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Dorothea Dix Park Weekly Event Guide (April 13–20, 2026)
Looking for relaxing outdoor activities, family-friendly experiences, and creative community events in Raleigh? The weekly lineup at Dorothea Dix Park offers something for everyone—from yoga and tai chi to live music and interactive arts programming.
Here’s your complete DoRaleigh guide to Dix Park events happening April 13–20, 2026.
Monday, April 13Yoga in the Park
🕕 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Harvey Hill
Unwind and reset your week with an evening yoga session overlooking the Raleigh skyline. Perfect for all levels, this outdoor class blends movement, mindfulness, and fresh air.
Tuesday, April 14Tai Chi
🕕 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Harvey Hill
Find balance, calm, and inner peace with this gentle, meditative movement class. Tai Chi at Dix Park is ideal for beginners and anyone seeking a low-impact wellness experience.
Friday, April 17Poetry in the Park
🕕 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 House of Many Porches Market
Enjoy a laid-back evening of spoken word, storytelling, and community connection. Whether you’re performing or just listening, this family-friendly event invites all to experience the power of poetry.
Saturday, April 18Instrument Petting Zoo
🕙 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Gipson Play Plaza
A hands-on, interactive experience where kids and families can explore different musical instruments. Perfect for sparking creativity and introducing young ones to the world of music.
Music at the Market🕚 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 House of Many Porches Market
Spend your Saturday enjoying live music, local vendors, and a vibrant community atmosphere. Bring friends, grab a bite, and soak in the sounds of Raleigh.
Why Visit Dix Park This Week?
Dorothea Dix Park continues to be one of Raleigh’s premier destinations for outdoor recreation, wellness, and community programming. With scenic views, open green space, and diverse weekly events, it’s the perfect place to connect with nature and neighbors.
Plan Your Week at Dix ParkFrom peaceful yoga sessions and tai chi to creative arts and live music, this week’s events at Dix Park offer a great mix of relaxation and fun. Whether you’re visiting solo, with friends, or bringing the whole family, there’s always something happening at one of Raleigh’s most iconic parks.
Stay connected with DoRaleigh for more weekly guides, local events, and things to do across the Triangle.
Post your community News, Events, and you can request placing a Paid ad on our Submissions Page.
Find Us: Instagram | Facebook | BSky | Linkedin
#DixParkEventsRaleigh #DorotheaDixParkEventsApril2026 #events #familyEventsRaleighNC #freeEventsRaleighApril2026 #GipsonPlayPlazaEvents #HarveyHillEvents #liveMusicDixPark #News #raleigh #RaleighOutdoorEvents #RaleighYogaInThePark #thingsToDoAtDixPark -
Dreading the January onslaught of messages demanding that you “fix” your body so it conforms to an unrealistic ideal based on racism?
Interested in hearing from under-represented voices in public health that share different messages?
Announcing the Shared Stories Society!
Starting January 16 join me online Friday afternoons from 3-4:30pm Pacific Time for “media club”. This program invites participants to explore under represented voices in public health. We will examine books, zines, and more across the year. Each session will include time for grounding and self-reflection in addition to group discussion of the materials.
January through February we’ll be reading Aubrey Gordon’s book, “What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat”, and learn how anti-fat bias harms not only fat people, but thin people as well.
While this is listed as being for adults 60+, if you’re an adult younger than 60 and want to participate, please sign up anyway! We’ve officially expanded it to 40+, but if this is what you need and over 20, consider joining, just know the conversation may be biased to post-menopausal people.
#BookClub #PublicHealth #NewVoices #AntiFatBias #AntiDiet #Yoga #YogaTherapy #OnlineLearning #LifelongLearning
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The Recycled Materials Village (Pod 6) is an open-source, earthship-inspired design using reclaimed materials to create 47 living units and 14 common areas. It includes spaces for dining, socializing, art, music, yoga, and more. All designs and construction methods will be shared for global use and sustainability.
https://www.onecommunityglobal.org/recycled-materials-village/
#RecycledMaterials #Sustainability #EcoLiving #OpenSource #GreenBuilding #EarthshipDesign #ReclaimedMaterials #SelfSufficientCommunities
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The Recycled Materials Village (Pod 6) is an open-source, earthship-inspired design using reclaimed materials to create 47 living units and 14 common areas. It includes spaces for dining, socializing, art, music, yoga, and more. All designs and construction methods will be shared for global use and sustainability.
https://www.onecommunityglobal.org/recycled-materials-village/
#RecycledMaterials #Sustainability #EcoLiving #OpenSource #GreenBuilding #EarthshipDesign #ReclaimedMaterials #SelfSufficientCommunities
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The Recycled Materials Village (Pod 6) is an open-source, earthship-inspired design using reclaimed materials to create 47 living units and 14 common areas. It includes spaces for dining, socializing, art, music, yoga, and more. All designs and construction methods will be shared for global use and sustainability.
https://www.onecommunityglobal.org/recycled-materials-village/
#RecycledMaterials #Sustainability #EcoLiving #OpenSource #GreenBuilding #EarthshipDesign #ReclaimedMaterials #SelfSufficientCommunities
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The Recycled Materials Village (Pod 6) is an open-source, earthship-inspired design using reclaimed materials to create 47 living units and 14 common areas. It includes spaces for dining, socializing, art, music, yoga, and more. All designs and construction methods will be shared for global use and sustainability.
https://www.onecommunityglobal.org/recycled-materials-village/
#RecycledMaterials #Sustainability #EcoLiving #OpenSource #GreenBuilding #EarthshipDesign #ReclaimedMaterials #SelfSufficientCommunities
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The Recycled Materials Village (Pod 6) is an open-source, earthship-inspired design using reclaimed materials to create 47 living units and 14 common areas. It includes spaces for dining, socializing, art, music, yoga, and more. All designs and construction methods will be shared for global use and sustainability.
https://www.onecommunityglobal.org/recycled-materials-village/
#RecycledMaterials #Sustainability #EcoLiving #OpenSource #GreenBuilding #EarthshipDesign #ReclaimedMaterials #SelfSufficientCommunities
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“Your disabilities are your fault! Try harder! Eat better! Do yoga! Don’t mask! Care about health!”
We’ve heard it ALL. You can’t “healthy living” your way out of disabilities. Many are born disabled.
Folks who “don’t do sick” are rejecting reality & their ableism harms us.
More and more I think people say these things because they desperately NEED to believe that their healthy lifestyle will ensure they don’t end up “like us.”
Disabled people are so disliked and mistreated in society - that people fear becoming us and lash out as a result.
More on the “don’t do sick” crowd - including how we’re frequently expected to hide our disabilities so as not to inconvenience others.
Never forget that it’s ok to set (and hold) boundaries. Never apologize for being sick!
https://www.disabledginger.com/p/we-dont-do-sick-if-you-cant-hide
#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #mastcells
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Please boost
MUTUAL AID REQUEST🖖:flag_nonbinary:🏳️⚧️🦇🏳️⚧️:flag_nonbinary:🖖
Few days out of surgery.
I filed for leave from work and it somehow resulted in a denial and a loss of all of my benefits.
This was surprising because the last day was the day after my procedure.
I want to entice some of you to send me money. I did not take as many pictures as I wanted but I did take a few and a short video of me in the shower before the snip. When I heal up I have a motivation to take some more pictures. I am still making an OnlyFans but do not have the focus or energy to set all of that up and I could use money now.
My #Orchiectomy went well, I am healing and dealing with some issues remaining still. Not doing yoga and walking is a pain in my ass. Two weeks out of work and another week of caution.
Keeping my Gock but the nuts had to go. I am so happy with this decision so far.I need to raise a few hundred dollars. If I could get enough to cover rent next month that would help me feel less afraid of things.
I also have a wishlist of stuff that can make me happy.
Some of what has been sent to me went to meds and some recovery needs.My post #surgery needs are covered as far as the meds I needed. I really want to get some new clothes and make-up. Would also love to get a sense of my future.
Please help and #boost
I really want to feel safe after I come out of this #recovery period.
My blog is covering my journey and I update it nightly with multiple posts on the day I had the procedure.
https://nailsthatglow.com/blog
Venmo - nailsthatglow
CashApp - $nailsthatglowLove You So Very Much!
#trans #nonbinary
#MutualAid #Boost
#transfem #help
#lgbtqia #transgender
#queer #support
#gender #affirminggender
#MutualAidRequest #TransCrowdFundhttps://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2S2YHN0Z6K1QJ?ref_=wl_share
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Triangle Event Guide Weekend Edition: Best Things To Do Around Raleigh, Durham, Cary & The Triangle (May 8–10, 2026)
Looking for the best things to do across the Triangle this weekend? From free festivals and Mother’s Day markets to live music, outdoor movies, food events, art walks, yoga, comedy, and family-friendly activities, the Triangle is packed with events happening across Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, Pittsboro, Hillsborough, and beyond.
This weekend’s highlights include Raleigh’s Spring Festival at Moore Square, the Ritmo Latino Festival in Cary, Shakespeare in the Parks in Durham, Mother’s Day celebrations across the Triangle, free shredding events, pop-up markets, concerts, and outdoor fun at Dix Park, Yates Mill, Downtown Cary Park, and more.
Whether you’re planning a family outing, date night, Mother’s Day weekend celebration, or looking for free things to do in Raleigh this weekend, here’s your complete Triangle Weekend Event Guide for May 8–10, 2026.
Friday, May 8, 2026
Freebies, Markets & Community Events
- Chicken Salad Chick Mother’s Day Deal — Buy one Large Quick Chick, get one free
- Free Document Shredding at Office Depot / OfficeMax
- Free tea for teachers and nurses at McAlister’s Deli
- Shake Shack free burger deal with purchase
- Spring Open Nursery and Garden Days at Plant Delights Nursery
- Garden Storytime at JC Raulston Arboretum
- Letterland Days at Pullen Park
- Free coffee tasting at Counter Culture Coffee in Durham
- Mill History Tours at Historic Yates Mill County Park
Friday Night Events & Live Music
- Friday Night on White featuring Sleeping Booty Band in Wake Forest
- Pop Up Music at North Hills in Raleigh
- 2nd Friday ArtWalk in Chapel Hill and Carrboro
- Chime In Open Mic at Lanza’s Cafe
- Live music at The Glass Jug RTP, Compass Rose Brewery, Oaklyn Springs Brewery, and more
- Bike Month Movie: E.T. in Chapel Hill
- Karaoke nights across Cary, Durham, Holly Springs, and Raleigh
- Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic at Durty Bull Brewing
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Major Festivals & Featured Events
Raleigh’s Spring Festival at Moore Square
One of the biggest highlights of the weekend, Raleigh’s Spring Festival brings live music, food trucks, shopping vendors, beer and wine, games, family activities, and Mother’s Day celebrations to Downtown Raleigh.
Ritmo Latino Festival in Cary
Celebrate Latin culture with music, dancing, food, and performances at Cary Town Hall.
Ma & Pa Festival in Downtown Raleigh
This family-friendly festival on Fayetteville Street celebrates moms and dads with vendors, activities, entertainment, and local shopping.
Kids Food Fest at Downtown Cary Park
A fun-filled day featuring family activities, food experiences, games, and entertainment for children and parents alike.
Family-Friendly Events
- Family Fun Day: Airplanes! at the City of Raleigh Museum
- JCPenney Kids Zone free crafts
- Learn to Ride bike programs in Raleigh
- Free Family Taekwondo at Dix Park
- Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours
- Free guided tours of the North Carolina State Capitol
- Sensory-Friendly screening of Wall-E at The Carolina Theatre
- Handcrafting History at Historic Yates Mill County Park
Markets, Art & Outdoor Fun
- Durham Craft Market
- Triangle Creators Pop-Up Market at Crank Arm Brewing
- Mother’s Day Market at Nanny Goat Market RTP
- Concerts on the Creek at Hub RTP
- Saturdays in Saxapahaw Outdoor Concert Series
- 31st Annual Art in the Garden Sculpture Exhibition in Hillsborough
- Sips & Blooms Pop-Up at Village District
Saturday Night Music & Entertainment
- Shakespeare in the Parks presents As You Like It in Durham Central Park
- Carolina Hurricanes Watch Party at Crank Arm Brewing
- Live music across Cary, Durham, Apex, Hillsborough, Pittsboro, Holly Springs, and Raleigh
- Comedy Showcase at Incendiary Brewing Raleigh
- Open Mic/Karaoke Night at Compass Rose Brewery
Sunday, May 10, 2026 (Mother’s Day)
Mother’s Day Events Across The Triangle
Mother’s Day celebrations take center stage on Sunday with brunches, markets, yoga sessions, concerts, and family activities happening throughout the region.
Highlights include:
- MOMosas Day at Crank Arm Brewing
- Mother’s Day Farmers Market in Knightdale
- Mother’s Day at Fenton in Cary
- Bazaar Craft & Art Market in Carrboro
- Raleigh Underground Market at Midtown Park
- Black Farmers’ Market at Southeast Raleigh YMCA
Wellness & Outdoor Activities
- Sunday Morning Yoga at Compass Rose Brewery
- Free yoga at the City of Raleigh Museum
- Art in the Park: May Flowers in Apex
- Visit Brajboro Cow Sanctuary in Chapel Hill
- Raleigh Really Really Free Market
Live Music & Sunday Entertainment
- Six Sundays in Spring concert featuring The Tams in Wake Forest
- Sundays at Sundown Live Music in Chapel Hill
- Bluegrass Open Jam in Cary
- Jazz with Rony Thomas at Blackbird Brewery
- Sugaree String Society live at Steel String Brewery
- Sapphlix Queer Movie Night in Carrboro
- Open mic events across Durham, Raleigh, Cary, and Fuquay-Varina
Best Free Things To Do In The Triangle This Weekend
Some of the top FREE events this weekend include:
- Raleigh’s Spring Festival
- Ritmo Latino Festival
- Shakespeare in the Parks
- Durham Craft Market
- Friday Night on White
- Family Fun Day at City of Raleigh Museum
- Pop-Up Music at North Hills
- Free NC State Capitol Tours
- Bazaar Craft & Art Market
- Six Sundays in Spring Concert Series
Plan Your Weekend Around Raleigh & The Triangle
From outdoor concerts and spring festivals to markets, comedy, karaoke, art walks, and Mother’s Day celebrations, there’s no shortage of things to do around Raleigh and the Triangle this weekend.
Be sure to bookmark DoRaleigh.com for daily local event guides, Downtown Raleigh happenings, food and drink specials, live music updates, family activities, and community events happening across the Triangle.
Post your community News, Events, on our Submissions Page. If you interested in Advertising click here.
Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | BSky | Linkedin
#CaryEvents #ChapelHillEvents #DixParkEvents #DowntownRaleighEvents #DurhamEvents #events #familyFriendlyEventsRaleigh #freeThingsToDoInRaleigh #liveMusicRaleigh #MotherSDayEventsRaleigh #NCEvents #News #RaleighConcerts #RaleighEvents #RaleighFestivals #RaleighFoodEvents #RaleighMarkets #RaleighWeekendEvents #thingsToDoInRaleigh #TriangleEventGuide #TriangleEvents #TriangleWeekendGuide #weekendEventsTriangle -
Triangle Event Guide Weekend Edition: Best Things To Do Around Raleigh, Durham, Cary & The Triangle (May 8–10, 2026)
Looking for the best things to do across the Triangle this weekend? From free festivals and Mother’s Day markets to live music, outdoor movies, food events, art walks, yoga, comedy, and family-friendly activities, the Triangle is packed with events happening across Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, Pittsboro, Hillsborough, and beyond.
This weekend’s highlights include Raleigh’s Spring Festival at Moore Square, the Ritmo Latino Festival in Cary, Shakespeare in the Parks in Durham, Mother’s Day celebrations across the Triangle, free shredding events, pop-up markets, concerts, and outdoor fun at Dix Park, Yates Mill, Downtown Cary Park, and more.
