{"id":2406751,"date":"2026-05-07T22:10:38","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T22:10:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2406751"},"modified":"2026-05-07T22:10:38","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T22:10:38","slug":"arts-culture-events-and-entertainment-options-in-wilmington-nc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/arts-culture-events-and-entertainment-options-in-wilmington-nc\/","title":{"rendered":"Arts, culture, events and entertainment options in Wilmington, NC"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<p>With the hotly anticipated &#8220;Summer I Turned Pretty&#8221; movie filming in the area and the locally shot ABC series &#8220;RJ Decker&#8221; waiting to see if it gets a second season, it&#8217;s been quite the eventful week in Wilmington&#8217;s film industry.<\/p>\n<partner-banner util-module-path=\"elements\/partner\" class=\"spacer-large\" min-height=\"600\" fluid=\"\" outstream=\"\" momentum=\"\"\/>\n<p>The big (yes, national) news was that &#8220;The Summer I Turned Pretty,&#8221; and the movie&#8217;s writer\/director Jenny Han, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.starnewsonline.com\/story\/entertainment\/movies\/2026\/05\/06\/summer-i-turned-pretty-director-asks-fans-not-to-disrupt-filming-jenny-han-wilmington-southport\/89959152007\/\">went on social media asking for &#8220;privacy&#8221; and for fans not to &#8220;disrupt&#8221; filming<\/a> by trying to take photos and videos of the cast&#8217;s famous actors, including Christopher Briney, Gavin Casalegno and Lola Tung. Never mind that much of the movie&#8217;s filming takes place in public spaces, and the fans have every legal right to be there and even take photos if they wish.<\/p>\n<p>As a person who&#8217;s covered Wilmington&#8217;s film industry for years, and been in the midst of it for many years before that, TSITP&#8217;s social-media callout was, if not unprecedented, certainly unusual. Judging from comments on social media, some supported the production&#8217;s expectation of privacy while others think the filmmakers, to put it nicely, should get over themselves.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Safety&#8221; concerns were for actors and crew were cited in the show&#8217;s post, but worries about leaked plot points and movie details are likely a concern as well. (I wouldn&#8217;t know, the production didn&#8217;t respond to requests for comment.) Whether fans of TSITP take the hint remains to be seen; the movie continues shooting into June, if not longer.<\/p>\n<partner-banner util-module-path=\"elements\/partner\" fluid=\"\" bottom=\"\" lazy=\"\" class=\"spacer-large\" min-height=\"390\" outstream=\"\"\/>\n<p>Now let&#8217;s see what&#8217;s going down in Wilmington this weekend.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"presto-h2 wp-block-heading\">Weekend weather outlook<\/h2>\n<p>It&#8217;ll be a cool and wet weekend, with highs in the mid-70s, lows near 60 and rain all but certain on Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"presto-h2 wp-block-heading\">Go | See | Do<\/h2>\n<p><media-image image-set=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/05\/04\/NSTN\/89926459007-varsity-6.jpg bestCrop, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/05\/04\/NSTN\/89926459007-varsity-6.jpg?crop=1279,959,x80,y0 4:3, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/05\/04\/NSTN\/89926459007-varsity-6.jpg?crop=719,959,x720,y0 3:4, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/05\/04\/NSTN\/89926459007-varsity-6.jpg?crop=1439,811,x0,y74 16:9\" image-alt=\"\" credit=\"PROVIDED BY OPERA HOUSE THEATRE CO.\" caption=\"From left, Reilly Callaghan, Sam Robison, Jennifer Frankel and Chloe Moore in &quot;The Varsity Line&quot; at Thalian Hall's &quot;Red Box&quot; theater.\" orientation=\"horizontal\" class=\"spacer-large\" util-module-path=\"elements\/media\"\/><\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve got a <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.starnewsonline.com\/story\/entertainment\/events\/2026\/05\/06\/events-happenings-what-to-do-and-things-going-on-in-wilmington-nc-music-festivals-comedy-theater\/89740699007\/\">diverse array of events in Wilmington this weekend<\/a>, with theater, comedy, concerts and a number of film screenings. Should be something for most everyone. Full roundup is below.