RUTH E. CARTER

Afrofuturism In Costume Design

APRIL 1–AUGUST 6, 2023

TICKETS ncartmuseum.org/afrofuturism

Free for ages 21 and under and college students different animals represented in the music,” says Di Russo. “Between the visual elements, narrative and music itself, it’s a great opportunity for children to really engage with the symphony. It will be a lot of fun!” The performance is sponsored by WakeMed Children’s Hospital, and guests are encouraged to bring their favorite plush animal for checkups at the Teddy Bear Clinic beforehand. From $29; 2 E. South Street; ncsymphony.org

FROM SKETCHBOOK TO BIG SCREEN … Academy Award–winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter has added dimensionality, flair, and culture to iconic movies such as Do the Right Thing and Black Panther, creating original, magical garments that have defined generations.

Firebirds Family And Friends

April 2 | 3 p.m.

Cheer on the Raleigh Firebirds basketball team in their sixth game of the season against the Charlotte Purple Jackets. Community groups including local YMCA branches, parishes and youth clubs like Boys & Girls Club and Girl Scouts will be honored for their contributions to the Raleigh public on this Family and Friends Day. From $18; Word of God Christian Academy, 3000 Rock Quarry Road, raleighfirebirds.net

At The Table With Susan Gravely

April 5 | 6 - 9 p.m.

Join WALTER for an evening of food and storytelling to celebrate the book Italy on a Plate: Travels, Memories, Menus by Susan Gravely, the founder of VIETRI homeware. She’ll be in conversation with her best friend, Frances Mayes, another local Italiophile and author. In addition to wine pairings and heavy hors d’oeuvres from Alimentari at Left Bank, enjoy a handmade pasta demonstration, Q&A with Gravely and Mayes, and book signing. From $65; Transfer Co. Food Hall, 500 E. Davie Street, waltermagazine.com/savethedate

Jersey Boys

April 5 - 16 | Various times Jersey Boys is a Tony Award-winning show inspired by the true story of the 1960s rock band The Four Seasons — catch it at Theatre Raleigh this month. It follows a group of friends in New Jersey who evolve into a hugely popular band and the challenges that ensue. The cast

7 Stories

April 7 | 7 p.m.

Noted

If you’re a fan of intimate storytelling series like The Moth, consider this live, local opportunity to immerse yourself in another world. Born in 2015, 7 Stories was the brainchild of three friends, Eric Mack, Brad Habeeb and Justin Scranton, who found themselves swapping stories at all hours of the night. Realizing the power of a good story, the trio made their ritual a monthly Sunday community event. “It was amazing to watch as 7 Stories became this outing for so many people,” says Scranton. “Over its five-year run, we tackled themes ranging from mental illness to the time before cell phones.” After a four-year hiatus, 7 Stories returns to its original home, Kings, on April 7 with seven Raleigh residents sharing their own tales of strength and rebirth along the theme of “Comeback.” “From bringing a beloved restaurant back to life to recovering from a tragic injury, each story will be compelling and different,” says Scranton. Cash entrance only; doors open at 6:30 and around 100 people will be allowed in. $12 at the door; 14 W. Martin Street; 7-stories.com includes Broadway actor and singer Rob Marnell, who grew up in Raleigh, playing Four Seasons’ keyboardist Bob Gaudio. Marnell graduated from Elon University and has dubbed this show a “homecoming performance dedicated to all of the North Carolina teachers who inspired and ignited my passion for the arts.” From $35; 6638 Old Wake Forest Road; theatreraleigh.com

Sakura Festival

April 8 | 5 - 10 p.m.

In Japanese, Sakura means “cherry blossom,” which originated from the word “saku,” or “to bloom.” Inspired by these fleeting flowers, the Japanese tradition of the Sakura Festival is a time to gather with food, music and companionship. Warehouse District restaurant O-Ku will mark the tradition with special menu items, many with a pink hue. “We have hamachi flown in daily from Japan that we’ll serve with a blood-orange vinaigrette, along with other specialities like sweet shrimp, Japanese sea bream and beet-cured salmon,” says O-ku chef

Cuong Le. There will also be cocktails featuring flowers, including the First Bloom, a tangy concoction made with gin, Luxardo cherries, lemon, orange blossom water and Mancino Sakura Vermouth. $50 per person for prix-fixe menu (April 6 only); reservations recommended; 411 W. Hargett Street; o-kusushi.com

Herbarium Class

April 8 | 10 - 11 a.m.

