Experience the creative world of LEGO via new Art of the Brick exhibition.
Creativity is just one brick away. … Raleigh is in for a special treat this month as the world-renowned Art of the Brick LEGO art exhibition arrives May 24 at Pleasant Valley Promenade (!)
The first-of-its-kind exhibition—which has already toured several cities and made CNN’s list of must-see exhibits—features 90+ incredible LEGO sculptures by artist Nathan Sawaya. A former corporate lawyer from NYC, Sawaya is the pioneering artist who successfully brought LEGO into the realm of art and has two bestsellers under his belt.
Now, Art of the Brick exclusively showcases LEGO as an art medium, with myriad works composed of LEGO bricks that have been diligently pieced together since 2002 (work hard, play hard, amirite?). Sculptures include an enormous T-Rex; intricately crafted human figures; and reimagined versions of some of the world’s most famous art masterpieces, including Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
The level of detail and creativity the “Brick Artist”—as he so aptly calls himself—brings to each sculpture is truly remarkable. … “We’ve been looking forward to bringing our tour to Raleigh for quite some time now and are excited to showcase our extensive collection of LEGO-inspired art installations and sculptures,” says Sawaya. “Designed to evoke fond childhood memories of play and creativity, this is the perfect opportunity to introduce Raleigh to my intricate works, which have been meticulously crafted to capture the imagination of all ages.” In addition to the LEGO sculptures, the exhibition—hosted by Exhibition Hub and Fever, the same team behind the successful Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience—also features an innovative multimedia collection produced in collaboration with award-winning photographer Dean West. The multimedia collection showcases Sawaya’s sculptures in a new light, combining them with West’s photography to create a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors. Imagination, meet reality.
Looking to switch up your next drinking sesh? As one of the oldest and most consumed alcoholic beverages a la Japan, sake is having a moment—and we are here for it, ya know, for the sake of it (see what we did there…). Here’s where you can sip—or grab a juice box!—around town.
Sake by the juice box? Yes, please! In addition to a stellar gin, vermouth and absinthe collection, this hidden Morgan Street Food Hall gem also boasts a Lucky Dog Sake juice box. … But don’t be fooled by the packaging. This light sake with hints of ripe apple and honeydew melon is not too sweet, nor too dry, and packed with plenty of flavor—and, of course, character. Why should kids have all the fun?!
Waraji is home to the largest selection of sake on the East Coast, with 100+ varieties from which to choose. Order it hot or sparkling, go for the lightly filtered sake, or sip on one brewed with traditional Japanese techniques. Can’t choose? Opt for the sake flight to taste your way through all the ops. Additionally, each month, the chef handpicks four sakes that differ in both taste and style—so you’ll always get to experience something new.
This aesthetically pleasing modern Laotian and Taiwanese restaurant boasts a sake menu that reads like a four-star wine list, with intriguing names that are guaranteed to pull you in—think Golden Treasure, Dancing Gold Flakes, Drunken Whale and more. Pair your sake pick with one of Heirloom’s delicious Asian-inspired dishes to elevate your next happy hour.
At this longtime Hillsborough Street resto, sake stars in a variety of tasty sake cocktails—see the Fizzy Apple (Fuji apple sake with Moscato d’Asti), Sunset Jewel (Living Jewel sake, blood orange syrup and lemonade) and Blood Orange Sunrise (pear sake and orange juice with blood orange syrup and cherry juice). David’s also carries a robust list of standard sakes and sake flights—NTM those stellar dumplings that make great pairings.
It might seem odd that Jason Howard’s country music-blaring honky-tonk would have sake on its menu—and well, it sort of is. But, still—don’t sleep on it. If you’re not feeling a beer, shooter or cocktail, go for a shot of cold or hot sake (pro tip: Add a flavor to the hot sake to jazz things up!).
