Durham’s CenterFest goes virtual, museums reopen and 15 Best Bets for the week

Updated Sept. 16, 4:50 p.m.

It’s fall, y’all — officially next week (Sept. 22). As temps begin to fall and you while away the days with pumpkin-infused, well, everything (PSL deodorant, anyone? Not kidding), take in the ever-growing opps to venture out.

Peep sculptures in the Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill, hit up the museums and more.

And, alas! Best-in-class virtual events continue with the likes of CenterFest and BugFest. Check out our best bets. And wherever you find yourself, as always, #SpreadLove.

CenterFest

“It’s time for a cool change.” After 45 years of presenting in downtown Durham for a few days of live visual and performing arts, food and fun, this year’s annual CenterFest goes virtual with a lively online experience, airing over three 45-minute episodes from 6–9 p.m, Sept. 19. The Durham Arts Council’s event has ranked in the top 10 fine arts fest in the U.S. and is one of North Carolina’s longest-running juried outdoors arts festival. It will no doubt rise to the virtual challenge with 53 visual artists and 19 performing artists, memories and highlights of CenterFest over the years, plus interactive features, including a CenterFest Kids Zone, and Puppetry and Fairy Tales sessions. Check out the event at centerfest2020.org.

‘42’ film on Durham Bulls ballfield

Take me out to the ballgame (field)! Knocking it out of the park is this monster of an event: Movies on the Monster (aka a movie airing on the Blue Monster videoboard), Friday, Sept. 25, at DBAP. The flick? “42,” of course, starring the late Chadwick Boseman. And — safety first — guests will enjoy the baseball classic with up to 10 people per group in exclusive “pods” spaced out across the outfield. Smaller pods (holding groups of four and six people) will also be on offer, as is a limited concessions menu (from which guests are encouraged to preorder). Visit the link for more info and to purchase tickets. milb.com/durham/events/movies-on-the-monster

Note: An earlier version of this story said the film is Sept. 18. This event has since been rescheduled to Sept. 25 due to possible storms on Friday, The Durham Bulls announced on Twitter.

N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences reopens

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences will welcome you back on-site Sept. 22, along with the Daily Planet Cafe. Visitnaturalsciences.org/open to reserve your free timed ticket. Until then, and in honor of BugFest, get buggy with it with Lunchtime Discovery: Bugs in Art (Wednesday, Sept. 16, noon-1 p.m.). Through the ages, artists have been inspired by bugs, created bugs, used bugs as materials and then watched their artwork consumed by bugs. Join North Carolina Museum of Art art conservator Perry Hurt for a presentation about the good, the bad and even the beautiful ways that bugs have contributed to art. Then, 17+ peeps, stay tuned Wednesday night for ever-so-apt R-rated buggy Museum Movie Night: “The Fly” (R, 1986, 6-9 p.m.) and live the horror when Seth, an eccentric scientist working on matter teleportation finds himself slowly transforming into a terrifying creature he calls “Brundlefly” after something goes terribly awry. Post-flick, join entomologist Matt Bertone to hear about the science behind the film and test your knowledge with movie trivia. Register now for Museum Movie Night. Then, Thursday, bug on with a BugFest special Science Café: Insects in the Smokies – 7-8 p.m. with Rebecca Nichols, entomologist for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, who will discuss various insect groups that live in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including fireflies, bees and other pollinators, aquatic insects, and many others. Watch the Science Café live. BugFest 2020

BugFest

Until then, this year’s BugFest is going virtual—and global! Join the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences through Sept. 19 to interact with entomologists from North Carolina and around the world and bug out on the fascinating world of bugs. A full list of programs is available at BugFest.org, where you can register for free to attend any of the dozens of buggy offerings. This year’s spotlight? Shoo fly don’t bother me! Yeah, you’re gonna wanna clear your schedule for this. bugfest.org

Sculpture in the Garden

Each fall, art and life intersect at the annual Sculpture in the Garden show, where the work of local artists unites with the curated landscapes of the North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill. Now in its 32nd year, the beloved and beautiful event showcasing sculptures large and small, abstract to figurative, steel to ceramic, will be on view from Sept. 13 to Dec. 6. Admission to the Garden is free, but a $5 donation to Sculpture in the Garden is suggested. Can’t make it in person? See the show in pictures. 100 Mason Farm Road (on the UNC Chapel Hill campus), ncbg.unc.edu/visit/exhibits/sculpture-in-the-garden/

Flashlight Scavenger Hunts

Unless you “love the dark but hate nature,” this one is for you. “Goonies” up your weekend with a treasure hunt in various Bull City parks via Durham Parks and Recreation’s free Flashlight Scavenger Hunts. Grab the flashlight (obv) and shine some light on the subject as you follow clues to unearth hidden treasures. And, remember, Goonies never say die. … Two sessions per night are currently scheduled through Oct. 30; registration required. Visit site for participating parks, more information on each event, as well as registration details. dprplaymore.org

Behind the Mask Exhibit

The Durham Arts Council is back. Showcasing its first in-person exhibit since March, Durham Arts Council is opening to the public by appointment only on Sept. 15 with Durham-based Cornell Watson’s exhibit “Behind the Mask.” “Held in conjunction with Click! Photography Festival, ‘Behind The Mask’ is a powerful collection of portraiture photography exploring Black existence and individuality,” according to a description of the show. “ You may remember Watson for his photography featured in DAC’s “Portraits of Durham” exhibit, or have seen his work featured in “Blk Crwn” magazine or “Durham” magazine (where he is currently a contributing photographer). To make an appointment, or to view health and safety protocols, please visit the online sign-up form. durhamarts.org

