited in quantity per evening. Purchase tickets online. magicoflights.com WRAL NIGHTS OF LIGHTS November 19–December 24 2105 Umstead Drive, Raleigh The 1.3-mile drive-through holiday light event at Dorothea Dix Park showcases largescale light displays, in-person activations like a personal igloo rental or Holiday Outpost experience, multiple bike-only nights and a Nights of Lights 5K Fun Run/Walk. Purchase tickets online. wralnightsoflights.com

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NORTH CAROLINA CHINESE LANTERN FESTIVAL November 18–January 8 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary Koka Booth Amphitheatre is transformed into a magical setting of beautiful LED lantern displays handcrafted by artisans from Tianyu Arts & Culture. These larger-thanlife lantern displays are located along a half-mile loop around the amphitheater. Cultural performances are featured nightly at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. boothamphitheatre.com LAFAYETTE VILLAGE HOLIDAY MARKET AND LIGHTING OF THE TREE November 19, 3–6 p.m.

8450 Honeycutt Road, Raleigh Lafayette Village turns into a festive winter wonderland featuring seasonal music and shop discounts. The Lighting of the Tree takes place at 6 p.m. in the courtyard. lafayettevillageraleigh.com

NORTH HILLS TREE LIGHTING November 19, 4–7 p.m.

4321 Lassiter at North Hills, Raleigh This annual holiday event in the Commons at North Hills features a live band, kids crafts and activities, food trucks and a vendor village.

As Santa Claus arrives at 6 p.m., the 41-foot tree is lit amidst a chorus of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” eventbrite.com THE DESSERTERY November 19–December 23; hours vary Kennedy Theatre 2 E. South Street, Raleigh Indulge yourself in a familyfriendly, holiday-themed dessert café. The Dessertery features elaborate holiday decor, all-youcan-eat sweets and hot cocoa, plus live entertainment on select nights. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for ages 2–6. dukeenergycenterraleigh.com/ dessertery

THE RINK November 19–January 16 500 S. McDowell Street, Raleigh Red Hat Amphitheater Enjoy the thrill of ice skating in the heart of downtown Raleigh.

Highlights of the event include a 20-foot decorated tree, cozy furniture stations with heat warmers, fire pits, photo opportunities, a snack bar and games. Tickets are $11 for skaters and $6 for nonskaters. redhatamphitheater.com/ the-rink 78TH ANNUAL RALEIGH CHRISTMAS PARADE November 20, 9:30 a.m.–noon Fayetteville Street, Raleigh The Raleigh Christmas Parade attracts 60,000 spectators from across the state to downtown Raleigh and reaches more than 250,000 people via ABC11 TV broadcasting and ABC11 streaming apps. shoplocalraleigh.org or grma.org

Chorale perform Handel’s masterpiece featuring the resounding “Hallelujah Chorus.” ncsymphony.org

THE DESSERTERY

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DESSERTERY

CHAPEL HILL–CARRBORO COMMUNITY PARADE December 3, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Franklin Street, Chapel Hill Get festive this winter season by joining the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro for a parade that celebrates community and diversity. The parade begins on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill and ends on Main Street in Carrboro. chapelhillarts.org

NORTH CAROLINA SYMPHONY PRESENTS “THE POLAR EXPRESS” November 23, 4 p.m.; November 25, 3 p.m.

Meymandi Concert Hall 2 E. South Street, Raleigh Paintings from the Caldecott Medal–winning book “The Polar Express” appear on a giant screen above the stage as baritone Scott MacLeod and a chorus of children join the North Carolina Symphony to bring this magical holiday tale to life. ncsymphony.org FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS November 24–January 1, 5:30–9 p.m.; closed November 28–December 1 Hill Ridge Farms 703 Tarboro Road, Youngsville Immerse yourself in magical lights on a 1-mile-plus trail throughout the farm from the comfort of your vehicle. Tickets per vehicle are $20 cash, $23 credit/debit; pay upon arrival. hillridgefarms.com “MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS” November 26, 8 p.m.

Durham Performing Arts Center 123 Vivian Street, Durham Don’t miss this favorite holiday tradition as Mannheim Steamroller dazzles with seasonal music and multimedia effects. dpacnc.com “ELF THE MUSICAL” November 29–December 4; see website for showtimes Durham Performing Arts Center 123 Vivian Street, Durham

Follow Buddy the Elf in his hilarious quest to find his true meaning of Christmas. dpacnc.com LIGHTS ON THE NEUSE Visit the website for operating dates and to purchase tickets.

1620 Loop Road, Clayton Take a 1-mile, tractor-pulled hayride through a holiday light spectacular featuring s’mores and photos with Santa. lightsontheneuse.com “DAVE KOZ AND FRIENDS 25TH ANNIVERSARY CHRISTMAS TOUR” December 2, 8 p.m.

Raleigh Memorial Auditorium 2 E. South Street, Raleigh Grammy-nominated saxophonist Dave Koz, along with trumpeter Rick Braun, guitarist Peter White, pianist Keiko Matsui and vocalist Rebecca Jade, perform original holiday songs. dukeenergycenterraleigh.com LIGHTING OF WAKE FOREST December 2, 6–8:30 p.m.

Centennial Plaza 301 S. Brooks Street, Wake Forest This year’s ceremony features the lighting of the Christmas tree at 6:15 p.m., musical performances and Santa’s arrival in a Wake Forest fire truck. wakeforestnc.gov “HANDEL’S MESSIAH” December 2–3, 8 p.m.

Meymandi Concert Hall 2 E. South Street, Raleigh The North Carolina Symphony and the North Carolina Master

WAKE FOREST HISTORIC HOME TOUR December 3, 1–7 p.m.

Downtown Wake Forest This self-guided tour showcases historic homes and other properties in downtown Wake Forest, dressed in their holiday finery and open for viewing.

Purchase tickets online. wakeforestnc.gov “THE HOLLY JOLLY JOSHUA SHOW” December 3, 11 a.m.

Carolina Theatre of Durham 309 West Morgan Street, Durham Joshua Holden entertains all ages with singing, tap dancing and a zany cast of puppets in this delightful holiday story.

Tickets are $5. carolinatheatre.org SANTA’S REINDEER ROUNDUP EXPRESS December 3–4, 10–11 and 17; departure times are 9:30 and 11 a.m.; and 12:30, 2:15 and 3:45 p.m.

New Hope Valley Railway 3900 Bonsal Road, Apex Search for Santa’s nine missing reindeer—including Rudolph— during a 50-minute ride in the New Hill woods. Take a camera for a photo with Santa.

Purchase tickets online. triangletrain.com LIGHT UP THE NIGHT HILLSBOROUGH HOLIDAY PARADE December 4, 4 p.m.

Old Courthouse 104 E. King Street, Hillsborough This long-standing parade also features a tree-lighting ceremony and a fun community singalong. hillsboroughchamber.com

ROLESVILLE CHRISTMAS PARADE December 4, 2 p.m.

Downtown Rolesville Festive floats and marching bands highlight this annual event in downtown Rolesville. business.rolesvillechamber.org “SCOTT BRADLEE’S POSTMODERN JUKEBOX: A VERY POSTMODERN CHRISTMAS” December 4, 7 p.m.

Meymandi Concert Hall 2 E. South Street, Raleigh Listen as New York City pianist Scott Bradlee remakes the pop hits of Christmas today into the classic sounds of yesterday. dukeenergycenterraleigh.com IRA DAVID WOOD III’S “A CHRISTMAS CAROL” December 9–11 and 14–18 Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, Raleigh Durham Performing Arts Center, Durham Ira David Wood III’s “A Christmas Carol,” a musical comedy adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, celebrates its 49th year. Performances take place December 9–11 at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts and December 14–18 at the Durham Performing Arts Center. theatreinthepark.com EVENING WITH ELVES December 9, 6–8:30 p.m.

Marbles Kids Museum 201 E. Hargett Street, Raleigh Immerse yourself in the magic of the season with s’mores outdoors, arctic museum play and a special visit from the Snowflake Fairy. Kids are encouraged to wear pajamas.

Children must be accompanied by an adult over age 18.

Purchase tickets online for $25–$30/person. marbleskidsmuseum.org NORTH CAROLINA SYMPHONY PRESENTS “HOLIDAY POPS” December 9, noon Meymandi Concert Hall 2 E. South Street, Raleigh The North Carolina Symphony performs treasured holiday favorites and traditional carols during this popular annual concert. ncsymphony.org

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RALEIGH BOYCHOIR’S “CAROLS OF CHRISTMAS” December 9, 7 p.m.

Edenton Street United Methodist Church 228 W. Edenton Street, Raleigh The Raleigh Boychoir delivers yuletide favorites to brighten your holiday spirit. Tickets are $10–$20 online. raleighboychoir.org UGLY SWEATER BAR CRAWL December 10 and 17, 2–9 p.m.

Downtown Raleigh Wear your ugliest Christmas sweater, elf costume or seasonal onesie to dash in style through downtown Raleigh’s bars, where you can enjoy holiday drink specials, costume contests and more.

Tickets are $15 and must be purchased online. This event is for ages 21 and older. The venue list is online. barcrawllive.com HISTORIC OAKWOOD CANDLELIGHT TOUR December 10 and 11, 1–7 p.m.

Historic Oakwood, Raleigh The 51st annual self-guided tour features 11 properties dating from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. Each home is staffed with docents who describe the rich history of the home. Tickets are $30–$35 and can be purchased online and in person at 418 N. Person Street, Raleigh. historicoakwood.org

“PLAID TIDINGS: A HOLIDAY EDITION” December 10, 3 and 7 p.m.; December 11, 3 p.m.

Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts 405 S. Brooks Street, Wake Forest Plaid Tidings sings yuletide’s greatest songs in perfect harmony. Tickets are $25 online. wakeforestrencen.org/event/ plaid-tidings CAROLINA BALLET PRESENTS “THE NUTCRACKER” December 10–24; see website for showtimes Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, Raleigh Durham Performing Arts Center, Durham Carolina Ballet honors past productions of “The Nutcracker”

by George Balanchine and Robert Weiss while presenting refreshed choreography for today’s audiences.

Performances take place December 10–11 at the Durham Performing Arts Center and December 16–24 at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh. carolinaballet.com NORTH CAROLINA MASTER CHORALE PRESENTS “JOY OF THE SEASON” December 13, 7:30 p.m.

Meymandi Concert Hall 2 E. South Street, Raleigh The Chorale’s 170-voice Symphonic Choir, Chamber

PHOTO COURTESY OF NEW HOPE VALLEY RAILWAY

SANTA'S REINDEER ROUNDUP EXPRESS

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Choir and Youth Choir accompanied by a brass ensemble, percussion, piano and organ return to Meymandi Concert Hall. Tickets are $28 and up. ncmasterchorale.org “TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA: GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS EVE” December 14, 7 p.m.

PNC Arena 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh The progressive rock group delivers an electrifying holiday show. Tickets are $39 and up. pncarena.com “NUTCRACKER! MAGICAL CHRISTMAS BALLET” December 15, 7 p.m.

Carolina Theatre of Durham 309 W. Morgan Street, Durham Relive your childhood dreams, overflowing with larger-thanlife puppets, breathtaking acrobatics, dazzling costumes and the exquisite artistry of Ukrainian ballet performers. carolinatheatre.org RALEIGH RINGERS’ HOLIDAY CONCERTS December 17–18, 4 p.m.

Meymandi Concert Hall 2 E. South Street, Raleigh The Raleigh Ringers present interpretations of sacred, secular and popular music arranged for handbells.

Purchase tickets online, $14–$26. rr.org

GINGERBREAD JAMBOREE December 17–18, 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Marbles Kids Museum 201 E. Hargett Street, Raleigh Decorate a gingerbread house.

Tickets cost $15 for members and $18 for nonmembers. marbleskidsmuseum.org “A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS” December 19, 7:30 p.m.

Durham Performing Arts Center 123 Vivian Street, Durham Magical hostess Miss Lucy takes audiences on an adventure featuring breathtaking cirque artists and live holiday music. dpacnc.com “JIM BRICKMAN: A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS” December 20, 7:30 p.m.

Fletcher Opera Theater.

2 E. South Street, Raleigh Songwriter and piano sensation Jim Brickman blends holiday favorites with his own hit songs, such as “The Gift,” “Sending You a Little Christmas” and “If You Believe.” dukeenergycenterraleigh.com “THE HIP HOP NUTCRACKER” December 23, 7:30 p.m.

Durham Performing Arts Center 123 Vivian Street, Durham Legendary emcee Kurtis Blow presents a remixed and reimagined version of the classic ballet that celebrates love, community and the magic of the holiday season. dpacnc.com

the theme “Let Heaven and Nature Sing” and are created by businesses, organizations, or individuals to help raise funds for the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry Fuel Fund. svcmblackmountain.org

NORTH CAROLINA CHINESE LANTERN FESTIVAL IN CARY

PHOTO COURTESY OF MATTHEW LEWINE

HOLIDAY LIGHTS IN THE GARDEN December 2–22 Cape Fear Botanical Garden 536 N. Eastern Boulevard, Fayetteville Experience a Winter Wonderland, see Santa, enjoy s’mores and more. Tickets are limited. Check the website for ticket sale dates and prices. capefearbg.org/event/ holiday-lights-in-the-garden-3 FIRST NIGHT RALEIGH December 31; 5 p.m.–midnight Downtown Raleigh Ring in the new year with live entertainment, roving street performers, arts and crafts stations and the Acorn Drop at midnight. Tickets are $12–$16. firstnightraleigh.com KWANZAA FEST January 1, noon–5:30 p.m.

