February is here + love is in the air—to help you get the most out of this short month, we’re rounding up some of the top local events (both virtual and in-person) to help you stay connected. 💘
Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in the following events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.
Monday February 1–Sunday February 7
Monday February 1
Arts
○ Gouache for Beginners | Mon., Feb. 1 | 6:30–9:30 p.m. | Virtual | $15+ | An instructor for the NC State Craft Center will teach participants how to paint with gouache while creating landscape art. 🖌️
Health
○ LGBTQ+ Mental Health Support Group | Mon., Feb. 1 | 6–7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The LGBT Center of Raleigh and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) NC will have a mental health support group for LGBT+ adults 18-and-up. 🏳️🌈
Tuesday February 2
Edu
○ Virtual Educator Trek: Early Childhood Dinosaur Science Discovery | Tues., Feb. 2 | 7–8:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The NC Museum of Natural Sciences is offering a workshop for early childhood educators on teaching prehistoric history + dinosaurs. Eligible attendees can receive class credit under NC’s Environmental Education Certification Program and $100 worth of prehistoric education materials. 🦕
Civic
○ Dix Park Community Committee | Tues., Feb. 2 | 6–7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | This committee is designed to provide community-sourced guidance to the Dix Park Leadership Committee on the current Dorothea Dix Park Master Plan.
Wednesday February 3
Talk
○ Tar Heel Tales: Ruth and the Green Book | Wed., Feb. 3 | 1–2 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The NC Museum of History is hosting a reading of the children’s book Ruth and the Green Book that chronicles the experience of Black people traveling in the South during the 1950s. 📗
Biz
○ Education & Economic Development: WakeTech – Local Asset For Your Business | Wed., Feb. 3 | 8 a.m. | Virtual | Free | The Cary Chamber of Commerce is highlighting two business resources from Wake Tech in this combination Economic Development Committee and Education Committee meeting – the Apprenticeship Program and Small Business Resource Center. 📈
Arts
○ Mindful Museum: Virtual Art and Self-Care Hour | Wed. Feb. 3 | 7–8 p.m. | Virtual | $6.44+ | Attendees will follow Jesalyn Keziah MSW through grounding exercises, personal reflection, and art-making exercises based on NCMA gallery pieces. 🎨
Talk
○ CABJ: Black History Month Kickoff with Nikole Hannah-Jones | Wed., Feb. 3 | 6 p.m. | Virtual | Free | UNC Chapel Hill alumni + Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones will share her experiences being a Black journalist + answer questions from viewers for The Carolina Association of Black Journalists’ Black History Month kickoff. 📝
Thursday February 4
Tech
○ Cary’s Madden 21 Tournament | Thurs., Feb. 4 | 7–9:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Registered participants will compete in a double-elimination Madden 21 tournament for the title of Super Bowl Champion and a prize. 🏈
Network
○ Business Breakouts | Thurs., Feb. 4 | 4–5 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Meet with other business leaders at this networking event hosted by Cary Chamber of Commerce. 🌐
Talk
○ The History Of North Carolina’s Black Musicians: Struggle And Success | Thurs., Feb. 4 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | NC State Africana Studies professor Darrell Stover will speak about poetry + music history from the anthology African American Poetry: 250 Years of Struggle & Song. 🎵
ForKids
○ What are you Reading? | Thurs., Feb. 4 | 6:30–7 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Kids grades 3–5 can talk about what books they are currently reading while making friends and hanging out together. 📚
Friday February 5
Arts
○ Odd Couples: Objects in Conversation | Fri., Feb. 5 | 12–12:45 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Ackland Art Museum staff will guide attendees through a viewing of unconventional art pairings from the museum’s collection. 🖼️
Biz
○ Setting up Business Accounting | Fri., Feb. 5 | 12–1:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | If you are a business owner or operator who needs guidance on how to handle your finances this session can provide you with some key information on basic accounting principles + using QuickBooks.💲
Saturday February 6
Outdoors
○ Gardening in the South | Sat., Feb. 6 | 9 a.m.–12 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The J.C. Raulston Arboretum is holding a series of educational presentations by horticulture professionals with tips on how to improve your home garden. 🧑🌾
Arts
○ Discover The Cat Behind The Hat Opening Reception | Sat., Feb. 6 + Sun., Feb. 7 | 12–5 p.m. | 440 Daniels St. | Free | LaMantia Gallery Raleigh will premiere a special exhibit of art by Theodor Seuss Geisel– also known as Dr. Seuss. 🖼️
Learn
○ A Family Story: Images of the Pope House Museum | Sat., Feb. 6 | 9 a.m. | 511 South Wilmington St. | Free | The Pope House Museum is opening a new exhibit of pictures from the house’s collection featuring Dr. Manassa T. Pope + his family between the years 1880-1999. 🎞️
Learn
○ Self-Care Through Mandalas | Sat., Feb. 6 | 1–3:30 p.m. | Virtual | $43+ | An artist will lead viewers through the practice of painting different types of mandalas for spiritual + therapeutic purposes.
