What should I do this weekend in Durham (and in Durham in general)?
July 3, 2015 1:49 PM Subscribe
I recently moved to Durham and the family members I know are all out of town this weekend. I have a car and I like art things, queer things, feminist things, book things, music things. What can I do to entertain myself over the holiday weekend? And, bonus question: how do I make friends and meet dates (outside OkCupid) in Durham? I'm funderemployed for the time being and am seeking excitement to fill my days.
Best answer: Which Durham? There are several in many states and/or countries.
posted by blue_beetle at 2:56 PM on July 3, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by blue_beetle at 2:56 PM on July 3, 2015 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Yeah, the Eno Festival is pretty much what you want. Probably an OK place to meet people, too. It's got a lot of different parts (generally, haven't looked at the schedule) and the river is actually quite lovely. It happens to be this weekend -- it's every July 4 weekend -- so you're majorly in luck.
posted by amtho at 3:21 PM on July 3, 2015
posted by amtho at 3:21 PM on July 3, 2015
Best answer: You'll find a lot of things to do in your listed categories in Durham (and you should include Chapel Hill and Carrboro and Raleigh, since you have a car): American Dance Festival, Durham Performing Arts Center, Manbites Dog Theater, Cat's Cradle . . . . Take advantage of the fact that you have access to several large Universities and their cultural events and book readings and lectures and the like.
Oh, and since you say queer and feminist, you might check out Autostraddle's city guide of Durham. I think there is also one for Chapel Hill.
As for meeting people, I know you didn't list sports or fitness as an interest, but the area has quite a lot of alternative sports or activities with very inviting and robust communities that socialize outside the main activity. My sister lives in the area and isn't particularly athletic, but has done yoga, wrestling, capoeira, curling, and others, and has made friends from all of them.
posted by alligatorpear at 4:04 PM on July 3, 2015
Oh, and since you say queer and feminist, you might check out Autostraddle's city guide of Durham. I think there is also one for Chapel Hill.
As for meeting people, I know you didn't list sports or fitness as an interest, but the area has quite a lot of alternative sports or activities with very inviting and robust communities that socialize outside the main activity. My sister lives in the area and isn't particularly athletic, but has done yoga, wrestling, capoeira, curling, and others, and has made friends from all of them.
posted by alligatorpear at 4:04 PM on July 3, 2015
Best answer: There's lots of contra dancing in the area.
posted by eviemath at 2:39 AM on July 4, 2015
posted by eviemath at 2:39 AM on July 4, 2015
Best answer: Hi c'mon sea legs! I am in Durham and I recognize your user name. Some friends of mine are having a fun block party this evening and I am inviting you! I will send you more info in a MeMail if you feel like coming out for a fun time. Welcome to Durham!
posted by aka burlap at 1:17 PM on July 4, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by aka burlap at 1:17 PM on July 4, 2015 [2 favorites]
Best answer: On a day you don’t have an event to go to but just want to get out, the best two used book stores in Durham are within walking distance from each other and the commercial end of 9th Street. Nice Price Books is on Broad Street; Books Do Furnish a Room (ignore crappy building exterior) is right around the corner off West Markham. From there it is a short walk to 9th to all the restaurants and the Regulator Bookshop (new books; has events, see website).
(Oh how i miss the “diner B.L.T.s” at Elmo’s Diner.)
posted by D.C. at 7:25 PM on July 4, 2015
(Oh how i miss the “diner B.L.T.s” at Elmo’s Diner.)
posted by D.C. at 7:25 PM on July 4, 2015
Best answer: Do you like music? Volunteer with the good people at Girls Rock. Go to the Pinhook and see what's there. Do yoga- I don't know why but so many of my friends meet there...and don't underestimate Ok Cupid as a friends-making app.
posted by jacobnayar at 9:04 PM on July 4, 2015
posted by jacobnayar at 9:04 PM on July 4, 2015
Best answer: If you like craft beer at all, Fullsteam is a local brewery that has many events -- weekly run club, yoga classes, craft markets, movie nights, etc. Here's their event calendar. It's not a bar scene, which I'd dislike -- it's a very relaxed, kid- and dog-friendly, beer-garden-ish scene.
posted by snowmentality at 7:06 AM on July 5, 2015
posted by snowmentality at 7:06 AM on July 5, 2015
Response by poster: You get best answer, you get best answer, everyone gets best answer! Thanks for the suggestions, all. I'm feeling much more excited to explore Durham with all these great ideas!
posted by c'mon sea legs at 8:57 AM on July 5, 2015
posted by c'mon sea legs at 8:57 AM on July 5, 2015
Response by poster: Also I think I'll post a thing in IRL for a meetup, if anyone is interested. Maybe at Pinhook or Fullsteam!
posted by c'mon sea legs at 8:58 AM on July 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by c'mon sea legs at 8:58 AM on July 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by thelonius at 2:14 PM on July 3, 2015