A long-established local non-profit is serving up some socially conscious cuisine this weekend.
The 14th annual Full Belly Feast this Saturday is a chance to sample some international dishes while helping to give rural communities across the world access to food and opportunities to thrive.
The annual fundraiser benefits the The Full Belly Project. Founded by Jock Brandis, the organization designs and distributes income-generating agricultural devices that help improve the lives of those who use them.
Since 2001, Brandis and his team of mostly volunteers have created a number of inventions for farmers, including nut and cacao shellers and a variety of portable water pumps.
The Full Belly Feast will include dishes inspired by the countries in which the nonprofit works, as well as live world music from Axiom and a wide array of both live and silent auction items from around the globe. Full Belly’s award-winning inventions will be on display.
The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Coastline Convention Center, 501 Nutt St. Tickets are $50 in advance and available on The Full Belly’s website or by calling (910) 452-0975.
There’s lots more happening around town this weekend to fill your eyes and ears, as well, as seen below in our weekly arts and entertainment roundup. These items – and so many more – can be found on The Scene, our free community events calendar.
Music
Morning Glory Coffee House holds an open mic night from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight (Thursday). Local musicians are invited to play on a fully equipped sound stage in Wilmington’s largest cafe setting. Admission is free.
Flytrap Brewing presents a free live show from singer/songwriter Ashton Stanley at 8 p.m. tonight. 2 Bros. Coastal Cuisine will be onsite from 7 to 10. Award-winning bluesman Randy McQuay performs at 8 p.m. Friday, with Pepe’s Taco Truck serving up Mexican street food from 7 to 11. On Saturday, Justin Fox Duo plays rock and blues beginning at 8, and T’Geaux Boys Food Truck will be on hand from 7 to 9.
Hammell on Trial returns to the Port City Saturday for an early show at The Juggling Gypsy, with special guest SloMo Dingo. The live music gets underway at 5 p.m., and admission is $5.
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.
UNC-Wilmington Theater Department’s production of “The Burial At Thebes” continues at 8 p.m. tonight through Saturday at the university’s Main Stage Theater. “The Burial At Thebes” is Irish Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney’s translation of Sophocles’ tragedy, “Antigone.” Tickets are $15 ($12 for UNCW employees and seniors and $6 for students).
Legendary stand-up and political satirist Barry Crimmins takes the mic this weekend at Dead Crow Comedy Room. Crimmins, who helped establish the Boston comedy scene, has appeared on a variety of shows, from NBC “Nightly News” to “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.” He was a staff writer for the syndicated “Dennis Miller Show” and has toured in performance with Billy Bragg, Jackson Browne, Michelle Shocked and Steven Wright, among others. He will perform at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $20-$25.
“Top o’the Mornin’ to Ya!,” a mock Irish talk show with Hoda and Kathie Lee-esque characters Faith and Begorrah, returns with an election edition at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at TheatreNOW dinner theater. Tickets are $32 ($18 show only).
Bombers Bev Co. hosts the Pink Ribbon Comedy Project on Friday. Co-sponsored by Dead Crow Comedy Room, the event features stand-ups Cordero Wilson, Drew Harrison, Mat Millner, Marian Anglin and Zach Boylston from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Local musician Rebekah Todd will perform at 9. Admission is free, but a portion of sales will be donated to The Pink Ribbon Project.
Super Saturday Fun Time Kids’ Variety Show continues this Saturday from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at TheatreNOW. The ongoing series features Captain Plunkett, Dock the Dog and the Dock Street Kids as they unravel mysteries tied to Wilmington’s history and local attractions in Scooby Doo-style. A new “episode” happens each week. Tickets are $6.
Film
Cinematique presents two screenings of “Carol,” an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel, “The Price of Salt,” at 4 and 7 p.m. today and Friday at Thalian Hall. The film stars Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett. Tickets are $8.
TheatreNOW hosts a three-course dinner and screening of the critically acclaimed feature film, “Althea,” at 5:30 p.m. tonight. The film tells the story of trailblazing black tennis champion, Althea Gibson. Lenny Simpson, who trained alongside Gibson when she lived in Wilmington, will give an introduction and lead a question-and-answer session after the screening. Tickets for the dinner and movie are $50 and a portion of proceeds benefit One Love Tennis.
Hilary Snow is a reporter at Port City Daily. Reach her at hilary.s@portcitydaily.com.
