This Week at the Durham Farmers' Market

**Please Note: The Parking Lot on Foster Street, catty-corner to the Market, will be CLOSED tomorrow for the Doughman Race. Plenty of Parking can be found in the Farmers' Market parking lot, behind Morris Ridge on Morris Street and in other lots and streets around the neighborhood. Click HERE to see a map.**

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE MARKET...
There is so much happening at the Market tomorrow, I'm not sure where to even start...

First, with much anticipation we are very pleased to announce that Durham Farmers' Market finally has an ATM! It was installed yesterday and will be ready to use starting tomorrow!! It has been a work in progress for a long time and we are so happy that it is finally a reality. A portion of the fees charged at the ATM will be used to fund out EBT/SNAP (Food Stamps) program that we are currently working on. We hope to have that up and running by the end of the year. The ATM unveiling will happen at 7:50am!

Second, tomorrow, we'll have some special guests serenading us with beautiful music! From 10am to Noon, as a fundraiser for the Farmer Foodshare, the youth band from Iglesia Emanuel will be performing for us in the Leaf (the new-ish structure on the other side of Foster Street)! The Farmer Foodshare is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit that connects people who grow food with people who need food. Every week, at farmers' market's around the Triangle, donation stations raise local funds at farmers' markets to buy top quality fresh local food for people at risk of hunger. Shoppers buy food from farmers and donate it, or give cash and Farmer Foodshare volunteers buy and donate on shoppers behalf. Farmers also donate excess food.  The Durham Farmers' Market's Donation Station is a weekly fixture at the center of the Pavilion.

For the past few months, Iglesia Emanuel's Food Pantry has been the recipient of the food purchased with your donations to the DFM's Donation Station. Along with the everyday responsibilities of running a church, Iglesia Emanuel operates a food pantry for those in the Durham community that are food insecure. They also hold weekly dinners for folks that are in need of a warm meal and nourish their community. The youth band is very excited about providing entertainment to the community that has given so much to their community!

Finally, tomorrow morning at 9:30, we are kicking off our Discover You Can - Learn, Make, Share canning education program with our first canning demonstration of the summer! Assistant Manager, Shanna Bierman, will lead demonstrations on how to make No-Cook Freezer Strawberry Jam at 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30. Each demonstration
will last about 20 minutes, she'll go through the process of preparing the berries, mixing the jam, and putting the jam into jars. Freezer jam is not sealed into the jars, once you've made it, it can be stored in the fridge for up to a month or in the freezer for up to a year. There will be plenty of samples and recipes & free packets of pectin so that you can pick up some berries and make some at home!

Between demonstrations,  Shanna, she'll be on hand to talk about canning and the series of workshops, classes, and drawing that will be happening through out the summer. Tomorrow, our first drawing of the summer will be for Ball Blue Book Canning Guide! The demonstration and drawing will happen under the Pavilion near the DFM Info table and the Farmer Foodshare Donation Station.

See you at the Market, bright and early!!
Erin Kauffman
Market Manager
Follow DFM on Facebook and Twitter


Upcoming Events and Spring Schedule

Saturday May 25: Farmer Foodshare Benefit concert with the youth band from Emanuel Iglesia Church! The music will be located in the Leaf starting at 10am.

Saturday May 25: Discover You Can - Learn, Make, Share Canning Education Program Kick Off! 9:30-12 Shanna Bierman, DFM's Assisatant Manager will demonstrate how to make No-Cook Strawberry Freezer Jam. Samples, Freebies and a drawing for a Ball Blue Book Canning Guilde.

Wednesday May 29: Storytime with Cynthia Raxter, 3:30-5:30pm. Local storyteller Cynthia Raxter will be at Market telling stories to little (and big) kids about growing up on a farm in western NC.

Saturday June 1: Chef in the Market -- Chef Katie Coleman from Durham Spirits Co. will demonstrate several recipes using SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS! Recipes and samples available. Starts at 10am.

