The Arts Council Of Wilmington/NHC

Awards Watch Party
2026-03-15 19:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | Jengo’s Playhouse, 815 Princess Street, Wilmington, 28401
Join us as we celebrate Hollywood’s biggest night of the year! Watch the 98th annual Academy Awards live with other film lovers at Jengo’s Playhouse. Bring your friends, grab a drink from Jengo’s bar, and cheer (or boo) for your favorite actors, films, and the surprise wins.
Feeling fancy? Dress up if you’d like! Red carpet looks are encouraged but not required. Come as you are and enjoy the show with the Cucalorus crew!

SCOTOPIA 2026- The award winning Iphigenia in Splott from Raleigh's Burning Coal Theatre
2026-03-15 19:30 - 20:30 | Thalian Hall – Ruth & Bucky Stein Theatre, 310 Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
The award winning Iphigenia in Splott from Raleigh’s Burning Coal Theatre tells a story of a young woman coming into her power.

SCOTOPIA SHORTS- $5 DAYTIME SHOW
2026-03-17 10:30 - 11:30 | Thalian Hall – Ruth & Bucky Stein Theatre, 310 Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
See Scotopia Shorts in the morning for only $5. Scotopia Shorts is an eclectic collection of new 10 minute plays that address social topics

SCOTOPIA 2026- Bianca Shaw's music opens the award winning Iphigenia in Splott from Raleigh's Burning Coal Theatre
2026-03-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Thalian Hall – Ruth & Bucky Stein Theatre, 310 Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Bianca Shaw’s bluesy tunes opens the award winning Iphigenia in Splott from Raleigh’s Burning Coal Theatre. This one woman show is a raw tale of a young woman coming into her power.

SCOTOPIA 2026- Song of a Sea Witch
2026-03-18 10:30 - 11:00 | Thalian Hall – Ruth & Bucky Stein Theatre, 310 Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Song of a Seawitch by Rachel Hynes with ensemble music by Ethan Foote, uses puppetry, physical theatre, and music to tell a fairytale about the power of language and the lasting impact of negative self-talk. Appropriate for ages (7+), it follows the story of a young girl whose best friend lives at the bottom of the sea.

SCOTOPIA 2026- Song of a Sea Witch
2026-03-18 18:00 - 19:00 | Thalian Hall – Ruth & Bucky Stein Theatre, 310 Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Song of a Sea Witch by Rachel Hynes with ensemble music by Ethan Foote uses puppetry, physical theatre, and music to tell a fairytale about the power of language and the lasting impact of negative self-talk. Appropriate for ages (7+), it follows the story of a young girl whose best friend lives at the bottom of the sea.

Sunset Performance Series: Durty Dub’s Tribute to Charley Pride
2026-03-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S 17th St, Wilmington, 28412
At PNC USCT Park, on CAM grounds | FREE; $5 Suggested Donation
Join us outside at the PNC USCT Park for an evening of classic country reimagined. In this intimate duo performance, Durty Dub and powerhouse vocalist Myk’l Hanna breathe new life into the music of Charley Pride, one of country’s most prolific and groundbreaking artists. With heartfelt storytelling and rich harmonies, they’ll take you through Pride’s hits with a blend of soul, gospel, and reggae influences that feel both reverent and fresh.
Durty Dub renders Charley Pride’s classic country anthems faithfully while refreshing some pieces with reggae, soul and gospel adaptations. Tonight, he’ll offer an intimate duo performance with vocalist Myk’l Hanna, adding some background and fun stories about the man himself. Roll Pride!
As the sun sets over the Boundless installation by Stephen Hayes, settle in for live music that celebrates legacy and genre-defying creativity. Bring your own chair or blanket and enjoy the laid-back, community vibe CAM’s Sunset Performance Series is known for. Free and open to all.
More About the Artists:
Durty Dub first learned who Charley Pride was from his grandmother after one fateful thanksgiving dinner in 2016. An article in Jet magazine led her to recount Pride’s incredible legacy, including 36 #1 hit singles, over 70 million albums sold, 31 gold and 4 platinum albums – including one quadruple platinum. Also, on RCA Records he is second in sales on RCA only to Elvis Presley.
Fascinated by the storied success of one of country music’s few (at the time) black artists, Dub set out to digest Pride’s extensive catalog and learn more about the man. The next step was to put a tribute band together, consisting of NC’s most versatile musicians, including vocalist Michael Hanna, percussionist Atiba Rorie [Africa Unplugged], bassist Kenny Phelps-McKeown [Ellis Dyson & The Shambles] & drummer Devin Fuller [Emily Musolino]. The band has also been joined on occasion by slide-guitar slinger, Phil Cook [Bruce Hornsby, Hiss Golden Messenger].
With this personnel, Dub soon found that he was able to render Pride’s classic country anthems faithfully while refreshing some of the pieces with reggae, soul and gospel adaptations. Since then, the project has gone on to share the stage with H.C. McEntire, Gangstagrass, and play the mainstage at the 2019 Beaufort Music Festival.

