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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.

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 PM

• Wildfire Poes @ Farmhouse Café Wendell
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Wendell Falls
  Time: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

• Matt from Boston @ The Brass Tap
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Glenwood S
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Stinkfish @ Saints & Scholars Pub
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Spring Forest / Falls
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Joel Close @ Wakefield Tavern
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Wakefield
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Ashley LaRue Band @ Rudy's Dockside Grill
  Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Brier Creek
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Raleigh Raw Band @ Bearded Bee Brewing
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Wendell
  Time: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Sayer McShane @ Bearded Bee Brewing Co.
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Wendell
  Time: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Raleigh Jazz Orchestra @ Lincoln Theatre
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ City Market
  Time: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• The Shakedown @ The Ritz
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Capital Blvd
  Time: 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM

• Karaoke w/ DJ Steve B @ The Brick Fuquay
  Neighborhood: Raleigh S
  Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM

• Gatsby’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 PM

• Chris Overstreet @ Brick Wood Fired Pizza – Raleigh
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Glenwood
  Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

• Touch of Grey @ Scooter’s Bar & Grill
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Atlantic Ave
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• The Marshall Plan @ Brick Wood Fired Pizza – Raleigh
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Glenwood
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Sterling Scott @ The Wandering Moose Tavern
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Lynn / Creedmoor
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Mike O. @ Saints & Scholars Pub
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Spring Forest
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Kevin Campbell @ Salty Turtle Beer Co.
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Wakefield
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Ivy & Rose @ Bearded Bee Brewing Company
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Wendell
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Against The Odds @ The Avenue Raleigh
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Glenwood South
  Time: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Sunflower Bean @ Gift & Kings – DT
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Warehouse District
  Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

• Los Acoustic Guys (Heroes Tribute) @ The Pour House Music Hall
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ City Market
  Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM

• Heather Rogers @ My Way Tavern – Raleigh
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Rogers / NW
  Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM

• The Sandspur Social Club @ Has Pub & Sandwich Shop
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Sawmill
  Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM

• Pushback @ 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!

Thanks for reading the Raleigh Rundown today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who takes a lot of selfies. 🤳

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