Walk on the Wild Side – Thursday, 11am-noon – Enter a world of nature and explore the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants on a walk through Sarah P. Duke Gardens.
Lee Bryan Puppet Show – Thursday, 6-7pm – Can you keep up with the Tortoise and the Hare? Come out and see these furry competitors wind their way through classic fables like the “Lion and the Mouse” and the “Boy Who Cried Wolf” at the Durham County Library.
Danny Johnson – Thursday, 7pm – Join the author at The Regulator Bookshop as he discusses his new book, “The Last Road Home,” which explores racism, young love and coming-of-age in North Carolina in the 1950s and ’60s.
Durham Bulls’ Merge Records Night – Thursday, 7:05pm – Celebrate music and baseball at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park as Durham-based independent label Merge organizes the night’s at-bat music with performances by Superchunk, Mount Moriah and more!
Jeff Stickley and Jason Beverly – Thursday, 7-8pm – Enjoy traditional bluegrass sounds in the galleries at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University. The guitar and mandolin duo put on a performance inspired by and connected to the photographs in the “Burk Uzzel: Southern Landscapes” exhibition.
Michael Malis Trio – Thursday, 8pm – The Shed Jazz Club welcomes this modern jazz trio that’s all about free expression and improvisation. Come see Michael Malis on the piano, Ben Rolston on bass and Stephen Boegehold on drums as they play original songs all night long.
“Of Women and Wolves” – Thursday, 8pm – Summer Sisters presents this theater performance inspired by feminist icon Clarissa Pinkola Estés’ novel, “Women Who Run with the Wolves.” This showing at the Common Ground Theatre explores themes of creative freedom and the wildness within through text, music, dance and images.
Design Art – Friday, 3:30-4:30pm – Who says coloring is just for kids? All ages are welcome at the Durham County Library for a day of leisure and creativity using watercolor pencils and two-tone markers.
“Hu.man.kind” Opening Reception – Friday, 6-9pm – Come to The Carrack for an opening reception introducing Ely Urbanski’s first solo exhibition in the States. This Brazilian printmaking artist uses inspiration from all around the world featuring São Paulo’s subway system and Japanese lifestyle.
Tea Cup Gin – Friday, 7-9pm – Gather in Brightleaf Square for its summer concert series and travel back into the early 1900s with Tea Cup Gin. Their name comes from the prohibition era, when speakeasies disguised gin in teacups. Enjoy a night of authentic yet unconventional jazz with touches of cabaret, ragtime and show tunes.
Chaz’s Bull City Records’ 11-Year Anniversary – Friday, 8pm – What better way to celebrate 11 years in business than with a two-day music festival? The Pinhook kicks off the festivities with a lineup of five bands including Dirty Little Heaters, Bad Friends and all the way from California, Happy Diving.
The Mads Are Back – Friday, 8pm – The Carolina Theatre presents comedian duo Trace Beaulieu and Frank Conniff of “Mystery Science Theater 3000” as they take movie riffing onstage back onstage with a new live show. Both comedy writers and performers, they have an Emmy nomination and Peabody awards under their belts and have written for various ABC TV shows. You won’t want to miss this night of laughter and fun!
Butcher Brown – Friday, 8-11pm – Virginia-based jazz band comes to the Beyu Caffe and brings the history and legacy of jazz with them. They’re a jazz band like you’ve never heard before, showing hints of garage punk jazz funk and balancing it with delicate and elegant compositions.
Hollis Brown – Friday, 9pm – Check out this American rock ‘n’ roll band with an edgy Queens, NY, twist at Motorco Music Hall. Mary Johnson Rockers and Ancient Cities will also be playing to add even more rock to the night.
Summer Reading Finale – Saturday, 8-11am – Show off your inner bookworm and celebrate summer reading accomplishments at Durham County Stadium. Get ready for a day of kickboxing, zumba, a fun run/walk and live music by the Sandbox Band!
Pop Up Thrift – Saturday, 10am-4pm – The Scrap Exchange opens its warehouse to the public for the fourth Pop Up Thrift extravaganza! They’ve filled their building with thousands of items from clothes and housewares to shoes and toys. Everything is only $1 so come out and shop till you drop!
Pokémon Go! – Saturday, 10am-5pm – Can you catch them all? The Museum of Life and Science is setting 100 lures and 22 Pokéstops all over its park. Get up and go! Members-only hour will start at 9am.
The Dances of Senegal – Saturday, 11:30am-1pm – Terreiro de Arte Cultura and the Durham Arts Council present African Diaspora Dance taught by master Sabar dance teacher N’deye Gueye. Come out to the Global Breath Studios and experience an afternoon of West African dance, tradition and culture.
Patchwork Market – Saturday, noon-4pm – Come out for a unique shopping experience of local makers and vintage vendors at Fullsteam Brewery.
Earring Extravaganza Workshop – Saturday, 2:30-4:30pm – Dazzle up your jewelry collection with the Durham Arts Council this weekend. Learn to create different earring patterns and leave with four pairs of sparkly, unique and intricate earrings.
Clickety Clack – Saturday, 3:30-4:30pm – All aboard! Come out to the Durham County Library for the last event in the three-part series with Don Jennings, and learn about the nuts and bolts of trains with an eight-foot long train track, model buildings and train cars.
Chaz’s Bull City Records’ 11-Year Anniversary – Saturday, 5pm – The celebration continues this evening at Ponysaurus Brewing Co. with Chapel Hill’s indie rock band, Superchunk, on the main stage. Other live music includes Pipe, Last Year’s Men, Daniel Bachman, Brad Cook, Joe Westerlund, William Tyler and surprise band appearances announced the night of the show. Enjoy local food trucks like American Meltdown, Pie Pushers, Soom Soom Pita Pockets, Two Roosters Ice Cream and, of course, drinks from the beer garden or taproom.
Shursoundz – Saturday, 6-8pm – Durham Parks and Recreation present Rock the Park, a summer concert and film series. Shursoundz will make you move your feet with their Old Skool sounds.
The Gravy Boys – Saturday, 8pm – The Blue Note Grill presents The Gravy Boys, a honky-tonk bluegrass band that brings high energy and heartfelt harmonies every where they go.
Th5tet – Saturday, 8-11pm – Former Durham Academy student Terry Hsieh’s jazz band performs all genres of music from jazz and pop to R&B and blues at the Beyu Caffe tonight. Now based in Beijing, China, you won’t want to miss this guitar, trumpet, drums bass and trombone quintet.
LEUWWD: Game(s) On! – Sunday, 2-5pm – Help the League of Upper Extremity Wrestling Women of Durham fund its trip to SUPERCLAW, the national arm wrestling tournament in New Orleans this fall. Social Games and Brews hosts the event.
Sunday Blues Jam – Sunday, 6-9:30pm – Sad about the weekend ending? Then cheer yourself up by coming out to The Blue Note Grill and jamming with the Triangle Blues Society. Bring your friends and eat some barbecue while enjoying musicians from all across the Triangle.
Beer and Hymns – Sunday, 7:30-9pm – Join others in the community for a singalong of the best-loved hymns at Fullsteam Brewery and support the Latino Educational Achievement Partnership. All are welcome to sing along while enjoying local beer and live music led by founder Jesse DeConto of The Pinkerton Raid. In the words of Jesse: “Sing loudly, drink slowly and make friends.”
