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encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 1

HODGE PODGE

COVER STORY pg. 43

By Shea Carver

COVER STORY, PG. 20 AWAKENING

Vol. 36/Pub. 24 December 11-17, 2019

ENCOREPUB.COM encoredeals.com

More than 30 local eateries and drinkeries will vie for best bite, sip and decorated booth, as attendees duke it out for best costume set to “A Christmas Story” theme for the 2019 12 Tastes (or more!) of Christmas—a fundraiser to benefit Nourish NC. Photo by Matthew Ray Photography

word of the week PROSSECOND (N.) Taking a beat to drink Italy’s famed sparkling wine for a job well done “Give me a Prossecond to process the success of our 12 Tastes fundraiser.”

EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief:

MUSIC pg. 16 • By Shannon Rae Gentry

THEATRE pg. 28 • By Jeff Oloizia

Shannon talks to Patrick Carr about his 2017 “When the Road Darkens,” and two he has coming up in 2020, including an instrumental. Photo by Kat Lancaster

Tony Rivenbark talks about his 14th year playing Scrooge, as “A Christmas Carol” returns to Thalian’s Studio Theatre stage, courtesy of Theatre Exchange. Photo by James Bowling

Shea Carver >> shea@encorepub.com

Staff Editors:

Shannon Rae Gentry >> shannon@encorepub.com Jeff Oloizia >> jeffrey@encorepub.com

Art Director/Office Manager: Susie Riddle >> ads@encorepub.com

win of the week

Chief Contributors: Gwenyfar Rohler,

Our deal of the week is Bourbon Street.

Enter to win a gift certificate by following us on our IG, FB and Twitter (@encorepub) to find out how!

Anghus, Tom Tomorrow, Mark Basquill, Rosa Bianca, Rob Brezsny, John Wolfe, Joan C.W. Hoffmann

SALES General Manager/Owner: John Hitt >> john@encorepub.com

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Megan Henry >> megan@encorepub.com John Hitt >> john@encorepub.com Shea Carver >> shea@encorepub.com Brian Venegas >> brian@encorepub.com Published weekly on Wednesday by HP Media; opinions of contributing writers are not necessarily the opinions of encore.

ALSO INSIDE THIS WEEK P.O. Box 12430, Wilmington, N.C. 28405 encorepub.com • (910) 791-0688

DRINK pg. 32 • By Joan CW Hoffmann Joan gets a head start on learning about February’s Wilmington Coffee Fest. Courtesy photo

Live Local, pgs. 4-5 • News of the Weird, pg. 6 • Op-Ed, pg. 7 • Music, pgs. 12-17 • Gallery Guide, pg. 21 • Film, pg. 23 Theatre, pgs. 28-30 • Dining, pgs. 34-40 • Cover story, pg. 43 • Book, pg. 45 • Calendar, pgs.46-61 • Crossword, pg. 63

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Tickets Make

Great Gifts!

CHANTICLEER

An Orchestra of Voices

“ The world’s reigning male chorus ” —The new Yorker

Friday, Jan. 17 at 7:30 pm

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RETHINKING THE

HOLIDAYS Gwenyfar gets into the holiday spirit and readers should, too

maybe it was time to start rethinking the holidays—start some traditions of our own, rather than yearn for something beyond reality.

I am not very good at receiving unsolicited advice.

Just ask Jock.

“S Jock.

weetheart, you realize this is going from ‘no holidays’ to like, ‘holidays on steroids,’ right?” I asked

“Yes, but your mother would be so proud,” he responded.

“No, she wouldn’t—OK you’re right she would. Damn it.”

We were discussing the 47th Old Wilmington by Candlelight Tour, a fundraiser for the Lower Cape Fear Historical Society. Against my better judgment, I agreed to let the bed and breakfast join the 2019 tour.

In addition to the possibility of nearly 800 people walking through the house, it also meant we had to decorate for the holidays. That might seem simple and relatively obvious, but for us it proved to be exactly the opposite.

Now, I knew there were boxes upon boxes of holiday decorations somewhere in my parents’ house. After my mother died, they disappeared. Last year, I found four boxes while in the last, desperate push of rearranging and organizing, trying to get the bed and breakfast open for business.

BY G

WENY

But I admit: She had a point. With the bed and breakfast, guests would expect decorations, so I tentatively purchased three ornaments: two of dogs—each of which looked like Horace and Hilda in Santa hats—and a typewriter. Along with some garland, they made the stairwell look festive. I didn’t drop dead from pain or longing, and it all seemed pretty OK.

FAR

ROH

LER

HOUSE OF DECORATED MEMORIES The Hooper-Rohler House, which is now Between the Covers Literary Bed and Breakfast, joined the Old Wilmington by Candlelight Tour last weekend—the Lower Cape Fear Historical Society’s holiday fundraiser. Above is an ornament of the house, hand-painted

by Pat Bittenbender; (next page) the dining-room table is set for holiday dinner, with literary guests like Edgar Allen Poe, ready to celebrate the season.

Photos by Gwenyfar Rohler

Since my mother’s passing and especially since my father’s, the holidays became pretty ominous for me. Jock and I have never decorated and trying to celebrate “holidays” with him was frequently more fraught than necessary. I tended to look upon the stretch from late October to January as an endurance test to get through without breaking down in tears in public, or resorting to more dire and fateful measures.

Last year my friend Allison suggested

4 encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

But people do not buy tickets for a holiday home tour to look at things that are “pretty OK.” I knew I would really have to decorate.

Jock was adamant the playhouse in the backyard—which is older than the main house—was what we should focus on, thereby making the garden a center piece. It also put focus on the history of the area and family continuity, both of which are very important to us.

“Great!” I responded. “That’s Dagmar’s department!” Dagmar Cooley of Dagmar’s Designs took the garden from frightful to beautiful in a matter of months. Now, she and her crew lovingly maintain it. Any alterations go through her.

Dagmar arrived with two truck loads of decorations for the garden and house.

Truly, if we make it through this event in one piece, it is because of Dagmar’s generosity. Last week she brought the first load of paper-white bulbs.

“These need to go somewhere warm,” she directed her son, who had been conscripted to help unload everything. He dutifully deposited the trays of bulbs in the dining room, and returned sev-

eral more times with nearly 18-inchtall blooms. I reminded Dagmar house plants die here because we just do not get enough natural sunlight (the house was built before air conditioning, and therefore was designed to stay as cool as possible in the hot summer months).

She waved away my concerns and began explaining the care they would need.

Meanwhile, we—Rachel, my right hand at the bed and breakfast, and I—began the descent into holiday decor available for the home. In addition to all the lovely garlands, wreathes and statuettes that Dagmar loaned us, she had given me the gift of a model VW bug transporting a tree dusted with snow. Rachel and I tried to get a handle on what this would look like, how it would all go, and scanned advertisements and decorating pictures. I never really purchased anything with the intention of decorating for holidays, and Rachel has two small children, so their household tends to focus around things fun-oriented and not breakable.

What I started to realize is the idea of holiday décor was getting a little weird.

Most of encore’s readership no longer grows the majority of their own food— and does not need to plan for food storage in order to eat until spring. Electric lights are the norm, so the idea of a long, dark winter when the days get shorter and the longest night of the year is a profound experience, seems superfluous.

Heat pumps are the norm, so preparing firewood, stacking it to cure, parceling it out to keep family alive and finding a log big and fat enough to burn through the solstice night (i.e. The Yule Log) is a quaint and distant myth to many. (Jock and I still heat with wood, so it is not to us; winter solstice is a very real thing in our household, with a crackling fire in the wood stove and two dogs curled up close to us for warmth.)

Thus, I was surprised at the number of decorative “Yule Logs” available for purchase for decor, yet nary a remembrance of what its use really was. Even more so, all the holiday’s lovely little decorative items require no real planning or labor. Outside of opening a package and agonizing over where to place them in the house, there is no real effort, work or concern.

Our modern ideas of holiday celebrations—the tree, stockings, big family picture—were largely created in the Victorian Era. Between the British Royal Family and Charles Dickens, a very lovely image emerged, and was effectively marketed in England, the Commonwealth and United States. Sensing the potential for sales, companies like Coca-Cola picked up the ball and ran with it. Add in an Elvis movie, the Griswolds,

Charlie Brown, and, well, today there is an amazing visual smorgasbord of possibilities for holiday decor.

It is lovely the holidays are becoming such an all-embracing experience. For me, part of the point of the winter solstice, and the dark time of year, is to remember we are at the mercy of nature: When you get down to it, our existence is pretty fragile, and in the grand scheme of things, ephemeral. I hear a lot about the commercialization of Christmas and the holiday season. Frankly, I am not so worried about it as some. In America, at least, things we spend money on are things we value. So, if the holidays are a major financial focus, they are remembered and not forgotten. Tremendous sums are spent on decorations, food, gifts, parties and making memories together. If that doesn’t communicate importance to America, nothing does.

But this planet we depend upon for the life we share is in a state of peril. Part of the point

of our mid-winter celebrations is to remind us by sharing resources, we can survive hard times. Now, I’m not suggesting you rip out your very expensive heat pump and start heating with wood. (Though, seriously, it does change how you view the experience of self- and family-preservation on nights it gets below freezing.) Nor am I suggesting you try to be entirely self-sufficient (though, growing your own food is an incredible experience that will reconnect you with actual effort it takes to produce substance for humanity).

Still, as the nights get longer and days get colder, it is not unreasonable to consider the why and what behind the activities of the season. Why did you move here? What makes this area vibrant? Is it big-box stores and the abundance of online shopping opportunities for identical items? Or is it wonderful, individual chefowned restaurants and small family boutiques and galleries that create the charm of the area?

In addition to having a family dinner or office party at one of those special restaurants that do not exist anywhere else except here (unlike chains that can be found in every major city across the US), perhaps give a gift certificate to one of them to a special friend. It’s a way of making a date for y’all to spend time together later.

As for those charming boutiques and galleries that create the ambiance of life here, they need your support at this time of year far more than larger corporations and big-box stores. Instead of finding exactly what’s on someone’s list, how about looking for something that reminds you of them—that they did not even know even existed?

What we surround ourselves with is a reflection of what we value—not just with decorations but as a city and community. We need each other to get through this—not just climate change, or political upheaval and uncertainty, but on the difficult road called life.

Please, as you embrace the holiday season, ask yourself what it is you really value. Make an investment in your local community to share with your loved ones. Many depend on you.

encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 5

an uninflated silver evacuation slide from a Delta flight arriving in Boston from Paris. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the pilot had heard a loud noise as the Boeing airliner approached Logan International Airport, but the flight landed without incident. Delta and the FAA are investigating. [Boston Herald, 12/2/2019]

LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINALS

UNCLEAR ON THE CONCEPT Kentarias Gowans, 20, of Flowery Branch, Georgia, came up with a novel way of celebrating Thanksgiving. He was scheduled to work at the Steak ‘n’ Shake in Oakwood that day, but called in “intoxicated” and said he wouldn’t be in. But around 10 p.m. that evening, Gowans arrived at the restaurant with a handgun, which he held to another employee’s head while demanding money, the Gainesville Times reported. Multiple employees and customers called 911, and police arrived to see Gowans exiting

the restaurant with his gun. He briefly raised the weapon, officers reported, but then dropped it, and he was taken into custody after a brief struggle. [Gainesville Times, 11/30/2019]

NOT SANTA As Stephanie Leguia of Milton, Massachusetts, and her neighbor, Wenhan Huang, chatted in Huang’s yard on Dec. 1, an unusual object slammed to the ground just feet from where they stood. Their backs were turned when what looked like a “giant silver tarp” crashed down, reported the Boston Herald. On its way, it lopped off four tree branches: “If it had hit us, we would have been dead,” Leguia said. Turns out the object was

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Callie Elizabeth Carswell of Morganton, North Carolina, and her fiance, Clarence Moore III, allegedly staged an elaborate crime, all in the name of love, just before Thanksgiving. Around 10 p.m. on Nov. 25, while Carswell worked at the Big Daddy convenience store, Moore entered the store carrying an ornamental sword and wearing a hat and bandanna to disguise his identity.

He “demanded” money from Carswell, leaving with $2,960, the Morganton Department of Public Safety told The News Herald. When the “robber” left the store, she called 911. Police went on to work the case overnight, while Carswell and Moore made an early morning stop at Walmart to buy a ring and get engaged on the spot, documenting the big event on Facebook. But details of Carswell’s story didn’t add up, and investigators found evidence in her car and at their home that led them to arrest the couple. Moore confessed to the crime, but Carswell shouted at reporters as she entered the courthouse: “I will assault you!

I didn’t do it. ... Watch the (expletive) video and you’ll see that I was (expletive) terrified. I wasn’t involved.” The couple were charged with armed robbery, misuse of 911 and filing a false police report. [News-Herald, 11/29/2019]

QUESTIONABLE JUDGMENT In The Hague, Netherlands, management at supermarket chain Albert Heijn is walking back a request that employees send in a photo of themselves in their underwear, in order to work out sizes for new uniforms. Workers were asked to use an “innovative mobile app” to submit the photos, AFP reported, but the company backed down after the complaints started rolling in. “The manager told us that if we don’t do it, we can’t be in the store anymore because we don’t have the right corporate clothing,” said one 17-year-old employee who works at the Nijmegen branch. But Albert Heijn said participating was voluntary and “although ... pictures were not visible to management, this should never have happened. We apologize to all involved.” [AFP, 11/26/2019]

THE CONTINUING CRISIS Veronica Alvarez-Rodriguez stopped at a Valparaiso, Florida, Goodwill store on Dec. 1 to pick up a gift for a baby shower she and her husband were attending. She was excited to find a Baby Einstein bouncer seat for just $9.99 -- unopened and appearing to be new, The Palm Beach Post reported. Later, at the shower in Crestview, the father-to-be opened the box and found ... a Mossberg 715T semi-automatic rifle. “You guys got me a gun!” he shouted excitedly. The gun had live ammo loaded in it, so the Crestview Police Department was summoned. Initially, officers let the future dad keep the weapon, but later asked to hold it as they investigated the incident. “Goodwill has the best treasures for $9.99,” Alvarez-Rodriguez gushed. [The Palm Beach Post, 12/3/2019]

BRIGHT IDEAS At her early December murder trial at Kingston Crown Court in Kingston, England, 35-year-old Asta Juskauskiene of Dartford was accused of

setting up a “latter-day medieval duel” between her estranged husband, Giedruis Juskaukus, 42, and her lover, 25-year-old Mantas Kvedaras. As the story goes, according to the Telegraph, the woman had left her husband and become acquainted with Kvedaras, who was serving time in a Lithuanian prison. He was released in May, and after his arrival in England, both men claimed Juskauskiene as their own. So, logically, she decided they should fight to the death in an alleyway on June 17 -- a duel which Juskaukus did not survive. He was found with 35 stab wounds to his body and neck, and Kvedaras confessed to the attack. The prosecutor, Hugh Davies, contends that Juskauskiene manipulated the two men, harbored Kvedaras after the incident, and repeatedly lied to police. She denies conspiring to murder.

[Telegraph, 12/3/2019] An unnamed man was detained in Russia on Nov. 28 after it was revealed that he erected a fake border station in the woods near the country’s border with Finland and charged four South Asian men to smuggle them into the European Union, the Guardian reported. He charged the men more than $10,000 for the service, but “The man never planned to carry out his promises,” according to the Interfax News Agency. The man took the migrants on a circuitous route in the Vyborg region by car and on foot, at one point carrying an inflatable boat, “just in case.” All five men were taken into custody. The “smuggler” may be charged with fraud. [Guardian, 12/4/2019]

RUNS IN THE FAMILY On Nov. 29, Jackson County (Kansas) Sheriff Tim Morse reported that his office had arrested not one, but two, McCrackens for two separate vehicle thefts. Around 1:30 a.m., a deputy stopped Eric Dean McCracken, 36, for a traffic infraction, then arrested him after learning that McCracken was driving with a suspended license. Later that morning, the owner of the truck he was driving reported it stolen, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported. Separately, just before 5 a.m. that day, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office started tracking a different stolen truck using GPS. When a Holton, Kansas, police officer tried to stop that truck, the driver, Keith Ray McCracken, 32, fled. He eventually stopped the vehicle and tried to escape on foot, but was caught at a convenience store. Officers believe Keith was on his way to the Jackson County Jail to bail out his brother, Eric. Both were held at the jail on multiple charges. [Topeka Capital-Journal, 11/29/2019]

FINE POINTS OF THE LAW After a decade of wrangling through the court system, Bela Kosoian has been awarded $20,000 (Canadian) by the Supreme Court of Canada. It all started in the Laval, Quebec, Montmorency Metro station in 2009, when Kosoian was riding an escalator while looking through her purse and, pointedly, not holding the handrail. According to CBC News, a police officer told her to respect a sign asking riders to hold the rail, but Kosoian declined and then would not identify herself to the officer, who slapped her with two tickets: one for disobeying the sign and another for obstructing the work of an inspector. Kosoian sued, and the highest court agreed with her, saying: “A reasonable police officer should have known that people didn’t have to hold the handrails.” They called the sign a “warning” and not a law. “I knew that I didn’t do anything wrong,” Kosoian said. “It was the principle of it.” [CBC, 11/29/2019]

SCOUT’S PIRATE’S OR

BY MARK BASQUILL

A

Boy Scout of color held the door for me at a Dunkin’ Donuts near Asheville last week.

He might have seen how tired I was, or he might have just been a good scout. A man inside noticed the Boy Scout’s good deed. “Arrgh,” he said. “That’s not the way the world really is—is it?”

The man was about my age and wore a gray ECU sweatshirt with a purple and gold Pirate logo and a red Trump 2020 cap. He was big but looked soft—bloated rather than fit. If he kept his nose to the grindstone, his back looked like it never left the recliner. He smiled a tight collaborator smile, and gave me a pirate wink as if we were old buddies—old Pirate fans.

HONOR?

Come and sing Christmas carols with Santa and his special “reindeer”

Which kind of oath should our president take? detainee. This month he intervened in the case of a Navy Seal, convicted of posing with a corpse and pardoned two servicemen of murder. To get convicted of murder in a military court is a really difficult thing to do. A commander-in-chief meddling in military justice is governing like a pirate captain applying his own flexible pirate code. (Those familiar with the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise understand pirates are not bound by the law; they have a code, and even that is “more of a guideline.”)

