Things to Do in Durham this Week

Weekly Events in Durham

(September 15-21)

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 in Durham this Week

The Knockout Tour: Violet vs Gottmik at Carolina Theater

• International drag superstars Violet Chachki and Gottmik come together for their first ever headline theater tour: “Knockout.” These queens have turned the fashion, drag, music, burlesque, and pop culture worlds upside down, and now they’re putting it all in a boxing ring on a large stage and bringing it to a city near you!
• Fresh off a Crazy Horse Paris residency and “All Stars Live!” last year, audiences have come to expect exciting gender-bending burlesque and aerial performance from Chachki and riveting rock-inspired drag from the world’s most well known transmasculine drag performer Gottmik – and this show is no exception! Battling it out with a boxing-themed show, these queens will gag you with their over-the-top artistry and storytelling; it’s giving glamour vs. rock ‘n’ roll. Their new show will feature them battling it out with debut live singing performances of their new albums (out in September), show stopping costumes, dancers, original duets, aerial, and an audience participation numbers you won’t want to miss!
• Admission: $38+
• Tuesday, September 16

Duke Arts: Dior Ashley Brown at American Tobacco Campus

• Dubbed “the Hip-Hop Polymath” by The Washington Post, Dior Ashley Brown is an award-winning emcee, actor, poet, and activist whose work fuses music, politics, and performance. She’s opened for artists from Esperanza Spalding to the Wu-Tang Clan, and even shared stages with Yo-Yo Ma.
• A Recording Academy member and powerhouse in the D.C. arts scene, Brown is driven by a deep belief in the power of voice—using her platform to preserve the soul of hip-hop, uplift women, and build a legacy rooted in change.
• Wednesday, September 17
• 6:30 pm
• Free

Durham Queer Trivia: The Pauli Murray Edition at Arcana Bar and Lounge

• Arcana has collaborated with the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice, using their archives to create a trivia all about Durham's legendary Pauli Murray. All prizes are provided by the Pauli Murray Center!
• Thursday, September 18
• 7:30 pm
• Free

Pops on the Green at American Tobacco Campus

• Join the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle (COT) for a FREE open air concert on the green at the American Tobacco Campus — bring your family, friends, and a picnic!
• Performed by The COT's full orchestra, enjoy family-friendly music from legends and luminaries — from Duke Ellington to John Williams. Gather and step into the music to welcome in the autumnal season!
• By registering on the COT website, you will be entered into the Pops on the Green Raffle to win prizes such as gift certificates to local restaurants and tickets to upcoming COT events. Preregistration is requested but not required. Raffle winners will be announced live at each event!
• Friday, September 19
• 6:30 pm
• Free

CenterFest Arts Festival at Downtown Durham

• Celebrate Centerfest's 50th anniversary!
• Since 1974, Durham Arts Council has brought the Durham community together with an annual arts festival in the fall. As Durham’s signature fine arts festival, CenterFest showcases juried visual artists from across the country and fills multiple stages with stand-out local performers. Art shoppers are dazzled by world-class ceramics, paintings, photography, jewelry, fiber art, woodwork, glass, and more. Creators are based in Durham, the Triangle and across the country. CenterFest also features musicians, dancers and unique street performers to provide continuous entertainment. Kids will have a blast at the Creative Kids Zone, food vendors keep guests fueled for fun, and Durham’s nonprofit and government services sector inspire and inform festival goers. Taking place in the heart of Durham’s historic downtown, a concentration of local businesses and eateries elevate the visitor experience!
• September 20-21
• Free

Centerfest! - Yuko Nogami Taylor at 5 Points Gallery

• 5 Points Gallery is proud to showcase the luminous work of Yuko Nogami Taylor, where the elegance of Japanese Nihonga tradition meets the quiet strength of southern flora. In these paintings, ordinary plants become extraordinary symbols of resilience, humility, and hope. Her work invites viewers into a contemplative space of stillness, where the steady growth of plants reflects the persistence of human spirit.
• Enjoy the varied works of ten Triangle-based artists in a range of media including painting, sculpture, fused glass, mixed media, and finely crafted furniture. The exhibition runs from September 18 through October 11.
• Centerfest hours September 20, 10am-9pm and September 21, 11am-5pm.
• September 20-21
• Free