Whether you’re planning a family outing, date night, Mother’s Day weekend celebration, or looking for free things to do in Raleigh this weekend, here’s your complete Triangle Weekend Event Guide for May 8–10, 2026.
Friday, May 8, 2026
Freebies, Markets & Community Events
- Chicken Salad Chick Mother’s Day Deal — Buy one Large Quick Chick, get one free
- Free Document Shredding at Office Depot / OfficeMax
- Free tea for teachers and nurses at McAlister’s Deli
- Shake Shack free burger deal with purchase
- Spring Open Nursery and Garden Days at Plant Delights Nursery
- Garden Storytime at JC Raulston Arboretum
- Letterland Days at Pullen Park
- Free coffee tasting at Counter Culture Coffee in Durham
- Mill History Tours at Historic Yates Mill County Park
Friday Night Events & Live Music
- Friday Night on White featuring Sleeping Booty Band in Wake Forest
- Pop Up Music at North Hills in Raleigh
- 2nd Friday ArtWalk in Chapel Hill and Carrboro
- Chime In Open Mic at Lanza’s Cafe
- Live music at The Glass Jug RTP, Compass Rose Brewery, Oaklyn Springs Brewery, and more
- Bike Month Movie: E.T. in Chapel Hill
- Karaoke nights across Cary, Durham, Holly Springs, and Raleigh
- Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic at Durty Bull Brewing
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Major Festivals & Featured Events
Raleigh’s Spring Festival at Moore Square
One of the biggest highlights of the weekend, Raleigh’s Spring Festival brings live music, food trucks, shopping vendors, beer and wine, games, family activities, and Mother’s Day celebrations to Downtown Raleigh.
Ritmo Latino Festival in Cary
Celebrate Latin culture with music, dancing, food, and performances at Cary Town Hall.
Ma & Pa Festival in Downtown Raleigh
This family-friendly festival on Fayetteville Street celebrates moms and dads with vendors, activities, entertainment, and local shopping.
Kids Food Fest at Downtown Cary Park
A fun-filled day featuring family activities, food experiences, games, and entertainment for children and parents alike.
Family-Friendly Events
- Family Fun Day: Airplanes! at the City of Raleigh Museum
- JCPenney Kids Zone free crafts
- Learn to Ride bike programs in Raleigh
- Free Family Taekwondo at Dix Park
- Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours
- Free guided tours of the North Carolina State Capitol
- Sensory-Friendly screening of Wall-E at The Carolina Theatre
- Handcrafting History at Historic Yates Mill County Park
Markets, Art & Outdoor Fun
- Durham Craft Market
- Triangle Creators Pop-Up Market at Crank Arm Brewing
- Mother’s Day Market at Nanny Goat Market RTP
- Concerts on the Creek at Hub RTP
- Saturdays in Saxapahaw Outdoor Concert Series
- 31st Annual Art in the Garden Sculpture Exhibition in Hillsborough
- Sips & Blooms Pop-Up at Village District
Saturday Night Music & Entertainment
- Shakespeare in the Parks presents As You Like It in Durham Central Park
- Carolina Hurricanes Watch Party at Crank Arm Brewing
- Live music across Cary, Durham, Apex, Hillsborough, Pittsboro, Holly Springs, and Raleigh
- Comedy Showcase at Incendiary Brewing Raleigh
- Open Mic/Karaoke Night at Compass Rose Brewery
Sunday, May 10, 2026 (Mother’s Day)
Mother’s Day Events Across The Triangle
Mother’s Day celebrations take center stage on Sunday with brunches, markets, yoga sessions, concerts, and family activities happening throughout the region.
Highlights include:
- MOMosas Day at Crank Arm Brewing
- Mother’s Day Farmers Market in Knightdale
- Mother’s Day at Fenton in Cary
- Bazaar Craft & Art Market in Carrboro
- Raleigh Underground Market at Midtown Park
- Black Farmers’ Market at Southeast Raleigh YMCA
Wellness & Outdoor Activities
- Sunday Morning Yoga at Compass Rose Brewery
- Free yoga at the City of Raleigh Museum
- Art in the Park: May Flowers in Apex
- Visit Brajboro Cow Sanctuary in Chapel Hill
- Raleigh Really Really Free Market
Live Music & Sunday Entertainment
- Six Sundays in Spring concert featuring The Tams in Wake Forest
- Sundays at Sundown Live Music in Chapel Hill
- Bluegrass Open Jam in Cary
- Jazz with Rony Thomas at Blackbird Brewery
- Sugaree String Society live at Steel String Brewery
- Sapphlix Queer Movie Night in Carrboro
- Open mic events across Durham, Raleigh, Cary, and Fuquay-Varina
Best Free Things To Do In The Triangle This Weekend
Some of the top FREE events this weekend include:
- Raleigh’s Spring Festival
- Ritmo Latino Festival
- Shakespeare in the Parks
- Durham Craft Market
- Friday Night on White
- Family Fun Day at City of Raleigh Museum
- Pop-Up Music at North Hills
- Free NC State Capitol Tours
- Bazaar Craft & Art Market
- Six Sundays in Spring Concert Series
Plan Your Weekend Around Raleigh & The Triangle
From outdoor concerts and spring festivals to markets, comedy, karaoke, art walks, and Mother’s Day celebrations, there’s no shortage of things to do around Raleigh and the Triangle this weekend.
Be sure to bookmark DoRaleigh.com for daily local event guides, Downtown Raleigh happenings, food and drink specials, live music updates, family activities, and community events happening across the Triangle.
Post your community News, Events, on our Submissions Page. If you interested in Advertising click here.
Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | BSky | Linkedin
#CaryEvents #ChapelHillEvents #DixParkEvents #DowntownRaleighEvents #DurhamEvents #events #familyFriendlyEventsRaleigh #freeThingsToDoInRaleigh #liveMusicRaleigh #MotherSDayEventsRaleigh #NCEvents #News #RaleighConcerts #RaleighEvents #RaleighFestivals #RaleighFoodEvents #RaleighMarkets #RaleighWeekendEvents #thingsToDoInRaleigh #TriangleEventGuide #TriangleEvents #TriangleWeekendGuide #weekendEventsTriangle -
Dorothea Dix Park Weekly Event Guide (April 20–26, 2026)
Looking for peaceful outdoor experiences, wellness activities, and family-friendly events in Raleigh? Dorothea Dix Park continues to be one of the city’s top destinations for community gatherings, nature, and mindfulness. This week’s lineup features yoga, an Earth Day celebration, and a relaxing sound bath experience—all set against the scenic backdrop of one of Raleigh’s most iconic parks.
🌿 Monday, April 20, 2026
🧘 Yoga in the Park
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Harvey Hill
Come flow with the community during this Summer Yoga session at Dorothea Dix Park. Perfect for all skill levels, this outdoor class offers a relaxing way to unwind, stretch, and connect with nature.🌎 Friday, April 24, 2026
🌱 Raleigh Earth Day Festival
Time: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Harvey Hill & Flowers Field (Tents on Flowers Field)
Celebrate sustainability and community at this family-friendly, eco-conscious festival. Enjoy local vendors, educational exhibits, activities for all ages, and more while embracing the spirit of Earth Day in Raleigh.🧘♀️ Sunday, April 26, 2026
🔔 Sound Bath Experience
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: The Chapel
Take part in a deep relaxation journey through sound. This immersive experience uses calming tones and vibrations to promote mindfulness, stress relief, and mental clarity—perfect for ending your week on a peaceful note.🌟 Why Visit Dorothea Dix Park This Week?
- 🌿 Scenic outdoor wellness activities
- 👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly Earth Day celebration
- 🧘 Mindfulness and relaxation experiences
- 📍 One of Raleigh’s most beautiful and historic parks
Dorothea Dix Park offers something for everyone—whether you’re looking to get active, celebrate the environment, or simply relax and recharge.
📍 Plan Your Visit
Bring a yoga mat, water, and friends to enjoy everything Dix Park has to offer this week. Be sure to check event details and arrive early for popular activities.
Follow DoRaleigh.com for daily updates on government meetings, local festivals, and community happenings — your one-stop guide to everything Raleigh!
Post your community News, Events, and you can request placing a Paid ad on our Submissions Page.
Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | BSky | Linkedin
#DixParkEvents #DoRaleigh #DorotheaDixPark #events #familyEventsRaleighNC #News #outdoorEventsRaleigh #RaleighEarthDay #RaleighNCEvents #thingsToDoInRaleigh #WellnessEventsRaleigh #yogaInTheParkRaleigh -
Dorothea Dix Park Weekly Event Guide (April 20–26, 2026)
Looking for peaceful outdoor experiences, wellness activities, and family-friendly events in Raleigh? Dorothea Dix Park continues to be one of the city’s top destinations for community gatherings, nature, and mindfulness. This week’s lineup features yoga, an Earth Day celebration, and a relaxing sound bath experience—all set against the scenic backdrop of one of Raleigh’s most iconic parks.
🌿 Monday, April 20, 2026
🧘 Yoga in the Park
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Harvey Hill
Come flow with the community during this Summer Yoga session at Dorothea Dix Park. Perfect for all skill levels, this outdoor class offers a relaxing way to unwind, stretch, and connect with nature.🌎 Friday, April 24, 2026
🌱 Raleigh Earth Day Festival
Time: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Harvey Hill & Flowers Field (Tents on Flowers Field)
Celebrate sustainability and community at this family-friendly, eco-conscious festival. Enjoy local vendors, educational exhibits, activities for all ages, and more while embracing the spirit of Earth Day in Raleigh.🧘♀️ Sunday, April 26, 2026
🔔 Sound Bath Experience
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: The Chapel
Take part in a deep relaxation journey through sound. This immersive experience uses calming tones and vibrations to promote mindfulness, stress relief, and mental clarity—perfect for ending your week on a peaceful note.🌟 Why Visit Dorothea Dix Park This Week?
- 🌿 Scenic outdoor wellness activities
- 👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly Earth Day celebration
- 🧘 Mindfulness and relaxation experiences
- 📍 One of Raleigh’s most beautiful and historic parks
Dorothea Dix Park offers something for everyone—whether you’re looking to get active, celebrate the environment, or simply relax and recharge.
📍 Plan Your Visit
Bring a yoga mat, water, and friends to enjoy everything Dix Park has to offer this week. Be sure to check event details and arrive early for popular activities.
Follow DoRaleigh.com for daily updates on government meetings, local festivals, and community happenings — your one-stop guide to everything Raleigh!
Post your community News, Events, and you can request placing a Paid ad on our Submissions Page.
Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | BSky | Linkedin
#DixParkEvents #DoRaleigh #DorotheaDixPark #events #familyEventsRaleighNC #News #outdoorEventsRaleigh #RaleighEarthDay #RaleighNCEvents #thingsToDoInRaleigh #WellnessEventsRaleigh #yogaInTheParkRaleigh -
Triangle Event Guide – Top Things To Do on Monday March 30th
Looking for things to do in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and beyond this Monday? The Triangle is packed with free events, fitness classes, family-friendly activities, and nightlife options to help you kick off the week right. From yoga in the park to open mic nights and comedy shows, here’s your complete Triangle Event Guide for March 30, 2026.
📚 All-Day Events & Deals
📖 Literary Peeps Show Dioramas (Vote for Your Favorites!)All Day | FREE
Orange County Public Library Main Library, Hillsborough
Enjoy creative literary-themed dioramas and cast your vote for the best display.
⛽ Snooze Eatery Gas Price PromoAll Day | Discounted
Snooze Eatery (participating locations)
Save money on brunch—your bill is reduced based on the average gas price!
🎨 Coloring Vinyl Night2:00 PM – 9:00 PM | FREE
KōMANA Brewing Company, Cary
Relax, get creative, and enjoy a unique vinyl coloring experience.
🐰 Free Easter Bunny Photos5:00 PM – 8:00 PM | FREE
Bass Pro Shops (multiple locations)
Perfect for families—capture Easter memories with free photos.
Wellness, Fitness & Family Fun🧘 Vinyasa Yoga Flow (All Levels)
10:00 AM | FREE
USA Baseball National Training Complex, Cary
Start your day with an energizing yoga session (registration required).
👶 Total Tot Time (Ages 5 & Under)
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | FREE
W.D. Hill Recreation Center, Durham
A fun and safe free play environment for young children.
🌿 Stretch and Refresh
10:00 AM | FREE
Downtown Cary Park
Gentle movement and stretching in a scenic outdoor setting.
🌇 Free Yoga at Dix Park
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | FREE
Harvey Hill at Dix Park
Unwind with an evening yoga session overlooking Raleigh’s skyline.
Nightlife, Games & Entertainment📚 Silent Reading Club
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | FREE
The Glass Jug Downtown Durham Taproom
Bring a book, grab a drink, and enjoy a peaceful social reading experience.
🎤 Open Mic Night
6:00 PM | FREE
Steel String Brewery, Carrboro
Local talent takes the stage—music, poetry, and more.
🎶 Early Karaoke
6:00 PM | FREE
The Northside District
Warm up those vocals and hit the mic early.
🧘 Tap Yard Yoga (Pay What You Can)
6:30 PM
Tap Yard, Raleigh
A casual, community-focused yoga session.
🎲 Free Bingo Night
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | FREE
The Longleaf Hotel, Raleigh
Classic bingo fun with a lively crowd.
😂 Cosmic Chuckles Comedy Show
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | FREE
Flying Saucer Raleigh
Enjoy a night of laughs with local comedians.
🎮 Board Game Night
7:00 PM – 11:00 PM | FREE
Moon Dog Meadery, Durham
Perfect for groups—bring friends or join a table.
🎙️ Carrboro Open Mic
7:30 PM | FREE
Speakeasy, Carrboro
An intimate setting for live performances.
🏒 Air Hockey Tournament
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM | FREE
Boxcar Bar + Arcade, Raleigh
Compete for bragging rights in this fast-paced arcade classic.
🔥 Why You Should Get Out This Monday
Whether you’re looking for free things to do in Raleigh, a relaxing yoga session, or an energetic night out, this Monday delivers something for everyone. From family-friendly activities to late-night entertainment, the Triangle continues to offer diverse experiences every day of the week.
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"Badanie przeprowadzone przez firmę O2 i specjalistę od behawioryzmu, Patricka Fagana z Goldsmith University, wykazało istnienie związku pomiędzy regularnym chodzeniem na koncerty i zwiększeniem długości życia. Według oficjalnych informacji podanych w prasowym komunikacie 20 minut uczestnictwa w koncercie polepsza nasz nastrój o 21 proc., podczas gdy joga daje 10 proc. polepszenia nastroju, a spacery z psem tylko 7 proc. "
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today i'm going with my friend who I taught tennis last year (which means the last time I played was then).
Despite me being in good shape to play this game, I always find it challenging to return to the sport after a short break.
Prior to 2022, I always play year-round just to keep my skills current. I can outrun guys younger than me because I keep myself in good shape with fitness outside of tennis and drills on the tennis court.
Then, life got busier so since 2023, I skipped a year of tennis (prioritizing training in the gym with weights, outside with walks and jogs, and doing yoga or dance in the studio).
2024, I was thrown into an emotional year from family/friends unexpectedly passing away and i lost some motivation to consistently workout. I have maintained my fitness thru yoga and meditation, learning more about pranayama (breathing) and grounding exercises.
I played maybe 2-3x in 2024 so this year, I would love to play more tennis.
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GardensTale Goes to Roadburn 2025
By GardensTale
The story of Easter, detailing the gruesome death and supernatural resurrection of a cult leader, is pretty fucking metal, all things considered. So it’s fitting that the cream of the crop among underground heavy music festivals, Roadburn, coincides with the religious holiday this year. Not that it makes much difference to me, my partner, or the slew of friends we drag across the Tilburg city centre to enjoy some of the heaviest, strangest, and most envelope-pushing music that music has to offer. We’d murder our feet and livers for this fest any time of the year.
