Chapel Hill Celebrates Month of Romance Throughout February

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Jan. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- February is for lovers and Chapel Hill hopes to romance with highly acclaimed comedy, film, food and overnight getaways.

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The 11th annual North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival has grown into the largest comedy festival in the South. Acts from New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, DC, Boston, Philadelphia, and every city in between flock here to perform, network and develop as the next generation of comedy talent. In all, more than 500 comedians will perform over 60 shows in seven Carrboro and Chapel Hill venues during the month of February.

Each event celebrates humor in all its forms with sketch comedy (February 2-5), standup (February 9-13) and improv (February 16-20) on display. 

The festival is the brain child of Zach Ward, who founded and serves as Executive Producer of DSI Comedy Theater. A critically acclaimed comedian, Ward performs locally and around the country and has trained improv talent featured on television (Jeff Richards, Saturday Night Live, MADtv), the big screen (Maddy Curley, Disney's Stick it), and students featured at IO Chicago, IO West, UCBT NY/LA, Second City, Boom (Amsterdam), and ComedySportz®. For a complete look at the line-up and ticket information, go to www.NCComedyArts.com.

Meanwhile, the highly anticipated inaugural year of the Blue Sky Film Festival showcases independent, edgy and incredible films from around the world. The February 4-6 festival at Chapel Hill's Lumina Theatre features a variety of events from premiers, parties, and panel discussions to live music and delicious cuisine from various local restaurants.

Offering a deep immersion into the world of independent film, the event caters to all types: film buffs who enjoy interesting films not normally seen on the big screen; aspiring filmmakers who would like to rub shoulders with award-winning independent filmmakers; and creative people living in the adventure of making their dreams a reality.

The first-ever Blue Sky Film Festival consists of 10 blocks of films starting on February 4 at 3:30 and culminating with an awards ceremony at 4:15 at The Lumina Theatre on February 6.  An all-weekend pass is only $45, which includes the opening reception hosted by Harrington Bank in Southern Village, benefiting The Arc of Orange County, or tickets can be purchased for $5 per film block. Workshops are free. www.BlueSkyFilmFest.com

Festival goers and romance seekers certainly will work up an appetite. Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough serve up a foodie's paradise and have been cited by Bon Appetit magazine as "America's Foodiest Small Town" along with neighbor Durham. With nearly 300 restaurant choices, visitors feast on nouvelle cuisine, traditional barbecue, local farm dinners and southern favorites from chicken and dumplings and sweet potato biscuits to shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes and honeysuckle sorbet. Bin 54, Carolina Crossroads, Crook's Corner, Elaine's on Franklin, Glasshalfull, Il Palio Ristorante, Lantern Restaurant and Mama Dip's are among the many award-winning and renowned top treats.

There are romances and date night packages aplenty at luxury hotels like Aloft, Carolina Inn, Franklin, Sheraton and Siena.

The Aloft Chapel Hill is the destination's hippest and boldest new hotel on the scene. It offers style at a steal, featuring 130 stylish guestrooms with an urban-influenced design, ultra-comfortable plush platform bed, plug-and-play connectivity center, and bathrooms featuring Bliss Spa products.  Experience the ever a-buzz public spaces including re:mix w xyz SM bar, and re:fuel by Aloft SM. 

Recognized as one of America's "cultural resources worthy of preservation," The Carolina Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places with elite status as a AAA Four Diamond hotel and Forbes Four Star Award-Winning Dining at the Carolina Crossroads Restaurant. From the day it opened in 1924, the 184-room Inn has played an important role in the life of the University of North Carolina and the community as the "University's Living Room."

The Franklin features 67 beautifully appointed guestrooms, including seven penthouse executive suites with private furnished patio balconies and exquisite panoramic views. A Conde Nast Johansens-recommended luxury boutique hotel, guests can relax in Roberts at The Franklin Lobby Bar and Patio, listen to live music and enjoy the bistro menu and cocktails and savor a fine breakfast in Windows Restaurant amidst sweeping views of West Franklin Street.

The Sheraton Chapel Hill offers 168 newly renovated guest rooms, including two suites, 300-thread count sheets, crisp white decor, new bedding packages and flat screen televisions.  Starwood Hotel's signature "Linked In" service provides mobile offices, WIFI in the lobby and guest rooms, comfortable oversized tables for meetings and social networking.  Shula's 347 Grill serves many daily treats.

The Siena Hotel is an elegant luxury AAA Four Diamond boutique hotel. Offering 79 rooms, including 12 suites, it is modeled after a beautiful Tuscan villa and furnished with European antiques, rich fabrics and colors. The hotel's restaurant, Il Palio, is the only AAA Four Diamond Italian restaurant in North Carolina.

Learn more at www.VisitChapelHill.org or call 888-968-2060.

SOURCE Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau