Morning, gang.

As we head toward next month’s general election for Greensboro City Council, there are going to be a number of good opportunities to see candidates speak to the city’s largest issues.

Tonight at 6 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, a large panel of candidates for mayor, district, and at-large seats will answer questions about housing and homelessness. I’ll be moderating the event, which is hosted by the Interactive Resource Center. More information is available here, and we hope to see you out there.

Today, we’re bringing you the latest in our series of food and drink columns — Gale Melcher’s look at mocktails for the increasing number of people who are drinking less or not at all. We also have your guide to getting out there, The Weekender.

Let’s get into it.

-Joe Killian

Drinking With Intention at Bitters Social House

I didn’t get out much while in school and attended my first real “college party” just before I graduated. But I imbibed unholy spirits like many 21+-year-olds, had deep conversations with my roommate over wine, and occasionally took an Uber home after a night on the town. Many of my dear friends are bartenders who can play the roles of therapist, doctor, and security all in one night. 

Alcohol can make us feel like we’re funnier, smarter, relaxed, on top of the world. It can also wind down a restless brain to a slower pace, ease burdens, and numb the pain. But like a potion, I’ve seen how booze can turn people from Jekyll to Hyde once they’ve thrown a few back. It was Charlie Chaplin who once said, “A man’s true character comes out when he’s drunk.”

I realized drinking was never something that made me feel good, in my body or mind, and started abstaining more. I stopped altogether just over two years ago. But when I go out with friends, I sometimes feel like a teetotaler. Most bars now offer a nonalcoholic beer or two, a kombucha, or a fancy soda. But often, their “mocktails” are soda with a splash of fruit juice that costs the same as something more spirited.

The week of Greensboro’s primary elections, it felt like Friday by the time Tuesday rolled around. So I headed over to Bitters Social House to try to relax.

Read the full story here.


— Gale Melcher

Thanks for reading The Thread, a 3x week newsletter written by Greensboro editor Joe Killian and reporters Sayaka Matsuoka and Gale Melcher. Reach us with tips or ideas at greensboro@theassemblync.com.


Can you believe we’re already halfway through October? Crazy. This weekend we’ve got lots of ways to see some live music, an opportunity to pet an alpaca or an owl, plus a chance to cry in public, if that’s your thing.

FRIDAY, Oct. 17
Pumpkin Patch on the Alpaca Farm @ Rainbow Magic Alpaca Farm

If you’ve still not gotten your pumpkins or mums, here’s the perfect opportunity to do so while also meeting some new animal friends. At Rainbow Magic Alpaca Farm in northwest Greensboro, visitors can pet or feed alpaca, and shop for pumpkins. The farm is open every day except on Mondays. Learn more here.

City Council Town Hall @ Westminster Presbyterian Church
6 p.m.

Need to learn more about this year’s city council candidates? Get informed at this town hall hosted by the Interactive Resource Center and moderated by The Assembly’s own Joe Killian! Candidates will answer questions about housing, homelessness, and more. Learn more here.

Speakeasy Night @ Greensboro History Museum
6:30 p.m.

The Greensboro History Museum is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. What better way to throw a party than to host a speakeasy night full of music, cocktails, jazz, and a mystery game? Tickets on sale here.

The String Queens @ The Carolina Theatre
7:30 p.m.

This dynamic group brings their soulful sound to The Carolina Theatre this Friday. The all-female trio of instrumentalists has been performing for four generations, playing with musicians like Lauryn Hill, Anita Baker, and Mary J. Blige. Tickets available here.

Not Your Typical Organ Concert @ Christ United Methodist Church
7:30-8:30 p.m.

If jazz isn’t really your jam, what about classical organ music? This free event will feature pieces of differing styles from Bach to famous movie themes, all by musician Brody Bett. Learn more here.

Boogie Nights! @ Ziggy’s Greensboro
8 p.m.

Let’s say you like live music, but you want to dance even more. Join others at Ziggy’s for an evening of old school funk and classic hip hop spun by DJ Black Jesus. Admission is only $5. Doors open at 8 p.m.

SATURDAY, Oct. 18
See Live Birds of Prey @ Wild Birds Unlimited
12-2 p.m.

Sure, maybe sometimes you catch the occasional red-tailed hawk flying in your backyard. But have you ever seen one up close? This Saturday, you’ll get the chance to see birds of prey like hawks and owls at this local bird-focused shop. More info here.

Tate Street Fall Festival @ Tate Street
1-7 p.m.

It’s back! This yearly celebration, which takes over a whole block of Tate Street, will feature live music, close to 100 arts and craft vendors, and great food. 

Transexpansive Festival and Expo @ Four Points by Sheraton Greensboro Airport
1-8 p.m.

This family-friendly event will be packed with lots of vendors, entertainment, and resources for the trans, gender non-conforming, and allied communities! Events will change throughout the day. Admission is free. Learn more here. 

Movie in the Park: The Notebook @ LeBauer Park
7 p.m.

If you’ve ever wanted to cry while sitting among strangers as Ryan Gosling says to Rachel McAdams, “If you’re a bird, I’m a bird,” well then, here’s your chance. Catch this free screening of the classic 2004 romance movie, The Notebook, based on the Nicholas Sparks novel. Bring your own tissues.

NC Dance Festival Mainstage Concert @ Van Dyke Performance Space
7:30-9:30 p.m.

This ticketed dance performance features six dances by NC choreographers who will use their bodies and music to tell stories of ancestry, lived experience, imagination, and technology. Learn more here.

SUNDAY, Oct. 19
The ‘Boro Sessions presents A Sunday Afternoon with the Celtic and Old-Time All Stars @ The Back Table
2-4:15 p.m.

This live music session inside The Back Table features an afternoon of Celtic and old-time music hosted by ‘Boro Sessions, a community concert series hosting performances across the city. Tickets on sale here.

— Sayaka Matsuoka

Joe Killian is The Assembly's Greensboro editor. He joined us from NC Newsline, where he was senior investigative reporter. He spent a decade at The News & Record covering cops and courts, higher education, and government.

Gale is a Report for America corps member and Greensboro-based reporter for The Assembly. She previously covered local government and community issues for Triad City Beat. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from N.C. State University.

Sayaka Matsuoka is a Greensboro-based reporter for The Assembly. She was formerly the managing editor for Triad City Beat, an alt-weekly based in Greensboro. She has reported for INDY Week, The Bitter Southerner, and Nerdist, and is the editorial/diversity chair for AAN Publishers.