212 Foster Street, Durham The African American Dance Ensemble hosts the 37th annual Kwanzaa Fest at the Durham Armory featuring a children’s village, vendor market and live performances that highlight family, cultural and social values. downtowndurham.com

HOLIDAY EVENTS FARTHER AFIELD CHRISTMAS AT BILTMORE November 4–January 8 1 Lodge Street, Asheville “Christmas at Biltmore Daytime Celebration” ($99–$399/ticket) showcases the home beautifully bedecked in Christmas trimmings. Both the Visit Plus and ExpertGuided Visit options feature the immersive, multi-sensory exhibition “Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius.”

“Candlelight Christmas Evenings” ($119–$409) allows guests to step back in time with an experience reminiscent of the Vanderbilts’ first Christmas there in 1895. Musicians perform seasonal favorites.

A 55-foot Norway spruce sparkles in the front lawn and luminaries line the walkway. biltmore.com

WINTER WONDERLIGHTS November 17–January 1 4301 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro The Greensboro Science Center’s zoo and 11-acre expansion transform into a holiday extravaganza of 12 Magical Realms. See the Polar Pond, Forest of Light and Snowball Surprise, and have fun in the Treehouse Lights and Dino Disco.

Visit the website for operating hours and ticket prices. greensboroscience.org/ winterwonderlights TANGLEWOOD PARK FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS November 11–January 1, 6–11 p.m.

4061 Clemmons Road, Clemmons See dazzling holiday light displays from your car. Tickets are $20 cash or $23 credit per vehicle. forsyth.cc FESTIVAL OF TREES November 16–20 at select times The Carolina Hotel 80 Carolina Vista, Pinehurst The annual Festival of Trees at The Carolina Hotel benefits children who have special developmental needs at Sandhills Children’s Center, helping to provide vital therapies to ensure them the very best start in life. Donations are accepted at the door. festivaloftrees.org TWEETSIE CHRISTMAS November 25–December 30 Open select evenings, 5–9 p.m.

300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane, Blowing Rock Tweetsie Railroad transforms into a winter wonderland featuring a nighttime train ride

among thousands of dazzling lights. Enjoy amusement park rides and meet Santa in his house filled with candied furnishings. Tickets are $52 for ages 13 and older, $35 for ages 3–12. Online ticket purchase is recommended. tweetsie.com WINTER LIGHTS AT THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM November 18–December 31, 5:30–10:30 p.m.

100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville Drive through the arboretum’s enchanted forest to view unique exhibits covered in thousands of holiday lights. Prices vary by date and can be purchased online or at the gate. ncarboretum.org NORTH CAROLINA HOLIDAY FLOTILLA November 26, 6 p.m.

Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington See boats decorated in their holiday finest sail down Motts and Banks channels, followed by evening fireworks. Admission is free. Don't miss A Day in the Park, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., at the Town Complex featuring food vendors, live music, a car show and kids activities. ncholidayflotilla.org DECK THE TREES December 1–January 2 308 W. State Street, Black Mountain Discover beautifully decorated Christmas trees at the Monte Vista Hotel, as well as in stores and businesses throughout Black Mountain and the Swannanoa Valley area. Trees are uniquely decorated around

CRYSTAL COAST HOLIDAY FLOTILLA December 3, 5:30–8 p.m.

315 Front Street, Beaufort See boats, yachts, oars, kayaks and commercial vessels decorated for the season beginning at 5:30 p.m. on the Morehead City waterfront and at 6:15 p.m. on the Beaufort waterfront. maritimefriends.org/ christmas-flotilla-2022 SANTA ON THE CHIMNEY December 3 and 10, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Chimney Rock State Park 431 Main Street, Chimney Rock For the 25th year, Santa will rappel down Chimney Rock, an iconic natural landmark. Visitors can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy animal education programs by a park naturalist and make holiday crafts. This event is included with park admission: $17 for adults, $8 for ages 5–15, and free for ages 4 and younger. chimneyrockpark.com CANDLELIGHT NIGHT AT THE PALACE December 10 and 17, 4:30–9:30 p.m.

529 S. Front Street, New Bern Explore Tryon Palace and enjoy entertainment in the Performance Tent. Stop by Mistletoe Corner for drinks and delicious snacks in a festive holiday setting. The evening ends with a grand display of black powder fireworks. Online ticket purchase is recommended. tryonpalace.org

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THE 2022 HOLIDAY

GIFT GUIDE COMPILED BY THE MIDTOWN STAFF PHOTOS ARE COURTESY OF THE STORES AND MANUFACTURERS LISTED, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

As you venture into the holiday shopping scene, take our 2022 gift guide with you for inspiration.

These unique items from local businesses and boutiques—many of which give back to nonprofits that serve beautiful missions—are available right here in the Triangle. Happy shopping!

Note: While all of these shops and businesses are local, some items are available for online purchase only.

Confetti Stemless Wine Glass, $18.95 NOFO @ the Pig | nofo.com

Emporium Home Rose Quartz Barware in Satin Brass, $235.50 (for the set of three) Max Hugo Interior Design | maxhugointeriors.com

June & December Winter Greens Napkins, $42.95 (for the set of four) NOFO @ the Pig | nofo.com

Balsam & Cedar Luxe Sanded Mercury Glass Candle, $69.60 Steven Shell Living | stevenshellliving.com

Deco Death by Chocolate Gift Basket, $95 (Cinnamon bourbon pecan popcorn, hot chocolate, chocolate habañero tea box, Videri chocolate bars, chocolate sea salt almond butter and dark chocolate toffee) Deco Raleigh | decoraleigh.com PHOTO BY JENNY MIDGLEY

Full Genres Collection, $135 Bright Black | brightblackcandles.com

Oak City Scents Holiday Candle Bundle, $100 Oak City Scents | oakcityscents.com

Alley Twenty-Six Cocktail Syrups, $13 for a 12.5-ounce bottle Alley Twenty-Six | alleytwentysixsyrups.com

The Holiday Cookies Pack, prices vary Tiff’s Treats | cookiedelivery.com

Decree Picnic Blankets, $200 Decree Hanging Champagne Buckets, $125 Decree Company | decreecompany.com

LUCIA Bundle Hand and body cream, $24.95; lotion, $23.95; foaming bath, $23.95; room spray, $23.95; fragranced bar soap, $12.95; and fragranced soy wax candle, $27.95 NOFO @ the Pig | nofo.com Beekman 1802 Awakening Body Wash, $20 Stylish Living | stylishlivingapex.com PHOTO BY JENNY MIDGLEY

Dr. TopicOils Organic Self-Care Bundle (Hair growth, body care and libido boost), $80 Dr. TopicOils | drtopicoils.com PHOTO BY JENNY MIDGLEY

ZO Micro Facial Collection, $165 The MedSpa | themedsparaleigh.com

Bailey’s Icon Collection Tiny Diamond Hoop Earrings, $325 Bailey’s Fine Jewelry | baileybox.com

Bailey’s Heritage Collection World’s Most Perfect Signet Ring, $995 Bailey’s Fine Jewelry | baileybox.com

Apotheke x Woodhouse Candles, $45/candle (or free with the purchase of a $150 gift card) Woodhouse Spas | woodhousespas.com

Marco Bicego Jaipur Link Necklace, $8,970 Fink’s Jewelers | finks.com Hair on Leather Cuff, $32 Hair on Leather Tote, $275 Designed for Joy | designedforjoy.com

Addis Bag (Chocolate), $178 Addis Jemari Marketplace addisjemari.org Use the code “MIDTOWN2022” for 25% off your order

Tonic Australia Jewelry Cube, $44.95 NOFO @ the Pig | nofo.com

Maria Clutch (yellow), $72 Addis Jemari Marketplace addisjemari.org Use the code “MIDTOWN2022” for 25% off your entire order

Jodi Faux Fur Jacket in Neon Pink, $345 The Gatorbug thegatorbug.com

Brunch Bags (made with recycled textiles) Tangotti, $525, and Lola Viola, $375 Pongopanna | pongopanna.com

Dolores Boot by Valentina Rangoni, $600 Rangoni Firenze rangonistore.com

Leather Notebook, $30–$40, Designed for Joy | designedforjoy.com

Monogrammed Leather Composition Cover, $45 Home State Made | homestatemade.com

TUDOR Black Bay GMT S&G, 41 millimeters, $5,550 Fink’s Jewelers | finks.com NBA x Bright Black Candle, $40 Bright Black | brightblackcandles.com

Onward Reserve Leather Duffle (tobacco), $425 Onward Reserve | onwardreserve.com

Silk and Wool Woven Ties, $95 each Onward Reserve | onwardreserve.com

Lorenzoni Italian Virgin Merino Extra Fine Wool L/S Polo, $395 Alexander Eton instagram.com/alexander_eton

Eton Mid Blue Pure Cashmere Beanie, $195 Alexander Eton instagram.com/alexander_eton

Olde Raleigh Distillery Honey Bourbon Batch #2, $124.95 Olde Raleigh Distillery | oldraleighdistillery.com

Biolite FirePit+, $299.95 Great Outdoor Provision Co. greatoutdoorprovision.com

Transcendent Down Beanie, $46 Great Outdoor Provision Co. greatoutdoorprovision.com

North Hills Lightweight Sweatshirt, $36 Gold Leaf Apparel goldleafapparel.com

Giddy Buggy Binoculars, $9.99 Learning Express Toys & Gifts and other local Melissa & Doug retailers learningexpressgifts.com

“Blueberry Moose” by local author Nancy Panko $9.99 (softcover) and $19.99 (hardcover) Available at Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Amazon or Kobo

Raleigh Flag Youth T-Shirt, $28 Gold Leaf Apparel goldleafapparel.com

Melissa & Doug Pretty Petals Watering Can, $15.99 Learning Express Toys & Gifts and other local Melissa & Doug retailers learningexpressgifts.com

Tiny Earth Toys Membership, $35–$65/month Tiny Earth Toys | tinyearthtoys.com Give the gift of sustainable play.

High-quality wooden toys are exchanged every two months.

Nemo Roamer Self-Inflating Air Mattress $249.95 (size XL wide) or $399.95 (double) Great Outdoor Provision Co. greatoutdoorprovision.com

K&H Thermo-Ortho Bed, $87.99–$169.99 Phydeaux | phydeaux.com

Zippy Paws Holiday Burrow – Hot Cocoa, $16.99 Phydeaux | phydeaux.com The “mug” contains three little “marshmallow” toys dogs can root for and yank out.

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Holiday Jewels DECK THE HALLS WITH THESE PROFESSIONAL DECORATING TIPS

BY KEITH LLOYd

E

PHOTOS BY MASH PHOTOGrAPHY

very design project begins with a client consultation and budget discussion. This helps when making product selections from various suppliers. It also helps set

ground rules in order to realistically meet everyone’s expectations.

When it comes to holiday decorating, many clients want to

coordinate their festive additions with their home’s interior design elements, colors and architecture. Scale is also very important.

As you prepare to decorate your home for the holidays, think like a professional. Here are six factors I always keep in mind when approaching client holiday design projects: 1. Client consult and budget.

2. Interior design elements and room colors.

3. Scale of the space.

4. Inspiration and creativity.

5. Quality trees and decorations.

6. After-season storage.

With that said, let the magic of design and creativity begin! Here are some tips for you to consider as you plan your holiday decor.

1. Decorations should accent the space— not dominate it. When I design decorations for a home,

I try to nestle trees and garlands without moving furniture, if possible.

2. Gather inspiration for the room’s design schematic. Consider the wallpaper pattern or

fabrics found in the room, or jeweled and embroidered ribbons

that “tell the story” of the season in that room. Don’t be afraid to

be creative and think outside the box using conventional items in unconventional ways.

3. Use quality products. Your decor is only as good

as the products you use. Always choose quality trees, garlands and ornaments. They will last much longer than inexpensive ones.

4. Store your decorations properly.

After‑season storage will determine next year’s headaches and the

shelf life of your holiday decorations. Always store them in a climate controlled area—never in an attic.

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The North Raleigh home pictured here features five glorious Christmas trees, all fashioned to match the colors and interior design elements in the home’s rooms.

ABOVE MUSIC ROOM. One of the home’s five Christmas trees is matched to the design and scale of the Music Room.

ON THE RIGHT FOYER TREE. This magnificent and massive foyer tree that we named “The Golden Age” represents just that.

PAGE 56 ORNAMENTS. Hundreds of beautiful, large-scale antique gold ornaments, branches, metallic foliage and jeweled ribbons bedeck the foyer tree.

PAGE 57 DINING MIRROR. Most dining rooms have mirrors. Use them! Two swags fit together with glittered branches that tower over this mirror. The swags feature ornaments in various sizes and shapes hanging from French satin ribbons that were customdyed to match the fabrics of the room.

Keith Lloyd is the owner of Lloyd & Lady Boutiques, located at 8847 Six Forks Road in Raleigh. The holiday decorations and ribbons shown in these photos can be found at his boutique. Learn more at lloydandladync.com.

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SPONSORED CONTENT POLISHED IMPRESSIONS

What to Know as You Consider Veneers

By Dr. Michael DesRosiers, DDS, LVIF Certified Dentist For many considering cosmetic dental changes, veneers have made their way to the top of trending search results. Veneers have many aesthetic benefits and are one of the easiest cosmetic changes you can make to your teeth. However, there are some important considerations to make before deciding if veneers are right for you.

First off, let’s define veneers Veneers are a type of cosmetic covering bonded to your tooth and are usually made out of a porcelaintype material. They are mainly used in cosmetic applications to change either the shade or the shape of your teeth, for a greater cosmetic result.

How veneers treatment works Typically your veneers treatment is divided into two appointments. During the first appointment, the dentist trims a tiny amount of enamel off your teeth. This creates

space for the veneer placement. Next, an impression is made, your shade is determined, and the veneers are created in a lab. A temporary veneer is placed until the final veneer from the lab is ready. During your second appointment, the final veneers are bonded to your teeth and the dentist ensures a perfect fit!

