🧵 In Today’s Edition
1. Local THC Drinks Bring Flavor and Fun
2. The Weekender
Cheers to THC Drinks
As the curtains opened to reveal a battered ship of weary convicts rowing through ocean tides, waves lapped in my mind, lulling me along.
I was about an hour past finishing my NewGrav can from earlier in the evening. I had met up with some friends before a showing at the Tanger Center of Les Misérables, the Broadway musical based on Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel.
As the talented cast opened the show with “Work Song (Look Down),” I worked hard to look up. The sparkling THC drink was working its liquid magic.
My relationship with drinking has ebbed and flowed through the years.
As an Asian person, I’ve been blessed with the dreaded “Asian glow,” otherwise known as alcohol flush reaction, since my first sip. This sort of allergy to alcohol used to make me break out in hives, turn red, get pounding headaches, and generally left me feeling crummy. I later discovered that taking Pepcid AC before drinking could offset some of the effects. (Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor and don’t necessarily recommend doing this because of some health effects, but I still do it before drinking these days.)
When I discovered THC drinks these last few years, it was a godsend. No longer would I feel like I was out of it while others drank freely around me. I could relax without fearing complete discombobulation. I could be a free spirit.
Since then, I’ve tried all kinds of THC drinks, which use hemp to infuse THC and other cannabinoids found in the marijuana plant into drinks, resulting in a high not dissimilar to smoking pot or consuming edibles. You feel relaxed but not out of it. You feel comfortable but not tired. The best part? It’s totally legal, for now.
Read the full story here.
— Sayaka Matsuoka
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.
Did someone forward this to you? Sign up here to get The Assembly’s locally produced newsletter covering Greensboro and the Triad.
The Weekender
Who else is ready for the long weekend? I know I am. We’re only into the first few weeks of the year, but already I feel like I need a break. If you’re looking for some fun this weekend, look no further than our calendar featuring a film about beavers, a pajama dance party, a vision board session, and a fancy Italian dinner with paired wines.
FRIDAY, Jan. 16
Drum Circle and Ecstatic Dance @ Greensboro Cultural Center
6-8:45 p.m.
Move gently into the weekend with this welcoming dance session and drum circle hosted by All Inclusive Life. The event will feature live drums, which will act as the beats to which all levels and abilities of dancers are encouraged to move their bodies. Learn more here.
Hundreds of Beavers & Julius Cheezer Short Film @ The Carolina Theatre
7 p.m.
Are you ready to see a mostly silent film that no one asked for? Weird, silent, and in black and white, Hundreds of Beavers is a 2022 independent slapstick film in which a man fights a bunch of beavers. Oh, and the beavers are actors in fursuits. Prior to the showing, a locally made short film, “Julius Cheezer: An Orison for a Glorious Life,” will screen. If you’re in the mood for some silliness, this is the place to be. Learn more here.
Duos’ Dance Party – Cozy Pajama Party @ Fred Astaire Dance Studios Greensboro
8 p.m.
If you’ve been wanting to dance but don’t really feel like dressing up, this is the perfect event for you. Join others for this fun, duos’ dance party where attendees are encouraged to come in their PJs! Don’t have a partner, don’t worry. The event will find someone to partner you with and you will still have a great time! Learn more here.
SATURDAY, Jan. 17
NC CardFest 2026 @ Greensboro Sportsplex
9 a.m.
I still remember flipping through my binder of Pokémon cards from when I was a kid. If you want to relive those glory days, or just see what’s popular on the market now, head to NC CardFest. The event, which takes place Saturday and Sunday, will feature more than 400 tables with Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, sports cards, wrestling, comics and more. Learn more here.
Birdseed Pinecone Workshop @ Guilford Garden Center
10 a.m.-12 p.m.
If you’re like me and have fully moved into becoming a birdwatcher, why not make your own bird feeder at the Guilford Garden Center this weekend? Like when you did as a kid, come make a pinecone feeder so you can watch all your winged friends feast! Good for all ages. Learn more here.
Downtown Greenway Cleanup @ 734 South Elm Street
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Want to be a part of keeping Greensboro clean and beautifying natural areas? Join other volunteers at this cleanup event on Saturday morning, where attendees will pick up trash along the downtown Greenway. Materials like safety vests, grabbers, gloves, and trash bags will be provided. Learn more here.
Winter Wandering: A Winter Hiking Series @ Nat Greene Trail
12-2 p.m.
If one of your goals for 2026 is to get outside more, look no further than this inclusive hiking series, where participants will walk about three miles on one of Greensboro’s most popular trails! Registration is currently full, but people are encouraged to sign up for the waitlist. Learn more here.
Pop-Up Wellness Market @ Pig Pounder Brewery
1-4 p.m.
Head to Pig Pounder this weekend to shop local vendors with a focus on wellness. Those on the list include crafters, soap makers, a massage business, and a gem collector. There will also be drink specials, including mimosas, mocktails, and nonalcoholic options. Learn more here.
The Back Table Happy 1st Birthday @ The Back Table
5-10:30 p.m.
Greensboro’s funkiest, artsiest coffee shop is celebrating its first birthday! Head to the Back Table on Saturday for live music, arts and crafts, a potluck, and more.
Italian Wine Dinner @ Summerfield Farms
6-8 p.m.
Looking for a romantic night out or just a way to treat yourself? This Saturday, Summerfield Farms is hosting an Italian wine dinner with five courses by 1618. Dishes include risotto, chicken, seafood, and dessert. Vegetarian options are also available. All dishes will be paired with a wine. Learn more here.
SUNDAY, Jan. 18
2026 Vision Board + Yoga @ GLOW Nutrition
9-11:30 a.m.
Start the new year on a strong note with this vision workshop with GLOW Nutrition. In this event, attendees will be encouraged to create a vision board for the year with personal goals. There will be music, journaling, and a yoga flow for a grounding experience. Learn more here.
A Live-Taping Standup Comedy @ The Idiot Box Comedy Club
7:30-9 p.m.
You might not get a chance to ever be in the audience for a live Netflix comedy special, but this weekend, comedians will be taping their sets at the local comedy club. Snag tickets to be in the audience for up-and-comers who may eventually make their way to the small screen! Learn more here.
— Sayaka Matsuoka
