15 things to do in Wilmington this weekend, now that (most of) the tourists are gone

It's one of the best times of the year in Wilmington.

Post-Labor Day, most of the tourists have gone back to wherever they came from, and we can have the town to ourselves again.

There's plenty of ways to celebrate our newfound tourist freedom this summer, from a comedic play and a big new musical comedy at Thalian Hall to whole ton of concert options taking place at the area's biggest venues and its most intimate.

Plus, there's a huge outdoor festival for electronic music lovers you may want to know about. Let's get this weekend started.

ALL WEEKEND

'The Prom'

At Thalian Hall: Opera House Theatre Co. ends its summer season with "The Prom," a musical comedy about musical theater. Directed by Broadway vet Carson Hobbs ("Wicked"), with musical direction by Broadway vet Brian Whitted ("Chicago"), the show centers on four New York theater professionals, two of whom find themselves at loose ends when the show they're starring in (about Eleanor Roosevelt, it features a hip-hop number, naturally) closes after a vicious panning. These two "narcissistic gasbags" (played by Wilmington Theater Awards winners Jeff Phillips and Heather Setzler) join forces with a 20-year vet of "Chicago" (Erin Sullivan) and a Juilliard-trained cater-waiter (Jon Berry) after finding out about a high-school girl in Indiana barred from her prom because she's a lesbian. Together, they devise a plan to help the girl (Sydney Smith Martin) while drawing copious amounts of attention to themselves. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7-9 and 13-16, 2 p.m. Sept. 10 and 16-17. 910-632-2285.

Joyelle Nicole Johnson

At Dead Crow Comedy Room: The parade of top-notch comics coming to Wilmington's top comedy club continues. Johnson has been on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon" and "Late Night with Seth Meyers," and she's got some great material, much of which revolves around moving to the South after living in New York City for most of her life. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sept. 8-9, tickets are $18 and $28.

'Two Jews, Talking'

At Thalian Hall (studio theater): Back by popular demand, Wilmington theater troupe Big Dawg Productions brings back the two-man comedy it staged in March for an encore run. As the "Two Jews" in question, Jamey Stone and Lee Lowrimore deliver deft, understated and extremely funny performances under the direction of Holli Saperstein.

The show is part of a partnership Big Dawg has formed with New York production company MarMax Media that will result in several new off-Broadway shows being produced in Wilmington after their runs in New York.

Written by Emmy-winning TV writer Ed. Weinberger ("Taxi," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show"), "Two Jews, Talking" begins in Biblical times as devout Bud (Lowrimore) and skeptical Lou (Stone) are wandering "L-O-S-T" through the desert with their People. They argue, they discuss, they complain, they reminisce about better times, with Stone cracking wise to Lowrimore's straight man.

Act two is set in the present day, with the actors playing variations on their first-act characters as Phil and Marty, two joke-sharing strangers sharing a park bench. The whole play runs just over an hour, but it's so engrossing it leaves you wanting more. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7-9, 3 p.m. Sept. 10. 910-632-2285.

THURSDAY

Tedeschi Trucks Band

At Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Grammy-winning blues rock act returns to Wilmington for a show on the Port City's biggest stage. With a 12-piece band led by married duo Susan Tedeschi (guitar, vocals) and Derek Trucks (guitar), TTB blends rock, blues, jazz and even some country into a potent sonic stew. 7 p.m. Sept. 7, tickets start at $33.

Rahsaan Barber and Everyday Magic

At the Cameron Art Museum: The Jazz at CAM series returns this week with a concert by musical heavyweight Barber and his quintet, Everyday Magic. Barber, a saxophonist who's also a professor at The University of North Carolina, has played with big-name artists (Kirk Franklin, Meghan Trainor) and on world-famous stages (Ryman Auditorium, The Kennedy Center). He's also released a trio of well-regarded albums since 2011, most recently the double album "Mosaic" in 2021. 7 p.m. Sept. 7, tickets are $55, $35 for museum members.

FRIDAY

Eric Johnson

At Kenan Auditorium: Grammy-winning guitarist Johnson brings his blend of rock, jazz, new age and more to town for a concert that's part of UNCW's Kenan Spotlight series. Johnson released a trio of albums in 2022, and his show will pull from them as well as from some of his older favorites. 8 p.m. Sept. 8, tickets start at $30.

Judah & The Lion

At Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: This is the make-up date for a rescheduled April concert by this Nashville band, whose name makes them sound like they might be a reggae act. But they actually play a range of poppy folk (or is that folky pop?). Recent single "Take a Walk" puts a nostalgic, anthemic spin on overcoming mental health struggles to live your best life. 7 p.m. Sept. 8, tickets start at $63.

Summer Fest

At Legion Stadium: Day-long electronic music festival headlined and promoted by influencer Sommer Ray. Eight EDM acts will perform, including Wilmington's own Krispee Biscuits. 3 p.m. (gates) Sept. 8, tickets start at $20.

Cory Luetjen and The Traveling Blues Band

At Blakeslee Air Force Recreation Area: North Carolina blues act plays a show in the lovely environs of what used to be known as the Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area in Kure Beach. Part of a group of other military facilities with names tied to the Confederacy that were also renamed, the scenic site on the Cape Fear River is now the Blakeslee Air Force Recreation Area. The concert series itself has been renamed, too, to the Blakeslee Air Force Recreation Area Concert Series. One of the most scenic spots in town to take in a show. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 8, free. Food and drink available for purchase.

Jim Ferris Trio

At Bourgie Nights: The first Friday of the month is jazz night at this downtown Wilmington venue. Wilmington sax man Ferris and company will hold it down with a range of jazz styles. 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, Sept. 8. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 day of show.

SATURDAY

Keller Williams' Grateful Grass

At Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Longtime musician Williams, who made his name as a one-man band of sorts, brings Grateful Grass to the stage, playing bluegrass versions of Grateful Dead songs. With The Hillbenders, a progressive bluegrass group out of Missouri. 7 p.m. Sept. 9, tickets start at $27.

Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons

At the Palm Room: Legendary American songwriter Joseph returns to one of his favorite Wilmington-area haunts, the Palm Room in Wrightsville Beach. Joseph can rock with the best of 'em, and has collaborated with such A-listers as Patterson Hood of the Drive-By Truckers. Opening act is longtime Wilmington favorite Travis Shallow. 9 p.m. Sept. 9, tickets are $15.

Lucas Jagneaux & The Roadshow

At Bourgie Nights: Louisiana country act led by singer and songwriter Jagneux (pronounced like jag-no) has been gaining steam thanks to well-received tunes like "Broken Bow" (a comic tale of underage drinking gone wrong) and "Waste of Good Rain" (about wanting to stay home and cuddle despite having to be at work nice and early). 9 p.m. doors, 10 p.m. show, $15 in advance, $20 day of show.

Dorthia Cottrell

At Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Cottrell, the singer for wailing Virginia doom metal act Windhand, has a spooky new solo album, "Death Folk Country," on which she blends gothic and horror themes with a pitch-black, country-folk sound. Kinda like doom metal, but unplugged. World-class darkness. 7 p.m. Sept. 9, cover at the door.

Tuesday's Gone

At the Pier at Port City Marina: Rescheduled Friday Night Live concert (on a Saturday!) by Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute act. Final show of the season for this free, outdoor concert series. 7 p.m. Sept. 9, free. $1 wristband purchase required to drink alcohol.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do in Wilmington NC Sept. 7-10 2023