United Arts Wake County

Hadestown: Teen Edition
2025-08-09 20:00 - 22:30, 2025-08-10 15:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Raleigh Little Theatre, 301 Pogue St, Raleigh, 27607
Following two intertwining love stories – that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of immortal King Hades and lady Persephone – Hadestown invites audiences on a journey to the underworld and back through the retelling of a haunting Greek tragedy. Inspired by traditions of classic American folk music and vintage New Orleans jazz, Hadestown pits industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love. This intriguing and beautiful folk opera delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience. Presented as the culmination of RLT’s 2025 Teens on Stage and Teens Backstage summer program.
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Anaïs Mitchell
Directed by Terra Hodge
Presented by RLT’s Teens on Stage and Teens Backstage. Learn more about the TOS/TBS Program.
HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Corp. www.concordtheatricals.com
Art © by SpotCo
Hadestown: Teen Edition is a full-length adaptation of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, presented by RLT’s 2025 Teens on Stage and Teens Backstage summer program. This version is modified for performance by teen actors for family audiences.

Waitress
2025-08-10 15:00 - 18:00, 2025-08-13 19:30 - 22:30, 2025-08-14 19:30 - 22:30, 2025-08-15 19:30 - 22:30, 2025-08-16 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-08-16 19:30 - 22:30 | De Ann S. Jones Theatre at Theatre Raleigh Arts Center, 6638 Old Wake Forest Road, Raleigh
One of the most beloved Broadway musicals in recent seasons makes its way to Theatre Raleigh in a new production that will make you laugh and touch your heart. Featuring unforgettable music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Sara Bareilles, the story centers on Jenna, a baker who dreams of escaping her job, small town and rocky marriage. Adapted from the 2007 film, it’s an uplifting and inspiring celebration of friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a homemade pie. Waitress promises to be a sweet slice of musical heaven!

Beer and Banjos: Nixon, Williams and Gage
2025-08-12 18:30 - 21:00 | Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard, 1930 Wake Forest Rd, Raleigh, NC, 27608, United States
Beer and Banjos is a free, family-friendly evening of roots music every Tuesday at Raleigh’s Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard. Hosted by the mighty local musicians known collectively as the Beer and Banjos Allstars, these weekly concerts feature guest musicians and take place on Bowstring’s spacious patio when the weather allows, or inside by the bar when rain, heat, or cold threaten the vibe.
Tips for the musicians are gratefully accepted (look for a helper walking around with a bucket for cash and QR codes for online tips), and don’t forget to check out the merch table. Bowstring serves tasty pizza and other food as well as cold beer and other beverages.
This week, local bluegrass heroes Nixon, Williams & Gage will take the Beer and Banjos stage. They’re also on the lineup for Raleigh Wide Open, so consider this a preview if you just can’t wait for Oct. 3-4 to get here! The Beer and Banjos Allstars, including some special guests, will host. Learn more about Nixon, Williams and Gage here.

Square Dance Open House - no experience needed!
2025-08-12 19:00 - 20:00 | st. James United Methodist Church, 3808 St James Church Rd, Raleigh, NC, 27604
The Best Dancers Are the Ones Laughing!
Never square danced before? Think you’ve got two left feet? Perfect — you’ll fit right in!
Join us for a lively Square Dance Open House, where the music is upbeat, the laughter is contagious, and messing up is half the fun. No experience? No partner? No problem!
Our friendly caller will guide you through simple moves, and you’ll be dancing (and laughing) in no time.
Come for the fun, stay for the smiles. Whether you’re dancing or just soaking up the good vibes, this is your chance to try something new and meet a fantastic group of people.
📅 Date: Tuesday, August 12, 2025
🕖 Time: 7:00 – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: St. James United Methodist Church, Carson Hall, 3808 St. James Church Rd, Raleigh, NC
💲 Admission: FREE!
Children age 10 and up are welcome with a participating adult.
No experience. No partner. No problem. Just bring your sense of humor and a willingness to have fun.
We can’t wait to see you there — grab your free spot now!
🎟️ Click “Register” to RSVP.
For more info: https://squaredanceraleigh.com

