The Arts Council Of Wilmington/NHC

"2025 Annual Holiday Show" Featuring Clarence Mayo & Joan McLoughlin
2025-11-07 10:00 - 2026-01-04 17:00 (America/New_York) | 970 Inspiration Drive, Wilmington, NC 28405, 970 Inspiration Drive, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Art in Bloom Gallery is celebrating this holiday season through its Annual Holiday Show, featuring the powerful exhibits of mixed-media painters Clarence Mayo and Joan McLoughlin! Combining strong color with unconventional materials, Clarence’s playful creations draw from instinct, cultural echoes, and his own personal roots. Meanwhile, inspired by the renewal of nature and the energy of abstraction, Joan works freely to express a love of life, imagination, joy and hope.
Join us in the gallery on Sunday, November 9th, 2-5pm for our Holiday Show Reception! Enjoy special refreshments, meet our artists, and enjoy live music by guitarist Miles Moore! Delight in the discovery of our 30+ Gallery Artists’ new holiday creations, and shop for one-of-a-kind gifts that are sure to bring smiles all year-round!
Clarence Mayo: “The Evolution of Identity: Defining Myself”
My work explores the interplay of strong colors, textures, and unconventional materials. I experiment with plaster, drywall compound, silicone acrylic chalk, modeling paste, wallpaper adhesive, acrylic paint, oil stick, and cold wax and oil – applied with whatever tool feels right in the moment: brushes, palette knives, credit cards, plastic bags, fingers, spoons, and forks.
These studies often emerge as intuitive, primitive, childlike, and abstract expressionist. They reflect a deep curiosity about form and surface, while drawing inspiration from African art symbolism, outsider art, and my own family history. Each piece is a layered exploration of material and memory, shaped as much by play and instinct as by cultural echoes and personal roots.
Joan McLoughlin: “Awakening”
My paintings are celebrations of color, movement and emotion.
Inspired by trees, flowers, and the energy of abstract form, I work in a loose, lively style that embraces freedom and spontaneity.
Through variations of size and vibrant hue, I wish to express growth, rebirth, and new beginnings. Each canvas is a reflection of the heart, an exploration of optimism and possibility.
I invite viewers to feel the same sense of love of life, imagination, joy and hope that can be found in my paintings.

Exhibition Openings: Cameron Art Museum: The Collection, & From Mountains to Sea
2025-11-07 18:00 - 21:00 | Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S 17th St, Wilmington, 28412
Friday, November 7 | 6-9 PM
This fall, CAM comes alive with two new exhibitions: Cameron Art Museum: The Collection & From Mountains to Sea. Celebrate both with this dual-exhibition opening night! These exhibitions showcase the breadth of North Carolina art, from Romare Bearden to contemporary voices of the western mountains.
We also invite you into the contemplative space of Living Waters, an installation that calls us to consider the fundamental significance of water to human life.
Fort Lowell Records will spin a music set in the galleria from 6-9 PM. You’ll hear some tunes from the EP This Water is Life, which highlights new hip-hop/ indie rock music from artists in Southeastern North Carolina. Music fuses with the art and our universal need for water.
CAM Café will be open late for a Friday night light bites menu from 6-8:30 PM.
Enjoy an inspiring night at CAM celebrating our community, our environment, and the incredible new art on view!
Members: FREE
Not-Yet Members: $15
Students & Educators: FREE
Member Preview Tours
Members are invited from 10 AM to 5 PM to get an early sneak peek at these two new exhibitions. Members-only tours will be held at 11 AM and 2 PM and are free to members. Registration is appreciated!
11:00 AM – REGISTER ON WEBSITE
2:00 PM – REGISTER ON WEBSITE

Veterans Day USO Show & Dance
2025-11-07 19:00 - 22:00 | Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, 120 South 2nd Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
The Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center will be THE place to celebrate Veterans Day 2024 with a 1940s style USO Show & Dance to honor Southeast North Carolina veterans. The one night only event will be Friday, November 7, 2025. Tickets are $20, on sale at wilmingtoncommunityarts.org or 910-341-7860.
This very special evening is presented by AARP, Southeast North Carolina Veterans Day Parade Committee, and Thalian Association Community Theatre to remember the men and women who served our country. Concessions including wine and beer will be available. All proceeds benefit the Historic USO Building Preservation Fund.
Relive the sounds of the 1940s, hit songs, famous performers, and unforgettable dances with an original USO Show!
The fun starts at 7:00 pm with a free swing dance lesson from Cape Fear Swing Dance Society. The USO Show will begin at 7:30 pm but dancing will continue nonstop until 10:00 pm. The USO Show will feature songs from the most famous vocalists of the 1940s with a special tribute to The Andrews Sisters, known as The Sweethearts of the Armed Forces Radio Service.

