TACO TIME. Tickets are on sale for the Tacos ‘N Taps Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheater this Saturday, April 1, noon–5 p.m. The event is all-you-care-to-taste beer and tequila, along with live music, margaritas, pinata punching and more. Admission includes a souvenir glass. Food is purchased a la carte.
DRIVE HOME HAPPY. Cary Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Auction & Car Raffle Fundraiser at Prestonwood Country Club on Wednesday, April 12, 5–7:30 p.m. Purchase a raffle ticket for a 2023 Buick Encore. The event will include food and drinks, along with silent and live auctions and other raffle items.
NEW IN TOWN. AVA Rooftop Bar opens at Fenton in Cary on Friday, April 7 at 5 p.m. AVA will offer a Mediterranean-inspired oasis featuring global wine, cocktails and small plates. The bar opens Wednesday–Friday at 4 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday at noon. Evening entertainment includes a lively atmosphere with DJs and live music.
Photo courtesy of The Durham
EASTER BRUNCH. The Durham will host an Easter brunch buffet on Sunday, April 9, 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m. The buffet will include carving stations, a seafood bar, a French toast station, assorted pastries, egg bites and more. The buffet is $65 per person and $25 for children 6–12 years old. Reservations are available online.
Raleigh’s Barcelona Wine Bar (430 West Martin Street) hosts Easter Brunch with tapas-bar service, award-winning Spanish wine selections and brunch cocktails. Enjoy gambas and grits with chorizo gravy, or short rib hash topped with a fried egg and hollandaise or mushroom montadito with truffle ricotta, egg and salsa verde. Pancakes, desserts and other options are also available.
FOR A GOOD CAUSE. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure takes place at The Boxyard RTP on Saturday, May 6 at 9:30 a.m. The event will raise critical funds for patient care services and resources for those affected by breast cancer. This year’s event will include entertainment, family-friendly activations and testimonials from breast cancer survivors and thrivers. Registration is available online.
Photo courtesy of Ben & Jerry’s
FREE ICE CREAM. Ben & Jerry’s hosts Free Cone Day at its Raleigh and Chapel Hill locations on Monday, April 3, noon–8 p.m. You and the kids can get in line as many times as you’d like to sample any of the brand’s flavors.
SENSORY-FRIENDLY. Take part in a sensory-friendly Touch-A-Truck event at Bierman Autism Centers – Cary (15501 Weston Parkway #150, Cary) on Friday, March 31, 4:30–6:30 p.m. The Cary Fire Department will answer questions about firefighting and fire safety. Enjoy face painting, food and games at the free event designed for kids of all ages and abilities.
Photo courtesy of the North Carolina Science Festival
NC SCIENCE FESTIVAL. Saturday, April 1 kicks off a monthlong annual celebration of science across the state. Now in its 13th year, the North Carolina Science Festival showcases 200-plus in-person and virtual events taking place throughout the state. These fun and educational community-based events—hosted by schools, colleges, libraries, museums, parks, businesses and organizations—celebrate the economic, educational and cultural impacts of science in North Carolina.
NC SCIENCE TRAIL. In 2015, an idea was proposed within the North Carolina Science Network to connect the state’s vast science destinations and resources into a trail. In 2021, a group of individuals across North Carolina saw real potential to make it happen. Two years later, the North Carolina Science Trail is a reality, with 63 inaugural partners. From the WNC Nature Center in Asheville to Jockeys Ridge in Nags Head—and everything in between—the North Carolina Science Trail is an enlightening and beautiful way to explore and discover our state.
PROM SEASON. Your teen can say yes to a free prom dress this Saturday, April 1, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., at Say Yes to the Prom Dress—a first-of-its-kind event at St. John’s MMC Church (4 North Blount Street, Raleigh). More than 300 dresses will be on display, and shoppers can work with their very own personal shopper from North Caroina State University sororities. There will also be DJ music, a caricature artist, drinks, snacks and prom-related raffle prizes.
