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. 20
West Side Story
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $36-$41
Closing out the Opera House Theater Company season, “West Side Story,” will be staged at Thalian Hall, directed by Shane Fernando. The story retells Shakesperare’s “Romeo and Juliet” via Leonard Bernstein’s score and Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics.
Locally, the show stars Valery Saenz Rodriguez as Maria and Jakob Gruntfest as Tony. Famed numbers like “Tonight,” “Maria,” and “I Feel Pretty” come to life through choreography by Carson Rudisill Hobbs and music direction from Stephen Field.
“West Side Story” runs through Aug. 23, Thursday through Sunday only, and tickets are $36 to $41.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Slightly Stoopid — Slightly Stoopid is returning to Live Oak Bank Pavilion on Thursday as part of its Road Trippin’ Tour. The California-based band plays an amalgamation of rock, folk, reggae, and blues with hip-hop, funk, metal and punk. The band has released 13 albums and was originally signed by Sublime’s Bradley Nowell in the early ’90s. The Elovators and DENM also are on the bill as part of their tour. Tickets start at $56 here.
Far From France Dinner and Movie — The Pointe’s French restaurant, Far From France, is hosting dinner and a movie for $45. Screening Thursday will be a 2023 French comedy “Nouveau Départ (New Beginnings),” which centers on a long-married couple trying to reignite their spark after decades together. A three-course dinner will be served as well, featuring three options to choose from per course — French onion soup starter, chicken Cordon Bleu entree, and chocolate mousse for dessert, for example. The full menu can be accessed here, which also includes a vegetarian option. Far From France is located at 1474 Barclay Pointe Blvd #201.
Friday, Aug. 21
Maddy Kelly
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 511 N. Third St.
Tickets: $24 and up
Canadian-born, but New York-based, standup comedian Maddy Kelly will tour through Wilmington this weekend, performing four shows at Dead Crow Comedy Room.
Kelly is headlining across the U.S.’s comedy club circuit and has been featured on Netflix is a Joke Festival and “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.” She won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Writing in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Program for her work on “Check This Out.”
She often quips about being reared by an Irish father and Indian mother, which will be heard on her debut album, “Classic Standup Comedian,” out Aug. 14.
“I kind of identify with the Irish side more,” she says in one bit. “It’s just, for an Indian, I’m not very successful. You guys are like, ‘Oh, no — you have this special.’ Indian people don’t prize standup comedy. … But for an Irish person, I’m kinda killing it. Yeah, kinda one of the more put-together Irish people.”
Dead Crow will host Kelly on Aug. 21 and 22, with shows at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and tickets costing $24 to $36.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Joe’s Bucket Bash — A benefit concert to raise funds for individuals and families navigating cancer is taking place at The Bend in Ogden. The concert will feature Nashville country artist Scoot Teasley and opening act Port City Rockers. Hosted by Hope Abounds, Joe’s Bucket Bash is a multi-day charity event that brings together community for live entertainment, raffles, and a competitive volleyball tournament at Capt’n Bills Backyard Grill on Saturday, starting at 10:30 a.m. However, the night before at the kickoff concert, Wilmington native Brian Russell Collins — a cancer survivor and nonprofit advocate — will be behind the drumkit during Teasley’s show. Tickets to the concert are $25 ahead of time or $30 at the gate, with children aged 5 and younger are free. Raffle tickets to win varied items from local businesses also will be sold at the weekend events for $10 and $20 to benefit Hope Abounds.
‘The Explorers Club’ — Big Dawg Theater Company is bringing adventure to Thalian Hall’s Ruth and Bucky Stein Theater for one final weekend of “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. 20-23, with Thursday through Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m.
U.S.S Battleship Ghost Hunt and Tour — The downtown Wilmington attraction welcomes visitors to spend an eerie evening investigating paranormal activities aboard the Battleship. It’s been listed as one of the most haunted battleships and featured in “Ghost Hunters.” Admission includes a daytime tour, plus VIP access to off-limit areas, snacks and refreshments, and use of paranormal equipment. Tickets are $149 here and the paranormal activity takes place from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 22
Great Southeast Pollinator Count
New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Dr. • Free
The Great Southeast Pollinator Count takes place this weekend and the New Hanover County Arboretum is welcoming the public’s participation.
