With festival season in Wilmington at critical mass, here are 25 things to do this weekend

Fall festival season in Wilmington reaches its absolute peak this weekend, thanks in part to some events that were rained out in October being rescheduled to this month.

We've got Latino Fest, Polish Fest, Spot Fest, a kite festival and even a few food-centric celebrations, including something called Veg-Out Fest and the fall reprise of spring's Wilmington Greek Festival.

In addition to all the festival festivities, there's also a robust collection of local music, theater and touring groups performing jazz, classical and even dance. (If you're looking for Brunswick County events, we do a separate story for that.)

Let's get this weekend started.

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ALL WEEKEND

'Dracula'

At the Mainstage Theatre in the Cultural Arts Building, UNCW campus: If you're a fan of classic horror, you'll want to check out the UNCW theater department's bloody production of "Dracula," which has been ripped, hissing, from the pages of Bram Stoker's 1897 novel.

But while the play, which works from Steven Dietz's faithful stage adaptation of Stoker's book, definitely bears a classic vibe, director and UNCW theater professor Christopher Marino gives the proceedings a contemporary flair, with a few goth-style costumes (by Mark D. Sorensen) and top-notch set and lighting design (by Michael Allen) that employs plenty of spooky, scene-setting projections. Not to mention all the bloody special effects, and an impressively magical disappearing act in one scene.

The student cast takes to the material well, with British exchange student George Bird particularly effective as the doomed, delicate Lucy and EC Cobb-Curtis spectacularly creepy as the vampire Dracula, desiccated yet ominous in his Transylvania castle.

Cole Warren lends a new-age punk flair to Drac when our favorite vampire de-ages in London, and Abigail Hamm gives a studied calm to the practical Mina while Rachel Wilson hams it up entertainingly as the madwoman Renfield.

Halloween may be over, but the creepiness doesn't have to end. "Dracula" runs through Nov. 12. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2-4 and 9-11, 2 p.m. Nov. 5 and 12. Tickets are $14, with some discounts. 910-962-3500.

Festival Latino

At Ogden Park: Annual celebration of Latino culture in Wilmington dates back to the late '90s. Traditionally, the focus has been on food, with fare from across Latin America. But there's also live music and dancing, vendors and exhibits, kids' activities, and more. Nov. 4-5, entry is free.

N.C. Spot Festival

Hampstead: Annual Pender County event, around since 1963, celebrates the humble spot, a bone-filled but delicious fish that's abundant in local waters. Fried spot plates are the main attraction, but the festival has grown to include live music, a beer and wine tent, arts and crafts vendors, and a variety of area pageant queens and princesses. (Yes, there is a Spot Festival Queen.) 9 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Nov. 4 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 5. Spot plates are served 10 am.-6 p.m. Nov. 4 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 5. TheNCSpotFestival.com. 

Hit the Spot: NC Spot Festival in Pender: What you need to know about parking, entertainment and cost

'Six Seconds'

At Thalian Hall (studio theater): Original play by Rose-Mary Harrington was a selection of the Utah Shakespeare Festival's New Playwrights Project. It centers on the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy from the perspective of four women impacted by the tragedy: Lady Bird Johnson, Jackie Kennedy, Nellie Connally and Marina Oswald. Harrington directs a Wilmington cast. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3-4, 3 p.m. Nov. 5. For tickets, call 910-632-2285 or go to ThalianHall.org. The play also runs Nov. 11-12 at Brunswick Little Theatre in Southport.

Cape Fear Kite Festival

Pleasure Island: Three-day event sponsored by the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce features a wide range of colorful, often gigantic kites. Friday will see kites at Kure Beach Fishing Pier, with a "night fly" on the Carolina Beach strand by the Marriott hotel. Saturday and Sunday's festivities are located at the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area in Kure Beach. In addition to high-flying kites, the festival will also feature food trucks and live music. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 4-5. Details at CapeFearKiteFestival.org.

16th annual pottery show & sale

At Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center: If you're looking to a get a head start on your holiday shopping, the Coastal Carolina Clay Guild holds its popular, annual pottery show and sale this weekend. Opening reception with refreshments and tunes from CB Johnson is Friday. In addition to work by numerous area potters and ceramic artists, the show will also feature pieces by local high school students. 5-8 p.m. Nov. 3 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 4-5.

Wilmington Greek Festival Drive-Thru

At St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church: The mini, food-centric version of spring's annual Wilmington Greek Festival. Drive through and get homemade versions of the Greek favorites to tide you over till the festival rolls back around in May. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 3-4 and 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Nov. 5.

Port City Blitz Festival

At Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Wilmington's hardest-rocking festival takes over Wilmington's hardest-rocking venue. Forty bands will play Reggie's over two night, with headliners The Pentagram String Band on Friday and Black Tusk and Howling Giant on Saturday. 4:30 p.m. (doors) Nov. 3, noon Nov. 4, with a "punk rock flea market" noon-6 p.m. Nov. 4.

THURSDAY

Brubeck Brothers Quartet

At Thalian Hall: The sons of jazz great Dave Brubeck, known for his timeless classic "Take Five," have been playing together since the '60s. Drummer Dan Brubeck and bassist/trombonist Chris Brubeck, with guitarist Mike DeMicco and pianist Chuck Lamb, will play a variety of jazz tunes for this concert, including their own original compositions, work by their dad, and more. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2. For tickets, call 910-632-2285 or go to ThalianHall.org.

The Fab Four

At Kenan Auditorium: Tribute band is one of the best in the biz, covering multiple eras of The Beatles, complete with costume changes. From "Can't Buy Me Love" and "I Want To Hold Your Hand" to "Here Comes the Sun" and "Hey Jude," they hit it all. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2, tickets are $30 and $60. 910-962-3500.

