Events in Durham today

Explore the pottery wheel in a friendly, low-pressure workshop designed for first-time throwers. It begins with a brief demonstration, then you will get hands-on time at the wheel to practice centering and shaping clay while creating a few simple forms with one-on-one support during a 90-minute session. All practice clay is reclaimed unless you choose to keep a favorite piece. For $20 per item, trimming, glazing, and firing can be provided so your work is ready to enjoy at home. Select a glaze color before you leave, and expect finished pieces to be available for pickup in about three to five weeks. No experience is needed. Wear clothes you do not mind getting a little muddy and bring your curiosity.

Reggae takes center stage at The Stone Church Music Club with performances by Mighty Mystic and The Riki Rocksteady All-Stars. Mighty Mystic is the performing name of Kevin Mark Holness, a reggae artist and producer born in Jamaica and rooted in Boston, and a key voice in the East Coast reggae scene.

Two-time GRAMMY winner and six-time nominee Nicole Zuraitis brings her powerful voice, vivid songwriting and expressive piano to Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club. A singer, composer, producer and arranger, she earned Best Jazz Vocal Album at the GRAMMY Awards for How Love Begins, a set of all original music that she wrote and arranged, co-produced with Christian McBride. Her live album Live at Vic’s Las Vegas received two GRAMMY nominations, and her inventive arrangement of Dolly Parton’s Jolene also earned recognition from the Recording Academy. She has led both intimate groups and large ensembles, served as the featured vocalist with the Birdland Big Band, and appeared at leading festivals and renowned New York venues such as Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center, Birdland, the Blue Note, the Carlyle, 54 Below and the 55 Bar. Her wide-ranging collaborations include work with Christian McBride, Tom Scott, Keyon Harrold, Cyrille Aimée, Antonio Sanchez, Javon Jackson and Bernard Purdie, along with featured performances with orchestras and big bands. She is an educator on the vocal faculty at NYU and Litchfield Jazz Camp and holds an honorary doctorate from Post University. The club offers a complete dining experience with food and drinks available for purchase during the performance, including service at your table and an award-winning wine and spirits program.

The Music Hall welcomes Here Come The Mummies, an eight-member funk rock powerhouse known for high-energy shows and a fully wrapped, ancient Egyptian aesthetic. Expect tight grooves, a punchy horn section, cheeky humor, and a performance crafted to keep the crowd moving. The group’s track record includes supporting sets for P-Funk, Al Green, Mavis Staples, KC and the Sunshine Band, and Cheap Trick, along with appearances at Super Bowl Village, recurring spots on The Bob and Tom Show, a feature on That’s My Jam with Jimmy Fallon, and performances at major festivals including Summer Fest, Summer Camp, Bluesfest Byron Bay, Musikfest, and Suwannee Hulaween. The lineup features Mummy Cass on guitar and vocals, Eddie Mummy on drums and vocals, K.W. TuT on bass and vocals, Spaz on keys and vocals, The Pole! on bass, Midnight Mummy handling baritone and tenor sax, keys, percussion, talk box, and vocals, Dr. Yo on saxophones, vocals, and tambourine, Highlander on tenor sax, and HPOD, the High Priest of Death, on trumpet. Tickets are available at $39, $45, $55, and $65. This performance is presented as part of a music series supported by McFarland Hyundai, Raka Creative, and 92.5 The River.

PMAC Jazz Night returns to the sounds of the 1980s for a second volume inspired by last year’s warm reception. Vocalist Taylor O’Donnell teams with faculty from Portsmouth Music and Arts Center’s Jazz Institute for an evening of reimagined synth-pop, soaring rock ballads, punchy new wave, and other genre-crossing staples that shaped the decade. Expect a set that pairs beloved hits with nostalgic rarities, presented with the flair that has made PMAC Jazz Night a favorite year after year. Tickets are $35 and available through The Music Hall Lounge.

Portsmouth Farmers' Market brings together local growers, food producers, and artisans in a welcoming community marketplace. Visitors can find fresh fruits and vegetables, locally raised meats, dairy, prepared foods, baked treats, and handmade crafts. Weekly programming includes special community guests and live music from local Seacoast musicians. SNAP benefits are accepted. The Market Info booth provides SNAP tokens with a one-to-one match through Granite State Market Match. Portable restrooms are located across the street at South Mill Pond Playground, which also offers a shaded picnic area for enjoying market purchases. Pets are not permitted, and service animals are welcome. Parking is available in the City Hall Lower Lot, with additional spaces across the street at South Mill Pond Playground. Accessible parking is located directly in front of the City Hall building.

