16 things to do in the Wilmington area this weekend: Plays, concerts, dance, film and more

February got off to a bit of a slow start in the events department, but that's all over now. It's a very busy weekend in the Wilmington area, with no lack of things to do.

For starters, you've got three play comedies to choose from on various Wilmington stages, as well as a selection of touring concert acts bringing a variety of styles to big rooms and small.

Plus, there's comedy, dance, film screenings, a big event for vinyl lovers and much more. Check below for the full list.

ALL WEEKEND

'Steel Magnolias'

Feb. 16-18 at Thalian Hall: "Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion" one character says toward the end of the play "Steel Magnolias," and that pretty much sums up the enduring appeal of Robert Harling's tear-filled Southern comedy.

Under the direction of Emily Graham for Thalian Association Community Theatre, "Steel Magnolias" runs for one more weekend at Thalian Hall. It's a faithful, well-staged production with a couple of performances that pop, the theatrical equivalent of comfort (or maybe soul) food.

Unlike the famous movie, which was expanded for the screen, the entire play takes place in Truvy's beauty salon, which is run by the earthy Truvy (stage vet Alisa Harris) and her meek assistant, Annelle (Hallie-Claire Weems, understated and excellent).

Truvy's regulars make up the rest of the cast, with Madisyn Fleming the picture of feminine determination as fresh-faced Southern girly-girl Shelby; Krista Rivenbark as Shelby's constantly worrying mother, M'Lynn; Elizabeth Michaels as wise-cracking widow Clairee; and a scene-stealing Michelle Gagliano as the explosively unpleasant but lovable Ousier.

A tragedy lurks behind the banter, although in this production the laughter hits harder than the tears. A couple of sound flubs mar the proceedings and, perhaps due to over-familiarity, the emotion never really peaks.

But "Steel Magnolias" is, at the end of the day, a tribute to the strength of Southern women, and this production does justice to the play's themes. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16-17, 2 p.m. Feb. 18. 910-632-2285.

'Dearly Departed'

Feb. 15-18 at Thalian Hall (studio theater): Big Dawg Productions revives this Southern funeral farce by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones, which the Wilmington theater company last staged in 2014. Steve Vernon directs the comedy, which centers on the death of the not exactly beloved Bud Turpin, whose wife wants his tombstone to read, "Mean and Surly." 7:30 p.m. Feb.15-17, 3 p.m. Feb. 18. 910-632-2285.

The Chatham Rabbits

Feb. 16-17 at St. Thomas Preservation Hall: North Carolina folk/bluegrass/Americana duo The Chatham Rabbits is heading back to the Port City for a two-night stand at St. Thomas Preservation Hall, part of their "winter homecoming" tour. Singer and banjo player Sarah McCombie and her husband, singer/guitarist Austin McCombie, who's from Wilmington, are known for Sarah's rootsy vocals and clawhammer-style banjo, her gorgeous harmonies with Austin, and songs with stories ripped from the turn of the (20th) century. 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, Feb. 16 (with Carlos Rising) and Feb. 17 (with the Smoky Dunes). Tickets are $25-$35.

Chatham Rabbits: Wilmington connections bring folk duo back to unique venue for 'winter homecoming' tour

'Rumors'

Feb. 15-25 at UNCW's Main Stage Theatre: The University of North Carolina Wilmington's Department of Theatre presents the classic Neil Simon farce "Rumors," about four New York couples who show up to a party for the city's deputy mayor, only to find him wounded in bed and his wife missing. Hilarity ensues as the guests try to get to the truth but end up turning on each other. UNCW professor Ed Wagenseller directs a cast of 12 theater students. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15-17 and 22-24, 2 p.m. Feb. 18 and 25. 910-962-3500.

Alex English, Julia Desmond

Feb. 15-17 at Dead Crow Comedy Room: Former Wilmington comic Julia Desmond returns from New York to play a one-night stand Thursday at her home club. No doubt she'll pack the house for her brand of smart, uncensored, self-deprecating humor. Also, coming in to do four shows is "Saturday Night Live" writer Alex English, who's also a very good comic and has material about everything from growing up in Detroit to dating inside (and outside) his race. Desmond performs 7 p.m. Feb. 15; $15. English performs 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Feb. 16-17, tickets are $18 and $28.

FRIDAY

World Ballet Series: 'Swan Lake'

Feb. 16 at UNCW's Kenan Auditorium: A rare chance to see world-class ballet in Wilmington. Coming to town as part of the World Ballet Series tour, "Swan Lake," with its score by Tchaikovsky, is one of the most famous dance works of all time. 7 p.m. Feb. 16, tickets are $49 and $89.