Sheng Wang at DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center

• Sheng Wang is a comedian, actor and writer originally from Houston, TX. His first Netflix special, Sweet & Juicy, released in September 2022 and was produced and directed by Ali Wong. He was a featured stand-up on HBO’s “2 Dope Queens” special and also wrote for the ABC show “Fresh Off the Boat.” Sheng resides in Los Angeles and in his time off, he enjoys exploring botanical gardens and discovering new ways to snack.
• Friday, September 19
• 7:30 pm

Duke Football vs NC State at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium

• Saturday, September 20
• 4 pm

Oktoberfest at Atomic Clock Brewing

• They'll have beer specials, German food specials, live music, stein holding competitions, and more!
• Saturday, September 20
• Noon

Durham Oktoberfest at Durham Central Park

• Get ready for an unforgettable celebration at Durham Central Park filled with lively tunes to dance along to from the Oak City Polka Kings. Plus there will be a vibrant art market showcasing local creativity, curated by The Pufferfish Project. Not to mention plenty of icy German-style beers to keep the festivities flowing out in our beer tent.
• Whether you’re dancing to polka beats, browsing unique crafts, or savoring authentic brews, Durham Oktoberfest promises a fun filled day for all. Don’t miss out on the ultimate fall experience - mark your calendar and come celebrate with us!
• Saturday, September 20
• 3 pm
• Free

Third Friday Events

3rd Friday: Mix & Mingle at Zeitgeist Gallery & BarIt's 3rd Friday at Zeitgeist!

• It's 3rd Friday at Zeitgeist! They are open at 5pm, meet and greet is from 6-10pm & then open until midnight! Swing by, meet some artists, make some friends, taste their infused liquor cocktails!
• All, any & every artists and art lovers are invited. Check out our Instagram @zeitgeist_durham for any & all updates!
• Free

Scrappy Glitz and Glam with Stormie Daie: A DIY Fashion Experience at Durham Visitor Info Center

• Join us for a fabulous evening of creativity and sustainability with Drag Queen icon Stormie Daie and The Scrap Exchange!
• Get ready to repurpose, recycle, and reinvent old styles into bold new looks perfect for PRIDE: Durham, NC weekend. The Scrap Exchange will roll in with a treasure trove of tops, bottoms, and edgy pieces (think distressed denim, jackets, and more!) for you to mend, alter, bedazzle, and make completely your own.
• Want to bring a personal touch? Bring your own clothing and give those pieces a fresh, fabulous makeover with our supplies and creative guidance! Meanwhile, the one and only Stormie Daie will keep the energy high, spark your imagination, and inspire your fiercest fashion moments as you create your custom PRIDE-ready ensemble.
• What to expect:
  - A DIY glamming station with all the materials you need
  - Expert tips and vibrant vibes from Stormie Daie
  - A sustainable way to refresh your wardrobe for PRIDE weekend
• Bring your creativity and personal clothing pieces if you’d like, and transform old threads into new statements.
• 6 pm
• Free

Third Friday Art Reception - Briana Woods Photography Opening at Ment Beverage Co

• Join in for an evening of art, & great drinks! The photography of Briana Woods will be up and artist will be on site. Grab a drink to go as you head off to your next art adventure!
• 6 pm
• Free

3rd Friday Mix and Mingle: The Sacred and Profane Art Opening at Zeitgeist Gallery & Bar

• At 6 pm, we open The Sacred and Profane: new work on the walls and their artists to accompany.
• At 8 pm, Symbiosis takes over with live jazz. Bar pours, easy vibes.
• Drop in for the opening, stay for the set, leave with a favorite piece.
• 6 pm
• Free

Bull City Perspectives at Bull City Art & Frame Company

• Join in this Third Friday for an artist reception for local artist Kim Best. Kim's work showcases bold vignettes, little snap shots of the Bull City.
• 6 pm
• Free

Third Friday Jazz Night at Redhead Hemp

• Join Redhead Hemp and local jazz artist Kayla King for an evening of live music. Relax in the canna cafe and sip an infused drink while celebrating local musicians!
• 7 pm
• Free

Multi-Day Events

Ponysaurus Brewing Co. Birthday Week Celebration at Ponysaurus Brewing Co.

