24 things to do during a Wilmington weekend slam-packed with concerts, festivals and more

John Staton, Wilmington StarNews
·10 min read
N.C. roots rockers Southern Culture on the Skids headline Rocktoberfest Sept. 30 at the Eagle's Dare.
N.C. roots rockers Southern Culture on the Skids headline Rocktoberfest Sept. 30 at the Eagle's Dare.

With a bunch of re-scheduled events from last weekend's tropical storm rainout, along with a whole of previously scheduled stuff, it's going to be a truly epic weekend for the arts and performances in Wilmington.

We got festivals, we got Oktoberfests, we got concerts, musicals and a previously unheard of Fifth Friday Gallery Night of art shows all over downtown. Let's get into it.

If you're looking for Brunswick County events, we do a separate story for that. Also check out our list of upcoming Halloween-related events in October.

The spooky season: 25 Halloween events in Wilmington: Haunted houses, festivals, movies, concerts and more

ALL WEEKEND

'A Chorus Line'

At Thalian Hall: Five, six, seven eight! Thalian Association Community Theatre presents the classic musical about dancers trying to get into a Broadway show. Features such unforgettable songs as "One," "I Can Do That" and "What I Did for Love." Directed and choreographed by multi-time Wilmington Theater Awards winner Kendra Goehring, with music direction by Cathy S. Street. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29-30 and Oct. 6-7, 2 p.m. Oct. 1 and 8. Tickets are $34, with some discounts available. 910-632-2285.

'Chapel of Horrors'

One of the sights you'll see at "Chapel of Horrors," the immersive haunted house created by a who's who of Wilmington film industry professionals.
One of the sights you'll see at "Chapel of Horrors," the immersive haunted house created by a who's who of Wilmington film industry professionals.

At the Wilmington Bottleworks: Billed as "an immersive haunted house experience" with a back story about an evil cult taking over an old chapel, "Chapel of Horrors" was created by numerous Wilmington film industry professionals -- make-up and special effects artists, sound and lighting designers, and more -- with downtime due to the writers' and actors' strikes. It opens Friday for a month-long run in the former Coca-Cola bottling facility on Princess Street. Sept. 29-30 and Oct. 6-7, 13-15, 20-22 and 27-30. For times and tickets go to PortCityFearFactory.com.

Bobcat Goldthwait

At Dead Crow Comedy Room: The comic, actor and director returns to Wilmington for the second straight year. If you're expecting him to do an entire show in that cracked lunatic voice he got famous with in the 1980s, maybe don't. Goldthwait has moved on from that to become one of the most respected and beloved figures in American arts. He's directed such features as "World's Greatest Dad" with the late Robin Williams, and such documentaries as the deeply affecting "Call Me Lucky" about the late comic Barry Crimmins. In 2013, Goldthwait was in Wilmington for a memorable screening of his feature "Willow" at the Cucalorus Film Festival. He's pretty good at stand-up, too, and does many, many dates each year. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sept. 29-30, tickets are $25 and $35.

'Theater Camp'

At Thalian Hall (studio theater): "We're theater people. We know how to turn cardboard into gold." The Cinematique film series presents this movie about a summer theater camp for kids that's facing financial ruin: Unless, of course, they can put on the best talent show this town has ever seen. The directorial debut from Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman, this one's a must-see for anyone who's ever been a theater person, or even knows one. 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sept. 27, 7 p.m. Sept. 28-29. Tickets are $10. 910-632-2285.

THURSDAY

Newsboys

At CFCC Wilson Center: Grammy-nominated, Dove-Award-winning Christian rock band, one of the most popular in its genre, brings its stirring songs of faith to Wilmington. Formed in Australia in the 1980s, Newsboys are now based out of Nashville. 7 p.m. Sept. 28, tickets start at $30. 910-362-7999.

Blue October

At Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Longtime Texas alt-rockers formed in the 1990s, earning fans with such hits as "Hate Me" and "Into the Ocean." The band's latest album, "Spinning the Truth Around II," drops Oct. 13, so expect to hear some of the new stuff as well as older favorites. 6 p.m. Sept. 28, tickets start at $40.

FRIDAY

Steep Canyon Rangers

North Carolina Band Steep Canyon Rangers has a new song, "Recommend Me," inspired by a novel by Wilmington writer Wiley Cash.
North Carolina Band Steep Canyon Rangers has a new song, "Recommend Me," inspired by a novel by Wilmington writer Wiley Cash.

At Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: North Carolina roots/bluegrass band returns to town for a show in support of their new album, "Morning Shift." The album contains the song "Recommend Me," a folksy, comforting serving out of the singer-songwriter playbook of the Steep Canyon Rangers' Graham Sharp. The song was inspired by "When Ghosts Come Home," the 2021 novel by Wilmington author Wiley Cash about a sheriff in Oak Island beset on all sides by family, personal and societal crises. 7 p.m. Sept. 29, tickets start at $30.

Steep Canyon Rangers: Grammy-winning band releases song based on a Wilmington writer's book with a local setting

'Fifth Friday' Gallery Night

Downtown Wilmington: It's last weekend's tropical-storm-postponed Fourth Friday Gallery Night, pushed back a week. Nearly two dozen downtown-area galleries and art spaces open their doors for this monthly art crawl. This month's highlights include "Sound Waves" at public radio WHQR's MC Erny Gallery, 254 N. Front St., an exhibit that features the sculptures of Renato Abbate and Anne McCombie, who blend copper, wood and other materials into musical images with a nautical theme. Across Front Street at New Elements Gallery, Nancy Tuttle May and Bob Rankin team up for a show called "Unfolding in Color." 6-9 p.m. Sept. 29, free. For a full listing of galleries go to ArtsWilmington.org.

The Brierwood Ensemble

At Beckwith Recital Hall: Wilmington chamber music ensemble comprised of harpist Christina Brier, violinist Linda Estep, violist Clark Spencer and bassoonist Helena Kopchick Spencer teams up with composer and percussionist Daniel McCloud to perform the world premiere of McCloud’s "Moonbow," a four-part suite inspired by the feelings evoked by a gathering of close friends. Also on the program is UNCW alum Ryan Mulder’s "North Carolina Lighthouse Suite" and French composer Renié’s "Trio in B-flat Major." 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29, tickets are $14.

Trey Kennedy

At CFCC Wilson Center: Observational comic whose endearing style first came to light on Vine and TikTok offers riffs on everything from corporal punishment in the '90s to raising kids in the internet era. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29, tickets start at $32.50. 910-362-7999.

'Birdies'

At Jengo's Playhouse: Independent, Wilmington-made slob comedy about the failing Twin Pines golf course and the boozy yet hilarious losers who run it screens for the Friday Night Films series at Jengo's Playhouse, headquarters of the Cucalorus Film Festival. Stand-up comedian Ryan O'Flanagan plays a young golf pro who could lead the course back to glory, with longtime Wilmington actor Zach Hanner as Charlie Conroy, the owner of the run-down course, where day-drinking among the staff, including the jocular Nick (Nate Panning), starts early. Sydney Penny ("The Thorn Birds") also stars. "Birdies" evokes other off-the-wall golf comedies like "Happy Gilmore" and, the gold standard, "Caddyshack," whose us-against-them storyline "Birdies" pays homage to. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29, tickets are $10.

Fore! Independent Wilmington film comedy 'Birdies' shoots for a golf-loving audience

The Fontanelles & Highland Reverie

At Bourgie Nights: Both Carson Jewell and his wife, Tiff Reece Jewell, have been big parts of the Wilmington music scene over the years, with Carson and his twin brother, Jesse, leading the folk-punk combo No Dollar $hoes and Tiff fronting country act The Barnraisers. Now, they're all together in new act The Fontanelles, playing a range of rootsy styles and featuring Tiff's vocals, which are always filled to the brim with warmth and humor. With Highland Reverie, an Appalachian bluegrass band with a penchant for trancy, meditative songs on love and loss. 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, tickets are $10, $15 day of show.

SATURDAY

Rhiannon Giddens

At Kenan Auditorium: Simply put, Rhiannon Giddens is one of the most important artists in the world, of any medium, genre or stripe. A founding member of the Black, old-time string band Carolina Chocolate Drops who has found Grammy-winning success as a solo artist, Greensboro native Giddens has a classically trained voice and can accompany herself on banjo and fiddle as she sings both obscure folk songs and deeply human originals about such topics as race, gender and social justice. A winner of the MacArthur "genius" grant and, for her opera "Omar" about an enslaved man who lived much of his life in Wilmington, a Pulitzer Prize. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30, online tickets sold out. 910-962-3500.

History: New book delves into the remarkable life of an enslaved man who lived in Wilmington

Cape Fear Latinos Festival

The second annual Cape Fear Latinos Festival returns to Wilmington, N.C.
The second annual Cape Fear Latinos Festival returns to Wilmington, N.C.

