SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Li’l Friday is a weekly roundup of events in art, music, theater, comedy, pop-up markets and more.
READ MORE: ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ The Go-Go’s musical part of next year’s UNCW theater season
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, June 6
Shakespeare on the Green
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, 1941 Amphitheater Drive • Free
Annually throughout the month of June, Cape Fear Shakespeare on the Green presents free shows at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, celebrating the words of the Bard.
This year it’s presenting two works by William Shakespeare: “Much Ado About Nothing,” as part of its adult program, and “Romeo and Juliet,” from the youth program.
“Much Ado,” directed by Kendra Goehring, opened last weekend and focuses on two interconnected love stories in a humorous romp centered on town gossip. One features Benedick and Beatrice and the other love affair is between their cousins, Claudio and Hero.
The free show will be performed June 8 and 9, June 14 through 16, June 21 through 23 and and June 26 through 28 at 8 p.m.
The youth production of “Romeo and Juliet” opened Wednesday and continues Thursday, June 6, June 11 through 13, June 17 and 19 through 20, June 24 and 25. The famed tale of starcrossed young lovers, from dueling families, is Shakespeae’s most famous work, dealing with romance wrapped in tragedy.
The audience is welcome to attend early and enjoy a picnic at the lake; concessions are also for sale.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Boardwalk Blast — The Conspiracy is playing a concert at the Carolina Beach gazebo, along the boardwalk, at 6 p.m. Around 9 p.m. fireworks will blast over the Atlantic Ocean as well. The band performs hits from the 1970s and 1980s. The shows are free and families are welcome to attend.
Port City Music Festival — The Port City Music Festival is celebrating year 16 and has multiple events taking place through June 9. One takes place at 7 p.m. at Cameron Art Museum; it includes talent such as violinist Gared Crawford, violist Sarah Sutton, cellist Stephen Framil, soprano Aren Framil, and oboist Stephanie Caulder. They’ll perform works including Gaspar Cassadó’s Suite for Solo Cello, Miguel Marqués’ Lágrimas mías, Benjamin Britten’s Phantasy Quartet, and Franz Schubert’s String Trio in B-flat, D. 581. It’s free but limited seats must be secured here.
Friday, June 7
Cape Fear Blues Festival
Rusty Nail, 1310 Fifth Ave. • Tickets: $10 and up
The blues have been celebrated for decades in Wilmington every summer at The Rusty Nail. The party continues this weekend, celebrating 27 years with seven bands. Playing will be:
- Bobby Messano — Legendary guitarist and Blues Hall of Famer
- Eddie Big Legs Martin & the Wayfarers — Swing blues band
- Tullie Brae — Triple threat singer-songwriter and instrumentalist
- Big Al & The Heavyweights — Southern roots, Bayou soul
- Don Johnson Project — Funky blues, Motown
- The Rhythm Bones — Original rhythm and blues with Orleans’ flair
- Brett Johnson feat. Tarsha Murphy — Accomplished local musicians with amazing talent
There will be two stages, indoor and outdoor in the courtyard under the beer tent; chairs are welcome for outdoor visitors but no coolers or pets.
Shows start Friday evening at 8 p.m., with tickets costing $10. It continues all day Saturday ($40 for all shows, $15 for night only) and Sunday (free).
Food and merch vendors will be on site; the event takes place rain or shine.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
‘The House That Gordy Built’ — Techmoja Dance and Theater Company is bringing to life the sounds of Motown as directed by Kevin Lee-Y Green. “The House That Gordy Built” revolves around 12 friends in Detroit in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The story is told through songs of the day, produced by Motown’s Berry Gordy and from famed groups Temptations (“My Girl,”), The Miracles (“Shop Around”), The Supremes (“You Can’t Hurry Love”) and Commodores (“Brick House”). The jukebox musical demonstrates the power of community coming together through trials and triumphs, including the Vietnam War and civil rights movement. The show runs Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are here.
Airlie Concert Series — The first concert of the summer season at Airlie Gardens will welcome reSOUL to the stage. The band plays dance, pop, soul, disco, and country. Concerts take place 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. nightly and are $10 each, with tickets on sale one week before the show. All parking is offsite at New Hanover County Public Library – Northeast Branch, with complimentary shuttle service starting at 5 p.m. Tickets are here.