Raleigh City Farm will host a workshop where you can learn how to make your own herbarium and turn fresh botanicals picked from the farm into art that lasts forever. The farm’s artistin-residence, Julia Einstein, will lead the class along with a walk through the garden to identify what’s in season this month. All supplies included. $10; 800 N. Blount Street; raleighcityfarm.org

Daniel Bernard Roumain And Raleigh Civic Symphony

April 15 | 8 p.m.

Head to Stewart Theater for the grand finale of NC State Live’s 50th anniversary season: the performance of Home, Migrations, and Our Imaginary Daughter, an allnew piece of work by violinist and composer Daniel Bernard Roumain. The piece was commissioned by NC State Live and features a libretto by Haitian-American poet Kaitlyn Boyer. Along with other songs from Black composers across three centuries, the piece will be performed by the Raleigh Civic Symphony and DBR, along with special guests: spoken-word artist Bernadette Allen, violinist Felicia Adizue, cellist Tristen Johnson, cellist Shana Tucker and United Strings of Color. Associate director Liza Green says that this performance feels like a full-circle moment. “This is Daniel’s seventh appearance with us, and he’s always eager to engage creatively with other artists,” says Green. “We’re honored to end this special year with an inspired concert.” Free; 2610 Cates Avenue; live.arts.ncsu.edu

You may not have heard of Ursula Parrott, but writer and filmmaker Marsha Gordon is out to change that. In the Golden Age, Parrott was known for her controversial writing about the challenges of being a woman, mother, wife and writer. “She was publicly open and frank about her life at a time when it was risky,” says Gordon. This month, Gordon will publish a biography of Parrott, Becoming the Ex-Wife, which offers an in-depth look at Parrott’s complicated and sometimes scandalous life. It coincides with the May republishing of Ex-Wife, Parrott’s 1929 best-seller, which was originally published anonymously. On April 26, join Gordon and fellow writer Tift Merritt at the Cary Theatre for a screening of The Divorcee, a 1930s film inspired by Parrott’s writing. Gordon and Merritt will lead a panel discussion following the film. From $4; 122 E. Chatham Street; thecarytheater.com

‘CUEGRASS FESTIVAL

April 15 | 12 - 6 p.m.

Head downtown for barbecue joint

The Pit’s 13th annual ‘Cuegrass Festival, a celebration of North Carolina barbecue and bluegrass music. Hear from eight regional acts including roots band Old Habits and jazz group Duck on the main stage at the north end of Fayetteville Street, as well as soul musician Eliza Meyer and acoustic group the Brewer Brothers on the Beer and Banjos stage on W. Hargett Street. Kids and dogs welcome. The festival is free to attend but proceeds from beer and food purchases will be donated to SAFEchild’s Champion Our Children campaign, the Junior League of Raleigh’s BackPack Buddies and Occoneechee Council. Free admission; Fayetteville Street; cuegrass.com

The Color Purple

April 22 - 30 | 2 & 7:30 p.m.

See the musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s historic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Color Purple, which tells the famous harrowing story of Celie, a Black woman in the rural South who faces sickening abuse and racism. But with fortitude and love, she endures. Gospel, jazz and blues music support this story about the power of women sticking together in the face of adversity. See it unfold on stage at the newly renamed Martin Marietta Center for Performing Arts. From $23.67; 2 E. South Street; nctheatre.com

Walk For Umstead

April 22 | 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Lace up your sneakers for the 2023 Walk/Run/Bike for Umstead, which includes a 4-mile walk or run, bike tour, silent auction, kids’ activities, music and food trucks. Cheer on your runner with breakfast from food trucks Buzzy Bakes and Vida Dulce. Along the trails, the Saint Francis Brass Quintet and Woodland Pipers will be supporting the walkers and runners with their sounds. Throughout the event, bid on silent-auction items from local artists, restaurants and shops. Funds

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