SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — 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, March 13
Paul Taylor Dance Company
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $48 and up
For 70 years, Paul Taylor Dance Company has showcased modern dance with innovation and creativity. Known for its multidisciplinary collaborations, passionate expression, and thrilling athleticism, PTDC’s latest works are coming to Thalian Hall stage under the leadership of its artistic director, Michael Novak.
The show features Hope Boykin’s “How Love Sounds,” performed by nine dancers and set to songs of hope by Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Donna Summer, Patsy Cline, and Antonín Dvořák. The late Paul Taylor’s acclaimed work, “Esplanade,” also will be featured, celebrating 50 years. Tickets start at $48 and the show is at 7:30 p.m.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
CAM After Dark — Former Cameron Art Museum executive director Anne Brennan is hosting a tour of the CAM’s latest exhibit, “Elisabeth Chant” — a well-known artist who lived in Wilmington and helped establish its arts community in the early-to-mid-20th century. Brennan will discuss Chant’s vibrant landscapes, including scenes of the North Carolina coast, and share stories of the artist’s unique lifestyle. She also will touch on her dedication to teaching, which included other well-known Wilmington artists like Claude Howell and Henry Jay MacMillan, as well as Bruce Barclay Cameron Jr. Chant and other artists of the time helped lead the charge on having an arts center and museum, which culminated in the founding of Wilmington Museum of Art, which closed in 1942. Though she passed away in 1947, Chant’s students rallied for the formation of the St. John’s Museum of Art in the 1960s which served the community until the late ‘90s. Land was then donated by the Cameron family to move the museum, which had outgrown its downtown space, to its current location. Brennan’s tour takes place in studio one at 6:30 p.m. and is free with museum admission; registration is open here.
Friday, March 14
Jordan Jensen
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 511 N. Third St. • Tickets: $25-$30
The standup comedian behind the podcast “RIP Jordan Jensen” and cohost of “Bein’ Ian with Jordan” with comedian Ian Fidance. Vulture featured Jensen on “The Comedians You Should and Will Know in 2023” as she released her first half-hour special.
In “30 Minutes with Jordan Jensen,” she riffs on her rage issues and family, boyfriends and others. “Are you ladies looking up problematic porn?” she asks the audience. “They say: ‘All porn is problematic, Jordan — all porn.’ … One of my friends goes: ‘You know what porn would turn me on, Jordan? If there is a porn where the guy is apologizing to the woman.’ And I’m literally out here typing in ‘angry grandpa seeks revenge’ — just the worst s**t.”
Jensen is performing at Dead Crow Comedy Room on both Friday and Saturdays nights, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. One show is already sold-out, so don’t sleep on the tickets. She is also known for doing crowd work, so plan to be engaged.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Pleasure Island Restaurant Week — Taking place through March 15, Pleasure Island Restaurant Week features 29 eateries and drinkeries on the island, offering specials for one week only. For instance, a newer restaurant on the island, The Tropical, is offering lunch or dinner for two for $37, which includes a shared appetizer, two bowls and shared dessert. Salt Fish is offering an appetizer and a tiki drink for $20, while Havana’s is doing a three-course meal for $39.95. See all specials here.
The Righteous Brothers — Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield topped the charts for four decades with a string of chart-topping classics, including “Unchained Melody,” “(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration” and “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin,” one of the most played songs in radio history. Medley has been entertaining audiences for more than 60 years. His bass-baritone helped earn The Righteous Brothers their place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He’s won a Grammy, an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and an American Music Award. After Hatfield’s death in 2003, Medley continued to perform to sold-out crowds worldwide before Bucky Heard joined The Righteous Brothers. The Lovin’ Feelin’ Farewell Tour will span the duo’s catalogue spanning the early days of rock and roll, the era of Blue-Eyed Soul, all the way to Medley’s contribution to the 1980s classic “Dirty Dancing” with “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.” Tickets start at $28 here and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. at Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St.
Saturday, March 15
Wilmington St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Celebrations
Downtown Wilmington • Free
The parade will begin at 11 a.m. and takes place along Front Street, from Hanover Street, south to Dock Street.
Featured will be the Wilmington Police Pipes and Drums and Mighty Marching Scorps, as well as area community organizations, dance troupes and more.