Bring on the coffee and tea Porcelain veneers are not made of enamel like the front of your natural teeth. This actually gives you some benefits. The main advantage is that they do not stain as your normal teeth would. They are also incredibly hard, making them more resistant to damage than your natural teeth. In fact, they have the advantage over natural teeth in terms of resistance to damage or staining.

Veneers are long-lasting cosmetic options Like most anything, the typical recipe for how long a restoration lasts has a lot to do with how you take

care of it. If you are diligent about home care and keep up with regular dental cleanings, there’s no reason your veneers can’t last a lifetime.

Dr. Michael DesRosiers is an LVIF Certified Dentist at Lane & Associates Family Dentistry, which offers cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneer services at several locations across the Triangle.

Lane & Associates Family Dentistry Locations throughout the Triangle 877.lane.dds | lanedds.com

The information on this page is provided to the public by the advertiser mentioned above.

Triangle Family Services CEO Alice Lutz

TRIANGLE FAMILY SERVICES

PHOTO BY SDI PRODUCTIONS/GETTY IMAGES

919.821.0790 | tfsnc.org

FOR THE CHILDREN FIVE NONPROFITS HELPING LOCAL KIDS LIVE HEALTHIER LIVES

BY ELIZABETH BRIGNAC

D

espite the Triangle’s well-known status as a family-friendly place to live, some children who live here struggle. According to 2020 data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count Data Center, more than 21,000 children in Wake County

lived below the poverty line at that time, and almost 800 cases of child abuse were reported and substantiated that year. (This number was down from 1,320 reported cases in 2019, possibly due to COVID keeping children at home and not in schools or other places where any signs of abuse could be observed and reported.) Because children have no power to advocate for themselves, kids need adults looking out for them at every level, from their families, friends and schools, to broader social and governmental entities.

A variety of organizations have emerged to support Triangle-area children through different types of challenges. Here, we profile five nonprofit organizations that protect and enhance the lives of children in our area.

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Triangle Family Services (TFS) has been providing families in crisis with assistance for 85 years. The organization offers 14 different programs related to family safety, mental health and financial stability. TFS addresses problems that, as CEO Alice Lutz puts it, “no one wants to talk about.”

Last year, for example, TFS’s Time Together Center supervised 622 visits between children and parents with whom the center’s staff had restricted access.

Mike Zayas, who, several years ago, required supervised visits with his children after a traumatic brain injury, credits the center for preserving his relationship with them. “We were playing dominoes. We were playing video games … Whatever room we’d get, we had a good time,” he says. “It became so very, very close to regular for me and my kids that when the judge allowed [unsupervised visitation], the kids were ready.”

Assisting homeless families is another important TFS service. Last year, the organization helped 248 formerly homeless people, including 45 children, move into permanent housing. Other examples of TFS services include reaching out to families living on the street, domestic violence intervention and anger management training. TFS hopes to add a staff member to help families apply for disability benefits and a health care worker to diagnose homeless clients’ medical needs.

In addition to financial donations to TFS, Lutz says the organization’s homeless clients benefit from donations of water, blankets, socks, hygiene kits and warm clothes.

Wonder Connection’s Katie Stoudemire, left, talks with Taylon Morrison, right. | Photo by Kathy Swendiman

WONDER CONNECTION

919.914.0015 | wonderconnection.org In 2006, Katie Stoudemire, then a science museum employee and hospital volunteer, founded Wonder Connection, an organization that brings the natural world to chronically ill and hospitalized kids. It also engages families staying at The Ronald McDonald House in intergenerational outdoor activities.

Wonder Connection volunteers engage in one-on-one, nature-oriented activities with pediatric patients at UNC Hospital. Frequently-hospitalized kids don’t get the same opportunities for hands-on interaction with the outdoors

as their peers. “We don’t know what their diagnosis is,” Stoudemire says.

“And it’s not important, because what we want is to see them as the creative and interesting kids and teens that they are.”

Activities range from constructing baking soda volcanoes and batterypowered motorcycles to building butterfly wings. Last year, Wonder Connection provided 670 pediatric patients with individualized sessions.

Over the same time period, Wonder Connection also served 588 kids

through group activities at UNC Hospital’s inpatient psychiatric clinic.

Of those patients, 88% reported feeling happier as a result of their participation—a particularly significant statistic for kids fighting mental illness.

One activity involved creating landscape designs for the hospital courtyard.

Patients enjoyed the design project so much that Wonder Connection coordinated with the North Carolina Museum of Art to provide a patientdesigned floral art installation for 2022’s “Art in Bloom” exhibit.

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Fathers Forever Founder and Director Glen Warren | Photo courtesy of Fathers Forever

FATHERS FOREVER

919.779.9905 | afatherforever.com Fathers Forever grew out of founder and director Glen Warren’s wish to give struggling men the support they need to be responsible parents. “I know what it is to have a good dad,” says Warren. “I also am a retired social worker … I’ve seen the devastation of adults still struggling with feelings of abandonment because their dad wasn’t there.”

Fathers Forever offers 12-session parenting courses for men who struggle to be stable figures in their kids’ lives. Maybe they’ve been in prison.

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Maybe they’re fighting addiction or unemployment. Fathers Forever works with these populations as well as dads in other crippling situations. Some men are referred to the program by the court system because they have been delinquent in child support payments.

A pre-pandemic Wake County– sponsored study showed that after taking the Fathers Forever parenting course, 66% of participants increased their child support payments. Fathers Forever also offers five transitional houses for men who have recently left

prison, each with 38 beds. The program gives them three meals a day and a place to stay, and it helps them find sustainable, well-paying jobs. The organization also runs a food pantry, a clothing closet and a temp agency that works with the transitional housing program.

Currently, Fathers Forever is working to get “Dads at a Distance,” a textbook version of Warren’s parenting class designed for men in prison, into Wake County’s 1,500 jails—each with a handwritten note of encouragement.

CAMP CORRAL

855.605.1267 | campcorral.org Camp Corral is based in Raleigh but reaches out to kids across the country.

Sponsored by the Raleigh-based Golden Corral restaurant chain, Camp Corral offers opportunities for children of military personnel who have been wounded, made ill or killed in service to connect with other kids who share their experiences through a free week at summer camp.

Camp Corral kids enjoy building connections with other kids who understand military life. Camp offers opportunities for “those natural conversations that occur when you know you’re in a safe environment with people who know what your world is like,” says Camp Corral CEO Phil Kowalczyk. Adding the loss, illness or injury of a parent to the mix means that these kids really benefit from interacting with others who understand their experiences. For example, 69% of participants do at least one caregiving task in their home—the types of responsibility their peers seldom undertake.

Camp Corral contracts with American Camp Association–accredited camps across the U.S. to provide an experience that Kowalczyk describes as “like summer camp, but a little different,” because campers build unique connections they often maintain after camp is over. What’s more, 70% of participants’ parents report that time at camp has improved their children’s mental health.

In 2021, Camp Corral began offering spring programs for families to enjoy camp experiences together. They hope to begin a junior counselor training program in 2023.

Camp Corral CEO Phil Kowalczyk

SAFEchild

919.743.6140 | safechildnc.org

SAFEchild Executive Director Cristin DeRonja

SAFEchild is the leading child abuse prevention agency for Wake County. It coordinates with the Wake County Public School System, with Child Protective Services, and with other nonprofit organizations to prevent and eliminate child abuse.

Its goals are to support parents, educate the public and advocate for abuse victims.

On the prevention side, SAFEchild’s staff and volunteers encourage confused or frustrated parents to contact them for help. There are no fees or eligibility requirements. If there is one message SAFEchild Executive Director Cristin DeRonja emphasizes, it is that asking for help is an act of strength. “Every family needs support,” she says. “Families should feel safe and secure, like it’s OK and it’s celebrated to reach out for support. The first thing we do when families reach out to us is: We thank them for calling.”

Another prevention program, Funny Tummy Feelings, teaches children in Wake County Schools how to recognize and respond when something is wrong with the way an adult is interacting with them. The program has been adopted in every WCPSS elementary school.

SAFEchild’s advocacy program has become a national model for evaluating and advocating for abused children due to its emphasis on care collaboration. The organization’s advocacy team consists of members from the medical community and public school system, and other community members who can intervene in different ways and on different levels so children can understand what happened to them and receive support from many different directions. In 2021, SAFEchild was able to evaluate 385 children for signs of abuse and neglect.

Next summer, SAFEchild hopes to open a new facility on land that WakeMed has donated. The new space will allow the organization to triple the rate at which it can provide medical evaluations and double the number of children it can serve in other prevention programs.

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

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IMAGE BY CREATIVE TOUCH/GETTY IMAGES

GIVINGBACK Explore this special section to find out how Triangle nonprofits are helping those in need within our community. Please consider lending these organizations a hand.

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ALS North Carolina Chapter, Boys & Girls Clubs, The Helene Foundation | Giving Back

ALS North Carolina Chapter 4 N. Blount Street, Suite 200 Raleigh, North Carolina 27601 919.755.9001 alsnc.org

ALS North Carolina Chapter

Help create a world without amyotrophic lateral sclerosis The 2023 Triangle Walk to Defeat ALS is Saturday, April 22, 2023, and we need YOU to help create a world without amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Get involved today at triangle.alsnc.org. The Triangle Walk to Defeat ALS® raises money and awareness for the fight against ALS. Often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” ALS robs people of the ability to walk, talk and eventually breathe.

Everything we do—the services we provide, clinics we support, research we fund, and laws and policies we advocate for—is done to help search for effective treatments and to find a cure for ALS.

Boys & Girls Clubs

The Helene Foundation

Boys & Girls Clubs provide safe spaces for kids in the most challenged neighborhoods to learn, grow and build skills for academic and career success. By allowing parents to work while their kids are mentored in an empowering environment, these clubs advance equity and end cycles of poverty.

The Helene Foundation provides immediate support for mothers fighting cancer to positively impact families.

Our goal is to help families navigate the chaos that a mother’s cancer diagnosis brings to the entire family.

We assist women receiving treatment at a Triangle area cancer facility. Until there is a cure, the Helene Foundation will be #HereForTheNow.

Give kids a great future

Boys & Girls Clubs Serving Wake County 701 N. Raleigh Boulevard Raleigh, North Carolina 27610 919.834.6282 wakebgc.org

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#HereForTheNow

For additional information on how to get involved or how to donate, please visit helenefoundation.org.

Helene Foundation 13200 Strickland Road, Suite 114-308 Raleigh, North Carolina 27613 919.280.7800 helenefoundation.org

Oak City Cares

Everyone deserves a safe place to lay their head

No person should experience homelessness alone.

Next Step Development’s vision is to develop tiny house villages for chronically unhoused individuals in the Triangle—permanent housing with wraparound support services to give them dignity and safety so they can reimagine their futures.

Over 56,000 employed residents of Wake County cannot find affordable housing. Join us to build comfortable, innovative and efficient homes for our neighbors.

Next Step Development Corp.

13200 Strickland Road, Suite 114–139 Raleigh, North Carolina 27613 nextstepdevelopmentcorporation.org

Oak City Cares is a safe space for our neighbors to turn to for support, guidance and stability. At Oak City Cares, our guests know there are allies, like you, who are rooting for them on their journey.

On any given night in Wake County, there are 1,500-plus people experiencing homelessness. This holiday season, let’s light the pathway home for them. Donate today at oakcitycares.org/donate.

Oak City Cares 1430 S. Wilmington Street Raleigh, North Carolina 27603 984.344.9604 oakcitycares.org

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

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Next Step Development, Oak City Cares | Giving Back

Next Step Development Corp.

Where Legends Were Born

Scott Nurkin’s murals celebrate North Carolina musical greats

BY CAITLIN WHEELER

I

n 2023, North Carolina will be celebrating “The Year of the Trail”—a commemoration of the state’s trails, greenways and blueways. Picture hiking Grandfather Mountain, paddling the French Broad River State Trail or biking the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

You can also add a new, unique trail to these greatest hits: the NC Musicians Mural Trail.

Currently in development by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, this trail stretches from Hamlet, where a larger-than-life John Coltrane appears on side of the opera house, to Black Mountain, where Roberta Flack gazes confidently from the wall outside the Black Mountain Brewery. The path wends from the birthplace of one North Carolina musician to another, tracing the eye-catching murals of Scott Nurkin.

Chapel Hill-based, Charlotte-born Nurkin conceived the idea of memorializing great North Carolina musicians in 2010, then waited patiently for the perfect moment. “There’s always been a stigma attached to graffiti,” he says. “And it can be terrible—an ugly scrawled name or insulting word. But there’s another side to it, and in 2022 ‘street art’ can be good enough to be displayed in museums. We’re really having a heyday for murals.”

The decision by NCDNCR to establish a trail tracking Nurkin’s murals epitomizes this appreciation—as does the mural collection at University Hill in Durham, known as UHill Walls.

Created in fall 2020 and featuring 40 murals painted by local, national and international artists, the collection includes Nurkin’s luminous portrait of Durham-born Betty Davis, the singersongwriter known as the “queen of funk,” and one of the first murals on Nurkin’s list.

OPPOSITE: Scott Nurkin stands with his mural of the “Queen of Funk,” Betty Davis, in Durham.

Photo by New Depth Creations

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ROAD MAP TO SUCCESS Nurkin says he has been an artist and musician “since forever.”

He started his first rock band in high school, toured the country with a band during his 20s, and currently performs with three different bands, each representing a different genre.

Even before he picked up a drumstick, Nurkin was an artist.

“Age 5,” he explains. “My awesome mom enrolled us in art classes. My brothers got bored pretty quick, but I couldn’t get enough.” He studied art at UNC-Chapel Hill and at the prestigious Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici art school in Italy, then took a two-year apprenticeship with Chapel Hill muralist Michael Brown. When touring with his band took over, Nurkin took occasional painting jobs to help cover the bills.

