
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, 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. 16
Tift Merritt in Concert
Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S 17th St. • Tickets: $55-$70
Tift Merritt will be in concert at Cameron Art Museum as part of its current exhibit, Thomas Sayre’s “Four Walls.”
Merritt and Sayre are friends and the musician created a collection of songs for the exhibit, “Four Songs, Four Walls.” She will perform solo at CAM’s Weyerhauser reception hall on Thursday, with tickets costing $55 to $70.
The Grammy-nominated musician lives in Raleigh and gained acclaim in 2004 for her album “Tambourine” and by 2008 had a hit release, “Good Hearted Man.” She has opened for acts like Joan Baez and Kris Kristofferson and her debut, “Bramble Rose,” was also covered by the likes of rock royalty, including Mick Jagger and Don Henley.
Merritt retreated from the road to rear her daughter and her Wilmington show at CAM is the first in years. Sayre’s “Four Walls” tackles unorthodox constructs and spaces, including nation, church and creation. Merritt contributed a dressing gown from a mental institution in one of his pieces on display.
The show takes place at 7 p.m.; she is returning on Feb. 15 for another performance at CAM as well and in attendance at it will be artist Thomas Sayre.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Breach of Peace — North Carolina actor Mike Wiley is returning to the Thalian Hall stage for his latest piece regarding 1961’s Freedom Riders — a group of civil rights activists that rode through the American South in protest of segregated buses. “Breach of Peace” was written by Mike Wiley Productions and is based on real-life events and accounts from this time in history, through its ups — 300 people joining the movement which started with only 11 — to its downs — being assaulted by mobs who disagreed. “This solo-play is a living monument to those remarkable young men and women of various races, religions and backgrounds who rose to face the dangers of fighting for just and equal treatment for all,” according to the production company. Tickets are $27 and up.
Free Latin Dance Classes — Bonita Fusion restaurant, located at Pier 33 Apartments, is offering free dance classes at 6 p.m. Offered will be Bachata, Salsa, Merengue, Reggaeton, and Cumbia. Classes are free at 6 p.m. and social dancing is open from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. All levels are welcome, beginner and up. The restaurant is located at 5 Brunswick St. and classes take place every Thursday.
‘Dimensions in Time’ Art Opening — Flytrap Brewing is hosting a new art opening from Missy Tripp Ronquillo from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Ronquillo’s abstract work is bright and colorful, with texture that evokes emotion, perception and the lived experience, as poetry and secret messages are hidden throughout: “My goal is for the audience not just to see the painting-but to hear it,” she said. In addition to her new show, Doug McFarland will perform music and Kimchi Taco will be set up serving food. Flytrap is located at 319 Walnut St.
Leland’s Got Talent — And the search continues for the best performers in Brunswick County’s largest town. Leland’s Got Talent has been hosting auditions since last Thursday, which continue Jan. 16 and 23 at 6 p.m. There are 15 slots available with the top vocalist taking home $2,500. The event is being held at Leland Brewing Company, 215 Ale Ave. Learn more here.

Friday, Jan. 17
Dear Evan Hansen
Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St. • Tickets start at $31
The Tony Award-winning musical “Dear Evan Hansen” is on a tour and stopping at Wilson Center for two days this weekend.
The story — with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and book by Steven Levenson — covers a high-school student who suffers from social anxiety and depression. In order to make friends, he concocts a tall tale about being besties with a dead classmate, who he didn’t know, but it eventually is revealed as untrue.
The show, backed by a modern pop soundtrack, explores themes of connection, healing and forgiveness.
It will debut with two shows at Wilson Center, Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m., and Jan. 18, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Tree Fest — Taking place at Independence Mall (3500 Oleander Drive), the North Carolina Cooperative Extension is offering five free trees or grasses to households ($5 donation suggested). It’s offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and species availability may vary. Visitors should bring their own bags or buckets to transport the bare-root seedlings and experts will be available to offer help with care advice. Available will be longleaf pine, Atlantic white cedar, Eastern red cedar, American persimmon, flowering dogwood, Eastern redbud, red maple, river birch, live oak, white oak, silky dogwood (shrub), and Indiangrass (bunchgrass).
‘Willy Wonka Jr.’ — Thalian Association Community Theater is putting on the kids production “Willy Wonka Jr.” The famed Roald Dahl book follows Charlie and his family on the hunt for the winning Golden Ticket to tour the town’s Chocolate Factory owned by Willy Wonka and a lifetime supply of candy. The five children who win, excluding Charlie, are entitled brats, Wonka finds, and must follow his rules else be ejected off the premises. The show, adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald, with lyrics and music by Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley, is based on Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Tickets are $17 here and the show takes place at the Community Arts Center, 120 S. Second St.
