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Good afternoon, Raleigh. Why did the crab never share?

Because he's shellfish. 🦐

In today’s Raleigh Rundown:

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

• Raleigh housing market sees sales jump

• Taco Roos coming to Raleigh

• Raleigh Whitewater center continues push

• And more!

Let’s get to it. 🏃‍♂️

STORIES THIS WEEK

Raleigh Housing Market Sees Big Sales Jump, Prices Hold Steady 🏠

The Raleigh metro housing market surged in July, with closed sales up nearly 20 percent year-over-year—the highest growth rate among 52 metros tracked by REMAX. New listings climbed as well, rising 21 percent in Wake County, one of the largest jumps nationally. Despite the activity, home prices stayed flat around $500,000 for single-family homes and townhouses.

With mortgage rates hovering near 6.5 percent, many buyers remain cautious, but growing inventory could pressure sellers to make concessions. Unlike markets such as Austin or parts of Florida, where prices are falling, Raleigh’s years of low supply have kept the region resilient even as inventory rises.

Taco Roos Could Be Coming to Raleigh (Again) 🌮

Cook Out’s taco spinoff, Taco Roos, appears to be headed to Raleigh with plans for a location at 3940 Western Blvd., replacing a former Subway next door to an existing Cook Out. A city permit valued at $375,000 details renovations to the kitchen, restrooms, and a reduced seven-seat dining area.

Cook Out purchased the building in 2021 along with adjacent properties for $1.9 million. Taco Roos previously eyed a Raleigh spot on New Bern Ave. in 2023, but that project was scrapped in favor of Roo’s Chicken. The menu features tacos, burritos, nachos, and quesadillas—all priced at $3.99 or less.

Whitewater Raleigh: Major Entertainment Destination Planned for Lake Crabtree 🚣🏼‍♂️

Pacific Elm Properties, a Dallas-based firm majority owned by Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon, wants to transform a former section of Lake Crabtree County Park into a major entertainment destination. The 136-acre site, controlled by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, was opened for development proposals last year, and Pacific Elm responded with its “Whitewater Raleigh” concept.

The project aims to add new recreational amenities to complement the existing Lake Crabtree County Park. Pacific Elm is also behind the redevelopment around Raleigh’s Lenovo Center into a sports and entertainment hub. VP Aaron Locke said the project reflects the firm’s goal to “double down” on its investment in the Triangle.

Dix Park’s Play Plaza Draws Crowds as City Weighs Hospital’s Future 🏥

Dix Park’s new Gipson Play Plaza has quickly become a major draw, boosting excitement for the park’s long-term vision. Raleigh purchased the former hospital campus in 2015 for $52 million, later adding amenities like a dog park, sunflowers, and the Greg Poole Jr. All Faiths Chapel.

The $73.5 million Play Plaza has families pouring in, with leaders saying it finally shows Raleigh what a “destination park” looks like. Next up is restoring Rocky Branch Creek and preparing for the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services’ departure from the campus later this year. The park’s biggest question remains the fate of the historic 1856 hospital, with possibilities ranging from temporary community use to future redevelopment.

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

🎉 Events This Weekend

• Durham Bulls vs. Worcester Red Sox – This Weekend

  📍 Durham Bulls Athletic Park, 409 Blackwell Street, Durham, NC

  • Fri, Aug 29 | 6:35 PM

  • Sat, Aug 30 | 6:35 PM

  • Sun, Aug 31 | 1:05 PM

  🎟️ Ticketed – Enjoy America’s favorite pastime with a trio of home games, including a special fireworks display under the summer skies. Great for a night out with friends or a fun family outing!

• Exotic Car Show at CECC

  📍 3107 Glen Royal Rd, Raleigh, NC 27617
  🗓️ Sat, Aug 30 | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
  🎟️ Ticketed—$5. All proceeds go to the “Ride of Your Life” Foundation, supporting automotive experiences for people with disabilities.
  🚗 Hosted by the Carolina Exotic Car Club at their private business center, this monthly show brings out some of the most unique exotic and collector cars in the Triangle—whether you’re showcasing or just spectating, it’s a morning of automotive awe.

• End of Summer Block Party 2025

  📍 Gipson Play Plaza, Dorothea Dix Park, 715 Biggs Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603
  🗓️ Sat, Aug 30, 2025 | 1:00 PM–11:00 PM
  🎟️ Free – a vibrant, all-ages music & arts festival hosted by Oak City Music Collective in collaboration with Dix Park, featuring two stages, 16 bands across 13 genres from 14 countries, plus vendors, food trucks, interactive art, family activities, and more
  🎉 Expect an eclectic, day-long celebration with live performances spanning indie, funk, salsa, Afro‑Cuban jazz, West African fusion, reggae, Brazilian choro, soul/R&B, and more. Enjoy a curated vendor market, hydration and cooling stations, creative art installations, and activities for all ages.

• Raleighwood Festival 2025

  📍 4118 Old Poole Road, Raleigh, NC (Private Grounds, South Raleigh)
  🗓️ Sat, Aug 30 | 1:00 PM–11:00 PM
  🎟️ Ticketed (~$100–110)—an all-day music and arts festival showcasing top North Carolina talent, including headliner Jordan Ward and favorites like Weston Estate and Curtis Waters.
  🎉 Expect a vibrant day of performances across genres, a curated vendor market, carnival-style games, interactive art zones, photo booths, live artist Q&As, and tasty local food truck fare

• ECU Pirates @ NC State Wolfpack (Football)

  📍 Carter-Finley Stadium, 4600 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC
  🗓️ Sat, Aug 30 | 7:00 PM
  🎟️ Ticketed — In-state rivals clash under the lights as NC State hosts East Carolina in a high-energy non-conference matchup.
  🎉 Expect a packed house, tailgating tradition, and plenty of ACC football atmosphere to kick off the season.