I pondered what the Pirate fan said about the way the world is. Thanks to the Boy Scout, I reflected on whether it’s better to have leaders that are mostly Boy Scouts or mostly pirates, and what the balance beRegarding the executive interventions in tween them should be in our military and military justice, Congressman and USMC country. veteran of four Iraq deployments Seth At the start of the decade, we had a Scout Moulton wrote in TIME: in the White House (or as close to it as any “He’s saying he knows better than the politician is ever likely to get). A decade ago, President Obama was a young father honorable people who formed the juries and married to the same woman for over that decided these convictions. And he 20 years. It was the first of two remarkably undermines the entire Uniformed Code scandal-light terms. He never called foreign of Military Justice, the laws that the peoleaders nicknames. He spoke in complete ple who volunteer to serve in the military sentences, and except for a controversial agree to follow.” commutation of Chelsea Manning’s disproExecutive sanctioning of war crimes portionate sentence in his last week, rarely also might signal a dangerous shift in the intervened in the pursuit of military justice. balance between Boy Scouts and pirates At decade’s end, we have a president that within the military. Our military is feared serves as if he’s captain of Queen Anne’s because of the unparalleled US arsenal Revenge or the Black Pearl. He hasn’t and respected because of the discipline struck the stars and stripes from the ship of service men and women. Most service of state and raised the skull and cross- men and women, including leadership, bones, but he’s getting close. He’s on his tend toward the well-trained, resilient, disthird marriage and has paid off an adult ciplined. Thankfully, there are more Boy entertainment specialist. He has refused to Scouts than pirates in the ranks. turn over his tax returns, even has said not I wish my ECU Pirate friend well. There’s paying taxes makes him “smart.” His law- a little pirate in everybody. As we enter yer has asserted he can’t be charged with the next decade, I hope we don’t strike a crime because he’s president. He uses pi- the stars and stripes, raise the skull and rate nicknames like “Rocketman” and “Ner- crossbones, and identify ourselves as a vous Nancy” and “Sleepy Joe.” He ordered “Pirate Nation.” We need more people who his crew not to cooperate with Congress, aspire to Scout’s Honor, and who keep has termed the Emoluments Clause of the themselves “physically strong, mentally Constitution “phony,” and is dismissive of awake and morally straight”—who “help the impeachment inquiry. other people at all times.” We need more Boy Scouts, particularly in leadership.

Disturbingly, our pirate president also That might not be how the world is, but it seems to have a disdain for military justice.

Back in May, he issued a pardon to Michael is how to make it better.

Behenna, convicted of murdering a naked

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Sip n Shop pop up Shop Saturday 12/14

Shop 4:30pm-8:30pm muSic 7pm-10pm by tyler rohrback SurfboardS • nixon WatcheS • brixton hatS at WholeSale priceS

Pianist Warren Darrell: 12/12, 7pm-10pm Michael Wolfe & Wolfe Gang: 12/13, 8:30pm-11pm Tyler Rohrback Acoustic: 12/14, 7pm-10pm w/ Sip n Shop John Hussman Acoustic: 12/19, 7pm-10pm New Years Eve with Ethan Hanson & Will Maxwell: 10:30pm-1:30pm

Benny Hills Jazz Jam Every Sunday 7pm-11pm

Serving Over 22 Craft BeerS • all aBC PermitS

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encore | november 6-12, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 11

HAVE GUITAR, WILL TRAVEL Local favorite Jared Michael Cline plays Live at Ted’s on December 15 and SeaWitch Cafe and Tiki Bar on December 17.

Courtesy photo

SOUND BOARD

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11 L Shape Duo [5:30 PM] Live at Ted’s, 2 Castle St.

Wine Down Wednesday & Karaoke (8PM; FREE)

Tidal Creek Open Mic (6pm; free) Tidal Creek Co-Op, 5329 Oleander Drive. #100

jason jackson duo [7PM] The SeaWitch Cafe and Tiki Bar, 227 Carolina Beach Ave N.

Karaoke with Michael Norris (9pm; free)

Ibiza Nightclub, 118 Market St.

Emily Roth [9:30PM]

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12

Jimmy’s at Red Dogs, 5 North Lumina Ave.

LGBTQ Karaoke + Gaming Night (7pm; free)

Karaoke [8PM]

Bottega, 723 N. Fourth St.

The Palm Room, 11 E. Salisbury St.

The Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle Street

Bourbon St., 35 N. Front St.

ON OUR LOT

Tuesday __________________________________________ > > > Monday

> > > THURSDAY

$3.75 Red Oak Draft $4.00 Wells 65¢ Wings, 4-7pm

$3.75 Hay Bale Ale

$3.75 Sweet Water $4.00 Absolute Lemon Drop

> > > WEDNESDAY $3.75 Wicked Weed $4.00 Margaritas

> > > FRIDAY $3.75 Pint of the Day $4.00 Fireball

> > > saturday $4.00 Green Tea

> > > SUNDAY $5.00 Bloody Marys & Mimosas

N. Water Street & Walnut street, Downtown Wilmington 910-762-4354

KARAOKE

w/DJ Damo, 9PM

2 KILLIANS • $400 MAGNERS

$ 50

Thursday ________________________________________

TRIVIA

8:00 P.M. • PRIZES! • $250 YUENGLING DRAFT $ 50 3 FIREBALL SHOTS

Friday & Saturday __________________________

100 S. FRONT ST. 910-251-1832

LIVE MUSIC in the courtyard on Friday & Saturday MONDAY

$2.75 Domestic $3.50 Select Drafts $4 Fireballs!

TUESDAY

$3.50 Local Draft Brew

(Foothills Hoppyum IPA, Red Oak)

Sunday ___________________________________________

WEDNESDAY

2 BUD & BUD LIGHTS

BREAKFAST BUFFET 9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. • $4 MIMOSA’S

12 encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

Chris Luther (6pm; free; Solo Jazz Guitar)

$3.00 PBR 16oz cans $3.00 Coors Light $6 Redbull and Vodka

LIVE MUSIC $ 00

Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St.

THURSDAY

1423 S. 3rd St. DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON (910) 763-1607

FREE PARKING

> > > Tuesday

omar faison and friends [8PM; house music]

CAM Café Music: Julie Rehder [6PM; free; hARP]

$5 Jameson

$3 Lagunitas $6 Knob Creek 1/2 price bottles of wine

FRIDAY

$3.00 Michelob Ultra $5.00 Lunazul Tequila All Floors open SATURDAY

$3 Miller Lite $3.50 Modelo $4 Smirnoff Lemon Drop shots $5 Raspberry Smirnoff w/mixer All Floors open SUNDAY

$3 Corona & Corona Light $4 Mimosa $4 Bloody Mary $5 Margarita

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Tarantelli’s, 102 So. 2nd St.

lisa & the saints [9:30PM]

Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.

toby levin (9PM; FREE)

Jimmy’s at Red Dogs, 5 North Lumina Ave.

Anything Goes Open Stage (8pm; free)

Tails Piano Bar, 115 S. Front St.

Nick and The Nomads [10PM]

The Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St.

GIRLS’ CHOIR OF WILMINGTON PRESENTS: The Blue Boat Home [7PM; FREE; HOLIDAY]

The Palm Room, 11 E. Salisbury St.

Open Mic Mondays w/Ken X (8pm; free)

St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 612 S. College Rd.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 Spirit of the Holidays Cruise [5:30PM; $20] Wilmington Water Tours, 212 S. Water St.

eric metts [7PM] The SeaWitch Cafe and Tiki Bar, 227 Carolina Beach Ave N.

Rockin’ Trivia w/ Party Gras Entertainment [8PM; FREE] Fox & Hound, 920 Town Center Drive

slick mahoneys [9:30PM] Jimmy’s at Red Dogs, 5 North Lumina Ave.

Thirsty thursday (10pm; free) Ibiza Nightclub, 118 Market St.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 Spirit of the Holidays Cruise [5:30PM; $20] Wilmington Water Tours, 212 S. Water St.

Chris Luther [6PM; JAZZ GUITAR]

8th Annual Toys for Tots Fundraiser with L Shaped Lot [7PM; $10]

Mon.-Thurs.: 4pM-12:30 aM Fri.-saT.: 4pM - 1:30aM sun: 4pM-11pM 2101 MarkeT sT uniT 7 (910) 599-4999

Bottega, 723 N. Fourth St.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17 Open Mic Presented by Hourglass Studios (6:30pm; free) Goat & Compass, 710 N Fourth Street

Brooklyn Arts Center, 516 N. 4th Str.

Salt Cave Kirtan with Noelle Whittington [6:30PM]

jenny pearson [8PM] Pour Taproom, 201 N. Front St.

Prana Salt Cave, 7110 Wrightsville Ave. Unit B-8

Party of 6ix [8PM]

Two Blondes’ Trivia (7pm; free)

The SeaWitch Cafe and Tiki Bar, 227 Carolina Beach Ave N.

Might As Well, 250 Racine Dr., #15

Trivia & Taco Tues. w/ Sherri ‘So Very!’ (7pm; free)

Anna Stine [8PM]

Local’s Tavern, 1107 New Pointe Blvd.

Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St.

jared michael cline [7PM]

Leme Nolan [9PM]

SeaWitch Cafe and Tiki Bar, 227 Carolina Beach Ave N.

Tails Piano Bar, 115 S. Front St.

The Dubtown Cosmonauts [9:30PM; FREE] Jimmy’s at Red Dogs, 5 North Lumina Ave.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15

Patrick Carr [6PM; $5] Live at Ted’s, 2 Castle St.

LCAC Presents: BellaNova Strings [7PM; $10]

Books, Beer, and Jazz Piano with James Jarvis (3pm; free)

Bottega, 723 N. Fourth St.

Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way

jared michael cline [4PM; $5]

Drone, not Drones: Solstice Iteration [8PM; $5]

A Nightmare Before Xmas : Another Spooky Throw Down [8PM; $5]

Benny Hill Sunday Jazz Jam (7pm; free)

Dos Eddies [9PM] Pour Taproom, 201 N. Front St.

Rob Ronner [9PM] Banks Channel, 530 Causeway Dr.

Justin Fox [9:30PM; FREE] Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.

Live at Ted’s, 2 Castle St.

Trevor Kent [9:30PM; FREE] Satellite Bar and Lounge, 120 Greenfield St.

12/8, 7pm, Celebration of Life for Corey Howard

NYE, 10:30pm1:30am Benny Hill’s Ethan Hanson and Jazz Jam Will Maxwell Every Sunday, 7-10pm

THIS WEEK AT THE WITCH

Anything Goes Open Stage (8pm; free) The Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle Street

The Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle Street

serving over 22 craFT beers • all abc perMiTs

227 CAROLINA BEACH AVE N. (910) 707-0533 • seawitchtikibar.com

The Drum Circle [7:30PM; FREE]

Old Books on Front Street, 249 N. Front St.

Burnt Mill Creek, 2101 Market Street Unit 7

Tuesday 1/2-price wine bottles

North Carolina Symphony: Holiday Pops [3PM & 7:30PM, $20-$80] The Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St.

Tarantelli’s, 102 S. 2nd St.

Monday Mules $5

Gravity Records, 612 Castle St.

Karaoke w/ DJ Damo (9pm; free) The Harp, 1423 S. 3rd St.

WED 12/11 JASON JACKSON DURO 1/2 PRICE BA FRI 12/13 CLOSED @ 6PM FOR PRIVATE EVENT

THUR 12/12

ERIC METTS SAT 12/14 PARTY OF 6IX

Randy McQuay [10PM] Duck and Dive, 114 Dock St.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16 Trivia Night at The Goat and Compass (6pm; free) Goat & Compass, 710 N Fourth St.

Trivia (7:30pm; free)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18 Tidal Creek Open Mic (6pm; free) Tidal Creek Co-Op, 5329 Oleander Drive. #100

List your live music, trivia and open mic nights

FREE

online and in print!

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1. Go to www.encorepub.com 2. Click on calendar tab 3. Click on red add your event button and fill in the info

www.RuckerJohns.com VISIT WWW.RUCKERJOHNS.COM FOR FRIDAY MONDAY DAILY SPECIALS, MUSIC & EVENTS Cosmopolitan $4.50 Select Appetizers 1/2 Off after MONDAY 5pm in bar and patio areas Watermelon Martini $6.50 DAYSeasonal Big Domestic22oz.

Draft Domestic Beers $2 Draft SamALL Adams Blue Pool Martini $6$5 Pizzas Bottles $3 TUESDAY TUESDAYSATURDAY Jack Be Chill $7.50 1/2 Off SelectLIVE Bottles of Wine IN THE JAzz BAR 22oz Deschutes Black Butte Absolute Dream $5 Half Price Bottles ofPorter Wine $5.50 $ 50 NC CraftAbsolut Bottles $3 5 • Pacifico 2 Willow Wit Dream $22oz Weeping WEDNESDAY Beer $5.50 WEDNESDAY 1/2 Off Nachos after 5pm 22oz Teach Peach Coronoa/ in bar andMiller patio Light areas Pints $150 Edward $ 50 $5.50 Wheat Domestic Pints $1.50Lite Bottles 2 Corona $ SUNDAY Corona/Corona Lt. $2.50 Margaritas/Peach Margaritas 4 Margaritas on the Rocks $4.50 All Flat Breads $6 after 5pm

THURSDAY in bar and patio areas

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THURSDAY $ $ $3 Mimosa Appletinis 4, RJ’s Painkiller 5 Truly Lime Spiked and $ 50 Mary $4 Bloddy 2 Red Stripe Bottles Sparkling Water $3 Domestic $ 50 Pints $1.50 2 Fat Tire Bottles 22oz. Tropical Lightning 5564 Carolina Beach Road IPA $5.50 FRIDAY(910)-452-1212 $ 50our website Sinking Bahama Mama $7 $4, 007Visit Cosmos 3 www.RuckerJohns.com $ 1/2 Off All Premium Guinnessfor Cans daily3specials, music and Red Wine Glasses upcoming events $

Island Sunsets 5 SATURDAY encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 13 $

FAMILY FRIENDLY Nashville comes to Wilmington when A Merry Country Christmas visits Thalian Hall on December 19.

Courtesy photo

jason jackson duo [7PM]

Karaoke [8PM]

Bottega, 723 N. Fourth St.

The SeaWitch Cafe and Tiki Bar, 227 Carolina Beach Ave N.

The Palm Room, 11 E. Salisbury St.

Trivia from Hell’s [7:30PM; FREE]

CAM Café Music: Julie Rehder [6PM; free; hARP]

Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.

The Yard Doggs! [9:30PM; FREE]

Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St.

Karaoke with Michael Norris (9pm; free)

Katy’s Grill and Bar, 1054 S. College Rd.

Chris Luther (6pm; free; Solo Jazz Guitar)

Rockin’ Trivia w/ Party Gras Entertainment [8PM; FREE]

Tarantelli’s, 102 So. 2nd St.

Fox & Hound, 920 Town Center Drive

Merry Country Christmas [7:30PM; $15-$46]

Thirsty thursday (10pm; free)

Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St.

Ibiza Nightclub, 118 Market St.

Bourbon St., 35 N. Front St.

Wine Down Wednesday & Karaoke (8PM; FREE) Ibiza Nightclub, 118 Market St.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19 LGBTQ Karaoke + Gaming Night (7pm; free)

Featuring hundreds of bottles from around the world, to drink here or take home • Live Music Thursdays and Saturdays, 7-9pm • 14 Wines by the Glass • 4 NC Beers on Tap

Monkey Junction’s only wine Bar! 5226 S. COLLEGE RD., 9B (between Cape Fear Seafood and Felix Cafe) Check us out online at www.soifdevin.com, or catch us on Facebook and Instagram 910-338-4027 • Open Tues.-Thur. 11am-8pm, Fri.-Sat. 11am-10pm, Sun. 12noon-6pm 14 encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

OPRY STAR

DISCOVER NEW MUSIC AT 98.3 THE PENGUIN

Singer-songwriter Elizabeth Cook plays The Reeves Theater Saturday, December 14.

Courtesy photo

THE GRATEFUL DEAD - NEW SPEEDWAY BOOGIE BILLY STRINGS - WATCH IT FALL MAZZY STAR - FADE INTO YOU MAVIS STAPLES - WILL THE CIRCLE BE THE BELLRAYS - SANTA'S GOT A BIG OL' UNBROKEN BAG

PLAYLIST SAMPLE

THE ORANGE PEEL 101 BILTMORE AVE., ASHEVILLE, NC (828) 398-1837

REGIONAL CONCERTS

12/13: Holidaze For Habitat Benefit Concert 12/14: Colter Wall 12/17: Nghtmre (919) 688-3722 12/18: Hometown Holiday Jam XIX 12/20: Town and Mountain Realty’s 8th Annual 12/14-15: The Nutcracker 12/18-22: A Christmas Carol Home for the Holidays FUNdraiser

THE REEVES THEATER & CAFE 129 W. MAIN ST., ELKIN, NC (336) 258-8240

12/13: Songs of the Season 12/14: Elizabeth Cook with Andrew Leahey 12/19: Chatham County Line 12/20: Darin & Brooke Aldridge

NEIGHBORHOOD THEATRE N. DAVIDSON ST., CHARLOTTE, NC (704) 358-9298

12/11: Tim Reynolds TR3 12/12: Charming Liars 12/13: 90’s Tribute to Benefit 12/14: A Holiday Spectacular with Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters 12/15: Double Door Inn Anniversary Reunion Party 12/18: Kelby Costner 12/19: The Vegabonds 12/20: Doom Flamingo

THE FILLMORE

820 HAMILTON ST., CHARLOTTE, NC (704) 916-8970 12/12: Nghtmre 12/18: Snoop Dogg 12/19: Tyler Childers 12/20: Eli Young Band

THE FILLMORE UNDERGROUND

820 HAMILTON ST., CHARLOTTE, NC (704) 916-8970 12/13: Issues 12/18: Morbid Angel

DURHAM PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 123 VIVIAN ST. DURHAM, NC

LINCOLN THEATRE 126 E. CABARRUS ST., RALEIGH, NC (919) 821-4111

DEVON GILFILLIAN - UNCHAINED MARCUS KING - THE WELL VAN MORRISON - T.B. SHEETS DIANA KRALL - LOVE ME LIKE A MAN RAILROAD EARTH - THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY

NEW MUSIC ADDED HALF MOON RUN - FAVOURITE BOY NOAH CYRUS F. LEON BRIDGES - JULY

UPCOMING PENGUIN SHOWS

12/12: Squirrel Nut Zippers “The Holiday Caravan” 12/13-14: Delta Rae w/ Raye Zaragoza 12/15: Catfish Cooley’s “Nitro Comedy Tour” 12/20: Dillon Fence

MOTORCO MUSIC HALL 723 RIGSBEE AVE, DURHAM, NC (919) 901-0875 12/11: The Monti 12/12: Garcia Peoples 12/13: Street Corner Symphony 12/15: Thunder Jackson 12/20: Eric Roberson

CAT’S CRADLE 300 E. MAIN ST., CARRBORO, NC (919) 967-9053 12/12: Twin Peaks 12/13: The Connells 12/14: Horton’s Holiday Hayride 12/17: Daughters / HEALTH

CAT’S CRADLE BACK ROOM 300 E. MAIN ST., CARRBORO, NC (919) 967-9053

12/15: Lynn Blakey’s Christmas Show featuring Ecki Heins, FJ Ventre, and Special Guests 12/18: An Evening with Sam Tayloe (Time Sawyer) & Mike Ramsey

PNC ARENA

1400 EDWARDS MILL RD., RALEIGH, NC (919) 861-2300 12/11-15: Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures

THE 8TH ANNUAL L SHAPE LOT TOYS 4 TOTS CONCERT (BAC 12/14)

HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER (BAC 1/9/20)

SPECIALTY SHOWS:

THE EVENING EXPERIMENT WITH ERIC MILLER, WEDNESDAYS 7-9PM THE FRIDAY NIGHT PANIC JAM FRIDAYS AT 8PM ACOUSTIC CAFE SATURDAYS FROM 7-9AM ETOWN SATURDAYS AT 9AM PUTUMAYO WORLD MUSIC HOUR SUNDAYS AT 8AM

WWW.983THEPENGUIN.COM encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 15

SINGER- SONGWRITER Patrick Carr will debut songs from upcoming 2020 album at Ted’s on December 13.

Photo by Kat Lancaster

QUIET

BY SHANNON GENTRY

“W

hen the Road Darkens” is an apt title for singer-songwriter Patrick Carr’s 2017 EP. While not a sad collection, per se, there’s a soberness to his folksy storytelling and instrumentals.

