Durham Central Park

PLAYlist Concert Series: Soul Understated ft. Mavis Swan Poole

Led by vocalist extraordinaire Mavis ’SWAN’ Poole (Lauryn Hill, Prince) and powerful yet melodic drummer Jeremy ‘BEAN’ Clemons (who has performed with Gregory Porter, Burning Spear, Jennifer Holliday and more), Soul Understated delivers a beautifully performed organic sound with stellar musicianship. They’ve appeared at such major festivals as The Blue Note Jazz Fest, The Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest, the Toronto Jazz Festival and the Capital Jazz Super Cruise, while Swan appeared in the HBO series Vinyl.

WNCU’s Friday night Funk, Old School and Disco show and its host, DJ Travis Gales, will simulcast live from Durham Central Park at 7 p.m.

Labor Day Weekend Food Truck Rodeo

We’re back! Make your Labor Day Weekend shine with our first Food Truck Rodeo since the pandemic began. A Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo is an all-ages Sunday afternoon gathering of dozens of the Triangle’s most popular food trucks, five times each year. The event is free to attend. You simply pay for what you decide to eat from the trucks’ menus–from savory and stick-to-your-ribs to sweet treats and enjoy live buskers and street performers.
Guest trucks have included Route Bistro LLC, Chirba Chirba Dumpling, Virgil’s Jamaica and Bulkogi Truck. Locally-brewed craft beer and cider are always on hand. Dogs are allowed at the Food Truck Rodeo on regular (not retractable) leashes. Food Truck Rodeos are rain or shine. Most trucks accept credit cards but an ATM machine is on site as well. Free parking is available in nearby lots. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair so you can enjoy a relaxing and enjoyable Durham afternoon with friends and family. Thank you to our sponsor, Sister Cities of Durham.
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PLAYlist Concert Series: September: The Triangle’s Tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire

September: The Triangle’s Tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire, features an all-star cast of local musicians sharp enough to pull off Earth, Wind & Fire mega hits, as well as deep cuts. The stakes are high because so many audience members, of multiple generations, will know these songs word for word and note for note. Who can pull this off? C.J. Baker (drums, music director), J.C. Martin (guitar), Peanut (bass), Al Strong (trumpet), Collin Williams, (saxophone), Brendan Williams (keys), Brevan Hampden (percussion), Mercel Anderson and Nathan Harris (vocals).

WNCU’s Friday night Funk, Old School and Disco show and its host, DJ Travis Gales, will simulcast live from Durham Central Park at  7 p.m.

PLAYlist Concert Series: Vanessa Ferguson, Theresa Renee and Le’Andra Williams

Greensboro’s Vanessa Ferguson is not just a Season 12 semi finalist on NBC’s “The Voice” (team Alicia Keys), she’s a songwriter, actor, producer and musician. Vanessa was raised by her grandmother and grew up singing with her family. She enrolled in piano lessons at age five and competed in her first competition in fifth grade. Prince, Sting and Jill Scott are just a few of her musical influences. 

Pianist, music educator, vocalist and NCCU graduate Le’Andra Williams serves as music director and keyboardist for this ambitious, never-before-seen project. Le’Andra’s talents began at the age of three. Like many, she began to play in her hometown churches as the Sunday pianist. The band: Theresa Renee (vocals), Sinclair Palmer (bass) Jasmine Best (drums), Emily Musolino (guitar), Shana Martin and Tenay Harrell (horns).

WNCU’s Friday night Funk, Old School and Disco show and its host, DJ Travis Gales, simulcast live from Durham Central Park at  7 p.m.

Blacker the Berry Southern Hospitality

Blacker the Berry is a cultural oasis, a baptism in blackness, a homecoming of sorts coined the Carolina Wine Mixer. These types of experiences are oftentimes reserved for wedding receptions, family reunions, and homecomings, but the #BTBB fills you with the same type of energy. Our team provides patrons with a one of a kind destination dining experience coupled with an environment that cultivates connection as well as expressions of one’s culture through music, food and fun.

Blacker the Berry highlights local culinarians providing specialty cuisine for patrons to enjoy while vibing to soulful sounds that span the diaspora. Along with great food and music, we provide patrons the opportunity to indulge in wine, spirits, and specialty cocktails. (Our goal is to align ourselves with as many local brands, as well as minority owned brands.)

