‘Jurassic World Live,’ Duke vs. UNC and 13 more Best Bets this week
Whether commemorating Black History Month, American Heart Month or Galentine’s Day and feBREWary, there is more than enough going on this week to keep your social calendar thriving.
‘Jurassic World Live’
Dino enthusiasts, budding paleontologists and sci-fi fans, this one’s for you. Punch your ticket for a night of chaos in Isla Nublar as the “Jurassic World” film comes to life for the first time in a touring arena show facing the escape of Indominus rex and ensuing adventure. Join forces with a team of scientists to unravel a corrupt plan and save all-new dinosaur Jeanie from a terrible fate, while enduring some of Jurassic World’s most famed archosaurian reptiles en route: Blue the Raptor, Triceratops, Pteranodons and the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex. The production features 24 “film-accurate, life-sized” dinosaurs, according to a news release. PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh. Feb. 6-9, times vary. From $15. pncarena.com
Celine Dion
Near, far, wherever you are, you’re gonna wanna be at PNC Arena as the Canadian pop icon takes stage for her first tour in a decade, the Courage World Tour. And just in time for Valentine’s, looks like your heart will go on. 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh. Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m. From $125. pncarena.com
‘Kinky Boots’
“Wear your heart on your heels” for this Valentine’s week run of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning high-heeled musical featuring 16 original songs by pop phenom Cyndi Lauper. North Carolina Theatre is one of the first regional theaters in the country to produce the show, according to a news release. Duke Energy for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. Feb. 11-16, times vary. From $18. nctheatre.com
Tony Bennett
You’re gonna “wanna be around” for legendary crooner Tony Bennett’s stop in Durham as part of his I Left My Heart tour, marking his 70th anniversary of his pro recording career (album “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” bowed in 1950), with a guest performance by his daughter, Anotonia Bennett, a Berklee College of Music grad, who will open with a collection of jazz/pop standards. 123 Vivian St., Durham. Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m. From $61. dpac.com
Duke vs. UNC
No matter the score, the record, the stats or the season, it’s always a show on Tobacco Road as rivals UNC host the Blue Devils at the Dean Smith Center. Don’t miss the 2020 Part I version — whether live, at a local sports bar or on your couch. Dean Smith Center, 300 Skipper Bowles Drive, Chapel Hill. Feb. 8, 6 p.m. Tickets sold out, but some may be available on StubHub. goheels.com; goduke.com
‘Mean Girls’
On Wednesdays we wear pink. The calendar may read February, but for six days at the Durham Performing Arts Center, it’ll be “October 3rd.” Don’t miss the debut of hilarious hit musical “Mean Girls” from an award-winning creative team (including Tina Fey) riffing on the cultural film classic. Grool! 123 Vivian St., Durham. Feb. 11-16, times vary. From $60. dpac.com
Family Heart Bop
Love is in the air at Marbles Kids Museum for the family Valentine’s fete. Carolina Ballet and Raleigh Rockers will be on-site as you “cupid shuffle” (probably not literally, but clearly a punny song request) with the fam in your festive best — and even follow Cupid’s Quest to learn new moves. Take a dance break while making your own corsage, crafting special cards, muggin’ in the Cookie Cutters photo booth, or noshing on sweet treats and lovely drinks. 201 E. Hargett St., Raleigh. Feb. 8, 6 p.m. Members $15, nonmembers $20. marbleskidsmuseum.org
Museum After Dark
Celebrate your boo a la 1800s by making your own Victorian Valentine at the North Carolina Museum of History while sampling local beers (and maybe sweet treats). Then peruse lobby-level exhibits before relaxing in front of a viewing of the iconic “My Fair Lady.” N.C. Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. Feb. 7, 5-10 p.m. (5-8 p.m.: Music and activities in the lobby; 6-7:30 p.m.: member program in the Demonstration Gallery; 7:30 p.m.: movie in Daniels Auditorium). Free. ncmuseumofhistory.org
