SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Li’l Friday is a weekly roundup of events in art, music, theater, comedy, pop-up markets 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, Sept. 12
The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Free
A Wilmington-filmed movie will be screened at historic Thalian Hall in the Ruth and Bucky Stein Theater on Thursday at 7 p.m. It’s hosted by the Black Arts Alliance and the North Carolina Black Film Festival. Doors will open at 6 p.m.
Starring Uzo Aduba (“Orange is the New Black”), Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“King Richard”) and Sanaa Lathan (“Love and Basketball”), the film follows three lifelong friends across three decades. Odette, Clarice and Barbara Jean move through teenage growing pains into adulthood and dealing with all of life’s sometimes messy encounters with family, career, health and self-doubt.
The movie is based on the 2013 New York Times best-selling novel by Chicago writer Edward Kelsey Moore and was directed by Tina Mabry (“Mississippi Damned,” “Pose”). It filmed in Wilmington in the fall of 2022 and utilized Rx Chicken and Oysters as its main hub, Earl’s diner.
A comedic melodrama, it debuted on Hulu on Aug. 23. The screening takes place for free.
MORE THURSDAY EVENTS
Dierks Bentley — Award-winning country artist Dierks Bentley will be at Live Oak Bank Pavilion this fall — a stop on his 31-city “Gravel and Gold” tour. Lee Brice and Tanner Usrey will open the show; Bentley released his 10th studio album in February 2023. The artist has had more than 6.4 billion streams and 20 top hits throughout his two-decade career. Lawn tickets start at $42.55.
Buffalo Trace Cigar Dinner — Ruth’s Chris Steak House on Water Street is hosting a four-course dinner highlighting various bourbons fromBuffalo Trace Distillery. It will start with an amuse bouche before moving on to pan-seared jumbo shrimp paired with bourbon beach breeze; porcini crusted Atlantic salmon paired with Eagle Rare; smoked pork belly paired with black cherry Old Fashioned; filet with rosemary-charred wild mushrooms, polenta fries, roasted pepper sauce, garlic sauteed broccolini, with Blanton’s Ruth’s Chris private label. It will be finished off in a chocolate coconut cake paired with coffee and tea. The price is $165 and the dinner starts at 6:30 p.m.
‘Persistence’ — Flytrap Brewing at 319 Walnut St. is hosting a new exhibit with local artist German Martinez. Martinez’s work has decorated the local art scene for years, and during Thursday’s reception the artist will be available for a meet-and-greet. “Persistence” consists of the self-taught artist’s figurative works of nature and other images; playing live music will be Hank Barbee and Eastside will have a food truck on site. The opening takes place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 13
Little Shop of Horrors
North Front Street Theater, 21 N. Front St. • Tickets: $20
The Broadway musical-turned-cult-classic-film “Little Shop of Horrors” combines doo-wap music with a sci-fi storyline, involving young love and a carnivorous-eating plant that threatens Skid Row.
The musical follows the love story of Seymour and Audrey, who work in Mr. Mushnik’s flower shop. Seymour, secretly in love with Audrey, begins taking care of a Venus flytrap, which he lovingly coins “Audrey II.” Meanwhile, Audrey is trying to leave an abusive relationship.
Seymour’s R&B-singing carnivorous plant gains attention for its antics, but eventually the story takes a dark turn. Audrey II can no longer survive from the blood of mere flies and becomes bloodthirsty for humans. Its monstrous growth has it aiming for world domination.
With music by Alan Menken — including the title track and songs like “Suddenly, Seymour” — the show was based on a 1960’s low-budget black comedy before becoming a mid-’80s hit starring Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Steve Martin, John Belushi and John Candy.
Wilmington Performing Arts is hosting the musical for the next two weekends at North Street Theater, with direction by Grace Hassell, choreography by Kalia Siu, and music direction by Hailey Meyer. Showtimes are 7 p.m., Sept. 12-14 and 19-21, as well as on Sept. 15 and 22 at 2 p.m.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Amos Gill — Dead Crow Comedy Room is welcoming Australian comedian Amos Gill, who divides his time between the states and across the pond. The 33-year-old comic is known in Aussie for hosting the Amos, Cat and Angus breakfast radio show for Australia’s biggest broadcaster Southern Cross Austereo, in 2018. He headed to the U.S. to break into comedy after topping lists in his home country, such as Best Emerging Comedian and People’s Choice at the 2013 Adelaide Fringe for his debut solo show, “You’ve Changed.” Since then, he has toured larger venues, including Sydney Opera House and Madison Square Garden, and has traveled globally with other comedians, such as Jim Jefferies. In a recent standup bit, he talks about moving to America: “It kinda feels like I got to a house party at 3 a.m. Everyone was like, ‘Dude, this place is going off,’ and then I got here and there are like police and it’s on fire and people are punching each other in the head. Some guy comes out and says, ‘You should’ve been here in the ‘90s, man!” Tickets to his show are $20 to $30.