PineCone Old Time Jam at Riparian
2025-08-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Riparian Provision Company, 1408 S. Saunders St., Raleigh, NC, 27603, United States
Held on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 7-9 pm at the Riparian Provision Company (1408 South Saunders Street, Raleigh). This is an up to speed, gather in a circle kind of jam. It’s led by great players who work to make sure there’s space for everyone in the tunes.
The leader picks a key (D, A and G are popular) and calls tunes in that key until it feels right to pick a new key and retune. The fiddlers traditionally call the tunes, but not always the jam leader. If you’re playing fiddle you should expect to be asked, “Hey, you got a good D tune?” While “no” is an acceptable answer, it’s good to have a tune in each key that you’d feel comfortable calling and kicking off.

Whether you’re a first-time jammer or a veteran, you’re welcome to learn the tunes and play along, or just listen and observe! However, please note that this is not a “learning” or “slow” jam. Please remember – every jam is different! This jam tends to draw a good crowd, and it is open to musicians of all skill levels. Please help us make sure that newer players feel welcome. Also, big, mixed level jams can be challenging. Patience and kindness are appreciated!
Recent tunes include:
Fly Around (D)
Soldier’s Joy (D)
Whiskey Before Breakfast (D)
Yellow Rose of Texas (D)
Booth (A)
John Brown’s Dream (A)
Kitchen Girl (A)
June Apple (A)
Nail That Catfish to the Tree (G)
Big Scotia (G)
Elk River Blues (G)
Jenny Run Away in the Mud in the Night (G)

Once Upon a Mattress
2025-08-15 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-08-16 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-08-17 15:00 - 17:30, 2025-08-22 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-08-23 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-08-24 15:00 - 17:30 | NRACT, 7713 Lead Mine Road, Raleigh, 27615
Many moons ago in a far-off place, Queen Aggravain decreed no couples could marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, found a bride. Princesses came from far and wide to win the hand of the prince, but none could pass the impossible tests given to them by the Queen. That is, until the “shy” swamp princess, Winnifred the Woebegone, showed up. Would she be able to pass the Sensitivity Test, marry her prince, and help Lady Larken and Sir Harry to the altar? Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the classic tale The Princess and the Pea provides some side-splitting shenanigans. For after all, a princess is a delicate thing.

Rhythm & Reels - "A Minecraft Movie" Movie
2025-08-16 20:00 - 22:00 | Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre, 2600 Evans Rd, Apex, 27502
Join us on select Saturday evenings at the Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre for a night of music and movies under the stars. Our 2025 music lineup boasts a variety of genres from nu-funk to garage punk, and features several bands from Western North Carolina! So come groove with GRAMMY® Award-winning band King Garbage, let loose with Asheville’s Impending Joy, and enjoy family favorite movies under the stars at #RRApex
Bring your family and friends, pack a picnic basket, and come enjoy a memorable, magical summer evening! Concerts begin at 7:00pm, movies begin at dusk. To learn more about the event visit thehalle.org or follow @thehalleapex on Instagram and Facebook
Events are held at the Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre (2600 Evans Road.) Load up the kids, lawn chairs, blankets, a picnic dinner and show up early for good seats! No Pets or Alcohol allowed.

Sip + Stitch
2025-08-17 11:00 - 13:00 | 201 E Davie St, 201 East Davie Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
Join us for a monthly gathering of fiber folks at Artspace!

Cheerful Cellists: an Interactive Concert
2025-08-17 14:00 - 14:40 | Peach Road Cultural Center, 911 Ileagnes Rd, Raleigh, NC, 27603, United States
Join us for a fun, family-friendly cello concert at Peach Road Cultural Center on August 17 at 2 pm! Our program features light and accessible pieces where we’ll invite audience members to join along with our cellists (on simple instruments like shakers and Boomwhackers) so come ready to hear and try new things as part of this experience! Listeners ages 3 and up are welcome, and those 12 and under should have a parent in attendance.
This concert is free to attend though tickets must be reserved in advance due to limited seating capacity. If you’d like to make a donation to support our ensemble you may do so via Venmo or Paypal to jgCello. Donations are warmly welcomed and greatly appreciated.
Additionally “this project is supported by United Arts, Raleigh Arts, and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.” Their Artist Support Grant made the purchase of much of today’s equipment possible, as well as supported Jean in her time composing her pieces on today’s program. We thank you so much!

