Larry Tobias will take over Thalian Hall Thursday in The Grand Tour, a George Jones tribute act, while Spoon and Houndmouth will perform at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater this weekend. Plus, arts and craft vendors will align Kure Beach’s 75-year celebration with a Saturday street fest and CAM is hosting an affordable art sale with over 35 local artists.
Thursday, Apr. 28
The Grand Tour
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $37
George Jones’ spirit is permeating Wilmington at every corner.
The TV series “George and Tammy” just wrapped in town a few weeks ago, starring Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain highlighting the love affair and careers of the 1970’s country icons George Jones and Tammy Wynette.
Thursday night, Ol’ Possum’s music will be front and center on Thalian Hall stage, as “The Grand Tour: A Celebration of the Music of George Jones” takes place for one night only. The show features former Wilmington actor Larry Tobias as Jones, backed by a four-piece band.
Tobias first stepped into the musician’s shoes in 2004 when he toured as part of “Stand By Your Man: The Tammy Wynette Story.” Ever since, Tobias has been performing hits like “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” “White Lightning,” and “The Race Is On.” The show also covers songs by some of Jones’ influencers, like Hank Williams.
Tickets are $37 and can be purchased here; the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
OTHER THURSDAY HAPPENINGS
Phantom Playboys — Leland will host a free Thursday night concert as part of its Live at the Park series, with ska-punk-rockers Phantom Playboys. The show is free at Founders Park and blankets, chairs, food and drink are welcome. T’Geaux Boys food truck will be on site.
CFCC Student Exhibit — A student exhibit is taking place in the Wilma Daniels Gallery on CFCC’s campus. The exhibition was juried by art and art history department chair Aaron Wilcox and features a variety of media. It will be on display through May 6 at 200 Hanover St.
Spoon — Alt-rock band Spoon is making its debut at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater at 6 p.m. The Austin band is in the midst of a 22-date tour in support of its10th album, “Lucifer On The Sofa.” Margaret Glaspy is opening for the band. See if last minute tickets are available here.
Friday, Apr. 29
Extension Master Gardener Plant Sale
New Hanover County Extension Service Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Dr. • Free
Plants galore will be for sale at the Arboretum this weekend as the Extension Master Gardener Association plant sale takes place through May 1. Shoppers will find locally grown herbs, vegetables, annual and perennial flowers, shrubs, and trees.
Master gardener volunteers will be on hand to offer advice and answer questions about long-term care for the plants.
Hours are Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. It’s free to browse. Proceeds from sales go toward additional training for volunteers.
OTHER FRIDAY HAPPENINGS
Motor City Josh and the Big 3 — Performing its brand of funky blues, Motor City Josh and the Big 3 is touring through the Rusty Nail on Friday night. The band plays originals and covers. Tickets are $15 at the door at 1310 S 5th Ave. #6260.
Carolina Cup — The 11th annual standup paddleboard event — taking place Apr. 28 to May 1 — will feature a 3.5-mile Harbor Island Recreational race, 6.5-mile Money Island Open Race, 13-mile Graveyard Elite Race, and The Graveyard Outrigger and Surfski races. Demonstrations happen Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., with a fire dance at 7:30 p.m. Saturday is race day, followed by awards and live music from The Midatlantic Band. Poe’s Tavern is throwing the afterparty. Sunday will feature the technical sprint and kid’s race. More info can be found here.
“Florals” — The Burgwin-Wright House is showcasing the art exhibit “Florals” by local artist Linda Flynn, featuring paintings inspired by the artist’s love of nature. The work on display includes watercolors and alcohol ink on yupo paper, ceramic tile and aluminum. The show closes May 21. Admission is free, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
“The Last Five Years” — Playwright Jason Robert Brown’s musical “The Last Five Years” traverses the murky territory of relationships: how two people meet, fall in love and break up. Starring Paul Teal and Jordan Davis as husband and wife Jamie Wellerstein and Cathy Hiatt, the love affair is sung through 14 songs and told from opposite perspectives. Cathy relives the relationship from its ending and Jamie works through the memories from the beginning until their stories meet in the middle. Tickets are $32 and the show is staged by Opera House Theater Company at Thalian Hall. Read PCD’s coverage here.
Saturday, Apr. 30
Kure Beach Street Festival
Ocean Front Park, 105 Atlantic Ave. • Free
As it celebrates its 75th birthday, Kure Beach will host a street festival at Ocean Front Park and its downtown area on Saturday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. There will be live music with Carl Newton’s Review plus children’s entertainment from Mr. Scooter (12:15 p.m. – 1 p.m.) and No Sleeves Magic (2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.).
