A Weekend in Durham with Dasan Ahanu
Join local poet Dasan Ahanu as he takes his friends on a weekend adventure through some of Durham's finest restaurants, shops and venues.
A great place to live is a wonderful place to visit, and there are no better ambassadors for Durham than our most engaged and prominent residents. We've worked with Piedmont Poet Laureate and community organizer Dasan Ahanu to reveal the places he likes to go and the things he likes to do with his friends and loved ones when they visit The Bull City. Lucky for us, he has great taste and is willing to share his secrets.
This is the second piece in a series of weekend agendas from Dasan. Make sure to check out his first piece, where he gives us his local favorite pics for food, entertainment and more. For more, read his summer and fall weekend itineraries.
Hey (looking around anxiously)! Yeah, you. I’m Dasan Ahanu, a Durham based poet, performing artist, playwright and cultural organizer. Let me talk to you for a second. Don’t worry, it’s ok, I’m just an area creative who wants to share some information with you. Yeah, I said creative. I do imagination work with whoever needs an effective thought partner to make ideas tangible. That is, when I am not bringing my own artistic ideas to life.
First off let me say that I love the Bull City and I truly believe it loves me back. This is an amazing city and I try to make sure that anyone I know fully understands how amazing it is.
If you come to Durham, I will make sure you get a good taste of what the city offers. If you come back again then you will start to realize the depths of engagement that is possible. Come back around one more time you won’t want to leave. Durham will either become your new home or your favorite escape.
So now that I got your attention, let me fill you in on what I needed to tell you...
A Durham Love - Book Two
Durham is a captivating mystery that you can’t resist immersing yourself in. Each moment is full of flavor, characters, plot twists and lessons learned. This place, affectionately known as the Bull City, is a pick your own adventure where each decision impacts your next step and your choices determine the impact of the final outcome. There is no end to what you can gain, what you can explore, or what you can come to understand. All you have to do is be open to the possibilities. Soon, you will realize that Durham is your favorite novel. Not one that you can sit with at home under a blanket, sipping a drink, glasses on, with text in hand. No, never that. It is one that requires curious exploration. You have to get out and feel Durham. I promise you, it’s more than worth it.
Prelude: Friday Outing
The rain had stopped just before they pulled into Durham, leaving the city slick and shimmering under the glow of streetlights. The air smelled of damp pavement and fresh rain. There was a thin mist in the air and a hypnotizing glow from the moon just over their heads.
When they pulled into the driveway, I was waiting for them on the porch. “Welcome to Bull City,” I yelled as they stepped out of the car. “Glad you made it safe.” They both looked at me, relieved. “Sorry about this weather. I was hoping you would get to catch some sights on the way in”
“We didn’t see much in this rain,” Ray said, grabbing bags out the trunk. “But we are looking forward to getting to see more.”
“Oh, don’t worry,” I teased, opening the door and letting them in the house. “We are going to get you situated first and then we are going to get right to it.”
Rhonda rolled her eyes. “Can we sit down for a minute first?”
I told them to sit their bags in the hall for now so I could give them a quick tour of the place. After showing them around the interior of the house, I walked them out onto the back deck. We stood there under the heavy night sky taking in the neighborhood. Shadows pooled deep under the deck as the clouds above draped each house in a cover of darkness.
“There is something about this place,” said Rhonda, looking over to me with eyes full of wonder. “I can feel the energy.”
I smiled. “Don’t worry. You will completely understand before it’s all over. You will know exactly why I brought you here.”
“You told us to be ready,” Ray said. “So, we are.”
“Good,” I replied. “Not everybody is.”
This was a weekend for good food, drinks and maybe some live entertainment. As they were putting their things away stood in the living room smiling at what was to come completely lost in my own thoughts, that is until I heard a sound—soft, deliberate and impossibly close.
This was a weekend for good food, drinks and maybe some live entertainment. As they were putting their things away stood in the living room smiling at what was to come completely lost in my own thoughts, that is until I heard a sound—soft, deliberate and impossibly close.
A knock.
Not at the door.
I turned frantically, searching for the source of the sound.
I realized the door to the deck was open and the wind was blowing tree limbs against the house. Whew, I was shook for a moment.
A knock.
Not at the door.
I turned frantically, searching for the source of the sound.
I realized the door to the deck was open and the wind was blowing tree limbs against the house. Whew, I was shook for a moment.
Suddenly I heard Ray speaking, “Hey, where are we going? I want to know how to dress.”
“We are going to Weldon Mills Distillery. They have live music there on Friday nights. It’s downtown and is an award-winning distillery. The drinks are great.”
“They got food?”
“Yep. We got to have you try the beef burnt ends. They glaze them in spicy bourbon honey. Trust me, you will thank me.”
“Bet”
Chapter One: Saturday Morning Says Hello
After a night of bourbon and vodka, the best thing you can do is kick off the day with a good sweat. I have been a YMCA member for over a decade. My favorite spot to workout is the downtown Durham location. Luckily I got a couple of guest passes so that I can take my friends with me. I figure that some weights and cardio will do them both good.
Now I am not a morning person, but I am trying to make sure to be attentive to my mental and physical well being. So if I am going to drag myself out of my bed first thing in the morning, then they are going to do the same.
They both looked like zombies coming downstairs.
“Well hello there! How are you doing this fine morning!” I greeted them with as much cheer as I could muster sarcastically. “You ready to get some exercise?!”
“Why do you hate us?”
The Downtown Durham YMCA has a great staff. The facility has two basketball courts, a pool and workout room upstairs. I never have any issues there. It’s a great place to workout.
