by Anna Beth Adcock | Aug 29, 2023 | Buzz, September 2023
Raleigh-area animal shelters are bursting at the seams.
“There’s no downtime and no relief. We’ve already done four [adoption] pleas in the first six months of this year,” says Meagan Thomas, community outreach manager at Wake County Animal Center. “That’s not normal. We need help.”
Clearly. In early August, WCAC received an influx of 208 dogs and cats over the course of seven days, generating the most desperate plea for adoption yet. If not for the immediate overwhelming response from the public—read: 41 feline and 39 canine adoptions, NTM transfers and owner reclaims—the shelter would have been forced to euthanize for space for the first time in over seven years. And while the heartwarming reply to save these animals’ lives is certainly a win, there’s no way around it: When shelters are too full, animals die—and the overarching problem still persists.
Prior to 2020, animal intake had been trending downward—but, since, those numbers, along with pet population, are on the rise countrywide. According to Thomas, high housing costs and financial ability are part of the problem, plus strict rules on pet ownership for many renters—whether that’s no pets or breed/size restrictions.
When shelters overflow, quality of life is compromised. Beyond animal morale, squeezing pups in tighter spaces also leads to more disease and barking, and an overwhelming experience for visitors and volunteers alike, says Thomas—because chaos.
Exacerbating the situation, WCAC is currently the only open intake organization in the county—making the center the go-to hub for all owner-surrendered pets, stray pets or animal welfare/cruelty
cases countywide.
“Every stray animal, every owner surrender, every hoarding case, every cruelty/neglect case or dog-fighting operation, they’re all coming to us,” elaborates Thomas. “In many ways it’s a good thing—it gives owners one place to look for a lost pet. But our organization also can’t turn away animals.”
And just because a shelter is classified as “no-kill” doesn’t mean they never euthanize. Any org (open or closed intake) with a euthanasia rate of 9.9% or less qualifies for a no-kill designation; however, many no-kill shelters are still forced to euthanize for space, medical or behavioral reasons.
“If we reach out to our foster base and our animal rescue partners and they tell us ‘No, we’re not taking them,’ there’s only so long we can hang on to them before we have to make room for other animals coming in,” says Thomas. “It’s not humane to keep them in a kennel when they’re spinning in circles and self-mutilating. We’re not in the business of keeping animals alive just for the sake of saying they’re alive.”
Not only does overcrowding take a toll on the animals, but on staff and volunteers as well, maintains Thomas. “We’re all here because we love animals—and it’s really hard when this has been the reality for the past two years without any sort of letting up,” she adds. … So, cat/canine lovers of Raleigh, if you’re looking to add a furry friend to your family, perhaps adopt before shop? You could be saving a four-legged life. pets.wake.gov
by Anna Beth Adcock | Aug 29, 2023 | Do, September 2023
A spotlight on Raleigh’s stage shortage
“It’s exhausting to worry about where and when to do a show—and where comes first,” says David Henderson, founder of Honest Pint Theatre Company on finding performance spaces in Raleigh.
Founded 10 years ago, Honest Pint performs in venues all over the city—from North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theatre and William Peace University to Theatre Raleigh and NC State. And finding a place to perform is a necessity that continues to grow more sparse. Each month, Henderson and co-artistic director Susannah Hough sit down to discuss the shows they hope to schedule for the year—and try to find available space.
“We have to figure out how to adjust what we want to do in the slots available, which unfortunately are few and far between,” explains Henderson. To wit, just because a space is available doesn’t make it feasible. Small theater companies, for example, can’t sell out 700-seat venues.
That lack of a home base while bouncing around from place to place not only takes up time and energy, it makes gaining a following of theatergoers more challenging. “It’s hard to gain a sense of permanence,” says Henderson.
In response to lack of room and parking, for her part, local talent/Theatre Raleigh Producing Artistic Director Lauren Kennedy Brady moved Theatre Raleigh to a new North Raleigh location in 2021 after previously renting at Martin Marietta.
“We have our own autonomy,” says Kennedy Brady of Theatre Raleigh’s current spot. “It’s given us a lot of freedom to grow in the way we’ve wanted for so long—and we’ve also been on the other side where we struggled to find a place to have performances.”
