“The Jemima Code” Exhibit — Thursday through November 5 — The idea of a “Jemima Code” came to Toni Tipton-Martin as she was researching the varied history of African-Americans working in America’s kitchens. She discovered that they were virtually invisible. The character, Aunt Jemima, was built on a myth that combined various characteristics of African-American women into one, larger-than-life, mammy culinary stereotype. With her book, “The Jemima Code: Two Centuries of African-American Cookbooks,” and the traveling exhibition of historic photos of African-American women at work in and around Southern kitchens, Toni works to reclaim the knowledge, skills and abilities these women demonstrated in their daily lives. The exhibit will be on display at The Center for Documentary Studies.
SEEDS Harvest Dinner – Thursday, 6-9pm – Spend an evening under the stars at Durham Central Park, learning how gardening changes children’s lives. This delicious evening will combine the bounty of North Carolina with the genius of our most talented culinary artists to support youth educational gardening programs.
Colson Whitehead — Thursday, 7pm — The award-winning author will be at The Durham Armory to discuss and sign copies of his new novel, “The Underground Railroad,” a novel following a young slave’s escape from the antebellum South in 1850.
One-Man Play: “One Noble Journey” — Thursday, 7:30pm — Actor and playwright Mike Wiley performs his play “One Noble Journey” at the Hayti Heritage Center. Based on the story of Henry “Box” Brown, an African-American born into slavery in Louisa County, Virginia, in 1816, the play is meant to demonstrate the trauma suffered by slaves during the one of the darker moments in American history. While the show is free, online registration is required to guarantee a seat.
NC Pride Festival – Thursday, 9pm through Sunday evening; Saturday events begin at 8am – Join in the 32nd annual gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender celebration at Duke’s East Campus for the day festival, parade and 5K run before heading out to parties that span across the Triangle in the evening. In addition to pre-Pride festivities Thursday and Friday, the event kicks off on Saturday at 8:30am with the 5K run, the festival begins at 10am and the parade starts at 1pm. Check out the link for a full list of Pride-related events!
Ashley Christensen Dinner and Book Signing – Thursday, 7-10pm – Counting House and executive chef Josh Munchel hosts a dinner and book signing in celebration of the release of “Poole’s: Recipes and Stories from a Modern Diner,” a cookbook by chef Ashley Christensen. The James Beard Award winner and chef and proprietor for well-known Triangle-based restaurants such as Poole’s Diner and Death & Taxes will meet guests and sign books at the event, which begins with a casual reception including a welcome cocktail and “counter snacks.” Dinner by executive chef Josh Munchel features four courses inspired by recipes from the book.
Brad Weiss — Friday, 7pm — The author will be at The Regulator Bookshop to discuss his newest book, “Real Pigs: Shifting Values in the Field of Local Pork,” which deals with the demand for “authentic” food through the pork industry.
Squirrel Nut Zippers – Friday, 8pm – Make the scene all day with this swing band, which was formed in Chapel Hill, as they celebrate their 20th anniversary at The Carolina Theatre.
Sing For Your Supper – Friday, 9pm – Kim Arrington and jazz-fusion band All-Nite Public Radio (ANPR) in concert at the Hayti Heritage Center as a part of a new music event founded by the local singer-songwriter, featuring her band and a different band each month from the Triangle. The event will present musicians working in Black American musical forms such as jazz, R&B, gospel, soul and other genres. Arrington will also serve as artistic director and host for the monthly, music series. Doors open at 8pm.
Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials Live Show — Friday, 9pm — Come out for a night of live music at The Blue Note Grill. Hailing from the Windy City, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials have been playing 27 years and the band’s “rollicking slide work and deep blues string bending, along with rough-edged, soulful vocals, is as real and hard-hitting as Chicago blues gets.”
Walk to End Alzheimer’s — Saturday, 8am registration, 9am ceremony, 9:30am walk — One of 600 walks held nationwide, the Raleigh/Durham Walk to End Alzheimer’s fundraises for cure research and assistance for those with the disease. The walk is two miles long and will be held at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
Pepper Roast – Saturday, 10am-noon – Farmers are growing several varieties of peppers, from sweet to spicy. Purchase your favorite peppers at the Durham Farmers’ Market and bring them to the Market Lawn for roasting.
