The Lion King – Thursday, 1pm and 7:30pm; Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2pm and 8pm; and Sunday, 1pm – Watch as the Serengeti comes to life on stage along with your favorite Disney characters – Simba, Timon, Pumbaa and more – when the six-time Tony Award-winning musical makes its triumphant return to the Durham Performing Arts Center for a month-long production run. Director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals as well as the extraordinary work of choreographer Garth Fagan and some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, crafted by artists Elton John and Tim Rice. Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St.; $33+; 919-680-2787
Green Flash Beer Dinner – Thursday, 7-9pm – Beer lovers, unite! San Diego-based brewery Green Flash is coming to town to add to your St. Patty’s Day festivities with several drafts on tap, four of which will be paired with a series of courses. Founded in 2002, the brewery boasts many creative, limited-edition experiments in craft brewing as well as several longtime favorites. Call ahead to reserve seating. Local 22, 2200 W. Main St.; $35 (gratuity and tax not included); 919286-9755
The Water We Drink: Past, Present and Future – Thursday, 7-8:30pm – Join a panel of experts on ecology and the city-based water system for a discussion on how ordinary citizens’ water flows to their taps. A part of Keep Durham Beautiful’s Creek Week, the session will inform attendees on the status of the water we drink and how we can ensure watershed protection in the years to come. Durham County Library, 300 N. Roxboro St.; Free; 919-560-0268
Roy Blount Jr. – Thursday, 7pm – His new book, “Save Room for Pie,” is a tasteful celebration of food, presenting poetry, songs, limericks and news stories focusing on all subjects palate-pleasing. Author of the acclaimed linguistics examination “Alphabet Juice,” Blount currently serves as a regular panelist on NPR’s Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me! and is a member of the American Heritage Dictionary Usage Panel. The Regulator Bookshop, 720 Ninth St.; Free; 919-286-2700
St. Patrick’s Day with Selwyn Birchwood – Thursday, 8pm – Referred to by The Washington Post as an “original next-generation bluesman,” Birchwood is critically acclaimed in the guitar-based blues tradition at just 29 years old. He won the International Blues Challenge in 2013; shortly thereafter, he signed a contract with Alligator Records and released his debut album, “Don’t Call No Ambulance,” an original and genuine testament to the future of blues. The Blue Note Grill, 709 Washington St.; $10; 919-401-1979
Dr. Aaron Moore Pop-Up Exhibit – Friday, 6-8pm – Recounts the story of Dr. Aaron McDuffie Moore, a pioneer of the Bull City’s industrial, educational medical scenes in the late 1800s, whose contributions helped shape a thriving black middle class and generations for years to come. The evening will be presented by Moore’s great-great-granddaughter and author of his biography, Blake Hill-Saya, along with his great-granddaughter and head of the Durham Colored Library, Eileen Watts Welch. Museum of Durham History, 500 W. Main St.; Free; 919-246-9993
Claybody: The Human Form in Ceramic Art – Friday, 6-9pm – Eleven local artists celebrate their new downtown exhibit with a special reception and showing. “Claybody” features intricate and fantastic portrayals of human figures paying tribute to the claim that, “Much of art is rooted in the attempt to understand ourselves and each other.” The exhibition will be on display until Wednesday, May 13, open Tuesday-Saturday from 1-6pm. Claymakers Arts Community, 705 Foster St.; Free; 919-530-8355
Third Friday Art Walk Artist Reception – Friday, 6-9pm – Join a host of local artists for a March exhibition reception, featuring the month’s featured theme entitled “NAKED,” a series that explores the diverse and complex range of existence in human bodies. The month’s featured artist is Teddy Devereux, whose fused glass work will be featured on the second story of the gallery in her exhibition “A Show of Hands.” Pleiades Gallery, 109 E. Chapel Hill St.; Free; 919-797-2706
Listening Room with Django Haskins – Friday, 6:30-8:30pm – The Old Ceremony front man presents a thoughtful evening of music and conversation. Space is limited, and reserving your tickets in advance is recommended. This event is BYOB. Mercury Studio Back Room, 401 W. Geer St.; $12 advance, $15 day of show; 919-381-6306
Sunset Paddle – Friday, 7pm – Durham Parks and Recreation’s Outdoor Tours invites you to enjoy an evening in the blossoming spring weather on scenic Lake Mitchie. Canoes and kayaks will be provided by the city; all you need to provide is your own weather-appropriate clothing. The excursion is intended for adults and children ages 7 and older. Lake Mitchie Recreation Area, 2802 Bahama Rd., Bahama; $7+; 919-560-4405
Multiple Choice for the Children Jazz Show – Friday and Saturday, 7:30pm; Sunday, 3pm – Nina Wheeler’s School of Dance present their 30th annual benefit performance for Duke Children’s Hospital. All proceeds from the show are given to the hospital and to the families of patients. Duke’s Reynolds Industries Theater, 125 Science Dr.; $16; 919-530-0652
La Fiesta Latin Jazz Band – Friday, 8-11pm – This quintet is a fusion in backgrounds and styles, consisting of Bull City musical favorites Gregg Gelb and the Beast bassist Peter Kimosh along with Guillo Carias, Nelson Delgado and Ramon Ortiz. The evening entails two back-to-back shows of the salsa persuasion at 8pm and 10pm; your ticket purchase covers attendance of both. Beyù Caffè, 335 W. Main St.; $8; 919-683-1058
