May 1–8
The Durham Arts Council’s Durham Art Walk will take place all over downtown Durham on Saturday, April 30, 10am–5pm, and Sunday, May 1, 1–5pm. Enjoy music, live entertainment, and food as you view the works of some of the top visual artists in the southeastern USA. This “Spring Market” will be shared among downtown art galleries, businesses, pop-up shops, and the downtown streets, and all of the works of art will be for sale. Free admission; click here for more info.
Celebrate the art of the spoken word at the Reader’s Party in the auditorium of the Main Library (300 N Roxboro St) on Sunday, May 1, 2–4:30pm. Listen as readers of all ages “perform” poetry, monologues, short stories, and original works. If you’d like to participate, you can take your own material (G-rated, please) or choose from the materials already on site. It’s free; call 919-638-7674 for more info.
Teens are invited to join the Robotics Team @ East (the East Regional Library, 211 Lick Creek Ln) on Monday, May 2, 3–4pm. Have fun with LEGO robotics. It’s free; call 919-560-0203 for more info.
Activists and neighbors will meet in CCB Plaza (Parrish and Corcoran Sts) on Monday, May 2, 4:30pm, for the Solidarity Rally and March. The march will proceed around downtown and will end with a rally for peace, justice, and alliance with progressive causes at City Hall. Cosponsors of this Triangle May Day 2016 event include the Durham Solidarity Center, Durham for All, UE 150 Public Sector Workers Union, Raise Up for $15, Muslims for Social Justice, Sí a las Licénsias, El Pueblo, Southern Vision Alliance, Jewish Voices for Peace, Witness for Peace (SE Chapter), Triangle SURJ (Standing Up for Racial Justice), and the Workers World Party.
UNC professor of entrepreneur and strategy, James H Johnson Jr, will discuss The United States, North Carolina, and the Triple Whammy of Geographic Disadvantage on Monday, May 2, 7pm, and the Stanford L Warren Library (1201 Fayetteville St). It’s free; call 919-560-0270 for more info.
If you like to sing, you’re welcome to join the Flash Chorus, which meets on Monday, May 2, 7–10pm, at Motorco (723 Rigsbee). There’s no audition, and each session ends with the recording of a music video that you can watch later on YouTube. Tonight will be a tribute to Prince. There’s an $8 fee; click here for more info and to buy your ticket.
High Strung Musical Instruments sponsors the Ukulele Learning Jam & Advancing Players Jam at the store (1803 W Markham Ave) on Monday, May 2, 7–8:30pm. The first half hour will be spent going over basic chords and strums, and the music will get more challenging as the jam progresses. It’s free; all levels are welcome. Call 919-286-3801 or check highstrungdurham.com for more info.
Enjoy a Session at The Shed with Ernest Turner (807 E Main St, at Golden Belt) on Monday, May 2, 8–11pm, in a casual, relaxed setting. You’ll never know who will drop in to jam. Free admission; visit shedjazz.com for more info and to see the full schedule.
The next meeting of the Durham Historic Preservation Commission will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 8:30–10am, in City Hall’s 2nd-floor Committee Room (101 City Hall Plaza). Click here for the Agenda Center, where you can view agendas from recent meetings.
The One and Only Over-50 Crowd will meet at 10am on Tuesday, May 3 at the East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Ln). Take part in lively conversations, make new friends, and enjoy a snack. Movies are shown on the third Tuesday of every month. It’s free; call 919-560-0203 or click here for more info.
A Diabetes Support Group for people dealing with type 2 diabetes will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, May 3, 6–7pm, at the Durham County Human Services Building (414 E Main St, 2nd floor). Get tips and share your own ideas about self-management and staying healthy with good nutrition. Contact Aubrey Delaney from the Durham Diabetes Coalition at 919-560-7180 or adelaney@dconc.gov for more info.
Play Dungeons & Dragons in the Library on Tuesday, May 3, 6pm, at the Main Library (300 N Roxboro St). Click here to sign up online (you don’t have to register, but doing so increases the probability that you’ll get to play). It’s free; call 919-560-0100 for more info.
Have you always wanted to learn how to play “old-time” music? Take your stringed instrument to High Strung Musical Instruments’ Old-Time Learning Jam at the store (1803 W Markham) on Tuesday, May 3, 6:30–8pm. It’s free and “near-beginners” are welcome. Call 919-286-3801 or check highstrungdurham.com for more info.
If you’re a maker, crafter, artist, hacker, or tinkerer who needs some inspiration and would enjoy working with and around others with similar creative endeavors, visit SplatSpace at their new place at 800 N Mangum on Tuesday, May 3, 7pm. Take a tour of the space and check out the 3D printer, laser cutter, drill press, metal- and wood-working tools, and other materials. There are different levels of memberships, with the top rung making it possible to get 24-hour access to the workshop. Enter through the parking lot on the side (on Corporation St). Click here for more info.
Learn and have fun with various forms of Ballroom Dancing on Tuesday, May 3, 7–8:45pm, at the East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Ln). It’s free; call 919-560-0203 or click here for more info.
Get into Soul Line Dancing and move to R&B, pop, and reggae on Tuesday, May 3, 7pm, at the North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd). It’s free; call 919-560-0231 for more info.
The Tuesday Blues Jam starts at 7:30pm on May 3 at the Blue Note Grill (709 Washington St). Don’t worry about your amp—just take your instrument (or just drumsticks if you’re a drummer). Call 919-401-1979 or click here for more info.
Learn all about the Boy Scouts and hear first-hand stories from Eagle Scouts at the Bull City Breakfast for Scouting on Wednesday, May 4, 7–8:30am, at Durham Bulls Athletic Park (318 Blackwell St). This breakfast will be held in the DBAP’s PNC Triangle Club. It’s free; save your spot by writing to Bert Woodall at bert@westandwoodall.com.
Wednesday is Senior Game Day at Southwest Regional Library (3605 Shannon Rd), where folks age 55+ can play games like Rumnikub, Chess, Scrabble, and games that people (including you!) bring in. Arrive on May 4, 1pm, ready to play. It’s free; call 919-560-8590 for more info.
Northgate Jams! will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 6–9pm, in Northgate Mall (1058 W Club Blvd, in Center Court toward Door 2). All musicians are invited to take their acoustic instruments and join in to play old-time, bluegrass, and country music. It’s free; click here for more Northgate Mall events.
The Wednesday Durham Farmers Market is held on May 4 from 3:30 to 6:30pm in Durham Central Park (501 Foster St). Some of the Saturday vendors are there, and some vendors are there exclusively on Wednesdays. You can buy greens, fruits, vegetables, herbs, honeys, free-range meats, eggs, cheeses, home-baked pastries, home-crafted soaps, preserves, starter plants, and more. Some vendors accept credit cards each season (the $1.50 transaction fee helps fund the Double Bucks program); they also sell wooden “debit” tokens that you can use with any vendor. Vendors at the market accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)/EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer). Check durhamfarmersmarket.com or call 919-667-3099 to find out what’s in season.
GoDurham’s next bimonthly public meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 6:30–8pm, at the Durham Station (515 W Pettigrew St). If you need translation services or auxiliary aid to help you attend, make your request by the end of the day, Monday, May 2 by calling 919-485-7591.
The next meeting of the Durham-Orange Genealogical Society will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 7–9pm, at Duke Homestead (2828 Duke Homestead Rd). Ben Franklin will give a talk on Techniques, Options, Advantages of Doing Digital. Visit dogsnc.org for more info.
