Maybe you thought you’d read everything there is to read about Thomas Dambo, the famed Danish troll-builder who has chosen North Carolina for the largest collection of his creatures. 

Think again: Our cover story by writer Janine Latus goes in-depth into Dambo’s background, lifelong interest in Scandinavian mythology, and the ethos (“Waste No More”) that has shaped his work. She writes of the Dix Park construction process: 

Dambo and his team craft the trolls’ faces back at their workshop in Denmark, somehow projecting compassion, kindness, and impishness with flat planes and sharp angles. The irises are left out of the eyes until the trolls are complete. Installing them is the final touch that brings each troll to life. At Dix, their bodies are built of donated barn wood and fencing, former pallets, and 15 tons of used bourbon barrel staves, black with char and redolent of whiskey.

This story got our whole office excited to go to Dix Park and do some trolling. Read the story, and see some very magical photos, here. (On a smaller scale, but in the same vein—I’m excited to go see the Duke Arts Merx Tree, which is made out of cardboard.) Thanks for reading! More below. 

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This troll is named Daddy Bird Eye. Read more about him here. Photo courtesy of Dix Park Conservancy.

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more culture stories

When Old North Bar—off Geer Street, in the former Accordion Club location—opened in September, I knew we had to check it out. Well, it’s now November. (How did that happen!) But Old North is a dive, and dives are all about timelessness, so maybe that’s fitting. Read Lena Geller’s report on the space here. 

Here are some ideas for things to do this week, including the annual Liberty Arts Pour (Durham’s hottest event!), a book talk on abortion, and a Townes Van Zandt tribute show. 

Jasmine Gallup follows up on Wake County’s concerning book ban battles, which are playing out differently in public and school libraries. 

With his Sun Eater series, Raleigh author Christopher Ruocchio has created a sci-fi universe beloved by fans. So when it came time to celebrate the publication of the last book, Ruocchio—an introvert who describes himself as “spiritually Bilbo Baggins”—and his wife, Jenna, decided to go all out. Read more about what that looks like here.

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out and about in the triangle

In Raleigh, Vita Vite’s downtown location is closing. Via WUNC, Missy Lane’s Assembly Room has announced that it is shuttering. The Living Room in Durham, a beautiful community space, is also closing. 

Speaking of WUNC, it’s had a great run of reporting lately: Here’s a piece on the closure of PS37 and another on the muralist and musician Scott Nurkin.  
Full Frame announced that it is honoring acclaimed documentary filmmaker Dawn Porter with its 2026 tribute program. Lastly, Ashleigh Ratchford (of Ashleigh Bakes Daily) has announced a new venture called Doe.

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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.