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, Aug. 1
Benji Hughes
Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar, 1211 Lake Park Blvd. S, Carolina Beach • Admission: Free
Charlotte musician Benji Hughes will return to the Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar at 7 p.m.
Hughes’ songs have been featured on “Eastbound and Down” and “How I Met Your Mother.” He also was the songwriter on the “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story” and has contributed to Jeff Bridges’ self-titled country album and Meshell Ndegeocello’s album “Weather.”
In 2008, Hughes released “Love Extreme,” well-known for its blend of pop and rock on catchy songs like “Vibe So Hot,” “Tight Tee Shirt” and “The Mummy.” It was followed up in 2016 with “Songs in the Key of Animals” on Merge Records. “A Lovers Extreme” and “Another Extreme” were released in 2020.
Hughes’ deep crooning voice juxtaposes upbeat soundscapes, with lyrical comedy, poetry and lovelorn muses all in one. Live, Hughes can be unpredictable but always engaging — the last time he played the tiki bar he was convinced a UFO flew overhead (turns out, it was a just a visible rocket launch).
Thursday’s show also coincides with Carolina Beach’s Boardwalk Blast, with fireworks launched over the beach around 9 p.m., visible from the tiki bar.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
August Swing Series — If you’re interested in learning how to Lindy Hop then head to the Hannah Block Historic USO at 7 p.m. Hosted by Cape Fear Swing Dance Society, the class will focus on the send out and sugars push; a partner isn’t needed. It’s $20 for a three-part series or $10 for only one class.
Sounds of Summer — WECT’s summer concert series continues at Wrightsville Beach Park. At 6:30 p.m. CMB takes the stage; the energetic five-piece, led by Christina Martinez, perform a variety of music, including rock and country. The show lasts until 8 p.m. Picnic, lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers are welcome, but no alcohol is allowed.
Vegan Chef Challenge — Multiple restaurants are participating in an event that put clean eating front and center on diners’ palates. The Vegan Chef Challenge moves from city to city and compels restaurants and chefs to put forward a vegan dish during the month for diners to vote on as the best. The goal is to show the variety and creativity a vegan diet offers while also promoting local eateries. So far in Wilmington 14 participants have signed on. For instance, Castle Street Kitchen is offering a curry noodle bowl or vegan grilled cheese, while Little Dipper fondue is doing a vegan “cheese” garlic-herb offering and orange “chocolate” dipping for dessert. See all menus here.
Friday, Aug. 2
Michael Yo
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 511 N. Third St. • Tickets: $25-$35
Having started under Chelsea Handler and Jo Koy, Michael Yo tours the country doing stand-up, when he isn’t appearing in series like “Amber Brown” (Apple TV) or “Happy Together” (CBS).
A two-time Emmy nominee from the Joe Rogan Experience, he will appear at Dead Crow for four shows this weekend. Yo’s been a regular on “The Adam Carolla Show” and often interviews celebrities on his own podcast “Yo Show.”
He is also fresh off his critically acclaimed comedy special “I Never Thought.”
“During this pandemic we are seeing things that are unimaginable, right?” he asks during the special. “And as a person of color, I’m seeing things I never thought I’d see. I never thought I’d see me and two Black friends walking into a bank and being told to put on a mask.”
Yo’s comedy is observational and about his own life, utilizing his family — he’s married with two children — for material. Tickets to his show, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., are $25 to $35 here.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Baby Got Buns — In more food news, End of Days Distillery Concept Kitchen (1815 Castle St.) will host Baby Got Buns, a bao fusion concept. The kitchen brings in various chefs to rent it out for the weekend and serve patrons their one-of-a-kind creations; it’s a way to test the field without jumping straight into opening a full-scale restaurant. However, after it’s done, it’s done. Bao Fusion brings various Chinese buns to the public, including “beef bourgin-bun” and “uncrusta-boa” dessert. They’ll also have goju-cola meatballs and Asian crispy Brussels. It’s set up on Aug. 2 and 3 only beginning at 2 p.m. until all the food is sold out.
Vivace Music Festival — The opening night of the festival takes place at the Wilson Center, featuring Marc-Andre Hamelin. Hamelin is a Canadian pianist and composer, who has been nominated for 11 Grammy Awards and won seven Juno Awards; his most recent came in 2012 for Classical Album of the Year: Solo or Chamber Ensemble, for his Liszt Piano Sonatas album. Tickets to the show are $31. The music festival lasts through Aug. 10; see the full schedule here.
