Celebrate fall at a farm, see ’42’ at the ballpark, plus more best bets for the week
Now it’s officially fall, y’all. Can’t you just feel the cool pumpkin spice breeze in your hair? And no matter whether you’re feeling all children-of-the-corn or fuzzy-fall-family-fun, plenty o’ farms are now open with all the haunted/happy happenings you could dream up.
Between that, the return of CAM, a movie at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, the Jack Tar autumn patio pop-up and so much more — well, fall is giving us all the (hopeful) feels. Now y’all go get your fall on and #SpreadLove.
Fall Farm Fun
Corn mazes, pumpkin patches and fall farm fun abounds as more spots open for the season for corn mazes, hay/wagon rides, farm animals, jump pad/bounce houses, and pumpkin patches and more (corn cannon, anyone?).
Add to your growing list: Lazy Hound Farms in Zebulon (opened Aug. 22); Ken’s Korny Corn Maze in Garner (Sept. 5); Fuquay’s Naylor Family Farm and Giant Corn Maze (Sept. 12), Hipp Farms Corn Maze & Field of Fun (Sept. 14); Vollmer Farm “Back 40” Country Playground in Bunn (Sept. 25); Siler City’s Huckleberry Trail Farm and Wake Forest’s Medlin Farm, DJ’s pumpkins and mums in Apex (now in-season); Holly Springs’ The Family Farm on Avent Ferry, and Hubb’s Farm in Clinton (all Sept. 26).
For a mix of fam-friendly fun with a side of spooky selections check out Phillips Farms of Cary (Sept. 19), McKee’s Cornfield Maze (Cedar Creek Farm) in Rougemont (Sept 28).
Haunted Trails and Houses
Calling all children of the corn. Hallo-scream is coming. You’re in for a spooktacular time as haunted options open for the 2020 season. At NC’s No. 1 Haunted Forest, Haunted Forest at Panic Point in Youngsville (Sept. 25), the Quad Fright is comprised of four trails with a Haunted Menacing Maze. Clinton’s Hollerin Haunts Hayride and Aberdeen Fear Factory also open Sept. 25, followed by Darkside Haunted Estates in Middlesex on Sept. 26. More to come in October. Happy haunting!
‘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
Beach Music: Making Waves in the Carolinas
“That old beer drinking music, shaggin’ kind of music…” Fall may be in full swing but you can keep the summer vibes alive at N.C. Museum of History with its brand-new beach music exhibit, celebrating the movement propelled by African American rhythm and blues in the 1950s and ’60s that brought us such beloved bands as the Embers, the Catalinas and more. From interactive video and sound experiences to band costumes and inside scoop on top songs, the exhibit — like the genre that inspires it — promises to make waves in the Carolinas as well. ncmuseumofhistory.org
CAM Comes Back
Head to the main gallery when the Contemporary Art Museum reopens Sept. 24 to check out “Greater Than or Equal To,” the new exhibition by Maya Freelon — goddaughter and namesake of Maya Angelou, who described the younger artist’s work as “Visualizing the truth about the vulnerability and the strength of the human being.” While you’re there, peruse Taylor White’s “Laocoön and the Algorithm,” Alun Be’s “Madame Badiane” from the “Empowering Women” series, Kennedi Carter’s “Flexing/New Realm,” and Sally Van Gorder’s “Maintenance and Obsolescence: The art historians’ house.” CAM will be open Thursdays and Fridays from noon–6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon–5 p.m. Admission is free. camraleigh.org
Backyard Film Series Drive-In Screenings
One of the nation’s longest running Black film festivals, Hayti Heritage Film Festival presents a two-day drive-in film event in the Bull City at Measurement Inc., screening Sept. 25 and 26 from 7–10 p.m. The screenings are free to attend, but a ticket reservation (one per car) is required, and vehicle needs a working FM radio for sound. facebook.com/haytifilmfest
Bull City Reels on Wheels
Remember: “Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death.” Sage wisdom-filled “Hitch” hits the big screen at Durham County Memorial Stadium as Durham Parks and Recreation gets reel with free drive-in movies. Saturday at 7:30 p.m. (gates open 6:30). Though free, tickets must be reserved online. Only one ticket is needed per car. dprplaymore.org/469/Bull-City-Reels-on-Wheels
Playmakers Repertory Company
The show goes on at Playmakers Repertory Company in Chapel Hill, which will live-stream its entire six-show 2020-21 season, themed All Too Human. The plays, including solo work and ensembles, will begin Sept. 28. For details and costs on the PlayMakers Pass, which provides access to all six events, go to playmakersrep.org/box-office/subscriptions.
Oktoberfest Drive-Through Brewgaloo
Drive up, drink up (after you drive home, obv) and do your part to support local. While you wait for the popular beer festival to return to downtown Raleigh April 23-24, enjoy this pop-up installment of Drive-Through Brewgaloo Sept. 26, 1–3 p.m. at Lincoln Theater. Keep local brewers surviving and thriving (and enjoy the fruits of their labor) by purchasing a six-pack of your fave style of beer, or try a Taste of NC mix pack featuring 24 different beers for curbside pickup. All beers are 100% North Carolina-made, -owned and -operated. #DrinkLocal. Purchase tickets at shoplocalraleigh.org.
