Alice Walker’s 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning classic comes to life in musical form this month, with a Theatre Raleigh production directed by Tia James. Beginning in turn-of-the-century Georgia, The Color Purple follows Celie—Black, poor, and abused by men time and time over—through a series of letters that trace her evolution across 40 years as she gains confidence and is able to heal and challenge the forces of her oppression.
In this production—which features jazz, ragtime, gospel, African music, and blues—Azhariyha Vaughan takes the lead as Celie, with TyDiam Coleman as Shug Avery and Deandre Sanders as Mister. If you want to dive deeper, attend the June 22 show, which includes a special post-show discussion on self-actualization, through the lens of Celie’s journey, that is moderated by Dr. Mary H. Russell. Tickets start at $29. —Sarah Edwards
If April showers bring May flowers, then it’s only natural that the heavy May showers from last week will bring even more blossoms for June. The Carrboro Farmers Market is hosting its third annual June In Bloom celebration to ring in the start of the summer flower season. All fans of anything floral will find something to enjoy at the market, whether that be browsing ready-made bouquets, sampling flower-inspired foods and drinks (I’m always partial to a lavender latte), collaging with upcycled materials, or snapping a selfie at the event’s floral photo booth. Attendees can also answer flower trivia to enter a free raffle for various prizes, including a gift certificate for the market. Oh, and there’s live music. Truly, there’s no better way to spend a Saturday morning than to stop and smell the (literal) roses. —Daneen Khan
It’s that time of year again: A time when rodent hopefuls turn out to the meadow at Duke Park to sashay, bribe the judges, and vie for the title of queen, all in the name of environmental activism. Begun in 2004 as a neighborhood campaign to stop a highway-widening effort that would’ve destroyed a local wetland where beavers lived, the event has blossomed into a campy, full-on spectacle, celebrating its 20th anniversary last year.
In the past, funds have gone to support the Ellerbee Creek Watershed Association; this year, funds support local nonprofit Keep Durham Beautiful. At this year’s pageant—“Free to Beave”—attendees will find food trucks, a lemonade stand, a Locopops cart, music, the Poetry Fox, as well as the performances of this year’s beavers: Ina Gnawten, Captain Ellerbee and Bucky, Lady Violet Beaverton, and Madame Raspbootyn. BYOT(ail). —SE
You may know Burlesque (the musical) and Dita Von Teese, but for many, awareness of the evolving art of burlesque ends there. Join North Carolina drag and burlesque company Pocket Nightmare Productions at The Rialto theater to learn more about the extravagant and nostalgic art of burlesque– tassels and all. Just as The Rialto revived in 2023, interest in burlesque revived in the 90s, but the variety show performances have shifted significantly over the last century from parody and comedy to daring dancing, political commentary, and scenes of tight-knit community. Saturday’s performances will showcase the last 100 years of burlesque, decade by decade, beginning in the 1920s. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. – Eva Flowe
You’ve heard of bar crawls, coffee crawls, and book crawls, but this might be a new one: a moth crawl. The Eno River Association, Triangle Land Conservancy, and Backyard Butterflies are hosting the free event to help catalog and identify different species in the area. The crawl, which is described on its website as “part citizen science, part magic, and all parts pure moth joy,” starts at 8:30 p.m. and ends around 11:30, giving you plenty of time to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of moths and be in bed before midnight. Make sure you have iNaturalist downloaded for a chance to win moth-themed prizes ranging from plushies to T-shirts. And don’t forget your Mothman costume. That’s a necessity. —DK
To comment on this story, email [email protected].