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, Oct. 5
Jelly Roll
Live Oak Bank Pavilion, 10 Cowan St. • Verified resale tickets start at $90
Coming off a year of wins from Country Music Television and People’s Choice Country Music Awards, American rapper and country musician Jelly Roll is making his Wilmington debut to a sold-out crowd at Live Oak Bank Pavilion.
He’s also been nominated in five categories from the Country Music Association Awards, to take place in November.
Jelly Roll — whose name is Jason Bradley DeFord — released in June his seventh studio album, “Whitsitt Chapel.” It’s first release, “Save Me,” a duet with Lainey Wilson, topped 11 on the U.S. Country charts.
The artist got his start more than a decade ago in collaboration with Memphis rapper Lil Wyte on “Pop Another Pill.” It garnered a strong YouTube following and laid the groundwork for Jelly Roll to release mix tapes independently ahead of his 2012 debut studio album “The Big Sal Story.”
In 2013, he faced legal action from the famed Southern diner, Waffle House, for titling his mixtape, “Whiskey, Weed and Waffle House”; it included the diner’s logo. After receiving a cease and desist, it was changed to “Whiskey, Weed and Women.” Jelly Roll released “Ballads of the Broken,” in 2021 on the label BBR Music Group, which charted No. 21 on the U.S. independent album’s list.
The artist has collaborated on multiple albums with Lil Wyte and Struggle Jennings — the latter is the grandson of instrumental rock guitarist Duane Eddy and country musician Jessi Colter, the step-grandson of Waylon Jennings.
Joining his Backroad Baptism Tour are special guests Jennings, Caitlynne Curtis, and Josh Adam Meyers.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
A Chorus Line — Thalian Association continues to stage a musical classic through the weekend. Directed and choreographed by Kendra Goehring with music direction by Cathy Street, “A Chorus Line” takes a behind-the-scenes look at Broadway theater. It’s centered on 17 dancers auditioning for a place on the chorus line and traces their backstories — both performers and the choreographer — to show what shaped and informed their decisions to become dancers. With music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban, and a book by James Kirkwood Jr. and Nicholas Dante, the musical won the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, one of the few ever to receive the honor. It also scored the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play of the season. The show runs Sept. 29 through Oct. 8, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
Alice Cooper — The ‘70s shock rocker will bring his theatrical antics to Wilson Center’s stage just in time for the Halloween season. One of music industry’s indelible hard rock icons leans into vaudeville and brings horror aesthetics as a backdrop for his blend of garage and hard rock. In the past, Cooper has featured electric chairs, guillotines, fake blood, and boa constrictors onstage. The 75-year-old has released 20 studio albums, including 2021’s “Detroit Stories” (produced by Bob Ezrin), inspired by his hometown of Detroit and the garage rock emanating from it in the late ’60s. It entered Billboard’s album sales chart at No. 1 the week of release and charted in the UK, Germany, Australia and Sweden. Cooper recently released his 21st studio album, “Road.” By press, the only tickets available were in the pit for $275.
Halloween Movie Night — As the spooky season has officially arrived, The Eagle’s Dare (420 N. Third St.) is hosting a family-friendly movie night. Thursday at 8 p.m., it’s free to catch “The Monster Squad.” The 1987 horror comedy follows a group of youngsters attempting to save their town from Dracula, the Mummy, Frankenstein’s monster and Gill Man. During movie nights, the renovated-1950s-gas-station-turned-bar will also have a specialty Halloween-themed cocktail; Thursday’s will be Vampire’s Kiss — essentially, a strawberry rhubarb Boulevardier. Every Thursday a new movie and cocktail will be featured.
Drive-By Truckers — Athens, Georgia-based Drive-By Truckers and Raleigh’s American Aquarium will be performing at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater Thursday evening. DBT is well-known for its Americana sound steeped in blues, country and honky-tonk, while AA also leans into Americana rock. DBT, the headliner, released its 14th studio album, “Welcome 2 Club XIII,” last April. In an interview with Port City Daily last year, frontman Patterson Hood said the stories on the album were character-driven, representative of band members or family and close friends from DBT’s early days when they went by the name Adam’s House Cat. The album also pays homage to the “Muscle Shoals honky-tonk,” a place Patterson and founding member Mike Cooley got their start. DBT recorded the album over three days in the summer of 2021 with producer David Barbe; it features contributions from Mike Mills (R.E.M.) and country songstress Margo Price. AA has released 14 albums since its founding in 2006, including 2022’s “Chicamacomico.” Tickets are available for $35 here.
Friday, Oct. 6
Port City Taste Craft Cocktail Week
Multiple venues across Wilmington • See all menus here
Underwhelming cocktails are a thing of the past during Port City Taste Craft Cocktail Week.
Since Sept. 29, two dozen participating businesses have been offering one-of-a-kind, thoughtful sippers that move beyond a mere Jack and Coke.
