SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Though the temperatures remain cold, the events are still heating up across the region.
Li’l Friday features more than a dozen ways to enjoy the weekend via theater, music, art, culinary happenings 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, Feb. 20
Parallel Lives
Thalian Hall Ruth and Bucky Stein Theater, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $35
A comedy created by Mo Gaffney and Kathy Najimy, “Parallel Lives,” is known as an “irreverent romp through the quirks of human existence.” The play focuses on the parallel experiences of men and women in everyday scenarios with a comedic approach.
Acted out by four women, the provocative sketches explore societal stereotypes and gender roles. The cast take on various characters dealing with everyday woes of modern life and showcase the differences endured in the same scenarios by each gender.
The show is being presented by Big Dawg Productions at Thalian Hall for the next two weekends. Showtimes are Thursday through Sunday through Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m., except for 3 p.m. matinees on Sunday.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Sushi Workshop — Want to perfect the technique of sushi rolling? Good Hops Brewing may be able to help. The Carolina Beach brewery is hosting a sushi-making workshop at 6:30 p.m. and will go over all the equipment needed, rice preparation, and the basics of crating the most yummy roll. It also comes with an an all-you-can-eat sushi feast and a complimentary beverage voucher. Viva La Noche Catering and Workshops is overseeing the lesson, and tickets are $60 here.
Chris Janson — A country artist, Chris Janson has performed on stages like the Grand Ole Opry to national country festival. On Thursday night, however, he will be lighting up Wilson Center with his hits like “Fix a Drink,” “Good Vibes,” and “Buy Me a Boat.” Tickets are $30 to $80, available here.
Revolutionary Walking Tour — Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens is hosting a walking tour, as led by historian and author Bert Dunkerly. The 90-minute, one-mile walk through downtown Wilmington takes visitors to pre-war protests sites, historic homes and places where war skirmishes were battled. An author, Dunkerly has penned “An Explorer’s Guide to America’s Revolutionary War,” which inspired the walking tour; it will be available for purchase. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling 910-762-0570.
Friday, Feb. 21
Port City Taste Restaurant Week
Various restaurants across town • Prix-fixe menus: $20, $35, $50
Port City Taste kicks off Friday and lasts through Sunday, March 2. Diners can take advantage of various prix-fixe deals from upward of 20 local restaurants for the next 10 days.
This year’s event features three pricing tiers: $20, $35, and $50. Diners also will be able to choose a winner from each tier to be crowned the Best of Port City Taste. To participate, just peruse menus as they’re posted, feast around town, and then text the name of your favorite participating restaurant to 910-332-0983. All votes must be in by Sunday, March 2.
Going local is the heartbeat of Port City Taste; supporting restaurants created and operated by those who live in the greater Wilmington area helps foster a thriving economy. The nonprofit Business Alliance for Local Living Economies breaks it down like this: For every $100 spent at a local business or restaurant, $68 stays in the community, as compared to $43 retained by a national chain’s footprint.
Check out all the participants here.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Kam Patterson — Dead Crow Comedy Room is welcoming Kam Patterson for eight shows Thursday through Sunday. The Orlando comedian began performing as a 10-year-old lad, making his comedic debut for his grandmother’s 50th birthday. The 25-year-old is known for his sharp wit, high energy and engaging with crowds during his sets. He’s appeared on the “Kill Tony” weekly podcast filmed live in Austin where standups hit the mic and riff on the fly. In one episode, Patterson took aim at Spokane, Washington: “It was a terrible place. I asked, ‘What do y’all do in Spokane?’ and one person said: ‘Suicide.’” His crowd work often encourages the audience to throw words his way and he does rapid-fire stream-of-consciousness. About “legalized weed,” Patterson said he wasn’t a fan: “No, don’t do that — you tryna take my homeboys’ jobs.” “Self-driving cars” was prompted by another: “They’re gonna kill us one day. I believe that fully, 100%. I feel as if you’re gonna get in the car, that bitch is gonna drive off the cliff — and that’s gonna be your fault.” Upon “Trader Joe’s” being suggested, Patterson said: “It’s your way into segregation. That’s what I think that was.” Tickets to his Dead Crow shows, unless sold out, are available here.
‘Diving the Great Barrier Reef — UNCW is welcoming marine biologist, divemaster, and virtual reality filmmaker Erika Woolsey to Kenan Auditorium stage for a presentation sponsored by National Geographic. Woolsey — a chief scientist and CEO of the nonprofit The Hydrous, centered on oceanic stewardship — has researched the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. More than half of its coral has died and climate change is also bleaching its vast landscape. Woolsey’s presentation includes 360-degree photography to help educate listeners about reefs worldwide. Tickets are $20 here and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
‘Romeo and Juliet’ — On UNCW’s campus, Christopher Marino presents Shakespeare’s quintessential love-torn tale of two youngsters, 14, from dueling families who fall in love, marry but are forbidden to be together. “Romeo and Juliet,” a tragedy but also the most popular love story written by the Bard, has modernized it into a punk-inspired world — ”more in the Sex Pistols vein rather than more modern punk movements like Green Day,” Marino told Port City Daily last week. While “Romeo and Juliet” is set in 1470, Marino said that Shakespeare wrote it in parallel to the times of London of 1596, more than Italy in 1470. “Shakespeare was unconcerned with historical accuracy, so I take my cue from him,” Marino said. “So, while it may seem like I’m putting a twist on it, I’m actually doing something very traditional.” Jenna Houck is the set designer, Delaney McLaughlin is behind lighting design and Mark Sorensen, faculty costume designer, and Delaney Golden are outfitting the cast. “Even Lady Capulet is in Vivienne Westwood-inspired clothing to keep it all within the same world,” Marino said. The music is from Elliot Stanford (from local band Ridgewood), Thomas Dowler, and Marty Pray. The show takes place Feb. 20-23 at 7:30 p.m. except on Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $14 for general admission and for students, $5.
