Summer is nearing its end, but why not go out in style – and help a local charity while you’re at it?
Lower Cape Fear Hospice Foundation’s Last Chance for White Pants Gala returns this year on a new weekend and at a new venue, from 7 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, Aug. 29 at Audi Cape Fear, 255 Old Eastwood Road.
Last year’s celebration at the Coastline Conference and Event Center in downtown Wilmington drew a crowd of more than 500 guests, all decked out in their not-to-be-worn-after-Labor-Day garb.
This year, upscale party band The Free brings its energetic mix of music to the party, playing everything from rock and pop to country and R&B. The band will be covering hits from diverse artists, such as Bruno Mars, Maroon 5, Pharrell Williams, Taylor Swift, Mumford & Sons, Tom Petty and Johnny Cash.
And one lucky early ticket purchaser will go home with a 2015 Audi A5 Cabriolet convertible (raffle tickets have already sold out).
“There’s an underlying theme of change for this year’s gala,” Lindsey Champion, Lower Cape Fear Hospice development manager, said. “A new weekend, a new night, a new venue, a new band and the biggest raffle prize ever offered means guests will enjoy what has traditionally been one of the season’s must-attend events. The changes will make the gala feel fresh and exciting.”
Tickets for the gala are $125 each. Proceeds from the gala and raffle will help provide free hospice care to those in the final stages of their lives, as well as support for their families.
There is more socially conscious fun to be had this weekend–from a benefit bash for the Brigade Boys and Girls Club to a play about the turbulent 1960s. You’ll find those items, and many more, listed below in our weekly arts and entertainment roundup.
And be sure to look for other happenings throughout the week on The Scene, our free community events calendar.
Music
Monica Jane performs at 6:30 p.m. tonight (Thursday) as part of Goat and Compass’ Live After Five series. Admission is free. On Friday, Daniel Parish plays a free show beginning at 10 p.m.
Flytrap Brewing presents a free live show from singer/songwriter Isaac Clowers at 8 p.m. tonight. Funky Fresh Food Truck will serve up gourmet local street food from 7 to 10. On Friday, the nerd rockers of D&D Sluggers go on at 8 p.m. and Pepe’s Taco Truck will be onsite from 7 to 10. Fred Flynn and Wes Sayer perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, with Catch the Food Truck serving up tacos and sliders from 7 to 9.
The Juggling Gypsy hosts “Fire and Drums” at 8 p.m. each Thursday night. The event is a meet-up of fire dancers and area drummers, with deejays spinning tunes beginning at 10 p.m. Participants are welcome to bring their percussion instruments and fire and juggling toys. A Tarot card reader will be on hand between 6 and 10 p.m. Admission is free.
Acoustic folk group Mickelson and Coyle out of San Francisco come to The Juggling Gypsy for a performance Friday. The show runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., and admission is by donation.
The Wareware Music Band, made up mostly of refugees from Africa, performs for free at Detour Deli and Cafe at 3 p.m. Saturday. Through its blend of roots and hip hop music, the band advocate for global justice on race, immigration, the environment and youth rights.
The Palm Room hosts an end-of-summer bash, featuring The Bibis Ellison Band and Some Dudes, at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $20 and proceeds benefit Brigade Boys and Girls Club.
Greenville-based musician William Seymour, who has been touring this summer with Rebekah Todd and The Odyssey, performs a free show at 9 p.m. Saturday at Bombers Bev Co.
Theater/Comedy
TheatreNOW dinner theater presents “Joni & JT in Jail,” at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The play tells the story of people thrown into the same jail cell in the 1960s for during a protest for peace. Tickets are $32 for dinner and a show ($18 show only).
Dan St. Germain, who has a half-hour special on Comedy Central, performs his stand-up this weekend at Dead Crow Comedy Room. Performances are set for 7 and 9:30 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $13.
Film
Detour Deli and Cafe’s free Film Noir Thursdays series continues at 8 p.m. tonight. Tonight’s screening is the 1950 classic, “Gun Crazy.”
Art
Two downtown art galleries host events as part of the Fourth Friday Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. Beaded and metal jewelry artist Marita Bon is the featured artist at Crescent Moon, with live music from Roger Davis. The ArtWorks will open its doors to the public in an after-hours celebration of art and culture. Admission to both galleries is free.
Hilary Snow is a reporter at Port City Daily. Reach her at (910) 772-6341 or hilary.s@portcitydaily.com.