A sanctioned, competitive-level Star Wars: Unlimited Planetary Qualifier invites competitors to battle for prestige and prizes in a capped field of 46 players. Registration requires purchasing a ticket through the Melee platform for $45 plus fees. To withdraw and receive a refund, unenroll on the Melee tournament page before the stated cutoff; platform fees are not refundable and no refunds are issued after that deadline. There is no waitlist, so spots open only as players drop. Check-in takes place the day of the event, and a decklist must be uploaded to Melee before play begins. Matches follow a Swiss structure in best-of-three sets with 55-minute rounds, then move to best-of-three single-elimination playoffs until one undefeated champion remains. With a full roster of 46, the schedule features six Swiss rounds, a Top 8 cut, and a 30 minute lunch break between rounds three and four. Each top cut round is 75 minutes, and the finals are untimed. Deck construction uses the Premier format. Each deck must include exactly one leader and one base, a draw deck of at least 50 cards, and an optional sideboard of up to 10 non-leader, non-base cards. No more than three copies of any single card are allowed, and officially suspended cards are not permitted. All participants receive a non-foil promo, and top finishers earn foil placement-stamped promos. Top 8 players also gain qualifier points for the Season Two championship series. The champion takes home a playmat and an invitation to the Galactic Championship. With full turnout, additional store prizes include three ASH booster packs for every player, $225 in Diversions store credit for first and second place, $100 in store credit for third through eighth, and ASH Carbonite packs for places one through sixteen.

Presented by The Vagabond's Faire at Strawbery Banke Museum, this festival immerses visitors in a maritime inspired fairytale with a misty seacoast atmosphere. The experience includes costumed performers, interactive games, roving entertainment, and food, all designed to be family friendly while honoring the historic setting. Explore a large marketplace featuring more than 80 local vendors. Games come with prizes for children and the young at heart, while storytellers and interactive characters carry an unfolding narrative filled with mysteries and villains. A costume contest spans multiple age brackets and categories, with prizes for standout looks. Themes of renaissance, pirates, fairies, steampunk, cosplay, and maritime adventure are woven throughout.

Roland’s Basement returns after a sold out 2025 debut with a fresh edition of Sounds of the 70s, amped up with more groove and a mix of beloved hits, deep cuts, and nostalgic TV nods. This live music showcase salutes the artists, styles, and stories of the decade across disco, soft rock, funk, and soul, blending big sing along moments with slow jam favorites. Expect an updated setlist, dance ready disco highlights, tight band chemistry with standout vocals, tidbits and pop culture callbacks, plus the group’s signature surprises, costumes, and feel good vibes. Ideal for longtime fans of the era and anyone who loves a great groove, this celebration brings the 70s to life at Epping Community Theater.

The Dance Hall hosts Feet Keep the Beat, a showcase of percussive dance traditions from around the world with live musical accompaniment. This program highlights how rhythm and movement carry cultural stories, with dancers and musicians bringing distinct styles to life onstage. Flamenco blends song, dance, and instrumental artistry, rooted in Andalusia and linked to regions such as Murcia and Extremadura. Kathak, a classical form from northern India, shares narratives through intricate footwork, expressive gesture, and elegant movement. Tap, an American tradition that grew alongside jazz, reflects the meeting of Black American and Irish step dance influences. Before the evening performance, a free workshop and sharing session welcomes the public to explore the history, culture, and steps of these forms. Participants study with three Feet Keep the Beat artists, spending about 30 minutes with each style, and experience how shared rhythm can build community. Registration for the workshop is handled separately to reserve a spot. Feet Keep the Beat is a signature program created by The Center for Arts at the Armory in Somerville, Massachusetts. Arts at the Armory serves as the fiscal sponsor for the touring program, and Ryan Casey is the Artistic Director and Tour Manager.

NERD DADS OF ROCK return with a set that spans the last 50 years, blending rock, pop, and country with a few unexpected picks along the way. Bring a dance partner and enjoy plenty of tunes to move to.

