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, June 20
5 Years Acquisition
Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St. • Tickets:
The Cameron Art Museum has a new exhibit opening.
“5: Five Years of Acquisitions” consists of works the CAM has purchased in recent years to add to its permanent collection. Artists featured include Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, Clarence Heyward, Robert Motherwell, Alison Saar and Rosalia Torres-Weiner.
“Much of this work has been acquired through the generosity of our donor community including ‘Return of the Butterfly,’ 2012 by artist Judy Chicago (American, b. 1939),” according to a release from CAM.
Another piece is “Proceed with Caution” by American artist Clarence Heywod, created with acrylics and variegated leaf on canvas.
Member-only tours will take place at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. At 6 p.m. the public is welcome for a first sneak peek. Musician and composer Judson Hurd, will perform on the piano in the galleria and CAM Café will be open for dinner and drinks.
It’s free for members, $15 for nonmembers and $5 for students; tickets are here.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Summer Set and Schooner — Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar hosts free concerts throughout the summer in Carolina Beach. The shows take place on the pier overlooking the Atlantic, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. This week welcomes local indie rock band Summer Set, coming off its debut album release last year. The band’s infectious pop melodies embrace dreamy ethereal soundscapes, soul and R&B. Ocean Grill is located at 1213 Lake Park Blvd.
‘Annie’ — Everyone’s favorite mischievous orphan will be singing about the sun coming out tomorrow on Thalian Hall’s mainstage this weekend. “Annie” is opening from Opera House Theater Co. and will run for the next three weekends at 7:30 p.m. on June 20-22, 27-29 and July 5-6, and 2 p.m. on June 23, 29-30 and July 6-7. Based on the 1924 comic strip “Little Orphan Annie” — taken loosely from an 1885 poem of the same name — the musical follows Annie as she is adopted by billionaire businessman Daddy Warbucks. Set in the 1920s, the story follows Annie from rags to riches as her former orphanage housemother, Miss Hannigan, a cantankerous alcoholic who hates children, tries to scheme to get her back and cash in on reward money Warbucks put out to find Annie’s real parents. The musical has scored seven Tony Awards, and is well known for its songs “Tomorrow” and “It’s the Hard Knock Life.”
Port City Shakedown — WECT Sounds of Summer takes place throughout the summer at Wrightsville Beach Park. This week’s show features local seven-piece party and dance band Port City Shakedown, who plays everything from Top 40 to funk and soul, old-school hip and hop and Motown. Lawn chairs, picnic baskets, and blankets welcome to 1 Bob Sawyer Drive; free admission.
Friday, June 21
Make Music Day
Harrelson Center, 20 N. Fourth St. Suite 214 • Free
International Make Music Day, founded in France, will take place Friday as a summer solstice celebration. Amateur and professional musicians will perform for free for local audiences; the day is a commemoration to the art form of playing.
Open to the public, Make Music Day will take place at the Harrelson Center — both indoors and outdoors — on Fourth and Princess streets from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. It’s sponsored by the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County, and paid for by a grant from the statewide arts council.
Wilmington is joining eight North Carolina counties and some cities — such as Statesville, Raleigh and Winston-Salem — to celebrate.
“We are thrilled to bring International Make Music Day to Wilmington, providing an opportunity for music that is performed by anyone and is free for everyone,” Rhonda Bellamy, CEO of Wilmington’s arts council, said in a press release.
The Harrelson Center will host jam sessions, a “petting zoo” of musical instruments, choral groups and others to enjoy live entertainment. One event planned is “Sousapalooza,” featuring amateur musicians with brass, wind or percussion instruments. They’ll sight-read the works of John Philip Sousa, an American composer and conductor known for his military marches.
Make Music Chicago started “Sousapalooza” in 2011. The 2024 event — including in Wilmington — aims to bring together people who played in a marching band in school previously to gather once again.
Here is the lineup:
Mainstage
6 p.m. — Ukulele Strummers of the Cape Fear
6:30 p.m. — Marshall Freeborn (Daniel Allen)
7 p.m. — Kim Pacheco
7:30 p.m. — OMNI Percussion Ensemble
8 p.m. — The Hot Flashes
Fourth and Market Street Stage
6 p.m. — Perry Smith (drum circle)
6:30 p.m. — Jenny Heck (multi-instrumentalist)
7 p.m. — Soul-R Fusion
7:30 p.m. — Nate Gerry
The Plaza on Princess
6 – 9 p.m. — Musical instrument petting zoo with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra
Reception Area
6 p.m. — Heart Song Sound Bath w/ Megan Rose & Nate Gerry
7 p.m. — Brooklyn Arts Music Academy Adult Harp Ensemble
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Fort Fisher Hermit Documentary — Local filmmaker Rob Hill created a documentary about Robert Harrill, the Fort Fisher Hermit who moved from Shelby, North Carolina, to live in an abandoned World War II artillery bunker in Fort Fisher from the age of 62 until his untimely death 17 years later. Harrill died of a heart attack, listed as natural causes though an autopsy was never completed, but some think he was murdered. An award-winning documentary about his life from Hill will screen at Jengo’s Playhouse at 7:30 p.m., with a question-and-answer following and a sneak peek of Hill’s sequel, currently underway.
Jack Jack 180 — Airlie Gardens hosts a concert series every summer under its 400-year-old oak. This Friday night welcomes Jack Jack 180, a Wilmington party band, playing various styles of music, from pop to rock. Their high energy will fill the historic grounds from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. nightly. All parking is offsite at New Hanover County Public Library – Northeast Branch, with complimentary shuttle service starting at 5 p.m. Tickets are here.
