25 things to do in Wilmington this weekend, including multiple Earth Day celebrations

Spring is in full effect in Wilmington, and even though the Azalea Festival is over, the area remains awash in arts, entertainment and events of all kinds.

Should be a gorgeous weekend, especially if the rain holds off, which would be a good thing for the many outdoor concerts and Earth Day celebrations that are scheduled.

Plus, five (!) theatrical productions are opening this weekend, in addition to an array of concerts (rock, hip-hop, country, classical, Americana and more) comedy (two national touring stand-ups) and even a famous psychic.

If you're looking for events in Brunswick County, we do a seperate list for that. See link below.

Brunswick events and things to do: Earth Day events, a 'cool' gala and more highlight these 7 things happening in Brunswick

THURSDAY

Wilmington 420 Fest

At Waterline Brewing: Wilmington rapper Sheme of Gold headlines this sure-to-be-pungent gathering featuring tons of vendors and some of the best musical acts in town. Billy Heathen and Exercise will bring the rock 'n' roll; Sheme, MoeSOS DC and the Beats & Coffee collective will bring the hip-hop; and Real Life Party will bring the party-robot vibes. 3-7 p.m. market, 4-10 music April 20, free to attend.

Spafford

At Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Ascendant Arizona jam band brings its electronic rock tunes to town for what I believe is the first time. Judging by social media there's some local excitement for this one, perhaps driven by Spafford's 2022 album "Simple Mysteries." 6 p.m. April 20, tickets start at $25.

ALL WEEKEND

'Next to Normal'

At Thalian Hall's Ruth & Bucky Stein Studio Theater: Opera House Theatre Co. and BS Productions present this Tony- and Pulitzer-Prize-winning musical about a woman with bipolar disorder and how it impacts her family. The show kicks off Opera House's new Playhouse Series of intimate shows in Thalian Hall's studio theater, and it stars Heather Setzler as the woman in question, with Brent Schraff as her husband and Leah Schraff (Brent's daughter) and Maxwell Korn (who played the same role in Wilmington in 2012) as their kids. Cathy Street directs, with music direction by Chiaki Ito.

According to a news release, the show "is a passion project for two of our leading performers, Brent Schraff and Leah Schraff, father and daughter, who wanted to pay it forward after experiencing a similar story." Talkback with local mental health groups will be held after some performances, and a portion of proceeds will go to provide counseling to an area family in need of assistance. 7:30 p.m. April 20-22 and 27-29, 2 p.m. April 23 and 30. 910-632-2285.

'A Murder of Crows'

At UNCW's Mainstage Theatre: The University of North Carolina Wilmington's Department of Theatre presents this dark comedy by Mac Wellman about a dystopian, environmentally ravaged world of the future. A student cast of 11 under the direction of Dr. Paul Castagno will go for a vibe that's at once humorous and unsettling. 8 p.m. April 20-22 and 27-29, 2 p.m. April 23 and 30. Tickets are $6-$15. 910-962-3500.

'Blue Stockings'

At CFCC Wilson Center's studio theater: Cape Fear Community College's Department of Fine and Performing Arts presents this historical comedy by Jessica Swale about the women's education and suffrage movement. Set in 1890s England, the story follows a cohort of the first women to attend university in the UK, and their fight to be taken seriously and treated with respect and equity. 7 p.m. April 20-22 and 27-29, tickets are $15. 910-362-7999.

Josh Gondelman

At Dead Crow Comedy Room: The Dead Crow is really punching above its weight lately when it comes to landing touring comics. Gondelman is a fantastic, top-notch comedian who's all over the reels, is an Emmy-winning TV writer and has appeared on all of the late-night shows. His 2022 special "People Pleaser" is a showcase for his endearing and laid-back but nerdily hilarious vibe. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. April 21-22, tickets are $18 and $28.

Empire Strikes Brass

At The Palm Room: Horntastic Asheville funk/soul/jam band rolls into Wrightsville Beach for a two-night stand at this longtime local venue. 10 p.m. April 21-22, cover at the door.

Rain

At CFCC Wilson Center: Mega-popular Beatles tribute act returns to town, this time for a two-night stand. Playing a mix of tunes from the "Abbey Road" album, the Fab Four's famous Rooftop Concert and other favorites. 7:30 p.m. April 22 and 2 p.m. April 23, tickets start at $42. 910-362-7999.

FRIDAY

Arts Sensation

At Thalian Hall: 19th annual mash-up of dance and live music includes a performance by the flamenco group Eduardo de Rosamaria's Tablao Flamenco, which plays to the moves of dancer Chillona. Also on display will be a range of dance styles by various groups, including ballet, tap, jazz, modern and more, with special use of Thalian Hall's rarely heard "Thunder Roll" in one performance. 7:30 p.m. April 21, $25. 910-632-2285.

Port City Shorties

At Jengo's Playhouse: The Cucalorus Film Festival's weekly Friday screening features a program of short movies by Wilmington filmmakers. They include the documentary "Three Sisters Swamp," about 2,000-year-old trees near the Black River, and "Beside the Still Waters," featuring late Wilmington actress Joy James. 7:30 p.m. April 21, $10.

Theresa Caputo

At CFCC Wilson Center: Caputo is the psychic who rose to fame as the star of TLC show "The Long Island Medium," on which she claims to commune with the dead. Caputo's live act gets up-close and personal as she interacts directly with audience members. 7:30 p.m. April 21, tickets start at $45. 910-362-7999.

The Steel Wheels

At Bourgie Nights: Hailing from the mountains of Virginia, The Steel Wheels mix traditional Appalachian styles and more contemporary sounds into a stirring musical blend. Opening act is the singer and songwriter Dawn Landes. 7 p.m. April 21, $25 in advance, $30 day of show.

