Li’l Friday’s weekly roundup of events will help plan a busy weekend of fun in art, music, theater, comedy, pop-up markets and more.
All events featured were scheduled as of Thursday; however, it’s wise to check in ahead of attending any one. Inclement weather, changes in schedules and unforeseen circumstances may shift for organizers at the last minute.
Thursday, Aug. 4
James Baldwin Birthday Celebration
Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St. • Donations appreciated
The Cameron Art Museum is celebrating Black writer and activist James Baldwin in honor of his Aug. 2 birthday. The poet, novelist and playwright framed the Black experience in America, challenging masculinity, sexuality, race, and class in the mid-20th century.
Cameron Art Museum is celebrating his work from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with spoken word, film, and discussions hosted by area artists and historians, including Lettie Gore, Mahlanyee Nicole, Sweet T, Journey Bones, Alicia Ogundele, and Coya Poetie.
OTHER THURSDAY HAPPENINGS
Eden Village: A Collective Exhibition — CFCC is holding an art fundraiser at its Wilma Daniels Gallery in the Hanover Parking Deck. Artists Ben Billingsley, Geoff Calabrese, Jennifer Mace and Sharon Wozniak-Spencer have work on display through Sept. 2. As part of the show, a silent auction is live, with work from the CFCC exhibition artists, as well as others, including Kathryn Ciarroca, Richard Conn, Daisey Faith, Ann Hair, Charles Harlan, Barbara Bear Jamison, Lisa Lightfoot, Jennifer Mace, Alicia Mercer, Ann Parks McCray, Donna Robertson, Elizabeth Sheets, Mark Weber and Stephen Wozniak. The auction is up through the duration of the exhibit, with a goal to raise $10,000; all proceeds go to Eden Village, a tiny home neighborhood that houses chronically homeless individuals, including patients of the local hospital.
Making a Move — Mayfaire’s newest gallery, Art in Bloom, features over 30 artists in “Making a Move.” Works by Debra Bucci, Bradley Carter, Karen Paden Crouch, Susan Francy, Richard Bunting, Roberto Vengoechea and others will be for sale, featuring fine art paintings, functional and decorative ceramics, jewelry, fiber art, blown glass, photography, mixed media art, limited-edition prints and more. The exhibit runs through Sept. 11.
Friday, Aug. 5
Summer Book Sale
New Hanover Northeast Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd. • Books priced $2-$3
The annual summer book sale is a fundraiser for the library and takes place over the next two weekends. Hundreds of thousands of items will be on sale, from adult and children’s books to audiobooks to DVDs.
Items are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Hardbacks and audio/video are $3 and paperbacks are $2.
Members of Friends of the Library are invited to a private preview sale Friday at 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Memberships are $20 a year, available at the door). The sale continues throughout the weekend on Aug. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Aug. 7, 1 p.m. to5 p.m., and Aug. 8, 3 p.m. to7 p.m.
It takes place next weekend as well, Aug. 12 and 13, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Aug. 14, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
OTHER FRIDAY HAPPENINGS
Company — The 50-year Stephen Sondheim classic opens at Kenan Auditorium on UNCW’s campus this weekend. Presented by Thalian Association Community Theater, the show follows the story of Robert on his 35th birthday. A bachelor, Robert begins to contemplate his bachelorhood while his friends, all married, weigh the pros and cons of married life. The show opens Friday and runs through Sunday, every weekend through Aug. 14. Tickets are $22 to$32.
“Drought” — The locally made film, from Hannah Black and Megan Petersen, will screen at Jengo’s Playhouse (815 Princess St.) at 7:30 p.m. Set in the early ‘90s, an historic drought is hitting the Tar Heel State, compelling autistic teen Carl — obsessed with weather —to hit the road with his sister, Sam, by stealing their mother’s ice-cream truck.
Saturday, Aug. 6
Nate Bargatze
Live Oak Bank Pavilion, 10 Cowan St. • Tickets: $20 and up
The 43-year-old comedian will perform at downtown’s 7,000-seat amphitheater on the Riverfront at 7:30 p.m. Bargatze got his start two decades ago performing standup in New York City at The Boston and has gone on to create multiple albums, TV specials and appeared on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
He has released two standup albums, “Yelled at By a Clown” and “Full Time Magic.” He was featured on Netflix in “The Standups,” and in his own hour-long specials, “The Tennessee Kid” and “The Greatest Average American.” The latter was nominated for the 2022 Grammy for Best Comedy Album.
Bargatze also does a podcast, “Nateland,” welcoming colleagues and friends to talk about the odd and mundane of everyday life. His dry humor centers on minutia of human interactions that everyone can relate to — from silly arguments endured in marriage, such as over the saying “one fell swoop,” to growing up with a father who was a clown, to the plot line of “Sixth Sense.”
