Thursday, Feb. 24
“Quiet As It’s Kept”
Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St. • Tickets start at $25
Techmoja Dance and Theater Company will showcase its latest original piece, “Quiet As It’s Kept,” choreographed by founder Kevin Lee-Y Green.
Green has choreographed a work deeply personal. “Quiet As It’s Kept” delves into historical sexual trauma, culture within the South, and silence in Black communities. The idea is to give a voice to survivors of sexual abuse. Green interviewed numerous Black people across the South to interpret their emotions and secrets via movement, shape and form.
The show incorporates dance, puppetry, and music rooted in the region’s traditional folk arts. Green said he hopes the show gives people a moment to reflect on their own experiences or of those they know who have been affected, and furthermore how to engage with their communities in dealing with trauma.
Techmoja welcomes all artists, families, children and LGBTQIA communities to view and participate in studio residences, art showings, workshops, and other programs.
Tickets to the show start at $25 and are available here.
OTHER THURSDAY HAPPENINGS
Brunswick County Beer XChange — Brunswick County’s brewery in Leland will have its Thursday night trivia from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m., with 2Bros Coastal Cuisine food truck serving from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Local Motion Jam Sessions — Inside Aloft Hotel at WXYZ Bar, a jam session will be held, 8 p.m. – 11 p.m., in honor of Zach Bowes, a local musician who unexpectedly passed away this week. Bowes played rock ‘n’ roll with zest and vivacity as a solo artist and with the band Honeysickle. Participating musicians are encouraged to share stories, songs and kind words in Bowes’ honor.
Capitol Comedy — Capitol Comedy — a group that cultivates musical comedy, multimedia animation, and political satire — will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Thalian Hall. The group’s latest non-partisan humor focuses on the Biden administration, singing and joking about “diversity-driven decision-making politics” within the country. The six-person cast consists of actors, singers and dancers with Hollywood and off-Broadway backgrounds. Tickets are $45 and sold here.
Friday, Feb. 25
DREAMS Come True Benefit Concert
Brooklyn Arts Center Annex, 516 N. 4th St. • Tickets: $10-$21
DREAMS of Wilmington, an arts and education program for underserved youth, is hosting a fundraiser. A True Benefit Concert takes place at Brooklyn Arts Center’s Annex at 6 p.m., featuring three bands: Striking Copper, Stray Local, and Courtney Lynn and Quinn.
Courtney Lynn and Quinn features blended vocal harmonies with an Americana sound, while Stray Local centers on indie pop, played by Hannah and Jamie Rowen.
Striking Copper is a familial folk-rock group, showcasing the vocal prowess of twins Allie Donnelly and Jacquie Lee Cacciutto. Backing the ladies are Matthew Donnelly (vocals, rhythm guitar), Frank Cacciutto (drums) and lead guitarist Daniel Bennett. The group performs multiple genres, all steeped in rock and Americana harmonies with haunting vocal arrangements.
There will be a meet-and-greet from 6 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. and music will begin at 7 p.m. Benefit T-shirts will be available for purchase, and there will be a full bar, with a specialty drink sold with partial proceeds benefiting DREAMS.
Tickets are $10 for general admission and $20 for the meet-and-greet.
OTHER FRIDAY HAPPENINGS
“Footloose” — Opera House Theatre Company is getting “Footloose” after having to postpone itsfirst musical of 2022 in January, due to Covid-19 surges. A group of local actors will perform as rebellious teenagers fighting the town council for their right to dance — specifically, to throw a prom. The show contains numbers like “Footloose,” “Holding Out for a Hero” and “Almost Paradise,” performed by a live band and orchestra. Tickets are $40 and the show takes place at Thalian Hall Friday through Sunday. Showtime is 7 p.m. with matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
“20 Years” – A new art exhibition is coming to celebrate the greatest hits of the Cameron Art Museum over the last two decades. “20 Years” covers memorable exhibits hosted at the museum since 2002. Some of the works include Canadian kinetic sculptor Diane Landry, costumes by Alonzo V. Wilson for HBO’s “Treme,” and acclaimed American artists Donald Sultan and Faith Ringgold. Sculptor Bob Trotman will give a special artist talk at 1 p.m (register here). Admission is $8 to$10.
Black History Symposium – Brunswick County will host a conference party over Zoom to discuss Black History Month, equal rights, and diversity within the community. The event takes place Friday, Feb. 25, through Sunday, Feb. 27. There will be performances in theater, re-enactors of the Battery B 2nd Regiment U.S. Colored Light Artillery, as well as a gospel concert. All programs are free, though donations are greatly appreciated and will go to the Church Fellowship Food Pantry. To learn more, click here.
Wilmington TreeFest – After being postponed, TreeFest will officially get underway this Friday, Feb. 25, and Saturday, Feb. 26, at 11 a.m. at Wilmington’s Independence Mall at the JCPenney entranceway. Though participation is free, TreeFest encourages donations of $5 per family. More than 7,000 plants will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Species include the bald cypress, black walnut, red maple, and more, all bare root — meaning planting should take place as quickly as possible after attending the event. Each household is able to purchase up to five plants maximum. Environmental and tree experts will be at the event to assist customers and attendees with questions and/or concerns about caring for the plants, and understanding the soil and weather they thrive in.