Waterline Brewery downtown is hosting the official afterparty to the parade and will feature the Irish band Blarney Brogues to perform at noon and The Shenanigans at 2 p.m. Chef Driven food truck will be on site as well from noon to 4 p.m. It’s free and open to the public and lawn chairs are welcome to the 721 Surry St. site, located at the base of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Goat and Compass Kegs and Eggs — Before going to the parade, stop over at Goat and Compass on Fourth Street in the Brooklyn Arts District for Kegs and Eggs, with Courtney Matheson serving up a traditional Irish breakfast. Beer will be served as well.
Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival — From noon to 6 p.m., an event taking place at Live Oak Bank Pavilion, 10 Cowan St., will welcome beer, bourbon and barbecue lovers. There will be more than 60 beers and 40 bourbons, with a lot of barbecue, bacon, biscuits and smoked meats served. A souvenir glass is handed over to ticketholders to sip all the bourbon and beer to their heart’s content. Live music is played throughout the day, with games onsite, including Connect Four, giant Jenga and cornhole. This year audiences will be entertained by Love Tribe and The Tonez. Tickets are $45 for general admission from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. (barbecue sold separately) with VIP going for $79, which includes two-hour early entry and a barbecue plate. Designated driver tickets are $25. See the full schedule here.
Steve Haydu St. Patrick’s Lo Tide Run — The annual St. Patrick’s Day run in Carolina Beach welcomes hundreds of participants to take place in its 10K and 5K. The crowd decks out in its best green gear and takes on the course from Carolina Beach Stake Park to Atlantic Avenue and South Second South, including traversing through Mike Chappell Park and along the Island Greenway. Awards are given to the top three males and females in various categories, as well as spirit and fundraising awards. Registration is $40 to $45 and all funds raised benefit individuals and families that are struggling due to a cancer diagnosis. Learn more here.
Mutts Gone Nuts — Thalian Hall is going to the dogs — and in a comedically good way. Wanna see our quadruped friends do fun tricks? Mutts Gone Nuts features the world’s most talented four-legged performers providing endless entertainment dancing, prancing, flipping and more. The lineup includes a two-time World Champion Frisbee dog, a hilarious six-pound Pomeranian Pikachu mix, and a host of previously discarded dogs. Two shows take place at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. with tickets starting at $37.
Plastic Ocean Gala — Plastic Ocean Project — which works to keep single-use plastics out of the sea — is hosting its annual gala at the Wilmington Coastline Convention Center. There will be live entertainment from Luis Paschoa and the Brunswick Big Band, along with hor d’oeuvres and desserts, a silent and live auction, giveaways and more. Tickets start at $125 and include two drinks and parking voucher for the deck; the Plastic Ocean Project hopes to raise $100,000 to keep its mission going. Cocktail attire required.
Signal Fire — The local rock-reggae act will be performing at Bowstring Brewyard, in support of its recent album release, “Lost in a Dream.” The show takes place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and joining the band will be special guests Treehouse and One Culture. Signal Fire has released four albums as of today — the sophomore “Lift Up” reached the top of the iTunes chart — and they’ve toured with the likes of Stephen Marley, Matisyahu and Tribal Seeds. Tickets to the show start at $20.
The Rift St. Patrick’s Day Party — The newest bar in the Cargo District East has opened and is hosting an all-day party as well. The Rift will have four bands playing on its stage in the outdoor lounge area. Performing will be Ethan Hanson, Dram Jam Band, Christian Brinkley and Regulation Larry. There also will be a food truck on site; the event is free and gets underway at 1 p.m. but drinks and food are individually priced. The Rift is located at 2144 Wrightsville Ave.; read more about it from PCD’s previous coverage here.
Rusty Nail 25 Anniversary Party — Wilmington’s fave dive blues bar is celebrating more than two decades of serving folks in the region. For those who haven’t been to the Fifth Avenue establishment, you may have seen it used in numerous movies filmed in the area, such as “Halloween Kills” and “The Supremes All-You-Can-Eat.” Saturday’s party — also in celebration of St. Patty’s Day — gets underway at 8 p.m. and features live music from Jett 22 Refueled, covering classics from Bush, Seven Mary Three, Bad Company and Chris Stapleton.
