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. 4
‘The Producers’
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $34 and up
Opera House Theatre Company continues to present “The Producers” — the first show of its new season. The Mel Brooks’ comedy was adapted from the famed 1967 film of the same name.
The farce — a 12-time Tony Award winner — gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Broadway producers, two of whom take on a show destined to fail but fraudulently oversell the performance. It stars Troy Rudeseal as Max Bialystock and Dylan Caligiuri as Leo Bloom, with a supporting cast including Wilmington acting veterans Jeff Phillips, Fracaswell Hyman, Caitlin Bekah, and Jason Hatfield. The show is directed by Ray Kennedy, with music direction by Brian Whitted and features songs like “Keep It Gay,” “Springtime for Hitler,” and “The King of Broadway.”
“The Producers” runs Jan. 4-7 and 11-14, with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. for Saturday and Sunday matinees. Tickets start at $34.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Dare to Salsa! — If improving those dancing moves is part of a New Year’s resolution, Eagle’s Dare is the place to be Thursday evening for salsa lessons and social dancing. Hosted by Wilmington Latin Dance, a beginner lesson starts at 7 p.m. for free. At 7:30 p.m. the floor opens until 10 p.m. for social dancing, including salsa, merengue, cha cha and more. The lounge is located at 420 N. Third St. and dancing takes place in the back room.
Jazz at CAM — The Cameron Art Museum welcomes the Doug Irving Legacy Ensemble at 7 p.m. on Thursday. The group will perform music of former Wilmington pianist and vocalist Rudy and Cynthia Tyson. They were the original local pioneers of professional jazz in the greater Wilmington region. Selections will come from original tunes, arrangements, and children ensemble “Jazz-A-Tazz.” Tickets are $35 for members or $55 otherwise.
Friday, Jan. 5
Joe Mande
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 511 N Third St. • Tickets: $20-$30
Taking place both Friday and Saturday, with two shows each night at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Joe Mande is taking the Dead Crow stage this weekend.
Mande was a writer on shows like “Park and Recreation” and “The Good Place,” and produced Netflix’s series “Master of None,” starring Aziz Ansari. In 2017 he released “Joe Mande’s Award Winning Comedy Special” on Netflix and more recently starred in the HBO hit “Hacks.”
He also used to famously troll celebrities, brands and even Barrow Trump on X when it was Twitter — to the point La Croix Sparkling Water sent him a cease and desist letter.
He’s returning to Minnesota — he grew up in St. Paul — mid-month to record his next comedy special, but beforehand Wilmington audiences will get a practice run. Mande talks about oddities — like how cavemen discovered milk — and his personal life, such as how Somalis decided to bombard Minnesota with the largest population in the U.S.
Tickets to his show are $20-$30.
Saturday, Jan. 6
Swinging into the New Year: Wilmington Big Band
Hannah Block USO/Community Arts Center, 120 S. Second St. • Tickets: $5-$15
If you vied to move more in 2024, then the Cape Fear Swing Society can make those moves more exciting for you.
The group is kicking off the new year with a social and music by the Wilmington Big Band — a 16-piece jazz orchestra. Hour lessons take place before the dance, including intermediate at 5:30 p.m. and beginners at 6:30 p.m., followed by three hours of dancing at 7:30 p.m.
No partner or experience is needed to participate. The event takes place in the Hannah Block Historic USO’s CAC Auditorium and tickets are $5 for students or $15 otherwise.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Hollywood Nights: The Bob Seger Experience — A Bob Seger tribute act is performing in Brunswick County this weekend at Odell Williamson Auditorium, 150 College Road NW. From New Jersey, the group covers all of Seger’s hits, “We’ve Got Tonight,” “Night Moves,” “Still the Same,” “Against the Wind,” and others. The band plays every note to a tee, down to the keys on the baby grand piano. Tickets are $39.
UPWA New Year’s Massacre — Pro wrestlers are taking over the National Guard Armory (2221 Carolina Beach Road) on Saturday. New heavyweight champion Jake Logan will defend his title against the top contender Snooty Foxx. Also facing off will be Tag Team Champions the Silk City Kings defending against the winners of John. J. Iradi Memorial Tag Team Tournament, Lassiter International. The Gorilla Squad (featuring Ali Steele and Dee Mack/LA Tank) will face Team Pitbull (Tre-G, Baron Bullard and Johnny Smooth). There also will be a lightweight and Carolinas Champion match. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children; the event takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Wilmington Dark History Tour — Want to hear how pirates flooded the local Cape Fear waters downtown ages ago? Or learn about a Confederate spy’s unusual death running a blockade off Wilmington? The Wilmington Dark History — which takes place at 1 Water St. at 5:30 p.m. Saturday — will take parties on a walking tour unlike another. They’ll learn about the historic city’s dark past, including how fires nearly leveled it, yellow fevers plagued and of course hurricanes have wreaked havoc — though, it perseveres. This tour covers roughly three-quarters of a mile and runs just under two hours. Tickets are $22.
HOOLiGAN Homecoming — Bourgie Nights is hosting local hip-hop artists for a homecoming of sorts. The show is headlined by Trent the HOOLiGAN and emceed by Fuzz Jaxx. Also performing will be Louis., MoeSOS DC, Dre Wave$, Rebels No Savage, and Morgen. Tickets are $10.
Sunday, Jan. 7
Floating Lantern Ceremony
Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St. • Lanterns: $15-$20
Every year, Cameron Art Museum closes out its “Illumination” exhibit with a floating lantern ceremony. It takes place Sunday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and welcomes community members to create their own lantern sleeves, available for $15 in advance or $20 the day of the event at the visitor’s service desk. Decorating supplies are available in CAM’s Pancoe Education Center.
Lanterns are illuminated and floated in the art museum’s pond and represent myriad sentiments from participants, whether to honor and memorialize someone, put forth wishes for the new year, or create treasured moments with friends and family. The expression is made in “Remembrance, Reflection and Gratitude.”
There is no charge to view the ceremony, and there will be live music near the pond. Hot chocolate, beverages and light food service will be available from CAM Café. Museum admission costs $8 to $10, which includes entry into all of the current exhibits on display at CAM, including “Illumination.”
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Grown Up and Me Music Class — Geared toward ages 1-3, the class welcomes mom, dad, grandma and grandpa to bring the kids and whomever else to learn how to play music. It takes place from 11 a.m. to 11:40 a.m., followed by social time for kids and adults. It’s $10 per child at the newly launched Freya’s Haus in Scotts Hill, located beside Poplar Grove. Sign up here, as the class filled up quickly last time.
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