Create Good Conference – Thursday and Friday, 8am-5pm – Meant to share the latest tools and techniques with nonprofit communicators, this conference at the Durham Arts Council invites speakers from around the country who are doing the most meaningful and eye-catching work to come share what they’ve learned. This conference is about inspiring those in nonprofit work to take their communications to the next level and give them the tools to do it.
Strawberry Bubbly Weekend – Thursday and Friday, 4pm; and Saturday and Sunday, noon – Honeygirl Meadery is adding more hours to its regular Tasting Room schedule starting this weekend and are kicking it off with a Mother’s Day weekend bash complete with bubbly, strawberries and more surprises. They’ll be pouring the latest release of their Strawberry Mead with champagne and fresh berries for a fun sparkling cocktail.
Project 919 Band – Thursday, 6:30-8pm – Come see this R&B/soul/go-go band perform in this free concert at The Down Under Patio area, adjacent to the Crowe Building at the American Tobacco Campus.
‘Smooth Talk’ – Thursday, 7pm – A screening of the unnerving coming-of-age tale at Shadowbox Studio. From 1985 and directed by Joyce Chopra, this drama/thriller of teenage terror follows Connie (played by Laura Dern, in-between her roles in ‘Mask’ and ‘Blue Velvet’), a Northern California teen doing summer things like going to the mall and hanging out at the drive-in with her friends, and feeling restless at home. But, lurking at the edges is the dangerous Arnold Friend (Treat Williams), who turns the last 30 minutes into squirming trauma. Come at 7 for the sounds of underground-ladies-of-the-’80s spinning and for hot dogs. Movie commences around 8, with more tunes to follow. Free, donations appreciated.
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical – Thursday, 7:30pm; Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2pm and 8pm; and Sunday, 1pm and 6:30pm – The musical, which takes the stage at DPAC throughout the weekend, tells the inspiring true story of King’s rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history.
Eyes Up Here Comedy – Thursday, 7:45pm – Come out to The Pinhook to see comedians Joanna Rutter, Jasmine MacDonald, Michelle McCormick Lewis, Shea Stanley, Kameron Southerland, Jody Oakley and host Brittany Spruill.
Mother’s Day Film Series – Friday, 1pm – Sunday, 10:40pm – Looking for movies with great female characters and inspirational stories that have cross-generational appeal? These engaging picks with strong leading ladies are ideal for moms and daughters to share over a bag of popcorn at The Carolina Theatre.
Picnic in the Park – Friday, 11am-2pm – Join The Frontier for their second annual outdoor party! Take a lunch break to enjoy live music, games, food trucks, complimentary beer and ice cream, and plenty of giveaways from The Frontier and Fidelity Investments.
‘Lost to the Loop’ Exhibit Opening – Friday, 6-8pm – The Museum of Durham History celebrates the opening reception of the second installment of its community-curated exhibit series, “Lost to the Loop: Reshaping Downtown Durham.” The exhibit tells the story of Durham’s downtown loop – from the historical street grid to the Julian Tarrant plan and the implementation of major changes to the streetscape. This exhibit will feature historic and contemporary pictures to show how the downtown landscape has changed. A self-guided walking tour to see some of these locations will also be offered throughout the exhibit’s run.
The Beat Market – Friday, 7:30pm – Curated by Durham Beat, this night art market at Fullsteam features an array of local artisans and a lineup of live local musicians. Come for a beer, a snack and hang out.
Shop 2nd Saturday Downtown Durham – Saturday, 9am-5pm – Plan to get your weekend shopping done downtown, as many stores will offer unique programming and specials in this shop local celebration. Look for the banners to visit participating shops, and check individual listings for hours.
Stories of Stagville Women: Tour and Dialogue – Saturday, 10am – Hear stories of enslaved women from Historic Stagville, featuring their families, work and resistance on one of the largest plantations in North Carolina. This tour features individual stories about Mary, Phoebe, Emma and other enslaved women, pieced together from oral history and archival sources. (These tours are not ideal for young children due to content.) Tours last one hour and will be followed by an hour of facilitated conversation. Space is limited, and you must purchase tickets in advance.
Durham Jazz Festival – Saturday, 1pm – The free inaugural Durham Jazz Festival featuring local artists, good eats, family fun and more takes place at Durty Bull Brewing Co.
NC Mead Up! – Saturday, 1pm – Four North Carolina mead makers – Honeygirl Meadery, GoodRoad CiderWorks, Starrlight Mead and Bee & Bramble – come together at Bull City Ciderworks, which is also putting together a special test batch. Unlimited samples and you get to take home your taster glass.
Doggie and Me Massage Fundraiser – Saturday, 2pm – Support Hope Animal Rescue and celebrate your favorite dog and dog mom at Barley Labs. (Day-of suggested donation (cash only), $20, which will go to Hope Animal Rescue.)
Bimbé 5K by Tobacco Road FC – Sunday, 7-11am – Kick off the 50th Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival with Tobacco Road FC‘s Bimbe 5K This inaugural race begins at 8 am and will loop through C.M. Herndon Park. There will be food trucks and other entertainment at the event, and all participants will receive a t-shirt. For Good Measure performs live at the start/finish line.
Mother’s Day & Mimosas – Sunday, 11am-3pm – Celebrate Mom this year with axe throwing and mimosas at at Urban Axes. Ticket includes your first mimosa, and all guests must be 21 and older and wear closed toe shoes.
Brunches Brew – Sunday, noon-3pm – SummerStage‘s weekly jazz jam brunch hosted by Alan Thompson (Zoocru, sax). Grab a seat on the lawn at the Golden Belt Campus and enjoy good vibes, food trucks and a cold brew from Hi-Wire. Event is free, RSVP encouraged.
APS Cat Adoption Event – Sunday, 1:30-3pm – The Animal Protection Society of Durham holds a monthly cat adoption event at The Regulator Bookshop.
Summer Movie Series – Sunday, 8pm – Head to the patio at Ponysaurus every Sunday for flicks on the big screen. This week’s film is “The Graduate.”