For the last few editions, Roadburn has spread its venues over several locations within a few hundred-meter radius. The 013 is the main venue, hosting the large Main stage with its signature staircase (a brilliant way to rest your feet while watching a show!) and the smaller NEXT. A 5-10 minute walk away, depending on your state of mind and soundness of body, is the old industrial hall known as Koepelhal, split for the occasion into the larger Terminal and smaller Engine Room. Attached is the diminutive Hall of Fame, where the smallest artists get to do their thing, with the ever-popular skate park next door regularly hosting secret shows, which are often announced only a few hours beforehand. Finally, the local jazz club Paradox is the place to be for the more unconventional material, which is saying something in this place.
What follows is a cleaned-up live thread I tapped out in hasty bursts between and during sets, my word-vomit witnessed in real time by my colleagues who gave frequent and often unhelpful commentary. Where applicable, I saw fit to include their remarks and any response I had to their tomfoolery. I can not promise this will result in a sane article, but I hope it can sketch a glimpse of what the greatest festival in the world is like.
Day 1 (Thursday, 17th of April)
2:51 PM — As usual, the larger sizes of the merch sell out lightning fast, and so I walk away with a single patch and disappointment. Let’s hope Glassing can obliterate the letdown.
Cherd of Doom: Surely they restock merch through the festival?
HAHAHA no
Everyone knows merch goes fast so everyone goes to merch first so merch goes fast
And they always underproduce the large sizessentynel: You’d think if the merch consistently sold out really quickly they might print more next time
3:12 PM — Yep, Glassing is fucking killing it. Pushing an almost Spartan setup to its limit. The drummer is just bonkers!
4:11 PM — Listening to Oranssi Pazuzu outside the main stage because we could no longer get inside. It sounds impressively oppressive. Wish we could have seen more of it, but I would not have wanted to miss Glassing. Choices choices.
4:24 PM — The electronics and psychedelics of Oranssi Pazuzu are really cool. I should have paid more attention to this band.
4:48 PM — Slowing things down a bit with Toby Driver’s new age project Alora Crucible. It’s pretty enough, but 10 minutes in, I am still waiting for it to develop into something more than a yoga class background music jam.
5:17 PM — It did not.
5:31 PM — Listened most of Alora Crucible from the lounge where they pipe down the music from that stage. Very relaxing, better way to experience it than the venue!
5:33 PM — Then sludge legends Kylesa reformed on the main stage. No second drummer sadly, but what a treat to see this band live again! Last time was at Graspop in 2011.
6:44 PM — Waiting for Faetooth to start. Their first European gig!
Dolphin Whisperer: love Faetooth, they got a new album on the horizon I believe
7:10 PM — Faetooth is decent but not amazing, the vocals are a bit one-note at least on stage. Some nice riffs and I wouldn’t have minded finishing the gig but my feet are too dead to settle for decent right now. At least we can still listen to them for a bit outside the venue.
9:20 PM — After a good big meal we went to the main stage for envy.
And it’s already entrancing just a few minutes in.9:31 PM — I am in love, this is the greatest thing I discovered today. The intense and concentrated emotion divided between melancholic post-rock and colossal outbursts of post-metal-hardcore is divine.
This is their 2003 album, tomorrow they will play a modern era set.Dolphin Whisperer: envy good
well WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME
Cherd of Doom: See, bands playing multiple themed sets is exactly why I’d love to go to Roadburn. The Inter Arma sets last year for instance
10:29 PM — Envy was my favorite show of the day easily. So intense, so emotional.
10:39 PM — Black Curse is apparently overrun, so instead we decided to wait for Concrete Winds. Dame Area was still playing in that venue, so we thought we’d check it out. We walked in and walked back out like Grandpa Simpson.
Dolphin Whisperer: CONCRETE WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINDS
11:30 PM — Concrete Winds sounds good for dense death metal but I am honestly too tired for death metal this dense.
12:42 AM — But I stuck it out! It was intense, but pretty cool. Sadly my phone died halfway through.
Day 2 (Friday, 18th of April)
12:49 PM — Heading in for the first performance on the bill today, a collab of Throwing Bricks and Ontaard. They’ve collaborated successfully before on record, but this is a new commissioned piece.
1:19 PM — It’s fucking awesome! 8 musicians on stage, massive sound, but the balance is great and it’s emotionally devastating.
The sound quality is also much better than most Engine Room performances.
Between the two bands you also have a lot of variety. Male and female vocals, synths, violin, two drummers. Gorgeous.1:49 PM — I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of ‘beautiful serene passage, suddenly interrupted by the most devastating wall of noise.’
2:54 PM — Midwife was very pretty, very demure, and very much not what I was looking for right now. Sort of a shoegaze, dreampop, slowcore thing that feels more appropriate for a summer sunset than a dark crowded hall and foot pain. Will check again later!
3:20 PM — Now for one of my most anticipated shows of the festival: Messa playing their new album The Spin in full!
3:41 PM — Their stage presence is a bit static, but the album and execution thereof are so good it’s easy to forgive.
Dolphin Whisperer: They don’t typically have a big stage presence from what I gather. They didn’t when I saw em in a small club
5:11 PM — After Messa we intended to see CHVE, the solo project of Colin [van Eeckhout] from Amenra. The line was pretty long, so we declined to join it. But it was all speed 0 soundscapes and were even boring when listening from the lounge.
Dolphin Whisperer: why go fast when you can go sloooooooooooooooooooooow
5:13 PM — But now it’s time for round 2 of envy! Loved em so much yesterday, we wanted seconds. Today is the modern set, including all of Eunoia, their 2024 album.
6:36 PM — Envy was once again beautiful and crushing.
6:39 PM — After envy we went to queue for 40 Watt Sun. Patrick Walker is doing a solo show in Paradox, the jazz club, and it’s bound to be jam-packed. Thankfully we got in! Now having another beer and waiting for the man to make us weep.
7:02 PM — Walker surveying the crowd: “That does not look comfortable.”
7:34 PM — Between songs this man is the funniest fucker alive, then he starts playing again and instantly it’s misty eyes and goosebumps. What a character, what a musician.
8:52 PM — Sometimes you gotta stop and smell the Korean fried chicken.
9:22 PM — Now waiting for Genital Shame.
10:20 PM — Genital Shame was decent, but couldn’t hold our attention. Also I was much too close to the speakers and the kick drums were overpowering the guitars. Caught a friend heading out and decided to follow her to Gnod Drop Out with White Hills.
11:04 PM — Gnod was very particular music for a very particular audience under a particularly large amount of drugs. Endlessly spooling 70’s space rock psychedelics. We didn’t stay long. Instead we opted for Thou, playing Umbilical on the main stage.
Dolphin Whisperer: THOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUU
11:19 PM
I always kind of skirted around Thou, but they put on a good show. Unforgivingly harsh and unstoppably heavy, with the biggest riffs I’ve heard today. I don’t feel the amount of heart I got from the best performances today, but it’s a fun and filthy way to end the day.Day 3 (Saturday, 19th of April)
1:54 PM — Scarfed down a fresh stroopwafel, brought my ebook for breaks and waits, and shuffled into the Terminal for Dødheimsgard!
They’re playing Black Medium Current front to back.
2:05 PM — It’s more of a sardine pressure vat than a sardine can in here.
2:11 PM — But the show is great! The big hall works for the expansive spacy black metal and the band is performing with fire
2:38 PM — We escaped the crowd to join a different one and check out Haatdrager, a project from students at the Metal Factory in Eindhoven. Claustrophobic electro-laden sludge. It’s fucking awesome!
2:44 PM — The vocalist is a very talented young woman. Throat ripping screams, but she also focuses on flow and rhythm in a more hip-hop fashion which gives the music an urban fusion flair akin to Backxwash and dälek.
Dolphin Whisperer: Like and subscribe
3:42 PM — We left for ice cream, then headed back to catch the off-kilter hardcore punk of Gillian Carter.
3:49 PM — Instrumentation is cool, sharp riffs with unexpected turns and skronks. Vocals are very one-note though. Will try to get into Grey Aura instead.
3:52 PM — Samantha compared the vocals [of Gillian Carter] to Judge Doom in Who Framed Roger Rabbit sinking into the Dip and it is 100% accurate.
4:29 PM — Grey Aura was worse though. Embarrassing vocals honestly. Yelling like he wanted the kids to get off his lawn.
Tyme: Boooo! Too bad. I dig Grey Aura.
Dolphin Whisperer: That’s really sad to hear :(
5:09 PM — We grabbed a drink and intended to get in line for Uniform. And so we did, but the Terminal filled to capacity before we got there. Not willing to face another sardine pressure vat, we went with plan B: a collaboration between Sumac and Moor Mother. Now waiting for that while giving our feet a rest on the main stage steps.
Tyme: Sumac?? Hmmmmmm. Interesting
Dolphin Whisperer: Sumac + Moor Mother sounds the kinda collab that is so high art it may be impossible to sniff it. Hope it’s enjoyable
You’re not far off. It doesn’t feel like they managed to glue freeform activist hiphop and sludge doom together cohesively. More like switching between the Moor Mother bits with heavy guitars, then Sumac bits where they play actual riffs.
6:23 PM — We left to see Coilguns instead. That turned out to be the right decision. Frantic hardcore punk with ketamine energy and acidic left field swerves; it’s not always sane but it’s highly entertaining!
6:25 PM — The vocalist is especially all over the place, pulling himself across the stage by the afro and using 5 different styles and inflections in the same song
6:29 PM — Also met one of our Discord users, inkster.
Dolphin Whisperer: inky is very social + nice
She was! We left before the end because it was a long set and our feet are so fucked, but Sammy and I had fun watching Coilguns with her for a bit
8:52 PM — Caught a couple songs from Denisa after dinner. A sort of raw post-punk meets Emma Ruth Rundle from Indonesia. Not extraordinary, but solid, sung and played with heart.
9:38 PM — Also a few songs from Doodseskader’s set. First saw them opening for Alcest, and their stark, raw nu-sludge, with intense visuals synced to the music, hasn’t lost its potency.
9:43 PM — Altın Gün is a big change of pace, though. They play a mixture of psychedelic rock and Turkish traditional music. It’s very danceable, but for me it lacks a little oomph, a bit of grit.
11:21 PM — Bidding the day goodnight with Chat Pile. They play their music well, but I was hoping that’d be enough to make me enjoy their music more, and it isn’t. Still, it’s an effective, brusque brand of spasmodic aggression. The frontman pacing back and forth barefoot in shorts like he’s in the Ministry of Funny Walks is quite the choice.
11:38 PM — Okay, “Why” was a hoot, fair is fair
Tyme: Still sounds like you’re having a blast tho!
I gotta admit it, that was a pretty fucking fun show yeah
Day 4 (Sunday, April 20th)
10:04 AM — Mild hangover. Went to the local metal dive bar last night with some of our festival pals. Partied til 3:30 am. I am getting too old for this shit. Except fuck that, it was a ton of fun and I’ll fucking do it again!
2:01 PM — Dragged my husk to the Terminal to see Vuur & Zijde play Boezem, which I gave a very positive review a few months ago. Curious to see how it plays on stage!
2:53 PM — Though the music was performed perfectly well, a giant industrial hall is probably not the ideal venue for Vuur & Zijde. I think they’d do better in a more intimate setting. But some minor sound issues aside, it was a pretty good show overall.
2:56 PM — Halfway through we decided to move to the smaller Hall of Fame to check out Bacht’n de Vulle Moane, a band that’s only a year old and supposedly plays some intense black metal festuring analog electronics.
3:05 PM — “Good evening Roadburn!” Dude it’s 3 pm.
3:14 PM — This sounds less like black metal with electronics and more like someone yelling over muddy hardstyle.
3:26 PM — It didn’t annoy me, but it did bore me. I didn’t come here for techno.
Dolphin Whisperer: Every time is the evening if you’re playing black metal
That’s great, maybe they should have tried that instead of playing techno haha
4:01 PM — Just watched an animated short movie called The Hunter made by Costin Chioreanu. Quite cool, though the plot was lost on me. Pretty imagery though!
4:32 PM — Frente Abierto plays flamenco, but a dark and heavy variation thereof. Interesting, but not really to my tastes.
6:11 PM — Michael Gira’s set with Kristof Hahn (both from Swans) was an exercise in patience. Slow droning soundscapes, eventually joined by slow droning vocals. At some point I could no longer stand the slow droning.
6:13 PM — Turns out Sumac has quite a lot of slow droning soundscapes as well. I don’t need to like everything Roadburn has to offer, but gee golly, I hope I’ll enjoy at least one thing more than Vuur & Zijde today.
7:37 PM — With a belly full of noodles we plowed on back to the Terminal to catch a slice of Big|Brave. More slow droning soundscapes, but the vocals help give it a slightly better sense of progression. Still, when the song devolves into crash cymbal taps and nothing else for a few minutes, I do get a bit restless.
7:41 PM — When the buildup is more noticeable the music is much more enjoyable, thankfully, and the vocals are powerful.
7:48 PM — All in all a good performance that requires a bit more patience than my exhaustion has left me with.
9:03 PM — Bo Ningen, heavy psych rock from Japan, is a lot of fun and the first thing with this much energy today. Quite diverse, exploring different moods and textures.
9:25 PM — They manage both heartfelt space-outs and extended high-octane jams. Exciting show and excellent musicians!
9:35 PM — “This will be our last song!”
They still had 15 minutes.
They still went over time.10:58 PM — Closing out the festival for us is Haunted Plasma. The glitzy darkwave with an edge reminds me of that scene in Blade with the vampire nightclub. The woman on the mic has a sweet spectral presence. A bit one-note, but otherwise very enjoyable and a worthy festival finale.
Even though the line-up was a bit frontloaded this year, it still resulted in some of the most hardest-hitting and affecting live music I’ve yet experienced, even from bands I’d never heard of in the first place. Both envy shows and the Throwing Bricks collaboration with Ontaard were the stuff of legends, and this kind of discovery is what makes Roadburn such a joy to return to, year after year. And it’s all the sweeter having a great group of friends to experience it with, as my partner and I attended few shows without at least one other friend by our side. So dear reader… same time next year?
#40WattSun #Alcest #AloraCrucible #AltınGün #Amenra #BachtNDeVulleMoane #Backxwash #BigBrave #BlogPost #BlogPosts #BoNingen #ChatPile #CHVE #Coilguns #ConcreteWinds #Dälek #DameArea #Denisa #Dödheimsgard #Doodseskader #EmmaRuthRundle #Envy #Faetooth #FrenteAbierto #GenitalShame #GillianCarter #Glassing #Gnod #GreyAura #Haatdrager #HauntedPlasma #InterArma #Kylesa #Messa #Midwife #MoorMother #Ontaard #OranssiPazuzu #Sumac #Swans #Thou #ThrowingBricks #Uniform #VuurZijde #WhiteHills
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GardensTale Goes to Roadburn 2025
By GardensTale
The story of Easter, detailing the gruesome death and supernatural resurrection of a cult leader, is pretty fucking metal, all things considered. So it’s fitting that the cream of the crop among underground heavy music festivals, Roadburn, coincides with the religious holiday this year. Not that it makes much difference to me, my partner, or the slew of friends we drag across the Tilburg city centre to enjoy some of the heaviest, strangest, and most envelope-pushing music that music has to offer. We’d murder our feet and livers for this fest any time of the year.
For the last few editions, Roadburn has spread its venues over several locations within a few hundred-meter radius. The 013 is the main venue, hosting the large Main stage with its signature staircase (a brilliant way to rest your feet while watching a show!) and the smaller NEXT. A 5-10 minute walk away, depending on your state of mind and soundness of body, is the old industrial hall known as Koepelhal, split for the occasion into the larger Terminal and smaller Engine Room. Attached is the diminutive Hall of Fame, where the smallest artists get to do their thing, with the ever-popular skate park next door regularly hosting secret shows, which are often announced only a few hours beforehand. Finally, the local jazz club Paradox is the place to be for the more unconventional material, which is saying something in this place.
