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, May 2
Jewish Film Festival
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $10 – $75
It’s celebrating 10 years of bringing international films to screen at historic Thalian Hall for nine days.
The Wilmington Jewish Festival kicked off Wednesday and will continue through Thursday, May 9. The festival’s goal is to strengthen the cultural foundation and heritage of the Port City’s Jewish community, while promoting diversity and inclusion.
“Catskills” will screen Thursday evening about a mountain village retreat, popular in the mid-20th Century for Jewish families to vacation in the summer; the resort has been featured in prominent films and TV series like “Dirty Dancing” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Comedians, dance instructors, musicians and other entertainment were featured at the vacation destination, which filmmakers interviewed, along with waiters who worked there.
On Sunday, a retrospective about legendary comedian Gene Wilder will screen in “Remembering Gene Wilder.” It’s told through outtakes, never-before-seen home movies and interviews with friends, like Mel Gibson, Alan Alda and Carol Kane.
A special dinner will also be hosted at 5 p.m. on Sunday, catered by Spoonfed, for an additional $18, served with wine. It takes place ahead of the 7 p.m. screening of “The Way to Happiness,” a 2021 comedy and drama that centers on Saul, who escapes the Holocaust and later in life owns a delicatessen. One of his proteges seeks out turning Saul’s story into a film.
Passes to all screenings are priced at $60; individual tickets are $10, available here.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Kip Moore — The Nashville singer-songwriter will perform at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. Known for tracks like, “Mary Was the Marrying Kind” and “Something ‘Bout a Truck,” Moore has released five albums including 2023’s “Damn Love.” Tickets are $59, available here.
Friday, May 3
‘Little Women the Musical‘
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $28 and up
For the next two weekends, “Little Women the Musical” will be brought to life at Thalian Hall’s Ruth and Bucky Stein Theater.
Based on Louisa May Alcott’s novel about the adventures of four sisters — Jo, Meg, Beth and May — the famed Civil War-era story will come alive set to music. It’s being produced by Acting Up Community Theater, which hosts acting classes for kids to adults and hosts performances.
The company began in 2014 and has produced more than 20 shows.
Tickets to “Little Women” are $28, available here. The show will take place the next two weekends, Friday through Saturday, 7:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Jordan Davis — Bringing his Damn Good Time World Tour to Live Oak Bank Pavilion, Jordan Davis’ music has topped number one on the Billboard Country. He teamed up with artist Luke Bryan on “Buy Dirt” in 2021, nominated for ACM’s Song of the Year and Single of the Year; it won Country Music Award’s Song of the Year in 2022. The duet reached number one on the Hot Country Songs chart and was one of the top five most streamed country songs in both 2021 and 2022. The song is featured on Davis’ latest album, “Bluebird Days.” Read the interview PCD ran with him earlier this week here. Tickets are available here.
Trial By Fire — Eagle’s Dare Free Concert Fridays kick off with a Journey tribute act, Trial By Fire. Located at 420 N. Third St., gates open at 4 p.m. with openers at 7 p.m. and headliners taking the stage at 8 p.m. Opening for TBF will be Cape Fear Rising at 7 p.m. before the headliner takes the stage at 8 p.m.
Kentucky Derby Parties — Celebration surrounding the Run for the Roses will take place at multiple locations this week, with hats and festive attire mandated. The Blind Elephant (21 N. Front St.) downtown will have festivities beginning at 3 p.m., screening all races, with the main event taking place at 6:30 p.m. Prizes will be given to those who pick the winners, courtesy of Woodford Reserve and Herradura Tequila. Rebellion (15 S. Front St.) is also celebrating with mint juleps and margaritas on special. Dram and Draught (109 Market St.) is hosting a $30 ticketed event, which includes three drinks, free raffle tickets, food and more. For folks who would rather work it out than cheers on the Mint Juleps, Fleet Feet in Mayfaire (1125 Military Cutoff Road) is hosting a Kentucky Derby Run. The 30-minute themed run includes prizes, food and drinks, and asks runners to choose a winning horse. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Carolina Beach Pier, a family-friendly event is planned with $20 pony rides located near the sandbar for the kids, while the horse race will be screened at High Tide Lounge.
