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Good afternoon, Raleigh. Raise your hand if you're happy that we are through the worst of pollen season. 🙋

In today’s Raleigh Rundown:

• 7 fun things to do in Raleigh this weekend

• Oldest bike shop in Raleigh is closing

• A new store of a famous apparel brand is opening in Crabtree Valley Mall

• Another big apartment complex to be built in Raleigh

Let’s get to it. 🏃

SPONSORED BY CARY BALLET COMPANY

Join us on May 4th at the Martin Marietta Center for Performing Arts, AJ Fletcher Opera Theatre, as the Cary Ballet Company proudly presents an enchanting evening of dance. Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of George Balanchine’s “Who Cares?” and be transported to a whimsical world with Jill Bahr’s captivating interpretation of “Alice in Wonderland.”

Our talented dancers will bring these iconic works to life, showcasing the beauty, grace, and storytelling prowess that define the art of ballet. Don’t miss this spring showcase that promises to delight and inspire audiences of all ages. Purchase your tickets below and experience the magic of dance at its finest!

Click here for tickets to the 1 pm or 6 pm show.

Don’t be late for this very important date! Please join us for a special Alice in Wonderland VIP Experience after Cary Ballet Company's Spring Works dance production featuring Jill Bahr’s Alice in Wonderland and George Balanchine’s Who Cares?

Guests will enjoy a meet and greet with some of the characters from Alice in Wonderland. Get your photo taken with some of your favorites! Also included is an autographed poster and a sweet treat. Hurry, a limited number of spots are available for a $25 donation. 

Click here for tickets to the VIP experience.

Stories this week

Chubbies opening for NC store in Raleigh 🛍️

The lifestyle apparel brand Chubbies is opening its first North Carolina retail store in June at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh. The new store will carry the brand's full line of men's casual wear like shorts, swim trunks, pants, polos, and shirts, as well as seasonal styles.

It will also offer the Chubbies kids collection with boys' and toddlers' swimwear and casual clothes. This will be only the eighth physical Chubbies store location nationwide, highlighting the significance of its expansion into the North Carolina market.

Amtrak making big improvements as passenger numbers rise 🚞

Amtrak completed $1.5 million in renovations at its Durham station to improve accessibility and ADA compliance. This includes upgrades like new doors, restrooms, signage, and accessible pathways.

The work comes as North Carolina sees record rail passengers, with over 641,000 riders in 2022. Other stations in the state are also being upgraded for accessibility. A new $1 billion Raleigh-to-Richmond rail project aims to reduce travel times. Officials expect the improved stations to further boost ridership.

Oldest bike shop in Raleigh is closing 🚴

After a 50-year run, beloved Raleigh cycling shop Cycle Logic, started in 1974 by Ed Gaddy after graduating from NC State, is closing in June. The Hillsborough Street staple survived big-box store competition, with Gaddy originally working at a local shop for $1.65/hour before opening his own dream destination.

With Flythe Cyclery's 2016 closure after 70 years, Cycle Logic will be Raleigh's last original bike shop standing. The shop is having a "massive sale" and inviting patrons for final repairs as it closes out its half-century legacy.

10-story apartment tower with rooftop pool coming to midtown 🏨

Developer Mellow Field Investments LLC has proposed a 10-story, 234-unit apartment building called Mellow Field for a 1.65-acre midtown Raleigh site just inside the Beltline near the I-440/Capital Blvd interchange.

The mid-rise would have one and two-bedroom units, amenity decks, and a 300-space parking deck. It continues the increasing density in midtown near North Hills and Exchange Raleigh, though taller buildings are permitted in the area. The infill project would be surrounded by other apartment complexes.

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

Durham Bulls VS Scranton Railriders | Games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday | Durham Bulls Athletic Park

The Durham Bulls play at home this weekend against the Scranton Railriders.

Click here for tickets.

COST: $13 and up

31st Annual Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival | Saturday, 9 AM - 5 PM | Fred G. Bond Metro Park, Cary

The 31st Spring Daze Arts + Crafts Festival gives a true nod to the artistry and creativity found in our great state of North Carolina, welcoming 170 artists all calling NC home!

Guests can also expect to find toe-tapping entertainment on three stages, delicious food, activities for the kids, and so much more.

Click here for more info.

COST: Free to attend, cost for vendors

11th Annual Socks & Undie 5k Rundie | Saturday, 9 AM | 4730 Hargrove Road, Raleigh

The event includes a 5k run/walk, a Kids Fun Run, and a virtual option (for people to participate wherever they are located).

Join in for a family-friendly Finish Line Festival featuring food trucks, face painting, and kids games.

9:00am- Kids Fun Run
9:30am- 5k Run/Walk

Event proceeds will support local non-profit Note In The Pocket’s mission to end clothing insecurity for children and families across the Triangle region.

Click here to register.

COST: $15 for kids fun run / $40 for 5k

2nd Annual Adult Recess Triangle Festival | Saturday, 3 - 7 PM | 876 Washington Street, Raleigh

Enjoy a day with great people. Activities include co-ed sports, video games, multiple food trucks and dessert options, dancing, board and card games, art walk, food trucks, shopping, and live music.

COST: Free to attend, cost for vendors

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE FUTURE EVENTS

May 3: First Order Friday | Star Wars Movie & Market. Photo ops with Star Wars cosplays, caricature drawings, crafts, and vendor market. Free showing of The Force Awakens starts at 7:30 PM.

May 4: Raleigh Tacos & Margs Crawl - Join the fiesta with hundreds of attendees, and get all-access to Raleigh's best bars & restaurants!

May 4: Ma & Pa Market Festival - The 2024 Mother's and Father's Day festival will feature 100+ local vendors, a DJ, food trucks and a NEW Lounge section

May 4: Cary Ballet Company: Alice in Wonderland and Balanchine’s Who Cares

May 17-19: Got to be NC Festival - Local food, local mood. Local ag, local swag. Local wine, local swine. Local rides, local strides. Local bands, local brands. Local cows, locals wow! From tractors and the Carolina Pig Jig to the Food Lion Local Goodness Marketplace and free fun at every turn.

May 26: NC Sugar Rush - Enjoy a Dessert-filled experience like no other at the City Plaza Downtown Raleigh. Dessert Foods of all kinds, Merchant Vendors, Axe Throwing, DJ, and supporting the Wake County Foster Care System.

WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday

69 🌡️ 51 | 🌤️ | 0%

Saturday

74 🌡️ 55 | ⛅️ | 0%

Sunday

81 🌡️ 58 | 🌤️ | 0%

LOCAL SPORTS

Baseball ⚾️

FRIDAY

• Virginia Tech @ UNC | 6 PM

• Florida State @ Duke | 6 PM

• Ball State @ NC State | 6 PM

• Scranton Railriders @ Durham Bulls | 6:35 PM

SATURDAY

• Virginia Tech @ UNC | 2 PM

• Ball State @ NC State | 3 PM

• Florida State @ Duke | 4 PM

• Scranton Railriders @ Durham Bulls | 6:35 PM

SUNDAY

• Virginia Tech @ UNC | 1 PM

• Ball State @ NC State | 1 PM

• Florida State @ Duke | 1 PM

• Scranton Railriders @ Durham Bulls | 1:05 PM

Hockey 🏒

• Thursday: Carolina Hurricanes @ New York Islanders | 7:30 PM

• Saturday: Carolina Hurricanes @ New York Islanders | 2 PM

THANKS!

Thanks for reading the Raleigh Rundown today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who likes ping pong. 🏓

Have any suggestions for what you would like to see in future editions? Reply to this email and let me know!

Let’s do this again next Thursday!