Durham Happenings: February 2024

February is a celebratory month. It is Black History Month. Mardi Gras is February 13. Valentine’s/Galentine’s Day is on the 14th. February 3 is National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. Needless to say, there are A LOT of events to choose from, whether you’re into markets, arts and crafts, running, hiking, food, or history. A number of organizations took a break in January after a hectic holiday season, but they are back in action this coming month!

This is not an exhaustive list, so please check out sites such as Triangle on the Cheap or WRAL Out & About for more events.

February 2, 10am: Hidden History Hike at West Point on the Eno (5101 N Roxboro St, Durham)

West Point on the Eno was home to many folks, a number of whom left indelible marks on the landscape. Join us for an on- and off-trail hike that will explore abandoned home sites, old roadbeds, former irrigation systems, and so much more. Come along and we will show you parts of West Point you have never seen before! This hike will be 3-4 miles long and will include rock hopping across creeks and unstable terrain. Please, no dogs on this hike since we are going off trail. FREE but please register.

February 2, 5pm-6pm: Fondue and Raclette with Meat & Graze (Boxyard RTP, 900 Park Offices Dr, Research Triangle Park)

Embark on a journey of savory bliss that will tantalize your taste buds and warm your heart. Dive into a cauldron of creamy, molten fondue, perfect for dipping artisanal bread. Or skip the fondue and gather around the raclette! $30-$41

February 3, 10am: Black History Month Group Hike with Urban Community Agrinomics (2080 Sawmill Creek Parkway, Durham)

Join UCAN at the Catawba Trail Farm for a Black History Month group hike! We’ll explore the land and dive into its African-American and Native American history. We’ll also explore the historical sites, visit the Little River and soak in the beauty and peace that this land has to offer. Joining us on this adventure is Outdoor Afro! It’ll be a fantastic opportunity to connect with community members and learn the captivating history of the land. Please RSVP HERE.

February 3, 12pm-2pm: Durham Chapter Building Social – Seed Packing with the NC Wildlife Federation (Southwest Regional Library, 3605 Shannon Rd, Durham)

Please join NCWF for an afternoon of Butterfly Highway seed packing at the Southwest Regional Library in Durham. This will be a great opportunity to learn what it is all about to be a Community Wildlife Chapter and to meet like-minded conservationists. If you are interested in joining our grassroots network, we’d be happy to welcome you!

February 3, 12pm-5pm: Art & Vintage Market at Glass Jug RTP (5410 NC-55 V, Durham)

Please join us for a market filled with lots of love created by @fae.and.ghoul Collective in collaboration with charity partner @hotdogsrescue ! Drink, eat, shop, and adopt while listening to local musicians! Participate in our $1 raffles to win big prizes! All raffle proceeds go directly towards benefitting Hotdogs Rescue. Shop small this holiday season from our market of over 15 local art and vintage vendors.

February 3, 9am-12pm: National “Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast” Day at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams (908 W Main St, Durham)

Join us from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 3 for our annual Ice Cream for Breakfast Day festivities! We consider this day a blank check to enjoy all that’s upside-down and backward — including eating a big bowl (or cone) of ice cream first thing in the morning.

February 3, 10, 17, and 24 at 11:15 a.m: Field & Factory: A Look at Tobacco’s Laborers at Duke Homestead (2828 Duke Homestead Rd, Durham)

As part of Black History Month, Duke Homestead is presenting a special guided tour, “Field & Factory: A Look at Tobacco’s Laborers” in February.

The tour will highlight the voice of Viola Bond, who worked for Liggett & Myers and American Tobacco Company. Tours will address the contributions that each group of people working in tobacco made to North Carolina’s culture and powerful economy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, while addressing the inequalities in tobacco’s labor forces. The tour is free, but space is limited. To reserve a spot, call Duke Homestead at 919-627-6990.

February 3, 12pm: Annual NC MLK and Black History Month Parade (3501 Fayetteville St, Durham)

Join Spectacular Magazine & Triangle Cultural Awareness Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, for the 21st Annual NC MLK Black History Month Parade! Kick off Black History Month at one of the largest, most inclusive, and celebratory events in the state. All ethnic groups are welcome. The parade will start at 12 p.m. at W.G. Pearson Elementary School and proceed up Fayetteville Street, ending at NCCU. Free to attend.

February 4 and 22, 10am-5pm: Community Days at the Museum of Life and Science (433 W. Murray Ave, Durham)

On Durham Community Days, Durham County residents receive free admission. You’ll need to show proof of residents. All adults in your party will need to show proof of residency. Each adult can bring up to five children. Durham Community Days take place twice a month.

