Events March-April 2020

Looking to fill your social calendar? We've got the rundown on what to do this Spring season.

Cinema Sister’s International Film Festival
Mar 6 – 7
Wilmington Female Filmmakers Collective (WilmFFilm) presents the annual Cinema Sister's International Film Festival formerly the Chick Flicks Film Festival.  This laid back festival focuses on films and videos of any genre made by women. Films run less than thirty minutes, and are directed by women from around the globe with last year's submissions coming from Spain, Italy, Russia, the UK, Canada, Vietnam, France, Turkey and across the USA. Friday: 5:00 PM | Saturday Begins: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM, Jengo’s Playhouse, 910-676-6966, csiff.org

Marchtoberfest Wilmington NC’s Beer Festival
Mar 7
Prost on the Coast with Wilmington, NC's Spring Beer Festival presented by ILMBeer. Marchtoberfest features North Carolina breweries, German-style beer, German food, German music, and games. Festival goers and breweries alike are encouraged to wear Oktoberfest costumes to this unique celebration of craft beer on the coast of North Carolina. 1-5pm, Wilmington Convention Center, 910-512-2587, marchtoberfestfilm.com

St. Patrick’s Day Festival & Parade
Mar 14
Join the global celebration of all things Irish with the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival in Historic Downtown.  Beginning on North Second Street near CFCC Schwartz Center, the Parade will wind its way down North Front Street, past Market Street turning left on Dock Street and then left on South Second Street to the new location for the Festival Music Stage. Enjoy your favorite Irish tunes performed by Striking Copper, The Blarney Brogues, and The Malones in addition to the amazing dance routines of The Walsh Kelly School of Irish Dance.  Wear your most festive green for this fun rain or shine event. Parade: 11am-12pm with Festival Following until 6pm, Historic Downtown Wilmington, 919-270-6053, wilmingtonstpatricksdayfestival.com

Steve Haydu St. Patrick’s Lo Tide Run 5K Walk/Run & 10k
Mar 14
This flat course (USATF Certification) run celebrates its sixteenth year as a St. Patrick's Day Celebration and tribute to two truly amazing men whose paths crossed in Carolina Beach. Costume clad in Irish attire (or not) Participants can choose either the 10k Run or the 5k Run/Walk followed by an awards ceremony and after party. 7am-12pm, Carolina Beach Boardwalk, 910-547-3820, lotiderun.org

Stephen Marley
Mar 15
Headlining shows comes naturally for the eight-time Grammy winning musician and producer who is also the second son of Bob Marley. Stephen’s talent for navigating between genres by effortlessly blending reggae with soul, hip-hop and electronic dancehall beats makes his musical appeal universal and timeless. One of the third generations of Marley's, DJ Shacia Payne & Constance Bubble will also be spinning tunes sure to get you moving. 7pm, Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, 910-343-3614, greenfieldlakeamphitheater.com

An American in Paris: A New Musical
Mar 21
Enjoy the iconic music composed by George Gershwin that famously inspired the film of the same name. An American in Paris: A New Musical tells the story of a post-war American veteran featuring soaring melodies matched by gravity-defying dance steps all celebrating the power of love. Broadway’s thrilling new stage adaptation of the original Academy Award®-winning film won four Tony Awards®.  This exquisite production features Gershwin favorites like “I Got Rhythm,” “Liza,” “’S Wonderful,” “But Not for Me,” and “Stairway to Paradise.” Matinee 3pm |Evening 8pm, The Wilson Center, 910-362-7999, cfcc.edu/capefearstage

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
Mar 21
Get ready for a great day of beer sippin', beer and bourbon tastin', music listenin' and barbeque eatin' half-way between Historic Downtown Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach. Your admission gets you a sampling glass to enjoy a sampling of 60 beers and 40 bourbons. Some of the best barbeque vendors are also on-site to satisfy all your BBQ Cravings.  There will be seminars in the tasting theater, Barbeque exhibits, and live music, a Local Beer Garden and special Cornhole Tournament. VIP Whole Hog Session:12-6pm | General Admission: 2-6pm, Legion Stadium Complex, 800-830-3976, Wilmington.beerandbourbon.com

Rock the Beach
Mar 21
Enjoy some of your favorite Rock-n-Roll tunes as the annual Rock the Beach pays tropical homage to a legend with Bluffett and the Son of a Sailor Band at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk.  Sand and sunshine combine for the ultimate trip down memory lane.  This date is rescheduled from the Fall.  Other exciting bands are the hilarious Da Howlies and the exciting rock-a-billy Phantom Playboys. Bring your sunscreen for a fun time in the sun. Music Starts: 11am with Main Event: 3pm, Cape Fear Blvd & Carolina Beach Ave. S., Carolina Beach, 910-458-8434.