Bloodkin — The Athens, Georgia, band, whose founder Danny Hutchens passed away from a stroke in May 2021, marches forth with Eric Carter carrying the legacy. They’re coming to the Palm Room at Wrightsville Beach, set to play around 10 p.m. Known as a musical inspiration for bands like Widespread Panic, the group has created a catalog more than 500-songs deep; it includes their last release with Hutchens, “Black Market Tango,” which came out a month before Hutchens passed. Expect a cover charge.
‘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” continues one more 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 through May 4 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee at 3 p.m. on May 5. Tickets are $35.
Songs of Earth and Sea — Wilmington Voices, a nonprofit choral ensemble connecting diverse singers in a communal setting, is hosting three performances this weekend. With a goal to provide free access to quality music, WV will perform May 3 at First Presbyterian Church, 7 p.m.; May 4 at CAM, 3 p.m.; and May 5 at Azalea Station, 3 p.m. The concert pays homage to the natural world and seeks to connect audiences to environmental stewardship and preservation of the planet. The shows are free, but CAM requires registration here.
Freaky Friday — Thalian Association Community Theatre has one more weekend of its youth production, “Freaky Friday,” slated for Hannah Block USO and Community Arts Center on Second and Orange streets. The show is based on the 1976 and 2003 films, featuring a teen daughter and mother who supernaturally switch bodies and must endure each other’s day-to-day life. Tickets are $15, available here, with showtimes at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Saturday, May 4
Momedy Comedy
Nauti Dog, 5 Cape Fear Blvd. • Tickets: $25
“May the Fourth Be With You” — that’s the name of a comedy event hosted in Carolina Beach at the Boardwalk’s Nauti Dog, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s being hosted on the day Star Wars’ fans recognize the sci-fi’s impact on cinema.
There will be a lineup of comedians to bring the laughs, including Shannon Perez, Lew Morgante, and Alex Denning, with Amanda Goodyear hosting.
Aside from standup — centered on moms, but everyone is welcome — there will be vendors and prizes awarded by area businesses, including Retroscape, Joe Covas Creates, Fairy Hair by Rosaria, Port City Conservatory of Music, and Cape Fear Games.
Tickets include a swag bag, hot dog from Nauti, and a specialty cocktail.
The show is also a benefit, with a portion of its proceeds going to the Foster Pantry. The nonprofit supports foster parents and educates the community on local foster needs.
The event is recommended for ages 18 and up.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Free Comic Book Day — Comic Book Day is being celebrated the same day as Star Wars’ fans rejoice, on May 4. Fanboy (419 S. College Road) will have more than 25 free comics to choose from, offer door prizes, and give away 50 free gift bags to the first customers from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Memory Lane (201 Princess St.) is also having raffles and more than 50 free titles, with customers walking away with five free comics each. Then that night at Eagle’s Dare, Memory Lane is partnering to bring The Wilmington Big Band to the venue. The band will perform Star Wars classics and other sci-fi bangers. There also will be a Star Wars costume contest: Best Overall, Original Trilogy, Prequel Trilogy, Sequel Trilogy and Best Spin-off. All ages are welcome and there is a $10 cover to the show.
Cody Jinks — Outlaw country musician Cody Jinks will perform at Live Oak Bank Pavilion Saturday. He’s coming off the recent release “Change The Game,” a record that centered on self-reflection and growth. Jinks told PCD in an interview this week, the making of the album helped him exercise “some personal demons — live better, live healthier, be a better husband, be a better father, and that translates into being a better boss and putting on a better show.” Read the full interview here and score tickets to his show here.
