encore February 20 - 26, 2019

T H E C A P E F E A R ’ S A LT E R N AT I V E V O I C E F O R 3 5 Y E A R S !

VOL. 36/ PUB. 29 FEB. 20 - 26, 2019 ENCOREPUB.COM

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FLOUNDER ROULADE PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPE FEAR SEAFOOD

100 FAVE EATS Four chicks break down 25 most beloved dishes around town

HODGEPODGE

Vol. 36/Pub. 36/Pub. 729 Vol.

20 - 26, 2019 September 12February - September 18, 2018

WWW.ENCOREPUB.COM 100 FAVE EATS, ON THE COVER

PGS. 30-35

The Second Glass, gnocchi Photo by Shea Carver

Can you list 100 of your favorite dishes in ILM? At first you may think it’s quite a feat, but once you get started, you will then realize 100 just isn’t enough. That’s what editors Shea Carver and Shannon Gentry, as well as food writers Fanny Slater and Joan Wilkerson, underwent during their discussions to list 25 items from local restaurants that leave them dreamy. And, yes, they are fully aware how so much stuff couldn’t be included because, well, the story is already over 5,000 words.

Worry not, dear readers! We wanna hear what you think, too!

Feel free to comment on our online piece or in letters to the editor to share your own faves. For now, we leave you with five pages of words to titillate your tastebuds.

V

VIEWS>> Mark Basquill muses on the beauty of Cape Fear sunsets as of late, and that which brings us closer together as a society. Moments of natural beauty slow us down and humble us.

Photo by Joe Basquill

D

Courtesy of National Parks Services

Peace Corps volunteers welcome friends and family who are interested in learning about the organization, and to help kick off Peace Corps Week 2019. Hear stories, bring a dish to share, and help us with donations for Paws Place Dog Rescue.

Money, dog food, toys, beds, and other pet-friendly gear welcomed.

If you have questions, please, email info@ccrpcv.org.

To enter events on encore’s new online calendar, generated by SpinGo, head to www.encorepub. com/welcome/events-2. Events must be entered by every Thursday at noon, for consideration in print and on our new app, encore Go. E-mail shea@ encorepub.com with questions.

Shea Carver // shea@encorepub.com

Assistant Editor:

Shannon Rae Gentry // music@encorepub.com

Art Director/Office Manager:

Rosa does in fact adore Love, Lydia— South Front District’s latest coffee shop, breakfast house and lunch spot. Their stellar java, sweets (like the pecan cinnamon roll, left) and savory dishes will get any morning off to a fresh start.

Photo by Tom Dorgan

E

Susie Riddle // ads@encorepub.com

Chief Contributors: Gwenyfar Rohler, Anghus,

Tom Tomorrow, Chuck Shepherd, Mark Basquill, Rosa Bianca, Rob Brezsny, Joan C. Wilkerson, John Wolfe, Fanny Slater

Intern: Ethan Marsh SALES>

General Manager: John Hitt // john@encorepub.com

Advertising:

Megan Henry // megan@encorepub.com John Hitt // john@encorepub.com Shea Carver // shea@encorepub.com Published on Wednesday by HP Media. Opinions of contributing writers are not the opinions of encore.

PG. PG. 29 37

INSIDE THIS WEEK: Live Local, pgs. 4-5 • News, pg. 6 • Views, pg. 7 News of the Weird, pg. 8 • Music, pgs. 10-13 • Art, pgs. 14-15 • Film, pg. 19 Dining, pgs. 21-35 • Extra, pg. 37 • Crossword, pg. 43 • Calendar, pgs. 38-53 2 encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

PEACE CORPS POTLUCK

Editor-in-Chief:

PG. 7

EXTRA>> Battle of Moores Creek Bridge will celebrate 243 years this weekend with reenactments, historians onsite, and more to help folks understand the impact it had on local and American history.

Friday, - 11 a.m.

Sunday,May Feb. 624, 4 p.m.

EDITORIAL>

<<DINING

PG. 28

EVENT OF THE WEEK

P.O. Box 12430, Wilmington, N.C. 28405 www.encorepub.com

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- Dallas Morning News

Beijing Dance Theater Presents

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NEWS>>FEATURE

LIVE LOCAL, LIVE SMALL:

Gwenyfar talks hemp production and saving the farm industry of NC BY: GWENYFAR ROHLER

“I

don’t think a new crop has been introduced in North Carolina in 40 years.,” Jock commented during our Valentine’s Day dinner. We were discussing the hemp decorticator that had been unloaded at Full Belly Project earlier in the day.

“I’m not trying to be rude, sweetheart, but it has to be longer than that,” I noted. “I mean, think about it: soy, peanuts, rice—we haven’t grown rice in a meaningful way in North Carolina since the early part of the 20th century. Cotton, corn...”

AGRICULTURE IN NC: Legacy Farms showcased an exhibit about NC hemp in 2016. Courtesy photo

“When was soy introduced?” Jock posited.

Yes, believe it or not, this is foreplay in our household on Valentine’s.

For the curious, according to the Soyfoods Center: “In 1856 soybeans were in North Carolina. On May 31, 1856, a packet of them (called ‘Japan peas’) was sent by John J. Wyche from Henderson, Vance Co., North Carolina to the Agricultural Division of the patent office. It seems very likely Wyche also cultivated some of his soybeans, but we cannot be sure.”

4 encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

Apparently, North Carolina was the first state to produce soy commercially and to crush domestically produced soy for oil. In addition, of great interest to Jock Brandis, founder of Full Belly Project, and agricultural equipment innovator extraordinaire, North Carolina had the first farm implements for mechanical soy harvesting. The Soyfoods Center notes though soy was here in the 1860s, production really took off in the early 1900s.

The weather has been so unseasonably warm and beautiful lately, so I have been outside a lot. Though a considerable amount of time has been dedicated

to covering and uncovering the garden at night—and in the mornings trying to keep the plants alive through night-time freezes—daytime temperatures have been just lovely. Consequently, on the day Jock unloaded the decorticator at Full Belly, I spent the day filling seed pots and getting seeds started.

“I think I got a little over 100 seed pots planted today,” I commented to Jock while giving a baleful eye at an abandoned cabbage seedling that was riding around in the cup holder of his pick-up truck. “So tell me about this decorticator thing? Why do you have it?” I queried.

Jock launched into a lengthy explanation of hemp fiber and the percentage of plant that was usable vs. unusable, and cost of shipping raw product versus processed product. After a few minutes I interrupted.

“So, what I think I am hearing you say is you are planning to take the thing apart, figure out how it works and rebuild a smaller unit farmers can use at the farm, rather than have to take their crop to a central processing facility. Is that it, essentially?”

“Yes!” Jock nodded. “You know Full Belly supports farmers in North Carolina, not just internationally, so I think this thing will be portable and will go to hemp farmers in their fields.”

The Raleigh News & Observer noted in a 2017 piece, exploring the threats to NC

The cost and profit of farming are not working out on the balance sheet for many new generations. We were known as the tobacco state for many years, due to the vast amounts of tobacco grown and processed here by the giants of R.J. Reynolds, American Tobacco Company (the Duke family). According to “NC in the Global Economy” by the Duke Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness, 1992 saw 80,762 people employed in 2,144 places. Back then, NC was the largest tobacco employer nationally. We have lost close to half of the jobs since. Hemp has been gaining interest in North Carolina for a few years in part because it grows really well in the same condition tobacco needs. So, in a declining market for tobacco, a crop claiming it can produce over 25,000 potential products has people listening. The explosion of interest in CBD oil (cannabidiol) in the last few years—touted it seems as

a miracle cure for everything from anxiety to Parkinson’s disease—has increased many people’s interest in hemp farming, both farmers’ and the public’s interest alike. Hemp seeds have long been desirable as food substance because of their protein and essential fatty-acid content, vitamin E and trace mineral content. An irradiated variety (to prevent planting) has been sold in the bulk food bins and health food co-ops for decades.

Hemp has potential for the textile and rope industry, too. Long, durable, strong fibers are highly desirable. That is the part that has Jock excited right now. In agriculture real money is made in processing and trading rather than growing crops. The “value added” piece: when for example peanuts go from in the shell to shelled, they increase in value. Again, oil is more valuable once it has been pressed from the nut. Jock tries to focus his work on putting more of these options in the hands of small farmers around the world. He argues, if they are out working hard in the field, they should be getting a bigger piece of the pie than someone who doesn’t get their hands dirty.

Jock grew up on a small market farm in Northern British Columbia, and since the beginning of Full Belly Project, he

has been adamant his inventions and innovations can be just as useful in North Carolina as in Mali, Haiti, Cambodia or the Philippines. At the core of his design philosophy, he makes a prototype of a machine. Once it works, he begins to remove half the parts to make it simpler, more compact and easily replicable by others.

North Carolina is teetering on the brink and is in a perfect position to become a major grower and exporter of hemp and hemp products. We have growing conditions the plants love, a history of agriculture and an infrastructure support system from NC State and the Cooperative Extension Service for farmers across the state.

We have arable farm land and farmers looking for a crop, and we have access to good roads, ports and freight services for exporting the product to market. Oddly enough, it might be this plant that saves our legacy of farming in the Old North State—and paves our economic future.

! s l a de .com

North Carolina has been inching toward industrial hemp production for a few years now. The NC Industrial Hemp Commission permits and licenses farmers to grow industrial hemp. WRAL in Raleigh reported in 2018, more than 4,300 acres of hemp were planted in North Carolina.

Considering the challenges farmers are facing in our changing climate and economy, that sounds very promising.

agriculture: Apparently, there were 2,700 fewer farms than in 2007 and 100,000 less than in the 1960s. It isn’t really a great surprise to anyone with eyes to see, is it? I mean, drive around the area in a car and look around at the acres that used to be farmed; they’re now real estate developments.

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encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 5

NEWS>>FEATURE

HAZY HEMP LAWS:

Future of CBD-infused products in NC is uncertain BY: JOHN WOLFE

W

hen it comes to cannabis culture, most of North Carolina lags a few years behind more progressive states like Colorado or California (except, of course, for Asheville). That hasn’t stopped products containing CBD from being sold in our state—lotions, oils, gummy bears, and outright flowers can be bought, entirely legal, from local retailers. Recent enforcement actions by our state’s Department of Consumer Protection has led to some retailers pulling certain products from shelves.

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring compound that can be derived from hemp—a close cousin of marijuana. It is not psychoactive and will not produce the euphoric “high” marijuana is typically associated with. Users of the product claim it helps relieve chronic pain, reduces anxiety, and helps with insomnia.

CBD is also the active ingredient in Epidiolex, a drug used to treat patients with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy: LennoxGastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. It is this fact which has caused the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to issue a letter last week to retailers selling CBD. It states since CBD is the active ingredient in an FDA-approved drug, it is “currently excluded from being a dietary supplement.” CBD products which are “marketed with claims to prevent, mitigate, diagnose, treat, or cure serious diseases . . . indicate the products are intended for use as drugs.”

It is a violation of federal, and therefore state, law to sell new drugs without FDA approval.

The most damning clause, as far as local retailers are concerned, is the one which states it is prohibited to sell any food item “to which has been added a substance which is an active ingredient in a drug product.”

Gus Villapiano is a co-owner of Grow NC, a new local coffee shop and gathering space

Japenese Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi

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“It’s taking a big chunk out of what we do,” Villapiano says, adding he is fully invested in this business and has a family to think of.

Villapiano is working hard to stay legal. As a responsible business owner, he wants to make sure he abides within the law. But trying to keep track of what is and isn’t legal is difficult when the law is constantly in flux.

“It’s like trying to set up a tent in a hurricane,” he says.

Currently, they are working on developing single-serving sized packages of CBD oil, which customers could add to their beverages if they so choose. Pure CBD oil remains legal, as it falls outside of what has been legislated. According to a blog posted last year on a UNC School of Government Criminal Law site, the state definition of marijuana excludes industrial hemp, which is defined as all parts of the cannabis plant grown by a licensed grower with less than 0.3 percent THC content.

Many CBD supplements can be bought off the Internet or in a business which sells them as a side hustle, like a gas station; many of these retailers may source their product from oversea countries like China, as practically no regulation exists. In these cases, Villapiano says, it’s hard to ensure customers are getting a high-quality product—or even CBD. When someone has a bad experience with a product claiming to be CBD, it can give the real thing a bad name.

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Villapiano has been working with the NC Hemp Pilot Program, which began after Congress passed the Agricultural Act of 2014. The act allowed certain research institutions (of which NC State is one) and state departments of agriculture to grow industrial hemp; the crops of license-holding farmers, many of whom grew tobacco in the past, are carefully monitored and sampled to make sure THC content stays below the legal limit, else the crop is destroyed. Villapiano would like to see local farmers and retailers working together, to ensure people who need CBD for medical purposes have access to the best product available.

Industrial hemp has many uses outside of CBD. Readers may be familiar with its historical practicalities, like making naval rope or sails (the word “canvas” is actually derived from cannabis, according to the OED), or the role it can play in making many textiles, like clothing, sheets and shoes. Hemp also can be used to make building products.

In 2010 a home was built in Asheville, which used “hempcrete” (a concrete-like material made from four parts hemp, one part lime and one part water) as its primary building material, and thereby saved greatly on heating and cooling costs. Hemp can also make a nutritious food to be eaten by people and animals.

Incredibly, local marathon athlete and amputee Marc Dunshee uses a prosthetic designed by local prosthetic technician Kyle Trivisonno made from a hemp fiberglass-like material. With over 2,000 miles logged on the prosthesis already, the designer claims hemp is stronger and more impact-resistant than carbon fiber.

For now, Villapiano says he will continue with outreach and education about the product. It’s an uphill battle.

“Although the product has been legal in California and Colorado for 10 years, we’re still fighting fifty years of propaganda and misinformation,” he notes.

Grow NC’s mission is to affect change where they can, through education and tolerance. They’re not trying to force opinions on anyone; all they ask is people keep an open mind.

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in Chandler’s Wharf. Up until recently, they sold coffee which could be sweetened with CBD via a sweetener infused with CBD. Yet, they have pulled it in advance of enforcement actions.

“I want people to start asking questions,” he urges. “Why is [the use of CBD and related products] wrong? Because for a lot of people, it’s right.”

VIEWS>>OP-ED

RIVER ROAD SUNSET CLUB:

Temple of Israel’s

New York Style Corned Beef or Pastrami Sandwich Sale

To a bright future ahead BY: MARK BASQUILL

“A

wesome!” the teen said to her mom.

“Why do you come down here?” I asked the teen’s mom at the foot of the lengthened fishing pier at River Road Park.

“Like she said,” she explained. “It’s awesome. We were playing tennis up at Veteran’s Park. We waited too long last night.”

Her daughter chimed in. “It was overripe. But all that was missing was a ship.”

“A ship!” I exclaimed, pulled out my iPhone and swiped to several photos of a tanker I had taken the evening before.

“It looks like the sun is exploding behind it!” she said.

“I saw how quickly it was happening and stopped at the dock down at the marina.

A dozen other people were there already.”

“Everybody is so busy all the time. We really need to do this. It’s humbling.” The wise mother sighed and gazed westward to the twilight.

Twilight is a magical in-between time.

Wilmingtonians have been blessed with fantastic February sunsets. I stopped at several spots on River Road on the way home from my busy, very important job to experience the “awe.” I met dozens of others doing the same.

According to psychologists Keltner and Haidt, (2003), “Awe is a delicate emotion (maybe more than just an emotion) fostered by vast and overwhelming stimuli able to challenge our worldview.”

We’re forced to accommodate to the vastness.

Humbling.

When we’re fortunate enough to be present for a sunset, it’s a time of day when we can’t ignore change and can’t help but to be humble. We’re not only busy, but we all have the most important jobs in the world, right? Many of us act as if the sun will stop shining if we don’t make that next sale or fill out that next form by the deadline. It won’t. The sun doesn’t really care about paperwork.

The palette of the sky changes each minute of twilight, and we actually notice the subtle shifts of light, color and shadow.

The night sky still changes every minute,

but we’re not equipped to notice. To most of us, it’s just dark. It’s the same when the light reappears in the morning. Once the sun rises, we lose our sensitivity to the experience of change and scurry about our busy day.

I sighed, along with my new friends of the Sunset Club, gazed over the river and noted Keg Island momentarily backlit by crimsons, ambers and fiery shades near the horizon. Shadowy orange tones danced off the stratocumulus clouds slightly higher in the sky. Still higher, patches of Carolina blue deepened to indigo by the second. I raised my iPhone and clicked a few shots that would hardly do the experience justice when viewed on social media indoors.

We now spend about 90 percent of our lives indoors. We exist in an indoor virtual world high on constant competition, conflict, achievement and anxiety, and low on awe. We rise from the dead every morning, close the crypt door behind us, drive in rolling coffins, work in mausoleums, return to our tombs every evening, bury ourselves in soul-killing bags of distractions. We rarely see the sun rise or set.

We barely see the sky at all.

This is not a recipe for awe.

When our wise mothers and grandmothers say, “Stop and smell the roses,” they mean it. Psychologist Rick Hanson has demonstrated how stopping for 60 to 90 seconds to absorb positive experiences, like the complex and humbling sunset over the Cape Fear, measurably improves mood. When we make it a routine practice, it can have long-term effects on wellbeing. As Emerson wrote, “In the woods we return to reason and faith ... all mean egotism vanishes.”

Part of the gift of our awe-some February sunsets has been meeting so many people, many young and wise, raising their eyes to the skies and intuitively appreciating humbling natural wonders. The best part? My son Joe started spontaneously texting me pictures he’s taken of the natural wonders he sees in the course of his travels.

Our future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades.

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encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 7

car. The man explained to them he had overreacted and used the log-splitting ax to chop up a TV, TV stand, laptop computer and other items in the house before going outside to attack his car, chopping off both side mirrors and breaking out the windshield, reported WMTV. He admitted to officers that he had also been drinking too much, and he was charged with disorderly conduct and felony damage to property. [WMTV, 1/21/2019]

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT HAIR OF THE DOG

In a whole new twist on stomach pumping, doctors in Quang Tri, Vietnam, saved 48-year-old Nguyen Van Nhat’s life in January by transfusing 15 cans of beer INTO his stomach. As Dr. Le Van Lam explained to the Daily Mail, alcohol contains both methanol and ethanol, and the liver breaks down ethanol first. But after a person stops drinking, the stomach and intestines continue to release alcohol into the bloodstream — even if the drinker has lost consciousness — and alcohol levels continue to rise. In Nhat’s case, upon arrival at the hospital, his blood methanol level was 1,119 times higher than the appropriate limit. Doctors administered one can of beer every hour to slow down his metabolizing of methanol, which gave them time to perform dialysis. Nhat spent three weeks in the hospital before returning home.

[Daily Mail, 1/16/2019]

NAMES IN THE NEWS

Your giggle for the week: During a Jan. 17 special program on ITV Westcountry in the United Kingdom about how police forces are suffering under budget cuts, a certain officer interviewed for the show got more attention for his name than for his opinions about the budget. PC Rob Banks has undoubtedly heard clever remarks about his name all his life, reported Plymouth Live, but Twitter users from as far away as Australia found it newly hilarious. [Plymouth Live, 1/18/2019]

TRY THE DECAF

Officers in Madison, Wisconsin, were called to a home on Jan. 20 by an unnamed 34-year-old male resident who went on a spree of destruction when he thought his wife had destroyed his prized collection of action figures. Madison Police Chief Mike Koval wrote in his blog that officers arrived to find an ax buried in the windshield of a

A 19-year-old man from Nice, France, has received a four-month (suspended) sentence for a clever plot he hatched in September. The man, known only as Adel, removed a PlayStation 4 from a supermarket shelf on Sept. 17 and took it to the produce aisle, where he weighed it and printed out a price sticker for fruit. Then he used the selfcheckout line to pay and left the store with a $389 piece of electronics for about $10.

Adel sold the PlayStation for $114 to buy a train ticket. The next day, he tried the same scheme, but police caught him in the act. He will only have to serve his sentence if he reoffends, reported Kotaku.com. [Kotaku.com, 1/29/2019]

LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINALS

Oh, those pesky surveillance cameras.

Alexander Goldinsky, 57, had a bright idea for collecting some cash, but it was just so 1990s. While working as an independent contractor at a Woodbridge, New Jersey, business, Goldinsky scattered some ice on the floor in the company’s kitchen area, then carefully arranged himself on the floor as if he had slipped and fallen, according to United Press International. Then, as the security cameras rolled, he waited to be discovered.

He was arrested in January on charges of insurance fraud and theft by deception, after the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office said Goldinsky filed a false insurance claim for an ambulance ride and treatment at a local hospital. [United Press International, 2/1/2019] For David Rodriguez, 28, it was his disguise of choice that tripped him up as he robbed a 7-Eleven store in Fort Myers, Florida, on Feb. 2, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Rodriguez donned a gray hoodie and a wig before approaching the counter at the store, showing a gun and demanding cash, reported the Miami Herald. When officers arrived, they got a detailed description, including the wig, and “additional witness information” led them to a nearby apartment. Inside they found Rodriguez, and “in plain view, a gray hooded sweater, several wigs and a large amount of wadded up cash.” Bingo! Rodriguez was charged with robbery with a firearm. [Miami Herald, 2/3/2019]

INEXPLICABLE

For UNC-Greensboro student Maddie (no last name provided), there really was a mon8 encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

ster in the closet. Or at least a guy named Drew. After returning to her apartment on Feb. 2, Maddie heard strange noises coming from her closet. She put her hand on the door and said, “Who’s in there?” “My name’s Drew,” answered the intruder, according to WFMY TV. Maddie continued talking with him, and when she opened the door, Drew was sitting on the floor of the closet, dressed in her clothing. He also had a bag full of her clothes, shoes and socks. Andrew Clyde Swofford, 30, begged her not to call police, and she chatted with him for another 10 minutes, “everything about his life and basically how he got in my closet,” she said. Swofford left when Maddie’s boyfriend arrived, and police caught up with him at a nearby gas station, where he was arrested for misdemeanor breaking and entering. Maddie told reporters she thinks Swofford has been in her apartment before: “We always joke that there’s a ghost in here because I’ve been missing clothes since I’ve been living here.”

She signed a lease for a new apartment a few days later. [WFMY, 2/5/2019] Sharisha Morrison of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and her neighbors have been the recipients since Jan. 1 of an odd gift: plastic grocery bags with slices of bread and bologna inside, delivered by an unknown man.

At first, Morrison told KOB TV, she thought the food deliveries were acts of kindness, until she opened the bag and smelled the contents. “It smelled like urine,” she said.

Morrison said she can watch the man on her surveillance camera. “He’ll just walk up and drop it on the little doorknob and walk away,” she said. “I just want it to stop.” Police have told her they can’t do anything unless they catch him in the act. [KOB TV, 1/29/2019]

THE WAY THE WORLD WORKS

Residents of the small town of Hilgermissen in northwestern Germany voted decisively on Feb. 3 against naming the community’s streets. Currently, addresses are a house number and the name of one of the former villages that combined to create Hilgermissen in the 1970s, reported the Associated Press. Officials had hoped that street names would ease the jobs of emergency services and delivery drivers, but 60 percent of the 2,200 citizens rejected the council’s plan. The recent result will be binding for two years. [Associated Press, 2/3/2019]

THIEVING WITH STYLE

A BP gas station in Swansea, South Carolina, was the setting for a reprise of at least one iconic moment from 1984’s “The Karate Kid,” according to Fox News. On Jan. 26, as surveillance cameras looked on, an unidentified man struck Mr. Miyagi’s signature Crane Technique pose — twice — before stealing a purse from a parked car nearby.

The Swansea Police Department posted the video to its Facebook page, and with the public’s help, officers were able to identify the man and issue warrants for his arrest.

[Fox News, 2/2/2019]

encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 9

ARTS>>MUSIC

UNPOLISHED AND RAW:

Ethan Driskill talks ‘Love, Dreams & Foolish Things,’ release party at Waterline on Feb. 23 BY: SHANNON RAE GENTRY

I

t’s easy to equate Wilmington’s folkrock band Driskill to another group of North Carolina’s Americana sons.

Ethan Driskill (vocals, guitar, banjo) cites The Avett Brothers’ early years of college touring and unpolished tracks of “Four Thieves Gone” (2006) as a heavy source of inspiration for combining Driskill’s own elements of punk, bluegrass and quick-spitting lyrics. “Unpolished and raw is what we want to put out,” Driskill agrees.

In fact, when Driskill, JD Williamson (vocals, guitars) and Joel Wise (drums) went into the studio to finish recording their forthcoming EP, “Love, Dreams & Foolish Things,” they especially wanted to avoid sounding overproduced.

“I wanted it to sound very real and as close to a live performance as they could be,” Driskill adds.

The 8-track record is rough around the edges in all the right ways. Simultaneously, it’s cohesive—despite recording four songs, including “American Dream,” in 2017 and the final four in 2018 at Logan Manor Studios with Lee Hester.

“We didn’t really know how it was gonna flow together at first,” Driskill admits.

“We tend to have a trend where, like, if JD writes the song they’re always more finished than my songs. . . . Typically, the ones I bring to the table are pieces of songs that are like different parts but don’t really make sense together. We have to figure it out like a puzzle almost every time.”

Drummer Joel Wise joined Driskill right after releasing their first record, “Country Blues” (2016), which was recorded at home with only Driskill and Williamson. They then explored sounds and songs as a full band throughout 2017, even picking up bassist Dylan Drake for a time thereafter.

“So with that, we were able to change the songs we [JD and I] had already written and expand on them,” Driskill explains. “We recorded everything ourselves on [‘Country Blues’] and at the time that it sounded great and we were so proud of it. Now, looking back, neither one of us like listening to it at all

because it just seemed so dated.”

Drake moved to Iowa last year, but Driskill says the current trio owes a lot of recording and writing on this latest album to their former bandmate. They set up to record “Love, Dreams & Foolish Things” as if at a live show and tracked very few instrumentals individually throughout the process—meaning they executed as many songs as a whole, from start to finish. “[Drake] used to work with Beta Radio,” he adds, “so I immediately knew this was going to work out. . . . Dylan was the one who helped us finish recording and layering on some individual guitar at his home studio in Jacksonville [before he moved].”

Most of the songs on the record are reflecting on human tendencies and motivations: Why we do some of the things we do. Driskill penned “Hopeless Romantic” in 2015 about his infatuation with his now wife, who is expecting their first baby boy this March.

“For the longest time, it was a one-way thing,” Driskill admits. “But that was just like a phase of my life where I felt like a hopeless romantic, and it’s just a funny throw-away phrase that people use.”

In “Hopeless Romantic,” Driskill explores an inexplicable draw lyrically, “songs about love” and hopes she would call against advice to “let this one go.”

He also tells a story with the gentle pluck of a banjo, which kicks up the pace— evoking the same sense of optimism our narrator feels.

“Better Than That (Sweet Version)” is carried over from “Country Blues,” which originally was featured as a more fastpaced track. “Righteous Man” was written by Driskill, Williamson, Wise and Drake, and actually gives the sense of sitting on the back porch with them as they gently play it out—unlike a lot of songs which are purposefully more of an in-your-face listening experience, like in “American Dream.”

“We try to play as loud and as obnoxiously as possible [at live shows],” Driskill quips. “People will get really annoyed and leave, or it will draw them in.”

“American Dream” was born of election season and these days of social media and obsessions. Driskill—in a very

10 encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

THESE THREE: Driskill’s trio of players are set to release an 8-track EP this Saturday night at Waterline.

Courtesy photo.

punk-rock fashion—bluntly questions the driving forces behind what people are most passionate about: the endless chase of success or at least the appearance of success.

“Why do we care so much about the idea of an ‘American dream’?” he asks rhetorically. “It’s funny because we never offer a solution . . . we’re just fussing about how we focus too much on money and success and fame. And that’s all people want. . . . It’s not that important in the grand scheme of things.”

ways to close both albums.

“All three of us love Jesus and try to convey that as an underlying theme in most of our songs,” Driskill explains. “At the end of the day, there’s a much bigger picture to be seen beyond our daily struggles, and we want people to know the hope we ultimately look to. It’s definitely not uncommon for artists in our genre to play hymns (especially live) but we hope that people know the real message within all of the songs.”

DETAILS:

DRISKILL Album Release Show

Saturday, Feb 23, doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m.

