Culture/Arts

WHQR arts reporter Demia Avery caught up with Justin Michael Heter — better known as Justin Heter Pan — to talk about his multi-faceted musical career, playing solo and with Dubtown Cosmonauts, and keeping his inner child alive and well.

This week, Rhonda's guest is Elise Freeman Muhammad, who joins her to talk about An Evening at Seabreeze, presented in partnership with the Black Arts Alliance and Cucalorus Film Festival on Sunday, Sept. 13. The ticketed event includes a screening of "The Inkwell". Proceeds support the production of the documentary "Seabreeze: A Legacy" by Nuri Muhammad, Elise’s daughter.

Enjoy the sounds of late Beethoven quartets that encourage inclusion, diversity, and musical connection. Illuminos String Quartet will perform live at the St. James Episcopal Church on Friday, September 18.

This week, Rhonda's guest is Wesley Brown, founder and artistic director of Pineapple-Shaped Lamps, celebrating its 16th anniversary with a special homecoming production at Thalian Hall's Ruth and Bucky Stein Theatre, September 4–6, 2026. For tickets, visit thalianhall.org.

Paula Poundstone is a veteran comedian renowned for her observational humor and razor-sharp wit. As a frequent panelist on NPR’s Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!, she’s no stranger to public media. WHQR’s Aaleah McConnell spoke with Poundstone about her longevity in comedy, and the comfort she’s found in hosting her own podcast, Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone.

Adult Story Hour, a six-week series of readings by local authors, artists, and entertainers, will take place on Tuesdays from September 15 to October 20. Rhonda's guest this week is Yasmin Tomkinson, executive director of the Cape Fear Literacy Council.

Join WHQR for Soup to Nuts Live! featuring Honey Magpie, Thursday, November 12 at 7:30 PM

WHQR arts reporter Demia Avery spoke with comedian Maddy Kelly about her rising career, the comedian she'd most like to open for, and her approach to stand-up. Kelly is performing four shows this weekend at Dead Crow Comedy in downtown Wilmington.

Rhonda's guest this week is Thalian Hall CEO Shane Fernando, who, in addition to leading the historic theater through an ambitious capital campaign, is directing Opera House Theatre Company's 2026 season finale of "West Side Story" through August 23.

Gary Trawick reflects on how his hometown of Burgaw has changed, for the better, from when he was a child there.