Li’l Friday: Sublime, Yachtvember, Trash’n Fash’n Show

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.

Fireworks by the SeaCarolina Beach Boardwalk, Carolina Beach Ave. S • Free

Haven’t had your fill of fireworks this summer? Carolina Beach Boardwalk Blast continues the celebrations for one more month.

The Thursday night display takes place after a free performance by the Justin Cody Fox Band, who plays blues, country and rock. The rest of the season includes: Kenny Reeves and Trainwreck (classic Southern rock) on Aug. 10, Blackwater Rhythm & Blues Band (beach music) on Aug. 17, Will McBride Group (rock, funk, blues, jazz) on Aug. 25, and The Main Event (beach, classic rock) on Sept. 1.

Concerts take place beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Boardwalk’s gazebo stage; fireworks are launched beachside around 9 p.m.

OTHER THURSDAY EVENTSNo Regretz — WECT Sounds of Summer is also wrapping up its free concerts in the park at Wrightsville Beach on Thursday. No Regretz will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. to perform an hour-and-a-half set of classic rock and blues. Picnic, lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers are welcome, but no alcohol is allowed in Wrightsville Beach Park.

Carolina Shag Dancing — Gio Fund event center in Leland is calling all shag dancers to the floor. It will host a free social at 6:30 p.m. at 117 Village Road, Unit E. The “swing dance of the South” is an eight-count partner dance, enjoyed to the sounds of Motown, rhythm and blues and beach music. Though it’s free to attend, donations are welcome to Gio Fund — a nonprofit no-kill animal welfare fundraising organization that helps at-risk dogs receive shelter, food and medical care. See Gio Fund’s full schedule of August events here.

Vivaci Music Festival Masterpiece of the First OrderWilson Center, 703 N. Third St. • Tickets: $20 and up

An 11-day music festival kicked off Wednesday with workshops and participant showcases. But the Vivace International Music Festival’s first official concert will take place at Wilson Center on CFCC’s campus Friday evening.

Masterpiece of the First Order features Emo Dohnányi’s first piano quintet, a blend of Romantic and Classical styles. The work was composed in 1901 for piano and string quartet and interweaves both chamber music and the keyboard.

Dohnányi’s Piano Quintet No. 1 in C minor Op. 1 will be performed by Ani Kavafian and Sunmi Chang on violin, with Joseph Skerik on viola, Dilshod Narzillaev on cello, and Dmitri Vorobiev on piano. Also featured in the concert are Margaret Batjer and Kavafian on violin and Skerik on viola, performing Antonín Dvořák’s (1841-1904) Terzetto, Opus 74. Performing Beethoven’s Piano Trio No 5 in D Major, Op. 70 No. 1 (Ghost) is violinist Dmitri Berlinsky, cellist Andrew Shulman, and pianist Christopher Guzman.

The festival is put on by the Vivace Music Foundation, which started in 2020 to provide learning experiences for aspiring musicians, no matter their financial hindrances, and bring world-class classical concerts to the public.The full schedule of Vivace International Music Festival concerts, to be hosted at various locations across the city, can be found here.

OTHER FRIDAY EVENTSTuesday’s Gone — The Lynyrd Skynyrd cover band is headed to the Pier at Port City Marina, near Marina Grill, as part of the Friday Night Live concert series that has been featuring cover bands since the beginning of June. Tuesday’s Gone performs all of the iconic Southern rock band’s classics, from “Sweet Home Alabama” to “The Ballad of Curtis Loew” to the quintessential “Free Bird.” Opening will be local rock band Striking Copper. Wristbands to purchase alcohol are sold for $1 with proceeds benefiting Pender County Humane Society. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. and it’s free. The rest of the season’s schedule includes Troubadour (’70s) on Aug. 11, Guardians of the Jukebox (MTV hits) on Aug. 25 and Departure (Journey) on Sept. 1. No outside drinks or food, backpacks, weapons, dogs, drugs or glass containers allowed. Bags larger than 4.5-inches by 6.5 inches will be subject to search.

