SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Li’l Friday features dozen of ways for people 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, May 15
String Cheese Incident
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, 1941 Amphitheatre Dr. • Tickets: $71
String Cheese Incident has spent more than three decades entertaining audiences on the jamband scene, by blending bluegrass with electronic, reggae with psychedelia, Calypso with country folk and more. They’re performing at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater Thursday evening for night two of a two-night showdown.
SCI has released a dozen albums, the most recent 2023 “Lend Me a Hand” included, as well as live recordings that capture the energetic vibe of their shows. The band is made up of Bill Nershi (acoustic guitar, lap steel guitar, electric slide guitar), Michael Kang (acoustic/electric mandolin, electric guitar, violin), Michael Travis (drums, percussion) and Keith Moseley (bass), Kyle Hollingsworth (piano, organ, accordion), and Jason Hahn (auxiliary percussion).
Night one had the band playing through songs like “Cottonmouth,” “Carnival” and ‘Rollover,” with the finale of “Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn).” They take the stage again Thursday night; gates open at 5:15 p.m.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Christa Gabrielle Faison — The Cameron Art Museum’s Sunset Performance Series takes place on Thursday, 6:30 p.m. The free show will feature Christa Gabrielle Faison, a Wilmington native, violinist, vocalist, and minister. The series’ focus is connecting art and social justice, with shows launched near the Boundless sculpture by Stephen Hayes in the PNC USCT Park. Faison is dedicated to inspiring others through the power of music. The show is free for the community and CAM Cafe is open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the show starting at 6:30 p.m.
Coheed and Cambria — Coheed and Cambria formed in 1995 out of Nyack, New York, and consists of Claudio Sanchez (vocals, guitar, keyboard), Travis Stever (guitar, vocals), Josh Eppard (drums, keyboard, baking vocals), and Zach Cooper (bass). The progressive rock band’s 11 albums are concept-themed, based on a science fiction storyline called “The Amory Wars.” The last three — “Vaxis” — have been broken up into a trilogy with “The Father of Make Believe” released this year. They’re performing at Live Oak Bank Pavilion, with Mastodon. Tickets are $54.
Thunderstruck — A tribute to Australia’s AC/DC will rock the roof off Bowstring Brewyard from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Soda Pop District. Thunderstruck bills itself as America’s AC/DC and matches the raw energy of Angus Young, Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd, Cliff Williams and Stevie Young. For a decade now, the tribute group has toured from coast to coast nationwide and is made up of Bobby Lee Stamper on vocals, Kevin Feller on rhythm guitar, Corey Baetz on drums, and Chris Jones on bass, playing tracks like “Hells Bells,” “Whole Lotta Rosie,” and “Highway to Hell”; tickets start at $16.
‘Little Mermaid Jr.’ — Acting Up Community Theater is staging a Disney classic as part of its youth program. “The Little Mermaid Jr.” takes audiences through Ariel’s wish to gain her land legs forever, as she falls in love with a prince. But to do so, she has to give up her beautiful voice and craft a deal with the sea witch Ursula. The story comes to life “under the sea” with the theater kids also bringing to life Ariel’s friends, Sebastian the crab and Flounder the fish. Popular tracks — “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” and “Kiss the Girl” — are all part of the junior production at Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. The show runs one last weekend, Friday through Saturday, 7 p.m. and on Sunday at 3 p.m.; tickets start at $36.
Friday, May 16
Sea Jam
Multiple venues • Admission: $21 – $145
Cape Fear Swing Dance Society presents Sea Jam for three days this weekend. Dancers will have multiple opportunities to enjoy social dancing, social hours and plenty of workshops for both beginner and intermediate dancers.
The weekend kicks off at the Hannah Block USO and Community Arts Center with social dancing to the Corner Pocket Jazz Band from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday will feature morning and afternoon workshops, teaching attendees how to Lindy Hop, Balboa, Collegiate Shag and Blues (slow) dance. A social hour will take place at Blind Elephant Speakeasy, also featuring live jazz music, before Saturday’s main dance kicks off at 7 p.m. with a DJ, followed by the 17-piece Wilmington Big Band taking the stage.
Late night dances take place at Eagle’s Dare all weekend, including fun contests such as “Best Dance with a Random Object” on Friday.
Sunday wraps up with a farewell dance held at Wrightsville Beach Municipal Park at 2 p.m.
There are individual tickets and weekend passes available here.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Jourdain Fisher — New York-based comedian Jourdain Fisher will perform at Dead Crow Comedy Room this weekend. Fisher has gone viral on social media for his “gangster chef” bit and has appeared on late shows including Jimmy Fallon, as well as on Comedy Central, and has written for Viceland, Netflix and BET. He talks about his life and observations of others as part of his standup: “I gave up on the dream: I wanted to be a homeowner so bad growing up. I don’t even see kids playing house anymore. I saw six kids in the park today playing apartment — it was sad.” Tickets to both Friday and Saturday shows, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., are $25-$36.
