Thursday, June 30
Stephen Marley’s Babylon Bus Tour
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, 1941 Amphitheater Dr. • Free
The son of reggae’s Godfather, Bob Marley, is finally stopping at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater after multiple delays due to Covid-19
READ MORE: Looking for ways to celebrate July 4th?
Stephen Marley first took to the mic at age 6, playing with The Melody Makers and releasing its first song, “Children Playing in The Streets,” in 1979. The track was produced on his father’s label Tuff Gong. From 1989 to 1998, Stephen scored three Grammys during his time with The Melody Makers. Over his career he has taken home eight.
The musician, along with his brother Ziggy, went on to found the independent label Ghetto Youths International to control all aspects of their music. He released solo albums and played instruments on his brother Damian’s records under the imprint.
Stephen blends reggae with hip-hop and R&B, and has worked with other artists like Wyclef Jean, Shaggy and Pitbull. He also founded Kaya Fest over the last five years to celebrate 4-20 and spread education on cannabis. The festival has expanded into Florida from California.
The show is at 7 p.m. and tickets start at $35.
MORE THURSDAY HAPPENINGS
Uptown Easy — The seven-piece “party machine,” as the band refers to itself, performs everything from R&B to pop country to disco, classic rock and more. They will entertain for free beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Wrightsville Beach Park as part of WECT’s Sounds of Summer. Picnic, coolers, lawn chairs and blankets are welcome for an evening of music — no alcohol allowed.
Free Community Dinner — The Northside Food Co-Op and community organization Lowercase Leaders are offering a free meal at 1019 Princess St. at 6 p.m. It’s open to the public and will feature Latin-inspired cuisine.
Friday, July 1
Wilmington Sharks Baseball
Legion Stadium, 2149 Carolina Beach Rd. • Tickets: $8 and up
What goes hand-and-hand with a Fourth of July holiday weekend more than baseball? Pairing it with military night, of course.
The Wilmington Sharks is honoring those who have served during its Friday night baseball game at Buck Hardee Field with free admission. Just flash a military ID.
The Sharks will take on the Holly Springs Salamanders at 7:05 p.m. It also hosts games throughout the rest of the weekend against the Wilson Tobs on Sunday and Coastal Carolina Rampage on Tuesday.
Tickets are $8 and up and gates open at 6:05 p.m.; concessions sold onsite.
MORE FRIDAY HAPPENINGS
Friday Night Live! — The free concert series at Marina Grill will feature the Zac Brown Tribute Band, 20 Ride. The shows are free and alcoholic beverages are for sale from the grill. The show begins at 7 p.m.; read more about the series here.
Boardwalk Blast — Carolina Beach will kick off its July 4 fireworks Friday evening around 9 p.m. Beforehand, a Rolling Stones tribute act, Beggars Banquet, will perform at the boardwalk stage. It’s free to attend; find out more about July 4 on Pleasure Island and other area beaches here.
CB Locals Market — An all-volunteer market sets up at Good Hops Brewing in Carolina Beach the first Friday of every month. Called “CB Locals Market,” it features one-of-a-kind items made by vendors from around the greater Cape Fear region — H&C by the Sea, Gianas Goods, Silver Lining Farms, Island Art and Design, and more. It takes place at Good Hops Brewing, Carolina Beach, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and is free to attend. All purchases go to vendors.
Saturday, July 2
Vegan Potluck
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, 1941 Amphitheater Dr. • Tickets: $49.50
Hosted by Wilmington Vegan, it’s the first potluck the group has had since Covid-19 interrupted gatherings and events. At 6 p.m., vegan community members are welcome to bring their favorite dishes to share with others, including a list of ingredients and a recipe if they choose.
All dishes must be fully vegan — no meat, fish, milk, butter, eggs, chicken stock, or honey, and so on. As well, attendees are asked to bring their own eating utensils and plates (reusables, no paper or plastic) to help make the event waste-free (also BYOB).
The event takes place at the kitchen and lounge community building at South Front Apartments. Parking is available near Satellite and surrounding areas, within walking distance to the community center.
MORE SATURDAY HAPPENINGS
Rainbow Kitten Surprise — The Boone, N.C., act has hit the big time and will land downtown at Live Oak Bank Pavilion Saturday. Consisting of Ela Melo (lead vocals), Darrick “Bozzy” Keller (guitar, vocals), Ethan Goodpaster (lead guitar, vocals), Charlie Holt (bass, vocals), and Jess Haney (drums), RKS was formed almost a decade ago. The indie rock band has released three studio albums, “Seven + Mary” (2013), “RKS” (2015) and “How to: Friend, Love, Freefall” (2018). Read PCD’s interview with the band here.
NC Symphony — Performing “Stars and Stripes” in honor of the holiday weekend, the N.C. Symphony show will include patriotic classics to honor America’s birthday. Tickets start at $20 and the 90-minute performance begins at 7:30 p.m. at Wilson Center on Third Street. Proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test is required upon entry.
Signal Fire — If you can’t get enough reggae in your life this weekend, local act Signal Fire is taking over the Palm Room stage Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Signal Fire blends reggae and rock, performing over 150 shows a year; they have shared stage time with SOJA, Stephen Marley, Morgan Heritage, UB40, and others. The show also features the high-energy electronic funk music from Medjool Datez and Virginia reggae act One Culture. A super jam seems to be imminent by the end of the night. Cover charge TBA.
Sunday, July 3
Live! NC Color: A Variety Show
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 511 N. Third St. • Tickets: $18-$25
A day of fun is planned as part of Live! NC Color, taking place at Dead Crow. At noon, a DJ will spin tunes outside in the beer garden until 3 p.m. and a vendors market will be set up featuring County Lines Clothing, North Cack, Imaginary Cakes, Speller Street Films, The Fox and Crow Creations, and others. The DJ and vendor market is free and open to the public.
At 3 p.m. the variety show will begin, featuring comedians Omar Zamorano and Brandi Roberts, magician Rachel Darling and singers Mandee Starchild and Showtime! At the Apollo winner Ian Daviz. The event will be emceed by MT Bottles.
Produced by LouisTee Media and MT Bottles Comedy, tickets to the show are $18 in advance and $25 at the door.
OTHER SUNDAY HAPPENINGS
Cool Off with the Clams — The local cover band will perform tracks from Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, The Band, Booker T. and the MGs and others in a free rock ‘n’ roll show at Bottega. The venue is located in the Brooklyn Arts District downtown at the corner of Brunswick and Fourth streets; show starts at 5 p.m.
Flag Retiring Ceremony — The N.C. July 4th Festival got underway in Southport on Thursday. Annually multiple events take place across the quaint town and in nearby Oak Island. Per tradition, a flag-retirement ceremony is held, to properly dispose of the worn cloth. It takes place this year at 3 p.m. at the festival’s waterfront main stage (146 E. Bay St.), as organized by the Richard H. Stewart Jr. American Legion Post and the Cape Fear Council of Boy Scouts Troop 238. The guest speaker will be retired veteran Aaron L. Largent, who served in Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Turkey.
Drag Brunch — Hi-Wire Brewing (1020 Princess St.) is hosting a drag brunch Sunday, noon to 3 p.m. Show features hostess and emcee Brenda the Drag Queen, along with performances by Emory Starr, Giselle Cassidy Carter and Marsha Mellows. Tickets are $15 (show only) and $25 (brunch from Point Break) and guarantees entry but not a seat; some ticket-holders may have standing-room only.
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