SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Li’l Friday features plenty of ways 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, Oct. 2
JJ Grey and Mofro
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, 1941 Amphitheater Drive • Tickets: $47
Touring in support of last year’s release, “Olustee,” JJ Grey and Mofro returns to Greenfield Lake Amphitheater.
“Some of the songs took completely different directions that I never dreamed they would,” Grey said in an interview with PCD earlier this month.
The album features 11 tracks and includes songs like “The Sea and the Rooster” and “Top of the World.” Four ballads also include a full orchestra. For instance, Orchestrator Ronen Landa wrote charts for “On a Breeze,” and Grey pulled him into also to help on “Starry Night,” “Deeper Than Belief” and “The Sea.”
Grey and Mofro are performing at GLA on Oct. 2 and tickets are $47.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
‘RED’ — American playwright John Logan wrote “RED” about American artist Mark Rohtko. It takes place in the late 1950s, with his assistant questioning the theories behind Rothko’s art. The play first debuted in 2009 and is part of a one-weekend run at Thalian Hall, directed by Shane Fernando, also the executive director of Thalian. “RED” stars local actor Justin Smith (“Saturday Night,” “Tammy”) as Rothko and Glauco Araujo (“Manifest,” “Russian Doll”) as the assistant. “RED” is having a limited run locally before embarking on a national tour; playwright Logan is using it as a technical residency before opening a new local production as well. “RED” will be performed Oct. 2–5, 7:30 p.m. with an additional matinee on Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $35.
Anjelah Johnson-Reyes — A Californian by way of Mexico, and of Native American descent, stand-up comedian Anjelah Johnson-Reyes is touring through Wilson Center at 7 p.m. Johnson-Reyes has six comedy specials under her belt. An actor, memoirist, and podcaster, Anjelah’s “The Family Reunion” tour dives into her experience of motherhood, being in her 40s and stories about her husband, daughter, family, and friends. Tickets to her show are $49.
Friday, Oct. 3
The Rocky Horror Show
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $42
Originally brought to life by Tim Curry as the “sweet transvestite from transsexual Transylvania,” the 1975 cult-classic film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is celebrating 50 years in 2025. Locally, its stage version is coming to Thalian Hall just in time for Halloween.
A cult favorite, “The Rocky Horror Show” is being produced by Thalian Association Community Theater, with book, music and lyrics by Richard O’Brien — who wrote the musical in 1973 and the follow-up screenplay, where he also appeared as Riff Raff in the film. The story follows two lovebirds, Brad and Janet, who descend upon an old castle after enduring a flat tire. Inside, a Transylvanian convention is taking place, led by Dr. Frank-n-Furter and including wild characters who embark on Hedonistic behaviors, while singing rock songs such as “Science Fiction/Double Feature,” “Time Warp” and “Toucha Toucha Touch Me.”
Directed by Sydney Smith Martin, the local cast includes Carson Sikorski and Lily Rowan as Brad and Janet. “The Rocky Horror Show” will be staged Friday through Sunday through Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m., except on Sundays for 2 p.m. matinees.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
‘Measure for Measure’ — Directed by Christopher Marino, Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” is being performed Oct. 2-5 in the style of the Riot Grrls, a ‘90s feminist punk movement. Thus, the production features an all-female cast. Dubbed the Bard’s most provocative play, the show takes place at a time when Vienna’s long-ignored morality laws are suddenly enforced and a young novice named Isabella finds herself caught between silence and sacrifice. Tickets are $5-$14 and the show takes place at UNCW Cultural Arts Building’s Main Stage, 5270 Randall Drive.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong — With a sound and vibe that brings high energy, Baltimore’s Pigeon’s Playing Ping Pong are bringing the dance party back to Greenfield Lake Amphitheater at 7 p.m. The band — lead vocalist and guitarist “Scrambled” Greg Ormont, lead guitarist and vocals Jeremy Schon, bassist and vocals Ben Carrey, and drummer Alex “Gator” Petropulos — performs psychedelic and funk and played through almost 20 songs at last year’s show, including fun covers by NSync and The Weeknd. Tickets are $37 and opening is blues-rock outfit Eddie 9V.
