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Category: In Our Community

COVID Coping: The Power of One Wave

COVID Coping: The Power of One Wave

April 23, 2020January 31, 2023 Cherith AndesBlog, In Our Community, The Clairemont Teamcommunication, connection, social connection

A personal essay

In times of challenge or crisis, we sometimes find ourselves concentrating on the small things, the tiny non-issues that aren’t essential for basic survival. Rather than fear the crash of the economy, we worry what we’ll do now that our hair salon is closed, or we mourn the loss of March Madness. It’s quite natural — a way to cope with the weight of a hefty situation that otherwise threatens to engulf us. While we know that this involuntary practice doesn’t diminish the seriousness of a situation or negate the critical actions we must take, it somehow provides comfort. I get it. In the middle of chaos, we dial things down into manageable bits that we can understand and process.

My secret, small non-worry? The gym. This regular outlet provided structure and a healthy cornerstone in my daily routine.  Like my other health-nuttish-friends, when my gym closed, I rushed to order resistance bands and even sprung for a set of adjustable dumbbells. I then commenced hopping around my small living room, tangled in bands and heaving questionably-constructed weights, in an effort to boost my heart rate. Sadly, I think the greatest value so far has been free entertainment for my roommate.

So I turned to the next option on my exercise log — running outdoors. And after lacing up my shoes, I found an unexpected benefit to my runs beyond cardio.

I found people. People … everywhere. Moms pushing strollers. Dads taking sons on bike rides. Retired neighbors strolling and chatting. Couples refreshing their front yard mulch beds. I found two brothers doing a body-weight HIIT workout in a park and an elderly man walking his overly excited Pomeranian. Rain or shine, my neighbors came out in droves, spurred no doubt by the same cabin fever that irked me. And every time I passed someone, we would meet eyes, nod and wave — all within a safe distance, of course.

Those waves were so much more than requisite social greetings. They morphed into shared moments of meaning and engagement. An acknowledgment that “I don’t know you, but I see you, and I know you’re feeling the same concern and weight I am.” A silent encouragement, a touchpoint of hope forged through shared connection. We knew why we were all outside instead of at the gym, on the couch or wherever else our normal routines would have slotted us. And in those moments, we somehow gleaned great comfort simply knowing that we were not alone.

It’s just a simple wave. But it’s a meaningful one. A knowing one. One that binds us together in a time where connection is more vital than ever. So next time you’re out, take a moment to lift your eyes, smile and nod in your neighbor’s direction. Small moments like these will keep us connected, keep us encouraged, keep us strong.

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Dana Phelps Kicks of Storytelling Series

Dana Phelps Kicks of Storytelling Series

February 7, 2020January 31, 2023 Kelli FletcherBlog, In Our Community, The Clairemont Team#Clairemont10years, #publicspeaking

Monday, Raleigh Convergence and Transfer Co. Ballroom are hosting the first event in a new community storytelling series, Converging Stories. With the goal of building empathy, understanding and community in Raleigh, the series will host 10-minute stories with different interpretations around a theme.

To kick-off Valentine’s Day week, Monday’s event theme is first love and our very own Dana Phelps has been selected to share a story along with three other Raleighites. As communicators, we love a good story. We’re excited that with Dana’s participation, our Raleigh PR agency gets to play a role in the first Converging Stories evening!

We’re looking forward to hearing the love stories of our neighbors and encourage you to join us!

Interested in attending? Purchase tickets here.

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Raleigh Bands: Our Fave Five

Raleigh Bands: Our Fave Five

September 6, 2019January 31, 2023 Cherith AndesBlog, In Our Communitylocal bands, North Carolina bands, Raleigh bands, Raleigh entertainment, Raleigh music

If you live in or near Raleigh, you know what September means. It’s finally full-fledged festival season! The fall heralds in a calendar of events and themed festivities across the Triangle, most notably our diverse music scene.

September alone will witness:

  • SPARKcon
  • 10th Annual Hopscotch Music Fest
  • IBMA Wide Open Bluegrass Festival
  • BugFest (Kidding. Not a music festival, unless you can get the crickets to play “A Little Night Music.”)

In the spirit of celebrating our city’s sounds, we at Clairemont have spotlighted a few of our own favorite local bands. We’ve culled well-known headliners as well as must-try up-and-comers — perfect for employing at your next event or simply for a good night of tunes!

Image from Old Habits’ Facebook.

Old Habits

Southern Roots, Bluegrass/Americana

These Triangle natives refer to themselves as “southern roots music,” a blend of bluegrass and Americana with a shade of country. Clairemont client Vita Vite has loved showcasing Old Habits’ talents and tunes at the wine bar’s anniversary parties. Fun bonus tip? These guys form an integral part of Raleigh’s culture. Banjo player/electric guitarist/vocalist Lin Peterson is also co-founder of Locals Seafood, a North Carolina supplier that provides locally caught seafood across the state.

Image from Sylvan Esso’s Facebook.

