WILMINGTON — Li’l Friday features dozens of ways for people to enjoy the weekend via theater, music, art, culinary happenings and more.
All events below 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. 13
Brit Floyd
Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St. • Tickets: $40 and up
A world-renowned Pink Floyd tribute band has launched its 2026 “The Moon, The Wall and Beyond” tour and will head to the Cape Fear Community College’s Wilson Center.
Brit Floyd spans a 25-year career, playing more than 1,500 sows in 40 countries. The band takes on, note-for-note, renditions of Pink Floyd’s music. Both concerts will feature fan favorites from “Wish You Were Here,” “The Division Bell,” and more. The concert is accompanied by a state-of-the-art light show, with lasers, video projections, inflatables, and theatrical staging,.
The band is performing a two-night run locally, both Thursday and Friday nights. Tickets are available at WilsonCenterTickets.com.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
‘West Side Story’ — Closing out the Opera House Theater Company season, “West Side Story,” will be staged at Thalian Hall, directed by Shane Fernando. Music direction will be handled by Brian Whitted, with choreography by Carson Hobb. The story retells Shakesperare’s “Romeo and Juliet” with Leonard Bernstein’s groundbreaking score and Jerome Robbins-inspired dance choreography. Event dates are Aug. 13 through 23, Thursday through Sunday only, and tickets are $36 to $41.
‘The Explorers Club’ — Big Dawg Theater Company is bringing adventure to Thalian Hall’s Ruth and Bucky Stein Theater for the next two weekends in “The Explorers Club.” The show takes place in 1879 London as the acting president of the all-male prestigious explorers club wants to admit a woman — a brilliant and beautiful female, who has discovered a legendary lost city. The play is fast-paced farce, written by Nell Benjamin (“Legally Blonde,” “Mean Girls” co-writer). Tickets are $32 here and the show will be staged Aug. 13-16 and 20-23, with Thursday through Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 14
Derrick Stroup
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 511 N. Third St. • Tickets: $42-$52
An Alabama native, whose love for the Waffle House makes its way to his standup, is coming through Wilmington this weekend. Already one of Derrick Stroup’s four shows has sold out.
Stroup delivers with the pacing of an angry auctioneer, each show delivering over-the-top energy. Stroup debuted his Netflix special, “Nostalgic,” premiered globally in March and was in the Top 10 U.S. shows. On it, he delves into being a 1990s kid in the rural South.
From partying with friends to board games and parental relationships, Stroup packs his rapid-fire storytelling with sharp observations and high energy that keeps audiences locked in from start to finish. Nostalgic was filmed at the Lyric Theatre in his home state of Alabama.
Stroup has been on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and tours nationwide, including alongside headliners Bert Kreischer, Larry the Cable Guy, John Crist, and Nate Bargatze. He appeared on Bargatze’s Christmas special co-produced by Lorne Michaels and also appeared in the recently released “The Breadwinner,” co-written by Bargatze and directed by Eric Appel.
His Dead Crow tickets are priced $42 to $52; it’s one of the final gigs before Stroupe begins his first-ever theater tour in September.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Blakeslee Concert Series — Taking place the second and fourth Friday of the month through September, Kure Beach’s free concert psoriasis hosted at Blakeslee Air Force Recreation Area, 118 Riverfront Rd. This week Joe Kopple & Wild East Band will perform high-energy country and Southern rock. City BBQ will be on site with the food truck as well; chairs and blankets are welcome to the show.
Saturday, Aug. 15
Leann Rimes
Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St. • Tickets: $47 and up
After being postponed earlier this spring, country artist Leann Rimes is coming to Wilson Center on Saturday evening.
The musician is best know for her early aughts hits “I Need You,” “Can’t Fight the Moonlight,” and “How Do I Live.” Rimes has scored two Grammy Awards, including her earliest in 1997 for “Blue,” multiple ACM and CMA awards, and a dozen Billboard music awards.
