Cue your best “Satisfied” (Hamilton) playlist and prime your calendars. All the city is a stage as 2023–24 touts playbills aplenty unfolding across theaters teeming with talent for returning classics and stories untold alike. So grab your tickets to find yourself in the room where it happens for good shows and show tunes you’ll never want to end.
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, Jan. 7–12 DPAC | dpacnc.com
Dvorák Violin Concerto, Jan. 10–11 Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts | ncsymphony.org
The Music of Paul Simon, James Taylor & Neil Diamond, Starring Michael Cavanaugh, Jan. 17–18 Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts | ncsymphony.org
Paint Me This House of Love, Jan. 30–Feb. 16 Burning Coal Theatre Company, Main Stage | burningcoal.org
RM PICK
Florencia en el Amazonas, Jan. 31 & Feb. 2 Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts | ncopera.org
’Tis the season—and, to get you in the spirit (literally), we reveal RM’s 2024 class of Best Bartender nominees so you can belly up to their bars in front of voting for some, ahem, research to cast your ballot in the other big election this year. For extra credit—and the party of the year—come see Raleigh’s most talented ’tenders in action at our annual The Cocktail Classic, now back bigger and better on Saturday, Nov. 16, presented by and unfolding at The Exchange Raleigh. The highly coveted ticket (seriously—don’t risk the FOMO) scores you entry to the spirited affair where you’ll rub shoulders with our city’s coolest while tippling unlimited ’tails by Raleigh’s finest as they mix up riffs on classics in tandem with top-tier liquor labels—alongside tastes and tunes to keep you buzzing all night long. Best Bartender (and Bars!) voting opens soon, so drink—er, study—up… then rock the vote and stay tuned for our February Best Bars Issue. And to keep up with voting dates, party details and more, sign up for our free newsletters atraleighmag.com and/or follow us @raleighmagazine. Early bird event ticket prices end Oct. 20, cocktailclassicraleigh.com
In a big-time win for, well, everyone, hoops star and March Madness standout DJ Horne has teamed up with local VIANI Watch Company in an ode to Raleigh that serves to strengthen and celebrate our diverse local community—and is, hands down, the most baller move for a baller who’s always had his eyes on the clock.
Set to 9:19 in the photo campaign to rep the 919 area code, the duo of completely solar-powered unisex red VIANI watches dropped this July in limited quantities. And, as a natural Wolfpack nod, the Raleigh Red is of course “a tribute to our hometown and honors DJ and I’s shared pride as Wolfpack alumni,” says VIANI CEO Sunny Bhathela. “DJ is an avid watch lover… and we’re both born and raised in Raleigh, and love to represent our city.”
Famously sporting the number zero as the nation rooted for the underdog Pack through the madness to an ACC Championship and NCAA Final Four, Horne’s “0” jersey serendipitously aligns with VIANI’s ethos as the only solar watch company to proudly represent Hindi numerals on the dial—credited as the first to develop the zero, explains Bhathela.
Broadening its diverse reach, the campaign also marks the first time a South Asian-owned product is representing NC’s capital, he adds, nodding to the community as one of the fastest-growing minority groups. “There’s never been anything like [this partnership]—and we are proud to spotlight this vibrant and growing minority community alongside a hometown hero,” muses Bhathela.”
The result is a timeless recall of Horne’s part in carrying the NCSU Men’s Basketball team to nine straight all-or-nothing wins against all odds that unified Raleigh—NTM rallied the nation around NC State—and instilled a deep sense of pride in our city. Muses Bhathela: “This feeling of representation and uniting of our hometown was what I intended to capture with the release of the VIANI Solar in Raleigh Red.” Time to unify/Right on time, indeed.
Built on the concept of community, Birdie’s will have you flocking to 150 Fayetteville Street from sunrise to moonrise for any and every reason and season or no reason at all when she spreads her wings Oct. 7.
