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, March 26
“Eternal Spring”
Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St. • Free
Flytrap features the opening of a new art show on Thursday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. “Eternal Spring” features watercolors of botanicals, flowers and the natural world, as created by artist Valerie Simmons.
Simmons’ was once a florist and has been inspired by the colorful vibrancy of her former job. Today, she captures the petals in paintings instead.
The public will be able to meet the artist and see her latest exhibition, as well as hear music performed by Heather Cunningham. Food truck Christo’s also will be parked on site.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Wilmington Big Band — The Eagle’s Dare will have Wilmington’s 16-piece orchestra perform Thursday night. Plus, be sure to put on your dancing shoes! Cape Fear Swing Dance Society will be on hand to “jitterbug” and “chasse.” An East Coast swing dance lesson kicks off the evening at 6:30 p.m. and it’s $10 cash (or Venmo) to get you in the door.
Friday, March 27
Andrew Dismukes
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 511 N. Third St. • Tickets: $24-$36
Known for his time as a writer and then a cast member on “SNL,” Andrew Dismukes will be performing standup at Dead Crow for four shows this weekend.
Dismukes grew up on the Gulf Coast and attended University of Texas in Austin, before embarking on a comedy career. In addition to “SNL,” he has appeared on Amazon’s animated original, “The Hospital,” alongside Maya Rudolph, Natasha Lyonne, and Kieran Culkin, and in the 2020 film, “Call Me Brother.”
He frequently tours nationwide on the comedy circuit and participates in varied festivals, often infusing stories about his life in Texas and anecdotes about “SNL.” At one stop in Boston, Dismukes said: “I was recently the victim of one of the most devastating Martin Short insults ever. He was hosting the show and he came up to me while we were blocking a sketch, and he goes: ‘Andrew, I love you on the show. You remind me of my dear friend, a young Tom Hanks. … just a totally average man.’”
Tickets to Dismukes’ show are $24 to $36 here.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Haw Hill Raceway Pro Rodeo – Yee haw! Haw Hill Raceway in Winnabow will have a weekend rodeo underway on March 27 and 28. Varied events are scheduled, including bronco riding, breakaway riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bull riding, sheep riding, pony rides and food and craft vendors. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for kids, though ages 5 and under are admitted free. Gates open at 5 p.m., with the show starting at 7 p.m. The raceway is located at 374 Bell Swamp Connection.
Duo Karolina and Iwo — An innovative chamber ensemble, Karolina Mikolajczyk and Iwo Jednocki infuse violin and accordion with bold energy into classical music. They’ll perform at UNCW’s Beckwith Recital Hall, 5270 Randall Drive, at 7:30 p.m. The duo was awarded Poland’s “Polityka Passport,” a prestigious classical music recognition, due to their virtuosity and imagination, performing everything from Mozart to Gershwin, Bach to Vivaldi to Chopin. Tickets to their show at UNCW are $31 to $35 here.
Carlos Rising & The Dead End Kidz Album Release Show w/ Lady Die — With R&B and hip-hop at its core, Carlos Rising and the Dead End Kidz have an album release at Bourgie Nights this weekend, also showcasing the new single “For the Fire.” Rising appeared on season 23 of NBC’s “The Voice,” on Team Blake and his show Friday will include the full band behind him. Lady Die, featuring Julia Rothenberger and her four-piece alternative indie band, will open the show. Tickets are $10 in advance here and $15 at the door.
Emo Night Karaoke — If you missed your chance to scream-sing “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers at last summer’s Emo Night Karaoke at Eagle’s Dare, round two awaits. Song signups begin at 7 p.m. Better yet, a live band will be there to back your vocals. Just head to the merch table, where the iPad will have all songs listed for you to choose from. Then it’s showtime! Tickets are $15 here.
Bluegrass Bash — Thalian Hall’s annual Bluegrass Bash celebrates barbecue, live music and local beers. Music will be performed by Massive Grass, Tideline String Band, and Dear MariBella and the Pigkickers. The event takes place at Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St., and tickets are $37 and up. Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. Tickets: $37 and up.
Reggie’s Punk and Art Music Fest — With almost two dozen local artists and makers vending and six punk bands performing, Reggie’s will have a hefty dose of creative force oozing from its doors Friday. Bands include Ryan Henry and the Bastards, Croatoa, Bat Asterisks, Forty Two, Five Foot Nuthin’ and Fish of Wagoner, with the first show going live at 5 p.m. Local artists such as Brian Johnson, Zane Stewart, Pyro Ninja, Cindi Tolson, Cold Carvers, Liz Lawson and others also will be on site. Entry is $15 for ages under 21 and $10 for 21-plus. Reggie’s is located at 1415 S. 42nd St.
