This month, he is your man. Singer-songwriter and rapper Teddy Swims is rolling into Red Hat Amp May 17 on his I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy tour to take a hammer to your heart (!) with a signature genre-blending combo of soul, country, rap and pop. So, bring your worries and woes and prepare to unleash them amid mellow and moody music under the shimmer wall. What more can we say?! Turn the page for more May events to fill your up cal. ticketmaster.com
🏡 Claps for Raleigh! The City of Oaks once again made U.S. News & World Report’s Best Places to Live list, clocking in at No. 6, and ranked the No. 11 best-run city in the country, trailing behind Durham at No. 6.
🎤 It must be the music. … Red Hat Amphitheater has a record-breaking concert season this year, with 51 shows and counting on the cal—not to mention a handful of sellouts (hey, Chappell Roan!).
👑 Yes, queens! The Wake County School Board approved the CROWN Act, which ensures students will not be punished for wearing natural hairstyles like braids, Bantu knots or twists.
🎾 Causing a racquet: The City of Raleigh pledged $10 million to the massive Swing Racquet + Paddle facility expected to begin construction this summer, ultimately delivering pickleball, tennis and padel courts; a celeb chef-run restaurant/rooftop sports bar; and much more.
🛫 Raleigh is now one of CLEAR’s 40 TSA PreCheck enrollment locations across the U.S.—meaning passengers can now get both CLEAR and PreCheck through CLEAR instead of going through TSA.
💉 Oh, oh, oh, Ozempic! The pharmaceutical company behind the weight-loss drug (also behind Wegovy) announced a new manufacturing facility in Johnston County that will invest $1.4 million in the area, as well as provide 1,000 jobs.
💊 Here’s a new to-do for your aftercare routine. The CDC recommends taking an antibiotic after sex as a way to prevent STDs.
🚗 Cruising around in your little red 2012 Honda Civic? You aren’t alone—the average U.S. vehicle age has hit a record high of 12.6 years old.
⛽️ *Beep, beep.* Raleighites are pumping the gas pedal more than any other major metro in the U.S., with 38.1 per capita vehicle miles traveled per day.
💻 ICYMI: Consider RTP’s previously announced Apple campus on sleep mode. The tech giant’s local project is on pause due to permitting issues.
🌊 Cue the Jaws theme song. NC’s beaches have ranked the No. 8 deadliest for swimming in the U.S., with 24.6 beachgoers rescued per 100,000 attendees.
🌳 Perhaps other cities shouldn’t be so green with envy over us? Raleigh’s ParkScore ranking dropped from No. 53 last year to No. 56 this year.
🪪 The NC DMV is asking patrons to cough up more cash, as they increased the price of driver’s licenses, learner’s permits and vehicle registrations at the beginning of July.
Through 9/17
Wicked
“What is this feeling, so sudden and new?” … Catch the ever-popular musical spotlighting the witches of Wizard of Oz as it blows through the Triangle this month. How bewitching! dpacnc.com
8/24
Taverna Agora 20th Anniversary Party
It’s all Greek to us! Party on the rooftop with olive your fave Taverna classics, live bouzouki music and belly dancing(!). Opa! tavernaagora.com
8/24
Women N Children First and Mostley Crue
Dig up your leather jackets, grab your hairspray and jump into a this ’80s throwback night feat. Van Halen and Motley Crue tribute bands. You’ll feel “too young” again—guaranteed. lincolntheatre.com
8/25
The One Eighties Album Release Party
Ring in Minefields—The One Eighties’ newest album—with a live performance from the Cary-based band at Kings. It’s sure to be a blast! etix.com
8/26
Kings Anniversary Cover-Up Part 2
The genre of interest for the second part of Kings’ Anniversary Cover up might be “hard to explain,” but nevertheless, join the likes of The Strokes, Daft Punk, Rage Against the Machine and Toro Y Moi cover-up bands for a bundle of bops and “ordinary pleasure.” kingsraleigh.com