Italian Harvest Wine Dinner

That’s amore, indeed. Sip the fine (wine) life Sept. 24 (6:30 p.m.) at Parizade in Durham while you toast fall and up your Italian wine chops as Sarah Newman of Volio Imports guides us through the vineyards of Italy with her handpicked selection of five wines. And executive chef Jason Lawless’ curated menu pairs perfectly with the bold wines. Weather-permitting, the dinner will be served under the autumn sky in Parizade’s courtyard. Limited-capacity tickets for this dinner are $99. Make your reservations online or call 919-286-9712. facebook.com/Parizade

Live Event: Mary Mack

Don’t miss cheese-dependent LOL-inducing Midwestern comic Mary Mack as she takes the stage at Goodnights for three nights of rib-tickling fun. The “Last Comic Standing” alum is a radio and podcast fave, with such credits as including KFAN’S “Power Trip, “The Bob and Tom Show,” Marc Maron’s “WTF Podcast,” and New York’s “2 Dope Queens,” plus many TV credits to boot. To surf her comedy albums, visit marymackcomedy.com; visit the Goodnights site for time and ticket info. goodnightscomedy.com

Sola Hot Mini 5K

Lace up for a good cause for the Sola Hot Mini 5k. Now in its seventh year, the event to stamp out ALS turns to run-where-you-are virtual style for safety. Participants will have the opportunity to log their 5K time through Sept. 21. All proceeds raised will still be donated to help in the fight to end ALS. Visit the site for registration and full race details. solahotmini5k.com

Live Hammered Trivia

On Wednesdays, we wear masks and play trivia. Bring your A game to Gizmo for weekly outdoor-only live Hammered Trivia, every Hump Day at 7 p.m. (weather permitting). Attendance is on a first-come first-served basis via the online reservation system, with a weekly cap of 40 people. Reservations can only be made for one week at a time and for the current week of trivia (starting each Sunday). Visit gizmobrewworks.com for registration and game info. Game on.

Compass Rose Brewery

Whether you are looking to shop, get Zen and bendy, get your bingo on — or for live music, axe throwing and shenanigans of the like, Compass Rose Brewery is brewing up your fun needs. Check their Facebook page for up-to-date info on weekly Sunday outdoor yoga; Wednesday tap room Bingo sessions; or the Roshambo Fall Artisan Market, complete with shopping, live music by Andy Hall, food, axe throwing and more. See you there!

Sculpt Social Event With fit RDU at Trophy on Maywood

Fit fam — gather! (Happy, happy, joy, joy.) We can sweat together, and Trophy on Maywood is here for it. fit RDU, a new fitness concept that launched in Raleigh, is partnering with local brewery Trophy Brewing Company, to host a charity yoga class. The Sculpt Social event will take place Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Trophy’s production facility on Maywood Avenue to benefit NAMI Wake County, a local nonprofit that provides support, education and advocacy to those affected by mental health challenges to create a community where mental health is valued. Masks will be required whenever not social distancing and attendees will be eight feet apart while working out and enjoying an ice-cold beverage. fitrdu.club

Dine & Vibes @ Unscripted & More

Get your vibe on at Unscripted with the return of Dine & Vibes Friday, Sept. 18, as DJ Special K spins popular hits on the Patio from 5–10 p.m. Then, Saturday, enjoy live, instrumental outdoor music with The Wiley Fosters from 6–9 p.m. Round out the weekend with a stop in Sunday for Reggae on the Rooftop from noon–5 p.m. and relax rooftop-poolside with a view of downtown Durham as DJ Algoriddim plays a selection of classic, old school reggae mixed live and direct on vinyl. Events are free and open to the public, 21 and over. No tickets required, but reservations recommended. For reservations, visit https://bit.ly/PatioReservations. facebook.com/UnscriptedDurham

NCMA LIVE and AT HOME

The North Carolina Museum of Art is open to the public at limited capacity with updated hours (Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m–5 p.m.), required free timed tickets to encourage social distancing, and increased health and safety procedures including required cloth masks. Reserve free timed tickets at ncartmuseum.org/covid19.

In conjunction with live events, the Museum will continue to host virtual events in the coming months, like the NCMA from home offerings. This Friday, Sept. 18 (7 p.m.), enjoy NCMA Film Club: “Style Wars” (register by Sept. 16 at 5 p.m.). “This month’s pairing, inspired by Louise Jones’s mural ‘Summer’s Where You’ll Find Me,’ is the enchanting documentary ‘Style Wars’ (1983) and two shorts about murals in North Carolina.” Discussion guests include Raleigh Murals Project founder and Myriad Media brand director Jedidiah Gant and Pan II Creative animator, designer, musician, and founder Napoleon Wright II. Also on offer Friday is this month’s Dreaming in Color: Liberation Station Virtual Storytime event, part of the story time series. Airing the third Friday of each month from the beautiful NCMA galleries, Victoria Scott-Miller of Liberation Station bookstore offers a series of readings and book recommendations for young people and their families. Visit here for registration and ticket information.

This story was originally published September 16, 2020 at 4:35 PM.