They close the record with a hymn, Waterline Brewing Company “Uncloudy Day,” which has become somewhat of a tradition for every album 721 Surry St. • Free now. All three members find the hymns they chose for “Just As I Am” (“Country Blues”) and “Uncloudy Day” (“Love, Dreams & Foolish Things”) as perfect

www.driskillband.com

A PREVIEW OF EVENTS ACROSS TOWN THIS WEEK

THE SOUNDBOARD

THURSDAY

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

100 S. FRONT ST. 910-251-1832

FRIDAY

$3.00 Michelob Ultra $5.00 Lunazul Tequila All Floors open

LIVE MUSIC in the courtyard on Friday & Saturday MONDAY

$2.75 Domestic $3.50 Select Drafts $4 Fireballs!

TUESDAY

$3.50 Local Draft Brew

(Foothills Hoppyum IPA, Red Oak)

SATURDAY

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

$5 Jameson

SUNDAY

WEDNESDAY

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

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

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

KARAOKE

w/DJ Damo, 9PM

2 KILLIANS • $400 MAGNERS

$ 50

Thursday ________________________________________

TRIVIA

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

Friday & Saturday __________________________

LIVE MUSIC 2 BUD & BUD LIGHTS

$ 00

Sunday ___________________________________________

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

GOOD NATURED: Check out Of Good Nature at The Whiskey on Friday night with The Elovaters. Photo by Taylor Czerwinski.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20

BrewGrass by End of the Line/ John & Wes & crew! (6pm; Free) —Waterline Brewing Company, 721 Surry St.

Music Bingo (7pm; Free)

—Bills Front Porch, 4328 Market St.

Music Bingo with Sherri! (7pm; Free)

—Local’s Tavern, 1107 New Pointe Blvd.

Karaoke (7pm; Free)

—Edward Teach Brewing, 604 N. 4th St.

Rock of Ages: 10th Anniversary Tour (7:30pm; $42-$95) —Wilson Center, 703 N. 3rd St.

Improv Night (8pm; $3)

—Dead Crow Comedy Room, 265 N. Front St.

HOW TO SUBMIT A LISTING:

TreeHouse! (9pm; Free; Psychedelic Reggae)

—The Calico Room, 107 S. Front St.

Extreme Music Bingo w/Party Gras (10pm; Free)

Fire & Drums (3pm; Free)

—The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.

—Fox & Hound, 920 Town Center Dr.

Singer-Songwriter Circle, Open Mic (9pm; Free)

—Bottega Art Bar and Gallery, 723 N. 4th St.

Team Trivia (7pm; Free)

—Slice of Life, 125 Market St.; 910-251-9444

Music Bingo at The Harp (7:30pm; Free) —The Harp, 1423 S 3rd St.

Open Mic (6pm; Free)

—Tidal Creek Co-op, 5329 Oleander Dr.

Wet Wednesday DJ (10pm; Free)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21 —Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St.; 910-7632223

Scott Fowler (6pm; Free; Singer-Songwriter) —Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St.

Perry Smith (6pm; Free; Singer-Songwriter)

—Wrightsville Beach Brewery, 6201 Oleander Dr.

Kids Night Out (6:30pm; Free)

—Maides Park, 1101 Manly Ave.

Carl Kruger, Subterrene and the Waking Life (6:30pm; $10; Experimental) —Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St.

Trivia Night (7:30pm; Free)

$3.75 Red Oak Draft $4 Wells 65 Wings, 4-7pm $3.75 Sweetwaters $4.50 Absolute Lemonade

$3.75 Hay Bale Ale

$3.50 Pint of the Day $4 Fire Ball $5 Mimosas $5 Car Bombs

$3.75 Sweet Josie $4 Margaritas

$5 Bloody Mary’s & Mimosas *Drink Specials run all day

—Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.; 910-763-

All Soundboard listings must be entered onto our online calendar, powered by SpinGo, each Wednesday, by 5 p.m., for consideration in the following week’s entertainment calendar. All online listings generate the print listings, as well as encore’s new app, encore Go. Venues are responsible for notifying encore of any changes, removals or additions to their weekly schedules. encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 11

4133

Throwback Thursday Karaoke w/ DJ Damo (8pm; Free)

—Reggie’s 42nd St. Tavern, 1415 S. 42nd St.

Open Mic Comedy (8pm; $0-$3)

—Dead Crow Comedy Room, 265 N. Front St.

Trivia w/ Party Gras Ent. (8pm; Free) —Fox & Hound, 920 Town Center Dr.

Trivia Night (8:30pm; Free)

—The Harp, 1423 S. 3rd St.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22

Motown Cabaret (6:30pm; $10-$15)

—Snipes Academy, 2150 Chestnut St.

Anna Drezen (7pm, 9:30pm; $15; Comedy)

—Dead Crow Comedy Room, 265 N. Front St.

—Banks Channel Pub and Grille, 530 Causeway Dr.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24

Divine Divas (7:30pm; $30)

Rockabilly Rowd’ness w/ McFarland Band (9pm; $5; Indie Rock)

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

SCC Solo Tour (7:30pm; $23.40-$75)

Sacred Cashcow, Ration Card, MuMu TuTu (9pm; $7; Rock)

Joshua Conyers in Concert (7:30pm; $30)

Mike Gossin Band (9:30pm; Free; Rock)

Live music on the Oceanfront Terrace (7pm; Free)

—Holiday Inn Resort, 1706 North Lumina Ave. —Hannah Block Community Arts Center, 120 S. Second St. —Port City Church, 250 Vision Dr.

—Cultural Arts Building, 5270 Randall Parkway

North Fourth Funky Fridays (8pm; Free) —Palate, 1007 N. 4th St.

—Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St.

—Reggie’s 42nd St., Tavern, 1415 S. 42nd St. —Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.; 910-7634133

Mac & Juice (10pm; Free; Acoustic Quartet)

Jazz Night with James Jarvis (8pm; Free)

—The Palm Room, 11 E. Salisbury St.

Into The Fog (8:30pm; $8-$10; String Band)

—The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.

—Bottega, 723 N. Fourth St.

—Bourgie Nights, 127 Princess St.

Dos Eddies (9pm; Free; Classic Rock)

Of Good Nature with The Elovaters (10pm; $8)

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Rebekah Todd (2pm; Free; Soul, Rock)

—Wrightsville Beach Brewery, 6201 Oleander Dr.

Mel Melton and the Wicked Mojos (4pm; Free) www.RuckerJohns.com VISIT WWW.RUCKERJOHNS.COM FOR

Your neighborhood drafthouse with a menu full of lowcountry favorites.

Join us for a hot meal and a cold pint.

40 BEERS ON TAP

#TAPTUESDAY...THE BEST DAY OF THE WEEK: $3 SELECT PINTS & TEAM TRIVIA 7324 Market Street • 910-821-8185 www.ogdentaproom.com OPEN 7 DAYS AWEEK

FRIDAY MONDAY DAILY SPECIALS, MUSIC & EVENTS Cosmopolitan $4 Select Appetizers 1/2 Off after MONDAY 5pm in bar and patio areas Sam Adams Seasonal DAY$3 Bottles Big Domestic22oz.

Draft Domestic Beers $2 Draft ALL RJ’s Coffee $4.95 $5 Pizzas SATURDAY Peach Tea Shiner $6 TUESDAY TUESDAY 22ozTHE Deschutes 1/2 Off SelectLIVE Bottles of Wine IN JAzz BARBlack Butte Porter $5 Absolute Dream $5 Bottles of Wine Half Price 22oz Weeping $ 50Willow Wit NC CraftAbsolut Bottles $3 Dream $5 • Pacifico Beer2 $5 WEDNESDAY 22oz Edward Teach Sessions WEDNESDAY 1/2 Off Nachos after 5pm IPA $5 in bar andMiller patio Light areas Pints $150 Coronoa/ $ 50 Domestic Pints $1.50Lite BottlesSUNDAY 2 Corona Flat Breads$4$6 after 5pm Corona/Corona Lt. $2.50 AllMargaritas Margaritas/Peach in bar and patio areas Margaritas on the Rocks $4.50 Bloddy Mary $4 THURSDAY THURSDAY $ $ Appletinis 4, RJ’s Domestic PainkillerPints 5 $1.50 Truly Lime Spiked and $ 50 White Russians $5 2 Red Stripe Bottles Sparkling Water $3 $ 50 2 Fat Tire Bottles 5564 Carolina Beach Road 22oz. Bells Two Hearted IPA Draft $5 FRIDAY(910)-452-1212 Visit our website Keoke Coffee $4.95 Cosmos $4,www.RuckerJohns.com 007 $350 1/2 Off All Premium for daily$3specials, music and Guinness Cans Red Wine Glasses upcoming events

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

FEATURE YOUR LIVE MUSIC, FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS 5564 Carolina Beach Road, (910) 452-1212

(as little as $29 a week!)

Call 791-0688 Deadline every Thurs., noon!

—Waterman’s Brewing, 1610 Pavilion Place;

Mardi Gras Gumbo Party (4pm; Free)

—Waterman’s Brewing, 1610 Pavilion Place

Motown Cabaret (4:30pm; $10-$15)

—Snipes Academy, 2150 Chestnut St.

Dead Horses & Chris Frisina (7pm; $15-$20. $15 ADV $20 DOS) —Bourgie Nights, 127 Princess St.

UNCW Seabelles Concert (7pm; Free)

—Winter Park Presbyterian, 4501 Wrightsville Ave.

Anna Drezen (7pm, 9:30pm; $15; Comedy)

—Dead Crow Comedy Room, 265 N. Front St.

Live music on the Oceanfront Terrace (7pm; Free) —Holiday Inn Resort, 1706 N. Lumina Ave.

Wilmington Symphony Masterworks Concert: Storied Past (7:30pm; $27-$47) —Wilson Center, 703 N. 3rd St.;

Divine Divas (7:30pm; $30)

—Hannah Block Community Arts Center, 120 S. Second St.

Wilmington Symphony Orchestra Concert (7:30pm; $17-$47) —Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St.

Hotep Tour (7:30pm; $5)

—Gravity Records, 612 Castle St.

Folkstone Stringband Duo (8pm; Free)

—Pour Taproom, 201 N Front St Suite G101

The FEEBS (8pm; Free; Classic, Modern Rock) —The SeaWitch, 227 Carolina Beach Ave N.

Asylum DJ (9pm; Free; Gothic, Darkwave) —Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St.

Loose Jets, Reese McHenry, Nonchalant Shotgun (9pm; $7; Grunge Rock) —Reggie’s 42nd St., Tavern, 1415 S. 42nd St.

Jarrett Raymond (10pm; Free)

—The Palm Room, 11 E. Salisbury St.

John Boxter (10pm; Free; Singer-Songwriter) —Goat & Compass, 710 N. Fourth St.

Desmond Jones (10pm; Free; Rock) —The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.

Books, Beer, & Jazz Piano (3pm; Free) Reggae Sunday: Zion Duo (3pm; Free)

—Wrightsville Beach Brewery, 6201 Oleander Dr.

Mike Blair (4pm; Free; Americana)

—Salty Turtle Beer Company, 103 Triton Ln, Topsail

Oscar Party (6:30pm; $10)

—Tails Piano Bar, 115 S. Front St.

Rockstead w/ Selah Dubb (8pm; Free) —The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Trivia Night (7:30pm; Free)

—Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.; 910-7634133

Open Mic w/DJ L.A. (9pm; Free) —The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26

Karaoke w/ Party Gras (7pm; Free)

—Hoplite Pub, 720 N. Lake Park Blvd.

Trivia Tuesday (7pm; Free)

—The Sour Barn, 7211 Market St.

Tues Trivia & Tacos with Sherri! (7pm; Free) —Local’s Tavern, 1107 New Pointe Blvd.

Drum & Dance Downtown and The Drum Circle (7:30pm; Free) —The Calico Room, 115 N 2nd St.

Night of Trivia (8pm; Free)

—Banks Channel Pub and Grille, 530 Causeway Dr.

Cape Fear Blues Jam (8pm; Free)

—Rusty Nail Saloon, 1310 S. 5th St.

Jeremy Matthews (9pm; Free; Singer-Songwriter) —Duck n Dive, 114 Dock St.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 Music Bingo (7pm; Free)

—Bills Front Porch, 4328 Market St.

Music Bingo with Sherri! (7pm; Free)

—Local’s Tavern, 1107 New Pointe Blvd.

Karaoke (7pm; Free)

—Edward Teach Brewing, 604 N. 4th St.

Improv Night (8pm; $3)

—Dead Crow Comedy Room, 265 N. Front St.

Hooked on Sonics: Acoustic (8pm; $5) —The Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St.

Extreme Music Bingo w/Party Gras (10pm; Free) —Fox & Hound, 920 Town Center Dr.

Singer-Songwriter Circle, Open Mic (9pm; Free)

—Bottega Art Bar and Gallery, 723 N. 4th St.

Team Trivia (7pm; Free)

—Slice of Life, 125 Market St.; 910-251-9444

Music Bingo at The Harp (7:30pm; Free) —The Harp, 1423 S 3rd St.

Open Mic (6pm; Free)

—Tidal Creek Co-op, 5329 Oleander Dr.

Wet Wednesday DJ (10pm; Free) 12 encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

—The Calico Room, 107 S. Front St.

CONCERTS OUTSIDE OF SOUTHEASTERN NC

SHOWSTOPPERS

LAUGH OUT LOUD: If you missed Hari Kondabolu’s ILM performance a couple of years ago then head out to Asheville’s Orange Peel for some laugh on March 3. Courtesy photo.

NEIGHBORHOOD THEATRE N. DAVIDSON ST., CHARLOTTE, NC (704) 358-9298 2/20: Nightly 2/21: Big Sam’s Funky Nation and Africa Unplugged 2/22: Time Sawyer and Dane Page 2/23: 10th Annual Brazilian Carnaval Experience 2/26: Donna Missal and Samia 2/27: Fred Armisen 2/28: Future Thieves 3/1: Kodie Shane and more THE FILLMORE 820 HAMILTON ST., CHARLOTTE, NC (704) 916-8970 2/20: Alan Walker 2/22: Who’s Bad 2/23: Dylan Scott 2/28: A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie 3/1: Cypress Hill and Hollywood THE FILLMORE UNDERGROUND 820 HAMILTON ST., CHARLOTTE, NC (704) 916-8970 2/21: ThouxanbanFauni 2/22: Mike Stud 2/23: Off With Your Radiohead 2/24: The Dream 2/25: Wet and Kilo Kish 2/26: Gin Blossoms New Miserable Experience 3/6: Subtronics with Blunts and Blondes LINCOLN THEATRE 126 E. CABARRUS ST., RALEIGH, NC (919) 821-4111 2/22: Corrosion of Conformity and more 2/23: Mayday!, RDGLDGRN and Little Stranger 2/24: Asleep At The Wheel, Brennen Leigh and more 2/27: JJ Grey and Mofro and Cris Jacobs Band 3/1: Up The Irons, Hard Rock Reunion and Outliar 3/2: Who’s Bad and Africa Unplugged

CAT’S CRADLE 300 E. MAIN ST., CARRBORO, NC (919) 967-9053 2/20: The Brothers Brothers and Dead Horses (back) 2/21: Bay Ledges and The Dead Bedrooms (back) 2/22: ork Clothes, Dove Legs and Tegucigalpan (back) 2/23: Lowland Hum and Anna Tivel (back) 2/23: Houndmouth, Ben Kweller, Modern Love Child 2/24: The Aces (back) 2/25: Lily & Madeleine and Brother Bird (back) 2/25: Too Many Zooz and Zoocru 2/26: Jukebox the Ghost, The Mowgli’s, Arrested Youth 2/26: William Ryan Key, Selfish Things and more (back) 2/27: Red Herring and BilliTones (back) 2/27: WET, Kilo Kish and Hana Vu 3/1: William Tyler and Jake Xerxes Fussell (back)

SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES IS OUR BUSINESS. SPECIALIZING IN...

• Screen Printing • Embroidery • Hats • T-shirts • Hoodie • Koozies • Tote bags And more!

WORKING WITH MORE THAN 60 BUSINESSES IN THE GREATER SOUTHEASTERN NC AREA.

DURHAM PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 123 VIVIAN ST. DURHAM, NC (919) 688-3722 2/20: Alan Parsons 2/21: The Piano Guys 2/22: Rock of Ages 3/5: James Bay MOTORCO MUSIC HALL 723 RIGSBEE AVE, DURHAM, NC (919) 901-0875 2/21: Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry + Subatomic Sound System 2/23: Black Sugar Dance 2/24: Mike Dautry plays Soul Coughing’s ‘Ruby Vroom’ 2/26: NOBIGDYL, 1K Phew and Byron Juane 2/28: Ryan Montbleau and Jason Adamo 3/1: Bella’s Bartok and Emma’s Lounge THE ORANGE PEEL 101 BILTMORE AVE., ASHEVILLE, NC (828) 398-1837 2/22: Coheed and Cambria, maps & atlases 2/23: The Vagina Monologues 2/27: Blood Orange and Mike 3/1: Who’s Bad and Trae Pierce & the T-Stones 3/3: Hari Kondabolu

The Cargo District, 905 Container Park Lane

910-284-2541 • cfeshirts.com MENTION THIS AD AND GET ABSOLUTELY NOTHING FOR FREE! encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 13

SEE, BE SEEN

ARTS>>ART

exhibit openings

ARTIST CALL:

ACRYLIC POURINGS

Lumina Fest holds poster design contest, will award $500

G

BY: SHEA CARVER

oing into its third year, UNCW will kick of the Lumina Festival of the Arts this summer, July 12-28, 2019. The celebration brings together myriad disciplines of creative output, including music, theatre, visual arts, opera, and dance, et al. But before the roster is rolled out in coming months, UNCW is putting a call out to local artists to help build their official festival poster.

“We’re looking for some visual inspiration,” says Kristen Brogdon, Office of the Arts director, who will help judge the poster contest alongside her colleagues in the Office of Arts, Emmanuel Mitcham and Lindsay Lake, along with UNCW’s art faculty Edward Irvine.

“We thought a poster contest would be the perfect way to spread the word about the festival,” Mitcham says, “but also provide a very special opportunity for a visual artist to leave a lasting imprint on the history of the

Art work by Diana Vincent

Cape Fear Artists Gallery, 555 Castle St. ? Opens Feb. 22 • On display through Mar. 16

Self-taught Diana Vincent has focused on realistic acrylic paintings for a while now and is best known for her landscapes and portraiture work. Her latest show at Cape Fear Artists Gallery focuses more on the abstract (see below). Meet the artist during Fourth Friday Gallery Night downtown and learn about her process.

festival.”

The poster will be used in all marketing of the event, including Wilmington and across North Carolina. It will be included in print and digital ads, program covers, websites, marquees, large banners and more.

There is a lot of inspiration to draw from in devising design ideas, whether photography, digital art, painting, illustration, or mixed-media. All media is accepted as long as it follows guidelines, with final size being 11-inches-by-17-inches and 300 DPI. It also

must contain the official logo and dates of the festival (uncw.edu/arts/poster.html).

“The sky’s the limit in terms of design,” Mitcham tells. “I know themes are often helpful, but we intentionally left the criteria broad as to not stifle or confine the collective creativity of the artists. Ultimately, this contest is more about what the artist envisions when they think about art in the Cape Fear region as a whole.”

Already noted in the festival lineup are Opera Wilmington’s “La Boheme”—Giacomo Puccini’s Italian libretto, the basis for the famed Broadway musical, “Rent.” Also returning will be performances by Make Trouble, a Shakespeare summer-intensive group, plus a poetry jam and salsa-dancing party.

“The poetry jam will be our opening night [show] this year on July 12,” Brogdon says.

“We’ll be including some new poet-collaborations in the show, with dance, music, and film. I’m really excited about the evolution of that partnership.”

Artists who enter their designs for the poster contest have a chance to win $500. Judges will look at originality of work, aesthetics and relevance to the arts and the Cape Fear.

“I personally hope the artwork submitted helps contribute to the narrative of Lumina Festival progressively growing to become more of an integral piece of Wilmington tradition,” Mitcham says. “I also hope the piece captures the collaborative nature of the festival and in some way recognizes the contributions of all of the Wilmington art scenes that make this possible.”

Full disclosure of rules and regulations can be found online. Deadline for artists to enter is February 22, 11:59 p.m.

DETAILS:

Lumina Festival of the Arts

Artist deadline: Feb. 22, 11:59 p.m.

Festival dates: July 12-29 uncw.edu/arts/lumina/festival 14 encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

NEW YEAR, NEW ART

Exhibit from Art in Bloom’s artists Art in Bloom, 210 Princess St. Opens Feb. 22 • Closes Mar. 23

From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. this Friday, a new exhibit from Art in Bloom’s core artists will open.

Folks will see a variety of works from painter Bradley Carter, printmaker Bob Bryden, glass artist Richard Bunting, ceramics artist Brian Evans, photographer Susan Francy, sculptor Dumay Gorham, mixed-media artist Kirah Van Sickle (“Aspens,” below), and others. There will be an opening reception on Feb. 22 and a closing reception on Mar. 22, both held during Fourth Friday Gallery Walk.

HANGING AROUND THE PORT CITY

GALLERYGUIDE

ARTEXPOSURE!

22527 Highway 17N Hampstead, NC (910) 803-0302 (910) 330-4077 Tues. - Sat. 10am - 5pm (or by appt.) www.artexposure50.com

ArtExposure is celebrating its 10th anniversary on May 11th from 11am-7pm.

Please, mark your calendar and join us!

We will host a food truck, a tent for artists, raffles and more!

Mary Ann Rozear will have her opening reception, “The Shapes of Memories, from North Carolina to Maine,” from 5-7 p.m. on the same day.

If you haven’t been to ArtExposure, please, take a drive to see us. You won’t regret it!

ART IN BLOOM GALLERY

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

Art in Bloom Gallery is in a renovated 19th-Century horse stable and presents an eclectic mix of original art by established and emerging artists. View “New Year, New Art: An Exhibit from the Gallery’s Core Artists” February 15 – March 23. Art in Bloom Gallery is open until 9 pm on Fourth Friday Gallery Nights including February 22. Join us on Friday, February 22, 6-9 pm for the opening reception of “New Year, New Art;” meet the artists; and listen to music by violinist, Shirley Lebo.

ART OF FINE DINING www.aibgallery.com

In addition to our gallery at 210 Princess Street, Art in Bloom Gallery partners with local businesses to exhibit original art in other locations. Current Art Exhibits include: “The Joy of Plein Air: Pastels by Laurie Greenbaum Beitch” opened January 22 at PinPoint Restaurant,114 Market Street. The art exhibit continues through May 20, 2019.

“Brayers, Brushes, and Color Pencils by David Norris” opened February 6 at Platypus & Gnome Restaurant, 9 South Front Street. Meet the artist at a champagne toast and reception, Thursday, March 14,

6-8 pm. The reception is open and free to the public. The art exhibit continues through June 3, 2019.

Join The n Rebellio Today

CHARLES JONES AFRICAN ART

311 Judges Rd., Unit 6-E cjart@bizec.rr.com (910) 794-3060 Mon. – Fri. 10am - 12:30 pm 1:30 pm - 4 pm Open other hours and weekends by appointment www.cjafricanart.com African art: Museum quality African Art from West and Central Africa. Traditional African art for the discerning collector.

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

Over 30 years experience in Tribal Arts.

Our clients include many major museums.

• American comfort food, with a Southern twist • Handpicked bourbons and whiskeys • House-made barrel-aged cocktails • Excellent wine selection • 30 beers on draft Mon. 4pm-12am • Tues.-Thurs. 11:30am-12am Fri. & Sat. 11:30am-1am • Sun. 11:30am-12am

15 S. Front St. 910-399-1162 www.rebellionnc.com

NEW ELEMENTS GALLERY

271 N. Front St. (919) 343-8997 Tues. - Sat.: 11am - 6pm (or by appt.) www.newelementsgallery.com

Now exhibiting local UNCW alumnus Nathan Ryan Verwey. Nathan’s work is streetinspired art that features great color; he also does stirring portraits that spin the imagination featuring the famous and the nameless.

Located in the heart of historic downtown Wilmington, New Elements Gallery has been offering the best of regional and national fine art and craft since 1985.Learn more about the artists we represent, featured exhibitions, and gallery news on our website.

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

The Wilma Daniels Gallery currently features the work of their visual art faculty Showcasing “face pots” by ceramics instructor Geoff Calabrese, faculty exhibitors also include Ben Billingsley, Geoff Calabrese, Rick Conn, Jessica Gaffney, Kirsten Koromilas, Jennifer Mace, Deborah Quinn, Victoria Paige, Abby Perry, Sharon Wozniak Spencer, Sherrie Whitehead. Visit cfcc.edu/danielsgallery for more details. encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 15

Nominations are open for Best Esthetician in Wilmington!

I would love your vote!

Marcella Hardy, winner Best Esthetician

BEST OF 2016 W I NNE R

e

BEST OF 2 0 1 7

W I N N E R

WINNER

Esthetics

By Marcella FEBRUARY SPECIALS

BUY ONE, GET ONE BROW WAX through February!

FREE BROW WAX for new bikini clients Tanglez Salon, 4107 E-2 Oleander Drive 8 â&#x20AC;¢ (910) 392-8111 16 encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

Ear -resistible.

• Fast • Healthy • Authentic Tzatziki, hummus and tahini made in house daily

Gyros slow cooked on a spit, hand carved and served 5020 S. College Rd., #107, Wilmington 910-313-3000 www.thegreeksnc.weebly.com Monday - Saturday 11am - 9pm; Closed Sunday

1437 Military Cutoff Rd. • (910) 679-8797 encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 17

18 encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

REEL TO REEL

ARTS>>FILM

films this week

REFRESHING REVENGE FLICK:

CINEMATIQUE

Thalian Hall • 310 Chestnut Dr. Tickets: $8 • thalianhall.org

‘Cold Persuit’ has a ‘90s vibe of comedic crime and lunacy

I

Feb. 20, 7 p.m. (additional screening at 4 p.m. on Wednesday), “The Favourite.” Early 18th cen-

BY: ANGHUS

tury, England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving.

s revenge a dish best served cold? That’s the overarching theme of the new Liam Neeson drama “Cold Pursuit,” a deconstructionist tome on the concept of “an eye for an eye,” which ends up leaving everyone blind. It’s a strange, visceral movie that feels far more challenging than the last decade of brainless action films Neeson has undertaken. This isn’t a movie about watching a senior citizen beat up people half his age. It’s a pitch-black story that occasionally swerves into dark comedy while watching two dozen people get brutally murdered in the empty pursuit of justice.

I got a real ‘90s vibe from “Cold Pursuit.” It feels like that generation of movies ushered in after the overwhelming cultural zeitgeist created by Quentin Tarantino. Back then studios were looking for eclectic crime films that could be filmed for less than $10 million dollars. Anything that was able to inject a little lunacy into the traditional crime caper.

“Cold Pursuit” gives us the most basic revenge scenario setup: Nels Coxman (Liam Neeson) is your typical earnest small-town citizen, humbly serving this small Colorado community by clearing the snow-covered roads. His life is irrevocably decimated after his son is murdered during a drug deal. Like most revenge-movie protagonists, he takes this tragedy poorly and begins to try and track down those responsible for his death. Unfortunately, the situation isn’t as cut and dry as he’d like. Before he has time to consider his actions, he’s already three bodies deep into a surprisingly easy murder spree.

There are a number of complexities to his revenge scenario, which includes another member of the Coxman clan with criminal connections: a megalomaniacal crime lord who doesn’t like hearing his henchman are being dispatched and a Native-American crime family dangerously close to starting an all out gang war in this sleepy resort town.

There’s something simple, almost purposefully constructed about how easy it is for Coxman to kill those he deems responsible for the death of his son. “Cold Pursuit” makes murder look remarkably easy. The humans populating this world are just one bad interaction away from having their lives snuffed out.

Coxman sets a series of events into motion; a murderous snowball that picks up malevolent momentum as it gathers bloody mass. Soon enough gangs are killing one another. Fragile alliances are shattered and bodies are piling

A frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) occupies the throne, as her close friend Lady Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz) governs the country in her stead,

while tending to Anne’s ill health and mercurial temper. When a new servant Abigail Masham (Emma Stone) arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing and Abigail sees a chance at a return to her aristocratic

roots. One way or another, she will not let woman, man, politics or rabbit stand in her way to reach the top and get in the queen’s good graces.

COLD REVENGE: Anghus warms up to ‘Cold Pursuit.’ Photo courtesy of Studio Canal

up faster than the Sheriff’s office can count.

“Cold Pursuit” hits it’s most refreshing strides in the moments in between murders when it allows its cast of caustic characters to chew scenery. There’s a number of talented performers who have fun with the snappy script from writer Frank Baldwin. Neeson plays the straight man to a broad spectrum of comedic performers best exemplified by Viking (Tom Bateman), who is not just the head of a criminal cartel but a father struggling with fatherhood and his ex-wife. Bateman is the kind of entertaining looney this kind of dark comedy was created for. He’s the morally reprehensible antagonist you can’t help but enjoy when he’s wildly emoting.

losophy presented in the least subtle way possible. “Cold Pursuit” can be appreciated on multiple levels, and for a bloody revenge movie, I found that as refreshing as a hot tub at a ski resort.

DETAILS:

Cold Pursuit

Directed by Hans Petter Moland Starring Liam Neeson, Laura Dern, Micheál Richardson

March 4-6, 7 p.m. (additional screening at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays), “Mary Queen of Scots.”

Queen of France at 16 and widowed at 18, Mary Stuart (Saoirse Ronan) defies pressure to remarry. Instead, she returns to her native Scotland. But Scotland and England fall under the rule of Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie). Determined to be more than a figurehead, Mary asserts her claim to the English throne. Each young Queen must decide how to play the game of marriage versus independence. Betrayal, rebellion and conspiracies within each court imperil both thrones—and change the course of history.

721 Surry Street Wilmington, NC 28401

910-557-BREW

The film reminded me of one of my favorite comedic murder capers, “Payback.” An extremely underrated piece of comedic crime noir that wasn’t afraid to get brutally violent.

Like “Payback,” “Cold Pursuit” takes audiences along for a ridiculous revenge roller coaster that ultimately leaves our hero in the exact same place where he started. Through the most pugilistic of morality plays Coxman learns that life, death and our attempts at controlling the outcome for whatever reasons are the ultimate human folly.

I appreciate “Cold Pursuit”’s nihilistic phi-

encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 19

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE BOARD OF WHQR/FRIENDS OF

PUBLIC RADIO?

Nominations for encore’s readers’ choice awards, 2019 Best Of, are now open.

Nominations are open to the community at large through Feb. 27.

Wilmington’s hometown NPR affiliate is looking for individuals who can draw on their professional expertise, their commitment to community service and their belief in the power of public radio to serve on our Board of Directors. We are seeking a diverse group from our members and supporters who will commit to monthly meetings, committee responsbilities and will assist with fundraising.

If you believe that public radio helps engender a well-informed community and supports the values of civil discourse and artistic endeavor, we urge you to visit our website www.WHQR.org to find the details about the application process.

To be considered, applicants must be a member of WHQR, having made a contribution to the station within the past 12 months. Or, become a new member prior to the application deadline for board consideration.

For questions or more information, email whqr@whqr.org and use Subject Line “Board Search.”

Complete applications must be received by April 1st, 2019.

20 encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

The top three businesses garnering most votes in each category will go on to the final voting.

Final voting will be held Mar. 6 - Apr. 3.

Winners will be announced and celebrated at our first annual Bestival, May 11 at Waterline Brewing.

Stay tuned for more details.

b stival May 11, 2019

BEER. ARTS. FOOD. MUSIC.

SOUTHEASTERN NC’S PREMIER DINING GUIDE

GRUB & GUZZLE

ELIJAH’S - 2 Ann St. Wilmington, NC 28401

WWW.ELIJAHS.COM

AMERICAN BLUEWATER WATERFRONT GRILL Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of sailing ships and the Intracoastal Waterway while dining at this popular casual American restaurant in Wrightsville Beach. Lunch and dinner are served daily. Favorites include jumbo lump crab cakes, succulent seafood lasagna, crispy coconut shrimp and an incredible Caribbean fudge pie. Dine inside or at their awardwinning outdoor patio and bar, which is the location for their lively Waterfront Music Series every Sunday April - October. Large parties welcome. Private event space available. BluewaterDining.com. 4 Marina Street, Wrightsville Beach, NC. (910) 256-8500.

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wrightsville Beach ■ FEATURING: Waterfront dining ■ MUSIC: Music every Sunday in Summer ■ WEBSITE: www.bluewaterdining.com CAM CAFÉ CAM Café, located within the CAM delivers de-

Photo by Holland Dotts lightful surprises using fresh, local ingredients. The café serves lunch with seasonal options Tuesday through Saturday, inspired “small plates” on Thursday nights, an elegant yet approachable dinner on Thursday and brunch every Sunday. Look for a combination of fresh, regular menu items along with daily specials. As part of dining in an inspiring setting, the galleries are open during CAM Café hours which makes it the perfect destination to enjoy art of the plate along with the art of the museum. 3201 S 17th St. (910) 777-2363.

■ SERVING LUNCH, BRUNCH & DINNER: Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 2 pm; Thursday evening, 5pm-9pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: www.camcafe.org ELIJAH’S Since 1984, Elijah’s has been Wilmington, NC’s outdoor dining destination. We feature expansive indoor and outdoor waterfront dining, with panoramic views of riverfront sunsets. As a Casual American Grill and Oyster Bar, Elijah’s offers everything from fresh local seafood and shellfish to pastas, sandwiches, and Certified Angus Beef selec-

tions. We offer half-priced oysters from 4-6 every Wednesday & live music with our Sunday Brunch from 11-3. Whether you are just looking for a great meal & incredible scenery, or a large event space for hundreds of people, Elijah’s is the place to be.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun-Thurs 11:3010:00; Friday and Saturday 11:30-11:00 ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ILM; kids menu HENRY’S

HOPS SUPPLY CO. The combination of chef-inspired food and our craft bar makes Hops Supply Co. a comfortable and inviting gastropub that attracts guests of all types – especially a local crowd who can feel right at home whether ordering a classic favorite or trying a new culinary delight! At HopsCo, we are dedicated to the craft of excellent cuisine and delivering hops in its most perfect form, exemplified by our selection of craft beers. As hops are the heart of flavor for beer, our local seasonal ingredients are the soul of our culinary inspired American fare. 5400 Oleander Dr. (910) 833-8867.

■ OPEN: Mon-Thurs 10:57 am - 10 pm; Fri-Sat 10:57 am - 11 pm {Serving Brunch 10:57am – 3pm & bar open until midnight}; Brunch ALL DAY Sunday 9:57am – 10pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: www.hopssupplycompany.com

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

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

– 11 p.m.

NICHE ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown Niche Kitchen and Bar features an eclectic menu, a large wine list, and a warm and inviting ■ FEATURING: Daily blackboard specials. atmosphere.

Close to Carolina Beach, Niche has ■ WEBSITE: www.henrysrestaurant.com a great selection of dishes from land to sea. All

encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 21

dishes are cooked to order, and Sundays features a great brunch menu!

Niche’s heated covered patio is perfect for anytime of the year and great for large parties. And their bar has a great assortment of wines, even offered half off by the glass on Tuesdays-Thursdays.

Open Tues. - Sun. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling 910399-4701.

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington ■ WEBSITE: www.nichewilmington.com PINE VALLEY MARKET Pine Valley Market has reigned supreme in servicing the Wilmington community for years, securing encore’s Best-Of awards in catering, gourmet shop and butcher. Now, Kathy Webb and Christi Ferretti are expanding their talents into serving lunch inhouse, 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.10 a.m.7 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Sun. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Daily specials and take-home frozen meals ■ WEBSITE: www.pinevalleymarket.com THE TROLLY STOP Trolly Stop Grill and Catering is a four store franchise in North Carolina. Trolly Stop Hotdogs opened in Wrightsville Beach in 1976. That store name has never changed. Since the Wrightsville Beach store, the newer stores sell hotdogs, hamburgers, beef and chicken cheese steaks, fries, hand dipped ice cream, milk shakes, floats and more.

Our types of dogs are: Southern (Trolly Dog, beef and pork), Northern (all beef), Smoke Sausage (pork), Fat Free (turkey), Veggie (soy). Voted Best Hot Dog in Wilmington for decades.

Check our website trollystophotdogs.com for hours of operations, specific store offerings and telephone numbers, or contact Rick Coombs, 910297-8416, rtrollystop@aol.com We offer catering serving 25-1000 people. Franchises available ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER ■ LOCATIONS: Wilmington, Fountain Dr. (910) 452-3952 Wrightsville Beach (910) 256-3921 Southport (910) 457-7017

Boone, NC (828) 265-2658 Chapel Hill, NC (919) 240-4206 ■ WEBSITE: www.trollystophotdogs.com

ASIAN 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. 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.; Sat. 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. for lunch. Mon.Sun. 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. for dinner.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown

■ WEBSITE: www.indochinewilmington.com NIKKI’S FRESH GOURMET For more than a decade, Nikki’s downtown has served diners the best in sushi. With freshly crafted ingredients making up their rolls, sushi and sashimi, a taste of innovation comes with every order. Daily they offer specialty rolls specific to the Front Street location, such as the My Yoshi, K-Town and Crunchy Eel rolls. But for less adventurous diners looking for options beyond sushi, Nikki’s serves an array of sandwiches, wraps and gyros, too. They also make it a point to host all dietary needs, omnivores, carnivores and herbivores alike. They have burgers and cheesesteaks, as well as falafal pitas and veggie wraps, as well as an extensive Japanese fare menu, such as bento boxes and tempura platters. Daily dessert and drink special are also on order. Check out their website and Facebook for more information. 16 S. Front St. (910) 771-9151.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.-Thurs., 11am-10pm; Fri.-Sat., 11am-11pm; Sun., 12pm10pm. Last call on food 15 minutes before closing.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: www.nikkissushibar.com OKAMI JAPANESE HIBACHI STEAK HOUSE We have reinvented “Hibachi cuisine.” Okami Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse is like no other.

Our highly skilled chefs cook an incredible dinner while entertaining you on the way. Our portions

Wilmington’s

Premier Wine Bar

60 Wines by the Glass 350 Wines by the Bottle 30 Craft Beers Small Plates

• Wings • Salads • • Sandwiches • Seafood • • Steaks • Ribs • Chicken • Pasta • (910) 399-4292 29 S Front St Wilmington fortunateglasswinebar.com 22 encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

16 Cold Draft Beers

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7134 mARKET ST. 910-821-8191

www.greenlinepizza.com encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 23

Authentic Philadelphia Cheese Steak & Chicken Cheese Steak Sandwiches Hoagies & Grinders • Philly Dillies Salads • Burgers • And More ••••• Specials •••••

ANY DAY / ANY TIME Veterans & First Responders (Fire, EMS, Police) 10% Discount MONDAY, TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY 3-5PM Seniors 20% Discount MONDAY 4PM - CLOSE Children 12 & Under Eat E from Kids Menu for 1/2 Price MONDAY, TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY ALL DAY 1 Free Topping on Cheesesteaks & Chicken Cheesesteaks (Bell, Sweet, Banana or Jalapeno Pepper, Mushrooms, or Olives)

Voted Best Cheesesteak

accooding to encooe readers 3 locations to serve you 3501 Oleander Drive • 609 Piner Road • 8232 Market Street 24 encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

are large, our drinks are less expensive, and our staff is loads of fun. We are committed to using quality ingredients and seasoning with guaranteed freshness. Our goal is to utilize all resources, domestically and internationally, to ensure we serve only the finest food products. We believe good, healthy food aids vital functions for well-being, both physically and mentally. Our menu consists of a wide range of steak, seafood, and chicken for the specially designed “Teppan Grill.” We also serve tastebud-tingling Japanese sushi, hand rolls, sashimi, tempura dishes, and noodle entrees. This offers our guests a complete Japanese dining experience. Our all-you-can-eat sushie menu and daily specials can be found at www.okamisteakhouse.com! 614 S College Rd. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.-Thurs., 11am-2:30pm / 4-10pm; Fri., 11am-2:30pm / 4pm11pm; Sat., 11am-11pm; Sun., 11am-9:30pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: www.okamisteakhouse.com SZECHUAN 132 Craving expertly prepared Chinese food in an elegant atmosphere? Szechuan 132 Chinese Restaurant is your destination! Szechuan 132 has earned the reputation as one of the finest contemporary Chinese restaurants in the Port City. Tastefully decorated with an elegant atmosphere, with an exceptional ingenious menu has deemed Szechuan 132 the best Chinese restaurant for years, hands down.

419 South College Road (in University Landing), (910) 799-1426.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Lunch specials ■ WEBSITE: www.szechuan132.com YOSAKE DOWNTOWN SUSHI LOUNGE Lively atmosphere in a modern setting, Yosake is the delicious Downtown spot for date night, socializing with friends, or any large dinner party. Home to the never-disappointing Shanghai Firecracker Shrimp! In addition to sushi, we offer a full Pan Asian menu including curries, noodle dishes, and the ever-popular Crispy Salmon or mouth-watering Kobe Burger. Inspired features change weekly showcasing our commitment to local farms. Full bar including a comprehensive sake list, signature cocktails, and Asian Import Bottles. 33 S. Front St., 2nd Floor (910) 763-3172.

■ SERVING DINNER: 7 nights a week, 5pm; SunWed. ‘til 10pm, Thurs ‘til 11pm, Fri-Sat ‘til Midnight.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING: 1/2 Price Sushi/Appetizer Menu nightly from 5-7, until 8 on Mondays, and also 10-Midnight on Fri/Sat. Tuesday LOCALS NIGHT - 20% Dinner Entrees. Wednesday 80S NIGHT 80s music and menu prices. Sundays are the best deal downtown - Specialty Sushi and Entrees are Buy One, Get One $10 Off and 1/2 price Wine Bottles. Nightly Drink Specials. Gluten-Free Menu upon request. Complimentary Birthday Dessert.

■ WEBSITE: www.yosake.com. @yosakeilm on Twitter & Instagram. Like us on Facebook.

YOSHI Yoshi Sushi Bar and Japanese Cuisine offers something the greater Wilmington area has never seen before. We are seeking to bring true New York Style Sushi to Wilmington, with classic sushi and sashimi, as well as traditional rolls and some unique Yoshi Creations. We offer a variety of items, including Poke Bowls and Hibachi - and we also are introducing true Japanese Ramen Bowls! Come try it today! 260 Racine Dr, Wilmington 28403 (910)799-6799 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun. 12pm-11pm, Mon.-Thurs. 11am-10pm, Fri.-Sat. 11am-11pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: yoshisushibarandjapanesecuisine.com

BAGELS ROUND BAGELS AND DONUT Round Bagels and Donuts features 17 varieties of New York-style bagels, baked fresh daily on site in a steam bagel oven. Round offers a wide variety of breakfast and lunch bagel sandwiches, grilled and fresh to order. Round also offers fresh-made donuts daily! Stop by Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., and on Sunday, 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

■ SERVING BREAKFAST & LUNCH ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Homemade bagels, cream cheeses, donuts, sandwiches, coffee and more ■ WEBSITE: www.roundbagelsanddonuts.com

DINNER THEATRE THEATRENOW TheatreNOW is a performing arts complex that features weekend dinner theater, an award-winning weekly kids variety show, monthly Sunday Jazz Brunches, movie, comedy and live music events.

Award-winning chef, Denise Gordon, and a fabulous service staff pair scrumptious multi-course themed meals and cocktails with our dinner shows in a theatre-themed venue. Dinner theater at its best! Reservations highly suggested. 19 S. 10th Street (910) 399.3NOW (3669). Hours vary.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Dinner shows, jazz brunches, ■ WEBSITE: www.theatrewilmington.com

FONDUE THE LITTLE DIPPER Wilmington’s favorite fondue restaurant! The Little Dipper specializes in unique fondue dishes with a global variety of cheeses, meats, seafood, vegetables, chocolates and fine wines. The warm and intimate dining room is a great place to enjoy a fourcourse meal, or indulge in appetizers and desserts outside on the back deck or in the bar while watching luminescent jellyfish. Reservations are appreciated for parties of any size. Located at the corner of Front and Orange in Downtown Wilmington. 138 South Front Street. (910) 251-0433.

■ SERVING DINNER: 5pm Tue-Sun; open 7 days/ week seasonally, May-October

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING: Tasting menu every Tues. with small plates from $1-$4; Ladies Night every Wed; $27 4-course prix fixe menu on Thurs.; “Date night menu,” $65/couple with beer and wine tasting every Fri. and half-price bottles of wine on Sun. ■ MUSIC: Tuesdays on the deck, 7 – 9p.m., May-Oct ■ WEBSITE: www.littledipperfondue.com

GREEK SYMPOSIUM RESTAURANT AND BAR After moving to Wilmington Chef George Papanikolaou and his family opened up The Greeks in 2012 and with the support of the community was able to venture out and try something different with Symposium. Symposium is an elegant experience consisting of recipes that Chef George has collected his whole life. Many of the recipes are family recipes that have been handed down through the years, one is as old as 400 years old. With a blend of fresh local ingredients, delicious longstanding family recipes, and Authentic Greek cuisine Symposium is a restaurant that is unique in its cooking and unforgettable in the experience it offers. Everything on the menu is a mouthwatering experience from the charred octopus, to the lamb shank with papardelle pasta, to the homemade baklava and galaktoboureko!

Happy Eating OPA!! Located in Mayfaire Town Center at 890 Town Center Dr, Wilmington, NC 28405 (910) 239-9051. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: North Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Daily specials ■ WEBSITE: www.symposiumnc.com

IRISH THE HARP Experience the finest traditional Irish family recipes and popular favorites served in a casual yet elegant traditional pub atmosphere. The Harp, 1423 S. 3rd St., proudly uses the freshest ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible, to bring you and yours the most delicious Irish fare!

We have a fully stocked bar featuring favorite Irish beers and whiskies. We are open every day for both American and Irish breakfast, served to noon weekdays and 2 p.m. weekends. Regular menu to 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 p.m. weekends. Join us for trivia at 8:30 on Thursdays and live music on Fridays – call ahead for schedule (910) 763-1607. Located just beside Greenfield Lake and Park at the south end of downtown Wilmington, The Harp is a lovely Irish pub committed to bringing traditional Irish flavor, tradition and hospitality to the Cape Fear area.

■ SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Greenfield Lake/Downtown South ■ FEATURING: Homemade soups, desserts and breads, free open wifi, new enlarged patio area, and big screen TVs at the bar featuring major

soccer matches worldwide.

■ WEBSITE: www.harpwilmington.com SLAINTE IRISH PUB Slainte Irish Pub in Monkey Junction has traditional pub fare with an Irish flair. We have a large selection of Irish whiskey, and over 23 different beers on draft, and 40 different craft beers in bottles.

They have a large well lit outdoor patio with a full bar also. Come have some fun! They currently do not take reservations, but promise to take care of you when you get here! 5607 Carolina Beach Rd. #100, (910) 399-3980 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 11:30 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington, Monkey Junction ■ FEATURING: Irish grub, whiskeys, beer, wine, fun.

■ WEBSITE: www.facebook.com/slaintemj

ITALIAN ANTONIO’S Serving fresh, homemade Italian fare in midtown and south Wilmington, Antonio’s Pizza and Pasta is a family-owned restaurant which serves New York style pizza and pasta. From daily specials during lunch and dinner to a friendly waitstaff ensuring a top-notch experience, whether dining in, taking out or getting delivery, to generous portions, the Antonio’s experience is an unforgettable one. Serving subs, salads, pizza by the slice or pie, pasta, and more, dine-in, take-out and delivery! 3501 Oleander Dr., #2, and 5120 S. College Rd. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Sun., open at 11:30 a.m.)

■ NEIGHBORHOOD DELIVERY OFFERED: Monkey Junction and near Independence Mall ■ WEBSITE: www.antoniospizzaandpasta.com THE ITALIAN BISTRO The Italian Bistro is a family-owned, full-service Italian restaurant and pizzeria located in Porters Neck. They offer a wide variety of N.Y. style thincrust pizza and homemade Italian dishes seven days a week!

The Italian Bistro strives to bring customers a variety of homemade items made with the freshest, local ingredients. Every pizza and entrée is made to order and served with a smile from our amazing staff.

Their warm, inviting, atmosphere is perfect for “date night” or “family night.” Let them show you why “fresh, homemade and local” is part of everything they do. 8211 Market St. (910) 6867774 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Sun. brunch, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Porters Neck ■ WEBSITE: www.italianbistronc.com SLICE OF LIFE “Slice” has become a home away from home for tourists and locals alike. Our menu includes salads,

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

Daily food and drink specials.

SUSHI SPECIALS

Two specialty rolls

for $19.95

Three regular rolls

for $12.95

Specials only valid at the downtown location.

Voted Best 16 S. Front St. • 910-772-9151 Dowtown Wilmington Sushi encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 25

tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, homemade soups, subs and, of course, pizza. We only serve the freshest and highest-quality ingredients in all of our food, and our dough is made daily with purified water. Voted “Best Pizza” and “Best Late Night Eatery.”All ABC permits. Visit us downtown at 125 Market Street, (910) 251-9444, in Wrightsville Beach at 1437 Military Cutoff Road, Suite 101, (910) 256-2229 and in Pine Valley on the corner of 17th and College Road, (910) 799-1399.

■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER & LATE NIGHT: 11:30 a.m.-3 a.m., 7 days/week, 365 days/year.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, Downtown and Wilmington South.

■ FEATURING: Largest tequila selection in town!

■ WEBSITE: www.grabslice.com

SANDWICHES HWY 55 BURGERS, SHAKES AND FRIES Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries in Wilmington—on Carolina Beach Rd.—is bringing a fresh All-American diner experience with neverfrozen burgers, sliced cheesesteaks piled high on steamed hoagies, and frozen custard made inhouse every day.

Founded in Eastern North Carolina in 1991, Hwy 55 reflects founder Kenney Moore’s commitment to authentic hospitality and fresh food. Lunch

and dinner is grilled in an open-air kitchen, and they serve you at your table—with a smile. 6331 Carolina Beach Rd., (910) 793-6350 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Monday - Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. .

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Delicious burgers and homemade shakes!

■ WEBSITE: www.hwy55.com/locations/wilmington-carolina-beach-rd J. MICHAEL’S PHILLY DELI The Philly Deli celebrated their 38th anniversary in August 2017. Thier first store was located in Hanover Center—the oldest shopping center in Wilmington. Since, two more Philly Delis have been added: one at Porters Neck and one at Monkey Junction.

The Philly Deli started out by importing all of their steak meat and hoagie rolls straight from Amoroso Baking Company, located on 55th Street in downtown Philadelphia! It’s a practice they maintain to this day.

We also have a great collection of salads to choose from, including the classic chef’s salad, chicken salad, and tuna salad, all made fresh every day in our three Wilmington, NC restaurants. 8232 Market St., 3501 Oleander Dr., 609 Piner Rd. ■ OPEN: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday, 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Friday - Saturday.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Porters Neck, North and and chicken dishes from $4.95-$25.95, there’s something for everyone at Dock Street. You’ll have South Wilmington, a great time eating in our “Bohemian-Chic” atmo■ WEBSITE: https://phillydeli.com sphere, 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.

CAPE FEAR SEAFOOD COMPANY ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 7 days a week.

Founded in 2008 by Evans and Nikki Trawick, Cape ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown Fear Seafood Company has become a local hotspot for the freshest, tastiest seafood in the area. With ■ FEATURING: Fresh daily steamed oysters. it’s growing popularity, the restaurant has expanded ■ WEBSITE: www.dockstreetoysterbar.net from its flagship eatery in Monkey Junction to locations in Porters Neck and Waterford in Leland. MICHAEL’S SEAFOOD’S RESTAURANT “We are a dedicated group of individuals work- Established in 1998, Michael’s Seafood Restaurant ing together as a team to serve spectacular food, is locally owned and operated by Shelly McGowan wine and spirits in a relaxed and casual setting,” and managed by her team of culinary professionals. restaurateur Evans Trawick says. “At CFSC every Michael’s aspires to bring you the highest quality dish is prepared with attention to detail, quality in- and freshest fin fish, shell fish, mollusks, beef, pork, gredients and excellent flavors. Our staff strives to poultry and produce. Our menu consists of mainly accommodate guests with a sense of urgency and locally grown and made from scratch items. We an abundance of southern hospitality.” Cape Fear count on our local fishermen and farmers to supply Seafood Company has been recognized by encore us with seasonal, North Carolina favorites on a daily magazine for best seafood in 2015, as well as by basis. Adorned walls include awards such as 3 time Wilmington Magazine in 2015 and 2016, and Star gold medalist at the International Seafood Chowder News from 2013 through 2016. Monkey Junction: Cook-Off, Entrepreneur of the Year, Restaurant of 5226 S. College Road Suite 5, 910-799-7077. Por- the Year and Encores readers’ choice in Best Seater’s Neck: 140 Hays Lane #140, 910-681-1140. food to name a few. 1206 N. Lake Park Blvd. (910) 458-7761 Waterford: 143 Poole Rd., Leland, NC 28451 ■ SERVING LUNCH AND DINNER: 11:30am-4pm ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 7 days 11 am – 9 daily; Mon.-Thurs.., 4pm-9pm; Fri.-Sat., 4pm-10pm; pm Sun., 4pm-8:30pm.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Carolina Beach ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, north Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Award-winning chowder, local seaand Leland food and more!

■ WESBITE: www.capefearseafoodcompany.com ■ WEBSITE: www.MikesCfood.com

SEAFOOD

CATCH Serving the Best Seafood in South Eastern North Carolina. Wilmington’s Native Son, 2011 James Beard Award Nominee, 2013 Best of Wilmington “Best Chef” winner, Chef Keith Rhodes explores the Cape Fear Coast for the best it has to offer.

We feature Wild Caught & Sustainably raised Seafood. Organic and locally sourced produce & herbs provide the perfect compliment to our fresh Catch.

Consecutively Voted Wilmington’s Best Chef 2008, 09 & 2010. Dubbed “Modern Seafood Cuisine” we offer an array Fresh Seafood & Steaks, including our Signature NC Sweet Potato Salad. Appetizers include our Mouth watering “Fire Cracker” Shrimp, Crispy Cajun Fried NC Oysters & Blue Crab Claw Scampi, & Seafood Ceviche to name a few. Larger Plates include, Charleston Crab Cakes, Flounder Escovitch & Miso Salmon. Custom Entree request gladly accommodated for our Guest. (Vegetarian, Vegan & Allergies) Hand-crafted seasonal desserts. Full ABC Permits. 6623 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28405, 910-799-3847.

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: North Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Acclaimed Wine List ■ WEBSITE: www.catchwilmington.com DOCK STREET OYSTER BAR Voted Best Oysters for over 10 years by encore readers, you know what you can find at Dock Street Oyster Bar. But we have a lot more than oysters! Featuring a full menu of seafood, pasta, 26 encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

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 events, such as wedding ceremonies & receptions, birthday gatherings, anniversary parties and more. Large groups welcome. Private event space available. 703 S. Lumina Avenue, Wrightsville Beach. (910) 256.5551.

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

■ WEBSITE: www.OceanicRestaurant.com THE PILOT HOUSE The Pilot House Restaurant is Wilmington’s premier seafood and steak house with a touch of the South.

We specialize in local seafood and produce. Featuring the only Downtown bar that faces the river and opening our doors in 1978, The Pilot House is the oldest restaurant in the Downtown area. We offer stunning riverfront views in a newly-renovated relaxed, casual setting inside or on one of our two outdoor decks. Join us for $5.00 select appetizers 7 days a week and live music every Friday and Sat-

urday nigh on our umbrella deck. Large parties welcome. Private event space available. 910-343-0200 2 Ann Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun-Thurs 11am9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm and Sunday Brunch 11am-3pm. Kids menu ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Riverfront Downtown Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Fresh local seafood specialties, Riverfront Dining, free on-site parking ■ MUSIC: Outside Every Friday and Saturday ■ WEBSITE: www.pilothouserest.com SHUCKIN’ SHACK Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar has two locations in the Port City area. The original Shack is located in Carolina Beach at 6A N. Lake Park Blvd. (910-4587380) and our second location is at 109 Market Street in Historic Downtown Wilmington (910-8338622). The Shack is the place you want to be to catch your favorite sports team on 7 TV’s carrying all major sports packages. A variety of fresh seafood is available daily including oysters, shrimp, clams, mussels, and crab legs. Shuckin’ Shack has expanded its menu now offering fish tacos, crab cake sliders, fried oyster po-boys, fresh salads, and more. Come in and check out the Shack’s daily lunch, dinner, and drink specials. It’s a Good Shuckin’ Time!