8/26
3 Doors Down
What’s your kryptonite? … Because ours might be these Mississippi natives’ musical creations. Let’s jam! redhatamphitheater.com
8/26
Drag Brunch
Watch your fave queens slay the runway with a mimosa in hand—plus nosh on delectable brunch ops to boot—while DJ Gay Agenda spins up the tunes. Vibes? On fleek. @youngheartsdistilling
8/26
Industry Night
Delicious food and drinks under $10? Yes, please! Join Crawford and Son in celebrating hospitality workers with food, bevs and tunes. Cheers! @crawfordnson
8/26
Inter-Tribal Pow Wow
Celebrate the legacy and culture of indigenous communities residing in NC with music, an array of vendors, competition dancing and more. Pow wow, indeed! dixpark.org
8/26
In the Heights Outdoor Movie Showing
The time has come. Gather ’round the Theater in the Museum Park to watch—and sing along to—this Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jon M. Chu musical all about the hopes and dreams of a tight-knit Washington Heights, New York, community. ncartmuseum.org
Take a cue from Macklemore and pop some tags at NC’s largest vintage clothing market feat. over 130 vintage clothing vendors. So chic! ncvintagebazaar.com
8/26
Packapalooza
“We’re the red and white from State!” Party with the Pack at NC State’s annual daylong street fest/block party feat. live music, activities, entertainment, delish fare and hundreds of vendor booths. A packed day of fun for sure. packapalooza.ncsu.edu
8/26
The Sinatra Experience
Like it classy? Take it back to the good ole days via Dave Halston’s epic Frank Sinatra tribute feat. music, laughs and a slew of Sinatra’s fan fave songs. It’s been a long, long time, indeed. martinmariettacenter.com
8/26
Sultry Summer Night
Vibe in the sultry ambiance at The Artist Lounge with music by DJ SxS and Future Residents, tapas served throughout the evening, and a saltwater pool paradise. Summertime sadness? Don’t know her. eventbrite.com
8/26
Surfer Day
Shaka brah! Get stoked to celebrate Trophy Brewing’s Cloud Surfer IPA and taste the new variant, Summer Surfer Peach IPA. Just smile and wave, boys… @trophymaywood
8/26–27
Old North State Antique Gun and Military Antiques Show
Calling all history buffs! Sift through an array of antique guns, U.S. and foreign military arms, Civil War collectibles, and more. … Oh, shoot! thecarolinatrader.com
8/26–27
The Secret Garden Soiree Festival
The ultimate R&B experience returns to Fred Fletcher Park to drop OG and new R&B bangers from local DJs and live bands, also feat. food trucks, local vendors, backyard games, and a Champagne wall (!)—and a national recording artist TBA. @thesecretgardensoiree
8/27
Amedeo’s 60th Anniversary
Amazing Italian fare 🤝 Wolfpack nation. … Now celebrating 60 years as a Raleigh institution, Amedeo’s Italian Restaurant is dubbing Aug. 27 as Amedeo’s Day. The resto is slated to celebrate the occasion with $5 lasagna all day. Pasta la vista, baby! amedeosrestaurant.com
8/27
Erika Council’s Biscuit Tasting
Rise up with Erika Council for the release of her new cookbook, Still We Rise: A Love Letter to the Southern Biscuit With Over 70 Sweet and Savory Recipes. Sink your teeth into the aforementioned sweet and savory biscuits straight from the cookbook and listen in on a convo with James Beard Awarded chef Bill Smith. Delish! fearrington.com
8/27
NC Courage vs. Chicago Red Stars
Come kick it at WakeMed Soccer Park to see the Courage, ahem, kick the Red Stars to a galaxy far, far away. nccourage.com
8/27
Rooftop Jazz Brunch
Ya like jazz? Belly up to The Willard for a three-course prix fixe brunch (mimosas! dessert shooters! mini tarts!) and a marvelous musical ambiance provided by pianist Jonathan Markow and his trio. “Suga, how you get so high?” thewillardraleigh.com
8/28
Rush Hour RTP Ribbon Cutting
Swap Rainbow Road for a night of high-speed kart racing, ax throwing and virtual reality games, with all proceeds going to BackPack Buddies of Garner and Big Brothers/Sisters of Morrisville. Ready, set, race! rushhourkarting.com
