17 things to do in the Wilmington area for the final weekend of February

By the time Sunday evening rolls around, we will have achieved the final weekend of February. And while March holds the vague promise of an early spring, this weekend's offerings are a bit more concrete.

It's a good weekend for music, with everything from rock 'n' roll and classical to opera, blues and jazz.

It's also a good weekend for theater, with UNCW wrapping up its production of Neil Simon's "Rumors" and Opera House Theatre Co. bringing a powerhouse cast to the stage for an all-Black "Death of a Salesman."

And it's a good weekend for visual art, with the monthly Fourth Friday Gallery Walk taking place and a new exhibition opening at the Cameron Art Museum.

Check the full list in our curated events roundup below.

ALL WEEKEND

'Rumors'

Feb. 22-25 at UNCW's Main Stage Theatre: What do kids these days know, or care, about the prolific playwright Neil Simon?

Quite a lot, judging from the University of North Carolina Wilmington theater department's sharp, snappy and very funny production of "Rumors: A Farce." Under the well-honed direction of UNCW theater prof Ed Wageseller, Simon's 1988 comedy about an anniversary party gone all kinds of wrong runs through Sunday at the Mainstage Theatre in the Cultural Arts Building on campus.

Quickly paced, packed with entertaining performances by college-student actors and featuring a sparkling, rock-solid set designed by Michael Allen that depicts a suburban mansion where all the action plays out, "Rumors" is, simply put, a delight.

The story concerns four upper-class couples who show up to an anniversary party for the deputy mayor of New York City, only to find his him suffering from a gunshot wound and his wife missing. Not all of the characters get this information at the same time, however, and often try to keep it from the others, hence the comedy, which is both rapid and well-paced.

All of the performances are solid, with Michael Sayfou bringing an edgy energy as the boorish (but resourceful) Lenny Ganz and Victoria Hope Gibson a literal scream as the back-spasm-afflicted Cookie Cusack.

The show loses a little steam in Act Two before flying home to stick the landing thanks to a sparkling monologue by Sayfou. Get your tickets to this one while you can. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22-24 and 2 p.m. Feb. 25. 910-962-3500.

'Death of a Salesman'

Feb. 22-March 3 at Thalian Hall: Opera House Theatre Co. is putting some Broadway heavy hitters on the stage for its production of the classic Arthur Miller tragedy "Death of Salesman." Along with Wilmington actor Fracaswell Hyman, who's won Best Actor in a Play at the last two Wilmington Theater Awards, in the iconic role of Willy Loman, Opera House is bringing in the Tony-nominated, Grammy-winning actress NaTasha Yvette Williams. A native of Fayetteville, Williams has multiple Broadway credits and was nominated for Best Performance By An Actress In A Featured Role In A Musical for "Some Like It Hot" at last year's Tonys. Earlier this month, "Hot" won Best Musical Theatre Album at the Grammys. Directing is Stoney B. Mootoo, who's starred on the Wilmington stage in the past and is currently in Broadway show "The Book of Mormon" after also performing on the show’s U.S. national tour. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22-24 and 29-March 2, 2 p.m. Feb. 25 and March 3. 910-632-2285.

'Extra! Extra! The Musical'

Feb. 23-25 at Brunswick Little Theatre: Wilmington playwright Frank Trimble's musical about the lives of extras in Hollywood. Songs explore the characters' off-kilter combinations of big dreams and tiny roles. From the StarNews review of the show when it was done in Wilmington in 2016: "This is a show for anyone who ever had a dream, and it's an extra reminder of one's own dreams." 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23-24, 3 p.m. Feb. 25.

Oscar-Nominated Shorts Films

Feb. 21-23 at Thalian Hall (studio): This might be your only chance to check out the Academy Award nominees for best short films before the broadcast of the Oscars on March 10. Animated shorts screen 4 p.m. Feb. 21 and 7 p.m. Feb. 23. Live action shorts are 7 p.m. Feb. 21, and documentary shorts are 7 p.m. Feb. 22. Part of the Cinematique film series presented by public radio WHQR and Thalian Hall. 4 p.m. Feb. 21 and 7 p.m. Feb. 21-23. $10. 910-632-2285.

'The Work of Their Hands'

Feb. 22-Oct. 24 at Cameron Art Museum: New exhibit at the CAM celebrates the art of American quiltmaking and features the work of some two dozen textile artists. The centerpiece of the exhibition? A "tulip quilt" made some 170 years ago by an enslaved woman whose name has been lost to time. Other quilts in the show include both quilts made as traditional bed coverings as well as what the museum calls "contemporary fabric artworks." Museum members can get a preview of "The Work of Their Hands" Feb. 22, and artist Celeste Butler will speak about her work 5 p.m. Feb. 22. Opening reception 6-9 p.m. Feb. 22 is $15, free for members. Show opens to the public Feb. 23.

FRIDAY

Keb' Mo'

At CFCC Wilson Center: Multi-Grammy-winning, longtime bluesman returns to Wilmington for a show. The California native's latest album is 2022's "Good To Be." 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23, tickets start at $26. 910-362-7999.

Fourth Friday Gallery Night

Downtown Wilmington: Monthly art crawl of multiple shows at downtown-area art galleries and art spaces. One of this month's highlights is a closing reception for the "No Boundaries International Art Residency 2024 Exhibition" at CFCC's Wilma Daniels Gallery on Hanover Street. The show is the result of two weeks of artmaking in January on Bald Head Island by a group of Wilmington-area and international artists. Much of the work created at No Boundaries is inspired, directly or indirectly, by the beauty and sights of Bald Head Island.

Also worth checking out is the new Soda Pop Gallery, 12th and Princess streets in the former Parchie's building, which has work by Mark Weber, Todd Carignan, Jean Dobbs, Sarah Rushing, Eleanor Topping and Jonathan Summit. 6-9 p.m. Feb. 23. For a full listing of galleries, go to ArtsWilmington.org.

No Boundaries: See Bald Head Island's beauty through the eyes of these local and international artists

LaToya Lain

Feb. 23 at Beckwith Recital Hall, UNCW campus: Opera Wilmington presents the Caterina Jarboro Memorial Recital, named for the opera singer and Wilmington native, with soprano LaToya Lain, accompanied by Casey Robards on piano. Lain is a native of New Orleans who is on the faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 2020, she made her Metropolitan Opera Debut as part of the cast of Gershwin’s "Porgy and Bess." The program will mirror the format of programs often sung by Jarboro, with spirituals, art songs and selections from various operas. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23, $23.36. 910-962-3500.

Caterina Jarboro: 7 diva-worthy moments from the life of a Wilmington opera legend

Black History Month Concert

Feb. 23 at Thalian Hall: The National Black Leadership Caucus, Southeastern Region presents this concert and fundraiser featuring Wilmington saxophonist Darryl Murrill. The concert will include music as well as spoken word. 6 p.m. Feb. 23, tickets are $40 and $75. 910-632-2285.

SATURDAY

Dead Cool & Tracy Shedd

Feb. 24 at Bourgie Nights: Two of Wilmington's top musical acts team up for what should be an epic, stylistically diverse double bill.

Dead Cool is the Wilmington goth/darkwave/synth pop duo of Johnny and Angela Yeagher, who have attracted an audience for darkly catchy, retro songs about alienation and obsession. And while songs like "The Last Time" might have such lyrics as, "The future's so black I cannot see," there's also a playful side to Dead Cool. It shows up in their videos, with a cute little white fluffball of a dog trying to bite Johnny as he strolls around Greenfield Lake in "Until Death," and in their wickedly dark cover of '80s pop hit "Send Me An Angel."

Wilmington singer and songwriter Tracy Shedd is a veteran of the national indie rock scene who matches sweet, understated vocals with lyrics that can be at once subtle and searching. Shedd's latest single is "Let It Ride," a groovy, moody meditation on patience and trust. 9 p.m. doors, 10 p.m. show, Feb. 24. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 day of show.

