WILMINGTON — 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 27
Comedian Billy D. Washington
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $37 and up
Billy D. Washington is hailed as a master of storytelling, bringing wit to every show. He’s been part of the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, made appearances with Def Comedy Jam and even toured with Aretha Franklin for years.
Washington also has directed plays, produced two short films, one of which aired on BET, “The Pillow Case,” and is planning his first feature-length Christmas movie with Netflix.
He released “The Washington Posts” an album of comedic songs in 2020, including “Blues Song,” which he said represents his official position on gay men: “If ‘60 Minutes’ did an expose/said in Fort Worth some men were gay/between you and me/as far as I can see, that’s more coochie for me.”
Washington will perform at Thalian Hall at 7:30 p.m.; tickets are $37 and up.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Swing with Wilmington Big Band — Eagle’s Dare (420 N. Third St.) is welcoming Wilmington’s 16-instrument jazz orchestra from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday. There will be a free dance lesson with Cape Fear Swing Dance Society at 6:30 p.m. There is a $10 cover.
Shrek the Musical Jr. — Untitled Theatre Productions in Hampstead is going into year two with producing community theater for people in Pender County. Taking place the next two weekends, it is putting up “Shrek the Musical Jr.,” showcasing talent of area kids. The story is based on Disney’s famed ‘90s hits, when an ogre leads a cast of misfits to rescue a princess. The show takes place March 27-30 at 7 p.m., with matinees also on Saturday at 3 p.m.; there is only one showing Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are here and the show takes place in the Hampstead Annex.
Friday, March 28
Chatham Rabbits
UNCW Kenan Auditorium • Tickets: $34 and up
Chatham Rabbits, consisting of Sarah and Austin McCombie, are well-known in the state for their PBS show “On the Road.” But the Americana band has performed locally numerous times, well-known for mingling with fans before shows.
They’ve become one of the state’s most beloved roots bands, blending personal stories and shared life into song. They’re currently putting finishing touches on their fourth full-length album and will perform at UNCW’s Kenan Auditorium with special guest Joe Terrell of Mipso on Friday at 8 p.m.; tickets are $34 and up.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Fourth Friday Art Walk — The Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County hosts the monthly art crawl across numerous downtown venues that stay open later than normal to showcase works by area artists and offer refreshments to guests. It takes place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and a few venues include WHQR’s MC Erny Gallery (254 N Front St., unit 300), which is opening “Teaching and Creating.” It features the Cameron Art Museum school’s teaching artists and students works, including paintings, drawings, prints, and textiles and will have a closing reception on April 25. At the arts council’s Aces Gallery (221 N. Front St.), the featured artist is صفحة Wafa Als, who will have works on display featuring portraits and animals that offer a pause in time to contemplate and capture beauty. The show closes April 22.
Bluegrass Bash — Thalian Hall’s annual Bluegrass Bash celebrates barbecue, live music and local beers. At 6 p.m. there is a parking lot pre-party, featuring local food trucks MeMa’s Chik’n’ & Ribs, and Pepe’s Tacos. Around 7:30 p.m. the curtain will lift and three bands will take the stage. Bluegrass music will be performed by Sail Away Ladies, Massive Grass and The General Assembly. Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. and tickets are $37 and up.
Comedian Baron Vaughn — Best known as Bud on the Netflix series “Grace & Frankie,” Baron Vaughn is bringing his standup act to Wilmington this weekend at Dead Crow Comedy Room. Vaughn has been on the comic scene for years, touring festivals as well as appearing on HBO’s “2 Dope Queens,” TBS’s “Conan,” Showtime’s “SXSW Comedy,” as well as “The Meltdown” and “The Half Hour” both on Comedy Central. Recently, Vaugn has co-created and helps host Comedy Central showcase series “The New Negroes with Baron Vaughn” and Open Mike Eagle. He also released two comedy albums on AST Records, as well: “Raised by Cable” (2011) and “Blaxistential Crisis” (2016). On the latter, he says in one bit: “We all know someone who cannot for the life of them admit when they are falling asleep. I don’t get it; you’re falling asleep, why is it hard to just admit that’s what’s happening? And they’ll all deny it … like they’re all in a meeting and rehearsing … ‘I’m just resting my eyes.’ That’s called ‘sleep,’ it’s literally the definition.” Tickets are $20 to $30 and Vaughn will perform four shows, 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., on Friday and Saturday.
