Given the unusual circumstances currently facing all events and their organizations anyone planning to attend any program, gathering or competition should check in advance to make certain it will happen as scheduled.
Low Country Boil
The North Carolina Coastal Federation is devoted to preserving coastal water quality and habitats throughout the state. Tonight the organization hosts its spring fundraiser, a Low Country Boil with fresh local shrimp and refreshments. There will also be live music and a coastal-themed silent auction. Tickets: $50-$60. April 18, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Hanover Seaside Club, 601 S. Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Beach. For info: (252) 393-81815 or nccoast.org/event/2020-low-country-boil.
Surf’s Up for Pro-Ams…
The Carolina Pro-Am SUP Surf competition will bring together the world’s best professional and amateur paddle surfers (aka SUP) this weekend in Wrightsville Beach. New this year: a Masters Pro division for 40-plus competitors and a First Comp division for first-time competitors. Tickets: Free for spectators. April 17, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; April 18, 8 a.m.; April 19, 8 a.m. Wrightsville Beach near Crystal Pier. For info: (910) 619-0511 or worldpaddleassociation.com/event/2020-carolina-pro-am.
…and Groms
For those of you not up on your lingo, a “grom” (short for grommet) is surfer slang for a young kid who likes to surf. The O’Neill East Coast Grom Tour, founded by Seth Broudy, a former professional surfer from Virginia Beach, and Phil Jackson, executive director of Surf Dreams Foundation, is a competitive surf contest for young surfers. The tour comes to Carolina Beach this year for two days of contests and prizes. Divisions include Boys/Girls 10 and under; Boys and Girls Open Longboard, Girls 17 and under, Boys 11-13, 14-17. Tickets: $40 to register; free for spectators. April 18 and 19. Alabama Ave. and S. Lake Park Blvd., Carolina Beach. For info: (910) 458-7005 or eastcoastgrom.surfsignup.com.
License to Chill
Come spend a mellow afternoon in Kure Beach at the 26th Annual Pleasure Island Seafood Blues and Jazz Festival. Grammy Award-winning roots music visionary Delbert McClinton and his band, Self-Made Men + Dana, are this year’s headliners on the Blues Stage. Among the other musical acts on two separate stages: Carl Newton Review, The Billy Walton Band, The Rhythm Bones, and Rose Lucas and Free Movement. Tickets: $40. April 18, 12 p.m.- 10 p.m. Fort Fisher Air Recreation Area, 118 Riverfront Road, Kure Beach. Info: (910) 458-8434 or pleasureislandnc.org.
Geek Meetup
Calling all comic book superfans: The Wilmington Geek Expo is coming to town, a pop-culture convention with anime actors, TV and film stars, comic book authors and artists, and more. Throughout the day there will be panel discussions, gaming and a cosplay contest. Tickets: $10-$20. April 11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wilmington Convention Center, 515 Nutt St., Wilmington. For info: (757) 578-5177 or wilmingtongeekexpo.com.