TACT How I Became a Pirate!
2026-03-20 19:30 - 2026-03-29 17:00 | Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, 120 South 2nd Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
How I Became A Pirate
https://www.etix.com/ticket/e/1051613/how-i-became-a-pirate-wilmington-hannah-block-historic-usocommunity-arts-centerthalian-assoc
Showtimes
Dates: Friday March 20, 2026 – Sunday March 29, 2026
Friday – Saturday Time: 7:30 pm
Sunday Time: 3:00 pm
Location
2nd Street Stage Hannah Block
Historic USO/Community Arts Center
Book, Music and Lyrics by JANET YATES VOGT AND MARK FRIEDMAN Based upon the book “How I Became a Pirate” Written by Melinda Long and Illustrations by David Shannon Performed by arrangement with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and The Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. HOW I BECAME A PIRATE received its world premiere at First Stage Children’s Theatre, Milwaukee, WI. Sail off on a fantastic musical excursion when a band of comical pirates lands at North Beach looking for an expert digger to join their crew. Braid Beard and his mates enlist young Jeremy Jacob as they look for the perfect spot to bury their treasure. Jeremy finds that adventuring can be lots of fun, but also learns that love and home are treasures you can’t find on any map! The whole family will love this delightful and swashbuckling musical adventure.

Past Meets Pavement Walking Tours: Wilmington’s African American Heritage
2026-03-21 09:00 - 10:30 | The Bellamy Mansion Museum, 503 Market Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Join us for a 90-minute walking tour in historic downtown Wilmington. The tour begins and ends at the Bellamy Mansion Museum. This tour is based on “A Guide to Wilmington’s African American Heritage” and will explore the people and places integral to Wilmington’s Black history.
The tour is appropriate for all ages, but please note this may not be suitable for anyone with limited mobility. The tour is rain or shine, within reason, and attendees will be notified via email if the tour is cancelled due to serious weather. This tour will be offered again on June 13.
There are NO WALK-UPS allowed, and registration is required. If you have questions, please email info@bellamymansion.org before registering.

Neighbors for Nature: CAM Community Day
2026-03-21 10:00 - 17:00 | Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S 17th St, Wilmington, 28412
Saturday, March 21st
10 am-5 pm
FREE Programs and exhibitions from 10 AM to 5 PM
Activities in the Reception Hall, 10 am-1 pm:
Celebrate the many ways the arts can support the environment for children and families!
Enjoy a full-day of arts and environmental advocacy programming with your family. Cameron Art Museum, Airlie Gardens, New Hanover County Soil and Water, and other area environmental organizations come together to offer a wide variety of art projects and interactive collaborations to learn about the importance of nature and art. We will also host community tables that will provide information about their organizations and the resources they offer.
Join us at 11:30 AM for a family-friendly ASL Guided Tour.
Stay for a special performance from School of Rock at 2 PM: School of Rock in Wilmington is dedicated to building a community that fosters personal growth. Through performance-based music education combined with one-on-one instruction and group rehearsals, School of Rock helps students develop both musical proficiency and essential life skills.
Neighbors for Nature Community Day will feature an array of student artwork with the opening of Best Foot Forward, New Hanover County’s K-12 students’ art exhibition. We are pleased to host this talent showcase of visual artists from across the county.
Cameron Art Museum works with many community partners across our 8-county region to bring programming for the whole family. All activities are for all ages and abilities.
Community Partners include:
The North Carolina Aquarium
Plastic Ocean Project
Cape Fear Going Green
Airlie Gardens
New Hanover County Soil and Water
Alliance for Cape Fear Trees
Nature at Home Master Gardener Program
Cape Fear Audubon
and more!

