Happy Friday Raleigh! Clearly, it is Valentine’s Day as I am sure the storefronts full of red and pink have let you know.

Hopefully, you’ve found a gift if you need one or have found plans for your evening instead. If not, well, keep on reading friend.

Raleigh Area Staples

• The Bike Library is $22k of the way to their $50k fundraising for a storefront build out, support them here before March 1st and read more about their progress here.

• Recent reports from Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA) showed that the Fayetteville Street District had a 10% increase in year over year sales, the best year they have had since 2019. Many other districts had the same - More data here, keep it up Raleigh!

• The first Cary Vintage Market of the year is happening Saturday, 12-5PM, at South Line Brewing on Old Apex Road - View the Vendor Line up on their Instagram.

• Valentines Day Sale @ Urban Pothos Houseplant Shop, through the 16th! 20% off the entire week, locations on Peace St and in Raleigh Iron Works!

• The Natural Science Museum still has their ongoing “Journey to Space” exhibition going now through April 27th, they have a rotating mock up of the ISS and space worn helmet and gloves back to Apollo 11 - More info here.

Local Business Spotlight

Still have some initial slots open here if anyone is looking for a placement. The next few weeks these will be FREE for local businesses as I build up the newsletter more. Would be happy to chat more, contact me over on my Facebook Page if you’d be interested.

Local & Live - Arts & Music

Lots of good stuff this weekend, so list is a bit longer today. Included rough genres this time and a few shows a bit further out that I still think would be worth a drive.

Feb 14th - Friday

FREE

• Jazzentines Day w/ Dan Davis Trio @ The Hartwell - 6:30PM

PAID

• Winter Jam 25 (variety) @ Lenovo Center - 6PM - $15 Donation at Door

• The Goons, Megacolossus, & More (punk) @ Chapel of Bones - 8PM - $15-20

• Steep Canyon Rangers (bluegrass) @ Haw River Ballroom - 8PM - $43

• Double Barrel Benefit Fundraiser w/ WKNC 88.1FM - 2 Nights of Local Music (variety) @ Kings Raleigh - 8PM - $15-18

Feb 15th - Saturday

FREE

• Dunlow @ Clockwork - 7PM

• Ed Stephenson and the Paco Band (flamenco) @ Peak of the Vine - 8PM

• Live Jazz: Root Down Collective @ Moon Room - 8PM

PAID

• NC Symphony | Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 @ Martin Marietta Center - 8PM - Starting at $30 (NOTE: Friday & Saturday)

• Uncle Lucius & Cole Phillips @ The Pour House - 8PM - $24

Feb 16th - Sunday

FREE

• Open Bluegrass Jam @ Bond Brothers Eastside - 4PM (bring your banjo!)

• Live Jazz Night @ Watts & Ward - 6PM

PAID

• Post-Valentines Red Light Party (themed night) w/ Oak City Country Swing Dancing - Back Then Bar & Grill - 7-9PM - $5 Cover (More info on their Instagram for the theme)

Sports & Athletics

• NC State Men’s Basketball still riding a 9 game losing streak aims to play Boston College at home on the 15th.

• NC State Club Hockey had it’s own Daniel Prazma take home ACCHL Rookie of the Year for 2025 - Get NCSU Club Merch from the Red & White Shop here!

• All 4 of Hurricanes players representing their countries in the 4 Nations Tournament have played their first game. USA Leads after 2 games. All 4 teams play again Saturday and Monday, with the final game next Thursday - Schedule Link

Small Talk - Weather & More

Feb 14th - Friday - Sunny into Partly Cloudy, High 49°F, Low 33°F

• Sunrise: 07:03 AM, Sunset: 05:55 PM - Moon: Waning Gibbous

Feb 15th - Saturday - Midday to Afternoon Rain, High 53°F, Low 47°F

• Sunrise: 07:02 AM, Sunset: 05:56 PM - Moon: Waning Gibbous

Last Thoughts

There was A LOT of content today, so I am just gonna sit real quiet down here today.

Super quiet. Totally quiet, like “won’t say a word” kinda quiet. You probably wont even know I am here, because I am just so quiet. The quietest you’ve ever never heard.

psst, see you monday.