– Compiled by Natalie Schuster
Modern Makers Pop-Up – Thursday-Sunday, noon-5pm – Peruse handcrafted furniture, textiles, dinnerware, lighting and more from local North Carolina artisans Haand, Nolan Provost and the Elijah Leed Studio.
‘Thursdays with Tea Cup Gin’ Jazz Series – Thursday, 5-7pm – Enjoy a speciality martini crafted with Conniption Gin paired with a festive fall dish while listening to the indie-jazz band at the JB Duke Hotel.
‘C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert’ Show – Thursday, 7-8:30pm – Max McLean portrays C.S. Lewis’ conversion from devout atheist to staunch Christian supporter at Reynolds Industries Theater at Duke University.
‘The Roommate’ presented by Bulldog Ensemble Theater – Thursday, 7:30pm; Friday and Saturday, 8pm; and Sunday, 2pm – Enjoy Jen Silverman’s dark comedy of two women seeking a fresh start in life when one woman responds to a roommate ad in Iowa at The Fruit.
Stage Reading and Discussion – Thursday, 7pm – Experience the war in Bosnia through a reading of Almir Imsirevic’s play, “If This Were a Movie” at The Regulator Bookshop and stay for the after-discussion led by translator Ellen Elias-Bursac.
Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ – Thursday, 7:30pm; Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 1pm and 7pm – DPAC presents the national tour of this Disney and Broadway classic, featuring popular songs from the animated film and new numbers as well. Come discover a whole new world, as this revamped musical presents creative new sets, costumes and lighting.
Ruby Friday Art Talk – Friday, noon-1pm – Andrea Lauer, creative director and founder of Risen From The Thread, drops by the Ruby Lounge at the Rubenstein Arts Center at Duke University for free lunch and a casual art talk on “The Future of How We Work.” She discusses new ways of working and taking on one’s career path.
Urban Axes Anniversary – Friday, 6-11pm; Saturday, 11am-9pm; and Sunday, 11am-7pm – Celebrate the one-year anniversary of the axe-throwing bar – all walk-ins will receive one free drink to toast to the occasion all weekend long.
A ‘Hocus Pocus’ Halloween – Friday, 7pm – This Retro annual tradition shows the classic film starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy in this wacky comedy at The Carolina Theatre. When three 17th century Salem witches are accidentally summoned by modern-day pranksters, the 300-year-old trio sets out to cast a spell on the town and reclaim their youth, but first they must outwit three kids and a talking cat.
‘A Series of Unfortunate Musical Events’ Concert – Friday, 7:30-9:30pm – Low & Lower, a top-selling cello/bass duo, combine comedy and satire to share adventurous tales from Alaska in their new show at First Presbyterian Church.
‘Infinite Possibilities’ – Friday and Saturday, 7:30pm – Ward Theatre Company performs their original comedy of a therapist who leads a rag-tag group of patients at a fictitious wellness center at the Ward Theatre.
Andrew Tyson – Friday, 8pm – The Durham native and acclaimed classic pianist performs his debut recital with Duke Performances at Baldwin Auditorium with an adventurous concert. He’ll begin with Rameau’s Gavotte variée. Two short works follow by Cécile Chaminade — her Autrefois and Thème variée. Tyson then performs Ravel’s Miroirs, and the evening closes with Schumann’s Symphonic Études.
‘Reality Check-In’ Show – Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 7:30pm – Black Poetry Theatre presents their first show of the season at Hayti Heritage Center. The poetry and spoken word production follows Jacob as he navigates the interviewing process and attempts to land a job.
‘(en)compass: Photo-based Storytelling’ – Friday and Saturday, 11am-3pm – Explore the works of Lori Vrba and Dawn Surratt in their newest exhibit on individual and collective life experiences at Horse & Buggy Press and Friends.
Pumpkin Patch Express – Saturday and Sunday, 9:30am-4pm – The Museum of Life and Science hosts its ninth annual pumpkin-picking festival throughout October. Ride the Ellerbe Creek Railway to the pumpkin patch, pick a pumpkin, and spend the day playing carnival games and exploring the hay maze.
Fall Fun Day – Saturday, 10am-3pm – Celebrate the arrival of fall with a fully stocked garden center at For Garden’s Sake, plus a bar, food trucks, face painting and much more.
Fall Streetwide Sale – Saturday, 10am-6pm – Head to Ninth Street for a day-long shopping spree full of bargains on jewelry, pottery, prints and more.