DETAILS PATRICK CARR

An English major and self-described “book nerd,” Carr’s songs are filled with literary references. One will recognize the nod to the green light from “The Great Gatsby” in “Don’t Let It Break Your Heart.”

Friday, December 13, 7 p.m.

Live At Ted’s • 2 Castle St. Cover: $5 (cash only) patrickcarrmusic.net

“I adapted the title of the EP from a line

ed? d o o l F r a C

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Though he initially organized the five tracks so they would flow musically, coincidentally, they also take listeners down a road that continues to darken around themes of hope, longing, past loves and depression.

It starts with “Sibylle in an Orange Hue.” An introduction, lightly constructed with whimsical wind chimes, draws in listeners to an almost quiet meditation.

“I find music tends to send your mind’s eye to a certain place or time,” Carr says, “so adding the wind chimes and birds in the opening was to kind of set the stage for the beginning of the EP’s journey.”

Inspired by a German singer-songwriter named Sibylle Baier, Carr stumbled upon a photo of her labelled “Sibylle in an Orange Hue.” He used some of the word’s from the photo’s title as lyrics.

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found in ‘The Lord of the Rings,’” Carr explains, “which originally read, ‘[f]aithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.’ So far, only one person has been able to guess where the title comes from.”

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“In my mind, the song describes someone who is suffering from depression, and as the narrator, I’m trying to convince her that everything will be alright in the end,” he explains.

While Carr often involves his friends, William Glover (piano) and Sean McClain (drums), in his music, he, too, is quite a multi-instrumentalist. Mostly a self-taught guitarist playing along to Led Zeppelin records, his fingerstyle playing is heavily influenced by singer-songwriter and guitarist Nick Drake.

“I pretty much spent months trying to nail that kind of fingerstyle playing and now it’s an integral part of my music,” he notes. “I’ve always been interested in guitar growing up, but never really had the right reason or motivation to start playing. Once I heard ‘Black Dog’ on my dad’s copy of the fourth Led Zeppelin record, I really wanted to learn so I could play that song.”

Carr also plays bass, organ, ukulele, mandolin, glockenspiel (similar to a xylophone), and an Indian drone instrument called a

MEDITATIONS Patrick Carr set to play solo show at Ted’s

“shruti box.” According to Carr, bass isn’t hard when starting with a foundation in guitar, “but it needs to be approached differently than the guitar.”

“Paying attention to bassists like Carol Kaye from the Wrecking Crew kind of gave me that light bulb moment,” he continues.

“I started playing ukulele when I was a junior in high school after a friend brought his along on a field trip. Mandolin is a new instrument for me and I’ve really only played it seriously for about two or three years now.

I just kind of love stringed instruments, so I end up collecting and playing them. . . . but I’m not the best mandolin player so sitting in a bluegrass jam would be catastrophic.”

Carr’s upcoming show at Ted’s will include performances of tunes from “When the Road Darkens.” He will play a few new songs as well, indicative of his influences from Nick Drake to Ryley Walker to Bon Iver.

Lyrically, they are even more introspective, often dealing with feeling lost and trying to navigate life. What remains consistent is his penchant for literature, as heard in “The Jaws of Hell.” “I took the title from a Radiohead lyric and the song makes a very loose connection to Dante’s ‘Inferno,’” Carr says.

In October, Carr recorded a few tracks featuring a flute and saxophone player, and Glover back on piano. The plan is to have two new records in 2020: an instrumental EP called “Vox Humana” and a full-length album.

“So far I haven’t settled on a title for the full-length record yet,” he notes. “I’ve got a few different titles that I’m kicking around right now, but I’m kind of waiting for the entire record to be finished before I decide on the title that feels right.”

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? Sean Thomas Gerard (second from left) and friends perform at Bourgie Nights’ Holiday Songwriting Showcase.

Photo by Geilda Barnett

WILMINGTON

BY JEFF OLOIZIA

W

ith its twinkling strings of Christmas lights, the stage at Bourgie Nights looks festive any time of year. It’s poised to get even cheerier Friday night. Christmas Unplugged: A Holiday Songwriting Showcase returns with 15 singer-songwriters from the Wilmington area. Each will perform two holiday songs and one original.

Local songwriter and producer Sean Thomas Gerard has hosted the event since he began managing Bourgie Nights six years ago. The showcase spawned from Wilmington Unplugged, a series held in venues across the city, which also hosted a Christmas showcase each December. In past years, the event has had a theme: Two years ago, for example, musicians played Tom Petty songs as part of “A Very Petty Christmas.” Though Gerard acknowledges the event’s success (“It was about as good as the showcase could get,” he says), he worried themes were beginning to detract from the showcase’s original intent: to celebrate the holidays.

Gerard sought help from Catherine Hawksworth, proprietor of Front Street “lifestyle store” Modern Legend, for the 2019 lineup.

Hawksworth has become one of the Port City’s biggest champions of live music, promoting shows at Modern Legend, Bourgie Nights, Palate and Satellite. Joining Gerard on the bill are longtime friends Justin Lacy, Travis Shallow and Jason Andre, as well as first-timers, such as McKay Glasgow (of Tumbleweed and new shoegaze outfit Lauds), Cara and Jay of Uncommon Ground Trio, and local indie-rock artist Kevin Earl.

The showcase offers participants a chance to share in the merrymaking that sometimes eludes touring songwriters. “I’m a self-employed musician, so I don’t have a holiday office party to look forward to,” Lacy says. It also allows them to demonstrate their talents for a packed crowd. “[In Wilmington] you don’t always get to

DETAILS CHRISTMAS UNPLUGGED: A HOLIDAY SONGWRITING SHOWCASE Friday, December 13, 7:30 p.m.

Bourgie Nights, 127 Princess St. Free with toy or $5 suggested donation to Toys for Tots

material includes a memorable rendition of “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” while his oeuvre of originals feature “Eggnog Shake” and a song he wrote based on a letter his mother wrote describing her Christmases growing up in 1960s Newport, NC. He’s also famous for inviting friends to the stage to perform with him. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him play with less than eight people on stage,” Gerard jokes.

Gerard will play classics like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and his own version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” He recorded it in 2017 for the Hourglass Studios Christmas album. “I’m into the Sinatra-type style of holiday music,” he admits.

A-WASSAILING Holiday concert showcases area’s best songwriters In lieu of a cover charge, attendees can bring toys or make a cash donation to Toys for Tots. “I’m making this contribution on behalf of the songwriting community, so that everybody involved in the show has the feeling they’re doing something good for somebody,” Gerard says.

play for a captive audience,” Gerard tells, “so I feel like it’s a good opportunity for everybody to showcase something they wrote.”

According to Gerard, musicians call dibs on holiday songs via a group Facebook message to ensure there isn’t overlap. “We make fun of each other and talk about eggnog for like two months,” he says. The group also serves a social purpose. “It’s just been a fun forum for us all to communicate for a month or two prior to the show, and for everybody to get in the holiday spirit.”

Gerard grew up in Pittsburgh, where he says snowfall marked the approaching holiday season. In southeastern NC hot days pepper December, so the holiday showcase is one of many ways to mark the season’s official arrival.

Lacy’s explores that dynamic in “80 Degree Yuletide High”—a song he describes as “lamenting the struggle to get into the Yuletide spirit on an unseasonably warm December day.” The songwriter’s idiosyncratic style has entertained every holiday showcase since the very first Beatles-themed one at The Whiskey in 2010. His Christmas encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 17

18 encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

UPCOMING EVENTS 12 TASTES OF CHRISTMAS

DECEMBER 12, 5 P.M. • $50-$75

CHRISTMAS UNPLUGGED: A HOLIDAY SONGWRITER SHOWCASE

DECEMBER 13, 7 P.M. • TOY DONATION

BURLESQUE NIGHTS

DECEMBER 21, 8 P.M. • $15-$100

Sell tickets to your event today at

encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 19

20 encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

GALLERY 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 out our new website at www.artexposure50.com to see upcoming events and classes!

ART IN BLOOM GALLERY

210 Princess St. • (484) 885-3037 Tues. - Sat. 10am - 6pm (or by appt., Sun. and Mon.) • aibgallery.com

View “New Path: New Art by Debra Bucci”. This exhibit of original oil paintings continues through January 19, 2020. The gallery is open until 9 pm on December 27, Fourth Friday Gallery Night. Event is free and open to the public. Also view original paintings, ceramics, sculpture, blownglass, jewelry, copper mobiles and more by various artists.

ART OF FINE DINING

www.aibgallery.com

View a pop-up art exhibit, “It’s About Time” with original art by a variety of artists through December 27, 216 N. Front Street. (the former Expo216 Building). Regular hours are Tuesday-Sunday from noon until 5 pm. Join us for a closing reception on Fourth Friday Gallery Night, December 27, 6-9 pm. Meet the artists, enjoy snacks, and listen to guitarist Roger Davis.

Experience a new pop-up art exhibit at the MC Erny Gallery with original art by Georgeann Haas (acrylic and mixed media on paper) and H.M. Saffer, II (oil on canvas and panel) through January 17 in the MC Erny Gallery on the third floor of WHQR Public Radio at 254 N. Front Street. Special reception on Monday, December 16, 4-6 pm. Meet artist, Georgeann Haas and enjoy snacks. The event is free and open to the public. Regular hours are 9 am to 5 pm, Monday-Friday, except December 24-26.

“Homegrown: New Paintings by Angela Rowe continues through January 13th, 2020 at PinPoint Restaurant, 114 Market Street. These stunning oil paintings explore the movement of food from farms and waters to markets and to table.

“Works of Art by Kirah Van Sickle” continues through February 3, 2020 at Platypus & Gnome Restaurant, 9 South Front Street.

The artist’s acrylic and mixed media works

GUIDE

combine found objects and papers with paint glazes.

A Pop-Up Art Exhibit, “It’s About Time” continues through December 28th at 216 N. Front Street. (the former Expo216 Building).

View the art Tuesday-Sunday from noon until 5 pm and until 9 pm on Fourth Friday Gallery Nights including December 27.

CELEBRATE NEW YEARS WITH A CRUISE ABOARD THE HENRIETTA

CHARLES JONES AFRICAN ART

311 Judges Rd., Unit 6-E • (910) 7943060 • Mon. – Fri. 10am - 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm - 4 pm Open other hours / weekends by appt. cjafricanart.com African art: Museum quality African Art from West and Central Africa. Traditional African art for the discerning collector.

Current exhibition: Yoruba beadwork and Northern Nigerian sculpture. Appraisal services, curatorial services and educational exhibitions also available.

Over 30 years experience in Tribal Arts.

Our clients include many major museums.

NEW ELEMENTS GALLERY

271 N. Front St. • (919) 343-8997. Tues.

- Sat.: 11am - 6pm (or by appt.) newelementsgallery.com

New Elements Gallery is excited to announce our 34th Annual Holiday Show!

Start your Holiday shopping with perusing work by 40-plus of the best artists in southeastern North Carolina. Find one-of-a-kind gifts, wearable art, and home décor to make anyone happy on your list—including you!

Show runs through January 18, 2020! This event is free.

WILMA W. DANIELS GALLERY

200 Hanover St. (bottom level, parking deck) Mon.-Fri., noon-5pm http://cfcc.edu/danielsgallery

Wilma D Daniels Gallery presents: The No Boundaries International Art Colony exhibition opens, featuring the works of national and international artists. This year’s exhibition features artists from Japan, Spain, Turkey and the United States.

Tickets are limited

$60

per person

Book at cfrboats.com or call 910-343-1611 for more info

Boarding starts 8:30 PM cruising will be 9:30PM—12:30AM

Have dinner at one of our local restaurants then enjoy light appetizers during your cruise. Dance to your favorite tunes played by our DJ or enjoy a walk on our upper deck to view the cities beautiful lit skyline. Drinks will be available at our fully stocked bar with all ABC permits. A champagne toast will be served at midnight to welcome in the NEW YEAR.

Phone: (910)343-1611 • Email: info@cfrboats.com 101 S. Water Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 * at the corner of Dock Street and Water Street* *over 700 parking spaces within 2 1/2 blocks* cfrboats.com

encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 21

NEW CAULIFLOWER RICE WARM BOWLS! TRY ONE AT OUR WILMINGTON LOCATION 1125 Military Cutoff Rd, Wilmington, NC

Featuring sushi, poke bowls, teriyaki and hibachi entrees, bento boxes, vegetarian, and sandwiches.

Daily food and drink specials.

SUSHI SPECIALS

Two specialty rolls

for $19.95

Three regular rolls

for $12.95

Specials only valid at the downtown location.

Voted Best 16 S. Front St. • 910-772-9151 Dowtown Wilmington Sushi 22 encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

IT’S A MOB SCENE The age-defying CGI effects used to make De Niro and Pacino look 40 years younger is a hindrance to this super long, boring film.

Courtesy of Netflix

BY ANGHUS

“T

he Irishman” is not a very good movie. I want to put that out there right away. Unlike Martin Scorsese, I didn’t want to pointlessly draw this whole thing out to an interminable length.

Scorsese’s latest three-and-half-hour slog is a Netflix-produced film through familiar territory—a trip back to the same well that provided us with classic stories of mob violence, and the mafia lifestyle like “Goodfellas” and “Casino.” Unfortunately, the well has dried up, and instead of seeking out new sources for creative juices, Scorsese has decided to frack the earth beneath to try and create one more operatic crime epic. And just like fracking, the final product is messy and toxic.

The story of “The Irishman” is interesting enough. Frank (Robert De Niro) is a WWII veteran-turned-teamster-truck driver, looking to get in good with local mobsters who run his city. He meets Russell (Joe Pesci), who becomes his mafia mentor and helps guide him through the Dons and dont’s of the criminal underworld. Eventually, Frank crosses paths with the legendary hustler, Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino), who becomes one of Frank’s best friends and, eventually, a massive liability.

My biggest issue with “The Irishman” is how fake it seems. Scorsese spent millions of dollars using technology to digitally alter his cast so they could play younger and older versions of themselves. When the movie starts, we meet Frank who is supposed to be in his late 30s. Though they were able to erase the lines from De Niro’s face, they didn’t do anything about his posture or the way he moves. The result looks like an old man wearing a suit made of a younger man’s skin. The grotesque meat puppets never really capture the spirit or energy of the characters. There’s a scene where “young” Frank goes to beat up a grocer, and it looks like my grandfather trying to step on a bug, after having a few too many Scotch and sodas.

Pacino in particular comes across hilariously haggard—looking more like an

DETAILS THE IRISHMAN

Rated R, 3 hrs 29 mins Directed by Martin Scorsese Starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Al Pacino

MESSY MISH-MASH

“As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster.” That line is a simple insight into a character that pays dividends as he continues to dig a deeper and deeper hole.

Scorsese’s latest mob flick has few good choices

I wish “The Irishman” had a quarter of the energy of “Goodfellas,” but these are old men trying to play a younger man’s game, and all the computer trickery in the world “The Irishman” as a cautionary tale for using can’t change it. technology as a crutch in dramatic storytellThis movie is a creepy tech demo that ing. It reminds me of a great line from “Jufails miserably. The story, the acting, the di- rassic Park” about the perils of technology. rection, and creative choices, they all end up To paraphrase, Scorsese spent so much in a messy mish-mash that feels like a Mar- time preoccupied with whether or not he tin Scorsese mixtape. I can only recommend could, he didn’t stop to think if he should.

80-year-old man in a terrible jet-black Eddie Munster wig than a 50-year-old Hoffa.

Every time his scary mug showed up on screen, I screamed “Kill it with fire!” It is the stuff of nightmares.

Joe Pesci is the only actor who manages to get come across as genuine, but it’s mainly because he’s playing the oldest character in the movie and requires less computer-assisted, age-defying lotion. I can’t stress enough how unintentionally hilarious it is watching a movie that is doing its best, spending 10s of millions of dollars to convince us De Niro is a 40-year-old-man, even though he looks like Grandpa after using too much Just for Men. However, I genuinely enjoyed the final 30 minutes of the film. It provided a brief glimpse into the incarceration of these larger-than-life personalities, stripped of their pinky rings and power trips, watching a bunch of tired old men dealing with the sad reality that the power they fought so hard to keep, ultimately, doesn’t lead anywhere fulfilling. I wish more of the movie had examined that side of the story instead of the paint-by-numbers mob story and frequent historical references. For a movie this long, there was very little in terms of explaining “why” behind Frank’s choices. I kept thinking the of the classic line from “Goodfellas”:

encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 23

UPCOMING EVENTS MONDAY, DECEMBER 16 | 7:00PM | Men’s Basketball vs Mercer

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24 encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

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encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 25

January 13 & 14 at 7:30 pm Wilson Center perfect gift!

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26 encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 27

WHAT THE DICKENS? Ian Klein as Tiny Tim and Tony Rivenbark as Scrooge in ‘A Christmas Carol.’

Photo by James Bowling

MASTER OF

BY JEFF OLOIZIA

T

ony Rivenbark speaks freely, and with a hint of mischief coloring his Southern accent. The veteran actor and longtime Thalian Hall executive director is playing Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” for the 14th time, and enjoys displaying his encyclopedic knowledge of the role. “I saw the latest version on Broadway last week at the Lyceum, with Campbell Scott,” Rivenbark says. “And, of course, his father, George C. Scott, did a movie version … Patrick Stewart did a one-man ‘Christmas Carol’ on Broadway, which I saw and hated.”

DETAILS A CHRISTMAS CAROL

December 11-15, 19-22 Wed.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.

Stein Studio Theatre at Thalian Hall, If Rivenbark is competitive about play310 Chestnut St. ing Scrooge, it makes sense. For many in $28 • thalianhall.org the Cape Fear region, his name is synonymous with Dickens’ famous curmudgeon.

He first inhabited the character in 1968, as a college junior at UNCW (then Wilmington College). Since, he’s played Scrooge 13 times, in six different versions—including multiple musicals and a version Steve Cooper wrote for Rivenbark, which saw the Ghost of Christmas Present as Tarzan.

(He also directed the show twice.)

The Theatre Exchange version playing in Wilmington this month will be familiar to many: It ran for seven consecutive years at Thalian Hall, from 2000 to 2006. Rivenbark plays a traveling actor who stumbles into a Depression-era “Hooverville” after his car runs out of gas. In performing the “A Christmas Carol,” in exchange for food and lodging, he is transformed into Scrooge, and the town’s tattered residents become the players.

“A Christmas Carol” comes at an especially busy time for Rivenbark. In September, the StarNews recognized his 40 years of running Thalian Hall with its Media Lifetime Achievement Award. Later this month, he’ll host 400 attendees for Thalian’s annual New Year’s Eve Gala, featuring a performance of the Opera House Theatre Company musical “La Cage Aux Folles.” encore spoke with Rivenbark in his office last week about “A Christmas Carol,”

which opens Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. encore (e): How has your performance of Scrooge evolved over time?

Tony Rivenbark (TR): I don’t know if it’s evolved. There are choices you get to make every night, so sometimes I might be more angry or more sarcastic. There is a little bit of humor in Scrooge. That’s important because at the end, when he becomes a nice guy, there’s something to it. He still is not necessarily an easy character to deal with; he almost dominates the room. I’m not sure I would want to be around the happy Scrooge. e: Are you pretty much completely offbook at this point?

TR: No, no. I very seldom can retain lines, but it’s not as hard to pick it back up again.

So I’m pretty much off-book and understand what’s happening and understand certain moves and things. But, still—no performance is ever alike. e: Is it easier to play a character with a mean streak than someone who’s doing good all the time?

