It's still summer, technically, but this weekend's event lineup for the Wilmington area has a decidedly autumnal vibe.
For starters, festival season kicks off with not one, not two but four Wilmington-area festivals. Plus, we've got movie screenings, a wide of live music (from classical to jam bands), a well-known touring comic and the return of a popular "Day" honoring Grateful Dead co-founder Jerry Garcia that benefits local charities.
Read on for the full list.
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
Peter Revello
Sept. 11-12 the Dead Crow Comedy Room:
Revello is a very funny New York comic you've likely seen everywhere from the social media reels to "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon." Some great material about everything from problematic threesomes to speeding up for jaywalkers. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $24 and $36.
Thalian Hall Cinema
Sept. 9-13 at Thalian Hall: A pair of new releases and a 60th-anniversary event go up on the big screen at historic Thalian Hall this week. "Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma" (Sept. 9-12) is director Jane Schoenbrun's film starring Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson as a young director and faded star working together on a horror franchise sequel. Director Matt Johnson's "Tony" (Sept. 9-13) stars Dominic Sessa as Anthony Bourdain in a foodie biopic based on Bourdain's influential memoir "Kitchen Confidential." From Sept. 9-11, it's a special screening of the first four theatrical films from the "Star Trek" franchise in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the debut of the TV series the films are based on. For showtimes and tickets, call 910-632-2285 or go to ThalianHall.org.
FRIDAY
Blakeslee Air Force Recreation Area Concert Series
Sept. 11 at Blakeslee Air Force Recreation Area in Kure Beach: The John Hussman Trio headlines this concert series that features scenic vistas of the Cape Fear River. Bring a chair or blanket, food trucks on site. 6 p.m. Friday, free.
Seraph Brass
Sept. 11 at Beckwith Recital Hall: Acclaimed brass ensemble founded by trumpet soloist MaryElizabeth Bowden is celebrating its 12th season of highlighting women brass players. 7:30 p.m. Friday, $14.
SATURDAY
American Craft Walk Wilmington
Sept. 12 in downtown Wilmington: More than 100 artists and crafters will descend on the streets of downtown Wilmington in what's probably the area's biggest outdoor art sale of the year. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, free.
Fuzz and Mac album release
Sept. 12 at Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Veteran Wilmington rapper Fuzz Jaxx and singer McClain Sullivan team up for a new album, "Heide Drive." The duo and longtime artistic partners are former members of legendary Wilmington hip-hop/jazz combo The Organix. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, $12.50.
Bourbon, Bluegrass & Brews Festival
Sept. 12 at Waterline Brewing: Bourbon tastings, barbecue and live music from the Folkstone String Band and Massive Grass. 1-6 p.m. Saturday, free.
Port City Jerry Day
Sept. 12 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Eighth annual fundraiser for United Way of the Cape Fear Area features headliners Splintered Sunlight and other bands playing Grateful Dead covers. 5-10 p.m. Saturday, $12.50.
Koe Wetzel
Sept. 12 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Country music singer is known for such hit songs as "Sweet Dreams" and "Drunk Driving." 8 p.m. Saturday, "verified resale" lawn tickets start at $62, with some seated ticketing options still available.
An Evening with Nathan Spainhour
Sept. 12 at Varnam Strings: Spainhour, author of "The South Carolina BBQ Project," comes to town for a tasting and a no-holds barred discussion about the hot topic of barbecue with food journalist Andre James. Presented by Castle Street's Home Plate Provisions. 6 p.m. Saturday, free, donations accepted.
Let's Dance
Sept. 12 at Underfront: Weekly dance night hosted by Wilmington's Fort Lowell Records features a variety of dance dance tunes played on vinyl, from pop and disco to hip-hop, house, R&B, Latin, electronic and more. 8 p.m. Saturday, $5.
Feast of the Pirates Fest
Sept. 12 in Belville Riverwalk Park: Educational festival put on by the Wilmington Harbor Enhancement Trust, or WHET, features vendors, pirate re-enactors, a "sword-fighting arena" and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, free.
Shoo Fly Station grand opening
Sept. 12 in Carolina Beach: New vendor mall named for the historic train that once brought visitors to Carolina Beach celebrates its grand opening. With food trucks, kids' activities and more. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, free.
SUNDAY
Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
Sept. 13 at CFCC Wilson Center: Guitarist Campbell was a co-founder of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and played with Fleetwood Mac. New album "Mission of Mercy" features guest appearances from Kate Pierson of The B-52s and Morgane Stapleton. 7 p.m. Sunday, tickets online or at 910-362-7999.
An Evening at Seabreeze
Sept. 13 at 1112 S. Seabreeze Road Wilmington: The Black Arts Alliance and the Cucalorus Film Festival present this fundraiser for "Seabreeze: A Legacy," a feature-length documentary film directed by Nuri Majidah about Seabreeze, the historic Black beach near Carolina Beach. Inspired by 1994 film, “The Inkwell” which was shot partly in Seabreeze, the event will include a live DJ set by Brandon "Bigg B" Hickman, food trucks, vendors and an outdoor screening of "The Inkwell" at sunset. 5 p.m. Sunday, tickets are $35.
GrrrlBands
Sept. 13 at Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Showcase for nonprofit that actively recruits women and non-binary adults to play in rock and pop bands, with three acts covering songs by Blondie, Mazzy Star and Smashing Pumpkins. 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show, $18.
All Things Groovy Hippie Fest
Sept. 13 at Waterline Brewing: Hippied-themed festival features vendors, food trucks, a VW bus car show and live music from Wilmington jam band Dubtown Cosmonauts. Noon-4 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 Wilmington this weekend, including 4 festivals
