12 things to do in Wilmington this weekend, including a major new exhibit at The CAM
The list of this weekend's happenings in Wilmington are topped by a major new exhibition at the Cameron Art Museum. It's one of the first-ever art shows in Wilmington to highlight the contributions of Latino artists from around North Carolina, and there are a number of events tied to it for its big opening weekend.
Read on for more, as well as info on some cool concerts, theater and comedy.
We also have a big list highlighting the outdoor concerts in the area if you want to see what's coming down the pike later this spring and summer. See link below.
And, if you're looking for Brunswick County events, we do a separate list for that. See link below.
Wilmington concerts: Full list of outdoor concerts in 2023 for Wilmington, including Brunswick and Pender
Brunswick County events: Calabash's 50th anniversary highlights these 8 events happening in Brunswick
ALL WEEKEND
'Lugar de Encuentros/Place of Encounters'
At the Cameron Art Museum: Last weekend, Charlotte artist Rosalia Torres-Weiner and a trio of assistants put the finishing touches on an original mural at the heart of "Lugar de Encuentros/Place of Encounters," a new exhibition that celebrates the art of a half-dozen LatinX artists based in North Carolina.
It's the biggest exhibit ever at the CAM to highlight the work of Latinos, who were just 1% of the North Carolina population in 1990 but were at 11% in 2020. "Lugar de Encuentros/Place of Encounters" opens this week and weekend with a series of events and will remain on display through mid-January.
In addition to paintings and the mural by Torres-Weiner, "Lugar de Encuentros/Place of Encounters" also includes film, photography and more. The other artists with work in the exhibit are Burgaw photographer Diego Camposeco, Charlotte artist Nico Amortegui, Durham painter Cornelio Campos, Durham filmmaker Rodrigo Dorfman, artist and UNC-Chapel Hill professor Mario Marzan and Carrboro painter Renzo Ortega.
Taking a break from painting, Torres-Weiner talked about her mural, which will greet visitors when they walk into the exhibit. "It's how I see the future," she said.
In the mural, a hummingbird turns into a fish with wings, which turns into a wolf with wings, symbolizing the ways in which many Latinos must evolve and toggle between worlds in order to thrive.
The artist then showed off some of the work in her series of new, original paintings of Dreamers, Latino children who were brought to the United States as children but who don't enjoy the full rights of citizens.
"They all have stories," Torres-Weiner said. "I report them with my brush. They are all my heroes."
She wants to depict success stories, so "I'm painting them with their superpowers," Torres-Weiner said. One painting is of a Dreamer, decorated with food items, who started his career working at Burger King because he knew he could get fed at work; he's now a successful chef. Another painting shows a Latino game designer who's depicted as a half-human, half-digital cyborg of sorts.
Torres-Weiner said she started as a commercial artist, painting murals in the homes of everyone from judges to NASCAR drivers. Now, she's had exhibitions at the Mint Museum in Charlotte, and has two works in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution.
"Lugar de Encuentros/Place of Encounters" opens with a reception 5-7 p.m. May 11 featuring music with Marscia Martinez-Mendoza and Luis Barragán. At 7 p.m. May 11, there will be an "In Conversation" talk with Torres-Weiner and some of the Dreamers she depicts in her paintings. These events are $25, $15 for museum members.
An artist talk with Renzo Ortega is 11 a.m. May 12 ($20, $16 for members). And Saturday, May 13, is the exhibition's grand opening as part of CAM Community Day, with free admission, food trucks, tours in English and Spanish, lessons with the Wilmington Latin Dance troupe and artmaking with Torres-Weiner's Red Calaca Mobile Art Studio. Exhibit opens May 11 and runs through Jan. 12. Details at 910-395-5999 or CameronArtMuseum.org.
'Fiddler on the Roof'
At North Front Theatre: Wilmington troupe Acting Up presents this musical theater classic about the Jewish inhabitants of the town of the Russian town of Anatevka, whose traditions are challenged by a changing world. Songs include "Matchmaker," "If I Were a Rich Man," "Sunrise, Sunset" and the absolute banger that is "Tradition." 7:30 p.m. May 11-13, 18 and 20; 3 p.m. May 13 and 20-21. ActingUpNC.com.