The Durham–Chapel Hill Jewish Federation’s Jewish Family Services sponsors the Memory Café, where people with memory loss (including dementia and Alzheimer’s) can gather with their loved-ones and enjoy snacks, conversation, activities, and just being together. The next Memory Café will be held on Thursday, May 5, 10am–noon, at 1937 W Cornwallis Rd. It’s free, although a donation to Jewish Family Services would be graciously accepted. Contact Jennifer Schwartz at 919-354-4923 or jschwartz@shalomdch.org for more info. Visit levinjcc.org to see what else is going on at the community center and shalomdch.org for more information on the Durham–Chapel Hill Jewish Federation.
Teens are invited to have a snack and play Xbox, Wii, and board games during Game Day @ Main (the Main Library, 300 N Roxboro St) on Thursday, May 5, 3–5pm. Have fun with LEGO robotics. It’s free; call 919-560-0100 for more info.
Take your fiddle, guitar, mandolin, flute, tinwhistle, concertina, tenor banjo, or harp and learn Irish jigs, reels, and hornpipes phrase by phrase at High Strung Musical Instruments’ Irish Learning Jam at the store (1803 W Markham) on Thursday, May 5, 6:30–8pm. It’s free and “near-beginners” are welcome. Call 919-286-3801 or check highstrungdurham.com for more info.
The North Carolina Humanities Council and North Carolina Center for the Book are working together to present a six-week Jazz Series at the South Regional Library (4505 S Alston Ave). Presenters Billy Yeargin and Tess Mangum Ocaña will lead discussions about this most American of art forms, with the help of film selections, essays, and other resources. Some of the discussions will venture past the music and include observations on politics and culture. The topic for Thursday, May 5, 6:30pm, will be The Art of Jazz Singers, Musicians, and Composers. It’s free; call 919-560-7409 to reserve your spot.
The next Sun Assembly English Country Dance session will be held on Thursday, May 5, 7:30–9:30pm, at the Beth El Synagogue’s Freedman Center (1004 Watts St). Live music on second and fourth Thursdays; gender-free calling. Be sure to take non-street shoes or dance in your socks. The admission fee is $7; call 919-683-9672 or click here for more info.
The official kickoff of the 3rd annual Art of Cool Festival, the Presidents Party with the Soul Rebels, will be held on Thursday, May 5, 8pm, at the Blue Note Grill (709 Washington St). It’s free; click here for more info on AOCFest.
Take a tour of a roastery and sample different types of coffee on Friday, May 6, 10am, at Counter Culture Coffee (4911 S Alston Ave). It’s free; call 919-361-5282 or visit counterculturecoffee.com for more info.
The 3rd annual Art of Cool Festival, a celebration of music, creativity, and entrepreneurship, will be held in venues throughout downtown Durham from Friday, May 6 through Sunday, May 8. Performers including Thundercat, Nicholas Payton, Terence Blanchard, the NCCU Big Band, Rapsody, The Internet, and Kamasi Washington, will put on shows at the Durham Armory, Motorco, the Carolina Theatre, the Durham Arts Council’s PSI Theater, the Pinhook, and the Pop-Up Beyú Jazz Club. Click here for more info on the live performances, Free Day Parties, the Innovate Your Cool Conference, free chat with Terence Blanchard, hiphop cypher, panel discussions, PNTDRM (Paint Durham), and more.
A Free Day Party celebrating the Art of Cool Festival, will be held on Friday, May 6, 2–6pm, at the Durham History Hub (500 W Main St). This party and hangout will be hosted by mir.i.am, with DJ Dellmatic, Defacto Thespian, Will Wildfire, and Lil Bob Doe. It’s free; click here for more info on AOCFest.
The Durham Central Park pavilion (502 Foster St) is the home of the Durham Farmers Market on Saturday, May 7 from 8am to noon. You can buy greens, fruits, vegetables, herbs, honeys, free-range meats, eggs, cheeses, home-baked pastries, home-crafted soaps, preserves, starter plants, and more. Some vendors accept credit cards each season (the $1.50 transaction fee helps fund the Double Bucks program); they also sell wooden “debit” tokens that you can use with any vendor. Vendors at the market accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)/EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer). Check durhamfarmersmarket.com or call 919-667-3099 to find out what’s in season.
The Durham Craft Market operates just north of the Durham Farmers Market in Durham Central Park (501 Foster St) on Saturday, May 7, 8am–noon. Artists will have their works—jewelry, photos, wood crafts, paintings, whimsical pieces, etc—on display (and for sale) on the north end of the park. Click here to learn more about the artists and their work.
The South Durham Farmers Market will be in operation from 8am to noon on Saturday, May 7 in the Greenwood Commons Shopping Center (5510 Hwy 55). You can purchase fresh produce, cheeses, meats, crafts, pastries, vegetables, artisan goods, and more. Some vendors accept credit cards each season (the $1.50 transaction fee helps fund the Double Bucks program); they also sell wooden “debit” tokens that you can use with any vendor. Vendors at the market accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)/EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer). Check southdurhamfarmersmarket.org to read about the vendors and to subscribe to the e-newsletter.
There’s a new farmers market in town: You can find the Durham Roots Farmers Market on Northgate Mall’s outdoor patio (1058 W Club Blvd) on Saturday, May 7, 8am–noon. Every fruit and vegetable has been grown in Bull City soil; click here to learn more.
Central Park School for Children’s Strawberry Festival will be held on Saturday, May 7, 11am–4pm, in Old North Durham Park (310 W Geer St). Celebrate this luscious fruit with strawberry shortcakes, strawberry (and banana) smoothies, human foosball, Locopops, more food (including barbecue), games, kids’ activities, and music by Plan B, Yan Kanberu, and the Gravy Boys & Sleepyheads. Free admission (but keep in mind this is a fundraiser for the school); visit their Facebook event page for more info.
The next Durham Patchwork Mini-Market will be held at Fullsteam Brewery (726 Rigsbee Ave) on Saturday, May 7, noon–4pm. Shop for unique works of art, crafts, original, and vintage goods from local artists, makers, and vendors. Visit their Facebook page for more info.
A Free Day Party celebrating the Art of Cool Festival, will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2–6pm, at Bull McCabe’s Irish Pub (427 W Main St). This party and hangout will feature MBalla and Marc Anthony Figueras from DopeCauseWeSaid. It’s free; click here for more info on AOCFest.
People of all ages and skill levels are invited to join the Chess Club on Saturday, May 7, 2pm, at the North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd). The North Durham Chess Club is an affiliate of the United States Chess Federation. It’s free; call 919-560-0231 or click here for more info.
The Durham Symphony Orchestra will put on its Pops in the Park concert on Saturday, May 7, 5pm, in Trinity Park (400 Watts St). Enjoy hearing a mixture of light classical music, Broadway tunes, movie themes like “Star Wars.” It’s free; be sure to take your lawn chair.
Harmonica player/keyboardist/singer Todd Parrott will give a free concert at the Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse (2700 N Roxboro Rd) Christian-music venue on Saturday, May 7, 7:30pm. Donations will be accepted; call 919-220-2458 or visit the website for more info.
The Blue Note Grill (709 Washington St) will be the site for the Art of Cool Festival’s Conversations on Cool: Poems, Monk, and Trane on Sunday, May 8, 1–4pm. Enjoy the artistry of Dasan Ahanu, Quentin Talley, Kimberly McCrae, Tai Allen, OnQ Performing Arts, and the Black Poetry Theatre. It’s free; click here for more info on AOCFest.
The L Room BNB’s Mother’s Day Sunday Brunch will be held on May 8, 1–4pm, at 107 W Geer. Mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, and “like-a-mothers” are invited to enjoy a meal of Southern organic treats and an afternoon of relaxation. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Call 919-638-0050 or click here for more info.
