Submitted by Melissa Howsam — Correspondent
Monday's blah, but your week doesn't have to be. So, here are some hip haunts and choice events to hit up:
AMY SEDARIS: David’s not the only scribbling Sedaris with hot off-the-press pages chatting up the Triangle these days. On the heels of her sardonic sibling’s sold out October show, the sassy hostess with the mostest of “Strangers with Candy” fame hands out Hancocks and gives her crafty spin on crafting at a cut-rate, as told in her new book “Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People.” Seashell toilet seat covers, anyone? When: Booksigning Nov. 10 at Quail Ridge Books & Music and Nov. 11 at Durham Armory. 7:30p. $10 or free with purchase of new book. Quail Ridge signing | Durham Armory signing
NO RESERVATIONS: AN EVENING WITH ANTHONY BOURDAIN: Be privy to this “Kitchen Confidential” chef-at-large as he takes his culinary chops on the road with “no reservations” and heats up Memorial Aud. VIP meet-n-greet option to include book signing and after-party. When: Nov. 13, 8pm. Rear balcony, $35; mezzanine and front balcony $45; VIP Area Pit and first 5 Rows of C, $150. Buy tickets | Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
RALEIGH ROUNDUP City slickers strap on your dancin’ boots, cut loose and saddle up for a heck of a hoedown at Raleigh Roundup to benefit the American Cancer Society — where top Triangle Chefs for a Cure will have you lickin’ your chops, country-folk-rock fusion band Yarn ‘ll spark some hat tippin’ and toe tappin’, and a Hold Your Horses raffle and Ace High Casino Style Gaming will have you playin’ the ponies. If you play your cards right, you may just leave with some loot. And if you’re feelin’ really frisky, you can always mount up on the ole mechanical bull. So, while you kick up a good time, you can “help give cancer the boot.” When: Nov. 12, 7. $150 per person, includes all food and beverages. More info | State Fairgrounds
AMY RAY: Indigo Girl Amy Ray trades folksy for funky and pumps up some anti-pop politically charged volume on the Cradle stage for her solo de-tour, which brings her fourth stag album “Didn’t It Feel Kinder” back to where it began (started in Durham last year). Proceeds to benefit Urban Ministries of Durham and Strings Attached Productions. When: Nov. 12, 9p. $12 in advance, $15 day of show. Cat's Cradle
ANIMAL GROSSOLOGY: Who doesn’t want to play with poop? Channel your cruder inner child (or take your own), throw decency to the dogs and gross up a gut-churning, slimey good time probing the savage, sickening, spitting, spewing side of animal science. The “ew” is ever interesting at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences’ look at the raw and retched primitive practices of our most beloved furry friends. Just don’t get too in your element and start sniffing strangers rear ends. When: The exhibit will run through April 24, 2011. $8 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, $4 for children ages 5-11 and free to members. More info | N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences