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Carolina Beach/Downtown ■ FEATURING: Daily lunch specials. Like us on Facebook!

■ WEBSITE: www.TheShuckinShack.com

potatoes, green beans, chicken‘n’dumplings, biscuits and homemade banana puddin’ are among a few of many other delectable items. 5559 Oleander Drive. (910) 798-2913.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesdays.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Pig’s feet and chitterlings.

■ WEBSITE: www.caseysbuffet.com RX RESTAURANT & BAR Located in downtown Wilmington, Rx Restaurant and Bar is here to feed your soul, serving up Southern cuisine made with ingredients from local farmers and fishermen. The Rx chef is committed to bringing fresh food to your table, so the menu changes daily based on what he finds locally. Rx drinks are as unique as the food—and just what the doctor ordered. Join us for a dining experience you will never forget! 421 Castle St.; 910 399-3080.

■ SERVING BRUNCH & DINNER: Tues-Thurs, 5-10pm; Fri-Sat, 5-10:30pm; Sun., 10am-3pm and 5-9pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: www.rxwilmington.com

SPORTS BAR CAROLINA ALE HOUSE Voted best new restaurant AND best sports bar of 2010 in Wilmington, Carolina Ale House is the place to be for award-winning food, sports and fun.

Located on College Rd. near UNC W, this lively sports-themed restaurant. Covered and open outdoor seating is available. Lunch and dinner specials are offered daily, as well as the coldest $2 and $3 drafts in town. 317 S. College Rd. (910) 791.9393.

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

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

■ WEBSITE: www.CarolinaAleHouse.com

Decadence from start to finish...

FRESH. LOCAL. RELAX. ENJOY. Monkey Junction 5226 S. College Rd., Ste. 5 Wilmington, NC 28412 910-799-7077

Porters Neck 140 Hays Ln., #140 Wilmington, NC 28411 910-681-1140

Waterford 143 Poole Rd. Belville, NC 28451 910-399-6739

VOTED BEST SEAFOOD

BY ENCORE, STARNEWS AND WILMINGTON MAGAZINE

STEAM RESTAURANT AND BAR Steam is bringing American cuisine to Wilmington using locally sourced goods and ingredients. With an extensive wine and beer selection, plenty of cocktails, indoor/outdoor seating, and beautiful views of the Cape Fear River, Steam is the area’s new go-to restaurant. Reservations recommended.

Open seven days a week!, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. 9 Estell Lee Pl, (910) 726-9226 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Lunch: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Dinner: 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Bar: 11 a.m.-Until.

Menu Bar: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

THE FORTUNATE GLASS WINE BAR ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown An intimate venue showcasing globally sourced ■ WEBSITE: www.steamrestaurantilm.com wines, plus creative small plates and craft beers.

The serene ambiance is created by the beautiful wall mural, elegant glass tile bar, castle rocked walls and intimate booths. There are wines from all regions, with 60 wines by the glass and 350 wines available CASEY’S BUFFET In Wilmington, everyone knows where to go for solid by the bottle. Food consists of numerous small country cooking. That place is Casey’s Buffet, win- plates, fine cheeses, cured meats and decadent ner of encore’s Best Country Cookin’/Soul Food desserts that will compliment any wine selection. and Buffet categories. “Every day we are open, ■ SERVING DINNER & LATE NIGHT: Tues. - Thur., somebody tells us it tastes just like their grandma’s 4 p.m. - midnight; Fri., 4 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Sat., 2 p.m. or mama’s cooking,” co-owner Gena Casey says. 2 a.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. - midnight.

Gena and her husband Larry run the show at the ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown, 29 S Front St. Oleander Drive restaurant where people are urged ■ FEATURING: Weekly free wine tasting Tues., 6 to enjoy all food indigenous to the South: fried - 8 p.m. Small plates, and wine and beer specials. chicken, barbecue, catfish, mac‘n’cheese, mashed ■ WEBSITE: www.fortunateglass.com

TAPAS/WINE BAR

SOUTHERN

encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 27

NIP SIP

GRUB & GUZZLE>>REVIEW

LOVE, LYDIA?

foodtastic events WILMINGTON WINE AND BEER WALK Sat., Feb. 23, 1 p.m - 6 p.m.

Historic Downtown Wilmington 15 South Front St. Tickets: $16 www.eventbrite.com

A annual winter beer- and wine walk takes place Feb. 23 featuring all different kinds of beer and wine.

A 21+ event, must have an ID for all venues. Tickets are available via their website wineandbeerwalk.com or etix.com. Check-in location will be at Rebellion NC, located at 15 South Front Street (216) 374-8884.

As a matter of fact, Rosa does BY: ROSA BIANCA

W

hat’s to love about South Front District’s newest coffee and bake shop? Literally, everything.

For those who are well-versed in Wilmington’s dining scene, the name Lydia Clopton probably rings some bells. The pastry chef pulls the sweet strings behind Pinpoint Restaurant’s dessert list, and in addition, whips up house breads, crackers, and more at the Low Country downtown staple.

When I learned she was dipping her toe into the sea of specialty coffee and breakfast treats, I was on the edge of my seat. There was no question she would shine in the limelight—and Lydia is the type of person you can’t help but root for.

So, long story short: On the corner of Greenfield and 3rd streets now sits Love, Lydia—cozied into a refurbished craftsmanstyle home. Thanks to other hot spots like Benny’s Big Time and Second Glass, the neighborhood is slowly becoming a foot-traffic destination. It’s almost constant Lydia’s brunchtime crowd spills out onto the wraparound porch. From headphone-clad hipsters sipping soy lattes to couples fighting over the last bite of a gluten-free brownie, Lydia’s has created a charming vibe that makes every diner feel right at home.

BEER PHOTO COURTESY OF FREEPIK

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH BREWERY BEER & WINE DINNER Sat., Feb. 27, 6 p.m - 8 p.m.

WBB • 6201 Oleander Drive St. Tickets: $55 www.eventbrite.com

A monthly beer- and wine-paired dinner takes place Feb. 27 featuring southeast Asian fusion. All tax and gratuity is included. Tickets are transferable to friends (please, call the brewery at least 24 hours before the event) but not refundable or transferable to the next month’s event. (910) 256-4938

I first tried out the ciabatta, a long spongy loaf I couldn’t keep my eyes off of. So I took it home and had my way with it. Each crispy bite was permeated with fruity olive oil and showered in nutty sesame seeds.

I quickly fell in love with the housemade coffee syrups—from lavender to winter spice and beyond—and I was impressed by Lydia’s roaster of choice (Georgia-based 1,000 Faces). It was a nice change of pace from the Counter Culture lineup on most menus.

It was hard to deny the Vietnamese iced coffee—and luckily my husband didn’t, so I got to taste it. It was gorgeously dark with a drippy pour of sweetened condensed milk. In and attempt to try a few different beverages, we also landed on the vanilla bean latte and, my favorite, a dirty Chai (a chai latte spiked with shots of espresso). We decided to hold nothing back, and opted for whole milk.

The vanilla bean was slightly sweet and woody and gave the creamy milk and espresso a delicate perfume. The dirty Chai was likely made with, not surprisingly, a homemade spice blend. Instead of cloyingly sweet hits of sugar, each sip was brimming with spicy ginger and earthy cloves. Also, both were finished with an artistic foam doo-

28 encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS: Chorizo tacos and egg soufflé and bacon biscuit is only a taste of deliciousness from Love, Lydia. Photo by Tom Dorgan

dle (#nailedit).

To pair with our cozy caffeinated beverages, we decided to split a sticky bun that was staring at us through the glass. Being someone who lacks a sweet tooth, one look at the swirly, sugary pastry, and I assured my husband I was only going to have several bites. I was wrong. It was a seriously sticky, brazenly buttery roll, topped with gooey pecans. Even the feathery insides were slightly sticky, and once we got to the pastry’s core, we were both eyeing it (and each other) to see who would make the bold move.

On another sweet note, the coffee cake was a cinnamony, crumbly masterpiece. It had a glossy caramel layer sandwiched in the middle and begged to be dunked into a latte. I obliged.

I was wildly tempted by everything in the pastry case, but knew I needed to save room. The savory side of a menu is my happy place, after all. It doesn’t get more comforting than a BEC, and I guessed Lydia’s spin would be a special treat.

Her signature biscuits were pleasantly airy, but I owe the sandwich’s lightness to the egg soufflé. My husband is a hardcore fried egg eater, so he was confused when he peeled back his top biscuit half to reveal a square.

Listen up, yolk-lovers, don’t knock the soufflé until consuming one. By preparing the eggs in this manner, everything on the sandwich stays intact and each bite astounds with its moisture. Bacon? Yas. Smoked Gouda? Yas. The biscuit is simplistic morning-time bliss

and can cure a hangover, but won’t make you want to curl up and die. Not an easy task.

I had become a sucker for the BEC, until a knowledgeable foodie friend told me his consistent Lydia’s order were the tacos. He had me at homemade hot sauce, and you guys!

Holy homemade, fresh, peppery hot sauce!

Also, at around $10, three tacos and a handful of crispy fried potatoes is a steal. Prepare once again for the egg soufflé, but, remember, the shape serves a greater purpose by keeping your pants clean. On top of the lightly charred flour tortillas (street taco size): a citrusy pico packed with jalapeños and zippy red onions. It was an excellent counterpart to the spicy, meaty chorizo crumbles and sharp white cheddar.

I haven’t taken the lunch items for a test run yet, but if they’re anything like Lydia’s thoughtful breakfast lineup and hand-crafted coffees, I’m all already in love.

Love, Rosa

DETAILS: Love, Lydia

1502 S 3rd Street (910) 769-9179 Hours: Wed.-Fri., 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Sat., 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Sun., 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Mon.-Tues., 7:30 a .m. - 2 p.m. facebook.com/LoveLydiaBakery

GRUB & GUZZLE>>FEATURE

LIQUID PANACEA:

Local kombucha company prepares to unveil first beer

I

follow us

BY: JOAN WILKERSON

t’s not surprising that when Art and Robin Hill decided to go into business with each other making kombucha, after a career of working for other people, they went with the name “Panacea”— meaning a cure-all or remedy for all ills.

Along with the help of their assistant brewer Andrew Losee, they created a signature kombucha—a gelatinous mass of symbiotic bacteria and yeasts to make a fermented, healthy beverage, which can do anything from calm an upset stomach to affect the way we dream. And it’s all absolutely delicious.

Before I tried Panacea’s ‘booch, I was a skeptic. I was living in New York City when drinking kombucha first became “a thing.” All of my very cool theatre friends were drinking it, so I thought I would try it. I thought it tasted like apple cider vinegar plus weird floaties, so I didn’t care if it made me skinny or my guts healthier; I wouldn’t be drinking it. I felt this way until Panacea’s adorable green Boochbus rolled into my life to change my mind.

The liquid at Panacea is beautifully balanced. The tartness and carbonation are present but restrained, so neither the flavor nor the mouthfeel are too abrasive. Instead of acetic acid (vinegar) driving the flavor of the tea, the brewery uses a collection of herbs, flowers, and fruit. Whenever I’ve had the chance to taste through a few flavors, I’ve loved every one. But the first I tasted is my favorite. Well, until I tasted the second ... and the third ...

But what makes the ‘booch taste even better is Art and Robin’s story. The Hills have been together since high school, which they attended in upstate New York.

Art attended culinary school and Robin earned her degree in education before they moved down to Wilmington in 2003 because tragedy struck and their house burned.

“We were young!” Robin reminisces.

“We didn’t have any children at the time; we had just a couple years of marriage under our belt. So we were like, ‘Let’s move to the beach!’ So, we started over here— and we definitely don’t regret it.”

COLORFUL REMEDIES: Kombucha has vast healing properties from its fermentation, and it’s locally made at Panacea. Courtesy photo

before moving back to Wilmington where Art ran the culinary services for a hospital. In the wake of his 40th birthday, after a long career working in kitchens and food service management, an urgent need to do something more began to manifest.

“I wanted a VW bus my entire life,” he tells, “and I [hadn’t] done it yet and [I realized,] ‘I’m not getting any younger.’ We said we were gonna buy a bus, so we went out and did that!”

Enter the Boochbus.

Art has been a hobbyist homebrewer for a long time. He’s friends with John and Michelle Savard, owners of Wilmington Brewing Company, since the homebrew shop was in its first Kerr Avenue location.

But he also worked on the bottling line at Loon Ale in Manchester, NH, while in culinary school. His salary mostly consisted of a case at the end of a shift—effectively acting as gold for a young culinary student.

It was at Loon Ale where he got his taste for the craft.

“I just loved it,” Art says. “I was a bottle line dog. I was small enough I could climb in to the mash tun or the boil kettle and just clean everything. It was cool. I got to see what it was like.”

Robin was not quite to drawn to the craft beer idea initially. Although, creating craft Initially, Art worked for a restaurant liquid was not at all out of the question. conglomerate in Southport, while Robin “He experimented with fermentation over worked as a teacher. A new baby required those 20 years, all different kinds,” she a schedule shift for the couple, which sent adds.

“I’m not a beer drinker. I never really them back to New York for a bit. They came down to Jacksonville for five years have been. Although my palate is starting to change. Kombucha is definitely an edu-

cator. It primes you for so many different things, so now I’m starting to drink beer— especially sours.”

Initially, as the couple entered talks about starting a business, Robin was skeptical of a brewery. If she was going to be a partner, she wanted to be on board. But she’d been brewing probiotic ferments (see: water keffir), which Art didn’t like so much either. So when she acquired a kombucha culture from a friend and started experimenting, the couple found a balance and a passion was ignited.

They started out working in commissary kitchens in the Cape Fear before landing in what is now their taproom, at 102 Old Eastwood Road. They quickly outgrew the space before moving into a new production facility, but keeping the taproom so folks can sip all flavors and fill a growler to go.

Oh, and they can sip on a pint while waiting, too.

Later this spring, they’ll be releasing their first kombucha beer. It’s a 6.5 percent ABV gluten-free, tart, hoppy, farmhouse, brewed with butterfly pea flower. Folks can keep an eye on updated brewery news through their Facebook page—they’ve got plenty of new things rolling out in 2019.

Their nonalcoholic kombucha can be found in shops all around town, too, including Whole Foods, Luna Caffe and Waterline Brewing.

DETAILS:

Panacea Brewing Company

102 Old Eastwood Rd. (910) 444-1697 Tues.-Sun., 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. panaceabrewingcompany.com

@encorepub

encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 29

GRUB & GUZZLE>>FEATURE

100 FAVE EATS:

Four chicks break down 25 beloved dishes around town crust—and housemade brined cukes, sliced long and thin, sweet with a hint of garlic and dill. Their “Off the Ranch Sauce” is a thick, garden-fresh, herby landing pad, too.

BY: ENCORE WRITERS

Y

es, we know: Breaking down 100 of our favorite dishes in ILM will cause a stir (of some pho, perhaps?) of differing opinions on the best roast beef sammie or massaman curry in town. But someone had to do it.

And, so, over the past month, encore editors Shea Carver and Shannon Gentry, along with food writers Fanny Slater and Joan Wilkerson began culling our lists. Our rules were simple: Don’t repeat the same dishes a gazilion times and don’t repeat the same restaurant. After some back and forth over who would write about a Winnie’s Burger or Flaming Amy’s burrito, we hashed it out in order to present our dear readers with 100 of our favorite eats.

General Tso’s Chicken, $14.95 Nori Asian Fusion, 1412 Barclay Pointe Blvd. #1006 norisushinc.com At the Pointe at Barclay, Nori’s sushi lineup is tempting, but I suggest their hearty, traditional General Tso’s chicken over fluffy rice. Easily, it’s one of the best all over town. Each succulent morsel of white meat-chicken is fried in a sturdy, yet delicate coating, with tanghy and sweet housemade sauce, stacking up perfectly to an ice-cold Kirin.

Deep Fried Sausage Gravy Bites, $8 Skytown Beer Company 4712 New Centre Dr #100 skytownbeer.com Skytown’s signature sinful starter takes on classic Southern gravy gone wild. Savory sausage meets white sauce meets crispy biscuit batter meets my mouth. P.S. They come in a cute mini fryer basket. Hashtag adorbs.

Shrimp Pad Thai, $14.99 Kyoto Asian Grille, 4102 Market St. kyotoasiangrille.com Celebrated by locals as one of Wilmington’s best and most undervalued Asian restaurant, Kyoto is the king of pad Thai. And what makes their twist on the tangy tamarind-sauced dish a standout? Smoked bean sprouts! The crunchy veggies pack an extra oomph of charred flavor with red onions and fresh jumbo shrimp perfecting it with sweetness. Go for extra limes and house chili sauce.

Raw Oysters and Accompaniments, $3 each Pinpoint Restaurant, 114 Market St. pinpointrestaurant.com It’s not just that chef Dean Neff sources the absolute freshest oysters on the southeastern coast, he also knows how to dress them. Neff’s exquisite shallot-and-vinegar mixture is an acidic zing that practically brings the just-harvested seafood back to life. He occasionally throws in a curve ball—like spiking the sauce with champagne. Slide your mignonette-showered oyster onto a house cracker, top it with granita (an icy concoction of cucumber and citrusy yuzu), and you’ll be begging for another dozen.

Buffalo Baby, $10 CheeseSmith Co. Food Truck cheesesmithco.com Picture an elegantly deconstructed plate of

THERE’S THE BEEF! Candlenut Restaurant’s beef rendang is a taste of authentic Indoesian decadence, according to Fanny. Photo by Lindsey A. Miller

zesty sauce-smothered wings and fresh veggies turned on its ass into an epic grilled cheese that pairs like a boss with local brews. Cheesemith’s imaginative combinations of spicy, tangy, sweet, and creamy make the Buffalo Baby a game-changer, with buttery Havarti, tender Buffalo-braised chicken, homemade buttermilk ranch, and quick-pickled carrot and celery slaw.

Crunchy Lobster Sushi Roll, $14.95 Genki Sushi, 4724 New Centre Dr. genkisushiwilmington.com Genki is a local’s spot! And turning to their specials for the best—and best-selling—dish in the house is a must: a rosy roll, enclosed in pink soy paper, with crunchy veggies, creamy lobster salad, and avocado. Crispy panko flurries are scattered around the plate and every bite is light as air.

Fried Pickles, $4 Rolled & Baked, 509 Castle St. rolledandbaked.com Despite being the new kid on the Castle Street block, R&B quickly became known fo their bomb biscuit creations. But, for me, it’s about the pickles: crackly breading—a seasoned cornmeal

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Everything Bagel with Lox, $7.99 Round Bagels and Donuts, 890 S Kerr Ave. roundbagelsanddonuts.com With an all-Jewish family that hails from New Jersey, I consider myself a bagel and lox afish-ionado. Hehe. I discovered Round when they opened several years back, and felt they achieved the closest qualities I could find to an authentic northeastern bagel: a balance between a crispy, crackly exterior and an airy, soft interior. Their toasted everything bagel is studded from top to bottom with seeds and spices, smeared with smooth cream cheese, and piled with capers, onions, and salty, paper-thin salmon.

Chipotle Avocado Lentil Burger, $9.75 Sealevel City Gourmet, 1015 S Kerr Ave. sealevelcitygourmet.com For an enticing burger full of nutrition and flavor, and light on fat, get to Sealevel City Gourmet yesterday. The dynamic, crisp lentil burger is griddled in peanut oil and topped with a familiar blend of condiments (shaved lettuce, tomatoes, white onions, and pickles). Oh, and you’ll be like, “Where’s the beef? I don’t care.”

Tuna Salad Wrap, $5.95 Lovey’s, 1319 Military Cutoff Rd. loveysmarket.com Lovey’s prepared foods are prime. My favorite summer tradition is snagging their tuna wrap (and a salty bag of a kettle-cooked Maui onion chips) and posting up in my Tommy Bahama chair. Juicy tuna salad and sprouts encased in a whole wheat tortilla taste fresh when laced with

dill and sharp red onions. If it doesn’t get in my belly button, I’ve done something wrong.

Riverside Caesar, $12 Steam Restaurant, 9 Estell Lee Pl. steamrestaurantilm.com The Riverwalk’s newest Embassy Suites brought with the classy coastal demeanor and style of Steam—and their No Temp Burger Burger. But I’m sending diners for their Riverside Caesar: bright chilled hearts of romaine, shaved Parmesan, white anchovies, and a luxuriously creamy garlic dressing. Sound simple? Exactly.

Loaded Waffle Fries, $8 Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St. hellskitchenbar.com I dig this divey bar and restaurant for so many things, but the Loaded Waffle Fries top the list. They’re just really freakin’ good: Choose a base—waffle or beer-battered spuds—to soak up every cheesy bite. I choose waffle to get all the savory, chive bits stuck in the crevices. Also, bacon.

Bacon, Egg, and Gouda Biscuit, $6 Love, Lydia, 1502 S 3rd St. facebook.com/LoveLydiaBakery Do not fear the square egg, for it is simply a soufflé masterpiece, sprouted from the fingers of a pastry genius. Lydia Clopton—who also is in charge of pastries at Pinpoint—can do no wrong. She recently opened her own coffee and brunch café in the South Front district and the full menu is divine. The pillowy biscuits loaded with twirly bacon, smoky Gouda, and an airy egg soufflé are a light twist on the typicallyheavy classic.

Beef Rendang, $21.99 Candlenut, 2101-1 Market St. candlenutrestaurant.com The homey Indonesian café (now situated on Market Street) takes comfort to a whole new level with their beef rendang over coconut-scented rice. They don’t cut corners, using prime cuts of Angus beef, and the meat is braised low with garlic, shallot, ginger, galangal, turmeric, coconut milk, and candlenut spice. And their presentation of eclectic sambals—one clear with lemongrass, one studded with thick pickles, and another inky black with ringlets of shallots—brings a different perfume and punch of heat.

Truffled Mushroom Pizza, $11.50 Fortunate Glass, 29 S Front St. fortunateglass.com Fortunate Glass, Front Street’s swankiest vino haven, bangs out stellar small plates to pair with their expert lineup of extensive bottles.

up the classic dish. It’s the perfect marriage of savory and umami.

All sauces, dressings, desserts and doughs are made from scratch in an itty-bitty kitchen that doesn’t stop them from manifesting some serious food. Case in point: The fabulously funky truffled mushroom pizza. The flatbread is loaded with meaty shiitakes, Chianti onions and buttery Havarti.

Massaman Curry, $8.99/lunch, $11.99/dinner Thai Spice, 5552 Carolina Beach Rd. thaispicewilmington.com I’m a spice wuss; it’s true. But Thai Spice, the unsung hero of the south side of Wilmington, will accommodate all diners from mild to of Thai hot (spice scale moves from 1-10). I love their massaman. It’s a beautiful balance of coconut, peanut, and curry spice. I like to get it with tofu, even though I’m an omnivore, because it’s perfectly crispy. The sauce is savory, sweet and only as spicy as I want it.

Buffalo Shrimp, $11 Bill’s Front Porch Pub and Brewery 4238 Market St. billsfrontporch.com Known for masterfully made in-house beers, and homemade pub-style fare, Bill’s impeccably crisp Southern fried chicken and buttery Buffalo Shrimp (paired with the Citra Pale) are a nobrainer. Bill’s spin features a fiery orange mountain of breaded and fried one-biters topped with tangy blue cheese crumbles. I double dunk them into Bill’s thick, creamy bleu cheese and ranch for a homerun.

Jacob’s Run, $2.75 Louie’s Hot Dogs, 204 1/2 Princess St. facebook.com/louieshotdogs You can’t beat a hole-in-the-wall hot dog joint that’s been around since Nintendo first came out. Though its passed through the hands of a few owners, Louie’s has always been a downtown staple for dishing out 100% beef dogs on warm, extra-wide split buns. I’ll gladly wait in the line (that pours out onto Princess Street) for the Jacob’s Run with tangy yellow mustard, velvety chili, and creamy slaw. Also, there’s no judgement for wrapper-licking at Louie’s.

Smoked Trout-Jalapeno Dip, $11 Smoke on the Water 3704 Watercraft Ferry Ave. smokeonthewaternc.com Imagine a cold seafood spread marrying the best onion dip and landing on top of crunchy, buttery rounds. It’s summertime everyday with smoked trout jalapeno dip.. Each luxurious dollop of fresh catch, oniony shallots, lemon, dill, and peppers is always the rock star of the table at this waterside joint.

Philly Cheese Steak, $9.49 Green Line Pizza & Steak, 7134 Market St. greenlinepizza.com At encore’s 12 Tastes of Christmas event, Green Line’s Philly cheesesteaks were one of the tastiest highlights. There’s a reason the word “steak” is part of the restaurant’s name.

Thanks to being Philly-bred, the owner has mastered this handheld in all of its glory. The hearth-baked hoagie rolls have a sound ratio of crustiness-to-fluffiness, with juicy steak, thoughtfully-seasoned, with caramelized onions, soaked in gooey cheese. ‘Nuff said.

Meatball Sub, $11 Fat Tony’s, 131 N Front St. fatpub.com My husband and I have been dining at Fat Tony’s for as long as I can remember. Every ingredient in the meatball sub is straightforward and simple (an adjective duo that typically produces the best kind of food). The meatballs are unapologetically moist and magically fluffy;, the

RIVERSIDE CAESAR: Steam Restaurant in the Embassy Suites downtown serves up one amazing Caesar that Fanny says shouldn’t be missed. Photo by Tom Dorgan

house marinara is light and fresh; and the bread is so soft, it gives in to your fingers when you squeeze down and prepare for takeoff.

Giuseppe Sandwich, $8.99 Cousin’s Italian Deli, 7 N. 3rd St. cousinsitaliandeli.com Cousin’s may be known for their killer Saturday and Sunday suppers, but I lose my mind fo the 3rd Street deli’s Italian-style, mayo-slathered hoagie sandwich, served on crispy, long rolls. When I can’t decide which marriage of ingredients I’m craving, I go for the Giuseppe because it pretty much has them all: capocollo, spicy soppressata, a tender eggplant cutlet, fresh mozz, sundried tomatoes, fresh basil and balsamic vinegar.

Macaroni and Cheese, $5 Rebellion NC, 15 S. Front St. rebellionnc.com The Rebel Yell (featured on Food Network) will always be my entrée of choice at Rebellion, but their mac-and-cheese is the best I’ve ever had. Each penne noodle is drenched in Rebellion’s ethereal Mornay sauce—a basic béchamel (flour, butter, milk) with nutty Gruyère—that should be poured all over everything.

Edgar’s Nachos, $10.75 Poe’s Tavern, 212 Causeway Dr. poestavern.com After a sandy-toed round of day drinking around WB, Poe’s Tavern craft brew list is impressive and especially paired with Edgar’s Nachos: mounds of salty tortilla chips, layered with a generous amount of creamy Jack cheese, hoppy booze-infuse chili, pico, guac, and spicy jalapenos. The multi-colored mound is made for three, but I believe in you. You can do it.

Seasonal Granola (and yogurt) Bowl, $7.50 Spoonfed Kitchen & Bake Shop 1930 Eastwood Rd. #105 spoonfedkitchen.com

Nourishing, delicious, inventive, Spoonfed offers a lot of goodness, but their seasonal granola and yogurt is heavenly and light. The invigorating bowl of locally-sourced, grass-fed yogurt is topped with fresh berries, drizzled with local honey, and speckled with Spoonfed’s signature, big, chewy pieces of oat, infused with shaved coconut and nuts, and expertly balanced with spices and salt.

Mediterranean Wrap, $3.75 Port City Java, various locations portcityjava.com PCJ’s Mediterranean Breakfast Wrap is my favorite parchment-paper-wrapped piece of simplistic morning perfection. It’s the ideal driving food, slowly exposing the hand-held for fear of falling feta. The tortilla tastes more like lavash, warm and toasted from end to end, and the interior teems with creamy scrambled eggs, bite size roasted red peppers, spinach, and salty feta. Extra Texas Pete FTW.

—Fanny Slater Pork Sugo, $14 Benny’s Big Time Pizzeria 206 Greenfield St. vivianhoward.com/bennysbigt If ever there was a sauce I could eat on anything—and I mean anything—the pork sugo at Benny’s is it. It’s so savory and salty and, really, if smeared on a shoe, I would eat it. The ricotta adds a tangy, creamy element and brings the whole dish home. Plus, homemade pasta?

