SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Now with the pesky tropical storm on her way out of the southeastern corner of the coast, it’s time to get out of the house.
Li’l Friday has the cure: a roundup of events in art, music, theater, comedy, pop-up markets and more happening this weekend.
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. 8
Satisfaction: Rolling Stones Tribute Show
Bowstring Brewyard, 1020 Princess Drive • Tickets: $25
Bring your “moves like Jagger” to the Soda Pop District Thursday night for a jam-out with the Stones — or at the very least with a group of fellas who play tribute to them.
Satisfaction is an international Rolling Stones act, entering its 20th year touring with more than 4,000 concerts under its belt. The group’s lineup often switches to feature musicians and performers that take on the looks, sounds and demeanors of individual members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts, and others.
Donned in costumes of the eras, the show includes songs across the British rock icons’ 50 years of music and legacy.
Also joining the show will be Sam Morrow, a Brevard, North Carolina, musician who has released five albums to date. Morrow performs modern-day American roots, blending blues, R&B, rock, funk and honky-tonk.Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here; show starts at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here; show starts at 7 p.m.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
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 more than a dozen 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.
Stormy Dance and Karaoke — Tired of being cooped up indoors, even if for only a few nights, due to Tropical Storm Debby? Two events are taking you out of the funk. The first will be a “Stormy Dance Hour” at DancePros N&V at 6782 Market St. The group teaches ballroom, Latin, swing, tango and other dances and will have a dance party at 7:15 p.m. Afterward, they’ll head down to Bottega Art and Wine on North Fourth Street for karaoke at 9 p.m., hosted by Megan Stallard.
Friday, Aug. 9
Vic DiBitetto
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 511 N. Third St. • Tickets: $25-$35
You may have seen him on Amazon Prime’s “Gravesend” or perhaps you caught him on multiple co-headlining shows with comedic icon Andrew “Dice” Clay.
Now you can catch him in Wilmington’s Dead Crow Comedy Room, as Vic DeBitetto will perform four shows this weekend at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 9 and 10.
DiBitetto released an album of his standup special, “Working Class Zero,” where he has a bit about animal crackers.
“I love animals, but the animal rights’ activists have gone a little too far,” he said, referring to an old animal crackers box showcasing zoo animals in a cage. “They said they have to be free … they’re f**king cookies! And they might be better in the cage because once they’re out of the cage I’m gonna bite their f**king heads off!”
Tickets to his shows are $25 and up here.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Fireflies — A show written by Matthew Barber and directed by Rick Roberts, “Fireflies” is the August production from Brunswick Little 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. 9 through 11 and 16 through 18; tickets are $28.
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee — When a group of word nerds come together to compete in a spelling bee, the results are sheer entertainment as part of the humorous musical “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” It consists of six mid-pubescents taking the stage to compete in a spelling bee — and possibly a few audience members — each competing for the crown. The audience learns a little more about the characters with every word they have to spell. The show is being hosted by Performance Club Theatre Company at Thalian Hall (319 Chestnut St.) Aug. 8 through 10 only; tickets are $32 here.
Departure — The Pier at Port City Marina is hosting its Friday Night Live series with a Journey tribute band from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Atlanta, Georgia, group, consisting of Brian Williams taking on Steve Perry’s high-pitched vocals, perform powerhouse ‘80s rock at the band’s peak of success. They take on the look and sound as part of their 100 shows a year, performing well-known tracks like “Any Way You Want It,” “Faithfully” and “Don’t Stop Believing.” Tickets are $10.
Summer Book Sale — The New Hanover County Library is having its final weekend of the book sale. It will take place on both Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; hardbacks will be $1 and paperbacks $.50. On Sunday the sale takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with all items $0.25. The sale takes place at the Northeast Library branch, 1241 Military Cutoff Road.
