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 14
The Cape Fear River Imagined in Cloth
Burgwin-Wright House, 224 Market St. • Free
The historic museum on Market Street has been hosting an art exhibit that focuses on quilting.
“The Cape Fear River Imagined in Cloth” captures the water source at the heart of the Cape Fear region, its history, landmarks around it, surrounding banks and wildlife in thread and fabric. The quilts have been created by the Quilters by the Sea Guild, which consists of more than 150 members.
The exhibit is slated to close Saturday, March 16, but the works are on view and for sale until then. Admission is free, with the museum open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday, March 15
Fortune Feimster
Wilson Center, 703 N. 3rd St. • Tickets start at $41
The queen of ice-cream dancing and Southern impressions is coming to Wilson Center for two shows Friday, at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Fortune Feimster, originally from Belmont, North Carolina, uses comedy to delve into her life, such as discussing her proclivity for dining at Chili’s and having birthday parties at Hooters.
“My entire family liked eating at Hooters,” she said in her 2020 special, “Sweet and Salty,” filmed in Charlotte. “My mom liked Hooters cause you could buy a wheelbarrow of wings for $4. She’s like, ‘Everybody’s rich at Hooters.’”
Feimster got her comedic break as a writer and panelist on “Chelsea Lately.” She also appeared on the Hulu series “The Mindy Project” and has had a recurring role on Showtime’s “The L Word: Generation Q.” Over the summer, she appeared in “Fubar” with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
She’s released a 2022 standup special for Comedy Central and she talks about revealing being a lesbian to her family at age 25.
“When I finally decided to come out, it was really scary, especially telling your dad,” she said. “Because your dad is your dad. I mean, he was who taught you how to play softball — which, like, the gayest sport there is. In fact, some people call it a gateway sport.”
In 2023 “Fortune Feimster: Good Fortune” was also released on Netflix.
Tickets are available here.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Blooms and Brews — Taking place at Airlie Gardens at 6 p.m. is a new event to help fundraise for its thousands of flowers and plants. This includes 75,000 azaleas, 30,000 tulips and 4,000 camellia cultivars. Taking place on the Airlie Gardens lawn, there will be food from Pine Valley Market, including beers from Mad Mole and live music. Ticket includes parking, food and two drinks; cash bar is also open. Gates open at 5:45 p.m.
‘Madagascar the Musical Jr.’ — “Madagascar A Musical Adventure Jr.” is one of Thalian Association Community Theatre’s “rookie” shows, where new talent is scouted, ages 7 to high school seniors. The musical will be directed by Emily Graham and runs Mar. 15-24 at the Hannah Block USO/Community Arts Center, 120 S. SecondSt. The comedy follows the zoo crew around the world, as Marty the Zebra chases his dream to see life outside of the zoo. His friends, Alex the Lion, Gloria the Hippo, and Melman the Giraffe and others, embark on a boisterous adventure from New York’s Central Park Zoo to the island of Madagascar. Free tickets available to area youth organizations in February and open to everyone on a first-come basis on March 1; afterward, they can be reserved by calling 910-251-1788 or securing them at thalian.org. There will be six public shows and two daytime school performances, with teaching resources available to support classroom learning.
Mamma Mia! — Cape Fear Academy’s theater department is bringing its students to the stage to put on the famed jukebox musical featuring the music of ABBA. Written by British playwright Catherine Johnson and based on songs recorded by Swedish group, “Mamma Mia!” tells the story of an overworked hotelier in the Greek islands preparing for her daughter Sophie’s marriage. Sophie invites three men from her mom’s past in hopes to meet her biological father, who can escort her down the isle. The show runs at Thalian Hall (310 Chestnut St.) March 15 – 17 and tickets are $26.
Dana Gould — Comedian Dana Gould has been seen on TV’s popular comedies including “Seinfeld” and “Parks and Rec,” as well as most recently on Showtime’s “I’m Dying Up Here.” Gould began his career in comedy at 17, and since has recorded six standup specials, written for the “Ben Stiller Show” and helped co-produce “The Simpsons,” as well as voiced characters on the popular animated series. His album “Mr. Funnyman” charted in the top place on iTunes. He performs two shows on Friday and Saturday nights at Dead Crow Comedy Room; tickets are $25-$35.
