19 things to do in Wilmington this weekend: Festivals, concerts, 'The Prom' and more

Now that the weather's beginning to cool off (in the evenings, anyway), the event calendar is starting to heat up.

In Wilmington this weekend, we've got our first big festival of the fall season, as well as a big ol' musical at Thalian Hall and no fewer than three touring stand-up comedians coming through.

Plus, there's a really good mix of music by local acts along with a strong lineup of concert tours at venues big and cozy. Plenty to do, so let's get started. If you're looking for Brunswick County events specifically, we do a separate list for that.

ALL WEEKEND

'The Prom'

Thalian Hall: For the final show of its summer season, Opera House Theatre Co. is staging a rousing and emotional rendition of "The Prom," a relatively new musical comedy from 2016 that's also very topical. Anyone who's been following the New Hanover County Schools Board of Education's book-banning saga should find the story very familiar.

Except in this case, it's not a book that's being banned, it's a person: Emma (an outstanding Sydney Smith Martin), a high school girl who just wants to go the prom with her conflicted, closeted girlfriend (Shayne Maggard, excellent). Only problem is, she lives in small-town Indiana, where that kind of thing's not allowed.

The comedy comes in the form of four down-on-their luck yet narcissistic actors from New York City, who read about Emma's story on Twitter (X didn't exist in 2016) and decide to help "that little lesbian, whether she likes it or not." While also getting some postive press for themselves, of course. And while "The Prom" effectively skewers both sides of aisle -- insufferable liberal elites as well as close-minded, small-town bigots -- there's never any doubt that its sympathies lie with Emma.

I've seen a whole lot of theater in Wilmington over the past 30 years, and I can say with confidence that Sydney Smith Martin is one of the best actresses ever to grace a Port City stage. Just like she fully embodied Marilyn Monroe in "With Love, Marilyn," for which she won Best Actress in a Play at the Wilmington Theater Awards in March, Martin completely inhabits Emma, the show's brave yet scared, normal yet extraordinary heroine. Plus, Martin's got a big, strong voice that she, with backing from the show's young ensemble, uses to deliver "The Prom's" powerful 11 o'clock number, "Unruly Heart," a song about being one's authentic self that had many in the audience in tears.

As the show's quartet of New York actors, Jeff Phillips hams it up fabulously as a prima donna of a Broadway star, while Heather Setzler matches him as a self-obsessed celebrity with a heart of steel that eventually softens thanks to a small-town principal, wonderfully played by Brent Schraff. Jon Berry captures the oblivious pretension of his Juilliard-trained character, and while Wilmington native Erin Sullivan, a veteran of several Broadway tours, is cast in a somewhat underwritten role as 20-year veteran of the "Chicago" chorus, she makes the most of it, crushing her big number, "Zazz."

Director and choreographer Carson Hobbs brings some snappy dance moves to the big production numbers, and while the songs are mostly pleasantly bland, music director Brian Whitted's band is as solid as they come. You might not remember many of the tunes the next day, but you will remember the emotional heart of "The Prom." 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13-16 and 2 p.m. Sept. 16-17. 910-632-2285.

Widespread Panic

At Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Like the psychedelic swallows of Capistrano, this longtime jam band makes its annual multi-day return to Wilmington's Live Oak Bank Pavilion this weekend. Keep an eye out for various pre- and post-concert events as well, including an after-concert party with live music Friday at Duck & Dive on Dock Street, and a pre-concert show Saturday at Bottega with The Baby Clams. 7 p.m. Sept. 15-16, lawn tickets start at $50.

Joey Avery

At Dead Crow Comedy Room: Up-and-coming and very funny comic has appeared on Comedy Central and elsewhere. Avery recently posted a strong bit he said was cut from his set that aired on Comedy Central, jokes about such subjects as China, Ukraine and United States capitalism that show he's not scared to get political. Avery will be at Wilmington's top comedy club for four shows this weekend. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sept. 15-16, tickets are $18 and $28.

THURSDAY

The Wailers

At Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Reggae royalty returns to Wilmington when current version of the late Bob Marley's band takes the stage at Greenfield Lake. The Wailers are led by drummer Aston Barrett Jr., son of legendary Wailers co-founder Aston Barrett. 6 p.m. Sept. 14, tickets start at $32.50.

D.R.I.

At Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Legendary hardcore punk band that's been around since the early 1980s (their name stands for Dirty Rotten Imbeciles) returns to Wilmington for a show at midtown rock club Reggies. Forty years later D.R.I. is still going strong and remains "one of the first bands to fuse hardcore punk with thrash metal," according to AllMusic.com. 7 p.m. Sept. 14, tickets are $15.

Tullie Brae

At The Rusty Nail: Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist brings her rockin' band to Wilmington's home of the blues. On her bues rock album "Revelation," the Louisiana-born, Tennessee-based Brae plays piano, organ and guitar in delivering 10 original songs. 8 p.m. Sept. 14, $8 at the door.

