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, April 6
Eddie Pepitone
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 711 S. Third St. • Tickets: $25-$25
He’s hailed for his dark comedy and has been compared to the likes of Jackie Gleason mixed with Don Rickles crossed with Eckart Tolle.
Nicknamed “Bitter Buddha,” the New York comedian takes on corporate America blue-collar rage in his rant-style dialogue. Eddie Pepitone highlights the absurdity of the world mixed with self-deprecating neuroses.
Pepitone has released three albums, “The Big Push,” “A Great Stillness” and “In Ruins: Live in Brooklyn.” He has appeared in multiple podcasts, TV shows (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “Rick and Morty”), and films (“The Muppets,” “Handsome”).
His documentaries “Alone Up There” and “Bitter Buddha” were released in 2012. His latest stand-up special was in 2020 titled “For the Masses,” where he discusses Americans’ obsession with murder shows and fancy coffee.
Pepitoneis performing one night only at Dead Crow at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $25.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Wilmington Night Market — Taking place in the Soda Pop District from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. is a a night market with a variety of local makers and vendors, as well as live music, food and craft beverages. It’s free to attend at 921 Princess St.
Full Moon Party — Taking place at the Carolina Beach Pier, 1800 Carolina Beach Road, the party will be underway overlooking the Atlantic Ocean from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and underneath the full moon. There will be bonfire pits, corn hole and live music by Nick Black. The Tiki Bar, Sand Bar and High Tide Bar will be open, serving food and drinks, plus s’mores.
“Women Playing Hamlet” — William Missouri Downs’ “Women Playing Hamlet” continues its final weekend run at Thalian Hall’s Ruth and Bucky Stein Theater, 310 Chestnut St. The show follows a female protagonist, Jessica, slated to play Hamlet, who questions her talent and whether she can pull off the iconic Shakespeare role. The play, tagged “a modern comedy about an old tragedy,” will bring laughter and joy to both “Shakespeare fans and haters alike,” according to Big Dawg Productions’ artistic director Steve Vernon. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. through Saturday, with Sunday matinee at 3 p.m. Tickets are $34 and can be purchased here.
Skip Walker with Travis Shook — Cameron Art Museum hosts its last concert of the season as part of Jazz at CAM. Drummer and composer Skip Walker will perform with pianist Travis Shook at 7 p.m. Walker, also an associate rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal in Greenville, has performed worldwide and began his foray into jazz as a teen, inspired by the music’s roots in American history and expressing the African-American struggle for identity, freedom and justice. Tickets are $35-$55.
Friday, April 7
“Cinderella”
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $41
Opening Friday night, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” brings the classic children’s fairy tale to life.
The musical is based on 1957’s TV appearance with Julie Andrews, recreated in 1965 with Lesley Ann Warren. Another remake took place in 1997 starring Brandy as Cinderella and Whitney Houston as the Fairy Godmother. Thalian Association Community Theater will base its production on the ‘90s teleplay.
It showcases actors of all ages, ethnicities, races and genders, who bring to life Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother, stepmother, stepsisters, Prince Charming, the white mice, and others from the ensemble.
The production will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday through April 16. Tickets can be purchased here.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real — The first 2023 Greenfield Lake Amphitheater concert kicks off this weekend. Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real are returning to the amphitheater for a two-night show. Nelson told PCD in a recent interview: ”Really, the point of the shows is to make people dance and have fun and get lost in it,” Nelson said. “I think we can do that — we’ve got enough bounce and rhythm, and then also to be able to get quiet and play a song where you can hear a pin drop in the same place that before was yelling and screaming.” Read the full interview here.
Port City Trio — The group will be performing standards from The Great American
Songbook at Live at Ted’s at 2 Castle St. at 8 p.m. The trio has covered “Summertime” by George Gershwin, “Just a Gigolo” by Julias Brammer and Roger Graham and others during performances. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased here
“Our Father, the Devil” — Jengo’s Playhouse will be screening a film at 7:30 p.m. that delves into PTSD and the traumatic past of protagonist Marie. Living in the south of France, the head cook works in a retirement home in a small mountain town and silently struggles with a shameful secret as a former child soldier. However, when someone from her past shows up, it turns Marie’s quiet world into chaos as she struggles with seeking revenge. The psychological thriller, created by Ellie Foumbie, screened as part of Cucalorus Film Festival last fall. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here; Jengo’s Playhouse is the headquarters for Cucalorus Film Festival. A bar is open during the screening.
Cliff Cash and Friends — Performing at the red fire station on Castle Street, Station No. 2 (602 S. Fifth Ave.), will be North Carolina standup comedian Cliff Cash and a couple of his funny friends, including Ellie Colemane and hosted by Lex Hunt. Cash’s humor is embedded in Southern culture, family and politics, which can be heard on his 2021 album “Half Way There,” recorded in 2016 at Dead Crow Comedy Room in downtown Wilmington. Tickets are $20. Click here to read PCD coverage about his album release last year.
