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, Jan. 5
Comedy Night
Bull City Ciderworks, 615 S 17th St. • Free
The cidery in the Cargo District is hosting comedy night for free Thursday at 8 p.m. Hosted by Khari Reid, four comedians will take the stage, including Kenyon Adamcik, Nick Racioppi, Ryan McKee and Tim King.
Content may be inappropriate for children under 18. The event has drawn in standing-room-only crowds, so best to arrive early to grab a seat.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
‘Kinky Boots’ — A story of acceptance is told through glitz and glam in “Kinky Boots,” the Tony Award-winning musical with a Grammy-winning score, written by Cyndi Lauper. Opera House Theater Company is putting it on for two more weekends at Thalian Hall. The production tells the story of Charlie Price, a young man who inherits an almost-bankrupt shoe factory after his father’s sudden passing. He becomes transfixed with saving the company to honor his dad’s legacy, but to do so he must take a different approach to its business plan. Rather than focus on drab, well-made and expensive men’s shoes, he fills a niche market after an unlikely friendship blossoms with a drag queen, Lola. The factory becomes a success at making flashy shoes for drag queens — specifically, boots that can hold a male’s weight. Read more about it here from PCD’s previous coverage.
Friday, Jan. 6
Guy Branum
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 511 N. Third St. • Tickets: $22-$32
His writing credits are vast — “The Mindy Project,” “Billy on the Street,” “A League of Their Own” (Amazon’s version), “Hacks” — and acting acclaim as far-reaching, most recently hailed in the 2022 fall film release of “Bros.” But this weekend Guy Branum — once known as the resident gay on “Chelsea Lately” — will be bringing his brand of funny to the Dead Crow Comedy Room stage for two nights.
Branum’s standup covers a spectrum of topics, including the advantages of being gay in modern day society: “We get to be friends with Black women for no reason. No one understands it, it’s just two strong flavors that work well together like sea salt and dark chocolates.”
He also covers questionable anomalies surrounding technology — like putting a wet iPhone in rice to dry it out. “How racist is it that we even make Asian food do tech support work?”
In 2018, the comedian published his first book “My Life As A Goddess: A Memoir through (Un)Popular Culture.” The collection of humorous essays covers his life in a small farm town, obsessed with Greek mythology, to law school to finding artistic freedom through writing and comedy. Branum is currently working on a reboot of the rom-com “How To Lose a Guy In 10 Days” for Paramount Studios.
He will perform two shows on Friday and Saturday nights in downtown Wilmington at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Kicking Bird, Cancel, Sean and Her Dilemma — Reggie’s 42nd St. is hosting a three-band bill, featuring a bevy of local acts. Sean and Her Dilemma take on country-rock, complete with twang, while Kicking Bird brings a plush sound of rock hooks, often infused with pop-punk rhythms. Local band Cancel performs, according to its Instagram, “burger/suck rock fusion.” Cover is $8.
First Friday Jazz Night — Former Raleigh act Jim Ferris Trio transplanted to Wilmington in 2018, bringing its stylings of standard and contemporary jazz, funk and fusion sounds on sax, flute, keyboards, piano, vocals and drums. The group is performing at Bourgie Nights (127 Princess St.) at 7 p.m. and tickets are $10, with limited seating and tables available.
RuPaul’s Drag Race Viewing Party and Trivia — Wilmington Distillery, located downtown at 12 Dock St., is hosting the 15th season premiere of the popular drag race reality show from RuPaul. In addition, there will be trivia with special guest Xa’mona Tenae. Hosted by Envyy and Ebony Valentino, there also will be special guests and performances in between the show’s breaks. Wilmington Distillery features locally crafted spirits, including IZZYz rum and Von Vodka, as well as moonshine. Admission is $5.
Saturday, Jan. 7
Frog Watch USA
Riverside Park, 6710 Old Bridge Site Rd., Castle Hayne • Free
A free volunteer training workshop gauged to protect aquatic habitats and amphibians is taking place two days this weekend, in partnership with the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher and Airlie Gardens.
The first takes place on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the second on Sunday, Jan. 8, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. No previous scientific background or knowledge of amphibians is required.
Volunteers learn how to conduct listening sessions four times a year in order to distinguish regional frog and toad species. For instance, upon close listen, it may sound like sleigh bells are ringing, but really it’s Spring Peeper tree frogs communicating.
Participants will join a community of citizen scientists nationwide that record data and monitor amphibious behaviors to help scientists study various populations, habitat ranges, and environmental impacts.
Workshops also will be held Jan. 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Jan. 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in partnership with Halyburton Park at 4099 S. 17th St.
Registration is required here.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Running of the Clubs — New year, new running shoes. Put them to use from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. with Running of the Clubs. All runners and walkers are invited, without set pace or distance needed. Meet at Watermans Brewing at 1610 Pavilion Place.
Castle Hayne Disc Golf Workday — All disc golfers are welcome out to the course in Castle Hayne to volunteer installing new equipment. The workday begins at 9:30 a.m. — meet near the practice basket. The goal is to get all of the new collars in the ground. There will be free pizza and beer for lunch. Volunteers are welcome to show up at any time to help and bring tools if possible — shovels, post hole diggers, levels, and gloves.
UPWA New Years Massacre — If you’re looking to ring in 2023 with the heavyweights, look no further than the National Guard Armory, 2221 Carolina Beach Road. From 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., the United Pro Wrestling Association will welcome the newest champion, Jake Logan, to defend former heavyweight Victor Andrews inside 15 feet of steel. The caged fight will settle a months-long battle for the title and also feature new tag team champions, the Silk City Kings, challenged by the Gorilla Squad — which has dominated the ring in UPWA but had to relinquish the title due to injury. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children, available at www.theupwa.com or at the door.
Sunday, Jan. 8
Floating Lantern Ceremony
Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St. • Free admission; lantern sleeves, $12-$15
Closing CAM’s annual “Illumination” exhibit, the community-inclusive floating lantern ceremony will take place 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
CAM staff garners the decorated paper sleeves — which can be purchased $12 ahead of the event or $15 the day of — to light and set afloat in the art museum’s pond Sunday at dusk. Lanterns represent myriad sentiments from participants, whether to memorialize someone, put forth new wishes for the new year, or create treasured moments with friends and family.
There is no charge to view the ceremony, and museum admission is free on Sunday as well. The “Illumination” exhibit is set to close Jan. 15. Read more about “Illumination” here from PCD’s previous coverage.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Cassatt String Quartet — Chamber Music Wilmington is presenting the Manhattan-based Cassatt String Quartet, a renowned group who will celebrate three women master-composers: Florence Price, Dorothy Rudd Moore, and Fanny Mendelssohn. They also will cover Mozart and his last string quartet at Kenan Auditorium on UNCW’s campus at 4 p.m. Tickets are $17.50 to $35.
Free Residents Day — The first Sunday of every month, it’s free for New Hanover County residents, employees and students to gain access to county-operated museums and attractions, including Airlie Gardens, Cape Fear Museum and the NHC Arboretum (the latter of which is free every day). Visit airliegardens.org to register.
Laura McLean’s Blues Showcase — Live at Ted’s is celebrating the blues this weekend, with a Sunday jam, featuring local musicians on the scene. It’s hosted by local guitar goddess Laura McLean, who will be joined by New Riders of Calamity, Trish Arthur, Ann Arader and Jim Ashley. Doors open at 3 p.m., and the show takes place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $7 and Ted’s is located at 2 Castle St.
Have comments or tips? Email [email protected]
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