The Campfireball with Tex & The City
2026-03-26 20:00 - 21:30 | Jengo’s Playhouse, 815 Princess Street, Wilmington, 28401
A double-header of live, spontaneous storytelling and improv comedy.
The Campfireball:
Something like if Mr. Rogers was the host of Double Dare, this award winning immersive storytelling show is created spontaneously out of the real-life tales, anecdotes and experiences of the people in the audience. Created and hosted by Cory Howard (Moth Story Slam Grand Slam winner, National Storytelling Festival performer). www.campfireball.net
Tex & The City:
Two-person improv comedy from Jeremy Griffin and Brian Prince, founding members of Wilmington’s turn-of-the-millenium improv troupe The Other Side, performing together for the first time in 15 years.

The Campfireball with Tex & The City
2026-03-26 20:00 - 22:00 | Jengo’s Playhouse, 815 Princess Street, Wilmington, 28401
The Campfireball
Something like if Mr. Rogers was the host of Double Dare, this award winning immersive storytelling show is created spontaneously out of the real-life tales, anecdotes and experiences of the people in the audience. Created and hosted by Cory Howard (Moth Story Slam Grand Slam winner, National Storytelling Festival performer). www.campfireball.net
Tex & The City
Two-person improv comedy from Jeremy Griffin and Brian Prince, founding members of Wilmington’s turn-of-the-millennium improv troupe The Other Side, performing together for the first time in 15 years.
Doors open at 7:00 PM, and show starts at 8:00 PM!
Advance tickets: $12 / Door tickets: $15

"Late Shift" screening at Jengo's Playhouse
2026-03-27 16:30 - 18:30 | Jengo’s Playhouse, 815 Princess Street, Wilmington, 28401
Dedicated nurse Floria (Leonie Benesch) navigates the relentless pace of her hospital’s understaffed surgical ward with humanity and warmth. As her overnight shift intensifies, she is pushed to the brink in a race against time.
Second screening: Fri, Mar 27th, 7:30 PM

Duo Karolina and Iwo
2026-03-27 19:30 - 21:30 | UNCW Kenan Auditorium, 515 Wagoner Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403, Wilmington, NC, 28036, United States
Experience classical music reimagined as award-winning Duo Karolina Mikolajczyk & Iwo Jednocki infuse violin and accordion with bold creativity, vibrant color, and fresh energy.
Duo Karolina & Iwo is one of the most vibrant and innovative chamber ensembles of the current generation of classical musicians. Recognized by artists such as Krzysztof Penderecki and Maxim Vengerov, in 2024 they have been award Poland’s most prestigious prize for classical music, the “Polityka Passport,” with Duo being praised for its “versatility and ability to navigate through diverse musical realms; virtuosity, unbridled imagination, and ingenuity in selecting and creating new repertoire for the distinctive combination of violin and accordion.”
This accolade follows a long line of Grand Prix and First Prizes at international music competitions in addition to performances at prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, Esplanade Concert Hall (Singapore), The Edge Melbourne (Australia), Teatro del Lago (Chile), Guangzhou Opera House (China), and a sell-out debut performance at the Warsaw Philharmonic (Poland).