What follows is a cleaned-up live thread I tapped out in hasty bursts between and during sets, my word-vomit witnessed in real time by my colleagues who gave frequent and often unhelpful commentary. Where applicable, I saw fit to include their remarks and any response I had to their tomfoolery. I can not promise this will result in a sane article, but I hope it can sketch a glimpse of what the greatest festival in the world is like.
Day 1 (Thursday, 17th of April)
2:51 PM — As usual, the larger sizes of the merch sell out lightning fast, and so I walk away with a single patch and disappointment. Let’s hope Glassing can obliterate the letdown.
Cherd of Doom: Surely they restock merch through the festival?
HAHAHA no
Everyone knows merch goes fast so everyone goes to merch first so merch goes fast
And they always underproduce the large sizessentynel: You’d think if the merch consistently sold out really quickly they might print more next time
3:12 PM — Yep, Glassing is fucking killing it. Pushing an almost Spartan setup to its limit. The drummer is just bonkers!
4:11 PM — Listening to Oranssi Pazuzu outside the main stage because we could no longer get inside. It sounds impressively oppressive. Wish we could have seen more of it, but I would not have wanted to miss Glassing. Choices choices.
4:24 PM — The electronics and psychedelics of Oranssi Pazuzu are really cool. I should have paid more attention to this band.
4:48 PM — Slowing things down a bit with Toby Driver’s new age project Alora Crucible. It’s pretty enough, but 10 minutes in, I am still waiting for it to develop into something more than a yoga class background music jam.
5:17 PM — It did not.
5:31 PM — Listened most of Alora Crucible from the lounge where they pipe down the music from that stage. Very relaxing, better way to experience it than the venue!
5:33 PM — Then sludge legends Kylesa reformed on the main stage. No second drummer sadly, but what a treat to see this band live again! Last time was at Graspop in 2011.
6:44 PM — Waiting for Faetooth to start. Their first European gig!
Dolphin Whisperer: love Faetooth, they got a new album on the horizon I believe
7:10 PM — Faetooth is decent but not amazing, the vocals are a bit one-note at least on stage. Some nice riffs and I wouldn’t have minded finishing the gig but my feet are too dead to settle for decent right now. At least we can still listen to them for a bit outside the venue.
9:20 PM — After a good big meal we went to the main stage for envy.
And it’s already entrancing just a few minutes in.9:31 PM — I am in love, this is the greatest thing I discovered today. The intense and concentrated emotion divided between melancholic post-rock and colossal outbursts of post-metal-hardcore is divine.
This is their 2003 album, tomorrow they will play a modern era set.Dolphin Whisperer: envy good
well WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME
Cherd of Doom: See, bands playing multiple themed sets is exactly why I’d love to go to Roadburn. The Inter Arma sets last year for instance
10:29 PM — Envy was my favorite show of the day easily. So intense, so emotional.
10:39 PM — Black Curse is apparently overrun, so instead we decided to wait for Concrete Winds. Dame Area was still playing in that venue, so we thought we’d check it out. We walked in and walked back out like Grandpa Simpson.
Dolphin Whisperer: CONCRETE WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINDS
11:30 PM — Concrete Winds sounds good for dense death metal but I am honestly too tired for death metal this dense.
12:42 AM — But I stuck it out! It was intense, but pretty cool. Sadly my phone died halfway through.
Day 2 (Friday, 18th of April)
12:49 PM — Heading in for the first performance on the bill today, a collab of Throwing Bricks and Ontaard. They’ve collaborated successfully before on record, but this is a new commissioned piece.
1:19 PM — It’s fucking awesome! 8 musicians on stage, massive sound, but the balance is great and it’s emotionally devastating.
The sound quality is also much better than most Engine Room performances.
Between the two bands you also have a lot of variety. Male and female vocals, synths, violin, two drummers. Gorgeous.1:49 PM — I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of ‘beautiful serene passage, suddenly interrupted by the most devastating wall of noise.’
2:54 PM — Midwife was very pretty, very demure, and very much not what I was looking for right now. Sort of a shoegaze, dreampop, slowcore thing that feels more appropriate for a summer sunset than a dark crowded hall and foot pain. Will check again later!
3:20 PM — Now for one of my most anticipated shows of the festival: Messa playing their new album The Spin in full!
3:41 PM — Their stage presence is a bit static, but the album and execution thereof are so good it’s easy to forgive.
Dolphin Whisperer: They don’t typically have a big stage presence from what I gather. They didn’t when I saw em in a small club
5:11 PM — After Messa we intended to see CHVE, the solo project of Colin [van Eeckhout] from Amenra. The line was pretty long, so we declined to join it. But it was all speed 0 soundscapes and were even boring when listening from the lounge.
Dolphin Whisperer: why go fast when you can go sloooooooooooooooooooooow
5:13 PM — But now it’s time for round 2 of envy! Loved em so much yesterday, we wanted seconds. Today is the modern set, including all of Eunoia, their 2024 album.
6:36 PM — Envy was once again beautiful and crushing.
6:39 PM — After envy we went to queue for 40 Watt Sun. Patrick Walker is doing a solo show in Paradox, the jazz club, and it’s bound to be jam-packed. Thankfully we got in! Now having another beer and waiting for the man to make us weep.
7:02 PM — Walker surveying the crowd: “That does not look comfortable.”
7:34 PM — Between songs this man is the funniest fucker alive, then he starts playing again and instantly it’s misty eyes and goosebumps. What a character, what a musician.
8:52 PM — Sometimes you gotta stop and smell the Korean fried chicken.
9:22 PM — Now waiting for Genital Shame.
10:20 PM — Genital Shame was decent, but couldn’t hold our attention. Also I was much too close to the speakers and the kick drums were overpowering the guitars. Caught a friend heading out and decided to follow her to Gnod Drop Out with White Hills.
11:04 PM — Gnod was very particular music for a very particular audience under a particularly large amount of drugs. Endlessly spooling 70’s space rock psychedelics. We didn’t stay long. Instead we opted for Thou, playing Umbilical on the main stage.
Dolphin Whisperer: THOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUU
11:19 PM
I always kind of skirted around Thou, but they put on a good show. Unforgivingly harsh and unstoppably heavy, with the biggest riffs I’ve heard today. I don’t feel the amount of heart I got from the best performances today, but it’s a fun and filthy way to end the day.Day 3 (Saturday, 19th of April)
1:54 PM — Scarfed down a fresh stroopwafel, brought my ebook for breaks and waits, and shuffled into the Terminal for Dødheimsgard!
They’re playing Black Medium Current front to back.
2:05 PM — It’s more of a sardine pressure vat than a sardine can in here.
2:11 PM — But the show is great! The big hall works for the expansive spacy black metal and the band is performing with fire
2:38 PM — We escaped the crowd to join a different one and check out Haatdrager, a project from students at the Metal Factory in Eindhoven. Claustrophobic electro-laden sludge. It’s fucking awesome!
2:44 PM — The vocalist is a very talented young woman. Throat ripping screams, but she also focuses on flow and rhythm in a more hip-hop fashion which gives the music an urban fusion flair akin to Backxwash and dälek.
Dolphin Whisperer: Like and subscribe
3:42 PM — We left for ice cream, then headed back to catch the off-kilter hardcore punk of Gillian Carter.
3:49 PM — Instrumentation is cool, sharp riffs with unexpected turns and skronks. Vocals are very one-note though. Will try to get into Grey Aura instead.
3:52 PM — Samantha compared the vocals [of Gillian Carter] to Judge Doom in Who Framed Roger Rabbit sinking into the Dip and it is 100% accurate.
4:29 PM — Grey Aura was worse though. Embarrassing vocals honestly. Yelling like he wanted the kids to get off his lawn.
Tyme: Boooo! Too bad. I dig Grey Aura.
Dolphin Whisperer: That’s really sad to hear :(
5:09 PM — We grabbed a drink and intended to get in line for Uniform. And so we did, but the Terminal filled to capacity before we got there. Not willing to face another sardine pressure vat, we went with plan B: a collaboration between Sumac and Moor Mother. Now waiting for that while giving our feet a rest on the main stage steps.
Tyme: Sumac?? Hmmmmmm. Interesting
Dolphin Whisperer: Sumac + Moor Mother sounds the kinda collab that is so high art it may be impossible to sniff it. Hope it’s enjoyable
You’re not far off. It doesn’t feel like they managed to glue freeform activist hiphop and sludge doom together cohesively. More like switching between the Moor Mother bits with heavy guitars, then Sumac bits where they play actual riffs.
6:23 PM — We left to see Coilguns instead. That turned out to be the right decision. Frantic hardcore punk with ketamine energy and acidic left field swerves; it’s not always sane but it’s highly entertaining!
6:25 PM — The vocalist is especially all over the place, pulling himself across the stage by the afro and using 5 different styles and inflections in the same song
6:29 PM — Also met one of our Discord users, inkster.
Dolphin Whisperer: inky is very social + nice
She was! We left before the end because it was a long set and our feet are so fucked, but Sammy and I had fun watching Coilguns with her for a bit
8:52 PM — Caught a couple songs from Denisa after dinner. A sort of raw post-punk meets Emma Ruth Rundle from Indonesia. Not extraordinary, but solid, sung and played with heart.
9:38 PM — Also a few songs from Doodseskader’s set. First saw them opening for Alcest, and their stark, raw nu-sludge, with intense visuals synced to the music, hasn’t lost its potency.
9:43 PM — Altın Gün is a big change of pace, though. They play a mixture of psychedelic rock and Turkish traditional music. It’s very danceable, but for me it lacks a little oomph, a bit of grit.
11:21 PM — Bidding the day goodnight with Chat Pile. They play their music well, but I was hoping that’d be enough to make me enjoy their music more, and it isn’t. Still, it’s an effective, brusque brand of spasmodic aggression. The frontman pacing back and forth barefoot in shorts like he’s in the Ministry of Funny Walks is quite the choice.
11:38 PM — Okay, “Why” was a hoot, fair is fair
Tyme: Still sounds like you’re having a blast tho!
I gotta admit it, that was a pretty fucking fun show yeah
Day 4 (Sunday, April 20th)
10:04 AM — Mild hangover. Went to the local metal dive bar last night with some of our festival pals. Partied til 3:30 am. I am getting too old for this shit. Except fuck that, it was a ton of fun and I’ll fucking do it again!
2:01 PM — Dragged my husk to the Terminal to see Vuur & Zijde play Boezem, which I gave a very positive review a few months ago. Curious to see how it plays on stage!
2:53 PM — Though the music was performed perfectly well, a giant industrial hall is probably not the ideal venue for Vuur & Zijde. I think they’d do better in a more intimate setting. But some minor sound issues aside, it was a pretty good show overall.
2:56 PM — Halfway through we decided to move to the smaller Hall of Fame to check out Bacht’n de Vulle Moane, a band that’s only a year old and supposedly plays some intense black metal festuring analog electronics.
3:05 PM — “Good evening Roadburn!” Dude it’s 3 pm.
3:14 PM — This sounds less like black metal with electronics and more like someone yelling over muddy hardstyle.
3:26 PM — It didn’t annoy me, but it did bore me. I didn’t come here for techno.
Dolphin Whisperer: Every time is the evening if you’re playing black metal
That’s great, maybe they should have tried that instead of playing techno haha
4:01 PM — Just watched an animated short movie called The Hunter made by Costin Chioreanu. Quite cool, though the plot was lost on me. Pretty imagery though!
4:32 PM — Frente Abierto plays flamenco, but a dark and heavy variation thereof. Interesting, but not really to my tastes.
6:11 PM — Michael Gira’s set with Kristof Hahn (both from Swans) was an exercise in patience. Slow droning soundscapes, eventually joined by slow droning vocals. At some point I could no longer stand the slow droning.
6:13 PM — Turns out Sumac has quite a lot of slow droning soundscapes as well. I don’t need to like everything Roadburn has to offer, but gee golly, I hope I’ll enjoy at least one thing more than Vuur & Zijde today.
7:37 PM — With a belly full of noodles we plowed on back to the Terminal to catch a slice of Big|Brave. More slow droning soundscapes, but the vocals help give it a slightly better sense of progression. Still, when the song devolves into crash cymbal taps and nothing else for a few minutes, I do get a bit restless.
7:41 PM — When the buildup is more noticeable the music is much more enjoyable, thankfully, and the vocals are powerful.
7:48 PM — All in all a good performance that requires a bit more patience than my exhaustion has left me with.
9:03 PM — Bo Ningen, heavy psych rock from Japan, is a lot of fun and the first thing with this much energy today. Quite diverse, exploring different moods and textures.
9:25 PM — They manage both heartfelt space-outs and extended high-octane jams. Exciting show and excellent musicians!
9:35 PM — “This will be our last song!”
They still had 15 minutes.
They still went over time.10:58 PM — Closing out the festival for us is Haunted Plasma. The glitzy darkwave with an edge reminds me of that scene in Blade with the vampire nightclub. The woman on the mic has a sweet spectral presence. A bit one-note, but otherwise very enjoyable and a worthy festival finale.
Even though the line-up was a bit frontloaded this year, it still resulted in some of the most hardest-hitting and affecting live music I’ve yet experienced, even from bands I’d never heard of in the first place. Both envy shows and the Throwing Bricks collaboration with Ontaard were the stuff of legends, and this kind of discovery is what makes Roadburn such a joy to return to, year after year. And it’s all the sweeter having a great group of friends to experience it with, as my partner and I attended few shows without at least one other friend by our side. So dear reader… same time next year?
#40WattSun #Alcest #AloraCrucible #AltınGün #Amenra #BachtNDeVulleMoane #Backxwash #BigBrave #BlogPost #BlogPosts #BoNingen #ChatPile #CHVE #Coilguns #ConcreteWinds #Dälek #DameArea #Denisa #Dödheimsgard #Doodseskader #EmmaRuthRundle #Envy #Faetooth #FrenteAbierto #GenitalShame #GillianCarter #Glassing #Gnod #GreyAura #Haatdrager #HauntedPlasma #InterArma #Kylesa #Messa #Midwife #MoorMother #Ontaard #OranssiPazuzu #Sumac #Swans #Thou #ThrowingBricks #Uniform #VuurZijde #WhiteHills
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GardensTale Goes to Roadburn 2025
By GardensTale
The story of Easter, detailing the gruesome death and supernatural resurrection of a cult leader, is pretty fucking metal, all things considered. So it’s fitting that the cream of the crop among underground heavy music festivals, Roadburn, coincides with the religious holiday this year. Not that it makes much difference to me, my partner, or the slew of friends we drag across the Tilburg city centre to enjoy some of the heaviest, strangest, and most envelope-pushing music that music has to offer. We’d murder our feet and livers for this fest any time of the year.
For the last few editions, Roadburn has spread its venues over several locations within a few hundred-meter radius. The 013 is the main venue, hosting the large Main stage with its signature staircase (a brilliant way to rest your feet while watching a show!) and the smaller NEXT. A 5-10 minute walk away, depending on your state of mind and soundness of body, is the old industrial hall known as Koepelhal, split for the occasion into the larger Terminal and smaller Engine Room. Attached is the diminutive Hall of Fame, where the smallest artists get to do their thing, with the ever-popular skate park next door regularly hosting secret shows, which are often announced only a few hours beforehand. Finally, the local jazz club Paradox is the place to be for the more unconventional material, which is saying something in this place.
What follows is a cleaned-up live thread I tapped out in hasty bursts between and during sets, my word-vomit witnessed in real time by my colleagues who gave frequent and often unhelpful commentary. Where applicable, I saw fit to include their remarks and any response I had to their tomfoolery. I can not promise this will result in a sane article, but I hope it can sketch a glimpse of what the greatest festival in the world is like.
Day 1 (Thursday, 17th of April)
2:51 PM — As usual, the larger sizes of the merch sell out lightning fast, and so I walk away with a single patch and disappointment. Let’s hope Glassing can obliterate the letdown.
