Weekend at a Glance: Blues, Brews and Bikes

Share This!

North Carolina blues artists will compete at The Blue Note Grill on Surnday for the opportunity to represent the Triangle Blues Society (TBS) at the 35th Annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Photo by Dave Brainard Photography.

Journey: Paintings & Sculpture by Lisa Creed – Thursday-September 27 – Longtime Durham resident Lisa Creed presents a body of work that combines her drawing and painting with constructed assemblages and sculptures at Horse & Buggy Press and Friends. After returning to Sweden this spring – 55 years after living in the country as a child – she says she “rediscovered the root of my love of Scandinavian colors and design and all things medieval and Viking,” which is reflected in this body of work. A reception will take place September 13, with special musical guests on the front porch of the gallery.

ECLIPSED – Thursday-Saturday, 7:30pm, and Sunday, 2pm – The Women’s Theater Festival presents the Tony Award-winning play written by Danai Gurira, which follows the journey of five Liberian women who survive the end of the Second Liberian Civil War. Directed by Michele Okoh, the all-female cast take the stage at Durham Fruit & Produce Co. in this story of perseverance in a war-torn country.

PLAYList: Al Strong & the Fresh Five – Friday, 6-8pm – Durham Central Park’s free 10-week summer concert series hosts shows every Friday night, rain or shine. Fusing Afrobeat, rock, jazz and soul music, Al Strong & the Fresh Five will have attendees young and young at heart up and dancing. Rock out to the beats of this ensemble as you sip on drinks from local craft beer vendors and munch on fare from food trucks.

The jonDoe – Friday, 7-10pm – The Durham-based group composed of vocalist Myk’l Hanna, guitarist JC Martin, Chuckey Robinson on keyboard, Justin Henry on bass and Devin Fuller on drums performs a millennial spin on jazz and hip-hop music at Beyu Caffe. The quintet couples Myk’l’ Hanna’s baritone vocals of over smooth beats for an evening that departs from traditional soul music.

Mary Chapin Carpenter Friday, 8pm – In celebration of her 30-year career as a musician, the five-time Grammy award-winner comes to The Carolina Theatre to perform a set from her commemorative album, Sometimes Just the Sky. Composed of one song originally recorded for each of her previous studio albums along with one new song, the album reflects on her journey becoming a folk-inspired singer, songwriter and guitarist who made it to the top of country music charts. Enjoy an evening of music defined by lyrics that are at once nostalgic, poignant and refreshing. 

Dom Flemons – Friday, 8:30-10pm – The Grammy Award-winning artist takes to the stage at The Bullpen for an evening of folk and blues ballads. A founder and former member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Dom has gained notoriety as the modern “American Songster.” As always, a portion of your tab will be donated to Music Maker Relief Foundation.

Urban Soil with The Up and Up – Friday, 9pm – Make your way to Motorco Music Hall for a night of music by two bands who got their start in the Triangle. Blending Americana, rock and soul, Urban Soil offers an energetic-yet-polished performance of songs from their latest albums, Dig Deeper and Live from the Deepwoods. Formed at the beginning of this year, The Up and Up blasts groovy beats from their repertoire of funk hits.

Mural Bike Tour – Saturday, 10-11:30am – A collaboration between Preservation Durham, Museum of Durham History, the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, this monthly excursion takes participants through a tour of the murals that decorate downtown. Led by experienced cyclists, the free tour runs for about 90 minutes and stops at 13 murals over the course of five miles. Designed for those comfortable riding a bicycle on city streets, the group promptly departs from the Durham Central Park pavilion.

Pine & Poplar’s Pop-up Market – Saturday, noon-5pm – Shop and taste samples from local vendors including Ninth Street Bakery, Honeygirl Meadery, Big Spoon Roasters, MATTA Pastry Shop and Tasting Room, Bull City Olive Oil and Royal Cheesecake and Varieties. After wandering through the recently opened event venue, head next door to The Wine Feed to sip on a glass of wine or purchase a bottle for later.

16th Annual Painted Chair and More Auction – Saturday, 5-9pm – Independent Animal Rescue holds its largest fundraiser of the year at the Levin Jewish Community Center. Silent and live auctions feature handcrafted furniture, artwork, jewelry, pottery, tickets to performances and vouchers for services, dining and travel excursions. The evening will also include live music from The Dogwood Blossom Band, refreshments and a cash bar. Proceeds from the event will go toward the nonprofit’s foster care and adoption program of cats and dogs as well as its spay and neuter program.

Rock the Park Concert – Saturday, 6-8 pm – Durham Parks and Recreation hosts R&B group Shursoundz at Southern Boundaries Park, the final concert in its free summer series. Groove to the sounds the band from your lawn chairs and picnic blankets and grab a bite to eat from one of the food vendors at the park.

Theatrical and Competitive Arm-Wrestling Fundraiser – Saturday, 7:30 pm – The League of Upper Extremity Wrestling Women of Durham (LUEWWD) host a women’s arm-wrestling competition at Motorco Music Hall to raise money for the Eno River Women’s Rugby Football Club. Audience members will distribute cash “votes” among eight contestants dressed in themed costumes, who will arm-wrestle for three rounds in a tournament-style bracket to earn the title of LUEWWD champion. Money raised will benefit the Women’s Rugby Football Club’s sports and recreation camps for Durham youth and scholarships for women who are interested in playing rugby, but are in need of financial assistance to defray the cost of equipment and registration fees.

Summer Patchwork Market – Sunday, noon-5pm – More than 60 local artisans and food vendors will gather at the Durham Armory to sell small-batch, one-of-a-kind and handcrafted pieces along with thoughtfully collected items. Be one of the first 100 attendees and receive a limited edition tote bag designed by Alice Holleman.

2018 Triangle Blues Challenge – Sunday, 4-8pm – North Carolina blues artists will compete in two categories – solo/duo and band – at The Blue Note Grill for the opportunity to represent the Triangle Blues Society (TBS) at the 35th Annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Enjoy the music of regional artists while supporting TBS, a nonprofit that works to support, promote and grow blues music in our area.

Olde Timey Funday with Bear Stevens – Sunday, 5-7pm – Listen to the sounds of Southern folk artist and North Carolina native Steven Bernard Hall, known to audiences as Bear Stevens. Shaped by musicians like Jackson Browne, Noah Gundersen and James Taylor, Bear Stevens’s set falls somewhere in between the genres of Americana and pop. Kick back with a cold brew at Fullsteam and enjoy this “Funday” afternoon.

Sing-along for Sanctuary at School for Conversion – Sunday, 7:30-10:30pm – Durham County Beers & Hymns hosts an evening of singing led by Jesse James DeConto of The Pinkerton Raid,sipping and camaraderie at Fullsteam. Donations are welcome and will support the School for Conversion’s sanctuary for pastor Jose Chicas, who is facing deportation, but protected on the grounds of St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church in Walltown.

Share This!

Posted in

Julia Baker

Julia is a UNC-Chapel Hill grad who majored in Photojournalism and will become a double Heel upon completion of her Master's of Public Health at UNC's Gillings School of Public Health. She enjoys traveling, running, cooking, learning and speaking Spanish and watching Carolina basketball.
Scroll to Top