Sylvan Esso

Electronic Pop

Originally hailing from Durham, this “electronic pop duo” has toured the country, from the Durham Performing Arts Center to the Walt Disney Concert Hall in L.A. Think soulful, fluid and thoughtful … but with a beat. Or, as The Guardian put it, “charming indie-dance diversion from the day job” who later morph into “purposeful pop bangers.” The duo is comprised of singer Amelia Meath and producer Nick Sanborn, and their collaborations are worth the ticket price next time they’re back in town. (P.S. The band is coming November 22 and 23 to the DPAC!)

Image from Jason Harrod’s Facebook.

Jason Harrod

Blues/Folk/Country

A new (and much-welcomed!) recommendation from friend Sean Wilson, founder of Fullsteam Brewery. Jason showcases his singer/songwriter talents with heart-tugging lyrics and a blues/folk/country style. As Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange said, “He possesses a strong voice and confident almost 50s-ish presence and sound, writing catchy melodies with a great band.” And boy, does this musician have a resume! Just to name a few, Jason has secured first place in the bluegrass category at MerleFest‘s Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, first place in the North Carolina Songwriters Co-Op Contest and the spotlight performer position at the annual Healdsburg Guitar Festival. Heck, Jason even taught songwriting in Greece. We love his approachable, melodic style with a presence that could command big-stage attention or create the ambience at an intimate gathering.

Image from www.jennybesetzt.com.

Jenny Besetzt

Rock/Post-Punk

Thanks to friend Nick Neptune, general manager of client Transfer Co. Food Hall, musical savant and famed DJ, for suggesting this four-piece powerhouse. With Jenny Besetzt, indie rock meets punk rock filled with reverberating tones. One source said, “Jenny Besetzt frees you from the restraints of time, memory and circumstance. And makes you master of them all.” We’re not sure what that means, but the band’s music soothes and energizes all at once. Perhaps it makes sense that lead singer John Wollaber was born to a German opera singer!

Image from Janelle True’s Facebook.

Janelle True

Good Soul Music

“Good soul music” is a genre, right? Singer/songwriter Janelle True evokes a Sara-Bareilles-meets-Norah-Jones vibe with thought-provoking lyrics. As Janelle says, her music is, “Music with meaning. Good for the soul.” We discovered her at Sola Coffee Shop. Have a listen! (Your peaceful self will thank us later.)

We’ve got favorites. Raleigh favorites, food favorites, party-planning tip favorites.

Looking to plan an event for your company or business? Put our favorites to good use!

Let Us Help You Plan

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“OOO”: Working Remotely in Raleigh

“OOO”: Working Remotely in Raleigh

June 11, 2019January 31, 2023 Kelli FletcherBlog, In Our Community, Raleigh PR Agencydowntown Raleigh, Working remotely

One of the things we love most about life here at Clairemont is the location of our office. Nestled in downtown Raleigh, The Clairemont House keeps us in the DTR mix. Not only do we get our pick of places to saunter to for a bite or a brew (of the coffee OR beer variety), but we also get a pretty sweet view of the skyline from both our front and back porches. While there aren’t many reasons for us to escape beyond the walls of our downtown abode, sometimes we do like to switch it up, just for the sake of it! Whether it’s for the playlist, the java or simply the vibe, we’ve rounded up our favorite spots to set up shop when working remotely,

Third Place: Chances are you’ll catch a healthy number of Raleigh’s Who’s Who in this little Five Points shop, but for good reason. On top of offering a solid cup of coffee, the service is top-tier, and the owner knows almost all his customers’ names. Basically, it’s the Cheers of coffee shops.

Vita Vite: Yes, this is a wine bar. And an art gallery. The small menu of bites will keep your belly full, and the outdoor area is just as beautiful as the indoor space. Cozy chairs, power supply and even fireplaces (for when the chill hits) make Vita Vite a great spot to people watch in between emails and conference calls.

Transfer Co. Food Hall: The new kid on the block is open Tuesday through Sunday, and I’m here to tell you, the vibe is right. It’s spacious with great lighting, and hats off to the whomever is curating the tunes. The obvious bonus is the food. A variety of fresh, fast choices is at your fingertips.

The Morning Times: The OG. Are you even a DTR dweller if the Morning Times isn’t on your list? It’s consistently the best coffee in town, and we’re huge fans of the yogurt parfait.

Sir Walter Coffee: Not only do we love the playlist here and the steady stream of people that pop in for a quick caffeine fix, but the two walls of windows (with one opening up to a patio!) keep the space airy and bright.

Drop us a line to let us know your favorite spot to set up when working remotely.

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Raleigh Legend Debuts Play

Raleigh Legend Debuts Play

May 9, 2019January 31, 2023 Cherith AndesBlog, Clairemont Client News, In Our CommunityBurning Coal Theatre, Carrie Knowles, event marketing, event PR, Raleigh Theatre, Women's Theatre Festival

Curtain up, spotlight on and enter stage right … a legend in the Triangle arts scene.

