Concert catharsis: Hurricane Florence couldn't cancel these shows

A smattering of musical events in Wilmington and even Wrightsville Beach still might happen despite the storm.

At this point, early in the Hurricane Florence recovery, most arts and entertainment events in the Wilmington area remain canceled.

A few folks, however, are determined that the show(s) must go on.

“At this point we need to be open,” said Billy Mellon, owner of downtown Wilmington restaurant manna and its adjacent Bourgie Nights venue, where concerts are scheduled on Friday and Saturday. “Not so much financially for us, but emotionally.”

If you’ve been cooped up too long, or just need to get out and socialize, here are few potential options for the first weekend of post-Florence entertainment, in no particular order.  Make sure to double-check before you go in case these events ultimately don’t happen.

1. Bourgie Nights concerts

As of Wednesday, Mellon said, Bourgie has power, so if the bands can get there — many routes to Wilmington have been blocked by floodwaters — they will play.

Raleigh rockers Arson Daily are playing Friday with with Port City band Sibilant Sounds and Howard Ivans, the alter ego of former Wilmington musician Ivan Howard of The Rosebuds.

Saturday’s concert is with Raleigh country rock band American Aquarium, whose singer, BJ Barham, is a longtime cheerleader for North Carolina.

“He will be fired up,” Mellon said, and ready to put on a show for folks weary from the storm.

2. Reggie’s 42nd Street Tavern concerts

Reached via Facebook as he drove back into Wilmington after evacuating, Reggie’s rock club co-owner Charles Krueger’s answer when asked if they’d be open this weekend was an emphatic, “Yes!”

Punk rock icons Supersuckers are scheduled to play a 30th anniversary show on Friday, with hard rockers Cloven Hoof, Children Of The Reptile and Knightmare taking the stage Saturday.

3. Palm Room concerts

For this Wrightsville Beach music venue to be open a week after a major hurricane is a cause for celebration in itself. Greensboro jam/country band the Grand Ole Uproar is scheduled to play on Friday, with brass-heavy Asheville funk band Empire Strikes Brass turning it out on Saturday.

4. Phantom Playboys at Ogden Tap Room

The raucous energy of this Wilmington rockabilly act might be just the catharsis the doctor ordered. Show starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Contact John Staton at 910-343-2343 or John.Staton@StarNewsOnline.com.