America250 at CAM: Veterans Celebration Community Day
2025-11-08 | Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S 17th St, Wilmington, 28412
FREE admission all day!
Cameron Art Museum joins the nationwide America 250 commemoration with a full day of storytelling, music, family activities, performances, and living history demonstrations. This Community Day highlights the bravery and service of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) and honors the enduring contributions of Black veterans in the ongoing fight for freedom.
All ages are welcome and encouraged to take part in this day of recognition, learning, and celebration.
Agenda
Ongoing (10 AM–5 PM)
USCT Reenactors – Experience living history through demonstrations, drills, songs, and storytelling. Visit reenactor camps to learn about Civil War history and the service of the USCT.
10 AM
Opening Welcome at Boundless – With Dr. Sonny Kelly, USCT reenactors, and storyteller Donna Washington. Through poetry and song, we gather at the Boundless sculpture to begin this day of recognition.
10 AM-12 PM
FREE Kids at CAM session will be held in the courtyard for kids & families. More info and registration here: https://cameronartmuseum.org/event/kids-at-cam-veterans-day-celebration-with-elja-bowens/
11 AM–12 PM
Performance by Storyteller Donna Washington: Through Their Own Eyes – An all ages performance of folktales by storyteller Donna Washington. We know that folktales are told for many reasons. They can inspire, delight, and even scare us. They aren’t created in a vacuum. These stories reflect the strength, fear, and hope of generations. Families are invited to “Through Their Own Eyes”, a celebration of the stories that sustained, inspired, and helped African Americans overcome their darkest moments to reach for the light and hope of the future.
12:15–1 PM
Workshop – History Through Human Eyes: Who Gets to Tell the Story? – Family-friendly storytelling workshop with Donna Washington. Why do we remember some stories from history and forget others? Who were the people who fought these battles? What did they want? In this workshop, we try to go beyond the slogans and the selected story that makes it into the history books. What would it be like through the eyes of the men and women who stood their ground and fought for what they thought was right?
Register Here – spots limited: https://cameronartmuseum.wufoo.com/forms/p1doawvn1sqf3jz/
2–3:30 PM
The Ongoing Fight for Freedom: Stories of NC Black Veterans – Dr. Sonny Kelly presents a theatrical presentation on the centuries of service by Black soldiers. “The Ongoing Fight for Freedom: Stories of NC Black Veterans” is a one-man presentation & performance elevating Black freedom fighters and veterans with North Carolina connections – known & unknown, on and off the traditional battlefield – who have engaged in over 400 years of a struggle for freedom, liberty, and equality. Their sacrifices, resistance, and resilience have contributed to American democracy, even as they were denied the full rights of citizens. Through listening to their stories in this production, we can gain a deeper understanding of our nation’s founding ideals, and harness the hope to continue the work, together, of making those ideals a reality for all.

Veterans Day Concert
2025-11-08 14:30 - 16:00 | Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, 120 South 2nd Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
The Wilmington Virtuosi Brass is a British-style brass band founded by cornetist Richard Hillson in 2023 two years after moving from England, where his family was long involved in competition level brass bands. After joining the Wilmington Symphony and the Symphonic Winds he was impressed by the level of talent in the community and decided Wilmington was ready to have its own competition level band. An open rehearsal held for that purpose drew an overwhelming response from local musicians, and the Wilmington Virtuosi Brass was soon launched. Its roster consists of retired military bandsmen, local music teachers and professors, freelance professionals, and dedicated amateurs. It enjoys a strong relationship with the UNCW Department of Music where it rehearses under the direction of Dr. Dominic Talanca, Steve Skillman, and Tony Granados, one of the nation’s top directors with many awards to his name. Despite being the only new band at the annual North American competitions held in Ft. Wayne last April, the WVB placed well in its division and plans to return in 2026. The WVB is a 501(c)(3) organization relying on donations from members and the local community.
The band will honor America’s Armed Forces and allies at the Veterans Day USO concert with “Fanfare for the Common Man” by Aaron Copland, patriotic music by John Philip Sousa, John Williams, and other music composed for brass bands.

