Kick off fall with several games, food truck rodeos, fundraisers and plenty of live music events in Durham
Compiled by Rylee Parsons
The Painted Chair Auction for the Animals – Through Sept. 24 – Independent Animal Rescue hosts its 19th annual fundraiser with the goal of raising $40,000 to save the growing number of dogs and cats in its care. The virtual event features a silent auction and a live auction on Sept. 23 at 7:30pm with more than 300 items to bid on.
‘In Relation to Power: Politically Engaged Works from the Collection’ – Thursday – Feb. 13 – The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University reopens to the public after 18 months with this new exhibit, which reveals the various ways artists interact with political systems and power. This exhibition is organized in three thematic groups, “Image & Ideology,” “Text & Subtext” and “The Body Politic.” The museum reopens at 10am, and Nasher Museum gallery guides will lead free public tours through the collection at 11am, noon, 1pm and 2pm. From noon – 2pm, head outside to the piazza for tunes with DJ Brittany J. Green and popsicles from LocoPops.
Ultimate Porch Party – Thursday, 5-8pm – Hostery Co. sponsors an evening of shopping and fundraising at the historic Hill House. The event benefits Raleigh-based nonprofit Designed For Joy, a transitional work experience for women who’ve experienced trafficking, homelessness, time in prison, addiction or were in other vulnerable situations. There will be 20-plus vendors, Monuts Donuts and more.
Beats, Brews & Baseball – Thursday, 6:35pm – The Bulls take on the Norfolk Tides at Durham Bulls Athletic Park with live pre-game music by Vertigo outside the front gates starting at 5:30pm and playing until just before the first pitch. Afforda-BULL Eats also returns to the DBAP with a value menu that includes $2 hot dogs, $2 peanuts, $2 popcorn, $3 souvenir soda and more.
Science Nights: Space Explorers – Friday, 5:30-8pm – Bring the kids to explore the cosmos during an evening at the Museum of Life and Science’s Aerospace exhibit. Kids can travel through the solar system, test rocket designs and make solar-powered rovers to take home.
Hockey Night – Friday, 6:35pm – Our local baseball team partners with the Carolina Hurricanes for a hockey-themed game, where Bulls players and coaches will wear specialty Canes-themed jerseys, which will be auctioned off to benefit the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation. Carolina Hurricanes mascot Stormy and the team’s warning siren also make an appearance. A post-game fireworks show will follow.
‘My Name is Pauli Murray’ Premiere – Friday, 7pm – Hayti Heritage Film Festival presents Hayti Film Next Level, a new monthly film series that runs through June 2022. The season opener kicks off with a drive-in screening of the documentary “My Name is Pauli Murray,” presented in partnership with the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice, Amazon Studios and Participant Media. A multidimensional portrait of the 20th-century human rights activist, the film recounts Pauli’s extraordinary journey from early years in Durham to a worldwide influence.
‘Eraserhead’ & ‘Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me’ – Friday, 7pm – Visit The Carolina Theatre for a screening of David Lynch’s “Eraserhead,” a lasting cult sensation with black-and-white photography and a performance by Jack Nance. The film is followed by David’s “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me,” the prequel to his 1990s TV series.
Durham Night Football Game – Friday, 8pm – Duke University and the Duke Football program welcome fans back into Wallace Wade Stadium for the first time in two years during its home opener game against NC A&T. To celebrate the local community and its dedicated workers, Duke offers discounted ticket package options, all of which include free parking.
Nurse Blake: The PTO Comedy Tour – Friday, 8pm – The Carolina Theatre hosts the comedic health care worker for an upbeat show in which Blake shares personal stories from nursing school and his bedside shifts using humorous spins on the obstacles nurses face.
Liberty Arts Scratch Block Workshop – Saturday, 10am-1pm – Carve your own scratch block at Liberty Arts, which will then be cast in iron during the fifth annual Iron Pour at Durham Central Park on Nov. 6! You’ll receive a 6” x 6” tile made of resin-bonded sand, which can be carved into your own unique shallow-relief design. No experience is required, and instruction, safety gear, tools and materials will be provided.
Durham Bulls First Responder Appreciation – Saturday, 1:05pm and 6:35pm – The Bulls pay tribute to first responders at Durham Bulls Athletic Park with daylong on-field competitions between the Durham Fire Department and the Durham Police Department. Before the first game against the Norfolk Tides during the doubleheader, fans will have the chance to get up close with various emergency vehicles parked on Blackwell Street. At the 6:35pm game, the Bulls play the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, and a post-game fireworks show will end the night.
Blippi the Musical – Saturday, 2pm – The YouTube children’s entertainer and educator comes off the screen for a live singing and dancing show at Durham Performing Arts Center, ideal for children ages 2 to 7.
Bull City RoundUp Food Truck Rodeo & Vendor Market – Saturday, 2-10pm – Sample some of the area’s best bites while interacting with local creatives and entrepreneurs at Suite Four, one of Durham newest event venues. This family-friendly event features live music and a special adult zone complete with a cigar lounge and bar.
NC Sugar Rush Food Truck Rodeo – Saturday, 3-8pm – More than 20 dessert food vendors will serve up a range of desserts, from ice creams and cheesecakes to pies and doughnuts, at Durham Central Park.
The Streetery – Saturday, 5-9 p.m. – come out to the neighborhood around Van Alen and 555 Mangum for food, drink and more from Ama’Gees Jamaican Cuisine, Bottom of the Fox Farms, Bull City Ciderworks, Epic Vegan, Honeygirl Meadery, Munchilive, Spaceway Brewing and The Wine Feed, plus live music by DJ Piddipat.
Grant Us Peace: Music and Readings Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 – Saturday, 7:30-8:45pm – Duke Chapel musicians and the Ciompi Quartet perform themes of remembrance, peace and reconciliation by composers Joan Tower, Felix Mendelssohn, George Walker and more. These musical performances will be interwoven with poetic commentary. The concert takes place in person and will also be livestreamed on the Duke Chapel website.
The Black Farmers Market – Sunday, 1-4pm – This free, bimonthly market takes place at Golden Belt Campus and is meant to inspire a self-sufficient community that supports and protects Black farmers and entrepreneurs.
Feeding the Future with Joshua Lozoff: Life is Magic – Sunday, 4:30-5:30pm – PORCH-Durham presents its annual fundraiser with an interactive online magic performance. All ticket sales for this show directly support food-insecure children and families in Durham.
Everybody Loves the Sunshine: A Tribute to Roy Ayers – Sunday, 6-7:30pm – Experience a tribute to the jazz and R&B legend at Hayti Heritage Center as part of its Black American music series.
Imani Winds & Cory Smythe – Sunday, 7pm – Duke Performances kicks off its fall season and the return of live performances with the Grammy-nominated quintet and classical pianist at the Baldwin Auditorium at Duke University. Imani Winds and Cory perform “Revolutionary aka Civil Rights Project,” which will showcase several commissions from the past dozen years that focus on the ongoing racial struggle in America, including Frederic Rzewski’s “Sometimes,” which was commissioned by and premiered at Duke Performances in 2015 to celebrate the legacy of historian John Hope Franklin.