Saturday June 8: Chef in the Market - Chef Christy Quirk from Bull Street Gourmet and Market will be cooking with FENNEL! Recipes and samples available. Starts at 10am

Fresh this Week....
FRUITS: A *few* SOUR CHERRIES, Strawberries
VEGETABLES:  ARTICHOKES, ONIONS, POINTY CABBAGE, FRISEE, FAVA BEANS, Asparagus, Asian Greens (Bok Choi, Mizuna, Tat Soi), Arugula, Beets, Beet Greens, Broccoli, Broccoli Raab, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Carrots, Collards, Greenhouse Grown and Field Cucumbers, Dandelion Greens, English Shelling Peas, Fresh & Dried Herbs (Cilantro, Dill, Mint, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Parsley), Fennel, Green Onions, Green Garlic and Garlic Scapes, Gourds, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Potatoes, Pea Shoots, Radishes,  Salad Mix, Shiitake Mushrooms,  Spinach, Sugar Snap Peas, Sweet Potatoes, Swiss Chard, Greenhouse Grown Tomatoes, Turnips, Turnip Greens, Vitamin Greens, Zucchini, and more
MEATS AND EGGS:  Beef, Bison, Chicken, Duck, Goat/Chevon/Cabrito, Lamb, Pork, Veal, Rabbit
Duck Eggs & Chicken Eggs
CHEESES: Fresh and aged cow and goats milk cheeses.
FLOWERS & PLANTS: VEGETABLE and HERB SEEDLINGS including tomatoes; FLOWERS: Calendula, Lupine, Zinnia, Sunflowers, Peonies, Dutch Iris, Agrostemma, Batchelors Buttons, Sweet William, Icelandic Poppies; Landscaping Plants, House Plants
SPECIALTY ITEMS: Creamed Honey, Flour, Cornmeal, Grits, Baked Goods including Pies, Breads, Cookies & Pastries, Fermented Foods, Beer, Wine, Jams, Jellies, Pickles, Preserves, Pastas, Perogies, Wool
CRAFTS: Pottery, Jewelry, Handmade Baskets, Woodwork, Photographs, Hand-dyed Clothing and other items, Handmade Clothing, Goats Milk Soaps, Body Butters, Lotions, Yarn, Roving, and much more...

Produce availability depends on weather conditions 

Yankees Affiliate Makes Only Visit of Year in Big Homestand

Bison, RailRiders, and Fireworks, oh my!  It's sure to be a great Memorial Day at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham.

The Buffalo Bisons and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders make their only visits of the season during the Durham Bulls next homestand, beginning Monday, May 27. A special 5:05pm start on Memorial Day, an appearance by the Russian Bar Trio and Friday Night Fireworks highlight the eight game event schedule.

A day after the ACC Baseball Championship concludes at the DBAP, the Bulls return home on Memorial Day to begin a four game series against the Buffalo Bisons, Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.  A special holiday first pitch on May 27 is set for 5:05pm.

Tuesday’s 7:05pm game is another AAA Membership Card Night. At every Tuesday home game in 2013, fans who show their AAA Membership Card can buy one Terrace Reserved ticket and get one, courtesy of AAA Carolinas.  The 7:05pm game on Wednesday, May 29 is presented by DPAC.

On Thursday, May 30, Bayer CropScience presents a fun-filled series finale between the Bisons and Bulls. Back by popular demand, the Russian Bar Trio returns to the DBAP Thursday to entertain fans during several between-inning performances (Watch video here). In addition, Thursday home games at the DBAP (with the exception of July 4) feature $1 Bright Leaf hot dogs, popcorn and fries. Thursday is also College Night, where students can get a Terrace Reserved ticket and $5 in Bulls Bucks for just $10 or an Outfield Reserved ticket for only $4.99 by entering the promo code COLLEGE (and using a valid .edu email address) when purchasing tickets online at durhambulls.com.

The new look affiliate of the New York Yankees begin their only Durham visit of 2013 on Friday, May 31. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and Bulls get underway at 7:05pm on Friday night, in a game presented by the North Carolina Education Lottery. Fans will be treated to a Diamond Cutters performance during the game and Friday Night Fireworks immediately following the series opener.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC presents Saturday’s 7:05pm game between the newly named RailRiders and Bulls.  On Sunday, June 2, Kids Run the Bases following a 5:05pm game thanks to Pepsi.  The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre series and the homestand conclude on Monday, June 3 with the final midweek day game of the season, as the two teams get underway at 1:05pm.

