Free Highlights Tour – Thursday, 6pm – Nasher Museum gallery guide Susana Burns focuses on how the theme of religion and spirituality is represented in the museum’s newest exhibition, Southern Accent: Seeking the American South in Contemporary Art. Tours last approximately one hour.
Back Porch Music on the Lawn – Thursday, 6-9pm – The finale of American Tobacco‘s free summer concerts on the historic campus’ interior quad, enjoy the bluegrass sounds of the South Carolina Broadcasters prior to headliner Dom Flemons Duo‘s old-time music. Beer and wine are available for purchase. Picnics, coolers and well-behaved dogs are welcome.
Lavender Country: Live Performance an Film Screening – Thursday, 7pm – Patrick Haggerty, author of “Lavender Country,” the world’s first openly gay country album (1973) – now enjoying a resurgence of popularity since its reissue two years ago on the Paradise of Bachelors label, based in Chapel Hill – shares music and stories about his experiences as an openly gay country music artist and lifetime political activist at the Nasher Museum. The performance, featuring Nashville-based backup band Promised Land Sound, will be preceded by a free screening of a documentary short film by Daniel Taberski about the Lavender Country story.
Teedra Moses – Thursday, 8pm – The Art of Cool Project presents this New Orleans born-and-raised R&B and soul singer-songwriter – who released her second commercial album, “Cognac & Conversations,” in 2015 – at Motorco Music Hall.
Anonymous Jones – Thursday, 8pm – Durham recording artist Twiwan Joyner aka Anonymous Jones releases album “Like Minds,” a project that focuses on finding inner peace and spreading love, at The Pinhook.
“Maccountant” – Thursday-Saturday, 8pm, and next Thursday-Saturday, 8pm – Common Ground Theatre presents this performance of Durham’s own Jaybird O’Berski’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” set in mid-1960s Wichita in an accounting firm where good business and cutthroat tactics go hand in hand.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: One More Time With Feeling Simulcast – Thursday, 9pm, and Sunday, 4:30pm – Directed by Andrew Dominik, “One More Time With Feeling” is the first-ever opportunity anyone will have to hear “Skeleton Tree,” the 16th studio album from Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, prior to its release Sept. 9. Showing at The Carolina Theatre, interwoven throughout the Bad Seeds’ filmed performance of the new album are interviews and footage shot by Dominik, accompanied by Cave’s narration and improvised rumination.
Race, Justice and Empathy: A Conversation Inspired by “Just Mercy” – Friday, 1pm – The Nasher Museum of Art hosts a free interdisciplinary conversation about race, justice and empathy with Duke law, public policy, practice of reconciliation and cultural anthropology professors based on Bryan Stevenson’s memoir, “Just Mercy,” the 2016 Common Experience summer reading book for incoming first-year students at Duke. An installation inspired by the book is on view in the musuem’s Academic Focus Gallery August 6 – October 2.
Bull Durham Blues Festival – Friday, 7pm, and Saturday, 6pm – Local and national blues artists take the stage at this 29th annual two-day festival at Hayti Heritage Center. Food trucks open the performances at 5pm on both days. Artists on Friday are Barbara Carr, Roy Roberts, Beverly Guitar Watkins and Bobby Hinton. Saturday performers are The Luxuriant Sedans, Mac Arnold and Plate Full O Blues, Joe B. Cutchins, Jr. and Grady Champion and his band along with Da 6’8” WONDER DJ 2 TALL. A local artist will be selected to open shows each day. Poet and author Dasan Ahanu will serve as host.
Bites of Bull City’s 2-Year Blog Birthday Bash – Friday, 4:30pm–7:30pm – For their two-year anniversary, Durham food blog Bites of Bull City is throwing a party at Beer Durham complete with free sweets from Smallcakes and Sweet Cravings Bakery, special craft beers from Fullsteam Brewery and gift card raffles.
Sam Bush – Friday, 8pm – The bluegrass mandolin player, considered an originator of the Newgrass style, performs at The Carolina Theatre.
“Weird Al” Yankovic – Friday, 8pm – Following his wildly successful 2015 Mandatory World Tour, the tour continues at the Durham Performing Arts Center with Yankovic bringing his high-energy comedy rock show based off his 14th studio album, “Mandatory Fun,” featuring parodies of some of the biggest hits of the previous year, including Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” (“Tacky”), Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” (“Word Crimes”), Lorde’s “Royals” (“Foil”) and more.
Joey Calderazzo & Eric Revis Jazz Duo – Friday, 8pm-11pm – Come to Beyu Caffe and hear bassist Eric Revis and pianist Joey Calderazzo jam in two jazz sets.
Birthday Bash and Open House – Saturday, 9am-5pm – Blue Point Yoga Center is turning 10 years old – celebrate with free yoga, meditation, food, giveaways and more.
Harvest & Hornworm Festival – Saturday, 10am-4pm – Come out to this free event celebrating the rich farming history of North Carolina with a looping contest, live music, local vendors, a hornworm race and history displays at Duke Homestead.
TxotxFest – Saturday, noon–4pm – Taste North Carolina, East Coast and European ciders – in addition to cider cocktails and irresistible culinary pairings from national top cider houses alongside Durham restaurants – at Black Twig Cider House’s inaugural festival, which is centered around a Spanish cider barrel, the Txotx (pronounced “choach”). The event benefits Durham-based nonprofit Inspire MEdia Network, which Chris Rosati founded after receiving an ALS diagnosis. The organization shares inspiring stories – and makes them happen.
Oktoberfest – Saturday, 1-10pm – Celebrate Oktoberfest season with dancing, live music by the Little German Band, and a beer garden at this event hosted by Bull McCabe’s Irish Pub.
Black Genius Fest 2016 – Saturday, 2-5pm – This annual community celebration of black culture features music, dance ensembles, science activities, food and more at Northgate Park. The celebration also recognizes community organizations working to eliminate the academic opportunity gap facing black youth. For all ages.
Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk – Saturday, 5pm – Take part in this fundraising 5k in Research Triangle Park aimed at raising money for veterans to build smart homes. In addition to the race, there will be live music, food trucks and children’s activities.
Concerts for a Cause @ The Plant – Saturday, 5pm-8pm – Come out to The Plant this weekend for a good cause. Listen to live music, eat from a food truck and sample local brews all while raising money for Alzheimer’s NC. All events are free to the public with a suggested donation of $10-15.
Seven Things I’ve Learned: An Evening with Ira Glass – Saturday, 8pm – The creator and host of NPR’s “This American Life,” delivers a unique talk, sharing lessons from his life and career in storytelling: What inspires him to create? What drives his passion? How have failures and successes informed his decisions?
Blue Whistler Open Farm + Market – Sunday, noon-4pm – Enjoy some of the last few days of summer out on the farm with baby animals including 1-week-old piglets, days-old chicks and ducklings, and newborn baby bunnies! Bring apples and carrots for the pigs and rabbits, learn how to hold chickens and watch other animals out in the fields. Grab some pastries, ice cream or lemonade from Bluebird Bakery, and leave the farm with pasture-raised meat and eggs.
3-Year Anniversary Celebration – Sunday, 1pm-4pm – Come out for the Other End of the Leash Pet Boutique & Bakery‘s third birthday “yappy hour” with fun for both puppies and people.
Animal Protection Society of Durham’s Cat Adoption Event – Sunday, 2pm – APS of Durham hosts its monthly cat adoption event at The Regulator Bookshop. Stop by and make a new feline friend or two!
Leon Bridges – Sunday, 7:30pm – The Grammy Award-nominated R&B artist and singer, songwriter makes a stop at DPAC with his seven-piece band.