Saturday, March 16
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Downtown Wilmington • Free
Everything’s coming up green this weekend as St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are in abundance.
The official parade, celebrating 23 years, takes place Saturday at 11 a.m. with Meg and Joe Newcomb acting as grand marshals. The route moves down Front Street, from New Hanover to Dock streets.
The parade will feature the 2nd Marine Division Band, Wilmington Police Pipes and Drums, Mighty Marching Scorps, Shriner Drum and Bugle, ILM Jeepers and Port City Rollerz.
It’s free to attend.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Beer, Bourbon and BBQ — From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., an event taking place at Live Oak Bank Pavilion, 10 Cowan St., will welcome beer, bourbon and barbecue lovers. There will be more than 60 beers and 40 bourbons. Plus, a lot of barbecue, bacon, biscuits and smoked meats will be served. Live bluegrass is played throughout the day, with games onsite, including Connect Four, giant Jenga and cornhole. Tickets are $45 for general admission from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and include a souvenir tasting glass for all beer and bourbons plus live entertainment by Mallow Hill and Love Tribe; food priced separately. Designated driver tickets are $25.
Family Flytrap Day — Celebrating the Venus Flytrap, indigenous to the area, an event will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Carolina Beach State Park. The event includes crafts, games, and carnivorous plant hikes. Guests should head to the visitor’s center from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Get Lucky Festival — Waterline Brewing will host 10 bands and plenty of DJ’s as part of The Port City Experiment’s third annual Get Lucky III Festival. Featured will be alternative-rockers Hyperloops, singer-songwriters Madisinn and Annalee Beck, the blues-rock of Grom and the One Eyed Jacks, indie pop-rock GTD, among others. It takes place from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. at 721 Surry St. Tickets are $11 to $21.
Kegs and Eggs — Before catching the parade, head over to Eagle’s Dare at Third and Red Cross streets at 10:30 a.m. for the St. Patrick’s Day kegs and eggs. On Thyme Food Truck will be serving breakfast food from its new spot Brunch Thyme in the Brooklyn Arts District. The Dare will be slinging beers and Wilmington’s favorite Irish band, The Blarney Brogues, will perform.
Rooster and Crow St. Pat’s Celebration — In the beer garden of Rooster and Crow in Chandler’s Wharf, live music will be on display all day, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., starting with John Duncan and Carter Giegerich Duom followed by the Marshall Brown Bluegrass Bank at 3:30 p.m. and Tan & Sober Gentlemen, 7 p.m. It’s free to attend, and drinks can be purchased from Rooster and Crow and Cryptid Den.
Jazz is Led — The riffs of Led Zeppelin will be converted to different music genres at Bourgie Nights on Saturday. Jazz is Led takes the popular British rock band’s musicality and transforms it into jazz, funk, Latin, swing and instrumental tunes. It’s led by Charlotte drummer and jazz performer Curtis Wingfield and backed by Troy Conn on guitar, Ron Brendle on bass and Emanuel Wynter on violin. They cover songs including “Over the Hills and Far Away,” “Kashmir,” “Immigrant Song” and others. Tickets to the show are $15 in advance here or $18 at the door. Doors are at 9 p.m. and the show begins at 10 p.m.
Steve Haydu Lo Tide Run — The annual St. Patrick’s Day run is celebrating 20 years this Saturday. A 10K and 5K is open for registration for $45. The start and finish lines are located at 205 Charlotte Ave. with packet pickup scheduled at Good Hops (811 Harper Ave.) on Thursday, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Start times are staggered beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, the course moving runners through the town of Carolina Beach. Individual awards are scheduled for 9 a.m., followed by a celebration until 11:30 a.m. featuring music from the Marshall Brown Bluegrass Band, food trucks, and raffles. An afterparty is also being hosted at the Lazy Pirate from noon to 3 p.m., with live music by the Phantom Playboys. The race is scheduled rain or shine; however, if severe weather and thunderstorms take place it will move to Sunday, March 17. Monies raised benefit individuals and families that are struggling due to a cancer diagnosis. Learn more here.
