Weekend Best Bets: Eat, Dance and Be Merry

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American Dance Festival kicks off Thursday, June 11, with Shen Wei Dance Arts at DPAC. Photo by Christopher Duggan.
American Dance Festival kicks off Thursday, June 11, with Shen Wei Dance Arts at DPAC. Photo by Christopher Duggan.

Double Capture – Through June 13 – An exhibition of ephemeral monochromatic paintings and an interactive paper installation by freehand artist Erin Oliver, displaying a series of works exploring nature’s cycles of destruction and regrowth. Join in The Draw (free experimental drawing workshop) with Tedd Anderson + special science talk and demos to enlighten your art making at 8pm on Thursday. A closing reception featuring a live musical performance by LA Fernández with a special nighttime lighting of the installation will be held Saturday, 7-10pm. The Carrack Modern Art, 111 W. Parrish St.; Free admission

Triangle Restaurant Week – Through Sunday – A weeklong celebration of culinary excellence in which participating restaurants offer special three-course menu options and fixed pricing. Various locations, $15 for a three-course lunch, $20-$30 for a three-course dinner

Back Porch Music on the Lawn – Thursday, 6pm – Jim White vs. modern bluegrass Packway Handle Band with Darren Hanlon continues the free summer concert series. Food and beverages are available at American Tobacco restaurants; picnics and coolers welcome, just no glass. American Tobacco Amphitheater, 318 Blackwell St.; Free; 919-433-1566

Nasher Creates: Adult Studio – Thursday, 6-9pm – A drop-in creative workshop led by local artist Damian Stamer and stay for a drink at the cash bar! Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, 2001 Campus Dr.; Museum admission on Thursday evenings is free to all after 5pm; 919-684-6032

The Loving Story – Thursday, 7pm – Join Darrell Miller, professor of law at Duke University Law School, for a screening of The Loving Story, an award-winning documentary film that tells the story of Richard and Mildred Loving, who were arrested in Virginia in July 1958 for violating a state law that banned marriage between people of different races. Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville St.; Free; 919-560-0100

American Dance Festival – Thursday-July 25 – One of the largest and most influential modern dance festivals 
in the world kicks off its 82nd season with more than 60 performances by 31 companies and choreographers from around the world. Utilizing six performance locations, including Reynolds Industries Theater, The Carolina Theatre, Durham Performing Arts Center and more, this year’s festival represents five countries and hosts 16 ADF debuts, 11 ADF commissions and 10 world premieres. Shen Wei Dance Arts starts the season Thursday at 7pm at DPAC, and an Opening Night Fête at Parizäde will immediately follow the performance. Shen Wei performs twice more, on Friday at 8pm and Saturday at 7pm, both also at DPAC. Various locations; Shen Wei tickets: $26.75; 919-684-6402

Throwback Thursday – Thursday, 7-9pm – Enjoy colorful and contemporary interpretations of classic dishes from the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. The menu draws its inspiration from the Colour Correction exhibition, so include a visit to the exhibition before or after dinner in the café. Nasher Museum Café, 2001 Campus Dr.; Museum admission on Thursday evenings is free to all after 5pm, last seating 8pm, reservations strongly encouraged; 919-684-6032

Crank It Loud presents Great Peacock – Thursday, 8pm – Songs from their debut album find a middle ground between rootsy, down-home Americana and super-sized arena pop/rock. Performing with Triangle-based, Americana-tinged pop five-piece The Roman Spring. Motorco Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Ave.; $10-$12

D-Tour Friday, 7-9pm – Playing rock, pop, country, blues, instrumental, mainstream chart toppers and more. Brightleaf Square, 905 W. Main St.; Free; 919-682-9229

Look Homeward – Friday, 9pm – A band of brackish brethren hailing from the Piedmont of North Carolina, Look Homeward marries banjos and brass in a celebration of the American South. Americana-folk band Will Overman Band also performs. Motorco Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Ave.; $8-$10

Lakewood Flea Market – Saturday, 8am-noon – Handmade art and antiques, vintage, thrift and yard sale merchandise. The Scrap Exchange, 2050 Chapel Hill Rd.; Free admission, $15 fee to reserve a space; 919-688-6960

June Meat Market – Saturday, 9am-1pm – The farm opens up to anyone who wants to come in, visit the sheep, pigs, chickens, rabbits, ducks and bees, meet the farmers, sample some pasture-raised chicken, and bring home some healthy and delicious meat. Blue Whistler Farm, 9923 Roxboro Rd., Bahama; Free admission

Summer Reading Kickoff – Saturday, 10am-1pm – Kick off Summer Reading 2015 with performers, music, games, face painting and much more. Northgate Mall, 1058 W. Club Blvd.; Free; 919-560-0100

Slow Art Tour – Saturday, 11-11:30am – Enjoy art at a different pace. Instead of an exhibition overview, Slow Art Tours spend 30-45 minutes with a single work of art. Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, 2001 Campus Dr.; Tours free with museum admission; 919-684-6032

Rock the Park Concert: Mickey Mills & Steel Band – Saturday, 6-8:30pm – A summer series that includes concerts and movies in various Durham parks on two Saturdays in June, July and August. Kicking off with a reggae concert, the series will also feature family-friendly and date night movies, plus jazz and blues concerts. Southern Boundaries Park, 100 Third Fork Dr.; Free; 919-560-4355

“Stop It, You’re Killing Me!” – Saturday, 8pm – FatMouth Improv presents a night of improvised Who Done It? and other improv fun. Common Ground Theatre, 3815-B Hillsborough Rd.; $12; 919-923-1168

Meet the Author: Howard N. Lee – Sunday, 3-4:30pm – More than 40 years ago, Howard Lee made history when he became the first elected black mayor of a majority white town in the South. Lee shares events and experiences that shaped his life, describing the challenges and pitfalls he faced and how he overcame barriers on his journey. He will also read from his book, The Courage to Lead: One Main’s Journey to Public Service. A book signing will follow the program. Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville St.; Free; 919-560-0100

Movies, Musicals and More – Sunday, 4pm – The Durham Community Concert Band, conducted by Tom Shaffer, presents music from The Lion King, The Sound of Music, The Incredibles, Frozen and other favorites. Special guests The Durham Jazz Orchestra perform at 4pm and the DCCB follows. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from local food trucks. Durham Central Park, 501 Foster St.; Free; 919-885-4237

Kidz Bop Kids – Sunday, 5pm and 7:30pm – The No. 1 music brand for kids brings the “Make Some Noise!” tour to the stage and performs kid-friendly versions of today’s biggest hits. The Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St.; $20+; 919-560-3030

BODYTRAFFIC – Sunday, 8pm – Internationally acclaimed contemporary repertory dance company present Barak Marshall’s And at midnight, the green bride floated through the village square… (2012), a dark comedy based in part on a true story about a family who were neighbors of the choreographer’s mother’s family in Yemen and how jealousy doomed all nine of the family’s children to a life filled with anger and loneliness; Once Again, Before You Go (2015) by Victor Quijada, a work full of rippling, gliding and shifting movements; and Richard Siegal’s O2Joy (2012), an exuberant piece set to American jazz music. Also performing Monday and Tuesday. Reynolds Industries Theater, 125 Science Dr.; $34.50; 919-684-4444

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Amanda MacLaren

Amanda MacLaren is the executive editor of Durham Magazine. Born in Mesa, Arizona, she grew up in Charlotte and attended UNC-Chapel Hill, majoring in journalism. She’s lived in Durham for eight years. When she’s not at work, you can usually find her with a beer in hand at Fullsteam, Dain’s Place or Bull City Burger or getting takeout from Guasaca.
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