'Breaking the News'

Feb. 16 at Jengo's Playhouse: The Cucalorus Film Festival's Friday Nite Films series continues with "Breaking the News," a documentary from directors Heather Courtney, Chelsea Hernandez and Princess A. Hairston. It's about the women and LGBTQ+ journalists who launched digital news start-up The 19th*, in large part as a reaction to most newsrooms being dominated by white men. The 19th* gets its name from the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution giving women the right to vote, with the asterisk denoting the women of color who remained disenfranchised even after the amendment was passed. 6:30 p.m. social hour, 7:30 p.m. screening. Tickets are $10. A discussion with the filmmaker Chelsea Hernandez and others facilitated by Working Films will follow the screening.

Pink Beds

Feb. 16 at Bourgie Nights: Asheville indie rockers Pink Beds formed, like a number of newer Wilmington bands, in the wake of the pandemic. They've got some groovy tracks, with "In My Head" carrying a kind of laid-back dynamism and "Bad Dream" taking on darker, but no less propulsive tones. Opening act is the excellent singer Deau Eyes, whose 2022 album "Legacies" contains both delicate ballads ("Moscow in the Spring"), high-flying dirge-poppers ("Haven't You Had Quite Enough") and various other gems. 9 p.m. doors, 10 p.m. show, Feb. 16. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 day of show.

Dr. Bacon

Feb. 16 at the Palm Room: Longtime Asheville funk rock act has played Wilmington many times over the years and returns to one of their favorite haunts in this Wrightsville Beach venue. 10 p.m. Feb. 16, cover at the door.

SATURDAY

25th annual Homecoming Step Show

Feb. 17 at UNCW's Kenan Auditorium: Wilmington radio personality Bigg B hosts this annual show from the UNCW's Fraternity and Sorority Life and the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Groups from different colleges will perform lively step dance routines for a show that's equal parts competition and entertainment. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17, tickets are $12, $7 for students and $20 day of show.

Stop Light Observations

Feb. 17 at Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Charleston rock band has played such big events as the Bonnaroo and Firefly music festivals, and they've built a large following, with more than 300,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Their sound can go in a lot of different directions and incorporates soul, blues, '70s-style folk rock and even a little disco. Opening acts are Easy Honey and Elder Bright. 7 p.m. Feb. 17, tickets range from $17.50 to $30.

Wilmington Record Show

Feb. 17 at Waterline Brewing: Fifth bi-annual show features nearly two dozen vinyl vendors from around WIlmington and the region. With food from A&M Red Food Truck and Sea Level City Vegan Diner, tunes spun by DJ STOWE from 11-3 and live music by Oc3ans from 3-5. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 17, free to attend.

2 pianos, 4 hands

Feb. 17 at UNCW's Beckwith Recital Hall: UNCW music faculty members and pianists Domonique Launey and Barry David Salwen play a two-piano, four-hands concert every year. This year's program includes music by Mozart, Piazzolla and the Quintet in F Minor by Brahms. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17, tickets are $9.35.

Echromatics

Feb. 17 at Live at Ted's: Band made up of alumni from the jazz program in UNCW's Department of Music. Saxophonist Sean Meade, guitarist Jay Killman, bassist Michael D’Angelo and drummer Jon Hill blend R&B, hip-hop, funk and more into a jazz fusion style. Echromatics will be previewing songs from its upcoming album for this show. 8 p.m. Feb. 17, tickets are $20.

Rev & The Flying Flamingos

Feb. 17 at Southport Suzie's: Band brings a fun mix of laid-back tunes to this Brunswick County spot on Long Beach Road. 6-8 p.m. Feb. 17, free.

SUNDAY

Wilmington Symphonic Wind: 'Transformations'

Feb. 18 at UNCW's Kenan Auditorium:  The Wilmington Symphonic Winds present a program of music themed around the idea of, "New year, new you." The concert's first half includes "First Suite in E-flat for Military Band" by Gustav Holst; Nathan Hudson’s "The Hopes and Dreams of Flightless Birds" with guest trumpet soloist Robert Murray; and Viet Cuong’s "Deciduous," which was recently named the winner of the 2023 National Band Association William D. Revelli Memorial Composition Contest.

The concert's second half includes Giovanni Gabrieli’s 16th-century "Canzon per Sonar Primi Toni," Kathryn Salfelder’s "Cathedrals," Percy Grainger’s "Lincolnshire Posy" and John Philip Sousa’s "Washington Post March." 4:30 p.m. Feb. 18, tickets are free and can be obtained in advance or the day of the concert.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: What's going on in Wilmington, NC this weekend? Feb. 16-18, 2024