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. 19
Jim Ferris Trio
The Vibe Music & Cocktail Lounge, 312 Nutt St. • Free
A 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 The Vibe at 7 p.m.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Signs and Stick Figures Art Opening — A local artist reception will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at a Walnut Street brewery, celebrating the opening of “Signs and Stick Figures.” The new work is by multimedia artist Bahr iii. There will be live music by DJ Venus Flytrap and the food truck WilmyWoodie will be on site.
Into the Fog — Ironclad Golf and Beer (2368 Country Club Drive) hoped to unveil its new beer garden and stage at the beginning of the year, but the show was rescheduled due to rain. Local newgrass band Into the Fog will perform from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The “genre-jumping” band — Brian Stephenson (acoustic guitar), Winston Mitchell (mandolin), Derek Lane (bass) and Connor Kozlosky (electric guitar) — performs a blend of bluegrass, rock, country and funk, heard on its 2019 debut album “Wishin’ It Would Rain” and 2021’s “Runnin’ Blind and Chasin’ Time.”
Friday, Jan. 20
‘One Noble Journey’
UNCW Kenan Auditorium, 515 Wagoner Drive • Tickets: $18-$20
A documentary theater production, “One Noble Journey,” acted by Mike Wiley, tells the story of African Americans who escaped the confines of slavery against all odds. It follows the story of a Virginia man, Henry “Box” Brown, who hid in a wooden box that was shipped to friends in Philadelphia to reach freedom.
It also covers Elizabeth and William Craft of Georgia who escaped under the guise of slaves escorting a slave owner to receive medical treatment up north. Eventually, they were forced out of the country after a Fugitive Slave Law enabled slave hunters to pursue them in free states.
The one-man show illuminates the cruelty of slavery while also honing in on the courage and resiliency of African Americans who overcame treacherous conditions.
Wiley’s production company has produced numerous productions throughout the years that center on African American history and the figures that helped shape it. He has taken on the persona of Freedom Rider John Lewis and racists like Birmingham public safety commissioner Bull Connor in “Breach of Peace,” based on civil rights marches in 1961. Wiley has become Jackie Robinson and his baseball colleagues in “A Game Apart.” He also has inhabited the head space of a young man murdered for whistling at a white woman, as well as the young man’s mother and others bearing witness in “Dar He: The Lynching of Emmett Till.”
Wiley moves between characters swiftly, often inflecting various dialects and voices, displaying different postures. He never has costume changes, few props, and depends on his portrayal to keep the narrative streamlined.
“One Noble Journey” show takes place at 7 p.m.; tickets can be purchased here.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
TreeFest — Held both Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Independence Mall inside the JC Penney corridor, 5,000 trees and grasses will be available for free to the community on a first-come, first-serve basis. The goal is to increase Wilmington’s tree canopy, affected by storm damage and development. The festival began more than 20 years ago and to date has given away more than 100,000 trees. Each household can choose up to five free trees or grasses. A $5 donation is suggested and volunteers will be on hand to offer advice on plant care. Species include longleaf pine, red cedar, river birch, silky dogwood, sugarberry, red hickory, eastern redbud, crabapple, chestnut oak, live oak, wiregrass, Indian grass, little bluestem grass and big bluestem.
Curtis Cook — Standup comedian Curtis Cook is performing four shows at Dead Crow Comedy Room this weekend, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. both Friday and Saturday nights. He’s appeared on Comedy Central and the famed sketch show “Portlandia,” featuring Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein. He has written for the reboot of “Crank Yankers,” Hulu’s new comedy “The Fool” and TBS’ “American Dad.” Cook’s standup covers his everyday life, including an ‘80s cover rock band he played in during high school, “NAAC/DC,” and touching on his Blackness: “I’m aware I look like the Taliban’s jazz instructors. Tickets are $18-$28.
Concert reminders— If you’re vying for a seat at one of many shows this year at either Greenfield Lake Amphitheater or Live Oak Bank Pavilion, multiple shows go on sale tomorrow: St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Incubus and Coheed and Cambria and Old Crow Medicine Show.
Saturday, Jan. 21
2023 No Boundaries International
Wilma Daniels Gallery, 200 Hanover St. • Free
From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., No Boundaries International Art Colony artists, who gathered on Bald Head Island over two weeks to create new works, will have their art on display. An opening reception will take place for viewers to interact with the artists and learn more about their process of creation.
Formed in the late ‘90s by Wilmington artists Pam Toll, Gayle Tustin and Dick Roberts, the 2023 residency features a dozen or so artists, including Todd Carignan, Deborah Caliva, Mitzy Jonkheer, Dorry Spikes, Alan Swart, Serena Weit and others.
The exhibition will be held on the first floor gallery of the Hanover Parking Deck, next door to Wilson Center.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Fermental Tap Takeover — The Cargo District bottle shop is celebrating North Carolina breweries from noon to 11 p.m. There will be a rotating selection of ales, lagers, ciders and more from the state’s 350-plus breweries. Also on site will be the WilmyWoodie food truck at 5 p.m., with music from The Smoky Dunes at 7 p.m.
Hi-Wire 2nd Anniversary Party — The Soda Pop District brewery at 1020 Princess St. is celebrating two years in Wilmington from noon to 10 p.m. There will be live music by local newgrass band Massive Grass and rockabilly artists The Phantom Playboys. An arcade from Retroscape will be set up, tarot readings will be available and there will be a vendor market featuring more than a dozen local businesses. On site will be HappyFangs, Pomona Shrub Company, Avocado Beard Co., Tap Venture and others. Rare beer tappings are planned along with custom glassware for the anniversary.
USS North Carolina Ghost Hunt — Known as one of the most haunted ships, downtown Wilmington’s iconic attraction welcomes people aboard for a ghost hunt from 7:30 p.m. until Saturday at 3 a.m. on the USS Battleship (1 Battleship Road NE). The ticket price of $129 includes a history day tour, exclusive overnight access to areas that are normally off-limits, access to the most haunted areas of the ship, psychic medium vigil, group vigils with experienced investigators, lone vigils, overnight ghost hunt, use of ship equipment, free time to explore the ship and undertake private vigils, unlimited beverages such as coffee, bottled water and soda, and a selection of snacks. Tickets can be purchased here; event is open to all ages.
Sunday, Jan. 22
Randy McQuay
Wrightsville Beach Brewery, 6201 Oleander Drive • Free
Wilmington’s bluesman will bring his soulful, sultry sounds to Wrightsville Beach Brewery at 2 p.m. for a free show.
McQuay performs with his acoustic — a style derived from claw-hammer picking styles and percussion — and harmonica, covering songs from songwriting troubadours like Bob Dylan, guitar virtuosos like Stevie Ray Vaughn and speckles in original tunes as well.
His American roots music has earned McQuay the Lee Oskar Top Harmonica Player Award from The Blues Foundation, reigning Cape Fear Blues Challenge solo champion and 2015’s International Blues Challenge winner.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Beer and Hymns — If singing is more your jam than spectating, Watermans Brewing is welcoming vocalists to join the Cape Fear Beer & Hymns group at 6 p.m. Participants join in the camaraderie by singing hymns and drinking craft beer in an “open, non-judgmental community.” Anyone is welcome as the goal isn’t to preach the gospel but connect over song.
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