Get a closer look at a historic struggle for civil rights during a free film screening this weekend.
As part of the continuing series, “Created Equal,” Cape Fear Museum and New Hanover County Library will show the documentary, “Freedom Riders,” at 2 p.m. Saturday at the downtown library branch, 201 Chestnut St. A discussion will follow.
The series began on Jan. 9 with a screening and discussion of “Slavery By Another Name” and will wrap up on Jan. 30 with “The Loving Story,” about an interracial couple.
This Saturday’s film captures the diverse group of volunteers–black and white, young and old, male and female, secular and religious, northern and southern–who participated in the Freedom Rides throughout the Jim Crow south in 1961.
It tells the terrifying, suspenseful and often moving story of a time when white and black riders risked being jailed, or worse, attacked by opponents, as local and state authorities stood by and allowed the violence.
“Freedom Riders” includes previously unseen amateur 8mm footage of the burning bus on which some Freedom Riders were temporarily trapped, taken by a local 12-year-old and held as evidence since 1961 by the FBI.
After some hearty talk about a heavy subject, turn your attention to laughter and live music. You’ll find plenty to choose from in our weekly arts and entertainment roundup.
Most of the items listed below can be found on our always-free community calendar, The Scene, where you are welcome to post your community events.
Music
Flytrap Brewing hosts free live music from Jesse and Carson Jewell of No Dollar $hoes, accompanied by Richard Welsh, at 8 p.m. tonight (Thursday), with 2 Bros. Coastal Cuisine onsite from 7 to 10. On Friday, Steve Sequin of Chasing Opal and Charlotte-based Lisa DiNovo perform at 8. Pepe’s Taco Truck will serve Mexican food from 7 to 10. Local bluegrass band Masonboro Sound plays at 8 p.m. Saturday and Catch the Food Truck will offer up gourmet street food from 7 to 9.
No Dollar $hoes plays a free show in Brooklyn Arts District’s The Goat and Compass at 10 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, The Goat and Compass hosts Rebekah Todd and Friends at 9 p.m. Admission is free.
Theater/Comedy
Budding stand-ups can test their chops during Dead Crow Comedy Room’s weekly open mic night each Thursday. Sign-ups begin at 7 p.m., with comics taking the stage at 8. There is no cover charge.
Fake Brothers Productions presents the sketch and improv show, “Beasts, with Two Backs,” at 7:30 p.m. tonight at City Stage. The performance includes with a live performance from Will Small and the Regenades, featuring William Small, Justin Lacy, and Phil Covington. Admission is $5.
Up all Night presents “The Holiday Wrighters,” an original play by UNCW graduate Z.F. Mims, at 8 p.m. tonight through Saturday at Old Books on Front Street. A matinee performance is set for 2 p.m. on Sunday. The play, starring Nick Reed and Arianna Tysinger, follows two struggling playwrights as they try to collaborate for the first time. Tickets are $6.
TheatreNOW dinner theater presents “The Lambda” Friday and Saturday. The play, written by former local resident Steve Cooper, with music from former Wilmingtonian Brad Moranz, takes place at a gay bar in on the Carolina Beach boardwalk in the 1970s. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7. Tickets are $34 for dinner and a show ($20 for show only).
JC Coccoli brings her stand-up to Dead Crow Comedy Room this weekend. Coccoli, a writer for Zooey Deschanel’s online project, “HelloGiggles,” is a regular at the Laugh Factory and Improv. She will perform at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $16-$20.
Art
Spectrum Gallery hosts an opening reception for its January showcase of artists from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight. The gallery has expanded its roster of painters, glass blowers, potters and jewelers, with an emphasis on North Carolina artists. Admission is free.
Artist Casey Scharling unveils her exhibit at UNC-Wilmington’s Boseman Gallery at 7 p.m. tonight. Scharling, an artist and adjunct instructor at UNCW, explores the struggle and beauty in daily life through personal subjects, experiences and feelings. The exhibit is free and open to the public.
Hilary Snow is a reporter at Port City Daily. Reach her at hilary.s@portcitydaily.com.