FeaturedEvent
○ Exclusive Financial Webinar for First Time Homebuyers Webinar | Sat., Feb. 6 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Steve Wingerter, CEO of 7 Locks Lending LLC, will be co-hosting this event alongside Raleigh real estate agent, Veronica Saccoh. Ⓟ
Sunday February 7
Learn
○ Hydrangeas In Malibu Blue Painting Class | Sun., Feb. 7 | 7 p.m. | Virtual | $37 | Wine & Design is hosting a remote paint party for all artistic skill levels. A paint kit is included with the price of a ticket. 🎨
Show
○ Music In The Library: Shenette Swann | Sun., Feb. 7 | 2:30–3:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Locally-based blues + jazz singer Shenette Swann is doing a performance of her own songs and will discuss her songwriting inspirations. 🎶
Monday February 8–Sunday February 14
Monday February 8
Network
○ Business After Hours | Mon., Feb. 8 | 4:30–5:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free for employees of member firms | A networking event hosted by Raleigh Chamber of Commerce for participants seeking to make connections and enhance business partnerships. 🤝
Edu
○ Grants and Scholarships for College with CFNC | Mon., Feb. 8 | 6–7 p.m. | Virtual | Free | A representative from the College Foundation of NC (CFNC) will lead a session about finding the right grants + scholarships for college students. 💵
Tuesday February 9
ForKids
○ “The Greatest Treasure” Puppet Show | Tues., Feb. 9 | 10–11 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Puppet Show Inc. will put on a virtual show retelling the Chinese folktale of The Greatest Treasure through Orange County Public Libraries. 🇨🇳
Talk
○ Old News: What’s New In Paleontology? | Tues., Feb. 9 | 1–1:45 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Research Curator of Paleontology Dr. Christian Kammerer + host Laura Beth Speer will cover some of the newest + most important discoveries in the paleontology field from uncovered fossils to findings about ancient history. 🦴
Wednesday February 10
Learn
○ Woodworking Basics | Wed., Feb. 10 | 6–8:30 p.m. | The Maker’s Space, 2101 Harrod St. | $60 | You can learn the basics of woodworking at this introductory class for those interested in gaining knowledge about shop safety, milling hardwood, and using power tools. 🗜️
Arts
○ Finding Your Voice with Travis Book | Wed., Feb. 10 | 7–8:30 p.m. | Virtual | $10 suggested donation | Grammy Award winning musician Travis Book of The Infamous Stringdusters will host a workshop on vocal performance and how to use singing for musical expression.
Family
○ History Corner: Charlotte Hawkins Brown | Wed., Feb. 10 | 1–2 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Learn about the life and impact of the NC historical figure + education activist Charlotte Hawkins Brown from the Education Coordinator of the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum Sonya Laney. 🏫
Learn
○ Science on Tap: Mate Night | Wed., Feb. 10 | 8:30–9:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Tune in for an adults-only night of salacious science. Attendees will learn about animal mating habits, how people develop attraction, and more.
