12 things to do in Wilmington this weekend, from touring comics to art with No Boundaries

John Staton, Wilmington StarNews
Updated ·5 min read

Wilmington-area entertainment is all-indoors for the time being, but this weekend there's plenty of ways to enjoy a peformance and/or screening or three while staying warmly inside.

For starters, a Wilmington-shot movie makes its theatrical debut, and work by artists from around the world will be on display when a long-running area art colony showcases the fruits of its recent labors.

Plus, we've got a solid slate of comedy and a range of music, from classical to folk rock to Bon Jovi, to check out. Details below.

ALL WEEKEND

'I.S.S.'

This space thriller, which was shot in Wilmington in 2021, finally hits local theaters this weekend (Mayfaire and the Pointe). Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite (the documentary "Blackfish") from a script by Nick Shafir, it's about a crew of scientists working aboard the International Space Station. When conflicts on Earth escalate unexpectedly, the Russian and American teams get similar messages from their home countries: Take control of the station by any means necessary.

Ariana DeBose stars in "I.S.S.," which shot at EUE Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington in 2021.
Ariana DeBose stars in "I.S.S.," which shot at EUE Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington in 2021.

The Hollywood Reporter said "I.S.S." "works just fine as the sort of high-concept B-movie that used to be a mainstay of double features, even if it wouldn’t necessarily be an ideal recruiting tool for NASA." Shot almost entirely on sound stages at what was then EUE/Screen Gems Studio in Wilmington (the studio is now Cinespace Wilmington), it stars Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina and Pilou Asbæk.

Biniam Bizuneh

Jan. 19-20 at Dead Crow Comedy Room: Bizuneh is a writer, actor, comic and commentator who's been on Comedy Central, written for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and appeared on E!'s "Dating No Filter." He's a very funny guy, and much of his material takes on a racial edge, like in one bit when he imagines what a commercial for Black people with depression might look like. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Jan. 19-20, tickets are $20 and $30.

FRIDAY

'Freedom Hill'

Jan. 19 at Jengo's Playhouse: The Friday Nite Films series at Cucalorus Film Festival headquarters returns for another year. First film of 2024 is "Freedom Hill," a documentary from director Resita Cox about Princeville, North Carolina, which was formed by freed slaves in the 19th century and is the oldest town in America chartered by Blacks. In recent years, however, consistent flooding has challenged Princeville residents who've had to rebuild time and again and have had trouble getting help from what Cox calls "the larger white governance regime." 7 p.m. Jan. 19, tickets are $10.

Chamber recital: 'Of Flower and Field'

Jan. 19 at UNCW's Beckwith Recital Hall: The University of North Carolina Wilmington's Department of Music presents two works as part of this program, both of them song cycles by American composers written for soprano (Andrea Edith Moore), cello (Grace Anderson) and piano (David Heid). Lee Hoiby’s" "Life of the Bee" is paired with poetry by Hillsborough writer Jeffery Beam, and North Carolina composer Kenneth Frazelle's "Through the Window" was inspired by his mother, who grew up on a farm near the town of Richlands. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19, tickets are $15, free for UNCW students.

Shot Thru the Heart

At Bowstring Burgers and Brewyard: Bon Jovi tribute outfit will attempt to give cover bands a good name when they play the Soda Pop District spot on Friday. Don't worry: Shot Thru the Heart will be there for you, whether you're wanted dead or alive or simply living on a prayer. 6 p.m. Jan. 19, tickets start at $15.

SATURDAY

No Boundaries exhibit

The annual No Boundaries International Art Residency opens its annual exhibition Jan. 20 at CFCC's Wilma Daniels Gallery.
The annual No Boundaries International Art Residency opens its annual exhibition Jan. 20 at CFCC's Wilma Daniels Gallery.

Jan. 20-Feb. 23 at CFCC's Wilma W. Daniels Gallery: Work created on Bald Head Island at the annual No Boundaries International Artists Residency will be showcased at this exhibit. Starting in early January, 10 artists from Wilmington and around the world spent two weeks on Bald Head creating art, much of it inspired by the surrounding environment there. The artists' colony was originally created in 1998 by Wilmington artists Pam Toll, Gayle Tustin and Dick Roberts, and has run annually ever since.