Second Annual Festival of Nations – Saturday, 11am-4pm – Discover Durham’s diverse cultures and global community through international food, dance and music groups, a beer garden and exhibits of the city’s prominent international communities at the Duke Homestead State Historic Site and Tobacco Museum.
‘What the Dog Knows’ Young Readers’ Edition Book Launch – Saturday, 11am – Learn about the world of training working dogs to identify scents, rescue people, find explosives and assist law enforcement at author Cat Warren’s book launch at The Regulator Bookshop.
Paint Durham – Saturday, noon-3pm – Put on your art smock and join local artist Candy Carver at Five Points Plaza for an afternoon of live music, screen printing and giveaways.
Fifth Annual Gears for Good – Saturday, noon-4pm – Get in your workout while supporting the YMCA’s annual “We Build People Campaign” at Hi-Wire Brewing at Golden Belt. Stick around for vendors Big Spoon Roasters, Locopops, Pizzeria Toro and more for food and raffle prizes.
Third Annual Barks and Boos – Saturday, 1-3pm – Durty Bull Brewing Company hosts a chili cook-off – enter to win, or for a $5 donation you can sample different styles of chili and vote for your favorite. There will be pups available for adoption from Carolina Adopt-A-Bulls Rescue (proceeds benefit the organization), plus a make-and-take craft for the kids and a costume contest for the pups.
Second Annual Durham Bowls Food Fest – Saturday, 3-6pm – Visit The Scrap Exchange and taste the healthy and delicious school lunch options local chefs and Durham Public Schools nutritionists have created for the DPS system. Enjoy live music with Music Steve, iced tea from Jeddah’s Tea, and a short-documentary on the farm-to-school efforts in North Carolina.
Stained Glass Class – Saturday, 4-6pm – Learn a new skill and create a one-of-a-kind artwork for a loved one just in time for the holidays at Cecy’s Gallery and Studios.
A Very ‘Heathers’ Halloween – Saturday, 7:10pm – Another classic movie showing at The Carolina Theatre: Veronica (Wynona Ryder) is part of the most popular clique at her high school, but she disapproves of the other girls’ cruel behavior. When Veronica and her new boyfriend, J.D. (Christian Slater) confront clique leader Heather Chandler and accidentally poison her, they make it appear a suicide. Soon Veronica realizes that J.D. is intentionally killing students he does not like. But what begins as a noble effort to rid Westerburg High School of its bad apples ends up taking a real toll. And their teen rebellion produces a serious and mounting body count.
Fifth Annual Zine Machine: Durham Printed Matter Festival – Sunday, 11am-6pm – Hosted at the Durham Armory, this alternative printed media festival features comic artists, indie book writers and print artists as well as two public talks from Patrick Holt, the Durham Comics Fest organizer, and Ryan Holmberg, a Manga translator.
Free Family Day – Sunday, noon-1pm – Celebrate “Art for a New Understanding: Native Voices, 1950s to Now” and the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University‘s new outdoor arts space. Explore the contemporary arts and culture of Native Americans with storytelling, dance and musical performances throughout the building and outside led by members of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Create kid-friendly artwork inspired by the exhibition and explore the galleries with family friendly Gallery Hunt.
APS Cat Adoption Event – Sunday, 1:30-3pm – Pick up a book and a furry friend at The Regulator Bookshop at this monthly adoption event.
Ninth Annual Ales for Trails 5K – Sunday, 2-4pm – Fullsteam Brewery hosts this annual community run through the city with all proceeds benefiting the East Coast Greenway Alliance, a 3,000-mile trail stretching from Florida to Maine. Runners receive a pint glass of Fullsteam beer and have the chance to win prizes from local businesses.
Inflatable Day – Sunday, 3-6pm – Have some fun with the family bouncing around on inflatables all afternoon at Durham Central Park. All proceeds benefit relocating and restoring the Northgate Carousel.
Revolutionaries in the Dark Gala – Sunday, 6-10pm – ShaLeigh Dance Works hosts their third annual fundraising event at The Rickhouse with performances by Jude LeQueen, world record juggler and drag queen, the Poetry Fox, world-renowned pianist and composer Alejandro Santoyo and dances from the dance troupe themselves. There will be hors d’oeuvres, wine pairings and a silent auction with all proceeds benefiting ShaLeigh Dance Works.