2014 Piedmont Laureate Carrie Knowles has no small resume when it comes to literature and the arts. Carrie founded the Boylan Heights ArtWalk, directed the Cross Currents Chamber Music and Arts Festival and provided board leadership for the Raleigh Chamber Music Guild, Burning Coal Theater and the United Arts Council. Let’s not forget her 45-year literary career, during which Carrie penned dozens of stories, published five novels and earned more than 25 awards.

A Stage for Change: SIX

Carrie is nowhere near stopping. For her 70th birthday, Carrie is releasing “Black Tie Optional: 17 Stories.” But this is no ordinary book release.

SIX: A Play in One Act

Carrie transformed SIX, one of the short stories from “Black Tie Optional,” into a one-act play. She is partnering with Burning Coal Theater and Women’s Theater Festival to debut SIX as a special staged reading. SIX follows the story of a young women seeking meaning and redemption after dark experiences — an evocative tale that inspires us to live life without regrets.

The premiere of SIX will serve as a fundraiser for Women’s Theater Festival, providing critical scholarships for 10 young actors/writers/directors to develop their talents and craft new work at the 2019 Women’s Theatre Festival.

Date: Sunday, May 26, 2019, 3 p.m.
Location: Burning Coal Theatre, 224 Polk Street Raleigh
RSVP: Here!

https://www.facebook.com/CarrieJKnowles/videos/332956537257430/

A Place for a Party

And what’s a show without a little afterparty? Carrie also invites guests to join her and the cast in the lobby afterward for cake and bubbly to celebrate her 70th birthday!

The event is free with a suggested $5 donation to benefit the Women’s Theatre Festival Scholarship Fun. “Black Tie Optional: 17 Stories” will be available for purchase (and autograph!) with 40 percent of the proceeds benefitting the Women’s Theatre Festival.

Join us to enjoy a show, cake and bubbly! Space is limited, so reserve your spot now!

RSVP for SIX!
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Have you heard about Meta’s newest social media Have you heard about Meta’s newest social media platform? It’s called Threads, and it’s being referred to as “the new Twitter.” Read everything you need to know about Threads in our latest blog post - link in bio!
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We are proud to represent Raleigh as a member of P We are proud to represent Raleigh as a member of Public Relations Consultants Group, allowing us to offer clients expertise and support across the country! Clairemont founder, Dana Phelps aka @blah2voila, recently attended the PRCG conference in Oklahoma City.
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Check out our recent blog post to learn what @olivia.noles , account coordinator here at Clairemont, does on a weekly and monthly basis.
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This Friday, Clairemont’s Dana Phelps, @blah2voi This Friday, Clairemont’s Dana Phelps, @blah2voila , will be speaking at the 2022 @nc_prsa Strategic Communication & MarCom Conference! Phelps is a repeat presenter at this annual conference, and this year she is leading a session called Growing from Communication Technician to Strategic Counselor during which she will share three of her coined concepts: knowcasting, morecasting and collabolighthing. Visit our blog for the link to register for the conference!
@clairemontcommunications and @yellowdogcreative g @clairemontcommunications and @yellowdogcreative go together like the bacon and eggs! And speaking of bacon and eggs, have you been to @therainbowluncheonette yet? YUM!
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Visit our blog to see the @trianglebizjrnl coverage and read the full feature in the TBJ to learn more about Parkside.
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So you say it’s National Coffee Day? We say let So you say it’s National Coffee Day? We say let us tell you about our new favorite @drink321coffee ! If you are in Raleigh, go see Paul, the other Paul, Emma  or whichever smiling faces are working today. We LOVE this place and the coffee! ❤️❤️❤️
Our client @wendellfallsnc, one of the largest mas Our client @wendellfallsnc, one of the largest master-planned communities in the Triangle, closed on its first age-eligible rental community plan, Arden at Wendell Falls, that will offer 140 open-concept units and exclusive onsite amenities!
 
Visit our blog to see the @trianglebizjrnl coverage and read the full feature in the TBJ to learn more about Arden at Wendell Falls.
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It’s National Volunteer Month, and volunteers ar It’s National Volunteer Month, and volunteers are needed more than ever! Many organizations with scarce resources rely on volunteers and would not exist without them. Visit our recent blog post to read about the organizations Clairemont has supported and how you can make a difference in your community!
Authenticity is trending, and research shows that Authenticity is trending, and research shows that consumers are 2.4 times more likely to view user-generated content as authentic. Read our recent blog post to learn about UGC, how it can benefit your brand and how to use it in your marketing strategy.
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We are so excited to share that Clairemont earned We are so excited to share that Clairemont earned eight awards, five gold🥇and three silver🥈, at this year's Sir Walter Raleigh Awards hosted by the Raleigh Public Relations Society!🎉 We are beyond grateful to work with so many amazing partners, clients and industry friends!
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