The Moon is Coming to Durham
OCTOBER 31 TO NOVEMBER 3, 2019
Be a part of the once-in-a-lifetime, free community event featuring a mesmerizing and world-renowned touring installation. For the first time in North Carolina, a giant breathtaking spherical replica of the moon, with a diameter of nearly 23 feet, will hang above the Bull City. Presented by the City of Durham’s Cultural & Public Art Program, the Museum of Life and Science, Keep Durham Beautiful and Austin Lawrence Partners, the breathtaking Museum of the Moon exhibit will be suspended over CCB Plaza in downtown Durham for four days, gathering tens of thousands to witness the beauty and celebrate all things Bull City.
The touring installation by U.K. artist Luke Jerram – which has been experienced by 4+ million people in more than 30 countries – already has over 28,000 #MuseumOfTheMoon pictures on Instagram alone and will drive enormous chatter when it makes its only planned North Carolina stop this fall. The larger-than-life artwork features 120 dots per inch of detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface, with each inch of the spherical structure representing 6,458 feet of the moon’s surface. The campaign aligns with celebrations for Durham’s 150th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, and will explore themes of history, innovation and entrepreneurship with the tens of thousands expected to attend.
Events around CCB Plaza during the four-day event include:
THURSDAY, OCT. 31:
6 p.m. – Illumination of the Moon, hosted by local drag stars Vivica C. Coxx, Stormie Daie and Naomi Dix
6 p.m. – Reading of the highly acclaimed children’s book, “Goodnight Moon,” by Mayor Steve Schewel
6 p.m. – Paperhand Puppets Halloween-themed performance featuring family-friendly puppetry
6:30 p.m. – Durham Medical Orchestra’s Brass group performance
FRIDAY, NOV. 1:
8 p.m. – Bull Moon Ball black tie ticketed fundraising gala at Unscripted Hotel, benefitting Durham’s Museum of Life and Science and Keep Durham Beautiful
9:19 p.m. – Blackspace Music Cypher rhythmic performance showcasing local emerging artists
SATURDAY, NOV. 2:
5:30 p.m. – Community dinner featuring local food and beverage vendors, with family-style tables and food trucks stretching down Orange Street
8 p.m. – Batalá Drum samba reggae performance with traditional drums
SUNDAY, NOV. 3:
9 a.m. – Moon Movement class with Community Power Yoga
“We’re beyond thrilled to put on this spectacular event that is accessible to everyone, bringing our community together to celebrate all things Bull City,” said Stacey Poston, manager of the City of Durham’s General Services Department Arts, Culture and Sustainable Communities Division. “Bull Moon Rising combines so much of what makes Durham unique. We’re incredibly proud to present this emotionally stirring fusion of art, science and true
wonder in the center of our city, and we can’t wait to share this once-in-a-lifetime experience with locals and visitors alike.”
Museum of the Moon will be available to view 24 hours a day from Thursday, Oct. 31 through Sunday, Nov. 3. Advanced tickets for the Bull Moon Ball fundraiser will be available for purchase soon and all other events are free to the public. For information, including events, details on sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, parking, road closures, inclement weather, and more, visit www.bullmoonrising.com and follow the event on Facebook.
Interested in getting involved? We’re looking for sponsors to help us support Durham’s Museum of Life and Science and Keep Durham Beautiful and provide this free event for the city of Durham in exchange for great branding opportunities. To become a sponsor, please contact info@alpeast.com.