VOL. 36 / PUB. 41 • THE CAPE FEAR’S ALTERNATIVE VOICE FOR 35 YEARS • APRIL 15-21, 2020 • FREE
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HODGE PODGE Vol. 36 / Pub. 41 April 15-21, 2020
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LIVE LOCAL pg. 4 • By Gwenyfar Rohler Gwenyfar details Jock’s quest to create water-efficient hand-washing stations for Wilmingtonians. Photo by John Wolfe
word of the week DOOFBAG (N.) A doofus who is also a douchebag. “Did you see all those people partying on Masonboro during the stay-at-home order? What a bunch of doofbags!”
COVER EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief:
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Darius Melton interviews local innovators and makers of homemade masks in Wilmington, which are distributed to those in need of PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Lynne Adams
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MUSIC pg. 10 • By Shannon Rae Gentry Shannon interviews pianist Clay Whittington about his all-request Facebook Live series ‘Quarantunes with Clay,’ streaming Thursday nights at 7 p.m. Courtesy photo
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Chief Contributors: Gwenyfar Rohler,
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ART pg. 14 • By Shea Carver Shea talks to artist Janet Triplett and gallery owner Miriam Oehrlein about Triplett’s exhibition “Wide Open,” on display as part of a virtual exhibit at New Elements Gallery. Courtesy photo
Live Local, pgs. 4-5 • News, pg. 6 • Op-ed, pg. 7 • Cranky Foreigner, pg. 8 • News of the Weird, pg. 9 Music, pg. 10 • Film, pg. 12-13 • Art, pg. 14 • Gallery Guide, pg. 15 • Dining, pgs. 16-21 • Extra, pgs. 22-27 Horoscopes/Tom Tomorrow, pg. 29 • Crossword, pg. 31
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LIVE
LOCAL
Gwenyfar and Jock get by (and wash their hands) with a little help from their friends
“S
weetheart, I fully admit, in the case of a natural disaster, you are the person to be with: Your superpowers activate, and there is no one else more likely to get through in one piece than you.” “Thank you,” Jock said. “But an epidemic? I’m just not sure how your skill set applies to that. I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be mean. I’m just … worried.” Jock hemmed and hawed about preparations, stocking up and other things, and then we both drifted off to an uncomfortable and anxiety-ridden pseudo-sleep. At 3 a.m. I rolled over and realized I was in bed alone—not an unusual occurrence. Jock was in the living room, furiously working on something. Hilda padded out, surveyed the situation, wagged her tail and corralled me back to the bedroom. The next morning Jock announced he had an idea and would be in his shop all day.
Well, that’s what I get for challenging his ego, I thought as I sipped coffee.
That particular invention didn’t pan out, mostly because testing it proved to be impossible in the current situation. It would require careful medical supervision, and right now those resources are needed elsewhere. Now, three weeks later, I must eat my words about Jock’s superpowers not meeting an epidemic’s demands. It all started with Randy Evans and Walking Tall Wilmington. No, it started with the libraries and public bathrooms closing due to the state and county going into virtual lockdown. It goes without saying poverty is not evaporating suddenly just because of the stay-at-home order. People who depend upon public services are still in need. Walking Tall Wilmington shares five meals a week with our homeless community. As days passed into weeks and now a month, Evans’ concern grew about the ability for
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BY GW ENYFA R ROH LER ac-
people to wash their hands with no cess to public bathrooms. It is the main thrust of the news: Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands! Right now, we are all vulnerable to the virus, but for people who do not have access to clean water and consistent sanitation, the risk is exponentially higher. The well-being of the community depends upon the strength of its weakest link.
If only, I thought, we knew someone with a water-efficient hand-washing station developed for rural schools in Africa… One of Jock’s longtime collaborators, Toby Keeton, a gifted designer and architect, modified one such design. It included both soapy and rinse water, and was intended to be used by a class full of kids all at once. Created by materials around his house, Keeton simplified it for single-per-
LOOKING OUT FOR OUR NEIGHBORS Jock Brandis with a completed hand-washing station outside the main branch library in downtown Wilmington. Photo by John Wolfe
son use with a 5-gallon water bottle (the kind found in water coolers). He and Jock emailed pictures, and Jock tweaked the design as needed. Then I woke up on Tuesday morning to find Randy Evans in our backyard with a pleased grin on his face. He and Jock were discussing logistics: soap, placement, signage, materials, etc. “I’ve got like 200 bars of soap,” Randy
assured. Since he would be close to the hand-washing stations at mealtimes, he promised to empty the drain buckets and replace the clean water. And we were off to the races. Jock launched into what he loves best: assembling a group of friends to solve a problem. “You should call the place on 23rd Street and see if they would donate some empty water bottles,” one friend suggested. The answer came back an emphatic “No.” Not “maybe next week” or “sure, we have some damaged and leaking ones you could have”—just “no.” So we went to plan B. Michael Satrazemis at Filmwerks offered empties from his company’s water cooler. Then Joe D’Alessandro showed up on our front porch with more empties from his house. “You know, we really do have wonderful friends,” I commented to Jock when Joe departed. “The best,” he agreed. John Wolfe mobilized to help Jock mass produce the wood stands for the
stations. Our next-door neighbors agreed to let Jock and John set up in their side yard, adjacent to our garage, noting they had just mowed it and it would be the perfect workspace.
ing of two hands being washed and Walking Tall Wilmington’s contact info. Then in small letters at the bottom: “UFO Jock.”
“Yeah, that was John’s idea,” he admitted bashfully. He gestured to the garage. “And it is large enough for you to stay 6 “This is the UFO Jock clubhouse.” feet apart,” I reminded. “Remember? Social “Unidentified Friends Of Jock”—it’s a distancing? Six feet apart, please.” reference to an old motorcycle gang Jock
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I kissed Jock and headed out the door belonged to 40 years ago called “UFO with Hilda. We had work to do at the book- Bob,” or “Unidentified Friends Of Bob.” The group congregated in Bob’s garage. Over store. the years the reference had become quite “Of course, of course,” Jock murmured. the family joke. When we started building “I wonder where you buy soap dishes. Do the garage, which Jock always saw as a you think Family Dollar would have them?” clubhouse for his friends to hang out in Clearly, his AutoCAD design program and work on projects, we started jokingly was running in his head and he wasn’t calling it UFO Jock. I made him a sign and hearing me. coffee mugs for his official “garage warmBy lunchtime the first station was in ing.” place outside the library. Jock’s favorite Now, what Jock had envisioned was moment of the implementation began: manifesting:. His a group of people were People interacting with the design. in fact congregating to solve a problem. “After washing their hands, people are Along the way, they were strengthening what makes our community so wonderwashing their faces!” he noted with glee. ful. It’s people like Toby Keeton, Randy It takes so little to make him happy. The Evans, John Wolfe, our neighbors and our hand-washing station was received en- amazing network of friends who make that thusiastically. So Jock doubled down on happen. I don’t need to look to the skies for production. a UFO, but I do look up to them, every one “Made by ‘UFO Jock’?” I pointed to the of the UFO Jock. hand-lettering on the bottom of the sign. The front of the station contains a draw-
AND MANY MORE!
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DOWNTOWN OVERVIEW Wilmington’s riverfront will be up and running again soon, thanks to the grant program by WDI. Photo courtesy of WDI
LOCAL
BY LAUREN SEARS
D
owntown Wilmington is home to nearly 900 businesses and provides revenue to over 10,000 workers. Since the current health crisis, retailers have closed their doors. Restaurants and bars—well, that choose to stay open—offer curbside and to-go orders only. As COVID-19 continues to progress, the repercussions of the virus consequently do the same. The pandemic has left Americans and citizens across the globe with a giant question mark hanging over our heads. When will everything be open again? When will we be able to go to work again? When will it be safe to go through the world without the worry of our health—and health institutions—being compromised? It also begs the question: What happens to businesses forced to remain stagnant until they can re-open? Last week Wilmington Downtown Incorporated (WDI) announced a grant program, in partnership with the Longleaf Foundation, to help sustain local businesses during all these uncertainties. The grant will function as a re-open, re-stock, re-cover (Re-3) program, and assist in maintaining business operations. Funding will be granted up to $3,000 within the downtown area, including the central business district, Brooklyn Arts District, Castle Street to 17th Street, The Cargo District and the South Front (SoFo) District. The program began when local philanthropic foundation, Longleaf, approached WDI with a financial donation of $20,000 from Griffin Estep Benefit Group, a Wilmington health insurance agency. Longleaf and WDI quickly put together a nonprofit donor-based program within days. Wolverton says it was quickly realized the original donation wasn’t able to meet the demands of the large number of businesses seeking help. So, they opened the program to the public, accepting individual donors which has increased revenue to over $44,000 from multiple donors. A similar program, comprising a task force of small business owners and donors,
called #OverFlo was implemented by WDI in 2018, after the destruction of Hurricane Florence. While funding for the new Re-3 program is derived from a collection of different donors and organizations, funds for #OverFlo were split evenly between six beneficiaries: Nourish NC, Salvation Army, Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC at Wilmington, Good Shepherd Center, Cape Fearless Challenge and the Harrelson Center. The final payout of #OverFlo was over $137,000, as funds from a number of downtown-focused events—such as a Lukas Nelson concert, a golf tournament and merchant donations— were raising money for the cause. Due to our current pandemic and unfortunate rules of social distancing, that luxury does not stand for the new Re-3 funding opportunities. With this program, Ed Wolverton, CEO of WDI, says there is need for immediate relief. “While we know government loans are going to be an option, many small businesses need money fast and some are already carrying debt.” The program will offer relief within the month to those businesses without a plan B. According to Gwenyfar Rohler, fellow encore contributor and owner of Old Books on Front Street, business as normal is a far-away wish. “It is looking pretty bleak,” she says candidly. The Re-3 grant would be somewhat of a saving grace for the modest business. Along with desolate aisles of the bookstore, Rohler has lost all income from the nightly rental, literary-themed loft above the bookstore, plus her literary-themed bed and breakfast, Between the Covers, on Market Street. She says business was only beginning to recover from the financial blow of Hurricane Florence. Thus they were not prepared for the current health pandemic. After Florence Rohler borrowed money to keep all her staff on payroll at their normal rate and hours per week. “There wasn’t much in the way of a financial buffer when this thing hit,” she notes. “We were on track to get two of those three loans paid off this year and to continue some improvement
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projects to the building and the business.” With funds already tight and most of their yearly revenue derived from summer months, Rohler is unsure what the future holds. Now her only solace lies in her staff being able to collect unemployment under the governor. “We have applied to the Small Business Association (SBA) and have received a deafening silence,” she says. “We have had no luck trying to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Right now, my plan is, if I can keep the electricity bill paid, we can get re-open, even without water and internet.” Celeste Glass of Second Glass, Downtown Wilmington’s upscale wine and food pairing restaurant, shares a similar story. The restaurant has been running since November of 2018, after a three-month delay opening, due to destruction from Hurricane Florence. While many restaurants in downtown Wilmington are choosing to offer curbside and delivery services, Glass has shut her doors completely. “The type of food and cuisine we’re doing doesn’t travel very well,” she says, “In order for me to do [takeout,] I would have to reinvent my whole business concept.” Her main priority now, is focusing on reopening once the stay-at-home order is lifted. Glass has made frugal money on retail wine, but doesn’t want to deplete her inventory. “If we can open in two weeks, I need to start bringing in employees,” Glass says. “The week before we need to prep a whole new menu, I have to pay for labor, I have to order food for the menu, product, alcohol and things like that to sell.” While Glass recently received approval from the PPP she likely will not receive the funding for months. The Re-3 grant could provide Glass, essentially, with enough finance backing to sustain business through their reopening until steady revenue is generated. WDI will continue to accept grant applications for the program through April 17, and will announce funding recipients by the 20;
RELIEF
Re-3 Grant will provide downtown businesses a buffer upon opening again they’ll distribute funds that same week. Wolverton says if the pandemic lasts longer than expected, WDI will not leave the business owners of Wilmington to flounder.“We are going to keep accepting donations for this program as long as the need exists,” he says. Although the state of the country and our beloved town is in jeopardy, the sense of underlying community remains the same. It matches the many natural disasters we’ve faced through the years, living in hurricane alley. “This is another example of how our community comes together during a difficult time to help each other,” Wolverton says. “The leadership skills of the WDI board to nimbly and quickly redeploy the organization’s resources to envision and run the Re-3 program is inspiring.” For full details on the Re-3 grant program visit wilmingtondowntown.com.
WHO’S BY MARK BASQUILL
D
WINNING? Remembering a father’s lesson to value wisdom over power
riving home across a desolate College Road last week, I passed the empty Little League fields at Winter power-drunk yet remain skeptical of actuPark. Closed Little League al expertise. People who have spent years fields on opening day. Not the first sad in front of the tube, waiting for wardrobe opening day I’ve experienced. My father malfunctions of one sort or another, have died right after opening day in 2003. become instant epidemiologists. “The dePart of his legacy is an appreciation of nominator of the mortality rates is susbaseball and understanding that power pect.” They question the rigor of mediis vastly different than expertise, excel- cal research methodology. “Why not try the malaria drug? Ya never know—it just lence, wisdom or compassion. might work.” I drove on. I felt sad that Ol’ 45’s kids— “Knowledge is power,” is a trite phrase especially 14-year-old Barron—weren’t as lucky as me. They didn’t get the same that may sometimes prove valid. The inverse of that faux equation—“Power is baseball lessons from their father. knowledge!”—is a dangerous proposi“Hey, Frank! Who’s winning, the boys or tion. Do we really believe power equals the girls?” knowledge? Jay McAfee’s voice popped into my head, My father admired technical excellence along with his silly red-faced grin. Jay and and never sought power over others. He my father were my blue-collar Little League was an outstanding technical welder, and coaches. Jay popped his head into the dug- developed expertise in non-destructive out during the third inning. He had just ar- metals testing. Late in his career, he was rived, happily drunk, with no idea what was promoted to Shop 26 supervisor and ragoing on. Dad laughed, gave Jay the score- diation safety officer for the entire Philbook, asked him to sit away from us, shut adelphia Naval Shipyard. Still, he had to up and try to keep score. Then he turned his be dragged up every rung of the ladder focus back to the kids and a game he loved. of administrative success. Every time he None of us kids cared about Jay’s con- was promoted to a position of power over dition. Grown-ups! They all want to be in others, it was like someone had cut him in charge of something. Most of them don’t a street fight. Throughout his life, he studied his crafts and remained suspicious of even know who’s playing. anyone who actively sought power over I stopped at the light at 17th Street. My others. two sons and thousands of other kids For good and ill, part of my father’s legfilled Winter Park with laughter, hopes and dreams throughout the years. They will acy is my reluctance to be in charge. My technical expertise in some narrow areas start swinging for the fences again soon. has forced me into leadership roles I’ve The fact the fields are empty this season handled remarkably well, given I’m not a is lamentable. And it’s no one’s fault. Even Fortune 500 CEO waiting to happen. Like if Abraham Lincoln was president and Je- my father, I admire teachers and those sus Christ was King of England, COVID-19 pursuing excellence. Like my father, I am still would be circulating the globe like an also suspicious of power-seekers and anti-Santa Claus. Little League fields from naked celebrity (fame devoid of even the Tokyo to Topsail would be locked. illusion of competence). Our global challenge has become a lot I hope everyone stays healthy through worse by a few grown-ups who value being the COVID-19 challenge. I also hope this in charge over understanding the game. Jay unplanned experiment in adaptation will McAfee may have been drunk on Jameson, guide us to value my father’s lessons. but many so-called leaders and aspiring Perhaps COVID’s heart-wrenching chalones in this “lead, follow, or get out of the lenges may lead us to tell the difference way” land are drunk on power, money and between those that pursue excellence celebrity. Jameson is far less destructive. and wisdom from those that pursue profit Millions of other grown-ups defend the and power.
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BUYING POWER? The Cranky Foreigner stands with Gen Zers over the status quo
A
lright, let’s talk about two stories from The Washington Post. From the business section: “Pershing Square Capital Management’s Bill Ackman has turned a $27 million hedge against a coronavirus downturn into proceeds of $2.6 billion.” And from the opinion page: “Gen Z was fed up with the status quo. Coronavirus could affirm their beliefs.” Frankly, my dear, I’m glad Gen Z gives a damn. Personally, I wish there was a lot more storming the castle because of all this crap going on. Although, right now, the image of upset citizens with torches and pitchforks is made a lot less effective with correct social distancing. Wash your hands after breaching the portcullis! For some time now, I’ve watched smart young people raise their voices in this country. They are easily quashed by the current duopoly. Our government is designed more to protect the political class than to respond to the voices of voters.
BY THE C
The two-party system is unique among Western democracies. Elsewhere, parties are many and fluid. That gives voters a lot more power, and it gives elites a broader base of people to try to bribe and hush up.
Our two cast-in-stone parties have crafted an arrangement that values, more than anything, the preservation of said arrangement. Rivers of money flow in through a well-protected channel to maintain it. Some of this money, I’m sure, comes from Bill Akman and Pershing Square Capital Management. I guess he thinks it’s kind of neat to make billions on betting the plague would cause misery to so many of us common folk. He wants to maintain the status quo. So do the two “rival” teams in DC. They’re very comfortable. Like the NFL, none of them really care who wins the Super Bowl—as long as football wins. Which brings me back to the point. For young people, especially, recent events have shone a pretty bright light on how
have had renewable energy, affordable college and universal healthcare—and it would have cost less than $2.2 trillion. The generation footing the bill would have actually benefited—unlike during the Iraq War.
RANKY FO
REIGNER
things actually work. They tend to think positively about affordable education, a nontoxic environment and a healthcare system not based on pure greed. They raise their voices on issues only to be told the country doesn’t have the resources. The number one critique of Bernie Sanders was that, in our once fabulous economy, there just wasn’t any money for the dreams he shared with millions of his supporters. All the while, magically, the status quo agreed there were plenty of resources for a trillion-dollar tax cut for Bill Akman and his Wall Street friends. That trillion dollars for the rich would have been the price tag for many years of universal healthcare—but that dream was “totally out of reach,” we were told. Then came the virus. The political class snapped its collective fingers, and “Shazam!” $2.2 trillion appeared instantly out of nowhere. So, how does that work? Anyone who took economics in college should now tear out and throw away a few chapters of the old textbooks. Forget all that stuff about a cumbersome system of governments, operating through a deliberative combination of taxation and borrowing, and hard choices that have to be made to get us through the budget cycle. Hands up: Who remembers the guns or butter paragraph? Remember when we learned about the federal government’s dedication to budgeting more money to defense instead of social programs? Now we discover, with a snap of those same collective fingers, the country could
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Thank God a lot of young people seem to be paying attention. They see things differently from their Bible-thumping, warmongering, science-hating, gay-bashing, expertise-denying, Fox News-addicted elders. They have watched the gross stupidity in their country’s handling of the coronavirus. With more warning than most countries, the most expensive healthcare system in the world still couldn’t pull off basic testing and tracking. It worked well in about a dozen “poorer” countries. For 100 years, testing and tracking is how we dealt with tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and a bunch of other maladies. Instead, young people were forced to watch, in slow motion, aging jackasses in well-funded denial, followed instantly by the spending of vast sums of magic money with their generation’s name signed to the promissory note. So, young people, are you unhappy with the status quo? What the hell? Politicians give you a perfectly good, boiled dogshit sandwich with fries on the side and this is the thanks they get! So, you live in a land controlled by a fairly airtight political class and you don’t like the status quo? Your generation wants to change things? Do you play by the rules or outside the rules? Can you sneak enough smart people like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez into power? Or do you take the “Stop the Vietnam War” approach? Either way, Bill Akman and his friends at Pershing Square Capital Management are waiting for you. With the “best government money can buy” on their side, Akman and his ilk will not go gently into the night. They have a plan, too, because there’s never such a thing as having enough money.
LEAD STORY Authorities executed a search warrant relating to a narcotics investigation in the South Texas town of Mercedes on March 25, but what they seized wasn’t drugs. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Sammy Parks told the Associated Press that officers had been warned there were exotic animals on the 5-acre property, and game wardens who joined the search found a white Bengal tiger, bobcat, kinkajou, porcupines, llamas, emus and deer. While no arrests were made, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department had to euthanize three of the animals; the remainder were removed to the Austin Zoo for examination and rehabilitation. [Associated Press, 4/3/2020]
HOW THE WORLD HAS CHANGED —Amy Simonson and Dan Stuglik proceeded with their planned wedding on April 4 in Pokagon, Michigan, but the coronavirus pandemic forced them to get creative. While the original guest list of 150 people had to be pared down repeatedly as restrictions were placed on public gatherings, Stuglik was determined that his bride not walk down the aisle between empty pews in the Old Rugged Cross Church. He hit upon the idea of filling the church with cardboard cutouts of family and friends and stopped by Menasha Packaging Co. to ask for help. Employees Ted Harris and Luke Arendash jumped at the chance. “(Stuglik) was just looking for a general person shape, but I was able to make it a little bit more realistic audience for them,” Harris told The Herald Palladium. The company supplied more than 100 cutouts of varying sizes, shapes and hairstyles. The newlyweds moved their reception to October and canceled their honeymoon in Newport, Rhode Island, but Stuglik said they “both have peace now, because it’s stripped down to what it should be, which is us and God, getting married.” [Herald Palladium, 4/1/2020]
on March 29 about a car hitting two other vehicles south of Seattle and then racing away at speeds up to 100 mph, AFP reported. Trooper Heather Axtman said when officers got close to the 1996 Buick, they were shocked to see a dog sitting in the driver’s seat. Alejandro was steering and pushing the gas pedal from the passenger seat. “When we took him into custody,” Axtman said, “he admitted to our troopers that he was teaching his dog to drive. ... I’ve heard a lot of excuses ... but I’ve never had an excuse that the dog was driving.” Alejandro was charged on multiple counts, including driving under the influence of drugs. [AFP, 3/30/2020] —Our four-legged friends are taking advantage of the COVID-19 lockdown in multiple cities, United Press International reported: On March 31, 122 Kashmiri goats took over the Welsh town of Llandudno, eating gardens and sleeping in the yards; on April 6, residents of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, reported a large herd of deer casually wandering through neighborhoods; in Gir, Gujarat, India, citizens were warned on April 5 to stay inside not only because of the pandemic but because a large lion was nosing around the city; at a Fast Stop store in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, a bear took the low-traffic opportunity to dumpster dive on April 3; and in the Central Region of Singapore, witnesses captured video of a horse galloping through the empty streets of Bukit Timah on April 6. She had escaped from the Paisano Polo Academy, where the owner said she’d only been loose for about 20 minutes. [United Press International, various]
CORONAVIRUS COSPLAY
Police on horseback and motorcycles in Hyderabad, India, are reminding civilians about the dangers of COVID-19 by wearing large red masks and headdresses in the shape of the virus as they patrol. Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar said the masked officers would be stationed at various city junctions, Fox News reported. Ironically, the city organized a rally on April 7 to DOGGONE IT! kick off the awareness campaign, displayAlberto Tito Alejandro, 51, was arrested ing signs reading “Please Avoid Gathering” following a high-speed chase after Wash- and “Social Distancing Is Social Responsiington state troopers received multiple calls bility.” [Fox News, 4/7/2020]
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TICKLING THE KEYS Pianist and singer Clay Whittington continues to entertain live audiences each Thursday night with ‘Quarantunes with Clay.’ Courtesy photos
SING A
(QUARAN)TUNE
BY SHANNON RAE GENTRY
I
t’s been a while since I sat down with pianist Clay Whittington at Port City Java on Market Street in 2013. The Kinston-born North Carolinian had moved to Wilmington only a few months prior in order to fulfill his passion for performance in theatre, film and music. Leading up to his move, Whittington had been in shows like “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Clue,” “TEXAS,” “Disney’s High School Musical On Livestreaming Thursdays, 7 p.m. Stage” and “Nunsense!” in various venues throughout the southeast. He found Facebook.com/claywhittington/live himself on the set of the TV show “Sleepy Hollow” as an extra and was playing keys throughout Wilmington on the heels of others are offering online lessons.” his debut album, “Hymprov,” featuring a Catching up with the artist now, it’s imseries of hymnals interpreted through his possible not to note the sign of the times own style of classical jazz or rock piano.. as “Sleepy Hollow” and ILM’s film industry Whittington then set sail on new adven- has long since said adieu—though slowly tures: playing live piano on cruise ships for seems to be building up again. And forget a little more than two years before docking about meeting at a coffee shop for an inin November 2018. He acknowledges now terview. As for Whittington, all of his work he may have dodged the proverbial bul- as a gigging musician, choir director and let by leaving the cruise industry before a student has moved online.
