SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Halloween celebrations are in full swing!
Expect every Li’l Friday through the rest of October to be packed with ghoulish fun and ways to bring the best spooks and haunts of the season into full view.
Below are family-friendly events, like Boo in the Boondocks and haunted laser tag, as well as scarier options, including the Phobia Haunted Trail, plus plays that center on the supernatural, including “Beetlejuice” and “Night of the Living Dead.”
There are plenty of other non-Halloween events, too, such as music from Artikal Sound System and Lainey Wilson performing live across town this weekend. Plus, local comedian Clif Cash is hosting a screening of his comedy special recorded at Thalian Hall last fall (a full interview with the comedian also will be published Friday) and fall festivals galore.
Below is your weekly roundup of events in art, music, theater, comedy, and pop-up markets. All featured events 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, Oct. 17
“Night of the Living Dead”
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $35
George A. Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead” is being scaled as a live theatrical version by Big Dawg Productions for the next two weekends.
Just in time for Halloween, the show follows seven people trapped inside a farmhouse under siege by zombies. The 1968 classic film has long been a favorite of horror fan Chase Harrison — also a local writer who has adapted it for the stage. Harrison is directing the show, which runs for two weekends, Oct. 17-20 and 24-27, with shows at 7:30 p.m., except for on Sundays — matinees are at 3 p.m.
It’s staged in the Ruth and Bucky Stein theater and tickets are here.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
“Lizzie the Musical” — Panache Theatre Company is back scaling a bloody murder of a musical, “Lizzie,” at North Front Street Theater, 21 N. Front St. The show is an all-female cast, backed by a rock band to retell the American mythology of Lizzie Borden. The tale takes place in 1892, when Lizzie was accused of murdering her father and stepmother with an ax; however, she was acquitted due to muddled testimonies and insufficient evidence. The stage show has a blistering rock score — less of the expected Stephen Sondheim or Andrew Lloyd Webber sound and more akin to Bikini Kill, the Runaways, and Heart. Music is by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Alan Stevens Hewitt, and lyrics and book by Tim Maner. Tickets are $25.
Pleasure Island Restaurant Week — Around 25 restaurants on Carolina and Kure beach are coming together to host a week of specials and indulgences as part of Pleasure Island Restaurant Week. Taking place through Oct. 18, it’s hosted by the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce and specials run the gamut, including everything from $5 tacos atNollie’s, to $25 prix fixe from Buzz’s Roost, to a free cup of chowder from Michael’s Seafood when ordering an Admiral’s Platter. See all participants and specials here.
Galloway Farm Maze Craze — Galloway Farm in Columbus County has been welcoming families to participate in fall fun at its annual Maze Craze, open through Nov. 3 on Saturday and Sunday. A $13-ticket gains one access to the 13-acre maze, though there is also a 3-acre maze for the kids. Plus, there are kids activities, including tractor and barrel train rides, to enjoy.
Friday, Oct. 18
“Rocky Horror Picture Show” Shadowcast
Eagle’s Dare, 420 N Third St. • Admission: $5
Nothing says Halloween better than participating in a shadowcast of the 1977 cult classic “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” a musical starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Meat Loaf, Patricia Quinn and others.
Local comedy troupe Pineapple-Shaped Lamp is hosting a shadowcast during the screening at Eagle’s Dare on Friday evening at 8 p.m. For virgins who have never attended, prepare for full entertainment as the comedy troupe dresses up as the characters and enacts the movie live as it screens as the audience also participates by doing callbacks and signalongs, utilizing props and more.
There will be prop bags, a costume contest — so come donned as your best Janet or Frank-N-Furter — and prepare to be engaged and entertained.
