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, Jan. 9
Arsenio Hall and Jay Leno
Wilson Center, 711 Third St. • Tickets: $80 and up
Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College is welcoming two late-night TV hosts and comedians, once popular 30 years ago. Arsenio Hall and Jay Leno are appearing in town at 7:30 p.m.
Leno’s late-night show was rated in first place for years on NBC. The Emmy- and Mark Twain Prize-winning comedian now hosts “Jay Leno’s Garage,” exploring his passion for classic cars and motorcycles and telling people’s stories behind the wheel. Leno is also the co-host for “You Bet Your Life,” a comedy game show he oversees with longtime “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” bandleader Kevin Eubanks.
Leno last performed in Wilmington in 2022 and even showed up at a classic car show ahead of his standup gig; his return also will come with a car show, open to the public for free, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Emmy Award-winning Arsenio Hall, who gained popularity for “The Arsenio Hall Show,” is also performing. Hall tapped into younger audiences, known to bark and fist-pump guests; the show combined “cutting-edge comedy, politics, and the debut of pop superstars” from 1989 to 1994. Before, Hall was involved in both TV and film, writing and starring in the hit movie “Coming to America.” He has since done animated films, sports docs, comedies, and stand-up specials — his most recent, “Smart & Classy,” can be streamed worldwide.
Tickets start at $80.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
‘Cabaret’ — The famed John Kander, Fred Ebb and Joe Masteroff show continues for one final weekend at Thalian Hall. The 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. Shows are Jan. 9-12, and tickets are $41 and up at Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St.
Friday, Jan. 10
Amy Miller
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 511 N. Third St. • Tickets: $20-$30
East Bay Californian Amy Miller was a breakout favorite in the final season of “Last Comic Standing.” She has made appearances on the festival circuit and on Comedy Central for her “Ham Mouth” special.
“My ex and I broke up and then he moved across the hall,” she said on “Ham Mouth.” “Have I been over to borrow a cup of cum? Maybe. I think it’s fun.”
Miller has opened for Wanda Sykes and released her debut album, “Solid Gold,” in 2016. She is currently part of the podcast “The Basement Tapes” with the Osbourne family — where she guides Sharon, Ozzy, Jack and Kelly through old episodes of their hit reality show from MTV in the early aughts.
She is coming to Dead Crow Comedy Room this weekend, for four shows, 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, to perform. Tickets are $20 to $30 here.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Cape Fear Camera Club Exhibition — Held in the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s gallery, the theme for the 2025 year is “Coastal Cape Fear.” Photos include a diversity of wildlife, landscapes, street scenes, and architecture across the southeastern region. The exhibit is open with aquarium admission daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and hangs through April 7, 2025. Learn more about the camera club here.
Saturday, Jan. 11
Fancy Gap
Bourgie Nights, 127 Princess St. • Tickets: $15-$20
Former Wilmingtonian Stuart McLamb — best known for his pop rock sounds in The Love Language — is coming back to town to showcase his latest project, Fancy Gap.
The singer-songwriter has paired up with songwriter and producer Charles Crossingham on a new album that hints toward country, early ‘90s pop and classic rock, all radio-ready.
McLamb was working on The Love Language’s fifth album in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, so he traveled to Crossingham’s mountain cabin in Fancy Gap, Virginia. The two — listening to a lot of ‘90s country at the time — began writing music, musing about how the world would emerge and start over again from its forced hibernation.
The album includes contributions from Sharon Van Ettan, Adam Lazarra (Taking Back Sunday), organ player Rami Jaffee (Foo Fighters, The Wallflowers), guitarist Will McFarlane (Bonnie Raitt, Etta James) and pedal-steel player Jon Graboff (Willie Nelson, M. Ward).
Tickets to the show are $15 in advance here and $20 day-of; opening is Chapel Hill band The Old Ceremony, who has toured with Cake, Squirrel Nut Zippers and have had musicians like REM’s Mike Mills perform with them, as heard on their latest album, “Earthbound,” released in fall 2024.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Swing Dance with Wilmington Big Band — The Cape Fear Swing Dance Society will host an evening of dance to the live sounds of the Wilmington Big Band. The 17-piece orchestra brings back the music of a bygone era — big band music — featuring icons from the American Song Book, such as Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey. A beginner lesson begins at 6:30 p.m. with open swing dancing from 7:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. The society is also hosting a balboa workshop earlier in the day, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Tickets for the workshop and night dance are $40, available here; also available are workshop-only ($30) tickets and the evening dance only ($20).
Peaks to Pints: Celebration of WNC Breweries — Hi-Wire Brewing (1020 Princess St.) on Princess Street is celebrating its fourth-year anniversary by also honoring region it got its start: Asheville, North Carolina, in 2013. Peaks to Pints takes place from noon to 10 p.m. and highlights all the craft brews made in Asheville and other areas of western North Carolina, which will be guest taps. As well there will be live music by Port City Shakedown and Brown Dirt Cowboys, local vendors market, pizza available from Cugino Forno and more.
Subliminal Doubt — From central Florida comes a No Doubt tribute band, welcoming celebrity impersonator, singer, and musician Monica as Subliminal Doubt. Embodying Gwen Stefani and her ‘90s ska and pop band, the group covers chart-toppers such as “Spiderwebs” and “Just a Girl,” and even Stefani solo tracks like “Hollaback Girl.” They’re performing at Bowstring Brewyard at 7 p.m. and tickets are $15.
Social Dance Nights — If putting more pep in your step is part of your New Year’s resolution, then you’re in luck. Hosted throughout the year at Leland Community Arts Center, various dance organizations will be teaching lessons. Beginning Jan. 11, there will be Latin night from Wilmington Latin Dance, followed by swing from Cape Fear Swing Society on Jan. 24, and contra on March 8 from the Cape Fear Contra Dancers. Individual lessons are priced $12 to $15 and the full schedule and tickets can be accessed here.
Bob Smiley — Standup comedian and author Bob Smiley is hosting a show at Port City Community Church in Leland at 7:30 p.m.; doors at 7 p.m. The comedian has been in the game for more than two decades and has written four books, “The Adventures of Average Boy,” as well as hosts the podcast “The Average Boy.” The goal is to make kids laugh while also educating them on God. Tickets are $15 to $25 here.
Sunday, Jan. 12
Ramen Shop
Concept Kitchen Co., 1815-A Castle St. • Various menu prices
From Chefs Tee and Lee of Sap Lai, Shoyu & Cheese, Taste of Vietnam and Dim Sum Time comes Ramen Shop. Yet, it’s only open this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. or until the ramen sells out.
The group will be taking over End of Days Distillery’s Concept Kitchen Co., which hosts various chefs for short pop-ups to test their creations on a hungry audience. With Old Man Winter bringing temps below freezing this week, warm ramen is a perfect companion meal to the brisk days.
Various broths — chicken, pork or Japanese-style curry — and toppings, including chicken, pork, onions, carrots, potatoes and more come in three styles of creations, priced $18. There are also side items, such as edamame or spring rolls, pork buns or gyoza.
See the full menu here.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Two Eagles Oyster Roast — And if ramen isn’t enough to warm the bones, there are still a few more months of oyster season left. Eagle’s Dare (420 N. Third St.) is hosting a roast on Sunday, beginning at 1 p.m. It will feature oysters from Eagles Island and Seafood and to be cooked by Circle Pit Barbecue’s Chris Tolbert. Tickets are $40 ahead of time for all you can eat or $45 the day of, if available.
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