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.
With a winter storm moving through the region this weekend, check back in case any event below has been canceled; PCD will update as changes roll in.
Thursday, Jan. 29
CFCC International Film Festival
Cape Fear Community College Union Station Aud. U-170, 502 N. Front St. • Free
Welcoming upward of 250 people annually, the CFCC International Film Festival turns 12 this year. It kicked off Tuesday and features nine films, including six French, two Spanish and an American Sign Language flick, through Feb. 4. All screenings are free and open to the public, without tickets required.
On Jan. 29. “Dahomey” will screen at 11 a.m. — a dramatized documentary by Mati Diop about the return of 26 royal artifacts, stolen by French colonial troops, from Paris museums back to the Republic of Benin. The doc looks at colonialism, cultural identity, ownership, and the complex politics of repatriation through the perspectives of Benin’s youth and the artifacts on their journey home, questioning how a nation rebuilds history without the stolen pieces.
To see the full lineup, click here.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Encore: A Culture of Connection — Wilmington’s alternative weekly for 35 years is returning to print after a five-year hiatus. Encore magazine was Wilmington’s premier arts and culture publication and shuttered in 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s relaunching from former staff editor Shannon Gentry as a nonprofit, not only focused on covering arts and culture in the area but also supporting community storytelling through the arts. A fundraiser is being held Thursday at Thalian Hall, to include local vendors, food, drinks, and performances by comedic hosts Pineapple Shaped Lamps, tunes by DJ Rizzy Beats and local band Gin Fizz, plus the official print release of encore. The publication will come out quarterly, though its online content is released online weekly; read more about it from PCD here. Tickets are $50.
Free Beginner Swing Dance Lessons — Cape Fear Swing Dance Society is hosting beginner lessons at the Historic USO/Community Arts Center at the corner of Second and Orange streets downtown. The class is one-hour and thereafter will be an hour of social dancing. It’s $10, with classes instructed by Micah and Dana.
Family Feud — Waterline Brewing hosts game night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. featuring one of America’s favorite pastimes — ”Family Feud.” Grab a drink, gather a team and take a jab at what the “survey says,” testing how well you know the most popular answers.
Friday, Jan. 30
Shuler King
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 511 N. Third St. • Tickets: $30-$42
A Sumter, South Carolina, native is performing his standup this weekend at Dead Crow Comedy Room. Shuler King is an entertainer, who also works for the family business as a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Georgia and South Carolina.
He’s been a recurring cast member on “Wild ‘N Out” and appearing as a contestant on “America’s Got Talent,” the high-energy comedian has gained a large following on social media. Shuler often posts thoughts about Donald Trump, some of which have gone viral.
“I know a lot of people don’t like Donald Trump as a person,” he said in a recent post. “I don’t like him or dislike him, but I’m going to tell you: he does stuff that I don’t like and then turn around and do stuff I do like … listen, I know [flipping the bird and saying ‘eff you’] is unpresidential like … but this is the most ninjified thing you can do as a president. Imagine you go to your job and they’re like the president is coming and there is always someone at your job you don’t like ‘cause they act like they the boss. … Imagine the president comes to the job and they say some sideways stuff to the president and the president flips them off. I’d laugh my ass off, but that’s just me.”
King performs for three days — one Thursday show, and two shows each on both Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $30 to $42 here.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Antique and Vintage Market — The Elks Lodge on Oleander Drive is hosting a weekend treasure hunt featuring antique and vintage finds from varied vendors. The event takes place all weekend long, starting Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and continuing Saturday with the same hours; it wraps Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10.
Benny Hill Quartet — The ninth annual Benny Hill Fundraising Concert to support CFCC’s Music Program takes place at Wilson Center at 7:30 p.m. Benny Hill teaches at the school and is a staple saxophonist on Wilmington’s music scene. Benny Hill Quartet — with Hill joined by Brad Merritt on piano, Jon Hill on drums, and Doug Irving on bass — will feature the music of jazz legend John Coltrane and Hill’s original compositions. All proceeds benefit the music program and provide financial support for students including purchase of instruments. It’s a free ticketed event though cabaret seating with a dessert and drink service in the pit is available for $75. Donations are encouraged.
