VOL. 28 / PUB 33 / FREE FEBRUARY 15-21, 2012 WWW.ENCOREPUB.COM
encore
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on the record:
The 2012 Best Of winners are announced! encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com 1
Real Estate Service...For Every Stage Of Your Life
Thank You Wilmington
For Once Again Naming Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage The Best Real Estate Company!
910.799.3435 • SeaCoastRealty.com 2 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com
hodgepodge|
contents vol. 28 / pub. 33 / February 15-21, 2012 www.encorepub.com
best of .............................. 4-17 4-16 cover story: Shea Carver and Bethany
WhAt’s InsIDE thIs WEEk
Turner speak with area businesses and introduce
on the cover BEST OF WILMINGTON 2012 pg. 4-17
Being #1 is hard....
On Friday, February 10th, we bombarded City Stage/Level 5 with local funny folks (our cover models) Zach Hanner, Sandy Vaughan, Jef Pollock, Brandi Laney and Valerie Watkins of Changing Channels, along with Steven Marcinowski and Colton DeMonte of Nutt Street Improv, and hottie encore girls Morganna Bridgers and Madison Weinberg (not pictured). We presented the créme de la créme of the port city, as judged by our readers in our annual Best Of Poll. The party went off without a hitch (maybe a few hiccups, thank you very much, Jäger!). In the end, we were able to bestow over 100 area businesses and organizations with well-deserved and revered “e” awards. Over the next four weeks, we’ll cover each one of the hard-working winners, including Gravity Records who happens to be the featured spot of our cover shoot, along with Egde of Urge and Bloke, also winners who lovingly dressed our hosts from Friday evening! Congrats to everyone on a job well done and especially to the rest of the 2012 Best Of Class of Winners!
win tickets! If you’re not already an encore fan on Facebook, you should be! We have ongoing contests on encore’s Facebook page, as well as on our home page, www.encorepub.com. You can win a pair of tickets to music concerts, comedy sketches and theatre presentations all over the
area, such as from House of Blues, Soapbox Laundro-Lounge, Thalian Hall, Brooklyn Arts Center and more! We made it easy for you to see our upcoming contests, too. Just scan the QR code you see on this page! It’ll take you to our ticket information site, giving you a list of available tickets—and the dates when we’ll be running contests.
Wilmington to the first round of Best Of winners.
17 list of winners: Skip the writeups and go
LAte niGHt FUnnies
straight to the list of who made it into the class of
“Some papers are reporting that I’m legally prohibited from saying anything bad about NBC. For example, I am not allowed to say things like: ‘NBC is headed downhill faster than a fat guy chasing a runaway cheesewheel.’”—Conan O’Brien “Mitt Romney said today that he learned something. There are things that money can’t buy—like Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri.” —Jay Leno “It was a big setback for the Mitt Romney campaign. Even the very poor said they felt bad for him.” —David Letterman “A mother in China gave birth to a 15-pound baby. Chinese officials say it’s so big, it can do the work of two babies.” —Conan O’Brien “Apple is facing a $38 million fine in China because the word ‘iPad’ is trademarked by a Chinese company. Apple was nervous about owing money to China—but then Obama was like, ‘Ah, you get used to it.’” —Jimmy Fallon “Newt Gingrich says that people who ride on subways here in New York are the elite. I was on the subway today and one of the elites sitting next to me was smoking crack.” —David Letterman “The Obama administration has been slammed for a health insurance rule that forces Catholic organizations to provide contraception. Even more controversial, the church would also have to provide dim lighting, wine coolers, and an R. Kelly mix tape.” —Conan O’Brien
Best Of 2012.
news & views .................. 18-21 18 live local: Gwenyfar Rohler meets a local representative from FoodCorps.
20 news: Brooke Kavit explores the possibility of channel 4’s return with SEACC, which will bring public access back to TV.
21 news of the weird: Chuck Shepherd shares the latest odd stories.
artsy smartsy ...................22-39 22-25 theatre: ‘Spring Awakening’ makes its Wilmington premiere at City Stage, while ‘Boston Marriage’ opens at Red Barn Studio Theatre; Kaitlin Willow roots for the va-jay-jay as ‘Vagina Monologues’ returns to UNCW for V-Day.
30 art: Sarah Richter gets the scoop on the annual WAA juried art show and sale; deadline looming for artists who wish to enter.
31 gallery listings: Check out what’s hanging in area art galleries.
33 film: ‘The Chronicle’ makes Anghus reconsider his position on found footage films.
35 music: Alex Pompliano speaks with a member of the Punch Brothers before they hit the Brooklyn Arts Center on Saturday.
36-39 soundboard: See what bands and performers are playing in venues from Wilmington to Jacksonville.
grub & guzzle ..................40-44 40-44 dining guide: Need a few suggestions on where to eat? Flip through our dining guide!
extra! extra! ....................46-63
wORD OF tHe week métier: met-yay, noun; 1. An occupation; a profession. 2. An area in which one excels; an occupation for which one is especially well suited.
46 books: Tiffanie Gabrielse talks with UNCW professor and wordsmith Hannah Dela Cruz Abrams, who reads at Pomegranate Books this week.
47 crossword: Brain game by Stanley Newman. 48 extra: Linda Carol Grattafiori previews the
is published weekly, on Wednesday, by Wilmington Media. Opinions of contributing writers are not necessarily the opinions of encore.
Editor-in-Chief:
General Manager:
annual YWCA Women of Achievement Awards;
Shea Carver // shea@encorepub.com
John Hitt // john@encorepub.com
nominations still being accepted.
Editorial Assistant: Bethany Turner // music@encorepub.com
Art Director: Sue Cothran // ads@encorepub.com
Special Olympics at the 8th annual Polar Plunge.
Interns: Brooke Kavit, Kaitlin Willow
Advertising sales: John Hitt // Downtown // john@encorepub.com
Anghus’ own creative writing endeavor, ‘My Career
Kris Beasley // Wrightsville Beach, N. Wilmington // kris@encorepub.com
36-47 calendar/‘toons/horoscopes/corkboard:
Chief Contributors: Gwenyfar Rohler, Anghus Houvouras, Jay Schiller, Tiffanie Gabrielse, Tom Tomorrow, Chuck Shepherd, Christina Dore, Justin Emery, Alex Pompliano, Fay Meadows, Kim Henry, Sarah Richter P.O. Box 12430, Wilmington, n.C. 28405 email@encorepub.com • www.encorepub.com Phone: (910) 791-0688 • Fax: (910) 791-9177
Shea Carver // Midtown, Monkey Junction //shea@encorepub.com
49 charity: Kim Henry says its time to get chilly for 50 fact or fiction: The fourth installment of Suicide Note.’ Find out what to do in town with our calendar; check out Tom Tomorrow and the annual ‘toons winner,
Office Manager: Susie Riddle // susie@adpakweekly.com
Jennifer Barnett // Jacksonville
Jay Schiller; read your horoscope; and check out the
Distribution Manager: Boykin Wright
// jennifer@encorepub.com
latest saucy corkboard ads.
encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com 3
e r o enc
4-12 GOODS & SERVICES 12-15 FOOD & DRINK 15-16 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 17 MEET THE BEST OF THE BEST
F O T S E B 2012
on the record:
The 2012 Best Of winners are announced
N O T G N I M L I
W
bestof2012
and by Shea Carver Bethany Turner
T
he parTy is over, The lighTs have
dimmed, but the celebration is still going strong! It’s official: We announced the 2012 Best Of winners last Friday night, February 10th, at downtown’s riverfront, rooftop hotspot, City Stage/ Level 5. Our wonderfully kooky hosts—Zach Hanner, Sandy Vaughan, Jef Pollock, Brandi Laney and Valerie Watkins of Changing Channels, along with Steven Marcinowski and Colton DeMonte of Nutt Street Improv, and hottie encore girls Morganna Bridgers and Madison Weinberg—tore up the house with their bodacious hilarity and side-splitting laughter. In fact, aside from our much-swollen livers (thank you, one too-many Greyhounds), we’re pretty sure we left our voiceboxes behind, too. Ahh, but who needs it right now, any way? We have announcements to write and brains to explode with information so special, we just know our readers, advertisers, writers—heck, the whole community—will be cutting cartwheels and grandstanding for days to come. All of you who missed out on the action—first off, shame on you!—must know we are dedicating the next four weeks of encore to writing about every, single winner in every, single category. Plus, we have the overall list of winners on page 17, which will run through March 7th just in case you need a reference point for that next haircut appointment, oyster craving or karaoke outing. Be sure to drop by some or all of these establishments for a little congratulatory highfive and a lot of super-fantastic customer service. As we do annually, we want to clarify some of our Best Of ground-rules so everyone understands how we endure this three-month process annually—from scouring and revising the ballot, programming the online voting system, monitoring the process (we got our 4 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com
eyes and ears peeled for cheaters!), designing and hand-building all awards, and pulling together the party and the talent to no avail! It’s work, people. We don’t take it lightly (just with a few Xanax, that’s all). Here is how we play: • Ballots are collected through an online voting system from December through January. • encore employees never determine the winners (despite what many assume or accuse); the readers of encore determine the outcome, plain and simple! We do not choose our advertisers to win. It kind of goes against our cause to do Best Of, which generates consumer traffic to businesses and places throughout the entire community, as well as to us. • encore reserves the right to secure all voting information, including percentages and amount of votes. With over 130 categories and weekly deadlines, we do not divulge numbers—not because we have something to hide but because 10 people run this paper and, well, time is of the essence to produce it weekly. • Only one ballot per e-mail address is allowed to vote. When canceled e-mail addresses attempt to be used, guess what? We see it. It’s never confirmed. It doesn’t count. We do not use voter’s e-mail addresses for solicitation of encore or Wilmington Media products, nor do we share the addresses. • Voters must fill out at least 25 categories to have their votes counted; we monitor this, too. • We accept that businesses campaign; though, we discourage any bribery for votes. We also secure the right to disqualify votes we feel were misrepresented or falsified in any way. Though we are not the NC Board of Elections, we try our best to plays fairly! Now, on with the show! Welcome the 2012 class of encore’s annual Best Of Reader’s Poll.
//Goods & Services record/cd sTore
When life throws lemons, listen to music. It’s the only way to maintain a modicum of sanity in this overly techy world, which seemingly wants to take down quality of sound with it. Just ask those guys at Gravity Records who have poured their hearts and souls into maintaining a community record store since 2004. “The difference in sound quality between an LP and a CD and a MP3 is astounding,” owner Matthew Keen says of today’s obsession with iTunes and other music download sites. “People get so into the latest HD TV and superior video quality, but they don’t seem to care about the quality of their audio.” Keen and his cronies continue to march forth in their cause, turning on folks to the beauty of vinyl with their massive collection, along with the usual suspects of used CDs, DVDs, cassettes and turntables. Should the needle hit the record a little too hard, they offer services and repairs for retro music-turners, too. “There are plenty of stores nationwide that have much larger and better selections than we do,” Keen admits, “but we are typically knowledgeable and care more than just about any other store out there.” They pride themselves as an outlet for the latest on music news and happenings, and they’re a huge proponent of supporting local business as much as possible. Quite simply, these fellas love what they do. They love the ones their with, too. Keen, recently engaged and soon-to-be stepdad, runs the shop with his store manager, Eric Parson, father, husband and encore DJ at the 2012 party. Passion keeps them ever-evolving. “We have a few tricks up or sleeves for 2012,” Keen says. “We will be stocking much more vinyl,
MARCH 21-28, 2012
t s o m e h t s ’ It k e e w s u o i delic ! g n i r p of s
EncoreRestaurantWeek.com Our spring event will take place the third week in March at the following participating restaurants:
North Wilmington/ Wrightsville Beach> Nikki’s Japanese Steak House Fox and Hound Temptations Everyday Gourmet The Melting Pot South Beach Grill Catch
Midtown>
Hieronymous Seafood Nikki’s Fresh Gourmet & Sushi Bar Tandoori Bites Siena Trattoria Taste of Italy Cameo 1900
Hiro Japanese Steak House Temptations Everyday Gourmet El Cerro Grande Halligan’s
Downtown>
Nikki’s Fresh Gourmet & Sushi Bar Yo Sake Mixto Little Dipper Ruth’s Chris Steak House Basics Pilot House The George Caffe Phoenix Elijah’s Eat Spot
Riverboat Landing Caprice Bistro Aubriana’s The Fortunate Glass Reel Café
South Wilmington> Pine Valley Market Fish Bites Henry’s El Cerro Grande Thai Spice Eddie Romanelli’s
www.EncoreRestaurantWeek.com Restaurants can still join! Call (910) 791-0688
SPRIN www.enco
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ENCORE
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[and] we will keep in a constant supply of great refurbished turntables. We will be stocking cassettes, including new cassettes from labels like Burger Records and Crash Symbols. We will be having bigger and better sales than we ever have, offering deeper discounts than ever before.” Most impressively, they’re continuing their run at hosting in-store concerts with great upand-coming artists, among a host of already big names. Gravity—featured on encore’s cover this week—is the community’s music haven where all genres of sounds are up for discussion, review and celebration. Second and third places go to Best Buy and Yellow Dog Discs respectively.
Women’s Clothing
Ten years ago Jessie Wililams made a commitment to herself to find her passion and follow it through to the depths of her business savviness. Today, she owns and operates Wilmington’s funkiest, coolest, most hip and fun clothing store in downtown Wilmington: Edge of Urge. What makes her boutique stand out among a sea of other shopping havens is the fact that she seeks designers to showcase regularly, including many local talents, which makes her shop become more of an artistic collective. Every designer, employee and customer manifest unique style as a common interest. “Edge of Urge has become a family of likeminded creatives,” she tells encore, “with unending desire to share their craft. It feels amaz-
ing to see our community truly appreciate the talent. That is a motivator like no other.” On the local front, the fashionista houses her own designs of handmade dresses, bathing suits and earrings, which have taken Wilmington by storm (feathers galore from their build-an-earring bar). Also showcased is leather accessory designer Ruby Assata, metal-smith jewelry-maker Jessie Yeager of the I Like It Here Club, as well as knit koozies by Freaker USA and more. However, EoU carries widely popular brand names for whom many flock to, from Jeffrey Campbell’s insanely hot shoe designs to MinkPink’s vintage-inspired dresses. “Our customers and their changing needs are and always have been our inspiration,” Williams notes. “We search high and low, hand-selecting our inventory with our customers in mind.” EoU’s eccentricity appeals to ladies and gentlemen (yep, they carry wares for the fellas, too!) who fancy the obscure, the tonguein-cheek and down-right awesomeness. (Can’t you tell by the duds on our lady cover models? Hot to trot, huh?) Though their business motto is “learn to love uncertainty,” the EoU team tailors every customer experience to the hilt with exciting, energetic appeal. The only thing uncertain about a purchase here will be exactly which to make. Other women’s clothing boutiques coming in second and third are Hallelu and Island Passage respectively.
Thank You encore Readers for voting us “Best Men’s Store” encore
men’s apparel 1427 Military Cutoff Road (910) 679-4137
6 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com
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LIVING ON THE EDGE! The cool cats from Edge of Urge pulled out the big guns and happily accepted their award for Best Women’s Clothing at the party on February 10th at Level 5/City Stage. Photo by Shea Carver
value amongst a large portion of our community, and we couldn’t agree with that more.” Belk placed second while Edge of Urge came in third in men’s clothing options.
men’s Clothing
Once Upon a Child has been serving Wilmington families for 18 years now. Owners Sharon and Terry Talbott still find it as fascinating today as it was then, because, even through waxing and waning economic impacts, one thing always stands true: People will keep having babies. “We were looking for a sustainable business that would have a wide customer base while performing a needed service,” Sharon notes. “We chose this business because we knew people would never stop having kids—that kids would never stop outgrowing their stuff before its useful life was up.” Of course, that folks can secure a good deal at Once Upon a Child, as well as a few extra bucks should they choose to sell their items here, makes the store stronger in its dedicated following. All in all, great savings can always be found at up to 70 percent off through a large inventory of clothes, accessories, toys, books, and even household baby items and gear. With a strong dedication toward serving others, the passion the Talbotts continue harboring for familial security and happiness carries forth. The same can be said about their employees, some of whom come full circle within their work environment. “It is cool to have some of our current employees who started out as infant customers,” Sharon notes. “We care about our customers and our employees immensely.” Once Upon a Child is open seven days a week, and currently they are offering a special just in time for spring cleaning. They give $5 in Baby Bucks for every $30 of items they buy from customers. That means more money and great savings to restock and revive every kid’s closet and toy chest. Froggy Pond and Gap Kids rank second and third on our 2012 poll.
See those dapper men on our cover? Look at those sleek-looking threads. Yeah, those pants are fitting nice, boyeee! That hat—wow, staright-up dope, yo! Sophisticated, hip and always trendy, Bloke Men’s Apparel scores Best Men’s Clothing for two years running now. We must thank them for dressing our wonderful male hosts at the Best Of Party last weekend! Owned and operated by Michael Vinson, passion for quality clothing and personal style kept his dream alive of owning a casual and contemporary male boutique. When he opened a few years ago, customers proved his vision worthy of success. “We have grown alongside our customers and feel that we have begun to spread our roots,” Vinson says of his second year in business. “We have been thrilled to offer guys a place to shop comfortably for unique styles on a modest budget.” Bloke offers classics among aesthetically stylish looks, blending funky accents with modern lines from brands like Big Star Jeans, Bed Stu Shoes, French Connection and beyond. They’re also selling wares that have a green footprint on our daily lives. “From wooden watches and sunglasses, to no-water-used denim and organic cotton tees, we see no reason to not promote products that either give back to charities or to Mother Earth,” Vinson says. “With no sacrifice of style, we have sought out lines that keep a philanthropic tone to their business structure.” Changing with customers’ wants and needs is important to the Bloke staff, which is why Vinson and company remain humbled by a win they feel mirrors an active community. “encore readers have a huge voice in Wilmington,” he says. “It has really helped Bloke to create a name for itself. Buying and shopping local is a shared
Children’s Clothing
“You have to be able to meet the wants and needs of your clients for a fair price and quality customer service,” Roberts notes. “Budgets are tight, and you have to meet those abilities as well.” Stevenson Automotive sells numerous brands, all worthy of value. From Honda to KIA, Acura to Suzuki, Mazda to Toyota, they run premier dealerships not only in Wilmington but all over the region, from Jacksonville to Goldsboro. “We are very excited about our new 2012 product line,” Roberts notes, “which includes several new body-style changes for both Honda and Acura.” With a lifetime warranty guaranteed to give customers peace of mind and a stamp of approval from Kabbalah himself, new cars and used cars alike are found at one of many local dealerships. Visit them online at www.stevensonauto.com. Runners-up include Toyota of Wilmington and Bob King Automotive.
Gift Shop
When folks shop for gifts, they like options, usually. One place in town which specializes in choices galore—handmade, nonetheless—is Blue Moon Gift Shops. Housing over 100 artisans, retailers and entrepreneurs, Blue Moon is multiple shops in one, as they secure vendors throughout the year in individual boutiques, where everything from jewelry to hand-blown glass, paintings to clothing, photography to food, children’s wares and products to garden accessories are sold. “The Blue Moon concept was new to Wilmington 12 years ago,” owner Mary Ann Masucci says of her venture. “There was nothing else like it. We saw it as a diamondin-the-rough concept and were passionate to make it a destination.” They continue their passion by producing quality and quantity. In fact, their price points are far reasonable and the items for sale are often made by locals. Many favorites include Angela’s Pepper-Pickled Foods, Mitzy Jonkheer’s jewelry, Ivey Hayes’ art work, Old School Wood Works, among others. “This year we are excited to be celebrating our 10-year anniversary,” Masucci says. “We are always striving to bring our customers a better Blue Moon.” They love what they do and go far and wide to maintain their goals to provide a community of artistic expression the best in gift choices. Birthdays, holidays, baby showers, bridal gifts, Mother’s and Father’s days— Blue Moon has shoppers covered. They offer free gift-wrapping, too. “We feel honored our customers go out of their way to for us every year,” ?? says of the shop’s four-year consecutive award. “We are always humbled and very appreciative.” Ranking gift shops elsewhere in town are Dragonflies in second place and Planet in third.
health food Shop
Wilmington’s only grocer co-op serves as the town’s all-natural haven of organic and healthy options in shopping. Tidal Creek Co-op is working on their 30-year beloved dedication to the port city, with members coming in at 3,000-plus strong, helping to support a true community collective of wants and needs. “Wilmington citizens own and benefit from our consumer cooperative,” Chrsitina McKenzie, marketing and member services manager, says. “It allows us to continue offering high-quality healthy, natural products at a competitive price.” They put healthy and morally righteous values on items they carry. “At this time when product and food safety is a critical concern to consumers, we believe it’s our responsibility to provide the community with clean foods, and support producers with ethical production standards,” McKenzie states. Thus, folks can find more than free-range chicken here; they’ll also find eco-friendly face washes and supplements, along with products steering clear of animal testing. Plus, their intensely long list of vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose-free and hor-
car waSh LIKE FAMILY: Stevenson Automotive Group has swept the best of awards for 12 years now, taking Best Place to Buy a New Car in 2012. Photo by Brooke Kavit.
mone-free products specialize to customers with dietary restrictions. McKenzie and the Tidal Creek crew continually stay abreast of better, healthful trends in the industry. “We have responded to owner demand by providing organic, local, fresh, fairly-traded, GMO-free, and other sustainable products,” she says. By listening to customers and continuing to push the boundaries of hard-to-find items made available as needed, the co-op grows every year. 2012 welcomes a recently expanded kitchen, so more services and offerings are given to the consumer in the form of freshly prepared, organic foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner. “Tidal Creek customers have the option to invest equity in our cooperative,” McKenzie emphasizes, “which, along with great savings, gives them an opportunity to shape the growth of their store and suggest the products they want on their shelves.” Lovey’s and Carolina Farmin’ fill the second and third spots in our poll.
place to Buy a New car
Wreckx-N-Effect said it best: “All I wanna do is a zoom-zoom-zoom and a boom-boom!” Wilmingtonians know where the zoom-zoom and boom-boom rides high on consecutive wins: the one, the only Stevenson Automotive Group. These cats have buckled in 12 years now on encore’s Best Of poll. Businesses like this don’t become so popular without zooming the right people. Business Development Manager Peggy Roberts still smiles in excitement upon every win, too—as does the big man behind the wheel, Mr. Pat Kabbalah. His word holds true
with every buy: “If it has our name on it you have our word on it!” “We try to exceed our client’s expectation,” Roberts tells encore. That is something they’re doing right, too, considering their 29-year reign in the automotive industry. Their success comes from their willingness to provide the best at all times.
It’s a fact: Beach-town dwellers and car owners get to deal with environmental circumstances which may impede a vehicle’s cleanliness more than necessary. Salt air and sandy shores keep us washing and vacuuming frequently— and finding lots of spare change (for those rising downtown parking rates, nonetheless!) between seats and under mats. Thankfully, the folks over at Cruiser’s Car Wash allow us to keep our wheels spic-’n’-span
Your neighborhood Health Food Grocery and Cafe
“When your Serious about your Health ~ It’s Solgar” LANDFALL CENTER
1319 Military Cutoff Rd. Suite H (910) 509-0331 encore
BE20ST12OF
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“At Solgar, Quality isn’t a word we use casually—it’s a way of Life” All Solgar Products
25% OFF
Sale ends Feb. 29 www.LoveysMarket.com encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com 7
without raisin-esque hands and sweaty brows. Serving Wilmington for more than a dozen years, Clayton Gsell, owner and operator, and his staff offer a full-range of service options for low-riders, high-riders, smart cars and, well, gas-guzzling tanks. “We understand that a customer’s vehicle represents significant investment, so we enjoy getting to know our customers,” Gsell says. “We are careful and thorough with our work.” From a la carte services, like shampooing seats or clay-bar compounding, to full on details like soft-cloth tunnel wash, machine and hand-towel dry, inside window wash, tire gloss and fragrant interior sprays, the choices never wane. Plus, they use Drive Pur, a program using environmentally friendly water-based solutions so the car interior maintains a nonharmful, invisible coating to protect surfaces from unwanted buildup, like bacteria, molds and germs. “We continue to train and focus on providing excellent service to every customer,” Gsell adds. In 2012 happy drivers will await their ride in remodeled lobbies throughout Cruiser’s locations. They have added free Wi-Fi, satellite TV and new seating areas. “Customers also told us they wanted to pay for their wash when they received their wash ticket,” Gsell explains. “So, we now have an efficient one-stop system in place.” Mr. Sudsy scrubs in second, while Buff Masters is third. —Shea Carver
CRUISING INTO FIRST: The Cruiser’s Car Wash crew thanks everyone for their continuous support at the Best Of awards party. Photo by Shea Carver
Personal Trainer
“Even as a kid, I loved working out,” LaMaine Williams of Lumina Fitness says. “I’m thinking a ‘Rocky’ movie may have made an im-
n o t g in m il W u o y k n a Th for voting us
“Best Chinese Restaurant!” Our vision is to provide our customers with the most exciting dining experience while they are in our home; that we see to it that every customer in our restaurant leave with the anticipation of coming back. 419 South College Rd. • (910) 799-1426 8 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com
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pression on me.” Known for training local newscaster, WECT star Frances Weller, Williams was born to get physical. In his college years, he jumped from job to job trying to find something that was a good fit for him. “After about three people asking, ‘Why don’t you be a personal trainer?’,” he recalls, “it finally hit me. That’s the perfect job for me. Twelve years later I’m still learning and loving what I do. God gave me fitness to share with others. Once somebody told me they started doing push-ups after they saw my commercial—that’s what I want to hear and see.” Williams hits the gym hard every time he’s there, treating each training session like its the first, and he’s trying to impress a new client. His number-one business rule is to take care of his current trainees. “I’d rather have the same clients forever than to have new people coming in every week,” he declares. Seemingly he has a number-two rule, which is to always push himself and expand his knowledge. Williams hasn’t stuck to the same routine since he started years ago. Instead, he researches and masters the latest in exercise moves, like planche push-ups, where the entire body is held off the floor by hands alone. “I strive to be the best personal trainer in town by out-working everybody else,” he says. “This is after-hours, coming up with new challenges for myself. Tackling new projects forces me to learn more about how the body works.” Wilmington also likes to get in shape with Steven Schmitter of Port City Sports Performance and Amy McCauley of Gold’s Gym.
surf shoP
Since 1976, just as the shortboard revolution was cresting in American surfing, Sweetwater Surf Shop has been Wilmington’s go-to store for gear, apparel, boards and more. According to co-owners Danielle and Shana Bourgeois, the most important thing to the family-owned surf shop is creating and maintaining relation-
ships with the folks who shop there. “Our local customers are like family to us,” Danielle says. That’s not to say tourists aren’t welcome down at Sweetwater, which is located on Wrightsville Beach at 10 N. Lumina Ave. They offer surf lessons to those who are just starting out, and ding repair services to those who shred hard. In addition to the 300 surfboards Sweetwater keeps in stock year-round, the shop also boasts skateboards from many makers including Element, Birdhouse and Gravity. Sweetwater can even fill the needs of beachgoers who want to zoom down a snow-covered mountain. Yep, they’ve got snowboards, boots, bindings and toasty outerwear, including antifog goggles from the best names in optics. Something new to Sweetwater this year is a larger space dedicated to the increased demand for stand-up paddleboards. “We carry three brands: Ian Balding paddleboards, Surftech and Global Surf Industries,” Danielle notes. It rounds out Sweetwater’s philosophy to be the best. “We constantly strive to offer ‘the right product at the right time for the right price,’ and to make the customer feel better when they leave the store than when they Folks in Ultratan an walked in.” Second place in surf shops is Bert’s, while VeTerina Surf City receives the honors of third. Pets tru love us wi Tanning salon Fred Knopp started Tropical Tans as more ing; withou of a whim rather than a career. It was the first and care f tanning salon in town, yet today it is the most healthy an popular of many. With two locations serving lo- veterinaria cals and catering to UNCW students, business knowledge easily flocks to Tropical Tans by word of mouth. with us fo “In 1988 indoor tanning was still in its infancy we place o but was growing quickly,” Knopp details. “In Porters the beginning we were just going to use this as the truste a stepping stone for a larger business opportu- since 199 nity, but things change and the tanning industry Best Of w was challenging and enjoyable. So 24 years they are a later, here we are—and we still strive to be the ing choice animal. “W best in our industry.” Tropical Tans is known for great customer we could service. Knopp keeps himself and his staff up- and make to-date on the latest trends, and makes sure Sharon Ha they can give the best advice to customers for her husba not only their bronzed skin but also their safety. our busine His business runs on just a few important pil- to be trust lars: consistency in customer service, paying treat each specific attention to equipment maintenance we can sle and new technology upgrades, and keeping Dr. Harr the fairest price possible. The team at Tropical trend in th Tans seems to be always one step ahead of are taking the game. “Sunless tanning has become very Porters N popular,” Knopp says. “We continue incorpo- guns by s rating our traditional tanning with the latest in to values. sunless technology as this part of the industry build solid grows, and we try to update our equipment as your way soon as the latest changes occur.” it’s our clie Offering packages to meet any tanner’s all family.” needs, be they long-term unlimited or just a Folks c few sessions before spring break, Tropical customer Tans has their customers covered. They boast website, w state-of-the-art 15 and 30-minute beds, stand- make boa up booths and Mystic tanning. Plus, Knopp’s e-mail the friendly golden retriever, Sandy, is usually there medicines to greet guests and cheer up their day. fers e-mai
STRENGTH IN WINS: Lamaine Williams once again takes the Best Personal Trainer category by storm and thanks his colleagues from Lumina Fitness for their continuous support. Photo by Shea Carver
Folks in Wilmington also enjoy tanning at Ultratan and Saule Tanning.
Veterinarian
Pets truly are a part of our families. They love us without asking questions; without judging; without conditions. They need us to feed and care for them. They need us to keep them healthy and safe. With these things in mind, a veterinarian should be someone we trust. Their knowledge allows our animals to live happily with us for years. And when things go wrong, we place our friends in the hands of our vets. Porters Neck Veterinary Hospital has been the trusted caretaker of Wilmington animals since 1999, and this year celebrates its third Best Of win. As a small, family-owned office, they are able to work compassionately—making choices that are in the best interest of the animal. “We started our own business so that we could practice medicine by our own rules and make decisions that felt right to us,” Dr. Sharon Harris, who co-owns the hospital with her husband, says. “We are passionate about our business because we believe it is an honor to be trusted with the care of people’s pets. We treat each pet to the best of our ability so that we can sleep at night.” Dr. Harris says that, unfortunately, the biggest trend in the veterinary field is that corporations are taking over all aspects of the business. Yet, Porters Neck Veterinary Hospital sticks to its guns by setting high standards and holding on to values. “If you stay true to yourself, you will build solid relationships with those that share your way of thinking,” she shares. “Whether it’s our clients, our staff or our patients—we are all family.” Folks can expect convenient yet familiar customer service from Porters Neck. On their website, www.portersneckvet.com, clients can make boarding and appointment reservations, e-mail their vet to connect directly, or order medicines from the online pharmacy, which offers e-mail reminders and free shipping. “We
still, however, refuse to have computers answer our phones and will never make this ‘upgrade,’” Dr. Harris affirms. The vets at Porters Neck are keeping up with the latest medicine. Currently, they’re following the prospect of treating osteoarthritis with autologous stem cell therapy, as well as watching the price to make sure such care is affordable to their clients. Additionally, they offer well-rounded service with new programs at the office all the time, such as the free puppy kindergarten held every other Saturday. Aimed at early socialization and strengthening the bond between puppies and their new owners, the workshop also allows dogs to become familiar with the hospital and excited to visit, as each class begins with 10 minutes of free play. It’s managed by a trained behavior counselor and overseen by staff vets. Class topics are available on the office’s Facebook page. Second place for vets goes to Wilmington Animal Healthcare, and third goes to Port City Animal Hospital.
Place to Buy a used car
Lately, I’ve been thinking of trading in my old Ford Mustang for a roomier, more reliable vehicle. These thoughts mostly manifest themselves as I curse my car and complain about squeaks, leaks and peeling paint. My boyfriend always recommends one location to find my next car, and it just so happens that encore readers echo his endorsement: Auto Wholesale. Owner Paul Tracy and his brother Dan opened the lot in October 2002, although he’s been in the business for the last 23 years. “It’s my love of cars that makes me passionate,” he says. “We strive so hard to do all the right things, so [winning] gives us a great sense of pride and accomplishment that all our efforts pay off and do go noticed. We hope to continue to do all the right things.” For Tracy, doing “all the right things” means helping folks find their perfect vehicle in an honest manner—no gimmicks allowed! Each member of the Auto Wholesale team is out to offer personal, individualized service and private attention. “Our goal is to have the cleanest cars at the best prices, and make the buying
encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com 9
CALL TODAY
(910) 232-5910 Your best friend will thank you for it
the Dog Club of Wilmington
1940 North County Dr. Conveniently located one mile from GE by the airport
Thank you encore readers for voting us rs 4 yea in a row!
“Best Place to Board a Pet”
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BE2S01T2OF
WILMINGTON
“Your All Inclusive Dog Fun Zone”
DOGGONE WINNIN’: The ladies from the Dog Club of Wilmington excitedly throw shirts and gear to the audience, accepting their win for Best Place to Board a Pet. Photo by Shea Carver
process easy and enjoyable,” he notes. It boils down to Tracy’s honorable motto: “Work hard and smart, and take care of your customers.” Runners-up honors go to Stevenson Automotive Group and Bruce Cavenaugh’s Automart.
