FOR SANDWICH LOVERS. Enjoy a sandwich at one of 100-plus downtown Raleigh restaurants, and enter for a chance to win a gift card from the Downtown Raleigh Alliance through Friday, April 7. Your social media post during DTR Sandwich Weeks or submission by entry form can earn free sandwiches or the chance to have a sandwich named after you.
PROM SEASON. Your teen can say yes to a free prom dress this Saturday, April 1, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., at Say Yes to the Prom Dress—a first-of-its-kind event at St. John’s MMC Church (4 North Blount Street, Raleigh). More than 300 dresses will be on display, and shoppers can work with their very own personal shopper from North Caroina State University sororities. There will also be DJ music, a caricature artist, drinks, snacks and prom-related raffle prizes.
TAKE IT OUTSIDE. North Hills outdoor fun resumes with a busy spring schedule. The Midtown Beach Music Series at Coastal Credit Union Midtown Park returns with Thursday concerts from 6–9 p.m. North Tower (April 20) and The Catalinas (April 27) kick off the music series, which runs through June 22. Wellness Wednesdays take place every week beginning on April 5. Pure Barre is the first of the $5 classes that run through June 21. North Hills also hosts Midtown Farmers’ Market each Saturday, 8 a.m.–noon from April 15–Nov. 4. Learn more here.
NEW IN TOWN. Raleigh’s Seaboard Station will welcome several new retailers in the coming months. Biscuit Belly, The Yard Milkshake Bar and The Eye Institute will be situated along the neighborhood’s pedestrian-friendly retail corridor, which connects more than 38,000 square feet of restaurants and shops to The Signal and other residential offerings across the neighborhood.
TAKE A SURVEY. Wake County has launched a short survey to take the pulse of residents, businesses, farmers and community organizations concerning water usage. The county’s population growth, weather changes and housing pressures have created the need for a comprehensive water plan aimed at ensuring everyone in Wake County has enough water in the next 50 years.
NC SCIENCE FESTIVAL. Saturday, April 1 kicks off a monthlong annual celebration of science across the state. Now in its 13th year, the North Carolina Science Festival showcases 200-plus in-person and virtual events taking place throughout the state. These fun and educational community-based events—hosted by schools, colleges, libraries, museums, parks, businesses and organizations—celebrate the economic, educational and cultural impacts of science in North Carolina.
TAKE THE TOUR. The 15th annual Celebration of Spring Tour with the Seagrove Potters takes place in Seagrove, North Carolina from Friday, April 14–Sunday, April 16, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Visitors can drop by 42 member shops and explore a variety of creation styles. Enter to win one of three $50 gift certificates at any location at this free event.
Photo courtesy of Barcelona Wine Bar
EASTER BRUNCH. Raleigh’s Barcelona Wine Bar (430 West Martin Street) hosts Easter Brunch with tapas-bar service, award-winning Spanish wine selections and brunch cocktails. Enjoy gambas and grits with chorizo gravy, or short rib hash topped with a fried egg and hollandaise or mushroom montadito with truffle ricotta, egg and salsa verde. Pancakes, desserts and other options are also available.
The Durham will host an Easter brunch buffet on Sunday, April 9, 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m. The buffet will include carving stations, a seafood bar, a French toast station, assorted pastries, egg bites and more. The buffet is $65 per person and $25 for children 6–12 years old. Reservations are available online.
FOR A GOOD CAUSE. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure takes place at The Boxyard RTP on Saturday, May 6 at 9:30 a.m. The event will raise critical funds for patient care services and resources for those affected by breast cancer. This year’s event will include entertainment, family-friendly activations and testimonials from breast cancer survivors and thrivers. Registration is available online.
SENSORY-FRIENDLY. Take part in a sensory-friendly Touch-A-Truck event at Bierman Autism Centers – Cary (15501 Weston Parkway #150, Cary) on Friday, March 31, 4:30–6:30 p.m. The Cary Fire Department will answer questions about firefighting and fire safety. Enjoy face painting, food and games at the free event designed for kids of all ages and abilities.
ALL A-BOARD. Skate Raleigh will host a fundraiser for The Conlon Family Skatepark at Union Station (510 West Martin Street) on Sunday, April 16, 6–9:30 p.m. The evening will include food, music, BMX performances and an auction of unique skate decks from local artists. Tickets begin at $40 and sponsorships are available.
WHAT’S IT WORTH? Leland Little Auctions and the Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum (220 Fayetteville Street) will host the Raleigh Appraisal Fair on Saturday, April 15, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. The event offers visitors the opportunity to have their treasures evaluated by a team of experienced professionals. This limited-ticket event is open to the public. Tickets are $50 for guests with three items and $40 for guests with two items.
BROADWAY CLASSICS. The North Carolina Master Chorale and chamber orchestra will present two performances of “Barons of Broadway.” The chorale performs at Wake Forest Renaissance Center on Saturday, April 4 at 1 p.m., followed by an engagement at the Cary Arts Center on Wednesday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m. The program will include music from shows such as “Camelot,” “My Fair Lady” and “Brigadoon,” along with a medley by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
NEW EXHIBITS. The Museum of Life and Science has debuted “30×30: Art, Nature & Science,” a juried art show inspired by the 30×30 global initiative. With nature as their muse, 40 artists have created pieces that aim to inspire visitors with messages about conservation and preserving life on earth.
Cassie Adams’ debut gallery show, “Exploring Color: Introducing New Vibrant Works of Cassie Adams” at Gallery C (540 North Blount Street, Raleigh) runs May 1–31. Her pieces combine detailed photographs taken from her physical paintings and collages with digital drawings done by hand using mixed media elements.
Photo by Dathan Kazsuk
SPRING SPIRITS. Barman Will Bryant is offering a taste of the Italian coast this spring at The Parlor at Heights House in downtown Raleigh (308 South Boylan Street, Raleigh) as he channels the popular “White Lotus” TV show via spring cocktails that launched Wednesday, March 29. The Ionia Sea cocktail, pictured above, is one of the new offerings. The menu at the historic 1858 mansion is also offering picnic packages this spring so guests can enjoy a taste of The Parlor on the lawn. Picnics cost $65 and include a bottle of wine and Italian charcuterie board. A wicker basket, blanket, glassware, table and playing cards are also provided to complete the experience.
FREE ICE CREAM. Ben & Jerry’s hosts Free Cone Day at its Raleigh and Chapel Hill locations on Monday, April 3, noon–8 p.m. You and the kids can get in line as many times as you’d like to sample any of the brand’s flavors.
