encore July 23 - July 30, 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. 4 JULY 24 - JULY 30, 2019 ENCOREPUB.COM

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Going Out on a High Note TheatreNOW’s last show, “Clue: The Musical,” is a fun send-off

PHOTOS BY JAMES BOWLING

encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 1

HODGE PODGE

Vol. 36/Pub. 4 July 24-30, 2019

ENCOREPUB.COM encoredeals.com

LIVE LOCAL pgs. 4-5 • By Gwenyfar Rohler Gwenyfar goes on a field trip to visit Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, the site where NC A&T students protested for their civil rights in 1960.

Photo by Gwenyfar Rohler

word of the week PROFUCTION (N).

By G wen yfar Roh ler

A porn production.

“I’m pretty sure Brock Dicklier starred in the latest HotMale Studio profuction. Very tasteful.”

EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief:

Shea Carver >> shea@encorepub.com

Assistant Editor:

Shannon Rae Gentry >> music@encorepub.com

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

Chief Contributors: Gwenyfar Rohler,

Anghus, Tom Tomorrow, Mark Basquill, Rosa Bianca, Rob Brezsny, Fanny Slater, John Wolfe, Joan Wilkerson Hoffman

Interns:

Karina Zelaya Trejo, Julia Romero

SALES General Manager:

John Hitt >> john@encorepub.com

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

COVER STORY pg. 21 According to Gwenyfar, TheatreNOW’s “Clue: The Musical” is a whodunnit good time, bringing the popular board game to life. Was it Scarlett (above, played by Bianca Shaw) with a gun in the library? Or Colonel Mustard with a rope in the conservatory? Play along at ILM’s final dinner theatre production and enjoy a delish three-course meal prepared by Chef Denise Gordon. Tickets are $22-$52 at theatrewilmington.com.

Courtesy photo, Justin Lacy

Photo by James Bowling

win of the week Our encoreDEAL of the week comes courtesy of Bourbon Street in downtown Wilmington (pg. 7)! We are giving away a $20 gift certifcate to one lucky winner. Goes live Thursday; giveaway is Monday! We’re also doing a giveaway for National Chicken Wing Day, July 29, to Front Street Brewery (pg. 18). Just follow us on our socials, @encorepub, to find out how to enter all contests.

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

MUSIC pgs. 16-17 • By Shannon Rae Gentry Shannon Rae Gentry talks to local musician Justin Lacy about his stop-motion animation that will be synced with live music on Thursday night at Bourgie Nights.

FOOD pg. 32 • By Rosa Bianca Rosa takes a trip down to 4th Street at Palate’s new Kitchen, helmed by Carson Jewell. Photo by Rosa Bianca

Live Local, pgs. 4-5 • News of the Weird, pg. 6 • Campaign 2019, pgs. 8-9 • Music, pgs. 12-17 • Gallery Guide, pg. 19 • Theatre, pgs. 20-23 Film, pg. 25 • Dining, pgs. 26-32 • Calendar, pgs. 38-53 • Horoscopes, pg. 53 • Crossword, pg. 55

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August 30, 2019 at 7:30pm

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CIVIL RIGHTS IN

Live Local takes a field trip to Greensboro, NC

NC

F

ebruary 1, 1960 looked like a normal winter day in Greensboro. Four young men, students at North Carolina A&T University, bought toothpaste, combs and other personal items at a counter in the Woolworth’s store on South Elm Street. No one ever thought that would be newsworthy. Apparently, it was.

counter, and stand where Joe McNeil stood with his compatriots, David Richmond, Franklin McCain and Ezell Blair Jr. (Jibreel Khazan). They took their seats at the lunch counter and calmly began a movement that would spread across the nation. I knew the lunch counter sit“Look at the indentations on the floor,” in happened in Greensboro, but I did not said the tour guide at the International know enough about it. In an effort to set Civil Rights Center & Museum. She pointthe stage for the circumstances that led ed downward at the tile floor in the Woolthe Greensboro Four to their action, we worth’s lunch counter area. “There were walked through the Hall of Shame, which display racks here.” depicts lynching, protests against school She was illustrating how less than 30 desegregation, and ultimately horrifying feet behind the lunch counter the young photographs of an open-casket funeral. men made purchases and were served “Emmet Till,” all the adults whispered.

by Woolworth’s staff. Yet, at the lunch “This is the photograph of the son she counter, they were refused service—in sent to Mississippi,” our tour guide said. spite of holding receipts for their pur“This is the son she got back.” chases from the other part of the store.

“Black patrons would have had to order their food to go at the end of the counter,” our guide told, “but white patrons would be permitted to sit and be served.”

“Yes, I remember that,” a lady next to me nodded.

Till’s mother’s decision to hold an open-casket funeral after the brutal, torturous death of her teenage son in Mississippi remains an important and seemingly painful moment in America’s consciousness.

We walked into another gallery about life during Jim Crow with separate drinking fountains, smaller doors and a Coke machine that straddled a wall in a waitI joined the local chapter of the NAACP ing room with different prices listed. In an and the Sankofa African American Her- auditorium, we watched a film about the itage Workshop for youth ages 10-15 Greensboro Four having a strategy seson a trip to the museum. It’s a trip I’ve sion in a dorm room of Scott Hall on the long wanted to do: Visit Woolworth’s NC A&T campus. Ms. Smith-Walker, one “We sure did,” another agreed. In 1993 Woolsworth opened as the International Civil Rights Center & Museum.

4 encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

BY GWENY

FAR ROHL

ER

of the leaders of the Sankofa trip, pointed out to the students (and our tour guide) that Joseph McNeil is from Wilmington.

The film was what one would expect: terrible and obvious writing with equally awful performances. But we were not there for a film critique.

The screen slid away and a recreation of room 2128 became visible. Two twin iron beds, a partner’s desk and two trunks, like my mom took to college a few years later, were in the room, along with desk lamps and a typewriter. On the wall next to us, a section of the brick wall from the dormitory was preserved and displayed. Scott Hall was pulled down in 2004 and replaced with four buildings known on campus as “Aggie Village”: Richmond Hall, McCain Hall, Blair Hall, and McNeil Hall. I touched the bricks and tried to just breathe, as I thought about all those walls had seen and protected in over a half century.

They chose a section without bullet holes, I thought.

The Greensboro Uprising in 1969 included the National Guard shooting at Scott Hall, and in many pictures bricks were riddled with bullets. The bricks housed laughter, heartbreak, elation, love, camaraderie and achievement. They oversaw some of the most important memories

WHERE A MOVEMENT STARTED: In 1960, Woolworth’s Department Store in Greensboro is where black students from NC A&T protested for not receiving the same service at the lunch counter like white patrons.

Photo by Gwenyfar Rohler

in thousands of people’s lives over the years. For a fleeting moment, I touched their smooth surface and thanked them.

“I thought the Woolworth’s counter was in the Smithsonian?” Jock asked when I announced my plans to join the trip.

According to our tour guide, indeed, part of it is in the Smithsonian in the African American History Museum. The rest is still at Woolworth’s in Greensboro.

I am not of the generation that remembers Woolworth’s lunch counters. The closest I come is my mother’s reference to all K-Mart-like stores as “dime stores” (which was endlessly perplexing to me as a small child—everything at K-Mart cost more than $0.10). So walking into the lunch counter was not like returning to a place I knew “so well.” Though, for several people on our trip, it clearly was

exactly that. It felt awe-inspiring, a phrase I apply to divine actions. Because here we were, standing in a room with the furniture that became the stage for a pivotal story in our nation’s history. Four young men sat down and asked to be served a cup of coffee. That’s something many of us do most mornings of our lives in a public establishment. Then we drink it in the company assembled. But these four were refused.

They stayed until closing time and were photographed leaving Woolworth’s that night. They came back the next day ... and the next. They were joined by other young men from A&T. They were joined by young women from Bennet College. According to the Bennett College history, a dozen “Bennet Belles” were arrested on February 4, 1960 for protesting at Woolworth’s.

By February 4, the original Four had swollen to over 300 and included protesters from Women’s College (what became UNCG) and Dudley High School. They sat at the counter in shifts. Intense energy radiated off the walls and furniture. It was palpable and left me not just considering the counter protesters who swore and yelled and threatened the demonstrators, but of the people who kept coming and sitting down to eat lunch, like nothing was happening. One news report from the time tells of a protester passing a patron sugar

for coffee. How can anyone look at what was occurring and pretend neutrality is an option?

It is money that drives decisions for businesses. When I trained for Direct Action years ago, one of the first things we covered was profit motive: We (the protesters) were aiming to cost the company enough money that they would cease pursuing activities with which we disagreed.

That is how the protestors ultimately won in the Woolworth’s case. In July the store lost so much revenue they had to abandon this policy, but the store manager didn’t want to give into the students. So he had three of the African American employees change out of their uniforms into their street clothes and go order drinks at the lunch counter. He integrated the lunch counter through them.

In the Lunch Counter Hall there is an interactive map of the sit-ins that spread across the U..S as a result of this one in Greensboro. Ones associated with historically black colleges have special designations. They reach to Ohio and into the west; though, they are concentrated in the South. All of it started by four young men in Greensboro, one from Wilmington.

So do we have a statue to honor Mr. McNeil? No. We do not. There has been some discussion of trying to rename one

of the parks after him. Thus far, it doesn’t appear to have gained actual traction. Ms. Smith-Walker and Ms. Hilton-Stalling, leaders from Sankofa, both agree recognition of Mr. McNeil in his hometown is vital.

The plaque honoring the Greensboro Four in their hometown at Woolsworth’s.

Photo by Gwenyfar Rohler “A significant recognition is in order— be it a statue, a school or a park!” Hilton-Stalling notes. “This is important for the community as a beacon of pride—that this gentleman was a ‘native son’ of our community. It could serve as a motivational tool for the youth to encourage them to ‘aim higher’ than whatever their current situation is.”

Smith-Walker concurs. “I think he deserves it because of what he has done in his lifetime for the civil rights movement.

We don’t have a lot of civil rights activists from this area. We would be so honored to do something like that for him.”

Smith-Walker knew Mr. McNeil when he was younger. “He grew up on Wright Street,” she recalls. “I knew his mom and dad and aunts.”

“Were you surprised when you heard what he had done?” I ask.

“About his actions? Yes. We all were,

but pleased,” she nods.

We walk pass the lunch counter and finish the tour of the museum, with mugshots and booking papers for numerous activists in the civil rights movement.

“There were white people, too?” one of the boys on our trip asks.