Admission is $5 suggested donation and Eagle’s Dare has a host of frightening themed cocktails for sale.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
“Beetlejuice” — The privately founded Wilmington Academy of Arts and Sciences is hosting a fave Halloween film-turned-musical this week, “Beetlejuice,” as produced by its drama club. The Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder flick — which saw its sequel hit theaters in September, some 35 years later — was turned into a Broadway show in 2019, also nominated for eight Tony Awards. This is the first time a community theater group has scaled it. WAAS centers on youth opportunities to participate in dramatic arts, with its fourth through eighth graders doing everything from performing to doing behind-the-scenes work as stage crew. The show is being hosted at Minnie Evans Performing Arts Center for one weekend only and tickets are $10 with showtime at 7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Artikal Sound System — A South Florida reggae act known for its R&B-inflected sound is headed to Bowstring Burgers and Brewyard this weekend. Artikal Sound System toured through the area earlier this year with Iration and DENM, and has been onstage with Stephen Marley, Slightly Stoopid and Andy Frasco. They’re known for their daring and eclectic, alt-rock/reggae vibe, featuring frontman Logan Rex, Chris Montague (guitar), Fabian Acuna (bass), Christopher Cope(keyboards), and AdamKampf (drums). The band dropped a single recently, “Batshit Crazy,” featuring up-and-coming alt hip-hop duo, Little Stranger, and is entering the studio to begin production on their forthcoming LP. Mouse Powell also will perform at the show, with tickets going for $20 here.
Torment Haunted Laser Tag — Trying to indulge in all the Halloween fun ahead of Oct. 31? Don’t miss out on Torment Haunted Laser Tag at Jungle Rapids. The game follows the tale of Paul or Emily, with players immersed into their fog-filled world, abound with shadow-lurking monsters and creatures. It takes place every Friday night in October from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. and is $20. Laser tag winner also gets a $10 arcade card; book here: 910-617-8551 or by email at junglerapids@gmail.com
Haunted Brewery Tours — If having dinner on Carolina Beach as part of restaurant week, stick around for a haunted brewery tour at Good Hops (811 Harper Ave.). A guide will host the tour, taking participants through the taproom to share the bizarre tale of how one awry brew set off a chain of spooky events. The $10 tickets includes a brew after the tour (soda for those underage), which runs Friday, Oct. 18, and Saturday, Oct. 19, 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Kids under 12 are admitted free but must be accompanied by an adult.
Encanto: A Sing-along Film — Wilson Center at CFCC is welcoming audiences to sing along to the Disney favorite, “Encanto,” at 7:30 p.m. The event is part of a cross-national tour with audience participation in songs like “Banda de la Casita,” “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and “Surface Pressure,” as the film screens. The Grammy-winning songs are also performed by a live band during the screening. Fans are encouraged to dress up as their favorite characters — Mirabel, Luisa, Isabela. Tickets start at $15, as part of the all-in student ticket, and increase to $78 for pit seats.
‘The Wizard of Oz’ — Dorothy and her crew of scarecrow, lion, tin man and Toto are off to see the wizard at Scottish Right Temple, as performed by Wilmington Performing Arts. The show takes place Oct. 18-20, with shows at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The show stars Zeke Dawson, Archer Fiskin, Linc Jabaley, and others, as directed by Mandy Dawson. Choreography is by Judy Greenhut, with music direction from Trudy Yeatts. Tickets are $20.
ARTfall Show and Sale — The Thalian Association of Community Theater will have a juried art show and sale of new works completed in last two years by area artists. It takes place at the Community Arts Center/Hannah Block USO on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18 and 19, and Monday through Saturday, Oct. 21-26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public is invited to attend the Artists Award Presentation and Reception on Thursday, Oct. 17, 6 p.m. as well. Awards are presented for first through third places, as well as honorable mention, and people’s choice; cash prizes total $525.
Boo in the Boondocks — An hour-drive southwest in Nakina, a family-friendly Halloween spectacular is taking place. Boo in the Boondocks is open from 4 p.m. to midnight and takes families on Halloween-themed hayrides, with displays lit through a “glowing, spooky wonderland.” There is also a BooBash fireworks display with the friendly witch, Cleo, plus a “Wizard of Oz” corn maze, trick or treat village, s’mores firepits, a pumpkin patch, kids’ activities like a mega slide, twister barnyard ride, tire climb and more. Tickets are $19.99 here and the event is set up through Nov. 2 at 3245 Level Church Road in Nakina.