Thursday February 11
Civic
○ Raleigh Transit Authority | Thurs., Feb. 11 | 3:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The Raleigh Transit Authority handles matters related to transportation around the city including roads, buses, and corridor development. 🚌
Family
○ Sing A Song: The Generational Influence Of Lift Every Voice And Sing | Thurs., Feb. 11 | 6–7 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Children’s book author Kelly Starling Lyons will discuss her book Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice Inspired Generations and the Black National Anthem. 🎤
Friday February 12
Seniors
○ Understanding Hearing Loss and Technology | Fri., Feb. 12 | 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Attendees will get information about alternative therapeutic + technological options for hearing loss while exploring options for hearing assistive devices. 🦻
Holiday
○ Valentine Card Making | Fri., Feb. 12 | 10 a.m.–12 p.m. | Kiwanis Park, 2525 Noble Rd. | $5 | Enjoy a drop-in Valentine’s Day card-making event with cards + supplies included. The barcode to access the event is 266504. ❤️
Biz
○ C-Suite Perspectives | Fri., Feb. 12 | 9–10:30 a.m. | Virtual | Free for members | Pendo CEO Todd Olson will talk about his experience successfully leading a company despite unprecedented times and provide advice for how event participants can do the same.
Saturday February 13
Show
○ Valentine’s Romance & Tango | Sat., Feb. 13 | 8 p.m. | Virtual | $21.46 | The NC Symphony will perform romantic scores such as Debussy’s Clair de Lune. 💃
Holiday
○ NC TACAS Chinese New Year Festival | Sat., Feb. 13 | 2–5 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Ring in the Lunar New Year with the Triangle Area Chinese American Society as they celebrate with cultural performances and opportunities to win prizes. 🧧
Sunday February 14
TryThis
○ Date Night Paint Class | Sun., Feb. 14 | 3 p.m. | Wine & Design, 510 W. Martin St. | $74 | Wine & Design is hosting a date night event for couples looking to create romantic paintings together. A paint kit is included with the price of a ticket. 💑
Talk
○ An Afternoon with Jaki Shelton Green | Sun., Feb. 14 | 2–3 p.m. | Virtual | Free | NC Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green shares her poetry with listeners and dives into the creative process of writing. ✍️
Monday February 15–Sunday February 21
Monday February 15
Parents
○ School’s Out Camp | Mon., Feb. 15 | 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Marbles Kids Museum, 201 East Hargett St. | $60+ | The museum is offering a day camp on school holidays where children will get to explore exhibits + have enriching playtime. 🚸
Learn
○ Write Your Story | Mon., Feb. 15 | 12:30–2 p.m. | Walnut Terrace Neighborhood Center, 1256 McCauley St. | Free | This workshop is for those interested in documenting their life stories through writing to pass onto future generations. The barcode to access the event is 267031. 📓
Tuesday February 16
Civic
○ City Council Afternoon Session | Tues., Feb. 16 | 1–4 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Raleigh City Council will meet to handle city-related business + is open to the public.
Learn
○ Virtual STEMville: Experiment Expressway | Tues., Feb. 16 | 2–2:45 p.m. | Virtual | $20 | A professional at the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center will be demonstrating exciting science experiments and answering questions about them. This program is ideal for kids grades 3–12. 🧪
Wednesday February 17
Family
○ History Hunters: North Carolina and the Green Book | Wed., Feb. 17 | 1–2 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The NC Museum of History invites families and kids aged 10-13 to learn more about the history of the Green Book + African Americans living during segregation.
Learn
○ Hot Licks Guitar Workshop with Mason Via | Wed., Feb. 17 | 7–8:30 p.m. | Virtual | $10 suggested donation | Bluegrass guitarist Mason Via will teach attendees of all skill levels impressive riffs that they can incorporate into solos and improvisation.