Wilmington, NC Marathon Madness
Mar 21
Experience marathon madness from Pier to Port. Drawing a variety of runners from all over the country, this exciting event has the added bonus of being a Boston Marathon qualifier and an USATF certified qualifier.  The new course for the full marathon starts Saturday morning at Johnnie Mercers Pier in Wrightsville Beach, and runs through Wilmington ending in Historic Downtown Wilmington by the river in front of the Alton Lennon Federal Courthouse. Make plans now to participate in or watch the "madness." Friday is Packet Pickup | Race Day Sat: Race Times Vary please see website. 21 N. Water St, Wrightsville Beach, 910-297-4973, wilmingtonncmarathon.com

Made in NC 2020
Mar 21 – 22
Celebrate Wilmington's community of original craftsmen and artisans at this modern handmade marketplace! Made in NC features over 50 of the region's finest artists as they present their work in the historical Brooklyn Arts Center. Explore handmade creations of all kinds: art, clothing and accessories, household and garden items, and more. Food trucks will provide offerings both days while the BAC cash bar will serve liquid refreshments. Sat:10am-5pm | Sun: 12-5pm, Brooklyn Arts Center at St. Andrews, 910-538-2939, brooklynartsnc.com

Cats
Mar 24 – 26
Enjoy one of the longest running most beloved Broadway musicals that tells the story of one magical night of an extraordinary tribe of cats called the Jellicles. Winning over seven Tony Awards®, this musical has been translated into 15 languages and performed around the world with the most well-known song "Memory" recorded by over 150 popular artists. 8pm, The Wilson Center, 910-362-7999, cfcc.edu/capefearstage

20th Annual CFCC Riverfront Boat Show
Mar 28
Held on the banks of the Cape Fear River, the CFCC Riverfront Boat Show attracts thousands of visitors every year. This event features a wide variety of wooden boats, including kayaks and skiffs, fiberglass boats from professional boat dealers as well as boat building material suppliers from around the region. Spectators can enjoy boat building demonstrations, try their hand at a Knot-tying Challenge, and be able speak with the Boat Builders about their creations. 9:30am-4pm, North Water St next to the Coastline Convention Center and Aloft Hotel, 910-362-7151, cfcc.edu/boat-building/cfcc-riverfront-boat-show

Cape Fear Craft & Cuisine
Mar 28
The Cape Fear Craft Beer Alliance invites you to experience the annual Cape Fear Craft & Cuisine Event. Held in Airlie Gardens along the banks of Bradley Creek, select local chefs are paired with participating breweries.  Their best offerings will showcase the capabilities of pairing food and beer together. Chef and brewer will be on site to talk about their pairing, providing insight into the experience of food selection and creation.  This promises to be an elegant event for that will delight foodies and craft beer aficionados alike. 6-9pm, Airlie Gardens, 910-679-6586, capefearcraftandcuisine.com

US Open Fat Bike Beach Championship
Mar 28
Get ready for the fat tire bike race on beautiful Wrightsville Beach! The US Open Fat Bike Beach Championship will consist of a large lap which will take racers from the thick sand to the hard packed sand along the water’s edge. There are three Categories: The Fat (12+ miles), The Super Fat (24+ miles) and The Super Fat Relay (24+ miles). While all bikes are allowed to race, bikes with tires over 4” wide are recommended. 2-5:30pm for races - please see website for other event times, Blockade Runner Beach Resort,
910-256-2545, runsignup.com

Dark Star Orchestra
Mar 28 – 29
Celebrating over 21 years and 2600 shows, Dark Star Orchestra continues the Grateful Dead concert experience. Performing music based on historical set lists from the Grateful Dead’s 30 years of touring, as well as their own sets of Dead songs, they offer a continually evolving experience that both honors the band and their followers as well as introduces a new generation to this iconic sound.  Sit under the stars, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Greenfield Lake Amphitheater and be surrounded by the music. You can even pack a picnic and come early to enjoy tailgating with your friends, or a private picnic in the surrounding park. Saturday Show: 6pm | Sunday Show: 5pm, Hugh Morton Amphitheater at Greenfield Lake Park, 910-343-3614, greenfieldlakeamphitheater.com

Poplar Grove Herb & Garden Fair
Mar 28 – 29
Enjoy the area's largest and longest running garden event featuring classes, activities and exhibits on gardening, nature and related topics. The grounds of Poplar Grove will be filled with a wonderful selection of locally grown plants of all types – herbs, perennials, annuals, hanging baskets, shrubs, native plants, vegetable starts and houseplants, plus garden art and accessories, herbal and all-natural products, artisan crafts and local foods-- including several Food Trucks. Sat: 9am-5pm | Sun: 10am-4pm, Poplar Grove Plantation, 910-686-9518, poplargrove.org

Azalea Festival Pops: The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra Pops
Mar 29
An official event of the NC Azalea Festival, enjoy an evening of light classics, film scores, as well as the premiere of a work commissioned by the Azalea Festival composed by Conductor Steven Errante.  A member of the UNCW Department of Music faculty, Dr. Errante currently teaches upper-level music theory courses, MIDI composition and film scoring.  His doctorate is the most advanced course of study from the prestigious Julliard School with his compositions and arrangements recorded by the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony, and the London Symphony. 5pm, The Wilson Center, 910-362-7999, cfcc.edu/capefearstage

