“Two Gentlemen of Verona” — Thursday, 6:30pm — Start your weekend with Bare Theatre as they bring Shakespeare to the streets at The Frontier at Research Triangle Park. Their modern, stage-free performance of “Two Gentlemen of Verona,” a fast-paced romantic comedy, offers a unique watching experience that allows audiences to get up-close and personal with the show.
Sara Juli — Thursday, 7 and 9pm; Friday 7 and 9pm — Sara Juli shares the ups and downs of motherhood in her innovative solo performance at the Motorco Music Hall as a part of the American Dance Festival. In a show full of humor, triumph, pain and splendor, she finds creative ways to incorporate audience participation, audio and text in a performance that does not shy away from taboo topics.
Blackspace Pan African Kickstarter Dance Party — Thursday, 7pm — Support Blackspace, “Durham’s new hub for Afrofuturism and digital media,” at The Vault at The Palace International as they end their final week of fundraising with a bang. This party features music DJ Skaz Digga, and special guests, accompanied by live drummers!
Kate Weare Company — Thursday, 8pm — Kate Weare Company performs “Marksman,” bringing magnetism and aesthetic patterns to the Reynolds Industries Theater as a part of American Dance Festival. Their performance infuses themes of awareness and connection as it explores strength, isolation and attraction.
“Mrs. Doubtfire” – Thursday, 7:30-10:30pm – As part of the family-friendly Movies on the Plaza series, Northgate Mall presents the classic film about a divorced man who acts and dresses like a British nanny to reconnect with his children. Grab some blankets and head to the mall early to get good seats and relax with a beer or wine from Bull City Burger and Brewery.
Tour de Fat Presents — Thursday, 9pm — Rock out with bands Natural Causes and Patois Conselors presented by New Belgium’s Tour de Fat at The Pinhook.
DURM Block Party – Friday, 5-10pm – Celebrate the close of Blackspace’s Kickstarter campaign with this party, co-sponsored by Runaway and The Parlour! Come to the corner of Market and Main for food, music, performances, activities and ice cream
Artist Discussion featuring André Leon Gray — Friday, 6pm — 21c Museum Hotel hosts the artist for a talk and tour. The discussion will focus on his exhibition, “A Nation Under Our Feet,” on view through the end of June. After the talk, guests are invited to explore the museum and head to the hotel’s Counting House restaurant for drinks or dinner.
Listening Room with Katelyn Read — Friday, 7pm — Join in an evening of music and dialogue with local songstress and “The Voice” finalist, Katelyn Read. BYOB.
Stephen Petronio Company — Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 7pm — The dance company presents three works as a part of “Bloodlines,” a five-year project that incorporates dances by trailblazers of American postmodern dance into the company’s repertory and presents them alongside new works by Stephen Petronio at the Durham Performing Arts Center.
Akua Allrich — Friday, 8pm — The artist’s musical roots run deeply into blues, soul, and rhythm and blues, with a clear grounding in jazz and pan-African music. She sings in many languages including Portuguese, French, Spanish, English, Xhosa, and Twi. See her tonight at Beyu Caffe.
Visiting Filmmaker Jonathan Rattner — Friday, 8pm — Traveling from Nashville, this filmmaker presents a larger body of his work at this Unexposed Microcinema screening.
Duke Homestead Mythbusting Day — Saturday, 9am-5pm — Was there really a tax on closets? Were people really shorter? Tackle persistent myths about “way back when” at Duke Homestead. Join in special tours between 10am and 3pm, and become an expert on what’s not true about historic houses.
Tour de Fat — Saturday, 10am — This traveling celebration of bikes, beer and bemusement, put on by New Belgium Brewing, is now in its 17th season. Enjoy festivities such as a costumed bike parade through downtown, which ends at Diamond View Park, brewing education, musical and vaudeville acts, plus many competitive – and eclectic – antics throughout the day. Proceeds from beer sales benefit local bike-themed nonprofits such as Durham Bike Co-op, Triangle Spokes Group and Bike Walk NC.
