The Book of Mormon – Through Jan. 10, times vary – Winner of nine Tony Awards, this outrageous musical comedy follows a mismatched pair of missionaries halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. DPAC, 123 Vivian St.; $50+; 919-680-2787
New Year’s Eve Celebration – Thursday, 8pm – Live entertainment by Bull City Syndicate, appetizer bar and complimentary house specialty drink, photo booth, dance demonstrations by Arthur Murray Dance and champagne toast. Durham Convention Center, 301 W. Morgan St.; $60 per person (plus a service fee); 919-956-9404
MOTOROBOTO – Thursday, 8pm – The MOTOROBOTO New Year’s Eve party offers the opportunity to transport yourself to another decade. Dress era-appropriately for where you would like to be dropped off – or dress for the future if you’re adventurous. Parts & Labor will provide a spread beginning around 8pm, JFK Jr. will perform hits from the Regan to Clinton years and it will all culminate with a champagne toast around 11:45pm. Motorco Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Ave.; $15 in advance, $18 day of party; 919-901-0875
Timeless: Open Bar Event – Thursday, 9pm – The Art of Cool Project with A.C.T. Productions presents their much-anticipated New Year’s Eve celebration. Hosting the event will be Grammy-nominated rapper Phonte of The Foreign Exchange, with music provided by DJ Spinna and a performance by hip-hop veteran Joshua Gunn. Durham Armory, 220 Foster St.; $60-$80
Stay Classy, Durham New Year’s – Thursday, 9pm-2am –
The brewery’s gathering features: live jazz, Tin Pan Alley classics, ragtime and Delta blues, and show tunes from Tea Cup Gin; the release of Lampshade, a barleywine that’s been aged in Fair Game port wine barrels for a year and is a tavern-only beer with limited supplies; winter beer cocktails and seasonally appropriate shandies; American Meltdown; and bubbly at midnight. Fullsteam, 726 Rigsbee Ave.; 919-682-2337
New Year’s Eve with the Willie Painter Band – Thursday, 9pm – Join four longtime members of the Triangle music scene for an unforgettable and palate-pleasing evening. The band consists of Willie Painter and Craig Dittmar, former members of the Boomers; Bill Newton, co-founder of Rebecca and the Hi-Tones; and John Hanks, music director of Duke University’s dance program. Call ahead to reserve your $40 dinner and party favor package; all others will be seated first-come, first-served for $25. The Blue Note Grill, 709 Washington St.; $25+; 919-401-1979
New Year’s Eve with Tom Browne and Friends – Thursday, 10-11:45pm – Internationally renowned jazz and funk trumpet artist Tom Browne will play the Beyú New Year’s Eve with his band. Since beginning his career as a scholarship student, Browne was a regular on the New York jazz scene and dominated charts on a number of record labels. Beyú Caffé, 335 W. Main St.; $75; 919-683-1058
16 Candles – Thursday, 10pm – This annual party features free cover all night, a DJ, champagne toast at midnight, lots of party favors and 20 of the best craft beers in town. The festivities will be “Sixteen Candles” themed to bring in sweet ’16. ’80s party attire encouraged. Bull McCabes Irish Pub, 427 W. Main St.; Free; 919-682-3061
Cheap Date: A Queer NYE Dance Party – Thursday, 10pm – The Pinhook welcomes you to “get your consensual cheap date on” at this New Year’s Eve celebration. DJ sets will be provided by female duo Bitchcraft and the versatile PlayPlay, known for their diverse race and gender identity inclusiveness. The Pinhook, 117 W. Main St.; $8; 919-667-1100
New Year’s Day Hike – Friday, 12:30pm – Refresh your mind and body with this nature-based tradition held at the Eno River State Park. Arrive by 12:30 to enjoy a complimentary bowl of black-eyed peas while supplies last. Six- and two-mile hikes will begin at 2pm. Visit the Eno’s website to view a map of Few Ford’s Access in northwest Durham; note that it is a 20 minute walk from parking to the gathering area. Eno River State Park, 6101 Cole Mill Rd.; Free; 919-620-9099, ext. 211
New Year’s Day Run – Friday, 1pm – Have a New Year’s resolution to be more healthy and active? Start off on the right foot with this 8K afternoon trail run hosted by the Carolina Godiva Track Club, which begins at Duke School on Erwin Road and follows a course through Duke Forest. Runners of all abilities are welcome; race-day-only registration opens an hour before the start of the race. Duke School, 3716 Erwin Rd.; $5; 919-260-7980 (Patrick Bruer, Race Director)
KwanzaaFest – Friday, 2pm – The African-American Dance Ensemble celebrates its 30th annual Kwanzaa festival with a children’s village – featuring dance classes, arts and crafts and a face painter – plus drumming and dancing classes; food vendors including Palace International and Vegan Flava Cafe; special appearances by Purusha Jones and the N.C. Miss Full Figured Royal Court; and entertainment from the dance ensemble, Ezibu Muntu, mime artist Fred Jones, singer Versatyle, Bollywood dance group Indigo and more. Event hosts will be collecting toiletry items to be donated to Genesis Home. Durham Armory, 220 Foster St.; Free
Wine Tasting – Saturday, 2-4pm – Burgundy with Tryon Distributing. Bottle 501, 3219 Watkins Rd.; Free; 919-402-1501
Cool John Ferguson – Saturday, 8pm – Ferguson is widely recognized as one of the five great guitarists in the world, having studied gospel, blues, funk, country, jazz and R&B stylings in his many years performing in the Carolinas and beyond. The Blue Note Grill, 709 Washington St.; $10; 919-401-1979
Ryan Hanseler – Saturday, 8-11pm – Hanseler’s prowess as a pianist was born from classical teaching, and later shaped by formal jazz training and worldly experience. He has shared the stage with greats like Branford Marsalis and Nnenna Freelon, and currently is working with trumpeter Lynn Grissett while serving as a member of ECU’s jazz faculty. Beyú Caffé, 335 W. Main St.; $8; 919-683-1058
