It should feel more like fall in the Wilmington area this weekend, and the events calendar will reflect that.
The "spooky season" events are starting to kick into high gear for one, and we've also got the return of the area's biggest county fair. Plus we've got a couple of big comedy tours, film screenings, concerts big and small, a beer festival and even a theatrical celebration of the Day of the Dead. Read on for deets.
For more ideas of things to do this weekend, as well as in the coming weeks, check out our lists of fall festivals in Wilmington and fall concerts coming to the area.
ALL WEEKEND
'Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll & Hyde Play'
Oct. 22-25 at Thalian Hall (studio theater): Wilmington's Big Dawg Theatre Co. presents Lauren Wilson’s farcical reimagining of the classic Robert Louis
Stevenson novella. Chad Hsu directs, with Jamie Lane in the role of Jekyll/Hyde. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22-24, 3 p.m. Oct. 25. 910-632-2285.
Brunswick County Agricultural Fair & Expo
Oct. 21-25: Held in Ash, the fair features live entertainment, rides, animal exhibits, food and more. 4-11 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. $7 general admission ($8 with card), ride tickets are extra.
Guy Branum
Oct. 23-24 at Dead Crow Comedy Room: Emmy- and Golden-Globe-winning comic, actor and author has a whole raft of impressive credits, not least of which is his hysterical digital series, "What The Old Gays Remember." 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, tickets are $27 and $39.
Lighthouse Beer & Wine Festival
Oct. 24-25 at Riverfront Park/Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Festival features libations from dozens of breweries and wineries, as well as live music. 6 p.m. Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday, tickets start at $85.
'Rocky Horror Picture Show' and shadow cast
Oct. 23-25 at Thalian Hall: It'll be a jump to the left and a step to the right when Thalian Hall Cinema series screens this 1975 cult classic. With live "shadow cast" performances by Wilmington troupe Pineapple Shaped Lamps 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Screening times (including a midnight screening Friday) and tickets at 910-632-2285 or ThalianHall.org. Screening only is $12, shadow cast performances are $30.
FRIDAY
Eternamente: A Día de los Muertos Spectacular!
Oct. 23 at Kenan Auditorium: Touring show features the sounds of live mariachi and movement from Ballet Folklórico in a theatrical celebration of the Day of the Dead. 7:30 p.m. Friday, $25 and $45.
Groove & Grub
Oct. 23 at DREAMS of Wilmington: Annual fundraiser for DREAMS, a nonprofit that provides arts classes for children, includes a low country boil/barbecue mashup from chef Tito Oritz, with live jazz from Wilmington legend Benny Hill and a DJ set from Infinite Spins. 6-9 p.m. Friday, tickets start at $75.
Nurse Blake
Oct. 23 at CFCC Wilson Center: Touring nurse-turned-comic presents his show "But Did You Die?", which is packed with outrageous stories plucked from his career in health care. 7 p.m. Friday, 910-362-7999.
Fele Cett with Beats & Coffee
Oct. 23 at Wilmington Yacht Club: Jazzy electronic duo from Toronto performs a set with Wilmington hip-hop collective Beats & Coffee. 9 p.m. doors, 10 p.m. show, tickets are $10 in advance, $15 day of show.
Glow in the Dark Scars and Croatoa
Oct. 23 at Satellite Bar and Lounge: Great double bill of Wilmington indie-rock acts. Glow in the Dark Scars will bring the spooky vibes, wounded rockers, cheeky novelties and hooky gems, while Croatoa will bring some bouncy rockers and an irreverent-yet-sincere attitude. 7 p.m. Friday, free.
SATURDAY
'Ghostbusters' in concert
Oct. 24 at CFCC Wilson Center: Screening of the classic 1984 film comedy with Oscar-winning composer Elmer Berstein’s score performed live on stage by an orchestra. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 910-362-7999.
NC Vibe Fest
Oct. 24 at Old River Farms in Burgaw: Rescheduled fall festival (Oct. 11 date was rained out) features live music, makers and vintage vendors, food trucks and kids' activities, a car show, garden center and more. Sets from Wilmington bands Hyperloops (12:15 p.m.), Dog Park (1:15 p.m.) and Billy Heathen (3:15 p.m.). 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, tickets are $9.42 and $6.27 for kids (12 and under) in advance, $12 and $8 at the gate.
CAM Community Day: 'Echoes of Us'
Oct. 24 at Cameron Art Museum: Check out the latest exhibit at Wilmington's premiere art museum while enjoying a day of activities on the grounds. "Echoes of Us: North Carolina Storykeepers," which runs Oct. 24-May 23, 2027, features the work of "North Carolina artists who use public art to uplift communities, preserve shared histories, and expand how the story of the state is told," according to a news release. With activities for children, a "grounding ceremony" at the museum's "Boundless" sculpture, a live stone-carving demonstration, guided tours and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, free.
Big Annie’s Bluegrass Festival
Oct. 24 at Humphrey Farms in Burgaw: Festival features vendors, antique tractors on display, axe throwing, food trucks and bounce houses for the kids, as well as the main attraction: live bluegrass music. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.
Soccer Mommy and Snail Mail
Oct. 24 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Veteran indie rock singer Sophie Allison, who performs as Soccer Mommy, just released a sweetly lush, and rockin', new single, "Rings of Saturn." With singer/songwriter/guitarist Lindsey Jordan and her project, Snail Mail. 6 p.m. Saturday, $42.
SUNDAY
Jialin Yao
Oct. 25 at Beckwith Recital Hall: World-class concert pianist plays a program as part of the UNCW music department's Beckwith Recital Series.7:30 p.m. Sunday, $14.
Hannah Marie Kelley
Oct. 25 at Wilmington Yacht Club: If you miss country/Americana singer Kelley's set on Saturday at the Lighthouse Beer & Wine Festival, catch her in a more intimate setting at this downtown listening room. 5 p.m. doors, 6 p.m. show Sunday, tickets are $25 in advance, $30 day of show.
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: 17 things to do in Wilmington this weekend, from spooky to autumnal