Artist Reception – “2025 Annual Holiday Show” Featuring Clarence Mayo & Joan McLoughlin
2025-11-09 14:00 - 17:00 | 970 Inspiration Drive, Wilmington, NC 28405, 970 Inspiration Drive, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Searching for a special hand-crafted gift? Join us in the gallery on Sunday, November 9th, 2-5pm for our Holiday Show Reception! Enjoy special refreshments, meet our artists, and enjoy live music by guitarist Miles Moore! Delight in the discovery of our 30+ Gallery Artists’ new holiday creations, and shop for one-of-a-kind gifts that are sure to bring smiles all year-round!
Art in Bloom Gallery is celebrating this holiday season through its Annual Holiday Show, featuring the powerful exhibits of mixed-media painters Clarence Mayo and Joan McLoughlin! Combining strong color with unconventional materials, Clarence’s playful creations draw from instinct, cultural echoes, and his own personal roots. Meanwhile, inspired by the renewal of nature and the energy of abstraction, Joan works freely to express a love of life, imagination, joy and hope.
Gallery events are always free and open to the public. On view along with these exhibits, Art in Bloom Gallery showcases a plethora of fine art by over 30 local artists. Art in Bloom is open Monday–Thursday 10am-5pm, Friday – Saturday 10am–6pm and Sunday 12-5pm at 970 Inspiration Drive, Mayfaire Town Center, Wilmington, NC.
Clarence Mayo: “The Evolution of Identity: Defining Myself”
My work explores the interplay of strong colors, textures, and unconventional materials. I experiment with plaster, drywall compound, silicone acrylic chalk, modeling paste, wallpaper adhesive, acrylic paint, oil stick, and cold wax and oil – applied with whatever tool feels right in the moment: brushes, palette knives, credit cards, plastic bags, fingers, spoons, and forks.
These studies often emerge as intuitive, primitive, childlike, and abstract expressionist. They reflect a deep curiosity about form and surface, while drawing inspiration from African art symbolism, outsider art, and my own family history. Each piece is a layered exploration of material and memory, shaped as much by play and instinct as by cultural echoes and personal roots.
Joan McLoughlin: “Awakening”
My paintings are celebrations of color, movement and emotion.
Inspired by trees, flowers, and the energy of abstract form, I work in a loose, lively style that embraces freedom and spontaneity.
Through variations of size and vibrant hue, I wish to express growth, rebirth, and new beginnings. Each canvas is a reflection of the heart, an exploration of optimism and possibility.
I invite viewers to feel the same sense of love of life, imagination, joy and hope that can be found in my paintings.

The Gentlemen’s Quartet in FREE Concert!
2025-11-09 15:00 - 16:00 | 1416 Market Street, 1416 Market Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401-4999, United States
Experience an afternoon of musical brilliance with the Gentlemen’s Quartet (GQ), as they present a modern, elegant take on timeless classics and popular hits, from Beethoven to John Legend. Their unique arrangements fuse multiple genres together in a perfect symphony of sophistication, virtuosity and humor. The talented quartet includes Peter Sachon on cello, Matt Scharfglass on guitar & bass, Ben Saporito on drums, David Shenton on piano and violin, and a surprise female vocalist.With impressive musical credits, these versatile musicians promise an unforgettable afternoon of entertainment. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind concert!
*All Music on Market Concerts are free, open to the public and family friendly*
*Tickets are not required. Venue Seating is Limited. Seating is on a First-Come,First-Served basis.*

The Gentlemen's Quartet in FREE Concert!
2025-11-09 15:00 - 16:00 | 1416 Market Street, 1416 Market Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401-4999, United States
Experience a night of musical brilliance with the Gentlemen’s Quartet (GQ), as they present a modern, elegant take on timeless classics and popular hits, from Beethoven to John Legend. Their unique arrangements fuse multiple genres together in a perfect symphony of sophistication, virtuosity and humor. The talented quartet includes Peter Sachon on cello, Matt Scharfglass on guitar & amp; bass, Ben Saporito on drums, David Shenton on piano and violin, and a surprise female vocalist. With impressive musical credits, these versatile musicians promise an unforgettable afternoon of entertainment. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind concert!
*All Music on Market Concerts are free, open to the public and family friendly*
*Tickets are not required. Venue Seating is Limited. Seating is on a First-Come, First-Served basis.*

UNCW Presents: “Fall 2025 Senior Exhibition: The Sum of Us”
2025-11-13 - 2025-12-12 | CAB ART Gallery, 5270 Randall Dr, Wilmington, NC, 28403, United States
The University of North Carolina Wilmington’s “Fall 2025 Senior Exhibition, The Sum of Us”, will open with a free, public reception on Thursday, November 13th, 2025 in UNCW’s Cultural Arts Building (CAB) Art Gallery.
The exhibition will be on view until December 12, 2025 and showcases the work of 18 graduating seniors majoring in Studio Art:
Logan Beechner
Andrea Boctot
Karoline Carl
Atlanta Carrera
Sara Driver Dyjak
Madelyn Frazier
Dana Moon
Sarah Horning
Brandon Huebner
Chaniris Jimenez Nieves
Ryan Lewis
Tatiana O’Brien
Kit Osborne
Maya Scalabrino
Emelia Stinson
Julie Sydes
Owen Varner
Ella Williamson
“The Sum of Us” is a multi-media exhibition characterized by various art styles and subject matter. The works range from digital prints, to screen prints, pastel drawings, oil paintings, photography and feature everything from digitally created characters to biblical figures brought to life in soft pastel.
This exhibition is the culmination of artwork created over the last four years; the painstaking hours, days, and weeks spent learning technique, exploring new media, and searching for their own voice.
These graduating seniors will also give individual artist presentations in the UNCW Cultural Arts Building, Room 2033, on Friday, December 5th, 2025 beginning at 11:30 am. These presentations are free and open to the public.
CAB Art Gallery hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with extended hours on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The gallery will be closed November 26-28 for Thanksgiving.
The CAB Art Gallery is located on UNCW’s campus on the ground floor of the Cultural Arts Building, near the building’s main entrance. Visitors can access the gallery from South College Road or Racine Drive, and parking is available in front of the box office entrance to the building.
For more information visit https://uncw.edu/seahawk-life/arts/venues/cultural-arts-building/
Interested media should contact Gallery Director, Keltsey McKoy, at cabartgallery@uncw.edu or 910.962.3031.