“Yes,” our tour guide confirms. I keep staring into faces in the pictures—barely older than many students on the trip— faces that are now half my age and wondering how they had the courage to take the actions they did. We all want to believe we would be called to the right side of history. We all want to believe we would act righteously, but how many of us would be the person at the lunch counter asking one of the protestors to pass the sugar?

The last room we visited in the museum had a photo mural of President Obama’s face created with pictures of civil rights activists: Dr. King, Gandhi, Congressman Lewis and many more. Our guide pointed out some of the people on the mural and their accomplishments, then pointed at a couple of blank spaces.

“Those are the spaces waiting to be filled in by you.”

She pointed to the kids in our group.

“I expect to see your face up here one day.”

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INEXPLICABLE In Yokohama, Japan, near Tokyo, one can visit the Unko Museum—a whole interactive experience built around “cute” poop. (“Unko” means poop in Japanese.) For example, reports the Associated Press, one can sit on a colorful fake toilet and pretend to poop as music plays, then collect a brightly colored souvenir poop to take home. An enormous poop sculpture erupts every 30 minutes, volcanolike, and spews little foam poops. In one room, visitors can

play a “whack-a-mole” type game where they stomp on poops. Visitor Toshifumi Okuya was delighted: “It’s funny because there are adults running around screaming, ‘poop, poop,’” he said. The museum opened in March and will remain open until September. [AP, 7/4/2019]

SUSPICIONS CONFIRMED In the College Station neighborhood of Pulaski County, Arkansas, traditions run deep, especially when it comes to the Fourth of July. Beneques Christopher, 19, told KSDK that the holiday “firework war” has been going on for years, and even at-

tracts people from other neighborhoods: “They know when Fourth of July comes, this is the spot to be at.” But this year, the ritual went awry, resulting in many injuries and several people facing charges. Christopher was one of the victims: “It popped right here,” he said, pointing to his groin area. “And it could have been dangerous because I almost lost everything.” Instead, he suffered a second-degree burn on his thigh, but he feels lucky that he didn’t lose any fingers, as five others did. When police officers arrived, people started pointing fireworks at them, leaving two deputies with injuries.

While a local pastor hopes to shut the tradition down, Christopher vows to continue it: “We started the tradition, and now we have to keep it going,” he said. [KSDK, 7/5/2019]

On July 6, Okaloosa County (Florida) sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call after a 13-year-old boy stabbed his 15-year-old brother in the arm three times with a multi-tool. The boys, from Clarksville, Tennessee, were sitting in a parked car in Crestview, Florida, when the incident occurred. Lt. Todd Watkins told Fox News that the younger boy was “tired of his brother picking on him,” and he told officers he’d “rather be in jail than eight hours in the car with him.” “I stabbed him and I don’t care about going back to jail,” he said. While the 15-year-old was in the back of an ambulance being treated, he was overheard calling some of his friends to retaliate against his younger brother. The 13-year-old was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. [Fox News, 7/7/2019]

WALMART SHUNNING

An Independence Day holiday in Bodega Harbor, California, went terribly wrong for a group of six friends who rented a house there. On July 4, 32-year-old Betai Koffi of San Francisco indulged heavily in LSD, taking four doses over the course of the afternoon. He became delusional and violent with his friends, who were trying to prevent him from leaving the home. After assaulting several of his housemates and wrecking a rental car, he took off on foot and came upon a security guard. Koffi plucked a landscape light out of the ground, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Crum told KTVU, “and stabs the security guard with the metal end of it,” knocking the guard to the ground. Koffi then stole the guard’s pickup truck and ran down two different couples as they enjoyed an evening walk.

Finally, sheriff’s and highway patrol officers arrived, and Koffi aimed the truck at them and accelerated. A CHP officer fired his gun, striking Koffi three times. “If this guy had kept going, who knows what he could have done to other people,” Crum said. “He was just blatantly going after people, driving after them.” Eight people were injured, but all are expected to recover. [KTVU, 7/5/2019]

An unnamed woman pulled a stunt in a Wichita Falls, Texas, Walmart on June 25 that got her banned from the store. According to NBC News, Police Sgt. Harold McClure said a store employee reported that the woman had eaten half a cake from the bakery, then attempted to buy the other half (for half-price), saying she found the cake in that condition. While Walmart did not want to press charges, they did prohibit her from shopping at the store in the future—a policy they’re familiar with, after an incident in January at another Wichita Falls Walmart. In that case, a woman rode an electric cart around the store’s parking lot while guzzling wine from a Pringles can.

She was also Walmart-shunned. [NBC News, 7/1/2019]

LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINAL

A craving for cake batter ice cream brought New York City police officers to a Baskin-Robbins store in Coney Island on June 29—a fortuitous detour, as it turned out. The Associated Press reported that when 33-year-old Emmanuel Lovett walked into the shop and tugged on his denim shorts, a loaded pistol dropped to the floor, and officers swarmed Lovett, who, it turns out, had a robbery record that prohibited him from having a firearm. He was charged with criminal possession of a firearm. No word on whether he, or the officers, enjoyed their ice cream. [AP, 7/2/2019]

TELLING IT LIKE IT IS A diner in Little Rock, Arkansas, is getting attention for a clever menu item. According to United Press International, Mama D’s offers a “My Girlfriend Is Not Hungry” option, which adds extra fries, chicken wings or cheese sticks to an order to share with a dinner partner who underestimates their hunger. On its Facebook page, Mama D’s said the option is “a solution for those who tend to dine with people that eat food off their plate.” [UPI, 7/3/2019]

FAMILY VALUES 6 encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

JUST SAY NO

REDNECK CHRONICLES OK, the first mistake was letting Matthew Morrison, 44, sleep in a tent on your lawn. A homeowner in Crestview, Florida, allowed Morrison to bunk on the property as a favor to someone he was trying to help. But things went south on July 6, when Morrison entered the home without permission and threw lighted firecrackers under a sleeping 9-year-old girl’s bed. The homeowner chased Morrison out of the house with a stick. Morrison told Okaloosa County Sheriff’s deputies it was a “prank gone wrong,” but the little girl was left terrified. Lt. Todd Watkins told Fox News: “I’m not sure what he was trying to accomplish.

The prank thing didn’t really sound like it was a legitimate reason.” Well, maybe this had something to do with it: When Morrison was arrested, officers found 2 grams of methamphetamine in his pocket. Morrison had a prior criminal history, including drug charges; he was charged with burglary and possession of methamphetamine. [Fox News, 7/7/2019]

Get a taste of NOLA right here in ILM!

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from my time with the Marines has built who I am today.

As a Wilmington firefighter, I became intimately familiar with the city’s inner workings. I saw the budgetary process in action, procurement actions and leadership decisions.

On the streets I was witness to traumatic situations that were often a result of violence, poverty, or the opioid epidemic.

My understanding of what our city needs is rooted in this intimate knowledge.

Two years ago, I left WFD to help run a technology start-up. Now we are a rapidly growing business with customers in 37 states and 10 countries. The lessons gleaned from my time in the private sector has instilled important values that will serve me on Council.

ELECTION

2019

H

ere we are—another local election campaign nears.

New and familiar faces alike have been filing to fill three Wilmington City Council seats. Mack Coyle, Alexandria Monroe, Scott Monroe, Harry Smith Jr., Kimberly Spader, Kevin Spears, and Matt Thrift are on the ballot, and up for re-election are Margaret Haynes, Paul Lawler and Neil Anderson. Also, Devon Scott announced his run against Mayor Saffo, who has held his seat since 2006.

In coming weeks, encore will reach out to all candidates to get their thoughts and views on top-of-mind issues concerning our city. First up is Scott Monroe, former Marine and senior vice president for Barnacle Parking Enforcement. encore (e): Tell us why you decided to run for council. Why now?

Scott Monroe (SM): I take great pride in our city. My wife and I settled here be-

BY SH

The city’s budget, procurement, and development decisions would be made by someone who knows what it takes to run a successful business. Our local businesses are the backbone of the community. I understand their needs and struggles. I look forward to developing thoughtful public policy to give them the environment they need to succeed. e: What do you think businesses need to succeed more in our city?

Scott Monroe answers questions about his run for council

RVER

MAN WITH A PLAN Scott Monroe is running for city council for the first time.

cause of the people and beauty of Wilmington. It’s the perfect city, not too big, not too small.

I am passionate about maintaining our city’s character and beauty while being part of the team that develops thoughtful public policy. I spent seven years serving our city as a professional firefighter. I saw the good, bad and ugly; from where we spent

8 encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

e: What do you like about what our council is doing and what do you think needs to be improved upon?

SM: Council has done very well maintaining the city’s budget and “rainy day fund.” They prepared us well for the financial aftermath of the hurricane. They have also done well in recent years developing many stretches of roads like Eastwood and Independence. I look forward to sitting with the council to further refine development in the city.

EA CA

Photo courtesy of Scott Monroe

SM: In my civilian work I have become accustomed to reading ordinances and state laws related to parking and parking enforcement. I have felt firsthand the pain that over-regulation and overly complicated municipal code causes. I will work to simplify our ordinances and make sure they are easy to understand and apply.

our money (or didn’t), our infrastructure, and the social issues affecting our city. I want to work to enhance and remedy the issues I saw. e: What qualifies you to run for council?

SM: I have extensive experience as a leader in both government and the private sector. As an officer in the Marine Corps (four years active duty and nine in the reserves) I have led Marines in a variety of roles from company commander, operations officer, and a Battalion executive officer. The challenges and experiences

We have many great developers in our town creating beautiful projects; however, I think we can always be better at ensuring they truly are building projects worthy of our city. And I think we can all agree that our city has built enough self-storage facilities! e: What building projects would you like to see exactly? And what about our citizens? What kind of thoughtful public policy should we consider?

SM: Let’s continue to create density, walkability, and “bikeability” in the city’s

main communities. Well-designed density with mixed-use properties will improve quality of life for our citizens.

I would like to work toward enhancing each individual community around the city. This would encourage/allow residents to live/work/play within their specific area of town. I am really excited about the redevelopment efforts on areas like Castle Street, The Cargo District, Wrightsville Avenue, and Pine Valley—the more unique the better! e: What are top-of-mind concerns you have for our city and how do you plan to address them?

SM: Smart and beautiful development is of utmost importance. I want green spaces, set-backs and signage restrictions. I want power lines buried and to fully support the city’s tree program. Overall, our city is beautiful. However, we all know there are many sections that could use significant improvement.

Public safety is an essential role of government. I will work tirelessly to refine and support our police and fire department, 911 system, and emergency medical services. I will ensure our citizens are safe, and we are prepared for the next big hurricane.

Workforce housing, affordable housing is necessary for the continued successful growth of our city. Without housing available to all Wilmington’s residents regardless of income, we will not grow in-line with our values.

