What an Awesome Week to Visit Raleigh!!!

There are a number of wonderful cultural events being offered in May the week of the NGS Conference! Whether you are interested in fine dining, theater, music or art, Raleigh has something for almost everyone.

Artsplosure - The Raleigh Arts Festival 2009

Artsplosure's spring arts festival is one of North Carolina's most acclaimed and well attended outdoor arts festivals, attracting more than 70,000 people annually to Moore Square Park in downtown Raleigh. The event is free to the public and features more than 250 visual and performing artists. It is scheduled this year on May 16 & 17, from 11:00am to 7:00pm.

(Photo: C. Biondi) For more details: http://www.artsplosure.org/

Theatre in the Park

Presents: Romeo & Juliet

Theatre in the Park will stage a special production of Shakespeare's ROMEO & JULIET,
featuring Evan Rachel Wood and Justin Long on May 15 - 17, 2009.

For tickets and additional information: http://www.theatreinthepark.com/

2009 Triangle Restaurant Week: From traditional southern cook'n to global cuisine, Restaurant Week is proud to feature some of the established favorites as well as new restaurants which have opened up over the past year!

Participating restaurants are offering fixed priced, three-course meals including an appetizer, an entree and dessert for just $15.00 for lunch, and $25.00 for dinner. Reservations are not necessary, but are recommended!

For a listing of participating restaurants and additional informations, call (919) 673-3974 or

visit http://www.trirestaurantweek.com/

Art in the Evening:

North Carolina Museum of Art

Unwind with us! On Fridays linger with soft jazz and a glass of wine from our lobby wine bar before the film series. Enjoy free docent-led tours at 6:30pm and stroll through the galleries.

One of the premier visual arts museums in the Southeast, featuring a collection spanning 5,000 years, from classical to contemporary. The Museum Restaurant and Store complete your visit. For more information call (919) 715-5923

or visit http://www.ncartmuseum.org/

Carolina Bluegrass Music Festival 2 : Koka Booth Amphitheatre

Featuring lively bluegrass music and 5 Grammy nominated national bluegrass acts including: The Del McCoury Band, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Tony Rice Unit, IIIrd Tyme Out, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Al Batten & the Bluegrass Reunion, and No Strings Attached.

For tickets and information :

(919) 462-2025

http://www.carolinabluegrassfestival.com/