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, April 25
‘Windows’
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $35
It’s only the second time the show has been performed since debuting Off-Broadway last August.
Big Dawg Productions secured the rights to the New York Times bestselling author Tawni O’Dell’s “Windows.” It comprises a series of monologues following actors during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic’s lockdown.
The show was adapted from the podcast “Closing the Distance,” read by Jason Alexander, Tony Danza, William Hurt, and Kathleen Turner, among others.
“Windows” stars multiple local actors, including Kevin Lee-y Green, Kent West and Paula Davis and is directed by Holi Saperstein.
“It gives actors in Wilmington a chance to work on brand new material,” Big Dawg artistic director Steve Vernon told PCD last year. “Usually, when we do a show, the play was written anywhere from three to 300 years ago, right? It’s very rare that we’re getting scripts, quote-unquote, hot off the press, and to only be the second entity to be producing these scripts.”
Tickets are $35 and the show runs one last weekend, April 25 through 28, Thursday through Saturday, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, 3 p.m. It’s staged at Thalian Hall’s Ruth and Bucky Stein Theater.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
JJ Grey and Mofro — Known for his Southern soul-rock, blues, and funk, JJ Grey and Mofro will return to Greenfield Lake Amphitheater on Saturday. The band has released nine albums in 21 years and gained a loyal following from fans of the jam-band scene. Grey is touring in support of his recent release “Olustee”; read his full interview from PCD here. The show starts at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $42.40 here.
‘Mean Girls’ — Based on the 2004 film of the same name — penned by “SNL” veteran Tina Fey (“30 Rock”) — the musical version of “Mean Girls” opens this weekend at N. Front Street Theater. It’s the first production launched since the Covid-19 pandemic from local theater company Panache. With music by Jeff Richmond (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”) and lyrics from Nell Benjamin (“Legally Blonde”), the show follows a new student, Cady, who is welcomed into the popular girls’ circle, The Plastics, only to learn how shallow and vengeful the clique is. The musical runs for the next two weekends, April 25 through 27 and May 2 through 4 at 7:30 p.m., with matinees at 3 p.m. on April 28 and May 5. Tickets are $35.
‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ — Oscar Wilde’s famed satire of mistaken identities, multiple marriage proposals, and the trivial pursuits of Victorian high society takes place for one more weekend on UNCW’s campus. “The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People” is full of madcap romps. The story is about two men, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, both of whom take on the identity of a fictional Ernest, fall in love and find themselves in a problematic situation. UNCW’s show will be directed by Robin Post, and runs one final weekend, April 25 to 28, Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $11-$14.
Friday, April 26
Meredith Casey
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 511 N. Third St. • Tickets: $18-$28
L.A.-based comedian Meredith Casey will perform at Wilmington’s Dead Crow Comedy Room this weekend. Casey is an actress (“The Beta Test,” “Immortal”) and has appeared on Comedy Central and Netflix is a Joke Radio.
“Disneyland is exhausting,” she said in a bit last year. “You’re waiting in lines all day and it’s packed and it’s expensive. Kids are jacked up on sugar and often misbehave. Parents just walk around Disneyland seething … the true magic of Disneyland is kids don’t realize how close they are to getting hit for the first time.”
Shows take place at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
‘Proof’ — Brunswick Little Theater is putting on a Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Proof,” by David Auburn. The story follows a young mathematician dealing with the death of her genius father who taught at the University of Chicago. Posthumously, his colleague finds a paradigm-shifting proof regarding prime numbers and Catherine, the professor’s daughter, sets out to validate it. Yet, she’s also dealing with grief, her own mental health and potentially newfound love. The play will be staged one final weekend Friday through Sunday — 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Directed by Ken Greenman, “Proof” takes place at Ricky Evans Gallery in Southport (211 N. Howe St.). Tickets are available here.
Saturday, April 27
Thomas Sayre: Four Walls
Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St. • Admission:
Cameron Art Museum will be opening a new exhibit this weekend, “Thomas Sayre: Four Walls.”
The American artist is debuting four new installations at CAM — each large-scale that delve into questioning belief systems and symbols representing church, nation and creation. The work is composed of tar, smoke, fabric gowns, gunshots, welding material, earth and fire. It’s all analogous to creation, its messiness, and watching how “life invades, entangles, and tarnishes” those who tackle it.
