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, July 18
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Opera House Theatre Company, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $39 – $44
From a teenage songwriter to a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame superstar, the music of Carole King has been hailed by musicians, singers, producers and audiences alike.
The music of her career comes to life in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.” It follows the story of both the Tony- and Grammy Award-winning musician’s rise to stardom. From the days of writing songs with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, King has maintained success across many platforms of popular music.
“You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “Up on the Roof,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and “Natural Woman” all are featured in the jukebox musical, with book by Douglas McGrath.
Opera House Theater Company will produce it at Thalian Hall July 18 through the 28, Thursday through Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 2 p.m.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Striking Copper — WHQR’s Soup to Nuts will feature local rock band Striking Copper in front of an audience’s acoustic show at MC Erny Gallery, 254 N. Front St. Seats can be reserved by emailing soup@whqr.org with name and number of guests; there is a $10 suggested donation at door, which opens at 6:30 p.m. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 19
No Doubt Tribute Band
The Pier at Port City Marina, 10 Harnett St. • Tickets: $10
As part of its Friday Night Live series, Port City Marina will host its summertime concert series featuring Subliminal Doubt.
The No Doubt tribute act brings the ska and punk-pop sounds of the ‘90s to the forefront of celebration along the Cape Fear River. Consisting of Monica, front as Gwen, and Jonathan Leamy on bass, Lucas Scarpelli on drums, Steve Osborne on guitar, Chris King on trumpet, Clay Lucovich on trombone and Abel Avalos on keyboard, the group is from central Florida. They cover No Doubt chart-toppers such as “Spiderwebs” and “Just a Girl,” and even Stefani solo tracks like “Hollaback Girl.”
It’s a $10 cover fee for the show, which starts at 7 p.m.
MORE FRIDAY EVENTS
Dispatch — Independent rock outfit Dispatch will be performing at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater as part of its Summer Stops tour (read PCD’s 2022 interview with the group here). The band plays a fusion of sounds, including reggae, roots, indie folk and rap rock. Opening will be Maggie Rose, an American soul and country music singer. Tickets are $63.
Jump — Another tribute act will perform at Bowstring Brewyard on Friday evening, this time hailing the monster rock of Van Halen. Jump focuses on the group from the David Lee Roth era of sound (1974-1985, 1996, 2006-2020). This includes songs, such as “Ice Cream Man,” “Hot For Teacher” and “Panama,” from the band’s first six albums, complete with Eddie Van Halen’s massive guitar shredding and Roth’s screeching vocals. The group from Toledo, Ohio, also perform deep cuts from bootlegs of the band’s shows between the ‘70s and ‘80s. Tickets are $10 here.
Tosca — Opera Wilmington is hosting Puccini’s “Tosca” July 19, 7 p.m., and 21, 3 p.m., and July 26, 7 p.m., and 28, 3 p.m. Performed in Italian with English subtitles, “Tosca” tells the story of a beloved diva gets in the crosshairs of Rome’s corrupt chief of police, Baron Scarpia, due to her love for an artist who has suspected Revolutionary ties. Opera Wilmington has been working with rising fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders in New Hanover County who will sing in the chorus in the first act. The chorus members are current and former students of Codington’s music teacher Amanda Hoke, who has worked with them during and outside of Opera Camp for their opera debut. The two-and-a-half hour show will be performed at the Mainstage Theatre, Cultural Arts Building, on UNCW’s campus. Tickets start at $22.50 here.
Saturday, July 20
Sean Patton
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 511 N. Third St. • Tickets: $20-$30
This New Orleans-turned-New York comedian will be posting up for four shows at Dead Crow Comedy Room this weekend. Sean Patton performs at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday.
From Edinburgh to Melbourne, Patton has performed at comedy festivals worldwide over the last decade and gained popularity with crowds on shows like “Conan,” Comedy Central’s “Live at Gotham” and “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.”
Patton has released two albums, including 2019’s “Scuttlebutt” and 2021’s “King Scorpio.” He also has a special, “Number One,” streaming on Peacock. On it he addresses the key to parenting: “I don’t think it matters your approach — you could be the cool parent, the chill parent, who the first time you catch them smoking weed, you’re smoking with them. Now, you’re probably going to raise a person who thinks the world is fair. But once they’re crushed by the world, they’re going to move back in with you and monetize their victimhood on a podcast about how the world’s not fair,” he said.
Tickets are $20 to $30 here.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Ben Folds — North Carolina native and musician Ben Folds will be back on the Greenfield Lake Amphitheater stage, blending pop with classical arrangements. Folds has released four solo albums and four with his outfit Ben Folds Five, as well as contributed to many others, and performed with symphonies and orchestras worldwide. He’s touring in support of 2023’s release “What Matters Most.” The musician told “American Songwriter” it’s the “most true” music he has recorded to date. Folds added: “Sonically, lyrically, emotionally, I don’t think it’s an album I could have made at any other point in my career.” Tickets to his show are $61.
Sunday, July 21
The Real Inspector Hound
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $35
This Tom Stoppard play is a whodunnit, mashing up all things Agatha Christie into an entertaining night of theater. It’s also meta, with a plot that consists of a play within a play.
The one-act “Real Inspector Hound” centers on two theater critics who become involved in the action of the play they’re watching for review. It was inspired by Stoppard’s time as a theater critic in the sixties before the playwright went on to write “Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead.”
Taking place at Thalian Hall’s Ruth and Bucky Stein Theater, from Big Dawg Productions, the classic farce opens this weekend and runs through July 28. Tickets are $35.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Botanicals & Brew: Carnivorous Plant Workshop — The Eagle’s Dare on Third Street is welcoming green thumb enthusiasts to partake in the creation of a 14-inch carnivorous plant bog. The hands-on workshop takes place at 1 p.m. at 420 N. Third St., with a $45 ticket including one Venus Flytrap, indigenous to southeastern North Carolina, a sphagnum moss planter and materials to create the bog, including premium soil. Plus, participants will learn about the flytrap and how to care for it.
Sunday Matinee Banger — An afternoon of loud music from four bands is slated for Reggie’s 42nd Street Sunday at 4 p.m. Playing will be Nervous Systems, Shehehe, Totally Slow and Street Clones, plus a food truck will be parked onsite at 1415 42nd St. There is a $10 cover.
Port City Top Comic — Comics have competed in preliminary and semifinal rounds of Port City Top Comes to get to the finals. At 7 p.m., the top eight — Mike Byrd, Ellie Coleman, Chelsea Connor, Tyler Deese, Wolfgang Gohlke, Steve Melia, Weston Suggs or Annie Witter — will compete for a $500 grand prize and Top Comic trophy (2nd and 3rd places also receive cash awards). The audience will be able to vote on the contenders — with four tickets allowed per transaction — as well as judges. Tickets are here.
Have tips or comments? Email info@portcitydaily.com
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