How I Became a Pirate Audition Workshop
2025-11-15 10:00 - 12:30 | Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, 120 South 2nd Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
How I Became A Pirate Audition Workshop
November 15
10am – 12:30pm
Join us for our Rookie Audition Workshop for How I Became a Pirate! This free audition workshop for interested youth performers ages 7 – high school seniors will take place on November 15 at 10am. Parents will be invited to an information session following the workshop at 12:00 pm. Anyone wishing to sign up should call 910-251-1788.
Designed especially for young or first-time performers, this fun and supportive workshop will help participants learn what to expect at an audition—from stage presence and confidence to reading lines and simple movement. Our Director, Emily Graham, will guide students through age-appropriate exercises and scenes inspired by the upcoming production, helping them feel comfortable and prepared for their moment in the spotlight. Whether you’re brand new to performing or just want to sharpen your audition skills, this is the perfect way to get ready to set sail for a fantastic show adventure!
Thalian Association Community Theatre has very special plans for the 4th show of the 2025-2026 Youth Theatre season. How I Became A Pirate will feature an all-rookie cast with all seats for the six public performances free to the public on a first come basis. The production will be directed by Emily Graham and performed on the 2nd Street Stage at the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, Mar. 20 – 29, 2026. Shows are scheduled Fri. – Sat. at 7:30 pm with Sun. matinees at 3:00 pm.
For the fourth year in a row, a rookie show has been planned to give youth who have never been cast in a Thalian Association production the chance to participate in live theatre. The benefits of theatre participation are well documented, improved reading comprehension, support of verbal & non-verbal communication skills, overall academic achievement, and higher rates of high school graduation. Studies also indicate theatre engagement develops soft skills not always taught in school, including leadership, analytical ability, teamwork, & adaptability. Youth cast in the show will receive the equivalent of 6 – 8 hours of arts education during the rehearsal/production process.

Guys and Dolls Sr. Audition Workshop
2025-11-15 10:00 - 13:00 | Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, 120 South 2nd Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Guys and Dolls Sr. Audition Workshop
November 15, 2025
10am – 1pm
10am-1pm | November 15th
Donn Ansell Studio
120 S. 2nd Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Come meet the director, Laurene Perry & get insider tips and hands-on experience in this exclusive audition workshop led by the director of the production of Guys and Dolls Sr. Participants will learn how to select material, make strong first impressions, and bring characters to life during auditions. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from a seasoned professional in musical theatre!
Must be 55+ to audition.
Sign up by calling 910.251.1788
Have you ever wanted to act, sing, and dance onstage but never had the time? Now is your chance thanks to Let’s Take The Stage, a new theatre program for adults 55 and over, offered by the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center. This initiative celebrates the creativity and vitality of seniors by providing a variety of opportunities to get involved in the performing arts.
The first production will be Guys & Dolls SR, scheduled for June 2026. Plans include a how-to audition workshop with an expanded rehearsal process for the production, one of five musicals in Music Theatre International’s new Broadway Senior collection. The new program adapts classic musicals to meet the needs and abilities of performers 55 and over, including accessible scripts and a 60 minute running time. There’s no fee to participate in the production, and everyone over 55 is invited to audition! Complete details about Guys & Dolls SR can be found at www.wilmingtoncommunityarts.org.
Guys & Dolls SR director Laurene Perry will offer a free how-to audition workshop at the Community Arts Center on Nov. 15th. The workshop will cover the practical skills needed to audition, such as script analysis, vocal and movement technique, monologue and song preparation, and what to expect during rehearsals. Auditions will be March 10 and 11, and the performances will be June 5 – 7 on the 2nd Street Stage at the Community Arts Center. Please call 910-341-7860 to register for the how-to audition workshop.