DETAILS
CLAY WHITTINGTON
global pandemic.
“I keep up with many friends that are still out there,” he tells. “Most, if not all of the entertainment staff have had their contracts cut short.” He has witnessed friends losing thousands of dollars, many of whom now do livestream concerts and some partaking in GoFundMe campaigns. “The quarantine orders also seem to have sparked new creativity with many of my artist friends,” Whittingtton adds. “Some are crowdfunding for albums while
“It’s keeping me fairly busy,” he says. “I am actually keeping my grass cut to a reasonable height! I also started back at East Carolina University in the fall, so classes are keeping me busy. Turns out you can do music theory and history online.” While completing his bachelor’s degree in vocal performance, with a concentration in sacred music, Whittington is making the most of his time at home and still playing live shows, online, of course. Enter: “Quarantunes with Clay,” livestreaming on Facebookevery Thursday night at 7 p.m. We
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caught up with the entertainer via email before his next performance, April 16. encore (e): Does all of this COVID-19 business make you question taking a cruise ship job again? Clay Whittington (CW): I had my reasons for leaving—mostly the feeling I had “served my time” and that it was time to move on. As for this affecting my decision to take similar jobs again? Nah. The cruise industry will bounce back with a vengeance, and they’re good about taking care of their employees, especially their entertainers. e: Tell us more about starting “Quarantunes.” CW: I spent most of my spring break with the East Carolina University Chamber Singers in Alabama. While we were there, we got word classes were being moved online for the remainder of the semester. When I returned home, I played at Tails Piano Bar on March 14. This was the last live gig I played since things really started to go south that weekend. By Monday, my performance calendar for April and most of May had been wiped clean. I also had been performing a regular Thursday night show at Don’t Tell Scarlett, a new piano bar inside the Queen Street Deli in Kinston. Especially after the stay-at-home order, I had to find a way to reach this audience and let them know we’d be back up and running soon, so I tried a Facebook Live piano bar on Thursday night and it was a hit! Coming down from the high of a successful first night, I decided to make it a weekly show. So here we are every Thursday in quarantine, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. e: Do you take requests? What do people often ask to hear?
Pianist Clay Whittington takes all requests every Thursday on Facebook Live CW: “Quarantunes with Clay” is an all-request show. I’ll start and end with a few personal favorites, but the majority is audience-driven. They’re asking for many piano bar favorites, such as “Piano Man,” “Sweet Caroline,” etc., but there are requests for rock and pop hits from the past few decades (i.e. Queen, Elton John, Ben Folds, Toto, Backstreet Boys). e: What’s the craziest song request you’ve ever gotten anywhere? CW: I have had a lot of crazy requests, but some favorites that stick out are: “Come Sail Away” (in the style of Eric Cartman)—which will wreck your voice. Fergie’s rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” Anything from Joe Exotic (God save us!) “Baby Got Back”—always a crowd favorite. e: Give us an idea of what we can expect to hear in the coming weeks. CW: I like to learn a few new songs each week and staying at home has made that quite easy. After much resistance, I finally sat down with some of the Tiger King’s “music” (using the term “music” loosely here) and plan to include it in this week’s show. Just like my regular performances, if there’s a request I don’t know, I try to learn it before next week’s show—but yes, this week will include more Ben Folds, Seger and Speedwagon.
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SIBLING RIVALRY The Band had their fair share of ups and downs, as documented in ‘Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band’. Photo courtesy Magnolia Picture
STAY-IN
THEATER
BY BROOKE SUDDETH
C
inematique has been entertaining Wilmington for nearly 30 years. The independent film series, presented by a partnership between WHQR Public Media and Thalian Hall, allows the community to watch original cinema in the grandeur of historic Thalian Hall’s theater. Originally presented by WHQR and St. John’s Museum in 1992, Cinematique was the brainchild of Michael Titterton, Anne Brennan (CAM’s now executive director) and Ren Brown. In 1996, it moved to Thalian Hall, after current executive director Tony Rivenbark acquired the necessary equipment (including a screen and a sound system) to show films. The new series launched in January of that year, with a screening of “Gone With the Wind.” Although the theater-going experience is hard to replicate, current Cinematique coordinator Mary Bradley has found a way to bring the magic to folks at home with the Cinematique Sofa Series. Going digital has been vital to keeping the popular series afloat during this time of uncertainty. “The idea [to make Cinematique virtual] really just came naturally, as distributors transitioned to offering the films digitally,” Bradley tells. “We were excited to have a way to keep serving our audience.” The Sofa Series launched on April 3 with a trio of films: “The Woman Who Loves Giraffes,” “Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band” and “The Whistlers.” All three films are available to rent until April 17. “The Woman Who Loves Giraffes” also was part of the Cinema Sisters International Film Festival last month (see March 4 edition of encore for coverage). It documents the life of biologist Anne Innis Dagg, who went on a solo journey to South Africa to study giraffes in the wild at age 23. In the film, Dagg, now 83,
DETAILS CINEMATIQUE SOFA SERIES New films released every Friday Rentals: $12 for five days Benefits WHQR and Thalian Hall’s Cinematique program whqr.org thalianhall.org retraces her steps, and addresses the obstacles she faced in her career as a female scientist. “Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band” follows the personal journey of influential guitarist Robbie Robertson. Robertson and The Band made their mark on music history, but it didn’t come easy. The documentary shows the emotional ups and downs that come with heavy substance abuse. It also contains rare archival footage, photography, iconic songs and interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Martin Scorsese and others. “The Whistlers” is a Romanian action flick. The spy thriller centers on corrupt cop Christi, who acts as a whistleblower for the mafia. In order to avoid detection, he must travel to a remote colony, La Gomera in the Canary Islands, to learn an ancestral whistling language that will allow him to continue communicating with mobsters. Cinematique plans to keep releasing new indie films each week until Thalian Hall’s theater is fully functioning and
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open to the public once again. “We hope to ‘open’ three films a week (and overlap for a week with the previous three),” Bradley says. On April 10, they released the gerrymandering documentary “Slay the Dragon,” Ken Loach’s “Sorry We Missed You,” the and fashion doc, “The Times of Bill Cunningham.” The films are available through April 24. “Slay the Dragon” speaks to the timely issue of democratic principles under siege. A secretive gerrymandering initiative in launched in 2010 and sparks public outrage. Starting with a Facebook post, a small group of passionate individuals in Michigan snowballs into a voter rights movement, “Voters Not Politicians.” Directed by Barak Goodman and Chris Durrance, “Slay the Dragon” shows audiences how determination and zeal can take on a broken system. “Sorry We Missed You,” directed by Ken Loach, addresses real-life hardships of a family struggling through financial distress. Ricky and his wife Abby lost their home during the 2008 financial crash and risk it all to get their life back on track. When an opportunity comes for Ricky to work as his own boss as a delivery driver, the two sell their only remaining asset—Abby’s car—to purchase a white van. Ricky quickly realizes his dream of owning his own delivery franchise will not come easy, while dealing with an unremitting work schedule, merciless supervisor and the needs of their two teenage children. A recently discovered six-hour interview from 1994 inspired the 2018 documentary, “The Times of Bill Cunningham.” The doc explores the iconic life of street photographer and fashion historian Bill Cunningham, in his own words. With a very pleasant demeanor, Cunningham expounds on his time as a milliner
WHQR’s Cinematique goes digital with Sofa Series in France, at the height of the Korean War; his four decades at The New York Times; and his relationship with Jackie Kennedy. He talks about roaming the streets of New York on his bicycle, camera in hand, ready to capture the dynamics of political protests, notable fashion, and the undocumented realities of society. The doc also features photographs chosen from an archive of over 3 million previously unpublished images. Cinematique’s Sofa Series aims to give Wilmingtonians an outlet for artistic escape at a time where it’s desperately needed. “We hope to offer much of what becomes available from our regular independent film channels,” Bradley says. “Especially now when we’re all looking for something to fill some of our extra time, it’s great to have high-quality, beautiful, moving, challenging, uplifting, emotional, fun and unique films to watch. I love being able to escape into a new world—whether it’s studying giraffes and exploring feminism, traveling into the high-fashion world or spending time with the royals—if just for a couple hours.” The movies are $12 to rent for five days (though once they hit play, renters have 72 hours to finish). Proceeds raised help keep the program going via Thalian Hall and WHQR. To watch films from the Sofa Series, folks should rent directly from the links found on Thalian Hall and WHQR’s websites. The Cinematique Sofa Series is compatible with computers, smartphones and tablets, and can be cast to Apple TV or Google Chromecast.
RIGHT- HAND MAN Leon Vitali worked closely with filmmaker Stanley Kubrick and appears in the documentary ‘Filmworker.’ Courtesy photo.
REEL
BY ANGHUS
I
doubt the declaration “I love movies” will come as a shock to anyone. Over the last 20 years, I’ve spent the vast majority of my creative energies either making movies or writing about cinematic endeavors others have made. This fascination sometimes gets granular, especially when digging through the dirt of cinematic oddities and spectacular disasters. There are some movies that are famous for being failures, and filmmakers who become inspired by chronicling the catastrophe. There are a number of very watchable documentaries on streaming services that capture the rapture and wretchedness of some of Hollywood’s most famous failures. Some wonderful lines can be drawn between all three documentaries I review this week. Collectively, the films take a peek behind the scenes at the work of a trio of filmmakers: Orson Welles, Peter Bogdanovich and Stanley Kubrick. Similarities run deep as each doc shows the lengths filmmakers are willing to go to produce relevant art and seek perfection that eludes most creators.
They’ll Love Me When I’m Dead Directed by Morgan Neville The Other Side of the Wind Directed by Orson Welles Netflix
became well-respected antiques. Welles would spend the third act of his career desperate for relevance, culminating in a decade of being the engineer behind the train wreck called “The Other Side of the Wind.” “They’ll Love me When I’m Dead” (Welles pictured below talking with Peter Bogdanovich) is a documentary that tells the story of an aging, broke and difficult Welles trying to make a movie that would redefine his contributions to cinema, and the hapless saps that got caught up in his wake. The film is a fascinating examination of Welles at his most interesting: desperate, drunk, barely clinging to his sanity. It’s a look at the dark side of fame, success, and the burden of being deemed “a genius,” and the subsequent pressure of trying to live up to that impossibly high standard. The documentary is made more interesting by pairing it with the movie that inspired it, “The Other Side of the Wind,” which isn’t as nearly as good. In fact, it’s a batshit crazy mess that almost begs to be watched in a non-sober state. The documentary is immersive and troubling, and showcases a sad hubris that makes Welles a tragic presence.
One Day Since Yesterday Directed by Bill Teck Netflix
Legendary filmmaker Orson Welles is known for his masterpiece, “Citizen Kane.” The film was his crowning accomplishment but also an albatross slung around his neck for the rest of his career. Its perfection cast a large, looming shadow over every movie he would direct thereafter. While he would make a number of excellent movies, “Citizen Kane” became the iconic monolith with which he would always be associated.
Speaking of tragic presence, one of Welles’ closest friends in the later stages of his career was filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich. Bogdanovich helped the aging icon financially as he tried to navigate his comeback. A fascinating filmmaking figure in his own right, Bogdanovich was the most popular movie director in American for a short period in the ‘70s. He became a household name and charmed his way into guest-hosting for Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show.”
As filmmaking shifted to a more natural and gritty style, directors like Welles
His early successes made way for crippling disappointments. By the end of the
1970s, he had gone from Hollywood poster boy to an angry washout. Bogdanovich decided he no longer wanted to play by the rules of the entertainment industry and independently produced a new film, “They All Laughed”—a light, frothy romantic comedy. “One Day Since Yesterday” chronicles Bogdanovich’s career, as well as the project that ultimately diminished his reputation in Hollywood. Much like “They’ll Love Me When I’m Dead,” the documentary weaves back and forth between celebrating Bogdanovich as an artist and the height of his haughtiness. And like “The Other Side of the Wind,” what was meant to be a comeback ends up being a multi-faceted tragedy that ends Bogdanovich’s influence as an auteur.
STORIES Anghus highlights three fascinating documentaries about filmmakers ities to “They’ll Love Me When I’m Dead.” Leon Vitali was a successful British actor who was starting to get the attention and recognition performers crave. After being cast in Stanley Kubrick’s “Barry Lyndon,” Vitali abandoned his acting goals and became the iconic filmmaker’s right-hand man. The famously obsessive and prickly Kubrick and Vitali developed a personal and artistic relationship that defies convention.
