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

Behind the scenes in Wilmington: Gov. Josh Stein announced $20 million for NC film, backing seven projects expected to yield $130 million. He also honored MaryBe McMillan with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine — see which productions got funding.

Bigger, smoother travel ahead: ILM advances a $70 million expansion with a cell phone lot, golf carts and wheelchairs, as Avelo will launch the airport’s first international flight to Punta Cana starting Dec. 24 — get expansion and flight details.

New face at KidzCare: Dr. Erika Pritchett will join KidzCare Pediatrics’ Wilmington office Sept. 17, seeing patients weekdays. The Case Western–trained pediatrician strengthens representation while focusing on newborn support and adolescent behavioral health — see hours and clinical interests.

Highlights this week

• Kids practice reading to therapy dogs
• Practice Spanish-English speaking and listening together
• Join senior fitness at Maides Park
• Play and learn with Smart Start
• Enjoy a free ASL-guided museum tour

Real Maine lobster rolls in Wilmington

When native Mainers Bill and Monica Irwin moved to North Carolina, everyone kept asking about lobster rolls, So they decided to bring the real deal south. Long story short, they had to open a second Wilmington location.

Maine Lobster Roll Company serves authentic lobster meat sourced directly from the docks in Stonington, Maine. Everything is prepared the traditional way, on toasted hot dog buns with butter. No shortcuts, no substitutions, no pretending—just the same lobster rolls you’d get at a Maine seaside shack.

They are open is daily 11am-7pm, with locations on Carolina Beach Road and Eastwood Road.

Visit Maine Lobster Roll Company to get the real thing.

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🫶 We got your back

Connect beyond the sirens: Mark your calendar: Leland Police are hosting National Night Out on Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Northwest District Park. It’s free and family-friendly, with a live DJ, yard games, and giveaways. Kids can check out police cars and fire trucks and meet local first responders. See time, location, and lineup.

Public safety tech shift: Wilmington is swapping its old red light cameras for new traffic cameras at 13 busy intersections. These won’t spit out tickets. They’ll give police live video to investigate crashes and help engineers monitor traffic. The city’s spending about $271,000, with installation aimed for early 2026. Learn what’s changing and why.

Market: Fresh veggies, homemade jams, slightly too confident street musicians, and the joy of overbuying produce you swear you’ll cook with this week, Riverfront Farmers Market is basically Saturday morning perfection.

Modern health: Willow is changing the weight management game with sustainable, flexible, and modern plans to help you feel your best. All their docs are board certified, and you get unlimited access to your physician (AKA… you’ll be in good hands). Take this 2-minute assessment to get started.

Learn something new: If you’ve always wanted to learn a new language, meet italki. They match you with native speakers for personalized lessons starting at just $5/hour. With 150+ languages to choose from and flexible scheduling, you won’t need to rearrange your life (or start a side hustle) to achieve fluency.

📆 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.

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Today

🌅 Sunset Cruise with Live Music @ Wilmington Water Tours | Friday (9/12) at 6:30pm – If you’re still nursing that slump, hop aboard every Friday and Saturday through October on Wilmington’s 49-seat catamaran for a glide down the Cape Fear River, cocktail in hand. Live local bands set the soundtrack. Book early before your neighbor snaps up your date-night spot.

🤹 Tomáš Kubínek- Certified Lunatic & Master of the Impossible @ UNCW Kenan Auditorium | Friday (9/12) at 7:30pm – Whether you’re craving some brain candy or just need to ditch the usual dinner-and-drinks routine, this certified lunatic one-man show pulls out old-school clown gags, virtuosic vaudeville, and Monty Pythonesque silliness. It’s the perfect alibi to leave reality at home.

This weekend

🎥 Local Horror Films Cruise @ Wilmington Water Tours | Saturday (9/13) at 10:00am – Grab your life jacket and climb aboard for a horror movie scavenger hunt on the river, minus the actual gore. Film writer Hunter Ingram will school you on “Silver Bullet”, “Sleepy Hollow”, “Halloween Kills”, and other Wilmington-shot scares. Bring popcorn and nerves.

🎤 Nico Carney @ Dead Crow Comedy Room | Saturday (9/13) at 7:00pm – Get ready for a night of sharp wit and even sharper punchlines. Nico Carney brings his clever, unfiltered comedy to Dead Crow for a double-header that’ll have you laughing through your overpriced cocktail. Arrive early if you want the good seats—and don’t say we didn’t warn you if you end up front row.

