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, June 19
Dwight Yoakam
Live Oak Bank Pavilion, 10 Cowan St. • Tickets start at $49
Two of country’s long-standing acts are coming through Wilmington’ Live Oak Bank Pavilion Thursday. Dwight Yoakam and The Mavericks, with 49 Winchester, will take over Riverfront Park.
Yoakam, best known for his alternative or neotraditional country sound, has more than a dozen albums throughout his career. His first three reached number one on Billboard country charts, with a few top-10 singles as well, including “I Sang Dixie” and “Streets with Bakersfield.” The latter was a duo with Buck Owens, whom Yoakam was inspired by in his youth.
The Grammy and Academy of Country Music award-winner reached the most commercial success in 1993 with the triple-platinum-selling “This Time.” Yoakam recently released 2024’s “Brighter Days,” recorded throughout and post-pandemic.
Miami’s Cuban-American country act The Mavericks have charted more than a dozen times on Billboard Country. Their best-known track, “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down,” with accordionist Flaco Jiménez, reached number 13 in the mid-Nineties.
Made up of Raúl Malo, Paul Deakin, Eddie Perez, and Jerry Dale McFadden, the group’s most commercial album was “What a Crying Shame,” which helped usher in numerous Grammy’s and Country Music Association awards.
Tickets are $49 and up.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Leanne Morgan — As part of a live Netflix taping, Leanne Morgan’s “Just Getting Started Tour” comedy show will stop at Cape Fear Community College’s Wilson Center for three days this weekend. The first show is Thursday at 7 p.m., followed by Friday and Saturday shows at 7 p.m., with a 4 p.m. matinee also on Saturday. Morgan has been recognized as one of Variety’s Top 10 Comics to Watch for 2023. Hailing from rural Tennessee, Morgan’s comedic style resonates with audiences of all backgrounds. She weaves humorous anecdotes about family life and everyday absurdities, and her ability to find humor in the mundane has endeared her to fans across the globe. Leanne’s debut book “What in the World?” became a New York Times best seller after its September release. Not only does she have a Netflix special in the works, but Morgan is also contracted to star in a Netflix sitcom alongside producer Chuck Lorre. She also has a role in the upcoming Amazon Prime feature “You’re Cordially Invited,” where she’ll share the screen with Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon. Tickets start at $51.
Friday, June 20
2025 Cape Fear Blues Festival
The Rusty Nail, 1310 S. 5th Ave. • Tickets: $10-$30
The blues has been celebrated in the Cape Fear region since 1996 with an annual festival bringing together sounds from the Delta, Chicago, Piedmont and contemporary blues artists.
This year’s event takes place June 20 through the 22 at Wilmington’s blues haven, the Rusty Nail — best known for its Cape Fear Blues Jam. Music will take place indoors and outdoors underneath a tent.
Bands scheduled to perform include:
- Friday, June 20: BG and The Mojo Hands (Blues, swing and rockabilly)
- Saturday, June 21, 2:30 p.m.: Papa Midnight Blues Band (Chicago/Delta/Piedmont power blues)
- Saturday, June 21, 4:15 p.m.: Frank Grant & The Feelin’ (Bluesy soul and funk rock)
- Saturday, June 21, 6 p.m.: Bobby Messano (Hall of Fame Contemporary blues guitarist)
- Saturday, June 21, 7:45 p.m.: The Nasty Chaps (Southern style blues)
- Sunday, June 22, 3 p.m.: The Rhythm Bones (Rhythm and blues, with New Orleans nod)
Tickets are $10 for Friday and $30 for Saturday. Sunday’s event is free, and there will be various vendors, food, and raffles from noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Attendees are welcome to bring their own chairs for outdoor stage seating, but no pets or coolers are allowed. Food vendors will be set up as well.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Rainbow Kitten Surprise — North Carolina’s beloved quintet Rainbow Kitten Surprise returns to Live Oak Bank Pavilion Friday evening. Consisting of Ela Melo (lead vocals), Darrick “Bozzy” Keller (guitar, vocals), Ethan Goodpaster (lead guitar, vocals), and Jess Haney (drums), RKS was formed a decade ago. The indie rock band have released three studio albums, “Seven + Mary” (2013), “RKS” (2015) and “How to: Friend, Love, Freefall” (2018) and “Love Hate Music Box” (2024), featuring lead single “Superstar,” fan track “LOL” and “Overtime” which also includes accompaniment from country star Kacey Musgraves. Earlier this year, Rainbow Kitten Surprise released a new track, “Espionage.” Tickets to Friday’s show start at $54.
The Rift Pride Weekend — The Rift, located in Cargo District East off Wrightsville Avenue, is celebrating Pride month all weekend long. Friday will include live music starting at 4 p.m. with Jeff Glover, followed by Ditch Kitty at 7 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, music and events will be scheduled all day beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday includes live entertainment with Katiana Music (2 p.m.), Spooky Kyd (5 p.m.) and a drag show starting at 7 p.m. Sunday will feature a food truck from 2Brothers Coastal Cuisine from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., with Selah Dubb performing at 4 p.m., followed by a doggy drag contest starting at 6 p.m. Gift cards will be awarded for first through third place winning pooches and interested participants will enter the contest the day of. Partial proceeds benefit Seeds of Healing and those who bring their LGBTQ Cape Fear Pride Passports will receive a Dreamsicle Slush.
