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, May 28
Boardwalk Blast
Carolina Beach Boardwalk • Free
Every Thursday through Labor Day on Carolina Beach’s Boardwalk music and fireworks can be enjoyed as part of the area’s annual Boardwalk Blast event.
Taking place on Thursday, May 28, The Petty Mac Revue — a tribute to both Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac — will take the stage, located at Cape Fear Boulevard and Carolina Beach Avenue North. Music starts at 6 p.m. and the fireworks blast over the beach at 9 p.m.
And it’s free!
Friday, May 29
Beetlejuice
Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St. • Tickets: $68 and up
Love the ghost with the most? Want to see his hijinks on the living in a live theater setting? Let the Broadway tour of “Beetlejuice” tickle your fancy.
With music and lyrics by Eddie Perfect, book by Scott Brown and Anthony King, and based on the Geffen Company Picture from the 1980s, the show follows Lydia Deetz who has a natural proclivity for seeing the afterlife and finds herself caught up in a spectacle to keep her newfound friends Adam and Barbara Maitland.
When she turns to Beetlejuice, in a moment of desperation to reach the Maitlands, things turn hairy.
There are five shows at the Wilson Center on May 29-31, with tickets starting at $68 here.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
‘Ten-Minute Miscelleny’ — Port City Playwrights opens its annual show “Ten-Minute Miscellany,” a showcase of new short plays written by PCP members. The weekend will feature 10 varied plays from 10 different writers; each captures a moment in time, such as a teenager destined to become a superhero but has to get through puberty first or a couple who nurse an injured angel back to health after finding him on their farmland. The show takes place at Thalian Hall, May 29 – 31, 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday or 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
‘Mahalia: A Gospel Musical’ — From Techmoja Dance Company “Mahalia: A Gospel Musical” is being staged at Thalian Hall from May 29 – 31, 7:30 p.m. except for Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. The spirit-lifting musical by Tom Stolz brings to life the story of Mahalia Jackson — legendary “Queen of Gospel” whose voice became the soundtrack of hope during the American Civil Rights Movement. Having broken racial and cultural barriers, Jackson’s story covers ground from New Orleans to Carnegie Hall, as she overcame adversity and made close friendships, such as to Martin Luther King Jr., on her rise to international fame. Tickets are $48 here.
‘Twelfth Night’ — Cherri McKay is directing a classic as part of Cape Fear Shakespeare on the Green with the youth production of “Twelfth Night.” The romantic comedy takes on tales of mistaken identity and love triangles as a shipwreck separates twins on Illyria who, through hijinks, find their way back to one another. Also taking place as part of the show is the Illyria Music Festival with local guest musicians performing each night. The show starts at 8 p.m., is free, and takes place May 29-31, June 15-18 and 22-25, with gates opening at at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater at 6:30 p.m. Picnics welcome.
Nick Murphy — A stand-up comedian based out of Atlanta, GA, Murphy is a regular performer at Atlanta’s Punchline Comedy Club and Laughing Skull Lounge and has worked with Ron White, Jim Jeffries, and the Lucas Brothers. He was selected to perform in the 2024 Moontower and Netflix is a Joke comedy festivals. Tickets to his show at Dead Crow Comedy Room this weekend are $20 to $32, with four shows on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 30
Port City Highland Games
3600 Randall Parkway • Tickets: $10 and up
A day-long festival highlighting the Scottish roots of the Lower Cape Fear is planned for Saturday off Randall Parkway. There will be Highland athletics, piping and drumming, Scottish clans, Celtic music and dance, heritage organizations, food and drink, vendors and artisans, and the popular British Motor Club of the Cape Fear Car Show.
Presented as a charitable event benefiting paws4vets, a program of paws4people Foundation, the Port City Highland Games has quickly grown into one of the largest celebrations of Scottish heritage in Southeastern North Carolina. Organizers expect more than 1,500 attendees this weekend.
“The Port City Highland Games is about more than competition,” Catherine Fort, president of the Scottish Society of Wilmington, said in a release. “It is a celebration of culture, history, music, storytelling, and community.”
The games also highlight the deep Scottish roots of the Lower Cape Fear region. Beginning with the arrival of Highland Scots in the 18th century, Scottish immigrants helped shape the history, culture, and identity of North Carolina — a story organizers hope attendees will discover throughout the festival grounds.
