Community Calendar

We are so excited to bring back this fan-favorite cabaret once again! Starring Diana "Red" Kyle and a few of her friends, Red Unfiltered is Back is sure to bring the classic comedy, music, and mayhem to your night! Performing at Doc's at the Ivey, join us Tuesday, September 15th at 6:30PM for all your favorite stories, songs, and antics; and experience a few new ones!

Forward Motion Dance Company presents a stunning and innovative dance event with their annual performance - CAPE FEAR ARTS IN MOTION: WINDS, RYTHM, AND SOUL! This performance unites dancers with musical and visual artist to bring the art form of modern, contemporary, hip hop, classical and jazz dance to the beautiful and historic THALIAN HALL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. This is a varied and collaborative event that showcases the talents of Choreographer Tracey Varga. Presenting new performances along with re-creations of dances from the past, including several pieces with original film works by filmmaker Patrick Ogelvie, including one with an exciting new teen piece featuring teenage dancers from local studios. In a new classical piece, a trio of flutist. Sallie Dunn, Sarah Hand, and Mary Gheen will perform live onstage with the dancers. All three flutists are active in performance and education in the Wilmington community, as well as members of the Wilmington Flute Choir.
Forward Motion Dance Company is excited to invite Phillip Clyde Bernier as guest choreographer. Phillip is a Wilmington Based performer and choreographer, songwriter, recording artist, and arts educator with a multi-genre carrier, who now is owner and lead instructor of Wilmington Hip Hop Dance, where he mentors and trains young performers in confidence, creativity, and stage presence.

This exciting show is not to be missed, so come be astounded by an inspired evening of music, film, and modern, contemporary, classical and jazz dance that Cape Fear Arts in Motion in Motion: WINDS, RHYTHM, AND SOUL brings to the main stage of the beautiful and historic Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts. Forward Motion Dance is proud to be a resident dance company at THCPA and of our legacy of bringing quality dance performance to this historic venue. Since 2004, FMD a Wilmington, NC. based non-profit
501(C) (3) dance organization, has upheld it mission to provide local and regional communities with quality modern and contemporary dance and education in the art of dance, as well as enhance the local arts community by providing performance opportunities for area dancers and performance artists. FMD is an all-volunteer organization proudly supported by local, state and national grants, and community sponsors. To learn mor information please visit our Facebook page or www.forwardmotiondance.org.

Forward Motion Dance Company presents a stunning and innovative dance event with their annual performance - CAPE FEAR ARTS IN MOTION: WINDS, RYTHM, AND SOUL! This performance unites dancers with musical and visual artist to bring the art form of modern, contemporary, hip hop, classical and jazz dance to the beautiful and historic THALIAN HALL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. This is a varied and collaborative event that showcases the talents of Choreographer Tracey Varga. Presenting new performances along with re-creations of dances from the past, including several pieces with original film works by filmmaker Patrick Ogelvie, including one with an exciting new teen piece featuring teenage dancers from local studios. In a new classical piece, a trio of flutist. Sallie Dunn, Sarah Hand, and Mary Gheen will perform live onstage with the dancers. All three flutists are active in performance and education in the Wilmington community, as well as members of the Wilmington Flute Choir.
Forward Motion Dance Company is excited to invite Phillip Clyde Bernier as guest choreographer. Phillip is a Wilmington Based performer and choreographer, songwriter, recording artist, and arts educator with a multi-genre carrier, who now is owner and lead instructor of Wilmington Hip Hop Dance, where he mentors and trains young performers in confidence, creativity, and stage presence.

This exciting show is not to be missed, so come be astounded by an inspired evening of music, film, and modern, contemporary, classical and jazz dance that Cape Fear Arts in Motion in Motion: WINDS, RHYTHM, AND SOUL brings to the main stage of the beautiful and historic Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts. Forward Motion Dance is proud to be a resident dance company at THCPA and of our legacy of bringing quality dance performance to this historic venue. Since 2004, FMD a Wilmington, NC. based non-profit
501(C) (3) dance organization, has upheld it mission to provide local and regional communities with quality modern and contemporary dance and education in the art of dance, as well as enhance the local arts community by providing performance opportunities for area dancers and performance artists. FMD is an all-volunteer organization proudly supported by local, state and national grants, and community sponsors. To learn mor information please visit our Facebook page or www.forwardmotiondance.org.

Get ready for an unforgettable night of live music, friendly competition, and community impact at Battle of the Bands!

Five of the area's best local bands will take the stage at Bowstring for an electrifying showdown, each performing a high-energy 20–30 minute set while competing for an incredible prize package. But this isn't just about great music, it's about making a difference.

Here's where you come in: You decide the winner!

Audience members will cast their votes through donations, with every dollar supporting the life-changing ministry of First Fruit Ministries. Watch the live leaderboard as bands battle for the top spot and cheer on your favorite performers.

