Submitted by Melissa Howsam — Correspondent
Monday's blah, but your week doesn't have to be. So, here are some hip haunts and choice events to hit up:
MELISSA ETHERIDGE: Step into a candid lyrical confessional as the raspy rockstress strikes a chord at DPAC. With a pair of GRAMMYs, a pentad of Platinums and an Oscar under her belt, this radical-rock rarity really is in many ways the "Only One." When: Monday, 8PM. Starting at $37. Buy tickets | Durham Performing Arts Center
ANNIE: Regardless of whether or not the sun comes out tomorrow, you can "bet your bottom dollar" that there's no better place to be this week than moonlighting at Memorial Auditorium for some melodic 'n' roaring red-ringlet rhapsodies by your fav orphan. Starring Broadway's original Annie--Andrea McArdie -- as Miss Hannigan and Robert Newman of "Guiding Light" as Daddy Warbucks. When: Tuesday-Friday, 8PM; Saturday, 2PM & 8PM; Aug. 1, 2PM & 7PM. $35. Buy tickets | Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
RALEIGH WIDE OPEN 5: Belly up to the Free Spirit Stage and shove donuts in your mouth -- or ogle others doing it, and no one will slap you for staring. The Krispy Kreme face-shoveling for sport is only one of a slew of soul-stirring events at the all-age funfest, RWO5, set to also include: four stages of mega-music, some Red Bull motorcross mayhem, BMX and skateboarding stunt shows, wrestling, sweet treats and people playing with fire--to name a few. Barenaked Ladies cap off the evening with a ticketed event at Raleigh Amphitheater. When: Saturday, 11AM -11PM. FREE. More on Raleigh Wide Open
HANDLER IN THE HOUSE: If you watch "Chelsea Lately," then you know. And if you don't, what are you watching? But if you do--and you do because you're as cool as we know you are--then you know the raunchy jokester will rouse her Raleigh rooters 'til they're rollin' in the aisles. Special guest regular Round Table-r funny girl Jen Kirkman. When: Friday, 8:30PM. $35-$65. Buy tickets | Raleigh Amphitheatre
THE SOUL PICNIC 2010: Join a host of homegrown and national talents at for the second annual Soul Picnic--an all-day cultural celebration with funk, food, fashion and fun, featuring Fantasia Barrino of "Idol"-fame, The Foreign Exchange, Doug E. Fresh, Chuck Brown, Mixed Waters Band and DJ Skillz, as well as a fashion show, assorted vendors, lawn parties & more. When: Saturday, 3PM. Gates open 1PM. $40-$80. Kids 2 and under free on the lawn. Buy tickets | Koka Booth Amphitheatre
