The Thread: Finding Community at The Back Table

Morning, gang.

As a student at UNCG, a sociology professor assigned me “The Great Good Place”—the 1989 Ray Oldenburg book that popularized the idea of the “Third Place.”

As Oldenburg defined it, your First Place is your home, your Second Place is your office or work space. Your Third Place is an informal public gathering spot —often your local bar, coffee shop, or dance club—where you can see people, socialize, make connections, and even be creative.

As Sayaka Matsouka reports for us this week, The Back Table is looking to be that sort of place for creative people in Greensboro. Its patron saint and inspiration is the late Matty Sheets, the storied musician who built community through music in the city for more than two decades.

Today we’re also debuting The Weekender—a weekly guide to where to go and what to do when you clock out of your Second Place each Friday.

Let’s get into it.

                                                                                                                       — Joe Killian

The Weekender:
Your Guide to Getting Out There in Greensboro

Starting today, we’re bringing you a weekly guide to events around town each weekend. From things for kids to adults, we’ve got an array of live music, 4/20-themed parties, an author chat, and a chance to pet alpacas. What more could you want?

FRIDAY, April 18

The Book of Mormon @ The Tanger Center

Have you heard the good word? Specifically, the words of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Latter-day Saints? Even if you haven’t, you might be interested in hearing the story through song and dance. This Tony award-winning musical, going strong for almost 15 years, was created by the minds behind South Park, so expect lots of profanity and plenty of satire. The show runs throughout the weekend. Tickets here.

Fetish Friday Lingerie Party @ Twist Lounge

8 p.m.

At Greensboro’s LGBTQ+ club and bar, fetish culture is alive and thriving. Visit this Friday for a lingerie party in partnership with Adam & Eve and a drag burlesque show later in the night. Learn more on Facebook.

Emo Nite @ Piedmont Hall

9 p.m.

Break out your eyeliner, fingerless gloves, and black skinny jeans for this emo night concert that benefits local organizations. Find tickets here.

Ladies Night Out @ The Grand

10 p.m.

Want to go out but committed to sticking to a budget? Why not check out the Grand in downtown Greensboro and get free passes for Ladies Night Out? As part of their International Fridays events, the club will give out passes for those who qualify through Eventbrite here.

SATURDAY, April 19

Breakfast and Books with Author Vanessa A. Miller @ Ben’s Boyz

8:30-11 a.m.

At this author event, Greensboro’s only traditional Black-owned bookstore will feature author Vanessa A. Miller to discuss her book, The Filling Station. Focused on the relationship between two sisters during the 1921 Tulsa Massacre, the book will lend itself to robust discussion over chicken and waffles and mocktails. Find tickets here.

Geeksboro Market @ 4645 W. Market St.

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

This monthly market for nerds and geeks of all stripes takes place at Dragon’s Hoard and features artists, collectors, vendors, and crafters. Hosted by Geeksboro, the market will also feature tabletop gaming, card games, door prizes, and more. Learn more on Facebook.

Alpaca Interaction @ Rainbow Magic Alpaca Farm

10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Ever wanted to feed, pet, or even kiss an alpaca? At Rainbow Magic Alpaca Farm, visitors can do all three when they visit this holistic farm that focuses on regenerative farming, meat production, and more. Learn more here.

March for Freedom @ 301 W. Market St.

12-2 p.m. 

Coming off the national ‘Hands Off’ protest earlier this month, this event, organized by Indivisible Guilford County, will be a “peaceful assembly” on the 250th anniversary of the state of the American Revolution. In addition to gathering, protesters can bring children’s books to donate for a book drive. Learn more on Facebook.

Annual Strange Fruit Music Festival @ LeBauer Park

1-7 p.m.

This annual music festival, which technically starts on Friday with an evening of music at the Flat Iron, celebrates Black musicians from around the Triad and is free to all. Acts include a bass band, hip-hop, soul, R&B, and more. Learn more on the website here.

Greensboro Cannabis Crawl @ The Square in downtown Greensboro

4:20 p.m.

Rather than a traditional beer crawl with alcohol, this tour, which The Assembly previewed, will feature mocktails with THC and CBD-infused liquor and seltzers for those wanting to experience a different kind of high. Participating locations include Little Brother Brewing, Natty Greene’s, Chandler’s, and Grey’s Tavern. No registration is necessary but the event is for those 21 and over. Learn more here. Boxcar Arcade is having its own 4/20 weekend as well, with events throughout the weekend. Learn more here.

Cloak and Dagger Cabaret @ The Continental CLUB

8 p.m.

This third installment of Cloak and Dagger Cabaret will bring a slate of local performers for a tantalizing experience at the Continental CLUB, a downtown jazz club. Find tickets here.

SUNDAY, April 20

Hamburger Square Adult Easter Egg Hunt @ Downtown Greensboro

3 p.m.Why let the kids have all the fun? If you want to search for plastic eggs filled with gift cards, candy, silly surprises, and legal 4/20 goodies, participate in the adult Easter egg hunt this Sunday. Participating businesses include Little Brother Brewing, Natty Greene’s, Chandler’s, Acme Comics, and Grey’s Tavern. Learn more here.

– Sayaka Matsuoka

Read this newsletter online or contact The Thread team with tips and feedback at greensboro@theassemblync.com.

At The Back Table, There Are No Strangers

A new coffee shop in Greensboro wants to be an ‘East Coast epicenter of music and art and expression’

On a wooden post in Greensboro’s Back Table coffee house hangs a honey-colored, acoustic Cordoba guitar. The instrument was a favorite of the late local singer-songwriter, Matty Sheets, who is remembered for both his talent and community building.

From gigs with his own band and open mic nights to playing creative matchmaker, Sheets embodied Greensboro’s undersung local music community for more than two decades. Now, Sheets’ friends Laura Jane Vincent and Josh Tovey are honoring Sheets’ memory with their new cafe and creative space, The Back Table.

Since its official opening in January, Back Table has hosted an antique show, political rallies, a benefit show for Western North Carolina, open mics (of course), and multiple honky tonk jams.

“The big picture in my head…is to be like an east coast epicenter of music and art and expression, but on the small scale,” Vincent said. “A space for everyone in this community who can come as they are, be themselves, work together, work separately, jump in together.”

Read the full story here.

— Sayaka Matsuoka

What We’re Reading

Moving On Up: Gov. Josh Stein appointed Lisa Johnson-Tonkins to the Guilford County Superior Court Judicial District 24A seat Wednesday. Tonkins, who served three terms as clerk of Guilford County Superior Court, is the daughter of the late Yvonne Johnson, the first Black mayor of Greensboro. She will fill the seat vacated by Lora Cubbage, who resigned last month to become deputy city attorney in Greensboro. The News & Record has the story.

Man Stabbed Outside IRC: A man was stabbed outside the Interactive Resource Center early Thursday, according to the Greensboro Police Department. The IRC, a day center for those experiencing homelessness, has for years struggled to meet demand. Earlier this year, it ended its attempt to move to a 24-hour model after criticism from the surrounding community over police calls and violence near the center. A man was shot and killed outside the IRC in October, bringing the controversy to a climax that contributed to it returning to its original day hours. WXII has the story.