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Five Free, Fun Things at Duke in January

Events include music, free food and Duke’s annual MLK Day commemoration 

A journaling class is one of many free events taking place at Duke this month.
A journaling class is one of many free events taking place at Duke this month.

Even with the lull of winter hanging over campus, there are plenty of free events to keep you busy during January, from a trip into virtual realities to a celebration of the arts.

Working@Duke brings you five, free fun things to do at Duke at the start of every month, so check back the first week of February and throughout the academic year for this monthly series.

Jan. 5, 12 and 26 – Find a New ‘Reality’

The first full week of January offers one of three chances to check out Duke immersive Virtual Environment’s open house. Also known by its acronym of “DiVE,” the space is a research and education facility dedicated to exploring techniques of immersion and interaction, complete with virtual reality system. From 4 to 5 p.m. on each day of the open house events, visitors can participate in a free group tour and see DiVE’s unique space first-hand. The event takes place in room 1617A of CIEMAS

Friday, Jan. 8 – Put Pen to Paper

No matter the level of experience, all Duke community members are welcome at this monthly journaling workshop that encourages participants to write in all styles and forms to help express emotions and thoughts, reduce anxiety and promote creativity. In addition to receiving free guidance on journaling practices, supplies are provided. The group meets from 11 to 11:45 a.m. in the 0 level conference room of the Duke Cancer Center. For more information, call (919) 613-6601.

Thursday, Jan. 14 – Art and Music Come Together

From 8 to 10 p.m., the Nasher Museum of Art presents a special spoken word event hosted by Pierce Freelon and The Beast, a Durham-based hip-hop group. The performance is inspired by art featured in the Nasher Museum’s contemporary exhibition, Reality of My Surroundings. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.  

Sunday, Jan. 17 – Celebrate MLK

Join faculty, staff and students at 3 p.m. in Page Auditorium for the keynote address for Duke’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. commemoration. The featured speaker is Shaun R. Harper, founder and executive director of the Center for the Study of Race and Equity in Education at the University of Pennsylvania and president-elect of the Association for the Study of Higher Education. Free parking is available in the Bryan Center Parking Garage.

Duke community members can continue to commemorate the holiday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 18 during a meal-packing event on Durham Tech’s campus at 1637 E Lawson St. The event is co-sponsored by Duke’s Office of Durham & Regional Affairs. Volunteers will work to package 100,000 meals for the United Way of the Greater Triangle. 

Online sign-up is available for two shifts: 9 to 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers must be at least 5 years old and an adult must accompany minors. 

Friday, Jan. 22 – Celebrate the Arts [POSTPONED]

The entire Duke community is invited to attend a ground-breaking ceremony for the new Arts Center, located across from the Nasher Museum of Art at 2022 Campus Drive. Starting at 12:30 p.m., Duke administrators and special guests will share thoughts on the impact of the arts at Duke and how the 71,000-square foot building will help create an “arts zone” on campus. 

Following the ceremony, a reception will be held at the Doris Duke Center at 420 Anderson St. Food will be provided. Those interested in attending should RSVP by Jan. 10 by emailing danette.clark@duke.edu or calling (919) 684-0540.