Among those early painting jobs were the ones he did for Pepper’s Pizza, a Chapel Hill restaurant Nurkin describes as “ground zero for cool for 25 years.” In exchange for pizza, Nurkin drew a mural-sized map of North Carolina on the side of the building and placed smaller paintings of famous North Carolina musicians onto their hometowns. The road map of the artists appeared on the back of Pepper’s Pizza’s menu.

“I’ve always been impressed by the wealth of musical talent from our state, and wanted to share this story,” he says. “These are just really groundbreaking musicians. Earl Scruggs, the greatest banjo player of all time. Thelonius Monk and John Coltrane, two of the greatest jazz musicians. Nina Simone!”

When Pepper’s Pizza closed its doors in 2013, pizza-eater Mark Katz, who also happened to be chair of UNC-Chapel Hill’s

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Department of Music, bought the portraits to hang as a collection in the UNC department. “The Pepper’s pictures put the idea into my head,” Nurkin says. “I couldn’t stop thinking about doing those musicians on a larger scale.”

ON THE GRID Growing up, Nurkin never imagined he’d be a mural painter, and he just happened into his apprenticeship with Brown.

Nurkin quickly learned that painting murals “checked all the boxes” for what he wanted to be doing: “You get to be outside all day and paint for money,” he says.

From Brown, Nurkin learned how to replicate his small sketches onto walls using the classic grid method, “the way Michelangelo did it.” More recently, he has incorporated digital technology, using a doodle grid method where he scribbles out a basic sketch of his piece directly onto the wall, photographs it, then digitally overlays it onto his original piece to create a road map for himself. With Brown, and for several years after, he relied exclusively on paintbrushes. But watching a 2017 video of a sophisticated muralist using spray paint convinced him to leave his brushes behind.

BELOW: Roberta Flack, Black Mountain Photo courtesy Fred McCormick/The Valley Echo OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP, clockwise, from left to right: John Coltrane, Hamlet; Elizabeth Cotten, Carrboro; Don Gibson, Shelby Photos courtesy of the NC Musician Murals Project OPPOSITE PAGE, BOTTOM: Randy Travis, Marshville Photo courtesy of Keith Hall Photography/Elkin

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Since opening The Mural Shop in 2004, Nurkin has created pictures in all styles, from the realistic images of North Carolina musicians to a “cartoonish” bar code floating amidst locally grown veggies for his “very cool buddy” at Standard Beer + Food in Raleigh. Like playing in a band, Nurkin has found that focusing on preparation has perfected the actual painting process. The Betty Davis mural in Durham took a weekend. The Ben E. King mural he did in Hendersonville took just a day.

And like playing in a band, painting a mural is a performance.

People love to watch Nurkin paint. “I wear headphones so I hardly notice when someone is watching, but I’m always happy to engage with anyone if they want to chat.”

POCKETS OF BEAUTY As a lifelong North Carolinian, Nurkin feels lucky to be learning more about the state through the musician murals.

“It’s been unbelievable,” he says. “My favorite thing has been getting to paint in these small towns. I’m embedded for a week, and get to try cool restaurants, and learn all of the insane small-town political drama. It’s always these cool places I’d never have gone—Marshville or Sparta or Sylva. Our state is full of incredible pockets of beauty.”

The Year of the Trail celebration will last one year, but Nurkin plans on continuing to paint North Carolina musicians for as long as it takes. “Hopefully until I’m 80,” he says. He started with the really famous ones, like Nina Simone, which helped open doors. But there are hundreds of backup singers and players he still wants to paint. “Ultimately,” he says, “I want to teach people about all of these incredible musicians.”

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TOP TO BOTTOM: Nina Simone, Tryon | Photo courtesy of Michele Allison Earl Scruggs, Shelby; Thelonious Monk, Rocky Mount Photos courtesy of the NC Musician Murals Project

MORE RESOURCES

The Mural Shop: themuralshop.com NC Musicians Mural Trail: ncdcr.gov/about/ featured-programs/nc-musicians-mural-trail UHill Walls: uhillwalls.com Year of the Trail: greattrailsnc.com

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

INFLUENTIAL

WOMEN OF WAKE

Photos by Alisha Cleveland Photography and New Depth Creations Above photo by Miniseries/Getty Images NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

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DR. SOPHIA MYERS, D C , PASA AND D R. SAR AH HAYES, D C ⅼ INFLUENTIAL WOMEN OF WAKE

S O P H I A M Y E R S A N D S A R A H H AY E S CARE C H I R O P RACT I C & AC U P UNCTUR E WHO/WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?

HOW ARE YOU AN INFLUENCER EVERY DAY?

WHO DO YOU MOST WANT TO INFLUENCE IN THE YEARS TO COME?

One of our biggest influences was our first chiropractors. We both became interested in chiropractic after experiencing migraines and headaches as kids. After trying countless other remedies, only chiropractic was able to help us both live migraine-free!

We strive to influence our patients and their families to achieve the healthiest version of themselves. We understand each person has a unique life experience. We aim to help them live an active, vibrant life by offering natural healing and wellbeing through chiropractic and acupuncture.

We want to influence the families in our community—from newborns to seniors. We understand that the children are our future.

We love to partner with local PTAs to help give back to teachers and school administration, and to help educate parents and their children about natural health.

5401 Six Forks Road, Raleigh 919.786.9996 | carechiropracticrdu.com 80 | midtownmag.com

I NFLUENTI AL WOM EN OF WAKE ⅼ GRETCHEN COLEY

G RE TC HE N CO L EY

THE CO L E Y GR O UP

WHO/WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?

HOW ARE YOU AN INFLUENCER EVERY DAY?

WHO DO YOU MOST WANT TO INFLUENCE IN THE YEARS TO COME?

My husband is the smartest person I know and my biggest supporter. I strive to make my children proud and to show them that with passion and hard work they can achieve anything. My team is an extension of my family. Their hard work and dedication keeps me on my game.

I get to work in an industry that I am extremely passionate about with people I enjoy. As president of Women of Compass for the Southeast, I strive to help women in business believe in themselves, achieve their goals and reach their greatest potential.

I hope to always influence my children to believe in themselves and to follow their passions. I also hope through partnering with my team that they continue to grow, both personally and professionally.

4350 Lassiter at North Hills Avenue, #256, Raleigh 984.409.7339 | thecoleygroup.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

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KI M B ER LY CONR OY ⅼ INFLUENTIAL WOM EN OF WAKE

KIM BE R LY CO N R OY

CO NR OY R E ALTY GR O U P

WHO/WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?

HOW ARE YOU AN INFLUENCER EVERY DAY?

WHO DO YOU MOST WANT TO INFLUENCE IN THE YEARS TO COME?

As an only child, I closely bonded with my parents. My father, a production manager for a steel company, taught me to treat people with respect and kindness. My mother, a fifth grade teacher, taught me to always do my best and never leave a task unfinished.

I believe in leading by example. I want my fellow real estate agents to know that our interactions will be professional and enjoyable. Real estate is a collaboration toward a common goal. Working in a positive manner produces the results we need to achieve for our clients.

I want to influence new agents entering the profession with optimism and support. Real estate is tough—agents are independent practitioners and thus, essentially, small business owners. Without support, many give up. We all need a cheerleader, especially when taking on a new challenge.

9501 Strickland Road, Suite 200, Raleigh 919.539.2860 | kimberlyconroyhomes.com 82 | midtownmag.com

I NFLUENTI AL WOM EN OF WAKE ⅼ DARCY D. DANE, DC, DACNB

DAR CY D. DA N E , D C DACNB

CAR O L INA BR AIN CE N TER

WHO/WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?

HOW ARE YOU AN INFLUENCER EVERY DAY?

WHO DO YOU MOST WANT TO INFLUENCE IN THE YEARS TO COME?

I became a Christian when I was 31 and since then Jesus Christ remains the biggest influence in all aspects of my life. I strive to treat all people with respect, compassion and love.

Pure and simple kindness. A kind word.

A kind act. A kind heart. A kind ear. People are suffering from all kinds of personal and physical ailments. It is amazing how kindness heals.

Our company mission statement is: “Change a life. Change a family. Change a community.

Change the world.” I hope to make a positive impact on every person I meet.

6404 Falls of Neuse Road #201, Raleigh 919.703.0207 | carolinabraincenter.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

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ER I CA D E LONG ⅼ INFLUENTIAL WOM EN OF WAKE

E R I CA D E LO N G

i HE ART R ADIO + G1 0 5

WHO/WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?

HOW ARE YOU AN INFLUENCER EVERY DAY?

WHO DO YOU MOST WANT TO INFLUENCE IN THE YEARS TO COME?

A strong faith, incredibly supportive family, great friendships and conversations with strangers. I don’t take these blessings or encounters for granted. My “Mama” and husband, Boston, are incredible cheerleaders who never fail to push me. I’m humbled to connect with our listener family. Hearing their stories rejuvenates me.

I have a deep love for people and our community. Events like March of Dimes or hurricane relief efforts, cancer or mental health research—those are priorities. Continuing to connect with people in an authentic way about real life issues is my “Why?”

Using my platform, I want to share stories of those who don’t always have a voice; to encourage young minds to believe in themselves and to tell them, “You are important in this world, and you matter.”

I’m also eager to begin a scholarship program to invest in our future.

3100 Smoketree Court, 7th Floor, Raleigh @ericadelong | ericadelong.com

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I NFLUENTI AL WOM EN OF WAKE ⅼ D ENISE SHIRD BENNETT

D E N I SE S HI R D B ENNET T

E NCO R E BANK

WHO/WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?

HOW ARE YOU AN INFLUENCER EVERY DAY?

WHO DO YOU MOST WANT TO INFLUENCE IN THE YEARS TO COME?

My biggest influences have been a legacy of generational brilliance from my parents, grandparents (born in 1910 and 1912) and greatgrandparents (born in 1882 and 1889). Their life experiences were the depth and breadth of their teachings—a reminder that wisdom overshadows educational brilliance through life’s seasons.

By being my authentic self and not being apologetic of “who I am” or “whose I am”—“A Chosen Seed: from Mustard Seed to Abundance”!

My family: sons/daughters-in-love and precious grandchildren; young people, particularly from rural and impoverished areas who can’t see over the hills of their current circumstance; HBCU graduates with doubts and fears of rising to the top in their respective fields; and young girls/women saddled with “ism” barriers, with the promise that “their best is yet to come!”

Denise Shird Bennett, EVP, Triangle Market President 919.612.7078 | denise.bennett@bankencore.com bankencore.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

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D R. MONA GU PTA, D O ⅼ INFLUENTIAL WOM EN OF WAKE

D R . M O N A G UPTA

GUPTA P SYC HIATRY & WE L L N ESS

WHO/WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?

HOW ARE YOU AN INFLUENCER EVERY DAY?

WHO DO YOU MOST WANT TO INFLUENCE IN THE YEARS TO COME?

My biggest influencers are my patients. I can see the difference our care has on their lives, and that pushes me to continue to advocate for them and find the best treatment for them to live a life of joy.

I like to think that the way I live my life and my purpose shows in everything I do. I am very honest and open, and if that influences others, then that’s a bonus. We need more goodness in this world. It all starts with us.

I hope to influence other medical professionals and, hopefully, insurance providers. We need them all to know that mental health should be just as much of a priority as physical health.

Asking for help should be as normal as being seen for diabetes.

North Raleigh, Apex, Durham, Clayton 919.870.8409 | guptapsychiatry.com 86 | midtownmag.com

I NFLUENTI AL WOM EN OF WAKE ⅼ KIM BATTLE

KIM BAT TL E

KA N DY AP P L E S BY K

WHO/WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?

HOW ARE YOU AN INFLUENCER EVERY DAY?

WHO DO YOU MOST WANT TO INFLUENCE IN THE YEARS TO COME?

My mother instilled so many necessary qualities in me that enable me to be a wife, mom of five, entrepreneur and woman of God. My faith gives me the strength and hope necessary to press through each trial that life throws my way.

Each day gives us all an opportunity to influence others. My children are a daily reminder of that. I strive to influence them with seeds of hard work, commitment, dedication and love. It’s my prayer that these seeds plant gifts that stay with them always.

I hope to influence all young women to find and cultivate their gifts, follow their dreams to crush their insecurities, and believe the impossible is possible.

6320 Capital Boulevard, Suite 107, Raleigh 919.623.9552 | kandyapplesbyk.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

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AL EX I S SHR AGER ⅼ INFLUENTIAL WOM EN OF WAKE

AL E X I S S HR AGE R

L AND O RTHO DO NTIC S

WHO/WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?

HOW ARE YOU AN INFLUENCER EVERY DAY?

WHO DO YOU MOST WANT TO INFLUENCE IN THE YEARS TO COME?

My grandmother and my mom. I was raised to be a contributing part of society and to be a hard worker. My practice reflects that.

I absolutely love my job, and I love being surrounded by kids and hardworking people.

As an orthodontist and mom of six, my job is not just to align teeth, but to teach kids responsibility and self-care. I engage them in the process of their orthodontic treatment so they know their beautiful smiles are the result of their input and commitment.

Every day I see mothers working hard to support their families. I’ve learned a lot of lessons in my life and never gave up. I want to continue to be an example for those who might need some guidance—or just emotional support.

8831 Bandford Way, Suite 105, Raleigh | 12740 Spruce Tree Way, Raleigh | 30 South Dunn Street, Angier 919.847.7200 | landortho.com 88 | midtownmag.com

I NFLUENTI AL WOM EN OF WAKE ⅼ D R. LEIGH MILLER, PT, DPT, CERTIFIED DN, CERTIFIED TP

DR. LEIGH MILLER

MIL L E R CO NC IE R GE

WHO/WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?

HOW ARE YOU AN INFLUENCER EVERY DAY?

WHO DO YOU MOST WANT TO INFLUENCE IN THE YEARS TO COME?

