Things to Do in Durham this Week

Weekly Events in Durham

(Nov 11-17)

Welcome to a comprehensive guide of weekly events in Durham – from Broadway shows to intimate performances, serene river paddles to art exhibits, dance parties, food tours and more. Start here to plan your perfect week.

If you’d like to add an event to our calendar, submit an event here. Please check with the event organizers to see if events change due to weather. Have a great week!

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Noteworthy Events

Dasan Ahanu's (STAW) + (REE) + (TEL) + (UH), Vol. 2 Celebration at The Pinhook

• Come out for a unique spoken word and live music experience in celebration of the release of Dasan Ahanu’s new poetry album, (STAW) + (REE) + (TEL) + (UH), Vol. 2. Dasan is an award-winning poet, spoken word artist, and emcee continuing in a long tradition of southern wordsmiths. A student of craft. A speaker of truth. A griot looking to bring his words to life on stage. Dasan will perform his new album and more with the Eloquent Soul Band.
• Wed, Nov 13
• 8 p.m.
• $12

SistaStrings at The Carolina Theatre

• We’re used to hearing about the power and sonic majesty that comes when two siblings sing in harmony: but what about when they string in harmony? That’s the beautiful alchemy that SistaStrings, the musical duo comprising sisters Chauntee and Monique Ross, create every time they bring their unique blend of classical training, soulful melodies, and contemporary sounds to the stage.
• Thu, Nov 14
• 7 p.m.
• $32+

November Third Friday - Storytelling with Indigenous Memories at Durham Visitor Info Center

• Stop by the Visitor Info Center for sweet treats and an activation by Beverly Scarlett of Indigenous Memories. Beverly will lead an insightful storytelling session focused on the lives of Free People of Color within Indigenous nations. This is an opportunity to learn about these communities' rich narratives and experiences, particularly how they navigated the complexities of life pre-Civil War.
• Fri, Nov 15
• 6-8 p.m.
• Free admission

NCCU Football vs. Howard at O'Kelly Riddick Stadium

• Fri, Nov 15
  
• 8 p.m.
• $10+

North Durham Farmers' Market at Soul Sanctuary

• A vibrant and diverse community space where you'll find fresh, locally grown produce and handmade goods from our talented artisans. Come explore our 12-acre farm in the historical neighborhood of Bragtown and discover what makes us different. Whether you're a seasoned farmer or a curious food lover, we've got something for everyone.
• Sat, Nov 16
• 12-4 p.m.
• Free admission

The 8th Annual Liberty Arts Iron Pour at Durham Central Park

• Liberty Arts is proud to announce the 8th Annual Iron Pour! This free event promises to dazzle audiences with its unique blend of art, fire, music, food and community spirit. Witness the mesmerizing process of creating sculptures from molten iron, as skilled artists push the boundaries of this ancient process.
• Sat, Nov 16
• 4-9 p.m.
• Free admission, but donations appreciated

Durham Art Walk Holiday Market 2024 at Durham Arts Council

• The Holiday Market invites art lovers to experience a weekend featuring local artists, live music, world-class restaurants, and great shopping, at easily strollable venues in the Durham city center. The Holiday Market is the perfect transition from the harvest to the holidays!
• Sat, Nov 16, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sun, Nov 17, 1-5 p.m.
• Free admission

Multi-Day Events

Changing Same: The Cold-Blooded Murder of Booker T. Spicely at Brody Theater

• Local theater auteur Mike Wiley’s latest solo work is based on the true 1944 Durham event. On July 8th,1944, Private Booker T. Spicely was headed back home to Camp Butner after enjoying an evening in the Hayti neighborhood of Durham. He was unaware it would be his last. In the darkness of that night, he would become yet another victim of Jim Crow “justice.”
• The play examines the racial tensions still found in Durham, the region, and the nation today. In addition, the play reminds contemporary audiences of the vibrant Hayti neighborhood and thriving Black businesses and community that have sustained Durham.
• Wed, Nov 13 - Sun, Nov 17
• Thu - Sat, 7:30 p.m. and Sun, 2 p.m.
• $20, $10 Students/Seniors

North Carolina Veteran Art Show at Durham Bottling Co

• This art show will contain original pieces created by North Carolina Veterans of the United States Armed Forces. This family-friendly event will showcase art from North Carolina veterans of all backgrounds, art levels, and branches of service. Celebrate Veterans this November and appreciate original military veteran’s artwork.
• Thu, Nov 14 - Sun, Nov 17
• Free admission

