All Month
OLD SCHOOL MUSIC
Rock of ages… If your glory days happened in the 70s, 80s or 90s, then you have a chance to catch a part of that soundtrack at one of Raleigh’s many music venues in August. Here is just a sampling: moe. and Blues Traveler play Red Hat Amphitheater August 4; enjoy An Evening with Lyle Lovett and His Large Band at the Joseph M. Bryan, Jr., Theater in the Museum Park August 7; The Flaming Lips hit Red Hat August 7; Heart loves on Walnut Creek August 10; Mother’s Finest jams at Lincoln Theatre August 10; Big Head Todd & the Monsters get large at Koka Booth Amphitheatre August 18. There’s plenty of time yet to relive the best years of your life.

boothamphitheatre.com; lincolntheatre.com; ncartmuseum.org; redhatamphitheater.com; walnutcreekamphitheatre.com.

August 1
SUNFLOWER SELFIES AND BEYOND
Join Mary Louise Ravese of Bella Vista Photography at the North Carolina Museum of Art’s Lowe’s Pavilion on August 1 to learn how to get the perfect shot of the museum’s sunflower field. With the flowers in peak bloom, be sure to stop by to snap a selfie or portraits of loved ones, and with a professional on hand to guide you, you’ll be sure to get the perfect shot. All skill levels and cameras are welcome, including cell phones. Dress for the outdoors, and bring water to stay cool. 

6-8:30 p.m.; $31 for museum members, $35 for nonmembers; for ages 16 and up; North Carolina Museum of Art; ncartmuseum.org

August 3
VINTAGE BASEBALL GAME
If you build it, they will come. Join fellow cranks (an old-timey term for fans) for a humdinger of an evening of Vintage Base Ball at the Historic Durham Athletic Park presented by the Duke Homestead Education & History Corporation. A team of vintage ballers take on local sports and media personalities in a game played by historic rules. There will be activities and crafts for kids, food truck fare and cold brews from Bull Durham beer. And you can even buy some peanuts and crackerjacks. Proceeds from the evening benefit Duke Homestead. Huzzah!

4 – 8 p.m.; $5; 500 West Corporation St., Durham; eventbrite.com.

August 8
RALEIGH NIGHT MARKET
At the Raleigh Night Market’s one-year anniversary market on August 8, explore Raleigh’s creativity under the beautiful lights and cobblestone streets of historic City Market. Featuring locally-made goods and live music and entertainment, find artisan crafts, food drinks and more.

 

August 9
NEW REVEILLE WITH THE RALEIGH ROCKERS
Catch a rocking Raleigh mashup August 9 at PLAYlist, Durham Central Park’s free concert series. Breakdance crew the Raleigh Rockers open for alt-country band New Reveille. Enjoy this eclectic collaboration while dining on food truck fare and local craft beer vendors. Park it: seating is open lawn, so bring blankets and chairs. Picnics are welcome; outside alcohol is not. Pop and lock it in.

7 p.m.; free; 501 Foster St., Durham; durhamplaylist.org

AUGUST 15-18
2019 WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS CUP
With dozens of international stars returning from the World Cup, the 2019 Women’s International Champions Cup, hosted by the NC Courage at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, is a can’t-miss. Watch some of the finest soccer players in the world go head to head, fresh from soccer’s biggest stage. 

August 15-18; Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary; nccourage.com.

August 17
SUMMER DAZE MUSIC FEST
Chillax: Summer Daze Music Festival Vol. 2 is happening August 17 at Coastal Credit Union Midtown Park in North Hills. Gather your crew for a day of music featuring DJ Nevy, The EFunk Experience and 90’s cover band Here’s to the Night. Local vendors, food trucks and adult beverages will help keep the party turned up to eleven. Don’t be dazed and confused: alcohol must be purchased with special ticket. A portion of all proceeds will go towards Arts For Life, a North Carolina nonprofit that provides educational art programs to support people facing serious illnesses and disabilities.

12 – 9 p.m.; free entry; 4011 Cardinal at North Hills; summerdazefestival.com.

August 17-18
TRIANGLE VEGFEST
Meet your veggies at Triangle Vegfest 2019 August 17-18. The two-day event celebrates the vegetarian and vegan lifestyle and promotes the health benefits of a plant-based diet. August 17 is Presenter Day, which takes place at the Durham Arts Council PSI Theater. Come hear speakers and see cooking and food preparation demonstrations. August 18 is Vendor Day at the Durham Armory. Browse the marketplace featuring vegan-friendly businesses, sample free food and enjoy live music and food truck fare.

See website for festival schedule and hours; free; trianglevegfest.com.

August 24
PACKAPALOOZA
Packapalooza is back to back the Wolfpack. From the Pullen Roundabout to the Brooks Roundabout, Hillsborough Street will be in the red with over 300 vendor booths welcoming rabid fans to browse, shop, eat, drink, schmooze, learn and celebrate N.C. State University. Booths include everything from student organizations, campus departments, student-athletes to Hillsborough Street merchants, nonprofit and for-profit organizations and food and beverage trucks. Three stages will showcase a variety of student performers, capped off by headliner Delta Rae and fireworks. Woof!

2 – 10 p.m.; free admission; Hillsborough Street; packapalooza.ncsu.edu.

August 24-25
LAZY DAZE ARTS FESTIVAL
Paint the town of Cary red (and every other color of the rainbow) at Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival August 24-25. The beloved festival draws thousands of visitors to downtown Cary for music and entertainment; food and beverage; kids activities; and, of course, art. Browse the stalls of artisans representing all of the arts from sculpture, drawing, painting and mixed media to jewelry, printmaking and photography.

See website for all festival details; townofcary.org.

August 29
CHAKA KHAN
We’ll tell you something good: Chaka Khan will rock the Joseph M. Bryan, Jr., Theater in the Museum Park at the North Carolina Museum of Art August 29. The ten-time Grammy Award recipient is one of the most revered voices in popular music. R&B, funk, pop, jazz, musical theatre—she’s done it all, and at 65, continues to share her powerhouse vocals with audiences who definitely feel for her.

8 p.m.; from $50; 2110 Blue Ridge Road; ncartmuseum.org.

August 31-September 1
AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL
Take part in the African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County at City Plaza this Labor Day weekend. Now in its tenth year, the festival brings together a diverse group of artists, performers, media personalities and business owners to celebrate African American culture in North Carolina. Catch a variety of musical and dance acts on the Main Stage, stroll the Art Gallery Walk, then shop the Vendor Marketplace for specialty items. Keep wee festival-goers busy in the Family Village with make-and-take crafts, storytellers and hands-on experiences. And when it’s time to break for a bite, enjoy food and beverages from a variety of food vendors.

See website for festival hours and schedule; free; 400 Fayetteville St.; aacfestival.org.

August 31-September 1
BULL CITY RUMBLE
Get ready to Bull City Rumble Labor Day weekend in downtown Durham. Bull City Rumble is a vintage motorcycle and scooter rally presented by Ton Up NC, a nonprofit group of bike enthusiasts. Jumpstart the weekend at the Rumble Registration Party at the Green Room in Durham August 30, then cruise into the weekend with the Vintage Motorcycle, Scooter and Cafe Racer Show at Social Games and Brews. This is a juried bike show that is big on style and personality. Highlights include the bike show awards, Rumble After Party at Social Games and Brews, and a nail-biting performance by AMDC Wall of Death, an extreme motorcycle thrill show.

See website for Rumble schedule, times and to register a vehicle; downtown Durham; tonup.bigcartel.com/bull-city-rumble.