Carolinian

Issue date: 11/6/07 Section: Life

When most North Carolinians think of Winston Salem, they usually reminisce about the day-long school field trips they took to Old Salem. Located in the heart of downtown Winston Salem, Old Salem is a great tourist destination with its charming colonial shops and buildings, not to mention the old Moravian bakery everyone adores.

Just down the road, however, there is another little nook hidden in downtown Winston Salem, known as the Downtown Arts District. "D.A.D.A.," as it is known and referred to by locals, is a neighborhood community of artists, studios, businesses and residences dedicated to the support and promotion of arts and culture in the local community by trade, education, and interaction.

The downtown arts district is located on Trade Street between Fifth and Seventh streets. Beyond the great restaurants in the area such as Sweet Potatoes and 6th and Vine, the area is rife with an enchanting variety of shops and galleries. The downtown arts district is a perfect spot for those lazy Saturday mornings when you find yourself wanting to lounge around outside of a coffee shop with a good book, or if you find yourself wanting to just browse around looking at different styles of artwork and photography. It even provides some great venues to go to for those nights when you want to go see a band or listen to some live jazz music. If you are a music fan, you should check out the local and guest performers at the Garage venue, as well as Thea's rhythm and blues club for some authentic jazz.

"I love to just hang out at the galleries and go to Finnegan's pub after a long week," said Chelsea's Coffee Shop employee Brett Weaver.

Some favorite Trade Street shops include Body and Soul, Kindred Spirits, and Urban Art ware, as well as Earthbound Arts, where everything in the shop is made by artists, including their intoxicating collection of handmade scented soaps. The downtown arts district is also home to Piedmont Craftsmen, a well-known authentic crafting gallery that competes and shows their crafts nationally.

On the first Friday of every month from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. D.A.D.A. hosts a gallery hop in which people can come walk down trade street and view galleries, enjoy food, and generally appreciate the atmosphere that historic downtown has to offer. Whatever your interest is, you will surely find this little art haven interesting, cute, and fun with something for everyone.

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