Saturday, Jan. 31
UNCW Intercultural Festival
UNCW Burney Center • Free
UNCW has more than 900 international students represented from over 80 countries annually. As such, the university hosts its Intercultural Festival (iFest) to celebrate all backgrounds and ethnicities.
Saturday’s iFest takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Burney Center on campus and features music and dance, food, art and informational booths representing countries by the university’s international students and community cultural organizations.
Annually, the event draws in 500 attendees and is free to attend. Parking is available in the Visitor Lot next to Fisher Field House.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Zombie Room Macabre Dance — A macabre evening of dance is planned at Eagle’s Dare (corner of Third and Red Cross streets), with DJ Price turning out dark tunes from the Goth-Industrial scene that emerged in the late ‘80s, early ‘90s. Post-punk, synthpop and EBM will be played and it’s a $10 admission, with the dance floor opening from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Jim Nelson and Nick Loeber — A Wilmington singer-songwriter and founding member of The Rhythm Bones, Nelson will perform at 2 Castle St.’s Live at Ted’s at 8 p.m. A piano player, Nelson is influenced by his Cajun roots in Louisiana, including Zydeco, blues and country. He has a new release on the way and will be joined by Nick Loeber. Tickets are $12 here.
Great Gatsby Party — After being canceled last weekend due to weather, Wilmington’s premier speakeasy bar, The Blind Elephant, is celebrating the Roaring Twenties this weekend with its annual Great Gatsby Party. There will be live music, a burlesque dancer, free samples of delicious beverages and more. Doll up in your fanciest 1920s attire and strut down the red carpet as Blind Elephant celebrates 12 years of crafting cocktails and memories at 21 N. Front St.
Sunday, Feb. 1
Floating Lantern Ceremony
Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St. • Free
After being rescheduled from Jan. 11, CAM is hosting its Floating Lantern Ceremony at the pond on the museum’s campus. Activities take place from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., culminating in launching floating lanterns in the museum’s Reflection Pond, allowing visitors to reflect, remember loved ones and engage in hope and gratitude.
Participants are invited to purchase sleeves for $20 and create a lantern that honors a loved one or celebrates new hopes and dreams for the new year or expresses peace. Supplies will be available in the Pancoe Learning Center and food and hot chocolate will be sold.
There also will be live music all day, such as from Cape Fear Academy Jazz Ensemble and The Youth Choir of Wilmington, Royce Williams, Josh Yoush and Perry Smith, and Dara Kahkonen.
The museum will be open with all exhibitions available to tour through with $5 admission for adults and children 12 and older; free for youth under 12.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
‘Little Women the Musical’ — The famed Louisa May Alcott novel “Little Women” is coming to life as a musical at the Community Arts Center through Feb. 1. Produced by Thalian Association Community Theater’s youth program, the story follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March growing up in Civil War America. The show unfolds with details from their daily lives — Jo wants to be a writer, Amy a famous artist or painter — in Concord, Massachusetts, as their father is serving as a Union Army chaplain during the war. Some of Jo’s short stories come to life as part of the vignettes. The musical debuted on Broadway in 2005 and ran for 137 performances, and was nominated in 2005 for Tony, Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk awards. The musical features music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, and book by Allan Knee. Tickets to the Thalian Association youth musical are $18 here; showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. on Sunday for the next two weekends. It takes place at Historic USO/Community Arts Center, 120 S. Second St.
Weekly Sunday Jazz Jam — Jay Killman, who plays in local jazz ensembles, with fusion bands and hip-hop groups, is hosting a jazz jam at Fermental from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Joining Killman are Jon Hill and Gabrielle Sánchez, as they welcome all levels of performers — students, professionals, and beginners. Just bring your instrument and your ear to join the sesh. Fermental is located at 600 S. 17th St.
Comedy Night at Pie’s On — Laughs and pies are on the menu as part of Comedy Night at Pie’s On in Anderson Square (4107 Oleander Dr.). The pizzeria has a $45 ticket that includes a three-course meal (appetizer, pizza, and dessert) plus two drink tickets, followed by 90 minutes of stand-up comedy. This week’s lineup includes Dan Frigolette (HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”), Lily Lester (“Newcomers at the Bellhouse” showcase), Blake Connolly (winner of Charlotte’s Funniest) and Wolfgang Gohlke (best known on Wilmington’s scene). Dinner service begins at 5 p.m., followed by the show at 6 p.m.
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