SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Li’l Friday features more than a dozen ways 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, Feb. 27
Port City Taste Restaurant Week
Various restaurants across town • Prix-fixe menus: $20, $35, $50
Port City Taste is in full effect and lasts through Sunday, March 2. Diners can take advantage of various prix-fixe deals from upward of 20 local restaurants through the rest of the weekend.
This year’s event features three pricing tiers: $20, $35, and $50. Diners also will be able to choose a winner from each tier to be crowned the Best of Port City Taste. To participate, just peruse menus as they’re posted, feast around town, and then text the name of your favorite participating restaurant to 910-332-0983. All votes must be in by Sunday, March 2.
Going local is the heartbeat of Port City Taste; supporting restaurants created and operated by those who live in the greater Wilmington area helps foster a thriving economy. The nonprofit Business Alliance for Local Living Economies breaks it down like this: For every $100 spent at a local business or restaurant, $68 stays in the community, as compared to $43 retained by a national chain.
Check out all the participants here.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Alton Brown Live: Last Bite — Food Network and the Cooking Channel’s favorite comic culinary scientist will be at the Wilson Center for a live show at 7:30 p.m. Brown is well-known for his deep well of food knowledge, as highlighted for decades on shows like “Good Eats,” “Iron Chef America” and “Cutthroat Kitchen.” “Good Eats” was nominated by the James Beard Foundation in 2000 for Best TV Food Journalism and won a Peabody in 2006. His live performance tour is like a variety show, wherein Brown explores cooking hacks, sings funny food songs and more. Tickets start at $40 here.
‘Unreconciled’ — Puggamahone and Big Dawg productions are teaming up to present this original play writing by locals Jay Sefton and Mark Basquill, also to be performed by Sefton, at Thalian Hall Bucky and Ruth Stein Theater, Feb. 27 to March 2. The show runs for one weekend only at 7:30 p.m. except for 3 p.m. Sunday matinees. It revolves around a survivor of clerical sexual abuse and while a drama, also explores comedically the empowerment of one person reclaiming his voice. The show has been performed nationwide and internationally, but it’s the first in the coastal North Carolina area. It’s directed by Geraldine Hughes and tickets are $35 here.
Wilmington Black History Dinner — DREAMS of Wilmington is honoring the works of legendary local African-Americans who have contributed to the cultural and social impact in sports, education and more in a dinner at 6 p.m. It will honor the tennis prowess of Althea Gibson, the groundbreaking civil rights activism of Dr. Hubert Eaton and the prominent architecture of Robert Taylor, among others. As well, WilmingtoNColor will offer mini tours of the area. It’s free to attend and takes place at 901 Fanning St. from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The dinner is part of a series of community gatherings as hosted by Northside Food Co-op.
La Crema Wine Dinner — Ruth’s Chris Steak House is hosting a wine dinner with La Crema, a prominent winemaker that specializes in Oregon- and California-made vinos. Four courses and an amuse bouche will be served including: Ginger-lime grilled shrimp and papaya salad paired with La Crema Sauvignon Blanc; chicken pot pie paired with La Crema Kelli Ann Chardonnay; sausage ragout orecchiette paired with La Crema Pinot Noir; filet with Burgundy Demi, roasted artichokes and mushrooms, baked au gratin potatoes, paired with La Crema Cabernet Sauvignon; and Ruth’s Jam Cake, served with coffee and tea. Tickets are $100 a person here.
Friday, Feb. 28
Delfaeyo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra
Kenan Auditorium, 515 Wagoner Drive • Tickets start at $35
The famed Marsalis family is known for their rich jazz playing and impact on the New Orleans sound and one of its members will perform at Kenan Auditorium on Feb. 28.
Acclaimed trombonist, composer and producer Delfeayo Marsalis will be joined by his Uptown Jazz Orchestra, an NEA Jazz Master and Grammy winner. The music intertwines the danceability of Dirty Dozen Brass Band rooted in the classic musicality of Count Bessie, Duke Ellington and John Coltrane. The orchestra has released three albums and tours internationally.
Marsalis has toured with legendary performers including Ray Charles and Art Blakely and has released more than 100 recordings.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Curious Oddities — A new art show by Richard Hankins will highlight paintings, illustrations and more showcasing his work in art, design, theater and “curious oddities.” Hankins worked in the film and television industry for decades, winning multiple Emmys and the CBS Lou Dorfman Excellence in Design Award. After retiring from the industry, he moved to Wilmington and continues to paint. Acme Art is hosting his show, with the opening reception held during Fourth Friday Gallery Night, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be music, entertainment and more during the reception. Acme is located at 711 N. Fifth Ave.
‘Big Fish’ — Based on Daniel Wallace’s novel — and directed by Tim Burton for its film debut — “Big Fish” continues its last weekend run at Front Street Theater stage, 21 N. Front St. The story follows Edward Bloom, whose infectious, big personality takes him on plenty of adventures in life as a traveling salesman. He loves to recount all his larger-than-life stories to his adoring wife, Sandra, and their son, Will. About to be a father, Will has a strained relationship with his dad and harbors skepticism for his tall tales. The two have a chance to rekindle their relationship as Edward is nearing the end of his life. The musical carries themes of humor, love, and reconciliation and is being presented by Rebelle Productions. Tickets are $35 here and the show takes place Feb. 28 to Mar. 2; times are 7:30 p.m. except on Sundays at 2 p.m.