Earth to Sky: A Curated Poetry & Prose Reading
2026-03-29 14:00 - 15:30 | Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S 17th St, Wilmington, 28412
Sunday, March 29
2-3:30PM
Hughes Wing, at the From Mountains to Sea exhibition
Free with registration; $5 suggested donation
Join us for a poetry and prose reading featuring new work by local poets and Museum School instructors, inspired by the land we inhabit and the art it inspires.
Held inside the From Mountains to Sea exhibition, this program invites you to listen, reflect, and connect through shared stories and voices.
Featuring:
Mahlaynee Cooper
Robert Bellamy
Joanne Durham
Joseph Nathaniel Hill
Tim Joyner
Shawna Kenney
Jules Miller
Daniel Nathan Terry

Reception: Pop Up Exhibit – Fabio Napoleoni
2026-03-29 14:00 - 17:00 | 970 Inspiration Drive, Wilmington, NC 28405, 970 Inspiration Drive, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Beginning March 6th, in collaboration with The Gallery of Fine Art, we are thrilled to offer a pop up art exhibit with the works of Fabio Napoleoni. This exhibit will feature a variety of limited edition prints by the artist.
What the heart wants and the heart needs can be found in a Fabio Napoleoni painting. Nostalgia, sorrow and moments that lift the soul are all there for the world to see and experience along with him. The vivid colors and captivating characters invite you into an emotional ride that is welcomed by the mind and the heart. Simple landscapes set the stage to the value of emotional attachment that can be compared to no other. Influences from some of this century’s greatest artists are hard to find in his pieces, but are drenched deep in the fabric of what puts a Napoleoni painting together.
This exhibit will run through April 19th, alongside a new selection of featured works by our 30+ Gallery Artists!
Join us in the gallery on Sunday, March 29th, 2-5pm for a Special Reception. This event is free and open to the public.

Works-in-Progress Lab Showcase: Hazing
2026-04-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Jengo’s Playhouse, 815 Princess Street, Wilmington, 28401
Working Films, DAWG, and Cucalorus Film Foundation invite you to join us for the Works-in-Progress Showcase, featuring a WiP alumni film screening of Hazing. This documentary explores a variety of underground hazing rituals that are abusive and sometimes deadly. The journey to understand hazing culture reveals a world of toxic masculinity, violence, humiliation, binge drinking, denial, and institutional coverups.
There will be a post screening conversation with WiP alumni, mentors, and filmmakers, Byron Hurt and Natalie Bullock Brown. Come early for our pre-screening social hour where attendees can meet the filmmakers, grab a tasty beverage from the Jengo’s bar, and enjoy some tasty local cuisine.

Wilmington Virtuosi Brass April Concert
2026-04-01 19:30 - 20:30 | Beckwith Recital Hall, 5270 Randall Drive, Wilmington, NC, 28403, United States
Wilmington Virtuosi Brass are heading to the Nationals to compete again in April. We will be performing our test pieces for the contest and will feature soloists from the band. Come and support the area’s premier British brass band in our final preparation to represent our community on the national stage