The Durham Hotel (315 E Chapel Hill St) will be the site for Dusk ’til Durham with The Beast (Pierce Freelon, Eric Hirsh, Stephen Coffman, and Pete Kimosh) on Sunday, May 8, 5:30–8pm. It’s free; click here for more info on AOCFest.
The Triangle Blues Society’s 1st Sunday Triangle Blues Jam will take place on May 8, 6:30–9:30pm, at the Blue Note Grill (709 Washington St). Don’t worry about your amp—just take your instrument (or just drumsticks if you’re a drummer). Call 919-401-1979 for more info.
May 9–15
Teens are invited to join the Robotics Team @ East (the East Regional Library, 211 Lick Creek Ln) on Monday, May 9, 3–4pm. Have fun with LEGO robotics. It’s free; call 919-560-0203 for more info.
The next District 2 PAC (Partners Against Crime) meeting will be held at the Durham Public Schools’ Resource Center (2107 Hillandale Rd) on Monday, May 9, 6pm. Find out what’s going on in your neighborhood and learn about City/County services. Visit pac2durham.org for more info.
The Mystery Book Club meets at the North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd) on Monday, May 9, 7pm. Read Flashback by Nevada Barr. It’s free; call 919-560-0231 for more info.
If you like to sing, you’re welcome to join the Flash Chorus, which meets on Monday, May 9, 7–10pm, at Motorco (723 Rigsbee). There’s no audition, and each session ends with the recording of a music video that you can watch later on YouTube. Today’s songs are “Motownphilly” by Boyz II Men and “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings” by Father John Misty.
There’s an $8 fee; click here for more info and to buy your ticket. 
Enjoy a Session at The Shed with Ernest Turner (807 E Main St, at Golden Belt) on Monday, May 9, 8–11pm, in a casual, relaxed setting. You’ll never know who will drop in to jam. Free admission; visit shedjazz.com for more info and to see the full schedule.
The One and Only Over-50 Crowd will meet at 10am on Tuesday, May 10 at the East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Ln). Take part in lively conversations, make new friends, and enjoy a snack. Movies are shown on the third Tuesday of every month. It’s free; call 919-560-0203 or click here for more info.
The Resource Center for Women & Ministry in the South holds a monthly meeting, The Art of Conscious Aging, for “women of a certain age.” The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 11:30am–2pm, at the Colony Hills Clubhouse (3060 Colony Rd). This is an open group and there are no membership fees. Bring a bag lunch and be prepared to enjoy yourself and join in the conversation. Call 919-683-1236 or write to rcwmsnc@aol.com for more information.
Have you always wanted to learn how to play “old-time” music? Take your stringed instrument to High Strung Musical Instruments’ Old-Time Learning Jam at the store (1803 W Markham) on Tuesday, May 10, 6:30–8pm. It’s free and “near-beginners” are welcome. Call 919-286-3801 or check highstrungdurham.com for more info.
The Adventure Cyclists of Bull City (AC/BC), Durham Cycles, Seven Stars Cycles, and Bullseye Bicycle are banding together to cosponsor the Pony Ride on Tuesday, May 10. Meet at the Major the Bull sculpture in CCB Plaza (Corcoran St between Chapel Hill and Parrish Sts) at 7pm and join a bike ride that will end at Ponysaurus Brewing Co (219 Hood St). Visit the Facebook page to stay current with this monthly event.
Music fans, you’re invited to attend the African-American Music Trails Panel Discussion on Tuesday, May 10, 7–8pm, in NCCU’s BN Duke Auditorium. (This event was supposed to have taken place during the NCCU Jazz Festival but had to be rescheduled.) Ira Wiggins, shirlette ammons, Brian Miller, Dick Knight, and Marvin Wiggins will talk about the rich heritage and culture of eastern North Carolina and how they influenced their musical development. It’s free; visit the Facebook event page for more info.
If you’re a maker, crafter, artist, hacker, or tinkerer who needs some inspiration and would enjoy working with and around others with similar creative endeavors, visit SplatSpace at their new place at 800 N Mangum on Tuesday, May 10, 7pm. Take a tour of the space and check out the 3D printer, laser cutter, drill press, metal- and wood-working tools, and other materials. There are different levels of memberships, with the top rung making it possible to get 24-hour access to the workshop. Enter through the parking lot on the side (on Corporation St). Click here for more info.
Learn and have fun with various forms of Ballroom Dancing on Tuesday, May 10, 7–8:45pm, at the East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Ln). It’s free; call 919-560-0203 or click here for more info.
Get into Soul Line Dancing and move to R&B, pop, and reggae on Tuesday, May 10, 7pm, at the North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd). It’s free; call 919-560-0231 for more info.
The Tuesday Blues Jam starts at 7:30pm on May 10 at the Blue Note Grill (709 Washington St). Don’t worry about your amp—just take your instrument (or just drumsticks if you’re a drummer). Call 919-401-1979 or click here for more info.
Jewish seniors are invited to participate in the Levin Jewish Community Center’s Chaverim/Friends event on Wednesday, May 11, 11am–1pm, at 1937 W Cornwallis Rd. This month’s topic will be Humor for Survival as presented by Marv Axelrod. Seven dollars covers the cost for lunch. Call 919-354-4924. by Monday, May 9 to reserve your spot; transportation is available on request. Click here to see more JCC events for seniors.
Wednesday is Senior Game Day at Southwest Regional Library (3605 Shannon Rd), where folks age 55+ can play games like Rumnikub, Chess, Scrabble, and games that people (including you!) bring in. Arrive on May 11, 1pm, ready to play. It’s free; call 919-560-8590 for more info.
The Wednesday Durham Farmers Market is held on May 11 from 3:30 to 6:30pm in Durham Central Park (501 Foster St). Some of the Saturday vendors are there, and some vendors are there exclusively on Wednesdays. You can buy greens, fruits, vegetables, herbs, honeys, free-range meats, eggs, cheeses, home-baked pastries, home-crafted soaps, preserves, starter plants, and more. Some vendors accept credit cards each season (the $1.50 transaction fee helps fund the Double Bucks program); they also sell wooden “debit” tokens that you can use with any vendor. Vendors at the market accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)/EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer). Check durhamfarmersmarket.com or call 919-667-3099 to find out what’s in season.
Northgate Jams! will be held on Wednesday, May 11, 6–9pm, in Northgate Mall (1058 W Club Blvd, in Center Court toward Door 2). All musicians are invited to take their acoustic instruments and join in to play old-time, bluegrass, and country music. It’s free; click here for more Northgate Mall events.
Teens are invited to have a snack and play Xbox, Wii, and board games during Game Day @ Main (the Main Library, 300 N Roxboro St) on Thursday, May 12, 3–5pm. Have fun with LEGO robotics. It’s free; call 919-560-0100 for more info.
The next District 5 PAC (Partners Against Crime) meeting will be held in City Hall’s City Council Chambers (101 City Hall Plaza) on Thursday, May 12, 5:30pm. Find out what’s going on in your neighborhood and learn about City/County services. Call 919-560-4111 for more info.
Take your fiddle, guitar, mandolin, flute, tinwhistle, concertina, tenor banjo, or harp and learn Irish jigs, reels, and hornpipes phrase by phrase at High Strung Musical Instruments’ Irish Learning Jam at the store (1803 W Markham) on Thursday, May 12, 6:30–8pm. It’s free and “near-beginners” are welcome. Call 919-286-3801 or check highstrungdurham.com for more info.