TryThis
○ Mindful Museum: Virtual Slow Art Appreciation | Wed., Feb. 17 | 7 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Center yourself + relax at this meditative art-viewing hosted by the NC Museum of Art. 🧘
Arts
○ Close Looks at Cocktail Hour: Tennessee Williams’s Midnite Show | Wed., Feb. 17 | 5–5:45 p.m. | Virtual | Free | A staff member at Ackland Art Museum will dissect the elements of Tennessee William’s piece, Midnite Show. Using the museum’s “Close Looks” digital feature, viewers can get a more detailed look at the art than ever before. 🖌️
Thursday February 18
Biz
○ Community Success Forum | Thurs., Feb. 18 | 9–11 a.m. | Virtual | Free | The Raleigh Chamber of Commerce is bringing together industry leaders and local professionals for a forum focusing on racial equity in business + economic mobility throughout the region. 💼
Network
○ Business of Women | Thurs., Feb. 18 | 12–1 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The Chief Technology Officer for the Town of Cary Nicole Raimundo will discuss technology innovation and working online at this month’s Business of Women meeting.
Friday February 19
Arts
○ “Posing Modernity: A Retrospective View” with Denise Murrell | Fri., Feb. 19 | 3:30–4:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | UNC Chapel Hill alumni + Associate Curator of Nineteenth and Twentieth-Century Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Denise Murrell will discuss her exhibit Posing Modernity: The Black Model from Manet and Matisse to Today. 🖼️
Jobs
○ Dress for Success Job Fair | Fri., Feb. 19 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Dress for Success–an organization dedicated to helping women achieve economic independence–is holding a virtual job fair with participating companies including the United States Postal Service and Spectrum.🧑💼
Saturday February 20
Outdoors
○ Eat, Drink, and Be Merry—Chocolate, Tequila, and the Intersection of Plants and People | Sat., Feb. 20 | 9 a.m.–12 p.m. | Virtual | $25+ | Experts will teach participants about ethnobotany–the study of both cultural anthropology and botany–while giving examples of major studies in the field. 🌱
Show
○ The Kruger Brothers | Sat., Feb. 20 | 8 p.m. | Virtual | $21.46 | The NC Symphony + The Kruger Brothers will perform a show together infusing classical + folk music for a unique concert experience. 🎸
Family
○ Family Fun: Quilling Cards | Sat., Feb. 20 | 1–2 p.m. | Virtual | $15 | An instructor at the NC Craft Center will lead a class on creating quilling art out of old and unused paper. ✂️
Watch
○ Marvelous Music Online Series: Yolanda Rabun | Sat., Feb. 20 | 7:30–10 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The fourth installment of the Town of Cary’s Marvelous Music Online Series features a concert performance from Yolanda Rabun. 🎤
Sunday February 21
Tech
○ Cary’s Winter Rocket League Tournament | Sun., Feb. 21 | 2–6 p.m. | Virtual | 2–6 p.m. | Free | Registered participants will compete in a 3-on-3 double-elimination Rocket League tournament for the title of tournament champion and a chance to win prizes. 🎮
TheBuy
○ The Raleigh Market | Sun., Feb. 21 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | NC State Fairgrounds | Free | Visitors can shop for vintage, handmade, + antique treasures both inside and outside. 🛍️
Monday February 22–Sunday February 28
Cause
○ Assistance League of the Triangle’s Food Drive | Mon., Feb. 22, Wed., Feb. 24, & Sat., Feb. 27 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m. | A-Z Thrift Shop, 1621 N. Market Dr. | Donate non-perishable food items to those in need for the National Assistance League Action Week.
Monday February 22
Seniors
○ New to Email | Mon., Feb. 22 | 2–4 p.m. | 1256 McCauley St. | Free | An instructor will teach participants how to access + use Gmail for business and personal purposes. The barcode to access the event is 267749. 💻
Civic
○ Durham Board of County Commissioners Regular Session | Mon., Feb. 22 | 7–10 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The Durham Board of County Commissioners will be live-streaming its regular session for citizens to view. Residents must sign-up in advance to make public comments.
