18 things to do in the Wilmington area for the first weekend of June
John StatonWith the arrival of June, Wilmington entertainment has officially reached its hot and sweaty phase.
That means plenty of outdoor concerts, festivals and performances, with enough indoor stuff to let you cool off. This week's highlights include a new exhibit at the Cameron Art Museum, the return of a long-running annual music festival, and a couple of important local concerts/fundraisers.
If you're planning out past this weekend or looking for even more events, don't forget to check out these lists:
- Outdoor summer concerts in the Wilmington area
- Pride Month events in the Wilmington area
- June concerts in the Wilmington area
ALL WEEKEND
'Macbeth'
June 6-27 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Cape Fear Shakespeare on the Green, which started doing summer plays at Greenfield Lake in 1993, takes on one of the Bard's darkest tales, the story of an ambitious Scottish king and his murderous wife. 8 p.m. June 7-8, 13-15, 21-22 and 26-27. Free, with donations accepted. Refreshments available, with picnics allowed. CFSOTG's Youth Company performs "The Taming of the Shrew" 8 p.m. June 9-12, 16-17 and 23-25.
Port City Music Festival
June 4-8: 17th annual classical music festival presents a week of free concerts at venues all over town, including the Cameron Art Museum (June 5) and UNCW's Beckwith Recital Hall (June 7). World-class ensembles will play both contemporary and classic pieces. Some concerts have open seating while others require advance registration. For full schedule, program and locations, go to PortCityMusicFestival.org.
Carolina Beach Music Festival
June 7-8 at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk: Long-running music festival celebrates 39 years in June by adding a second day, and a second genre, for the first time. Beach music day is June 7, with The Tams, Band Of Oz and Jim Quick & Coastline. Reggae day is June 8, with Ballyhoo!, Tropidelic and Dale and the ZDubs. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday and 2-6 p.m. Sunday, tickets are $38 per day or $62 for both.
Jay Chandrasekhar
June 6-7 at Dead Crow Comedy Room: Writer, comic, actor and director who bills himself as "the longest name in show business" helmed the hit 2005 movie version of "The Dukes of Hazzard." He's had a long, credit-filled Hollywood career, stories from which often pop up in his act. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $30 and $41.
'More Fun Than Bowling'
June 5-22 at Brunswick Little Theatre: BLT presents the darkly comic play by Steven Dietz about the ruminative owner of a bowling alley, widowed twice after both his wives died in bowling-related accidents. At least half of all performances are already sold out, so get tickets ASAP if you want to go. 7:30 p.m. June 5-7, 13-14 and 20-21, 3 p.m. June 8, 15 and 22.
Let's Dance
June 6-7 at The UnderFront Co.: Wilmington vinyl DJs James Tritten (of Fort Lowell Records) and RizzyBeats will square off as part of this two-night dance extravaganza. The DJs will trade tracks back and forth, spinning danceable classics from the '80s on Friday night with songs from the '90s taking over on Saturday. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $5 at the door.
'Space Makers'
June 6 at the Cameron Art Museum: Opening reception for new exhibit highlighting more than 60 works by North Carolina artists with disabilities. Curated by Aaron Wilcox, chair of UNCW’s art department. 6-9 p.m. Friday opening is $15, free for members. Exhibit runs through Oct. 12.
FRIDAY
Charles Wesley Godwin
June 6 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: West Virginia folk and country singer is known for writing stirring, contemplative songs that tell stories inspired by the lives and experiences of everyday folks. 7 p.m. Friday, tickets start at $65.
Airlie Gardens concert series
June 6 at Airlie Gardens: Rockers Machine Gun play this popular series near Wrightsville Beach. Parking off-site at the Northeast Library, with free shuttle service to the concert starting at 5 p.m. Chairs, blankets and picnics are allowed. 6-8 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $10, $3 for ages 4-12, free for ages 3 and under.
The Bowstring Incident: Funk & Frolic
June 6 at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard: Big ol' celebration of EDM, jam bands, electronic music, live painters and more. Eight acts will play, including weirdo indie-pop act Strange Raven (6:20 p.m.), veteran jam band Dubtown Cosmonauts (8 p.m.) and homegrown electronic act Krispee Biscuits (11 p.m.). 5 p.m. Friday pre-party is free, $10 ticketed event starts at 7 p.m.
SATURDAY
Rock the Day for United Way
June 7 at The Bend: Daylong fundraiser and music festival features a varied lineup, with blues rockers The Blue Footed Boobies, reggae band Signal Fire, electronic music from Krispee Biscuits and soulful rock from Oc3ans. 3 p.m. Saturday, tickets are $24.
Summer Set
June 7 at The Sandspur: Veteran Wilmington indie rock act brings its collection of driving yet laid-back tunes to this Carolina Beach spot. With fellow N.C. indie rock vets Schooner. 7 p.m. Saturday, free.
'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'
June 7 at CFCC Wilson Center: The Wilmington Conservatory of Fine Arts presents an original, dance-centric adaptation of the C.S. Lewis classic. 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, tickets start at $19. 910-362-7999.
CAM Community Day
June 7 at the Cameron Art Museum: CAM's Community Day features free admission to all mumseum exhibits, along with live performances, tours, food trucks and more. You can even participate in a community art project. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, free.
Flytrap Frolic
June 7 at the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden: 15th annual event celebrating the carnivorous plant that only grows wild within a 100-mile radius of Wilmington. With tours, kids' activities, educational materials, ethically sourced flytraps for sale and more. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, free.
Blue Canvas Jazz Quintet
June 7 at Live at Ted's: Vocalist Jessica Coppola leads a lineup of Wilmington all-stars through an evening of classic jazz. With Jerald Shynett on keys, Benny Hill on saxophone, Jon Hill on drums and Will Beasley on upright bass. 8 p.m. Saturday, tickets are $20.
SUNDAY
Dispatch
June 8 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Folk-rock act headlines a sprawling multi-band bill with openers John Butler, blues icon G. Love & Special Sauce, Donavon Frankenreiter and Illiterate Light. 6 p.m. Sunday, tickets start at $32.
'Full Circle: Fiber Art by Rebecca Yeomans'
June 8 at Thalian Hall: Documentary about Wilmington fiber artist produced by Art in Bloom Gallery and Honey Head Films. Q&A with the artist follows the screening. 2 p.m. Sunday, tickets at 910-632-2285.