The next Sun Assembly English Country Dance session will be held on Thursday, May 12, 7:30–9:30pm, at the Beth El Synagogue’s Freedman Center (1004 Watts St). Live music on second and fourth Thursdays; gender-free calling. Be sure to take non-street shoes or dance in your socks. The admission fee is $7; call 919-683-9672 or click here for more info.
Take a tour of a roastery and sample different types of coffee on Friday, May 13, 10am, at Counter Culture Coffee (4911 S Alston Ave). It’s free; call 919-361-5282 or visit counterculturecoffee.com for more info.
Northgate Mall, the Herald-Sun, and Bull City Burger & Brewery are partnering to present Blues on the Plaza in the outdoor plaza of Northgate Mall (1058 W Club Blvd). Reverend Dan & the Prophets will give a free performance on Friday, May 13, 6:30–9pm. You’re welcome to dance up a storm or sit back and relax in your lawn chair. Call 919-286-4400 for more info.
The Durham Central Park pavilion (502 Foster St) is the home of the Durham Farmers Market on Saturday, May 14 from 8am to noon. You can buy greens, fruits, vegetables, herbs, honeys, free-range meats, eggs, cheeses, home-baked pastries, home-crafted soaps, preserves, starter plants, and more. Some vendors accept credit cards each season (the $1.50 transaction fee helps fund the Double Bucks program); they also sell wooden “debit” tokens that you can use with any vendor. Vendors at the market accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)/EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer). Check durhamfarmersmarket.com or call 919-667-3099 to find out what’s in season.
The Durham Craft Market operates just north of the Durham Farmers Market in Durham Central Park (501 Foster St) on Saturday, May 14, 8am–noon. Artists will have their works—jewelry, photos, wood crafts, paintings, whimsical pieces, etc—on display (and for sale) on the north end of the park. Click here to learn more about the artists and their work.
The South Durham Farmers Market will be in operation from 8am to noon on Saturday, May 14 in the Greenwood Commons Shopping Center (5510 Hwy 55). You can purchase fresh produce, cheeses, meats, crafts, pastries, vegetables, artisan goods, and more. Some vendors accept credit cards each season (the $1.50 transaction fee helps fund the Double Bucks program); they also sell wooden “debit” tokens that you can use with any vendor. Vendors at the market accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)/EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer). Check southdurhamfarmersmarket.org to read about the vendors and to subscribe to the e-newsletter.
There’s a new farmers market in town: You can find the Durham Roots Farmers Market on Northgate Mall’s outdoor patio (1058 W Club Blvd) on Saturday, May 14, 8am–noon. Every fruit and vegetable has been grown in Bull City soil; click here to learn more.
Preservation Durham’s Tobacco History Walking Tour starts at 10am on Saturday, May 14; meet on Hunt St, on the south end of Durham Central Park (501 Foster St), and take a 90-minute stroll through the downtown area while learning about the Bull City’s early history as a tobacco hub. It’s free; call 919-682-3036 or click here for more info.
The next District 3 PAC (Partners Against Crime) meeting will be held at Lyon Park (1309 Halley St) on Saturday, May 14, 10am. Find out what’s going on in your neighborhood and learn about City/County services.
The next District 4 PAC (Partners Against Crime) meeting will be held at Campus Hills (2000 S Alston Ave) on Saturday, May 14 at 10am. Find out what’s going on in your neighborhood and learn about City/County services.
The 1st annual Mr Fred’s Community Day will be held on Saturday, May 14, noon–5pm, in Sherwood Park (1720 Cheek Rd). The memory of Mr Fred, the late Fredrick A Edgerton, will be honored by guest speaker Dr Renee Johnson. A special presentation will be made by the Dowell Institute Theological Seminary. The Wonder of Magic will add to the fun with balloons, face painting, and a magic show. Write to mrfredfoundation@gmail.com for more info.
People of all ages and skill levels are invited to join the Chess Club on Saturday, May 14, 2pm, at the North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd). The North Durham Chess Club is an affiliate of the United States Chess Federation. It’s free; call 919-560-0231 or click here for more info.
Acoustic band String Peddlers will give a free concert at the Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse (2700 N Roxboro Rd) Christian-music venue on Saturday, May 14, 7:30pm. Donations will be accepted; call 919-220-2458 or visit the website for more info.
May 16–22
Teens are invited to Casey’s Laugh and Learn: Live Action Angry Birds on Monday, May 16, 2:30–3:30pm, at the North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd). It’s free; play this popular video game as if it were real.
Teens are invited to join the Robotics Team @ East (the East Regional Library, 211 Lick Creek Ln) on Monday, May 16, 3–4pm. Have fun with LEGO robotics. It’s free; call 919-560-0203 for more info.
Teens are invited to Casey’s Laugh and Learn: Live Action Angry Birds on Monday, May 16, 4:30–5:30pm, at the Bragtown Library (3200 Dearborn Dr). It’s free; play this popular video game as if it were real.
Teens are invited to Casey’s Laugh and Learn: Live Action Angry Birds on Monday, May 16, 6:30–7:30pm, at the Main Library (300 Roxboro St). It’s free; play this popular video game as if it were real.
If you like to sing, you’re welcome to join the Flash Chorus, which meets on Monday, May 16, 7–10pm, at Motorco (723 Rigsbee). There’s no audition, and each session ends with the recording of a music video that you can watch later on YouTube. Tonight’s songs are “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls and “Archie, Marry Me” by Alvvays. There’s an $8 fee; click here for more info and to buy your ticket.
High Strung Musical Instruments sponsors the Ukulele Learning Jam & Advancing Players Jam at the store (1803 W Markham Ave) on Monday, May 16, 7–8:30pm. The first half hour will be spent going over basic chords and strums, and the music will get more challenging as the jam progresses. It’s free; all levels are welcome. Call 919-286-3801 or check highstrungdurham.com for more info.
Enjoy a Session at The Shed with Ernest Turner (807 E Main St, at Golden Belt) on Monday, May 16, 8–11pm, in a casual, relaxed setting. You’ll never know who will drop in to jam. Free admission; visit shedjazz.com for more info and to see the full schedule.
The One and Only Over-50 Crowd will meet at 10am on Tuesday, May 17 at the East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Ln). Take part in lively conversations, make new friends, and enjoy a snack. Movies are shown on the third Tuesday of every month. It’s free; call 919-560-0203 or click here for more info.
Ben & Jerry’s will unveil its newest ice cream flavor along with Reverend William Barber and members from the NAACP, on Tuesday, May 17, 11am, at North Carolina Central University (in the Greek Bowl, just west of the Shepard Library). The flavor’s name hasn’t been announced yet, but strong hints point to democracy and the “people’s struggle.” It’s free, and all are invited.
Durham Congregations in Action’s monthly DCIA Lunch will be held at St Matthew Catholic Church (1001 Mason Rd) on Tuesday, May 17, 11:45am. Get together with community activists and nonprofit representatives to talk about community issues. This month’s topic will be a discussion about Feeding Hungry Children this Summer. Seven dollars covers the cost of the meal. Call 919-688-2036 or click here for more information and to reserve your seat by Monday, May 16. (You can also pay when you arrive.)
Teens are invited to have a snack and play Xbox games during Game Days @ East (the East Regional Library, 211 Lick Creek Ln) on Tuesday, May 17, 4:30–5:30pm. It’s free; call 919-560-0203 for more info.
Have you always wanted to learn how to play “old-time” music? Take your stringed instrument to High Strung Musical Instruments’ Old-Time Learning Jam at the store (1803 W Markham) on Tuesday, May 17, 6:30–8pm. It’s free and “near-beginners” are welcome. Call 919-286-3801 or check highstrungdurham.com for more info.