Upscale ReSale and Design Challenge — Annually, a design challenge among local interior designers takes place as part of a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. The two-day event takes place Friday and Saturday at downtown Wilmington’s Hotel Ballast. Local design firms recycled, repurposed and donated items from the Habitat ReStore to create beautiful home settings. All items are available for sale. A preview party takes place Friday, Feb. 25, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. (tickets $45 – $55) with guests able to vote on their favorite vignettes (prizes awarded for first through third) and have a first opportunity to buy. Hors d’oeuvres, wine, and beer provided. General admission to the show is $5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Oyster Roast — St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is holding an oyster roast Friday, Feb. 25, at 6 p.m. Indoor and outdoor seating is available and the menu includes an oyster meal (bring your own shucker to open your oysters) for $15 and a hot dog meal for $5 (vegetarian option available). Sides include baked beans, coleslaw, corn muffins and dessert. Condiments available, and coffee, tea and water or BYOB. Music will be provided by St. Paul’s band. Reservations can be made here.
An Evening With Mary D. Williams — The New Hanover County Office of Diversity and Equity presents An Evening with Mary D. Williams — local gospel singer, historian and educator. The event takes place at 7 p.m. at CFCC’s Union Station, U-170. Williams will cover African American spirituals, specifically from the Civil War era, and include modern-day anthems of the civil rights movement. Tickets are $30 here.
Saturday, Feb. 26
Mardi Gras at Hi-Wire
Hi-Wire Brewing, 1020 Princess St. • Free
Mardi Gras celebrations will kick off at Wilmington’s Hi-Wire Brewing on Princess Street this Saturday, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
A new, Mardi Gras inspired imperial stout, King Cake 10W-40, will be launched. There also will be live performances from Louisiana musicians Maxwell Snyder Quintet — consisting of Jerald Shynett, Doug Irving, and Bruce Whitcomb. T’Geaux Boys food truck will be serving New Orleans-style food.
Come in Mardi Gras attire to possibly win the costume contest and a prize. Other contests, such as finding the “baby” (a small toy baby tucked inside a purchased 4-pack of brew from Hi-Wire) will give attendees the chance to win a brewery gift card for up to $100.
OTHER SATURDAY HAPPENINGS
Wilmington Wine and Beer Walk – Every year Cool Wilmington hosts a downtown wine and beer walk, featuring area businesses who offer two samples of either wine or beer per ticketholder. The 2022 participants include The George On The RiverWalk, Slice of Life, Sauce’d, Hell’s Kitchen, Local 910, Husk, Front Street Brewery, Dead Crow, Mellow Mushroom, and Hop Yard. Single tickets are $16 or two for $27, available here. The event takes place from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Check-in is at 15 S. Front St., where participants present their tickets or purchase one to receive the “official” Wilmington Wine & Beer Walk ID and map.
The Joy of Art Show and Sale — The B’nai Israel Synagogue is hosting a weekend art show and sale, featuring oil paintings in a “Sunrise Series ” by ?. The local work was inspired by the artists’ morning walks on the beach during the pandemic. The show and sale is open at 2601 Chestnut St., Saturday, Feb. 26, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m., and Feb. 27, noon – 5 p.m.
Tidewater Camellia Club and Sale — The local Tidewater club is hosting its annual camellia sale on Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the New Hanover County Arboretum (6206 Oleander Dr.). There will be garden tours from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., workshops from noon – 2 p.m., children’s art from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., and blooms display from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Fall sasanquas as well as early-, mid- and late-spring japonicas, will be for sale in 3-gallon buckets.
Novant Health Marathon — The marathon brings in over 3,000 runners annually and has a $4-million economic impact with many nonprofits, organizations, churches, and schools reaping financial benefits, upward of $600,000. The marathon, half-marathon and 5K takes place from Wrightsville Beach to downtown Wilmington, 7 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. It will impact traffic on many roads; read the closures here.
Sunday, Feb. 27
The Tempest
UNCW, 601 S. College Road • Tickets: $6-$15
UNCW’s Department of Theater is performing Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” a shipwrecked fantasy following the story of newfound love on an enchanted island full of majestic creatures, sorcery, fantasy and revenge.
The play follows Prospero, former Duke of Milarn, and his daughter, Miranda, who escaped to an island after Prospero’s brother Antonio enacted a coup. Prospero uses magic to conjure a storm and torment survivors of a shipwreck, including the King of Naples and Antonio. Prospero’s enslaved the only islander, Caliban, who now plots to rid himself of his master, but is thwarted by Prospero’s spirit-servant Ariel. All the while, Miranda is falling in love with the king’s son, Ferdinand, who was shipwrecked to another part of the island and is believed by the king to have drowned.
Shows are performed by UNCW theater students, Feb. 24 – 27 at 8 p.m. There’s a bonus 2 p.m. show on Sundays. Performances take place at the Cultural Arts Building or can be livestreamed; tickets are $6 – $15.
OTHER SUNDAY HAPPENINGS
Coastal Wedding Expo — From 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Sea Breeze (1124 S. Seabreeze Rd.), Gilliard and Company is presenting a wedding expo. The event will put the spotlight on talent available in the wedding industry. It’s a one-stop experience for couples planning their big days. The event is free.
Port City Taste — Had a chance to dine out at one of more than 20 eateries participating in the 14 days of restaurant weeks? Pick a menu tonight and enjoy. Multiple prix-fixes and specials are being offered across a variety of flavors and cuisines, as well as price points. See all menus here.
Have tips or comments? Email info@portcitydaily.com
