03.13.2024

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Today’s Forecast

75º | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:27 a.m. | Sunset 7:21 p.m.

The NCMA is in bloom 💐

The NCMA’s Art in Bloom festival boasts 42 floral displays

Artists putting their final touches on a floral display in a museum.

View decade arrangements like this lavish display by Maureen Hammond from Plant Lane Farm representing the 1930s, modeled after Mae West. | Photo by RALtoday

Are you ready for the North Carolina Museum of Art’s floral transformation? The 10th edition of the museum’s annual flower festival, Art in Bloom, Presented by PNC, reemerges today, March 13 through Sunday, March 17.

We had the chance to preview + chat with floral artists who were in the midst of finishing arrangements, inspired by the People’s Collection or by a decade ranging from the 1920s to the 2020s.

Contributing artists are expected to complete extensive research in order to interpret the artworks in their own way, the designer’s vision is then executed with florals and architectural elements.

RAL-ArtinBloom-March14 — Tonia Gebhart and Trader Joe’s team members work to finish this 1990s display, where hip-hop culture + graffiti collide.
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Photo by RALtoday

With 42 installations, more than 50 designers have traveled across the state + beyond to put their floral artistry on display for this museum fundraising event.

This year, aunt + niece duo Alisa Tessier and Jenna Fowlkes from The Flower Shuttle were tasked with modeling their creation based on “Renaissance Interior with Banqueters.” As a 10 year veteran of Art in Bloom, one of Tessier’s favorite installments to date is her version of “The Scourging of Christ” because it was a challenge to work with such an emotional piece.

Both City Editor Cat + Allie were enamored by so many different arrangements, but we were particularly drawn to Chelsea Cordell Jones of Papabilities depiction of “Sunflower II” by Joan Mitchell. “I made a self portrait of the artist because in the middle of all of that color [Jones points to the canvas], I see a face in white,” Jones told RALtoday — this is the creative’s second year.

An artist standing beside a floral arrangement inside of a museum. — Chelsea Cordell Jones stands in front of their arrangement, which plays with florals as a portrait of the artist.
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Photo by RALtoday

These are just two of our standout picks found in this special decade show — make sure to vote for your favorite arrangement after walking through the galleries.

Don’t worry if you didn’t get to snag a sold-out ticket; the museum is hosting a variety of floral-themed events. Plus, there are fun photo ops in front of the West Building.

Bonus: These flowers won’t go to waste. After the thousands of museum visitors have gone home, blooms with life are collected, transported, and donated to people living with sickness, terminal illness, poverty, and disability by The Flower Shuttle of Raleigh.

Events

Wednesday, March 13

One Hallelujah Tour | Wednesday, March 13 | 6:30 p.m. | Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh | $75-$350 | Listen to this urban-contemporary gospel group perform live.
Fairytale Flower Crowns | Wednesday, March 13 | 6:30-8 p.m. | The English Garden Raleigh Florist, 8820 Gulf Ct., Ste. A, Raleigh | $65 | Create your very own whimsical flower crown.

Thursday, March 14

Cooking for the Kids | Thursday, March 14 | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | 1705 East, 1705 E. Millbrook Rd., Raleigh | $150 | Grab tickets to the finale of this cooking competition features premier chefs competing against each other — there will be six delectable courses to vote on, with proceeds going to Overflowing Hands.

Saturday, March 16

Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade | Saturday, March 16 | 10 a.m. | Starts at the State Capitol Building, 1 E. Edenton St., Raleigh | Free | Watch downtown come alive with Irish tradition as the streets fill with dancers, marching bands, skaters, dogs, and more.
Shamrock Shuck | Saturday, March 16 | 12-8 p.m. | Oak City Brewing Company, 616 N. First Ave., Knightdale | Price of purchase | Shuck oysters, listen to bagpipes + live music, sip on green draft brews, and grab a snack from a food truck — oysters tickets must be purchased beforehand.

Sunday, March 17

TrunkShow Vintage St. Patty’s Market | Sunday, March 17 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | TrunkShow, 1526 Wake Forest Rd., Raleigh | Free | Join this sidewalk sale with 15 bonus vintage and handmade vendors, along with beer, baked goods, and festive fun.
St. Patrick’s Day Beer Mile | Sunday, March 17 | 2-5 p.m. | R&D Brewing — Seven Saturdays Taproom, 1399 Capital Blvd., Raleigh | $15 | Join this fun run with Fleet Feet to complete the mile course while enjoying ice-cold brews.

100+ more events

Click here to have your event featured.

Giveaway

Travel and Outdoors

Win weekend passes to Bear Shadow music festival in Highlands, NC

Presented by Eleven Events

A sister festival to the Highlands Food & Wine, Bear Shadow brings celebrated artists to The Highlands Plateau, NC for a weekend of music, mountains, and revelry each spring. | Photos provided by Bear Shadow

Enter to win two GA Weekend Passes to Bear Shadow — the music festival nestled at 4,118 ft in the beautiful mountains of WNC’s Highlands-Cashiers Plateau — May 11-12, 2024.

