Side Roads: Folk Art from Mike’s Art Truck – Thursday through Feb. 26; Mon.-Thurs. 9am-8pm, Fri.-Sat. 9am-6pm, Sun. 12-6pm – The Hillsborough Public Library is hosting an exhibition for Mike’s virtual art gallery, a collection of local folk art pieces managed online and represented by an imaginary truck. Fifty pieces by nine self-taught artists will be on display; all artwork will be available for purchase through the Art Truck and for pickup at the end of the show. 137 W. Margaret Ln., Hillsborough; Free; 919-732-8181 (library); mikesarttruck.com
UNC Women’s Basketball – Thursday 7-9pm – The lady Tar Heels will take on the Syracuse Orange team at Carmichael Arena. Enjoy Throwback Thursday half-price concessions. Can’t make it in person? Catch the game live on GoHeels TV, EPSN3 and the WatchESPN app. 310 South Rd; $7 Regular Price, $4 Group 10+, $1 Youth Team Day (promo code: WB16-TEAM); 919-962-0463; goheels.com
Highway 47 – Thursday through Saturday 7:30pm, Sunday 2pm – Playmakers Repertory Company brings this heartfelt, political tale to the Triangle as part of its innovative PRC2 series. Delve into New Mexican history of land rights and lawsuits told though a father-daughter relationship. Join playwright, director and American Records CEO KJ Sanchez for a post-performance discussion. Kenan Theatre in the Center for Dramatic Art, 150 Country Club Rd.; $15+; 919-962-7529; playmakersrep.org
January Sidewalk Sale – Friday and Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 1-6pm – Feeling the post-Christmas shopping bug? Stop by University Place’s stellar Sidewalk Sale featuring bargains from a variety of vendors, up to 70% off. Enjoy live, ‘50’s-themed music Friday 10:30am-1:30pm and Sunday 2-3:30pm as well as free cake Friday at 3 in honor of Elvis’ 81st birthday. The Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC will be collecting non-perishable donations in designated receptacles throughout the mall. University Place, 201 S. Estes Dr.; Free; 919-945-1900; universityplacenc.com
Opening Reception at Frank Gallery – Friday 6-9pm – Help welcome two new artists to the vibrant downtown gallery and enjoy gorgeous experimentation in color and patterns. The exhibition “Layer Upon Layer” features the work of double-exposure photographer Peter Filene and ceramicist Linda Prager. 109 E. Franklin St.; Free; 919-636-4135; frankisart.com
Author Event at Flyleaf Books – Friday 7-8pm – Despite “The Great Gatsby’s” worldwide acclaim, little is known about its troubled and mysterious author F. Scott Fitzgerald. “West of Sunset” is a historical fiction that follows his Hollywood days, turbulent and tragic amid a failed marriage and an attempt at self-reinvention. Join author Stewart O’Nan for a talk on his experience writing and researching and see why Salon calls him “possibly our best working novelist.” 752 Martin Luther King Blvd.; Free; 919-942-7373; flyleafbooks.com
No Shame Theatre – Saturday, 8-10pm – One hour before show time, plays are cast and rehearsed. The result is sometimes random, never perfect but always original. It’s also the chance to experience 15 works of art that you’ve never seen before and may never see again. ArtsCenter, 300-G E. Main St., Carrboro, Tickets $5; 919-929-2787; artscenterlive.org
Death Cafe – Sunday, 1:30-3:30pm – Join local do-gooders Abundance NC for the first of their open discussions regarding death, operating as a part of a larger, global movement. Coffee, tea and cake will be served in an environment that promises to be respectful and confidential as community members are encouraged to explore a mainly taboo subject. A $3-5 donation is suggested; attendees are welcome to bring a potluck item to share. Abundance NC at the Plant, 220 Lorax Ln., Pittsboro; Free; 919-533-5181; deathcafe.com
Hillsborough Riverwalk Fitness Hike – Sunday 2-4pm – Get started on that New Year’s resolution while appreciating the outdoors with another hike in the Eno River Association’s winter series. Be prepared for a fast-paced, three-mile walk with warm clothing and comfortable shoes; participants are asked to arrive 10-15 minutes early to sign in. The hike will also include a stop at Patrick Doughery’s newly installed stick sculpture. Eno River Parking Deck on Nash St., Hillsborough; 919-620-9099; enoriver.org
Art Reception – Sunday 2-4pm – Visit the beautifully historic Horace Williams House for a celebration and showing of the Encaustic Artists group’s work. The international non-profit aims to raise awareness for and excellence of encaustic, or hot wax-based, painting. 610 E. Rosemary St.; Free; 919-942-7818; preservationchapelhill.org