At Riverfront Park/Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Originally scheduled for last weekend, the festival was pushed to this weekend due to the tropical storm. Not to be confused with Festival Latino, which is Nov. 4, this celebration of Latino and Hispanic culture was formerly known as the Hispanic Heritage Festival. Expect live music, dancing, children's activities and more. 2-8 p.m. Sept. 30, free.

Rocktoberfest 2.0

At the Eagle's Dare: Wilmington bar and event space celebrates its first anniversary by bringing in one of the great North Carolina bands of all time: Southern Culture on the Skids, known for such rootsy rock hits as "Camel Walk," "Soul City" and "Nitty Gritty." Opening acts are rockabillians Jared Petteys and the Headliners, Slim & The Gems and Wilmington's own Mark Sinnis and 825. 4-11 p.m. Sept. 30, tickets are $15.

Poolside

At Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: L.A. band plays so-called nu-disco and chillwave, drawing on the grooviest sounds of the past for some modern, danceable numbers that are easy listening in the best sense of the term. 7 p.m. Sept. 30, tickets start at $30.

Illiterate Light & Airpark

At Bourgie Nights: Double bill with a double dose of duos: tuneful indie rock duo Illiterate Light and Nashville indie folk duo Airpark. 8 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. show, tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Philip Gerard: Words & Music

Late Wilmington writer Philip Gerard's musical memoir "Words & Music: An Album of a Life in Story and Song" will be released Sept. 26.
Late Wilmington writer Philip Gerard's musical memoir "Words & Music: An Album of a Life in Story and Song" will be released Sept. 26.

At the Cameron Art Musem: Celebrate the release of the new book from late Wilmington writer Philip Gerard, a musical memoir about the making of his album, "American Anthem." With readings from the book and acoustic tunes by the band Whiskey Creek Revival. 3 p.m. Sept. 30, $5.

Local books: In memoir 'Words and Music,' late Wilmington writer Philip Gerard takes a bow

Minus2

At Thalian Hall (studio theater): Maryland duo made up of brothers Daryl and Eric Minus bring their smooth mix of jazz and funk to town for an intimate, sit-down concert. 7 p.m. Sept. 30, 910-632-2285.

Pipe

At Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Legendary North Carolina punk rock act Pipe brings its dynamic, muscular sound to town for a multi-band bill that includes Entrez Vous, Temp Agency and Wilmington's own Teeth of England, the latest project from Dave Sinclair of Rural Swine fame. 8 p.m. Sept. 30, cover at the door.

SUNDAY

Penderecki String Quartet

At Beckwith Recital Hall: Chamber Music Wilmington stages its first concert of the season, a performance by this Candian group that's been around since its founding in the 1980s. Chamber Music Wilmington artistic director Oskar Espina Ruiz will join with the group to perform Mozart's "Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K. 581" and Coleridge-Taylor's "Clarinet Quintet in F Sharp Minor, Op. 10." Also on the program is Schulhoff's "Five Pieces for String Quartet." 4 p.m. Oct. 1, tickets are $39, $19 for youth. 910-962-3500.

Blue Post 25th anniversary party

Customers gather outside Blue Post Billiards Wednesday night, September 26, 2018, in downtown Wilmington. The bar will be celebrating its 25th anniversary Oct. 1.
Customers gather outside Blue Post Billiards Wednesday night, September 26, 2018, in downtown Wilmington. The bar will be celebrating its 25th anniversary Oct. 1.

At The Blue Post: Downtown Wilmington bar The Blue Post celebrates its 25th birthday with what will likely be an epic shindig. Pool, darts and cornhole tournaments, along with something called Bar Olympics (register from 4-6 p.m.) and grub from Keith's Memphis-Style BBQ food truck. 4-10 p.m. Oct. 1, free.

The Blye Post: Celebrating 25 years, this Wilmington bar is famous for film and a Donkey Kong record

Stillhouse Junkies

At Bourgie Nights: Colorado band plays a rootsy band of folk and bluegrass that can range from up-tempo jams to more meditative numbers. Top-notch playing and harmonies. 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show, Oct. 1. Tickets are $12 in advance, $16 day of show.

Prost Oktoberfest

At Prost: Downtown Wilmington's newest German restaurant celebrates its first Oktoberfest, both in the restaurant and garden itself and spilling over into the parking lot next door. With a "best dressed" contest, German attire is encouraged, and there will also be something called a stein holding contest as well as German food, beer and live music from Wilmington's own Harbour Towne Fest Band. 1:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Oct. 1, free.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do in Wilmington NC Sept. 28-Oct. 1, concerts, festivals