This year's artists are Renato Abbate (Wilmington), Wafa Alsleem (Saudi Arabia), Sarah Collier (Wilmington), Phil Covington (Wilmington), Madison Creech (Wilmington), Michele Del Campo (Italy), Anne McCombie (Wilmington), Guillermo Oyàgúez Montero (Spain), Rena Powell (Southport) and Martha Thorn (Raleigh). Opening reception is 6-9 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Wilma W. Daniels Gallery, 200 Hanover St. Exhibit runs through Feb. 23, gallery hours are noon-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

The One Eighties

Jan. 20 at Bourgie Nights: Groovy "space country" band The One Eighties has some shimmeringly lovely songs, led by singer Autumn Brand's spine-tingling vocals. Opening act is the excellent Wilmington indie-folk singer Ahna Ell, who will debut her new EP. With a backing band that includes Wilmington musicians Julia Rothenberger, Tanner Lackey, Benjamin Lusk and Sam McNeilly, Ell's recent single "Lake Meridian" is a beauty of a banger. 9 p.m. Jan. 20 at Bourgie Nights, 127 Princess St., tickets are $12 in advance, $15 day of show.

John Crist

At CFCC's Wilson Center: Up-and-coming Georgia comic has blown up on YouTube thanks to his takes on such topics as why some things are silly to pray for and why spanking kids should make a comeback. He comes to Wilmington on his Emotional Support Tour. 7 p.m. Jan. 20, tickets start at $26.75. 910-362-7999.

Slack's Stand Up

Jan. 20 at Bill's Brewing: Wilmington radio personality Randy Slacks of Modern Rock 98.7 FM is also an accomplished stand-up comedian who appears around town regularly. He also runs his own monthly showcase, Slack's Stand-Up, and this weekend's slate of comics is a good one: Wills Maxwell Jr. (of the Black Power Rangers Comedy Tour), Louis Tee and Joe Lefevre. 8 p.m. Jan. 20 at Bill's Brewing, 107 Cinema Drive. Free.

Hidden Battleship

Flooding continues around the parking lot of the Battleship Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 in Wilmington. The Battleship North Carolina hopes to soon start a project, dubbed "Living with Water," which could help the Wilmington site along the Cape Fear River deal with flooding.
Flooding continues around the parking lot of the Battleship Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 in Wilmington. The Battleship North Carolina hopes to soon start a project, dubbed "Living with Water," which could help the Wilmington site along the Cape Fear River deal with flooding.

Jan. 20 at Battleship North Carolina: Explore areas of this former WWII battleship the public rarely gets to see on this guided tour. Noon-5 p.m. Jan. 20, $60. Ages 16 and up.

Steph Stigma benefit

Wilmington comic Steph Stigma, seen here at Barzarre, is a regular performer on the Wilmington stand-up scene.
Wilmington comic Steph Stigma, seen here at Barzarre, is a regular performer on the Wilmington stand-up scene.

At Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Late last year, Wilmington comic and musician Steph Stigma suffered a house fire in which she lost most of her belongings. This weekend, members of Wilmington's comedy and music communities will join together to perform a benefit on Stigma's behalf. Lineup includes comics Brad Allred, Steve Marcinowski, Brian Granger, Tyler Deese and Stigma herself, with bands Open Wire, Cool Jerk, Infinity Fortress and more. 2 p.m. Jan. 20 at Reggie's, admission by donation.

'The Super Mario Bros. Movie'

Jan. 20 at Leland Cultural Arts Center: Pack up the kids and bring them to a matinee screening of the animated, video-game-inspired hit from last summer. Pets and alcohol not permitted at this indoor screening, but bringing your own picnic and/or treats is allowed 12:30 p.m. Jan. 20, free.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do in Wilmington, NC for the weekend of Jan. 19-21, 2023