The NFL season is winding down with only a few weeks left before the playoffs begin. As the playoff portion of the season is close to happening, there is still a plethora of news stories from around the league. This week has had suspensions, injuries, and game-changing scores that will impact the playoffs.

A week ago in the Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars game, the Texans’ linebacker, Azeez Al-Shaair, brutally hit Trevor Lawrence of the Jaguars in the head. After the hit, the NFL suspended Al-Shaair for three games. Despite an appeal from the linebacker, the suspension was upheld, keeping the suspension in place. As for Lawrence, the Jaguars’ quarterback, he has been put on injury reserve. Lawrence still has to get surgery after the incident and it’s believed that he might be out for the rest of the season if he can’t clear concussion protocol.

Speaking of potential season-ending injuries, there have been some other players who are likely done for the rest of the season as it continues to wind down. It was announced that Dallas Cowboy guard, Zack Martin, would have to have surgery for an ankle injury sustained a few weeks ago. The injury and surgery takes him out for the rest of the season, but the franchise’s owner, Jerry Jones, has remained optimistic that Martin will only be out for this season and not forever.

As for Treylon Burks, a wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans, he just underwent surgery for his own injury. He suffered a torn ACL and the injury combined with surgery has ended his playing time for the season.

This week, the Detroit Lions made history. They set a franchise record for the most games won in a row with eleven, after their win over the Green Bay Packers. This record-setting win also officially guaranteed the Lions’ spot in the playoffs this season. The Lions have now gained a massive advantage for themselves as the playoffs near and the regular season comes to an end.

With only a few weeks left to play before the playoffs, the last games for every team become more crucial than they ever have been. The competition is only heating up and the news in the NFL regarding injuries and suspensions only adds to the intrigue of what could happen next.

James has been a member of one of the NBA’s most significant franchises in the Los Angeles Lakers since he joined them in the Summer of 2018. James accomplished an incredible feat very few basketball players that will play in the NBA ever will, and that’s winning a championship as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. Before that, James made the finals eight times, once in 2007 with the Cleveland Cavaliers, three times with the Miami Heat, and then four times in his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. So far, Lebron James has made the NBA finals eight times, won the NBA finals four times, and lost the NBA finals four times.

Sports fans are constantly comparing Lebron James and Tom Brady, as their dominance has been pretty much unparalleled in the histories of their respective sports, Brady in NFL Football and James in NBA basketball. Recently, Brady retired despite the impeccable methods Brady has applied to take care of his body, which many modern medicine practitioners have criticized. Despite the criticism, Brady would go on to win four super bowls in the latter part of his career thanks to what he and his “body-coach” Alex Guerreiro call “The TB12 Method.” The TB12 Method says the following is needed for high-level physical activity, not just athletic performance: “Pliable Muscles which aren’t the same as flexible. They aren’t soft or dense.” 

The duo says dense, stiff muscles get hurt easily because they aren’t resilient. Brady credits performing pliability exercises and eating foods in the nightshade family to perform at the level needed to accomplish everything he did to win four super bowls in the latter part of his career. James isn’t a follower of the TB12 Method but credits his excellence to spending over a million dollars on his body. James has said he wants to play with the Lakers until he can’t play basketball anymore. James wants to play with his son once he hopefully makes it to the NBA. Mark Cuban called his western conference foe “super-smart” for telling NBA teams that he’d play for them if they drafted Lebron’s son. No one knows if James will or will not need the TB12 Method at all because of the rate he’s going and how James takes care of his body; he might not need it at all to play with his son.

#1 Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover is probably one of the most well-known authors on BookTok. Known for her suspenseful romance novels that capture the hearts of Gen Z readers, Hoover has probably benefitted the most from the rise of readers on social media platforms. She released Reminders of Him on January 18th, and BookTok was quick to devour the novel and turn it into another sensation for Hoover.

#2 Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy

Kennedy’s YA novel, Good Girl Complex, is a perfect example of one of BookTok’s favorite trends: sweet romance books with a pastel-themed, hand drawn cover. This became popular in 2021, with favorites such as People We Meet on Vacation, The Love Hypothesis, and more. Kennedy’s novel is right up the lane of many young readers and is a perfect introduction for any Gen Z wanting to start reading again. 

#3 The Maid by Nita Prose 

A thriller featuring a neurodivergent maid in her mid-twenties, a 5-star hotel, and a dead mogul, Prose’s novel is for those who still think reading has to be “boring”. An excellent introduction to the world of suspense and murder mysteries, Prose has been on BookTok’s radar since the release of this novel in January. The novel has also earned other acclaims such as the #1 spot on the New York Times Bestseller’s List and being picked for the Good Morning America book club.