Get Lucky-A-Go-Go — Downtown’s German biergarten is hosting a dance party in its outdoor courtyard with the Beehive Blondes on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to midnight. The deejaying duo, featuring Jess James and Lauren Jones, play tunes from the ‘50s through modern day. It’s free — wear your favorite green retro designs.
Fermental St. Patrick’s Day — The Cargo District bottle shop is also celebrating the luck o’ the Irish with music from local Irish band The Blarney Brogues at 7 p.m.. Stouts, red ales, green ales (Carolina Brewery) and mead will be on special, as well the Shamrock Slush (mint-infused prosecco slushee). Food truck 2 Bros Coastal Cuisine (1 p.m.) and Pepe’s Tacos (6 p.m.) are going to be onsite. The bottle shop is family- and dog-friendly, located at 600 S. 17th St.
Palate Oyster Roast and Garden Party — On the opposite side of downtown’s outskirts, another bottle shop is hosting a different celebration to help people amp up their garden party vibes. Palate in the Brooklyn Arts District is hosting an oyster roast with fresh bivalves from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and hors d’oeuvres served until 6 p.m.; food is being served from its neighbor, three10. There also will be wine and beer tastings, spring cocktails, and music by DJ Vyvani.
Step Afrika! — The Wilson Center is hosting a dance company that combines percussive dance styles with storytelling, humor and audience participation. Step Afrika!, founded in the mid-’90s by C. Brian Williams, consists of 17 full-time dancers, many of whom attended Historically Black Colleges and Universities and are members of its Greek fraternities and sororities. It tours internationally, bringing high-paced energy and agility to audiences. Tickets start at $28.
Sunday, March 17
Beckwith Recital Series
Beckwith Recital Hall, 5280 Randall Drive • Tickets: $14
The UNCW Music Department is hosting guest performers are part of its inaugural Beckwith Recital Series at 7:30 p.m.
The department is celebrating works of female composers as part of International Women’s month, including Fernande Decruck, Meira Warshauer, Krisztina Megyeri, Wenxin Li, and Maricel Mendez. Performing will be saxophonist Gabriel Sánchez Porras and pianist Elizabeth Loparits.
The concert also features the premiere of music commissioned for the series. Tickets are $14 and the show takes place on the campus’ recital hall on Randall Drive.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Smoking Pipes, Rodeoboys, Latewaves — Reggie’s on 42nd Street will host a rockathon with three bands starting at 7 p.m. on St. Paddy’s Day. Smoking Pipes is a pop-punk act out of the suburbs of Chicago, consisting of brothers Matt Caterer (bass), Josh Caterer (lead vocals/guitar) and Eli Caterer (guitar/backing vocals) and Mike Felumlee (drums). Rodeoboys perform catchy loud alt-rock, as heard on their latest album, “Home Movies,” while Latewaves hail from the beaches of Asbury Park, plays angstry riffs and anthemic rock. Tickets are $20.
St. Pawty’s Day — Axes and Allies on Third Street is hosting a fundraiser for Wagon Tails Farm. There will be open throwing, local vendors, raffles and a DIY pint-dying station. A 32-person double elimination tournament also will be held, plus there will be rescue merchandise for sale and rescue pups up for adoption.
Azalea Fest Children’s Tea — The 21st Azalea Children’s Tea will be hosted at Cape Fear Country Club at 2 p.m. There will be entertainment, crafts, tea and finger foods, a silent auction and more. Tickets are $50 and proceeds from tickets and auction items go to fund the Big Buddy program of the Cape Fear Volunteer Center. Children must be accompanied by adults.
The Ivey Anniversary Party — A bar located in 10 Wilkinson Ally, across from Blue Post, is celebrating two years in the Port City, in addition to the luck o’ the Irish. The Ivey will host Port City Pipes and Drums from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will have an 80s pop-duo JUNO performing from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There is also a $100 cash prize for best dressed St. Paddy’s Day outfit.
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