March of music: 14 things to see, do and hear in the Wilmington area this weekend

Outdoor concert season, like spring itself, is so close we can almost see, hear and feel it.

And while the first concert of the year at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater isn't until March 15 (the New York acousto-pop outfit Lawrence), the good news there's plenty of good live music this weekend to tide you over.

To wit: Sweet bluegrass at the Palm Room with ShadowGrass, folk rock/Americana from Chatham County Line at Bourgie Nights, heavy metal with Modern Man at Reggie's and even some classical with the N.C. Symphony at the Wilson Center.

And while it is a music-heavy week in terms of events, we've also got some theater (in the form of one-act plays) from the Mouths of Babes company, some tree-and-flower-related events, and more. Read on.

ALL WEEKEND

'Scotopia: Short Plays to Help You See in the Dark'

March 9-10 at DREAMS Garage on Fanning Street: When it comes to theater in Wilmington one-act plays are rare birds, so when they come around, we should seek them out.

With "Scotopia: Short Plays to Help You See in the Dark," which runs through Sunday at the DREAMS Garage under the auspices of Mouths of Babes (MoB) Theatre, it's doubly nice that the collection of eight one-acts is both thoughtfully presented and powerfully staged.

The plays of "Scotopia" address a number of important topics, including race, gender, class and climate change, topics that are of particular concern to young people. To that end, MoB employs a number of young performers and directors to help tell these tales.

Highlights include "Just Another Saturday in the Park" by Bernard J. Tarver, directed by Amber Briana Moore. Yeavonne Cox imbues Sarita, a Black woman whose weekend drumming session in the park is interrupted on spurious grounds, with an indignance that borders on incandescense, while Maria-Luisa Winslow as the Karen-like woman who calls the cops on her is maddeningly good in her depiction of a woman blinded by her own privilege.

In "Shadow Day" by Stephen Dietz, directed by Trey Morehouse, Casey Burton gives a strong and nuanced performance as an aggressive radio shock jock who's forced to face his own hateful rhetoric during an unsettling in-studio encounter.

"The Ballad of George Zimmerman" by Dan O'Brien and Quetzal Flores, directed by Kevin Lee-Y Green, is especially forceful and evocative as it retells the real-life story of how Black teen Trayvon Martin (an affecting Malachi Chapman) was killed by suburban vigilante Zimmerman (an outstanding Victor Rodriguez, whose performance is both natural and spellbinding).

"Scotopia" also displays some inventive stagecraft, with excellent use of sound and projections to set the scenes of each short. But it's the tough issues these plays tackle that are likely to stick with you. 7:30 p.m. March 9, 2 p.m. March 10. Tickets are $15-$25.

Aaron Berg

March 8-9at Dead Crow Comedy Room: Actor and comic Aaron Berg has a ton of credits, including "24 Hour Rental" on Amazon and multiple appearances on Comedy Central, including the "This Is Not Happening" storytelling show. Berg has a salty, in-your-face style that's heavy on the graphic sexuality, if you're into that sort of thing. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. March 8-9, tickets are $25 and $35.

ShadowGrass

March 8-9at the Palm Room, Wrightsville Beach: Virginia group plays a heartwarmingly traditional brand of bluegrass, mostly originals but with the occasional bluegrassy cover, like their twangy take on Hall & Oates' "Rich Girl" from the self-titled 2022 album "ShadowGrass." 9 p.m. March 8-9, tickets are $15.

FRIDAY

Jazz night with the Jim Ferris Trio

March 8 at Bourgie Nights: Popular monthly gig at this downtown spot features sax man Jim Ferris with pianist Duke Ladd and drummer Jon Hill playing all manner of jazz standards. It's a seated show, and the past few have sold out, just so you know. 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, tickets are $10 in advance, $15 day of show.

SATURDAY

Pete Davidson

March 9at CFCC Wilson Center: Might be a few tickets left to the two performances by this comic, actor and "SNL" star, but if you've not got them by now, you're likely too late. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. March 9, tickets start at $65.

Chatham Co. Line

March 9 at Bourgie Nights: Longtime North Carolina roots and bluegrass band plays an album release show for their new record, "Hiyo." 8 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. show, tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show.

Mortal Man

March 9 at Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Longtime Wilmington metal act Mortal Man has an excellent new EP out, "Dawn of the Time Immortal," and this is the album release show. Razor-sharp stuff here, with the song "Heed the Call" a full-gallop take on Iron Maiden-era classic metal, while other tunes take a more psychedelic (but still heavy) approach. Strong vocals and wicked guitar playing throughout, and song titles like "Transmogrification" and "Leviatron and the Senitent Lake" help complete the mystical, throwback metal vibe. With opening acts Mega Colossus and Children of the Reptile. 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, cover at the door.

Zack Aaron

March 9 at The Sandspur, Carolina Beach: North Carolina songwriter is a former member of Triangle alt-country band American Aquarium. He's got a laid-back, folky rock/Americana style that he'll bring to the lively back yard of this relatively new Carolina Beach spot, which is a great place to watch some tunes. Opening act is Wilmington's own Wes Sayer, with whom Aaron sometimes collaborates. 6 p.m. March 9, free.

Tree Giveaway

March 9 at Legion Stadium: In an effort to help bolster the Wilmington area's tree canopy, the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees, along with the Arbor Day Foundation’s Community Tree Recovery program, will be giving away 600 trees to area residents, limit two trees per adult. Available species, which come planted in three-gallon buckets, include White Oak, Overcup Oak, Nuttall Oak, American Elm and more. Arborists will be on hand to answer any questions. If you want a tree, you might want to show up early. During a tree giveaway in January, 500 tree were scooped up in about 80 minutes. 9 a.m.-noon (or as long as trees last) March 9, rain or shine.

Ed Jurdi

March 9 at Live at Ted's: Co-Founder of Austin rock act Band of Heathens, Jurdi rolls into this Wilmington listening room to play some soulful acoustic solo stuff. 8 p.m. March 9, tickets are $15.

Big Bloomin' Orchid Day

March 9 at the Lutheran Church of Reconciliation: The Cape Fear Orchid Society presents this event, which features free food and drink, presentations on how to care for orchids, and one orchid per person with paid admission. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. March 9, tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door.

Azalea Princess Scholarship Pageant

March 9 at Kenan Auditorium: Area high school juniors will compete for the title of Azalea Festival Princess, which comes with a $6,250 college scholarship. Four runners-up will receive scholarships as well and will be part of the Princesses' court during the festival April 3-7. 7:30 p.m. March 9.

SUNDAY

N.C. Symphony

March 10at CFCC Wilson Center: The North Carolina Symphony, under conductor and pianist William Eddins, presents a full evening of classical music led by George Gershwin's famous "Rhapsody in Blue." Also on the program are two pieces from Aaron Copland — "Appalachian Spring" and the "Four Dance Episodes" from the "Rodeo" ballet — and one, "The Creation of the World," by French composer Darius Milhaud. 7:30 p.m. March 10, tickets start at $23. 910-362-7999.

Oscar party

At the Blind Elephant: That's right, the Academy Awards are Sunday. If you're not having your own Oscar party, head to this downtown speakeasy, which will be giving out a few of its own awards (best couple, best dressed) and giving away a $100 gift card to the person who picks the most Oscar winners. Glamorous attire encouraged. 7 p.m. March 10, first-come first served.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: What's happening in the Wilmington, NC area, March 8-10