★ Tonight in Port City ★
TONIGHT
THURSDAY · APRIL 23
23 Events · Comedy & Magic · Local Bars & Live Music · Food & Drink Events · Weekly Fun
Thursday · April 23
Concerts 2
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Wilmington Big Band: Spring Swing
The full-size Wilmington Big Band brings the Spring Swing to The Eagle's Dare's Wanda Jackson Room. Classic big-band swing, craft cocktails, and a 2,200 sq ft room built for dancing.
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Runaway Gin: A Tribute to Phish
Nationally touring Phish tribute Runaway Gin takes over Bowstring's stage for a jam-heavy night of extended improvisation and deep-cut covers. A must-hit for Phish heads and live music lovers.
Theater & Performing Arts 3
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The Chase Brock Experience
The Thalian Hall Main Attraction Series presents The Chase Brock Experience — a boundary-pushing dance company bringing contemporary movement to Wilmington's historic stage. One night only in the Main Attractions lineup.
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Bacchae
Classic Greek tragedy reimagined in the intimate Studio Theatre at the Wilson Center. Runs Thursday through Saturday — a powerful, thought-provoking night of theater in downtown Wilmington.
April 23-25 run
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Disaster!
Panache Theatrical Productions presents Disaster! — the hilarious '70s disaster-movie musical parody. Opening night of the run (April 23 – May 3) at historic Thalian Hall.
Opening night
Comedy & Magic 4
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Laws & Libations Thursday Show
Stand-up comedy downtown with $1 off draft beers and $2 off mules all night. Grab a drink, grab a seat, and get your laughs in at Wilmington's favorite pool-and-pints hang.
$1 off drafts, $2 off mules
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Open Mic Comedy
Wilmington's premier comedy open mic at Dead Crow. Local comics try new material — the room where the future headliners are built. Free and unpredictable.
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Women of Wilmington
Showcase spotlighting the funniest women in the Port City comedy scene. Free entry, strong drinks, and a stacked lineup of local female stand-ups.
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Dead Crow Open Mic
The late-set open mic at Dead Crow — sharper jokes, looser crowd, same great cheap-laugh energy. A second chance to catch the rotating cast of local comics.
Local Bars & Live Music 4
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Christian Brinkley (Live Music)
Live music from Christian Brinkley on The Bend's patio with $6 Tropical Lightning drafts all night. Chill Ogden-area vibes, food truck, and acoustic tunes under the oaks.
$6 Tropical Lightning drafts
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TJ Aaron (Live Music)
Carnival Cruise Lines and Nashville honky-tonk veteran TJ Aaron brings his worldwide act to the SeaWitch stage. Island drinks, no cover, and beachy Carolina Beach energy.
No cover
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Jesse Stockton (Live Music)
Local favorite Jesse Stockton plays the craft distillery on Dock Street. Signature cocktails, handcrafted spirits, and a laid-back downtown vibe.
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Justin Cody Fox Duo (Live Music)
One of Wilmington's favorite acoustic acts, the Justin Cody Fox Duo, takes over Seven Mile Post for a free three-hour Thursday night show. Relaxed Ogden neighborhood vibes with a full bar and bar games.
Food & Drink Events 4
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Fondue-raiser Benefiting Feast Down East
You eat, they donate. Dine on melty cheese, chocolate, and wine fondue while supporting Feast Down East's mission to bring locally-grown food to underserved communities in SE NC.
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Hot Honey and Heat Night
Smash N' Dash serves up a Hot Honey specialty menu paired with Waterline's spicy margarita specials. Bold flavors, fiery sips, and crave-worthy bites under the bridge.
Smash N' Dash food truck opens 5pm
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Passport to Pinot Wine Dinner
Five-course custom chef tasting menu paired with a welcome cocktail and four hand-selected pinots. A special-occasion night at Circa 1922 for the wine and food obsessed.
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Still Austin Bourbon Tasting
Front Street Brewery (home to the largest whiskey selection in NC) hosts a Still Austin Bourbon tasting. Reserve your spot for a deep dive into one of Texas' finest craft distilleries.
Reservation required
Farmers Markets 1
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Hampstead Farmers Market
Weekly Hampstead Farmers Market inside Ironclad's 30K sq ft beer garden. Local produce, makers, food trucks, and cold beer — bring the whole crew up the coast to Hampstead.
Weekly Fun 4
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OTR Mahjong Weekly Open Play
Weekly open-play mahjong night at Ogden Tap Room. All skill levels welcome — grab a beer, grab a seat, and click those tiles.
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Trivia Night
Weekly Thursday trivia at Wilmington's Ogden-area favorite. Team up, test your brain, and stick around for the 8pm Justin Cody Fox Duo show that follows.
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Weekly Trivia
Free trivia every Thursday at Hi-Wire. Grab a team, grab a pint, and battle it out in the taproom. Pet-friendly, human-friendly, Thursday-friendly.
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Alliance for Cape Fear Trees Fundraiser + Trivia (Earth Day)
Earth Day-themed trivia plus a 'You Drink, They Donate' fundraiser for the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees. Raffle for an Eastern Redbud tree, Fly'n Phil'e food truck, and beer-garden vibes in Porters Neck.
Fly'n Phil'e food truck 5:30-7:30
Festivals & Outdoor Events 1
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CAM After Dark: Conversation with Joe Grant
Evening conversation with artist Joe Grant at the Cameron Art Museum. Thoughtful programming paired with the museum's current exhibitions — Living Waters, Magic Light & Sacred Geometry, and the permanent collection.
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