TR: The villain is always fun, and in this case he’s both [villain and hero]. Years ago I did “Camelot” at Kenan Auditorium. I had played, you know, fun people, comic peo-

28 encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

ple, whatever, and I wanted to play someone really evil. I wanted to do Mordred, who is such a snake. My costume was . . . green, it was almost snakelike. It was beautiful. But [the director] really wanted me to do Merlyn. I realized, after looking at the script, Merlyn only appears in the first act, and Mordred appears in the second.

So I said, “OK, I’ll do Merlyn, if you let me do Mordred, too.” e: Do you relate to Scrooge?

TR: Yes. I’m a terrible employer, and I can be really, really hard on people. But I’m also the other one, too, so I’m both. Poor staff, they never know which one’s going to come into work. e: What would you tell someone who says, “I’ve already seen ‘A Christmas Carol.’ I’m going to skip it this year.”

TR: The fact is, Dickens didn’t write a play; he wrote a novella. So God knows—there’s 50, 100, 150—I don’t know how many versions there are, but to most people it may seem really like the same because it is the same story. It’s the closest thing in some way to theatre in the 19th century, when people knew the plays and—for 50 years or so, from the 18th century to the mid-19th century—the same play would come back again and again. People knew these plays and would go back to see them, to see who did it. It was as much about the actor. It wasn’t about the production because production values were not as extravagant as they are today. e: Is “A Christmas Carol” the best holiday story?

TR: Yes, I think it is. It almost makes me tear up because I just went through this with the show. [In New York,] one of the things they did was have three Tiny Tims, and all three were in a similar situation. The kid actually had a disability—MS or something, I don’t know. He actually couldn’t walk. It absolutely tore the audience apart.

I think the message is: You can’t solve the problems of the past, but you can solve the problems of the future. You can be

HUMBUG Tony Rivenbark returns as Ebenezer Scrooge in Theatre Exchange’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ kinder to the people you know. You can share. You can think about those less fortunate than you. You can help. I think that’s a very powerful message. I think it says it better than any of the other ones. e: You recently were awarded a StarNews Lifetime Achievement Award.

What does that mean to you?

TR: It means a great deal. Awards are nice. As Dorothy Gillespie once said, “Life is not a rehearsal.” It is what it is. Maybe it’s not what you wanted to do, maybe you didn’t even know what you wanted to do. If other people feel like you have done something that meant something to people, then that’s good and appreciated. e: Do you ever think about slowing down?

TR: If you slow down, you get tired. I can barely walk when I get up off this desk. If I’m moving, I’m great. It’s just, you know— what are you going to do? It’s too late to do something different. I guess it’s a calling. I don’t know. I mean, I really don’t. I think about it a lot.

But slowing down? I do slow down in a way because the staff does a lot of things, so I focus on projects that continue to interest me. We keep reinventing the theater, so it has it has its place in the community.

Interview has been edited and condensed.

FROM FILM TO STAGE Jeff Hidek stars as Buddy the Elf in Thalian Association’s ‘Elf: The Musical.’

Photo by Jim Bowling

HOLIDAY

BY SHANNON RAE GENTRY

“B

uddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color?”

“Santa! I know him! I know him!”

DETAILS

“I just like to smile; smiling’s my favorite.”

“Christmas is more than just Santa Claus” is actor Jeff Hidek’s favorite quote from Buddy the Elf. Hidek will play the hallmark character—first made famous by Will Ferrell in the 2003 film “Elf”—in Thalian Association’s stage adaptation, “Elf: The Musical,” opening Friday night.

The story follows a human raised as an elf in search of his true identity, while spreading the Christmas spirit. He meets a trove of humans along the way, including his love interest Jovie (played

by Hunter Wyatt), and his biological dad Walter (Stuart Pike) and stepmom Emily (Jen Hancock). Though, it’s not without missing his North Pole family, including the man in red himself, Santa (James Bowling) who narrates the show—a change from the film’s original narrator, Papa Elf. Cathy Street is the properties designer, with music direction from Katie Deese, costumes by Jen Iapalucci, and set by Benedict Fancy and Lance Howell. According to Thalian Association’s artistic director, Chandler Davis, the material for the production of “Elf: The Musical” is the same from the well-received Broadway tour—which came to Wilmington a few years ago.

“Obviously there are staging differences because we are at a different venue and we have ordinal choreography

by Samantha Mifsud,” she explains,” but the script and music are the same.” encore caught up with the cast to see who shares Buddy’s affinity for elf culture. encore (e): So the movie is what a lot

ELF: THE MUSICAL

sometimes, eating cold spaghetti with syrup.

Kaleb Edward Edley (KE): I think the movie is great but something the play does is give some characters who you don’t see much in the movie more to do, which is great because you get more development and can find more things in these characters that you relate to. And since we get more of these characters, some plot points change a bit so that even if you know the movie by heart, there will be something new in the play for you.

Produced by Thalian Association December 13-22 (extra performances Dec. 14 and 21 at 2 p.m.) • $32 Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. Stuart Pike (SP): I’ve done this enough to know when audiences are in for a treat. thalianhall.org of people think of when it comes to “Elf,” but what about this production makes it a standalone holiday show anyone can appreciate?

Jen Hancock: We are huge fans of the movie! The musical follows the movie’s storyline pretty closely, so even if the audience hasn’t seen the movie, they are sure to enjoy the show. The music in the show adds another layer of holiday joy and is sure to put folks in the holiday spirit.

Jeff Hidek: Buddy is still unrelentingly optimistic. His dad’s still in need of a large dose of Christmas spirit. And Jovie still has her guard up and is still not a fan of singing in public.

You certainly don’t have to have seen the film to enjoy “Elf: The Musical.” In fact I’d love as many people as possible to not be comparing me to Will Ferrell! He is a legend. Ultimately this a holiday story that everyone in the family will enjoy.

I grew up watching great holiday films like “Miracle on 34th Street” and “White Christmas.” And “Elf” the film has joined that canon because it shares the same DNA. Christmas isn’t about gifts and lights and trees. It’s not even about Santa Claus. It’s about family, faith, love and,

There’s a definite rhythm or vibe to strong successful shows. This one’s got it. That is a tribute to Chandler and her creative team and the outstanding cast and artists they’ve assembled. e: Jeff, what about Buddy’s Christmas spirit can you relate to most? I mean, is smiling really your favorite?

Hidek: I love Buddy. I just wish I had half of his stamina in my real life. He’s always on! e: That said, could everyone tell our readers how you’ve connected most with respective characters and where you may have struggled in doing so, and why?

Hancock: I have loved getting to know Emily Hobbs. She’s a mom like myself and easily relatable to most with her struggle to balance her busy schedule and family life. She wants the best for her son and deep down longs for her family to experience the magic and joy of the season before it slips away.

KE: The part of my character I think was easiest to connect with was how much he works. I try to always keep myself busy and doing things to further my goals and get to where I want to be. That being said, it turns him into a kind of Grinch—which was the hardest part for me since Christmas is my favorite holiday.

JOY

‘Elf: The Musical’ kicks off at Thalian Hall this Friday night SP: In my personal business career, I have certainly been in stressful situations, though never to the extent that Walter finds himself. I also have three adult children who on rare (he said sheepishly), occasions could add fuel to the dumpster fire. So delivering on the character in a stress-filled situation stems from those personal experiences. . . . As for my perspective of Christmas compared to Walter: polar opposites. Our house has been decorated since the Friday after Thanksgiving —a traditionalist (though, I did cheat a little this year but didn’t activate any lights)—and I very much have deep religious feelings about the season, which is not part of this story. e: Favorite scene or song?

Hancock: There are so many great scenes in the show but if I had to choose.

I’d say my favorite scene is when Emily and her son, Michael, come to the realization that “There is a Santa Claus,” and of course, express their delight through song.

SP: “The Story of Buddy the Elf.” KE: My favorite song in the show is “Sparklejollytwinklejingley.” It’s this great big jazzy number that’s so much fun to watch. It’s high energy, great music, great singing, great dancing.

What more do you need?

encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 29

2019’S CRUMPET Randy Davis brings to life David Sedaris’ Crumpet in Panache’s annual holiday tradition of bringing ‘Santaland Diaries’ to stage.

Photo by James Bowling

SUBTLE

BY GWENYFAR ROHLER

P

anache Theatrical Productions continues one of Wilmington’s most beloved holiday traditions with the annual production of David Sedaris’ “Santaland Diaries.” This year the one-man show has landed at Big Dawg’s Cape Fear Playhouse on Castle Street, with Randy Davis accepting the terrifying challenge of keeping the audience entertained mostly by himself for the evening. As he notes in his actor’s bio, this is not a show where if he drops a line or misses a cue, there is another cast member on stage who can improvise and cover the mistake. It is a challenge and terror like none other for an actor to get through opening night of “Santaland.” But once the curtain comes down (metaphorically, there is no curtain at the Playhouse), he is part of a select fraternity ever after.

Sedaris grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is possibly one of the most successful contemporary writers from North Carolina. His big break came when the essay for “Santaland Diaries” was read on NPR in 1992. Joe Mantello (University of North Carolina School of the Arts alumni) adapted the show for the stage, and Timothy Olyphant originated the role in 1996 at The Atlantic Theatre Company.

“Santaland Diaries” details the first winter Sedaris lived in Manhattan (he had to borrow money from his mother to move there). In

DETAILS SANTALAND DIARIES Through December 22, 8 p.m. or 3 p.m. on Sunday Cape Fear Playhouse, 613 Castle St. Tickets: $20-$22 panachetheatre.com spite of having a college education and over a decade of work experience, the only job he was able to secure was working as an elf named Crumpet in Macy’s Santaland.

The stage adaptation of Sedaris’ essay is one man recounting the events, peppered with occasional breaks and commentaries from a group of Not Ready for Christmas Carolers—Grace Carlyle Berry, Kaleb Bradley and Dianne March. Part of what makes “Santaland Diaries” interesting is the opportunity to see the way different actors portray the role. Some variation on the elf being gay and bitchy ran for many years until Jamey Stone (director of the 2019 production) abandoned any pretense that Crumpet was gay a few years ago.

! s l a de

Justin Smith, at close to 7 feet tall, had a lock on physical comedy: with the visual image, pretty much anything he said was be funny.

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GIVE US A TRY...

Jason Hatfield’s Crumpet was so filled with anger and rage, it almost pushed me out of the theatre.

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Adam Poole, who was too young and handsome to play Crumpet, gave us the elf as the shaggy dog story: It was almost like Holden Caulfield was giving an excuse for not showing up to class.

Davis has gone with an understated ap-

30 encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

proach to Crumpet. It’s like running into a friend while walking downtown and catching up with each other’s lives. In a very calm, quiet voice, Davis takes us through the increasingly bewildering story of him sitting in a coffee shop, reading the want ads, looking for a job, applying to be an elf at Macy’s Santaland and then training for the job. Davis doesn’t really build up a lot of the jokes or oversell the persona of Crumpet. He gives us a guy we probably know, and lets that guy tell us a story that is just believable enough.

We know him well enough that it’s crazy but not impossible. For many of the previous performers, the humor, sarcasm and anger have been the big pieces of the show.

For Davis the entire show is a prelude to the final story he recounts: An unknown Santa appears on Christmas Eve and truly teaches the message of Christmas to families visiting Santaland and to Crumpet himself. Maybe it is because Davis is a father of two in real life, so when he contemplates whether he really shows his child he loves them each day, he draws on something deeper than those of us without children. Perhaps this is the message that truly resonates with Davis on a deeper level than the rest of the text. Not only does he make us laugh in the beginning, he brings tears to our eyes by the end.

Ever spent time talking with someone who has just had a profound spiritual experience they are processing? It tends not to be a loud or over-the-top but more of a quiet, almost matter-of-fact and very thoughtful recitation of events leading to a moment of realization.

That’s what Davis’ Crumpet seems to be doing. It’s the most spiritual “Santaland Diaries” brought to stage yet.

I love 2019’s Not Ready for Christmas carolers; they are probably one of my favorite groups ever. Their interactions with Davis are more like commentary than incidental music.

Two songs have become staples of the carolers: “Here Comes Satan Claus” and “Deck the Halls.” The latter is used for the big reveal of Crumpet in his elf costume, and this year’s air-guitar, rock-out version is a nice variation on the theme. But “Mambo Santa Mambo” is

BUT

EFFECTIVE

Randy Davis is the most spiritual Crumpet in ‘Santaland Diaries’ yet my favorite of the evening. For all that Crumpet is threading his way through these absurd experiences, the carolers are enjoying every minute they get to torment him. It’s kind of like having an irritating little sister and two of her friends who just won’t go away.

The idea of annual holiday show to attend is not a new one. “The Nutcracker” and “A Christmas Carol” (see page 28) are two with long and varied production histories. For me, “Santaland Diaries” is an important part of the winter season. At times, it has given me an outlet for anger. Other years, it has given me the release of laughter I needed in the midst of tension. There have been years of bigger production values: more elaborate sets, from Sedaris’ apartment to the breakroom at Macy’s to Santaland. This year the Playhouse has been transformed into a three-quarter thrust with a fabulous throne chair in the center. Until the throne is revealed, it almost seems to taunt Davis: He can’t decide if he is drawn to it or if he is ignoring it.

I desperately wanted him to sit down on the covered chair or on the edge of one of the audience platforms, sort of like a standup comedian, he’s covering real estate on the stage, talking to the audience. His tone of voice and body language are far calmer than any standup comedian.

Davis has a wonderful way of bringing the secondary characters that Crumpet talks about to life. They are subtle, but real and distinct. Combined with the whole, this year’s production of “Santaland Diaries” brought me solace.

Thank you, Randy, for showing me yet another side of Crumpet.

encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 31

A taste of Southern hospitality...

AVOCADO TOAST

HELL IN A HAND-BASKET BURGER

SHRIMP ‘N’ GRITS

WEEKEND BRUNCH

SERVING AWARD-WINNING CHICKEN AND WAFFLES • Locally prepared, fresh-fromscratch breakfast & lunch • Heart-healthy items available • Traditional Southern dishes

3704 Carolina Beach Rd. • (910) 769-8112 • savorsouthernkitchen.com Tues.-Fri., 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. • Sat. - Sun., 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

32 encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 33

DINING

GUIDE

Zocalo Stree t Foo d and Tequil a 1474 Barclay Pointe

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

CAM CAFÉ

CAM Café, located within the CAM delivers delightful surprises using fresh, local ingredients. The café serves lunch with seasonal options Tuesday through Saturday, inspired “small plates” on Thursday nights, an elegant yet approachable dinner on Thursday and brunch every Sunday. Look for a combination

Blvd. • zocalos treetfo od.com •

of fresh, regular menu items along with daily specials. As part of dining in an inspiring setting, the galleries are open during CAM Café hours which makes it the perfect destination to enjoy art of the plate along with the art of the museum. 3201 S 17th St. (910) 777-2363.

■ SERVING LUNCH, BRUNCH & DINNER: Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 2 pm; Thursday evening, 5pm-9pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: camcafe.org

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 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

34 encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

Photo

by Lind sey A. M iller Ph otogra phy

11:30-10:00; Friday and Saturday 11:30-11:00 ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ILM; kids menu

HENRY’S

A local favorite, Henry’s is the ‘place to be’ for great food, a lively bar and awesome patio dining. Henry’s serves up American cuisine at its finest that include entrees with fresh, local ingredients. Come early for lunch, because it’s going to be packed. Dinner too! Henry’s Pine Room is ideal for private functions up to 30 people. 2508 Independence Boulevard, Wilmington, NC. (910) 793.2929.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun. - Mon. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Tues.- Fri.: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Sat.: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Daily blackboard specials.

■ WEBSITE: henrysrestaurant.com

NICHE

Niche Kitchen and Bar features an eclectic menu, a large wine list, and a warm and inviting atmosphere. Close to Carolina Beach, Niche has a great selection of dishes from

land to sea. All dishes are cooked to order, and Sundays features a great brunch menu!

Niche’s heated covered patio is perfect for anytime of the year and great for large parties.

And their bar has a great assortment of wines, even offered half off by the glass on Tuesdays-Thursdays. Open Tues. - Sun. 11 a.m. 10 p.m. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling 910-399-4701.

■ OPEN LUNCH AND DINNER: Tues.-Sun., 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington ■ WEBSITE: nichewilmington.com

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 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Sun. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Daily specials and takehome 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) 2404206 ■ 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) 771-9151.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.-Thurs., 11am 10pm; Fri.-Sat., 11am-11pm; Sun., 12pm-10pm. 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

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) 763-3172.

■ 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 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.

YOSHI

Yoshi Sushi Bar and Japanese Cuisine offers something the greater Wilmington area has never seen before. We are seeking to bring true New York Style Sushi to Wilmington, with classic sushi and sashimi, as well as traditional rolls and some unique Yoshi Creations. We offer a variety of items, including Poke Bowls and Hibachi - and we also are introducing true

BITES 12 TASTES (OR MORE!) OF CHRISTMAS December 12, 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Brooklyn Arts Center, 516 N 4th St. Over 30 local drinkeries and eateries will vie for the Old Man’s “Major Awards” for best bite, sip, and decorated booth. Attendees can dress up to the theme for a chance at prizes, too. Proceeds will benefit Nourish NC, which feeds children of New Hanover County school system through numerous outreach programs. Ages 21 and over only!

Tickets: $50-$75, 910tix.com Japanese Ramen Bowls! Come try it today! 260 Racine Dr, Wilmington 28403 (910)799-6799 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun. 12pm11pm, Mon.-Thurs. 11am-10pm, Fri.-Sat. 11am-11pm

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

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■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: www.yoshisushibarandjapa-

nesecuisine.com

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 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) 2510433.

■ SERVING DINNER: 5pm Tue-Sun; open

Slice of Life 4 co nvenient lo cations • grabaslice .com • Ph oto 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, May-Oct.,

by Lindse y

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 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

Daily Burger Specials • Wings Salads • Sandwiches • Milkshakes 11 Market Street - Downtown Wilmington (910) 769-0755

Open 11am-11pm daily

36 encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

A. Miller Photogra phy

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) 686-7774

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun.-Thurs., 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.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Porters Neck, North and 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, 910-6811140. 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, 910-799-3847.

■ SERVING DINNER: Mon.-Sat. 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: North Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Acclaimed Wine List ■ WEBSITE: catchwilmington.com

mian-Chic” atmosphere, where you’ll feel just as 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

OCEANIC

Voted best seafood restaurant in Wilming-

ton, Oceanic provides oceanfront dining at its best. Located in Wrightsville Beach, Oceanic is one of the most visited restaurants on the beach. Choose from a selection of seafood platters, combination plates and daily fresh fish. For land lovers, try their steaks, chicken or pasta dishes. Relax on the pier or dine inside. Oceanic is also the perfect location for memorable events, such as wedding ceremonies & receptions, birthday gatherings, anniversary parties and more. Large groups welcome. Private event space available. 703 S. Lumina Avenue, Wrightsville Beach. (910) 256.5551.

■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER & SUNDAY BRUNCH: Mon – Sat 11am – 11pm, Sunday 10am – 10pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wrightsville Beach ■ FEATURING: Dine on renovated Crystal Pier.

■ WEBSITE: OceanicRestaurant.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

SUSHI ON A WHOLE NEW LEVEL

Sushi Burritos | Sushi Bowls | Sushi Tacos Sushi Donuts | And More

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.