#4 To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara

From the author of A Little Life, one of the most popular books on TikTok in 2021, fans of the novel were excited to hear that Yanagihara would be releasing a new novel in 2022. Spanning 300 years, in three different timelines in America, with three very different settings. All three timelines are intertwined by themes of love, loss, identity, family, and other touching topics that Yanagihara is known for having an exceptionally skilled hand in writing about. 

#5 The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

Another thriller novel surrounding family disappearances, Foley’s novel was just released this month but has already garnered a lot of interest on BookTok. Set in Paris with a missing brother and a building full of possible suspects, The Paris Apartment is perfect for BookTok’s target audiences. They’ll enjoy the twists and turns of Foley’s novel just as much as binging a thriller series on Netflix or scrolling through true crime videos for hours. 

We never thought social media would be the reason that the younger generations start reading again, but with so many great reads only two months in to 2022, readers can be sure to find great reads on BookTok all year long.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: 

Amanda Bittner, Marketing Director, Artsplosure

919-832-8699

amanda@artsplosure.org

Lineup Announced for Artsplosure – The Raleigh Arts Festival: October 9-10, 2021

The annual Artsplosure – Raleigh Arts Festival will showcase a diverse mix of music, performance art, children’s activities, interactive art, and fine artists and crafters in downtown Raleigh.  As it has been for 41 years, Artsplosure is free to the public!  

RALEIGH, N.C. – Artsplosure, the presenter of Artsplosure – The Raleigh Arts Festival, today announces its lineup of performing artists for its 41st namesake festival to take place on Saturday, October 9 and Sunday, October 10 in downtown Raleigh. Festival organizers have curated an eclectic mix of emerging performers ranging from acoustic blues, to Cosmic Americana, to soul, to alt-folk, and more. 

Artsplosure – The Raleigh Arts Festival 2021 Performing Artists

Son Little • Brittney Spencer • Aaron Lee Tasjan • Ida Mae • Thunderstorm Artis • Lakota John • Christopher Paul Stelling • Bassel & The Supernaturals • Blue Cactus • Libby Rodenbough • 

T. Gold • Chessa Rich • Trippers & Askers • and more!

Performances on Saturday, October 9 highlight an array of talent and genres, featuring sets from first generation Syrian-American Bassel & the Supernaturals, NC native guitarist and songwriter Lakota John, southern folk singer and guitarist Christopher Paul Stelling, and Americana singer-songwriter, ace guitarist, and fiery live performer Aaron Lee Tasjan. Saturday’s headliner is Son Little, hailed by NPR as “honest and unpretentious,” while The Independent proclaimed him “a formidable talent,” and Vice declared that he was “dissolving the barrier between R&B and rock ‘n’ roll one tearjerker at a time.”

Live music performances will continue on Sunday, October 10, with Americana/Indie-Country duo Blue Cactus, Sleepy Cat Records artists Trippers & Askers, T. Gold, Chessa Rich, and Libby Rodenbough, acoustic alt-folk duo Ida Mae, and Thunderstorm Artis, Season 18 finalist on NBC’s The Voice. Sunday’s headliner is country singer-songwriter and rising star Brittney Spencer, recently heralded by Maren Morris as an artist to watch during her 2020 CMA Female Vocalist of the Year acceptance speech.

A complete list of the full line-up of visual artists, special activities and music will soon be available at RaleighArtsFestival.com.  

Connect with Artsplosure!

www.RaleighArtsFestival.com

Use hashtag #Artsplosure #ArtForAll

Facebook: Facebook.com/Artsplosure

Twitter: @Artsplosure

Instagram: @Artsplosure

Click here for hi-res images.

About Artsplosure

Artsplosure is an independent nonprofit organization that presents arts festivals in Raleigh, including its namesake spring festival since 1980 and First Night Raleigh since 1991.  Its mission is to produce quality events that make the works of the most imaginative and celebrated artists accessible to the public, all in an effort to enrich our community and inspire greater love for the visual and performing arts.  

Artsplosure is funded in part by the City of Raleigh based on the recommendations of the Raleigh Arts Commission and is also supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

For more information visit www.artsplosure.org. 
###
— 
Amanda BittnerMarketing Director
Artsplosure/First Night® Raleigh19 W Hargett St, Suite 310, Raleigh, NC 27601
http://www.artsplosure.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 28, 2020

CONTACT: 

Amanda Bittner, Marketing Director, Artsplosure

919-832-8699

amanda@artsplosure.org

RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct. 28, 2020) – In a year of unprecedented change and disruption, Artsplosure in partnership with WRAL and the City of Raleigh have joined forces to provide a new holiday experience: WRAL Nights of Lights.

