SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Li’l Friday is a weekly roundup of events in art, music, theater, comedy, pop-up markets and more.
READ MORE: Newly minted Grammy winner stars in latest production of ‘Death of a Salesman’
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, Feb. 22
The Work of Their Hands
Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St. • Admission: $12
A tulip quilt made 170 years ago by an unknown, enslaved woman from North Carolina will be on display at Cameron Art Museum as part of a new exhibit focused on textile art.
“The Work of Their Hands” highlights the legacy of quiltmaking. The enslaved artist’s work parallels ideas of strength and perseverance endured during a time when quilts were made for utilitarian purposes, such as bed coverings, but also showcase artistic expression, stitch by stitch.
The show features works by Brittney Boyd Bullock, Celeste Butler, Robin Cowley, Michael Cummings, Gee’s Bend quilters, Michael James, Precious Lovell, Katie Pasquini Masopust, Carolyn Mazloomi, Mary Pal, Beverly Smith, The Advocacy Project, and others.
It opens Thursday night at 6 p.m. and admission is $15 for nonmembers or free for members.
OTHER THURSDAY OFFERINGS
‘Death of a Salesman’ — Local theater company Opera House is opening a classic from the American canon, Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman.” The show follows Willy Loman, an aging salesman who is grappling with his failures as a father and husband. In order to cope with the disillusionment of his success, Willy recollects on defining moments in his past. The play stars NaTasha Yvette Williams, a newly minuted Grammy-winning singer, as Linda Loman, and local Fracaswell Hyman, an executive producer, author, and actor, as Willy Loman. It will be staged at Thalian Hall, Thursday through Sunday, starting Feb. 22 and closes March 3. The evening show begins at 7:30 p.m., and the Sunday matinee begins at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here; read PCD’s full coverage here.
Bored Teacher Comedy Tour — The Wilson Center is bringing the women behind the classroom desks center stage on Thursday evening as part of a comedy tour highlighting funny teachers. No lesson-planning, no red pens, no report cards — only plenty of quips and insights about what it’s like to really be a teacher: “I see all the mascara half-way down your face, I know you’re in a classroom.” The lineup changes city to city; tickets are $35, available here.
UNCW African-American Read-In — Discussions regarding Black and African-American authors are taking place this week as hosted by UNCW. University students, faculty and staff, and members of the broader Wilmington community will be reading from texts chosen by Black authors at D.C. Virgo from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The community is welcome to attend the free event as well.
Friday, Feb. 23
Port City Taste
Multiple locations • Prices range from $14-$45
Planning on hitting up local eateries with friends and family this weekend? Let us help with Port City Taste — featuring 20 options to consider.
The annual restaurant week — actually, it takes place a little longer for 10 days, Feb. 23 through Mar. 3 — showcases local prix-fixe menus and specials. Items include brunch, lunch and dinner, with prices starting as low as $14 and going up to $45 for dinner for two.
Going local is the heartbeat of Port City Taste; supporting restaurants created and operated by those who live in the greater Wilmington area helps foster a thriving economy. This helps circulate more money directly within the region.
The nonprofit Business Alliance for Local Living Economies breaks it down like this: For every $100 spent at a local business or restaurant, $68 stays in the community, as compared to $43 retained by a national chain’s footprint.
Check out all the participants and menus here.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Novant Health Wilmington Half and Full Marathon — A race that has been going strong for more than a decade will be set up across town this weekend. Roughly 4,000 athletes are coming to town for the Novant Health Wilmington Half and Full Marathon. They’ll cross anywhere from 1 mile (the Lidl Glow Run, to take place Friday) to 26.2 miles (the full marathon, to take place Saturday), from the beach to the downtown Riverfront. The half, full and relay races begin at Johnny Mercer Pier in Wrightsville Beach and finish downtown; while the 5k begins at Live Oak Bank Pavilion downtown. Both half and full marathon runners share the first 12 miles before the full marathon continues through downtown to Greenfield Lake and to the finish line at Riverfront Park. Registration is open here ($30-$105) and volunteers are still being accepted for the race. Packet pickup is at the Wilmington Convention Center starting Thursday, 5 p.m.
Keb Mo — Blues statesman Keb Mo is coming through the Wilson Center this weekend. The eight-time Grammy-winner is touring in support of his latest album, “Good to Be.” From Compton, California,, the 72-year-old musician, known as Kevin Moore, began his career as a steel drum player for a calypso outfit before working with various artists, such as Jefferson Airplane violinist Papa John Creach. In 1994, the solo artist made his widely acclaimed self-titled debut and became well-known for blending folk, rock, jazz, pop and country, with the release scoring the W.C. Handy Award for Best Country/Acoustic Blues Album of the Year in 1995. His followup, “Just Like You,” brought forth the artist’s first Grammy, followed by seven more in years to come. He was honored with the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement in Performance award in 2021 and has topped the Billboard blues chart multiple times — continuing collaborations with artists from Taj Mahal to Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt to The Chicks to Lyle Lovett. Mo’s 2022 release “Good to Be” is a tribute to his Compton roots. Ticket options can be found here.
