Seeking a surprise-filled saunter? Well, buckle up. If you’ve ever wanted to take an adventurous and off-the-beaten-path road trip without all the planning, Guess Where Trips has got you covered.
The brainchild of Jessica Off, what began as a creative Christmas present to her parents has since blossomed into a full-blown biz sending travelers to a slew of surprise scenic spots based on their trip style. The road trip venture touts starting points in cities in Canada and the Southern U.S.—with NC most recently making the list (!).
Guess Where Trips offers five ubercool and curated NC trip itineraries—with Raleigh and Charlotte-area launch pads—ranging from a leisurely travel day to overnight/weekend excursions. For our Raleigh roamers, a “Sandhills Sauntering” could be just the ticket for a low-maintenance warm weather foray (hey, picturesque drives, trail trekking, art explorations and one-of-a-kind photo ops!).
Each trip includes four planned stops and an explanation of what to know before you go—with just enough deets to keep you prepped without ruining the surprise. To wit, the creative travel company doesn’t send travelers out on expeditions they haven’t tried and tested themselves. The team’s boots-on-the-ground approach ensures your mystery adventure will be well planned—with delightful destinations sprinkled along the road less traveled, plus myriad choices to appeal to all types of interests.
“It was so interesting to research all the hidden gems around North Carolina,” says Off. “There are so many historic and quaint towns, fantastic restaurants, photo moments, and scenic roads that made it really easy to plan a road trip there.”
And amping up Raleigh’s road trip appeal, the City of Oaks is Guess Where Trips’ most popular sauntering select in the state—leading Off to consider creating another Raleigh-area trip based on the high demand.
“There’s still so much you can do in the state. I didn’t think I wanted to come home—it was beautiful in North Carolina and I was very in love with it,” laughs Sydney Schouten, trip producer. … Obviously, we have to agree.
As they look to the horizon, the wanderlust enterprise plans to expand excursion opps into the Baltimore and DC area in the near future. … Ready to guess where you’re going next? guesswheretrips.com
Drop it like it’s hot as Raleigh fetes the 50th anny of hip-hop.
“Ain’t nuttin’ but a G thang, baby.” This August, as we take to the streets to throw down some beats in some pumped-up kicks, Raleigh joins communities across the nation honoring the 50th anny of hip-hop. Traced back to a back-to-school party in a Bronx apartment rec room on Aug. 11, 1973, DJ Kool Herc is credited by many for dropping the first beats from which hip-hop was born.
Serving up a solid yes to Missy Elliott’s “DJ, please pick up your phone, I’m on the request line… Is it worth it?”: Hip-hop has shaped our music culture—and our everyday culture—in ways beyond measure for the past five decades. Answering the call to “work it,” hip-hop doesn’t just drop the beat, but it unites us. Kicking off with a February Grammy celebration that brought back some of the genre’s greatest—from Run DMC and LL Cool J to Dr. Dre to Flavor Flav to Missy herself via a deep roster of some of the genre’s legends—the story of hip-hop is the story of modern America point-blank.
To “explore Raleigh’s connection to the genre that has made a global cultural impact since 1973,” says City of Raleigh Assistant Director of Museums Megan Raby, you can fete the 50th by dancing in the streets—literally—Aug. 12. The cast of events, presented by the Friends of COR Museum in partnership with the City of Raleigh, will feat. a daylong street party, classic car show, live beats honoring local hip-hop pioneers, performances from big names like Terminator X and Toosii—plus the op to don your best kicks (see opposite page for inspo) and peep yourself on the Jumbotron as Raleigh rolls out the red carpet for the Sneaker Ball. cityofraleighmuseum.org
Turn Down For What Aug. 12
10am–noon: COR Museum showcases local scholar and industry expert lectures + roundtables on how hip-hop has shaped Raleigh culture.
Noon–4pm: Roll out for the Hip-Hop Car Show feat. classic cars.
Noon–4pm: Take to Fayetteville Street for a free fam-friendly Hip-Hop Family Village with a DJ House, DJ for Kids class (w/ DJ Monika Underhill), break dancers & performers, hip-hop karaoke (!), graffiti public art, and vendors—NTM hip-hop photos on the Jumbotron and a COR Museum roundtable discussion with early Triangle hip-hop pioneers.
6–7pm: Show up and show out for the Hip Hop Sneaker Ball Red Carpet Experience at Raleigh Union Station complete with jam-packed moments for music lovers with hot performances, standout outfits and historic hip-hop reunions.
