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, Oct. 9
N.C. Symphony
Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St. • Tickets: $23 and up
The North Carolina Symphony is hosting Mendelssohn Violin Concerto at Wilson Center on Thursday evening.
Led by conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto, the concert will feature violin soloist Justin Bruns. The show will feature Haydn’s Symphony No. 49, “La Passione” (or Symphony No. 39 at select community residencies), Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto and Schumann’s Symphony No. 2.
Tickets to the show start at $23 here.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Trampled by Turtles — Performing at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, Trampled by Turtles will be bringing their popular bluegrass-influenced indie folk sounds to the stage. The group has released 10 studio albums, including 2025’s “Alan Sparhawk with Trampled by Turtles,” and has appeared at festivals from Coachella to Bonnaroo. Opening for the band will be The Last Reval. Tickets start at $53 here.
Morgan Wade and Susto — A Virginia native, Morgan Wade is returning to Wilmington, this time playing Bowstring Brewyard. Wade’s debut solo album “Reckless” in 2021 introduced listeners to her songwriting and raw emotional depth, earning widespread critical acclaim and a fiercely loyal fanbase. Since then, she has continued to expand her sound and storytelling with her albums “Psychopath,” “Obsessed,” and most recently “The Party Is Over (recovered).” Blending country, rock, and Americana influences, her music explores themes of addiction, mental health, resilience, and self-discovery with striking authenticity. Wade will release her fifth album, The Party Is Over, this year. Opening for her at Bowstring will be Charleston’s string band Susto; tickets are $35.
Friday, Oct. 9
Live and Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $53 and up
The music of living legend Paul McCartney, a solo artist in his own right and founding member of The Beatles, will take center stage at Thalian Hall on Friday night.
The critically-acclaimed show “Live and Let Die” features Tony Kishman, veteran of the Broadway smash hit musical “Beatlemania.” He also performs with the International Symphonic Beatles production, “Classical Mystery Tour.”
Kishman performs a multimedia concert that celebrates the music of McCartney, including hits like “Live and Let Die,” “Yesterday,” “Maybe I’m Amazed,” and “Silly Love Songs,” among others.
Tickets start at $53.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Jet 22 — The Sunset Live Music Series will feature Jet 22 Refueled at 10 Harnett St., taking place at the boatyard behind Marina Grill, in front of the Port City Marina docks. Formerly known as Jet 22 in the early 2000s, the band brought its high energy and modern rock and Southern influences to its music, even opening for Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Blue Öyster Cult. The group reformed in 2022 as Jet 22 Refueled and continues to honor late guitarist Walt Metts while welcoming Brook Ashman (formerly with Boyz II Men and The Clovers). Today, they deliver a dynamic blend of rock, country, blues in its lineup, featuring Rob McGee, Marion Eason, Dave Smith, Brook Ashman, and David Peterson. The show on Friday is free and the music begins at 6 p.m.
Whitney Cummings — Comedian Whitney Cummings, creator of “2 Broke Girls,” is doing a show a CFCC’s Wilson Center at 7 p.m. Cummings’ humor centers on modern relationships, family, self-esteem, sex, and gender dynamics. She’s done multiple standup specials, and in one quips: “When you’re in your 20s and you break up with someone, everyone is so proud of you: ‘Good, you don’t need him.’ When you break up with someone in your late 30s, people are like: ‘Are you sure?’” Tickets start at $32 here.
Saturday, Oct. 10
Fire in the Pines
Halyburton Park, 4099 S. 17th St. • Free
Returning to Halyburton Park is a family-fun event aimed at teaching the community about the importance of controlled burns, specifically in the longleaf pine ecosystems.
Fire in the Pines is an educational festival, showing how low-intensity fires help reduce fuel in forests and promote growth of varied plants, including Venus flytraps, indigenous to the area.
Saturday’s event, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will include a controlled burn, live music, food trucks, educational activities, demonstrations and more.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Crafts and Crystals Scare Faire — The Elks Lodge will is hosting a Crafts and Crystal Faire this weekend, just in time for the otherworldly season of spooks and haunts. There will be “spooky goods” and magical crystals, altar tools, teas, Tarot readings, crochet goods, candles, art, oddities and more, with costumes encouraged. There also will be food on site from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., including from Glizzie’s on the Go, serving hot dogs (vegan and turkey offered) and fried foods. The event takes place from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 5102 Oleander Dr. Admission is $5, with kids 12 and under for free.
DrumTrout’s Fall Festival — Local brewery DrumTrout will be having a fall festival, with pumpkin painting, face-painting, local vendors and makers (2 p.m. to 6 p.m.), food trucks like Gustu Peruano (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and Wasabi Wheels (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.). The brewery is located in the Pine Valley area, at 3710 S College Rd., Suite 143, and the event takes place starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Jordan Klepper — Another comedian is taking the Wilson Center stage this weekend. Jordan Klepper will share his insights, jokes and stories from the road about the people he’s encountered, and conspiracies he’s explored. Best known as the host and correspondent for “The Daily Show” and Emmy Award-winning Comedy Central specials, Keppler has taken topics like the gun safety debate, witnessed an insurrection, capsized a boat with pipeline protestors, interviewed a president, and more. He also has earned a Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in TV Political Journalism, and published essays on CBS Mornings and The Boston Globe. Tickets start at $64 here.
Sunday, Oct. 11
Indigo Girls
Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St. • Tickets: $55 and up
Grammy-winning folk rock duo Indigo Girls is performing at the Wilson Center and bringing along Songwriters Hall of Famer, Linda Perry, along with them.
From Atlanta, Indigo Girls have had a 35 year long career, releasing their first album in 1989, under the duo group name. The two are most known for their hit singles, “Closer to Fine,” “Galileo” and “Power of Two.” Since their debut, musicians Emily Saliers and Amy Ray have released 16 studio albums and sold over 15 million records. They received the Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Recording in 1990 and were nominated seven times.
Perry is the former frontrunner of the alternative rock band 4 Non Blondes and an award-winning singer, songwriter, musician, and producer. She released four studio albums during her solo career and has since produced and written music such as “Beautiful,” recorded by Christina Aguilera, and “Get the Party Started,” recorded by Pink. Perry was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Barricade Boys: Broadway Party — From the UK, The Barricade Boys consist of a group of performers founded by Scott Garnham and Simon Schofield, whose powerhouse vocals can be heard in classic theatrical numbers, from Les Misérables to Wicked, Mamma Mia to The Phantom of the Opera, and Jersey Boys. Tickets to the show are $53 to $79.
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