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 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. 10
Tuba Skinny
UNCW Kenan Auditorium, 515 Wagoner Dr. • Tickets: $25 and up
A New Orleans-based jazz ensemble Tuba Skinny is heading to UNCW’s Kenan Auditorium, featuring musicians performing jug band music, spirituals, country blues, string band, ragtime and R&B. The group started out as buskers but has released a dozen albums to date and toured the world.
They consist of Shaye Cohn (cornet), Barnabus Jones (trombone), Todd Burdick (tuba), Craig Flory (clarinet), Gregory Sherman (guitar and vocals), Max Bien-Kahn (banjo), Robin Rapuzzi (washboard), and Erika Lewis (vocals and bass drum).
Tuba Skinny’s show starts at 7:30 p.m., with tickets available here.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
910 Day — Fermental in the Cargo District is celebrating local sippers, as the bottle shop has a 910 tap takeover featuring 25 regional breweries. In addition to serving up locally brewed beer, food truck Jamrock Jamaican Cuisine will be parked on site at 5 p.m. and there will be live music from Sealevel Stringband at 7 p.m. Fermental is located at 600 S.17th St.
Friday, Sept. 11
Carolina Beach Inshore Challenge
Inlet Watch Yacht Club, Carolina Beach • Tickets: Free
More than $15,000 in prizes will be awarded as part of the Carolina Beach Inshore Challenge.
The fishing tournament takes place Sept. 11-12 at the Inlet Watch Yacht Club in Carolina Beach. There are two divisions, including red drum and flounder. Winners are based on a boat’s single heaviest red drum and/or single heaviest flounder, with first place winners scoring $1,500; payouts decrease down to sixth place, receiving $200.
The tournament includes a captain’s party on Friday, followed by awards party on Saturday, starting at 4:30 p.m. The winners will be announced at the ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Learn more here.
READ MORE: See all 9/11 commemoration events in the tri-county region here
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Peter Revello — Dead Crow Comedy Room is hosting New York City-based comedian Peter Revello. He often includes humor about everyday life, including growing up on Staten Island. A regular at New York’s The Comedy Cellar, the comedian also has performed on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and on Comedy Central. Shows take place both Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and tickets are $25 to $36 here.
Saturday, Sept. 12
American Craft Walk
Downtown Wilmington • Free
The American Craft Walk is taking place in downtown Wilmington, with street closures in place to host more than 120 vendors.
Artists line up line up on Front Street between Orange and Walnut streets, as well as Princess Street between Front and Second streets. They will sell handcrafted works in varied genres, from woodwork to metal, pottery to textiles, accessories to jewelry, home items and more.
It’s free to attend, though individual works are for sale by each vendor. The event takes place on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A rain date is set for Sunday, Sept. 13.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Bourbon, Bluegrass and Brews Festival — It will be an afternoon packed with live music, smooth bourbon with tastings, ice cold craft beer and fun craft cocktails, plus delicious local BBQ. Waterline’s Bourbon, Bluegrass and Brews Festival features three bands taking the stage from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Folkstone Stringband performs from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., followed by Massive Grass from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Better with Bourbon, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The barbecue will be served from Feelin’ Swine and KTs BBQ. It’s free to attend at Waterline Brewery, 721 Surry St.
Port City Jerry Day — Greenfield Lake Amphitheater will bring together Deadheads and Jerry Garcia fans alike this fall for its annual charitable concert celebration. The 8th annual Port City Jerry Day will take place Sept. 12, with gates opening at 5 p.m. The event was started by a former city employee, Tony McEwen, to raise money for the United Way of the Cape Fear Area (UWCFA). All ticket sales help fund its network of more than 40 nonprofit partners to help with programs in health, education, and financial stability. Live music begins at 6 p.m. and features Splintered Sunlight, who performs high-energy Dead sets. Attendees also will support local vendors on site as well. Tax-deductible tickets are on sale now here.
