NC Museum of Art to stream live concerts, plus more Best Bets for your week
School is back and the quintessential summer bookend draws nigh with Labor Day weekend. If you aren’t headed to the coast to soak up a few final summer beach memories, there’s more than enough to do around town for the long weekend.
From markets and movies aplenty to food trucks and farm fun — there’s even your first taste of fall with hay rides and corn mazes at Lazy Hound Farms (and pumpkin at Dunkin’!). Oh, 2020. What a blur. Stay sane, friends — and #SpreadLove.
NCMA Museum Park
Art and culture collide at the North Carolina Museum of Art park. Showcasing “the connection between art and nature through site-specific works of environmental art,” the 164-acre Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park is a must-add to your nature/trail rotation. Spend time with its temporary and permanent installations by international esteemed artists, beautiful landscapes and gardens, a terraced pond and miles of Capital Area Greenway and wooded trails. Beyond relaxing on the Ellipse lawn (highly recommend), you can up the adventure factor by stepping inside a cloud chamber, noshing near an iconic trio of Gyre rings, or discovering trailside art and history, and more. Note that the museum galleries and indoor access remain closed. Sign up for email updates to learn more about Park events and news. ncartmuseum.org/visit/the_park/
Offstage Live: Music at the Museum
Like everything else, the N.C. Museum of Art’s popular summer concert series was canceled. In its place, for this year at least, is a new live streaming concert series that debuts Sept. 1. North Carolina acts will perform from inside the museum galleries. Americana act Chatham County Line kicks off the festivities at 8 p.m. While it’s free to watch, viewers are invited to donate to help North Carolina artists and the arts. The shows will also be aired in the future on UNC-TV with behind-the-scenes interviews. Future acts include Dreamroot from Durham (Sept. 15); S.E. Ward from Chapel Hill (Sept. 29); and Diali Cissokho & Kaira Ba from Pittsboro (Oct. 20). Go to youtube.com/ncartmuseum and ncartmuseum.org/offstage.
ACR at the Park
Speaking of noshing, Ashley Christensen is bringing her food to the museum Thursday to Sundays after a run of successful pop-ups. Dubbed ACR at the Park, the menu features picnic boxes with recipes from Christensen’s Poole’s Diner and Poole’side Pies as well as sandwiches, ice cream sandwiches and breakfast options. Hours are Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Place your order at the Museum’s Blue Ridge Café patio, located at the back of the brick East Building near the amphitheater stage. Diners must pre-order with the menu online at 8 a.m. each day. https://ac-restaurants.com/ncma/
‘Mrs. Doubtfire’
Heeelllloooo!! Need entertainment? “Help is on the way dear!” Post up Friday for the hilarious Robin Williams classic at Focus Church for the weekly Food Truck Flix. Featured Trucks: Cue Burger, Gussy’s, and Magnificent Concessions. The animated “Spies in Disguise” is Saturday. Gates open 6:30 p.m.; flick at 8:30. 7000 Destiny Drive, Raleigh. foodtruckflix.com
Live Event: D.L. Hughley
From stage to screen to page (he’s an author to boot), famed comedian D.L. Hughley brings his comic flair to Goodnights for a four-night run. Visit goodnightscomedy.com for show, time and ticket info, plus extensive details on safety precautions. goodnightscomedy.com
Concert/Film Series
“I got chills, they’re multiplying / And I’m losing control / ’Cause the power you’re supplying / It’s electrifying.” You’re gonna wanna shape up and, you guessed it, catch “Grease” in “reel” time Aug. 27 at the Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre in Henderson, with a live concert bonus by Trial by Fire. Yup, that’s the one I need, oh yes indeed. Live music starts at 8 p.m., followed by the 10 p.m. film. 3336 Raleigh Road, Henderson. Ticket info at raleighroaddrivein.com.
North Carolina Botanical Garden
Dig garden and botanical fun? You’re in luck. North Carolina Botanical Gardens display gardens are back. The Chapel Hill botanical Eden has reopened its outdoor spaces, outdoor visitor information kiosk with printed maps, as well as restrooms with outdoor entrances (this is important stuff). Indoor spaces and pedestrian gates between the Piedmont Nature Trails and display gardens remain closed. Enter the gardens through the main entrance on Old Mason Farm Road only; visit site for hours and more info. ncbg.unc.edu
A NEW Art Market
Hopscotch + Pop-Up Raleigh have joined forces to bring home (literally) this virtual art market Sept. 1–15, in which you can stay home + tune in + buy art — a win-win-win. The market will feature live music streams, past Hopscotch performances, an Insta-ART Auction, fun BAND swag and a NC artist+maker market — and, most importantly, a great way to support NC creatives. Visit the site for more details. popupraleigh.com/2020/07/30/a-new-art-market/
More markets!