‘Psycho’ — Alfred Hitchcock’s famed 1960 horror classic hits Thalian Hall’s big screen Thursday through Saturday for multiple showings. However, on Friday viewers have one chance only — at 1 p.m. The storyline is a well-known one: the Bates Motel welcomes unsuspecting victims, owned and operated by Norman Bates, who lives next door with his mother. Norman loves taxidermy and endures a difficult relationship with the patriarch. The Oscar-nominated film — based on the novel of the same name — stars Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin and Martin Balsam and is considered one of Hitchcock’s best works. Tickets are $10 to $12 and the movie will screen at Thalian Hall.
Lucas Zelnick — A New York comedian will perform at Dead Crow Comedy Room for three days this weekend: at 7 p.m. on Thursday, and 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Lucas has done a secret set with “Don’t Tell Comedy,” made his Comedy Central debut for Season 14 of “Comedy Central Stand-Up Featuring,” and has headlined comedy festivals such as New York Comedy, Netflix is a Joke, and the prestigious Moontower Comedy. He does crowd work and also pulls from his own life in his bits: “I took this theater class and had to see this school play and we all got high before — because why would I want to see ‘Into the Woods’ sober? So I hotboxed this guy’s car and by the way weed’s illegal, I’m under 21 and I’m seated behind the dean of the college. … I s**t you not, a spotlight comes on and shines on me and someone walks out on the stage in a police officer uniform and goes: ‘Who’s smoking?’ Turns out, I was seated next to one of the actors in the play.” Tickets are $30 to $41.
‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Shadowcast — If you’d rather participate in a live-action retelling of the famed 1977 film, The Eagle’s Dare is hosting a shadowcast with Pineapple Shaped Lamps. The local comedy troupe will have actors dressed up as Rocky Horror actors and will re-enact the film as it plays on the big screen. The audience is encouraged to participate as well, dressing up, doing callbacks and singing along. Tickets are $10 and there will be costume contests, prop bags for sale, and more. The group are doing two shadowcasts, this month — Oct. 3 and 24 — both at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 4
Riverfest
Downtown Wilmington • Free
It’s the official celebration of fall in downtown Wilmington; Riverfest will be held Oct. 4-5, featuring a street fair, live local music, an antique and classic car display, and kids zone.
Returning this year is a drone show to happen Saturday at 8:30 p.m. over the Cape Fear River. Last year, it debuted, replacing traditional fireworks that have been scaled in Riverfest past. Images of various colors will morph and flow, featuring 20 to 25 designs created by a team of people operating 100 drones to create the configurations.
Music will accompany the show as well. All Riverfest events are free and the full lineup can be found here.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Oktoberfest Under the Bridge — It’s been a decade since Waterline Brewing has been celebrating its annual fall throwdown, featuring games such as a stein-holding contest, and best dressed, so put on the most colorful lederhosen and dirndl, best stein and more. Three food trucks serving German eats will be parked throughout the day, including Crofton Pretzels and Celtic Creamery. The Harbour Towne Fest Band will perform as well and gates open at noon, with the event starting at 1 p.m. Waterline is located at 721 Surry St., at the foot of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. It’s free!
Fire in the Pines — A free community event, Fire in the Pines celebrates the importance of controlled burns for the longleaf pine ecosystem. The goal is to showcase how low intensity fires help reduce fuel in forests and promote growth of varied plants, including Venus flytraps, indigenous to the area. Featured at Saturday’s event, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will be a controlled burn, live music, food trucks, educational activities, demonstrations and more. It takes place at Halyburton Park, 4099 S. 17th St.
Belville Riverwalk Fall Festival — A fall festival is slated to take place at the Belville Riverwalk (580 River Road) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s free and family-friendly and will feature live music with Hood’s Creek and carnival games, face-painting, Mr. Twister balloon artist, pumpkin patch, and pumpkin-pie-eating contest. Multiple craft and food vendors also will be parked onsite.
First Cut Horror Film Festival — In honor of the season’s most beloved film genre, Cucalorus is hosting their second annual First Cut Horror Film Festival. The festival boasts independent filmmakers to include four 90-minute film blocks containing a mix of local, national and international films. The group received more than 100 submissions from over 15 countries. Following the films are director question-and-answer sessions and awards given in each block. An opening launch party takes place Friday, Oct. 3, for sponsors and filmmakers, and an afterparty at Jengo’s on Saturday, Oct. 4, open to the public.
