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Good afternoon, Raleigh. What did the dishwasher say to the oven after a productive day?
You've been on fire! 🔥
In today’s Raleigh Rundown:
10+ fun things to do in Raleigh this weekend + live local music
Carolina Hurricanes make the Eastern Conference Finals
Durham Topgolf property hits the market at huge selling price
Raleigh furniture store closing after 40 years
And more!
Let’s get to it. 🏃♂️
STORIES THIS WEEK
Carolina Hurricanes make the Eastern Conference Finals 🏒
The Carolina Hurricanes are in the Eastern Conference Finals for the fourth time, and the second time in the last three seasons, since their lone Stanley Cup win in 2006. Unfortunately, they’ve been swept out of the playoffs without winning a game in each of their last three ECF appearances (2009, 2019, 2023).
The series began against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday, with the Hurricanes losing the first game 5–2 at home. Game two is tonight at 8 PM in Raleigh at the Lenovo Center. Click here for tickets.
Durham Topgolf property hits market for $38M 🏌️♀️
Topgolf’s recently opened Durham location is on the market for $38.18 million, with Boston-based Atlantic Capital Partners handling the listing. The 12.33-acre site, located off Page Road near I-40, includes 102 golf bays, a full-service restaurant, and private event spaces, and currently brings in $2.577 million in annual rent from Topgolf under a 20-year lease.
Rent increases every five years, with options to renew extending the lease to 2064 and rent potentially exceeding $5 million annually. The current owner, RealtyLink, has a history of selling Topgolf sites shortly after opening and previously listed properties in several U.S. cities. The Durham property has attracted attention, especially with Andretti Indoor Karting & Games planning to open next door.
Delay continues at former comedy club site 🏣
The former site of Goodnights Comedy Club in Raleigh has remained inactive since its demolition in 2022, despite approved plans for a mixed-use project called 865 Morgan. While vertical construction hasn’t begun, developers HM Partners and Childress Klein say the project is still moving forward, and the city has not received a withdrawal request.
Rendering of proposed apartments - still unclear when construction will start
A revised site plan submitted in 2024 reflects smaller building square footage, more one-bedroom units, reduced commercial space, and a relocated rooftop pool. The project will still include two buildings (5–7 stories), a parking deck, amenity courtyards, and retail space likely to feature shops and a restaurant/bar. Goodnights has since relocated to Raleigh’s Village District.
Raleigh furniture store closing after four decades 🛏️
Carolina Furniture Direct is closing its northwest Raleigh store after 41 years in business, with a liquidation sale beginning May 22. The family-owned retailer, located at 8401 Glenwood Ave., is shutting down as owner Mark Helms plans to retire.
The 30,000-square-foot store has long specialized in American-made furniture, carrying brands like Hickorycraft and Vaughan Bassett. Its closure comes amid broader shifts in North Carolina’s furniture industry, which has seen major layoffs and shutdowns, though national chains like Bob’s Discount Furniture are expanding in the region.
WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND
🎉 Events This Weekend
Animazement
📍 Raleigh Convention Center
🗓️ Friday–Sunday
🎟️ Ticketed
🎭 A massive anime and Japanese pop culture convention featuring cosplay, panels, concerts, vendors, and more.Night Market @ North Hills
📍 Midtown Park, North Hills
🗓️ Saturday, May 24 | 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
🎟️ Free entry
🌙 Shop 30+ local vendors, enjoy food trucks, sip craft drinks, and soak up the evening vibes with the whole family.Taste of Soul NC – Memorial Day Weekend
📍 Durham Central Park
🗓️ Saturday, May 24 | 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🎟️ Free admission
🎉 Soul food, live music, DJs, games, and vendors — fun for the whole family and worth the short drive.Memorial Day Weekend Car Show
📍 1924 Capital Blvd, Raleigh
🗓️ Sunday, May 25 | 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
🚗 Classic cars, music, and food — a great way to kick off your Sunday.NC Sugar Rush Dessert Market
📍 City Plaza, Downtown Raleigh
🗓️ Sunday, May 25 | 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
🍰 A dessert-only food festival featuring sweet treats from local vendors and food trucks.Raleigh Sunday Farmers Market
📍 Southeast Raleigh YMCA
🗓️ Sunday, May 25
🛍️ Shop fresh produce, crafts, and goods from local and Black-owned businesses.New City Church – Sunday Worship Service
📍 6904 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh
🗓️ Sunday, May 25 | 10:00 AM
🙌 A welcoming, gospel-centered church for the whole family
🎶 Concerts & Big Venue Shows
Rauw Alejandro – Cosa Nuestra World Tour
📍 Lenovo Center
🗓️ Friday, May 23 | 8:00 PM
🎟️ Latin pop sensation Rauw Alejandro brings his high-energy performance to Raleigh.Barstool Rodeo – Widespread Panic Tribute
📍 Lincoln Theatre
🗓️ Friday, May 23 | 8:00 PM
🎟️ A tribute night for Widespread Panic fans.Sunflower Bean with GIFT (USA)
📍 Kings
🗓️ Saturday, May 24 | 8:00 PM
🎟️ Catch the NYC indie rock trio and opener GIFT live in Raleigh.Riff Raff
📍 Lincoln Theatre
🗓️ Sunday, May 25 | 8:00 PM
🎟️ The eccentric rapper brings his energetic show to town.Memorial Day Weekend Bash ft. Hatchback
📍 Tin Roof, Raleigh
🗓️ Sunday, May 25 | 7:00 PM
🎟️ A high-energy party to close out the holiday weekend.