If you’re a maker, crafter, artist, hacker, or tinkerer who needs some inspiration and would enjoy working with and around others with similar creative endeavors, visit SplatSpace at their new place at 800 N Mangum on Tuesday, May 17, 7pm. Take a tour of the space and check out the 3D printer, laser cutter, drill press, metal- and wood-working tools, and other materials. There are different levels of memberships, with the top rung making it possible to get 24-hour access to the workshop. Enter through the parking lot on the side (on Corporation St). Click here for more info.
Learn and have fun with various forms of Ballroom Dancing on Tuesday, May 17, 7–8:45pm, at the East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Ln). It’s free; call 919-560-0203 or click here for more info.
Get into Soul Line Dancing and move to R&B, pop, and reggae on Tuesday, May 17, 7pm, at the North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd). It’s free; call 919-560-0231 for more info.
The Tuesday Blues Jam starts at 7:30pm on May 17 at the Blue Note Grill (709 Washington St). Don’t worry about your amp—just take your instrument (or just drumsticks if you’re a drummer). Call 919-401-1979 or click here for more info.
Wednesday is Senior Game Day at Southwest Regional Library (3605 Shannon Rd), where folks age 55+ can play games like Rumnikub, Chess, Scrabble, and games that people (including you!) bring in. Arrive on May 18, 1pm, ready to play. It’s free; call 919-560-8590 for more info.
The Wednesday Durham Farmers Market is held on May 18 from 3:30 to 6:30pm in Durham Central Park (501 Foster St). Some of the Saturday vendors are there, and some vendors are there exclusively on Wednesdays. You can buy greens, fruits, vegetables, herbs, honeys, free-range meats, eggs, cheeses, home-baked pastries, home-crafted soaps, preserves, starter plants, and more. Some vendors accept credit cards each season (the $1.50 transaction fee helps fund the Double Bucks program); they also sell wooden “debit” tokens that you can use with any vendor. Vendors at the market accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)/EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer). Check durhamfarmersmarket.com or call 919-667-3099 to find out what’s in season.
Northgate Jams! will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 6–9pm, in Northgate Mall (1058 W Club Blvd, in Center Court toward Door 2). All musicians are invited to take their acoustic instruments and join in to play old-time, bluegrass, and country music. It’s free; click here for more Northgate Mall events.
Take the entire family out to the Bimbé Old School Block Party on Wednesday, May 18, 6–8pm, on the Lyon Park Ballfield (1200 W Lakewood Ave). Enjoy games, the obstacle course, face painting, arts & crafts, and fun. It’s free; click here or call 919-560-4355 for more info.
The Durham Comics Project’s next Drink and Draw will be held at Saladelia (4201 University Dr) on Wednesday, May 18, 7–9pm. Anyone who loves to draw is welcome. Leader Amy Godfrey will have exercises from Ivan Brunetti's Cartooning: Philosophy & Practice, and you can participate or work on your own projects or just draw for fun. Free admission; learn more about the Durham Comics Project at durhamcomicsproject.org.
Teens are invited to have a snack and play Xbox, Wii, and board games during Game Day @ Main (the Main Library, 300 N Roxboro St) on Thursday, May 19, 3–5pm. It’s free; call 919-560-0100 for more info.
Take your fiddle, guitar, mandolin, flute, tinwhistle, concertina, tenor banjo, or harp and learn Irish jigs, reels, and hornpipes phrase by phrase at High Strung Musical Instruments’ Irish Learning Jam at the store (1803 W Markham) on Thursday, May 19, 6:30–8pm. It’s free and “near-beginners” are welcome. Call 919-286-3801 or check highstrungdurham.com for more info.
It’s North vs South at the Bimbé Alumni Basketball Game on Thursday, May 19, 7–8pm, in the Southern High School Gymnasium (800 Clayton Rd). This classic basketball game also features a DJ and halftime contests. It’s free; click here or call 919-560-4355 for more info.
The next Sun Assembly English Country Dance session will be held on Thursday, May 19, 7:30–9:30pm, at the Beth El Synagogue’s Freedman Center (1004 Watts St). Live music on second and fourth Thursdays; gender-free calling. Be sure to take non-street shoes or dance in your socks. The admission fee is $7; call 919-683-9672 or click here for more info.
Take a tour of a roastery and sample different types of coffee on Friday, May 20, 10am, at Counter Culture Coffee (4911 S Alston Ave). It’s free; call 919-361-5282 or visit counterculturecoffee.com for more info.
Flit from venue to venue in downtown Durham during Third Friday on May 20, 6(ish)–11(ish)pm (depending on the venue). Enjoy art displays, live and recorded music, and snacks; participating venues include the Durham Arts Council/Durham Art Guild, Bull City Arts Collaborative, Through This Lens, Exotique, Claymakers, Pleiades Gallery, The Carrack Gallery, The Scrap Exchange, SPECTRE Arts, Ngozi Design, Golden Belt, the Museum of Durham History Hub, and High Strung. Check thirdfridaydurham.com for more info.
Northgate Mall, the Herald-Sun, and Bull City Burger & Brewery are partnering to present Blues on the Plaza in the outdoor plaza of Northgate Mall (1058 W Club Blvd). Handsome Al & the Lookers will give a free performance on Friday, May 20, 6:30–9pm. You’re welcome to dance up a storm or sit back and relax in your lawn chair. Call 919-286-4400 for more info.
Young people (ages 13–17) are invited to the Bimbé Teen Skate Party on Friday, May 20, 7–10pm, on the WD Hill Recreation Center’s outdoor skate rink (1308 Fayetteville St). Roller skates will be provided if you don’t have skates of your own. It’s free; click here or call 919-560-4355 for more info.
The Durham Central Park pavilion (502 Foster St) is the home of the Durham Farmers Market on Saturday, May 21 from 8am to noon. You can buy greens, fruits, vegetables, herbs, honeys, free-range meats, eggs, cheeses, home-baked pastries, home-crafted soaps, preserves, starter plants, and more. Some vendors accept credit cards each season (the $1.50 transaction fee helps fund the Double Bucks program); they also sell wooden “debit” tokens that you can use with any vendor. Vendors at the market accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)/EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer). Check durhamfarmersmarket.com or call 919-667-3099 to find out what’s in season.
The Durham Craft Market operates just north of the Durham Farmers Market in Durham Central Park (501 Foster St) on Saturday, May 21, 8am–noon. Artists will have their works—jewelry, photos, wood crafts, paintings, whimsical pieces, etc—on display (and for sale) on the north end of the park. Click here to learn more about the artists and their work.
The South Durham Farmers Market will be in operation from 8am to noon on Saturday, May 21 in the Greenwood Commons Shopping Center (5510 Hwy 55). You can purchase fresh produce, cheeses, meats, crafts, pastries, vegetables, artisan goods, and more. Some vendors accept credit cards each season (the $1.50 transaction fee helps fund the Double Bucks program); they also sell wooden “debit” tokens that you can use with any vendor. Vendors at the market accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)/EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer). Check southdurhamfarmersmarket.org to read about the vendors and to subscribe to the e-newsletter.
There’s a new farmers market in town: You can find the Durham Roots Farmers Market on Northgate Mall’s outdoor patio (1058 W Club Blvd) on Saturday, May 21, 8am–noon. Every fruit and vegetable has been grown in Bull City soil; click here to learn more.
