Datebook

OUR TOWN

Celebrate spring with flowering masterpieces, inspirational dancing, some great local music, and Irish celebrations.

by ADDIE LADNER and KARA ADAMS

BIG NIGHT IN FOR THE ARTS March 10 | 7 p.m.

NOTED

Open your ears — and your wallets: United Arts Council’s virtual Big Night In for the Arts fundraiser is back this year, a rare opportunity to see a broad range of talent with North Carolina roots performing live. “Although the arts community is slowly beginning to rebuild, there is still a great need to help the artists and organizations essential to the recovery of our region,” says Ragen Carlile, interim president of the United Arts Council. Carlile says the event, an effort joined by sponsor WRAL and area arts councils, raised $350,000 last year, and they are optimistic about taking that momentum into this year’s televised event. “Our hope is to again rally around the arts community so that N.C.’s arts and culture do not just survive, but thrive in the future,” she says. The evening’s headliners include jazz singer Nnenna Freelon, tap dancer Jabu Graybeal, alt-rocker Ben Folds, singer-songwriter Hiss Golden Messenger, poet Jaki Shelton Green, and potter Mark Hewitt, among others. Free to view; live streaming; bignightin.org

DATEBOOK

THE EAGLES March 2 | 8 p.m.

PNC Arena will host The Eagles for their Hotel California Tour, where the legendary rock band will perform all the songs from its 1976 record of the same name. Sing along to classics like Life in the Fast Lane, New Kid in Town, and of course, the title track. Original Eagles members Don Henley, Timothy B. Schmit, and Joe Walsh will be joined by the late Glenn Frey’s son, Deacon Frey, and country music star Vince Gill. From $124; 1400 Edwards Mill Road; pncarena.com

YOGA AT COR MUSEUM March 5, 12 & 19 | 9:30 p.m.

On the first three Saturdays of the month, stretch and meditate downtown — with a side of history — at the City of Raleigh Museum. Located in the historic Briggs Hardware Building, the COR Museum will offer free hour-long yoga classess for all skill levels. The sessions take place in the main gallery of the museum and are led by local yoga instructors Aparna Ravichande and Natalia Lingerfelt, who both specialize in Hatha Yoga. (Lingerfelt’s class on the 12th will be taught in English and Spanish.) All you need is your mat, water bottle, and mask. Free but registration encouraged; 220 Fayetteville Street; cityofraleighmuseum.org

CONNECT + CREATE SERIES March 8 & 22 | 5:30 p.m.

All ages are welcome inside the Chapel at Dix Park for a series of hands-on art classes presented by Artspace and Dix Park Conservancy donors. On March 8, join artist Taylor McGee to learn about tapestry weaving and work on a miniloom to create a one-of-a-kind wall hanging to take home. On the 22nd, learn how to make your own fabric collage tote bag out of scraps with Alliyah Bonnette, Artspace’s regional emerging artist-inresidence. Registration for this series opens one week before each class at 5 p.m. Free; 1030 Richardson Drive; dixpark.org

SNOW WHITE March 10 - 27 | See website

The legendary tale of Snow White and her evil stepmother comes to life with choreography by Carolina Ballet’s artistic director Zalman Raffael, complete with new sets, costumes, and of course the seven dwarfs. For this balletic interpretation of the beloved children’s story, Raffael collaborated with the award-winning composer Shinji Eshima, who also created the moving score for Bariolage in September 2019. From $27; 2 E. South Street; carolinaballet.com

UNCOMMON WOMEN March 12 | 7 p.m.

Head to Jones Auditorium at Meredith College for a concert dedicated to classical works composed or influenced by women, including multiple original pieces by Celka Ojakangas, an elegy to Amanda Todd from Jocelyn Morlock, Samuel Barber’s Medea, Carmen Suite II by Georges Bizet, and the event’s namesake, Joan Tower’s Fanfares for the Uncommon Woman, a response to Aaron Copland’s Fanfares for the Uncommon Man. $27; 3800 Hillsborough Street; raleighsymphony.org

AUTHORS IN CONVERSATION March 13 | 2 p.m.

For the final event in Wake County Public Libraries’ Black Brilliance program, Village Regional Library is hosting S.A. Cosby, the New York Times bestselling author of Razorblade Tears and Blacktop Wasteland, in conversation with local screenwriter and author Eryk Pruitt. Hear both authors read excerpts from their upcoming books, talk about their shared love for writing crime fiction, and participate in a live Q&A. An in-person signing will follow the event with books available for purchase. Free; 1930 Clark Avenue; wakegov.com

JUNIPER LEVEL OPEN GARDEN DAYS March 4 - 5 | See website

NOTED

Celebrate the start of spring with a trip to Juniper Level Botanic Garden that offers something for casual visitors and experienced gardeners alike. The 28-acre campus is home to multiple perennial greenhouses, exotic plants, a grotto garden, and rare trees and shrubs — many of which are available to purchase. Visit its Plant Delights Nursery on the way out and choose from over 1,600 different perennials and plants for your own garden. Free; 9241 Sauls Road; jlbg.org

courtesy North Carolina Museum of Art (ART IN BLOOM); courtesy Dohtery’s Irish Pub

