Explore: Venues Stay Open for First Friday on August 7th to Showcase the Local Creative Community

"Greensboro, N.C. – The public is invited to discover Downtown Greensboro and its creative community on Friday, Aug. 7. First Friday is a self-guided walking tour of Downtown Greensboro’s galleries, shops and alternative venues that participate with specially programmed arts events with extended hours (until 9:00pm) on the first Friday of every month. Look for green balloons outside of venues to denote First Friday participation. All events are free and scheduled from 6:00pm to 9:00pm unless otherwise noted. First Friday is a collaborative program led by Downtown Greensboro Inc. in partnership with ArtsGreensboro. For further information and to see who's participating, visit First Friday on the DGI website and connect with us on DGI’s Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/DowntownGreensboro) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/downtowngso) pages for updates. #GSOFirstFriday Get your First Friday Map Beer Co. 121-D W. McGee Street: Appalachian Mountain Brewery tasting this Friday at 6pm!!! We will be giving out samples of some brand new beers as well as some old favorites. We will also be pouring two AMB drafts!!! Chakras Spa & Salon - 229 S. Elm Street: Featured art work by visual artist, Mako Fufu. Live music by our visiting musician, DJ SPCLGST, from Raleigh, NC Complimentary refreshments and libations will be provided by Castle Catering. Schedule a future appointment for our spa or salon while attending the event and receive a 15% discount. Crop Salon - 358 S. Elm Street: Featuring artwork by Aaron Sizemore, with Musical guest Jonny Alright & The Hot Rod Mamas. Food and refreshments provided by Cafe Europa. Elsewhere - 606 S. Elm Street: Stop in and play at Elsewhere on First Friday where you’ll be part of an ongoing experiment of people, places, and things. Green Hill - 200 S. Davie Street: Join us for live music by the Piedmont Regulators from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. The Piedmont Regulators is a high energy string band from Hillsborough, NC. Cash Bar. Donations appreciated. International Civil Rights Center & Museum - 134 S. Elm Street: Join the International Civil Rights Center & Museum for a First Friday "Back to School Bash"! Come enjoy live musical performances, Guilford County Schools guest speakers, and a "Back to School" raffle where prizes will be given all night! Just Be - 352 S. Elm Street: Lauren Hatfield with Valentía y Fuerza is a local Greensboro artist who makes "sleek and classy" accessories. She prides herself in using remnant fabrics, thus creating less of a footprint on our environment. Reggae @ VybzNation - 219 W. Lewis Street: Did you know there's an authentic Reggae club in the Triad? Enjoy the islands from the front patio, where you’ll hear the sounds of the Caribbean—Roots, Rock, Reggae @ VybzNation at the end of the Railyard. The Urban Gardener - 120 Barnhardt Street: Find your zen place this FIrst Friday! Musical entertainment from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Free refreshments including beer and wine. Explore downtown Greensboro's newest shopping destination, an urban garden center with live plants, flowers, accessories and garden art, including authentic Mexican folk art hand made from recycled materials." - A Press Release

4th Annual Chili Challenge Set for Saturday, January 24th at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market

"The Greensboro Farmers Curb Market, 501 Yanceyville Street, will host its annual Chili Challenge on Sat. Jan. 24 at 8 am - 11:30 am in the market's Harvest Room.

Ten teams will compete in the Chili Challenge for the winner’s title: 

Charles Sheppard of Sir Charles Gourmet Sauce (winner of 2014 Chili Challenge)

Massey Creek Farm & Savory Spice Shop

Meadows Family Farm

The Next Supper with chefs John Jones & Kerry Thomas

Pine Trough Branch Farm

Rothchild's Beef

Six Gunn's Farm

The Tea Huggers

Thyme Well Spent with Lynn Wells

Weatherhand Farm with Steve Caldwell

The Chili Challenge is the market’s 2015 kick off fundraiser.  Held in January for the 4th straight year, the Chili Challenge invites customers to vote for their favorite chili, grab a recipe in preparation of the upcoming Super Bowl (or simply to fight off the cold winter months), and experience the vibrant winter market.

Admission for the event is $5.00, which includes tasting of all 10 chili dishes along with a cornbread side prepared by Feebert’s Bakery, a daily market vendor and Grits Crackers by market vendor, Pat Koegl.

Proceeds will benefit the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market.

The Greensboro Farmers Curb Market operates year round on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. and seasonally, (mid-April thru Dec.) on Wednesday 8 a.m. to 1 pm.

About the Market

The Greensboro Farmers Market, Inc. (GFM) operates the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on behalf of the City of Greensboro. GFM is a “501c3” nonprofit.