Pearl Jam Tribute — Eagle’s Dare continues to host its Free Concert Friday music series, highlighting tribute acts and local musicians through July. June 20 will feature an homage to Seattle’s grunge scene with Deep 6. The band plays from the Pearl Jam catalog, including jams like “Nothingman,” “Not For You,” “Even Flow,” “Black,” “Dissident,” “Glorified G,” “Rearview Mirror” and others. Deep 6 — which refers to a discord — consists of Patrick O’Leary, Dan Glasgow, Henry Wisniewski, Steve Sanford, and Paul Richter. Shows are free and start at 6:30 p.m. with Wilmington heavy rockers Audiomelt opening the show. The food truck from Seaview Crab Co. will be set up at the event.
‘The Secret Life of Bees’ — Jengo’s Playhouse will host a screening in celebration of Juneteenth — the federal holiday which recognizes when African Americans celebrate their freedom, based on the day, June 19, 1865, in Texas when they were officially informed they were freed, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. A film screening of “The Secret Life of Bees” will take place at 7:30 p.m., featuring the story of 14-year-old Lily Owens, haunted by the memory of her late mother. Lily flees her hometown of South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother’s past. The screening is sponsored by the National Black Leadership Caucus and the Wilmington News Journal and is part of the playhouse’s nine-week summer film series; tickets are $10 here.
Jared Goldstein — A comedian and actor, Jared Goldstein has appeared on TV, film and the stage, including on ABC’s “Modern Family,” with Zach Galifianakis in the feature film “It’s Kind of a Funny Story,” and on an Off-Broadway production of “Spring Awakening.” Goldstein has traveled the festival circuit and scored 2022’s Just for Laughs New Face and can currently be seen on Roku’s “Nikki Fre$h,” starring as Nicole Richie’s trusty right hand and assistant, and will make an appearance in Hulu’s “Dollface” and CBS’s “The Unicorn” this season. The Long Island-born comedian is coming through Dead Crow Comedy Room this weekend to dish on his life and other observations. Goldstein brings the personal to his standup, as heard in one bit, “I Wish You Weren’t Gay.” “I once got a text from a very close friend who said at Trader Joe’s, saw a lesbian from behind and thought it was you,” he said. “And I texted back: ‘I’m at Trader Joe’s.’”
Tickets are $22 to $33 here and Goldstein will perform at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday nights.
Saturday, June 21
‘Hairspray‘
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets start at $36
John Waters’ famed musical “Hairspray” is coming to Thalian Hall’s mainstage, as produced by Opera House Theater Company.
The show follows the dancing craze of the 1960s amid heightened racial relations. Tracy Turnblad is dying to get on “The Corny Collins Show,” but also must face her nemesis, Velma von Tussle, to become the reigning Collins’ show dancing queen. Turnblad becomes an overnight celebrity in fashion, fun and dance and rallies against segregation.
The show features former “Hairspray” Broadway national touring performers — and local actors — Erin Sullivan, Melissa van Pelt and Rhon Saunders. It also features numerous local faces such as Jeff Phillips reprising his role as Edna Turnblad. Sullivan, who originally played a young Amber von Tussle on her Broadway tour will now take on Amber’s mother, Velma.
Directed by Jason Aycock, the music is overseen by Brian Whitted and choreography from van Pelt and Saunders.
Tickets start at $36 here and the show runs June 19 through July 6, Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Macbeth — Cape Fear Shakespeare on the Green continues its 32nd season with the Bard’s most famous tragedy, “Macbeth.” Directed by Caylan McKay, “Macbeth” follows a Scottish general who, from a prophecy told by three witches, learns he will become king one day. But what it takes to get there is a psychological twister and, with his wife by his side along the way, erupts in violence and eventual tyrannical ruling due to political power and ambitions. “Macbeth” shows start at 8 p.m., however, gates open at 6:30 p.m. Audiences are welcome to bring a picnic to catch the show, which continues June 21-22, and 26-27. Admission is free and it takes place at the Greenfield Lake Amphitheater.
N.C. Blueberry Festival — Burgaw will be celebrating all-things blueberry this Saturday, as the festival gets underway at 9 a.m.i n the historic courthouse square at 100 S Wright St. Pender is one of four counties — Bladen, Sampson and Duplin included — statewide that contribute to 90% of highbush blueberry production. The festival honors historic, economic, and cultural significance of blueberries grown in the southeastern region of North Carolina. Free to the public, the festival attracts upward of 40,000 people annually. There will be 175 arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities, beer and wine, food, and live music. Saturday music includes Band of Brothers at 10 a.m., Mighty Saints of Soul at 1 p.m., East Coast Party Band at 4 p.m. and Chairman of the Board at 7 p.m. Other highlights include a blueberry recipe contest, BBQ cookoff, car and truck show, and 5K race. Learn more here.
