The top 8 things to do in Durham this weekend, Sept. 17-20
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Our curated list of the best things to do the weekend of September 17th - September 20th. You've worked hard this week-go have a little fun.
Come to the beautiful Brightleaf Square every Friday for music, shopping, and snacking! Summertime is best enjoyed plopped a chair outside and jamming to sweet, sweet tunes while eating something amazing. Brightleaf epitomizes all of that, giving you a killer warehouse ambience to kickback and listen to local acts while surrounded by top notch eateries (so no outside food or bev, please!) Get in touch with Durham's art scene and architecture with this outdoor summer concert series! (Photo via @browniesnstuff)
Movies and wine go together like Hall & Oates, Burt & Ernie and PB&J. Soak in some summer breezes on the lawn while sipping local wine from Doyle's Vineyard-there's nothing more romantic! The quaint Doyle's Vinyard opens its lush outdoor space to moonlit movie gazing. And did we mention it's free? Roll up at 7:30p (movies start right after sunset, but you'll wanna get there early and claim your space!), bring some lawn chairs, and enjoy blockbuster classics with local vino (or soda and water for purchase if you're packin' some little ones), food truck desserts, and wine slushies! There's no classier way to beat the summer heat than sip sweet vino while frolicking in the grass. (Photo via @doylesvineyard)
Cruise on in for a cool Friday night with friends. Ditch Netflix for a night and embark on a movie outing that's a little more adventurous-the Lakewood Drive In at The Scrap Exchange! The Durham Cinematheque and A/V Geeks are collaborating on this one and they're inviting everyone to cruise in for three unique flicks this summer. Movie sounds will be FM broadcasted right into the comfort of your own vehicle. Pretty cool, right?
It's $20 per car, so pack in your friendsies for this fun night out. If you whip out that nifty two-seater, though, you can get in for just $10. Snacks and drinks are available for all-but bring a picnic if you're feeling festive! Tickets can be purchased online or in person. Start looking forward to that bag of popcorn and think about who's going to be riding shotgun! (Photo via @oliaitt)
Experience Third Friday in Durham
Even art un-enthusiasts will become fans of all the incredible and unconventional art when Third Friday takes over the Bull City. Durham is an artsy city, but during every Third Friday of the month it gets particularly full of eclectic art and people. Artists and audiences collide in a cultural explosion at Third Friday, a day dedicated to self-guided tours of Durham's artistic hotspots. There are a ton of things to see and visit during Durham's art explosion and locations can change each time, so it's probably best to keep up with their calendar to stay up to date on where to venture and art-hang! Durham Fresh Daily has some useful maps too.
Highlights: Golden Belt-originally a historic textile mill that has now been re-purposed into an aggregate of lofts, studios, restaurants and shops-comes alive with music, art exhibits, local talents and more. If you wanna learn up on the local arts scene or just on art in general, this is your go-to spot. Other must-dos include Durham Arts Council, Pleaides Gallery, the Carrack, and the Makery.
Don't know where to begin? Don't worry. We recommend newcomers just mosey around town and follow wherever music and bright colors take you. You're bound to find something amazing! (Photo via @the_carrack)
David Lynch's "Dune": Extended Cut
Roll up to the Carolina Theater for a rare screening of "Dune," an sci-fi masterpiece by David Lynch featuring Kyle MacLachlan, Max Von Sydow, Linda Hunt and Sting. Screenings: Friday 9/18, 8:30pm and Saturday, 9/19 12:45pm. The Carolina Theatre of Durham presents vibrant, thought-provoking film and live performances in downtown Durham. This local gem will remind you of an old-school theatre, with its regal flair the antique charm-and they even offer great beer and snacks! Stay tuned on their website for upcoming movies. (Photo via @bianca_marie31)
Celebrate Local Art at CenterFest
Every year in downtown Durham, 24,000 people, 140 visual artists and over 70 performing acts converge over a two day period. If you love art, music, competition, food or beer, you don't wanna miss it!
Spend your weekend discovering art in the streets of Downtown Durham for the 41st annual CenterFest. Organized by the Durham Arts Council, this Bull City tradition brings together local artists, vendors, artisans, performers and everything in between for a weekend-long arts extravaganza. Roam every nook and cranny of Downtown and you're bound to find some truly amazing stuff, not to mention plenty of items you can take home and turn into the perfect gift. From clay sculptures to drawings, wood cutting, jewelry, glass blowing and dancing, anything at CenterFest is fair game-just be creative! Go ahead and bring the whole family 'cause kids have plenty of hands-on activities to stay entertained. And no event is complete without delicious locally-sourced snacks and international cuisine. And best part yet? It's all completely free to attend, though a $5 donation is highly encouraged in support of the Bull City Art Scene. (Photo via @leighannewhite)
Chopin Meets the Beatles at Alley Twenty Six
Piano concerts can be fun-especially with a fancy drink in hand! Spend a Sunday afternoon with booze, Chopin and the Fab Four. Pam Howland, a world-renowned American pianist living in the Bull City, is gonna take over the tunes at Alley Twenty Six. Thought piano concerts were meant for big auditoriums and boring people? Think again!
We're gonna tell you a story about how Pam Howland is awesome. First of all, girl power! The classical music scene is highly dominated by the bros. Secondly, this Chopin-enthusiast has directed a documentary on the Polish composer and performed his works in Poland-while on a moving potato cart! Which is where she met Paul McCartney himself. Yeah, can't top that! Grab a fancy bev, toast to this fine lady, and listen to charming fusion of classical-meets-Yellow Submarine. You won't be disappointed!
Admission is free. Check out a video featuring Pamela being pulled through the streets of Warsaw and her famous encounter here. (Photo via @yumileem)
Chill out on Beer Durham's patio with a freshly tapped beer and a clear conscience-'cause on Sunday you can sip and save the animals too! Beer Durham is hosting its monthly Dog Days fundraiser to raise awareness for pet drives and adoptions, and throw in some funds for the Animal Protection Society of Durham.
Bring your own four-legged friend! Photographer Jessica Arden will be taking professional pup portraits that you can take home and enter for a chance to be in the Dogs Of Beer Durham 2016 Calendar-all the proceeds of which will go to APS! There will also be Aviator Brewing Company, video producer Madden Meiners, and Relay Foods. And of course, there's always that serendipitous chance of going out for a pint and coming back with a little furry friend-APS will have some adoptable dogs on site!
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