La Mala
Hi {{ first name | Raleigh Lover}}!
Last night we kicked off the brand-new Raleigh Wide Open festival at NC State’s Centennial Campus - and what a fun surprise it was to discover The Corner. I’d heard of this growing music venue with regular concerts hosted by That Station but hadn’t made it there yet. After last night, I know I’ll be back soon.
The Corner reminded me of the relaxed, artistry-driven gathering spaces in Nashville and nearby Franklin or Leiper’s Fork, where it’s all about storytelling, music, and community. Picture brightly colored shipping containers to sit on, swinging chairs, whimsical art sculptures gazing at the stage, and fairy lights strung overhead. Add in your own blanket, picnic, and high spirits, and you’ve got one seriously cool place to spend an evening.
We tapped our toes to three fantastic bluegrass acts: Stillhouse Junkies, Tray Wellington Band, and The Barefoot Movement. Bluegrass isn’t always my go-to Spotify playlist, but live? It’s pure happiness. This music makes you bop, smile, and just feel good.
The festival fun continues this weekend, starting tonight at 5 p.m. across multiple stages in Downtown Raleigh. Many folks we chatted with last night said they miss IBMA World of Bluegrass (now in Chattanooga) but were hopeful this new tradition will fill the gap. I’m just grateful Raleigh brought something back because music really is the language of the soul, and our city thrives when we gather around it.
👏 Well done, Raleigh. Let’s keep the music alive and wide open! Will we see you there?
Here is our guide to the Raleigh Wide Open festival!
Caroline
P.S. We were able to spend time with our daughter Kalyra at UNCW last weekend. Family weekend was a wash out with all the rain, but we were still happy to reconnect with her and Wilmington! She’s thriving there and we couldn’t be happier.
💖 FAVORITE FINDS
The relatively new LA Mala restaurant in Glenwood South is fantastic - beautiful design, delicious food and great cocktails. IT’s in the old Cloud 9 brewery location and is from the LA Santa team just a block away.
Mango Sticky Rice Matcha from Iris Coffee Lab - my first time experiencing matcha - in the most perfect way! It tasted just like one of my all-time favorite desserts.
Chocolate raspberry ice cream from Mama Bird’s Ice Cream in Holly Springs possibly the best ice cream I’ve had outside of Italy!!
Designed for Joy’s annual fundraiser was a wonderful evening at the Merrimon-Wynne house!
The new Mandala Sky installation at Smoky Hollows is fantastic - it’s a collection of crochet mandalas suspended in the air.
The Corner
Chocolate Raspberry ice cream
Mandala Sky
Merrimon-Wynne House
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Start planning for a fun October with our October events guide! So many cool things to do!
Discounted advance tickets for the N.C. State Fair are available online through Thursday, October 16
First Friday is on tonight with a special Spooky Halloween Edition.
The team behind Bittersweet have now opened Bitter Social above Centro on Wilmington Street.
The Giorgios Group, has opened Tomi Sushi near Giorgios Epicurean Market + East End Bistrot.
🖋 ON THE BLOG
📆THIS WEEKEND
You may like…
Fri - Sat: Raleigh Wide Open Festival win Downtown Raleigh. It’s the World of Bluegrass replacement but will incorporate other genres like gospel and Americano.
Fri & Sat: Triangle Oktoberfest at Koka Booth in Cary. Time to prost and celebrate all things German!
Sat: Falling for Local is on at Dix Park featuring local makers and creators’ stalls, beer tents, live music from local artists, and activities for the kids, such as hayrides and pumpkin patches.
Sat & Sun: The Triangle Parade of Homes is a unique opportunity to tour new homes over the Triangle, to see what’s new in home construction and get design ideas and inspirations for our own home upgrades.
Fri - Sun: 13th Annual Raleigh Film and Art Festival at William Peace University Over 200 + independent films, amazing venues, featuring the best talent of 2025,
More ideas including Oktoberfest and Pumpkin Patches👇
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