It’s the last weekend before Memorial Day tourists descend on the Wilmington area and summer (unofficially) begins, so it might well be your last chance for a while to get out and about without the major crowds.
The entertainment schedule is a bit music-heavy this weekend as some outdoor concert series have already started back, but there’s also a good bit of theater to check out, as well as comedy and other events. Let’s get into it.
If you’re looking to get planned out past this weekend, check out our list of concerts coming to the Wilmington area in May, link below.
ALL WEEKEND
‘The Wild Party’
May 14-24 at Thalian Hall (Red Box): Musical from Andrew Lippa is based on the book-length poem by Joseph Moncure March about a debauched, Roaring ’20s shindig that turns violent. Wilmington stage standout Kendra Goehring directs for Opera House Theatre Co. after making her directorial debut with the same show at the old City Stage space in 2009. 7:30 p.m. May 14-16 and 21-23, 2 p.m. May 17 and 24. 910-632-2285.
‘Hello, Dolly!’
May 15-24 at Thalian Hall: Thalian Association Community Theatre presents the classic musical comedy about socialite/matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi, a love merchant who surreptitiously arranges her own romantic match. Features such famous tunes as “Put on Your Sunday Clothes” and, of course, the title tune. Chandler Davis directs for the Thalians, with Kathy Enlow in the title role. 7:30 p.m. May 15-16 and 22-23, 2 p.m. May 17 and 24. 910-632-2285.
Wilmington Greek Festival
May 15-17 at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church: Massively popular, 34th annual festival of Greek food and culture returns. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. $5 per person, good for all three days of the festival. Free for ages 12 and under.
Future Islands
May 15-16 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Synth-pop band with North Carolina roots returns to Wilmington for the first time in a decade, touring in support of upcoming album “From a Hole in the Floor to a Fountain of Youth.” 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, tickets are $53.
‘Men on Boats’
May 14-24 at Thalian Hall (studio): Big Dawg Productions presents the play by Jaclyn Backhaus about a group of men exploring the American West in the 1860s. The twist? All of the men are played by women. Beth Swindell, who directed the play for Big Dawg in 2019 at the old Cape Fear Playhouse space, returns. (From my review of that show: “A fascinating journey about a fascinating journey. … ‘Men on Boats’ (has) a political edge that’s all the more powerful for being unspoken.”) 7:30 p.m. May 14-16 and 21-23, 3 p.m. May 17 and 24. 910-632-2285.
Amos Gill
May 15-16 at Dead Crow Comedy Room: Australian comic is big Down Under, but he’s lived in the United States for the past few years. A lot of Gill’s material centers on him adapting to life in a new country. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $30 and $42.
‘Wilbur & Orville’
May 14-31 at The Workshop Upstairs: One-man show written by and starring Wilmington actor Robert Leddy delves into the lives of Wilbur and Orville Wright, aka the Wright brothers, who built the first successful airplane in the early 1900s. Read our review. 7:30 p.m. May 14-9, 1:30 p.m. May 17. Dates through May 31. Tickets are $45.
FRIDAY
Free Concert Friday
May 15 at The Eagle’s Dare: The Conspiracy plays an arena rock tribute, with Right on Early opening this weekly concert series. 5 p.m. gates, 6:30 p.m. opener, 8 p.m. headliner. Free.
The Rough & Tumble and Flagship Romance
May 15 at Live at Ted’s: It’s two touring Americana duos for the price of one at this Castle Street listening room. 8 p.m. Friday, $22.
‘BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions’
May 15 at Jengo’s Playhouse: Documentary from director Kahlil Joseph blends history with fiction to create “a vision for Black consciousness.” 7:30 p.m. Friday, $10.
SATURDAY
Rock the Day for the United Way
May 16 at The Bend: Day of live music and art benefits the United Way of the Cape Fear Area. With live tunes from Oc3ans (rock, soul, hip-hop), Blue Footed Boobies (blues, rock) and Signal Fire (reggae). 4-10 p.m. Saturday, tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show.
Judy Collins
May 16 at CFCC Wilson Center: Longtime folk singer performs a “pops” concert with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, tickets start at $48.
Tray Wellington Band
May 16 at Live at Ted’s: Raleigh musician Wellington is regarded as one of the top banjo players in the country. 8 p.m. Saturday, $28.
Basilisk Burlesque
May 16 at Bourgie Nights: Popular burlesque show features performers with such names as Puppie Buffe, Mecca Mwah and Rusty Dawn. 8 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. show Saturday. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show.
Office Hours
May 16 at The Fuzzy Needle: Wilmington indie rock supergroup Office Hours features Brian Weeks (Summer Set), Jessie Williams (ex-Glow in the Dark Scars), James Reardon (Rodeo Boy) and Tripp Cox (Schooner). With Open Field (Kenneth Stephenson of Kingsbury Manx) and Sean Kelly. 7 p.m. Saturday, $10 in advance, $12 at the door.
SUNDAY
Earth, Wind & Fire
May 17 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Legendary R&B/funk act known for such party anthems as “September” and “Shining Star” first formed back in 1969. 8:30 p.m. Sunday, tickets start at $40.
LeAnn Rimes
May 17 at CFCC Wilson Center: Top-selling country singer who’s been in the public eye since she was a kid comes to town celebrating the 30th anniversary of her 1996 album “Blue.” 7 p.m. Sunday, tickets start at $53.
Dark Star Orchestra
May 17 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Well-regarded Grateful Dead tribute band has been touring for years. 5 p.m. Sunday, $53.
John Staton is the arts and culture reporter at the StarNews. You can reach him at [email protected].
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.starnewsonline.com ’