OTHER SATURDAY HAPPENINGS
Pop Culture Expo — At Elks Lodge (5102 Oleander Dr.), from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the event features comic books, Pokemon, toys, graphic novels, Funko, video games and other collectors. Admission is $3 and kids 12 and under are admitted free.
Dance for Good! — Wilmington Latin Dance is hosting a fundraising social for NourishNC, which helps combat childhood hunger in the area. The event will include an introductory Latin dance lesson at 9 p.m. and social dancing takes place until 1 a.m. Donations will go to NourishNC’s Market on Market. Tickets are $10.
Whomparama — A bodysurf contest will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Carolina Beach’sHamlet Beach access. All age divisions welcome, from Super Grom to the Old As Dirt heat. An afterparty and award ceremony will take place at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk pavilion at 6 p.m. There will be live music from Pleasure Island, Seeking Madras and Kickingbird. Event is free for spectators.
Latimer House Gaslight Tour — The historic 19th century home is offering night tours as presented by the Lower Cape Fear Historic Society. The tour features the history of technology, covering how the gaslight functioned, and what it meant to people who lived and worked under its glow. Tickets are $20 apiece by contacting 910-762-0492.
Bow Wow Luau and Cat’s Meow — An annual fundraising event for Heidi’s Hope for Homeless Animals will take place at Shell Island Resort, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be music in both ballrooms by reggae act Paleo Sun and the Caribbean steel drum of Sea Pans, plus a Polynesian bamboo dance by Aloha Spirit. Island-style hors d’oeuvres will be served and there is a silent auction, as emceed by New Hanover County Sheriff Ed McMahon. Tickets are $40 and all to save the lives of homeless dogs and cats in our community.
Sunday, Aug. 7
Vivace: The Master Trio of Our Time
Wilson Center, 703 S. Third St. • Tickets: $25 and up
The Vivace Music Festival is taking place Aug. 3 through Aug.14 at various venues across town. On Sunday, “The Master Trio of Our Time” features principal cellist of the North Carolina Symphony, Bonnie Thron, Naumburg violin award winner Axel Strauss, and virtuoso Dmitri Vorobiev. They will perform Mendelssohn’s C minor piano trio, once referred to by Robert Schumann as “the master-trio of our time.”
The program includes: Dmitri Shostakovich’s (arranged by Atovmyan) “Five Pieces for Two Violins and Piano” by Axel Strauss, Jennifer Frautschi onviolin and Dmitri Vorobiev onpiano. Following is Richard Strauss’ Violin Sonata in E flat major, Op. 18, by Jason Moon on violin and Dmitri Vorobiev on piano.
There is one intermission, followed by Felix Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No.2 in C minor, Op. 66, played by Axel Strauss on violin, Bonnie Thron on cello and Dmitri Vorobiev on piano.
The show takes place downtown at The Wilson Center. Tickets are $25 and up.
OTHER SUNDAY HAPPENINGS
Summer Vintage Sip and Shop — At Flytrap Brewing (319 Walnut St.) from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., a vendor market will take place featuring live music and food trucks. The event is hosted by Amanda Vinopal of Sun and Shine Vintage, who is bringing threads that showcase ‘50s, ‘60s, Surfrock and Beach Boys vibes. Six vendors will be set up in addition to Sun and Shine Vintage, including Lilac Lawson, Bourbon Blossom Vintage, Thrift Hive Threads, Crybaby Vintage and Gravity Records. Food will be served by Mr. Mac Salad’s O.G BBQ and Kohl’s Custard Cart.
Mimosa Fest — A variety of mimosas and brunch items will be served at Reggie’s 42nd Street on Sunday. Mimosa Fest is $15 in advance for general admission, which includes $5 gift card to use toward food and drink, and $35 in advance for VIP, which includes early entry at 11 a.m. and includes two $5 gift cards to use toward food and drink as well as a Mimosa Fest tee. Day-of tickets cost $5 more. It’s a 21 and older event, also featuring live music.
Five for Fighting — American singer-songwriter and pianist John Ondrasik will be set up at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater Sunday. Known for his soft-rock ballads — “Superman (It’s Not Easy),” “100 Years” and “The Riddle” — the 57-year-old artist has released six studio albums and was nominated for a Grammy for “Superman.” Opening will be The Verve Pipe. Tickets start at $20.
three10 Oyster Roast and Shrimp Boil — National Oyster Day is Aug. 5. In celebration, the restaurant in the Brooklyn Arts District is hosting an oyster roast and shrimp boil. Oysters will be available by the half-dozen and dozen, served with house cocktail and mignonette. Presales are available for a discount $10 to$18, but purchases are available the day of. The shrimp boil will include potato, corn and sausage, sold in two-person portion sizes ($25 to $30). More info here.
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