Jazz at CAM: Gregg Gelb Jazz Quartet Tribute to Benny Goodman
2026-04-02 19:00 - 21:00 | Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S 17th St, Wilmington, 28412
Thursday, April 2 | 7 PM
Join us for Jazz at CAM as we present the Gregg Gelb Jazz Quartet and their Tribute to Benny Goodman!
Expect an evening of swinging rhythms and timeless melodies as the Gregg Gelb Jazz Quartet honors the legendary Benny Goodman. With virtuosic clarinet work, tight ensemble interplay, and authentic big band energy scaled to a quartet, this tribute brings the King of Swing’s music to life with fresh spirit and style.
Jazz at CAM is must for jazz lovers in the Wilmington area!
CAM Café is open for dinner the night of jazz performances. If you’d like to have dinner before the show, please reserve a table by calling (910) 777-2363. If attending the jazz show, we recommend making your reservation time no later than 6 PM to ensure you make it to the performance on time.
TICKETS
CAM Members: $40
Not-Yet Members: $60
Students and Educators: $15
ABOUT THE MUSICIAN
Gregg Gelb is a clarinetist, saxophonist, bandleader, arranger, composer, and educator. He directs the Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble (TYJE), founded the Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra (HOCJO) and Jazz Society, and co-founded the North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra. He also leads several jazz groups, including his Jazz Trio/Quartet, La Fiesta Latin Jazz Band, Second Line Stompers, and the Gregg Gelb Swing Band.Gelb received the Raleigh Medal of Arts in 2018. Under his leadership, TYJE became the first and only North Carolina group to reach the national Jazz at Lincoln Center Essentially Ellington Festival finals, placing second in 2016 and remaining a finalist from 2017–2024. He has received a Jazz Composers Award from the North Carolina Arts Council and four Regional Artist grants.
Since founding HOCJO in 1990, Gelb has served as Artistic Director, shaping its mission to promote jazz education and performance. As a Visiting Artist at Central Carolina Community College (1989–1991), he developed a program highlighting jazz’s significance. HOCJO presents free school and community concerts and has featured renowned artists such as Cecile McLorin Salvant, Houston Person, Sonny Fortune, Renee Marie, Valery Ponomarev, and Stanley Jordan. A standout project is JazzTales, a collaboration with writer Trinity Bursey, combining big band music with storytelling.
Throughout his career, Gelb has frequently performed with the North Carolina Symphony, serving as saxophone soloist for John Williams’ Escapades (2014, 2004). His Swing Band performed A Journey Into Jazz with the Symphony in 1999, later broadcast on WUNC-TV. He also played Bird with Strings with the Durham Symphony (2014, 2015).
Gelb has taught music since 1976, working in public and private schools, colleges, and jazz programs. He teaches at the UNC Chapel Hill Summer Jazz Camp and has been interim jazz director at UNC Greensboro and NC State. He has also taught at Central Carolina Community College, Francis Marion University, Fayetteville State University, and UNC Chapel Hill.
Gelb holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Berklee College of Music, a Master of Music from the North Carolina School of the Arts, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from UNC Greensboro. His dissertation, 1959 Jazz, explores jazz history and recordings from that pivotal year. He has produced numerous jazz recordings and received grants for jazz performances and projects.

Forward Motion Dance
2026-04-03 19:30 - 21:30 | Thalian Hall Main Stage, 310 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, NC
Dance and Variety show

From China to Appalachia
2026-04-07 19:30 - 21:30 | UNCW Kenan Auditorium, 515 Wagoner Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403, Wilmington, NC, 28036, United States
Join us for a genre-blending journey where Grammy winners Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer join Chia Tian to unite Chinese and Appalachian folk traditions in harmony.
CATHY FINK & MARCY MARXER
Two-time GRAMMY® Award Winners, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer are master musicians with a career spanning over 40 years. Their superb harmonies are backed by instrumental virtuosity on the guitar, five-string banjo, ukulele, mandolin, cello-banjo, and many other instruments. An eclectic folk festival on their own terms, their repertoire ranges from classic country to western swing, gypsy jazz to bluegrass, and old-time string band to contemporary folk including some original gems. Their versatility defies a brief description, perhaps “well rounded Americana” does it best.
Cathy & Marcy have performed at hundreds of bluegrass and folk festivals and taught at close to 100 music camps. The Washington Area Music Association has recognized the duo with over 65 WAMMIE Awards for folk, bluegrass and children’s music. They have been GRAMMY nominated 12 times for their folk and children’s music. They have performed with Pete Seeger, Theodore Bikel, Tom Paxton, Patsy Montana, Riders in the Sky and a wide range of musical luminaries.
CHAO TIAN
Chao Tian is a Chinese dulcimer virtuoso, improviser, sound designer, and visual artist. Her dexterity has led to her breaking down barriers and working across creative genres. In her work, she explores the distinct sounds and techniques of the Chinese dulcimer in order to create a multidimensional sensation of improvisation. Her creative interest is mainly in intercultural improvisation study: applications of Chinese musical aesthetics and vocabulary, creative synthesis in cross-disciplinary improvisation: interactions among music, dance, and visual art, and improvisation in folk music. Her latest project, Unheard Sounds, is dedicated to better exploring the practice of the immigration arts: artistic language reshaped by immigrant artists in cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Chao’s musical adventure started at the age of five, and at the age of twelve, she was admitted to Middle and High School Affiliated to China Conservatory of Music, where she majored in Chinese dulcimer studies. She was afterward recommended for immediate admission to China Conservatory of Music, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Traditional Chinese music performance (Yangqin) (2007) and a Master of Arts in Musicology (2010). She is currently a PhD student at Boston University in Ethnomusicology.