Saturday, March 28
Feast Wilmington
Various locations • Tickets: $100 and up
Feast, Wilmington’s premier food festival, returns to Live Oak Bank Pavilion this weekend for three events: Craft + Cuisine, Pier Party and Brunch Elevated.
The third annual event welcomes more than 70 restaurants and local culinary businesses and 20 breweries to celebrate all-things food.
It kicks off Saturday, with Craft + Cuisine from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. showcasing 20 local breweries pairing up with 20 chefs who will create complementary one-of-a-kind bites. Later that evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Pier Party will take place, featuring varied food vendors and live music
On Sunday, Brunch Elevated wraps the festival from noon to 3 p.m., serving numerous brunch items, cocktails, mocktails and gourmet coffees.
Tickets start at $100 here.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Belville Easter Egg Hunt — Easter is a week away but the egg hunts are in full force this weekend. The Town of Belville welcomes families to the Riverwalk from 9 a.m. to noon. Three age groups — 0-4, 5-7 and 8-12 — will go on the hunt for 1,000 eggs. And of course the Easter bunny will be there for free family photos. It’s free to attend and the rain date is Sunday, March 29, same time.
Leland Spring Fling — It’s an ‘egg’spedition in nearby Leland as well from 10 a.m to 1 p.m. at Founders Park. Spring Fling also includes age-inclusive egg hunts, candy, a trail of local organizations, face painting, and multiple food trucks. It’s free to attend, though food is individually priced.
Doodle Jam — Local artist HP Fangs is celebrating the creation of art in another round of Doodle Jam. There will be prompts offered all night for folks to doodle at their tables, plus music from DJ Rizzy Beats. All skill levels welcome — it’s about fun not perfection. The event takes place at Waterline Brewing, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., 721 Surry St.
Supper Club Comedy Series — Wilmington Wine is welcoming the laughs and the appetite in one evening of Supper Club Comedy Series. Located at 701 Castle St., the evening includes North Carolina standup comic Jennie Stencil, also the owner of The Idiot Box Comedy Club in the Outer Banks and executive producer of The North Carolina Comedy Festival. Stencil has opened for Brian Posehn, Todd Glass, Greg Proops, Sean Patton and Sasheer Zamata.
Samara Joy — Jazz musician Samara Joy will perform at Wilson Center at 7:30 p.m., after having released three albums and winning five Grammy Awards. Joy got her start singing gospel in church before attending SUNY Purchase and being introduced to the music genre. She won the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition in 2019 and debuted her self-titled album three years later. Tickets to her show start at $40 here.
Azalea Fest Pickleball Classic — The N.C. Azalea Festival is only two weeks away, but a weekend tournament for pickleball lovers is getting ahead of the annual springtime celebration in Wilmington. The two-day Azalea Fest Pickleball Classic takes place Saturday and Sunday and Pickles and Taps, 1207 S. 13th St. Hosted by Cape Fear Pickleball Club, there will be a men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles and singles. Plus, 50-plus divisions and skill levels 3.0 and 5.0. Registration is $40 for Cape Fear Pickleball Club members and $60 for non-members.
Sunday, March 29
North Mississippi Allstars
Brooklyn Arts Center, 516 N. Fourth St. • Tickets: $43
Having started in the mid-’90s the North Mississippi Allstars bring over two decades of fusing the blues, rock and Southern soul into their Mississippi sound.
Brothers Luther and Cody Dickinson started the group, inspired by their father Jim Dickinson and musical elders of their community, including the incomparable RL Burnside, as well as Junior Kimbrough, Otha Turner and Fred McDowell. Luther Dickinson even toured with Burnside as part fo his 1997 “Ass Pocket of Whiskey Tour,” which sold out in some countries in North America.
NMA’s first album debuted in 2000, two years after they began touring. Ever since, they’ve shared a stage with Phil Lesh, Mavis Staples, Robert Plant, Buddy Guy, Snoop Dogg and more. They also have scored multiple Grammy nods and won the Blues Music Award in 2001 for Best New Artist Debut.
The band has released 20 or so albums to date, including 2025’s “Still Shakin’.”
The show at BAC starts at 7 p.m.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
More Easter Egg Hunts — If the kids haven’t had enough egg hunts for the weekend, then two more are on deck today at a few area churches. Encounter Point Church at 131 Elliott Drive hosts one at 10 a.m. for both kids and adults. Afterward there will be free food, plus inflatables. Then at Grace United Methodist Church (401 Grace St.), five varied indoor egg hunts will take place between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Hunts are scheduled for ages 0-2 hunting at 4:20 p.m. and ages 3-4 until 4:40 p.m., kindergarten and 1st grade at 5 p.m., 2nd-3rd grade at 5:20 p.m. and 4th and 5th grade at 5:40 p.m. Plus, pizza will be served at 4 p.m.
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