13 Best Bets for the weekend as we slowly venture back outside

It’s been a tough week… month… year. But as a community, we band together #RaleighStrong #DurhamStrong, etc. If you’re looking for a distraction, here are several — both virtual and out in the (local) world. But however you spend your time, #SpreadLove and #StayStrongNC.

Dix Dog Park

Woof, there it is. Answering the age-old (OK – circa ’90s) question “who let the dogs out” is all of us, courtesy of Dix Park Dog Park. The Park … is … open — as of June 1! Wag on, Raleigh. dixpark.org/dogpark

Drive-Through State Fair Food

The State Fair food days have been extended another weekend. Savor the flavor of the best of Fair fare without getting out of your car June 5-7 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) Think roasted corn, deep-fried oreos, funnel cakes, deep-fried Oreos, Dole Whip floats and more. Enter the fairgrounds parking lot via Trinity Road and order from your car. Drivers are asked to remain in their vehicles, and servers will come to you. Note the event is cash-only. Prices vary from $2 to $10. For a menu and prices, go to twitter.com/NCStateFair. Items subject to change.

Drive-Through Brewgaloo

Brewgaloo is comin’ in hot for its rescheduled dates of Aug. 14 and 15. Until then, do your part to keep North Carolina beer alive at Lincoln Theater June 6 from 2–6 p.m. with the latest Drive-Through Brewgaloo pop-up event. All brews sourced are 100% NC made, owned and operated. Buy, post (do it for the ’Gram!), repeat and help keep our top-tier craft brew industry intact. Adventure-seekers will wanna scoop the Taste of NC mixed six-pack. Tickets for purchase at shoplocalraleigh.org, or click here to place orders.

Beaver Queen Pageant — Virtual

“Wear the crown. Be the crown. You are the crown.” The 16th installment of Beaver Queen Pageant is coming at you… virtually! Set to air across three episodes, the Bull City’s “own special mix of folly, pageantry, and humor” that sees contestants assume beaver personalities and introduce themselves in their wetlands-ready-wear is themed Beavers in the Stream and will include a June 6 talent episode, a June 7 Q&A episode (“Describe your perfect date? … I’d have to say April 25 because it’s not too hot and not too cold and all you need is a light jacket”), and a final CORONAtion episode (June 13).

While pandemic rules may prevent in-person gathering, ain’t nothing stopping this celebration of of beavers and local wetlands. And since the pageant will be online, any beaver can participate! Benevolent beavers will be happy to know the event benefits the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association. Past pageants have raised a combined $157,000 for ECWA’s conservation activities in Durham. Visit beaverqueen.org and click on the “become a contestant” tab to learn how you can submit a video to become a contestant.

UNC-TV + Carolina Ballet

Make your binge en pointe with some Carolina Ballet. The stage comes to your living room as UNC-TV airs past ballets in June and July. First up, Balanchine Rarities, demonstrating the fickleness of love. “George Balanchine choreographed these three ballets for Andre Eglevsky, who in the early days of ballet in the United States was a superstar of the dance world.” The dances, staged for CB by Eglevsky’s daughter Marina, a dancer in her own right, are set to air Tuesday, June 9, 9 p.m. and, for the night owls, Wednesday, June 10, 2 a.m., both on North Carolina Channel.

TreeRunner Raleigh Adventure Park

Get offline and outside with TreeRunner Raleigh, now open for the season. Safe summer fun returns with one of the largest adventure parks in the state — and one of the only outdoor “amusement” park-type experiences currently allowed to open. “TreeRunner is following safety protocols and social distancing guidelines as recommended by local, state and national health officials, to create a safe environment for guests,” owners say. See site for new operating changes and guidelines. Online reservations only at treerunnerraleigh.com.

Mad Science

Look for the light, nothing says summer quite like the post-dusk summertime lightshow that is fireflies. Learn about these “Blinking Beetles: Fireflies From A–Z” with N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences and Nature Research Center’s Story Time this week (June 3, 10 a.m.). Get schooled on these flashy figures, how to “speak” firefly, and discover ways you can peep them near your home this summer. Scoop this story and ones from previous weeks on the museum’s Storytime Online Playlist on Facebook.

Also on June 3 at noon, join Research Curator Art Bogan in conversation on Mother Nature’s filtering system in rivers and lakes — aka freshwater mussels. Watch live as you are sure to be amazed by “these surprisingly charismatic, highly endangered and often overlooked creatures.” On June 4, also at noon, log on and watch “Stories From the Underworld” as told by museum ornithology research curators Brian O’Shea and John Gerwin. Spoiler alert: The Museum’s collection of bird specimens hails from the 1800s and resides 44 feet below ground, housed in special archival cabinetry.

