Apr 17 Friday
Young Bart Collins lives with his widowed mother Heloise. The major blight on Bart's existence is the hated piano lessons he is forced to endure under the tutelage of the autocratic Dr. Terwilliker. Bart feels that his mother has fallen under Terwilliker's sinister influence, and gripes to visiting plumber August Zabladowski, without much result. While grimly hammering away at his lessons, Bart dozes off and enters a fantastical musical dream.
Art in Bloom Gallery is delighted to partner with Cucalorus’s Jengo's Spring Series. A panel discussion and Q&A will follow the matinee and evening screening with filmmaker Christina Capra, Dr. Seuss expert Mike Golonka, and Art in Bloom Gallery owner Amy Grant.
Second screening: Fri, Apr 17th, 7:30 PM @ Jengo's Playhouse
The Wizard of Ozhttps://www.thalianhall.org/tact-wizardoz-26ShowtimesDates: Friday April 10, 2026 - Sunday April 19, 2026Friday - Saturday Time: 7:30 pmSunday Time: 2:00 pmAdditional Performances Saturday April 11, 2026 2:00 pmLocationMain Stage Thalian Hall310 Chestnut St.
By L. Frank Baum With Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg Background Music by Herbert Stothart Dance and Vocal Arrangements by Peter Howard / Orchestration by Larry Wilcox Adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company Based upon the Classic Motion Picture owned by Turner Entertainment Co. and distributed in all media by Warner Bros. We’re off to see the wizard! This beloved tale, in which a Kansas farm girl travels over the rainbow to discover the magical power of home, has entertained audiences for generations. Follow the yellow brick road in this delightful stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved tale, featuring the iconic musical score from the MGM film. The timeless tale, in which young Dorothy Gale travels from Kansas over the rainbow to the magical Land of Oz, continues to thrill audiences worldwide. An Associated Event of the North Carolina Azalea Festival!
Back by popular demand, Ray Kennedy’s original play explores family, community and hope. The show sold out last year and Big Dawg Theater is bringing the show with the original cast back to the Stein Theater at Thalian Hall. Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Apr 18 Saturday
The Brunswick County Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteer Association will host its Spring 2026 Online Plant Sale April 17–24, with pickup on May 1 at the Brunswick County Extension Office.
This year’s theme, “Exploring Our Colonial Roots,” features plants that have thrived in the region since Colonial times. The sale includes 78 offerings, including perennials, annuals, herbs, fruiting trees, grasses, shrubs, and vines—many native and well adapted to the coastal environment. These plants support pollinators and local wildlife while adding beauty and resilience to home landscapes.
Gardeners can preview the plant list now and begin ordering April 17 at bcmastergardenerva.org/plant-sales. Proceeds support educational and outreach programs and the Brunswick County Botanical Gardens.
The Willie Stargell 5K presented by nCino, will take place on April 18, 2026. The event will also feature a 1‑Mile Walk and will be held at Mayfaire Town Center, beginning at 8:30 AM. All registrants will receive a ticket to a deluxe brunch buffet at Coquina Fishbar in Mayfaire Town Center immediately following the race. New this year, every participant will also receive an official race T‑shirt. In addition, all finishers will be awarded a finisher medal, and division winners will be recognized with awards.
The Willie Stargell 5K Presented by nCino is the second largest fundraiser of the Willie Stargell Foundation, which provides funding to support the Foundation’s mission. Established in 2002, the Willie Stargell Foundation works to secure funding to assist those living with kidney disease. Proceeds are used to support the Willie “Pops” Stargell Dialysis Unit with state-of-the-art equipment, scholarships to students in Health & Human Services at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and individual patient care grants.
Join the knowledgeable guides from Cape Fear Bird Observatory and their partners for a family friendly fun nature walk! Meeting at the Greenfield Lake boathouse (near the tennis courts) for an informational session on the third Saturday of every month, usually beginning at 9:00 AM followed by a narrated 60 minute stroll around the lake looking at interesting birds, plants, mammals, reptiles, and other fascinating wild things. All are welcome! No registration required. Please bring sunscreen, insect repellent, water and comfortable walking shoes.
Join us for a 90-minute walking tour in historic downtown Wilmington. The tour begins and ends at the Bellamy Mansion Museum. This tour will focus on the people and places of antebellum Wilmington while exploring the port city's role in the American Civil War.
The cost is $20 per person, plus tax. Space is limited, so registration is required online at the Bellamy Mansion Museum Store. This is a rain or shine event. The tours are appropriate for all ages, but please note they may not be suitable for anyone with limited mobility. If you have questions, please email info@bellamymansion.org before registering.
Join us for Science At Play, where science comes to life for even the littlest learners! Get ready for a morning of hands-on discovery where curiosity leads the way. Investigate ooey-gooey materials like slime, help build a collaborative city, explore the science inside your own body, and discover why science matters. The Museum will be open for regular exploration in addition to Science At Play activities.
Science At Play is proud to be part of the statewide NC Science Festival. This year’s theme, “Science Matters”, highlights the important role science plays in our lives, and Science At Play invites families to experience just how meaningful (and fun!) it can be.
In commemoration of America's 250th anniversary, the Bellamy Mansion Museum is hosting an art exhibition by local artist James C. Horton, which includes over 40 original paintings and drawings that highlight historic scenes and places from around the region and country that help tell America's story. Visitors can view the exhibit free of charge any time the museum is open (M-Sun. 10 am-4 pm). Please stop by the Carriage House Visitor Center to gain admission. Art is available for purchase and an Artist's Reception will be held on February 27th (6-8pm). Visit bellamymansion.org/exhibits for more information or email info@bellamymansion.org if you have questions.
Cruise with Wilmington Water Tours and be taken back in time to celebrate 250 years of history. Hunter will cover Colonial Wilmington’s involvement in The Revolution.
As the nation celebrates America’s 250th birthday, this special cruise will set sail on the Cape Fear River to recount Wilmington’s role in the American Revolution. From early acts of rebellion to leaders of the revolution, join Hunter Ingram, from the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens, to talk about the Cape Fear’s Revolutionary moment and the thrilling events that forever changed this city. Experience the region’s 250th history with us on the Cape Fear River.
This is a unique venue for a history lesson! Our 49 passenger, motorized catamaran glides on the river for smooth sailing. We offer 360 degree views. This is a 90 minute cruise $40. Boarding is 15 minutes prior to departure.