July 22, 2026
🎭 International Black Theatre Festival
The world's largest Black theatre festival returns to Winston-Salem next week with 100+ theatrical performances, cultural events, and community programs!
Photo credit to the International Black Theatre Festival
What: Hosted by NC Black Rep, the International Black Theatre Festival is held in Winston-Salem every 2 years and attracts creatives from across the country and around the world.
History: The festival was first held in 1989 — despite having raised only $5,000 ten weeks before opening night, over 10,000 people attended!
Expect: Plays, workshops, staged readings, film screenings, youth programs, and a vendor market! We recommend checking out the Old School Block Party in Corpening Plaza on July 31 and August 1.
Details: The festival runs July 28–August 1, with mainstage tickets ranging from $30–60; most other events are free!
🎉 Believe it or not, we're halfway through 2026! It's time to book your holiday or end-of-year party! Pilot View Center at 500 W 5th has you covered. Here's why guests love it:
Space for 226 guests standing or 100 for a seated dinner
Full catering kitchen + bar area
Floor-to-ceiling windows
Free, convenient parking
Explore the space and lock in your date before the season fills up!*
🗓 Events
Saturday, July 25
Movie Night - “Shake and bake!” Watch comedy classic “Talladega Nights” on East of Texas’ upper patio. 8:30 PM
Decades Party - Dance to your favorite hits from the ‘90s and ‘00s at Childress Vineyards! 7 PM
Comfy Club - Work on your personal project in the company of fellow crafters with Mac & Cheese Productions. 4 PM
Fun in the Sun - Take the kids to Sprague Street Park for splash pad time, food trucks, and outdoor games! 4-8 PM
The Shift - Art, music, and interactive installations come together for a one-day exhibition at Merschel Park that honors Winston-Salem's Black history and legacy. 5-8 PM
Sunday, July 26
Junior League Recruitment Event - Meet current members and learn how they volunteer, train together, and tackle local causes at Medaloni Cellars. 2 PM*
Fan Fest - Join Wake Forest soccer for a meet-and-greet, inflatables, and lawn games at Spry Stadium! 5-7 PM
Cocktail Class - Learn how to use ice to elevate your at-home cocktail game at easytalk. 4 PM
Rollout Day - Skates, bikes, scooters, skateboards — if it has wheels, it’s welcome at Jamison Park for World Rollout Day! Hosted by Camel City Sk8ters. 9 AM
Groove Lab - Jam out to electronic dance music at Bar Nola! All ages welcome. 4-8 PM
Monday, July 27
Beer School - The Winston Dudes Club kicks off its first-ever event with beer tastings, a tour of Foothills Tasting Room, and a crash course in brewing. Stay afterward for beginner pickleball! 6 PM
Anniversary - Celebrate 5 years of Siren Series Jazz with a Mardi Gras-themed soirée at Footnote Coffee. 6 PM
🗞 Other News
✨ Transformation: Are you team classic brick, painted, or limewashed? Paint delivers a crisp, uniform look, while limewash becomes one with the brick for a soft, weathered, European feel. Whatever your style, Worth Painting can transform your exterior. Get started with a free quote.*
☀️ Summer: Sweating? Same. Summer means sunscreen, makeup, sweat, and oil doing a number on your pores. The Renewal Med Spa team is on it with DiamondGlow, extracting and exfoliating to keep your skin clear. See how it works (oddly satisfying to watch) & book your appointment.*
🗳 Vote: USA Today Sports nominated Wake Forest's Demon Deacon for its "Best College Mascot" Readers’ Choice Awards! Vote once per day through August 17; winners are announced August 26. Fun fact: The mascot name was coined by a sportswriter covering Wake Forest's win over the Duke Blue Devils.
🕊️ Tribute: In 1951, "The Original 8" broke the color barrier as the first Black firefighters to integrate the Winston-Salem Fire Department. One of those firefighters passed away recently at age 104. You can read more about retired Sergeant Robert Grier here. (WFDD)
🧊 Throwback: The Ice Bucket Challenge is back. Former Titans running back Chris Johnson is reviving the 2014 ALS fundraiser following his own diagnosis, and Brouwerij DuBois is joining the movement this Sunday at 3 PM. Want in? Just bring a towel, dry clothes, your phone, and 3 names to challenge.
🎵 Music: It's another great weekend for live music! Catch saxophonist Dee Lucas at Corpening Plaza, The Queen Bees and Katie Blvd at Coalpit Live, and bluegrass tunes at Sunnyside Ministry. Find all the details in our live music guide.
A MESSAGE FROM THE YMCA OF NWNC
What's Happening at the Y
Mark your calendars: the Y has a busy few months ahead, and sign-ups are already open.
🏈 Fall Sports Registration Is Open: Already? Yep! Practices start the week of August 24.
Sports include soccer, flag football, t-ball, and volleyball for kids 3+.
Every sport features one weeknight practice and a Saturday game.
🗓️ Save the Date for Two of the Y's Biggest Events:
Dirty Dozen (Sept 12): Navigate 10+ obstacles, including a mud pit, climbing wall, and balance beam! Great for all ages — just look at these kiddos competing in the fun run.
Mistletoe (Dec 5): The most wonderful run of the year, with family-friendly fun — bounce houses, a post-race party, food trucks, cheerleaders, and more.
With a new airnasium, recently renovated saunas and steam rooms, and more, the Y keeps getting better.
The best time to join was yesterday. The second best? Right now. Join in July for $39, which covers the joining fee and first month. Plus, the Y will donate a new backpack to a local student in need.
👀 Poll results: Where's your thermostat set on a hot summer day?
68° or below - 6%
69-72° - 31%
73-76° - 49%
77° or above - 14%
Tylan F. shared, “I'm tired of freezing all winter long, so I keep my thermostat at 80 degrees during the summer months.”
🌀 The Wrap
🕹 Team member Amanda and her family visited Game On Brewpub in Kernersville this week! Her kids are already asking to go back.
☃️ It’s Christmas in July! Get a head start on your shopping at Chad’s Chai’s holiday market this Saturday, complete with themed drinks and baked goods.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
* denotes sponsored content