In efforts to assist others seeking a performance setting, Theatre Raleigh offers its venue at low-industry nonprofit rates to myriad organizations, including Honest Pint, in an effort to make theater accessible to performing agencies of all sizes. But booking remains tight and availability fills up fast.
Nevertheless, some organizations are content sans a space of their own. The Justice Theater Project hosts between 80 to 90% of its shows at Umstead Park United Church of Christ. Executive Producer Melissa Zeph appreciates a consistent spot that comes with nominal rental rates without routine ownership expenses and hassles. “I don’t know if I want a space,” says Zeph. “Who wants to own their own theater? Yuck! Although, it would be lovely to have an actual stage.”
While finding areas to perform can certainly be a challenge, there is a silver lining… our creative arts culture is continuing to burgeon. “It’s a gift that we have so much theater in the community,” says Henderson. “The hardest part is the infrastructure.”
While there may not be enough capacity for everybody, Raleigh’s local theater community remains communal. The majority of our local actors, talents and creatives lack a sense of rivalry, instead operating with a mission of sharing what they love and working together to elevate the arts in our city—with many theater professionals hoping to eventually create a theater district/hub for the creative arts Downtown.
“We all want one thing: to do what we love in an area we love. And the more we are able to do that here, the more artists we keep here,” says Henderson. “I think theater as we know it is changing, and if we want to survive, the Raleigh community has to find a way to keep it alive.”
2023-24 Arts and Theatre Preview
Ready to support the cause? Raleigh’s 2023–24 arts and theater season is filled to the brim with can’t-miss productions, plays, musicals and exhibits. The curtain is calling… so nab those tix and settle in your seat for a season of five-star performances and exhibits.
SEPTEMBER
Wicked, through Sept. 17
DPAC | dpacnc.com
Spiders: Fear to Fascination, through Oct. 8
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences | naturalsciences.org
Firebird, Sept. 14–Oct. 1
Carolina Ballet | carolinaballet.com
Last Stop on Market Street, Sept. 16–24
Raleigh Little Theatre | raleighlittletheatre.org
Dutch Art in a Global Age: Masterpieces
From the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Sept. 16–Jan. 7
North Carolina Museum of Art | ncartmuseum.org
The Philadelphia Orchestra, Sept. 20–21
Carolina Performing Arts | carolinaperformingarts.org
OCTOBER
12 Angry Jurors, October
The Justice Theater Project | thejusticetheaterproject.org
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Oct. 5–15
Theatre in the Park | theatreinthepark.com
Beautiful—The Carole King Musical, Oct. 10–15
Raleigh Memorial Auditorium | nctheatre.com
MJ the Musical, Oct. 10–22
DPAC | dpacnc.com
Arcadia, Oct. 12–29
Burning Coal Theatre Company | burningcoal.org
Frankenstein, Oct. 12–29
Carolina Ballet | carolinaballet.com
Rimini Protokoll, Oct. 14–15
Carolina Performing Arts | carolinaperformingarts.org
Barbecue, Oct. 18–29
Theatre Raleigh | theatreraleigh.com
Hiromi’s Sonicwonder, Oct. 20
NC State LIVE | live.arts.ncsu.edu
Misery, Oct. 20–Nov. 5
Raleigh Little Theatre | raleighlittletheatre.org
La Traviata, Oct. 27 & 29
NC Opera | ncopera.org
NOVEMBER
Zoe & Cloyd, Nov. 4
NC State LIVE | live.arts.ncsu.edu
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Nov. 16–19
Carolina Ballet | carolinaballet.com
Mean Girls, Nov. 24–26
DPAC | dpacnc.com
DECEMBER
Moonlight, Through Dec. 17
Burning Coal Theatre Company | burningcoal.org
Black Nativity in Concert, December
The Justice Theater Project | thejusticetheaterproject.org
Cinderella 2023, Dec. 1–17
Raleigh Little Theatre | raleighlittletheatre.org
The Nutcracker, Dec. 8–9
City Ballet Raleigh | city-ballet.com
A Christmas Carol 50th Anniversary, Dec. 8–10
