Decorate a beach tote, lemon-infused busiate pasta workshop, turtle talk & feeding, and more. 
Happy Friday, Wilmington. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Wilmington Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.
📰 In the news
Local happenings: Wilmington firms rocket onto Inc 5000 list, airport unveils seasonal flights to Punta Cana, and a historic riverside fort secures millions for erosion control — catch up here.
State-level stories: Rare white fawn spotted in NC woods, schools barred from failing students over attendance, and Tropical Storm Erin nears hurricane strength — see what else is brewing.
National headlines: South Korea’s court dismissed a Baby Shark copyright claim, a judge blocked fishing around Pacific atolls, and retirees eye a bigger Social Security increase — peruse the best of the rest.
Highlights this week
- Veterans craft keepsakes through writing and art
- Join Monday’s New Hanover board meeting
- Attend city council meeting to discuss issues
- Join for networking and business development
- Unlock dozens of travel deals with AARP
🫶 We got your back
Adventure: For kiddos who never stop moving or asking why, these family adventure hubs deliver everything from climbing walls to hands-on science labs.
Business: Think tobacco and textiles still run the show? Today’s corporate heavyweights in Charlotte and beyond are changing the game. These largest businesses hand out the biggest paychecks across North Carolina.
Finance: Teaching your teen about credit cards can feel like decoding ancient hieroglyphics. These easy credit lessons turn confusing plastic power into real-world know-how.
Cocktail: Whether you’re craving a smoky mezcal riff, a floral gin fantasia, or a boozy twist on the classics, Dram & Draught mixes rare spirits, house-made syrups, and a dash of theater into cocktails that turn your evening into a liquid performance you won’t forget.
Money: The average driver pays $175 a month on car insurance, but most of us are paying way too much. If it’s been a while since you shopped around, you’re likely part of that “most of us.” This comparison tool can save you hundreds.
👀 Why just read it when you could be in it?
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📆 Around town this weekend
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
👜 Decorate a Beach Tote | Friday (8/15) at 2:00pm – Sun’s out, totes out! Swing by Pleasure Island Library and channel your inner beachside fashion designer. This quick-and-crafty session is geared toward adults in the ID/DD community, but all are welcome to join the fun. Blank tote, your creativity, and a whole lotta flair – what more do you need?
🎙️ Dan Soder @ Dead Crow Comedy | Friday (8/15) at 9:30pm – That little comedy spot downtown is finally worth the two-block trek thanks to Dan Soder, aka “Mafee” from Billions, sharpening his blade on midlife crises and top-20 podcast rants. Dry humor, self-deprecation, and no fluff guaranteed.
This weekend
🍋 Lemon Infused Busiate Pasta Workshop @ Brunswick Beer Xchange | Saturday (8/16) at 1:00pm – Ever tried hand-rolling pasta with a citrusy twist? This lemon-infused busiate workshop walks you through every twist and twirl, no experience required. You’ll leave armed with fresh pasta, a zesty new skill, and enough bragging rights to fuel the next dinner party.
🌅 Sunset Live Music Series @ Marina Grill | Saturday (8/16) at 6:00pm – Grab a lawn chair, leash Fido, and head down to the Boatyard for free live tunes as the sun dips behind the marina. You’ll soak up coastal vibes, browse local vendors, and pretend you’re a beachside music snob without spending a dime.
🌜 Latimer House Night Tour @ Latimer House | Saturday (8/16) at 8:00pm – After dark strolls rarely come with tech history lessons, but Latimer House’s gaslight tour delivers exactly that. Wander candlelit rooms, geek out over 19th-century gadgets, and enjoy a dose of 21st-century entertainment, complete with dry wit, local gossip, and charm.
✍️ Stories We Carry: Veterans Writing Workshop @ Cameron Art Museum | Sunday (8/17) at 12:00pm – Think your grandad’s never-ending war stories are collecting dust? Here’s an excuse to get them on paper at Cameron Art Museum. Sit down with vets, pen a poem or ink a memory inspired by sumi-e, and leave with an autobiographical keepsake, gratis for military.
💃 Baila with Wilmington Latin Dance @ Tequila’s Waterfront | Sunday (8/17) at 7:00pm – This salsa night by the river welcomes everyone, from two-left-feeters to cha-cha champs, for a quick spin before the party heats up. Twirl under the stars with street tacos, margaritas, and a Cape Fear River view to distract you if you miss a step.
🚢 Sunset Cruise @ Wilmington Water Tours | Sunday (8/17) at 7:00pm – Whether you want to wow a date or decompress with pals, glide along the Cape Fear aboard a comfy catamaran, cocktails in hand, and enjoy local musicians providing the soundtrack. Just river breeze, snacks, and bragging rights to know where Wilmington’s real nightlife lives.
Next week
👆 Fingerprint Art @ Northeast Regional Library | Monday (8/18) at 3:45pm – The Northeast Library’s Makerspace is turning tiny thumbs into tiny masterpieces, inviting your 6-12 year-old to dab, stamp, and giggle their way through fingerprint art. It’s a low-key hangout that sparks creativity, boosts confidence, and maybe spares your walls.
🎤 Open Mic Monday @ Barzarre | Monday (8/18) at 7:30pm – If you think Mondays are too sacred for human suffering, swing by Barzarre for an open-mic free-for-all. From kazoo ditties to impromptu poetry, it’s like your living-room cabaret, only with cheaper beer, a forgiving crowd, and fewer chairs to trip over.
🐢 Turtle Talk & Feeding @ Airlie Gardens | Tuesday (8/19) at 2:00pm – If you’ve ever wanted to learn why turtles carry their house on their back, swing by for a classroom chat with an educator and our ambassador ’shell-ebrity.’ Expect low-speed feeding action, unexpected reptile facts, and a reminder that nature’s pace can still keep you hooked.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 8/15 The Red Clay Strays @ Live Oak Bank Pavilion – 7 pm
- 8/16 Sunset Live Music Series @ Marina Grill – 6 pm
- 8/16 Jared Michael Cline and more @ Ogden Tap Room – 7 pm
- 8/16 A Tale of Two @ Live At Ted’s – 8 pm
- 8/16 Dubtown Cosmonauts @ Whiskey Tango Foxtrot – 9 pm
- 8/16 Florencia & the Feeling and more @ The Palm Room – 10 pm
- 8/19 Sheldon Benton @ SeaWitch Cafe – 7 pm
- 8/19 Coastal Carolina Comedy @ Kindred – 7 pm
🏠️ Price is right – Wilmington edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
Listed by: Alison F Bernhart (Landfall Realty, LLC)
Country French vibes meet modern comfort in this sprawling, personality-packed home on Ocean Point. Five fireplaces (yes, five) keep things cozy, from the banquet-sized dining room to the covered porch overlooking a saltwater pool. The kitchen is a chef’s playground, and the wood-paneled library plus sunroom add a dash of old-school charm.
Three master suites, a dorm-style third floor for the kids, and a second laundry upstairs make group living a breeze. The picnic pavilion, outdoor fridge, and grill mean poolside feasts are always on the menu. There’s even a basement perfect for a workshop, gym, or epic holiday storage.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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