Shopping plaza
PLAY HARD SLEEP WELL
What does your dog do all day? dogclubwilmington.com
10 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com
I’ve worked in Mayfaire Town Center for nearly four years now, and I’m always baffled by the amount of traffic the shopping area receives (good luck finding parking by the cinema on Saturday night), though given its diverse offerings and brand names, I shouldn’t be surprised! From a bookstore and ice cream shop to wine and gourmet stores, home decor and clothing—heck, even appliances, crafts, a gym and a bridal shop—Mayfaire provides Wilmington one special experience. No matter the time of day, there’s something to do in Mayfaire. It’s a center where folks can get their morning coffee, hit a few of the stores, stop for lunch, continue shopping, enjoy a fine dinner, see a movie, then top the night off with a couple of drinks. There are the lucky few who can do this every day—the tenants of Mayfaire’s Townview Apartments who reside atop the shops. “The Mayfaire ownership in 1999 saw the need to create a ‘work, live, play’ community, and committed to building a mixed-use project for Wilmington,” managing partner Hyman Brody explains of the area’s conception. For 2012, despite the economy, Brody says there are several national brands considering a location in Mayfaire. Even more exciting are the plans for a Phase III expansion in the future, which would pop up by the movie theater (more parking, perhaps?). “Mayfaire continues to tweak its merchandise mix and bring the people of eastern North Caraolina new retail concepts not covered in every market,” Brody details. “This is our eighth year winning this award. It’s very special and a validation that people like what is here.” Other fine shopping plazas in Wilmington include Lumina Station and Independence Mall.
adult Store
There’s good news for lovers everywhere: It’s no longer naughty to be naughty! Judging by the growing success of Adam and Eve, even in a down economy, sex sells and more people are buying than ever before. “Our novelty sales have been growing quite fast due to the mainstream acceptance of adult-themed business,” owner Jason Hoke says. Adam and Eve began in 1971, when the president of the company, Phil Harvey, began selling sex toys via snail mail. Harvey introduced thousands of people to the realm outside the missionary position. Fast forward to 2006, when Hoke promoted himself from sales rep to owner of several southeastern North Carolina Adam and Eve stores. “We’ve expanded from two stores to 10 in the past six years,” the owner says. “We’re thrilled to be accepted as a positive member of the Wilmington business district.” And why slow down? (Unless that’s the preferred motion of the ocean, of course). Hoke says he’s already planning to open four additional stores in North and South Carolina. Such quick growth and acceptance of Adam and Eve should be attributed to their knowledgeable staff and great customer service. Those who shop there know they’re getting the best advice for any purchase. From filling bachelorette party gift bags to picking out cuffs and chains for the hard-core sex style, Adam and Eve caters to all naughty needs. The sexy and sophisticated also shop Priscilla McCall’s and Spyces.
real eState agency
Covering New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick and Onslow counties—and now including Raleigh and Fayetteville—Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage seeks to give their clients cutting-edge technology, the most knowledgeable support staff, and great customer service overall. Though Sea Coast Realty began in Wilmington in 1988 and joined Coldwell Banker in 1993, the company’s recent merger with Coldwell Banker Advantage in the piedmont allows a greater marketing area. “With over 600 real estate agents in the family, our internal reach for prospective home buyers is huge,” Tim Milam notes. “As president of the com-
pany, I feel our goal is to help customers realize the American dream by purchasing a home, in many cases for the first time.” Milam says technology is on the forefront of every realtor’s mind. On the Sea Coast Advantage website, clients will find specially designed tools, such as the ability to compare properties that also offers multi-point driving directions, making visiting these homes off-line even easier. Folks can even save properties and be notified with open houses, new listings and price change alerts. “Every year we continue to employ higher-tech methods of reaching and servicing our clients and this will no doubt continue into 2012,” Milam affirms. Also in 2012 is Sea Coast Advantage’s partnership with Coldwell Banker Previews, a database for global real estate. “Several of our realtors recently joined together to begin offering specialized service to high-end luxury homes utilizing the 75-year-old internationally recognized leader,” the president confirms. Despite the addition of cross-continental real estate, Sea Coast Advantage still keeps their priorities in southeastern North Carolina. “We are very humbled and grateful to everyone in Wilmington for choosing us the best of the best several years in a row now,” Milam divulges. “It goes to show that we are obviously providing the level of service that our clients demand.” Second place for real estate agencies is awarded to Intracoastal Realty and Century 21 Sweyer and Associates.
Consignment for Home DeCor anD antiques
If I had to think of one place to get a gift certificate for my mom, or her best friend, or any woman they work with, or myself... I’d choose The Ivy Cottage. Opened by the mother-daughter team of Sam Dunn and Kelaine Vargas in 1998, it’s now the home of three amazing stores on Market Street, all housing what the duo calls “distinguished consignments.” What folks will find in The Ivy Cottage... Well, what won’t folks find in The Ivy Cottage? They’ve got gorgeous, detailed, hand-crafted antique furniture, delicate lace linens, fine china and glassware, paintings, figurines, rugs. The list is nearly endless. If it will look good in a home, it’s probably at The Ivy Cottage. The best part about this Best Of is that what’s in store is
for antiques they look to Cape Fear Antique and Flea Body’s.
gym
RIBBED FOR SUCCESS: Chili’s serves the best ribs and has the best chain restaurant, according to encore readers! Randi Moon serves guests at the local restaurant. Photo by Brooke Kavit
They say it takes two weeks to develop a routine, like a new diet or exercise plan. Yet it’s been my personal experience that the psychologists who determined this may not have factored in what I like to call “the soccer-mom disease.” I can barely keep my regular routine “normal” with every wrench life throws in my gears—random errands, chores and work that need immediate attention. With all this, the gym may be first on my list of want-to-dos, but it’s the first to get taken off my list of will-dos. Seemingly, Gold’s Gym is more receptive to the current lifestyle of wonder-men and -women who need to include exercise amidst their already hectic days. The staff have physical education down pat, and their faces exude the excitement they feel being able to work in an environment they truly enjoy. The owner, Mike Valentino, has been in the business since the age of 18. “For 31 years now, I have worked in gyms/health clubs,” he says. “By introducing exercise, better nutrition and wellness, [we] have helped thousands of people be better off in all aspects of their lives.” In 2012, Gold’s Gym will be adding cardio equipment to supplement the growing client base, as well as introducing more program offerings to ensure members have choices and motivation to achieve their fitness goals. Their 90-day challenge gives folks much more than
two weeks to get used to working out—and they’ll see results! Despite industry advances, Gold’s knows that it takes more than a quick-fix diet pill or ab machine to achieve ideal health. “I believe the key to business and many other aspirations in life is to always stick to the basics first and foremost,” Valentino asserts. “Ultimately, [short cuts] are short-lived, and returning to the basics is what will truly provide success. With that said, there is always value in continuing to evaluate what you are doing and strive toward improvements. We will always be looking for additional programming, equipment and staff education to provide our members continued value and success.” Port City people also get pumped at Planet Fitness and O2 Fitness.
PlaCe to BoarD a Pet
While driving in Castle Hayne, my boyfriend and I unexpectedly stumbled upon the location for Dog Club of Wilmington (1940 N. County Dr.). Immediately I remarked, “Oh, that’s where it is!” We noted the gigantic building as a possible place to board Dixie and Dakota during our next trip. Though he has a large, fenced-in backyard and a vet living next door (thankfully) who is willing to care for them while we’re gone, we still know they miss play time with us. Cue Dog Club, where the staff has a combined experience of over 25 years, even though it’s only been open since November 2007. Owner Dyana Scholz was raised an animal-lover: She rode and trained horses, and adored her
always changing as people consign more items. And as new items join the three cottages, the price lowers on that ottoman or chandelier. The price tags tempt the inner shopper—three dates offer different prices. It’s lowered by 15% after 45 days and again after 90 days during the 120-day consignment period. If it’s really popular, one better buy it at the high, early price—before someone else does. If one is willing to take a chance, they can wait a few weeks until the price lowers, but it’s risky! It’s gambling for antique aficionados, but it’s definitely fun and certainly worth a look inside. Shoppers also venture to Home Again and Flea Body’s for home decor consignment, and
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family pets. In early 2003, she helped a friend open a doggie day care in Charlotte. “When the timing was right for me to open my own, it was the easiest and most natural step for me to take,” she says. “I wanted to open a facility that was designed for dog owners like me—not a lot of money to waste, but people who want to give their dogs the best care possible through socialization and exercise.” She showcases this in Dog Club’s regularly affordable rates, and by offering existing clients bonuses throughout the year to express her appreciation. Plus, new clients can get one free trial of day care. With 12,000 square feet of inside play area and overnight, climate-controlled sleep stations, plus 15,000 square feet of fenced-in backyard, there’s plenty of room for everybody at Dog Club. Still, the pups are separated based on their size, age and even their play styles. Worried moms and dads (though they shouldn’t be) can check on their furry kids via the live indoor and outdoor web cams on Dog Club’s site. And when parents are back in town, dogs can still hang out with Scholz and her crew at various events. In May, Dog Club is hosting the first annual Battleship Splash—a dock-diving competition complete with animal-related vendors and an adoption corner. Full details on the day care and boarding spot can be found online at www. dogclubwilmington.com. Paw Beach is another favorite of local pet owners, as well as Atlantic Animal Hospital. — Bethany Turner
//Food & Beverage Ribs & Chain RestauRant
Coming into our poll for two-years running now is the quintessential baby-back rib kings. They’re such royalty, they even have their own song. Mention “Chili’s” and “ribs” in the same sentence, and hear people immediately start singing the jingle that got their finger-suckin’ jangle off! The grill and bar is still holding strong, too, as Chili’s not only has scored encore’s Best Ribs but the secured a second win in 2012 with Best Chain Restaurant, too. Perhaps the reason the restaurant stays top of mind for many voters is because its local general manager, Rob Russell, was born to lead. “I have been in the restaurant business for 24 years,” he tells encore, “and it gets into your blood!” He couldn’t be more proud of leading the blue-ribbon team either. “Last year when we won best ribs, we saw a very positive impact,” he notes. “We started selling more ribs and a spike in guests counts that we have managed to hang on to.” Likely they return because of the numerous offers Chili’s churns out on a constant basis. From dinner for two for a mere $20 (one appetizer, two entrées) to their $6, $7 or $8 lunches, to their deliciously decadent top-shelf margarita promotions, there is always something to enjoy for the palate and the wallet. “We offer exciting, crave-able limited-time offers [like their new cheesesteak or blackened chicken sliders] and
ON THE WINGS OF A WIN: Adam Webb happily accepted Buffalo Wild Wings Best Wings award at the awards ceremony last Friday evening. Photo by Shea Carver
change our menu selections on a regular basis,” he notes. “We always find a way to give a great value without compromising quality.” Their ribs consistently make customers happy, as they’re slow smoked over pecan wood. Served in orginal BBQ sauce, Shiner Bock sauce or Memphis dry-rub, the flavor never wanes as the tender meat falls from the bone without resistance. Aside from running a tight ship of talented players and delicious food, Russell often welcomes charitable causes to help give back to the community. He has allowed Chili’s to host a plethora of events from school pancake breakfasts to Full Belly Project fund-raisers. His motto: “Treat your guests like they are your best friends, because they are!” Here, here! ... “I want my baby-back, baby-back, b-b-bbaby-back ribs...” Really, it never gets old. Carrabba’s and Bonefish Grill took second and third in the chain restaurant category, while Wild Wing Café and Outback Steakhouse followed up ribs.
Larry Alderson, franchise owner. “Our wings are spun fresh in one of our 20 signature sauces and dry,” he notes of flavors like Asian Zing, Caribbean Jerk, Parmesan Garlic and more. “Because of our great selection of flavors and different levels of ‘hotness,’ there is definitely a sauce for every taste bud.” BWW knows how to keep customers lining up the door for more, too. From Wing Tuesdays (yep, that would be $0.50 wings) to Boneless Thursdays ($0.60 wings), as well as daily drink specials, patrons always have something to eat, drink and watch on one of their many big screens. “Whether we’re getting the newest in bigscreen television technology or stocking a huge selection of craft beers for the latest craft beer craze, we always accommodate and listen to what our patrons want,” Alderson continues. Next for BWW—aside from being one of the greenest spots in Wilmington, seeing as their Eastwood Road location runs off solar panels and the latest environmentally friendly kitchen technology—is their move to Jacksonville, NC. No doubt will sports and wing fans flock to the restaurant for some B-Dub’s love. “Winning acknowledgements from locals means a lot to us!” Alderson says. “Our restaurants are locally owned and operated, and though we may be a franchise of a global restaurant chain, we take pride in being involved in our local community. Thank you Wilmington!” Other wing spots worthy of a mention are Wild Wing Cafe and Carolina Ale House.
OysteRs
It’s an aphrodisiac. It’s protection to a beautifully enchanting jewel. It houses the world according to some. The oyster—a hardened shell protecting delicate, ambrosial nuggets of bliss. Add champagne. Sip, eat, repeat. Dock Street Oyster Bar has been honing their skills at providing the best of the best in seafood for years. They’ve ranked our poll for 13 wins in a row now (who says 13’s an unlucky number anyway?) thanks to their fine oyster preparation. Whether enjoyed on the half-shell on ice, steamed or grilled, they can make any hard day lighter in memory. Literally, lighter, too, as owners Steve Maillard and Louise Forbes opened the restaurant in 1999 with one goal in mind: Offer healthy seafood options and ven-
12 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com
COffee
Life would be virtually impossible to live without a cup of caffeinated goodness. For many, the mornings would be impossible to bear without it: Kids wouldn’t be properly dressed and off to school. Work would be an enigmatic place of stalled progress. Brains would misfire and malfunction. Java runs so much of our lives, at least for the 150 million Americans who drink coffee daily. In Wilmington, folks head over to our very own Port City Java for their fix. Founded by Steve Schnitzler in 1995, their motto hasn’t changed: “to serve the best coffee in a great environment.” They’ve done so not only in Wilmington’s 10 locations, but across the state, East Coast and even the world, including Costa Rica and Jordan. Having received their start along downtown Wilmington’s cobblestone streets keeps them close to locals’ hearts—and they’re paying back tenfold. “We are investing $700,000 in our local cafes over a two-year period to stay Wilmington’s best coffeehouse,” Schnitzler says. Among their plans will be upgrading to Nuova Simonelli Aurelu’s espresso machines, which just so hap-
5629 Oleander Dr. (910) 796-9636
Seafood, Pasta and Mediterranean Cuisine
Wings
Finger-lickin’, lip-smackin’, sauce-poppin’ deliciousness. It’s in every morsel of chicken served at Buffalo Wild Wings. Celebrating 10 years in Wilmington comes yet again with win for this wingery, as they keep providing locals a multitude of variety and quality, according to
ture away from the de rigeur of Calabash-style seafood known across the southeast coast. “We have remained true to our roots,” Maillard says of the restaurant’s seafood specialty. “We are constantly traveling the coast and the Caribbean to bring new ideas to the plate.” In today’s dining environment, seemingly customers want more for less, according to Maillard. “It is a challenging business environment for sure,” he notes. “We have a motto that is ‘innovate or abdicate.’” The former they’ve secured for years now, remaining a staple on downtown Wilmington’s food scene. They work closely with local fishermen to bring the best shrimp and oysters to the table, whether from Stump Sound or Topsail. “We have some of the greatest resources right in our own back yard,” Maillard notes. From spicy peppered scallops to their jerkspiced “Calypso Catch of the Day,” to a blackened catch sandwich, the offerings vary. Most folks go for their steamers, which include shrimp, snow crab legs, mussels, crawfish and of course oysters. Washed down with a fresh beverage, it’s a meal made for the best! Other oyster nods go to Shuckers and Hieronymus Seafood.
Pitas • Pizzas • Salads
s pecial S y l i Da pps $ 5 Bar A . 5-7 p.m
SERVING LUNCH & DINNER
Large Private Dining Room www.olympiaofwilmington.com
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pen to be the official gear of the World Barista Championships. (Yes, they exist!) It will ensure PCJ baristas stay on top of their game with evolving knowledge. “We’ve been leading our own seminars on expectations for guest hospitality as well as coffee roasting, tasting, beverage preparation, etc. for years,” he says. “We want to take it a step further, and give our baristas and managers the opportunity to become certified baristas with the Barista Guild.” (Yes, that also exists!) PCJ will become a SCAA Certified Laboratory, meaning the workshops and courses they host will be available to other coffee shops as well. “We seek to exceed expectations on every guest list,” Schnitzler continues. By adding more breakfast items and grab-and-go snacks, along with remodeling cafes, it’s no wonder encore reader’s sent votes for this “guild” straight to number one! Other coffee shops worth a sip are Java Dog and Starbucks.
Soul Food/Country Cookin’ & BuFFet
Ask anyone in town where Southern food tastes its best, and they’ll most likely answer Casey’s. Casey’s Buffet and BBQ has been around for what feels like forever. In its most recent incarnation, it’s only been since 2005. However, prior to this, its owner, Larry Casey, ran Taste of Country. Before that, he was honing his skills at family gatherings. “It started when he was a kid, cooking with his mother and grandmother,” wife Gena says, “barbecuing pigs with his father and uncles.” Working his way across numerous slates of restaurants, from fast food to fine dining, Larry settled on his roots, going back to what became most satisfying. It’s part of Southern morale, really, where food and family go hand in hand. Thus, Casey’s is run by Larry’s entire family— daughters and wife included—and with friends. It’s part of the reason their appeal keeps attracting diners from all walks of life. To them, that’s who really matters most. “It is an amazing feeling—when you work as many hours as we do to make a restaurant successful—to be acknowledged by people who truly enjoy our establishment,” Gena notes. “The ones who say, ‘Wow, I didn’t know about [Best Of] this year, but you can bet I will be voting next year!’ is more rewarding than [being reviewed by] a food critic who may just be eating with us for an assignment.” Their menu always touts the heart and soul of the South: fried chicken, chit’lin’s, catfish, pig’s feet, mashed potatoes, mac ‘n’ cheese, beans of every variety, cobblers, banana pudding and so much more. They’re also abiding more these days by the locavore movement. “Collards this time of year [are delicious!]” Gena notes. “We try to use as many local products as possible.” As many eateries evolve with what’s trending, Casey’s stay homey (they still don’t have a website) but not without keeping up to par on bettering their catering services, improving take-out and call-aheads. “If you come to Casey’s and the line’s too long, and you can’t
wait, then let a Casey girl fill yo’ plate!” Gena says excitedly. All of Casey’s food is available by the plate ($4.99 a pound), pint, quart or pan to accommodate diners of multiple party sizes. Closed Monday and Tuesday only, the Caseys stay true to their family and food—no wonder they continue ranking top notch in Soul Food and Buffet categories. Other buffet nominees were Golden Corral and Boca Bay, while Soul Food/Country Cookin’ included Two Fat Ladies Over a Simmering Pot and Cracker Barrel.
Vegetarian
More and more people are dining healthfully, for sure. By taking on dietary specialties that include more greens than, say, reds—less meat and more veggies—Lovey’s is pulling a first-time rank this year by securing its spot on our annual poll as serving Best Vegetarian food. Appropriately so, they are the epitome of conscientious eating. The natural market and café serves 100 percent organic produce, alongside a very large organic salad bar, which keeps people lining up in their Military Cutoff location. Owned and operated for over a decade by Karen Stewart and Marie Montemurro, nonmeat eaters have a hey-day here, as the shop celebrates the alternative lifestyle, which for many is a mere norm. “My interest and passion is in herbal formulas and vitamin supplements and their use alternatively to prescription drugs whenever possible,” Stewart says. “Marie has a lifelong experience in the restaurant business, as her grandmother and mother, Lovey (our namesake), both owned restaurants. Marie was literally raised in the business, [and] grew up working and cooking at her mother’s specialty gourmet restaurant in Warwick, New York.” Wilmington’s own has a varied menu suited to many palates: veggie melts and bean burritos, Boca burgers and tofu melts, steamed veggie plates and falafel, among gluten-free and vegan items galore. Sundays welcome brunch starting at $5.95, too. New to the Lovey’s staff in 2012 is Nikki Spears—the official moniker and original restaurateur of Nikki’s Fresh Gourmet. Nikki will tempt many with her delicious baked goods among health-conscious foods she prepares daily. Lovey’s is also adding wine and beer to their stockpile, and on the last Thursday of each month, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., they will offer samples of new items, including delicious gourmet cheeses. “More demos are being scheduled, offering educational opportunities as well,” Stewart maintains. They offer beauty products, such as Gabriel Cosmetics, and their website showcases wellness tips, healthy recipes and even health calculators. “The customer’s health and well-being is always the most important,” Stewart notes. Lovey’s is making itself more than the local yokel veg eatery—it’s becoming the Wilmington hub for all-things healthy! Other among the ranks in Best Vegetarian cuisine include Nikki’s Fresh Gourmet and Sushi Bar, as well as Tidal Creek Co-op.
LOVE WHAT YOU DO... They’re words to live by, according to Szechuan 132’s owner Joseph Hou, who scored Best Chinese Restaurant again in 2012. Photo by Shea Carver
Celebrate St. Practice Day Friday, February 17th with THE GREAT GUINNESS TOAST 2012, 11 pm C with LIVE MUSI ogues Blarney Br
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Chinese
“Deep down in my heart, after 23 years in the business, I am still looking forward to going to work every morning,” Joseph Hou, owner of Szechuan 132, encore’s 2012 Best Chinese eatery, says. His infectious positive attitude and delightful dedication to customer priority, as well as employee satisfaction, makes Hou one of the most revered businessmen on the local scene. “Besides the love I have for the playing with ingredients in my little kingdom, the restaurant business fosters the opportunity for me to delight in, bond and strengthen friendships with those in the community, as well as [with] visitors,” he says. “My business also gives me a sense of challenge, excitement, independence and responsibility.” What this does for the community, in return, assures top-notch experiences at the University Landing restaurant time and time again. Hou and his staff provide the highest-quality foods among a plethora of dishes, from standard fare like Peking duck and Spicy Hunan, to carefully crafted, unexpected items like rosemary lamb, along with tempting hot egg noodle dishes like Dang Dang Mien. They also offer a “Lite and Fit” section to their menu, among Thai and Malaysian curries, Japanese fare and so much more. All dishes come with careful preparation, fresh ingredients and skilled hands. Though Hou’s ranks on our poll have been
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numerous over the Best Of 20-plus year reign, he’s not affected by it—only grateful. Exempt are egos from his kitchen and operation. “The Szechuan 132 team is not superior to other businesses,” he exacts. “As small business owners, we are all capable and excel in our own ways. When we come to work, our ears, minds, and hearts are all in one place— focused on the customers and not anywhere else.” In the year of the Water Dragon, much good fortune comes with promises of balance by creativity and endless growth. Hou sticks to the standards of what coddles such opportunity, from treating others wholly with respect, exceeding expectation of those he serves and working together as a team. “In our restaurant we have two big Chinese characters on the wall as a reminder of our missions,” he says. “One is joy and the other is harmony. If you can’t find joy in your work, I guarantee you can’t put 100% of your energy into it. Without harmony, you cannot build a team.” Other Chinese establishments worthy of a mention are Double Happiness in second and Chopstix in third.—Shea Carver
Mediterranean
Though a cruise through the Greek Islands beckons many for not only relaxation and culture but food—delectable, fresh and healthy cuisine—Wilmingtonians need not seek out the latest travel agent. They can find seafood, pitas and hummus prepared with Mediterranean flare in their own hometown, right on Oleander Drive in Bradley Square. There they’ll encounter Olympia, the family-owned restaurant which boasts its third Best Of win in 2012. Antoinette Voulgaris’ parents thrive in the food business—they’ve owned restaurants for over three decades, including Olympia which has been serving the port city for 18 years. “I’ve grown up in [Olympia] and love it,” she shares. “The customers, the staff—we are like a family. We have so many regulars that have been loyal to us over the years and hope to bring in more.” The Mediterranean diet is known for its health benefits, as it’s renowned for using
SERVICE EXTRAORDINAIRE: The staff from the Copper Penny gratefully accepted the Best Waitstaff award, something they’ve secured over the past few years on the Best Of poll. Photo by Shea Carver
a plethora of veggies from olives to mushrooms, and plenty of fish. It’s the type of fare where taste and health coincide, and that rule is no different at Olympia. Aside from having a family-friendly and comfortable atmosphere, according to Voulgaris, the restaurant also prides itself on the use of fresh, quality ingredients. From pasta creations to delights from the sea, Olympia offers an authentic trip to the Mediterranean for tastebuds, without the price tag of a global cruise! Diners also venture to Black Sea Grill and Pita Delite for Mediterranean cuisine.
Waitstaff
The Copper Penny is rooted in Wilmington’s downtown scene, a neighborhood destination since March 2004. It’s never a surprise when they take home the Best Waitstaff award year after year. It’s a natural win considering the motto of general manager Deede Bell is “surround yourself with good people.” Thus, the Copper Penny focuses on hiring staff that works hard to keep those beers coming, even more so now that they’re offering an extensive North Carolina-made brew list.
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It’s not just a familiar pub with friendly faces, though; The Copper Penny boasts a menu of bar staples such as wings and nachos, unexpected appetizers like housemade hummus and hand-made spring rolls, and a lengthy list of specially crafted sandwiches. Take the Lady Liberty’s Portabella sandwich, for instance: its mushrooms are topped with roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, provolone and a basil pesto aioli—yum! Plus, they’ve just joined up with a loyalty card app that allows you to keep your card on your smart phone—easily accessible for earning the ninth Copper Penny lunch free. Essentially, it’s about providing a well-rounded experience at The Copper Penny: staff that managers and guests can count on, local brews at great prices, and delicious foods that up the ante on traditional bar fare. “We are always honored by receiving this award and it always feels good to get a pat on the back,” Bell says. “We want to thank all our loyal patrons for making us the downtown staple that we have become.” The staff also rocks at The Little Dipper and Circa 1922.
Burgers and fries
Wilmington residents all recognize the crazy, enthused burger-flipper of the P.T.’s Old Fashioned Grille logo. Locals probably resemble the guy on the emblem when a perfectly grilled P.T. burger is set down in front of them, too. In fact, I once had a UNCW Wave driver that would stop by the Fountain Drive location almost daily just to get a side of their salty seasoned fries. Pair ‘em together, and you’ve got Wilmington’s best take on some of America’s favorite foods. It’s simple to dine at the nearly 20-year-old establishment. One might have to wait in line just to get to the order forms, but they’re quick to fill out. Amongst all the other choices—salads, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs and more—pick a burger, four or eight ounces. Fries are a must (they’re the best in Wilmington, after all!). Finish it off with some of their house-made lemonade, and the trifecta of P.T.’s Old Fashioned Grille will be out in no time flat. Take a seat on the patio or in the dining room while it’s cooking. Folks can find P.T.’s all over the place these days. Of course, there’s the original location across from UNCW, and the ever-popular establishment on 17th Street near the hospital. Those headed to the beach can stop by the Military Cutoff Drive restaurant on the way to Wrightsville, or the Monkey Junction store on the way to Carolina Beach. There’s even a P.T.’s in Porters Neck, and another in Leland. Thus, with six locations to choose from, there’s no excuse not to fill out a P.T.’s order form wherever folks hang out. Wilmingtonians also like the burgers at Five Guys and Red Robin, and the fries at McDonald’s and Five Guys.—Bethany Turner
//Arts & Entertainment TheaTer Venue
By the end of 2012, Thalian Hall will have hosted over 400 events! From theatre shows, to concerts, stand-up acts to charitable galas, films and more, the historic site is a major artery in the heart of Wilmington’s arts and culture. Built in 1858, Thalian first served as City Hall offices and a concert venue, evolving over the years into a host of many sectors of performance art. Appropriately titled after the Greek muse of comedy, Thalia, today it is run by the nonprofit, Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts. “The root of our passion is about preserving the illustrious history of this building and growing the arts community in Wilmington and the Cape Fear region,” Gary Tucker, marketing director, says. Its hypnotic beauty has multiplied since its 2009 renovations, which include exhibits aligning its halls, along with roomier seating and a gorgeous, sparkly chandelier, Alice (named after the now-deceased Alice Waters, one of Wilmington’s most fervent arts supporters). “The recent renovation was a trying time for our organization,” Tucker admits, noting the encore win adds to the confirmation of their good intentions. “It’s good to know we came out of it with a product that the community loves.” Ran from select employees and a host of volunteers, patrons buy memberships to Thalian, which in return secures their involvement in ground-breaking performances while feeling especially pleased with NC’s official theater. “We like for the patrons to feel a sense of ownership and pride in the building,” Tucker notes. “We build this feeling by educating our patrons on the building’s history and importance in the community, allowing the public the opportunity to become ‘friends’ of Thalian Hall, and by communicating with our patrons in a way that emphasizes their importance in its future.” This use of marketing and communications ensures everyone who’s a “friend” understands its success is driven as much by the patronage as the talent. Thalian employees are also inherently aware of the swift changes in membership on a daily basis. “We have made a concerted effort to bring in shows that appeal to a younger audience,”
Tucker says of future arts supporters. “We use more electronic and social media tools to communicate with them.” Slated for 2012 includes all Opera House Theatre Company’s performances, from the upcoming “The Producers” to “Lend Me a Tenor” in the spring, along with Thalian Hall’s Main Attraction Series, which will see the likes of Ladysmith Black Mambazo next week on the 21st, “Funniest Man in America” James Gregory in March and the Adam Grove Quiz Show in April. To secure a membership or buy tickets to any events, visit www.thalianhall.com for a full calendar of events. Other favorite venues go to City Stage in second place and Browncoat Pub and Theatre in third.—Shea Carver
Tour
To journey through the dark, seedy, gruesome alleys of our port city’s past, folks need not look any further than the Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington. Run by John and Kim Hirchak and a handful of talented guides— with an average of seven years experience— this tour shares the spookiest stories from the days when downtown Wilmington was not a charming shopping district or bustling cultural destination but a critical shipping port. Characters like bar wenches, politicians and even those buried alive (like the famed Samuel Joselyn who haunts the grounds of a local cemetery to this day, encountered by Ghost Walk guests) command the attention of eager listeners. “The setting is spectacular, because downtown Wilmington can be both beautiful and eerie at the same time,” owner John Hirchak says. It’s just one of the many reasons he loves being a part of Ghost Walk, aside from being able to keep the waning art of professional storytelling alive. “We care about the small details. We know which side of each street we need to walk down in order to give our guests the best and most interesting view of Wilmington.” The cost to embark upon the Ghost Walk— which was named one of the Top 5 Ghost Walks in America by USA Today and Top 10 Tours in America by TripAdvisor—remains the same since its first day in 1999. The walk itself is ever-evolving, though. Within the last
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and the most recent occurrences from actual guests on the tour. “This year, our guests will visit only the most powerful, scary and actively haunted locations,” he says. The Black Cat Shoppe on 8 Market St. is the home for Ghost Walk and the company’s other tours. “Guests can buy tickets, gift certificates, tour memorabilia and other zany, unusual things,” Hirchak notes. It’s also where they hang their numerous Best-Of wins. “[The Best Of] award is like baseball’s MVP award, or an Oscar, in that it’s the people who are in the know (voters) who bestow the award. It is incredibly moving to know that the people in our community feel we are the best tour in Wilmington. Of all our awards, the encore Best Of is the only one we have hanging in our store because it is the one we are most proud of.” Runners-up for Best Tour are the Haunted Pub Crawl (also from the Hirchaks) in second place and the Springbrook Farms Horsedrawn Carriage Tours in third.
Winner of “Best Burger” &“Best Fries”
HOMETOWN CHAMPION: John Anagnost displays the Best Burger and Fries win with Wilmington’s very own burger darling, P.T.’s, who has only been beat once in 20 years on the poll. Photo by Brooke Kavit
few years, Hirchak and his guides have been able to determine the most frightening realms of our city thanks to eye-witness accounts from the people who live and work in these places,
radio STaTion
From 106.7FM to its current home at 98.3, The Penguin has more than doubled its listener base since the recent change in broadcast bands. Reaching further across southeastern North Carolina, DJ Beau Gunn is eager for the station to continue growing. “It is nice to know that we can share all the positive vibes of the Penguin with a larger audience.”
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It was great news during their last Best Of win to hear about the broadcast change. This win brings long-awaited news with it, too: “The biggest thing we have in store for 2012 is that we are finally going to start streaming,” Gunn excitedly announces. “This is something we have been wanting to bring our listeners for several years now, and thankfully our new parent company, Hometown Wilmington Media, is supporting this initiative.” Thus, folks will be able to listen to The Penguin’s exclusive brand of music online, even when they’re outside of the listening area. After all, its the music that makes The Penguin the undisputed best. “I feel that the majority of radio has lost its magic and mystique,” Gunn describes. “Our listeners are constantly engaging with us, reminding us how appreciative they are to have such a unique radio station. That in turn keeps us passionate about delivering truly unique music to the airwaves.” On air, folks can catch Gunn and The Penguin’s female counterpart, Kim Czornij. It’s their goal, and the satisfaction of their lives, to share interesting new bands and solo artists with their fan base. “Kim and I are very fortunate that we are not tethered to a repetitive playlist,” Gunn says. “We strive to give our listeners a true-to-form unscripted radio show each and every day. We know people want a radio station that reflects their many tastes in music, so that’s what we give them. We also have an extraordinary passion for the music. If we are playing a song or an artist, it is because we truly believe in them.” Port City residents also jam with Z107.5 and get educated with WHQR 91.3.
Radio PeRsonality
With a voice recognized by those who appreciate fresh, sophisticated audio, Beau Gunn from The Penguin 98.3 celebrates yet another win as Best Radio Personality. Gunn’s heart and soul are invested in Penguin, as this radio station provided the birth and the nurture of his career. “I was fortunate to be able to intern with the coolest radio station of all time,” he says. “From there, I was at the right place at the right time. When management was looking to take The Penguin in another direction, they gave me the gig.” Since, Gunn has taken the lead and certainly directed The Penguin in the right route. It is now the go-to station to catch talented singer/songwriters and an array of alternative, folk, rock ‘n’ roll and experimental jams. Really, the DJs just play what folks want to hear, and they don’t stick to Billboard ratings or acts that might appear on “TRL.” “I love [The Penguin’s] spontaneity,” Gunn admits. “We cover so many different genres of music; it’s like one big
sonic gumbo. I love not knowing what song is going to come up next, but having faith that it will be a good one.” Humbled, the DJ says he shares this win with everyone at Hometown Wilmington Media, including DJ Kim Czornij, The Penguin sponsors and its listeners. “We are all in it together,” Gunn notes. “So in essence, we all recognize each other for having great taste in music.” Gunn can be caught spinning from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. every weekday, or out and about at local Penguin-sponsored concerts, like the upcoming The Dirty Guv’nahs show at Soapbox LaundroLounge on March 16th and the Drive-by Truckers event with Megafaun at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater on April 20th. Entertaining DJs also include Foz from Z107.5 and Kim from The Penguin 98.3.