Theatre In The Park | theatreinthepark.com
Elf: The Musical, Dec. 9–17
North Carolina Theatre | nctheatre.com
The 1940s Radio Tour, Dec. 13–24
Theatre Raleigh | theatreraleigh.com
The Nutcracker, Dec. 14–24
Carolina Ballet | carolinaballet.com
JANUARY
Hymn, Jan. 25–Feb. 11
Burning Coal Theatre Company | burningcoal.org
Compagnie Hervé KOUBI, Jan. 27
NC State LIVE | live.arts.ncsu.edu
FEBRUARY
Rhapsody in Blue, Feb. 1–18
Carolina Ballet | carolinaballet.com
The Barber of Seville, Feb. 2 & 4
NC Opera | ncopera.org
Nate the Great, Feb. 2–11
Raleigh Little Theatre | raleighlittletheatre.org
Peter Pan, Feb. 27–March 3
DPAC | dpacnc.com
MARCH
Alexa Tarantino Quartet, March 1
NC State LIVE | live.arts.ncsu.edu
The Little Mermaid, March 7–24
Carolina Ballet | carolinaballet.comcarolinaballet.com
Trouble in Mind, March 15–31
Raleigh Little Theatre | raleighlittletheatre.org
Mrs. Doubtfire, March 19–24
DPAC | dpacnc.com
APRIL
A Little Night Music, April 4–21
Burning Coal Theatre Company | burningcoal.org
Rent, April 20–28
North Carolina Theatre | nctheatre.com
The Girl of the Golden West, April 21
NC Opera | ncopera.org
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2, April 25–28
Carolina Ballet | carolinaballet.com
MAY
Looking for Roberto Clemente, May 4–12
Raleigh Little Theatre | raleighlittletheatre.org
The Lion King, May 15–June 9
DPAC | dpacnc.com
Cinderella, May 16–19
Carolina Ballet | carolinaballet.com
JUNE
Kinky Boots, June 7–23
Raleigh Little Theatre | raleighlittletheatre.org
Once on This Island, June 22–30
North Carolina Theatre | nctheatre.com
by Anna Beth Adcock | Aug 29, 2023 | September 2023, Stuff
Is beauty really in the eye of the beholder?
They say beauty is pain. But, lately, beauty is just plain interesting. As we enter a new era of trending looks and myriad methods trying to keep up with the ever-changing trends, it leaves us to wonder: How far is too far in the name of lookin’ fresh and fab? Here, we break down a few, ahem, interesting enhancements currently gaining momentum. … Slay?
Fake Eye Bags
Who knew appearing like you haven’t gotten a good wink of sleep in weeks could be considered cute? Originally gaining popularity on TikTok (naturally), this look involves using purple, blue and red eyeliners/shadows to enhance those under-eye circles. OK, Tim Burton.
Nose Blush
Hey, Rudolph. If you enjoy a sun-kissed appearance but don’t want to deal with the skin damage, this one’s for you. Essentially, dab a little extra blush along your nose for a color that communicates “I spent a bit too long frolicking on a sunny beach.”
Snail Facials
How slow can you go? Say what you want, but apparently snail slime is hydrating—*shrugs shoulders*—and it hosts a slew of other benefits, from stimulating collagen to helping with acne and eczema. Snailed it?
Skinny Brows
The ’90s called… and they can’t see your eyebrows. This officially in: Thick eyebrows are out and skinny brows are back. Ready to dig out those tweezers?
Colored Lashes
*Flirtatiously bats eyelashes.* Because black might be too boring, currently all the rage is a range of eyelash extension colors—from flirty light blues and soft hues to bright and eye-catching warmer tones.
McDonald’s Bangs
We’re lovin’ it… or are we? Inspiring more than just your midnight french fries run, many are opting to snip their luscious locks into a shape we know all too well, aka that of the famous McDonald’s arches. Happy meals and happy hair, indeed.
ZigZag Part
Never let ’em know your next move. And that goes for your part too. Take the tail of your comb and go ham for a zigzag part—and add gel if you’re feelin’ sleek and on fleek.
by Anna Beth Adcock | Aug 29, 2023 | Do, September 2023
New multistudio fitness membership lunges on the scene.
Working hard to bust workout boredom? If your old gym routine isn’t cutting it, it could be time to switch up your sweat sesh. And just in time for the unofficial start of fit girl (and boy!) fall, meet your new fitness bestie: FitReserve.
