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, March 7
‘A Sinking Feeling’ Art Opening
Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St.
Free
Art work by Rochelle Fainstein will hang in Flytrap Brewing downtown starting Thursday. The artist will have an opening for “A Sinking Feeling” from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The abstracts have an oceanic throughline, completed in 2023 and 2024. Fainstein, self-taught, travels for inspiration and has lived in New York and Texas, before settling in Wilmington. She has exhibited in Austin, Brooklyn, San Marcos and Pittsburgh and has upcoming shows also at Aces Gallery in Wilmington and Van Der Pleas Gallery in New York City.
Fainstein painted as a child but picked it up again in adulthood to work through trauma. Today, she works in various media (see the art work here).
Grimmburger will be on site Thursday and live music will be played by The Fustics, an American roots-rock band from Wilmington.
Friday, March 8
Aaron Berg
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 901 Fanning St. • Tickets: $25
Canadian-born comedian Aaron Berg, also the author of books “Mr. Manners” and “American Etiquette,” will be at Dead Crow for four shows this weekend.
Berg, who now lives in New York City, started his career as a standup comedian a decade ago. Since, he has appeared in feature films like “The Boondock Saints 2,” “Detroit Rock City,” “The Kitchen” (featuring Melissa McCarthy), Saturday Night Live’s “The Ladies Man” and “The Lookout.” He also is part of Amazon’s “25 Sets” featuring other comics in New York, such as Jeanene Garofolo. He broke the world record for doing the most sets, 25, in one night.
No two of his standup acts are ever the same and he often riffs with the audience. His delivery is boisterous, often raunchy, where he tackles topics of unconventional family life, working out, American society, race, and buying a gun.
“You can’t just buy a gun and think you’re good at it, you don’t turn into John Wick instantly,” he said. “You have to practice with the gun. Every weekend I go to a regimented area where it’s accepted. Every weekend I go to Chicago and walk the streets for practice rounds. I’m kidding, I don’t do that, the flights are too expensive.”
Berg also has launched “Street Famous” where he rips on people walking in New York.
He is performing at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; tickets are $18 to $28.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Completely Free Market — A completely free market will take place on the Northside at 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, continuing throughout the weekend, both Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Multiple items are up for grabs, from home goods to clothes, furniture and toys — all donated from the community-at-large. Volunteers are still needed and can sign up here to help run it at Sokoto House, 1213 Dawson St.
Kyle Lindley and Adam Carswell — Wilmington native Kyle Lindley will perform with Adam Carswell, guitarist and pedal-steel guitarist, at Live at Ted’s this weekend. Lindley, inspired by Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Woodie Guthrie, plays folk, country and blues. Tickets are are $11.
USS Battleship North Carolina Ghost Hunt — Known as one of the most haunted ships, downtown Wilmington’s iconic attraction welcomes people aboard for a ghost hunt from 8 p.m. until Saturday at 1 a.m. on the USS Battleship (1 Battleship Road NE). The ticket price of $129 includes a tickets for a day tour, exclusive overnight access to areas that are normally off-limits, access to the most haunted areas of the ship, psychic medium vigil, use of paranormal equipment, free time to explore the ship, snacks and beverages. Tickets can be purchased here; event is open to all ages.
Saturday, March 9
Pete Davidson Wellness Check
Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St. • Tickets start at $65
“SNL” alum Pete Davidson — also the writer and star of Peacock’s release “Bumpkis” — will be stopping over in downtown Wilmington; he’s touring in support of his “Wellness Check.”
Davidson starred for eight years on “SNL” and became popular for producing and starring in parody music videos and making appearances on Weekend Update addressing everything from mental health to Covid-19. He also has launched a film career, co-writing, producing and starring in “The King of Staten Island,” as well as making appearances in “Trainwreck,” “Set It Up,” and “Bodies Bodies Bodies.”
His upcoming projects include “Dumb Money,” “Wizards!” and “I Slept with Joey Ramone.” He’s also released numerous comedy specials, including his first for Comedy Central in 2016, followed by 2020’s “Pete Davidson: Alive From New York.”