6–10pm: La di da di, we like to party. Kick it at RUS for the Hip Hop Sneaker Ball with legendary DJs, performers, photo booth, VIP area (+ booth/bottle experience), a hip-hop archive display and more.
Just Kick It
It’s Sneaker SZN! Get pumped—and grab your pumped-up kicks—for the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop Sneaker Ball. … Sneakerheads, this summer’s for you.
Jera Laceup Lub, Bianca Wash/Dust, $280, Rangoni Firenze
Jordan 3 Retro UNC (2020), $525, Courtside
Nike Dunk Low, Hyper Pink (women’s), $190, One of One
Jordan 4 Retro Thunder (2023), $235, Southside Soles
Golden Goose, Super-Star Perm-Noos low-top sneaker (women’s), $595, Nordstrom
Nike Air Force 1 Low Retro, Yellow Jewel, $130, Social Status
Have an, ahem, ball and spin a new tune with this soulful singer-songwriter who uses music to reflect on his emotions, scars and circumstances. thatstation.net
Catch some comedic gold at Nickelpoint Brewing with a loaded lineup of local standup stars (Drew Harrison, Spencer Bland, Jordan Centry and Victoria Quiett). Let’s get laughing! nickelpointbrewing.com
6/30 KIDZ BOP Never Stop Live Tour
Trix are for kids… and so are tunes (!). And we can’t stop, won’t stop jammin’ out at Coastal Credit Union Music Park. Rock on—with the kiddos! walnutcreekamphitheatre.com
6/30 Omari Dillard
Get strung along by a soul violinist (plus a live band!) summoning soothing sultry sounds and renditions of a slew of R&B classics. Bows up and out! martinmariettacenter.com
Let’s get #goated. Get down with your baa-d self at Spring Haven Farm for live tunes, food truck fare, games (ax throwing, archery, shooting and more!). Plus, mix and mingle with baby goats and other farm animals. Hey, whatever floats your goat. springhaven.farm
7/1–31 Scavenger Hunt
But for real, where’s Waldo? Quail Ridge Books and Shop Local Raleigh are teaming up for a summer scav all month long. Pursue local small shops for Waldo, with the winner taking home bragging rights and a prize. Sleuthing skills: on. quailridgebooks.com
7/1, Saturdays Midtown Farmers Market
How spud-tacular! Find this proud-to-be “producers-only” farmers market touting local, sustainable and family-farmed foods. Keepin’ it fresh, indeed.visitnorthhills.com
7/1 Cornhusk Critters
It’s corn (!)… huskin’. Drop by the NC Museum of History to create your own cornhusk doll or critter. Let’s get shuckin’! ncmuseumofhistory.org
7/1 NC Courage vs. Houston Dash
Nab your tix to see our fave fearless females kick some balls—er, butt—out on the pitch. Let’s go lionesses! nccourage.com
7/1 Patriotic Pet Parade
Grab your furry friend for a good old-fashioned patriotic (and pawsome!) parade and costume contest with categories like most patriotic, most creative, best owner and pet twinning ’fit, and cutest. How pup-fect. theraleighmarket.com
7/1 The Taste of Raleigh
Craving the perfect bite? Turn those taste buds on high alert via some of the best Raleigh’s food scene has to offer—from food trucks and caterers to personal chefs and bakeries. Bon appetit! thetasteofraleigh.com
7/2 Don Toliver
Pack your cardigans (iykyk) for this rapper’s Love Sick tour stop in the City of Oaks. redhatamphitheater.com
7/4 Barenaked Ladies If I had a million dollars, we wouldn’t have to eat Kraft dinner—but we would! … We’d just eat more. So, buy yourself a green dress (but not a real green dress—that’s cruel) and rock out for “The Last Summer on Earth” because it (hasn’t) all been done. redhatamphitheater.com
7/4 Dix Park Fireworks
Happy birthday, America! Nosh on a lineup of food truck fare and watch the fireworks for a summer night sure to go out with a bang (!). dixpark.org
7/4 Independence Day Celebration
“Cause baby you’re a firework…” Celebrate the good ’ol USA with tunes from the North Carolina Symphony and Cary Town Band out on the lawn. #Merica. boothamphitheatre.com
7/4–9 Carolina Mudcats vs. Fayetteville Woodpeckers
Let’s play ball! Hit your week outta the park with a game of baseball sure to knock your socks off. milb.com
A local athlete is returning home with a silver medal from the 2023 Special Olympics.