Sayre will give an artist talk regarding the exhibition at 11 a.m. Saturday. Tickets are $12 to $15 and include entry through all museum exhibits.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
ASG — The Palm Room will turn up the rock this weekend with ASG, Broncos and Queen’s Giant taking the stage beginning at 10 p.m. ASG is a popular Wilmington metal band, blending stoner and Southern rock, punk and alternative. They’ve toured with acts like Motörhead and have been a part of the Vans Warped Tour. ASG has released seven albums since 2001, including their most recent, 2022’s “Pyramid Wheels.” There is a cover charge to get into the show.
Needtobreathe, Judah & the Lion — Seneca, South Carolina’s Needtobreathe is performing at Live Oak Bank Pavilion with Judah and the Lion; doors open at 7:30 p.m. Needtobreathe is a Christian American rock band that has had crossover success with its 10 studio albums over a two-decade career. The latest is 2023’s “Caves” and features numerous collaborations, including with Judah & the Lion. The American folk band from Nashville have released five albums since 2014, with “The Process” planned to debut this May. It’s about the many stages of grief and includes the recently released track “Is What It Is.” Tickets to the show are here.
Old Crow Medicine Show — The Americana-folk five-piece, most known for their platinum selling “Wagon Wheel,” will tour through Greenfield Lake on Sunday. They’re known for their old-timey sounds that blend nostalgic country with punk energy. Read last year’s interview with the band here; tickets are here.
Pollinator Palooza — North Carolina Land Trust is hosting its annual celebration of pollinators in nature that help with the food supply. Taking place at 3 Pine Valley Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the free community event will feature various educational and fun activities from area vendors. Attendees will learn about native plants and pollinators and 50 parsley plants will be handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis as part of the demonstration.
The Flamingo Revue — A cast of characters — Dark ‘n’ Stormy, Puppy Buffé, Shirley Sweet, Sultry Sweetz, and Edie Edison — will be tantalizing and teasing audiences as part of The Flamingo Revue at 8 p.m. at Bourgie Nights. Audiences should prepare for a fun burlesque show, complete with bump ‘n’ grinds, tassel twirling, shimmies and shakes. Tickets are $20 to $25 here; Bourgie Nights is located at 127 Princess Place Drive.
Kure Community Fest — The family is welcome to Ocean Front Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Kure Beach’s annual Community Fest. There will be live music with ReSoul Band beginning at 11 a.m. and closing out the event later in the day. No Sleeves Magic will present a show blending magic and comedy at 12:30 p.m. and Kure Beach firefighters will be on hand for families to throw a ball and send them into the bilge. There will be costumed characters, reptiles from the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, mini-golf, vendors and more. Plus, food trucks — Poor Piggy’s, Well-Fed Ed, Dawn Patrol Coffee, and Happy Face Funnel Cake & Lemonade — will be on hand. Parking enforcement is free in all town-owned spaces fro the day.
Les Ballets Trockadero — UNCW is hosting a dance troupe that combines classical ballet with humor. An all-male company, Les Ballets Trockadero was founded in 1974 and performs in drag. They exaggerate their form and have become revered for their talents and irreverent approach to ballet. Tickets to the show, which takes place at Kenan Auditorium, start at $30 here.
Sunday, April 28
CineMagic: Songs from the Silver Screen
Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St. • Tickets: $30
The Wilmington Choral Society will perform a recital on Sunday at 4 p.m. featuring songs from the cinema.
The group consists of 90 singers and will perform with an accompanied pianist and chamber orchestra. They’ll cover songs through the Golden Age of film to modern day blockbusters, including “Wizard of Oz,” “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” “The Greatest Showman,” “Love Story,” “The Way We Were,” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and more.
Tickets are $15 for kids 12 and under and $30 for adults.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Quilt Inspirations — Students from DREAMS Center for Arts Education are hosting an event Sunday at 2 p.m. in homage to the current exhibition “The Work of Their Hands” at the Cameron Art Museum. The young artists, who are part of Tim Joyner’s Line/Byline class at DREAMS, will read ekphrastic poems inspired by the exhibit. The class explores identity and self-expression through written word and performance. Thereafter, dance students at DREAMS will present “Quilting,” exploring the energy and vibrancy of African-American dance and quilt-making. The event is free, though registration is open here and donations are welcome.
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