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Good afternoon, Raleigh. Why did the tomato blush? 

Because it saw the salad dressing. 🍅

In today’s Raleigh Rundown:

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

• Falls Centre to get major redevelopment

• La Farm Bakery adding NC State location

• Acai bowl shop coming to Brier Creek

• And more!

Let’s get to it. 🏃‍♂️

STORIES THIS WEEK

La Farm Bakery adding location at NC State 🥖

La Farm Bakery is set to open a new location at NC State University this fall, taking over the former Port City Java space in Park Shops. This will be La Farm’s eighth Triangle location and follows its recent expansion in Raleigh.

The university is also welcoming Mediterranean Deli, which will replace Delirious and Union 51 in the Atrium Food Court as part of a summer renovation. Other upcoming food additions around campus include Purple Spoon Acai, Raising Cane’s, and Haraz Coffee House. These additions reflect a growing variety of dining options for NC State students.

Carolina Hurricanes fall to the Florida Panthers🏒

The Carolina Hurricanes’ season came to an end last night at the Lenovo Center, falling 5–3 to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Hurricanes did manage to snap their 15-game losing streak in the Eastern Conference Finals with a win over Florida on Monday night.

Looking ahead, the Hurricanes enter the offseason with a bright future. Many of their core players are under contract, they have several promising rookies, and the team has over $28 million in cap space to spend, ranking them in the top five league-wide. The next NHL season will open on October 7.

Acai bowl shop coming to Brier Creek 🍓

Kim Morris, a local Everbowl franchisee, is opening her second Raleigh location at Alexander Place in Brier Creek by the end of the year. The new 1,200-square-foot shop will offer indoor and outdoor seating and serve acai bowls, smoothies, and toasts.

Morris, who previously worked in healthcare and for Quiksilver, says she was drawn to Everbowl’s mission and healthy offerings, including lower-sugar acai sourced from Brazil. She’s funding the buildout with a $250,000 SBA loan and plans to hire 15 employees. With rising demand for acai bowls in the Triangle, Morris hopes to open more locations in the future.

Office Depot closing as Falls Centre plans major redevelopment 🏣

The Office Depot at Falls Centre in Raleigh will close on June 21, marking another major vacancy for the retail plaza. The closure was reportedly due to a landlord decision, not corporate. The property’s owner, Fairway Investments, is planning a major redevelopment of the center, including new retail and multifamily units, following a 2022 rezoning approval for up to 250 residential units.

Falls Centre (at the corner of Old Wake Forest Road and Falls of Neuse) has already lost anchor tenants like Stein Mart and Joann Fabrics, with the shift reflecting broader trends in retail real estate. The site was purchased in 2023 for $15.7 million and totals 110,000 square feet.

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

🎉 Events This Weekend

• 41st Annual Raleigh Greek Festival
  📍 Jim Graham Building, NC State Fairgrounds
  🗓️ Friday–Sunday
  🎟️ $5.50 (kids under 13 free)
  🇬🇷 Authentic Greek food, pastries, live music, dancing, and cultural exhibits.

• NC Collectors Fest
  📍 Exposition Center, NC State Fairgrounds
  🗓️ Saturday, June 1 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  🗓️ Sunday, June 2 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  🎟️ Free admission
  🧸 Sports cards, comics, antiques, coins, and collectibles.

• Exotic Car Show
  📍 3107 Glen Roaly Rd, Raleigh

  🗓️ Saturday, June 1 | 9 AM - 11 AM
  🎟️ $5
  🚗 Supercars, food trucks, and vendors.

• TheatreFEST: Dial M for Murder
  📍 Kennedy-McIlwee Studio Theatre, NC State
  🗓️ Friday, May 31 | 7:30 PM
  🗓️ Saturday, June 1 | 7:30 PM
  🗓️ Sunday, June 2 | 2:00 PM
  🎟️ $10–$27
  🎭 Classic murder mystery thriller.