Taking place along a 1.3-mile route inside Dorothea Dix Park, the event aims to provide an opportunity for the community to celebrate the holidays in a safe, crowdless environment. Along the route, attendees, safe inside their vehicle, will enjoy the oaks of Dix Park wrapped in holiday lights as well as many holiday themed light installations. Artsplosure, the organizers of First Night Raleigh will also activate several local art installations along the route.

“The WRAL and CBC teams were committed to finding a way to help Triangle families experience some “holiday spirit” this year. So many traditions and experiences have been cancelled or disrupted. We worked hard to come up with a safe way to offer some “light” during a time that has been dark for many,” said Joel Davis, Vice-President and General Manager of WRAL/FOX 50. “We are so grateful that the City of Raleigh was willing to partner with us on what we hope will be a new and lasting holiday tradition. This year and every year WRAL remains committed to the people of our community.”

SAFETY AT “WRAL NIGHTS OF LIGHTS”

The event is coordinated as a “COVID-safe” experience, with all tickets purchased electronically in advance and handled with onsite ticket scanners vs. paper tickets. The event is planned to run from Wednesday, December 16th through Thursday, December 31st.  Ticket prices start at $10 and a portion of available tickets will be given to several Triangle area non-profits over the course of the event.

The event is strictly drive-thru. No pedestrians or cyclists are permitted on the route during Nights of Lights.

Frequently asked questions, the ticket link and map route can be found at wral.com/lights. Tickets go on sale on Saturday, November 21st at 11am.

“This holiday season is going to be unique for so many of us as COVID continues to impact our community,” said Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin. “I want to thank Artsplosure and WRAL for their forward-thinking approach to Nights of Lights. I look forward to participating and know that many, many families will as well. This is a great way to celebrate the season together while staying safely apart.”

ARTSPLOSURE AND FIRST NIGHT RALEIGH

Artsplosure will present a series of creative and large-scale commissioned light installations by local artists that will be featured throughout the event footprint. A premier large-scale collaborative installation will be created by North Carolina artists Nate Sheaffer and Mary Carter Taub that will be available for viewing only on December 30 and 31 in celebration of First Night Raleigh 2021.

“The board and staff of Artsplosure are grateful to WRAL and the City of Raleigh for the opportunity to enhance the inaugural Nights of Lights festival with elements of First Night Raleigh,” said Artsplosure Executive Director Michael Lowder. “The primary focus of First Night has always been to gather our community together in celebration of the arts and a common purpose. In the age of COVID, this platform gives us a unique setting to continue this tradition.”

On December 30 and 31, say goodbye to 2020 with a one-of-a-kind, special edition of First Night Raleigh 2021 at WRAL Nights of Lights. Experience the Raleigh Acorn like you’ve never seen it before, nestled among Raleigh’s oak trees and enhanced by a specially-commissioned, locally-made lighting installation. Throughout the evening, enjoy musical playlists curated by Raleigh creatives in the comfort of your car to celebrate the coming of a new year.

The Light Installation

The light installations and themed drive-thru design is managed by Vortex Pro Wash, a local Raleigh business that has been serving our community since 2001 and handled both residential/business holiday light installations since 2014.

Vortex Pro Wash lighting designers Nick & Melissa Rhodes plan on lighting the route with over 400 varied lit displays and over 5,000 strands of lights, including a 25-foot-tall LED Christmas tree.

“We are working vigorously to get Nights of Lights prepped and ready to go for this unique holiday season. Vortex Pro Wash is so proud to be a part of a new holiday tradition and we cannot wait to see months of planning come to fruition!” said Melissa Rhodes of Vortex.

ENJOY HOLIDAY MUSIC AS YOU DRIVE THE ROUTE

From 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. each night, enjoy continuous commercial-free Christmas music playing while you drive through the display. Nights of Lights attendees, along with listeners across the area can tune in to “The Triangle’s Official Christmas Music Station MIX 101.5 FM” for holiday music every night of the event. Also, look for your favorite MIX 101.5 personalities broadcasting live along the Christmas light route.

“We’re honored that listeners make MIX 101.5 a part of their families’ holiday traditions as the most-listened-to radio station. Christmas music puts people in a happy place, and we could all use a little holiday cheer right now. This is the thirteenth-consecutive year WRAL-FM will provide the soundtrack for the season as The Triangle’s Christmas Station Mix 101.5 FM,” said Sammy Simpson, Radio Brand/Content Manager for MIX 101.5. “Our team is excited to include this new tradition to help light the night skies with the audience to make home for the holidays even more special. “

THE DURHAM BULLS WISH THE TRIANGLE HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Also along the light route, expect to see a special display from The Durham Bulls Baseball Club. While the baseball season may have been interrupted in 2020, the holiday spirit of the Bulls has remained intact and ready to “play ball!”

