The Art of Enrichment – Through Feb. 29 – Animal keepers use painting as one of many enrichment activities. Keeping animals stimulated with enrichment is as important as providing the right food and medical care. The paintings in this exhibit are for sale, with proceeds going to the Duke Lemur Center or the American Association of Zoo Keepers. This art exhibition is located in the Terrace Gallery, Second Floor of the Museum past The Lab. Museum of Life and Science, 433 W. Murray Ave.; Free with museum admission; 919-220-5429
$24 Art Show – Thursday, 11am-3pm and Sunday, 10am-7pm – In celebration of The Scrap Exchange’s 24th year in operation, all works on display, which incorporate reclaimed or up-cycled materials, will be for sale for $24. Purchased works may be taken away immediately (i.e., the show is cash-and-carry), so this is a great opportunity to shop for unique and affordable locally made holiday gifts. The Scrap Exchange, 2050 Chapel Hill Road; Free; 919-213-1278
Holiday Experiments in The Lab – Thursday and Saturday, 10:30am–4:30pm, and Sunday, 12:30–4:30pm – On Thursday, discover the science behind baking; figure out how cakes and cookies can be so fluffy by brewing up a bubbling batch of chemical concoctions. On Saturday, explore what makes snowflakes so unique. How do ice crystals compare to the crystals of other minerals? Get an up-close look at different crystals using microscopes, and then learn the chemistry behind real and fake snow. And on Sunday, use a calorimeter and a cold environment to investigate the ways we stay nice and toasty. Build an experimental coat out of different fabrics and then look at real animal coats under the microscope! Museum of Life and Science, 433 W. Murray Ave.; Free with museum admission; 919-220-5429
Cider & Cookies – Through Saturday, 10am-5pm and Sunday, 1-5pm – If you’re hanging out downtown, stop by for hot cider and cookies, featuring the vintage Duke Toll House recipe. Stick around to see current exhibits like “Durham A-Z: H is for Hayti,” and “Durham Beginnings: 1865-1885.” Museum of Durham History, 500 W. Main St.; Free; 919-246-9993
Mitzvah Day – Friday, 9am – The Jewish community uses this day as an opportunity to give back. Coordinated by the Jewish Federation of Durham-Chapel Hill in conjunction with local synagogues and Jewish groups, this 10th annual event gathers together volunteers to assist local organizations like Ronald McDonald House of Durham, Durham Crisis Response Center and more. The day kicks off with a community breakfast at the Levin Jewish Community Center. Levin JCC, 1937 Cornwallis
John Preslar Band Holiday Party – Saturday, 8pm – Kick out the holiday jams with Josh Preslar (guitar/vocals), Mike ‘Howlin Wind’ Davis (harmonica), T.A. James (bass), Clark Stern (keys) and George Hindenach (drums) as they turn the BNG into a juke joint. It’s going to be a great party full of blues and swing. The Blue Note Grill, 709 Washington St.; $8; 919-401-1979
The Stephen Anderson Trio – Saturday, 8-11pm – The last in the #BeyuTurns5 series, this performance is a gift to the venue’s guests. Stephen is a composer, pianist and associate professor of composition and jazz studies at UNC. Beyu Caffe, 335 W. Main St.; Free; 919-683-1058
Runaway Holiday Party – Saturday, 9pm – The local clothing brand company hosts an after-the-holiday party to celebrate 2015 and build momentum to the New Year with performances by Nevy, PlayPlay, Shahzad, Treee City in the Showroom. Doors at 8pm. Motorco Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Ave.; $7 in advance, $10 at the door
The Bondsmen – Sunday, 7pm – Formed in 1966 by friends from Northern High and Durham High, The Bondsmen quickly became a regional favorite. Covering the popular dance music of the day, the band played events from school sock hops to local teen clubs, as well as civic and private club parties. On June 27, 2015, all eight former Bondsmen reunited and performed at Charlotte’s Neighborhood Theatre along with several other bands of the 1960s era. This show will be the band’s first local performance since 1970. Also performing are Thee Dirtybeats, specializing in vintage garage rock and psych from the ’60s. Motorco Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Ave.; $7 in advance, $10 at the door