Last Ward: Yaa Samar! Dance Theater at Reynolds Industries Theater

• Last Ward follows one man’s journey towards death in a hospital room. Surrounded by the sterile mechanisms of modern medicine, the patient reflects on his life, relationships and connection to place, as the ritual of doctor visits and family calls transform into a surreal landscape of tragedy and humor. Beginning with a slow trickle tracked in by a shoe, the space eventually fills with soil: spilling out from inside flower pots and cabinets and from underneath the bed, a metaphor of impending death.
• Fri, Nov 15 - Sat, Nov 16
• 7:30-8:30 p.m.
• $10+

Bull City Business Summit - Resilience & Reinvention at Durham County Library

• The event is tailored for aspiring entrepreneurs, including seniors, justice-involved individuals, and those with disabilities. However, entrepreneurs with a brilliant business idea that want to get it off the ground should attend.
• Employees who want to think more like business owners to improve your own mindset, should attend.
• Established businesses already in the trenches who need a boost and want to meet other professionals in the Durham business ecosystem, should attend.
• Sat, Nov 16 - Sun, Nov 17

Rivtak X Magick Makers Pop-Up Grand Opening at Observable Universe

• See your swamp witch dreams come to life in this seasonal gift shop and creative studio imagineered by River Takada of Rivtak Handmade and Erin Harker of Magick Makers.
• This collaboration between Rivtak Handmade and Magick Makers is a labor of love and intentional magic, providing a thoughtful collection of artisan goods, ritual supplies, art, and curiosities that encourage rejuvenation and expansion.
• Sat, Nov 16 - Sun, Nov 17
• 12-6 p.m.
• Free admission

Historic Buildings Open House at West Point on the Eno Park

• Enjoy a look inside the historic McCown-Mangum House, Photography Museum, and Mill.
• Sat, Nov 16 and Sun, Nov 17
• 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Free admission

Studio Ghibli Film Series at The Carolina Theatre

• For decades, Studio Ghibli has created breathtakingly beautiful movies that have captivated and inspired audiences for generations through masterful storytelling and stunning visuals. Experience the wonder of these groundbreaking, beloved animated films.
• Mon, Nov 11 - Sat, Nov 30
• $12+; $40+ for series

Monday, Nov 11

11 a.m.

Veterans Day Commemoration Ceremony at Duke Chapel

2 p.m.

Board Game Night at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in Downtown Durham

5:30 p.m.

NCCU Women's Basketball vs. Chattanooga at McDougald-McLendon Arena

6 p.m.

Maker Mondays at DSSOLVR Durham

Disc Golf Putting League at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in RTP

6:30 p.m.

Trivia Night at Ponysaurus Brewing Company

7 p.m.

Music Trivia With Meg at Durty Bull Brewing Brewing Company

Community Board Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery

7:30 p.m.

Intervention Comedy Open Mic at Devine's Restaurant and Bar

Tuesday, Nov 12

12 p.m.

Native Plant Solutions: Deer-resistant Perennials (Online)

4 p.m.

$1.50 Oysters at Alley Twenty Six

5 p.m.

Free Wine Tasting at Wine Authorities

5:30 p.m.

Thomas Taylor's 3rd Tuesday Jam's: the Music of Sonny Rollins at Sharp 9 Gallery

6 p.m.

In Other Words Poetry Night at Arcana

Adult Coloring Night at Hi-Wire Brewing

Gentle Yoga Flow at ReCity Network

Bring Your Own Vinyl with Jaffar at Rubies on Five Points

Run Club - Winter Series at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in RTP

Women on the Wall at Triangle Rock Club

6:30 p.m.

Trivia at Durham Food Hall

An Elevated Dessert Wine Experience at Missy Lane's Assembly Room

7 p.m.

Trivia at Beer Study Durham

Not Rocket Science Trivia at DSSOLVR Durham

Video Game Day at Moon Dog Meadery

Periodic Tables - “Partner or Plagiarist? Generative AI and Writing for Researchers... and the Rest of Us” at Motorco Music Hall

7:30 p.m.

André 3000 at DPAC

8 p.m.

