January events happening in Southeast North Carolina. Bring on 2023 with events from this month’s Cape Fear Weekend Planner

WILMINGTON, N.C. (CAPE FEAR WEEKEND) -

Happy 2023! Start your year with a polar plunge, a visit to one of our historic downtown landmarks or enjoy some local theater. Maybe your New Year’s resolutions are to explore North Carolina further or take in a little culture January has opportunities for all.

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January 5th

Kinky Boots

January 5, 2023 - January 15, 2023

Thalian Hall Center for Performing Arts 703 N Third Street Wilmington, NC 28401 | Showtimes vary

Thursday and Friday Shows: 7:30 PM

Sunday Matinee: 2:00 PM

Jazz at the CAM: Mangroove

January 6th

Night Tour of the Burgwin-Wright House

Burgwin Wright House and Gardens, 224 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401 | Friday 8:30pm - 9:30pm |

Come experience colonial nightlife at the Burgwin-Wright House! Guided by interpreters, they’ll reveal the rituals and superstitions of bygone times- a life without electricity and modern conveniences. We offer a tour at 8:30pm. Fee is $15 plus tax per person. Space is limited, so advance registration is required. Please call (910) 762-0570.

January 7th

UPWA presents New Year’s Massacre 2023

National Guard Armory, 2221 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington, NC 28401 | 6:30pm - 10:30pm

The one, the only, the BEST pro wrestling on the East Coast returns home to the National Guard Armory in Wilmington NC when UPWA presents New Year’s Massacre 2023 on January 7th.

On the card in the Main Event, New Heavyweight Champion Jake Logan will defend his title against the former holder Victor Andrews inside a 15-foot steel cage. These men have fought for the title over the last nine months, and we will settle who is the rightful champ inside the cage.

Another match on the show will be the New Tag Team Champions the Silk City Kings will making their first defense of the championships. In looking for challengers for the pair, we looked to the past. Making their return to UPWA and challenging for the titles will be the Gorilla Squad.

The Squad was one of the most dominant teams in UPWA history and are previous Tag Team Champions but had to relinquish the titles due to injury. Will the Squad climb that mountain again or will the Kings remain on the throne.

More matches will be announced as we get closer to the event including a Lightweight and Carolinas Champion match as well as others.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children. They are available at www.theupwa.com or at the door.

January 8th

Tis Grand to Know: People in the Wilmington Campaign

New Hanover County Public Library - New Hanover Room, 3rd Floor, 201 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, NC 28401| 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Kaitlin O’Connor, public historian at Fort Fisher State Historic Site, provides a fresh overview of the Civil War Wilmington Campaign through an examination of the diverse people caught up in the battles. This micro-history highlights the roles of a few soldiers, laborers, and civilians to investigate the human experience of the military campaign in January and February 1865.

The presentation caps the opening weekend of Fort Fisher’s new program called “‘Dwell with Gratitude and Pride’: New Perspectives on the Wilmington Campaign,” which highlights the human experiences of the campaign to capture the port city. Various tours, presentations, and programs are offered weekly from January 7 to February 23. For events in the “‘Dwell with Gratitude and Pride’” program, please see the social media and website of Fort Fisher State Historic Site. The program includes two more presentations at New Hanover County libraries on January 24 and February 23.

Cape Fear Academy Open House

Cape Fear Academy, 3900 College Road, Wilmington, NC 28412 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM

Visit Cape Fear Academy, Wilmington’s only non-sectarian private school for students of all ages. Learn more about our PreK – high school programs, where caring, expert teachers create safe and nurturing spaces in order to challenge children to be to be their best. This open house will introduce you to teachers, school leaders, and give you an overview of our rigorous educational opportunities and excellent extracurricular programs.

Pre-registration is required. Please visit our website (www.capefearacademy.org) for more information.

Boo Boo the Fool Pajama Film Premiere

Sankofa Event Space, 201 North Front Street ste 602, Wilmington, NC 28401 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Wilmington, NC most prolific filmmaker Nakia T Hamilton is releasing his newest film Boo Boo the Fool! He will premiere the film Downtown Wilmington, NC Sunday, Jan. 8th

January 12th

NC Symphony: Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances

The Wilson Center 703 N Third Street Wilmington, NC 28401 | 7:30 PM

When the North Carolina Symphony performs Rachmaninoff’s vivacious and beautiful Symphonic Dances with outstanding pianist Michelle Cann, you may enjoy an evening of imagination and romance. Additionally performed are Gabriella Smith’s Tumblebird Contrails and Schumann’s Piano Concerto.

UNCW’s CAB Art Gallery: “2023 Studio Art Faculty Biennial "

UNCW’s CAB Art Gallery, 5270 Randall Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403 | 4:00 PM

University of North Carolina Wilmington’s “2023 Studio Art Faculty Biennial” will open in UNCW’s Cultural Arts Building Art Gallery with a public reception on Thursday, January 12, 2023 from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

The exhibition will run through Friday, February 17, 2023. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The CAB Art Gallery is located in the UNCW Cultural Arts Building, 5270 Randall Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403.

The 2023 Faculty Biennial features current work in a diverse range of media explored by University of North Carolina Wilmington’s studio art faculty members:

Shannon Bourne, Rebecca Chappelear, Madison Creech, Gene A. Felice II, Donald Furst, Ned Irvine, Courtney Johnson, Steve Kelly, Kirsten Koromilas, Anne Lindberg, Heather McLelland, Jeremy Millard, Casey Scharling, Abby Spangel Perry, Andi Steele, and Pam Toll.

January 13th and 14th

Comedian John Hastings

Dead Crow Comedy Room | Lush Lounge

511 N Third Street Wilmington, NC 28401 | 7:00 PM & 9:00 PM

Comedian John Hastings, who has performed at worldwide comedy festivals like Edinburgh, Melbourne, and Just for Laughs Montreal, will make you laugh all night long. His quips, which are from Canada, have been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and shown on Comedy Central, Australian Comedy Channel, and The Comedy Network. After being heckled by Dennis Rodman, he briefly became an international viral celebrity. He was most recently spotted on an episode of America’s Got Talent for COVID.

January 14th

Charlie Starr + Benji Shanks of Blackberry Smoke Acoustic Performance at the Brooklyn Arts Center

Brooklyn Arts Center, 520 North 4th Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 | 6:00 - 11:00 PM

The Brooklyn Arts Center is excited to welcome back Charlie Starr + Benji Shanks of Blackberry Smoke on Saturday January 14th, 2023. This is a one-of-a-kind seated acoustic performance.

Tickets in advance are Floor Level 1 for $30.00 and Floor Level 2 $25.00. Doors open at 6pm with the show starting at 7pm.

Anniversary of the Battle of Fort Fisher

Fort Fisher State Historic Site 1610 Fort Fisher Blvd South Kure Beach, NC 28449 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Join the Anniversary of the Battle of Fort Fisher, a fun-filled event for the whole family that frequently involves reenactors and contains displays, talks, cannon firings, musket demonstrations, and living history demonstrations. There are parking directions on their website.

Hidden Battleship Tour

Battleship NORTH CAROLINA 1 Battleship Road Wilmington, NC 28401 | 12:00 PM to 04:30 PM

Discover the Battleship’s unrestored areas on a special tour that gives you the chance to visit places that aren’t often accessible. Small groups with tour guides are used for the four-hour excursion. Visitors can tour the ship’s bow (officers’ country, boatswain locker, and descent to the bottom of the ship), third deck (Radio II, brig, after gyro, storage rooms, ammunition handling, Engineer’s office), Engine room #1, superstructure (Captain’s cabin, armored conning tower, maintenance shops), reefer, aft diesel, and ascend to the top of the ship through the fire control tower. Without the snakes, the tour brings out the “Indiana Jones” in each of us.

Please prepare in advance. This event will definitely sell out.

The course is only open to adults (ages 16 and up). Tickets are $60

Small Wonders

Cape Fear Museum, 814 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 | 10:00 AM

Join us on Saturday mornings at 10 am for this weekly FREE EVENT! Discover the wonders of our world through guided stories, songs, games and hands-on activities. Explore new topics each week! This program is ideal for children aged 3-6 and their adult helpers.

January 16th

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade and Commemoration

Parade starts on N Third Street from Hanover to Princess Streets Wilmington, NC 28401 | Parade starts: 11:00 AM and ends 2:00 PM

Because Dr. King was planned to visit Wilmington for a speaking engagement on the day he was slain, among other reasons, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has a unique significance for both Americans and Wilmington residents. A week of activities in Wilmington are held in commemoration of him and his contributions, and the week culminates in a parade on Monday. A gospel concert, banquets, lectures, and various venues with food and entertainment are among the additional events. Please check their social media for a complete schedule of events.