MoRning Radio show
This year is perhaps the last year to catch the Foz in the Morning Show with Foz and Jocelyn on Z107.5, as they are in the final year of their contract. Still, folks can expect the most lively radio show in town to keep 2012 more than interesting. Not wanting to reveal any future tricks the twosome has up its sleeve, their recent interviews with “Jersey Shore” stars Snooki, JWoww and Deena, Ashley Fink from “Glee,” and Christopher “Big Black” Boykin of the MTV show “Ridiculousness,” are signs Foz and Jocelyn will keep the pop culture hits coming. Foz, originally interested in financial planning, got his start in the biz after hearing a radio commercial for broadcasting college. Hosting a morning show in Champagne, Illinois, he got a call from this Wilmington station to come DJ by the beach. Only 48 hours later, he became one half of the port city’s most popular radio show. His cohost, Jocelyn, graduated from UNCW’s Communications Studies department and began working for the now defunct Surf 98.3. As Foz says, she worked her way up to mornings with the best. “We have a work marriage,” he jokes. “We fight, laugh, trust and inspire one another. We are also besties!” To this fun-loving duo, being recognized by Wilmingtonians as the best morning show “feels like a delicious hot tottie on a cold winter night—awesome!” To show their gratitude, they’ll continue offering belly laughs, fun music and good advice for the rest of the year, complete with celeb gossip with PJ from LA, weekly hair and make-up tips from Blush Hause of Beaute, and more. They can be heard from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday. Wilmington locals wake up with The Craig and Sheila Show on Sunny 104.5 and The Morning Disaster with Bryan and Jim on 103.7 The Bone.
MORE WINNERS NEXT WEEK!
meet the best of the best! 2012 class of Best Of winners //Food & Beverage Seafood: CatCh ItalIan: Osteria CiCChetti thaI, atmoSphere & reStaurant overall: indOChine JapaneSe: hirO Japanese steak hOuse and sushi Bar ChIneSe: szeChuan 132 IndIan: tandOOri Bites frenCh: CapriCe BistrO faSt food: ChiCk-fil-a pIzza: sliCe Of life vegetarIan: lOvey’s Market Soul food/Country CookIn’ & Buffet: Casey’s Buffet & BBQ BarBeCue: JaCksOn’s Big Oak SandwICh Shop, delICateSSen & lunCh: ChOp’s deli Burger & frIeS: p.t.’s Old-fashiOned grille rIBS & ChaIn reStaurant: Chili’s panInI: press 102 hot dog: trOlley stOp BurrIto: flaMing aMy’s BurritO Barn oySterS: dOCk st. Oyster Bar Steak: ruth’s Chris steak hOuse appetIzerS & deSSertS: CirCa 1922 SaladS: ruBy tuesday waItStaff: COpper penny dIner & BreakfaSt: dixie grill new reStaurant: the kitChen famIly reStaurant: red rOBin fIne dInIng reStaurant: Manna Bakery: apple annie’s Bake shOp Coffee Shop: pOrt City Java take-out: ChOpstix Chef: keith rhOdes (CatCh) wIngS: BuffalO Wild Wings ICe Cream: kilWin’s
SuShI:
nikki’s fresh gOurMet and sushi Bar outdooor dInIng: BlueWater grill late-nIght eatery & pIzza: sliCe Of life medIterranean Seafood: OlyMpia wIne/Beer Shop: lighthOuse Beer & Wine gourmet Store & CaterIng ServICe: pine valley Market health food Store: tidal Creek CO-Op SportS Bar: CarOlina ale hOuse neIghBorhood Bar: duCk and dive Bartender: Megan lOux, Cape fear Wine and Beer Bar overall: satellite martInI Bar: dirty Martini wIne lISt: fOrtunate glass
//Goods & Services plaCe to Board a pet: dOg CluB Of WilMingtOn ChIropraCtor: sitO ChirOpraCtiC plaCe for alternatIve medICIne: MCkay healing arts dentISt: BOzart faMily denistry veterInarIan: pOrter’s neCk veterinary hOspital plaCe to Buy a new Car: stevensOn autOMOtive plaCe to Buy a uSed Car: autO WhOlesale loCal Book Store: Old BOOks On frOnt st. florISt: Julia’s flOrist haIr Salon: Bangz tattoo parlor: artfuel inC. plaCe to Buy gaS: gOgas Jeweler: reed’s Surf Shop: sWeetWater surf shOp women’S ClothIng: edge Of urge men’S ClothIng:
BlOke Men’s apparel kId’S ClothIng: OnCe upOn a Child Shoe Store: MOnkee’s dry Cleaner: hangers/WilliaMs Cleaners real eState agenCy: COldWell Banker sea COast advantage garden Store: transplanted garden vIntage/ConSIgnment for ClotheS: fairy CirCle homed deCor for ConSIgnment & antIqueS: the ivy COttage mortgage Co.: alpha MOrtgage apartment Complex: the reserve at Mayfaire Car waSh: Cruiser’s Car Wash tannIng Salon: trOpiCal tans gIft Shop: Blue MOOn gift shOps prInt Shop: dOCk st. printing hotel: hiltOn ilM riverside adult Store: adaM and eve BathroomS: auBriana’s movIng Co.: tWO Men and a truCk motorCyCle Shop: Britt MOtOrspOrts laundromat & lIve muSIC venue: sOapBOx dog groomer: ali’s k-9 Clips perSonal traIner: laMaine WilliaMs golf CourSe: COuntry CluB Of landfall gym: gOld’s gyM Spa: ki spa ShoppIng plaza: Mayfaire tOWn Center maSSage therapISt: Mary Beth redMan (tanglez)
//Arts & Entertainment BowlIng alley: ten pin alley pool hall & arCade/game room: Blue pOst loCal attraCtIon: Battleship nC tour of wIlmIngton: ghOst Walk Of Old WilMingtOn Band/performer: l shape lOt
loCal dJ: dJ Battle danCe CluB: pravda/sputnik karaoke: BrOWnCOat puB/theatre Buy muSICal InStrumentS: finkelstein’s Cd/reCord Shop: gravity reCOrds art gallery: BOttega gallery & art Bar loCal artISt: ivey hayes muSeum: CaMerOn art MuseuM theatre produCtIon of 2012: the sOund Of MusiC theatre produCtIon Company: thalian assOCiatiOn theater venue: thalian hall theSpIan: zaCh pappas Comedy troupe: nutt hOuse iMprOv trOupe newSCaSt: WeCt newSCaSter: franCes Weller radIo StatIon: the penguin 98.3 radIo perSonalIty: Beau gunn, penguin mornIng radIo Show: fOz in the MOrning shOW, z107.5 fIlmmaker: JOe Cheshire Independent fIlm: the WatChers weBSIte: CapefearpasspOrt.COM wrIter: Celia rivenBark Blog: Just keepin’ it real, fOlks happenIng In Ilm In 2012: irOn Man 3
//Humanitarian nonprofIt: full Belly prOJeCt humanItarIan: JOCk Brandis envIronmental group: Cape fear river WatCh volunteer: heather purdin
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news&views|
18 LIVE LOCAL 20 SEACC TV — PUBLIC ACCESS 21 NEWS OF THE WEIRD
live local. live small.
hler by Gwenyfar Ro e of Peanuts,’ with proceeds
Getting to the core with FoodCorps
Promis Author of ‘The ect Fully Belly Proj e Th g in fit ne be
Sara Quinn from FoodCorps works with local students to build their own sustainable garden. Courtesy photo
I
have a contrary personalIty. I start to
plan my garden in December rather than March. Which I admit, this year was not out of the realm of possibility weather-wise. So, I guess that’s why I’ve been writing so much about food right now it would make much more sense in June, I know. Besides getting excited about community-supported agriculture, I stumbled upon a lovely young lady named Sara Quinn who is volunteering with FoodCorps. I had never heard of FoodCorps (www.Foodcorps.org)—so imagine my excitement! She was kind enough to answer some questions about her project. encore: What is FoodCorps? Sara Quinn (SQ): FoodCorps is a new national nonprofit service organization that works to improve school food environments by increasing children’s knowledge of, engagement with and access to healthy food. [Food Corps is associated with AmeriCoprs from whom it receives part of its funding.]
e: How did you learn about it, and what made you decide to join? SQ: I was volunteering with a farm-to-school program in Eugene, Oregon. I was graduating from the University of Oregon at the time, and it seemed like a perfect opportunity to venture away from the West Coast for a while and pursue something I was very passionate about: food justice. In Oregon, I was involved with a number of local food projects, and worked at an environmental and 18 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com
social justice resource center and info-shop. After spending some time in rural Guatemala, I felt I needed to leave the comfortable bubble of the academic world and the activist hub of the West Coast behind, and FoodCorps fit in perfectly to that desire. e: How long will you be in FoodCorps? Will you be in the same area the whole time? SQ: I serve as a FoodCorps service member in New Hanover and Brunswick counties. My term of service is from August 2011 to August 2012. At two elementary schools and a low-income housing community, I have helped to build and maintain school gardens, incorporate those gardens into the educational setting, develop and present food and nutrition curriculum, and source and promote local foods in the school cafeterias. With the support of the school administration, teachers, volunteers, local businesses, parents and students, we recently built a beautiful garden at A.H. Snipes Academy of Arts and Design in downtown Wilmington. The art classes helped to design the garden and the after-school garden club sowed the first seeds. We have plans to build a new garden at Supply Elementary in Brunswick County this spring. e: How have you been received by farmers and the schools? SQ: The school communities have been overwhelmingly supportive of the project, helping to ensure its success and sustainability. Teachers are excited to use the garden as a teaching tool. Child nutrition and
cafeteria staff at both schools have been enthusiastic about promoting local produce and farmers, and have been instrumental in starting a “Harvest and Farmer of the Month” event in the cafeteria. Although there are many barriers to serving local food in the cafeteria, local farmers have been very supportive of the project in a number of other ways, from donating time and resources to providing advise and expertise. e: What can the public do to help? SQ: We can always use volunteers and creative ideas to add to the project. If you are an activist, gardener, educator, artist, builder, writer, or just passionate about reconnecting our youngest generation with where their food comes from, please contact Sara at sara.quinn@foodcorps.org. It’s really about connecting all of the dots: If a child plants a carrot and watches it grow, visits a local farm and sees a field of crops growing, harvests it from the garden and chops it up for a classroom salad day, there is a good chance they’ll have a new appreciation for that once-meaningless carrot. We need all sides of the equation: hands-on education in the garden, in the classroom and in the cafeteria. Birthed in 2009 with founding partners that include Slow Food USA and the National Farm to School Network, Food Corps currently has projects in 10 states. I promise this is the end of the food discussion for a while! Next week, we are going to talk about sports.
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reviving the community voice:
//NEWS
SEACC TV hopes to bring back public access TV
L
ights, cameras, pubLic access!
The Southeastern Alliance for Community Change (SEACC) is gearing up to restore public-access television in Wilmington, since channel 4’s community programming—offered by Time Warner Cable—went dark in the fall of 2009. This dedicated group of supporters determines to bring it back. Channel 4 was true to public-access standards: non-commercial mass-media, allowing ordinary people to create content and programming. While Time Warner still offers an education channel (TLN; channel 5) and a government channel (GTV8; channel 8), a void was left in the market for communitydriven content. The channel’s primary users belonged to local church groups; in fact, Bishop Edward Williams, a frequent channel 4 contributor, first stirred SEACC members into action. “Through public access, citizens have the opportunity to show their concerns and share something positive with their community,” Williams says. The bishop participated in the Wilmington in Black and White study group with several SEACC board members,
t by Brooke Kavi encore intern and together they discussed the importance of community TV and laid out a plan of action to bring it back to the people. “We saw the possibilities were more than just broadcasting church services,” Steve Lee, secretary and treasurer of SEACC, says. “We could empower people through public access for social change.” Lee exacts the program as a way for people to highlight issues that are pivotal to the community. “If you’re having a battle with the city over a high crime area, you could get somebody to do a video about it and put it on public access,” he notes. “It’s a way to give people who are typically marginalized a voice, something that aligns with SEACC’s mission.” The opportunity has been denied to the people of Wilmington since Time Warner Cable stopped airing channel 4. A Time Warner Cable representative says the network “reg-
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SIGNS OF CHANGE: Steve Lee (center) is working tirelessly to bring back public access channel 4 as a community programming channel. Courtesy photo.
ularly examines its programming line-up with an eye toward providing the highest quality and widest choices available at reasonable and competitive prices.” Currently SEACC seeks designation from the City of Wilmington as a nonprofit, third-party programmer. In essence, they want to operate public access as SEACC TV on behalf of the city. The cost of the proposed SEACC TV concerns many. Lee and his colleagues have devised a business plan because current budget-climate objections seem inevitable. Lee studied the public-access models in other sites around the state, including Raleigh and Charlotte. He used such examples in his plan, which was submitted to the city last August. The initial feedback has been encouraging; there were reports of interest at every level. Still, there have been reservations; primarily, SEACC is a low-budget operation. While they’ve been established for 10 years, they’re still very much a grassroots organization. “We really operate on a budget of about $15,000 a year,” Lee admits, with most of that going toward rent on their community center facility. Lee predicts it will take at least $45,000 a year to operate SEACC TV, all of which includes purchasing the equipment and hiring one full-time employee. They hope to receive funding from local churches, and they also plan to apply for money appropriated by the North Carolina General Assembly in the Public Educational Government Access (PEG) fund. Specifically designed to support access channels, the PEG fund allows the certified channel’s organizers to tap into a pool of nearly $4 million, which is divided amongst all the state networks. “Other reservations generally have to do
with content,” Lee says. SEACC has investigated how other markets prevent obscene or slanderous material from being aired. “The most common is when a content producer comes in [and] signs a contract, which includes provisions against those types of things,” Lee remarks. If their material is found to be inappropriate during the screening process, then they are no longer allowed to submit content. Lee reports that in Charlotte—where this screening process is used—there only have been three objections over content in the last year. Once the station goes through the first phase of development, SEACC moves on to the second; they would have cameras, editing equipment and editing classes to teach community members how to use programs like Final Cut Pro. Eventually, members would like to have their own small studio where they could do in-house productions. “Most public-access channels offer all three of those levels of services,” Lee explains—“receiving content, supporting community producers and offering inhouse productions. What we really need is to get the community involved in this process.” So far SEACC members have met with the Wilmington City Council—except for two of See the recently elected members—to discuss F this issue. They also want to concentrate on bringing awareness about public-access television to the community. “We want to draw support to the effort,” Bishop Williams adds. “I think a lot [of people] in the community aren’t aware that this is their opportunity to show their concerns and for have their voices heard on television.” Folks who are interested in getting involved in SEACC’s efforts should go to www.SEACC.tv, or attend a meeting held at 7 p.m. the first Monday of every month. Meetings take place at the group’s Community Access Center, 317 Castle Street.
REP
KeY rem
A-
NewsoftheWeird with Chuck Shepherd LEAD STORY “Dementiaville”: Swiss health officials have authorized construction of an assistedliving “village” of 1950s-style homes and gardens designed to “remind” patients with Alzheimer’s and similar afflictions of surroundings that they might actually recall and with which they might be more comfortable and secure than they are with modern life. The 150-resident grounds, near the city of Bern, will be similar to a Dutch facility set up in 2009 in a suburb of Amsterdam. “To reinforce an atmosphere of normality,” reported London’s The Independent in January, the Swiss caretakers will dress as gardeners, hairdressers, shop assistants and the like. Can’t Possibly Be True The varsity girls’ basketball teams at predominantly white Kenmore East High School near Buffalo, N.Y., have, for several years, apparently, psyched themselves up in a pregame locker-room ritual by chanting, “One, Two, Three, (n-word (plural))!” before running out the door and onto the court. Although the white players this year called the use of the word a “tradition” (passed down from year to year), and not a racial “label,” the team’s only black player not surprisingly had a problem with it and reported it to school officials. According to a December Buffalo News report, it was always a players-only tradition, and no adult was aware of the chant, but upon learning of it, officials immediately imposed player suspensions and team penalties. The U.S. Treasury Department’s inspector general for tax matters revealed in January that the IRS certified 331 prison inmates as registered “tax preparers” during a recent 12-month period, including 43 who were serving life sentences. None of the 43, and fewer than one-fourth of the total, disclosed that they were in prison. (The agency blamed a 2009 federal law intended to encourage online filing of tax returns, noting that “tax
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preparer” registration can now be accomplished online by passing a 120-question test.) (USA Today reported in February 2011 that prisoners filing false or fraudulent tax returns scammed the IRS for nearly $39.1 million in 2009.) The Olympic Committee Will Not Be Calling: Mr. Badr Al-Alyani told a Saudi Arabian newspaper in November that he was nearing the world record for squirting milk from his eye. The current champion, Mehmet Yilmaz of Turkey, reached 2.7 meters (almost 9 feet), and Al-Alyani reports one squeeze of 2.3 meters. He said he “will continue training.” In San Francisco, there is an annual refereed “Masturbate-a-thon,” and the supposed world record, set in 2009, is held by Masanobu Sato, who remained aroused for nine hours, 58 minutes. In a series of videos released recently, Sato calmly explained how he “practices” for about two hours every morning while his live-in girlfriend goes about her business (in one video, ironing). Sato said he trains by swimming twice a week and has “gained about (11 pounds) in muscle,” which helped him with “stamina.” David Belniak, now serving 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter for killing a woman and her adult daughter and her husband in a Christmas Day 2007 car crash, filed a lawsuit from prison in January against the victims’ family, demanding justice from them in the form of compensation for medical expenses and his “pain” and “anguish.” Police records show Belniak was driving between 75 and 85 mph when he rearended the victims’ stopped car (and that he had alcohol, Xanax and cocaine in his system). Attorney Debra Tuomey, Belniak’s sister, represents him and called her brother’s imprisonment “government sanctioned assassination.”
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divorce in December against his wife of 77 years, Rosa C., age 96, in Rome, Italy. According to an ANSA news agency report, Antonio became upset when he discovered 50-year-old letters from an affair Rosa once had. Christopher Bolt pleaded guilty in September to felony destruction of property in Loudoun County, Va., for spray-painting more than 50 vehicles. Some were marked with the number “68,” which a sheriff’s detective explained was probably because Bolt had initially sprayed “69” but realized it “didn’t look right.” Unclear on the Concept Brogan Rafferty, 16, in jail in Cleveland, Ohio, awaiting trial for assisting in at least one murder in a robbery scheme, wrote to his father in December (in a letter shared with the Plain Dealer newspaper) that he was certain God would not allow him to suffer a long prison sentence. That would mean, he wrote, that “all my meaningful family members would be dead” when he got out. “(N) o way God would do that to me.” Benjamin North, 26, was apprehended by deputies in Humboldt County, Calif., because they were pretty sure he was the man who used a stolen credit card at a Safeway supermarket in December. They knew this because North, for some reason, insisted that the purchase be credited to his personal “Safeway Club” card, which he presented to the cashier along with the stolen card.
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33 FILM 35-39 MUSIC
30-31 ART 22-26 THEATRE
artsysmartsy|
love, sex and lessons:
er
by Bethany Turn
Two new shows boldly question life’s delicate relationships
A
s two shows open—one A germAn
play published in 1891 and later made into a contemporary rock ‘n’ roll musical, and the other a work set in the Victorian era by its 20th century playwright—there’s much excitement in Wilmington theatre this weekend. “Spring Awakening” presented by City Stage, and “Boston Marriage” from Imaginary Theater Company equally comment on the social conduct that, still today, has yet to change between all types of relationships. They cover issues of class entitlement and demeaning actions toward the less fortunate, ideas of overbearing and abusive intimate bonds, problems with parental guidance and more. Though disguised in witty humor and jamming show tunes, intense moral questions will be posed. Directors Carson Capps and Mike O’Neil believe our cultural community is fully prepared to answer back. SPRING AWAKENING February 16th through March 11th Thurs.-Sun., 8 p.m. City Stage • 21 N. Front St. $16-24 • www.citystagenc.com The musical adaptation of a 19th century German play from Franz Wedekind, “Spring Awakening” explores the depths of sexual discovery—the anxious appeal, frightening yet ultimately satisfying. For the teenagers in this town, the idea of sex and its aftermath is all the more mind-blowing: Their parents and teachers refuse to speak a word about it. Thea, played by Kaitlin Daniels, is a character that epitomizes the show’s very essence: She stifles her frustrating, perplexing sexual feelings to please the adults who have sheltered her from understanding them. In the case of the other children, ignorantly
22 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com
Morganna Bridgers and Max Korn star in City Stage’s Wilmington premiere of ‘Spring Awakening.’ Courtesy photo
indulging in their wants leads to devastating consequences: rape, abuse, suicide. Wedekind’s play was banned after its very first performance for the blunt display of such vulgarity, in addition to the fact that it portrayed abortion and homosexuality. The censorship of a show that comments on what may happen if parents can’t talk to their children is certainly ironic, and proves the world’s inability to handle serious subjects. “The world we live in is very different, thank God, but in many instances the same things are still happening—namely bullying and teen suicide,” director and choreographer Carson Capps comments. “As far as we have come in so many ways, it is heartbreaking that these are still issues 120 years later.” Hormones run rampant within every kid in this town. Most, like Wendla (Morganna Bridgers), beg to know more. Wendla repeatedly asks her mother to explain the birds and the bees, to no avail—“Here I am, three times an aunt, and I still don’t have the slightest idea how it all really works! Please, Mama, answer me: how does it all happen?” Other children, like Moritz (Jeramy Blackford), are deeply disturbed by their feelings. He believes his erotic dreams are not dreams but nightmares—indications that he is insane. On top of this, the child is isolated and rejected by his parents. Without giving too much away, the actions of all the teens in this town promote repercussions that shouldn’t have to be faced, and with proper knowledge, may have been avoided. “Wedekind is blaming the demise of these children on the adults and the rigid moral code of society,’” Capps says. “He blames the tragedies on the hypocrisy of the parents, the teachers, the society. But [‘Spring Awak-
ening’ is] important for today’s youth because the message is very hopeful: that what matters is to love our children, to be open with our children, and to be honest with our children.” Capps originally pursued “Spring Awakening” for the musical wow factor. This adaptation features alternative and folk rock from musician Duncan Sheik, and garnered several Tony Awards and even a Grammy. “The story is equally as amazing, but initially, it was more because I wanted to hear the music myself for four weeks of rehearsals,” she muses. “But the more I delved into the story, I realized it is still very prevalent today.” Granted, with the talented music direction of Chiaki Ito, “Spring Awakening” will electrify City Stage. Capps notes that the band is an integral part of the show. “Chiaki is a wizard,” the director says. “Her ear is insane, and she won’t accept anything less than making every emotional aspect of the music crystal clear, ultimately enhancing the experience for the cast and the audience. When audiences walk away from the show, the voices, the band and the palpable and emotional impact of the music itself will be the first things to resonate.” Capps is careful to take the play’s somber themes seriously, but she harps on the positive lesson. She is focusing on developing character work beforehand and insightful motions that best portray each person’s story. “The choreography is more of a matter of staging to create the beautiful pictures and pulling out very organic, natural, reactive movements from the cast,” she says. “The messages are delivered emotionally, not literally in the action that may occur in a scene. The violence isn’t over the top, but the [play] wouldn’t work if we didn’t show it. City Stage is terrific about
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LIVE Civil War
MARCH 21-28, 2012
GHOST WALK Sat. Feb. 25 at 6:30 & 8:00 PM FREE Register online: cameronartmuseum.com
CAMERON ART MUSEUM
As part of the
CIVIL WAR Living History Weekend Sat. Feb. 25 & Sun. Feb. 26 at 9:00 am FREE 3201 S. 17th Street Wilmington, NC 28412 910-395-5999
Commemorates the 147th anniversary of the Battle of Forks Road on the museum’s historic site. Featuring 2 days of encampments, battle re-enactments by Confederate, Union and United States Colored Troops, artillery, infantry and ghost walk.
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//THEATRE
“Main Attractions”
Thalian Hall
Center for the Performing Arts
lady Smith Black mamBazo
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012 at 8 p.m.
Thalian Hall welcomes this 16 time Grammy Nominated South African Vocal ensemble for one night only RESERVE YOUR TICKETS NOW! Thalian Hall Box Office (910) 632-2285 or visit www.thalianhall.org
Since 1858 • One of America’s Most Historic Theatres Media Partners
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not holding back, presenting cutting edge material, and trusting that Wilmington audiences are ready and open for it.” BOSTON MARRIAGE February 16th through March 18th Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m. Red Barn Studio Theatre 1122 S. 3rd St. • $23-25 www.wilmingtontickets.com Although the Victorian era evokes images of uptight, snooty and reserved personalities, that doesn’t mean sex wasn’t just as fierce, controlling and powerful in the 1800s. In the case of Anna and Claire in David Mamet’s “Boston Marriage,” deep desires are just barely concealed. The two women are roommates— hence the term, “Boston marriage.” They survive (for the most part) without the help of a husband or father, and get through their daily lives. Such a living situation can be formed out of mere friendship and practicality. In some cases, the yearning for intimacy... complicates things. “Anna and Claire’s relationship was definitely the latter,” director Mike O’Neil confirms. Anna (played by Barbara Weetman) is an aging woman who is almost desperate in her attempts to hold on to Claire (Rachel Lewis Hilburn), who is just as desperate to capture the affections of a younger lady. Claire is bold enough to request Anna’s advice for winning over the dame. Meanwhile, Anna has taken on a very wealthy male lover, accepting gifts from him in order to provide for their Boston lifestyle. Yet a web of intertwining connections creates a mess of their plans. The deceit and plotting between these women—solely to feed their selfish ambitions—defy the presumed roles of women in the play’s temporal setting. That is, aside from Anna’s inability to accept her growing age. Such is showcased in her vicious menopausal episodes full of snarling japes at the maid, Catherine (Anna Stromberg). She won’t bother to recall the poor girl’s name, much less that she’s actually a Scot and not Irish. “Anna is not just Catherine’s employer—she is quite simply a superior person—her ‘better,’” O’Neil details. “This absurd belief is understood and accepted as a fact by both women. Anna is unnecessarily cruel, demeaning and insulting to Catherine, often taking her anger at Claire out on the maid.” Yet Catherine doesn’t seem to resent her boss’ rude remarks. “She only aims to please, remaining cheerful, obedient and faithful throughout,” the director says. “She is, however, a less than model employee. This relationship is a source of much of the humor of the play.” Mamet, as a writer, is known for his ability
F
o
“V no in “The and perf The W ciation (W producti just one United S V-Day, a raises m groups. Eve E 1998, af monolog bat sexu DISGUISED DESIRES: Rachel Lewis Hilburn making p and Barbara Weetman are Anna and Claire in lence effo Mamet’s ‘Boston Marriage.’ Photo by Wm. Frid- light Camp year go to rich Design is on the w to twist language and question the meanings of sexual of words. Given the chance to write in the dic- since the m tion of a completely different time period, he of Ten perc course runs wild with the script. O’Neil admits shows wil that reading the first few pages of “Boston The rest o Marriage” was like doing homework, but by cal cause, the bottom of the second page, the cast had Horizons adjusted to the outdated words. “For most, free help t if not all of us involved with the production, well as th the initial response was the same: ‘What the have been hell is this?’,” he jokes. “Mamet’s immersion 24-hour c in the language of the time is total. It’s David support gr Mamet meets Oscar Wilde. . .[But] once we In the last had gained access to this world, we were all such help completely charmed by it.” violence in Even with a minor language barrier, the This ye themes of the play still resonate in today’s by one of world. O’Neil claims that setting the story in as UNCW the past only proves its main ideas are time- sistant Au less. “He’s serving up a pretty full banquet a photogr here: feminism, class warfare, social and is embark sexual mores, sexual desire, prejudice, style, taste and social expectations,” O’Neil describes of Mamet’s tale. “Turn on any cable news network tonight and you will witness the battle between classes and the struggle of the downtrodden and marginalized.” Despite the severity of the subject matter, Mamet’s satire relieves the play of a heavy hand. “Boston Marriage” is a script that will make the audience second-guess the connotation of the playwright’s Victorian-style phrases. “Mamet is the modern definiton of wit,” O’Neil asserts. “Quick and inventive verbal humor is his stock-in-trade. The writing 10% O is impeccable and at times dazzling. It cannot all stu wedd be overstated—he’s a master of construction, timing and surprise.” birt
//THEATRE
the monologues are back: Vagina-talk runs rampant for a cause
F
orget what hallmark says. the
“V” in V-Day stands for “vagina,” not “Valentine’s.” Yes, va-gin-a—as in “The Vagina Monologues,” first written and performed by Eve Ensler in 1996. The Women’s Studies Student Association (WSSA) at UNCW is presenting the production for the 12th year now. UNCW is just one of thousands of schools across the United States to put on the benefit show for V-Day, a global non-profit movement which raises money for women’s anti-violence groups. Eve Ensler and others founded V-Day in 1998, after the huge success of her original monologues. The movement hopes to combat sexual violence against women and is making progress toward unifying all anti-violence efforts. Each year introduces a “Spotlight Campaign,” wherein all profits raised that year go toward one issue. This year, the focus is on the women and girls in Haiti, where rates of sexual violence have increased drastically since the major earthquake two years ago. Ten percent of the proceeds from UNCW’s shows will go directly to V-Day International. The rest of the money will be donated to a local cause, The Rape Crisis Center of Coastal Horizons Center, Inc. The center provides free help to any victim of sexual violence, as well as the family and friends of those who have been abused. These services include a 24-hour crisis hotline, individual counseling, support groups, and law and court advocacy. In the last 18 months alone, RCC has offered such help to almost 600 survivors of sexual violence in southeastern North Carolina. This year the performance is co-directed by one of RCC’s own, Jessica Green, as well as UNCW graduate student and teacher’s assistant Autumn Beam. Beam, who has been a photographer and performer in past years, is embarking on her fourth run of the show.
by Kaitlin Willow ologues The Vagina Mon p.m. • $5-$10 2/16 and 19, 7 Theater UNCW’s Lumina . 601 S. College Rd g or www.vday. Aside from being a proponent for its cause, she loves the ties that come with its participation. “It’s a unique opportunity to bond with other women in the university and community,” she explains. “I feel strongly about ending violence against women and this is a great avenue for activism.” Twenty-one other volunteers (of all ages and ethnicities) make up the cast, all of whom are UNCW faculty and staff, students or volunteers at RCC. They will be delivering a 90-minute show of hilarious, uncomfortable, and tear-jerking monologues—all centering around the vagina. One monologue, “My Angry Vagina,” is a funny rant about the traumatizing tools that the vagina must endure: tampons, OB/GYN gadgets, etc… For those who have seen the performance before, it is no reason to skip this go ‘round. Some of the scripts will be the same, but there is a fresh cast and a few new monologues for 2012. “It’s a lot of fun to see,” Beam says, “and see what has changed, [while] listening to women of all ages talk about ‘their down theres’ in a public setting.” Director of UNCW’s Women’s Studies and Resource Center, Michelle Scatton-Tessier, Ph.D, adds, “‘The Vagina Monologues’ have something for everyone. You’ll laugh, cry, be angered, be challenged and blush.” Last year, 720 audience members filled the seats in two sold-out shows in Lumina The-
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ater. This year should not be any different. “The Vagina Monologues” will be performed on Thursday, February 16th, at 7 p.m.; and on Sunday, February 19th, at 2 p.m. Tickets are
$10 for the general public or $5 for UNCW students. Tickets can be ordered online at www.etix.com or in person at Sharkey’s Box Office, Fisher Student Center, (910) 9624045. To learn more about V-Day or the Rape Crisis Center, visit www.vday.org or www.coastalhorizons.org.
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6 p.m. Cocktails 6:30 p.m. Dinner $70 per person, including tax. Reservations are Limited. Please call 910-763-7773 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com 25
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iWeek
Saturday February 18, 2012 Pleasure Island’s Carolina Beach Boardwalk Next to the Courtyard Marriott 11:00am-3:00pm
SPECIAL OLYMPICS NEEDS YOUR HELP!
UNC Wilmington
19th Annual Intercultural Festival Saturday, Feb. 18 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Burney Center on the UNCW campus
Celebrate the cultures and countries represented locally through food, music, performances and exhibits that showcase the rich culture in our community and beyond.
iWeek 2012 • www.uncw.edu/iWeek • 910.962.3685 An EEO/AA Institution. Accommodations for disabilities may be requested by contacting International Programs at 910.962.3685 three days prior to the event.
Benefit for the American Red Cross
...a thank you from Adrian Varnam and others who have received their kind, expedient help.
On Wed., Feb. 8th, musician, writer and downtown business owner Adrian Varnam endured the misfortune of a house fire. Though physically safe, Adrian and his neighbors lost their home—but not the hope and faith in the folks who immediately reached out to lend a helping hand. To show his thanks to the American Red Cross for providing shelter, gift cards and other immediate necessities, Adrian and his friends welcome all to attend a fund-raiser on their behalf.
Saturday, Feb. 25th noon ‘til
• Live performances from Brent Stimmel, Andy Bilinksi, Brad Heller, Hufton Brothers, Jim Ashley, Ted Crenshaw, Ponchos From Peru, Rick Tobey, Comedian Tom Walsak, Laura McLean & more * • Donations welcome throughout the day for American Red Cross • Local insurance agents will be on site to educate the public on renter’s insurance
* Musicians who would like to donate their time to play should contact Billy Mellon: wilmington.unplugged@gmail.com.
Come take a chilling plunge into the Atlantic Ocean to support Special Olympics New Hanover County Join us for an afternoon of live music, art, food, a silent auction, classic car show and much, much more! Come and join the fun – our athletes need your support!