JB Smoove — The North Carolina-born comedian is well-known for his comedy thanks to more than a decade on Larry David’s hit HBO series, “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” The series finale was in April and now Smoove is going back to standup. Port City Daily interviewed the comedian, available to read in full here, as his tour kicks off Friday night at Wilson Center. Tickets start at $35.
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe — Performing at Bowstring Burgers (1002 Princess St.), Karl Denson is bringing is jams — filled with rock, soul, funk and jazz — back to the Port City. The North Carolina-foudned jam band has been a staple of the music scene for 25 years, sharing the stage with the likes of James Brown and Dave Matthews Band, Lenny Kravitz and My Morning Jacket and The Grateful Dead. Tickets are $27.
“The Phony Awards” — Broadway’s Next Hit Musical presents an improvised awards show at UNCW’s Kenan Auditorium at 7:30 p.m., complete with plot twists, wit, and music. Master improvisers perform fake songs as suggested upon by the audience, who then vote and see in real time the performers transform the Phony Award-winning tunes into a musical. The show leans into spontaneity and sheer fun. Tickets are $35.
Saturday, Sept. 14
American Craft Walk
Downtown Wilmington • Free
An art festival will have various vendors lined up in downtown Wilmington this weekend, celebrating one-of-a-kind wares and unique works for sale by makers, crafters and artisans.
More than 120 artists will have booths set up on Front Street, between Orange and Walnut streets, as well as Princess Street between Front and Second. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is open to the public for free; a booth map can be found here.
Works include jewelry, ceramics, paintings, candles, crochet, culinary items and more — all individually priced, with proceeds going to the artists. See the participants here.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Wilmington Coffee Fest — Coffee roasters, unique coffee shops, tea suppliers, and all things coffee related are being celebrated from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. There will be samples, seminars and live music, plus participants can vote on their favorite roaster. A ticket includes a tote, Wilmington Coffee Fest espresso mug and free coffee samples; it takes place at Azalea Station in the Cargo District. The night before on Sept. 13, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., a Latte Art Throwdown will take place — baristas will compete for the best latte art champion. Azalea Station is located at 1502 Castle St. and tickets are $28 here.
CANCELED Feast of the Pirates — Belville will host a celebration for scallywags along its Riverwalk from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. It’s an all-day pirate adventure, free for family and friends, with live-action costumed storytellers and pirate-themed adventures along with pirate history and reenactments, pirate-themed merchants and craft vendors, food trucks, games, kids activities and more. Dress in your finest waistcoats and stockings! The event is being hosted by Wilmington Harbor Enhancement Trust (WHET), which promotes and supports awareness, history, activities and education along the Cape Fear River. The event takes place at 584 River Road SE.
Port City Jerry Day — Port City Jerry Day celebrates the music of the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia every year, with full proceeds benefiting area charities, via Reflections of Hope in support of the United Way of the Cape Fear Area. The event takes place at Bowstring Brewyard and will feature the Grateful Dead cover band Hyryder. Vendors also are set up at the event, selling their handmade wares, including jewelry, tie dye and more. Live painters and face-painting will be part of the event. Tickets are $10 and gates open at 5 p.m.
Curated on Castle — Taking place the second Saturday each March through November, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Curated on Castle is set up at Sixth and Castle streets. It features 20 independent vendors and nearby businesses, like Gravity Records and Jess James + Co. Clothing, records, home decor and more.It’s free to attend.
Sunday, Sept. 15
Melissa Etheridge
Wilson Center, 711 N. Third St. • Tickets start at $50
Melissa Etheridge is returning to Cape Fear Community College’s 1,500-seat venue on Sept. 15, as part of her I’m Not Broken Tour.
Known for songs like “Come to My Window,” “I’m the Only One,” “Bring Me Some Water,” “No Souvenirs,” and “Ain’t It Heavy,” the Grammy winner has continuously written and performed original music in her four-decade career. She has released 16 studio albums, the last in 2021 with“One Way Out,” and has received accolades and nominations galore from GLAAD, Billboard, and the Oscars.
Etheridge also started the Etheridge Foundation in 2020 to support scientific research for new treatments in opioid use disorder. It began after her son, Beckett, passed away from opioid addiction. The nonprofit approaches treatment to address root causes of opioid abuse for better solutions that can heal opioid use disorder.
Tickets start at $50 here.
Bonus Event: Monday, Sept. 16
Port City Taste
25 restaurants • Burgers individually priced
If you love the all-American handheld, we have the event just for you!
It’s Port City Taste Burger Week, which means 25 local restaurants are showcasing their chops in the kitchen and putting out some of their most creative concoctions for a limited time only. Green hatch chili, kimchi, eggs, applewood smoked bacon, doughnuts, bacon onion jam, bourbon glaze, mac and cheese, and jalapeño-blackberry jam are only a few interesting toppings you’ll find on upward of 30 various burgers offered through the weekend.
Plus, you can vote on the Burger Week Champion by texting your fave burger to 910-332-0983 — votes must be in by Sunday, Sept. 22nd, the last day of Burger Week.
Check out all participants and menus here.
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