His show will be phone-free at Wilson Center, to take place at both 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
600 Trees — The Alliance for Cape Fear Trees is providing plantable, pre-potted trees to the community to celebrate the annual day of recognition for organizations and individuals to plant, care for, and appreciate trees. Distribution of the trees will begin on March 9 at 9 a.m. and last until 12 p.m. at Legion Stadium Pool, located at 2131 Carolina Beach Road. Six hundred containerized Crepe Myrtles, White Oaks and American Elms will be available to the public, made possible by funding from the Arbor Day Foundation. Free mulch will be provided, and those interested are advised to bring containers. The Alliance for Cape Fear Trees is seeking volunteers to assist with unloading trees the day before the celebration, along with management of parking, transportation of trees to cars, providing tree planting instruction, and various additional tasks the day of the celebration. Find more information about volunteering and event registration here.
Wilmington Latin Dance 12-Year Anniversary — Celebrating more than a decade, Wilmington Latin Dance is hosting a dance class and social from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Brunches on Randall Parkway. It’s encouraged to wear red, black and white for an intro lesson at 9 p.m.; the floor opens at 9:30 for social dancing. No partner is needed and there will be giveaways. Tickets are $15 at door or receive $5 discount with code 12YEAR here (expires March 8).
Curated on Castle Street — Taking place the second Saturday each March through November, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Curated on Castle is set up at Sixth and Castle streets. It features 20 independent vendors and nearby businesses like Gravity Records, and Jess James + Co. In downtown proper at the Cotton Exchange, there will be 10 vendors in the outdoor courtyard from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and area merchants will be open.
Chatham County Line Album Release Show — Chatham County Line, the three-piece string band from the Triangle — who recently backed up Michael Shannon in “George and Tammy” (filmed in Wilmington) as The Nashville A-Team — is coming back to town. Only this time, it’s in support of their new album, “Hiyo.” Dave Wilson, John Teer and Greg Readling dropped in January; the 11-track release moves beyond bluegrass and into synth-based Americana roots music. Synth and drum machines, stretched-out harmonicas and harmoniums are included. The band lost one of its members Chandler Holt, who exited in 2019, and decided to move in a new direction. “We didn’t want to just do the same thing we’d always done with a different person on banjo. That’s not how artists grow in the world,” Wilson told The Bluegrass Situation. They’re playing Bourgie Nights at 127 Princess St.; tickets are $20 to $25.
CAM Not-So-Silent Auction — Cameron Art Museum is hosting a fundraiser this weekend that will allow attendees a chance to bid on more than 60 original works of art and other unique pieces donated by artists, including works by Wilmington artist Claude Howell and Jugtown Pottery from CAM. Other artists include Elena Wright, Renato Abbate, Fritz Huber, Clyde Jones, and others. Fort Lowell Records will spin vinyl all night and Eric Medler (Q101), with heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer, and wine served from CAM Café. Tickets are $100 to $150, which also includes a CAM membership. Up to 88% of the ticket cost is tax deductible.
Cultural Footprints: Murals of the Northside — Local artist and former UNCW professor Janet Robertson has been creating murals in Wilmington for years, particularly on the Northside. Her work, often including the community-at-large, can be seen at DREAMS of Wilmington and the Robert Strange pool, for example. Now, she’s hosting a two-hour walking tour around two miles of the Northside. The walk is free and begins at 10 a.m.; meet at DREAMS at 901 Fanning.
Sunday, March 10
Scotopia
DREAMS of Wilmington, 901 Fanning St. • Tickets: $25
Mouths of Babes Theatre Company is hosting two weekends of short plays at DREAMS theater.
“Scotopia” — meaning the ability to see in dim light or darkness — consists of short plays in various genres regarding social issues. Its goal is to challenge perception and what’s considered normal.
For instance, one play, “The Line” by D.W. Gregory from “Out of Silence” centers on a woman who awaits outside an abortion clinic for a protest to die down; it will star Madisyn Fleming. Another is called “The Ballad of George Zimmerman,” directed by Kevin Lee-Y Green of Techmoja Theater and Dance. It’s a 10-minute folk opera about the murder of Trayvon Martin.
Tickets are $25 and the show runs one final weekend, March 9-10.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Rhapsody in Blue — Wilson Center will welcome the N.C. Symphony to the theater on Third Street at 7:30 p.m. “Rhapsody in Blue.” William Eddins will conduct and play piano. Performed will be Milhaud’s The Creation of the World, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Copland’s Appalachian Spring and Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo. A talk with Eddins will take place at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $25.
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