<\/p>\n<p><cta-atoms-container-inline util-module-path=\"elements\/cta\" class=\"spacer-large\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"related-link\"><span class=\"exclude-from-newsgate\"><strong style=\"margin-right:3px\">Events: <\/strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.starnewsonline.com\/story\/entertainment\/events\/2026\/05\/06\/events-happenings-what-to-do-and-things-going-on-in-wilmington-nc-music-festivals-comedy-theater\/89740699007\/\" rel=\"noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">19 Wilmington events you should know about this weekend<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"presto-h2 wp-block-heading\">The Dish with Port City Foodies<\/h2>\n<p>Food writer Allison Ballard has a list of <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.starnewsonline.com\/story\/lifestyle\/food\/2026\/05\/02\/restaurant-openings-and-closings-in-the-wilmington-nc-area\/89745311007\/\">restaurant and bar openings and closings<\/a> in the Wilmington area, including a <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.starnewsonline.com\/story\/lifestyle\/food\/2026\/05\/01\/jesses-martini-tapas-lounge-opens-in-wilmington-nc\/89745175007\/\">new martini and tapas lounge<\/a>. A couple of popular downtown establishments are shutting down, including a <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.starnewsonline.com\/story\/lifestyle\/food\/2026\/05\/05\/wilmington-nc-bottle-shop-palate-to-close-after-more-than-10-years\/89945818007\/\">longtime bottle shop<\/a> and a <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.starnewsonline.com\/story\/lifestyle\/food\/2026\/05\/04\/prominent-mexican-restaurant-is-closed-in-downtown-wilmington\/89927650007\/\">waterfront Mexican spot<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"presto-h2 wp-block-heading\">Getting to know Chandler&#8217;s Wharf<\/h2>\n<p><media-image image-set=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/04\/22\/NSTN\/89734003007-chandler-5.jpg bestCrop, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/04\/22\/NSTN\/89734003007-chandler-5.jpg?crop=511,383,x40,y0 4:3, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/04\/22\/NSTN\/89734003007-chandler-5.jpg?crop=288,383,x152,y0 3:4, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/04\/22\/NSTN\/89734003007-chandler-5.jpg?crop=591,333,x0,y25 16:9\" image-alt=\"\" credit=\"PROVIDED BY CAPE FEAR MUSEUM\" caption=\"Chandler's Wharf and waterfront, circa 1980.\" orientation=\"horizontal\" class=\"spacer-large\" util-module-path=\"elements\/media\"\/><\/p>\n<p>One of the more distinct areas in downtown Wilmington, the multi-building <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.starnewsonline.com\/story\/news\/history\/2026\/05\/05\/what-is-the-history-of-chandlers-wharf-in-downtown-wilmington-nc-pilot-house-elijahs\/89426298007\/\">collection of shops, offices and restaurants known as Chandler&#8217;s Wharf<\/a> has ties to multiple eras of local history: the industrial waterfront of the 19th century and the revitalization era of the 1970s and &#8217;80s. Full story below.<\/p>\n<partner-banner util-module-path=\"elements\/partner\" fluid=\"\" bottom=\"\" lazy=\"\" class=\"spacer-large\" min-height=\"600\" outstream=\"\" momentum=\"\"\/>\n<p class=\"related-link\"><span class=\"exclude-from-newsgate\"><strong style=\"margin-right:3px\">Local history: <\/strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.starnewsonline.com\/story\/news\/history\/2026\/05\/05\/what-is-the-history-of-chandlers-wharf-in-downtown-wilmington-nc-pilot-house-elijahs\/89426298007\/\" rel=\"noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">How this downtown shopping center is connected to Wilmington history<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"presto-h2 wp-block-heading\">News you can use<\/h2>\n<p><media-image image-set=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/05\/01\/NSTN\/89888113007-img-4836.JPG bestCrop, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/05\/01\/NSTN\/89888113007-img-4836.JPG?crop=4607,3455,x288,y0 4:3, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/05\/01\/NSTN\/89888113007-img-4836.JPG?crop=2592,3455,x2073,y0 3:4, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/05\/01\/NSTN\/89888113007-img-4836.JPG?crop=5183,2917,x0,y269 16:9\" image-alt=\"\" credit=\"Renee Spencer\/STARNEWS\" caption=\"The crowd of onlookers eager to catch a glimpse of the stars of &quot;The Summer I Turned Pretty&quot; grows in the Yacht Basin in Southport, N.C., on April 30, 2026.