We've reached the final weekend of August, so summer's still with us, but not for very much longer.
This weekend's Wilmington entertainment options are a varied bunch, with a mix of local music and touring bands, film screenings both cult and mainstream, along with art shows, comedy performances and even a combo book-reading and variety show. Read on for details and the full list.
For more ideas of things to do this weekend and in the coming weeks, check our lists of outdoor summer concerts in Wilmington and our list of 16 miniature golf courses in the three-county area.
ALL WEEKEND
Thalian Hall Cinema
Aug. 26-30 at Thalian Hall: There's a slew of film screenings at Thalian Hall this week, including a trio of new releases and a Wilmington-filmed cult classic. "The
Invite" (Aug. 26-30) stars Seth Rogan, Olivia Wilde, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton as two couples at a dinner party where things go deeply awry. "The Odyssey" (Aug. 26-28) is Christopher Nolan's epic take on Homer's ancient Greek poem. "CatVideo Fest 2026" (Aug. 28-30) is a feature-length collection of the year's best cat videos. And "Maximum Overdrive" (Aug. 28-30) is the 40th anniversary screening of the Wilmington-shot 1986 film about machinery coming to life and threatening mankind. For showtimes and ticketing, go to ThalianHall.org.
'Rockin' in the USA'
Aug. 28-30 and Sept. 4-6 at the Amuzu Theatre: Historic theater in Southport reopens from renovations with a musical revue timed to America's 250th birthday. "Rockin' in the USA" features a mix of patriotic and popular songs, from "America the Beautiful" to Miley Cyrus’ "Party in the USA." 7:30 p.m. Aug. 28-29 and Sept. 4-5, 3 p.m. Aug. 30 and Sept. 6. Tickets are $25, available at Ricky Evans Gallery in Southport (910-457-1129) and Crossroads Gathering Place in Oak Island (910-250-1037).
Vic DiBitetto
Aug. 28-29 at Dead Crow Comedy Room: A cast member of the Amazon Prime Video show "Gravesend," the edgy, in-your-face and very funny stand-up comic DiBitetto has headlined with Andrew "Dice" Clay. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, tickets are $30 and $42.
FRIDAY
Fourth Friday Gallery Night
Aug. 28, downtown Wilmington: Monthly art crawl of downtown and downtown-adjacent galleries and art spaces is organized by the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County. One of this month's highlights is "Sense of Place" at Cape Fear Community College's Wilma W. Daniels Gallery. Co-presented with the Cameron Art Museum and curated by Ben Billingsley, CAM's curator of exhibitions and collections, the show features work from CAM's collection by such Wilmington-area artists as Elisabeth Chant, Claude Howell, Pam Toll and Dick Roberts. 6-9 p.m. Friday, free. For full list of participating galleries and art spaces, go to ArtsWilmington.org.
The Other Men and The BQs
Aug. 28 at The Fuzzy Needle: Wilmington indie rockers The Other Men team up with Raleigh rock stalwarts The BQs for a double bill at one of the coolest spots in the Cargo District. 7 p.m. Friday, $10 at the door.
'Flesh for Frankenstein'
Aug. 28 at Jengo's Playhouse: Paul Morrissey's 1973 horror/sci-fi cult classic starring Udo Kier screens as part the Cucalorus Film Festival/Cameron Art Museum's "CAM at the Movies" team-up. Screened in conjunction with the "Andy Warhol: Silver Clouds" exhibit at the CAM, "Flesh for Frankenstein" was originally marketed as "Andy Warhol's Frankenstein," though Warhol's involvement was almost entirely promotional. 8:30 p.m. Friday, $10.
Meet Me at the Sound Concert Series
Aug. 28 at Soundside Park in Surf City: Carl Newton's Review plays R&B and soul for this outdoor concert series in Pender County. With food trucks and beer from local vendors. 7-9 p.m. Friday, free.
SATURDAY
Fortune Feimster
Aug. 29 at CFCC Wilson Center: Stand-up comic who came to wide acclaim with her Netflix specials “Sweet & Salty,” "Good Fortune" and "Crushing It" plays Wilmington's biggest indoor stage. Feimster's been coming to the Port City since the 2010s when she appeared at the Dead Crow Comedy Room's old Front Street location. 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, tickets at 910-362-7999.
Eduardo’s Flamenco Ensemble
Aug. 29 at Jengo's Playhouse: Combo led by flamenco guitarist Ed Stephenson plays traditional flamenco, pays tribute to the legendary Paco de Lucía and performs "rumba flamenco" classics by The Gipsy Kings and Ottmar Liebert. 7 p.m. Saturday, $33.54.
Sheme OG & The Gravy Train
Aug. 29 at The Fuzzy Needle: Wilmington rapper Sheme of Gold fronts this alt hip-hop act, with support from "the mad instrumentalist from Carrboro," Danlee Gildersleeve & The Funkonauts. 7 p.m. Saturday, $10 at the door.
Ahna Ell book release variety show
Aug. 29 at North Front Theatre: Wilmington musician and writer Ahna Ell, who spent much of this summer touring with singer/songwriter Al Olender, is releasing a memoir Sept. 1 titled "Everywhere I Go" and she's celebrating by staging a variety show in downtown Wilmington. Hosted by Claudia Crook Wolfe and Gabi Stephens, the show will feature special guest musicians, storytellers, dancers and more. 7 p.m. book signing, 8 p.m. show. Free.
The Temp Agency!
Aug. 29 at Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Wilmington rock act plays hard-driving, melodic tunes like the ones on stellar 2024 EP "Hearse In Reverse." With opening sets by Dallas Tetnus, Sonic Blooms and Coldeth. 7 p.m. Saturday, $10.
Tell Me Lies
Aug. 29 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Fleetwood Mac tribute band brings its show to one of Wilmington's favorite venue. 7 p.m. Saturday, "verified resale tickets" start at $95.
Caleb Caudle & The Sweet Critters
Aug. 29 at Live at Ted's: North Carolina singer's tunes carry a nostalgic country folk vibe and are as pretty as a summer day. 8 p.m. Saturday, $27.50.
SUNDAY
King Django
Aug. 30 at Avenue B: Ska and reggae legend King Django (Stubborn All-Stars, Skinnerbox) plays an all-star showcase with North Carolina artists Brian Hill (Regatta 69) and Albert Dustin Ash. 4 p.m. doors, 6 p.m. show, Sunday. $10.
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: 15 things to do in the Wilmington area for the last weekend of August
