BACK IN BUSINESS

In Buzz, March 2021 by Melissa HowsamLeave a Comment

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In-person events show first signs of recovery.

Gather may no longer be a bad word? As cases go down and vaccinations go up, our sweet little city is starting to feel alive—and host live events!—again. Besides its social and mental health significance—aka a reason to finally break out of the house—it’s also a monumental sign that Raleigh’s economy is en route to recovery after suffering a $21 million decrease in tourism tax collections in 2020 due to the pandemic. So, as events large and small start to get planned (or even occur), the light at the end of the tunnel feels finally in view—as does a thriving local tourism and hospitality sector. Here, our spread of HOPE. Stay strong, Raleigh. We’re pushing through together.

ARTS, THEATER, MUSIC

North Carolina Symphony

Duke Energy Performing Arts
Try to conduct yourself… the North Carolina Symphony is back with its first in-person event since the pandemic, presenting Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4 March 5–6 (and streaming March 11).


North Carolina Museum of Art
The NCMA “unwraps” its first large-scale post-pandemic exhibit opening with the Golden Mummies of Egypt, bowing March 6 and featuring a collection from the Manchester Museum in England. The museum has also reopened its coffee shop, Sip, for the first time since last March—just in time for patrons to grab a latte while strolling through the exhibit.

Red Hat, Etc.
Last year, all we could do is tragically reckon “I guess that’s why they call it the blues.” But get ready to fiddle up some fun as the IBMA Bluegrass Live—the largest free urban bluegrass fest in the world—is slated to take stage in DTR this fall with a mixture of in-person and virtual concerts.

Fayetteville Street
Perhaps its moniker has never been more fitting… Artsplosure will no doubt bring an explosion of creative energy in 2021 as the nationally lauded juried Art Market and fest (named top 50 fine art and design shows) pushes its famed two-day spring event to fall for a LIVE return to the streets of DTR this October.

FESTIVALS

Midtown
Remember food trucks? And live music? And vendors? It’s no longer a memory. March’s monthly installment of MAKRS @ North Hills pop-up market (March 14) sees that full lawn of vendors and raises them a food truck, coffee truck and music. Rock. On.

Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau
“Sports do not build character, they reveal it.” Amen. And, thankfully, youth sports have returned to the Raleigh Convention Center. Volleyball tournaments started in February, and basketball will be resuming in April. Nothing but net!


CHARITY EVENTS

North Ridge Country Club
It’s time to par-tee. NRCC is back with its famed and benevolent two-day Wheels Up party and golf tournament May 2–3, restrictions allowing, to benefit the children. 2019’s event raised more than $175,000 for Children’s Flight of Hope. Let’s tee it high and let it fly for the kids—and show them all the good 2021 can bring.

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