My friends may not have started out enthusiastic about this morning excursion, but I knew they would get over it when they had a chance to get some exercise in.
Chapter Two: Feed Your Mind
I did feel a little guilty waking my guests up so early on a Saturday. I figured that I would reward them with a treat after our workout. I decided to take them to Cocoa Cinnamon. We headed to the Old West Durham location on Hillsborough Road.
“Cocoa Cinnamon is a Durham staple. There are three locations and each one has its own distinct charm. It is a great meeting space, place to read, spot to work or a casual date stop. They have been a great community partner as well.” I wanted them to know how special it was.
“You don’t drink coffee.” Ray was a tad bit confused.
“I do not. I'm going for hot cocoa. The Cacao Canela hot chocolate is ridiculously good.”
The look of condemnation I received from two coffee drinkers was intense and judgmental. I decided to shift the energy.
“They roast their own coffee beans. You should grab some to take with you.”
Chapter Three: Daytime Adventure
My guests were so much nicer to me after coffee. In return for their change in attitude I decided to take them to International Delights for lunch. It has been in Durham for over 30 years. When I walk in they know what I am there to order: a cheese steak hoagie. Yes, of all the wonderful things on the menu I go there for a cheese steak hoagie. I sure do. I will not be judged.
“So your regular order is a cheese steak hoagie? All this Mediterranean food on this menu and that is what you get?” Rhonda couldn’t resist the inquiry.
Yes, International Delights is known for their shawarma, baba ghanouj and falafel. The hummus is delicious and there are some great vegetarian and vegan options. Still, I like what I like.
“Ahem… it is delicious. Judge yo mama.”
They loved their food. I, too, enjoyed mine.
The block of Ninth Street between West Main and West Markham is full of great storefronts. To the right from International Delights there are longstanding Durham restaurants like Dain’s Place and Banh’s Cuisine, Durham Cycles, the nonprofit book publisher Blair Press, and a furniture store, Vintage Home South. To the right is a bevy of spaces from Bernard’s Formalwear to more eateries, Hometown Apparel, Hunky Dory and Wavelengths Salon.
I decided to take them to one of my favorite places on the street: The Regulator Bookshop. I felt like they would enjoy a visit to the oldest independent bookstore in the Triangle. Not to mention that a few moments walking around the bookstore looking at books helps the food settle better.
I love to look for new books of poetry to check out. I get so inspired by reading other poets. The regulator is also a great place to go to pick up my poetry collections including my poetry chapbook Concrete Jungle Allegories from Jacar Press and Sable Books. The new collection is the result of my being the recipient of their Unsung Poets Award. (Shameless plug)
We all picked up some books and headed back to the house.
Chapter Four: Saturday Night Live
I decided to check in with my guests about their Durham weekend. “How are you feeling about Durham so far?”
Rhonda looked at me and smiled. “So far so good.”
“That means she is loving it.”
I was grateful for Ray naming that truth. Bull City was grabbing a hold of them.
“Well, you both should take a moment and relax. We have special plans tonight.”
Everything was coming together perfectly. Just wait until tonight.
I could feel the gleeful anticipation as we rode in the car towards downtown. I told them we were going out for some fun, but I didn’t tell them where. We were on our way to see some local musicians playing live music at Sharp 9 Gallery. Sharp 9 is a regular spot for local and touring musicians to meet and jam together. Jazz fans know Durham's talent runs deep and you never know who will stop in and play a set.
Rhonda couldn’t take it anymore. “Where are we going?”
As I parked the car I pretended not to hear her.
“Sir, where are we going? I know you hear me!”
“Huh?”
“If you can huh you can hear.”
As we got out the car we could see beautifully dressed folks heading into the unassuming venue. There was music from the front room seeping out into the parking lot. That was just a prelude to the kind of jazz and soul music we were going to hear once we got in and settled in the show room. It was going to be a fantastic night.
“Just come on. All will be revealed in just a moment.”
They followed me still in doubt about what I was leading them to.
I wasn’t worried. They would thank me later.
Chapter Five: The Final Act
I got up before them on Sunday morning. Not to cook them breakfast or anything. Just so that I could be sitting in the kitchen proudly when they came looking for food.
“Good morning my dear friends! How are you feeling?”
“Hungry,” Ray responded. “You fixin breakfast?”
“Nope.”
Rhonda did not seem amused. “Excuse me?”
“We will go to eat on your way out. That’s not important right now.”
“What is then?” Rhonda was definitely not amused.
“So, was I right?”
Ray sat down at the kitchen table. Rhonda was still standing in the doorway not amused.
“About what?”
“Durham. It’s everything I said it was and more right?
Rhonda came and sat down. She looked over at me and said, “Ok, you got us. What else do we need to know?”
I decided we could have that conversation over breakfast at Grub Durham. I had Cathi’s Big Easy sandwich on my mind. Not to mention I wanted to grab a couple cinnamon rolls to bring back home. It would be the perfect place to finish telling them how necessary Durham was for their future. That moving to Durham should be a real part of their future planning. This was a recruitment mission.
In the immortal words of Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith… I love it when a plan comes together.
Epilogue
Bull City is a mystery waiting to be solved. The trick is that you can only do so if you are here. Then it is only a matter of time before you realize the answer you’ve been seeking is that Durham is the perfect city for you. Once you come to terms with that truth, the only proper resolution left for you is to give in to that feeling and accept that Durham is where you will be or where you will keep coming back to. This is an ongoing adventure, so novel that you can’t wait for the next installment.
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