WSYO Chamber Ensemble Concert
2025-11-16 16:00 - 17:00 | St. James Episcopal Parish, 25 S 3rd St., Wilmington
Join us for a free chamber concert, featuring our WSYO Chamber Ensembles (students are in 9-12 grades)! The chamber ensembles are led by WSO musicians.

Mass In Troubled Times
2025-11-16 16:00 - 17:30 | UNCW Kenan Auditorium, 515 Wagoner Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403, Wilmington, NC, 28036, United States
Experience the drama and beauty of two choral masterpieces as Cape Fear Chorale presents Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass and John Corigliano’s moving and lyrical Fern Hill. Haydn’s bold and triumphant mass—often called his greatest—resonates with urgency and hope, while Corigliano’s setting of Dylan Thomas’s nostalgic poem captures the aching beauty of youth and time. Don’t miss this inspiring afternoon of music, presented by Cape Fear Chorale, orchestra, soloists, and artistic director Aaron Peisner.

UNCW Presents: “unDISCIPLINEd 3”
2025-11-18 17:00 - 18:30 | Beckwith Recital Hall, 5270 Randall Drive, Wilmington, NC, 28403, United States
Join us Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 5 p.m. in Beckwith Recital Hall for “unDISCIPLINEd 3”, an exciting arts showcase featuring faculty members from Art and Art History, Creative Writing, Film Studies, Music, and Theatre who push the boundaries of their disciplines in unique and inspiring ways.
Featuring:
Nick Hudson / Art & Art History
Michael Ramos / Creative Writing
Michael Betts / Film Studies
Justin Hoke / Music
Elizabeth Wellman / Theatre
Admission is FREE and open to all students, faculty, staff and community members.
Reception to follow in the Cultural Arts Lobby, sponsored by CHSSA Dean’s office.
The Cultural Arts Building is located at 5270 Randall Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403, on the corner of Randall Parkway and Reynolds Drive on the UNCW campus and can be accessed from South College Road or Racine Drive. Visitor parking is in front of the box office entrance to the building.
Interested media should contact Nancy King, at kingn@uncw.edu or (910) 962-4048

CAM After Dark: The Art of Glass and Light - Exhibition Openings
2025-11-20 18:00 - 21:00 | Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S 17th St, Wilmington, 28412
Exhibition Opening & Outdoor Installation Debut
Thursday, November 20 | 6–9 PM
CAM Members: Free | Not-Yet Members: $15 | Students & Educators: Free
See CAM come alive after dark with glowing glass art, a brand-new lit-up outdoor installation, music, and more.
Join us for this luminous evening at CAM as we celebrate the exhibition opening of Magic, Light, and Sacred Geometry: Glassworks by Frederick G. Kahl and the outdoor installation debut of Nested: Where Light Gathers and Nature Holds by Meredith Connelly.
Inside the galleries, explore Frederick Kahl’s radiant glass forms in Magic, Light, and Sacred Geometry—a decade-long exploration of light, reflection, and craftsmanship. At 6:30 PM, Kahl will present an illustrated talk on the innovative techniques and technologies behind his intricate works, created during his 2025 residency with Starworks in Star, NC.
Step outdoors to see Nested: Where Light Gathers and Nature Holds – Outdoor Illuminated Installation by Meredith Connelly, which will transform CAM’s courtyard into a glowing celebration inspired by nature and living forms. The work invites reflection on the beauty, resilience, and interconnectedness of the natural world.
Throughout the evening, enjoy:
A live set by DJ Louis
Free bourbon tastings from Ian Williams of Cook’s Mill
Access to all 3 of CAM’s galleries, open and alive with incredible new fall exhibitions
Food and drinks from CAM Café, open from 5-9 PM. Call 910-777-2363 for dinner reservations.
Visit the CAM Shop for blown glass gifts by regional artists and take home a unique drawing generated on site by Kahl’s exhibition.
Member Preview Tours
Members are invited from 10 AM-5 PM to get an early sneak peak at these two new exhibitions. Members-only tours will be held at 11 AM and 2 PM and are free to members.
Nested: Where Light Gathers and Nature Holds – Outdoor Illuminated Installation by Meredith Connelly, sponsored in part by Dr. Michael A. Freeze and Mx. Lenwood “Bo” Dean.

