John StatonWilmington StarNews
The weekend before the Azalea Festival in Wilmington is always the relative calm before the storm of tourists arrive. That said, it's also a great time to go out and do stuff before the craziness starts, and luckily there are some enticing options this weekend.
Really strong touring artists are coming through, starting with a world-class comedian at Dead Crow and including a Wilmington native who's bringing his acclaimed Americana duo back to his hometown.
Plus, there's a big food festival, a crazy heavy metal tribute show and a touring comedy based on a beloved '80s sitcom. Let's get into it.
ALL WEEKEND
Baron Vaughn
March 28-29 at Dead Crow Comedy Room: Comic, actor and writer Baron Vaughn has a ton of credits, and he gave one of the funniest stand-up comedy performances I've ever seen at the old Cape Fear Comedy Festival in 2015. He had a gloriously silly bit about how a cricket in his apartment kept him up all night, but Vaughn put a funny spin on a serious topic when he told the audience he was doing some shopping in downtown Wilmington. "I've been to your … Cotton Exchange," he said pointedly of the collection of stores located in a former cotton factory. "I was going to buy a pair of jeans, but then I looked at the price: 'Your freedom.' Nah, too expensive." 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, tickets are $20 and $30.
Feast Wilmington
March 29-30 at Riverfront Park/Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Food festival features multiple events, with a craft beer and food pairing on Saturday with music by blues rockers The Blue Footed Boobies; a pier party on the Wilmington riverfront Saturday evening with the music of The Hatch Brothers; and "elevated" brunch on Sunday with tunes spun by Tracy Shedd of Fort Lowell Records. Details and tickets at FeastWilmington.com.
FRIDAY
The Chatham Rabbits
March 28at Kenan Auditorium: Americana bandled by Wilmington native Austin McCombie(guitar, vocals) and his wife, Sarah McCombie (banjo, vocals) pay a visit to the Port City in support ofnew album "Be Real With Me." 8 p.m. Friday, tickets start at $34.
Bluegrass Bash
March 28at Thalian Hall: Thalian Hall's 7th annual show celebrating bluegrass and Americana music features local and regional acts playing on stages inside and out. With Massive Grass, The General Assembly and Sail Away Ladies. 6 p.m. parking lot party, 7:30 p.m. show on the main stage.
Cancerslug
March 28 at Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: With a name like Cancerslug, you know it's got to be weird. Veteran horror punk/metal band brings a big sound and lots of showmanship to the stage. Opening acts are Wilmington acts The Good Good Grief and Yule! 7 p.m. Friday, $15 in advance, $20 at the door.
Mocktallica
March 28 at The Eagle's Dare: The real Metallica is coming to Charlotte in May, but if you don't want to wait that long or spend all that dough, tribute act Mocktallica is headlining an epic metal show at the Eagle's Dare, and nothing else matters. With Slayer tribute act Hell Awaits and local support To Begin Anew and Abstractionist. 7 p.m. Friday, all ages with parent. Tickets start at $18.
Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road
March 28 at Live at Ted's: Bluegrass band from Deep Gap is led by mandolin phenom Purcell. Virtuoso musicians playing music rooted in old-time bluegrass, but with a few modern tricks. 8 p.m. Friday, tickets are $25.
SATURDAY
Bendigo Fletcher
March 29 at Bourgie Nights: Indie folk band has a sound that's been described as "country-flecked folk-rock soaked in LSD." Most recent album "Two Things at Once" dropped on Elektra Records in 2024. 9 p.m. doors, 10 p.m. show Saturday, tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show.
Invasion of the Pirates
March 29 at the Cotton Exchange: Family-friendly event at this historic downtown Wilmington shopping center hearkens back to Wilmington's old Feast of the Pirates Festival of a century ago. With pirate-themed entertainers, kids' activities and more. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, free.
Cape Fear Pop Culture Fest
March 29 at Elks Lodge 532: Third annual festival features dozens of vendors selling comics, new and vintage toys, retro and new video games, Pokémon cards, vinyl records and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, $5, free for ages 12 and under.
Cape Fear Chorale
March 29 at Kenan Auditorium: Longtime Wilmington vocal group presents the love-themed choral concert "Liebeslieder," so named for Brahms' "Liebeslieder Waltzes," which will have the Chorale joined on stage by ballroom dancers. With work by Jake Runestad, Adolphus Hailstork, Dale Trumbore, Thomas Morley and more. 7 p.m. Saturday, tickets are $15, $10 for youth.
Bring Out Yer Dead
March 29 at Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Touring Grateful Dead tribute act will bring their tie-dyed jams to this Wilmington rock club. 8 p.m. Saturday, tickets are $18.
The Rough & Tumble
March 29 at Live at Ted's: The Pennsylvania duo of Mallory Graham and Scott Tyler play what they term "dumpster-folk and thrift store-Americana." 8 p.m. Saturday, tickets are $12.
'Detained'
March 29 at Thalian Hall: Staged reading of a 2006 play by Rose-Mary Harrington, whose drama "Shakers Revised" is up for Best Original Production at the 2025 Wilmington Theater Awards on March 26. "Detained" is about families seeking political asylum who find themselves caught up in the red tape of the immigration system. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, 910-632-2285.
SUNDAY
'Golden Girls'
March 30 at CFCC Wilson Center: Touring show based on the beloved '80s sitcom has a twist: men in drag play the characters of Blanche, Rose, Dorothy and Sylvia. 3 p.m. Sunday, tickets at 910-632-7999.
Sad Song Happy Hour
March 30at Bourgie Nights: Monthly songwriter showcase, listening room and open-mic-by-lottery organized by Tanner Lackey of Wilmington band Lady Die has been shining a light on the estimable talent of area musicians. The March show features an appearance by Wilmington's most mysterious band —masked electro pop duo Stranger Raven — along with two unmasked but very talented artists, Asheville's Millie Palmer and Wilmington alt-folk singer Haley Heath. 7 p.m. Sunday, free.
