Weekend best bets: Valentine's Day fun, Cupid's Undie Run
It doesn't matter if you're single or taken -- there are dozens of events this weekend to enjoy with your significant other, friends, family and pets.
Valentine's Day fun
Cupid's Undie Run (Solas, 419 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh) - This run takes place on Saturday with proceeds going to find a cure for neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic tumor disorder that affects 1 in every 3,000 births. Things get started at noon at Solas in downtown Raleigh.
Date Night Series: Cupcake Design and Sip (Growler USA, 314 South Blount Street, Raleigh) - Design cupcakes and sip on a flight of beverages Saturday night at Growler USA in downtown Raleigh. The class begins with a demo by Candra Murphy, owner of Candie Cakes, Treats, and More, while you and your partner sip a on a custom flight of six beverages at Growlers USA. After the demo, couples will roll up their sleeves and get to work.
80s Movie Trivia (Love Story Edition) (Aloft Raleigh, 2100 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh) - Head to Aloft in Raleigh for this special trivia night on Friday featuring questions about 1980s classics.
Corks and Cakes: Valentine's Edition Cupcake and Wine Pairing (The Wine Feed, 602 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh) - This event pairs four mini cupcakes and four delicious wines for one perfect Sunday at The Wine Feed. Flights of four mini cupcakes and four paired wines are $18.
Feast of Saint Valentine Beer Dinner (Clouds Brewing, 126 North West Street, Raleigh) - Clouds Brewing in Raleigh hosts its first beer dinner of the year on Sunday.
LOVE Show: A Musical And Entertainment Experience (Imurj, 300 S. McDowell Street, Raleigh) - Experience a beautiful, romantic music concert and show at Imurj in downtown Raleigh on Friday and Saturday nights. Enjoy live performances of your favorite love songs and classic standards from Raleigh's best vocalists and musicians plus love themed comedy set to candlelight. The evening also includes red wine and cocktail specials.
North Carolina Symphony Plays Valentine's Romantic Classics (Meymandi Concert Hall, 2 East South Street, Raleigh) - Enjoy Strauss' famous "Blue Danube" waltz, selections from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and the whirling energy of Ravel's La Valse during these shows on Friday and Saturday night in Raleigh.
Galentine's Paint and Sip (Growler USA, 314 South Blount Street, Raleigh) - Grab your girls and enjoy this night out at Growlers USA on Sunday. This event includes a custom painting class and a complimentary drink.
Valentine's Pop-Up Market (Sola Coffee, 7705 Lead Mine Road, Raleigh) - Head to this pop-up market on Saturday in north Raleigh to pick up last minute gifts for your loved ones.
On stage
Cirque Du Soleil: Corteo (PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh) - Cirque Du Soleil presents its latest show, Corteo at PNC Arena through Sunday. Corteo, which means cortege in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The clown pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere, watched over by quietly caring angels.
The February Dangling Loafer Feat: The Best of the State (Kings, 14 W. Martin St., Raleigh) - This monthly comedy show is bringing comedians from Charlotte, Wilmington and Chapel Hill to perform Friday night at Kings.
The Second City: It's Not You, It's Me (Carolina Theatre of Durham, 309 W. Morgan St., Durham) - The Second City has been laughing at love and its infinite scroll of side effects for decades. Enjoy this show, which will take shots at heartbreak, missed connections and the mire of human relationships, on Friday night at Carolina Theatre of Durham.
Andrew McMahon (The Ritz, 2820 Industrial Drive, Raleigh) - The singer-songwriter plays The Ritz in Raleigh Saturday night.
An Evening of Entertainment (DPAC, 123 Vivian St., Durham) - In partnership with the DPS Scholarship Foundation, Durham Public Schools presents this spectacular musical showcase on Friday night at Durham Performing Arts Center. The show features 500 talented choral and dance students while generating college scholarships for DPS seniors.
More fun
Triangle eSports Championship (Durham Armory, 212 Foster St., Durham) - This gaming tournament is Sunday at the Durham Armory. It features a $10,000 Fortnite Battle Royale, in addition to other Fortnite and Rocket League tournaments, a Playstation Fighting Games showcase and a Smash Bros Ultimate Grudge Match between UNC and Duke students. Tickets are on sale now.
Hops and Shop Market (Big Boss Brewing, 1249 Wicker Drive, Raleigh) - This market brings together local vendors and local beer. The market is Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. at Big Boss Brewing in Raleigh.
Tet Vietnamese New Year Festival (Dorton Arena, 1025 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh) - The Vietnamese-American Association of Raleigh hosts this annual festival on Saturday at Dorton Arena. There will be traditional Vietnamese food, cultural performances, lion dance and children's games.
Downtown Cary Food & Flea (Downtown Cary) - This artisan market is held the second Sunday of every month. From noon to 4 p.m., there will be local crafters, artists, food artisans, beer and food trucks.The event takes place in the Fidelity Bank Plaza on the corner of Academy and West Chatham streets.
Raleigh Convention Boat Show (Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S Salisbury St., Raleigh) - The largest boat show in eastern North Carolina takes place this Friday through Sunday at the Raleigh Convention Center. Browse 150,000-square-feet of salt and freshwater boats, pontoons, skiffs, ski boats, deck boats, jet skis and more.
