Picnic like a pro at Koka Booth’s Summerfest series
If you thought Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre was just for symphonic sounds under the stars, think again. For 25 years, the North Carolina Symphony’s Summerfest series—which kicked off in May and runs weekly through July—has been home to one of the Triangle’s most delightful traditions: the themed picnic contest.
Inspired by the evening’s music—Star Wars, Broadway, A Summer Night in France, the ’70s and so on—these wildly creative setups have evolved into full-blown productions. “It’s definitely gotten grander,” says NC Symphony Assistant VP of Marketing and Sales Emma Wall, who notes the picnics have been a tradition since Koka Booth opened. “People are more into it and we see more and more creative things.”
Photos courtesy of NC Symphony
Each concert draws hundreds of picnics, with everything from Hogwarts-themed spreads showcasing butterbeer and chocolate frogs to tables draped in French flags and croissants. One Broadway night even featured film reels, VHS tapes and director chairs labeled like a movie set.
Roving judges scour the grounds to pick the top three picnics—the winner grabbing a grand prize $100 gift card to Wegmans, with two honorable mentions each scoring a $25 gift card. And, yes, “they do try to bribe the judges with their food and drinks,” jokes Wall.
She describes how picnickers pull out all the stops to win big, transforming even the humblest dish into a showstopper with a little creativity, flair—and a dash of friendly competition. “It could be like a normal everyday potato salad, but they’ve done a little something to tie it to the music being performed,” she says. Think “Susie’s Big Top Potato Salad,” complete with a circus-themed label and paper performer.
And this year’s themes are poised to offer even more inspo to let the imagination soar, from Disco Fever to Tropical Rock for 5 O’Clock Somewhere to The Catalinas. “Everybody wants to win a gift card to the grocery store,” says Wall of the competition—but assures it’s “family-friendly in a beautiful atmosphere… relaxed and fun.”
If you think you have what it takes to be crowned winner, pull out your best spreads and spread out at Koka Booth this summer. The more the merrier!boothamphitheatre.com
Artsplosure – The Raleigh Arts Festival returns for 45th year.
Imagine this: The sun is shining, the streets are buzzing and Downtown Raleigh is bursting with creativity as Artsplosure – The Raleigh Arts Festival hits the streets May 18–19 to celebrate 45 years of artistic innovation, cultural diversity and immersive activities. Sounds like the perfect picture, no?!
Raleigh’s longest-running arts festival, Artsplosure has become a staple event in the city’s cultural calendar, continuously developing and evolving alongside the ever-changing nature of art itself.
“It’s really meant to encompass all arts,” says Artsplosure Marketing Manager Bree Petrillo. “Artsplosure does a really great job of highlighting creatives who are really relevant and legendary in all art mediums—not just the main stage and not just our visual artists, but it’s kind of a celebration of all mediums.”
Since the very first fest in April 1980, Artsplosure has been the ultimate art party host, bringing together hundreds of talented artists—both seasoned pros and fresh faces—ranging from the visual arts to music performers to interactive installations.
Kids participate in activities at a Kidsplosure booth during a previous Artsplosure – Raleigh Arts Festival.
At the heart of it all, the art market features over 175 juried artists from across the country. Visitors to the festival can explore a diverse range of mediums, including ceramics, glass, fiber art, jewelry, painting and more. The showcase allows not only the opportunity to connect with the artists themselves, but acquire original works of art.
But Artsplosure is more than just an art market. The festival also celebrates performing artists, with this year’s main stage lineup featuring the avant-garde jazz sounds of Sun Ra Arkestra and the eclectic fusion of Burnt Sugar the Arkestra Chamber, a nod to the fest’s original jazz roots.
“The music piece of Artsplosure used to be jazz-oriented, which I always think is interesting,” says Petrillo. “We have really diversified our music lineups to reflect the changing times, and even though we have some pretty jazz-heavy headliners this year, it’s not your traditional jazz. It’s very cutting-edge, very new-age—and I think Sun Ra is such a different sound than when you typically think of standard jazz.”
In addition to the headliners, expect performances by Charly Lowry, Cha Wa and Squonk Opera—just to name a few—the latter of which is also bringing their larger-than-life Hand to Hand installation feat. two giant puppet hands for a unique sensory experience. Plus, don’t miss out on the Song Confessional traveling podcast in which anonymous confessions inspire original songs (!).
For the kids, Kidsplosure offers a vibrant space dedicated to young artists and art enthusiasts. From musical performances to magic shows to a variety of crafts, Kidsplosure ensures the spirit of creativity is alive and thriving in the next generation.
Collectively with all its diverse offerings and inclusive programming, Artsplosure continues to draw upon and write Raleigh’s identity while keeping art accessible to all. “There’s really no other festival like it in North Carolina,” emphasizes Petrillo. So, mark your calendar and get ready to immerse yourself in a weekend of art, music and endless inspiration. Let’s get this party arted!