Mat Kearney — Nashville singer-songwriter by way of Oregon is performing at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. Mat Kearney blends indie, pop, folk and hip-hop on his nine studio albums, of which five tracks have reached the Adult Top 40 charts. His recent album, “Still Drowning in Nostalgia,” came out earlier this year. The artist has toured with John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Train, Needtobreathe, and Judah and the Lion. Tickets to his show are $40 here.
Wilmington Greek Festival — Opa! It’s one of the most fun and highly anticipated springtime weekends in Wilmington. The annual Greek Festival kicks off at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church across from UNCW. The event takes place on both Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., celebrating the culture, rituals and food of Greece. Families are welcome — no pets — to enjoy authentic, homemade food prepared by the congregation from family recipes. Gyros, platters, moussaka, pastitsio, spanakopita, dolmathes, and pastries galore are sold. Prices are $5 to $16 and admission is $5 with kids 12 and under 12 admitted free. There is also a drive-through for folks who wish to only pick up food; the menu can be accessed here. No pre-order or registration is necessary. There will be music from a live Greek band, dancing, a marketplace and cooking demonstrations to partake in as well. Free parking is offered in the UNCW Auxiliary Parking Lot behind Taco Bell and there is runover parking in Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, with donations requested. Proceeds from the festival benefit the Good Shepherd Center, which works toward helping the homeless population.
Spring Pop Culture Fest — Spring at the Pop Culture Fest takes place at Waterline Brewing (721 Surry St.). Browse more than 40 vendors that specialize in all things pop-culture — comic books, vinyl records, local artists and more. They’ll be set up both inside and outside and there will also be live music, food trucks and drinks for purchase. The festival is free and takes place from noon to 5 p.m.
‘Miscast Cabaret’ — Opera House Theater Company is preparing for a night of laughs and a fundraising event for its apprenticeship program “Miscast Cabaret” features local performers taking on songs and roles from popular musicals they normally would not consider; expect to hear tracks from “Hamilton,” “West Side Story,” “Wicked,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Book of Mormon,” and more. The event takes place at OHTC’s headquarters which hasn’t opened to the public before now. The Lucille Shuffler Center at 2011 Carolina Beach Rd. will open at 6 p.m. for a meet-and-greet and for attendees to take tours of the facility. The 90-minute show begins at 7:30 p.m. and is directed by Emilia Torello and Katie Mahn, choreography by Cassandra McAlister and Sydney Jones, and vocal direction by Bradley Barefoot. Tickets are $30.
‘Legally Blonde the Musical’ — Thalian Association Community Theater presents the pink-packed fun of Elle Woods taking on Harvard Law School and breaking stereotypes in the process. “Legally Blonde the Musical” features songs like “Bend and Snap,” “Omigod You Guys,” and “So Much Better” and will be performed on Thalian Hall’s main stage for the next two weekends. The story follows the unexpected pupil, Elle, arriving at Harvard to impress — and attempt to win back — her ex, Warner. In the process, she brings an unconventional approach to law and finds a new love along the way. The show runs Friday through Saturday, May 16-18 and 23-24, 7:30 p.m., and on Sundays at 2 p.m.; tickets are $28 and up.
‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’ — Lighthouse Films presents Wes Anderson’s brilliant stop-motion film, starring voiceovers from George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray. The film is also based on Roald Dahl’s children book and the movie will screen outside at 926 N. Fourth St. as part of the Lighthouse on the Lawn series. Blankets, chairs, and snacks are welcome; no alcohol allowed. It takes place and is free — in the event of rain, the screening will happen May 17.
Saturday, May 17
Surf Dog Experience
Carolina Beach Pier, 1800 Carolina Beach Ave. N. • Free
The Atlantic Ocean is going to the dogs Saturday, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Carolina Beach Pier.
Hosted by Ocean Events USA, the Surf Dog Experience welcomes pooches armored in life jackets to lodge soft-top surfboards with the help of experienced team members — or their owners — to ride the waves. To date, more than 300 dogs have participated.
The event is a fundraiser, too, with half of registration proceeds going to Freedom Bridge Animal Rescue. To date, Ocean Events has raised nearly $3,500 for the nonprofit.
A “Hang 20” competition is taking place, with prizes awarded to first, second and third place as well. The Carolina Beach Pier welcomes spectators and their own dogs to watch the fun, with vendors set up as well.
Learn more here.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Margarita Crawl — The Brooklyn Arts District will host a Margarita Crawl, noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Participants include The Eagle’s Dare, Flytrap Brewery, Brooklyn Arts Center, Edward Teach Brewing, Commodore Public House & Kitchen, The Kitchen Sink, Brooklyn Cafe, Goat & Compass, Bottega, Angus Grill, Palate, Three10 and Pizzeria Don Luca. Each location is offering various takes on the popular tequila drink, some showcasing marg-inspired brews, others upgrading the cocktail. It’s not a social district-sanctioned event so drinks must be consumed on the premises of each establishment. Crawl cards can be picked up at Eagle’s Dare for folks to vote on their fave drink of the day. There will also be live music, street fairs and more at the various stops.