Essentially a citizen science project, the event is managed by the N.C. Cooperative Extensions and takes place Aug. 20 and 21. Volunteers observe a flowering plant for 15 minutes and tally visiting insects.
From 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, the Arboretum is welcoming the community to learn how to identify common pollinators with master gardener volunteers. Folks will be able to select a flowering plant on the grounds and observe it for 15 minutes, tally each pollinator that lands and submit data online to contribute to regional pollinator research.
The Arboretum will provide official data sheets, insect identification guides and basic training, shaded seating and hydration stations, and free pollinator-friendly seeds while supplies last.
Families can reserve a spot here.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Fake Happy: A Tribute to Paramore — Tribute will be paid to Paramore, the American alt-rock and pop-punk band from Franklin, Tennessee, that charted in the early aughts with hits like “Misery Business,” “Ain’t It Fun” and “Still Into You.” Fake Happy, named after the band’s 2017 emotional confession, is performing at The Eagle’s Dare at Third and Red Cross streets on Aug. 22; Internal Shadow To Begin Anew will also perform, with doors at 7 p.m. and doors at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 to $30 here.
Jordan Davis — Country singer Jordan Davis is back at Wilmington’s Live Oak Bank Pavilion in support of his 2025 release, “Learn the Hard Way.” The singer of “Bar None” — which hit the top of the country airwave charts from the 2025 release — has already scored multiple wins, with CMA’s 2023 song of the year for “Buy Dirt” with Luke Bryan. He blends country, hip-hop and pop since his 2018 debut “Home State” and 2023’s “Bluebird Days.” He’s also been nominated for artist of the year from the American Country Music awards, and scored recognition from Billboard and iHeart Radio awards. Tickets start at $35 here.
The Stews — The Stews, who formed out of Auburn University, is returning to Greenfield Lake Amphitheater with their electric, energetic rock show. The band debuted with the album “What Was” in April 2022 and released a four-song EP, “Lately/How It Ends,” recently. It was followed up with a full LP, “Chicken Fight,” a combination of country, punk and blues. Their single “Make It Out” continues to make waves, earning over 4 million streams on Spotify, and radio play nationwide. Tickets are $37 here.
Whomparama and The Phantom Playboys — Coming to Carolina Beach on Saturday is the 15th annual Whomporama Intergalactic Bodysurf Championship at Hamlet Avenue Beach Access. Everyone is welcome to enter at their own risk, with sign up at 7 a.m. and the contest starting at 8 a.m.; all proceeds benefit Ain’t Dead Yet Art and Social Club. After the competition, Wilmington’s favorite ska-turned-Rockabilly outfit, The Phantom Playboys, will amplify Sandspur, 103 Lake Park Blvd S., at 6:30 p.m. The group is known to bring the party with high energy and raw fun every time they take the stage.
Cape Fear Museum Grand Opening Soiree and Gala — The new museum opened in the downtown Grace Street block on Tuesday, after more than a decade planning its new digs and exhibits. Now to celebrate, a formal gala and soiree will christen its relaunch, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the museum, featuring signature cocktails and curated bites by Pine Valley Market. The evening will also include live music, planetarium stargazing, flowers by the Cape Fear Garden Club, and an interactive photo booth. Tickets are $125, available to ages 21 and up. Read all about the Cape Fear Museum and see photos from its opening in PCD’s coverage here.
Sunday, Aug. 23
Enchanted Grove Expo
Elks Lodge, 5102 Oleander Dr. • Admission $10-$70
Spend the weekend surrounded by plants, crystals, small businesses, makers, food, and all magical little things that make life fun.
Enchanted Grove Expo will take place Aug. 22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Aug. 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than two dozen vendors will be on site, including Frandaddy LongLegs, Chloe’s Greenhouse, Fickle Farms, Firefly Crystals, Alter Fates, Emma’s Trinkets and Treasures and more.
Also open throughout the weekend will be the Botanical Coffee Bar, A&M Food Truck and Kimchi Taco Food Truck. There also will be a succulent picture frame class on the 23 at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Learn more here.
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