Local author releases book on The Beatles’ forgotten era.
In the summer of 1966, The Beatles were fed up with Beatlemania—the exhausting fame, the constant touring and the public’s lingering expectation of new pop music. So, the OG boy band began exploring different sounds with an aim to create more complex (and compelling) tunes.
This transitional period of Beatles history is often viewed as “downtime” for the band and has traditionally been overlooked. Durham author Gene Popa recognized the gap in The Beatles story and set out to fill it with the release of his new book, The Colour of Your Dreams, which examines the period between the end of their tour in 1966 and the summer 1967 release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Looking back on the era, many don’t realize Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’s success wasn’t inevitable, Popa emphasizes. The tremendous shift in the music—and personal lives—of The Beatles were taunted as the end to their career, rather than the beginning of a new era of ambitious music and the continued release of chart-topping tracks.
“I want to go back and find these little moments that aren’t counted,” notes Popa. The Beatles fanatic scoured newspapers, magazines and letters to piece together the era history had failed to notice.
The band “approached their music with new creativity,” says the author. “They didn’t go into the studio with songs written, they just said, ‘Let’s see what develops.’” And what developed was one of the most seminal albums of all time.
Now in the works for nearly three decades, Popa began his tireless research on The Colour of Your Dreams in 1996. “I would come back to it from time to time, but it seemed too daunting to me,” he reminisced. “It wasn’t until I had written a couple of other books that I felt I was ready to tackle this one. … Anyone who is a fan of The Beatles would find this interesting.” And thanks to this overlooked era, a lot of people still are. bearmanormedia.com
If you’re all for making spirited decisions, pour one out for your favorite bartender and celebrate all the fun and flavor of the local industry. In honor of National Bartender Day Dec. 2—and our upcoming Best Bars issue (!)—we’ve rounded up boozy trivia about watering holes from Raleigh’s past and present to take your brain barhopping. Hey, it’s worth a shot!
1. In 2023, RM introduced the Best Bartender category in its annual Best Bars awards. Which fan-favorite bartender clinched the votes to win the inaugural coveted crown?
3. Shortly after its debut, Raleigh Beer Garden claimed the Guinness World Record for the most beers on tap at 397 selections. How many beers do they currently have on tap?
a. ~215 b. ~300 c. ~386 d. ~401
4. Tap Yard serves Raleigh’s official historic cocktail, the Cherry Bounce—a cherry-infused cordial credited with the launch of our capital. Which historic bar first served the drink to the delegates?
5. A foundation of the Raleigh bar scene (!), whiskey bar and speakeasy Foundation feted how many years of the “goodliest drinks under the cope of heaven” in 2024?
a. 5 b. 9 c. 10 d. 15
6. Lifting your spirits in more ways than one, the owners of which popular watering hole debuted gin and rum brand Spirit of the Dao?
7. Read all about it: The building on East Hargett Street previously housing The Raleigh Times is now home to the bar of the same name. Before the building swapped reporting for rum, what year was the final edition of the Times published?
a. 1944 b. 1967 c. 1989 d. 2000
8. The secret to a great cocktail? A great view. What new or upcoming bar is the tallest bar in Raleigh?
Here are some WNC towns open to visitors after Hurricane Helene.
Although certain regions of Western North Carolina are still stranded in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a handful of towns have reopened and are welcoming visitors again.
WNC normally relies heavily on tourists during this time of year. To wit, about 16.7 million people visited the Blue Ridge Parkway in 2023. That’s millions of people who this year aren’t buying local beer, investing in local artists or tipping their servers. That said, visiting the handful of towns that are reopened to tourists will lend a crutch to the regions still severely hurting.
Although most main roadways are open, be sure to stay updated and plan your route before heading west. Consider bringing winter supplies (coats, buddy heaters, blanket and fuel) with you, as many WNC regions and residents are still in need of help—especially with winter approaching.
Here, seven mountain towns ready to welcome those looking for an escape, just in time for the end of fall—plus five reopened state parks. Ready to get back on mountain time?
Boone Although Boone was hit particularly hard by Hurricane Helene, the town is now welcoming visitors—but all tourists are encouraged to stay on primary routes while enjoying views and brews.
Brevard The Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest and parts of DuPont State Recreational Forest are now open. After hiking, get your fill of shopping, drinking and dining in the walkable downtown area.
Bryson City Treat yourself to some outdoor relaxation. Parts of Nantahala National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are open with limited access.
Hendersonville All of Hendersonville’s apple orchards have reopened with minimal damage and maximal views. Get picking!
Highlands Venture higher (!) via this small mountain town’s array of biking, hiking, fly-fishing and waterfall chasing—three of which you can walk behind.
Marion Run for the (foot)hills of McDowell County and explore Marion’s newly reopened Main Street—backdropped by Mount Ida, which is on standby for hiking, biking and catching views.
If you thought Diced was a chain—think again. Thanks to the almost-immediate and widespread success of the salads, wraps and bowls mainstay—with a brand-new locale on Fayetteville Street—many don’t see the eatery for what it is: a locally owned joint born and bred in Cary.
“For the past nine years, I haven’t really put myself out there as a local business owner,” says founder and owner Michelle Woodward of her concept oft mistaken for a national franchise. “When building the brand, I tried to think of every little detail, so I think the consistency of the branding might have a franchise feel.”
Rewinding back to Diced’s origin story, as a former national and world champion college athlete, Woodward wanted to channel her ambition and dedication into something new—and aimed to fill a gap in the fast-food industry she observed during her athletic endeavors. “Diced is something I had always needed and wanted—a healthy, quick place that didn’t cut corners on freshness and quality,” she emphasizes.
So, fresh (!) out of college, the former gymnast crafted a menu and moved to Raleigh with just her vision for a health-conscious eatery, which quickly became a community fave. Now, the four locations (DTR, in addition to one on Oberlin Road and two in Cary) continue to answer the call for “fast food” that is both fulfilling and nutritious—read: a meal you can grab on-the-go to get your fill without counting calories or worrying about an upset stomach.
And curbing the true franchise vibe, the local joint has no plans to expand beyond the state. “We are going to stick to the Triangle for now and could potentially open locations in other NC cities,” maintains Woodward, adding, “Good ideas will never come to life without action. After that, it just takes a lot of commitment, patience and sacrifice to see it through—but it is worth it.” And we’re sure glad she stayed committed to the grind.dicedsalads.com
Parking problems no more. In October, City Council implemented free 2-hour Downtown parkingin certain city-owned decks beginning Nov. 15. Exorbitant parking prices have previously left locals and visitors alike reeling, and although DTR’s popularity peaked this summer, better parking accessibility is a key factor needed to keep foot traffic coming. So, don’t be afraid to book that dinner reservation or buy those concert tickets—parking’s on Raleigh.
🚗 Municipal Building Deck 🚗 Wilmington Street Station Deck 🚗 Moore Square Deck 🚗 Blount Street Deck 🚗 City Center Deck