Ellis Paul – Friday, 8pm – For over 25 years, Paul has told brilliant American stories through folk music. A native of northern Maine, he was an athlete, a writer, a teacher, a painter and a social worker in the years leading up to his prominence in the Boston coffeehouse open mic scene – and to his eventual invitation to open a concert for Bill Morrissey. Inspired in many ways by the humanitarian and socially-conscious music of Woody Guthrie, he went on to write 19 albums, had his music featured on the soundtracks of several blockbuster films and has been called “one of the best singer/songwriters of his generation.” Motorco Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Ave.; $16 in advance, $18 day of show
GRNC Rock Roulette – Friday, 8pm – Girls Rock NC presents their first-ever eight-band showcase with music local female up-and-comers have been writing and rehearsing for the past seven weeks. The band finishing with the most donations will be recognized and awarded by a guest emcee and judges. In addition to the music, attendees can look forward to raffles and a pie auction, all to benefit the organization, which empowers girls, women and people of marginalized genders. The Pinhook, 117 W. Main St.; $5; 919-667-1100
Dino Egg Hunt – Saturday, 9:30am-5pm; Sunday, 12:30-5pm – Celebrate Easter this weekend and the next on the Museum’s Dinosaur Trail! Recommended for ages 6 and younger, activities include egg hunting, photographs with the Museum’s resident dino, large-scale dino puzzles and fossil rubbings. Pre-registration is required. Museum of Life and Science, 433 W. Murray Ave.; $7 (per egg hunter); 919-220-5429
Sketching in the Gallery – Saturday, 10am-noon – Listen to local artist William Paul Thomas briefly lecture and demonstrate how viewers might respond to works of art. Afterwards, take drawing materials provided by the museum into the galleries and try it out! Guests are welcome to bring their own materials; however, pens, charcoal and wet media are not allowed in the gallery. Nasher Museum of Art, 2001 Campus Dr.; free with $5 admission; 919-684-5135
Egg Hunt – Saturday, 10am – Meet at the large picnic shelter and bring your own basket for egg hunts split into age groups: 0-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-9 and 10-12 years old. This year’s hunt will include a special appearance by the Easter Bunny. Following the egg hunts, there will be crafts, games, and face painting. Activities may be moved indoors following the hunt in the event of inclement weather. West Point on the Eno, 5101 N. Roxboro Rd.; Free; 919-471-1623, option 2
ReStock the ReStore – Saturday, 10am-6pm – Take care of your spring cleaning with this community-oriented and tax-deductible event. Bring your donations to the store anytime during event hours, or call 919-354-0892 for a free home pickup. If you can’t make it to the event, you can still donate Monday-Saturday from 1-6pm weekly. Habitat for Humanity ReStore of Durham and Orange Counties, 5501 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.; Free; 919-403-8668
Common Ground Grand Re-Opening – Saturday, 10am-6pm – The company that’s been providing customers with environmentally friendly building products for nine years is reopening this Saturday. The newly renovated showroom in the heart of Durham will feature new product lines and samples and an expanded showroom. Don’t miss out on the discounts, drawing for a gift basket and food and drink from local vendors. Common Ground Green Building Center, 326 W. Geer St.; Free; 919-688-1500
Egg Hunt – Saturday, 10:30am – Durham Parks and Recreation will host an Egg Hunt, plus games and activities for children ages 12 and younger. The hunt will be split into tiers for children ages 0-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. Find the golden egg for a special prize! Campus Hills Park, 2000 S. Alston Ave.; Free; 919-560-4444
Women’s History Lecture with Michelle Lanier – Saturday, 11am-noon – Lanier is a longtime instructor with the Center for Documentary Studies, as well as an oral historian, folklorist and liaison to the federal Gullah-Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, whose research and experiences have taken her deep into the African-American history of North Carolina. Her lecture, entitled “Her Eyes Have Seen the Glory: African-American Women and the Dreams for Freedom,” is open to the public and recommended for adults and high school students due to the nature of its content. Historic Stagville, 5828 Old Oxford Rd.; Free; 919-620-0120;
Children’s Festival – Saturday, 11am-3pm – This fourth annual family-friendly event presented by the Durham Arts Council features food, entertainment and vendors specializing in children’s activities. Main stage performances by Cirque de Vol, Bouncing Bulldogs, Faith Baptist Church Children’s Choir, Little River Cloggers, DJ PiddiPat, Premiere Children’s Parties (face painting station). Northgate Mall, 1058 W. Club Blvd.; Free; 919-286-4400;
Vert & Vogue – Saturday, 11am-7pm – Shop guilt-free this Saturday, knowing that 20 percent of the day’s store and online sales will go to Urban Ministries of Durham, an organization that provides food and shelter for neighbors in need. The store will also be donating more than 50 pieces to the Dress For Success program, which empowers women seeking employment. The benefit day will take place at both the Brightleaf Square and Five Points locations. Vert & Vogue, 905 W. Main St. and 353 W. Main St.