Wayne McDowell Art Sale
2026-04-10 10:00 - 2026-04-12 17:00 | Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S 17th St, Wilmington, 28412
PROCEEDS SUPPORT CAM
All Weekend!
Friday, April 10 to Sunday, April 12, from 10 AM – 5 PM
Open to the Public
Compass & Giving Societies Pre-Sale: April 9, 2026, 6-8 PM
Learn more about Compass. Learn more about Giving Societies.
Cameron Art Museum is pleased to offer a special selection of works by beloved Wilmington-based artist Wayne McDowell (American, 1960–2013), available for purchase as part of a museum fundraiser. Through a generous bequest from McDowell’s partner, Nanci Joplin (1960–2025), a significant group of his works was added to the permanent collection of Cameron Art Museum, while select additional works were approved for sale to benefit the museum.
The works available for purchase include pieces featuring McDowell’s signature haunting seascapes, atmospheric coastal landscapes, sparse interiors, and abstract compositions.
After moving to Wilmington, North Carolina, in the late 1990s, McDowell became deeply connected to the region’s coastal environment and creative community. He worked locally as a graphic designer while maintaining an active studio practice. The coastal light, shoreline, and quiet intensity of southeastern North Carolina strongly influenced his work, and many of his most recognized paintings were created during his years in Wilmington.
Described as a “painter’s painter,” McDowell was widely respected by fellow artists and critics. His work was collected by museums during his lifetime, including Cameron Art Museum, where his paintings remain part of the permanent collection. His paintings have been featured in exhibitions at the Chase Gallery, Boston; Fayetteville Museum of Art; Hodges Taylor Gallery, Charlotte; Greenhill Center of the Arts, Greensboro; and Duke University, Durham.
This sale offers a rare opportunity to acquire work by a Wilmington artist whose legacy remains closely tied to the local arts community, while supporting Cameron Art Museum.

"Empire Records" screening at Jengo's Playhouse
2026-04-10 19:30 - 21:30 | Jengo’s Playhouse, 815 Princess Street, Wilmington, 28401
Twenty-four hours in the lives of the young employees at Empire Records when they all grow up and become young adults thanks to each other and the manager. They all face the store joining a chain store with strict rules.
Tickets for the indoor screening at Jengo’s Playhouse are $10. VIP tickets are $20, which include cinema seating, a soda/sparkling water, and a medium popcorn.
Feel like watching it outdoors instead? Bring a lawn chair and join us in Jengo’s Backyard for the outdoor screening of Empire Records–only $7!

The Wizard of Oz
2026-04-10 19:30 - 2026-04-19 14:00 | Historic Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St, Wilmington, 28401
The Wizard of Oz
https://www.thalianhall.org/tact-wizardoz-26
Showtimes
Dates: Friday April 10, 2026 – Sunday April 19, 2026
Friday – Saturday Time: 7:30 pm
Sunday Time: 2:00 pm
Additional Performances Saturday April 11, 2026 2:00 pm
Location
Main Stage Thalian Hall
310 Chestnut St.
By L. Frank Baum With Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg Background Music by Herbert Stothart Dance and Vocal Arrangements by Peter Howard / Orchestration by Larry Wilcox Adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company Based upon the Classic Motion Picture owned by Turner Entertainment Co. and distributed in all media by Warner Bros.
We’re off to see the wizard! This beloved tale, in which a Kansas farm girl travels over the rainbow to discover the magical power of home, has entertained audiences for generations. Follow the yellow brick road in this delightful stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved tale, featuring the iconic musical score from the MGM film. The timeless tale, in which young Dorothy Gale travels from Kansas over the rainbow to the magical Land of Oz, continues to thrill audiences worldwide.
An Associated Event of the North Carolina Azalea Festival!