Star Party 2023

At Carolina Beach State Park: This annual event put on by the Cape Fear Museum, Carolina Beach State Park and the Cape Fear Astronomical Society was absolutely mobbed last year. And a good time it was, too, with guided night-sky tours of the stars and planets; close-up views through various telescopes; hands-on activities; speaker presentations; food and refreshment trucks, and more. Event parking at the marina in the back of the park. 7-10 p.m. April 21, free.

Raphaël Feuillâtre

At Beckwith Recital Hall: Acclaimed French classical guitarist will display his exquisite chops at this concert that's part of the UNCW music department's Beckwith Recital Series. His repertoire consists of pieces by established masters (Bach, Rameau) as well as by contemporary composers. 7:30 p.m. April 21, $14. 910-962-3500.

SATURDAY

Chase Rice

At Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Country superstar (and "Survivor" survivor) Rice brings his tunes to town for the first time since 2016. Rice, a Florida native, played football for UNC-Chapel Hill and wrote Florida Georgia Line's massive 2012 hit "Cruise," a song he's been playing at concerts this year. 7 p.m. April 22, lawn tickets start at $25.

Wilmington Earth Day Festival

At Long Leaf Park: Annual celebration from the Wilmington Earth Day Alliance takes place under the pines in this lovely midtown park. Highlights include live music, food trucks, kids' activities and dozens of environmentally themed vendors. Noon-6 p.m. April 22, free.

Boobies 4 Boobies

At Waterman's Brewing: Wilmington psyche-rock duo Blue Footed Boobies play this benefit concert to raise money for Lump 2 Laughter, a group that supports women diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer. Singer/guitarist Logan Chaucer and drummer Sam Baker have drawn massive crowds to their incendiary live shows over the years, and this open-air concert promises to be a good time for a good cause. 4 p.m. April 22, $20 at the door.

Judah the Lion

At Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Their name makes them sound like they might be a reggae act, but this Nashville band actually plays a range of poppy folk (or is that folky pop?). Recent single "Take a Walk" puts a nostalgic, anthemic spin on overcoming mental health struggles to live your best life. 7 p.m. April 22, tickets start at $36.

'Wilmington Reconstructed'

At DREAMS Center for Arts Education: Original play from Wilmington's Mouths of Babes Theatre Co. has been five years in the making. Built in part from newspaper reports of Wilmington's 1898 coup and massacre, when white supremacists overthrew a biracial government and killed dozens of Blacks, the play also includes excerpts from the books “We Have Taken A City” by H. Leon Prather and “Democracy Betrayed” by Tim Tyson. Interviews with locals on the legacy of 1898 are also woven into the play, including an interview with Bertha Boykin Todd, who helped bring the 1898 massacre into public view with its 100th anniversary commemoration in 1998. 7:30 p.m. April 22 and 29, 2 p.m. April 23 and 30. Tickets are $12-$15.

FlowILM

At the Cameron Art Museum: Earth Day event at the CAM is billed as an outdoor "evening of light, sound and movement." In addition to activities based on research by area environmental groups, there will be live performances and light and sound installations by UNCW's Coaction Lab. 6-9:30 p.m. April 22. UPDATE: This event has been postponed due to expected bad weather.

Record Store Day

Used to be, Record Store Day was a day when people would flood independent record stores to buy new releases made available only to these shops. It still is, to some extent, but Wilmington record shops have gone their own ways over the year. It's still a good day to patronize local shops, though (as is every day), and Wilmington stores including Gravity Records (storewide sale), Record Bar (with a number of RSD titles), Modern Legend (some RSD titles and discounts on other items) and Yellow Dog Discs (discounts, special vinyl drops) will be places to hit up. April 22.

White Elephant Yard Sale

At the Burgwin Wright House & Gardens: Biggest annual fundraiser for this downtown historic site features deals on antiques, houseware, electronics, kitchenware, books and more. Patrons are asked to bring their own boxes and bags, and you can get in the door a half-hour early with the purchase of an annual membership. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. April 22.

Jen Kober

At Thalian Hall: Louisiana comic brings her stories about Girl Scout Cookie capers and tandem skydiving mishaps to Wilmington. Kober has been featured on National Public Radio, and she's appeared as an actor in multiple TV series. 7:30 p.m. April 22, 910-632-2285.

SUNDAY

Wilmington Jewish Film Festival

At Thalian Hall: Annual multi-day film festival celebrating Jewish culture, religion and identity kicks off this weekend. Sunday's feature is "Farewell, Mr. Haffman," a 2022 feature about a jeweller who tries to get his family out of Paris during the Nazi occupation. 3 p.m. April 23, 910-632-2285. Screenings continue April 24, 26, 30, May 1 and May 3.

More: Wilmington music Carolina Beach band Pleasure Island makes waves with throwback sound, cool vibes

Suck Fest

At The Place: Showcase of some of Wilmington's best rock bands presented by the Port City's newest record label, Suck Rock Records. Should be a mighty fun vibe in Cargo District hotspot The Place, with headliners Pleasure Island joined by Ridgewood, Cancel, Lawn Enforcement and Cumdawgz. 6-11 p.m. April 23, $5.

Penderlea Earth Day Festival

At Penderlea Farms: UPDATE: This event was originally scheduled for April 22 but was moved to Sunday due to weather. Head to Burgaw for this environmental celebration where everyone leaves with a free tree to plant. Plus, enjoy live music from the Smokey Dunes, children’s activities (bouncy house, face painting, hay ride, games), local vendors and food, coffee and beer for purchase. Noon-4 p.m. April 23, free.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do in Wilmington for Earth Day weekend 2023 April 20-23