by Heidi Reid | Aug 2, 2023 | Do, July/August 2023
ROBOPARK rolls into Raleigh to promote STEM education.
ICYMI, the robots are here! Crabtree Valley Mall is no longer just a shopping and dining destination, but a portal into the future of technology and STEM (!). ROBOPARK made its debut at Crabtree July 19 (through Aug. 20) and offers an immersive and innovative experience to anyone who’s nuts about robots.
Featuring 50 robots from the world over, the park includes Promobot V4, famed for lectures at a gamut of universities—and who has the capacity to remember your face and greet you—plus, robo dog Unitree GO1, who emulates a real pup. (Pro tip: Maybe don’t watch Season 4 of Black Mirror before visiting…). And if you’re famished from a day of conversing with bot, flag down CSJ Amy, the waitress and housekeeper robot at the ready with a beverage or gift.
“We are thrilled to bring ROBOPARK to the U.S. for the first time,” says Lucy Bee, U.S. expansion manager for Mirey Robotics, the exhibition company behind the park that specializes in organizing scientific and entertainment. “Our goal is to make the latest developments in robotics accessible to the public, fostering curiosity, promoting STEM education and inspiring future innovators.”
ROBOPARK also blurs the lines between virtual reality and the real world, with six VR zones, workshops and an inventor’s certification. Clearly, the future is here! “ROBOPARK is not just a museum; it is a playground for all ages,” maintains Bee. “We are combining the most technologically advanced and unusual innovations in robotics to create a fun and educational experience for all ages.”
Translation: Whether you’re a tech aficionado or your only experience with robots is The Terminator, ROBOPARK promises fun—and education!—for all. “This is the world now…”
by Heidi Reid | Aug 1, 2023 | July/August 2023, Stuff
Outfits are stepping out and stepping up for every event imaginable.
Did you deck out head-to-toe in pink for the Barbie premiere or feel out of place when rolling up for the flick donned in your regular street attire? Even concert outfits have been amping up their extravagance lately—from Taylor Swift’s renowned The Eras Tour to Harry Styles’ Love on Tour. And this level of fashion commitment has extended from elevated concert apparel to popping off for everything from Oppenheimer to The Rise of Gru. Translation: Outfit prep and planning has reached mastermind level. Which leads us to wonder, what happened to simply wearing clothes?
A big factor at play a la the dress-up craze is the concept of self-expression. Movie- and concertgoers dressing the part amplifies identification with a virtue reflected in the event—see: women’s affinity with Barbie and the array of ethnicities, professions and ages represented in the film. Find the same self-expression showcased in Harry Styles and Taylor Swift’s concert attendees as well. Seeing an artist live has become more than just attending the performance, it’s now about being part of it.
Whether the trend has stemmed from athleisure exhaustion (thanks, pandemic!) or it’s just fun for an excuse to dress up, more and more people are working the business casual top and sweatpants combo. #Slay
And while we love a comfy ’fit, dressing up and getting ready is fun—NTM a healthy confidence boost… we love self-love!
Plus, it’s trendy to flaunt the ’fit online—where trends spread like wildfire. We all know going viral can happen at random—think the teenager behind the “Gentleminions” trend who amassed 8.9 million likes via his first and only TikTok video.
Whether you prefer dressing down or dolling up, this trend is still a win for any advocate of self-expression and entertainment. Wear what you want and romanticize the small things—Barbie would be proud.
by Heidi Reid | Jul 27, 2023 | Buzz, July/August 2023
Wake County schools lengthens book and educational material challenge procedures.
Cancel culture has made its way to the world of literature, with Wake County Public School System’s reading material being the latest local topic of discussion. But the latest rules may make it harder for people to challenge books and instructional materials they find offensive or inappropriate for educational settings. Earlier this week, WCPSS finalized revisions to Policy 3210, which requires those who challenge materials to schedule a meeting with the principal. Previously, only a written objection had to be submitted to formally dispute materials.
Even though the policy revision makes filing an objection more time consuming, parents now have more time to submit a request for reconsideration after the required meeting (20 days), as opposed to the previous 10-day period. If no request is submitted within the deadline, the case is considered closed.
Furthermore, after receiving a formal request for reconsideration, a committee consisting of a media coordinator, two teachers familiar with the material, a school counselor, two parents and the principal will read the material in full, examine the objection and deliberate their findings at a public meeting.
If the material violates the rights of the student or the parents, the family will be accommodated. If the material is deemed indecent, access will be limited or it will be removed. The decision will be binding for two years, meaning no one may challenge the material until the two-year period is complete.
