Pippin – Through Sunday, times vary – Broadway’s four-time Tony award-winning musical production takes over the Durham Performing Arts Center’s stage for eight shows over six days. Packed with creative choreography and uplifting songs from the composer of Wicked, this new production – directed by Diane Paulus and featuring the acrobatics of Les 7 Doigts de la Main – is billed as a visually stunning, fresh revival of the classic show. DPAC, 123 Vivian St.; $30+; 919-680-2787
Bear Awareness Week – Through Sunday, 2pm – Join animal keepers for a special Meet the Keeper program at the Museum’s Bear Exhibit Overlook. Explore the care, training and behavior of the four American black bears and the important role the Museum plays in bear conservation. Discover how bears fit into our ecosystem and why biodiversity is so important, and receive a special bear-themed souvenir! Museum of Life and Science, 433 W. Murray Ave.; Free with admission; 919-220-5429
Back Porch Music on the Lawn – Thursday, 6pm – John Howie Jr. and The Rosewood Bluff along with Tonk kick off the free summer concert series with a bit of country and honky-tonk. 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
Devon Flaherty – Thursday, 7pm – The award-winning novelist from Durham presents The Night of One Hundred Thieves.The Regulator Bookshop, 720 Ninth St.; Free; 919-286-2700
Eric Pickersgill’s Artist Talk + BEND: a live performance by Kimi Maeda – Friday, 5-9pm – At 5pm, Eric will present a short talk about his exhibition, Constructing Archives, and answer questions. At 8pm, visiting artist Kimi Maeda will perform her piece “Bend.,” which combines live feed projection of sand drawings and archival film footage. (Arrive by 7:50pm for the performance.) The Carrack Modern Art, 111 W. Parrish St.; Free admission
Opening Reception of Quiet Earth – Friday, 6-9pm – An exhibit of new work by Natalie Boorman, Charlie Evergreen and Tad Uno, Quiet Earth offers ceramics that embraces a balance between intention and happenstance. Claymakers Gallery, 705 Foster St.; Free; 919-530-8355
Lost and Found Opening Reception – Friday, 6-9pm – Old, forgotten things are made new again. Pleiades artists incorporate ephemera, salvaged materials and found objects into inventive works of art. The exhibit runs through June 13. Pleiades Gallery, 109 E. Chapel Hill St.; Free admission; 919-797-2706
Echoes of Time Opening Reception – Friday, 6-9pm – Photographer Tanya Sue Todd presents photographic explorations of North Carolina. Show will also be available for viewing during normal shop hours from May 15 through June 1. Dogstar Tattoo Company, 807 East Main St.; Free admission; 919-682-0000
Art of the Bicycle Opening Reception – Friday, 6-9pm – Curated by members of the Durham Bike Co-op, this exhibit celebrates the bicycle in art and design. It features art created with re-claimed bicycle parts as well as several designer, vintage, or unusual bikes on display to showcase their form. Bikes from the co-op will be available for sale in the Cameron Gallery throughout the month. Tonight’s festivities include light snacks and drinks, as well as music by The Wigg Report, a local band that travels to shows by bicycle. Art making in the Make and Take room is free on Third Fridays. The exhibit runs through June 13. Cameron Gallery, The Scrap Exchange, 2050 Chapel Hill Rd.; Free; 919-688-6960
Third Friday Birthday Celebration: Hey Neighbor Exhibition – Friday, 6-10pm – To commemorate the doors being open for two years, SPECTRE Arts is observing the artists and growing creative community in the neighborhood with fresh works of art from Golden Belt studio artists Heather Gordon, Ben Bridgers, Brianna Gribben, Leif Gann-Matzen; new Supergraphic neighbors including Bill Fick; Dogstar Tattoo artist Kohen Meyers and Liberty Arts sculptor Tripp Jarvis. A birthday piñata for the kids. Food provided courtesy of Relay Foods. A large gift basket will be raffled at the end of the evening full of healthy and yummy goodies. Free beer provided by the Cordoba Center for the Arts and wine. SPECTRE Arts, 1004 Morning Glory Ave.; Free; 919-213-1441
Read Local Book Festival – Friday – Sunday, times vary – We already celebrate eating local and shopping local – this inaugural festival focuses on celebrating the literary arts of the Triangle. Area authors, publishers, booksellers, libraries, bloggers, designers, critics, etc. will join in writing workshops at Durham County Library, author dinners at various downtown restaurants, an exhibition fair in Durham Central Park and more. All proceeds raised support the Durham Library Foundation.