February 4, 1pm-4pm: Triangle Vegfest Vegan Mac & Cheese Cook Off (Durham Armory, 212 Foster St, Durham)

Please join us for our Eighth Annual Vegan Mac and Cheese Cook-Off on Sunday, February 4, 2024, from 1 pm to 4 pm!! This is an annual fundraiser for Triangle Vegfest. We will have vendors at the event selling desserts, drinks, and other savory food options. The chefs will be professionals! Let’s see who makes the best and if the previous years winners take home the prizes again! We will have a few amateur chefs as well competing.

Join us to pick the best vegan mac in the Triangle! Admission will be $20 ahead of the event and $30 the day of. $10 for kids 6-12. Free for 5 and under.

February 3, 3pm-5pm: Living Futures Saturdays: Saskia Cornes and River Takada at American Underground (201 W Main St, Durham)

Running February – April 2024, Living Futures Saturdays is a monthly event series featuring climate-engaged presenters from a variety of disciplines. Our February 3rd event will feature presentations from fiber artist River Takada and Duke Campus Farm Program Director Saskia Cornes, followed by community conversation and connection. Individual tickets ($10-16) are available for in-person attendance at American Underground in Durham, NC, or via livestream.

February 3, 3pm-5pm: Intro to Crochet (The Scrap Exchange, 2050 Chapel Hill Rd, Durham)

Join instructor Maureen Kurtz as she teaches participants the basics of crochet! Participants will learn how to chain stitch, make single crochet and double crochet on a flat piece. Participants can complete a mug rug, potholder, or small doll blanket. All materials are provided! $25. Sign up online!

February 4, 2pm-4pm: Durham Really Really Free Market at Lyon Park (1200 W. Lakewood Ave, Durham)

Durham Really Really Free Market is a community gathering that’s all about sharing. Bring what you don’t need. and take anything you do need. It’s not about buying, selling, trading or bartering. Just sharing. No money involved. Items can be pretty much anything, including home goods, clothing, jewelry, books, toys, furniture, food, musical instruments and more.

If you’d like to share a service, like drawing, cutting hair, or playing music, that’s great too!

February 4, 3:30pm-5:30pm: Valentine’s Watercolor Workshop (The Scrap Exchange, 2050 Chapel Hill Rd, Durham)

Instructor Angela Ritter will teach participants how to use basic watercolor techniques to create hand-made, one of a kind cards. $35. Sign up online!

February 6, 5:30pm (and every Tuesday): Durham Chess Enthusiasts at Der Nachbar Bottleshop & Taps (4916 Hillsborough Rd, Durham)

A friendly community of chess players in Durham who meet up every Tuesday. The games are unrated and casual, both with and without clocks. Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome!

February 6, 5:30pm-7pm: Adult Craft: Pom Pom Love Birds (South Regional Library, 4505 S Alston Ave, Durham)

Celebrate Valentine’s Day by making two adorable pom pom love birds! Stop by the conference room between 5:30 and 7pm to make your own. You can make two birds with any of these colors: pink, green, blue, purple. All supplies are provided. Registration is not required.

February 6, 6pm-7:30pm: All Things Barrel Aged with Honeygirl Meadery (105 Hood St #6, Durham)

Join the Maker + STEAM team at Honeygirl Meadery for All Things Barrel Aged! In this program, we’ll discuss the science behind the barrel aging process and how time can be that special ingredient. There will be a presentation and behind-the-scenes tour of the meadery. Drinks will be available for optional purchase.

Registration is required.

February 7, 6pm-10pm: Taylor Swift Craft Night at Crafts & Drafts (3117 Guess Rd Ste B, Durham)

Join us for an unforgettable Taylor Swift-themed Craft Night! Whether you’re a “Lover” of painting or etching, this is your chance to bring Taylor’s iconic lyrics and symbols to life and make new friends while you’re at it.

February 10, 9am-10am: Monthly Group Run and Walk (410 Blackwell St. Durham)

Still I Run is a community of mental health running warriors united by our mission to defeat the stigma surrounding mental health and promote the benefits of running for mental health. Together, we aim to cultivate a supportive space to build community. Runners and walkers of all abilities and ages are welcome.

We meet on the 2nd Saturday of every month at 9:00 AM by the Mellow Mushroom in Durham, next to the stairs and colorful mushroom statue out front. After stretching at the Mellow Mushroom, we will run/walk on the American Tobacco Trail.