Attendees can try to dunk a Kure Beach firefighter in a water tank, build Legos, and participate in activities provided by local businesses and nonprofit organizations. Food vendors will be on site, and there will be raffles under the pavilion.
The town has waived paid parking for the day.
OTHER SATURDAY HAPPENINGS
United Way’s Spring Family Jamboree — A family-fun event will open for free to the community at DREAMS of Wilmington (901 Fanning St.). There will be vendors, a food truck, games, activities and more to celebrate United Way’s 80 years of serving the community.
Groove Market at Riverlights — Over 20 artisans and makers will be set up in the Riverlights community near 109 Pier Master Pt., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Live music will be performed beneath the live oak canopy, and folks can stroll the grounds and take part in the annual parade of homes.
Backyard BBQ Cookoff — The Carolina Beach Island Men are hosting a BBQ fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation grounds. There will be up to 25 local and regional BBQ teams competing. Tasting tickets are $1 each and must be purchased in increments of five. Live music will play throughout the day.
Contra Dance — After taking a two-year Covid hiatus, dancers are ready to gather again at Poplar Grove Plantation. Contra dancing is back and takes place at 7 p.m. with music by Gaelstorm and caller Stephanie Marie. Admission is $12; beginner lessons begin at 7 p.m. No partner or experience is needed.
Humble Jumble Art Sale — Taking place at the Cameron Art Museum, the event will feature over 35 artists — including UNCW students — plus museum items, all affordably priced to take home and hang or put on display. Works vary from pottery (Renato Abbate) to watercolors (Lori Joy Peterson) to mixed media (Mark Hebert) to paper works (Fritzi Huber). Artists include Kirah Van Sickle, Cordelia Norris, Curtis Krueger, Mitzi Ito, Abbey Hunt, Lois De Witt, Greyson Davis, Todd Carignan, Becky Bucci, Betty Brown and others. More information can be found here. The event takes place at Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St. Suggested donation $5
Paws Place Spring Fling — Family fun day is taking place at Paws Place Dog Rescue, featuring games — relay races, ring toss, Jenga, cornhole — food, a cookie contest (bring a batch of two dozen for guests to vote for), face-painting, plus all the furry friends. The event takes place 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 242 George II Hwy, Winnabow.
Making Legends Local Gala and Lip Sync Battle — A fundraiser for the Carousel Center, Making Legends Local is a red-carpet event featuring the area’s premier lip sync competition. Also served will be heavy hor d’oeuvres and beer and wine. Costumes are encouraged that impersonate your favorite character from a movie soundtrack song to match the event’s 2022 theme: “Movie Soundtrack Magic: Lights, Camera, Lip Sync!” The battle between civic organizations, local businesses, and friends begins at 8 p.m. Votes are made via donations to Carousel Center. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. at CFCC Daniels Hall Union Station. Learn more here.
Sea-Tech Car Show — The Sea-Tech Car Show and Spring Fling takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 5301 Sidbury Rd. in Castle Hayne. In addition to cars, there will be more than 20 arts-and-craft vendors, food trucks, a silent auction, art activities and more. Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items for NourishNC. It’s free to attend.
Sunday, May 1
Quilt Stories: A Remembrance Play
DREAMS of Wilmington, 901 Fanning Dr. • Tickets: $8-$15
Trey Morehouse of Mouths of Babe Theater is premiering a new, original monologue play, “Quilt Stories.” A three-year project, the concept is based on interviewing people whose loved ones have passed on from AIDS. Each story represents one of the 50,000 panels that makes up the AIDS Quilt.
Weighing 54 tons, the quilt memorializes more than 100,000 people who died. The project delves into the quilt’s history and features survivors, quiltmakers, activists, and friends and family of loved ones. MoB interviewed quiltmakers and former and current members of the NAMES Project, which maintains the AIDS Quilt.
Tickets are $8-$15. The show runs Apr. 30-May 1.
OTHER SUNDAY HAPPENINGS
Houndmouth — Houndmouth will bring itsAmerican alternative blues sound to Greenfield Lake Amphitheater Sunday. The band’s 2015 album “Little Neon Limelight” featured the track “Sedona,” which landed on the U.S. folk, indie and rock charts. Tickets are $25.
The Wilmington Jewish Festival — The annual film festival will conclude Wednesday, May 4, having showcased works that represent Jewish culture and history across various genres — comedy, romance, documentary. Two free virtual screenings are slated for May 4 and 5, in celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day. All other films are screened at Thalian Hall, including Sunday’s “Automat,” which highlights testimonials from people like Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner about one of America’s most iconic automat restaurant chains, Horn & Hardart; tickets are available here.
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