Headliners for this year’s festival include Black Pumas, a seven-time Grammy-nominated psychedelic soul band (whose song “Colors” was featured in that Target commercial you couldn’t stop humming) and JJ Grey & Mofro, a Southern soul-rock band.

The full lineup also includes:

Futurebirds
North Mississippi Allstars
American Aquarium
The Record Company
White Denim
Grace Bowers

GA Weekend Passes give attendees access to both days of Bear Shadow including eight live musical performances, plus complimentary beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages; and complimentary shuttles to and from downtown Highlands to the festival site on Winfield Farm ($600+ value).

Enter to win over on our Instagram now through March 20 at 11:59 p.m.

Enter to win

News Notes

Coming Soon

Drift, a Wilmington-based coffee brand, is expanding with two Triangle cafes. Near the end of spring, a coffee shop + restaurant concept will take shape on Wade Avenue in Raleigh’s Ridgewood Shopping Center. The surfer-haven cafe plans to open the second spot in Chapel Hill two months later. (The News & Observer)

Opening

The much-anticipated Makers Alley in the North Hills Innovation District opens on Friday, April 5 with a grand opening party from 4 to 6 p.m. Celebrate eight local business openings at 540 St. Albans Dr. with live music, drinks from Standard Beer + Food, and giveaways.

Environment

The City of Raleigh was chosen as one of 25 cities to receive support + funding by Bloomberg Philanthropies to take local and national climate action. The new Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative will help Raleigh pilot even more climate change solutions in areas like housing, clean energy, and electric vehicles.

Learn

In honor of Women’s History Month, Wake County Public Libraries are kicking off “Bookshelf Besties,” a series of virtual programs, on Tuesday, March 19. If you’re interested in celebrating strong female authors + characters, register for the first program which explores feminist fairy tales + folklore.

Try This

Dear diary, save Saturday, March 23 on my calendar. The Longleaf Lounge invites you to a How Very: A “Heathers” Party on the patio from 4 to 10 p.m. The cult classic film will be projected with no cover charge. Plus, play croquet and enjoy movie-themed snacks + drinks.

Sports

Any golfers out there? Sign up to play in an annual charity golf tournament benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern NC on June 1. Held at Keith Hills Golf Course in Harnett County, this tournament is hosted by the Campbell University Physician Assistant Program. Pro tip: Practice your swing at one of the Triangle’s local courses.

Beauty

Sunny days and warm weather are here to stay, so consider this your official reminder to schedule your spray tan with Sunless, available for at-home sessions seven days a week.*

History

Ever wanted to explore the rich narratives behind African American history? At the International African American Museum in downtown Charleston, you can deep dive into a wealth of experiences you won’t find in textbooks. March is Member Month, with 10% off memberships with code IAAM24. Learn more about membership.*

Try This

Ready for takeoff, Raleigh? We’ve got spring break on the brain and summer travel plans aren’t far behind. Come along and see how we spent our time at RDU before a flight (and enjoy a sneak peek of what’s to come).*

Seasonal

☕ The competition is piping hot

Vote in RALtoday’s coffee shop bracket

Vote your favorite coffee shop into the final round. | Graphic by 6AM City

Welcome back to our RALtoday coffee shop bracket, where we’re asking you to determine the best coffee shop in Raleigh.

After our initial round of votes, we’re down to four “teams” left:

Sir Walter Coffee and Jubala Coffee | Sir Walter roasts + serves its own beans in a prime spot in downtown Raleigh — pair a seasonal offering like the Fairy Garden Latte with a breakfast burrito. Jubala boasts inventive brews + fan-favorite food offerings like the turmeric latte, and don’t miss a scratch-made sweet biscuit to go with.
Bad Cat Coffee Co. and Sola Coffee Cafe | Bad Cat is a smaller operation in Morgan Street Food Hall — pro tip: pair your caffeinated sip with a sweet or savory crepe. Sola’s food + snacks can’t be beat — try this: fresh hot mini donuts with a Jeanne Capp.

Ready to decide who moves on to the final two in our bracket? Cast your vote below.

Vote here

The Buy

The Buy 3.13.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

The perfect spring shoe for women, featuring a block heel that won’t get stuck in grassy areas. We love colors “Skyward Suede” and “Gold Leather” for special occassions.

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The Wrap

Cat George in a black turtleneck sweater

Today’s edition by:
Cat

From the editor

Art in Bloom is one of my favorite events of the season, and getting to view the pieces while they are being created is so special. You can tell the artists are full of emotion as they work tirelessly to finish their massive projects. I am definitely taking my fiance + pup Tucker for an impromptu photo shoot in front of the flower-framed West Building entrance.

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