Family Farm Day — The Children’s Museum of Wilmington (116 Orange St.) hosts a special day for families to understand the importance of farming. As part of Family Farm Day, 9 a.m. to noon, there will be farm animals on hand, including goats, bunnies and pigs, plus gardening surprises to learn how to grow from home. Line dancing will also be on deck. Tickets are $5 for members and $15 for nonmembers.
An Extreme Evening with Benji Hughes — Taking place at Bourgie Nights, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., Benji Hughes and Jon Lindsay are taking the stage seven months after doing a listening show in town. The two once performed together more than a decade ago. Lindsay, a prolific keyboardist and pianist who has written for TV and film, went to high school with Hughes. The two paired up to write jingles and scores but, eventually, Lindsay also became one of Hughes’ touring musicians as Hughes signed a record deal that brought about “Love Extreme.” The 24-track magnum opus blends rock and pop oddities, filled with humor, poetic musings and love-torn stories. Read PCD’s interview with Lindsay last year about reuniting with Hughes, who has also written songs for “Eastbound and Down,” “How I Met Your Mother” and “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.” The Bourgie Nights show will include Lindsay playing some tracks from the new release, followed by Hughes performing songs from his colleague as well as other unexpected tracks from Burt Bacharach, Warren Zevon, Randy Newman, Prince, Roger Miller, and Madonna. Tickets are $20 to $25; Sean Thomas Gerard will open the show.
CB Grand Prix — Carolina Beach is also hosting a race this weekend at Mike Chapple Park, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Carolina Beach Skatepark Grand Prix welcomes all wheels and costumes enjoy a day of racing. Skateboards, roller skates/blades, scooters, BMX/bikes and Big Wheels — even homemade rides — to test their speed. The race starts at 2 p.m. but beforehand a kids fair will be set up from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. There also will be a DJ, food truck and live music by Tax Evasion, who takes the stage following the race.
MC Sha-Rock Day Festival — Wilmington’s Commission of African-American History is hosting a day honoring a Wilmington native who has been regaled as the first female of rap — MC Sha-Rock, whose given name is Sharon Jackson. She performed with Funky 4+1 in the ‘80s, which also became the first rap group featured on “Saturday Night Live.” Live Oak Bank Pavilion is hosting MC Sha-Rock Day, a multi-cultural festival and free family event from noon to 8 p.m. There will be live performances, DJ sets, vendors, food and community activities.
Red Not Chili Peppers — The California alternative rock band behind hits like “Can’t Stop,” “Scar Tissue,” “Give it Away,” and “Californication” will come to life at Bowstring Brewyard in another tribute concert. The Red Not Chili Peppers — which formed in 2009 — take on tracks from the band’s prolific career; this act has traveled worldwide from Dubai to Brazil, Mexico to Japan and performed with world-class musicians to recreate the alt-funk the Chili Peppers homed. Tickets are $18.
Thalian Hall Community Day — A free celebration of North Carolina’s oldest historic theater, Thalian Hall, will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of a community day. There will be tours given and plans revealed about the Hall’s transformation and capital campaign. Also demonstrations will take place of the Hall’s still-operational thunder roll, the only one functioning in the U.S. Attendees will be able to purchase tickets to the upcoming season before they go on sale and there will be arts organizations and vendors set up, plus raffles. Thalian is located at 310 Chestnut St.
Carolina Beach Mural Fest — Carolina Beach MuralFest welcomes 16 artists and two schools to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Carolina Beach. Artists have been painting 10-foot-by-4-foot panels on the Stingray Stage at the Lake, which culminates in live painting this weekend, May 17 and 18. All panels will be auctioned off in September and artists keep 50% of winning bids. The MuralFest also will have artist and vendor booths, food trucks, and other festivities. The event takes place at Carolina Beach Lake.
Sunday, May 18
Wilmington Symphonic Winds: Lost and Found
Kenan Auditorium, 515 Wagoner Dr. • Free
A free concert for the family will take place at 4:30 p.m. at Kenan Auditorium with the Wilmington Symphonic Winds. The ensemble is active in the Cape Fear region of North and South Carolina, and has a mission to provide educational outreach, as well as memorable performances of the highest quality wind band music, in a variety of musical styles for the public at large.
The show will be conducted by Dominic Talanca, with guest conductor and composer Jack Stamp and English horn player Stephanie Caulder.
Though free, WSW will accept donations to support future programming. Tickets still are required here or the day of at UNCW’s Kenan Auditorium, 515 Wagoner Drive in Wilmington, beginning at 3:30 p.m.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
The Stews — Having formed out of Auburn University, The Stews debuted three years ago with the album “What Was” and released a four-song EP, “Lately/How It Ends,” followed by the LP, “Chicken Fight” — a combination of country, punk and blues. The group came through Wilmington last year and are returning to Greenfield Lake at 7 p.m. on Sunday; tickets are $37 here.
Backyard Bluegrass Sundays — The new Tap Yard Wilmington on 16th Street is hosting bluegrass every Sunday with local musician Jones Smith and The Folkstone Stringband hosting. Bluegrass Backyard Music Series takes place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and is free.
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our morning newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
