Weekend at a Glance: Dancing, Diversity and Drinks

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The Book of Mormon takes over the DPAC stage this weekend, and it’s almost sold out. Don’t miss your chance to see this quirky comedic performance. Photo by Julieta Cervantes, courtesy of DPAC.

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.

The Book of Mormon – Thursday, 7:30pm; Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2pm and 8pm; Sunday, 1pm and 6:30pm – The nine-time Tony Award-winning musical returns to the Durham Performing Arts Center. The play presents the misadventures of a pair of missionaries spreading their faith around the world. You won’t want to miss the chance to say “Hello!” to what The New York Times calls “the best musical of this century.”

TRUTH TO POWER 6 – Thursday, noon-7pm; Friday and Saturday, noon-8pm; Sunday, noon-3pm – Come see an annual juried show featuring North Carolina artists who communicate matters on social justice through visual art at the Pleiades Gallery. This year, Sarah Schroth, director of Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, is the juror for the exhibit. Derived from a 1955 Quaker pamphlet, “Speak Truth to Power” illustrates a commitment to voicing the diverse truths of today’s society.

Nasher Creates: Adult Studio – Thursday, 6-8pm – Grab a drink at the cash bar of the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University and join a drop-in creative workshop led by artist Will Paul Thomas. For beginners and experienced art-makers, enjoy a fun night experimenting with materials and exploring techniques.

Tinkering and Drinkering – Thursday, 6:30pm – Bring a friend, grab a beer and start making stuff at the Museum of Life and Science’s tinkering happy hour at Motorco Music Hall! Whether you’re an amateur engineer or a master maker, they’ll have tools and technology for you to fiddle with, from circuit building to fiber arts. This one’s for the adults – 21 and older only! Admission is free with a $10 suggested donation at the door.

Building Bridges through Good Faith – Friday, 6-8pm – Stop by the Museum of Durham History for the closing reception of the Ar-Razzaq exhibit, a collection of stories from the people of the Ar-Razzaq communities in Durham. The Ar-Razzaq Islamic Center (formerly Muhammad’s Mosque No. 34) was founded in Durham in the 1950s under the local leadership of Imam Kenneth Muhammad and has been an anchor of the West End neighborhood since the 1970s. Through first-person accounts, photos and artifacts, the museum illuminates the center’s economic, political and cultural impact on the city.

PLAYlist: Jenna Bostic – Friday, 6-8pm – Come out to Durham Central Park to hear this soulful singer/songwriter’s mix of bluesy, country, pop music from her new album, Revival. Jenna was named “International Touring Artist of the Year” at the 2017 British Country Music Awards. This is the final week of the PLAYlist concert series, so if you haven’t been to one yet, it’s your last chance! It’s free and open to the public. There will also be beer vendors and food trucks, including Gussy’s Greek Street Food, Baozi and more.

The Batalager Launch Party – Friday, 8-10pm – Support the Brazilian Day NC Festival September 15 by tasting and purchasing a signature drink at Fullsteam Brewery. As a part of a collaboration with the festival, Fullsteam created Batalager, a beer made with Brazilian Açaí berries and North Carolina blueberries. Batalá Durham, an international samba reggae music project, will also be performing so you can drink and dance!

International Night Market – Friday, 8-11pm – After the Batalager Launch Party, do a little shopping! Through the power of open alleyways, open markets and open hearts, the International Night Market at Fullsteam Brewery is a monthly night to help promote small, international businesses. Vendors include: GumCha, Bryce Batts, Mulberry Macaroon Co., Poonam Henna Art, Cilantro Artisan Foods and more.

Art of Cool Festival Auditions – Saturday, 10am-4pm – Want to perform at the Art of Cool Festival stage alongside Nas, Erykah Badu, Maxwell, Anthony Hamilton and others? Show off your talent in auditions at The Pinhook, featuring the festival’s media partner, Radio One. Two winners will have the opportunity to perform each day of the festival!

Durham Latino Festival – Saturday, noon-5pm – Enjoy live music and dance, authentic food and traditional crafts at this event, hosted by Durham Parks and Recreation at Rock Quarry Park. Bring the kids by the Family Fun Zone, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield at NC, for hands-on activities from Durham School of the Arts and the Museum of Life and Science, plus free face painting and inflatables. Food will be available for purchase from Kona Ice, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, Pita Delite, Cool Breezes and Myrrona. Make sure you catch some of the soccer tournament, too!

Artist Talk – Saturday, 5-6pm – Reclamation: Art from the Scraps of Durham’s Growth Boom by artist Mark Cool will be on display at The Scrap Exchange. Salvaging is a big part of Mark’s process, and his materials come from abandoned buildings, old gutted homes, dumpster diving and gathering what he finds on the street, railroad tracks, in the woods or a field. On rare occasions Mark gets stuff from thrift stores, reuse stores or metal scrap yards. Saturday is your last chance to peruse the exhibit, purchase the original art and personally talk to Mark.

Elijah Jamal Balbed (Jazz) – Saturday, 7pm and 9pm – This musician, educator and activist is traveling the country to spread his passion for jazz and Go-Go music through The JoGo Project. Come out to Beyu Caffe to listen to the renowned artist and his unique style on the saxophone.

Harvey Dalton Arnold – Saturday, 8:30-11pm – This rock and blues legend, known for his work with the band The Outlaws as well as his collaborations with Robert John “Mutt” Lange and The Rolling Stones, returns to The Bullpen. The Rose Hill native performs a unique left-handed finger-picking style and slide, playing electric and acoustic guitars. A dollar from every draft pint sold will be donated to the Music Maker Relief Foundation.

Black August in the Park – Sunday, 3-8pm – A festival that inspires and connects people of African descent to assert their value and engage in social and cultural change, the event at Durham Central Park is reminiscent of a Black family reunion or a homecoming with an additional emphasis on providing a platform for, and elevating the causes of, social justice organizations.

Olde Timey Funday – Sunday, 5-7pm – Listen to raw country music from local singer/songwriter Brooke McBride at Fullsteam Brewery. She’ll play both her own originals as well as covers from artists like Johnny Cash to Cee Lo Green.

The Beast on the Roof – Sunday, 5:30-8pm – Stop by The Durham Hotel roof every second Sunday of the month for cocktails, and Pierce Freelon, Stephen Coffman, Peter Kimosh and Eric Hirsh‘s indie, hip-hop and jazz with special guests. No cover, no reservations needed.

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Hannah Lee

Hannah Lee is the assistant editor at Durham Magazine. Born and raised in Winston-Salem, she attended UNC-Chapel Hill and double majored in broadcast journalism and German.
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