The Aging Well in Durham resource fair will be held on Saturday, May 21, 10am–3:30pm, in the Durham County Human Services Building (414 E Main St). (Check-in starts at 9am.) Learn about some of the products and services that are available to help older adults remain independent and in their homes. Talks will be held on reverse mortgages, the County’s Property Tax Relief Program for the Elderly and Disabled, the Durham Center for Senior Life’s adult day programs, all-inclusive care programs, advance directives and other legal documents, and voter ID laws and options for voting. You can also take expired/unused medications and dispose of them safely at Operation Medicine Drop and sign up for a free voter ID card at the NC DMV mobile unit. It’s free, but you must register, especially if you’d like to get a free box lunch. Call 919-560-7393 or write to seniors@dconc.gov for more info. Click here to register.
The next District 1 PAC (Partners Against Crime) meeting will be held at the Holton Career & Resource Center (410 N Driver St) on Saturday, May 21, 9:30–11:30am. Find out what’s going on in your neighborhood and learn about City/County services.
Preservation Durham’s Civil Rights History Walking Tour starts at 10am on Saturday, May 21; meet on Hunt St, on the south end of Durham Central Park (501 Foster St), and take a 90-minute stroll through the downtown area while learning about Durham’s place in the history of the fight for the rights of African-Americans. It’s free; call 919-682-3036 or click here for more info.
Celebrate Bike Month at the East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Ln) on Saturday, May 21, 10am–2pm. Kids are invited to decorate their bikes and trikes at the Decoration Station. They’ll also have a bike rodeo and group bicycle ride (helmets are necessary—a few will be available). It’s free, but take $$$ for the food trucks. Call 919-560-0203 for more info.
The 47th annual Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival will be held on Saturday, May 21, noon–8pm, in Rock Quarry Park (701 Stadium Dr). Enjoy games, craft vendors, food, and fun. Host Brian Dawson from K97.5 will introduce the featured artists, 112 and Bobby Valentino. Free admission (and free parking at Durham County Stadium); click here or call 919-560-4355 for more info.
The City of Durham and the Lyon Park Neighborhood Association present Bull City Play Streets on Saturday, May 21, 1–4pm, in Lyon Park (Halley and Cornell Sts). Enjoy fitness activities, games, music, healthy snacks, and pick up information about healthy living. It’s free; click here to contact Laura Biediger from Neighborhood Improvement Services or contact Ethel Simonetti at esimonetti@nc.rr.com or 919-656-3870 for more info.
People of all ages and skill levels are invited to join the Chess Club on Saturday, May 21, 2pm, at the North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd). The North Durham Chess Club is an affiliate of the United States Chess Federation. It’s free; call 919-560-0231 or click here for more info.
Vets to Vets United’s 2nd annual Basketball and Wheelchair Rugby Showcase will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2–4pm, at the Emily K Center (904 W Chapel Hill St). The players are in wheelchairs, but they’re far from dainty—this is rough-and-tumble Sports with a capital “S”. Tickets are $5, $8 at the door, and the proceeds will help Vets to Vets United continue their wonderful work: providing military vets with service dogs (free of charge) and working together to ensure that the dogs are custom-trained to each new partner. Click here for tickets and visit vetstovetsunited.org for more info.
Check out the Durham Really Really Free Market, where you can drop off useful items you no longer need and pick up items you’d like to take home. The next one will be held in Northgate Park (Ellerbee and Acadia Sts) on Saturday, May 21, 2–4pm. No money ever changes hands.
Acoustic group City Folk will give a free concert at the Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse (2700 N Roxboro Rd) Christian-music venue on Saturday, May 21, 7:30pm. Donations will be accepted; call 919-220-2458 or visit the website for more info.
May 23–29
Teens are invited to join the Robotics Team @ East (the East Regional Library, 211 Lick Creek Ln) on Monday, May 23, 3–4pm. Have fun with LEGO robotics. It’s free; call 919-560-0203 for more info.
Reinvestment Partners will offer a free three-day Homebuyer Class to first-time prospective homeowners on Monday, May 23 through Wednesday, May 25, 6–8:40pm, at their office (110 E Geer St). You must attend all three days in order to get the 8-hour certificate. Learn about credit, budgeting, how to apply for a mortgage, home inspections, closings/settlements, and how to work with a lender and the prequalification process. Call 919-667-1000 or write for more info; click here to register.
If you like to sing, you’re welcome to join the Flash Chorus, which meets on Monday, May 23, 7–10pm, at Motorco (723 Rigsbee). There’s no audition, and each session ends with the recording of a music video that you can watch later on YouTube. Tonight’s songs are “Rock Your Body” by Justin Timberlake and “Cake by the Ocean” by DNCE (with choreography!).
There’s an $8 fee; click here for more info and to buy your ticket. 
Enjoy a Session at The Shed with Ernest Turner (807 E Main St, at Golden Belt) on Monday, May 23, 8–11pm, in a casual, relaxed setting. You’ll never know who will drop in to jam. Free admission; visit shedjazz.com for more info and to see the full schedule.
The One and Only Over-50 Crowd will meet at 10am on Tuesday, May 24 at the East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Ln). Take part in lively conversations, make new friends, and enjoy a snack. Movies are shown on the third Tuesday of every month. It’s free; call 919-560-0203 or click here for more info.
Teens are invited to the East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Ln) on Tuesday, May 24, 4–6pm, for a May Movie, where they can enjoy some popcorn and watch anime. It’s free; call 919-560-0203 for more info.
Have you always wanted to learn how to play “old-time” music? Take your stringed instrument to High Strung Musical Instruments’ Old-Time Learning Jam at the store (1803 W Markham) on Tuesday, May 24, 6:30–8pm. It’s free and “near-beginners” are welcome. Call 919-286-3801 or check highstrungdurham.com for more info.
If you’re a maker, crafter, artist, hacker, or tinkerer who needs some inspiration and would enjoy working with and around others with similar creative endeavors, visit SplatSpace at their new place at 800 N Mangum on Tuesday, May 24, 7pm. Take a tour of the space and check out the 3D printer, laser cutter, drill press, metal- and wood-working tools, and other materials. There are different levels of memberships, with the top rung making it possible to get 24-hour access to the workshop. Enter through the parking lot on the side (on Corporation St). Click here for more info.
Learn and have fun with various forms of Ballroom Dancing on Tuesday, May 24, 7–8:45pm, at the East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Ln). It’s free; call 919-560-0203 or click here for more info.
Get into Soul Line Dancing and move to R&B, pop, and reggae on Tuesday, May 24, 7pm, at the North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd). It’s free; call 919-560-0231 for more info.
The Tuesday Blues Jam starts at 7:30pm on May 24 at the Blue Note Grill (709 Washington St). Don’t worry about your amp—just take your instrument (or just drumsticks if you’re a drummer). Call 919-401-1979 or click here for more info.
Wednesday is Senior Game Day at Southwest Regional Library (3605 Shannon Rd), where folks age 55+ can play games like Rumnikub, Chess, Scrabble, and games that people (including you!) bring in. Arrive on May 25, 1pm, ready to play. It’s free; call 919-560-8590 for more info.
The Wednesday Durham Farmers Market is held on May 25 from 3:30 to 6:30pm in Durham Central Park (501 Foster St). Some of the Saturday vendors are there, and some vendors are there exclusively on Wednesdays. You can buy greens, fruits, vegetables, herbs, honeys, free-range meats, eggs, cheeses, home-baked pastries, home-crafted soaps, preserves, starter plants, and more. Some vendors accept credit cards each season (the $1.50 transaction fee helps fund the Double Bucks program); they also sell wooden “debit” tokens that you can use with any vendor. Vendors at the market accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)/EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer). Check durhamfarmersmarket.com or call 919-667-3099 to find out what’s in season.