February 10,11am-5pm: Thrift-A-Bull Market (Kotuku Surf Club, 703 Rigsbee Ave, Durham)

Join us at @kotukusurfclub on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10th from 11AM-5PM for some Valentines Day fun at our first market of the year! 25+ vintage vendors, handmakers and more, seasonal cocktails, tarot reading, henna, a valentines photo booth, music and food from @thecoopfoodtruck.

February 7, 7pm-9pm: Astronomy on Tap at Fullsteam Brewery (726 Rigsbee Ave, Durham)

Astronomy on Tap is a series of short, accessible talks about astronomy, over beer. Astronomy on Tap’s Triangle chapter holds its talks at Fullsteam Brewery.The events start with trivia. Free to attend.

February 9, 8pm: Step Afrika! At The Carolina Theatre (309 W Morgan St, Durham)

Founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, Step Afrika! is the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping. Under Mr. Williams’ leadership, stepping has evolved into one of America’s cultural exports, touring more than 50 countries across the globe. Step Afrika! now ranks as one of the top ten African-American dance companies in the United States.

February 10, 1pm-4pm: “I Heart Books” Kids’ Valentine’s Event at Book Harvest (2501 University Drive, Durham)

There will be plenty of fun activities, including crafts and treats, and, of course, the opportunity for families to harvest FREE books to take home and cherish forever. This is the perfect chance to bring out your little bookworms for a fun-filled afternoon! Register here.

February 10, 5:30pm-9pm: Love a Girl for Valentines Campaign (The Durham Exchange at ReCity, 112 Broadway St. Durham)

This will be a fun night for you and someone special in your life! Bring your Valentine, whether your child, your spouse, or your significant other, to experience entertainment and performances. Or come alone and try your luck at our “Singles Match-Up” Game. The evening includes a Silent Auction, a Balloon Twister, Drinks, a Dessert Bar for those needing a little something sweet, a Selfie Corner, and an opportunity to learn more about Human Trafficking. Tickets are $45.

February 11, 12pm-5pm: Mardi Gras at Durham Central Park (501 Foster St, Durham)

The Bulltown Strutters, the Cajammers and The Glass Jug Beer Lab invite everyone to celebrate Mardi Gras at Durham Central Park. This is a free, family-friendly event. Under the Durham Central Park Pavilion – come party New Orleans style – rain, snow, or sun. Free crafting booths for kids & adults – shoe box floats & costuming + the Scrap Exchange. Live music & dancing. Second line parades every hour. Glass Jug Beer tent. Food trucks. Come as you are, or form a Krewe of friends, family or workplace, pick a theme and come dressed up.

February 11, 1pm-3pm: Family Day: Black History Month at the Nasher Museum of Art (2001 Campus Dr, Durham)

Join us to celebrate Black History Month with art activities that feature the museum’s longtime practice of collecting and presenting works by artists of African descent, as part of a commitment to global, emerging artists of color. We’ll learn about each other’s stories while finding inspiration in many works of art on view throughout the galleries.

February 12, 7pm: 36 Seconds: Portrait of a Hate Crime at The Carolina Theatre (309 W Morgan St, Durham)

In 2015, three Muslim-American students were executed while eating dinner in their home in Chapel Hill, NC. The film charts the victims’ families’ agonizing overnight pivot from trauma to advocacy as they struggle to prevent their loved ones’ deaths from being dismissed as the result of a random parking dispute. They courageously speak the truth about the hate crime that has destroyed their lives, about the overt and insidious ways racism plays out in our society and about the need to reform a hate crime system that is broken. This is a project about grace and the will to fight for the truth in the worst of circumstances.

The screening will be followed by a Q+A with the filmmakers and special guests.

February 16, 4pm-9pm: Friday Date Night Deal at OC Aerial (3463 Coates Industrial Blvd Suite 200, Durham)

Grab a partner to experience a high-flying adventure like no other at Bull City’s only all-in-one indoor adventure park! Whether seeking quality time with a significant other or carving out time with a bestie, start the weekend early with a dose of excitement with OC Aerial’s Date Night offer: Use deal code “DATENIGHT20” to receive 20% off you and your plus one’s Friday climb anytime from 4-9 p.m. now through March 30 when booking in-person or online at https://www.oc-aerial.com/pricing.

The Friday Date Night promotion applies to OC Aerial’s Main Park Day Pass (Ages 10+), a three-hour pass providing access to all attractions, as well as the Rock Climbing Day Pass, an all-day pass providing access to the climbing area.

