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 20
Beer Dinner and Bourbon Release
PinPoint Restaurant, 114 Market St. • Tickets: $75
Front Street Brewery and PinPoint are teaming up for a beer dinner and bourbon release.
The six-course menu includes baked clams with fermented ramp butter, bacon fat bread crumbs, and green strawberry salsa verde, paired with an original pilsner. It is followed by snapper crudo with bumbu loquat emulsion, Mezcal pineapple vinegar, radish, and lemon hemp oil, paired with a pindo palm fruit ale.
Next up will be a Deatsville Diesel cocktail tasting, created with Elijah Craig’s bourbon barrel pick.
The third food course will include tea-smoked pork belly, with sticky BBQ sauce, macha-pickled green strawberries and camchi, served with an Amberjack English ale, followed by a lamb loin, with ramp, feta panna cotta, cherry-bourbon gastrique and Fiddlehead ferns, served with Tomb Rocker Heather Ale.
The final course of coffee cake comes topped with a blueberry creme anglaise and hazelnut glaze. It will be paired with Baby Raptors Imperial Porter.
Tickets are $75, including tax and gratuity, and can be purchased at either Front Street Brewery or Pinpoint.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Earth Day Docs — Ahead of Earth Day on Saturday, Cameron Art Museum will screen short documentaries at 6:30 p.m. One will be centered on a 2022 CAM exhibition, “Confluence,” from the Algae Society. After the 12-minute doc, “FlowILM” (13 min), centered on 2022’s event, will screen. Both are produced by UNCW and will be presented by Gene Felice. Thereafter “Freedom Hill,” directed by Resita Cox will be be shown at 7 p.m. It follows present day impacts of climate change and delves into environmental justice in the small town of Princeville, North Carolina. The first town incorporated by freed, formerly enslaved Africans in America, Princeville’s historical significance is vast but in peril, as it is gradually being washed away. “‘Freedom Hill’ is a short documentary exploring the environmental racism washing away the town of under 2,000,” according to a release. After its screening, a Q&A with the director, Dr. Britt Moore, and Deborah Dicks Maxwell, NHC NAACP president, will take place.
Coach Bill Dooley Education Foundation Fishing Tournament — A locals tournament that raises funds for high-school student athletic scholarships will open registration Thursday. The Captain’s meeting will be held at Intracoastal Angler from 4 p.m. to 6 pm. Fishing takes place Friday and Saturday, with three divisional winners crowned for largest catch of wahoo, dolphin and tuna. The tournament is centered on fun, supporting kids and honoring the legacy of Coach Bill Dooley, an all-American football player from Wilmington who coached at UNC Chapel Hill, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and Wake Forest University. More information on the tournament can be found here.
420 Fest — Waterline Brewing (721 Surry St.) is getting in on the cannabis-inspired celebrations from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. with almost 20 vendors at its outdoor market. Plus, live music will play from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. featuring Sheme of Gold, Billy Heathen, Real Lif Party, Beats & Coffee, and more. Food trucks Mommiez and Chrome Gnome will be parked on site; the event is free.
Friday, April 21
Star Party
Carolina Beach State Park, 1010 State Park Road • Free
Locals are welcome to a party that concentrates on the stars and vast night sky at Carolina Beach State Park, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday.
Star Party is being hosted by the state park, Cape Fear Museum and Cape Fear Astronomical Society. Participants are welcome to bring a flashlight, binoculars and telescopes for a guided night-sky tour of the stars and planets.
There will be star-themed stories at Stellar Story Corner, hands-on activity stations to learn about the universe and stargazing tips offered by experts. Giveaways and swag will be handed out, and there will be food trucks on site.
There is event parking located at the marina, at the back of the park, with complimentary shuttle service provided by GLOW Academy of Wilmington. Handicap transportation via golf cart is available upon request.
The event is rain or shine, though some activities are weather-dependent.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
“Rachael Ray Show” featuring Beacon Education Celebrity Chef Event — Back in February, Beacon Academy — the umbrella for the all-girls charter school GLOW Academy and soon-to-open Spark Academy childcare centers — hosted its annual Celebrity Chef Fundraiser. The breakfast at Landfall Center welcomed local culinarians and GLOW students to cook with Ray and Emeril Lagasse. Ray’s film crew were there to capture the event and will air footage on Friday’s CBS show at 9 a.m.. GLOW Academy founder Judy Girard worked for Food Network for years and culled relationships with many of the celebrity chefs that have headlined GLOW events since; in fact, Lagasse inspired GLOW Academy’s robust culinary curriculum. His Emeril Lagasse Foundation contributed to an expansion of the program, provisioning a middle school classroom for teaching foundational kitchen prep, safety and cooking skills, according to a release. Ray, an Emmy Award winner, has hosted her syndicated talk show for 17 years; she announced in March this season will be her final.