Jazz at the Mansion

At the Bellamy Mansion: Longtime Wilmington musician El Jaye Johnson will headline the final of show of this annual series with his Quartet. Small coolers allowed, food and drink are available for purchase, and proceeds benefit the musicians, the Cape Fear Jazz Society and the Bellamy Mansion Museum. 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14, tickets are $15-$25.910-251-3700.

FRIDAY

DeeOhGee

At Bourgie Nights: Nashville band formerly known as Blackfoot Gypsies can sound like The Beatles if the Fab Four played Southern rock. New single "Down on the Farm" dropped Sept. 9, and it recalls a Southern-fried Oasis filtered through The Band and a little bit of Dead. 9 p.m. Sept. 15, tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of show.

Lawn Enforcement

At The Palm Room: The excellent (and excellently named) Wilmington indie rock band Lawn Enforcement will play an album release show for its new record "Blood, Sweat and Shears" at this longtime Wrightsville Beach spot. Recent singles "Burden" and "Nefarious" have a sweet jangle to them, and Lawn Enforcement is building a strong local following thanks to some energetic and well-attended live shows. 9 p.m. Sept. 15, $5 cover, 21 and up only.

SATURDAY

American Craft Walk Wilmington

Downtown Wilmington: More than 100 artists will have their work on display and for sale this weekend as part of this huge annual art fair. Paintings, pottery, jewelry and more will stretch down Front Street between Orange and Walnut streets. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 16, free.

Veterans Appreciation Boat Parade

Wrightsville Beach: Dozens of boats with patriotic decorations will be on display Saturday as part of the third annual Veterans Appreciation Boat Parade. The parade will start at the U.S. Coast Guard Station, travel north down Banks Channel then proceed to the Instracoastal Waterway. Ideal viewing spot will be the Seapath Marina. Noon Sept. 16, free to attend.

Harry P/Rich Tacos

At Dram Tree Tavern: Harry Paterson (hard rockers After Forever, Jedi) and Rich Kunz (punk legends All Tore Up), aka Rich Tacos, have been playing in Wilmington bands since the 1980s. Now that Kunz has moved back to Wilmington after many years away, they're teaming up as duo to deliver what they term "Southern stoner punk" during a kid-friendly show. 3-7 p.m. Sept. 16, free.

The Girls

At Bourgie Nights: Hard-charging Wilmington garage rockers The Girls will play their gritty-yet-melodic tunes as part of a "back to school" show with fellow Wilmington rockers Narah. A recent video for "The Girls" song "Drama Queen" makes great use of legendary Wilmington skating rink Scooters. 9 p.m Sept. 16, tickets are $10, or $15 for ages 18-20.

Exercise

At the Opera Room: One of Wilmington's finest bands, punk rockers Exercise have an angular, occasionally mathy vibe on such recent songs as "DUST BUMP" and "ollieovercar." With Durham indie/pop/noise punk act Horizontal Hold and, fresh off an appearance at Raleigh's esteemed Hopscotch Music Festival, Wilmington's own songsmith extraordinaire, James Sardone. 8 p.m. Sept. 16, cover at the door.

Haha Davis and friends

At CFCC Wilson Center: Comic and actor Davis has attracted a big following with a wildly funny series of internet videos. He's been on "Detroiters" and TBS' "Drop the Mic," and is known for his character Big Fella. Opening acts include former Wilmington comic Julia Desmond. 8 p.m. Sept. 16, tickets start at $27. 910-362-7999.

An Evening of Spontaneous Comedy

At Thalian Hall (studio theater): Wilmington's DareDevil Improv troupe, which performs every Wednesday evening at Dead Crow Comedy Room, takes its show on the road, or at least down the street, for "An Evening of Spontaneous Comedy." Expect some short-form games for fun before building to the evening's main event: Longform comedy, aka a short play devised from audience suggestions and actor improvisations. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16, 910-632-2285.

Lollipopalooza Kids Fest

At Wrightsville Beach Brewery: Round up the kids and head to the brewery for a day of live music, face painting, fairy hair and more. With live animals from Fresh Start Reptile Rescue. Noon-2:30 p.m. Sept. 16, free.

SUNDAY

Joe Gatto

At CFCC Wilson Center: Comic and actor Gatto, best known for hidden-camera show "Impractical Jokers," brings his live show to Wilmington. Expect some ribald humor and plenty of audience participation. 7 p.m. Sept. 17, tickets start at $43.50. 910-362-7999.

Boogie in the Park

At Kure Beach Oceanfront Park: Wilmington favorite bluegrass act The Folkstone Stringband headlines this oceanside concert series. Bring a beach chair, blanket and/or your dancing shoes. 5-7 p.m. Sept. 17, free. 910-458-8216.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do in Wilmington NC Sept. 14-17 2023