There just isn’t anything better.

Calamari Frites, $9 Wrightsville Beach Brewery 6201 Oleander Dr. wbbeer.com Normally, calamari is served in a pile of delicious chewy circles, right? Not at WBB— slices this octopod are delicious, savory slivers of briney goodness. A smear of marinara introduces the perfect amount of acid to play

Ghostbuster, $10.50 Crust Kitchen & Cocktails 124 Princess St. crustilm.com So when ordering from Crust, close your eyes, drop a finger on the menu, and order whatever your finger lands on because that’s the only way you’re going to be able to decide what to get ... fate. But if you’d like a little advice from a professional Crust customer, as in myself, start with The Ghostbuster. The combination of sharp cheddar and brie is a gorgeous yin-yang foundation for the mirroring lemony arugula and Chef Brian’s jaw-dropping bacon jam. It’s got green stuff on it so it must be healthy, right!? Oh, and if ordering fries, don’t forget some cheese sauce for dipping. Thank me later.

Enchilada & Taco Lunch Combo, $7.25 La Costa, 3617 Market St., 5622 Oleander Dr., 8024 Market St., Unit 1 lacostanc.com I find myself craving Mexican food—all different kinds of it—often. We’re lucky in Wilmington to have so many options. My favorite is La Costa’s lunch—crazy inexpensive, yet so delicious. Plus, the lunch combo comes with a side of perfectly salty Mexican rice and creamy refried beans.

Tom Neal (or the #8 Smoked Turkey French Baguette), $7.99 Detour Deli, 1/2, 510 Red Cross St. facebook.com/detourdelicafe I love this sandwich the most because it’s like a grown-up version of my childhood lunchbox sammie. I never would have thought to put pesto and Sriracha in the same place, but now I want them on everything. The Neal covers all the bases texturally speaking—from the crunch of the baguette to the snap of the lettuce. I love the use of Roma tomatoes because they aren’t too juicy or watery like their Beefsteak relatives.

Plus, Allister Snyder (the owner) does some truly impactful community work, so diners can feel good about mowing down on any of his delicious sandwiches.

Greek Sampler, $9.99 The Greeks, 5120 S College Rd. #107 facebook.com/thegreeksnc I’m an indecisive person, especially when it comes to food because I just want it all. Enter: The Greek sampler. I like to get extra hummus,

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pita, and tzatziki if I’m sharing with someone because it’s so good and a little bit just isn’t enough. The tabouli is so garlicky and bright that, by the end of the meal, I feel like I’ve actually made a healthy choice and not just shotgunned a bunch of pita and hummus.

cause the steak is shredded, not chopped, but it’s such a nice touch. I always get the half and wish I’d gotten the whole. Plus crinkle-cut fries and a side of ranch because, if I’m indulging, I’m really gonna mean it.

T.I. Burrito, $7.75 Burrito Shak, 15489 US-17, Hampstead burritoshak.com When my fiancé and I first started dating, he brought down a T.I. burrito with chicken from Burrito Shak for us to split after my bar shift; I was instantly obsessed. I mean obsessed. I would find reasons for us to go to Burrito Shak.

The thing that hooked me (other than everything) is the sweet chili slaw. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, tangy, and crunchy. I know it’s in Hampstead, but that’s really not that far.

If you’re at the Lowe’s in Porters Neck, it’s a 12 minute drive—I know because I’ve timed it.

The Gary, $6.49 S&L Deli, 2317 S. 17th St. sldeli.com I love a deli. And S&L is a really great deli.

The menu is so vast, packed with every type of pancake, sandwich, wrap, side, you name it, it’s there. Including funnel fries with powdered sugar. Yeah, that’s right. Funnel cake fries. Get some. But the sandwich I find myself coming back to is The Gary. It’s got Taylor Ham, which is hard to find down south, and it’s just a big, messy, yummy breakfast indulgence that’s totally worth picking poppy seeds out of your teeth for.

Langousta Y Coco, $14 Savorez, 402 Chestnut St. savorez.com Would it be weird if I wanted to Scrooge McDuck-jump into a giant vat of Savorez’s citrus coconut ginger marinade? If so, I’m embracing my weirdness. The beautiful ceviche is sweet and spicy and salty and bright, and my fiancé and I always end up fighting over the last bite.

Savorez is so very fabulous, and perfect for splitting a bunch of small plates. And don’t skip the empanadas. Or the BLT Arepas. Or the sweet potato goat cheese guac. Or anything.

French-Fried Mushrooms, $3.80 J. Michael’s Philly Deli, 8232 Market St., 3501 Oleander Dr., 609 Piner Rd. phillydeli.com Sometimes I just need to sit on my couch with my dog and dip a bunch of yummy fried things in ranch. And when I do, I get takeout from J. Michael’s. There’s something so delightfully indulgent about reaching into a little greasy bag and pulling out a perfectly golden fried mushroom. They’re crispy, savory and sinfully delicious.

Avocado on Wheat, $8.95 Nikki’s Fresh & Gourmet Sushi Bar 16 S. Front St. downtownnikkis.com When I moved to Wilmington, I worked in the film industry and was a vegetarian. Needless to say, a lot has changed. When the production office would order lunch from Nikkis’ downtown, I was hard-pressed to find veggie options. So when I found the avo sammie, I was hooked. And still I love to day. Even though it’s pretty healthy, I still like to get a side of beer-battered fries with honey mustard.

Spanky’s Blue Crab Dip, $13 Dockside, 1308 Airlie Rd. thedockside.com My favorite way to end a morning at the beach with my gals is with some wine and snacks at Dockside. The wine list is healthy but manageable, and the list of snacks is long.

My favorite is the creamy, briny, blue crab dip,

NACHO MAMA’S NACHOS! Front Street Brewery’s pulled chicken nachos top Joan’s list of munchies worth a mouthful. Photo by Holland Dotts

sauces. What I’ve learned is, if you don’t order it yourself, you’re going to wish you did. It’s always on the menu, both for lunch and dinner.

with soft, chewy pita points. It pairs perfectly with a glass of bright, floral rosé.

Bacon Cheddar Biscuit, $2.25-$12 Red Eye Bakery, 1011 N. 4th St. redeyebakery.com If you haven’t been to the tiny, tasty bakery on North 4th, run—don’t walk. They serve beautiful baked goods, but what sold me was the bacon cheddar biscuit. It’s not a sandwich. It’s a hand-sized biscuit, a little crisp on the outside and pleasantly pillowy inside, with sharp cheddar and chopped bacon baked into it. It’s the perfect convenience food for any on-the-go morning.

Buttermilk-Fried 400-Degree Chicken Tacos, $7 Catch the Food Truck catchthefoodtruck.com I know Catch (both the restaurant and the food truck) is known for its seafood, but damn if their chicken tacos don’t do it for me.

They’re always perfectly cooked and served with queso fresco and a delicious slaw situation, topped with radishes (and cilantro, if it’s your thing, but not mine).

BLT, $5.75 S. College Deli, 32 S. College Rd. Most folks find themselves at the deli for the Beef on Weck. And I get it. But I can’t let the BLT from SoCo go overlooked. The very best thing about it is that it’s zero-frills—except that the unsung hero from a strip mall on College bakes their own bread. But the rest of it? Super-thin crispy bacon, shredded iceberg, paper-thin tomatoes, and mayo. It’s proof that less is more. It’s my BLT measuring stick, and every single one since my first 10 years ago has paled in comparison.

Black Bean Quesadilla, $9 Beer Barrio, 34 N. Front St. beerbarrionc.com I order this quesadilla so much, the lunch staff starts keying it in when they see me walk through the door—a testament to both the amazing staff and food. The quesadilla stands out because Chef Stephen identified what the classic dish was missing and remedied it—a crunch. In the center of a cheesy black bean situation is a crunchy tortilla, so there is less a homogenous texture. And it’s awesome. Plus, even though the black beans have a smokey character reminiscent of bacon, they’re definitely vegetarian, which is awesome.

The Hook, market price The Basics, 319 N. Front St. thebasicswilmington.com Someone said the hook brings you back, right? Well they were right. The Basics crushes their daily seafood special every single day. It’s always a delicious, generous piece of fish with a colorful side of starch and veggies and creative

Steak & Mushroom Sub, $5-$8.75 Sub Stop, 2432 Carolina Beach Rd. It should be pretty easy to tell by now I’m a big fan of handhelds, so I think absolutely everything at the Carolina Beach Road staple is fabulous. Still, if I had to pick just one, it would be the steak and mushroom sammie with cheese.

I was a little confused the first time I had it be-

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Cinnamon Caramel Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream, price varies by volume Boombalatti’s, 1127-B Military Cutoff Rd. or 1005 N. 4th St. boombalattis.com I am a person who doesn’t trust people who don’t like sweets. I mean, they don’t have to love them or fawn over them or crave them because I do enough for … well, for everyone.

But to not even just simply like them!? Rude.

Case in point is Boombalatti’s Cinnamon Caramel Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream. It’s sweet, salt, spice, crunch, and chew on a delightfully creamy, cool platform. I could eat it daily and never get tired of it.

Pulled Chicken Nachos, $9.99 Front Street Brewery, 9 N. Front St. frontstreetbrewery.com Obsession ... infatuation ... words that come to mind when I think of pulled chicken nachos from Front Street Brewery. My favorite little details are the sweetness of the chicken and the house-fried tricolor chips, but, really ,it’s like every ingredient holds the other ingredients’ hands and sings “Kumbaya.” My hack? Order chips “on the side”—that way nothing gets soggy.

Peel ‘n’ Eat Shrimp, $12 Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar 1211 S. Lake Park Blvd. oceangrilltiki.com What goes well with drinking piña coladas on an ocean pier on a sunny day? Well, everything, but especially peel ‘n’ eat shrimp.

Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar (lovingly shortened by locals to just ‘The Tiki Bar’) in Carolina Beach is precious to Wilmington-area locals.

And the peel ‘n’ eat shrimp, served with drawn butter and cocktail sauce, are just the icing on the tropical paradise cake.

Pizza Dog, $4 The Scoop, 365 N Front St. facebook.com/TheScoopWilmNC The Scoop is truly a hidden gem of downtown Wilmington. Hidden in the Cotton Exchange, the hot dog and sandwich menus are lengthy and creative, and boast daring combinations of ingredients. My favorite is the pizza dog, and

it’s exactly what you think: bun, dog, marinara, mozzarella, pepperoni, yum. I love The Scoop uses split-top buns and grills their dogs. The grilling gives the dogs an extra-snappy texture.

Crocake, $1.30 Sweets, 129 Princess St. sweetsbakeryilm.com Yeah, that’s right. $1.30 is an extremely low price for one of the yummiest things in Wilmington. The Crocake is the size of a hockey puck, the texture of a croissant, and covered in glaze.

It’s crispy and sweet and magically much more delicious than a donut. Sweets, the bakery powered by Manna pastry chef Rebeca Alvarado Paredes, will have you ordering one of everything. And you won’t be sorry.

Crabcake Sandwich, $5.75 Provision Company, 130 Yacht Basin Dr., Southport provisioncompany.com If I said this is the best meal you can get on a styrofoam plate, I wouldn’t be wrong, but I also don’t think I would be giving it enough credit.

The crabcake sandwich at Provision Company gave me life. I got fries on the side, but I think next time I’ll just get another sandwich because, oh, my God! Oh, and diner buddies, split up that order so sharing can take place; one gets the crabcake, the other, shrimp. And dip everything in cocktail and tartar sauces. Everything.

—Joan Wilkerson Shrimp and Grits Tacos, $12 Rumcow, 121 Grace St. rumcow.business.site So, get this: I’m not even the biggest shrimp and grits fan. But Rumcow, Grace Street’s newest eatery, has hit a Southern homerun by making it the filling of a taco. Flour tortillas are stuffed with fried grits, plump shrimp and topped with a garlicky chimichurri. It’s game over after one bite. And then you’ll be ready for a few bites more. The only thing that could be better is if they turned it into a pupusa.

Bun-Thit-Nuong, $12.49 Indochine, 7 Wayne Dr. indochinewilmington.com It’s best enjoyed during warm temps in one of Indochine’s outdoor cabanas, and served with a glass of crisp white wine. Bun-thit-nuong is a cold rice-noodle dish, topped with a choice of protein (I like shrimp), and served with cucumbers, basil, carrots and shredded lettuce. The sauce is sweet and spicy, with hints of mirin and red chile, and topped with crushed peanuts. Go ahead and add cilantro and lime for a layer of citrusy punch.

Duck-Fat Fried FIngerlings, $11 Second Glass, 1540 S. 2nd St. secondglasswinebar.com Yeah, yeah, yeah, go ahead and ask: How can fried potatoes make the list? Welp, fry ‘em in duck fat and enjoy with homemade mayo and fresh sea salt, and it’s near perfection. Enjoyed with a perfect glass of cab franc, Second Glass fingerlings are a great starter to what will be a decadent meal—go for the gnocchi for dinner!

Eggplant Parm, $8-$10/ sandwich, $10/pasta Taste of Italy, 1101 S. College Rd. atasteofitalydeli.com At first taste, I was convinced crack was put in TOI’s eggplant Parm ... because the craving for it was intense, instant and insane within hours after finishing it. Sliced super thin, breaded and fried, and layered with cheese, I’ve never had another eggplant Parm quite beat it.

On pasta, on homemade bread or on its own, it’s only matched by the simplicity of a delicious red sauce.

Mussels Mariniere, $12-$16 Caprice Bistro, 10 Market St. capricebistro.com The best meal comes with sopping bread— specifically at Caprice Bistro. The baguette is only a vessel to scrape up the white wine, shallots, lemon, garlic and parsley that pools around shells of plump mussels. Mussels mariniere is a standard at downtown’s French eatery and on Tuesdays, they’re half price.

Paired with a glass of wine from their impressive list, it’s a perfect meal.

Posole ($8.50) and Pupusas, $3 La Güera, 6620-F. Gordon Rd. Essentially, according to me, one cannot be enjoyed without the other: homemade posole and pupusas. Served with choice of chicken or pork (I get both) in a hearty, warm, red broth, with garbanzo beans, La Guera’s posole comes in one whopping large size only.

And that’s OK ‘cause eating it for three meals is better than one. Also, order at least three pupusas, thick cornmeal tortillas, stuffed with cheese and pork rinds, deep fried to perfection, to dip and dunk in the best soul-soothing soup north of the border.

Beggars Can’t Be Choosers, $9/plate Manna, 123 Princess St. mannaavenue.com Sunday night is the night to slay Manna. One of downtown’s finest eateries opens its bar seating only for an adventurous culinary journey: $9 plates. They’re simply titled “veggie,” “seafood,” “meat,” “surprise” and “sweets,” and basically are chef’s choice. Seafood may be a trio of scallops over root mash or a cut of triggerfish over Brussels. Meat may be pork or beef. It’s up to what’s inspiring Chef Jameson Chavez at the time or his pastry chef Rebeca Alvarado. Plus, the bartenders offer a specialty cocktail and wine for a steal. No matter what, it’s always a delight and a fun way to enjoy the creme de la creme of fine dining without breaking the bank.

Shrimp Vindaloo, $17 Tandoori Bites, 1620 S. College Rd. indianrestaurantwilmington.com Spicy food is my jam. I feel bad for anyone who can’t enjoy the rush of adrenaline that works through the body with a punch of heat.

Vindaloo is my favorite from Tandoori Bites, and can be ordered very mild to very hot. I prefer it medium-hot with shrimp, but it’s also offered with lamb, fish, chicken, and as a vegetarian option. Tomato-based, it’s served with chunks of

ON A LOBSTER ROLL: The lobster roll from Anne Bonny’s is a lip-smacking delight and perfect with one of their frosés. Photo courtesy of Anne Bonny’s

potatoes, which help tame the heat, and has a punch of vitality thanks to onion. Oh, and garlic naan is required to sop, sop, sop every drop.

Lobster Roll, $11.99 Anne Bonny’s, 106 S. Water St. annebonnyswilmington.com The barge restaurant returned last week and docked on Water Street to reopen and serve the best frosés and lobster rolls imaginable. Packed with crunch from the celery, richness from the mayo and sweet from the crustacean, the lobster roll is topped with crushed salt-and-vinegar potato chips that add a boost of tang and savory goodness. It’s the dreamiest handheld, and can only be beat by the view on the Cape Fear River.

San Felipe Taco, $7.95-$13.95 K-38, 5410 Oleander Dr. .liveeatsurf.com Put a corn taco shell around anything and it becomes instant success. When it comes to fish tacos, K-38 has my heart—and stomach.

They use Dos Equis to beer batter cod, top it with avocado, salsa fresca, cabbage, and cotija.

They also serve it with yogurt ranch, but I hold off on it because, well, I’m one of those Southerners who thinks ranch is gross. But nothing about this taco is. Or K-38’s Cobb salad, for that matter. Seriously, give ‘em both a go!

Dim Sum Double Steamer, $8.50 Double Happiness, 4403 Wrightsville Ave. or 7122 Market St. Ste. 105 chinesedoublehappiness.com Every little cloud of goodness at Double Happiness will make the tongue do a happy dance.

Their double steamer of plump dumplings is the way to go, in order to taste one of everything.

Homemade dumplings are served aplenty:

shrimp shumai, steamed pork, vegetable and chicken dumplings, and sesame balls. Only problem: One double stacker isn’t enough, so go for two. Then add an order of their homemade aged tofu for good measure, too.

Stromboli, $8.79-$15.79 Elizabeth’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant, 4304 Market St. elizabethspizzawilmington.com Since 1995, when I moved to ILM, Elizabeth’s has been on my go-to list of eateries at least once a month. I love their pizza. I love their spaghetti and red clam sauce. But when I want to go into a coma of ooey-gooey goodness, I go for stromboli, which I’m sure has about 5 pounds of cheese in it. The veggie option helps add some roughage but, really, adds more flavor. than another greasy topping. Dunk it in homemade marinara and ... #winning.

Temptations Salad Sampler, $9.99-$12 Tempations Gourmet Café 3501 Oleander Dr. temptationscafewilmington.com Many items stand out on Tempations’ menu, like their daily homemade bread pudding or salad niçoise or paninis. But their homemade pimento cheese and tarragon chicken salad is one for days-on cravings. Their salad sampler allows both to be served in one, and even gives you another option as part of their pick three, like French onion soup or Caesar salad or egg salad or strawberry salad. There are no wrong choices, really.

109 Chestnut Chicken Sandwich, $11.99 The Copper Penny, 109 Chestnut St. copperpennync.com Shaved chicken, grilled mushrooms, caramelized onions, loads of provolone and chipotle mayo atop a freshly made hoagie is every bit as delicious as it sounds. The Copper Penny’s signature sammie, named after their physical address, has been one of the most popular bites among downtown streets, since the Philly-

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themed pub opened 15 years or so ago. Don’t believe us? Well, even Guy Fieri from Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” agreed— and suggested their addictive homemade onion rings as the side.

Hickory Smoked Wings, $12 Rx Restaurant, 421 Castle St. rxwilmington.com Sure, their pork belly and eggs are great at Sunday brunch and their duck is succulent for dinner. But it’s the apps that suck me in at Rx. When they don’t have pig ears on their menu (which are insanely delicious), allow the Southern staple on Castle Street to deliver the most delicious wings, so every finger you have can be licked for all the smokey and saucey goodness left behind. The sauce is a perfect blend of sweet and spicy, with a smear of bleu cheese across the bottom and all-natural smoke (not that liquid shite) balancing it all.

Turkey Burger, $10.99 Might As Well, 250 Racine Dr. wilmington.mightaswellbarandgrill.com While the college kids recognize Might As Well on Racine for their cheap drinks and latenight dancing, MAW serves up one dope turkey burger. And Door Dash is now delivering it to me about once a month. Topped with tangy goat cheese, avocado and homemade honey mustard, the patty is handmade with ground turkey and mushrooms. It is a perfect balance of savory, tangy, salty, and sweet. Though served with fries, I sub a side salad mainly as a vehicle for their homemade bleu cheese dressing.

Roast Beef Sandwich, $9.75 PT’s Olde Fashioned Grille, various locations across Wilmington ptsgrille.com Maybe it’s the taste of the grill fresh on the bun. Maybe it’s the freshly shaved roast beef, or the piled-high toppings of bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and Jack and American cheeses melting all over it. Maybe it’s the hand-cut, lemon-peppered fries served alongside it. Whatever “it” is, PT’s Olde Fashioned Grille has had my tastebuds doing cartwheels for more than 20 years with its roast beef sandwich. And their grilled chicken. And their turkey. And their burgers and dogs. But that’s only occasionally when I’m not ordering the roast beef.

Berry Cream Pie Cupcake, $3.75-$4.75 The Peppered Cupcake, 105 S. Front St. and 260 Racine Dr., #7 thepepperedcupcake.com It’s a cupcake ... and it’s pie! To be fair, everything The Peppered Cupcake makes is excellent (including their signature which includes, naturally, pepper icing on the cake). But the one I go gaga over constantly is the Berry Cream Pie, which has a mixed-berry compote tucked into cream-cheese frosting, atop a vanillastuffed vanilla cake, then topped with whipped cream and pie crust.

CAH Salmon Salad, $11.79+ Carolina Ale House, 317-C College Rd.

carolinaalehouse.com Honestly, there is nothing supremely special about a house salad, now, is there? But when consistently there is fresh greens— romaine, cukes (cut on a large angle, which I love), tomatoes, red onion, homemade croutons, carrots—with blackened salmon on top, cooked a perfect med-rare, and served with homemade bleu cheese dressing, it’s, like, my perfect lunch. Carolina Ale House gets it right every time. Yet, their wings and burgers are some of the more popular items, especially on big game days, when the sports bar gets packed.

Tomato Pie, $2 (minis) - $20 (9 inch) Pine Valley Market, 3520 S. College Rd. pinevalleymarket.com So here’s a little secret: Tomato pie cannot be found on Pine Valley Market’s menu or maybe not even in their prepared frozen meals or deli case. But do not mistake: It’s available for call-ahead and it’s richly scrumptious.

Tomatoes plus basil plus mayonnaise (Dukes, of course) plus cheese plus pie crust equals family and friends praising the choice you made to bring it for dinner or brunch or wherever, whenever, and often.

Smoked Turkey, $5.88/sandwich, $10.75/plate Moes BBQ, 5818 Oleander Dr. moesoriginalbbq.com Ain’t no reason to wait until Thanksgiving to eat fresh off-the-bone turkey. And ain’t no where to go other than Moe’s to get it done right. Get it on a sandwich or a platter for hot sliced, allwhite meat, delivered with their house made sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, creamy Alabamastyle white BBQ sauce, cool crisp marinated slaw and pickles. Their choice of country cookin’ sides (mac n cheese, collards, slaw, baked beans) and craft beer selection pair most gloriously, too!

Fried Chicken, 8-piece special, $21.99 Casey’s Buffet, BBQ & Home Cooking, 5559 Oleander Dr. caseysbuffet.com Owner Larry Casey brings his family’s country-cookin’ recipes to life here and while the barbecue and squash casserole and fried catfish aren’t to be missed, the fried chicken is the shining star. It’s crispy all the time, seasoned in a perfect zing of spice and salt, and piping hot and juicy. Paired with a few of their many sides and other options, it’s a feast among men on the buffet. But if you don’t want to wait for the lines, Casey’s does an 8-piece chicken special for only $21.99.

Linguine with Clam Sauce, $18 Roko Italian Cuisine 6805-105 Parker Farm Dr. rokoitalian.com Chef Jadran makes homemade pasta at Roko, because what’s better than noodles made with care and perfect execution? Nothing.

Roko’s linguine and clam sauce is simplistic divinity. White sauce is basic garlic, butter, wine,

34 encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

Music City Chicken Sandwich, $14 The Fork ‘N’ Cork, 122 Market St. theforkncork.com This sandwich is music to my ears … err … palate? Inspired by Nashville hot chicken—famously fiery amongst hot-sauce aficionados and spicy-food fanatics—Fork ‘N’ Cork’s version is beautifully fried, crispy chicken doused in Nashville hot sauce and topped with pickles, slaw, red onion, bacon, cheddar and bleu cheese. It has me singing its praises after one bite.

Quiche of the Day, $9 Jester’s Cafe, 607 Castle St. jesterscafe.com Quiche isn’t just an “egg pie” if it’s done right, it’s just a matter of balance.

No matter the ingredients (sausage or bacon, spinach or broccoli), it’s how the SLURPY SUCCULENCE: Rosalie’s homemade Tuscan-style minestrone soup makes every cool day a cook uses the egg to bind them together in a warm embrace, especially served with bread to dunk. fluffy pillow encased in a buttery flakey pie shell.

Jester’s daily quiche delivers on all of the above.

Photo by Tom Dorgan parsley, and fresh clams, while the red is their house marinara and garlic stewing among salty clams. Either is worth the dive, just ask for extra bread to scrape up any leftover gravy.

Bite-Sized Pies, $24/dozen Mini Pies, $36/dozen One Belle Bakery, 1616 Shipyard Blvd. onebellebakery.com Pecan. Blueberry. Apple. Cherry. Name the flavor and One Belle Bakery likely makes it, and then puts it into teeny pie crusts so they become one-poppers to be eaten like cookies. They do cookies, macarons, donuts (caramel-pepper glaze, OMFG!), cannolis, brownies, banana pudding, cakes, and so much more.

Figure 8 Stuffed Flounder, $20.99 Cape Fear Seafood Company, Monkey Junction, Porters Neck and Leland capefearseafoodcompany.com Take freshly caught flounder, roll it up into roulades, stuff it with crab and other delights, and cover it in a lemon beurre blanc sauce for the most light yet filling flavor of seafood in Wilmington (cover photo). Cape Fear Seafood Company serves it with a choice of two sides, and I always go to their creamy risotto and asparagus. Insane good!

—Shea Carver Falafel Bowl, $7.99 Peño Mediterranean Grill, 351 S. College Rd. or in Barclay Pointe, 1611 Dusty Miller Lane, Unit 301 penogrill.com You know it’s good falafel when it’s bright green inside; all of the fresh herbs dye the chickpea and spice interior of the fried croquette at Peño. Their falafel can be enjoyed as a platter or straight pita wrap, but the bowl is filling and flavorful with the fresh greens topped with crispy pickled turnips, hummus and tahini.

Berry Cheesecake French Toast, $10 Eternal Sunshine Cafe, 420 Eastwood Rd. facebook.com/eternalsunshinecafe I’m typically locked in for a Benedict, omelet or other savory item for breakfast, but Eternal Sunshine’s berry cheesecake French toast is too good to pass up. The brioche is warm and soft on the inside with subtle crispiness on the outside. Layers of cheesecake filling, berries and strawberry sauce make it decadent, for sure, but none of it is overwhelmingly sweet.

Trailer Park Burger, $14.95 Winnie’s Tavern, 1895 Burnett Blvd. facebook.com/pg/winniestavern No one can go wrong with any burger at Winnie’s but if when trying to break a personal record for “ways to enjoy fried-green tomatoes and other Southern favorites,” I go with the Trailer Park: Cajun fried-green tomatoes, jalapeño pimento cheese, bacon, bread-and-butter pickles, lettuce, onion, and chipotle mayo. Also subbing Winnie’s beef patty with the plant-based Impossible Burger makes me feel better about my life choices.

Chicken Pot Pie, $14 Little Pond Caterers, 2016 Princess Pl. Dr. littlepondcaterers.com Little Pond Caterers is only open once a week on Tuesdays for dinner service for “Meatball Tuesday.” The meatball grinders are quite popular, as a line usually begins before the doors even open at 6 p.m. However, don’t ignore their rotating weekly special on the menu. It varies— anything from catfish with mac n’ cheese to coq au vin. I get giddy when the chicken pot pie shows up—a personal-sized homemade pie, bubbling over with chicken and veggies. And it’s to die for.

Avocado Ranch Club, $8.75 Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn, 4002 Oleander Dr. flamingamysburritobarn.com Of all the mac-truck burritos on Flaming Amy’s

Chicken Biscuit, $5.35-$6.35 Rise Biscuits and Donuts, 1319 Military Cutoff Rd. risebiscuitsdonuts.com There might be a bit of a cult following for a certain national fast-food chain known for its chicken sandwiches, but Rise’s execution of this simple combination of chicken and carbs is flawless. Their variations of this breakfast staple are on point as well: honey chicken on a sweet potato biscuit; spicy chicken with Boom Boom sauce, pickled jalapenos and crispy onions; and Southern Deluxe with pimento cheese and bacon.

menu—and I’ve tried and retried variations of many over the years—the Avocado Ranch Club (lettuce, diced tomato, cheese, grilled chicken, bacon, avocado ranch dressing) is now my goto order. I just have to remind myself one thing: Order actual guac/avocado to add to it!

