19 things to do in the Wilmington area this weekend as April goes out with a bang
Well, it looks like April in Wilmington will go out with a bang. It is truly an action-packed weekend, with a near-incredible mix of theater, local music, touring concerts, film, visual art and more.
See below for the full list, but just because I like you, here's three bonus events that are well-worth checking out as well: Wilmington "cemetery and Western" artist Mark Sinnis will be playing tunes from his new album 7-10 p.m. Saturday at Dram Tree Tavern in Sunset Park; surf rockers Birdwell Beat will be at Carolina Beach spot The Sandspur from 7-9 p.m. Saturday; and North Carolina burlesque troupe The Flamingo Revue will be sexing things up at Bourgie Nights on Princess Street starting 9 p.m. (8 p.m. doors) Saturday.
Let's continue.
ALL WEEKEND
'Thomas Sayre: Four Walls'
April 26at the Cameron Art Museum: Latest exhibit at Wilmington's premiere art museum features four new, large-scale installation pieces by Washington, D.C., native Thomas Sayre. Sayre's public artworks and private commissions have appeared around the globe. "Thomas Sayre: Four Walls," his exhibition at the CAM, "questions the belief systems and symbols that underpin the ideals of church, nation and creation," according to a news release. One of his new works, none of which has been exhibited before, is a Renaissance-style altarpiece made with, among other things, "nightgowns used by women in a once-segregated mental hospital (and) T-shirts worn by the unhoused." Another piece displays "a tattered and discolored American flag" and yet another, the largest in "Four Walls," was inspired by the idea of Eden as the messy first site of human creation, not to mention its first act of human defiance. Opening reception is 6-9 p.m. April 26; $15, $5 for students, free for museum members. Exhibit opens to the public April 27, museum admission applies. Sayre will give a talk about his work 11 a.m. April 27 ($20-$12). 910-395-5999.
'Windows'
April 25-28 at Thalian Hall (studio theater): Given that nobody seems to be in a hurry to relive the pandemic lockdown year of 2020, revisiting that time via art might always evoke cries of, "Too soon!"
And yet, just because we don't want to go there doesn't mean we shouldn't. In that sense, kudos to Wilmington theater troupe Big Dawg Productions for taking the artistic risk that is "Windows," a collection of eight mono- and duologues by Tawni O'Dell that explore various aspects of that painful pandemic year, from the breakups and the loneliness to the Black Lives Matter protests and, yes, the deaths from COVID-19.
This is the just the second time "Windows" has been done in the U.S. since its off-Broadway debut in March, and the show is in talks to go to Broadway. It runs at Thalian Hall's studio theater through Sunday.
Under the direction of Holli Saperstein the show is a mixed bag of hits and misses, but "Windows" is still worth seeing because when the scenes hit they do so with power and emotion.
As a grandmother taking care of her grandson while her daughter works long hours caring for COVID patients as a nurse, Paula Davis gives an absolutely gutting performance that left many in the audience in tears. Davis seems to understand something the actor Bryan Cranston has talked about, which is that if a performer cries on stage, the audience often doesn't feel as if it needs to.
Kevin Lee-Y Green and Kent West share an affecting scene as two men locked up in jail for very different reasons, and Krista Rivenbark brings the show to a devastating close as an angry but caring (and hopeful) mom upset over the world her young daughter is inheriting.
A simple set allows the performers' words to be the focus, helped along by projections well-designed by Chad Hsu. 7:30 p.m. April 25-27, 3 p.m. April 28. 910-632-2285.
'The Importance of Being Earnest'
April 25-28 at UNCW's Cultural Arts Building: The University of North Carolina Wilmington's Department of Theatre opened Oscar Wilde's classic comedy of manners "The Importance of Being Earnest" last weekend, and a student cast under the direction of theater professor Robin Post delivers a solidly entertaining production. It closes Sunday.
Things start out rather slow and brittle, put pick up momentum as the plays winds its way to a satisfying, twist-filled conclusion.
"Earnest," which Wilde wrote in the 1890s to satirize the hypocritical upper classes of Victorian England's society, still has plenty to say about the human capicity for deception, including self-deception.