Whitney brings a North American tour stop to 3S Artspace with special guest Emma Ogier. The Chicago band, formed by Julien Ehrlich and Max Kakacek, returns in support of its fourth album, Small Talk, sharing new material alongside longtime favorites. Their debut, Light Upon the Lake, featured the single No Woman and received Pitchfork’s Best New Music recognition, and their performances are frequently praised for a sound that balances warmth with melancholy while feeling both timeless and personal. This is an all ages, standing concert. Tickets are $32 for members, $35 for general admission in advance, and $40 on the day of the show. Early ticket access is available to Supporter-level members and above using a member code at checkout.

The 13th Annual Seacoast Cancer 5K Run/Walk is among New Hampshire’s largest road races, celebrating life and spotlighting the life saving work of the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital. Participants can take part in person or choose a virtual option, and many involve friends and family to help make a difference for patients and families affected by cancer in the Seacoast community. Registration uses tiered pricing. Early bird entry is $30 and includes a race T-shirt, standard registration is $35, and day-of registration is $40 online or in person. Children under 8 may participate at no cost, and a race shirt is not included.

Explore Dungeons and Dragons in a friendly series tailored for beginners and younger players. Learn how to build a character, practice role play, and cast spells with guidance from Anthony. Sessions take place twice a month with a flexible drop in and drop out format. The first meeting focuses on character creation, and pre-generated characters are available if the opening week is missed. Entry is $5, and space is limited to six players, so contact the store or sign up in person to reserve a spot.

World-renowned violinist Joshua Bell appears with the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra at The Music Hall to perform Lalo’s Symphonie espagnole. Celebrated for his virtuosity and expressive playing, the Grammy Award-winning artist brings the vibrant character of this work to the stage alongside the orchestra. Bell’s career spans nearly four decades and includes leadership as Music Director of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Tickets are priced at $99, $125, $175, $225, and $250.

Enjoy coffee, conversation, and activities focused on practicing conversational French.

Weekly Dungeons & Dragons sessions at Diversions welcome both newcomers and seasoned players to continue the ongoing adventure. The games are organized by private groups that use the store’s space, not by store staff, and they typically offer a kids table and an adult table each week. The adult table requires a free reservation that secures a seat for that session, and capacity is limited. The kids table is walk in only on a first come, first served basis, and seating is not guaranteed. Parking options nearby include the Masonic Temple Lot, which is free and about a five minute walk, the Foundry Garage at approximately $1 per hour around six minutes away, and the Worth Lot directly behind the store at $2 per hour for the first three hours and $5 per hour for each hour after.

A new Dover course has been added, featuring classes that meet on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Registration is open.

This weekly board game get-together welcomes players of all experience levels to explore titles ranging from light to heavy strategy. Bring a favorite from home or try the in-store demo games. Come with a friend or arrive solo, everyone is welcome. Outside food is permitted, and attendees are asked to respect others’ games and belongings and to help keep the play space clean. Alcohol is not allowed. Nearby parking options include the Masonic Temple Lot at the corner of Middle St and Miller St with free parking about a five minute walk away, the Foundry Garage at one dollar per hour about a six minute walk, and the Worth Lot behind the store at two dollars per hour for the first three hours then five dollars per hour for each additional hour.

Garden Studies is a three-week watercolor workshop for anyone who loves botanicals and wants to focus on florals, decorative elements, and expressive techniques. Unlike courses centered on foliage and greens, this series puts flowers center stage. Each week features a new approach to color, composition, and layering with mixed media, and each session concludes with a completed painting. The first week explores folk art florals with metallic accents and patterned embellishments, using simple botanical shapes, line work, gel pens, and metallic details to create a decorative piece. The second week turns to loose, vibrant garden blooms, building balanced compositions and embracing watercolor's natural effects to produce a large bouquet. The final week demystifies orchids by breaking them into approachable shapes, guiding participants to paint luminous petals, rich color variations, and an elegant composition in a vibrant study. There is no prerequisite, although an introductory watercolor class such as Introduction to Watercolor or Watercolor 101 is encouraged. Class size is intentionally small to allow for individualized instruction. Registration is final and seats are reserved for the full series, so there are no refunds, credits, transfers, makeup classes, or rescheduling for missed sessions or schedule conflicts. Registering confirms a commitment to attend all three sessions. An optional Workshop Starter Kit is offered at $60, a $90 value that includes Dr. Ph. Martin's Hydrus Watercolor Set #1, two professional mop brushes, a Happy Painter accessory pouch, and five sheets of premium watercolor paper. Choosing the registration that includes the Starter Kit ensures the materials will be ready at the workshop.

