Lisa Jeffries Nobling, Author at Raleigh Weekend

Friday Five: Shamrocks, Soccer, and Spicy Rigatoni

March 10, 2026 By Lisa Jeffries Nobling Leave a Comment

Is it just me, or does Raleigh have more energy than a golden retriever in a tennis ball factory this week?

From the first whistle at the Courage’s kickoff to the last bite of handmade pasta in the Warehouse District, we’re trading the couch for the vibrant pulse of the Oak City. Whether you’re leaning into the early St. Paddy’s spirit or getting lost in an immersive art exhibit, I’ve done the heavy lifting to ensure you don’t miss a beat.

Pick one thing or pick five—just don’t tell me there’s “nothing to do” when the city is practically begging you to come out and play.

But First… Honk If You Love a Giveaway!

March 10, 2026 By Lisa Jeffries Nobling Leave a Comment

Still dreaming of those big rigs? Consider this your friendly nudge to get in the driver’s seat for our March contest.

The countdown is officially on for the 11th Annual Junior League of Raleigh Touch-A-Truck®. As a proud media sponsor, Raleigh Weekend wants to send one lucky family to The Exchange Raleigh on Saturday, April 11, with a free four-pack of tickets (a $40 value). If you have a “tiny human” in your life who lives for loud horns and massive tires, this is the golden ticket.

This year’s move to 1000 Social Street means more than just a fresh backdrop; it’s a total logistical upgrade with a 1,500-space parking garage and a sprawling layout that makes navigating the fleet a breeze. Whether they want to climb into a fire truck or marvel at a crane, the excitement is unmatched. Don’t let this chance roll by—get your name in the hat before the March window closes!

Saturday’s Rooftop View for the 42nd Annual Parade

March 10, 2026 By Lisa Jeffries Nobling Leave a Comment

Skip the curb-side elbowing and take your St. Paddy’s experience to new heights—literally. The 42nd Annual Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade is set to paint Hillsborough Street green on Saturday, March 14, 2026. While the crowds scramble for a sliver of sidewalk at 10 a.m., the real pros will be stationed at Taverna Agora’s award-winning rooftop. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. sharp, giving you plenty of time to claim a prime vantage point and fuel up on a Greek-inspired breakfast before the first pipe band marches by.

Your ticket secures a spot on the roof and includes your choice of a breakfast entree—like the Baklava Sticky Buns or a Breakfast Gyro—plus unlimited coffee and a hot chocolate bar for the kiddos. For the adults looking to add a little “luck” to their morning, Mimosas, Bloody Marys, and boozy coffees are ready for purchase. It’s the ultimate “work smarter, not harder” move for parade day.

📍 Taverna Agora – 326 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27603
📅 Saturday, March 14 | Doors open 7:30 a.m. (Parade starts at 10 a.m.)
💰 $25 for Adults | $10 for Kids 12 and under (Paid at the restaurant)
📎https://resy.com/cities/raleigh-nc/venues/taverna-agora/events/st-patricks-day-parade-watch-party-at-taverna-agora-2026-03-14?date=2026-02-26&seats=2

Baklava for breakfast and a front-row seat to the bagpipes? That’s what we call a Raleigh Greek-Irish fusion success story.

A Saturday Kickoff and Carnivorous Kits for the Courage

March 10, 2026 By Lisa Jeffries Nobling Leave a Comment

Ready to trade your lounge pants for some pitch-side energy? The NWSL season officially lands in Cary this Saturday, March 14, 2026, as the North Carolina Courage hosts Racing Louisville for their highly anticipated home opener. Expect a high-octane atmosphere at WakeMed Soccer Park as the squad looks to set the tone for the 2026 campaign in front of the home crowd.

This season’s “vibe check” comes courtesy of the newly dropped “Become” kit, which you can see in the gif above. This striking third jersey is a love letter to the Tar Heel State, featuring a “Blue Void” base and a pattern inspired by the Venus flytrap—a plant native only to the Carolina coast. It completes the club’s “Place to BE” trilogy: Believe, Belong, and now, Become.

📍 First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park | 101 Soccer Park Dr, Cary, NC 27511
📅 Saturday, March 14 | 7 p.m.
💰 Tickets start at $25
📎 https://www.nccourage.com/

Whether you’re there for the world-class footy or just to see those flytrap kits in the wild, it’s the place to be. Just try not to get snapped up by the fashion.

