MOSH “April … hath put a spirit of youth in everything.” –William Shakespeare ROAD TRIP Take a ride on the North Carolina Butterfly Highway: Plant a perennial pollinator garden to help migrating monarch butterflies make their way from North America to Central Mexico and back again. The statewide project was born in Charlotte, and it’s moving across the state. Turn your yard into a pit stop, and follow the highway’s progresss at butterflyhighway.org.
Why not... Chilled cucumber soup at Sunflower’s Cafe…naps in the sunshine at Dix Park…shopping the Cameron Village Crawl April 27 and 28…playing hooky...tapas and cocktails at Level7 rooftop bar in
MADE YOU LOOK The first day of the month instigates pranks worldwide, but April Fools’ Day’s exact origin isn’t known. Among many theories: In 1582, France officially adopted the Gregorian calendar, which shifted New Year’s celebrations from April 1 to Jan. 1; those who were slow to learn of the news faced public ridicule and taunting hoaxes. Another theory suggests the holiday acknowledges the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, when nature notoriously tricks people with unpredictable weather (this year, we’re going with that one).
IN TUNE If your birthday falls between April 1 and April 19, you’re an Aries. These fire signs are known for enthusiasm, openness, creativity, and energy. Here’s how you can channel your inner ram around town this month: Since your optimism can be contagious, dig into an Earth Day effort locally. Raleigh City Farm’s annual “bearthday” party celebrates the urban farmsite’s anniversary by concluding a day of volunteer work (weeding, planting) with food, beer, and music. raleighcityfarm.org Burn off some of your energy at a local fitness studio. If you like bursts of intense intervals, try Orangetheory or Heat Studios; or, get in the cardio zone at cycle studio Flywheel Sports. north-raleigh.orangetheoryfitness.com; heatstudios. com; flywheelsports.com/nc You can get creative in the kitchen at one of Sur la Table’s many cooking classes. Among the North Hills store offerings this month are “new breakfast-for-dinner ideas” April 8 and “advanced skills for adventurous cooks” class April 17. surlatable.com The fiery-red color vermillion often resonates with Aries. Splurge on something scarlet at aptly named local boutique Vermillion. vermillionstyle.com
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MOVIE MAGIC The 20th annual Full Frame Film Festival descends on downtown Durham April 6 - 9. The festival screens short and feature-length documentary films at five different venues. There are also Q&As with directors and producers, release parties, and other events. In honor of its 20th anniversary, this year’s festival includes birthday soirees and a commemorative retrospective honoring many of the notable films, filmmakers, and milestones since the festival’s inception. You can buy tickets to a single showing or bulk packages; hundreds of screenings are packed into the four days. fullframefest.org
FISHING FIESTA Is there a better way to unwind during springtime than in a boat, on a lake, with a toe in the water – and maybe a fishing line, too? If your skills are a little rusty, no worries. You can freshen them up for the season ahead at Jordan Lake on Saturday, April 8 from 10 - 3. The folks at N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and N.C. State Parks are hosting a free, bilingual Fishing Fiesta at the lake’s White Oak Recreation Area. From tying knots to cleaning fish, they’ll hook you up. ncwildlife.org/fiesta
North Hills…thanking a firefighter... tomato growing 101 at Irregardless’s community garden... Umstead walks...a turmeric latte at Raleigh Raw...spring fever... SPRING SPARKLE Sip on this refreshing, elderflower-infused champagne cocktail: 2 ounces elderflower liqueur (such as St. Germain) 3 fresh mint leaves 4 ounces chilled champagne Combine liqueur and mint in a cocktail shaker. Muddle with the back of a spoon until the mint is slightly crushed. Fill shaker halfway with ice and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain liqueur-mint mix into a champagne flute or coupe glass and top with champagne. Makes 1 cocktail. Recipe adapted from eatingwell.com
Thinkstock (MADE YOU LOOK and IN TUNE); John D. Simmons/Charlotte Observer (ROAD TRIP); Genevieve Pedulla (MOVIE MAGIC); Shawn Rocc (FISHING); Chris Seward/News & Observer (FIREFIGHTERS); Thinkstock (SPRING)
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