You’ll have a great time eating in our “Bohe-

3224 N College Rd Suite A, Wilmington, NC 28405 Open daily 11am - 9pm encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 37

■ 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

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’ Time!

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Carolina Beach Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-2am; Sun: Noon-2am, Historic Wilmington: Sun-Thurs: 11am-10pm; 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.

■ WEBSITE: caseysbuffet.com

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-

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Thurs, 5-10pm; Fri-Sat, 5-10:30pm; Sun., 10am-3pm and 5-9pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: rxwilmington.com

SPORTS BAR CAROLINA ALE HOUSE

Voted best new restaurant AND best sports bar of 2010 in Wilmington, Carolina Ale House is the place to be for award-winning food, sports and fun. Located on College Rd. near UNC W, this lively sports-themed restaurant.

Covered and open outdoor seating is available.

Lunch and dinner specials are offered daily, as well as the coldest $2 and $3 drafts in town.

317 S. College Rd. (910) 791.9393.

SERVING LUNCH, DINNER & LATE NIGHT: 11am-2am daily.

NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown FEATURING: 40 HD TVs and the biggest HD projector TVs in Wilmington.

WEBSITE: CarolinaAleHouse.com

STEAKS TRUE BLUE BUTCHER & TABLE

True Blue Butcher & Table opened in the Forum Shopping Center in January 2018 at the point, 1125-AA Military Cutoff Rd. as Wilmington’s finest neighborhood butcher shop and restaurant. A menu of globally-inspired, local ingredients is served during lunch, dinner and weekend brunches. But the real experience is visiting the butcher counter to take home the best cuts of meat in Wilmington (and the world), while also given expert cooking and

food advice from the chef/owner himself, Bobby Zimmerman. True Blue has a magnificent bar, handcrafted cocktail menu and bar menu and offers weekday specials. (910) 679-4473 ■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER & WEEKEND BRUNCH: Lunch Tues.-Fri., 11am-2pm; Dinner, Tues.-Sun., 5-10pm; Brunch, Sat.-Sun., 10:30am-2:30pm; Butcher counter Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: The Forum off of Military Cutoff Road ■ FEATURES: Wed. Burger Night, Thurs.

1/2-priced wine bottle & prime steak upgrades; Friday 1/2-priced bar menu ■ WEBSITE/SOCIALS: wearetrueblue.com.

IG: @truebluebutcherandtable. FB: facebook. com/TrueBlueButcherAndTable

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

book your holiday parties now!

Private room up to 30 people

Offering cheese, fresh meats and seafood along with many dessert fondues including melted chocolate, caramel, peanut butter and marshmallows!

We wil open 2pm New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day

encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 39

SIP AND TALK The local coffee scene continues to grow with the Wilmington Coffee Fest.

Stock photo

TALKIN’

BY JOAN C.W. HOFFMANN

W

hen I met with Krysta Kearney and Will Chacon of Wilmington Coffee Fest, Kearney mentioned she hoped someday people would think of Wilmington as a coffee town but it wasn’t there yet. I respectfully disagree. Evidence of our coffee-town status can be seen by the delightfully diverse coffee shops (there are 20-plus in Wilmington alone) and in our local roasting game: It’s getting stronger and stronger with 12 roasters already providing the Port City with fresh beans. Now we can look forward to number 13: Luna Caffe on 6th and Castle.

Chacon and wife Nina Hayhurst-Chacon opened Luna in 2013, but at the time coffee wasn’t their passion. The couple originally leased the Castle Street space so Chacon could teach drums in the back (which he still does), and thought a coffee shop up front would give students’ parents a nice space to wait. Flash forward six years, and Luna Caffè ain’t no waiting room. The coffee shop currently features beans from Rev Coffee Roasters out of Smyrna, Georgia ... but not for long. Soon, Luna will serve hot (and cold!) cups of their own roasts, as the cafe is opening up Luna Coffee Roastery up the street at 9th and Castle.

fermental Beer.wine.cider.sake.mead Draft beer.Wine by the glass.kegs

Growlers.cheese.olives.meats

Live music.food trucks Outdoor games.Beer garden.wine tastings.Brewery events

Family friendly.pet friendly Voted best bottle shop by encore readers 7250 market street.wilmington nc 910.821.0362 40 encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

“It all started last year when we visited [Rev Coffee] and I just saw how different the roasting side is,” Chacon explains. “Thereafter, [my wife and I] got the bug to roast, and we finally found the roaster. Roasters are hard to find nowadays, and when you do find them, they’re really expensive. But I happened to find a used one that’s big—a 10-kilo—that was really affordable.”

Aside from serving and retailing their beans in their own cafe, they’ll gauge customer response and confidence in their product to sell their beans to coffee shops in town and beyond. One of the places Chacon wants to showcase his product is 2020’s Wilmington Coffee Fest—an annual celebration of all-things caffeinated, curated by him and Krysta Kearney.

Wilmingtonians may know the Wilmington Coffee Fest by a different name: Wilmington Coffee Crawl, which is how Kearney started it in 2017. It was initially designed so coffee connoisseurs could walk around downtown Wilmington, and indulge in various creations at shops that were geographically close. Wilmington’s prolific coffee scene has caused a shift both in branding and design.

Kearney and Chacon wanted the event to be more inclusive, involving shops outside of downtown. The idea of a crawl over multiple days in different parts of town was batted around, but, ultimately, it seemed convoluted.

Instead, a festival started to take shape.

The event is split between two locations, or two parts as the case may be. All things coffee (roasters and coffee shops) will set up at the USO Hannah Block/Community Arts Center on 2nd Street until 4 p.m. The makers market, along with food trucks, coffee trucks and music, will be at Waterline and includes a lineup of delicious housemade beer, including the coffee and cream ale Waterline head brewer Dani Bearss makes with Rev Coffee beans.

In the past, Kearny has tried to have coffee-focused demonstrations, but 2,500 caffeine-crazed attendees made for space complications. The USO will allow for more educational opportunities next year when the coffee fest is held February 1, 2020. Repre-

JAVA

Wilmington Coffee Fest amps up for a larger soirée sentatives from different companies will be doing various demos, teaching attendees the intricacies of Chemex/pour-over coffee making, cupping and the art of small-batch roasting. The classrooms will be used for lectures on topics like how to start a coffee shop, different jobs in the coffee industry, coffee trade, and the similarities between coffee and beer industries. Chacon and Kearny are still hashing out educational opportunities, so neither the demonstration nor the lecture list are complete.

One of the aspects the organizers are most excited about is their effort to go greener. Attendees will receive a tote bag and reusable espresso cup. Kearney and Chacon also are working to pair with food trucks that utilize eco-friendly products and minimize waste.

They hope in the future they can make the event zero-waste.

Event check-in begins at 10 a.m. at the USO on December 21. Pre-sale tickets are available now for $18 general admission or $32 VIP, which include early entry, a special line, extra swag, and entry into the industry party on Friday night at Waterline, including two drink tickets. Children 10 and under can attend for free.

So far festival participants include: 24 South Coffeehouse, Brown Dog Coffee Company, Grinders Cafe, Luna Caffè, Port City Java, Social Coffee + Supply Co., Tama Cafe, The Complex Bean, 1000 Face Coffee, Counter Culture, Java Estate Roastery, Longboard Coffee Roaster, The Milk Road, Vigilant Hope, De La Finca Coffee Importers, Kerry, Big Train, Da Vinci Gourmet, Oregon Chai, Monin, and Torani.

Don’t miss Wilmington Coffee Fest at 12 Tastes (or more!) of Christmas, page 43.

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BRING YOUR HOLIDAY BEST Kelly Sweitzer won last year’s costume contest as Clark Griswold hanging from a gutter for 12 Tastes’ ‘Christmas Vacation’ theme; 2019’s is ‘A Christmas Story.’

Photo by Matthew Ray Photography

DELICIOUS

BY SHEA CARVER

S

ay it with us: “Frah-gee-lay!” It’s Italian for encore’s 12 Tastes (or more!) of Christmas—the most delicious holiday event, featuring over 30 local drinkeries and eateries, set to theme of “A Christmas Story.”

It was only six years ago when Nina Bays Cournoyer and Katherine Clark launched a fundraiser that would amp up the holidays with lots of local flair (and fare). 12 Tastes of Christmas brought in 12 local eateries and drinkeries to Brooklyn Arts Center as a benefit for Cape Fear Literacy Council.

Folks ate, drank, dressed up in holiday gear, and generally enjoyed the spirit of the season, usually set to a theme.

In 2017, when Cournoyer moved to L.A., the event went on hiatus. With permission from its founders, encore resurrected it last year to the theme of “Christmas Vacation” and to benefit DREAMS. We upped the ante to include 34 local eateries and drinkeries, all of whom vied for best bite, best sip and best decorated booth, as voted on by 12 Tastes attendees. 2018 winners were Board and Barrel for bite, Dram + Morsel for sip, and Island Beverage and Pine Valley Market for booth.

The rebrand of 12 Tastes (or more!) of Christmas was such a hit, we will welcome it back this Thursday, December 12, 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., at Brooklyn Arts Center (BAC). The 2019 event has a slew of bites and sips, paired at booths throughout the church and adjoining Annex, such as: mini al pastor tacos from Beer Barrio, paired with Pinchelada, a Mexican lager with jalapeño, lime and salt from Skytown Brewery; Trey Herring’s Carolina Bourbon hot apple butter drink, paired with Steam Restaurant & Bar’s vegetable fried rice with farm-fresh egg and fixin’s; Boombalatti’s homemade chocolate “Oh, Fudggggeee!” ice cream to go with Flytrap’s Belgian chocolate stout; or a glass of mulled wine from Palate Bottle Shop & Reserve to go with True Blue Butcher & Table’s pork and Peking duck rillettes, with salted plum, cucumber, and mandarin pancake (see all pairings at our

DETAILS 12 TASTES (OR MORE!) OF CHRISTMAS December 12, 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Brooklyn Arts Center, 516 N 4th St. Over 30 local drinkeries and eateries will vie for the Old Man’s “Major Awards” for best bite, sip and decorated booth. Attendees can dress up to the theme for a chance at prizes, too. Proceeds will benefit Nourish NC, which feeds children of New Hanover County’s school system through numerous outreach programs.

Ages 21 and over only!

Tickets: $50-$75 • 910tix.com Facebook event page).

As of press the event almost was sold out, with sales benefiting Nourish NC. The local nonprofit feeds children through numerous outreach programs in southeastern NC. According to its executive director, Steve McCrossan, “one in five children in New Hanover County struggle with food insecurity and hunger. Nourish NC mobilizes volunteers and resources to provide supplemental food assistance to these children who might otherwise go hungry.

We do this because hunger wreaks havoc on children’s minds, bodies and spirits.

[Nourish NC] programming reflects our vision to be anywhere and everywhere food insecure children need us.”

Their outreach includes a Backpack Program, designed to give more than 1,200 students from 50 schools nutritious food on weekends and school breaks, when they

can’t get meals at school. They also host Farmer’s MarKid for 1,900 kids, by taking free fresh fruits and vegetables to food deserts, parks, playgrounds, afterschool programs, high-need schools and into area nonprofits. Nourish NC’s Food Farmacy screens upward of 400 kids for food insecurity at their doctor’s office.

HOLIDAY

FARE

“Children who are struggling with hunger are provided with a box of non-perishable food containing more than 25 strategic meals,” McCrossan says. “Each child also receives a ‘prescription’ for 15-20 pounds of fresh produce, meat, eggs and wheat bread.”

Fundraiser for Nourish NC celebrates local restaurant industry with holiday merriment of ‘A Christmas Story’

They also feed 400 younger children, ages 1-4, through Toddler Tummies. By partnering with other nonprofits, Nourish NC ensures healthy food gets to underserved kids.

These children also receive “prescriptions” for fresh food and produce.

from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Items up for grab include lots of local restaurant gift certificates, handmade jewelry, a two-night staycation at Homewood Suites at Mayfaire, a membership to City Club of Wilmington, and more.

Monies raised at 12 Tastes (or more!) of Christmas for Nourish NC will allow their Backpack Program to reach 1,200 kids over holiday break. Students will get grocery boxes filled with enough meat, wheat bread, milk and produce to eat three meals a day.

To add to the holly-jolly vibe of the evening, the Encore Carolers will sing holiday classics, plus the church stage, courtesy of lead sponsor OnQ Financial, will take on a scene from the Parker household from “A Christmas Story.” Chris Brehmer Photography will take photos of attendees on the stage with cutouts of Ralphie the Deranged Easter Bunny and the Old Man’s Major Award, and in front of the Christmas tree.

“Children who rely on free meals in school struggle with food insecurity over long school breaks,” McCrossan says. “The break box ensures our kids are well-fed, happy and healthy while on break.”

As well as focusing on end-of-year needs for the nonprofit and for the kids they serve, Nourish NC already is looking toward the new year. Fundraisers and volunteer services (visit NourisNC.org/takeaction to find out how to help) will allow them to expand both their Food Farmacy and Toddler Tummies programs. “We also will announce a big surprise in 2020, but you’ll just have to wait for that,” McCrossan teases.

Attendees are encouraged to dress up to the theme for a chance to win the costume contest, held at the beginning of the 9 o’clock hour and voted on by audience applause. One male and one female will receive tickets to a Wilson Center Broadway-touring show. Audiences also vote through a QR code on best bite, best sip and best decorated booth, plus on our 2020 theme, with winners announced around 8:45 p.m.

Aside from receiving all sponsorship money and ticket sales from 12 Tastes, Nourish NC will also get money from raffle ticket sales. 12 Tastes’ hosts, Pineapple-Shaped Lamps, will be selling tickets ($3 each or $10 for five) throughout the evening and announce winners twice an hour

Tickets to 12 Tastes (or more!) of Christmas will be open online through noon, December 13. If any tickets are left, they will be general admission only and available at the door for $60. Check the Facebook event page for pertinent soldout announcements and updates.

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The art is surprisingly beautiful.

After the high production quality of “The Lord of the Rings” films, it is really lovely to see the colored pencil drawings—simple, and thoughtful and friendly, with a very early 20th century look. It isn’t just the texts of the letters that is interesting, it really is the total visual package: the handwriting and alphabets he devises for each character; and the beautiful illustrations of life at the North Pole. It is imaginative and whimsical and more so: It is Tolkien as a father, not Tolkien as a professor or author.

This is Dad, at home, during the holidays, making something incredibly special to share with his children.

CARPE

LIBRUM

Celebrating fatherhood and the holidays with Tolkien’s Father Christmas

BY GWENYFAR ROHLER

W

ilmington’s literary community keeps gaining accolades (two National Book Awards nominees in 2015) and attention in the press. With multiple established publishers in the state (Algonquin, Blair) and new smaller presses gaining traction (Lookout, Eno, Bull City), and a pair of well-regarded literary magazines out of UNCW, it is timely to shine a light on discussions around literary publishing. More so, it shows the importance of communicating a truthful story in our present world.

Welcome to Carpe Librum, encore’s biweekly book column, wherein I will dissect a current title and an old book—because literature does not exist in a vacuum but emerges to participate in a larger, cultural conversation. I will feature many NC writers; however, the hope is to place the discussion in a larger context and therefore examine works around the world.

Letters From Father Christmas J. R. R. Tolkien Houghton Mifflin, 2004, Pgs. 111 Finding books about the holidays that don’t make me feel physically ill (for a variety of reasons) is very difficult. I can’t do “A Christmas Carol” anymore; it is too upsetting and I cry uncontrollably. Books retelling the first Christmas are not for me and, frankly, books about Hanukkah, though quite beautifully illustrated most of the time, lack much in the way of a sense for real urgency.

A copy of “Letters From Father Christmas” found its way to me through a friend’s estate a few years ago. I found myself flipping through it, mesmerized and charmed by the unexpected volume.

J.R.R. Tolkien would apparently write his children letters from “Father Christmas” every year that would appear on the mantle or hall table. He started when the oldest child, John, was three. The letters are written in a shaky hand—for Father Christmas is, after all, over a 1,000 years

old! They feature Tolkien’s illustrations of life in the North Pole.

The Polar Bear is his friend/helper who writes editorial comments in the margins and tends to be at the center of a variety of adventures that Father Christmas recounts each year. Polar Bear frequently is responsible for the destruction of stored gifts awaiting delivery. Later, Polar Bear is essential in a battle against goblins, who pose an imminent threat to Father Christmas and the gifts intended for children. After many years Father Christmas adopts/ acquires/hires a secretary who is an elf.

Now, Tolkien is producing three distinct sets of handwriting for the children’s letters and illustrations. The text of the letters are carefully typed out in the book for the reader, and each letter and accompanying illustration is reproduced in full color.

In addition to the insight into the man’s private life, we see many elements that made Tolkien’s work vibrant. The Polar Bear speaks Arctic and doesn’t like to spell in English. Eventually, the children receive a copy of the Goblin alphabet and rough translation guide in one of the letters.

Languages were Tolkien’s passion, so of course he would have shared that with his children in the Father Christmas letters.

It can be a rough time of year, emotionally, for any of us, but imagine a Christmas during war time, with two sons in service.

Their younger sister is at home, scared, learning about evacuees from London, and this is one of the few consistent things in life to offer her. One thing war can’t take away are letters from Father Christmas, and stories that follow.

If you are looking for a gift for the Tolkien fan who has everything—or if you are trying to find a holiday book that avoids sap and instead vibrates with meaning, look no further. This is it.

It is not a traditional Christmas story or short-story collection. The story that unfolds from 1920 to 1943 is of a very put-upon Father Christmas and the loved ones he surrounds himself with, in his attempts to bring children joy. The first letter appears in 1920 and is addressed to John.

As each successive child (Michael, Christopher and Priscilla) joins the family, the letters begin to include them. So, we watch the family and children grow.

John stops writing Father Christmas as he gets older, then Michael ages past Christmas letters. Christopher, who has been the most closely connected with the Tolkien estate and posthumous publications of his father’s works (including drawing the maps for “Lord of the Rings”) lingers longer in the letters than his brothers did.

Perhaps it is the letters written to Priscilla Tolkien during WWII that are the most telling. How does Father Christmas talk to a little girl about Christmas during WWII? How does he bring light and happiness during the Blitz? The letters in the book end in 1945 when Priscilla war 14, turning 15, and rebuilding after WWII was the next step for Britain. As a glimpse into history from a very personal perspective, it is invaluable.

Tolkien fans will be thrilled by this book.

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GALLERY CITRINE HOLIDAY MARKET

Dec. 14, 1pm, free: Mark your calendars, lots of fabulous local artisans are participating and best of all, proceeds will support The Good Shepherd Center! 17 South 2nd St. gallerycitrine.com

HANDMADE HOLIDAY MARKET

Dec. 14, 2-6pm: Handmade Holiday Market with Artisan Locale at Flytrap Brewing! Shop TONS of local makers for unique handmade gifts. Cozy up next to the fire pit and enjoy the s’mores bar! Wheelz Pizza will keep you full and Flytrap will have a full lineup of classic and seasonal specials on draft. Enjoy live music all day and don’t forget to snap of pic to remember the day at the Voxi Card photo booth! Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St.

events SANTA AT COTTON EXCHANGE

Visit Santa at The Cotton Exchange through Dec. 24, 11am-4pm: As always you can take free pictures with Santa at The Cotton Exchange. This year we will be utilizing a system that holds your place in line and sends you a text when it’s almost time for your visit. You can walk around and enjoy your time instead of waiting in long lines to see Santa. We will have music provided by area school choirs, bands, and orchestras on many Saturdays during the holiday season. On Sundays, enjoy local music. Come see the numerous trees decorated for local charities throughout our buildings. 321 N Front St.

