Hi, happy weekend. 

As you may likely be aware, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) descended on the Triangle this week from Charlotte, where they have been conducting (and are continuing to conduct) raids on immigrant communities. As a result of CBP sweeps, children were kept home from school, businesses closed early, every SUV with tinted windows was met with unease, and terror was palpable across the region. 

Not surprisingly, the 704 and 919 were not having it, as my colleagues have documented—and neither was Petey Pablo, who objected to the use of “Raise Up” in a video montage posted by CBP commander Gregory Bovino. (“They do not have my permission and I think it is appalling, especially what they’re doing to children,” he told WUNC.) 

Tonight was supposed to be Durham’s annual CCB Plaza tree lighting event—an event I’d planned to highlight in this newsletter—but the plaza will now be filled with residents attending a 6 p.m. rally in support of immigrants and to say “no business as usual.” Many businesses are closing early in solidarity, and while you can still pick up a holiday passport at nearby Third Friday Events, the tree lighting is rescheduled for December 6th. 

Thanks for reading and for your support of local journalism.

The tenth annual NC Chinese Lantern Festival is happening now—read our feature on it here. Photo by Jasmine Gallup.

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also in the culture section

Durham’s downtown lights are nice and all, but Cary obviously takes the cake, when it comes to holiday spectacle. In next week’s issue, Jasmine Gallup goes behind the scenes of the annual North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival—which involves more wiring and outlets than I could’ve imagined. Read here and start your daytrip planning. 

After an election-season Lunch Money hiatus, Lena Geller is back on the beat with a trip to a minimalist establishment in Mebane that ended with an invitation to the staff holiday party. Read all about the Burritaco Burger Grill here. 

Pulitzer Prize-winning percussionist and composer Tyshawn Sorey is performing in Durham tonight. Read an interview with him here about “spontaneous composition,” NC musical history, and more. Plus: A few ideas of things to do in the Triangle this week. 

ICYMI: The Old North Bar keeps Accordion Club’s spirit alive. A Raleigh author throws a sci-fi gala. Five Danish trolls are now lolling around Dix Park, offering Triangle residents another source of enchantment. 

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out and about

These Ghanaian movie posters at Durham’s Welcome Tattoo are incredible, and this Stew Social looks very fun. Sylvan Esso released a new song. 42nd Street Oyster Bar may reopen. 

Durham Public Schools Strong is calling for volunteers for food distribution, and you can find ways to donate food for neighbors here.

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— Sarah Edwards —
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Sarah Edwards is culture editor of the INDY, covering cultural institutions and the arts in the Triangle. She joined the staff in 2019 and assumed her current role in 2020.