Many of us complain about traffic. One major contributor to the traffic is that so many are forced to commute from Brunswick and Pender counties where they can afford to live. I would support programs for developers who can create affordable housing. e: What are your thoughts on the current noise-ordinance regulations the council is trying to rewrite?

SM: I support a thoughtful, but simplified noise-ordinance. Homeowners and businesses need support from the city to ensure their property is not negatively affected by extreme noise. I am cognizant of the needs of venues to have live music events. So, we should have common-sense rules with decibel levels parameters that makes sense. I am eager to better understand this issue while hearing from both sides.

SM: I will always vote in support of policy that protects our environment. I would ensure our stormwater services department is properly funded and managed. Zoning decisions, site plan reviews, development of green spaces, and holding violators accountable for failure to manage their runoff would be of utmost importance. e: Any ideas on how the city should help combat climate change in our coastal town?

SM: We should develop and zone in a way that can reduce traffic. Fewer idling cars, means less pollution Let’s work to build-out communities in each part of the city to reduce the need to cross town.

We should carefully consider the effect of new development on traffic when deciding what should be built. Our infrastructure, design of intersections, and technology can help in the effort to improve traffic. e: Where do you stand on tax incentives, say for historic property renovation?

SM: Our historic properties are essential to the city’s character. The residents and business owners that step up and spend the money to maintain these properties should be applauded. I would support the Historic Preservation Commission to ensure they have the support needed to function at a high-level. I am in favor of the federal and state tax incentives currently provided. e: How do you plan to represent all the citizens in Wilmington? How, for example, will you connect with people who do not live and work in your comfort zone/neighborhood?

SM: As a Wilmington firefighter I became intimately familiar with all of the city’s neighborhoods. I have met and become friends with residents in all parts of the city. My wife has treated cardiac patients as a nurse and nurse practitioner in the city for over a decade. I live in Pine Valley, I work in The Cargo District (Queen and 17th), and my son goes to the International School at Gregory (11th and Ann).

I have a strong passion to create an inclusive community and lead a government which serves all equally.

Have followup questions for Scott Monroe? Be sure to ask on the online article, and we will see that Mr. Monroe receives and answers them for you. His responses will be posted below the article until elece: Do you have new ideas in approach- tion day, Tuesday, November 5. ing our water crisis and other environmenOne-stop voting for the municipal electal concerns our residents face? tions begins on Wednesday, October 16, and will conclude on Friday, November 1.

encorepub.com

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Limited early-bird discounts now available through July 31 to encore’s bacchanalia of peace on earth and good will to men...

Brooklyn Arts Center

More than 30 eateries and drinkeries will vie for best sip, best bite and best decorated booth, a la “A Christmas Story.” Also, a best dressed costume contest! Follow the FB event for all participants. VIP and GA tickets on sale now at...

10 encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

December 12, 2019

a benefit for

The number one reason you need a butcher in your life...

Indulgence

1125-A Military Cuttoff RD. WIlmington, NC 28405 l 910-679-4473 l wearetrueblue.com encore | july 10 - july 16, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 11

SOUND

TICKET GIVEAWAY! This week we’ll be giving away a pair of tix to see Guster at GLA on July 31. Follow #encorepub on Facebook and Instagram to enter!

BOARD

Photo by Nat Girsberger

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24 Open Mic Night w/ Bob Sarnataro (5:30pm; Free)

—Tidal Creek Co-Op, 5329 Oleander Dr., #100

Music Bingo w/DJ Sherri ‘So Very’ (7pm; Free) —Local’s Tavern, 1107 New Pointe Blvd.

Wine Down Wednesday & Karaoke (8pm; Free) —Ibiza Nightclub, 118 Market St.

Wine Time Karaoke (9pm; Free)

—Varnish Ale & Spirits, 23 Market St.

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

Hooked on Sonics: The Return of Killick (8pm; $5)

—The Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St.

—The Sailfish, 2570 Scotts Hill Loop Rd.

THURSDAY, JULY 25 Seahawk FAM: Shana Tucker ‘Chamber Soul’ (10:30am; $5) —Kenan Auditorium, 601 S. College Rd.

ON OUR LOT

Tuesday __________________________________________ > > > THURSDAY

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

$3.75 Hay Bale Ale

> > > Tuesday $3.75 Sweet Water $4.00 Absolute Lemon Drop

> > > WEDNESDAY $3.75 Wicked Weed $4.00 Margaritas

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

> > > saturday $4.00 Green Tea

> > > SUNDAY $5.00 Bloody Marys & Mimosas

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

Weekly Wine Down Open Mic (6pm; Free)

Live Music in the Alley (7pm; Free)

—Wilmington Wine, 605 Castle St.

—Rebellion NC, 15 S. Front St.

Marc Siegel (7pm; Free; Guitar)

Homegrown Trivia with Travis (7:30pm; Free)

—Platypus & Gnome Restaurant, 9 S. Front St.

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 __________________________

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

100 S. FRONT ST. 910-251-1832

LIVE MUSIC in the courtyard on Friday & Saturday MONDAY

$2.75 Domestic $3.50 Select Drafts $4 Fireballs!

TUESDAY

$3.50 Local Draft Brew

LIVE MUSIC

(Foothills Hoppyum IPA, Red Oak)

Sunday ___________________________________________

WEDNESDAY

2 BUD & BUD LIGHTS

$ 00

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

12 encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

—Varnish Ale & Spirits, 23 Market St.

THURSDAY

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

FREE PARKING

> > > Monday

Live On The Loop! Summer Music Series (6pm; Free)

$5 Jameson

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

FRIDAY

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

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

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

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

Outdoor Concert Series

THURSDAY, JULY 25 ACCESS 29 FRIDAY, JULY 26 GREAT HULLABALOO SATURDAY, JULY 27 THE FEEBS 7324 Market Street • 910-821-8185 www.ogdentaproom.com OPEN 7 DAYS AWEEK

Trivia from Hell’s (7:30pm; Free)

—Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.

Trivia w/ Party Gras Ent. (8pm; Free)

—Fox & Hound, 920 Town Center Dr.

Throwback Thursday Karaoke (8pm; Free; DJ Camo)

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

Open Mic Comedy (8pm; Free)

—Dead Crow Comedy, 265 N. Front St.

Mike O’Donnell (8:30pm; Free; Live Requests) —Reel Cafe, 100 S. Front St.

Elonzo Wesley (6pm; Free; Americana) —Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St.

Kure Beach’s Up and Active! (6:30pm; Free) —Ocean Front Park, 105 Atlantic Ave.

Pickin’ Pear (8pm; $5)

—The Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St.

Sunset Cruise with Live Acoustic Music (7pm; $30) —Wilmington Water Tours, 212 S. Water St.

The Snozzberries (10pM; Cover TBD)

—Burnt Mill Creek, 2101 Market St., Unit 7

MONDAY, JULY 29

The Explainers (9pm; Free; ‘80s punk)

Trivia From Hell’s (7:30pm; Free)

Mon.-Thurs.: 4pM-12:30 aM Fri.-saT.: 4pM - 1:30aM sun: 4pM-11pM

—The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.

TUESDAY, JULY 30

SATURDAY, JULY 27

Open Mic with Hourglass Studios (6:30pm; Free)

2101 MarkeT sT uniT 7 (910) 599-4999

Sunset Cruise with Live Acoustic Music (7pm; $30)

Monaco & Alameda (8pm; $5)

—Bottega Art & Wine, 723 N. 4th St.

—Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.

Roxy Roca (10pM; Cover TBD)

—Wilmington Water Tours, 212 S. Water St.

—Goat & Compass, 710 N. Fourth St.

—The Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St.

Music on the Patio (5pm; Free)

—Hotel Ballast, 301 N. Water St.

Samuel Hatch (6pm; Free; Acoustic) —Pilot House, 2 Ann St.

Travis Shallow (7pm; Free; Americana) —Cloud 9 Rooftop, 9 Estell Lee Pl.

The Mad Fiddler (7pm; Free)

—The Sour Barn, 7211 Market St.

Phantom Playboys (8pm; Free; Rockabilly) —SeaWitch, 227 Carolina Beach Ave. N.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31 Open Mic Night w/ Bob Sarnataro (5:30pm; Free)

—Tidal Creek Co-Op, 5329 Oleander Dr., #100

Guster (6pm; $25-$30; Rock)

—Greenfield Lake Amp., 1941 Ampitheater Dr.

Music Bingo w/DJ Sherri ‘So Very’ (7pm; Free) —Local’s Tavern, 1107 New Pointe Blvd.

—Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St.

Wine Down Wednesday & Karaoke (8pm; Free)

FRIDAY, JULY 26

Jared Michael Cline(9pm; Free; Singer-songwriter)

Wine Time Karaoke (9pm; Free)

—Pour Taproom, 201 N. Front St., Suite G101

—Varnish Ale & Spirits, 23 Market St.

Grizmas in July (6pm; $50-$85; Funk)

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

—Ligon Flynn Parking Lot, 20 S. Second St.;

—Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, 1941 Amphitheater Dr.

Sunset Cruise with Live Acoustic Music (7pm; $30)

Brent Stimmel Band (10pm; Free)

—The Calico Room, 107 S. Front St.

—Wilmington Water Tours, 212 S. Water St.

—Duck & Dive, 114 Dock St.

Spare Change (8pm; $3; Funk)

Irish Traditional Session (2pm; Free)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1

Jazz Night with James Jarvis (8pm; Free)

Alternative Vision (10pM; Cover TBD; ‘90s Altrock)

—Bottega, 723 N. Fourth St.

Comedy Open Mic (8:30pm; Free)

—The Dubliner, 1756 Carolina Beach Rd.

—The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.

Wet Wednesdays (10:30pm; free; Dubstep/DJ)

Sunset Cruise with Live Acoustic Music (7pm; $30) —Wilmington Water Tours, 212 S. Water St.

Wilmington Symphony Orchestra: Smaller Bites Trio (10:30AM; $5)

SUNDAY, JULY 28

—Kenan Auditorium, Rd.

Sunset Cruise with Live Acoustic Music (7pm; $30)

Electric Mud (8pM; Cover TBD)

John Hussmann (12PM; Free; Singer-songwriter)

Live On The Loop! Summer Music Series (6pm; Free)

Books, Beer & Jazz Piano (3PM; Free)

Weekly Wine Down Open Mic (6pm; Free)

Randy McQuay (3PM; Free; Acoustic, Soul)

Josh Lewis (6pm; Free; Singer-songwriter)

Southern Trouble (4PM; Free)

Kure Beach’s Up and Active! (6:30pm; Free)

(8pm; Free; Americana)

Music Trivia (7pm; Free)

—The Rusty Nail, 1310 S. 5th Ave.