CHRISTMAS STROLL THROUGH THE PAST

Dec. 14, 4:30pm, $20: Join the Bellamy Mansion Museum, the Burgwin-Wright House, and St. James Episcopal Church for a festive evening filled with holiday decor, live music, period costumes, refreshments, children’s activities and more! Purchase tickets at the Bellamy Mansion Museum, the Burgwin-Wright House or online : $20 for adults, $10 for children 3-18, and free for children 3 and under. A portion of each ticket sold goes directly to the Bellamy Mansion Museum and Burgwin-Wright House for educational and preservation efforts. Prices do not reflect sales tax. burgwinwrighthouse. com. Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens, 224 Market Street

CAPE FEAR FESTIVAL OF TREES

Through January 2, during regular aquarium hours, the Lower Cape Fear Hospice brings back its annual tradition, Cape Fear Festival of Trees at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. There are numerous dazzling, decorated trees lining the stairwells and spaces of the aquarium, each decorated by local businesses in various themes. Folks can drop by the Memorial Tree to place a dove in remembrance of loved ones. Also, a limited supply of theme-decorated wreaths will be available for purchase, to help hospice provide quality care and support to individuals and families facing end-of-life needs. Admission is allowed with aquarium ticket. NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, 900 Loggerhead Rd. ncaquariums.com/ fort-fisher

ISLAND OF LIGHTS

Annually, Carolina Beach gets into the Christmastime spirit with numerous events slated for their Island of Lights celebration. Featuring nightly lighted displays around Carolina Beach Lake,, a tour of homes on Dec. 14, and other seasonal events through Dec. 31, all in Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. Schedule: pleasureislandoflights.com.

14TH HOLIDAY TRAIN EXPO

Cape Fear Model Railroad Society’s annual exhibition, Holiday Train Expo, features 12 layouts, and more than 30 trains decking the halls with boughs of holly, lights, tinsel, snow, and more. The show takes place in the Dillard’s wing of the mall for $4-$6. It’s open every weekend through Christmas, and Dec. 27-30.

Independence Mall, 3500 Oleander Dr. shopindependencemall.com

RAILROAD MUSEUM POLAR EXPRESS & LIGHT SHOW

charity/fundraisers 12 TASTES (OR MORE!) OF CHRISTMAS No Christmas is complete without boarding the Polar Express! Children will enjoy a reading of the book, plus get to visit with Santa and enjoy hot cocoa every Saturday and Sunday at Wilmington Railroad Museum, through Dec. 22, with two time slots at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 and must be booked ahead of time. Also, the museum gets sparkly for the season, , featuring 25,000 lights and musical animations. Twilight model trains are on display and Santa will show up to sip cider and eat cookies from 6:30-8 p.m. on Dec. 13-14, 20-21 and 26-28. 910-763-2634. 505 Nutt St. wrrm.org

MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS FEST & HOLIDAY TOURS

Poplar Grove Plantation transforms its grounds into a bounty of illumination, aglow with the holiday spirit Dec. 13 (5-8pm), 14 (10am-8pm) and 15 (10am-4pm). $5 admission includes arts, crafts and gift vendor fair; Santa’s Workshop will be open for children and a mailbox ready to collect letters to Santa; outdoor Christmas movies for the entire family; visits with Santa and the Snow Queen; food trucks and concessions; plus so much more.

Guided candlelight tours ($15-$20) of the Manor House will begin on the hour starting at 5 p.m., but must be reserved with a 15 guest max. Poplar Grove Plantation, 10200 US Highway 17 North. poplargrove.org

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KURE BEACH FANTASY CHRISTMAS SHOW

Dec. 13-14, 7pm, on the 15 at 5pm, Kure Beach will go from sandland to snowland as a slew of favorite holiday characters show up for the season: Frosty, Harriet Hippo, the Grinch, Olaf, Anna, Elsa, and Rudolph.

Of course, Santa Claus and his wily elves will bring their zany antics. Folks will enjoy performances of Christmas music; folding chairs welcome. Ocean Front Park and Pavilion, 105 Atlantic Ave.

COCO TRUNK AND FASHION SHOW

Dec. 11, 4:30pm-9pm: Calling all fashionistas!

Join CustomEyes & Meadowlark Shop for a Coco Song Eyewear x Meadowlark Shop fashion show, featuring fabulous outfits & frames paired to perfection by the CustomEyes crew.

Swing by and grab a drink and nibble—who knows, you might go home with a whole new look! CustomEyes, 1540 S 2nd St., Ste. 120.

HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOP

Dec. 14, 9am: Support local artists and vendors during this special pop-up shopping opportunity! Locally made jewelry, crafts, art, and home goods will be available. These items not only make great holiday gifts, but your purchases help to strengthen the local economy and sustain the livelihood of your own neighbors. Shop local this holiday season and support your creative community! Salty Dog Yoga

Dec. 12, 6:30pm: encore’s 12 Tastes (or more!) of Christmas may not deliver the holy grail of Christmas gifts, Ralphie’s Red Ryder BB gun, but it will deliver a few of the Old Man’s Major Awards! Over 30 local drinkeries and eateries will vie for best bite, sip and decorated booth at Brooklyn Arts Center, as judged by the audience. Attendees can dress up to the theme of “A Christmas Story” for a chance at prizes, too.

Carolers will be on site and Pineapple-Shaped Lamps will host. Tickets are $50-$75, with proceeds benefiting Nourish NC. The local nonprofit feeds hungry school kids across southeastern NC. Sponsored by On Q Financial.

Brooklyn Arts Center, 516 N 4th St. 910tix.com

L SHAPED LOT TOYS FOR TOTS FUNDRAISER

Dec. 14, L Shape Lot is hosting their 8th annual Toys for Tots Fundraiser, at the beautiful Brooklyn Arts Center, along with special guest David Dixon. Doors at 6:30p; show at 7pm, $10 at the door. Accepting all new and unwrapped toy donations. Last year, with your help, over 1,000 individual toys were collected, along with a $2,000 donation, and we are hoping to exceed that this year. Brooklyn Arts Center, 516 N. 4th St.

AINSLEY’S ANGELS 5K AND 1-MILE FUN RUN

Dec. 15, 9am: The race will be located again this year at The Pointe at Barclay, starting in front of Stone Theaters at 9 a.m. All finishers will receive a beautiful finishers medal, and awards will be given for top male and female

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in each of the following age groups: 18 and under, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60+. Award will be given to the top duo team finisher. Race T-shirts will be short-sleeved. 1 Mile Fun Run starting at the same location at 9:45 a.m. Fun run participants will not receive a t-shirt but will receive a fun prize. Race day packet pickup will be located in the lobby of Stone Theaters at 7:30 a.m. until 8:45 a.m. ainsleysangels.org

music OPEN-MIC AT TIDAL CREEK

Comedians, singers, songwriters, poets, yodelers! Come out the co-op on Wednesday night & show us what you got! Free coffee

SUNSET MUSIC CRUISE

Fri., 6:30pm: Looking for something different to do? Look no further! Come aboard The Wilmington, our comfortable catamaran, for a fun cruise down the Cape Fear River as we cruise into the sunset. Grab a tasty cocktail or drink from our full bar and sit back and relax as you listen to live music from local musicians. One-of-a-kind music venue in Wilmington and this cruise is one of our most popular excursions, so be sure to book early! Wilmington Water Tours, 212 Water St.

THE DRUM CIRCLE

Every Tues., 8-11pm, longest continuous Drum Circle for over 6 year provides an open forum, featuring djembe, dounbek, conga, bongo, cajon, yosika and other hand drums and percussive instruments. Friendly environment for the enjoyment of rhythm and dance. All levels, rhythms welcome! Loaner drums available.

Free. Hosted by Ron at Bottega Art & Wine Bar, Brooklyn Arts District. 723 N. Fourth St.

JAZZ AT CAM

Tickets to the eight-concert series, playing a range of jazz genres in an intimate listening room performance. All concerts are 6:30-8pm, 1st Thurs., through April 2020 at Cameron Art Museum. Presented by CAM and Cape Fear Jazz Society: CAM/CFJS Members: $17; non-members: $25; students with valid college ID $12 (tax and fees not included). Jan. 9, Stanley Baird Group; Feb. 6, Andrew Berinson Trio; Mar. 5, Lenora Zenzalai Helm; Apr. 2, John Brown Quintet. CAM, 3201 S. 17th St. www. cameronartmuseum.org.

GIRLS’ CHOIR OF ILM BLUE BOAT HOME

Dec. 12, 7pm: The program will include music of John Rutter, holiday favorites and folk songs. The concert is family friendly and free to the public. Donations are gratefully accepted.

This 55-voice community girls choir includes girls ages 9-18. New members are accepted in January and interested applicants can contact Director Sandy Errante at sandyerrante@ ec.rr.com. St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 612 S College Rd. facebook.com/GirlsChoirWilmington

MERRY COUNTRY CHIRSTMAS

Dec. 19, 3pm and 7:30pm: Thalian’s main attraction series welcomes a Merry Coun-

try Christmas to the stage. The sounds of the holidays will permeate the theater, from “Old Saint Nick” to “Oh Come All Ye Faithful.” Songs are presented by musicians and singers steeped in the country genre. Tickets range from $15-$36. Thalian Hall, 301 Chestnut St. thalianhall.org

LCAC PRESENS BELLANOVA STRINGS

Dec. 13, 7pm, $10: Our holiday concert will feature high-energy, all electric strings. Come celebrate with us! LCAC’s 2019 VIP season tickets are valid for this event. 2019 VIP season tickets can be purchased online or at the LCAC office.

All 2019 VIP season tickets and regular admission tickets are non-refundable. eventbrite. com/e/lcac-concert-bellanova-strings-tickets-73465506307. Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way

NC SYMPHONY HOLIDAY POPS

Dec. 17, 7:30pm: Statewide Holiday Pops, w/ Wesley Schulz, conductor. Start your season out on the right note! Join the Symphony for a spectacular evening featuring beloved traditional and popular music, including music from The Polar Express and The Nutcracker—plus a sing-along celebration of the season. Tickets may be purchased online at ncsymphony.org, by phone at 877.627.6724, or in person at the Wilson Center, 703 N Third St. ncsymphony.org

theatre/auditions CIRCUS INDUSTRY NIGHT

Every Thurs. evening. A popular spot for Wilmington’s underground fire dancers, flow artists, hoopers, jugglers, magic, sideshow and other

obscure performing arts. There’s no formal show, but don’t be surprised to see things flying. No cover, no expectations. Just a night for circus artists to share tricks, try out new moves, or simply kick back, talk shop, and meet other likeminded artists. The Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St.

DOWN HOME COUNTRY CHRISTMAS

Dec. 13-14, 5pm: Duplin Winery presents its annual holiday dinner theater. Start the evening by adding on a comprehensive wine tasting and tour before the show starts. During your tasting and tour, our staff will share entertaining and amusing family stories and educate you on the winemaking process. During the dinner show, you will be treated with a menu that highlights seasonal, local flavors mingled with Duplin’s finest wines and gourmet Muscadine dressings. $55. Duplin Winery, 505 N. Sycamore St. www.duplinwinery.com

SANTALAND DIARIES

David Sedaris’ annual essay-turned-play, “Santaland Diaries,” has become a holiday staple on Wilmington stages. Panache Theatrical Productions is carrying the torch forward and will have Randy Davis filling Crumpet’s elf boots in 2019. Directed by Jamey Stone, the show will take place Thursday through Sundays, Dec. 5-22 (7:30 p.m., except for Sundays, 3 p.m.). The one-man show chronicles Sedaris’ life as an elf during the holidays in Macy’s Santaland, with sardonic humor for days and songs from the Not-So-Ready-for-Christmas carolers. Tickets: $20-$22. Cape Fear Playhouse, 613 Castle St. panachetheatre.com

ELF

Thalian Association is breathing life into the

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2003 movie classic “Elf,” Friday through Sunday, Dec. 12-22. Tickets are $16 to $32 and will feature adults and children alike, as they tell the story of an eccentric human reared by elves, who makes his way to NYC to find his biological father … and the world’s best cup of coffee. The show features 18 numbers, full of color and joy—perfect for the season. Thalian Hall, 301 Chestnut St. thalianhall.org

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Dec. 11-14, 19-21, 7:30pm, and 3pm matinees as well on Saturdays and Sundays. The Theatre Exchange’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” transports the timeless story of Christmas redemption from London to a depression era “Hooverville” on the outskirts of St. Louis. Actor, historian and THCPA Executive Director, Tony Rivenbark, will once again bring Ebenezer Scrooge to life in the intimate setting of the Stein Studio Theatre at Thalian Hall, 301 Chestnut St. $28

THE ILLUSIONISTS

Dec. 11, 7:30pm, $38 – $92: A mind-blowing spectacular showcase with the jaw-dropping talents of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. The Illusionists—LIve on Broadway has shattered box office records across the globe.

Undoubtedly, this show dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on stage. It is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.

Illusions and cast members subject to change without notice. Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St.

art FOURTH FRIDAY GALLERY NIGHT

Fourth Friday Gallery Nights, Wilmington’s premier after-hours celebration of art and culture, 6-9pm, fourth Fri. ea. month. Art openings, artist demonstrations, entertainment and refreshments. Administered by the Arts Council of Wilmington and NHC, numerous venues participate. www.artscouncilofwilmington.org

MONTAGE: A CUCALORUS VOLUNTEER ART EXHIBIT

encore and Coworx in The Cargo District present “Montage: A Cucalorus Volunteer Art Exhibit,” featuring art work made by volunteers of Wilmington’s annual festival. The exhibit features multimedia works by Penney Vasquez, Francisco ‘Cisco’ Amieva, Anya Ekaterina and Brighid Greene. Over 20 works available for purchase. Plus, a silent auction of one piece from each artist will benefit Cucalorus. On display through Jan. 20. 1608 Queen St.

HOMEGROWN BY ANGELA ROWE

New art exhibit, hosted by Art in Bloom and Checker Cab Productions, at Pinpoint. “Homegrown” is about local food and the local places that offer it. Angela Rowe’s paintings explore the movement of food from farms and waters to markets and to table. Woven through these paintings are my food memories and stories, a sort of autobiography in food. Rowe is a native of Pisgah Forest, North Carolina who grew up drawing, doodling, and creating imaginary houses from shoeboxes and paper. Angela began taking classes at The Museum School of Cameron Art Museum and in October of 2014,

We’re not just hot dogs!

she leased studio space at ACME Art Studios.

She works in acrylic, mixed media, collage and print making. 114 Market St. aibgallery.com

CHOOSING HAPPINESS

Flytrap Brewing presents Sarah Rushing Doss’ “Choosing Happiness.” The collection consists of paintings and drawings that seek out and celebrate beauty in everyday life and consciously choose happiness despite hardship.

Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St.

NEW PATH: NEW ART BY DEB BUCCI

“New Path: New Art by Debra Bucci,” phenomenal oil paintings so vivid you feel as if you are inside them. Debra Bucci is known for her vibrant and engaging floral paintings. Dynamic color palettes, moving compositions and translucency from layering oils all work together to enhance the depth and bring Debra’s art to life. Her style is rooted in realism and woven with abstract elements. Art in Bloom Gallery, 210 Princess St. On view until January 19, 2020.

NEW ELEMENTS HOLIDAY SHOW

New Elements Gallery is excited to announce our 34th Annual Holiday Show! Start your Holiday shopping with perusing work by 40+ of the best artists in southeastern North Carolina. Find one-of-a-kind gifts, wearable art, and home décor to make anyone happy on your list—including you! On display through January 18, 2020. 271 N. Front St. newelementsgallery.com

AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT

The Aids Awareness Project has brought the quilt to Wilmington thanks to The Frank Harr

Foundation. 20+ panels of the quilt will be displayed over a two-week period in Dec. 2019.

Five blocks of the AIDS quilt will be available for viewing. Admission: $8. Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St.

ART IN BLOOM POP-UP EXHIBIT

Through January 17, 2020: Art in Bloom Gallery is delighted to host a pop-up art exhibit at the MC Erny Gallery with original art by Georgeann Haas (acrylic and mixed media on paper) and H.M. Saffer, II (oil on canvas and panel) from Monday Dec. 2nd through January 17th, 2020.

The MC Erny Gallery is on the third floor of WHQR Public Radio at 254 N. Front Street.

Regular hours are 9 am to 5 pm, Monday-Friday except December 24-26.

film HOLIDAY MOVIE NIGHT

Waterman’s Brewing is making sure to keep families warm by their fire pits, as hot chocolate brews and s’mores is made. Plus, adults will be able to enjoy a few holiday libations while watching: Dec. 15, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Just bring one unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots, plus chairs and blankets. Waterman’s Brewing, 1610 Pavilion Pl. watermansbrewing.com

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE

Dec. 23, 4pm and 7pm: Frank Capra’s iconic holiday film is a Wilmington holiday tradition, shown as it was meant to be seen: on the big screen. This timeless tale brings back old memories and creates new ones for children

Experience the ‘Buzzed Bull Difference’ A family friendly liquid nitrogen creamery with small batch ice creams and milkshakes

specializing in buzzed (alcohol infused for 21+) and non-buzzed flavors.

Always fresh and made-to-order.

Millions of flavor combinations.

$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

3224 N College Rd Suite B, Wilmington, NC 28405 (910) 520-8546

buzzedbullcreamery.com 50 encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

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REAL. GOOD. BBQ. And the best fried chicken in town!

920 S KERR AVE. • (910) 799-1581 • JACKSONSBIGOAK.COM

Family Meal Deals: $25.99 BBQ Special: $13.99 Early Bird Specials, M-F, 3:30-5:30pm: $5.99

June 26 - July 3 only at encoreDEALS.com encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 53

encore’s bacchanalia of peace on earth and good will to men...

Brooklyn Arts Center

December 12, 2019

Boombalatti’s Homemade Ice Cream • Flytrap Brewing • New Anthem Beer Project • Edward Teach Brewing Steam Restaurant & Bar • Wilmington Brewing Company • Wake N Bake Donuts • Zocalo • Board and Barrel • Shuckin Shack True Blue Butcher and Table • Flying Machine Brewing Company • Bills Front Porch/Brewing • Italian Bistro Little Dipper • The Second Glass • Palate Bottle Shop • Cravings • Greenline Steaks and Pizza • Waterline Brewing Cast Iron Kitchen • Nothing Bundt Cakes • Tap Tea • Spoonfed Kitchen and Bake Shop • Beer Barrio • Skytown Brewery Island Beverage • Dram + Morsel • Trey Herring Carolina Bourbon • Savor Southern Kitchen • YoSake Panacea Brewing Company • Cape Fear Distillery • Wilmington Coffee Fest

Entertainment from the encore carolers and Pineapple-Shaped Lamps!

Contests for best bite, sip, decorated booth, and audience costumes, set to the theme of “A Christmas Story!” sponsored by

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VIP ($75) and GA tickets ($50) on sale at

a benefit for

and grandchildren alike when viewed in majestic Thalian Hall. Tony Rivenbark’s famous toy collection will be on display with some seasonal treats for the whole family! $12, thalianhall.org. Thalian Hall, 301 Chestnut St.