Phobia Haunted Trail — In Leland, the annual haunt-if-you dare Phobia Trail will be open, with a “CarnEvil” theme this year. The trail has been taken over by clowns! Here’s the backstory: A group of angry clowns from an old carnival have decided to execute revenge after having set up their home in the woods. They’ll test all who dare, leaving them questioning what’s real or not. Will you be one of the ones to add to their human collection? The event runs weekends through Nov. 2., 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Tickets are $26 to $37.
Saturday, Oct. 19
Iron Man
From Wrightsville Beach to downtown Wilmington • Registration closed
Having previously drawn in more than 7,000 people and 3,000 athletes, Iron Man will take place Saturday in Wilmington.
The race is a feat of strength, testing endurance with a 1.2-mile swim in the Intracoastal Waterway channel, a 56-mile bike flat cruise from beach to countryside, and a 13.1-mile run though historic downtown Wilmington, wherein spectators cheer along the way.
The Wilmignton race also offers athletes a chance to qualify for the 2025 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.
Though registration is closed for the Wilmington race, course maps, results and more can be tracked here.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Fall Festival — A free event, hosted by Coastal Cowboys Football & Cheerleading, is open to families who want to get outdoors and enjoy the cooler temps this Saturday. Ogden Park is hosting a fall festival featuring food, inflatables, a dunk tank, face-painting, cake walk, crafts and more. Vendors will also be set up selling and showcasing handmade wares; it takes place from noon to 5 p.m.
Bands, Brews BBQ — Another fall festival, hosted by the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce, also will take place at Bellville Riverwalk Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will feature award-winning barbecue with a cookoff, local craft beers, music and vendors. For those who want more information about signing up for the barbecue cookoff, click here. The event is rain or shine and takes place at 580 River Road.
Boobiepalooza — As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the nonprofit Going Beyond the Pink is hosting Boobieipalooza at Brunswick Beer XChange (113 Village Road). It’s a music-fueled fundraiser, with six bands and a comedy show. The lineup includes: Burdette Duo (noon), Highly Motivated (1 p.m.), Three Chord Cory (2 p.m.), Tater-Pop (3 p.m.), Jaden Money (4 p.m.), Astoria Bound (5 p.m.) and the comedy show ($5 suggested donation) begins at 7:30 p.m. A food truck, Taste N Seize, will be parked from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Going Beyond the Pink empowers breast cancer patients and survivors with knowledge and support so they can thrive through treatment. There also will be raffles, with proceeds to benefit the organization.
Flytrap Brewing 10-Year Anniversary — It’s been 10 years of serving locally crafted brews at Flytrap Brewing on Walnut and Fourth streets and this weekend the facility is throwing down with its own fall festival. It will include German lager releases, live music with local bluesman Randy McQuay and Justin Cody Fox Band, food from Crofton Pretzels, a free oyster bar featuring Ghost Fleet and Seaview Crab Co., 2 p.m. – 9 p.m., a pumpkin patch, face-painting and more. The fun kicks off at noon.
FlowILM — Cameron Art Museum welcomes back an illuminating night of art, science and technology with FlowILM. The event explores various organisms of the Cape Fear and how they affect the environment via creative educational activities and live performances, featuring dance, sculpture, installation and light-and-sound work produced by UNCW’s Coaction Lab. It’s all inspired by biological and ecological research done in the area revealing stable and unstable relationships among organisms. At 3:30 p.m., there will be a screening of “Dislocated/Dislocada” in CAM’s Weyerhaeuser Reception Hall, with outdoor activities beginning at 4 p.m. Every 30 minutes in the courtyard, Chelsea Loew hosts a deep listening music space and at 7 p.m., CAM’s exterior will be alive with music and light/projections showcased by Grant Stewart and Jeremy Roberts. At the Arbor at 7:45 p.m., Karola Luttringhaus and Maurice Moore will perform Letters to Water. Sayantani Dagupsta’s creative writing students will display letters in various locations with installations and drawings by Maurice Moore. Finally, at 8:30 PM at Pancoe’s Exterior, Gene Felice and team will present the performance “Biota IV.” There will be food by Kimchi Taco, Fritts and Jeremiah Italian Ice food trucks, plus CAM Cafe will be open. (Port City Daily covered 2021’s Flow ILM, which can be read about here; though this year’s artists and happenings have varied from previous iterations.)