Sunset Performance Series: Bacon Grease
2026-04-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S 17th St, Wilmington, 28412
Join us outside at the PNC USCT Park for an evening of live music with Bacon Grease, led by Wilmington musician and songwriter Jared Michael Cline. Driven by a passion for music and performance, Cline is known for simple, honest performances and songwriting inspired by life, love, and pain. His music explores personal experiences and unspoken emotions, connecting with audiences on a deeper level through thoughtful lyrics and authentic performance.
As the sun sets over Boundless by Stephen Hayes, settle in for live music that celebrates legacy and genre-defying creativity in one of Wilmington’s most unique outdoor settings. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the laid-back, community atmosphere that CAM’s Sunset Performance Series is known for. Free and open to all.
More About the Artist:
Jared Michael Cline moved to Wilmington in 2012 and quickly became part of the local art and music scene. Since then, he has continued developing as a songwriter, performer, and vocalist, carving out his place in Wilmington’s music community through sincere songwriting and engaging live performances.

"The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T."- screening at Jengo's Playhouse
2026-04-17 16:00 - 18:00 | Jengo’s Playhouse, 815 Princess Street, Wilmington, 28401
Young Bart Collins lives with his widowed mother Heloise. The major blight on Bart’s existence is the hated piano lessons he is forced to endure under the tutelage of the autocratic Dr. Terwilliker. Bart feels that his mother has fallen under Terwilliker’s sinister influence, and gripes to visiting plumber August Zabladowski, without much result. While grimly hammering away at his lessons, Bart dozes off and enters a fantastical musical dream.
Art in Bloom Gallery is delighted to partner with Cucalorus’s Jengo’s Spring Series. A panel discussion and Q&A will follow the matinee and evening screening with filmmaker Christina Capra, Dr. Seuss expert Mike Golonka, and Art in Bloom Gallery owner Amy Grant.
Second screening: Fri, Apr 17th, 7:30 PM @ Jengo’s Playhouse

Past Meets Pavement Walking Tours: Wilmington and the American Civil War
2026-04-18 09:00 - 10:30 | The Bellamy Mansion Museum, 503 Market Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Join us for a 90-minute walking tour in historic downtown Wilmington. The tour begins and ends at the Bellamy Mansion Museum. This tour will focus on the people and places of antebellum Wilmington while exploring the port city’s role in the American Civil War.
The tour is appropriate for all ages, but please note this may not be suitable for anyone with limited mobility. The tour is rain or shine, within reason, and attendees will be notified via email if the tour is cancelled due to serious weather. This tour will be offered again on July 18.
There are NO WALK-UPS allowed, and registration is required. If you have questions, please email info@bellamymansion.org before registering.

Wilmington Dance Festival
2026-04-18 19:30 - 21:30 | UNCW Kenan Auditorium, 515 Wagoner Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403, Wilmington, NC, 28036, United States
Celebrate Wilmington’s vibrant dance community with a dynamic evening of ballet, contemporary, and modern works at the Wilmington Dance Festival, featuring local talent, guest artists, and a special silent auction!
The Wilmington Dance Festival celebrates the talent, passion, and creativity of local dancers and choreographers through a dynamic mix of ballet, contemporary, modern, and more. A beloved tradition since 2002, the festival has become a cornerstone of the Wilmington arts scene, spotlighting both emerging local artists and nationally recognized talent. This year’s event also features a silent auction with exciting prizes from local businesses. Join us for an inspiring evening of movement, music, and community spirit.
The Wilmington Dance Festival is a co-presentation between the Dance Cooperative and UNCW’s Office of the Arts.