Michael Sayfou as the irresponsible dandy Algernon, and Cole Warren as the slightly more responsible but still duplicitous Jack/Earnest, make for a fun comic pair, and Elizabeth Montgomery (as Cecily) and Abigail Hamm (as Gwendolyn) give distinct form to the shallow ladies they're trying to woo. But it's Malik Fowler, in a delightful bit of color-blind casting as the haughty Lady Bracknell, who steals the show, able to command laughs with little more than a severe glance or a bug of his eyes.
Michael Allen's impressive set, which shifts into distinct locations for all three acts, give the actors an attractive canvas to play on.
A lively crowd made up largely of college students was right with the actors during Saturday's performance, crowing in response to some of Wilde's best bon mots and generally reveling in the on-stage action. 7:30 p.m. April 25-27, 2 p.m. April 28. Tickets are $15; $12 for seniors, UNCW employees and alumni; and $6 for students. 910-962-3500.
'Mean Girls'
April 25-May 5at North Front Theatre: Returning to the stage for the first time since before the pandemic, Wilmington's Panache Theatrical Productions presents the rock musical based on the beloved movie about high school cliques and those who stand up to them. 7:30 p.m. April 25-27 and May 2-4, 3 p.m. April 28 and May 5. Tickets are $25.
Meredith Casey
April 26-27at Dead Crow Comedy Room: New Jersey-born, L.A. based comic, actor and writer Meredith Casey has been seen on Comedy Central and Netflix. She's really funny, with some great, edgy material that bounces between mental health, being a mom, abortion and … Disneyland. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. April 26-27, tickets are $18 and $28.
'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
April 25-27at CFCC Wilson Center (studio theater): Cape Fear Community College's Department of Fine and Performing Arts presents Shakespeare's magical comedy about a pair of young lovers who elope into the woods, only to get mixed up in some drama between a fairy king and queen. 7 p.m. April 25-27, tickets are $15. 910-362-7999.
'Proof'
April 26-28 at Brunswick Little Theatre: On some level, we all fear turning into our parents. But what if one of your parents was a brilliant, mentally unstable mathematician? That's the conundrum at the big heart of "Proof," a smart, funny Pulitzer Prize-winning drama by David Auburn that's being staged in compelling fashion at Brunswick Little Theatre under the steady directorial hand of Ken Greenman. Shannon Reed plays Catherine, the depressed daughter of Robert (Victor Gallo), a genius math professor who struggles with mental illness. 7:30 p.m. April 26-27, 3 p.m. April 28. Tickets are $28.
FRIDAY
Fourth Friday Gallery Night
April 26,in and around downtown Wilmington: This month's Fourth Friday Gallery Night, the monthly crawl of downtown-area galleries and art spaces, has both visual and musical aspects.
At the Soda Pop Gallery on Princess Street, longtime Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach musician Jonathan Grogan will play an EP release show for "Down by the Sea," his new album of acoustic folk/pop songs inspired by his time living in Mexico. While Grogan plays at the Soda Pop's Gallery sweet new outdoor space, guests can check out the work inside by Wilmington artists Renato Abbate and Anne McCombie. The whole event is being billed as "Ebb and Flow: A Celebration of Art, Music, and Inspiration."
Other Fourth Friday highlights this week include "Evolution of a Line: Art Exhibition by Cassandra Baes" at Acme Art on North Fifth Avenue; an "April Art & Wine" party at Sarah Diana Art, 19-B Market St.; and the 2024 CFCC Student Exhibition at Wilma Daniels Gallery on Hanover Street. 6-9 p.m. April 26, for a full list of participating galleries, go to ArtsWilmington.org.
20th annual Arts Sensation
April 26at Thalian Hall: This 20th annual event featuring movement and music dates to 2001 (they missed some years during the pandemic) and was created, and is still organized by, Wilmington dancer and choreographer Tracey Varga. Music by Wilmington singer and songwriter Ava Johnson, with dance pieces from Theatre for All, belly dancer Kelly Hawes (aka Samra), a classical solo by Madeleine Pautier, a modern-contemporary quartet from Emily Lawler, Dance Theatre of DREAMS choreographed by Kevin Lee-Y Green and Varga's Company “T” Tap Dancers. Plus, this year's Arts Sensation will be one of the few performances at Thalian Hall to employ the historic venue's "thunder roll" and rain machine dating to the 1800s. 7:30 p.m. April 26, tickets are $25. Proceeds benefit the Plastic Ocean Project. 910-632-2285.