Sunday, Oct. 20
Cliff Cash’s “The Long Road”
Brooklyn Arts Center, 516 N 4th St. • Tickets: $36-$77
A local favorite comedian who got his start at Nutt Street Comedy Room recorded a comedy special with Lighthouse Films last fall in historic Thalian Hall. Its debut will be screened for the masses come Sunday evening at Brooklyn Arts Center.
Cash’s “The Long Road” covers politics, personal stories about family, his travels in his Sprinter van — more than 700,000 miles and camped at 45 of the nation’s 65 national parks — and dealing with everyday life, including its curveballs and rewards. Cash and Lighthouse filmmakers will be part of a panel to answer questions about the making of the video, moderated by his brother, author Wiley Cash.
Tickets are $36 to $77, the latter offering a VIP entry with a cocktail hour, meet-and-greet and hor d’oeuvres. Half proceeds will be donated to Helene recovery efforts in the western part of North Carolina.
The video drops at 8 p.m. on Cash’s YouTube channel as well and the goal is to make it go viral to help catapult the comedian’s career to the next step.
“It just felt right that we released it ourselves,” Cash said, noting he had high hopes it would have a home on Netflix or a larger streamer.
But the market is in constant flux, with virality having more power than ever to catch the eye of streamers. So Cash has been building up his social media reach — 300,000 people across three platforms — to see if he and Lighthouse can amp up the reach.
“I mean, if this thing gets, like, a million views over the course of six months, it’ll change my life — the course of my whole career,” he said.
The comedian has already released an album “Half Way There,” which reached number one on the iTunes charts, and at the beginning of November “The Long Road” will be released as a comedy album as well.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Lainey Wilson — Multi-award-winning singer and songwriter Wilson will be performing 35 shows on her headlining “Country’s Cool Again Tour,” which stops in Wilmington on Sunday. Wilson has won over crowds with her traditional country sound, blended with a modern, yet retro flare. And she has the accolades to prove it, having won four ACM awards, two CMT awards, three PCCA awards and was honored as Billboard Women in Music’s 2023 “Rulebreaker.” She was also the most nominated artist at this year’s CMA awards, with a record-breaking nine nominations. It marks the fourth artist in CMA Awards history to receive nine or more nominations, following Merle Haggard, Miranda Lambert and Alan Jackson. In 2022, the Louisiana native earned CMA’s Female Vocalist of the Year and New Artist of the Year. Two years ago, Wilson landed her first number one spot with her platinum-certified ACM Song of the year, “Things a Man Oughta Know.” “Watermelon Moonshine” marked her fifth number-one single, making her the first female artist in two years to reach number one on the Billboard Country airplay chart. Wilson released her fifth studio album, “Whirlwind,” in August, with the lead single, “Hang Tight Honey.” The album peaked number 1 in the UK and in the U.S. on Billboard’s Independent Album chart, thought it came out at number 3 for Billboard’s Top Country Albums. She is performing at Live Oak Bank Pavilion, 10 Cowan St. Resale tickets start at $169
Nightmares Haunted Trail — Dubbed Columbus County’s most terrifying haunted house, Nightmares Haunted Trail is welcoming participants to two attractions this season: the Tomb of Darkness and haunted trail at 7027 Seven Creeks Hwy in Nakina. Tickets are $30 and the event is open Oct. 20-21 and 27-28 from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Find out more here.
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