Thursday, February 13, 2025

The Scene: Port City Rib Fest returns

Port City Rib Fest regulars--and 2013 'Best Rib' winners--Texas Pit return to this year's event, set for Friday through Sunday in downtown Wilmington. Photo courtesy Port City Rib Fest.
Port City Rib Fest regulars–and 2013 ‘Best Rib’ winners–Texas Pit return to this year’s event, set for Friday through Sunday in downtown Wilmington. Photo courtesy Port City Rib Fest.

Feeling a bit carnivorous?

Satisfy your cravings with heaps of smoked meat at the Carolina Fireplace’s Port City Rib Fest this weekend. The third annual festival returns to Wilmington, this time in a new spot, with three days of good eats, live music and lots of entertainment for the whole family.

The event has moved from its spot at Battleship Park to the new North Waterfront Park, 1000 N. Front St., near PPD and the Wilmington Convention Center.

It’s your chance to sample tasty creations from pitmasters close to home and as far away as Texas as they vie for the “Best Ribs” title.

While you get your grub on, a host of local and regional acts will take the main stage–from the deep-rooted blues of Snake Malone and the Black Cat Bone and the flowing folk of The Midatlantic to the pleasantly offbeat pop stylings of Bombadil and the alt-rock of Annandale Heights.

The Kids Zone has plenty of activities to keep the little ones cool and busy during the festivities.
The Kids Zone has plenty of activities to keep the little ones cool and busy during the festivities.

Wrestling fans can enjoy the south of the border flare of Lucha Libre and the Kids Zone and Water Wars game will keep the little ones busy with activities. There’s even a circus-style side show full of freaks and geeks between musical acts.

Carolina Fireplace has teamed up with Wilmington Harbor Enhancement Trust to offer bundled tickets for both the rib fest and tours aboard the tall ship, El Galeon, which will be docked across the street at Port City Marina.

Festivities kick off at 11 a.m. Friday and run until 11 p.m. Saturday’s party runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., as well, and the event is open Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.

Admission is $7 for adults and $1 for children ($4 for seniors and active military). Those who attend between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Friday get in for just $1.

When you’ve had your fill of ribs, there’s plenty more to keep you busy this weekend, as listed below in our weekly arts and entertainment roundup.

You’ll find more about these happenings–and lots of other area activities–on The Scene, our free community events calendar.

Music

98.3 FM The Penguin and Huka Entertainment present Grammy Award-winning bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters in concert tonight (Thursday) at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 6. Tickets are $20-$25.

Local legend Benny Hill performs at 6:30 p.m. tonight as part of the next installment of Bellamy Mansion’s jazz concert series, which runs the second Thursday of each month through September. Admission is $12.

Musician Mark Herbert plays Goat and Compass’ Live After 5 series at 6:30 p.m. tonight. There is no cover charge to attend.

98.3 FM The Penguin and Huka Entertainment present award-winning bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters tonight at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. Photo courtesy Greenfield Lake Amphitheater.
98.3 FM The Penguin and Huka Entertainment present award-winning bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters tonight at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. Photo courtesy Greenfield Lake Amphitheater.

Flytrap Brewing presents a free live show from brothers Jesse and Carson Jewell of No Dollar $hoes at 8 p.m. tonight. Funky Fresh Food Truck will serve up gourmet local street food from 7 to 10. On Friday, Folkstone Stringband (formerly Possum Creek) plays at 8 p.m. and Pepe’s Taco Truck will be onsite from 7 to 10. Husband and wife Ozzie and Molly Darden perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, with Catch the Food Truck serving up food from 7 to 10.

Pleasure Island’s free summer concert series continues Friday with the acoustic and bluegrass stylings of South of K beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area.

Reggae artist Collie Buddz takes the stage at Ziggy’s By The Sea Friday, with opening act Signal Fire. Doors open at 9 p.m. and the show starts at 10. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the show. VIP Suite and Platinum Table reservations are available.

Local bluegrass band Stray Local celebrates its album release with a show Friday at Bourgie Nights. Wilmington-based blues musician Randy McQuay is the opening act. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 the day of the show.

Asheville hip hop collective Free the Optimus performs at 9 p.m. Friday at The Juggling Gypsy. Admission is free.

Bourgie Nights hosts an album release party Saturday for local musician Sean Thomas Gerard, with opening act Jack The Radio. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 the day of the show ($20 reserved seating). Admission includes a copy of Gerard’s album, “Great Unknown.”

The Boogie in the Park concert series continues Sunday the rapid-fire sound of Machine Gun Band at Ocean Front Park in Kure Beach. The outdoor concert runs from 5 to 7 p.m. and admission is free.

Hardcore band Down plays Ziggy’s By The Sea Sunday. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9. Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 the day of the show. VIP Suite and Platinum Table reservations are available.

Theater/Comedy

Big Dawg Productions presents “Miss Firecracker Contest” at 8 p.m. tonight through Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday at Cape Fear Playhouse. The play tells the story of former Miss Hot Tamale, Carnelle Scott, and her quest to salvage her tarnished reputation in the small Mississippi town of Brookhaven. Tickets are $16 tonight and $22 Friday-Sunday ($20 for military, seniors and students).

Comedy Central alum Greg Warren performs this weekend at Dead Crow Comedy Room. Photo courtesy Greg Warren.
Comedy Central alum Greg Warren performs this weekend at Dead Crow Comedy Room. Photo courtesy Greg Warren.

Greg Warren brings his stand-up to Dead Crow Comedy Room this weekend. Warren, a “Bob and Tom” regular, has also appeared on “Comedy Central Presents,” “Last Comic Standing” and “Late Night with Craig Ferguson.” He will perform at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Doors open at 6 p.m. each night, and dinner is available. Tickets are $13-$16.

Kathy Snow Productions’ “Disney’s High School Musical 2 Jr.” continues at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Scottish Rite Temple. Performances continue at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children three to 17.

“The Real Thing,” a dramatic and darkly honest look at the nature of love, continues this weekend at Red Barn Studio Theatre, 1122 S. Third St. By day, the cast is a stay-at-home mom, attorney, therapist and teacher and you can read about the performance by clicking here.

Film

Back by popular demand, Cinematique screens “The 100-Year-Old Man” for one night only at 7 p.m. tonight at Thalian Hall. Tickets are $8.

Hilary Snow is a reporter at Port City Daily. Reach her at (910) 772-6341 or hilary.s@portcitydaily.com

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