'Enter the Clones of Bruce'
April 26at Jengo's Playhouse: Wilmington premiere of this fascinating documentary about martial arts great and movie star Bruce Lee, and about how a cavalcade of Bruce Lee clones (Bruce Li, Bruce Le, Bruce Liang, Dragon Lee, etc.) made low-budget (and highly profitable) "Bruceploitation" flicks in the wake of Lee's 1973 death at the age of 33. Of course, the local connection is that Lee's son, Brandon Lee, was killed in Wilmington in 1993 during an on-set accident while filming "The Crow." A pre-movie social hour will feature Kung Fu-inspired cocktails. Presented by 3 Chambers Fest, the Wilmington festival that combines hip-hop, anime and martial arts. 6:30 p.m. social hour, 7:30 p.m. film, April 26. Tickets are $15 and include an "Enter the Clones of Bruce Lee" poster while supplies last.
Megan Moroney
April 26at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Mega-popular Georgia country singer will be playing her hits to a packed house. Opening act is Logan Crosby. 7 p.m. April 26, "verified resale" tickets start at $265.93 (!).
Felipe Fournier & UNCW Big Band
April 26at UNCW's Beckwith Recital Hall: Grammy-winning vibes man Fournier joins the UNCW Big Band for an evening of Latin jazz and the music of Dizzy Gillespie, Mario Bauzá, Arturo Sandoval and others. Proceeds benefit music scholarships sponsored by the Cape Fear Jazz Society. 7:30 p.m. April 26, tickets are $23. 910-962-3500.
SATURDAY
Les Ballets Trockadero
April 27 at UNCW's Kenan Auditorium: Ain't nobody like The Trocks. Long-running dance/comedy troupe — full name, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo — has been around for nearly 50 years, bringing smiles to faces and wowing folks with their legit dance skills. Oh, and by the way, the entire troupe is made up of men performing in drag in case that's of interest to you, which it of course should be. 7:30 p.m. April 27, tickets are $30 and $55, with some discounts available. 910-962-3500.
NEEDTOBREATHE
April 27at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Longtime spiritual South Carolina rock band is touring in support of its latest album, "Caves," released in September. 7:30 p.m. April 27, tickets start at $40.
Old Crow Medicine Show
April 27at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Folk rock band behind the ubiquitous country hit "Wagon Wheel" returns to Wilmington for the first time since playing the Azalea Festival in 2023. 7 p.m. April 27, "verified resale" tickets start at $76.32, VIP packages start at $166.
ASG
April 27at the Palm Room: Longtime Wilmington metal act ASG brings their muscular riffing and head-thrashing rhythms to what will certainly be a packed-out show at their Wrightsville Beach home base of the Palm Room. Opening acts are Bronco and Wilmington blues-punk act The Queen's Giant. 10 p.m. April 27, cover at the door.
Derina Harvey Band
April 27 at Thalian Hall: Touring Celtic rock band, playing here as part of the Hall's Main Attractions series, performs a mix of traditional and original tunes. Their recording of sea shanty "The Last Shanty" went viral on TikTok. 7:30 p.m. April 27, tickets at 910-632-2285.
Wilmington Symphony's 'Harp & Soul'
April 27at CFCC Wilson Center: Longtime Wilmington harp player Christina Brier takes center stage. Backed by a full symphony orchestra, Brier wilL play "Harp Concerto" by Kevin Kaska. That's the main event, and the WSO will also perform Sergei Prokofiev's "Lieutenant Kije Suite" and Aram Khachaturian's "Gayene Dances." 7:30 p.m. April 27, tickets start at $25. 910-362-7999.
SUNDAY
Wilmington Choral Society's 'CineMagic'
April 28at CFCC Wilson Center: The Wilmington Choral Society, a group of nearly 100 singers that's been around since its founding in 1950, will perform a program of music (with piano accompaniment) they're calling "CineMagic: Songs from the Silver Screen." On the bill is music from "The Wizard of Oz," "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," "The Way We Were," Mary Poppins," "The Little Mermaid," "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and more. 4 p.m. April 28, tickets are $30, and $15 for children. 910-362-7999.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do and what's going on in Wilmington, last weekend of April