GFM provides greater Greensboro with opportunities to purchase and learn about local food and setting. GFM encourages and supports the growth of local foods and artisan goods businesses to improve greater Greensboro’s economy, support better health through healthy eating and build social and community connections.

www.gsofarmersmarket.org

- A Press Release

It's Right Here! Downtown Venues Stay Open for First Friday Jan. 2 to Showcase the Local Creative Community

"Greensboro, N.C. – The public is invited to discover Downtown Greensboro and its creative community on Friday, January 2, 2015. First Friday is a self-guided walking tour of Downtown Greensboro’s galleries, shops and alternative venues that participate with specially programmed arts events with extended hours (until 9:00pm) on the first Friday of every month. Look for green balloons outside of venues to denote First Friday participation. All events are free and scheduled from 6:00pm to 9:00pm unless otherwise noted. First Friday is a collaborative program led by Downtown Greensboro Inc. in partnership with ArtsGreensboro. For further information and to see who's participating, visit First Friday on the DGI website at http://downtowngreensboro.net/explore/first_friday/. Join DGI’s Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/DowntownGreensboro) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/downtowngso) pages for updates." - A Press Release

Jingle Mob Highlights Locally Owned Businesses for Holiday Shopping

Twenty locally owned businesses will host Jingle Mob events on December 9th to celebrate Buy Local Season.

"To enhance this year's holiday shopping festivities,Triad Local First  (TLF) is encouraging shoppers to shop at locally owned businesses. As a way to bring attention to these unique shops and businesses, TLF is sponsoring Jingle Mob on Tuesday, December 9, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Jingle Mob will highlight twenty of TLF's 255 businesses so that shoppers can have some fun as they "Buy Local". Locally focused spending has surged over the past few years due in part to organizations that promote local economies. In the Triad, Triad Local First has been working toward this mission for almost five years. "Our ultimate goal is to shift the public mindset to thinking local first. That way we keep more money in the community to create more overall prosperity," says Luck Davidson, Executive Director of Triad Local First. "And these businesses are unique...no cookie cutter concepts, so they help our community develop its unique flavor." Jingle Mob retailers will offer goodie bags, door prizes and much more. They will stay open "late" and have promised everything from special discounts, drawings, gift cards, cookies, wine, to hot cider and prosecco.  "Once the light bulb goes on as to the importance of thinking local first...people never go back to their old ways of spending. It's so easy to support locally owned businesses once your thinking shifts...and we encourage folks to check out the directory of 255 locally owned businesses that are listed on our website." Everything from food to beverages to lawyers and dentists, accountants and realtors...find them in the Triad Local First online directory at www.triadlocalfirst.com. In turn, these businesses often seek the services of other local businesses to run their daily operations. They also give back in large measure to local charitable organizations and events. The national localist movement momentum is increasing in communities across the country. Research organizations such as Civic Economics in Chicago, have conducted studies to measure the impact of the localist movement throughout the United States. In Grand Rapids, Mi., they found that for every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $73 remains in the local economy. However when the same $100 is spent at a national chain store, only $43 remains in the local economy. And localism is beginning to have an impact on tourism. When people travel, they look for the local businesses that make a community unique. Locally owned restaurants, breweries, and shops are gaining greater awareness from weekend travelers. Get your family and friends together for this extraordinary holiday event on December 9.  Imagine having a large portion of your holiday shopping finished, while also having the opportunity to meet the owners and employees of local businesses that are opening their doors just for you. For more information on the locations and offerings of Triad Local First and Jingle Mob, please visit www.triadlocalfirst.com/jinglemob." - A Press Release

Triad Locals First hosts 4th ANNUAL COMMUNITY TABLE

"Triad Local First has released the date and location of the 4th Annual Community Table dinner, “The Mingle at Massey Creek”. The 2014 Community Table will be held at Massey Creek Farm on Sunday, October 5^th from 4:30pm-8pm with a menu designed by local chef Beth Kizhnerman of Smith Street Diner and executed together with well-known chef Mary Lacklen.  A true Sunday supper, the Community Table is TLF’s annual fundraiser.

Guests will sit together at one long table amidst the historic farm setting of Massey Creek Farm and enjoy local food, wine, brews, music and more. A popular event for community supporters, independent business owners and food enthusiasts, the Community Table event has sold out for the past three years and provides one of the Triad’s most authentic “farm-to-table” experiences.

“Triad Local First’s Community Table event is an amazing evening where you can share a meal with old friends and make new ones, sitting together around one table. The Community Table gives you an opportunity to learn and celebrate what creative entrepreneurship brings to the Triad cities.”  - Triad Local First Board President, Maribeth Hudgins, owner of DressCode.

Tickets for the event are $125 and are available on the Triad Local First website starting August 29th for the 130 individuals. Seating is limited to this number.   A limited number of press passes will be released on Monday, September 29^th and are also available through the TLF website, www.triadlocalfirst.com.

About Triad Local First- Triad Local First is a network of locally owned and independent businesses in North Carolina's Triad who share a commitment to building a strong local economy and a vibrant, unique community. Triad Local First has the following goals: to share ideas and network to promote locally owned businesses, to educate consumers and to encourage investment in our community by keeping more spending local."

- A Press Release