SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — The first week of 2025 has plenty to enjoy in music, theater, comedy and visual arts.
All events featured were scheduled as of Thursday, Dec. 26; 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, Jan. 2
Cabaret
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $41
If you missed Thalian Hall’s annual New Year’s Eve gala, featuring a performance of the classic “Cabaret,” by John Kander, with lyrics by Fred Ebb and book by Joe Masteroff, no sweat. The show continues through mid-January.
The famed musical follows performers at the Kit Kat Club during the jazz age in Berlin, Germany, as an American performer, Sally Bowles, falls for American writer Clifford Bradshaw.
The Opera House Theater Company cast includes Mary Mattison Vallery as Bowles and Bradley Barefoot as Bradshaw and a bevy of dazzling entertainers, from the emcee to the Kit Kat Girls, who will leave audiences in awe of their colorful performances.
The show runs Jan. 2-5 and 9-12 and tickets are $41 and up.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Massey’s Martians — Local musicians Drew Massey, Joel Lamb, Bobby Lloyd and Riley Kearns are Massey’s Martians and perform extraterrestrial rock ‘n’ roll every Thursday at Jimmy’s in Wrightsville Beach. The show is free and takes place at 9 p.m.
Free Beginner Swing Lessons — Cape Fear Swing Dance Society is hosting free swing dance lessons every Friday in January at 7 p.m. No partner or experience is needed; after the lesson will be open dancing. It takes place at Hannah Block USO/Community Arts Center, 120 S. Second St.
Chrome Horse: Bob Dylan Tribute — Bowstring Brewyard is welcoming a tribute to American music’s voice of a generation with Chrome Horse. The act plays Bob Dylan music and features Drew Gabbert, a Texas-based veteran musician who performs an authentic Dylan experience with a repertoire that spans six decades. The show comes on the heels of the release of Searchlight Pictures’ “A Complete Unknown,” the biopic of Dylan, up until he turned the Newport Folk Festival electric. The tribute act will be playing tunes from the film’s soundtrack and more. Tickets start at $12.
Friday, Jan. 3
Aldo Campana
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 511 N. Third St. • Tickets: $15-$25
The New York-based comedian got his start at only 17 years old in 2021 and two years later was selected for the Just For Laughs “New Faces of Comedy” and invited to the New York Comedy Festivals “Comics to Watch” this year. As part of “New Faces,” he tackles his young age out of the gate:
“Most comedians are talking about their jobs, their kids and … my mom’s outside in the car. And she’s pretty pissed off because I’m 19 and already doing standup. I didn’t even try to have a good life.”
He will perform four shows this weekend at 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $15 to $25
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Free Bird Hikes — If you’re trying to get out more and enjoy nature in 2025, a free event is taking place from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Halyburton Park. Bird hikes take place the first Friday of the month through May. Guests will join park staff on a leisurely birdwatching stroll; walks are for beginner birders. The park is located at 4099 S. 17th St.
Rock Against Cancer Benefit — Travis Best, former captain with the New Hanover County Fire Rescue who retired last year, has been diagnosed with a rare cancer, stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma that has metastasized. The diagnosis will require Best and his family to travel out of state for more tests and treatments. A benefit in his honor will take place at Bowstring Brewyard with Wilmington rock band Dekker Road headlining. There is no cover, but a portion of the proceeds from sales will go directly to help support Captain Best’s journey toward recovery; a Go Fund Me is set up as well here.
Burgwin-Wright House Night Tour — The historic museum will be open and guests are welcome to tour by candlelight, as interpreters explain rituals and superstitions of a bygone era, when life didn’t include electricity and modern conveniences. It’s $15 and space is limited; reservations can be made by calling (910) 762-0570.
Shannon Baker and Sometime Soon — A bluegrass and country group, Shannon Baker and Sometime Soon consists of lead singer-songwriter Baker, guitarist and mandolin player Joe Pessolano, upright bassist Ronnie Parrish, fiddle player Chris Hill and banjo player and guitarist John Dudley. The group performs classics in a fresh iteration as well as originals. Tickets are $15 to their Live at Ted’s performance (2 Castle St.).
Saturday, Jan. 4
Alive in 25 Punk Show
Reggie’s 42nd Street Tavern, 1415 S. 42nd St. • Cover charge
If amping up 2025 with punk energy is in the cards, Reggie’s has the show this weekend.
Four rock bands are taking to the stage this weekend, all performing varying forms of the rock genre. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and on the bill are Emergency Nothing, The Explainers, Anergy and Busted Radio.
Emergency Nothing are from Wilmington and formed in 2023, influenced by 1970’s and 1990’s punk, reggae, and post hardcore.
Also from Wilmington, The Explainers take it back old school and inch into hardcore — think Circle Jerks, DK, and TSOL — with original songs based on current events, pets, and memes.
Charleston’s Anergy began in 2016, also inspired by old school punk, grunge and modern sounds. They’ve been compared to Agent Orange and Dead Kennedys and have released five singles and two EPs, to date.
The grungy punk rock trio Busted Radio is also from Wilmington and bring high energy.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Saturday Night Contra Dance — Sealevel Stringband will play old-timey tunes as part of the Cape Fear Contra Dancers first Saturday dance of the year. It takes place at the Hannah Block USO in downtown Wilmington. No experience or partner is needed; participants can expect a caller leading the dance and teaching the moves before the music starts. Be sure to dress comfortably, including shoes and clothes you can spin in. Tickets are $15 at the door (students get in for $1) and the beginner lesson begins at 7 p.m.
Close to Home — Cameron Art Museum is hosting its largest exhibition to date, featuring more than 200 artworks from the museum’s permanent collection of 4,000 pieces. The artists showcased all have connections to Wilmington, including but not limited to Josef Albers, Romare Bearden, Mary Cassatt, Diego Camposeco, Elisabeth Chant, Minnie Evans, Maud Gatewood, Claude Howell, Hiroshi Sueyoshi, and others. It was curated by Wilmington artist and Cape Fear Community College art professor Ben Billingsley. The show is on display through March 23 at the 3201 S. 17th St. museum; admission info available here.
Sunday, Jan. 5
Floating Lantern Ceremony
Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St. • Lantern sleeves: $15-$20
An annual celebration, CAM kicks off the new year with a floating lantern ceremony hosted at the pond on the museum’s campus. The night welcomes visitors to reflect, remember loved ones and engage in hope and gratitude.
Participants are invited to purchase sleeves for $15 to $20 and create a lantern that honors a loved one or celebrates new hopes and dreams for the new year or expresses peace. Supplies will be available in the Pancoe Learning Center and food and hot chocolate will be sold.
The floating lantern ceremony is free for all to attend from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. but all museum exhibits are open for museum admission.
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