Riverview Pop-Up Art Festival — There will be local vendors and artisans selling their crafts and wares on Saturday from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 121 Riverfront Road in Fort Fisher. For sale will be works in stained glass, jewelry, pottery, mixed media, paintings and more. It’s free to attend, but items are individually purchased, as well as food and beverages from Riverview Restaurant.
Hampstead Alive After Five — The music in Hampstead is going to the Brits Friday night. A Sixties rock tribute act, British Invaders, play hits from the era when bands from Britain took over America. Expect numbers from the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Zeppelin and more. The concerts are at 6:30 p.m. at Hampstead Kiwanis Park, 586 Sloop Point Loop Road. Attendees are welcome to bring blankets and chairs, and there will be food trucks on site. No pets or alcohol allowed.
Saturday, June 22
Mini Bowls
Alcove Beer Garden, 348 Hutchinson Lane • Tickets:
A fundraiser for Mother’s Hubbard Cupboard and Good Shepherd Center will take place this weekend as a knock off of Empty Bowls — an event that brings chefs and artisans together. Soup made by area restaurants is sold to the community out of locally made pottery for ticket purchasers to keep. All proceeds benefit the nonprofits.
However, there are leftover bowls from the March 2024 event and this weekend only the pottery will be sold from noon to 3 p.m. Again, all proceeds of sales will go to Mother Hubbard and Good Shepherd Center.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Solstice by the Sea — The Brunswick Arts Council will host an all-day family-friendly festival to celebrate the beginning of summer, as well as Juneteenth. From 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the Belville Riverwalk there will be 13 bands playing, as well as food trucks on site, storytellers, poets, arts and crafts vendors and a kids’ area. Bands include: Purple Reign (10 a.m.), Finesse (10:45 a.m.), Dougy McKenna (11 a.m. ), Josh Youse (11:30 a.m.), Juke Joint Hymnal (noon), The Mac Daddy’s (1 p.m.) Blue Deville (2 p.m.), Ian Davies (3 p.m.), Stone Cold Blues (4 p.m.), Parlay (5 p.m.), Tina Smith (6 p.m.), Imperial Eclipse (7 p.m.), and Perfect Tommy (8 p.m.).
Diminishing Republic Party — From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Wrightsville Beach’s famed Palm Tree Island will be the center of a day party; the sandbar appears at low tide, marked by a synthetic palm tree and hosts gatherings whenever the waters recede twice daily. A donation of $15 is requested by June 21 and reservations must be made here for the shuttle, which will ferry folks to the island from the 109 Causeway Drive boat ramp. Coolers and chairs are welcome; partiers must pick up after themselves and leave the island as they found it. Rides back to the boat ramp will begin at 3 p.m.; check here for updates. Read more about Palm Tree Island from previous PCD reporting here.
Tropic Like It’s Hot — Ironclad Brewery is hosting an afterparty from Palm Tree Island, celebrating “tropic like it’s hot.” It’s hosted by Wilmington Latin Dance, with an intro dance lesson hosted at 9 p.m. From 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., there will be social dancing and giveaways. The cover is $10 here or $15 at the door; street parking is free across from the downtown venue, located at 115 S. Second St.
Pride Silent Disco — To continue celebrating Pride month, Hi-Wire is hosting a silent disco. Attendees are given headphones and can tune into one of two channels hosted by DJs spinning tunes. It’s $10 in advance or $15 the day of to participate and secure headphones, otherwise entry into Hi-Wire (1020 Princess St.) is free. The event is for ages 18 and up.
The Fontanelles — Local band The Fontanelles are made up of players from former local bands, including No Dollar Shoes and the Barnraisers, both of which gained plenty of followers throughout the years. Together, they’re bringing Americana sounds and Southern twang to their new outfit, The Fontanelles. Consisting of Jesse and Carson Jewell, Tiffany Jewell, Richard Welsh, and Shane Lippard, the band will perform at Bourgie Nights at 8 p.m. They’re playing with The Turkey Buzzards, currently on tour. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
Queer + Sober Social! — Mocksie, a locally owned nonalcoholic beverage company in town, is hosting a social for PRIDE, sans the booze. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 713 Princess St., LGBTQ+ community members and allies are welcome to mingle and try locally made craft mocktails and other beverages for the sober or sober-curious.
Sunday, June 23
Shrek the Musical
Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St. • Tickets: $32 and up
All weekend the live action of DreamWorks “Shrek” will come to life at the Third Street Wilson Center.
“Shrek the Musical” will have four performances, from Friday, June 21, 7:30 p.m. through Sunday, June 23, 2 p.m. There will be two shows on Saturday, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The plot follows the ogre, Shrek, and his feisty donkey who become the heroes after saving their swamp and a princess, Fiona. The two fall in love but must overcome trials and tribulations to sustain their romance.
Tickets to the Wilson Center show start at $32.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Bull City Ciderworks Pop-Up Market — The cidery located in the Cargo District (615 S. 17th St.) will host a pop-up market from noon to 4 p.m. There will be local artisans and vendors, as well as food available at nearby restaurants Cheesesmith, Beat Street, Salita Pizza and more. Vendors can apply here and it’s free for the public.
Taylor Brown “Rednecks” — Georgia author of the year and Montana Prize Fiction winner Taylor Brown is hosting a reading of his new novel, “Rednecks.” It’s based on coal miners rising against the mine owners and government in one of the largest labor uprisings in American history. Local writer Jason Frye will mediate the conversation with the author. Tickets are available at the Bourgie Nights door, 127 Princess St.
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