Introducing the 2023 Piedmont Laureate ✍️

Meet 2023 Piedmont Laureate Dasan Ahanu

Dasan Ahanu will serve as Piedmont Laureate until Dec. 31. | Courtesy of Dasan Ahanu

For nearly 15 years, local authors have stepped into the role of Piedmont Laureate to promote the literary arts throughout central NC. This year’s honoree is Dasan Ahanu, a spoken word artist and poet who was born and raised in Raleigh.

Dasan wrote his first poem in second grade. Although he doesn’t remember what it was about, he’ll never forget that it landed a spot in the school newspaper — and that his mom was very proud.

For years, he wrote as an outlet, reflecting on his emotions and the world around him. “Curiosity and making observations had a huge influence on my art,” Dasan told RALtoday. “Life is my greatest inspiration.” He particularly likes to think at Chamberlain Park, Lake Johnson, and the Bojangles near Saint Augustine’s University (with a sweet tea).

After years of writing, Dasan’s friends convinced him to perform at an open mic night at a lounge on Hargett Street when he was 22 years old. One performance and he was hooked.

Dasan went on to co-found the Bull City Slam Team and Black Poetry Theatre. He’s performed around the country and is a visiting professor at UNC-Chapel Hill where he teaches courses on hip-hop and Black culture.

“To be able to exercise your voice is so empowering and freeing,” Dasan said. “And to also know that there are people on the other side willing to hear it. Writing is a connector and a way of building community.”

During his one-year term as Piedmont Laureate, Dasan will participate in workshops, reading programs, and speaking engagements to bring the community together and celebrate the art of writing. Events will be held around Wake, Durham, and Orange counties — they’ll be posted here as they’re announced.

To kick off the year, we asked Dasan what advice he has for storytellers looking to find their voice.

“Trust yourself,” he said. “If you lead with your heart and your spirit, you’ll be able to uncover the stories you need to tell.”

Click here to have your event featured.

Monday, Jan. 16

The Rink Presented By UNC Health | Monday, Jan. 16 | Times vary | Red Hat Amphitheater, 500 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh | $6-$11 | It’s the last day of the season to skate on this outdoor ice rink.

Tuesday, Jan. 17

Bands at Brookside Bodega | Tuesday, Jan. 17 | 5-8 p.m. | Brookside Bodega, 1000 Brookside Dr., Raleigh | See Jim Dibattista perform and enjoy tasty bites and cold drafts.
Mocktail Class | Tuesday, Jan. 17 | 6:30 p.m. | Killjoy, 116 N. West St., Raleigh | $25 | Get hands-on instructions and enjoy sipping the fruits of your new skills.

Wednesday, Jan. 18

S’more Square Social Hour | Wednesday, Jan. 18 | 12-1:30 p.m. | Moore Square Park, 201 S. Blount St., Raleigh | Free | Roast a s’more over a fire pit and enjoy winter activities.
Hot Shots | Wednesday, Jan. 18 | 8 p.m. | Goodnights Pop-Up Club, 511 Woodburn Rd., Raleigh | $20-$28 | It’s simple: Comedians tell jokes, eat really spicy foods, and attempt to tell more jokes.

Thursday, Jan. 19

“Cooking with class"- Pasta 101 | Thursday, Jan. 19 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Joy Worthy Co., 131 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh | $75 | Learn how to make pasta from scratch.
Grady Hendrix Book Signing | Thursday, Jan. 19 | 7 p.m. | Quail Ridge Books, 4209-100 Lassiter Mill Rd., Raleigh | $0-$33 | “How to Sell a Haunted House” is classic Hendrix: Equal parts heartfelt and terrifying — price includes the book.

Thursday, Feb. 2

Grieg: Piano Concerto | Thursday, Feb. 2-Sunday, Feb. 19 | Times vary | Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh | $27-$100 | Watch Robert Weiss’ ballet accompaniment to this concerto written by Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, who is widely considered one of the main composers of the Romantic era.*

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

3 trending beauty + aesthetics services in 2023

Not sure where to start? Request a consultation with one of the estheticians at Synergy Face + Body. | Photo provided by Synergy Face + Body

Curious what beauty trends will take off in 2023? Here’s a look at three aesthetics services that are gaining popularity:

Non-invasive body sculpting: One of the most popular non-invasive body services is CoolSculpting. This innovative and FDA-approved service freezes fat in areas like the abdomen, back, arms, and more in about ~35 minutes with no downtime.
Med Spa treatments: These treatments include injectables like Botox to combat fine lines and excessive sweating, dermal fillers to combat facial volume loss and deep wrinkles, and Kybella to sharpen the jawline.
Non-medical facial treatments: This includes Dermaplaning for a manual exfoliation and Aesthetic Microneedling to enhance product penetration.

