WILMINGTON — Li’l Friday features dozens of ways for people to enjoy the weekend via theater, music, art, culinary happenings and more.
All events below 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. 3
Jazz at CAM: Benny Hill Quartet
3201 S. 17th St. • Tickets: $40-$60
Saxophonist Benny Hill is well-known on the local music scene and will perform with his quartet as part of Jazz at CAM on Thursday.
Hill is well-known on the local music scene and has been performing for decades across town, including with artists Slide Hampton, Percy Heath, Winard Harper, Ron Blake, and New Orleans’ Dirty Dozen Brass Band. He has also performed with James Brown’s “Soul Generals” and opened for Edwin McCain and RatDog.
His jazz quartet will be at Cameron Art Museum on Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $40 to $60 here and CAM Café is open for dinner and drinks before the show.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
‘A Closer Look: America 250 & Historic Foodways’ Art Exhibit — Local artist Ricardo Perez’s work is on display at Bellamy Art Museum in “A Closer Look: America 250 & Historic Foodways.” A combination of portraits and still-lifes commemorate the 250th anniversary of the nation and its culinary heritage. The exhibit is free of charge with museum admission (open Mon-Sun, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
‘Practical Magic’ Watch Party — It’s almost spooky season and to get in the spirit, “Practical Magic” is screening at Azalea Station, 1502 Castle St. The famed 1990s movie follows a pair of sisters who have magical powers and learn to use them for the good and the bad. The sequel to the movie, starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, is also being released Sept. 10. There is free admission to the original screening, with RSVP here and the movie starts at 7 p.m. However, Oktober Books and more will be on hand, with a percentage of book and drink sales will benefit Cape Fear Literacy Council. Book donations are also being accepted.
Friday, Sept. 4
Pineapple-Shaped Lamps Sweet 16
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $25
Wilmington’s beloved comedy troupe is celebrating its Sweet 16 this weekend at Thalian Hall.
Pineapple Shaped Lamps is putting on three performances, with 20 sketches written by their members and former members across the country. One is founding member and former co-head writer Ryan Trimble.
Trimble said the writers and founders, including current head writer Brett J. Young and artistic director Wes Brown, have assembled sketches over the years that are punchy. Archival material, such as “Cheese Overdose” — “Don’t worry, we’ve bought new cheese since then,” Trimble said — will be presented, but so will newly written scenes. For instance, Young has written a piece where everyone comes together for birthday celebrations for The Pineapple.
“A spoiler-free preview might look like this: Burger King. Automatons. A sentient pineapple. Bowling balls,” Trimble said. “What do these all have in common? You’ll have to come to the show to find out!”
First establishing itself as the city’s official unofficial “Rocky Horror Picture Show” shadowcast, Pineapple-Shaped Lamps transformed into a local comedy troupe with more than a dozen members who also were UNCW students at the time. They performed shows on campus, before moving to the now-defunct Browncoat Pub and Theater on Grace Street, to launch a weekly show, “Thursday Night Live.”
“Think Monty Python’s Flying Circus, ‘Saturday Night Live,’ MadTV, that style of show,” Trimble said. “Because we were, frankly, psychotic, we did a brand new show every single week. New sketches, new props, and new costumes.”
The troupe eventually moved to TheatreNOW but after the 10th and Dock street venue, PSL became mobile, performing everywhere in the city from Castle Street’s Ronald Sachs Violins to North Front Theatre and Thalian Hall. They still host “Rocky” shadowcasts and sketches, but also have produced plays and musicals.
“Since then, we’ve grown immensely,” Trimble said. “I would wager we’re about the size of a small country now, like Liechtenstein, or Switzerland on an especially good ski day.”
He added all the folks who supported the comedy troupe’s “TNL” days will likely recognize a few of the sketches this weekend. One is called “USO Show,” written by Jordan Mullaney, who also stars in it. She’s essentially performing a one-woman show “for GIs stationed in Europe during WW2,” Trimble explained.
“A powerhouse of a performer, Jordan is a remarkable singer, physical comedian, and costume designer, and this sketch showcases her to the fullest extent,” he added. “Though we originally performed it back in 2011, it has gone through minimal changes since, which really speaks to Jordan’s writing skills. This sketch is also special because it’s in our ‘switch slot.’ Every night, we switch out a sketch in that slot with a brand new one. So each show is truly different than the last!”
Outside of this weekend’s birthday celebration — guaranteed to be a big blow-out and “hullabaloo” seeing as the team had to quash its 10th year anniversary plans due to the Covid-19 pandemic — the group has exciting shows coming for fall as well. But folks will have to follow PSL on socials to learn more.
For now, tickets to their 16th birthday bash are $25 here with shows offered Sept. 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 6 at 3 p.m.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Forever in Rhinestones — The Eagle’s Dare is hosting a celebration of Dolly Parton at The Eagle’s Dare, at 420 N. Third St. DJs, live music, special drag appearances will be featured and donations will be accepted for Parton’s Imagination Library, a book-gifting program that began in the 1990s. Monthly, The Imagination Library mails free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth until they turn 5. Performing will be Wilmington drag queen Tara Nicole Brooks, with a Dolly vinyl set spun by Fort Lowell Records and musical acts The Ford Project and Fancy Gap also on the docket. The event begins at 6 p.m. and there will be vendors like Tasty Tee food truck, fairy hair styling by Sugar and Spice Fairy Hair, and western hats by Hide and Harbor Co. Tickets are $10 presale and $15 at the door for ages 18 and up.
