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; 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, Feb. 6
NC Jazz Festival
Hotel Ballast, 301 N. Water St. • Tickets: $65 and up
In its 45th year, the North Carolina Jazz Festival brings world-renowned musicians to the greater Wilmington area over three days. This year’s event kicks off Thursday at downtown’s Hotel Ballast and continues through the weekend and features artists from Wilmington and across the United States.
Thursday night will kick off with the Carlos Garcia Trio, paying tribute to Bill Evans, at 7:30 p.m. Garcia is a UNCW graduate and is dedicating his performance to his first piano teacher. Garcia will perform classics of Bill Evans music, as well as some arrangements of his lesser-known tunes.
Following Garcia will be Gregg Gelb as the headliner. A saxophonist, arranger and composer, Gelb has performed with Group Sax, Paul Montgomery, Kathy Gelb and the Gregg Gelb Swing Band, The Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra, NC Jazz Repertory Orchestra, NC Symphony, the Second Line Stompers, La Fiesta Latin Jazz Quintet and others.
Friday and Saturday nights feature all-star musicians and this year’s event also includes a piece of work by featured artist Jay DeChesere. DeChesere created a unique composition for the 2025 festival.
There will be a Saturday patronage brunch as well. All musicians playing throughout the weekend can be seen here and all evening concerts begin at 7:30.
Tickets start at $65 but go up to packages for all nights over $200.
Violet and Gold (Self Portrait of Elisabeth Chant), c. 1925.
Oil on canvas. Collection of Cameron Art Museum. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Henry B. Rehder.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
‘Elisabeth Chant’ Art Opening — Cameron Art Museum is paying tribute to one of Wilmington most revered artists, Elisabeth Chant, in its new exhibition. Chant emigrated from England to the U.S. and lived in North Carolina from 1865 to 1947, but settled in Wilmington in 1922. Chant, influence by art nouveau, studied in Paris and Minneapolis. She was instrumental to the local art scene, teaching classes, mentoring youth and even establishing a community arts association. This exhibit is curated by CAM’s former executive director, Anne Brennan, in an effort to showcase Chant’s delicate exploration of the people and landscapes surrounding her environment. The opening night reception includes live music by pianist Ian Daviz in the galleria. CAM Café will be open as well serving food and cocktails. Member preview tours are offered at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and are free for CAM members. The opening reception is $15 for nonmembers and the exhibit is on display through April 27.
‘Hadestown Teen Musical’ — Panache Theater is presenting a junior performance of the popular musical “Hadestown.” Anaïs Mitchell’s Tony Award-winning show includes haunting jazz numbers inflected with folk opera. The story is based on Greek mythology, following Orpheus’ mythical quest to overcome Hades and regain the favor of his one true love, Eurydice. The shows — Feb. 6-9 and 13-16, at 7:30 p.m. except for on Sundays, which has 3 p.m. matinees — take place at Front Street Theater, 21 N. Front St.
Friday, Feb. 7
Ginuwine and Montell Jordan
Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St. • Tickets start at $60
Elgin Baylor Lumpkin, known as Ginuwine, will take the stage at the Wilson Center on Feb. 7, 2025. The artist gained popularity with his first single “Pony” and has released several multi-platinum and platinum-selling albums and singles, becoming one of R&B’s top artists during the 1990s heyday of hip-hop soul.
Ginuwine has been nominated for Best R&B Album at the 2014 Grammy Awards, Best Male R&B Artist at the 2003 BET Awards, and three times for Favorite Male R&B Artist at the American Music Awards. He also won the Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Male Album in 2000.
Ahead of Ginuwine’s performance, special guest Montell Jordan will perform. Jordan yielded one of 1995’s biggest hits with his debut single, “This Is How We Do It.” The L.A. native began singing in talent shows and church choirs as a boy, eventually graduating to nightclubs while pursuing an education at Pepperdine University. He has released seven albums and fourteen singles and was nominated for a GRAMMY for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
Additionally, local talent, WMNX-COAST 97.3 program director, and on-air personality Bigg B will perform a pre-show DJ set in the Wilson Center lobby. He will also judge a dance contest and crown the winner, who will receive free tickets to a future show of their choice. The lobby doors will open at 6 p.m.
Tickets start at $60 here.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Righteous Roots and Arklight Sounsystem — A local band will be bringing its island rock, blending reggae rhythms and electric vibes, at The Rusty Nail this Friday at 8 p.m. Arklight Soundsystem will spin between the band breaks. It’s a free show!
Pizza Putt — The Children’s Museum of Wilmington is hosting Pizza Putt from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be pizza served and local craft beer and a Putt Putt course will be set up for folks to play. This event is for ages 21 and up only and acts as a fundraiser for the museum. There will be a raffle, Mug Master Challenge and teen spirit award. The courtyard of the museum will transform into a beer garden. Tickets, all-inclusive, are $50 here.
Coworx Oyster Roast — Over in The Cargo District, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., folks will be cracking open bivalves and downing drinks as Coworx coworking space hosts its second annual event. It’s a free event and takes place at CoWorx on Castle / Azalea Station, 1502 Castle St. and food includes oysters and pizza; Coworx members also get select free drinks from Azalea Station all night, though non-members can pay for drinks via cash/card. Though the oyster roast admission is free, RSVP is required here.
