Pottery Painting with Cozy Panda

Raleigh's All-American Summer Festival is an upcoming community event held in downtown Raleigh to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. This high-energy celebration brings people together for a full day of culture and festivities commemorating this historic milestone. Attendees can enjoy a wide range of activities suitable for all ages. The festival features an extensive lineup of local food trucks and dessert vendors offering diverse culinary options. Guests will find various carnival games and prizes, including a duck race, alongside a dedicated kids zone for younger participants. Live music performances will provide entertainment throughout the day on the main stage. The event also hosts interactive contests, such as a cutest dog competition and a summer outfit showcase, inviting guests to participate directly in the fun. This festival is designed for families, friends, and anyone looking to enjoy a vibrant community atmosphere in the heart of the city. Whether you are interested in local music, delicious food, or friendly competitions, there is something for everyone. Plan to join us in downtown Raleigh for this memorable summer experience and celebrate this significant national anniversary with your neighbors.

Get ready to celebrate the season at the Blueberry Bonanza, hosted at The Plant in beautiful Pittsboro, North Carolina. This exciting event takes place on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., offering a fantastic opportunity for the community to gather and enjoy the peak of blueberry season. As a vibrant, family-friendly celebration, this gathering highlights local culture and the simple joys of summer harvest in a relaxed outdoor setting. Attendees can look forward to a lively atmosphere filled with music, seasonal refreshments, and a true sense of togetherness. This event is entirely free to the public, making it the perfect way to spend a summer evening with friends and family. Whether you are a local enthusiast or just looking for a fun weekend activity, there is something here for everyone to appreciate. We invite you to join us at 192 Lorax Lane to experience the best of what our area has to offer. Make sure to mark your calendar today and prepare for a memorable evening of food, fun, and community spirit. We cannot wait to see you there for this delightful summer celebration.

This event features a live musical performance by legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon. Attendees will experience an evening of classic hits and celebrated compositions from one of the most influential figures in modern rock music history. The program highlights Simon's extensive career, spanning his early folk-rock roots with Simon and Garfunkel to his groundbreaking solo work. Fans can expect a curated setlist featuring iconic tracks like Mother and Child Reunion, 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, and selections from the acclaimed Graceland album. The performance showcases his unique ability to blend pop, gospel, R and B, and international rhythms into a cohesive live experience. This concert is designed for music enthusiasts who appreciate masterful songwriting and storytelling. Whether you are a long-time follower of his diverse discography or new to his sound, the atmosphere offers a sophisticated yet energetic environment. Secure your tickets now to witness a living legend on stage as he delivers a career-spanning performance that celebrates decades of musical innovation. Do not miss this rare opportunity to see an iconic artist perform in an intimate setting.

FREE Family Fest in Raleigh — Saturday, September 12! Looking for a full day of family fun, creativity, connection, and outdoor adventure? Join us for the 3rd Annual Family Fest at Lakeside Retreats! Optional overnight Camping 📅 Saturday, September 12, 2026 ⏰ 8:00 AM–9:00 PM 📍 4521 Mial Plantation Road, Raleigh, NC 27610 🎟️ FREE admission Enjoy a day filled with: 🔥 Fire show 🎨 Art activities 🥋 Martial arts class 🫧 Bubbles 🧘 Yoga and sound bath 🌲 Forest bathing 🏕️ S’mores and optional overnight camping 🍴 Food trucks and vendors 💛 Sensory yurt 🎤 Guest speakers 🏆 Tug of war …and so much more!

Pottery Painting with Cozy Panda is a self guided workshop where participants paint their own ceramic pieces. This event allows attendees to complete a creative project and take it home on the same day. It offers a relaxed environment for individuals of all ages and skill levels to engage in a hands on artistic activity. During the two hour session you will choose from a variety of hand poured ceramics and use provided paints and brushes to create your design. Raleigh Brewing will be on site throughout the afternoon to serve a selection of beverages while you work. Our team remains available during the session to provide guidance and technical tips as needed. This event is designed for anyone looking for a creative outlet in a social setting. Whether you attend alone or with a group you will find a comfortable atmosphere suitable for crafting at your own pace. Bring your imagination and join us for a productive afternoon of pottery painting. We look forward to seeing your unique masterpiece come to life at this workshop.

Pottery Painting with Cozy Panda is a hands-on creative workshop where participants paint their own ceramic pieces in a relaxed setting. This self-guided experience allows guests to select items such as trinket dishes or animal figures and complete their projects for same-day takeaway. It provides a flexible environment suitable for individuals at any skill level. Each session includes all necessary materials including ceramics, brushes, and paints. You will work at your own pace to customize your chosen item. Staff members remain on site throughout the workshop to provide guidance and creative tips. This supportive structure ensures that every guest can successfully complete a unique masterpiece regardless of prior artistic experience. This event is perfect for solo visitors, friends, and families seeking a stress-free artistic activity. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, designed to facilitate a fun and easygoing creative session. Whether you are a beginner or a frequent maker, this workshop offers an accessible way to enjoy pottery painting. Secure your spot now to explore your creative side and bring home a personalized piece of art.

Join the renowned Paperhand Puppet Intervention team for their upcoming Community Work Days as they prepare for their spectacular summer production, The Wild Wisdom of the World. This unique experience invites community members of all skill levels to visit their studio in Saxapahaw to learn the intricate techniques of giant puppet making. Whether you are a seasoned artist or a curious beginner, your contribution helps bring this creative vision to life while allowing you to develop new artistic skills in a collaborative environment. Sessions take place every Saturday from May 16 to July 18, 2026. This is an excellent opportunity for high school students to earn volunteer credit while participating in a highly acclaimed local project. The work environment is active and hands-on, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the craftsmanship behind these beautiful performances. Please note that the studio space uses fans rather than air conditioning and involves the use of specialized tools. We invite you to drop in anytime between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to lend a hand. No prior registration is required to join this free event. Come be a part of the magic and help build the future of our local arts scene.

This class serves as a follow up to our Sewing Level 1 course where participants will construct a complete throw pillow cover. The session provides hands on practice for developing essential sewing skills while creating a functional home decor item. Students will learn to sew consistent seam allowances and hem raw fabric edges properly. The core of this project involves matching seams to create a four patch design using contrasting fabrics and finishing with a professional envelope back closure. These techniques serve as a foundational step toward more complex endeavors like quilting and garment construction. This course is ideal for students aged 12 and older who want to build their confidence behind the sewing machine. We require a minimum of four participants to host the session so please consider bringing a friend to join the fun. Attendees must provide one fat quarter of non stretch cotton fabric and half a yard of a coordinating woven cotton fabric. You can purchase these materials at Craft Habit to receive a ten percent discount. We look forward to helping you advance your technical sewing skills in this welcoming environment.

First Kiss is an expressive dance production that explores human connection by transforming real life memories into movement. This project features dancers sharing personal stories of their first romantic encounters through a blend of spoken word and physical performance. The work aims to capture the universal vulnerability and excitement associated with those early milestones. Author Mimi Herman provides the narrative structure, crafting stories that balance humor with genuine tenderness. Choreographer Gerri Houlihan translates these texts into intimate stage movements. The performance focuses on authenticity, using the dancers own histories to ground the choreography in reality. Expect a series of short vignettes that highlight the complexity of early intimacy. This show is designed for anyone who appreciates storytelling through contemporary dance. The atmosphere is thoughtful and engaging, making it a perfect outing for those interested in performance art that feels relatable and human. The production invites the audience to reflect on their own experiences while enjoying a unique fusion of text and motion. Please join us for this presentation to experience how memories are reimagined on stage through professional movement and creative writing.