One of the fiberglass cows involved in the CowParade Roundup that'll eventually be auctioned of to benefit the N.C. Children’s Hospital
Steve Mitchell - Thursday, 7pm - The author reads from his new collection of short stories, The Naming of Ghosts. The Regulator Bookshop, 720 Ninth St.; Free; 919-286-2700; www.regulatorbookshop.com
The N.C. Gay and Lesbian Film Festival - Through Sunday - The renowned festival continues with great films and special events, like the Grease sing-along Friday evening at 7 and the Plaza Party at 8pm Saturday. www.carolinatheatre.org/ncglff
The Art of Cool Project’s One Year Celebration - Thursday, 7:30pm - A benefit concert to raise money to keep the Project’s After Hours Concert Series going another year. The Cotton Room, 807 E. Main St.; $25-$250; 919-328-9405; www.theartofcoolproject.com
Third Friday - Friday, 6-11pm - Gallery crawl with live music and other performances. Various downtown locations; Free; www.thirdfridaydurham.com
Bill & Libby Hicks - Friday, 6pm - The pair have been playing old-time music together since the early ‘80s, and are joined in this concert by members from their former Cajun-zydeco band, the Unknown Tongues. American Tobacco Campus, 318 Blackwell St.; Free; 919-433-1566; www.americantobaccohistoricdistrict.com
Black Light Insect Hunt - Friday, 8:30-11pm - The guides at the museum want to teach you about all the creepy-crawlies of the night. Enjoy the sounds and sights of a summer evening in the museum’s wetland, where specially installed black lights attract insects to the screens set up on the board walk and specialists point out the different beetles, moths and other critters. Museum of Life and Science, 433 W. Murray Ave.; $5, $3 kids 10 and younger; 919-220-5429; www.ncmls.org
Cow Roundup - Saturday, 10am-4pm - See all 100-plus cows from CowParade North Carolina, which features life-sized fiberglass cows transformed by regional artists. This is the one chance to see them all together before they go off to their respective venues throughout the Triangle. The cows will be auctioned at a gala event in January 2013, with proceeds benefiting N.C. Children’s Hospital. Golden Belt, 807 E. Main St.; Free; 919-967-7700; www.goldenbeltarts.com
George Jones - Saturday, 7:30pm - One of country music’s best-loved forefathers performs with John Howie Jr. and the Rosewood Bluff. DPAC, 123 Vivian St.; $37.50+; 919-680-2787; www.dpacnc.com
Rock the Park - Saturday, 8-10pm - Watch the kid-friendly movie Rio. Southern Boundaries Park, 100 Third Fork Dr.; Free; 919-560-4355; www.dprplaymore.org
Wine Pairing - Sunday, 3:30pm - Taste five signature wines, strategically paired with food samples. Vineyards at Southpoint, 8913 N.C. 751; $25; 919-544-6291; www.vineyardsatsouthpoint.com
Meat Loaf - Sunday, 7pm - The iconic singer brings arena-rock anthems on his Mad, Mad World summer tour to promote his latest album, Hell in a Handbasket. The album features contributors like rappers Chuck D and Lil Jon, country star Trace Adkins and Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath. But the icon will perform with his longtime band, the Neverland Express, and special guest Katrina. DPAC, 123 Vivian St.; $48.50+; 919-680-2787; www.dpacnc.com
