While summer's still going, here are 15 things to do in the Wilmington area this weekend

In the words of that timeless song by The Doors, "Summer's Almost Gone." (If you count the end of summer as Labor Day weekend, that is. The last day is Sept. 22.)

So, when the Wilmington summer's (almost) gone, where will we be? At one event or another most likely, of which there's a good selection this weekend. In addition to a classic musical at Thalian Hall and a tour by a viral stand-up comedian, we've got a number of good concerts, the return of a monthly art crawl, a popular burlesque/cabaret and more.

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.

Brunswick events A talk on female lighthouse keepers highlights these 6 events happening in Brunswick

ALL WEEKEND

'Man of La Mancha'

At Thalian Hall: Changing the setting of a classic musical is an inherently risky proposition, but Opera House Theatre Company's production of 1965's "Man of La Mancha," which director Ray Kennedy has set at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility, couldn't be timelier. Two days before the show opened (it runs through Sunday at Thalian Hall), National Public Radio issued a report describing brutal treatment at ICE facilities.

And while the integration of the show's reimagined, Impossible Dreamers-style setting can be a little awkward, most of the action takes place during the Spanish Inquisition, circa 1600, as part of "Man of La Mancha's" play within a play as the imprisoned detainees act out the story of Don Quixote, noble knight errant. In some ways it's the best of both worlds: a rousing and inventively staged classic musical with a meaningful contemporary twist.

That the show ultimately works is largely due to the performance of Fracaswell Hyman, who fully inhabits the leading role of Miguel de Cervantes/Don Quixote, singing strongly on the stirring "Man of La Mancha (I, Don Quixote)" and fully capturing his erratic knight's wild-eyed idealism on a quest to right the wrongs of the world.

A strong cast includes crowd favorite Brian Whitted as Quixote's sassy sidekick, Sancho Panza, and Coleman Cox brings an earthy dignity to the role of the low-born Aldonza, who Quixote redubs "Dulcinea" in one lovely song for the inner beauty he sees beneath an attractive yet forbidding exterior hardened by years of abuse.

Speaking of abuse, a powerfully staged second-act "abduction" of Aldonza by a pack of mule-drivers is an upsetting but necessary part of show that's also filled with humor, emotion and the timeless theme of trancending the world as it is to create the one that should be.

"Man of La Mancha" also features lighting by David Castaneda that drives home the show's new setting, and music director Dominic Talanca's flawless band almost sounds more like a recording than a live orchestra. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 23-26, 2 p.m. Aug. 26-27. 910-632-2285.

Ariel Elias

At Dead Crow Comedy Room: Stand-up comic Ariel Elias, who describes herself as a "Kentucky Jew," went viral last year after she chugged a beer a heckler threw at her while Elias was performing on stage in New Jersy. The quick-thinking action (the beer came flying after a woman told the comic mid-set, "I can tell by your jokes that you voted for Biden," to which Elias responded, "I can tell by the fact that you’re still talking when nobody wants you to that you voted for Trump") earned Elias a spot on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Elias, whose show is a mix of cultural observations and personal stories, was a New Face of Comedy in 2021 at Montreal's Just for Laughs Festival. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Aug. 25-26, tickets are $18 and $28.

'Afire'

At Thalian Hall (studio theater): The Cinematique film series presented by WHQR public radio and Thalian Hall screens this deliberately paced thinker of a movie from German director Christian Petzold about a grumpy novelist trying to finish his latest book, work that's interrupted by an intriguing stranger and, later, by forest fires near the Baltic Sea resort where he's staying. The New York Times called it a "spiky and at times mordantly funny … tonic for moviegoers tired of nice, squishable, likable, relatable and dull characters." 7 p.m. Aug. 23-25, 4 p.m. Aug. 23. Tickets are $10. 910-632-2285.

Hell & High Water Fest

At Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Nine heavy metal and hard rock acts play over two nights at this legendary midtown rock club. Wilmington's own Mortal Man headlines Friday night, with To Begin Anew leading a six-band bill on Saturday, one that includes longtime Wilmington rockers Open Wire, who'll be playing songs from their new album, "SilverTongue," due out Aug. 30. 8 p.m. Aug. 25, 7 p.m. Aug. 26. Tickets are $10 per day or $15 for both.