Wilmington Symphony Orchestra — Conducted by Steve Errante and featuring violinist Tessa Lark, the WSO will host a 90-minute concert on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The concert will include Copland’s Appalachian Spring, Bernstein’s Selections from Fancy Free and Torke’s Sky. Tickets start at $31 here, with the show taking place at the Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St.
UNCW Intercultural Festival — In Seahawk nation, the university hosts roughly 900 international students represented from over 80 countries annually. The goal is to celebrate diversity. Music, dance, food, art and informational booths are set up by international students and community cultural organizations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Burney Center on UNCW’s campus. The schedule includes Irish storytelling, an Okinawan drum performance, plus dancing representative of Greek, Ukrainian and Hawaiian cultures. Build-your-own international supper plates are $10. The event is open to all and free.
Sunday, March 16
Culture Food Truck Bash
The Eagle’s Dare, 420 N. Third St. • Free, prices of food and wares individually priced
Seven food trucks will be line up at The Eagle’s Dare for a Culture Food Truck Bash on Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
In addition to the food trucks, 18 vendors will be on site, selling jewelry, candles, art and other locally made goods. There also will be bouncy houses and DJ Bigg B spinning tunes. The event is hosted in collaboration with On Thyme Restaurant.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Burgers and Bands for Suicide Prevention — Burgers & Bands for Suicide Prevention will take place at Watermans Brewing near Wrightsville Beach from noon to 7 p.m. The event is dedicated to inspiring others and raising awareness about mental health and breaking down the stigma surrounding suicide prevention. Burgers and Bands started in Maryland in 2017, committed to uplifting communities with music, food and camaraderie in support of the cause. Since, it’s grown and features events nationwide. The Wilmington show is free to attend but donations are welcome with all proceeds going back to local schools and community initiatives, funding peace walks, calming boxes, support groups, and more.
Fermental St. Patrick’s Day Party — Also hosting a St. Pat’s Day party, Fermental Bottle Shop in the Cargo District will celebrate from noon to 10 p.m. with live music, beer, wine, food, and more. Irish music will be performed by The Blarney Brogues from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and classic stouts, red ales, cider, mead, and green ale from Carolina Brewery will be featured. Also on special will be a Shamrock Slush, a mint-infused Prosecco slushie. Chef Drive Food Truck will be serving grub at 5 p.m.
Wilmington’s Shamrock Fest — The Bend in Ogden (7227 Market St.) will also put the party in St. Patrick’s Day with an afternoon Shamrock Fest held from noon to 4 p.m. There will be food trucks, craft beers and cocktails and live music from local bands. Plus a vendor market will feature local, small businesses. Overflow parking is available at Ogden Baptist Church parking lot.
Scotopia — Mouths of Babe is a local theater company that is revered for boosting playwrights and performers to tackle thoroughly researched works — highlighting local lore and history. It also gives a voice to the underserved, with many plays centering on social justice, embracing drama, comedy and more. Its Scotopia Play Festival is taking place one final weekend at Dreams of Wilmington and Thalian Hall, including multiple productions and staged readings, workshops and more. “Flashlights: Short Plays to Light Your Way,” will be hosted Saturday, featuring eight works that were picked from more than 400 submissions worldwide. The festival also features Mouths of Babe After Dark — content best suited for ages 18 and up. On March 16 two events take place to consider: One features “Sweet Spot,” about the friendship between local tennis icon Althea Gibson and tennis star Angela Buxton. The other is a dance tribute to Seabreeze — located south of Carolina Beach and once a destination for Black vacationers during the Jim Crow era, when beach resorts were racially segregated; it’s paired with MoB’s ongoing development of Wilmington Reconstructed, which explores the 1898 massacre. To see the full lineup of plays and to get tickets, click here.
Circus on Ice — Aerialists, jugglers, clowns and acrobats will wow and awe audiences at Kenan Auditorium — and don’t forget ice-skating. The entertainers take on various “frozen” characters, weave stories and adventure through the acts and engage with the audience. Tickets are $15-$25 here.
Enter your events here for free on PCD’s calendar.
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