Jeremy 'Bean' Clemons Trio at Kingfisher

Black Power Rangers Comedy Tour at The Pinhook

Wednesday, Nov 13

4 p.m.

$1.50 Oysters at Alley Twenty Six

5 p.m.

Free Wednesday Wine Tasting at Beer Study Durham

6 p.m.

Figure Drawing and Tarot with Emily at Arcana

7 p.m.

Hammered Trivia at Hi-Wire Brewing

Karaoke Night at Mavericks Smokehouse

Trivia Night at Mystic Farm & Distillery

Music Bingo at Ponysaurus Brewing Company

Brett Chambers Open Mic at The Blue Note Grill

Signature Wine Tasting at ZincHouse Winery & Brewery

7:30 p.m.

Wednesday Night Jam w/ Al Strong at Congress Social Bar

8 p.m.

Trivia Night at Bull McCabe's

Karaoke at Moon Dog Meadery

Dasan Ahanu's (STAW) + (REE) + (TEL) + (UH), Vol. 2 Celebration at The Pinhook

Thursday, Nov 14

12:15 p.m.

Midday Meander at Sarah P. Duke Gardens

4 p.m.

$1.50 Oysters at Alley Twenty Six

Hopfly Tap Night with Musician Kurt Reifler at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in RTP

5 p.m.

Thirsty Thursdays at Dashi

5:30 p.m.

Explore AI for Health: Applications in the Lab at Hock Plaza

Walking Club with Bull City Strollers at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in Downtown Durham

6 p.m.

Dyke Night and Tarot with Rene at Arcana

Vinyl Night with DJ Deckades at Gizmo Brew Works

Date Night DIY at Nailed It DIY Studio Durham

Cemetery Citizens: Author Talk and Book Signing at The Chesterfield Building

6:30 p.m.

Boulders & Brews Meetup at Triangle Rock Club

7 p.m.

Trivia Night at Beer Tooth Taproom

Women's Basketball vs. Dayton at Cameron Indoor Stadium

Bring Your Own Vinyl Night at Congress Social Bar

NCCU Eagles' Nest Jazz Jam at Missy Lane's Assembly Room

Community Board Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery

SistaStrings at The Carolina Theatre

7:30 p.m.

Trivia Night with Big Slow Tom at Clouds Brewcade + Kitchen

Trivia Night at Weldon Mills Distillery

8 p.m.

Queer-Eoke at Club Era

Queer Country Night w/ Line Dancing + Country Karaoke at The Pinhook

9 p.m.

Play it Forward Band for The Tiny Home Community Project at The Blue Note Grill

9:30 p.m.

Karaoke Night at The Tavern

Friday, Nov 15

Events at Club Era

• 7-10 p.m. - Pregame Fridays!
• 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. - Freaky Fridays

Events at The Blue Note Grill

• 6-8 p.m. - The Duke Street Dogs
• 9 p.m. - Julia Vo "Rebound Roulette" Album Release Party

Events at The Pinhook

• 7 p.m. - Tears For The Dying / Idol Talk
• 10:30 p.m. - Emo Karaoke Night

10 a.m.

Tasting at Ten at Counter Culture Coffee

12 p.m.

Fall Drinks Debut at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in Downtown Durham

4 p.m.

$1.50 Oysters at Alley Twenty Six

5 p.m.

Third Friday - Guided Museum Tours at 21c Museum Hotel Durham

Food Truck Friday! at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in RTP

5:30 p.m.

Foodie Fare at Durham Central Park

6 p.m.

King Nobuyoshi Godwin: World Beyond Words - Third Friday Opening Reception at 5 Points Gallery

Ally J & Kevin Clark and Tarot with Joy at Arcana

Third Friday Block Party at CCB Plaza

Third Friday at Golden Belt Arts

“Explorations In Color” – The Art of Lowensky Santiago at Sacred Mandala Studio

6:30 p.m.

Taber Gable at Missy Lane's Assembly Room

7 p.m.

Live Vinyl Spinning by PhDJ at Beer Study Durham

Freedom Friday w/ DJ Mayor at Congress Social Bar

Live Band Karaoke at Mystic Farm & Distillery

Ally J at Succotash Southern & Creole Kitchen

Morgan Jay: Aphrodesia Tour at The Carolina Theatre

7:30 p.m.

UNC-CH Faculty Jazz w/ Special Guests, Roland Barber and Carl Allen at Sharp 9 Gallery

8 p.m.

