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Good afternoon, Raleigh. It's easy to convince ladies not to eat Tide Pods.

But harder to deter gents. 🧼

In today’s Raleigh Rundown:

• 8 fun things to do in Raleigh this weekend + live local music

• Massive Pickleball complex planned

• YMCA is building a new facility

• Hurricanes unveil new jerseys

• And more!

Let’s get to it. 🏃‍♂️

STORIES THIS WEEK

Downtown Raleigh Site Hits the Market 🏙️

A prime 1-acre infill site across from Red Hat Amphitheater is up for sale, opening the door for a major new development in Downtown Raleigh. The property, made up of three parcels at West Cabarrus and South Dawson streets, already has city approval for a 12-story building with 257 apartments and a parking deck.

Originally purchased in 2019 for $5.1 million by Taft Family Ventures, the site is now being marketed by Berkadia after Taft shelved its plans. The property’s zoning allows for up to 12 stories and 278 units per acre, making it attractive for multifamily or hotel projects. Its location next to the convention center expansion and new apartments like Maeve adds to its appeal for developers.

Massive Pickleball Complex Planned for North Raleigh 🏓

Christopher Mitscherlich is going all-in on pickleball with plans for a $15 million sports and entertainment complex at his 7.8-acre property on Gresham Lake Road near I-540. The proposed 160,000-square-foot, three-story facility would feature 38 pickleball courts, volleyball and badminton courts, a bar, and even stadium seating for championship play.

Outside, plans include a community space with food trucks, live music, a pond, and gardens. Mitscherlich, who already runs The Underground pickleball venue at the site, says demand has far outpaced availability, making Raleigh ripe for large-scale tournaments. If rezoning and permits are approved, the project could open by late 2026 and employ around 100 people.

YMCA of the Triangle Plans $46M Facility in Downtown Durham 🏋️‍♀️

The YMCA of the Triangle is set to build a new 65,000-square-foot facility at the corner of Blackwell and West Pettigrew streets near DPAC and the American Tobacco Campus. The $46 million project, developed in partnership with CBC Real Estate, will feature rooftop fitness areas, an indoor pool, basketball court, fitness studios, and an indoor track.

The new space will replace the aging downtown Durham Y, though the current location will remain open during construction. YMCA leaders say the expansion will allow them to serve more children, teens, adults, and seniors, while also exploring a partnership with a health care provider to include an on-site primary care clinic. The project continues the Y’s trend of modern facilities across the Triangle, following recent openings in Raleigh and Pittsboro.

Hurricanes Unveil New Away Jerseys for 2025-26 Season 🏒

The Carolina Hurricanes have revealed their new road jerseys, the first redesign in six years, set to debut this fall. The look borrows heavily from the popular Stadium Series uniforms worn at Carter-Finley Stadium in 2023, swapping the diagonal “CANES” wordmark for the red-and-black crest and removing the warning flag waist pattern.

The jerseys feature bold sleeve and hem striping, a re-colored North Carolina state flag on one shoulder, and mascot Stormy’s logo on the other. Team president Doug Warf said the two-tone crest “jumps off the white jersey” and brings a striking contrast fans have requested since the Stadium Series game. The Canes open their season Oct. 9 at home against New Jersey, with their first road game Oct. 14 at San Jose.

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

🎉 Events This Weekend

• Durham Bulls vs. Norfolk Tides (This Weekend)

  📍 Durham Bulls Athletic Park (DBAP), 409 Blackwell St, Durham, NC
  🗓 Fri, Sept 12 | 6:35 PM • Sat, Sept 13 | 1:05 PM & 6:35 PM • Sun, Sept 14 | 1:05 PM
  🎟 Ticketed — Expect in-game promotions like “Hockey Night” crossover jerseys, dual Saturday games (doubleheader), fireworks, and fan giveaways.
  🎉 Expect family fun, themed nights, fireworks, bat-dog antics, and fan appreciation events throughout the weekend.

• El Paso Locomotive FC at North Carolina FC

  📍 WakeMed Soccer Park (First Horizon Stadium), Cary, NC
  🗓 Fri, Sept 12 | 7:00 PM
  🎟 Ticketed — A USL Championship showdown as third-place El Paso Locomotive faces off against North Carolina FC.
  🎉 Expect a night of competitive soccer, team rivalries, and postseason positioning excitement.

• NC Collector’s Roadshow

  📍 Kerr Scott Building, NC State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC
  🗓 Sat, Sept 13 | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM • Sun, Sept 14 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
  🎟 Ticketed — $5 daily admission, $7 weekend pass; kids 10 & under free; free parking.
  🎉 Expect a treasure trove across more than 225 vendor tables, featuring sports cards, vintage toys, Pokémon, comics, action figures, Funko Pops, Hot Wheels, die-casts, model cars, and more — plus food trucks and hourly cash giveaways.

• Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo

  📍 Fayetteville Street, Downtown Raleigh, NC
  🗓 Sat, Sept 13 | 12:00 PM–6:00 PM
  🎟 Free event — no admission fee; food purchases are pay-as-you-go.
  🎉 Expect over 50 locally owned food trucks offering everything from tacos and lobster rolls to sweets and lemonade, along with beer options and live DJ beats (DJ Chuck T) across multiple blocks of downtown.

