It’s Triangle Restaurant Week, plus 16 more Best Bets this week
Jack Frost has finally showed. Kick the winter blues with a host of hot happenings around town this week.
Triangle Restaurant Week
Give yourself a global gastro tour — no passport (or reservations) required‚ with the return of Triangle Restaurant Week, a weeklong celebration of local culinary excellence across seven-plus Triangle cities and nearly 100 restaurants with prix fixe menus. Jan. 20-26. Three-course lunch for $15; three-course dinner for $20-$35; price per person; does not include beverages, tax or gratuity. trirestaurantweek.com
‘Rent’
There’s “no day but today” (or at least any today over the six-day show run at the Durham Performing Arts Center) to make some of your “five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes” in the year as memorable as viewing the revolutionary rock musical that redefined Broadway (and arguably a generation). DPAC, 123 Vivian St., Durham. Jan. 28-Feb. 2, times vary. From $34.50. dpacnc.com
African American Cultural Celebration
Seeing 20/20 in 2020 is “20(20) Vision, a 400-Year Legacy: Looking Back, Moving Forward, Claiming Our Identity.” Commemorating African American history through music, storytelling, dance, arts, crafts, food and more, the 19th annual African American Cultural Celebration #AACC2020 (official hashtag) has been named a top 20 event since 2015 by Southeast Tourism Society. It serves as the statewide kickoff to Black History Month at the NC Museum of History. 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. Jan. 25, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Free. ncmuseumofhistory.org
American Aquarium’s Road Trip to Raleigh
“Cause we were too young to know what this town had in store” is a fitting lyric (er, omen) as local alt/country band American Aquarium, led by founder and frontman Raleighite BJ Barham. The sixth annual Road Trip to Raleigh is a homecoming of sorts, with two nights of performances at Lincoln Theatre. Friday night features Ruturebirds and Mike & The Moonpies, with Saturday showcasing Charley Crockett and Kelsey Waldon. 126 E. Cabarrus St., Raleigh. Jan. 24-25, 8 p.m. $30. lincolntheatre.com
Rhapsody in Blue
With “Rhapsody in Blue,” a tribute to icon George Gershwin’s catalogue, comes this ballet set to one of the most recognizable and iconic pieces of music. It’s part of the Carolina Ballet’s February program that pays tribute to American composers. “Symposium,” set to the music of the legendary Leonard Bernstein, will also be performed. The program will be accompanied by a new work choreographed by Raffael and Robert Weiss. Fletcher Opera Theater, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. Jan. 30-Feb. 16, times vary. From $37. carolinaballet.com
Raleigh Home Show
Spring comes early to downtown Raleigh as the Raleigh Home Show returns with a jam-packed lineup of events geared to help spruce up interior design and give you that 2020 refresh of which you’ve been dreaming. New decade, new digs? Check out such best-in-class showcases as Designer Rooms Curated by The Design Haus, Outdoor Eye Candy and more — or “Ask the Experts.” And don’t miss Skilled Trade Day Sunday. Check the site for the full lineup of your DIY and interior design dreams. Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh. Jan. 24, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Jan. 25, 10 a.m.-9p.m.; Jan. 26, 10 a.m.-6p.m. Adults, $12; children under 12, free; advance tickets available online, $9. raleighsspringshow.com
NC Opera presents ‘Pagliacci’
There’s no clowning around when traveling clown carny Canio is troubled over suspicions that his wife, Nedda, has taken a lover and erupts and becomes determined to uncover the truth. Starring North Carolina Opera returning artists Carl Tanner (“Samon et Dalila”) as Canio and Melinda Whittington (“Cold Mountain”) as Nedda, and conducted by Keitaro Harada (“Carmen” 2019), the presentation of “Pagliacci” by Ruggero Leoncavallo presents a fully staged opera in a prologue and two acts, sung in Italian with projected English translations. Now that’s (some kind of jealous) amore! Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. Jan. 24, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 26, 2 p.m. From $23. ncopera.org
Astronomy Days
With an out-of-this-world event, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences presents Astronomy Days, featuring the stuff of all your space enthusiast dreams — from comet crafts to solar observing and lectures to rocket launches. This weekend only, land a free Astronomy Days tee when you join or renew your museum membership, and members enjoy BOGO astro-themed smoothies in the cafe: think, Milky Way, Solar Flare, Black Hole and more. Houston, looks like we have no problem. 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh. Jan. 25, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Jan. 26, noon-5 p.m. Free. naturalsciences.org
NC State vs. UNC
All right, sports fans. Get ready for a probable barn burner on Tobacco Road as NC State Wolfpack plays host to the UNC Tar Heels for a can’t-miss rivalry game. PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh. Jan. 27, 7 p.m. From $55. gopack.com; goheels.com
Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
Oh, what a night! “Come come, come out tonight” and find out why “big girls don’t cry” as quintessential ’60s and ’70s pop band and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons return to DPAC following their three sold-out shows. DPAC, 123 Vivian St., Durham. Jan. 26, 7 p.m. From $55. dpacnc.com
‘May It Last: A Portrait of the Avett Brothers’
Avett Brothers fans, heads up. This 2018 documentary, screening at the North Carolina Museum of Art, is a deep-dive into the homegrown Grammy Award-nominated band, fronted by Seth and Scott Avett. The film, directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio, is described as a “meditation on family, love, and the passage of time.” The film follows the band’s 15-year rise through members’ marriages, divorces, illnesses, parenthood, business challenges and more, while also chronicling their 2016 collab with producer Rick Rubin on album “True Sadness.” The film coincides with Scott Avett’s art exhibit, “Scott Avett: Invisible,” which is on view through Feb. 2. East Building, SECU Auditorium, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh. Jan. 26, 2 p.m. Members, youth 7-18 and college students with ID, $5; nonmembers, $7. ncartmuseum.org
Runscripted
If you haven’t fallen off the on the new year/new you bandwagon yet (or even if you never hopped on), Unscripted Durham is here for it with its new winter events lineup. For those still on the wagon, there’s Runscripted, for which Unscripted and Bull City Running come together to present a New Year’s Resolution Treadmill Challenge. Up to the task? A treadmill will be set up in the lobby facing downtown Durham (views!), and $20 gives you 20 minutes to burn as many calories as you can to check off that whole new year/new you burn for the day. And of course, for the sake of competition, the runner with the most calories burned scores a grand prize rest-and-recharge staycation. Runners, up! Oh, and those who participate also get a $10 gift card from Unscripted and a $10 gift card to Bull City Running. Winning! 202 N. Corcoran St., Durham. Runscripted: Jan. 25, 8 a.m.-4p.m. $20 entry. unscriptedhotels.com/durham
Unscripted Winter Lineup: Beer Tasting
Also part of Unscripted Durham’s winter events lineup is a Ponysaurus Brewery Beer Tasting boasting the best-of local brewer’s best brews, with some new seasonal additions, small bites and live music to boot. 202 N. Corcoran St., Durham. Jan. 30, 6-8 p.m. $25 per person. unscriptedhotels.com/durham
Savor Sweeter Dreams
5,000-plus. That’s the number of children in Wake County who don’t sleep in a bed of their own. The Green Chair Project is teaming up with chefs Scott Crawford and Kenny Gilbert to host this intimate dining experience at Jolie and Crawford and Son restaurants. (Gilbert, who has competed on Bravo’s “Top Chef,” is opening a restaurant called Cut & Gather in Raleigh.) Diners have two options. A $500 ticket earns a full evening experience with a reception at Jolie to meet Gilbert, followed by a five-course dinner at Crawford and Son. The tickets will go toward two beds for children, including bedding. A $250 ticket earns the dinner portion of the evening, and enables the Green Chair Project to deliver one child a new bed (also with the works). The takeaway? Do good and eat well so others (and you) can sleep well. Tickets are limited. Jolie, 620 N. Person St.; Crawford and Son, 618 N. Person St.; Raleigh. Jan. 26. Reception, 6 p.m.; dinner, 7 p.m. thegreenchair.org
Ron Funches
Triple threat stand-up, actor, writer Ron Funches is known for his appearances on “New Girl,” “Black-ish” and more and providing a voice on“Bob’s Burgers.” He’s making his way from SoCal to our town at Goodnights for three nights of can’t-miss comedy. 861 W. Morgan St., Raleigh. Jan. 23, 8 p.m.; Jan. 24 and 25, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Prices vary. goodnightscomedy.com
Shawn Wayans
Born into a Hollywood heavyweight comedic family, Shawn Wayans made a name for himself and cut his teeth as resident DJ on a little show called “In Living Color” before breaking out on TV (notably as an obviously crucial part of phenom sitcom “The Wayans Bros”) and film (“Scary Movie,” “White Chicks” and “Dance Flick,” to name a few). With his stand-up self-described as “‘Don’t Be a Menace’/‘Scary Movie’ edgy, out-there, in your face” Wayans promises to deliver a laugh you won’t want to miss. Improv Raleigh, 1224 Parkside Main St., Cary. Jan. 24, 7 & 9:15 p.m.; Jan. 25, 6:30 & 9 p.m. 18+ $25-$75. improv.com/raleigh
Bourbon at the Border
“Bourbon at the Border” follows May and Charlie, two Howard University students whose lives were forever changed by their participation in the massive voter registration drive in Mississippi in the summer of 1964 and the African American freedom struggle. The play is part of the 2020 Triangle African American Theater program. North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre. 7713-51 Lead Mine Road, Raleigh. Jan. 24–Feb. 9, times vary. From $15. nract.org
This story was originally published January 21, 2020 at 8:15 AM.