In this issue:
Jill Scott Sets Durham Show
Eve Opens on Parrish
Foushee Survives Close Primary
DPS Budget Squeeze Looms
Jill Scott Sets Durham Show
Grammy-winning singer Jill Scott is coming to DPAC this summer, adding another major concert to Durham’s 2026 lineup. Her June 18 stop is part of a new residency-style tour built around live instrumentation and a more immersive audience experience.
DPAC date set: Scott will perform at 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 18, at Durham Performing Arts Center.
Tickets on sale: General ticket sales begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 11, following a brief presale window.
Phone-free show: DPAC says the concert will use Yondr pouches, meaning phones and smart devices will be locked during the performance.
Eve Opens on Parrish
Uma Ramiah and Jessica Breland spent years building a following hosting day parties for women in their 30s and 40s before finding a permanent home. Their new bar, Eve, opened at 108 East Parrish Street at the end of February, and the space is as intentional as the concept.
Name and Concept: The bar takes its name from the biblical figure, reclaiming Eve as a symbol rather than a scapegoat. The founders describe the space as woman-centered and open to all.
Programming: Wednesday nights feature local female entrepreneurs, artists, and comedians, with half-price bottles of wine. The bar also offers private rentals and held a day party for International Women's Day on March 8.
The Owners: Breland retired after a decade in the WNBA, playing for the Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury. Ramiah previously managed VIP events for Dreamville. The pair began collaborating on events before opening Eve.
Foushee Survives Close Primary
Rep. Valerie Foushee is headed to a third term after narrowly defeating Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam in one of the Triangle’s most closely watched and expensive primaries. The razor-thin result exposed real divisions inside the deep-blue 4th District and raised fresh questions about campaign messaging, outside spending, and what Democratic voters want from their representation.
Tight margin: Foushee beat Allam by about 1,200 votes, winning 49.18% to 48.22% after a suspenseful primary night.
National attention: The race drew more than $4.4 million in outside spending and became a proxy fight over ideology, corporate influence, and Democratic strategy in the Trump era.
Looking ahead: In a post-election interview, Foushee said the campaign showed she needs to do more to communicate her record, while defending her independence from outside groups that spent heavily on her behalf.
DPS Budget Squeeze Looms
Durham Public Schools and Durham County leaders are heading into budget season with a major funding gap, as district costs rise while county revenue growth slows. Early projections suggest DPS could seek roughly $10.9 million more, even before adding new initiatives, setting up a difficult debate over school funding, staffing, and the prospect of higher taxes.
Bigger ask ahead: DPS officials said rising personnel, retirement, health insurance, utility, and charter school costs could push the district’s continuation budget request to about $10.9 million.
County warns of limits: County budget staff said slower job growth, softer revenue trends, and a public-sector-heavy local economy mean Durham may not be able to keep increasing school funding at recent levels.
Tough choices coming: Commissioners said classified staff pay remains a priority, but warned that meeting all of DPS’s needs may be unrealistic without putting more pressure on taxpayers.
Durham County Board of County Commissioners — Regular Session March 9, 2026
Commissioners approved a new fire protection service district for northeast Durham and discussed rising costs across several county departments.
The Mangum Fire Protection Service District was approved; property owners in the district will see roughly $219 added to their annual tax bill
Commissioners discussed Duke Energy's proposed rate hikes and their impact on the county's climate goals; the board is seeking representation at Utilities Commission hearings
The detention center reported rising healthcare costs and a projected increase in average daily jail population
Volunteers who handled more than 10,000 property tax appeals were formally acknowledged
A quick free shoutout for a local business we think Durham readers should know about.
Aqua Cleaning is a Durham-based exterior cleaning company offering window cleaning, house washing, pressure washing, gutter cleaning, and roof washing. It’s a local service business with coverage across Durham and nearby cities, the kind of company that’s easy to miss until you need it.
Joe Bonamassa
DPAC
March 13
The blues-rock guitarist brings his arena-sized sound to Durham for one night.
Details >>
Mind, Body & Soul Wellness Expo 2026
Durham Central Park
March 14
An annual wellness expo featuring local vendors, practitioners, and community health offerings.
Details >>
KC and The Sunshine Band
DPAC
March 14
The disco and funk hitmakers stop in Durham on their latest tour.
Details >>
SIREN: Pisces Drag Show and Dance Party
The Pinhook, Durham
March 14
A themed one-night drag show and dance party celebrating the end of Pisces season.
Details >>
The Early November & Hellogoodbye: 20 Years Young
Cat’s Cradle
March 15
Two mid-2000s emo and indie-pop favorites team up for a nostalgic co-headlining show.
Details >>
The cherry trees in Duke Gardens' Cherry Allee are beginning to bloom; peak is expected within the next week. Read More »
Duke women’s basketball capped a dramatic season turnaround by beating Louisville 70-65 in overtime to win its second straight ACC Tournament title. Read More »
Flying Bull Beer Co. closed its original Ninth Street taproom at the end of February. Read More »
GE Aerospace to invest another multi-million-dollar round of funding to Durham facility. Read More »
Duke raises tuition nearly 5% for fourth year. Read More »
Durham County EMS Pushes for Expansion Amid Record Call Volume. Read More »
A new exhibition at the Nasher Museum of Art explores how the Eno River shaped artist Silvia Heyden's decades-long tapestry practice in Durham. Read More >>