12 things to do in the Wilmington area for Martin Luther King Jr. weekend

With Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, it's a long weekend for a lot of folks.

All the better reason to get out of the house and do something, and there are plenty of options, from a big musical at Thalian Hall and an important opening at the Cameron Art Museum to the annual parade honoring MLK himself.

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

'Kinky Boots'

At Thalian Hall: Given the recent uproar over drag queens, Opera House Theatre Co.'s production of the musical "Kinky Boots" feels somewhat timely.

Under the direction of Justin Smith, however, and featuring a knockout cast and some splashy, show-stopping numbers, this staging of "Kinky Boots" feels more entertaining and emotional than political. Based on the true story of a British shoe factory that switched from making everyday footwear to leathery lace-up boots and the like in order to stay afloat, the show also delivers a powerful message about being who you are, even when it goes against parental expectations.

Jon Berry has a warm and easy stage presence as Charlie Price, the son of a shoe factory owner who aspires to Other Things (but what?), and whose fate installs him as the head of the factory early in the show. Berry sings flawlessly and delivers a stunning rendition of Act Two ballad "Soul of a Man."

As Lola, the drag queen who serves as a muse of sorts for the shoe factory's transformation (and other transformations as well), Justin Allen Tate simply destroys, whether he's sassing it up in "Sex Is In the Heel" or laying bare his character's emotional life in "I'm Not My Father's Son." An epic, must-see performance.

In other roles, Sydney Smith Martin brings a kooky, compelling energy to Lauren, the factory worker who becomes Charlie's right-hand woman, while Morganna Bridgers is spot-on as Charlie's bridezilla of a fiancee, Nicola, effectively conjuring an Aspiring Real Housewife energy. Lola's drag queen Angels ensemble brings spice to a half-dozen production numbers.

Music director Brian Whitted (who also makes a memorable cameo) and his band nail the rock-heavy score, which also incorporates such genres as disco and folk/country, while choreographer Carson Hobbs puts the ensemble through energetic, occasionally acrobatic moves and costume designer Allyson Moore-Mojica fills the stage with a whole ton of high-heeled red boots.

With just one more weekend left for "Kinky Boots," and with tickets going fast, this one's an easy "yes."

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

John Hastings

At Dead Crow Comedy Room: This Canadian stand-up comic was scheduled to play Wilmington last summer, but the show was postponed ... to this year, when Hastings will perform four shows over two nights at Dead Crow downtown. Hastings was once heckled by none other than basketball legend/American eccentric Dennis Rodman. Hastings lived to tell about it, so do your worst, Wilmington! Just kidding, of course. Hastings has been in the comedy game for nearly two decades, and you might've seen him on "America's Got Talent," when he performed to an empty audience during the depths of the pandemic.

7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Jan. 13-14. Tickets are $18 and $28.

THURSDAY

N.C. Symphony

At the CFCC Wilson Center: Our state symphony makes its first visit of the year to Wilmington. The symphony will play two classic works by famous conductors: the "Symphonic Dances" of Rachmaninoff and Schumann's "Piano Concerto," played by concert pianist Michelle Cann. Cann will also play "Tumblebird Contrails" by contemporary composer Gabriella Smith.

7:30 p.m. Jan. 12. Tickets start at $20. 910-362-7999..

FRIDAY

Sam Burchfield

At Bourgie Nights: A concert of thoughtfully considered tunes by this singer and songwriter, who blends folk, blues and country into meditative, finger-picked gems. Opening act is Wilmington's ownTravis Shallow.

7 p.m. (doors) Jan. 13. Tickets are $10 and $15.

Lookout Rockout!

At the Lookout at Iron Front: A half-dozen hard rock acts team up for a full-on evening of music at this downtown venue and event space. Sets from area bands Primordial Tides, Fractured Frames, Regions, Escape Velocity, Dropkiik and Mortal After All.

6 p.m. (doors) Jan. 13. Tickets are $15.

James Sardone & The Band with No Name

At the Satellite Bar & Lounge: Longtime Wilmington rocker and songwriter James Sardone will play some of his newest tunes at one of Wilmington's coolest, most-beloved venues. Sardone was a mainstay of the Wilmington scene in the '90s, thanks to his hard rock band Brickbat and the more country-flavored tunes of The Burnley Brothers. His latest songs, released last year as part of a Fort Lowell Records "This Water Is Life" split LP with Wilmington hip-hop act MindsOne, are tuneful, deceptively simple pop rockers that sound like they were pulled from some forgotten '80s radio playlist. Opening act is Ahna Ell.

8 p.m. Jan. 13, free.

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SATURDAY

'Black Lives Do Matter'

At the Cameron Art Museum: Up until recently, Wilmington artist Greyson Davis' "Black Lives Do Matter" installation was visible from where North Third Street meets the Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway downtown. After the Wilmington City Council voted not to extend the installation into 2023, however, the Cameron Art Museum partnered with the Eighteen Forward arts collective to bring the large-scale, 18-letter piece to the museum grounds. An opening for "Black Lives Do Matter" will be held this weekend as part of a "community day" at The CAM, which will offer free admission on Saturday. The installation will remain through on display May 28. As part of Saturday's opening day, Davis, along with museum staffers and local elected officials, will speak at 11 a.m. Afterwards, Davis and the other artists who helped create "Black Lives Do Matter" will give tours of the installation. And, at 1 p.m., Rebecca Trammel will lead a community line dance to the song “Jerusalema" on the museum grounds. Also Saturday, artists of all ages can create "peace flags" in the CAM's Pancoe Education Center as part of Peace Flag Weekend, which honors Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream" speech.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 14. Free admission.

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Airness: Air guitar competition

At Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Think you've got what it takes to play an invisible guitar, convincingly? Well, then you need to be at this air guitar contest, which is also a fundraiser for Big Dawg Productions' upcoming staging of the play "Airness," which opens Feb. 9 at Thalian Hall's Ruth and Bucky Stein Studio Theatre. A panel of judges will pick the Wilmington air guitar champ from a slate of competitors, whose performances will be evaluated on three criteria: technical merit, stage presence and, most importantly, Airness. To those about to rock, we salute you.

7 p.m. Jan. 14. Tickets are $10 in advance to compete, or to watch.

Family Promise Feud

At the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center: Two teams of Wilmington celebrities will team up to raise money for Family Promise of the Lower Cape Fear in this "Family Feud"-style evening of entertainment. Family Promise helps support families dealing with homelessness. Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo will lead one team, and Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County director Rhonda Bellamy will lead the other. Wilmington comic Charles Ozuna hosts.

6 p.m. Jan. 14, tickets are $48 and benefit Family Promise.

Bluegrass Night

At Live At Ted's: Wilmington bluegrass duo The Smoky Dunes will lead a trio of bands during a packed evening of music at this Wilmington listening room. Also on the bill are area acts The Brewer Brothers and The Common House Cats.

8 p.m. Jan. 14. Tickets are $15.

Beckwith Recital Series

At Beckwith Recital Hall: The chamber music wind ensemble Southern Harmonie will perform as part of the recital series at this beautiful venue in the Cultural Arts Building on the campus of the University of North Carolina Wilmington. The series presents performances by both guest artists and UNCW music faculty.

7:30 p.m. Jan. 14. Tickets are $14.

MONDAY

MLK Day Parade

Downtown Wilmington: Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with this annual parade on the day honoring the great civil rights leader. The parade will start on North Third Street at Hanover Street and proceed to Princess Street.

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 16. Free.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do in the Wilmington NC area for MLK weekend Jan. 12-16