Take a virtual walk through Sarah P. Duke Gardens, attend a barbecue bash or choose from a number of live music performances this Labor Day weekend
Compiled by Isabella Reilly
Virtual Walk on the Wild Side: Water in the Garden – Thursday, 11am-noon – Sarah P. Duke Gardens presents a free virtual exploration of its Blomquist Garden of Native Plants and a review of water’s many uses. Registration is required.
Taking Back Thursday: Russell Favret – Thursday, noon-2pm – The Durham-based guitarist performs live at Boxyard RTP’s BeatBox Stage as a part of its weekly series. Russell has performed with local names including Rapsody, 9th Wonder and Rakim.
Self-Guided Canoeing and Kayaking on Lower Eno River at Falls Lake – Thursday, 4-6:30pm – Two Sisters Adventure Company provides all the equipment necessary to take a self-guided canoeing or kayaking trip along the Neuse River. Kayaks accommodate a single paddler, and canoes accommodate two paddlers.
Craig Cutright & Whitney Stanley: Artists Reception – Thursday, 6-8pm – The Hayti Heritage Center showcases Hayti-inspired pieces by two Durham-based artists during this event that also features live music and snacks.
Bluegrass Blend with Hank, Pattie & The Current – Thursday, 8-9:30pm – Mallarme Chamber Players presents these North Carolina veteran bluegrass musicians alongside violinists Jacqueline Wolborksy and Jeanine Wynton, violist Suzanne Rousso and cellist Bonnie Thron for a live performance at The Carolina Theatre. Mallarme will also perform quartet arrangements of “Amazing Grace,” “At the Purchaser’s Option,” “Sweeter Than Wine” and more.
Closing Exhibitions: ‘Chasing the Light’ and ‘Animals in the Hood’ – Thursday-Saturday – Craven Allen Gallery concludes these two nature-inspired exhibits by David Davenport and Bryant Holsenback, respectively.
AfterHours: Beer & Butterflies (SOLD OUT) – Friday, 6-9pm – Sip a complimentary beer, wine or cider alongside 30 to 50 species of butterflies and 200 species of tropical plants at the Museum of Life and Science. Learn about sustainable butterfly farming, meet exotic insects, make some one-of-a-kind art with Hearth Studio and witness a special butterfly release. A food truck will also be on-site. This event is for adults ages 21 and older, and tickets are required.
‘Suspicion’: 80th Anniversary! & ‘Foreign Correspondent’ – Friday, 7pm – The Carolina Theatre celebrates the 80th anniversary of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1941 romantic psychological thriller film with a screening that’s followed by Hitchcock’s 1940 black-and-white spy thriller. These showings are part of the theater’s Retro Film Series.
PLAYlist Concert – Friday, 8pm – Durham Central Park and WNCU-FM 90.7 present this free performance that begins with WNCU’s DJ Travis Gales simulcasting his funk and disco show live from the park, which is followed by the main event: a tribute to legendary band Earth, Wind & Fire. Bring your folding chair or picnic blanket, grab food and beer from local vendors on site, and enjoy the show.
Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour 2021 – Friday, 9:10pm; Saturday, 4:10pm and 9pm; and Sunday, 4:10pm – The Carolina Theatre hosts this 95-minute program, which features seven short films across fiction, documentary and animated styles picked from Sundance Film Festival.
History Hike: Through Hugh’s View – Saturday, 10am-noon – Durham Parks & Recreation guides hikers through West Point on the Eno, where the Mangum family lived in the late 1800s. The 1-mile hike takes participants through some of the places photographed by the oldest son, Hugh Mangum, beginning at West Point Mill.
Country Line Country Fair – Saturday-Monday, 10am-8pm – The Old Mill Farm of Durham hosts this three-day event featuring tasty treats, games, sack races, a cake walk and grub from Southern Yankee BBQ on Saturday and Sunday. The fair also includes live performances from musical artists like Morgan Creek Bluegrass, GrassStreet, Blue Fish J, Hugh Willard, Berryfield and more.
Saturdaze: k.ward – Saturday, 11:30am-2:30pm – Raleigh-based DJ Keith Ward performs live at Boxyard RTP’s BeatBox Stage during this weekly live music series.
Art-n-Soul Market @ Mystic Farm & Distillery – Saturday, noon-4pm – Mystic Farm & Distillery hosts this artisan pop-up market with local makers, Incrediballs food truck and live music. As always, Mystic will also serve up bourbon tastings.
Bull City BBQ Bash – Saturday, noon-5pm – Mike D’s BBQ Supply & General Store presents its inaugural barbecue competition, featuring food trucks, live music from Sai Harley and MoodSwing, and a small business vendor market. The competition, which features teams from as far away as Texas, is judged by barbecue ambassador and food influencer Reginald Skinner Sr., Rep. Zack Hawkins and former Wake County Commissioner Jessica Holmes. The event is free with a suggested donation to support area nonprofits housed at 2101 Angier Ave.
CatVideoFest 2021 – Saturday, 2:30pm and 7pm; and Sunday, 2:30pm – The world’s No. 1 cat video festival comes back bigger and better than ever this year with a compilation reel of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos and classic internet powerhouses at The Carolina Theatre.
Bark in the Box with APS of Durham – Saturday, 5-8pm – The Animal Protection Society of Durham brings its adoptable dogs to Boxyard RTP for a pet meet and greet. Enjoy furry friends, music, refreshments and take the trivia wheel for a spin to learn more about our community’s animal shelter.
STOMP – Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 1pm and 7pm – The wordless and noisy Broadway show – known for its eight-member percussion group who uses unconventional instruments – makes a stop at Durham Performing Arts Center this Labor Day weekend. The Los Angeles Times says, “STOMP is an explosive, inventive, provocative, witty and utterly unique – an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages.”
