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, Sept. 5
The 39 Steps
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $35
Based on a 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film, “The 39 Steps” will open this weekend from Big Dawg Productions.
Adapted by Patrick Barlow and from the novel by John Buchan, the show follows a man whose boring life is infused with a shot of zeal when he meets a woman claiming to be a spy. The woman ends up murdered and a whodunnit ensues. Before long, an organization, “The 39 Steps,” is on the man’s trail.
The show won numerous awards in the mid-aughts, including the Tony and Drama Desk awards in 2008 and the Laurence Olivier Award in 2007.
Big Dawg’s production stars four actors — Ben Thomas-Reid, Heather Setzler, Tamica Katzman and Chad Hsu — who take on 150 characters in what’s been billed as a thrilling ride full of suspense and comedy.
It will be staged one final weekend at Thalian Hall’s Ruth and Bucky Stein Theater and tickets are $35.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Wilmington Dark History Tour — In dark corners, hidden away alleys and unassuming cross sections, Wilmington has dark history lurking at almost every turn. Wilmington True History Tours will host its Wilmington Dark History walk at 7 p.m. Participants will learn of the lore of the town before it was even a city, when pirates trolled the Cape Fear River and one met his fate here, according to the tour company. There will be tales of a Confederate spy’s unusual death while running the blockade off Wilmington and fires that almost leveled the city — plus, anecdotes of Yellow Fever and hurricanes. Comfy shoes are encouraged as the walks are three-quarters of a mile and last just under two hours, led by historian and former National Park Service Ranger, Brandon. Tickets are $22 to $25.
Pooch Plunge — Annually, the City of Wilmington closes out the swimming season by allowing pups to plunge into the city pool waters over five days. The annual Pooch Plunge, hosted in collaboration with YMCA, will take place Sept. 4 through the 8. Families are welcome to bring their dogs to the Robert Strange Pool, 410 S. 10th St. only, for $5 per dog (cash only). The pool is open Thursday and Friday, from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Only dogs are allowed in the pool, due to health department regulations, and must be up to date on all vaccinations. No aggressive pups are allowed and owners are responsible for their pet’s behavior.
Mildly Offensive Comedy Tour — Leland Brewing Company is bringing the laughs at 7 p.m. with its Mildly Offensive Comedy Tour. Audiences can expect R-rated, 1990’s style comedy. There also will be the Chef Driven food truck on site. Presented by Carolina Comedy Collective and Laugh FX Studio Productions, the romp will be hosted by Danny Michel Döbel and tickets are $10 here.
Jazz at CAM — A Thursday-night jazz series at the art museum will take place at 7 p.m. with Lydia Salette Dudley & Jazz Xpressions, performing 1970s smooth jazz. The band blends Latin and pop, seasoned with R&B. Tickets are $15 to $55, available here.
Friday, Sept. 6
Derrick Stroup
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 512 Third St. • Tickets: $20-$30
The Alabama native has performed alongside the likes of Nate Bargatze, Bert Kreischer and Larry the Cable Guy. But this weekend Derrick Stoup is headlining his own gig at Dead Crow Comedy Room.
A self-proclaimed Waffle House enthusiast, Stroup, with a heavy drawl, has been described to have the “cadence of an angry auctioneer.” In a recent standup on “Lawless 90s Kids,” he talks about games in the ‘90s pre-Internet days and tricks friends would play on one another.
“There’s something in the ‘90s they took from us that they should bring back: titty twisters,” he said. “They took titty twisters during the Me Too movement and y’all didn’t even notice. This younger generation is an aloof group of kids; they haven’t looked up from their phones in four or five months. We start reaching out and give ‘em a few of these, I betcha they start looking around.”
Now living in Denver, Colorado, Derrick headlines Comedy Works regularly, while also touring. He has appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and in 2024 recorded his first special for Comedy Central.
Tickets to his show this weekend are $20 to $30.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Hobby Greenhouse Fall Sale — Taking place at 2318 Metts Ave., the annual fall plant sale from Hobby Greenhouse is a two-day event — Friday and Saturday — from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. All plants — annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables — are propagated or grown by club members; only check or cash is accepted.
RESCHEDULED to Nov. 1, according to Live Nation: Jon Pardi: Mr. Saturday Night Tour — Pardi played Wilmington a decade ago, opening for Alan Jackson at the Azalea Festival. Now, the West Coast cowboy — who moved to Nashville from Dixon, California — is returning to play Live Oak Bank Pavilion. Pardi has topped Billboard’s Country charts with four top five albums, and had two country airplay number one singles, “Head Over Boots” and “Dirt on My Boots,” from his 2016 release “California Sunrise.” In 2022, he dropped “Mr. Saturday Night” which included his highest-charting song on the Billboard Hot 100, “Last Night Lonely.” The same day as he performs in Wilmington he will drop a new single, “Friday Night Heartbreaker.” Tickets start at $78.