February 13, 5:30pm: Durham Mardi Gras at CCB Plaza (201 Corcoran St, Durham)

The Durham Mardi Gras Parade is a DIY affair. You don’t have to register your krewe. Just show up. There is no officially organized parade, but…it will happen.

February 14, 6pm-10pm: Galentine’s Night at Crafts & Drafts (3117 Guess Rd Ste B, Durham)

A night for friendship and creativity. Whether you’re solo or with your squad, let’s get crafty!

February 17, 1pm-2:30pm: Stamped from the Beginning Film Screening (Southwest Regional Library, 3605 Shannon Rd, Durham)

Celebrate Black History Month and join us for a screening of Stamped from the Beginning. Based off of the award-winning book by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. This lauded documentary explores the history of anti-Black racist ideas using vivid animations and leading female scholars such as Dr. Angela Davis, Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, Brittany Packnett Cunningham, and Dr. Jennifer L. Morgan. Registration not required. Film is rated R.

February 17, 2pm and 7pm: Swan Lake at The Carolina Theatre (309 W Morgan St., Durham)

Swan Lake, the ballet of all ballets, will be performed one night only as a part of the World Ballet Series. See the iconic Dance of the Little Swans, count the 32 fouettés performed by Odile, and immerse yourself in magical Tchaikovsky’s music.

February 25, 3pm-4pm: Maud 2.23 Run (The Glass Jug Beer Lab – RTP, 5410 NC-55 Suite V, Durham)

Join Together We Stand NC for Maud 2.23: Stand Up to Racism and Hate. This run/walk will be held to honor the memory of Ahmaud Arbery, to encourage participants and greater community to speak about the senseless violence caused by racism and hate. Registration is $30 and includes a Maud 2.23 longsleeve shirt and a pair of Feetures performance socks.

February 26, 5:30pm-7:30pm: Death Cafe (Southwest Regional Library, 3605 Shannon Rd, Durham)

Join for a safe, supportive conversation on death, dying, and all that surrounds these deeply meaningful topics. Differing views, beliefs, questions, and curiosities are welcomed! For more information on death cafes, please visit https://deathcafe.com/. Refreshments will be provided. Space is limited!

February 29, 6:30pm: Stand Up Maud 2.23 with Ponysaurus Brewing Company (219 Hood St, Durham)

Join us on Thursday, February 29th at 6:30pm for our iteration of this week-long event series! We’ve teamed up with @togetherwestandnc to brew a “Stand Up” Double Dry Hopped Pale Ale that will be available on tap, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting @equalitync.

February 16, 6pm-9pm: Third Friday Art Walk & Gallery Crawl (Downtown Durham)

Durham’s monthly art walk and gallery crawl that takes place on the third Friday of every month. Check out their website for a map, a list of performers, and events across the city during that evening.

February 17, 12pm-4pm: Cupid’s Undie Run Charity Event (Motorco Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Ave, Durham)

Every February, thousands of undie runners in cities all across the U.S. come together, whether it be in-person or virtually, to support those affected by NF, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body and affects 1 in every 3,000 births. We’re on a mission to raise awareness and fund critical NF research while running in our undies! With your help, we can help improve treatments, improve care, and improve lives for those living with NF. Cupid’s Undie Run kicks off with drinking and dancing, then we jog it out with a mile(ish) run and end it all with an epic dance party! $40 to register.

February 18, all day: Stitches of Love Crafting Drive at Crafts & Drafts (3117 Guess Rd Ste B, Durham)

Knit and crochet for a cause. Help us create cozy beanies and swaddles for NICU babies.

February 21, 7pm: Solstice: a Winter Circus Experience at The Carolina Theatre (309 W Morgan St., Durham)

This captivating circus show unfolds the story of a character who has lost his inner light, plunging him into a wondrous and surreal world where memories come to life and the ordinary becomes ‘extra’ordinary. “Solstice” blends over 8 acrobatic acts with lighting, costumes, music, scenery, and snow to create a unique blend of poetry and circus in a 75-minute show!

February 24, 12pm-5pm: Meet the Heroes at Walltown Park Recreation Center (1308 West Club Blvd., Durham)

At this free event, parents and children are invited to meet Heroes of Black history through actors, activities and crafts. The event is designed like a living museum where you are free to travel and meet the historical figures and participate in a craft or STEM project based on the profession and achievements of each Hero. You can listen to the hero’s personal story of triumph, perseverance, and success.

There will be bull riding, horse hop races, horseshoe painting, panning for gemstones and PomPom Canons. Learn about how African Americans shaped the West with bravery and persistence. Also, learn about Black Wall Street and enjoy a Cash Tornado Booth and a bounce house.