Pass The Aux at Boricua Soul

Stereo Reveries at DSSOLVR Durham

Open Mic Stand-up Comedy at Durty Bull Brewing Brewing Company

NCCU Football vs. Howard at O'Kelly Riddick Stadium

Dance Blues Friday at Studio 5

9 p.m.

Hush Hush Improv Comedy at Mettlesome

Zero Gravity at The Fruit

9:30 p.m.

Bachata Fixation – Free Class & Latin Dance Party! at Moon Dog Meadery

Saturday, Nov 16

Distillery Tours and Tastings at Liberty & Plenty

• Every Saturday, 10-10:30 a.m. and 11-11:30 a.m.

Events at Mettlesome

• 8-9 p.m. - The Setup: An Improvised Play
• 8:30-9:30 p.m. - Harold Night

Events at Sarah P. Duke Gardens

• 9:30-11:30 a.m. - The Journey of Land Relationship: Committing to the Long Haul
• 10-11:30 a.m. - Japanese Maple Walk

Events at The Pinhook

• 7 p.m. - Lee Bains / Meltdown Rodeo
• 10:30 p.m. - Poison: A High Energy Scorpio Bash and Femi The Femme's Birthday Celebration

Guided Walking Tours with Triangle Adventures

• 2 p.m. - Downtown Durham Walking Tour
• 4 p.m. - Durham African American History Tour
• 6 p.m. - Downtown Durham True Crime Tour

8 a.m.

parkrun Durham at Southern Boundaries Park

9 a.m.

Durham Farmers' Market at Durham Central Park

South Durham Farmers' Market at Hub RTP

Little Leapers Playtime at Sky Zone Trampoline Park

10 a.m.

Toro Cup 31 at Triangle Jiu Jitsu

11 a.m.

Storytime at Barnes and Noble

Drop-In Make Your Own Body Fragrance at Bright Black

Creative Market at Synergy Fitness for Her

12 p.m.

Duke Men's Basketball vs. Wofford at Cameron Indoor Stadium

Crafternoons at Gizmo Brew Works

Grand Opening at Ment Beverage Co.

North Durham Farmers' Market at Soul Sanctuary

Free Wine Tasting at Wine Authorities

4 p.m.

The 8th Annual Liberty Arts Iron Pour at Durham Central Park

Picking Up The Pieces: Barbara Lee Smith at Horse & Buggy Press

6 p.m.

The Wilted Plums and Tarot with Kathleen at Arcana

6:30 p.m.

Candlelight: Tribute to Beyoncé at Aria

7 p.m.

Music on Mangum at Durham Beer Garden

Barn Dance at Mystic Farm and Distillery

The Crones of Anarchy at Succotash Southern & Creole Kitchen

Michael W. Smith: Every Christmas at The Carolina Theatre

7:30 p.m.

Jim Ketch Swingtet at Sharp 9 Gallery

Jon Shain's Birthday Show at The Blue Note Grill

8 p.m.

Marlon Wayans at DPAC

Comedy Night at Moon Dog Meadery

8:45 p.m.

Candlelight: Neo-Soul Favorites ft. Songs by Prince, Childish Gambino, & More at Aria

9 p.m.

Le Youth & Massane at The Fruit

10 p.m.

Drink, Drag, Dance, Repeat at Club Era

Sunday, Nov 17

Events at Durty Bull Brewing Company

• 12-2:30 p.m. - NC Air Hockey Players Air Hockey Tournament
• 2-4 p.m. - Hammered Trivia with Casey

Events at Moon Dog Meadery

• 12:30-6 p.m. - TTRPG Open Table Day
• 6:30-9 p.m. - Open Mic Night

Events at ZincHouse Winery & Brewery

• 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Yoga
• 12-3 p.m. - Farmers Market

8 a.m.

Operation Devil's Eye at Xtreme Park Adventures

10 a.m.

Fleet Feet Ninth Street bRUNch Club at Fleet Feet Ninth Street

Jazz Brunch at Lula & Sadie's

12 p.m.

Sunday Dollar Bin Sale for Charity at Rumors Durham

12:15 p.m.

Public Tour at Duke Chapel

1 p.m.

King Nobuyoshi Godwin: World Beyond Words - Durham Artwalk Hours at 5 Points Gallery

3 p.m.