HOLIDAY MOVIE AT HUGH MORTON AMPHITHEATRE

Dec. 13: Visit with Santa and enjoy a showing of the movie “Home Alone” at the Hugh Morton Amphitheater and Rotary Garden at Greenfield Lake. Free! Light refreshments sold. 5:30pm: Enjoy story time with Fairytales and Dreams by the Sea, Princess Parties and Events. 6pm: Arrival of Santa! 6-7:30pm: Visitation with Santa will begin after his arrival in Rotary Garden gazebo. 7pm: “Home Alone” screening. 910-341-7855. 1941 Amphitheater Dr. wilmingtonrecreation.com

JOJO RABBIT

Dec. 16-18, 7pm; additional screening at 4pm on 18, $9: “Jojo Rabbit” from writer-director Taika Waititi (“Thor: Ragnorak,” “Hunt For The Wilderpeople”) brings his signature style of humor and pathos to his latest film, Jojo Rabbit, a World War II satire that follows a lonely German boy (Roman Griffin Davis) whose world view is turned upside down when he discovers his single mother (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a young Jewish girl in their attic. Aided only by his idiotic imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler (Taika Waititi), Jojo must confront his blind nationalism. Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut Street

dance 76ERS SQUARE DANCE CLUB

Inviting all mainstream and plus square dancers to join us for our weekly evening of dance on Thursdays from 8-9:30 pm at Senior Resource Center, 2222 S. College Rd. (entrance on Shipyard Blvd.). $5/person/dance.

Join: $17.50/person/month.

SENIOR LINE DANCING

At Maides Park, Thurs., 11am-noon. Free!

Pre-reg. is not required. 1101 Manly Avenue

OVER 50’S DANCE

Mission is to provide a venue for ballroom and social dancing. Welcome dancers of all levels—great form of exercise and to socialize with others who also like to dance. The club holds a dance on the second Tuesday of each month. Variety of DJ’s play all kinds of dance music—ballroom, Latin, shag, rock & roll, country, slow nightclub. Cost $8/person. New Hanover Sr. Resource Ctr, 2222 S. College Rd. facebook.com/over50sdance

COMMUNITY AFRICAN DANCE CLASS

Oct. and Nov., all levels. Expose the community to the African Diaspora Culture through African dance for all ages and all levels. November’s second class will start from 1-3:30 p.m. $20/class. Group prices include: $15 each for two; $10 each three or more; $5 for all children 6-16 years old.

DRAG ME TO IBIZA

Every Friday at Ibiza Nightclub—home to some of the areas most talented female impersonators. Our exclusive drag shows take place at 10:30pm and midnight. Afterward our dance floors is yours as our resident

DJ spins a variety of House, Hip hop, Top 40 & EDM until 2:30am. 18+ with Valid ID. Ibiza Nightclub, 118 Market St.

LEARN TO BELLY DANCE

Get strong! Have fun! Meet friends! Belly dance classes for women 18+, no dance experience necessary. Introvert friendly, all body sizes and shapes welcomed. 6-week series. No class Nov 26. No drop-ins. Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, 120 S. 2nd St. DivineDanceGoddess.com

BEEHIVE BLONDES RETRO DANCE PARTIES

Dec. 21, 9:30pm: Festive dance party just in time to rock around the Christmas tree and let loose all the stress of the season. Free for Tails members or $5 for a year’s membership at the door. Tails, 115 S. Front St. thebeehiveblondes. com

WORKS-IN-PROGRESS SHOWCASE

Dec. 15, 2pm: Dance Cooperative, in association with CAM, provides informal showings to offer working choreographers a place to present works in progress to be reviewed and critiqued in a nurturing environment. The public is invited to witness the creative process and help the creator grow the works to realize their concepts to the fullest potential with feedback.

Those interested in presenting work e-mail dancecooperative@gmail.com no later than the Monday preceding each showcase. Free and open to the public. Weyerhaeuser Reception Hall, CAM, 3201 S. 17th St.

comedy

stage time. • Tickets: deadcrowcomedy.com.

265 N. Front St.

BOMBERS COMEDY OPEN MIC

Sign up at 8:30; show’s at 9. Bring your best to the mic. Bomber’s Beverage Company, 108 Grace St.

LOL SHOW AT WTF!

Free! Every Thursday, 8pm! LOL, a brand-new weekly show from Wilmington’s finest improvisors, comedians, and storytellers!

Using your suggestions, DareDevil Improv will create a one-of-a-kind comedy experience to kick off your weekend right! (Followed by karaoke!). Plus, special guests, music, and cocktails! Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, 111 Grace St.

museums CAMERON ART MUSEUM

Through Apr. 26, 2020: The Eye Learns—Modernist prints from the Louis Belden Collection— In 2017 CAM was given an unprecedented bequest of works of art from San Francisco art collector Louis Belden. The collection of 135 prints offers an endless range of expression, experimentation and expansion of the terrain of postwar modernism and includes original artworks from the leading artists, the change-makers, the radicals, the early modernist European expats, seeking asylum in this country. Among others, artists in the exhibition will include Josef Albers, Helen Frankenthaler, Wayne Thiebaud, Richard Diebenkorn, Ellsworth Kelly, Robert Rauschenberg. • Through April 26, 2020: Structure in Space and Time -

Photography by Phil Freelon—Throughout his prodigious career, award-winning architect Freelon (American, 1953-2019) found photography essential to his design vision and creative process: Photography is one of the vehicles that I use to share my view of the world. As an architect, the expression of structure is central to my design process, bringing a sense of order to the final composition. Photographs examine the structure that exists all around us—both in the natural and built environment. Everyone at CAM is deeply saddened by the passing of Phil Freelon on July 9, 2019. If you would like to honor his legacy you may make contributions to the North Star Church of the Arts. • CAM Café open and serving delicious menu with full bar.

Brunch, Sat. and Sun., 10am-2pm; Tues.-Fri., 11am-2pm; Thurs. 5-9pm. Museum, 10am5pm; Thurs., 10am-9pm. cameronartmuseum. org. 3201 S. 17th St.

CAPE FEAR MUSEUM

Ongoing: Explore the history of the 20th century in this new gallery designed, curated and fabricated by the Cape Fear Museum team.

The revamped 20th century gallery is the final chapter of the Museum’s core exhibit, Cape Fear Stories. The new exhibit paints a picture of New Hanover County and the dramatic social, cultural and economic transformations that shaped life in the 20th century and beyond. • Ongoing: Michael Jordan, known worldwide for his spectacular basketball skills, grew up in Wilmington. He achieved phenomenal success in basketball, and he worked hard to achieve his goals at every level. “Michael Jordan: Achieving Success” showcases his early years and Wilmington roots. Several ar-

OPEN MIC

Wildest open mic in town—anything goes. (except cover songs). Stand-up comedy, slam poetry, video, live music, odd talents, performances of all kinds. Hosted by 6-beer Steve. Sign up, 8pm, and runs all night. Juggling Gypsy 1612 Castle St. (910) 763-2223, after 3pm for details. jugglinggypsy.com.

GRUFF GOAT COMEDY

First Wed. ea. month, Gruff Goat Comedy features Three Guest Comics Under a Bridge. No trolls. Waterline Brewing, 721 Surry Lane.

PRIMETIME COMEDY

See some of NC’s best stand-up comedians in a world class venue! This month’s talented performers: Brett Williams, Cordero Wilson, Grant Sheffield, Louis Bishop, and Tyler Wood.

Hosted by: Wills Maxwell. N Front Theatre (formerly City Stage), 21 N Front St.

LUCKY JOE COMEDY SHOW

First Sat. ea. month is free at Lucky Joe Craft Coffee on College Road, presented by Regretful Villains. The show features a new style of stand-up called Speed Joking. Enjoy a night of laughs! 1414 S College Rd.

LIVE RIFFING AND VINTAGE TV

Every Wed. join Dead Crow Comedy for improv night. Join local comedians for a TV party at Dead Crow! Interactive improvised comedy show. 265 N. Front St.

DEAD CROW

Open mic every Thursday, 8pm. Sign up is in person, 7pm. There’s no cost to participate, and each comedian is allotted three minutes of

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tifacts are on display including an unworn pair of 1987 Air Jordan 1 shoes. • Ongoing: Space Place: Hands-on STEM interactives include a robotic arm, microscopic experiments and a glove box challenge. Visual elements offer real-time information about the International Space Station’s location and daily operations.

• Ongoing: Williston Auditorium: Education in Wilmington has a long, rich tradition, and the name “Williston” has been associated with schooling here since the 1860s. What began as an American Missionary Association school became—between 1923 and the day it closed its doors in 1968—the only high school for African Americans in New Hanover County.

• Through Feb. 2, 2020: Once considered an essential part of a wardrobe, the fashion hat has experienced a steady decline in popularity since the 1960s. Today, many people associate stylish hats only with a Sunday church service or a special event. This selection of hats reflects a number of the popular styles worn in the Cape Fear area from the 1940s through the 1960s.• Through Oct. 6, 2019: Play Time!, an exhibit that explores how we play, create, and use our imagination as children and adults.

The display includes items from the museum’s historic toy collection and hands-on activities ranging from creating art to playing dress-up.

• Through Feb. 23, 2020: Dinosaur Discovery explores the world of modern paleontology and the discoveries that reveal how dinosaurs lived, moved and behaved. Everything we know about these prehistoric animals comes from fossils unearthed by paleontologists. These scientists study ancient life by examining their finds and piecing together clues from the past.

This exhibit was developed by the Virginia Museum of Natural History. CF Museum, 814 Market St. capefearmuseum.com

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH MUSEUM

WB Museum of History, housed in the turn of the century Myers Cottage, exists to preserve and to share the history of Wrightsville Beach.

Visitors to the cottage will find a scale model of Wrightsville Beach circa 1910, exhibits featuring the early days of the beach including Lumina Pavilion, our hurricane history and information about the interaction between the people and our natural environment which have shaped the 100 yr. history of WB. (910) 256-2569. 303 W. Salisbury St. www.wbmuseum.com.

restored home features period furnishings, artwork and family portraits. Tours offered Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm, and Sat, 12-5pm. Walking tours are Wed and Sat. at 10am. $4-$12.

Latimer House of Lower CF Historical Society is not handicapped accessible 126 S. 3rd St.

BURGWIN-WRIGHT HOUSE

18th century Burgwin-Wright House Museum in the heart of Wilmington’s Historic District, is the oldest museum house in NC, restored with 18th-19th century decor and gardens. Colonial life experienced through historical interpretations in kitchen and courtyard. 3rd/Market St. Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm. Last tour, 3pm. 910762-0570. burgwinwrighthouse.com.

BELLAMY MANSION MUSEUM

WILMINGTON RR MUSEUM

Explore railroad history and heritage, especially of the Atlantic Coast Line, headquartered in Wilmington for 125 years. Interests and activities for all ages, including historical exhibits, full-size steam engine and rolling stock, lively Children’s Hall, and spectacular model layouts.

House in an authentic 1883 freight warehouse, facilities are fully accessible and on one level.

By reservation, discounted group tours, caboose birthday parties, and after-hours meetings or mixers. Story Time on 1st/3rd Mon. at 10:30am, only $5 per family and access to entire Museum. Admission only $9 adult, $8 senior/military, $5 child, ages 2-12, and free under age 2. 505 Nutt St. 910-763-2634. www. wrrm.org.

LATIMER HOUSE

Victorian Italiante style home built in 1852, the

One of NC’s most spectacular examples of antebellum architecture, built on the eve of the Civil War by free and enslaved black artisans, for John Dillard Bellamy (1817-1896) physician, planter and business leader; and his wife, Eliza McIlhenny Harriss (1821-1907) and their nine children. After the fall of Fort Fisher in 1865, Federal troops commandeered the house as their headquarters during the occupation of Wilmington. Now a museum, it focuses on history and the design arts and offers tours, changing exhibitions and an informative look at historic preservation in action.

Tour hours are Mon-Sat. 10 am-4 pm and Sundays 1-4 pm. Self-guided tours (paper or audio) can begin at any time in the day and guided tours begin at the top of the hour when available. Adults $12; Senior, Military, College $10; Students $6; children under 5 are free.

Purchase of this card entitles you to come aboard any of our regular scheduled cruises as often as you would like.

Also, any guest receives 20% off ticket price. Some cruises that are dinner cruise, wine tasting, beer tasting etc. would be a nominal fee of $10. Cruises that are excluded are Azalea festival, 4th of July and Riverfest.

Also get $100 of any private charter.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: Dec. 7, 9am5pm: Operating two stations aboard Battleship NC, the Azalea Coast Amateur Radio Club hosts a worldwide ham radio operator event commemorating the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor. Battleship is NI4BK, and HAM operators may contact the ship via Voice, Digital and Morse Code. Radio operators making contact will receive a special postcard verifying the contact. 910-799-1694. battleshipnc. com/event-calendar/pearl-harbor-remembrance-day. Battleship NC, 1 Battleship Rd.

BURGWIN-WRIGHT HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

Dec. 13, 4pm, free: Enjoy a sneak peek of the house decorated for Christmas and 15% off in the gift shop. The Burgwin-Wright House uses all live greenery, fruits, and flowers and is decorated for one week only! Admission is free. Donations are welcomed. Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens, 224 Market St. burgwinwrighthouse.com

kids stuff SNAKE AND TURTLE FEEDING

Brief presentation about live animals on display in the events center and watch them feed. At least one snake and turtle will be fed during the demonstration. Ages: 3 and up.

First Wed. every month, $1. Halyburton Park, 4099 S. 17th St.

Friday & Saturday • $20

$175

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BATTLESHIP NC

SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAY CRUISE

Great Gift Idea

Visit our shop for our Great book selection Local History & Authors

503 Market St. 910-251-3700. www.bellamymansion.org

Departs @ 5:30pm

Visit us on the Riverwalk! 212 S. Water Street 910-338-313 4 • email: info@wilmingtonwt.com

HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE

Follow us

BAR ON BOARD WITH ALL ABC PERMITS

Complete Schedule: wilmingtonwatertours.net

This Cruise is a 60 min cruise into a magical light delight with Holiday songs performed by a local Musician, tasty holiday cocktails from our bar with some tasty sweet treats. Great way to get into the Holiday spirit.

Dec. 13,14, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 & 29th

Remember we are enclosed & very comfy

ART EXPLORER THURSDAYS

Bring your little ones to CAM for story reading and art making! Enjoy open studio time with your family. Such as reading stories, creating art with a variety of supplies, and having fun with friends! No pre-registration necessary.

Parental Supervision required at all times. Suggested donation: $5/family. • Dec. 12, 10am: December 12 is beloved Wilmington artist Minnie Evans’ birthday so we will have an Art Explorers birthday party in her honor! We will start at 10:00 am with a book about her art and life, take part in a Minnie Evans inspired art activity, then enjoy some birthday cake! 3201 S. 17th St. cameronartmuseum.org

HAPPY LITTLE SINGERS

Happy Little Singers is an affordable, creative early childhood (Pre-K) music and movement program, designed for infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers and young students up to age 6 (older children and siblings enjoy the program, as well). So much fun for you and your little one! With every nurturing and creative class, you will see your child expressing themselves in new ways, developing new skills and competency, matching rhythm and singing, playing instruments. You may also notice a significant increase in both fine and gross motor skills, eye-hand coordination, language and listening skills, social skills and self-esteem. The class will also help reinforce the bond between you and your child. Classes held every Tues, 9:4511:30am, Hannah Block Community Arts Center. Cost is $10 per family. 910-777-8889 to register. susansavia.com/happy-little-singers.

Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, 120 S. 2nd St.

CREATURE FEATURE: SILLY SNAKES!

Dec. 11, 10am-1pm, $5: Ages 5 & under. Our friends at Halyburton Park are coming to give you a close-up view of some silly and slithery snakes! No pre-registration required. $5 per child (included with general admission). Fit For Fun Center, 302 S. 10th St.

LITTLE EXPLORERS

Bring your “Little Explorers” out to the park and discover nature through stories, songs, hands-on activities, hikes and crafts. Your children will delight in the many nature themes we explore each month, Space is limited and pre-registration is required for these popular programs. Ages: 2-5. $3/person.. 12/12-13, 10-11am: When is winter?

Halyburton Park, 4099 S 17th St.

recreational EARLY FLIGHT EXCURSION

Start your day on the water in search of wildlife and many of our feathered friends, while listening to interesting commentary about the rich history of this area. 2 hour cruise; full bar, serving coffee and the best Bloody Mary on the river. Photographers, birders, and nature buffs love the variety of wildlife and native plants that adorn the river banks. We may see osprey, alligators, sea turtles, and river otters, just to name a few. Bring your camera so you won’t forget the untouched beauty of this early morning adventure. Cruise through the Castle Hayne Aquifer and by the bluffs of the Rose Hill Plantation. $10-$20. ILM Water Tours, 212 S Water St.

FIRST FRIDAY BIRD HIKES

Join park staff for a leisurely bird-watching stroll around Halyburton Park the first Friday of each month. We’ll search for migrants and point out year-round bird species too. These walks are for beginner birders and all are welcome. Free. Ages: 5 and up. Halyburton Park, 4099 S 17th St. wilmingtonnc.gov/departments/parks-recreation/halyburton-park

SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAYS CRUISE

Saturdays, 5:30pm, $20—Cruise the Cape Fear River while enjoying the sights, sounds and tastes of the Holidays. Cruises begin the Saturday after Thanksgiving and go through the weekend after Christmas. Join us this magical time of the year and celebrate with family & friends while local musicians perform your favorite Holiday songs. Featuring special Holiday Cheer from our Full Bar and tasty treats! Wilmington catamaran is fully enclosed and boasts a full bar with coffee, hot chocolate, wine, beer, spirits and more! No coolers allowed; however, you may bring snacks to enjoy while cruising.

Wilmington Water Tours, wilmingtonwatertours.net.

classes/seminars MEDITATE AND CHILL

Join Jesse Stockton + Jenny Yarborough every Tues., 7:30-8:30pm, Terra Sol Sanctuary.

20-30 minute meditation to help you take a deep breath. Relax. Let go. $10; no need to register in advance. 507 Castle St. terrasolsanctuary.com.

ELEMENTS OF SONGWRITING CLASS

In Elements of Songwriting we will examine the major elements of what goes into writing original music. We will study lyrics, melody, harmony, form, rhythm, and survey techniques used to enhance your songwriting. We will look at examples of music and lyrics, and discuss creative strategies for finding ideas and completing songs. The class will meet Mondays from 12-2 p.m. in Southport. Contact Barbara McFall, for details on how to sign up. They are also doing in person registration at 704 N. Lord Street, Southport. mcfallb@brunswickcc.edu.

910-755-7300.

WILMINGTON OM BREW FALL SERIES

Tuesdays from 6-7pm join us and Yoga Village at the brewery for donation-based yoga. Suggested donation is $15 but you may pay-whatyou-can, if needed. Donations support Yoga Village community programming. Wilmington Brewing Company, 824 South Kerr Ave. facebook.com/events/2538362336408659.

NAVIGATING YOUR INNER SEAS

Dec. 12, 10am: Healing retreat will begin with a meditation to enable you to dive into your own inner seas and discover own ocean of Self.

Meditation will help you to connect within your physical body, and connect to your own inner voice. During the salt cave healing, frequency healing music will allow your cells to align and eliminate static distractions from your energy body. Cory Noonan will provide each person with a Craniosacral adjustment while receiving the benefits of the salt cave. A healing tea will be served, with a journal prompt for those wishing to continue their voyages of the in-

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ner seas and your inner voice Space is limited, register in advance. Prana Salt Cave, 7110 Wrightsville Ave. Unit B-8.

