Work hard, play hard: 14 things to do for the Labor Day holiday weekend in Wilmington

Well, I thought I might get a few more weeks before I had to write this intro, but here goes:

Because of potential impacts from Hurricane Idalia, which is expected to be here Wednesday and Thursday, some of the events on this list might be postponed or canceled. Make sure to check before you go. As of Monday, it looks like we might be getting off easy this time, so fingers crossed.

At any rate, once the storm blows through, we should have a Labor Day weekend packed with fun events.

For more ideas, check out our big list highlighting outdoor concerts in the area, including shows on non-weekend days and in Pender and Brunswick counties. If you're looking for Brunswick County events specifically, we do a separate list for that.

ALL WEEKEND

'Two Jews, Talking'

At Thalian Hall (studio theater): Back by popular demand, Wilmington theater troupe Big Dawg Productions brings back the two-man comedy it staged in March for an encore run. As the "Two Jews" in question, Jamey Stone and Lee Lowrimore deliver deft, understated and extremely funny performances under the direction of Holli Saperstein.

The show is part of a partnership Big Dawg has formed with New York production company MarMax Media that will result in several new off-Broadway shows being produced in Wilmington after their runs in New York.

Written by Emmy-winning TV writer Ed. Weinberger ("Taxi," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show"), "Two Jews, Talking" begins in Biblical times as devout Bud (Lowrimore) and skeptical Lou (Stone) are wandering "L-O-S-T" through the desert with their People. They argue, they discuss, they complain, they reminisce about better times, with Stone cracking wise to Lowrimore's straight man.

Act two is set in the present day, with the actors playing variations on their first-act characters as Phil and Marty, two joke-sharing strangers sharing a park bench. The whole play runs just over an hour, but it's so engrossing it leaves you wanting more. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 31-Sept. 2 and Sept. 7-9, 3 p.m. Sept. 3 and 10. 910-632-2285.

Andrew Orolfo

At the Dead Crow Comedy Room: San Francisco stand-up was a New Face of Comedy in 2022 at Montreal's career-making Just for Laughs festival, and he's appeared on "The Late Late Show with James Corden" and other programs. Orolfo has lots of jokes about his top knot, and how the Coachella music festival is a place where "you spend $500 to fight with your girlfriend." 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sept. 1-2, tickets are $18 and $28.

FRIDAY

Moon Taxi

At Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Poppy alt-rock band will get the holiday weekend off to a rousing start at what is probably Wilmington's most-beloved music venue. Opening act is The Stews, a rock band from Alabama whose sound pulls from such influences as indie rock and Southern rock without sounding overly like either one. 7 p.m. Sept. 1, tickets are $30 and $45.

Drivin' N' Cryin'

At Bowstring Burgers and Brewyard: New chain restaurant and music venue brings in veteran Atlanta roots-rockers known for such hits as 1993 banger "Turn It Up Or Turn It Off." One of the few non-tribute acts currently booked at Bowstring. Opening act is Nashville-based country/Americana singer Lillie Mae. 7 p.m. Sept. 1, tickets are $20 and $25.

Boardwalk Blast

At the Carolina Beach Boardwalk: It's the final concert/fireworks display of the year for this free music series. The Main Event band will play rock and beach music classics, followed by fireworks on the beach strand. Note that the season-ending Boardwalk Blast is on a Friday night this week instead of its usual Thursday night. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Sept. 1, free.

Signal Fire

At Airlie Gardens: Season finale for the popular Airlie Garden Concert Series will be headlined by Wilmington reggae act Signal Fire. Concessions not available, but chairs, blankets and picnics are allowed. 6-8 p.m. Sept 1. Tickets are $10, $3 for ages 4-12, free for ages 3 and under, and must be purchased in advance. Parking is off-site at the New Hanover County Public Library's Northeast Branch, which is where you catch the free shuttle. 910-798-7700.

Friday Night Live!

At the Pier at Port City Marina: Should be a big crowd on the pier, just off the Wilmington Riverwalk near the Marina Grill, for Departure, the Journey tribute band that's headlining this free outdoor concert series. 6-10 p.m. Sept. 1, free. A $1 wristband purchase is required in order to purchase alcohol.

Laura Gayle's 'The Rounds'

At Outer Dunes Brewing: Longtime Wilmington artist Laura Gayle Phillips shows off her latest work in an exhibition titled "The Rounds." Phillips creates colorful kaleidoscopic paintings on canvas and wood. 6-8 p.m. Sept. 1, free.

Let's Dance

At Satellite Bar & Lounge: James Tritten of Wilmington's Fort Lowell Records spins a mix of dance-able underground, alternative and indie tracks, all of it on vinyl. Let's Dance is an occasional series held at various venues across Wilmington. 8:30-11 p.m. Sept. 1, free.

SATURDAY

Lawn Enforcement

At Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Wilmington rock bands Lawn Enforcement, Ridgewood, Beach Tub and Fudge will play a release show at Reggie's for Lawn Enforcement's new single, "Nefarious." The bands were regulars at recently closed Wilmington venue The Place, and the show is presented in part under the auspices of The New Places Project, which aims (again, in part) to find a new home for The Place. Lawn Enforcement has a dynamic, nicely fuzzy sound that's a little bit jangly and a little bit epic. 8 p.m. Sept. 2, $10.

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49 Winchester

At Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Rootsy Virginia band plays a style that mashes up country, Southern rock, and Appalachian music. Songs like "Damn, Darlin'" feature anthemic choruses suitable for singing (or crying) along to. 7 p.m. Sept. 2, tickets are $25 and $45.

Fo Daniels

At Bourgie Nights: Charleston indie rocker Fo Daniels brings his tuneful and endearingly off-kilter songs to downtown venue Bourgie Nights. Opening acts are Wilmington shoegaze stalwarts Doggy Daycare and solo electronic songwriter iLLa wILLa. 9 p.m. doors, 10 p.m. show, Sept. 2. $10 in advance, $15 day of show.

Machine Gun

At Marina Grill: Longtime Wilmington rock band led by guitarist Tommy Brothers headlines the Saturday Sunset concert series at this restaurant just off the Riverwalk downtown. 6-9 p.m. Sept. 2, free.

SUNDAY

Louis Tee and friends

At Bourgie Nights: Wilmington icon Louis Tee made his name promoting hip-hop shows, which he's been doing since the '90s. In recent years, however, he's transformed himself into a formidable stand-up comedian/impresario, finishing in a tie for third at the recent Port City's Top Comic competition while also hosting a regular Sunday after-brunch show at the Wilmington Distillery downtown. On Sunday evening, he'll headline a variety-show-style evening dubbed Louis Tee and friends, with music from Frank Grant, Popcasso and DJ Battle, and comedy from Brian Grainger, Regina Righter and Louis Tee himself. Spoken word artist and activist Tim "TMI" Joyner will host. 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show. $10 in advance, $15 day of show.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 14 things to do during Labor Day weekend 2023 in Wilmington NC