More than 50 specialty craft cocktails are featured as part of cocktail week, many boasting fresh fruits and creative techniques. There are concoctions celebrating fall, such as the Autumn Spritzer from The George highlighting End of Days Rum with prosecco, candied apple and maple cinnamon. Some also are soaking up the final warm days of summer’s past: Castle Street’s Desire from Greenfield Lake Yacht Club pairs End of Days gin with basil and simple syrup. Classics can also be found, such as the Paloma at CAM Cafe, featuring End of Days Distillery’s new tequila, Castillo 1810 Agave Blue.
End of Days is CCW’s sponsor and has its own menu to boast in the Cargo District. To see all the participating menus, click here.
And read more about CCW here.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
King Invitational and Spanish Mackerel Tournament — Happening in Wrightsville Beach at 23 E. Salisbury St., a three-day fishing tournament will be underway. Big game passholders that participated and are in good standing from last year’s tournament will be able to sign up first. Entry fee for King mackerel is $50 for 14 fishermen a day; they will only go out one of the three days. Payout is $350 to $1,000 for first through third. It’s a $20 fee for all three days for Spanish mackerel fisherman, who must use artificial bait; with the payout being 20% to 50% of the purse. To register, email jmpff@yahoo.com.
Robby Slowick — Dead Crow Comedy Room will have four shows this weekend featuring Robby Slowick. The New York comedian is a current writer for “The Problem with Jon Stewart,” which airs on Apple TV. Slowick homes in on observational humor. Just last month he took issue with his car mocking him — “Cars are so smug, like the new Mercedes gives you driving advice: ‘You seem tired, maybe you should pull over a take a break.’” He also took up the topic of bullying after he passed a bookstore with 100 people in line waiting to get an anti-bullying book signed: “So I just cut to the front of the line.” Slowick, who has also been on MTV, Comedy Central and “Conan,” will perform four shows, Oct. 6-7, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. nightly. Tickets are $18 to $28.
“Dinner Party” — UNCW’s theater department is hosting a student-written production Oct. 5-7, 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 8, 2 p.m. The interactive play “Dinner Party” brings together friends to an annual birthday party, unlike any other they’ve endured, where love, friendship and murder is exposed. A choose-your-own-adventure program, the audience gets to determine who lives, dies and how the characters move forward in their lives. The show is directed by Julia Gambon and tickets are $10 general admission and $3 for youth and students. The show takes place in the UNCW SRO Theatre, 5270 Randall Drive.
Joe Smothers — A former member of the Frosty Morn band, founded by North Carolina’s bluegrass icons Doc and Merle Watson, is performing at Live at Ted’s Friday at 8 p.m. Joe Smothers spent years touring throughout a dozen albums with Doc, playing his funeral, even, and has taken the stage at every MerleFest for the last two decades. He took a hiatus to rear his children, but now that they’ve flown the nest, he is back writing and touring, most recently creating “These Things I Know.” Tickets to his show are $10 and can be purchased here.
Saturday, Oct. 7
Riverfest
Downtown Wilmington • Free to attend
Wilmington’s annual fall-time soiree will take place Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Riverfest has been happening in the city since 1979 and draws in tens of thousands of visitors to the greater Wilmington area annually.
The street fair welcomes arts and crafts vendors, as well as food purveyors selling turkey legs, sausages, popcorn and more. A classic car display will take place both days, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with kids and multicultural performances taking place in the CFCC student parking lot from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Live music will be set up in the same lot from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. A Kidz Zone will have inflatables, rides, stage events, and activities for youngsters.
While the festival has included fireworks displays in previous years, it’s skipping the sparks, sizzles and booms in 2023.
There is free street parking all weekend during the event, though private lots are paid; handicap parking is available on Front Street between Brunswick and Hanover streets.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Gregory Farms Fall Festival — In the small Pender County community of Curie, , Gregory Farms Fall Festival is taking place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m at 2576 Montague Rd. There will be food trucks with Lobster Dogs, Donut Bus, Beyond the Bayou, Tacos El Jefe and Lanes Ferry. Plus, wine slushies and beer will be sold. The farm will host hayrides and have live music from John Toppings (10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) and Austin Band (1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.). Chairs and blankets allowed, though no outside coolers or alcohol. It’s a $6 admission.
Fall Craft Market — Thirty or more local vendors will be on the grounds of the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens (224 Market St.) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free to the market, with local artisans selling art, jewelry, leather wares, soaps, pottery and other handmade crafts on the 1-acre grounds. Burgwin-Wright will open its historic home, jail, and art gallery featuring “Three Visions,” metal, paper and glass artworks by local artists Sarah Sheffield, Lois Watson, and Elena Wright.