The premier membership service touts class offerings at top fitness studios spanning the country—and is now adding Raleigh-area studios to its “HIIT” list. Fitness fanatics can choose from an abundance of hot spots around town (aka ~1,000 monthly classes)—from yoga and Pilates to indoor cycling, bootcamp and boxing sessions.
Current local studios on the sweat rotation include GLOW Fitness, Sk1ll Fitness Studio, Cirque de Vol, Total Row Brier Creek and Cor4 Fitness—with a slew of other studio selections on the way, including Six Foot Fit, Chuva Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Nova Yoga… and even more coming down the pipeline. How’s that for a flex?!
“As one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., we’re thrilled to launch FitReserve in Raleigh,” says Megan Smyth, founder of the shapely enterprise. “From indoor cycling and HIIT to aerial and Barre, Raleigh has a vibrant wellness scene and a diverse network of premier fitness options. We’re excited to provide local fitness enthusiasts with access to a broad variety of workouts with one convenient all-access membership.” fitreserve.com
by Anna Beth Adcock | Aug 29, 2023 | Buzz, September 2023
Eat (and drink!) your way down memory lane for a taste of Raleigh’s restaurant history.
There’s no question that Raleigh is home to a thriving restaurant scene—and while our city continues to level up its eating and drinking game on the reg, ya just can’t beat the classics. Here, we challenge you to summon your nostalgic knowledge for a roundup of Q’s on Raleigh’s oldest eateries, spots you might’ve forgotten about and more. Ready for a trip down memory lane?
1. Char-Grill has been touting the “best burger and fries in Raleigh” since 1960! A Raleigh institution—from its late-night hours to sliding your order into the iconic window slot—the burger joint now boasts how many locations in NC?
a. 7
b. 8
c. 9
d. 10
2. An, ahem, mecca, Mecca Restaurant has been sating stomachs in Downtown Raleigh since 1930 (and she doesn’t look a day over 25!). What was the OG name of the old-school eatery?
a. Mecca Luncheonette
b. The Mecca Diner
c. Raleigh’s Mecca
d. Nick’s Place
3. Get piggy with it via Clyde Cooper’s Barbeque, which has been pullin’ the local pork game for 80+ years. On what holiday did the institution first open its doors?
a. Christmas Day
b. Valentine’s Day
c. July 4th
d. New Year’s Day
4. Way back when… Thad Eure Jr. and Charles Winston purchased 50 acres of land on Highway 70 that would eventually become what is now the iconic Angus Barn steakhouse. How much did they pay for the prized plot of land?
a. $825
b. $6,750
c. $7,750
d. $10,750
5. Hey, playa! Players Retreat—aka “PR”—has positioned itself as the prime hangout spot for Wolfpackers, as it sits on the outskirts of NC State’s campus and touts tons of collegiate memorabilia. Who currently sits at the helm of this fan-fave neighborhood bar?
a. Mickey Hanula
b. Bernie Hanula
c. Pete Jarrell
d. Gus Gusler
6. Mosey up a flight of stairs on Hillsborough Street beside Global Village and you’ll find the treasured Mitch’s Tavern, which has been serving Raleighites since 1974. The resto was also a setting of which famous baseball movie?
a. A League of Their Own
b. Bull Durham
c. Field of Dreams
d. Moneyball
7. Hot wieners found here! No-frills hot dog hot spot The Roast Grill has long embraced the mantra to do one thing and do it well—and in this case, that would be a delish hot dog (served with a cold glass bottle of Coca-Cola, natch). Which condiment does the joint not serve?
a. Ketchup
b. Mustard
c. Chili
d. Texas Pete
8. Ciao, bella! Amedeo’s Italian Restaurant opened its doors in 1963 after NC State alum Richard “Amedeo” DiAngelis turned his desire to fill the city’s need for a local sub/hoagie shop into a reality. What sport did DiAngelis play during his time in college?
a. Baseball
b. Football
c. Wrestling
d. Basketball
9. Before diners chowed down on delish Italian fare on the gorgeous Mulino patio, the aesthetic eatery was the home to Babylon, a restaurant offering eats inspired by which country?
a. Egypt
b. Turkey
c. Croatia
d. Morocco
Answers: 1. C; 2. A; 3. D; 4. B; 5. D; 6. B; 7. A; 8. B; 9. D
