Five things to do in the Triangle this weekend
13 Mar
My Saturday plans have been crushed with the rescheduling of the Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Forecasts of rain and chilly temps prompted them to push it back to March 21.
So I figured it was time to see what else was going on this weekend. Here are some events that should keep you dry, warm and entertained:
* Artistic bailout. Go see the Bailout Biennial exhibit at Golden Belt in Durham. The exhibit features 57 works by 26 artists all center on the messed up economic situation we’re facing and the scandals and greed that got us there. Not only is the show worth checking out, but so is the venue. Golden Belt is a restored historic textile mill that is simply gorgeous. Here’s a snippet from an N&O article about the show:
The staging could hardly be more spare; the works are arrayed around a vast second-floor room with tall windows and high ceilings. The show is remarkable not only for the variety of media it includes — painting, photography, sculpture, installation, audio — but the variety of perspectives and approaches the artists took. Some of the works are subtle, others distinctly less so, and some offer no easy or obvious interpretations.
The exhibit is scheduled to end Sunday. So this is your last chance to check it out. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
* Political theater. Can you believe the Iraq war started six years ago this month? Carolina Theatre is marking the anniversary with a one-man show by ex-soldier and playright Kenny Carnes. “Pieces of War” starts at 8 p.m. tonight. Tickets are $24.
* Hang out with some live alligators and sea turtles. Saturday is Reptile and Amphibian Day at the North Carolina Museum of Natural History. The 16th annual event will feature hundreds of live creatures. Best of all? It’s free. It’s from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Just don’t snicker about the theme “Extreme Herps” in front of your kids (they mean Herpetology, of course. Geez, I can be immature sometimes).
* Get your comedy on. You know I’m a big improv fan. If you’re in Raleigh on Saturday night, check out the return of the Super Sparkle Showcase at Comedyworx. The talent competition is supposed to be hilarious. Or if you’re closer to Carrboro Saturday, head over to DSI Comedy Theater for the “Best Show Ever” — a comedy showcase.
The Super Sparkle Showcase starts at 10:30 p.m. Saturday and costs $10. The Best Show Ever starts at 9:30 p.m. and costs $12 (or $10 if your a student, in the military or a senior).
* Look at the stars. The Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill has several shows scheduled this weekend. Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for children. Though there are discounts, including this $1 coupon for Sunday shows. News & Observer subscribers can get buy one, get one free admission using this coupon.
As always, there are plenty of other events worth checking out around the Triangle including the Bishop Allen concert at Local 506 Saturday, the craft fair at the State Farmers Market, the Hillsborough Street Renaissance eco event in Raleigh, Art After Dark at the Ackland Art Museum and more.
If there are other events we should know about, please share in the comments section.
Happy chilly, wet weekend!
Hey Ginny – how about a meet-up at Tir-Na-Nog Saturday at 6:30 PM, then mozy on over to the IMAX @ Marbles for U2 in 3D at 8 PM? I’m guessing (and have no definitive proof…yet) that green ale will be-a-flowin’.
Trying to get @djwaldow to join. Alas, the man loves his work too much!
Are you in?
Sid.
Sid,
That sounds like fun (especially the green beer part) but I’m going to to the Bishop Allen concert in Chapel Hill on Saturday!
Well then, I’ll spill a bit in your memory!
A very very little bit…
Actually, can the thought count? I hate to waste good beer. Not that you’re not worth it but…it’s beer….
Sid (<- always a breath of fresh sarcasm)
There’s apparently a very cool pirate exhibit at the NC Museum of History on Saturday. It’s a chance to learn and plunder some booty.
Actually went to the Super Sparkle Showcase a couple of weekends ago-very funny. I can’t imagine how hard it is to do improv!