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, March 19
Scotopia
Jengos’ Playhouse, 815 Princess St. • Tickets: $12-$25
Mouths of Babe, a local theater company exploring contemporary, engaging narratives on modern social issues, is returning with its annual Scotopia Play Festival through March 22, at Thalian Hall’s Ruth and Bucky Stein Theater and Jengo’s Playhouse.
A variety of plays, workshops, solo performers, and musical performances are on deck. On Thursday, Mary McCullum’s “Rabbit! Rabbit! Rabbit!” will take place at 7 p.m., opening with music from Sheme of Gold.
Friday will include Chloe Mason’s “Cornelia: Confessions from a Cage,” with a karaoke party following and including a live band. But if you can’t catch Mason’s show on Friday, there will be a reprise on Saturday, 2 p.m.
There is also a NC Play Workshop Series planned for Sunday and MoB’s very own “Oak Grove” taking place that night.
MoB’s Scotopia aims to highlight fresh voices and seasoned artists to provide “risk-taking theater” that bolsters creativity and prompts audiences to contemplate and foster deeper community connection.
All shows this weekend are at Thalian Hall, with tickets and the schedule here.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Shenandoah — With a sound defining the golden era of ’90s country, Shenandoah is taking the Wilson Center stage Thursday. This group has churned out many Grammy, Country Music and American Music Award-winning hits like “Two Dozen Roses,” “Church on Cumberland Road,” and “I Want to Be Loved Like That.” The band recently reimagined some of their songs, including “Two Dozen Roses” with modern country star Luke Combs, and “Sunday in the South” featuring Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan. Both soared to the top spot on the iTunes all-genre chart. Shenandoah tickets are priced $61 to $99 here.
Pleasure Island Restaurant Week — Pleasure Island Restaurant Week kicked off last weekend and continues through March 21. Two dozen eateries and drinkeries on the island offer specials for one week only. See them all here, including Michael’s Seafood, The Tropical, Malama Cafe, Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar, K-38 and more. Also, be sure to download the app to participate in the Top Taster Digital Bingo Card; every three check-ins at a participating restaurant lands the diner one entry to win the Top Taster $500 price package.
Friday, March 20
Uptilt Film Festival
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $30-$110
Wilmington’s short film festival features films written and directed by women and gender-nonconforming creators. UpTilt Film Festival is celebrating 10 years as part of its March 20-22 run at historic Thalian Hall.
The 2026 event features 58 short films from 10 countries, reflecting the power, diversity, and creativity of storytellers from around the globe. A 15-minute short, “Paranoia,” from UK creator Alina Bichieva centers on a promising first date, as a young woman disregards her usual paranoia and lets a charming stranger sleep on her couch. “My Favorite Murderer,” directed by Tina Carbone, follows a woman obsessed with true crime who finds her perfect match.
In addition to film screenings, other events include scholarship awards, a filmmaker brunch for the film community, and several social and networking events.
Tickets to the festival can be purchased here.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Aly and AJ — The Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College will welcome Aly & AJ, an indie-pop sister duo behind hits like “Potential Breakup Song” and “Places to Run.” Audiences can expect a mix of nostalgia and new material from their latest album, “Silver Deliverer,” featuring popular songs like “What It Feels Like” and “Next To Nothing.” Tickets start at $27 here.
Shuler King — The comedian was supposed to perform Jan. 30 but snow blanketed the region canceling many events. King returns to Dead Crow this weekend to make up for lost time. A Sumter, South Carolina, native, 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 a recurring cast member on “Wild ‘N Out” and appeared as a contestant on “America’s Got Talent.” Shuler has gained a large following on social media and 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.
‘Chicago: Teen Edition’ — The famed Kander and Ebb show, with choreography by the indomitable Bob Fosse, will come to life by Cape Fear Academy theater students for one weekend only. Yes, we’re talking “Chicago” — or, in this instance, “Chicago: Teen Edition.” The musical’s jazz-infused score features classics like “All That Jazz,” “Cell Block Tango,” “Mr. Cellophane,” and more. The story follows murderess Roxie Hart, who is sentenced for killing her lover, but comes head-to-head behind bars with the famed vaudevillian and nightclub star Velma Kelly. The two battle it out for fame and happen to share the same lawyer Billy Flynn, also battling it out for his attention amid the spotlight. Tickets are $26 and the show runs March 20-22.
Saturday, March 21
Neighbors for Nature: CAM Community Day
Cameron Art Museum, 3201 Independence Blvd. • Free
Cameron Art Museum Community Day welcomes the public to explore the campus for free, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be hands-on art projects and interactive learning, plant walks, and a live music performance by kids from the School of Rock.
The focus of Saturday’s Community Day is “Neighbors for Nature.” CAM is welcoming environmental organizations to the grounds to showcase their impact on the community — including Airlie Gardens, North Carolina Native Plant Society, Plastic Ocean Project, Alliance for Cape Fear Trees, Cape Fear Going Green, and New Hanover County Soil and Water, among others. Each will provide resources about their work but also participate in interactive collaborations bridging nature and art.