Oyster Po Boy, $13.40 Waterman’s Brewing, 1610 Pavilion Pl. watermansbrewing.com Quality and quantity are ongoing themes at Waterman’s Brewing. Their Po Boys (choice of shrimp, flounder or oysters) come out piled high with tomato, shredded lettuce, pickles, remoulade and lemon. Each are two roughly 6-inch halves and enough to share among some circles, and they still come with a side of choice— Brussels sprout slaw, anyone?

Firecracker Shrimp Basket, $10 The Husk, 31 S. Front St. huskdowntown.com What’s nice about the Husk is that they’ve taken one of its sister restaurant’s staples and made it accessible all day, every day. The Firecracker Shrimp can be found on YoSake’s Happy Hour menu but the Husk has these lightly tempura-fried crustaceans coming out by the basketfuls with choice of tater tots or fries.

Swoon.

Cubano, $9.50 The Hungry Sparrow, 701 Castle St. hungrysparrowunc.com My husband is somewhat of a cubano connoisseur—or at least, he’s a big fan—so when we see any iteration of a cuban sammie on a menu we have to try it. What we’ve come to agree on is that it’s a simple sandwich often complicated by grandiose attempts to “improve” or make it stand out. The Hungry Sparrow delivers on a simple promise with their “cuban/ midnight sandwich”: roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickle and mustard toasted on a hoagie bun. They trust the ingredients and the method.

It’s everything it should be.

Dixie Benedict, $8.50 The Dixie Grill, 116 Market St. thedixiegrillwilmington.wordpress.com The first thing I ever ordered off of Dixie Grill’s menu was their Dixie Benedict. It has all the trappings of a Southern breakfast: open-faced biscuit, fried-green tomatoes, scrambled eggs, all smothered with vidalia onion gravy. What makes it work is the cut of the tomato and breading ratio, making it not overwhelmingly “bready” with the biscuit. Still—get extra gravy, y’all.

Kebab Cobb Salad, $8.19+ Chopt Creative Salad Co. 1125 Military Cutoff Rd. choptsalad.com Two themes are happening on my list: Mediterranean cuisine and salads. Chopt happens to cater to my affinity for both with the Kebab Cobb Salad (feta, pickled red onions, Mama Lil’s spicy peppers, pita chips, romaine). While diners can choose to get their dressing on the side, they typically chop and mix their salads, dressing

YELL FOR THE YARDBIRD! Casey’s fried chicken will sate any Southern craving, with crunchy breading and juicy chicken. Photo by Lindsey A. Miller

and all, so every single bite is the same.

Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza, $4-$22 Pizzetta’s Pizzeria, 4107 Oleander Dr. or 1144 E. Cutlar Crossing, Leland pizzettaspizzanc.com Pizza with a side caesar salad? Sure. Pizza with a caesar salad on top? Whaaaaa? We’re not sure if Pizzetta’s has mystical powers or a wizard flipping dough in the back, but somehow they’ve cracked the code on serving fresh romaine lettuce tossed with grilled chicken, Parmesan and caesar dressing atop hot pizza crust without it turning into a mushy mess. As well, the dressing isn’t too pungent or salty, so it still feels like eating pizza but it’s salad … so it’s OK to have seconds, or fifths.

Tuscan Soup and Bread, $5.95 Rosalie’s Trattoria, 5031 Market St. rosaliestrattoria.com These cooler days call for a warm bowl of homemade soup—even better if it was made by someone’s Italian grandmother, which is what Rosalie’s Trattoria’s Tuscan Soup tastes like. Each bowl is actually made to order with fresh onions, pancetta, spinach and cannellini beans, all sautéed in a tomato brodetto, which falls somewhere between stew and soup. Get it with their freshly baked Italian bread—as much as they’ll let you have.

Broccoli Di Rabe Aglio, $22 Tarantelli’s, 102 S. 2nd St. tarantellis.com It doesn’t matter if you can’t say it, because like most food at Tarantelli’s, the Broccoli Di Rabe Aglio will leave you speechless.

Served with choice of any of Tarantelli’s handmade pastas, this is a relatively simple family recipe of Italian sausage with broccoli rabe sauteed in white wine, garlic and olive oil.

Vegetarian Pho, $6.50-$9.50 Pho Basil, 812 S. College Rd. facebook.com/pg/phobasilwilmington Pho Basil’s Vietnamese soup is a favorite because it’s filling but not fatty; light but not on flavor or size. Their vegetarian pho comes with large cubes of tofu, fresh broccoli, carrots, onions, green onions and rice noodles. The veggies lightly cook once added to the hot broth but maintain their crunch, which I love after adding the fresh beans sprouts, jalapenos and basil.

The small bowl is usually more than enough but medium and extra-large helpings are available.

Jane’s Addiction, $10-$16 Johnny Lukes, 5500 Market St. johnnylukeskb.com This was a go-to lunch often when I found myself nearby Johnny Lukes. I’m a millennial, and we do like our toasted breads with avocado. So add goat cheese, baby spinach and melted mozzarella with house-made pesto and we are a go. For folks looking for added protein: add chicken ($4), shrimp ($5) or burger ($6).

Tostadas, $2.65 Taqueria Los Portales taquerialosportales.com Run, do not walk, to Los Portales for pretty much anything. I choose to highlight their tostadas, which is fried tortillas with beans, choice of meat, lettuce, fresh cheese, sour cream and tomatoes. Of all of my top picks, Los Portales is by far the best bargain—so try

five of everything!

CIK Grilled Pimento Sandwich, $9.75 Cast Iron Kitchen, 8024 Market St. castiron-kitchen.com This whole exercise has me thinking I have an unhealthy obsession with fried green tomatoes. While Cast Iron Kitchen was featured on The Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” last year for their bangin’ meatloaf and Dirty South Biscuit, definitely give their Grilled Pimento Sandwich a second take: fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese, pickled sweet peppers, arugula and bacon on Sourdough bread.

Cool Hand Cuke, $7.99 Jax 5th Avenue, 5046 New Centre Dr. jaxwilmington.com It’s the simple sammies that we need sometimes, and it doesn’t get much simpler than Cool Hand Cuke: ham, mesquite turkey and Swiss cheese between toasted pumpernickel, along with tomato, onion, cucumber and mayo.

Equally impressive is Jax 5th Avenue’s expansive rotating tap (24 to be exact) of US, North Carolina and Wilmington craft brews, as well as upwards of 60 cans and bottles.

Pork Belly Sliders, $8 Bar Local Pub & Pizzeria, 19 Market St. facebook.com/Bar-Local-Pub-Pizzeria If it were Christmastime, Bar Local’s Pork Belly Sliders would make the naughty list.

BBQ pork belly is layered with chipotle pimento cheese and caramelized onions. The sliders round out a nice list of shareable tapas, as well as tacos, pizza, paninis and more.

Cauliflower Soufflé, $9 True Blue Butcher and Table 1125 Military Cutoff Rd. bluebutcherandtablewilmington.com I’d sleep on a hot fluffy pillow of whipped cauliflower, lemon, Parmesan and black pepper if True Blue could make it big enough cauliflower soufflé. Not much more to say.

Turkey Avocado, $8.5+ Blue Surf Cafe, 250 Racine Dr. bluesurfcafe.com Blue Surf’s homemade chips with Parmesan, cilantro and lime are perfect with their turkey avocado sandwich with red onion, Sriracha mayo and arugula on multigrain. Bonus tip: wash whatever you get down with Blue Surf’s daily infused lemonade.

Kalbi Steak and Rice, $12 The Foxes Boxes, 622 N. 4th St. thefoxesboxes.com When pondering the giant chalkboard menu on the wall at The Foxes Boxes: pick a protein from left, then pick a side from the right. Their offerings change a bit seasonally for their The Gourmet Box ($12), The Fox Box ($9) and The Basic Box ($6) and sides, but get the Kalbi steak and rice (paired with the with olive oil and sea salt broccoli) while they’re still around.

—Shannon Rae Gentry

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PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS:

PLEASURE ISLAND

• Buzz's Roost at the Beach • El Cazador Mexican Restaurant • Freddie's Restaurant • Gulfstream Restaurant • Mr. Bagel Meister • Michael's Seafood • Pop's Diner • SeaWitch Cafe and Tiki Bar

CAROLINA BEACH ROAD

Enjoy a week full of culinary delights!

• Niche • Seaside Bagels • Slainte Irish Pub Monkey Junction

www.PIRESTAURANTWEEK.com 36 encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

FEATURE: HISTORY EVENT

FIRST PATRIOTS OF THE REVOLUTION: The Battle of Moores Creek Bridge celebrates 243 years

I

heritage, from their clothing (dressed in kilts) to the discussions on the instrments they play (bagpipes). Everything from home—notable places have been named after them such as Scotland Country and Scotland High School, to even names such as Kerr (Kerr Avenue), Cameron (Cameron Art Museum), and MacRae (Hugh MacRae Park)—to military life about the Scotts will be covered.

BY: ETHAN MARSH

n the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, the militia of the NC Patriots were all lined up with muskets in hand, ready to fire. The Patriots awaited soldiers of Great Britain to come marching across the Moores Creek Bridge in Currie, NC. Though the battle only lasted a few minutes, it had a profound impact on the world for the centuries to come—but more so America, as it was the impetus for the American Revolution.

“A Patriot victory [would] allow North Carolina to become the first colony to send its delegates to the Continental Congress to vote for independence,” says Jason Howell, historic weapons supervisor and park guide for Moores Creek, which became nationally recognized in 1933. According to Howell, on April 12, 1776, the Halifax Resolves was signed and adopted by North Carolina; they were the first official documents calling for the independence of America.

It led to a domino effect among the Colonies to converge.

The Battle of Moores Creek Bridge ultimately created confidence and encouragement in the Patriots’ efforts to take on Great Britain. “Nothing was really going right for the Patriots,” Howell remarks. “Preventing the invasion of North Carolina and the Patriots scoring another victory at Fort Moultrie [South Carolina] in June of 1776 really paved the way for the signing of the Declaration of Independence.”

“The park changed hands a couple of times from the Monumental Association

to the US Army in 1926, and ultimately to the National Park Service in 1933,” Howell explains.

Since 2009, when Howell began working for Moores Creek, the event has evolved into including the program “Stories beyond the Battlefield,” composed of Colonial-style cooking, music and beverages, plus blacksmithing, cartridge rolling, and candle-making. “We try to diversify our programs because we know not everyone likes military history,” Howell says. “Hopefully, these programs will spark and people will want to know more about the park.”

There will be a living history program, also known as an interpretative battle program, which takes place on the battlefield. It will evoke what happened at the actual battle, without any actual firing of guns taking place. One of the leaders of the Patriots, Richard Caswell, who eventually became the first and fifth governor of North Carolina, officially will be portrayed. Sixty people will depict the Patriots who will fire their muskets

in a 45-degree angle toward the bridge.

Twenty-five people will simulate the Loyalists, who will be playing bagpipes behind the tree on the other side of the bridge letting attendees know they are there. During demonstrations, an announcer will describe how the Loyalists crossed the bridge and eventually retreated to the 1,000 Patriots. As well, the announcer will report on the casualties.

DETAILS:

243rd Anniversary of the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge

Moore’s Creek National Battlefield 40 Patriots Hall Dr., Currie, NC Sat.-Sun. Feb. 23-24 “To honor those Loyalists who died, Free • nps.gov/mocr/index.htm

we have a living historian to go place the British flag on the field in front of the earthworks,” Howell describes. “We have a patriot historian place a Grand Union flag in honor of John Grady. [It was also the] first American flag, known as the Grand Union flag.”

Brochures will be given out describing the events, and historians will be present and happily ready to discuss questions attendees may have. Attendees also can talk with the re-enactors.

In addition to celebratory events, the battlefield focuses on education about North Carolinian history. The Loyalists were made up of Scottish Highlanders, who influenced the North Carolina area.

A Loyalist encampment will be set up at Patriot Hall for folks to learn aboiut their

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To commemorate the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, the national battlefield will host its anniversary event this weekend, which has been held as far back as the bicentennial celebration in 1976 of the country’s independence. One of the battlefield’s most historical figures, John Grady— the lone Patriot soldier to be slain by the Loyalists—had a monument placed in his honor in the park in 1857. It wasn’t until 1899 the Moores Creek Monumental Association hosted a wreath-laying commemoration on the Patriot monument, also known as “Grady’s Monument,” which was attended by 5,000 people.

HISTORIC PLACE: The anniversary of the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge features a live re-enactment of events and more from February 23-24. Photo courtesy of National Parks Service

Moores Creek offers other events throughout the year, such as Junior Ranger Day in April, which gives kids an opportunity to learn about Colonial soldier and civilian life. They also host first Saturday events October through December, which cover how weapons and cannons work. They also give tours by request for school and history groups, as well as individuals. Every November they hold their candlelight tour on the third Saturday, and again events are reenacted at all points during the battle before, during and after. The event takes place at night and really gives visitors an idea of what it was like for the soldiers battling in the dark, rather than daylight.

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encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 37

HAPPENINGS & EVENTS ACROSS WILMINGTON

TO-DO CALENDAR

events

KIDZ EXPO Feb. 23, 11am: Welcome, babies, toddlers, kids, tweens and families to play and learn about raising happy, healthy kids. More than 50 vendor booths—schools, healthcare, dental care, toy stores and clothing stores, plus food & drink, bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals, pictures with costume characters and ongoing entertainment throughout the day. Special guests China Anne McClain (1-3pm). $7

businessmadecasual.com. Wilmington Convention Center, 515 Nutt St.

OSCARS’ PARTY Feb. 24, 6:30p: Tails Piano Bar will celebrate the big awards, with a raffle, red carpet, and good times. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. The biggest news of the night for OHTC will be announcing the winner of the Lady Gaga Las Vegas raffle! One Gaga raffle ticket per person is your ticket in the door, so be sure to bring yours with you! Tickets: https://bit.ly/2A4x032. 115 S Front St.

MARDI GRAS Mar. 2, noon-2pm: Free fun for the whole family at the Cotton Exchange! Specials in most of our shops and restaurants. Jazz music from Duke Ladd. Face painting and Henna tattoos, photo booth, kids crafts with Hot Mess Studios, tarot card reader, King Cake and more. 321 N Front St. ILM PERFECT WEDDING/FASHION SHOW Mar. 3, noon: Meet all the wedding vendors you need in person. Sample their food, hear their music, see the dresses, sit in the limos and more. Presented by The Perfect Wedding Planner Magazine,

this year’s show is shaping up to be more beautiful and elegant than ever before.

Last year’s show was deemed a huge success by both the vendors and brides.

Many said it was the best show they have ever been part of! Spring is the best time to have a bridal show. So many got engaged during the holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Valentines Day. www.eventbrite.com/e/wilmingtonsperfect-wedding-fashion-show-march3-2019-tickets-53570742533 and www. theperfectweddingplanner.com. Coastline Conference and Event Center, 501 Nutt St.

charity/fundraiser SPECIAL OLYMPICS POLAR PLUNGE/5K Feb. 23, 11am: Run for a cause or take a chilling plunge to support Special Olympics NHC Join us for an afternoon of auction, raffle, costume contest, food & much more! Run or plunge with your pooch, a friend or with an athlete. Come in a costume to add more fun and enter our costume contest. Kure Beach Boardwalk, 100 Atlantic Ave. MONTY’S HOME PET EXPO Feb. 24, 11am: 12th annual event takes place at downtown’s Coastline Conference Center. 50 or more vendors featuring pet items and services, plus a Kid’s Korner and silent auction. Proceeds benefit Monty’s Home canine rescue and prison training program. No pets permitted; kids under 12 admitted free. $5. montyshome.org. (910) 259-7911. www.coastlineconventioncenter.com LAST TICKET STANDING Feb. 25, 6-8pm: Join the Cape Fear Literacy Council for our 4th Annual “Last Ticket Standing” 50/50 Reverse Raffle! Your $100 ticket includes a Carolina BBQ buffet dinner for two guests (cash bar) and an entry into the raffle drawing. Additional dinner buffet tickets may be purchased at the door for $15/person. Bill’s Front Porch Pub & Brewery, 4238 Market St. cfliteracy.org or call (910) 251-0911.

MARDI GRAS FOR THE ARTS Feb. 28, 6:30pm: Island Arts and Culture is hosting a fun art auction to raise money for Carolina Beach Street Arts Festival; support local schools’ art programs and local artists. Tickets are $20. Live and silent auctions of many one-of-a-kind fine art and fine crafts, good food and fun entertainment.

Come be Part of the Arts! eventbrite.com.

Courtyard by Marriott, Carolina Beach CF GROUP HOMES FUNDRAISER Cape Fear Group Homes and Vocational

38 encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

UPCOMING EVENTS:

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24 | 1:00 P.M.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22 | 4:00 P.M.

Game sponsored by Pepsi - Senior Night

Baseball vs Indiana State

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22 | 7:00 P.M.

Women’s Basketvall vs Delaware

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24 | 1:30 P.M. Baseball vs Marshall

Women’s Basketball vs Drexel

Game sponsored by Gas Center and Pawn USA

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23 | 2:00 P.M. Baseball vs Iona

encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 39

DISCOVER NEW MUSIC AT 98.3 THE PENGUIN PLAYLIST SAMPLE:

THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND - SOUTHBOUND UMPHREY'S MCGEE - CAN'T ROCK MY DREAM FACE KELLER AND THE KEELS - ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL THE VELVET UNDERGROUND - ROCK & ROLL COWBOY JUNKIES - SWEET JANE MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD - THE FLOWER JIMMY CLIFF - I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW WHITE DENIM - IT MIGHT GET DARK TASH SULTANA - JUNGLE AL GREEN - LOVE & HAPPINESS

UPCOMING PENGUIN SHOWS:

INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS (GLA 3/31) DARK STAR ORCHESTRA (GLA 4/14) MOON TAXI (GLA 4/18) SOJA (GLA 4/19) RAINBOW KITTEN SURPRISE (GLA 4/22 & 4/23) SOLD OUT! DIRTY HEADS (GLA 4/30) SOLD OUT! LUKAS NELSON & PROMISE OF THE REAL (GLA 5/4) SOLD OUT! TASH SULTANA (GLA 5/5) SOLD OUT! ST. PAUL & THE BROKEN BONES (GLA 6/2) SOLD OUT! RODRIGO Y GABRIELA (GLA 6/4) THE RECORD COMPANY (GLA 6/18) MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD (GLA 7/20 &7/21) JENNY LEWIS (GLA 9/7) SHAKEY GRAVES & DR. DOG (GLA 9/9)

SPECIALS: Voted Best Fine Dining 2018

TUES. NIGHT: 1/2 P rice W ines by the G lass WED. NIGHT: 1/2 P rice D raft b eers sUn. brUnch: M iMosa s Pecial

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

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40 encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

HOURS: TUES. - SAT., 5 P.M. SUN. BRUNCH, 10 A.M. - 2 P.M.

ig: @rxrestaurantandbar fb: facebook.com/rxwilmington

WWW.RXWILMINGTON.COM 421 C astle s t . (910) 399 - 3080

Services will have our first annual silent and live art auction on March 2, 11:30am.

Dram and Morsel Restaurant, 33 S. Front St. Please contact Anita Ford, ProjectDevelopment 910-218-6740 or aford@capefeargh.org MARDI GRAS CASINO NIGHT March 2, 7-10pm: Casino games, hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres with a New Orleans flair, signature cocktails, live music, raffle prizes, wine pull and a bourbon bar! Come dressed to impress and take a chance on winning some of our fantastic raffle prizes. Tickets are $75. Each ticket includes game chips, grand prize raffle ticket, two signature cocktails, hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres and beads. Proceeds benefit the Bellamy Mansion Museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free community programming such as lectures, workshops, art exhibits, Family Fun Day, Nights of Lights and scholarships to the museum summer camp.Carolyn Gonzalez at 910-251-3700 x306 or cgonzalez@bellamymansion.org. Bellamy Mansion Museum, 503 Market St. PINTS FOR PRESERVATION Mar. 7, 5pm: Historic Wilmington Foundation is partnering with the Bellamy Mansion for Pints for Preservation. Come on out to Wilmington Brewing Company to support the preservation of Wilmingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history.

One dollar from each pint sold goes to these fantastic history organizations. Furry friends are welcome and Arepa St. Food truck will be there! Wilmington Brewing Company, 824 S. Kerr Ave. PIG PICKINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Feb. 23, noon: Money raised goes for a new carpet in the church sanctuary at Beach Community Church in Carolina Beach, NC. BBQ plates with two sides. $8. 5 N. 4th St. (910) 620-9003/jeanne@eatingtoexcel.com.

music OPEN-MIC AT TIDAL CREEK Comedians, singers, songwriters, poets, yodelers! Come out the co-op on Wednesday night & show us what you got! Free coffee & tea for all performers! Mic is yours from 6 pm until about 8:45! Hosted by the always entertaining Bob Sarnataro, this open mic is a laid back, no pressure opportunity for performers of all kinds to stretch those creative muscles. All ages welcome. Tidal Creek Coop, 5329 Oleander Dr. JAZZ AT CAM 1st Thurs. through Apr, 6:30-8pm. Eightconcert series has individual seat sales are available for purchase: 910-395-5999. Enjoy dinner and drinks at the CAM CafĂŠ (910777-2363) before or after the concert. CafĂŠ reservations are always suggested and appreciated. Mar. 7, Ernest Turner Trio; Apr. 4, Brian Miller Admission: CAM/CFJS Members: $12, Non-members: $20. Students with valid college ID: $10. Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S 17th St. EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE Feb. 21, 6:30pm: Inspired by and expanding on their interaction with CAMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exhibition â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Time When Art is Everywhere: teamLab,â&#x20AC;? ex-

perimental and noise musicians Carl Kruger, subterrene, and The Waking Life perform solo sets and as a team. Each bringing their own style to create a unique experience with each performance. Cost: $10. Pay at door, tax not included. Weyerhaeuser Reception Hall, Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St. SCC SOLOR TOUR Feb. 22, 7:30pm: Join 5X GRAMMYÂŽ winner Steven Curtis Chapman for his â&#x20AC;&#x153;SCC Solo Tourâ&#x20AC;? in Wilmington. Popularity has spurred the tour, now in its fourth season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;SCC SOLO: Hits, History, and Influencesâ&#x20AC;? celebrates over three decades of music from Chapman, who is the most-awarded Christian artist and a best-selling author.

This memorable tour is set in an intimate setting and caters to the entire family. Port City Church, 250 Vision Dr. JOSHUA CONYERS IN CONCERT Feb. 22, 7:30pm: Baritone Joshua Conyers returns to Wilmington after singing the lead in Opera Wilmingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2015 production of Rigoletto. He headlines Opera Wilmingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s symposium â&#x20AC;&#x153;Exploring Opera and Beyondâ&#x20AC;? at UNCW. His concert will feature art songs and spirituals. Mr. Conyers sings baritone roles as part of the Washington National Opera, where is a young artist at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for the 2018-2019 season. UNCWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cultural Arts Building, 5270 Randall Pkwy.

UNCW SEABELLES CONCERT Feb. 23, 7pm: UNCWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a capella singing group will present a concert of music including Pop, RnB, and Indie/alterna-

tive. The Seabelles, founded in 2010, have competed successfully in singing competitions and enjoy sharing their music in the Wilmington area. Winter Park Presbyterian Church, 4501 Wrightsville Ave. WILMINGTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Sat., Feb. 23, 7:30pm: Wilmington Symphony Orchestra presents Storied Past at the Wilson Center. The program features one of Rimsky-Korsakovâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular orchestral works, Scheherazade, based on the story of The Arabian Nights. www. wilmingtonsymphony.org. Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St. LISTEN UP BRUNSWICK COUNTY Mar. 1, 7:30pm: Richard Shindell, a singer, songwriter, grew up in Port Washington, NY, and lives in Buenos Aires with his wife, a university professor, and their children. Shindellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career received a boost in 1997 when Joan Baez recorded three of his songs and invited him to join her 199798 tour. $20. Odell Williamson Auditorium, BCC, 50 College Rd. NW. listenupbrunswickcounty.com ARTURO AFRO LATIN JAZZ ENSEMBLE Mar. 5, 7:30pm: Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble (ALJE) is an octet of some of the most virtuosic musicians in jazz today. Led by Arturo Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Farrill, the ALJE is a part of The Afro Latin Jazz Alliance who are dedicated to preserving the music and heritage of Afro Latin jazz, supporting its performance for new audiences, and educating young people in the understanding and performance of this important cultural treasure. Their

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CROSSWORD

Creators syndiCate CREATORS SYNDICATE © 2018 STANLEY NEWMAN

WWW.STANXWORDS.COM

2/18/18

THE NEWSDAY CROSSWORD

Edited by Stanley Newman (www.StanXwords.com)

PRESIDENTIAL UNIQUES: In classes by themselves

by S.N. ACROSS 1 Suze of personal finance 6 Small band 10 Meet the Press host 14 Show surprise, perhaps 19 Rile 20 Rope fiber 21 Venerable fraternal grp.

22 Knight clothes 23 JFK: The only one to __ 27 Hardwood tree 28 Table salt, symbolically 29 Amadeus villain 30 Valhalla VIP 31 Clunky car 33 Pointer’s pronoun 35 Cake Boss airer 36 Analyzed minutely 38 Run in 40 Big Apple’s Arthur __ Stadium 42 Prophetic sign 44 Have a go at 45 Garfield: The only one who could __ 52 One in a clique 53 Adjusts, as cuffs 54 Lent support to 58 Triangular turnover of India 59 In a face-down manner 61 Shakespearean title Roman 62 Bollywood costume 64 Safflower product 65 Tic Tac alternatives 66 FDR: The only one with __ 72 101 Dalmatians villain 73 “That’s what you think!”

74 University of Alaska campus

75 Half an activities twosome 76 Pokes fun at 78 Sleep disturbers 84 Part of ICBM 85 Elbow roughly 86 Twinkly at night 87 Cleveland: The only one who __ 91 Tire edge 94 Gear parts 95 Star Wars series mentor 96 Young’__ (kids) 97 Israeli novelist 99 One-stripe GI 102 Ranch structures 104 Ark passenger 107 Exclamation of elation 108 Some hours ago 112 Antioxidant berry 114 Ft. Myers locale 115 Coolidge: The only one __ 119 Revise 120 Substantive content 121 “America the Beautiful” pronoun 122 Justice Sotomayor 123 Try another shade on 124 Window frame 125 Pardner’s mount 126 It’s south of Brigham City DOWN 1 Media mogul from Mississippi 2 Oscar actress Witherspoon 3 Device 4 Urban rd.

5 Rhineland refusal 6 Committee head 7 Pragmatic person 8 Little scamp

9 Major work 10 Short-term govt. security 11 Of eyesight 12 Drop off for a while 13 Forest forager 14 Grammy category 15 Oversight, say 16 Surrounded by 17 Comparatively snug 18 In vogue 24 Large tank 25 Back muscle, for short 26 Become harvestable 32 Lounging area 34 “Button it” 37 Slow tempo 39 Things with springs 41 Iberian river 42 “Good heavens!”