Contact: Colton Palmer 919.451.9864 [email protected]

Story Time with Barnaby D. Troll!

Barnaby D. Troll
Story Time with Barnaby D. Troll is our NEW, free weekly program for preschoolers and their families. Tuesdays, from 10:30-11:30 a.m., children will listen to a favorite children’s story, sing a song or two and re-create the story through play on the ADA-accessible Mt. Merrill playground.
Masks are required for adults and children 5 and up; recommended for younger children if possible. After Story Time, you can continue to visit Barnaby, Mr. Pickles the Turtle, Rockin’ Reuben the Cardinal, and create a complimentary craft.
Parents/caregivers must stay with their child the entire hour and are ultimately responsible for their child’s/childrens’ behaviors.
–Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30 AM
–Best for ages: 2-5 years
–Location: The Leaf
–Rain location: the Pavilion
–Instructor: Kristin Reali (“Ms. Kristin”)

Food Truck Sunday with Boricua Soul

Food Truck Sunday at Durham Central Park is a time to slow down, enjoy the day, get some local food–to go, or to make a picnic in the park. We will feature ONE truck per afternoon and City of Durham social distancing guidelines apply.
Boricua Soul serves Southern Soul, Caribbean Flair and Euro-African Roots food. Think: pernil (slow roasted, marinated pork), collards, empanadas, mac and cheese…mmmm!

Food Truck Sunday with Bull City Street Food

Food Truck Sunday at Durham Central Park is a time to slow down, enjoy the day, get some local food–to go, or to make a picnic in the park. We will feature ONE truck per afternoon and City of Durham social distancing guidelines apply.
Today’s featured truck is Bull City Street Food, home of the “Fat Bull” burger. BCSF offers unique & delicious street foods from various regions from around the world.

Fun Things to Do at DCP This Weekend

News

Fun Things to Do at Durham Central Park This Weekend

Saturday, April 10, 1-9 p.m. Downtown Durham Inc. is closing the Durham Central Park section of Foster Street to cars and opening it to pedestrian traffic with outdoor seating and buskers. It’s called The Streetery! You can shop, people watch, play, carry out, dine in or dine out (picnic!)

The Streetery is popping up in different sections of downtown on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. Help us maintain a safer, socially distanced, outdoor downtown experience. Wear a mask while in The Streetery, keep six feet away from people who aren’t in your group and respect the rules our small merchants have put in place to protect their customers and staff. Buskers/street performers:

1-3 p.m. Darrien Rutherford, guitarist

5:30-7:30 p.m. Matt and Maceo Grady, folk/soul duo

5:30-7:30 p.m. Dakota Fox, acrobat and stiltwalker

6-8 p.m. The Cabinet of Wishes, performance poetry

NEW! Food Truck Sunday, April 11, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Food Truck Sunday at Durham Central Park is a time to slow down, enjoy the day, get some local food–to go, or to make a picnic in the park. We will feature 1-2 trucks per afternoon and City of Durham social distancing guidelines apply.

Today’s featured truck is Bull City Street Food, home of the “Fat Bull” burger. BCSF offers unique & delicious street foods from various regions from around the world. Save room for dessert, The Frozen Bull will be there too!

Other News

Story Time with Barnaby D. Troll!

Barnaby D. Troll
Story Time with Barnaby D. Troll is our NEW, free weekly program for preschoolers and their families. Tuesdays, from 10:30-11:30 a.m., children will listen to a favorite children’s story, sing a song or two and re-create the story through play on the ADA-accessible Mt. Merrill playground.
Masks are required for adults and children 5 and up; recommended for younger children if possible. After Story Time, you can continue to visit Barnaby, Mr. Pickles the Turtle, Rockin’ Reuben the Cardinal, and create a complimentary craft.
Parents/caregivers must stay with their child the entire hour and are ultimately responsible for their child’s/childrens’ behaviors.
–Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30 AM
–Best for ages: 2-5 years
–Location: The Leaf
–Rain location: the Pavilion
–Instructor: Kristin Reali (“Ms. Kristin”)