DELICIOUS DRINKS. Umbrella Dry Bar will open its first pop-up location at Norwood Gardens on Wednesday, April 26. The new concept bar offers an alcohol-free alternative to traditional bars. Enjoy expertly-crafted zero-proof cocktails and socialize in a welcoming environment. The location will feature a full menu of cocktails and a range of nonalcoholic wine, beer and functional beverages. The venue will be open Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Brewgaloo returns to downtown Raleigh on this weekend on Friday, April 21, 6–10 p.m., and Saturday, April 22, 1–9 p.m. The 11th annual craft beer festival attracts more than 50,000 people each year. Brewgaloo features more than 100 craft breweries, 50 food trucks and local bands.
Vitis House Wine School at 1053 East Whitaker Mill Road, Raleigh, offers a Malbec & Empanadas class on Wednesday, May 3, 6:30–8 p.m. Discover the most important wine regions in Argentina and taste aromatic varieties of Malbec and blends. Chef Doreen Colondres will also prepare authentic Argentinian empanadas. Additional classes in May include Champagne & Friends on May 10, Rosé & Orange on May 12 and another Malbec & Empanadas class on May 18. View all May and June classes here.
FOR A GOOD CAUSE. The 10th Annual Socks & Undie 5K Rundie Run/Walk to benefit Note In The Pocket takes place on Saturday, April 23 at 9 a.m. The event takes place at the Volunteer and Donation Center at the Crossroads Fellowship Campus (4730 Hargrove Road). The nonprofit serves impoverished and homeless children and families.
AIR SHOW. The U.S Navy Blue Angels will headline the Wings Over Wayne Air Show at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro on Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21. Ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. with flying exhibitions scheduled from 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m. The Blue Angels attracted more than 200,000 spectators to Seymour Johnson for their previous performance in 2017. All-day admission is $10.
Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels
WOLPACK CONTRIBUTIONS. Former North Carolina State University student-athletes Trea Turner and Kristen (Harabedian) Turner have made a $1 million pledge to NCSU athletics. The Turners’ gift will provide a state-of-the-art indoor hitting facility for the baseball program and the needs of the NCSU gymnastics program.
Wolfpack football coach Dave Doeren and his wife Sara will establish a $1.25-million initiative to support students with executive functioning challenges and those who are neurodivergent. Doeren has been the Wolfpack’s head football coach since 2013.
DERBY PARTIES. Sports & Social, located at 301 Fenton Gateway Drive, Cary, will host Derby Days on Saturday, May 6 at 3 p.m. on the second floor and rooftop. Enjoy event favorites such as Kentucky hot brown sandwiches and mint juleps. A $500 cash prize will be awarded for the best hat. Tickets are available online.
Dram and Draught gets in on the racing fun May 6, noon–9 p.m., at its Raleigh, Durham and Cary locations with a Kentucky Derby Watch Party. Enjoy mint juleps and drink specials, and participate in a hat contest. Hat contest winners will be announced after the main race ends, and a donation will be made to an equine charity.
Photo by SolStock/Getty Images
RACKET SPORTS, ANYONE? Swing Paddle & Racquet is planning to open a $70 million tennis and pickleball entertainment complex in the Brier Creek area of Raleigh in late 2024. The facility will be located at 6121 Mt. Herman Road. The 45-acre campus will offer tennis, pickleball, padel, ping pong, and beach tennis courts, along with retail for all levels, and innovative food and beverage options.
LEGO ART. Nathan Sawaya’s “Art of the Brick Exhibit” will debut in Pleasant Valley Promenade (6240 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh), beginning in mid-May. The exhibit will showcase a display of LEGO art, with more than one million bricks transformed into 90-plus sculptures by artist Nathan Sawaya.
STEM FUN. The Triangle SciTech Expo takes place this Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. The expo, which is being sponsored by Biogen in partnership with the North Carolina Science Festival, assembles scientists, experts, researchers, specialists and technical professionals from universities, organizations and industry businesses to engage visitors in the excitement of science and technology. The programs are designed for all ages and stages of learning, and families are encouraged to attend.
TOUCH-A-TRUCK. Touch-A-Truck will host a fundraiser at the North Carolina State Highway Patrol Training & Driving Facility (380 East Tryon Road, Raleigh) on Saturday, April 22, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Children of all ages can check out buses, emergency response vehicles and heavy machinery and meet the people who build, protect and serve Wake County. There will be music, food trucks, bounce houses and more. Proceeds will benefit the Junior League of Raleigh’s Community Fund.
GIVEAWAY! In honor of Couples Appreciation Month, enter to win a voucher for a one-night stay at The Casso, Raleigh, a Tribute Portfolio hotel. Named after one of Raleigh’s largest and most popular hotels in the 1700s and 1800s, The Casso is located in the heart of downtown Raleigh at 603 W. Morgan Street. Fill out this form for a chance to win. We’ll announce a winner Wednesday, April 26.
Photo courtesy of The Casso
GREAT GARDENS. Juniper Level Botanic Garden, gifted to North Carolina State University, celebrates the arrival of spring with two Garden Party weekends, April 28–30 and May 5–7. Activities include art displays in the garden, a garden hat decorating competition, and walks and talks with the experts. Guests can take self-guided garden tours and purchases greenhouse plants at the free event.
KIDS AND SENIORS. Camp Fusion will host a week-long summer camp program for both seniors and kids at the Keyauwee program center in Sophia, North Carolina June 24–29. The program aims to bridge the generational gap and provide a unique opportunity for seniors and kids to interact and learn from each other. The stay-away camp includes three hot meals, lodging and a camp T-shirt.
FINE ARTS. “World Ballet Series: Cinderella” comes to Carolina Theatre of Durham on Thursday, May 11 at 7 p.m. Cinderella is performed by a multinational cast of 40 professional ballet dancers. The production of Sergei Prokofiev’s passionate score features more than 150 hand-sewn radiant costumes and handcrafted sets.
