Events in Durham County today

andmoreagain brings Be Your Own Pet’s 20th Anniversary Tour to Stanczyks in Durham, NC, with Farmer’s Wife and Mean Habit sharing the bill. Fresh from recent SXSW appearances, Nashville’s Be Your Own Pet has returned with the single Hand Grenade on Third Man Records, the band’s first new release since the 2008 album Get Awkward. Founding members Jemina Pearl Abegg, Jonas Stein, and Nathan Vasquez are joined by longtime drummer John Eatherly, carrying forward the high-energy spirit that has drawn praise from outlets like Pitchfork and Rolling Stone. Austin’s Farmer’s Wife blends 90s dirge rock, 60s psychedelia, and flashes of 80s cool into intense, story-driven songs that move between fragility and force. Interlaced guitars and hypnotic rhythms can open into free-form excursions, and the EP Faint Illusions pushes their recurring themes of decay and romance into a grittier space. North Carolina’s Mean Habit delivers a queer, femme-forward take on hardcore-inspired post punk, channeling raw emotion into personal and political lyrics that confront transphobic fetishization, the dynamics of intimate partner abuse within patriarchy, and the reclamation of dehumanizing spaces while urging autonomy and love. Advance tickets are $22.50, with $25 pricing on the day of the show.

Move with care during pregnancy in a prenatal yoga session led by a skilled instructor who offers thoughtful guidance for body and mind in a supportive, safe space. This class meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. You can choose a single session or a package.

Explore the foundations of Haitian Konpa in a four-week dance series that focuses on partner connection, musicality, and smooth, confident movement in a welcoming setting. The classes are held at Triangle Meeting Space in Durham, NC, inside the Blue Sanctuary studio. This series is beginner friendly, and no partner is needed. By the final class, participants will feel ready to enjoy Konpa comfortably in social settings. Pricing is $55 for an individual, $100 for a couple, and $15 for a drop-in.

Two Zouk levels run at the same time, so beginners and intermediate dancers can learn side by side. If you have completed a few beginner classes, you may choose the intermediate track. Each night features a Zouk lesson followed by a social where you can practice and connect. A four week pass is available for $65 and includes both the class and the social. Drop in options are offered at $20 for class plus social, $15 for class only, or $8 for social only. Registration is handled through the Venmo shown in the event image. The space is on the second floor of the building to the right, near the Ronald McDonald parking sign. Parking is permitted on the right side of the lot downhill from the meetinghouse, in the small lot to the right in front of the little meetinghouse, and in the Duke Security lot across the street unless a spot is specifically marked otherwise. Please avoid the lot downhill from the Duke Security lot beside the Episcopal Student Center and the lot near the Campus Security Office. Some street parking is also available.

Channel your inner witch or wicked royalty at a Halloween makeup workshop led by Andrew Turnbull, an acclaimed freelance beauty artist. This upbeat, hands-on session focuses on bold, witchy glamour with a playful, campy edge and teaches how to craft a dramatic look using the products you already own. Arrive with a vision for the style you want to achieve and your personal makeup kit. Andrew will share techniques to elevate your approach and help you get more out of your existing collection. A curated selection of blush, eyeshadow, contour and highlighting palettes, lipsticks, eyeliners, complexion enhancers, and other items will be provided for instruction and demonstrations only, and custom lashes handcrafted by Andrew will be available for purchase. Tickets are $35 per person. Advance reservations are available and payment secures your spot. The workshop takes place at Drink A Bull Tasting Room & Tea House. Please note that this class centers on glamour rather than special effects, so looks requiring prosthetics, blood or wound effects, or full-face or body paint are not included.

Discover a beginner-friendly introduction to Systema, a holistic approach to martial arts that blends movement, breath, and relaxation into practical self-protection. Participants learn to move with solid structure and minimal tension, building natural, intuitive responses while becoming stronger, more flexible, and less affected by stress. The focus extends beyond physical skill to include awareness, adaptability, and the ability to stay calm in unpredictable situations. Training changes from class to class and students work at a comfortable pace. A typical session starts with breathing, movement, and conditioning exercises rooted in Russian martial arts to release tension and develop a resilient body, then progresses into rolling, falling, groundwork, and themed movement drills. Presented by NC Systema, an official school of Systema Vasiliev with instructors certified annually by Systema Headquarters in Toronto, this free trial for beginners takes place at Triangle Aikido.

Clint Black joins forces with the GRAMMY-nominated trio Midland, known for its retro nuevo sound, for a limited run of eight shows that unites two generations of country music on one stage. Expect an energetic night of hits and favorites as Black draws from staples like "Killin' Time," "A Better Man," and "Like the Rain," while Midland adds crowd-pleasers such as "Drinkin' Problem," "Burn Out," and "Sunrise Tells the Story." This rare collaboration blends classic and modern country with engaging storytelling for a memorable concert experience.

