• Plant Pals: Kokedama Workshop | Wednesday, Jan. 10 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Dorothea Dix Park, 1030 Richardson Dr., Raleigh | Free | Join Urban Pothos to create your own artistic Kokedama, a plant moss ball — must register to attend.
• NC State Men’s Basketball vs. North Carolina | Wednesday, Jan. 10 | 8-10 p.m. | PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh | $45-$90 | Watch the Pack take on the UNC men’s basketball team for the first time this season.

• Welcome To Dry January Non-Alcoholic Tasting Event | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | The Green Monkey, 215 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh | Free | Try non-alcoholic beer, wine, and cocktails to broaden your horizons + connect with others.

• North Carolina Symphony — Debussy “La Mer” | Friday, Jan. 12-Saturday, Jan. 13 | Times vary | Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh | $52-$90 | Explore one of this classical musician’s most celebrated works, among other pieces.
• Acrylic Paint Pouring 101 | Friday, Jan. 12 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Joy Worthy Co., 131 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh | $65 | Learn how to paint pour in this workshop led by a pro and take home your creations.
• A Night of Comedy with Azeem: The Holistic Healer Through Humor | Friday, Jan. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | The Cary Theater, 122 E. Chatham St., Cary | $10-$15 | Laugh along with this comedian as part of Cary’s MLK Dreamfest.

• NCMA Cinema: “MLK/FBI” | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh | Free | This documentary focuses on the FBI’s surveillance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• Coffee Essentials | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Wyntons World Cooking School, 969 N. Harrison Ave., Cary | $45 | Learn about various bean types, coffee aromas, cupping, and all the essentials to become a java expert.

• Glide through cardio workouts with HOKA Women’s Clifton 9 Sneakers (your feet will thank you).
• Use a yoga mat with alignment lines to refine your form.
• These buttery-soft leggings are considered a Lululemon alternative by reviewers.
• Wear Bala Bangles during familiar workouts and avoid plateauing.
• Say goodbye to earbuds slipping out at the gym with silicone ear tips for AirPods.

• Downtown restaurant Brewery Bhavana is expanding with a second location in Cary’s Fenton development. This new space will be 2,000 sqft with an extensive patio area featuring a flower shop + bookstore like the original eatery. The restaurant is set to open in late summer 2024. (Triangle Business Journal)

• GoRaleigh will return to full service Sunday, Jan. 14. Eleven bus routes will increase to 30-minute frequency, meaning Raleighites can get around town faster. Read our guide on boarding the bus in the City of Oaks to prepare for more transit trips.

• Mebane City Council voted unanimously to permit a 32-acre Buc-ee’s travel center + gas station off I-40. The popular convenience store will be located an hour west of Raleigh and could be open to travelers by 2025. In December 2023, Mebane’s planning board voted 6-3 to recommend denying the project. (The News & Observer)

• Breeze Airways is adding a new nonstop flight from RDU to San Diego, the most popular domestic destination not served by the airport, beginning April 30. While you’re in town, our friends at SDtoday recommend Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, and a Padres baseball game at Petco Park.

• The City of Raleigh has compiled a list of 15+ events commemorating MLK Day on Monday, Jan. 15. Highlights include a 5K Walk for Hope in Cary on Monday and a Thursday, Jan. 18 lecture on when Martin Luther King Jr. came to Reynolds Coliseum.

• A franchise of popular acai + smoothie bowl shop Playa Bowls is coming to Hillsborough Street. The superfood eatery will open on Saturday, Jan. 13 and will serve tropical bowls made with ingredients like pitaya, chia pudding, and coconut.

• Oh snap. Submissions are now open for our RALtoday Picture of the Year contest. To participate, submit a local photo that you took in 2023 by Wednesday, Jan. 17. Make a submission for the chance to win a $25 gift card to our online marketplace, Six & Main.

• Pamper your pals with a private spa soirée at Woodhouse North Hills. Grab a group of three to eight + snag a party package for champagne and charcuterie, Himalayan Salt room sessions, spa concierge services, spa swag bags, and more. Social Retreat details and bookings this way.*

Spring for seeds

• Logan’s Garden Shop, 707 Semart Dr., Raleigh
• Homewood Nursery & Garden Center, 10809 Honeycutt Rd., Raleigh
• Atlantic Gardening, 5217 Atlantic Ave., Raleigh

Get growing

• Beans
• Beets
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Kale
• Lettuce