Indie rock band Japanese Breakfast closed out Hopscotch 2023 with a bang. | Photo by Garrett Poulos
Hopscotch is nearly here, running Sept. 4-6, and while tickets are still on sale, you don’t need a wristband to enjoy the music festival. From informative panels + documentaries to jazz and R&B day parties, this year’s lineup has something for everyone; here’s what we recommend.
“The Great Cover Up” + panel discussion | This event’s a real three-for-one: watch the PBS North Carolina doc on the annual cover concert at Kings, hear from the filmmakers, and join a panel about 15 years of the fest. Panelists include music writers, festival organizers, and professors.
blink-182: Missionary Impossible 2025 Tour | 7 p.m. | Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek | $67+ | You won’t want to miss “All the Small Things” as this punk rock concert takes the stage in Oak City.
Special Event: Karen Morgan | 7 p.m. | Goodnights Comedy Club | $31+ | This clean comedian is featured on Sirius XM — laugh live with her.
Blue Whales Lecture Series | 5-8 p.m. | Downtown Raleigh | $15 | Dive into the world of Blue Whales with a lecture on the importance of conservation.
Hopscotch Music Festival | Thursday, Sept. 4-Saturday, Sept. 6 | Downtown Raleigh | $180+ | Celebrate 15 years of Hopscotch with headliners Earl Sweatshirt, My Morning Jacket, Sparks, and more indie rockers throughout downtown Raleigh.
Friday, Sept. 5
Copperline Curiosities | 5-9 p.m. | Copperline Plant Co. | Price of purchase | Search through a selection of curated vintage homewares from across NC.
First Friday — Indie Rewind | 6-9 p.m. | City of Raleigh Museum | Free | Head to the museum to celebrate 2010s independent music + 15 years of Hopscotch.
University of Georgia vs. Icepack | 8:30-11:30 p.m. | Invisalign Arena, Morrisville | $12 | The Icepack takes on the Bulldogs in its home opener.
First Friday Ladies Night at The Merchant | Times vary | The Merchant | Price of purchase | Meet up with your gal pals and indulge in a curated ladies night cocktail menu.
There’s more to Jubala’s forthcoming downtown shop — it’ll moonlight as Bar Marigold with new cocktail inventions, classics, mocktails, and of course, plenty of espresso martinis. ICYMI, the fourth Jubala location will be on the ground floor of the Pendo building on Hillsborough Street.
Edu
Saint Augustine’s University’s interim president resigned on Sunday, just two days before classes started. Marcus H. Burgess was appointed in 2023 after Christine McPhail was fired, and Dr. Verjanis A. Peoples will serve as president until further notice. (The News & Observer)
Opening
Dave’s Hot Chicken opens this Friday, Sept. 5 in the former home of BB’s Chicken near Wegman’s and Trader Joe’s. Your chicken can be prepared with seven different heat levels, and the hottest, reaper, comes with its own waiver because it’s just that spicy. Take a peek at the space.(The News & Observer)
Sports
WRAL + the owners of the Durham Bulls are looking to continue using Five County Stadium in Zebulon after the Carolina Mudcats’ last homestand at the historic ballpark. WRAL would use the stadium for a Coastal Plain League team + Wake Tech baseball. (Axios Raleigh)
Trending
The Canes will unveil their new away uniforms at 10 a.m. today — be the first to catch a glimpse on social media.
Try This
Fall classes are about to start at Pullen Arts Center — take a look at what classes are still open for kids + adults, including printmaking, fibers, and youth watercolors.
Arts
Pick your perfect symphony season. The NC Symphony’s customizable Carlos Conducts series lets you choose the concerts you love most, skip the ones you can’t make, and enjoy perks like 35% off the best seats in the house. See this season’s schedule.*
Biz
“Straightforward, transparent, and low stress.” That’s how one business described our self-service ad portal. No sales pressure. No hidden fees. Just you, your message, and the tools to get it out there — your way. Get started.
Coming Soon
Drum roll please. RALtoday’s Best launches on Sept. 15, which means you get the chance to tell us your fave local businesses. Get ready to cast your nominations and stay tuned for when polls open.
Did you know? North Carolina is the final resting place of André the Giant who you might know from “The Princess Bride” and his time as a wrestler. André had a farm in Ellerbe, NC, approx. 90 minutes south of Raleigh, that he bought in the ‘70s. Keep watching to learn more.
Your go-to item for upping fall runs and workouts: a top-selling weighted strength training vest. Choose from six pounds up to 30 pounds and add the weighted vest to runs, classes, or gym sessions to enhance calorie burning, improve your core, and increase muscle gains.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Are you a die-hard Canes tailgater? I’m hoping to write about the tailgate scene at the Lenovo Center, and I want to find someone who can teach me the ropes. If you or someone you know throws an epic tailgate and is willing to have me tag along on game day, let me know!
}})
