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Entries in DPAC (9)

Thursday
Aug052010

The Weekend Best Bets: Art, Music and Comedy

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. 

Thursday
Jul152010

The Weekend's Top Five

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. 

 

Thursday
Jun172010

The Weekend Best Bets

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. 

Friday
Mar192010

DPAC Third Season Includes Hair, The Lion King and More

DPAC's third season shows just went up on its Web site and it's a really fun list from November 2010 to May 2011.

That list includes: Billy Elliot The Musical (Nov. 2-14); The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein (Dec. 7-12); Disney's The Lion King (Jan. 4-30, 2011); In the Heights (Feb. 22-27); Blue Man Group (March 15-20); Shrek The Musical (April 5-10); and Hair (May 10-15).

 Click here for ticket information.

 

Friday
Mar052010

Broadway Smash "Billy Elliott" Coming to DPAC

Big news from DPAC today.

Billy Elliott, with a score by Elton John, the winner of 10 TONY awards and Time Magazine's "Musical of the Decade", will kick off DPAC's next Broadway season Nov. 2-14.

It's even bigger news for DPAC because this two-week run will mark the debut for the national tour of this smash hit.

Tickets go on sale March 19. Learn more about the play here.

Thursday
Feb182010

Six Great Weekend Events

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.

Tuesday
Feb022010

Norah Jones is Coming to DPAC

This just in: The sultry blues singer Norah Jones is coming to DPAC.

Here is a link to an interview she did on Morning Edition on NPR in November.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120013389

It's really interesting to hear about her new sound since she broke up with boyfriend and collaborator Lee Alexander. And you can listen to it on her new album, The Fall

Tickets go on sale Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. for the Aug. 8 show.

 

Monday
Aug032009

Friday Fun Downtown

Photo by Briana BroughMy beautiful wife Becky treated me to a fantastic evening downtown on Friday night, a combo Father's Day/birthday present. We had a blast. Great food, great music.

Here's a quick recap:

Started with dinner and drinks at Revolution, which we'd been dying to try for months.

Well worth the wait. If you haven't been, go there. Like, tonight. It's that good. (Not that they need any more positive PR. It was named best new restaurant by both DCVB and readers of The Indy.)

Our appetizer was probably the best dish we had: Ahi "Poke" Tuna. An ample portion of cubed sushi-grade raw tuna with mixed greens, cucumber and an awesome wasabi caviar. Spectacular.

I had the poussin (a young chicken - think Cornish game hen) with cornbread stuffing, watercress and pancetta. The bird was perfectly cooked - tender as can be. And the stuffing was rich and moist, unlike most that I've had.

Becky had the Scottish Salmon with sweet peas, ink gnocchi and shitake mushrooms. Also excellent, with the plump and tasty gnocchi stealing the show. (Though I have to confess I'm not sure what makes it "Scottish.")

Of course, the ambience is chic and sexy, perfect for date night. And it was surprisingly affordable. We had four drinks, an app and two large entrees, and the bill was under $100 before tip. A splurge, for sure, but it was a bargain considering the quality of the food and service (thanks Kelly!), not to mention the healthy portions.

I repeat: check this place out if you haven't already.

*******

Photo by Briana BroughThen it was off to DPAC to see Tori Amos. A major treat for me, as I'm a huge fan. Becky not so much, but she was sweet to go with me.

DPAC really is a great place to see a concert like that. Intimate but still grand, if that makes sense. She came out in a flowing aqua dress, matching platform heels and, yes, shiny silver leggings. Becky thought she looked like a mermaid. Maybe she IS a mermaid, in these jeans of his with her name still on it.

I was a bit let down by the set list. Five of her 18 songs were from the new album, Abnormally Attracted to Sin.

It was OK, but, as it was my first time seeing her live, I kind of wanted to hear a fair sampling of her mid-to-early nineties stuff. Guess I missed that boat. About the only bones I got thrown were "Cornflake Girl," "Precious Things" and "Upside Down," which she nailed. Not a SINGLE song from Boys for Pele, my favorite Tori album by a mile.

But I wasn't disappointed by the show. I told Becky afterwards that I've never been so pleased by a concert in which I didn't hear even one of the songs that I had hoped to walking in.

It was awesome to watch her piano virtuosity in person. She dominated her Bosendorfer piano on most songs, "Cornflake Girl" in particular. Most impressive is that she had four different keyboards at her disposal at all times, and often played two of them simultaneously while belting out her wicked, witty, occassionaly poignant lyrics in her operatic soprano. She's not everyone's cup of tea, but there's no denying her amazing musical gifts.

Other highlights included a mesmerizing "Beauty of Speed," off American Doll Posse, "Bliss" off To Venus and Back, a soaring "Pandora's Aquarium" off From the Choirgirl Hotel and a sadly beautiful cover of "Landslide."

All in all, a fantastic show. And a great venue for it. We'll be back soon.

Anybody else see the show or hit one of our other suggested events from last week? Leave a comment below.

Tuesday
Jun022009

Warming Up for ADF

Check out these photos from the American Dance Festival Block Party on Sunday night. It was a warm-up event for this year's exciting ADF series. Check out our events calendar for more info about performance dates beginning June 18.

These photos were shot by Andrew Synowiez at the block party between Parker & Otis and Pop's. They come to us courtesy of Cayte Connell of ADF.

The ADF, now in its 76th year, moved to Durham in 1978. Madonna attended the first six-week dance school held in North Carolina that year, on scholarship.

This year's performances explore the intersection of ballet and modern dance. Many will be held at DPAC, though there will be one very special performance at Golden Belt.