Saturday, Feb. 24
Cape Fear Hooley Under the Bridge
Waterline Brewing, 721 Surry St. • Free, but donations welcome
It may not be St. Patrick’s Day, but the luck o’ the Irish will be celebrated at Waterline Brewing from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., rain or shine (the event will be tented). Cape Fear Hooley Under the Bridge is the pre-game to March 17 and acts as a fundraiser for the parade, to take place Saturday, March 16. The parade will feature the 82nd Airborne Marching Band from Fort Bragg, Wilmington Police Pipes and Drums, Mighty Marching Scorps, Shriner Drum and Bugle and ILM Jeepers.
Irish dancing, living music, beer and more is planned for Saturday. Taking the stage will be Nine Times Around, with music also to be performed by the Wilmington Police Pipe and Drums, Triggle Academy Irish Dancers, WPD Pipe Band, Banna Band and others.
Food will be available for purchase from Wheelz Pizza, Michael’s Seafood, Mommie’s and Chrome Gnome food trucks.
Waterline will create a Hooley Red, Irish ale in honor of the event.
The festival takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Dead Cool and Tracy Shedd — Great music is being planned for Bourgie Nights this weekend with a little darkwave synthpop from Wilmington’s post-punk darlings Dead Cool and indie stylings of Tracy Shedd. Shedd’s music has been on “Dawson’s Creek,” “One Tree Hill,” and “The Rebound,” and she has shared the stage with Cat Power, The Magnetic Fields and Iron & Wine. She continues releasing music — including last year’s “Let It Ride” — on Fort Lowell Records, which she operates with her husband James Tritten. Dead Cool consists of another husband-and-wife team Johnny and Angie Yeagher, who began in the height of Covid and have grown to international acclaim in a short few years. They’ve been touring, released quite a few tracks, including a catchy dark remake of Scorpion’s “Send Me An Angel,” and will be part of the double bill at Bourgie Nights. Doors are at 9 p.m. and tickets are $12.
The Pink Stones and Summer Set — A cosmic country outfit out of Athens, Georgia, The Pink Stones, will be joining Wilmington indie rockers Summer Set at Reggies 42nd Street Tavern on Saturday. The Pink Stones combine pedal steel and down-on-your-luck stylings of country with American rock and driving rhythms on their sophomore album “You Know Who.” The band very much gives Flying Burrito Brothers vibes. Summer Set, featuring founding members Brian Weeks and Robert Rogan, are quintessential to Wilmington’s indie scene. They paired up again over the last few years after a decade-long hiatus and are working on new music. It’s their first time playing Reggies, with a new lineup as well (read more about the band and their first album release from last fall, published by Port City Daily here). Tickets to the show are $17.
Sunday, Feb. 25
‘Rumors’
UNCW Mainstage Theater, Cultural Arts Building • Tickets: $5-$14
The Neil Simon play “Rumors” is being staged at UNCW one final weekend, Thursday through Saturday, at 7:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
One of the famed playwright’s most popular shows, the story follows the guests of an anniversary party for Charlie Brock, deputy mayor of New York City, and his wife, Myra. But it turns rather murderous when Brock shoots himself in the head and his wife ends up missing. The party guests then descend into chaos, spreading rumors trying to get to the truth.
The farce premiered in 1988 and locally is being directed by UNCW theatre department professor and local actor Ed Wagenseller. Tickets are $5 for students and $15 for the general public.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Prost Oyster Roast — Want to take advantage of the last months of oyster season? Prost has you covered. The German-focused eatery is celebrating its one-year anniversary Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets to the oyster roast are $25 here and include one-hours slots for all-you-can-eat oysters. Also, there will be beer and pretzels for sale, along with sausages, brats and dogs from the grill in the biergarten. Prost is located downtown at 115 S. Front St.
Pony Rides on the Beach — A family-friendly event welcoming kids to saddle up on a few ponies will take place in Freeman Park in Carolina Beach. Bring your own camera and book an appointment for an 8 to 20-minute ride on a pony; riders must be 50 pounds or less for small ponies and under 130 for larger ones.. Cost is $75 a family and a rain date has been scheduled for Mar. 3. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 910-231-2387.
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