Soup to Nuts Live! Featuring Rob Abernethy
2025-11-20 19:30 - 20:30 | McErny Gallery at WHQR, 254 North Front Street, Suite 300, Wilmington, 28401, United States
Soup to Nuts Live! presents Rod Abernethy at WHQR MC Erny Gallery on Thursday November 20th. Doors open at 6:30 pm and show starts at 7:30 pm.
Rod Abernethy is a unique blend of an authentic southern folk troubadour, master acoustic guitarist, and award winning songwriter and composer for film, TV and video games and the Overall Grand Prize Winner of the 2021 International Acoustic Music Awards. In 2019 he was the Grand Prize winner of American Songwriter’s Bob Dylan Song Contest. His last album Normal Isn’t Normal Anymore, produced by Grammy nominated producer Neilson Hubbard (Mary Gauthier, Kim Richey, Glen Phillips), received rave reviews from No Depression, American Highways and The Wall Street Journal and was the Top 20 CD of 2021 at No. 11 on the Folk International Folk Charts.
Reserve your seats by emailing soup@whqr.org or call 910-343-1640 Ext 203 during regular business hours. ($10 suggested donation)

Campana sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico
2025-11-21 19:30 - 22:30 | UNCW Kenan Auditorium, 515 Wagoner Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403, Wilmington, NC, 28036, United States
Celebrate the magic of the season with a vibrant Mexican Christmas, featuring the world-class music of Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and the dazzling dance of Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande.
Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar
Originally from Bakersfield, California, Jimmy Cuellar began his mariachi career as a teenager alongside his father Jaime Cuellar and was a founding member of Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuellar. His dedication to his musical craft drove “El Pollo” to fine-tune his skills on the violin, guitarron, vihuela, guitar and guitarra de golpe, securing him a ten-year tenure with Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano. In subsequent years, Jimmy accompanied well known Latin recording artists Yolanda del Rio, Mercedes Castro, Humberto Herrera, Lila Downs, Vikki Carr, Aida Cuevas, Eugenia Leon, and Jose Feliciano as well as has been an instrumental member in various recoding productions, including the 2010 release of Ry Cooder and The Chieftains, San Patricio.
Beginning In 2005, Jimmy saw Grammy success when he was a featured artist on the Grammy Award winning album cELLAbration: A Tribute to Ella Jenkins. The following year “Llegaron Los Camperos: Concert Favorites of Nati Cano’s Mariachi Los Camperos” received a Grammy nomination for “Best Mexican Album”. 2008 added to his Grammy success with “Cien Por Ciento Mexicano” by Pepe Aguilar with 2009 rounding out a Grammy award to add to his mantle for Best Regional Mexican Album with “Amor, Dolor, y Lagrimas”.
Composer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, three-time Grammy Award nominated and three time Grammy Award Winner, Mr. Cuellar understands the importance of education. Having received his Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Long Beach’s Bob Cole Conservatory of Music in 2009, “El Pollo” decided to continue his musical education and enroll with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he is pursuing a Masters in Music Composition. His talents as an educator as well as nationally-regarded expert
in the genre have earned Jimmy a yearly seat as an adjudicator for the statewide Mariachi Competition held in Texas. Mr. Cuéllar is the director of the mariachi program at Redlands Univesity and the director of the new school CUE Music, in Montebello, CA, where he teaches classes on mariachi and other genres of Mexican music.
Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande
Ballet Folklórico del Rio Grande (BFRG), under the direction of Miguel Peña, is a thirty-member organization comprised of alumni of the internationally recognized collegiate folklórico program offered at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. UTRGV offers the only folklórico dance major in the United States and produces the wellspring of highly skilled professional dancers that comprise BFRG. With numerous state, national, and international concerts under their belt, they have been showcased at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performance Arts in Washington, D.C. for four consecutive years. BFRG has toured the world visiting countries such as Canada, France, Italy, Argentina, and Mexico. Their recent international work includes performances in Santiago, Argentina and Tamaulipas, Mexico. BFRG has also performed nationwide for important artists such as Los Tigres del Norte and Aida Cuevas. They now partner with Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar for joint shows celebrating all aspects of Mexican culture, including the Día de Los Muertos and Christmas holidays.

