12 things to see and do in Wilmington for the last official weekend of summer

Is it fall yet?

I swear, I'm walking around downtown sweating everyday and it still feels like August. But that's OK, the cool weather will be here soon enough. Might as well enjoy the last (official) weekend of summer while we can.

The good news is there's a ton to enjoy this weekend, including shows by two well-known, touring comedians; a make-up date by a touring band whose concert last year was postponed; and the full-on start of festival season, which begins in earnest this weekend.

For events beyond this weekend, check out our comprehensive list of fall festivals in the Wilmington area. If you're looking for stuff to do in Brunswick County, check out our weekly roundup of Brunswick events.

More: 28 fall festivals in the Wilmington area for 2022 as celebrations return in full force

More: Brunswick events this week: Low Country Boil, Shallotte concert and more

ALL WEEKEND

Bobcat Goldthwait

At Dead Crow Comedy Room: If you're expecting him to do an entire show in that cracked lunatic voice he got famous with in the 1980s, maybe don't. This longtime comic, actor and filmmaker has moved on from that to become one of the most respected and beloved figures in American arts. He's directed such features as "World's Greatest Dad" with the late Robin Williams, and such documentaries as the deeply affecting "Call Me Lucky" about the late comic Barry Crimmins. In 2013, Goldthwait was in Wilmington for a memorable screening of his feature "Willow" at the Cucalorus Film Festival. He's pretty good at stand-up, too, and does many, many dates each year.

7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sept. 16-17, tickets are $25 and $35. 910-399-1750.

'The Diary of Anne Frank'

At Thalian Hall: It's increasingly rare for a non-musical theatrical production to be performed on the main stage of Thalian Hall, but if any play deserves (and has earned) that big space, it's this one. Presented by Opera House Theatre Co., the play is of course the adaptation (by Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich) of the real-life diary of a Dutch girl whose family went into hiding from the Nazis in the early 1940s. Reagan Shumate plays the title role Anne Frank, and Holli Saperstein directs. I've seen past productions, and while it can be an emotionally difficult story to watch, it's important that we do.

7:30 p.m. Sept. 15-17 and 2 p.m. Sept. 18. 910-632-2285.

Carolina Beach Dragon Boat ​Regatta

At the Carolina Beach Yacht Basin: This one-of-a-kind event features costumed teams racing dragon-themed boats. Live tunes will be on tap to keep spectators further entertained, and it's free to watch. Kickoff party is 6 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Seawitch Cafe and Tiki Bar, with races starting 8:30 a.m. Sept. 17 in the waters of the Carolina Beach Yacht Basin. Finals will start around 3 p.m. Saturday, followed by a ceremony recognizing the first place teams in each division, the ones with the most spirit, best costumes and the best all-women team.

Details at CarolinaBeachDragonBoatRegetta.org.

THURSDAY

Wheel of Fortune Live!

At CFCC Wilson Center: Wanna buy a vowel, live? Touring version of the long-running TV game show comes to Wilmington. Pat and Vanna won't be there, but audience members will be randomly selected to compete on stage for cash and prizes.

8 p.m. Sept. 15. Tickets start at $34. 910-362-7999. 

FRIDAY

Damon Wayans

At UNCW's Kenan Auditorium: Damon Wayans has long been a deeply irreverent cultural presence in America, from his early days of stand-up comedy in the 1980s to his time as a writer and performer on '90s sketch show "In Living Color" (which he co-created) to his many movie ("Major Payne") and TV roles ("Lethal Weapon").

The refusal to take much of anything seriously is a good trait for a comic to have, however, even if Wayans has occasionally angered those who feel like he's crossed some comedic line. Wayans brings his world-class comedy chops to Wilmington this weekend for a performance that's bound to have the audience rolling.

7:30 p.m. Sept. 16, tickets range from $5 (for UNCW students) to $70. 910-962-3500.

D.R.I.

At Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Legendary hardcore punk and thrash band D.R.I. (as in Dirty Rotten Imbeciles) rolls into town to tear things up at this Wilmington rock club. D.R.I. has been around since 1982, and the site AllMusic.com credits them with being "one of the first bands to fuse hardcore punk with thrash metal." With opening act Re-Tox.

7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, Sept. 16. Tickets are $17 in advance, $20 day of show. 

'Girl Picture'

At Jengo's Playhouse: The Community Film Series at Jengo's Playhouse continues with this coming of age feature from Finland about two young women, best friends, who find their relationship changed when a third young woman enters the mix. From director Alli Haapasalo, the film's tagline is, "Three Fridays is all it takes to turn their worlds upside down." So why not head out to Jengo's, on a Friday no less, to see if a movie can turn your world topsy-turvy?

7:30 p.m. Sept. 16, tickets are $10. Jengo's bar open 6-10 p.m.

SATURDAY

Lake Street Dive

At Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Band led by the singer Rachael Price is known for its lit live shows, its range of inventive covers and its originals that blend pop, funk, soul, rock and more. This concert is the make-up date from last year's postponed performance.

8 p.m. Sept. 16, tickets start at $26. 

Kyiv City Ballet

At CFCC Wilson Center: This Ukrainian ballet company has been in exile in France ever since Russia invaded Ukraine earlier this year, so the fact that they're in Wilmington at all, one of just 12 cities they're visiting on their current U.S. tour, is a huge deal. That Kyiv City Ballet also displays world-class artistry just takes things to the next level. The troupe will perform “Men of Kyiv,” which was inspired by Ukrainian folk dances, and they do excerpts from several classical ballets, including “Don Quixote.” A new ballet created as a response to the war with Russia, “A Tribute to Peace,” is on the program as well.

7:30 p.m. Sept. 16, tickets start at $25. 910-362-7999. 

American Craft Walk Wilmington

Downtown Wilmington: More than 100 artists and crafters will be set up on the streets for what's probably the area's biggest outdoor art sale of the year. Artists will be set up on Front Street between Orange and Grace Streets and on Princess Street between Front and Second.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 17. For a full list of artists go to AmericanCraftWalk.com. 

Native Plant Festival

At New Hanover County Arboretum: Learn about plants native to Southeastern North Carolina — aka the plants that are easiest to care for and thrive in our environment — and even purchase a few for your yard at this free-to-attend festival.

Educational events will be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the New Hanover County Arboretum, with hands-on activities from exhibitors and experts speaking about topics each hour in the education center, including a 1 p.m. keynote address from N.C. State professor Madalyn Baldwin on coastal landscape design. Plus, there will be a "seed swap" booth with free seeds and a food truck on site.

Plants won't be on sale at the arboretum but rather at five off-site locations: Blooms+Branches, Carolina Girl Nursery, The Garden Shop, Shelton Herb Farm and Wild Bird and Garden.

Details at 910-798-7660 or Arboretum.nhcgov.com.

SUNDAY

Cape Fear Latinos Festival

At the New Hanover County Arboretum: It'll be the second event at the New Hanover County Arboretum in as many days when this festival, formerly the Hispanic Heritage Festival, returns to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with dancing, music, children’s activities, food and more.

Noon-7 p.m. Sept. 18. Free to attend. Details at CapeFearLatinos.org.

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

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do in Wilmington for the last weekend of summer Sept. 15-18