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51º | Cloudy | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:25 a.m. | Sunset 5:17 p.m.

🎤 Tongue & Groove to this open mic

Tongue & Groove to this open mic night

Founder and host Anna Weaver has performed at open mics across 36 states. | Photo by Matt Ramey Photography

What do Irish folktales, a harmonica, and a flowered journal filled with sharp, well-organized words, have in common? A night at Tongue & Groove, an open mic hosted by Anna Weaver, Sarah Egan Warren, and Andrew Warren.

Surrounded by contemporary art at the VAE gallery in downtown Raleigh, creatives gather every second Sunday of the month to debut work and share vulnerable thoughts.

This event blends poetry, music, storytelling, and the occasional interpretive dance together for a passionate night of co-creation (sorry, no comedy at this show). Tongue & Groove proudly celebrated six years in February.

The audience is clapping along to a person singing into a microphone. — If you’re looking to perform in front of a supportive audience... this is the place.
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Photo by Matt Ramey Photography

“There are a couple of things that are really important to me [during this open mic],” Anna told RALtoday. “One is that just by virtue of coming in, even if you aren’t sure if you’re going to perform, you have a role in the energy of the space.”

Here’s how the night flows: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and sign ups begin at 7 p.m. Pro tip: Arrive early if you want to land a spot on the list (around 15 people perform each night). The show starts at 7:30 p.m., sharp, and performers have seven minutes on stage to show off their craft. Plus, there are a few special performances sprinkled in at the end.

The encore of the night is The Dovetail. “We do a collective poem that everybody has an opportunity to add a line to,” Anna said. Once it’s complete, a volunteer will dramatically read the group’s original work.

So, are you looking to show off a new song or poem, or do you have an art to share? Bring your work to the next Tongue & Groove open mic on Sunday, April 9. There is no cost, refreshments are donation-based, and the vibes are just right.

Poll

What would you perform at an open mic?

A. Something straight out of my journal.
B. A cover to my favorite song.
C. An eerie folktale.
D. I just go to listen.

Take your pick

Events

Tuesday, March 28

Coquerel Wine Tasting + Seminar | Tuesday, Mar. 28 | 7:15-8:45 p.m. | The Wine Feed, 602 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh | $45 | Enjoy this premium tasting event with Napa Valley’s Coquerel Wines.
Open Mic At Goodnights | Tuesday, Mar. 28 | 7:30 p.m. | Goodnights Comedy, 401 Woodburn Rd., Raleigh | Free | Sign up at the box office from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. to perform.

Wednesday, March 29

NC Trivia Night with The State Archives | Wednesday, Mar. 29 | 7-9 p.m. | The Raleigh Times Bar, 14 E. Hargett St., Raleigh | Free | Show off your knowledge of NC history, geography, and culture.
Wednesday Wine & Weeds | Wednesday, Mar. 29 | 5-7 p.m. | Sweet Peas Urban Gardens, 107 St. Mary’s St., Garner | Free | Meet new people and help clean up a community garden while sipping on wine.

Thursday, March 30

Better Days Live Music Series | Thursday, Mar. 30 | 6-8 p.m. | Hartwell Raleigh, 620 W. South St., Raleigh | Free | Grab dinner from Resident Oven Pizza and listen to J Candeed and Jake Potter perform with Clay Conner on the roof.

Friday, March 31

Family Game Night | Friday, Mar. 31 | 7-10 p.m. | Arcade of Thrones, 399 Hubert St., Raleigh | $0-$5 | Take the family out for a night of friendly competition.

Saturday, April 1

Joe Gatto’s Night Of Comedy | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 7 p.m. | Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh | $38-$200 | Get ready to laugh with this comedian known for his time on Impractical Jokers.

Wednesday, April 12

TK-K Bluebird Story Hour | Wednesday, Apr. 12 | 12:30-2 p.m. | Trinity Academy , 10224 Baileywick Rd., Raleigh | Free | Join Trinity Academy’s Bluebird Story Hour for TK-K students and parents with snacks, crafts, and a walking tour of a bluebird trail.*

Plan ahead with our community events calendar below.

