16 things to see and hear in Wilmington during an epic, music-and-art-filled weekend
I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but as long as I'm using music cliches I might as well use that to segue into the very obvious statement that this is a great, great weekend for concerts in Wilmington, and for arts/entertainment events in general.
From album release shows by longtime local musicians and sure-to-be-lit concerts by favorite Wilmington bands, to touring gigs by such veteran acts as the Mountain Goats and Mary Chapin Carpenter, this is a weekend when you need to get out and take in some live tunes.
Plus, we've got a fine array of visual art and comedy shows, not to mention the final weekend for a big 'ol musical at Thalian Hall.
If you're looking for even more live music options, especially ones that you can experience outside, peruse our list of outdoor summer concerts in the area for even more ideas. And if you're looking for things to do in Brunswick County, we do a weekly roundup for that as well.
Plus, I just did a tour of about a dozen mini-golf courses in the three-county area, so check that out if you feel like hitting the little links anytime in the near future.
More: Full list of outdoor summer concerts in Wilmington, plus Brunswick and Pender counties
More: The hole story: 11 fun mini-golf courses to play in the Wilmington area
More: 'Let's Rock and Roll' highlights these 8 events happening in Brunswick this week
Justin Lacy album release show
At Bourgie Nights: There's not another musician in Wilmington — or artist, for that matter — like Justin Lacy, the freak-folkin' guitar savant and songwriter whose music vibes like stop-motion animation come to glorious life. (Editor's note: Lacy sometimes makes stop-motion animated films in real life.)
On Saturday, Lacy and his orchestra will play an album-release show for his third full-length record, "Carousel," a collection of 10 songs that lurch and bend and lilt and sing like nothing else you'll hear in this town. In an effort to evoke a '70s folk vibe, Lacy used (almost) all analog instruments, and the show at Bourgie Nights will feature an unheard-of range of instrumentation, from strings and reeds and guitars and banjos to handbells and jaw harps. It'll be a whole thing.
Also on this rather epic bill is Lady Die, the new band from Wilmington songstress Julia Rothenberger, and two out-of-town acts: Charlotte pop band Oceanic and a New Mexico solo-cellist songwriter who performs under the moniker Circle Verse.
8:30 p.m. doors, 9:30 p.m. show, Aug. 20. $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
ALL WEEKEND
'Newsies'
At Thalian Hall: It's the final weekend for Opera House Theatre Co.'s production of this beloved, dance-heavy musical based on the real-life Newsboys' Strike of 1899 (which also inspired the popular 1992 movie). Wilmington's Paul Teal, who recently appeared on HBO Max's "The Staircase," plays Jack Kelly, the ringleader of the newsies, many of whom were homeless or orphans.
Opera House had to cancel two performances last week due to COVID, but they've added an extra performance this weekend to make up for it.
Directed by Wilmington theater vet Shane Fernando, with choreography by Carson Hobbs and music direction by Broadway veteran ("Chicago") Brian Whitted, "Newsies" has music from Alan Menken ("Little Shop of Horrors"), lyrics by Jack Feldman and a book by Harvey Fierstein.
Well-known tunes from the show include "Seize the Day," "Santa Fe" and "Carrying the Banner," and the youth-filled cast features turns from Jakob Gruntfest (a standout in Opera House's recent production of "Grease") and Emilia Torello (a high school star with Opera House who's back in town for her first local show since college).
7:30 p.m. Aug. 18-21 and 2 p.m. Aug. 20-21. 910-632-2285.
'Echoes'
On Netflix: If it's more of a chill-at-home type weekend for you, go ahead and cue up this shot-in-Wilmington series that features numerous area locations and premieres Aug. 19. It stars Michelle Monaghan ("Mission: Impossible — Fallout," Netflix show "Messiah") as identical twins Leni and Gina, who've secretly pretended to be each other since childhood. Now that they're adults, both sisters are basically leading double lives. But when Leni goes missing, the jig is up and the twins' carefully constructed world begins to crumble.
More: Wilmington-shot Netflix mini-series 'Echoes' drops spooky trailer, announces release date
Shayne Smith
At Dead Crow Comedy Room: This extremely funny and rapidly rising stand-up comic brings his virally popular act to Wilmington's premiere comedy hotspot this weekend, with many wonderful jokes about his at-once nerdy and heavily tatted appearance. Smith also has some great tales of being a teenage miscreant in his stand-up special "The Animal," and his sets have gotten millions upon millions of views online. Don't miss this one.
7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Aug. 19-20, $18-$28. 910-399-1750.
THURSDAY
Art in Bloom grand opening
At Art in Bloom Gallery: Since moving from its original home on Princess Street in downtown Wilmington earlier this summer, influential Wilmington gallery Art in Bloom will host a grand opening reception for its new Mayfaire location. Appropriately titled "Making A Move: New Art Featuring Art in Bloom Gallery Artists," the show will feature work from 30 of Wilmington's best-known and most talented artists, including Richard Bunting (blown glass), Karen Paden Crouch (sculpture), Elizabeth Darrow (painting), Traudi Thornton (ceramics), Gayle Tustin (ceramics).
FRIDAY
The Mountain Goats
At the Brooklyn Arts Center: Veteran North Carolina indie rock band will kick off its tour in support of new album "Bleed Out" in Wilmington. Known for songs that are at once catchy, emotionally intense and kind of rockin', frontman John Darnielle and company had a viral moment last year when their brutally acerbic breakup song "No Children" went viral on TikTok. Songs from the new album have more of an arena rock vibe, so the crowd will no doubt be bumping.