From the famed flea market (now dubbed Raleigh Market) at the N.C. State Fairgrounds to the DTR Moore Square Market to the beloved Bull City Durham Craft Market, all your merch needs are met, y’all. Visit the Raleigh Market (aka the largest flea market in the Southeast to the tune of 600-plus indoor and outdoor vendors) every weekend (theraleighmarket.com). Or head to downtown Raleigh on hump day for “moore” fresh local fare, plus the opportunity to order each week from six local shops and restaurants (downtownraleigh.org). In Durham, spend your Saturday mornings at Durham Central Park sifting through a treasure trove of arts and crafts (durhamcraftmarket.com).
Dwarf Star Presents
Just announced, Dwarf Star Studios is starting a new monthly streaming concert series. Set to replace the Uber-popular open-mic night, Dwarf Star Presents will take place the first Thursday of every month (7-8:30 p.m.), highlighting established and rising musicians and bands via three artists/bands streamed live from the musicians’ locations for 30 minutes each. Tune in Thursday, Sept. 3, slated to feature: Chapel Hill-based acoustic trio The Ghost & Bones, indie vet Steve Hartsoe (new album “Gaslighted” drops Aug. 28 on all digital platforms), and Durham-bred twangy, fuzzy rock’n’rollers The Yardarm. Tune in at: dwarfstarpresents.com/.
Trivia Night
Think you know Raleigh, Cary and Knightdale? Prove it. Four upcoming virtual trivia nights will give newcomers and OGs alike a chance to test and show off their city history, fun facts and current events via Raleigh Convergence’s New Neighbor Project. Sign up for Knightdale, Aug. 27; Cary, Aug. 30; and Southeast Raleigh, Aug. 31. Hint: If you’re a subscriber to the New Neighbor Project’s newsletters and Raleigh Convergence’s newsletters, you’ll have an elevated shot at correct answers! Winners will receive gift cards to local businesses. Check the site and Facebook event pages for more details. raleighconvergence.com
Sidewalk Sale 2020
“Because when I shop, the world gets better.” … Shop en plein air at the annual Sidewalk Sale in Cameron Village Aug. 27–30 for end-of-season sales, plus a chance to win a $25 Visa card for use at this year’s village event. facebook.com/cameronvillage
Shake Sugaree Americana Residency with Jonathan Byrd
You may not be able to go to The Kraken RN, but the roadhouse can come to you every Wednesday from 7 to 10 p.m. via this free live-streamed show: Shake Sugaree Americana Residency with Jonathan Byrd. Having been a weekly Wednesday staple at the Kraken for years, trio Jonathan Byrd, Johnny Waken and Austin McCall… the show now goes on virtually. Stream via Jonathan Byrd’s YouTube channel, Jonathan Byrd’s Facebook page or Periscope. Donate to The Kraken to help keep them going during the shutdown and consider tipping the band. gofundme.com/f/love-for-the-kraken
The .262 Solo Run
The ultimate individual challenge is here. While community gathering (and running) is canceled for the foreseeable future, Bull City Running and Fullsteam Brewery have paired up to keep the 100th annual marathon alive with this Point 262 Solo Run, Sept. 3–6, in which you choose your own (short) adventure by picking a .262 path and posting either a pic of you running, a screenshot of your route or snap of your smartwatch (do it for the ’Gram!). Post your action (or still) shot/video over Labor Day weekend by tagging @bullcityrunning and @fullsteambrewery on Instagram or by posting to the Facebook event page discussion thread. You can also email your shot to rundrm@gmail.com. Runners will be picked at random for the Bull City Running Co/Fullsteam prize pack. Extra prizes will be doled for Most Creative Mode of Transportation (in years past: cartwheels, handstands, even a real-time foosball game). Keep the tradition alive! bullcityrunning.com/events/point-262/
Lazy Hound Farms
Boo! Spook season is upon us as the first of the fall farms opened for the season Aug. 22. Roll over to Lazy Hound Farms (207 Davis Road, Zebulon) for all the hay rides, corn maze (+ kiddie maze), tractor-farm fun you can handle. Fear factor: There is also a night-time corn maze. Admission is $8 per person, kids 2 and under free (includes tractor train rides, big slide and playground, kiddie maze, farm animals, and games. Hay ride ($3) and corn maze ($4) are extra. lazyhoundfarm.com
The Farmstand, Plus Yoga, at Raleigh City Farm
Get your om on at Raleigh City Farm with Flow Yoga at the Farm on Saturdays (Aug. 29, 8 a.m.) and Mondays (Aug. 31, 6 p.m.). Taught by Renée Baker, the all-levels yoga class will get you feelin’ Zen. Be sure to register in advance. A portion of your payment will benefit Raleigh City Farm. Then, on Wednesdays through October, your standing plans are farm stand (4–7 p.m.) for hyperlocal produce grown rich on the urban farm. Follow Raleigh City Farm on Instagram for updates, as the harvest varies.
