By Milcah Tanimu
Looking for free and exciting activities to engage in at Duke this November? Here are five wonderful opportunities for fun, enrichment, and relaxation, all at no cost.
1. **Midday Campus Fun on November 2, 9, and 17:** If you find yourself on the Duke campus during weekdays in November, there are ways to make the most of your lunch breaks. The Duke University Chapel’s organists will hold open rehearsals from 1-1:45 p.m. on most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, starting from November 2. You can enjoy informal performances on the Chapel’s organs and pianos. Additionally, the Sarah P. Duke Gardens invites you to participate in the Midday Meander from 12:15-1 p.m. on November 9. This guided tour offers insights into the garden’s flora and provides an opportunity to interact with Duke Gardens staff. Registration is encouraged. On November 17, savor the harmonious melodies of the Ciompi Quartet during a Lunchtime Classics performance at noon in the lovely setting of Goodson Chapel. This quartet of Duke music faculty, accompanied by guest violinist Patrick Yim, will perform Johannes Brahms’ String Quintet #2 in G Major.
2. **Festival of Mums on November 4:** Witness a burst of color at the Doris Duke Center at Sarah P. Duke Gardens as the Festival of Fabulous Mums returns from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 4. This event, co-sponsored by the Central Carolina Chrysanthemum Society and the Raleigh Garden Club, will showcase the talent and creativity of mum growers and floral designers from across North Carolina through vibrant displays of chrysanthemums—a popular autumn flower. Experts will be available to answer questions about chrysanthemum cultivation, and there will be entertaining activities and demonstrations for all age groups.
3. **Roots and Soul: Walking with Pauli Murray on November 11:** Duke Service Learning’s Context & Connections series of tours that explore the diverse culture of Durham returns on Saturday, November 11, with “Roots and Soul: Walking with Pauli Murray.” The tour, led by Durham performer Aya Shabu and sponsored by Whistle Stop Tours and the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice, will take you to six locations in the historic West End neighborhood, each revealing the story of Pauli Murray, a groundbreaking activist and legal scholar. The tour is open to the public, and video footage will be available online. Reservations are recommended.
4. **Nasher Family Day on November 12:** Embrace the spirit of gratitude at the Nasher Museum of Art’s Family Day from 1-3 p.m. on November 12. This event, designed for children of all ages and their families, will feature activities that promote appreciation for the people and things in our lives. Activities inspired by artist Beverly McIver’s portraits will also be offered, and McIver will provide a live demonstration of her portrait creation process. Nasher Museum’s monthly Family Days are returning this fall after a hiatus during the pandemic.
5. **Duke Chorale Christmas Concert on November 28:** Don’t miss the annual Duke Chorale Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. on November 28 in Duke University Chapel. With a repertoire of carols and classics, the music promises enjoyment for all ages, and there will be stories and treats for children. Admission to this cherished campus tradition only requires either one non-perishable food item for Urban Ministries or one new or gently used children’s book for Book Harvest.
As the academic year unfolds, these opportunities will help you make the most of your time at Duke, so don’t miss out on the enriching experiences that November has in store.
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