Auston Grove Apartment Homes Blog

Downtown Raleigh is a treasure trove of surprises, whether you’re in the mood to eat, shop, play, or browse. It’s a special downtown full of fascinating people and places that’s simply Raleigh. It’s the perfect place to start your next urban adventure.

First Friday is a Raleigh tradition year-round. On the first Friday of each month, museums, art studios, restaurants and shops offer extended hours, and all the participating restaurants offer specials. Many of the art venues have live music and the museums offer special programs. Look for the First Friday Flags to easily locate participating venues. A detailed map and guide is available at each location for this free self-guided tour of downtown Raleigh’s cutting edge cultural hot spots.

Local art galleries, art studios, alternative art venues, and museums stay open late the first Friday of every month welcoming enthusiasts’ downtown. Generally the event runs from 6 pm-9 pm, but some venue hours may vary.
Visit the galleries and listen to live music. Enjoy a culinary experience and take advantage of the First Friday Specials offered by all participating restaurants. Experience art in all of its forms in Raleigh! Many of the First Friday participating retailers offer specials for you to take advantage of as well.

Having a celebratory liveliness is what the Raleigh area is all about, and zest is a simple word with a big meaning. Greater Raleigh offers old-world charm in combination with unique festivals and events that set the area apart from the competition.

Featured Event - Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival - April 30, 2011

The festival is filled with wonderful arts and crafts, your favorite festival foods, community based civic groups handing out information on things you can get involved with, and entertainment. Children will be delighted by activities just for them in the Children’s Village and will be invited to exercise their imagination as they play in the always popular Lazy Daze Playground. Learn more »

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Apartments in Raleigh, NC

This year, the art scene in the Raleigh area takes center stage with the opening of the North Carolina Museum of Art. A visually-stunning, environmentally friendly building, nestled in the country's largest art park, the NCMA showcases a collection that makes it one of the most distinguished museums in the South.

Featured Event - Grand Opening, Contemporary Art Museum - April 30, 2011

Scheduled to open to public on April 30, 2011, the renovated downtown warehouse is an approximately 20,000 square foot facility that will accommodate all of CAM’s operational goals, including 3 galleries and dedicated educational spaces.

Additionally, it will host changing exhibitions while expanding the existing, community-wide adult and youth art and design programming. Learn more »

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Apartments in Raleigh, NC

Do you like to attend music concerts or art gallery openings? Do you enjoy live theater or improv comedy? If these activities are exciting to you, you will want to locate arts and culture opportunities that are convenient to your apartment community.

Read on for suggestions to help you find the creative outlets you are looking for.

Find your “scene”
What brings people who live elsewhere to visit your community? Perhaps people visit your city because of interesting things it offers to see and do. If you look for information tailored to guests of the area, you may discover that you have access to all kinds of creative outlets.

If you enjoy viewing fine art, keep your eyes open for museums and art galleries open for your patronage. Check for show openings or performance art “happenings” to take part in, and frequent your local music store to keep your finger on the pulse of your local music scene. To satisfy your craving for live music, look for everything from small clubs to large arena venues.

Maybe movies or live comedy are more your thing. You may want to investigate the types of cinema available near your home. Perhaps your town has an art-house cinema in addition to a large multiplex theater. Or look for a stand-up comedy club or a theater that specializes in improvisational comedy.

Start your search at home
Start with your computer. Go online and let your fingers do the searching for theaters and concert halls in your area. You might enter your zip code and the type of creative activity you enjoy. You may discover local venues which cater to your interest. Check their online schedules and get an idea of how often they hold concerts or gatherings. Try both general and specific searches: either way, an online search should help you narrow down local options for an artistic night out.

Keep up with local arts and culture
Look for information about arts organizations from local publications and blogs, including your local newspaper’s arts and culture pages. Getting into the habit of regularly checking these sources — such as an art council’s Web site — will both help you find the options of most interest to you and keep you abreast of what’s going on in your artistic community.

Also, visit your chamber of commerce, either online or in person. These organizations are great places to find information about your community, including active arts opportunities. Your city’s chamber should be able to provide current and comprehensive listings of open art galleries, working theaters, and live music venues. Remember to sign up for newsletters from your Chamber, retail stores, or news outlets that will send information to you regarding the kinds of art you are most interested in.

Get involved with the arts
You may wish to start a deeper involvement in a particular area of arts interest. When you visit your local museum, you might stop by the information desk and inquire about groups that meet regularly, for instance, to help you do this.

A community’s commitment to its art and artists can tell you a lot about who lives there. Show your support by finding and attending the arts and culture events that fire your imagination. You are sure to meet like-minded individuals who share your excitement about experiencing the world of artistic expression.

Apartment in Raleigh, NC