Cherd of Doom: Surely they restock merch through the festival?
HAHAHA no
Everyone knows merch goes fast so everyone goes to merch first so merch goes fast
And they always underproduce the large sizessentynel: You’d think if the merch consistently sold out really quickly they might print more next time
3:12 PM — Yep, Glassing is fucking killing it. Pushing an almost Spartan setup to its limit. The drummer is just bonkers!
4:11 PM — Listening to Oranssi Pazuzu outside the main stage because we could no longer get inside. It sounds impressively oppressive. Wish we could have seen more of it, but I would not have wanted to miss Glassing. Choices choices.
4:24 PM — The electronics and psychedelics of Oranssi Pazuzu are really cool. I should have paid more attention to this band.
4:48 PM — Slowing things down a bit with Toby Driver’s new age project Alora Crucible. It’s pretty enough, but 10 minutes in, I am still waiting for it to develop into something more than a yoga class background music jam.
5:17 PM — It did not.
5:31 PM — Listened most of Alora Crucible from the lounge where they pipe down the music from that stage. Very relaxing, better way to experience it than the venue!
5:33 PM — Then sludge legends Kylesa reformed on the main stage. No second drummer sadly, but what a treat to see this band live again! Last time was at Graspop in 2011.
6:44 PM — Waiting for Faetooth to start. Their first European gig!
Dolphin Whisperer: love Faetooth, they got a new album on the horizon I believe
7:10 PM — Faetooth is decent but not amazing, the vocals are a bit one-note at least on stage. Some nice riffs and I wouldn’t have minded finishing the gig but my feet are too dead to settle for decent right now. At least we can still listen to them for a bit outside the venue.
9:20 PM — After a good big meal we went to the main stage for envy.
And it’s already entrancing just a few minutes in.9:31 PM — I am in love, this is the greatest thing I discovered today. The intense and concentrated emotion divided between melancholic post-rock and colossal outbursts of post-metal-hardcore is divine.
This is their 2003 album, tomorrow they will play a modern era set.Dolphin Whisperer: envy good
well WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME
Cherd of Doom: See, bands playing multiple themed sets is exactly why I’d love to go to Roadburn. The Inter Arma sets last year for instance
10:29 PM — Envy was my favorite show of the day easily. So intense, so emotional.
10:39 PM — Black Curse is apparently overrun, so instead we decided to wait for Concrete Winds. Dame Area was still playing in that venue, so we thought we’d check it out. We walked in and walked back out like Grandpa Simpson.
Dolphin Whisperer: CONCRETE WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINDS
11:30 PM — Concrete Winds sounds good for dense death metal but I am honestly too tired for death metal this dense.
12:42 AM — But I stuck it out! It was intense, but pretty cool. Sadly my phone died halfway through.
Day 2 (Friday, 18th of April)
12:49 PM — Heading in for the first performance on the bill today, a collab of Throwing Bricks and Ontaard. They’ve collaborated successfully before on record, but this is a new commissioned piece.
1:19 PM — It’s fucking awesome! 8 musicians on stage, massive sound, but the balance is great and it’s emotionally devastating.
The sound quality is also much better than most Engine Room performances.
Between the two bands you also have a lot of variety. Male and female vocals, synths, violin, two drummers. Gorgeous.1:49 PM — I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of ‘beautiful serene passage, suddenly interrupted by the most devastating wall of noise.’
2:54 PM — Midwife was very pretty, very demure, and very much not what I was looking for right now. Sort of a shoegaze, dreampop, slowcore thing that feels more appropriate for a summer sunset than a dark crowded hall and foot pain. Will check again later!
3:20 PM — Now for one of my most anticipated shows of the festival: Messa playing their new album The Spin in full!
3:41 PM — Their stage presence is a bit static, but the album and execution thereof are so good it’s easy to forgive.
Dolphin Whisperer: They don’t typically have a big stage presence from what I gather. They didn’t when I saw em in a small club
5:11 PM — After Messa we intended to see CHVE, the solo project of Colin [van Eeckhout] from Amenra. The line was pretty long, so we declined to join it. But it was all speed 0 soundscapes and were even boring when listening from the lounge.
Dolphin Whisperer: why go fast when you can go sloooooooooooooooooooooow
5:13 PM — But now it’s time for round 2 of envy! Loved em so much yesterday, we wanted seconds. Today is the modern set, including all of Eunoia, their 2024 album.
6:36 PM — Envy was once again beautiful and crushing.
6:39 PM — After envy we went to queue for 40 Watt Sun. Patrick Walker is doing a solo show in Paradox, the jazz club, and it’s bound to be jam-packed. Thankfully we got in! Now having another beer and waiting for the man to make us weep.
7:02 PM — Walker surveying the crowd: “That does not look comfortable.”
7:34 PM — Between songs this man is the funniest fucker alive, then he starts playing again and instantly it’s misty eyes and goosebumps. What a character, what a musician.
8:52 PM — Sometimes you gotta stop and smell the Korean fried chicken.
9:22 PM — Now waiting for Genital Shame.
10:20 PM — Genital Shame was decent, but couldn’t hold our attention. Also I was much too close to the speakers and the kick drums were overpowering the guitars. Caught a friend heading out and decided to follow her to Gnod Drop Out with White Hills.
11:04 PM — Gnod was very particular music for a very particular audience under a particularly large amount of drugs. Endlessly spooling 70’s space rock psychedelics. We didn’t stay long. Instead we opted for Thou, playing Umbilical on the main stage.
Dolphin Whisperer: THOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUU
11:19 PM
I always kind of skirted around Thou, but they put on a good show. Unforgivingly harsh and unstoppably heavy, with the biggest riffs I’ve heard today. I don’t feel the amount of heart I got from the best performances today, but it’s a fun and filthy way to end the day.Day 3 (Saturday, 19th of April)
1:54 PM — Scarfed down a fresh stroopwafel, brought my ebook for breaks and waits, and shuffled into the Terminal for Dødheimsgard!
They’re playing Black Medium Current front to back.
2:05 PM — It’s more of a sardine pressure vat than a sardine can in here.
2:11 PM — But the show is great! The big hall works for the expansive spacy black metal and the band is performing with fire
2:38 PM — We escaped the crowd to join a different one and check out Haatdrager, a project from students at the Metal Factory in Eindhoven. Claustrophobic electro-laden sludge. It’s fucking awesome!
2:44 PM — The vocalist is a very talented young woman. Throat ripping screams, but she also focuses on flow and rhythm in a more hip-hop fashion which gives the music an urban fusion flair akin to Backxwash and dälek.
Dolphin Whisperer: Like and subscribe
3:42 PM — We left for ice cream, then headed back to catch the off-kilter hardcore punk of Gillian Carter.
3:49 PM — Instrumentation is cool, sharp riffs with unexpected turns and skronks. Vocals are very one-note though. Will try to get into Grey Aura instead.
3:52 PM — Samantha compared the vocals [of Gillian Carter] to Judge Doom in Who Framed Roger Rabbit sinking into the Dip and it is 100% accurate.
4:29 PM — Grey Aura was worse though. Embarrassing vocals honestly. Yelling like he wanted the kids to get off his lawn.
Tyme: Boooo! Too bad. I dig Grey Aura.
Dolphin Whisperer: That’s really sad to hear :(
5:09 PM — We grabbed a drink and intended to get in line for Uniform. And so we did, but the Terminal filled to capacity before we got there. Not willing to face another sardine pressure vat, we went with plan B: a collaboration between Sumac and Moor Mother. Now waiting for that while giving our feet a rest on the main stage steps.
Tyme: Sumac?? Hmmmmmm. Interesting
Dolphin Whisperer: Sumac + Moor Mother sounds the kinda collab that is so high art it may be impossible to sniff it. Hope it’s enjoyable
You’re not far off. It doesn’t feel like they managed to glue freeform activist hiphop and sludge doom together cohesively. More like switching between the Moor Mother bits with heavy guitars, then Sumac bits where they play actual riffs.
6:23 PM — We left to see Coilguns instead. That turned out to be the right decision. Frantic hardcore punk with ketamine energy and acidic left field swerves; it’s not always sane but it’s highly entertaining!
6:25 PM — The vocalist is especially all over the place, pulling himself across the stage by the afro and using 5 different styles and inflections in the same song
6:29 PM — Also met one of our Discord users, inkster.
Dolphin Whisperer: inky is very social + nice
She was! We left before the end because it was a long set and our feet are so fucked, but Sammy and I had fun watching Coilguns with her for a bit
8:52 PM — Caught a couple songs from Denisa after dinner. A sort of raw post-punk meets Emma Ruth Rundle from Indonesia. Not extraordinary, but solid, sung and played with heart.
9:38 PM — Also a few songs from Doodseskader’s set. First saw them opening for Alcest, and their stark, raw nu-sludge, with intense visuals synced to the music, hasn’t lost its potency.
9:43 PM — Altın Gün is a big change of pace, though. They play a mixture of psychedelic rock and Turkish traditional music. It’s very danceable, but for me it lacks a little oomph, a bit of grit.
11:21 PM — Bidding the day goodnight with Chat Pile. They play their music well, but I was hoping that’d be enough to make me enjoy their music more, and it isn’t. Still, it’s an effective, brusque brand of spasmodic aggression. The frontman pacing back and forth barefoot in shorts like he’s in the Ministry of Funny Walks is quite the choice.
11:38 PM — Okay, “Why” was a hoot, fair is fair
Tyme: Still sounds like you’re having a blast tho!
I gotta admit it, that was a pretty fucking fun show yeah
Day 4 (Sunday, April 20th)
10:04 AM — Mild hangover. Went to the local metal dive bar last night with some of our festival pals. Partied til 3:30 am. I am getting too old for this shit. Except fuck that, it was a ton of fun and I’ll fucking do it again!
2:01 PM — Dragged my husk to the Terminal to see Vuur & Zijde play Boezem, which I gave a very positive review a few months ago. Curious to see how it plays on stage!
2:53 PM — Though the music was performed perfectly well, a giant industrial hall is probably not the ideal venue for Vuur & Zijde. I think they’d do better in a more intimate setting. But some minor sound issues aside, it was a pretty good show overall.
2:56 PM — Halfway through we decided to move to the smaller Hall of Fame to check out Bacht’n de Vulle Moane, a band that’s only a year old and supposedly plays some intense black metal festuring analog electronics.
3:05 PM — “Good evening Roadburn!” Dude it’s 3 pm.
3:14 PM — This sounds less like black metal with electronics and more like someone yelling over muddy hardstyle.
3:26 PM — It didn’t annoy me, but it did bore me. I didn’t come here for techno.
Dolphin Whisperer: Every time is the evening if you’re playing black metal
That’s great, maybe they should have tried that instead of playing techno haha
4:01 PM — Just watched an animated short movie called The Hunter made by Costin Chioreanu. Quite cool, though the plot was lost on me. Pretty imagery though!
4:32 PM — Frente Abierto plays flamenco, but a dark and heavy variation thereof. Interesting, but not really to my tastes.
6:11 PM — Michael Gira’s set with Kristof Hahn (both from Swans) was an exercise in patience. Slow droning soundscapes, eventually joined by slow droning vocals. At some point I could no longer stand the slow droning.
6:13 PM — Turns out Sumac has quite a lot of slow droning soundscapes as well. I don’t need to like everything Roadburn has to offer, but gee golly, I hope I’ll enjoy at least one thing more than Vuur & Zijde today.
7:37 PM — With a belly full of noodles we plowed on back to the Terminal to catch a slice of Big|Brave. More slow droning soundscapes, but the vocals help give it a slightly better sense of progression. Still, when the song devolves into crash cymbal taps and nothing else for a few minutes, I do get a bit restless.
7:41 PM — When the buildup is more noticeable the music is much more enjoyable, thankfully, and the vocals are powerful.
7:48 PM — All in all a good performance that requires a bit more patience than my exhaustion has left me with.
9:03 PM — Bo Ningen, heavy psych rock from Japan, is a lot of fun and the first thing with this much energy today. Quite diverse, exploring different moods and textures.
9:25 PM — They manage both heartfelt space-outs and extended high-octane jams. Exciting show and excellent musicians!
9:35 PM — “This will be our last song!”
They still had 15 minutes.
They still went over time.10:58 PM — Closing out the festival for us is Haunted Plasma. The glitzy darkwave with an edge reminds me of that scene in Blade with the vampire nightclub. The woman on the mic has a sweet spectral presence. A bit one-note, but otherwise very enjoyable and a worthy festival finale.
Even though the line-up was a bit frontloaded this year, it still resulted in some of the most hardest-hitting and affecting live music I’ve yet experienced, even from bands I’d never heard of in the first place. Both envy shows and the Throwing Bricks collaboration with Ontaard were the stuff of legends, and this kind of discovery is what makes Roadburn such a joy to return to, year after year. And it’s all the sweeter having a great group of friends to experience it with, as my partner and I attended few shows without at least one other friend by our side. So dear reader… same time next year?
#40WattSun #Alcest #AloraCrucible #AltınGün #Amenra #BachtNDeVulleMoane #Backxwash #BigBrave #BlogPost #BlogPosts #BoNingen #ChatPile #CHVE #Coilguns #ConcreteWinds #Dälek #DameArea #Denisa #Dödheimsgard #Doodseskader #EmmaRuthRundle #Envy #Faetooth #FrenteAbierto #GenitalShame #GillianCarter #Glassing #Gnod #GreyAura #Haatdrager #HauntedPlasma #InterArma #Kylesa #Messa #Midwife #MoorMother #Ontaard #OranssiPazuzu #Sumac #Swans #Thou #ThrowingBricks #Uniform #VuurZijde #WhiteHills
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GardensTale Goes to Roadburn 2025
By GardensTale
The story of Easter, detailing the gruesome death and supernatural resurrection of a cult leader, is pretty fucking metal, all things considered. So it’s fitting that the cream of the crop among underground heavy music festivals, Roadburn, coincides with the religious holiday this year. Not that it makes much difference to me, my partner, or the slew of friends we drag across the Tilburg city centre to enjoy some of the heaviest, strangest, and most envelope-pushing music that music has to offer. We’d murder our feet and livers for this fest any time of the year.
For the last few editions, Roadburn has spread its venues over several locations within a few hundred-meter radius. The 013 is the main venue, hosting the large Main stage with its signature staircase (a brilliant way to rest your feet while watching a show!) and the smaller NEXT. A 5-10 minute walk away, depending on your state of mind and soundness of body, is the old industrial hall known as Koepelhal, split for the occasion into the larger Terminal and smaller Engine Room. Attached is the diminutive Hall of Fame, where the smallest artists get to do their thing, with the ever-popular skate park next door regularly hosting secret shows, which are often announced only a few hours beforehand. Finally, the local jazz club Paradox is the place to be for the more unconventional material, which is saying something in this place.
What follows is a cleaned-up live thread I tapped out in hasty bursts between and during sets, my word-vomit witnessed in real time by my colleagues who gave frequent and often unhelpful commentary. Where applicable, I saw fit to include their remarks and any response I had to their tomfoolery. I can not promise this will result in a sane article, but I hope it can sketch a glimpse of what the greatest festival in the world is like.
Day 1 (Thursday, 17th of April)
2:51 PM — As usual, the larger sizes of the merch sell out lightning fast, and so I walk away with a single patch and disappointment. Let’s hope Glassing can obliterate the letdown.
Cherd of Doom: Surely they restock merch through the festival?
HAHAHA no
Everyone knows merch goes fast so everyone goes to merch first so merch goes fast
And they always underproduce the large sizessentynel: You’d think if the merch consistently sold out really quickly they might print more next time
3:12 PM — Yep, Glassing is fucking killing it. Pushing an almost Spartan setup to its limit. The drummer is just bonkers!
4:11 PM — Listening to Oranssi Pazuzu outside the main stage because we could no longer get inside. It sounds impressively oppressive. Wish we could have seen more of it, but I would not have wanted to miss Glassing. Choices choices.