• Dreamland Carolina Circus Festival

  📍 Downtown Cary Park
  🗓 Sat, Sept 13 | 3:00-9:30 PM
  🎟 Free — A circus-themed festival with performances from aerialists, acrobats, jugglers, and more in a whimsical atmosphere.
  🎉 Expect jaw-dropping stunts, colorful costumes, and family-friendly spectacle.

• Nelly with Ja Rule & Special Guests — Where The Party At Tour

  📍 Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, 3801 Rock Quarry Rd, Raleigh, NC
  🗓 Sat, Sept 13 | 7:30 PM
  🎟 Ticketed — Country Grammar 25th-anniversary tour with Ja Rule, Eve, St. Lunatics, Chingy, and Jermaine Dupri.
  🎉 Expect a high-energy night full of nostalgia, hit tracks like "Hot in Herre" and "Always on Time," plus crowd favorites from your favorite early aughts hip-hop stars.

• New City Church – Sunday Worship Service

  📍 5365 Bartram Place, Raleigh (Pine Hollow Middle School)
  🗓️ Sunday, August 24 | 10:00 AM
  🙌 Gospel-centered church service for the whole family.

• Fenton Art Festival 2025

  📍 Fenton, 201 Fenton Gateway Drive, Cary, NC (Corner of Cary Towne Blvd & Trinity Rd)
  🗓 Sun, Sept 14 | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
  🎟 Free — No admission fee, with optional paid classes available for deeper participation.
  🎉 Expect a vibrant fine arts market featuring original works in oils, watercolors, acrylics, mixed media, sculpture, and more from over 50 local artists. Enjoy live art demonstrations (Demonstration Alley), hands-on activities like Gelli plate printing and public chalk-painting, plus six kids’ art sessions at the Backyard Art Party.

LOCAL LIVE MUSIC THIS WEEKEND

🎶 Raleigh Live Music - Friday, September 12

• Bella G @ The Commons at North Hills
  🕒 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ North Hills

• Dirty Rotten Snake Charmers, Paralysis, Deceptor @ Kings Raleigh
  🕒 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Electric Feels (18+) @ Lincoln Theatre
  🕒 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Jason Bunch @ The Pickled Onion 2 – United Square
  🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh NE

• Mark Taylor @ Pourworks
  🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Todd Greene @ The Big Easy – Raleigh
  🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Charlie Pauly @ Tin Roof Raleigh
  🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Line Dance w/ Reese & Taylor @ Sharps Gallery
  🕒 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Richard Boston @ Locked & Loaded Bar & Grill
  🕒 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM
  📍 Raleigh SE

• DJ David Y2K Night @ Boxcar Bar+Arcade – Raleigh
  🕒 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Sayer McShane @ Louie’s Sports Bar
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh NE

• Mike & Mick @ The Mill
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• TsukiyamaMike @ Neptune’s Parlour
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Killing The Void @ The Maywood
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Silent Cinema @ The Pour House Music Hall
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Electric Carnival @ The Piper’s Tavern & Tavern
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh N

• Heather Rogers @ The Cardinal Bar
  🕒 10:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Raad OG @ Wild Wing Cafe
  🕒 10:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh NW

🎶 Raleigh Live Music - Saturday, September 13

• End of Summer Block Party @ Scooter’s Bar & Grill
  🕒 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh N

• DJ Karaoke Dance @ Brio’s Tavern
  🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh N

• Midnight Sun Trio @ Emmanuelle’s
  🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh SE

• Open Mic w/ Brian L & SRE @ North Street Beer Station
  🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Adult Salsa Dance Party @ Carmen’s Cuban Café
  🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Brake Tyme Band @ Loraine’s Coffee House & Music
  🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh S

• K Camp @ The Ritz
  🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh N

• Covered in Jam @ Scooter’s Bar & Grill
  🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh N

• 454 Band @ Saints & Scholars Pub
  🕒 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
  📍 Raleigh N

• Theo Bleckmann & Kate McGarry w/ Keith Ganz @ Sharp 9 Gallery
  🕒 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
  📍 Raleigh NE

• DJ Crash Karaoke @ Lonerider Brewery
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh NW

• Afrobeat Wave Saturdays @ Zenith
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Laurie Nuccia Duo @ The Pickled Onion – North Raleigh
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh N

• Eric Tubbs @ The Pickled Onion – North Raleigh
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh N

• The Midnite Hour @ The Piper’s Restaurant & Tavern
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh N

• Ashley Robinson @ The Piper’s Restaurant and Tavern
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh N

• Stone Wake Band @ Uncle Jesse’s Honky Tonk
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Chris Overstreet @ The Cardinal Bar
  🕒 10:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

RETRO PIC OF THE WEEK

Grand opening for the first free-standing Dunkin’ Donuts in North Carolina on what was then North Boulevard (now Capital Boulevard). October 1967.

WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday

82 🌡️ 59 | 🌤️ | 10%

Saturday

81 🌡️ 59 | 🌤️ | 0%

Sunday

84 🌡️ 63 | 🌦️ | 20%

LOCAL SPORTS

🏈 College Football

• Thursday: NC State @ Wake Forest | 7:30 PM

• Saturday: Richmond @ UNC | 3:30 PM

• Saturday: Duke @ Tulane | 8 PM

🏉 NFL

• Sunday: Carolina Panthers @ Arizona Cardinals | 4:05 PM

THANKS!

P.S. It’s coming back at some point…

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