Five Free, Fun Things at Duke in December
Celebrate the holiday season with music and the arts
Get in the holiday spirit by watching Shakespearean scenes, making a pinecone bird feeder or listening to holiday music in Duke University Chapel.
The Working@Duke editorial team searches the Duke Events Calendar to bring you five free things to experience at Duke every month. Visit Duke Today again in early January for the next installment of free fun.
See you in 2017!
Dec. 7 – Get serenaded by Shakespeare
Join the Duke Symphony Orchestra on a musical journey inspired by the works of English playwright and poet William Shakespeare, to include selections from scores written for Laurence Olivier’s Shakespeare films. Faculty and student singers from the Duke Music Department will perform, and the Antic Shakespeare Company, a student-led group, will act out scenes from plays associated with the music. The performance is in Baldwin Auditorium from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Dec. 9 – Write freely during a journaling meetup
Organize your thoughts and find creativity at Arts & Health at Duke’s free monthly “Write for You” journaling session. The December theme is “Reflections: Looking Back, Looking Forward,” in which participants can play Finnish holiday games and enjoy writing activities. Duke employees, patients and caregivers are invited to attend, and no experience is necessary. Journals are provided. The session is from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. in the 0 Level Conference Room of the Duke Cancer Center.
Dec. 10 – Create art in Duke Gardens
Make snowflakes, pinecone bird feeders and colorful paper chains at Sarah P. Duke Gardens’ third annual holiday celebration. In addition to making crafts, visitors can learn about winter traditions from around the world. The event is open to the public from noon to 4 p.m. at the Doris Duke Center. Parking fees apply.
Dec. 17 – Sketch in the Nasher galleries
Put pencil to paper at Duke’s Nasher Museum of Art by receiving a free lesson from Durham artist Rachel Goodwin, who works with wood and found materials to create odd and intense patterns. “Sketching in the Galleries” is from 10 a.m. to noon at the Nasher. The monthly program is free for Duke students and employees.
Dec. 20 – Listen to festive music in the Chapel
Take a lunch break and head to Duke University Chapel’s candlelight open house. The annual event features holiday decorations, music on all three Chapel organs and the carillon, and carols sung by the Duke Vespers choir. The event is from noon to 2 p.m., and guests are invited to stop by at any time. Free parking is available on a first-come basis in the Bryan Center Parking Garage.