• Ponysaurus Brewing Co. is turning twelve! To celebrate, they’re rolling out a week of exciting birthday specials at the Durham brewery and taproom.
• Pony or Saurus - Horses vs. Dinosaurs Themed Trivia on Tuesday, September 16th: paleontologist friends are helping to celebrate with a special Pint Sized Paleontology event! Play trivia, AND see adorable puppies for the monthly Pints and Pups night with Hope Animal Rescue. Puppies arrive at 6pm, trivia starts at 6:30!
• Pony Birthday Run on Thursday, September 18th: they’re taking this party to the streets with Fleet Feet Carrboro & Durham Thursday at 6:15pm for a 3-mile or 5-mile leisurely run! Grab a party hat and treat yourself to the birthday specials at the end of your run for a job well done.
• September 14-19
• Free

Missy Lane's Presents Kassa Overall at Missy Lane's Assembly Room

• Kassa Overall blends jazz, hip-hop, and electronic music into a one-man sonic experience. Expect drum pads, live vocals, loops, and real-time remixing that pushes the boundaries of jazz. A drummer, producer, and visionary who’s worked with Geri Allen, Vijay Iyer, and Francis and the Lights, Kassa is redefining what jazz performance looks and sounds like in the 21st century.
• Catch him live at Missy Lane's on September 17th & 18th.
• Admission: $30+

Oktoberfest at Ponysaurus Brewing Co.

• September 20 – October 5
• Ponysaurus' biggest Oktoberfest ever! They’re brewing triple the amount of beer as last year and serving up a German-inspired food menu to match. 🍻🥨🇩🇪
• 9/21 Wolfpack Sound Polka Band, starting at 5pm.
• Free

Pick Your Own Muscadine Grapes at Herndon Hills Farm

• Pick Your Own Muscadine Grapes at 200-year-old Herndon Farm in Durham. Muscadines are native to North Carolina and a true Southern treat! They have 10 varieties, all certified organic, all sweet and delicious. Highlight of the fall for anyone interested in Southern food.
• $3.50 per pound
• Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Feb. 25, 2026

Lutra Brunch Pop-up at Cheeni

• Lutra Cafe and Bakery, the popular Durham-based bakery known for its sweet and savory buns, will host a weekly Sunday brunch at Durham's Cheeni restaurant. The brunch pop-up at Cheeni will give diners a chance to taste Lutra's expanded cafe menu months before chef-owner Chris McLaurin opens Lutra's counter-service restaurant at American Tobacco Campus by the end of 2025. Sunday brunch will be offered from 8-11 a.m. The brunch menu includes the sweet and savory buns, breakfast sandwich, biscuits and gravy, bread pudding, granola bowl, 100-layer hash browns and more.
• Sunday Brunch | June 8- September 28
• 8am-11am

Guided Spirits Tasting Tour at Liberty & Plenty Distillery

• Join a brand ambassador from Liberty & Plenty Distillery for a guided tour of the production facility and Rickhouse in Downtown Durham to learn the basics of how spirits are made. Every tour includes a tasting of Liberty & Plenty Distillery's rums, vodkas, gins and whiskies.
• Every Friday at 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM and every Saturday at 2:00 PM and 3:30 PM
• Admission: $20

$1.50 Oysters at Alley Twenty Six

• Durham’s Alley Twenty Six is now offering $1.50 raw oyster special from 4-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays. A selection of oysters are sourced from North Carolina and often Canada, Virginia or elsewhere along the East Coast and served with cocktail sauce, Mignonette sauce and lemon. Bar seats are available first come, first serve or make a reservation at alleytwentysix.com.
• July 26-Sept 30

Pre-Theatre Menu at Alley Twenty Six

• Durham’s Alley Twenty Six offers a Pre-Theatre Menu from 4-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. The three-course menu includes appetizer, entree, and dessert. An example menu includes a mandatory green salad or chicken-fried cauliflower for the first course; farro risotto or steamed mussels for the second course; and for dessert, Mexican chocolate pot de crème or St. Angel Triple Crème Cheese. The menu and prices change based on season and ingredient availability.
• July 26-Sept 30

Studio Ghibli Film Series at 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.
• July 30 -Dec 13

Monday, September 15

5 p.m.

Arts & Drafts at Beer Study Durham

6 p.m.

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

6:30 p.m.

Trivia Night at Ponysaurus Brewing Co.

Crunk Club DRM presents: Crank Arm Durham RUN at Crank Arm Brewing Durham

7 p.m.

Howard Jones at The Carolina Theatre

Board Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery

7:30 p.m.