‘Big Fish’ — Based on Daniel Wallace’s novel — and directed by Tim Burton for its film debut — “Big Fish” is being brought to the Front Street Theater stage, 21 N. Front St. The story follows Edward Bloom, whose infectious, big personality takes him plenty of adventures in life as a traveling salesman. He loves to recount all the larger-than-life stories to his adoring wife, Sandra, and their son, Will. About to be a father, Will has a strained relationship with his own dad and harbors skepticism for his tall tales. The two have a chance to rekindle their relationship as Edward is nearing the end of his life. The musical carries themes of humor, love, and reconciliation and is being presented by Rebelle Productions. Tickets are $35 here and the show runs Feb. 21 – 23 and Feb. 28 – Mar. 2; times are 7:30 p.m. except on Sundays at 2 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 22
Wilmington Record Show
Waterline Brewing, 721 Surry St. • Free to attend
For the seventh biannual Wilmington Record Show, more than 20 vendors will come together Saturday to sell vinyl at Waterline Brewing Company.
Gravity Records, Mark Parsons, TCB Vinyl, Rabid Stagg Records, Country Feedback, The Fuzzy Needle, Yellow Dog Discs, School Kids Records, Record Bar, Cisco Kid Records and Fort Lowell Records, among others. A listening station will be set up to hear the records before purchasing.
There will also be food trucks Leo’s Pizza and Chef Driven Food Truck parked on site. Plus, live music will take place from STOWE, a local DJ, with two members from Folkshwagen performing to close the event. CreoCollective will be live printing a custom image created especially for this show. I
It’s free to attend, but records, food and beer are individually priced. It takes place 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
An Evening for Coverlip — A group of local musicians — many better known for their hard rock riffs in Thunderlip — will perform at Bourgie Nights at 10 p.m. Coverlip performs hits from the ‘70s and ‘80s, from Bowie to The Cars, Buzzcocks to Undertones, even The Bangles and maybe some Madonna. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Or score two for $22 in honor of 2/22; doors open at 9 p.m.
Tidewater Camellia Club Show and Sale — It’s a celebration of all-things camellias at this weekend’s sale and show from a local organization celebrating the green thumb of others. Exhibitors across the Southeast flock to the show to displaying hundreds of blooms to be evaluated by the American Camellia Society Judges. Experts will answer questions and camellia plants will be available for purchase. Activities are planned from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the event is family-friendly. It takes place at the New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Dr. See more from the Tidewater organization here.
Sunday, Feb. 23
Ain’t Misbehavin’
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $41
Harlem’s Golden Age is coming to the stage in the Tony Award-winning musical, “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”
The show explores the history of Fats Waller’s music and its impact on jazz and blues. Swing music played in well-known venues such as the Cotton Club and Savoy in 1930s New York, and this revue highlights the Harlem renaissance and rise to Black musicians.
Songs by Waller include the title track, “The Joint is Jumpin’,” “Tain’t Nobody’s Biz-ness if I Do” and “Handful of Keys,” among other tracks.
Opera House Theater Company is producing the show, starring Justin Allen Tate, Kim Pachecho, Melissa Van Pelt Johnson, Larry Whitfield, Joy Gregory, and Brian Whitted, who is the pianist and also directed the music. It’s being directed by Fracaswell Hyman and choreographed by Tracy Byrd.
Showtimes are Feb. 20 – March 2, 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.; tickets are $41 here.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
UNCW String Ensemble — The UNCW Music Department is presenting a concert featuring musicians from the university. They will perform selections from “Wicked” and “Cinema Paradiso,” as well as a waltz by Shostakovich. Tickets are $10 here and it takes place at Beckwirth Recital Hall.
Second Annual Covey Oyster Roast — Join Covey, Wilmington’s midtown eatery, and Three Little Spats for an oyster roast featuring bivalves from the Stump Sound. It’s $75 a person for the roast and there are $5 select beers and wines; games will be set up on the lawn as well. The event takes place from noon to 3 p.m., with tickets available here.
Chris Botti — Grammy-winning trumpet player Chris Botti is performing at Wilson Center at 7:30 p.m. A well-known worldwide instrumentalist, Botti has performed for three decades and collaborated with musicians including Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and Joni Mitchell. Botti has released his first album in more than a decade, centered on acoustic jazz and classic standards.Vol. 1 (Blue Note Records) covers new versions of songs like “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” and “My Funny Valentine,” as well as newer pop standards, such as Coldplay’s “Fix You.” Tickets are here.
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