It's a great weekend for Wilmington events: Here are 16 fun options

John Staton, Wilmington StarNews
·7 min read
Alissa Fetherolf and Chase Harrison in the Thalian Association's production of "The Philadelphia Story.
Alissa Fetherolf and Chase Harrison in the Thalian Association's production of "The Philadelphia Story.

With the Wilmington weather taking a turn toward the spring-like in recent days, the local events calendar is following suit.

A packed entertainment schedule features several plays and at least one family-friendly musical; touring concerts big, small and classical; a festival of French film; a Volkswagen-centric car show and other community gatherings; and a commemoration and celebration of one of the most important historic events ever to occur in Wilmington, which would be the final battle of the Civil War.

Details on all and sundry are below. If you're looking for events in Brunswick County, we've got a seperate list for that. See below for details.

More: Brunswick eventsFrom a Carpenters tribute to a watercolor workshop, here are 4 can't miss Brunswick events

ALL WEEKEND

'The Philadelphia Story'

Kaleb Edley and Alissa Fetherolf in the Thalian Association's production of "The Philadelphia Story.
Kaleb Edley and Alissa Fetherolf in the Thalian Association's production of "The Philadelphia Story.

At Thalian Hall: Rich people problems. There's a bunch of them in "The Philadelphia Story," the classic romantic comedy by Philip Barry from the 1930s about a wealthy East Coast family trying to ward off unwanted publicity ginned up by its philandering patriarch.

But under the direction of Kendra Goehring for the Thalian Association, this play, which inspired the famous movie of the same title and runs through Sunday at Thalian Hall, puts the heart of the matter, and the part most of us can relate to, in starkly entertaining relief: the endlessly confusing and confounding ways of love.

From left, Bradley Coxe, Susan Auten and Alissa Fetherolf in the Thalian Association's production of "The Philadelphia Story.
From left, Bradley Coxe, Susan Auten and Alissa Fetherolf in the Thalian Association's production of "The Philadelphia Story.

Alissa Fetherolf is a marvel in the leading role, effortlessly embodying the conflicted and constrained Tracy Lord, who's supposed to marry the dull scion of a big coal concern (Jackson Cole, capturing an insecure anxiety) but who might be hung up on her arrogant ex (Kaleb Edley, playing it cool and in command). And then there's the reporter (Ben Thomas-Reid) assigned to cover her family, whose poetic leanings speak to Tracy's heart.

Neither the family drama nor Tracy's romantic conundrum is solved until the final scene, but solid performances across the board, good pacing by Goehring and some pithily on-point dialogue ("I don't want to be worshipped, I want to be loved") make getting there a good time. With some commendable, color-blind casting and wonderfully sumptuous set and costumes. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17-18, 2 p.m. Feb. 19. 910-632-2285.

Battle of Forks Road Commemoration

Visitors look on as reenactors perform and speak with guest as the Cameron Art Museum presented a Living History Battle of Forks Road Saturday Feb. 19, 2022 in Wilmington, N.C. The event that continues Sunday paid tribute to the United States Colored Troops that fought on the very space that the museum occupies. More events are scheduled for Sunday, February 20, that are free and open to the public while regular gallery admission applies. For more information visit the museum’s website. [KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS]

At the Cameron Art Museum: It's the CAM's annual living history weekend commemorating the Civil War Battle of Forks Road, when Union forces including U.S. Colored Troops fought their way from Fort Fisher to Wilmington as the South lost the war. The battle was held on the museum's current-day grounds, and the weekend will feature re-enactments, lectures, presentations, film screenings, a narrated tour of the "Boundless" sculpture honoring U.S. Colored Troops and more. Feb. 18-19, outdoor activities are free, with a $5 suggested donation for lectures. Admission fee for indoor museum exhibits. Schedule and details at CameronArtMuseum.org.

Made in NC

At the Brooklyn Arts Center: Annual show and sale featuring the wares of artists and crafters from all over the area. More than 50 vendors will have their work on display; refreshments available for purchase. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 18 and noon-5 p.m. Feb. 19. $10 admission is good for both days.

'Electra'

At the Main Stage Theatre in UNCW's Cultural Arts Building: Murder and revenge from the age of antiquity take center stage when the University of North Carolina Wilmington's Department of Theatre presents a translation of this play by Sophocles, directed by UNCW professor Chris Marino. Features a wailing Greek chorus in telling the story of our title heroine, who vows to avenge the death of her father, King Agamemnon, when he's murdered by his wife, Clytemnestra. After the opening-night performance, Tony-winning UNCW grad Corey Mitchell will present the theater department with the award it won from the N.C. Theatre Conference as the outstanding college program in the state. 8 p.m. Feb. 16-18 and 23-25, 2 p.m. Feb. 19 and 26. 910-962-3500.

'Airness'

"Airness" run Feb. 16-19 at Thalian Hall's studio theater.
"Airness" run Feb. 16-19 at Thalian Hall's studio theater.

At Thalian Hall's Stein Studio Theatre: Big Dawg Productions' staging of the award-winning play by Chelsea Marcantel is about Nina (Bianca Shaw), who finds her tribe in the unlikeliest of places: An air guitar competition. Rife with rock songs, it's a rock'n'roll comedy with a heart. Jace Carlyle Berry directs. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9-11 and 16-18, 3 p.m Feb. 12 and 19. 910-632-2285.