• Accent Imaging 170 (NASCAR Roots Series)
  📍 Wake County Speedway
  🗓️ Friday, May 31 | 7:00 PM
  🏁 Stock car racing under the lights.

• UNC Health Championship (PGA Tour)
  📍 Raleigh Country Club
  🗓️ Thursday–Sunday
  ⛳ PGA Tour-sanctioned golf tournament.

• Special Olympics NC Summer Games
  📍 Various venues across Raleigh
  🗓️ Friday–Sunday
  🎟️ Free admission
  🏅 Support incredible athletes from across the state.

• New City Church – Sunday Worship Service
  📍 6904 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh
  🗓️ Sunday, June 2 | 10:00 AM
  🙌 A gospel-centered, family-friendly church service.

🎶 Concerts & Big Venue Shows

• Senses Fail & Saves the Day
  📍 The Ritz
  🗓️ Friday, May 31 | 7:30 PM
  🎟️ A throwback night for emo/punk rock fans.

• Lettuce
  📍 Lincoln Theatre
  🗓️ Friday, May 31 | 8:00 PM
  🎟️ Funk-fusion band known for incredible live shows.

• Gimme Gimme Disco (ABBA-inspired dance party)
  📍 The Ritz
  🗓️ Saturday, June 1 | 9:00 PM
  🎟️ For disco lovers and dancing queens.

HAPPENING RIGHT OUTSIDE OF RALEIGH

🎉 Festivals & Family-Friendly Events

Durham

• Glow in the Park
  📍 Durham Central Park Pavilion
  🗓️ Friday, May 30 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  🎟️ Free admission
  🌟 Experience an evening of light installations, music, and community fun.

• Craft Your Own Serving Board Experience
  📍 Killer Queen Wine Bar
  🗓️ Sunday, June 1 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  🎟️ Ticketed
  🪵 Join Durham Craft Company for an afternoon of sipping wine and crafting your own serving board.

• Durham Farmers’ Market
  📍 501 Foster St
  🗓️ Saturday, May 31 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  🛍️ Shop locally grown fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, cut flowers, artisanal cheeses and breads, and more.

Cary

• Pirouette Dance Company Presents
  📍 Cary Arts Center
  🗓️ Sunday, June 1 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  🎟️ Ticketed
  💃 Enjoy performances by the Pirouette Dance Company.

• Downtown Cary Historic Walking Tour
  📍 Esteamed Coffee, South Academy Street
  🗓️ Sunday, June 1 | Time varies
  🎟️ $14
  🚶 Explore the rich history of downtown Cary on this guided walking tour.

• Cary Underground Market
  📍 Bond Brothers Beer Company
  🗓️ Sunday, June 1 | Time varies
  🛍️ Discover unique finds at this local market featuring various vendors.

• NCAA Division II Baseball Championship
  📍 USA Baseball National Training Complex
  🗓️ Friday, May 30 – Saturday, June 7
  🎟️ Ticketed
  ⚾ Watch top college teams compete in the national championship tournament.

Chapel Hill

• Aligoté Uncovered | Burgundy's Other White Wine
  📍 Rocks & Acid Wine Shop
  🗓️ Sunday, June 1 | Time varies
  🍷 Explore the unique characteristics of Aligoté, Burgundy's lesser-known white wine.

• Improv on "The Porch"
  📍 125 East Rosemary St.
  🗓️ Saturday, May 31 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  🎭 Enjoy free, family-friendly improv performances in downtown Chapel Hill

• Fridays on the Front Porch
  📍 The Carolina Inn
  🗓️ Friday, May 30 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  🎟️ Free admission
  🎶 Enjoy live music and food trucks in a relaxed outdoor setting.

Apex

• Downtown Apex Treasure Hunt
  📍 Oaklyn Springs Taproom, 209 N. Salem St.
  🗓️ Sunday, June 1 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  🎟️ $15.66 – $24.80
  🗺️ Join a guided treasure hunt through downtown Apex, starting at Oaklyn Springs Taproom.

