SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Li’l Friday is a weekly roundup of events 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, Sept. 15
Wheel of Fortune Live!
Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St. • Tickets: $34 and up
Premier Productions is bringing a popular touring game show to Wilson Center and giving out prizes galore to players. Though Pat and Vanna won’t be on the local stage— they’re holding down the TV show on the Sony Studios lot — the host for the night will be actor and musician Mark Wahlberg.
Registration to play — for participants 18 and older — begins at 5 p.m. at the Wilson Center. Random guests from the audience are called to the stage to spin the wheel and solve the puzzles. Prizes include up to $10,000 cash and trips to Paris.
Tickets start at $34 and can be purchased here.
OTHER THURSDAY HAPPENINGS
Negroni Week — Cape Fear Beer and Spirits is celebrating Negroni Week, taking place worldwide through Sept. 18. It features the famed Campari drink in variations throughout the week with partial proceeds benefiting Slow Food, a movement of local communities that enjoy healthy food and beverages crafted and grown sustainably. The bar featured the Crematorium on Wednesday night: heavily smoked blanco tequila with Vermouth and Campari. CFWS has also donated to the NC Bar Owners Association, dedicated to the advocacy and equal treatment of the private bar industry in the State of North Carolina.
Friday, Sept. 16
Damon Wayans
UNCW Kenan Auditorium, 515 Wagoner Dr. • Tickets: $55-$70
Comedian and actor Damon Wayans is best known for his work in the early ‘90s on “In Living Color” — a sketch show that ran Wednesdays on Fox and won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series. At the time, many said it rivaled NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” (Wayans had a year-long stint on “SNL” in the ‘80s).
The show was produced by Damon and Keenan Ivory Wayans, and also included family members Kim and Marlon. It featured star power in each sketch — launching the careers of Jamie Foxx and Jim Carrey — as well as within its musical acts, down to its Fly Girls dance troupe, featuring Jennifer Lopez.
Wayans has since performed in two dozen films and TV shows. His standup features personal experiences and observations, voices and impersonations. Tickets to the show at UNCW are $55 to $70.
MORE FRIDAY HAPPENINGS
Lake Street Dive — The swingin’ funk and soul of Brooklyn-based Lake Street Dive will land on Riverfront Park’s stage after the show was postponed last spring. The band plays a blend of Motown and jazz, with pops of ‘60s soul and rock. It released seven albums to date, including in March 2021 with “Obviously.” From the release came the hit single “Hypotheticals,” which reached number two on the Adult Alternative Airplay charts. Read PCD’s interview with drummer Mike Calabrese here. Tickets start at $26.
Kyiv City Ballet — The dance troupe took the last flight out of Ukraine mere days before Russia invaded the country. Ever since, the members have embarked on a world tour, including the company’s U.S. debut, with ticket sales keeping the troupe safely on the road until war subsides. The Wilson Center show will feature “Swan Lake,” “Carmen,” and “Men of Kyiv” under the direction of Ivan Kozlov. Tickets are $48 and up.
“Girl Picture” — As part of Jengo’s Playhouse Friday-night screenings, “Girl Picture” will be featured Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. The film follows best friends Mimmi and Rönkkö, who desire adventurous lives, experiences and passion, while figure-skater Emma is disciplined and focused on her talents. When the girls meet, new paths open and over the course of three Fridays, their worlds change. Tickets are $10, and Jengo’s is located at 815 Princess St.
Saturday, Sept. 17
7th Annual Native Plant Festival
New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Dr. • Free
The Native Plant Alliance will host its seventh annual plant sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the arboretum. The festival aims to educate how seeding native plants can benefit local ecosystems. There will be hands-on activities from educational exhibitors, including Wilmington’s Heal our Waterways, NHC Soil and Water Conservation District, Native Plant Society-SE Chapter, Airlie Gardens, Alliance for Cape Fear Trees, Coastal Composting Council, NHC Beekeepers and more.
Speakers will present on a variety of topics, including “Nature at Home” from NHC consumer horticulture agent Matt Collogan (11 a.m.) and keynote speaker Madalyn Baldwin, assistant research professor at NC State, on coastal landscaping design at 1 p.m. There will be a noon presentation on transforming space into a wildlife oasis from UNCW’s Amy Long and the importance native plants have on birds, presented by NC Native Plant Society member Charley Winterbauer at 2 p.m.
There will be volunteers and horticulture professionals ready to answer garden-related questions. Plus, there will be a seed swap booth. Webo’s food truck will be parked on site.
More information can be found here.
MORE SATURDAY HAPPENINGS
American Craft Walk — Upward of 100 artists will line the streets of downtown Wilmington this weekend for the American Craft Walk. Front Street will be closed off as vendors sell their wares, featuring arts of all media — ceramics, jewelry, paintings, photography, wood and more. It’s free to attend.
Watermans Oktoberfest — Located at 1610 Pavilion Pl., Oktoberfest at Watermans gets underway from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be live music from the Harbour Towne Fest Band, authentic German food and beer specials, custom event steins for purchase and more. Costumes are encouraged. It’s free to attend; beer and food are priced separately.
Feast of the Pirates — Belville is going to the pirates Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be pirate reenactors and encampments, as well as vendors, food trucks, activities and games for all ages. It’s free to attend, but all activities, food and retail items are priced separately. The event takes place at Belville Riverwalk Park.