January 17th and 18th

Blue Man Group: Speechless Tour

The Wilson Center 703 N Third Street Wilmington, NC 28401 | 7:30 PM

Millions of people have seen the captivating and magnificent Blue Man Group spectacle. This brand-new traveling group introduces the Speechless Tour, which combines classic Blue Man Group moments with brand-new and unique compositions, actions, and instruments. These moments are founded in joy, art, music, comedy, social commentary, and profound absurdity. The Blue Man Group is an exhilarating party experience. Experience a fun new blue by joining in.

January 20th

Kenan Presents One Noble Journey

515 Wagoner Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403 | 7:30 - 9:00 PM

A unique brand of documentary theatre.

One Noble Journey is a riveting play by Mike Wiley Productions that chronicles multiple stories of ingenious escape. Starring characters born into slavery, One Noble Journey demonstrates the ways in which the cruelty of slavery was every bit as devastating to the heart as it could be to the body. Wiley’s work often highlights the lives of historical figures like Emmett Till and Jackie Robinson. He has appeared on the Discovery Channel, the Learning Channel, and the National Geographic Channel, and has been featured in Our State magazine, PBS’ North Carolina Now, and WUNC’s The State of Things.

Comedian Curtis Cook

Dead Crow Comedy Room | Lush Lounge 511 N Third Street Wilmington, NC 28401 | 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM

Laugh the night away with the unconventional comic who had the guts to cross an Ebola roadblock and perform a keg stand. Along with penning and performing on The Jim Jefferies Show, Curtis also contributed to the revivals of Crank Yankers, This Fool, and American Dad, earning him a Writers Guild of America nomination for Best Writer. Since Tucker Carlson made fun of him, Curtis proudly claims that his work has been on Fox Television. This only goes to show how happy Curtis is and how everything is positively amusing.

Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Ghost Hunt USA

1 Battleship Road Wilmington, NC 28401 | 7:30 PM – 3:00 AM

Onboard the magnificent Battleship North Carolina, one of the most haunted battleships, spend an exciting evening studying paranormal activity. Even the most experienced ghost hunter is challenged by this site. In addition to having access to the allegedly haunted regions, you will also have special overnight access to areas that are ordinarily off-limits to all excursions.

January 21st

Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Ghost Hunt USA

1 Battleship Road Wilmington, NC 28401 | 7:30 PM – 3:00 AM

Onboard the magnificent Battleship North Carolina, one of the most haunted battleships, spend an exciting evening studying paranormal activity. Even the most experienced ghost hunter is challenged by this site. In addition to having access to the allegedly haunted regions, you will also have special overnight access to areas that are ordinarily off-limits to all excursions.

Comedian Curtis Cook

Dead Crow Comedy Room | Lush Lounge 511 N Third Street Wilmington, NC 28401 | 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM

Laugh the night away with the unconventional comic who had the guts to cross an Ebola roadblock and perform a keg stand. Along with penning and performing on The Jim Jefferies Show, Curtis also contributed to the revivals of Crank Yankers, This Fool, and American Dad, earning him a Writers Guild of America nomination for Best Writer. Since Tucker Carlson made fun of him, Curtis proudly claims that his work has been on Fox Television. This only goes to show how happy Curtis is and how everything is positively amusing.

Small Wonders

Cape Fear Museum, 814 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 | 10:00 AM

Join us on Saturday mornings at 10 am for this weekly FREE EVENT! Discover the wonders of our world through guided stories, songs, games and hands-on activities. Explore new topics each week! This program is ideal for children aged 3-6 and their adult helpers.

Battleship 101

Battleship NORTH CAROLINA 1 Battleship Road Wilmington, NC 28401 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

During Battleship 101, dedicated volunteers will be stationed throughout the ship’s upper levels to help bring history to life while sharing their knowledge of various battleship-related topics. Join the fun at these exciting times. They have knowledge of the galley, sickbay, radar, engineering, and daily shipboard life, among other things. Children and those who still have a sense of adventure can try on helmets, raise signal flags, use semaphore flags to “communicate,” tap out their names in Morse code, and more. All ages are guaranteed to be interested in this event. Enjoy the chance to have a private conversation with someone who has firsthand knowledge of what life was like on a battleship during World War II.

Latimer House Night Tour

Latimer House Museum 126 S Third Street Wilmington, NC 28401 | 8:00 PM

Get a glimpse of actual Victorian living while taking a tour of the historic Latimer House at night. With the aid of interpreters, experience the ambience of 19th-century gaslight (without electricity), learn about the background of that technology, how it functioned, and what it meant to people from all strata levels who lived and worked in its “lurid glow.” This tour is especially emotional because so many of the Latimer family’s original furnishings and artifacts are still in the house. There have been reports of supernatural encounters, albeit they are not guaranteed.

