Monday, November 30, 2009

Express Yourself: Open Mic at The Pinhook

You're sitting at work. Or at home. Or in a fighter jet. And you're thinking, "Gee, it's Tuesday, what is a person to do tonight?" Well, here's your answer: put all of your creative marbles into one bag and strut your stuff at The Pinhook's Open Mic Night.

The MC is one Jonathan Thompson, a master of music and vocals who could fill an entire night with a comprehensive history of folk. Bring your experimental prototype material, bring your obscure or embarrassingly popular covers.

But whatever you do, bring yourself. Open mic is your time to shine.

Holidays By TROSA

"Buy a tree... Help save a life"

TROSA, a local charity that works with substance abuse, is selling Christmas Tree's this year. You can find out more information, and get a coupon at their website: holidaysbytrosa.com

Durham Gay and Lesbian Happy Hour

Will Elliott writes us about a Gay and Lesbian Happy Hour that he's been organizing for a few years now in Durham. The group meets at a different place once a month. He says:
It started off as me just inviting my friends and now we have almost 700 people on our Evite list. This is completely grass roots - no organization other than me. And that's sort of the point - there's no agenda other than making new friends and enjoying each other's company.
This month's gathering is at a Socialite favorite, Whiskey:

Durham Gay and Lesbian Happy Hour
Friday December 4th - 7 PM to 10 PM
Whiskey - 347 W. Main Street Downtown Durham

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Triangle Brewing Company's 3rd Annual Black Friday Cask Festival


Whether you get all your Black Friday shopping done in the morning, or avoid retail outlets all together, reserve your evening for this epic event.

Breweries from across The Old North State are converging on our fair city, and they will come bearing gifts in the form of their finest cask ales. These special beers reveal flavors you don't normally experience, and the small batch sizes makes them a true craft brewing treat.

A mere $30 will gain you entry to Triangle Brewing Company's Pearl Street headquarters, and includes the beer, food from some local Durham eateries, and a commemorative glass. Live music will be provided by The Dirty Little Heaters, Rat Jackson and Pink Flag.

The event runs from 3-8pm. Tickets can be purchased at Bull McCabe's, Alivia's, or online. They will also be available at the door, but the price jumps to $40.

Here's the latest line-up of participating breweries:

Thursday, November 19, 2009

The Weekend Has Landed - November 20th

Between the Durham Art Walk and Third Friday Durham, this weekend is packed. To make it all fit in the post, I'll be keeping details to a minimum. Check out the Social Calendar or any of the source websites for more info. I'm also publishing a day early this week, to help everyone come up with their plans of action.

And here... we... go...

*Friday*

Cupping @ Counter Culture Coffee - A tasting and tour of the roastery. 10am/FREE.

Autumn in the Arboretum tour @ Duke Gardens - Garden tour with Paul Jones, curator of the Culberson Asiatic Arboretum. 10am/FREE.

Exhibition Opening @ Durham Arts Council - "Deep Sleep," new paintings by Maria Britton in the Allenton Gallery, "Looking to Nature," mixed media works by Lori Easterlin in the Semans Gallery, and "Out of the Blue," mixed media works by Joyce Watkins King in the Semans Gallery. 5pm/FREE.

Revitalizing Downtown Durham: Interior Architecture design projects @ Rigsbee Hall - Interior architecture students from UNCG will exhibit design proposals for a few buildings in downtown Durham aimed at infusing life into the downtown area. 5pm.

Wild Things Gallery Show @ SeeSaw Studio - The mixed-media work of their Youth Designers. 6pm.

Wrap and Roll night! Craftland: Handmade for the Holidays @ The Scrap Exchange - They will be offering wrapping by their talented DIYers for all of your holiday gifts and some live rock and roll music. 6pm/Suggested Donation.

Triangle Arts Mixer @ Golden Belt - An evening for arts organizations, arts supporters, and artists of all disciplines to mix, mingle, and find new ways to activate and advance the Triangle arts scene. There will also be a new art exhibition from Elin O'Hara Slavick, "Hiroshima: After Aftermath," in ROOM 100, Building 3, the experiential, traveling Council Project in Building 6, new show Natural Selection in LabourLove Gallery, and 35 open artist studios in Building 3. 6pm.

Season of Lights: Opening Reception & Holiday Party @ Claymakers - Functional and decorative artwork from many of North Carolina's finest potters and clay artists. Candle-lit party starts at 6pm.

Mixed Media by Denee' Black @ Durham Central Market - Denee’ is an artist based in Raleigh. She primarily works in mixed media; involving acrylic, polymer transfers, photography and collage. 6pm.