Fermental Super (Re)Opening — From Ogden to The Cargo District, Fermental has reopened at the corner of Castle and 17th streets and is having its official grand reopening starting at 1 p.m. The bottle shop and beer garden — now set inside a former 1950’s service station — sells local, regional, national and international beers, as well as an ever-evolving inventory of wines, sake, mead, cider, vermouth, port and more. Food trucks will be on site, including Rude Bwoys at 1 p.m. and Wilmiricans at 5 p.m. Roger Davis Jazz will perform at 4 p.m., followed by Axiom at 7 p.m.
Bobcat Goldthwait — Eighties comedian and actor Bobcat Goldthwait will be performing four shows this weekend, Friday and Saturday, at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Goldthwait got his start at 20 on the David Letterman show and has starred in upward of 50 films and TV shows, including “One Crazy Summer,” “Scrooged,” and the “Police Academy” franchise. He also opened his standup for alternative grunge outfit Nirvana on tour. Once well-known for his signature erratic voice — he dropped the exaggerated timbre over the last decade — his black comedy has become revered in his directorial work, including “Shakes the Clown,” “Call Me Lucky,” “American Bigfoot,” and “Joy Ride.” Tickets are $25 to $35.
The Big Paw Project Pop-Up — A fundraiser for Rosey’s Rescue — which offers temporary shelter and veterinary care to rescued animals in North and South Carolina — is taking place at Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St., noon to 3 p.m. Items welcomed include dry dog food (Purina ProPlan adult and puppy), wet canned food (dog and cat), as well as puppy pee pads, waste bags, hand sanitizer, paper towels, clumping cat litter, dog and cat toys, collapsible crates, collars, leashes, Frontline flea treatment, copy paper, Scotch tape, Clorox/Lysol wipes, laundry detergent, dog beds, gift cards and more. Vendors will be onsite offering partial proceeds to Roseys; raffle tickets available at the event. Grimmburger food truck will be on site and music will be played byBeats and Coffee and MindsOne present Rizzy & KON Sci.
Oktoberfest at Outer Dunes — From noon to 5 p.m., Outer Dunes will celebrate Oktoberfest at 7076 Market St. Dirndls and Lederhosen are encouraged. ODB steins are available while supplies last, as well as Oktoberfest beers including an ODB lager, perfect to use for the stein-holding contest. There will be live music by the Sausage Festival Band at1 p.m., and Randy McQuay later in the day. German food will be for sale, with proceeds benefiting the ALS Association of North Carolina from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Mommiez Food Truck will set up from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Must be over 21; bar closes early at 9 p.m.
Constitution Day ILM — Taking place at 2 S. Water St., 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., will be a day celebrating the American Constitution. Entertainment will be provided via songs and skits featuring traditional American music by Snow Productions and Acting Up Homeschool. There will be costumed living history reenactors from the Daughters of the American Revolution, as well as a “We the People Wall.” Trivia and a Star Spangled scavenger hunt will take place, plus complimentary pocket Constitutions will be handed out. The local chapter of the League of Women’s Voters will be onsite to answer questions about voting.
Carolina Beach Dragon Boat Regatta — The annual boat race in Carolina Beach starts at the Carolina Beach Yacht Basin at 9 a.m. as racers clear 300 meters to the finish line at Carolina Beach Marina. Team races take off every 10 minutes and division winners will be recognized at the main stage at 4 p.m. in team village, located in the parking lot behind Seawitch Cafe. Spectators can watch the races in green space along Canal Street and St. Joseph Street. The night before the race, a kickoff part takes place at Seawitch, with bands starting at 6 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 18
Festival Cape Fear Latinos
New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Dr. • Free
Continuing its tradition of celebrating Hispanic heritage in the area, the Friends of the Arboretum are hosting Festival Cape Fear Latinos from noon until 7 p.m. It’s free and open to the public, and will feature culturally rich music, food and engagement.
The event highlights traditions in various Latin American countries, including Puerto Rico, Columbia, Guatemala, Mexico and others. There will be dances highlighted from many of the regions, a children’s parade and the first Latino pageant in New Hanover County, with the crowning of the Cape Fear Latino Festival Queen. Vendors include local nonprofits and for-profit organizations and businesses.
Since parking at the NHC Arboretum (6206 Oleander Dr.) is limited, a free shuttle will run from Bradley Creek Elementary School (6211 Greenville Loop Rd.) between 12:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
More information can be found here.
MORE SUNDAY HAPPENINGS
Plant Palooza — Downtown ILM Market is hosting Plant Palooza at Waterline Brewing, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. There will be plant vendors, as well as demonstrations. Live music and food trucks will also be onsite. Free to attend.
Boogie in the Park at Kure Beach — There are three more free concerts held this season at Kure Beach’s Ocean Front Park (105 Atlantic Ave.), Rock’n Good Time will take over the stage from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The four-piece out of Pittsboro performs rock ‘n’ roll classics by bands such as The Allman Brothers, Santana, Pink Floyd, Bon Jovi and Ozzy Osbourne.
Walk With Pride — Every third Sunday the LGBTQ Center of the Cape Fear Coast hosts Walk With Pride, 9 a.m, at Halyburton Park (4099 S. 17th St.). It’s family-friendly and a good way to network and offer support to others while having fun. Event concludes at 10:15 a.m.
Email tips or concerns to info@localdailymedia.com.
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