Landfall Foundation Art Show and Sale — Today is the last day of the annual sale and art show that takes place in Landfall. Hosted by its nonprofit foundation, the show is celebrating 25 years and features dozens of area artists. All proceeds from the sale go back into the community via grants to help nonprofit organizations in arts, health and welfare, and education; since 1995, the foundation has put more than $7 million back into the community.
The Floozies — Known for their electro-funk vibes, The Floozies are heading to Greenfield Lake Amphitheater Friday night. The duo, brothers Matt and Mark Hill, are from Lawrence, Kansas, with Matt shredding the guitar and playing the talk box. They perform funk, hip-hop, disco, electronica, Afrobeat, and jazz. The band’s music is available on its site, downloadable via “name your price.” Tickets to the GLA show are $31 here.
Saturday, Aug. 3
Port City Rock Jam
Bowstring Brewyard, 1002 Princess St. • Tickets: $10
Four local musicians joined forces to create a day-long of music that celebrates community and the people who perform for the masses day in, day out.
Port City Rock Jam, presented by local band Rukus, will take place at Bowstring Brewyard in the Soda Pop District. Featured will be 10 bands beginning at noon on Saturday and the event will culminate with an all-star jam at 9:30 p.m.
The schedule includes:
11 a.m. Steele Music
Noon. Frank Grant and the Feeling
1 p.m. Hot Seat
2 p.m. Dubtown Cosmonauts
3 p.m. Delia Stanley
4 p.m. Rukus
5 p.m. Brown Dirt Cowboys
6 p.m. The Kind Thieves
7 p.m. Dickey Hazel
8 p.m. Dr. Bacon
9:30 p.m. All-Star Jam
There will be two stages hosting all the music, for a $10 entry. Plus, there will be vendors, a raffle and live art.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Ruff Draft Industry Fair — Local professionals in the pet industry are gathering this weekend at Wilmington’s dog bar, Ruff Draft, to showcase to the public their offerings. There will be groomers, trainers, vets and vet techs, dog walkers and more on hand to showcase their services. Family- and dog-friendly, the event takes place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and benefits Paws4People, which trains assistance pups to help people in need throughout the community. Professionals who wish to participate in the fair can sign up here.
Freedom Bridge at Flytrap — Also taking place Saturday is a pre-adoption and fostering event for dogs at Flytrap Brewing. Freedom Bridge, a local animal rescue, is hosting the event. Not only will dogs be onsite, but the nonprofit will be accepting donations from its wishlist to help foster families keep the animals safe until they find their forever homes. Taste of Vietnam food truck will be parked at Flytrap and the event takes place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Wahine Surf Classic — Also taking place this weekend at Wrightsvlle Beach is the annual women’s surf championship. The Wahine (Hawaiian for “women”) Classic will host competitions on Saturday and Sunday. Divisions include a pro longboard and amateur short and longboard and more. A Tiny Wahine Division also will take place. It’s free to watch; registration of competitors closes at 7 p.m. on Aug. 1 here. Cash prizes are $100 to $500 and a cookout for competitors will take place Friday night at 6 p.m. at South End Surf Shop.
Sunday, Aug. 4
Heathers
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $29
Based on the cult classic ‘80s film, “Heathers” opens at Thalian Hall for one weekend only.
It’s being produced by the Opera House Apprentice Theatre Program, offering youth an opportunity to take the stage. “Heathers the Musical” takes on the age-old story popular crowds ruling the school but in the case of three Heathers from Westerberg High, they also happen to be mean girls who become the focus of Veronica Sawyer and her beau, J.D., who set out to put the Heaters in their place.
The show runs Aug. 1 through 4, with tickets available here for $29.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Fireflies — A show written by Matthew Barber and directed by Rick Roberts, “Fireflies” is the August production from Brunswick Littler Theater. The heartwarming story takes place in a Texas town and centers on a retired school teacher. She finds love which has the town abuzz about her new flame. The show takes place at the Ricky Evans Gallery, 211 N. Howe St., Aug. 1 through 5, 9 through 11 and 16 through 18; tickets are $28.
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