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May 12, 2025

🎸 Gears & Guitars

It’s the biggest party on two wheels! The 12th annual Gears & Guitars takes over downtown Winston-Salem May 23–24 with high-speed bike races and free concerts, featuring major acts like Switchfoot!

Friday, May 23

• Drag race-style street sprints on 4th Street | 7-9 PM

• Free live music from Hold Tone, Shake It Like a Caveman, Mipso, and Old 97’s at Merchel Plaza and Kaleideum | 5:30-9 PM

Saturday, May 24

• Fondo rides at Bailey Park | 8-10 AM

• Criterium racing at Bailey Park | 11 AM - 8 PM

• Food trucks and a beer garden (for adults 21+)

• Free live music from Switchfoot, Spindle 45, The Smyle Band, and GOryanGO at Bailey Park | 1-9 PM

Join In

• These races aren’t just for the pros—grab your bike and join the action!

👖How do your donated goods actually help people? Let's track the journey of a donated pair of jeans at Goodwill:

1. You donate a pair of jeans.

2. The jeans are sorted, priced, and placed on the shelves at a Goodwill store.

3. When someone buys them, the money helps fund job training and employment programs.

4. Someone like Isaac participates in one of these programs, finds meaningful work, and transforms their life.*

Donate, shop, and make a difference today!*

🗓 Events

Live Music | Recurring Events

Tuesday, May 13

• DIY Workshop - Make your own sushi plate and dipping bowl at the Generations Center! 10 AM

• Pet Painting - Create a Van Gogh-style painting of your pooch at Wine & Design. Benefits Forsyth Humane Society. 6 PM

Wednesday, May 14

• Bourbon Tasting - Reserve your spot at Manolo’s Boutique Wines & Bistro to sip and savor a handpicked selection of bourbons! 6-8 PM

• Young Explorers - Take your kiddos to Reynolda Gardens to learn about the worm farm and why worms are important. 10 AM

• Sip & Paint - Embrace your artistic side at this special Mother’s Day event at Harmon House. 6:30 PM

Thursday, May 15

• Evening in the Atrium - Enjoy a pop-up bar and small bites from The Downtown Grille while listening to Posture—a local jazz band—perform at 500 W 5th. 5-7 PM*

• Author Talk - New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman comes to Winston-Salem! Listen to Backman in conversation with local bestselling author Charlie Lovett at R.J. Reynolds Auditorium. 7 PM

• Arboretum Volunteering - Work alongside experienced gardeners to help beautify the Arboretum at Tanglewood Park. 5:45-7:30 PM

• Paw Crawl - Join Forsyth Humane Society at Jugg Heads for its monthly pet-friendly bar crawl! 5-8 PM

• Book Club - Join NCMA Winston-Salem for a discussion of “Orbital” by Samantha Harvey, which snapshots one day in the lives of six people orbiting Earth. All are welcome, even if you haven’t finished the book! 6 PM

Friday, May 16

• Greek Festival - Experience Greek culture at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church through freshly prepared meals, traditional Greek folk dancing, and imported souvenirs! Runs through Sunday.

• Innovation & Cinema - Watch “Pitch Perfect” at Bailey Park! Bring your own chair or blanket; movie begins at dark (~8:30 PM).

• Art Crush - Head to the Arts District for a block party with live performances, art galleries, and local vendors & artists. 7-10 PM

• Kernersville Movie Night - Take the family to watch “Inside Out 2” at Harmon Park! Bring chairs or blankets; movie begins at dark.

• Line Dancing - Join the Chaos Crew at Radar Brewing for beginner line dancing lessons followed by open dancing! 7-9:30 PM

• Lewisville Movie Night - Watch “Twisters” at Shallowford Square! Don’t forget to bring a chair or blanket; movie begins at dark.

• Clemmons Movie Night - Watch “Napoleon Dynamite” on the field at Jerry Long YMCA. Enjoy an on-site DJ and vendors before the movie begins at sunset.

• Camel City Crusher - Ride Winston-Salem’s streets in this annual night ride to raise funds for the Velocious Junior Race Team! 8 PM

• Kids' Night Out - Drop the kiddos off at Bookmarks for a fun-filled evening of books, games, pizza, and more. 6 PM

👀 Participate in studies and earn money for your next vacation or a night out on the town!

Eurofins CRL is a cosmetic and SPF Product Company right here in downtown Winston-Salem - think sunscreen, make-up, lotions, etc. How does it work?

• Complete your online-profile and a Eurofins team member will reach out to you.

• Participate and complete a 1- to 4-day study and get paid right away!

• Study Compensation ranges from $100-$300.

• Testing is more fun with a friend! Referral bonus opportunities up to $200.*

🗞 Other News

• 🏠 Home Buying: Thinking about buying a home? Piedmont Federal Bank has your back. Their Buying a Home guide covers everything you need to know, from down payments and mortgages to closing costs. Ready to take the next step? Explore your mortgage options with Piedmont Federal Bank's expert team!*
  
  

• 🎓 Education: Congratulations to all those who graduated this past weekend from Winston-Salem State University, Carolina University, Salem College, and Forsyth Technical Community College! Fun fact: Over 1,000 graduates walked the stage at Forsyth Tech’s commencement, the largest in the College’s history!
  
  

• ✈️ Tourism: Visit Winston-Salem announced that hotel revenue in the city has increased by 11% since July 2024. This growth points to a rise in tourism, which will be further supported by major projects like The Grounds.
  
  

• 🧘‍♀️ Now Open: Announcing two new businesses! Winston-Salem Wellness Collective opened at 612 Trade St NW (the former location of Wildlight Wellness Collective), offering yoga classes, massage therapy, and wellness workshops. Additionally, a Kendra Scott store is now open at the Thruway Center.
  
  

• 🎨 Arts: You can register for Sawtooth’s summer classes and workshops starting tomorrow, May 13! Learn to create art in various mediums—there are classes for everything from photography and painting to ceramics and woodworking.
  
  

• 🚲 Rebrand: CycleBar Winston-Salem is reopening as EMPOWER on Tuesday, June 3! With its new name, EMPOWER will introduce exciting new class formats and events — all while keeping membership pricing, instructors, and the studio’s signature cycling focus exactly the same. The studio will remain open throughout the transition.

SPONSORED

Upcoming Events

• Barn Bash - Kick off the main growing season at Fair Share Farm with a vendor market, food trucks, and farm tours on May 17.

• Sugar Mamas Shopping Experience 2.0 - Support woman-owned businesses at Ace Acres Event Venue on May 17 & 18, featuring 100+ local vendors, food trucks, music, and photo ops.

• Dream Asia Food Fest - Discover 70+ Asian food vendors, hands-on workshops, cultural performances, and an Asian vendor market at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds on May 17 & 18. Get 10% off tickets when you use the code GOTOWS10.

• Indoor Concert Series - Head to the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds to see Rodney Atkins and Hunter Hayes on May 23 and Stokley and Chanté Moore on May 24.

• Gears & Guitars - Get ready for the biggest party on two wheels! Experience high-speed cycling and free live music events in downtown Winston-Salem on May 23 & 24.

🌀 The Wrap

• 👀 Want to reach the next generation in our city? We are looking for TWO more long-term partners to co-create content and messaging across our newsletter, social media, and website. Join the “go-to" media product for the next generation and be among the companies listed below. Let’s chat!

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