17 things to do in Wilmington during a weekend packed with festivals, music and theater

Whether or not the rain holds off, it's going to be a great weekend to be in Wilmington.

While the crowds have picked up recently, they aren't quite at Memorial Day weekend levels yet. More importantly, there's lots of fun stuff to do, with major festivals celebrating the Greek community and Black filmmakers, respectively, along with a ton of theater, including two big musicals and an original play by a popular Wilmington writer.

Read on for details on these and many other events.

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.

More: Things to do Comedy and Japanese Drum Music highlight these 7 events happening in Brunswick

More: Wilmington music Your guide to 2023's can't-miss outdoor concerts in the Wilmington area

THURSDAY

MindsOne listening party

At Flytrap Brewing: Last week, Wilmington's Fort Lowell Records released "The Time Space Continuum Redux," a lush remix by Port City DJ and producer RizzyBeats of a 2006 album from local hip-hop group MindsOne. They'll have a listening party for the album Thursday night at Flytrap to celebrate its release. MindsOne (rapper KON Sci and producer Tronic) are old-school while Rizzy is out there holding the scene down today, but the artists found common ground in their love for traditional '80s and '90s hip-hop, with its head-bobbing beats and often socially conscious lyrics. "MindsOne and myself are huge fans of the boom-bap era of hip-hop," Rizzy said. "Their sound catered to that and mine does as well." 7-9 p.m. May 18. Free, with albums available for purchase.

More: Wilmington music How the couple behind a growing record label is putting Wilmington music on the map

ALL WEEKEND

N.C. Black Film Festival

The 20th annual Wilmington film festival that celebrates the work of Black filmmakers has a big-name headliner this year: Winston-Salem native Pam Grier, an actress known for her roles in such films as "Coffy," "Foxy Brown" and "Jackie Brown," who the festival will honor with a lifetime achievement award.

Grier will speak during the festival's opening-night "Cinemixer" 6 p.m. May 18 at the Cameron Art Museum, followed by a screening of "Foxy Brown."

After that, it's a full weekend of film, with dozens of shorts and features that include: "Ballin Abroad," a documentary about American basketball players in China (6:30 p.m. Friday at Boseman's Sneakers, free); "Senior Year," in which a young woman's college career is threatened when she gets pregnant (2 p.m. Saturday, 106 Market St.); and "The SixTripleEight," a documentary about the only all-Black female Women's Army Corps in World War II.

The festival wraps 2 p.m. Sunday with an awards ceremony at the Cameron Art Museum, followed by a screening of the documentary "Butterfly in the Sky," about the PBS children's series "Reading Rainbow" and its host, LeVar Burton. May 18-21 at multiple Wilmington venues. Full schedule and tickets at BlackArtsAlliance.org.

Wilmington Greek Festival

At St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church: One of Wilmington's favorite (and most delicious) festivals returns for its 31st year to celebrate Greek food and culture. There will be Greek dancing, music, a market and tours of the historic St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, but the big attraction of course is the wide range of Greek food and desserts. Truly a special event. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. May 19-20, noon-5 p.m. May 21. $5 adults (good for all weekend), free for kids 12 and under. Free off-site parking at Saint Matthew Lutheran Church and the UNCW Auxiliary Lot behind Taco Bell (shuttle provided).

'High Voter Turnout'

At Thalian Hall (ballroom): In what will be no surprise to anyone who's read her column, Celia Rivenbark's new play, written with Kevin Parker, takes a bit of a political turn. In the comedy "High Voter Turnout," Rivenbark and Parker's first play since before the pandemic (when they produced several shows at the old TheatreNOW), a small North Carolina county gets in a big tizzy over whether to legalize marijuana.

"The idea for the play came quite naturally from Kevin and I spitballin' about whether or not North Carolina would ever become a legal weed state," Rivenbark said. "Could it happen? Could King Marijuana replace King Tobacco?"

The pot-laced humor unrolls from there, with Wilmington actor Zach Hanner among the cast playing a small-town preacher.

"The Trump years were a revelation to me," Rivenbark said. "Coupled with my small town politics background, it seemed a natural evolution to write a political comedy." 7:30 p.m. May 19-20 and 25-27, 2 p.m. May 21 and 28. 910-632-2285.

'The Wedding Singer'

At Thalian Hall: Thalian Association Community Theatre presents this hit Broadway musical comedy based on the Adam Sandler movie in Wilmington for the first time. With a score inspired by '80s pop, the story follows a New Jersey wedding singer who's unlucky in love. 7:30 p.m. May 19-20 and 26-27, 2 p.m. May 21 and 28. 910-632-2285.

'Fiddler on the Roof'

At North Front Theatre: With timeless characters, easy humor and a compelling story about a Jewish community dealing with generation-shaking change — not to mention a half-dozen of the most memorable songs ever written for musical theater — "Fiddler on the Roof" is solidly in the conversation when it comes to the best musicals of all time.

"Fiddler" is so beautifully and tightly written (music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and book by Joseph Stein) that it does most of the heavy lifting, which makes it a good choice for community theater troupes, with their wide ranges of age and talent.

That's not a diss of Wilmington troupe Acting Up's highly enjoyable and well-staged production of "Fiddler," which is community theater at its most charming. There's no band, but the all-ages cast sings the songs well, with performances in the leading roles strong enough to carry the day.