4:24 PM — The electronics and psychedelics of Oranssi Pazuzu are really cool. I should have paid more attention to this band.
4:48 PM — Slowing things down a bit with Toby Driver’s new age project Alora Crucible. It’s pretty enough, but 10 minutes in, I am still waiting for it to develop into something more than a yoga class background music jam.
5:17 PM — It did not.
5:31 PM — Listened most of Alora Crucible from the lounge where they pipe down the music from that stage. Very relaxing, better way to experience it than the venue!
5:33 PM — Then sludge legends Kylesa reformed on the main stage. No second drummer sadly, but what a treat to see this band live again! Last time was at Graspop in 2011.
6:44 PM — Waiting for Faetooth to start. Their first European gig!
Dolphin Whisperer: love Faetooth, they got a new album on the horizon I believe
7:10 PM — Faetooth is decent but not amazing, the vocals are a bit one-note at least on stage. Some nice riffs and I wouldn’t have minded finishing the gig but my feet are too dead to settle for decent right now. At least we can still listen to them for a bit outside the venue.
9:20 PM — After a good big meal we went to the main stage for envy.
And it’s already entrancing just a few minutes in.9:31 PM — I am in love, this is the greatest thing I discovered today. The intense and concentrated emotion divided between melancholic post-rock and colossal outbursts of post-metal-hardcore is divine.
This is their 2003 album, tomorrow they will play a modern era set.Dolphin Whisperer: envy good
well WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME
Cherd of Doom: See, bands playing multiple themed sets is exactly why I’d love to go to Roadburn. The Inter Arma sets last year for instance
10:29 PM — Envy was my favorite show of the day easily. So intense, so emotional.
10:39 PM — Black Curse is apparently overrun, so instead we decided to wait for Concrete Winds. Dame Area was still playing in that venue, so we thought we’d check it out. We walked in and walked back out like Grandpa Simpson.
Dolphin Whisperer: CONCRETE WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINDS
11:30 PM — Concrete Winds sounds good for dense death metal but I am honestly too tired for death metal this dense.
12:42 AM — But I stuck it out! It was intense, but pretty cool. Sadly my phone died halfway through.
Day 2 (Friday, 18th of April)
12:49 PM — Heading in for the first performance on the bill today, a collab of Throwing Bricks and Ontaard. They’ve collaborated successfully before on record, but this is a new commissioned piece.
1:19 PM — It’s fucking awesome! 8 musicians on stage, massive sound, but the balance is great and it’s emotionally devastating.
The sound quality is also much better than most Engine Room performances.
Between the two bands you also have a lot of variety. Male and female vocals, synths, violin, two drummers. Gorgeous.1:49 PM — I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of ‘beautiful serene passage, suddenly interrupted by the most devastating wall of noise.’
2:54 PM — Midwife was very pretty, very demure, and very much not what I was looking for right now. Sort of a shoegaze, dreampop, slowcore thing that feels more appropriate for a summer sunset than a dark crowded hall and foot pain. Will check again later!
3:20 PM — Now for one of my most anticipated shows of the festival: Messa playing their new album The Spin in full!
3:41 PM — Their stage presence is a bit static, but the album and execution thereof are so good it’s easy to forgive.
Dolphin Whisperer: They don’t typically have a big stage presence from what I gather. They didn’t when I saw em in a small club
5:11 PM — After Messa we intended to see CHVE, the solo project of Colin [van Eeckhout] from Amenra. The line was pretty long, so we declined to join it. But it was all speed 0 soundscapes and were even boring when listening from the lounge.
Dolphin Whisperer: why go fast when you can go sloooooooooooooooooooooow
5:13 PM — But now it’s time for round 2 of envy! Loved em so much yesterday, we wanted seconds. Today is the modern set, including all of Eunoia, their 2024 album.
6:36 PM — Envy was once again beautiful and crushing.
6:39 PM — After envy we went to queue for 40 Watt Sun. Patrick Walker is doing a solo show in Paradox, the jazz club, and it’s bound to be jam-packed. Thankfully we got in! Now having another beer and waiting for the man to make us weep.
7:02 PM — Walker surveying the crowd: “That does not look comfortable.”
7:34 PM — Between songs this man is the funniest fucker alive, then he starts playing again and instantly it’s misty eyes and goosebumps. What a character, what a musician.
8:52 PM — Sometimes you gotta stop and smell the Korean fried chicken.
9:22 PM — Now waiting for Genital Shame.
10:20 PM — Genital Shame was decent, but couldn’t hold our attention. Also I was much too close to the speakers and the kick drums were overpowering the guitars. Caught a friend heading out and decided to follow her to Gnod Drop Out with White Hills.
11:04 PM — Gnod was very particular music for a very particular audience under a particularly large amount of drugs. Endlessly spooling 70’s space rock psychedelics. We didn’t stay long. Instead we opted for Thou, playing Umbilical on the main stage.
Dolphin Whisperer: THOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUU
11:19 PM
I always kind of skirted around Thou, but they put on a good show. Unforgivingly harsh and unstoppably heavy, with the biggest riffs I’ve heard today. I don’t feel the amount of heart I got from the best performances today, but it’s a fun and filthy way to end the day.Day 3 (Saturday, 19th of April)
1:54 PM — Scarfed down a fresh stroopwafel, brought my ebook for breaks and waits, and shuffled into the Terminal for Dødheimsgard!
They’re playing Black Medium Current front to back.
2:05 PM — It’s more of a sardine pressure vat than a sardine can in here.
2:11 PM — But the show is great! The big hall works for the expansive spacy black metal and the band is performing with fire
2:38 PM — We escaped the crowd to join a different one and check out Haatdrager, a project from students at the Metal Factory in Eindhoven. Claustrophobic electro-laden sludge. It’s fucking awesome!
2:44 PM — The vocalist is a very talented young woman. Throat ripping screams, but she also focuses on flow and rhythm in a more hip-hop fashion which gives the music an urban fusion flair akin to Backxwash and dälek.
Dolphin Whisperer: Like and subscribe
3:42 PM — We left for ice cream, then headed back to catch the off-kilter hardcore punk of Gillian Carter.
3:49 PM — Instrumentation is cool, sharp riffs with unexpected turns and skronks. Vocals are very one-note though. Will try to get into Grey Aura instead.
3:52 PM — Samantha compared the vocals [of Gillian Carter] to Judge Doom in Who Framed Roger Rabbit sinking into the Dip and it is 100% accurate.
4:29 PM — Grey Aura was worse though. Embarrassing vocals honestly. Yelling like he wanted the kids to get off his lawn.
Tyme: Boooo! Too bad. I dig Grey Aura.
Dolphin Whisperer: That’s really sad to hear :(
5:09 PM — We grabbed a drink and intended to get in line for Uniform. And so we did, but the Terminal filled to capacity before we got there. Not willing to face another sardine pressure vat, we went with plan B: a collaboration between Sumac and Moor Mother. Now waiting for that while giving our feet a rest on the main stage steps.
Tyme: Sumac?? Hmmmmmm. Interesting
Dolphin Whisperer: Sumac + Moor Mother sounds the kinda collab that is so high art it may be impossible to sniff it. Hope it’s enjoyable
You’re not far off. It doesn’t feel like they managed to glue freeform activist hiphop and sludge doom together cohesively. More like switching between the Moor Mother bits with heavy guitars, then Sumac bits where they play actual riffs.
6:23 PM — We left to see Coilguns instead. That turned out to be the right decision. Frantic hardcore punk with ketamine energy and acidic left field swerves; it’s not always sane but it’s highly entertaining!
6:25 PM — The vocalist is especially all over the place, pulling himself across the stage by the afro and using 5 different styles and inflections in the same song
6:29 PM — Also met one of our Discord users, inkster.
Dolphin Whisperer: inky is very social + nice
She was! We left before the end because it was a long set and our feet are so fucked, but Sammy and I had fun watching Coilguns with her for a bit
8:52 PM — Caught a couple songs from Denisa after dinner. A sort of raw post-punk meets Emma Ruth Rundle from Indonesia. Not extraordinary, but solid, sung and played with heart.
9:38 PM — Also a few songs from Doodseskader’s set. First saw them opening for Alcest, and their stark, raw nu-sludge, with intense visuals synced to the music, hasn’t lost its potency.
9:43 PM — Altın Gün is a big change of pace, though. They play a mixture of psychedelic rock and Turkish traditional music. It’s very danceable, but for me it lacks a little oomph, a bit of grit.
11:21 PM — Bidding the day goodnight with Chat Pile. They play their music well, but I was hoping that’d be enough to make me enjoy their music more, and it isn’t. Still, it’s an effective, brusque brand of spasmodic aggression. The frontman pacing back and forth barefoot in shorts like he’s in the Ministry of Funny Walks is quite the choice.
11:38 PM — Okay, “Why” was a hoot, fair is fair
Tyme: Still sounds like you’re having a blast tho!
I gotta admit it, that was a pretty fucking fun show yeah
Day 4 (Sunday, April 20th)
10:04 AM — Mild hangover. Went to the local metal dive bar last night with some of our festival pals. Partied til 3:30 am. I am getting too old for this shit. Except fuck that, it was a ton of fun and I’ll fucking do it again!
2:01 PM — Dragged my husk to the Terminal to see Vuur & Zijde play Boezem, which I gave a very positive review a few months ago. Curious to see how it plays on stage!
2:53 PM — Though the music was performed perfectly well, a giant industrial hall is probably not the ideal venue for Vuur & Zijde. I think they’d do better in a more intimate setting. But some minor sound issues aside, it was a pretty good show overall.
2:56 PM — Halfway through we decided to move to the smaller Hall of Fame to check out Bacht’n de Vulle Moane, a band that’s only a year old and supposedly plays some intense black metal festuring analog electronics.
3:05 PM — “Good evening Roadburn!” Dude it’s 3 pm.
3:14 PM — This sounds less like black metal with electronics and more like someone yelling over muddy hardstyle.
3:26 PM — It didn’t annoy me, but it did bore me. I didn’t come here for techno.
Dolphin Whisperer: Every time is the evening if you’re playing black metal
That’s great, maybe they should have tried that instead of playing techno haha
4:01 PM — Just watched an animated short movie called The Hunter made by Costin Chioreanu. Quite cool, though the plot was lost on me. Pretty imagery though!
4:32 PM — Frente Abierto plays flamenco, but a dark and heavy variation thereof. Interesting, but not really to my tastes.
6:11 PM — Michael Gira’s set with Kristof Hahn (both from Swans) was an exercise in patience. Slow droning soundscapes, eventually joined by slow droning vocals. At some point I could no longer stand the slow droning.
6:13 PM — Turns out Sumac has quite a lot of slow droning soundscapes as well. I don’t need to like everything Roadburn has to offer, but gee golly, I hope I’ll enjoy at least one thing more than Vuur & Zijde today.
7:37 PM — With a belly full of noodles we plowed on back to the Terminal to catch a slice of Big|Brave. More slow droning soundscapes, but the vocals help give it a slightly better sense of progression. Still, when the song devolves into crash cymbal taps and nothing else for a few minutes, I do get a bit restless.
7:41 PM — When the buildup is more noticeable the music is much more enjoyable, thankfully, and the vocals are powerful.
7:48 PM — All in all a good performance that requires a bit more patience than my exhaustion has left me with.
9:03 PM — Bo Ningen, heavy psych rock from Japan, is a lot of fun and the first thing with this much energy today. Quite diverse, exploring different moods and textures.
9:25 PM — They manage both heartfelt space-outs and extended high-octane jams. Exciting show and excellent musicians!
9:35 PM — “This will be our last song!”
They still had 15 minutes.
They still went over time.10:58 PM — Closing out the festival for us is Haunted Plasma. The glitzy darkwave with an edge reminds me of that scene in Blade with the vampire nightclub. The woman on the mic has a sweet spectral presence. A bit one-note, but otherwise very enjoyable and a worthy festival finale.
Even though the line-up was a bit frontloaded this year, it still resulted in some of the most hardest-hitting and affecting live music I’ve yet experienced, even from bands I’d never heard of in the first place. Both envy shows and the Throwing Bricks collaboration with Ontaard were the stuff of legends, and this kind of discovery is what makes Roadburn such a joy to return to, year after year. And it’s all the sweeter having a great group of friends to experience it with, as my partner and I attended few shows without at least one other friend by our side. So dear reader… same time next year?
#40WattSun #Alcest #AloraCrucible #AltınGün #Amenra #BachtNDeVulleMoane #Backxwash #BigBrave #BlogPost #BlogPosts #BoNingen #ChatPile #CHVE #Coilguns #ConcreteWinds #Dälek #DameArea #Denisa #Dödheimsgard #Doodseskader #EmmaRuthRundle #Envy #Faetooth #FrenteAbierto #GenitalShame #GillianCarter #Glassing #Gnod #GreyAura #Haatdrager #HauntedPlasma #InterArma #Kylesa #Messa #Midwife #MoorMother #Ontaard #OranssiPazuzu #Sumac #Swans #Thou #ThrowingBricks #Uniform #VuurZijde #WhiteHills
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I’ve completed two weeks back at the gym. I’ve done deadlifts, squats, bench press, kettle bell swings, cycling, burpees, hanging leg raises, over head press, and more. I walk for about 90 minutes each day to get there/back. I also fit a yoga session in. I’ve lost a lot of strength and conditioning, but not as much as I was afraid. Am I sore? Oh yes. That’s why I’m soaking in Epson salts. My writing productivity has dropped, but once my body acclimates to actually doing shit again, I expect I’ll get more done. #fitness #FitAfter50 #recovery #ResistanceTraining #writing
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Work your activity levels up gradually so you don't overdo it. But yeah, highly recommended if you have space to #garden. However, I'm against #mowing (#NoMowMay), and if things get too high, dig them up, or use a grass whip.
The Secret to a Great Workout is in Your Garden
Discover why non-exercise physical activity plays an important role in staying fit and how yardwork may be more effective for well-being than you think.
By Karen Hugg, Apr 13, 2023
#Walking - Walking is the foundation of #gardening. It seems like a trivial activity, but research shows it’s highly effective in strengthening muscles, maintaining weight, lowering blood pressure, and curbing cravings for sweets. A University of Cambridge study found that just 11 minutes of it daily lowered risks for cancer, stroke, and heart disease.
#Digging - Digging can burn up to 450 calories an hour, depending on your height, weight, and how vigorously you do it. Plus, your core muscles (lower back, hips, butt, pelvis) feel the burn. If you want to lower your BMI, dig a big hole, plant a tree, load some bark into a wheelbarrow, and fill a raised bed with soil.
#Weeding and #Raking - Raking is similar [to yoga]. You stretch to bring the tool toward you. Though raking doesn’t relax you like yoga and should be monitored to avoid repetitive motion injury or a pulled muscle, it can give your arms, stomach, and shoulders a healthy workout. For a 150-pound woman, for instance, raking can burn about 288 calories an hour.
#Squatting and #Lifting - On an average day in the garden, you’re likely to carry at least one heavy pot, large plant, or bag of soil. Lifting these objects from the ground (while using your knees and keeping your back straight) strengthens your core muscles. It’s akin to a deadlift or bear hug squat, where a person squats to lift a weighted bag at the gym.
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Downtown Raleigh Event Guide – Weekend January 10–11th Edition
Looking for things to do in Downtown Raleigh this weekend? From wellness classes and creative workshops to museum exhibitions, local history tours, and nightlife, Downtown Raleigh has a full lineup for Saturday and Sunday, January 10–11, 2026.
Whether you’re easing into the weekend with Pilates and yoga or wrapping it up with art, history, and a community run, this Downtown Raleigh Weekend Event Guide has you covered.
📅 Saturday, January 10, 2026
🧘♀️ Wellness & Self-Care
Pilates Mat Class 9:30 am – 10:15 am 📍 Heights Pilates Start your Saturday with a strengthening mat Pilates session focused on flexibility, balance, and core stability.
