Charo comes to Thalian Hall, plus 14 more Wilmington things to do this weekend

Tony Rivenbark, the longtime director of downtown Wilmington's historic Thalian Hall, died earlier this year after running the venue for more than four decades.

But while Rivenbark may be gone, the legacy he created in making the Hall one of Wilmington's most vital cultural institutions continues. The Hall's annual Main Attractions series of touring acts kicks into high gear this week with two big performances, and a new production by one of the local theater companies that's been Thalian's bread and butter for many years now opens as well.

Plus, this weekend in Wilmington sees a nice mix of fall-festival-type events and some spooky, Halloween-themed performances.

For a look at events in Brunswick County, you can check out our weekly roundup of those. For a look-see at what's coming down the pike after this weekend, check our our roundup of fall festivals in the Wilmington area.

More: arts and events 28 fall festivals in the Wilmington area for 2022

THURSDAY

Hands of Liberace

At Thalian Hall: Philip Fortenberry's actual hands were featured in the 2013 film "Behind the Candelabra," in which Michael Douglas played the flamboyant piano virtuoso Liberace. In this touring show, Fortenberry, who once played weekly shows at the Liberace Museum in Las Vegas, will pay tribute to Liberace, performing the songs the pianist was associated with ("Strangers in the Night," "Beer Barrel Polka") and relating stories about Mr. Showmanship himself.

7:30 p.m. Oct. 20. 910-632-2285.

'Macabaret'

At Jengo's Playhouse: This Halloween-themed revue was last staged in Wilmington in 2017, and while it's more of a musical comedy than a horror show, it has its entertaining moments. The concept has undead characters coming back from the grave to regale us with such styles as country and big band. Numbers include "Going Green" a groovy, stoney little number that might be the prettiest song about decomposition ever written; "Ghost of a Chance," about a pining spirit; and "Beware the Understudy," about an actress with deadly ambitions.

7:30 p.m. Oct. 20. Tickets are $20.

Dominican Jazz Project

At Beckwith Recital Hall: This top-notch Latin jazz outfit comprised of players from the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Puerto Rico and the United States will play a release show for its new album, "Desde Lejos" (Summit Records). Led by Dominican saxophonist Sandy Gabriel and North Carolina pianist Stephen Anderson, the show will also feature UNCW music professors Jerald Shynett (trombone) and Kevin Day (trumpet) sitting in with the group.

7:30 p.m. Oct. 20, $15. Free for UNCW students. 910-962-3500.

Schtick or Treat

At the Hop Yard: If you never got to see Robin Williams perform his stand-up act live, well, you still can't. The next-best thing, however, might be this second annual event in which Wilmington comics will do their best impersonations of such famous comedians as John Mulaney, Billy Crystal, Emo Phillips and, yes, even Williams. Sounds like artistic risk-taking at its finest and, hopefully, funniest.

8 p.m. Oct. 20, free.

FRIDAY

Sheme of Gold

At Palate: Wilmington rapper Sheme of Gold will team up with DJ RizzyBeats for this show and dance party. According to the Scream-tastic show poster by Wilmington artist Spooky Kyd, you need to "come in costume," no pun intended (I don't think).

7-9 p.m. Oct. 21, free.

More: Wilmington musicAfter stints in jail, Wilmington rapper Sheme of Gold turns to music 'as a way out'

SATURDAY

Charo

At Thalian Hall: A world-class flamenco guitarist who's also a screamingly funny comedian, there's no one in the world of pop culture quite like Charo. Expect her trademark mix of one-liners and mind-blowing guitar chops when she brings her world-touring act to Wilmington for what I believe is the first time.

Simply put, Charo is an icon. She was on both "The Love Boat" and "Hollywood Squares" back in the day, and has remained in the cultural conversation long enough to become a staple of reality TV shows such as "Celebrity Wife Swap" and "Dancing with the Stars." While, you know, also being written up in publications as diverse as Guitar Player magazine and The New York Times, which said, "It's time to take (Charo) seriously."

7:30 p.m. Oct. 22, 910-632-2285.

The Queen's Cartoonists with the Wilmington Symphony

At CFCC Wilson Center: Touring act The Queen's Cartoonists is known for playing in 'toon. That is, they play the classical and jazz songs so many of us heard for the first time when watching old cartoons, from Bugs Bunny and "The Barber of Seville" to the theme from The Pink Panther. Joining the Cartoonists will be musicians from the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra, and there will be cartoons projected on a screen behind the band as they play.

7:30 p.m. Oct. 22, tickets start at $25. 910-362-7999.