North Carolina Azalea Festival
Apr 1 – 5
The North Carolina Azalea Festival is a celebration of Wilmington's exceptional artwork, gardens, rich history and culture during its five days of pageantry. Celebrate Spring southern style with Colorful Parades, bustling Street Fairs, charming Home and Garden Tours, Spectacular Fireworks, nationally-known entertainment performing concerts, as well as the majestic coronation of a Festival Queen and Princess. For community pride and springtime pageantry, the North Carolina Azalea Festival has no equal! Check out their website for a full list of events. Downtown Wilmington, 910-794-4650, ncazaleafestival.org. Concert Series: 4/2 - Aaron Lewis, 4/3 - Sublime w/ Rome, Michael Franti & Spearhead, 4/4 - Avett Brothers; Azalea Festival Parade: 4/4; Boxing Tournament: 4/4 – 4/5; Historic Home Tour: 4/4 – 4/5

Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles
Apr 13
Celebrate the half-century release of The Beatles last group-recorded multi-platinum album Abbey Road with Rain: A Beatles Tribute at The Wilson Center. With exciting sets and multimedia content, this adoring tribute band will bring the greatest hits of this epic recording to life, in addition to all your early Beatles favorites. Let Rain take you back in time with famous songs such as "Here Comes the Sun", "I Want to Hold Your Hand,” "Come Together," "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" and many more. 7:30pm, The Wilson Center,
910-362-7999, cfcc.edu/capefearstage

The Revivalists
Apr 14
Enjoy an evening with the chart-topping indie band The Revivalists as they bring their soulful Into the Stars Tour to majestic Greenfield Lake Amphitheater.  This energetic band's "overnight success" has been over a decade in the making by stunning crowds at iconic festivals like Red Rocks and Lollapalooza  Come experience why this band was named by Rolling Stone magazine as one of "10 Bands You Need to Know". This will be an unforgettable night under the stars. 6:30pm, Greenfield Lake Amphitheater,
910-343-3614, greenfieldlakeamphitheater.com

Annual Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues & Jazz Festival
Apr 18
Enjoy the Annual Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues & Jazz Festival with a day into night extravaganza filled with blues and jazz from two stages of performers all accompanied by delicious locally prepared seafood. Get up close and personal with the soulful echoes of the blues with headliners or sway to some smooth jazz tunes.  Bring your chairs, towels and blankets for a great day of music and seafood at the coast. 11am-10pm, Fort Fisher Military Recreation Area, 910-458-8434, pleasureislandnc.org

Carolina Pro-Am SUP Surf
Apr 18 – 19
Bringing the world’s best Professional and Amateur Paddle Surfers (Standup Paddle Surfing), this contest offers a prize purse and will serve as an American Paddlesurf Professionals (APP) World Tour Qualifying event promoted by the World Paddle Association (WPA). Since 2014, the Carolina Pro-Am has attracted some of world’s top competitors and will be covered by international media fromTotalSup, Standup Journal, Supconnect as well as highlighted on CBS Sports Network during APP World Tour event telecasts. See social media for Events Schedule | Sat: Surfing starts 8:30am | Sun: Surfing starts 9am. Wrightsville Beach near Crystal Pier,
910-619-0511, worldpaddleassociation.com

Riverdance: New 25th Anniversary Show
Apr 21 – 22
Don’t miss this powerfully stirring reinvention of this beloved favorite, celebrated the world over for its Grammy Award®-winning score and the thrilling energy and passion of its Irish and international dance.  Composer Bill Whelan has rerecorded his mesmerizing soundtrack while producer Moya Doherty and director John McColgan have completely reimagined the groundbreaking show with innovative and spectacular lighting, projection, stage, and costume designs.  Fall in love with the magic of Riverdance all over again. Wednesday Matinee: 2:30pm | Evening: 7:30pm, The Wilson Center, 910-362-7999, cfcc.edu/capefearstage

Kure Beach Street Festival
Apr 25
The Kure Beach Street Festival returns the last Saturday in April offering over 35 vendors, children's entertainment, live music, dancing and more festivities. Attendees of all ages can dance to the music, enjoy face painting and crafts. Relax on the lawn and enjoy the shows, grab a snack from food vendors, browse the arts and craft booths for that must-have item. Enjoy spending the day with family and friends, all with views of the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. This one of a kind street fair is playtime-unrestricted. 11am, Ocean Front Park & Along Atlantic Ave, 910-458-8216, townofkurebeach.org

17th Annual Making Legends Local Gala
Apr 25
Like to Perform? Put a team together of your co-workers, colleagues or friends and compete for the Best in Show and/or the Ka’ching Challenge to win bragging rights for the year. Start the night at 6:30pm with the red carpet treatment at the cocktail reception, with heavy hor’dourves from Pine Valley Catering and adult beverages from Lighthouse Beer & Wine. At 8:30pm attendees will be entertained with Epic Lip Sync Performances of the top 20 Hits of all time that will have you dancing, laughing, and crying! Cape Fear Community College Union Station, carouselcenter.org/gala-2020