Live Music in the Alley (7pm; Free)

—Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St.

Grizmas in July (6pm; $50-$85; Funk)

Jackson Lundy (8pm; $5; Singer-songwriter)

Marc Siegel (7pm; Free; Guitar)

SHift Meal: The Jared Show (6pm; Free)

Sera Bullis (7pm; Free; Singer-songwriter)

—Bombers Beverage Company, 108 Grace St.

Jake Newman (9pm; Free; Singer-Songwriter)

—Pour Taproom, 201 N. Front St., Suite G101

Jen & Tonic (9:30pm; Free)

—Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.

Wes Sayer (7pm; Free; Singer-Songwriter) —The Sour Barn, 7211 Market St.

Psycho Surf Punks Fest w/ Billy Heathen (7pm; $5)

The Juggling Gypsy 1612 Castle St.

Travis Shallow + Bob Russell

—Wilmington Water Tours, 212 S. Water St. —Pilot House, 2 Ann St.

—Old Books on Front St., 249 N. Front St. —Dockside Restaurant and Bar, 1308 Airlie Rd. —Bluewater Grill, 4 Marina St.

—Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, 1941 Amphitheater Dr.

—The Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St.

Wolfe Gang (8pm; Free; Acoustic)

—Palate, 1007 N. 4th St.

601 S. College

—The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.

The Jared Show, every other Wed., 7 pm

Iya Terra Oct. 22, 7-11:59pm Benny Hill’s Sunday Jazz Jam, 7-10pm

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

THIS WEEK AT THE WITCH THUR 7/25 WED 7/24 ER JASON JACKSON & STRIKING COPP DY RANDALL CANA SAT 7/27 7/ 26 FRI PHANTOM GE PLAYBOYS SPARE CHAN MICHAEL SUN 7/28 FRUSHA TRIO

—The Sailfish, 2570 Scotts Hill Loop Rd. —Wilmington Wine, 605 Castle St. —Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St.

—Ocean Front Park, 105 Atlantic Ave. —Rebellion NC, 15 S. Front St.

—Platypus and Gnome Restaurant, 9 S. Front St. —Burnt Mill Creek, 2101 Market St., Unit 7

Trivia From Hell’s (7:30pm; Free)

HOW TO SUBMIT A LISTING:

July 26 The Wolfe Gang, 7-11pm

—Ibiza Nightclub, 118 Market St.

Wrong Way (6:30pm; Free; Sublime Tribute)

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

serving over 22 craFT beers • all abc perMiTs

—Burnt Mill Creek, 2101 Market St., Unit 7

Mike Blair (8pm; Free; Americana)

—Hotel Ballast, 301 N. Water St.

Tuesday 1/2-price wine bottles

The Jared Show (8pm; Free; Alt Hip Hop, Acoustic)

—The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.

Music on the Patio (5pm; Free)

Monday Mules $5

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

Draft Domestic Beers $2 Draft SamALL Adams Blue Pool Martini $6$5 Pizzas Bottles $3 TUESDAY TUESDAYSATURDAY Jack Be Chill $7.50 1/2 Off SelectLIVE Bottles of Wine IN THE JAzz BAR 22oz Deschutes Black Butte Absolute Dream $5 Bottles Half Price ofPorter Wine $5.50 $ 50 NC CraftAbsolut Bottles $3 5 • Pacifico 2 Willow Wit Dream $22oz Weeping WEDNESDAY Beer $5.50 WEDNESDAY 1/2 Off Nachos after 5pm 22oz $ 50 Edward Teach Peach in bar andMiller patio Light areas Pints

1 Coronoa/

$ 50 $5.50 Wheat Domestic Pints $1.50Lite Bottles 2 Corona SUNDAY Corona/Corona Lt. $2.50 Margaritas/Peach Margaritas $4 Margaritas on the Rocks $4.50 All Flat Breads $6 after 5pm THURSDAY in bar and patio areas THURSDAY $ $ $3 Mimosa Appletinis 4, RJ’s Painkiller 5 Truly Lime Spiked and $ 50 Mary $4 Bloddy 2 Red Stripe Bottles Sparkling Water $3 Domestic $ 50 Pints $1.50 2 Fat Tire Bottles 22oz. Tropical Lightning 5564 Carolina Beach Road IPA $5.50 FRIDAY(910)-452-1212 $ 50our website Sinking Bahama Mama $7 $4, 007Visit Cosmos 3 www.RuckerJohns.com $ 1/2 Off All Premium Guinnessfor Cans daily3specials, music and Red Wine Glasses upcoming events $

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 responsiIsland Sunsets 5 ble for notifying encore of any changes, removals or additions to their weekly schedules.

SATURDAY encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 13 $ Baybreeze/Seabreeze 4

ROLL IN THE MUD Catch Electric Mud at The Whiskey in downtown ILM on Thursday, August 1.

Courtesy photo.

—Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.

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

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

Mike O’Donnell (8:30pm; free; Live Requests) —The Reel Cafe, 100 S. Front St.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2

Music on the Patio (5pm; Free)

—Hotel Ballast, 301 N. Water St.

Massive Grass (6pm; $2-$9; Bluegrass) —Airlie Gardens, 300 Airlie Rd.

Sunset Cruise with Acoustic Music (6:30pm; $30) —Wilmington Water Tours, 212 S. Water St.

—Ligon Flynn Parking Lot, 20 S. Second St.

Trivia w/Party Gras Entertainment (7pm; Free) —Beau Rivage, 649 Rivage Promenade

Randy McQuay (7pm; Free; Acoustic/Soul) —Cloud 9 Rooftop, 9 Estell Lee Pl.

Coddle Creek (8pm; Free)

Suggesting Rhythm

—Duck & Dive, 114 Dock St.

(6:30pm; Free; Grateful Dead Tribute)

North Fourth Funky Fridays (8pm; Free)

14 encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

—Palate, 1007 N. 4th St.

Jazz Night with James Jarvis (8pm; Free) —Bottega, 723 N. Fourth St.

Stephen Marley (6pm; $33.50; Funk)

—Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, 1941 Amphitheater Dr.

Third Eye (8pM; Cover TBD; Tool Tribute) —The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.

MOE MUSIC moe. is set to rock the Red Hat Ampitheater stage on August 4 with Blue traveler .

Courtesy photo

THE ORANGE PEEL 101 BILTMORE AVE., ASHEVILLE, NC (828) 398-1837 7/26: Petey Pablo & Special Guests 7/27: Town Mountain and The Dead Tongues 8/3: Siamese Dream and El Scorcho

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

7/26: Front Country 7/27: Memphis Thunder featuring Taylor Vaden 8/2: Brent Cobb and Them 8/3: Reevestock 2019

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

7/24: Plastician, Klasey, Jay Kell 7/26: American Aquarium and Bottle Rockets 8/2: The Growlers 8/7: Get The Led Out 8/8: Max Frost and Swells

THE FILLMORE

820 HAMILTON ST., CHARLOTTE, NC (704) 916-8970 7/24: Carly Rae Jepsen 7/25: Teyana Taylor 7/26: Genessa & The Selena Experience 7/27: Eric B. & Rakim 7/31: I Prevail 8/2: Grits and Biscuits 8/6: August Burns Red

THE FILLMORE UNDERGROUND

820 HAMILTON ST., CHARLOTTE, NC (704) 916-8970 7/26: Chicago Rewired & Reo Survivor 7/27: Justin Aswell 7/30: Mozzy 8/2: Grungefest Unplugged 8/3: The Faceoff 8/9: Pouya

DURHAM PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 123 VIVIAN ST. DURHAM, NC

REGIONAL

CONCERTS

WILMINGTON CONCERT TIX ON SALE NOW!

FRI,

AUGUST 2 STEPHEN MARLEY

at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater AUGUST 14

(919) 688-3722

8/6: Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band

RED HAT AMPHITHEATER

500 SOUTH MCDOWELL ST., RALEIGH, NC (919) 996-8800 7/26: Iration 8/3: Why Don’t We 8/4: MOE. and Blues Traveler 8/6: Papa Roach

LINCOLN THEATRE 126 E. CABARRUS ST., RALEIGH, NC (919) 821-4111 7/26: Lo$t in the Kosmos 7/27: Dirty Logic 8/2: Cosmic Charlie 8/3: Benny “The Butcher” and more

MOTORCO MUSIC HALL 723 RIGSBEE AVE, DURHAM, NC (919) 901-0875

7/28: MYQ Kaplan 7/29: We Were Promised Jetpacks 8/14: Overstreet, Hudson Thames and Mokita

AUGUST 2 ALL THAT REMAINS

FRI,

at The Tarheel: Jacksonville SEPTEMBER 22

FIT FOR A KING W. NORMA JEAN

XAVIER RUDD

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY WITH CROWBAR

FEVER333

The Tarheel:Jacksonville AUGUST 20 The Tarheel:Jacksonville AUGUST 25

BRIAN MCKNIGHT

Greenfield Lake Amphitheater SEPTEMBER 6

HELLYEAH

The Tarheel:Jacksonville SEPTEMBER 10

THE GREEN WITH NEW KINGSTON

Brooklyn Arts Center SEPTEMBER 21

LOCAL NATIVES

Greenfield Lake Amphitheater

Greenfield Lake Amphitheater SEPTEMBER 24 The Tarheel:Jacksonville SEPTEMBER 27

THEORY OF A DEADMAN

The Tarheel:Jacksonville OCTOBER 5

MUSHROOMHEAD

The Tarheel:Jacksonville OCTOBER 13 BLACK LABEL SOCIETY w/The Black Dahlia Murder The Tarheel:Jacksonville OCTOBER 20

INFLAMES

SEPTEMBER 21

The Tarheel:Jacksonville NOVEMBER 2

The Tarheel:Jacksonville

Greenfield Lake Amphitheater

GWAR

HIPPO CAMPUS

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

7/28: Al McCanless & Friends (back) 7/31: Gabby’s World & Bellows and more (back) 8/1: Donavon Frankenreiter and Matt Grundy 8/2: Chris Stamey, Django Haskins and more 8/3: Delhi 2 Dublin (back) 8/5: Kyle Craft & Showboat Honey (back) 8/7: The Menzingers, The Sidekicks and more

KOKA BOOTH AMPHITHEATER 8003 REGENCY PKWY., CARY, NC

(919) 462-2052 8/18: Big Head Todd & the Monsters and more 8/24: Night Nation Run

TUE,

AUGUST 20 COMMON

at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater

SAT,

AUGUST 24 BADFISH/SCHWAYZE

at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater

Purchase tickets at: www.ENCtickets.com encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 15

MEANINGFUL MELODY Cellist and singer-songwriter Shana Tucker talks about the call to tell stories in music.

