The Lion King – Thursday, 7:30; Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2pm and 8pm; and Sunday, 1pm and 6:30pm – 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. DPAC, 123 Vivian St.; $33+; 919-680-2787
“Biodiversity in a Changing Climate” – Thursday, 7pm – Listen as Dr. Tom Lovejoy, Dr. Healy Hamilton and Dr. Mark Anderson discuss how our inhabiting the earth can affect climate change. This event is meant to cultivate awareness for action and inspired care of the Earth. The Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St.; Free, tickets required; 919-560-3030
Creepoid – Thursday, 9pm – Creepoid is a basement-formed band from Philadelphia whose music seeks to revive the grunge era of the ‘90s. They perform with Wailin Storms, a Durham-native and a self-described Southern Doom punk rocker. The Pinhook, 117 W. Main St.; $8; 919-667-1100
Fan Fest – Friday and Saturday, 11am-2pm – With Durham Bulls Opening Day 49 days away, the team’s annual Fan Fest will kick off the 2016 campaign. The event serves as the opening day of ticket sales, giving fans their first opportunity to purchase single-game tickets in person at the ballpark. By purchasing a ticket to any 2016 game at Fan Fest, fans will receive a free hot dog and soda at the event. Fans will also have access to to the stadium with the opportunity to take batting practice and play catch in the outfield. Other events scheduled for Fan Fest include: Wool E. Bull posing for pictures and signing autographs; A yard sale at the Ballpark Corner Store, with select merchandise marked down as much as 50 percent, and other select merchandise selling for under $5; Bull Durham Brewery tours; Select-a-Seat event featuring available seats for season ticket and mini plan seat locations; Wool E. World, the children’s playground, will be open for the duration of the event. Durham Bulls Athletic Park, 409 Blackwell St.; Free admission; 919-687-6500
John Feinstein – Friday, 7pm – The Regulator Bookshop hosts the famous college basketball writer as he talks about his new book, “The Legends Club: Dean Smith, Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Valvano and an Epic College Basketball Rivalry.” Feinstein pulls back the curtain on these tremendous college rivalries thanks to his unprecedented access to all three coaches. The Regulator Bookshop, 720 Ninth St.; Free; 919-286-2700
Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band – Friday, 8pm – Peter Rowan is a staple in the world of bluegrass. The San Francisco Chronicle said he “is to country and bluegrass what Willie Nelson is to country and western.” This show will feature his flatpicking style and belted harmonies, which have become influential ingredients of the bluegrass canon over the last 30 years, alongside his traditional combo. Baldwin Auditorium, 1336 Campus Dr.; $15-$34; 919-684-4444
globalFEST – Friday, 8pm – The Creole Carnival Tour comes to Durham as part of globalFEST’s initiative to emphasize artists with diverse global styles and mixes traditional African music with sounds from the Americas in celebration of Carnival, the pre-Lent festival celebrated globally. The Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St.; $28+; 919-560-3030
Fayth Hope – Friday, 8pm and 10pm – Fayth launched her singing career in 2009 after discovering her voice in the Augusta, Ga., arts scene. Originally hailing from Birmingham, Ala., her music and vocal style is a combination of spoken words and soul. She is currently working on her second album, “Out Of Obscurity, Pt. 2: … Into the Light.” Beyu Caffe, 335 W. Main St.; $10; 919-683-1058
Eric and Erica – Friday, 9pm – The band Eric and Erica will be debuting some of their new songs in support of their recent full-length album, “The Way To Turn,” at the show, as well as familiar material from their past releases. Indie/surf/dream pop band Del Sur of Charleston and local melodic folk/pop punk band Cottontail will also be playing. Duke Coffeehouse, 106 Epworth Ln.; $5
Off The Books “Your friendly neighborhood Hip-Hop party” – Friday, 10pm – This hip-hop party featuring Velcro, local Durham DJs, is more about the music and dancing and less about bottle service and dress codes. If you want to be in a space where the audience and DJs are interacting with each other until they’re in perfect unison, then don’t miss this energizing experience. The Pinhook, 117 W. Main St.; $10; 919-667-1100
Florence Forth 10K/5K – Saturday, 8am – Florence Forth was started by Leslie and Will McDow, who lost their daughter, Florence, on March 4, 2012, after a long battle with autoimmune encephalitis. All proceeds from the race support the Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance, a Durham-based national nonprofit whose mission is to raise awareness, educate doctors and improve clinical care so that no one faces AE alone. Same day registration is available. 700 Ninth St.; $45 for 10K, $35 for 5K; 919-964-0454
Family Voting Party and Parade – Saturday, 10am-noon – Help kick off the first weekend of early voting with a special voting-related party with voting for kids, snacks, a special library story time and democracy-inspired activities and crafts. Then, at 11:15, the marching band will lead the way to parade through downtown to the early voting location at 201 N. Roxboro St., where parents can cast their vote. Durham County Library, 300 N. Roxboro St.; Free
Grand Opening at the V&E Simonetti Historical Tuba Collection – Saturday, 2-5pm – Come and meet the collection curator along and take a small tour through the collection of 300+ brass instruments. There will be food and beverages. Donations will be accepted. V&E Simonetti Historical Tuba Collection, 1825 Chapel Hill Rd.; Free; 919-402-0864
– Saturday, 3-9pm – Blue Blood Rivalry and Northgate Mall will host a VIP pre-game reception for the evening’s Duke vs. Carolina men’s basketball showdown. The fan zone and watch party will be free and open to the public, first come, first served. The reception and panel discussion featuring Phil Ford, Gene Banks, Jeff Denny and others requires a ticket for $75, proceeds benefit Special Olympics Durham and Orange Counties. Stadium 10 Theaters, Northgate Mall, 1058 W. Club Blvd.; Free, tickets required
Belly Up! Public House Night – Saturday, 5:30pm – Come watch the Duke vs. UNC basketball game on a 15-foot HD big screen. Enjoy great food, beer, wine and cocktails. Pie Pushers will be ready with pizza pie and snacks. The Sweeter Side will be serving dessert, including their macaroons, tarts and more. The Cookery, 1101 W. Chapel Hill St.; Free; 919-908-8974
Hurray for the Riff Raff – Saturday, 8pm – This five-piece band fronted by Alynda Lee Segarra is both blues and Gothic Americana. Her warm alto voice jives perfectly with the instruments in their breakthrough record “Small Town Heroes,” released in 2014. Baldwin Auditorium, 1336 Campus Dr.; $15-$34; 919-684-4444
Transactors Improv – Saturday, 8pm – Join Transactors Improv as they spoof the Academy Awards, complete with the red carpet, celebrity interviews and awards. It’ll be just like watching on TV, complete with channel surfing. Don’t worry, the class won’t be six hours long! Common Ground Theatre, 4815-B Hillsborough Rd.; $15; 919-384-7817
Arbor Day Celebration – Sunday, noon-4pm – A celebration of Durham’s trees including a community volunteer tree planting of 30 trees. The event is open to all Durham County residents; valid identification is required. Museum of Life and Science, 433 W. Murray Ave.; Free; 919-354-2729
A Fiddler’s Feast – Sunday, 8pm – Come experience the musical partnership between Scotland’s premier fiddle ambassador Alasdair Fraser and the young California cellist Natalie Haas. The duo’s debut recording, “Fire & Grace,” displays their dazzling teamwork and their shared passion for improvising Scottish melodies. The Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St.; $27+; 919-560-3030