SCHEDULE: 11 - 3 pm: Music (bands and DJ) 11-2 pm: Silent Auction 1:30 pm: Costume Contest 3 pm: Plunge!
www.plungenhc.com For more information: Special Olympics New Hanover County
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302 Willard Street Wilmington, NC 28401 910-341-7253 or TTY Relay 711 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com 29
azalea fest juried show returns:
//ART
WAA celebrates 30 years of art appreciation
I
t Is no shocker that wIlmIngton
is full of creative types. Art abounds at every turn of the city: from downtown to the beach, from individual shows to group exhibitions, from art classes to talks offered. Though often shrouded in the stigma of being too expensive, complex or only for pseudo-intellectuals, the fact of the matter is: Art has the power to change, influence and alter the way we view our surroundings. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Wilmington Art Association’s (WAA) Spring Art Show and Sale, taking place in conjunction with the annual Azalea Festival to be held April 11th through 15th (featuring celebrities, garden tours, a street fair and concert by Scott McCreery on Friday the 13th at Trask Coliseum, UNCW, among other happenings). Only two months away, WAA is now accepting entries for their art show, which will offer more than $4,000 in monetary and merchandise awards. Open to both amateur and professional artists, the 2012 show will be held April 13th through 15th at St. James Episcopal Church on Dock Street in Wilmington.
r by Sarah Richte sociation Spring As t Ar Wilmington le Ar t Show and Sa line only: Submissions on onar t.org http://wilmingt 12 Deadline: 3/5/20 Anyone 18 and over may compete by submitting original works of twodimensional art and photography. “Artists are both local and regional,” Barbara Jamison, a member of the WAA’s publicity team, says. “This is a fabulous opportunity for talented local artists to exhibit their work. It is a wonderful Wilmington tradition and offers people the opportunity to see first hand local talent.” Artists are able to submit images of their work on the WAA’s website until March 5th. After the closing date for submissions, the work will be juried. However, selections fo the work
SPRING 2011 DISPLAY: The Wilmington Art Association holds an annual art show and sale every year during Azalea Fest; entries now being accepted in all media online. Photo courtesy of WAA.
“will be done online by two judges that the WAA is extremely excited about,” Jamison adds. “Judging photography is Brownie Harris who is a local artist but also a world-renowned photographer who has [worked with] both Sophia Loren and Andy Warhol.” All two-dimensional work will be judged by professional Lois Griffel, the last director of the now-closed Cape Cod School of Art. Griffel is also responsible for bringing impressionism to America. Though she lives in Arizona, from where she’ll judge the work, she will attend the exhibition for her final in-person assessment. “She will teach a workshop following the event,” Jamison informs. Last year work of every kind was present: oils, watercolors, pastels, mixed-media, colored pencil, graphite, textile, photography and acrylic. Prizes are awarded to the top three; last year’s winners for painting included first place Alison McCauley, second place Todd Carnigan and third place Marianne Fischer. In photography first place went to John Sakel, second place to George Rabito and third place was Robin Wynn. Other well-known local artists who have participated in the exhibition include Betty Brown, Karen Crenshaw, Mary Ellen Golden and Susan 30 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com
Mauney. Functioning in conjunction with the Azalea Festival, Wilmington Art Association is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for local artists to gain community recognition by organizing shows and exhibitions. “Having organized the exhibition for 30 years, [WAA gives] a platform for artists to share their work,” Jamison states. “[In return,] the public is provided with the opportunity to see local and regional talent.” Most importantly, WAA provides scholarships and gives money to local charities. Artists are allowed to keep the profits from all the work they share. Anyone 18 and over may compete, and any two-dimensional artwork may be submitted with the exception of stained glass. Photography entries are also encouraged. WAA also welcomes a new category: “digital conceptualization”—essentially a fancy term for digital art. It represents the way we see the world through a pixelated perspective. This brings a decidedly contemporary edge to the exhibit and opens it to artists who work outside of the confines of traditional art. Entry must be done completely online at http://wilmingtonart.org. Non-refundable entry fees are $35 for WAA members and $45 for non-members. The show’s official prospectus, including detailed guidelines is available through the website as well; the deadline for entries is March 5th at midnight.
galleryguide| Artfuel.inc
2165 Wrightsville Ave. • (910) 343 5233 Monday-Saturday, 12-7 p.m. www.artfuelinc.com Artfuel.inc is a multimedia studio and art gallery, now located at the intersection of Wrightsville Avenue and Dawson Street. Our 29th art show features the folk art of Candy Pegram, photography by Tammy Haraga and Realyn Oliver, and graffitti art by Switch.
Artexposure!
22527 Highway 17N, Hampstead, NC 910-803-0302/ 910-330-4077 Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. or by appointment www.artexposure50.com A large open space hosts 2nd Friday Opening Receptions each month at 6 p.m., showcasing 40 local and regional artists in our member’s gallery and offer local arts and wn, Karencrafts in our gift shop ArtExposure presently nd Susanhas studio space rented to four working artists. In addition, there is a frame shop and art the Aza-supply store. ciation is a Our annual “Art of the Car” is an invitaes oppor-tional to all NC artists. Information about this ommunityshow and registration can be found on the and exhibi-website. Click on the “Opportunities for Artibition forists” page. The deadline to register is Februfor artistsary 29th and the show opens on March 9th, tates. “[In2012. This is a juried show and awards will th the op-be presented. talent.” Available for receptions, weddings, meets scholar-ings and the like. Large open space downrities. Art-stairs, there is a loft area upstairs suitable ts from allfor smaller gatherings. Along with our regular art classes and studio time, yoga pete, andclasses meet Mondays and Wednesdays be submit-at 6 p.m. 6 and Saturday at 9 a.m. in the lass. Pho-loft. Walk-ins are welcome to this gentle ged. WAAyoga class. digital cony term forcAffe phoenix we see the35 N. Front Street • (910) 343-1395 ctive. ThisMonday-Saturday: 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. dge to theSunday Brunch: 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. work out- Gabriel Lovejoy unveils his newest series art. of “visual poems.” The theme for this body y online atof work is carried throughout using symbolic efundableand nostalgic images woven together with mbers andan illustrative style. Industrial, domestic, and w’s officialnatural elements are all present, interacting delines iswith each other to create a visual dialogue. well; theThe show will run through 2/29. www.gabrit midnight.ellovejoy.com
crescent Moon
332 Nutt Street In the Cotton Exchange (910) 762-4207 Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday noon – 4 p.m. www.crescentmoonnc.com
Crescent Moon – want the unique gift for him? Or her? Come see the Drinking Dog Lying Down enjoying a Bud Light, one of many Yardbird’s junkyard dogs, cats and critters here. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah too! Wonderful handcrafted ornaments are arriving daily from artists throughout the USA. Trees, Santas, Holly, Angels and more! Menorahs, Mezuzahs and Dreidels add to our holiday ideas. Remember Gift Wrapping is always free. Located in The Cotton Exchange where parking is free while shopping or dining. Follow us on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook by searching Crescentmoonnc!
new eleMents GAllery 216 N. Front Street (919) 343-8997 Tues.-Sat.: 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. or by appointment www.newelementsgallery.com
“Turning a Corner” features paintings, craft and jewelry included in a one-time “Moving Sale” at New Elements Gallery. Visit our website at www.newelementsgallery.com for a complete listing of participating artists. New Elements Gallery, celebrating 27 years, is located at 216 North Front Street. The gallery features fine art and contemporary craft by the leading regional and nationally recognized artists Hours are TuesdaySaturday from 11am until 5:30pm.
of North and South Carolina’s most creative, successful artists. Almost every genre is represented here—oil, pastel and watercolor, clay and glass art, fiber art, turned wood, metal works, artisan-crafted jewelry and more. Classes, workshops, pottery studio, custom fra.m.ing, Creative Exchange lecture series and Coffee With the Author series are also offered on-site.
river to seA GAllery
225 S. Water St., Chandler’s Wharf (FREE parking) • (910)-763-3380 Tuesday–Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday 1p.m. - 4 p.m.
River to Sea Gallery showcases the work of husband and wife Tim and Rebecca Duffy Bush. In addition, the gallery represents several local artists. The current show is sure to enthrall visitors with its eclectic collection of original paintings, photography, sculpture, glass, pottery and jewelry. Our current exhibit “Morning Has Broken” features works by Janet Parker. Come see Janet’s bold use of color and texture to reveal
local marsh creeks and structures. Experience Wilmington through the eyes of a local!
wicked GAllery Wicked concentrates on the darker and more “outsider” degrees of the art world, redefining the obscure, the curious and the odd in art. Home to the Olympia Flaherty Photography Studio, and a new darkroom will be opening soon! Currently featuring the work of Gabriel Lehman through Feb. 22nd, and the “Fit to be Tied” erotic Shibari art show. Opening on Feb. 24th is “The Dangerous Type,” showcasing shots from the top figurative photographers on the East Coast. Register now for the May 12th workshop with fine art photographer Brooke Shaden. She won Ron Howard and Canon’s “Imagin8ion Project”; in turn her work inspired his film “When You Find Me,” directed by Bryce Dallas Howard. The class is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and includes group and individual photo shoots, editing in Shaden’s style, and a tutorial DVD to keep. Visit our website for details on the class and how to RSVP; seating is limited so hurry!
orton’s underGround Art GAlleries 133 N. Front • (910) 859-8441 Everyday after 5 p.m. www.ortonsuderground.com
America’s oldest pool hall and Wilmington’s finest bar are also the home of Wilmington’s newest art galleries. Gallery North is showing “Impressions of Wilmington” by Nick Mijak. The Gallery South is showing the artwork of artist Michael Marizzaldi. 10% of all art sales goes to the Full Belly Project. Open daily at 4 p.m.
sunset river MArketplAce 10283 Beach Dr., SW (NC 179) (910) 575-5999 Tues.- Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Mon. in winter sunsetrivermarketplace.com
This eclectic, spacious gallery, located in the historic fishing village of Calabash, N.C., features fine arts and crafts by some encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com 31
UNCW GENERAL ADMISSION BASEBALL SEASON TICKETS
28 games for $70 Includes: NC sTaTe,
First home game is Feb.17
easT CaroLINa, CoasTaL CaroLINa aND 5 Caa CoNfereNCe WeeKeNDs
friday, february 17
Baseball vs ohio 4:00 p.m. saturday, february 18
men’s Tennis vs south Carolina 1:00 p.m. saturday, february 18
Baseball vs ohio 2:00 p.m. sunday, february 19
Baseball vs ohio 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, february 22
men’s Basketball vs VCU 7:00 p.m. w w w. u n c w s p o r t s . c o m
32 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com
//FILM
power punch: Young kids with superhero abilities take on ‘Chronicle’
W
e’re in an era of filmmak-
ing where we’re starting to see genres blend and merge—new spins on old ideas. The found footage films aren’t going away; they’re multiplying in multiplexes because they’re cheap to produce and they yield a high return for studios. Most of them have been pretty horrible. I know lots of people who go see films like “Paranormal Activity,” but does anyone really like them? Last month, the found-footage exorcism film, “The Devil Inside,” opened to almost $30 million, even though it was critically savaged and loathed by audiences who booed the movie at its conclusion. To date, I’ve found the entire concept of found-footage films pretty useless. The goal is to create something more realistic, but it always comes off like a cheap gimmick. All of them fail because of the one basic conceit they can never really justifiably explain: Why the hell do people keep filming? You have movies where monsters, ghosts, and supernatural killers wreak havoc; yet, someone always has a camera in hand and films the chaos. Abandoning the basic principles of survival in order to film the event feels so unrealistic. “Chronicle” tries to address that concern by presenting the idea of capturing an event for posterity. Eventually, the camera becomes a confessional for someone rapidly descending into madness. The highconcept film merges documentary-style fiction and the ever-popular superhero film. Three high-school students stumble onto an alien artifact that grants them all telekinetic powers. The video camera is worked into the narrative as organically as possible, as it films them testing their powers. It’s far from perfect. There are moments where I wondered why a camera was being pointed in a particular direction. I like the idea of a kid getting super powers and creating a video diary of his progression from anti-social nerd to the most feared person on the planet. The story itself is right out of comic books. The adage of “with great power comes great responsibility” is at the core of “Chronicle.” What works about the film is how warped the concept becomes in the “real” world. Early on three friends have fun with their new abilities. And who wouldn’t? They play pranks in a toy store, move people’s cars around in a parking lot—the kind of things one would expect from teenagers. These are normal kids having fun with the gifts they’ve been given. Matt (Alex Russell) and Steve (Michael B. Jordan) are more socially acclimated prior to the life-changing event. Andrew (Dane DeHaan) is another story; his mother is terminally ill and his father is an alcoholic. Before being
by Anghus Chronicle
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ell, Michael B. arring Alex Russ St DeHaan Jordan and Dane
so far removed from the very reserved first two acts. The ending works because it finally forces the characters to make a choice. Up until that point, life and death, power and responsibility ... they are just words. “Chronicle” reminded me of the best silver-age comic books. The stuff that Stan Lee penned, when the villain was always a mirror image of the hero. Circumstances make one
reel reel this week in film Until the Light Takes Us
Subversive Film Series Juggling Gypsy •1612 Castle St. (910) 763-2223 • Sundays, 8pm • Free 2/26: “Until the Light Takes Us” chronicles the history, ideology and aesthetic of Norwegian black metal—a musical subculture infamous as much for a series of murders and church arsons as it is for its unique musical and visual aesthetics. Free, 8pm. Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St., (910) 7632223
Oscar Shorts, Carnage
Cinematique • Thalian Hall 310 Chestnut Street • 7:30pm, $7 2/15: Live Action Shorts. Cinematique presents this nationally-touring film showcase highlighting the Live Action Short Films nominated for Academy Awards. 2/20, 22, 24 (Note: Mon, Wed, Thur
AND...ROLLING! Alex Russell, Michael B. Jordan and Dane DeHaan find their super powers in ‘Chronicle.’ Courtesy Twentieth Century Fox
given extraordinary capabilities, he’s something of a loner. His transformation begins to change him. Alex and Michael are reluctant to use their powers in public, and they believe they need rules. Andrew plays along, but his ascension from homosapien into something superior awakens deep demons. “Chronicle” works as a movie in spite of the found-footage concept, not because of it. The time spent devoted to the three main characters makes it bearable, as they are well written and realistically rendered. So many found-footage films skimp on characterization and rely on deliberate pacing. Director Josh Trank creates a very grounded group of people and never allows the more fantastic elements to envelop the overall story. The movie really takes off when Andrew begins to use his abilities for personal gain, lashing out at those who picked on him and robbing a convenience store. His instability leads his friends to confront him with deadly results. The final third of the film is gonzo. It quickly changes gear from a small story with fantastic elements to a mind-blowing confrontation between super-powered foes. The third act almost feels like its own movie. It’s
person a hero and one a villain, and that’s the most interesting aspect of “Chronicle.” A lot of it reminded me of M. Night Shyamalan’s “Unbreakable,” which I contend is the best super-hero movie ever made. While it never elevates to that level of excellence, I would still be willing to call “Chronicle” inspired. Like other found-footage films, it’s remarkably brief. There’s no fat here—just a very pointed driving story that turns out to be one of the most unique takes on the superhero genre in quite some time.
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screenings): “Carnage” (pictured) is a razorsharp, biting comedy centered on parental differences. After two boys duke it out on a playground, the parents of the “victim” invite the parents of the “bully” over to work out their issues. Starring Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, and John C. Reilly. Directed by Roman Polanksi. Rated R. 1 hr. 20 min.
The Descendants
Mayfaire Cinema • 900 Town Center Dr. Call for times: (910) 256-0556 Tickets: $6.75 - $10 “The Descendants” is a sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic journey for Matt King, an indifferent husband and father of two girls, who is forced to re-examine his past and embrace his future when his wife suffers a boating accident off Waikiki. Starring George Clooney, Judy Greer, Beau Bridges, Matthew Lillard, Oscar nominated. 1hr 55min. Rated R. All AreA movie listings And pArAgrAph synopses cAn be found At encorepub.com.
encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com 33
Wilmington’s World-Class Concert Venue L i V e @ Ba C
PUNCH BROTHERS Saturday, February 18th Doors 7pm, Show 8pm General Admission Balcony- $30 / $35 day of show General Admission Floor - $22/$26 day of show Available online at www.brooklynartsnc.com, the BAC Box Office and Gravity Records.
For Tickets and more information
BrooklynArtsNC.com 910-538-2939 There is abundant Free parking on north 4th St., or you can park in Historic Downtown Wilmington, two minutes away, and take the free trolley.
516 North 4th Street | Historic Downtown Wilmington, NC 34 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com
THE SAW DOCTORS Monday, February 27th Doors 7pm, Show 8pm General Admission Balcony- $35 / $40 day of show General Admission Floor - $25/$30 day of show Available online at www.brooklynartsnc.com and the BAC Box Offices.
the great punchkateers:
//MUSIC
Punch Brothers embark on a tour to promote 3rd album The Living Room in the Lower East Side where the goal was basically to come up with a bunch of new music each week. It was a crash course in: OK, we’re going to play an hour-and-a-half show and we want 65 percent of it to be brand new. New York was kind of like boot camp.
no by Alex Pomplia Punch Brothers th, 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 • $22-$30/Adv Show at 8 p.m. $26-$35/day of nter Brooklyn Ar ts Ce et 516 N. 4th Stre hers.com ot br ch www.pun
O
n the surface, the punch
Brothers may look like a bluegrass band. All the touchstones are there: a mandolin, a banjo, a guitar, a bass and a fiddle working together to pump out footstomping tempos. Onstage, they sing old-fashioned, sharing a single microphone for their aching closeharmony vocals, with Appalachian yelps and warbles. Yet, behind the quintet’s bluegrass instrumentation and classical structure lies a band that refuses to be pigeonholed. The best example of this may be Punch Brothers’ third album, “Who’s Feeling Young Now?”—to be released February 14th (Nonesuch Records). Recorded over three weeks at Blackbird Studios in Nashville by Grammy Awardwinning producer Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Tom Waits, Modest Mouse), the album shows the Punch Brothers firing on all cylinders and truly finding their sound. What sound they’ve created is a little more difficult to describe. Meshing and experimenting with rock, folk, jazz, bluegrass and classical music, the band has pushed the boundaries of contemporary music in virtually all directions. Punch Brothers (named after a Mark Twain story) formed in 2006 by former Nickel Creek member Chris Thile and four other virtuosic musicians: fiddler Gabe Witcher, banjo player Noam Pikelny, bassist Paul Kowert, and guitarist Chris Eldridge. “Who’s Feeling Young Now?” is the follow-up to their Grammy-nominated record “Antifogmatic,” produced by frequent Kanye West collaborator, Jon Brion. Immediately after finishing their album in 2011, the band joined Paul Simon on tour, and regularly accompanied him during his encores. They performed on “Late Night with David Letterman” alongside Steve Martin, as well as a part of T. Bone Burnett’s Speaking Clock Revue concert. Thile later wrote and performed on the album “The Goat Rodeo Sessions” with Yo-Yo
PUNCH IN THE EARDRUM: The hard-to-describe Punch Brothers play Brooklyn Arts Center this Saturday. Courtesy photo.
Ma, Edgar Meyer, and Stuart Duncan, with whom he recently appeared on “The Colbert Report.” encore spoke with guitarist Chris Eldridge, who is currently in Los Angeles with the band, promoting the new album and rehearsing for an upcoming spot on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” After Leno, the band will kick off a sevenmonth-long tour in support of “Who’s Feeling Young Now?” in Boone (Brooklyn Arts Center is their second stop). encore: In the beginning, Punch Brothers was somewhat of a commuter band as all the members were scattered around the U.S. But in 2009, you guys all moved to New York City. What provoked the move? Chris Eldridge: Right. The guys in the band are from all over the country. We just wanted to take the band really seriously and put ourselves in a position where we could just work on music the way we wanted to—as an ensemble. Before we had to schedule rehearsal, and nothing ever happened organically that way. Being in New York really set the stage for us to work more and be more ambitious. [Once we moved] we were doing shows at
e: Your last album was intentionally stripped down in production, but “Who’s Feeling Young Now?” is anything but; it’s slick, in-your-face, and makes use of the studio’s effects. CE: With the new record, we had the opportunity to really go in with a partner outside the band somewhat early on in the process. Jacquire King produced and engineered it, and he is just incredibly brilliant. We’d all admired his engineering work from afar—the Tom Waits records he did are great. We jumped at the opportunity to work with someone who was willing to come into the studio as a new, creative partner and help us get outside ourselves. Jacquire showed up in New York while we were still finishing up the final form of the music and had this outsider’s perspective, and he helped us trim and hone some of the arrangements. Because he’d been involved on that level, I think he had a lot of ideas of where these songs could go sonically. After we heard some of the production he’d done on the new songs, it changed the way we played a little bit. e: So you’ll incorporate the sounds and effects used in production into the live shows? CE: Yeah, hearing the way my guitar sounded [in the recordings] changed the way I play the songs live. We just had set rehearsal in New York this week and have been trying to figure it all out, but it’s been going remarkably well. I’ve never had a pick-up on my guitar in my life, but I have one now, and it actually doesn’t feel like [going to] the dark side. [Laughs.] We’re still retaining our old set-up. Sonic fidelity in our live shows is very important to us, but now it feels like we have a whole new world open to us. e: Lead singer Chris Thile described the new album as the band’s first “song record.” Do you agree with this statement? CE: I do think that this record is a lot more of a united statement of our five voices in the band. I think this record is way more organic and is further in the direction of what we actually sound like as a creative entity.
sound bites shows of the week Cody Canada and the Departed Soapbox Laundro-Lounge 255 N. Front St.
2/22, $11-16, 9 p.m. Comprised of musicians who traveled the country touring with other bands before finding their ‘home’ with The Departed, this soulful Americana outfit offers a blend of their own influences. Cody Canada was formerly a member of Cross Canadian Ragweed, a group that landed four of nine albums on the Billboard’s Top 10 Country Albums list. Today, the act gives off an Allman Brothers meets Tom Petty vibe.
Bibis Ellison Band The Whiskey 1 N. Front St. 2/17, 9 p.m.
Wilmingtonians will recognize Bibis Ellison’s boldly red hair and powerful pipes from miles away. A North Carolina native, Ellison enraptures listeners with her clean, clear vibrato and sultry vocals. Years ago she was a solo act found at The Whiskey most Thursday nights, yet she’s now joined by a full band. Returning to her welcoming spot, the Bibis Ellison Band will pack the house without a doubt. Photo credit: Logan MB
All weekly music is listed on the soundboArd pAges.
encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com 35
BLACKBOARD SPECIALS Celebrate “St. Practice Day” Fri., Feb. 17th with
THE GREAT GUINNESS TOAST 2012 1 pm
LIVE MUSIC Gabby’s Lounge 7-10pm
Friday, February 17
LIVE MUSIC with Blarney Brogues Our famous GUINNESS BRISKET
Corned Beef slow-cooked with Guinness. Served with potatoes, carrots, cabbage & a roll.
FREE STUFF AND MORE!
overtyme Saturday, February 18
brent stimmel Friday, February 24
l sHAPe lot Saturday, February 25
It’s all good.
DowntowLocation 131 N. Front St. 910-343-8881 www.fatpub.com
MONDAY $3 Sweetwater 420, $10 Bud/ Bud lt Buckets, $4 Jack, Captain, and Even Williams Trivia From Hell at 7:30 TUESDAY $1 Tacos (4pm-close), $3 Dos XX Amber, $4 Cuervo, Lunazul, Bacardi, Jack and Jim Beam WEDNESDAY 1/2 price wine, $3 Pints, $4 Bombs, $5 Martinis THURSDAY Live Music (10pm-1am) 1/2 Price Wings (4pm-close), $2 Domestic Pints, $4 Jack, Jager, Fireball, Sailor Jerry, $5 Bombs FRIDAY & SATURDAY $4 Shooters, $5 Hell’s Cocktails $10 Party Pitchers SUNDAY Service Industry Night $2.50 Domestic Pints, $4 Jack, Jameson, Jager, and Crown $5 Bombs DUELING PIANOS Every Friday and Saturday Night @ 9:30 1/2 Price apps M-Th (4pm-7pm) Sunday (9pm-close) Now showing: NFL Sunday Ticket
mike o’donnel 1706 North Lumina Ave. (910) 256-2231 877-330-5050 • 910-256-2231
Nightly Food Specials starting at 5:00pm
$5 appetizers
EVERY WEEKDAY 5:00-7:00!
NIGHTLY SPECIALS MONDAY Pulled Pork Nachos $5 $2 Draft - $3 Well Drinks TUESDAY Eat Spot Burger $7 Bottle Beer $2 Domestic - $3 Imports & Micros WEDNESDAY Tacos $5 $4 Margaritas THURSDAY Ribeye Special $12 1/2 price bottle of wine FRIDAY Draft Day- $2- $3-$4-$5 SATURDAY Carolina Brews $3 SUNDAY Steak & Eggs $8 (all day) Bloody Mary – Mimosa $4
TheEatSpot.com 34 North Front Street (corner of Front and Princess)
910-763-5366
36 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com
soundboard a preview of tunes all over town this week t the Don’t Floa m! Mainstrea WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15
KaraoKe with hellz Belle —Marina Cafe, 110 S. Marine Blvd., Jacksonville; (910) 938-2002 acoustic Jazz Piano with James Jarvis —Calico Room, 107 S. Front St. Wilmington, 762-2091 DJ Jay —Sharp Shooters, 2109 N. Marine Blvd., Jacksonville; (910) 346-2677 wilmington icon singing contest with cash granD Prize —Fox and Hound Pub & Grille, 920 Town Center Dr.; 509-0805 DJ sir nicK BlanD —Red Dogs, 5 N. Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Beach; 256-2776 KaraoKe with DJ rich Delux —Orton’s Underground, 133 North Front St.; 343-8878 DuB steP —Hooligans Pub & Music Hall; 2620 Onslow Dr., Jacksonville, (910) 346-2086 Josh solomon & cary BenJamin —Black Sheep Tavern, 21 N. Front St. (basement); 399-3056 KaraoKe —Browncoat Pub and Theatre, 111 Grace St.; 341-0001 Jeremy norris —Buffalo Wild Wings, 206 Old Eastwood Rd.; 798-9464 DJBe extreme KaraoKe —Wild Wing Cafe, 1331 Military Cutoff; 256-3838 millenia FunK’n (sPecial olymPics BeneFit) —The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.; 763-3088 oPen wire (energetic classic-style rocK), DecaDe Four —Juggling Gypsy Cafe, 1612 Castle St.; 763-2223 live acoustic —Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.; 763-4133 DJ —Charley Brownz, 21 S Front St.; 254-9499 Benny hill —Sweet & Savory Cafe; 1611 Pavilion Plc.,2560115 gary allen’s acoustic oPen mic —Rusty Nail, 1310 S. 5th Ave.; 251-1888 KaraoKe with DJ Brewtal
AUDIBLE FROST: Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, The Winter Sounds successfully meld the folk of violin, kick-ass punk drums, and wailing indie vocals. They’ll play Soapbox Laundro-Lounge on Thurs., Feb. 16th with Fractal Farm. Check out encore’s Facebook page on Wed., Feb. 15th for a chance to win free passes to the show. Courtesy photo
—Liquid Room, 23 Market St.;910-343-3341 tanstrum —Bottega Gallery, 208 North Front St.; 763-3737
thURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16
DJ sweat —Sharp Shooters, 2109 N. Marine Blvd., Jacksonville; (910) 346-2677 DJ lorD walrus —Red Dogs, 5 N. Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Beach; 256-2776 trivia with DJ —The Harp; 1423 South 3rd St.,763-1607 DJBe extreme KaraoKe —Locals Tavern, 6213 -D Market Street; 523-5621 KaraoKe —Browncoat Pub and Theatre, 111 Grace St.; 341-0001 live acoustic —Wild Wing Cafe, 1331 Military Cutoff; 256-3838 team trivia with Dutch hawK —Orton’s Underground, 133 North Front St.; 343-8878 college night with DJ Battle —Brikhouse, 208 Market St.; 523-5833 FrieD lot —Sweet & Savory Cafe; 1611 Pavilion Plc.,2560115
trivia with Party gras DJ —Fox and Hound Pub & Grille, 920 Town Center Dr.; 509-0805 tom sharPe —J. Michael’s Philly Deli, Monkey Junction, 609 Piner Rd.; 332-5555 KaraoKe —Banks Channel Bar & Grille, 530 Causeway Drive; 256-2269 cheruB, liBraries —Soapbox Upstairs, 255 N. Front St.; 251-8500 mac & Juice —The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.; 763-3088 the winter sounDs, Fractal Farm —Soapbox Lounge, 255 N. Front St.; 251-8500 the toDDlers —Satellite Bar & Lounge, 120 Greenfield St.; 399-2796 coast Poetry Jam —Cameron Art Museum; 3201 South 17th St., 395-5999 KaraoKe with DJ Damon —Yosake Sushi Lounge, 31 S. Front St.; 763-3172 FireDance & Drums at DarK, secret DJ at 11 —Juggling Gypsy Cafe, 1612 Castle St.; 763-2223 oPen mic with Jeremy norris —Katy’s, 1054 S. College Rd.; 395-6204
DJ —Charley Brownz, 21 S Front St.; 254-9499 Dueling Pianos —Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.; 763-4133 toP 40 DJ —Ibiza, 118 Market St.; 251-1301 olD north state —Bottega Gallery, 208 North Front St.; 763-3737
FRiDAY, FEBRUARY 17
DJ Dr. Jones —Red Dogs, 5 N. Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Beach; 256-2776 KaraoKe with ashley —Katy’s, 1054 S. College Rd.; 395-6204 house/techno DJ —Ibiza, 118 Market St.; 251-1301 DJ —Charley Brownz, 21 S Front St.; 254-9499 DJ P FunK —Level 5/City Stage, 21 N. Front St.; 342-0872 Dueling Pianos —Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.; 763-4133 DJ —Cameo 1900; 1900 Eastwood Rd.,910-509-2026 DJ Battle —Dirty Martini, 1904 Eastwood Rd, Suite 109 DJBe extreme KaraoKe
—Lazy Pirate Sports Bar and Grill, 701 N. Lake Park Blvd., Carolina Beach; 458-5414 DJ milK —Pravda; 23 N. Front St., Wilmington KaraoKe —Sharp Shooters, 2109 N. Marine Blvd., Jacksonville; (910) 346-2677 acousTic Jazz Piano wiTh James Jarvis —Calico Room, 107 S. Front St. Wilmington, 762-2091 KaraoKe —Browncoat Pub and Theatre, 111 Grace St.; 341-0001 Jazz wiTh Benny hill —Caffe Phoenix, 9 S Front St.; 343-1395 ill communicaTion (BeasTie Boys TriBuTe) —Hooligans Pub & Music Hall; 2620 Onslow Dr., Jacksonville, (910) 346-2086 KenneDy ParK —Reel Cafe, 100 S. Front St.; 251-1832 BalD Fury (8Pm-12am, TiKi sTage); DJ Dane BriTT (10Pm-2am, insiDe) —Beach House Bar ‘n’ Grill, 7219 Market St.; 689-7219 The sounD Down shore —Duck & Dive, 114 Dock Street, 399-2866 coleman Daily —Firebelly Lounge, 265 N. Front St.; 763-0141 urBan soPhisTicaTes (Jazz/FunK/hiP hoP) —Brikhouse, 208 Market St.; 523-5833 overTyme —Holiday Inn Resort (Gabby’s Lounge), 1706 N. Lumina Ave.; 256-2231 The FusTics —Goat and Compass, 710 N. 4th St.; 772-1400 elaTion (reggae rocK) —Juggling Gypsy Cafe, 1612 Castle St.; 763-2223 The BiBis ellison BanD —The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.; 763-3088 BlinD lemon PleDge —Wild Wing Cafe, 1331 Military Cutoff; 256-3838 nicole ThomPson, Donna merriTT 254-9499 —Ted’s Fun on the River, 2 Castle St. crysTal BrighT anD The silver hanDs, 763-4133 gray young anD The miTTenFielDs —Satellite Bar & Lounge, 120 Greenfield St.; 399-2796 t St.; 763-3737 1090 Boyz, young glaD, Blanco Dinero, m BeaTz —Soapbox Upstairs, 255 N. Front St.; 251-8500 7 B-walK & wl2F —Mugsy’s Pub, 202 Princess St.; 763-3664 rightsville Beach;
SatUrday, fEBrUary 18
DJ —Charley Brownz, 21 S Front St.; 254-9499 Dueling Pianos —Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.; 763-4133 DJ sir nicK BlanD 254-9499 —Red Dogs, 5 N. Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Beach; 256-2776 St.; 342-0872 DJ —Level 5/City Stage, 21 N. Front St.; 342-0872 763-4133 house/Techno DJ —Ibiza, 118 Market St.; 251-1301 d.,910-509-2026 DJBe exTreme KaraoKe —The Harp; 1423 South 3rd St.,763-1607 d, Suite 109 DJ BaTTle
5-6204
—Dirty Martini, 1904 Eastwood Rd, Suite 109 FilThy saTurDays wiTh DJ FilThy —Brikhouse, 208 Market St.; 523-5833 guiTarisT marK lynch (10:30 a.m.-1:30 P.m.) —Saltworks II, 4001 Wrightsville Ave.; 392-1241 DJ sweaT —Sharp Shooters, 2109 N. Marine Blvd., Jacksonville; (910) 346-2677 KaraoKe —Browncoat Pub and Theatre, 111 Grace St.; 341-0001 geT BacK —Wild Wing Cafe, 1331 Military Cutoff; 256-3838 machine FunK —The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.; 763-3088 miKe o’Donnell —Reel Cafe, 100 S. Front St.; 251-1832 DJ Dane BriTT —Beach House Bar ‘n’ Grill, 7219 Market St.; 689-7219 marc segul Trio —Firebelly Lounge, 265 N. Front St.; 763-0141 BrenT sTimmel —Holiday Inn Resort (Gabby’s Lounge), 1706 N. Lumina Ave.; 256-2231 DevianT rose —Bottega Gallery, 208 North Front St.; 763-3737 Punch BroThers —Brooklyn Arts Center, 516 N. 4th St.; 538-2939 cary BenJamin —Goat and Compass, 710 N. 4th St.; 772-1400 3 P.m. maTinee: Diy wilmingTon PresenTs: chaos DesTroy, merciless game, no Tomorrow; 9 P.m. show: mishKa, The consTellaTions, The sounD Down shore —Soapbox Upstairs, 255 N. Front St.; 251-8500 no Dollar $hoes —Ted’s Fun on the River, 2 Castle St. waTersheD —Soapbox Lounge, 255 N. Front St.; 251-8500 ilm unPluggeD PresenTs: logan venDelic —Satellite Bar & Lounge, 120 Greenfield St.; 399-2796 BellyDance showcase wiTh vaTra giTana —Juggling Gypsy Cafe, 1612 Castle St.; 763-2223 B-walK & wl2F —Billy Goats, 6324 Market St., 392-3044
SUnday, fEBrUary 19
susan savia —Elijah’s, 2 Ann St.; 343-1448 clay croTTs, insiDe 9 P.m. —Reel Cafe, 100 S. Front St.; 251-1832 reggae sunDays wiTh DJ Dr. Jones —Brikhouse, 208 Market St.; 523-5833 DJ Jay —Sharp Shooters, 2109 N. Marine Blvd., Jacksonville; (910) 346-2677 KaraoKe Kong —Black Sheep Tavern, 21 N. Front St. (basement); 399-3056 KaraoKe wiTh hellz Belle —Marina Cafe, 110 S. Marine Blvd., Jacksonville; (910) 938-2002 DJ BaTTle —Fibber McGee’s, 1610 Pavilion Pl; 509-1551 B-walK, wl2F
—The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.; 763-3088 Perry smiTh (Brunch 12-2) —Aubriana’s; 115 S. Front St., 763-7773 Benny hill anD FrienDs —Rusty Nail, 1310 S. 5th Ave.; 251-1888 KaraoKe —Browncoat Pub and Theatre, 111 Grace St.; 341-0001 saTelliTe Bluegrass BanD —Satellite Bar & Lounge, 120 Greenfield St.; 399-2796
BLACKBOARD SPECIALS 100 S. Front St. Downtown 251-1832
MONDAY 1/2 PRICE APPS. 4-6pm $2 Budweiser • $225 Heineken $3 Gin & Tonic TUESDAY 1/2 PRICE APPS. 4-6pm $2 White Wolf $250 Redstripe $350 Wells 35¢ Wings at 8pm WEDNESDAY 1/2 PRICE APPS. 4-6pm, 1/2 Priced Wine Bottle $250 Blue Moons $250 Corona/Corona Light THURSDAY $250 Domestic Bottles, $3 Import Bottles, $3 Rum and Coke 50¢ Steamed oysters and shrimp after 6pm FRIDAY DJ Sir Charles 2nd floor $3 Show Day • $3 Kamikaze $5 Bombs SATURDAY DJ Sir Charles on 2nd floor 10pm $2 Coors Light • $3 Fruit Punch shots SUNDAY $250 Corona / Corona Light $350 Bloody Marys and Mimosas $4 Margaritas Clay Crotts inside at 9 p.m.
monday, fEBrUary 20
sTeven comPTon —Barbary Coast; 116 S. Front St., 762-8996 KaraoKe —Sharp Shooters, 2109 N. Marine Blvd., Jacksonville; (910) 346-2677 acousTic Jazz Piano wiTh James Jarvis —Calico Room, 107 S. Front St. Wilmington, 762-2091 KaraoKe —Browncoat Pub and Theatre, 111 Grace St.; 341-0001 Dance ParTy wiTh cheDr seleKT —The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.; 763-3088 KaraoKe wiTh DJ @-hole —Level 5/City Stage, 21 N. Front St.; 342-0872 DJ richTermeisTer —Wild Wing Cafe, 1331 Military Cutoff; 256-3838 Pengo wiTh Beau gunn —Mellow Mushroom, 4311 Oleander Drive; 452-3773 BreTT Johnson’s Jam —Rusty Nail, 1310 S. 5th Ave.; 251-1888 oPen mic wiTh Josh solomon —Liquid Room, 23 Market St.;910-343-3341 oPen mic nighT wiTh musicians anD comeDians —Drifters Bar & Grill, 108 Walnut St.; 762-1704
with dj be!