Music to Remember — A benefit concert for the Alzheimer’s Association will take place at Kenan Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Saturday. It features the music of Grammy and Tony winner NaTasha Williams, who was a performer on Broadway for “The Color Purple” and “Chicago,” and appeared in shows like “Some Like It Hot” and “Waitress.” Joining her will be Enrique De Allende, an international vocalist who also has appeared in Carnegie Hall and been dubbed “the new Julio Iglesias.” Also joining the show will be singer-songwriters: Renee Armand — heard on albums with Michael Jackson, Linda Ronstadt, and John Denver; Danielle Johnson a North Carolinian who moved to Nashville, teaches music and has numerous original recording, like “You’re The One That Got Away,” “Too Many Two’s” and “Let It Be You”; and North Carolina native Mary Porter, currently working on her fourth album with the musical assistance of Michael Orland and multi-Grammy award-winning producer Robert Cuteralla. Orland — a former “American Idol” coach and songwriter with works featured on several daytime soaps and primetime shows — will direct and play the keys, alongside the band: Darryl Murrill (saxophone) John Michael Mielcarski (guitar), Anthony Hayes (keys), Carlo Rouse (bass) and Daniel Murrill (drums).
Saturday, Sept. 7
Oktoberfest
Flying Machine Brewing Company, 3130 Randall Parkway • Free
The first fall celebration of the season arrives at Flying Machine Brewing Company this weekend.
The brewery is releasing its Festbier and Crofton Pretzels will be on site, dishing out regular, coated and stuffed pretzels, with drips galore. Later that evening Seoul Sushi will be parked on site at 5 p.m. to serve Korean barbecue, sushi and wings.
Plus, there will be giveaways and live music with Ethan Hanson from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Thalian Hall Annual Community Day — Wilmington’s historic theater and city hall is opening to the public as part of its free annual community day, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Audiences will learn about the Thunder Roll — the rolling of an iron cannonball down the side of wooden frames to create the sound of thunder. It’s a Victorian-era sound effect that most theaters used in the 17th Century. Thalian Hall remains the only one in the country with the use still available. A demonstration will be done at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. There also will be tours offered.
Caiola’s — Bourgie Nights is hosting a Philadelphia-based songwriter and musician at 9 p.m. as part of his “This Could Be Everything Tour.” Jordan Caiola, founder of indie rock band Mo Lowda and The Humble and indie electro-pop duo Night Season, turned his talents to a singer-songwriter in early 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 lockdown. During this time, he recorded songs for his first solo album, “Only Real When Shared.” Fast-forward to 2024, Caiola tours year-round with both Mo Lowda and his solo project, with a second solo record to be released in 2024. He’s performing solo at Bourgie Nights with guest Thomas Livine; tickets are $20 to $25; there is a $5 surcharge for anyone under 21.
Sunday, Sept. 8
Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, 1941 Amphitheater Dr. • Tickets: $39
The lauded bluegrass act Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway are performing at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater on Sunday.
Tuttle has been hailed as the first woman to receive the International Bluegrass Music Association female player of the year, and won the 2022 Grammy for her album “Crooked Tree.”
“City of Gold,” has dropped since, produced by bluegrass legend Jerry Douglas, a 14-time Grammy-winning dobro artist, and on Sept. 20, the band is putting out “Into the Wild.” The six-song EP includes covers of Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit” and Olivia Rodrigo’s “good 4 u,” as well as an alternate version of the “City of Gold” track “Stranger Things.”
Tickets are $39 here.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Pop Up Market — Bull City Ciderworks is hosting a pop-up market from noon to 4 p.m. at its 17th Street location in the Cargo District. There will be roughly a dozen or so local crafters, artisans and makers from Downtown ILM Market, as well as local food trucks on site.
Throwling League — Are you ready for some football? And bowling? Axes and Allies is going beyond hosting its ax-throwing leagues this fall and celebrating fall’s favorite sport “split” with another favorite pastime: bowling. Here’s how it works: Outside Axes and Allies, ax-throwing lanes will be set up with 12 bowling pins and participants in the Throwling league toss footballs to see how many pins they can knock down. The winner at the end of the three-week league gets their fee of $20 back. Takes place every Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Check out the video here.
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