Compiled by Janet Alsas
In Conversation: Christine Cox – Thursday, noon – The artistic director and co-founder of BalletX joins Duke University professor Sarah Wilbur for a discussion that will explore topics related to her career, contemporary ballet and issues of access and representation.
‘The Future is Female’ – Thursday, 6-9pm – 21c Museum Hotel hosts an opening reception for its new exhibition, which illuminates the legacy of women and their struggle for equality and inclusion. There will also be a panel discussion with artists Marisa Morán Jahn, Stacey Kirby and Stacy Lynn Waddell, moderated by 21c Chief Curator Alice Gray Stites.
Ponysaurus Brewery Beer Tasting – Thursday, 6-8pm – The local brewery showcases both popular and seasonal brews alongside bite-sized snacks and live music at Unscripted Durham.
‘Rent’ – Thursday, 7:30pm; Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2pm and 8pm; Sunday, 1pm and 7pm – The award-winning Broadway rock musical that follows an unforgettable year in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams returns to the stage on its 20th anniversary tour at the Durham Performing Arts Center.
‘Orange Light’ – Thursday, 7:30pm; Friday and Saturday, 8pm – This play with music and movement tells the story of one North Carolina factory town trying to heal after tragedy strikes. Put on by Bulldog Ensemble Theater at The Fruit, “Orange Light” fictionalizes the 1991 fire in Hamlet, North Carolina, which killed 25 workers at the Imperial Foods chicken processing plant and injured 55 more. In the aftermath, it came out that the owners had locked the workers in; additionally, the plant had never been inspected.
Over the Rhine – Thursday, 8pm – Ohio-based couple Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler perform with singer-songwriter Willy Tea Taylor at Motorco Music Hall.
Durham County DA’s Office Town Hall – Friday, 6pm – District Attorney Satana Deberry and her office staff host a community meeting to discuss the role of a district attorney, the work done by the office in 2019 and gun violence. The presentation will be followed by an opportunity for the public to ask questions.
Laughing for All the Wrong Reasons – Friday, 8pm – Premier comedy club, theater and school of improvisation The Second City takes its show on the road, with company members appearing at The Carolina Theatre with a new comedy set that celebrates nearly 60 years of production.
Jan Lisiecki – Friday 8-10pm – The 24-year-old Canadian pianist performs a full program of selections by Bach, Mendelssohn and Chopin from the classical and romantic eras at Baldwin Auditorium during this Duke Performances concert.
Amateur Drag Show – Friday, 9:30pm – Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (OSTEM) at Duke and the Duke Graduate and Professional Student Council will host the House of Coxx at The Pinhook, with proceeds benefiting the LGBTQ Center of Durham.
BalletX – Friday and Saturday, 8-10pm – The company presents Matthew Neenan’s musical “Increasing” and “The Last Glass,” and Cayetano Soto’s “Napoleon/Napoleon” at Reynolds Industries Theater for their Duke Performances debut.
Everything Bagels Pop-Up – Saturday, 10am-noon – The Durham Hotel hosts a pop-up for Everything Bagels in its coffee shop before the boutique bagel shop moves into its permanent location at the Durham Food Hall. Guests can enjoy bagels paired with a variety of spreads and salads.
NC MLK Black History Month Parade & Block Party – Saturday, 11am-4pm – Marching from W.G. Pearson Elementary School to N.C. Central University, the 18th annual parade features marching bands, step teams and dance groups, in addition to church groups, local businesses and civic organizations. The theme of this year’s parade is “Acknowledge The Past, Improve The Future,” inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
American Indian Powwow – Saturday, noon-5pm – This family-oriented event features music, dance, arts, crafts and food at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM). The event began as a way for American Indian students at NCSSM to promote the school to American Indian communities in North Carolina; today, the powwow teaches visitors about the culture of the first Americans.
Python Programming Workshop – Saturday, 1-4pm – Learn how to program for free at Spreedly starting with simple data types. Students will explore comparisons, if-statements and loops, and then use what they learned to create their own game.
2020 Good Food Awards N.C. Showcase – Saturday, 2-5pm – Sample and shop directly from Good Food Award finalists and winners (past and present) with a beer in hand at Fullsteam Brewery. Vendors include: Fullsteam, featuring Farm’s Edge: Barrel-Aged Ava; Big Spoon Roasters; Boxcarr Handmade Cheese; Haw River Mushrooms; and more.
Black Business Gala – Saturday, 6-10pm – The Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce celebrates the history of black business achievement at this annual gala, which this year honors MaryAnn Black and Jim Stewart, two leaders in the Durham community.
Everybody but Your Bro Open Mic – Saturday, 6pm – Eyes Up Here Comedy invites women, transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming people to its open mic comedy show at The Pinhook.
A Cappella South Quarterfinal – Saturday, 7pm – Varsity Vocals presents The International Championship of A Cappella (ICCA) at The Carolina Theatre to showcase the art of student a cappella singing.
Lost Dog Street Band – Saturday, 9pm – This country trio performs with special guest Casper Allen at Motorco Music Hall.
Third Annual Southern Noir Weddings Bridal Experience – Sunday, noon-4pm – Held at the Durham Convention Center, brides, grooms and wedding professionals are invited to enjoy wedding inspirations, food, entertainment and fashion.
Puppy Bowl Watch Party – Sunday, 3-5pm – Barley Labs invites you to watch its puppy Super Bowl featuring puppies playing in a mini football field.
Women Singers/Songwriters – Sunday, 8:30-11:30pm – Lyn Koonce, Isabel Taylor and Earleine perform at Arcana‘s underground bar and lounge.
