Introducing 'No Skips': A unique music event bringing people together

The Raleigh area music scene gets a fresh spin with "No Skips," the brainchild of media personality Alexandra Wurst, also known as Ayeeedubb. This local first-of-its-kind event is dedicated to creating a space for music lovers to connect over full album listens, artistic expression and good vibes.

Wurst's passion for music goes deep. Her background in radio, music and concerts fueled the idea for "No Skips," which she describes as "a book club but for albums."

"We have little talk breaks in between to talk about different facts about the album and facts about the artists," Wurst said. "Sometimes, we'll do crossword puzzles, word searches, and so many other activities, like raffles."

Attendees listen to an entire album, front to back, with breaks for discussions, trivia and even coloring pages. The events also feature live artists like painters and rug makers, adding a unique visual layer to the experience.

"Some of the previous albums we've done are Usher's Confessions, SZA's Control, Erykah Badu's Mama's Gun, D'Angelo's Voodoo, and Brown Sugar," Wurst said. "Recently, we have done newer music like Summer Walker's Over It, Drake's Take Care, Frank Ocean and Channel Orange. We've done a lot of R&B and hip-hop albums."

Wurst focuses on creating a laid-back atmosphere where guests can unwind, create new connections, and simply leave their worries at the door.

"It's a casual two-hour hangout," Wurst explained. "There's food, light snacks, and drinks. It's a great chance to meet new people who share your passion for music. You can chat with me, listen to some tunes, and just relax. Whether you want to socialize or simply unwind, it's all about de-stressing and enjoying the music scene."

Thanks to a viral buzz on TikTok, "No Skips" is attracting music lovers from across the state.

"So the exciting part about 'No Skips' is I am trying to broaden it even further. You know, we have Raleigh and Durham down pat. We're in Charlotte now a couple of times," Wurst said. "And now we get into Greensboro and Winston, so my big goal is to take it statewide."

Her vision is to take No Skips on the road, bringing the full-album experience and positive vibes to music lovers across the country, from New York to California and beyond.

"It's such a dope event every single time because every event for it is something different - different album, different artists, different surprises, different giveaways, and just makes it like a whole unique event for real," Wurst said.

Looking ahead: The future of No Skips

With its focus on community, creativity, and a deep appreciation for music, "No Skips" is expanding with growth with special guests like DJ Nabs, who will join the event on April 29 at Hunky Dory in Durham.

"He's going to talk about his journey in hip hop and his journey DJing. And he's going to bring these all like hip-hop artifacts, and it's going to be really interesting," Wurst said.

"No Skips" happens every last Monday at Hunky Dory in Durham and every second Wednesday at the House of Art in Raleigh, with occasional weekend pop-ups, announced on their Instagram page @noskipscollective.