It's fall, y'all.
And while it may or may not feel like it (the weather report's iffy a week or so out as I write this), we definitely have some autumn-style events — as well as the first Oktoberfests and the first of the "spooky season" offerings — in the Wilmington area this weekend.
Highlights include lots of theater and concerts, some comedy, visual art, film screenings, festivals and more. Full list below.
For more ideas of things to do this weekend and in the coming weeks, check out our lists of fall festivals in Wilmington and fall concerts coming to the area.
ALL WEEKEND
'Dracula'
Sept. 25-Oct. 4 at Thalian Hall: Thalian Association Community Theatre brings the classic
vampire story to the stage. Josh Zieseniss directs, with an original score from Wilmington actor/comic/musician Patrick Basquill. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday and Oct. 2-3, 2 p.m. Sunday and Oct. 4. 910-632-2285.
'The Wolves'
Sept. 24- Oct. 4 at the Mainstage Theatre in the Cultural Arts Building, UNCW campus: University of North Carolina Wilmington's theater department presents the play by Sarah DeLappe about a girls' high school soccer team, whose conversations range from jocular to intense. UNCW theater professor Christopher Marino directs an all-student cast. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and Oct. 1-3, 2 p.m. Sunday and Oct. 4. $8-$17. 910-962-3500.
Movies at Jengo's
Sept. 25-26 at Jengo's Playhouse: Double bill of screenings this weekend at Cucalorus headquarters on Princess Street. Friday it's public radio WHQR's Cinematique film series with '90s classic "Clueless," a modernization of Jane Austen's novel "Emma." Saturday it's "Cookie Queens," Alysa Nahmias documentary about Girl Scout Cookie season. "Clueless" screens 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25; discussion with UNCW film professor Todd Berliner follows the late screening. "Cookie Queens" screens 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sept. 26. Tickets to all screenings are $10.
Emil Wakim
Sept. 25-26 at Dead Crow Comedy Room: Former "Saturday Night Live" cast member has an impressive list of credits that includes appearances on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon" and being selected as a New Face of Comedy at the prestigious Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $30 and $42.
'Avenue Q'
Sept. 24-27 at Thalian Hall (studio): Laugh-out-loud, Tony-winning musical comedy is packed with puppets — and with four-letter words, so leave the kids at home. Ben Thomas-Reid ("Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors," "Disaster: The Musical") directs for Panache Theatrical Productions. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. 910-632-2285.
FRIDAY
Feather
Sept. 25 at the Ocean Grill: Wilmington soft-rock cover band — think '70s acts like Bread or songs like "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" — plays one of the last shows of the year at this pier-top Carolina Beach spot. 7 p.m. Friday, free.
Churchyard Ghost album release
Sept. 25 at The Yacht Club: Wilmington band Churchyard Ghost plays a release show for new record "All the Way Down," which blends such styles as Southern rock and jazz with folk and old-time. 9 p.m. doors, 10 p.m. show Friday, $10 in advance, $15 at the door, $5 surcharge for ages 18-20.
Fourth Friday Gallery Night
Sept. 25, downtown Wilmington: Monthly crawl of galleries and art spaces is organized by the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County. September highlights include "Tangled Up In Whimsy," a fiber arts show featuring the work of Alexandra Covington, at Acme Art on North Fifth Avenue. 6-9 p.m. Friday, full list of participating galleries at ArtsWilmington.org. Free.
The Wailers and Signal Fire
Sept. 25 at Waterline Brewing: Reggae legends The Wailers team up with Wilmington reggae vets Signal Fire for an epic double bill. 6 p.m. gates, 7 p.m. show, tickets are $43.
Belles
Sept. 25 at Brooklyn Arts Center: "Sounds of Freedom" fundraising concert for Access Wilmington's Project SOAR, which benefits disabled veterans. Nashville singer Belles is a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Earlier this year she released a duet, "Son of Jolene," with the late Dolly Parton. With support from Wilmington's Folkstone String Band. 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show, tickets start at $75.
Next Stop Comedy
Sept. 25 at Underfront: Comedy's back in the original home of the Dead Crow Comedy Room, now the Underfront Lounge, at least for one night. Triple bill of comics includes past Port City's Top Comic winner Matt Coghlan, headliner Jesse Jones and host Nathan Baker. 8 p.m. Friday, $27.
The Paper Stars
Sept. 25 at Live at Ted's: Top-notch indie folk outfit led by Wilmington musician Tres Altman has a passel of hypnotic, contemplative numbers, many of them meditations on nature and natural themes. 8 p.m. Friday, $13.20.
SATURDAY
Cape Fear Latinos Festival
Sept. 26 at Riverfront Park/Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Fifth annual festival celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month brings live music and dance performances, children’s activities, food, vendors and more to downtown Wilmington. 11 a.m. parade, noon-6 p.m. festival, free.
The Rev. Horton Heat
Sept. 26 at The Eagle's Dare: Psychobilly icon will headline Rocktoberfest with support from Russian surf rock band Messer Chups. 5 p.m. doors, 6:30 p.m. show, tickets start at $30.
Wilmington Symphony Orchestra
Sept. 26 at CFCC Wilson Center: Hometown orchestra will play work by Antonín Dvořák and Samuel Barber. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 910-362-7999.
The Sardines and Croatoa
Sept. 26 at Avenue B: Poppy rock band led by Wilmington music vet James Sardone joins forces with Wilmington rockers Croatoa for this double bill. 7 p.m. Saturday, free.
SUNDAY
Kenari Quartet
Sept. 27 at Beckwith Recital Hall: Chamber Music Wilmington presents an all-saxophone ensemble — tenor, soprano, alto AND baritone — playing a range of contemporary compositions. 4 p.m. Sunday, $53.
Oktoberfest on the Beach
Sept. 27 at Carolina Beach Pier: Beachside, dog-friendly celebration with live music, a sandy pumpkin patch, stein-holding contest, German beer and food, and more. Noon-5 p.m. Sunday, free.
John Staton is the arts and culture reporter for the StarNews. You can reach him at jstaton@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 19 things to do in the Wilmington area for the first weekend of fall
