Music and baseball among 10 things to do in the Wilmington area this weekend
You might call it the doldrums of Wilmington's entertainment season, because with the dog days of August, the performance calendar thins out considerably.
That said, if you don't mind going for quality over quantity, you should be able to find plenty to entertain you. A festival of classical music for starters, along with a crowd-pleasing stage show, some intriguing musical options and even a little baseball.
For more idea, 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
Vivace classical music festival
At CFCC Wilson Center: The Vivace music festival returns this weekend, bringing some of the world's top classical musicians to Wilmington for a series of six concerts at Cape Fear Community College's Wilson Center.
The festival begins 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, with chamber music ensembles playing work by Dvořák and Beethoven, as well as Ernő Dohnányi's first piano quintet.
At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, pianists (and Vivace artistic directors) Marina Lomazov and Joseph Rackers will play Stravinsky’s famous "Rite of Spring," along with work by Mozart, Schumann, Rachmaninoff and Brahms, for a concert billed "A Riot of the Senses."
At 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6, Vivace will conclude its first weekend with a concert of chamber music pieces by Vivaldi, Mendelssohn and Moszkowski.
Vivace continues next week, with concerts by pianist Alexander Kobrin Aug. 10, pianist Sergei Babayan Aug. 11 and chamber ensembles playing work by Haydn, Dvořák and other composers Aug. 12.
Single tickets start at $25 ($10 for students) per concert for in-person shows, and are $20 for virtual tickets, with package deals available. 910-362-7999 or VivaceMusicFoundation.org.
'The Little Mermaid'
At Thalian Hall: It's the final weekend for Opera House Theatre Co.'s crowd-pleasing production of Disney musical "The Little Mermaid," which runs through Sunday. It's led by a gorgeous, flawlessly sung performance from professional actress Mary Mattison in the role of Ariel, the mermaid who falls in love with a human, and it features requisitely splashy, high-energy production numbers from guest director Sarah Rodgers, choreographers Jason Aycock and Brooklyne Williamson and their youthful cast. Click here for a full review. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 4-5, 2 p.m. Aug. 5-6. 910-632-2285.
Liza Treyger
At Dead Crow Comedy Room: Very funny comic who's a regular at esteemed clubs The Comedy Cellar and The Comedy Store brings her act to town. Treyger, who's had specials on Netflix and Comedy Central, has some great material about everything from dieting and working out to having good (and not so good) sex. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Aug. 4-5, tickets are $18 and $28.
Wilmington Sharks
At Buck Hardee Field: Barring a home playoff game or two, this weekend marks your last chance this year to see Wilmington's baseball team, the Sharks (of the college-player, wooden-bat Coastal Plain League). You've got two chances (Thursday and Friday night) out at the Legion Stadium sports complex on Carolina Beach Road. 7 p.m. Aug. 3-4, 910-343-5621.
THURSDAY
Justin Cody Fox Band
At the Carolina Beach Boardwalk: Veteran Wilmington guitarist, singer and songwriter Fox has been playing around town since he was a kid, and he recently released his latest album, "New Southern," produced by Burgaw's Audley Freed (formerly of the Black Crowes) and Wilmington's own Tommy Brothers. Fox has long been known as purveyor of hot guitar licks, but he's also a standout songwriter. On "New Southern," "Living Ghosts" comes off like a contemporary Southern rock classic, while "18 Wheels" soars with an anthemic chorus that sounds like the sonic equivalent of the open road. Fox headlines the weekly Boardwalk Blast series at Carolina Beach. The music is followed by fireworks on the beach strand. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Aug. 3, free. Fireworks at 9 p.m.
Port City tuneage Songs of the summer: New music from 11 Wilmington artists to put on your playlists
FRIDAY
Friday Night Live
At the Pier at Port City Marina: Free downtown Wilmington concert series on the Cape Fear River will be headlined by Tuesday's Gone, a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band. Wilmington folk-rockers Striking Copper open up. 6-9 p.m. Aug. 4. Free. $1 wristband purchase required for alcohol purchase; proceeds benefit Pender County Humane Society.
First Friday Jazz Night
At Bourgie Nights: The answer to the question of where to see live jazz in Wilmington is at Bourgie Nights on Princess Street in downtown Wilmington on the first Friday of every month. Headlining this week is the Jim Ferris trio, playing a mix of traditional jazz, contemporary jazz and fusion.7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, Aug. 4, tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
SATURDAY
Yachtvember
At Bourgie Nights: Billed as "A Special Summer Celebration," the yacht-rock craze comes to this cool and intimate downtown Wilmington venue. Wilmington soft rock cover band Feather will headline, playing tunes by such bands as Bread and The Alan Parsons Project, with an opening set by groovy Greensboro songwriter Kenny Wavinson and a DJ set by iconic Wilmington producer RizzyBeats. 8 p.m. show, 9 p.m. doors, Aug. 5. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
Buddy Mondlock
At Live at Ted's: After going on a brief summer hiatus, downtown Wilmington listening room Live at Ted's is back for the month of August. Saturday night's headliner, Buddy Mondlock, is a longtime, Nashville-based folk songwriter whose tunes have been covered by the likes of Janice Ian and Peter, Paul and Mary. With a sweet, tender voice and a impeccable finger-picking style, he's the real deal. 8 p.m. Aug. 5, tickets are $22.
SUNDAY
Slightly Stoopid
Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Longtime California reggae-rockers headline a four-band bill that includes Sublime with Rome (playing the hits made famous by Sublime's late frontman, Bradley Nowell), hip-hop duo Atmosphere and South Carolina reggae band The Movement. 5 p.m. Aug. 6, tickets start at $40.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 10 things to do in Wilmington NC for the weekend of Aug. 3-6 2023