We’re flipping out (!) over our very own Raleighite and Special Olympics athlete, Erin Cagle, who jetted to to Germany’s cap city and repped the USA in the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 in late June. After competing in an array of events—including vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise, plus the all-around competition—Cagle is coming home with a silver medal in vaulting (!) plus a slew of other placements worth noting (4th in the all-around competition, 5th in balance beam and uneven bars and 7th in floor).
And this wasn’t her first rodeo, either. The 43-year old artistic gymnast has been competing in the Special Olympics since 2008. (Fun fact: She also dabbles in Alpine skiing and tennis!).
“I like gymnastics because it keeps me strong and healthy,” Cagle said in an interview with SONC. “I like it when I am more flexible. I have a few favorites; I like the floor exercises and the balance beam.”
To prep, Cagle trained twice a week at Sonshine Gymnastics in Holly Springs with her coach, Brenda Candland and the constant support of her dad.
“It’s always been a lot of fun for me,” said Cagle’s father, Greg, of his daughter’s athletic endeavors. “I get a lot of enjoyment from watching her compete. This whole idea of competing for her country in the Special Olympics World Games, it just couldn’t get any better than that.”
To boot, Philip Blount (of Mecklenburg County) nabbed the gold medal in shot put and placed 5th in the 100m and 6th in the 4×100 meter relay. And sports-seeking spectators could also catch Special Olympics USA reps competing in watchworthy events such as badminton, cycling, kayaking, field hockey, swimming, sailing, volleyball and more. Gold stars all around! sonc.net
Make a scene at the eighth annual festival featuring workshops, performances and industry conservations supporting women and other underrepresented genders in theater. Props! womenstheatrefestival.com
6/22 Beyond Water Screening
Water you even doing if not attending the screening of this docu highlighting the value of clean water at Marbles’ IMAX Theatre?! Let’s flow! eventbrite.com
6/22 Folds of Honor
Hey, Bud(weiser)! Feast your eyes on the famed Budweiser Clydesdales at the weekly Midtown Beach Music Series while celebrating Folds of Honor, a nonprofit org focused on helping families of fallen/disabled U.S. service members obtain educational opportunities. Can we get a yay and a neigh?! foldsofhonor.org
If combining fashion and philanthropy while supporting women emerging from vulnerable situations is something right up your alley, join local nonprofit Designed For Joy at a porch party feat. their vibrant leather bags and jewelry. Let’s flaunt fashion for a good cause! designedforjoy.com
6/22 Properly Planting Perennials & Veggies
Just growing your green thumb? This event’s for you. Learn all the basics of gardening, from the best mulch and soil to how to plant and install your outdoor vegetation. It’s time to veg out (!). logantrd.com
6/22 Reimagining Blackness
Make yourself an ally at Artspace and take in the curated exhibit, Maroon while expanding your understanding of Black identity via a lineup of guest panelists from multiple art backgrounds highlighting what it means to be Black and queer. artspacenc.org
6/22 The Ries Brothers
There’s no need to be blue(s). Check this musical duo hailing from the Sunshine State for beats blending rock, blues, funk and reggae. thepourhousemusichall.com
6/23–25 The Pink Hulk: One Woman’s Journey to Find the Superhero Within
Tough gals wear pink. Find Manhattan-based solo show artist Valerie David telling her story of hope and inspiration throughout her battle (and success in beating!) cancer not once, not twice, but three times (!)—plus enjoy an audience talkback after the show. So strong, indeed. womenstheatrefestival.com
6/23–25 Village District Sidewalk Sale
Stroll and shop this way! Spend the weekend shopping at all your fave Village District retail spots for sales on sales on sales. facebook.com
6/23 GAG Presents Girls Room Pride
I’d U-Haul with you. … Post up at Junction West with the girls for this queer women nonbinary-focused party with four queer DJs droppin’ beats hosted by local queer party organizer GAG in partnership with Charlotte-based Girls Room for a party created and curated by queer women as a safe place for all. raleighpridenc.com
6/23 My Brother, My Brother and Me
