SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Li’l Friday is a weekly roundup of events in art, music, theater, comedy, pop-up markets and more.
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, Sept. 19
Port City Taste Burger Week
25 restaurants • Menu items: $11.99 and up
It was National Cheeseburger Day on Wednesday, but we’re continuing the celebration as Port City Taste Burger Week marches on through Sunday.
The all-American handheld is being celebrated by 25 local restaurants, showcasing their chops in the kitchen and putting out some of their most creative concoctions for a limited time only. Green hatch chili, kimchi, eggs, applewood smoked bacon, doughnuts, bacon onion jam, bourbon glaze, mac and cheese, and jalapeño-blackberry jam are only a few interesting toppings you’ll find on upward of 30 various burgers offered through the weekend.
Plus, you can vote on the Burger Week Champion by texting your fave burger to 910-332-0983 — votes must be in by Sunday, Sept. 22, the last day of Burger Week.
Check out all participants and menus here.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Cape Fear Native Plant Festival — The Native Plant Alliance is hosting its ninth annual event, Sept. 18-21, with speakers scheduled during the evenings on Sept. 18, 19, and 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the New Hanover County Arboretum; registration is open here. The festival’s aim is to educate the public on native plants in the area and how they affect and contribute to local ecosystems. Speakers include extension master gardener volunteer Patti Achee on Sept. 18, presenting “Natural Attraction: How Native Plants Bring Pollinators Home.” It’s followed by Sept. 19’s speaker, Karen Mulcahy, owner of Above the Briery Nursery. She will host a native plant propagation workshop. The keynote speaker on Sept. 20 will be Roger Shew from UNCW, talking about the long leaf pines and natural communities of the southeastern region. Plants are available at various vendors throughout the region but won’t be fore sale at the arboretum this year; find the full list here.
Cape Fear Arts in Motion — Forward Motion Dance — a collective of local modern dancers — will be hosting recital at Thalian Hall. It pairs contemporary choreography, new and recreations by choreographer Tracey Varga, with visual artists. Filmmaker Patrick Ogelvie’s work provides a backdrop, with set design by Randy Davis and live, original music from local musician Cole Marquis. Choreographer and dancer Emily Lawler also has a new piece, with music from Claude Debussy. Tickets are $35 here and the show takes place both Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Thalian Hall.
Friday, Sept. 20
Little Shop of Horrors
North Front Street Theater, 21 N. Front St. • Tickets: $20
The Broadway musical-turned-cult-classic-film “Little Shop of Horrors” combines doo-wap music with a sci-fi storyline, involving young love and a carnivorous-eating plant that threatens Skid Row.
The musical follows the love story of Seymour and Audrey, who work in Mr. Mushnik’s flower shop. Seymour, secretly in love with Audrey, begins taking care of a Venus flytrap, which he lovingly coins “Audrey II.” Meanwhile, Audrey is trying to leave an abusive relationship.
Seymour’s R&B-singing carnivorous plant gains attention for its antics, but eventually the story takes a dark turn. Audrey II can no longer survive from the blood of mere flies and becomes bloodthirsty for humans. Its monstrous growth has it aiming for world domination.
With music by Alan Menken — including the title track and songs like “Suddenly, Seymour” — the show was based on a 1960’s low-budget black comedy before becoming a mid-’80s hit starring Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Steve Martin, John Belushi and John Candy.
Wilmington Performing Arts is hosting the musical for the next two weekends at North Street Theater with direction by Grace Hassell, choreography by Kalia Siu, and music direction by Hailey Meyer. Showtimes are 7 p.m., Sept. 19-21, as well as on Sept. 15 and 22 at 2 p.m.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Negroni Week — It’s a celebration of Campari, gin and vermouth all week long, as Slow Food and Imbibe Magazine hosts Negroni Week worldwide. The Slow Food initiative focuses on sustainability in the food and beverage industry by raising money for bar and restaurant networks that foster community-led innovative projects, via educational scholarships, programs and other needs. It raised more than $611,000 last year — $5 million in the last decade — to support professional and personal development for industry workers. Negroni Week participants in Wilmington include The Eagle’s Dare, Cape Fear Spirits and Beer, Dram & Draught, Olivero, The Starling Bar, End of Days Distillery, and Ibis. Just head to one of the bars and ask for the Negroni Week cocktail.
