‘White Christmas,’ Sedaris and 10 more things to do this weekend
It’s a holiday weekend, and there’s plenty to do with your family and your out-of-town visitors. Here are some ideas.
‘Irving Berlin’s White Christmas’
If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, you may have to swap real snow for the Irving Berlin variety at the Durham Performing Arts Center, with glorious dancing and plenty of stage snow in a show The New York Times implores you to “put on your wish list.” DPAC, Durham. Dec. 3-8, times vary. From $20. dpacnc.com
David Sedaris
“Dress your family in corduroy and denim” and head downtown for an evening with the Raleigh’s own sardonic social critic, scribe and all-together satire sorcerer David Sedaris. He’ll bring new stories (plus audience Q&A and book signing) as he returns to the road on the heels of his latest deeply personal and darkly hilarious “Calypso.” If you’ve never seen Sedaris live, be prepared for an ab workout from laughing. Memorial Auditorium, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. Dec. 1, 7 p.m. From $40. dukeenergycenterraleigh.com
Cirque de Noel
Santa joins the circus! Well, sort of. Spend your Thanksgiving weekend with the North Carolina Symphony. They’ll play holiday tunes as choreographed aerialists fly high above the orchestra, plus mind-boggling and bendy contortionists and jaw-dropping juggling acts. Come early to meet Santa. And share the spirit of the season by bringing “Soup-to Go” to support Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s BackPack Buddies program. As a show of thanks for your donation, the Symphony will give you a coupon to save $20 on one of their January concerts. Woolner Stage, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. Nov. 29, 3 & 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 30, 3 p.m.. From $25. ncsymphony.org
A Motown Christmas
Mix up your merry and bright with some Motown Christmas music via world-class vocal group The Motown Experience. The group brings together members past and present of Motown’s most legendary groups, including The Temptations, The Miracles, The Capitols and more. Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St., Durham. Dec. 1, 8 p.m. $35-$75. carolinatheatre.org
‘The Hip-Hop Nutcracker’
Tchaikovsky’s score gets a modern makeover with this holiday mashup for the whole fam. The uplifting, joyful, supercharged Jennifer Weber-directed and choreographed “‘The Hip Hop Nutcracker’ turns Tchaikovsky on his head — in the coolest possible way,” according to CBS. Featuring guest emcee Kurtis Blow, one of hip-hop’s founding fathers, who opens the show with a short set. DPAC, Durham. Nov. 30, 3 & 8 p.m. From $35. dpacnc.com
A Magical Cirque Christmas
Dazzling. Breathtaking. Spellbinding — just some of the terms used to describe this must-see magical holiday show of illusions, acrobatics and more set to your fave holiday tunes. DPAC, Durham. Dec. 1, 3 & 7:30 p.m. From $30. dpacnc.com
Miracle at Haymaker
It’s a Miracle on Fayetteville Street as the perennial pop-up bar returns for its third year to give Haymaker a holiday makeover you won’t want to miss — decked halls (and walls and ceilings) to all the Christmas cheer (and cheers) you can handle. Christmaspolitan and other menu favorites back, with brand-new concoctions to boot. Our pick: Dreidle, Dreidle, Dreidle with chocolate gelt-infused mezcal, campari, sweet vermouth and Pedro Ximenez. ’Tis the season! The Haymaker, 555 Fayetteville St., Raleigh. From Black Friday through New Year’s Eve, times vary. Free to enter. thehaymakerraleigh.com
Candy Canes and Cocktails
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Nips, sips and a specialty candy cane cocktail set to a backdrop of Peter Lamb and the Wolves jazz trio promise to put you smack dab in the holiday spirit with all the warm and fuzzy feels you can handle. N.C. Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. Dec. 5, 7-10 p.m. $50 for MOHA/museum members, $60 for nonmembers. ncmuseumofhistory.org
Time for Tots: Holiday Lights
It’s a Holiday Lights version of Time for Tots, where your 3- to 5-year-olds can learn about symbols aglow from menorahs to kinaras with story time and seasonal craft-making to boot. N.C. Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. Dec. 3, 10-10:45 a.m. Ages 3-5; $5 per child, $3 for members. ncmuseumofhistory.org
Finally Friday: ‘Gremlins’
Remember the rules: Don’t let them get wet. Keep them away from bright light. And never EVER feed them after midnight. … The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences missed the memo. Looks like the Gremlins stole Christmas this year as a new horde of them take over Finally Friday. There will be a viewing of the classic film at 7 p.m. with pre-film food, live music and science station at 5:30 p.m. The film will be followed by commentary on the science behind the film. Nature Exploration Center, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh. Nov. 29, 5:30 p.m. $2 per member, $5 per nonmember. naturalsciences.org
Christmas Lights on the Farm
Over the hills and through the woods to the farm we go for opening night of Christmas Lights, with hayrides through the woods to Christmas Village and into the Field of Lights. Get extra festive with s’mores around the fire pits and festive performances, and don’t miss a chance to visit with the jolly man himself. 11959 NC 222 Highway W, Middlesex. Opening night Nov. 30, gates open 6 p.m. 3 and under, free; 4 and over $6. christmaslightsonthefarm.com
Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl
Bull City, the burden is on you to get ugly in the spirit of Christmas, or at least your sweater. ’Tis the season for tacky tops as you crawl your way through spirited spirits at Hi-Wire, Brothers Vilgalys, Honeygirl Meadery, Ponysaurus Brewing, Bull City Ciderworks and The Wine Feed for the #durhameastcrawl. Just make sure if you compliment someone’s ugly rags that they are part of the crawl. Nov. 30, noon-1 a.m. Discounts at each location. downtowndurham.com
This story was originally published November 25, 2019 at 10:30 AM with the headline "‘White Christmas,’ Sedaris and 10 more things to do this weekend."