Heroes & Villains – Thursday, 6:30-9:30pm – Decide whether you want to save the world or destroy it during a comic-filled night at the museum. Take part in activities including cosplay, drink sampling, robotics, costume-making, escaping a locked room and more. A costume contest winner will get free passes to NC Comicon. Money raised will help the museum deliver science education all year long. Museum of Life and Science, 433 W. Murray Ave.; $20-$30 (age 21 and older); 919-220-5429
Madeline Levine – Thursday, 7pm – The translator of “A Memoir of the Warsaw Uprising” will discuss this book by Polish author Miron Bialoszewski. Bialoszewski’s memoir describes his actions during the two-month long rebellion in 1944. He crossed back and forth across German lines, dodging bullets, rescuing the wounded and buring the dead. Levine, Kenan Professor of Slavic Languages at UNC-Chapel Hill, translated the 1977 edition and has updated her work for the latest edition. The Regulator Bookshop, 720 Ninth St.; Free; 919-286-2700
Straight No Chaser: Jazz Listening with Robert Trowers – Thursday, 7-8:30pm – Join jazz trombonist and NCCU jazz department instructor Robert Trowers for a jazz music listening session. Durham County Library, 300 N. Roxboro St.; Free; 919-560-8590
“I am Quixote” Opening Reception – Thursday, 7-9pm – Celebrating the 400th anniversary of the complete publication of “Don Quixote,” this multi-media show is curated by Rafael A. Osuba and features work by 32 artists from across N.C., all exploring themes from Don Quixote de la Mancha. The exhibit runs through Jan. 3. Durham Arts Council, 120 Morris St.; Free admission; 919-995-9763
“The Illusionists” – Thursday, 7:30pm, Friday, 8pm, Saturday, 11am, 2pm and 8pm, and Sunday 1pm and 6:30pm – Direct from Broadway, the world’s best-selling magic show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated tricks. This show will amaze audience members of all ages with jaw-dropping feats and outrageous acts. DPAC, 123 Vivian St.; $25+; 919-680-2787
Don McLean & Judy Collins – Thursday, 8pm – Two American music legends come together for one of the most exciting collaborations of the year. Don McLean, writer of the classic hits “American Pie” and “Vincent (Starry Starry Night)” is a member of the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. Judy Collins has an iconic 50-album body of work and a lengthy reputation for social activism. The Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St.; $32+; 919-560-3030
Vineyard Vines Opening – Friday – Durham’s first-ever Vineyard Vines store will open its doors Friday at The Streets at Southpoint. The iconic pink whale is the mark of this brand, started in Martha’s Vineyard in 1998, known for their fun patterns and preppy style. The Streets at Southpoint, 6910 Fayetteville Rd.; Free; 919-572-8808
NC Comicon – Friday, 3pm-8pm, Saturday, 10am-7pm, and Sunday, 10am-5:30pm – Whether you’re a fan of DC or Marvel, the NC Comicon weekend has something for everyone. Three days of costume contests, panels and parties kicks off Friday night with a Q&A with comics legends Charlie Adlard (“The Walking Dead”), Gerard Way (“The Umbrella Academy”) and Tommy Lee Edwards (“Mad Max: Fury Road”). Durham Convention Center, 301 W. Morgan St.; $20-$40
ComiQuest Film Festival – Friday – Sunday – In conjunction with NC Comicon, The Carolina Theatre presents a film festival that celebrates classic comic book and superhero-inspired movies. ComiQuest will evoke nostalgia and your inner comic nerd will thank you. The Festival explores how the B-picture genre of earlier decades transformed itself into the ruling genre of today. The Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St.; $8; 919-560-3030
Oyster Roast – Friday, 5-8pm – Celebrate local seafood with Locals Seafood‘s Wild Caught and Cultivated Oysters outside on the patio (steamed and raw), along with Haw River Farmhouse Ales draft beer. Or pre-order oysters to take home. Durham Co-op Market, 1111 W. Chapel Hill St.; $6-$8 for a half-dozen; 919-973-1707
Rare Music Concert: Music for Brass – Friday, 5pm – Barry Bauguess, keyed trumpet and cornet; John O’Brien, fortepiano and piano; and Leah Peroutka, violin, will perform late 18th and early 19th century music by Hummel, Mozart and Brandt. Nelson Music Room, 1304 Campus Dr.; Free; (919) 660-3333
Organ Crawl – Friday, 5:30-9pm – Enjoy the music and architecture of three historic Durham churches paired with three courses of fine food and wine. This walking tour will include private organ performances and insight from church renovator Terry Byrd Eason. A shuttle will be provided for those with limited mobility. Durham Arts Council, 120 Morris St.; $45 in advance (limited space); 919-560-2787