• Apex Farmers Market
  📍 73 Hunter Street
  🗓️ Saturday, May 31 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  🎟️ Free admission
  🛍️ Shop fresh produce, baked goods, and handcrafted items from local vendors.

Wake Forest

• Six Sundays in Spring: Miss Mini & the Sandman Band
  📍 E. Carroll Joyner Park
  🗓️ Sunday, June 1 | 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.

• Teach Me to Crochet!
  📍 214 E Jones Ave
  🗓️ Sunday, June 1 | Time varies
  🧶 Learn the basics of crocheting in this beginner-friendly class.

LIVE LOCAL MUSIC THIS WEEKEND

🎶 Raleigh Live Music – Friday, May 30

• Gatsby's Unplugged – Open Mic @ Gatsby’s Bar
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Millbrook
  Time: 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM

• NC Symphony plays John Williams @ Koka Booth Amphitheatre
  Neighborhood: Raleigh W @ US64 / US1
  Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

• Police & Thieves @ First Street Tavern
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT
  Time: 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM

• Raleigh Jazz Orchestra @ NC Museum of History
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT
  Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

• Grace Lee Music @ The Cardinal Bar
  Neighborhood: Raleigh W @ Brier Creek
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

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

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

• Sayer McShane @ Bearded Bee Brewing Company
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Falls/Wake Forest line
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Ashley Robinson @ First Street Tavern
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• The Amazing Lounge Lizards @ Red Hat Amphitheater
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT
  Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM

• Matthew Ramsey @ Back Then Bar & Grill
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Wakefield
  Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM

• Heather Rogers @ The Blue Note Grill
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Brier Creek
  Time: 10:00 PM – 11:59 PM

🎶 Raleigh Live Music – Saturday, May 31

• Grace Lucia Lee @ Farmers' Market – Midtown
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ N Hills W
  Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• Dakota Peace @ The Mason Jar Lager Company
  Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Glenwood/Maplewood
  Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

• Jimmy and Dave @ Fortnight Brewery
  Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Glenwood/Maplewood
  Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

• Chris Overstreet @ Happy’s
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Falls of Neuse
  Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

• Raleigh Assassins @ The Brickhouse
  Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Glenwood
  Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM

• End of the Line (Allman Brothers Tribute, $18) @ Lincoln Theatre
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ City Market
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• The Cover Society @ Pour House Music Hall
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ City Market
  Time: 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM

• Craig Miller & The Killer Lights @ Lincoln Theatre
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ City Market
  Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM

• Sayer McShane @ The Brickhouse
  Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Glenwood
  Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM

• Rare Form @ The Brickhouse
  Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Glenwood
  Time: 9:30 PM – 11:59 PM

• Pushback @ Saints & Scholars Pub
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Spring Forest / Falls
  Time: 9:30 PM – 11:59 PM

• Ashley LaRue Band @ Woody’s Tavern – Raleigh
  Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Brier Creek
  Time: 10:00 PM – 11:59 PM

• Meka La Chez @ Carmen’s Cuban Cafe ($15)
  Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Brier Creek
  Time: 10:00 PM – 11:59 PM

• Crush @ The Brickhouse
  Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Glenwood
  Time: 10:30 PM – 11:59 PM

RETRO PIC OF THE WEEK

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts at 549 North Person Street in downtown Raleigh. June, 1989.

WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday

76 🌡️ 50 | 🌤️ | 0%

Saturday

78 🌡️ 56 | 🌤️ | 0%

Sunday

75 🌡️ 60 | 🌥️ | 20%

LOCAL SPORTS

⚾️ Baseball

The Durham Bulls are playing at home this weekend vs. the Memphis Redbirds:

• Friday: vs. Memphis Redbirds | 6:35 PM

• Saturday: vs. Memphis Redbirds | 6:35 PM

• Sunday: vs. Memphis Redbirds | 1:05 PM

⚽ Soccer

• Saturday: North Carolina FC vs. One Knoxville SC | 7:00 PM (Home – WakeMed Soccer Park)

THANKS!

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

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