Botany Bar Crawl — Saturday, 2-4pm — Join Durham Parks and Recreation and Honeygirl Meadery to learn how plants are used in the creation of mead and the science behind the libations at the meadery.
The Carrack’s 5th Birthday + “Moving” Party — Saturday, 5-10pm — Say farewell to the art gallery’s home of five years, 111 W. Parrish St. and say hello to its new home at 947 E. Main St. Join in a closing reception for the Community Show and the space before beginning a festive sidewalk procession the new location led by the Bulltown Strutters. The party continues with R&B Grill and Concession Food Truck and beer donated by Ponysaurus Brewing and wine from Wine Authorities. There will be live music, a new interactive performance, local artist vendors and more.
Mediterranean Wines Under the Stars – Saturday, 6:30-8:30pm – Acoustic music and bold flavors accompany this summer wine party at Parizade. A variety of wine stations will be set up for sampling and an array of tapas-style hors d’oeuvres will complement local music. Call the restaurant to make a reservation, 919-286-9712.
June Birthday Party with Josh Preslar Band – Saturday, 8pm – If you were born in June, this birthday party is for you! Josh Preslar, along with Mike ‘Howlin Wind’ Davis on harmonica, Clark Stern on keys, T.A. James on bass and Kelly Pace on drums are going to turn The Blue Note Grill into a party full of blues and swing.
“Bull Durham” Movie Night – Saturday, 8pm – James Joyce Irish Pub hosts a screening of the famous movie based in Durham with ballpark-themed food including hot dogs, brats, nachos and housemade Cracker Jacks. Plus Bull Durham Kolsch on tap.
Rock the Park – Saturday, 8:30-10:30pm – Enjoy family and friends while watching the movie “Epic” in Durham Central Park. Food vendors will be on site – bring blankets and lawn chairs.
Dirty White Girls and Beauty Operators – Saturday, 9pm – Originating in N.C., Dirty White Girls is an all-female tribute to the band Foreigner. Keeping Durham dirty with their danceable mash of blues, rock, zydeco and American roots music, this five-piece, all-female band brings a party at Motorco Music Hall.
The Point 262 – Sunday, 2pm – Run two minutes, party all day. Fullsteam Brewery and Bull City Running Co. present this short race and all-day party featuring food trucks Mama’s Hot Chicken, BO’s kitchen and Two Roosters Ice Cream, plus music from Boom Unit Brass Band. Costumes expected.
The House That Music Built — Sunday, 5pm — Habitat for Humanity of Durham hosts this evening at Hayti Heritage Center featuring music from Nnenna Freelon, BJ Barham (American Aquarium), Phil Cook (Hiss Golden Messenger/Megafaun) and Alexandra Sauser-Monnig (Mountain Man). In addition to musical performances, there will be storytelling and spoken word from local poets and Habitat homeowners centered around a theme of “Home.” Performances will be bookended by a reception complete with libations by Ponysaurus, food from local restaurants and a silent auction with re-purposed doors from Habitat homes created by local artists.
Safe Schools Presents “Expanding Gender: Youth Out Front” — Sunday, 8pm — A showing of “Expanding Gender: Youth Out Front,” four short documentaries that explore the varied identities of trans and gender-expansive youth and young adults, at Motorco Music Hall. Following the documentaries, there will be a panel including people from the transgender community and gender nonconforming youth and adults. HB2 will be the topic and panelists will share their stories and answer questions. Although the event is free, donations are appreciated ($5 to $10 suggested). Funds raised will be used for scholarships for Safe Schools’ annual conference for teachers, support staff, administrators, school board members and anyone interested in creating safe and inclusive school environments.
Gregory Alan Isakov & The Ghost Orchestra — Sunday, 8pm — This South African-born Coloradoan offers his deep, lyrical masterpieces – influenced by the likes of Leonard Cohen and Bruce Springsteen – on stage at The Carolina Theatre.