Hayti Heritage Film Festival
Celebrating and keeping Southern black film alive, Durham’s Hayti Heritage Film Festival is back for its 26th annual installment. New and veteran artists in black cinema will feature cutting-edge docs, fictional shorts and features, plus master classes and more, not to mention great food and drinks and arts and crafts to boot. The HHFF2020 opening night showcases “Una Great Movie” by Jen Sharp (“A beautiful diverse movie about a black American woman traveling to Mexico slowly becomes a romantic comedy with an all-white cast,” according to press notes. “A quirky cerebral look into commercialism and greed, juxtaposed with a heartwarming movie that challenges stereotypes”). Follow @haytifilmfest on social or visit the site for full film lineup and fest details. Feb. 13-15, times, locations and prices vary. Opening night reception 5:30 p.m., screening 6:30 p.m. haiti.org
Go Red Day
Nope, it’s not an NC State event (though feel free to show your Pack pride with a NCSU tee). February is American Heart Month. So, on Feb. 7, rock your ruby, rose, scarlet, NC State red — whatever ya got — for #GoRedTriangle, celebrating national #WearRedDay to raise awareness of heart disease as the No. 1 killer of women. Do even more good for the cause by making a donation to Triangle Go Red for Women and/or making plans to attend the annual Go Red for Women Luncheon in June. trianglegoesred.org
Felipe Esparza
Here to answer his signature question, “What’s up, fool?” for a few days is 2010’s “Last Comic Standing” champ, funny man Felipe Esparza. Raleigh Improv, 1224 Parkside Main St., Cary. Feb. 7, 7 and 9:15 p.m.; Feb. 8, 6:30 and 9 p.m.; Feb. 9, 7 p.m.. 18+, $20-$70. felipesworld.com; improv.com/raleigh
African American History Symposium
Spend your Saturday commemorating Black History Month at the fourth annual African American History Symposium at the City of Raleigh Museum, exploring the transformation from slavery to freedom through two lectures with collector Craig James and City of Raleigh Museum director Ernest Dollar. City of Raleigh Museum, 436 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh. Feb. 8, 1-3 p.m. Free and open to the public. raleighnc.gov/events
‘Pout, Pout Fish’
Turn that frown upside down with this tot-friendly “Pout, Pout Fish” performance. A colorful adaptation of The New York Times bestseller, the new musical features whimsical puppets and live performers in a sweeping oceanic adventure: “When Mr. Fish sets out on a quest to find Miss Clam’s missing pearl, he discovers there is more to him than his permanently plastered pout.” Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. Feb. 11, 9:45 & 11:45 a.m. $10. dukeenergycenterraleigh.com
Galentine’s Day
“Every Feb. 13th my lady friends and I leave our husbands and boyfriends at home and we just come and kick it breakfast style.” Whether you’re single or boo’d up, grab your gals and celebrate Galentine’s Day with a pair of local picks.
▪ In Raleigh, post up at Vidrio (500 Glenwood Ave., Suite 100, Raleigh) at 4:30 p.m. for dinner and drinks with a special Galentine’s Day option ($25) featuring a Veuve Clicquot Champagne toast and a Chocolate Mousse prepared by in-house pastry chefs. vidrioraleigh.com
▪ In Durham, fete Galentine’s at Glass Jug Beer Lab (5410 N.C. 55, Suite V, Durham) for its “Waffles, Beer and Treating Yo’ Self” event. Kick it breakfast-style and celebrate all things “Parks and Recreation” with team trivia (up to six people per team, 8 p.m.), beermosas, Big C Waffles chicken and waffles in the beer garden, a Ben Wyatt playlist and more. Up the feel-good fun factor with the Treat Yo’ Self toy drive to benefit Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill (see listing for drive details; plus $1 of every event-themed beverage sold Feb. 13 will be donated to RMHCH). Feb. 13. Free to enter both. glass-jug.com
This story was originally published February 4, 2020 at 2:07 PM with the headline "‘Jurassic World Live,’ Duke vs. UNC and 13 more Best Bets this week."