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Events for June 7, 2024

First Friday is celebrated on the first Friday of each month throughout Downtown Raleigh to showcase the best of our city's creative community. Thousands venture downtown to visit art galleries & studios open late to host exhibits, artist talks, and creative activities. Retailers and restaurants also get in on the fun with live music, vendor markets, specials/discounts, and more. There's something for everyone each First Friday. 

Create your own First Friday itinerary by selecting the hearts for events and experiences you don't want to miss. Receive a custom map and itinerary to guide your First Friday evening!

Burial Beer Co. The Exhibit in Transfer Co. Food Hall
500 E Davie St - Moore Square District
Opening Night: Anna Podris with VISUALS Tasting
6pm - 8pm

Celebrated every month in Downtown Raleigh, First Friday puts the best of our vibrant creative community on display. Roll through on Friday, 6/7 to browse our latest gallery by local artist Anna Podris and enjoy a complementary VISUALS Tasting.

City of Raleigh Museum
220 Fayetteville St - Fayetteville Street District
Adult Drag Story Hour
6pm - 9pm

Join us at the City of Raleigh Museum from 6 - 9 p.m. for June's First Friday event!

Grab a drink and listen to Satine Allure from Drag Story Hour Triangle from 7-8 p.m. for an adult-themed story hour!

Date: Friday, June 7
Time: 7 - 8 p.m.
Ages: 21 and up
Cost: Free

Clyde Cooper's Barbecue
327 S Wilmington St - Moore Square District
First Friday Music Bingo @ Clyde Cooper's BBQ
6pm - 8pm

Your new 'go to' when it comes to First Friday in Downtown Raleigh! This has become a highly anticipated event, and we love hosting it!

Come have some dinner, enjoy a vast rotating list of local brews, listen to music and win prizes... all at the same time.

Come one, come all!

Current Wellness
219 S East St - Moore Square District
Queer Dance Party – First Friday
6-7pm

Join the Queer Dance Party at Current Wellness to celebrate Pride Month on First Friday!

Julia Carter and Dev Green will be turning our Movement Studio into a vibey dance space! We will have a curated playlist of queer anthems, non-alcoholic beverages, and all around good queer vibes. This event will be a mix of Immerse-style group choreography and time to just let loose and move your body.

The event is 6-7pm but the Wellness Bar will be open 5:30-7:30pm. Members, don’t forget to stop by for your free beverage!

Our Queer Dance Party centers queer bodies and queer experiences, but all identities are welcome.

Wear something that makes you feel good and that you don’t mind sweating in!

Designed For Joy
517 W Cabarrus St - Warehouse District
Studio Tours and Shopping at Designed For Joy
5pm - 7pm

Designed For Joy provides women in crisis with stability through immediate employment and support, removing the stigma of vulnerability. To date, we have hired over 130 women with $500,000 in living wages earned.

Shop our brand of leather handbags, jewelry, and home decor and provide living wage work for the next 100 women in Raleigh.

Tour our 5,000 square foot studio and see where and how our products are created.

Explore volunteer opportunities.

The Green Monkey
215 S Wilmington St - Moore Square District
The Raleigh Icons Drag Show
8pm - 10pm

Dana St. James, Kirby Kolby, and Emory Starr are not just performers but icons in the world of drag. Their decades of experience and unmatched artistry have solidified their places in drag history. Seeing them perform live is like witnessing living legends in action.
Prepare to be dazzled by a spectacle of extravagant costumes, mesmerizing performances, and jaw-dropping charisma. Each queen brings her unique style and flair to the stage, ensuring every moment is exciting and entertaining!
By attending the Raleigh Icons Drag Show, you're treating yourself to an incredible night out and playing a crucial role in supporting local drag talent and the vibrant LGBTQ+ community in Raleigh. Your presence is not just a ticket; it's a statement of support that helps sustain and grow the drag scene and ensures that future generations of performers have a platform to shine.
Whether you're a seasoned drag aficionado or experiencing your first drag show, the Raleigh Icons Drag Show promises to leave a lasting, indelible impression. From the electrifying performances to the camaraderie of the audience, it's an experience you'll carry with you, cherishing the memories for years to come. Get your tickets now!