2.9 THURSDAY
trivia night 2.10 FRIDAY
live music with
L shaped lot 2.11 SATURDAY
homemade wine
Landfall Center • 1331 Military Cutoff Rd
910-256-3838 wildwingcafe.com
VISIT WWW.RUCKERJOHNS.COM FOR DAILY SPECIALS, MUSIC & EVENTS
tUESday, fEBrUary 21
caPe Fear Blues Jam —Rusty Nail, 1310 S. 5th Ave.; 251-1888 KaraoKe —Browncoat Pub and Theatre, 111 Grace St.; 341-0001 “iT TaKes TuesDays To Tango” lessons 7-9 P.m. —Orton’s Underground, 133 North Front St.; 343-8878 KaraoKe wiTh miKe norris —Katy’s, 1054 S. College Rd.; 395-6204 KaraoKe wiTh DJ ParTy gras —Fox and Hound Pub & Grille, 920 Town Center Dr.; 509-0805 inDie music nighT —Juggling Gypsy Cafe, 1612 Castle St.; 763-2223 laDysmiTh BlacK mamBazo —Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St.; 632-2241 cary BenJamin —The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.; 763-3088 live acousTic —Wild Wing Cafe, 1331 Military Cutoff; 256-3838 college nighT KaraoKe —Costello’s Piano Bar, 211 Princess Street; 362-9666 Trivia wiTh DuTch From 94.5 The hawK —The Coastal Roaster, 5954 Carolina Beach Rd.;
2.8 WEDNESDAY
karaoke night
MONDAYS
Poker Night 7pm & 9:30pm
TUESDAYS LIVE
TEAM TRIVIA
8pm
WEDNESDAYS
MONDAYS
POKER NIGHT 7pm & 9pm WEDNESDAYS
LIVE TEAM TRIVIA 8PM - 10PM followed by
PINT NIGHT
Live Music on the Patio
2.75
10PM-12AM
ALL PINTS
JEREMY NORRIS
Monkey Junction 910.392.7224
206 Old Eastwood Rd.
$
(by Home Depot)
910.798.9464
MONDAY 22oz. Domestic Draft ALL DAY $5 Pizzas TUESDAY LIVE JAzz IN THE BAR Half Price Bottles of Wine Absolut Dream $5 • Pacifico $250 WEDNESDAY Miller Light Pints $150 Coronoa/ Corona Lite Bottles $250 Margaritas/Peach Margaritas $4 THURSDAY Appletinis $4, RJ’s Painkiller $5 Red Stripe Bottles $250 Fat Tire Bottles $250 FRIDAY Cosmos $4, 007 $350 Guinness Cans $3 Island Sunsets $5 SATURDAY Baybreeze/Seabreeze $4 22oz. Blue Moon Draft $3 Select Domestic Bottles $2 SUNDAY Bloody Marys $4, Domestic Pints $150 Hurricanes $5 5564 Carolina Beach Road, (910) 452-1212
encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com 37
BLACKBOARD SPECIALS Celebrate “St. Practice Day” Fri., Feb. 17th with
THE GREAT GUINNESS TOAST 2012
Moxology Sun. & Mon. $5 Specialty Cocktails TueSday $2.00 Blue Point Draft 13 - $5 Wines per glass / $20.00 per bottle WedneSday & THuRSday $3.00 Seasonal Draft 13 - $5.00 Wines per glass / $20.00 per bottle Sunday $5.00 Mimosas $5.00 Bloody Mary
1 pm
2.8 WEDNESDAY
karaoke night with dj be!
2.9 THURSDAY
trivia night 2.10 FRIDAY
live music with
L shaped lot 2.11 SATURDAY
homemade wine
LIVE MUSIC with Blarney Brogues Our famous GUINNESS BRISKET
Corned Beef slow-cooked with Guinness. Served with potatoes, carrots, cabbage & a roll.
FREE STUFF AND MORE!
Monday - THuRSday ½ price Apps from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Served at the bar only 35 n. FRonT ST. doWnToWn WilMingTon
(910) 343-1395
Landfall Center • 1331 Military Cutoff Rd
910-256-3838 wildwingcafe.com
It’s all good.
DowntowLocation 131 N. Front St. 910-343-8881 www.fatpub.com
Wednesday, FeBRUaRy 22 Pub & Grille
NFL SuNday TickeT $3 Domestic Schooners $2 Domestic Drafts $9.99 All You Can Eat Wings at the Bar 1/2 Priced Select Appetizers at the Bar
MoNday NighT FooTbaLL $3 Domestic Schooners $3.50 Margaritas TueSday-kidS eaT Free NighT $3.50 LIT’s • $2.00 Domestic Drafts WedNeSday $3 Domestic Schooners $3.50 Margaritas ThurSday $3.50 LIT’s • $2.00 Domestic Drafts Friday-TgiF $3.50 Cosmos $2.00 Domestic Drafts SaTurday-coLLege FooTbaLL $3 Domestic Schooners MoNday- Friday 1/2 Priced Appetizers from 4-7 pm & 9 pm -close at the bar Free Appetizer of the Day with purchase of a non-refillable beverage from 5-7 at the bar. 4126 Oleander Dr. (910) 792-9700
Nutt House Improv 9pm
ThurSdAY Open Mic Stand-up 9pm
Fri. & SAT. NATIONAL HEADLINERS 8 p.m.
February 17-18
KERRY
Zimlinghaus
MONDayS 108 Walnut St.
Downtown Wilmington OPEN MIC (910) 762-1704 NIGHT
Join us for live music and some EVERY THURSDAY laughs with some of the finest Open Mic up-and-coming Nightand musicians with comics in town!
Plan B
Host of Cosmo Radio (Sirius 162)
8$5 p.m.Jager - 11:30and p.m.
February 24-25
flavored bombs Friday,
matt FulchiRon HBO Comedy Festival
Wrightsville Beach Pool ° Darts ° Foos ° Pong
Wednesdays
$3 Microbrews ∙ $10 WIne Btls $3.50 Moonshines ∙ $4 CCP Shot
Thursdays KARAOKE
$2 Red Stripe ∙ $4 Margaritas $4 Jose Cuervo ∙ $4 Captain
Fridays
$2 Coors Light • $2.50 Shock Top $5 Martinis • $4 Flavored Bombs
Saturdays
$2 Miller Lite • $2 Budweiser $4 Rum & Coke • $3 Surfer on Acid
Sundays
$2 Yuenglings • $2 Bud Lights $5 Jager Bomb • $3 Mimosas Free Pool & Shuffleboard after 9 pm 1/2 Off Late Night Menu @ 11 pm
BanksChannelPub.Com
Nightly Food Specials starting at 5:00pm
Bar & Comedy Room
WedNeSdAY
399-4701 The DixielanD allsTars —Rucker John’s, 5564 Carolina Beach Rd.; 452-1212
January 13th Free Pool
Live Music $1.50 PbrS driftersofwilmington.com
38 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com
Every Wednesday Bottomless Cheese and Chocolate
$20
per person
W h at e cou ld br ? bett e 885 Town Center Drive MAYFAIRE TOWN CENTER (910) 256-1187
Join us on Tuesdays! Karaoke
at 9 p.m. All 36 drafts only $2.50 all day long!
Wednesdays
FOX ICON Karaoke Contest Cash Grand Prize!
920 Town Center Dr. Mayfaire Town Center (910) 509-0805
$5 appetizers
EVERY WEEKDAY 5:00-7:00!
NIGHTLY SPECIALS MONDAY Pulled Pork Nachos $5 $2 Draft - $3 Well Drinks TUESDAY Eat Spot Burger $7 Bottle Beer $2 Domestic - $3 Imports & Micros WEDNESDAY Tacos $5 $4 Margaritas THURSDAY Ribeye Special $12 1/2 price bottle of wine FRIDAY Draft Day- $2- $3-$4-$5 SATURDAY Carolina Brews $3 SUNDAY Steak & Eggs $8 (all day) Bloody Mary – Mimosa $4
TheEatSpot.com 34 North Front Street (corner of Front and Princess)
910-763-5366
KaraoKe wiTh hellz Belle —Marina Cafe, 110 S. Marine Blvd., Jacksonville; (910) 938-2002 DuB sTep —Hooligans Pub & Music Hall; 2620 Onslow Dr., Jacksonville, (910) 346-2086 DJ Jay —Sharp Shooters, 2109 N. Marine Blvd., Jacksonville; (910) 346-2677 acousTic Jazz piano wiTh James Jarvis —Calico Room, 107 S. Front St. Wilmington, 762-2091 Josh solomon & cary BenJamin —Black Sheep Tavern, 21 N. Front St. (basement); 399-3056 DJ sir nicK BlanD —Red Dogs, 5 N. Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Beach; 256-2776 KaraoKe wiTh DJ rich Delux —Orton’s Underground, 133 North Front St.; 343-8878 wilmingTon icon singing conTesT wiTh cash granD prize —Fox and Hound Pub & Grille, 920 Town Center Dr.; 509-0805 KaraoKe —Browncoat Pub and Theatre, 111 Grace St.; 341-0001 Benny hill —Sweet & Savory Cafe; 1611 Pavilion Plc.,2560115 The auranauTs —The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.; 763-3088 coDy canaDa anD The DeparTeD, sTaTesBoro revue —Soapbox Upstairs, 255 N. Front St.; 251-8500 open mic nighT wiTh sean gerarD —Soapbox Lounge, 255 N. Front St.; 251-8500 roger Davis, ron wilson —Bottega Gallery, 208 North Front St.; 763-3737 DJBe exTreme KaraoKe —Wild Wing Cafe, 1331 Military Cutoff; 256-3838 Jeremy norris —Buffalo Wild Wings, 206 Old Eastwood Rd.; 798-9464 gary allen’s acousTic open mic —Rusty Nail, 1310 S. 5th Ave.; 251-1888 KaraoKe wiTh DJ BrewTal —Liquid Room, 23 Market St.;910-343-3341 DJ —Charley Brownz, 21 S Front St.; 254-9499 live acousTic —Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.; 763-4133 all my rowDy FrienDs (TriBuTe To hanK williams Jr.) —Brikhouse, 208 Market St.; 523-5833 All entertainment must be sent to music@encorepub.com by Wednesday for consideration in the weekly entertainment calendar. Venues are responsible for notifying encore of any changes, removals or additions to their weekly schedules.
ShowStoppers:
255 N. FRONT STREET DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON WWW.THESOAPBOXLIVE.COM
Concerts outside of Southeastern NC
TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE & AT THE SOAPBOX OFFICE OPEN DAILY NOON-2AM
910.251.8500 FOR MORE INFO
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 16
CHAOS DESTROY / MERCILESS GAME NO TOMORROW
DOORS: 9:00 / $5 SATURDAY FEBRUARY 18
THAT’S LOOPY: Keller Williams, known as a sort of one-man jam band thanks to his effective use of looping during live shows, will play The Orange Peel in Asheville, NC, on Saturday, February 18th. Courtesy photo
AMOS’ SOUTHEND 1423 South tryon StrEEt, CharlottE, nC (704) 377-6874 2/17: Shoot to Thrill (all female AC/DC tribute), The Jupiter Tide, Absolute Convixtion 2/18: Who’s bad, The O’Getters THE ORANGE PEEL 101 BiltmorE avEnuE, aShEvillE, nC (828) 225-5851 2/18: Keller Williams 2/22: Dark Star Orchestra CAT’S CRADLE 300 E. main StrEEt, CarrBoro, nC (919) 967-9053 2/16: Emilie Autumn 2/17: The Chris Gethard Show, PT Scarborough is a Movie, Two Man Movie 2/18: Delta Rae, The Chris Hendricks Band 2/20: The Dean’s List, K.O. Kid 2/21: Blind Pilot, Cotton Jones GREENSBORO COLISEUM 1921 W. lEE St., grEEnSBoro, nC (336) 373-7400 2/18: Eric Church 2/19: Miranda Lambert, Chris Young, Jerrod Niemann
LINCOLN THEATRE 126 E. CaBarruS StrEEt, ralEigh, nC (919) 821-4111 2/15: They Might Be Giants, Jonathan Coulton 2/17: The Breakfast Club, Trial by Fire 2/18: David Allan Coe, Rebel Son, Tonk 2/21: Attack! Attack!, The Ghost Inside, Chunk! No Captain Chunk!, Ever After, Wealth in Water NEIGHBORHOOD THEATRE 511 E. 36th StrEEt, CharlottE, nC (704) 358-9298 2/17: Delbert McClinton, Lightnin’ Malcolm HOUSE OF BLUES 4640 hWy. 17 South, n. myrtlE BEaCh, SC (843) 272-3000 2/18: Dave Matthews Tribute Band THE FILLMORE 1000 SEaBoard StrEEt, CharlottE, nC (704) 549-5555 2/16: Umphrey’s McGee 2/17: Bass Church 2/19: Tesla
DOORS: 2:30 / DONATIONS THURSDAY FEBRUARY 23
LOUNGE
WATERSHED
DOORS: 9:00 FREE THURSDAY FEBRUARY 16 CHERUB / LIBRARIES THE WINTER SOUNDS / FRACTAL FARM (LOUNGE) SATURDAY FEBRUARY 18 MISHKA / THE CONSTELLATIONS / THE SOUND DOWN SHORE WATERSHED (LOUNGE) CHAOS DESTROY/MERCILESS GAME/NO TOMORROW (EARLY MATINEE) WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22 CODY CANADA & THE DEPARTED SUNDAY FEBRUARY 26 MAYLENE & THE SONS OF DISASTER/LIONIzE SATURDAY MARCH 3 TRIBAL SEEDS / FORTUNATE YOUTH/ REDEMPTION SUNDAY MARCH 4 PAPADOSIO / PH FACTOR / FUTEXTURE TUESDAY MARCH 6 LANGHORNE SLIM / J KUTCHMA & THE 5/5THS WEDNESDAY MARCH 7 NITGRIT / 2 FRESH FRIDAY MARCH 9 RIVER CITY EXTENSION / LAST YEARS MEN SATURDAY MARCH 10 THE “BEST OF” PEEP SHOW CABARET
UPSTAIRS
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 18 LOUNGE
THE WINTER SOUNDS FRACTAL FARM
DIRTY MEGA XXVI ILM’s BIGGEST DANCE PARY DOORS: 9:00 / $5 (18+ ONLY) TUESDAY MARCH 13 CRUNK WITCH / D&D SLUGGERS THURSDAY MARCH 15 GRAHAM WHORLEY FRIDAY MARCH 16 DIRTY GUV’NAHS SATURDAY MARCH 17 NEGATIVE NANCY / MONKEYKNIFEFIGHT / AMERICAN AMERICANS TUESDAY MARCH 20 THE DELTA SAINTS WEDNESDAY MARCH 21 THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS / L SHAPE LOT SUNDAY MARCH 25 TREVOR HALL FRIDAY MARCH 30 NAPPY ROOTS THE MORNING AFTER / KICKIN GRASS (LOUNGE) TUESDAY APRIL 3 JEFFREY LEWIS THURSDAY APRIL 5 RIO BRAVO / HEYROCCO / VILLA VERDE FRIDAY APRIL 6 CANNIBAL CORPSE SATURDAY APRIL 14 SIMPLIFIED
WWW.THESOAPBOXLIVE.COM
encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com 39
grub&guzzle|
40-44 DINING GUIDE
what’s for dinner? Find it in the premier dining guide for the Port CIty
THAI SPICE ach Road 5552 Carolina Be (910) 791-0044
Red curry with coconut milk, basil leaves, eggplant and bamboo shoot.
AMERICAN BLUEWATER
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 awardwinning outdoor patio and bar, which is the location for their lively Waterfront Music Series every Sun. during the summer months. Large parties welcome. Private event space available. BluewaterDining.com. 4 Marina Street, Wrightsville Beach, NC. (910) 256.8500. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon-Fri 11am - 11pm; Sat & Sun 11am – 11pm. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wrightsville Beach ■ FEATURING: Waterfront dining ■ MUSIC: Music every Sun. in Summer ■ WEBSITE: bluewaterdining.com
CATCH
Serving the Best Seafood in South Eastern North Carolina. Wilmington’s Native Son, 2011 James Beard Award Nominee 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 & Conch Fritters to name a few. Larger Plates include Plancha grilled Painted Hills Steaks, Blackend Red Drum Filet, Charleston Crab Cakes, Tempura OBX Scallops, Flounder Escovitch & Pan roasted Queen Trigger fish. Custom Entree request gladly accommodated for our Guest. (Vegetarian, Vegan & Allergies) Hand Crafted seasonal desserts from Alan DeLovely. Full ABC Permits. 6623 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28405. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon-Fri 11am-2pm and Mon. Sat. 5pm-9pm. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: North Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Acclaimed Wine List
40 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com
BUFFALO WILD WINGS
HALLIGAN’S
■ NEIGHBORHOOD: 2 locations-Midtown (910-798-9464) and Monkey Junction (910-392-7224) ■ MUSIC: Live music every Friday and Saturday in the Summer ■ WEBSITE: www.buffalowildwings.com
■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER:
If you’re looking for good food and an atmosphere that’s fun for the whole family, Buffalo Wild Wings is the place! Award winning wings and 20 signature sauces and seasonings. Plus…salads, wraps, flatbreads, burgers, and more. Tons of Big screen TVs and all your favorite sports. We have daily drink specials, a HUGE draft selection, and Free Trivia all day every day. Come in for our Weekday Lunch Specials, only $5.99 from 11am-2pm. Visit us for Wing Tuesdays with 50 cent wings all day long, or Boneless Thursdays with 60 cent boneless wings all day long. Buffalo Wild Wings is a great place to dine in or take out. ■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER & LATE NIGHT: Mon-Sat 11am-2am and Sun 11am-2am
THE GEORGE ON THE RIVERWALK
Drop your anchor at The George on the RiverWalk, your destination for complete sense indulgence. Watch the historic Cape Fear River unfold before you while you enjoy the best in Southern Coastal Cuisine. The menu combines elegance, creativity and diverse selection of steak, pasta, salad and fresh seafood, including the best Shrimp n’ Grits in town. Warm in the sun on the expansive outdoor deck sipping an exotic, colorful martini, or unwind at the spacious bar inside boasting extensive wine and martini lists along with weekday appetizer specials from 4:00pm-6:30pm. Don’t forget to try downtown’s best kept secret for Sunday Brunch from 11am-3pm. You are welcome to dock your boat at the only dock’n’dine restaurant downtown, grab a trolley, or enjoy our free, front door parking (ask for pass!) Why satisfy when you can indulge? Find the George on the Riverwalk at 128 South Water Street, 910-763-2052. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Tues. – Sat. 11am – 9 pm. Enjoy Sunday Lunch and Brunch 11am – 3pm. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING: Sunday Brunch / Wilmington’s only dock’n’dine restaurant. ■ WEBSITE: www.thegeorgerestaurant.com
“Failte,” is the Gaelic word for “Welcome,” and at Halligan’s Public House it’s our “Motto.” Step into Halligan’s and enter a world of Irish hospitality where delicious food warms the heart and generous drink lift the spirit. Be sure to try Halligan’s house specialty, “The Reuben,” number one with critics and of course our customers. One bite and you’ll understand why. Of course, we also serve a full selection of other delicious entrees including seafood, steak and pasta, as well as a wide assortment of burgers, sandwiches(Halligan’s Cheese Steak), and salads. And if you are looking for a friendly watering hole where you can raise a glass or two with friends, new and old, Halligan’s Public House boasts a comfortable bar where fun-loving bartenders hold court daily and blarney fills the air. Stop by Halligan’s Public House today, “When you’re at Halligan’s....you’re at home.” With 12 beers on tap and 16 flat screen TVs, you can watch your favorite game and enjoy your favorite drink. 7 Days a Week Mon-Wed 11:30 am - 2:00 am Thurs-Sun 11:30 am - 2:00 am ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Masonboro Loop ■ FEATURING: THE Best Rueben in Town!, $5.99 lunch specials, Outdoor Patio ■ WEBSITE: www.halligansnc.com
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 its going to be packed. Dinner too! Henry’s Pine Room is ideal for private functions up to 30 people. Henry’s is home to live music, wine & beer dinners and other special events. Check out their calendar of events at HenrysRestaurant.com for details. 2508 Independence Boulevard, Wilmington, NC. (910) 793.2929. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun. –Mon.11am-10pm; Tues.- Fri.: 11am – 11pm; Sat.: 10am – 11pm. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Daily blackboard specials. ■ MUSIC: Live Music beginning at 5:30pm ■ WEBSITE: www.henrysrestaurant.com.
HOLIDAY INN RESORT
Oceans Restaurant located in this oceanfront resort is a wonderful
find. This is the perfect place to enjoy a fresh Seafood & Steak dinner while dinning outside overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Chef Eric invites you to experience his daily specials in this magnificent setting. (910) 256-2231. 1706 N Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach. ■ SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER: Sun.-Sat.. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wrightsville Beach ■ FEATURING: Waterfront dining ■ WEBSITE: www.holidayinn.com
K’s Cafe
Visit us in our new location on the corner of Eastwood and Racine - 420 Eastwood Rd, Unit 109. “Where the people make the place” If you’re looking for a warm and friendly atmosphere with awesome home-cooked, freshly prepared meals, you can’t beat K’s Cafe. Serving Breakfast (from $3.50) and Lunch (including daily entree-and-two side specials for $6.95), and dinner. K’s Cafe is the best deal in Wilmington. They offer chargrilled burgers, including their most popular Hot Hamburger Platter smothered in gravy! They also offer great choices such as fresh chicken salad, crabcake sandwich, soups, and even a delicious Monte Cristo served on French toast bread. K’s also offers soup, sandwich and salad combos and a great variety of homemade desserts. On Sundays they offer a great brunch menu which changes every week. A variety of choices will be on the menu such as Shrimp and Grits and Eggs Benedict. Visa and Mastercard accepted. Give K’s Cafe a try...you won’t be sorry. 420 Eastwood Rd., Unit 109, 791-6995. Find us on Facebook or on our website, www.ks-cafe.net. ■ SERVING BREAKFAST & LUNCH: 7 DAYS A WEEK. Open for dinner Wed. thru Sat. evenings ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Ever-changing brunch
THe LITTLe DIPPeR
Wilmington’s favorite fondue restaurant! The Little Dipper specializes in unique fondue dishes with a global variety of cheeses, meats, seafood, vegetables, chocolates and fine wines. The warm and intimate dining room is a great place to enjoy a four-course meal, or indulge in appetizers and des-
serts outside on the back deck or in the bar while watching luminescent jellyfish. Reservations are appreciated for parties of any size. Located at the corner of Front and Orange in Downtown Wilmington. 138 South Front Street. (910) 251-0433. ■ SERVING DINNER: Tues.- Sun. 5pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING: 70s menu every Friday ■ MUSIC: Fri. & Sat. in summer ■ WEBSITE: www.littledipperfondue.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 ambience 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.10am-7pm; Sat. 9am-6pm. Closed Sun. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wilmington South ■ FEATURING: Daily specials and take-home frozen meals ■ WEBSITE: www.pinevalleymarket.com
TeMPTaTIONs eVeRYDaY GOURMeT
Temptations Everyday Gourmet draws diners in by droves thanks to their creative menu selections, an extraordinary inventory of fine wines (over 300 varieties all without restaurant markups) and trained staff that go beyond culinary excel-
lence. Recognized as Best Lunch Spot by WWAY in 2011, as well as having its chef, Michael Comer, touted among the top three best chefs in Wilmington, according to StarNews’ Taste of Wilmington 2010, Temptations offers two locations to serve Wilmingtonians. Located in Hanover Center for 25 years, signature items include their Homemade Chicken Salad and Turkey, Brie and Apple Sandwich, as well as their Porter’s Neck location’s Pimiento Cheeseburger. The Porter’s Neck location also serves an expanded dinner menu, which changes weekly. Their daily features, including specialty soups, salads, quiche and paninis, keeps patrons busy choosing healthy, fast foods whether dining onsite or back at the office. in fact, ask Temptations about their Office Party Menu for your next gathering. Their gourmet retail shop provides unique gourmet gift items featuring many locally made specialty foods, chocolates and goodies. ■ SERVING LUNCH: Hanover Center, 3501 Oleander Dr., Ste 13. Mon.-Sat., 11am – 6pm (Closed Sundays) ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Porter’s Neck Center, 8207 Market St., Ste F. Mon. Wed., 10am-8:30pm; Thurs.Sat., 10am-9pm. Dinner features begin at 5pm. (Closed Sundays) ■ NEIGHBORHOODS: Midtown & North Wilmington ■ WEBSITE: www.temptationseverydaygourmet.com ■ FEATURING: An expanded dinner menu, at the Porter’s Neck location, which changes weekly.
TROLLY sTOP
Trolly Stop Hot Dogs is a family owned franchise with six locations. Since 1976 they specialize in storemade chili, slaw and sauces, and as of more recent – a variety of gourmet sausages and burgers (at participating locations). The types of hot dogs include Beef & Pork, All Beef, Smoked Sausage, Fat-free Turkey (at participating locations), and Soy. Sausages include Bratwurst, Mild Italian, Spicy Beef and Polish Kielbasi. Locations are: 121 N. Front Street open Monday thru Saturday 11 a.m. ‘til 4:30 p.m. CLOSED SUNDAYS; (910).251.7799. 94 S. Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach open Wednesday thru Friday 11 a.m. ‘til 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. ‘til 4 p.m. CLOSED MONDAYS AND
TUESDAYS. (910) 256-1421. 4502 Fountain Drive, (910) 452-3952. open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Sunday; South Howe St. in Southport, open Tuesday thru Fri. 11 ‘til 3, Sat. 11 ‘til 4 CLOSED SUNDAYS AND MONDAYS (910) 4577017. Catering cart available all year from $350. Call Steve at (910) 520-5994. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Throughout the Port City ■ FEATURING: Dog friendly locations
at Wrightsville Beach and Downtown Wilmington. Buy a hot dog, we’ll throw in an extra for your pooch. (Without bun.) ■ WEBSITE: www.trollystophotdogs.com
ASIAN 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
HIRO JaPaNese sTeaKHOUse
What better way to celebrate a special occasion or liven up a dinner out than to dine in a place where every meal is an exciting presentation. Knowing that a meal should be more than just great food, Hiro adds a taste of theatre and a amazing atmosphere to everyone’s dinning experience. Also serving sushi, Hiro surprises its guests with a new special roll every week and nightly drink specials to complement it. From 4-7pm enjoy half-priced nigiri and half-priced regular makimono. Nigiri makimono combos are only $7.50, while early-bird specials last from 4-6pm, where diners can choose two: shrimp, chicken or steak. Located at 222 Old Eastwood
VOTED BEST SOUL FOOD/ COUNTRY COOKING & BEST BUFFET We’ve got carved ham, turkey and roast beef for your Christmas Eve dinner plus.... Over 20 Homestyle Vegetables and Fresh cooked Eastern North Carolina BBQ Pork cooked daily ALSO SERVED DAILY... Fried Chicken, Baked Chicken, Chicken & Pastry, Catfish, Whiting, Clam Strips, Fat Back, Crinkle Fries, Pig’s Feet, Chitlins, Rutabagas, Green Beans, Mac-N-Cheese, Sweet Potato Soufflé, Cabbage, Boiled Potatoes, Corn, Field Peas, Turnips, Collards, Baked Beans, Green Peas, Lima Beans, Rice, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Coleslaw, Potato Salad, Pan Fried Okra, Rolls, Hushpuppies, Apple, Blueberry & Peach Cobbler, Cherry Cheesecake, Banana Pudding and Ice Cream
(910)798•2913 • 5559 Oleander Dr. encore
BE20ST12OF
WILMINGTON
Between Dogwood Lane & French Street, across from the batting cages
“Voted BEST BUFFET, SOUL FOOD & FAMILY RESTAURANT by encore readers”
OPEN: Wednesday-Saturday 11am-9pm, Sunday - 11-8pm CLOSED MONDAY & TUESDAY
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Road (910) 794-1570. ■ SERVING DINNER: Open Mon. thru Thurs. 4pm-10pm;
Fri. and Sat. 4pm-10:30pm and Sun. 11am-10pm. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Hibachi style dining. ■ WEBSITE: hirojapanesesteakhouse.com/hibachi
INDOCHINE RESTAURANT & LOUNGE
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. 11am- 2pm; Sat. 12pm – 3pm for lunch. Mon.- Sun. 5pm – 10pm for dinner. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Balinese dancer every Fri. night. ■ WEBSITE: www.indochinewilmington.com
THAI SPICE
From the flavorfully mild to the fiery spiced, Thai Spice customers are wooed by the dish that’s made to their specifications. Featuring a tasteful menu of traditional Thai standards to numerous delectable house specials, it’s quickly becoming the local favorite for Thai cuisine. This family-run restaurant is sure to win you over. If you haven’t discovered this gem, come in and be charmed. Whether it be a daytime delight, or an evening indulgence, your visit will make you look forward to your return. Located in Monkey Junction at 5552 Carolina Beach Rd., Ste. G. (910) 791-0044 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Tue.-Th.: 11:30am – 9:30pm; Fri.-Sat.: 11:30am – 10:00pm; Sun.: 11:30am – 9:00pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wilmington South ■ WEBSITE: www.ThaiSpiceWilmington.com
FRENCH CAPRICE BISTRO
Wilmington’s finest French cuisine can be found at Caprice Bistro, a small informal neighborhood restaurant, serving hearty food in generous portions at affordable prices. Simple is the atmosphere in the bistro, as plain white plates and tables dressed in white paper make up the decor. However, the food is far from simple, as a combination of fresh ingredients and innovative preparation delight the taste buds with a plethora of unique appetizers, entrées and desserts. The service is fast, efficient and non-intrusive, and the ambience is friendly and unpretentious. After dinner, be sure to venture upstairs into their cozy and relaxing sofa bar for an after-dinner martini, or enjoy your meal there, as a light-fare and full menus are served. Art is always on display in the sofa bar, so be sure to inquire frequently about their artist show receptions. Voted “Best French Restaurant” three years in a row! 10 Market Street, downtown Wilmington, (910) 815-0810. ■ SERVING DINNER: Sun.- Thurs. 5:00 – 10pm.; Fri. and Sat., 5pm – Midnight. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING: Upstairs sofa bar serving cocktails and lighter fare. ■ WEBSITE: www.capricebistro.com
OUR CRÊPES & MORE
The Crêperie of Wilmington !Our Crêpes & More a family owned and operated French Crêperie, is serving authentic, homemade French cuisine to dine in or to go. Everything on their menu is under $10, and is a healthy alternative, while eating a savory meal or sweet treat. Open at 7 am Tuesday through Friday, and 8 am Saturday & Sunday, Our Crêpes & More offers a delicious variety of breakfast combos, quickly served or to take out. A must try: the Nutella Croissant! On the Savory side, the St-Malo, Quebec, Forestiere Royale or Tahiti are among the most popular. Their homemade Rata-
touille, South France type Sub like the Pain Bagnat are worth the detour too! On the sweet side, The Versailles, Mt-Blanc or Crazy Nutella (with homemade Nutella ice cream) will make you come back for more! They also serve Fresh Salads or Soups depending on the seasons, amazing all natural Homemade Sorbet & Ice Cream, Croissants & Chocolate Croissants. With free WiFi and live French radio, Our Crepes & More is a pleasant and casual place to unwind. Our Crepes & More can accommodate large parties! ■ OPEN: TUESDAY – FRIDAY 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. SATURDAY & SUNDAYS 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Monday Closed.) ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, 3810 Oleander Drive (at the corner of 39th Street) ■ FEATURING: Vegetarian and gluten-free options. Free Wi-Fi. ■ WEBSITE: www.ourcrepesandmore.com
INDIAN TANDOORI BITES
Located on College Road, just opposite Hugh MacRae Park, Tandoori Bites offers fine Indian cuisine at affordable prices. Try one of 74 dishes on their lengthy menu, featuring a large range of side dishes and breads. They have specialties, such as lamb korma with nuts, spices and herbs in a mild creamy sauce, as well as seafood, like shrimp biryani with saffron-flavored rice, topped with the shellfish and nuts. They also have many vegetarian dishes, including mutter paneer, with garden peas and homemade paneer, or baingan bharta with baked eggplant, flamed and sautéed with onions, garlic and ginger. Join their cozy eatery, where a far east escape awaits all diners, among a staff of friendly and helpful servers, as well as chefs who bring full-flavored tastes straight from their homeland. Located at 1620 South College Road, (910) 794-4540. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Tue-Thu 11am-2pm, 5pm10pm; Fri 11am-2pm, 5pm-11pm; Sat 11:30am-2pm, 5pm11pm; Sun 11:30am-2pm, 5pm-9pm. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown. ■ FEATURING: Lunch buffet, which now serves South Indian cuisine ($7.95 daily) ■ WEBSITE: www.tandooribites.net.