Saturday, April 8
Easter Egg Hunts
Various locations • Free
There are multitudes of egg hunt events taking place ahead of Easter Sunday in the Cape Fear region — and not all are children-only. Check out the list:
Easter in the Park — A hunt based on age will feature more than 3,000 eggs, free candy bags and hotdogs and drinks for donation only. There will be games, prizes and a face-painting tent. The event takes place at Shelter 4 at Long Leaf Park (314 Pine Grove Drive).
Adult Easter Egg Hunt — Scouring for goodie-filled plastic eggs isn’t only for children. Businesses in the Brooklyn Arts District are making sure the adults can get in on the action. Edward Teach Brewery, Goat & Compass and Brooklyn Cafe are partnering to hide 150 eggs in each establishment, located along Fourth Street. Gift certificates are hidden inside, plus three golden eggs include other higher end prizes. BYOB — bring your own basket. It starts at noon, and Eat at Eastside Food Truck will be parked at Edward Teach (602 N. Fourth St.) serving sandwiches from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Doggie Easter Egg Hunt and Art Market — Barzarre on Castle Street is hosting a fun day for dogs and their humans. Easter eggs will be scattered on the property, each one containing a treat and raffle ticket, and there will be golden eggs filled with coupons to use at the local vendors. Once you and your leashed furry friend (two per person limit) find all your eggs and enter your ticket into the raffle to have a chance to win treats. Food, booze, and ‘boocha will be for sale.
Easter at Scooter’s — Why not skate and hunt? Scooter’s Skating Rink (341 Shipyard Blvd.) will do a hunt in the rink from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. All ages welcome. It’s $8 regular admission and $4 for skate rentals. Egg hunt will take place at the end of the skating session.
Special Olympics Easter Egg Hunt — Hosted at the MLK Center (101 S. Eighth St.), there will be a free egg hunt for athletes and families from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is open here; siblings under 8 years old are welcome to join.
Wallace Park Egg Hunt — Wilmington City Council member Kevin Spears is hosting an egg hunt at Wallace Park, 2110 Market St. There will be bounce houses, an egg hunt with candy-filled eggs, music and food. It’s free and takes place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Family Egg Hunt — Taking place at Ogden Park’s football field is a family day of food and games from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., with an egg hunt at 2 p.m. Hosted by Ogden Baptist Church, reservations should be made here.
Easter Egg Hunt at Brookfield Church — The free community event is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with free food, prize eggs, Easter Bunny visits, a cake walk and more. It takes place at 131 Elliott Drive.
Halyburton Park Egg Hunt Cookout — Head to shelter 2 at Halyburton Park (4099 S. College Road) to enjoy kids activities, including an egg hunt. Everyone is encouraged to bring a dish to share, with burgers and dogs provided.
Easter Eggstravaganza — Spring Arbor (809 John D. Barry Drive) is hosting a hunt, games, face painting and photos with the Easter Bunny from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free.
Calvary Baptist Easter Egg Hunt — Taking place at 423 N. 23rd St., 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Calvary Baptist welcomes families to hear a reading of the resurrection story and enjoy games, activities, giveaways and light refreshments. It’s free and participants should bring a basket or bucket; bags will be available as well. Egg hunts will be broken up into age groups, pre-K to fifth grade and sixth to 12th, on the church grounds and in Kennedy Park. Donations of candy-filled plastic Easter eggs welcome: call Jessica Lovette at 910-762-5608.
Carolina Beach Easter Egg Hunt — The fun takes place at Atlantic Towers on Pleasure Island at 10 a.m. Aside from the hunt, there will be arts and craft stations and refreshments. It’s free.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
The Groove Market at Riverlights — Thirty area vendors, artisans, makers and crafters will sell their wares, while Riverlights’ bars and restaurants are open. There will be coffee and food trucks. Live music will be playing and the event is family and dog-friendly. Free to attend at 109 Master Point from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Burlesque Nights — The night will be saucy at Bourgie Nights at 127 Princess St. in downtown Wilmington. There will be performances by Puppie Buffé, Edie Edison, Shirley Sweet, Rusty Dawn and hosted by Mecca Muah. The show is only appropriate for ages 21 and up; doors are at 8 p.m., with tickets from $18 to $25. Seating is first-come, first-serve.
Wilmington Goth Festival — Before you don your Easter pastels, prepare to slip into the black for Wilmington Goth Festival this weekend. Taking place at Barzarre (1610 Castle St.), there will be four nights of music, embodying electronic sounds, new wave vibes and plenty of backbeats and high-pitched basslines. The melancholic and tragic will be celebrated by more than 20 performers and DJs across the nation. Though the festival kicked off Wednesday, it continues through Saturday with three or more acts each night, including Wilmington’s own goth darlings Dead Cool performing the final evening. Tickets are $19 for Saturday’s show or buy a weekend pass for $35 here.
Carolina Beach Chowder Cookoff — An annual event is celebrating year seven of crowning the best chowder on Pleasure Island. The Carolina Beach Inlet Association is hosting its chowder cookoff from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Legion Post 129, 1500 Old Dow Road. The judges sample all entries at 11 a.m. and then the event opens to the public at noon; $10 to taste all entries. Winners receive a cash prize and trophies. Funds raised benefit the association whose mission is educating citizens on keeping Carolina Beach Inlet open and safe for boaters.