‘The Playmaker’ — Cucalorus headquarters will be welcoming a documentary filmmaker Natalie Bullock Brown to attend a screening at Jengo’s Playhouse, the art house cinema and Cuc headquarters on Princess Street. The 7:30 p.m. screening of “The Playmaker” will be followed by a question-and-answer with Brown and its director, Hannah Bowman, along with community partners. The movie covers the impact and aging of Black women. Tickets are $10 here.
Saturday, March 29
Feast Wilmington
Various locations • Passes: $100 – $260
The annual food festival from Wilmington Business Journal actually kicked off with experiential events earlier this week on March 24, but it continues this weekend at Live Oak Bank Pavilion for its anchor events: Craft + Cuisine, Pier Party and Brunch Elevated
It’s the second year of brews and bites, featuring more than 70 restaurants and local culinary businesses. Craft + Cuisine returns Saturday, March 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature 20 local breweries paired with 20 chefs creating one-of-a-kind bites to complement the sups. For instance, Front Street Brewery and Ethiopian Sega Wat have paired up to serve a rich beef stew braised in Berbere spice blend, garlic, ginger, and niter kibbeh, with hard boiled egg along with FSB’s Ethiopian T’ej Honey Ale. The Blue Footed Boobies will also perform at the event.
Later that evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Pier Party will take place, featuring 25 different various food vendors; music will be performed by The Hatch Brothers. Items include Asian short rib bao from Bluewater Grill to ice cream and shortbread from Boombalatti’s.
On Sunday, Brunch Elevated wraps the festival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with music by Tracy Shedd, and features a variety of brunch items, cocktails, mocktails and gourmet coffees. There will be 30 or more different food and drink options from 22 vendors. A benne-seed sticky bun French toast from The Beach Shop and Grill is on the menu, alongside a matcha latte from downtown’s new Cafe Mata.
Read more from PCD’s coverage earlier this week here and access tickets and more information about Feast here.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
The Rough and Tumble — The progressive folk of Rough and Tumble will be featured at Live at Ted’s this weekend. Consisting of Mallory Graham and Scott Tyler, the duo has been touring with their one-of-a-kind sound pinpointing joy and sorrow, drama and comedy, after having released their 2024 album “Hymns for My Atheist Sister & Her Friends to Sing Along To.” The duo centers the album on the tenet “love thy neighbor,” no matter their beliefs and backgrounds. The Rough and Tumble has been featured as official artists at various conferences including the Southeast Regional Folk Alliance, Northeast Regional Folk Alliance and Folk Alliance International. They will perform from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and tickets are $12 here. Live at Ted’s is an intimate venue located at the foot of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge at 2 Castle St.
‘Detained’ — Harrington Repertory, a theater group in Wilmington that launched last year with its first show “Shakers Revised,” is returning to Thalian Hall stage this weekend only for a live reading of its next piece, “Detained.” Written by Rose Mary Harrington, there will be only two readings at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on March 29. The show’s tagline: “In a refugee detention center deep in the heart of Texas, two teens from different lands form a bond to help each other fight off dangers from within its walls — and without.” The play ran previously in New York and was directed by Nancy Robillard. In an interview with Harrington she said she was inspired to write it in 2008 after learning about asylum-seeking families, who fleeing violence and persecution were being held at a Texas penitentiary. Its reading takes place in the Ruth and Bucky Stein Theater and tickets are $13 here.
Cape Fear Chorale — Kenan Auditorium will host the Cape Fear Chorale’s “Liebeslider” — a choral presentation centered on love. The group will perform Johannes Brahms’ elegant and lively Liebeslieder Waltzes; dancers will join the chorale during one performance to showcase the spirit of a Viennese ballroom. Also performed will be Jake Runestad, Adolphus Hailstork, Dale Trumbore, Thomas Morley, and more, with the recital conducted by Aaron Peisner, and accompaniment by pianists Bettsy Curtis and Elizabeth Loparits. Tickets start at $10.
