Durham and Raleigh
Telling Our Stories Photo Exhibit
County LibrariesIn an intriguing show of public support for North Carolina’s fine photographers, the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources curated a show consisting of work by professionals, prints from the state archives and images from the winners of its photo contest. Altogether, two exhibits of 50 photographs documenting the varieties of Tar Heel existence traveled on 14-month “eastern” and “western” tours to smaller communities in the state. The exhibits, which contain different photos, have reached their last stop: The eastern route ends in Wake County at Cameron Village Regional Library, while the western route terminates in Durham County at the Main Library. Chapel Hill photographer John Rosenthal will deliver remarks at a reception at the Durham Main Library today at 4 p.m. Both shows are open through Dec. 31 during normal library hours. Visit www.ncdcr.gov/TOS_2008/TOS_home.asp for more information, or call 856-6710 (Wake) or 560-0160 (Durham). David Fellerath
Chapel Hill
Redbird Round: Alice Gerrard, Laurelyn Dossett and Diana Jones
University MallThree of the best trad-minded singer-songwriters in the business gather under the name Redbird Round, an allusion both to Nashville’s famed song-swapping headquarters the Bluebird Café and the participants’ plans to, in the words of Laurelyn Dossett, “cut through the winter’s dismal gray like a bunch of red birds.” Dossett, half of the duo Polecat Creek, and Diana Jones, recent recipient of a New York Times nod, couldn’t be more excited about playing with Alice Gerrard. “Diana and I both owe such a debt of gratitude to Alice,” says Dossett. “In our rock ‘n’ roll youth, just knowing that a clear and true folk voice even existed was a gift.” The music starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. See www.artscenterlive.org. Rick Cornell
Durham
Festivus (For the Left of Us)
Traction HQIf you’re not up on your Seinfeldiana, Traction’s annual Festivus (With the Left of Us) is a reference to a proposed consolation holiday for the Jewish, the secular and the otherwise nonobservant. And Traction, of course, is a social and activist organization with a lefty slant, intended to unite politically aware under-40s with their desire to network, socially and otherwise. Now in its fifth year, Traction’s annual holiday party features fun, fellowship and quirky games. We’re told that this year’s activities include an “airing of grievances,” “feats of strength” involving Wii, Hula-hoops and a Festivus pole. There also will be live music performances from Hilary Ragin and Adam Sampieri. Admission is by $7 suggested minimum donation and attendees are invited to bring a canned food or personal hygiene item to be donated to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern N.C. The party runs from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Traction HQ at 1018 Broad Street. Visit gettraction.org. David Fellerath
