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 27
“Next to Normal”
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $40
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 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 Thursday, April 27 and Saturday, April 29, 7:30 p.m.; the Sunday matinee on April 30 will happen at 2 p.m. Tickets are $40.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Jewish Film Festival — The ninth annual Wilmington Jewish Festival continues. Four more films will be screened through Wednesday: “Nora’s Will” on Sunday, 1 p.m.; “Dedication” on Sunday, 4 p.m.; “The Man in the Basement” on Monday, 7 p.m.; and “My Neighbor Adolf” on Wednesday, 7 p.m. The festival takes place through May 3, with passes to all screenings priced at $60; individual tickets are $10 to $12 and available here. The festival shares with the community Jewish heritage and culture and promotes diversity, with screenings hosted at Thalian Hall, 310 Chesnut St.
Invertigo Dance Theater — Contemporary dance lovers will enjoy a performance at Wilson Center this weekend with Invertigo Dance Theatre Company. “Formulae & Fairy Tales” showcases the life of Alan Turing, who was a mathematical genius and World War II codebreaker. Criminally charged for being gay, Turing was forced to undergo chemical castration and died in 1954 by eating a lethally-laced apple, much like the parallel story of his favorite Disney Film, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” The dance troupe blends the two stories, highlighting history, sexuality, gender identity and humanity. Video projections and an original score lead to an immersive theatrical experience. Tickets start at $25 and the company will perform two shows: at 7:30 p.m. on April 27 and at 4:30 p.m. on April 28.
Friday, April 28
Adrienne Iapalucci
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 511 N. Third St. • Tickets start at $18
New York comedian Adrienne Iapalucci will be performing at Dead Crow Comedy Room for four shows this weekend at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The comic takes on various topics in modern-day society, from school shootings to women’s rights, and from racism to cops.
“The worst thing about living in the Bronx is the cops,” she said on “Gotham City Live.” “Last week I was walking home from work and a cop told me to ‘keep it moving.’ I said, ‘I am, I am walking.’ I don’t know what he expected, for me to break out into a skip.”
Iapalucci won a People’s Choice award at the New York Comedy Festival and made her debut on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.” Netflix streamed her standup “Degenerates” in 2020, the same year she released her first album, “Baby Skeletons.”
Tickets to the show are $18 to $20.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Umphrey’s McGee — South Bend, Indiana’s Umphrey’s McGee will perform at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater at 6:30 p.m. Formed in 1997 by three University of Notre Dame students — Brendan Bayliss, Joel Cummins, and Ryan Stasik — the band has grown throughout 20-plus years to also include Andy Farag, Jake Cinninger and Kris Myers. Umphrey’s McGee plays a blend of sounds from funk-pop grooves to metal-rock riffs, blues-bending notes to reggae-bouncing percussion. It has recorded more than a dozen studio albums and released more than a dozen live albums to date. The show is sold out, but resale tickets are available here.
“Peace Be With You” — A group of friends are honoring local artist Mio Reynolds in an art show at Acme, 711 N. Fifth Ave. The artist passed away last month at 84 and the show will be a retrospective of her paintings from 2005 to 2015. The show opens from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with music by Roger Davis; all proceeds from the show’s sales will be donated to Reynolds’ estate. Read PCD’s coverage here.
“The Glass Menagerie” — The Tennesee Williams’ play will be staged by Brunswick Little Theater group through April 30, with shows at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and a 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday matinee. Williams’ based the play on his own life, which follows a histrionic mother, Amanda, whose husband left her to rearing her two children solo. Her son, Tom, is the bread-winner of the family, sustaining them financially with warehouse work. Resentment builds as Amanda pines for her debutante youth but wants her daughter, Laura, who is cripplingly shy and mentally fragile, to find a husband. Tickets are $25.
Saturday, April 29
Ben Folds
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, 1941 Amphitheater Drive • Tickets: $50
North Carolina native and musician Ben Folds is coming to his home state Saturday and landing at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater after a long-awaited return.
Folds was slated to play last April on his first tour since the pandemic. When Covid-19 hit, he was on the road and relegated to lock down in Australia, wherein he launched a podcast, “Lightning Bugs: Conversations with Ben Folds” (a spinoff from his 2019 New York Times Best Seller), releasing new music and hosting livestreams.
