News in Raleigh

Bob Geary brings us word that the Velvet Cloak Inn has been closed by the city for having ‘non-permitted changes’ and fire code violations. The Velvet Cloak Inn recently changed owners and has been selling condos in old hotel rooms under the moniker of “Velvet Cloak Villas” for the last year.  It sucks for those staying in the hotel temporarily, but what about the folks that lived there?

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The Bleeding Hearts are the kind of cool local band we should be proud to claim as part of Raleigh.  Grayson Currin of the Indy regards the band highly: “Among the foremost disciples of Raleigh’s hard-won, rarely forsaken guitar-rock heritage, The Bleeding Hearts received a boost from an unlikely idol, E-Street Band guitarist Little Steven Van Zandt. He featured the quartet’s “Rehab Girl” on the “Coolest Song in the World” segment of his popular satellite radio show in August, and the band’s been gathering play and popularity ever since.” If the Hearts are good enough for Currin and Van Zandt, two tastemakers whose opinion I respect, it can be assured to be a great show. 

$5 @ 10pm
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While it is included on our First Friday Guide, we thought Rebus Works’ show Pro/Con was worth highlighting.  The politically themed art show is seasonally appropriate and diverse in the forms of political expression it showcases. One of the most exciting parts of the show is work by Combat Paper a project where Iraq War vets use their uniforms to make paper and then create works with that paper reflecting on the war experience.

Shown: Joe Grant - Kim Jong-il

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Pete Sack at Morning Times

Tonight will be a beautiful night to walk through downtown touring galleries and mingling with townies.  The shows look good and the weather is just right.  DesignBox hosts two shows that look fun, one, a reading of Big Beard, the Raleigh Quarterly’s children’s book that has been illustrated by artists from all over the nation. The artwork will be for sale and the live reading should be a hoot. DesignBox will also host a large selection of halloween masks painted and designed by local artists. 

Lump looks stellar as usual with a show curated by John Freeborn telling the evolution of the Philadelphia art scene. Rebus Works will host the poignant Pro/Con a politically themed show with masterful works by artists and veterans.

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Our Visual Map and Guide to All the Shows

Oh yeah! This is probably the most exciting concert announcement that Raleigh has had in years. Fresh off another amazing collaboration with Brian Eno, the legendary Talking Heads singer will grace the capital city with his presence in December.