🎶 A brand-new music festival

⚾️ Spring sports

• Charlotte FC | Major League Soccer | Bank of America Stadium
• Charlotte Knights | Minor League Baseball | Truist Field

🏙️ Rooftop dining downtown

🏎️ A huge NASCAR race

🥾 Outdoor adventures

• Running, paddling, riding, and climbing at the U.S. National Whitewater Center
• Relaxing by the lake at Freedom Park (we’d bring a picnic)
• Exploring 40 miles of trails + natural water features at the Anne Springs Close Greenway

• Garden Story Walk | Through Sunday, April 14 | 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh | Free | Enjoy a relaxing, self-guided stroll through the gardens while reading the pages of a story displayed along the path.
• Eclipse Party | Monday, April 8 | 11 a.m.-Midnight | Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, 328 W. Morgan St., Raleigh | Free | The craft beer spot hosts an out-of-this-world celebration just in time for the big space show.
• A Celestial Celebration | Monday, April 8 | 2:45-3:30 p.m. | David R. Kahn Community Campus, 12804 Norwood Rd., Raleigh | Free | Catch a safe and spectacular view of the eclipse — you might even score a free pair of special viewing glasses.
• David Sedaris | Monday, April 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh | $55-$300 | The well-known humorist and best-selling author comes home to Raleigh.

• Timely Transit | Tuesday, April 9 | 8:30-10 a.m. | The AIME Center, 4208 Six Forks Rd., Ste. 1500, Raleigh | $0-$25 | Learn about current and upcoming projects — including the S-Line and RDU Airport — that will impact local communities.
• AJR | Tuesday, April 9 | 7:30 p.m. | PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh | $45-$135 | The indie pop brothers — Adam, Jack, and Ryan — bring their “Maybe Man Tour” to town.

• North Carolina Courage vs. Portland Thorns | Saturday, April 13 | 7-9 p.m. | WakeMed Soccer Park, 101 Soccer Park Dr., Cary | $23-$128 | Cheer on your NC Courage while celebrating local artists this Saturday, April 13, at Art in the Park. Limited-edition Art in the Park stickers will be available at the match.*

• You did good, Wolfpack. NC State women’s basketball fell to South Carolina 78-59 in the Final Four on Friday, knocking the Pack out of the NCAA Tournament. This was the team’s first time reaching the Final Four since 1998 — and that’s a slam dunk in our book. Get your gear for next year. (AP News)

• 63-50. That was the Final Four score on Saturday when NC State men’s basketball fell to Purdue, ending their incredible run in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. This was the first time the Wolfpack had made it to the Final Four since its historic, Cinderella-style victory in 1983. (ESPN)

• Everyone loves DJ Burns — including local artist Sean Kernick. The NC State basketball superstar inspired Kernick to create a mural near the Free Expression Tunnel at the university’s main campus. Based on a portrait, it shows a smiling Burns pulling down his sunglasses, showcasing his “playful and fun” energy. (The News & Observer)

• Feeling saucy? Flock to Chick-fil-A — the fast food chain is testing a new menu item for a limited time starting today, only at select Raleigh locations. What to order: The Pretzel Cheddar Club, a pretzel bun with boneless chicken breast, cheese sauce, bacon, lettuce + tomato, with a new Dijon mustard sauce. (CBS 17)

• Local startup Ownify is trying to secure $10 million in funding to help locals become first-time homebuyers in the Triangle. The company operates using a seven-step process for first-timers that includes paying a $500 application fee + 2% down payment, while Ownify takes care of other big-ticket expenses. (WRAL)

• Did you snooze on Dreamville Festival over the weekend? Check out what we got to see in Dix Park during the big music fest on our Instagram.

• This is worth a toast. Umbrella Dry Bar — the watering hole on West Martin Street specializing in zero-proof cocktails — has rolled out a few fresh additions. Pop in to find a garden-inspired spring drinks menu, more food options, a new patio, and additional tasting + mixology classes.

• The free annual exhibition created by the Sertoma Parks Artists Association (SPAA) is on view daily through Wednesday, April 24 at Sertoma Arts Center. The display features the works of 30 SPAA fine artists who meet at the facility weekly to work on their craft.

• Learn about the second-hottest real estate market in the US with Richardson Private Wealth Advisors’ free webinar, “Real estate: Important considerations for you and your family,” on Wednesday, April 10 at 1 p.m. See details + RSVP.*

• The Great American Eclipse Viewing Party | 2-4:30 p.m. | Wake Forest Community Library | Registration is required to snag a pair of eclipse viewing glasses.
• Solar Eclipse Viewing Party | 2:30-3:30 p.m. | Holly Springs Community Library | Make eclipse-themed art and “galaxy slime,” and view the eclipse with glasses provided by the library.