Charles Lallier Artist Reception @ Bull City Art & Frame - Landscapes and other random acts of art by Charles Lallier. 6pm.

Celia Gray Encaustic Paintings @ BCAC Open Studios - Her landscape inspired, abstract, encaustic paintings investigate a balance between repair and decay, lightness and weight, and private and public. 6pm.

2 Receptions 2 Photographers 2 Shows 1 Night @ Through This Lens - welcome photographers Jesse Andrews of Virginia and Peter Armenia of Durham and celebrate the opening of each of their exhibitions. Enjoy light refreshments with wine selections from Wine Authorities. 6pm/FREE.

Open Gallery @ RedMass Art Gallery - 6pm.

A Survey of the Second Hand: Painting by Bryan Crabtree @ DURTY - The DURTY Durham Art Collective presents a large scale installation of paintings by Durham artist Bryan Crabtree. 6pm.

Art Hanging @ Kung Fu Tattoo - Featuring the Works of Paula Burke and Jamie Moore. Music, food and beer. 7pm/FREE.

Retrofantasma Film Series @ Carolina Theatre - A monthly film series of double-features dedicated to bringing classic horror movies back to the big screen in 35mm. 7pm.

"The dictionary within the dictionary." @ 715 - Durham writer and artist Chris Vitiello will present a poet's play entitled "The dictionary within the dictionary." Shows at 7:30pm and 9pm.

The Lower D's @ Duke's Sheafer Theater - Jay O’Berski directs this adaptation of Maxim Gorky’s The Lower Depths. Thursday-Saturday 8pm, Sunday 2pm.

Live Music and Photography @ Broad Street Cafe - Workbook at 8pm, The Pneurotics at 10pm. Photography on display by Amanda La France.

Starry, Starry, Night @ Lake Mitchie - A DPR program about the winter constellations. The winter skies are perfect for viewing the stars and they will utilize the open views up at Lake Michie. Registration required. 9pm.

Hell Camino @ Papa Mojo's - Hard driving, in-the-pocket, and rock solid, Hell Camino is a modern band with traditional roots and contemporary branches. 9:30pm/$8.

SONG Community Drag Xtravaganza @ The Pinhook - An evening of sexy queer performances in honor of Willi Ninja and Venus Xtravaganza. 10pm.

*Saturday*

Pari @ The Hat Lounge - Ernie Donadelle on the electric bass, and Tony Thompson on the keyboard. 2pm/FREE.

Moonlight Paddle @ Lake Mitchie - A DPR program: "Join us for a wonderful night paddle on Lake Michie. We will listen for night sounds as we explore the beautifully illuminated lake. Only canoes and kayaks are allowed on this trip. Please make sure to register and let us know if you need space on a city boat." Cost is $3-$6. 6:30pm.

Jennifer Holliday @ Carolina Theatre - Two-Time Grammy Award winning recording artist and Tony Award winning Broadway star of the smash hit musical “Dreamgirls.” 8pm/$30.

Live Music @ The BCHQ - Disposable Thumbs, Jakuta and Carl. 8pm.

Live Music @ Broad Street Cafe - Eric Sholtz at 8pm, Trees on Fire at 10pm.

Cool John Ferguson
@ Papa Mojo's - Honored by Living Blues magazine as “Most Outstanding Guitarist” for 2 consecutive years, Cool John Ferguson is an unparalleled talent. 9:30pm/$10.

Live Music @ The Pinhook - Jews and Catholics at 10pm, Morningbell at 11pm, Pistil at midnight.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Take a Walk on Durham's Artistic Side

The Durham Art Walk is a celebration of local artists, art organizations, art venues and art enthusiasts. The streets of Durham will be teeming with art this weekend, as the Art Walk spans over 35 different sites, including:

Bruce Mitchell Studio
Bull City Art and Frame
Bull City Arts Collaborative
Claymakers
The DAC Clay Studio
The Durham Art Guild, Inc.
Exotique
Golden Belt
James Kennedy Galleries
Liberty Arts
Scrap Exchange
Somerhill Gallery
Through This Lens
Vega Metals
Cricket Forge


Art Walk maps will be available at the different venues, or you can download one ahead of time to plan out your journey. There is also a list of artists and venues available, and there will be a free shuttle service to help you get around.