Christ has been the biggest influence in my life. My parents taught me to aim high, work hard and value relationships. My husband gives me love and security to flourish as a business owner. Being a mother of two young girls continually reminds me not to sweat what we cannot control.

Educating patients is of the utmost importance to me. My passion is to inform patients so they are equipped to make decisions that positively impact their daily lives. Empowering patients to explore nonsurgical treatments before pursuing more aggressive action should be mainstream.

I hope to create an impact in people’s lives across the Triangle by helping them stay fit, healthy and mobile without medications, injections or surgery.

1502 North Carolina Highway 54, Durham 984.322.1940 | millerconciergept.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

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MER ED I T H HAR R I S ⅼ INFLUENTIAL WOM EN OF WAKE

M E R E D I TH H AR R I S

NE W L IFE AE STHE TIC S PA

WHO/WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?

HOW ARE YOU AN INFLUENCER EVERY DAY?

WHO DO YOU MOST WANT TO INFLUENCE IN THE YEARS TO COME?

My biggest influences are the values and mission upon which I formed New Life Aesthetics. Our core values embody respect, courage, trust, loyalty and a commitment to education.

As a local business owner, I have the opportunity to mentor and care for the women I employ, as well as our patients.

At the national level, I train and educate medical providers throughout the country and support them in their ongoing journey to pursue excellence in medical aesthetics.

My passion is to help educate and grow the next generation of medical aesthetic providers, impressing upon them how to deliver beautiful, safe and natural appearing outcomes.

5816 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh 919.521.8282 | newlifeaesthetics.com 90 | midtownmag.com

I NFLUENTI AL WOM EN OF WAKE ⅼ ANGELA PADGETT

ANG E L A PA D G E TT

SKIN SE NSE

WHO/WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?

HOW ARE YOU AN INFLUENCER EVERY DAY?

WHO DO YOU MOST WANT TO INFLUENCE IN THE YEARS TO COME?

My biggest influence was my grandmother, Nannie. She was an esthetician before anyone in our area even knew what that was, which influenced me to become one as well. Because of her business acumen and nurturing spirit, Nannie continues to be a true inspiration even today.

I started Skin Sense before the word “day spa” was coined. It’s easy to be an influencer/ leader in an industry for which you have so much passion. I love to develop and inspire people, and my position has given me the opportunity to introduce many to a new career path.

As a spa business owner for more than 31 years, my desire is to train and grow those who have the same passion for our industry into becoming highly trained estheticians and body therapists so they can guide their clients to achieve their goals, while bringing balance to life.

6801 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh 919.870.0700 | skinsense.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

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DANI STANSEL L ⅼ INFLUENTIAL WOM EN OF WAKE

DA N I STA N S E L L

STANSE L L DE NTISTRY ASSO C IATES

WHO/WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?

HOW ARE YOU AN INFLUENCER EVERY DAY?

WHO DO YOU MOST WANT TO INFLUENCE IN THE YEARS TO COME?

My biggest influences are my family.

My parents allowed me to dream and become what was in my heart. My kids teach me resilience in this ever-changing world. My husband is an inspiration with his strong work ethic.

I’m proud to be one of the few women to be a multi-location dental company CEO. I’m a huge supporter of women in small business taking the leap to make their dreams come true.

I strive to influence women and the future generation of girls to start businesses and to follow through with their goals. As women, we have a lot of expectations on our plate, but staying focused allows us to have the career we always wanted.

9400 Brier Creek Parkway, Suite 204, Raleigh | 1911 Falls Valley Drive, Suite 107, Raleigh 1101 Great Falls Court, Suite 102, Knightdale | stanselldentistry.com

92 | midtownmag.com

Crafting a style as unique as you.

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D E PA R T M E N T S M U S I C

THE RALEIGH RINGERS RING IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON

BY MELISSA WISTEHUFF | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE RALEIGH RINGERS

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S

ince 1990, The Raleigh Ringers handbell choir has wowed audiences under the direction of David Harris, the group’s founder and director.

Like most ringers, Harris began playing in a

church group before becoming handbell director at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh.

His desire to reach a wider audience by performing more than church hymns and holiday songs led him to form The Raleigh Ringers. As part of an effort to gain audience members in its early days, the group began to incorporate nontraditional songs such Led Zeppelin’s classic “Stairway to Heaven” and the Queen ballad “Bohemian Rhapsody.” “I’m a rock ‘n’ roll fan, so it was partly a selfish move,” Harris says. “But I do believe that by integrating rock ‘n’ roll and other widely known genres of music in with traditional bells, we were able to attract a wider audience that we might not have otherwise reached.”

Adding even more fun, flair and, surely, some laughs, the group dons tie dye and ’80s hair band wigs while they play rock songs. “We play serious music, but we like to have fun, too,” Harris says.

Thinking outside of the proverbial handbell norms rings a bell with audiences, as these nontraditional songs have become what draws large audiences out to see The Raleigh Ringers every year. “Our goal is to reach every person in the audience so that we can find something for each person to connect with,” Harris says. “My favorite compliment I hear after a show is when someone says that ours is ‘one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to.’ Not just handbell concert—but concert period.”

BELLWETHER PERFORMERS Made up of 18 ringers from North Carolina and Virginia, The Raleigh Ringers holds auditions every January and the group practices once a week. Harris says they have accumulated the largest set of handbells owned by any performing organization—some of which are made in England, the province of Holland and other countries.

Proudly claiming a reputation for having one of the best handbell choirs in the country, The Raleigh Ringers will celebrate their 21st holiday season by performing at Meymandi Concert Hall, where the musicians annually draw crowds of 2,000–3,000 fans.

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While they try to keep concerts fresh for repeat audience members, the ringers also stick to certain traditions. “We always end with “Silent Night,” with candles in the audience,” Harris says. The group also plays Tran-Siberian Orchestra songs that the American rock band set to handbells especially for The Raleigh Ringers.

To date, The Raleigh Ringers have released two DVDs of holiday concerts, in addition to seven CDs. Their eighth— a compilation of Christmas songs—will be released in December. Two one-hour concert specials were created from the first DVD and broadcast in 45 states on American Public Television. The second

DVD was developed into a one-hour holiday special that aired more than 400 times in 38 states during its first year of distribution, bringing The Raleigh Ringers into homes across the country.

Outside of performing, The Raleigh Ringers handbell choir hopes to expand educational outreach with the goal of teaching the art of handbells to the next generation—and that is music to our ears Learn more about The Raleigh Ringers’ upcoming concerts and ticket purchases at rr.org.

The Raleigh Ringers Director David Harris

Mother/Daughter Duo Inspires Audiences

BY MELISSA WISTEHUFF | PHOTOS COURTESY NANCY LOWTHER

T

he dedication, commitment and time it takes to learn an instrument is inspirational. Now, imagine honing a skill that some may doubt is possible, simply because you have been born with Down syndrome.

Such is the remarkable story of Jenny Lowther. The 37-year-old Cary native has always loved music. Her mother and musical partner, Nancy, says “Jenny learned to crawl because she was determined to get close to our music player. She has always had music in her heart.”

Also known as Trisomy 21, Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that can cause a wide range of developmental and physical disabilities. “Fine motor skills tend to be difficult for those with Down syndrome, but Jenny has flourished with music,” her mother, a music teacher, says.

Nancy has two other daughters in addition to Jenny, and has always encouraged them to pursue their dreams.

So when Jenny decided to join the middle school band, Nancy was thrilled. Jenny’s instrument of choice was the orchestral bells—a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned metal bars mounted on a frame that is played by striking the metal bars with a small hammer. (Picture a xylophone that sounds like bells.) Jenny’s middle school band director was unsure that Jenny would be able to keep up

100 | midtownmag.com

with the music or the band’s strenuous schedule, but gave her a chance. “Not only did she practice every day, but she did not miss a single performance throughout middle or high school. Jenny played in every concert, competition and football game,” Nancy boasts.

The mother-daughter duo started playing together when Jenny graduated high school, with Nancy on keyboards and Jenny on orchestral bells. They now stay quite busy with performances at parties, weddings and senior living facility events. They also perform at Duke Hospital for patients and visitors six weeks of the holiday season, and will perform the opening act for the Berlin Brothers, a popular jazz band, at The Blue Note Grill in Durham for two performances in December.

Jenny’s favorite part about performing is seeing the audience’s reaction to her music, particularly when they sing and clap along. “She simply glows when she performs,” Nancy says of her daughter.

“It is a true blessing for me to be able to play alongside her, and see how much she has accomplished—how far she’s come.

Watching her play is an inspiration for everyone to pursue their own dreams.”

Learn more about Jenny & Nancy Music’s upcoming performances at sandbarrollers.com/instrumentalduo-trio.

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D E PA R T M E N T S T H E AT E R

BROADWAY STAR AND THEATRE RALEIGH FOUNDER MAKES AN EVOLUTIONARY MOVE

BY KURT DUSTERBERG | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THEATRE RALEIGH

L

auren Kennedy Brady is giving a tour of Theatre Raleigh, describing her vision for the many rooms and spaces. At one end of the sprawling lobby, she approaches a makeshift stage and a scattering of comfy furniture. Earlier this year, before the 300-seat main theater was finished, the company staged “Forever Plaid” in this makeshift area. “We turned all these couches and bar tables around and built riser seating,” she says. “So it felt like a cabaret.”

Kennedy Brady is Theatre Raleigh’s producing artistic director. She is also the executive director of the organization and has operated Theatre Raleigh for nearly a decade. But this is the second act in her professional life. Before she came home, she starred on Broadway, earning credits in “Sunset Boulevard,” “Les Miserables” and “Monty Python’s Spamalot.”

Kennedy Brady graduated from Broughton High School before attending the University of Cincinnati CollegeConservatory of Music. Two years into her college career, she took a master class taught by an agent who sent her on an 102 | midtownmag.com

audition for “Sunset Boulevard.” When she landed a role in the ensemble in 1994, she had a decision to make. She remembers, “This is what I’m here to do. My parents were so supportive. It’s Andrew Lloyd Webber. Glen Close is starring in it. How can you really turn that down?”

But after more than a decade based in New York, Kennedy Brady felt the tug of her hometown, where her family had deep roots in the theater community. Her parents are the patrons behind the Kennedy Theatre at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. Her father and brother ran a summer series in the 133-seat theater for a few years, while Kennedy Brady served as a creative consultant from New York. With the theater unable to make money, she took the patron list and started over, founding Theatre Raleigh in 2008 before becoming a nonprofit in 2011.

Today, the theater company continues its transformation on Old Wake Forest Road. The new home became available in June 2020 when a church vacated the space. The location is hardly what you

would expect for a professional theater, occupying one end of a brick-and-siding strip mall. “Yes, it has its idiosyncrasies, and yes, it’s a warehouse-y, office complex-y thing,” Kennedy Brady says with joyful resignation. “But as long as it’s evolutionary, then we’re good.”

How did theater become part of your life?

My parents loved theater. When we were kids, they would take us to New York and we would see six shows in four days. They passed on that love to three of the four of us. My sister and I started auditioning for all the different community theaters and doing a ton of shows. Then you get bitten by the bug and you can’t imagine your life being anything else.

I started doing shows with professionals when I was in eighth grade. All through high school, I would do shows at North Carolina Theatre and people would fly in from New York. They would be staying at a hotel downtown, and I was like, “Oh my God, that’s just what I want to do.” It just seemed like such an awesome life.

Can you describe what it feels like to be on a Broadway stage?

It’s like playing in the major leagues. A lot of people play baseball, but not many people play in the major leagues. A lot of people do theater, but not many people actually make it to Broadway. It is something that is truly special. It’s the thing you say to yourself when you’re out there in that moment, like, “Oh my God, I’m living my dream.”

Is the lifestyle for a Broadway actress what we think it is—just endless auditions, mixed in with waitressing and doing whatever it takes to make ends meet?

It’s pretty much that. It’s mostly schlepping and waitressing and side hustles and babysitting. I was really lucky though. I thank my lucky stars because I know it was not most people’s experience, but I did get a job right out of school. I did it in Los Angeles for 10 months, I did it on Broadway for a year, I toured for a year. So by the time I was 23, I had three years of professional work making great money. It was almost like false advertising: I’m working all the time, it’s amazing!But the next show I did was “Side Show.” It only lasted for three months, then closed. It was not a success.

And then I didn’t work for a year. You’re on this high and everything is amazing and then, boom! Nothing.

So, what happens then?

You just audition like it’s your job. It’s not easy, it’s not glamorous. You go on a hundred auditions and maybe get a callback for one or two. It’s a numbers game. You have to have a lot of patience and a lot of passion to withstand the rejection. I also look back at those times and think they were the best time of my life. You cared about something so deeply and you had this dream. When you’re acquiring the dream,

that’s the most exciting part. Being at the top is never what you expect it to be. It’s never quite as amazing. It’s always riddled with frustration and disappointment.

Did you ever think, this isn’t the life I expected or wanted?

You lose perspective. I was never at the top. I can certainly say I starred in three Broadway shows. I played Fantine in “Les Mis,” Lady of the Lake in “Spamalot” and Daisy Hilton in “Side Show.” But it was always just a little different than you thought.

It’s hard, the work you have to do to stay at the top of your game at that top level. It’s really intense. You give up a lot of your life.

You give up going out to dinner with friends or staying out late. You’ve got to be quiet for 12 hours [before a performance] so your voice is in tip-top shape.

Were these the first thoughts you had in the progression of coming back to Raleigh?

I was working on the decision about 15 years ago. I had a child and I was working at the top of my craft when I had my daughter (Riley, now a freshman at Duke University).

My ex-husband at that point was very supportive, so I was continuing to work.

When I was doing “Spamalot” with David Hyde Pierce and Hank Azaria—a really tip-top experience—I found myself not wanting to do what it takes to stay at the top.