PineCone Beginners’ Bluegrass Jam
2025-08-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Harry’s Guitar Shop, 556 Pylon Dr, Raleigh, 27606
This jam is open to all musicians, not only beginners! It is a learning jam, though, to help those who are still learning the basics of bluegrass music and playing with other musicians. It is open to participants of all ages and abilities. This is a great opportunity for participants to learn basic jam etiquette before jumping into a traditional jam. We’ll spend the first hour playing together in a single large group, stopping frequently to discuss the songs. The second hour, we like to break off into two smaller groups and put our new jam skills into practice!
Facilitator Jef Walter is a local musician who plays with Hank Smith & the Beer & Banjos All-Stars (every Tuesday at The Raleigh Times Bar) and other groups; he also mentors The Loblollies youth bluegrass band.

Beer and Banjos: Momma Molasses
2025-08-19 18:30 - 21:00 | Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard, 1930 Wake Forest Rd, Raleigh, NC, 27608, United States
Beer and Banjos is a free, family-friendly evening of roots music every Tuesday at Raleigh’s Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard. Hosted by the mighty local musicians known collectively as the Beer and Banjos Allstars, these weekly concerts feature guest musicians and take place on Bowstring’s spacious patio when the weather allows, or inside by the bar when rain, heat, or cold threaten the vibe.
Tips for the musicians are gratefully accepted (look for a helper walking around with a bucket for cash and QR codes for online tips), and don’t forget to check out the merch table. Bowstring serves tasty pizza and other food as well as cold beer and other beverages.
This week, Momma Molasses returns to her home state of North Carolina for an encore performance at Beer and Banjos. Expect songs steeped in classic country, bluegrass, and gospel, a unique fingerpicking guitar style, and a LOT of fun from the stage. Get a taste of Momma Molasses here. The night’s festivities will be hosted by the Beer and Banjos Allstars, joined by old pal and fiddler extraordinaire Isabelle Parker.

Jazz
2025-08-20 00:00 | NC

Summer Celebration 2025
2025-08-23 11:00 - 15:00 | Artspace, 201 East Davie Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
Send off the summer with us at our Summer Celebration with art experiences and fun for all ages!

You’re invited to the family event of the summer! Join Artspace and partners for Summer Celebration featuring a youth art exhibition, hands-on art making activities and demonstrations. Plus, beat the heat with free snow cones and popcorn while supplies last!
Free to attend and open to the public. Registration is not required, but will help us anticipate attendance!
Featured Activities:

Explore youth art exhibitions by artists grades 1-12
Create your own tactile collages inspired by Eric Carle
Enjoy free snow cones and popcorn while supplies last
Interact with life-sized puppets from Paperhand Puppets
Explore the connections between nature and art with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Thanks to our Summer Celebration supporters: City of Raleigh Arts Commission, NC Arts Council, and United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County.
About Artspace //
Artspace is a non-profit visual arts center located in Downtown Raleigh. Visit Artspace to explore exhibitions featuring national and community artists, engage with more than 35 artists working in their studios, and enjoy art classes and community events for all ages and abilities. To learn more about Artspace, visit artspacenc.org
Parking and Accessibility //
Free street parking is available on Davie Street. Metered parking is available on adjacent streets. There are also several pay lots/decks nearby: City Market parking lot, Blount Street parking deck, and several Secure P lots for night + weekend parking (314 E Davie St, 415 S Person St, 417 S Person St).
Explore accessibility information with our Know Before You Go Guide.