Juneteenth Jamboree — A celebration of community is planned at Vue21North, 1002 Chestnut St. in honor of the Juneteenth holiday. The event will feature WilmingtoNColor Heritage Tours, which delves into the local history of Black people and places they lived, worked and fought for their freedoms in the Port City. The event, taking place from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., is family-friendly and also includes magicians, fire breathers, and a fireworks finale. There also will be local vendors and food trucks, hands-on art activities for all ages. Coffee, mocktails and craft cocktails also will be for sale.Entry is pay what you can for an all-access wristband.
End of the Line: Tribute to The Allman Brothers — Bowstring Brewyard will pay tribute to one of the South’s most popular rock bands, The Allman Brothers, this Saturday. The band End of the Line — consisting of Justin Smith, Ryan McClanahan, Dave Czuba, Adam Gorman, Noah Pavey and Casey Conway — is honoring the 55th anniversary of ABB’s “Songs from the Idlewild Garage,” best known for tracks like “Midnight Rider” and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.” End of the Line has even received endorsements from the remaining members of the ABB. Tickets to the show are $15 and up here.
Social Dance Nights — The Leland Cultural Arts Center is welcoming dancers to the floor from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cape Fear Swing Dance Society is hosting the social and entry is free in partnership with Brunswick Arts Council’s Make Music Day. A group lesson begins at 7 p.m. and no partner, nor experience is necessary. The event takes place at 1212 Magnolia Village Way in Leland.
Almost Queen Tribute — If Freddie Mercury and the gang from Queen is more your speed of music, then a tribute act at Kenan Auditorium is set to perform at 8 p.m. Almost Queen will glide through ballads such as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and other popular rock anthems like “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions,” plus “Fat Bottomed Girls,” “Bicycle Ride” and “Another One Bites the Dust.” The group, consisting of Joseph Russo, Steve Leonard, Randy Gregg and John Cappadona, all dress like Queen and bring the same showmanship and energy as the famed ‘70s Brit rockers. Tickets to the UNCW campus show start at $33 here.
Southern Culture on the Skids — Grab your buckets of chicken! Southern Culture on the Skids are headed to Reggie’s 42nd Street Tavern on Saturday at 7 p.m. SCOTS is known for their swamp rock and Southern-bent antics onstage, which in the past have included throwing fried chicken and banana puddin’ at the audience. They’re irreverent in their form, bringing an eclectic sound of Americana mixed with punk and honky tonk. The Chapel Hill outfit got its start in 1983, with founding member Rick Miller on guitar and vocals. Miller is well known for his Southern drawl and animated lyrical calls — likely most recognizable in the band’s 1995 popular song “Camel Walk,” where Miller howls and shouts. Miller is recounted as starting the band after hearing Athens rockers R.E.M on the college radio station. The DJ announced: “That was R.E.M, the sound of the new South.” The story goes, Miller responded: “‘Gawd, if that’s the sound of the ‘new South’ I preferred it when it was on the skids.” And the band was born. SCOTS released its first EP, “Voodoo Beach Party,” followed in 1985 by a self-titled LP. To date it has put out 18 albums on Geffen Records, Yep Roc Records and Kudzu Records. It has toured with Loretta Lynn and Patti Smith. The band has shifted members throughout the years but its core remains: Miller, Dave Hartman (drums) and Mary Huff (bass). Tickets are available here and a special guest, yet to be announced, is also joining the show.
Sunday, June 22
Pleasure Island Pride Party
Seaworthy Kitchen and Bar, 604 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach • Free
Pride month continues and Carolina Beach is getting in on the celebration with a Sunday of rainbow-flavored fun.
Pleasure Island Pride and The LGBTQ Center Cape Fear are sponsoring a block party-style event at Seaworthy. It will include an all-day celebration from noon to 6 p.m., with live music by local rockers Beth Manning and Striking Copper. It’s family-friendly too with face-painting, fairy hair and raffles. There will be $2,000 worth of prizes given out and all proceeds from the raffle benefit the LGBTQ Center Cape Fear.
Plus, there will be an art vendor market.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
‘A Sense of Place’ — In 2013, arts council CEO Rhonda Bellamy made a documentary about Seabreeze, the hamlet near Carolina Beach that was a destination for Black vacationers during the Jim Crow era, when beach resorts were racially segregated. Located about 2 miles north of Snow’s Cut Bridge off Carolina Beach Road, the resort was built on a portion of 100-plus acres of land in 1922 and consisted of hotels, restaurants, an amusement park and multiple juke joints, bringing in national jazz and R&B acts. Bellamy’s documentary highlights the maritime connection of the community, particularly exploring the cultural heritage of fishermen and women through interviews and evocative photography by John Davis. Following the screening, Bellamy will lead a conversation with lifelong Seabreeze residents William Freeman, Elise Muhammad, and Nuri Muhammad. The screening and Q&A will be held at Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St.; it’s free but registration is required here.
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