Fort Lowell Records: How the couple behind a growing record label is putting Wilmington music on the map

Now it's dark: Wilmington goth duo revels in sonic darkness, even when the cops get called

Collage Dance Collective

Feb. 24 at Kenan Auditorium, UNCW campus: The Collage Dance troupe formed in New York in 2006 as a direct response to the lack of diversity in the world of ballet. The troupe moved to Memphis in 2009, where it's been based ever since, training dancers of color and creating their own original works. According to a story in Broadway World, the troupe's Wilmington programs will include Collage artistic director Kevin Thomas' ballet "Rise," which is set to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1968 “I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech. Also featured in the program will be "Luminescent" by Durante Verzola and "Bluff City Blues" by Amy Hall Garner. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24, tickets are $45-$125. 910-962-3500.

Divine Divas Las Vegas

Feb. 24 at CFCC Union Station: Thalian Association Community Theatre's annual cabaret-style fundraiser pays tribute to iconic Vegas performers, from the Rat Pack and Elvis to modern-day stars like Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion and more. The evening includes food, cocktails, live and silent auctions and 18 musical performances by area talent. Proceeds benefit the Thalian Association's youth theater program and the nonprofit Kids Making It youth woodworking/vocational program. 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. event, tickets are $125. 910-251-1788.

Cape Fear Hooley Under the Bridge

Feb. 24 at Waterline Brewing: Seventh annual celebration and fundraiser for Wilmington's St. Patrick's Day Parade (March 16 this year) features a full day of entertainment, with Irish-themed music, dancing and more. Highlights include Irish band Nine Times Around (5:20 p.m.) playing tunes by The Dubliners, The Pogues, Dropkick Murphys and others; Irish dancers from Raleigh's Triggle Academy (1:30 p.m.); the Celtic-inspired Banna Band (noon); and The Wilmington Police Pipes and Drums (1:50 p.m.) WECT's Daniella Hankey will host. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 24. Free, with donations accepted.

Hiroya Tsukamoto

Feb. 24 at Live at Ted's: Japanese finger-style guitarist is a master player, often using looping and other effects to fill out his sound. Truly one of a kind. Tsukamoto placed second at the International Fingerstyle Guitar Championships in 2018 and 2022 and has been written up in Acoustic Guitar Magazine. 8 p.m. Feb. 24, tickets are $20.

The Pink Stones, Summer Set

Feb. 24 at Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Along with Pink Beds and Pink Skull Garden, this is the third "pink" band we've had in Wilmington recently. The Pink Stones hail from Athens, Georgia, and play what they term "cosmic country" or "spacey honky tonk." Good stuff.

Sharing the bill are Wilmington indie-rock stalwarts Summer Set, who last year came out of performance hibernation to drop an excellent new album of classic songs and newer work. With opening act Kit McKay. 7 p.m. Feb. 24, $15.

Kicking Bird

Feb. 24 at Palate: It's a busy Saturday night for Wilmington label Fort Lowell Records, with three acts on their roster in action. Along with Summer Set and Tracy Shedd, number three is Kicking Bird, which is led by singer-guitarist Shaun Paul and his wife, Shayla, who sings and plays keyboards. They both write hooky songs that rock while often carrying a girl-group sheen, with lyrics about love and life that make both the ups and the downs sound like celebrations. Kicking Bird's live show is a frenzied, sweaty affair, and their 2023 album "Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" ain't too bad either. 7 p.m. Feb. 24, free.

SUNDAY

Wilmington's Symphony's Classical Kids

At CFCC Wilson Center: Special family friendly performance by the Wilmington Symphony focuses on the work and life of Joseph Bologne, or the Chevalier Saint-George, whose story was told in the 2022 film "Chevalier." The son of a French plantation owner and an enslaved Black woman, Bologne was a celebrated violinist and one of the first known composers of classical music by a person of African heritage. Bologne was also an accomplished fencer, and the program is titled "Sword and Bow." 4 p.m. Feb. 25, tickets are $15. 910-362-7999.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: What do this weekend in Wilmington, NC? Feb. 23-25, 2023