Port City Blitz
At Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: 35 bands will play on two stages over two nights at this rock music festival. Friday night headliner is Wilmington hard rock supergroup Evening Shadows, and the lineup includes Good Good Grief, Hyperloops, Cool Jerk and Strangers in Public. Rockers Scowl Brow headline Saturday, with Safe Word, Monkey Knife Fight, Rocket 77, Some Are Travelers and many more on the undercard. May 12-13, "punk flea and swap meet" 2-6 p.m. Saturday. Food trucks on site.
Andy Hendrickson
At Dead Crow Comedy Room: Stand-up comic Andy Hendrickson has been on all the shows, including Letterman, and has been touring for 20 years. He's got a lot of great material about family, relationships, awkwardness and how they inevitably interact. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. May 12-13, $20 and $30.
THURSDAY
Jazz at the Mansion
At the Bellamy Mansion Museum: Wilmington's very own Aaron Van Nynatten Quartet will kick off this concert series outside one of the Port City's most historic buildings. 6:30 p.m. May 11. Tickets are $15-$25, and proceeds benefit the musicians, the Cape Fear Jazz Society and the Bellamy Mansion Museum. Small coolers allowed, food and drink available for purchase.910-251-3700.
FRIDAY
Space Oddity: The Ultimate David Bowie Experience
At Thalian Hall: David Bowie tribute act devised by David Brighton, who stands in for the late British pop star, promises to take audiences through the many stages of Bowie's career. Expect to hear hits spanning from Bowie's early days ("Space Oddity," "Changes," "Diamond Dogs") into the '80s ("Let's Dance," "Modern Love") and beyond. 7:30 p.m. May 12. 910-632-2285.
The Turkey Buzzards
At Live at Ted's: North Carolina duo of Dylan Nicholson (vocals, guitar) and Eric Patterson (stand-up bass, vocals) play a gritty, groovy brand of Americana-tinged folk. "Bottom Shelf Man" is a bluesy ode to cheap liquor and all its many consequences. 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, May 12. Tickets are $11.
Ellis Bullard
At Bourgie Nights: Bullard plays what he calls "true blue honky tonk music," and his deep-voiced tunes definitely carry a whiskey-soaked, classic country vibe that put a wry grin on stories of being down and out. Opening is veteran Wilmington songwriter Mike Blair, a top-notch roots music man. 8 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. show May 12, $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
Free Concert Friday
At the Eagle's Dare: Wilmington Americana act The Midatlantic headlines this new weekly series, held outside the big beer garden and event space on North Third Street. Fronted by Jason Andre, The Midatlantic has played North Carolina's Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival and has a style that's both endearing and virtuosic. Opening act is the top-notch Wilmington folk duo The Graes. 6 p.m. May 12, headliner starts at 8 p.m. Free.
SATURDAY
Wilmington Symphony Orchestra
At CFCC Wilson Center: The Wilmington Symphony wraps up its 2022-23 season with a concert headlined by classically trained bassist Kebra-Seyoun Charles, winner of a competition run by the Sphinx Organization, a social justice group that promotes diversity in the arts. Charles will play Andrés Martín’s "Concerto No. 1 for Bass," and the program will also include a performance of Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony. 7:30 p.m. May 13, tickets start at $24. 910-362-7999.
DREAMS Come True benefit
At the DREAMS Garage: Wilmington folk rock band Striking Copper co-headlines this three-band bill benefiting theDREAMS Center for Arts Education. Folk duo Courtney Lynn and Quinn co-headline the fundraising concert, and the opening act is another folk duo, The Graes. 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show May 13. Tickets are $20-$35.
Saturday Sunset concert series
At the Marina Grill: Port City Shakedown will play party and dance tunes at this weekly series held just off the Wilmington Riverwalk. 6-9 p.m. May 13. Free admission, with food and beverages available for purchase.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do in Wilmington NC for the weekend of May 11-14
