The 25th annual Cape Fear Blues Fest, plus 17 more Wilmington things to do this weekend

It's going to be relatively mild weather this weekend — in Wilmington in June, that means it's not expected to hit 90 — so it's a good thing that so many fun events are happening outdoors. As long as the rain holds off, of course.

It's a good variety, too, with two music festivals (the Cape Fear Blues Festival and the classical Port City Music Festival); the return to Wilmington of jazz legend "Tootie" Heath; a free performances of Shakespeare's play "The Winter's Tale" at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater; and stand-up comedy shows from local favorites and a well-regarded touring act.

Plus, there's Heavy Metal Bingo (if you don't know what that is, you'll want to find out) and the weekend will be capped off with a bang when the Dock Street Pride Party returns to the streets of downtown.

More: Full list of outdoor summer concerts in Wilmington, plus Brunswick and Pender counties

Cape Fear Blues Festival

Wilmington's long-running summer blues festival returns for the 25th year this weekend, with three nights of shows at southside juke joint The Rusty Nail.

The festival starts 6 p.m. Friday under the Nail's outdoor tent with North Carolina guitarist Jonathan Robinson, who mixes blues and Southern rock with a bit of country. The music heads indoors at 9 p.m. Friday with Chuck Cotton, a Greensboro drummer who leads a band playing a blend of blues and soul. Shows are $10 each.

Things resume 2 p.m. Saturday with more music under the tent: acoustic blues with Wilmington's own Two Picky Guys; zydeco, Louisiana blues and more from Mel Melton & The Wicked Mojos; and funk and blues rock from Greensboro band House of Dues (see what they did there?). Tickets are $40.

Back inside, Wilmington favorite Randy McQuay plays original and classic blues 9 p.m. Saturday with his full band ($10).

The last day of the festival is Sunday, which starts at noon with the traditional (and free) Cape Fear Blues jam outside featuring various area musicians. The 25th Cape Fear Blues Fest will close with a blues/R&B concert by Brett Johnson and Tarsha Murphy 7 p.m. Sunday ($5).

Details: June 10-12 at The Rusty Nail, 1310 S. Fifth Ave., Wilmington. Lawn chairs welcome, no coolers or pets. Food trucks on site, cash bar and beverages. 910-251-1888

THURSDAY

Pleasure Island & Pinky Verde

At Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar: Two wonderful bands take the stage on the pier at this Carolina Beach establishment. Featuring the low-slung cool of indie rocker Heather Jensen, who performs under the name Pinky Verde, and the dynamic, era-blending rock of talented local upstarts Pleasure Island. 7-9 p.m. June 9, free. 

More: Carolina Beach band Pleasure Island makes waves with throwback sound, cool vibes

Cape Fear Museum After Dark

At the Cape Fear Museum: Check out two of the Cape Fear Museum's new exhibits in an adults-only environment. "Fire!" looks into the science and local history of fire, and firefighting, while the traveling Smithsonian exhibit "H20 Today" takes a sprawling view of the science of water. Event highlights include: making s’mores with Carolina Beach firefighters; a fireball demo; wine and juice slushies made with liquid nitrogen (!); and much more fire-and-water-themed fun. 6-9 p.m. June 9, $12 in advance, $15 day of event, $10 for museum members. 

Airlie Garden concert

At Airlie Gardens: After last Friday's rainout, Wilmington R&B band ReSoul will take the stage for the first Airlie Gardens concert of this summer. Advance tickets required. Parking is off-site at the New Hanover County Public Library's Northeast Branch, which is where you catch the free shuttle. Concessions not available, but chairs, blankets and picnics are allowed. 6-8 p.m. June 9;  $10, $3 for ages 4-12, free for ages 3 and under. 910-798-7700

Jazz at the Bellamy

At the Bellamy Mansion: The Latin jazz group Bajissima, led by UNCW music professor and bassist Natalie Boeyink, will play a concert for this popular outdoor music series downtown. 6:30 p.m. June 9, $10-$20. 910-251-3700

Sounds of Summer

At Wrightsville Beach Park: The Feebs bring covers of blues, funk and rock tunes to this outdoor music series put on by WECT TV-6. Bring a picnic, chairs and/or blankets. Coolers are allowed, but alcohol is not permitted in the park. 6:30-8 p.m. June 9, free. 

ALL WEEKEND

'The Winter's Tale'

At the Hugh Morton/Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Cape Fear Shakespeare on the Green returns to Greenfield Lake for its 29th year of performing the plays of William Shakespeare. As always, performances are free, but donations are accepted. This year's regular festival show is the romantic comedy/psychological drama "The Winter's Tale." A story of friendships destroyed then restored, families driven apart then reunited, the story unfolds in acts set 16 years apart.

Details: "A Winter's Tale" runs 8 p.m. June 10-12, 17-19 and June 22-23. Youth production of “As You like It" runs 8 p.m. June 9, 15-16 and 20-21. 6:30 p.m. gates. Concessions available, picnics welcomed. 910-399-2878.