The MOST Open Mic (Monday Moans) at West End Wine Bar

The Devines Intervention Comedy Open Mic at Devine's Restaurant and Bar

Tuesday, September 16

5 p.m.

Yaki Tuesday at Dashi

Free Wine Tasting at Wine Authorities

5:30 p.m.

Duke Football Radio Show and Tailgate Dinner at Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club

6 p.m.

Pint Sized Paleontology: Pony or Saurus? Horses vs. Dinosaurs Themed Trivia at Ponysaurus Brewing Co.

Pints & Pups Adoption Event at Ponysaurus Brewing Co.

“Artful Evenings” Artist in Residence Series @ JB Duke Hotel at JB Duke Hotel

Vinyl Night with DJ Deckades at Gizmo Brew Works

Adult Coloring Night at Hi-Wire Brewing

Gentle Yoga Flow at ReCity Network

Music Bingo Night at Glass Jug Downtown

Glass Jog Run Club - Spring Series at The Glass Jug Beer Lab

Women on the Wall at Triangle Rock Club - Durham

BYOV w/ Jaffar (Bring Your Own Vinyl Night) at Rubies on Five Points

6:30 p.m.

Trivia and Tap Takeover at Namu Durham

Trivia at Durham Food Hall

7 p.m.

Karaoke Night at the bar @DBCo

Trivia at Beer Study Durham (back room)

Not Rocket Science Trivia at DSSOLVR Durham

Video Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery

8 p.m.

The Knockout Tour: Violet vs Gottmik at Carolina Theater

Views from the Durham: Stargazing on the Roof at The Durham

Wednesday, September 17

10:30 a.m.

Storytime on the Roof with Durham County Library at The Durham

11 a.m.

Pauli Murray Center Guided Tour at Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice

3 p.m.

Durham Farmers’ Market at Pavilion at Durham Central Park

5 p.m.

Wine Wednesday! Free Wine Tasting at Beer Study Durham

5:30 p.m.

Business After Hours with the Museum of Durham History at Museum of Durham History

6 p.m.

Turn the Page Together with Letters Bookshop at The Durham Hotel

Prompt & Pour: Writer’s Circle at Ment Beverage Co

Free RTP Business Rockstar Connect Networking Event at Sheraton Imperial Hotel

“Artful Evenings” Artist in Residence Series @ JB Duke Hotel at JB Duke Hotel

6:30 p.m.

Duke Arts: Dior Ashley Brown at American Tobacco Campus

Crank Arm DURHAM Wednesday Night Ride at Crank Arm Brewing Durham

Trivia Night at The Glass Jug Beer Lab - RTP

7 p.m.

Rooftop Sunset Sound Bath at Unscripted Durham

Craft Night - Punk Pride Pins with Ria "Air" Garcia at Redhead Hemp

Trivia Night and THC Beverage Tasting at The Glass Jug Beer Lab - RTP

Hammered Trivia at Hi Wire brewing

Signature Wine Tasting at Zinc House Winery & Brewery

Trivia Night at Mystic Farm & Distillery

Music Bingo at Ponysaurus Brewing Co.

Music Bingo at the bar @DBCo

Brett Chambers Open Mic at The Blue Note Grill

Old School Bingo Night – Every Wednesday Night at DSSOLVR

7:30 p.m.

Ally J on the Roof at The Durham Rooftop

8 p.m.

Sip & Sketch: Shibari Figure Drawing Edition at Zeitgeist Gallery & Bar

Missy Lane's Presents Kassa Overall at Missy Lane's Assembly Room

Jake Kohn & Low Water Bridge Band at Motorco Music Hall

Blends With Friends (Open Decks) at The Pinhook

Air Hockey Tournament at Boxcar Arcade

Karaoke at Moon Dog Meadery

Thursday, September 18

11 a.m.

Burial & Schilling Oktoberfest Lager Spotlight at The Glass Jug Beer Lab - RTP

5 p.m.

Introduction to Standup Paddleboarding at Falls Lake Durham

Guest Bartender Series @ JB Duke Hotel at JB Duke Hotel

5:30 p.m.

Walking Club with Bull City Strollers at Glass Jug Downtown

6 p.m.

Facilitation Lab RDU: Gamestorming 2.0 with Voltage Control at American Underground

Vinyl Night with DJ Deckades at Gizmo Brew Works

6:30 p.m.