🏒 Sports
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers – Eastern Conference Finals, Game 2
📍 Lenovo Center, Raleigh
🗓️ Thursday, May 22 | 8:00 PM
🏆 Huge home playoff game. Let’s go Canes!
HAPPENING RIGHT OUTSIDE OF RALEIGH
🎉 Festivals & Family-Friendly Events
Durham
Taste of Soul NC – Memorial Day Weekend
📍 Durham Central Park
🗓️ Saturday, May 24 | 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🎟️ Free admission
🎶 Enjoy soul food, live music, DJs, games, and vendors — fun for the whole family and worth the short drive.
DCP Greenprint Gala
📍 Durham Central Park Pavilion
🗓️ Friday, May 23 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🎟️ Ticketed
🌿 An evening of music, food, and community to support the park's initiatives. Details
Wake Forest
Six Sundays in Spring: Outdoor Concert Series
📍 E. Carroll Joyner Park
🗓️ Sunday, May 25 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
🎟️ Free admission
🎶 Enjoy live music in a beautiful park setting. Bring a blanket or chair and relax with the community. Details
Apex
Live Music: Tony Jonez at OSB Apex
📍 209 N. Salem St, Downtown Apex
🗓️ Saturday, May 24 | 8:00 PM
🎟️ Free admission
🎸 Enjoy live music in downtown Apex. Details
The Flat Drum at The Peak Of Good Beer
📍 Southern Peak Brewery, Apex
🗓️ Sunday, May 25 | 4:00 PM
🎟️ Free admission
🥁 Live music performance at a local brewery. Details
Cary
Prom Night at Unleashed of Cary
📍 2066 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary
🗓️ Saturday, May 24 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
🎟️ Free admission
🐾 A special event for pets and their owners, featuring a photo booth, prizes, and contests. Details
Chapel Hill
Shakespeare in the Parks: OTHELLO
📍 Southern Village Green
🗓️ Saturday, May 24 | 7:00 PM
🎟️ Free admission
🎭 Enjoy a classic play performed outdoors. Bring a chair or blanket. Details
LIVE LOCAL MUSIC THIS WEEKEND
🎶 Raleigh Live Music – Friday, May 23
Ryan Mullaney @ Salty Turtle Beer Co.
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Wakefield
Time: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PMWildfire Poes @ Farmhouse Café Wendell
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Wendell Falls
Time: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PMMatt from Boston @ The Brass Tap
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Glenwood S
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PMStinkfish @ Saints & Scholars Pub
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Spring Forest / Falls
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PMJoel Close @ Wakefield Tavern
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Wakefield
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PMAshley LaRue Band @ Rudy's Dockside Grill
Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Brier Creek
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PMRaleigh Raw Band @ Bearded Bee Brewing
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Wendell
Time: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PMSayer McShane @ Bearded Bee Brewing Co.
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Wendell
Time: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PMRaleigh Jazz Orchestra @ Lincoln Theatre
Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ City Market
Time: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PMThe Shakedown @ The Ritz
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Capital Blvd
Time: 9:00 PM – 11:00 PMKaraoke w/ DJ Steve B @ The Brick Fuquay
Neighborhood: Raleigh S
Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PMGatsby’s Unplugged – Open Mic @ Gatsby’s Bar Raleigh
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Millbrook
Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM
🎶 Raleigh Live Music – Saturday, May 24
New Sweat @ Tap Yard Raleigh
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Iron Works District
Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PMChris Overstreet @ Brick Wood Fired Pizza – Raleigh
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Glenwood
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PMTouch of Grey @ Scooter’s Bar & Grill
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Atlantic Ave
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PMThe Marshall Plan @ Brick Wood Fired Pizza – Raleigh
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Glenwood
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PMSterling Scott @ The Wandering Moose Tavern
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Lynn / Creedmoor
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PMMike O. @ Saints & Scholars Pub
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Spring Forest
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PMKevin Campbell @ Salty Turtle Beer Co.
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Wakefield
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PMIvy & Rose @ Bearded Bee Brewing Company
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Wendell
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PMAgainst The Odds @ The Avenue Raleigh
Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Glenwood South
Time: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PMSunflower Bean @ Gift & Kings – DT
Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Warehouse District
Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PMLos Acoustic Guys (Heroes Tribute) @ The Pour House Music Hall
Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ City Market
Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PMHeather Rogers @ My Way Tavern – Raleigh
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Rogers / NW
Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PMThe Sandspur Social Club @ Has Pub & Sandwich Shop
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Sawmill
Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PMPushback @ Big Boss Taproom
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Atlantic Ave
Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM
RETRO PIC OF THE WEEK
The opening day of RadioShack Computer Center on November 7, 1983, on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh.
WEEKEND WEATHER
Friday
76 🌡️ 50 | 🌤️ | 0%
Saturday
78 🌡️ 56 | 🌤️ | 0%
Sunday
75 🌡️ 60 | 🌥️ | 20%
LOCAL SPORTS
Hockey 🏒
Thursday: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers | 8 PM (Game 2 – Home)
Saturday: Carolina Hurricanes @ Florida Panthers | 8 PM (Game 3 – Away)
Baseball ⚾️
The Durham Bulls are playing away games this weekend:
Friday: at Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp | 7:05 PM
Saturday: at Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp | 6:35 PM
Sunday: at Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp | 3:05 PM
Soccer
Sunday: North Carolina Courage @ San Diego Wave FC | 10:00 PM (Away)
THANKS!
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