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, July 17
2025 Battleship Splash: Carolina Dockdogs
Battleship Park, 191-199 USS North Carolina Road • Free for spectators, registration varies
Summer has officially gone to the dogs!
A canine aquatics club is bringing some fun to downtown Wilmington’s most popular attraction this weekend. Carolina Dockdogs hosts various dock-diving competitions for pooches as part of Battleship Splash, taking place Thursday through Sunday.
There will be a pool and dock set up to host various waves of competitors throughout the weekend. Each day features dogs participating in categories of speed retrieve, big air and extreme vertical. Some of the animals can jump more than 25 feet in the air.
It’s free to attend as a spectator, and the event gets underway on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and continues on Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with finals at 4 p.m.
Competitors are welcome to register here. Onsite registration opens Thursday at 3 p.m., Friday at 9 a.m., Saturday at 8 a.m. and Sunday at 8 a.m. Entry fees also vary for competitors
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Les Fontanelles — At Carolina Beach’s Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar, Wilmington’s local Americana act Les Fontanelles will perform on the pier overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The show is free and takes place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The band is inspired by sweet and salty sensibilities, influences of Dire Straits, Townes Van Zandt and The Byrds, and downhome harmonies. Les Fontanelles consists of banjoist Tiffany Reece Jewell, Carson and Jesse Jewell, Shane Lippard, and Richard Welsh.
A Ride Through the Country — A premiere by local director and playwright Ray Kennedy, “A Ride Through the Country,” will be staged at Thalian Hall. Produced by Big Dawg Productions, the storyline follows the Southern family matriarch, Louie, undergoing cancer treatments. However, the closest treatment center is 45 minutes away, so her friends and family travel with her for her appointments. With hilarious moments, also filled with poignant truth, the cast of characters showcase courage amidst adversity. According to Kennedy, the play “explores friendship, love, hope, and the importance of Tupperware.” The show stars Greg King, Deb Gillingham, Jenny Wright, Erin Hunter, Elizabeth Michaels, Matthew Thomas-Reid, Cindy Colluci, Fracaswell Hyman and Michelle Braxton. Shows take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. through July 20. Tickets start at $35 here.
WECT Sounds of Summer — Wrightsville Beach Park will come alive with live music from Jack Jack 180, a high-energy party band performing country, rock, pop and Motown. The show is at 6:30 p.m. and food trucks will be parked on site, including Nautical Bowls, A&M’s Red Food Truck, and Cool Beans Wilmington.
Friday, July 18
Chatham County Line
Bourgie Nights, 127 Princess St. • Tickets start at $20
The Raleigh band Chatham County Line has bluegrass down cold. Having formed in 1999, CCL has released more than a dozen albums and shared bills with Lyle Lovett, Steve Martin and Martin Short, The Avett Brothers and Guy Clark.
They even appeared on the big screen as the backup band in the Showtime series “George and Tammy.” Filmed locally, the six-part biopic starred Michael Shannon as George Jones and Jessica Chastain as Tammy Wynette.
CCL is heading to Bourgie Nights Friday at 8 p.m. in support of last year’s release, “Hiyo.” It’s their first release since the departure of their longtime banjo player, Chandler Holt. Now a trio, Dave Wilson, John Teer and Greg Readling recorded the album at Asheville’s Echo Mountain studio with co-producer/engineer Rachael Moore (Kacey Musgraves, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss).
Tickets to the show are $20 in advance here or $25 at the door.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Emo Karaoke with Live Band — Those yearning to get all in their emotions and belt to the top of their lungs should head to The Eagle’s Dare for a free karaoke event. Better yet, a live band will be there to back your vocals. Signups begin at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 6:30 p.m., with a catalogue of songs available, from “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” by My Chemical Romance to “I Write Sins Not Trageides” by Panic! At the Disco to “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers. Seaview Crab Co. food truck will be parked on site and the event is free.
Wrightsville Beach Inshore Challenge — Hosted by the Fisherman’s Post, Wrightsville Beach Inshore Challenge kicks off Friday with registration and a captain’s meeting. Saturday will include a dinner and awards ceremony at Tex’s Tackle. The weigh-in location is at Bridge Tender Marina, under the gazebo by the floating fuel dock. Anglers can use the option of live, dead, or artificial bait and choose to fish as many anglers on their boat as preferred. The goal is to enjoy a more relaxed and fun red drum tournament. There will be an eight-place leaderboard and there will be prizes for Single Big Red Drum, Two Red Drum, and new this year High Roller Single Big Red Drum TWTs, as well as a “Trash Fish” TWT. The “Trash Fish” TWT payouts will go to the boats that weigh in the heaviest weight of either one oyster toad or one lizardfish. Fisherman’s Post continues its commitment to releasing as many fish alive as possible; volunteers from Wilmington Elks will help release fish, and they’ll receive proceeds from the event to aid their mission of helping children, enhancing communities, and honoring the service and sacrifices of military veterans. Learn more about prizes and other here.
