Thursday July 7
Drum Circle
Between Beach Access 17 and Hamlet Avenue, Carolina Beach • Free
A drum circle gathers in Carolina Beach at 5:30 p.m., weather permitting. Normally the group meets at lifeguard tower 17; however, due to fireworks that are launched in the area on Thursday nights at 9 p.m. on the island, the group has relocated between beach access 17 and Hamlet Avenue.
All players of all levels are welcome to bring a drum or other handheld percussive device, plus a mat or chair to sit on. Some players bring extra instruments to share for those who don’t own one.
All updates on meetings are posted here.
MORE THURSDAY HAPPENINGS
Jack Jack 180 — The four-piece Wilmington party band plays through Top 40 hits, rock classics,hip-hop and the oldies 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 entertainment — no alcohol allowed.
Hammered Trivia — Hi-Wire Brewing (1020 Princess St.) is hosting free trivia at 7 p.m. Prizes are awarded to winning teams, who are tested on a host of topics, from current events to music, science to history.
Friday, July 8
Dogfight
Hannah Block USO/Community Arts Center, 120 S. 2nd St. • Tickets: $25
Thalian Association Community Theater is hosting the musical premiere of “Dogfight” from July 8 through 17. The team Pasek and Paul — behind “Dear Evan Hanson” and “James and the Giant Peach” — penned the production, which takes place in the fall of 1963. Three young marines take to the town on the eve of their deployment to Vietnam. They make a bet to pick the least attractive girl to take out for an evening — one soldier chooses a waitress and ends up connecting with his date.
Artistic director Chandler Davis told Port City Daily a few months ago, the show explores trauma and mental health. Thalian had plans to unveil the production before Covid, but Davis said it feels very relevant to the here and now.
The production — which contains adult language and material — will be hosted in the Hannah Block Community Arts Center and USO building, which the Thalian Association manages for the City of Wilmington.
“Though we’re a retired USO, we try to do things that relate to the armed services and thought this was a good tie-in,” Davis added.
The show is directed by Cathy Street, with music direction by Randy Craft. It stars Wilmington veterans Logan Mack and Sydney Smith Martin. Shows run Friday through Sunday this weekend and Thursday through Sunday next weekend at 7:30 p.m. except on Sundays, which start at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25.
MORE FRIDAY HAPPENINGS
Friday Night Live! — The free concert series at Marina Grill will feature the Breakfast Club — the ‘80s cover band that brings all of the era’s favorites to life. The shows are free and alcoholic beverages are for sale from the grill. The four-piece takes the stage at 7 p.m.; read more about the series here.
The Old North State — Another free concert series kicks off this weekend on Pleasure Island at the Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area (118 Riverfront Rd.), overlooking the waterway. The Old North State is heavy on honky tonk and country music, from classic outlaw tunes a la Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash to ‘90s country. Show takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 9
Art in the Garden
Airlie Gardens, 300 Airlie Rd. • Tickets: $3-$9
Annually, Airlie Gardens hosts an art exhibit throughout its historic grounds, featuring hand-painted fiberglass sculptures. This year marks the 10th anniversary and showcases nine artists hand-painting and decorating 4-and-a-half-foot rabbits.
Brenda Bickta, Nikki-Cherry Crofoot, Gabriel Eng-Goetz, Evelyn Fisher, Jessica Gates, Brooks Koff, Kristin McLoughlin, Karen Snave, Sara Toothman and Rupam Varma have been chosen to showcase their designs as part of “Hoppy Times.” From McLoughlins’ “A Woodland Fairy Tale” to Koff’s mosaic bunny, the rabbits are on display at Airlie through Dec. 31, 2022.
Admission is $3 to $9 and Airlie is open daily at 9 a.m. The last admittance is at 4:30 p.m.
MORE SATURDAY HAPPENINGS
The Groove Market — Watermans Brewing (1610 Pavilion Pl.) will host a pop-up market and brunch outdoors in its beer garden. Around 3 p.m., vendors, including local makers and artists, will be selling handmade goods — candles, jewelry, beauty products and more. The market takes place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and there will be live music.
Community Schoolwide Supplies Drive — From 10 a.m. to noon at Woodburn Presbyterian Church (509 Village Rd. Northeast) in Leland, a school supplies drive is taking place. Spiral notebooks, pre-sharpened pencils, folders, scissors, reusable water bottles, glue sticks, Clorox wipes, Kleenex, pocket binders and book bags will be accepted. The supplies will be given to teachers at Lincoln and Belleville Elementary schools.
Curated on Castle — Castle Street’s outdoor vintage market takes place the second Saturday every March through November, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This weekend it will be set up in the lot at 6th and Castle streets, across from Michael Moore Antiques and adjacent to Luna Caffe. Vendors include Second Skin Vintage, Gravity Records, and Jess James + Co., as well as up to 20 local independent vintage collectors selling clothing, records, home decor and more. Free to attend.
Sea Turtle Wreath Workshop — The Nir Family YMCA is hosting a craft-making workshop from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Families will take home their own handmade sea turtle wreaths. Registration is required and cost is $55.
Sunday, July 10
Bald Head Island Bird Tour
Bald Head Island Conservancy, 700 Federal Rd. • Tickets: $22.50-$35
The remote village in Brunswick County is home to a diversity of birds. In fact, the Audubon has dubbed the island an “Important Bird Area.”
Birdwatchers will learn all about it on a guided tour, covering the various birds and island ecosystems they inhabit. Binoculars and birding field guides are provided.
The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and registration is required. The island is accessible via ferry, whichruns every hour, midnight to 11 p.m.
OTHER SUNDAY HAPPENINGS
Drag the River Drag Brunch — Taking place at Warehouse on the Water (15 S. Water St.), noon to 4 p.m., the Drag Me to the River Brunch features performances by Tara Nicole Brooks, Mercy Madison, Dana St. James, and Breonna Tenae. A food truck will be on site churning out brunch. Tickets are $10 for the show or $25 to include an unlimited mimosa bar. Music will be played by DJ Ashley.
Stone Soup Zine Fest — Taking place at Hi-Wire Brewing (1020 Princess St.), Milk and Honey presents its annual zine fest. It will celebrate all DIY printed matter created by underground artists and writers; comic books, self-published works, ‘zines, chapbooks, posters, and more will be for sale.
Have comments or tips? Email info@portcitydaily.com.
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