Port City Highland Games will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 and up.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
NC Vibe Fest — Old River Farms is hosting a one-of-a-kind outdoor festival featuring live music, a vintage car show, food trucks, and a curated vendor village. There also will be performances by Vermilion Green, Passenger Seat, Convalescent, Scarlet O’Hara and The Queen’s Giant. Old River Farms is located at 8711 Old River Rd. in Burgaw and the event takes place from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. with tickets costing $5 to $8.
Striking Copper — It’s been a decade since local band Striking Copper debuted its album “Mirror.” This weekend at Waterline Brewing they will be playing the whole shebang from front to back, bringing their rhythm-driving rock ‘n’ roll to life. The band is fronted by twins Allie and Jacquie Lee, with Matt Donnelly (vocals, rhythm guitar), Dan Bennett (lead guitar), John Stewart (bass guitar) and Frank Cacciutto (drums) rounding out the group. The show starts at 7 p.m. for free at 721 Surry St.
The Pop Culture Expo — An expo on pop culture is being held at the Elk’s Lodge, 5102 Oleander Dr., on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For $5 at the door, visitors will be able to peruse varied vendors showcasing toys and action figures, vinyl, comics and graphic novels, Pokemon and magic, sports and wrestling, and gaming items. As well, food trucks will include Fly’N Phil’e and A&M Food Truck. Kids 12 and under are admitted free.
Venus Flytrap Festival — Boiling Spring Lakes is hosting a Spring Fling and Venus Flytrap Festival! Everyone is invited to celebrate the area’s most amazing native plants and activities for all ages, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, at the BSL Community Center. The event is free and features an educational Venus Flytrap trail, a 1-mile Family Fun Run, bounce house, face-painting, food trucks, craft and artisan vendors, games and more. All proceeds and donations from the festival will support the BSL Venus Flytrap Boardwalk Project, helping create a beautiful space for our community to experience and learn about this incredible native plant.
CFCC Riverfront Boat Show — A boat show is returning to the Riverfront from Cape Fear Community College, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will take place at the CFCC Wilmington Campus on Water Street, between the Hilton and Coastline Convention Center, with free parking in the CFCC Parking Deck on Nutt Street. There are 10 judging categories plus special Simmons Sea Skiff and Classic Glass awards. Entry is $35 for amateur boats and $100 for a commercial manufactured vessel or vendor.
Sunday, May 31
‘Dear Evan Hansen’
Front Street Theater, 21 N. Front St. • Tickets up to $25.
The Tony Award-winning musical “Dear Evan Hansen” is being staged at Front Street Theater.
Produced by And Seen Theater and PTPT Studio, the story covers a high-school student who suffers from social anxiety and depression. In order to make friends, he concocts a tall tale about being besties with a dead classmate, who he didn’t know, but it eventually is revealed as untrue. The show, backed by a modern pop soundtrack, explores themes of connection, healing and forgiveness, with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and book by Steven Levenson.
This is the last weekend of the show, taking place from May 28 – 31, with tickets up to $25.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
B.A.D. Halfway to Thanksgiving Donation Drive — Businesses in the Brooklyn Arts District are coming together for a food drive for Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard. The community hub has become a resource for food-insecure families and individuals in the region, and while donations thrive during the holidays, the rest of the year often slows. This fundraiser attempts to bridge the gap with canned chicken, spaghetti sauce and noodles, canned vegetables and more nonperishable items accepted at Brooklyn Cafe, Avenue B, Commodore, Don Lucas, Flytrap and Kitchen Sink through June 6.
Titans Wilmington Symphonic Band — The Wilmington Symphonic Winds closes its 11th season with Julie Giroux’s “Titan (Symphony No. 7),” a large-scale and cinematic work, Jonathan Newman’s “Blow It Up, Start Again,” Michael Markowski’s “As Midnight on a Moonless Night,” Aaron Perrine’s “Only Light” and Katahj Copley’s “DOPE.” The music moves from reflection to hope to energetic celebration of confidence and individuality. Admission to the concert is free, though donations are accepted for future programming. Tickets are still required and available here.
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