Decolonizing Yoga at Duke Park

Brooks Wine Dinner featuring Janie Brooks Heuck at Nanas at Rockwood

Unisong: Guided Song Circle at People's Solidarity Hub

“A Toast to the West Coast” Wine Dinner at Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club

Grief Ceremony hosted by Circle of Healing at People's Solidarity Hub (white building)

AfterHours: Science of the Season at Museum of Life and Science

Sapphic Happy Hour at Zeitgeist Gallery & Bar

Boulders & Brews Meetup at Triangle Rock Club - Durham

7 p.m.

Al Strong Presents: Jazz on the Roof at Durham Hotel

Crank Arm Durham Presents: Level up and Sip at Crank Arm Brewing Durham

Trivia Night at Beer Tooth Taproom

Board Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery

Eagles Nest Jam featuring NCCU Jazz at Missy Lanes

Hammered Trivia at Durty Bull Brewing

7:30 p.m.

Durham Queer Trivia: The Pauli Murray Edition at Arcana Bar and Lounge

Trivia Night w/Big Slow Tom at Clouds Brewing Brightleaf Square

8 p.m.

Boldy James at The Fruit

Music Trivia Bingo with Stormie Daie! at The Velvet Hippo

Friday, September 19

Events at Club Era

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

10 a.m.

Tasting at Counter Culture Coffee

12 p.m.

Friday Co-Working Social at The Glass Jug Downtown

5 p.m.

Duke Field Hockey v. Stanford at Williams Field

6 p.m.

Third Friday Art Reception - Briana Woods Photography Opening at Ment Beverage Co

3rd Friday: Mix & Mingle at Zeitgeist Gallery & Bar

Friday Night Live Music on the Lawn at Bull McCabe's Irish Pub
Scrappy Glitz and Glam with Stormie Daie: A DIY Fashion Experience at Durham Visitor Info Center

Southpaw Soul at The Glass Jug Beer Lab - RTP

TGIF at The Durham Hotel

Charm & Chill: Yoga + Self Care Experience at Blue Point Yoga

3rd Friday Mix and Mingle: The Sacred and Profane Art Opening at Zeitgeist Gallery & Bar

Bull City Perspectives at Bull City Art & Frame Company

Third Friday Jazz Night at Redhead Hemp

6:30 p.m.

Pops on the Green at American Tobacco Campus

7 p.m.

Duke Men's Soccer v. Syracuse at Koskinen Stadium

Live Vinyl Spinning by PhDJ Every 1st & 3rd Friday! at Beer Study Durham

Dashi x The Floor Izakaya Sessions at Dashi

Paradiso 26: MC Hyland, Lightsey Darst, Sharon Kunde at Shadowbox Studio

Brett’s Open Mic: Celebrating 30 Years at Loose Leaf Gallery in the Durham Food Hall

7:30 p.m.

Sheng Wang at DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center

8 p.m.

Broken Records: Musical Comedy Improv at Mettlesome Theater

Pass the Aux at Boricua Soul

Dance Blues Friday at Studio 5

8:30 p.m.

Ally J and Kevin Clark at Arcana

Open Mic Comedy Night at Durty Bull Brewing Company

9 p.m.

DCOM Disco: Y2K Night at Boxcar Bar + Arcade

Hush Hush Improv Comedy at Mettlesome Theatre

Karaoke at Flying Bull Beer Company Taproom

9:30 p.m.

Bachata Fixation – FREE Class & Latin Dance Party! at Flying Bull Restaurant & Brewery

Femme Friday: 3rd Friday Dance Parties! at The Velvet Hippo

10 p.m.

The [Friday] Night Shift at The Velvet Hippo

Saturday, September 20

Guided Walking Tours with Triangle Adventures

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

8 a.m.

I AM Too Sexy 5K Co-Ed Run/Walk at Downtown Durham

Durham Farmers’ Market at Pavilion at Durham Central Park

parkrun Durham at Southern Boundaries Park

9 a.m.

Stead Tread 5K at Solite Park

11 a.m.

Storytime at Barnes and Noble New Hope Commons: Kids Stage

Drop-In Make Your Own Body Fragrance at Bright Black.

11:30 a.m.

Live at Boxyard RTP

12 p.m.