Penthouse Live Comedy — What do you call a bunch of comedians? A gaggle. OK, OK, comedians we are not at PCD, but those who love a good laugh can enjoy a group of local pros at the Penthouse this weekend. Hosted by Zack Burk, the show features laughs from Juliet Ramsey, Lisa Buck and Ellie Coleman. Ramsey, a co-producer of Women of Wilmington shows, riffs on dating, work life, and dealing with children, while Buck — who has traveled up and down the East Coast — deals in the unconventional. Coleman is known locally as a comedian who doesn’t give AF and knows how to bring the laughs with it. Tickets are $13 here and the Penthouse is located at 2 N. Front St.
Saturday, Feb. 8
Guy Branum
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 511 N. Third St. • Tickets: $18-$28
His writing credits are vast — “The Mindy Project,” “Billy on the Street,” “A League of Their Own” (Amazon’s version), “Hacks” — and acting acclaim as far-reaching, having been in the film “Bros,” the series “History of the World Part II” and “Platonic.” But this weekend Guy Branum — once known as the resident gay on “Chelsea Lately” — will be bringing his brand of funny to the Dead Crow Comedy Room stage for two nights.
Branum’s standup covers a spectrum of topics, including the advantages of being gay in modern day society: “We get to be friends with Black women for no reason. No one understands it, it’s just two strong flavors that work well together like sea salt and dark chocolates.”
He also covers questionable anomalies surrounding technology — like putting a wet iPhone in rice to dry it out. “How racist is it that we even make Asian food do tech support work?”
In 2018, the comedian published his first book “My Life As A Goddess: A Memoir through (Un)Popular Culture.” The collection of humorous essays covers his life in a small farm town, obsessed with Greek mythology, to law school to finding artistic freedom through writing and comedy. Branum is currently working on a reboot of the rom-com “How To Lose a Guy In 10 Days” for Paramount Studios.
He will perform two shows on Friday and Saturday nights in downtown Wilmington at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Wilmington Symphony Orchestra — Conducted by Steven Errante and featuring cellist Sterling Elliott, the WSO will perform at Wilson Center on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The concert will feature Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture, Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 1, Wagner’s Prelude to Die Meistersinger, and Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloë. Tickets start at $31 here.
Garrison Keillor — Known for being the host and creator of “A Prairie Home Companion” for years, Garrison Keillor is coming to UNCW’s stage at Kenan Auditorium at 8 p.m. for his latest touring performance, “Garrison Keillor Tonight!” It’s Keillor’s second time to the Port City in a year, as he toured for “PHC” 50th anniversary last year. A fiction and comedy writer, who has penned a book of limericks and is well-known for “The Writer’s Almanac” and “Boom Town,” Keillor’s latest show includes storytelling, standup and audience participation. There will be familiarity, most likely, from his “PHC” days as well, as he brings sing-a-longs and the News from Lake Wobegon. Tickets are $36.50 here.
Can’t Get Next to You — Motown will be front-and-center at Odell Williamson Auditorium in Brunswick County as former members of The Temptations spin-off groups bring a concert experience to life in tribute to the famed vocal group from the ‘60s and ‘70s. Each performer covers the harmonies and choreography of The Temptations, all of whom learned directly from the group’s members. This includes Dennis Edwards, Richard Street, Ali Woodson, Barrington Henderson and Theo Peoples. Tickets start at $39 here.
BAD Sports Day/Social District — It’s the second weekend of the BAD Social District pilot program, which allows people to traverse 10 blocks of the Fourth Street area with alcoholic beverages in tow on public rights-of-way. While brownbagging alcohol from outside into the district isn’t allowed, participating restaurants and businesses are welcoming people to purchase and carry drinks from noon to 5 p.m., including: Bottega Art and Wine, Brooklyn Cafe, Boombalatti’s Ice Cream, Bigg Redd’s Barbershop, Flytrap Brewing, three10 (until 4 PM), Goat & Compass, Palate Bottle Shop & Garden, Commodore Public House & Kitchen, Dalisay Salon, The Eagle’s Dare, Edward Teach Brewery and Pizzeria Don Luca. Vendors and live music are often set up across the various businesses; alcohol purchased from one ABC-licensed establishment must be finished before entering another bar or restaurant. Click here to learn more about what to expect from the district — parking, the special stickers utilized on cups, etc.
Sunday, Feb. 9
Valentine’s Day Market Under the Oaks
The Bend, 7227 Market St. • Free
Sure, the day of love may not be happening for another five days, but have you planned what to get your special someone yet in celebration of the Hallmark holiday?
If not, the Valentine’s Day Market Under the Oaks can be of help. Taking place in Ogden at The Bend, from noon to 4 p.m., local, small businesses will be set up showcasing the best of their wares — jewelry, candles, art and more. As well there will be multiple food trucks parked on site, such as Kimchi Taco, The Venezuelan Cuisine and Chef Driven ILM. Brighter Days Coffee will serve fresh java, and Gypzea Maize will have kettle corn, while cocktails will be available from The Bend. Local musicians also will be set up playing live throughout the event.
It’s free to attend and support all locals.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
‘A Few Good Men’ — Thalian Association Community Theater is presenting the opening weekend performance of “A Few Good Men”by Aaron Sorkin (“West Wing,” “Moneyball,” “The Newsroom”). The play was first performed on Broadway in 1989 before becoming a film hit in 1992, starring Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore and Tom Cruise. The plot unveils a military conspiracy by high-level United States Marines accused of murder. Tickets to the show are $42 here and it will be performed Friday through Sunday for two weekends only, Feb. 7-16; showtimes are 7:30 p.m. except on Sundays, 2 p.m.
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