Crafted Dreams at The Fruit

6 p.m.

Tarot with Emily at Arcana

7 p.m.

David Finckel and Wu Han at Baldwin Auditorium

Boot Scootin' Boogie Nights at Motorco Music Hall

James Austin Jr. Trio at Sharp 9 Gallery

8 p.m.

Bruce Cockburn at The Carolina Theatre

Running Art Exhibits

Art Exhibition — "Wild Harmony" at Golden Belt Arts

• Deco, nouveau, and nature, by Matt Tomko and Maureen Dunlap.
• Fri, Nov 1 - Sat, Nov 30
• Free admission

Art Exhibit — Art of the Andes at Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University

• Art of the Andes features ceramics, textiles, metalwork, and carvings produced by cultures across the Andes region, a 4,500-mile-long mountain range on the Pacific Coast of South America.
• These objects, many on view for the first time, reveal the diverse and sophisticated artmaking techniques through which ancient Andeans expressed ancestral beliefs and personal and political identities.
• Wed, July 24 - Wed, Dec 11
• Tue-Sat, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Sun, 12-5 p.m.
• Free admission

Art Exhibit — Inscrutable Objects at Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University

• This installation brings together sculptures, drawings and photographs that might be hard for most of us to comprehend. They challenge convention and encourage close viewing.
• Reminiscent of an ancient and official text, Ion Bitzan’s Old Document of Ownership is comprised of a vaguely recognizable but invented and indecipherable language.
• Wed, July 24 - Wed, Dec 11
• Tue-Sat, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Sun, 12-5 p.m.
• Free admission

King Nobuyoshi Godwin: World Beyond Words at 5 Points Gallery

• King’s art is a vibrant expression of his neurodiversity, shaped by the unique gifts of autism and synesthesia. His combined sensory experiences manifest in the scattered numbers that fill his paintings, intricately woven into the imagery, allowing him to convey emotions and ideas beyond verbal expression. For King, art is a space of renewal, where creation transcends language, offering a glimpse into his world beyond words.
• Thu, Nov 14 - Sat, Nov 21
• Thu and Fri, 5-9 m. and Sat, 1-9 p.m.
• Free admission

"Picking up the Pieces" by Barbara Lee Smith at Horse & Buggy Press and Friends

• "Picking up the Pieces" features 18 fiber-based works that focus on nature, the strength and fragility of land and sea, and the cycle of decay and growth.
• These pieces are created from a treasure trove of remnants saved over several decades of making work. The focus is patching, mending, remembering, constructing . . . working with the vestiges of experience.
• Ten percent of sales will be donated to the NC Arts Disaster Relief Fund which is administering assistance to artists and art organizations impacted by Helene.
• Fri, Nov 1 - Mon, Dec 23
• Free admission

Art Exhibit — Second Nature: Photography in the Age of the Anthropocene at Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University

• Just over twenty years ago, scientists introduced a term to denote a new geological epoch in which human activity has had a marked impact on the global climate: the Anthropocene.
• Since that time, the concept of the Anthropocene has been exposed to a wider public audience through expanding environmental studies and scholarship, increasing coverage in the popular press, widespread and fervent activism, and a variety of artistic responses.
• Thu, Aug 29 - Sun, Jan 5
• Tue-Sat, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun, 12-5 p.m.
• Free admission

Art Exhibit — Maya Freelon: Whippersnappers at Historic Stagville

• Maya Freelon: Whippersnappers will premiere large-scale sculptures, archival photographs, paintings, and collages that transform the former plantation. Whippersnappers, Freelon’s first large-scale installation featuring portraiture, was born from her research of enslaved children highlighted in the Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Online Catalog.
• Sat, Nov 16 - Sat, Jan 25
• Wed and Sat, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and by appointment
• For viewings by appointment, contact stagville@dncr.nc.gov
• Free admission

Art Exhibit — By Dawn’s Early Light at Nasher Museum of Art

• The years 2024 and 2025 mark the sixtieth anniversaries of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The two Acts transformed life in the United States for many marginalized individuals, including people of color, women, people with disabilities, elders, and others who had not had equal rights in the nation’s history. This legislation was the culmination of nearly a century of work by activists and advocates.
• Fri, Nov 8 - Sun, May 11
• Tue - Sat, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sun, 12-5 p.m.
• Free admission