'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown'

From left, Reilly Callaghan as Snoopy, Brett J. Young as Charlie Brown, Zeb Mims as Linus and Amy Carter as Sally in Pineapple-Shaped Lamps' production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."
From left, Reilly Callaghan as Snoopy, Brett J. Young as Charlie Brown, Zeb Mims as Linus and Amy Carter as Sally in Pineapple-Shaped Lamps' production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."

At the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center: Longtime Wilmington comedy and theater troupe Pineapple-Shaped Lamps, known mainly for staging original sketch shows, edgy plays and the occasional raunchy musical, takes a step into the mainstream here, and the results are sweet and sometimes surprising. Director Kevin Lee-y Green of Wilmington's Techmoja Dance & Theatre Co. molds the family-friendly musical into an endearing little package that delivers some standout moments and nails the "Peanuts" tone of smart, relatable humor with complex psychological underpinnings. 7:30 p.m. Feb.17-18, and3 p.m. Feb.18-19. Details and tickets at PSLcomedy.com.

Comedy with Jamie Lee

At Dead Crow Comedy Room: Accomplished comic, actor, writer and producer Jamie Lee ("Ted Lasso," Peacock's "Killing It") brings her acerbic stand-up act to Wilmington this weekend. Lee has performed her jokes about marriage, sex and many, many other topics on Comedy Central, "The Late Late Show with James Corden" and elsewhere. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Feb. 17-18, tickets are $18 and $28.

THURSDAY

Albertine Cinématèque Film Festival

At CFCC's Union Station: Final day for this week-long French film festival. The last two movies are the dance documentary "Gallant Indies" (12:30 p.m.), about the modernized restaging of a baroque opera by Jean-Philippe Rameau, and "Lost Illusions" (6 p.m.), a dramatic comedy about an unknown 19th century poet with big dreams, dreams that are relentlessly challenged. Screenings at 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Feb. 16 are free.

Shades of Bublé

At Thalian Hall: Apparently, it will takes three singers to capture the greatness of one Michael Bublé as part of this touring tribute show coming to Wilmington for Thalian Hall's Main Attractions Series. The trio will bring harmonizing into the mix as they perform a mix of big band standards, classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16, tickets at 910-632-2285.

FRIDAY

Clem Snide

At Bourgie Nights: Alt-country and folk singer Eef Barzelay, who performs under the William Burroughs-inspired moniker Clem Snide, has attracted attention for his association with North Carolina band The Avett Brothers (his 2020 album "Forever Just Beyond" was produced by Scott Avett) as well as for his deeply felt tunes, which often laugh to keep from crying. Snide's latest album is 2022's "Your Favorite Music." 7 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. show. Tickets are $15, $20 day of show.

The Old North State

At the Rusty Nail: Country rockers from Stanly County head into town to turn this Wilmington juke joint into a honky tonk. Will likely be the biggest country concert the Nail has seen since miniseries "George & Tammy" shot there last year. 7 p.m. Feb. 17, tickets at the door.

More: Wilmington spotsMeet the Wilmington dive bar that's transformed into a filming hotspot

SATURDAY

'Out of Silence: Abortion Stories'

At Kenan Auditorium: Wilmington's Mouths of Babes theater company (MoB) is known for conducting interviews with real people and then weaving their stories, and their actual words, into theatrical productions about such subjects as being gay or dealing with AIDS. On Saturday, the company takes on the subject of abortion with this 2015 play, comprised of 13 scenes by 10 female playwrights, from the 1 in 3 Campaign. The show will also feature additional, original material from MoB, and will be followed with a discussion led by Dr. Dana Stachowiak of UNCW's gender studies program. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18, admission is free.

School of Rock house band

At Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: OK, so Jack Black might not be there. On the other hand, this show will feature some of the most talented student/child rock musicians from the Wilmington music school playing some of your favorite tunes at Wilmington's grittiest rock club. 6-9 p.m. Feb. 18, $5 at the door.

Circle the Wagens car show

The Circle the Wagens car show is Feb. 18 at Waterline Brewing.
The Circle the Wagens car show is Feb. 18 at Waterline Brewing.

At Waterline Brewing: Volkswagens of all shapes and sizes will be on display at this annual car show. Features food trucks and live music from Wilmington songwriter extraordinaire Travis Shallow Noon-4 p.m. Feb. 18, free to attend.

SUNDAY

Hands Across Wilmington

At Long Leaf Park: A community celebration of unity centered on music. Musicians of all kinds are invited to come and jam. 2 p.m. Feb. 12, free.

Wilmington Symphonic Winds

At Kenan Auditorium: Various works presented under the program title "Shine" will be led by Julie Giroux’s "Symphony No. 6: The Blue Marble." The piece will be accompanied by a film to give the concert a multimedia feel, and other works on the program include David Maslanka’s fanfare "Mother Earth" and Mason Bates' "Bootlegger’s Break." 4:30 p.m. Feb. 19, free, with donations accepted.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 16 things to do in Wilmington NC for the weekend Feb. 16-19