🍽 Get Ahead of Valentine’s Day
Nothing says romance like planning ahead. Ditch the last-minute Valentine’s scramble and secure your reservation at one of these date night spots!
Prix Fixe Dinners
Childress Vineyards | February 14 | $159 per person | Social hour at 5:30 PM, dinner at 6:15 PM | Three-course dinner followed by an all-request Blazin’ Keys Dueling Pianos performance!
Footnote Coffee | February 13 | $190 for couples | 6:30 PM | So many options, so little time. Enjoy a gourmet buffet while listening to Siren Series Jazz!
Brouwerij DuBois | February 14 | $80 per person | 6 PM | Savor a meal prepared by Chef Rob of Bear Creek BBQ with a decadent dessert from Cheesecakes by Alex.
Di Lisio’s | February 14 | $95 per person | Seatings at 5 and 8 PM | What’s better than an Italian dinner? A wine-paired Italian dinner. Buon appetito!
Fine Dining
Fratellis | $$$ | Do you (or your date) love steak? Don’t wait to book your reservation here! Valentine’s Day is your last chance to eat at Fratellis before it closes for a major renovation.
Sushi Rosé | $$ | This modern Japanese-Peruvian fusion lounge is the perfect spot for a sleek, elegant date night.
Downtown Grille | $$$ | Enjoy a fresh, farm-to-table feast and one of their classic cocktails. We’re eyeing the grilled Verlasso salmon and blood orange Old Fashioned.
✔️ The 2026 tax filing season is here! The IRS encourages you to “Get Ready” now to make filing easier and more accurate. Here’s how you can prepare today:
Log into your IRS account to view records, manage payments, and protect your identity
Organize tax documents like W-2s, 1099s, and other income forms
Review new tax updates affecting deductions and credits, including tips, overtime, and seniors
Preparing early saves time and reduces stress — just don’t forget to watch out for common tax scams.*
🗓 Events
NOTE: All events listed were still scheduled as of 7 PM on January 28. Check each event’s website for updates — they may be canceled due to this weekend’s winter storm.
Saturday, January 31
The Clash - It’s a full weekend of NASCAR racing at Bowman Gray Stadium! Watch Madhouse Classic races on Saturday and the main race on Sunday.
A Cappella Jam for Hope - Rescheduled from January 24. Listen to a cappella groups from across the Triad at R. J. Reynolds Auditorium! 5 PM
Mozart’s Birthday - Rescheduled from January 25. Listen to Mozart’s classic pieces performed by university faculty at UNCSA. 3 PM
Tiaras & Teas - Take your little princess to Childress Vineyards for a whimsical storybook tea — Belle and Rapunzel will be stopping by! Seatings at 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 2:30 PM.
Comedy Tour - Climb aboard the “Jolly Trolley” for an onboard comedy show and a tasting at a local brewpub! 7 PM
Mahjong Workshop - Learn to play in a day. Take 101 and 102 classes with Camel City Mahjong at Footnote Coffee. Lunch included. 10 AM - 2 PM
Dueling Pianos - You don’t want to miss this all-request sing-along experience at Gypsy Road Brewing! 7 PM
Candle Making - Mix fragrances to create a one-of-a-kind soy wax candle at Lizzie’s All Natural Products. 4 PM
Sunday, February 1
Groundhog Day Adventure - Did he see his shadow? Take your kids to Gateway Nature Preserve to learn about groundhogs and the myths surrounding Groundhog Day! 2 PM
Monday, February 2
Dance Lessons - Learn zouk, a Brazilian partner dance, at Art for Art’s Sake! No partner required. Class at 6:30 PM, social dance at 7:30 PM.
🎶 Save the date! UNCSA has performances for every vibe, from dramas and dance to symphonies and symposiums. Here is what caught our eye:
Cyrano De Bergerac | Romance meets rap
Winter Dance | Classic and contemporary works
Improvised Music and Jazz Festival | Two days of Jazz in downtown WS
See the full list of performances and experience the arts this spring!*
🗞 Other News
📦 Donate: Be honest — do you have a box of donations in your car or closet right now? Let’s change that. Leaving donation boxes in your car is so 2025. Drop them off at Goodwill and give them (and individuals) a second chance.*
🥳 Birthday: Ginger Bread Man Bakery celebrates its 1st birthday this Saturday! Expect special offers, new merchandise, and giveaways — team member Jacob is eyeing the birthday cookie cake.
🏈 Football: Wake Forest released its 2026 football schedule! Season tickets and early bird Akron and Miami game tickets are already available. Looking back: The Deacs finished their 2025 season 9-4 and won the Duke Mayo Bowl earlier this month.
️⚽️ Soccer: Speaking of sports, Salem City FC will play at M. Douglas Crater Stadium this year! The team played at Truist Sports Field for its first two seasons. Stay tuned for the schedule, and catch up on Winston-Salem's local teams with our sports guide.
🔬 Science: The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine will receive up to $24.8 million to bioprint on-demand kidney tissue. The tissue will be made using patients’ own cells, easing the organ donor shortage and removing the need for lifelong immunosuppressive drugs.
❄️ Weather: Due to unsafe road conditions, WS/FC Schools will have another remote learning day tomorrow. Check the city’s website to stay up-to-date with city services, delays, and closures.
🍲 Soup Flights
“Soup flights are underrated,” said Laura M. on Instagram. We couldn’t agree more. Grab a soup flight at Westtown Restaurant!
What: Get 3 cups of soup for $11! Their most popular soups are Chicken & Rice, Chicken & Dumplings, and Veggie.
Fun Fact: Westtown recently celebrated its 35th anniversary and was the first restaurant in town to introduce soup flights!
SPONSORED
Upcoming Events
Big Band Brunch - Love is in the air — and so is jazz. Enjoy a Valentine’s brunch buffet with live music from the Camel City Jazz Orchestra at the Millennium Center on February 15.
Evening in the Atrium - A taste of live music. Jess Klein takes the stage as The Downtown Grille serves up small bites at 500 W 5th on February 19.
Pianos for Paws - Two pianos. One great cause. Join Fur-Ever Friends of NC for a spectacular Dueling Pianos show, a silent auction, and raffles at The Warehouse on Ivy on February 21.
👀 Monday’s results: Are you going to The Clash?
Yes - 17%
No - 83%
Donna C. said she isn’t going, “but I will definitely hear it. I live a half mile from the stadium.”
🌀 The Wrap
🛷 We’ve loved seeing Southerners get creative with the snow. Team member Amanda’s kids used boogie boards as makeshift sleds!
🍫 National Hot Chocolate Day is January 31! Head to East of Texas for a build-your-own hot cocoa bar.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
* denotes sponsored content