calendar
where to be, what to do in Wilmington and beyond
Events DBA SEASON OF CELEBRATION Fri. 12/18-24: Christmas Caroling Carriage Rides—Come and sing Christmas carols with Santa and his special “reindeer” while enjoying the decorative lights of the downtown area. 7-10pm at Market and Water street, 910-251-8889 • Sat. 12/19: Jingle Bell Walk, First time event, musicians and artists line specific areas of downtown with their music and art. Gift ideas abound! Locations include Cotton Exchange parking lot,Riverfront Park, for a complete listing of locations visit www. dbawilmington.com 11-5pm. • Sat. 12/19: A Memorable Christmas Show: Ring in the holidays with the Wilmington Big Band at this exclusive downtown performance, live at Fat Tony’s Italian Pub, 131 N. Front St., 7-10pm. Half price admission with the donation of a toy, for the Toys For Tots program. 910-343-8881 or www.fatpub. com • Sat. 12/19: Christmas Decorating Winner Announcements—Help us congratulate the winners of the downtown business and residential Christmas decorating contest, presented by the Downtown Business Alliance and the Historical Society of the Lower Cape Fear. The raffle winners of the miniature decorated Christmas trees will also be announced. Riverfront Park 2pm.
POPLAR GROVE PLANTATION Poplar Grove’s Farmers Market open every Wed, 8am-1pm, through 12/16, rain or shine. Offering beautifully designed jewelry, clothing,
12/19: A MEMORABLE CHRISTMAS SHOW
Greek cooking. • 12/16: Carp caviar, meatloaf over smashed potatoes, string beans with red pepper and mushrooms and greek Christmas cookies. Registration required. Betsy Fouros (917)969-2430. Chef Skip Laskody will be teaching cooking classes including penne pasta, roasted chicken, grilled vegetables, osyters, crab dip and more on 11/11 and 12/2. Registration required. (910)352-5326. 10200 Rt. 17 N, Wilmington at Scotts Hill. www. poplargrove.com 910-686-9518
It’s the time of year for giving, so pack up the family and bring a toy to Fat Tony’s on the 19th for their Toys for Tots drive and get in for half-price on the merriment. The evening perpetuates the Christmas spirit as the Wilmington Big Band gives an exclusive downtown performance at the 131 N. Front Street location, 7-10pm. For more information call (910) 343-8881 or go online to www.fatpub.com. fresh cut flowers and more. Cooking classes by chef Alexis Fouros are hosted every Wednesday from 9:30am-12:30pm. Classes cover traditional
CHRISTMAS BY THE SEA Events held throughout Boiling Spring Lakes, Oak Island and Southport during the Christmas by the Sea Festival: Christmas Family Fun Hunt, 12/18. ww.southport-oakisland.com and www. christmasbysea.com
JUGGLING GYPSY Juggling Gypsy cafe: 12/16: Open Mic Wed. • 12/17: Firedance and drums; Psytrance, 11pm • 12/18: The Moons w/ special guest Jim Ashley • 12/19: Bellydance Showcase, w/Christmas Theme. • 12/20: Subversive Film Series, 8pm; Music w/ Authorless. • 12/21: Mon Mystery Live Music • 12/22 Indie Music Nite • 12/23: Open Mic Wed. • Firedance and drums; Psytrance,
11pm • 12/25: Closed • 12/26: Last Year’s Men • 12/27: Subversive films, 8pm; then showing The Wall live • 12/28: Mystery Live Music w/ Dead Levy • 12/29: Indie Music Nite w/ Romancing the Devil and Leigh Stenhouse • 12/30: Open Mic Wed. • 12/31: Free New Year’s Eeve Fire and Drum Celebration. (910) 763-2223 CAROLING BY REINDEER Caroling by “Reindeer” Drawn Trolley/Carriage. Horse-drawn carriage tour & caroling Downtown, 7-10pm. Departs at Market & Water sts. Admission charge. 910-251-8889, horsedrawntours.com RIVERFRONT FARMERS MARKET The Riverfront Farmers Market will be held every Saturday through 12/19, 8am-1pm downtown on Water St. Rain or shine. www.wilmingtonfarmers. com, 910-341-0079 PLEASURE ISLAND HOLIDAY EVENTS Festive activities held every Fri. and Sat. thru 12/19 at Boardwalk; 5-8pm: includes Fire Pit Story Telling, Hot chocolate, Live Nativity Scene, Caroling, Santa (Sat. only). Theatre, Choral and band performances by Ashley, Murray and CB Elementary (Sat. only); Pleasure Island Drama Club, Cape Fear Roller Girls, Puppet shows, Arts & Crafts Market Area and ornament making for kids. All are free. www.boardwalkmakeover.org. www.snowscut.com. ENCHANTED AIRLIE See encore exchange. COLONIAL CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Colonial Christmas Celebration: 18th Century music, dancers, hot wassail. Burgwin-Wright House, Wilmington, Sat.10am-4pm & Sun. 125pm. Admission charge. 910-762-0570; www. burgwinwrighthouse.com HOLIDAYS AT MAYFAIRE TOWN CENTER Mayfaire will be celebrating Christmas for the entire month of December. Be greeted by singers and Santa’s helpers as well as a Nutcracker performance, a parade, and hot cocoa. Mayfaire’s Winter Wonderland will blow snow every weekend through Christmas Eve Fri-Sun, 7-8pm. Kids are invited to visit Santa at Santa’s village Mon-Fri, 3-8pm, Sat. 1-8pm, and Sun. 12-6pm. Another family activity is the Polar Express Family Train for $3 per person which picks up in front of the theatre and runs the same time as Santa’s Village. Also don’t miss the a capella group, old town carolers, or the brass quartet that will be roaming Mayfaire. NEW YEAR’S EVE CRUISE New Year’s Eve Cruise w/music, dancing, hors d’oeuvres, champagne. Prepaid reservations only. 9pm-12:30am. Henrietta III Riverboat, Dock St. at Water St., Wilmington. 910-343-1611, www. cfrboats.com. NEW YEAR’S COUNTDOWN PARTY 12/31: Island of Lights New Year’s Eve Countdown Party. 9pm-12am. Music, fireworks, lighted beach ball drop. Carolina Beach Boardwalk. Free. 910458-5507; www.islandoflights.org. NEW YEAR’S NOON DOWNTOWN 12/31: New Year’s Noon Downtown! 12noon. Ring in the New Year at noon with noisemakers, confetti and more. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. Admission charge. 910-254-3534, www.playwilmington.org HENRIETTA NEW YEAR’S 12/31: New Year’s Eve Riverboat Cruise aboard the Henrietta III riverboat. The memorable New Year’s Eve cruise down the Cape Fear River boards at 8:30pm; cruises from 9pm-12:30am. Heavy hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, party favors and champagne toast are included in the ticket price. Tickets: $80/person. Prepaid RSVP rqd. New Year’s Eve cruise boards at the
28 encore |-december 16-22, 2009 | www.encorepub.com