10 things to do to liven up a slow January weekend in Wilmington

It's kind of an in-between weekend in Wilmington in terms of events.

Not a ton of big happenings to be sure, which is fairly typical for January. But there's still plenty of interesting stuff to see and do if you feel like getting out and about, from a powerful touring show and an exhibition featuring some of Wilmington's best artists to a wide range of live music.

If you're looking for events in Brunswick County, we've got a seperate list for that. And if you're looking for some early/mid-week options, the Cinematique film series at Thalian Hall is always worth checking out.

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ALL WEEKEND

Curtis Cook

At Dead Crow Comedy Room: Accomplished comedian, writer and actor comes to Wilmington for four shows at the Port City's top comedy destination. Not only is Cook very funny (he claims to have been in an all-Black rock covers band in middle school called NAAC/DC) but he's got bona fides, having done stand-up on Comedy Central, appeared on comedy series "Portlandia" and writing for a number of TV shows, netting a Writers Guild of America Awards nomination for his work on "The Jim Jeffries Show."

7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Jan. 20-21. Tickets are $18 and $28.

TreeFest

At Independence Mall: It's the 25th year for TreeFest, which started in 1997 after Hurricanes Bertha and Fran destroyed hundreds, if not thousands, of trees in the Wilmington area. Basically, the deal is this: show up, and get up to five free tree or shrub seedlings or plugs, ready for planting. They're all native species as well, including bald cypress, eastern red cedar, longleaf pine, river birch, silky dogwood, eastern redbud, crabapple, live oak, wiregrass, indiangrass and more. Sponsored in part by the New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District and the New Hanover County Center and Arboretum.

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 20-21, or while supplies last. $5 suggested donation.

FRIDAY

Mike Wiley's 'One Noble Journey'

At UNCW's Kenan Auditorium: The actor and playwright Mike Wiley has been to Wilmington a number of times over the years, performing multiple characters in original one-man shows of stories ripped from the pages of history. In "One Noble Journey" he tells the stories of multiple Americans who managed to escape the hell of slavery. Powerful stuff from one of North Carolina's top artists.

7:30 p.m. Jan. 20. Tickets are $20, $18 for seniors, military and alums. 910-962-3500.

Steal Willin'

At Live at Ted's: Wilmington act brings its blend of traditional and original county, folk and Americana songs, along with a few Grateful Dead covers, to this Castle Street listening room. The band is Wes Hunter (guitar, vocals) Paul Slovik (mandolin, vocals), Davis Canady Jr. (bass, vocals) and Jeff Hunnicutt (percussion).

8 p.m. Jan. 20. Tickets are $7 at the door.

SATURDAY

No Boundaries International Art Residency Exhibition

At Wilma Daniels Gallery: The long-running, annual No Boundaries International Art Residency presents its first show of new work since before the pandemic. Since Jan. 7, about a dozen top artists from the Wilmington area and invited guests from around the country and world have been working side by side on Bald Head Island. This show will feature some of the fruits of two weeks of labor. No Boundaries was formed in 1998 by Wilmington artists Pam Toll, Gayle Tustin and Dick Roberts, all of whom were also instrumental in helping star Acme Art studios on Fifth Avenue.

Opening reception is 6-9 p.m. Jan. 21. Show hangs through Feb. 24. Additional receptions for Fourth Friday Gallery Nights 6-9 p.m. Jan. 27 and Feb. 24.

Fuzz Jackson

At Dram Tree Tavern: Longtime Wilmington rapper holds a listening party for his upcoming album, "Action Jackson." A godfather of Wilmington hip-hop who's been performing locally since the '90s, Jackson is also know for his collaborations with jazz singer McLain Sullivan.

10 p.m. Jan. 21. Free.

Casey Noel & Martha Bassett

At Live at Ted's: A double bill of North Carolina singer-songwriters at downtown's most intimate listening room. Noel has played Virginia's FloydFest and had her song "Page 52" featured on Spotify's Emerging Americana playlist. Bassett plays a range of styles, from Americana to old-timey swing, and hosts a live, bi-weekly variety show in Elkin (west of Winston-Salem) called, appropriately enough, "The Martha Bassett Show."

8 p.m. Jan. 21. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Hi-Wire's 2nd anniversary

At Hi-Wire Brewing: Princess Street brewery will celebrate its second anniversary in Wilmington with a day of festivities featuring music, family fun and, of course, beer. In addition to a slew of local vendors, tarot card readings (!) and an arcade set-up by Retroscape, Wilmington bands Massive Grass (folk, Americana) and The Phantom Playboys (rockabilly) will provide tunes.

Noon-10 p.m. Jan. 21. Free.

Mel Melton & The Wicked Mojos

At the Rusty Nail: North Carolina blues act returns to Wilmington's favorite juke point to play a mix of traditional blues, zydeco and other styles, often peppered with songs about food. (Melton is a former chef, and used to run the restaurant Papa Mojo's Roadhouse in Durham.)

7 p.m. Jan. 21, $10 at the door.

SUNDAY

Stray Local

At Waterline Brewing: Former Wilmington folk-pop duo now based in Raleigh returns to town for a show at this Surry Street hotspot. Made up of married couple Hannah Lomas and Jamie Rowan, Stray Local, which started as an old-time band, combines electronic beats, poppy melodies and sweetly blended vocals to form songs that come off like long-lost pop radio gems.

4 p.m. Jan. 22. Free.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do in Wilmington NC this weekend, Jan. 20-22