Blues on the Plaza: Blues Rockets – Friday, 6:30pm – A five-piece urban blues band gets its kicks from the sounds of blues masters Jimmy Reed, Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf, then adds in some classic rock ‘n’ roll and Blue Rockets compositions. Grab your lawn chairs or blankets, and groove to the music while enjoying beer and wine from Bull City Burger and Brewery with Fire Chef Raleigh food truck and Northgate’s Food Gallery options. Northgate Mall Plaza, 1058 W. Club Blvd.; Free admission; 919-286-4400
Bull City Syndicate – Friday, 7-9pm – The band features a five-piece horn section and highlights an intricate fusion of danceable R&B, funk, rock, jazz, swing, classics and current Top-40. Brightleaf Square, 905 W. Main St.; Free; 919-682-9229
From This Day Forward – Friday, 7:30pm – The film – director Sharon Shattuck’s personal story about love, commitment, family and the thorny ambiguities of gender and sex that result from her father coming out as transgender – had its world premiere at Full Frame 2015, and is returning to Durham for a one-night-only screening. Full Frame Theater, 320 Blackwell St.; Free, must reserve tickets
Walk for the Animals – Saturday, 10am-2pm – Grab a leash and your four-legged friend for a 1.5-mile walk to support the Animal Protection Society (APS) of Durham. The nonprofit – which provides care for nearly 6,000 animals every year who are homeless, neglected, abandoned or abused – hopes to raise $75,000 this year to help supply basic necessities such as food, water and medicine for their animals, as well as continue to advocate on their behalf. Duke’s East Campus; $40, $15 for youths; 919-560-0640
Inventory Excess Sale – Saturday, 10am-5pm – Shop for exceptional spring and summer attire including suits and outerwear for $10; pants, skirts, tops, handbags and shoes for $5; and new designer brand names for 90% off retail. This excess sales event includes a special early bird promotion: Arrive at 9am, make a tax deductible donation of $20 at door and enjoy early bird shopping access. Dress for Success Triangle, Northgate Mall, 1058 West Club Blvd., Store 248; Free admission; 919-286-2128
Art Museum Day – Saturday, 10am-5pm – The museum is free of charge all day as part of the Association of Art Museum Directors sixth annual Art Museum Day. No ticket required, check in at the information desk. Sketching in the galleries with Jordan Grace Owens, a Durham-based illustrator, kicks off at 11am. Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, 2001 Campus Dr.; Free; 919-684-5135
Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival
– Saturday, noon-8pm – This family-oriented festival has been a
tradition in Durham for more than 45 years and celebrates African and African-American history, culture, arts and traditions. Expect music from national recording artists MC Lyte and DJ Kool, as well as local talent, ethnic food, arts and crafts, an interactive kid’s area and community resources. Rock Quarry Park, 701 Stadium Dr.; Free; 919-560-4355
TxakoliFest – Saturday, noon – TxakoliFest is the biggest day of the year for the crew at Six Plates. Wine Authorities employees will be around all day to explain to you as much as you could possibly want to know about txakoli and more. The fundraiser session from noon-3pm – which benefits Urban Ministries of Durham – includes food from Watts Grocery, Gocciolina, Pizzeria Toro, blu seafood, Mateo, Vin Rouge, Toast, G2B and Juju. The folks from Firsthand Foods will also be on hand, and there will be 10 different txakolis to taste by the glass, plus a souvenir glass for you to take home and live music from Andrew Kasab. Or, come to the general admission session from 3pm on for great entertainment from an eclectic music lineup. Six Plates Wine Bar, 2812 Erwin Rd.; first session: $75, includes food, drink and entertainment, general admission session: $10, includes entertainment (no food or drink); 919-321-0203
Party Illegal – Saturday, 10pm-2am – A dance party held every third Saturday of the month and hosted by the Durty Durham art and music collective, this event will feature the talents of DJs Jermainia, Luxe Posh, Direwolf and Sup Doodle. The Pinhook, 117 W. Main St.; $5 before 11pm, $8 after; 919-667-1100
Free Family Day – Sunday, noon-4pm – Screenprint a shirt, get a free poem from Poetry Fox and take a Kehinde Wiley-inspired portraits. At 1pm, the Arts in Action dance team will lead a workshop. At 2:30pm, The Forryst Bruthers band will perform ‘60s and ‘70s covers. Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, 2001 Campus Dr.; Free; 919-684-5135
Third Sunday Durham Art – Sunday, 1-5pm – An outdoor monthly art-based happening featuring locally made art, live demonstrations, entertainment and food. HappymessART has partnered with Naomi Studio and Gallery to provide this family-friendly, grassroots event with performances and fun interactive activities for everyone. 711 and 718 Iredell St.; Free; 919-622-3320
