From a 'Barbie' party to country music legends, 16 ways to enjoy your Wilmington weekend

After a few weeks of a concert-heavy arts and events schedule, a bit of variety returns to the Wilmington entertainment scene this weekend.

We've got musicals, an opera, movies (and not just "Barbie," btw) and movie-themed events. And don't worry: There are plenty of concerts as well, from big-name touring artists to smaller shows that showcase some of Wilmington's best musical talent. Read on for all the details.

We also have a big list highlighting outdoor concerts in the area if you want to see what's coming down the pike the rest of the summer. If you're looking for Brunswick County events we do a separate list for that.

ALL WEEKEND

'The Little Mermaid'

At Thalian Hall: Wet on the heels of Disney's live-action remake of the animated musical classic, Wilmington's Opera House Theatre Co. brings the stage version to historic Thalian Hall. The show, about a mermaid who wants to become human, features all of Alan Menken's songs you love from the movies, including "Under the Sea" and "Part of Your World." Guest director Sarah Rodgers helms a cast that includes Mary Mattison in the lead role of Ariel, with Kellen Hanson as the charming Prince Eric and Heather Setzler as the villainous octopus Ursula. 7:30 p.m. July 20-22, 28-29 and Aug. 4-5, 2 p.m. July 22-23, 28-29 and Aug. 5-6. 910-632-2285.

'Beehive: The '60s Musical'

At Kenan Auditorium: Wilmington's Thalian Association Community Theatre is restaging this revue after a sold-out run in 2021. Directed by Cathy Street, it will feature the cast from two years ago singing songs by popular female groups and singers such as "You Can’t Hurry Love," "Natural Woman," and "Me and Bobby McGee" while wearing '60s-era fashions and hairdos. The cast features Raleigh siger DeVone Young as Tina Turner alongside Wilmington performers Chandler Davis, Georgie Simon, Meagan Golden, Yeavonne Cox and Amanda Hunter. 7:30 p.m. July 20-22, 2 p.m. July 23. Tickets are $22 and $40. 910-962-3500.

'La Traviata'

UNCW Cultural Arts Building: Opera Wilmington returns with its annual summer production. This year, it's "La Traviata," Verdi's 1853 masterpiece about a courtesan who finds true love, only for it to end in tragedy. University of North Carolina Wilmington graduate and 2014 Miss North Carolina Elizabeth Stovall sings the leading role of Violetta, while the part of her lover, Alfredo, is sung by Darius Gillard. Local singer (and physician) Michael Rallis plays Alfredo's disapproving father, Georgio. Music director Daniel Brier will conduct the Opera Wilmington Orchestra, and Nancy King, chair of UNCW’s Department of Music and Opera Wilmington’s artistic director, will direct. 7 p.m. July 21 and 28, 3 p.m. July 23 and 30. Tickets are $25 and $60. 910-962-3500.

Lara Beitz

At Dead Crow Comedy Room: Touring stand-up comic out of the Midwest has takes on the absurdity of everything from eating, to losing weight (a diet led to her terming cantaloupe "the devil's pumpkin") to dating people who have a weird way of eating. She's been on the James Corden, David Spade and Joe Rogan shows, at the Just For Laughs comedy festival, and has a podcast called "Slobs." 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. July 21-22, tickets are $18 and $28.

'Past Lives'

At Thalian Hall (studio theater): The Cinematique film series from Thalian Hall and WHQR screens this lovely, heartbreaking film from A24 and writer-director Celine Song about a woman (Greta Lee), a Korean immigrant living in New York, who reconnects with a childhood friend (Teo Yoo), much to the unease of her white husband (John Magaro). NPR's Justin Chang calls it "both achingly romantic and earnestly philosophical" and "the most affecting love story I've seen in ages." 7 p.m. July 19-21, 4 p.m July 19. Tickets are $10. 910-632-2285.

THURSDAY

Boardwalk Blast

At the Carolina Beach Boardwalk: Area favorites Jim Quick and Coastline, who play originals they term "swamp soul" as well as beach music classics, perform for the Boardwalk Blast concert series. The music is followed by fireworks on the beach strand. 6:30-9:30 p.m. July 20, free. Fireworks at 9 p.m.

FRIDAY

Darius Rucker

At Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Country singer Rucker is no stranger to Wilmington, having performed here at the old Mad Monk venue in the early '90s, back when he was the lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish. He also headlined the 2011 Azalea Festival. Since then, Rucker and his big, deep voice have gone on to solo stardom, with a slew of originals, a definitive cover of "Wagon Wheel" and a few old Hootie songs ("Let Her Cry" is a good bet) thrown in for good measure. Rucker has announced a new album, "Carolyn's Boy," named for his mother, for release later this year, and no doubt he'll play a few off that one as well. 8 p.m. July 21, tickets start at $75.