ITALIAN A TASTE OF ITALY
The authentic Italian cuisine served at Taste of Italy has scored them Best Deli in the Port City for years running now. The Guarino family recipes have been passed down from generation to generation to brothers Tommy and Chris, who serve breakfast, lunch and dinner to hungry diners. They also cater all events, from holiday parties to corporate lunches, including hot meals, cold trays, handmade desserts and an array of platters, from antipasto to cold cuts. In addition, Taste of Italy sells Scalfani products, Sabrett hot dogs and Polly-O cheeses in their market, all the while serving top-notch hot and cold items from their delicatessen. Located at 1101 South College Rd., P. 910392-7529, F. 910-392-9745 www.ncatasteofitaly.com Open M-F 8:00am – 8:00pm, Sat. 8:30am-7:00pm, Sun. 11:00am – 6:00pm. ■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER: M-F 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Sat. 8:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Sun. 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Ponatone, Pandora, Torrone and gift baskets of all sizes! ■ WEBSITE: www.ncatasteofitaly.com
EDDIE ROMANELLI’S
is a family-friendly, casual Italian American restaurant that’s been a favorite of Wilmington locals for over 16 years. Its diverse menu includes Italian favorites such as Mama Romanelli’s Lasagna, Baked Ziti, Rigatoni a la Vodka and, of course, made-from-scratch pizzas. Its American influences include tasty burgers, the U.S.A. Salad and a 16oz. Marinated Rib Eye Steak. Romanelli’s offers patio dining and flat screen TVs in its bar area. Dine in or take out, Romanelli’s is always a crowd favorite. Large parties welcome. 503 Olde Waterford Way, Leland. (910) 383.1885. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun.- Thurs. 11am – 10pm.; Fri. & Sat. 11am – 11pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wilmington South. ■ FEATURING: Weekly Specials ■ WEBSITE: RomanellisRestaurant.com.
ELIZABETH’S PIZZA
A Wilmington favorite since 1987! At Elizabeth’s you’ll find authentic Italian cuisine, as well as some of your American
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favorites. Offering delicious pizza, salads, sandwiches, entrees, desserts, beer, and wine. Elizabeth’s is known for their fresh ingredients, where even the bread is baked fresh daily. A great place for lunch, dinner, a late night meal, or take out. Elizabeth’s can also cater your event and now has a party room available. Visit us 4304 ½ Market St or call 910-2511005 for take out. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER:
Open 10am-Midnight every day ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown (Corner of Market St and Kerr Avenue). ■ WEBSITE: www.epwilmington.com ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wilmington South ■ FEATURING: Daily specials, kids menu and online
coupons.
■ WEBSITE: www.giorgios-restaurant.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 122 Market Street, (910) 251-9444, in Wrightsville Beach at 1437 Military Cutoff Road, Suite 101, (910) 256-2229 and our newest location in Pine Valley on the corner of 17th and College Road, (910) 799-1399. ■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER & LATE NIGHT: 11:30am3am, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, Downtown and Wilmington South. ■ FEATURING: The largest tequila selection in Wilmington ■ WEBSITE: www.grabslice.com
LATIN AMERICAN SAN JUAN CAFE
Offering the most authentic, gourmet Latin American cuisine in Wilmington. With dishes from countries such as Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Cuba you’ll be able to savor a variety of flavors from all over Latin America. Located at 3314 Wrightsville Avenue. 910.790.8661 Follow us on Facebook/Twitter for live music updates! ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon Sat. 11am-2:30pm and from 5-10pm. Closed Sunday. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Nightly specials ■ WEBSITE: www.sanjuancafenc.com
ORGANIC LOVEY’S MARKET
Lovey’s Market is a true blessing for shoppers looking for Organic and Natural groceries and supplements, or a great place to meet friends for a quick, delicious and totally fresh meal or snack. Whether you are in the mood for a Veggie Burger, Hamburger or a Chicken Caesar Wrap, shoppers will find a large selection of nutritious meals on the a la carte Lovey’s Cafe’ menu. The Food Bar-which has cold salads and hot selections can be eaten in the newly expanded Lovey’s Cafe’ or boxed for take-out. The Juice Bar offers a wide variety of juices and smoothies made with Organic fruits and vegetables. Specializing in bulk sales of grains, flours, beans and spices at affordable prices. Lovey’s has a great selection of Local produce and receives several weekly deliveries to ensure freshness. Lovey’s also carries Organic Grass-Fed and Free-Range meats and poultry. Wheat-Free and Gluten-Free products are in stock regularly, as are Vegan and Vegetarian groceries. Lovey’s also carries Wholesome Pet Foods. Stop by Lovey’s Market Monday through Friday 9am to 7pm; Saturday 9am to 6pm and Sunday 10am to 6pm. Located at 1319 Military Cutoff Rd in the Landfall Shopping Center; (910) 509-0331. “You’ll Love it at Lovey’s!” ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Café open: Mon.-Fri., 11am–6pm; Sat. & Sun., 11am-6pm(salad bar open all the time). Market hours: Mon.-Fri., 9am-7pm; Sat., 9am-6pm; Sun., 10am-6pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Organic Salad Bar/Hot Bar, New Bakery with fresh, organic pies and cakes. Newly expanded. ■ WEBSITE: www.loveysmarket.com.
SEAFOOD 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 “Bohemian-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 for 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: www.dockstreetoysterbar.net
EAST
The Blockade Runner offers an array of seasonal seafood specials, certified Angus beef, lobster menu on Fri. evening plus a spectacular Sun. brunch. Romantic al fresco dining is available on our dinner deck located in the center of a lush garden overlooking the ocean far away from the traffic and noise. Our lounge is eco-friendly and offers light fare nightly. 275 Waynick Blvd. Wrightsville Beach. (910) 256-2251. ■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER & SUNDAY BRUNCH ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wrightsville Beach. ■ FEATURING: Lobster menu on Fri. ■ MUSIC: Live music on Sat. evening and Sun.brunch. ■ WEBSITE: www.blockade-runner.com
HIERONYMUS
Hieronymus Seafood is the midtown stop for seafood lovers. In business for over 30 years, Hieronymus has made a name for itself by constantly providing excellent service and the freshest of the fresh in local seafood. It’s the place to be if you are seeking top quality attibutes in atmosphere, presentations, flavor and ingenuity. Sugnature dishes include Oysteronymus and daily fresh catch specials. Hieronymus has all ABC permits and also provides catering services. Voted “Best Seafood” in 2011. 5035 Market Street; 910392-6313; hieronymusseafood.com ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Fireside oyster bar. ■ WEBSITE: www.hieronymusseafood.net
OCEANIC
Voted best seafood restaurant in Wilmington, 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 wedding receptions, birthday gatherings, anniversary parties and more. Large groups welcome. Private event space available. Family-style to go menu available. 703 S. Lumina Avenue, Wrightsville Beach. (910) 256.5551. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wrightsville Beach ■ FEATURING: Dining on the Crystal Pier. ■ WEBSITE: OceanicRestaurant.com
SMALL PLATES THE FORTUNATE GLASS
The Fortunate Glass Wine Bar is the perfect place to explore the beauty of wine while tasting a variety of tapas in an intimate environment. The wine menu focuses on wines from all regions, with 50 wines by the glass and approximately 350 wines available by the bottle, including some of the best boutique and cult wines, to everyday values that work with any budget. There are over 30 beers available featuring some of the best craft selections. The serene ambiance of The Fortunate Glass, created by the beautiful wall murals, the elegant copper and glass tile bar, castle-rocked walls and intimate booths enhances the experience of any selection you choose. The Fortunate Glass Wine Bar also presents a small menu of creative tapas, global cheeses, cured meats and decadent desserts to accompany and compliment any wine selection. ■ SERVING EVENINGS: Tues.-Thurs. 4pm-12am Fri. 4pm-2am; Sat. 2pm-2am; Sun. 2pm-12am ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING: Free Wine Tasting: Tues. 6-8pm. Sparkling wine specials and half-price select bottles: Wed. & Thurs.
FEBRUARY 18
FLOGGING MOLLY
with black Joe Lewis & The Devil Makes Three
February 24
Steez Promo, NV Concepts & Mass EDMC present Dub Nation Myrtle Beach with Vaski, Terravita & Hulk
February 26
TYGA Careless World Tour Boyz II Men JANES ADDICTION
MarCH 3 MarCH 10 MarCH 15 MarCH 16
Steez Promo, NV Concepts presents with Liquid Stranger & Lucky Date
The X Tour ft. Excision Slaughterhouse
Voted
BEST PLACE To Buy A New Car! 12 YEARS IN A ROW!
HONDA STEVENSON HONDA
encore
BE2S01T2OF
WILMINGTON
S. College Road, Wilmington 395-1116
StevensonHonda.com encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com 43
Monthly food & wine pairing events. ■ WEBSITE www.fortunateglasswinebar.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 11am to 9pm and on Sundays from 11am to 8pm.Closed Mon. and Tuesdays. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING:For adventurous palates, pig’s feet and chitterlings.
YWCA of the Lower Cape Fear
Women of Achievement May 10, 2012 • 5:30 PM Hilton Wilmington Riverside
YWCA Lower Cape Fear’s signature event celebrating outstanding women and young leaders.
SPORTS BAR
For more information regarding the event, visit: www.ywca-lowercapefear.org or call 799.6820.
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 UNCW, 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 South College Road, Wilmington, NC. (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
■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER & LATE NIGHT: 11am-2am daily ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING: Dueling pianos Thurs., Fri., and Sat. nights.
and 1/2 priced select appetizers M-TH 4-7pm ■ WEBSITE: www.hellskitchenbar.com
44 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com
The 2nd Thursday of every month at 10pm • tickets $5
Special Rocky Horror Show With Shadow Cast MARCH 9 • 10pm
The Musical Genius of Rodgers & Hammerstein This fifty member choral group performs with worldclass soloists and an orchestra of musicians.
Sat., March 24 • 8pm Winter Park Baptist Church
Tickets: $15 • Available at www.carolinavocalarts.org
Wilmington’s Premiere
Sketch Comedy Show
2012 CAPE FEAR Wildlife Expo
February 23 March 1, 22, 29 April 5 May 3 Doors Open 8:30pm Shows a 9pm
Written by Jonathan Harvey Directed by Stephen M. Raeburn
March 16-18
February 17-19, 24 & 25 Shows at 8am | Sunday Shows at 5pm
Fri. & Sat. 9am-6pm Sun.: 10am-5pm Wilmington Convention Center & Coastline Conference Center
Tickets: $15/ $8 students 111 Grace St. Wilmington
910-341-0001
Tickets: $5
111 Grace St. Wilmington
910-341-0001
HISTORIC WILMINGTON FOUNDATION PRESENTS:
Presents:
Azalea Festival
2012
Home Tour
Saturday, April 14 from 1pm-6pm and Sunday, April 15 from 1pm-5pm
SOUTHPORT ~ OAK ISLAND
Featuring houses in downtown Wilmington, NC that are full of individual appeal and architectural or historical significance.
Sunday, February 19 | 1pm - 4pm
Tickets: $25
Southport Community Building
Tickets $5 223 East Bay Street | Southport, NC
www.historicwilmington.org
HELL’S KITCHEN
This is downtown Wilmington’s Sports Pub! With every major sporting package on ten HDTVs and our huge HD projection screen, there is no better place to catch every game in every sport. Our extensive menu ranges from classics, like thick Angus burgers or NY-style reubens, to lighter fare, such as homemade soups, fresh salads and vegetarian options. Whether meeting for a business lunch, lingering over dinner and drinks, or watching the game, the atmosphere and friendly service will turn you into a regular. Open late 7 days a week, with free WiFi, darts, and did we mention sports? Free lunchtime delivery on weekdays; we can accommodate large parties. (910) 763-4133.
Picture Show
Stephen Field, Director Presents
Something Wonderful:
~ GUERILLA THEATRE PRESENTS ~
FOX & HOUND PUB & GRILLE
Serving up the best bar food for any local sports fan, Fox & Hound has appetites covered. Located next to Mayfaire Cinema 16, it’s no question that Fox is a great place to go on date night, or to watch the big game on one of the restaurant’s six large projection screens and 19 plasma televisions. Guests can also play pool, darts or video games in this casual-theme restaurant. For starters, Fox offers delicious appetizers like ultimate nachos, giant Bavarian pretzels and spinach artichoke dip. In the mood for something more? Try the hand-battered Newcastle fish ‘n’ chips or chicken tenders, or the grilled MahiMahi served atop a bed of spicy rice. From cheeseburgers and sirloins to salads and wood oven-inspired pizzas, Fox has plenty to choose from for lunch or dinner. Finish the meal with a 6-inch Great Cookie Blitz, a chocolate chip cookie baked fresh to order and served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and Hershey’s syrup. 920 Town Center Drive, (910) 509-0805. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 11am– 2am, daily ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: $5.99 lunch specials and free pool until 2p.m. and $5 cheese pizzas after 10 p.m., both Mon.-Fri. ■ MUSIC: Trivia with Party Gras Entertainment DJ every Thursday at 9pm ■ WEBSITE: foxandhound.com
Rocky Horror
mccoll-associates.com/wib
February 23, 2012 11:30am - 1:00pm Press 102 S. Second Street
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President & Chief Relationshop Rover Roving Coach International
Tickets ickets $40 • Includes Lunch 910.350.1211
Friday, February 17th and Saturday, February 18th Host of Cosmo Radio • Sirius Channel 162 • Charleston Comedy Festival • Live at Gotham 8pm Show | Doors 7pm | Admission: $12/$15
255 North Front Street
Wilmington, NC 28401 • 910-251-7881
Boston Marriage David Mamet’s
33
rd Annual
Wilmington Woman’s Club
Coastal Living Showcase Making Life Better in 2012
Nicoa Dunne
KENNY ZIMLINGHAUS
Saturday, March 17th • 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sunday, March 18th • 10:00 AM- 5:00 PM Schwartz Center Cape Fear Community College 620 N. Front • Wilmington, NC 28401 www.wilmingtonwomansclub.com
February 16-19, 23-26 March 1-4, 8-11, 15-18 “A drawing-room comedy about desire, deception & very bad manners.” See WilmingtonTickets.com for Showtimes Red Barn Studio 1122 S. Third Street (910) 762-0955 Tickets: $23 & $25
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extraextra!|
46 BOOKS 47 CROSSWORD 48 YWCA WOMEN’S AWARDS 49 POLAR PLUNGE 50 MY CAREER SUICIDE 52-62 CALENDAR, TOONS, ETC.
the writer who danced with words:
Hannah Dela Cruz Abrams reads at Pomegranate Books
ielse by Tiffanie Gabr uz Abrams Hannah Dela Cr egranate Books Reading at Pom ue 4418 Park Aven m. p. 7 Sat. 2/18 • Courtesy photo
M
any find the iMportance in the
power of language. The port city’s very own Hannah Dela Cruz Abrams takes it to the nth degree. Words offer a way for her to interpret the world —and what an enchanted and dreamy world she grew up in. Born on the Mariana Islands and reared on a yacht called “Slow Dancer,” it was an upbringing filled with starry skies, cresting emerald and white surf and one that sailed her straight into a destiny meant to transform the lives of those around her. “In order to make sense of things I had to read constantly and then write it down,” she says. “Language saved me. There’s a part of me that could have gone to be a hyper-rational human being without it.” A teacher of English literature at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she has earned an MFA in creative writing, Abrams was a recipient in 2010 of the Rona Jaffe National Literary Award—also of whom Z.Z. Packer and Rivka Galchen were recipients. Today she welcomes her first book-length work titled, “The Man Who Danced with Dolls” (Madras Press). A tale inspired by a documentary devoted to subway buskers—which circled the Cucalorus Film Festival years ago in Wilmington—“The Man Who Danced with Dolls” takes a single image of a man slowly, if not romantically dancing with is “gal” in the underground transportation system of NYC. It captivated Abrams for years before she transformed it into her winter mystery. Narrated by main character Opa Bergen, the story opens in 1984 Paris and tells the story of one family’s legacy, their diverse world of language and culture that ranges from German to French to Arabic. Their beautifully portrayed picturesque memories are hidden among a forgotten past, but it ties together by one silent swaying subway 46 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com
busker. Abrams’ tone speaks naturally to the imagination as if listening to one’s own family member recount the heritage. Abrams also found inspiration for her latest release from the specific juxtaposition of certain details, various moments and vivid memories of her life. Without further giving too much away, the woman who disappears in the snow derived from a tiny snippet Abrams found in the news, which stemmed from, of all places, Illinois. “There was a news story that surfaced there about a couple leaving a party,” she notes. “When they left, they were killed in the car wreck. They found his body—but not hers until the spring, [after] the snow all melted. I was captured by the idea of her footprints in the snow, leading to nowhere. Images and moments like these find their place in whatever it is I’m writing. It shows, I’ve been writing all along even if I’m not physically typing.” In her first reading at Pomegranate Books this Saturday, Abrams will do a Q&A, joined by fellow UNCW creative writing instructor, friend and author Rebecca Lee (“City of the Rising Tide,” “Bobcat”). Also flying in from Boston will be Madras Press editor and UNCW MFA alumni, Sumanth Prabhaker. “The Man Who Danced with Dolls” is one of a quartet of new titles to be published by Madras this spring. Best of all, proceeds of sales will go directly to the New Hanover Humane Society, a cause near and dear to Abrams heart. “It was difficult to pick a charity,” Abrams notes. “There are so many out there, [I] want to run in all directions to help. But I chose the New Hanover County Humane Society—it’s my hope as well as theirs that they will one day be a no-kill shelter, and I’m contributing to them in support of that goal.“ Such selfless giving is the Madras Press method of operation for its authors, as each is allowed to
elect a recipient for net proceeds to be donated. Included are organizations devoted to environmental fortification, community progress, human services and a slew of many more. “He’s doing something so important in the world of publishing and he’s an amazing writer in his own right,” Abrams says of Prabhaker and Madras Press. “They give a home to these stories that are otherwise thought of as ill-fitting for most of our magazines or journals today. Either they’re too long, too experimental or they’re just best read on their own. He honors the craft of writing.” With an openly antagonistic relationship existing in nearly everything she writes, in a parallel life Abrams feels as if she were raised differently, a part of her could have been an attorney just as her father. “He had a lot to do with why I’m a writer,” she says. “We were nomadic, so I didn’t have friends as regularly that land-bound kids would have. . . . He would also make up his own stories. Every afternoon and every night we would read to each other on deck on the hammock.” Instead (and thankfully) the literary world can call her its own. Abrams’ perception entertains in a brilliant display of prose. She offers powerful insight of art and beauty in all she touches. “I love what I do, but I’m driven crazy by what I do,” Abrams notes. “At the most basic level, I hope people are entertained for a little while. Beyond that, I hope they’re charmed by the poetry of the character who I borrowed from the subway. I also hope the idea of someone who lives on the fringes of society fascinates them as it did me. That would be lovely.” Abrams will be at Pomegranate Books on Saturday the 18th at 7 p.m. She will celebrate her work by reading from “The Man Who Danced with Dolls” and signing copies for those who attend. To order online, visit www.madraspress.com.
Creators syndiCate CREATORS SYNDICATE © 2012 STANLEY NEWMAN
WWW.STANXWORDS.COM
2/19/12
THE NEWSDAY CROSSWORD Edited by Stanley Newman (www.StanXwords.com)
FORESIGHT: Making a round trip by David W. Cromer ACROSS 1 One of the Wise Men 7 Ground grain 11 Unimaginative 18 Legendary conqueror 19 Show clearly 21 House at Pooh Corner author 22 Read the riot act to 23 Debutante, perhaps 25 Toledo’s lake 26 Make reparations 28 Uncompromising 29 Prefix for content 30 Sirloin steak, e.g. 34 Crime-lab evidence 35 Knocks the socks off 36 Fellow 37 Luau strings 38 Be indebted to 40 Asian cuisine 42 Winter warmer 45 Identical to 48 Winter weather 52 100, for a Treasury bond 53 Santa’s burden 56 Lions, Rotary, etc. 59 French girlfriend 61 Greeting-card lines 63 State legislature 64 Grammy category 65 Superior to 67 Actress Zellweger 69 Ballpark aides 71 Words not said by Washington 76 Pastoral 79 Of birds 80 The Stranger novelist 84 Hit head-on 85 Telltale signs 89 Brilliant success 91 Logo on some spacesuits
92 All in the Family character 95 In a hurry, for short 97 Real-estate ad abbr. 98 Escalator alternative 99 Tours of duty 101 Capital of Bavaria 103 Former transatlantic crossers 106 Catch sight of 107 Actress Thurman 110 Vietnamese neighbor 111 They may be welcome 114 No longer stylish 116 Breakfast selection 121 Wee hour 122 Winter warmer 124 __ Penh, Cambodia 125 Singer Horne 126 Photographer’s instruction 130 Close securely, with “down” 132 Song syllables 133 Put a seal on 134 Got to work on Time 135 Leopards and lynxes 136 Banquet spot 137 Drives away DOWN 1 Sounded like a crow 2 Early Steve Jobs employer 3 Chamber music piece 4 Pesto tidbit 5 Pub serving 6 Plane tracker 7 Long-distance runner 8 Bigger picture: Abbr. 9 Expert 10 Most with August birthdays 11 Inventor’s milestone 12 Enthusiastic
13 Seer’s sighting 14 Family member 15 San Antonio attraction 16 New bride’s acquisition 17 Honeycomb parts 19 Novel form 20 Locales 24 1-800-FLOWERS rival 27 Ft. Worth campus 31 Catches sight of 32 A few 33 Water pitchers 35 Is sure to 39 Icicle site, perhaps 41 Far from self-indulgent 42 Film rating org. 43 Poetic foot 44 Short break of a sort 46 Positive trait 47 Do wrong 49 100 cents, in Cyprus 50 Online auctioneer 51 Recipe amts. 54 Center of some ears 55 Enthusiastic 57 Poolside enclosures 58 List shortener 60 Wicked 62 Telephone trio 66 Filled pastries 68 Frat letter 70 Bacon’s soup partner 72 Concession conclusion 73 ’70s tennis star 74 DMV document 75 In __ land (daydreaming) 76 401(k) alternatives 77 Scurry
78 Place to learn CPR 81 It comes with strings attached 82 “Semper Fi” org. 83 Wide belt 86 Coll. major 87 Tiny colonists 88 Omits 90 Tassled topper 93 Sound of disapproval 94 Irish New Age singer 96 Powerful influence
100 Selections at some bars 102 Manicurist’s extension 104 Flute sound 105 For example 108 Palominos’ prides 109 In the past 111 PDA column headings 112 Not taken by surprise 113 Complete 115 Boot part 117 High styles
118 Fireplace fragment 119 Prepare to be knighted 120 Time, metaphorically 122 Action star from Hong Kong 123 Yet to arise 127 One-third of CDLIII 128 “__ little confused . . .” 129 Diamond stat 131 Suffix for stock or block
Reach Stan Newman at P.O. Box 69, Massapequa Park, NY 11762, or at www.StanXwords.com
5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 700
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Become a Delihead member and enjoy Daily Specials! BREakfaSt SERVED aLL Day At the corner of 2nd and Grace, Downtown Wilmington • Open Monday - Friday 9am - 4pm encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com 47
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honoring women:
YWCA continues its support of females making generous contributions to Wilmington fiori by Linda Gratta ards Achievement Aw YWCA Women of line: 3/1 Nomination dead . ds: 5/10, 6 p.m Dinner and awar capefear.org www.ywca-lower
T
his coming spring The ywca of
the Lower Cape Fear is celebrating its 27th Women of Achievement Awards, which honors a select group of women and young leaders from New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties. These “above and beyond the call of duty” women are nominated by their peers and selected by a panel of former winners. “The nominations are due March 1st and a strong, wellwritten nomination is key in determining the winner of each category,” Amy Kilgore, chair for the WOA awards committee, says. “The selection panels have only the written nomination and the nominee’s résumé in making their
We would like to thank Wilmington and encore for voting us “Best Place to Buy a Used Car”
WHY AUTO WHOLESALE? ✔ A quality car or truck at a fair price, with no gimmicks. ✔ Financing Available; Rates as low as 1.9% ✔ Our cars are the cleanest & best quality at the lowest prices. ✔ #1 in the Wilmington area for price, quality, and selection. “I have bought my last 6 cars from Auto Wholesale. Hands down they are the best in Wilmington. They make car buying to easy. This is the only place in Wilmington I will buy a car. Rob remembers my name every time, even after its been 4 years since I have last been there.” — Adam D from Wilmington NC Auto Wholesale is the premier pre-owned car retailer in Wilmington, NC, in a truthful and honest manner, giving buyers what they really need:
6003 Market St. • (910) 792-6100
//EXTRA
www.autowholesalenc.com
48 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com
2011 CLASS OF INDUCTEES: Women of all ages are honored annually for their contributions across many platforms within the tri-county areas. Photo courtesy of Amy Kilgore
decisions.” There are 10 categories from which to nominate: Arts, Business, Communication, Education, Environment, Health and Wellness, Public Service, Volunteer, and the newly added Rachel Freeman Unsung Hero Award. Online at www.ywca-lowercapefear.org, a free nomination form prompts the writer to answer how the nominee has met criteria in certain categories. The nominee does have to approve of the nomination process. Specific examples of service or achievement are helpful. Once all the nominations are submitted, each recipient is selected by a blind process. Nominations are scored by two panelists who do not know the identity of the nominees. The award recipients are not notified of their winning status until the evening of the WOA dinner, May 10th. Elena Pezzuto, founder of The Open Space, and an award recipient in Health and Wellness found the whole experience gratifying. Honored with the Susan B. Anthony award years ago for her contributions with the Rape Crisis Center, Pezzuto notes the encouragement from women who still wished to honor her social work. “The Women of Achievements Awards is a wonderful venue,” she said, “to remind the public of the special contributions of women.” This year’s dinner will be held May 10th at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside with registration and cocktail hour from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The doors open at 6 p.m.and dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. Frances Weller of WECT and Si Cantwell from StarNews will perform their tag-team production of identifying the award recipients and honoring specific achievements of the 10 women. Three of the hardest working and most contributing high-school seniors from the
tri-county area will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship. “The dinner of 2010 was very inspiring when I realized how many hours women had given in service,” Kilgore said. “It made me feel like I needed to be giving more of my talents and skills, as well. I was so inspired that I nominated Peg Sloan, my former supervisor at the Fort Fisher Aquarium the following year. Although Peg did not win, she found the nomination process a humbling experience and was honored to be in the same room with so many like-minded women. She became even more motivated to contribute in her field of environmental education.” Now a public relations specialist for the Cape Fear Museum, Kilgore also has experience in marketing and event-planning. She volunteered in helping with arrangements for the two previous WOA fund-raising dinners. Last year she was asked to join the board, and she’s excited about chairing her first awards committee. In 2011, 50 nominees attended the dinner plus family, friends and colleagues who wished to support and congratulate them. The general public is encouraged to attend. This is one of the YWCA’s main fund-raisers with all profits going back into YWCA programs and services. Sponsors are solicited for each award category, but their contributions basically cover the cost of the event. As PR specialist for the Cape Fear Museum, Kilgore is looking forward to 2014 when the YWCA celebrates its 100th anniversary. She plans to solicit photographs and other memorabilia, which help tell the Y’s story. In the meantime, she’s very focused on the WOA awards process. For more information about nominations, call the YWCA at 799-6820. Nominations are due by March 1st. Tickets for the WOA dinner may be purchased at the Wilmington Ticket Office online or at StarNews, 1003 S. 17th Street.
//EXTRA
plunge for charity: Annual events welcomes winter swimmers in honor of Special Olympics
T
here’s no beTTer Time or place
to really chill out than on Saturday, February 18th at the Carolina Beach Broadwalk. At 3:05 p.m., over 500 brave souls will be cooling off beyond the wintry temps (assuming they’ll be cooler than this winter’s 70-degree norms), as they rise to the challenge of the 8th annual Polar Plunge. They’ll take a dip in the Atlantic in support of Special Olympics! Ages 8 to 80 will be lining up to splash their way into the sea come rain or shine. Groups and individuals are invited to get creative and dress up in all kinds of wacky costumes to add to the fun. Donald Duck or Captain America may happily plunge themselves into icy waters—as long as they’re not sporting a wet suit, anything goes! There will be best costume contests and even one for the best group. Trophies will be handed out to winners. Gates open at 11 a.m. and hundreds of well-wishers will be cheering from the dry safety of the sandy shores where there will be local food vendors offering delicious refreshments, and live music courtesy of The Noseriders and The Mako Band. There will also be a silent auction for 12 baskets of fantastic goodies donated by Wilmington businesses and intricate ice sculptures to complement the polar atmosphere. Adding to the great family day out will be the Sun Coast Cruisers, showcasing their impressive collection of classical cars. Master of ceremonies will be Tom Briggs, artistic director for Thalian Association. Every dime raised will go to Special Olympics, which provides over 600 intellectually disabled athletes and their families with yearround sports-training programs and competitions, along with seasonal activities, like summer camps. Wilmington local Jonathan
by Kim Henry Polar Plunge k Beach Boardwal 2/18, Carolina cs pi m ly O Special Fund-raiser for .com www.plungenhc Batts has been voluntarily working with Special Olympics and organizing the Plunge for the last eight years. “At the heart of Special Olympics is a sense of inclusion,” Batts explains. Sport is integral to American culture, creating community, social activities and team spirit, in addition to providing a healthy lifestyle and beneficial exercise. Special Olympics nurtures friendship and self-esteem for the athletes, and a much-needed sense of community for their families. It’s free for the participants, which keeps it accessible to adults and children in need. Batts adds, “In Special Olympics everyone’s a winner! We cannot express how grateful we are for the hands-down support of the Carolina Beach Town Hall and all the folk who participate and come to enjoy the day.” This year Batts has been joined by Tiffany Lesley in planning for the plunge. Both work within the Recreational Therapy department of City Hall but stress how they rely solely on a dedicated team of over 300 volunteers and receive no government funding. “This is going to be the best plunge ever,” Batts says with an enthusiastic smile. “The work of Special Olympics is crucial to the lives of so many—a great cause to support.” Athletes with intellectual disabilities and their families will also be there on the big day,
PLUNGE AHEAD! Folks gather at the annual Polar Plunge in Carolina Beach to raise funds for Special Olympics. Photo courtesy of Tiffany Lesley
and many will be braving the freeze factor and taking the plunge, too! Registration is
$50 per person ($30 for a student). Participants can register in advance or just show up the day of the event. Even a pet can plunge during the second annual Pooch Plunge. There will be lifeguards on duty to ensure everyone enjoys a safe dip.
