SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Li’l Friday features dozens 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, Aug. 14
Jim Gaffigan
Live Oak Bank Pavilion, 10 Cowan St. • Tickets start at $40
Jim Gaffigan will bring his “Everything is Wonderful!” tour to Live Oak Bank Pavilion on Friday.
Gaffigan — regarded as a clean comic — centers his material on fatherhood, laziness, food, religion and other world observations. He’s co-created “The Jim Gaffigan Show,” appeared in numerous series (“Flight of the Conchords,” “Fargo”) and films (“Chappaquiddick” and the locally shot “Greedy People”) and has penned two memoirs, including “Dad is Fat” and “Food: A Love Story.”
The comedian has released more than a dozen comedy albums to date, including 2024’s “The Skinny.” Most recently, he has become known for his editorial segments on “CBS Sunday Mornings,” delving into various topics such as “When will it be safe to retire from parenting” and “how did this happen?!”
Tickets are available here.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Three Dog Night — Known for hits like “Mama Told Me (Not to Come)” and “Joy to the World,” Three Dog Night is performing at the Wilson Center this week, joined by special guests Ambrosia and John Ford Coley. Three Dog Night has scored almost two dozen Top 40 hits in their 60-year reign, including three number-one singles, including “Mama Told Me” written by Randy Newman, “Joy to the World” written by Hoyt Axon and “Black and White” written by David Arkin. They’ve also hit platinum and gold status on many singles and LPs. The band — consisting of vocalists Chuck Negron, Cory Wells, and Danny Hutton. This lineup was soon augmented by Jimmy Greenspoon, Joe Schermie, Michael Allsup, and Floyd Sneed — has released two new tracks, including the a cappella tune “Prayer of the Children” and “Heart Of Blues.” Both are to be performed along with their classic hits on the current 39-stop tour. Tickets start at $25.
The Wood Brothers — The Wood Brothers return to Greenfield Lake Amphitheater Thursday, touring in support of their new album “Puff of Smoke.” The band has been active for 21 years, blending Americana and folk with R&B and jazz, rock and country. They’re also partnering with American Friends of Canadian Conservation to give $1 of every ticket sale to support The Nature Trust of British Columbia. NTBC conserves ecologically-rich wetlands and protects irreplaceable land from development. Every $1 donated will be matched by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with $2 so more endangered wetlands can be saved; tickets are $43 here. Read the interview with Chris Wood, published at PCD earlier this week, here.
Friday, Aug. 15
‘Oklahoma!‘
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets start at $36
A Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, “Oklahoma!” is being staged at historic Thalian Hall at 7:30 p.m. with matinees at 2 p.m. from Aug. 14 through the 24, Wednesday through Sunday.
The show — which has won a Pulitzer Prize, Tony, and Olivier and for its film adaptation, an Oscar — centers around love, rivalry, and community on the Western frontier. Set at the turn of the 20th century, its score includes hits like “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,” “I Can’t Say No” and the title track.
Opera House Theater Company is producing the show, directed by Ron Chisholm. Tickets start at $36.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Red Clay Strays — More than a country band, Red Clay Strays blends Southern soul with rock-and-roll, bringing fire and brimstone to every note. Live Oak Bank Pavilion’s 7,000-seat outdoor amphitheater will welcome the band as part of their “Get Right” tour, taking them to 28 cities. The group received a nomination for Vocal Group of the Year at the CMA Awards and have been featured on NPR’s Tine Desk series and numerous late night shows. They released on RCA Records “Made By These Memories” in July last year, which was produced by Dave Cobb and incorporated Southern rock, soul, and modern country influences. It debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart and was the band’s second studio album following 2022’s “Moment of Truth.” Verified tickets to their show start at $65 here.
‘Burnout’ — The summer film series at Jengo’s Playhouse (815 Princess St.) will feature the screening of “Burnout” at 7:30 p.m. The film follows the quarter-life crisis of Ada, who makes a living selling marijuana. However, when it becomes legalized, her livelihood is threatened and it leads her down a rabbit hole of self-examination. The first feature film from North Carolina native Lydia Hyslop screened at the 19th annual Cucalorus Film Festival in 2013. This reprisal screening will also welcome Hyslop for a Q&A after. Tickets are $10 here.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Houndmouth
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, 1941 Amphitheater Drive • Tickets: $71
American alternative blues-rock band Houndmouth is stopping over at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater Saturday.