Yoga Qigong Flow 11:30 am – 12:30 pm 📍 Current Wellness A calming blend of yoga and qigong designed to improve energy flow, breathwork, and mindfulness.
Shaken or Stirred? Mocktail Mixing for More Interesting Alcohol-Free Drinking 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm 📍 Current Wellness Learn how to craft creative, flavorful mocktails while exploring mindful and alcohol-free social options.
🍸 Nightlife
Saturday Night Spins 8:00 pm – 12:00 am 📍 Boatman Spirits Co. Close out Saturday night with DJs, cocktails, and a lively Downtown Raleigh vibe at one of the city’s favorite distilleries.
📅 Sunday, January 11, 2026
🏛️ Arts, Culture & History
Closing Weekend: Blue Whales 10:00 am – 5:00 pm 📍 North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences Catch the final day of Blue Whales, an immersive exhibition celebrating the world’s largest mammals through science, storytelling, and visuals.
Artspace Open Studio 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm 📍 Artspace Meet local artists, explore working studios, and see art in progress during this free monthly open studio event.
Raleigh African American History Tour 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm 📍 Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar A guided walking tour highlighting Downtown Raleigh’s African American history, landmarks, and cultural legacy.
🏃 Community & Fitness
Sunday Run Club 9:00 am – 10:30 am 📍 The Bike Library Join fellow runners for a social, all-levels run through Downtown Raleigh streets and greenways.
Make the Most of Your Downtown Raleigh Weekend
From wellness and creative workshops to museum exhibitions, history tours, and nightlife, Downtown Raleigh offers something for everyone this weekend.
👉 Check back daily on DoRaleigh.com for the latest Downtown Raleigh event guides, weekend picks, and local happenings.
Post your community News, Events, and you can request placing a Paid ad on our Submissions Page.
Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | BSky | Linkedin
#DoRaleighWeekendGuide #downtownRaleigh #DowntownRaleighEventGuide #DowntownRaleighEvents #DowntownRaleighNightlife #events #News #RaleighArtEvents #RaleighWeekendEvents #RaleighWellnessEvents #thingsToDoInRaleigh
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"Badanie przeprowadzone przez firmę O2 i specjalistę od behawioryzmu, Patricka Fagana z Goldsmith University, wykazało istnienie związku pomiędzy regularnym chodzeniem na koncerty i zwiększeniem długości życia. Według oficjalnych informacji podanych w prasowym komunikacie 20 minut uczestnictwa w koncercie polepsza nasz nastrój o 21 proc., podczas gdy joga daje 10 proc. polepszenia nastroju, a spacery z psem tylko 7 proc. "
#koncerty #wydarzenia #kultura #muzyka #imprezy #wellbeing #psychologia #samopoczucie #zdrowie
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Who I Want to be…
Daily writing prompt If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be, and why? View all responsesFollowing my previous post, Me Time, if I could choose who I would be for the day, I would prefer to be a stronger, more improved version of myself. One that could say “NO” when needed instead of letting family members walk all over them all the time. When I was asked this question last week, it made me think about what has been happening in my life recently. The universe is putting me in positions where I need to say NO to facilitate my happiness. That is a pretty important lesson for me.
Everyone else seemingly knows how to stand up and tell this person “NO,” I have never been able to because she won’t take no for an answer from me. She’s constantly asking, “What do you do during the day? You don’t work; you can’t be that busy.” Or my favorite, “You only have the youngest during the day; what do you do all day?” Anyone with a toddler who’s in your 30s knows that just having one toddler can be an exhausting full-time job. I also have two teenagers who need my attention and support. They expect the teenagers to take on some of my responsibilities, and they don’t need me anymore, so I have more time. NO. They need my love and support also. That may be why you had so many problems with your teens.
My life right now is a few stages, all crunched into one. I have raised my older children, starting with my youngest. I am about to launch one of my children out into the world, and I have another who is about to start high school and one who will start schooling. All while being expected to care for my mother and grandmother. It’s a lot of pressure on someone desperately trying to find themselves in the mountain of responsibilities I already have, let alone the responsibilities others have piled on top of me. All the pressure has pushed me to my limit. Especially after just getting out of a flare and heading right back into one. When do these people expect me to enjoy my life? When do they expect me to get any work done? Why do they not take “NO” for an answer? I love and care for them, but I deserve the same respect. My boundaries are going to really piss some people off, but there’s no other choice. I choose my well-being.
The happiest time in my life was when certain family members left me alone to enjoy my time. I spent hours gardening, building things, refinishing furniture, and teaching myself new things daily. I learned what I was capable of physically and mentally. I became confident and felt like I could do anything. Then came the extra responsibilities and dealing with a demanding narcissist. All of my hard work was gone before I could blink. A few weeks before, I thought nothing could get to me, yet there I was. All strength I previously had was squashed.
Sometimes, it hurts, but you have to cut the narcissist off for good, for your own health and well-being. They care more about themselves than how they make others feel; everything is about them. Your self-esteem will repeatedly tank when you’re used to this your whole life. Nothing you do ever seems to be good enough. This is an exhausting concept because you put so much thought and effort into ensuring you please them so they won’t freak out on you. The more you do, the more they expect. It’s just an exhausting cycle.
With new boundaries set this week, if they want my help, they will contact me on Sunday (the day I agree to make plans with them, and we can work out what days in the coming week I can help.) There will be no more calling me and demanding I meet them at their house in 30 minutes. If that doesn’t work, throw a fit, I don’t care. I no longer take care of others before I take care of myself. It’s funny that I even have to go through this; it’s a given. I keep saying I need to make some changes, but I still need to make the effort. Now is the time. If not now, then when? My life will no longer fly by, and I will no longer wonder where the time went. My time is MY time.
As I said in my previous post, Me Time, I have made the decision to make time in my daily schedule for self-care hygiene (it sounds weird to schedule this, but some days it gets placed on the back burner repeatedly no matter what you do, so schedule it. It’s a non-negotiable) exercise, daily yoga practice, and more meditation through this time of change. I’ve also found ways to include reading and learning into my tight schedule through podcasts and a subscription to Audible. This has made such a huge difference in my day. It’s easy to pop in an earbud, make a meal, or even while gardening and doing laundry. Keeping my mind occupied with what I’m listening to makes the boring housework easier and seems much faster. I’ve also noticed I tend to finish a task from start to finish while listening to something; fewer distractions are always better!
Another thing that has been bringing me so much peace is journaling. Every night before I go to bed, I write a few things that happened that day and what I’m grateful for. This has helped me focus on more positive stuff instead of the negative thoughts that haunt me and keep me up at night. My goal is to become more conscious of the thoughts that I allow. Suppose something negative comes through, like disappointment about weight. In that case, I remind myself that I recently made a human being and have since been through many other stressful events and have only been able to focus on my health (my fault, I know) for a short while. I will get there just like before. Journaling has also shown me what keeps coming up for me, and what needs to change becomes more apparent.
This first week of the “new me” has been a breath of fresh air. A weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Even though I’m dealing with a flare, my mental health has been in a better place, and I’ve been easier on myself for the most part, but there’s still room to grow. I’ve been holding myself accountable and ensuring I keep my routine by alarms to keep myself on schedule and task. My creative flow is starting to return, and writing is a fun, rewarding release of the things in my head. My generic blog posts now have a direction and a purpose. My website is gradually transforming into what I had intended it to be. I would love to hear your thoughts and comments on growth and the start of your journey. Was it hard to take the first step?
Thank you for following along while I figured out how to navigate this ride. I appreciate your support.
PreviousShare:
Follow on Social Media!
Check out some of my other blogs!
- The Grand Illusion: Politics in the Spotlight
- Personal Growth: Overcoming Family Pressure and Embracing Well-Being
- Transforming Fear into Motivation
- Setting Boundaries and Finding Joy This Holiday Season
- Overcoming Fear and Embracing Consistency
#dailyprompt #dailyprompt1861 #familyIssues #Health #lifestyle #meditation #MentalHealth #mindfulness #selfCare #settingLimits #Wellness
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Who I Want to be…
Daily writing prompt If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be, and why? View all responsesFollowing my previous post, Me Time, if I could choose who I would be for the day, I would prefer to be a stronger, more improved version of myself. One that could say “NO” when needed instead of letting family members walk all over them all the time. When I was asked this question last week, it made me think about what has been happening in my life recently. The universe is putting me in positions where I need to say NO to facilitate my happiness. That is a pretty important lesson for me.
Everyone else seemingly knows how to stand up and tell this person “NO,” I have never been able to because she won’t take no for an answer from me. She’s constantly asking, “What do you do during the day? You don’t work; you can’t be that busy.” Or my favorite, “You only have the youngest during the day; what do you do all day?” Anyone with a toddler who’s in your 30s knows that just having one toddler can be an exhausting full-time job. I also have two teenagers who need my attention and support. They expect the teenagers to take on some of my responsibilities, and they don’t need me anymore, so I have more time. NO. They need my love and support also. That may be why you had so many problems with your teens.
My life right now is a few stages, all crunched into one. I have raised my older children, starting with my youngest. I am about to launch one of my children out into the world, and I have another who is about to start high school and one who will start schooling. All while being expected to care for my mother and grandmother. It’s a lot of pressure on someone desperately trying to find themselves in the mountain of responsibilities I already have, let alone the responsibilities others have piled on top of me. All the pressure has pushed me to my limit. Especially after just getting out of a flare and heading right back into one. When do these people expect me to enjoy my life? When do they expect me to get any work done? Why do they not take “NO” for an answer? I love and care for them, but I deserve the same respect. My boundaries are going to really piss some people off, but there’s no other choice. I choose my well-being.
The happiest time in my life was when certain family members left me alone to enjoy my time. I spent hours gardening, building things, refinishing furniture, and teaching myself new things daily. I learned what I was capable of physically and mentally. I became confident and felt like I could do anything. Then came the extra responsibilities and dealing with a demanding narcissist. All of my hard work was gone before I could blink. A few weeks before, I thought nothing could get to me, yet there I was. All strength I previously had was squashed.
Sometimes, it hurts, but you have to cut the narcissist off for good, for your own health and well-being. They care more about themselves than how they make others feel; everything is about them. Your self-esteem will repeatedly tank when you’re used to this your whole life. Nothing you do ever seems to be good enough. This is an exhausting concept because you put so much thought and effort into ensuring you please them so they won’t freak out on you. The more you do, the more they expect. It’s just an exhausting cycle.
With new boundaries set this week, if they want my help, they will contact me on Sunday (the day I agree to make plans with them, and we can work out what days in the coming week I can help.) There will be no more calling me and demanding I meet them at their house in 30 minutes. If that doesn’t work, throw a fit, I don’t care. I no longer take care of others before I take care of myself. It’s funny that I even have to go through this; it’s a given. I keep saying I need to make some changes, but I still need to make the effort. Now is the time. If not now, then when? My life will no longer fly by, and I will no longer wonder where the time went. My time is MY time.
As I said in my previous post, Me Time, I have made the decision to make time in my daily schedule for self-care hygiene (it sounds weird to schedule this, but some days it gets placed on the back burner repeatedly no matter what you do, so schedule it. It’s a non-negotiable) exercise, daily yoga practice, and more meditation through this time of change. I’ve also found ways to include reading and learning into my tight schedule through podcasts and a subscription to Audible. This has made such a huge difference in my day. It’s easy to pop in an earbud, make a meal, or even while gardening and doing laundry. Keeping my mind occupied with what I’m listening to makes the boring housework easier and seems much faster. I’ve also noticed I tend to finish a task from start to finish while listening to something; fewer distractions are always better!
Another thing that has been bringing me so much peace is journaling. Every night before I go to bed, I write a few things that happened that day and what I’m grateful for. This has helped me focus on more positive stuff instead of the negative thoughts that haunt me and keep me up at night. My goal is to become more conscious of the thoughts that I allow. Suppose something negative comes through, like disappointment about weight. In that case, I remind myself that I recently made a human being and have since been through many other stressful events and have only been able to focus on my health (my fault, I know) for a short while. I will get there just like before. Journaling has also shown me what keeps coming up for me, and what needs to change becomes more apparent.
This first week of the “new me” has been a breath of fresh air. A weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Even though I’m dealing with a flare, my mental health has been in a better place, and I’ve been easier on myself for the most part, but there’s still room to grow. I’ve been holding myself accountable and ensuring I keep my routine by alarms to keep myself on schedule and task. My creative flow is starting to return, and writing is a fun, rewarding release of the things in my head. My generic blog posts now have a direction and a purpose. My website is gradually transforming into what I had intended it to be. I would love to hear your thoughts and comments on growth and the start of your journey. Was it hard to take the first step?
Thank you for following along while I figured out how to navigate this ride. I appreciate your support.
PreviousShare:
Follow on Social Media!
Check out some of my other blogs!
- Setting Boundaries and Finding Joy This Holiday Season
- Overcoming Fear and Embracing Consistency
- The Impact of Circadian Rhythms on Sleep and Health
- Journey to Better Sleep: Navigating Parenthood, Health, and Prioritizing Rest
- Simple Things That Bring Us Joy
#dailyprompt #dailyprompt1861 #familyIssues #Health #lifestyle #meditation #MentalHealth #mindfulness #selfCare #settingLimits #Wellness
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Fri. April 10, 2026: Spring Sunshine
image courtesy of Juraj Varga from PixabayFriday, April 10, 2026
Waning Moon
Sunny and cold
Friday! I’m excited for the weekend. Even though I have taxes, I’m hoping to get a lot of sleep in.
I was actually in the flow enough so I could get some work done on BETTING MAN before the online meditation group (I’d done my own morning yoga, meditation, and free write session already, with the moon smiling down on me). That felt good, to finally get past the chapter with which I’ve been wrestling for far too long.
Charlotte was delighted with online meditation. It’s her favorite part of the week.
After meditation and breakfast, I headed off to the grocery store for a light grocery shop, and then ran another errand before swinging by the library for a drop-off/pick-up.
Home in time for #FreelanceFriends, which was fun. I got a little bit of work done on the ghostwriting, but also did my federal taxes. I started the state, but that form is intentionally nonsensical, and I was too tired to focus on it. I got some planting done, so that was good.
Annoyed, but not surprised that Amazon is cutting off service to their older Kindles. My Fire is from, I think, 2014 or 2015, so maybe I can use it for another year or two. I won’t get another Kindle when they cut me off. I may get some other kind of tablet, and just have a Kindle app on it, although I’m sure, eventually, they will end that and only let Kindle books be read on their own devices. And then I will get my ebooks elsewhere.
And people wonder why I refuse to do KDP, either as an author or a reader.
My Llewellyn editor asked me to be a part of the 2028 Witches’ Companion, so I will form the ideas I’ve been playing with into something cohesive and send them early next week. I usually send her two or three ideas, and she picks the one she feels will work best in context.
I got my act together, put on Real People Pants, and walked up to the library for the Trustees meeting. It was a lovely spring evening, and definitely worth walking. However, not enough Trustees showed up to actually have the meeting, so it was canceled, although we didn’t mind having a half hour just to hang out and chat.
Walked home, and got to play with a lot of dogs out on their evening walks. I don’t know the names of many people in the extended neighborhood, but I know the dogs, and they all know me and are always so happy to see me. I got to read on the porch for a bit, and then had the online library cohort meeting (Charlotte, once again, was delighted). We are a good group, and even scattered all over the country as we are, we have cohesion.
It took me a bit to settle down after the meeting, and I slept reasonably well. I was up early this morning, fed everyone, and hauled the laundry to the laundromat. There were other people there this morning, but we all hung out in our own cars as things washed and dried, and were pleasant in passing as we switched machines, so it was fine.
Home, and did the freewrite session, trying to work out one of the pieces that’s on deadline at the end of the month. It’s a short piece, but sometimes those are harder to pin down.