Eugenia Riot

At Bourgie Nights: Folk-rock project of Wilmington native Leigh Jones get its name from one of Jones' 13th-century English relatives. Jones first album as Eugenia Riot, "Can't Wait to Miss You," came out in May. It includes "170 Delancey," a bouncing lilter with a pop-Americana vibe whose sweet sound masks lyrics about a love affair that didn't work out. Opening act is indie folk singer-songwriter Megan Alder. 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show Nov. 2, tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of show.

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Rebecca Kleinmann Quintet

At the Cameron Art Museum: Flutist and singer Kleinmann headlines the Jazz at CAM series. Based in Durham, Kleinmann and her group explore various styles, with an emphasis on Latin and Brazilian jazz. 7 p.m. Nov. 2, $55, or $35 for museum members.

SATURDAY

St. Stanislaus Polish Festival

At St. Stanislaus Catholic Church: Only annual festival of its kind in the Wilmington area is known for offering up such traditional Polish foods as pierogi, potato pancakes, kielbasa and more, including desserts and even some locally brewed Polish-style beer. With performances and dancing, raffles and children's activities, and polkas and blaskapelles from the Harbour Towne Fest Band. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 4. Admission and parking are free.

Taste of Wrightsville Beach

At Bluewater Waterfront Grill: Three dozen area restaurants, breweries and wineries compete in various categories, including People's Choice, as part of this annual tasting event. With live music by Mega-Corp. 5-8 p.m. Nov. 4, tickets are $100, $25 for under 21, free for ages 5 and under. Proceeds benefit the Weekend Meals Program.

Veg-Out Festival

At Riverfront Park: Eco-friendly health and wellness festival is a go this weekend after being rained out last month. Check out the free yoga sessions for adults and kids, sample the wares of an array of vendors, gets tips on a healthy lifestyle from various speakers and info booths, or enjoy some vegetarian and vegan food, including "vegan soul food" from Soul's Kitchen. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 4, free.

John Brown Big Band & Nnenna Freelon

At CFCC Wilson Center: Durham jazz artist Brown brings his big band to town to play classics, standards and more, with Grammy-nominated singer Freelon providing the velvety vocals. Both Brown and Freelon have been regular visitors to Wilmington over the years. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4, tickets start at $35. 910-362-7999.

Summer Set

At The Sandspur: Longtime Wilmington indie rock band heads to Carolina Beach to play a release show for their new, self-titled album, out Friday on Port City-based Fort Lowell Records. The new album is comprised of songs from the band's mid-2000s heyday as well as more recent, mostly unheard material. Classic tunes like the summery, propulsive "Favorite Places" sound as good as they ever did, and the band's indelible pop gem "Center of Attention" has one of the most potent hooks of any song to ever come out of Wilmington. 7-9 p.m. Nov. 4, a double bill with noisy Wilmington punk act Tercel.

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Krispee Biscuits

At The Palm Room: Wilmington-based electronic duo, which blends beats with flourishes from electric violin, will have this Wrightsville Beach hotspot jumping. 10 p.m. Nov. 4, cover at the door.

Alexis Raeana

At Bourgie Nights: Lumbee singer with an amazing voice will perform an evening's worth of songs that explore various styles but are grounded in Raeana's indigenous heritage. She's performed with the Wilmington Symphony and in Washington, D.C., at the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. 9 p.m. Nov. 4, tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Handmade Holiday Market

At the Cameron Art Museum: The holidays start now, and this market featuring work by dozens of Wilmington artists is the perfect place to shop for some unique items. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 4, $5 entry fee.

'Outlander' tour

At the Burgwin-Wright House: Based on the massively popular TV and book series "Outlander," about a nurse being transported from the World War II era into the time of the American Revolutionary War, this tour is a real-world complement to the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens' podcast "Outlander in the Cape Fear." The tour will serve up details on the Wilmington and North Carolina history covered in the show, which centers largely on Scottish immigrants in this area, though it's not shot here. 10 a.m. Nov. 4, $20 per person. Call 910-762-0570 for reservations.

SUNDAY

Pilobolus Dance Co.

At Thalian Hall: Shape-shifting, 50-year dance troupe returns to town with its new show, "Re: Creation." Pilobolus is known for its athleticism, and for using the bodies of its dancers to create mind-bending shapes and surprising combinations. 2 p.m. Nov. 5, for tickets call 910-632-2285 or go to ThalianHall.org.

Lysander Piano Trio

At Beckwith Recital Hall: Chamber Music Wilmington presents this classical music group comprised of violin (Itamar Zorman), cello (Michael Katz) and, of course, piano (Liza Stepanova). On the program are threee pieces: two classical (Rachmaninoff's "Trio élégiaque No. 1 in G Minor" and Beethoven's "Piano Trio in B Flat Major, Op. 97," aka "Archduke") and one contemporary (James Lee III's "Temple Visions," a musical commentary on the Bible's book of Revelation). 4 p.m. Nov. 5, tickets are $39, and $19 for youth.

Celtic Thunder

At CFCC Wilson Center: Touring Irish vocal group will take you on a "Celtic Odyssey" (the name of their show) through Irish music, from the roots of their traditions into a more contemporary sound. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5, tickets start at $32. 910-362-7999.

'I, Too'

At the Cape Fear Museum: St. Luke AME Church presents this documentary by Dr. Carol Anderson, the Charles Howard Candler Professor of African American Studies at Emory University Atlanta. The film looks at past mass attacks on Blacks, including Wilmington's 1898 coup and massacre, and how they connect to today. 2:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Cape Fear Museum.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do this weekend in Wilmington NC Nov. 2-5: festivals, music