Lucas Zelnick — A New York standup comedian, known for his punch-heavy material that has received viral views on Instagram and TikTok, Lucas Zelnick will come to Dead Crow Comedy Room this weekend. A Stanford Business School graduate, Zelnick appeared on SF Sketchfest and as a guest on Amazon Prime Video’s “Sports Talk.” He’s also headlined the New York Comedy Festival and made his Comedy Central debut for season 14 of “Comedy Central Stand-Up Featuring.” He’s known for crowd work, bringing audiences into the experience, often asking questions to riff off of. During a recent bit, Zelnick interacts with a table about a tattoo they regret. “I have my ex’s initials,” a lady said. “Yes, very dumb, very stupid, regrettable even,” he responded. “How did you guys break up?’” She answered: “Long story short, he’s in prison.” “Yeah, that will do it right there,” Zelnick responded, before finding out the tattoo came after the prison stay. “Wait, hold on, he went to prison during your relationship and you stayed with him? Ohio is crazy. … How did you meet? Wait, I know: ‘I was a fentanyl pill and he started chopping me up with a credit card…’” In other words, expect some heckling. He performs at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; tickets are $25 to $35.
Chuck Leavall — A rock ‘n’ roll legend, who once played with the Allman Brothers, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and George Harrison, is coming to the Wilson Center. Leavall is a renowned pianist and keyboard player, who began mastering the instrument in youth. Part of his live show also will include the 30-minute documentary, “Chuck Leavall: Tree Man” — which explores his passion for music and also trees. Leavall is a tree farmer and environmentalist; he and his wife oversee Charlene Plantation, the tree farm, hunting ground, and preservation in Georgia. The show takes place at 7:30 p.m.; check here for tickets.
‘Shakers Revised’ — A repertory company that supports new plays is producing a show at Thalian Hall this weekend called “Shakers Revised,” by Rose Mary Harrington. From the Harrington Repertory Company, it delves into America at the end of the 18th century and focuses on the women-founded religion sect, the Shakers. Their journey to reach the “American dream” embraces both comedy and tragedy as they travel from industrial England to colonial America right before the Revolutionary War. The show features a 13-member local cast, and tickets are $35.
Saturday, Sept. 21
Herbie Hancock
Wilson Center, 711 N. Third St. • Tickets start at $88
Jazz icon Herbie Hancock will perform at the Wilson Center this weekend.
The 84-year-old pianist started out as a child prodigy in Chicago, performing Mozart with the symphony by 11 years old. His career escalated to great heights, including backing jazz great Miles Davis. Hancock was a part of the Miles Davis Quintet in the ’60s, before embarking on a solo career and in the ’70s performing with The Headhunters.
He’s shared stages with Chick Corea and Stevie Wonder, recorded with Wynton Marsalis, and won an Academy Award for scoring the film “‘Round Midnight,” which he also acted in. Hancock also has been honored with upward of a dozen Grammys.
He has released more than 40 albums to date, his last in 2010 — “The Imagine Project.”
Hancock also teaches at UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, was named Los Angeles Philharmonic creative chair for jazz and serves as the institute chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. He founded The International Committee of Artists for Peace as well.
Tickets to his Wilmington show will be on sale here at 10 a.m., Thursday, April 4, for Wilson Center members and to the general public at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 5. The box office is open via telephone or in-person from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Cape Fear Latinos Festival — Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, the Cape Fear Latinos Festival will take place at Live Oak Bank Pavilion. There will be free entertainment, dancing, music, children’s games, activities and more. Food trucks will also be onsite selling beverages and items to eat. It takes place from 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 10 Cowan St.