Friday, November 13, 2009

The Weekend Has Landed - Friday the 13th

*Friday*

Preservation Durham's Annual Preservation Party - Morgan Imports will be hosting this year's party, graciously donating 10% of their sales proceeds. Delicious food to be provided by Peabody Place restaurants, with music by jazz guitarist Bob Tapp. Durham historian Tom Miller will be hosting the popular Durham History Quiz, awarding fabulous prizes for correct answers. A silent auction will showcase items from various sponsors. 6pm/FREE.

Steve Miller Band @ The DPAC - With songs such as "Take the Money and Run," "Rockin’ Me," “Jet Airliner,” "The Joker," “Fly Like An Eagle,” "Livin’ in the USA" and "Abracadabra" to his credit, blues/rock singer-songwriter-guitarist Steve Miller is one of the cornerstones of classic rock. 7pm/$48.

Transactors Improv Presents: City of Medicine @ Common Ground - The latest episode of their "completely improvised serial medical drama." 8pm/$10.

Lambchop + Alejandro Escovedo @ Reynolds Industries Theater - Escovedo started life as a punk rock axe-handler and has incorporated his earlier selves into a strange new art — “thoughtful” and “meticulous” guitar poetry (New York Times) that snarls. Lambchop creates rock’s most willfully singular music, an atmosphere of slide guitar, Stax soul, and broken-down lyrics evoking the town they still call home: Nashville. 8pm/$22.

Caleb Calypso and the Midnight Marauders @ Manbites Dog Theatre - As the Cold War sputters to an end, a young American soldier struggles to plan his future in a world that's about to change forever. World premiere of a new play by North Carolina playwright Howard Craft. $17/8:15pm. Also at 8:15pm on Saturday.

BBQ - Big Blues Quartet @ Papa Mojo's - Moving from jump tunes to low-down blues to jazz selections, these musicians have a reputation for driving an audience into high -gear! 9:30pm/$8.

Live Music @ Duke Coffeehouse - Golden Ghost, Jookabox, Hope for a Golden Summer. 9:30pm/$5.

Jeff and King present Pillow Fight! @ Club 9 - Pajama Jam/Slumber Party/Pillow Fight! Hosted By: Chocolate Thunder (Disco), Kid Dyn-O-Mite (Electro Funk), Marshall Jones (House) and Slipstream (Jungle). 10pm/21+, $6 w/pajamas, $8 w/o.

Live Music @ Broad Street Cafe - Sean Johnson at 8pm, L Shaped Lot at 10pm.

Ricky and Joe Dance Party @ The Pinhook - Hip-hop theme with DJ's Yammy and DJ Ryah. 10pm.

*Saturday*

Sunshine Garden Group Workshops: Planting 101 @ Holton Career and Resource Center - Sunshine Garden Group is a program for new and experienced gardeners to learn and share about flower and vegetable gardens, edible landscaping, urban gardening, container gardening, and healthy food. 10:30am.

Garden Guild Holiday Craft Sale @ Duke Gardens - Get into the holiday spirit with ornaments, knitted caps, painted plates & pots, jewelry, fabric microwave bags, wreaths, baked goods, live bulbs and more. All proceeds support Duke Gardens. 1-4pm Sat+Sun/FREE.

NCSquares November Square Dance - Check out our feature. 7:30pm/$8.

Bellan Contemporary Dance Theatre @ Carolina Theatre - Enjoy a powerful, provocative and soulful celebration of life without boundaries. Founder and artistic director Anjanée N. Bell’s choreography blurs the line between fine art and sheer entertainment, fusing dance, music and poetry. The choreography integrates classical and modern movement with athleticism, emotion, and explosive energy that engage your mind, body and spirit. 8pm/$27.

Live Music @ Broad Street Cafe - Jo Gore and The Alternative at 8pm, The Crossover Blues Band at 10pm.

Ciompi Quartet Concert #2 @ Reynolds Industries Theater - 8pm/$20

David Dyer & the Crooked Smile Band @ Papa Mojo's - They deliver their own brand of high-energy Americana, fusing Byrd-like vocal harmonies with the honky-tonk twang-rock of Hank Sr., and Prine-like storytelling that is always honest. 9:30pm/$8.

Live Music @ Duke Coffeehouse - Explorers Club, The Huguenots, Tripp. 9:30pm/$5.

Princess and the Criminals CD Release @ The Pinhook - Special Guest Performances by Cherry Bomb and Miss Mary Wann. Featuring Bobby's Fever at 10pm, Blood Red River at 11pm, Princess and the Criminals at midnight.

