Weekend best bets: Restaurant week, comedy and RENT

RALEIGH, N.C. — An annual festival goes virtual and we celebrate the 25th anniversary of a Broadway hit!

21st Annual African American Cultural Celebration (Virtual event) - The North Carolina Museum of History and the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission will present the 21st annual African American Cultural Celebration on Saturday virtual from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Events were scheduled to begin an hour earlier but were pushed back due to the threat of inclement weather. All presentations and performances are free to attend online with no additional programs or apps. On Friday, there will be an education day featuring the NC Association of Black Storytellers and four workshops for students and educators. On Saturday, there will be presentations and performers throughout the day. 

Astronomy Days - Get ready to explore the universe this week at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. The event is completely online and runs through Jan. 30. This year's theme is "Venus."

Pop-up Museum at Dix Park (Greg Poole, Jr. All Faiths Chapel on Dix Park, 1030 Robertson Dr., Raleigh) - Dix Park's first-ever Pop-up Museum is hosting two inspiring history exhibits through Feb. 27. The first is Plantation to Park, which shows a layered history of Dix Hill. The second exhibit is titled We Built This and it is a showcase of Black architects and builders in North Carolina.

Triangle Restaurant Week - Triangle Restaurant Week is underway. It features special deals and fixed price menus at more than 40 local eateries. Support local restaurants during this event that runs through Sunday.

2022 NC Rare and Vintage Beer Tasting (Historic Durham Athletic Park (The DAP), 500 West Corporation Street, Durham) - Head to Historic Durham Athletic Park on Saturday to enjoy sips from more than 50 breweries. Based on current guidelines, all attendees will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result within 72 hours of the tasting event.

Bohemian Nights Wine Dinner (The Loading Dock - Beryl, 3915 Beryl Road Suite #130, Raleigh) - Picture Perfect Picnics is partnering with Joy Worthy to bring you this unique and memorable experience on Saturday night. The evening will include five courses with wine pairings.

Rent (Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham) - Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Jonathan Larson's Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, Rent. See it on stage at DPAC Friday through Sunday.

Dusty Slay at Raleigh Improv (Raleigh Improv, 1224 Parkside Main Street, Cary) - See stand-up comedian Dusty Slay on stage at Raleigh Improv Thursday through Sunday.

Whitney Cummings: Touch Me Tour (Carolina Theatre of Durham, 309 W. Morgan St., Durham) - See this comedian, actor, writer, producer, director and podcast host on stage at Carolina Theatre of Durham on Saturday night. The Carolina Theatre of Durham is requiring all fans to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours OR full vaccination for entry. The City of Durham is requiring face coverings to be worn while at the theater except while eating or drinking.

North Carolina Opera: La Boheme (Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts - Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, 2 E. South St., Raleigh) - North Carolina Opera presents a new production of La Boheme at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium on Friday and Sunday. All guests must provide proof of full vaccination or a negative PCR test dated within the past 72 hours for entry. Masks must also be worn inside the building.