School of the Solider — Saturday, 10am-4pm and Sunday 10am-3pm — Learn about North Carolina’s military history at Bennett Place State Historic Site. This event features demonstrations by the 6th and 26th North Carolina Reenactment groups and history lessons on life during the Civil War. Watch as soldiers perform basic drill, cook and sleep while in the field. Learn about the different weapons used during the war, the flags they carried and see how the uniforms changed from 1861 to 1865.
MACFest – Saturday, 2-6:30pm – This music, arts and crafts festival hosted by Durham County Library in Durham Central Park features musical performers Sahara Reggae Band, Indigo Dance Evolution Academy, the Spinman, multicultural crafts and more. Multicultural food trucks will also be available, like Boricua Soul.
Octoberfest 2016 – Saturday, 4-11pm – Bull City Burger and Brewery‘s sixth annual Octoberfest street party featuring music by The Beauty Operators, dancing, a bounce house, balloon man Mike, brats, burgers and lots of Octoberfest beer. Proceeds support Habitat for Humanity of Durham.
Meals from the Market: Bourbon Street Cuisine on Gloria Ave – Saturday, 6:30-8:30pm – Come enjoy New Orleans cuisine in a historic Trinity Park home, hosted by Dan and Chris Jewell, Kevin and Meg Wiehe, and Mike and Sarah Wolff. The menu features po boy sliders, gumbo, beignets and more, paired with New Orleans-inspired home-crafted beers: Chicory Coffee Stout and Bananas Foster Wit, followed by a New Orleans-themed trivia contest with prizes!
Spanish Wine Tasting & Mediterranean Tapas – Saturday, 6:30-9:30pm – An incredible selection of Spanish wines from Mutual Wines & Aveniu at Parizade‘s garden courtyard. A variety of tapas-style Mediterranean dishes incorporating classic Parizade flavors will compliment these wine choices.
Tivka Wolf — Saturday, 7pm — The author will be at The Regulator Bookshop to discuss and sign copies of her newest book, “Ask Me About Polyamory: The Best of Kimchi Cuddles” which deals with polyamory, queer and gender-queer issues through comics. If your relationships or your gender are unconventional, you’ll find useful advice and plenty of laughs in this compilation of the wildly popular webcomic.
Dover Quartet – Saturday, 8pm – This concert, presented by Duke Performances at Baldwin Auditorium, includes two late string quartets by masters of the form: Mozart’s String Quartet in B-flat Major, K. 589, and Beethoven’s Quartet No. 13, played here with its original final movement. Beethoven’s quartet inspired David Ludwig’s new work, Pale Blue Dot, which will also be performed.
PRIDE Brunch at Counting House – Sunday, 10am-2pm – In the neighborhood for NC Pride? Keep the party going with an indulgent recovery brunch at Counting House. Sip on themed cocktails and feast on a mouthwatering brunch by executive chef Josh Munchel featuring specials like the Rainbow Salad with mixed greens, roygbiv and poached egg. All proceeds from the “Bubbles for Equality” cocktail menu benefit Equality NC.
High Tea Quartet Show — Sunday, 3-5pm — 20th-century British composers’ pieces will be preformed in this house concert by a piano quartet at the home of Michael and Elizabeth Schoenfeld. (Exact address sent upon ticket purchase.)
Billy Hart Quartet featuring Ethan Iverson, Mark Turner & Ben Street – Sunday, 5pm and 7:30pm – For an evening of soulful jazz with the legendary drummer and three next-generation stars, catch one of two Duke Performances shows held at 21c Museum Hotel. First performance is at 5pm, with a second beginning at 7:30pm.
Trucks from the Market – Sunday, 6-8pm –The folks at Pie Pushers and OnlyBurger organize this private “mini-rodeo.” Each truck will prepare a sample of a special menu item they wish to share. No long lines! Bring out your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy this unique opportunity to sample cuisine from multiple trucks in one evening! Fullsteam Brewery will be on hand offering two beers per ticket and a cash bar. Featured food trucks include Pie Pushers, OnlyBurger, CJ’s Street Food, Sympathy for the Deli, Porchetta, Parlez-Vous Crepe, Chirba Chirba, Gussys Greek, Soom Soom Pita Pockets, Chick N Que, American Meltdown, Chez Moi Bakery, Sweet Water Ice, Locopops, Sweet Stacey Cakes and LoYo on the Go.
Il Divo – Sunday, 7:30pm – The multi-platinum-selling classical crossover group embarks on a North America tour in support of their seventh studio album “AMOR & PASION.”
