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Sound the siren — here’s a view of what the Canes’ home arena could look like soon. | Rendering provided by the Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes’ home arena is now named the Lenovo Center after PNC Bank’s naming rights agreement ended in August. The tech company is one of the largest employers in the Triangle and has the naming rights through the 2033-34 season.
The hockey, basketball, and music venue became PNC Arena in 2012 after previous namesake RBC Bank was purchased by PNC Bank. Before that, it was known as the Raleigh Entertainment and Sports Arena upon its 1999 opening until 2002. The Canes recently resigned their lease to stay in the arena through 2044, and $300 million will go toward arena upgrades.
“Lenovo has been a valued partner of ours for many years,” Canes CEO Brian Fork said. “We’re thrilled to elevate that partnership now by renaming the arena Lenovo Center. Lenovo has both strong local ties and a worldwide footprint, and we’re proud to have the Hurricanes’ name associated with a true leader in global technology.”
New signage will be unveiled Thursday, Sept. 19 ahead of the home opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning Friday taking place on Oct. 11. Get tickets now to see Seth Jarvis, Jordan Martinook, and more fave faces return to the ice.
Expect a plaza + 600-foot promenade between the two venues that host football, hockey, and basketball games, which will create more space for fans. We’re talkin’ tailgating suites, balconies, two parking garages, and more.
Not pictured in these renderings are 200,000 sqft of entertainment + lifestyle retail, a 150-room hotel, a 4,300-seat music venue, and 500+ apartments. Read more about what to expect from the 10 figure upgrade set to begin construction December 2025.
Wine Down Mondays | Monday, Sept. 16 | Times vary | The Willard Rooftop Lounge | Price of purchase | There’s no better way to wine on a Monday — enjoy 50% off wine paired with small plates.
Tuesday, Sept. 17
My Greatest Design Lessons | Tuesday, Sept. 17 | 6:30-8 p.m. | JC Raulston Arboretum | $30 | Dive into the concepts of landscape design with designer Jay Sifford + learn how to create the ultimate garden.
Blossoms & Balance Series: Singing Bowls Sound Bath | Tuesday, Sept. 17 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | The English Garden Raleigh Florist | $55 | Immerse yourself into the serene sounds of singing bowls led by Serenity Farm Yoga Sanctuary.
Melissa Etheridge & Jewel | Tuesday, Sept. 17 | 5 p.m. | Booth Amphitheatre, Cary | $55+ | Spend a night under the stars with these singer-songwriters.
Wednesday, Sept. 18
Beginner’s Tai Chi in the Park | Wednesday, Sept. 18 | 10:45-11:45 a.m. | The Big Field at Dix Park | $25+ | Learn the art of Tai Chi with Dr. Sinead Corrigan with either a six week course or drop in to try one class.
Hosted in partnership with the Carolina Exotic Car Club, this free charity event is taking over Daniels St. on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Explore vintage + modern models dating back to the 1940s while supporting Ride of Your Life, a local nonprofit that creates unforgettable experiences for deserving youth.
Seaboard Cafe is approaching its final days in Seaboard Station before the owner closes the restaurant and retires. You can grab a bite through Saturday, Sept. 28 inside Logan’s Garden Center which will remain at Seaboard Station through 2024 before moving to the State Farmers Market.
Let’s get crafty. Ajja is hosting a craft workshop on the art of sashiko mending, a Japanese visible mending technique. Ajja will provide a soft drink + snacks at the small-group event happening on Sunday, Sept. 29.
Sports
The Charlotte Hornets are coming to the Triangle in October to begin closed practices for the 2024-25 season. The team will swarm to Duke’s indoor athletic facility (named for Coach K) from Tuesday, Oct. 1 to Friday, Oct. 4 due to renovations at the Hornets’ home arena. (The News & Observer)
Eat
19.4%. That’s the average tip North Carolinians drop while dining out, according to a recent study by Toast. If you want those tips to hit local pockets, check out some of our favorite spots to eat out.
22%. That’s how much auto insurance rates have increased over the last year. Stop overpaying + find a better rate when you get a free, no-obligation quote from Savvy.*
We’re exploring outside of Raleigh to cities like Durham and beyond. | Photo by Colin Rowley via Unsplash
We’ve got the results of a few quizzes + surveys from the last few weeks to share with you.
72 feet — that’s how tall the NCMNS globe is, and it’s one of the largest on the planet. Meet more Raleigh world records.
50 years — that’s how long Mitch’s Tavern has been serving up good food on Hillsborough Street. Learn more about Raleigh’s sports bars ahead of this week’s games.
85.3 — that’s the overall difficulty index for buying a home in the US as of July 2024. In comparison, the overall difficulty in Wake County is just 78.1.
Durham, Cary, and Apex — those are the cities + towns you most want to see featured in a future RALtoday newsletter. Lucky for you we’re big fans of each. Expect us to go just down the road to these places soon.
Happy Monday, Raleigh. I had a packed weekend, and my favorite part was a dinner out at Figulina. My favorite dish was the Scarpinocc with brisket and collards chow chow, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store next time I visit.
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