Comedian Jiaoying Summers — A Chinese-American comedian who got her start in Los Angeles is bringing her observational humor to the Dead Crow stage this weekend. Summers started making waves when her TikTok videos combatting racism and representing her heritage took off among viewers. She often centers her work on being reared in East Asian province of Henan in China — born at a time when its one-child policy was in effect. The 35-year-old often engages with audiences as seen in one bit where she talks about Asian moms being the hardest on their children. She asked the audience member: “What’s the worst thing your Asian mom has said to you?” to which the lady answered: “That she wished I was a boy.” Summers retorted: “Oh, yes, that’s actually very classic. In China we had the one-child policy in the Nineties … It’s also known as the Micahel Jackson policy. Baby boys only.” Summers will perform two shows on both Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; tickets are $25.
Saturday, March 1
Coastal Comic Con
Wilmington Convention Center, 10 Convention Center Drive • Tickets: $5-$75
Taking place March 1and 2 on the downtown Riverfront, Coastal Comic Con will be packed with 200 artists, vendors, guests and cosplayers reveling in pop-culture, anime, sci-fi and more. There will be games, VR experiences, comic books, a vintage video game room and more.
Special guests for meet-and-greets include actors Sam Witwer (voice of “Star Wars” villain Darth Maul), Matthew Wood (“Star Wars” actor and sound department crew member, for which he’s received multiple Oscar nominations for Pixar’s “Wall-E” and Paul Thomas Anderson’s “There Will Be Blood”) Ross Marquand (actor from “Mad Men,” “The Walking Dead” and Marvel Universe characters), and Cal Dodd (Marvel Comics character Wolverine in “X-Men: The Animated Series”). Also in attendance will be Matthew Waterson, Kaitlyn Robrock, and Sgt. Slaughter.
Full schedule and tickets can be found here.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Cape Fear Hooley — There will be Celtic music and Irish celebrations at Waterline Brewing from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine (the event will be tented) at part of the Cape Fear Hooley Under the Bridge. The event is a precursor to St. Patrick’s Day and acts as a fundraiser for the Wilmington St. Patrick’s Day Parade, slated to take place Saturday, March 15. The parade will feature the Wilmington Police Pipe and Drums, Mighty Marching Scorps, and more. The Cape Fear Hooley at Waterline will feature the brewery’s specialty created Hooley Red, an Irish ale in honor of the event. Plus there will be entertainment starting at 11:45 a.m. and running throughout the day, featuring Lone Piper, Nine Time Around, Triggle Academy Dancers, Wilmington Police Pipe and Drums, Banna and a local jam session. Food trucks will also be on site; the event is free, but food and beverages are individually priced. Learn more here
Hank and Pattie and the Current — This Americana music outfit blends the tradition of bluegrass with soul, by genre-bending with Motown, jazz and pop. Banjoist Hank Smith and fiddle player Pattie Hopkins are joined by bassist Stevie Martinez, who also performs with the Asheville Symphony, and guitarist Billie Feathe. They’re performing at Live at Ted’s, 2 Castle St., at 8 p.m.; tickets are $22.
‘Bye Bye Birdie’: Youth Auditions — Opera House Theater Company is preparing for its summer apprentice show, featuring junior performers across the area. “Bye Bye Birdie” is a Tony-winning Broadway classic from the mid-20th century, loosely based on Elvis Presley’s draft into the Army. It follows rock star Conrad Birdie through the draft, devastating his fans. It starred Dick Van Dye and Janet Leigh as Birdie’s long-time girlfriend. Opera House will stage the show this August, directed by Katie Mahn, with choreography from Valadie Cammack. The apprentice program is coordinated by Emilia Torello, and auditions are being held this weekend, at Lucille Shuffler Center, 2011 Carolina Beach Road. Young performers ages 14-20 are welcome to audition on Saturday, March 1, 10 a.m. with a prepared 1- to 1.5-minute musical theatre selection to sing with piano accompaniment ( bring your sheet music) or acapella. There will be a general dance call at 1 p.m. and a 2 p.m. invite-only advanced dance call. Callbacks will take place at 10 a.m. on March 2. Learn more here.
Sunday, March 2
‘Ain’t Misbehavin’’
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $41
There is one more weekend to catch Harlem’s Golden Age on stage in the Tony Award-winning musical, “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” The show explores the history of Fats Waller’s music and its impact on jazz and blues. Swing music played in well-known venues such as the Cotton Club and Savoy in 1930s New York, and this revue highlights the Harlem renaissance and rise to Black musicians.
Songs by Waller include the title track, “The Joint is Jumpin’,” “Tain’t Nobody’s Biz-ness if I Do” and “Handful of Keys,” among other tracks. Opera House Theater Company is producing the show, starring Justin Allen Tate, Kim Pacheco, Melissa Van Pelt Johnson, Larry Whitfield, Joy Gregory, and Brian Whitted, who is the pianist and also directed the music. It’s being directed by Fracaswell Hyman and choreographed by Tracy Byrd.
Showtimes are Feb. 27 – March 2, 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.; tickets are $41 here.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestra — Wilmington’s own local orchestra is highlighting the talent of its junior musicians on Sunday at Kenan Auditorium for a 4 p.m. concert. Led by Linda Estep, the show will feature performances from WSYO’s Youth Orchestra and Junior Strings ensembles. Tickets are $10 for adults, available here, and youth get in for free.
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