However, he postponed 2022’s Wilmington concert and will make up for lost time this Saturday at 7 p.m., blending pop with classical arrangements. Folds has released three solo albums and four with his outfit Ben Folds Five, as well as contributed to many others, and performed with symphonies and orchestras worldwide.
He will release his fourth solo album, “What Matters Most,” this June; the first single, “Winslow Gardens,” has already hit the airwaves.
The musician told “American Songwriter” it’s the “most true” music he has recorded to date. Folds added: “Sonically, lyrically, emotionally, I don’t think it’s an album I could have made at any other point in my career.”
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Healthy Kids Day — The City of Wilmington is pairing up with the YMCA to host a kid-friendly event Saturday at Empie Park. The free fair features health and wellness activities, active play time,educational opportunities and various sports stations set up. There also will be a fun run, face-painting, bouncy houses, community booths, Zumba dance lessons, free giveaways and prizes, plus food provided by local food trucks. It takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Little Feat — Sixties American rock band Little Feat — known for songs “Willin’” and “Dixie Chicken” — is bringing its blend of jazz, Americana, NOLA’s swamp boogie and rockabilly to UNCW. Original founders Lowell George (once part of Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention) and Bill Payne started the band in 1969 and disbanded it a decade later. George died the same year, and in the mid-’80s Payne revived it with remaining members. Revered as one of the greatest rock pianists and blues musicians, Payne has toured and collaborated with the likes of Pink Floyd, Emmylou Harris, Stevie Nicks, Phil Lesh and Friends, and others. He also penned Bonnie Raitt’s title track “Takin’ My Time” on 1977’s “Sweet Forgiveness,” on which he also performed. Little Feat has had a rotating group of players since reprising, though the lineup has always included Payne. He continues to perform on vocals and piano, with Sam Clayton on congas, vocals and percussion, Kenny Gradney on bass, Fred Tackett on guitar, mandolin, trumpet and vocals, and Tony Leone on drums. The band has released 17 studio albums, the last including 2012’s “Rooster Rag.” Little Feat will perform at Kenan Auditorium, 8 p.m.; tickets start at $60.
“God is a Scottish Drag Queen” — Award-winning Canadian comedian Mike Delamont will perform “God is a Scottish Drag Queen” on Thalian Hall’s mainstage at 7:30 p.m. He first introduced the character 13 years ago in a cabaret skit before touring his one-man show, donning a flora suit, bobbed wig and reading glasses. Delamont delivers his portrayal with a thick Scottish accent, as God corrects fallacies regarding his existence and blows off some steam on humankind’s actions. He also tells backstories to some of the Bible’s accounts, including Noah’s ark, Adam and Eve and Moses. Tickets are $45 and available here.
Walker Hayes — After starting his country music career as a songwriter in Nashville, Hayes scored his first hit with “Pants” in 2010, which ranked number 60 on the Hot Country Songs charts and number 53 on the Billboard Country Airplay. Throughout the next decade, he had numerous singles also crack the top 100, including 2017’s “You Broke Up with Me,” ranking number 10 on U.S. Country Airplay, “’90s Country,” scoring the 52nd spot and 2019’s “Don’t Let Her” tracking number 56. It wasn’t until 11 years later Hayes became a viral success on TikTok with “Fancy Like,” which propelled to number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. He recorded a dance on the social media site, joined by his daughter, Lila. The track was released as part of the EP “Country Stuff” on June 4, 2021. The tracks became the make up for 2022’s “Country Stuff the Album,” including singles “AA” (Hayes has been sober since 2015) and “U Gurl.” It’s his third album since 2011, though the musician has released five EPs. Hayes will be at Live Oak Bank Pavilion on April 27 for his Duck Buck Tour; tickets start at $35.
Wilmington Coffee Fest — A celebration of the cup of Joe is returning for two days this weekend at Waterline Brewing, 721 Surry St. Roughly 30 vendors, including coffee roasters, shops, makers and bakers, will be on the brewery’s campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. A VIP event takes place Friday night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with complimentary drinks and food; the VIP ticket also includes entry into the festival both days. There will be free seminars, live music, coffee trucks and more taking place throughout the weekend, and attendees will be able to vote for Best Coffee Roaster and Best Cold Brew maker. Tickets are $28, with a portion of proceeds benefiting DREAMS of Wilmington and The Carousel Center. Entry includes a free WCF espresso mug and tote.
