Durham
Robin and Linda Williams
American Tobacco CampusRobin and Linda Williams’ vocal harmonies hark to the universal love people have been singing about and believing in since before the old English ballads were written down. Playing the hillbilly-gospel blend that adopted these ballads and defines American folk music, the husband-wife duo offers an unpretentious sound: Lyrics unfold over guitar and banjo, the words picking out simple details to craft stories and ideas layered with meaning. Together since the 1970s, the couple is well known for its regular appearances on the NPR staple, A Prairie Home Companion. The $25 tickets help support local affiliate, WUNC, as part of its Back Porch Music Concert Series. Music starts at 7 p.m. Andrew Ritchey

Durham
Charla Muller
Regulator BookshopIn the spirit of Around the World in 80 Days, Charla Muller set out on an epic journey and lived to tell the tale. Sex. With her husband. Everyday. For one whole year. For her husband’s 40th birthday, Muller skipped the new tie and breakfast in bed and instead gave him the gift of intimacy. Like any quest, there were obstacles: two kids, conflicting schedules, tired nights and Tonka trucks between the sheets are just some of the many things standing in the way of their goal. In her book, 365 Nights: A Memoir of Intimacy, Muller chronicles their journey and ponders life’s great questions: Is mediocre sex better than none at all? Will having sex make a marriage stronger or drive a couple further apart? Muller discusses her adventure at the Regulator Bookshop at 7 p.m. Come see the woman that author Celia Rivenbark says “makes Morgan Spurlock look like a wimp for just eating McDonald’s food for 90 days.” Jessica Fuller

Carrboro
Mister Diplomat with Geller
DSI Comedy TheaterDSI Comedy Theater’s Mister Diplomat improv series is free, as part of its five-year anniversaryand to add to the celebration, they’re bringing a popular local radio personality out from behind the microphone.

G105’s one-named funnyman Geller will serve as DJ for the series, promising to “take on liberal comedy in Carrboro” and a world of absurd scenes, fully improvised by the most aggressive improv comedians in North Carolina. Suffice to say, the potential for anarchy is high. Performances are at the DSI Comedy Theater, 200 N. Greensboro St., B-11 in Carrboro. For more information, call the box office at 338-8150 or visit www.dsicomedytheater.com.

On a side note: Dear Geller, please get G105 to stop playing that damned New Kids on the Block song 24/7. They were bad enough the first time. I never thought I’d miss “Bleeding Love.” Zack Smith

Raleigh
Projekt Revolution
Walnut Creek AmphitheatreYou can burn a CD, but you can’t download a day festival: Smartly, Linkin Park was quick to act on its post-millennial popularity through branding, starting the trans-genre Projekt Revolution in 2002. The band’s since added a second stage, donated money to environmental charities from ticket sales and taken the trip to Europe, even bringing Jay-Z into the fold for the festival’s biggest booking yet. This year’s lineup is high on MTVEmoHawthorne Heights, Atreyu, Armor For Sleep, Ashes Divideand low on rap you may care about (Busta Rhymes only). But here’s hoping Chris Cornell plays “Sunshower” and that the bathroom line isn’t too long during Stomp for tweens, Street Drum Corps. Pay $20.75-$60.75 for the 2 p.m. start. Grayson Currin

Raleigh
Terry Anderson and the Olympic Ass-Kicking Team, Infamous Sugar
The Pour HouseWith Beijing only a couple weeks away, the Olympic Ass-Kicking Team regrets to announce that it has been barred from international competition. Who knew that Pabst Blue Ribbon was on the list of banned substances? Barred/ bannedget it? But the worldwide sports community’s loss is the Triangle-wide Friday night music club’s gain: The OAK Team is one of the most entertaining bar bands around. And that’s a term of endearment, even excellence, when you consider that same tag could be hung on such spiritual forebears as the Faces, Rockpile and NRBQ. Let the games begin at 9 p.m., and $6 gets you in. Rick Cornell

Durham
Jambalaya Soul Jam
Hayti Heritage CenterDo you have what it takes to slam? Then head on down to Hayti for the Jambalaya Soul Jam, a spoken-word slam hosted by recording artist and Hip-Hopera veteran Dasan Ahanu. Participants in the event have a shot at a cash prize and a possible slot on the 2008 Bull City Slam Team. The event is part of Last Fridays at the Hayti Heritage Center at 804 Old Fayetteville St. at 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.). Tickets are $10, $5 for students and free for participating poets. For more information, call 683-1709 or visit www.hayti.org. Zack Smith