Offstage Live: S.E. Ward
Following appearances by Chatham County Line and Dreamroot comes S.E. Ward, performing live (virtually) for North Carolina Museum of Art’s newest installment of its free Offstage Live streaming concert series. The band’s first album was released on Bull City Records Presents to local acclaim, and its next alum is slated to drop in early 2021. At the helm is Ward herself, a now Triangle music fixture via Vermont, who “flaunts her songwriting and vocal chops through a master class in emotion that moves from haunting to heated in just four tracks.” Livestream will be available through youtube.com/ncartmuseum starting Sept. 29 at 8 p.m., and the show will also be broadcast on UNC-TV with behind-the-scenes interviews in the coming months. Future acts include Diali Cissokho & Kaira Ba from Pittsboro (Oct. 20). ncartmuseum.org/offstage.
Otoño: Patio Pop-Up at Jack Tar & The Colonel’s Daughter
Calling all people who like good food. ICYMI: Jack Tar & The Colonel’s Daughter chef/owner Gray Brooks has launched new patio pop-up Otoño, led by Pizzeria Toro chef de cuisine and recent ”Chopped” winner Marla Thurman — and of which 100% of profits will be donated to Urban Ministries of Durham. Alongside Jack Tar’s signature favorites, the menu will feature Agua Frescas, Tostadas with citrus ceviche and Seafood Tortas, and a wide selection of vegan dishes. Fans may recognize the re-creation of her winning “Chopped” dessert: the Vegan Chocolate Torte with chile and orange. Otoño, Spanish for autumn and so named for its season, will last as long as outdoor dining weather permits. Brooks and his team are bringing Jack Tar’s cocktail bar to the patio to boot. The Colonel’s Daughter will represent the South by Southwest direction of the menu with an all-new cocktail program. Nom nom. jacktar-durham.com
Drag Brunch @ Unscripted
Mimosas, brunch and drag queens! Head over to Unscripted Sunday, Sept. 27, for a can’t-miss lively brunch featuring performances by the best in Durham drag with three of the biggest stars from House of Coxx: Vivica C. Coxx, Stormie Daie and Naomi Dix — and a live DJ to boot. $35 is your ticket to get in the door, followed with a free mimosa upon arrival. Arrive at 11 a.m. to ensure ease of ordering and plenty of time to imbibe. The show starts at noon and runs until 2 p.m. No parties larger than six permitted. Tickets can be purchased here, when reserving your table on opentable.com. facebook.com/UnscriptedDurham
NC 10by10 Play Festival
A Carrboro ArtsCenter fixture for 15 years, the annual NC 10by10 Play Festival is positioned to reach fans around the globe as it takes its famed 10 10-minute play format virtual Sept. 25 and 26. Teaming up for the new approach, Chapel Hill-Carrboro’s OdysseyStage and Cary Playwrights’ Forum (CPF) reviewed script submissions from across North Carolina and selected such plays as “The Bluebird” by Eric Weil, “Is This My Support Group?” by Bonnie Milne Gardner and more. nc10by10.org
Food Trucks at Eno
Slide into your stretchy pants and roll over to Eno’s biweekly Food Truck Rodeo in all its scrumptious fun, Sept. 30, as some of the best trucks in town park it for your feeding pleasure. Bring a blanket, grab some grub and chill out for awhile — and don’t miss the homemade Eno ice cream. 2127 St. Marys Road, Hillsborough.
‘Cuegrass Virtual Fundraiser
‘Cuegrass may be canceled (like all of 2020), but its causes live on. Empire Eats and The Pit have launched a virtual fundraiser to benefit Read & Feed, Scout Troop/Pack 325B - 325G, and Team Chris Combs. Empire Eats will match your donation, dollar for dollar, for the entire month of September. Donate at cuegrass.com/donate, then call in an order of barbecue, strum the banjo and dream of the in-person fest ahead.
Notable North Carolina Lecture Series: The Cone Family
Zoom in on the Cone Family via the North Carolina Museum of History’s virtual (Zoom) Notable North Carolina Lecture Series, Sept. 24 (7 p.m.), as U.S. history, women’s studies, and American South scholar Carrie Streeter presents on the storied family behind the Cone Mills Corporation (est. 1891) and how they contributed to North Carolina’s economic and cultural legacy. A link will be sent out to all registrants twice on the day of the program. Register at ncmuseumofhistory.org/notable-nc/cone-family.
Handcrafted DURM
Spring has sprung for Handcrafted DURM (rescheduled from earlier this year) at Durty Bull Brewing Co. Spend your Saturday (1 to 6 p.m.) perusing crafts, jewelry and beauty wares, gifts and more; noshing on sweet treats; and taking in live tunes (starts 4 p.m.). facebook.com/handcraftedDURM
Mad Science
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is officially back, along with the Daily Planet Cafe. Visitthe museum’s website for more information, hours, and to reserve your free timed ticket. In tandem with its live in-person offerings, check out the museum’s virtual programs. naturalsciences.org
This story was originally published September 23, 2020 at 3:09 PM.