12 can't-miss events (and 'Rumours') to check out in Wilmington this weekend

John Staton, Wilmington StarNews
·6 min read

After a couple of slow-ish weeks in terms of events, Wilmington comes roaring back this weekend.

There's a wide range of theater, music, comedy and art to take in, including the first Broadway tour of the year at Cape Fear Community College's Wilson Center, a big-name comedian (also at the Wilson Center) and concerts for rock, jazz and classical fans.

Plus, Pied Piper Theatre returns with a family show for the first time since 2019, and the Fourth Friday Gallery Nights art crawl kicks off another year. See below for details on these and other events.

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.

More: Local movie screeningsScreening movies for 30-plus years, Wilmington's Cinematique film series faces new challenges

More: Brunswick County eventsCandyland carnival highlights these 4 events happening in Brunswick this week

ALL WEEKEND

'Annie' tour

The Broadway tour of "Annie" comes to the CFCC Wilson Center Jan. 28-29.
The Broadway tour of "Annie" comes to the CFCC Wilson Center Jan. 28-29.

At CFCC Wilson Center: Broadway tour of the beloved musical about everyone's favorite red-headed orphan rolls into town for two performances this weekend. If you've got a kid that's never seen a musical, this is a good show to start them with. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 and 2 p.m. Jan. 29. Tickets start at $25. 910-362-7999.

Joe Praino

At Dead Crow Comedy Room: Stand-up comic has the "New Faces of Comedy" seal of approval from Montreal's famous Just for Laughs Festival, which is known for highlighting the best up-and-coming comedians. Praino is also an actor, and he co-hosts the "Dirty Sports" podcast. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Jan. 27-28. $18 and $28.

THURSDAY

Benny Hill Quartet jazz fundraiser

At CFCC Wilson Center: Wilmington jazz saxophonist and educator Hill is a local icon, and each year he hosts a special concert to raise money to support music education at Cape Fear Community College. This year's headliner is jazz guitarist Randy Johnston, who will be playing a mix of originals and jazz and blues standards with Hill's quartet. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26, admission is free but tickets are required, donations accepted. $75, full-service "orchestra pit" tables available. 910-362-7999.

Dinosaurs After Dark

At the Cape Fear Museum: Adults-only event for the Cape Fear Museum's new "Dinosaurs Take Flight" exhibit. Enjoy a beverage as you check out the exhibit or engage in such activities as a dinosaur personality quiz or the T-Rex basketball challenge. 6-9 p.m. Jan. 26. Tickets are $18 and $12 for museum members.

FRIDAY

Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes performs at the CFCC Wilson Center in Wilmington Jan. 27.
Wanda Sykes performs at the CFCC Wilson Center in Wilmington Jan. 27.

At CFCC Wilson Center: Appearance by famous stand-up comic and actress is listed as being sold-out, but it might be worth it to check with the box office on the day of the show to see if any last-minute tickets are released. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27. $32. 910-362-7999.

4th Friday Gallery Night

A exhibit of photographs by Doug Dupuis opens at the Gallery at Keller Williams, 105 Grace St., for Fourth Friday Gallery Nights 6-9 p.m. Jan. 27.
A exhibit of photographs by Doug Dupuis opens at the Gallery at Keller Williams, 105 Grace St., for Fourth Friday Gallery Nights 6-9 p.m. Jan. 27.

Downtown Wilmington: The monthly crawl through downtown art galleries and art spaces presented by the Arts Council of Wilmington kicks off its first event of the year with a busy night of openings.

  • At the Arts Council's ACES Gallery on North Front Street, the paintings and drawings of Leland artist Mari Yamashita de Moya are featured in "Growing Natives: Botanical Art and Illustration from the Backyard.” Three pieces in the show have appeared in North Carolina Botanical Gardens calendars.

  • At CFCC's Wilma Daniels Gallery on Hanover Street, it's the first show of new work from the No Boundaries International Art Residency since before the pandemic. Since Jan. 7, about a dozen top artists from the Wilmington area and invited guests from around the country and the world have been working side by side on Bald Head Island. This show will feature some of the fruits of two weeks of labor.

  • At the Keller Williams gallery on Grace Street, the photographs of Doug Dupuis feature stark yet complex scenes of urban and rural decay.

  • At the Burgwin-Wright House on Market Street, Trina Robinson Isom will show her recent paintings inspired by nature, as well as some colorful abstracts.

  • New Elements Gallery on Front Street is opening "Let the Light In," a show that features their entire roster of artists.

  • Across Front Street from New Elements at public radio WHQR's MC Erny Gallery, two New Elements artists will be featured in "Nature's First Green is Gold: Work by New Elements Gallery Artists Mark Weber & Sullivan Anlyan." Weber is a painter with a varied style that can range from cartoonish to moody. Longtime Wilmington artist Anlyan often uses metallic colors and gold leaf in depicting natural subjects, often animals.

6-9 p.m. Jan. 27. Check ArtsWilmington.org for complete listing of participating galleries.

iLLa wiLLa

At Bourgie Nights: Former Wilmington artist Will Peterson returns to the Port City from West Coast to play a show filled with live-looping acrobatics and plenty of electronic flourishes. With opening act Microdose. 9 p.m. Jan. 27. $10.

SATURDAY

Rumours: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute

At Thalian Hall: There might be a few tickets left to this very nearly sold out concert by the Fleetwood Mac tribute band Rumours. They'll be playing all your favorite hits but act now if you want to go. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28. 910-632-2285.

Smoky Dunes and the Jewell Brothers

At Bourgie Nights: Excellent double bill of two top Wilmington roots-music acts. The Smoky Dunes bluegrass duo features guitarists Drew Walker and Marshall Brown playing a mix of originals and souped-up covers. Twin brothers Jesse and Carson Jewell, formerly of the "acoustic punk" band No Dollar $hoes, leaven their bluegrass-inspired folk songs with lots of energy and humor.

7:30 p.m. Jan. 28, $15, $20 day of show.

Ready, Set, GO! family improv show

At Dead Crow Comedy Room: Improv comedy is known to get a bit salty, but not at this sweet, family-flavored show from Wilmington's Dare Devil Comedy troupe. Fun, fast-paced and audience interactive. 2 p.m. Jan. 28, $3 at the door (cash only). Recommended for ages 5 and up.

SUNDAY

'The Tortoise and the Hare'

At Thalian Hall: Longstanding Wilmington troupe Pied Piper Theatre returns for the first time since 2019 for a public performance of the family-friendly show it's doing for hundreds of area schoolchildren this month and next. Countless children have gotten their first theatrical experiences at Pied Piper shows over the years, so it's an ideal outing for those who want to introduce their kids to the wonderful world of the stage. 2 p.m. Jan. 29, 910-632-2285.

Carolina Classical

At First Presbyterian Church: Wilmington ensemble will play two pieces as part of the long-running Music at First Series. Beverly Andrews (violin), Domonique Launey (piano), Kathy Birch (cello), Bernard McWilliams (viola) and Vince Stout (double bass) will perform Boccherini's "Procession of the Military Night Watchmen in Madrid" for strings, better known as the theme from the movie "Master and Commander," as well as Schubert's "Trout" piano quintet including with double bass violin. 5 p.m. Jan. 29.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do this weekend in Wilmington NC Jan. 26-29