Dinner and a Movie – Thursday, 5-9pm – Have a romantic date night at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University and enjoy a dinner special at the café before a free showing of “George Washington.”
Music in the Courtyard – Thursday, 6:30-9:30pm – Join Jo Gore in Parizade’s outdoor courtyard for a performance of jazz, blues and soul.
PopUp Chorus – Thursday, 7-9pm – Pop by Motorco Music Hall this evening to learn and sing “Don’t You Forget About Me” by Simple Minds and “Love Train” by The O’Jays. End the night with a final chorus performance and make a music video.
Julia Franks – Thursday, 7pm – The author will be at The Regulator Bookshop to discuss her debut novel, “Over the Plain Houses,” a story of witchcraft, discovery and disobedience.
Trajal Harrell – Thursday, 7:30pm – American Dance Festival and the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University co-present Trajal’s series of works “Judson Church is Ringing in Harlem (Made-to-Measure),” part of “Twenty Looks or Paris is Burning at The Judson Church (M2M)” at Duke University’s Sheafer Theater. His choreography contrasts the formalism and minimalism of postmodern dance with the extravagance of voguing.
“Grease” – Thursday, 7:30pm – Part of the Movies on The Plaza series, Northgate Mall presents the musical romantic comedy about summer lovin’ and Greased Lightning. Grab some light blankets and chairs and head to the mall early to get good seats and relax with a beer or wine from Bull City Burger and Brewery.
Outstanding Olympic! – Friday, 3-4pm – Have you ever wanted to be an Olympic medalist? Join the Durham County Library at its North Regional location for a fun mini-Olympics. Prizes will be provided at the end of the games.
“Placeholders” Opening Reception – Friday, 5-9pm – Come out and see this series of installations at the Carrack Museum as part of an ongoing collaboration between Chris Cassidy and Seth Ellis, a site-specific, experience design based on the Golden Belt and Durham Hosiery Mills plants and villages. The artists invite anyone associated with these areas to bring objects and stories to this reception to an object collection from 5-7pm.
Warehouse Blues Series – Friday, 5:30-7:30pm – Kamara Thomas & the Night Drivers sing songs from some of their favorite female blues artists. Durham Central Park hosts this tribute to the crucial role of women in blues and will have food and refreshments from Bull City Burger & Brewery, Pie Pushers, Route Bistro and Chez Moi.
Capital Transit – Friday, 7-9pm – Gather in Brightleaf Square for its summer concert series and share an evening with this lively, four-part jazz band. Swing, dance and Doo-Wop the night away to the sounds of flute, saxophone guitar, bass and hand percussion blues.
John Cowan – Friday, 8pm – Come out to Motorco Music Hall and experience a night of country, bluegrass, rock ‘n’ roll and more. Throw in an acoustic performance by husband and wife duo Darin & Brooke Aldridge, and the night of music is complete!
Audio Under the Stars: Tales of Mischief and Misfortune – Friday, 8-10pm – This month’s Audio Under the Stars theme focuses on an element of danger – from dramatic disasters to lurking threats to the madness of crowds. This summer-long audio festival is a unique audiophile event presented by the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University. Visitors are invited to relax and listen to local stories curated by the Center.
Dinner & a Dance – Friday, 5:30pm – Parizade hosts an evening with a decadent three-course dining experience and provides tickets to the Company Wang Ramirez performance at Durham Performing Arts Center later in the evening.
Company Wang Ramirez – Friday, 8pm, and Saturday, 1pm and 7pm – Join American Dance Festival in welcoming back this dance company known for its empowering blend of contemporary and hip-hop dance to the Durham Performing Arts Center. The company presents “Borderline” with five dancers attached to cables exploring themes of constraint, manipulation and the meaning of democracy.
ReCharge Block Party – Saturday, 1-5pm – Celebrate the third anniversary of this pilates and barre studio with the whole family! There will be fit and fun activities for everyone including fitness demonstrations, raffles, open studio tours and games for the kids. Enjoy a healthy selection of food and drinks from Qspresso Food Truck, Bottle 501 and Mati Energy drinks.
Girls Rock NC – Saturday, 2pm – Girl power takes over Motorco Musical Hall this afternoon – feel empowered by these girl bands that channel creative expression focusing on the “three Cs”: creativity, confidence and collaboration.
Mattie B’s Cider Class – Saturday, 3pm – Join Cider Certified Mattie Beason at the Black Twig Cider House as he talks about four major regions of cider production and how they affect the different types of cider – you’ll get to taste them, too!
High Ropes Discovery Day – Saturday, 4-5:30pm, 5:30-7pm and 7-8:30pm – Ready for a challenge? Soar through Durham Parks and Recreation’s Discovery Course on a giant swing or zip line, and navigate through obstacles up to 55 feet in the air!
“Success” – Saturday, 6pm – Get all dolled up for a black tie affair at the Durham Arts Council as it presents this stage play about how society measures success and the difficult decision of conforming to the status quo or choosing our own path in life.
“The Sit-In Series: A Gallery Event” – Saturday, 6-10pm– Come out to the Carrack Museum for an exhibition event like no other! The C.N.O.T.E Foundation hosts this free-entry charity event, and there will be local art, free drinks and live music with a rocking DJ.
Bull Moon Ride and Run – Saturday, 7:15pm – Lace up your running shoes or hop on your bike for this evening 5K run/walk and 12-mile bike ride through downtown, starting at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Durham. Afterwards, party with food, beer, music and fire breathers!
Bobby Messano – Saturday, 8pm – Join this blues artist for a night of acoustic tunes at The Blue Note Grill. The celebrated guitarist was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame a few years ago; with multiple albums and records on top charts, you don’t want to miss this night full of blues and swing.
(U)nity – Saturday, 8-10pm – This musical group and project connects five musicians from around the world with a mission of fusing Afro-Cuban culture with modern jazz, soul, hip-hop and gospel to inspire those who want to be enlightened and refreshed by music again. See them tonight at Beyu Caffe.
Date Night Movie – Saturday, 8:30-10:30pm – Durham Parks and Recreation presents Rock the Park, a summer concert and film series. Watch the film “Parental Guidance” and enjoy eats from food vendors on site.
Open Farm + Market – Sunday, noon-4pm – Wander around Blue Whistler Farm with your friends and family and learn about how they raise their food! You’ll be able to feed and pet piglets, chickens, bunnies and other farm animals. Come hungry and get some goodies from Bluebird Bakery, Carolina Farmhouse Dairy and Prodigal Farm.
Fill That Bus Kick Off – Sunday, 5:30-8pm – Wrap up the weekend with a good deed and bring school supplies to the The Blue Note Grill for this year’s school supply drive. All proceeds and donations go towards Crayons2Calculators, a nonprofit that benefits Durham Public School students and teachers. There will be a raffle for some great local prizes and live music by Bo Lankenau and Terry Wiley.
Drums in the Park – Sunday, 6pm – End the weekend with rhythm and beat some drums with Fred Strauther in Durham Central Park this evening.
Bull City Music Awards – Sunday, 7-11pm – Come out to the Durham Armory and celebrate local, independent musical artists while learning more about what’s going on in our communities. Bull City Music Group presents the annual awards ceremony and honors those that have been a part of North Carolina’s music business throughout the years.
Faun Fables – Sunday, 8pm – Join internationally known artist Dawn McCarthy as she sings and performs at The Pinhook.
