🧵 In Today’s Edition

1. A Senegalese restaurant in Greensboro well worth a visit
2. The Weekender
3. What We’re Reading

An Embarrassment of Riches at Saint Louis Saveurs

Is there too much good food in Greensboro?

It’s a champagne problem, to be sure—but champagne problems are still problems.

If you love to eat as much as I do, the answer to “What are we doing for dinner tonight?” is seldom a simple one. Especially in our city.

Vietnamese, Korean, Indian, Chinese, or Japanese? We’re spoiled for choice.

Mexican, Cuban, Dominican, Puerto Rican? Claro que si.

Last year, I was talking to someone from Senegal, and he lit up when I mentioned I was from Greensboro.

“You have to go to Saint Louis Saveurs!” he said. “If you like food from Senegal, that is the place!”

Did I like food from Senegal? I had no idea.

Read the full story here.

— Joe Killian

Thanks for reading The Thread, a 3x week newsletter written by Greensboro editor Joe Killian and reporters Sayaka Matsuoka and Gale Melcher. Reach us with tips or ideas at greensboro@theassemblync.com.

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The Weekender

We’re into December, which means there’s a bunch of holiday-themed events this weekend. We’ve got a good mix of festivities from Santa sightings and pet portraits to emo karaoke and even an opportunity to hang out with the Grinch or Krampus. 

FRIDAY, Dec. 5

Holiday Pet Portraits @ All Pets Considered
3-5:30 p.m.

Holiday portraits aren’t just for kids! Bring your pets to All Pets Considered this weekend to capture their personalities. Imagine those holiday cards. Reserve your time slot by calling (336) 540-1400. Portrait sessions take place throughout the weekend. Learn more here.

Festival of Lights @ Downtown Greensboro
5:30-9 p.m.

It’s back! This annual tradition features a community sing-along, lighting of the community tree in Center City Park, pictures with Santa, and carolers on Elm Street. Learn more here.

Krampus Christmas @ Woods of Terror
6:30-9:30 p.m.

If hanging with Santa isn’t really your vibe, why not kick it with Krampus? Woods of Terror offers a chance for the spooky enthusiasts to take photos with the dark, mythical creature known for punishing naughty kids. Opportunities to meet the sinister counterpart to St. Nicholas span through the weekend. Learn more here.

SATURDAY, Dec. 6

Holiday Thrift Crawl @ Various Goodwills
8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Are you a thrift fiend? Why not take your shopping to the next level with this crawl hosted by area Goodwills? This ticketed event will shuttle customers to four different Goodwills in the city, giving them discounts, and special crawl goodies. Learn more here.

Christmas at the Carolina @ The Carolina Theatre
9-11:45 a.m.

Get in the holiday spirit at the Carolina Theatre this Saturday morning with a meet-and-greet with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, holiday cartoons, a sing-along, and free snacks. Learn more here.

Dramatists Playground @ Creative Greensboro
9 a.m.-9 p.m.

If you’ve been wanting to flex your creative muscles and show off your acting skills, this is your chance. Join others at this all-day theatrical workshop. Attendees will be randomly sorted into groups and have hours to workshop a new play. Learn more here.

Meet William Mangum @ Greensboro Farmers Curb Market
10 a.m.

Meet the man behind some of Greensboro’s most iconic paintings at the Farmers Curb Market this Saturday. Mangum has created more than 3,000 paintings in his lifetime, many of them featuring the Gate City. This weekend, he’ll be personalizing prints of this year’s honor card. Learn more here.

Community Christmas Workshop @ 1310 Glenwood Ave.
11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Bring your friends, family, and kids to this “make-and-take” Christmas workshop hosted by Glenwood Together. By the end of the event, participants will have created a DIY gift for a loved one this holiday season. There will also be s’mores, hot chocolate, and a photo station. Learn more here.

Greensboro Holiday Parade @ Downtown Greensboro
12-2 p.m.

If you love the festivity of watching parade floats, marching bands, and local performers, head to downtown Greensboro this Saturday for the annual holiday parade. Learn more here.

Pictures with the Grinch @ Doggos Dog Park and Pub
1-4 p.m.

The Grinch is coming straight from Whoville to Doggos! You don’t have to bring a dog to this event, but you do have to be 21+ with a valid ID. Meet other Grinch fans, pet some dogs, and get in the holiday spirit. Learn more here.

Photos with Santa @ The Historic Magnolia House
1-6 p.m.

Representation matters. Bring your family for photos with Black Santa at the Magnolia House. Hot chocolate and food will also be available on site. 

Candlefest @ The Greensboro Arboretum
6-9 p.m.

This nighttime stroll through the arboretum features 4,000 luminaries for a relaxing, magical holiday experience. Admission is free with a donation of a non-perishable food item supporting the Greensboro Urban Ministry. The event will also feature a visit from Santa, music throughout the garden, as well as hot chocolate and s’mores for purchase.

The Nutcracker @ Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts
7:30 p.m.

If it’s hard for you to really get into the holiday spirit without hearing a live rendition of “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” head to the Tanger Center this weekend for a performance of The Nutcracker by UNCSA students. Tickets on sale here.

Emo Night Karaoke @ Hangar 1819
8 p.m.

Tchaikovsky not your style? How about some good old-fashioned emo? Don your best black gear and ready your vocal cords for a night of emo karaoke at Hangar 1819. Singers will get the chance to perform with a live band on stage. Best singer wins a prize. Tickets on sale here.

SUNDAY, Dec. 7

Whitewater Bluegrass Company’s Holiday Concert @ Irving Park United Methodist Church
3:30 p.m.

If bluegrass is more your vibe, head to this afternoon concert on Sunday in which the Whitewater Bluegrass Band will be playing holiday favorites on banjos, guitars, and fiddles. Event is free. 

Annual Light Up a Life: Interfaith Service of Remembrance @ First Lutheran Church
5-6 p.m.

Missing someone this holiday season? Find solace at this free service of remembrance. This interfaith event will offer a meaningful way to honor the memories of those who have passed. Learn more here.

— Sayaka Matsuoka

What We’re Reading


Going to the Tape: The Greensboro City Council will privately view police bodycam footage from an arrest last month in which a Greensboro officer was shown striking a man multiple times. The viewing will happen in a closed session Monday at 2 p.m. at the Melvin Municipal Office Building. The council now includes six new members who were sworn in last Tuesday, several of whom have called for greater police accountability. The News & Record has more.

Snow Day: Snow and ice are expected early this morning as the first winter storm of the season hits the Triad. Fox8 has forecasts and updates.

Celebrating The Six: Greensboro will begin a yearlong celebration Sunday for the men who spurred the integration of Gillespie Golf Course in 1955. The six — Dr. George Simkins Jr., Phillip Cooke, Elijah Herring, Samuel Murray, Joseph Sturdivant and Leon Wolfe — were arrested for playing at the whites-only course 70 years ago. WFDD has the story.

Joe Killian is The Assembly's Greensboro editor. He joined us from NC Newsline, where he was senior investigative reporter. He spent a decade at The News & Record covering cops and courts, higher education, and government.

Sayaka Matsuoka is a Greensboro-based reporter for The Assembly. She was formerly the managing editor for Triad City Beat, an alt-weekly based in Greensboro. She has reported for INDY Week, The Bitter Southerner, and Nerdist, and is the editorial/diversity chair for AAN Publishers.