Little Women Auditions
2025-11-22 09:00 - 12:00 | Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, 120 South 2nd Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Thalian Association Community Theatre will hold auditions for the third youth show of the season, Little Women, Saturday November 22. Auditions will be held at the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center at 120 S 2nd St Wilmington NC at 9 am. The musical, directed by Stacie Smith, will run at the Community Arts Center January 23 through February 1. If needed, callbacks will be that afternoon and will include reading and singing from the show.
All roles are available. Youth performers of all races and ethnicities are welcome and encouraged to audition.
Those new to the Thalian Association should bring an up-to-date picture with them.
Audition sign up begins Oct. 6th. To sign up for an audition time, please call 910-251-1788.
For auditions, performers should prepare 30 seconds of a song they feel confident singing.
A typical rehearsal week would be Monday- Thursday, 5-7 pm and Saturdays 10-2 pm.
Conflicts are allowed if given up front. Please arrive early enough to fill out both sides of the audition form.
Synopsis
Produced nationally and internationally, Little Women has been praised by critics for its ambition in adapting such a well-known story for the stage. This timeless, captivating story is brought to life in this glorious musical filled with personal discovery, heartache, hope and everlasting love. The original production starred the unparalleled Sutton Foster, who received Tony, Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk nominations for her performance.
Based on Louisa May Alcott’s life, Little Women follows the adventures of sisters, Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March. Jo is trying to sell her stories for publication, but the publishers are not interested – her friend, Professor Bhaer, tells her that she has to do better and write more from herself. Begrudgingly taking this advice, Jo weaves the story of herself and her sisters and their experience growing up in Civil War America.
Available Roles:
Jo March
Our story’s protagonist. Passionate, adventurous, and brave. She has the idea of writing Little Women and eventually becomes engaged to Professor Bhaer.
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: E3
Professor Bhaer
German Professor who exemplifies proper manners. He is a boarder in Mrs. Kirk’s boarding house and eventually falls in love with Jo.
Vocal range top: F#4
Vocal range bottom: G2
Amy March
The youngest, most energetic sister with a rather pompous air about her. She later marries Laurie.
Vocal range top: Gb5
Vocal range bottom: -1
Meg March
The world-weary, yet hopeful, oldest sister who yearns for a great life. She marries John and has twins with him.
Vocal range top: Gb5
Vocal range bottom: A#3
Beth March
The second youngest sister who tragically dies of Scarlet Fever. Peace-maker, lover, and an optimist who is always encouraging her sisters to dream.
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Marmee March
The girls’ mother. She is the strong backbone of the family, who is courageous in spite of the difficult odds she faces.
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: Eb3
Mr. Laurence
Laurie Laurence
The bright-eyed boy-next-door with considerable charm. He loves Jo but later falls in love with Amy.
Vocal range top: Bb4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Aunt March
A formidable, over-bearing matron and great-aunt to the March sisters. The wealthy socialite in town.
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: E3
Mr. John Brooke
Laurie’s tutor and a rather stiff man; shows very little emotion. He later marries Meg and changes.
Vocal range top: F#4
Vocal range bottom: C#3

WSYO Fall Matinee Concert
2025-11-23 16:00 - 17:00 | UNCW Kenan Auditorium, 515 Wagoner Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403, Wilmington, NC, 28036, United States
The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra is proud to present the Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestras (WSYO) concert, featuring the Youth Orchestra (Linda Estep, Conductor) and the Junior Strings (Lisa Gattuso, Conductor).

Jazz at CAM: Sam Fribush Trio
2025-12-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S 17th St, Wilmington, 28412
Thursday, December 4 | 7 PM
Join us for Jazz at CAM as we present the Sam Fribush Trio!
Expect a high-energy set that blends deep-pocket funk, soulful grooves, and lush Hammond organ ballads from this modern funk organ trio. With masterful chops and a fresh, forward-thinking approach, Sam Fribush pushes the organ trio sound into bold new territory.
Fribush says, “My intention is to take this music into the future. I’m trying to expand the rules about what organ trio music is.”
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
Keyboardist Sam Fribush is on the frontlines of the Hammond organ revival. His debut release ‘Sam Fribush Trio, Vol. 1: Riverboat’ was produced by Charlie Hunter and recorded in North Carolina. The trio’s recent record ‘People Please’ was released March 15th, 2024. Over the past few years, Fribush has established himself as one of the country’s hottest young bandleaders and ‘People Please’ expands upon the trio’s deep affinity for crispy, wah-wah driven funk, hip-hop beats and sultry B3 ballads. In 2025, he stepped out with DTF (Adam Deitch, Ari Teitel and Sam Fribush) to release ‘Another Side of the Sound’ and put his stamp on the modern funk organ trio.
Born in Greensboro, NC to a musical family, Fribush began his professional career at a young age, playing a variety of instruments including Steel Pan and Banjo.
“To me, Fribush epitomizes the old soul with a youthful spirit. Having grown up immersed in the sounds of everything from Dr. John to Tommy Jarrell, his musical sensibility has an incredibly intuitive flow, and his touch on the piano has always been beautifully unique. With that much natural talent, he wouldn’t necessarily have had to push himself to the limits he has, and it’s been a wonder to witness his evolution into one of the greatest working organ and keyboard players today. His sincerity cuts straight through every note he plays, with a heartfelt smile and mischief-tinged eyes, and his presence in any room feels like a big hug.” – Ric Robertson

Kick Off the 2025 Holiday Season with the Perfect Gift – Greetings! at Brunswick Little Theatre By Tom Dudzick Directed by Stephanie Hall
2025-12-04 19:30 - 2025-12-21 19:30 | Brunswick Little Theatre, 8068 River Road, 8068 River Road SE, Southport, NC, 28461, United States
live theatre performance