Courtesy photo.

ALONG FOR THE

BY SHANNON RAE GENTRY

J

ustin Lacy gets to play with his dream band Thursday at Bourgie Nights: a 10-piece folk ensemble, made up of LaRaisha DiEvelyn Dionne (vocals), Hillary Flowers (cello), Billy Heathen (mandolin), Jon Hill (drums), Annie Jewell (violin), Nick “Bear” Loeber (bass), Farrah Roberts (vocals), Brent Trubia (viola), and Laura York (clarinet, bass clarinet).

“I can’t overstate how amazing it is to play with these musicians live,” he tells encore.

“Sorta like a cross between Leonard Cohen and the Talking Heads.”

Lacy has assembled this iteration of a somewhat revolving lineup to celebrate the release of his first stop-motion music video, “Weeds.” He is going to live-score his animation at the Bourgie show.

“The band is the real reason to check out the show,” he says. “The music video is just an excuse to try to get people out. I can’t thank everyone enough for jumping on board and helping me achieve my weird musical vision time and time again over the past year.”

A DIY artist, Lacy’s has controlled his own graphics and poster art for shows. For years he tapped his artistic friends to help where he didn’t have knowledge or experience.

Fast-forward to 2018, when Lacy spent hours upon hours constructing a whimsical scene of a bike without a passenger, rolling over hills, roaming through seemingly endless brush and trees, which popped and sprouted along the musical path set by “Weeds.”

“When I finally started to animate the bike, I had no idea where it was going,” Lacy admits, “or what a riderless bike with a mind of its own would even be up to. I did the math to calculate how many frames were in each measure of music, so I knew exactly when actions had to happen to synchronize with the music. I wrote out a big chart so I

DETAILS JUSTIN LACY with Goldielux Thursday, July 25 8:30 p.m. doors, 9:30 p.m. show Bourgie Nights, 127 Princess St. Adv tickets: $7, or $12 for two tickets (with only one transaction fee). $10 at the door. justinlacymusic.com wouldn’t get lost, and I began to develop a basic idea of what I wanted to see happen in each section of music. Then the bike took me along from there.”

Goldielux will open Thursday’s show and the live-score of “Weeds” will be followed by a set composed of Lacy’s “Overgrown” (2012), his 2017 release, “Control Burn,” and at least three new songs. encore picked Lacy’s brain about “Weeds” and his first attempt in stop-motion animation. encore (e): Where did the inspiration come from to do a stop-motion project?

Justin Lacy (JL): The idea started when I made a show flier for a performance at Gravity Records in the spring of 2018 with Goldielux and Moon Racer. I was trying to come up with something simple, textural, and spring-like, and I thought about how Emma Nelson, the singer-songwriter behind Goldielux, recently spent a few weeks cycling across the country.

So I formed a bike out of blue and brown

16 encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

construction paper and a little bit of mirror material. At first I thought it might be a little too cute for a show flier, but I loved the way it looked when I photographed it: very three-dimensional, seeming to pop off the paper background. e: How did you get the scene we see played out in “Weeds”?

JL: I played around with the image of the bike in Photoshop, and wound up inverting it so everything that was white turned to black, and the shadows below the bike now appeared to glow yellow-white light. That got me thinking: If I shot a stop-motion animation with the intention of inverting the entire final product, I could use shadows and black paper to essentially create light. A white, backlit paper background with black circles would become a nighttime sky with illuminated moons; shadows beneath the moons would create moonglow halos.

I also realized, if the bike’s tires could move, it’d be an incredibly simple character to animate. I had been working on another stop-motion music video, one that was more three-dimensional, but this seemed like a much easier project to tackle. I could just ever-so-slightly spin the bike’s spokes on each frame, and use a piece of yarn to imply the slope of the road the bike travels on. Trees and fog and cornstalks could slide above and beneath the bike to imply lateral motion. In reality, the bike was mostly sticky-tacked to the same spot of glass for 2,609 frames, but it appears to traverse on this long journey past farms, oceans and forests.

The first step was to build a “multi-plane down shooter,” a workstation used by some stop-motion animators. I learned about it when I watched director Clyde Petersen’s film “Torrey Pines” at Cucalorus. It’s essentially a stand with multiple panes of glass. The camera points down at the glass, allowing you to animate multiple layers—background, midground and foreground—on each plane.

RIDE

Justin Lacy debuts ‘Weeds’ stop-motion music video e: Tell us how your experience in art and different mediums came into play.

JL: Well, I haven’t always made my own graphics. In college I would sit with my old bandmate Ryan Spooner as he fiddled with posters in Photoshop for hours, neither of us having any experience in graphic design.

After he moved, I relied on friends and my ex-girlfriend for anything image-based.

Eventually, I felt like a nuisance—the frugal musician pestering his graphic designer girlfriend for help every time a show came around, so I taught myself some Photoshop basics. That got me by for a while, but the big turning point was actually when I lost access to Photoshop. In 2016, I had a show coming up and I didn’t want to spring for Adobe Creative Cloud’s monthly subscription or bother anyone to make a flier for me. So I decided I’d just Photoshop by hand.

I took an old 11-inch-by-17-inch flier and I layered construction paper onto it, cutting and pasting all the letters by hand. I then took a photograph of the final layout. It had a very rough-hewn, childlike aesthetic to it, and I loved it. I felt it worked really well with my music.

I learned video editing in a similar way. I did a Kickstarter campaign in 2011, and the guys from Blueberry Creative volunteered to shoot it for me, but I had to find someone to edit the footage. I wound up doing it myself, learning as I went. I found it to be very similar to editing audio while producing music, and

I was like, “You mean Bottega?”

“Yeah, that’s one of them.”

I didn’t know anything about the scope of the visual art scene here; at first I was a little intimidated to talk to visual artists about their work. I quickly learned it was a lot like talking to musicians about music.

Over the past eight years, I’ve written over 500 articles on artists and art exhibitions in Wilmington. Seeing so many of my favorite artists in town work just like children at play had a huge part in giving me confidence to try my own hand at visual work: all you gotta do is play!

I think my distinct lack of experience is kind of a blessing, because I want this stuff to look like a child made it. I guess I’m picking up where I left off at age 11. e: All in all, how many hours do you think you spent on this video? Would you do it again?

JL: Oh, I have no idea. Every scene took longer than expected. Hurricane Florence really screwed me up, and so I had to animate a big chunk of this in October, working around the clock before and after teaching music lessons to try to get it done before Cucalorus. I guess it would add up to hundreds of hours; it felt like thousands.

But, yeah, I’d totally do it again! I need to find a balanced way to incorporate it into my life, but it was so rewarding to get to see these little scraps of paper, cotton and yarn come to life. e: What were some lessons learned with “Weeds”? Were there any hic-

I know there are moments when I could have made the bike’s motion more believable, but, other than that, it went surprisingly smooth. I scrapped one scene, which was hard—knowing how much time went into it. I was happy with how it looked but it didn’t do much to move the story along, so I came up with another idea that should give the video more foreshadowing—raise the stakes a little. e: What was the reception like for “Weeds” when you screened it at Cucalorus?

JL: It got a really big applause, at least I think it did; I was pretty nervous. The film is essentially one long bike ride, so I think it’s pretty good at pulling the viewer along on this adventure, and when it finally ends, it feels like you have to catch your breath. e: What’s the next project to come?

What would you love to do next?

JL: There’s an album by my other project, Slow Dance, in the works. I’m directing a music video for it that combines live-action with some stop-motion creatures, creating a sort of old-school B-movie sci-fi feel. It’s mostly done and I’m really excited about the results.

After that, I’m thinking about, instead of diving into another 4-minute video, producing a series of short, Instagram-ready animations set to improvised music, with the idea of keeping everything really simple and as organic as possible. I think it’d be a fun project just to get some ideas going and gain more animation experience, and the musical improvisations could lead to full-fledged songs.

I really like the idea of continuing to create multimedia projects that combine visuals and music. While rehearsing for this livescore performance, the band and I practiced “Weeds” in sync with the video, and everyone in the band was freaking out, seeing our bass runs and drum hits lining up perfectly with explosions of color and paper. I’d love to be able to curate an entire live experience like that—performing, rather than recording, is my real passion—but that would probably take a decade!

THURS

I did, however, begin writing about visual arts for the StarNews in 2011. I kinda thought I’d be writing about music after college (hence the degree in music and English) but when I met with John Staton about freelancing for the paper, he was like, “Mmm you’re a little too involved in the music scene. What do you know about visual art? Have you been to any galleries?”

A little relief is so important when you’re in the muck of manic creativity. There were nights when my brain was so numb, but I stepped away to try to meditate, and then felt better continuing. Walks help, too. I say the hurricane cost me a lot of time, but this would’ve been a completely different film if I didn’t have to take off three weeks from animating to evacuate to the mountains and reassemble life after the storm.

7/25 ILM MAKERS AND GROWERS 5-9PM 6-8PM DAVID DIXON

FRI

JL: On the visual side, everything is self-taught. I went to UNCW for music and English. My only background in visual or mixed-media art—other than what I had to learn to make my own show fliers and videos—is when I was really young. I used to draw all the time when I was a kid. I went to an after-school art club in elementary school, and I remember wanting to be an “Imagineer” after visiting Disney World. At some point, I stopped drawing. I took band in middle school, and so I haven’t had any art instruction whatsoever since fifth grade.

JL: Lessons learned: Plexiglass builds up a lot of static electricity, and static electricity will give a scrap of paper a life on it’s own, and you don’t want to be chasing around little dancing scraps of paper all day. Probably should of used actual glass.

7/26 ROCKSTEAD

A&M’s Red Food Truck, 6-8pm Reggae and rock coming to Waterline on the road from Cincinnati!

8-10PM

Kono Pizza Truck, 6-9pm SAT

e: Did you go to school for art or music, or is everything self-taught?

cups—a scene or part of the project that just didn’t turn out and had to be scrapped?

SUN

I enjoyed the process. In 2017 I wanted to put out a video to help promote my second album, “Control Burn.” I wound up chopping Jonathan Guggenheim’s album artwork into individual Photoshop layers, importing the layers into After-effects and animating them into a short clip. That’s what really got me thinking about stop-motion.

7/27 JUSTIN CODY FOX BAND 8-10PM Bill’s Front Porch Brew Food, 6-9pm

7/27 FALLING FOR TUESDAY 3-5PM STRIKING COPPPER TRIO 5-7PM Salty Sistas, 3-6pm

721 Surry Street Wilmington waterlinebrewing.com

Located Under The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Free parking & brewery tours.