Also the opening of “Best Foot Forward” will take place, allowing the public to see the artwork by New Hanover County K–12 students. The exhibits on display at CAM are open during Community Day, too. Learn more here.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Forest of Dreams 10 Year Reunion — Celebrating 10 years, the Forest of Dreams mural will be touched up and repaired by the community Saturday. The mural came to life in front of Dreams Center for Arts Education in 2016, when 600 community members from 75 organizations joined together to paint the largest wall in Wilmington, spanning over 240 feet. On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be food, fun and painting, with participants able to add their own little forest creation to the mural. Anyone is welcome.
‘Stay in Your Light Album’ Release — Local musician Sean Thomas Gerard is releasing his third studio album, “Stay in Your Light,” at Bourgie Nights, 7 p.m. Recording with Fort Lowell Records and backed by the local indie rock band Summer Set, “Stay in Your Light” features eight tracks of indie pop, exploring family life and being a dad. Gerard has performed in Onward, Soldiers and solo, and currently books shows for Bourgie Nights, in addition to recording and performing. Tracy Shedd will open the show for the evening. Gerard’s release is available here and general admission tickets to the show are $10 here.
Dram Tree Spring Fest —Dram Tree Tavern at 1806 Washington St. is having an all-day music jam, featuring five bands. Starting at 2 p.m., the music begins, featuring Infinity Fortress, M60, Rayn Henry & Bastards, Jointbreak and Manifest Perdition. Doors are at 1 p.m. and there is $10 admission; the show is all-ages and pet-friendly.
Island Men Mac and Cheese Festival — The Island Men’s annual food festival draws upward of 1,000 people to Good Hops Brewing on Dow Road. More than 40 types of mac and cheese will be served to the public, who then vote on the best, with the winner taking home cash prizes and the Golden Noodle award. It takes place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., with community members and restaurants vying for the top spot. Money raised from the $10 admission goes toward helping community civic programs and nonprofits assisting youth education and sports, food insecurities and those with disabilities. Read PCD’s previous coverage here.
Wilmington Dark History Tour — The history lover’s alternative to a ghost tour can be enjoyed Saturday from 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. with a Wilmington Dark History Tour. The event delves into the sometimes seedy tales of Wilmington’s past, such as when pirates plied the local waters or wartime tales, including one involving a Confederate spy and her unusual death while running a blockade. The tour is three-quarters of a mile, so wear comfortable shoes. Tickets are $22 and up here.
Sunday, March 22
Mini Golf Fundraiser for Ocean Cure
1360 Bridge Barrier Road • Cost: $12-$15
Mini golf and beach accessibility — both are coming together for a day of fun on Carolina Beach.
Surf’s Up Mini Golf is hosting a fundraiser for Ocean Cure — a nonprofit helping make Pleasure Island beaches more accessible with beach mats, wheelchairs and adaptive surfing programs. The mini golf course is donating 100% of its proceeds from Sunday’s games to Ocean Cure; the nonprofit has a $5,000 goal to help boost the program into the summer season.
Surf’s Up Mini Golf opened last year in Carolina Beach, with an “old-school surfing vibe” making up its 18-hole course, featuring attractions like a 2-foot waterfall and 15-foot animatronic octopus, KiKi the Kraken, whose tentacles are motorized, and 5-foot sea turtle. The owner told PCD at the time, his goal was to also become a community partner to nonprofits on the island.
The course is located at 1360 Bridge Barrier Road, with pricing for adults at $15 and kids, $12.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
End of Season Oyster Roast — Oyster season’s end is closing in and Wrightsville Beach Brewery is planning a final roast of the year. Taking place Sunday, March 22, at noon, admission is free with food and drinks available for purchase. There will be live music from Josh Lewis from from noon to 12:30 p.m. and Brown Dirt Cowboys from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
NC Symphony: Beethoven Emperor Piano Concerto — The North Carolina Symphony is performing Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor” as well as Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra. It will be conducted by Carlos Miguel Prieto, with Anne-Marie McDermott on piano. The show takes place at the Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St. Tickets are $21-$64.
Abstracts, Florals and Still Lifes — TheArtWorks in South Front District is opening a new exhibition from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 200 Willard St. “Abstracts, Florals & Still Lifes” will celebrate color, form, and timeless beauty. TheArtworks features more than 50 artists in its multi-faceted studio space and the opening of the exhibit will give the public a chance to meet the makers up close and personally.
End of the Line: Tribute to the Allman Brothers Band — Southern rock icons Allman Brothers will be highlighted at Bowstring Brewyard this weekend, as End of the Line takes the stage. The tribute band is celebrating 55 years of Allman Brothers music, particularly the release of their live double album, “At Fillmore East.” The group will perform the album in full, including well-known rock tracks like “Statesboro Blues,” “Whipping Post,” “Melissa,” “Midnight Rider,” and “Ramblin’ Man” to life. End of the Line has even received endorsement by Allman Brothers members; tickets to their show are available for $20 here.
Lazy Day Farm Spring Fling — Waterline Brewing will have an all-day gathering Sunday featuring a live petting zoo, mechanical bull, vendors, food trucks and live music. T’Geauz Boys will be serving New Orleans food from noon to 5 p.m. and local musician Mark Herbert will perform from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Plus an art show will take place featuring Eric Motz from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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