Durham Pride History Hike at City Hall

Oktoberfest at Atomic Clock Brewing

North Durham Farmers' Market at Soul Sanctuary

Cult Your Nights : Exotic Equinox A Fiesty Burly Brunch at Fizzwerks

Bourbon Blending Class at Mystic Farm & Distillery

Crafternoons at Gizmo Brew Works

Free Wine Tasting at Wine Authorities

1 p.m.

Mystic Music Festival at Mystic Farm & Distillery

2 p.m.

Casual Karting at Gizmo Brew Works - Durham Taproom

3 p.m.

Keep it a Bean at The Durham Hotel

Durham Oktoberfest at Durham Central Park

4 p.m.

Duke Football vs NC State at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium

5:30 p.m.

Opening of Loteria: A Photographic Study of Latino Contributions to Our Community at Golden Belt Gallery, Durham Arts Guild

6 p.m.

Pride Paddle at Little River Lake

7 p.m.

Carter Minor with Scott Sawyer: Blues, R&B, Jazz at Succotash Southern & Creole Kitchen

The Promise of Peace: Slavery's End in North Carolina at Bennett Place

7:30 p.m.

Outdoor Movie Series @Crank Arm Durham Saturdays at Crank Arm Brewing DRM

8 p.m.

Lucy Dacus at DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center

Durham Ghost Walk at Fate & Folklore

8:30 p.m.

MOODBOARD: Jubilee / GRRL / PlayPlay / Queen Plz at PS37

9:30 p.m.

Saturday Night Dance Party at The Velvet Hippo

10 p.m.

Drink, Drag, Dance, Repeat! at Club ERA

Sunday, September 21

Events at Moon Dog Meadery

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

10 a.m.

Jazz Brunch at Lula & Sadie's

11:30 a.m.

Yoga @ The Winery at Zinc House Winery & Brewer

Sunday Dollar Bin Sale for Charity at Rumors Durham

12:15 p.m.

Public Tour of Duke Chapel at Duke University Chapel

1 p.m.

Duke Field Hockey v. California at Williams Field

Black Farmers Market at Durham Tech Community College

Savory Sunday - Bloody Marys with ALL the Fixins at Liberty & Plenty Distillery

2 p.m.

Bourbon Blending Class at Mystic Farm & Distillery

The Sunday Set at The Durham

Hammered Trivia at Durty Bull Brewing Company

3 p.m.

Photography walk & meet up at Ment Beverage Co.

4 p.m.

Trucks for the Park at The Pavilion at Durham Central Park

*Free* Music on Mangum *Shed Bugs* at Durham Beer Garden

4:30 p.m.

Sunday Supper at The Durham Hotel

5 p.m.

Polka Panic: The Wolfpack Sound Polka Band! at Ponysaurus Brewing Co.

7 p.m.

Open Screening at Shadowbox Studio

Running Art Exhibits

Yuko Nogami Taylor: 5 Points Gallery Featured Artist at 5 Points Gallery

• 5 Points Gallery is proud to showcase the luminous work of Yuko Nogami Taylor, where the elegance of Japanese Nihonga tradition meets the quiet strength of southern flora. In these paintings, ordinary plants become extraordinary symbols of resilience, humility, and hope. Her work invites viewers into a contemplative space of stillness, where the steady growth of plants reflects the persistence of human spirit.
• Join the Third Friday Reception on September 19, 6–9pm, to meet the artist and experience her inspiring works.
• Enjoy the varied works of ten Triangle-based artists in a range of media including painting, sculpture, fused glass, mixed media, and finely crafted furniture.
• Special Centerfest hours September 20, 10am-9pm and September 21, 11am-5pm.
• Visit 5 Points Gallery in person or online. All work from the exhibition is available for shipping or pickup. Gallery hours: Thursdays & Fridays 5–9pm, Saturdays 1–9pm. Artists are available to talk about the works.
• September 18-October 11
• Free

Art Exhibition — Southern Grammar at Ella West Gallery

• A compelling new group exhibition curated by Raleigh-based painter Clarence Heyward featuring work by Jō Baskerville, Jeremy Biggers, and Sam Lao, Southern Grammar explores the legacy, evolution, and unapologetic spirit of the Black South through powerful visual storytelling.
• From Baskerville’s cinematic black-and-white silhouettes, to Biggers’ hyperreal portraits of defiance and dignity, to Lao’s joy-filled tufted works bursting with color and texture—each artist brings a distinct voice to the conversation. Together, their work offers a multifaceted look at identity, memory, and the cultural truths of the American South.
• The exhibition marks Heyward’s curatorial debut and reflects both his eye for emerging excellence and his deep roots in Southern artistic practice.
• Gallery Hours: Thursday–Saturday, 12PM–5PM and by appointment
• August 17-November 15
• Free