Vivace International Music Festival — Going into week two celebrating classical music, the prize-winning pianist Alexander Kobrin will perform as part of five world-class concerts presented at the the Vivace International Music Festival. He will play masterworks from Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert and Sergei Rachmaninoff. Kobrin will perform Beethoven’s 32 Variations on an Original Theme in C minor, WoO 80, followed by Schubert’s Four Impromptus, D899. After a brief intermission he will take on Rachmaninoff’s Etudes-tableaux, Op.39. Tickets are $31 here and the show takes place at the Wilson Center at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 10
Hermit Fest
Various locations • Learn more here
Robert E. Harrill, known as the Fort Fisher Hermit, was once the biggest attraction on Pleasure Island — second most visited in North Carolina — from 1955 to 1972. Visitors often flocked to his abandoned World War II artillery bunker in Fort Fisher, seeking wisdom and camaraderie. Having moved from Shelby, North Carolina, Harrill lived the life of a hermit, away from modern-day amenities, from the age of 62 until his untimely death 17 years later. Though he died of a heart attack, some think he was murdered.
His legacy lives on through many books, theater productions and films. Local filmmaker Rob Hill released a documentary, “The Fort Fisher Hermit: The Life and Death of Robert E. Harrill,” in 2007 and is currently working on the sequel, “The Fort Fisher Hermit II: Beyond the Marsh.” Saturday’s event will screen the doc outdoors at Carolina Beach Lake Park ( 400 Lake Park Blvd S.) at 8:30 p.m.
But events also take place all day, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. There will be guided tours of his bunker at Fort Fisher Recreation Site, visits to his burial plot at Federal Point Methodist Cemetery, barbecue plates, live music and a raffle at The Last Resort. Plus, there will be a Hermit lookalike contest with a $100 grand prize, announced at the screening around the lake.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Curated on Castle — Monthly along Castle Street, a vintage market takes place that features one-of-a-kind vendors and businesses in the district. The market takes place at 604 Castle St., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., this Saturday. Visitors will be able to shop through wares from Gravity Records, Second Skin Vintage, Jess James + Co., Threads By Sydney, The Vintage Cellar, Dots & Doodle, Holly’s Typewriter Poetry, and more.
Swing Dancing and Live Music — If you want to put some pep in your step this weekend, head to Hannah Block USO and Community Arts Center at the corner of Second and Orange streets. Cape Fear Swing Dance Society is hosting a social dance with live music performed by the Dillon Goodson Jazz Quartet. Tickets to the event are $10 for students with ID and $15 otherwise. A beginner swing lesson will take place at 6:30 p.m. (no partner necessary) and the floor opens at 7:30 p.m.
Andy Frasco and the U.N. — Known for the high energy and engaging shows, Andy Frasco and the UN will return to Greenfield Lake Amphitheater this weekend. The bluesy rock outfit has entertained local audiences from GLA to Brooklyn Arts Center for years now. Frasco’s band has released 11 albums, including 2023’s “L’Optimist.” Their joyful sound can only be matched by their boisterous energy and interactive moments. During live performances they often invite guests and fans on stage. Tickets are $36 here and the show starts at 7 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 11
Train
Live Oak Bank Pavilion, 10 Cowan St. • Tickets: $48 and up
The Summer Road Trip tour is heading through downtown’s Riverfront Park featuring ‘90s alternative pop darlings, Train.
Train hails from San Francisco and reached the top of the charts in 1998 with their debut, self-titled album, well-known for “Meet Virginia.” It wasn’t until 2001’s “Drop of Jupiter” they continued climbing the charts and won two Grammys for the debut single.
REO Speedwagon is touring with the band currently. It got its start in the late Sixties but gained widespread recognition in the 1980s for songs like “Keep on Loving You” and “Can’t Fight This Feeling.” Unfortunately, the group will not be making an appearance during Wilmington’s stop but will be in Raleigh on Friday night (check here).
Tickets to Sunday’s concert start at $48.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Maren Morris — Country songbird Maren Morris was scheduled to perform at Live Oak Bank Pavilion two years ago (read her interview from PCD here), but the concert was canceled after the opening act due to an incoming storm. It was never rescheduled. She will finally be returning to Wilmington, only this time at the more intimate Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. Morris has released three albums to date, including 2016’s “Hero,” 2019’s “Girl” and 2022’s “Humble Quest.” Tickets for her RSVP Redux Tour are $60.
[Ed. note: LF has been updated to clarify REO is touring with Train in Raleigh Friday but will not be in Wilmington Sunday.]
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