SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Li’l Friday features dozen of ways for people to enjoy the weekend via theater, music, art, culinary happenings and more.
READ MORE: Easter is this weekend: Here are brunch options, sunrise services
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, April 17
Sunset Performance at CAM: El’Ja Bowens
Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St. Ext. • $5 suggested donation
In the PNC USCT Park on CAM’s grounds, a sunset performance will take place on Thursday at 7 p.m.
El’Ja Bowens, who has performed at the Kennedy Center and National Folk Festival, is putting on “Finding Space in a Void.” Connecting art and social justice, the performance centers on spoken word and poetry.
A $5 donation is suggested.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Fondue Fundraiser — The Plastic Ocean Project will benefit from a fundraiser held at Little Dipper on Thursday evening. Anyone who dines at the restaurant — which serves imported cheeses, scratch-made soups and fondue broths, entree choices, and desserts — will see 10% of proceeds benefiting POP. The nonprofit works toward keeping single-use plastics out of the oceans through numerous programs and conducts research that promote environmental stewardship.
Easter Candy-Paired Wine Tasting — Bridgewater Wines and Dines is hosting a holiday event for adults. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., both locations in Porters Neck and Leland are offering free wine tastings, paired with Easter candies. The Leland location is at 1132 New Pointe Blvd. #5 and Porters Neck is located at 178 Porters Neck Road.
Friday, April 18
Doug Benson
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 511 N. Third St. • Tickets: $30-$40
Doug Benson is known for his podcasts — “Doug Loves Movies,” which was live at SXSW this year, and “Getting Doug With High.” He also has appeared in films, including as an extra in the 1980s cult classic “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” but also had a starring role in 2008’s “Super High Me.” He has been on TV shows like “The Trailer Park Boys” and “You’re The Worst,” also starring as a judge on Comedy Central’s comedic court show, “The High Court with Dough Benson.”
Throughout his decades-long career, the sixtysomething has continued his standup routines. In his Comedy Central Presents bit, he talks about comedians working hard on their jokes.
“It’s totally the way to go,” he said. “But what I’ve been doing lately is working on my segways, the transitions between the jokes that lets the audience know that you’ve changed topics. It’s very important. So I hope you enjoy my jokes tonight but I hope you enjoy my segways. … I’ve learned my Tivo knows I like crap — which reminds me, I was on the toilet the other day…”
Benson will come to Dead Crow Comedy Room this weekend for four shows taking place Friday, April 18, and Saturday, April 19, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 to $40 here.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
21st Annual Arts Sensation — Forward Motion Dance Company will host its annual dance celebration on Thalian Hall’s main stage. Having started in 2001 by Tracey Varga, the Forward Motion-produced show conjoins local musicians and dance artists to showcase a variety of genres. There will be music by local reggae act Selah Dubb, founded by guitarist and vocalist Mark Evangelist, which has released more than 12 albums in the last decade or more. Forward Motion will showcase tap, cultural, and modern/contemporary, highlighting local choreographers and dancers. Company “T” Tap Dancers, choreographed by Tracey Varga, also will perform and there will be a special presentation of Thalian Hall’s historic Thunder Roll and Rain Machine special effects, built into the stage from the 19th century.
‘Norah Putnam’ — Jengo’s Playhouse presents the film “Norah Putnam” on Friday, April 18. It will also welcome director Joel Fendelman who will attend the screening and host a question-and-answer session afterward. Fendelman’s feature-length documentary takes a look at issues facing public schools and communities they service, by highlighting a rural Indiana district. It shines a light on resiliency and hope across various backgrounds and the broader impact of public education. Also in attendance will be Executive Director Randolph Keaton of Men and Women United for Youth & Families, and community partners. Tickets are only $10, on sale here.
