Cocktails and Cosmonauts – Thursday, 6:30-9:30pm – Sample space-themed drinks from favorite local restaurants and distilleries. Explore the Museum’s Launch Lab and test your engineering skills with rocket launchers, hover tables and wind tubes. Snap a selfie in the lunar photo booth surrounded by vintage space gear and fuel up with local food trucks. Museum of Life and Science, 433 W. Murray Ave.; $20-$25; 919-220-5429
April in Paris – Thursday, 7-10:30pm – Arthur Murray Durham in partnership with the Tune Swingers Orchestra present a free ballroom dance. The 20-piece orchestra performs classic, ballroom-style arrangements from the golden age of the big band era featuring vocalists Natalie Williams and Larry Marynak. Durham Armory, 220 Foster St.; Free; 919-248-0511
The Idan Raichel Project – Thursday, 8pm – The producer, keyboardist and composer has become a global music icon since the unveiling of this multi-ethnic group that changed the face of Israeli popular music, fusing lyrics sung in Hebrew, Arabic and the Ethiopian languages of Amharic and Tigrit. The Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St.; $30+; 919-560-3030
The Dawn of Peace: Surrender at Bennett Place, 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War – Friday – April 26, 10am – Commemoration of one of the final major events of the American Civil War on the actual site of the Bennett Farm, where Major General William T. Sherman and General Joseph E. Johnston met on April 17, 18 and 26, 1865, to reach a peace agreement to end the war. Activities include: negotiation reenactment; military encampments and drill demonstrations; sutlers and artisans; musical entertainment; unity monument ceremony; noteworthy speakers, historians and authors; and more. Bennett Place State Historic Site, 4409 Bennett Memorial Rd.; 919-383-4345
Friends and Family exhibit – Friday, 6-9pm – An annual non-juried, open-hanging exhibit where Friends Club members, board and staff, and the community at large are invited to submit work that incorporates strong elements of reuse. Artists of all ages, skill levels, styles and mediums are welcome to participate. Opening night festivities will include refreshments including beer from Sam’s Quik Shop and live music by Tiny House. Friends and Family will run through May 9. Cameron Gallery, The Scrap Exchange, 2050 Chapel Hill Rd.; Free; 919-688-6960
Kind of Blue Third Friday Reception – Friday, 6-9pm – Inspired by the milestone contemporary jazz album Kind of Blue by Miles Davis, this exhibit is a celebration of the ties between visual arts and jazz, and is in association with the Art of Cool Jazz Festival (April 24-26). In addition to works by eight Pleiades member artists, Kind of Blue also features work by Raleigh artist Eric McRay and Brooklyn-based artist Rachel Abrams (Soundpapered). The Duke University Swing Dance Club will perform two jazz-related dances beginning at 6pm in the gallery. The exhibit runs through May 9. Pleiades Gallery, 109 E. Chapel Hill St.; Free admission; 919-797-2706
April’s Featured Local Artist – Friday, 6-9pm – Meet Todd Allen, a Durham native who has been practicing his craft since his wood shop classes at Northern Durham High School. Allen’s ever-evolving style captures the imagination with unexpected use of “everyday” materials. Drinks and refreshments served. Carolina Consignment Shop, 1116 Broad St., Ste. 101; 919-286-0635
Artemis Quartet – Friday, 8pm – The program opens with Dvořák’s tribute to the American Midwest, Shostakovich’s fifth quartet follows and the first of Tchaikovsky’s string quartets concludes the evening. Baldwin Auditorium, 1336 Campus Dr.; $15-$42; 919-684-4444
Dennis DeYoung – Friday, 8pm – Legendary musician and one of the founding members of the rock band STYX takes the stage for a captivating performance. This live concert showcases all the band’s greatest hits throughout the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. With a career spanning more than 40 years, DeYoung’s voice is one of the most recognizable in music today and continues to inspire new generations of fans. The Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St.; $37+; 919-560-3030
George Watts Spring Carnival & Silent Auction – Saturday, 11am-3pm – Enjoy bouncy houses, face- and nail-painting, crafts, relay races and carnival games. The silent auction features a beach vacation and regional getaways; a Brummer Society Membership to the Nasher Museum of Art; a night in the American Tobacco Suite at the Durham Bulls; gift cards to local restaurants, shops and salons; lots of summer camps; theater and local events; and many more items. Savor delicious food from Dang Good Dogs, Liv’s and Pelican’s Snoballs, plus homemade tamales and desserts. The Carnival & Silent Auction are the primary source of funds for the George Watts PTA, which supports the school financially in efforts such as the writers’ workshops, classroom and Montessori supplies, field trips, grounds work, the edible garden and literacy projects. George Watts Montessori School, 700 Watts St.
Counter Culture Coffee 20th Anniversary Block Party – Saturday, 3-7pm – The family-friendly event will feature live music all day from The Love Language, Mac McCaughan, Loamlands and The Human Eyes plus Counter Culture’s coffees, food from local partners and activities for the little ones. The party is Counter Culture’s thank you to its local community, a way to show appreciation to the people and businesses that have supported them along the way. The Pavilion at Durham Central Park, 501 Foster St.; Free
David Sedaris – Saturday, 3pm and 8pm – Best-selling author, humorist and NPR contributor hosts an evening of engaging recollections and all-new readings from his latest title, Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls. DPAC, 123 Vivian St.; $50+; 919-680-2787
American Contemporary Music Ensemble (A.C.M.E.) – Saturday, 8pm – A program of chamber music by Caroline Shaw, 2013 winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Music. A composer, vocalist, violinist, violist and N.C. native, Shaw was, at 30 years old, the youngest-ever winner of the Pulitzer for music; she performs as a member of A.C.M.E., as well as the new music vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth. Motorco Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Ave.; $15-$24; 919-684-4444
Hot Tuna – Saturday, 8pm – Hear the acoustic and electric blues of Hot Tuna’s founders and continuing core members, Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady. The Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St.; $27+; 919-560-3030
Earth Day Festival – Sunday, noon-5pm – This family-oriented, green event raises awareness of current local and global environmental issues. Festival goers will have the opportunity to actively engage in hands-on learning activities, discover many green practices and products at the Sustainability Expo and Earth Art Market, and enjoy live music and entertainment, food, face painting, crafts and a parade featuring the Bulltown Strutters. Do your part to go green and walk, skate, bike, ride the bus or carpool. Rock Quarry Park, 701 Stadium Dr.; Free; 919-560-4355
Joan Armatrading – Sunday, 8pm – The award-winning singer-songwriter’s world tour will be her final major tour and will also mark the first time that she has toured as a solo performer, accompanying herself on guitar and piano without the aid of other musicians. The Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St.; $37+; 919-560-3030