I’ve watched this documentary twice, each time amazed by Bogdanovich’s meteoric rise and fall. Though revered by the public, he was ultimately marginalized and is rarely discussed among his peers that emerged from the same era. After The fact that Vitali was willing to give watching “One Day Since Yesterday,” it’s up his own goals to help serve Kubrick’s clear why. cinematic vision is both beautiful and baffling. Welles and Bogdanovich were Filmworker very comfortable using others to help accomplish their artistic pursuits. “FilmDirected by Tony Zierra worker” tells the story of a man willing to Netflix be used in order to facilitate the obses“Filmworker” is a different kind of docu- sive-compulsive whims of a gifted yet mentary, but one that shares some similar- troubled cinematic legend.
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ENCHANTING
STORIES Janet Triplett takes viewers on ‘Wide Open’ virtual exhibit to see subtle colors and shapes more accurately than [when I use] only a photograph. Experience in painting from life provides the ability see what is missing or disguised in a photo. e: Do you have a fave from this series?
T
he last time we spoke to pleinair oil painter Janet Triplett, she was part of a summertime show, “Sea Dreams,” at New Elements Gallery with Angie Sinclair. The show saw Triplett eschewing her normal portraiture and still-life works in favor of landscapes. It’s a transcendence of mood, a peaceful place for Triplett to explore. Her works depicting water, from sea to marsh, are an extension of her surroundings at home on Bald Head Island. She continues painting from this inspiration in her solo show, “Wide Open,” at New Elements. It’s now on display as part of a virtual exhibition for the gallery, since its downtown location is closed due to COVID-19. “This is our first online exhibition,” gallery owner Miriam Oehrlein says. “We are really learning a lot—from programs that are available to make these art shows, to how to promote more online. It was serendipitous how the whole show came together. Janet was supposed to have a show at Century 21 for the March Fourth Friday, so she had brought all of her new work and intellectual property the day before we closed the shop.” At that time Oehrlein realized the business had to change—away from depending on in-person customers and more toward beefing up their web presence and screentime interaction. “Janet’s work, which is a dreamy mix of sunsets and beach scenes, is exactly the kind of subject matter we want to deliver to everyone right now,” Oehrlein continues. “Her work has a serene quality, which really fit for the mood we wanted to create. Not to mention, her big, beautiful skies really transport the viewer outside— something I think we all need right now. A world beyond four walls.”
JT: Well, probably “Morning Mediation” and “Evening Jubilee,” because I love the marsh in the morning as well as the evening and the way the water and the grass areas meander through the marsh.
encore (e): So, Janet, tell me about your transition from being a corporate designer, to owning a decorative painting business, to now being a full-time painter: How did each career inform the next, and what do you find your current career offers you that the last ones did not? Janet Triplett (JT): The three careers I’ve had are all based in one form or another on artistic creativity. While designing for Wachovia Bank, I also curated their extensive art collection. My goal as part of that job was to acquire primarily North Carolina and regional original works. The decorative painting business allowed me to actually get back to my original love of painting but was definitely still part of interior design. The freedom I have now to paint paintings of subjects that I love does offer a different kind of joy. e: The last time we spoke, you were doing a show with Angie Sinclair, as part of the summertime series. Is “Wide Open” an extension of that? JT: The last show I had at New Elements with Angie Sinclair included the same genre of work that is in the current “Wide Open” show. Miriam Oehrlein (MO): Janet typically focuses on landscapes for us, although she does do still lifes and pet portraits. “Wide Open” is a continuation of the landscapes she likes to paint! e: So, Miriam, what do you love about Janet’s work? How many shows has NE repped for her?
e: How has the current COVID-19 affected you as an artist? Are you producing any new work from it?
BY SHEA CARVER SOLITUDE
JT: I am used to and enjoy painting alone, so having to stay in place during this current health crisis hasn’t hindered the joy I get when escaping to the studio!
One of 11 oil paintings now on display New Elements Gallery website, as part of a virtual exhibition of Janet Triplett’s art exhibit, ‘Wide Open.’ ‘Solitude’ is 40-inches-by-40-inches, $3,600. Courtesy photo
JT: No new shows scheduled at this point. Two other galleries are ready for more work so that will keep me busy.
further simulates an enchanting story arc, whether that be about a sunrise, sunset or hazy afternoon. Her work has the ability to totally transform a room from blah to spectacular and often acts as the centerpiece in many of the homes she hangs in. Janet is pretty great, too! e: Take me through the process of creating one of your works, from beginning to end. JT: Many of my paintings begin as a plein air study, [or with] photographs of the scenes that emotionally move me. These are usually guides, as many times the final painting doesn’t look like my inspirational scene at all.
e: What’s next for you this year? Any other shows planned, new techniques/goals, etc?
e: Miriam, give us an idea of how you wish people to enjoy the online show. MO: We knew we wanted an exhibition evocative of an intellectual and tranquil experience right from home. People are feeling alone at this time. The idea that multiple friends and family members can get together separately, go through the exhibition, and have a nice glass of wine over a Skype chat of what they see seemed like a good way to break up the monotony of quarantine.
DETAILS
e: How you hope viewers see or contextualize the piece? JT: My goal with my work is for the viewer to feel some of the emotion I felt while I painted the piece. If my painting brings them joy, solace or tranquility I feel that the piece is a success.
WIDE OPEN: NEW WORKS BY JANET TRIPLETT
Free • newelementsgallery.com/wideopen-a-virtual-exhibition-of-newwork-by-janet-triplett/ MO: Janet’s work borders on fantastical, JT: Well, it is painting from life, which I’ve We interviewed Triplett and Oehrlein her dream-like quality really capturing the done with my still life work and also [with] New Elements Gallery, 271 N Front about “Wide Open.” attention of any viewer. Her color palette live models. When I paint from life, I’m able Street B • 910-343.-997 14 encore | april 15 - april 21, 2020 | www.encorepub.com
e: Why do you love plain-air painting?
GALLERY GUIDE
art exposure!
22527 Highway 17N Hampstead, NC (910) 803-0302 • (910) 330-4077 Tues. - Sat. 10am - 5pm (or by appt.) www.artexposure50.com
ArtExposure will be hosting “Metal and Fiber, a show featuring the metal work of Vicki Thatcher and the Fiber work of Jan Lewis. The show will run until the end of August. Check outartexposure50.com for upcoming events and classes!
ART IN BLOOM GALLERY
210 Princess St. • (484) 885-3037 Temporarily closed or call for appt. aibgallery.com
Art in Bloom Gallery is temporarily closed except for appointments until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. View and purchase art via our website at https://aibgallery.com/product-category/group-exhibit/. Free delivery or shipping provided. On view: “New Art by Helen Lewis, Debra Bucci & Naomi Jones with Photographer, Brian Peterson,” through April 19. The group art exhibit showcases original art in a variety of mediums. “Ancient Practice: Encaustic Art by Helen Lewis” is a new body of work investigating new directions with an ancient practice fusing pigment and beeswax on wooden panels. The group art exhibit showcases original art in a variety of media. “Ancient Practice: Encaustic Art by Helen Lewis” is a new body of work investigating new directions with an ancient practice fusing pigment and beeswax on wooden panels.
ART IN BLOOM SATELLITE VENUES www.aibgallery.com
In addition to our gallery at 210 Princess Street, Art in Bloom Gallery partners with local businesses to exhibit original art in other locations. However, due to COVID-19 “Ways of Wax” art exhibit at Platypus & Gnome is closed until further notice.
NEW ELEMENTS GALLERY
271 N. Front St. • (919) 343-8997. Tues. - Sat. 11am - 6pm (or by appt.) newelementsgallery.com
“Juncture,” featuring art by BF Reed and jewelry by Aja Butler-Burns, is a conceptual exhibition combining Reed’s geometric shapes and organic offerings, and Butler-Burns jewelry that uses geometric crystals and organic metal shapes to create connections that elevate consciousness and brings us closer to nature. New Elements is temporarily closed until further notice per the COVID-19 pandemic.
WILMA DANIELS GALLERY
200 Hanover St. (bottom level, parking deck) Mon.-Fri., noon-5pm http://cfcc.edu/danielsgallery
At this time CFCC and the Wilma Daniels Gallery is closed and will reopen once the COVID-19 pandemic passes and we are clear to get business back to normal.
encorepub.com
103 N Lake Park Blvd #B Carolina Beach, NC (910) 458-5226 elcazadormex.com encore | april 15 - april 21, 2020 | www.encorepub.com 15
DINING
GUIDE
Italian Bistro 8211
Market St. • ww w.Italian BistroN C.com • Courtes y photo
AMERICAN BLUEWATER WATERFRONT GRILL
Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of sailing ships and the Intracoastal Waterway while dining at this popular casual American restaurant in Wrightsville Beach. Lunch and dinner are served daily. Favorites include jumbo lump crab cakes, succulent seafood lasagna, crispy coconut shrimp and an incredible Caribbean fudge pie. Dine inside or at their award-winning outdoor patio and bar, which is the location for their lively Waterfront Music Series every Sunday April - October. Large parties welcome. Private event space available. BluewaterDining.com. 4 Marina Street, Wrightsville Beach, NC. (910) 256-8500. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon-Fri 11a.m. - 11 p.m.; Sat & Sun 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wrightsville Beach ■ FEATURING: Waterfront dining ■ MUSIC: Music every Sunday in Summer ■ WEBSITE: bluewaterdining.com
shellfish to pastas, sandwiches, and Certified Angus Beef selections. We offer half-priced oysters from 4-6 every Wednesday & live music with our Sunday Brunch from 11-3. Whether you are just looking for a great meal & incredible scenery, or a large event space for hundreds of people, Elijah’s is the place to be. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun-Thurs 11:30-10:00; Friday and Saturday 11:30-11:00 ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ILM; kids menu
PINE VALLEY MARKET
Pine Valley Market has reigned supreme in servicing the Wilmington community for years,
securing encore’s Best-Of awards in catering, gourmet shop and butcher. Now, Kathy Webb and Christi Ferretti are expanding their talents into serving lunch in-house, so folks can enjoy their hearty, homemade meals in the quaint and cozy ambiance of the market. Using the freshest ingredients of highest quality, diners can enjoy the best Philly Cheesesteak in Wilmington, along with numerous other sandwich varieties, from their Angus burger to classic Reuben, Italian sub to a grown-up banana and
peanut butter sandwich that will take all diners back to childhood. Served among a soup du jour and salads, there is something for all palates. Take advantage of their take-home frozen meals for nights that are too hectic to cook, and don’t forget to pick up a great bottle of wine to go with it. 3520 S. College Road, (910) 350-FOOD. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.-Fri. 10
PLEASE, CALL AHEAD TO MAKE SURE RESTAURANTS ARE OPEN
ELIJAH’S
Since 1984, Elijah’s has been Wilmington, NC’s outdoor dining destination. We feature expansive indoor and outdoor waterfront dining, with panoramic views of riverfront sunsets. As a Casual American Grill and Oyster Bar, Elijah’s offers everything from fresh local seafood and
16 encore | april 15 - april 21, 2020 | www.encorepub.com
DURING THE COVID-19 SHUTDOWN. SOME MAY BE DOING DELIVERY AND/OR TAKEOUT ONLY.