SpeakYaPeace NC Present: Lyrics and Verse Featuring SolTree Reign — An event hosted at WHQR’s MC Erny Gallery, 254 N. Front St., will host live music and poetry in celebration of National Poetry Month. SpeakYaPeace NC — founded by Brooklyn-born poet and artist Carrie Assata — is an event that leans into artists who truth-tell and spark change community-wide. Friday’s event welcomes SolTree Reign, a six-piece R&B, soul outfit who will perform and blend spoken word and meditation. As well there will be poetry from Mama Makeda; a $10 donation is suggested at the door.
Saturday, April 19
420 Music and Arts Festival
Waterline Brewing Company, 721 Surry St. • Tickets: $26
Reggae is at the forefront of a festival celebrating 420 — a day well-known for celebrating cannabis consumption.
Port City Reggae is hosting 420 Music and Arts Fest, featuring Etana as the headliner. The two-time Grammy nominee has been hailed as the Queen of Reggae. Hailing from Jamaica, Shauna McKenzie released her debut as Etana in 2008 and a decade later was nominated for the 61st and 64th annual Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album.
She has released seven albums to date, including 2021’s “Pamoja.” She will headline the all-day festival at Waterline, with gates opening at 2 p.m. There will be plenty of vendors set up selling various art, handmade products and such.
Earlybird tickets are available at Portcityreggae.com but also are available at the gate the day of the show. The concert takes place rain or shine.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
All Things Vintage and Art Fest — More than 60 vendors will be set up at an all-day vintage and arts fest hosted by Saltwater and Sage Crystal Company at the Elks Lodge, 5102 Oleander Drive. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features vintage clothing, household goods, toys and comics, as well as handmade pottery, art and upcycled items. The No Rules food truck will be parked on site and there is a $3 admission fee, though kids 12 and under are free.
Kanekoa — Thalian Hall is welcoming Kanekoa to its stage at 7:30 p.m. The band, consisting of brothers Kaulana and Travis Kanekoa, along with rhythm guitarist Don Lopez and percussionist/drummer Uncle Vince Esquire, is revered as a Hawaiian powerhouse, blending ukulele sounds with jamband improvisation. The group has an island roots vibe that also touches on reggae, rock and blues and have been compared to an island version of the Grateful Dead or Dave Matthews Band. Tickets to the show start at $37.
Marcus King Band — Greenfield Lake Amphitheater will welcome the Southern-rock blues band from Greenville, South Carolina, to its stage this weekend. The lead man Marcus King began playing shows as a child with his father, Marvin, and eventually started his own band with drummer Jack Ryan, bassist Stephen Campbell, and guitarist Drew Smithers. They released an album a decade ago on Warren Haynes’ Evil Teen Records and “Soul Insight” hit number eight on the Billboard blues charts. Their self-titled followup in 2016 ranked number two, as did their 2018 release “Carolina Confessions.” His music covers heartache, addiction and mental health and while the show is sold-out, verified resales are posted here starting at $141.
Sunday, April 20
Easter Egg Hunt
Various locations • Free
Easter egg hunts galore are taking place and will help the kids — and adults — work off that sugar high from all the Cadbury eggs they ate before breakfast.
Pine Valley Baptist Church is hosting an egg hunt for kids through 5th grade, plus there will be bracelet-making, coloring stations, photo ops, a No Sleeves Magic performance at 10:30 a.m. and egg hunts taking place at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Over at Tap Yard Wilmington in the Cargo District, an afternoon hunt is on deck, to take place at 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. There will be games and crafts, too; folks are encouraged to RSVP here. Hidden eggs will be full of surprises.
Fermental is also hosting a 420 Egg Hunt in the Cargo District. Highlighted will be The Waldos IPA from Lagunitas Brewing, plus there will be live music for the Sunday Jazz Jam, hosted by local artist Jay Killman, with Jon Hill and Gabrielle Sánchez. Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments. El Charrito Tacos food truck will be parked at 5 p.m.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Keller Williams’ Grateful Gospel — With loose interpretations of Grateful Dead music, Keller Williams’ is bringing the jamband gospel to Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. It will be performed in the style of Black gospel music blended with rock, soul and funk. Tickets start at $39.
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