Steep Canyon Rangers

At Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: North Carolina bluegrass icons and Grammy winners Steep Canyon Rangers are well-known for their collaborations with artists as diverse as comic/actor/banjo aficionado Steve Martin and pop vocal group Boyz II Men. On Saturday, the band is bringing their rootsy act to Wilmington for the first time since before the pandemic. They're no strangers to Wilmington, however, and used to play the old Soapbox venue downtown back in the day. Their most recent album is "Arm in Arm," released in 2020 on N.C. label Yep Roc,.

7 p.m. Oct. 22. Tickets are $60.

Art-Oberfest

Carolina Place/Ardmore: This fourth annual outdoor art crawl features the work of more than three dozen local artists displayed on the porches of the residents in this charming Wilmington neighborhood, which is located at and around the intersection of Wrightsville and Pender avenues.

"It is a special, one-of-a-kind event that totally focuses on the artists and their work," said organizer Quinn Cook, who noted that 100 percent of proceeds go to the artists.

In addition, this year's Art-Oberfest will benefit DREAMS Center for Arts Education, which celebrates its 25^th anniversary this year. Wilmington artist Cammeron Batanides has painted a watercolor in honor of DREAMS, and the sale of signed and numbered prints will benefit the group, which offers art classes to children of all income levels.

Noon-4 p.m. Oct. 22. Details at Art-Oberfest.net.

A Pawsitive Mission Comedy Fundraiser

At Dead Crow Comedy Room: If you've ever wanted to hit someone in the face with a pie, this weekend is your time to shine. As part of this fundraiser for A Pawsitive Mission, which helps pay vet bills for people in need, a roster of Wilmington comedians led by the estimate Lew Morgante will perform several sets. Which is fun in and of itself. After they perform, however, there's a grand finale of sorts: You have the option of purchasing a pie to toss in the face of the comic(s) of your choice. Big laughs and a big mess for a good cause.

7 p.m. Oct. 22. $15 and $25. 910-399-1750.

LakeFest

At Greenfield Lake: Billed as a celebration of science, nature and wildlife, this environmental festival organized by Cape Fear River Watch and the city of Wilmington's department of Parks & Rec will be held at the Greenfield Lake Boathouse. As you all know, Greenfield Lake is one of our area's gems, and it's a great place to take kids anytime, but especially during LakeFest. There will be educational games and activities, live animals on display, tours and paddle boat rides, and reps from many area  environmental organizations.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 22. Details at CapeFearRiverwatch.org. 

Surf City Fall Festival

At Soundside Park: Family-themed celebration includes a bunch of stuff for the kids to do (bounce houses!), as well as food trucks and live beach music from the North Tower band.

3-6 p.m. Oct. 22. Details at SurfCityNC.gov. 

SUNDAY

Wilmington Symphonic Winds

At Kenan Auditorium: This local group is calling its free family program "Creatures," in part because its centerpiece is a performance of Prokofiev’s narrated "Peter and the Wolf." Keeping with the "Creatures" theme, the show also includes an arrangement of the Led Zeppelin rocker "Black Dog" performed on clarinet by North Carolina's own Andy Hudson. Other featured composers include John Philip Sousa, Oscar Navarro, Julie Giroux and Modest Mussorgsky.

4:30 p.m. Oct. 23, free.

ALL WEEKEND

'Misery'

At Thalian Hall's Ruth and Bucky Stein Studio Theatre: Wilmington theater company Big Dawg Productions presents the stage adaptation of Stephen King's grisly thriller of a book, which was also of course made into a famous movie.

Steve Vernon plays Paul Sheldon, a famous writer who gets into a horrific auto accident in the middle of nowhere. He's rescued by a nurse named Annie Wilkes (Holli Saperstein), who, funnily enough, happens to be Paul's biggest fan. She's also got very strong opinions on his writing, and decides to keep him captive while he's convalescing, forcing him to write the story she wants by employing some rather unusual (and shockingly violent!) methods. Chase Harrison plays an inquisitive local law enforcement officer, and Randy Davis directs.

7:30 p.m. Oct. 20-22 and 28-29, 3 p.m. Oct. 23, 29 and 30. 910-632-2285.

Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival

Located just over the Pender County line in the little town of Sneads Ferry, this festival has been happening annually for more than 50 years and is a no-brainer day trip for all you seafood fans. In addition to all the plates of fresh shrimp and fried fish, there's a parade at 9 a.m., live music, a Shrimp Festival Queen, vendors, kids' activities and more. It all comes to an end with fireworks on the festival's final evening.

Oct. 21-22. More info at SneadsFerryShrimpFestival.org.

Contact John Staton at 910-343-2343 or John.Staton@StarNewsOnline.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Charo in concert and more things to do in Wilmington Oct. 20-23