Talking Body Poetry Night is an open mic centered on poems about sensuality and the physical self. Writers and listeners are invited to explore what the body can say through verse. The hosts are @kelseywiles and @cari.lizabeth. This edition follows the theme UNDER THE EQUINOX and features readings by McKendy Fils-Aime and Alex Serino.

UB40 kicks off the fall run in Portsmouth with a classic theater show at The Music Hall, where the intimate, focused acoustics complement the band’s melodic sensibilities. Signature songs come through with crisp clarity as the crowd echoes each familiar chorus. The set flows at a measured, smooth pace, making Portsmouth a polished opening chapter for this leg of the tour.

A friendly morning group offers opportunities to connect, enjoy playtime, make simple crafts, and listen to stories. A light snack is provided.

Walk in for a quick energy tune up designed to clear blockages, sharpen clarity, and help you feel balanced and centered. Sessions take place in the event space at three individual stations separated by privacy dividers. This format is ideal for first timers who want an easy introduction to energy work. Denise McGrath of Restore Alignment Energies leads each session to get energy moving efficiently. No appointment is required. The cost is $50, payable by cash, check, or Venmo at @denise-mcgrath-10.

To start the season, the Dover Farmers' Market will be set in Lower Henry Law Park, then later will relocate to Nebi Park about a 5 minute walk away. Held each Wednesday, the market features a rotating mix of fresh local produce, baked goods, lobster, canned goods, and one of a kind crafts, accompanied by live music from musicians across the Seacoast. SNAP is accepted at the Market Info booth, where shoppers can receive tokens with matching funds through Granite State Market Match. A portable restroom is available nearby. Leashed pets are welcome. Bring a blanket or a folding chair to relax in the park. Metered parking is available in nearby lots and along surrounding streets.

This intermediate woodturning class guides students in turning a freshly cut log into a unique bowl. It starts with selecting a log and cutting it into a bowl blank on the bandsaw, then moves to safely mounting the blank on the lathe and shaping it with a variety of tools while the wood is still wet. Instruction focuses on technique, safety, and creativity while working with unprocessed material. After the bowl has dried, a no-cost second session can be booked to refine the shape and complete the finish. Prior turning experience is strongly recommended because the class builds on fundamentals such as tool control and lathe setup. The class is led by instructor Brian Bridwell. Please bring safety goggles and hearing protection. Registration closes two days in advance, and refunds are available up to seven days before the start. Active members receive 25 percent off the class list price with code MEMBER.

Enjoy open-format MTG Commander play and take on fellow players in a continuing series.

Riftbound, the League of Legends trading card game, is the focus of a weekly Nexus Night built around free, open casual play. Players bring their own constructed decks and face off in friendly matchups with others. Every attendee receives a Nexus Night promo pack. Questions about other events are welcome.

Auspicious Brew hosts a welcoming open mic where musicians can share their songs and listeners can discover local talent. Sign-ups take place before the performances, and admission is free. The series returns twice each month, with one edition guided by Jon-Erik and another hosted by The Jerritones.

Enjoy a casual night of bowling and a bite at Bowl-O-Rama. For $25 per person, the deal covers 90 minutes of unlimited bowling, shoe rental, and a choice between a small two-topping pizza or a classic burger. It blends lighthearted competition with an easy meal, making group outings simple.

Queer Resilience Circle is a free group art workshop led by Jade Ruscio, offered every fourth Wednesday of the month. Drawing on the long history of zines in queer spaces as tools for visibility, mutual support, and amplifying voices, participants will create paper zines that share stories, express identity, and build community through self-published art. No prior art experience is required. Please register each month so a spot can be prepared for you.

The Bill Charlap Trio brings a mesmerizing live jazz performance to Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club for an unforgettable evening of music.