Be a 'Sleuth,' plus 11 more things to do in Wilmington for Memorial Day weekend 2022

Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer, is all about the beach.

And while beach weather appears to be on tap for at least some of the next few days, there's plenty of non-beach stuff to do if you don't feel like fighting the crowds or need a brief respite from the sand.

In addition to a really dark, really fun production of the play "Sleuth" at Thalian Hall, a whole ton of outdoor concert series in the area start this weekend, including the popular Boardwalk Blast, featuring music AND fireworks, at Carolina Beach.

More: Full list of outdoor summer concerts in Wilmington, plus Brunswick and Pender counties

Plus, Fourth Friday Gallery Night promises a number of worthwhile art exhibits downtown, and there are plenty of performances to take in, from music to comedy to ballet.

ALL WEEKEND

'Sleuth'

Memorial Day weekend. Mystery. Murder?

All these things come together, and entertainingly so, in the Thalian Association's production of "Sleuth," Anthony Shaffer's 1970s stage thriller about mind games between two men that threaten to turn deadly. (You might've seen the 1972 movie with Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine, or the 2007 remake with Caine and Jude Law.)

Last weekend's shows in Thalian Hall's Ruth and Bucky Stein Studio Theatre were largely sold out. The final four productions run this holiday weekend, so if you want to go, get tickets sooner rather than later.

Under the on-point direction of Beth Swindell, Bradley Coxe plays Andrew Wyke, an affluent, middle-aged and very British writer of mysteries. Reilly Callaghan plays Milo Tindle, a younger man who comes to pay Wyke a visit.

After some opening pleasantries, Wyke says to Tindle, "I understand you mean to marry my wife," and we're off to the races.

At the heart of the story is the timeless tension between the establishment and the up-and-comers, or youth vs. experience. Coxe and Callaghan prove effective sparring partners as they needle each other over such topics as money, or lack of it (point Andrew!), as well as the question of sexual stamina (point Milo!).

Coxe is sufficiently plummy, pompous and (later) panicked, even if it he doesn't always enunciate clearly enough to be understood, while Callaghan gives winning, if occasionally outsize form to Milo's pride, indignation, anger and fear.

Solid production values, in particular a wonderful set by Randall A. Enlow, help tell the story, and a playing area littered with games and gaming equipment, from chess and othello to tennis racquets and golf clubs, keeps us wondering if it's all really just a game or whether things might turn deadly serious.

Not much we can say about the second act without delving into spoiler territory, but suffice to say the screw turns quite a bit to deliver a satisfying if not entirely unexpected ending.

Part of a tradition of drawing-room mysteries inspired by the success of long-running play "The Mousetrap" and including Ira Levin's 1978 play "Deathtrap," which it no doubt influenced, "Sleuth" simultaneously revels in wordplay and plot twists while ultimately condemning not only the detective genre itself but also its patriarchal societal underpinnings.

Thematically it's all very relevant, and ultimately this very good production of a good, old-fashioned play proves that a solid mystery never goes out of style.

Details: 7:30 p.m. May 26-28 and 2 p.m. May 29 at Thalian Hall's Ruth and Bucky Stein Theatre. 910-632-2285.

Orange Street ArtsFest

At Second and Orange streets — Thalian Association Community Theatre presents its second big event of the weekend (after "Sleuth" at Thalian Hall) with the 26th annual Orange Street ArtsFest. Dozens of artists —  painters, potters, jewelers and more — will show their work in and outside of the Hannah Block Historic USO/ Community Arts Center.

The festival is juried by University of North Carolina Wilmington professor and artist Madison Creech. In addition, the festival will feature the Laney High School Spring Ceramics Show & Sale in the Arts Center lobby, with work by the students of Laney ceramics teacher Kristen Morgan.

Outside, the festival will feature food trucks and live music artists who work or teach in the CAC, including El Jaye Johnson, singer Susan Savia and members of the Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestra.

In addition, activities for young children will be available across Second Street at the Children’s Museum of Wilmington from noon-4 p.m. Saturday. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 28-29. Free. 

Moses Storm

At Dead Crow Comedy Room — EDITOR'S NOTE: Moses Storm's appearance has been pushed back to Sept. 30-Oct. 1. Appearing in his place Friday will be four of Wilmington's best comics: Lew Morgante, Steve Marcinowski, Brad Allred and Bridget Callahan 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. May 27. $10. 

