Two local watering holes are celebrating milestones this weekend.
Both Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St., and Burnt Mill Creek Wine and Billiards, 2101 Market St., Unit 7, are turning one, and they’ve got plenty of festivities planned for their birthdays.
Flytrap starts off its celebration at noon Saturday in honor of a year of bringing craft beer and live music to the Brooklyn Arts District. There will be commemorative anniversary glasses ready to be filled up with new and special releases throughout the day. Some of Flytrap’s favorite local regular bands– including Mike Blair and the Stonewalls, Brothers Egg and Massive Grass–will play sets, as well. And Wilmington’s finest food trucks will be onsite to serve up street food, Mexican-inspired fare, sliders and New Orleans gourmet.
The party, which runs all the way to the 2 a.m. last call, helps kick off Wilmington Beer Week throughout town. The weeklong observation culminates with Lighthouse Beer and Wine’s Voracious and Rare Beer Festival.
Before or after hitting the downtown scene, stop over at another neighborly hangout, Burnt Mill Creek, to be among the first to try the bar’s new beer, wine and cocktail menu. 2 Bros Coastal Cuisine will be on hand starting at 7 p.m. And Randy McQuay, winner of last year’s International Blues Challenge, performs at 9.
The best part? Both events are free.
When you’ve given your well wishes to local businesses, there are many more to support around town. Whether you’re looking for more free live music or a film screening or two, we’ve got you covered in our weekly arts and entertainment roundup.
Check The Scene, our free community events calendar, for more information on the items below, as well as a host of other area happenings.
Music
Flytrap Brewing presents a free live show from Americana and bluegrass band Stray Local at 8 p.m. tonight (Thursday). Catch the Food Truck will serve up street food from 7 to 9. On Friday, award-winning blues man Randy McQuay goes on at 8 p.m. and Pepe’s Taco Truck will be onsite with Mexican fare from 7 to 10 p.m.
The Vienna Boys Choir comes to UNC-Wilmington’s Kenan Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. tonight. With a performance history dating back to the Holy Roman Empire, the choir is world renowned for its arrangements of Lehar, Lanner and Strauss, in addition to the choir’s original works. Tickets are $25-$60 ($5 for students).
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.
UNCW’s ninth annual Rock for a Cure breast cancer benefit concert is set for Friday at The Reel Cafe. UNCW senior Lake Gibson will perform at 6 p.m., followed by the university’s unofficial faculty rock band, The Schoolboys, at 7. The event will also feature raffle prizes, a silent auction and a photo booth. Admission is $5 at the door. All proceeds benefit New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation’s Pink Ribbon Project.
Me and Mr. B performs acoustic blues at 9 p.m. at Burnt Mill Creek Wine and Billiards Bar. Admission is free.
The Boogie in the Park free concert series continues at 5 p.m. Sunday with the beach, soul and rock n’ roll of The Imitations at Ocean Front Park in Kure Beach.
Illinois-based genre-bending band Art of ILL Fusion comes to The Juggling Gypsy Sunday. The show gets underway at 8 p.m., and admission is $5.
Theater/Comedy
Big Dawg Productions presents its Youth Play Festival at 8 p.m. tonight at Cape Fear Playhouse. Performances continue at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. The event includes original one-act plays written by local pre-teens and teens. Admission is a pay-what-you-can donation ($5 minimum).
Browncoat Pub and Theatre presents a post-apocalyptic spin on Shakespeare’s tragedy, “Titus Andronicus,” at 8 p.m. tonight through Saturday and at 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 Thursday and Sunday and $20 Friday and Saturday ($10 for students).
Thalian Association’s production of the iconic musical, “West Side Story,” is set for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Hannah Block Community Arts Center. Tickets are $13.59.
Mark Normand comes to Dead Crow Comedy Room for four performances this weekend. Norman, who has had his own special on Comedy Central, has also made appearances on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “Inside Amy Schumer.” He will perform stand-up at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $16-$19.
Film
International organist and composer Dorothy Papadakos returns to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Friday for the fifth annual Halloween Silent Film. This year, Papdakos will accompany the classic 1920 film, “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” starring John Barrymore. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30. Audience members are encouraged to come in costume or fancy dress.
Cucalorus Film Festival hosts a free outdoor pop-up screening of “Capital C,” a documentary featuring Freaker USA, at 7:30 p.m. Friday on Princess Street between Front and Second streets downtown.
Hilary Snow is a reporter at Port City Daily. Reach her at hilary.s@portcitydaily.com.