Northgate Jams! will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 6–9pm, in Northgate Mall (1058 W Club Blvd, in Center Court toward Door 2). All musicians are invited to take their acoustic instruments and join in to play old-time, bluegrass, and country music. It’s free; click here for more Northgate Mall events.
The Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham’s next Community Luncheon Roundtable will be held in Shepherd’s House United Methodist Church’s Fellowship Hall (107 N Driver St; enter through the back entrance) on Thursday, May 26, noon–1pm. Lunch is free, thanks to CORE Catering. Call Marcia Owen at 919-358-1113 or click here for more info.
Teens are invited to have a snack and play Xbox, Wii, and board games during Game Day @ Main (the Main Library, 300 N Roxboro St) on Thursday, May 26, 3–5pm. Have fun with LEGO robotics. It’s free; call 919-560-0100 for more info.
Take your fiddle, guitar, mandolin, flute, tinwhistle, concertina, tenor banjo, or harp and learn Irish jigs, reels, and hornpipes phrase by phrase at High Strung Musical Instruments’ Irish Learning Jam at the store (1803 W Markham) on Thursday, May 26, 6:30–8pm. It’s free and “near-beginners” are welcome. Call 919-286-3801 or check highstrungdurham.com for more info.
The next Sun Assembly English Country Dance session will be held on Thursday, May 26, 7:30–9:30pm, at the Beth El Synagogue’s Freedman Center (1004 Watts St). Live music on second and fourth Thursdays; gender-free calling. Be sure to take non-street shoes or dance in your socks. The admission fee is $7; call 919-683-9672 or click here for more info.
Take a tour of a roastery and sample different types of coffee on Friday, May 27, 10am, at Counter Culture Coffee (4911 S Alston Ave). It’s free; call 919-361-5282 or visit counterculturecoffee.com for more info.
Northgate Mall, the Herald-Sun, and Bull City Burger & Brewery are partnering to present Blues on the Plaza in the outdoor plaza of Northgate Mall (1058 W Club Blvd). Mel Melton & the Wicked Mojos with John Dee Holeman will give a free performance on Friday, May 27, 6:30–9pm. You’re welcome to dance up a storm or sit back and relax in your lawn chair. Call 919-286-4400 for more info.
The Durham Central Park pavilion (502 Foster St) is the home of the Durham Farmers Market on Saturday, May 28 from 8am to noon. You can buy greens, fruits, vegetables, herbs, honeys, free-range meats, eggs, cheeses, home-baked pastries, home-crafted soaps, preserves, starter plants, and more. Some vendors accept credit cards each season (the $1.50 transaction fee helps fund the Double Bucks program); they also sell wooden “debit” tokens that you can use with any vendor. Vendors at the market accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)/EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer). Check durhamfarmersmarket.com or call 919-667-3099 to find out what’s in season.
The Durham Craft Market operates just north of the Durham Farmers Market in Durham Central Park (501 Foster St) on Saturday, May 28, 8am–noon. Artists will have their works—jewelry, photos, wood crafts, paintings, whimsical pieces, etc—on display (and for sale) on the north end of the park. Click here to learn more about the artists and their work.
The South Durham Farmers Market will be in operation from 8am to noon on Saturday, May 28 in the Greenwood Commons Shopping Center (5510 Hwy 55). You can purchase fresh produce, cheeses, meats, crafts, pastries, vegetables, artisan goods, and more. Some vendors accept credit cards each season (the $1.50 transaction fee helps fund the Double Bucks program); they also sell wooden “debit” tokens that you can use with any vendor. Vendors at the market accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)/EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer). Check southdurhamfarmersmarket.org to read about the vendors and to subscribe to the e-newsletter.
There’s a new farmers market in town: You can find the Durham Roots Farmers Market on Northgate Mall’s outdoor patio (1058 W Club Blvd) on Saturday, May 28, 8am–noon. Every fruit and vegetable has been grown in Bull City soil; click here to learn more.
Preservation Durham’s Architecture and Urban Landscape Walking Tour starts at 10am on Saturday, May 28; meet on Hunt St, on the south end of Durham Central Park (501 Foster St), and take a 90-minute stroll through the downtown area. It’s free; call 919-682-3036 or click here for more info.
People of all ages and skill levels are invited to join the Chess Club on Saturday, May 28, 2pm, at the North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd). The North Durham Chess Club is an affiliate of the United States Chess Federation. It’s free; call 919-560-0231 or click here for more info.
Folk/country duo The Commanderrs will give a free concert at the Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse (2700 N Roxboro Rd) Christian-music venue on Saturday, May 28, 7:30pm. Donations will be accepted; call 919-220-2458 or visit the website for more info.
May 30–June 5
Enjoy a Session at The Shed with Ernest Turner (807 E Main St, at Golden Belt) on Monday, May 30, 8–11pm, in a casual, relaxed setting. You’ll never know who will drop in to jam. Free admission; visit shedjazz.com for more info and to see the full schedule.
The One and Only Over-50 Crowd will meet at 10am on Tuesday, May 31 at the East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Ln). Take part in lively conversations, make new friends, and enjoy a snack. Movies are shown on the third Tuesday of every month. It’s free; call 919-560-0203 or click here for more info.
Have you always wanted to learn how to play “old-time” music? Take your stringed instrument to High Strung Musical Instruments’ Old-Time Learning Jam at the store (1803 W Markham) on Tuesday, May 31, 6:30–8pm. It’s free and “near-beginners” are welcome. Call 919-286-3801 or check highstrungdurham.com for more info.
If you’re a maker, crafter, artist, hacker, or tinkerer who needs some inspiration and would enjoy working with and around others with similar creative endeavors, visit SplatSpace at their new place at 800 N Mangum on Tuesday, May 31, 7pm. Take a tour of the space and check out the 3D printer, laser cutter, drill press, metal- and wood-working tools, and other materials. There are different levels of memberships, with the top rung making it possible to get 24-hour access to the workshop. Enter through the parking lot on the side (on Corporation St). Click here for more info.
Learn and have fun with various forms of Ballroom Dancing on Tuesday, May 31, 7–8:45pm, at the East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Ln). It’s free; call 919-560-0203 or click here for more info.
Get into Soul Line Dancing and move to R&B, pop, and reggae on Tuesday, May 31, 7pm, at the North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd). It’s free; call 919-560-0231 for more info.
The Tuesday Blues Jam starts at 7:30pm on May 31 at the Blue Note Grill (709 Washington St). Don’t worry about your amp—just take your instrument (or just drumsticks if you’re a drummer). Call 919-401-1979 or click here for more info.
Wednesday is Senior Game Day at Southwest Regional Library (3605 Shannon Rd), where folks age 55+ can play games like Rumnikub, Chess, Scrabble, and games that people (including you!) bring in. Arrive on June 1, 1pm, ready to play. It’s free; call 919-560-8590 for more info.
The Wednesday Durham Farmers Market is held on June 1 from 3:30 to 6:30pm in Durham Central Park (501 Foster St). Some of the Saturday vendors are there, and some vendors are there exclusively on Wednesdays. You can buy greens, fruits, vegetables, herbs, honeys, free-range meats, eggs, cheeses, home-baked pastries, home-crafted soaps, preserves, starter plants, and more. Some vendors accept credit cards each season (the $1.50 transaction fee helps fund the Double Bucks program); they also sell wooden “debit” tokens that you can use with any vendor. Vendors at the market accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)/EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer). Check durhamfarmersmarket.com or call 919-667-3099 to find out what’s in season.
Northgate Jams! will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 6–9pm, in Northgate Mall (1058 W Club Blvd, in Center Court toward Door 2). All musicians are invited to take their acoustic instruments and join in to play old-time, bluegrass, and country music. It’s free; click here for more Northgate Mall events.