Clint Black brings his hallmark country sound to Durham Performing Arts Center in Durham. The performance highlights smooth vocals, country storytelling, and a seasoned presence onstage. Audiences can look forward to familiar songs delivered with the polished style that has come to define his career.

This practical childbirth education class focuses on what matters most for modern parents. Participants learn about informed consent throughout pregnancy and birth and how to build a supportive birth team, along with the role of birth hormones. The class walks through the labor process and its stages and shares physical and emotional comfort strategies, including a demonstration of touch techniques. It also offers guidance on creating a clear birth plan and getting started with postpartum preparation. Registration covers the birthing person and one support person.

Suited for complete beginners or anyone looking to refresh their skills, this hybrid knitting class can be taken in person or virtually. Across three weeks, you will knit a simple garter-stitch dishcloth, learn to incorporate new colors in the second week, and practice textured stitches in the third. By the end, you will have a solid foundation for many future projects. Instructor Amie Palmer leads the class.

Mortali-Tea, a Pagan-focused Death Cafe facilitated by Via Textricis, provides space for open, wide-ranging conversations about end-of-life topics shaped by Pagan perspectives. Rooted in the Death Cafe movement that began in the UK in 2011 as a supportive forum for discussing death, a global network that now includes nearly 19,000 gatherings across 91 countries, this meetup is designed to serve needs specific to the local Pagan community. General Death Cafes meet regularly in Raleigh and Hillsborough, and a Queer Death Cafe meets at Arcana, while this one centers on Pagan voices. The conversation takes place at Panera Bread in Durham, NC.

Songstories Live brings artists and listeners together in an intimate setting at the Pavilion at Boxyard RTP. Three singer-songwriters will present original music along with the stories that inspired each piece, supported by session musicians from the local area. Admission is free for walk-ins. Performances take place under the covered Pavilion on the BeatBox stage, and plans may change in response to weather to keep the stage safe. If there is flooding, ice, or lightning, the event will be canceled. The lineup will be announced. By attending, guests consent to photography, video, and audio recording and authorize Boxyard RTP to use those materials in any medium for any purpose. For questions, email hello@boxyardrtp.com. To inquire about performing, email music@boxyardrtp.com.

A team of chefs reunites for a seasonal cooking demonstration celebrating the fall harvest, featuring former instructors and managers from the Southern Season Cooking School in Chapel Hill. They will share stories from their time at Southern Season, a much-loved specialty market founded in 1975 that became a regional destination and home to a noted cooking school, while preparing favorite autumn dishes. The class is led by Caitlin Burke, Ellen Clevenger-Firley, and Kim Calaway, with a menu that includes ginger carrot soup finished with apple and peanut gremolata, an easy porchetta served with roasted vegetables, and pumpkin cheesecake. Expect an easygoing, welcoming atmosphere filled with practical tips, techniques, and multiple recipes, along with plenty of good food. Attendees often connect over the experience and leave with new friends. For planning, participants are asked to share first names for name tags and note any dietary needs or special occasions ahead of time. Cancellations more than seven days before the class are eligible for a refund, credit, or transfer. Within seven days, credits or transfers are available, and within two days, transfers only.

Heart of Carolina and Lock Starz Salon present a community celebration at The Shrine in Durham that centers locs, culture, and connection. Expect music, thoughtful loc conversations, local vendors, and photo opportunities that highlight the people and stories behind every style. From fresh starts to long-established crowns, including sisterlocks, freeform, and wicks, all journeys are welcome, and friends without locs are encouraged to show support. Early bird tickets are $10 and general admission is $15.

At Reynolds Theater in Durham, NC, Gaspard&Dancers, founded by former Pilobolus dancer Gaspard Louis, presents an evening of contemporary dance that combines spirited movement with lyrical and athletic partnering. The program unveils three new works, Five One with accompaniment by Durham composer and pianist Randy Love, Chess Mates, and Advaita. It also features the North Carolina premiere of Fatal 4 I by guest choreographer Houston Thomas, plus additional pieces from the company’s repertory, including a special presentation of Noula performed by local participants from the G&D repertory workshop.

A prenatal yoga session designed to support you through pregnancy, with guidance for both body and mind. A knowledgeable instructor leads in a welcoming setting that prioritizes safe movement for expectant participants. Offered on the first and third Sunday mornings each month. Choose a single class or a package.