Ebenezer! A Musical Christmas Carol
2025-12-12 19:30 - 2025-12-21 14:00 | Thalian Hall Main Stage, 310 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, NC
https://www.thalianhall.org/tact-ebenezer-25
Showtimes
Dates: Friday December 12, 2025 – Sunday December 21, 2025
Friday – Saturday Time: 7:30 pm
Sunday Time: 2:00 pm
Additional Performances Thursday December 18, 2025 7:30 pm and Saturday December 20, 2025 2:00 pm
Location
Main Stage Thalian Hall
310 Chestnut St.
Book, Music, and Lyrics By Frank Trimble All the beloved Charles Dickens characters show up as Scrooge learns the true meaning of Christmas. This musical adaption of Dickens’ famous story showcases diverse musical styles (rock, country, gospel, polka) and varied uses of wording and language that span from one century to the next. The audience will be dazzled with the amazing choreography and unexpected comedic turns in this delightful adaptation. The words and lyrics of Ebenezer–A Christmas Carol come to life from the creative imagination of North Carolina playwright Frank P. Trimble. Make your holidays even brighter with this outstanding production!

Orange Street Pottery Holiday Sale
2025-12-13 10:00 - 16:00
Pottery show and sale presented by staff and student students of Orange St., Pottery

"The Nutcracker" Presented by Wilmington Conservatory
2025-12-13 13:00 - 2025-12-14 15:00 | Wilson Center Cape Fear Community College, 703 N 3rd St, Wilmington, 28401
WILMINGTON CONSERVATORY PRESENTS
THE NUTCRACKER
The Wilmington Conservatory of Fine Arts, established in 2007, is delighted to present the beloved holiday classic The Nutcracker. Back by popular demand after last season’s sold-out performances, this treasured production has become a hallmark of Wilmington’s Christmas celebrations.
Inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s enchanting story and set to Tchaikovsky’s sweeping score by legendary orchestral interpretation by Berlin Philharmoniker Orchestra, The Nutcracker invites audiences into a world of wonder and imagination. With dazzling sets, ornate period costumes, and more than 200 performers—including Wilmington Conservatory dancers, local actors, and hired professional dancers—the stage comes alive with breathtaking artistry and festive cheer.
Journey alongside Clara and her Nutcracker Prince as they battle the Rat Queen, travel through a sparkling winter wonderland, and enter the delectable Land of the Sweets. From the graceful Waltz of the Snowflakes to the grandeur of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, every scene is filled with unforgettable magic and joy for the entire family.
As Wilmington Conservatory of Fine Arts celebrates its nineteenth season in the ILM community, we are honored to continue sharing this cherished tradition that has captivated audiences for generations. Over the years, WCFA has brought to the Wilson Center stage beloved productions such as “Peter Pan”, “The Sleeping Beauty”, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”, “Cinderella”, “Hope Has Come”, “Pinocchio”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Americana”, and many more beloved favorites.
This Christmas, make memories to last a lifetime and join us for the holiday event of the season—The Nutcracker with the Wilmington Conservatory of Fine Arts this December 13-14th.

WSO's Holiday Mixer
2025-12-17 17:30 - 19:30
The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra is halfway through its 2025-2026 Season and what better way to celebrate than at our Holly Jolly Mid-Season Holiday Mixer: a kitschy fundraiser! Mix and jingle while supporting a great cause!
What to Expect:
– Holiday treats provided; cash bar available.
– Ugly Holiday Outfit Contest — wear your tackiest Holiday outfit and compete for “Best Dressed”!
– Food Drive — help set the table for the Holidays for a family in need by bringing canned goods to the event, benefitting Good Shepherd Center.
– Classic Holiday movies on play.
Get your tickets early and save!
– $20 Regular — through Dec 16
– $25 At the Door
Proceeds benefit the WSO’s Music For Youth Education & Outreach Programs, including the Young People’s Concert, which gives children ages 6+ the chance to experience live classical music and try out instruments in the Wilson Center lobby. This year’s concert will include new sensory-friendly options and areas to make the experience welcoming for all.
Join us for a night of holiday cheer and community spirit!

Nights of Lights
2025-12-18 17:00 - 20:00 | The Bellamy Mansion Museum, 503 Market Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Join us for our annual holiday open house which allows visitors to see three levels of the site’s main house and the first level of the original slave quarters building. Visitors will see festive decor that ranges from historically accurate in the slave quarters building to whimsically modern inside the main house. Holiday treats and hot chocolate will be available for purchase in the carriage house visitors’ center. Cash is preferred, but credit cards accepted for transactions totaling $5 or above. Donations greatly appreciated and help us keep this event FREE.
This event is made possible by volunteers who have priority access to the museum’s parking lot. Please plan on utilizing street parking which is abundant and FREE on the blocks surrounding the Museum.
