Puzzling Margins – Through July 4, Opening Reception Friday, 6-10pm – The exhibit features many new sculptures and a sculptural installation by Durham-based artist Meg Stein, who transforms manufactured, household materials into evocative, biomorphic oddities that abstractly discuss contemporary female subjectivity. The Carrack, 111 W. Parrish St.; Free admission
Back Porch Music on the Lawn – Thursday, 6pm – Traditional bluegrass band Alice Gerard & The Piedmont Melody Makers continues the free summer concert series. Their performance is followed by local acoustic Americana ensemble The Gravy Boys at 7:30pm. 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
Matthew Quick – Thursday, 7pm – In the author’s offbeat novel Love May Fail, an aspiring feminist and under-appreciated housewife embarks on an odyssey to find human decency and goodness — and her high school English teacher. It’s a quirky ode to love, fate and hair metal. Quick is The New York Times bestselling author of The Silver Linings Playbook. The Regulator Bookshop, 720 Ninth St.; Free; 919-286-2700
Periodic Tables: “No Hands at the Wheel? Genetic Engineering, Gene Drives and Society” – Thursday, 7-8pm – We can now genetically engineer mosquitoes so they won’t transmit diseases. Is this the future of disease control? Join N.C. State Professor Jennifer Kuzma as she discusses the development of engineered strains of pests that are specifically designed to “drive” their genes into natural and human-modified environments. Motorco Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Ave.; Free; 919-668-0790
Tim’s Vermeer Documentary Screening – Thursday, 7-9pm – In this 2013 documentary, inventor Tim Jenison conducts experiments to discover how 17th century Dutch Master Johannes Vermeer achieved such photographic realism in his paintings. Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, 2001 Campus Dr.; Free; 919-684-5135
Here and Now: NC Dances – Thursday, 7pm and 9pm – The American Dance Festival and the N.C. Dance Festival co-present four dance works by North Carolina choreographers that celebrate dance being created here and now. Reynolds Industries Theater, 125 Science Dr.; $16.25; 919-684-6402
Yo! NC Raps! – Thursday, 8pm – The Underground presents local underground artists and DJs performing and mixing live, some performing for the first time. The Pinhook, 117 W. Main St.; $5; 919-949-0094
Stuff You Should Know – Thursday, 8pm – See the award-winning podcast hosted by Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark and produced by the website HowStuffWorks live on stage. The Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St.; $25; 919-560-3030
Smile – Friday, 7-9pm – Brightleaf Square’s summer concert series continues with this Raleigh-based entertainment band, featuring retro and classic covers. Brightleaf Square, 905 W. Main St.; Free; 919-682-9229
USA vs Chinese Taipei – Friday, 7:05pm –Watch the U.S. National Team take on China’s team in baseball. Durham Bulls Athletic Park, 409 Blackwell St.; Free; 919-956-2855
The Rippingtons – Friday, 8pm – Saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa opens for the Grammy-nominated jazz outfit. The Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St.; $45+; 919-560-3030
PBS Online Film Festival – Friday, 8pm – Join UNC-TV for an evening of independent short films and live music to celebrate the PBS Online Film Festival. UNC-TV will present three short films, including Un Buen Carnicero, which was filmed at Cliff’s Meat Market in Carrboro, and two films from the UNCSA School of Filmmaking. Producers, directors and actors will be on hand for a Q&A session after each film. There will also be prize drawings for PBS & UNC-TV merchandise. Motorco Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Ave.; Free; 919-549-7000
Audio Under The Stars presents Haunted: Obessessions, Fixations, and Otherwordly Encounters – Friday, 8-10pm – Audio Under the Stars is a summer-long audio festival that features a curated playlist of the most compelling and fun audio and play it back in the cozy backyard of the Duke Center for Documentary Studies. For this month’s Haunted theme, delve into the world of the unknown to explore everything from spectral visions to personal demons. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket. Dang Good Dogs will be selling hot dogs, turkey dogs and veggie dogs all night. Audio Under the Stars happens rain or shine. Duke Center for Documentary Studies, 1317 W. Pettigrew St.; Free
Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca – Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 7pm, and children’s matinee at 1pm – Acclaimed by critics for its exceptionally emotional performances and its star, Soledad Barrio, flamenco company Noche Flamenca presents “Antigona,” an evening-length flamenco interpretation of the text and themes in Sophocles’ tragedy, “Antigone.” The themes of catharsis, issues of dictatorship, repression, loss, the strength of family and female empowerment are brought together in a gripping and moving performance that combines live music, song and dance. DPAC, 123 Vivian St.; $19.25+; 919-680-2787
Get Your Grass Off Gas – Saturday, 10am-2pm – Tired of your gas-guzzling lawnmower? Drop it off in exchange for a special online code to purchase a cleaner and greener electric version at a discount from Black & Decker. Any gas-powered yard equipment brought to the event, hosted by the Durham Sustainability Office, must be responsibly drained of fluids. Lakewood Shopping Center parking lot, 2000 Chapel Hill Rd.; Free; 919-560-7993
Rock the Park – Saturday, 8:30-10:30pm – Durham’s outdoor concert and movie series continues with the family-friendly 1993 hit The Sandlot. Durham Central Park, 501 Foster St.; Free; 919-560-4636
Africa Unplugged – Saturday, 9pm – Africa Unplugged is a band that features the instruments of West Africa and their traditions along with contemporary concepts and ideas of music from around the world. The Shed Jazz Club, 807 E. Main St., Ste. 107; $5-$10; 732-570-2935
The Point 262 – Sunday, 2pm – Run for two minutes, party all day! Bull City Running and Fullsteam Brewery present The Point 262, just over a quarter-mile run through downtown. The event includes competitive and recreational races, so both sprinters and participants who would prefer to walk, dance or roll their way through the .262 miles are welcome. Prizes for fastest, slowest and most creative races, best costume and more will be awarded. Proceeds will benefit SEEDS. Fullsteam Brewery, 726 Rigsbee Ave.; $8-$10; 919-682-2337
ADF International Screendance Festival – Sunday, 2-4pm – Curated by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Douglas Rosenberg, the International Screendance Festival kicks off Sunday and explores the ever-evolving relationship between cinema and dance. The ISF has screened more than 340 films from 20-plus countries. Come early to visit the galleries and enjoy brunch in the Nasher Museum Café. Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, 2001 Campus Dr.; Free; 919-684-5135
#BlackSoulStreet – Sunday, 7pm – This live music experiment combines soul, R&B and hip-hop with performances from local artists Heather Victoria, Sam Harmonix and JuztKP. $2 hot dogs available. The Pinhook, 117 W. Main St.; $5; 919-949-0094
