Weekend at a Glance: Anniversaries, Artists & Awards

Share This!

15-plus things to do in Durham this weekend, from award ceremonies and celebrations to artists’ exhibits and performances

artists for Triangle Rising Stars – weekend at a glance
Durham Performing Arts Center showcases talented high school musical theater students from local high schools during a virtual competition hosted by “American Idol” runner-up Clay Aiken. Photo by HuthPhoto

Compiled by CC Kallam

Blood Drive at The Durham Convention Center – Thursday, 10am-3pm – Make an appointment to donate blood to the American Red Cross at the Durham Convention Center. Nationwide supplies are critically low.

Four-Year Anniversary Celebration  – Thursday-Sunday The Artisan Market at 305 celebrates four years in business with artist demos, daily prizes and raffles for free gift baskets all weekend long. Each day features hands-on classes, like creating make-and-take macrame plant hangers “dream weave wall art,”  as well as demonstrations and discussions from local artists, including Joyce Barbour and Mickey Barbour, and Durham Sculpture Studio director Andrew Lonon

RTP180: Small Business Ecosystem – Thursday, 6-7pm – During this monthly series, speakers are called upon to speak passionately and authentically about what matters to them – with a twist … they must do it in 5 minutes or less! This month’s topic focuses on the small business ecosystem and its involvement “in the delivery of a specific product or service through both competition and cooperation.” The livestreamed event features five local experts including Durham’s own Krista Covey, Amy Bastian and Justin Minott

Family Fitness Frenzy – Thursday, 6:30-7:30pm Durham Parks & Recreation hosts a bodyweight exercise class at Old North Durham Park for families of all fitness levels. Each move can be modified, making it easy for everyone to join in the fun. 

Durham Bulls – Thursday-Saturday, 6:35pm; Sunday, 5:05pm – The Durham Bulls play the Charlotte Knights at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park Thursday through Sunday. On Thursday, ticket buyers are welcome to bring their pups for “Bark in the Park” to watch the game from the outfield. Friday features live pre-game music on the Diamond View concourse.

Kidznotes 10th Anniversary – Thursday, 7pm – Kidznotes hosts award-winning guest artists Regina Carter, Black Violin, Rissi Palmer and The String Queens to perform virtually alongside local students for this event celebrating the nonprofit’s 10-year anniversary. The event also includes a silent auction and aims to raise $50,000 to support Kidznotes’ mission to provide free music education to students from low-income families.

Triangle Rising Stars – Thursday, 7:30pm – Durham Performing Arts Center showcases talented musical theater students from local high schools during a virtual competition hosted by “American Idol” runner-up Clay Aiken. Students sent in videos of themselves singing, dancing and acting, and the top 20 submissions were invited to record a solo and group number that will air during the virtual ceremony. A qualifying competition for the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, Triangle Rising Stars Best Actor and Actress winners each receive a $1,000 scholarship and are invited to compete in the virtual national competition in late June/early July 2021. 

Couples Mixology & Cocktail Classes – Thursday, 7:30pm – The Honeysuckle at Lakewood hosts 10 couples at the bar to learn and experience the history, art and local trends of mixology and cocktail creations. Executive Mixologist and Bartender Meggan Mendoza teaches the classics and how you can add your own spin. Each ticket includes tastings and appetizers courtesy of Honeysuckle Executive Chef Mark Mishalanie.

Pop-Up Exhibit: Reaching Out to Durham’s Hungry – Friday, 5-8pm – The Museum of Durham History hosts an outdoor photo exhibit, “Feeding Durham’s Hungry.” The free exhibit, located at 500 W. Main St., displays local, everyday heroes and runs through June. 

Scavenger Quest – Friday, 6-8:30pm – The Museum of Life and Science opens its wetland exhibit, Explore the Wild, after hours for a scavenger hunt-like event. Each ticket includes a clue sheet and pencil, adventure themed take-home items, access to Explore the Wild, Magic Wings Butterfly House, Earth Moves, Catch the Wind, the Farmyard and Dinosaur Trail, invertebrate encounters at the insectarium and one train ride on the Ellerbe Creek Railway.

Third Fridays at Golden Belt Arts – Friday, 6-9pm – Golden Belt Arts resumes its Third Friday series with an oil painting, pandemic-inspired exhibit called “It was the year 2020” by local artist James Keul. There will also be a meet and greet from 6pm to 8pm with Durham-based artist Shanny Kohli, who is currently exhibiting “The Subjective Exploration of Sikhi” in the Great Hall. Light snacks will be provided. “I have been working really hard on creating these works of art over the past few years,” Shanny says. “My work tells the story of Sikh people and the history of their identity and belonging.”

Pop-up in the Park Concert: Hideaway String Trio – Friday, 7:30-8:45pm – Mallarmé Chamber Players returns to Durham Central Park for its first live concert there in 14 months. The concert features pieces by J.S. Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Joseph Haydn, Adolphus Hailstork and Marc O’Connor, as well as some fun surprises. 

Dancing to Connect: Barriskill Spring Showcase 2021 – Saturday, 5pm, and Sunday, 4pm and 6:30pm – Barriskill Dance Theatre School hosts its spring showcase, “Dancing to Connect,” outdoors in the Barriskill parking lot. Livestream tickets are available for all performances with streaming links that will be emailed at least 24 hours before the performance. The school is partners with Bull & Bean for a 20% off discount code, JUSTDANCE, for the recital weekend.

Comedy Night with Will Abeles – Saturday, 8-10pm – New York-based entertainer Will Abeles headlines a comedy show at Durty Bull Brewing Company alongside Julie Mitchell and Ashley Preston. Will’s album, “Regrets of My Father,” debuted at No. 1 on iTunes Comedy charts in 2017.

Exploring Matcha with ARTEAO – Sunday, 1-2pm and 3:30-4:30pm – The Oak House at Durham hosts two sessions on an introduction to the history and cultural significance of matcha led by the owners of ARTEAO. Each session includes tastings of ceremonial and botanical matchas and a take-home matcha whisk with each ticket purchase.

‘Don’t Sit Down’ – Sunday, 4pm – The American Dance Festival hosts a Zoom conversation on ADF Dean Emeritus Martha Myers‘ latest book, “Don’t Sit Down: Reflections on Life and Work,” with Ara Fitzgerald and Stuart Pimsler, moderated by Gerri Houlihan and Curt Myers. (Sunday also happens to be Martha’s 96th birthday!) This event is free and first-come, first-served. Capacity is limited to 100.

Share This!

Durham Magazine Intern

Scroll to Top