Durham
Priscilla Wald
Regulator BookshopNext to nuclear disaster and the Christian rapture, the specter of mass extermination through the outbreak of a deadly virus is probably most potent in the public imagination. From the Black Death to the Ebola virus, humans have found themselves terrorized by microscopic enemies. Duke English professor Priscilla Wald specializes in the intersection of disease and popular culture and today at 3 p.m. she reads from her recently-published book on the subject, titled Contagious: Cultures, Carriers and the Outbreak Narrative. Visit www.regbook.com for more info. David Fellerath
Raleigh
Matthew Ryan, Jon Dee Grahaam
Berkeley CafeNashville’s Matthew Ryan and Austin’s Jon Dee Graham possess two of the more appealing rasps in the roots-rock world. Ryan tends to keep his hushed, even conspiratorial, as if beckoning you to make your way across the room so he can whisper his tale in your ear. Graham’s, on the other hand, flings a burly arm over your shoulder and buys you a drink, telling the story all the while. Spend time with both. Tickets are $10-$12, and the music starts at 7 p.m. Rick Cornell