Bring Out Yer Dead — Love the Grateful Dead? Reggie’s (1415 S. 42nd St.) has the show for you this weekend as it hosts the tribute band Bring Out Yer Dead. The Raleigh band consists of six members — Kirk Farmer, Jonas Mac, Chris Johnson, Bobby Helbert, Clay Councilman, and Seth Blanchard — whose goal is to channel the spirit of live Dead shows. It comes complete with noodling jams that highlight every era, from the psychedelic ‘60s to the more polished radio-friendly sounds of the ‘80s. Tickets are $17 here.
Cape Fear Pop Culture Fest — For the third year, the Cape Fear Pop Culture Fest is returning to Wilmington. It will have over 80 tables featuring various vendors such as comic books, toys, video games and consoles, anime items, Pokemon cards, movies, records and more. The event takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Elks Lodge, 5102 Oleander Drive, and has a $5 admission for kids 12 and under.
Neon Bike Brigade — A fundraiser is being held in Carolina Beach in support of Ocean Cure, which gives surf lessons to people who face challenges or disabilities. The Neon Bike Brigade costs $25 to $100 and welcomes riders to gather at sunset for a cruise around Carolina Beach, lighting up the island with their glowing wheels. Head to Kindred Wedding Events at 205 Charlotte Ave. at 5 p.m. to check in. There will be pizza by Wheelz Food Truck, music by John Coyne, plus and indoor and outdoor bar for pre- and post-ride celebrations. Bring glow sticks, neon lights and all things that illuminate for the night ride.
Bendigo Fletcher — With psychedelic flourishes, Bendigo Fletcher blends folk, alternative, country, and soul and will perform at Bourgie Nights at 9 p.m. Having formed in 2019, the Louisville quintet consists of Ryan Anderson, Andrew Shupert, Evan Wagner, Conner Powell and Chris Weis. They’ve released a few EPs, including 2022’s “Wingding,” named after the popular font that really reveals hieroglyphics. “I like the name ‘Wingding’ for a fictional creature, like the Mothman of West Virginia folklore. It’s also another word for party,” Anderson said, noting the EP collects and reveals “distractions” the band endured throughout its adventures in the last few years. They signed to Elektra in 2021 and debuted an album, “Fits of Laughter,” on the label the same year, with Rolling Stone magazine dubbing it “country-flecked folk-rock soaked in LSD.” The band has toured with numerous acts including Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Hiss Golden Messenger, Mt. Joy, Nathaniel Rateliff, Rayland Baxter, and Shakey Graves. Tickets to the show are $20 here.
Sunday, March 30
Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue
Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St. • Tickets: $47.98 and up
“Thank you for being a friend…”
The famed track will be heard at Wilson Center on Sunday in Murray and Peter present “Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue.” The professional stage show has the four gals — Sophia, Dorothy, Blanche and Rose — back at it, but only this time they’ve moved far beyond their normal 1980s hijinks.
Sophia is released from prison after a DEA bust for running a drug ring in a retirement home, while Blanche and Rose are the brains behind a new sex app for seniors. Dorothy, meanwhile, has become quite the cougar to her new, much younger love interest, who also happens to be the DA prosecuting her dealer mother.
The show contains adult content and is appropriate for 17 and up; tickets start at $47 here and the show is being staged at the Wilson Center on Third Street in downtown Wilmington at 3 p.m.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Backyard Bluegrass — Been to the new Tap Yard on 16th Street in the Cargo District? If not, check out their Sunday live music with Folk Stone Bluegrass. The Wilmington string band has been performing every Sunday in March from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; catch them for free during their last show of the month. Tap Yard had its grand opening a few weeks ago and is an open-air complex, with plenty of outdoor seating and games, plus a lodge-like vibe indoors. Read more about it here.
A Celebration of Storytelling — Port City Playwrights hosts original productions annually and is an organization dedicated to locals churning out interesting one-of-a-kind stories. This weekend, in partnership with the Cape Fear Museum, it’s hosting an event for people to hear from a diverse group of community members. PCP hosts workshops annually and this event will be the culmination of its most recent five-week series highlighting works from its participants. The public is welcome and the event takes place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cape Fear Museum. The program is free, as supported by a grant from the New Hanover Community Endowment and the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County. The goal is to connect people and bring them together by sharing authentic, lived-in experiences.
Enter your events here for free on PCD’s calendar.
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