Spring on the Farm – Saturday and Sunday, noon-4pm – Come to Blue Whistler Farm and enjoy everything this place has to offer: yummy food, adorable animals, a great big swing and, for this event, there will be delicious treats from Blue Bird Cupcakes on Sunday. Blue Whistler Farm, 9923 Roxboro Rd., Bahama; Free
Everyday Magic Opening – Saturday, 5-9pm – Come celebrate the opening of this new retail space and the Spring Equinox, a time of rebirth and new beginnings, with free drinks, tarot card readings, custom dreamcatchers and overall good vibes. Everyday Magic, 125 E. Parrish St.; 773-405-1300
Jewel – Saturday, 8pm – Lifelong songstress and four-time GRAMMY nominee Jewel released her newest album, “Picking Up the Pieces,” in September 2015 and reflects on the album as a social obligation to the world around her. She performs with JD and the Straight Shot. The Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St.; $37+; 919-560-3030
Party Illegal – Saturday, 10pm-2am – Brooklyn bass queen Jubilee returns to another event in Durty Durham collective’s Party Illegal sensation featuring groundbreaking crossovers in rap, house, techno, R&B and dance hall genres. Also appearing will be Party Illegal founder and Triangle electronic music networker Treee City, local DJ PlayPlay and up-and-comer EDM party pioneer K Daddy. The Pinhook, 117 W. Main St.; $10 in advance, $12 day of show; 919-667-1100
Moogfest Disco Brunch – Sunday, noon-3pm – The third installment of this event partners with Merge and will feature Mac McCaughan (Moogfest 2016 performing artist), DJ Fifi Hi-Fi and DJ Montgomery Morris. Dining reservations are strongly encouraged due to limited seating, but there’s plenty of space to grab a drink at the bar and boogie in the lounge or on the terrace. For brunch reservations call The Durham directly. The Durham Hotel, 315 E. Chapel Hill St.; Free; 919-768-8831
I Heart Art! Presented by the Art Therapy Institute – Sunday, 2-5pm – Chic hot spot 21c Museum Hotel will host a fun-filled afternoon of art-viewing, live music, light snacks, a cash bar, a raffle and a silent auction. 21c Museum Hotel, 111 Corcoran St.; $25+; 919-956-6700
42nd Durham CROP Hunger Walk – Sunday, 1:30pm – Combines fun and fundraising to benefit hungry people throughout the world. The starting point will be in front of the Chapel on Duke’s West Campus. Featuring the Global Village, Durham Community Concert Band and Warm-UP. Duke Chapel, 401 Chapel Dr.; Free; 919-451-7203
“Love and Tragedy” – Sunday, 3pm – The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle presents a performance including Dvořák and Berlioz, plus other compositions from beloved composers, all focusing on tragic love stories. The Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St.; $24+; 919-560-3030
Cabaret at Cafe Parizade – Sunday, 5pm-7:30pm – Join Ellen Ciompi and pianist Glenn Mehrbach for a new music series with dinner and a show in the private dining room. Your ticket includes a three-course, prix-fixe dinner, a complimentary glass of wine or bubbly and of course, cabaret! Parizade, 2200 W. Main St.; $50, call for reservations, ask for Miranda Parker; 919-286-9712
Beer and Hymns –Sunday, 7:30pm – Led by Jesse DeConto of The Pinkerton Raid, this community sing “with no regard to spiritual inclination or lack thereof” is purely intended for good times, fellowship, nostalgia and of course, good beer. Fullsteam, 726 Rigsbee Ave.; Free; 919-682-2337
