Roasts to boast

Best bites

Where to write your novel

• Dirty Heads - Island Glow | Thursday, July 27 | 6 p.m. | Red Hat Amphitheater, 500 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh | $35-$78 | Mellow out to songs like “My Sweet Summer” with this reggae rock band.
• Summer Sip & Shop Marketplace | Thursday, July 27 | 6:30-9 p.m. | TRAINE at Seaboard Station, 121 Seaboard Ave., Raleigh | Free | Check out this new apartment complex while browsing small business products and services — there will be a cash bar, food trucks, chair massages, and more.
• Mix & Sip: Ladies Martini Night | Thursday, July 27 | 7-9 p.m. | Raleigh Union Station, 510 W. Martin St., Raleigh | $65 | Join ladies night to make craft cocktails under the guidance of a certified mixologist.
• GalaxyCon | Thursday, July 27-Sunday, July 30 | Times vary | Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh | $35-$50 | Fans can celebrate pop culture, comics, sci-fi, fantasy, anime, and more through events, celebrity experiences, and meet ups.

• Jessie Williams on Treasure | Friday, July 28 | 8:30-10 a.m. | NCMA Café, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh | Free | Jessie will discuss entrepreneurship and giving back to the community with CreativeMornings Raleigh — there will be free coffee and pastry items before the talk.
• 4th Friday Connections | Friday, July 28 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Groovy Duck Bakery, 3434 Edwards Mill Rd., Ste. 110, Raleigh | Free | Business professionals are invited to network and mingle at this Shop Local Raleigh event.
• Foodie Friday | Friday, July 28 | 3-6 p.m. | Flowers Field at Dorothea Dix Park, 2105 Umstead Dr., Raleigh | Free | Enjoy the park with bites from Poblanos Tacos, Blazing Kitchen, and Sweet Treats with local musician Colin Joseph Neal playing the tunes.
• Museum Movie Night: “Men in Black” | Friday, July 28 | 5:30-7 p.m. | NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh | $0-$5 | There will be food, live music, and science stations set up to interact with — stay to watch “Men in Black” in the WRAL 3D Theater.
• Little Hopes live | Friday, July 28 | 8-10:30 p.m. | Whitaker & Atlantic Music Lounge, 1053 East Whitaker Mill Rd., Ste. 111, Raleigh | Free | Grab a cocktail from the bar and listen to the captivating melodies of this Atlanta-based band.

• Counting Crows: Banshee Season Tour with Dashboard Confessional | Saturday, July 29 | 7:30 p.m. | Red Hat Amphitheater, 500 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh | $60-$128 | Listen to ‘90s classics like “Mr. Jones” and “Big Yellow Taxi.”

• Playdates at Dix Park: Science Solvers | Wednesday, Aug. 9 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | The Chapel at Dix Park, 1030 Richardson Dr., Raleigh | Free | Join Team Marbles at Dix Park for play-based programming and let your child experiment with science and get curious about the why behind the world around us with hands-on activities.*

• Hurricanes fans rejoice. Forward Sebastian Aho signed an eight-year, $78 million contract extension with the Canes. Aho is ranked fifth in franchise history for his 218 career goals and 468 point record.

• RDU Galleria, a three-story gas station off Interstate 40 near the airport, has been opening in stages. Classic Bar and Lounge is now open in the specialty convenience store.

• Downtown Cary Park set an opening date — a ribbon cutting will be held on Nov. 19. The seven acre, $69 million park will have features like a dog park, two pavilions, a market, garden house, and a children’s play area.

• The Triangle’s first Disability Pride Parade will be held this Saturday, July 29 in downtown Durham. There will be a walk and roll through a block of the city, ending with a festival with sensory-friendly spaces and food. The parade starts in the parking lot of the Reality Ministries Center at 10 a.m.

• Hopscotch Music Fest — Thursday, Sept. 7 through Sunday, Sept. 9 — recently made several announcements. There will be a Skate Raleigh pop-up in front of Kings with sport competitions, food, and DJs every day of the three-day festival. Plus, the festival announced its day parties around downtown.

• Raleigh’s new home construction is booming. In May 2023, 138 new home building permits were issued per 100,000 residents — May 2020 saw only 71.7 permits. According to the US Census, Raleigh is seeing some of the country’s largest upticks in new home construction. (Axios Raleigh)

• RTP-based biopharmaceutical company Kriya Therapeutics raised $150 million in additional funding to progress its gene therapy programs. Since its 2019 launch, the gene therapy company has raised over $600 million. The firm focuses on areas of ophthalmology, neurology, and metabolic disease. (Triangle Business Journal)

• One Medical is offering a 30-day free trial. Adults + kids of all ages can enjoy seamless access to comprehensive care at their four locations in Brightleaf Square, Cary-Fenton, North Hills, and Raleigh’s Village District. Use code TRY1MRDU to snag the deal.*

• Coast to Mountains Preparatory Academy (CM Prep) is offering an enrollment discount now through Tuesday, Aug. 1. CM Prep personalizes learning so children can find their own path to success. Call (877) 803-3746 or request information by Aug. 1 to see if your student is eligible to enroll tuition-free.*

• If you feel your best when you’re bronzed, Oak City Sunless has you covered. Bonus: Their concierge service gives you the luxury of getting a custom spray tan in the comfort of your home. See pricing + services.*

• There are 17 developments under construction, including Alexan Glenwood South, 400H, and NC Freedom Park. Once these projects are complete, they will provide 2,032 units, 408 rooms, 164,410 office sqft, and 89,143 retail sqft.
• There are 42 projects that are planned or proposed, including Smoky Hollow Phase III, The Creamery mixed-use, and Moxy Hotel. There are an additional six projects in site preparation.
• Ten new businesses opened shop and two stores relocated. The Green Monkey is moving to its downtown location at 215 S. Wilmington Sunday, Aug. 6.
• Average food and bev sales are up from last year’s $25.2 million in Q2, with $28.1 million in sales for a 12% increase.