a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Sun. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Daily specials and take-home frozen meals ■ WEBSITE: pinevalleymarket.com
THE TROLLY STOP
Trolly Stop Grill and Catering is a four store franchise in North Carolina. Trolly Stop Hot Dogs opened in Wrightsville Beach in 1976. That store name has never changed. Since the Wrightsville Beach store, the newer stores sell hotdogs, hamburgers, beef and chicken cheese steaks, fries, hand dipped ice cream, milk shakes, floats and more. Our types of dogs are: Southern (Trolly Dog, beef and pork), Northern (all beef), Smoke Sausage (pork), Fat Free (turkey), Veggie (soy). Voted Best Hot Dog in Wilmington for decades. Check our website trollystophotdogs.com for hours of operations, specific store offerings and telephone numbers, or contact Rick Coombs, 910-297-8416, rtrollystop@aol.com We offer catering serving 25-1000 people. Franchises available. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER ■ LOCATIONS: Wilmington, Fountain Dr. (910) 452-3952, Wrightsville Beach (910) 2563921, Southport (910) 457-7017, Boone, NC (828) 265-2658, Chapel Hill, NC (919) 240-4206 ■ WEBSITE: trollystophotdogs.com
ASIAN INDOCHINE RESTAURANT
If you’re ready to experience the wonders of the Orient without having to leave Wilmington, join us at Indochine for a truly unique experience. Indochine brings the flavors of the Far East to the Port City, combining the best of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine in an atmosphere that will transport you and your taste buds. Relax in our elegantly decorated dining room, complete with antique Asian decor as well as contemporary artwork and music. Our diverse, friendly and efficient staff will serve you beautifully presented dishes full of enticing aromas and flavors. Be sure to try such signature items as the spicy and savory Roasted Duck with Red Curry, or the beautifully presented and delicious Shrimp and Scallops in a Nest. Be sure to save room for our world famous desert, the banana egg roll! We take pride in using only the freshest ingredients, and our extensive menu suits any taste. After dinner, enjoy specialty drinks by the koi pond in our Asian garden. Located at 7 Wayne Drive (beside the Ivy Cottage), (910) 251-9229. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Tues.- Fri. 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.; Sat. 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. for lunch. Mon.- Sun. 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. for dinner. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: indochinewilmington.com
NIKKI’S FRESH GOURMET
For more than a decade, Nikki’s downtown has served diners the best in sushi. With freshly crafted ingredients making up their rolls, sushi and sashimi, a taste of innovation comes with every order. Daily they offer specialty rolls specific to the Front Street location, such as the My Yoshi, K-Town and Crunchy Eel rolls. But for less adventurous diners looking for options beyond sushi, Nikki’s serves an array of sandwiches, wraps and gyros, too. They also make it a point to host all dietary needs, omnivores, carnivores and herbivores alike. They have burgers and cheesesteaks, as well as falafal pitas and
veggie wraps, as well as an extensive Japanese fare menu, such as bento boxes and tempura platters. Daily dessert and drink special are also on order. Check out their website and Facebook for more information. 16 S. Front St. (910) 7719151. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.-Thurs., 11am 10pm; Fri.-Sat., 11am-11pm; Sun., 12pm10pm. Last call on food 15 minutes before closing. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: nikkissushibar.com
OKAMI JAPANESE HIBACHI STEAK HOUSE
We have reinvented “Hibachi cuisine.” Okami Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse is like no other. Our highly skilled chefs cook an incredible dinner while entertaining you on the way. Our portions are large, our drinks are less expensive, and our staff is loads of fun. We are committed to using quality ingredients and seasoning with guaranteed freshness. Our goal is to utilize all resources, domestically and internationally, to ensure we serve only the finest food products. We believe good, healthy food aids vital functions for well-being, both physically and mentally. Our menu consists of a wide range of steak, seafood, and chicken for the specially designed “Teppan Grill.” We also serve tastebud-tingling Japanese sushi, hand rolls, sashimi, tempura dishes, and noodle entrees. This offers our guests a complete Japanese dining experience. Our all-you-can-eat sushie menu and daily specials can be found at okamisteakhouse.com! 614 S College Rd. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.-Thurs., 11am 2:30pm / 4-10pm; Fri., 11am-2:30pm / 4pm-11pm; Sat., 11am-11pm; Sun., 11am9:30pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: okamisteakhouse.com
nightly from 5-7, until 8 on Mondays, and also 10-Midnight on Fri/Sat. Tuesday LOCALS NIGHT- 20% Dinner Entrees. Wednesday 80S NIGHT - 80smusic and menu prices. Sundays are the best dealdowntown - Specialty Sushi and Entrees are BuyOne, Get One $10 Off and 1/2 price Wine Bottles.Nightly Drink Specials. Gluten-Free Menu upon request. Complimentary Birthday Dessert. ■ WEBSITE: yosake.com. @yosakeilm on Twitter & Instagram. Like us on Facebook.
BAGELS ROUND BAGELS
Round Bagels and Donuts features 17 varieties of New York-style bagels, baked fresh daily on site in a steam bagel oven. Round offers a wide variety of breakfast and lunch bagel sandwiches, grilled and fresh to order. Round also offers fresh-made donuts daily! Stop by Monday Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., and on Sunday, 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
■ SERVING BREAKFAST & LUNCH ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Homemade bagels, cream
cheeses, donuts, sandwiches, coffee and more ■ WEBSITE: roundbagelsanddonuts.com
FONDUE THE LITTLE DIPPER
Wilmington’s favorite fondue restaurant! The Little Dipper specializes in unique fondue dishes with a global variety of cheeses, meats,
seafood, vegetables, chocolates and fine wines. The warm and intimate dining room is a great place to enjoy a four-course meal, or indulge in appetizers and desserts outside on the back deck or in the bar while watching luminescent jellyfish. Reservations are appreciated for parties of any size. Located at the corner of Front and Orange in Downtown Wilmington. 138 South Front Street. (910) 251-0433. ■ SERVING DINNER: 5pm Tue-Sun; open daily from Memorial Day through October ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING Sunday half-price wine bottles; Monday beer and wine flights on special; Tuesday Local’s Night $11/person cheese and chocolate; Wednesday Ladies Night; Thursday $27 4-course prix fixe; Friday “Date Night” $85/couple for 3 courses and a bottle of wine. ■ MUSIC: Tuesdays & Thursdays, MayOct., 7– 9 p.m. (weather permitting) ■ WEBSITE: www.littledipperfondue.com
IRISH THE HARP
Experience the finest traditional Irish family recipes and popular favorites served in a casual yet elegant traditional pub atmosphere. The Harp, 1423 S. 3rd St., proudly uses the freshest ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible, to bring you and yours the most delicious Irish fare! We have a fully stocked bar featuring favorite Irish beers and whiskies. We are open every day for both American and Irish breakfast, served to noon weekdays
Join The n Rebellio Today
SZECHUAN 132
Craving expertly prepared Chinese food in an elegant atmosphere? Szechuan 132 Chinese Restaurant is your destination! Szechuan 132 has earned the reputation as one of the finest contemporary Chinese restaurants in the Port City. Tastefully decorated with an elegant atmosphere, with an exceptional ingenious menu has deemed Szechuan 132 the best Chinese restaurant for years, hands down. 419 South College Road (in University Landing), (910) 799-1426. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Lunch specials ■ WEBSITE: szechuan132.com
YOSAKE DOWNTOWN SUSHI LOUNGE
Lively atmosphere in a modern setting, Yosake is the delicious Downtown spot for date night, socializing with friends, or any large dinner party. Home to the never-disappointing Shanghai Firecracker Shrimp! In addition to sushi, we offer a full Pan Asian menu including curries, noodle dishes, and the ever-popular Crispy Salmon or mouth-watering Kobe Burger. Inspired features change weekly showcasing our commitment to local farms. Full bar including a comprehensive sake list, signature cocktails, and Asian Import Bottles. 33 S. Front St., 2nd Floor (910) 7633172. ■ SERVING DINNER: 7 nights a week, 5pm; Sun-Wed. ‘til 10pm, Thurs ‘til 11pm, Fri-Sat, ‘til Midnight. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING: 1/2 Price Sushi/Appetizer Menu
CURBSIDE AND DELIVERY! CHECK OUR FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS FOR UPDATES ON MENU AND HOURS
• American comfort food, with a Southern twist • Handpicked bourbons and whiskeys • House-made barrel-aged cocktails • Excellent wine selection • 34 beers on draft Mon. 4pm-12am • Tues.-Thurs. 11:30am-12am Fri. & Sat. 11:30am-1am • Sun. 11:30am-12am
15 S. Front St. 910-399-1162 www.rebellionnc.com
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We’re not just hot dogs!
and 2 p.m. weekends. Regular menu to 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 p.m. weekends. Join us for trivia at 8:30 on Thursdays and live music on Fridays – call ahead for schedule (910) 763-1607. Located just beside Greenfield Lake and Park at the south end of downtown Wilmington, The Harp is a lovely Irish pub committed to bringing traditional Irish flavor, tradition and hospitality to the Cape Fear area ■ SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Greenfield Lake/DowntownSouth ■ FEATURING: Homemade soups, desserts and breads, free open wifi, new enlarged patio area, and big screen TVs at the bar featuring major soccer matches worldwide. ■ WEBSITE: harpwilmington.com
SLAINTE IRISH PUB
$5 Meal Deals
Offering philly cheesesteaks, burgers, grilled cheeses, frank ’n’ beans and more! Offering hot dog cart service for catering, 60 or more! Drop-off catering offered!
We ha Impos ve the s Burgeible r
WILMINGTON 4502 Fountain Dr Wilmington, NC 28403 (910) 452-3952
11am to 6:30pm, 7 days a week
Slainte Irish Pub in Monkey Junction has traditional pub fare with an Irish flair. We have a large selection of Irish whiskey, and over 23 different beers on draft, and 40 different craft beers in bottles. They have a large well lit outdoor patio with a full bar also. Come have some fun! They currently do not take reservations, but promise to take care of you when you get here! 5607 Carolina Beach Rd. #100, (910) 399-3980 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 11:30 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington, Monkey Junction ■ FEATURING: Irish grub, whiskeys, beer, wine, fun. ■ WEBSITE: facebook.com/slaintemj
ITALIAN ANTONIO’S
Serving fresh, homemade Italian fare in midtown and south Wilmington, Antonio’s Pizza and Pasta is a family-owned restaurant which serves New York style pizza and pasta. From daily specials during lunch and dinner to a friendly waitstaff ensuring a top-notch experience, whether dining in, taking out or getting delivery, to generous portions, the Antonio’s experience is an unforgettable one. Serving subs, salads, pizza by the slice or pie, pasta, and more, dine-in, take-out and delivery! 3501 Oleander Dr., #2, and 5120 S. College Rd. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun., open at 11:30 a.m.) ■ NEIGHBORHOOD DELIVERY OFFERED: Monkey Junction and near Independence Mall ■ WEBSITE: antoniospizzaandpasta.com
THE ITALIAN BISTRO
The Italian Bistro is a family-owned, fullservice Italian restaurant and pizzeria located in Porters Neck. They offer a wide variety of N.Y. style thin-crust pizza and homemade Italian dishes seven days a week! The Italian Bistro strives to bring customers a variety of homemade items made with the freshest, local ingredients. Every pizza and entrée is made to order and served with a smile from our amazing staff. Their warm, inviting, atmosphere is perfect for “date night” or “family night.” Let them show you why “fresh, homemade and local” is part of everything they do. 8211 Market St. (910) 6867774
■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun.-Thurs., 18 encore | april 15 - april 21, 2020 | www.encorepub.com
11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Sun brunch, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Porters Neck ■ WEBSITE: italianbistronc.com
SLICE OF LIFE
“Slice” has become a home away from home for tourists and locals alike. Our menu includes salads, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, homemade soups, subs and, of course, pizza. We only serve the freshest and highest-quality ingredients in all of our food, and our dough is made daily with purified water. Voted “Best Pizza” and “Best Late Night Eatery.”All ABC permits. Visit us downtown at 125 Market Street, (910) 251-9444, in Wrightsville Beach at 1437 Military Cutoff Road, Suite 101, (910) 256-2229 and in Pine Valley on the corner of 17th and College Road, (910) 799-1399. ■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER & LATE NIGHT: 11:30 a.m.-3 a.m., 7 days/week, 365 days/year. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, Downtown and Wilmington South. ■ FEATURING: Largest tequila selection in town! ■ WEBSITE: grabslice.com
MEXICAN ZOCALO
Zocalo Street Food and Tequila brings a modern version of cooking traditional Mexican street food through perfected recipes, with excellent presentation. Zócalo was the main ceremonial center for the Aztecs, and presently, it is the main square in central Mexico City. It bridges old school tradition with a twist of innovative cooking. Zocalo also has weekly events, such as their margarita and food tasting every Monday, 5-8 p.m., and a live taco station every Tuesday , 5-8 p.m. Live Latin music Is showcased every other Saturday and Sunday brunch begins at 10 a.m. Be sure to try Zocalo’s wide selection of the best tequilas! Owned and operated locally, locations are in Wilmington and Jacksonville, NC. Take out and delivery available through most apps. ■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER AND BRUNCH: Monday - Saturday, 11 a.m - 10 p.m.; Sunday brunch, 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; closes 9 p.m. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Pointe at Barclay ■ WEBSITE: zocalostreetfood.com
SANDWICHES J. MICHAEL’S PHILLY DELI
The Philly Deli celebrated their 38th anniversary in August 2017. Thier first store was located in Hanover Center—the oldest shopping center in Wilmington. Since, two more Philly Delis have been added: one at Porters Neck and one at Monkey Junction. The Philly Deli started out by importing all of their steak meat and hoagie rolls straight from Amoroso Baking Company, located on 55th Street in downtown Philadelphia! It’s a practice they maintain to this day. We also have a great collection of salads to choose from, including the classic chef’s salad, chicken salad, and tuna salad, all made fresh every day in our three Wilmington, NC restaurants. 8232 Market St., 3501 Oleander Dr., 609 Piner Rd.
