12 shows to see in Wilmington this weekend, from country star concerts to 'SNL' stand-up
Summer in Wilmington is in full swing, and we've got the events to prove it.
From a concert with a big country star and a stand-up show by a sitting "Saturday Night Live" cast member to a wide range of art, theater and music, there's quite a bit to take in. And that's just the weekend; this column doesn't even cover all the entertainment that goes down during the week.
Let's get into it. For even more options, including concerts on weeknights, many of them for free, check out our big ol' list of outdoor summer concerts in the Wilmington area.
Music alfresco: Full list of outdoor summer concerts in the Wilmington area for 2024
ALL WEEKEND
Michael Longfellow
June 28-29 at Dead Crow Comedy Room: Longfellow is a cast member on "Saturday Night Live" best-known for doing segments on Weekend Update, like the one from April where he plays a boyfriend who is purposely incompetent so that his girlfriend doesn't ask him to do anything. This weekend's four-show run at Dead Crow will be Longfellow's first stand-up comedy appearance in Wilmington. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. June 28-29, tickets are $20 and $30.
'Annie'
June 27-July 7 at Thalian Hall: Wilmington's Opera House Theatre Co. is bringing in Broadway talent for this beloved musical about the title orphan and her hard-knock, rags-to-riches life. With new Wilmington resident and Broadway vet Jen Frankel ("Chicago," "Spamalot" and many other credits) playing the role of evil orphanage-keeper Miss Hannigan. 7:30 p.m. June 27-29 and July 5-6; 2 p.m. June 29-30 and July 6-7. 910-632-2285.
'Much Ado About Nothing'
June 21-28 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: It's the 31st year for Cape Fear Shakespeare, which did its first summer show at Greenfield Lake in 1993, and Friday marks your last chance to see this year's production. Kendra Goehring, best-known as a leading lady in musicals at Thalian Hall, directs Shakespeare's love-besotted comedy "Much Ado About Nothing." It's one of the liveliest and most engaging productions Cape Fear Shakespeare has staged in years. 8 p.m. June 26 and 28. Free admission, donations accepted. Picnics welcome, with concessions available.
FRIDAY
Fourth Friday Gallery Night
June 28 in downtown Wilmington: Monthly art crawl of downtown and downtown-adjacent galleries and art spaces always features some new art to check out. Highlights of the June edition of Fourth Friday include "Summertide Shadows" at longtime downtown gallery New Elements, 271 N. Front St. It's a collaborative show "inspired by the nuances of summertime" between sculptor David Goldhagen and painter Lindsay H. Jones featuring Jones' abstract landscapes and Goldhagen's glass sculptures.
Across Front Street at public radio WHQR's MC Erny Gallery it's the closing reception for the multi-artist, multimedia show "Rock, Paper, Stitch," and Acme Art has the show "I Like the Old Stuff Better" featuring original art by Cassandra Baes, Phil Covington and Trey Moore. 6-9 p.m. June 28, for a full list of participating galleries go to ArtsWilmington.org.
?Tambao!
June 28 at Bourgie Nights: The self-described "international psychedelic salsa orchestra" brings its heady sound to this intimate downtown venue. A true fusion band, ?Tambao! blends salsa, funk, cumbia, Latin rock, R&B, psychedelia, Amazonian beats, jazz and more into a big, expansive sound like none other. 9 p.m. doors, 10 p.m. show, $15 in advance, $20 at the door.
Free Concert Friday
June 28 at The Eagle's Dare: Longtime Wilmington psychobilly act The Phantom Playboys will bring the heat to this concert series at downtown beer garden and event space The Eagles' Dare, Third and Red Cross streets. 4 p.m. gates, 6 p.m. opener, 8 p.m. headliner. Free.
Friday Night Live
June 28 at the Pier at Port City Marina: Van Morrison tribute act One Irish Rover plays this downtown Wilmington concert series held right on the Cape Fear River. 7 p.m. June 28, tickets are $10.
SATURDAY
Cole Swindell
June 29 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Country singer Swindell, a past headliner of Wilmington's Azalea Festival who is known for such hits as "Single Saturday Night" and "She Had Me at Heads Carolina," brings his Win the Night tour to town. Should be a rowdy time at Wilmington's biggest venue. 7 p.m. June 29, tickets start at $44.
The Stews
June 29 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Alabama rock act formed during the pandemic and has risen quickly since then, selling out clubs all over the country. The Stews' new album, "Chicken Fight," which veers from Southern rock to blues-punk stomps to shimmering indie-rock and back again, drops July 12. Opening acts include Wilmington's own Blue Footed Boobies. 7 p.m. June 29, tickets start at $30.
The Flamingo Revue
June 29 at Bourgie Nights: North Carolina burlesque troupe will bring a bit of titillation to your weekend. Features performers with such names as Edie Edison, Miss Candi Yams, Puppie Buffé, Violet Freique and more. 8 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. show June 29, tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show.
SUNDAY
Love Dance
June 30 at Cameron Art Museum: Wilmington hip-hop artist Louis. the Rapper, who released his album "The Indigo Child" earlier this year, will DJ this event that's meant to put a bow on Pride Month by celebrating community, summer and gay pride with a music- and dance-centric love fest in the CAM courtyard. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. June 30, $15, $10 for museum members, $5 for students.
The Tams
June 30 at the Pavilion under the Holden Beach Bridge: Present iteration of legendary Atlanta vocal group The Tams ("Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy," "What Kind of Fool"), whose sound has become a staple of beach music in these parts, headlines this Brunswick County concert series. 6:30-8 p.m. June 30. Free. Call 910-842-6488 for details.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: What's happening in Wilmington, NC, this weekend: things to do