Tickets are $20

January 26th

East Coast Shag Classic

Courtyard Marriott Carolina Beach Oceanfront 100 Charlotte Avenue Carolina Beach, NC 28428

Enjoy a spectacular weekend of beach music at Carolina Beach with a number of live bands. There are other events, social hour mixers, free line dance and shag lessons, and amazing concerts in addition to this. The Courtyard Marriott Carolina Beach Oceanfront serves as the venue for all events. This weekend at the beach will be a ton of fun!

Museum After Dark: Dinos!

Cape Fear Museum, 814 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 | 6:00 – 9:00 PM

Advance tickets $15

Cape Fear Museum of History and Science presents Museum After Dark: Dinos, an evening event where adult guests can channel their inner dinosaur! During the event, guests are invited to explore our newest traveling exhibition, Dinosaurs Take Flight.

Some of the activities for the evening include:

Take a quiz to reveal your dinosaur personality

Participate in a T-Rex basketball challenge

Build a Pterosaur and fly it into a nest

Test your dino knowledge at our trivia station

Have fun creating Paleo Art

Take pictures at the selfie station

And more!

Slice of Life Pizza, Non-Alcoholic Options by Mocksie, Beer, and Wine will be available for purchase. This is an adult 18+ event generously sponsored by Cape Fear Museum Associates, Inc.

January 27th

Comedian Joe Praino

Dead Crow Comedy Room | Lush Lounge 511 N Third Street Wilmington, NC 28401 | 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM

Join the humorous comedian, actor, popular podcaster, sports fan, and surfer as he delivers his original viewpoints on pop culture, love, and sports in a low-key manner. You may have heard his podcasts Dirty Sports and Kooks of Komedy as well as seen him on ESPN and in movies. His posts on a variety of social media sites demonstrate that he is an active user and that he consistently finds humor.

Stoked Restaurant’s 3rd Annual BBQ Fundraiser and Silent Auction(with help from Island Men and Island Women of Carolina Beach)

Stoked Restaurant, 313 Canal Dr | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Stoked Restaurant’s 3rd Annual BBQ Fundraiser and Silent Auction(with help from Island Men and Island Women of Carolina Beach) - BBQ, BBQ Chicken or Combo Plates ($15 or $20 for Combo) with sides.

hors d’oeuvres and live band. raffle and silent auction begins along with a 50/50 drawing Friday night and drawing for 2 raffles

Golf Packages, spa items, haircuts, gift cards/certificates from restaurants and many local businesses and LOTS of FUN! Please come help us help others!

January 28th

Joshua Lozoff (the Mentalist): Life is Magic at Cape Fear Vineyard

Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery 195 Vineyard Dr, Elizabethtown, NC 28337 | 6:00 PM

Joshua Lozoff: Life is Magic

Joshua Lozoff is a speaker/magician/mentalist and former TV and film actor. He currently tours the US performing his magic and mentalism show “Life is Magic” at performing arts centers and corporate events. Additionally, his keynote presentation “The Magic of Communication,” makes him a frequent presenter at conferences around the country.

His film and television credits include the popular feature film Clueless and his acclaimed recurring role on Cheers, as Gino Tortelli. Mr. Lazoff will not only perform in front of the crowd but he will be in the audience performing tricks before the official show starts. A great opportunity to watch a true mentalist at work!

Not to mention a Prime rib dinner! Stay tuned for any additional details.

6-7 pm cocktail hour (strolling magic)

7pm Dinner

Magic Show following dinner

Tickets are $49

Small Wonders

Cape Fear Museum, 814 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 | 10:00 AM

Join us on Saturday mornings at 10 am for this weekly FREE EVENT! Discover the wonders of our world through guided stories, songs, games and hands-on activities. Explore new topics each week! This program is ideal for children aged 3-6 and their adult helpers.

January 31st

Kenny Wayne Shepherd Concert

UNCW Kenan Auditorium, 601 College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403 | 7:30 PM

Kenny Wayne Shepherd is over two decades into a recording career that began when he was just 16. He has sold millions of albums worldwide and, in addition to his five Grammy nominations; he has won two Billboard Music Awards, a pair of Orville H. Gibson awards, the Blues Foundation’s Keeping The Blues Alive award and two Blues Music awards. He’s had nine #1 blues albums and a string of #1 mainstream rock singles.

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