
SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Who needs to wait until summer to kick up their feet and enjoy the best of the Cape Fear coastal region? Spring has sprung in all sorts of ways in Wilmington and outlying areas, as folks are heading to more events to enjoy music, artist markets, theater, film and fundraisers. This weekend offers no shortage of options, either.
In honor of Li’l Friday (which is local speak for Thursday), Port City Daily has culled quite a few happenings taking place through Sunday for readers to consider.
Want to learn about the first African-American opera singer that toured with a white company in the U.S. — Caterina Jarboro, who was born in Wilmington? Covered.
How about catch CFCC’s rendition of “The Laramie Project” at the campus’ outdoor theater? Done.
Or maybe you want to groove with Dubtown Cosmonauts. Sure thing.
Let’s take a closer look at the goings-on around town. Cheers to Li’l Friday!
Have an event you want considered for inclusion in Port City Daily’s Li’l Friday Roundup? Email shea@localdailymedia.com by every Wednesday, noon.
THURSDAY, APR. 22

UNCW Presents A People’s History of Wilmington
Virtual Discussions • Free • 6:30 p.m.
UNCW Presents has led a series centered on the people and culture of Wilmington — specifically addressing the Black community’s impact on our region.
“Voices from the Ashes: Black Wilmington Culture of the Early 20th Century” will be the final discussion of the four-part series, hosted by Richard Yarborough. Yarborough is a professor of African-American lit at UCLA but is also the great nephew of one of Wilmington’s cultural icons, Caterina Jarboro. Jarboro was the first Black opera singer to tour with an all-white company in the 1900s. She was born in the port city in 1898, the year of the country’s only coup d’etat, locally referred to as the 1898 Massacre.
Yarborough will speak about Jarboro’s life and work and of other figures that played a prominent role in Wilmington’s cultural history. UNCW associate professor Helena Spencer will facilitate the discussion and share some of her research on the legendary singer.
Interested parties should register here.
Also happening:
FlowILM at Cameron Art Museum — A light and sound art installation that combines science and art, created live beginning at dusk — free! Read more here.
Bloom Boom Festival — Taking place at Flytrap Brewery, Bloom Boom will have multiple sustainable vendors set up, along with food trucks, as well as new beer releases from Flytrap. Also, the event takes place through Sunday, Apr. 25 until 7 p.m. Saturday will be a conjoint block party to welcome the brewery’s new neighbor’s community-driven makers space. Details here.

FRIDAY, APR. 23
Sundown Maker’s Market
Sawmill Point Apartments, downtown • Free • 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Sawmill Point Apartments in downtown Wilmington (1015 Nunn St.) is partnering with the Downtown ILM Farmers Market to host a pop-up sundown market on Friday. Ten of the Cape Fear’s artisans and crafters will have booths set up selling wares, including:
- Rooted Beauty Pottery
- After The Bloom
- Kritter Kouture
- Sun Glitter Jewelry
- In Bloom Botanicals
- Moonlit Metals
- Cabin Girl Designs
- Hawthorn and Oak
- Amanda Ruth Jewelry
- Art by Lena See Less
Then on Saturday, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., the Downtown ILM Artisans and Farmers Market will take place at 1801 Market St. at Temple Baptist Church. There will be veggies, fruits, and more arts and crafts for sale.
Also happening:
Earth Day Celebration — The Plastic Ocean Project will convene on the Tidal Creek Co-op grounds on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. to keep the celebrations going for Earth Day. There will be food, live music, local artisan vendors, yoga and more! It’s free to attend and takes place from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Find out more here.
SATURDAY, APR. 24
The Laramie Project
Cape Fear Community College’s Outdoor Amphitheater • Suggested $5 donation • 7 p.m.
One fateful night in 1998 in Laramie, Wyoming, a young Matthew Shepard was brutally murdered, which spawned worldwide attention on hate crimes on LGBTQIA community members. Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theatre Project crafted a play based on Shepard’s life and the night of the events.

Members of the project traveled to Laramie to interview residents of the town about the aftereffects of the hate crime, as the two men who beat Shepard and left him tied to a fence, were convicted and sentenced to life in prison. CFCC theater students will be enacting the drama Apr. 22-24 at 7 p.m.
Technically free to attend, there is a $5 suggested donation to go to the community college’s theater department. Only 24 seats are available per performance and reservations have to be secured ahead of time to attend the show by going to WilsonCenterTickets.com or calling 910-362-7999 .
Parking is free in the Hanover Student Parking Deck; rain dates are Apr. 29 – May 1. Masks and social distancing are required for all those in attendance.
The theater performance will also be broadcast via livestream on Apr. 28, 7 p.m.; click here for more info.
Also happening:
Dubtown Cosmonauts — Wrighstville Beach Brewery will host the music collective, Dubtown Cosmonauts, on Saturday. The outfit will bring their electric funk and otherworldly vibes to the Oleander Drive hangout from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The show is free.
The Groove Market — Another local brewery is combining local vendors, brunch and beer, to bring together the best of all worlds. The pop-up Groove Market at Watermans Brewing will feature artisans selling jewelry, candles, beauty products and more in a safe, social-distanced manner. The brewery’s brunch menu will be available and their handcrafted beer ready to enjoy. The event takes place from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; find out more here.
Olde Towne Movie Night — The Olde Towne community in Belville is hosting a free movie night at 7 p.m for family and friends at 10171 N. Olde Towne Way in Belville. The ’90s flick “The Sandlot” will begin at dusk, and the experience will be meta: The movie, which centers on a kids’ baseball team from the 1960s, will be screened on the backstop of a ball field. Chairs, blankets and picnics welcome. However, concessions will be sold onsite as well. Click here for more info.
SUNDAY, APR. 25
Help Kids Beat Cancer
Good Hops Brewing • $5 • 11 a.m.
The Wilmington Cancer Moms will be hosting a fundraiser for Reelin’ for Research, which raises funds year-round for kids cancer research at UNC Children’s Hospital. On Sunday at Good Hops Brewing (811 Harper Ave.) there will be a Dad Bod car wash held at 11 a.m. followed by live music from Just Yesterday at 1 p.m.
It’s $5 admission to go to research for children’s cancer. Good Hops will serve beer and Nolli’s Tacos will be on hand serving up the eats.
More information can be found here.
Also happening:
Talley’s Folly — A Pulitzer-winning play by Lanford Wilson, “Talley’s Folly” follows a Jewish immigrant, Matt Friedman, whose pining over an “old maid,” 31-year-old Sally Talley. Talley’s family thinks she’ll never marry because of her political and social views. The play is about connection and romance, and will be open to audiences at the mainstage theatre in UNCW’s Cultural Arts Building at 8 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday, Apr. 22-24, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Apr. 25. Patron must wear a mask and seating will be socially distanced. Tickets are free but limited to two each and must be secured here.
Paradise Cove BBQ Fundraiser — The Pleasure Island Disaster Relief Fund is hosting a BBQ fundraiser on Sunday to help raise money for victims of the Paradise Cove fires that took place in Carolina Beach on Apr. 2. The event will take place at The Last Resort (600 N. Lake Blvd.). They’re also asking for donations, volunteers to serve food and help on the day of, or anyone who has raffle items: debra.e.lecompte@gmail.com.
Have events you want considered for Li’l Friday? Email shea@localdailymedia.com
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