Next to Normal — Opera House Theater Company is staging the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning “Next to Normal,” with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. The musical — punctuated by a pop-rock score — explores mental health and its ramifications on a family learning to cope with its effects as the mother battles bipolar disorder. The story moves through each person’s experience, including an architect husband and two children, both of whom are bright, wise-cracking teens. The show is rich in emotional impact and sympathy while tackling modern psychology, grief and what families deal with behind closed doors. It runs each weekend through April 30 ahead of May’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Question-and-answer sessions with cast members and a mental health professional on the relevant issues will take place on Sunday, April 23, and Thursday, April 27, through Saturday, April 29. Tickets are $40.
Saturday, April 22
Earth Day
Various locations • Free
Multiple events are taking place for Earth Day across the region, including the Wilmington Earth Day Alliance’s celebration at Long Leaf Park, 314 Pine Grove Drive, noon to 6 p.m.
There will be kids activities in the EcoZone and live music from The Delia Stanley Duo, Infinite Spins, Brett Johnson and Nimara Snyder, and Ashby and the Business End.
More than 50 environmentally friendly vendors will be on site. As well, food trucks Webo’s, RiCoQui, Smash and Dash and King of the Ring hotdog car will be available. Beverages will be served by Edward Teach, Hi-Wire, Good Hops, Noni Bacca Winery, and Panacea.
The 2023 theme is “Invest In Our Planet,” and the event is zero-waste, meaning multiple stations are set up for composting food waste and recycling beverage cups, compostable packaging and cutlery. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own water bottle for free water refills from Culligan.
Parking is free on site and trolley shuttles will run from the south entrance of the old New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government Center Drive. Wave Transit is offering free rides all day on Earth Day as well. Leashed pets are welcome in the grassy areas (not inside the tents or food area).
Other events include an Earth Day Upcycle and Thrift event at Barzarre (1612 Castle St.), which includes a gently-used clothes swap beginning at 11 a.m. and live music. Also taking place is Earth Day yoga, both at Airlie Gardens at 5 p.m. and in the Cargo District at 4 p.m. Broomtail Pub and Arcade (7211 Market St.) will also host celebrations with a housplant sale, food trucks and live music from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Judah and the Lion — Greenfield Lake Amphitheater is welcoming the Nashville duo Judah and the Lion to the stage Saturday. The band, consisting now of Judah Akers (vocals, guitar) and Brian Macdonald (mandolin, vocals), has released four LPs since 2014, including last year’s “Revival.” It blends Alternative rock, Americana, bluegrass, folk and electropop. Tickets are available here. GFLA is also welcoming donations by concertgoers to help Eden Village, the tiny home community that houses homeless individuals. It’s accepting bed sheets, paper towels, napkins, bath towels, trash bags, hand sanitizer, dish soap, pens, paper, notepads, body soap, razors, toilet paper and other items at the gate. Find out more info here.
Chase Rice — The country singer will be performing at Live Oak Bank Pavilion on Saturday in support of his new album, “I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell.” He also will be recording his Saturday concert live. Tickets are available here; catch up on PCD’s interview with the musician here.
Record Store Day — It’s a day in celebration of vinyl and specialty releases. Plenty of local stores are getting in on the action. Some stores are carrying special Record Store Day titles, such as 12″ EP featuring two new originals from RSD US Ambassadors Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires at Record Bar or Taylor Swift Long Pond Studio Sessions at School Kids Records. Modern Legend also will have some releases, while Gravity Records will have a storewide sale, and Yellow Dog Discs will have discounts on various items and special vinyl releases.
POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER: Island Men’s Backyard BBQ Cookoff — Taking place in Kure Beach at the Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area, the Island Men’s cookoff will have more than 20 BBQ smokers competing to win the first-place trophy. The event is family-friendly and includes live music from The Phantom Playboys and The South Tones, as well as line dancing with the troupe Beaches and Boots. More than 40 makers will be vending at the event, and there will be a children’s entertainment area, including a bouncy and slide, as well as games. Admission is $10 for 10 tickets to taste BBQ from participating teams; additional tickets will be sold to taste all 20 entries. Children under 12 are admitted free and there is free parking. All proceeds from the event go back into the community to help various civic and nonprofit organizations. Last year, the event drew in 1,500 attendees and this year numbers are expected to top 2,000.