American Aquarium — Greenfield Lake Amphitheater is welcoming back a North Carolina band who’s gained a following over the last few decades. American Aquarium is an alternative country band out of Raleigh, and has released 17 albums since its founding in 2006, including 2026’s “New Ways to Lose,” produced by Shooter Jennings. Having begun in 2006, with a name derived from Wilco’s song “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart,” the band consists of BJ Barham, guitarist Shane Boeker, pedal-steel guitarist Neil Jones, keyboardist Rhett Huffman, drummer Ryan Van Fleet, and bassist Alden Hedges. Tickets to their show are $37 here.
Saturday, Sept. 5
Oak Island Art Guild’s Annual Arts & Crafts Festival
William “Bill” Smith Park, 4446 Fish Factory Road, Southport • Free
An art festival taking place to celebrate Oak Island Art Guild’s is taking place in Southport this weekend at William Smith Park.
The festival will feature 75 original art vendors from the region, showcasing ceramics, fiber and leather works, garden art, glass, jewelry, paintings and more. There will be food trucks, stadium concessions, beer and wine and free parking.
The rain date is Sunday, Sept. 6.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Black Water Adventure Cruise — Wilmington Water Tours is offering an up close look at wildlife along the Cape Fear River as part of its Black Water Adventure Cruise. The tour, led by Captain Doug, includes a look into the region’s history, exploring the northeast portion of the river, still largely unpopulated, including the Castle Hayne aquifer and bluffs near Rose Hill Plantation. Attendees board the catamaran and tickets are up to $30 here.
A Night for Heroes with Velvet Rodeo — North Carolina natives Bryan McCoury and Leah Dana are a country music duo touring through Wilmington’s Greenfield Lake Amphitheater on Saturday to help raise money for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treatments to veterans suffering from PTSD. Velvet Rodeo is known for its western glam and has been recognized as Country Duo of the Year by the Carolina Country Music Awards and the Josie Music Awards. The group has shared stages with country acts like Jelly Roll, Clay Walker, and Little Texas and will debut their song “Thank You, Miss Dolly” at their Wilmington show. Tickets are $20 here.
Hardcore for Hungry Kids — Reggie’s 42nd Street is hosting a group of rock musicians this weekend to help raise money for food-insecure students. Selfish Means, Lowest Point, Free Bleed, Guard Dog, Insanya and Respair are on the bill, with tickets available for $10. All proceeds benefit the local nonprofit NourishNC and doors open at 6 p.m. with the show beginning at 7 p.m.; it’s open to ages 18 and up.
Sunday, Sept. 6
Reggae on the Pier
Pier at Port City Marina, 18 Harnett St. • Tickets: $60
There is no better way to close out summer than to enjoy positive vibes down on the riverfront.
On Sunday, Pier at Port City Marina is hosting three reggae bands, including The Movement, Pepper, and Kash’d Out. The Movement is from Columbia, South Carolina, and has released six studio albums and opened for acts from Ludacris to Blues Traveler, Wu Tang Clan to The Wailers.
Hawaiian act Pepper has been around since the 1990s and traveled on the Vans Warped Tour, also opening for Snoop Dog and Slightly Stoopid. Kash’d Out, from Orlando, started a decade ago performing reggae, rock and R&B.
A portion of the proceeds from each ticket sold goes directly to Live Fearlessly Foundation 501(c)3, a nonprofit founded by late local legend, Jacob Venditti. Venditti, who had cystic fibrosis, founded the nonprofit to help patients live life to the fullest and actively. A $5 surcharge goes directly to the foundation.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Free Movies at the Lake — You have one last weekend to enjoy free movies at the lake in Carolina Beach. “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” will screen beginning at dusk and picnics, blankets and chairs are welcome (no alcoholic beverages allowed). The Lake at Carolina Beach is located at Lake Drive and Lake Park Boulevard.
Fins Up Festival — Gather the family and head to Wrightsville Beach Brewery for an outdoor celebration at 6201 Oleander Drive. The third annual Fins Up Festival is all about environmental stewardship while also celebrating music and honoring the sounds of Jimmy Buffett. It takes place from noon to 9:30 p.m. with a $10 admission. There will be live music from The Motos and Captain Mike & the Shipwrecked (a Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band), kids’ activities focused on coastal awareness and marine conservation, free skin cancer screenings provided by Dermatology Associates and expanded exhibitor village featuring 35 nonprofit and community vendors. Admission includes a free 50/50 raffle auction, with proceeds benefitting Friends of Wrightsville Beach and local community projects like the Beach-Walker Project.
Dirk Quinn Band — Music lovers can also enjoy an afternoon of funky grooves, jazz-infused guitar and electric fusion with the Dirk Quinn Band. The Philly-based group has toured with Buddy Guy, Booker T, Lettuce, Umphrey’s McGee, and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. In addition to live music, the food truck Wasabi Wheels will be parked on site.
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