The next meeting of the Durham-Orange Genealogical Society will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 7–9pm, at the OWASA Community Center (400 W Jones Ferry Rd, in Carrboro). Kim Anderson from the North Carolina State Archives will give instructions on Working with Historical Photographs. Visit dogsnc.org for more info.
The Durham–Chapel Hill Jewish Federation’s Jewish Family Services sponsors the Memory Café, where people with memory loss (including dementia and Alzheimer’s) can gather with their loved-ones and enjoy snacks, conversation, activities, and just being together. The next Memory Café will be held on Thursday, June 2, 10am–noon, at 1937 W Cornwallis Rd. It’s free, although a donation to Jewish Family Services would be graciously accepted. Contact Jennifer Schwartz at 919-354-4923 or jschwartz@shalomdch.org for more info. Visit levinjcc.org to see what else is going on at the community center and shalomdch.org for more information on the Durham–Chapel Hill Jewish Federation.
Take your fiddle, guitar, mandolin, flute, tinwhistle, concertina, tenor banjo, or harp and learn Irish jigs, reels, and hornpipes phrase by phrase at High Strung Musical Instruments’ Irish Learning Jam at the store (1803 W Markham) on Thursday, June 2, 6:30–8pm. It’s free and “near-beginners” are welcome. Call 919-286-3801 or check highstrungdurham.com for more info.
The next Sun Assembly English Country Dance session will be held on Thursday, June 2, 7:30–9:30pm, at the Beth El Synagogue’s Freedman Center (1004 Watts St). Live music on second and fourth Thursdays; gender-free calling. Be sure to take non-street shoes or dance in your socks. The admission fee is $7; call 919-683-9672 or click here for more info.
Take a tour of a roastery and sample different types of coffee on Friday, June 3, 10am, at Counter Culture Coffee (4911 S Alston Ave). It’s free; call 919-361-5282 or visit counterculturecoffee.com for more info.
Northgate Mall, the Herald-Sun, and Bull City Burger & Brewery are partnering to present Blues on the Plaza in the outdoor plaza of Northgate Mall (1058 W Club Blvd). The Beauty Operators will give a free performance on Friday, June 3, 6:30–9pm. You’re welcome to dance up a storm or sit back and relax in your lawn chair. Call 919-286-4400 for more info.
The Durham Central Park pavilion (502 Foster St) is the home of the Durham Farmers Market on Saturday, June 4 from 8am to noon. You can buy greens, fruits, vegetables, herbs, honeys, free-range meats, eggs, cheeses, home-baked pastries, home-crafted soaps, preserves, starter plants, and more. Some vendors accept credit cards each season (the $1.50 transaction fee helps fund the Double Bucks program); they also sell wooden “debit” tokens that you can use with any vendor. Vendors at the market accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)/EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer). Check durhamfarmersmarket.com or call 919-667-3099 to find out what’s in season.
The Durham Craft Market operates just north of the Durham Farmers Market in Durham Central Park (501 Foster St) on Saturday, June 4, 8am–noon. Artists will have their works—jewelry, photos, wood crafts, paintings, whimsical pieces, etc—on display (and for sale) on the north end of the park. Click here to learn more about the artists and their work.
The South Durham Farmers Market will be in operation from 8am to noon on Saturday, June 4 in the Greenwood Commons Shopping Center (5510 Hwy 55). You can purchase fresh produce, cheeses, meats, crafts, pastries, vegetables, artisan goods, and more. Some vendors accept credit cards each season (the $1.50 transaction fee helps fund the Double Bucks program); they also sell wooden “debit” tokens that you can use with any vendor. Vendors at the market accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)/EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer). Check southdurhamfarmersmarket.org to read about the vendors and to subscribe to the e-newsletter.
There’s a new farmers market in town: You can find the Durham Roots Farmers Market on Northgate Mall’s outdoor patio (1058 W Club Blvd) on Saturday, June 4, 8am–noon. Every fruit and vegetable has been grown in Bull City soil; click here to learn more.
The next Durham Patchwork Mini-Market will be held at Fullsteam Brewery (726 Rigsbee Ave) on Saturday, June 4, noon–4pm. Shop for unique works of art, crafts, original, and vintage goods from local artists, makers, and vendors. Visit their Facebook page for more info.
People of all ages and skill levels are invited to join the Chess Club on Saturday, June 4, 2pm, at the North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd). The North Durham Chess Club is an affiliate of the United States Chess Federation. It’s free; call 919-560-0231 or click here for more info.
Praise artist Lisa Beverly will give a free concert at the Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse (2700 N Roxboro Rd) Christian-music venue on Saturday, June 4, 7:30pm. Donations will be accepted; call 919-220-2458 or visit the website for more info.
Celebrate the art of the spoken word at the Reader’s Party in the auditorium of the Main Library (300 N Roxboro St) on Sunday, June 5, 2–4:30pm. Listen as readers of all ages “perform” poetry, monologues, short stories, and original works. If you’d like to participate, you can take your own material (G-rated, please) or choose from the materials already on site. It’s free; call 919-638-7674 for more info.
The Triangle Blues Society’s 1st Sunday Triangle Blues Jam will take place on June 5, 6:30–9:30pm, at the Blue Note Grill (709 Washington St). Don’t worry about your amp—just take your instrument (or just drumsticks if you’re a drummer). Call 919-401-1979 for more info.
High Strung Musical Instruments sponsors the Ukulele Learning Jam & Advancing Players Jam at the store (1803 W Markham Ave) on Monday, June 6, 7–8:30pm. The first half hour will be spent going over basic chords and strums, and the music will get more challenging as the jam progresses. It’s free; all levels are welcome. Call 919-286-3801 or check highstrungdurham.com for more info.
The next meeting of the Durham Historic Preservation Commission will be held on Tuesday, June 7, 8:30–10am, in City Hall’s 2nd-floor Committee Room (101 City Hall Plaza). Click here for the Agenda Center, where you can view agendas from recent meetings.
A Diabetes Support Group for people dealing with type 2 diabetes will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, June 7, 5pm, at the Durham County Human Services Building (414 E Main St, 2nd floor). Get tips and share your own ideas about self-management and staying healthy with good nutrition. Contact Aubrey Delaney from the Durham Diabetes Coalition at 919-560-7180 or adelaney@dconc.gov for more info.
Music empresario and host of WNCU’s “Funk Show,” Howard Burchette, will give a talk on the legacy of the late Maurice White and the history of Earth, Wind & Fire at the Stanford L Warren Library (1201 Fayetteville St) on Tuesday, June 7, 7pm. DJ Ivan Holloway will spin some tunes and Burchette will put his EWF record, tape, and CD collection on display. It’s free; call 919-560-0270 for more info.
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“STATESVILLE” BY PHIL FONVILLE
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The Durham Skywriter is published and uploaded monthly.
For more information, call patricia A murray at 919-809-9682 or write to durhamskywriter@yahoo.com.
Authors/publishers can send books for review, and artists/managers can send CDs for review to:
patricia A murray, 1910 Capps St, Durham NC 27707, USA
©2015 patricia A murray. All rights reserved.
For more information, call patricia A murray at 919-809-9682 or write to durhamskywriter@yahoo.com.
Authors/publishers can send books for review, and artists/managers can send CDs for review to:
patricia A murray, 1910 Capps St, Durham NC 27707, USA
©2015 patricia A murray. All rights reserved.
Visit my sister site, djpiddipat.weebly.com, for information on DJ Piddipat, my music service.
Visit my other sister site, piddipatcrafts.weebly.com, for information on Piddipat Crafts, my toy- and game-making venture.