Electric Soul Pandemic and Happy Colored Marbles — A Ween tribute band will take the stage at The Palm Room at 9 p.m. at 11 E. Salisbury St. Happy Colored Marbles, named after one of Ween’s tracks, is from Oklahoma. The group takes on songs from the famed ‘80s alternative rock band, performing a blend of funk, rock, soul, country, gospel and punk. Opening will be Electric Soul Pandemic, a Greensboro-based psychedelic rock band. Cover charge applies.
Sunday, April 9
Easter Services
Various locations • Free
Whether looking for sunrise services or traditional worship later in the morning, here is a rundown of some of the worship opportunities for Easter weekend.
Carolina Beach Boardwalk Sunrise Service — Hosted by Carolina Beach Presbyterian, St. Paul’s UMC Carolina Beach, Seaside Chapel, First Baptist and SALT — Inclusive Methodist Community, the sunrise service will take place at 6:30 a.m. at the boardwalk’s beach stage. It will last 45 minutes with Glen Mitchell from Lifepoint delivering the message. There will be music by Brennan Simmons, scripture readings, and coffee and donuts provided. A collection will be taken to benefit the Help Center of Federal Point, which provides assistance with food, clothing, rent, bills and other emergency and short-term assistance to beach residents of Pleasure Island.
Wrightsville Beach Sunrise Service — Wrighstville United Methodist is hosting a 6 a.m. service at the end of Oxford Street on Wrightsville Beach. Trolleys will be running Easter morning for visitors to park their car and ride the trolley from Atlantic Marine, located right before the drawbridge at 2035 Eastwood Road. Following will be regular services in the sanctuary at 8:15 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
Sunrise Worship at Airlie Gardens — Hosted by First Baptist Church in Wilmington, the sunrise service takes place at 7 a.m. under the 400-year-old Airlie Oak in Airlie Gardens (300 Airlie Road). There will be a brass quartet and a sermon led by senior pastor Rev. Barrett Owen. Lawn chairs and blankets welcomed. FBC will hold regular services at its church (411 Market St.) at 9 a.m. with its modern praise team and 11 a.m. with the full choir. There will be 10 a.m. Sunday school with a kids’ Easter egg hunt.
Sunrise Service on the Battleship — Pine Valley Baptist is hosting its sunrise service on the Battleship at 7 a.m. followed by a 10:30 a.m. service at the church, 3940 Shipyard Blvd. The church also has a weekend of Easter celebrations in store, starting with Good Friday at 5 p.m. with a communion service. On Saturday, there will be an Easter egg hunt from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring food trucks, crafts and more.
Easter at Point Community Church — Located at 250 Vision Drive, sermons will take place at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., with children’s ministries available.
Mosaic New Faith Community — Taking place at St. Jude’s MCC, 19 N. 26th St., Mosaic New Faith Community Church welcomes people to its family-friendly, all-inclusive Easter celebration from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. There will be egg hunts, music, games and snacks — feel free to bring something to share — and discussions of the Easter story. Blankets and chairs are welcomed.
Venture Church — Services will be offered at 10 a.m. at NIR Family YMCA (2710 Market St.). A new series will start called “Paper to Person,” with parishioners studying Bible stories to see how Jesus changed the world.
Second Mile Church — Meeting inside The Pointe 14 theater, the sermon starts at 10 a.m. There will be a free movie ticket for each person or family that registers here.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church — Located at 16 N. 16th St., there will be a celebration at St. Paul’s with an 8 a.m. Holy Eucharist service with hymns, a 10 a.m flowering of the cross and a 10:30 a.m. Choral Eucharist — the latter of which is livestreamed here.
Calvary Baptist Church — Easter worship begins at 10:45 a.m. in the sanctuary at 423 N. 23rd St. There will be praise and worship through music and song. Senior Pastor Donnie Lovette will deliver the sermon.
St. Paul’s UMC Carolina Beach — The church will host worship services for Good Friday at noon and on Easter Sunday an 8:30 a.m. worship in the Community Life Center, followed by an 11 a.m. service in the sanctuary. Childcare is provided for both on Sunday.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Easter Yoga — Dockside Restaurant is hosting yoga by the Intracoastal Waterway. The class takes place at 9 a.m. and costs $15 for drop-ins or $50 for four sessions. It will be a ve a vinyasa flow class enjoyed outdoors and accessible for all levels. Must sign up ahead of time by emailing yuliaterebunskaya@gmail.com.
Wilmington Art Association Spring Art Show and Sale — Taking place at Second and Orange at the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, 120 S. Second St., is the annual spring art sale from the WAA. Featured will be more than 200 artists and 330 works — oils, acrylics, pastels, photography and more. Admission is free and sales benefit the artists, with partial proceeds going to WAA. It takes place Saturday and Sunday and next weekend as part of the Azalea Festival.
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