Park design preview, summer movie screenings, Pride Weekend, pickleball fundraiser, and more. 
Happy Tuesday, Raleigh. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Raleigh Brief serve up everything you need to know for the week ahead:
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Circus returns 🎪
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Park design 🏞️
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Gator mystery 🐊
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Things to do 📆
Let’s get to it.
📰 In the news
Loomis Bros. Circus returns: America’s four-time award-winning family circus of majestic animals, fearless daredevils, and high-flying acrobats will take the spotlight June 27, 28 & 29 at Raleigh’s Hunt Horse Complex — check out the details.
Help shape Forestville Park: Raleigh Parks is hosting a second public meeting on July 10 at Marsh Creek Community Center to preview design concepts and gather community feedback — learn more & participate.
Summer movies on tap: Free and budget family-friendly films are now screening across the Triangle from early June through November at theaters and outdoor parks — check out the full schedule.
Highlights this week
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Gator was charged as a dinosaur
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Enjoy a local wine and art tasting
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Discover luxury brands at this discount event
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Play pickleball to support housing nonprofits
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Lawn looking rough? TruGreen’s 50% off
🫶 We got your back
Sweet tooth salvation: Need a chocolate fix? Videri Chocolate Factory is your one-stop shop for bonkers bonbons, decadent drinking chocolate, and so many ganache-filled delights that your dentist will both weep and cheer.
Coastal crunch cravings: When fish, chips, and that unmistakable seaside breeze call your name, Trali Irish Pub delivers golden-battered perfection with malt vinegar flair, plus the kind of fluffy chips you’ll dream about ’til your next order.
Wardrobe whisperers: From breezy linen dresses to power-shoulder blazers (and all the accessories that make them pop), Uniquities is where your closet goes to get its personality back—one perfectly curated piece at a time.
Market magic: Why shop anywhere else when Weaver Street Market has weekly farm-fresh produce, small-batch pantry staples, and enough grab-and-go gourmet options to turn your dinner routine into something extraordinary?
Get your piece of the pie: While the market swings on trade wars and escalating conflicts overseas, gold and silver are steadily holding (under the radar). Check out this free guide for new investors and see how easy it is to tap into one of the most underrated money moves right now.
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📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
This week
🎤 Avril Lavigne: The Greatest Hits @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek | Tuesday (6/17) at 7 pm – Kick off your summer with a total throwback as Avril hits the stage with all the sing-along classics you know and love. Expect palm trees, punky pop vibes, and plenty of “Complicated” confessions under the North Carolina sky. Don’t miss the chance to mosh politely and relive your skate-punk glory days.
🏓 RGN Pickleball Fundraiser @ PinPoint Raleigh | Wednesday (6/18) at 1 pm – Serve, smash, and socialize for a cause at this charity pickleball day wrapped in community spirit. Whether you’re a pro dink artist or just here for the snacks, every point scored helps fund housing solutions in our region. Rally your crew and play with purpose—paddles up for a brighter future.
🔭 Stargazing @ The Willard | Wednesday (6/18) at 8 pm – Trade your screen glare for genuine cosmic wonder at this free, after-hours telescope party with the Raleigh Astronomy Club. Sip on constellation-themed cocktails while experts guide you through the Milky Way’s neighborhood. It’s the perfect mix of science-chic and starry-night vibes—no intro physics degree required.
🧪 Science Café: Using iNaturalist in Nature and Research @ The Daily Planet Cafe | Thursday (6/19) at 7 pm – Celebrate Juneteenth by mixing cocktails with conservation at this special Science Café. Yakira Jackson breaks down how iNaturalist and AI are reshaping wildlife research, straight from the NCMNS lab. Come for the microbes and mammal chatter, stay for the café’s full menu and after-hours camaraderie.