The Indiana band started roughly 15 years ago and have released four albums to date. Their sophomore release, “Little Neon Limelight,” in 2015 came with the single “Sedona,” which provided the group a number one hit on AAA radio platforms and 13 on alternative rock stations. It led to a platinum certification.
Since, the band has released “Golden Age” and “Good For You,” the latter which landed the track “Las Vegas” at number 28 on AAA stations.
The group consists of Matt Myers (guitar, vocals), Caleb Hickman (keyboard, vocals), and Zac Anderson (bass, vocals), and only verified resale tickets are available to their show, starting at $71.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Phantom Playboys: Birthday Bash with Elvis — Phantom Playboys will be performing at Sandspur in Carolina Beach on Saturday. But the rockabilly-ska band won’t be bringing forth just any ol’ concert; it’s celebrating two bandmates’ birthdays and the deathiversary (Aug. 16) of the rock ‘n’ roll king himself, Elvis Presley. So the band will bring their high energy to the stage as the Elvis Playboys in the first set before reverting back to their normal antics as the Phantom Playboys during the second. The show is free and Sandspur is located at 103 Lake Park Blvd. in Carolina Beach.
Liquid Summer — This food and drink festival takes place at 3400 Randall Parkway from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and features 15 food trucks, 16 craft beers, 10 seltzers or ciders, and more than a dozen wine and spirits. Plus, there is live music beginning at 2 p.m. on two stages, featuring eight bands. Entrance s allowed only to those who are 21 and up, and tickets are $30 to $96, with a portion of proceeds benefitting Spirit of Hope Children’s Foundation. Learn more here.
Trace Adkins — At Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery in Elizabethtown, ‘90s country star Trace Adkins will be coming to town. His baritone is highlighted in popular fan-favorites like “You’re Gonna Miss This,” “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” and “Ladies Love Country Boys.” Joining him on his What Color’s Your Wild Tour is North Carolina native Brooke McBride, whose modern country sound is heard on tracks like “Standing Still in Knoxville” and “Praying for a Good Outcome (with Bad Income).” Tickets are $74 here.
Sunday, Aug. 17
Carolina Art Show
Station No. 2, 602 S. Fifth Ave. • Free – $15
A juried art show will take place all weekend, Aug. 15 through 17, at Station No 2, located at the intersection of Castle Street and Fifth Ave. Carolina Art Show, with the theme “Create Your Future,” welcomes regional artists to showcase their works in a variety of media — painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, mixed media, and more. There will be more than 150 artist works featured.
Sponsored by the Arts Council of New Hanover County and Wilmington among others, Carolina Art Show also benefits Kids Making It, with a portion of proceeds going toward the woodworking program for at-risk youth.
An opening reception takes place Friday, Aug. 15, 6 p.m., and is ticketed for $15. Live music will be performed by Sai Collins and catering will be provided by Castle Street Kitchen, with a cash bar available.
The show is open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is free to attend.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Greenfield Lake Family Nature Walks — The Cape Fear Bird Observatory does monthly hour-long nature walk at Greenfield Lake. The next one is hosted at 9 a.m. Sunday, welcoming friends and family to spend time together in nature. No registration is necessary and the meetup is at the boathouse. Binoculars will be available to see all the wildlife in Greenfield Lake Park.
Stories We Carry — A narrative and visual art workshop welcomes veterans to express personal experiences via writing prompts, with prose and poetry encouraged. Participants also will have the opportunity to create small figurative works in clay — the goal to combine writing and imagery into an autobiographical keepsake. No previous experience is needed in either art form for those who wish to participate. The class, taught by Dina Greenberg and September Krueger, is free for all active military members and veterans and takes place at noon at Cameron Art Museum, 2101 S. 17th St.
Ability Garden Plant Sale — Taking place at the Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Drive, the Ability Garden is hosting its plant sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All the plants are easy-growing houseplants, propagated by participants in the Therapeutic Horticulture program. All proceeds support the program.
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