Hope Harbor Home Fundraiser — Broomtail Brewery will be hosting a fundraiser in honor of October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month. A portion of proceeds from beer sales will benefit Brunswick County’s Hope Harbor Home, which provides around-the-clock response and shelter for victims and families of domestic violence. Broomtail has brewed Persephone, a blonde ale created with Purple Pea Flower and Ube purple yams (purple is the symbolic color of peace, courage, survival and honor for the awareness month). All proceeds of its sales go to Hope Harbor, plus $1 from all other draft pints and four-pack sales. Live music will be performed by local musicians Rob Ronner (2 p.m.) and solo artists Rosie Ecklund (4 p.m.). Seoul Sushi food truck will be on site from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.; the event gets underway at 1 p.m.
Pets in Park — A celebration of animals will take place at Carolina Beach Lake Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a pet trick and pet costume contests, both emceed by WWAY’s Jeff Rivenbark with CB council and mayor judging. There also will be free face-painting, a puppy kissing booth, live music by Elliot Smith, free swag, $10 professional pet photos, rescue groups Monty’s Home, Freedom Bridge and Ruffian Foundation, as well as nonprofits including paws4people, Orion’s Stars, CB Dog Park, GIO Fund and Pawsibility. A blessing of the animals will take place as well and lawn chairs will be welcome, with the event taking place rain or shine. Admission is $5 at the door (kids under 10 free) or pay in advance here. Partial proceeds will go to area nonprofits and rescues.
Oktoberfest — Brunswick Beer Xchange Company in Leland is hosting Oktoberfest from noon to 7 p.m. There will be games, food, a beer stein-holding and pin the beers contests and more on deck. At noon, D&J’s Sweet Treats Ice Cream Truck will be parked as well as 2Bros Coastal Cuisine. Axes and Allies provides ax-throwing facilities at 3 p.m. and live music will be performed by Astoria Bound and Audiomelt. The bottle shop is located at 113 Village Road NE.
“Best Little Christmas Pageant Ever” Auditions — Sure, Halloween may be right around the corner, but local theater companies are already in the planning stages for their holiday productions. Thalian Association Community Theatre is holding auditions for its second production of its 2023-2024 youth theater season. It will hold auditions for “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” on Oct. 7, 10 a.m., at the Community Arts Center, 120 S. 2nd St., downtown Wilmington. The show follows a group of rowdy, rambunctious kids, the Herdmans, who end up in the annual church play to tell the Christmas story. Directed by Logan Mack and Meghan McDonald, the show will run Nov. 17-26 at the Community Arts Center. Participants, youth ages 7 through 18 (high school seniors) of all genders and races welcome, will receive preparation material after securing a time slot. Callbacks will be at 2 p.m. on Oct. 7. The complete character breakdown can be viewed here.
Belville Fall Festival — From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., arts and crafts and food vendors will line Belville Riverwalk Park, 580 River Road for the annual Belville Fall Festival. There also will be live music, inflatables, face painting, fairy hair, balloon character creations, a carnival game area, Gellyball and more to partake in. It’s free to attend.
Sunday, Oct. 8
Panic Attack
3245 Pine Level Church Road, Nakina • Tickets: $30 and up
An hour west in a swampy, desolate area, a haunted attraction created by film industry professionals is officially open. Panic Attack is not for the faint of heart; it brings extreme scares to all who dare enter.
The attraction is brought to life by set designers, mechanized props, and actors who take on demonic clowns, threatening queens, dragons, zombies, and … Captain Hook? The 2023 event centers on the theme “Neverland,” so expect a dark take on beloved children’s fairy tales — such as the “horrid-filled mine shaft” of Snow White’s seven dwarfs or Alice in Wonderland strapped to the guillotine and “twisted turns” taken by Little Red Riding Hood.
Panic Attack is open 7:30 p.m. to midnight every Friday and Saturday through Halloween, plus reopen Tuesday, Oct. 31. Tickets are $30-$70; the attraction tends to pack in audiences every season, so reservations are recommended. Food vendors are on site and there are plenty of photo opportunities to capture the fun of the season. Plus, DJs Slim McGraw, Dayz and Dank Williams alternate nights to bring live tunes.
As well, the attraction — located on Boondocks Adventure Farm — will feature the opening of Boondocks General store, selling snacks, drinks and merch. The farm is open for the fall and has an alien maze, playground with tire mountain play area and jumping pads, a petting zoo, plus a Barnyard twister and Bugs and Bees rides.
Learn more about the farm’s happenings here. It operates Fridays and Saturdays, 4 p.m. till dark; and Sundays, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Galloway Farm Maze — A 13-acre sorghum maze in Brunswick County is open for the season, plus there is a 3-acre kid’s maze. Galloway’s opens every weekend, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday (reservations can be made Tuesday through Thursday) for the community to enjoy the mazes, as well as farm games, an augmented reality scavenger hunt, tractor and barrel train rides, live animals and more. Tickets are $12 online or $14.50 in person.
Tips or comments? Email info@localdailymedia.com.
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our morning newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