Rimes has had over 40 hits on the charts and sold more than 48 million records worldwide.
Tickets to her show start at $47.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Groovestock — Marking 57 years since Woodstock, Groovestock vendor market is planned at Waterline Brewing Company on Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. There will be flower-powered Grooveline THC beverages, The Cannabus will be parked, plus food trucks Smash N Dash and Well Fed Ed. Come dressed in tie-dye and jam to Possum Casserole from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Plus, there will be a Jimi Hendrix inspired National Anthem performance by Bradford Dawson. Waterline is located at 721 Surry St.
Back to School Block Party — New Hanover High School is having a Back to School Block Party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Brogdon Hall. There will be free book bags with school supplies, free haircuts from Great Clips, free hot dogs, community resources and free groceries from NourishNC, plus more. Trinity United Methodist Church is hosting the event at 1307 Market St.
Wilmington Paintball Fest — If bringing a better aim to your paintball game or learning the ropes as a beginner paintballer appeals to you, then Wilmington Paintball Fest takes place at Crossfire Wilmington. The event is designed to help improve skills, meet other players, and experience paintball’s exciting sport. There will be organized games, skills challenges, beginner-friendly instruction, and opportunities to play alongside experienced athletes throughout the day. It’s a $5 entry fee from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with open registration to all; free entry for paintball clinic participants.
John Shain and FJ Ventre — Live at Ted’s is hosting a concert at 8 p.m. from John Shain and FJ Ventre, both from Durham, N.C. Shain is a veteran singer-songwriter combining Piedmont blues with bluegrass, swing and ragtime. He’s released nine solo albums to date, along with two albums with duo partner FJ Ventre. Shain also authored music books “Gettin’ Handy With the Blues – a Tribute to the Legacy of W.C. Handy” and “Jon Shain’s Fingerstyle Guitar Method,” published by Mel Bay Publications. He’s won the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, too, in the solo/duo category and has performed with musicians like David Grisman, Tony Rice Unit, Hot Tuna, and opened for John Hiatt, Keb’ Mo’, Little Feat, and others. Ventre has performed with his own group The Swang Brothers, as well as with Chris Stamey, Wes Collins, Huzzah, and a who’s who of NC music groups. In addition to being a sought-after bassist, Ventre spends his time behind the mixing board, producing and engineering at his own Good Luck Studio as well as writing his own songs. Tickets to the show are $22 here.
‘Fresh Air: Inflatables’ — If you haven’t made it to Cameron Art Museum to see its latest exhibit “Fresh Air: Inflatables,” take your little ones on Saturday for a special Kids at CAM event. Renowned pop icon Andy Warhol’s “Silver Clouds” is on display and allows visitors to interact with the silver mylar pillows that flit about the gallery. The children’s event explores how air, movement, color, and form bring art to life, with hands-on activities, including balloon animals, balloon painting, pinwheels, and more. Plus there will be tours of the exhibits at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., as also on display are Nick Cave’s “Augment” — a playful installation of fused-together holiday inflatables — as well as Japanese sculptor Momoyo Torimitsu and Jerusalem-born artist Tamar Zohara Ettun’s works. Altogether, the varied artwork offers viewers a look at consumer culture, environment, the relationship between body and space, and resilience. The work is on display through early September and exhibition tickets are $6 to $17 here.
Sunday, Aug. 16
Robert Earl Keen
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, 1941 Amphitheater Dr. • Tickets: $82
Texas country singer and songwriter Robert Earl Keen is coming through Greenfield Lake Amphitheater.
The musician is well-known for his narrative storytelling, witty folk humor, and cult anthems like “The Road Goes on Forever” and “Merry Christmas from the Family.”
Keen has topped the Billboard charts including in the top spot in 2015 for “Happy Prisoner: The Bluegrass Sessions” on the Top Bluegrass Albums chart.
Tickets to his show are sold out but verified resales start at $82.
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