■ OPEN: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Monday -Thursday,11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Friday -
Saturday.
You’ll have a great time eating in our “Bohemi-
■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Porters Neck, North and an-Chic” atmosphere, where you’ll feel just as
South Wilmington, ■ WEBSITE: https://phillydeli.com
SEAFOOD CAPE FEAR SEAFOOD COMPANY
Founded in 2008 by Evans and Nikki Trawick, Cape Fear Seafood Company has become a local hotspot for the freshest, tastiest seafood in the area. With it’s growing popularity, the restaurant has expanded from its flagship eatery in Monkey Junction to locations in Porters Neck and Waterford in Leland. “We are a dedicated group of individuals working together as a team to serve spectacular food, wine and spirits in a relaxed and casual setting,” restaurateur Evans Trawick says. “At CFSC every dish is prepared with attention to detail, quality ingredients and excellent flavors. Our staff strives to accommodate guests with a sense of urgency and an abundance of southern hospitality.” Cape Fear Seafood Company has been recognized by encore magazine for best seafood in 2015, as well as by Wilmington Magazine in 2015 and 2016, and Star News from 2013 through 2016. Monkey Junction: 5226 S. College Road Suite 5, 910-799-7077. Porter’s Neck: 140 Hays Lane #140, 910-681-1140. Waterford: 143 Poole Rd., Leland, NC 28451 ■ SERVING LUNCH AND DINNER: 11:30am4pm daily; Mon.-Thurs.., 4pm-9pm; Fri.-Sat., 4pm 10pm; Sun., 4pm-8:30pm. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, north Wilmington and Leland ■ WESBITE: capefearseafoodcompany.com
CATCH
Serving the Best Seafood in South Eastern North Carolina. Wilmington’s Native Son, 2011 James Beard Award Nominee, 2013 Best of Wilmington “Best Chef” winner, Chef Keith Rhodes explores the Cape Fear Coast for the best it has to offer. We feature Wild Caught & Sustainably raised Seafood. Organic and locally sourced produce & herbs provide the perfect compliment to our fresh Catch. Consecutively Voted Wilmington’s Best Chef 2008, 09 & 2010. Dubbed “Modern Seafood Cuisine” we offer an array Fresh Seafood & Steaks, including our Signature NC Sweet Potato Salad. Appetizers include our Mouth watering “Fire Cracker” Shrimp, Crispy Cajun Fried NC Oysters & Blue Crab Claw Scampi, & Seafood Ceviche to name a few. Larger Plates include, Charleston Crab Cakes, Flounder Escovitch & Miso Salmon. Custom Entree request gladly accommodated for our Guest. (Vegetarian, Vegan & Allergies) Hand-crafted seasonal desserts. Full ABC Permits. 6623 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28405, 910-7993847. ■ SERVING DINNER: Mon.-Sat. 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: North Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Acclaimed Wine List ■ WEBSITE: catchwilmington.com
DOCK STREET OYSTER BAR
Voted Best Oysters for over 10 years by encore readers, you know what you can find at Dock Street Oyster Bar. But we have a lot more than oysters! Featuring a full menu of seafood, pasta, and chicken dishes from $4.95-$25.95, there’s something for everyone at Dock Street.
comfort able in flip flops as you would in a business suit. Located at 12 Dock St in downtown Wilmington. Open lunch and dinner, 7 days a week. (910) 762-2827. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 7 days a week. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING: Fresh daily steamed oysters. ■ WEBSITE: dockstreetoysterbar.net
MICHAEL’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Established in 1998, Michael’s Seafood Restaurant is locally owned and operated by Shelly McGowan and managed by her team of culinary professionals. Michael’s aspires to bring you the highest quality and freshest fin fish, shell fish, mollusks, beef, pork, poultry and produce. Our menu consists of mainly locally grown and made from scratch items. We count on our local fishermen and farmers to supply us with seasonal, North Carolina favorites on a daily basis. Adorned walls include awards such as 3 time gold medalist at the International Seafood Chowder Cook-Off, Entrepreneur of the Year, Restaurant of the Year and Encores readers’ choice in Best Seafood to name a few. 1206 N. Lake Park Blvd. (910) 458-7761 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 7 days 11 am – 9 pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Carolina Beach ■ FEATURING: Award-winning chowder, local se food and more! ■ WEBSITE: MikesCfood.com
THE PILOT HOUSE
The Pilot House Restaurant is Wilmington’s premier seafood and steak house with a touch of the South. We specialize in local seafood and produce. Featuring the only Downtown bar that faces the river and opening our doors in 1978, The Pilot House is the oldest restaurant in the Downtown area. We offer stunning riverfront views in a newly-renovated relaxed, casual setting inside or on one of our two outdoor decks. Join us for $5.00 select appetizers Sunday-Thursday and live music every Friday and Saturday nigh on our umbrella deck. Large parties welcome. Private event space available. 910-343-0200. 2 Ann Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun-Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm and Sunday Brunch,. 11am-3pm. Kids menu ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Riverfront Downtown Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Fresh local seafood specialties, Riverfront Dining, free on-site parking ■ MUSIC: Outside Every Friday and Saturday ■ WEBSITE: pilothouserest.com
■ WEBSITE: caseysbuffet.com
Time!
■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Carolina
Beach Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-2am; Sun: Noon2am, Historic Wilmington: Sun-Thurs: 11am10pm; Fri-Sat:11am-Midnight. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Carolina Beach/Downtown ■ FEATURING: Daily lunch specials. Like us on Facebook! ■ WEBSITE: TheShuckinShack.com
SOUTHERN CASEY’S BUFFET
In Wilmington, everyone knows where to go for solid country cooking. That place is Casey’s Buffet, winner of encore’s Best Country Cookin’/ Soul Food and Buffet categories. “Every day we are open, somebody tells us it tastes just like their grandma’s or mama’s cooking,” co-owner Gena Casey says. Gena and her husband Larry run the show at the Oleander Drive restaurant where people are urged to enjoy all food indigenous to the South: fried chicken, barbecue, catfish, mac‘n’cheese, mashed potatoes, green beans, chicken‘n’dumplings, biscuits and homemade banana puddin’ are among a few of many other delectable items. 5559 Oleander Drive. (910) 798-2913. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Mon. & Tues. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Pig’s feet and chitterlings.
RX RESTAURANT & BAR
Located in downtown Wilmington, Rx Restaurant and Bar is here to feed your soul, serving up Southern cuisine made with ingredients from local farmers and fishermen. The Rx chef is committed to bringing fresh food to your table, so the menu changes daily based on what he finds locally. Rx drinks are as unique as the food—and just what the doctor ordered. Join us for a dining experience you will never forget! 421 Castle St.; 910 399-3080. ■ SERVING BRUNCH & DINNER: Tues-Thurs, 5-10pm; Fri-Sat, 5-10:30pm; Sun., 10am-3pm and 5-9pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: rxwilmington.com
TAPAS/WINE BAR THE FORTUNATE GLASS WINE BAR
Under new ownership! Tom Noonan invites you to enjoy his remodeled space, featuring a new sound system and new bar, in a warm, relaxed environment. Taste 40 craft beers, over 400 wines by the bottle, a wide selection of cheese and charcuterie, with gourmet small plates and desserts to go! And don’t miss their weekly wine tastings, every Tuesday, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. SERVING DINNER & LATE NIGHT: Mon., Closed; Tues.-Thurs., 4 p.m. - 12 a.m.; Fri., 4 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Sat., 2 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Sun., 4 - 10 p.m. NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown, 29 S Front St. WEBSITE: fortunateglass.com
SHUCKIN’ SHACK
Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar has two locations in the Port City area. The original Shack is located in Carolina Beach at 6A N. Lake Park Blvd. (910-458-7380) and our second location is at 109 Market Street in Historic Downtown Wilmington (910-833-8622). The Shack is the place you want to be to catch your favorite sports team on 7 TV’s carrying all major sports packages. A variety of fresh seafood is available daily including oysters, shrimp, clams, mussels, and crab legs. Shuckin’ Shack has expanded its menu now offering fish tacos, crab cake sliders, fried oyster po-boys, fresh salads, and more. Come in and check out the Shack’s daily lunch, dinner, and drink specials. It’s a Good Shuckin’
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SPRINKLES — BOOMBALTTI’S ICE CREAM TRUCK Since it began offering daily deliveries, Boombalatti’s has been averaging around 25-30 orders a day. Courtesy photo
FACING
BY JOAN C.W. HOFFMANN
A
daptation is the name of the game nowadays as we self-isolate amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Though it’s been the case since, well, the beginning of time, lately, it seems more dire. In the brilliant words of David Bowie, we all must now “turn and face the strange.” For Wilmington restaurants and bars, facing the strange and adapting to change is even more important to keeping business afloat. While many restaurants utilize third-party delivery options, a la Uber Eats or DoorDash, a few are giving it more of a personal touch,
as a means to keep revenue coming in when only curbside pickup and delivery options are available to the shelter-at-home public.
asks orders be placed for a minimum of five households per neighborhood and the neighborhood be within 15 miles of the restaurant.
Chris and Marie Guarino have owned and operated Taste of Italy (TOI) since 1994. The Wilmington staple is known for its massive deli subs and mouth-watering chicken and eggplant parm. Now, they’re delivering to Wilmington residents’ homes.
“All you have to do is talk to your neighbors, decide on a drop-off day, time and location (clubhouse, willing neighbor’s house, etc.) and have one person call and confirm it’s available,” Marie explains. “Then, if you choose to order, each family calls in separately and just has to inform the employee on the phone you are placing an order for [neighborhood name,] and give your first and last name. You can prepay over the phone, and we will bring your receipt to the drop off.”
“We have our full menu available, both hot and cold (take and bakes), as well as our full grocery section (wine too, moms!),” Marie says. Best part: no delivery fee. However, TOI
The neighborhood strategy is also being executed by beloved ice cream shop Boombalatti’s. Owners Wes and Kristen Bechtel keep a tight schedule of daily neighborhood deliveries to ensure there is a fair distribution of ice cream throughout town. Their schedule can be found daily on Facebook. There have a four-pint minimum and a $4 delivery fee, and so far, people are happy to abide. “We got 22 orders on the first day, and have been averaging around 25-30 orders a day,” Wes shares.
All good things start with wholesome ingredients. $5 Community Partners Box Lunch Catering & Delivery Online Ordering
(910) 795-4164
www.jasonsdeli.com 5301 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28405 20 encore | april 15 - april 21, 2020 | www.encorepub.com
Quarantine has also revealed a flavor trend Wes and Kristen didn’t expect—the rise of banana with Nilla Wafers. “People have always loved it, but it’s been more popular than Chocolate Cream Pie during this period—and that’s something none of us would have guessed,” he muses. Tasty Italian fare and frozen treats aren’t the only things being dropped off on doorsteps. A perfect meal will be complete with the addition of wine and/or beer. Bottega on North 4th has slashed prices in a big way in an effort to make sure inventory doesn’t stick around. Owner Addie Wuensch—self-described “beer and wine fairy”—isn’t charging delivery fees but urges customers to tip the driver. Deliveries can be made within a 30mile radius of the bar, and the wait depends on distance and volume. Anyone who has a timeframe needed can make the request, and Wuensch will do her best to meet it. Downtown bottle shop Bombers Beverage Company also is making deliveries, though they are keeping them closer to downtown.
THE
STRANGE
Local businesses take delivery into their own hands Kyle Harshner and Sunni Holley offer a varied wine and beer list but they require a $30 minimum. The general consensus is, while delivery is a temporary solution during shelter-inplace, everyone is looking forward to serving friendly faces in person. “We may continue to deliver in the future,” Wuensch emphasizes, “however, we eagerly await the safety and health of the community so we can open again to the public and continue with our regular art and music related events.” Though deliveries have helped, they’re not a long-term solution to get everything back up where it should be. For Boombalatti’s, seasonal business, specifically spring and summer, is their bread and butter. “Without delivery we’d have about an 80% decrease in revenue, which is tough because March is the very end of our five-month offseason,” bemoans Wes. “Now is the time we start making money to set aside to stay open throughout the winter. Adding delivery has allowed us to provide our customers with the ice cream they’re missing, while helping us keep our full-time staff working and keeping our lights on and our rent paid.” Bombers has likewise felt the squeeze. “Until we are able to return to business as usual, we will continue to do what we can to get by,” Harshner affirms. Even in this darker time, there is hope. The community has shown its support. “We’ve delivered over 2,000 pints in the last three weeks,” Wes says. “We got into the ice cream business to make people happy, and if delivering ice cream helps us do that, we are all for it.”
