KIN – Through August 15 – A solo show from Durham-based artist Heather Gordon, includes large paintings and a site-specific installation on the floor and walls of the gallery in conjunction with a collaborative performance piece with Justin Tornow & COMPANY. The works represent the culmination of Gordon’s series titled How To Fold My Heart, which describes the nature of relationships and the construction of identity through place and history. Using personal data, computational algorithms and origami folding patterns, Gordon describes the narratives of her life as space, movement and color. Opening reception Friday, 6-9pm. The Carrack Modern Art, 111 Parrish St.
Nasher Uncorked – Thursday, 6-8pm – Taste wines selected by Dean Michaels from The Country Vintner. Meet up with friends for a casual evening or meet new friends during conversation with museum staff. Wine tasting pass includes a $5 coupon redeemable with purchase of a dinner entrée in the museum café. ID required for wine tasting; non-alcoholic beverages available. The Nasher Museum at Duke University, 2001 Campus Dr.; $5; 919-684-5135
Beauty is Embarrassing – Thursday, 6pm – In this one-night-only screening of the film, meet Wayne White — Emmy award-winning artist and profane, prolific iconoclast full of frenetic energy and southern verve. You may recognize his incredibly creative artwork from Pee-wee’s Playhouse or music videos for the Smashing Pumpkins and Peter Gabriel. Or perhaps you’ve seen one of his irreverent paintings — where he crafts cleverly concise words in a 3D effect onto repurposed vintage landscape reproductions. Director Neil Berkeley draws you in as he trains his camera on the artist, letting White act as his own narrator. White essentially sums up the trajectory of his artistic life and his process when he states early on, “I want to try everything I can. I want to take this painting idea and see if you can do a puppet version of it. I want to take this cartooning and turn it into a set. I want to take this set and turn it back into a painting.” And so he does. 21c Museum Hotel, 111 Corcoran St.; Free admission
David Payne – Thursday, 7pm – In 2000, while moving his household from Vermont to North Carolina, the author watched from his rear view mirror as his younger brother, George A., driving behind him in a two-man convoy of rental trucks, lost control of his vehicle, fishtailed and flipped over in the road, killing him. David’s life hit a downward spiral; his light drinking habit became a full-blown addiction. His career entered a standstill. His marriage disintegrated. He found himself haunted not only by George A.’s death, but also by his brother’s manic depression, a condition that overlaid a dark family history of mental illness, alcoholism and suicide, an inherited past that now threatened David’s and his children’s futures. The only way out, he found, was to write Barefoot to Avalon, a memoir about his brother. He will be in the store to read and sign books. The Regulator Bookshop, 720 Ninth St.; Free admission; 919-286-2700
“Celebrating 20 Years of Art Through Sound” – Thursday, 7pm – A panel discussion of WNCU 90.7 FM’s past and present influential figures led by Lackisha Freeman, current general manager. Since its debut in August 1995, the station, licensed to North Carolina Central University, has consistently fulfilled its mission to provide quality culturally appropriate programming to public radio listeners. The format of this listener-supported public radio station entertains the jazz aficionado, educates the novice jazz listener and disseminates news and information relative to the community-at-large. Durham County Library, 300 N. Roxboro St.; Free; 919-560-0100
Boz Scaggs – Thursday, 8pm – This singer, songwriter and guitarist has infused songs with his soulful, bluesy rock sound since his days with The Steve Miller Band in the ’60s. Scaggs’ accomplishments include critically acclaimed solo albums, Top 20 hits and now, a new album, A Fool To Care. The Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St.; $37+; 919-560-3030
Pins and Needles Comedy Series – Thursday, 8pm – Enjoy bowling, draught specials from Mama’s Little Yella Pils and live entertainment featuring Mark Brady, Brent Blakeney, Adam Cohen, Jake Anthony, JD Etheridge and Deb Aronin. Village Lanes, 330 N. Hardee St.; Free admission; 919-682-9145
Craicdown – Friday, 7-9pm – Enjoy a repertoire that includes both songs and instrumental pieces ranging in style from Americana to reggae-sounding vocals, from Celtic influenced jigs and reels to the music of Brazil and Argentina, as part of the Brightleaf summer concert series. Brightleaf Square, 905 W. Main St.; Free; 919-682-9229
Kamasi Washington – Friday, 9pm – Recently, Kamasi has been touring with legendary musicians Stanley Clarke, Harvey Mason and Chaka Khan. The saxophonist is featured on Harvey Mason’s latest album, Chameleon, and will be featured on Stanley Clarke’s upcoming album as well. Kamasi also has a groundbreaking new album coming out on the record label Brainfeeder with his band The Next Step. It’s a triple-disc release entitled The Epic. Motorco Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Ave.; $20-$25
Summer Children’s Festival – Saturday, 10am-4pm – Join in a day of music, games, arts and crafts, and historic activities perfect for families and kids of all ages. Kids’ favorite Baron Von Rumblebuss will be live on stage! Duke Homestead Historic Site, 2828 Duke Homestead Rd.; Free; 919-477-5498
Bands, Brews & Brats — Saturday, 4pm — Featuring live music, silent auction and free food and beer to support Make-A-Wish! The silent auction will include Oakley sunglasses, two passes for whitewater rafting and more. Cover charge before 8pm includes one free beer and one free brat and live music. Cover charge after 8pm for Individually Twisted concert. A portion of all proceeds will support the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Devine’s Restaurant and Sports Bar, 904 W. Main St.; $3 before 8pm, $5 after 8pm;
Cool John Ferguson — Saturday, 6-8pm — Continuing the Rock the Park Concert and Movie Series, the blues guitarist displays his prowess at the instrument he’s been playing since the age of 3. Pack a picnic or enjoy local eats from on-site vendors. Forest Hills Park, 1639 University Dr.; Free; 919-560-4355
Meet the Author — Sunday, 3-4:30pm — Join bestselling author ReShonda Tate Billingsley for a reading from her new book, Mama’s Boy, the story of a mother whose son is accused of a violent crime. Billingsley, a former news reporter and anchor, has written more than 35 books, including Let the Church Say Amen, which has been made into a movie directed by actress Regina King and produced by Queen Latifah’s Flava Unit. There will be a drawing for three Rachel Jackson titles that will be made into BET movies. A book signing will follow the reading. Durham County Library, 300 N. Roxboro St.; Free; 919-560-0100
Bill Maher — Sunday, 6-8pm — With extreme honesty and quick wit, comedian Maher has been making politics funny for the last 23 years. Bestselling author, host of the Emmy-nominated Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO and a frequent political commentator, he is known to be equal parts comedy and controversy. DPAC, 123 Vivian St.; $56+; 919-680-2787
