11 things to do in the Wilmington area on the last weekend before the holidays take hold

It's the last weekend before Thanksgiving, so starting next week it's going to be all holidays, all the time.

That also means this weekend's events calendar is the last one of the year not packed to overflowing with holiday-themed events. Even so, it's going to be a busy weekend, with the Cucalorus Film Festival dominating the action downtown, but plenty to see and do even if film festivals aren't your thing, including some cool music, a touring Broadway musical, some top-notch art events and more.

If you're looking for more info about what's going on at Cucalorus, I've got a separate story on that, and we've got a list of Brunswick County events as well.

Filmington: Cucalorus Film Festival to spotlight Wilmington works, and a local 'Ted Lasso' connection

ALL WEEKEND

Cucalorus Film Festival

Wilmington's 29th annual festival of independent film and the arts returns this week, with dozens of screenings and performances scheduled for Nov. 15-19. For a curated list of festival highlights, click here. For passes, tickets and a full schedule, go to Cucalorus.org; tickets for screenings at Thalian Hall can be purchased at ThalianHall.com.

Majapalooza

Three-day, venue-hopping festival of fashion, film and hip-hop music was started in 2015 by Wilmington musician Maja League. Hence, Majapalooza. Thursday night's kickoff is a "battle of the beats" at the Wilmington Distillery downtown. Friday night's event brings live tunes and more to Burnt Mill Creek on Market Street. Saturday brings a fashion, film and music expo to the Pour Taproom from noon-6 p.m., and things wrap up Saturday evening with an event at Rooted Kava Lounge. With vendors, raffles, giveaways and more.

'Pretty Woman'

At CFCC Wilson Center: Broadway tour of the musical based on the movie starring Richard Gere as a rich playboy and Julia Roberts as a hooker with a heart of gold rolls into town for a trio of performances. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17 and 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Nov. 18. 910-362-7999.

Traudi Thornton ceramics & pottery sale

At Art in Bloom: Czech-born Wilmington artist Traudi Thornton, a potter and ceramics artist who died in March, helped create the local arts scene we enjoy today. In the early 1980s, long before towering Northside condos and Fourth Friday Gallery Nights, her work, much of it created in the Community Arts Center's old ceramics studio, where she also taught, was a regular presence in local galleries.

This weekend, Mayfaire's Art in Bloom Gallery is hosting a three-day sale of Thornton's work, including sculptural wall pieces, raku vessels and functional pieces, to benefit her estate. "Working with clay validates my existence," reads a quote from Thornton on the website of Art in Bloom, which had represented here since 2015. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 17-18, noon-6 p.m. Nov. 19.

'John Proctor is the Villain'

At CFCC Wilson Center (studio): Cape Fear Community College's Department of Fine and Performing Arts presents this play by Kimberly Bellflower about a group of teens studying Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" at a rural Georgia high school. In some ways it's a contemporary look at the classic American drama, as well as a snapshot of the current generation of young people trying to navigate an ever-more complicated world. Given all the recent school board drama in Wilmington and elsewhere over what kids should and shouldn't read, and who gets to decide, it should be enlightening. 7 p.m. Nov. 16-18. Tickets are $15. 910-362-7999.

Marshall Brown Bluegrass Band

At Bourgie Nights: Two album release shows for this Wilmington bluegrass act, which pays tribute to traditional bluegrass styles in its music: Thursday night at Live at Ted's, Saturday at Bourgie. 7 p.m. Nov. 16 at Ted's, $20. 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, Nov. 18 at Bourgie. $12 in advance, $15 at the door.

The Hatch Brothers

At Live at Ted's: Poppy Wilmington rock act will play a pair of album release shows for their new EP, "Reach You," out Nov. 17. Frontman and songwriter Sam Hatch has a knack for bouncily catchy melodies delivered in an effortlessly appealing voice. 7 p.m. Nov. 17-18, tickets start at $20.

THURSDAY

Duo Aya

At Beckwith Recital Hall: Texas-based flute player Rachel Woolf and Japanese marimba artist Makana Jimbu team up for an evening of uncommon music for Beckwith's recital series. Duo Aya will play four pieces commissioned for the flute and marimba. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16, $14. 910-962-3500.

Artist talk with Jim Lee

210 Princess St.: Durham artist Jim Lee will talk about his work on display in the "Black on Black Project" exhibit, which opened in Art in Bloom's former space on Princess Street in October. Lee is a multimedia artist whose works blend photography, collage, sculpture and more to touch on various ideas, including "abundance, assimilation, and freedom" according to promotional material for the show. 6:30 p.m. Nov. 16. Free, tickets required.

FRIDAY

Into the Fog

At the Palm Room: Well-traveled bluegrass/Americana band played Merlefest in 2021, but they got their start in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, where they'll be returning for this show. 10 p.m. Nov. 17, cover at the door.

SATURDAY

Cape Fear Chorale

At Kenan Auditorium: Longtime Wilmington vocal group presents a program titled "Music of the Americas," with calypso from Venezuela, folk music from Mexico, bossa nova from Brazil and more. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18, free, with donations accepted.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Stuff to do in Wilmington NC Nov. 15-19: Cucalorus, concerts, theater