Festivals + music

Arts, conventions, shopping, and more fun

Sporting events

• Busker Series | Wednesday, May 1 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Moore Square, 201 S. Blount St., Raleigh | Free | Enjoy these weekly street performances in the downtown urban green space.
• NCMA Matinee: “The Big City” | Wednesday, May 1 | 2-4:30 p.m. | NC Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh | $5-$7 | This landmark Indian film depicts the contemporary life of a woman in Kolkata.

• Adaptive Tai Chi in the Park: Mindful Movement for Everyone | Thursday, May 2 | 6-7 p.m. | NC Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh | Free | This tai chi session proves the relaxing movement-based exercise is for anyone.
• Midtown Beach Music Series | Thursday, May 2-Thursday, June 27 | 6-9 p.m. | Midtown Park, 4011 Park at North Hills St., Raleigh | $5 | This beach music series brings island time to Raleigh. This week: Blackwater Band rocks North Hills.

• First Friday | Friday, May 3 | 5-11 p.m. | Downtown Raleigh, 201 S. Blount St., Raleigh | Free | Celebrate First Friday with a galactic-themed market, local shopping, and a screening of “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.”

• The Canes won against the Islanders 6-3, advancing them to Round 2 of the NHL Playoffs. The Canes came back from a 3-3 tie with two goals in just eight seconds and an empty net goal to top it all off. Next up: the New York Rangers. Stay tuned for home game tickets. (ESPN)

• La Terrazza, a new rooftop restaurant perched atop The Dillon, is now open. From Samad Hachby of Mulino, this eatery offers Italian and Mediterranean bites towering over the Warehouse District with a stunning patio. (Triangle Business Journal)

• For National Bike Month, Cardinal Bikeshare is offering unlimited complimentary one-hour bike rides. Since its inception in May 2019, Raleighites have rode for 400,000+ miles total. Don’t forget your helmet when you take to the streets, trails, and anywhere else on two wheels.

• In honor of National Small Business Week, we want to know: What are your favorite small businesses? Let us know and your favorite small biz could be shouted out in a future RALtoday newsletter.

• Take the guesswork out of Mother’s Day this year with a custom spa experience at Woodhouse. Give a gift card and let her mix + match to find her perfect relaxation ritual.*

• We love the ease of this grilled salmon with avocado bruschetta recipe almost as much as the health factor. The flavors of tomatoes and basil on top reminds us of summer (yes, we’re already thinking about the next season). Bonus: It’s ready in 40 minutes — including prep time.*

• We want you. Yes, you: The curious-about-the-world person who is a creative thinker, passionate writer, big reader, hard worker, and organized desk-haver. If these traits describe you, see if you’d be a fit for our Junior Branded Copywriter role. We’re hiring now.