“Wilmington Reconstructed” — Mouths of Babe Theater Company is staging its new original play, “Wilmington Reconstructed,” at Dreams this weekend. The documentary play addresses the massacre of 1898 in Wilmington. It takes a closer look at the Daily Record, Wilmington’s African-American-run newspaper at the time, which was torched by white supremacists who overthrew the biracial government in the states’ only successful coup and drove out Black residents from the city. MoB interviewed descendents, community members, scholars and teachers about the events to bring the performance to life. Before the show, a community dinner will be hosted by the company, in collaboration with Northside Food Co-op and activist group lowercase leaders. Tickets to the dinner and show are $12 to $15 and it takes place at 901 Fanning St. at 7:30 p.m.
UNCW Opera Concert — The UNCW Music Department’s Opera Outreach Project is hosting its spring concert. Seven students — Terry Artis, Zoe Laakmann, Tyler Stevenson, Leza Vass, Campbell Luellen, Connor Perry, and Izzy Spanton — will perform selections from Donizetti’s operas L’elisir d’amore and Don Pasquale in its original language. They will be accompanied by pianist Elizabeth Loparits, with Elizabeth Stovall directing, and Aaron Peisner overseeing musical direction and conducting. Costume design was done by Mark Sorensen and scenic design was created by Max Lydy. Tickets are $12, students are free, and the show takes place in Beckwith Recital hall in the Cultural Arts Building.
Pollinator Palooza — Rescheduled from last weekend, due to inclement weather, Pollinator Palooza is presented by the Coastal Land Trust at 3 Pine Valley Drive. The free community event takes place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., featuring various activities educating the public. N.C. State’s Agricultural Extension Service will present on native plants and pollinators, and participants will receive free native plant seeds — basil, tri-color bean mix, bright lights cosmos, sonja sunflowers, durango outback marigolds and borage. Pots are also provided. Items are limited and to be given away on a first-come, first-served basis.
UPDATE: The Food Truck Rodeo has been postponed to June 11 due to inclement weather planned for this weekend.
Sunday, April 30
Food Truck Rodeo
Ogden Park, 615 Ogden Park Drive • Free
Taking place at Ogden Park from noon to 5 p.m., the New Hanover County Parks Conservancy hosts a food truck rodeo featuring more than a dozen trucks. Slated to participate are plenty of locals, like Poor Piggy’s, Bills Brewing Co., Noni Bacca Winery, T’Geaux Boys, Tasty Tee’s, Paella Fuson, and Michael’s Seafood.
Also adding to the lineup are out-of-towners such as Raleigh’s Oak City Fish and Chips and Buff-o-lina, the latter of which sells items popular from Buffalo, New York, like beef on weck and pizza logs. Other North Carolina food trucks, like Caribbean Kicker and Gussy’s Greek Street Food, also will be parked.
Live music will be performed by Boba Funk and the event is free to attend; food and beverages are individually priced.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Outer Dunes Garden Party — Spring has sprung in Outer Dunes beer garden and Sunday will be a celebration with beer, a food truck, live music and a vendor market. Brewery tours start at 1 p.m. and include a beer flight. Rico’s MexiTaco food truck will park onsite from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m and a vendor market, featuring fresh eggs, bread, art and more will be set up at 2 p.m. Tom Choiniere will perform live beginning at 3 p.m.
Greenfield Yacht Club Grand Opening — A grand opening of the former Dubliner will take place at 2 p.m. Located in Sunset Park, across from Greenfield Lake, the bar is under new ownership with Billy Mellon of downtown’s fine dining establishment, manna, the live music venue Bourgie Nights and private club Earnest Money and Sons. Located at 1756 Carolina Beach Road, the space has been “spit-shined,” so to speak, with the dark interior freshed up with a lighter coat of paint, blue and white tiles and a few nods to mariner life as indicated in its new moniker, Greenfield Lake Yacht Club. There will be BBQ, cold beer and live music from Jared Michael Cline, Sean Thomas Gerard, Asia Daye, GLYC bartender Fred Flynn, The Jewell Brothers and Jesse Stockton on its expansive backyard patio. It’s free to attend; read more about Mellon taking over the space from PCD’s December coverage.
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