I wanted to get up at 5 a.m. with her and spend time with her. Then I’d have to take a nap in the middle of the day and then train in, because at that point we were living outside the city. The sacrifices they have us making to do that—I became less interested in doing.

That’s when I started thinking about directing and producing and shifting to something that wasn’t about me being in top form, but something about me supporting other people being in top form. That took about five years, and then I moved down here.

Lauren Kennedy Brady, right, works with an actor on the set of Theatre Raleigh.

What made you think you were prepared for operating your own theater?

I’ve always been somebody who will work the problem. I will just figure it out. My husband, my technical director and my carpenter friend, we just rolled up our sleeves and started working on the lobby. We ripped out carpet, we laid the floors, we put wallboard up. That’s how we spent the first year of COVID-19. When else could you stop doing productions? It was one of the silver linings we chased during that time. Then I just started falling in love with the whole idea of this. Ultimately, I now feel like I’ve sacrificed nothing. The work is the same here as it is there. There may be a few more zeros at the end of the budget, but it’s really the same.

Where do you find all the actors?

Is the acting community pretty deep in the Triangle?

There is a very rich artistic pool here in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs. People are willing to drive to go where the art is. But we also bring in people from New York. With “City of Angels,” we had seven people from New York. This is professional theater, not community, so we pay everybody who works. It’s good enough to justify that they’re here six nights a week from 5:30 to 10:30 for rehearsal for three weeks, then two weeks of a run of a show.

It’s professional in that sense. The talent is high. It’s fun to see people come from New York, and you get to watch this sort of great marriage of the local passion and how it inspires the New York actors. It sets a level of output and work ethic.

What would success look like for Theatre Raleigh four or five years from now?

Being regarded as one of the best theaters in the area is absolutely my goal. Not just within the community, but nationally.

Because I lived in New York and L.A., I would love for Theatre Raleigh to have a great reputation in New York for actors to come down and work here. And I think we’re getting there with what we’ve got. But also for the patrons to trust what I’m presenting.

I was always driven by the development of new plays and musicals. You have to earn that support from your patrons. I have really created a great patron base that wants to see new shows or riskier titles. The fact that I don’t have to do “The Music Man” and “The Sound of Music,” and things that everybody knows is great. So that’s cool.

If I’m developing a new show every year, that would be my absolute dream come true.

Adding to the canon of American theater has always been exciting to me, and I would love to be able to be a part of that.

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D E PA R T M E N T S C O M M U N I T Y

PROTECTING NORTH CAROLINA’S HISTORY

EXPLORE THE STATE’S HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

BY ANITA B. STONE

W

hy go to the trouble of saving old structures and other remnants of the past? Just ask the

CHILDREN WALK THROUGH THE GARDENS AT TRYON PALACE IN NEW BERN.

employees of the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office. They might explain that physical evidence of past events is often the only way to track and record the evolution of the human spirit over time: our changing attitudes, art forms, political focus, religion and overall cultural expression.

Many of us are unaware of the existence of the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office—or its efforts. The office’s employees work to preserve historical properties and assist individuals, agencies and institutions in identifying and protecting important historical resources.

Buildings and other assets from the past give us a virtual library of tangible structures, paper records, lands and objects that open our minds to former times and lives. Without such historical preservation, we would have only our imagination and family stories to reconstruct past events that reveal the skills, knowledge and struggles of our state’s history.

From early days, respect for the remnants of North Carolina’s past, whether in the form of elegant churches, government buildings, simple countryside structures, has remained constant. Local communities, individuals, and organizations at the county or state level have provided various frameworks through which preservation of historical objects and places can be accomplished.

106 | midtownmag.com

PHOTO BY JOHN M. CHASE/GETTY IMAGES

shipwrecks, ancient archaeological sites or

PRESERVING HISTORICAL HERITAGE In North Carolina, numerous organizations

are devoted to preserving our state’s history where evidence still remains. The idea of establishing a means to preserve our historical heritage originated in the 1930s when Christopher Crittenden, secretary of the North Carolina Historical Commission, invited Margaret Wilmer of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia’s Antiquities to speak to the commission about her state’s successful preservation program.

Impressed with Virginia’s preservation efforts, the commission formed a steering committee to establish a similar plan for North Carolina, which soon resulted in the birth of the North Carolina Society for the Preservation of Antiquities. Its attention focused on the needs of such places as Tryon Palace in New Bern.

Early preservation plans included additional grant money to Halifax County’s

Since then, the office has been

along with other relevant information, can be

communities to support the preservation of

found via the National Register of Historic

endangered historical properties in their area,

Places’ website.

resulting in the saving of structures such as

Information received from the study list

schools, factories, historical districts, villages,

speeds the review process, helping submitters

churches and farming operations. These

become acquainted with qualifying details.

nominated properties are listed in the North

Armed with this information, an advisory

Carolina section of the National Registry

committee and staff can learn initial details

of Historic Places. Addtions to the list are

about the property, which expedites early

continually assessed and added if found to

examination and assessment.

historically qualify.

Protecting and maintaining historical objects

North Carolina nominations are presented alphabetically by county at ncdcr.gov/

and sites is the most tangible and immediate way to bring historical events to life for future

state-historic-preservation-office. Detailed

generations. The importance of protecting

information about each entry is presented

these precious remains is incalculable. They

in PDF form. Photographs, measurements,

cannot be remade, and would otherwise

dates, locations and other details are readily

disappear through the wear of time and natural

accessed through the National Register of

decay. The North Carolina State Historic

Historic Places’ website.

Preservation Office works to safely preserve

REGISTERING YOUR PROPERTY

and protect this heritage.

So, how does a property get nominated and listed in the National Register of

in Yadkin County and the Andrew Johnson

Historic Places? Any person or organization

Birthplace in Raleigh. In 1974, the society’s

can submit a landmark, district, object or

name was changed to the North Carolina

other entity to be considered for a listing.

State Historic Preservation Office.

The process is greatly facilitated by the use

PHOTO BY ANITA STONE

clerk’s office, restoration of Richmond Hill

OLIVIA RANEY LOCAL HISTORY LIBRARY

BY ANITA B. STONE

As you enter the double doors, you know you are visiting the Olivia Raney Local History Library, an exceptional example of local preservation that has thrived in Raleigh for more than a century. “We are the best-kept secret in Wake County,” says Hannah Cox, archivist and manager.

of a “study list”—the application for which,

instrumental in encouraging local

The library is a reincarnation of the name of the original public library of Raleigh, and contains a repository of local historical information and genealogical family histories. The facility is free and open to citizens and out-of-state visitors who want to find historic

CHECK IT OUT

North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office 109 E. Jones Street, 2nd Floor Mail Service Center 4617 Raleigh, North Carolina 27601 919.814.6570 ncdcr.gov/state-historic-preservation-office

journals and current maps related to Raleigh and Wake County history.

Historical records, including book collections, newspapers, periodicals, biographies, historic maps, city directories and military records, date as far back as the 1900s. “Let us know your needs and we will get you started,” Cox says.

The Olivia Raney Local History Library houses more than 1,000 archival collections. “Our computer lab offers microfilm readers where ancestry and family search [functions] are available,” Cox says.

Chartered in 1899, the library’s origin began when it was gifted by businessman Richard Beverly Raney in loving memory of his wife, Olivia Cowper Raney, who became ill during pregnancy with their first child. Newspaper headlines read, “One of Raleigh’s Most Cultured and Beloved Women Passes Away.” Raney created a trust that funded the first 5,000 books, and the library officially opened January 25, 1901.

The Raney mansion closed in 1962 and was demolished in 1966.

The library then moved to the Kress Building on Fayetteville Street Mall in 1963 until it closed in 1985. After almost 10 years, a movement by North Carolina citizens introduced a successful bond issue and funding to support a local library in the Wake County Libraries system. The 7,846-square-foot Olivia Raney Local History Library reopened in August 1996 on the county government campus known as the Wake County Office Park. “The library is a true gem,” says Wake County Commissioner James West. “And it plays an important role in preserving and sharing the history of our county, our communities and our families.”

LEARN MORE

4016 Carya Drive (off Poole Road) Raleigh, North Carolina 27610 919.250.1196 Search wake.gov for the “Olivia Raney Library”

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D E PA R T M E N T S C H E F ’ S TA B L E

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE Vinnie’s Steak House and Tavern mixes tradition with inventive new offerings

BY KATIE JANSEN | PHOTOS BY JOSH MANNING

A

t Vinnie’s Steak House and Tavern, the seasonal desserts are so popular they inspired a dessert-themed calendar. Developed last year, this calendar was the brainchild of Chef and General Manager Tom Armstrong, who noticed that people would constantly ask which dessert was up next. He developed the calendar to show loyal dessert fans which delicacy is on deck—from spring’s blueberry crostata with peach ice cream, to fall’s carrot and persimmon cake with bacon fat frosting.

Vinnie’s Steak House dessert calendar follows the availability of local produce. Armstrong sees it as “kind of serendipitous the way nature creates these incredible combinations,” citing the strawberry shortcake with honeysuckle ice cream as an example.

And although the desserts are ever-changing, repeat customers need not fret when their favorite leaves the menu. “As soon as one thing is gone, something else good is around the corner,” Armstrong says.

Indeed, something good has been around the corner for each of the 17 years Armstrong has been at the helm of Vinnie’s Steak House. A Raleigh native, he remembers Vinnie’s in its glory days when it opened in 1987. He joined as executive chef in 2006 and got to work reinstating the restaurant to the popularity it had once known. A focus on local ingredients and an updated menu accomplished that mission, and when the general manager eventually moved on, Armstrong had the opportunity to take on a new challenge and assume that role in addition to his chef duties.

JACKET REQUIRED

The way Armstrong thinks about his role has evolved over the years. Initially, he’d spend all day in the kitchen prepping, then put on a suit coat each night to participate in front-of-house activities. Now, things are different—he still makes sure to visit with guests, but he’s always wearing his chef jacket.

This decision can be attributed to two things, Armstrong says.

For one, the kitchen is where he does his best work and is most comfortable, and he feels lucky to have hired a strong, trustworthy team in both the front and back of the house, enabling him to split his time. But Armstrong also says the chef coat adds an experiential element for the diners, who are always excited to receive a visit from the person who oversaw their dishes.

110 | midtownmag.com

GRILLED NORTH CAROLINA BISON FLANK STEAK WITH HORSERADISH MASHED POTATOES, PEA SHOOTS AND BORDELAISE SAUCE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

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Armstrong times his visit carefully; he waits to visit patrons toward the end of their meal, then inquires about how each steak was cooked and how everything tasted. He gets a lot of positive feedback, he says, but recognizes that the constructive criticism is even more important.

MIXING OLD WITH NEW

While tradition is important at a steakhouse that dates back to 1987, Armstrong has also been able to introduce new dishes over the years. The restaurant boasts a full steakhouse menu and a more casual tavern menu, both of which are always available.

Just like the desserts, other special dishes rotate seasonally, such as the baked Pamlico Sound oysters, which features dried sherry, collards, bacon and whipped brie.

The mix of traditional and new dishes has attracted a diverse clientele, some of whom have incorporated Vinnie’s Steak House into their family traditions since the steakhouse opened, as well as new faces who have either recently moved to the area or were too young to have frequented the restaurant during its early days.

Whether people want a quick bite or cocktail at the bar while watching a game, or a full sit-down dinner with family, Vinnie’s Steak House has something for everyone.

In his quest to keep the restaurant current, Armstrong makes sure to take advantage of opportunities that teach him new techniques. Several years ago, he was able to do a short training stint at several Michelin-starred restaurants in New York, which prompted him to bring back new approaches to working with familiar ingredients. One example of this is the “duck three ways,” which air-dries local Joyce Farms duck so that the flavors deepen and become richer. The process is similar to dry aging a steak, Armstrong says.

But staying put at home has taught this Raleigh native just as much, especially as the city’s food scene continues to expand with more local farmers and talented chefs. Armstrong sources everything locally where possible, including chicken from Joyce Farms in Winston-Salem, pork from Heritage Farms in Goldsboro and produce from Blue Sky Farms in Wendell.

Armstrong has invested a lot of work in Vinnie’s Steak House over the years, but emphasizes that he could not do any of it without his team. Now, he says, the restaurant has reached a place where the team can enjoy the fruits of their labor. It’s still hard work, but it’s fun work. “It’s like cooking for your friends and family every night,” he says.

Grilled North Carolina Bison Flank Steak With Horseradish Mashed Potatoes, Pea Shoots and Bordelaise Sauce Serves 4 as a main course

Ingredients 2½–3 pounds of bison flank steak, trimmed 2 pounds of russet potatoes, peeled and halved ½ cup of milk, warmed 2 tablespoons of butter, at room temperature 1–2 tablespoons of prepared horseradish 1 carrot, peeled and chopped 1 onion, peeled and chopped Course (or kosher) sea salt

1 celery rib, chopped Black peppercorns, 1 tablespoon whole, 2 tablespoons cracked 1 bay leaf 2 cups of red wine (preferably a heavier red, like a cabernet) 4 cups of beef stock 1 cup of demi-glace (reduced veal stock) 12 ounces of fresh pea shoots Finely ground white pepper

Directions for Making the Bordelaise Sauce Sauté the carrot, onion and celery over medium-high heat for 3–4 minutes until they begin to brown slightly. Add the bay leaf, 1 tablespoon of whole black peppercorns and ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir to combine. Add the red wine and bring the mixture to a boil.

Lower the heat to simmer and allow the mixture to reduce for about 5 minutes. Add the beef stock and demi-glace. Bring the mixture back to a simmer and allow it to reduce for about 30 minutes—until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh strainer and keep it warm until you’re ready to serve it.