“The Bulls may have had a challenging 2020 season, but our commitment to our community has never been stronger,” said Mike Birling, Vice President of Durham Bulls Baseball Club. “ We are looking forward to this opportunity to wish Bulls friends and fans ‘happy holidays’ this December.”

ABOUT WRAL-TV, MIX 101.5 AND DURHAM BULLS BASEBALL CLUB PARENT COMPANY

Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAL Digital, WRAZ-TV, WRAZ Digital, WRAL-FM, WRAL-HD2, WCMC-FM, WCMC-HD1, WDNC-AM, WCMC-HD2, WCMC-HD3, WCLY-AM, WCMC-HD4, Microspace, CBC New Media Group and Wolfpack Sports Properties (a joint venture with Learfield) in Raleigh, NC; WILM-TV, WILT-LD and Sunrise Broadcasting in Wilmington, NC; The Durham Bulls Baseball Club, Bull City Hospitality and the American Underground startup hub in Durham, NC; and real estate interests including the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, NC, and Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC; and Professional Builders Supply (an equity partnership) in Morrisville, NC.

ABOUT DOROTHEA DIX PARK

Dorothea Dix Park is the site of one of the most exciting new park projects in America. 308-acre site blends historic architecture and rich landscapes into a unique destination in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina. The effort to create Dorothea Dix Park is a public-private partnership between the City of Raleigh and Dorothea Dix Park Conservancy. The City owns and operates Dorothea Dix Park. The Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that exists to support the City by serving as its philanthropic partner. Learn more at dixpark.org. 

ABOUT ARTSPLOSURE

Artsplosure is an independent nonprofit organization that presents arts festivals in Raleigh, including its namesake spring festival since 1980 and First Night Raleigh since 1991.  Its mission is to produce quality events that make the works of the most imaginative and celebrated artists accessible to the public, all in an effort to enrich our community and inspire greater love for the visual and performing arts.  

Artsplosure is funded in part by the City of Raleigh based on the recommendations of the Raleigh Arts Commission and is also supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

For more information visit  www.artsplosure.org. 
— 
Marketing Director
Artsplosure/First Night® Raleigh313 South Blount Street Suite 200-B Raleigh, NC 27601
http://www.artsplosure.org

The “Wilson Idol” was created to strengthen academic achievement and bring about a multicultural awareness within the community through performing arts. This awareness goes a long way in helping overcome barriers and obstacles, such as teen pregnancy and drug abuse. The first “Wilson Idol” took place last year and was a great success, with the WTT Majestic Choir taking home top honors.

During this year’s competition, the twenty-eight talented hopefuls performed their hearts out for the chance at $1000, a glorious trophy, and a part in the onstage production of the award winning gospel play “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child” written and produced by Dr. Mildred Summerville. The winner also takes home an opportunity to perform for the “Queen of Gospel” herself, Pastor Shirley Caesar who served as a performing artist and guest judge for the event.

Summerville, the producer of the “Wilson Idol” gushed about the success of the event and all those involved saying, “The phenomenal success of the Second Annual Wilson Idol could not have happened without the ever-increasing dedication and enthusiasm of all its contestants. Through their talents and commitment to providing the audience with a fulfilling and entertaining experience, the Wilson Idol was a resounding success.”

Of course, no contest is a success without a few winners. Summerville offered her congratulations to the following winners: Within the Gospel category, Eric P. Fleming (Wilson Idol Winner 2014), Quincy Spell, Jr. (1st Runner-Up), Tami Cherry (2nd Runner-Up), The Remnant (3rd Runner-up); In the Instrumental category, Zyavyre Williams (Winner); and in the R&B category, Ronnie Ezzell (1st place), Dillon Green (1st Runner-Up), Jason Bunn (2nd Runner-Up). These talented people performed for Pastor Shirley Caesar and a panel of excellent judges that included Brooksie E. Harrington, Danny Howell, Lamont Hamilton, Calvin Suggs, and Dr. Mildred Summerville herself.

As with all community events, the “Wilson Idol” could not have become a reality without the tremendous and generous help from its sponsors. The 2nd Annual “Wilson Idol” would like to thank the following people/organizations for helping make this year’s event a smashing success: Hamilton Funeral, Dr. Cora Randle, PVICK Studio, Wilson Times, Art Council Of Wilson, The City Insight, Great Restoration Church, Gospel Music Fever, and the Wilson Visitors Center.

Now that the 2nd Annual “Wilson Idol” is complete, it is time to start preparing and practicing for next year’s competition! So whether you love to sing or prefer to bust a move on the dance floor, be sure to keep yourself in tip-top shape and keep an eye out for the 2015 “Wilson Idol” competition!