And check out the weekly Wednesday weeding party, Wine+Weeds (wine not?!). that stewards the gardens on the Farm. Meet up at 6 p.m. (this week Sept. 2) in front of the red farmer shed, raise a compostable cup of wine (provided by Raleigh City Farm and sourced from its neighbor, Wine Authorities) before enjoying a chill and fun hour of weeding. (Gardening is proven as a powerful healing tool—just sayin’). raleighcityfarm.org
Food Trucks at Eno
Come hungry. Eno’s Food Truck Rodeo is back in all its scrumptious sweaty summer fun Sept. 2. Pull up your stretchy shorts and roll over for some of the best trucks in town roll at this biweekly food truck rodeo. Bring a blanket, grab some grub and chill out for awhile—and don’t miss the homemade Eno ice cream. 2127 St Marys Road, Hillsborough. facebook.com/enoriverfarm
Moment of Science
If you’re looking for more science than data, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is here for you with Science Café: Science in the Time of Coronavirus (Aug. 27, 7 p.m.). Get schooled on how viral outbreak origins are traced, how viruses change hosts, the role of evolution in reinfection, and more via this informal convo with Drs. Jeffrey Townsend (Yale University) and Alex Dornburg (Museum and UNC Charlotte). Watch the Science Café live here. On Friday (Aug. 28, 6 p.m.), enjoy Museum Movie Night: “Willow,” and witness the journey of Willow, a simple farmer and magician, in an adventure to save the life of Elora Danan, the baby girl who will bring peace to their world. Stick around for the live chat and trivia. This program is being offered for free, but donations are appreciated. Register for Museum Movie Night! Or get more info. naturalsciences.org
Durham Disc Golf Putting Tournament
May the course be with you. Disc golf continues Aug. 31 (6–9 p.m., weekly) at The Glass Jug Beer Lab - Brewery with this miniature putting course around the beer garden. Bring three putters (some are for sale if needed), as well as $5 if you’d like to enter the tournament. Depending on the number of participants, either a singles or doubles tournament will be run, including multiple rounds through the course. The winner takes home a cash prize. Sign up for the tournament at 6:15 p.m. each week, with play at 6:30. If you are not participating in the tournament, you will be permitted to fill in as space allows to putt through the course. Face-coverings required inside the building or within 6 feet of others. glass-jug.com
History + Highballs
In this can’t-miss look at female icons, writer, creator and Aza Comics CEO Jazmin Truesdale takes you on a journey through the evolution of female superheroes in this History + Highballs: The Evolution of Female Superheroes: From Wonder Woman to Aza Comics, Aug. 27 (7 p.m.). Register here; visit site for more info. ncmuseumofhistory.org
Downton Abbey: The Exhibition
If you need an excuse to get out of town, head west and check out “Downton Abbey: The Exhibition” at Biltmore, ending Sept. 7. Celebrating the instant classic TV series, the interactive exhibit features never-before-seen elements that “connect you to your favorite characters, as well as the fashions, locations, and historic events of the time period. Showcased in Amherst at Deerpark and The Biltmore Legacy—‘Downton Abbey: The Exhibition’ pairs seamlessly with the real-life story of the Vanderbilt family.” Access is included with daytime admission.
This story was originally published August 25, 2020 at 11:53 AM.