Weekend at a Glance: Beats n Bars Festival, Blood Drive and Bluesy Brunch

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Finish out June with this list of 15-plus events

Beats n Bars festival
Motorco Music Hall brings its parking lot concert series, Live! in the Lot Concert, back this summer!

Compiled by Delaney Galvin

Beats n Bars Festival – Thursday-Saturday – This immersive hip-hop experience takes place all around downtown. Performances include Shame Gang, Kaze and Burn Bright from New Jersey, along with more aspiring underground artists. This festival also features a “Wellness for the Culture” panel discussion presented by nonprofit Get Happy. The most exciting thing about this year’s festival though – as a special gift to the community – is that #BNBFest21 is free.

Blood Drive – Thursday, 10am-3pm – The Carolina Theatre hosts its second blood drive in partnership with the American Red Cross. 

Career Fair – Thursday, 10am-4pm – The Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club hosts this event on the property’s scenic Terrace on the Green. The event will kick off a major hiring initiative for the Washington Duke Inn, JB Duke Hotel and The Lodge at Duke Medical Center, who anticipate hiring nearly 100 team members by the end of the year.

Smolder & Spirits – Thursday, 5-10pm – Suite Four hosts this weekly cigar and whiskey night on its patio. Bring your own cigars. Whiskey and drinks are available to purchase .

Strawberry Moon Yin+Violin – Thursday, 6:30-8pm – Serenity Farm celebrates the strawberry moon with a beginner-friendly yoga class with music by classical violinist Allison Willet. Bring a towel and a yoga mat as well as something to cover your eyes for the shavasana.

Celebration of NC Songwriting – Thursday, 7-9:30pm – Local musicians Alice Gerrard, Bruce Piephoff, Kirk Ridge and Isabel Valls (formerly Isabel Taylor) headline this event at The Blue Note Grill. Seating is first come first served; it is recommended to arrive an hour before the show to avoid a wait.

Comedy Night – Thursday, 8pm – The Honeysuckle at Lakewood presents this free show featuring performers from Comedy Durham.

‘The Truth Exposed… In 10 Minutes’ – Friday-Sunday – This North Carolina Central University online theater series explores 10 different perspectives that address the struggles of Black men and their fight to live as free and valued Americans.

LoJo – Friday, 5-7pm – Boxyard RTP hosts its weekly jam session, Log Off Jam On, with the help of blues singer-songwriter Stephen Munoz. Musicians from around the Triangle are also encouraged  to come out and perform.

Cider at its Core (SOLD OUT) – Friday, 6-9pm – Join the Museum of Life and Science for this 21-and-older event which will give you a fun look into the world of hard cider. Participate in workshops led by experts in the field, explore the museum or just sit back and have a drink. 

The Wusses – Friday, 8pm – Live! in the Lot presents this soft rock ’70s band at this outdoor concert in Motorco’s parking lot. Bring your own chairs and blankets for comfort.

‘The Rise and Fall of Liberty’ Screening – Friday, 8pm – Join the Museum of Durham History at Durham Central Park for a special screening of this documentary. The film, produced by Carol Thomson, examines the ebb and flow of Liberty Warehouse’s 80-year lifespan, draws parallels with the evolution of downtown Durham, and reveals the often touching, interdependent relationship between the two. Viewers are encouraged to bring their own chairs/blankets. Popcorn will be provided.

What the Map? – Saturday, 9-11:30am – Gear Up teams up with Triangle Land Conservancy for this special hiking trip at Horton Grove Preserve. Guides will show participants everything they need to know about using a map and a compass. Organizers suggest bringing a daypack with snacks and plenty of water.

The Streetery at Five Points – Saturday, noon-9pm – Downtown Durham Inc. opens multiple streets in the center of downtown to pedestrian traffic, with festive lights, music and performers. Highlights include DJ set by DJ Piddipat, guitar and vocals by Ashesh Chatterjee and poetry on demand from The Cabinet of Wishes. Walk around and see what you can find.

Full Moon Fever Bike Ride – Saturday, 7:30-10:30pm – Ride the American Tobacco Trail under the light of the full moon with Durham Parks & Recreation. Saturday’s outing offers two options: a 32-mile ride at 7:30pm or a 16-mile ride at 8:30pm. Helmets and lights are required. 

Naomi Dix and Stormie Daie – Saturday, 8pm – Another Live! in the Lot event, these drag queens – wigs, nails, boots and all! – sashay and lip sync the night away.

Rooftop Drag Brunch – Sunday, 11am-2pm – Unscripted Durham hosts some of Durham’s finest performance queens like Vivica C. Coxx, Stormie Daie and Naomi Dix. Tickets are $45 for the show as well as a complimentary mimosa to start off the good vibes.

Bluesy Brunch – Sunday, noon-2pm – Durham-based musical trio Willie Painter (guitar), Leslie Land (bass) and Lisa Rhodes (guitar) play a mix of original and pop-rock covers at The Blue Note Grill. No cover.

Tatiana Baganova’s ‘Bluebeard’ – Sunday, 1pm – American Dance Festival presents this fairy tale-inspired performance featuring Provincial Dances Theater (performing live on stage in Yekaterinburg, Russia) and Charles Slender-White (performing live on stage in San Francisco, California).

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