Dishing live advice are three brothers, Justin, Travis and Griffin McElroy, of the My Brother, My Brother and Me podcast, whose modern wisdom and advice will surely help you out of any pickle. Don’t be shy! martinmariettacenter.com
6/23 PineCone People’s Square Dance
Don’t be a square… or maybe do (!). Lace up those groovin’ shoes and dance the night away at Transfer Co. Food Hall. May the dancing commence! pinecone.app.neoncrm.com
6/23 Raleigh Burlesque Sweet 16 Anniversary Show
“It’s burlesque!” Celebrate 16 years of burlesque with legendary local dancers at Lincoln Theater via a swanky black-tie event including raffles, cocktails, exclusive VIP gifts and kitschy decor. Dance is how we do it! lincolntheatre.com
6/23 TR in Concert Series
Kick off the premiere of Theatre Raleigh’s newest series with two-time Tony award winner Norbert Leo Butz. The series features Broadway stars as well as Raleigh performers.Ready to break a leg?! theatreraleigh.my.salesforce-sites.com
6/23 Turning RedOutdoor Movie
You just red our mind! Grab some popcorn and, ahem, turn in at the North Carolina Museum of Art for their outdoor screening of Pixar’s Turning Red. ncartmuseum.org
6/24 Botanist and Barrel 6th Birthday
She’s so six-y! Cheers to six years of Botanist and Barrel with wine, popsicles, food truck fare from chef Ade’s Beninese food truck, and live tunes. botanistandbarrel.com
6/24 GAG, Queen
We’re all born naked and the rest is drag. … This one’s for the dancing queens. Post partying at Out! Raleigh Pride, werk it over to The Ritz as Raleigh Pride and Live Nation go all out for their biggest party with a GAG-hosted drag queen dance extravaganza—followed by a steady flow of Raleigh-based drag queen performances. Slay! livenation.com
6/24 NC Hops Fest
Feeling hoptimistic? Get a taste of North Carolina’s best brews at the third annual Hops Fest at the NC State Fairgrounds feat. ciders, beers, live music and vendors. Cheers! shoplocalraleigh.org
6/24 Out! Raleigh Pride
We’re here, we’re queer—and we’re ready to get loud and proud and paint Raleigh rainbow-colored for the 11th installment of Out! Raleigh Pride, the inclusive fam-friendly fest that promotes acceptance and diversity via a fun-filled day on Fayetteville Street with scores of live entertainment, artists, vendors, activities, a KidsZone—and bites and brews—all to benefit the LGBT Center of Raleigh. Pride is for everyone! outraleigh.com
6/24 PrideFest 2023
Be loud, be proud and embrace diversity and inclusion at this year’s Fayetteville PrideFest. And celebrate the LGBTQ+ community right with vendors, live entertainment, food and art displays. fayettevillepride.org
6/24 Sorcerers Soiree
Feeling spellbound? Hop on your broom and fly on over for a few rounds of magical trivia, craft vendors and delish eats from a slew of food trucks. tapyardraleigh.com
6/24 Summerfest: Harry Potter vs. Star Wars
In a battle of wands vs. light sabers, who will reign supreme? You be the judge as NC Symphony performs ballads from two of the biggest film franchises. “Do or do not, there is no try…” ncsymphony.org
6/24 Vinyl & Vino
Willing to dig for vinyl? Grab a glass of vino complements of Chatham Hill Winery and sort through thousands of CDs, LPs and more. Please don’t stop the music! theraleighmarket.com
6/25 Brunch at The Casso
On Sundays we brunch! Belly up to The Casso for a Sunday funday that’ll fill your belly with sourdough French toast, grilled corn, petitas eggs, mimosas and more. thecassoraleigh.com
6/25 Let’s Have a Kiki!
Let me be perfectly queer… there’s no better way to slay Sunday Funday than for this love-out-loud dance party at Cuya feat. themed cocktails, guests from the drag community, and DJs. To boot, a portion of all proceeds from Let’s Have a Kiki! Drag Is NOT a Crime will go to the ACLU’s Drag Defense Fund. @cuyaraleigh
It’s not easy being green. Whether you’re a plant-based eater, health conscious or simply “veggie curious,” this fest is sure to produce some wholesome and healthy fun that can’t be beet. trianglevegfest.com
Change your clock to island time and enjoy a boozy Caribbean-themed cuisine at Plates feat. rums from Outer Banks Distilling. Ready to rum-ble? plateskitchen.com
6/28 Whitaker & Atlantic Live Music Lounge
Ya like jazz? Join in on this recurring jazz series for sultry sounds, cocktails and eats complements of Hummingbird. Give us some sax. whitakerandatlantic.com
