Major airlines and RDU Airport ditch mask mandates—effective immediately!
Wheels up—masks down. “Finally!” exclaimed passengers as the news reverberated around the nation last night. Notching a major milestone in the social pandemic recovery, major airlines (and RDU Airport!) have ditched mask mandates—effective immediately! (That feeling you’re feeling is the sensation of fresh air on your face, the freedom to breathe freely…and the sound of erupting cheers and exuberant relief that could literally be heard from boarded planes and runways.)
In short, the CDC’s mask mandate, which was originally set to expire Monday, April 18, had been extended until May 3 to give more time to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant of COVID-19. But, on April 18, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle nullified the decision–saying “the federal mandate exceeds authority from U.S. health officials”—and ruled it is now up to each individual transit system to decide whether or not to require masks.
Concurrently, major airlines United, Delta and American ditched mask mandates Monday, among others. And, closer to home, after RDU Airport officials first said it would keep the mask mandate, less than an hour later, the airport announced in a tweet that mask requirements would be dropped effective immediately.
Beyond the friendly skies, Uber has also abandoned the mask req. for riders or drivers, and with it, abolished the no-front-seat policy. However, the website states that “to give drivers space, we ask that riders only use the front seat if it’s required because of the size of their group.” Uber also points out that this decision means masks are optional, so some may still choose to wear them. (Update: Tuesday evening, April 19, Lyft joined the ranks to make masks optional.)
So after two years of wearing masks on buses, taxis, planes, etc., you can finally take a deep breath (literally). Cheers to that!
Help your Triangle neighbors out this April via Global Volunteer Month.
They say not all heroes wear capes—but volunteers are definitely a saving grace. If you’re looking to do some good yourself, Global Volunteer Month is this month and there are a plethora of local volunteer opps to take advantage of throughout April—and beyond. Here, we give you some ways you can make a difference in our fair city while helping make a positive impact on the community. A win-win!
These shoes were made for walking—to defeat ALS! Sign up to participate in the walk (April 15) as an individual or with a team, or donate to the cause. All fundraising for the event will help provide education, support groups and access to care for those living with ALS. Walk on!
For those with a green thumb or a genuine love for nature, check out Raleigh City Farm’s weekly Wine + Weeds volunteer opp. Not only will you be contributing to the farm’s growth (literally and figuratively) by mulching, weeding, harvesting and distributing produce, but you’ll also get to raise a compostable glass of wine to a job well done. We’ll cheers to that.
Where to hop to for National Drink Beer Day Sept. 28
Hoppy National Drink Beer Day! If you like your water with barley and hops (!), we’ve got some stella ways to celebrate. So hop to it with these six local breweries that are truly raising the bar. Cheers!
Go big or gourd home with Trophy’s just-released Pumpkin Spice Milky Way! Built on Milky Way’s base recipe of crystallized caramel and roasted malts with added autumnal spices, this brew just screams fall. Can we get an ale yeah?
This wheelie cool DTR brewery is constantly raising the bar when it comes to beer. And just in time for October, they’ve released their Sproktoberfest brew—and are selling beer steins online!
If you need a selection that’s lager than life, head to RBG for a good beer and an even better time thanks to three floors of perch ops—and that incredible patio weather we’ve been having (!).
Spend natty beer day at Transfer Co. Bar for half-price select cans and a lineup of local brews to help you work on your six pack. And when hunger inevitably strikes, you’ve got tons of ops to choose from (Burritos! Empanadas! Burgers!).
If your furry friend is as much of a hoptimist as you, then you’re gonna wanna bring them to West Street Dog, which boasts an indoor off-leash park for your pup to make new friends (or take a seat at the bar right beside you).
Events are back—and bigger & better than ever. We round up the best of the best—from comedy and music to fests and philanthropy and more. Plus, worth traveling for!
If we learned anything in the last two years it’s that life’s short (and unexpected)—so, for one, buy the damn tickets. If you thought 2021 was gonna be Raleigh gone wild before the pandemic got all Contagion-style part II variant, just wait for ’22. Events are back for real this time—and bigger and better and cooler than ever. Think best names. Biggest acts. And people are amped up and willing to drop all the dollars.
Says Vine Rich Events & Experiences Creative Lead and founder Catrina Vienrich, “Everyone’s event schedules have been cleared for so long that we’re seeing not just a drive for people who need to have in-person events coming back, we’re seeing a drive of attendees wanting to come back to events… in droves!”
And the planners are here for it. The smart companies and orgs took this hiatus to strategize how to come back bigger and better, adds Vienrich. “And boy are they! We’re seeing folks really going the extra mile to make sure their event is a true experience, with goals to stake claim on attendees’ and sponsors’ calendars for years to come.”