Feast of the Pirates Fest — Belville’s Riverfront Park will be a battlefield of pirates this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be sea shanties, sword fights, pirate skits, merchants, grub trucks, games for all ages, a mermaid’s tale, photo ops, and even a sea battle. Learn more here.
Cape Fear Cultural Association of India Celebration — The free event focuses on the cultures of India and includes traditional dance performances, live music, a fashion show and vendors selling clothing, merchandise and henna art. Plus, there will be yoga and Novant Health will be on-site providing free health screenings. It takes place at Harrelson Center, 20 N 4th St., from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 13
Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs
Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St. • Tickets start at $44
Best known as the founding and lead guitarist for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Mike Campbell is bringing his band, The Dirty Knobs, to Wilson Center on Sunday.
Campbell helped co-write and co-produce many of the Heartbreakers original albums, in addition to penning songs for Don Henley, Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks, and supporting records by Aretha Franklin, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash.
In 2001, Campbell started The Dirty Knobs, featuring fellow Heartbreaker Steve Ferrone on drums, Chris Holt (Don Henley, The Eagles) on guitar and Lance Morrison (Don Henley) on bass. They mix classic rock, blues and Americana.
Though a side project, the band became part of Campbell’s full-time focus after Petty passed away in 2017. They released their in 2020 on “Wreckless Abandon,” followed by 2022’s “External Combustion.” The Dirty Knobs dropped a new album, “Mission of Mercy,” in June.
Joining them at Wilson Center will be Sarah Lee Guthrie, an American folk artist and granddaughter of legendary folk pioneer Woody Guthrie.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Historic Downtown Wilmington Marketplace — Every Sunday, the Historic Downtown Marketplace welcomes 30 artists on Dock Street between Second and Front streets. Folks will find varied artists, including jewelry, paintings, ceramics, soaps, candles and more. There is free onstreet parking downtown during the market, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Masonboro Island Yoga and Kayak Event — Wilmington Outdoor Adventures welcomes yogis and kayakers from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday to participate in a paddle to Masonboro Island for yoga. The pristine island is a perfect backdrop for the a 45-minute, all-levels vinyasa flow led by Port City Power Yoga. After, kayakers will paddle back. Pricing starts at $115 and includes all equipment; learn more here.
Wilmington All-Things Groovy Hippie Fest — Waterline Brewery welcomes attendees to traverse through its numerous vendors, as well as enjoy live music from Dubtown Cosmonauts from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and a car show, featuring Volkswagens, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. plus, Smash-n-Dash will serve eats from noon to 7 p.m., and also on site will be face-painting by Vicki Paints, tie-dying, treats from Breeze Delights and more. The event takes place starting at noon at 721 Surry St.
Grrl Bands Showcase — Reggie’s 42nd Street is giving it up for all femme performers in the region with a Grrl Bands Showcase. The showcase is a nonprofit that welcomes varied women and nonbinary folks to jam out. They’ll perform hit tracks from well-known female rock outfits, including Blondie, The Breeders, Mazzy Star, and more. Doors open at 6 p.m. with show at 7 p.m. Tickets are $18 here.
Seabreeze: A Legacy — A fundraiser for the feature documentary “Seabreeze: A Legacy” is being held at 1112 Seabreeze Road in Wilmington starting at 5 p.m. Seabreeze was a prominent resort community for Black and brown people to vacation in the Jim Crow era of the 20th century. It consisted of hotels, amusement parks, juke joints, restaurants and more. The fundraiser is hosted by the Black Arts Alliance and Cucalorus Film Festival, and will include an outdoor screening of “The Inkwell,” shot at Seabreeze in 1994. Filmmaker Nuri Majidah was inspired by the movie. DJ Brandon “Bigg B” Hickman also will spin tunes, plus there will be food trucks and vendors. Tickets are $35 and include a bag of popcorn and bottle of water.
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