Art Exhibition — Beverly McIver’s “Notes to Self: Personal Work 1994-2025” at Craven Allen Gallery

• Notes to Self features a selection of new work, as well as seminal paintings, prints and collages on view for the first time. These works were created as part of Beverly Mclver’s personal practice, exploring themes and techniques that would later appear in some of her most recognizable paintings.
• Beverly McIver lives and works in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Known for her expressive self-portraits and intimate family narratives, her work is held in major collections including the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, the North Carolina Museum of Art, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. She has received numerous honors, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Rome Prize, and, most recently, election as a National Academician by the National Academy of Design. McIver was the subject of the Emmy®-nominated HBO documentary Raising Renee and in 2022 was celebrated with Full Circle, a traveling retrospective organized by the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. She is currently developing an artist residency program, Renny’s Place, in honor of her sister.
• Monday–Friday 9:30 – 6, Saturday 10 – 4
• Reception 9/3, 5-8 p.m.
• Sept. 3-Nov. 15

Miler Lagos: The Merx Tree at Rubenstein Arts Center Gallery

• This site-specific installation by Colombian artist and engineer Miler Lagos is made of cardboard boxes collected on Duke’s campus, stacked and carved to resemble the base of a Ceiba tree—an ancient and sacred symbol in Mesoamerican and Amazonian cultures. By reshaping discarded cardboard to its pre-processed arboreal form, Lagos confronts viewers with the hidden cost of commerce.
• With the title, Merx, Latin for “merchandise” and derived from the Roman god Mercury (patron of commerce and communication/divination), Lagos imbues his work with a multi-leveled significance. The reclaimed cardboard evokes global systems of trade and transformation. And the Cieba tree connects the shamanic practice of bridging realms by inserting tobacco leaves into its bark to Duke’s historical entanglement with tobacco as a commodity. In this context, The Merx Tree becomes both a reflection of the global impact of distribution, and a monument to the invisible, often spiritual, networks embedded within it.
• Sept 7- Nov 25
• Free

Lotería: A Photographic Study of Latino Contributions to Our Community at Golden Belt Gallery of th Durham Art Guild

• The Durham Art Guild will host Lotería: A Photographic Celebration of Latino Contributions to Our Community just in time for National Hispanic Heritage Month. This exhibit features the work of local photographer, Anthony Garza, and brings dynamic portraits of members of our community into the visual world of lotería, an iconic game played throughout most of Latin America and the Caribbean. Through the portraits and accompanying profiles of the people featured in Garza’s work, from carpenters, lawyers, doctors, homemakers, authors, and rock stars, exhibit participants can explore the many ways that these community member’s complex histories and Latino identities bring richness, joy and deep commitment to our lives and our state.
• On Friday, September 19, they will be hosting a lotería game night from 5:30-6:30pm and the mariachi group Viva México playing at 7:00pm.
• Sept 7- Oct 5
• Free

Coming into Focus: A Snapshot of Photography at Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University

• Recently the Nasher has added over 2,000 photographs to its collection, including works by the best-known practitioners from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, such as Edouard Baldus, Ilse Bing, Henri Cartier-Bresson, André Kertész, Arthur Rothstein, Nadar, and Edward Weston. Coming into Focus: A Snapshot of Photography at the Nasher celebrates these gifts and other acquisitions, highlighting a sampling of gems and
  illuminating a bright future of continued collecting and presenting of photography in innovative and ambitious ways.
• July 28- January 1
• Free

Art Exhibition — Labor&Materials and The Intuitionist at 21c Museum Hotel Durham

• 21c Durham is unveiling two new exhibitions with Labor & Materials and The Intuitionist. The exhibitions feature a thematic group exhibition of 67 multi-media artworks by 40 artists from across the globe exploring the evolution of industry and labor in the 21st century and a two-person exhibition of paintings by Atlanta-based artist Xavier Daniels and Toronto-based artist Natia Lemay.
  
• June 12- May 31
• Free