Vic DiBitetto — Check out this old-school Brooklyn comedian, who had been on the scene for 30 years before gaining stardom after a YouTube video titled “Bread and Milk” went viral during a 2013 nor’easter. Vic DiBitetto will be at Dead Crow Comedy Room this weekend. He’s created more viral recordings, but also is appearing on Amazon’s “Gravesend” as a regular cast member. DiBitetto released a comedy album, “Working Class Zero,” in 2020 and on it notes: “Born and raised in Brooklyn, I then moved overseas — to Staten Island. Which is Brooklyn with a cover charge. … I’ll show you what it’s like living on Staten Island: See this chair? Here’s what you get for $800,000.” DiBitetto is performing four shows on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; tickets are $31 to $40.
Doodle Jam — Local artist HP Fangs hosts an annual event celebrating the creation of art. There will be prompts offered all night for folks to doodle at their tables, plus music from DJ Rizzy Beats. It takes place at Waterline Brewing from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. located at 721 Surry St.
Saturday, July 19
‘9 to 5: The Musical’
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $35-$41
Time to pour yourself “a cup of ambition!”
Based on the 1980 film, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, “9 to 5” is opening this weekend at Thalian Hall from Opera House Theatre Company.
The satire focuses on female empowerment in a male-dominated workforce, following three secretaries who decide to exact revenge on their boss. One is passed over for promotion in favor of a male colleague, another is objectified and blamed for having an affair with her boss, while the other is going through a separation from her cheating husband and must find a job to support herself and her son.
Each has a fantasy of killing their tyrannical chauvinist superior and taking over the company — and then one day poison is accidentally put into his morning coffee making their daydreams a reality.
The musical, starring Coleman Cox, Kendra Goehring and Heather Setzler, takes place July 17 through 27, Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
‘Grease’ Retro Dance Party — The blonde deejaying duo that manages to cut footloose on every dance floor they take over will turn up the volume even louder Saturday night. Beehive Blondes will host a party centered on the hit musical “Grease,” so come dressed inspired by your fave looks of the ‘50s — T-Birds and Pink Ladies-approved. The DJs will spin songs from the 1950s, 1960s and the musical itself. The party takes place at The Eagle’s Dare and doors open at 9 p.m., with tickets costing $19 and up.
Super Pickle Party — Pickle flavor is the new pumpkin spice — found in every product imaginable. Now, Fermental is hosting a day of celebration in honor of the fermented cucumber, with pickle beers, pickle wine, pickle mimosas and even pickle cotton candy. The Super Pickle Party takes place 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and there will be a pickle-eating contest at 3 p.m., with live music from Tail Light Rebellion at 4 p.m. and Andrew Kasab at 7 p.m. Sips & Joy Coffee Cart will be onsite at 11 a.m. and Lyne’s Concessions at 5 p.m.
Flipturn — The five-member indie-rock ensemble got its start in Florida in a Fernandina Beach garage. Dillon Basse leads on vocals and rhythm guitar, while Tristan Duncan strums the lead guitar, Madeline Jarman plays bass, Mitch Fountain is on the synth and Devon VonBalson drums. Basse, Duncan and Jarman started the group in high school and grew the band after college. They released their first EP in 2018 and signed to Dualtone Records to release “Shadowglow.” At the beginning of the year they released their sophomore album, “Burnout Days,” with tracks including “Rodeo Clow,” charting number 17 on the U.S. AAA radio. The group has played popular festivals including Lollapalooza and Shaky Knees and will be performing at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater this weekend. Though the show is sold-out, verified resale tickets are available here.
Sunday, July 20
Opera Wilmington’s Don Giovanni
UNCW Kenan Auditorium, 515 Wagoner Drive • Tickets: $22.50 and up
Opera Wilmington is hosting its latest production on UNCW’s campus at 3 p.m. Taking place on the main stage theater at the Cultural Arts Building, Don Giovanni is Mozart’s masterpiece, rolling in seduction, danger and justice all in one.
The show blends comedy and drama, with gripping arias and fiery ensembles. It stars Thandolwethu Mamba as Don Giovanni, a charismatic if not immoral nobleman who seduces women and defies social and moral codes. John Dooley performs as the servant Leporello, Elizabeth Stovall Gazda as the vengeful Donna Anna, Miles Jenkins as Don Ottavio, Maria Valdes as a woman seduced by Giovanni and more.
Tickets are available here.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Scoop Fest — There is no better love than ice cream during the hot summer days and one local market is celebrating the frozen treat Sunday. Scoop Fest takes place at Hampstead’s LBC Bottle Shop + Brew Yard — the new home of WilmyWoodie Wood Fired Pizza. There will be lots of sweet ice cream treats from area businesses, plus a market featuring custom hats by SeaCat Hats, jewelry from Coastal Violet, face-painting, craft beer and pizza. Live music will also be on tap and the event, to take place at 15670 U.S. Highway17, is free.
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