Presented by The MAKRS Society, this monthly market and concert series brings a rotating lineup of bands, more than forty local vendors, and a selection of food trucks to Durham Central Park. Attendees can explore unique goods, enjoy live music, and pick up food and beverages while spending time with friends and family. Vendors interested in participating can apply to be part of the series.

Celebrate the cooler season with an outdoor yoga session at Zinc House Winery & Brewery, led by Sharon MacGregor, founder of Serenity Farm Yoga Sanctuary. The Flow & Grow class is beginner-friendly and moves with breath and intention, incorporating gentle chaturangas and a slightly quicker pace, with options for every level. Sharon, who also founded the 26-acre Serenity Farm retreat center, guides a practice that supports wellness, community, and personal growth. Set on 87 acres with vineyards, scenic walking trails, rooftop decks, and versatile event spaces, the venue offers a setting to pause and reset. After class, participants can browse Tip-Z Boutique, enjoy a gourmet coffee or a bite from a food truck, sip a bubbly or another refreshing drink, play a round of cornhole, and take in the vineyard views while connecting with friends. The class takes place outdoors in front of the Carriage House. Please bring a yoga mat, comfortable clothing, and water. An eye cover is optional, and a cushion for the knees, such as a towel, is encouraged. Suitable for both newcomers and seasoned practitioners.

A beginner friendly trial class introduces Systema at Triangle Aikido in Durham. Training blends martial arts with mindful practices like breathing, relaxation, and movement to develop practical self protection. Participants work on natural, intuitive responses while building strength, flexibility, and a calmer mindset under pressure. The method emphasizes free, efficient movement with solid structure and minimal tension. Instruction follows a thoughtful progression that grows awareness and adaptability so students can stay centered and responsive in unpredictable situations. A typical session starts with breath, movement, and conditioning drills from the Russian martial art tradition to release mental and physical tension and build a resilient, adaptable body. Practice then moves into rolling, safe falling, groundwork, and themed movement exercises. Everyone trains at a comfortable pace with attention to quality, efficiency, and understanding. NC Systema is an official school of Systema Vasiliev, and instructors maintain annual certification through the headquarters in Toronto.

The Lowell Ringel Group featuring David Leon spotlights a bassist, composer, and educator whose work has earned awards and whose approach reflects the tradition of Charlie Haden and Scott LaFaro. Expect melodic improvisations paired with a grounded, inventive pulse that anchors the music while leaving room for discovery. After completing both undergraduate and graduate degrees at the Frost School of Music, Ringel immersed himself in Latin jazz and Cuban styles, later performing and recording with artists such as Ignacio Berroa, Aymee Nuviola, Brian Lynch, Shelly Berg, Dafnis Prieto, and Martin Bejerano. As a writer, he brings together jazz sensibility, rhythmic drive, and elements of classical language to create pieces with vivid color. That perspective is captured on the self-titled 2019 release from his chamber jazz quintet Threeplustwo and on Geodesics, the 2020 album by the Finnish American collective Transatlanttiset. He resides in Forest Park, Illinois, and appears frequently around the Chicagoland scene. For this performance, Ringel leads on bass with David Leon on woodwinds, Keith Ganz on guitar, Evan Ringel on trombone, and Jake Richter on drums.

EMPOWER is a welcoming woodworking class created for people who have often been left out of the craft, including women, nonbinary and LGBTQIA+ participants, and individuals who are neurodivergent or physically disabled. Guided by instructors with nontraditional backgrounds, each session focuses on core skills, adaptable techniques, and growing confidence with tools for use in the shop and beyond. All experience levels are supported, and the class can be repeated since the project changes each time, with examples like staggered display shelves, storage for pens and markers and other craft supplies, and an entryway organizer. The cost is $75, and registration is required through the organizer’s website. Please wear closed-toed shoes and avoid loose clothing or jewelry. All materials, tools, and safety equipment are provided. Cancellations are fully refundable up to seven days before class, and registrations can be transferred within that same window. There are no refunds or transfers inside the seven-day cutoff.

A long-running weekly salsa social that has been going strong since 2009 welcomes dancers with a beginner-friendly salsa lesson to kick things off, followed by plenty of social dancing. The playlist leans around 45 percent salsa and about 40 to 45 percent bachata, with a small number of cha cha, kizomba, merengue, and cumbia selections sprinkled in. Admission is $10, or $8 for active military and students with ID. Most DJs can accept Venmo and credit cards, but bringing cash is wise because card payments may include an additional fee. Guests 17 and under are free with an accompanying adult, or $5 if attending on their own. The DJ roster typically rotates among Abuelo Salsero Jack Wolf, Salsa Mike (Michael Delucia), Pedro Paz, and Monte Alban (Eliuth Cruz Lopez), and the lineup is subject to change. For questions, contact Jack Wolf at jackhwolf49@gmail.com or 919-245-8393 or 743-208-5497.

