Tour de Fat carnies kicked off last year's festival with a dance number on the main stage
Dex Romweber + the New Romans – Thursday, 7pm – An Americana with attitude performance. Duke Gardens, 420 Anderson St.; $12; (919) 684-4444; www.dukeperformances.duke.edu
Know Your Dough: Traditional Handmade Pastas – Thursday, 6:30-8:30pm – Learn to make two Italian favorites – ravioli and gnocchi – and discuss techniques to make the perfect pasta. The Cookery, 1101 W. Chapel Hill St.; $40; (919) 801-7290; www.durhamcookery.com
Fridays Made Easy – Friday, 5-8pm – Explore the 84-acre science park for just $5 every fourth Friday. Museum of Life and Science, 433 Murray Ave.; $5; (919) 220-5429; www.ncmls.org
Lizzy Ross Band – Friday, 6pm – The songwriter is backed by her band, which fills out her original Americana sound. American Tobacco Campus, 318 Blackwell St.; Free; (919) 433-1566; www.americantobaccohistoricdistrict.com
Scottish Dance Theatre – Friday and Saturday, 8pm – The company returns to the American Dance Festival for their full U.S. debut. Along with an encore performance of James Wilton's duet Drift, the evening features the U.S. premiere of DOG, choreographed by one of Europe's most original and exciting artists, Hofesh Shechter. DPAC, 123 Vivian St.; $18-$48; (919) 680-2787; www.dpacnc.com
Tour de Fat – Saturday, 10am – Now in its 13th season, the festival brings together passionate bike lovers for a day of revelry while fundraising for local nonprofits, usually those in the world of bike advocacy. The event raises money through New Belgium beer and merchandise sales, and includes a costumed bicycle parade, entertainment, local food, unusual bike contests and the ceremonious car-for-bike trade, where one local hands over the keys and pledges to live car-free for a year. Registration for the bike parade begins at 9am. Diamond View Park, 318 Blackwell St.; Free; www.newbelgium.com
Bubble Blitz – Saturday, 10am-4pm – Enter the world of gigantic bubbles and tiny bubbles. Blow bubbles, burst bubbles and learn how marine animals use bubbles. Grab a bubble wand or make your own. Museum of Life and Science, 433 Murray Ave.; Free with museum admission; (919) 220-5429; www.ncmls.org
West Coast Blues Camp – Saturday and Sunday – The two day event features West Coast Blues All-Stars including Junior Watson with Tommy Harkenrider, Mike Turturro and Ben Hernandez. Watson has played and recorded with Big Mama Thornton, George Smith, Jimmy Rogers, Shakey Jake, Luther Tucker, Charlie Musselwhite, Kim Wilson, William Clark and more. Passes include lunch. The Blue Note Grill, 4125 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.; Single Day Pass, $29 in advance, $35 day of show, Weekend Pass, $44 in advance, $50 day of show; (919) 401-1979; www.westcoastbluescamp.com
Vince Gill – Sunday, 7:30pm – One of the most popular singers in country music performs with his band. DPAC, 123 Vivian St.; $48+; (919) 680-2787; www.dpacnc.com