Levi Hemingway is endearing as the good-natured, long-suffering milkman Tevye, whose five daughters, unmarried at the start of the show but not at the end of it, serve as agents of change and cultural conflict. Katlyn McCrary is a forceful presence as Tevye's hard-working wife Golde, while Kyle Quittschreiber is perfectly cast as Motel, the young tailor who wants to marry Tevye's oldest daughter, Tzeitel (Hana Quittschreiber).

With the ongoing war in Ukraine, where the show is set, along with the recent rise in acts of anti-Semitism, which the show depicts, the production feels especially timely. Expect to be humming the show's songs for days. 7:30 p.m. May 18 and 20; 3 p.m. May 20-21. $20, $15 for children, $15 and $10 for matinees. ActingUpNC.com.

Baron Vaughn

At Dead Crow Comedy Room: One of the funniest stand-up comedy performances I've ever seen was by Baron Vaughn at the old Cape Fear Comedy Festival in 2015. He was gloriously silly in a bit about how a cricket in his apartment kept him up all night by changing its chirp on a regular basis, but Vaughn also knows how to put a funny spin on serious topics. Prior to his Wilmington show in 2015, Vaughn, who is Black, told the audience he was doing some shopping in downtown Wilmington. "I've been to your … Cotton Exchange," he said pointedly of the collection of stores located in a former cotton factory. "I was going to buy a pair of jeans, but then I looked at the price: 'Your freedom.' Nah, too expensive." 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. May 19-20. $20 and $30.

FRIDAY

Kicking Bird album release show

At Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Friday marks the release of "Original Motion Picture Soundtrack," the incendiary new album from Wilmington sweat-pop rockers Kicking Bird, and they'll have an album release show to celebrate with fellow Port City bands Pleasure Island and Cool Jerk.

Kicking Bird is led by singer-guitarist Shaun Paul and his wife, Shayla, who sings and plays keyboards. They both write hooky songs, which rock while often carrying a girl-group sheen, with lyrics about love and life that make both the ups and the downs sound like celebrations.

Kicking Bird bassist Tom Michels likens a Kicking Bird show to a dance party, and if you've seen them before you know he's not wrong: "(We) turn it up and start moving around and sweating," Michels said. "That's what so fun about it." 8 p.m. May 19, cover charge at the door.

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Free Concert Friday

At the Eagle's Dare: Guns N Roses tribute act Night Train takes the stage for this weekly concert series, with Wilmington face-melters Audiomelt opening up. 6 p.m. opener, 8 p.m. headliner, May 19. Free.

SATURDAY

Blue Cactus

At Bourgie Nights: Chapel Hill duo Blue Cactus plays a style of music they call "cosmic Americana," a blend of classic country and '70s glam. Their Wilmington show will be a full-band gig, and they'll be joined by Greensboro rockers Nightblooms. 9 p.m. May 20, $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

N.C. Symphony

At CFCC Wilson Center: The state symphony comes down from Raleigh to play Tchaikovsky's famous orchestral piece based on Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet." Conductor Michelle Di Russo will lead the symphony through other classical works as well. 7:30 p.m. May 20, tickets start at $20. 910-362-7999.

La Big Bouche Cabaret

At Barzarre: Wilmington's sauciest cabaret troupe is back, this time with a show based on a "summer camp" theme. Expect a mix of song, dance, comedy, cirque, burlesque and of course naughtiness. 8 p.m. May 20, $20.

SUNDAY

Wilmington Choral Society

At CFCC Wilson Center: Longtime Wilmington vocal group founded in the 1950s presents a concert billed as "America's Favorite Songs: A Patriotic Concert for All." Conductor Byron Marshall, accompanist Sheryl Tjon and even a brass quintet will perform a mix of songs from composers including Irving Berlin, Woody Guthrie, John Rutter and John Philip Sousa. 4 p.m. May 21, tickets start at $22. 910-362-7999.

Rival Sons

At Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Nashville-by-way-of-California rockers roll into town in support of their upcoming album, "Darkfighter," out June 2. The band's old-school arena rock vibe is buoyed by singer Jay Buchanan's wailing vocals. 5 p.m. May 21, $35.

Ukrainian Festival

At Waterline Brewing: In light of Russia's ongoing war on Ukraine, this event put on by members of Wilmington's Ukrainian community takes on an added poignance and importance. Featured will be Ukrainian food, music, dance and art, as well as some kid-friendly activities. Noon-5 p.m. May 21, free.

Wilmington Symphonic Winds

At Kenan Auditorium: Guest conductors Eugene Migliaro Corporon and Mallory Thompson will help this Wilmington classical group close out its 2022-23 season with a concert of works based on the theme "Heroes." On the program is John Williams’ "Summon the Heroes," Eric Whitacre's "Sleep" and "Mother of a Revolution" by Omar Thomas. Work by Katahj Copley, Jay Kennedy, Erika Svanoe and Giacomo Puccini will be performed as well. 4 p.m. May 21, free with donations accepted.

Boogie in the Park

At Oceanfront Park in Kure Beach: Longtime Wilmington rockabilly act The Phantom Playboys headlines this popular Pleasure Island music series. 5-7 p.m. May 21. Bring a beach chair or blanket. Free.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do in Wilmington NC May 18-21, with the Greek Festival