So you're bored?

There is just so much to do here in the Triangle that there is no way to cover all of it but I am going to try to get in as much as possible and give you a good mix. If you know of any great entertainment coming up in the Triangle area let me know and I will include it in the blog. The attempt here is a mixture of stuff to do for singles, couples, and families; let me know how I’m doing.

MUSEUMS AND PARKS The museums in downtown Raleigh are always worth a visit and there is never an admission charge at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences or the NC Museum of History; only a request for a contribution. Currently there is a free special exhibit at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences called the Wildlife in NC Photo Exhibit; a great collection of amateur photographs taken in North Carolina. February is Black History Month and the NC Museum of History is conducting African American History Tours, Saturday at 1:30pm. Explore the lives and accomplishments of North Carolina African Americans from the antebellum period to the Civil Rights era.

SHOWS AND EXPOS There is almost always something happening at the N.C. State Fairgrounds; often free, and this weekend is no different. Hours and admission costs (if any) for each show can be found at the State Fair Website.  This weekend at various times you can find the Carolina Power and Sailboat Show, the Field of Dreams Cat Club - Purrfect Love Show and the Raleigh Winter II Hunter jumper horse show going on. Lots to choose from here!

If you haven’t had the opportunity to see the new Raleigh Convention Center, then here’s your chance. The Raleigh Spring Home Show is this weekend, Friday through Sunday. Admission is $9. Show hours and a ticket discount are available here.

GET ACTIVE Head over to Cary and get your swim on! It’s cold right now but warm weather will be here before you know it, so get ready.  The Triangle Aquatic Center has open swim and a family of up to six can purchase a day pass for $15.50.

GIVE BACK For all the aspiring fashionistas out there, here is your opportunity to do a good deed. Banana Republic is hosting its Spring 2009 Fashion Show at the Renaissance Raleigh Hotel at North Hills on Sunday at 7pm. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door, a wine and sushi tasting are included. All proceeds will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). So grab a girlfriend and have a glass of wine while supporting a worthwhile cause. For more information visit the event's website.

FILM As an alternative to heading to the neighborhood big screen, horror film fans might enjoy the 10th Annual Nevermore Film Festival, Friday through Sunday at The Carolina Theatre in Durham, where you can see The Creature from the Black Lagoon in 3-D and 13 movies premiering in NC for the first time.

MUSIC Speaking of new facilities, have you seen the Durham Performing Arts Center, hereafter known as DPAC?  It’s beautiful, inside and out! Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel will be there Friday night. Tickets are $35- $65 and more information can be found here.

Visit The Pour House this weekend! Saturday night, NC State grad, Kyler England, is coming home to Raleigh. Described as organic pop, her classy sound makes you feel like you are hearing a classic song in the making. Kyler is playing the early show and is followed up by Silver & Runaway Cab. Tickets are $10 at the door and $8 in advance. www.the-pour-house.com

Check out the Progress Energy Center this weekend as both Meymandi Hall and Memorial Auditorium will be hopping. Click here for all Progress Energy Center tickets. Dora the Explorer: Search of the City of Lost Toys, The Opera Company of NC Presents LA Cenerentola and  North Carolina Symphony: the Pointer Sisters are all showing this weekend at various times. 

SPORTS NC State, Duke, and UNC are all hosting baseball games this weekend.  UNC and Duke men's and women's Lacrosse teams are playing at home on Sunday.  Check out the respective team's athletic website for more information.

The new and emerging world of Mixed Martial Arts will be on full display during UFC 95: Sanchez vs. Stevenson. Show starts at 9pm, and is taped delayed from London so steer clear of the web for information. So check with your local sports bar, for a good place to watch with your friends and relax with a drink or two!

LOOKING FORWARD Durham Parks and Recreation is sponsoring an Outdoor Recreation Photography Group, Wednesdays from 6pm-8pm, March 4-April 8. Cost is $15 for Durham residents and $20 for non residents. For more information or to register contact Adventure Programs at 919-477-9918.

A GREAT DATE The NC Museum of Art has a weekly event called Art in the Evenings on Fridays from 5:30-8pm. Also on Fridays, following the event is a screening of a Winter Film Series film ($5). Art in the Evenings is free and includes a guided tour and this weeks film is the 1961, The Exiles. Once a month the event is themed and food and drink are available for purchase. This week is a themed week and it’s “A Big Easy Evening”. Winter Film tickets tend to sell out so purchase them in advance at the Museum Box Office at (919) 715-5923.

DAY TRIP Finally, if you just have to get out of town this weekend head over to Seagrove, 40 miles south of Greensboro, for the annual Seagrove Winterfest. Participating potters' shelves will be newly stocked following the busy holiday season with many shops debuting exciting new shapes and colors for the new year. Hours will vary in each individual shop and shop potters may offer demonstrations but the The Museum of NC Traditional Pottery is open 9:30am -3:30pm, Monday thru Saturday. Contact the museum at (336) 873-7887 for more information. 122 East Main Street, Seagrove, NC.

So get out of the house and find something to do. There are lots of choices, too many to list here. Let me know what you did and send suggestions for the future. Check back next week for more great ideas and informative chatter.

Ciao!