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD HOT SPOT Open Patio • Darts • Pool • Cornhole $ 1.50 Pints of Busch Light • $1.50 PBRs $ 4 Wells • $5 Midshelf • $6 Top Shelf 2 for $10 Meals Everyday • Dine In 108 Walnut Street • 910-762-1704
www.DriftersOfWilmington.com encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com 49
my career suicide
//EXTRA
Chapter 4: Limbo
I
went to college In the mIddle of no-
where—to the only university that would have me. A third-rate school in a third-rate state where graduates were statistically more likely to be murdered by inbred mountain people than find a job with a salary high enough to repay student loans. The university existed in an industrial husk. They used to make steel there, but that was two generations back. The vast majority of the city looked like something out of a John Cougar Mellencamp video—the ones where he espouses the virtues of small-town America while shots of abandoned factories and dilapidated old buildings are shown. This was the dingy broken remains of post-World War II America. What was remarkable about the town was how it seemed almost frozen in time. Everything stopped progressing once the factories shut down. It was like walking onto a studio back lot, like that moment Marty McFly arrives in 1955. There were still flickering glimpses of a bygone era. Six different drive-in hot-dog shops complete with giant neon signs and
by Anghus
ished
publ ntributor, 2012; Fact or Fiction co core. bi-monthly in en
giant rotating root-beer mugs. The old buildings were still painted with advertisements for long-defunct tobacco and soda products. The only thing higher than the unemployment rate were the diagnoses for type 2 diabetes. It was no place to get an education. I don’t know how many successful people ever crawled out of the hole. There was nothing to do; I had to manufacture my own entertainment. For the first year, it meant binge-drinking. In year two, I got wise, rented the biggest house on campus and used my student loan money to keep the bar stocked. This kept a steady stream of inebriated co-eds at my place on weekends. Eventually the parties got boring. At that point, I decided to dabble. I started a creatively fulfilling but financially vacant record label. I played bass in several mediocre bands with awful names: Jumping Ship, Small Woodland Creatures, The Italian Scallions, Frenchie & the Porno All-Stars. There were women. Always, there were women. The first girl I ever loved was an actress. The second was a stripper. It’s remarkable how similar those two careers are. Both require creating a sense of illusion. Both require an abandonment of dignity. Both new and become much more difficult to find success used digital past the age of 30. I had found love with two and film different women; unfortunately, it was at the cameras same time. The actress was beautiful, smart and a bit of a challenge. She spoke every word with such precision that it often sounded like an affected accent. We had an on-again/off-again relationship. Some relationships are born from common interest, others from convenience. Some defy explanation. This one was the re• camera bags and accessories sult of friction. She was an intellectual elitist • memory cards, film, tripods who didn’t play well with others—bored by the • digital printing supplies typical college immaturity. She had no interest • traditional darkroom supplies in marathon drinking and preferred the symphony to football-game tailgating. In truth, she • lighting equipment, reflectors was too good for me. It made me want her • used equipment that much more. Discounts for darkroom She also had a perverted streak. One time she told me about her favorite pair of jeans. I students and instructors. had always assumed a woman’s favorite pair of jeans were due to style or comfort. They were her favorite because of an extremely wide crotch seam that allowed her to mastur1351 S. Kerr Ave. • (910) 313-2999 bate in public places without anyone being the OPEN: 10-6 M-F 10-4 Sat. • Closed Sunday wiser. After two years of our vacillating relationship, we were engaged. To this day, I’m CALL ABOUT REPAIRS not sure exactly how that happened. 50 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com
Southeastern Camera
I remember being in a Burger King parking lot in February. Everyone was talking about their plans after graduation I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I wasn’t ready to go. I was happy swimming in the small pond. College is a state between where one once was and where he is going. I wasn’t ready to move on, so I started looking for reasons not to leave. Then it came to me: Maybe I’ll get married. This desperate plan to remain in Neverland was derailed by another woman. We met at a party I hosted. She was a knockout—flirty, playful and mysterious. We spent the first 10 hours we knew each other in a nonstop conversation that was only interrupted by 15 minutes of silence so we could appreciate the sunrise. It was one of those rapid-fire conversations between two people, perfectly playing off one another. There was rhythm to the banter; it was practically symphonic. Like early Woody Allen films. No lulls or uncomfortable pauses. I was instantly smitten. Beautiful women are not a commodity. On any given night, you can go to a bar and find plenty of attractive women. The rare ones are the ones capable of giving you a cerebral erection. At the end of our first encounter, I asked to see her again. She looked at me, smiled and said, “Why don’t you stop by work and give me a ride home?” I got the address and a time: 2 a.m. on the outskirts of town. When I pulled up to the place, I did a double take. It was a strip mall re-purposed as a strip club. Lots of garish columns and layers of gold paint. The hand-
painted sign read “Lady Godiva’s.” This den of inequity was located in the shadow of the Tri-State Airport. The parking lot was illuminated by the warm glow of the Walmart across the street. The calming thought went through my head: Maybe she’s the bartender. Or a hostess. Do strip clubs have hostesses? It was expunged within 30 seconds of walking through the door. There she was onstage. Naked, working the pole, showing the kind of flexibility I hadn’t seen since the 1992 Ukrainian gymnastic team. The room was half-full, mostly made up of truckers stewing on a cocktail of bourbon and yellow jackets. The only other strip club I had been to was in Miami. It was referred to as a “Gentleman’s Club,” and it had a dress code. The only dress code at Lady Godiva’s was flannel and torn denim. Our second conversation lacked choreography. I could barely muster the words to keep the conversation going on the drive home. I was uncomfortable and she knew it. “Surprised?” she asked. “Very,” I replied. “Does it bother you?” It did. The girl was smart, funny and ridiculously good looking. The fact that she had to dance for morbidly obese truckers to make a living ... she had no problem with this! Why should I? But I did. It wasn’t because of testosterone-infused jealously or puritanical judgment. Simply, she was too good for this place. Those thoughts plagued me over the course of four months as we engaged in a crazy sex-fueled affair. I was remarkably honest about my other relationship; she didn’t care. We had chemistry. She had no interest in a real relationship. Thanks to my fiancée’s distaste for collegiate socialization, I always had an excuse to break away. “Hanging out with friends” translated to two-hour marathon sex sessions in the back of a Dodge Caravan. I was in two relationships—neither of them particularly healthy. Both of them were welcome distractions from having to deal with the reality of moving on to the next phase in my life. I had to make a choice—not just between the actress and the stripper but between the comfort of small-town existence or the uncertainty of trying to achieve some of my loftier creative endeavors. I needed to get back to writing. The choice was obvious. I had to leave. I had become too comfortable in that little town in the middle of nowhere. There I was, the king of limbo. Be sure to read Anghus’ “My Career Suicide” online at http://mycareersuicidenote.tumblr.com where half-chapters are updated weekly.
Wilmington Water Tours
photo by Alan Craddick
We are cruising all year round RIVER CLUB - THURSDAY NIGHTS
On this night we feature a different local musician We stay at the dock. Appetizers are available via a special menu from Elijah’s Restaurant. Bar Opens at 5:30 p.m. North Carolina Microbrews are now available! Feburary 16th DAVE MEYERS Feburary 23rd JESSE STOCKTON March 1st AlEx BAll SATuRDAY, fEBRuARY 18TH - 5-7pm $25 Mardi Gras Cruise Join us for beads...hurricane drinks and some great New Orleans music by Mark Lynch & Ed Somech Complimentary Shuttle Now available for parties of 10 or more for our Black Water Adventure & Sunset Cruise & our Sunday Captains Lazy Day....pick up & drop off at 1 location. Call for details!
A Relaxing Recipe MORE I NF O 9 1 0 -3 3 8 -3 1 3 4
JUST ADD WATER!
Visit us on the Riverwalk! 212 S. Water Street
For a complete list of scheduled Tours, Excursions, and Fees, visit
wilmingtonwatertours.com handicap accESSiblE
BAR ON BOARD WITH ALL ABC PERMITS encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com 51
events INTERCULTURAL FEST UNCW’s 19th annual Intercultural Festival, Sat., 2/18, 11am-3pm, Burney Center Ballroom on UNCW campus. Free! Celebrate the rich diversity found in Wilmington and the UNCW community—food, music, dancing, culture and fun in the Burney Center Ballroom at UNCW. Events run from 11am-3pm and are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted. Elizabeth Betts: 910-962-3685 and bettse@uncw.edu EAST COAST SHAG CLASSIC East Coast Shag Classic kicks off at Blockade Runner Beach Resort on Wrightsville Beach. Three-day, lively beachfront getaway celebrating East Coast beach culture through the music that inspired the shag, the unofficial dance of the state of NC. 2/16: “Patron’s Shag Party” featuring Jim Quick and Coastline Band. Beach music fans are invited to join us for this ticketed event held in honor of our sponsors for this charity benefit weekend. • 2/1718, “Shagging at the Beach Weekend Getaway” w/ beach music and dancing includes: Band of Oz, the Mark Roberts Band, and the Fantastic Shakers, with three ballroom concerts. By day, there will be shag lessons for beginning dancers and sessions for the seasoned shaggers. Line dancing too! www.eastcoastshagclassic.com. Proceeds benefit Women of Hope, a nonprofit cancer organization for women. Weekend getaway packages available for purchase tickets not
2/16-18: SHAG CLASSIC
Put on your loafers and get ready to boogie walk! The inaugural East Coast Shag Classic gets underway this weekend at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort at Wrightsville Beach. The three-day event will revel in beach music and dancing, with Jim Quick and the Coastline Band playing on Thursday night, and Band of Oz, Mark Roberts Band and Fantastic Shakers taking over Friday and Saturday. Lessons take place throughout the weekend, and proceeds benefit Women of Hope, a nonprofit helping women with cancer. individually sold. JUNETEENTH QUIZ BOWL 2/19: 6pm-8pm. UNCW Fisher Student Center, Lumina Theater. Join us in celebrating black history month and support our local youth in their pursuit of knowledge. Broaden your perspective on African American history in topics ranging from science, literature and entertainment! Door prizes will be available. 910-962-3500; www.uncw.edu/ lumina. Free THALIAN HALL MAIN ATTRACTIONS SERIES Thalian Hall Main Attractions Series. Schedule: 2/21, 8pm: Lady Smith Black Mambazo, Returning to Thalian Hall for their second visit, this 15time Grammy-nominated, world-renowned South African vocal ensemble was first introduced to world audiences thru Paul Simon’s “Graceland”
album. Ladysmith Black Mambazo has performed at two Nobel Peace Prize Ceremonies, for Pope John Paul II in Rome, for President Nelson Mandela, at the Summer Olympics and for the Queen of England at Royal Albert Hall. www. mambazo.com www.ThalianHall.org Box Office 910-632-2285; 800-523-2820. Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. Events subject to change. All tickets subject to $1 historic restoration fee added at time of purchase. SOUTHERN CAPE FEAR BRIDAL EXPO Southern Cape Fear Bridal Expo, 2/19, 1-4pm. The Southern Cape Fear feat. over 20 vendors specializing in weddings, at the Southport Community Building. Over $1,000 worth of door prizes, and every bride in attendance will receive an official Southern Cape Fear Coast Wedding planner. Admission: $5/person. Advance tickets: http://boxoffice.printtixusa.com/wilmingtontickets/purchase?s=20036311. 4433 Long Beach Rd. 910-457-6964. BLACK CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS/SAILORS 2/25: In celebration of Black History Month, Onslow County Public Library will host a community celebration of Onslow County Black Civil War Soldiers and Sailors. Rediscover the personal stories and journeys of local African Americans, as they served in the Civil War and beyond. Program features performances of the Union Soldiers’ Statement of Voluntary Enlistment and a vignette taken from the life of an Onslow County Black Civil War soldier. Keynote speaker: Richard Reid, author of Freedom for Themselves: North Carolina’s Black Soldiers in the Civil War Era, which explores the stories of black soldiers from four regiments raised in NC. Northside High School cafeteria; Jacksonville, NC. 910-455-7350 www. onslowcountync.gov/library. UNCW 2011-12 PERFORMING ARTS SEASON The UNCW Office of Cultural Arts announces its 2011/12 season, which includes a schedule of internationally-acclaimed artists, encompassing a wide range of styles and genres, with performances by luminaries in classical and jazz music, dance and drama. Tickets at the Kenan Auditorium Box Office, Mon-Fri, noon-5pm, 910962-3500 or 800-732-3643. At Kenan Auditorium unless otherwise specified. Schedule: 2/28: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra • 3/31: Pilobolus Dance Theatre.
fund-raisers/charity MARDI GRAS FOR PAWS Fat Tuesday’s Mardi Gras for Paws, 2/21, 7-11pm. Harbour Masters Restaurant, Carolina Beach. $25/person w/Cajun food, entertainment, silent auction and cash bar. Tax deductible donation. Limited tickets. info@savinganimalsduringdisasters.org. HAPPY BUMS Happy Bums is a local, nonProfit diaper drive created to address this problem in the Wilmington community. Donations will be accepted during the month of March at six different locations. Community support is essential for the program’s suc-
52 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com
cess. Folks interested in donating or becoming a drop-off location, contact Robin Riggs: 910-4706121 or robinriggs@ellajean.com. FULL BELLY FEAST 2/18, 6pm: Enjoy a night of international cuisine inspired by the countries in which we work, the world beats of Tanstrum, and a wide array of live and silent auction items. See our award-winning inventions, and learn more about our expanding mission to benefit farmers and entrepreneurs in rural communities around the world. Admission is $50 in advance, $60 at the door. Call 910-4520975 for more information. Coastline Convention Center, 503 Nutt St. Full Belly Project empowers rural communities by training individuals to manufacture and sell locally produced, low-cost technologies such as, the Universal Nut Sheller and the Rocking Water Pump. POLAR PLUNGE See page 49. DRESS FOR SUCCESS FASHION SHOW New Hanover County Schools will host its first “Community Job Fair and Dress for Success Fashion Show,” Sat., 2/18, 11am-3pm. Williston Middle School, 401 S. 10th St. Entrance to the event will be through the 11th Street entrance near the gymnasium. Co-sponsored by the Wilmington Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Free and open to the general public—ample parking in the 11th street parking lot. Sponsored exclusively by Dillard’s at 1pm, fashion show is intended to assist participants by demonstrating appropriate attire for job interviews, business casual days, the office social event and career wear for every day.Two free workshops: “Resume Preparation” and “Helping Youth Find Summer Jobs” presented during the job fair.Mary Wood, a career readiness certificate coordinator from CFCC, will conduct the résumé workshop at 11:30am and 2pm. WPD is presenting summer jobs workshop, 11:30am. Space limited; pre-reg workshops recommended. 910) 254-4245 or email Debbie Trafton at debora.trafton@nhcs.net . BOOK SALE FUND-RAISER 2/18, 8am: Book Sale at CFCI will have many new reads for a large audienceof readers. All of our gently used-new books will be under $2 (most much less!). All proceeds will be used to help fund our 3rd grade field trip to the Charleston Aquarium! Please come out and support our children and find some new books for yours! Cape Fear Center for Inquiry: A K-8 Charter School: 2525 Wonder Way. flowersoftheearth@live.com. MONTY’S HOME 5TH ANNUAL PET EXPO 2/19, 11am-4pm: Monty’s Home 5th Annual Pet Expo at the Schwartz Center, showcasing over 70 pet related vendors. Silent Auction will feature collector editions of autographed items from NASCAR driver Ryan Newman, animal activist Betty White, actor Matthew McConaughey, Robin Williams, and including an autographed photo of Jimmy Buffett and his dog Cheesburger from 1988. Free admission for children; Kid’s Korner is filled with games, prizes and fun interactive learning about responsible pet care. Proceeds from the expo support Monty’s Home canine rescue/
canine rescue/prison training program as well as the education and grief support programs. Area rescues are offered free space to promote and raise funds for their groups. 910-259-7911. www.montyshome.org DISABILITY CENTER 18th annual Coming Together Conference, 2/20, 8:15am-3:16pm: Cheri Britton, M.Ed, is a speaker, author, coach and trainer who has been helping individuals and organizations effectively Boom Think for over two decades. Through metaphors, anecdotes, and powerful journaling exercises, Cheri challenges executives, employees, entrepreneurs, parents and regular folks to confront limiting beliefs and break out of their “velvet rut,” where they survive, but definitely don’t thrive. The results are literally transformational. Snipes Academy of Arts and Design, 2150 Princess Place Dr. PAJAMA PARTY 2/24: 2nd annual Pajama Party for Breast Cancer Awareness—charity fundraiser for The Pink Ribbon Project. Celebrity M/C Kimberly the “Night Nurse” of Reggae Redemption, Pig’Pickin food provided by A&G BBQ and US Foods, Alpha Delta Pi Sorority of UNCW, Odysea Surf and Kiteboard School will be donating some great raffle prizes, surf lessons and such along with many other vendors as well, Sheila’s Wig’s will be here with the “Look Good Feel Better Program.” Ostara Belly and Fire Dancer performances throughout the evening—drummers welcome, Sydney Perry, Miss NC USA 2012, Kelly Keenan, Miss Southeastern NC 2012, Amber Lewis, Miss Pleasure Island. Wear your best PJ’s, sexiest (but tasteful) PJ Contest at midnight for grand prize. The Lazy Pirate, 701 N. Lake Park Blvd. (910) 458-LAZY. DAYTONA 500 PARTY Daytona 500 Party, 2/26, 12:30pm. Benefits the Guardians of the Ribbon, Cape Fear NC Chapter. $15 or $20 after 2/12 and at door. Food, beer, wine, soda and the race on the big screen. Raflles, silent auction and 50/50 held. Super raflle pays up to $2500 in case; tickets, $20. VFW: 2722 Carolina Beach Rd. No outside alcohol allowed. www.pinkhealscapefear.org. Duane Eastmond: (910) 604-4031; duane@pinkhealscapefear.org. HAPPY BURNS DIAPER DRIVE 3/1, noon: Happy Bums is a Diaper Drive working to eliminate diaper need in theCape Fear area. We will collect donated diapers during the month of March 2012 and distribute them through existing service agencies, such as the Food Bank of Eastern NC. Our goal is to make sure that local babies have enough diapers to remain clean, dry, and healthy. The drive is run entirely by volunteers
and relies on the donations of local citizens and organizations. www.wix.com/happybums/nc.
theatre/auditions BIG DAWG PRODUCTIONS Big Dawg Productions will present the comedy “The Owl and the Pussycat,” 2/16-19. When aspiring author Felix notices a neighboring a prostitute plying her trade, he complains to the landlord, who has her evicted. He soon has Doris, a prostitute, ahem, “model and actress,” pounding on his door. She figures he owes her a bed for the night, an arrangement that leads to comedic complications. Showtimes are Thurs-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 3pm, at the Cape Fear Playhouse, 613 Castle Street. Tickets : $20 GA, $18 for students, seniors 62+ and military, all Thurs. shows are $15 for all. 910-367-5237 or bigdawgproductions.org. BROWNCOAT PUB AND THEATRE All shows are $15 GA, $8 student admission. 111 Grace St. • 2/16-25: Jonathan Harvey’s “Beautiful Thing” tells the story of Jamie and Ste, neighbors in a London suburb. While Jamie spends most of his days skipping school to avoid his classmates’ teasing, Ste avoids his home to keep clear of his abusive father. Shows at 8pm; Sun, shows at 5pm. www.browncoattheatre.com BAREFOOT IN THE PARK Brunswick Little Theatre will present Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park, at Playhouse 211 at 7:30pm, 2/16-18, and 3pm, 2/12 and 19. Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. Playhouse211.com. Tickets: $17 for adults and $12 for students. Not recommended for children under high school age. brunswicklittletheatre.com.
and Leo Bloom, his stage-struck accountant, hatch the ultimate scam: raise more money than you need for a surefire Broadway flop and pocket the difference. They find the perfect musical, guaranteed to offend everyone and close in one night. Intended for mature audiences. Tickets: (910) 632-2285 or www.thalianhall.com CITY STAGE See pages 22-24. RED BARN STUDIO See pages 22-24. VAGINA MONOLOGUES See page 25. FRAKTURED FAERY TALES Journey Productions presents part deux of this series of tales, “Super Nanny saves the Ole Woman in the Shoe,” Cinderella is the stepsister to a Kardashian/Jersey Shore-like family with a reality show, Al Adin is a picker that finds a magic lamp with a redneck genie in a Carolina barn, The Hare is a shameless self-promoter with a poor work ethic that just might cause him to lose to the Tortoise and the Pied Piper is a DJ that lures the hipsters out of Williamsburg (Brooklyn, not VA). 2/16, 7:30pm; Fri/Sat, 2/17-19 and 24-26, 8pm with 3pm Sun. matinees. $11. Family Night Special: Thurs., 2/23: 7:30pm, $7. 910-632-2285 RAGGEDY ANNE SAYS HELLO Auditions for Guerilla Theatre’s production of the third play of the Leonard Melfi series, “Raggedy Anne Says Hello,” will be 2/27-28, 7pm, Community Arts Center/Hannah Block Historic USO, 120 S. 2nd St., Wilmington. Roles are available for two women (age range 24-30) and one man (age range 18-24). geezmcrow@yahoo.com FINDING NEMO
Seeking performers to participate in a 10-week tuition based theater program at Wrightsville Beach Parks & Recreation of“Finding Nemo,” 3/22-5/31, 4-5pm. Ages 5-9yrs; and 5-6pm for ages 10-13yrs. Everyone gets a part—final performance at WB Amphitheater 6/2 and WBS Marine Science Festival 6/5! Wonderful performance opportunity and event for the community! Register: www.townofwrightsvillebeach. com o (910) 256-7925. www.PerformanceClubKids.com PERFORMANCE CLUB STUDIO Performance Club Studio Theater needs kids ages 5-teen who can rap and move well. Seeking 14 rappers and 30 ensemble members for International Library Hip Hop Superstar Melvil Dewey music video! Auditions in late February TBA; Shoot Date in March • Classes are on-going for ages PreK to Teen! Voice, acting, movement, scene study, musical theater, audition and on-camera technique even glee! Classes after school M,T and W! • Home School Drama every Friday from 11-noon at the Performance Club Studio Theater. Ages 5-10yrs. Register on-line at www.PerformanceClubKids.com. Director LJ Woodard (910) 338-3378; email performanceclub@me.com.
comedy THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE “TNL” sketch comedy show by PineappleShaped Lamps returns for a new season at Browncoat Pub and Theatre. The troupe feat. over a dozens members performing tons of no-holds-barred skits, with funny. memorable
TACT EVENTS Broadway Now: original all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza, created expressly for TACT, 2/17-19 at the Hannah Block 2nd Street Stage, 120 S. 2nd St. Performances are Fri./Sat.,7pm, and Sun., 3pm. $10 GA. 910-341-7860. Directed by Rebecca Rockow, assistant direction by Michelle Reiff, with music direction by Denice Hopper, and choreography by Judy Greenhut and Mary Beth Henderson A cast of over 60 of Wilmington’s most talented young singers, dancers, and musicians. OPERA HOUSE THEATRE COMPANY “The Producers,” 2/15-19 and 24-26, 8pm or Sun. at 3pm. Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan; music and lyrics by Mel Brooks. Max Bialystock, a down-on-his-luck theatrical producer,
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characters. The show also includes their parody newscast, “PSNews” with Rachel Boydston and Ryan P.C., along with additional correspondents. Doors at 8:30pm; show at 9pm. $5 at door, with show running every Thursday for eight episodes. 111 Grace St. NUTT ST. COMEDY ROOM Tickets; $8/$10. Schedule: 2/17-18: Kenny Zimlinghaus (Cosmo Radio) • Every Wed. Nutt House Improv Troupe, doors 8pm, showtime 9pm, no cover charge. • Every Thurs. Open Mic Stand Up, doors 8pm, showtime 9pm, no cover. • Nutt St Comedy Room announces the opening of The Studio at Nutt St. We provide a community workshop program for actors, comedians, improv, and public speaking. Workshop provides actors and comedians the ability to develop their skill levels and participate in multiple workshops. Beginners workshops available. All ages are welcome. Timmy Sherrill: 910-520-5520. 255 N. Front St, basement of Soapbox. www.nuttstreet.com. 910-520-5520
music SWEET ADELINES The Azalea Coast Chorus of Sweet Adelines is hosting entertainment at Wrighstville Baptist Church. Women invited for evening of music, gifts/prizes, harmony and a capella concert. (910) 799-4197. MUSIC AT FIRST 2/19, 5pm: Music at First presents Danijela Zezelj-Gualdi on violin and Paulo André Gualdi on piano performing Sonato for Piano and Violin in D Major, Op. 12, No. 1 Ludwig van Beethoven,
among others. Concert is free but donations appreciation. First Presbyterian Church, 125 S. Third St. 910-762-6688. www.firstonhand.org. PUNCH BROTHERS See page 35. NC SYMPHONY Award-winning English pianist Stephen Hough joins the North Carolina Symphony for “Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2.” Kenan Auditorium, UNCW, 2/23, 8pm. Widely regarded as one of the most important and distinctive pianists of his generation, Hough has been awarded a prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, nicknamed the Genius Grants, as well as Northwestern University’s Jean Gimbel Lane Prize and the Royal Philharmonic Society Instrumentalist Award. He has appeared with most major American and European orchestras, including a recent performance with the Berlin Philharmonic and Sir Simon Rattle that was televised worldwide.The symphony opens the concert with Liszt’s feisty Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, based on the Hungarian national dance, the Czardas, and performs Liszt’s passionate tone poem Mazeppa, among other operatic highlights. Tickets start at $40; students receive $10 tickets. www.ncsymphony.org or 877-627-6724. THE SAW DOCTORS 2/27, 7pm: The Saw Doctors are an Irish rock band. Formed in 1986 in Tuam, County Galway, they have achieved eighteen Top 30 singles in Ireland, including three number ones. Their first number one, “I Useta Lover,” topped the Irish charts for nine consecutive weeks in 1990, and still holds the record for the country’s all-time biggest-selling single. Renowned for their live performances, the band has a cult following, especially in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. On 2/15,
they received a Lifetime Achievement Award at theMeteor Ireland Music Awards. GA: $25 adv or $30 day of; Balcony: $35 adv/$40 day of. http:// brooklynartsnc.com WYNTON MARSALIS 2/28, 8pm: Jazz trumpeter/band leader Wynton Marsalis performs with the internationally acclaimed Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Admission charge. UNCW Kenan Auditorium. 910-962-
3500; sold out! WILMINGTON SINGLES 2/17: Classic Collection Band, “Valentines Day Dance.” Semi-formal dress. Am. Legion Post 10. Members $10/Guests $12. • 2/24: DJ Robert Clemmons , Am. Legion Post 10. Music plays 8p.m.-11p.m. Admission: DJ dances $8/10; Band dances $10/12. No shorts, miniskirts or
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denim jeans.Dale Thompson: (910)619-1054
(between College and Kerr). 7:30-9:30pm. $5 lounge entrance includes beginners’ lesson, 7:30. • 2/18 Milonga features DJ Thierry Olivry,Verna’s Ballroom DanceSport. ($5) 9pm1am. • 2/25: Milonga features DJ Jack Levy, Steve’s Pad. ($5) 9pm-1am. Verna’s Ballroom Dancesport : 4523 Franklin Ave, Cost: $10/person per class. Ellen Bethune: 910-352-1219 or eb18781@hotmail.com
dance ZUMBA Zumba: 11 week course 2/10-4/20, every Friday at 10am; $49.99 for up to 10 classes and the 11th class is free (ZUMBA classes only). tbatson@bellsouth.net or call Techniques In Motion School of Dance: 910-799-3223. techniquesinmotion.com BABS MCDANCE 2/27: West Coast Swing/ DC Handdancing workshop, 7-8:30pm • 2/28, Free Hafla: Not sure what that is? Come find out! 7-8:30pm • 2/29: Lindy/Bal-swing workshop, 7-8:30pm • 3/1: Shufflin/Urban Electro workshop, 7-8:30pm • 3/3: Bolero, 12-1:30pm • 2/25: The Imitations at Babs McDance! Doorsat 7pm. Cash bar and tasty snacks. Lots of entertainment and dancing! $12/adv. and $15/door. $10/adv. for Babs McDance Studio members 6782 Market St. (910) 395-5090 LINE DANCING Get ready for weddings, concerts in the park, birthday parties and other events with the knowledge of popular line dancing. Since you dance on your own in an ensemble, line dancing is ideal for singles and for partners of non-dancers. Session 2: 3/4, 11, 18, and 25, 2012. Day and Time: Sundays, 4-5pm. Pre-registration is requested. 256-7925. www.townofwrightsvillebeach.com. TANGO WILMINGTON Tango classes and social dancing, Fridays, Carolina Lounge of Ramada Inn. 5001 Market Street
76’ERS SQUARE DANCE CLUB Modern Western Style Square Dance. Club meets Thurs. nights at 7pm at the Senior Center for a new workshop on square dancing. Info: 270-1639 SURFER TANGO Waterford Tango at the Clubhouse, Fri. at 7:30 • Magnolia Greens Tango, Thurs, 7:30pm, Aerobics Room • Cape Fear Country Club Tango, Sun., 5pm. • It Takes Tuesdays to Tango, Tues., at Orton Underground, downtown; 7pm free lesson • Brunswick Forest Tango starts in Feb. • Live tango demo with Brunswick County Big Band on Valentines Day at St. James. All classes are $10 per couple per class fun, professional, positive instruction. www.surfertango.com CONTRA DANCE Tuesday night dances, 5th Ave United Methodist Church on South 5th Ave at Nun, 7:30-9:30pm. Social dance for all levels; singles and couples, families, college and high school students and folks of all dancing abilities are invited to come. $4. (910) 538-9711. BALLROOM LATIN DANCE LESSONS Learn to dance ballroom, Latin, swing. New classes: Beginner Ballroom, Tues 2/28,and Sun 3/4.
In business since 1994, Come in and see why! 101 S. College Rd. • 910-392-7529
www.a-taste-of-italy.com
SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER Dine In • Take Out • Catering
Friday Night Dance Party: 2/17, w/Intro Lesson, 7:30-9:30. $7, $5 college w/ID. 4th Sat Dance, 2/25, $10,$5 w/ID. Ballroom 4523 Franklin Ave. Across from Cinema Dr. DanceSport. Less than mile from UNCW. Singles/couples. BallrooomDanceSportNC.com 799-2001
NOW! SUBMISSIONS WANTED Local artists who desire for their work be shown in “International Contemporary Artists” book can submit to the juried committee now! The book features paintings, sculptures, installations, digital art and photography, and is sold across many platforms worldwide, including Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and more. Selected artists will be required to submit a one-page layout in the book, including images of art, essay or statement and contact info. Visit www.incoartists.com for more details. BALLROOM DANCE LESSONS Wednesdays Feb/March:12:30, Beginner Ballroom; 1:30:Intermediate Ballroom; 2:30:Swing (March), Singles/Couples. New Hanover County Resource Center, 2222 College Rd, Advance registration required. 910-799-2001
art ARTFUL LIVING GROUP Artful Living Group located at 112 Cape Fear Blvd., 910-458-7822. info@artufllivinggroup. com. Feb. D.S. Starr & Halt’s “Cast No Stones” w/10% of sales going to Carolina Beach Rec Ctr and American Leukemia Society. • March: Mossy’s Most Wanted Salvage Art, feat. Mike Driver’s Metal Furniture. Opening, 3/1, 6:308:30pm HOSS HALEY DRAWING MACHINE 2/23-3/30: “Hoss Haley: Drawing Machine” will be on view at the Art Gallery at the Cultural Arts Building. The exhibition will be accompanied by an artist lecture on 2/23, 4:30-5:30pm, in the Cultural Arts Building, Room 2033, with artist reception following from 5:30-7pm in the Art Gallery. Exhibition will feature Hoss Haley’s Drawing Machine, a large metal table with a robotic arm-like apparatus that generates drawings, as well as several completed drawings. Additionally, the Drawing Machine will be operating during the
opening reception. Free and open to the public. WAA SPRING ART SHOW AND SALE See page 30. ANN FLACK BOSEMAN GALLERY Ann Flack Boseman Gallery presents “Philip J. Merrill: An Artifactual Journey Across Black North Carolina” through 2/16. Second floor of Fisher University Union. Open to the public. Merrill is a nationally recognized expert in African American history and material culture, who specializes in African American historical research, oral history, and collecting and interpreting cultural artifacts. Was an appraiser for PBS’ Antiques Roadshow and created the category for Black Memorabilia. Offers an extensive and eclectic collection of Black memorabilia comprised of more than 30,000 items Merrill has collected widely at museums, schools, national conferences, and a variety of other settings. ART SUBMISSIONS WANTED Artists are invited to submit their work for review in order to be selected for the fourth volume of “International Contemporary Artists,” a series of international art books. Book provides an in-depth look at global art, appealing to professional and emerging artists, opening out the world of art to a wider audience. Publication is already in progress; early submissions are recommended. Includes paintings, sculptures, installations, digital art and photography, showing in each page the individuality of each artist and different styles of expression as well. Juried committee selects artists, who then will be presented in the book in a one-page layout, to include images of his/her work, an essay or statement and his/her contact information. www.incoartists.com CHECKER CAB Checker Cab gallery presents “Sweet & Sassy” an exhibit featuring twoof the areas most unique and interpretive female artists. Linda Hartman, through her intriguing reflections in metal repousee and ceramic and Lena Moschet, through her whimsical, yet alluring ingenues portrayed in oil on canvas. Hangs through 2/17. 130 N Front St. 910-352-1575. checkercabproductions.com CAPE FEAR CAMERA CLUB The Cape Fear Camera Club will hold a photography exhibit at the Northeast Branch of New Hanover Regional Library through 2/18. Appx 70 photographs, representing a variety of topics, will be on display during regular library hours. FOURTH FRIDAY GALLERY NIGHT Fourth Friday Gallery Nights 2012 are free monthly events where local galleries, studios and art spaces open their doors to the public in an after-hours celebration of art and culture. Self-
Still the best view on Wrightsville Beach. Located in the Holiday Inn Resort with outdoor dining and ocean views Wrightsville Beach, NC 910-256-2231
wrightsville.holidayinnresorts.com 56 encore |february 15-21, 2012| www.encorepub.com
guided tours feature exhibitions of various artistic genres, as well as opening receptions, artist discussions, demonstrations, live music, wine, food and other traditional and nontraditional art-related activities. Dates: 2/24. www.wilmingtonfourthfridays.com. NO BOUNDARIES INTERNATIONAL 2/24, 6-9pm: Recent installment of artwork created during the 2011 Art Colony at Bald Head Island will have closing exhibit reception at Acme Art Studios held in conjunction with Fourth Friday Gallery Nights downtown. Participating local artists include Shawn Best, Shannon Rayle Bourne, Gary Breece, Michelle Connolly, Karen Crouch, Zak Duff, Bonnie England, Catherine Lea, Betti Pettinati-Longinotti, Scott Queen, Charmaine Ortiz Rountrey, Kate Sinclair, Harry Taylor, Pam Toll, Gayle Tustin, Michael Van Hout and Addie Alexandra Wuensch. Acme Art Studios: 711 N. 5th Avenue. No Boundaries provides worldwide artistsand the local community a forum for free expression and cross-cultural dialogue, presenting projects that contribute to the cultural health of the global community, and its ability to imagine and realize a future filled with diverse voices that will be heard with empathy. RIO JORDON Harry Taylor looks at the present as if it is the past; “Rio Jordan” is a collection photographic artifacts of the Cape Fear region. Use of “wetplate” photographic techniques and tintypes and historic processes that examine the memory of a river. Taylor earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts, Photography, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA in 1992. 621N4TH Gallery, 621 N 4th Street, downtown ILM. Hangs through 2/29. ARTISTS FOR CHARITY Artists for Charity announces its 2012 Art Show for charity to be held at the Caffé Phoenix, 35 North Front St. Grand Opening and Meet-the-Artists reception: Thurs., 3/8, 5pm. Show running until the end of April. Particpants include: Robin Chapman, Gail Henderson, Roz Hancock, Dauwlene Bugnatto, Caiden Kenny, Joan Geisel, Barton Hatcher, William Hubbard, Tran Thi Ha, James Kelly, Barbara Jamison, Gail Smith, Todd Corrigan, Ann Hair, Nancy Noel May, Norma Dinsuelo, Joan Mclaughlin. Paula Faraday: 910-792-0362. BOTTEGA EVENTS Bottega Gallery presents The Artists of Thrive Studios, feat. a wide spectacular variety of dramatic works. Participants include: Scott Ehrhart, Gaeton!, Lance Strickland, Mike Watters, Sarah Garriss, Jason Jones, Zak Duff, G. Scott Queen, Zachariah W. Weaver, and Rob Fogle. Exhibit
runs through 3/18, w/ closing reception on Fri., 3/9, 6pm, with most artists in attendance. Fourth Friday Gallery Night: 2/24. • 3/23: The fantastic Gabriel Lehmen will be returning for a solo exhibit for two months. • Mon: Closed through winter • Tues (4pm-midnight): Starving artist night and open paint • Wed (4pm-mid.): Weekly wine tastings, 7pm • (Sat 1pm-2am; Sun., 1pm-mid.) • Sun 2/26: “Buy You A Drink” Comedy Night. bottegaartbar@gmail.com. • 208 N. Front St. 910763-3737, www.bottegagallery.com. PROJEKTE Now showing: “Black & White” a Thrive Studio group exhibit showcasing new black and white artworks by Thrive Studio artists Scott Ehrhart, Zachariah Weaver, Lance Strickland, Gaeten Lowrie, Jason Jones, Zachary Duff, Geoffrey Scott Queen, Drew Swinson, Miranda Welborn Duncan, Emily Russell, Trek Matthews and Michael Watters. • Now open: Coffeehaus and Antiques, w/assortment of homemade sweets and specialty brewed java. Opens 1pm Tue-Sat. • EVENTS: Mon/Tues/Sat/Sun: Yoga, PWYC, 6.30-7.30pm. Wed: Figure Drawing, $10/class, 6-8pm. First Wed of each Month: DivaMade Collective, a meet n greet for creative women, 7.30-9.30pm. Every other Thur: UNCW Film Nite, sometimes political, always controversial, 7.30-11pm. Second Sat of each month: The Creative Exchange, local artists sale and swap, 2-5pm. • Every 3rd Friday: Live Bossanova w/Raphael Name, 7p-11p. • Every Fri/Sat: Live Music, 8-12am. Free unless noted otherwise. 910-763-1197, theprojekte@gmail. com, www.theprojekte.com. 523 S 3rd St.
museums NC BATTLESHIP 2/18: Explore the Battleship’s 16-inch and 5-inch guns from the gun houses to the ammunition loading compartments; the 40mm and 20mm guns, and the weapons that they replaced (1.10 and 50 caliber guns). Presenters will discuss the various types of fire control equipment (directors/optical range finders, radar, computers) and how main and secondary battery plotting rooms and the combat information center operated. Presentations w/hands-on experience. Adults only (ages 16 and up) and limited to 40 participants: $85$95. Registration and payment due 2/16. 910251-5797 • 2/26, noon-10pm: Azalea Coast Amateur Radio Club will operate from the Battleship
Calendar deadline is every Thursday at noon for following week’s edition.