Gorgeously outfitted, every ornate inch of Birdie’s is an ode to Raleigh’s stunning future and rich Southern hospitality. From suits to sneakers, all are welcome. “Our North Star for Birdie’s to be the table our community gathers around as we work to revitalize and reinvigorate Fayetteville Street, our Main Street of Raleigh,” says Amber Moshakos, president of family-owned LM Restaurants. “We are very thoughtful and carefully planning for how Birdie’s will remain approachable to our neighbors and our community.”
Suggesting a new era in hospitality behind decades of decadent concepts dishing tiny food and big bills countrywide, Birdie’s joins La Terrazza, Timber and a wave of upcoming concepts in Raleigh cooking up a new-age recipe blending accessibility with good food and approachable prices, all against a beautiful backdrop demonstrating equal-opportunity elevation. Read: With attainability at its very core, the grab-and-go meets full-service come-as-you-are-for-whatever-you-could-desire outpost is versatile and viable for everyone. A space where workout ’fits, weekday wardrobes, weekend attire and even wedding garb (think rehearsal dinner in the private dining space) are all wonderfully welcome for snacks on the go, drinks at the bar, a Birdie’s Backyard hang or business meeting.
A love letter to North Carolina, flavors and partnerships—including plans in the works for local coffee—intentionally nod to the great North State and Raleigh.
You may even find your likeness on Birdie’s wall as brilliant local muralist Autumn Cobeland took inspiration from passersby as she painted, incorporating them into her Main Street mural. “We are thrilled with this collaboration as her style brings a colorful and vibrant perspective of Fayetteville Street,” says Moshakos, nodding to Cobeland’s brushstrokes around town from the library to the walls of REI.
Photo by Sean Junqueira
Bringing to intention Highwoods SVP and Raleigh Market Leader Skip Hill’s longtime promise to energize and activate “the most important street in NC,” and, specifically, the north end (making it “the cool place to be”), Birdie’s Backyard delivers with that first day of summer feeling all year long. Flowing from the rollup garage door behind the bar, the patio is complete with shaded space, fans and heaters—where green grass, tables, swings and casual cool vibes merge blue skies. An alfresco oasis just waiting to be everyone’s new fave hang, look for live music, movies and plenty more reasons to hang out in DTR under the night sky(scrapers).
And bridging the gap for every meal, meeting and moment, Birdie’s private dining answers the call for elegant private dining, business and meeting space in the Central Business District via versatile space accommodating up to 24 under a glinting chandelier and against the beautiful backdrop of Blue Ridge Mountain-inspired wallscape.
An ode to the Ella Fitzgerald-ness for which she’s named, Birdie’s is a vibe that promises to unite the community and resurrect the Capitol end of Fayetteville Street with one fell swoop. birdiesraleigh.com
Keep your eyes on West Raleigh, as a host of new updates are coming down the pipeline.
Canes’ new executive dynamic duo CEO Brian Fork and President Doug Warf have joined forces alongside GM Eric Tulsky to take on the Herculean task of bringing to fruition owner Tom Dundon’s vision for West Raleigh, including the plans for a PNC Arena renovation, expansion, future sportsbook, landing MLB Raleigh, and building out the best “premiere sports and entertainment district in the country,” says Fork—mixing Raleigh’s innate Southern hospitality and tech savvy to give us something no other city has, adds Warf.
The Canes dream team is eager to get started alongside partners Centennial Authority and NC State—to whom they are “eternally grateful,” says Warf. They, as well as the board, Wake County and City of Raleigh are integral to the vision, adds Fork, and “we owe a debt of gratitude.”
Plans/updates:
—$300 million PNC Arena renovation over next three years over multiple phases (likely three) during hockey off-season
—Focus at the Arena on fan experience is paramount re: speed of use and service from the event (concert/game) to F&B to merch.