Presented by andmoreagain, this night at Rubies on Five Points in Durham brings together Dogwood Tales with bedrumor. Advance tickets are $15 and $18 on the day of the show. Dogwood Tales, from Harrisonburg in the Shenandoah Valley, is led by longtime friends Kyle Grim and Ben Ryan on guitars and vocals, joined by drummer Jake Golibart and bassist Danny Gibney. Their forthcoming album, Every Star in Rockingham County, reflects small town life with vivid detail, from the personal reflections of “Mt. Jackson” to playful nods in songs like “Princess Peach” and the memories woven through “McMemories.” Their sound blends pedal steel, close harmonies, bright drumlines, tasteful guitar work, and even bits of nostalgic video game texture, creating a mix that feels intimate and expansive at once. Scenes in “Angel Dreams” paint moments as specific as a quiet meal at Southern Kitchen, offering storytelling that feels close to home. Sharing the bill, bedrumor is a Greensboro outfit led by Lazuli Ortiz and Ryan Mole. Their music sits in the indie rock lane with a clear jazz influence, and for live performances they invite additional musicians to bring the arrangements to life. Influences range from Herbie Hancock and King Krule to Big Thief and Ichiko Aoba, and Lazuli produces the project’s recordings at home, the inspiration behind the band’s name.

At Duke University Chapel, a Día de los Muertos ofrenda invites remembrance and reflection. Returning for its fourth year, it supports the chapel’s mission to connect faith, learning, and community through art and collective memory. This edition debuts newly commissioned work by Texas artist Ricky Armendariz, whose practice examines the intersections of Mexican, American, and Indigenous cultures shaped by the U.S.-Mexico border. Presented in collaboration with Duke Arts, Say the Thing, and the Innovation Co-Lab, the installation includes a suite of Armendariz panel designs, engraved at the Co-Lab and incorporated into the altar. Visitors are welcome to participate by adding photographs, keepsakes, written messages, or individual links to a communal paper chain in honor of loved ones who have died. The ofrenda can be experienced quietly on your own, and there are also special events offered in the lead-up to Día de los Muertos.

A festive rooftop Halloween storytime welcomes families. Durham County Library leads with lighthearted stories, lively songs, and easy dances perfect for young children. Costumes are welcome, and admission is free for all ages. Seasonal drinks and treats are available at the Coffee Bar before or after.

Jack hosts a Halloween quiz filled with spooky-themed rounds and surprise twists. The regular quiz challenges are back too, and prizes await teams who go all out with their costumes. Expect a fun, high-spirited evening. Entry is £2 per person, and mains are 40% off.

Celebrate another year of line dancing with Carolina Crew and Mystic Distillery at Mystic Farm and Distillery in Durham, NC, with a festive Halloween twist. The evening features door prizes, a costume contest for outfits that amaze or scare, the Monster Mash dance contest, a Halloween photo backdrop for memorable photos, snacks, and drinks available for purchase. Costumes are encouraged, the dance floor will be lively, and tickets are limited since this event is not open to the public.

Beck appears at DPAC in Durham, NC, buoyed by the momentum of his new song "Ride Lonesome." Beck produced the track, with mixing by Nigel Godrich, and it echoes the mood and textures of Morning Phase, which won the 2015 Grammy for Album of the Year, as well as 2002's Sea Change, with several musicians from those albums taking part. Beginning with intimate acoustic guitar and rising to a stirring finale, the song points to a fresh yet familiar direction for the artist. Ticket access includes a public onsale along with presales for Citi Cardmembers, the artist, Friends of DPAC, Spotify, and Live Nation, with Citi Cardmember Preferred tickets also available.

A pop-up chorus tribute to Dolly Parton fills Stanczyks Music Bar in Durham with community singing that celebrates her life and music while honoring her dedication as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. Proceeds support the LGBTQ+ Center of Durham. Everyone is welcome, and the emphasis is on singing together in a warm, nonjudgmental atmosphere.

Eleven-time GRAMMY winner Christian McBride leads Ursa Major, a dynamic group that pairs his seasoned artistry with a team of up-and-coming talents. The renowned bassist, composer, bandleader, educator, and host of NPR’s Jazz Night in America moves easily among straight-ahead jazz, R&B, hip hop, and classical influences. With saxophonist Nicole Glover, guitarist Ely Perlman, pianist Mike King, and drummer Savannah Harris, the ensemble brings a lively, forward-looking energy to the stage. McBride created Ursa Major to champion emerging voices and to keep the collaborative spirit of jazz front and center.

Beck performs live in concert at Durham Performing Arts Center in Durham, NC.