HIV Awareness Run/Walk — SEEDS of Healing, Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on HIV education and advocacy, is hosting its annual 5K run and 1-mile walk at 10 a.m. in Greenfield Park, 302 Willard St. Local vendors will be on site, along with activities including games, raffles, a photo booth, and music by DJ Bobby Zee. It’s $25 to register and comes with an event tote and T-shirt. All proceeds go toward SEEDS’ programming, which includes HIV testing, counseling, community education and outreach, Uber health rides for clients, and advocacy for healthcare access to all.
WHQR 39th Birthday Bash — WHQR will celebrate 39 years of bringing public radio to the Wilmington airwaves at Fermental Beer and Wine (600 S. 17th St.). From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., there will be cake, free WHQR T-shirts, frisbees, and mugs, plus staff will be on hand to meet guests. Fermental will have live music with Roger Davis and Tico Trio, and local food trucks Seaview Crab Seafood Co. and NachoFalt will be parked. It’s free.
Sunday, April 23
Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles
Wilson Center, 721 Third St. • Tickets: $42 and up
An homage to Britain’s fab four will return to downtown Wilmington’s Wilson Center Sunday.
“Rain — A Tribute to the Beatles” is performing two nights this weekend, on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
The group — Paul Curatolo (Paul), Aaron Chiazza (Ringo), Alastar McNeil (George), Steve Landes (John) — will play songs from “Abbey Road,” as well as tracks from the “Rooftop Concert,” among other hits. They recreate shows note-for-note to capture the full experience of The Beatles live and include multimedia projections with state-of-the-art LED screens.
Tickets are available here.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
VegFest — Vegans and vegetarians will embark on a celebration of clean eating from noon to 4 p.m. at Legion Sports Complex. It’s free, though a suggested $5 donation will go to the local nonprofit Blueberry Lane Farm Sanctuary, a safe-haven for abandoned and abused factory-farmed animals. There will be more than 50 vendors on site, all plant-based, as well as live music and a kids’ zone, with games and face-painting. Beer will be available for purchase, and the event is pet-friendly.
Earth Day Market — Head back to Waterline to bookend the weekend under the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge as Downtown ILM Markets continues the Earth Day celebrations. The outdoor event will feature 28 local vendors, including Pomona Shrub Company, Plants of Heather, Green Drop Farms, Sunrise Gardens, Elevated Wicks, Sun & Shine Vintage, Folklife Microfarm, Carolina Pure and more. Live music will be performed by Ken Schnedetz and Chris Spratt, and local food truck Mommiez will be on site. The event is free.
Wilmington Jewish Festival — The ninth annual Wilmington Jewish Festival starts Sunday with a screening of “Farewell, Mr. Haffman,” released in 2021 and based on the multi-Molière Award-winning play. The drama follows a jeweler’s assistant who takes over the Parisian store after his boss turns it over with the intent to flee the German-occupied city. Things go awry when all Jews are instructed to wear a yellow star before Haffman’s family can escape, leaving him at the behest of his assistant not to turn in the family. A reception catered by Spoonfed follows the screening in Thalian Hall. The festival takes place through May 3, with festival passes to all screenings priced at $60; individual tickets are $10 to $12 and available here. The festival takes place to share with the community Jewish heritage and culture and promote diversity, with screenings hosted at Thalian Hall, 310 Chesnut St.
South Front District Block Party — From noon to 4 p.m., more than a dozen businesses in the South Front District will host a free block party. Live music will be performed by Benny Hill, and True Blue will have a chef onsite cooking sliders and providing sweets and bread from True Blue Bakery. There will be vendors with tents as well as businesses and restaurants open. One of the businesses, ArtWorks, is hosting a sketch throwdown from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., encouraging artists to capture the event. Parking is free and the event takes place at 1400 S. 2nd St..
Penderlea Farms in Burgaw — Originally scheduled for Saturday, Penderlea moved its Earth Day celebration to Sunday, due to inclement weather. The all-day festival is taking place, including yoga and a tree sale. Located at 1225 Stag Park Road, the public can sign up for an hour-long yoga session from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the farm. All levels are welcome and the class will be hosted by Longwave Yoga, featuring vinyasa sequencing. Thereafter, the festival continues from noon to 4 p.m., with a children’s area, featuring a bouncy house, face painting, a hay ride and games. A local vendor market will be set up as well with food trucks, a coffee and smoothie bar, beer and live music with the Smokey Dunes. There will be a tree sale with special Earth Day pricing on 25-gallon Live Oaks.
[Ed. note: The article has been updated to correct VegFest takes place Sunday, not Saturday. PCD regrets the error.]
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