Art in Bloom and Above at This Saturday Stargazing Event

March 10, 2026 By Lisa Jeffries Nobling Leave a Comment

If the Glenwood South crowds aren’t your speed, look up—the museum park is putting on its own celestial show. The NCMA is taking its “Art in Bloom” celebration to a much larger canvas: the night sky. On Saturday, March 14, 2026, the museum is leaning into its zodiac theme of “Air” by partnering with the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and the Raleigh Astronomy Club for a free community stargazing event. It’s a rare chance to see the Museum Park transformed into an open-air observatory after dark.

The evening is more than just looking through telescopes; you’ll find guided constellation activities and a massive outdoor floral installation by Bloom Works of Raleigh. If you arrive early, you might even snag some Art in Bloom giveaways (while they last). The best part? The floral installations will stay rooted in the park through Wednesday, March 18, so you can revisit your favorites in the daylight later this week.

📍 North Carolina Museum of Art | 2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607
📅 Saturday, Mar. 14 | 7:30 p.m.
💰 Free
📎https://ncartmuseum.org/events/art-in-bloom-community-day-2/?occurrence=2026-03-14

It’s basically a cosmic bouquet for your Saturday night. Just bring a blanket and a little bit of wonder…

Italian Sunday Supper at Figulina

March 10, 2026 By Lisa Jeffries Nobling Leave a Comment

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to cancel your Sunday scaries, a trip to Emilia-Romagna (by way of the Warehouse District) is a pretty solid one. While the rest of the city recovers from parade + partying on Saturday, Figulina is turning its kitchen into a love letter to Northern Italy. On Sunday, March 15, the restaurant is ditching its usual brunch service for a one-night-only a la carte dinner highlighting the soul-warming dishes of the Emilia-Romagna region. Think of it as the ultimate comfort food send-off before the new work week begins.

The menu is a curated journey through Italy’s “Food Valley,” featuring heavy hitters like Tagliatelle Bolognese, Tortellini en Brodo, and the crowd-favorite Gnocco Fritto. If you’re feeling festive, start with the meat-and-cheese aperitivo platter and ask about the wine pairings designed to highlight the region’s Lambruscos and Sangiovese. It’s an intimate, focused dinner that trades the typical Raleigh Sunday for a seat at an Italian family table.

📍 Figulina | 317 S. Harrington St., Raleigh, NC 27603
📅 Sunday, Mar. 15 | 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
💰 A la carte pricing
📎https://figulinaraleigh.com/

Pro tip: Don’t skip the Zuppa Inglese for dessert. It’s the kind of sweet ending that makes Monday morning feel significantly further away.

Image Credit: Jeff Bramwell

Looking Ahead: Join Us Friday, March 27, to Support No Woman, No Girl at A Night for Dignity

March 10, 2026 By Lisa Jeffries Nobling Leave a Comment

Dust off your tuxedo and your dancing shoes—we’re closing the month with a mission that’s as glamorous as it is impactful. Raleigh Weekend is pleased to serve as a media sponsor for this upcoming event!

Since 2021, the No Woman, No Girl Initiative has been a grassroots powerhouse in Raleigh, ensuring that a crisis or life transition doesn’t mean losing access to basic hygiene. From responding to Hurricane Helene in Western NC to launching leadership programs for young girls, they’ve already supported over 8,500 neighbors. Now, they are looking toward their next chapter: the Dignity Program, an in-person shopping experience that provides a 60-day supply of essentials to families in a way that centers on respect and hope.

On Friday, March 27, we’ll gather at Raleigh Union Station for “A Gala for Dignity.” This black-tie-preferred evening features a VIP experience, a live auction, and an after-party, to boot. The goal is to raise $300,000 to fund the first 1,000 shopping experiences at their new Family Distribution Center. They are already over 70% of the way there—let’s help them cross the finish line and bring dignity to those who need it most.

📍 Raleigh Union Station | 510 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27601

📅 Friday, March 27 | 5:30 p.m. (VIP) | 7 p.m. (Dinner) | 9 p.m. (After Party)
💰 Gala Tickets Begin at $250, Sponsorships Available
📎https://www.nowomannogirl.org/

If you can’t make the gala but still want to be a hero, you can ship hope directly to their shelves via their Amazon Wish List. It’s the easiest way to make a difference before your morning coffee is even finished.