STOCKED AND READY TO DELIVER Typically set up for browsing, Mon Âme Chocolate and Wine Bar now resembles a warehouse of stacked cases. Courtesy photo
ON
BY SHEA CARVER
W
e’ve all heard the horror stories from hospitals around the world: Doctors, nurses and other staff overwork to keep patients alive, as entire healthcare facilities convert into ICU units, with personal protective equipment (PPE) running dangerously low to protect against the contraction of COVID-19. Lack of ventilators, masks, beds and mortuary space are common, scary headlines we read on the regular. As healthcare workers continue fighting for the wellbeing of our global society, communities are coming together to cheer them at shift changes, send meals to hospitals as a thank you, make masks and sanitizer by hand to send their way, and even offer everyday essentials and childcare. In Wilmington a local wine shop is providing them a wind-down bottle or two after their shift ends. “I was talking with a customer on the phone who was ordering wine to be delivered, and who happened to be a nurse,” Andrew Bopes tells encore. The Mon Âme Chocolate and Wine Bar owner shut down his shop to the public last month, before Governor Cooper’s executive order mandated most businesses close, and went straight to curbside pickup and delivery to help fight the spread of the virus. “It got me thinking I’d like to help by donating some wine,” Bopes continues. Bopes reached out to his wine reps to see what kind of support he could garner, and asked David Long at New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) how many personnel would benefit from wine donations. Since many wine reps have been furloughed, they tapped into their personal collection, which gave Bopes the idea to open it to the public. Essentially, anyone can contribute either $25 or $100, and for each $100 donated by the public, a case of wine goes to NHRMC to be distributed to workers on the front line. As a bonus, Mon Âme will match the first 10
DETAILS DRINK UP, WIND DOWN Fundraiser for wine for healtcare staff at NHRMC Donate $25 or $100: andrew@macwindebar.com cases donated, plus Bopes got one of his distributors, Zingo Munger of Cape Classics, to match the first seven cases with their South African brand Indaba. Once word got out, the idea grew. “Ed Plowman from Tryon Distributing said he had talked to Steve Hedberg from Bogle Vineyards, who was willing to match 10 cases of his Essential Red,” Bopes says. “Along with the matched cases, local reps have donated almost six cases from their personal collections.” Bopes’ goal is to get 17 cases pledged by the public, with a deadline of April 19. With all matched bottles included, it will allow him to donate 50 cases—600 bottles— to NHRMC staff. “But there is no limit to what we can do,” he clarifies. “This is basically a collective community gift basket of sorts to say thank you.” The wine store owner has been stocking up on more affordable wines ($10-$15 a bottle) in order to combat the financial strain many face when it comes to purchasing miscellanies. Still, he says clients are stocking up in the time of COVID. “Because people are buying cases at a time, my shop now resembles more of a warehouse of stacked cases,” he tells. “We are keeping busy with delivery and curbside pickup (offered seven days a week, noon 5 p.m.), but with keeping wines affordable
and knowing people are buying in bulk, our profit margins have dropped and inventory on hand has skyrocketed. If we were to be told to stop operation now, I’d be left holding the bag, which is why I make sure I’m the only one that handles the wine and practice extreme distancing when delivering and outside of the shop.” After 5 p.m. Bopes is out of the shop, running daily deliveries. “We offer our normal 15% to-go discount for pick-up orders (excluding sale priced items) and don’t charge delivery unless it’s under $50 and outside of downtown,” he tells. “Basically, if someone wants $20 of wine, and they live close to downtown, they won’t be charged, especially when there’s usually a few deliveries running.”
THE
CASE Downtown wine shop hosts fundraiser to gift wine to overburdened healthcare workers
He also hosts virtual wine tastings every week with different reps. Customers can place orders for the two wines to be discussed (usually totaling about $30), then join in on the tasting via Facebook Live. “[We] talk about the region, winery, the wines and then open it up for a Q&A section,” Bopes tells. “The whole thing usually last around 45-60 minutes and is also archived so if you miss the live event you can still taste along at your leisure.” Folks who wish to place an order or who wish to donate to the “Drink Up, Wind Down” fundraiser for NHRMC staff can email Andrew Bopes at andrew@ macwinebar.com. If donating to the fundraiser, please, include the amount and a phone number. “That way I’m able to call back to accept payment and track donations at one time and not have to field calls all day long,” Bopes says. “We are here for our community, if anyone needs a special delivery or can’t pick up wines ‘til a certain hour, they should just give a call and I’ll make it happen. Also, everyone, keep your heads up; we will get through this together—at a distance.”
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LITERARY
LIGHTS Ghostlight Series welcomes Wiley Cash, Tony Rivenbark and others as part of Sunday Special Guests Rivenbark, likewise, makes a case for Wilmington’s artists by showcasing the kind of eclectic, joyous home a life in the arts can produce. Erected in the Greek Revival style in 1938, the one-time parlor house on South 6th Street was supposed to be featured as part of this year’s Historic Wilmington Foundation Azalea Festival House Tour, before the event was canceled due to COVID-19.
L
ooking for a way to fight the existential dread of Sunday nights under the coronavirus? The Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College and The Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County are here to help.
DETAILS
The local organizations are hoping to help viewers overcome the Sunday scaries by introducing “Sunday Special Guests” to their popular Ghostlight Series. Hosted by Shane Fernando, executive and artistic director of the Wilson Center, the special guest series kicked off April 15 with a reading by New York Times bestselling author Wiley Cash and continued this past Sunday with Thalian Hall executive director Tony Rivenbark, who gave a virtual tour of his Wilmington home. Viewers can catch both appearances on the Wilson Center’s Facebook page and website, or during “Smooth Landings with George Scheibner” at 7 p.m. on WHQR the night after they air.
the performers.
The Ghostlight Series, named for the longtime practice of leaving a single bulb burning onstage when a theater is dark, launched March 23 and has featured musical performances by the likes of Jared Michael Cline, Emily Roth, Johanna Winkel, Travis Shallow and Daniel Rottenberg. Viewers are encouraged to make donations, which will be shared evenly among
The Sunday series is slightly more flexible: It features a lineup of established regional artists—mostly writers—who have agreed to forego payment in order to raise funds for the nonprofit Broadway for a Better World. The donor-supported initiative provides free tickets for Wilson Center performances to local area nonprofits, especially those focused on youth under the
BY JE FF OL OIZIA FIRST SUNDAY SPECIAL GUESTS
SUNDAY SPECIAL GUESTS OF THE GHOSTLIGHT SERIES Sundays at 7 p.m. Wilson Center Facebook page and wilsoncentertickets.com/Ghostlight/ Donations benefit Broadway for a Better World
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Local author Wiley Cash read from his novel ‘The Last Ballad’ during his appearance as a Sunday Special Guest of the Wilson Center’s Ghostlight Series. Courtesy photo
But if Rivenbark was feeling any bitterness, he didn’t show it. With his trademark sense of mischief, the veteran actor donned a colorful mask while greeting interviewer Robin Dale Roberston on thef ront porch, before continuing the tour inside. There, viewers catch a glimpse of the roughly 20,000 objects that fill Rivenbark’s home—including art works by Dorothy Gillespie and Claude Howell, among modern-day Wilmington artists like Nathan Verwey and Nick Mijak, as well as plenty of photos of Rivenbark himself. “It’s very egotistical,” Rivenbark told encore last week. He describes the home’s style as “somewhere between ‘Auntie Mame’ and schizophrenia . . . I walk around the house and look at my life all day long.”
age of 18. Since its inception, it has grantWhile the final product may have a ed 1,388 tickets to an extensive list of non- homespun, off-the-cuff feel, it is actualprofits, with a value of more than $115,000. ly the product of a lot of hard work. “We During the inaugural Sunday guest per- have very specific guidelines, from lighting formance, Cash read from his 2017 novel, and camera angle, to the number of piec“The Last Ballad.” Afterward, he gave an es performed, and so forth,” says Fernanimpassioned plea for viewers to support do. That includes maintaining the Wilson Center’s high standards, as well as keeparea artists. ing each video to a viewer-friendly runtime “There are so many artists and so many (both Cash and Rivernbark’s performances performers and so many talented actors clocked in at 20 minutes or less). Says Ferin Wilmington that are hurting right now,” nando, “In show business you always want he said. “Not necessarily because the the- to leave the audience wanting more.” aters are closed, but because their jobs The Sunday Special Guests series will that provide essential income aside from the arts are closed. . . . We need to do our continue in coming weeks with appearbest to reach out to them, to find them, to ances by Wilmington novelist Clyde Edgerton and North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki bring them in and to lend them a hand.” Shelton Green, with more to be announced.
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GEAR HEADS Locals like Jen Iapulcci, Dr. Damien Brezinski, Debbie Scheu and Lynne Adams are making masks for the public and NHRMC staff. Courtesy photos
HOMEMADE
BY DARIUS MELTON
J
en Iapalucci has made over 350 homemade masks since April 1. Iapalucci has taken skills she would typically use in her day job as a costume designer for Wilmington’s community theatre scene and applied them to helping those in need within New Hanover and Brunswick counties. And she’s doing it for free. “It’s very repetitive,” Iapalucci describes. “Usually, I’m designing an entire show, but most of the shows I’m working on right now have been or will be canceled, so I have a huge quantity of fabrics on hand. At first, I thought about making masks for myself, my family and friends. Then my son said, ‘Ma, you should make these for everyone! You could save the world!’” Iapalucci enlists the help of her kids, too, who cut fabrics and pack envelopes, as their mom sews. They have managed to put together 50 a day, with each mask taking anywhere from 10-15 minutes to complete. After posting about them on Instagram (@sartordesigns), Iapalucci started getting messages from people in the Wilmington area, and from folks as far away as Florida, California and Wisconsin. Though supplies have been in demand, often with elastic running low in town, Iapalucci has been able to find materials needed to keep her output high. “I use really breathable fabric, nothing that’s too loosely woven,” she explains. “The first couple I made, I was trying to be super protective, and I actually made a couple you just couldn’t breathe through. Cotton is really the best option.” Iapalucci is not the only costumer in town utilizing her skills for the greater good. Debbie Scheu has joined the call too. Scheu is best known as a dressmaker for the Cape Fear Gardening Club Azalea Belles. “It’s definitely a fun, internal competition between the stitchers
in town,” she says of the mask-making. “We’ve got to do something with our time. We’re obviously not doing what we normally do—nobody is.” Scheu has been sewing nonstop—to the point she won’t even answer texts. She prefers phone calls to keep up with family and friends so she can keep her hands free. “I’ve got to sew all the time because it’s urgent; this is really serious,” she says. Scheu started the mask project so she could send them to her family in New Jersey—close to the epicenter of COVID-19 in New York. She has sent a half-dozen masks to folks from Connecticut to Wilmington. She also has supplied masks to the entire kitchen staff at the Country Club of Landfall where her son-in-law works. Sometimes, she customizes them, as seen with a Star Wars mask one worker requested. “I have a lot of fabric already,” Scheu says. “The Star Wars fabric was from a pair of pajamas I made my grandson for Christmas. It almost slows me down to have to think about what I’m making the mask out of, so I try to cut for a long time and have a big stack of fabric, and then start to sew it together.” “Debbie and I coordinated together to make neonatal quilts for the hospital, and we have all kinds of fun kids’ fabric,” says Lynne Adams, one of Scheu’s close friends, who is also sewing masks from various fabrics. “Right now, we’re working on one that’s got all the M&Ms’ faces, and I’ve got a Boston Red Sox line, chocolate chip cookies, Minnie Mouse—you name it. To me, you’ve got to have fun—anything to lighten the mood during all this.” The ladies have been using a mask design as recommended by Deaconess Health System in Evansville, IN. Adams has enlisted the help of one of her daughters, Kaitlyn, too. Together, they’ve created over 130 masks, averaging around
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18 a day. With Adams’ husband, Chip, working as an EMT in New Hanover and her other daughter, Whitney, working as a paramedic in Brunswick, the masks help extend the lifespan of the N95s needed for healthcare workers. Since her husband answers up to six calls a day, he can switch out the top layer mask each time he’s in an ambulance to help maintain the longevity of the N95. The Adams family has a pick-up box outside their front door for friends and others in need. They also have been sending masks to medical workers across the country. While fabric masks help protect the general public and high-risk patients, at Eugene Ashley High School, a group of students and teachers are working together to create 3D-printed face shields for first responders. The idea came from Jonathan Brezinski, a technical education student at Ashley, who saw the rising need for masks locally firsthand. His father, Dr. Damian Brezinski, runs Island Cardiology on Carolina Beach. When Jonathan took notice of the 3D printers in his house and at school, the idea to create face shields was born. With help from Idaho-based Intermountain 3D, Jonathan designed a prototype mask. The family then reached out to county commissioner Jonathan Barfield, deputy superintendent LaChawn Smith and Ashley principal Patrick McCarty for help. The team, including the Brezinski family and staffers from the Career and Technical Education department at Ashley, were able to amass all of the 3D printers in New Hanover County’s school system. “By Friday night, we had anywhere between 25 and 35 functioning printers at Ashley off and running,” Dr. Brezinski says. “We were printing as many as a couple hundred to a couple thousand face shields and masks in a couple days.”