\" orientation=\"horizontal\" class=\"spacer-large\" util-module-path=\"elements\/media\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A former Wilmington writer has <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.starnewsonline.com\/story\/entertainment\/local\/2026\/05\/05\/daniel-kraus-wins-pulitzer-prize-for-fiction-for-novel-angel-down\/89948277007\/\">won a major literary prize<\/a>, and big local <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.starnewsonline.com\/story\/entertainment\/movies\/2026\/05\/06\/summer-i-turned-pretty-director-asks-fans-not-to-disrupt-filming-jenny-han-wilmington-southport\/89959152007\/\">movie production asks its fans not to &#8220;disrupt&#8221; filming<\/a> in the area. Plus, a longtime Wilmington <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.starnewsonline.com\/story\/news\/local\/2026\/05\/05\/acme-art-studios-in-wilmington-nc-is-for-sale\/88402117007\/\">arts and studio complex is for sale<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"related-link\"><span class=\"exclude-from-newsgate\"><strong style=\"margin-right:3px\">&#8216;The Summer I Turned Pretty&#8217;: <\/strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.starnewsonline.com\/story\/entertainment\/movies\/2026\/05\/06\/summer-i-turned-pretty-director-asks-fans-not-to-disrupt-filming-jenny-han-wilmington-southport\/89959152007\/\" rel=\"noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Director asks fans not to &#8216;disrupt&#8217; filming<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"presto-h2 wp-block-heading\">Let&#8217;s get social<\/h2>\n<p>For updates to food and entertainment stories, follow us on Facebook at\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/StarNewsMedia\">Facebook.com\/StarNewsMedia<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"presto-h2 wp-block-heading\">Tell all the people<\/h2>\n<p>Forward this newsletter to family and friends.\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/profile.starnewsonline.com\/newsletters\/manage\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">They can sign up\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<lit-timestamp class=\"column ten-column no-gutter spacer-small\" slot=\"timestamp\" publishdate=\"2026-05-07 15:00:42.130878301 +0000 UTC\" updatedate=\"2026-05-07 15:00:42.130878301 +0000 UTC\"\/><\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.starnewsonline.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With the hotly anticipated &#8220;Summer I Turned Pretty&#8221; movie filming in the area and the locally shot ABC series &#8220;RJ Decker&#8221; waiting to see if it gets a second season, it&#8217;s been quite the eventful week in Wilmington&#8217;s film industry. The big (yes, national) news was that &#8220;The Summer I Turned Pretty,&#8221; and the movie&#8217;s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2406752,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[39915,22220,21751,239390,6297,21741,21799,373031,22270,21739,298114,22020,241909,211924,21738,239343,239453,29945,147314,24431,21913,239471,239344],"class_list":["post-2406751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-affiliate","tag-arts","tag-celebrities","tag-celebrities-u0026-entertainment-news","tag-eamotion","tag-entertainment","tag-film","tag-film-u0026-tv-industry","tag-industry","tag-local","tag-local-affiliate-arts-u0026-entertainment","tag-movie","tag-movie-reference","tag-neutral","tag-news","tag-overall","tag-overall-neutral","tag-programs","tag-reference","tag-shows","tag-tv","tag-tv-shows-u0026-programs","tag-u0026"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Arts-culture-events-and-entertainment-options-in-Wilmington-NC.JPG","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2406751","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2406751"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2406751\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2406753,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2406751\/revisions\/2406753"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2406752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2406751"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2406751"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2406751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}