43 Graduate degs.

45 The Badger St. 46 “Messenger” molecule 47 Sneaky sorts 48 Port authority 49 “. . . sugarplums danced in __ heads” 50 Person from Athens 51 Decline to publicize 55 Part of DIY 56 Stamps out 57 Prefix like mal59 Science Friday producer 60 Tops in calories 61 Firm, as fusilli 63 Director DuVernay 65 Set one’s sights 66 Huge-screen TV suffix 67 French octet 68 Sign up for more 69 Prado VIP 70 Solid ground 71 Nine-symbol message

72 Cinematic effects, for short 76 Gets into 77 Damp at dawn 79 Aloha Stadium locale 80 Hotel room amenities 81 Questionable cash cache 82 __ for Evidence (Grafton novel) 83 Fr. holy woman 85 Energetic Dublin dance

MAKE YOUR BUSINESS THE NEXT

86 88 89 90 91 92 93 98 99 100 101

Stops the flow of Gross fraction Brief plane trip Conceptualizes Certain seafood establishment Returnee’s declaration Tied up at a pier Young fellow Hearing things Bourbon bottle Big shot seen in annual reports

103 __ Paulo, Brazil 105 Kemper who’s Kimmy Schmidt 106 Mexican progenitor 109 Anytime cash sources 110 Ostrich relative 111 Novelist Rendell 113 Should that happen 116 Poetic homage 117 Frat letter 118 Morning workout for many

Reach Stan Newman at P.O. Box 69, Massapequa Park, NY 11762, or at www.StanXwords.com

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repertoire honors the pioneers of Latin jazz while keeping a strong foothold in progressing that music by performing contemporary compositions of the genre. The ALJE has performed internationally to critical acclaim, playing such festivals as the Cubadisco Festival (Havana, Cuba), the Luminato Festival (Toronto, Canada), Aperitivo in Concerto (Milan, Italy) and the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival (Becket, MA). Kenan Auditorium, 601 S College Rd.

theatre/auditions THE ODD COUPLE Feb. 21-24, 7:30pm; Sun., 3pm: Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple” comes to Thalian’s Ruth and Bucky Stein Theatre, featuring Jon Stafford and Tony Rivenbark star as Oscar and Felix, who each divorce and become mismatched roommates. Tickets: $28. thalianhall.org ROCK OF AGES 10TH ANNIVERSARY Feb. 19-20, 7:30pm: It is 1987, and the fabled West Hollywood club the Bourbon Room is the seedy, sordid, vibrant heart of the Sunset Strip. The music venue has seen better days, but as run by chilled-out former rock impresario Dennis Dupree, and tended to by Dennis’s mischievous assistant Lonny, it is the essence of rock and roll. When bright-eyed young hopeful Sherrie Christian, a small-town girl who wants to make it as an actress, arrives in town, she bumps into Drew, a Bourbon Room busboy with dreams of rock and roll stardom. Love-struck Drew convinces Dennis to hire Sherrie, and the stage seems set for their romance. “Rock of Ages” is a big, brash, energetic tribute to classic rock, to over-the-top ballads and fierce guitar, to the gritty glamour and rough energy of the Sunset Strip. Features ‘80s hits such as “We Built this City,” “I Wanna Rock,” and “Don’t Stop Believin’.” Wilson Center, 703 N. 3rd St. Tickets: capefearstage.com MARIAN, THE TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD Feb. 21, 8pm: “Marian, or The True Tale of Robin Hood” will be directed by Robin Post.

This gender switching/smashing comedic frolic through Sherwood Forest, challenges our notions of gender and the narrative of the male hero and the damsel in distress.

Robin Hood is actually Marian in disguise, the Merry Men question their sexual identities and Nottingham’s guards spend more time playing pranks on one another than they do guarding. Hilarity ensues on all fronts while we are confronted with questions about the reinforcement of the cisgender heteronormative culture in which we live. $6 students $12 for seniors, UNCW employees, and alum $15 for GA. Mainstage Theatre, UNCW, 601 S College Rd. 5 FISH, A GOAT HEAD AND A BAG OF MONEY Feb. 21, 8pm: Three encore performances, this time at Ronald Sachs Violins, from February 21-23, 8pm. Originally performed as part of the Cucalorus, the show is a hilarious sketch comedy show featuring a hodgepodge mixture of costumes and props unearthed from the dilapidated remains of the many shuttered theaters in the Cape Fear

region. Tickets: $9 at door or pslcomedy. com. Ronald Sachs Violins, 616-B Castle St. DIVINE DIVAS Feb. 22, 7:30pm: Divine Divas performances by Wilmington’s favorite Leading Ladies with a little help from their friends. Second Street Stage, HBHUSO/Community Arts Center, 120 S 2nd St. 910-251-1788. https:// thalian.org/events/divine-divas-2.

MOTOWN CABARET Feb. 23, 4:30pm: Snow Productions presents a Motown Cabaret at Snipes Academy in Wilmington, NC, featuring kids performing the music that changed our lives. Showtimes: Friday, 6:30pm; Saturday, 4:30pm. kathysnowproductions.com. 910-465-6219 or snowproductionsnp@gmail.com. Snipes Academy, 2150 Chestnut St. MOUTHS OF BABE STAGED READING Feb. 23, 2pm: In November of 1898, a group of white supremacists seized the city of Wilmington in a violent coup, expelling prominent black citizens and destroying Wilmington’s very own black newspaper: The Daily Record. The event was covered up and whitewashed for the better part of a century. The work-in-progress documentary play by Mouths of Babes Theatre Company follows the New York Times Magazine writer John Jeremiah Sullivan as he enlists 8th graders to track down and recover lost articles of The Daily Record, literally reconstructing lost history and bringing to light voices that hate sought to destroy. Free and open to the public. CAM’s Weyerhaeuser Reception Hall, 3201 S. 17th St. ALWAYS, PATSY CLINE Feb. 28, 7pm: The lady, the legend ... Patsy Cline (Wilmington native Annie Tracy Marsh) comes glowingly to life in this touching true story affectionately told through letters written between Patsy and her biggest fan turned confidant, Louise Segar (Barbara Weetman). These two unlikely friends met in a Texas honky-tonk in 1961 and shared a heartfelt correspondence until Patsy’s untimely death in 1963. The story is set against Patsy’s greatest hits, including “Crazy”, “I Fall to Pieces”, “Sweet Dreams”, “Walkin’ after Midnight”, and 23 other great songs and is filled to the brim with down home country humor, heartache, and unexpected friendship. Don’t miss your chance to spend the evening with Patsy and Louise! Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. INTO THE WOODS Mar. 1, 7:30pn: Thalian Association Community Theatre presents a Youth Theatre production of Into the Woods. Written by famed composer Stephen Sondheim (Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, West Side Story), the musical blends the plots of several Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault fairy tales including Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Cinderella. Please note: The Sunday performance is a matinee beginning at 3pm.

(910) 251-1788 or chandler.davis@thalian. org. Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, 120 S. 2nd St. STONES IN HIS POCKETS TheatrenNOW dinner presents “Stones in His Pockets”—a comic tragedy followings

DIPPING FOR PHILANTHROPY: The annual Polar Plunge benefits the Special Olympics of New Hanover County and takes place on Feb. Feb 23 at the Kure Beach Boardwalk. Courtesy photo

Charlie Conlon and Jake Quinn, who, like many in their small Irish town, are employed as film extras. Things get dodgy when a local teenager commits suicide after he is humiliated by a movie star. Two actors take on 15 characters. Dinner and a show with three-course meal, $48. Show-only option availableable, $20. www.theatrewilmington. com. TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10th St. THE BEST OF BROADWAY – A MUSICAL THEATRE REVUE Mar. 3, 3pm: Thalian Association Community Theatre proudly presents our first production at the Leland Cultural Arts Center.

Enjoy some of your favorite songs from Tony Award Winning shows and a preview of upcoming productions from the Official Community Theatre of North Carolina. 1212 Magnolia Village Way. thalian.org FACT OR FICTION AUDITIONS Mar. 4 & 6, 7pm: Port City Playwrights’ Project holds auditions for its new script-in-hand production, “Fact or Fiction?” Actors of all ages, including a female who can play a teen, are needed to fill the roles for this March 25 and 26 performance at the Cape Fear Playhouse. Auditions consist of readings from the work of the playwrights who are contributing to this production. Get a head start by going to portcityplaywrights. wordpress.com and downloading the audition sheet. Questions: portcityplaywrightsproject@gmail.com. Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, 120 S. 2nd St.

art MEET LOCAL ARTISTS Meet working artists, and see works in prog-

ress. Everything from sculptures to fine jewelry in this unique location. Free parking, fun for everyone. Over 45 artist’s works to enjoy.

Free, and we participate in the 4th Friday Art Walks, 6-9pm, 4th Fri. ea. mo. theArtWorks, 200 Willard St. FOURTH FRIDAY GALLERY NIGHT Fourth Friday Gallery Nights, Wilmington’s premier after-hours celebration of art and culture, 6-9pm, fourth Fri. ea. month. Art openings, artist demonstrations, entertainment and refreshments. Administered by the Arts Council of Wilmington & New Hanover County, numerous venues participate. Full list: www.artscouncilofwilmington.org PAM TOLL “The Familiar Distance in Going Home: Visual Narratives by Pam Toll” as part of our partnership with Checker Cab productions and local restaurants. Enjoy the Fine Art of Dining! Pam Toll, an Associate Professor at UNC Wilmington, received a BA in Art and English Literature from UNC Chapel Hill has been painting since childhood. Her studio is located at Acme Art Studios (Wilmington) which she co-founded in 1991, as a work and exhibition space for artists. She also co-founded No Boundaries International Art Colony (Bald Head Island, NC) in 1998, a residency program that in the last twenty years brought over 200 artists from around the world with the goal of creating a crossexchange of cultures and artistic practices to share with our local community. Pinpoint Restaurant, 114 Market St. HAVE A HEART, SKYWATCH On display at WHQR’s MC Erny Gallery is art by Loulie Scharf through March 8. Colorful and vivid birds are illustrated via mixed media. A portion of the proceeds from any sale of art benefits WHQR, and a portion of the artist’s proceeds will be donated to SkyWatch Bird Rescue. Mon-Fri, 10am to 4pm.

254 N. Front St., #300 GENE A. FELICE II SOLO EXHIBITION

encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 45

• Women's, men's and childrens clothing • Jewelry • Pocketbooks • Shoes • Linens • Household items • Books • And much more

Volunteers are always needed and appreciated.

Vintage Values Resale Shops Downtown 609 Castle Street Wilmington NC 28401 910.762.7720 Mon - Sat 10 - 5

46 encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

Midtown 413 S. College Road Wilmington NC 28403 910.793.4411 Mon - Sat 10 - 6

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Monkey Junction 5226 S. College Road Wilmington NC 28409 910.350.8918 Mon - Sat 10 - 6

On display through end of Feb. New faculty member Gene Felice II bridges his creative practice across art, science, education and design in a hybrid practice that grows at the intersection of nature and technology.

His interactive work uses a variety of input and output sources such as bio and eco sensors, motion, sound and light. Projected video and animated imagery transform two dimensional surfaces and architectural structures into three-dimensional storytelling systems. He also employs ecologically minded materials through hybrid fabrication methods, such as 3D printing, CNC milling and laser-cutting, combining digital and analog technologies to create innovative 3-dimensional work. Also on display will be “Iron Lotus” from his 4-week residency in Egypt. www.genefelice.com. www.coactionlab. org. CAB Art Gallery Cultural Arts Building UNCW, 601 S. College Rd. OIL & WATER On display through March 17. Works by Laura Smith and Patricia Barrow are now on display at the Bellamy Mansion. 503 Market St. bellamymansion.org MOONLIT PIER Feb. 22, 6pm: River to Sea Gallery hosts a Cape Fear Paint & Wine class taught by exhibiting gallery artist Rebecca Duffy Bush. Classes are $40 per person. Class are 6-8pm. Includes two glasses of wine or beer, a gorgeous view and a finished painting for you to take home. Space is limited and reservations are required. 910-763- 50 YEARS STRONG: The Dance Theatre of Harlem is celebrating 50 years and will tour through UNCW’s Kenan Auditorium on Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m., featuring 3380. River to Sea Gallery & Wine Shop, 224 diverse dancers representing eclectic repertoire. Photo courtesy UNCW S Water St., Ste. 1B

DOWTOWN WILMINGTON - 35 N Front St. (910) 762-4050 • www.bourbonstreetilm.com Mon-Fri 11AM- 2AM • Sat & Sun 8AM-2AM

encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 47

Thursday, Feb. 28, 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Closes April 5. Exhibit investigates the history and trajectory of colorism—bias based on skin tone across races—through documentary and speculative works of art. The exhibit juxtaposes traditional, mainstream attitudes about complexion and other racialized features with imaginings of new narratives and alternative visions. It is curated by Dr. Sarah L. Webb, creator of Colorism Healing, and professor of creative writing at the University of Illinois Springfield. Because colorism is a form of degradation steeped in visual perception, engagement with visual art has been a necessary and fruitful evolution in the overall mission. Dr. Webb will discuss historical and contemporary imagery that has constituted colorism’s warped mirror and articulate how the exhibited artworks serve as speculative mirrors that offer alternative avenues of self-perception. CAB Art Gallery, 5270 Randall Pkwy. www.uncw.edu/cabartgallery

ART OF STYLE WITH ANN PARKS MCCRAY Feb 22, 6-9pm: Wilmington painter Ann Parks McCray creates vivid, impasto oil paintings that are sometimes abstract and ethereal and other times she creates naturescapes or seascapes with sailboats materializing on the horizon. No matter the subject matter, there is an Ann Parks McCray that speaks to everyone. In this show we pair her work with different furniture vignettes, from modern to contemporary to mid century and beyond. Come see the gallery and Ann Parks McCray as you have never seen them-intertwined with one another, layer upon layer, with art creating the tone for each scene. New Elements Gallery, 271 N. Front St. KELLY SHEPPARD MURRAY LOCAL: art + ideas presents Kelly Sheppard Murray’s Curiosities Series (20162019), the biggest showing to date of the over 400 sculptures from this body of work.

Murray’s Curiosities Series is the cumulative output of the artist’s plan to produce one sculpture a day for a year (December 20162017) and then beyond that time frame.

This is the Raleigh-based artist’s first major solo exhibition. Opening Reception: Friday, Feb., 22, 6-9 pm. Gallery Talk: Friday, Feb. 22, 2pm with the artist and curator. Closing Reception: Friday, Mar. 22, 6-9 pm. Gallery Hours: Mon. - Fri., 12-5. Wilma W. Daniels Gallery at Cape Fear Community College, 200 Hanover St. REFLECTIONS ON COLORISM

dance CAPE FEAR CONTRA DANCERS Come on out for two hours of energetic, contemporary American country dancing with live music. Dress cool & comfortable, soft-soled shoes. All ages. 2nd/4th Tues, 7:30pm. United Methodist, 409 S. 5th Ave. DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM Feb. 23, 7:30pm: Celebrating its 50th Anniversary, Dance Theatre of Harlem is a lead-

ing dance institution of unparalleled global acclaim, encompassing a performing Ensemble, a leading arts education center and Dancing Through Barriers, a national and international education and community outreach program. The Dance Theatre of Harlem Company consists of 14 racially diverse dance artists who perform an eclectic, demanding/repertoire. In additions to performances in New York City across the country and abroad, Company activities that carry a message of empowerment through the arts also include engaging community through education activities for audiences and young people. Tickets: https://uncw.edu/ arts/venues/kenan/calendar.html.

Kenan Auditorium, 601 S College Rd. BEIJING DANCE THEATER’S HAMLET Feb. 27, 7:30pm: Beijing Dance Theater (BDT) is led by choreographer Wang Yuanyuan, together with visual artists Tan Shaoyuan and Hanjiang. 2016 marked the fifth anniversary of the BDT, a great occasion for acollaboration between Wang and director Feng Xiaogang, doing a dance drama, “Hamlet,” based on the film adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragdy. The special Chinese “Hamlet” explores Hamlet’s psychological landscape from a fresh perspective. The dance company confronts his melancholy, his compassion for humanity, his doubt in the face of death and destruction. Wang and her dancers present both the beauty and darkness found within Hamlet. This version is set in no particular time, the dancers shape a story of life, death, and love—a

tragedy of epic proportions. Tickets: www. capefearstage.com. Wilson Center, 703 N. 3rd St.

comedy OPEN MIC Wildest open mic in town ... anything goes. (except cover songs). Stand-up comedy, slam poetry, video, live music, odd talents— performances of all kinds. Hosted by 6-beer Steve. Sign up, 8pm, and runs all night.

Juggling Gypsy 1612 Castle St. ILM, (910) 763-2223 daily after 3pm for details. www. jugglinggypsy.com.

GRUFF GOAT COMEDY First Wed. ea. month, Gruff Goat Comedy features Three Guest Comics Under a Bridge. No Trolls. Waterline Brewing Company, 721 Surry Ln. PRIMETIME COMEDY See some of NC’s best stand-up comedians in a world class venue! This month’s talented performers: Brett Williams, Cordero Wilson, Grant Sheffield, Louis Bishop, and Tyler Wood. Hosted by: Wills Maxwell. N Front Theatre (formerly City Stage), 21 N Front St. LUCKY JOE COMEDY SHOW First Sat. ea. month is free show at Lucky Joe Craft Coffee on College Road presented by Regretful Villains. The show features a new style of stand-up called Speed Joking.

Come enjoy a night of laughs and find your Comedic Soulmate! 1414 S College Rd.

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WEDNESDAY NIGHT TRIVIA @ 7pm New movie round each week

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LIVE RIFFING AND VINTAGE TV Every Wed. join Dead Crow Comedy for improv night. Join local comedians for a TV party at Dead Crow! An interactive improvised comedy show. 265 N. Front St. DAREDEVIL IMPROV COMEDY TROUPE DareDevil Improv Classes teach you the fundamentals of the funny! Learn to be more spontaneous, trust your instincts, and create one-of-a-kind comedy with an ensemble!

(And even if you’re not a “performer,” our classes are a great way to meet people and have a hella good time!) Details and signups: daredevilimprov.com. Hannah Block Community Arts Center, 120 S. 2nd St. DEAD CROW COMEDY ROOM Feb. 22-23, 7-9:30pm: Anna Drezen is a comedian, writer, and actor living in Brooklyn, who is currently a writer for Saturday Night Live and regularly performs standup and sketch comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Anna co-wrote the viral Tumblr-turned-book “How May We Hate You?” (Potter Style) about her experiences working as a concierge in Times Square. • Mar. 1-2, 7pm/9:30pm: Langston Kerman is an LA-based stand-up comic, actor and writer.

Langston’s first half hour special aired in September 2018 as part of Comedy Central “Stand-Up Presents.” Last month, Langston wrote and starred in a Broadway Video produced presentation for Hulu, “Bust Down,” which also featured Chris Redd, Sam Jay, and Jak Knight. Additionally Langston released his first comedy album “Lightskinned Feelings,” which was recorded at the historic Punchline Comedy Club in San Francisco. In TV Langston recurs as “Jared” on the HBO hit series “Insecure” from Issa Rae and Larry Wilmore. Schedule subject to change: www. deadcrowcomedy.com. 265 N. Front St.

film BECOMING AMERICAN Six-week dcumentary film and discussion series on immigration from Cape Fear Museum and the New Hanover County Public Library. Film shown every Sunday at 2:30 p.m. through Mar. 3 that delves into various aspects of how immigration has molded America. Free. Main Library, 201 Chestnut St. www.nhclibrary.org KEEP YOUR HEAD UP Feb. 26, 5:45pm: “Keep Your Head Up”— Black History Month film featuring AfricanAmerican history through the eyes of acclaimed historian Henry Louis Gates Jr. Free. Northeast Regional Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd. nhclibrary.org ILM FEMALE FILMMAKERS COLLECTIVE Mar. 1-2: Wilmington Female Filmmakers Collective (WilmFFilm) presents the 3rd Annual Cinema Sister’s International Film Festival (formerly the Chick Flicks Film Festival), and event which focuses on films and videos of any genre made by women. This year we have 43 short films with an opening night feature film, “Half the Picture”, from director Amy Adrion, that won an award at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. This year Cinema Sisters has films from Spain, Italy, Russia, the UK, Canada, Vietnam, France, Turkey,

BUILDING BLOCKS: Parents who need a night out can also give their little ones and tweens a night out, too, thanks to Maides Park on Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m.

Kids will engage in games, arts, activities, sports, and more. Pre-registration is required: webreg.wilmingtonnc.gov or 910-341-7867. Stock photo, Freepik

across the USA and from Wilmington, NC too. Website, film schedule, and prices coming soon. Tickets: $9/block or $/student. $30/full festival pass. $10/Friday night feature and $12/Friday night afterparty or $18/ Friday night feature and afterparty. Jengo’s Playhouse, 815 Princess St.

CAPE FEAR MUSEUM Hundreds of toys and games are on view

in PlayTime!—classics, like Lincoln Logs, toy soldiers, an Erector set and a Mr. Potato Head, and even old faves like wooden

museums CAMERON ART MUSEUM On exhibit: “A Time When Art Is Everywhere: teamLab,” an art collective and interdisciplinary group of programmers, engineers, CG animators, mathematicians artists and architects, creates digital artworks that bridge art, science, technology, design and the natural world. Designs are immersive interpretations deeply rooted in Japanese art, aesthetic and history. Through Sept. 8, 2019. • Feb. 23, 10am: US Colored Troops and Civil War History: Free and open to the public. Cameron Art Museum Grounds and Studio 1 The American Civil War shaped the history of Wilmington and North Carolina in many ways. Discover and discuss the roles and impacts of United States Colored Troops with reenactors utilizing three stations highlighting Camp Life, North Carolina Battles and Slavery, plus two Living History personalities, Harriet Tubman (Carolyn Evans)and Frederick Douglass (Malcolm Beech). Enjoy a talk by Wilmington’s Civil War historian Dr. Chris E. Fonvielle Jr. at 1:00 pm in Studio 1; also, all day in Studio 1 watch The Battle of Forks Road (24 min., 2015). CAM Café open and serving delicious menu with full bar, 5pm-9pm. Tues.-Sun., 11am-2pm; Thurs. nights, 5pm-9pm 910-395-5999. cameronartmuseum.org. 3201 S. 17th St.

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tops, blocks and dolls. Remember those toys that, for whatever reason, we just had to have? Some of those fad favorites like the Rubik’s cube and 1960s Liddle Kiddle dolls are on exhibit along with toy figures from fast food kids’ meals. Explore toy history in custom label books. Play, create, and imagine in Cape Fear Museum’s newest exhibit, PlayTime! Engage with museum educators in these short, drop-in programs. Activities change weekly and may include puzzles, games, blocks, and more. Adult participation is required. Fun for all ages! Free for members or with general admission • Camera Collections! With today’s smart phones and digital cameras, photography is everywhere. Until the invention of the camera in 1839, there was no way to instantly capture the environment around you. In less than 200 years, cameras have progressed from complicated contraptions only used by professionals, to simple boxes with a roll of film anyone could operate, to handheld computers that create digital images shared with the world. 86 cameras and 145 photographic accessories showcases changes in technology and styles, from late 1800s-early 2000s. www.capefearmuseum.com. $8/ adults, $7/seniors, college & military, $5/ youth. CF Museum, 814 Market St. WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH MUSEUM WB Museum of History, housed in the turn of the century Myers Cottage, exists to preserve and to share the history of Wrightsville Beach. Visitors to the cottage will find a scale model of Wrightsville Beach circa 1910, exhibits featuring the early days of the beach including Lumina Pavilion, our hurricane history and information about the interaction between the people and our natural environment which have shaped the 100 yr. history of WB. (910) 256-2569. 303 W. Salisbury St. www.wbmuseum.com.

WILMINGTON RR MUSEUM Explore railroad history and heritage, especially of the Atlantic Coast Line, headquartered in Wilmington for 125 years. Interests and activities for all ages, including historical exhibits, full-size steam engine and rolling stock, lively Children’s Hall, and spectacular model layouts. House in an authentic 1883 freight warehouse, facilities are fully accessible and on one level.

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

LATIMER HOUSE Victorian Italiante style home built in 1852, the restored home features period furnishings, artwork and family portraits. Tours offered Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm, and Sat, 125pm. Walking tours are Wed and Sat. at 10am. $4-$12. Latimer House of Lower Cape Fear Historical Society is not handicapped accessible 126 S. Third St. BURGWIN-WRIGHT HOUSE 18th century Burgwin-Wright House Mu-

MATTERING IS NO LAUGHING MATTER: Dr. Isaac Prilleltensky from University of Miami will speak about his research-based platform that uses video, games and humor to promote health and wellness. Courtesy photo

seum 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 kitchenbuilding and courtyard. 3rd/Market St. TuesSat, 10am-4pm. Last tour, 3pm. 910-7620570. www.burgwinwrighthouse.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 (18211907) and their nine children. After the fall of Fort Fisher in 1865, Federal troops commandeered the house as their headquarters during the occupation of Wilmington. Now a museum, it focuses on history and the design arts and offers tours, changing exhibitions and an informative look at historic preservation in action. 910-251-3700. www. bellamymansion.org. 503 Market St.

kids stuff SNAKE AND TURTLE FEEDING A brief presentation about the live animals on display in the events center and then watch them feed. At least one snake and turtle will be fed during the demonstration.

Ages: 3 and up. First Wed. of every month.

Cost: $1. Halyburton Park, 4099 S. 17th St. LITTLE EXPLORERS Ages 2-5: Bring your kids to the park and discover nature through stories, songs, hands-on activities, hikes and crafts. Your

50 encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

children will delight in the many nature themes we explore each month. Space is limited and pre-registration is required for these popular programs. $3/participant.

Nature’s Valentines, 2/14-15, 10-11am • Springing Into Spring, 2/28-3/1, 10-11am • Green in Nature, 3/14-15, $3/person, 1011am • What Does a Tree Need? 3/28-29, 10-11am • Amazing Animal Acrobats, 4/1112, 10-11am • Homey Habitats, 4/25-26, 1011am. Halyburton Park, 4099. S. 17th St. CREATURE FEATURE Feb. 13, 10am-noon: The Princess and the Frog, ages 5 & under. Cost: $5 per child Adults: Free. Hop into Fit For Fun for a closeup view of some fabulous frogs! Do you wonder if one could be a frog prince? Children will have the opportunity to see, explore, and learn about these amazing creatures. Fit for Fun Center, 302 S. 10th St. NATURE IN A NUTSHELL Topics correlatw with the weekly Little Explorers program theme. Our nature themes will be brought to life through stories, songs, games, hikes, and other hands-on activities. Please dress for the weather(including closed-toe shoes) to be ready for outdoor fun! This is an extension of our current Little Explorers classes for those who would still like to sign up for these popular programs.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. $3/participant. Wintery Wonders: 3/2, 3/16, 3/30, 4/13, 10-10:30am, ages 2-5, $3/person. Day-use area right of Picnic Shelter # 2. Halyburton Park, 4099. S. 17th St. KIDS NIGHT OUT Feb. 21, 6:30pm: Ages: 6-11. Parents drop off your kids at Maides Park to enjoy games, sports, arts & crafts. Pre-reg: Helen Dowd:

helen.dowd@wilmingtonnc.gov. Register: webreg.wilmingtonnc.gov. 910-341-7867.

Free! Maides Park, 1101 Manly Ave. TEEN GAME NIGHT Mar. 1, 6pm-9pm: Ages: 13-17, free. First Friday of month through May 3. Video games, board games, other activities, and refreshments. Pre-registration is required.

MLK Center, 401 S. 8th St., 910.341.7866 Register online: www.wilmingtonrecreation. com INDOOR OBSTACLE COURSE Mar, 6, 10am & 2pm: Ages: 5 & under. $5 per child (included with general admission).

No pre-registration required Over and under, down and around. Test your speed ad have fun using large motor skills! Fit For Fun, 302 S. 10th St. SPRING EGGVENTURE Apr. 18, 9am-noon: Join the eggcitement at Halyburton Park. Programs and activities for the day inclulde Animal Eggs, and Nests.

Egglympics, Story time, and Spring Nature Hike. Space limited and pre-registration required. Egg Hunts will take place at 9:30, 10:30, and 11:30 for children age 2-3-4-5and 6-9. Total 9 egg hunts. $5/participant.

Deadline: Apr. 11. Halyburton Park, 4099. S. 17th St. BLARNEY BEAN BAG GAMES Mar. 4, 10am-10:30am and 2-2pm: Ages: 5 & under, $5 per child (included with general admission). No pre-registration required.

Try your luck tossing bean bag “coins” and “clovers” in our March-themed games! Fit For Fun, 302 S. 10th St. CIRCLE TIME GAMES Mar. 8, 10am and 2pm: Ages: 5 & under. $5

per child (included with general admission).

No pre-registration required. Children are invited to enjoy early literacy activities through books, songs, finger plays, and rhymes. Fit For Fun, 302 S. 10th St. ULTIMATE TEEN TIME Mar. 8, Apr. 12, May 10: 6:30pm: Ages: Middle School Students. Program is offered on the 2nd Friday of the month. Free.