The Durham Bulls return home to the DBAP on Monday, May 27 to begin an eight game homestand featuring visits from the Buffalo Bisons and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Tickets for all home games are available at durhambulls.com, by phone at 919.956.BULL, or at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park box office.

For more great things to do in Durham, visit www.durham-nc.com.

Peanuts LIVE at Northgate Mall

Summer is almost here so it’s time for baseball, fun, singing and entertainment.   Soon, the beloved Peanuts characters Charlie Brown and Snoopy will visit Northgate Mall for three interactive shows for children and their families entitled "Happiness is…Baseball with Charlie Brown and Snoopy".

These free events will also feature an appearance by UNC’s mascot Rameses Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 10:30am, 12:00pm and 2:30pm for children and their families.

Popular long-time educator Terri Morley and friends along with Rameses will be decked out in character and lead children in three lively interactive shows around a baseball theme including songs from You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown and other beloved story lines featuring the hapless Charlie Brown, his clever beagle Snoopy and, even Rameses, too.

All events are free and open to the public with shows at Northgate’s Center Court at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm. Photos with the characters will be available for purchase, courtesy of Northgate’s Showcase Photography. There will also be a showing of the movie You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. See the website for details.

The Cookery and American Meltdown to Host “Artisan Cheese Fest”

No matter what happens next month, it's sure to be cheesy - and for area foodies, that's a very, very good thing.

Triangle residents will be able to sample a variety of cheeses, charcuterie, bread, wine, and even cheesecakes at The Cookery Saturday, June 29th from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm.  The event, which is promoted as “for the fromagaholic in all of us,” will take place in the Front Room, The Cookery’s event space on West Chapel Hill Street.

“We at American Meltdown are, of course, pretty passionate about cheese,” said Paul Inserra, who owns the American Meltdown food truck with his wife, Alycia Inserra.  “I’m confident everyone will leave this fest with new flavor knowledge and a discovery about selecting cheese.”

Participating businesses for this free event include event co-organizer American Meltdown, which will be serving gourmet melts out of it’s food truck on the patio, Chapel Hill Creamery, Cultured Cow Creamery, Elodie Farms, Hillsborough Cheese Company, Holly Grove Farms, La Farm Bakery, Southern Season, Whole Foods, and Cookery members Milk and Honey Bakery, and This Little Piggie Charcuterie.  In addition, a “Dueling Ricottas” demonstration will be hosted by Billy Cotter of Toast and Matthew Daniels of Triangle Raw Foods, and wine tastings by Wine Authorities will take place upstairs on the mezzanine.  The Front Room bar will also be open, offering local draught beers, wine, and hand crafted cocktails.

“When we opened the Front Room, we set out to serve as a space to celebrate local culinary talent with the community,” said Rochelle Johnson, who co-owns The Cookery with her husband, Nick Hawthorne-Johnson.  “We get especially excited when we can open our doors to the public and revel in fabulous food, like the cheeses available right here in our area.”

For more information on great events in Durham, visit the Durham Event Calendar, and remember that since Durham is The Tastiest Town in the South, to use the hashtag #DurhamIsTastiest! when sharing news of Durham's food scene on social media.

Triangle Opera Studios Makes Its New Home at Durham School of the Arts

What's that sound? A soprano aria? Opera has found a new home in Durham. Triangle Opera Studios, (TOS) a three years young source for area opera singers with potential for careers as professional performing artists, is pleased to announces its new home for rehearsals, masters classes and performances at the Durham School of the Arts (DSA) in downtown Durham.

Bridging the gap between the voice studio and professional stage for aspiring professional singers through performance opportunities and master classes with prominent singers and coaches, Triangle Opera Studios will present its first series of performances at DSA June 7-9, 2013 with two popular works by Italian-American composer and librettist Gian Carlo Menotti.

Durham School of the Arts’ magnificent 1,600-seat Weaver Auditorium is now home to Triangle Opera Studio’s performances, beginning with the Menotti double bill. In addition, Triangle Opera Studios will be an active collaborator with School of the Arts faculty in providing services and opportunities to enrich DSA student experiences with invitations to attend rehearsals and participate in productions where possible and appropriate.