Directions for Making the Mashed Potatoes Cover the potatoes by 2 inches with cold water and add 2 tablespoons of salt. Bring them to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until the potatoes are fork tender. Drain well. Using a potato ricer, press the potatoes back into the cooking pot. (You can also use a potato masher, but the potatoes may be a little less smooth.) Add the milk and butter. Gently fold the milk and butter into the riced potatoes. Season the mixture to taste with salt, white pepper and horseradish. Keep it warm until ready you’re ready to serve it.

Directions for Grilling the Bison Cut the flank steak into four 8-ounce portions (or have your butcher cut it for you). Season the steak with salt and cracked black pepper, to taste. Cook the flank steaks on a hot grill for approximately 3–4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Allow the flank steaks to rest for 10 minutes before slicing them. (Be sure to slice against the grain of the meat for tenderness.)

CHEF TOM ARMSTRONG

112 | midtownmag.com

Directions for Assembling the Meal Place a scoop of mashed potatoes just above the center of each plate. Fan the sliced flank steaks around the bottom of the potatoes. Drizzle the bordelaise sauce over the meat and around the plate. Top each scoop of potatoes with a generous twist of pea shoots.

November 16-20

The Carolina Hotel 80 Carolina Vista, Pinehurst

26th Annual Holiday Benefit for children who have special developmental needs.

Opens daily at 10 am

CAMP GUIDE

Admission by any monetary donation.

COMING IN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023

Showcase your camp to our 140,000+ readers in our 2023 Camp Guide!

festivaloftrees.org | 910.692.3323

DISCOVER TIGHTER SKIN AT

RALEIGH PLASTIC SURGERY CENTER! Dr. Glenn Lyle offers state-of-the-art noninvasive treatments for skin rejuvenation.

With access to the best devices and lasers, Aesthetic Nurse Kaitlyn Gozzo provides tailored treatment plans for tighter, brighter skin!

Our readers send their children to fun, educational and skill-building camps every year. No matter what your camp’s focus is, now is the time to let them know about the amazing opportunities you have in store for their kids.

Advertisers’ listings will be highlighted to stand out from other camp listings and can include a 25-word description.

SPACE RESERVATION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 21 Call or email us to learn more 919.782.4710 advertise@midtownmag.com advertise@caryliving.com

DEVICES INCLUDE Genius RF Microneedling – to improve fine-line wrinkles and loose skin Sofwave – innovative ultrasounad technology providing skin tightening and lifting LaseMD Ultra – for light skin resurfacing and healthier-looking pores eCO2 – for customizable skin resurfacing with minimal down time Call 919.872.2616 and ask for a complimentary consultation with Kaitlyn!

Raleigh Plastic Surgery Center | 1112 Dresser Court | Raleigh

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

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BEAUTY EXPERTS READ EXPERT ADVICE FROM PROFESSIONALS AROUND THE TRIANGLE, AND DISCOVER WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR INNER AND OUTER BEAUTY VIA A VARIETY OF COSMETIC ENHANCEMENTS, MEDICAL AESTHETICS

PHOTO BY IAMBADA/GETTY IMAGES

AND LUXURY SPA TREATMENTS.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

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AVAI L AEST HET I C S

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Avail Aesthetics is, above all else, a med spa for everyone. From its inception, our goal has been to create a top-tier med spa where every single person who walks through the door feels welcomed and accepted. We strive to bring you the very best of medical aesthetics while treating you with respect and appreciation.

Using the newest and best devices available anywhere, treatments at Avail Aesthetics yield better results in fewer sessions, with less downtime. From the groundbreaking technology of the Tetra C02’s CoolPeel or BTL’s EmSculpt, EmSella, and Vanquish ME to Cynosure’s PicoSure, Icon, and Potenza RF Microneedling, along with the perennial favorite HydraFacial, we have everything you need to look and feel your best.

Avail Aesthetics specializes in creating natural-looking results, and our goal is for you to look and feel like the best version of yourself. We also have a wide array of neuromodulators and fillers to enhance, correct or change your look. Nothing is more beautiful than confidence, so come in and give yours a boost today!

Avail Aesthetics 251 Keisler Drive, Suite 201 Cary, North Carolina 27518 2 0 0 6 Fa i r v i e w R o a d Raleigh, North Carolina 27608 919.322.5440 | info@availaesthetics.com availaesthetics.com

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2022 BEAUTY EXPERTS

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

| DRY BAR

Drybar is a blowout bar that focuses on one thing and being the best at it. When you come into the shop, you will be greeted and offered a drink. Your stylist will have a consultation with you to decide what style you are looking for, and then he or she will wash, blow-dry and style your hair. We also offer updos and braids.

Drybar is dedicated to making women feel confident and happy. We do that through thorough education and over-the-top customer service. Brand consistency is super important to us, and no matter which Drybar across the country you walk into, you should expect the same quality and customer service in every shop. Plus, our shops look and smell nothing like a regular salon, and we have thought of every little detail to help you relax and have a great time. With two local shops and a wide range of hours, Drybar can take care of all of your styling needs!

Drybar Raleigh at Midtown East 1111 Mercantile Drive, Suite 100 Raleigh, North Carolina 27609 919.670.1072 t h e d r y b a r.c o m D r ybar Car y at Waverly Place 302 Colonades Way, Suite 206 Car y, North Carolina 27518 919.238.7264 t h e d r y b a r.c o m

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T HE M ED SPA

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Rated one of the top medical spas in the Raleigh area, The MedSpa believes that beautiful skin is for everyone!

We take delight in providing our clients with the most current technology in the industry. Our entire staff is hand-selected from the best the area has to offer—each of our service providers has more than 12 years of experience in the esthetic industry.

The MedSpa 1112 Dresser Court Raleigh, North Carolina 27609 919.333.4418 themedsparaleigh.com

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Your skin care goals are important—to you and to us!

That’s why we take the time to listen and create your skin care plan starting with your initial complimentary consultation and following up with you throughout your entire process. All of our talented medical estheticians are highly sought after, skilled and certified in laser, cosmetic and body procedures that build healthy, revitalized skin.

Natalie enjoys working with skin of color and addressing pigmentation concerns. Charity is masterful in her esthetic expertise and gentle touch, and Jennifer loves teaching clients how to achieve their ultimate skin care result through combination treatments using her laser expertise, and through skin care education. Our entire staff is poised to assist you in achieving your esthetic result, and is dedicated to your satisfaction. We look forward to meeting you! Discover The MedSpa. Discover you.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

2022 BEAUTY EXP ERTS

| REGENESIS MD Regenesis MD specializes in providing functional and anti-aging medicinal services that go deeper and broader than the norm.

We use cutting-edge research and innovative diagnostic tools to help slow the aging process by detecting, preventing and treating illnesses associated with aging.

We focus on the following therapies and services: nutritional IV therapy; whole body wellness; hormone/sexual health; weight management; Botox and fillers; lasers and body contouring; facials and chemical peels; and hydrafacial treatments.

Regenesis MD has repeatly won Diamond Awards for Best Med Spa, Best Place to De-Age, Best Spa Experience and Best Family Doctor. We are here for all of your health and wellness needs. Promoting wellness, inside and out, is our goal.

Regenesis MD 8020 Creedmoor Road Raleigh, North Carolina 27613 919.322.2844 regenesismd.com

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D R. TOPI COI L S + NEW L I FE AEST HET I C S

| 2022 BEAUTY EXPERTS

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Dr. TopicOils is a research-based lifestyle brand that specializes in combining the essence of nature with the proven results of science to provide skin care, hair care and wellness formulas that you can trust. Dr. TopicOils takes a client-focused approach to wellness in order to ensure that our products and formulas are customizable to meet each clients’ needs.

We specialize in creating natural, restorative hair growth formulas that work for men and women. We help clients who are experiencing thinning hair, post-COVID hair loss, hair growth issues after cancer treatments and male pattern baldness.

Dr. TopicOils creates nonsteroidal, natural formulas for pain and stiffness associated with arthritis, gout, ankle sprains, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia and sore muscles.

We offer a plethora of safe, natural, organic skin formulas for acne, eczema, aging and diabetic skin care. Research is at the center of our Dr. TopicOils brand. We care about the whole person ... not just the pain point.

D r . To p i c O i l s 2530 Meridian Parkway, Suite 300 Durham, North Carolina 27713 984.444.9807 | info@drtopicoils.com drtopicoils.com

New Life Aesthetics is a boutique medical skin care practice owned and operated by Meredith Harris. Meredith is a board-certified women’s health nurse practitioner with 25 years of experience in caring for women, and in the sub-specialty of medical aesthetics. Meredith recently welcomed experienced aesthetic nurse injector and laser specialist Heather Shelton Roberts, who completes the dream team of providers at New Life Aesthetics.

Each guest is treated to a personalized experience in which education and customized care is the focus of every appointment. The team’s top concern is delivering safe, beautiful outcomes with impeccable care, leaving guests feeling and looking refreshed, and reflecting the best version of themselves. Common concerns that New Life Aesthetics provides solutions for are anti-aging, problematic skin, sun damage, skin tightening, body contouring and sexual health/wellness.

New Life Aesthetics 5816 Creedmoor Road, Suite 209 Raleigh, North Carolina 27612 919.521.8282 newlifeaesthetics.com

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Meredith is a highly sought-after educator and trainer in the medical aesthetics market. When she is not seeing guests in the office, she can be found hosting injectors for training, traveling to medical practices throughout the country to educate and consult, speaking from the main stage of live medical conferences, and serving on advisory boards for Allergan Aesthetics. Detailed care, follow-up and passion for education is notable through every touchpoint that each New Life Aesthetic guest experiences.

2022 BEAUTY EXP ERTS

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

2022 BEAUTY BUYS

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Double Shot Oval Blow-Dryer Brush, $155 This Good Housekeeping 2020 Beauty Award for Best Hair Tool combines the hot air of a blow-dryer with the structure of a round brush to create a smooth, shiny blowout with tons of volume in one quick, simple step.

Drybar thedrybar.com 919.670.1072 (Raleigh) | 919.238.7264 (Cary)

D•E•J Daily Boosting Serum, $225 The power of the sunflower! This groundbreaking serum from Revision Skincare uses patented sunflower sprout extract as a breakthrough ingredient to de-age the skin cells as we mature. By addressing every sign of skin aging, results are visible with improved skin radiance in less than 15 minutes, and there is continued improvement in skin health with up to a 74% increase in elastin and 67% increase in collagen after just 12 weeks. Suitable for all skin types and tones, this product reverses damaged skin, improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reduces pigmentation and redness, increases elasticity and firmness, and improves the efficacy of other medical-grade skincare products and in-office procedures. Available now at Regenesis MD. Regenesis MD regenesismd.com | 919.322.2844

InterFuse Intensive Treatment from SkinBetter Science, $117 Botox in a bottle! This revolutionary hyaluronic acid solution improves the appearance of deep expression lines and wrinkles. Peptides help expression lines appear smoother upon application.

A collagen complex made up of amino acids, peptides and vitamin C work synergistically to support the skin.

This targeted formula helps reduce the look of deep wrinkles and expression lines and is complementary to in-office treatments. It improves the appearance of deep expression lines. All SkinBetter science products are dermatologisttested, paraben-free, fragrance-free, dye-free and cruelty-free.

Avail Aesthetics availaesthetics.com | 919.322.5440

ZO Microfacial Collection, $165 This limited collection is designed to restore softer, smoother and naturally radiant skin without irritation or downtime. Ideal for all skin types, the program also helps to support results of in-office treatments. The product regimen includes an exfoliating cleanser, exfoliating polish, complexion renewal pads, an enzymatic peel and three skin brightening masks.

The MedSpa themedsparaleigh.com | 919.333.4418 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

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BEAUTY BUYS

Skin Healing Balm Formula, $20 Dr. TopicOils Skin Healing Balm is an essential oil– based emollient serum cream. This skin healing balm is formulated with helichrysum and hyaluronic acid to restore skin at the cellular level while it increases hydration and diminishes fine lines and wrinkles.

This nutrient-rich formula contains vitamins A, C and E, which are all excellent for improving skin elasticity, brightness and tone. Skin Healing Balm contributes exceptional hydration for dry spots, and it is noncomedogenic. Bring your skin back to a vibrant, youthful glow with Dr. TopicOils Skin Healing Balm.

Dr. TopicOils drtopicoils.com | 984.444.9807

OUT & ABOUT DINE & DRAFT DINE & DRAFT This list represents the Raleigh restaurants that have advertised with us since the start of 2022.

Looking for our comprehensive Dine & Draft directory? Check out midtownmag.com/dine-draft for a detailed foodie guide to Raleigh.

This is just a snapshot of what you’ll find.

AREPA CULTURE NC 6274 Glenwood Avenue #100 919.986.8487 arepaculturenc.com

GLENWOOD SOCIAL CLUB 510 Glenwood Avenue 919.758.8851 glenwoodsocialclub.com

BAD DADDY’S BURGER BAR 111 Seaboard Avenue 919.747.9163 9402 Falls of Neuse Road, Suite 103 919.233.5880 baddaddysburgerbar.com

JUICEKEYS 5011 Falls of Neuse Road, Suite B 8490 Honeycutt Road, Suite 102 110 N. Corcoran Street (Durham) juicekeys.com

BAZIL INDIAN CUISINE 6602 Glenwood Avenue 919.307.3034 bazilindiancuisine.com

KANDY APPLES BY K 6320 Capital Boulevard, Suite 107 984.242.0324 kandyapplesbyk.com

COUSIN’S MAINE LOBSTER 411 W. Morgan Street 919.867.6203 cousinsmainelobster.com

MIDTOWN PHO 424 E. Six Forks Road, Suite 105 919.747.9899 midtownphoraleigh.com

EDIBLE ART BAKERY & DESSERT CAFE 4351-115 The Circle at North Hills 919.856.0604 edibleartnc.com GLENWOOD GRILL 2603-151 Glenwood Avenue 919.782.3102 glenwoodgrill.com

NOFO @ THE PIG 2014 Fairview Road 919.821.1240 nofo.com

SODABOX (COMING SOON) 6182 Rogers Road (Rolesville) sodabox.love TASTEFULLY SERVED Serves Raleigh, Cary, Apex and RTP 919.760.5134 tastefully-served.com TAVERNA AGORA 326 Hillsborough Street 919.881.8333 tavernaagora.com

OLDE RALEIGH DISTILLERY 209 N. Arendell Avenue (Zebulon) 919.208.0044 olderaleighdistillery.com

TIFF’S TREATS 421 Daniels Street 984.664.5990 cookiedelivery.com

POKÉ BAR 909 Spring Forest Road 919.896.6256 ilovepokebar.com

VIDRIO 500 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 100 919.803.6033 vidrioraleigh.com

SALT & LIME CABO GRILL 6006 Falls of Neuse Road 919.872.2230 saltandlimecabo.com 122 | midtownmag.com

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JUICEKEYS AND BAD DADDY’S BURGER BAR

VINNIE’S STEAK HOUSE AND TAVERN 7440 Six Forks Road 919.847.7319 vinniessteakhouse.com

PROGRESSIVE INDIAN CUISINE IN A VIBRANT ATMOSPHERE!

