Celebrate Juneteenth, the Summer Solstice and Father’s Day with an outdoor market, live music, a trip to the Museum of Life and Science and more.
Compiled by Elizabeth Egan
Durham Bottling Co. Open House – Thursday, 4-7pm – This first summer open house at the new inclusive co-working community is open to the public. Drop by anytime between 4-7pm to walk the space, grab a snack and beverage, and get reintroduced to the neighborhood and our community. There will also be several weekly open houses throughout the summer on Thursdays from 5-7pm. This is held at Suite Four – enter through The Cafe (accessed through the rear of the building).
Smoulder & Spirits – Thursday, 5-10pm – The bar is open and cigars are welcome at this weekly cigar and whiskey night hosted by The Patio at Suite Four.
RTP180: Ecology – Thursday, 6-7pm – You may think you know all there is to know about ecology, but get ready to consider the subject from new angles at this event. At RTP180, speakers are called on to speak passionately and authentically about what matters to them. The twist? They must do it in 5 minutes or less.
Movies by Movers – Thursday, 7pm – American Dance Festival presents the third event in its series of movie screenings and artist talks. This week’s films include “End of the Block,” “Finding My Feet” and “In Pursuit of Joy: A Screendance BBQ” along with a conversation with interdisciplinary artist Cara Hagan and Omari “Motion” Carter, a London-based screendance practitioner and lecturer. Each interview and film showing will be available online for a week.
Juneteenth Jubilee – Friday, 10am-10pm – The Festivals of Art, Thought and Culture commemorates the end of slavery in the United States with a full-day event that includes a golf tournament at The Crossings Golf Club starting at 10 a.m. followed by an art exhibition opening reception at The Fruit. The exhibit features local Black artists whose work will be available for purchase, as well as pop-up performances, drinks, food trucks and the unveiling of a 40-foot Graffiti Tunnel at The Fruit.
Log Off, Jam On – Friday 5-7pm – Boxyard RTP‘s weekly Friday evening open-to-all jam session is facilitated by blues-focused guitarist Stephen Munoz. Musicians can walk-up or fill out a form online prior to the event.
Grooves – Friday, 6-9pm – The Museum of Life and Science hosts an evening of live music in a few of its popular outdoor spaces with local favorites Matt Philips, XOXOK and Loamlands. Light snacks and ice cream are available for purchase at Sprout Café. Beer and wine will be available for purchase at the pop-up bar for guests 21 and older.
Third Friday Durham – Friday, 6-9pm – The monthly art walk and gallery crawl returns after a year-long hiatus with 11 galleries showcasing walk-in exhibits. There will be also be live music at various locations downtown throughout the evening, including DJ Piddipat from 3:30 to 6:30pm at The Mix @ Durham Station, Ari Haney from 6 to 8pm at Five Points Plaza, Ashesh Chatterjee from 6 to 8pm at Durham Arts Council and Rachel Despard from 6 to 8pm at CCB Plaza.
‘Transition’ Third Friday Reception – Friday, 6-9pm – 5 Points Gallery honors the potential of fresh beginnings for our community, our friends and families, and ourselves. This exhibition features new works by 10 Triangle-based artists, assembled to include a range of mediums such as painting, sculpture, weaving, fused glass, and mixed media.
Bluegrass at The Blue Note Grill – Friday, 7-9pm – The Blue Note Grill hosts live music from Morgan Creek Bluegrass to complement its slow-smoked barbecue. The band shares songs rooted in traditional American bluegrass. Seating is first come, first served.
Live! in the Lot – Friday, 8pm – Motorco brings its parking lot concert series back this summer. Renowned korist and percussionist Diali Cissokho and his band Kaira Ba “explore the spiritual songs, stories and rhythms of Senegal’s millennia-old Mandé culture” during this performance as guests in 8-by-8-foot square pods enjoy the show. Bring your own chairs and blankets for comfort.
Summer Solstice Celebration 2021 – Friday, 8pm – Bar and lounge Arcana Durham commemorates the summer solstice with an evening of live music from jazz and blues band Tea Cup Gin.
Bull City Reels on Wheels – Friday, 9pm – “The Best of Enemies,” based on the true story of civil rights activist Ann Atwater, is the feature film presented by Durham Parks and Recreation at Durham County Memorial Stadium. Drive-in or bring a chair. A variety of food trucks offer refreshments, and tickets are required.
The Nappy Luv Festival – Friday, 9pm-Saturday, 2am – Charlotte-based screenprinting company Macfly Fresh and clothing supplier DRC ApeParel present this Juneteenth celebration featuring music, dance, spoken word, fashion, visual art and food vendors. The event began in the ’90s at N.C. State, and this year’s festival takes place at Suite Four in downtown.
Pop-Up Market – Saturday, 11:30am- 3pm – Triangle Pop-Up hosts a market at Boxyard RTP with food, drinks, live music and shopping. Local creators offer art, gifts and handcrafted goods, and Boxyard’s in-house businesses – Buzzy Bakes, Lawrence Barbecue and Medicine Mama’s Farmacy – will also be open. The outdoor event requires masks and social distancing.
Art-n-Soul Market at Mystic Farm & Distillery – Saturday, noon-4pm – Mystic Farm & Distillery hosts this artisan food pop-up market with local makers, food trucks and music. Mystic also offers bourbon tastings.
Juneteenth Celebration – Saturday, 1-10pm – Spectacular Magazine hosts its 16th annual event with daylong festivities along East Main Street (between Roxboro and Dillard streets) that include food vendors, informative booths, a health fair, both local and national artists and performers, play areas for kids and more.
Summer Concert Series – Saturday, 6-9pm – The Glass Jug Beer Lab presents a lineup of concerts and food trucks at its South Durham beer garden all season long. This weekend features blues ensemble Brett Chambers & The Usual Suspects featuring Constance Prince as well as eats from Gator on the Grill food truck.
Juneteenth Black Businesses Pop-up – Saturday, 10am-4pm – Alchemy Blake Creations hosts a celebration of Juneteenth and Black-owned businesses with a vendor market on Piedmont Avenue.
Juneteenth at Stagville – Saturday, 10am-4pm – Historic Stagville offers guided outdoor tours reflecting on history and the more than 1,000 people who were emancipated at the plantation. Registration is required for guided tours, and self-guided tours are also available.
Live! in the Lot – Saturday, 7:30pm – The Connells, a Raleigh-based rock band, performs in the parking lot of Motorco Music Hall in this installment of the summer concert series offering socially distanced pod seating.
Father’s Day on the Farm – Sunday, 10am-6pm – Old Mill Farm offers family admission for two hours on the farm for up to six guests – plus a family fishing kit, a father-child egg toss competition and a special gift for dad. Pre-registration is required.
Summer Solstice Celebration – Sunday, 3-7pm – Piedmont Wildlife Center honors the longest day of the year and Father’s Day with labyrinths, meditation, sun salutations and more. Participants must register for a 45-minute time slot, and masks are required.