Oktoberfest — Multiple celebrations will take place across the region this weekend celebrating the annual Oktoberfest, just as the season turns to autumn’s cooler temps. Prost in downtown Wilmington has been hosting events all week, which will continue with a stein-holding competition on Saturday at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the beer garden. It also will host a German cookie decorating event on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prost’s Oktoberfest continues through Sept. 28 (see the full lineup here). Over on Second Street, Ironclad Brewery will host Rocktoberfest on both Saturday and Sunday with the release of a new beer, High Crown Marzan. Brats will be served, along with pretzel necklaces, and there will be live music. Entry is $30, which comes with a pint glass and three beers, as well as a raffle ticket to win local prizes.
Music on the Farm — Oak and Fennel Farms on Castle Hayne Road is hosting an event on Sept. 21, 2 p.m. There will be live music with Randy McQuay (2 p.m.), Brandon Hawkins (4 p.m.) and Jayson Arendt (6 p.m.); DJ Dane Britt will spin tunes between sets. There will be 20 local vendors and artist, plus food and beer trucks from Brunswick Beer + Cider, Point Break, and Horned Hog Smokehouse. Tickets are $29.
The Groove Market — Riverlights is hosting a vendor fair along the Cape Fear River from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be 30 local makers, as well as coffee, food trucks and live music. The market takes place along the Cape Fear River and is family- and dog-friendly. Local shops and eateries in Riverlights are also open.
Carolina Beach Dragon Boat Regatta — Annually, local rowers get together to celebrate the art and sportsmanship of the Dragon Boat Regatta in Carolina Beach. The race and boat championship begins Saturday from 8 a.m. at the Carolina Beach Yacht Basin. The competition has multiple 11-member teams going head to head on 45-foot boats. Racers dress up in costume and work together to vie for first place overall, first place place in each division, most spirited, best costumes and best all female team; awards take place at 4 p.m. On Friday night, the party kicks off early in Dragon Boat Team Village on Canal Drive in the public parking lot behind Seawitch Cafe. There will be live music, food, beer and soft drinks for sale. It’s free to attend both events; proceeds benefit Ocean Cure and children’s civic, education and athletic activities supported by The Island Men nonprofit group.
Ocean Fest — Ocean Fest, a nonprofit two-day arts and music festival in Surf City with a focus on celebrating and preserving the environment. Taking place at Soundside Park in Surf City, the event is Friday and Saturday, featuring Oysterpalozza and a music festival, both of which are $25 ticketed events; a weekend pass is $70, available here. Music will include multiple performers over two days, including Justin Cody Fox, The Fontelles, Blue-Footed Boobies, The Midatlantic, Of Good Nature and more. Local oyster purveyors such as Soundside Oyster Company and Hold Fast, will be providing the bivalves during Oysterpalooza on Friday, with craft beer and wine for sale as live music plays onstage. There also will be a vintage surf contest on Saturday at 8 a.m. with eco-friendly exhibitors, held at Beach Access 19; registration is open here. Riders mount vintage 1960s and ’70s boards to show off their skills. Check out full lineup of events, including a beach cleanup, here; all funds go to area nonprofits that work to keep southeastern North Carolina’s coastal environment clean.
Sunday, Sept. 22
Lawrence
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, 1941 Amphitheater Drive • Tickets start at $88
New York pop duo Lawrence — made up of siblings Clyde and Gracie Lawrence — has evolved into an eight-piece band and will be at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater this weekend.
The group has put out four albums since its founding including 2024’s “Family Business.” It was co-produced by Jon Bellion alongside Clyde Lawrence (keys, vocals), Jordan Cohen (tenor sax), and Jonny Koh (guitar).
The group is playful and outspoken. Clyde and Jordan were asked to speak at the Senate Judiciary Hearings in D.C. last year regarding live event ticketing and unfair practices. They were asked to share experiences on the road as a band touring in Live Nation venues.
They’ll be at Greenfield Lake, also a Live Nation venue, this Sunday, in support of their new album. Tickets are $42.
Tips or comments? Email info@localdailymedia.com.
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our morning newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