More: 29th year of free summer Shakespeare in Wilmington is a win with 'The Winter's Tale'

Port City Music Festival

Summer festival of classical music returns for the 14th year with performances at venues all over Wilmington. This week's concerts are 7 p.m. June 9 at Cameron Art Museum (Schubert, Strauss and Dvořák); 7:30 p.m. June 10 at UNCW's Beckwith Recital Hall (Verdi, Elgar and others); and 5 p.m. June 12 at First Presbyterian Church (Haydn, Brahms and others). Free, with donations accepted. 

More: Port City Music Festival brings in classical music for free summer concerts in Wilmington

Beth Stelling

At Dead Crow Comedy Room: Edgy, confrontational and very funny comic and writer Stelling had a stellar special on HBO, "Girl Daddy," whose highlights included her gently, yet hilariously, calling out various audience members. She's also had a Netflix special (as part of "The Stand-Ups") and has made late-night talk show appearances many a time. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. June 10-11, $20 and $30. 

FRIDAY

The Tootie Heath Trio

At Kenan Auditorium: Albert "Tootie" Heath, a world-renowned drummer with deep roots in Wilmington, brings his jazz trio to town for a concert. Heath's late brother Percy Heath, a bassist, co-founded the influential Modern Jazz Quartet in 1952. His brother Jimmy, a sax player who died in 2020, played alongside many jazz greats, as recalled in his autobiography "I Walked with Giants." All three spent formative childhood years in Wilmington, and together they drew acclaim as The Heath Brothers in the '70s and '80s. 7:30 p.m. June 10, $20 and $5. 910-962-3500. 

More: Legendary jazz drummer Tootie Heath returns to his family's roots in Wilmington

Heavy Metal Bingo

At Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Sludge metal legend and Wilmington folk hero "Dixie" Dave Collins of the longstanding, hard-touring trio Weedeater stars in this revival of the metal-themed bingo event that used to hold sway at downtown's legendary Soapbox, back in the day. Re-upping Heavy Metal Bingo at Wilmington rock club Reggie's was a no-brainer, and it'll be fun to hear call-outs like "B, 17, B, 17" in Collins' scratchy growl of a voice. 9 p.m. June 10, free. 

The Smoky Dunes

At Waterline Brewing: EP release show from this fast-picking Wilmington bluegrass duo. Quality = high. Get some. 8-10 p.m. June 10, free.

Comedy at the Kettle

At The Kettle: Wilmington comedy impresario Ellie Coleman hosts yet another evening of talented Wilmington stand-ups: Shannon Perez, Sean McAdams, Rich Nielson and Jack Nelson will have you laughing in this bottle shop's outdoor environs beneath the pine trees of Long Leaf Park. 8 p.m. June 10, $5. 

SATURDAY

iLLa wiLLa

At Bourgie Nights: Former Wilmington musician Will Peterson returns to his hometown to play for the first time since 2010. On his Loud Love Summer tour, Peterson blends sounds from multiple instruments via live looping, and for this show is backed by singer/percussionist Ben Paulson. Wilmington electronic band Shoulder Cat opens the show. 9 p.m. doors June 11, $10 in advance, $15 day of show. 

Into the Fog

At the Palm Room: Excellent North Carolina Americana group with Wilmington roots — and past appearances at Telluride Bluegrass Festival and MerleFest — returns for a local show at this Wrightsville Beach venue, which has been around since 1955. 9 p.m. June 11. 

More: Into the Fog comes out of the pandemic with a new album, 'Runnin' Blind & Chasin' Time'

Katz for Kitties

At Mad Katz: Musical fundraiser for Kitty Pawtrol, a nonprofit community cat  neuter/spay/vaccination group, at this Monkey Junction bar and music venue. Tunes from Davy Williamson and other, along with a silent auction, 50/50 raffle and more. 6 p.m. June 11, donations accepted. 

SUNDAY

Dock Street Pride Party

Front and Dock streets: Celebrate Pride Month by crawling between Dock Street bars The Husk, Duck & Dive and the New Anthem brewery. Features a drag show headlined by Wilmington legend Tara Nicole Brooks, and music from DJs Brewtal and Bobby Zee. Presented by Port City Pride, Opera House Theatre Co. and The Husk. 2-8 p.m. June 12, Port City Pride donations accepted. 

NC Filmmakers Series

At The Pointe 14: This week, the series that explores movies made in North Carolina screens "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" from 1990. Made in Wilmington, it helped turn a whole generation of boys into TMNT fans. Featuring an appearance by Wilmington film and theater technician Scott Davis, who was a key grip on the movie. 4 p.m. June 12, Q&A follows.

Contact John Staton at 910-343-2343 or John.Staton@StarNewsOnline.com. 

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do in Wilmington NC June 9-12 with the Cape Fear Blues Fest