ART IN BLOOM March 16 - 20 | See website

Spring is aflower — and that means the North Carolina Museum of Art is, too! This five-day affair will take a global theme this year, with British floral designer Joseph Massie as a special guest and musical acts like the Peter Lamb Trio, Ed Stephenson, and Smitha Prasad providing a soundtrack that conjures various regions around the world. In addition to enjoying the elaborate floral displays that play off The People’s Collection, you can sign up for lunchtime floral demonstrations with the designers, a gardenthemed film screening of Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse, and paper-making classes. From $30; 2110 Blue Ridge Road; ncartmuseum.org

JUNIE B. JONES IS NOT A CROOK March 18 - 27 | See website

Inspired by the celebrated children’s book series by Barbara Park, watch as the mischievous Junie B. Jones navigates kindergarten — and the infamous idiom, “finders keepers, losers weepers.” When Junie B. finds her furry mittens stolen, she retaliates by declaring herself the “finder” of a brilliant pen of many colors, inspiring a lesson on the principles of right and wrong. $17; 301 Pogue Street; raleighlittletheatre.org

ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONS s All month | See websites

NOTED

Start the festivities early at the 38th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade downtown — in-person again this year! — on Saturday, March 12. The family-friendly event starts at 10 a.m. and will be replete with buoyant Irish dancing, imaginative floats, and sonorous bagpipe players (raleighstpats.org). Also on March 12, Irish pub Hibernian will have its annual block party, kicking off at 8 a.m. with musical acts like Wake Moody, Autumn Nicholas, and Love Tribe, as well as a limited menu. Don’t worry, they’ll have another celebration on actual St. Patrick’s Day, March 17 (311 Glenwood Ave; hibernianpub.com). PineCone is hosting a concert featuring traditional Irish band Lúnasa on March 25 at the A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater (2 E. South Street; pinecone.org). And all month you can find Irish favorites like shepherd’s pie or corned beef and cabbage with a side of live music at Morrisville’s Irish-owned Tra’Li Irish Pub (10370 Moncreiffe Road; traliirishpub.com) or Doherty’s Irish Pub (1979 High House Road, Cary; dohertysirishpubnc.com).

TRACY MORGAN: WORKING IT OUT March 18 - 19 | See website

Head to Improv comedy club to see Emmy-nominated comedian and actor Tracy Morgan, known for his stand-up specials and roles on 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live, and The Last O.G. At this “bracing” and “occasionally controversial” show, expect Morgan to deliver his signature pithy observations and one-liners. Plan to eat there: the venue offers a menu that includes hot chicken sandwiches, street tacos, brownie sundaes, and a full cocktail, beer, and wine list. From $35; 1224 Parkside Main Street Cary; improv.com

BEETHOVEN LIVES UPSTAIRS March 19 | 1 & 4 p.m.

Follow a young Christoph and his uncle as they investigate the madman that has moved in above them (spoiler alert: it’s Beethoven) in this innovative reimagining of a classical concert. Conductor Michelle Di Russo and theatrical symphony group Classical Kids Live! bring Beethoven to life for audiences of all ages with performances of some of his most celebrating works, including Für Elise, the Ninth Symphony, and the “Moonlight” Sonata.From $27; 2 E. South Street; ncsymphony.org

NORTH CAROLINA OPERA GALA March 19 | 5 p.m.

Support the performances and programs of the North Carolina Opera by heading to Park Alumni center at North Carolina State University for its annual fundraiser. Dance to live music by Sidecar Social Club, enjoy dinner catered by Mitchell•Casteel, and take part in both live and silent auctions of items like gift cards to local restaurants like the Angus Barn, a staycation at the AC Hotel Durham Marriott, and original art, like a watercolor beach landscape by Tesh Parekh. $20; 2450 Alumni Drive; ncopera.org

DATEBOOK

THE DRESSER March 25 - April 10 | See website

This Ronald Harwood play is based on his own experiences working as the dresser to actor Sir Donald Wolfit. Set backstage at an English province theater production of King Lear, the play follows Norman as he attempts to prepare Wolfit, one of the last great English actors, to take the stage as World War II rages on around them. From $20; 107 Pullen Road; theatreinthepark.com

HUMAN/NATURE March 29 | 7:30 p.m.

The Martha Graham Dance Company, one of the oldest American dance companies, is coming to Memorial Hall. This season, Graham presents Diversion of Angels, Errand into the Maze, and a newly reimagined Canticle for Innocent Comedians, a classic ode to nature. From $29; 114 E. Cameron Avenue, Chapel Hill; carolinaperformingarts.org

CREATIVE MORNINGS

March 25 | 8:45 a.m. NOTED

After nearly two years of meeting virtually, Creative Mornings RDU, a monthly speaker series and networking event for creatives of all stripes, is back in person at the NCMA. Musician M.C. Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger will be speaking to this month’s theme, “Folklore.” It’s fitting, since Taylor studied American folklore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “I’ve had a vision in my head of this event for months now: coming back together, M.C. at the stage, NCMA as the backdrop. I am absolutely thrilled that it’s coming true,” says Alysse Campbell with CM RDU. Free; 2110 Blue Ridge Road; creativemornings.com/cities/rdu

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