May Tha Fourth Be With You — If hip-hop is more your style, Bourgie Nights (127 Princess St.) is bringing a group of area musicians to the stage, including Lil Blurry, Rebels No Savage and MoeSOS DC, among other special guests. Tickets are $10, available here.
Women’s Island Flock of Food Trucks — Carolina Beach Lake Park (400 Lake Park Blvd. S) will welcome Island Women’s annual the Flock of Food Trucks from noon to 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. It features· Lobster Dogs, Tacos El Jefe’s, Philly Invasion, Taste Tees, Mommiez, Donut Bus, Sippin Sunshine and more. As well, live music from Hatch Brothers and Jet 22 Refueled is planned, and there will be games, a kid’s zone, and beer and wine. All food and drinks are sold separately and it’s a $5 entry to benefit community nonprofits. Island Women raised $42,000 and volunteered 5,500 hours in 2023.
Founder’s Day — Belville is hosting the celebration of its town at Riverwalk Park from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. There will be more than 50 vendors, food trucks, a water slide and inflatables for the kids, plus Mr. Twister Balloons, face painting, fairy hair and live music. It’s free to attend and there will be raffles and prizes.
Community Day — Cape Fear Community College’s Wilson Center welcomes the community for a first-chance to purchase tickets to its new season during Community Day. Plenty of tickets will be available, including a limited number of $25 tickets to every show, including the eight Broadway musicals planned, such as “Hadestown,” “Mystic Pizza” and “The Book of Mormon.” Tickets to all other CFCC Wilson Center shows will also be available for purchase during Community Day. The family-friendly event features prizes, puppies, pretzels, and backstage tours. It takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m
Timmy Sherrill — A local comedian and actor who started Dead Crow Comedy Room will take to what was once his own stage this weekend. Timmy Sherrill is performing four shows at Wilmington’s comedy spot, at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. Sherill has been focused on his acting career in recent years, known for appearing on screen in the locally shot “Birdies,” as well as HBO’s “True Detective” and the film “John Adams.” The winner of the Charleston Comedy Festival, he brings his comedy back home, often focusing on the absurd, the truth and everyday life observations. Tickets are $18-$28.
Sunday, May 5
Cinco de Mayo
Various locations
Time to buckle up for Sunday Funday, which also happens to fall on Cinco de Mayo. May 5 marks the Mexican army’s 1862 victory against France in the Battle of Puebla, which has become a celebration primarily in the United States to commemorate Mexican culture and heritage.
Fermental bottle shop in the Cargo District is hosting a fiesta with Mexican lagers, micheladas, sangria, margaritas and tacos. Kimchi Taco truck will be parked on site and live music will be performed by Justin Lacy Latin duo at 2 p.m. and Sohar + Gerry at 6 p.m.
Downtown on Walnut Street, Flytrap Brewing will host a salsa class with Austrin Garcia from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Maria’s Taqueria El Charrito food truck will have tacos, quesabirrias, burritos, tortas and more and Flytraps’ Mexican Cerveza will be served.
On the Riverfront at the newly opened Tequila + Comida (14 Harnett St.), Amigos Internacional presents a celebration with food, drinks, piñatas, music, and dancing.
While in midtown at the Pointe at Barclay, Zocalo is hosting a block party. There will be 30 local vendors, a DJ, face painting, and more from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Mankind Brewing in Leland will be partying all day from 11 a.m. to close. Mexican lagers will be served with California Taco food truck on site. Plus from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Long Road Home Rescue will have dogs for adoption, fostering opportunities, and host a supply drive. Live music will be played by Frank Sellers starting at 6 p.m.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Boogie in the Park — The annual free concert series at Ocean Front Park gets underway Sunday at 5 p.m. Wilmington’s ska and rockabilly band The Phantom Playboys bring high energy and good times to every show. The series takes place through October with free shows on Sundays at 105 Atlantic Ave., Kure Beach. Beach blankets, chairs and picnics welcome; shows take place at Ocean Front Park.
Tips or comments? Email info@localdailymedia.com.
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our morning newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