BAD Social District — It’s the first official social district hosted in the Brooklyn Arts District since the city council passed an ordinance allowing two a month to take place on Saturdays. Roughly 20 businesses are participating along the Fourth Street corridor, from Walnut to N. Front streets, with a small offshoot onto Third Street to encompass The Eagle’s Dare. A social district allows patrons 21 and older to purchase beer, wine or liquor from area businesses and traverse along pre-approved public right-of-ways with them in hand; signs will be set up directing customers of the boundary lines. Parking decks at the Skyline Center and Hanover Street are open and within a few blocks of the district. The BAD will be hosting social districts the first and third Saturdays of each month moving forward, from noon to 5 p.m. Most participating businesses also bring in arts and crafts vendors, musicians and host other events in tandem with the social district. For instance, there will be a Day of the Dead Festival on Nov. 1, a Downtown District Day on Feb. 7 — to envelop multiple downtown districts with shuttles and trolleys moving between them — and the annual Coffee Crawl on Feb. 21.
Sunday, Oct. 5
Tallis Chamber Orchestra: Bachtoberfest
Fermental, 600 S. 17th St. • Free
Annually in October, Fermental brings in the Tallis Chamber Orchestra to celebrate the music of Sebastian Bach’s 17-century compositions. Dubbed Bachtoberfest, the performance begins at 4 p.m. and will include other compositions from the 15th to 21st centuries.
Aside from classical music, there also will be craft beer and fine wine for sale, featuring fall selections like Oktoberfest beers, pumpkin ales, and more. Guests are asked to bring a non-perishable item to donate to NourishNC, an area nonprofit organization fighting childhood hunger in Wilmington and surrounding areas.
Chairs are welcome to set up in the beer garden outdoors and Ledo’s Pizza food truck will be parked on site starting at 5 p.m.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
The 502s — An indie folk band from Florida, The 502s, will be at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater on Sunday. The group blends Americana sounds with eclectic instrumental arrangements on banjo, piano, and horns. The five-piece — garnering comparisons to The Avett Brothers and Old Crow Medicine Show — has released five albums to date, including 2025’s “Easy Street,” which dropped last month. Tickets are $35.
Pumpkin Festival — Freya’s Haus in Scotts Hill will host a weekend Pumpkin Festival, with local arts vendors. A pumpkin patch also will be set up and there will be seasonal treats and sippers for sale. Crafts booths and food trucks will be on site at 55 Scott Hill Loop Road, next to Poplar Grove Plantation.
The Wailers — Grammy-nominated reggae group The Wailers are coming to Waterline Brewing Company on Sunday as part of its Mystic 30th Anniversary Tour. Originally formed by the late Bob Marley, with other members including reggae stalwarts Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, the group embodies the spirits of the ‘70s reggae movement. Under the guidance of drummer Aston Barrett Jr., the band now consists of seven members — Mitchell Brunings, Owen “Dreadie” Reid, Josh David Barrett, Glen DaCosta, Andres Lopez and Junior Jazz. They carry forth and play Bob Marley’s biggest hits and more to ensure the music and message of peace, love, and unity never dies. The show will get underway at 6 p.m. The four-piece Dry Reef will open the show, performing a mix of reggae, pop and jammy tunes. They’ll be performing tunes from a new upcoming album, “Evolution.” Tickets are $37.
Pets in the Park — Pleasure Island is planning a celebration of pet-centric businesses, nonprofits and rescues at its Pets in the Park event at Carolina Beach Lake Park. As part of the event an official ribbon-cutting ceremony and pet remembrance at Carolina Beach Rainbow Bridge will take place. A family-friendly event, the park includes live music, “Ask the Vet,” pet portraits, fun food, free face-painting, pet costume contests, pet blessings, lots of giveaways, a “Yapperie” area for enjoying craft beer, mimosas and craft rum cocktails and a new “Barcuterie” station with healthy snacks for pets. Admission is $5, with $1 donated to several local pet charities and non-profit organizations. Kids under 10 are free.
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