Start planning your April

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Weather

66º | Cloudy | 0% chance of rain

Coming Soon

There’s a new rooftop bar opening in Fenton. Slated to open on Friday, April 7, AVA Rooftop Bar is a Mediterranean-inspired oasis situated above Sports & Social and PBR Cary. The menu will feature small plates and creative cocktails. Bonus: The new spot is hosting a free meet-and-greet with “The Bachelor” star Matt James on Saturday, April 9.

Biz

Raleigh-based First Citizens Bank is buying Silicon Valley Bank after its collapse earlier this month. As of yesterday, customers of the tech industry-focused lender automatically became customers of First Citizens. Learn more about the acquisition. (WRAL)
Looking to level-up your employee experience? Companies in a PEO (read: professional employer organization) arrangement are more likely to have higher levels of employee engagement, better retention rates, stronger company cultures + more. Learn why.*

Open

In foodie news... Happy + Hale is now open in PNC Arena. Located outside of section 123 across from Shake Shack, the healthy foods spot will serve dishes like protein bowls for nearly all arena events.

Trending

President Joe Biden is coming to the Triangle. The president is visiting RTP-based Wolfspeed today, March 28 as his first stop on the Investing in America tour. President Biden will speak about how American Rescue Plan money is being used. (ABC 11)

Network

The Raleigh Chamber is hosting its inaugural Sustainability Conference tomorrow, March 29 at the Raleigh Convention Center. From 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., hear from local leaders as they highlight corporate sustainability strategies and keynote speakers like Michael S. Regan, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Tickets start at $100.

Try This

Support NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles during the FTD Emerging Designers Showcase from Thursday, April 27 to Saturday, April 29. At this event, graduating students of the FTD program will debut their senior collections on the runway at Talley Student Union. There will be a ticketed runway show and a free textile exhibition.

Eat

Happy Sandwich Week. Don’t forget to eat a sandwich at one of these places for a chance to have a sandwich named after you. Today’s biz we’re highlighting: Beasley’s Chicken + Honey, which serves a mean hot chicken sandwich. If you were an Offline member, you could get $10 off dining in. Sign up for Offline with code RALTODAY.

The Buy

Scrambling to think of a meaningful birthday, anniversary, or shower gift for someone you love? We recommend a giftcard to The NOW Massage in Midtown East. Pick from three different massages + eight enhancements (like a scalp renewal, calm balm, or prenatal glow), and thank us later.*

Beauty

Do you suffer from sensitive skin? If so, we’ve got a Raleigh rec for you: Skin by Synergy™ Glycolic Foam Wash. It’s formulated to provide the exfoliating benefits of Glycolic Acid while minimizing the potential for irritation. The result? Improved texture + pigmentation and diminished fine lines. We’re in.*

Finance

Experts at The Ascent have sorted through hundreds of credit cards so far this year. And their top five bonus cards are (cue drumroll)... these five. 👀 *

Shop

The spring season is the perfect time to treat yourself. We’re eyeing this six-piece bonbon gift box by Marble & Steel Craft Chocolates. What’s even sweeter? These chocolates are made fresh without preservatives.

Asked

🍻 It’s the final countdown

RALtoday brewery bracket

Vote for your favorite brewery. | Graphic by RALtoday

Things are heating up in the City of Oaks. With more than 1,500 votes in round three, Funguys Brewing and Trophy Brewing are going head-to-head in the final matchup of RALtoday’s Brewery Bracket.

See your pick to the finish by voting in our final poll now through Thursday, March 30 at 10 a.m. Once we count all the votes, we’ll share the winner in Friday’s newsletter.

Let's crown a champion

The Wrap

Cat George in a black turtleneck sweater

Today’s Edition By:
Cat

From the Editor

I went to last month’s Tongue and Groove open mic night and was blown away by the performances. The room was radiating with positive feedback and sincerity. All I can say is, Raleigh’s got talent.

I highly recommend checking out one of these upcoming shows: Tongue and Groove, every second Sunday of the month; The Last Wednesday Show at Transfer Co Food Hall, the last Wednesday of every month; or Free the Mic at Lucky Tree, every Monday night.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Join us and The Great Raleigh Cleanup to help beautify a local trail.

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