Explore galleries, tour a modernist house in the heart of the city, try a variety of yoga classes and more this weekend
Compiled by Renee Ambroso
Stay at Home Gala – all weekend – The Caring House goes virtual with its annual event. Every week in the month of January, its team will send out exciting video premieres, enticing auction items and more. All proceeds support the nonprofit’s mission to provide affordable, comfortable housing to Duke Cancer Institute adult outpatients and their caregivers. Every donation up to $120,000 will be matched by its board of directors.
‘The Light Within’ – Thursday and Friday, 9:30am-6pm; Saturday, 10am-4pm – Craven Allen Gallery showcases a new collection of work from nationally renowned painter Beverly McIver, in person and online. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Beverly led a busy schedule teaching at Duke University and giving workshops nationwide, painting in her spare time. During 2020, she felt the effects of social turmoil and physical isolation and channeled her time and energy into a new body of work, creating two dozen paintings that include self-portraits and depictions of her friends and family. “I painted daily. It was both thrilling and terrifying,” she says. “My voice felt loud and unapologetic.” The exhibition will be on display through Feb. 20.
Virtual Walk on the Wild Side: What’s in a Name – Thursday, 11am-noon – Sarah P. Duke Gardens offers a virtual presentation on horticulture language and lingo, including how plants are named, in this first installment of its Walk on the Wild Side series. Curator of the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants Annabel Renwick and Paul J. Kramer Plant Collections Manager Beth Hall Hoffman lead the discussion. Registration is required.
Ashkabonga Yoga – Thursday, noon-1pm – Participants will explore the concepts of Ashkabonga yoga, including strengthening calisthenics and meditation, which set a foundation for stability and clarity in daily life, in this class hosted by Global Breath Studio and taught by Rosco Difini. All ages and experience levels are welcome to join the class, which is offered through Zoom.
Virtual Trivia with Arturo – Thursday 8pm-10pm – Fullsteam Brewery hosts this weekly trivia night with Arturo Sanchez. It’s free to play, though Arturo will have a virtual tip jar available, with 100% of funds benefiting local nonprofits.
Christmas Plugged – Friday, dusk-midnight – It’s not too late to view festive holiday lights. Stop by to catch the final night of the synchronized light show orchestrated by Rose of Sharon Baptist Church. Tune your car radio to listen along as the display corresponds with nine songs and lasts about half an hour.
RTP Food Truck Friday – Friday, 11:30am-1:30pm – Frontier RTP hosts this weekly event in its parking lot and features a rotating list of food trucks. This week, pre-order or pick up from The Humble Pig, a husband-and-wife-owned truck offering Southern staples, barbecue and desserts.
NCModernist Trickle Tour – Saturday, 8am-5pm – This ongoing series presented by NCModernist allows visitors to view new or newly renovated modern homes in the area at a trickle to allow for social distancing. No more than six guests will tour a house during each time slot. This weekend, take a look inside the brand new 909 Iredell St. house designed by Raleigh-based architect Nick Hammer. Masks and tickets are required.
Therapeutic Goat Yoga – Saturday and Sunday, 11:30am-12:30am – Hux Family Farm offers this therapeutic yoga class that includes time to cuddle with their Nigerian Dwarf goats of all sizes and ages. The class is open to participants age 6 and older, and mats, masks and registration are required.
‘My Roots’ – Sunday, 1pm-6pm – This exhibition of work from local artist Cornelio Campos can be viewed at the Durham Arts Council’s Allenton Gallery. Cornelio explores the struggles of Mexican immigration into the United States in his paintings, as well as the political issues that come with it. The exhibition will be on display through March 12.