HEROES
Local folks come together to make masks for a safer community The prototypes consist of green N95 masks and plastic shields with red or gold trim. The crew is able to produce about 40 masks a day, taking anywhere from 7-18 hours to complete. All of the COVID respirators are 100% compliant with OSHA specs, with the CAD programming and testing that can be seen at Intermountain 3D’s website. In order to observe social distancing, the group is only six people strong, consisting of teachers Floyd Benfield, Daniel Glauber and Daniel Scullion, and the Brezinski team of Dr. Damien and sons Jonathan and David. Because they are still running on materials granted by the school system—elastic bands, transparent sheets, all of the 3D printers—the masks are currently free for those who need them, with a potential future cost of $1 to $4 (a notable discount from the $25 that the shields cost online) for the public once production ramps up. The Ashley High School team are working closely with New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) for distribution to their staff for free. NHRMC also is accepting mask donations from the public, but to ensure the utmost safety of their staff, the masks must meet certain specifications. A 5-page PDF with step-by-step instructions on how to make these masks can be found on the NHRMC website alongside drop-off times at the hospital’s business center.
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celebrity or godhood, whereas Vincent Stain openly courted both. Eddie spoke against the establishment but was still open to indulging in the vices they provided. Saying “fuck you” to the waking world felt more like a catchphrase than a personal ideology.
BURNING
SENSATION BY ANGHUS HOUVOURAS CHAPTER 6
T
he world was now interested in Vincent Stain. He found himself overwhelmed by instant celebrity, as the media began to dive deep into his backstory, only to find he didn’t really have one. Much of the reporting focused on his suicide— an act immediately condemned by the Pope as being “extremely short-sighted and blasphemous. Catholics were convinced Vincent was definitive proof hell did exist, and he was most likely a demon sent back from the grave to show humanity what happens to those who take their own lives. Conversion rates for Catholicism would spike over the next two years. People began to draw spacious conclusions, connecting the powers of Eddie Inferno and Vincent Stain, believing the key to gaining these abilities involved self-inflicted death. Assumptions had been made that Eddie Inferno had overdosed and temporarily died in the hours leading up to his first explosive episode. This prompted a rash of suicides by logic-averse people, and those prone to wild conspiracies, and was considered to be inevitable but not all surprising.
While the majority of people were fascinated by Vincent, they also were turned off by his message of change and equality. The media and their corporate ownership began to question how much coverage to spend on Vincent Stain and the Human Ashtray. Their debut album had charted poorly, selling a decent number of copies but failing to get much radio airplay. Much like Eddie Inferno, they believed, by turning away the cameras, they could end Vincent’s influence. Unfortunately, the fuse already had been lit.
An Eddie Inferno rock ‘n’ roll adventure
and his attempts at framing complicated social issues resulted in a number of widely publicized gaffes, including his claims the Salvation Army was responsible for the First World War, and the Khmer Rouge “got a really bad rap.” It was clear Vincent’s struggles with basic human interactions had not ended with his suicide. He decided, in order to properly convey his messages, he would need a medium that allowed his inner soul to speak in a way that would be understood by all: He would need to start a band. That day Human Ashtray was conceived. Putting a band together was a dream Vincent clutched to tightly during his brief life. Fear of failure and a lack of any musical talent had stopped him from realizing his rock ‘n’ roll fantasy. He never reached farther than posting a poorly written flyer on the bulletin board of a local guitar shop. Now, he had the public’s attention, and finding willing musicians was remarkably easy. Within a matter of days, Vincent had assembled four willing souls to take a musical journey into the unknown. While the world was still processing Vincent’s resurrection, he was busy finding the sound for the Human Ashtray in the husk of an abandoned home
somewhere in the meth-producing rural communities of Western Kansas. It was in this flat, uninspiring cultural abyss where he would craft his heavy metal manifesto to the world. In spite of heavy media demand for more information about the world’s second super-powered individual, record companies were sheepish about acquiring the worldwide distribution rights to Human Ashtray’s first album “Blacker Than the Devil’s Taint.” The 12 track, 18-minute long album was a blunt, unrefined assault on “the ills of civilized society” that called for an end to the “elitist regime steering humanity toward a sticky, black abyss”—and it lacked a catchy, radio friendly single. Vincent lacked refinement and inaccessibility of his predecessor. There were those clamoring for Eddie Inferno to become their diamond-studded deity. He wasn’t enthralled with the idea of
Vincent’s message resonated with the disenfranchised, ostracized and the hygienically challenged, all of whom felt unincorporated into the muddy fabric of our society. Their numbers in no way rivaled those of the Absent-Minded Gentlemen, but folks felt far more connected to the meaning of the music and the burning man behind their conception. A generation of frustrated outcasts had found something worth following. His suicide note became an ideological roadmap for disenfranchised and shiftless layabouts, who had nothing better to do. If the world no longer wanted them, they would come together and form their own.
Anghus is encore’s 2020 fact or fiction writer, featuring the serialized piece, “Burning Sensation.” Read the prologue and previous chapters at encorepub. com.
The White House was forced to release a number of public-service announcements, addressing the suicide epidemic. They launched a wildly successful campaign: “Suicide doesn’t give you superpowers, it just makes you super dead.” Vincent proudly basked in the constant attention he received. Unlike his predecessor, he vowed to be a voice for good in the world and welcomed any opportunity to share his thoughts with the media. However, the ensuing deluge was more taxing than he considered. His social skills were limited, encore | april 15 - april 21, 2020 | www.encorepub.com 27
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ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Aries artist Vincent van Gogh got started on his life’s work relatively late. At ages 25 and 26 he made failed attempts to train as a pastor and serve as a missionary. He didn’t launch his art career in earnest until he was 27. During the next ten years, he created 860 paintings—an average of 1.7 every week—as well as over 1,200 additional works of art. For comparison, the prolific painter Salvador Dali made 1,500 paintings in 61 years. During the coming twelve months, Aries, you could achieve a van Gogh-like level of productiveness in your own chosen field—especially if you lay the foundations now, during our stay-at-home phase.
TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20) Most authors do their writing while sitting on chairs in front of desks. But long before there were standing desks, poet Rainer Maria Rilke and children’s author Lewis Carroll wrote their books while standing up. Novelist Henry James had eight desks, but typically paced between them as he dictated his thoughts to a secretary. And then there have been weirdoes like poet Robert Lowell and novelist Truman Capote. They attended to their craft as they lay in their bed. I suggest you draw inspiration from those two in the coming weeks. It’ll be a favorable time to accomplish masterpieces of work and play while in the prone position.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) While sleeping, most of us have over a thousand dreams every year. Many are hard to remember and not worth remembering. But a beloved few can be life-changers. They have the potential to trigger epiphanies that transform our destinies for the better. In my astrological opinion, you are now in a phase when such dreams are more likely than usual. That’s why I invite you to keep a pen and notebook by your bed so as to capture them. For inspiration, read this testimony from Jasper Johns, whom some call America’s “foremost living artist”: “One night I dreamed that I painted a large American flag, and the next morning I got up and I went out and bought the materials to begin it.” (Painting flags ultimately became one of Johns’ specialties.)
CANCER (June 22-July 22) Ford Madox Ford (1873–1939) was a renowned author who wrote “The Good Soldier,” a novel that has been called “one of the 100 greatest novels of all time.” Yet another very famous author, Henry James (1843–1916), was so eager to escape hanging out with Ford that he once concealed himself behind a tree so as to not be seen. You have astrological permission to engage in comparable strategies during the coming weeks. It won’t be a time when you should force yourself to endure boring, meaningless, and unproductive tasks.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) I hope that during the coronavirus crisis you
have been entertaining wild truths and pondering the liberations you will initiate when the emergency has passed. I trust you have been pushing your imagination beyond its borders and wandering into the nooks and crannies of your psyche that you were previously hesitant to explore. Am I correct in my assumptions, Leo? Have you been wandering outside your comfort zone and discovering clues about how, when things return to normal, you can add spice and flair to your rhythm?
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) I like this quote by the author Jake Remington: “Fate whispers to the warrior, ‘You cannot withstand the storm.’ The warrior whispers back, ‘I am the storm.’” Although this passage is more melodramatic than necessary for your needs in the coming weeks, I think it might be good medicine that will help you prevail over the turbulence of the coronavirus crisis. Getting yourself into a storm-like mood could provide you with the personal power necessary to be unflappable and authoritative. You should also remember that a storm is not inherently bad. It may be akin to a catharsis or orgasm that relieves the tension and clears the air.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
sculpture.” He designed and built public squares, fountains, and buildings, many in Rome, which embodied his great skills as both sculptor and architect. Unlike many brilliant artists alive today, Bernini was deeply religious. Every night for 40 years, he walked from his home to pay a devotional visit to the Church of the Gesù. According to my reading of the astrological factors, now would be an excellent time for you to engage in reverential rituals like those—but without leaving your home, of course. Use this social-distancing time to draw reinvigoration from holy places within you or in your memory.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) As I understand the current chapter of your life story, you have been doing the unspectacular but yeoman work of recharging your spiritual batteries. Although you may have outwardly appeared to be quiet and still, you have in fact been generating and storing up concentrated reserves of inner power. Because of the coronavirus crisis, it’s not yet time to tap into those impressive reserves and start channeling them into a series of dynamic practical actions. But it is time to formulate the practical actions you will take when the emergency has passed.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Aquarian poet Jacques Prévert offered a variation on the famous Christian supplication known as the Lord’s Prayer. The original version begins, “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.” But Prévert’s variation says, “Our father who art in heaven: Stay there.” Being an atheist, he had no need for the help and support of a paternal deity. I understand his feeling. I tend to favor the Goddess myself. But for you Aquarians right now, even if you’re allergic to talk of a divine presence, I’ll recommend that you seek out generous and inspiring masculine influences. According to my reading of the astrological omens, you will benefit from influences that resemble good fathering.
PISCES (Feb. 19-Mar. 20) How skillful are you in expressing what you want? Wait. Let me back up and reformulate that. How skillful are you in knowing what you want and expressing the truth about what you want to the people who might ultimately be able to give it to you or help you get it? This is the most important question for you to meditate on in the coming weeks. If you find that you’re fuzzy about what you want or hazy about asking for what you want, correct the problems.
Libran rapper and activist Talib Kweli says, “You have to know when to be arrogant. You have to know when to be humble. You have to know when to be hard and you have to know when to be soft.” You Librans tend to be skilled in this artful approach to life: activating and applying the appropriate attitude as is necessary for each new situation. And I’m happy to report that your capacity for having just the right touch at the right time will be a crucial asset in the coming weeks. Trust your intuition to guide you through every subtle shift of emphasis.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Scorpio artist Marie Laurencin (1883–1956) enjoyed a colorful fate. One of the few female Cubist painters, she was a prominent figure in the Parisian avant-garde. She was also the muse and romantic partner of renowned poet Guillaume Apollinaire. But there came a turning point when she abandoned her relationship with Apollinaire. “I was twenty-five and he was sleeping with all the women,” she said, “and at twenty-five you don’t stand for that, even from a poet.” Is there a comparable situation in your life, Scorpio? A role you relish but that also takes a toll? Now is a favorable time to re-evaluate it. I’m not telling you what you should decide, only that you should think hard about it.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Sagittarian sculptor and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1596–1680) was a prodigious, inventive creator. One scholar wrote, “What Shakespeare is to drama, Bernini may be to
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