🎭 Blithe Spirit by Noël Coward @ Titmus Theatre | Thursday (6/19) at 7:30 pm – Get spooked and snarky as novelist Charles Condomine’s séance summons more than he bargained for. When his first wife’s ghost crashes the party, chaos ensues and marital mayhem follows—madcap Coward at its finest. Expect sharp wit, haunting hijinks, and enough spectral sass to keep you laughing all night.
🌈 Raleigh Pride Weekend @ Lincoln Theatre | Friday (6/20) at 8:30 am – Get ready to flood the streets with every shade of the rainbow as Raleigh Pride takes over town for a celebratory weekend of live performances, dazzling drag acts, and community camaraderie. With headliners like Crystal Waters, Sasha Colby, and a host of local talents, you’ll dance, cheer, and maybe even meet your new favorite performer. It’s the kickoff party you’ve been waiting for, plus a month of Pride programming leading up to the main event. Don your brightest attire and prepare for unforgettable moments across the city.
🐦 Purple Martin Banding @ Prairie Ridge Ecostation | Friday (6/20) at 8:30 am – Witness science in action as experts gently weigh, measure, and band Purple Martin chicks during baby Martin month. Learn the secrets of bird banding, what data it reveals, and tips on becoming your neighborhood’s own Martin landlord. Get up close to these charismatic songbirds and snap photos of fledgling flyers in a beautiful outdoor classroom setting. Bring a water bottle and sun hat for this early morning nature adventure.
This weekend
🐋 Blue Whales @ North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences | Saturday (6/21) at 10 am – Dive into the titanic world of the planet’s largest creatures in this jaw-dropping exhibit. Stand next to a 110-foot model, ponder a heart the size of a car, and let whale song wash over you. Members get in free; non-members can grab tickets online—prepare for some serious “wow” moments.
🔮 Aura & Mystic Fair @ Elevated Energy Healing – Sound & Wellness Studio | Saturday (6/21) at 11 am – Tap into your cosmic side with aura photos, light-language activations, and PEMF sound therapy to reboot your brain. Explore psychic readings, crystal shopping, and red-light panel sessions that promise to clear blocks and boost your vibes. A $5 entry fee unlocks all the mystical magic—bring curious friends and get ready to glow.
🍗 The Grand Cookout: Juneteenth Edition @ Moore Square | Saturday (6/21) at 12 pm – Celebrate freedom with finger-lickin’ BBQ from black-owned food trucks and vendors galore. Groove to live bands and DJs, catch family-friendly performances, and soak up the community vibes. Bring an appetite and your best picnic blanket for an afternoon of soul-satisfying eats and Juneteenth joy.
💍 North Carolina Bridal & Wedding Expo @ Raleigh Convention Center | Sunday (6/22) at 12 pm – Step into wedding wonderland where black-tie glam meets barefoot beach vibes. Our dream team of planners, florists, and cake virtuosos is on deck to sprinkle your big day with timeless magic. Say “I do” to jaw-dropping inspiration and pro tips that’ll make your aisle walk pure perfection.
🎶 Live music & entertainment
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6/17 The Loblollies @ Bowstring – 6:30 pm
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6/17 Avril Lavigne@ Coastal Credit Union Music Park – 7 pm
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6/17 NC’s Funniest @ Goodnights Comedy – 7:30 pm
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6/18 Tom Arnold @ Goodnights Comedy – 7 pm
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6/18 Open Mic @ City Soul Cafe – 8:30 pm
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6/19 Blackwater Band and more @ Midtown Park – 6 pm
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6/19 Badfish and more @ Bowstring – 7 pm
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6/19 Oakwood Ash @ Saints and Scholars – 7 pm
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6/19 Mad Gallica @ Lincoln Theatre – 8 pm
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Out back, an apple tree actually delivers the goods, while the HOA pool, playground, and tennis courts are basically your across-the-street backyard. All this on a lush acre, with Falls Lake, North Hills, and a smorgasbord of shopping and dining just minutes away. Even the driveway is circular, because who has time for three-point turns?
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