Raleigh Podcast Studio
313 E Martin St - Moore Square District
Podcast Studio Tour
6pm - 8pm

Tour Raleigh's First Downtown Podcast Studio. Meet the team and see how we can help you or your business bring your video content ideas to life!!

The Raleigh Times Bar
14 E Hargett St - Fayetteville Street District
First Friday at The Times
7pm - 11pm

Hang with us at 14 E. Hargett Street from 7-11PM! Dance to live music by Edgewood Heavy, enjoy cold beer from Hi-Wire Brewing, and shop a bunch of cool local creators at The Morning Times Market. Also, check out the amazing artwork in The Morning Times gallery (open until 8pm)!

Transfer Co. Food Hall
500 E Davie St - Moore Square District
Changes by Morgan Lovette
5pm - 9pm

Exhibition Opening: Changes by Morgan Lovett

We are delighted to welcome you to the opening of "Changes" by the talented artist Morgan Lovett, hosted in the captivating Loft space at Transfer Company Food Hall. Prepare to embark on a journey through seasons, transitions, and the ever-shifting landscapes of the human experience.

In "Changes," Morgan Lovett invites us to witness the kaleidoscope of emotions and textures that define our lives. Inspired by the fluidity of existence, each piece reflects the stark contrasts and gradual shifts inherent in the passage of time. From moments of heartbreak to bursts of joy, from the ache of longing to the exhilaration of freedom, Lovett's artwork captures the multifaceted essence of being alive.

Walking through the exhibition, one cannot help but be drawn into a whirlwind of sensations. The artwork speaks to the complexity of human emotions, painting a vivid portrait of the human experience in all its colorful variety and textures. It's a testament to the fact that life is never just one thing; it's a million moments woven together in a tapestry of constant change.

As you immerse yourself in "Changes," allow yourself to be swept away by the beauty of the unexpected, the uncomfortable, and the profoundly moving. Embrace the wild rollercoaster of existence, recognizing that within every twist and turn lies the potential for growth, transformation, and ultimately, a deeper understanding of what it means to be alive.

Join us on Friday June 7th, as we celebrate the artistry of Morgan Lovett and the profound exploration of change, inviting you to embrace the beauty of life's ever-evolving journey.

Dear Raleigh by Brett Villena
5pm - 9pm

We are thrilled to announce the opening of "Dear Raleigh," an exhibition by esteemed photographer Brett Villena. As a Raleigh-native, Brett has cultivated a deep connection with the city, and his latest collection of photographs serves as a love letter to the place he calls home.

"Dear Raleigh" invites viewers on a visual journey through the heart and soul of the City of Raleigh, offering a nuanced perspective on its diverse landscapes and rich tapestry of life. Through Brett's lens, ordinary scenes are transformed into extraordinary moments, each photograph is infused with a sense of nostalgia and reverence for the familiar sights and sounds.

From the vibrant energy of downtown streets to the tranquil beauty of its parks and neighborhoods, "Dear Raleigh" captures the essence of a city in constant flux, yet anchored by its enduring spirit. Each photograph serves as a testament to Brett's artistic vision and his deep-seated affection for the place where his roots run deep.

Join us at Transfer Co. Food Hall on Friday June 7th as we celebrate the opening of "Dear Raleigh," a testament to the enduring bond between an artist and his city, and a tribute to the beauty that lies within the everyday.

NC Songwriters in the Round: Songstories x Transfer Co.
7pm - 9:30pm

Songstories x Transfer Co.
NC Songwriters in the Round

Location | Transfer Co. Ballroom & Event Venue
Cost | Suggested minimum donation: $12

Come explore and celebrate the diverse music genres and storytelling of North Carolina, with some of its finest songwriters. Together, we'll listen to heartfelt lyrics, catchy tunes, and hear the stories behind the songs.

Orignial to Nashville, the "in the round" style of show is rare in the Triangle area, with only a handful of folks hosting these special shows: 4 artists join each other on stage, performing one song and the story behind it, followed by the next artist, and so on. It is a vibe - and incredibly intimate, entertaining, and inspiring.

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect with some incredible artists and their beautiful music. See you there!