“The Real Mayberry” – Friday, 7pm – The Center for Documentary Studies and the Southern Documentary Fund presents a screening of director Bill Hayes’ “The Real Mayberry.” It is a film about the past, present and future of Andy Griffith’s hometown of Mount Airy, North Carolina, and shows that Mount Airy is and is not the town that Andy grew up in. The film is presented as part of the Fresh Docs series featuring documentary works-in-progress; following the screenings, SDF director Rachel Raney moderates a conversation with the filmmaker(s) during which the audience provides valuable feedback. Full Frame Theater, American Tobacco Campus, 320 Blackwell St.; Free
James Joseph – Friday, 7pm – The author will read from his memoir, “Saved for a Purpose: A Journey from Private Virtues to Public Values.” The Duke professor and author was active in the Civil Rights Movement, an executive of a Fortune 500 company, the Undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Ambassador to South Africa. In his memoir he shares the development of his philosophies on morality and leadership. The Regulator Bookshop, 720 Ninth St.; Free; 919-286-2700
The Glass Menagerie — Friday and Saturday, 8pm, and Sunday, 2pm — Bartlett Theater is proud to introduce itself with this compelling production. Staged by Founding Artistic Director Jonathan Bohun Brady, Tennessee Williams’ masterpiece stars Shannon Malone as legendary Southern belle Amanda Wingfield alongside Maigan Kennedy (Laura), Adam Poole (Tom) and Chris Wright (the Gentleman Caller). PSI Theater, Durham Arts Council, 120 Morris St.; $15-$25; 919-808-2203
Hiss Golden Messenger and William Gedney – Friday and Saturday, 8pm – The world premiere of the specially commissioned song cycle “Heart Like a Levee” by HGM’s M.C. Taylor is influenced by and incorporates documentarian Gedney’s photographs from 1972 of everyday life in the Blue Diamond Mining Camp in Leatherwood, Ky. Taylor is joined by musicians Phil Cook and Brad Cook (Megafaun), Ryan Gustafson, Matt McCaughan and Mike Lewis (Bon Iver), Mark Paulson (Bowerbirds), actor and playwright Mike Wiley, and special guest Tift Merritt. Reynolds Industries Theater, 125 Science Dr.; $15-$38; 919-684-4444
Pop-Up Thrift Shop – Saturday, 8am-4pm – The Scrap Exchange will be opening a new space in the Lakewood Shopping Center (right across the parking lot in the old Thrift World store front) for one day only. All items – clothing, shoes, books, games, toys, house and kitchenware – will be sold for $1. The sale will support The Scrap Exchange in replacing two HVAC systems in the Mongo and warehouse section of the center. The Scrap Exchange, 2050 Chapel Hill Rd.; Free admission; 919-682-2751
Durham County Pottery Tour – Saturday, 10am-5pm and Sunday, noon-5pm – This open house tour of clay maker studios from across Durham features 20 professional potters and two clay teaching studios, including Claymakers and the Durham Arts Council Clay Studio at Northgate Mall, which will feature works by three instructors and 15 students of varying skill levels. See where these artists make their pottery, ask questions about the process and purchase something beautiful for gift-giving or for yourself. Various locations in Durham; Free admission; 919-544-2451
Scott Ellsworth – Saturday, 7pm – Based on years of research, “The Secret Game” is the true story of a 1943 basketball game that changed all the rules. It is the tale of how a handful of forgotten college basketball players – the all-white, military team from Duke and the all-black Eagles from North Carolina College for Negroes – not only changed the game forever, but also helped to usher in a new America. The Regulator Bookshop, 720 Ninth St.; Free; 919-286-2700
Benito Gonzales – Saturday, 8-10pm – Hear Venezuelan jazz pianist Benito Gonzales fuse old-world rhythms and forward-thinking jazz. He has worked with American jazz masters such as Kenny Garrett and Azar Lawrence, and he is a rising star in his field. Beyu Caffé, 335 W. Main St.; $10; 919-683-1058
Movie Musical Revue – Saturday, 8pm, and Sunday, 3pm – The Duke Opera Workshop, directed by Susan Dunn, presents operas and opera scenes as well as musical theater revues. This performance, Marvelous Movie Musicals, will feature songs from “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Kiss Me Kate,” “Bandwagon,” “High Society,” “Guys & Dolls” and “White Christmas,” performed with staging and costumes. David Heid will perform on piano. Baldwin Auditorium, 1336 Campus Dr.; Free; 919-684-4444
NPR Generation Listening Party – Sunday, 11:30am – Get an early peek at a new movement from NPR. Often a solitary experience, WUNC 91.5 is making radio a social experience that includes thoughtful conversation at this casual and intimate listening brunch party. American Tobacco, 324 Blackwell St.; Free, reservation required; 919-687-4100
Savoyards Sing-Through – Sunday, 2-5pm – A sing-through of H.M.S. Pinafore is a chance for community members to sing through the entire score of the upcoming show. You do not have to be a member of the Durham Savoyards to participate. There will be scores available, and anyone is welcome. Durham Arts Council, 120 Morris St.; Free; 919-560-2787