Play It Forward Fundraiser — Fermental in the Cargo District is hosting a fundraiser for a local nonprofit that collects new and used music instruments — the latter repaired and cleaned up like new, as need be — gifted to youth who want to learn to play. Every Christmas, Play It Forward donates the instruments to families in need and also makes donations to schools, nonprofits and other organizations throughout the year. A portion of sales from Fermental on Friday will go toward its cause. Circle Pit BBQ also will be serving food at 5 p.m. — barbecue, hot dogs, veggie dogs etc. — plus the punk cover band Sloppy Copy will perform. It’s free to attend, and pet- and kid-friendly.
Saturday, June 8
Mud Day
Wilmington Children’s Museum, 116 Orange St. • Tickets: $5 – $25
The Wilmington Children’s Museum is hosting a family-fun day where the kids are encouraged to get as dirty as possible.
It’s mud day — and kids are encouraged to put on some old clothes (or swimwear) to squish and mash around in the mud pool. There also will be a kitchen ready to make mud pies and other interactive stations to explore Magic Mud and more.
There also will be a rinsing area to wipe away the goo, so a towel and a change of clothes is recommended.
Tickets are available here.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Harvest Ganong and Bobby Reville — An art exhibit featuring the works of two local creators is slated to take place at Ironclad Brewery on Saturday. It’s a one-day exhibit only from 4:30 p.m. until midnight. An eco-conscious artist, Ganong’s large-scale portraits are created from discarded plastics — anything from lids to Legos. She has created portraits of famed singers like David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix, the latter of whom was on display at CAM’s State of the Art/Art of the State a few years ago. Reville — who also is part-owner of Tavern Law in downtown Wilmington — does large-scale installations that also incorporate light. There will be live music and the bar will be open.
Pride Drag Show — The Blind Elephant in downtown Wilmington is celebrating Pride with a drag show from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. It will cost $12 and doors open at 4 p.m.
Curated on Castle — The outdoor vintage market takes place the second Saturday every March through November, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s set up at Sixth and Castle streets, and features 20 independent vendors and nearby businesses, like Gravity Records and Jess James + Co.
Blueberry Harvest Celebration — Gregory Farms and Vineyard in Pender County is hosting a Blueberry Harvest Celebration at 10 a.m. Aside from attendees able to pick fresh blueberries and enjoy blueberry ice cream, there will be wines, wine slushies, beer and food available for sale. Live music will be performed by Flat Top Mafia and Austin Band. There is an $8 entry and guests can bring chairs. Seating is limited — outside alcohol and coolers are not permitted.
End of Line — A tribute to the Allman Brothers is planned at Bowstring Brewyard (102 Princess St.) at 6 p.m. End of the Line performs classic and heavy riffs, with raspy vocals born of the Southern rock band, formed by brothers Duane and Greg Allman in 1969. Made up of Justin Smith, Chase Bader, Dave Czuba, and Ryan Mcclahan, the tribute band both pays homage to the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers’ extensive catalog, even endorsed by the official Allman Brothers Museum. Tickets to their show are $15.
Sunday, June 9
Dock Street Pride Party
Dock and Front streets • Free
Dancing, drinks and drag. That’s on deck for the 2024 Pride party along Dock Street, taking place beginning at noon. Vendors will be lined up outside of Duck & Dive from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and there will be face painting and body painting.
There will be a drag show in the Husk courtyard at 4 p.m. featuring local performers Tara Nicole Brooks, Karma, Dezzy Monroe, Ieeda Evating, Emoji Monroes, Ebony Addams, and Rashmia Biosh. Music will be from DJ Bobby Zee.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Let’s Waltz — Cape Fear Contra Dancers and ContraForce are pairing up to bring a Sunday morning waltz to town. Dancers will meet at Station No. 2 on Castle Street and Fifth Avenue from 10 a.m. to noon. There will be a beginner lesson first, followed by social dancing. Music will be played by ContraForce; there is a $10 donation.
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