Events are providing a “more engaging [experience] while strategically trying to gather new support and provide real value for that support.” At both the local and national level, everyone is blowing it out and people are just happy to be out and about living and experiencing (!), and together again.
So get ready, Raleigh… it’s about to be lights out. Here’s your preview of where your paycheck will be going this year—and they’re totes worth the splurge (and the wait).
The Lumineers, May 24, Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
“Pour yourself a cup of ambition” and take yourself on a journey through the history of women in country music via this traveling GRAMMY Museum exhibit featuring artifacts from legendary ladies like Patsy Cline, Faith Hill, Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift (see: T. Swift’s boots and dress from her “Tim McGraw” music video), as well as videos showcasing performances, interviews and more. ncmuseumofhistory.org
PNC presents Wide Open Bluegrass, produced in concert with the International Bluegrass Music Association’s (IBMA’s) World of Bluegrass week, is the largest urban bluegrass festival in the world! It’s a great way to spend a music-filled weekend in N.C.’s capital city. Photo by Rob Laughter
Rock out for charity. The Embers, Band of Brothers, Tommy Niemann and other bands/artists are taking the stage at Rock Your World to benefit the Hope for Haiti Foundation of Raleigh and the U.S. Veterans Corps of Raleigh. Honor the troops via live tunes, food from Fenton restos (!), photo ops, a silent auction, a kids area with face painting and picture booths, VIP experiences, and more. fentonnc.com
Don’t worry, be hoppy! Children’s Flight of Hope’s brew-tiful fundraising event is back on tap at North Hills Midtown Park, inviting attendees (and judges) to sip their way through signature beers concocted by teams of corporate and brewery pairings. Last year, 31 palatable pairings dreamed up the likes of Lab to Lager, JaggaerWeizter, Malt This Way and more—to the tune of a whopping $290,000 raised to fund flights for specialized care for children in need. Cheers to upping the ante this year! childrensflightofhope.org
Party with a purpose via the Southeast’s largest charitable concert. Since its founding in 2001, Band Together has used the power of live music to donate over $11 million to local nonprofit orgs. Stay tuned for the big campaign and benefit concert announcement for 2022. Rock on! bandtogethernc.org
Jingle ball, jingle ball, jingle all the way… Capital City Clauses’ 29th annual Jingle Ball promises to put you in the holly jolly spirit with food, live bands, raffles and unlimited drinks (you heard that right). But wait—there’s myrrh. All funds from the event go toward the purchase of toys for Wake County children, as well as provide grants to various orgs like InterAct, Zach’s Toy Chest and Transitions LifeCare. But if you can’t wait until Xmas, CCC’s Jingle in July will put you in a joyful state of mind—regardless of how hot it may be outside. capitalcityclauses.org/jingle-ball
After raising a whopping total of $969,000 between the two events (of which Igniting Hope started this year) in 2022, Foundation of Hope’s annual two-night glam gala returns in February 2023 to continue its mission to expanding hope for those who deal with mental illness. Don your swanky party dress (or suit!) and nip, sip and sway the night(s) away to stamp out the stigma. walkforhope.com
Goal-Getters
NHL Playoffs | May 2 + Outdoor Game | February 2023
Take Warning! The NHL playoffs are back (!) and our very own Bunch of Jerks are primed to stage a Caniac Attack and make a run for the Stanley Cup—pretty much promising, then, that next February’s Stadium Series outdoor hockey game at Carter-Finley will rock you like a hurricane. Puck yeah! nhl.com/hurricanes
NC State v. Virginia Tech | Oct. 27
Hokie, Hokie, Hokie, bye! In one of the biggest home games of the season, look for a packed house as State takes on Virginia Tech under the lights on the national stage. gopack.com
CLT FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC | May 29
Squad goals? A road trip to peep Charlotte FC—NC’s very own Major League Soccer team (!)—in its inaugural season as they take on the currently top-ranked Seattle Sounders FC in a matchup you’re sure to get a kick out of. charlottefootballclub.com
Box-Office Biggies
Morbius, April 1
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, April 15
Top Gun, May 27
Elvis, June 24
Legally Blonde 3, May TBD
Avatar 2, Dec. 16 expected
Catherine Davis Photography
Tried & True
Here we round up our city’s top time-tested events—the must-do bucket list you burn through to punch your “Raleighite” ticket.
Artsplosure
DATE May 21–22
LOCATION Fayetteville Street
VIBE DTR transitions into a massive artistic and cultural mecca—an artsplosion if you will.
FUN FACT Raleigh’s longest-running free street art & music fest
Founded in 1857, WPU serves up distinguished degrees from its vibrant DTR digs via its innovative approach & nationally ranked, award-winning institution. @wpeaceu
