Thursday, March 28, 2024

Li’l Friday Roundup: ABBA dance party, Art and the Bloom, CAM’s floating lantern ceremony

One of many watercolors by Lena Altholz will be for sale and on display at Flytrap Brewing, with an opening reception Thursday evening, also featuring live music by Perry Smith and pizza from WilmyWoodie food truck. (Courtesy photo)

Ed. Note: All events are subject to change due to the current Covid-19 surge. 

Thursday, Jan. 6

A Walk Through Watercolor”
Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St. • Free

Local artist Lena Altholz (BristlesandDesign) will showcase new works at the first art exhibit of 2022 at Flytrap Brewing. “A Walk Through Watercolor” is a collection inspired by femininity and the artist’s travels, specifically through the desert and Great Plains.

Altholz has been painting and drawing since childhood, and watercolor is one of her favorite mediums. The exhibit will remain on display through Mar. 6.

The opening will feature live music by Perry Smith on guitar and WilmyWoodie pizza will park its food truck from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

ALSO TAKING PLACE THURSDAY 
Epiphany — St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (16 N. 16th St.) will host a Choral Evensong at 5:30 p.m. with the St. Paul’s Choir in celebration of Epiphany, a Christian feast day celebrating Jesus Christ’s first manifestation to the Gentiles.

European Cheese Tasting — Artisano Pizza and Gelato hosts European cheese tastings from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. every Thursday. David Scott, resident cheese buyer and charcuterie chef, will choose four artisan cheeses, each served with house-baked bread.

The Art and the Bloom features floral designs that mimic or are inspired by fine art, on display in the Blockade Runner all weekend, Jan. 7-9, along with demonstrations, a tea and fashion show. Tickets are $15. (Courtesy photo)

Friday, Jan. 7

Art and the Bloom
Blockade Runner Beach Resort, 275 Waynick Blvd. • Tickets: $15

For five years, leading designers from across the Carolinas set up spectacular floral creations inspired by fine art throughout the Blockade Runner Beach Resort for a three-day exhibition. Known as the Art and the Bloom, the competition takes place Jan. 7-9. It is judged by National Garden Club judge Judy Binns and event planner and instructor Bill Hamilton; the winner receives a ribbon and cash.

Flower creations are inspired by a private art collection and works culled by juried artists across the state (designers received their inspiration from a blind draw of art a few weeks ahead of the event). Plus, there will be demonstrations and workshops in floral design, collage and culinary art. There also will be afternoon teas and jewelry fashion shows, with art gallery sales conducted by the Wilmington Art Association and other national vendors.

Hosted by the New Hanover Garden Club, Harbor Island Garden Club and Blockade Runner, tickets are $15 and proceeds benefit gardening projects and scholarships for area nonprofits.

ALSO TAKING PLACE FRIDAY 
MLK Movie Night — At 5:30 p.m., “Raya and the Last Dragon” will screen as part of the Martin Luther King Center’s (401 S. 8th St.) movie night for ages 5-14. Parents can drop off kids to the free event but must pre-register here. There will be activities and refreshments as well; space is limited.

Sweden’s most popular pop group, ABBA, will be celebrated at Reggie’s with a dance party from Gimme Gimme Disco on Saturday night, 9 p.m. Tickets are $17. (Courtesy photo)

Saturday, Jan. 8

Gimme Gimme Disco
Reggie’s 42nd St., 1415 S 42nd St. • Tickets: $17

No need to wait for ABBA’s holographic return to the road this spring — yes, that’s a real thing — to sport your “Dancing Queen” moves. Gimme Gimme Disco, a DJ-based disco dance party, travels across the country, playing the best of the Swedish quartet’s ‘70s hits. “Fernando,” “Mamma Mia,” and even newly released music that was first recorded in 1978 — ”Just a Notion” and “I Still Have Faith in You” — will be turned out, along with other hits from the era by Donna Summer, Bee Gees and Cher.

The party gets underway at Reggie’s, normally Wilmington’s punk-rock refuge. On Friday, spikes and leather will be traded for gold and glitter as attendees are encouraged to dress in their best disco attire. Tickets are $17 with a $5 service fee and the party gets started at 9 p.m.

ALSO TAKING PLACE SATURDAY
Ron White — From the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, Ron White, also known as “Tater Salad,” is stopping at downtown’s Wilson Center this Saturday. White’s standup focuses on real life, from reminiscing about his childhood in a small Texas town to becoming a national comedian. Tickets are on sale now and run $47 and up.

Running of the Clubs — Runners are welcome to meet at Waterman’s Brewing (1610 Pavilion Pl.) on Sunday, 8 a.m., for a run and social. A picture of all clubs and runners will be snapped at 8 a.m. ahead of the run, then everyone meets back at Waterman’s to eat pancakes and hang out. Free to attend, bring money for brunch. 

The Floating Lantern ceremony at Cameron Art Museum will take place Sunday to close out “Illumination,” the annual exhibit that takes place at Cameron Art Museum. (Courtesy photo)

Sunday, Jan. 9

Floating Lantern Ceremony
Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St. • Lantern sleeves: $12-$15

Sunday is Cameron Art Museum’s last day of its homemade lantern exhibit, “Illumination.” Closing it out will be the annual Floating Lantern Ceremony.

The event welcomes the community to create their own lantern sleeves, which then are illuminated and floated in the art museum’s pond. The lanterns represent myriad sentiments from participants, whether to honor and memorialize someone, put forth new wishes for the new year, or create treasured moments with friends and family. The theme is “Remembrance, Reflection and Gratitude,” and sleeves are $12 in advance or $15 the day of the event. 

There is no charge to view the ceremony, which takes place from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Museum admission costs $8-$10, which includes entry into all of the current exhibits on display at CAM, including “Illumination.”

ALSO TAKING PLACE SUNDAY
Scott Alan and Shoshana Bean — Broadway star Shoshana Bean — who has performed alongside Ariana Grande, Postmodern Jukebox, Brian McKnight, and Michael Jackson — will join songwriter Scott Alan at Kenan Auditorium (515 Wagoner Dr.) Sunday to perform music from Alan’s new album, “Nothing More.” As part of UNCW’s Presents, the show also features the performers sharing stories of their 20-year friendship. Tickets are $30-$50 and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m.


Have an event you want considered for Li’l Friday? Email info@portcitydaily.com

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Shea Carver
Shea Carver
Shea Carver is the editor in chief at Port City Daily. A UNCW alumna, Shea worked in the print media business in Wilmington for 22 years before joining the PCD team in October 2020. She specializes in arts coverage — music, film, literature, theatre — the dining scene, and can often be tapped on where to go, what to do and who to see in Wilmington. When she isn’t hanging with her pup, Shadow Wolf, tending the garden or spinning vinyl, she’s attending concerts and live theater.

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