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t’s a rare gathering spot where guests can eat, drink, pick out a book to read and also create a podcast. Queeny’s offers all of the above. “As a studio artist who spends [much of my] of time working alone, I have always listened to a lot of radio, audiobooks and podcasts,” says Michelle Vanderwalker, who co-owns the restaurant and bar as well as basement cocktail bar Kingfisher and American Tobacco Campus burger joint Queenburger with Sean Umstead. “I heard the origin stories of several podcasts starting off in someone’s closet under a blanket, and I just loved the idea of creating a space that would make it really easy for people to try out a new podcast idea or record some family stories with no startup costs. We had this room that used to be a big safe with 2-foot-thick concrete walls that I couldn’t bear to waste as a storage room. I used leftover foam scraps from the upholstery I did for our banquettes, made some big, sound-absorbing panels to line the room, and consulted with Triangle Sound Service to get the audio equipment we needed.” Performers regularly rotate through the space, including live jazz musicians, DJs and Brazilian choro band Noites Carolinas. Community-based engagements are often added to the schedule, such as The Great Durham Bake-Off, a book club and a weekly lunch/baby play date. Check its Instagram page for updates. Queeny’s is open daily from 11:45 a.m. until 2 a.m. Guests ages 21 and older are welcome to stay after 10 p.m.
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ove to host parties? Need more space to do so? Want a place to crash when your shindig comes to a close? Reach out to Silvia Gallo, owner of Killer Queen Wine Bar, about booking Pretty Vacant – a loft apartment above Killer Queen and Carolina Soul Records in the historic 1920s building on East Main Street. The 2-bedroom, 2-bath suite comes with space enough to host a private dinner for up to 16 guests. Bring in your own catering, or ask Silvia for a list of private chefs who can work in the space. Add on a wine tasting with a sommelier to complete the lavish experience.
Alan Spruyt, Diana Echenique and their goddaughter, Antonellla Aquino, savor a lunch on the patio at Gojo by Goorsha.
D PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DURHAM HOTEL
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et the kiddos into their Halloween costumes and make your way to The Roof at The Durham Hotel at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25, for a no-tricks-and-all-treats free storytime with the librarians from Durham County Library. Young families can also enjoy storytime with Barnaby D. Troll at Durham Central Park, depending on the season, and visit the other park sculptures, Mr. Pickles the Turtle or Rockin’ Reuben the Cardinal. Then stroll through the Garden of Eatin’ to spy what fruits and flowers might be on display, or visit the beehive on your way to the skate park. 30
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owntown Ethiopian restaurant Goorsha opened its sister cafe and lounge Gojo directly behind the restaurant in October 2020. On Mondays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the menu offers coffee drinks like the traditional jebena, as well as heat-filled, flavorful breakfast sandwiches, paninis and vegan or protein-based bowls – perfect to partake in during the cooler fall weather out on its back patio. We recommend the GoJo, a panini named after the cafe. It features chicken, roasted red pepper, provolone and awaze pesto sauce (a spicy, reddish spread). For late nights on Fridays and Saturdays, GoJo is the go-to place for afro-pop music as its moody interior transforms into a dance floor. Evening
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hours are as follows: Wednesdays, 6-11 p.m., Thursdays, 8 p.m. until 1 a.m., and Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. Goorsha owner Fasil Tesfaye has yet another downtown venture that’s just hit the scene – he’s partnered with Raymond Lee of the former Kaffeinate coffee shop, which was devasted in the 2019 gas explosion that claimed the life of his father, Kong Lee, to open 19FiftyOne at Golden Belt. The name of this new cafe and bar honors the Ethiopian soldiers who arrived 1951 as part of the allied command to help Korean troops during the Korean War. The restaurant features Ethiopian- and Korean-inspired American fare, and is open from 8-10 p.m. Monday through Friday, sat-sun noon-10pm.