Liza Treyger — A New York-based standup by way of Chicago, Treyger has been seen in Judd Apatow’s “King of Staten Island” and HBO’s “Pause with Sam Jay.” She had two half-hour comedy specials on both Netflix and Comedy Central, and has been featured on “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” “Chelsea Lately,” and more. Her standup includes observations on partying, growing older, her Jewish history, and relationships: “Couples that don’t hold hands are like skinny people that don’t dress well — you don’t deserve that.” Treyger regularly performs at The Comedy Cellar and The Comedy Store and will be at Wilmington’s Dead Crow Comedy Room for four shows on Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. each night; tickets are $18 to $28.

‘The Little Mermaid’ — Opera House is presenting the Disney classic one final weekend. A love story for all ages, and based on Hans Christen Anderson’s iconic film, the stage version is produced with music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and book by Doug Wright. The story follows a teenage mermaid, Ariel, fascinated by life above the sea, who pines for a landlocked Prince Eric. She makes a bargain with the sea witch, Ursula, to trade her fin for legs in order to be with the prince but things don’t go as planned. Her father, King Triton, must decide to make a sacrifice for his daughter. The show features songs including “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World,” with music directed by Brian Whitted. Jason Aycock and Brooklynne Williamson choreographed the scenes, with show direction by Sarah Rodgers. The show stars Mary Mattison, Kellen Hanson, Heather Setzler, Bianca Shaw, Kaleb Edward Edley and others. It runs through Aug. 6. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., with matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday Tickets are $32.

Trash’n Fash’n Show New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Drive • Tickets: $15 – $25

A fundraiser for Plastic Ocean Project, the second annual Trash’n Fash’n Show will take place at the arboretum from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. High school students organize the event in order to raise awareness in the community about waste.

The fashions on the runway are made of recycled and reused materials, created by designers of all ages. They use old fabrics, vintage clothing from thrift stores, plastics, and other single-use materials, such as paper.

The event features live music, food trucks (Pepe’s Tacos, Sweet Cleo’s frozen desserts) and Nothing Too Fancy Designs, featuring upcycled screen-printed clothing.

Tickets are $15 to $25 and proceeds go to Plastic Ocean Project, which works to eradicate single-use plastic waste from the ocean.

OTHER SATURDAY EVENTSWilmington Walking Tours — Want to learn about the architectural history of Wilmington? Paired with wine? Wilmington Walking Tours is hosting a Wine Stroll History Tour throughout downtown Wilmington and guests will stop at various spots along the way to enjoy some vino. Tour tickets are $30 and don’t include drinks; guests meet at ARRIVE/Dram Yard courtyard at the corner of Second and Dock streets at 6:30 p.m. Also on Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., local historian Chris Fonvielle, professor emeritus in the Department of History at UNCW, is doing a walking tour of Civil War Wilmington. Fonvielle will discuss how Wilmington — North Carolina’s busiest seaport and most populated city then — played a more important role in the nation’s history than at any other time. Fonvielle will take guests to Civil War sites and reveal stories from the time, such as “great escape” by William B. Gould and other enslaved African Americans; the renowned Confederate spy Rose O’Neale Greenhow; and the underbelly of the Las Vegas of the Confederacy. Learn more here.

The Wave Market — A pop-up vendor fair will be set up at Wrightsville Beach Brewery from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Wave Market supports small businesses and will have various wares for sale crafted by locals, with live music in the beer garden.

Port City Rock Jam Music Fest — Hosted at Bottleworks (920 Princess St.), a festival featuring seven bands to support two local charities, Cape Fear River Watch and Play It Forward, will take place beginning at noon. The lineup includes Steel Music Band, Jesse Stockton and Friends, Pretty Odd, Armadillo, Dubtown Cosmonauts, Ruckus, and Justin Cody Fox. Tickets are $10 online and $15 at the door, with kids under 12 free. The festival is community-centered, hosted by band members of local act Rukus. Proceeds go to helping Cape Fear River Watch’s environmental mission to protect and improve the water quality of the river. It also will support Play It Forward, which upfits used instruments and accepts new donations to give to local kids.