• Star Wars Night: North Carolina FC vs. Hartford Athletic

  📍 WakeMed Soccer Park, 101 Soccer Park Dr, Cary, NC
  🗓️ Sat, Aug 30 | 7:30 PM
  🎟️ Ticketed — Join NCFC for a thrilling USL Championship match with a Star Wars twist. Expect themed entertainment, character appearances, fan costume contests, and special in-game features.
  🎉 A family-friendly evening combining pro soccer action with the fun and adventure of a galaxy far, far away.

• 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.

LOCAL LIVE MUSIC THIS WEEKEND

🎶 Raleigh Live Music - Friday, August 29

• Chris Overstreet @ Brioz Wood Fired Pizza – Brier Creek
  🕒 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
  📍 Raleigh NW @ Brier Creek

• Hammer No More The Fingers, Canine Heart Sounds, Just Jess @ Moore Music Hall
  🕒 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

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

• Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – Farewell Tour @ The Martin Marietta Center
  🕒 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Andy and Onedia @ Braile’s Sports Bar & Grill
  🕒 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
  📍 Raleigh SE

• Sun-Moon-Stars (A Sabbath), Hawyn-Saiyan (Kiss) @ Lincoln Theatre
  🕒 7:30 PM – 11:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Music Bingo Fridays @ Pourworks
  🕒 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
  📍 Raleigh SE

• Derek Chase @ Pat Murnane’s Irish Pub
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:30 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ Wake Forest Rd

• Dance Blues Friday @ Triangle Dance Studios
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:30 PM
  📍 Raleigh SE

• DJ Playing Global Hits @ Semaforo Lounge
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Karaoke Night @ Carolina Ale House – North Raleigh
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh N

• Open Mic Unplugged w/ April Anders @ Gatsby’s Bar Raleigh
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh N

• Sterling Scott @ O’Malley’s Pub & Restaurant
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh N

• Karaoke Fridays w/ DJ Stevie B @ Brickhouse Sports Bar & Grill
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh NW

• Cozy At Summer Nights Tour @ Trixx Raleigh
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh N

• Stray Volts @ Real McCoy’s
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh N

• Party Rowdy @ Real McCoy’s
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh N

• The Floor, The City @ Ruby Deluxe
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Dave Danforth @ Wild Wing Café
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh NW

• Raleigh Assassins @ The Cardinal Bar
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• DJ Nick Driver @ The Backyard Bar
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

🎶 Raleigh Live Music - Saturday, August 30

• The Phoebes @ Gipson Play Plaza
  🕒 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Sabrina Carpenter Listening Party @ The Pour House Music Hall
  🕒 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Proton Jones @ Gizmo Brew Works – Raleigh
  🕒 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh NW

• Grace Luca Lee @ Sally Turtle Beer Co.
  🕒 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Kyle Mullins Band @ Brixx Wood Fired Pizza – Brier Creek
  🕒 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
  📍 Raleigh NW

• Against The Odds @ Fortnight Brewing Co.
  🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Easy Money @ Braile’s Sports Bar & Grill
  🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh SE

• Magic Pipers @ North Hills
  🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ North Hills

• Brake Tyme Band @ Steele Creek American Legion
  🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh S

• The Cover Society @ The Blue Owl
  🕒 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Jack Wicks Quintet @ Braile’s Sports Bar & Grill
  🕒 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
  📍 Raleigh SE

• Southgate 40 @ Shakey Ray’s Tavern
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh N

• Gravity Shift @ Crazy Axe
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Travis Reigh @ Tap Yard Raleigh
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh N

• Cameron Tate @ The Bull & Bear
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Tim Control, BLAT @ Chapel of Bones
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Taylor vs. Tone Night Party @ Motorco Music Hall
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Mixtape @ Napper Tandy’s Public House
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Aberdeen Band @ Lincoln Theatre
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Greylan Hall & The Nasty Kings, Drew Foust & The Wheelhouse @ The Pour House Music Hall
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

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

• Mark Timmel @ The Piper’s Restaurant & Tavern
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh SE

• Kevin Lee and Next Door @ Hero’s Pub & Sandwich Shop
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Mysti Mayhem @ O’Malley’s Pub & Restaurant
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh N

• Kings of the Highway @ Kickback Jack’s – Raleigh
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh N

• Steel County Express @ Hangar 401
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh SE

• Clayton Blackman @ Uncle Jessie’s Honkytonk
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh SE

• DJ Blendz/ Alvin Shavers/ Tracksiutz/ Steveo Sizzle/ Red Wild @ The Pinnacle
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Derek Chase @ The Backyard Bar
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

RETRO PIC OF THE WEEK

Aerial view of construction on the Hillsborough Street YMCA, 1959.

WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday

85 🌡️ 65 | 🌤️ | 0%

Saturday

83 🌡️ 64 | 🌤️ | 30%

Sunday

80 🌡️ 61 | 🌦️ | 30%

LOCAL SPORTS

⚾️ Baseball

• Durham Bulls VS Worcester Red Sox
  📍 Home Games
  🗓️ Friday, August 29 | 6:35 PM
  🗓️ Saturday, August 30 | 6:35 PM
  🗓️ Sunday, August 31 | 1:05 PM

🏈 College Football

• Thursday: Elon @ Duke | 7:30 PM

• Saturday: ECU @ NC State | 7 PM

• Monday: TCU @ UNC | 8 PM

THANKS!

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

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