8/29
Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper
Let’s hit the road. Rock out with your fave ’80s glam metal stars—and catch Cooper’s new single “White Line Frankenstein.” School’s out for the summer, indeed! concerts.livenation.com
8/29
Summer Sangrias & Paella Fest
Summer ain’t over yet! Celebrate the season on the patio with Peck & Plume via an alfresco evening of live music, food and tastings of three signature sangrias (!). Cheers! eventbrite.com
Through 8/13
The Prom
What do you get when you combine small town prom drama with quirky Broadway stars? A spectacular show. Grab a seat at Theatre Raleigh to relive the high school glory days and see how a town unexpectedly comes together. Keep calm and prom on! theatreraleigh.com
8/3
Holler Choir
We have a crossroads to thank for these roots musicians coming together. And may the common thread run on and through NC State’s Centennial Campus. Play on! thatstation.net
8/3
Jazz in the Square
Ya like jazz? Settle down in Moore Square for a live performance from Shrub(b) feat. food trucks and smooth tunes. Perf summer evening plans? Found. downtownraleigh.org
8/3
Parlor Pizza Night
Wanna pizza this? Grab a slice of fresh Neapolitan-style pizza compliments of chef Alejandro Contreras of Tepuy Pizza. And don’t miss the Italian-inspired cocktails, Italian wine list and local beers. Cheers! @heightshouseparlor
8/4
Eric Church & Cody Jinks
“Oh, Carolina, ya keep callin’ me home.” … The country legend brings his love letter to his home state to the Creek for a can’t-miss show after another “record year.” walnutcreekamphitheatre.com
8/4
The Rocket Man Show
It’s flamboyant, it’s fun-loving, it’s got feeling—it’s an Elton John tribute show! Don’t miss the recreated magic of our fave 1970s piano fiend/rock ’n’ roll icon storming around the stage at DPAC. Hold us closer! dpacnc.com
8/4
Sir Walter Miler
Lace up your sneaks for a race and a special lager (!) by Sir Walter Running and Blackbird Brewery at Meredith College for the 10th year running. @sirwaltermiler
8/4–5
Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ Festival
Brew it. Taste it. Sip it. Pork it. … And get piggy with it at Koka Booth via 60+ beers, 40+ bourbons, globs of BBQ & bluegrass galore—plus allll the fixins & local vendors. Talk about a smoke show. cary.beerandbourbon.com
8/5
Drawing Meditation Workshop
Art 🤝 self-care. Learn how art and intuition combine via exercises created to engage the mind and “meditative mark-making.” Let’s get arted! ncartmuseum.org
8/5
Slightly Stoopid and Sublime
The ultimate sublime night of reggae rock awaits—and is sure to leave you feeling “on top of the world.” concerts.livenation.com
8/5–6
NC Pet Expo
What’s up dog? Ap-paws all around for this two-day expo at the NC State Fairgrounds where all your furry, feathered and scaly needs are under one woof—from finding your next best friend to pawsome pet costume contests, demos and more, NTM the two-day Carolina DockDogs event. Bonus: donations are split among participating rescues. ncpetexpo.com
8/6
Barbie Brunch & Mixology
Hi, Barbie (!). Grab your gals and your pals for a pinked out brunch + two DIY cocktails. Good Kenergy, indeed! eventbrite.com
8/6
Snoop Dogg
The Dogg is in the house (!). Raise the hypothetical roof at Walnut Creek with a rapper and actor who knows how to drop it like it’s hot. … Bitch, please. livenation.com
8/8
Trophy Trail Club, monthly
Gear up for group biking around town—starting at Trophy Maywood and venturing to NCSU’s Centennial Campus trails or the nearby greenway. Ride on! trophybrewing.com
8/9
History at High Noon: Hidden Beneath Their Waves
Sink below the surface for waves of intel lurking within NC’s recreational lakes—from ghost towns and sunken plane crashes to graves and other historic lore. Ready to dive in? ncmuseumofhistory.org