I will do my yoga and meditation at the end of the day today, rather than in the morning. Tessa gets annoyed when I change up the routine, and she hates it that I don’t go to the laundromat on the same day every week so she can plan, but hey, life is hard.
On today’s agenda: folding and putting away laundry (which I will do as soon as I post this), working on BETTING MAN, working on the ghostwriting, working on my Llewellyn pitches, contacting my elected officials, working on taxes, doing some more planting.
Tomorrow should be a fairly quiet day, except for housework and taxes and contest entries. Sunday, a colleague at the gallery is doing an event in the afternoon, so I will go down for that. I hope to get in some work on BETTING MAN, and maybe on the two pieces on deadline. If the light is good, maybe I can sew a little, too.
The next few weeks ramp up as far as commitments go, so I have to pace myself. The ghostwriting deadlines will tighten over that time, too, so I’m also trying to leave myself enough thinking time.
Have a great weekend, and we’ll catch up on the other side.
#freelance #laundry #meditation #Mindfulness #planning #planting #writing -
Fri. April 10, 2026: Spring Sunshine
image courtesy of Juraj Varga from PixabayFriday, April 10, 2026
Waning Moon
Sunny and cold
Friday! I’m excited for the weekend. Even though I have taxes, I’m hoping to get a lot of sleep in.
I was actually in the flow enough so I could get some work done on BETTING MAN before the online meditation group (I’d done my own morning yoga, meditation, and free write session already, with the moon smiling down on me). That felt good, to finally get past the chapter with which I’ve been wrestling for far too long.
Charlotte was delighted with online meditation. It’s her favorite part of the week.
After meditation and breakfast, I headed off to the grocery store for a light grocery shop, and then ran another errand before swinging by the library for a drop-off/pick-up.
Home in time for #FreelanceFriends, which was fun. I got a little bit of work done on the ghostwriting, but also did my federal taxes. I started the state, but that form is intentionally nonsensical, and I was too tired to focus on it. I got some planting done, so that was good.
Annoyed, but not surprised that Amazon is cutting off service to their older Kindles. My Fire is from, I think, 2014 or 2015, so maybe I can use it for another year or two. I won’t get another Kindle when they cut me off. I may get some other kind of tablet, and just have a Kindle app on it, although I’m sure, eventually, they will end that and only let Kindle books be read on their own devices. And then I will get my ebooks elsewhere.
And people wonder why I refuse to do KDP, either as an author or a reader.
My Llewellyn editor asked me to be a part of the 2028 Witches’ Companion, so I will form the ideas I’ve been playing with into something cohesive and send them early next week. I usually send her two or three ideas, and she picks the one she feels will work best in context.
I got my act together, put on Real People Pants, and walked up to the library for the Trustees meeting. It was a lovely spring evening, and definitely worth walking. However, not enough Trustees showed up to actually have the meeting, so it was canceled, although we didn’t mind having a half hour just to hang out and chat.
Walked home, and got to play with a lot of dogs out on their evening walks. I don’t know the names of many people in the extended neighborhood, but I know the dogs, and they all know me and are always so happy to see me. I got to read on the porch for a bit, and then had the online library cohort meeting (Charlotte, once again, was delighted). We are a good group, and even scattered all over the country as we are, we have cohesion.
It took me a bit to settle down after the meeting, and I slept reasonably well. I was up early this morning, fed everyone, and hauled the laundry to the laundromat. There were other people there this morning, but we all hung out in our own cars as things washed and dried, and were pleasant in passing as we switched machines, so it was fine.
Home, and did the freewrite session, trying to work out one of the pieces that’s on deadline at the end of the month. It’s a short piece, but sometimes those are harder to pin down.
I will do my yoga and meditation at the end of the day today, rather than in the morning. Tessa gets annoyed when I change up the routine, and she hates it that I don’t go to the laundromat on the same day every week so she can plan, but hey, life is hard.
On today’s agenda: folding and putting away laundry (which I will do as soon as I post this), working on BETTING MAN, working on the ghostwriting, working on my Llewellyn pitches, contacting my elected officials, working on taxes, doing some more planting.
Tomorrow should be a fairly quiet day, except for housework and taxes and contest entries. Sunday, a colleague at the gallery is doing an event in the afternoon, so I will go down for that. I hope to get in some work on BETTING MAN, and maybe on the two pieces on deadline. If the light is good, maybe I can sew a little, too.
The next few weeks ramp up as far as commitments go, so I have to pace myself. The ghostwriting deadlines will tighten over that time, too, so I’m also trying to leave myself enough thinking time.
Have a great weekend, and we’ll catch up on the other side.
#freelance #laundry #meditation #Mindfulness #planning #planting #writing -
Recent Readings–Another Severe Case, per The Times; Guardian’s Take on “Brain Retraining”; Boston Globe’s Long COVID Tale
By David Tuller, DrPH
Times coverage of another severe patient
On February 15th, The Times covered the case of yet another patient with severe illness. The article, by health editor Eleanor Hayward, bore the headline “My body can take no more, says ME patient starving in hospital.” The subhead: “Campaigners say the suffering of Savannah Victora-May, 23, highlights NHS inaction over recommendations that it set up specialist services for severe cases.”
Victoria-May has been at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in southeast London for close to a year. The case has drawn the attention of Action for ME and other patient advocates. In December of 2024, a coroner in Exeter published what is called a “report to prevent future deaths” after an inquest into the case of Maeve Boothby O’Neill, a severe ME patient.
Boothby O’Neill, 27, died in 2021 of malnutrition after three hospital stays failed to halt her deterioration. The report to prevent future deaths included an appeal for specialist ME/CFS services.
Per The Times: “Victora-May is unable to eat or drink and is in severe pain, drifting in and out of consciousness. She has lost 30kg since her admission in March and has eaten nothing since January 18…Speaking from hospital via a friend, Victora-May described the pain as ‘like being lowered into a bath of acid and the acid rating gets turned up more and more every half hour.’”
The Canary, a scrappy muckraking publication, has also covered the situation. A petition has been posted on change.org. According to the UK’s ME Association, Tessa Hunt, a member of parliament, mentioned the case in recent public comments regarding the lack of specialist services.
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Non-triumphalist story about “brain retraining” for ME/CFS in Guardian
Stories about so-called “brain retraining” programs for chronic illness are often triumphalist narratives about full recovery after a few sessions of whatever—the Lightning Process or the Gupta Program or this or that. This week, The Guardian published something a bit different on ME/CFS and these mind-body approaches. The author, Hermione Hoby, is a British journalist who now lives in Boulder, Colorado, and she paints a more nuanced, thought-provoking account of her experience.
The headline: “My maddening battle with chronic fatigue syndrome: ‘On my worst days, it feels almost demonic.’” Subhead: “I suffered with my mystery illness for decades before gaining a diagnosis. Could retraining my brain be the answer?” (In the end, the answer was no, although it appeared to Hopy to have helped for a while.)
The writing is lovely—wry and elegant, moving but not maudlin, ironic and self-aware. Hoby keenly describes her discontent with clinical encounters:
“The experience went like this: a doctor would glance at the blood test results in his or her (but usually his) hands and tell me I was fine. They’d tend to avoid my eyes as they said this. My test results were indeed fine, and so were my vitals, more or less (lowish blood pressure), but the situation clearly was not. One doctor told me to eat vegetables. When I managed to mumble that I did eat vegetables, this doctor slightly smirked as she said: “Yeah, but do you really?””
After many years, Hoby received an ME/CFS diagnosis. Her illness followed a fluctuating pattern—long periods of apparently full recovery followed by serious relapses lasting weeks or months, for no discernible reason. Boulder is a leading center of “woo-woo”—Hoby’s word, although I concur about Boulder—and she ended up seeing a brain-retraining practitioner.
His strategy included watching “messianically positive video testimonials” in which “men and women avowed the miraculous effects of brain retraining”–and it seemed to work. Hoby improved dramatically. As she writes:
“There followed a period of quasi-religious mania. I was cured! (!!!) I began referring to my ME/CFS in the past tense and applying the principles of brain retraining to other areas of my life. Finding myself running further and faster, and writing with more ease, I felt superheroic. My husband, delighted to see me well, also became a little wary around me, as if I might take the mind-over-matter credo to the point of attempting to walk through walls.”
Then she crashed again—forcing her to reassess her views and navigate complicated feelings about the whole matter. Definitely worth a read.
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Boston Globe offers in-depth look at life with Long COVID
The Boston Globe has published a detailed and heartbreaking story a detailed and heartbreaking account about Samantha Crausman, a young Massachusetts woman who has suffered with prolonged symptoms since a 2022 bout of COVID-19. The headline: “A doctor watches his 28-year-old daughter suffer from long COVID. He clings fiercely to hope.”
The article, by long-time health reporter Felice Freyer, doesn’t break a lot of new ground. However, it offers an in-depth look at multiple aspects of living with Long COVID, especially the ME/CFS subtype. Freyer covers the skepticism of medical professionals toward patients, the extreme measures families pursue to protect loved ones from further infection, the desperate search for any and every possible treatment, the sense of living in perpetual limbo.
Rob Crausman, Samantha’s father, is a lung specialist and has practiced medicine for decades. He has been dismayed at how the medical field has mishandled the illness that has so disrupted his daughter’s life. Per the Globe:
“He never imagined his profession could so completely fail his own child at her time of greatest need.“‘I’m profoundly disappointed,’ he said.
“To this day, he gets well-meaning advice from physician friends who show surprising ignorance about his daughter’s condition.
“‘If I have one more person tell me that she just needs to do yoga, I will lose my mind,’ he said.”
(View the original post at virology.ws)
#LongCovid #TheTimes -
The End of Fake Spring Part Two
It was 60F /15.5 C a week ago and close to that on the day after! I even dried laundry out on the clothesline. Then fake spring the second came to a screeching halt last Tuesday night while James and I were out on neighborhood patrol. The wind was already gusting and then it started sleeting. If you have ever had sleet slamming into your face you are currently cringing and thinking, ouch! If you have never had the pleasure, perhaps you have had sand or small bits of gravel grit whipped against your bare skin? Now pretend they are ice instead. It’s a barrage of cold needle pricks. And when you think it can’t get any worse, one hits you in the eye.
We stuck it out a little longer because we had reported two ICE-y vehicles prowling the neighborhood and we wanted to be able to send an update if they slunk by again. But when you have to put your hands up over your eyes to protect them from the sleet, it is kind of hard to see what else is happening on the other side of your mittens. So we reluctantly called it a night and went home and crawled into bed early for a little relaxing reading time.
Minneapolis has dropped like a stone out of the headlines since the government announced the anti-immigration surge was over. But, while there are fewer Department of Homeland Security agents here—nobody knows how many, some report 180 and some 900 and both got these numbers from the government (my guess is closer to 900)—there are still abductions happening every day. Since Bovino and Noem have been fired the abductions have become quieter and more targeted rather than the in-your-face performances requiring tear gas thrown into peaceful crowds and gallons of pepper spray aimed at anyone who dares to stop and look and question what is going on.
But they are getting ready for something and we don’t know what, though there are guesses. Over the last several days ICE has taken delivery of over 100 new SUVs at headquarters. None of them have yet been driven off the base. I suspect they are planning on something for March 17th, the day the protected status for Somali refugees expires. Thing is though, something like 90-95% of Somalis in Minnesota are United States citizens, having either been naturalized or born here. However, according to the Star Tribune (local paper), there are 2,500 Somalis who currently have protected status in the United States and most of them live in Minnesota (gift link). If you have been paying attention, you know the disgusting things the President has said about Somalia and Somali people, including Ilhan Omar my Congressional Representative. Except none of this is about immigration to begin with, but rather a terror campaign conducted in an effort to consolidate authoritarian power.
Kind of like the war Trump started against Iran, which by a number of reports, appears that Trump was pressed into it by the Israeli government. Spend a little time thinking about what that means. And while you’re at it, take a look at some recent reporting about plans for Gaza. If those reconstruction plans go through some people will be making a lot of money and they won’t be Palestinian.
It’s hard to know what is going on with Trump these days, he is seriously boffo and even more incoherent by the second. He accuses people of covering up for Biden and his problems, I can only imagine how much is being covered up with Trump. Actually, I don’t want to try and imagine it because it is just too horrific. It will all come out eventually but by then it will be far too late. So we continue to suffer from his incomprehensible whims and desire for revenge and self-aggrandizement. We’re spending over a billion dollars a day on an unnecessary war but somehow have no money to fund health care or food stamps or anything for people who actually need help instead of billionaires whose only goal in life is to have the biggest bank account, everyone and everything else be damned. What sad, broken men they are, and they are pretty much all men.
I wish I could say fake spring part 3 or even real spring has arrived, but there is currently a blizzard going on outside my windows. We were on foot patrol Saturday afternoon and in an amazingly accurate for a change forecast, it began snowing only ten minutes before the winter storm watch went into effect. It’s been snowing since then, though I can’t tell how much has fallen because the 24 mph winds are whipping it all around.
I did a first round of shoveling early this morning after breakfast and there was about 6 inches/ 15 cm of heavy, sticky snow. I haven’t been out since, but will need to venture out at some point. Added to the insult of the snow and wind, temperatures by Monday night will be subzero F /-18 C.
Meanwhile, indoors, the seedlings are doing great. I have already had to raise the grow light above the tomatoes. It might not be spring outside, but it is spring in my kitchen and in my heart.
The seed sprouting setup. Tomatoes and peppers on the top shelf, herbs on the shelf below. You can see snow on the grapevine outside the window.One of the best things about getting connected with neighbors for ICE watch and mutual aid, is also finding other ways to connect. I am now part of a neighborhood garden group who will be raising extra veg for the purpose of donating it to the neighborhood food shelf. A couple folks have organized a seed swap for next weekend. Yesterday I went through all my seeds and made up quite a few envelopes of tomato, bean, squash, herb and flower seeds to share. In sharing my seeds I have no plans to bring home any new seeds. Does anyone want to wager on how many seed packets I come home with?
Life has gotten increasingly busier and rewarding, but I have also made sure to take time to rest. Some days I don’t feel like I have rested enough, but I do what I can. Yesterday, life was a pie full of cherries. Well, and today too because leftovers. Saturday was Pi Day y’all, at least in the weird way Americans write our dates. To celebrate the magic of 3.14, James made cherry pie. The cherries are from the garden cherry bushes and have been waiting quietly in the freezer since August. James also made vanilla ice cream. Not exactly ice cream weather as it turned out, but with hot coffee and tea and warm pie it was all perfect. And there is still some leftover so I will get to enjoy it a third time.
Take a gander at the cherry pie! James got fancy and cut hearts in the top crust.I’ve also been enjoying some great books. I am in the midst of Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor, and enjoying it immensely. Also reading Fear Less: Poetry in Perilous Times by Tracy K. Smith. I enjoy reading poets analyzing poetry and Smith is really good at it, meaning she doesn’t write in academic jargon but everyday language. The book is about overcoming the fear of poetry, which I don’t have but I know many people do, as well as a discussion about the importance of poetry, especially in uncertain times. It is a slim book that I am slowly savoring.
Then there is Jane Austen’s Bookshelf by Rebecca Romney and Mothers of the Novel by Dale Spender both of which I am reading because of Marcie at Buried in Print, darn her! I’m not far along in either book, but they are tickling something I need at the moment, and I find myself thinking about them and the novelists they write about even when I am not reading the books. I have already made a reading date with a friend to do a summer read together of Frances Burney’s Evelina. No doubt, there will be other novels sneaking onto my TBR pile.
As for poetry, I am reading June Jordan, Marie Howe, and Wendy Barker. All of them very different and all of them very good.
And with that, I have a few handwritten notes yet to write, some snow to assess, a couple chores to finish, some yoga to ease my tired muscles, and some books to fall into. And perhaps a second helping of pie.
Send warm, melty spring thoughts my way please!
#blizzard #cherryPie #fakeSpring #Gaza #ICE #Iran #PiDay #seedStarting #sleet #Somalia #winter