Performance
Shipwrecked! An Entertainment
Paul Green Theatre
7:30 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, 2:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
December 1 to 19
$10 students, up to $45 general public
PlayMakers Repertory Company stages this swashbuckling adventure through December. Rather than the expected seasonal winter tale, “Shipwrecked!” is an adventure through a — yes, shipwrecked — storyteller’s tales.
Boasting over 80 characters played by a mere seven actors, expect costume changes to abound. Look for the live score and uniquely non-digital sound effects to complete the fantastical experience of “Shipwrecked!”
Oh, and the set won’t change. At all.
Look for Canvas there Saturday night.
Read staff writer Kelsey Tsipis’ preview of the story here.
The Parchman Hour
Kenan Theatre
8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 2 p.m. Saturday, and 6 p.m. Monday
$5 admission
Mike Wiley directs this exploration of the 1961 Freedom Riders, a group of integrated students who traveled to the south to discourage segregation. Landing on the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Riders’ travels, The Parchman Hour will bring a powerful historical conversation back to the forefront.
Thursday’s premiere will be followed by a panel discussion with Wiley and two Freedom Riders, Charles Jones and Bill Svanoe. Friday’s show will include a gala reception.
Read staff writer Colin Warren-Hicks’ preview of the play here.
Nutcracker
Memorial Hall
2 p.m. Saturday, 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
$10 students, $30-85 general public
Sure, it happens every year. And true, you’ve probably heard all of these songs in assorted holiday film commercials. But doesn’t make “The Nutcracker” any less of a holiday treat.
The Carolina Ballet presents this classic of candy, magic fairies and epic rat battles on the stage of Memorial Hall for two days only. Check out some holiday magic before the pain of finals and the necessity of studying and essay editing becomes too hard to handle.
Aida
Company Carolina
Student Union Cabaret
7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3 through Monday, Dec. 6, 2 p.m. matinee Saturday
Ticket price not available at publication
After nearly a year of canceled productions — its last play was Fal 2009’s “RENT” in the Forest Theatre — Company Carolina presents this blockbuster musical in the Student Union Cabaret.
Based on the ancient story of forbidden love in the Egyptian court and filled with showstopping musical numbers by pop legend Elton John and lyricist Tim Rice, “Aida” is sure to provide a welcome aside from the looming threat of finals.
Welcome Company Carolina back to the active fold of campus theatre by heading out to this production this weekend.
GAA Holiday Concert
Memorial Hall
Monday, Dec. 6 7:30 p.m.
Free for GAA Members, $5 general admission
This annual celebration of music and holidays and UNC a cappella groups is a true and real delight. With a usual collection of funny hosts and cutesy skits — plus a wide example of holiday favorites and ugly Christmas sweaters — this concert is a cheap and silly way to kick off the last three days of regular class.
Art
Ackland Art Museum
Gallery and Exhibits (10 a.m. – 8 pm Thursday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday)
Free admission
The Ackland Art Museum will soon say goodbye to some of its blockbuster fall exhibits — “Flowers from Earth and Sand” closes Dec. 12, and the trio of Andy Warhol-inspired photography shows close Jan. 2. If you are too busy for art during finals, or don’t live close enough to catch the photo shows during break, be sure and head out to the Ackland as soon as you can to get a glimpse at these four lovely collections of art.
If moving art is more your forte, the Ackland has teamed up with the Varsity theater to showcase some Andy Warhol-related motion pictures. This week, the Varsity will show two films. Thursday the theater will show Basquiat, director Julian Schnabel’s biopic about graffiti artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Though Warhol had no role in the creation of the 1996 film, Basquiat rose to fame after Warhol discovered him.
Saturday, Warhol’s own portrait of the Empire State Building, Empire, will play accompanied by live music. The 1964 film is an eight-hour single shot of the city’s tallest and most iconic building.
Basquiat will be shown Thursday at 7 p.m., with an introduction by curator Richard Cante. Empire will be screened from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.
Admission to the Varsity for this series is free.
Read Kelly Blessing’s preview of the film series here .
Read Arts Editor Nick Andersen’s review of the “Flowers from Earth and Sand” exhibit here.
Read Arts Editor Nick Andersen’s review of the three photo exhibits here.
Nasher Museum of Art
Gallery and Exhibits
Ongoing, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m .Thursday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
$5 general admission, $3 non-Duke students with I.D., free on Thursdays
The Nasher must know the end of the year is near: they have a boatload of fun things planned this weekend.
Thursday, Dec. 2 is the museuem’s monthly “First Thursday,” complete with a lively discussion with the two Duke professors who organized the current exhibit on the Vorticists of early twentieth century London.
Sunday sees a continuation of a film series celebrating the Vorticists, and Monday, Dec. 6 is the annual Nasher Holiday open house from 6 to 8 p.m.
Canvas doesn’t often ship over to the Duke campus, but we might have reason to give it a try this weekend. Join us on the Robertson Bus for some fancy modern art.
Miscellaneous
CUAB Gingerbread Making Festival
Student Union Great Hall
Wednesday, Dec. 8 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
FREE
This is truly one of Canvas’ most favorite holiday happenings.
Piles of free candy, gingerbread and cheap frosting and a pack of would-be frosting Frank Lloyd Wrights assembling a gingerbread house of their dreams, there isn’t any other way to celebrate the end of regular classes than this magical and marvelous festival.
And true, it isn’t actually called a ‘festival,’ but Canvas doesn’t care. It’s that wonderful.
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