Wine & cider are available.

encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 17

JULY 29

ONLY AVAILABLE AT ENCOREDEALS.COM ON JULY 29TH 18 encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

GALLERY art exposure!

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

ArtExposure is celebrating 10 years!

Mary Ann Rozear is showcasing “The Shapes of Memories, from North Carolina to Maine” 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. • (484) 885-3037 Tues. - Sat. 10am - 6pm (or by appt., Sun. and Mon.) aibgallery.com

Art in Bloom Gallery is in a renovated 19th-century horse stable and presents an eclectic mix of original art by emerging and established artists. View “Chasing Shadow and Light: New Art by Brian Evans, Dianne Evans and Mark Gansor” featuring three artists working in a variety of mediums. Brian and Dianne are ceramic artists who play with light and shadow on three dimensional surfaces in their functional and decorative pottery. Mark is a landscape painter using textured surfaces to capture fleeting moments caught in the light. The exhibit continues through July 21, 2019. Art in Bloom Gallery is open until 9 pm on Fourth Friday Gallery Nights including June 28.

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: “TWENTY-TWO by THIRTY—From the flat files of GAYLE TUSTIN” is a selection of mixed media artwork all in the size of 22-inches-by30-inches at PinPoint 114 Market Street. Mixed media pieces vary with acrylic and oil paint, graphite, collage, sgraffito, sewing, found objects, birch bark, India ink, sailing charts, and more. Meet the artist at a champagne toast and reception, Tuesday, July 30, 5:30-6:30 pm—free and open to the public with complimentary champagne and appetizers. The exhibit continues through Sept. 23, 2019.

“Asylum: Collages by Elizabeth Darrow” is on display at Platypus & Gnome, 9 S. Front Street.

Darrow enjoys working with color, repeating patterns and embedding humor (and angst) into her work. The exhibit continues through September 30.

CHARLES JONES AFRICAN ART

311 Judges Rd., Unit 6-E • (910) 794-3060 Mon. – Fri. 10am - 12:30 pm,

GUIDE

1:30 pm - 4 pm Open other hours and weekends by appointment cjafricanart.com

African art: Museum quality African Art from West and Central Africa.

Traditional African art for the discerning collector.

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

Over 30 years experience in Tribal Arts. Our clients include many major museums.

NEW ELEMENTS GALLERY

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

Be transported to another place, time, or vacation by this show featuring two artists that are gifted oil painters of two separate genres. Angie Sinclair creates sublime memories of figures in pools with water refracting bodies and light, while Janet Triplett sends us a postcard landscape from the past or future with the perfect sunset, sunrise, or afternoon spent in the sun.

Come be a part of our “Sea Dreams.”

WILMA W. DANIELS GALLERY

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

Randy McNamara lives in Hampstead, where he maintains a studio and teaches painting at the Leland Cultural Arts Center. Previously, he lived in L.A., exhibiting his work at Gallery 825 and various other venues in the region. While at University of Kansas, he discovered and named an isozyme of wild sunflowers. His background in biology has influenced his work primarily through the use of biomorphic forms and the notion that everything functions within an interconnected matrix of infinite elements in flux.

A puzzle being assembled, disassembled and reassembled for eternity.

His work employs acrylics and paper applied to canvas in a painterly manner with an interest in color, rich surfaces and the conundrum of the center.

Closing reception will take place July 26, 6pm, with light refreshments and a meet-andgreet with the artist.

encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 19

ENGAGING EVENING: Steve Vernon pulls out the light saber for a battle of epic proportions in ‘Oedipus Wrecked.’

Photo courtesy of The Revelry Players

BY GWENYFAR ROHLER

T

he Revelry Players make their debut in Wilmington at Whiskey Tango Foxtrot with “Oedipus Wrecked”— an adaptation of Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex.” It is interactive theatre, sort of like dinner theatre where the audience is expected to get pulled up on stage and periodically singalong or pantomime something. The audience participates in “Oedipus Wrecked,” and alcohol plays a big part in it (hence the setting of a bar).

The script has been seriously cut down and turned into a drinking game that includes the possibility of the audience buying

the performers’ drinks. So when the tension is really mounting and the plot is advancing, the bartender can (and does) interrupt the action to announce a drink for one (or more) of the actors.

Revelry founder Rebekah Carmichael loosely adapted the script from Sophocles’ play that is believed to date around 420 BC. She also serves as the prompter for the evening and sort of the Greek chorus’ guide, especially since part of the chorus is selected for the audience. In Greek theatre a chorus usually provided exposition, commentary and moved along the action.

DRINKS AND DETAILS

Revelry Players bring absurdity of Greek tragedy to life

OEDIPUS WRECKED Sundays, 6 p.m., through July and August Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, 111 Grace St. Tickets: $10 www.revelryplayers.info We meet Oedipus, King of Thebes (J. Robert Raines). Thebes has got problems: plague, followed by plague, with more plague forecasted for next week. In an effort to figure out what is going on, he asks his brother-in-law, Creon (Grace Carlyle Berry) to ask Apollo’s Oracle for some guidance. According to Creon, the unsolved murder of the former King, Laius, is the root of the problem. It sets in motion an internal investigation that includes Teiresias (Steve Vernon), a blind prophet, and Jocasta (Steve Vernon)—Laius’ widow and now Oedipus’ wife—and also a servant who bore away a child many years earlier to be killed (also Steve Vernon).

Just to clarify, yes, Vernon gets some great wig action in this show. Slowly, Oedipus unravels, in spite of what he believes to be the truth of his childhood and upbringing. He actually has killed his father and married his mother (Jocasta), with whom he has fathered children. So, seriously, if there is a guy who should be spending time in a bar, drowning his sorrows in a bottle, it is Oedipus. He might have a corner on that market—or at least that bar stool.

20 encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

DRAMA

It’s a tough script and is made far funnier than possibly imagined. Think of “Drunk History” crossed with “SNL” and a little bit of a party for a fraternity that only pledges classics majors. I have to admit, I came to this of two mindsets: the snob in me had an expected reaction, but the other side of me said, “Well, if it gets people interested in Greek theatre, then all the better.”

This is not a serious production by any stretch of the imagination, but I did really believe Raines’ struggle by the end of the show far more than I expected. He managed to be self-satisfied, terrifying and terrified, all while constantly breaking character for a call to the bar or a laugh. Neither he nor the other cast members actually lost the story. Yes, they laughed. Yes, they broke character, but they didn’t lose the energy or story, and the audience was engaged with them through it all.

To be quite honest, it is one of the most stressful evenings of theatre I have had in a very long time ... and I mean that with praise.

Raines inspires genuinely conflicting emotions and Berry’s Creon—though largely a pastiche of gangsters and irritating in-laws—is someone for whom we wind up feeling a lot of sympathy. Who is this asshole that married his sister and is now somehow responsible for a plague? Who does he think he is to pull rank on Creon and bully him in such awful ways, then tell lies about him to Jocasta? Seriously, if Creon turned around and ran Oedipus through with a sword, the audience would feel justified. Vernon’s assortment of creepy trolls for Teiresias and whimsical fairies for Jocasta are absurd but also necessary comedic relief. The audience actually can learn the story of Oedipus through this show—and drink to excess, which, again, seems an appropriate response.

We are in an interesting time of transition for theatre in Wilmington. TheatreNOW just opened their final show. “Oedipus Wrecked” is at Whiskey Tango Foxtrot—i.e. the old Browncoat Pub & Theatre. In a weird way, it is like new life is taking shape and shining a light on what could be. If this is an example of what the Revelry Players plan to produce—classics as interactive drinking shows—I both hope for and foresee a bright future.

In the meantime, get to Whiskey Tango Foxtrot and discover that Greek tragedy is far more fun than expected. Cheers.

COLONEL MUSTARD WITH A ROPE: Lance Howell plays Colonel Mustard in TheatreNOW’s final curtain call, with ‘Clue: The Musical.’

Photo by James Bowling

BY GWENYFAR ROHLER

T

heatreNOW, Wilmington’s premier dinner theatre, opened their final show, “Clue: The Musical,” to a packed house Friday night. Based upon the much beloved board game, the musical opened Off-Broadway in 1997 and now makes the rounds of community theaters worldwide. Peter DePietro put together the book, largely designed to try and create a plot for the game. In reality, it is the songs that communicate the bulk of the information to the audience, with music by Galen Blum, Wayne Barker and Vinnie Martucci, and some witty lyrics by Tom Chiodo. The musical borrows a little from the 1985 film, but be warned, if you are expecting a stage recreation of the film, it’s not this.

Our host for the evening, Mr. Boddy (Ron Hasson), introduces us to the rules of the game, which includes us (the audience) selecting a location, weapon and murder. Then we meet the players: Mrs. White (Kathy Davis Enlow), Miss Scarlet (Bianca Shaw), Mr. Green (Dalton Crocker), Professor Plum (James Bowling), Colonel Mustard (Lance Howell), and Mrs. Peacock (Jen Richmond Iapalucci). Here we start to get backstory created for each character.

“Life is a Bowl of Pits,” Mrs. White’s big number, is a fabulous send-up of British Music Hall tradition. Enlow is one of the two performers who really steals the show.

Her rendition of Mrs. White as the put-upon Cockney housekeeper/cook/maid is engaging. Her accent is fun, and her attitude toward Mr. Boddy and his “guests” is endlessly laugh-inducing. For comedic relief, Enlow has got it in spades. Not to mention she has one hell of a set of pipes.

Crocker’s Mr. Green is a malaprop-ridden schemer who seems to have a shady past with Miss Scarlett. With his sweet baby face, I just wanted to root for him against the accusations that Boddy makes.

Bianca Shaw’s Miss Scarlett is the living embodiment of the term “va-va-va-voom”!

Actually, she is the proverbial triple threat: actor, dancer, singer. Together, the audience

DETAILS CLUE: THE MUSICAL Through Aug. 24, Fri.-Sat. only, 6 p.m.

TheatreNOW, 10th and Dock streets Tickets: $22 (show-only)-$52 (show and 3-course meal) theatrewilmington.com sees how these two could really run a scam on an unsuspecting mark: She dazzles people, and while they aren’t paying attention, the guy who seems too innocent to be anything other than trustworthy talks them out of their savings. The pair’s song, “Everyday Devices,” is about their history together, and desire to kill Mr. Boddy. It explores the possible uses of such everyday objects as a pipe or wrench as a murder weapon. It is hilarious and wonderfully executed by two people who truly revel in musical theatre.

Lance Howell’s Col. Mustard kept me smiling. He plays farce so well and his story is so absurd. I mean, it’s all absurd, but his story is especially absurd. Apparently, he has an illness that causes him to mistake people for inanimate objects. I don’t get to see Howell on stage as much as I would like, and this was a wonderful surprise. It is clear in his scenes with Mrs. Peacock, she is in control of the future of the narrative.