🎸 Jeff Reid & Catesby Jones @ Live at Ted’s | Saturday (9/13) at 8:00pm – Missing patio season? No worries, this intimate downtown acoustic night brings back two Wrightsville Beach bungalow pals who’ve swapped songs since ’83. They’ll trade tales, twang, and that lived-in sound only hometown storytellers can deliver. All for fifteen bucks, plus bragging rights.

🎶 Jared Michael Cline @ The Pilot House | Sunday (9/14) at 1:00pm – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to dust off your boots and embrace some genuine, hometown charm, Jared Michael Cline’s returning with his soulful acoustic set. Expect heartfelt lyrics, a few surprises, and the kind of evening that makes you glad you stayed local.

🎤 Clem Snide @ Live at Ted’s | Sunday (9/14) at 4:00pm – Clem Snide is drifting into town to unpack “Oh Smokey,” a collection of slow, sad songs about God and death with a side of dry wit. Eef Barzelay’s crooning feels like a midnight chat about near-death experiences. $20 gets you front-row soul-searching.

🏃 The Runarounds @ Greenfield Lake Amphitheater | Sunday (9/14) at 6:00pm – Whether you’re the savvy type who snagged the Artist Presale or the late riser waiting for public tickets, The Runarounds go on sale next Friday. Expect indie rock nostalgia, sing-along moments, and fierce bragging rights for those quick enough at checkout.

Next week

🧘 Gentle Yoga @ Cameron Art Museum | Tuesday (9/16) at 9:00am – Swap the coffee for a calm breath and stretch your way into the day among gallery walls and curated calm. This gentle, all-level yoga session is perfect for beginners or anyone needing a reset. Bonus: your $8 donation helps fund scholarships for CAM’s Museum School—zen with a side of good karma.

🍷 Wine Tasting River Cruise @ Wilmington Water Tours | Tuesday (9/16) at 6:30pm – Your usual wine bar feeling predictable? Hop aboard a catamaran for a scenic Cape Fear River cruise, sip five handpicked wines between light bites, and resist judging Uncle Bob’s overenthusiastic palate. It’s the same grape juice with bonus skyline views.

🎵 Stu Cru Jamaru: Open Jam Sesh @ The Bend | Tuesday (9/16) at 7:00pm – Open jams at The Bend turn into a free-for-all symphony of local talent, where the only dress code is curiosity and zero stage fright. Whether you’re a guitar hero or the friend who just nods along, expect spontaneous riffs, off-the-cuff duets, and genuine ear candy.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 9/12 Billy Currington and more @ Live Oak Bank Pavilion – 7 pm
• 9/12 Jared Michael Cline and more @ Ogden Tap Room – 7 pm
• 9/12 Tomáš Kubínek @ Kenan Auditorium – 7:30 pm
• 9/12 David Dixon and more @ Live at Ted’s – 8 pm
• 9/12 Nico Carney @ Dead Crow Comedy Room – 9:30 pm
• 9/13 Karen Peck & New River @ Wrightsboro Baptist Church – 6 pm
• 9/13 Wilmington Goth Fest @ The Eagle’s Dare – 6 pm
• 9/13 Cape Fear Rising @ The Bend – 7 pm
• 9/13 Hamlet @ Cape Fear Community College – 7:30 pm
• 9/13 John Mark McMillan @ Kenan Auditorium – 8 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: Rose J Glinski (Redfin Corporation)

A circular driveway fit for a parade and a front porch made for rocking chairs set the tone at this 3,500-square-foot stunner in Beasley on Masonborough. Custom crown moldings, designer lighting, and a natural stone fireplace add a dash of drama, while the kitchen’s white KitchenAid appliances and reverse osmosis water system keep things refreshingly practical. The main-level primary suite is all about ease, and upstairs, three bedrooms with walk-in closets plus a bonus room mean there’s space for everyone and everything.

Out back, a screened porch flows to a patio with a gazebo swing, surrounded by a riot of Gardenias, Camellias, Hydrangeas, and Azaleas, all thriving thanks to a full irrigation system and a 6-foot brick privacy wall. A powered detached garage with a stand-up attic is ready for your boat or secret workshop. With a 4-zone HVAC, two new water heaters, and a buried propane tank, efficiency gets top billing. Pool, tennis, clubhouse, and proximity to beaches and boat launches round out the perks.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →