17 Triangle events to check out this week

RALEIGH, N.C. — The State Fair has ended, but the fun doesn't have to! These fun events will help you get through the work week.

The weekly Open Mic Night at Local 506 in Chapel Hill is one of the best in the area. Check it out every Monday at 8:30 p.m.

If you love The Great Gatsby, this charitable event is for you! Martinis for Melanoma, a roaring 20s party, will feature a Gatsby-themed night of live jazz, appetizers and handcrafted cocktails. Tickets are $50, and all proceeds go to benefit the Polka Dot Mama Melanoma Foundation. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. at The Stockroom at 230 in downtown Raleigh.

The PineCone Bluegrass Jam, held Mondays at Busy Bee in downtown Raleigh, is a great way to meet fellow bluegrass enthusiasts. The 7 p.m. event is always free.

See The Head and the Heart, an American folk band, at The Ritz in Raleigh at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35.

Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton are an "organic gumbo of progressive rock, psychedelic soul and African, Middle Eastern and Caribbean rhythms." See them at 8 p.m. in Durham at the Carolina Theatre.

Fun Home is a refreshingly honest musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes. You can see the heartwarming show at DPAC all week starting tonight.

Another great Open Mic Night occurs every Tuesday at Deep South in downtown Raleigh. Check it out at 7:30 p.m.

Mix up your typical weekday night and sample Halloween wines from across the globe for only $5 at Mandolin in Raleigh from 6-7 p.m.

Local 22 in Durham will host a beer dinner featuring brews from Double Barley Brewing at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40 for the four-course meal.

Bianca Del Rio, a "hilariously hateful comic known for her foul mouth and unapologetic humor," will perform at the Carolina Theatre at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35.

See Criminal, a podcast about crime, at 8 p.m. in Durham. Tickets are $22 for the presentation, which tells stories of people who have "done wrong or been wronged."

It's dinner - and a show! Combine childish fun with adult tastes at a Murder Mystery Dinner at ORO in downtown Raleigh at 6:30 p.m. Your reservation includes a three course dinner and dessert, specially-selected wine and beer and a breathtaking show.

The band 120 Minutes will bring an assortment of 90s alternative and radio rock/pop hits to Deep South at 9 p.m. You'll hear Nirvana, Gin Blossoms, Third Eye Blind, Spice Girls, Veruca Salt, Pearl Jam, Weezer, Spacehog, The Cranberries and more at the show. Adults 21 and over only.

Try insect beer tonight at the NC Museum of Art from 7-9 p.m. Professors from NC State will discuss how the beer is made in a "short and sweet science discussion" before attendees enjoy great art, tasty refreshments and, of course, the much-anticipated beverage.

The NC Museum of Art will host an Art Freak Dance Party featuring drinks, magic, live art, the best Djs and more from 8:30 p.m. until midnight. A $32 admission fee gives guests a free peek at the museum's new Rolling Sculpture vintage cars exhibit.

Start your weekend off with some of the best BBQ in the state. The NC Barbecue Revival at Green Button Farm in Bahama is a weekend-long celebration of sustainably-raised pork. Starting Friday, you can pick from a tasty selection of lunches, dinners and activities.

Sip, celebrate and support worthy causes at Hops + Vines, City Club Raleigh's first beer and wine festival. There will be local produce, cheeses and meats along with tasty craft beer from local breweries and lots of wine. Tickets are $45.

Get more picks for this month on our best bets calendar, and check back on Thursday for our official picks for the weekend.