Check out this weekend's best bets! 

Latino Festival 20091. Seeing the Blues — In celebration of the 23rd annual Bull Durham Blues Festival, the Hayti Heritage Center is exhibiting large-scale paintings by Spencer Lawrence. His blues and church series paintings will be on display in the Lyda Moore Merrick Gallery Saturday, Aug. 7 through Nov. 13. For more information click here or call 683-1709. 803 Old Fayetteville Rd. 

2. Made for the Shade — Not quite the expert gardener you want to be? Join horticulture agent Michelle Wallace at Sarah P. Duke Gardens Sunday from 2-4pm. Learn how to embrace the shade with ideas about techniques and plant and design choices. Admission is free but registration is required. For more information or to register call 668-5309 or click here. 420 Anderson St. 

3. Tickle Me Thursdays — Did you have a hard day at work? Or, are you just in need of a laugh? Hid over to Papa Mojos Roadhouse tonight and see B.E.T. Comicview performer J-Smooth. The show starts at 9pm but come earlier if you want to grab a bite to eat. Tickets are $10. For more information call 361-2222 or click here. 5410-Y Highway 55

4. Latino Festival — Don't miss this year's annual festival. Partake in Latin food, music, dance and much more. Teach the kids Zumba or let them take a swing at the piñata. The festival is Saturday from 3-8pm at Rock Quarry Park. For more information call 560-4355 or click here. 701 Stadium Dr. 

5. Norah Jones — The Grammy award-winning jazzy, folk singer takes the stage at the Durham Performing Arts Center Sunday. The show starts at 8pm. Tickets are $38-$58. For more information call 680-2787 or click here. 123 Vivian St. 

Check out this weekend's top five events. If you attend one or more these events, drop us a line. We'd love to hear from you. 

Mary Chapin Carpenter at DPAC1. Brides of the Moon — Be sure to catch this play about female astronauts adrift in space in 2069 and watch what happens when their programmed sexual urges are accidentally triggered. Shows run today through Saturday at 8pm. Tickets are $16. For more information click here or call 698-3870. Common Ground Theatre, 4815B Hillsborough Rd. 

2. Gasland — Bring your blankets and sit out on the lawn at American Tobacco and witness Josh Fox's journey after being asked to leave his home for land drilling. The movie starts Friday at 9pm. For more information click here or call 433-1566. 318 Blackwell St. 

3. Tomato Tasting — Hid over to the Durham Farmers' Market Saturday from 8:30am until noon and taste more than 50 kinds of tomatoes. Shane Ingram of Four Square Restaurant is hosting the tasting. For more information click here or call 667-3099. 501 Foster St. 

4. Dino Days — Celebrate the Dinosaur's Trail first anniversary Saturday from 10am-5pm and Sunday from 12-5pm at the Museum of Life and Science. Enjoy fossil digs and much more. The event is free with museum admission. For more information click here or call 220-5429. 433 W. Murray Ave. 

5. Mary Chapin Carpenter — The five-time Grammy-award winning folk singer takes the stage at Durham Performing Arts Center Sunday at 7:30pm. Tickets are $22.50-$42.50. For more information click here or call 680-2787. 123 Vivian St. 

Check out this weekend's best bets. There's music, art, theater and chili. What more can you ask for? If you attend one or more of these events, drop us a line. We'd love to hear from you. 

Singer Al Jarreau1. Al Jarreau and The George Duke Trio — For three decades, Grammy winner Al Jarreau, with his one-of-a-kind vocal style, has graced many stages. It's nice to know the next one will be at The Carolina Theatre Saturday at 8pm. He's joined by the instrumental group The George Duke Trio. Tickets are $39-$46. VIP tickets are $95 and include a pre-show meet and greet. For tickets or more information call 560-3030 or click here. 309 W. Morgan St. 

2. Bull City Chili and Salsa Challenge — Bring your appetites Saturday to Durham Central Park from 11am-2pm for the eighth annual challenge. Tickets are $4 and the proceeds benefit Durham Special Olympics. For more information call 604-5262 or click here. 534 Foster St. 

3. Chaka Khan — The sultry R&B legend hits the stage Sunday at the Durham Performing Arts Center. Some of her hits include Through the Fire, I Feel for You and I'm Every Woman. Tickets are $37.50-$59.50. For more information call 680-2787 or click here. 123 Vivian St. 

4. Blackbird Play — Take a peek into the lives of a couple reuniting after 15 years. After so much time apart the couple must confront lingering secrets and desire. The play is on stage at Manbites Dog Theater today through Saturday at 8:15pm and Sunday at 3:15pm. Tickets are $12 on weeknights and $17 on weekends. The play runs through June 26. For more information call 682-3343 or click here. 703 Foster St. 

5. Nest (an art show)— Don't miss 10 local artists coming together for one show at Monkey Bottom Gallery on Friday from 7-11pm. The show will include paintings, sculptures, photography and metal and glass art. Some food and drinks will be provided, but you're encouraged to bring your own drinks. For more information call 724-7770. 609 Trent Dr. 

Check out our top six events and drop us a line if you attend one (or more). We'd love to hear from you. 

1. Hayti Heritage Film Festival  — In its 16th year, the Hayti Heritage Film Festival promotes a variety of films by and about people of African descent. The festival kicks off today at 6pm with a free community film day at the Hayti Heritage Center. For a complete schedule and ticket prices click here or call 683-1709. 804 Old Fayetteville St. 

2. An Evening of Entertainment — Join the Durham Public Schools Scholarship Foundation and Durham Public Schools for a night of music, dance and artistry by hundreds of talented Durham students. Proceeds will go towards raising funds to send high school seniors to college. The show starts at 7pm on Saturday at the Durham Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $10-$25. Click here or call 680-2787 for more information. 123 Vivian St. 

3. Nevermore Horror and Gothic Film Festival — If you love to be scared silly when watching a movie, this event is for you. The Nevermore festival showcases new horror films and some old fan favorites including classic suspense films hyper-violent Hong Kong cinema too. The festival runs Sunday-Friday at The Carolina Theatre. Individual tickets are $8. For a complete schedule click here or call 560-3030. 309 W. Morgan St. 

4. "Chop Shop" Cooking Class — Want to see how the professionals cook up their gourmet cuisine? Here's your chance. Get some hands-on cooking instructions from Chef Jim Anile of Revolution Restaurant. Chef Anile and his culinary team will create a special menu with the theme "Cooking in Curry". And, after class you'll get to enjoy the prepared food with wine. It's $200 per person (including all cooking tools, a Revolution t-shirt and a $25 gift card) and pre-registration is required. For more information call 956-9999. 107 W. Main St. 

5. Use to Be Something Else Exhibit — Experience Emmy-award winning television host (Smart Start Kids), author, inspirational speaker, story teller and artist Willa Brigham's exhibit featuring her unique quilts made of used clothing. The exhibit runs Friday through March 16 at The Scrap Exchange. There's an opening reception Friday from 6-9pm with free beverages and snacks. For more information call 688-6960. 548 Foster St.

6. Sunday Jazz Brunch to benefit Haiti  – Support the survivors of the Haiti earthquake Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Cotton Room. The cost is $35 per person and all proceeds will go to the American Red Cross for Haiti relief efforts. For more information, call 530-8380. 807 E. Main St.