Pre-registration is required. Space is very limited so please register early. Activities include sports, XBox, karaoke, board games, refreshments and more. Maides Park, 1101 Manly Ave. 910.341.7867. Register online webreg.wilmingtonnc.gov

recreational WALK WITH A DOC Join us the 3rd Saturday of every month at 9am for a fun and healthy walk—held at the Midtown YMCA. Each walk beings with a brief physician-led discussion of a current health topic, then he/she spends time walking, answering questions and talking with walkers. Choose your own pace and distance. Free and open to anyone. YMCA Midtown, George Anderson Dr. WB SCENIC TOURS Thurs., 10:30am: WB Scenic Tours birding boat cruise of Masonboro Island and Bradley Creek. Guided eco-cruises are educational boat tours designed to increase conservation awareness about local wildlife and sensitive coastline habitats in New Hanover County. Topics explained during the boat ride will include: salt marsh function, wetland plants, and strong emphasis on shorebird/water bird ecology and identification.

Birding tours are best when scheduled at low tide. • Sunset Tour of WB, Thurs., 5pm: Sunset with Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours departs from the Blockade Runner Dock.

Routes vary with season, weather, and whim on the Basic Sunset Cruise but may include Masonboro Island, Bradley Creek, Money Island or some other combination. Water, marsh, Shamrock, sunset – it’s a simple combination but very satisfying. Also, from experience, this is the best time to sight dolphins in the bay. RSVP: 910-200-4002 or wbst3000@gmail.com. WB Scenic Tours, 275 Waynick Blvd.

tactics, and rules, Olympic Fencing history, and finishes with an in class tournament Appropriate for ages 8 - 80. Cost is $50 plus a $10 membership through USA Fencing at usafencing.org good until July 31, 2019.

Taught by Internationally accredited instructor whose students have won gold medals at world championships. Tileston Gym, 5th and Ann streets.

BIOLOGICAL WONDERLAND HIKE Feb. 23, 10am: Meet at Carolina Beach State Park at the Flytrap Trail Parking Area for a trek along the trails with a Park Ranger.

Attendees will learn about different habitats that exist within the park and how each habitat affects the plants and animals that call the it home. Free. 1010 State Park Rd. www. ncparks.gov

lectures/literary HOMEWORK STRATEGIES Feb. 21, 6pm: For a child with a languagebased learning disability, homework can be a challenge that affects the whole family.

Join us for a FREE public workshop where.

A wide range of study tips, technology tools, time management aids, and advocating skills will be presented. The presentations will be followed by a Q & A session with members of our trained Hill School staff. Hill School of Wilmington, 3333 Jaeckle Drive, Suite 140 DEAN’S LECTURE SERIES Feb. 21, 5pm: Prehistories of Bias in Computing Many researchers and journalists are currently sounding the alarm on algorithmic bias in computing today, warning that it will soon have major negative consequences for society. Bias in computing, however, has a very long history. This talk looks at some of the biases that helped build the field, from gendered labor bias and classist ideas about who made the ideal computer worker, to historical examples of early algorithmic biaslike transphobic algorithmic bias that was programmed in mainframes as early as the 1960s. The talk shows how understanding this long history of bias in computing helps us better understand, and begin to solve, the problems we are facing today. Randall Library Auditorium, 601 S College Rd.

HIKES AND BIRDING First Friday bird hikes, ages 5/up; free. 3/1, 4/5, 9-10:30am: Bird-watch around Halyburton Park the first Friday of each month. We’ll search for migrants, residents, and point out year-round species too. These walks are for beginner birders and all are welcome.

• Greenfield Lake Hike, 2/28, 8am-noon, 16 and up, $10. • Abby Nature Preserve, 3/21, 8am-noon, 16 and up, $10. • Holly Shelter Gamelands, 4/11, 8am-3pm, 16 and up, $10. Halyburton Park, 4099. S. 17th St.

ART APPRECIATION TALK Feb. 24, 2:30pm: Cameron Art Museum features Holly Fitzgerald, CAM chief curator.

She will speak about Wilmington artist Minnie Evans, Airlie Garden’s gatekeeper until she retired at age 82 in 1974. Minnie started drawing at 43 years old in 193, after a voice told her she must draw or die. Much of her original work was left to St. Johns Museum of Art (now the Cameron Art Museum). Her work is also in the permanent collection of the Whitney Museum of American Art. $15$20. Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St.

CAPE FEAR FENCING ASSOCIATION Mar. 5, 6:30pm: 6 week beginning fencing classes in the basement of the Tileston gym. Class will meet for approximately 1 hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays, All fencing equipment provided, students should wear loose fitting clothing and sneakers.

Class covers history, footwork, bladework,

MATTERING IS NO LAUGHING MATTER Feb. 26, 7pm: Isaac Prilleltensky, author of “The Laughing Guide to Well-Being: Using Humor and Science to Become Happier and Healthier,” will speak as part of Mattering is No Laughing Matter: Using Humor and Science to Promote Wellness and Fairness.

Former dean of the School of Education and

Human Development at the University of Miami, he currently serves as vice provost for institutional culture. He leads a research team that developed www.funforwellness. com, a research-based online platform to promote health and wellness using videos, games and humor. Reception in clocktower after the lecture. Lumina Theater, UNCW, 601 South College Rd. uncw.edu/honors/ events.html BOOK READING WITH MESHA MAREN Feb. 28, 7pm: Local author Wiley Cashw will introduce Mesha Maren and her novel, “Sugar Run.” Set in 1989, Jodi McCarty is 17 and sentenced to life in prison. Released 18 years later, she finds herself at a Greyhound bus stop, reeling from the shock of unexpected freedom. Not yet able to return to her lost home in the Appalachian mountains, she goes searching for someone she left behind, but on the way, she meets and falls in love with Miranda, a troubled young mother. Free. Pomegranate Books, 4418 Park Ave. BOOK TALK WITH ANN HUTTEMAN Feb. 28, 11am: Cape Fear Historical Society presents a book talk with local historian Ann Hutteman. She will speak on her book, “Oakdale: North Carolina’s First Rural Cemetery.” Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington was founded in the mid 19th century with its first burial in 1855. Suggested donation is $5 for non-members. Luncheon is $15 and catered by A Thyme Savor. RSVP by Mon. prior to lunch. Latimer House, 126 S. Third St. lcfhs.org

BIRDS OF A FEATHER Mar. 3, 2pm: Through her talk Birds of a Feather, Robin R. Salmon, Vice President of Art and Historical Collections/Curator of Sculpture at Brookgreen Gardens offers insight and will discuss how the subjects of birds relates to the purposes of Brookgreen Gardens, several of the works in Brookgreen’s exhibition, Birds in Art, and the sculpture of Grainger McKoy in the Brookgreen collection. The work of artist Grainger McKoy is currently on view in CAM’s exhibition Recovery in Flight: Sculptures of Grainger McKoy (on view through March 10, 2019). www.cameronartmuseum.org, by phone and at CAM’s Visitor Services desk. CAM Members and Students with valid ID: $10, nonmembers, $15. Weyerhaeuser Reception Hall, Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St. YOGA FOR TWEENS Mar. 7, 6pm: Yoga for Tweens! A playful, casual and very active class encouraging tween to explore their creativity. Dynamic postures presented in a simple step-bystep format. No experience is necessary, and this yoga class is offered to tweens only, ages 11-14. Wilmington Yoga, 5329 Oleander Drive, STE200

classes/seminars ADULT CRAFTERNOONS New monthly meet-up for adults who enjoy crafting. Drop in on the first Monday afternoon of every month at the Northeast

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Library. A different usable craft project will be featured each month. Free program, with all supplies provided by a Friends of NHC Library LEAD Award. Reserve spot on calendar at www.NHCLibrary.org or 910-7986371. Librarian Annice Sevett: asevett@ nhcgov.com or 910-798-6371. 1241 Military Cutoff Rd. CRAFTEEN MINI GARDENS Crafty teens are invited for snacks and miniature garden making at Northeast Library.

Hands-on workshop is free but space is limited. To make sure there are enough seats and supplies, please register on calendar, NHCLibrary.org. 910-798-6371. NHC NE Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd. MILKWEED MADNESS Feb. 23, 10am-noon: Milkweed Madness showcases Gardens Educators who will teach how to grow milkweed, which provides needed habitats for Monarch butterflies, in DIY Mini Greenhouses. All materials are provided, as well as native milkweed seeds for planting. Pre-registration is required. $10. Airlie Gardens, 300 Airlie Rd. www.airliegardens.org MINDFULNESS STRESS REDUCTION Through Mar. 13, 6:30-7:30pm: Cultivate a different relationship between you and the things that challenge you in life, and relies completely upon tools you have. Specifically, mindfulness helps you access the ability to be non-judgmental, compassionate, patient, present and aware. You wouldn’t have come this far if these qualities did not exist in you somewhere. 8-week MBSR program focus and intention is to reconnect you with that inner wisdom and deep knowing that resides within you. McKay Healing Arts, 4916 Wrightsville Ave. mckayacupuncture.com TEACHING ENVIRONMENTAL ED 2/21 9am - 3pm; 2/22 9am - 1pm, 18 and up, free! Workshop reqd. in order to complete the North Carolina Environmental Educator’s Certification, join Andy Fairbanks and Jessica Stitt from Halyburton Park for this 10 hour workshop. The focus is to prepare participants from a variety of educational backgrounds and experiences to use exemplary Environmental Education teaching methods. 3/23, 9am-4pm 16 and up: Playful Pedagogy: Linda Kinney from the North Carolina Zoo for the Playful Pedagogy Workshop. This workshop is a part of the North Carolina Zoo’s Education Division. Children are losing their connection with nature and this workshop will teach you different ways to connect them with nature again. By connecting children with nature through play, we have a greater chance of affecting change in future adult consumers.

Free! • 4/30, 9am-4pm, 16 and up: Alligators Workshop: Alligators and humans are both occupying the same habitat in Southeastern North Carolina. This program will discuss the behavior and biology of alligators. We will begin at Halyburton Park and then ven-

SAVE THE DATE

ture to Lake Waccamaw State Park to observe alligators in the wild. This workshop is led by educator Becky Skiba of the N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission. Cost: $10.

Halyburton Park, 4099. S. 17th St. DIY IPHONE FIX Sundays through May, 1pm: A short workshop, with all the parts, tools, and know-how provided to fix a broken screen to a working one! Our two hour Repair Cafe is a workshop that shows the basics of iPhone repair in a controlled environment, so you don’t have to worry about messing something up, or never putting it back together again. We’ll go over the 5 tools required for any iPhone repair, prepare instructions for your specific model iPhone, then show you how to properly open it, replace the necessary components, check for water damage or other potential problems. Finally, we’ll show you how to reassemble, and properly test for functionality!

Seating is limited. Lead Tech Service, 225 S Water St, Suite D. leadtechservice.com Does it limit or liberate you? Are there aspects of your past that you’d like to change or reframe? How would your life be different if the story you tell yourself was different?

STORYTELLING ALCHEMY Mar. 4, 1pm: In many traditions and cultures storytelling is a part of the spiritual learning experience. Wisdom is gained through fables, parables and folktales. The fables and fairytales of our youth have the power to reach past our conscious blocks directly to the heart, conveying transformative messages that are valuable to one’s own journey. Workshop is designed to enable the participant to take a tragic or challenging story from their own life and transform it into a fairytale, with a happy ending, fostering liberation and empowerment! Conjure your own happy ending; discover transformative meditation and journaling techniques; delve deeply into your unconscious to reveal what limits you; learn about spell-craft that can shatter those limitations; and tap into your own creativity for lasting changes. Pomegranate Books, 4418 Park Ave. YOGA FOR YOUNG LADIES Mar. 6, 7pm: 5-week series for middle and high school girls is designed to help young ladies manage the increasing pressures placed upon their lives. Each week we will work towards boosting self-esteem and reducing anxiety, while being playful and having fun. Through conscious control of the breath, your teen will access a relaxed and focused frame of mind for managing stressful situations. Our mantra will be self-love, self-acceptance, and embracing the importance of living in harmony with those who share our lives. Studies have shown, teenagers who practice yoga show more positive moods, less anxiety and depression, and greatly enjoy asana practice. Our passion is to help your daughter to reach her full potential! Longwave Yoga, 203 Racine #200

clubs/notices ROTARY WINTER SOCIAL Feb. 20, 5pm: Wilmington Area Rotary Clubs present the inaugural Winter Social at Wa-

52 encore | february 20 - february 26, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

terline Brewing. The event features an evening of music, drinks, and networking—a chance to relax with local business owners and learn about Rotary and the many community projects local Rotarians are working on to make a difference. Cash bar for all Rotarians. Two free drinks for each nonRotarian attendee. Free light appetizers.

Food truck available. Music starts at 6pm.

Waterline Brewing Company, 721 Surry St. TIDEWATER CAMELIA CLUB SHOW/SALE Saturday, February 23, New Hanover County Arboretum, Judged camellia blooms by exhibitors from all over the Southeastern United States, 1-4pm; special exhibits begin at 10am, including a children’s camellia art display, activity corner, camellia care education and floral displays. Details at www.tidewatercamelliaclub.org. 6206 Oleander Dr.

SPREAD THE LOVE Feb. 23, 1pm: Is there something you already know but can’t quite put a finger on when it comes to love or another relationship in your life? Tarot readings often bring insight on complex roles friends, family and lovers play in a romantic, casual or reversed manner. Visit with certified tarot reader Colleen Farase and receive a free tarot deck! Using your new tarot deck, Colleen will guide readings for relationships, where you’ll learn love and relationship spreads; how to interpret archetypes and their symbols within a relationship reading; and about the The Lovers card in depth. Pre-registration requested. Terra Sol Sanctuary, 507 Castle St. terrasolsanctuary.com THE NEW HANOVER NAACP Feb. 28, 7pm: There will be a presentation by the North Carolina African American Heritage Committee on the “Green Book”, the annual guidebook used by African American road-trippers, published from 1936-1966 during the Jim Crow era, when open and often legally prescribed discrimination against non-whites was widespread. This discrimination resulted in a variety of dangers and inconveniences along the road; anything from refusal of food and lodging to arbitrary arrest. The “Green Book” was a guide to services and places relatively friendly to African Americans. Members and friends are encouraged to attend. 910-508-9414 or

ARIES (Mar. 21–April 20)

In December 1915, the California city of San Diego was suffering from a draught. City officials hired a professional “moisture accelerator” named Charles Hatfield, who promised to make it rain. Soon Hatfield was shooting explosions of a secret blend of chemicals into the sky from the top of a tower. The results were quick. A deluge began in early January of 1916 and persisted for weeks. Thirty inches of rain fell, causing floods that damaged the local infrastructure. The moral of the story, as far as you’re concerned, Aries: When you ask for what you want and need, specify exactly how much you want and need. Don’t make an open-ended request that could bring you too much of a good thing.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Actors Beau Bridges and Jeff Bridges are brothers born to parents who were also actors. When they were growing up, they already had aspirations to follow in their mom’s and dad’s footsteps.

From an early age, they summoned a resourceful approach to attracting an audience. Now and then they would start a pretend fight in a store’s parking lot. When a big enough crowd had gathered to observe their shenanigans, they would suddenly break off from their faux struggle, grab their guitars from their trucks, and begin playing music. In coming weeks, I hope you’ll be equally ingenious as you brainstorm about ways to expand your outreach.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

According to Edward Barnard’s book “New York City Trees,” a quarter of the city is shaded by its 5.2 million trees. In other words, one of the most densely populated, frantically active places on the planet has a rich collection of oxygen-generating greenery. There’s even a virgin forest at the upper tip of Manhattan, as well as five botanical gardens and the 843-acre Central Park. Let’s use all this bounty-amidst-the-bustle as a symbol of what you should strive to foster in the coming weeks: refreshing lushness and grace interspersed throughout your busy, hustling rhythm.

tors syndiCate

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

As a poet myself, I regard good poetry as highly useful. It can nudge us free of our habitual thoughts and provoke us to see the world in ways we’ve never imagined. On the other hand, it’s not useful in the same way that food and water and sleep are. Most people don’t get sick if they are deprived of poetry, but I want to bring your attention to a poem serving a very practical purpose, in addition to its inspirational function.

Simon Armitage’s poem “In Praise of Air” is on display in an outdoor plaza at Sheffield University. The material it’s printed on is designed to

The Elks, or BPOE (21 Across)

literally remove a potent pollutant from the atmosphere. And what does this have to do with you?

I suspect that in the coming weeks you will have an extra capacity to generate blessings that are like Armitage’s poem: useful in both practical and inspirational ways.

questions to your attention, Scorpio, because the rest of 2019 will be an excellent time for you to fine-tune and expand your relationships with these fundamental blessings. And now is an excellent time to intensify your efforts.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

Michael Jackson’s 1982 song “Beat It” climbed to number three on the record-sales charts in Australia. On the other hand, “Weird Al” Yankovic’s 1984 parody of Jackson’s tune, “Eat It,” reached number one on the same charts. Let’s use this twist as a metaphor that’s a good fit for your life in the coming weeks. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you may find that a standin or substitute or imitation will be more successful than the original. And that will be auspicious!

In 1979, psychologist Dorothy Tennov published her book “Love and Limerence: The Experience of Being in Love.” She defined her newly coined word “limerence” as a state of adoration that may generate intense, euphoric and obsessive feelings for another person. Of all the signs in the zodiac, Leos are most likely to be visited by this disposition throughout 2019. You’ll be especially prone to it in coming weeks. Will that be a good thing or a disruptive thing? It all depends on how determined you are to regard it as a blessing, have fun with it, and enjoy it, regardless of whether or not your feelings are reciprocated. I advise you to enjoy the hell out of it!

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Based in Switzerland, Nestle is the largest food company in the world. Yet it pays just $200 per year to the state of Michigan for the right to suck up 400 million gallons of groundwater, which it bottles and sells at a profit. I nominate this vignette to be your cautionary tale in the coming weeks. How? 1. Make damn sure you are being fairly compensated for your offerings. 2. Don’t allow huge, impersonal forces to exploit your resources. 3. Be tough and discerning, not lax and naïve, as you negotiate deals.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Sixteenth-century Italian artist Daniele da Volterra wasn’t very famous for his own painting and sculpture. The work for which we remember him today is the alterations he made to Michelangelo’s giant fresco *The Last Judgment*, which spreads across an entire wall in the Sistine Chapel. After Michelangelo died, the Catholic Church hired da Volterra to “fix” the scandalous aspects of the people depicted in the master’s work. He painted clothes and leaves over the originals’ genitalia and derrieres. In accordance with astrological omens, I propose that we make da Volterra your anti-role model for the coming weeks. “Don’t” be like him. “Don’t” engage in cover-ups, censorship, or camouflage. Instead, specialize in the opposite: revelations, unmaskings, and expositions.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

What is the quality of your access to life’s basic necessities? How well do you fulfill your need for good food and drink, effective exercise, deep sleep, thorough relaxation, mental stimulation, soulful intimacy, a sense of meaningfulness, nourishing beauty, and rich feelings? I bring these

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

The Space Needle in Seattle, Washington, is 605 feet high and 138 feet wide: a tall and narrow tower. Near the top is a round restaurant that makes one complete rotation every 47 minutes.

Although this part of the structure weighs 125 tons, for many years its motion was propelled by a mere 1.5 horsepower motor. I think you will have a comparable power at your disposal in the coming weeks: an ability to cause major movement with a compact output of energy.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

In 1941, the Ford automobile company created a “biological car.” Among its components were “bioplastics” composed of soybeans, hemp, flax, wood pulp, and cotton. It weighed a thousand pounds less than a comparable car made of metal. This breakthrough possibility never fully matured, however. It was overshadowed by newly abundant plastics made from petrochemicals. I suspect that you Aquarians are at a phase with a resemblance to the biological car. Your good idea is promising but unripe. I hope you’ll spend the coming weeks devoting practical energy to developing it. (P.S. There’s a difference between you and your personal equivalent of the biological car: little competition.)

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

Cartographers of Old Europe sometimes drew pictures of strange beasts in the uncharted regions of their maps. These were warnings to travelers that such areas might harbor unknown risks, like dangerous animals. One famous map of the Indian Ocean shows an image of a sea monster lurking, as if waiting to prey on sailors traveling through its territory. If I were going to create a map of the frontier you’re now headed for, Pisces, I would fill it with mythic beasts of a more benevolent variety, like magic unicorns, good fairies, and wise centaurs.

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nhcnaacp@gmail.com. St. Stephen AME Church, 501 Red Cross St. PEACE CORPS POTLUCK Feb. 24, 4-6pm: Open to all returned Peace Corps volunteers, family and friends, and anyone interested in the Peace Corps.

Bring a dish to share and donation for Paws Place (optional). Meet and talk with people who have served or will serve in the Peace Corps worldwide. Free. Wilmington Brewing Company, 824 S. Kerr Ave. www.CCRPCV. org CHILD WELFARE AWARENESS NIGHT Feb. 25, 6:30pm: Grace Baptist Church welcomes The Bair Foundation, Communities In Schools Cape Fear, Coastal Horizons, DREAMS of Wilmington, The Domestic Violence Shelter, The Foster Pantry, Guardian Ad Litem, and New Hanover County DSS, and the community at large to help serve kids in need. 1401 N. College Rd. www.bair. org or (910) 202-9337

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

7250 Market St. FREE BREWERY TOURS AND TASTINGS 3pm, 3:45pm, 4:30pm everyday at Front Street Brewery, 9 N. Front St. Learn how we brew our beer, meet brewers and get two free samples.

PORT CITY FARMERS’ MARKET Tues., 5pm: Join us for a wonderful, exciting night of fun. Port City Farmer’s Market at Waterline Brewing Co. 100% local, 100% handmade. Shop among some incredible local vendors, artists and farmers. Support small businesses in your area. Fresh local produce, beef and pork products, sweets, pickled items, handcrafted jewelry and art.

Waterline Brewing Company, 721 Surry Ln. AYCE OYSTER ROASTS AYCE Oyster Roast for $27.95 every Friday and Saturday from 4-10 pm. Add AYCE boiled and fried shrimp for an additional $9.95. Local oysters. Capt’n Bills Backyard and Grille, 4240 Market St. FREE WINE TASTING Sample some of the most delicious wines at SnS for free, with an optional $25 food pairing. Food pairings are designed specifically to go with each wine to bring out the fullest flavor of both. If you ever wanted to learn more about how to bring out the flavor of wine -n- food now you can experience a wonderful trip to flavor town. Benny Hill Jazz always starts at 7pm. Sweet n Savory Cafe, 1611 Pavillion Place POP UP OYSTER BAR Feb. 20, 6pm: Tickets are $25, and will include oysters from multiple local oystermen & women paired with beer and wine! Tickets

and reservations can be made at the brewery! Call us at 910-256-4938. Wrightsville Beach Brewery, 6201 Oleander Dr. MARDI GRAS GUMBO Feb. 23, 4-7pm: We will have live music provided the ever talented Mel Melton and The Wicked Mojo’s. Chef Stanley will have a bunch of different gumbos for your dining pleasure! Waterman’s Brewing Company, 1610 Pavilion Pl. ILM WINE AND BEER WALK Feb. 23, 1pm: Self-guided tasting tour of restaurants and drinking establishments downtown; two samples per venue. $16.

Find participants at wineandbeerwalk.com/ wilmington--february.html TEMPLE OF ISRAEL SANDWICH SALE Pre-order by Mar. 1: The Temple of Israel’s annual New York Style Corned Beef and Pastrami Sandwich Sale comes with coleslaw, mustard, a Guss’ (NY) kosher pickle, and a bottle of water available for eat in or pick up.

Pick up order on March 14 from 10am-3pm.

Corned beef and Pastrami available by the pound as well as Green’s Bakery (NY) babka loaves and rugela by the bag. Delivery on March 14 (between 11am and 1pm) available for orders of 1 or CANDYA2665@aol. com. www.temple-of-israel.org.

tours CAM WEEKLY EXHIBITION TOURS Cameron Art Museum allows participants to explore current exhibitions with Anne Brennan, CAM’s executive director, in a new series of public tours. Free for CAM members.

Wed., 1:30pm. 3201 S. 17th St. LITERARY HISTORY WALKING TOUR Explore the rich culture of our talented Southern town with a 90 minute walking tour of the literary history of downtown Wilmington, NC. Visit “The Two Libraries.” Walk the streets of your favorite novels, and stand where Oscar Wilde did when he lectured here. Saturdays, 1:30pm, Old Books on Front. 249 N. Front St. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1282390 INSIDER’S TOUR Explore the history of community at Cape Fear Museum. Take the Insider’s Tour offered the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10am. Tours are free with admission and include a “behind the scenes” sneak peek.

Pre-reg. is required: 910-798-4362 or cfmprograms@nhcgov.com. Free w/general admission or membership. CF Museum, 814 Market St. GHOST WALK 6:30 & 8:30pm. Costumed guides lead visitors through alleyways with tales of haunted Wilmington. Nightly tours, 6:30pm/8:30pm.

Admission. Water & Market sts. RSVP rqd: 910-794-1866. hauntedwilmington.com BELLAMY MANSION Guided tours start on the hour; self-guided tours start at any time. Mon. is only self-guided tours. Follow curved oyster-shell paths through our lush Victorian garden shaded by 150-yr.-old magnolia trees. See the elegant main entrance surrounded by soaring col-

umns and gleaming windows. Hear stories of Bellamies, as well as those of the free and enslaved black artisans who built the home and crafted intricate details throughout the house. Adults $12; senior and military discount, $10; students, $6; children under 5, free. Bellamy Mansion, 503 Market St. MASONBORO SHELLING TOUR Explore Masonboro Island and discover the wonder of the Carolina coast. This tour option is ideal for families, birders, and nature enthusiasts. Masonboro Island is an 8.4-mile marine sanctuary island, renowned for its plant and wildlife diversity. Topics will include shell biology, native plant species, shorebirds, and barrier island ecology. Adult $45 Child $25 RSVP: 910-2004002. Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours, 275 Waynick Blvd.

support groups WILMINGTON PRIDE YOUTH GROUP Grades 7-12: Wilmington Pride Youth Group is a safe space for youth who identify as LGBTQIA+ and their straight allies. An adult supervised, safe space for kids to talk about orientation, gender, racial equality, political consequences, religion, self care. Also a great opportunity to meet and socialize with peers from the greater Wilmington area.

Meets Thurs., 7pm. Needed: youth facilitators, especially those who are trained to work with kids, and speakers to talk about important topics. wpyg2016@gmail.com.

ANXIETY / OCD SUPPORT GROUP Group meets 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. Pine Valley United Methodist Church, 3788 Shipyard Blvd. Building B. Christopher Savard, Ph.D., with Cape Fear Psychological Services, gives a presentation the 1st Thursday of each month. 3rd Thursday meeting is member led. Everyone 18+ welcome. 910-763-8134 MS SUPPORT GROUP Those with MS, families and friends welcome. Meets 2nd Thursday each month, 7 p.m., 1st floor conference room, New Hanover Rehabilitation Hospital, 2131 S. 17th St., Wilmington (behind Betty Cameron Women’s Hospital). Sponsored by Greater Carolinas Chapter, National MS Society.

Details: Anne, 910-232-2033 or Burt, 910383-1368. New Hanover Regional Medical Center, 2131 S. 17th St. LUPUS SUPPORT GROUP Meets third Saturday each month. Free; drop-ins are welcome. Group provides participants an opportunity to receive introductory info about lupus, encourage the expression of concerns, provide an opportunity to share experiences, encourage and support positive coping strategies, and emphasize the importance of medical treatment. Guest speakers, DVD presentations and open group discussion. info@lupusnc.org (877) 849-8271, x1. lupusnc.org. NE Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd. PFLAG First Mon/mo. at UNCW, in the Masonboro Island Room #2010, 7pm.

CORK BOARD NEW

CANNABIS HYPNOTHERAPY NOW AVAILABLE! CALL: 910-343-1171 Find out what all the buzz is about!

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KAREN KANE MUSIC PRODUCTIONS 33 year veteran producer/engineer

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Dreaming of a career in the music industry?

AUDIO ENGINEERING CLASSES Music recording, mixing, pro tools, studio production

Classes offered in Jan., Apr. and Sept.

(910) 681-0220 or mixmama.com

SATISFY ALL YOUR CRAVINGS Huge menu with over 70 food items— including our famous $6.99 lunches & $8.99 dinners!

Front Street Brewery 910.251.1935 9 N. Front St., Downtown Wilmington FrontStreetBrewery.com

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910-616-0470

senior caregiver needed!

Long-term, live-out caregiver needed for my mother-in-law, who has dementia!

4 hours/day, 4 days/week • $25/hour

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