—$800 mill–$1 billion mixed-use district development around the arena to include already announced concert/entertainment venues, walkable bars, offices, retail, residential, hotel, possible sportsbook, affordable housing component and more
—First phase for outdoor development: Scheduled construction and buildout are at least a year away, if not longer, with quickest start likely coming fall 2025 post-football (no decisions made).
—Once first phase starts (entertainment, restaurants, retail, some office/residential, probably hotel), all components of future phases will also be determined.
—Parking: Looking at additional parking and new parking concepts as part of the development all around the building. “We are well aware nobody would want to buy an apartment where they would have to sit in a line [to come home/leave] every time there is an event,” notes Fork.
—Traveling to/from events: Potential entrances at both/either Wade and Edwards Mill are being considered as part of the development (years away).
—Sportsbook plans have not been developed and much is still to be determined. If a sportsbook takes shape in a venue, construction wouldn’t start for at least a couple more years. Could decide to keep sportsbook relationship entirely online.
—A very serious pursuit to bring MLB to Raleigh—having owner on board puts us way ahead of other cities in U.S.
“Most places you’ve got a building that’s being renovated in an urban area that’s got a lot around it—or you’re going way outside of town,” says Fork. “Here we have a centralized location with a building and stadium already here in a big 80-acre parking lot we can develop. So that’s exciting—huge for Raleigh, for the fans of the teams that play here, the entertainment consumer and really our whole state.”
Both Fork and Warf’s commitment to Raleigh and Dundon’s vision is apparent.
“These are legacy projects,” says Warf. … “When you look at the team and the strength of where the team is and the building, when you look at what we can do around this… to see that start to come to fruition, that’s a legacy project. Pursuit of Major League Baseball is a legacy project. Those are things my daughter would tell her kids about. And to be even somewhat involved in that is monumental. Truly, truly exciting.”
From left: Doug Warf and Brian Fork
Get to Know Brian Fork:
“I’m just a Canes fan,” says Fork, nodding to his excitement. He grew up in Raleigh 2 miles from the facility in about the same place he’s raising his kids now.
“I’ve been a [Canes] customer for 25 years,” he adds, nothing he’s bought every type of ticket package you can get, from season tickets to rafters tickets (trying to sneak downstairs) and been to almost every home playoff game, the Draft, All-Star weekend, etc.
“I’ve been around—I bought the food and beverage, the jerseys, the hats. … I love the Canes. I watch the games. I get really into it. I’m a Wolfpack fan and spent a lot of nights in this building watching basketball. … There’s this fun kind of feeling of obligation that I have to the fans. Anything I can do to help the Canes and NC State basketball is going to be rewarding.”
A full-circle moment for a die-hard fan and Raleighite: “I remember when this place wasn’t here and we would throw the football in the grass probably right above where we’re standing right now on that gravel road that came into the stadium back before the Centennial Center had even been thought up by Jimmy V,” he reminisces. “This area means a lot to me—sports mean a lot to me.”
Get to Know Doug Warf:
“Doug worked here 15+ years and has done every job except kill penalties,” jokes Fork. “Neither Brian nor I have to learn how to do the Wolfpack symbol,” ribs Warf, who has lived in the Triangle for 25 years. “That was born into us.”
Warf is extremely excited to be back with the Canes and back at the place where he cut his teeth as an unpaid intern before spending the next 16 years. “This was a dream job for me,” he muses, adding a debt of gratitude to Michael Olander Jr. at MDO Holdings, from which he just parted. “He allowed me to do a lot of things that have helped me a ton in my growth in my business and professional development. I really appreciate [Michael] and the team at MDO Holdings—I’ll miss those guys, but I’m extremely excited to be back.”
Nodding to the likewise full-circle moment both personally and professionally, he adds: “Dundon has a big vision—and it starts with looking at the fact that there are three of us doing what was previously one job. That’s a testament to what he plans and wants to do here. The more we saw what Tom was envisioning—if you don’t get excited something is wrong with you.”