CAM After Dark: Conversation with Joe Grant – Executive Director of Starworks
2026-04-23 18:30 - 19:30 | Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S 17th St, Wilmington, 28412
CAM Members: $10 | Not-Yet Members: $15 | Students & Educators: Free
Join us for an illustrated lecture celebrating the exhibition Magic, Light and Sacred Geometry: Glassworks by Frederick G. Kahl, presented by Joe Grant, Executive Director of Starworks in Star, NC.
Magic, Light and Sacred Geometry: Glassworks by Frederick G. Kahl is the culmination of the artist’s decade-long inquiry into the immersive and meditative quality of light. Featuring glass works and drawings, the exhibition reflects a career shaped by magic, play, and a sense of mystery.
Also known as “the Great Fredini,” Kahl’s practice has spanned visual and stage illusions, yogic sideshow feats of sword swallowing, and 3D scanned and printed portrait sculptures. In this lecture, Joe Grant explores how Kahl’s current focus on sacred geometries comes together to create meditative, immersive experiences — and what that means for the works on view.
About the Speaker
Joe Grant is the Executive Director of Starworks, where he has spent over 11 years playing a central role in shaping their glass program into one of the Southeast’s leading educational and production studios, fostering collaboration among artists, students, and the community.
An accomplished glass artist, Joe has received numerous awards, including a residency at the Creative Glass Center of America and a North Carolina Arts Council Fellowship. His work has been exhibited at venues including the Carrack Modern Art, Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, and GreenHill Center in North Carolina; Gallery A in Richmond, Virginia; Gallery OneOne in Cincinnati, Ohio; Minnetrista in Muncie, Indiana; University Galleries in Bloomington, Illinois; and Marx-Saunders Gallery in Chicago, Illinois.

“Desire Path” Featuring Hannah Fridholm & Lisa J. Mullikin
2026-04-24 08:00 - 2026-06-07 17:00 | 970 Inspiration Drive, Wilmington, NC 28405, 970 Inspiration Drive, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Art in Bloom Gallery is eager to introduce you to the ceramic sculptures and paintings of guest artists Hannah Fridholm & Lisa J. Mullikin – two recent arrivals to our area with fresh perspectives to share! Ceramicist Hannah Fridholm explores the fragility of memory and the fleeting moments that shape our lives, using clay as a medium to embody transformation and impermanence. Through hand-built sculptures and textured forms, she captures the delicate nature of human experiences. Painter & architect Lisa J. Mullikin focuses on the relationships we have with regional landscapes, and the cultural connections we have to place. Since moving to Wilmington, Lisa’s oils have reflected the area’s unique relationships between the placid land, dynamic sky and the formidable ocean.
In the landscape of human experience, a “desire path” is the unplanned route carved by choices, losses, and transformations. Through incorporating mixed media into their creations, Hannah & Lisa explore the intersections between nature, history, and imagination – the transitory moments when we move from one space to the next. This is not unlike our lives in transition, when we are heading down a certain path but suddenly feel compelled to walk through the untrodden meadow searching and hoping for something wild and unexpected. Altogether, “Desire Path” honors memories and the trail we carve into the earth when we stray from the path.
Join us in the gallery on Sunday, April 26th, 2-5pm for our Artist Reception. Enjoy special refreshments, meet our artists, and enjoy live music by jazz guitarist Roger Davis! This exhibit will run through June 7th, alongside a new selection of featured works by our 30+ Gallery Artists.
About the Artists
Clay, for Hannah Fridholm, is not just a material but a vessel of memory. It has a life of its own, requiring attention and care throughout its journey. Like us, it is vulnerable — subject to cracking, breaking, and sometimes even exploding. The process of working with clay becomes a sanctuary, a space where emotions can be expressed and explored. The fragile results of this process mirror the fragility of our own lives. In creating these precarious objects, Hannah’s aim is to make a statement about the precious, fleeting nature of existence.
Hannah’s newest works are a testament to the precious, fleeting nature of life and the resilience found in nature’s lifecycles. Hannah works with clay because it is a material that embodies memory, mirroring the fragility of life. These sculptures act as shrines to moments lost, realized, or imagined. By turning the scars of life into decorative regalia, these figures wear their histories as adornments.
Lisa J. Mullikin’s painting career has been a continuation of her architecture career. She continues to be intrigued by nature, light, and space, and what decisions we make when we are passing through “in-between spaces” – those moments when we move from one space to the next, when the light opens up or closes down and we become hyper aware of our surroundings.
Many of Lisa’s pieces explore these dreamlike experiences where will and acceptance collide. Her recent series add a layer of exploration into the interconnectedness of life. To Lisa, the women in these paintings quietly hold up the world and protect us. They are a part of nature, as are the animals, who are always messengers, storytellers, and deep thinkers. They free us to trust our intuition. They compel us to be our wild selves. Through making, Lisa investigates a world where she can be the animal.