Iapalucci’s Mrs. Peacock isn’t a vixen like Miss Scarlett, but the confidence she projects and her calm assuredness is probably the greatest source of her charm for men.

It’s working, too; she has buried five husbands already. The group plays one of the most awkward games of Twister ever executed, and anyone who keeps a straight face during it is made of sterner stuff than I.

GOING OUT ON A HIGH

In the midst of everything, Mr. Boddy apparently dies—and a detective (Georgie Simon) shows up to investigate. Simon is kind of a ringer. She acts the part beautifully, but one has to wonder why her beautiful voice was wasted on only two songs plus the curtain call? With a singer like that, we want to hear her as often as possible! She and Prof. Plum (Bowling) get into one of the weirdest seduction scenes, which centers around a quote battle that begins with Thoreau and ends with Greek tragedy.

Bowling is believable as the stuffy, self-assured Oxford-type. I have spent a lot of my life around men he models this character on—men who have a constant belief they are desirable, brilliant and infallible in the face of monumental evidence to the contrary. Bowling has got the absurdity and self-satisfaction of it perfectly. Oy. Watching Simon slowly tumble to it is so distressing. I just wanted to shake her and scream, “You are a detective! Why are you getting manipulated by this pompous schmuck?”

Appropriately, “Clue: The Musical” began life as a dinner theatre show in Baltimore before it began its arduous journey to Off-Broadway. It shows in the structure: audience participation, a built-in dinner break and a perfect slot for a dessert break. That being said, this is dinner and a show. It really is hard to accept it may be the last meal I enjoy from Chef Denise Gordon. Starting with “Mr. Green’s Wilted Greens Salad,” I was determined to enjoy every moment I could. I even stole my date’s salad when he got up to go to the bar. I love arugula! I love tomatoes! And the homemade dressing with roasted corn in a tomato base was just too much for me to resist. It’s like what French dressing aspired to be, if only someone gave it the hint.

Our main courses consisted of Mrs. Peacock and Col. Mustard’s Naughty Eggplant-Veggie Calzone. As a passionate fan of eggplant, it was the perfect parting gift from Gordon, stuffed with eggplant, roasted peppers, squash, spinach and cheeses galore! It was like a plateful of sin. Really, I should feel guilty, but I don’t.

NOTE

TheatreNOW’s last show, “Clue: The Musical,” is a fun send-off My date scored on dinner, too. He was beside himself to get slow-cooked pork; we don’t cook meat at home. Add in bacon, carrots and celery, and then stuff it in a potato covered in cheese—he really was beside himself with delight. It was a melting pot of savory goodness. (Confession time: I stole his sweet potato quinoa cake. It was so yummy and flavorful, I couldn’t resist, and he was so preoccupied, he didn’t notice.)

It may seem hard to believe we could even have room for dessert, but when Chef Gordon brought out her Vanilla Carmel Crunch Cake, we did. I am, by and large, a chocolate-oriented person; both Jock and I eat a lot of chocolate during the average day. But the salty crunchiness of the cake in conjunction with the sweetness of the vanilla was a perfect way to end the meal.

It was a bittersweet night. The show was fun—very fun—lots of singing, dancing and laughing. That’s what it is supposed to be; it’s not meant to deepen or change perceptions of the world at large. The food was wonderful, as always, but it is sad to see it come to an end.

For seven years Alisa Harris, owner of TheatreNOW, has paid actors, writers and technicians, while bringing a blend of literary merit (Shakespeare, Clyde Edgerton, August Wilson) and low-brow fun (Irish Wake musicals) to 10th and Dock streets. It will be hard to say good bye, but it is certainly going out on a high note.

encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 21

AN ACTOR’S LIFE: Katherine Vernon, Maria Luisa Winslow, Tyana Rumbeau, Alex Wharff and Rich Deike in “Circle Mirror Transformation.”

Photo by Jeff Loy

ROLES OF

BY CHASE HARRISON

T

he need to be understood is primal, even if it’s just with one other person. Sadly, being human gets in the way more often than not.

We lie, justify, cheat, justify, hurt, and justify some more. Subconsciously, we figure out our “roles” in life and play them out, for good or bad. At the end of the day, though, we must remain the “hero” of our own stories, so we justify more. We get better at playing ourselves than actually being ourselves. Thus is the art of being human.

Big Dawg Productions’ latest venture, “Circle Mirror Transformation” by Annie Baker shows us as much is true. The play is framed as a well-paced whirlwind of scenes, taking place over a six-week acting workshop in a small town rec center.

Though a plot is present, how it’s presented fascinates most. The majority of scene runtime consists of a smorgasbord of theatre games. The like of which will have the uninitiated smiling, laughing and hopefully wanting to join in. As for anyone who has spent time in a theatre class, they may find themselves clawing at the walls, hoping Zip, Zap, Zop isn’t next.

We learn who the players are through bookends to the games­ —small slivers the characters allow to slip out into the world.

The interactions shape their connections, and for an audience willing to read between the lines, a world of depth awaits. The au-

dience witnesses five strangers, for better or worse, connecting on a real level. It’s subtle in its approach yet powerful in its look behind the curtain of a hobbyist’s take on acting. Serving as further proof that, while an outlet, theatre is not therapy.

Kat Vernon plays Marty, the teacher of the acting class who becomes something of a den mother to her students. She wants to expose them to the world of theatre, yet it seems more like she is using the class to work out her own past trauma. Vernon is as ever dominating in her role and takes small moments to fill in unseen history. In one instant, through wringing hands and furrowed brow, Vernon quietly owns the stage.

Marty’s roll call is made up of all walks of life. There is her husband James (Alex Wharff); Theresa (Maria-Luisa Winslow); a failed New York actress who has moved to the area; the recently divorced Schultz (Rich Deike); and the 16-year-old peculiar and precocious Lauren (Tyana Rumbeau). Each of the “students” truly embody their roles. With Deike’s Schultz and Winslow’s Theresa, the two bring to stage the hopes of new love and sadness of an infatuation ended. Deike really shines, giving Schultz a gruff brute exterior only matched by his softsouled interior.

DETAILS CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATON July 25-28 and Aug. 1-4, 8 p.m. or 3 p.m. on Sundays Tickets: $18-$25 Cape Fear Playhouse, 613 Castle St. bigdawgproductions.org

design to the humanistic portrayal of the human condition. The key word that carries through the production is “natural.” It all feels very day-in-the-life-of, which is a huge credit to the production’s director Kire’ Stenson. She has a clear love for the play, which is needed for the odd way the show dances around its over-arching plot. She approaches it with a strong enough vision, as to craft a solid structure but with a soft enough touch to allot room for the actors themselves to work. Its The play easily could pass for a staged doc- solid work from a director who proves, when umentary with just how mundane the world one has done something right, audiences comes across. From its very recognizable set won’t be sure they’ve done anything at all.

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The set is great, so world-building good that when audiences walk into the Cape Fear Playhouse, they will undoubtedly be transported to the recreation center. It’s not flamboyantly painted or revolutionary in design, but scenic designers Robin Dale Robertson and Donna Troy have detailed it to such an ample degree that I was genuinely surprised with the theater’s transformation. Having seen it reshaped numerous ways over the years, this one rings with a sense of authenticity. From inspirational posters strewn across the walls, the dance beam mounted, all the way down to the information newsletters hanging on the bulletin board, nothing gets left out.

The production has even managed to hide clever Easter eggs to the director in the set, but no spoilers here in finding them; it is up

LIFE

Big Dawg’s latest show compares theatre and life to you, dear reader. Most impressive is the massive mirror in three sections covering the back wall of the theater. An element which can be a distraction at times, it also allows the audience to see angles normally cut off.

As someone who had to clean mirrors in his past, allow me to point out praise for the lack of finger and hand prints usually on them.

The idea of acting is “to live truthfully under the imaginary circumstances”—at least that’s what Sanford Meisner said, and I imagine he had a thought or two on the matter.

The cast has a hard job on their hands with this material, their imaginary circumstances are practically everyday life, and it’s easy to forget just how overwhelming everyday life can be. There is nothing showy presented on stage, no grand explosions of raging tempers or passions. Every built moment of tension is cut off or interrupted before it can peak as to not disrupt the “safe space” these five individuals have built.

With how passed-over the drama comes off, one could argue this is a play where nothing happens. To which the correct response comes from paraphrasing fictional writer Robert Mckee: “Nothing happens in the world? Are you out of your fucking mind?

If you can’t find that stuff in life, then you my friend don’t know crap about life!” This play is one of the best depictions of humanity in all of its uncomfortable glory.

The Wilmington theatre scene in past seasons has had an issue of resembling a television network that continuously aired reruns. As of late, a number of companies have really stepped up to change that channel by bringing something new to us in the Port City. Big Dawg Productions is one company truly leading the charge with this much needed change. Their premiere of “Circle Mirror Transformation” to our stages truly shows why they have been a force for the past 24 years.

CROWD INTERACTION: Cory Howard leads a crowd through an interactive variety show, much like a Choose Your Own Adventure tale on monster attackes!

Photo courtesy of Campfireball

BY JULIA ROMERO

A

nyone who watched—er, played—the recent “Black Mirror” episode “Bandersnatch” became familiar with its “Choose Your Own Adventure”-style of TV-meets-video game. Participants are able to pick and choose the actions of the main character in the show, with choices affecting the plot’s progression and the characters’ outcomes. Once the show hit Netflix, mainstream media took to it like wildfire.

Suddenly, everyone was talking about the episode and their unique outcomes.

After a few days, the Internet quickly mapped out the linear progression of choices, confirming the watchers didn’t have complete freedom, only the illusion of freedom. Such control and intimacy left the audience feeling ownership over the show.

Cory Howard aims to give audiences a similar experience, albeit live and in person. Campfireball is an interactive comedic experience that centers around the audience. Howard’s been touring from Dallas to Richmond, and will land in his former hometown of Wilmington to perform at UNCW’s Lumina Fest. With a special appearance from Dance-a-lorus (stemmed from Wilmington’s Cucalorus Festival) performing new pieces created for the festival, on July 28, Howard and the audience will navigate their way through a symbolic monster attack.

“It takes about 20 minutes for people to understand it’s not a joke and I’m not screwing with them,” Howard says. “Then they get into it and roll with the adventure that is ‘Campfireball.’”