THURSDAY

Boardwalk Blast

At the Carolina Beach Boardwalk: The Will McBride Group (rock, funk, blues, jazz) headlines the final Thursday-night Boardwalk Blast of the year. (Next week's show is on Friday, Sept. 1, for the Labor Day holiday weekend.) Music followed by 9 p.m. fireworks on the beach strand. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Aug. 24, free.

Love Your Neighbor Day

At Cameron Art Museum: Wilmington's premier art museum offers free admission to its neighbors in the 28412 zip code as part of Love Your Neighbor Day from 4-9 p.m. Those living in that zip code can also get 10% off museum admission. At 6 p.m., Arts Council of Wilmington director Rhonda Bellamy will lead a public conversation with new Cameron director Heather Wilson (pre-registration required). 910-395-5999.

FRIDAY

Folkstone String Band

At Blakeslee Air Force Recreation Area: Top-notch Wilmington bluegrass and old-time band plays a show in the lovely environs of what used to be known as the Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area in Kure Beach. Part of a group of other military facilities with names tied to the Confederacy that were also renamed, the scenic site on the Cape Fear River is now the Blakeslee Air Force Recreation Area. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 25, free. Food and drink available for purchase.

Friday Night Live

At the pier at Port City Marina: Funky Monks, a Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute band, plays this free outdoor concert series downtown this weekend. Located just off the Wilmington Riverwalk, near the Marina Grill. 6 p.m. gates, 6:30 p.m. music. Free, with $1 wristband purchase required to purchase alcoholic beverages.

Willy Tea Taylor

At Bourgie Nights: Trembly of voice and bushy of beard, the folk/country songwriter Willy Tea Taylor writes the types of tunes that stir men's souls. With a backing band called The Fellership, he can't go wrong. Opening act is The Turkey Buzzards, making a return to Bourgie with their often-bluesy Americana tunes. 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, Aug. 25, tickets are $10 in advance, $15 day of show.

Fourth Friday Gallery Nights

Downtown Wilmington: Monthly art crawl of new work at downtown galleries. August edition includes "Big Fun Art Show: Paintings and Drawings by Mark Weber" at Acme Art on North Fifth Avenue, and the closing reception for "Sea and Sky," work by Sarah Doss, Rena Powell and Jeanne McIntosh Rietzke at WHQR's MC Erny Gallery on North Front Street. Plus, New Elements will unveil "Vantage Point," a duo show featuring the Wilmington-centric works of Bruce Bowman and the island-themed paintings of Marlowe. 6-9 p.m. Aug. 25. For full list of participating galleries, go to ArtsWilmington.org.

Book reading and signing

At Bottega Art & Wine: Wilmington author Shawna Kenney will read from her memoir "I Was a Teenage Dominatrix" and record-producer-turned-author Barb Morrison, who worked with Blondie, among other acts, will read from their memoir "Bottoming for God." 6-7 p.m. Aug. 25. Free.

SATURDAY

La Big Bouche Cabaret

At Bourgie Nights: End-of-summer show by Wilmington's top burlesque performance troupe is sure to sell out, as most all of their shows do. Check out what the troupe terms its "titillating tomfoolery and questionable costumes." 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, Aug. 26. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show.

Wilmington Goth Night

At the Brewer's Kettle: This outdoor event bills itself as "a night of danceable dark music, videos, lights, fogs and (a) laser show," which should attract the eyeballs of drivers passing by this Oleander Drive spot. 6 p.m. Aug. 26, free.

DJ Terminator X

At Rooted Kava event space: DJ Terminator X of Public Enemy fame headlines this event, which will include performances by Wilmington rappers Fuzz Jackson and Haji P and comedian Ellie Coleman. 8 p.m. Aug. 26 at Rooted Kava event space, 415 S. College Road.

SUNDAY

Forward Motion Dance preview

At Cameron Art Museum: Longtime Wilmington troupe will preview some of their latest dances and choreography. Will act as a sneak peek at work coming to Forward Motion Dance Company's annual Cape Fear Arts in Motion performance in September at Thalian Hall: "Film, Fire and Fusion." Audience questions and discussion will follow the performance. 3 p.m. Aug. 27, $12, $10 for members.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do in Wilmington NC Aug. 24-27 2023