ENERGY AND CHAKRA BALANCING

Dec. 12, 7pm, $35: Join Raessa Edmonds as a guest host at Prana Salt Cave. We will begin this meditation by using some of Donna Eden’s Energy Medicine techniques to tap into our body’s energy system followed by a guided meditation to gently balance our 7 Chakras.

This meditation will help you feel relaxed and refreshed. Please wear comfortable clothing with layers as your body temperature may fluctuate during this meditation. $35 Includes dry salt therapy to boost your immune system!

Prana Salt Cave, 7110 Wrightsville Ave. Unit B-8. pranasaltcave.com

AIDS PANEL-MAKING WORKSHOP

Dec. 14, 1:15pm: Create a moving personal tribute remembering a life lost to AIDS, but you do have to make a panel in order to add a name to The Quilt. Panels might be created using paint, needlework, iron-on transfers, quilted, handmade appliqués, etc. Any remembrance is appropriate. However, the only way to have a name added to The Quilt is to make a panel.

Free panel-making workshop to assist friends and family realize their desire to memorialize a loved one. You may choose to create a panel privately and just wish to get some ideas or discuss your thoughts. Or, you may wish to make the panel with others, in the tradition of an old-fashioned quilting bee, possibly including friends, family and coworkers. The choice, like virtually everything else involved in making

a panel, is completely up to you. frankharrfoundation.org. Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, 120 S. 2nd St.

BREATHWORK WORKSHOP

Dec. 15, 3pm, $60: Circular breathwork is a form of deep meditation that helps activate the subconscious mind and bring about awareness and insights about ourselves. By breathing in this way, we open up the energy channels in the body. Whatever suppressed memories, negative thought patterns and unresolved emotions that are ready to move will come up through the breath and released from our bodies. This process shifts patterns within us and transformation takes place at a cellular level. It gives us clarity in our lives and allows a deeper relationship with ourselves and with the world around us. Beathwork will be supported by dry salt therapy. This will further open blocked energy channels and induce higher state of consciousness. $60, space limited. Prana Salt Cave, 7110 Wrightsville Ave., Unit B-8. pranasaltcave.com

SALT CAVE KIRTAN W/NOELLE WHITTINGTON

Dec. 17, 6:30pm: Let’s celebrate community with Kirtan- call and response Mantra chanted as a group. These songs are about Peace, Love, and Unity for all beings, and can be a powerful practice of connection. No experience or a “singing voice” is necessary, and all are welcome to raise our voices in communion with one another, the Divine within, and ourselves.

Event is open to all and is donation-based. Prana Salt Cave, 7110 Wrightsville Ave., Unit B-8. pranasaltcave.com

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KETTLEBELL WORKSHOPS

Dec. 18, 5:30pm: Boxing Fitness Center Classroom, Sherriedale Morgan Boxing and Fitness Center. Pre-registration is required. Open to the public. Free workshop will cover basic kettlebell exercises. It will show you how to use your body safely, effectively and efficiently. You’ll be amazed at what this universal tool, the Russian Kettlebell, can do with your body both in strength training, core conditioning and cardio.

Come experience it for yourself! Dress to work out for a mini Kettlebell workout. Participants will walk away with an example Kettlebell workout. What you will learn: Basic Kettlebell Movements: How to safely use the Kettlebell.

Sherriedale Morgan Boxing and Fitness Center, 302 S. 10th St.

clubs/notices BIKE NIGHT

Bike Night at Mac’s Speed Shop, beer, bikes, BBQ. Featuring in concert: South Starr band playing great classic-southern R&R music!

Mac’s Speed Shop, 4126 Oleander Dr.

UNRAVELED

First Thurs. every month, 10am, a morning of knitting or crochet and conversation. This is a self-guided drop-in program. All skill levels welcome. Bring your own materials and projects to work on; supplies not provided. Northeast Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd.

NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS MYSTERY PARTY

The Night Before Christmas Mystery Party is a Jolly good time for all ugly sweater and all! This is a private party for you and your guess and the venue of your choice (your house, community clubhouse etc.). A letter to Santa is a feel good classic that touches the hearts of all! You have 1 hour to save Christmas for Tiny Timmy, are you up to the challenge? iEscape Rooms, 100 N Lake Park Blvd. www.iescaperooms.com

NC COASTAL FEDERATION HOLIDAY PARTY

Dec. 12, 5pm, Free: Everyone is invited. Our annual party is dedicated to our amazing volunteers and members who help us accomplish our goals year after year. Regardless if you’re a member or have volunteered with us before, enjoy the merriment of the season with good food, good drinks and great people. Stick around for a special appearance by Santa and his elves as they bring special gifts and prizes. Tacky sweaters encouraged! Fred and Alice Stanback Coastal Education Center, 309 W. Salisbury St. nccoast.org/events

NHC NAACP

Dec. 12, 6-8pm: New Hanover NAACP will hold its December winter meeting at Mt. Olive AME Church, 1001 Wright St. The meeting will include a review of 2019 and plans for 2020, followed by a fellowship potluck. All members of the community are invited to attend. Call 910508-9414 or email nhcnaacp@gmail.com.

N. BRUNSWICK NEWCOMERS CLUB

Dec. 13, 9:30 am: North Brunswick Newcomers Club Meeting will take place at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village

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Way, Leland. Meet-and-greet at 9:30am with snacks and refreshments. The meeting will follow at 10am. Our speakers will be Captain Marybeth Ray, Fort Fisher-Southport Ferry and Bethany Welch, Senior Manager, Communications and Business Outreach North Carolina Ports. Newcomers may be a member for three consecutive years. Membership dues are $25 per year, or $12.50 for the half year after Feb. 1st, per household. www.nbnewcomers.org.

culinary FERMENTAL

Free tasting every Friday, 6pm. Third Wednesday of each month feat. musical and brewing talents alongside an open mic night, as well as the opportunity for homebrewers to share, sample, and trade their creations: an evening of beer and an open stage. PA and equipment provided. All genres and beer. fermental.net 910-821-0362. 7250 Market St.

FREE BREWERY TOURS AND TASTINGS

3pm, 3:45pm, 4:30pm, everyday at Front Street Brewery, 9 N. Front St. Learn how we brew our beer, meet brewers and get two free samples.

RIVERFRONT FARMERS’ MARKET

Sat., 8am-1pm: Local farmers, growers, producers and artisans to sell their goods directly to consumers, to encourage and promote the use of locally-grown farm products and artisan offerings. Vegetables, herbs, plants, annuals, perennials, native plants, fresh-cut flowers, baked goods, NC wines, dog treats, eggs, honey, goat cheeses, seafood, kombucha, meats,

marina & fra diavolo sauce, smoothies and more. Artisan works of handmade jewelry, woodwork, silkscreen t-shirts & totes, photography, bath and body products, pet accessories, pottery, drawings and more. N. Water St., historic downtown, along the beautiful Cape Fear River. riverfrontfarmersmarket.org.

SWEET N SAVORY WINE TASTING

Wed, 5-8pm: Sample some of the most delicious wines you can try for free with optional $25 food pairing, designed specifically to go with each wine. Benny Hill Jazz always starts at 7 pm with his cool jazz styles. Sweet n Savory Cafe, 1611 Pavilion Pl.

PORT CITY GREAT BURGER CHALLENGE

In 30 mins, eat 48 ounces of burger meat with three toppings and fries! Beat it and we take care of the bill and put your face on the Wall of Glory! Fail, and straight to The Wall of Shame you go. Bring your stretchy pants and good luck! Offer is daily. 11am-11pm, Port City Burgers & Brews, 11 Market St.

tours LITERARY HISTORY WALKING TOUR

Explore the rich culture of our talented Southern town with a 90-minute walking tour of the literary history of downtown Wilmington, NC. Visit “The Two Libraries.” Walk the streets of your favorite novels, and stand where Oscar Wilde did when he lectured here. Saturdays, 1:30pm, Old Books on Front. 249 N. Front St. brownpapertickets.com/event/1282390

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GHOST WALK

6:30-8:30pm. Costumed guides lead visitors through alleyways with tales of haunted Wilmington. Nightly tours, 6:30pm/8:30pm. Water and Market sts. RSVP rqd: 910-794-1866. www.hauntedwilmington.com

BELLAMY MANSION MUSEUM

Follow curved shell paths through gardens shaded by 150-year old magnolias. See the original, restored slave quarters building along with the 22-room antebellum mansion. Learn about the Bellamy family as well as the free black and enslaved artisans who built the home and the enslaved workers who lived on site after its completion. Adults $12; Senior, Military, College $10; Students $6; children under 5 are free. 503 Market St. 910-251-3700. www.bellamymansion.org. Tour hours are Mon-Sat. 10 am-4 pm and Sundays 1-4 pm.

Self-guided tours (paper or audio) can begin at any time in the day and guided tours begin at the top of the hour when available.

MASONBORO SHELLING TOUR

Explore Masonboro Island and discover the wonder of the Carolina coast. This tour option is ideal for families, birders, and nature enthusiasts. Masonboro Island is an 8.4-mile marine sanctuary island, renowned for its plant and wildlife diversity. Topics will include shell biology, native plant species, shorebirds, and barrier island ecology. Adult $45, child $25 RSVP: 910-200-4002. Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours, 275 Waynick Blvd

OFF THE RECORD TOURS

Thurs., 6:30pm: CAM Gallery tours, led by mu-

seum staff, are sometimes irreverent and silly, but always provide a charming and engaging behind-the-scenes perspective on current exhibitions. But what if I’m really thirsty before the tour? Join us for happy hour beforehand to loosen up your brain and chat about art. Brown Wing. CAM Members: Free, non-members. Museum admission. Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St.

WALKING TOUR OF CAROLINA BEACH

Walking Tour of the Historic Carolina Beach Boardwalk meets at the Visitors Bureau Kiosk just south of the new Hampton Inn and features members of the Federal Point Historic Preservation Society leading a 50-minute tour into the past, answering questions like: Where did the “birth of the Shag” take place? Did you know there was a movie theater called The Wave on the Boardwalk? How long has Britt’s Donuts been on the Boardwalk, and has it always been in the same place? Why was the Red Apple so popular? Where was the largest dance floor south of Washington DC located? Society asks for a $10 donation. Children under 12 tour free.

Carolina Beach Board Walk, Cape Fear Blvd.

WEEKLY EXHIBITION TOURS

Cameron Art Museum: Explore, discuss and learn more about the artwork currently on view at CAM. Members: free. Museum admission all others. CAM, 3201 S. 17th St. www.cameronartmuseum.org

BEHIND THE SCENES GALLERY TALKS

Hear the stories behind the acquisition and selection of the artworks on display. Nov. 22, 11am: ”Unfolding Noguchi,” a collaboration

between CAM and the Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum (NY) with CAM’s Chief Curator, Holly Tripman Fitzgerald. CAM members: free; nonmembers, museum admission. Brown Wing, CAM, 3201 S. 17th St. cameronartmuseum.org

support groups WILMINGTON PRIDE YOUTH GROUP

Grades 7-12: Wilmington Pride Youth Group is a safe space for youth who identify as LGBTQIA+ and their straight allies. An adult supervised, safe space for kids to talk about orientation, gender, racial equality, political consequences, religion, self care. A great opportunity to meet and socialize with peers from the greater Wilmington area. Meets Thurs., 7pm. Needed: youth facilitators, especially those who are trained to work with kids, and speakers to talk about important topics. wpyg2016@gmail.com.

ANXIETY/OCD SUPPORT GROUP

Group meets 1st & 3rd Thurs. of each month.

Pine Valley United Methodist Church, 3788 Shipyard Blvd. Bldg B. Christopher Savard, Ph.D., with Cape Fear Psychological Services, gives a presentation the 1st Thursday of each month. 3rd Thursday meeting is member led.

18+ welcome. 910-763-8134

LUPUS SUPPORT GROUP

Meets third Sat. ea. month. Free; drop-ins are welcome. Group provides participants an opportunity to receive introductory info about lupus, encourage the expression of concerns, provide an opportunity to share experiences, encourage and support positive coping strategies, and emphasize the importance of medical treatment. Guest speakerss, DVD presentations and open group discussion. info@lupusnc.org (877) 849-8271, x1. lupusnc.org. NE Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd.

PFLAG

First Mon/mo. at UNCW, in the Masonboro Island Room #2010, 7pm.

MS SUPPORT GROUP

Those with Multiple Sclerosis, families and friends welcome. Meets 2nd Thursday each month, 7 p.m., at the New Hanover Rehabilitation Hospital, 1st floor conference room, 2131 S. 17th St. (behind the Betty Cameron Women’s Hospital). Sponsored by Greater Carolinas Chapter, National MS Society. Details: Anne (910) 232-2033 or Burt (910) 3831368. New Hanover Regional Medical Hospital, 2131 S. 17th St.

ARIES (Mar. 21–April 19)

“Nobody knows really what they’re doing,” Aries comedian Conan O’Brien says. “And there are two ways to go with that information,” he continues. “One is to be afraid, and the other is to be liberated, and I choose to be liberated by it.” I hope you’ll be inspired by O’Brien’s example in the coming weeks, Aries.

I suspect if you shed your worries about the uncertainty you feel, you’ll trigger an influx of genius. Declaring your relaxed independence from the temptation to be a know-it-all will bless you with expansive new perspectives and freedom to move.

and “Don’t be afraid!” and similar advice. The number was 145. I don’t think that approach to regulating behavior works very well. To be constantly thinking about what you’re not supposed to do and say and think about tends to strengthen and reinforce what you’re not supposed to do and say and think about. I prefer author Elizabeth Gilbert’s strategy. She writes, “I don’t try to kill off my fear. I make all that space for it. Heaps of space. I allow my fear to live and breathe and stretch out its legs comfortably. It seems to me the less I fight my fear, the less it fights back.” That’s the method I recommend for you, Libra—especially in the coming weeks.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Creativity expert Roger von Oech tells us, “Everyone has a ‘risk muscle.’ You keep it in shape by trying new things. If you don’t, it atrophies. Make a point of using it at least once a day.” Here’s what I’ll add to his advice. If your risk muscle is flabby right now, the coming weeks will be an excellent time to whip it into better shape. Start with small, modest risks, and gradually work your way up to bigger and braver ones. And what should you do if your risk muscle is already well-toned? Dream and scheme about embarking on a major, longterm venture that is the robust embodiment of a smart gamble.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

Many people engage in laughably feeble attempts to appear witty by being cynical—as if by exuding sardonic irony and sneering pessimism they could prove their mettle as brilliant observers of modern culture. An example is this lame wisecrack from humorist David Sedaris: “If you’re looking for sympathy you’ll find it between shit and syphilis in the dictionary.” I bring this to your attention in the hope of coaxing you to avoid indulging in gratuitous pessimism during the coming weeks. For the sake of your good health, it’s important for you to be as open-minded and generous-spirited as possible. Besides, pessimism will be unwarranted.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

“You can shop online and find whatever you’re looking for,” pundit Paul Krugman writes, “but bookstores are where you find what you weren’t looking for.”

That’s a good principle to apply in every area of your life. It’s always smart to know exactly what you need and want, but sometimes—like now—it’s important you put yourself in position to encounter what you need and want but don’t realize that you need and want.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

“Bachianas Brasileiras” is a nine-part piece of music that blends Brazilian folk music with the compositional style of Johann Sebastian Bach. The poet Anne Sexton relied on it, letting it replay ceaselessly during her long writing sessions. My painter friend, Robin, sometimes follows a similar method with Leonard Cohen’s album “Ten New Songs,” allowing it to cycle for hours as she works on her latest masterpiece. In accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to select a new theme song or collection of theme songs to inspire your intense efforts in behalf of your labors of love in the coming weeks. It’s a favorable time to explore the generative power of joyous, lyrical obsession.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

“I’ve spent my life butting my head against other people’s lack of imagination,” mourned Virgo musician Nick Cave, who’s renowned for his original approach to his craft. I’m bringing this to your attention because I suspect you will be endowed with an extra fertile imagination in coming weeks. I would hate for you to waste time and energy trying to make full use of it in the presence of influences that would resist and discourage you. Therefore, I’ll cheer you on as you seek out people and situations that enhance your freedom to express your imagination in its expansive glory.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

A scholar counted up how often the Bible delivers the command “Fear not!”

Isaac Newton (1642–1726) was one of history’s most influential scientists and a key contributor to physics, astronomy, mathematics, and optics. His mastery of the nuances of human relationships was less developed, however. He had one close friendship with a Swiss mathematician, though he broke it off abruptly after four years. And his biographers agree that he never had sex with another person. What I find most curious, however, is the fact that he refused to even meet the brilliant French philosopher Voltaire, who reached out to him and asked to get together. I trust you won’t do anything like that in the coming weeks, Scorpio. In fact, I urge you to be extra receptive to making new acquaintances, accepting invitations, and expanding your circle of influence.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

How did humans figure out that a luxurious fabric could be made from the cocoons of insect larvae? Ancient Chinese sage Confucius told the following story. One day in 2460 B.C., 14-year-old Chinese princess Xi Ling Shi was sitting under a mulberry tree sipping tea. A silk worm’s cocoon fell off a branch and landed in her drink. She was curious, not bothered. She unrolled the delicate structure and got the idea of using the threads to weave a fabric. The rest is history. I foresee a silk-worm’s-cocoon-falling-in-your-cup-of-tea type of event in your future, Sagittarius. Be alert for it.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

“It is the soul’s duty to be loyal to its own desires,” Capricorn author Rebecca West wrote. “It must abandon itself to its master passion.” That’s a high standard to live up to! But then you Capricorns have substantial potential to do just that: become champions of devoting practical commitment to righteous causes. With that in mind, I’ll ask you: How are you doing in your work to embody the ideal that Rebecca West articulated? Is your soul loyal to its deepest desires? Has it abandoned itself to its master passion? Take inventory—and make any corrections, if necessary.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

I would never try to talk you into downplaying or denying your suffering. I would never try to convince you the pain you have experienced is mild or tolerable or eminently manageable. Who among us has the wisdom to judge the severity or intractability of anyone else’s afflictions? Not I. But in coming months, I will ask you to consider the possibility that you have the power— perhaps more than you realize—to diminish your primal aches and angst. I will encourage you to dream of healing yourself in ways that you have previously imagined to be impossible.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

“You owe it to us all to get on with what you’re good at,” wrote Piscean poet W. H. Auden. In other words, you have a responsibility to develop your potential and figure out how to offer your best gifts. It’s not just a selfish act for you to fulfill your promise; it’s a generous act of service to your fellow humans. So how are you doing with that assignment, Pisces? According to my analysis, you should be right in the middle of raising your efforts to a higher octave; you should be discovering the key to activating the next phase of your success— which also happens to be the next phase of your ability to bestow blessings on others.

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Remember to take care of yourself during the season of giving

J Daniel Pierce PHOTOGRAPHY

Massage Therapy and Private yoga instruction available blueberrysagemassageyoga.com

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Happiest of Holidays

TO OUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS AND FRIENDS

Thank you, Wilmington

For voting us Best Thai for 18 years, as well as Best Atmosphere and Best Restaurant Overall for 13 Love, Niki and staff years! We appreciate your continued patronage.

7 Wayne Dr. | (910) 251-9229 | indochinewilmington.com Lunch: Tues. - Fri., 11am-2pm and Sat. noon-3pm â&#x20AC;˘ Dinner: Mon.-Sun., 5-10pm 64 encore | december 11-17, 2019 | www.encorepub.com