11 things to do in Wilmington for the first weekend of 2023

Wilmington's arts and events calendar is a little light for the first weekend of 2023, but not as light as one might think.

There's plenty of good stuff to see and do, from a musical at Thalian Hall and a variety of concerts to a highly anticipated annual happening at the Cameron Art Museum and big events at a couple of local historic sites.

ALL WEEKEND

'Kinky Boots'

At Thalian Hall: Opera House Theatre Co. opened this sweet, tuneful musical about shoes and acceptance (among other things) last week, and it continues for two more weekends. Based on a true story that inspired a 2005 movie, it's about an ambitious young man who reluctantly takes over his father's failing shoe factory, but finds unexpected success with an eye-popping new line of footwear.

With songs by pop icon Cyndi Lauper and and a book by Harvey Fierstein ("Torch Song Trilogy"), the strong cast features a mix of Wilmington performers and guests from out of town, including John Berry, who starred on the Wilmington boards last decade before moving away. Playing Lola, the exuberant drag queen at the heart of the show, is Justin Allen Tate, who wowed in Opera House's production of "Violet" in 2018.

7:30 p.m. Jan. 5-7 and 12-14, 2 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15. 910-632-2285 or ThalianHall.org.

Guy Branam

At Dead Crow Comedy Room: Actor, comedian, author and pop culture icon Guy Branam will get the new year off to a funny start at Wilmington's top comedy club when he performs in the Port City this weekend for the first time since last decade. Branum, who has made the rounds on most of the late night talk shows over the years, has appeared in film and TV roles, and his 2018 memoir "My Life As a Goddess" made many of that year's "best books list." He's known as a fierce advocate for and defender of gay culture while also using his sexuality as fodder for laughs.

7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Jan. 6-7, tickets are $22 and $32.

Blues Weekend at Ted's

At Live at Ted's: This beloved Castle Street listening room will feature the blues all three nights this weekend. Friday night, it's longtime Wilmington bluesman and songwriter Randy McQuay. Saturday features touring blues musician Jon Shain. And on Sunday, Wilmington favorite Laura McLean and friends team up for a wide-ranging blues showcase.

Details at LiveAtTeds.com.

FRIDAY

'George & Tammy' finale

Friday marks the final episode of "George & Tammy," the Wilmington-shot country music mini-series that filmed in the Wilmington area in 2021 and 2022. It stars A-list actors Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain as country music legends George Jones and Tammy Wynette, and the show does a serviceable job presenting the songs Jones and Wynette made famous (both actors do their own singing). But it does a better job at showing the passionate yet tumultuous and doomed nature of their relationship, and how Nashville's music machine used their struggles to sell records. Plus, the scenes play out at a bevy of Wilmington locations, including Thalian Hall, Legion Stadium and dive bar The Rusty Nail. "George & Tammy" is on both Showtime and the Paramount Network, and can also be streamed on Paramount+ with the Showtime bundle. You can also see it on Hulu, and it should be available for some time if you haven't watched yet or want to catch up.

More: Wilmington film industryAfter a near-record year for Wilmington's film industry, what's coming in 2023?

More: Wilmington film industryWilmington-shot country music series 'George & Tammy' premieres, shows off Thalian Hall

First Friday Jazz Night

At Bourgie Nights: Jazz music has a long history in the Wilmington area. Legendary touring acts (Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie) would play here at The Barn and Lumina in the 1940s and '50s. In the '90s downtown had a club dedicated to jazz called Gentleman Jim's. The North Carolina Jazz Festival is even based here, and it returns in February. Lots of folks have conspired to keep jazz going here over the years, with the latest effort being the First Friday Jazz Night Series at downtown club Bourgie Nights. This week, Wilmington's Jim Ferris Trio headlines with their mix of traditional jazz, contemporary jazz and fusion.

8 p.m. Jan. 6. Tickets are $10, seating is limited.

Night Tour of the Burgwin-Wright House

At the Burgwin-Wright House: Experience what life was like before electricity at this historic site in downtown Wilmington, which dates to the late 18th century. Guides will lead you through the house by candlelight, enlighten you on how folks amused themselves after dark back in the day, and perhaps even take you into some of the house's supposedly haunted rooms.

8:30 p.m. Jan. 6, tickets are $15.

Sean & Her Dilemma

At Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: A trio of Wilmington bands will make the first weekend of the year a rockin' one at this midtown club. Along with Sean & Her Dilemma, which plays a twangy brand of country rock, the lineup includes the girl-group-inspired rock songs of Kicking Bird and the nearly un-Google-able local act Cancel.

8 p.m. Jan. 6, $8.

SATURDAY

Fort Fisher tours

At Fort Fisher State Historic Site: Prior to marking the 158th anniversary of the Civil War Battle of Fort Fisher, which was the beginning of the end of the Confederacy, on Jan. 12, Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach will launch a new series, ‘‘Dwell with Gratitude and Pride: New Perspectives on the Wilmington Campaign." A partnership between Fort Fisher, the Cameron Art Museum and the New Hanover County Library, the series will focus in part on the contributions of enslaved and free Black and American Indian workers who built the fort and who fought in the battle. Fort Fisher education and outreach coordinator Kaitlin O’Connor will lead three hour-long tours at Fort Fisher on Saturday. At 3 p.m. Sunday, O’Connor will present “’Tis Grand to Know’: People of the Wilmington Campaign” at main branch of the New Hanover County Library in downtown Wilmington. Sunday's free presentation will focus on the diverse people affected by the battles.

Guided tours of Fort Fisher State Historic Site are 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Jan. 7. Tickets are $5 each.

N.C. Youth Tap Ensemble

At Kenan Auditorium: This Triangle-based troupe is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its founding in 1983. Saturday's performance, which will feature more than two dozen young dancers performing energetic routines set to music, is part of a residency with UNCW's Office of the Arts, Techniques in Motion School of Dance and New Hanover County Schools.

7 p.m. Jan. 7. Tickets are $25, and $15 for youth, senior and military. 910-962-3500.

SUNDAY

Floating Lantern Ceremony

At Cameron Art Museum: This truly beautiful annual event will help you start 2023 in the spirit of gratitude and remembrance. It's part of the CAM's annual "Illumination" exhibit of light sculptures, which remains on display through Jan. 15. The Floating Lantern Ceremony, held by a pond on the museum grounds, allows the public to create their own lanterns honoring someone, something or even an important moment, and then to set them adrift among others in a sea of shimmering light. Lantern decorating starts at 4 p.m., and the event features several musical performances.

4-7 p.m. Jan. 8. Museum Admission is free all day. Lantern sleeves are $12 in advance, $15 day of event.

Cassatt String Quartet

At Beckwith Recital Hall: Chamber Music Wilmington's first concert of the year features this world-touring, all-female ensemble performing a program heavy on women composers: Florence Price, Dorothy Rudd Moore and Fanny Mendelssohn. Also on the agenda is a string quartet by Mozart.

4 p.m. Jan. 8. Tickets are $35, and $17.50 for youth.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to see and do in Wilmington this weekend, Jan. 5-8