“We are very grateful to DSA’s Principal David Hawks, faculty and staff for making this collaboration happen,” says TOS Founder/Director Christine Weidinger, former star soprano at most of the world’s leading opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera.  “We owe special thanks to Assistant Principal Michelle Hunt who first conceived of this arrangement and convinced her colleagues to talk to us. Now we have a home base and it’s a dream come true!”

Weidinger is devoted to the stated mission of her organization. “We are focused on the singers, who are not paid a dime to perform. They may help defray some of the production costs but that is nothing compared to the large tuitions most companies like ours charge singers to perform in their programs.”
She is clearly passionate on this point: “Singers beginning a career are not in a position to pay huge sums to perform. We provide them, tuition-free, the opportunity to rehearse and perform under expert supervision. For them, each production is a learning experience and for the public, we hope, an opera lover's joy,” add Weidinger.

For more cultural information about Durham, visit online.

Fourth Annual Cool Summer Nights Concerts at DPAC

Throughout this blazing North Carolina summer, DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center, is pleased to offer six must-see indoor shows as opportunities to escape the heat and humidity while enjoying superstar entertainment.

From June to August, there will be six concert and comedy events that offer something for everyone. Single tickets to each event are on sale now for the 2013 Cool Summer Nights Concerts at DPAC featuring Grammy® Award-winning artists, two superstar comedians, and five DPAC premieres. Cool Summer Nights Concerts at DPAC will consist of the following six shows:

• June 5 – Back by Popular Demand, Kevin James
• June 8 – A Soulful Summer Tour with Anthony Hamilton with Eric Benét & Marcus Canty
• June 16 – Summer’s Ultimate Hip-Hop Music Experience, Kings of the Mic Tour: LL Cool J with Ice Cube, Public Enemy, De La Soul
• June 30 – The Empress of Soul with America’s Treasured R&B Trio, Gladys Knight & The O’Jays
• August 3 – Sheryl Crow in her Most Intimate Concert Ever in the Triangle
• August 10 – “Politically Incorrect” Comedian and Host of HBO’s “Real Time” Bill Maher

Tickets are sold separately for each event and are available now online, as well as at the box office at 123 Vivian Street.

"DPAC’s Cool Summer Nights is something our team looks forward to every year. We've put together a lineup that features the hottest artists and comedians to be showcased in our intimate theater. Our fans already know that DPAC provides the Triangle’s best summer event experience. As we like to say, it’s better indoors,” said Emily McLoughlin, Marketing Director for Concerts and Comedy at DPAC.

Visit the Cool Summer Nights Concert website for more information, and learn more about great Durham events online.

Durham Arts Council's Dinners a l'Art Presents bar de Miguel Tapas

For one night only, Durham will pull back the curtain and allow visitors a glimpse into the lives of one of Durham's most prolific businessmen while sampling dinner from one of Durham's most lauded chefs.

In true Durham style, the evening will also benefit a good cause.

The Durham Arts Council's Dinners a l'Art will host bar de Miguel Tapas, an inspired evening featuring the flavors and rhythms of Spain, hosted by Michael and Liz Goodmon Thursday, June 6th at 7:00 pm at the Goodmon Family Home (directions will be provided following ticket purchase; valet parking also provided). Tickets are $100 per person and all proceeds will benefit the Durham Arts Council. Visit this site for tickets. Additional information is available through the Durham Arts Council.

Renowned Chef Matt Kelly of Mateo bar de Tapas & Vin Rouge will present a fabulous Spanish tapas feast. Performers from Flamenco Carolina, who have been trained by Carlota Santana, will perform the mesmerizing and romantic rhythms of Flamenco music and dance. The event is shaping up as one not to be missed.

Proceeds from this will go to support the programs and services of the Durham Arts Council including arts programs for over 300,000 people a year and Season Grants to 24 Durham arts organizations. Carlota Santana Spanish Dance is a Durham Arts Council Season Grant recipient.

For more information about all the great food Durham offers, visit eat.durahm-nc.com.