4/2-20
Amadeus
PlayMakers Repertory
The award-winning tale of Mozart and the court composer Salieri is a sometimes funny, sometimes tragic, brilliant examination of a man at war with his god.
4/4
Howlin Rain
Local 506
Mellow rockers perform with Nightstick and Stratocrusier. 9pm, $10
4/5
Goodbye,
Schoolkids Records
Cat’s Cradle
The Heist And The Accomplice, Hammer No More The Fingers, Ben Davis & The Jets, Schooner, Michael Rank, Mark E. Smith, Sames, North Elementary and Wil Donegan & The Apologies say farewell in grand fashion. Free.
4/9
From Tobacco Farm to Botany Laboratory
North Carolina Botanical Garden
Bill Burk, biology librarian at UNC, will share the story of Alma Holland Beers, Carolina’s first female botanist. Free.
4/10
Shelby Lynne
ArtsCenter
Shelby Lynne’s latest album is a collection of songs from the late great Dusty Springfield. Part of The center’s American Roots Series. 8:30pm, $27
4/11
Local Cartoonists
Chapel Hill Comics
Kevin Dixon, Stephanie Freese, Paul Friedrich, Eric Knisley and Brian Walsby will be on hand for a book signing and art opening from 6-9pm.
4/10-14
Signal Fest
Cat’s Cradle, Local 506, Nightlight and elsewhere.
The annual Southeast Electronic Music Festival returns. signalfest.com
4/12
Bang on a Can All-Stars
Memorial Hall
This powerhouse ensemble will feature Wilco drummer Glenn Kotche and Sonic Youth guitarist Lee Ranaldo in a performance that pushes the boundaries of rock and chamber music into the avant garde.
4/12-13
Chapel Hill Spring Garden Tour
From the historic DuBose House grounds to a garden devoted to rescued native plants, the annual tour and benefit features a stunning springtime array. chapelhillgardentour.net
4/12-13
Richard Wright Centennial
Memorial Hall & Elsewhere
The campus focuses on Wright and his impact. Events include a staged reading of the Paul Green Adaptation of Native Son at on April 12 and a free
Wright Centennial Commemorative performance April 13 at 7:30pm at Memorial Hall.
4/16
Susan Tedeschi
Cats Cradle
The singer-songstress performs. 8:30pm, $20-22
4/17-20
Spring Festival
Shakori Hills
Four glorious days of food, nature, music and fun. Tons of performers, tons of stuff to do and a biodiesel bus will bring you there. shakorihills.org
4/18
The New Town Drunks
The Cave
The return of The New Town Drunks. Pinche Gringo opens.
4/18-19
The Strugglers, Bellafea release parties
Local 506
On Friday, join The Strugglers and friends The Never and Max Indian for their CD release party. Return on Saturday for Bellafea’s party with Robo Sapien and The Curtains of Night. Both free.
4/18-20
Piedmont Farm Tour
The 13th annual farm tour features 35 farms, including Maple Spring Gardens, Infinity Biodynamic Farm, Hogan’s Magnolia View Farm and more. Tickets are $30, available online at carolinafarmstewards.org
4/19
WCOM Benefit
Cats Cradle
Sweater Weather and the Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers headline the community radio station benefit. 8pm, $8-10
4/20
Bland Simpson
Carolina Inn
The annual fundraiser for the Chapel Hill Historical Society features Bland Simpson, creative writing professor and collaborator on such musicals as Diamond Studs, King Mackerel, Kudzu, and Fool Moon.
April 23-27
Witness to an Execution
PlayMakers
Part of a university-wide look at capital punishment. Witness to an Execution is inspired by a series of surprisingly candid and chilling interviews that tell the story of death row in the infamous Texas prison system.
4/23
Spirit of Uganda
Memorial Hall
Spirit of Uganda presents riveting programs of music and dance for audiences of all ages. 7:30pm
4/23
Nick Lowe with Ron Sexsmith
ArtsCenter
Lowe, known for such songs as “Cruel To Be Kind,†has a new album coming out this summer. Toronto native Ron Sexsmith opens. 8pm, $25
4/25-27
Assininenation: Three Short Comedies About Presidential Tragedy
ArtsCenter
The Dorosindicate presents The Unfortunate Casting of Our American Cousin, Knoll & John Hinckley in Group Therapy.
4/26
DTH Diversions Presents
Local 506
Our wonderful friends at the DTH present Hammer No More the Fingers, Future Kings of Nowhere and DJ Dan Bryk.
4/27
Concert for Maxine Swalin
Memorial Hall
In honor of her 105th birthday, UNC hosts a benefit concert honoring the woman, who with her conductor husband Benjamin resurrected the N.C. Symphony and led it from 1939-1972. Nancy Green and Frederick Moyer, grandchildren of Paul Green, will perform sonatas for cello and piano. Free.
4/30
Chris Barron & The Time Bandits, Jason Adamo
Local 506
Featuring Chris Barron, formerly of the Spin Doctors. 9pm, $8