If your New Year’s resolution is to look and feel your best, Synergy Face + Body specializes in customized, results-driven services at their three Raleigh locations and their newly-opened Cary location. Don’t know where to start? Their professionals can advise you.

Bonus: They offer financing + interest-free options.*

STOP LOOKING, START BOOKING

Weather

59º | Partly cloudy | 3% chance of rain ⛅

Cause

The Green Chair Project, Note in the Pocket, and Kramden Institute are hosting a Martin Luther King Day of Service. Bring your used computer devices, household furnishings, and school-aged clothes to 1853 Capital Blvd. today, Jan. 16 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The organizations will find new homes for your recycled items.

Eat

The BBQ Lab in North Hills is launching a late night menu on Wednesday, Jan. 18. Menu highlights include brisket poutine, a fried pork loin sandwich, and new cocktails like the Kentucky Crush and Lab Daiquiri. 🍖
Skip the meal hassle with Sunbasket, a meal kit delivery service that makes healthy eating beyond easy. Sunbasket offers 10 different meal plans that work for those with dietary preferences and specific restrictions (think: paleo, gluten-free, veg, diabetes-friendly + more). Bonus: Sign up for $100 off your first four deliveries. 🥕 *

Try This

Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Lake Lynn on Sunday, Jan. 22. From 2-4 p.m., there will be games, crafts, a Lion Dance, and demonstrations by Wah Lum Kung Fu. Plus, grab a bite from the Bulkogi food truck.

Number

$43 million. That’s how much two aging office complexes near downtown are worth. The state is selling the Division of Employment Security offices on Wade Avenue and the former headquarters of the Division of Motor Vehicles on New Bern Avenue — together, they occupy 21+ acres. (The News & Observer)

Home

DYK that Trinity Partners can not only help you find the right space to lease or buy, they can help build it for you, too? Their experienced + trusted Project Management and Construction Services teams provide fully licensed general contractor assistance and can manage a project from start to finish.*

Drink

Going dry this month? Give it your all with Athletic Brewing Company’s non-alcoholic craft beers. From IPAs to goldens, they have brews for whenever + wherever works for you. Subscribe to get 50% off your first month (terms + conditions apply). *

Seasonal

If you’ve got sticker shock from your winter energy bills, it’s time to break out the space heater. Solve chilly mornings the energy efficient way with the Dr. Infrared Heater that warms objects, not the air. Hello, cozy legs. Bonus: Heat your patio with infrared, too. 🔥*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Food

Our favorite Triangle Restaurant Week deals

Snag a deal at Wye Hill during Triangle Restaurant Week. | Photo by Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing

It’s that time of year again... the semi-annual Triangle Restaurant Week returns Monday, Jan. 23-Sunday, Jan 29. Here are four meal deals we’re eyeing.

Lunch

Taverna Agora, 320 Hillsborough St., Raleigh | Greek | $20 | This three-course meal features soup or a salad, a souvlaki platter, and baklava. Pro tip: Ask to sit on the heated rooftop patio.
Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing, 201 S. Boylan Ave., Raleigh | New American | $20 | Mix-and-match brunch dishes including lox crostini, a prime rib French dip, and churro French toast.

Dinner

CO, 101 Park at N. Hills St., Raleigh | Asian fusion | $30 | Enjoy four courses of dishes including sushi rolls. Pro tip: Add a sake cocktail tasting for $17.
Tuscan Blu, 327 W. Davie St., Raleigh | Italian | $30 | Choose from six entrees like lobster ravioli, fettuccine Alfredo, and linguine fra diavolo.

Check out the 20+ Raleigh spots participating in TRW here.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Anne.

Editor’s pick: OK fine, RALtoday influenced me. I took a trip to Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain last weekend to ski. Did you know these resorts are just 3.5 hours from Raleigh? The weekend road trip is worth it. ⛷️

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Here’s what to plant in the winter months.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Cat George, Anne Tate, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Charis Painter | Advertise with us.

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