Tuesday February 23
ForKids
○ Virtual STEMville: Scientist Block Party | Tues., Feb. 23 | 2–2:45 p.m. | Virtual | $20 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center will be doing a science demonstration and have a scientist answer questions about their job. This program is ideal for kids in grades 3–12. 🔬
Learn
○ Natural Sciences Classroom: So, What’s A Bacterium? | Tues., Feb. 23 | 11–11:45 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Explore what lies under the microscope at this class on bacteria with an expert at the NC Museum of Nature Sciences. Participants will take a guided look at pictures, 3D models, and culture plates while learning bacteria’s basic functions + what makes them different from viruses. 🦠
Drink
○ Pint Night | Tues., Feb. 23 | 4 p.m..–10 p.m. | 900 E Six Forks Rd. | Free | Pourworks Beer & Wine Shop is offering half-priced draft beers + growlers all day. 🍺
Wednesday February 24
Arts
○ Melt and Pour Candles | Wed., Feb. 24 | 6:30–8:30 p.m. | Virtual | $15+ | An instructor at the NC Craft Center will lead a class on candle melting, pouring, and customizing. 🕯️
Learn
○ The Art of Storytelling with Willa Brigham | Wed., Feb. 24 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Writer Willa Brigham will teach participants about how to be skillful storytellers and inspire those around them. 📖
Biz
○ Eye Opener Breakfast | Wed., Feb. 24 | 8–9 a.m. | Virtual | Free | The NC Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Kody Kinsley will give updates on the state of COVID-19 in NC + vaccine distribution.
Learn
○ Mandolin Tips Workshop with Lorraine Jordan | Wed., Feb. 24 | 7–8 p.m. | Virtual | $10 suggested donation | Bluegrass icon + cultural influence Lorraine Jordan will share her trade secrets on how to become a powerhouse mandolin player.
Thursday February 25
Arts
○ Write It: The Art of the Haiku | Thurs., Feb. 25 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Poet + scholar Lenard Moore will recite some of his unique poems and help participants learn more about haiku poetry. ✏️
Network
○ Courageous Conversation | Thurs., Feb. 25 | 9 a.m.–12 p.m. | Virtual | $15 for non-members | The topic for the event is Young, Gifted & Black: Recruiting and Retaining Exceptional Talent and will feature keynote speaker Raven Solomon along with a panel of college student leaders. 👔
Friday February 26
Arts
○ Final Friday Artist Reception | Fri., Feb. 26 | 7 p.m.–9 p.m. | Coffee & Crepes, 315 Crossroads Blvd., Cary | Free | The coffeeshop will showcase paintings from its artist of the month Greg Lucas + will serve free, locally-sourced coffee to attendees. ☕
Theatre
○ The Complete History of Comedy (Abridged) | Fri., Feb. 26–Sun., Mar. 14 | 3 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. | Virtual | $16 | Presented by Theatre in the Park, this play covers all eras of comedy from Shakespeare to The Daily Show. 🍿
FeaturedEvent
○ Brand new Drive-In opens at the Triangle Town Center Mall | Fri., Feb. 26 – Sat., Aug. 29 | 5:30-9 p.m. | 5959 Triangle Town Blvd., Unit 150 | $7-10 | Covid-friendly activity for families, couples + movie lovers, the Drive-In will be open every Fri. and Sat. thru the summer of 2021. Food trucks will be on site. Outdoor theater is also available to rent for private events. Ⓟ
Saturday February 27
Show
○ Famous Overtures | Sat., Feb. 27 | 8 p.m. | Virtual | $21.46 | The NC Symphony will do a performance of some of the most famous overtures from composers such as Beethoven and Mozart. 🎻
Learn
○ Find Your Flow: Fluid Painting Workshop | Sat., Feb. 27 | 1–3:30 p.m. | Virtual | $43 | Play by your own rules and let go of stress in this class on fluid painting. 🎨
Sunday February 28
Family
○ Virtual Family & Friends Sunday: Year of the Ox | Sun., Feb. 28 | 2–5 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Attendees will get to watch a show from the Flying Silk dance troupe + view some artwork on display for Ackland Art Museum’s Chinese Lunar New Year celebration. 🐂
Health
○ Disability Alliance Meeting | Sun., Feb. 28 | 4–5 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The Disability Alliance provides support + community services for those who identify as LGBTQ+ and have a disability. 🌈