6602 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh 919.307.3034 bazilindiancuisine.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

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GET MIDTO WN MAGAZINE DELIVERED TO YOUR MAILBOX

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Call or visit us today to learn more about placing a custom order or to take advantage of our daily specials and offerings, such as our afternoon Happy Hour!

4351-115 The Circle at North Hills | 919.856.0604 124 | midtownmag.com

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984.242.0324| | kandyapples.com kandyapples.com 984.242.0324

OUT & ABOUT FOODIE FOCUS

COME HUNGRY Compiled by the Midtown staff with contributions from Triangle Food Guy Sean Lennard, who blogs at trianglefoodblog.com

EVENTS

Brookside Bodega, a bar, restaurant and shop at 1000 Brookside Drive, Suite 119, between Raleigh’s Oakwood and Mordecai neighborhoods, began offering Sunday brunch service September 18. Executive chef and co-owner Darrell Brown creates modern spins on brunch classics as well as vegetarian and vegan-friendly entrees. Brunch also includes coffee roasted by the restaurant’s neighbor, The Optimist Raleigh. Brunch service starts at 10 a.m.

COMING SOON

Signage is posted for Anthony’s LaPiazza, which will be located at 9 Glenwood Avenue on the ground floor of the AC Hotel by Marriott Raleigh Downtown. An opening date has not yet been announced.

Amitie Macaron, a start-up bakery specializing in French macaron cookies that already has a location in Morgan Street Food Hall, will soon open a downtown location on Wilmington Street behind Carroll’s PHOTO OF BROOKSIDE BODEGA ENTREES BY BAXTER MILLER

Kitchen and across from Young Hearts Distilling.

CLOSED

Garland closed its doors August 27. The restaurant, which served Indian and Asian dishes with a Southern twist, was located at 14 W. Martin Street in Raleigh. It was owned by two-time James Beard Award finalist Chef Cheetie Kumar and her husband Paul Siler, who plan to PHOTO COURTESY OF KRAVE

NOW OPEN

move on to other projects. So•ca served its last dinner on September 17 at its 2130 Clark Avenue Village District location. You can still visit so•ca’s sister restaurant, ko•än,

Krave, a tea house and bar,

at 2800 Renaissance Park Place in Cary. Midtown

opened on October 8 at 510

Grille, an upscale restaurant serving contemporary

Glenwood Avenue. The menu

American cuisine located at 4421 Six Forks Road #115,

features kava and kratom teas,

announced it was closing in September.

along with yerba mates, Cuban café con leche, Malaysian coffee with ginseng and other wellness

Midtown Grille

products served in an island culture atmosphere.

PHOTO BY FELICIA PERRY

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PHOTO BY ALEAIMAGE/GETTY IMAGES

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OUT & ABOUT EVENTS NOVEMBER + DECEMBER “THE POWER OF WOMEN IN COUNTRY MUSIC”

Through February 26 North Carolina Museum of History 5 E. Edenton Street, Raleigh Journey through the past, present and future of country music’s greatest female trailblazers, including Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Rosanne Cash, Shania Twain and Taylor Swift, as well as contemporary North Carolina artists Charly Lowry, Rissi Palmer and more. See artifacts, instruments and costumes from 70 female artists, and enjoy a special concert series, author series, family events and more. Tickets are $16 for adults and $10 for ages 6–17.

ncmuseumofhistory.org “STEEL MAGNOLIAS”

November 4–13 A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater 2 E. South Street, Raleigh The women who regularly gather in Truvy’s beauty parlor are, as the title suggests, as delicate as magnolias but as tough as steel.

Based on the true family events of playwright Robert Harling, “Steel Magnolias” exemplifies the universal and unconditional strengths of sisterhood, resilience and love.

nctheatre.com/shows/steel-magnolias

NORTH CAROLINA GOURD ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL November 5–6, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Holshouser Building 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh One of autumn’s most recognizable fruits takes center stage at this festival featuring exhibits, competitions, crafts and growing tips. Admission is $3 for adults and free for ages 12 and younger.

ncgourdsociety.org/festival.html

NORTH CAROLINA INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

November 5, 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; November 6, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Exposition Center 4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh Take a trip around the world without leaving the Triangle as the North Carolina International Festival spotlights 30 global cultures and their unique holidays. Enjoy traditional cuisine, a global bazaar, an international dance competition, an LED dance party and more.

eventbrite.com

RALEIGH VEG FEST

November 6, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

200 N. Blount Street, Raleigh Discover the benefits of a plant-based diet from presenters who discuss health, animal welfare and the environment at Moore Square. Mouthwatering cooking demos, exhibitors and kids activities round out the event. Admission is free.

aplantbaseddiet.org/raleigh-veg-fest

BY JAN ICE L EWI NE

Be sure to check the websites for the events listed here before you head out to ensure they are still taking place.

PHOTO OF RISSI PALMER BY CHRIS CHARLES; PHOTO OF CHARLY LOWRY BY BOB KARP; GOURD PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NORTH CAROLINA GOURD ARTS AND CRAFTS SOCIETY

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OUT & ABOUT EVENTS KOREAFEST 2022

November 19–20 North Carolina State Fairgrounds 4825 Trinity Road, Raleigh Take the family for K-pop singing and merchandise, music and taekwondo demonstrations, heritage lessons, authentic cuisine and a visit from Miss America Emma Broyles in this celebration of Korean culture.

nckoreafest.com

“DIRTY DANCING IN CONCERT”

November 25, 8 p.m.

Raleigh Memorial Auditorium 2 E. South Street, Raleigh Celebrate the timeless romance of “Dirty Dancing” in its first live film-to-concert experience. See the digitally remastered movie on a full-size screen with a live band and singers performing the film’s iconic songs. Sing and dance with the entertainers in a festive after-party.

raleighconvention.com

SANTA’S BIG DAY VIRTUAL RUN

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DESSERTERY

THE DESSERTERY

PHOTO OF RALEIGH NIGHT MARKET COURTESY OF LAUREN HOOPER

RALEIGH NIGHT MARKET

November 9, 5–9 p.m., Smoky Hollow, Glenwood South, Raleigh November 17, 5–9 p.m., City Market, 214 E. Martin Street, Raleigh In an enchanting setting, the Raleigh Night Market features local artisans, talented musicians, strolling entertainers and kids activities while evoking a strong sense of community in the downtown district.

raleighnightmarket.com FNCS INVITATIONAL

November 12–13 500 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh Watch as a selection of top Fortnite Champion Series duos from around the world get the opportunity to compete in a single competition for a share of a million-dollar prize pool at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Purchase tickets online.

ticketmaster.com

November 19–December 23 2 E. South Street, Raleigh Indulge yourself in a holiday-themed dessert cafe in Kennedy Theatre at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. The Dessertery features all-you-caneat sweets and hot cocoa, elaborate holiday decor and live entertainment on select nights. Purchase tickets online. Tickets cost $25 for ages 7 and older and $15 for ages 2–6. Children under age 2 get in free but must be registered, as space is limited.

dukeenergycenterraleigh.com/ dessertery THE RINK

November 19–January 16; hours vary 500 S. McDowell Street, Raleigh Experience the thrill of outdoor ice skating at The Rink, presented

by UNC Health, featuring stunning views of the Raleigh skyline at Red Hat Amphitheater. The winter wonderland–themed rink features games, photo stations, fire pits and a snack bar. Tickets are available in two-hour time slots and cost $11 for skaters (skate rental included) and $6 for nonskaters.

December 3–31 Takes place virtually Help Kris Kringle bring smiles to children this holiday season while doing something good for yourself. Race in a virtual 1-mile fun run, 5K, 10K, 13.1-mile run or 26.2-mile run as part of Moon Joggers’ Santa’s Big Day Virtual Run Event. Operation Warm— which provides warmth, confidence and hope to children in need through the gift of new winter coats—will receive 15% of the registration fees.

eventbrite.com

DISNEY ON ICE: “FROZEN” AND “ENCANTO”

December 7–11 PNC Arena 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh Glide into the magical adventures of Disney’s “Frozen” and “Encanto” as they come to life on ice. Sing along to heartwarming songs “Do You Want to Build a Snowman,” “Let It Go,” “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and “All of You” while embracing world-class ice skating and aerial acrobatics.

pncarena.com

EARLY BIRDS AT PRAIRIE RIDGE

December 16, 7–9 a.m.

1671 Gold Star Drive, Raleigh Watch as winter birds—including cardinals, chickadees, goldfinches, woodpeckers and nuthatches— feed and frolic in at Prairie Ridge Ecostation. Take binoculars to watch them in action. Admission is free.

naturalsciences. org/calendar/ venue/prairieridge

ticketmaster.com

IMAGE COURTESY OF RALEI

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OUT & ABOUT MIDTOWN MINGLES DOWNTOWN RALEIGH’S SMOKY HOLLOW UNVEILS “SPILL” MURAL

A large-scale reinterpretation of Durham artist Maya Freelon’s work of the same name was unveiled on August 29 at Smoky Hollow, a distinctive urban district in downtown Raleigh. The mural, inspired by Smoky Hollow’s history as a primarily African American neighborhood, was created in partnership with Mebane-based muralist Artie Barksdale and assistant artist Jay Coachman. It is located on the side of Peace Raleigh Apartments’ parking deck at 417 W. Peace Street.

The unveiling included refreshments and an opportunity to meet the artists.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MELISSA WISTEHUFF

DINNER IN THE MEADOW BENEFITS THE LEONARD-MOBLEY SMALL FARM FUND

More than 300 guests attended the sixth annual Dinner in the Meadow event on September 11 in Louisburg to savor dishes prepared by Triangle and regional chefs, and sourced from local and regional farms and food artisans. The dinner supports the Leonard-Mobley Small Farm Fund, which aids in the development and sustainability of small farms through an annual grants program. This year’s $5,000 farm grant was awarded to the Zhou Family of HuaNong Farm in Person County for the purchase of additional specialized farm equipment. A $500 scholarship went to Gina Schmelza, a Franklin County resident, to attend the three-day Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Conference in Durham.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DINNER IN THE MEADOW

STATE OF MIDTOWN: THE ELEVATED EXPERIENCE CELEBRATES MIDTOWN’S ESSENCE

Members and guests of the Midtown Raleigh Alliance attended the organization’s State of Midtown: The Elevated Experience event September 29 at The Eastern Residences at North Hills. Guests were updated on new projects and improvements to the Midtown district while being treated to delicious food, signature cocktails, musical entertainment and a gorgeous view of Raleigh 35 stories and 354 feet above Midtown, set against a breathtaking sunset.

MRA also partnered with the Carolina Hurricanes to celebrate the team’s 25th club anniversary at the event.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DATHAN KAZSUK

HUNDREDS VOLUNTEER FOR ACTIVATE GOOD’S 9/11 WEEKEND OF SERVICE

Activate Good’s Weekend of Service, which annually marks the anniversary of September 11, 2001 and honors those lost with volunteer service, saw hundreds of participants make an impact in their communities September 9–11.

Volunteers worked at more than 50 project sites beautifying local gardens, building public hiking trails, delivering food to the elderly through Meals on Wheels, volunteering at Marbles Kids Museum, and participating in other projects.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SOLSTOCK/GETTY IMAGES

BY JAN IC E L EW I N E NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

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OUT & ABOUT KALEIDOSCOPE “I never paint with a plan, and the spontaneity and process are what I enjoy most. It is the element of not knowing, the mystery unfolding— that’s the exciting part for me.”

—Lynn Alker

LY N N A L K E R

OPEN SPACES, 2022 OIL AND MIXED MEDIA ON CANVAS 20 X 20 INCHES

THE PROCESS OF MAKING ART

BY CHARLOTTE RUSSELL

Spontaneity guides Raleigh-based artist Lynn Alker’s abstract paintings that are imbued with design, color and texture—a nod to her career in the floral industry. Alker began painting seriously later in life after taking painting classes with local artists like Peter Marin and Leslie Pruneau, where she fell in love with the process of making art. Her oil and acrylic paintings on canvas, paper and wood board document her intuitive process through bold applications of color, loose mark-making, and layering texture and color.

In “Open Spaces,” Alker uses a limited color palette, leaving much of the canvas uncovered—revealing the marks, drawings and raw canvas underneath. Her mark-making includes symbols, words and inscriptions that are somewhat present but not fully visible. This allows viewers to find their own meaning in her work.

View more of Alker’s work at lynnalker.com, via Instagram @lynnalker, in Bev’s Fine Art in Raleigh, and in selected pieces at FRANK Gallery in Chapel Hill.

132 | midtownmag.com

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10/18/22 12:32 PM