SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Li’l Friday features ideas 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. 28
‘Mercury’
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $35
Big Dawg Productions is producing an original piece by Wilmington actor Lee Lowrimore. “Mercury” takes place in 1977, at the height of disco, in Manhattan.
A gay “off-off-off Broadway” theater is funded by Mercury Messages, a hole in the wall telephone answering service, threatened by newly launched cheap answering machines. The show covers friendship and love and ensuring the show goes on; adult language and situations, laughter and tears expected.
The show takes place one final weekend through Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $35.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Goat Therapy — Leland Brewing is welcoming animal lovers to the brewery to enjoy a heartwarming experience with goat therapy. Zen Hooves is hosting the event from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., which will include bottle feeding some kids. It’s $28 available here, along with other events planned throughout the region, such as goat yoga at Topsail Brewing.
Friday, Aug, 29
Brian Posehn
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 511 Third St. • Tickets: $30-$41
Popular “Big Bang Theory” writer, actor and comedian Brian Posehn is returning to Dead Crow Comedy Room this weekend.
Posehn has produced several acclaimed stand-up comedy specials and albums, including 2020’s “Grandpa Metal.” He starred as Brian Spukowski on Comedy Central’s “The Sarah Silverman Program” and toured as a member of the “Comedians of Comedy.” Most recently, he appeared on the show “Lopez vs. Lopez” and has helped write Marvel’s Deadpool comics.
The California-bred comic is a seasoned standup who has a dry style of delivery, as heard on his 2020 “comedy-rock album,” “Grandpa Metal.” It features a Satan track, a Viking song, with funny lyrics set to heavy duty licks and even features guest artists like Anthrax’s Scott Ian, Fall Out Boy’s Joe Trohman, Slipknot’s Corey Taylor and Slayer’s Gary Holt.
Posehn’s next move includes starring in a “Big Bang Theory” spinoff, “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe,” to air on HBO Max.
Tickets are $30-$41 for two shows on both Friday and Saturday, at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Boardwalk Blast — It’s the last fireworks show of the summer season for Carolina Beach’s Boardwalk Blast and it takes place Friday instead of Thursday. Live music will be performed at the Gazebo Stage by The Main Event Band at 6:30 p.m. and the fireworks take place around 9 p.m. It’s free to attend.
Night Market — Fermental in the Cargo District is welcoming shoppers to its night market featuring local artists and craftmakers from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. It’s free to attend and there will be food trucks, live music, and beer and wine served from the bottle shop.
Saturday, Aug. 30
The Art of Dr. Seuss Pop-Up Exhibit
Art in Bloom Gallery, 970 Inspiration Drive • Free
Known as Theodor Seuss Geisel in real life, Dr. Seuss was more than a children’s author whose rhymes provided timeless, real-world lessons. Having begun his career as an editorial cartoonist, Seuss also was a sculptor and painter.
Works are on display for one weekend only at Art in Bloom Gallery in Mayfaire. The pop-up show will have limited-edition items from the Seuss estate, including lithographs, serigraphs, and sculptures reproduced from Seuss’s original drawings and paintings.
Stories behind the works will be discussed by the Gallery of Fine Art owner Mike Golonka and Jes Stiner, representing the Seuss estate, also will be on hand. Both will give a talk and have a question-and-answer session from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Come Sunday, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., a reception will be held, also with refreshments.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
The Great Indoors with Wilmnot — Bourgie Nights is hosting live music at 9 p.m. with two indie rock bands. The Great Indoors perform immersive pop-rock, packed with soul and nostalgia. The group has performed at festivals like Shakori Hills and has worked with platinum-awarded producer Dan Dixon (Zac Brown Band). Joining them will be Wilmnot, an indie-pop band from Charleston, who draws inspiration from bands like Dayglow, Clairo, and Glass Animals. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 day of the show.
Watchhouse — Formerly known as Mandolin Orange, Watchhouse is returning to Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. Consisting of husband-and-wife team Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz, the Chapel Hill-based Americana folk duo have released nine albums to date under both monikers. The most recent is 2025’s “Rituals” on the Tiptoe Tiger Music / Thirty Tigers label — the first new material since 2021’s self-titled debut under the new name — highlighting layered guitars and vocal harmonies. They’ve toured this year in support of North Carolina darlings The Avett Brothers and have played festivals including Merlefest and Mountain Folk Festival.
Songs of Peace — Wilmington Peace Festival and the soon-to-be relaunched Encore magazine is presenting a night of music at Waterline Brewing this weekend. It will feature peace songs, speakers, raffles, vendors, food trucks, interactive activities, and more. Music will include Port City Ukuholics, Jesse Stockton, Jesse James DeConto (The Pinkerton Raid), Kelly Zullo and Nate Gerry. Speakers are Velva Jenkins (YWCA), Lesley Daspit (UNCW), Rev. Meg McBride (The Warming Shelter) and TR Nunley (Wilmington Transgender Support Services). It’s free to attend and $1 from beer each sold will benefit both nonprofit entities putting on the event.
Electro Circus — Time for a retro throwback, celebrating the first 20 years of the modern club scene. Barzarre (1612 Castle St.) is hosting electronic club music popular from 1975 through 1994, produced by Produkt! and Dave Industrie. It will pay homage to the famous Hollywood nightclub, Circus. The cover is $5 and takes place from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., open to ages 18 and up.
Oak Island Arts & Crafts Festival — Taking place at Middleton Park, 102 Southeast 47th St., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oak Island’s 34th annual event is open to 100 artists and vendors who will be peddling handmade items. Expect to see one-of-a-kind clay/pottery, country crafts, fabrics/wearables, garden, glass, jewelry, metals, painting, photography/digital art and wood. Plus, there will be food vendors; festival admission is free with paid parking available. Profits from this festival support the Oak Island Art Guild’s mission which includes hosting workshops and instruction for community members and working with other organizations to boost cultural arts.
Sunday, Aug. 31
Caamp
Live Oak Bank Pavilion, 10 Cowan St. • Tickets: $50
Ohio American bluegrass band Caamp is performing at Live Oak Bank Pavilion, with opening act Fruition.
Caamp was started by two pals, Taylor Meier and Evan Westfall, who met at summer camp and began playing together in 2013, after adding bass player Matt Vinson, keyboardist Joseph Kavalec, and drummer Nick Falk. They’ve released five albums today and this year hit No. 1 on the Americana radio singles chart with “Let Things Go.” Their track “And It’s Gone” also was featured as the title theme for Apple TV’s “Stick,” which premiered in June.
The band will donate $1 from every ticket sold to Sunday’s show to The Great Heights Movement, an organization they established three years ago to support charitable programs in the Columbus, Ohio, area, as well as other communities nationally and internationally. The group advocates for music education, social justice and sustainability.
Tickets are $50 and the show takes place rain or shine; read the interview with the opening act from previous PCD coverage here.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Fins Up Festival — A tribute to Margaritaville’s forever mayor, Jimmy Buffett, is planned for Sunday at Waterman’s Brewing. Two bands are scheduled to play, including Captain Mike and the Shipwrecked and The Moto’s. The event will feature artists and craftmakers, watersports and environmental exhibits, drinks and food and will take place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Rock the ‘90s — If guitar-driven rock and grunge is more your style, Bowstring Brewyard has the ticket. Rock the ‘90s features music from stalwarts of the era, including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Collective Soul, Stone Temple Pilots and more. The Georgia-based band — consisting of Hugh Hession, Lance Rodriguez, Lewis Smith, Drew King and Rob Brown — has been playing for a decade across multiple states and will land at 1002 Princess Street. Tickets are $15 and up here.
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