Ahamed Weinberg — A Philadelphian comedian on the Los Angeles scene, Weinberg has opened for Shane Gillis and Hasan Minhaj. He’s appeared on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and “Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and been featured on “TimeOut LA’s Comics to Watch” and “Vulture’s 20 Comics to Watch” lists. Aside from standup, he’s had the film, “Lovebirds,” appear on Amazon Prime and is behind the Sarah Silverman-produced Facebook series “Please Understand Me.” He also serves as a story editor on the Netflix comedy “GOLF,” co-created by Will Ferrell and Ramy Youssef. A Comedy Central special includes him riffing on being a Jewish-Muslim vegetarian. “Even when I travel, I’m like I’m a Jewish-Muslim, and they’re like ‘Alright.’ But I mention I’m a vegetarian, and they’re like: ‘P***y!’ How is it, in this country, they’re OK with a white Jewish Muslim as long as he eats meat?” Tickets are $20 to $30.

Saturday, Jan. 18
Fort Fisher Living History Program
Fort Fisher State Historic Site, 1610 Fort Fisher Blvd S. • Tickets:
Commemorating the 160-year anniversary of the Fort Fisher State Historic Site, a living history program will take place Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There will be living history and community displays exploring daily life during Civil War, infantry and artillery demonstrations taking place at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Scenic guided tours also will take place of the historic site for $10 at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., with special guest presentations and book signings from authors and historians.
Otherwise the event is open to the public for free.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
MLK at Maides Park — Celebrating Martin Luther King Day, the city’s Maides Park will host a family-friendly event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be games, refreshments, a bounce house and activities. The event takes place at 1101 Manly Ave. and it’s free to attend.
The British Invaders — The British Invaders will be performing famed hits from the Sixties movement that brought in historic rock ‘n’ roll sounds from The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Kinks, The Who, The Animals and more. The band will perform from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., covering a vast catalogue of music; admission is $10 at the door. The Rusty Nail is located at 1310 S. Fifth Ave.
Beckwith Recital Series presents Southern Harmonie — The Carolina’s debut professional chamber wind ensemble, Southern Harmonie, was founded in 2023. It consists of UNCW faculty and guest artists from around the Wilmington region. Its 2025 program, “Magic, Mischief, and Mayhem,” is an amalgamation of classics and newer sounds. This includes Mendelssohn’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Arturo Márquez’s “Octeto Malandro (“Misbehaving Octet”), and Bohuslav Martinu’s “La Revue de Cuisine.” Also featured is Sarah Kirkland Snider’s “O Sweet and Beloved Mother,”Jeff Scott’s “Isis” from Sacred Women, a suite from Orff’s subversive “Carmina Burana,” and the frenzied”Champagne Aria” from Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Tickets to the show are $14, available here.
The Winter Fest Market — A community market will be open at the Arboretum in Brunswick Village at 4118 Hobblebush Drive in Leland. It takes place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature local craft vendors, as well as performances by dance and arts groups and food trucks serving snacks. It’s free to attend, with individual pricing for wares and goods.
UPWA presents New Years Massacre —Taking place at the National Guard Armory, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., the United Professional Wrestling Association will host its New Years Massacre at 2221 Carolina Beach Road. Tag Team Champions Lassiter International will defend titles against former champions The Silk City Kings in a ladder match. Also defending their titles will be Carolinas Champion Steven Strick and Lightweight Champion Bobby Wolfhert. Sawdust, Team Pitbull and the other superstars of the UPWA will be at the show. Tickets are $20 available here.
Sunday, Jan. 19
Sad Song Happy Hour
Bourgie Nights, 127 Princess St. • Free
Wilmington Unplugged, which started more than a decade ago, is hosting its first singer-songwriter showcase of the year featuring local musicians including Jacob Adams (Blue Karma), Owen Casey and Brendon Jacobsen (The Queens Giant).
Sign-ups also will be available for an open mic drawing; two people will be selected at random among those who signed up to perform one or two songs. The event takes place at the corner stage in the bar side of Bourgie Nights (127 Princess St.). Doors open at 6 p.m. when the signup is open for the open-mic drawing as well. Music will begin at 7 p.m.
It’s free to attend but the tip bucket will be accepting cash for musicians.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Bill’s Brewing Chili Cookoff — The local nonprofit Love Is Bald, which raises funds to help people undergoing cancer treatments, is having its annual chili cookoff at Bill’s Brewing Company (107 Cinema Drive) starting at 1 p.m. . Folks are welcome to bring their best concoction to participate. It’s $20 to enter and $10 to taste and judge; tickets can be purchased at the door or through Venmo (@loveisbald).
Line Dancing and Monthly Potluck — Always wanted to learn the Boot Scootin’ Boogie, Cupid Shuffle or Cha Cha Slide? Brunswick Beer Xchange is hosting an afternoon of line dancing starting at 3 p.m. It’s also encouraged for attendees to bring a dish to share at the community potluck. The brewery is located at 113 Village Road and it’s free to attend.
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