Nc during the North Carolina QSO Party. This annual “HAM RADIO” event allows amateur radio operators worldwide to contact as many of NC’s 100 counties as possible. Morse code communications will originate from the TDE transmitter, placed in service aboard the Battleship in 1944, and restored to operating condition by Club members in 2005, after a 50+ year slumber. Jack Jacobs: 791-1566 or wd4oin@arrl.net. • 3/7: Power Plant Tour: Details about the ship’s boilers, turbines and reduction gears, steam and diesel powered service turbo generators, along with electrical distribution, water distillation, and steering mechanisms. • 10/13: Go behind the scenes of the Battleship and explore un-restored areas not open to the public. 910-251-5797 or www. battleshipnc.com. Jct of HWYs 17/74/76/421, on the Cape Fear River. SE NC MUSEUM COLLECTIVE MEETING 2/20, 10-11:30am: Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site, 8884 St. Philips Rd. SE Winnabow, NC 28479. (910) 371-6613 Meeting w/LeRae Umfleet, NCDCR Chief of Collections Management, and Matthew Hunt, NCDCR Disaster Preparedness Coordinator. Will talk on Disaster Preparedness: Plans and Networks RSVP to Madeline Flagler at wbmuseum@bizec.rr.com. Meeting followed by a light lunch and a tour of Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site. NC AQUARIUM Exotic Aquatics Gallery has added white-spotted jellyfish (Phyllorhiza punctata) to its collection.The Exotic Aquatics Gallery traditionally features nonnative marine species. Guests can learn more about the life cycle of a jellyfish while viewing these beautiful animals. Educates the public on
CAPE FEAR MUSEUM EXHIBITS: Through 7/15: Cape Fear Treasures: “Shoes” takes a glimpse into a selection of footwear from Cape Fear Museum’s permanent collection. 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries featuring spectator oxford pumps, lace-up boots, satin slippers, Air Jordans and more! • Through 2/5: B.W. Wells: Pioneer Ecologist: Explore the breathtaking nature photography of ecologist B.W. Wells and discover his passion for the flora and fauna of the Lower Cape Fear region. • Grass Roots: African Origins of an American Art: Highlights the beauty of coiled basketry and shows how a basket can be viewed simultaneously as a work of art, object of use and container of memory. Features more than 50 baskets and related objects and images of Africans in America from the 17th century to the present. • EVENTS: Volunteer Open House held first Wed. of mo. Opportunities are available in museum store, working with the historic collection, and as an education docent. • New Hanover County Resident’s Day: Residents admitted free first Sun. ea. mo. • 2/18 and 25, 1-4pm: African Art, free for members or w/admission. Discover the African influences in Lower Cape Fear art and culture. Explore the geography of Africa, and uncover the origins of Lowcountry basketry then make a basket to take home. Create your own art using African-influenced sym-
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metry and design in the style of local artist Minnie Evans. • 2/19, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30pm: African Skies. Free for members or w/admission. Compare and contrast the local night sky to that seen in Africa. • Community Conversations: 2/21, 6:30-8:30pm: Listen to different viewpoints from panelists then engage in discussion about Civil War history. Mixer before and after, 6:45pm. Tickets, $5 for members/$7, non; call 910-798-4362. Facilitated by Dr. Jane Turner Censer, who writes prize-winning articles on the history of women and teaches at George Mason University, and Dr. Jaime Martinez, UNCP, whose work on the Civil War explores the effects of slave impressment in North
9am-5pm through Labor Day, Tues-Sat; 1-5pm, Sun. $7 for adults; $6 for students with valid ID and senior citizens; $6 special military rate with valid military ID; $4 for children 3-17; and free for children under 3. Museum members admitted free. 814 Market St. 910-798-4367. www. capefearmuseum.com.
CAMERON ART MUSEUM EXHIBITS: Murrinis Within a Crystal Matrix: The Poetic Glassworks of Richard Ritter,” “Mark Peiser: Reflections on the Palomar Mirror “and “Penland School of Crafts: Evolution and Imagination.” Both Richard Ritter and Mark Peiser are honored as 2011 North Carolina Living Treasures. Thematically tied, both Ritter and Peiser attended Penland School of Crafts. The school is an international leader in the evolution of craft education located in western NC. This exhibition Coast 97.3 will hold another poetry jam at the Camerexplores Penland then and now, featuring on Art Museum on Thursday the 16th at 8 p.m. Yo Girl examples of some of the finest work from Sandra and Bigg B present the evening of rhythmic the school. Hangs through 4/1/2012 • Civil War Era Drawings from the Becker expression, welcoming speakers and performers to the Collection, through 5/6. Feat. 127 “first stage. Eclectic Soul also will play music. The invitationhand” drawings depicting colorful aspects al slam features poets across the state and has been of life and action during the Civil War era. gathering quite the following as of late. To catch the Original drawings by artist-reporters for the Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper loquacious action, cost is only $3 to $5; CAM is located were used to inform a reading pubat 17 Street Ext. and Independence Boulevard. lic consumed by the need to know what was happening throughout America as it struggled to estabCarolina and Virginia. Discover how mothers, lish its national identity. Curated by Judith Bookwives, and children responded to the absence of binder and Sheila Gallagher with Boston College. fathers, husbands, and brothers. Discuss what The traveling exhibition is organized by Curatorial happened to slaves during the war. Explore how Assistance Traveling Exhibitions, Pasadena Calithe home front functioned during wartime. Hours: fornia. • 2/16, 8pm: COAST Poetry Jam; $3-$5.
2/16: COAST POETRY JAM
Music by Eclectic Soul. Produced by “Yo Girl” Sandra and hosted by Bigg B. For information call the COAST radio studio line: 910-763-0973 or listen to them at 97.3 FM. • 2/25, 10am, 2/26, 11am: 7th Annual Civil War Living History: Reenactors, Battle of Forks Road skirmish, period arts, crafts, activities and more. The weekend’s activities include the 2nd Annual Ghost Walk with Halyburton Park. • Kids @ CAM, 2/25-26: 11am2pm: Free! In honor of our Civil War Living History Weekend, we will have Civil War era games and activities! Make art you can take home, explore our exhibitions. Fun for the whole family! Parental supervision required. No pre-registration necessary. • CLASSES, ETC: • Life Drawing every Tues., 6-9pm. Group meets in Reception Hall. Participants provide own dry drawing materials and watercolors. $70/6-wks. • Hand and Wheel Pottery Techniques: Mon/Wd, 3/19-5/9, 9amnoon, or Tues/Thurs, 3/20-5/10, 5:30-8:30pm. CAM Members: $250; Non-members: $300. Hiroshi Sueyoshi teaches handbuilding, wheel throwing, glazing and finishing techniques. Class size is limited. Open to all skill levels, ages 16+. • Call for Yoga, Rumba and Tai Chi class schedules. Corner of South 17th St. and Independence Blvd. Tues-Sun,11am-5pm; Thurs: 11am-9pm. Museum members free, $8 non-members, $5 students with valid ID, $3 children age 2 -12. www.cameronartmuseum.com or 910-395-5999. CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Through 2/18: Museum Membership Drive. Receive $15 off a Family Fun Pass. Passes range from $64-$99 for one week only. • Jammie Jam PJ Party, 2/17, 5-7pm. Come in your PJs and bring a special stuffed friend! Make toothpaste and dreamcatchers, play some board games,
and settle in for a cozy storytime. • RSVP! Free with admission or membership! • Free with admission or membership: Mon, Little Sprouts Storytime, 10am, and Go Green Engineer Team, 3:30pm. • Tues., Leading to Reading Literacy Class , 9am, and Kids Cooking Club, 3:30pm • Wed., Preschool Science, 10am; Discover Science, 3:30pm; and Mini Math, 4pm. • Thurs. StoryCOOKS, 10am; and StART with a Story, 3:30pm • Fri., Toddler Time, 10am; and Adventures in Art, 3:30pm • Sat, Discovery Fitness, 4pm; Sun., Acting Club 2pm. • Drop off gently used books at our Museum to be used for a good cause. Ooksbay Books uses book collection locations to help promote literacy, find a good use for used books, and benefit nonprofits. www. ooksbaybooks.com. www.playwilmington.org WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH MUSEUM The Wrightsville Beach 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 year history of Wrightsville Beach. 256-2569. 303 West Salisbury St. wbmuseum.com. (910)256-2569 WILMINGTON RAILROAD MUSEUM Explore railroad history and heritage, especially of the Atlantic Coast Line, headquartered in Wilmington for more than 130 years. Interests and activities for all ages including historical exhibits, full-size steam engine and rolling stock, lively children’s area, and spectacular scale
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models. Housed in an original 1882 freight warehouse, facilities are fully accessible and on one level. Groups receive special guided tours. Facilities can also be booked for meetings or mixers, accommodating groups of up to 150. • Story Times designed for younger visitors first and third Mon, 10:30am. $4 per family is charged to cover program costs and includes access to the rest of the Museum. Museum admission only $6 for adults, $5 for seniors/military, $3 for children 2-12, and free under age 2. Located at the north end of downtown at 505 Nutt St. 910-763-2634 or www.wrrm.org. LATIMER HOUSE Victorian Italiante style home built in 1852, the 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. 126 S. Third St. Adults $8, children $4. 762-0492. www.latimerhouse.org CAPE FEAR SERPENTARIUM Cool down in front of “Anaconda Splash” exhibit in the indoor tropical jungle. See, photograph and even touch rare animals assembled from all over the planet in beautiful simulations of their natural environments. Meet colorful jungle birds, crocodiles, king cobras, black mambas and many more. Open from 11am-5pm, Sat. from 11am-6pm. 20 Orange Street at Front Street on historic downtown riverwalk. (910) 762-1669 or www.capefearserpentarium.com. BELLAMY MANSION 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, itfocuses on history and the design arts and offers tours, changing exhibitions and an informative look at historic preservation in action. www.bellamymansion.org. 503 Market 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 and 19th century decor and gardens. Colonial life is experienced through historical interpretations in kitchen-building and courtyard. 3rd and Market St. Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm. Last tour, 3pm. Admission rqd. (910) 762-0570. www.burgwinwrighthouse.com.
sports/recreation PILATES CLASSES Body Aligned Pilates Studio, 3308 Wrightsville Ave. Equipment and Mat Classes: Monday Mat, 5:30pm; Thurs. Tower 5:30pm; Fri. Reformer/ Tower 6am; Sat. Tower 9am; Mat 10am. 910279-7294 or visit www.thebodyaligned.com FLAG FOOTBALL Flag Football Spring season begins 2/12. Reg. now in the park office, Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm. Last day to register: 2/2. Each team must provide the registration form, the team fee of $450, and the initial roster. While Wrightsville Beach Flag Football League works in cooperation with the Wilmington Flag Football League, there are slight differences in the administrative procedures and the rules which will be reviewed at the
mandatory captains’ meeting. 910-256-7925 or parksandrecreation@towb.org. BIRDING IN THE NEW YEAR Cape Fear Naturalist guides you on an open water exploration of the Intracoastal Waterway, inlet passages, and sandy barrier islands local to Wilmington proper. Come discover the avian diversity that coastal North Carolina has to offer while relaxing on a catamaran style boat. Topics on the trip will include shorebird identification and ecology as well as coastal salt marsh function. Masonboro Island, Bradley Creek , departs from Blockade Runner dock , Wrightsville Beach, Mon.-Sat., 9am, 12pm, 2pm; 1 1/2 hours. $ 25/individual. WB Scenic Tours: 910-200-4002. wrightsvillebeachscenictours.com HALYBURTON PARK PROGRAMS Bird Hikes along the NC Birding Greenfield Lake, 2/16, 8am\noon, $10. The NC Birding Trail is a driving trail to link birders with great birding sites across the state and the local communities in which they are found. Each month we will explore a different site along the Coastal Plain Trail in Southeastern NC. Each hike will be approximately 2 miles. Greenfield Lake, 2/16, 8am-noon, $10; Ft. Fisher, 3/15, 8am-noon, $10; Lake Waccamaw, 4/19, 8am-noon, $10. (910) 341-0075. Transportation from Halyburton Park is included. 4099 S. 17th St.; 341-0075. www. halyburtonpark.com
Trail,
lectures/readings MARY RUEFLE Acclaimed poet and prose writer Mary Ruefle will give a reading of her work at UNCW, 2/15. Kenan Hall, Room 1111. Distinguished visiting writer-in-residence for poetry in the Department of Creative Writing MFA program, feat. recent poetry collection, Selected Poems, won the William Carlos Williams Award. Ruefle’s collection of lectures, Madness, Rack and Honey, is forthcoming in the fall. Free, open to the public. Receptions sponsored by the department and book signings sponsored by Pomegranate Books will follow readings. WOMEN IN BUSINESS Join McColl & Associates, Inc and area women in business for the 2012 Women in Business (WIB)
2/16: GREENFIELD LAKE Halyburton Park offers NC Birding Trail Hikes for folks to enjoy and learn about numerous species of birds across our region and their habits. On the 16th, they’ll lead folks through the swampy yet gorgeous terrain of Greenfield Lake from 8 a.m. to noon. Tickets are only $10 a hike; upcoming ventures include Fort Fisher (3/15) and Lake Waccamaw (4/19). Each hike is approximately two miles; comfortable clothing and shoes required.
The Wilmington Hammerheads Season...
Has arrived! UPCOMING HOME GAMES:
FOR INDIVIDUAL,
APRIL 2012
SEASON OR
April 21 vs. HArrisburg City islAnders
GROUP TICKETS CALL
April 28 vs. PittsburgH riverHounds
910-777-2111 www.WilmingtonHammerheads.com
www.encorepub.com |february 15-21, 2012 |encore 59
Speaker Series on 2/23, 11:30am-1:30pm, Press 102, downtown Wilmington. Guest speaker Nicoa Dunne will energize the room with her energetic style on the topic of “Energy Leadership.” Women in business will learn about Seven Levels of Energy are all about and take away a new understanding of her responsibility as a leader, peer, employee, mother, spouse, and friend. Attendees include a mix of business owners, presidents and CEO’s in addition to healthcare, customer service, financial professionals and more. Tickets: $40 and can be purchased by calling McColl & Associates at 910-350-1211. http://www. mccoll-associates.com/wib. Seating is limited. HANNAH DELA CRUZ ABRAMS See page 46.
the Port City and Fayetteville will be on hand; no cover charge but plenty of excellent beers and wines from all over the world. Come to Bottega and enjoy a wonderful evening of open mic poetry and spoken word. (910)763-3737 or contact micswideopen on Facebook.
classes/workshops ADULT AND YOUTH TENNIS Tennis lessons are offered for adults, youth ages 9-12, and we now offer QuickStart for ages 6-8. Group lessons meet on Mon/Wed $55$70. Other days are available for group of 6 or more. Wrightsville Beach Parks & Recreation Deprt: (910) 256-7925 for session dates and more details. www.townofwrightsvillebeach.com
NEW HANOVER PUBLIC LIBRARY New Hanover County Public Library is now accepting performer applications for Story Extravaganza 2012! This 2nd annual storytelling festival is scheduled for Sat., 5/12, 10am-1pm, at Northeast Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd. 20 performances by local artists or groups will be featured at Story Extravaganza. Performances will each be five minutes long and based on the children’s book of the performer’s choice. Performers are not paid but may register for a free table in the vendor area where they may promote services and sell products. Interested local artists are invited to submit an application by 3/1. Questions to Scooter Hayes (shays@ nhcgov.com / 910-798-6367) .
Taste the Olive has been holding wine classes in their fascinating gourmet shop for six months now! Boy, oh boy, what fun they are, too. Don’t miss their excursion into Germany come Thursday as they explore German white wines. Folks will learn about Germany’s classification system and sample flavors from each style—dry to sweet! Tickets are only $25 a person. Taste the Olive is location off Military Cutoff in The Forum (beside The Kitchen).
POETRY READING 2/23 For the best poets in one building at one time, the best place to be is Bottega Art gallery and Wine Bar, 208 North Front ST. Poets from
HALYBURTON PARK FITNESS Halyburton Park Fitness, 4099 S.17th St. 341-
2/16: GERMAN WINES
0075 or www.halyburtonpark.com. Pre-reg for all classes; all classes $65/10-wk. Schedule: Pilates, Wed., 2/8-4/11, 6pm. • Yogalates, Wed., 2/8-4/11, 7pm • Thurs., 2/9-4/12, 6pm. • Yoga, Wed., 2/8-4/11, 9am. • Fri., 2/10–4/13, 9am. MUSIC LESSONS Piano and guitar lessons for all ages and skill levels. Learn to play by ear, improvise, and have fun playing everything from classic rock to current hits. Ideal for songwriters and others interested in making a CD or performing live. Also scheduling auditions for singers interested in recording in a world-class studio. With extensive stage/ concert management for numerous Grammy-winners, all with a dedication for musical excellence are welcome. 269-9276 WINE CLASSES Thursdays, 6:30pm at Taste the Olive; must be at least 21 w/ID. Space limited; RSVP rqd. Schedule: 2/16: German Whites— We will explore the German wine classification system, which not unexpectedly is the most straight forward. We will sample a wine from each style of wine making (dry to sweet) in the “superior quality” graded wines (Pradikatswein: Kabinett, Spatlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Eiswein, and Trockenbeerenauslese).$25/person. • 3/1/2012: Temparnillo and Beyond!—We will explore the various wine producing regions of Spain and taste some true value wines made in the classic European style. $25/person. 910-256-OILS(6457)for policies/details. COASTAL HORIZONS CENTER INC Crisis Intervention Services is sponsoring a Dream Workshop. Contact Buffy Hughes,P-LCSW or Page Rutledge, 615 Shipyard Blvd. 910-
392-7460. Pre-screening is rqd. Workshop times: Meets for 3 weeks, once a week for 2 hours. Final dates to be announced. ART CLASSES Professional instruction with Lois DeWitt, MFA. Over 30 years of art teaching experience. Small classes, individual tutoring available. loislight@ bellsouth.net. Four weeks, $80. Watercolor: Mon, 11am-1pm; or Sat., 3-5pm. • Collage: Mon, 3-5pm. • Mixed Media, Tues., 3-5pm. • Acrylic Painting, Wed., 11am-1pm. • Oil Pastel, Wed, 3-5pm. • Basic Drawing, Sat., 11-1pm. • Watercolor, Sat., 3-5pm.
clubs/notices JAX WINTER BOOK SALE The Jacksonville Friends of the Library host annual Winter Used Book Sale 2/16-18; 7-8:30 pm for Friends members only. Not a member? Sign up at the door for only $5.00. The Friends members’ sale will begin after a short meeting. All 2012 memberships include one free book at every sale. Open to GA: 2/17, 3-5:30pm; 2/18, 9am-2pm. All audio, video and books for adults are on sale for $2; children’s books are 25¢; and multi-volume sets are $1/book. On Saturday only, shoppers can fill a bag of books for only $5. 303 N. Laura St. FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP 2/18, 9am-noon: UNCW’s Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid will offer help in completing and submitting FAFSA forms to high school seniors and their families planning to attend a U.S. college in the fall of 2012. As part of FAFSA Day, this assistance is available in more than 100 lo-
MARCH 21-28, 2012
EncoreRestaurantWeek.com
COMING SOON
The most delicious week of spring.
www.EncoreRestaurantWeek.com
60 encore |february 15-21, 2012| www.encorepub.com
ON
eek
om
cations across the state. UNCW’s Bear Hall. To register: 866-866-CFNC or CFNC.org/FAFSAday. Participants should bring the following items: both student’s and parents’ federal 1040 tax forms for 2011; the Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) obtained in advance from www. pin.ed.gov; and a “FAFSA on the Web” worksheet, available at www.fafsa.gov, with as much information entered as possible. BREASTFEEDING-FRIENDLY BUSINESS AWARDS The Port City Breastfeeding Project is accepting nominations for the 2012 Breastfeeding Friendly Business Award, created in 2011 to recognize and encourage businesses that are breastfeeding-friendly. PCBP is a project of the non-profit organization Women in the Center, dedicated to the support and normalization of breastfeeding in our community. Community members may nominate area businesses until March 16th. Paula Ackermann: 910-228-4748 or paula@portcitybreastfeedingproject.org. CAPE FEAR PARROT CLUB Cape Fear Parrot Club meets monthly. Schedule: 2/18, How to identify commonly kept parrot species, short video, then social time. Ces Erdman: 910-386-6507 or cesnc1978@hotmail.com HISTORICAL SOCIETY FEB. MEEETING Historical Society of the Lower Cape Fear’s February Membership Meeting,, 2/19, 3pm, Grace United Methodist Church. Guest speaker will be Dr. David LaVere of UNCW whose topic will be America Without Indians: An Imaginary Journey. The program is made possible by a grant from the North Carolina Humanities Council, a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. It is open to Member of the Historical Society of the Lower Cape Fear and members of the public at no charge. 401 Grace St. PARROT HEAD SOCIAL PIPH Mardi Gras Party, 2/18, 5:30pm: Charlie’s Boardwalk Subs, 8 Pavilion Ave S, Carolina Beach (From Gazebo before Britt’s on right) starting at 5:30 pm. Many of Charlie’s specials to choose from. Everyone welcome. www.piph.com; 910-392-2663 AME ZION CHURCH 2/18, 1pm, “A Chew & Chat Luncheon” with our Candidate, The Rev. Terry L. Jones, Sr. On 2/19, 4pm: “A Service of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving.” Warner Temple A.M.E. Zion Church, 620 Nixon St. Jones has served A.M.E. Zion Church for the past 30 years, and congregations in North Carolina, Kansas City, Missouri, and now Hartford, Connecticut. Tickets: “Chew & Chat” are available for a donation of $20 by contacting the Warner Temple Administrative offices at 910-763-6308. The Sunday event, “A Service of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving” is free of charge. TIDEWATER CAMELLIA CLUB SHOW & SALE 2/25,12:30pm. An American Camellia Society juried show with approximately 1,000 blooms and education forums. Free admission. Arab Shrine Club (4510 S. College Rd.), www.tidewatercamelliaclub.org WILMINGTON KIWANIS CLUB 2/25, 8am-2pm: First annual “Get Out and Gear Up” yard sale at The Brigade Boys & Girls Club, 2759 Vance Str Shop tools, fishing gear, sporting goods, yard tools, camping needs, canoes/ kayaks and more! Donation Drop-Off sites: Sat., 2/18, 9am-4pm, in Parking Lots at BB&T
at Hanover Center—First Federal at The Forum - Lowes Foods at Monkey Junction. Proceeds benefit: The Brigade Boys and Girls Club and CFCC & UNCW Scholarships. Frank Grady: 919-880-9257. NOMS FOR WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT See page 48. WILMINGTON PRIDE BOARD MEETINGS Wilmington Pride Board meetings, 3rd Tues/mo. at BuenaSpace, 7:30-8:45pm TRANSGENDER SUPPORT GROUP Transgender Support Group, 1st Thurs./mo., 7-8pm. For more information please contact Therapist Nova Swanstrom: 910-343-6890. You must talk with Nova first before coming to a support group meeting! GAMBLER’S ANONYMOUS MEETING Gambler’s Anonymous Meeting of Wilmington. Meets every Tuesday, 6:30-8pm. Ogden Baptist Church: 7121 Market St. 12-step meeting for people that have or think they may have a compulsive gambling problem. Contact: Casey 910-599-1407 NAMI National Alliance for Mental Illness holds monthly meetings on the fourth Monday of every month at First Baptist’s Activities Center located at 1939 Independence Blvd. These meetings
2/20: VINTAGE LUNCHEON
Cape Fear Museum will host the Junior League of Wilmington’s vintage luncheon to help promote the release of their latest cookbook, “Seaboard to Sideboard Entertains.” The luncheon will feature area chefs who will prepare a delicious lunch utilizing local ingredients. Also featured will be recipes from the Junior League, honoring their 59 years of service to our area. There will be a silent auction, hat fashion show and more! Tickets are only $35, and the events takes place 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 814 Market Street. are held every from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. February’s guest speaker will be Susan Roscher and she will be speaking on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Any questions can be directed to 910.772.3074 or www.namiwilmington.org.
culinary
you present your ticket, or if the event has not sold out, purchase your ticket the day of the show. Check in no laterthan 3pm, which is when check-in ends. Receive “official” Wilmington Wine & Beer Walk ID and a map of the participating establishments. Receive 2 samples/venue of a specially selected wine or beer. Be responsible; tip your servers! All participants must be at least 21 years of age, and have a valid ID readily available for establishments to verify. www.wineandbeerwalk.com. www.CoolWilmington.com RESTAURANTS NEEDED! Attention: Seafood Chowder Chefs! Enter your best seafood chowder in our 16th Annual Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-off, Sat., 4/14, at the Lake in Carolina Beach. Join the fun and excitement as local restaurants offer up the best of the best and compete for the “glory” of the People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice. The atmosphere is always fun and festive as contestants prepare their finest ingredients outdoors around the Carolina Beach Lake to the delight of thousands of spectators. 910-458-8434. BLOCKADE RUNNER EAST A Night in Italy Wine DinnerSat., 3/10, 6:15pm. Five courses, five flights of wine $55/person. Includes carpaccio of yellowfin, homemade pasta, lobster-stuffed calamari, chocolate mousse and more! 275 Waynick Blvd. 910-256-2251 WHAT WOULD JESUS BREW? Front St. Brewery hosts homebrew competition for brewers from local churches for charitable cause. Raising money for Hospice while embodying a historical Christian attitude toward moderate use of alcohol as a blessing from God. Asst brewer Christopher McGarvey (recent seminary graduate and canto at St. Basic, Great Orthodox Church) will host a series of free beginner brewing classes, Tues, 6-8pm at Front St. Basics of brewing taught to church brewing teams who will submit beers to be judged in Sept. and winning beer unveiled to public in Nov. Christopher McGarvey: (910) 251-6353 or christopher.fsb@gmail.com VINTAGE LUNCHEON
2/20, 11am-3pm: Vintage Luncheon, honoring 59 years of service by the Junior League of Wilmington and featuring recipes from the Junior League’s Seaboard to Sideboard Entertains prepared by area chefs with local ingredients. Tickets: $35 at 910-798-4364. Also feat.: Silent auaction, hat fashion show and more! Auctioning jewelry from Reed’s Jewelry, dance lessons from Babs McDance, teeth whitening from Brush Dental Care, Mercedes pedal car from Bob King, makeovers from Tanglez and more!
future scopes
with Fay Meadows
ARIES (21 Mar. – 20 April) Energetic and hard to beat, this is a great time for you to take on that new activity you have talked about, whether exercise or new side job. TAURUS (21 April – 20 May) Work smarter not harder! Your need and desire to clean up a messy financial picture take on a more intellectual twist. Do your homework before investing. GEMINI (21 May – 20 June) Once in a while you have to give in to the urge to spoil yourself; this is the time! Bending over backward to help others leaves you feeling a little too stretched. CANCER (21 June – 21 July) Choices between what you want and what you need seem bigger than normal; focusing on others leaves you feeling left out. To keep karma happy, listen to your instincts. LEO (22 July – 22 Aug.) Excitement is around every corner so be prepared to enjoy yourself! New opportunities bring big changes and chances to succeed or fail. VIRGO (23 Aug. – 22 Sept.) Coworkers don’t seem to be helping you as much as you feel you deserve, but hanging in there and finishing the job will bring much greater reward than you can imagine. LIBRA (24 Sept. – 23 Oct.) New friends are everywhere, just waiting for you to meet them. No matter where you go, your smile melts others’ reserve and has them all talking. SCORPIO (23 Oct. – 21 Nov.) Putting things off makes today enjoyable, but your sense of responsibility won’t let you relax and enjoy yourself. Both home and work bring tedious tasks.
Creators syndiCate
CULINARY ADVENTURES TOUR Eat your way through Wilmington’s food history and delights! Culinary Adventures Tour with food writer/chef Liz Biro; under a mile, wear comfortable shoes. Top Chef Farmers Market Tour and Cooking Class, Heart of Downtown, Drinks Downtown, Downtown Brunch Stroll, Foodie Shopping Tour, Custom and Special Group Tours and more! $25 and up! www.lizbiro.com. 910-545-8055
SAGITTARIUS (22 Nov. – 21 Dec.) Too many commitments, not enough time or energy to complete everything. A quick lesson in learning to say no would be beneficial now. CAPRICORN (22 Dec. – 20 Jan.) When you are ready to throw in the towel, hang on just a little longer. Help is on the way, but not from the person or place you are expecting. Just smile and say thank you. AQUARIUS (21 Jan. – 19 Feb.) Family life is still the focus of your attention, as you discover that a team effort is a little harder for you to do than you would have expected. Doing it all yourself leaves little room for others.
DOWNTOWN WINE/BEER WALK Downtown Wilmington Wine & Beer Walk, 2/25, 1-6Ppm, the Wilmington Wine & Beer Walk invades Downtown Wilmington once again. $15/ each, or 2/$25; Etix.com or at the following businesses:The Fortunate Glass 29 S.Front St. 910-399-4292 (cash only)Front Street Brewery 9 N. Front St. 910-251-1935 (cash only)Walk begins at the Wine Walk Headquarters, which will be announced closer to the event, where
PISCES (20 Feb. – 20 Mar.) When you are ready to go for it, that wonderful opportunity may not seem as great as it once did. Spend a little time thinking it over; trust your judgment.
www.encorepub.com |february 15-21, 2012 |encore 61
The George Washington cherrytree story, with the accompanying “I CANNOT TELL A LIE” quote
BEST WAITSTAFF for three years running!
We cordially invite you to celebrate our 9th birthday on St. Patty’s Day, March 17th 2012
109 Chestnut Street Downtown Wilmington (910) 762-1373
62 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com
CORKBOARD Available for your next CD or Demo
one of the following...
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AUDIO ENGINEERING CLASSES Music Recording, Mixing, Pro Tools, Studio Production
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It’s NOT Regular Babysitting!
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Nails The Right Way
LY way N O e h t e r Whe way! Valentines Day T H G I R e h is t
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Bring your “sweetie” or best friend in for a double pedicure for only $40 for two! That is $10 off of the original price! Or simply come in, purchase a gift certificate and keep it to pamper yourself or that special someone in your life, and we WILL honor the Valentines Day special!
21 South 2nd St., Downtown Wilmington (910) 399-4880 • (910) 338-6981
www.nailstherightway.com
two guys,
Lucky’s Sweepstakes New Players Receive $10 in FREE Play with 1st $20
dinner for 2
for just 14.99
at the brewery.
Front Street Brewery 910.251.1935 9 North Front Street, Downtown Wilmington FrontStreetBrewery.com
15200 Hwy 17, Units E & F Hampstead, NC 28443
Are YOU reAdY tO tAke it tO the Next LeveL?
A Sweeter View
910-270-8836
- No Contracts - Drop In Rates Available
FeaturIng a huge selectIon oF dVds, magazInes, and toys, along wIth a Full VIdeo arcade.
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6213-C Market Street 910-399-7369
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adult
Sell your unwanted items in the AdPak
www.adpakweekly.com • Call AdPak @ 791-0688
Celebrate St. Practice Day Friday, February 17th with THE GREAT GUINNESS TOAST 2012, 11 pm C with LIVE MUSI ogues Blarney Br
FREE STUFF
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Our famo Guinness us Brisket
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Downtown Location: 131 N. Front St. • 910-43-8881 www.fatpub.com encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com 63
64 encore | february 15-21, 2012 | www.encorepub.com