Year / 2010

by Leo Suarez

Finishing Touches On The Downtown Amphitheater

Looks like some people didn’t get to drink beer and grill out on Memorial Day. Work was being done around the Downtown Amphitheater site yesterday as the venue’s first show is only three days away. Some chairs are installed, concession stands are put up, and a few trailers are parked for what I’m guessing are restrooms. The newest entertainment option for downtown is almost ready.

There’s really not much to say about the Downtown Amphitheater and the best word to describe it is ‘functional’. Bands have a stage to play on, patrons have places to sit, and the chairs point at the stage; nothing all too exciting. The scenery of downtown, the shimmer wall and the buildings on Fayetteville Street, could be a unique experience with live music outdoors.

The venue is easily accessible, sitting between Dawson and McDowell Streets. The sidewalks have been paved around the entire block and pedestrian connectivity is relatively easy coming from anywhere in downtown. There is also an R-Line stop on Cabarrus Street.

The huge pile of dirt behind the stage is a nice touch. Probably the cheapest way to block any distractions seen by those driving down Dawson Street. I’m convinced that without it, drivers would slow down and cause traffic backups during shows.


View from the grass section.

In my opinion, I don’t care what the amphitheater is called. This venue will draw crowds based on the bands on stage. Let’s not forget that once upon a time when the convention center was being built, this block was planned for future expansion space for the convention center in the future. This venue preserves that same plan, adding an easy, disposable entertainment option for when the city or some developer is ready to spend the big bucks. Enjoy it for what it is. I’ll see you there!

by Leo Suarez

Executive Mansion Gets Marked

On May 12th, the newest addition to North Carolina’s historical marker army was unveiled for the world to see. This particular one will give pedestrians, and yes drivers too, a brief history lesson about the Executive Mansion that sits on Burke Square. The marker reads:

Official residence, N.C. governors, it was completed 1891 on Burke Square using prison labor. Architects, A.G. Bauer & Samuel Sloan.

The marker isn’t that exciting, not for me anyway, but with this news I can bring up one of my favorite historical facts that anyone can see around the Executive Mansion.

Prison labor, referenced on the marker, was used to build the executive mansion, including the brick sidewalk on the edges of Burke Square. Gang leaders left their names on bricks used in construction of the sidewalk and you can still see the names today. Here is an example of one on the block’s north sidewalk.

See more examples in an old RalCon post in 2008.

by Leo Suarez

Acoustics Problem At The Downtown Amphitheater?

Click to see the video on Vimeo.

I was walking around the site for the new Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater last night and was lucky enough to see, actually hear, something rather interesting. For those at work that cannot play or hear the video above, I’ll try to explain it.

I was standing in the amphitheater taking pictures of the shimmer wall last night, the gate was conveniently wide open, and the daily train, the Piedmont, was sounding its horn while moving on the tracks behind me. If you listen to the video above, the very loud horn echoes off what has to be the convention center. You’ll hear it once, then again immediately after. If it is in fact an echo, then thinking about where the stage will sit, the speakers will be facing the convention center, and hello, echo!

Now I’m not saying this will or will not happen during shows at the amphitheater, hopefully acoustics were taken into account when the place was designed. It was just very interesting to hear a loud echo from the train’s horn last night when standing in what will be the main seating area.

Take it however you want.

by Leo Suarez

The Downtown Amphitheater Will Be Wide Open

First off, that is not the official logo or banner for Raleigh Wide Open 5, just a product of 5 minutes on the computer and lots of joy over another Raleigh Wide Open in downtown. I wished for RWO5 to be on Hillsborough Street this fall but the city can sort of wrap the event around the opening of the new amphitheater.

Mayor Meeker announced this year’s Raleigh Wide Open as well as a few other things on Monday. Click the link to get the details about the first show in the amphitheater on June 4th and an opportunity to get your opinion in about the naming rights to the venue. There is a survey at this link. Details:

Mayor Meeker said that one of Raleigh’s newest yet most popular traditions – Raleigh Wide Open – will fill up Downtown on July 31 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. with:

* A parade;
* Four stages filled with more than 20 national, regional and local acts;
* A beer and wine tent;
* A kids zone with blow-up slides and a Carolina Hurricanes interactive area;
* More than 50 food, arts and non-profits tents; and,
* Fireworks.

Mark your calendars and pray for clouds.

by Leo Suarez

Summer Oh-10 Eats and Drinks Roundup

Now that Beerfest and Artsplosure are over, it’s time to branch out for some new or new-ish eats around downtown. Recently, there have been a couple “coming soon” signs teasing us about new options around downtown Raleigh. Here is a list of what I have seen.

  • La Volta is now open near City Plaza in the Progress Energy building.
  • A restaurant called Ciago’s has a “coming soon” sign on the corner of Johnson and St. Mary’s Street. Will this place stay open longer then a year? Let’s hope so.
  • ZPizza has signs and a website for its newest location in City Plaza.
  • A new nightclub and lounge has opened in The Depot. Hush is located next to Jibarra on Davie Street, facing the parking lot of The Depot.
  • A “coming soon” sign for Blu Bar is up in the once empty space next to Two T’s, near 108 E. Hargett Street.
  • Mirage, a sushi bar and club has opened in one of the West at North retail spaces on West street.
  • Cafe Helios is renovating. They are adding a kitchen and hiring a chef. This is part of their menu upgrade, described more on their blog.

Anything I’m missing?