7 p.m. Aug. 19, $40 plus taxes and fees.
More: Before Wilmington show, Mountain Goats singer talks old gigs at The Soapbox, vengeance
Pink Beds, with Color Temperature
At Bourgie Nights: Billed as the after-party show to Friday night's Mountain Goats concert in Wilmington, this two-band indie rockfest is a pretty strong gig in its own right. Asheville indie pop act Pink Beds brings some lush, rock-infused melodies heightened by the falsetto vocals of singer-guitarist Aaron Aiken, while Wilmington's very own Color Temperature, the main project of Wilmington musician Ross Page has an array of sonically adventurous, lyrically intriguing bedroom pop songs that play well in a live setting. Page is billing this as Color Temperature's final Wilmington show, so would be A Very Good Time to catch them.
9 p.m. doors, 10 p.m. show, Aug. 19. $10 in advance, $15 day of show.
More: With new album and rising Spotify profile, Wilmington band Color Temperature is heating up
ASG
At Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Wilmington's hometown hard rock heroes ASG play a rare local show at Reggie's. The quartet — Jason Shi, Andy Ellis, Scott Key and Jonah Citty — pound out an uncommon blend of stoner metal, Southern rock and punk notable for its steel-sharp edge and glossy, bright-eyed sheen. Opening bands are Wilmington rock acts Narah and Free Drinks. Get there early, as a sell-out is all but guaranteed.
7 p.m. Aug. 19, $15 at the door.
'Suicide for Beginners'
At Jengo's Playhouse: It's the local premiere for this Wilmington-made independent film, which had a theatrical run earlier this year and is equally filled with bloody violence and hearty laughs. Starring a raft of Wilmington actors, including Nate Panning ("Birdies"), "Suicide for Beginners" is also notable for having the final on-screen appearance of horror legend Sid Haig ("The Devil's Rejects"). It stars Will Daniels as a heartbroken psycho intent on murdering his longtime (unrequited) love, played by Sara Tomko. But when she confronts him, things spiral out of control. From Wilmington filmmakers Craig Thieman (director) and Ethan Hunter (a co-writer, with Thieman).
Blue Footed Boobies
At the Palm Room: This Wilmington blues-rock duo is one of the area's most popular acts, so expect a packed house for this show at longtime Wrightsville Beach venue The Palm Room.
10 p.m. Aug. 19, cover at the door.
More: Blue Footed Boobies: Wilmington rock pair commands attention
Machine Gun
At Airlie Gardens: Popular Airlie Gardens concert hosts one of Wilmington's longest-running bands, the rock and pop covers act Machine Gun, led by the guitarist Tommy Brothers.
Parking is off-site at the New Hanover County Public Library's Northeast Branch, which is where you catch the free shuttle. Concessions not available, but chairs, blankets and picnics are allowed.
6-8 p.m. Aug. 19. Tickets are $10, $3 for ages 4-12, free for ages 3 and under. 910-798-7700.
![Machine Gun performs Saturday April 16, 2022 at the Boatyard at Marina Grill to kick off The Marina Grill's Saturday Sunset music series The series will continue most Friday evenings into the fall from 6-9 p.m. Saturdays and is free. [KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Z6HuDtINSyOa1xUZaL5Nwg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTExMTc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/star-news/0ed96f1f3dc7fca27ec9594d4b486657)
Friday Night Live
At the Pier at Port City Marina: Free downtown Wilmington outdoor concert series features touring tribute acts. This week, they bring in Abbey Road Live!, a band from Athens, Georgia, that plays the music of The Beatles. From "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" to "Let It Be," if there was ever a concert where you're gonna know all the songs, this would be that concert.
Blue Footed Boobies
SATURDAY
'Kids State of the Art'
At Cameron Art Museum: After the success of its "State of the Art/Art of the State" exhibit, which features 776 works by North Carolina artists and attracted more than 6,000 visitors since April, the Cameron Art Museum is letting kids in on the artistic action. More than 300 North Carolina children submitted work to the CAM's "Kids State of the Art" show earlier this month, and the results go on display this weekend as part of a free community day that will include a collaborative community art project, live entertainment, refreshments and more.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. free community day Aug. 20. Show on display through September.
More: North Carolina artists conquer the Cameron Art Museum: 776 pieces flood the space
Port City Jerry Day
At Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Fourth annual fundraiser for the United Way of the Cape Fear is an homage to the late, great Grateful Dead songwriter Jerry Garcia. Wilmington Dead tribute act The Possums will open, followed by a set from nationally touring tribute band The Garcia Project playing in Wilmington for the first time.
6 p.m. Aug. 20, tickets are $7.
Support the Port comedy show
At Dead Crow Comedy Room: Wilmington's DareDevil improv comedy troupe presents this afternoon show to raise money for Support the Port, which aims to support underserved communities and combat violence through a range of programming. The show will start with a family-friendly improv session at 1 p.m., followed by a show more suited for adults at 2 p.m.
SUNDAY
Mary Chapin Carpenter
At Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Longtime country rock singer Carpenter, known for such tunes as the catchy 1992 hit "Passionate Kisses," has played Wilmington a number of times over the years. A five-time Grammy winner who's also a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Carpenter will pull from a wealth of material: 15 studio albums, from 1987 debut "Hometown Girl" to 2020's "The Dirt and the Stars."
6:30 p.m. Aug. 21, tickets start at $50.
Contact John Staton at 910-343-2343 or John.Staton@StarNewsOnline.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do and see in Wilmington NC for the weekend, Aug. 18-21