So far, only five books have gone through the entire formal process in Wake County since 2021, and all five remain on shelves. The five targeted books all focus predominantly on people of color and LGBTQ characters. To wit, on a national level, 41% of banned titles have LGBTQ themes or characters and 40% feature characters of color. Only time will tell how WCPSS’ bookshelves stack up.
by Heidi Reid | Jul 5, 2023 | Do, July/August 2023
Hit the high notes at these six local karaoke nights.
Ready to sing to a different tune? Drop the mic at these six weekly karaoke nights in Raleigh. Even if you can’t carry a tune in a bucket, these bars will provide all the liquid courage you need. Just don’t quit your day job.
Lucky B’s | Mondays
Beat the Monday blues by belting your heart out at 9:30pm at the “Classiest Dive Bar in Raleigh.” Pro tip: All bottled beers are $4 on Mondays. Rock on!
Saints and Scholars Pub | Wednesdays
Take a load off with a craft beer or cocktail—then sing that funky music at this North Raleigh pub for saints, scholars and singers apparently (!).
Sammy’s | Wednesdays
Wednesday night at Sammy’s not only includes karaoke, but half-price entrees for students, $9 Busch Light pitchers and $3 Truly’s—all the necessary ingredients for the perfect performance.
Tin Roof | Wednesdays
If country-rock is your vibe, throw down and sing loud and proud via the live music joint’s weekly karaoke. “Take me home, country roads…”
The Night Rider | Thursdays
Celebrate Friday Jr. by croonin’ some of the weirdest songs to exist at this divey bar where you don’t need to feel embarrassed by your subpar singing skills. #SorryNotSorry
Brickhouse | Fridays
This Hillsborough Street sports bar hosts karaoke every Friday at 9pm. Stage fright? Check out the pool tables and patio while cheering from the sidelines.
The Pickled Pub | Fridays + Saturdays
In a pickle? Make your own kind of music at DJ Dance Party Karaoke (!) every weekend from 10pm to 2am.
by Heidi Reid | Jun 29, 2023 | Do, July/August 2023
Where to sip, sup, shop and more outside Raleigh this month
Heff’s Burger Club
WINSTON-SALEM
Sun’s out, buns out! Helmed by Winston-Salem locals and industry experts Justin and Heather “Heff” Webster, this bangin’ burger spot cooks up fine food with no fuss—think a short and sweet menu of five sustainably sourced burgers. … But not to be left out are the piggy cheese fries tossed in home spice and topped with white cheddar cheese curds, bacon bits, beer beef gravy and pickled red onions (we’re not drooling, you’re drooling). With a prime locale, feel-good ingredients and a retro atmosphere, this vibey joint is sure to meat your expectations. Let’s smash! heffsburgerclub.com
Werking Design & Decor
APEX
Get ready to werk it. This eclectic retail store offers all sorts of one-of-a-kind vintage treasures, plus new furnishings and decor sure to give your home a vibey refresh. To boot, owner Heather Werking offers a range of interior design services—from planning and ordering products to furnishing and placement—that combine style, necessity and customer preferences to further revamp your space, whether a single room or your entire house. Move over, Chip and Joanna! werkingdesign.com
The Slammer
FRANKLINTON
Alexa, play “Jailhouse Rock.” Get down with your bad self at this Prohibition-era-inspired speakeasy converted from the remains of the old Franklinton jail and influenced by the founder’s great uncle Big Mike Brennan’s 1920s Connecticut speakeasy. … And it’s got the features on lock (had to) with the same secretive doorway and exclusive entryway, plus a custom bar made from former inmate cells (!). Raise the bar with a bootlegger membership granting access to live jazz, games and drinks (The Flapper! The Slammer! The Paddy Wagon!). Go ahead… get your Gatsby on. theslammerspeakeasy.com
Fonda Lupita
SANFORD, DURHAM
We’ve fonda a new Mexican resto for your next chips, salsa and everything traditional Mexican cuisine binge. Named one of the 11 best new restaurants in the country shortly after it bowed in 2020, the immigrant women-owned biz is now dropping its long-awaited Durham location in August. Dubbed for small mom-and-pop joints found in Mexico, the vibrant spot is known for its handmade tortillas and gorditas, fresh salsas, and other high-quality authentic fare. … And it’s all absolutely spec-taco-lar. fondalupita.com
Uproar Festival of Public Art
CHAPEL HILL, CARRBORO, HILLSBOROUGH
I am artist, hear me roar. Taking inspo from SC’s famed ArtFields and Michigan’s ArtPrize, the inaugural fest ain’t for the paint of heart. The first fest of its kind in the state’ll tout 60 large-scale bold and brash works in Downtown Hillsborough, Chapel Hill and Carrboro (July 14–Aug. 12) vying for cash prizes, from sculptures to projections to installations to two-dimensional pieces. Featured artists repping four states—NC, SC, Arkansas and Georgia—were picked from a pool of 101 applicants. May the, ahem, loudest artist win! uproarfestnc.com