Rhythm & Reels - Blue Cactus Concert
2025-08-23 19:00 - 20:30 | Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre, 2600 Evans Rd, Apex, 27502

Raleigh Little Theatre's Second Stage: Exit, Pursued by a Bear
2025-08-23 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-08-24 15:00 - 16:30 | Raleigh Little Theatre, 301 Pogue St, Raleigh, 27607
Raleigh Little Theatre is thrilled to announce a brand new initiative for the 2025-2026 season: the Second Stage Series. This exciting new series will be dedicated to exploring narratives and themes that are not often part of our mainstage programming. We hope these staged readings will offer an opportunity to engage with bold, often challenging, material that pushes boundaries, explores new perspectives, and broadens the horizons of both our artists and audiences.
Exit, Pursued by a Bear
By Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Mikki Marvel
Nan has decided to teach her abusive husband Kyle a lesson. With the help of her friend Simon (acting as her emotional—and actual—cheerleader), a sex worker named Sweetheart, and the words of William Shakespeare, she tapes Kyle to a chair and forces him to watch as they reenact scenes from their painful past. In the piece de resistance, they plan to cover the room in meat and honey so Kyle will be mauled by a bear. Through this night of emotional trials and ridiculous theatrics, Nan and Kyle are both freed from their past in this smart, wonderfully dark yet hopeful revenge comedy.
Performances: Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 7pm and Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 3pm
Location: Green Room
Ticket reservations open: Monday, August 18 @ noon

PineCone Open Bluegrass Jam
2025-08-25 19:00 - 21:00 | TransferCo Food Hall, 500 E Davie St, Raleigh, 27601
The monthly PineCone Bluegrass Jam is a “circle jam,” where musicians gather in a circle and play together. Tunes are played up to speed and everyone interested in playing bluegrass instruments is welcome.
This jam will be held outdoors when weather permits. TransferCo has a beautiful patio, with lots of room for pickers and spectators alike. There’s also a spacious ballroom just off the Food Hall that’s got room for a nice sized circle.
Jam leader Ron Raxter is pictured far left playing the upright bass. (photo by Tom Beck)
Facilitated Ron Raxter, the repertoire includes both instrumentals and vocal songs. Ron is one of PineCone’s founding members and is active in a number of local jams. He’s a retired attorney, bass player and was part of the local organizing committee that helped recruit IBMA’s World of Bluegrass to Raleigh.
In the colder months the jam is held in the TransferCo Ballroom. (photo by Maurice Melvin)
Whether you’re a first-time jammer or a veteran, you’re welcome to learn the tunes and play along, or just listen and observe! However, please note that this is not a “learning” or “slow” jam. If you want to play at a slower tempo you might want to check out our monthly “Beginners’ Jam” at Harry’s Guitar Shop. Regardless, this is a great place to meet other musicians who share your enthusiasm for bluegrass.
Please remember – every jam is different! This jam tends to draw a big crowd, and it is open to musicians of all skill levels. Please help us make sure that newer players feel welcome! Also, big, mixed level jams can be challenging. Patience and kindness are appreciated!
The PineCone Bluegrass Jam meets on the fourth Monday of each month at Transfer Co. Food Hall in downtown Raleigh.

Beer and Banjos: Grand Shores
2025-08-26 18:30 - 21:00 | Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard, 1930 Wake Forest Rd, Raleigh, NC, 27608, United States
Beer and Banjos is a free, family-friendly evening of roots music every Tuesday at Raleigh’s Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard. Hosted by the mighty local musicians known collectively as the Beer and Banjos Allstars, these weekly concerts feature guest musicians and take place on Bowstring’s spacious patio when the weather allows, or inside by the bar when rain, heat, or cold threaten the vibe.
Tips for the musicians are gratefully accepted (look for a helper walking around with a bucket for cash and QR codes for online tips), and don’t forget to check out the merch table. Bowstring serves tasty pizza and other food as well as cold beer and other beverages.
This week, Chapel Hill duo Grand Shores returns to Beer and Banjos with their fascinating blend of Americana sounds and West African folk music. You just gotta hear it to believe it! The Beer and Banjos Allstars will be on hand to host. Learn more about Grand Shores here.

Grand Shores