*Sunday*

Durham Bronto's 42nd Birthday - 1-4pm/FREE. Events will include:
  • Final fundraiser tally, and goals achieved with your help
  • Official Brontosaurus day proclamation from the mayor’s office
  • Photos with the Brontosaurus (the gates will be open, so you’ll be able to get up close)
  • Demonstrations from “Simon the Pig” from Pig Pals, and the full herd of goats from Goat Patrol (16 goats)
  • Games
  • Live music
  • Raffles
  • A special bouncy house for the little ones
  • OnlyBurger will be offering burgers for sale.
The Legacy of Durham’s Black Wall Street and NCCU @ Hayti Heritage Center - The keynote address will be presented by Dr. Walter Weare, associate professor emeritus of history, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Based on his research, Weare will present his perspectives on how John Merrick, Dr. Aaron Moore and C.C. Spaulding supported Dr. James E. Shepard’s efforts in founding NCCU. He will also discuss the relationship between C.C. Spaulding and Dr. Shepard during the political era of the1930s in seeking financial support for NCCU and other black educational initiatives. 3pm/FREE.

Louise Kessel (storyteller) @ Broad Street Cafe - Louise tells stories for adults and children in solo performances and in collaboration with musicians, mimes and other storytellers. Her stories are drawn from traditional and contemporary sources. 4:30pm/FREE.

Dogfish Head Beer Dinner @ Dos Perros

If you haven't been to Dos Perros yet, this upcoming event might be just the excuse you need(from DosPerros):
I’m going to cut to the chase. We take our beer selection very seriously here at Dos Perros, and want to ensconce ourselves in the hearts and minds of Triangle beer aficionados. So, we thought we’d throw some great beer dinners to put ourselves on the map. As luck would have it, Devin from Dogfish Head is going to be in town on Monday, November 23rd, so we’re making it happen then.
Seems like a pretty swell idea to me! It's a $45 prix fixe menu that looks pretty awesome to me. Here are the details with the food/beer pairings:

Dogfish Head Beer Dinner
Monday, November 23rd, 2009
7 pm, Dos Perros Restaurant
$45 plus tax and gratuity

Reception
-60 Minute IPA

Tamal con queso y rajas (Green chile and cheese tamale)
-Pangea Ale

Camarones con yerba santa y guajillo (Herb-wrapped shrimp with garlic and guajillo sauce)
-90 Minute IPA

Mole Coloradito (Roasted chicken with red mole)
-Raison D’Etre

Borrego rostizado (Roasted goat with oregano)
-India Brown Ale

Costillas con tamarindo (Tamarind-glazed beef ribs with roasted carrots)
-Palo Santo Marron

Monday, November 9, 2009

Square Dance the Night Away

photo credit http://ncsquares.com/blog/main-page.htmlThis Saturday, NCSquares will be holding their November Square Dance at the Pleasant Green Community Center up near the Eno River State Park.

Their gatherings feature social dances (squares and waltzes), set to some straight-up hard-driving banjo and fiddle music.

They welcome beginners and you don't need to bring a partner, so it's a great opportunity to get out and socialize while listening to some traditional music.

Calling is by Nancy Mamlin with music by the Hushpuppies: Jon Newlin, Amy Davis, Steve Terrill, and Molly Stouten.

photo credit Beth Embleton$8, $6 for students, at the door.
Sat, November 14th
7:30 lesson, 8pm – 11pm dance
(photo credit Beth Embleton)

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Troika 2009 Visual Aid

This weekend's marquee event will most certainly be the Troika Music Festival.

There are going to be so many good bands playing this weekend, in many cases simultaneously, that it is something that warrants some premeditation.

To help with the impending predicament on who to see when and how to get there, I've put all of the venues and the bands that will be playing into a google map. Just click on the pins to get to the venue info and band schedules.

Three days of musical bliss, here we come!


View Troika Music Festival 2009 in a larger map

DO Transit Information and Organization Meeting

If you are interested in learning more about local transportation planning, Durham-Orange Friends of Transit (DO Transit) will be holding an Information and Organization meeting this evening.



From their website:

On November 4, 2009, we will have some of the best minds in transit to answer our questions and brief us on the transit legislation and the status of transit planning in the Triangle. We also will hear the concerns from advocates for affordable housing, bike/ped, seniors, the environment, business, TOD developers and others. And, we will take steps to organize our campaign to bring transit to the Triangle.

DO Transit invites all concerned citizens to join us to learn about transit, share your concerns and be a part of this historic opportunity. Under the new legislation we have a chance to bring transit to the Triangle. But first we must organize!

For more information, please contact dotransit@durhamorangefriendsoftransit.org.

 
©2010 Durham Socialite : (