James Sardone

At Satellite Bar & Lounge: Longtime Wilmington singer, songwriter and guitarist Sardone has a new five-song EP, "Colors," out Friday on locally based Fort Lowell Records. He'll celebrate with an album release show at Satellite Bar & Lounge in Wilmington's South Front district, with opening sets by The Sardines and DJ Bo Fader.

Sardone, whose hard rock band Brickbat played around Wilmington in the '90s, has also made forays into rockabilly (as his alter ego, Jimmy Nations), country rock (with the Burnley Brothers) and glam rock (with Loose Jets).

His stellar tracks on 2022 Fort Lowell release "This Water Is Life, Vol. 1," with hip-hop artists MindsOne and DJ Iron (the shimmering "Chew You Up" is a total earworm), point in a much poppier direction, one that continues on "Colors."

Title track "Colors Of Your Brain" has an almost Smiths-like vibe, and the song undergoes a couple of remixes courtesy of Wilmington electronic act De La Noche. "Colors" also has a banging cover of Blondie's "Dreaming" that's slowed-down and rocked out. 9 p.m. July 21, free.

Sara Jean Kelley

At Greenfield Lake Yacht Club: Strong voiced folk-rock and country singer has been compared to Brandi Carlile, Patty Griffin and Lucinda Williams, and she's shared the stage with the likes of Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell. 7-9 p.m. July 21, free.

Free Concert Friday

At the Eagle's Dare: Wilmington soul and R&B singer Rebekah Todd headlines this weekly outdoor concert series. Wilmington pop trio Brown Dirt Cowboys, led by Wilmington songwriter Joel Lamb, opens up. 6-11 p.m. July 21 at the Eagle's Dare, Third and Red Cross streets. 6 p.m. opener, 8 p.m. headliner. Free.

SATURDAY

Beehive 'Barbie' party

At the Eagle's Dare: Come on, Barbie, let's go party. Wilmington retro-DJ duo The Beehive Blondes celebrate this weekend's opening of the new "Barbie" movie with a retro dance party in retro-themed bar The Eagle's Dare. Beehive Blondes Hannah Stewart and Jess James will be spinning hits from the late '50s (when the first Barbie dolls were born) to present day, and there will also be prizes for best dressed and best dancer, along with a Barbie & Ken photo booth and photo ops with Dare to Dream’s Barbie Convertible. Plus, an adult bounce castle, Barbie-themed fortune telling, Barbie-themed sweets and drinks, and more. 9 p.m. July 22, tickets are $20 in advance, $30 at the door.

Nickel Creek

At Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Americana supergroup featuring Chris Thile (mandolin), and siblings Sara Watkins (fiddle) and Sean Watkins (guitar), bring their sublimely rootsy sound to town. Nickel Creek is touring in support of its most recent album, "Celebrants." 7 p.m. July 22, tickets start at $50.

Travis Tritt

At CFCC Wilson Center: Country legend Travis Tritt has been on the scene since the late '80s, racking up hits with such songs as "Here's a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)" and "Country Club," the latter of which was written by Wilmington's own Catesby Jones. Tritt's latest album is 2021's "Set in Stone," which returns to a self-proclaimed outlaw country sound. 7:30 p.m. July 22, tickets start at $39. 910-362-7999.

Kash'd Out

At Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Low ticket alert for this show, headlined by the Orlando reggae/rock band with such on-brand songs as "Always Vibin'" and "Good at Gettin' By." New albums contain such poppy gems as "I Got This," which don't so much sound like Sublime as carry on the vibe. Opening act is Sons of Paradise. 7 p.m. July 22, tickets are $15.

SUNDAY

Wilmington Hippie Fest

At Waterline Brewing: "All things groovy" will be on the agenda for this mini-fest, which will include food trucks, live tunes, and hippie-themed wares from area vendors. Noon-4 p.m., free.

Reggae Ball, featuring King Yellowman

At Iron Clad Brewing: Wilmington radio station Modern Rock 97.3 FM and Kimberly "The Night Nurse" McLaughlin present the second annual Reggae Ball, headlined by legendary reggae singer King Yellowman. A native of Jamaica (born Winston Foster) who rose to popularity in the early 1980s, he's been making music ever since. Openers are Wilmington acts Mystic Vibrations and DHIM. 5 p.m. doors, 6:30 p.m. show July 23, tickets are $35, $50 for VIPs.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do in the Wilmington NC area for the weekend of July 20-23