The winning band will receive:

🎸 A $1,000 paid return performance at Bowstring
🎙️ An exclusive professional recording studio session
📸 A professional band photoshoot

Event Details
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Location: Bowstring

Come enjoy an incredible evening of local music, support talented artists, and help transform lives in our community. Five bands. One stage. One mission. Every vote makes a difference.

The Local Boys, a blue grass band based in Charlotte, North Carolina,have been sharing their love of Bluegrass and Americana music for more than 20 years. The band blends traditional bluegrass, old-time country, and rock 'n' roll into a lively, authentic sound. They've appeared at festivals across the country—including MerleFest—and their debut album, Stories, features original music rooted in the rich traditions of American roots music. Join us for an evening of exceptional musicianship, rich harmonies and classic bluegrass entertainment.
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 First-Come, First-Served basis.

9pm Doors. 10pm Show. $10 ADV $15 DOS. 18+
Under 21 must pay a $5 CASH Surcharge at the door in addition to cost of admission.
Churchyard Ghost
https://churchyardghost.com/
Hailing from the salt marshes of Wilmington North Carolina, Churchyard Ghost presents a unique blend of jazz, southern rock and dark folk to weave a wicked yarn. Drawing upon the diverse and extensive musical backgrounds of its members, Churchyard Ghost eludes any particular genre opting to draw upon a menagerie of musical motifs to tell sinister tales of murder, devilry, and good old fashioned sin.

Trumpet and Organ Concert featuring

CRAIG WILLIAMS, Organ
Organist & Choirmaster
The West Point Cadet Chapel

CHUCK SEIPP, Trumpet
The United States Army Band,
Pershing’s Own (SGM retired)

Chamber Music Wilmington: 31st Season (2026–2027)

Chamber Music Wilmington celebrates over three decades of bringing world-class classical music to the Cape Fear region with its 31st season, presenting four Sunday afternoon performances at UNCW's Beckwith Recital Hall. Beyond the mainstage, the organization enriches the local community with educational outreach that brings guest artists directly into New Hanover County schools to inspire the next generation of music lovers.

The season launches on September 27, 2026, with the acclaimed Kenari Quartet, an award-winning saxophone ensemble featuring UNCSA alumnus Steven Banks alongside Bob Eason, Kyle Baldwin, and Corey Dundee. Their opening program showcases dynamic modern works by David Maslanka, Viet Cuong, Joel Love, and an original piece by Banks titled The Current.

Season Schedule (Sundays at 4:00 PM)

September 27, 2026: Kenari Quartet (Season Opener)

November 15, 2026: Erinys Quartet with CMW Artistic Director Oskar Espina Ruiz (Clarinet)

January 31, 2027: The Arianna String Quartet (Works by Mendelssohn, Frank & Beethoven)

March 7, 2027: Merz Trio (Piano Trio Season Finale)

Venue: Beckwith Recital Hall, UNCW Cultural Arts Building (5270 Randall Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403)

Thursday, October 1
7 PM
Reception Hall

CAM Members: $40
Not-Yet Members: $60
Students: $15

Experience an evening of jazz, Latin rhythms, and polyrhythmic expression with Mangroove, led by percussionist, vocalist, and bandleader Manny Santos.

Originally from New Bedford, Massachusetts, Santos began performing professionally at age 15. Drawing inspiration from his Cape Verdean heritage, his music brings together jazz, Latin traditions, and global influences. While living in Boston, Santos further developed his craft through studies at New England Conservatory and Berklee College of Music, becoming an accomplished conga player along the way.

Over a career spanning more than 30 years, Santos has performed with artists including Kurt Elling, Donald Harrison, Maurice Starr, Steven Tyler, Ran Blake, Hilliard Greene, Walter Beasley, and the late Jaki Byard.

After moving to Wilmington in 2012, Santos created Mangroove, a collaborative project featuring musicians from across the region. The group’s energetic performances celebrate rhythm, improvisation, and the joy of making music together.

7pm Doors. 8pm Show. $35 ADV $40 DOS. 21+
“One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show”
Singer. Storyteller. Troublemaker in heels. Wendy Kelly has been captivating audiences since childhood. The daughter of an opera singer, she practically began performing in the womb and never looked back. Since joining both Actors' Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA in 1986, her career has taken her from musical theater stages across America to intimate cabaret rooms in Los Angeles and New York City, where she co-wrote and performed her own acclaimed one-woman shows.
After a hiatus to raise her family, Wendy returned to singing for a 12-year run fronting the pop, rock, and country duo Ginger Martini, performing throughout the New York and New Jersey club scene. Now, she’s stepping back into the solo spotlight with her brand-new musical cabaret show, One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show, debuting at Yacht Club in Wilmington, North Carolina, on September 18th w/ an encore performance on October 2nd.
https://www.instagram.com/wendykellysings