'A New Beginning' ballet

At CFCC Wilson Center — The Wilmington Ballet Company and U.S. International Ballet present two nights of classical ballet to celebrate Jonhal Fernandez taking over as artistic director. Performances include excerpts from "Le Corsaire," "La Esmeralda" and "Paquita." 7 p.m. May 27-28, $20. 

FRIDAY

Fourth Friday Gallery Night

This weekend marks the end of an era in downtown Wilmington's visual arts scene, as the Art in Bloom gallery on Princess Street hosts an opening for its final exhibit before moving to a new, larger space in Mayfaire in July.

And that's just one of several notable shows for this month's Fourth Friday Gallery Night, the crawl of downtown and downtown-adjacent art galleries and art spaces that runs from 6-9 p.m. (For a complete list of participating galleries, check the website of the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County.)

At Art in Bloom, 210 Princess St., “Primordial Lines: Brian Evans & Kirah Van Sickle" will feature the functional and decorative pottery of Evans and the mixed media works of Van Sickle, who incorporates found objects and paper into her acrylic paintings. The show will also feature ceramics by Dianne Evans and will hang through July 9, which is Art in Bloom's last day open downtown.

Also on display at Art in Bloom: “Visual INTROspection: Photography by WAZgriffin" and five new paintings by beloved Wilmington artist Elizabeth Darrow, including one of a horse meant to pay tribute to Art in Bloom's Quinlivan building, a former horse stable.

Other stops worth making this Fourth Friday:

Cape Fear Community College's Wilma W. Daniels Gallery, which opens "Peter Butler: Paintings and Drawings." Butler's work often features bold, striking images.

New Elements Gallery opens "Tranquil Tides," brightly colored, marshy landscapes by Lindsay H. Jones.

And the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens will feature "A Bit of This, A Bit of That," new work in pastels by Terri Moore that, sometimes giddily, sometimes moodily, recount her travels.

Carolina Beach Boardwalk Blast

Carolina Beach Boardwalk — The only weekly local music series that also includes fireworks returns to Carolina Beach this weekend. The Roy Roberts Blues Band will start playing on the Boardwalk's Gazebo Stage at 6:30 p.m., followed by fireworks on the beach strand at 9 p.m. Please note that moving forward, except for holiday weekends, the Boardwalk Blast will be held on Thursdays each week. Free.

Friday Night Live!

At the Pier at Port City Marina — The kickoff of this weekly cover bands concert series, which essentially replaces the discontinued Downtown Sundown series, should draw a big crowd downtown. This week's featured act is Tuesday's Gone, a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band. Show starts at 7 p.m., 10 Harnett St. in downtown Wilmington. Free admission, with concessions available.

Blue Cactus, Chris Frisina

At Live at Ted's — Former Wilmington musician Chris Frisina returns to town for a listening-room show featuring his delicate, deeply felt folk songs. Also on the bill is Blue Cactus, a duo made up of Steph Stewart and Mario Arnez who play what they term "cosmic Americana." 8 p.m. May 27, $15. 

Oak Island Concert Series

It's the first weekend of the year for this free weekly outdoor concert series, which runs 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Middleton Park Amphitheater. Headlining will be the The Main Event Band, playing a mix of R&B, soul, beach, country and funk.

Ocean Isle Beach Summer Concerts

Also called the Peggy Hughes Concert Series, this free weekly outdoor concert series starts this weekend at Town Center Park, E. Second St. in Ocean Isle Beach. The Chocolate Chip & Co. Band will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. playing soul and R&B.

SUNDAY

Grace Potter

At Greenfield Lake Amphitheater — The singer and songwriter known for her big voice and soulful rock and blues songs returns to town for what will surely be a well-attended show at Greenfield Lake. 6 p.m. May 29, $61-$92. 

Holden Beach Concert Series

First week for this series, held 6:30-8 p.m. Sundays at the pavilion under the Holden Beach bridge. Headlining is Carolina Kool, playing a variety of rock tunes. Refreshments available for purchase. Bring chair or beach towel to sit on. Free. 910-842-6488.

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

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 11 things to do in Wilmington NC for Memorial Day weekend 2022