Durham
N.C. WARN Dance Party & Raffle
The ChameleonThe valiant environmental activist group N.C. WARNthat’s North Carolina Waste Awareness and Reduction Networkhas been a thorn in the side of the Shearon Harris nuke plant for years, and it’s also manned the trenches in fights against noxious coal-burning power plants like Duke Energy’s proposed Cliffside facility. The activists fight hard, but tonight they’re going to party hardand raise funds in the process. The raffle prizes include a weekend in Beaufortthough you’ll probably have to drive your car to get thereand the live music is by the BilliTones. No word on whether the band has a cover of Prince’s “1999” ready for the occasion. Advance tickets for admission and raffle are available at 416-5077 or by e-mailing ncwarn@ncwarn.org. David Fellerath
Pittsboro
Rick Bragg
McIntyre’s Fine BooksFor some, a three-book memoir series might seem indulgentbut then again, most people can’t write like Rick Bragg. In The Prince of Frogtown, his sequel to All Over But the Shoutin’ and Ava’s Man, Bragg explores two father-son relationshipshis troubled relationship with his own father and becoming a father figure to his young stepson. Bragg’s tale of his father’s struggles and demons, combined with his own joyous anecdotes about bonding with his stepson, has already earned universal acclaim from reviewers. Readers can experience Bragg’s words when McIntyre’s Fine Books hosts a reading from The Prince of Frogtown at Fearrington Village’s new Garden Terrace. The event takes place at 8 p.m. Due to limited seating, patrons are encouraged to reserve a ticket by purchasing a copy of the book in advance. For more information, call 542-3030. Bragg also appears at the Regulator Bookshop in Durham, Friday, May 30, at 7 p.m.Zack Smith
Durham
Stephen and Rebekah Hren
Common Ground Green Building CenterAmid widespread fears about the effects of global warming, you may have considered reducing your carbon footprint. Two Durham residents, Stephen and Rebekah Hren, have penned a guide to help you remodel your home and reduce your dependence on fossil fuels. Their new book, The Carbon-Free Home: 36 Remolding Projects to Help You Kick the Fossil-Fuel Habit, is based on the work the Hrens did on their own 1930s Durham home to make it fossil-fuel free. Rebekah works for Honey Electric Solar Inc., and Stephen is a professional restoration carpenter. Today at 2 p.m., they discuss their book at 326 W. Geer St. For directions, visit www.cgcgreen.com or call 688-1500. Megan Stein
Saxapahaw
Hooverville
Farmers’ MarketWith three singers who also split songwriting, Hooverville plugs in to several musical styles: Together, the members aren’t quite pop country or folk rock, supplying instead a clean, classic country that feels familiar and comforting while pedal steel and fiddle yearn for something lost. Hooverville plays 6-8 p.m. at the Saxapahaw Farmers’ Market, about 10 miles west of Chapel Hill, as part of its summer music series. Andrew Ritchey
Chapel Hill
David Dyer & The Crooked Smile Band
The ArtsCenterSinger/ songwriter David Dyer and his band of almost famous musicians may still be riding on the success of 2004’s Crossroads Grocery, but it’s an album with steel legs and a strong spirit. Dyer creates swampy, Southland rock and fuels his dusty-throated cuts with the earnest apologies and wistful thinking of a swollen heart. Each sad song means a little more, though, when paired with Dyer’s brawling guitar and the whiskey-tinged rock of his grade-A backers. Tonight, they perform as part of the American Roots Series at 8:30 p.m. for $13. Kathy Justice
Raleigh
The Wailers
Moore SquareIn its fourth year, Bud Light Presents Downtown Livea seven-date, summer-long concert stand presented by Deep South Entertainment and the Raleigh Convention Centerwill again turn Raleigh’s Moore Square into a junk-history museum. By the time August ends, Tantric, Puddle of Mudd, Bad Company’s Brian Howe, Alter Bridge and Blind Melon will grace the city’s lawn. Raleigh, don’t you feel as though you’ve been Rickrolled? Tonight, The Wailers, who will likely sound great in perpetuity as long as Aston “Familyman” Barrett plays bass, lights the year’s torch. Locals Goner(!), Saunter and Jive Mother Mary open with Brooklyn’s Pete and J. The shows won’t hurt your wallet. As for your soul and civic pride? Good luck. Get free (just don’t smoke grass in front of cops, you weekend Rastafarian) between 2 p.m. and 11 p.m. Grayson Currin