Raleigh
Bread & Puppet Theater
Raleigh Little TheaterThe Vermont-based Bread & Puppet Theater has dared to venture into the Deep South for a special show at Raleigh Little Theatre’s Outdoor Stephenson Amphitheatre. Founded by Peter Schumann, these politically active puppeteers literally break bread with their audience, sharing fresh-baked goods to promote a sense of community. They’ve been active since the Vietnam era and have earned the loyalty of such cultural icons as Howard Zinn. They’ve also been at the center of a few conflicts, including an arrest during the 2000 Republican National Convention when police apparently thought they might be terrorists building weapons instead of puppets. Head to RLT for their Sourdough Philosophy Circus and Pageant, featuring memorable puppets and baked goods. Curtain tonight and tomorrow is 7:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit www.raleighlittletheatre.org or www.breadandpuppet.org. Zack Smith
Carrboro
TheatreJam
The ArtsCenterScrutinize the young artistic talent of tomorrow with The ArtsCenter’s Youth Performing Arts Conservatory (YPAC) series of events featuring its students. After a week of classes and showcase performances, the main event occurs tonight with the All-Star Talent Show. For any kid who shows artistic ability, needs a new outlet or has just seen that Camp Rock film on Disney too many times, this is a great opportunity to plunge into the world of performance. The curtain is at 6:30 p.m. in the Earl and Rhoda Wynn Theater. The suggested donation is $5 for adults and $2 for students, with proceeds benefiting the YPAC Scholarship Fund. For more information, call 929-2787 ext. 219 or visit www.artscenterlive.org. Zack Smith
Carrboro
Paddy Keenan & John Walsh
The ArtscenterThe uilleann pipes of Paddy Keenan’s bagpipe are more complex than those of what we consider a traditional bagpipe: Pumping bellows under one arm keeps the bag full of air, while the chanter has a full two-octave range for the melody. In addition to the drones, uilleann pipes also have regulators, which use the wrist to create chords and individual notes. Rising to prominence with the 1970s Irish traditional music outfit The Bothy Band, Keenan shows no fear of his complex, torturous instrument. He manipulates the pipes with tender familiarity and virtuosic abandon, creating tunes to dance, drink and cry by. With a delicate hand and intricate picking style, John Walsh accompanies on guitar in this final night of The ArtsCenter’s third-annual Celtic Concert Series. Pay $14-$16 at 8:30 p.m. Andrew Ritchey