That evening, answer the burning question “Where Did the Insects Go” in Science Cafe live (7–8 p.m.). Then spice up your TGIF, June 5, and Meet the Reptiles and Amphibians (noon) for Museum Week live to learn about the history of and ongoing research for several North Carolina species in the NCMNS collection. Finally, bring your week full circle back to the lights of your life (OK, summer) with Citizen Science Adventure: Fireflies Part 2 (2 & 8:30 p.m.). At 2 p.m. tune in for a live chat with firefly specialists. Then Friday night at 8:30 p.m. just sit back and enjoy watching the fireflies glowing over the prairie! Peace found. naturalsciences.org

‘Altered States’

Answering the community call for viewing of its art in real life is Durham’s 5 Points Gallery, now open for appointments for in-person viewing. While the art space remains temporarily closed for regular business hours, it will open on an appointment-only basis for the time being. Joining the June members exhibit featuring works by local member artists is solo exhibition “Altered States” with new works by Julia Harmon. On view through the month of June, the series includes mixed media collage pieces and full-scale paintings inspired by them. Contact info@5pointsgallery.com to schedule an in-person viewing or enjoy the exhibits via the virtual gallery at 5pointsgallery.com. And keep an eye out for news on the gallery’s upcoming “5 Points Gallery One Year Anniversary Exhibition” in July.

Lemur Science! And Trivia?

We love lemurs. Ever wondered what a DLC researcher is up to in the field? Or how lemurs evolved such unique traits? Looks like you won the lemur lotto. Duke Lemur Center is celebrating its golden anniversary this year (that’s 50, y’all) by — among other ways — inviting you behind the scenes weekly on Thursdays through July 30 (10 a.m.) for Lemur Science, featuring a live talk with a Q&A from a Duke Lemur Center expert on YouTube Live. Sign up in advance at exploringbytheseat.com to reserve video chat spots for the Q&A.

Each event’s live talk link will be posted on Thursday mornings, but if you can’t join live, catch the recorded talk and Q&A on DLC’s Facebook page. Bonus, watching these weekly talks will give you a leg up on the center’s next trivia competition. So be sure to keep up with our weekly videos and keep your eyes peeled for more information on when its next trivia challenge video will be posted! facebook.com/events/234419471319143/

Strawberry Pickin’

The NC strawberry growing season is winding down (late April to the beginning of June), so get your U-pick game on. TThere are at least 14 Triangle places to pick those strawberries and sate your inner Veruca Salt — “the strawberries taste like strawberries!” — including such spots as Phillips Farms of Chatham, Apex’s Jean’s Berry Patch, Waller Family Farm in Durham, Lyon Farms in Creedmoor, The Collard Patch in Wake Forest, Raleigh’s own Hunts Strawberry Farm and more. Keep up to date with each farm for evolving availability and practices. And educate yourself on CDC guidelines for best practices for farm managers of U-Pick farms so you can best enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Read J.K. Rowling’s new ‘The Ickabog’ free online

Hogwarts-heads, this one’s for you. Turn the page on a new adventure… J.K. Rowling is back at the magic, but this time with a children’s book that isn’t about magic. Go figure. “The Ickabog,” set to drop in November, is available cover to cover online — FREE — as a sweet treat for children in this tumultuous time. Even more thrilling? The author is inviting her young readers to illustrate the book. Per Rowling, “Every day, I’ll be making suggestions for what you might like to draw. You can enter the official competition being run by my publishers, for the chance to have your artwork included in a printed version of the book due out later this year. I’ll be giving suggestions as to what to draw as we go along, but you should let your imagination run wild.” Find the book and more info on illustration at theickabog.com.

Freight Train Blues Concert Series

Answering your bluesy livestream dreams, the ever-popular Carrboro music series honoring Piedmont blues woman Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten featuring NC artists is virtual. Remaining shows include Hiss Golden Messenger (June 5), followed by Lightnin’ Wells June 12 and Thomas Rhyant June 19. Find the series on Facebook Live, YouTube Live and 97.9 The Hill. musicmaker.org/freight-train-blues/

Summer Drive-In Movie Series at Hubb’s Farm

Roll over to Hubb’s Farm in Clinton for a flick a la 1950s. Kicking off June 6 with “Jumanji,” the series will run each Saturday for the next six weeks. Gates will open weekly at 7:30 p.m. (movies slated for 8:30 p.m.). Make it a date night or take the squad or the fam — or escape solo — for the can’t-miss old-school “theater” experience. Head here for full details.