‘Quilt Stories’ — Theater organization Mouths of Babe’s original documentary play, “Quilt Stories: Voices from the AIDS Quilt” will host a performance at DREAMS of Wilmington Garage (901 Fanning St.) at 7 p.m. The play delves into the people who helped make the AIDS quilt, exploring lives of those who died from AIDS, yet whose legacies and stories remain indelible on the quilt. “‘Quilt Stories’ is a vulnerable dissection of the relationship between love and labor, memorial and activism, art and process, grief and healing, and so much more,” according to the theater company. Tickets are $15.

Yachtvember — Yacht rockers, pull on those boat shoes and prepare to zone out at Bourgie Nights on Saturday. A summer celebration is taking place with Yachtvember, featuring the local band Feather, who specializes in ‘70s era soft-rock tunes, such as “Right Down the Line” by Jerry Rafferty, “Summer Breeze” by Seals and Crofts, and “Baby Come Back” by Player. The band bills itself “soft rock for hard times.” Also playing the show will be Kenny Wavinson, out of Greensboro. The 25-year-old creates original music under his own genre, considered “Lakewater Rock” — chill and vibey indie-rock, with echoed soundscapes and vocals. Local DJ Rizzy Beats will also spin tunes. It’s $10 in advance and $15 day of show.

Mad Hatter Afternoon TeaCape Fear Spice Merchants, 20 Market St. • Tickets: $15

Afternoon tea, please!

At 2 p.m. at downtown’s Spice Merchants, the culinary shop will be outfitted to welcome guests to its Mad Hatter tea party in its new display kitchen. All courses — both sweet and savory — will be “Alice in Wonderland” themed.

The event starts with a welcome tea cocktail or mocktail and small bite. There will be a tea and food demonstration as well. Attendees also will go home with printed recipes from the event and can receive day-of discounts on shop sundries. The Spice Merchants sell teas, coffees, spices, olive oils, vinegars, and other food products.

There is limited space; tickets available here.

OTHER SUNDAY EVENTSWilmington Divine and Delectable Dessert Festival — Taking place at Waterline Brewing Company, 721 Surry St., the festival will feature all vendors that can sate a sweet tooth. Hosted by Downtown ILM Market, visitors can partake from noon to 4 p.m. and there will be music by singer, songwriter, and guitarist John Hussman. The food truck Well-Fed Ed will be parked on site at 2 p.m.

Boogie in the Park — The Kure Beach Recreation Department is hosting Boogie in the Park from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Ocean Front Park (105 Atlantic Ave.). Local musician David Dixon will perform his pop and rock tunes, both originals and covers. Beach blankets and lawn chairs are welcome. The free concerts take place the first and third Sunday each month through October, excluding major holiday weekends.

Slightly Stoopid, Sublime — Slightly Stoopid and Sublime with Rome and special guest Atmosphere and The Movement will take the Riverfront stage at Live Oak Bank Pavilion on Aug. 6, 5 p.m. Sublime with Rome is a collaboration between Eric Wilson, formerly of American ska punk band Sublime, and singer and guitarist Rome Ramirez. The reggae alt rock group performs mostly songs by the original Sublime, fronted by Bradley Nowell until his death in 1996. Wilson and Ramirez began performing together in 2009 under the name “Sublime” until a legal snafu with Nowell’s estate forced them to change it — hence Sublime with Rome was born the following year. Current members include Wilson (bass), Ramirez (lead vocals, guitar), and Carlos Verdugo (drums). The trio released its first album, “Blessings” in May 2019. The California-based Slightly Stoopid performs an amalgamation of rock, folk, reggae and blues with hip-hop, funk, metal and punk. The band’s released 13 albums and was originally signed by Sublime’s Nowell in the early ’90s. Tickets are $39 here.

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