What began in Howard’s backyard as a glorified open-mic has become a nationally touring event hosted by universities, companies and bigger and better backyards. Howard’s journey started at UNCW where he got his degree in film. He went on to create several feature films as the comedy duo Superkiiids! with Jona-

COMEDIC

BUBBLE

than Guggenheim. The last project the duo made together was “Americatown” in 2010. When Howard moved to LA in 2011, he began taking improv classes and getting involved with the comedic scene. It was during this time he thought the performances he saw were too anticipatory and closed-off, which ultimately inspired him to go in the opposite direction.

“I want people to never know what is about to happen—you can only participate not anticipate,” Howard explains. “I want everyone to feel like they’re on equal footing. I don’t want anybody to feel like they are missing out on the experience.”

Taking this idea to heart, Howard found a way to blend intimacy and absurdity, bringing to life an ever-evolving experience completely built upon the audience and improvisation. “I don’t rehearse because I don’t want to over understand the show,” Howard says. “I want to go into the show and be a little bit afraid.”

Although, “Campfireball” is mostly improv, Howard does form a skeleton in his mind of themes and skits that may emerge.

Still, the outcome is completely dependent on interaction. “We are either going to be devoured by monsters or survive; it’s up to the audience,” Howard notes.

Howard hopes to unlock a vulnerable experience for participants. Inspired by the 2015 election, a visceral monster attack was the best way for Howard to grapple with his feelings. It’s easier to be vulnerable when it’s seen through the lens of humor. Howard uses it to his advantage.

“I don’t want to be didactic,” he clarifies.

“The election was my inception point, but an audience member’s hypothetical monster attack may be a divorce they’re going through or being uncertain about whether or not they are going to get into grad

A “Choose Your Own Adventure” performance closes Lumina Fest school. Hopefully, the show works on any level you bring to it.”

Howard does not shy away from any ridicule or hyperbole present. Past shows have included having virtual reality conversations with lost Mars’ rovers; audience members calling people in the middle of the show; and pretending everyone is deceased and going through orientation into the afterlife.

During that show, Howard does a comedy bit where he improvises how everyone in the audience has died. “It’s a dark idea, but people get such a big kick out of it, and then they’re willing to participate in a larger discussion about death and loss while sharing real stories,” Howard explains.

“You’d think it would break this comedic bubble, but it’s like a big saute that goes well together. We take serious moments and sit in them, and then we move on to ‘training on how to be a ghost!’ It’s part of the same continuum.”

On that same note, Howard makes sure to share as much with the audience as the audience shares with him. Howard has been compared to comedian Chris Gethard, who uses comedy to explore his fears and anxieties. “I get very personal on stage,” Howard adds. “One time I reenacted my relationship with an ex-girlfriend where the audience played my ex, and we went through the whole thing together.”

Howard is inspired by alternative sto-

DETAILS CAMPFIREBALL July 28, 6:30 p.m.

Kenan Auditorium, UNCW 515 Wagoner Dr. Tickets: $10 uncw.edu/arts/lumina rytelling methods, much like in “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” or as seen in art installations by Meow Wolf, a Santa Febased art company that transports participants into a fantasy realm. Both Mr. Rogers and Meow Wolf used made-up worlds to tackle serious issues. Mr. Rogers talked about death and assassination on his children’s show using puppets, and Meow Wolf uses art and wonder to deal with family dysfunction and trauma.

“Both Mr. Rogers and Meow Wolf do extraordinary things,” Howard iterates—“alternative approaches into a story. By the end of ‘Campfireball,’ I want the deeper meaning to reveal itself without needing guidelines or step-by-step instructions.”

“Campfireball” continues the collective experience and unique storytelling beyond the stage on social media, @campfireballer. “People can go on our Instagram, look at our thumbnails, comment and participate,” Howard explains.

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24 encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

BUDDY BUDDY ‘Stuber’ offers some laughs but lacks an authentic story.

Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

STALE

BY ANGHUS

B

uddy comedies used to be a regular thing. It was a staple of cinema throughout the 20th century spawned from such classic duos as Laurel and Hardy and Dean and Lewis. It’s such a beautifully simple cinematic formula: Take two very different people, pair them together, and force them to tolerate one another while dealing with a rapidly escalating scenario. There are some great buddy comedies, like “48 Hours,” “Midnight Run,” “Blues Brothers,” “Lethal Weapon,” “Stir Crazy,” “Tommy Boy” and “Friday,” just to name a few.

The buddy comedy isn’t exactly in its heyday­­—not when super expensive overthe-top blockbusters are crowding out anything that isn’t a remake, reboot or existing franchise. Every so often you get something like “The Heat” with Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy or “The Nice Guys” with Ryan Gosling and Russell Crow.

But they feel like nostalgic throwbacks to an era of filmmaking that no longer exists. Even Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood,” which seems to lean into buddy-comedy tropes, feels like an homage to the medium. Does the good, old-fashioned, non-ironic buddy comedy have any chance at survival in show business?

If “Stuber” is any indication, the answer is “no.” In fact, the movie feels like a very good argument for why this formula went stale. Stu (Kumail Nanjiani) is an Uber driver, desperate to create a life for himself.

His life is a kind of Sisyphisian hell, where he’s forced to deal with terrible people all day, working for the popular ride-sharing service while pining for the dream girl he’s been in love with since college. Things are already going pretty bad when he meets Vic (Dave Bautista), an obsessed cop working a case for the LAPD. After getting corrective eye surgery, Vic gets a tip on the location of the guy who murdered his partner. Unable to drive, he calls an Uber and gets Stu to drive him from one potential deadly situation to the next.

Stu wants to get the hell out, but due to his plummeting rating on the Uber app, he needs that five-star review. That last sen-

DETAILS STUBER Directed by Michael Dowse

they do feels authentic.

There’s a few good laughs in the movie, but the plot is so dreadfully thin and there isn’t a scene in the movie that feels like an organic story being told. It is an oldschool deep-dive into a cliché-filled pool.

Every scene is telegraphed, every moment feels forced.

The only positives come from a cast trying to entertain in spite of the entire enterprise burning around them—like two performers who continue their routine even through the proscenium burning and collapsing into the audience. I admire their commitment but

FORMULA

‘Stuber’ doesn’t throw back to the good buddy comedies of yore I’m afraid I have to exit the theater before it all comes down. This is one ride you don’t want to take.

Rated R, 1 hr. 33 min.

Starring Dave Bautista, Kumail Nanjiani, Mira Sorvino tence makes my brain hurt. Typing it was a chore. So we have movie where the main character puts his life in jeopardy because he’s worried about a rating on an app.

This is either a very subtle jab at the state of our service-based economy or some absolutely lazy writing.

I’m sure on paper the concept of an Uber driver having to chauffeur a cop around town seemed amusing. But the attempted reality feels so forced, I could practically see the shoehorn being wedged into every scene.

I’ll give a lot of credit to the leads who work really hard to try and make this movie work. Nanjiani is such s a likable guy that many scenes are salvaged just because he’s on the screen. Dave Bautista, best known for playing Drax in “Guardians of the Galaxy,” seems less believable as an actual human than he does an alien assassin. He seems unnaturally huge for the role and sticks out like a sore thumb in every scene. It’s not that Bautista is unlikable, I just couldn’t suspend my disbelief that I was watching an actual human being. It reminded me of most films in the 1980s featuring Dolph Lundgren. There’s something naturally unnatural about their screen presence and nothing about what encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 25

DINING

GUIDE

PAN-SEA

RED DIVE R SCALLO P

AMERICAN

S Henry’s , 2508 In

dependen ce Blvd. •

BLUEWATER WATERFRONT GRILL

Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of sailing ships and the Intracoastal Waterway while dining at this popular casual American restaurant in Wrightsville Beach.

Lunch and dinner are served daily. Favorites include jumbo lump crab cakes, succulent seafood lasagna, crispy coconut shrimp and an incredible Caribbean fudge pie. Dine inside or at their award-winning outdoor patio and bar, which is the location for their lively Waterfront Music Series every Sunday April - October.

Large parties welcome. Private event space available.

BluewaterDining.com. 4 Marina Street, Wrightsville Beach, NC. (910) 256-8500.

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wrightsville Beach ■ FEATURING: Waterfront dining ■ MUSIC: Music every Sunday in Summer ■ WEBSITE: bluewaterdining.com

CAM CAFÉ

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

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

ELIJAH’S

henrysre staurant.c om. Cour tesy

Since 1984, Elijah’s has been Wilmington, NC’s outdoor dining destination. We feature expansive indoor and outdoor waterfront dining, with panoramic views of riverfront sunsets. As a Casual American Grill and Oyster Bar, Elijah’s offers everything from fresh local seafood and shellfish to pastas, sandwiches, and Certified Angus Beef selections. We offer half-priced oysters from 4-6 every Wednesday & live music with our Sunday Brunch from 11-3. Whether you are just looking for a great meal & incredible scenery, or a large event space for hundreds of people, Elijah’s is the place to be.

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

HENRY’S

A local favorite, Henry’s is the ‘place to be’ for great food, a lively bar and awesome patio dining. Henry’s serves up American cuisine at its finest that include entrees with fresh, local ingredients. Come early for lunch, because it’s going to be packed. Dinner too!

Henry’s Pine Room is ideal for private functions up to 30 people. 2508 Independence Boulevard, Wilmington, NC. (910) 793.2929.

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Daily blackboard specials.

■ WEBSITE: henrysrestaurant.com

NICHE

Niche Kitchen and Bar features an eclectic menu, a large wine list, and a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Close to Carolina Beach, Niche has a great selection of dishes from land to sea. All dishes are cooked to order, and Sundays features a great brunch menu!

26 encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

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Niche’s heated covered patio is perfect for anytime of the year and great for large parties. And their bar has a great assortment of wines, even offered half off by the glass on Tuesdays-Thursdays. Open Tues. - Sun. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling 910-399-4701.

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

- 10 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington ■ WEBSITE: nichewilmington.com

PINE VALLEY MARKET

Pine Valley Market has reigned supreme in servicing the Wilmington community for years, securing encore’s Best-Of awards in catering, gourmet shop and butcher. Now, Kathy Webb and Christi Ferretti are expanding their talents into serving lunch in-house, so folks can enjoy their hearty, homemade meals in the quaint and cozy ambiance of the market. Using the freshest ingredients of highest quality, diners can enjoy the best Philly Cheesesteak in Wilmington, along with numerous other sandwich varieties, from their Angus burger to classic Reuben, Italian sub to a grown-up banana and peanut butter sandwich that will take all diners back to childhood. Served among a soup du jour and salads, there is something for all palates. Take advantage of their take-home frozen meals for nights that are too hectic to cook, and don’t forget to pick up a great bottle of wine to go with it. 3520 S. College Road, (910) 350-FOOD. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Sun. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Daily specials and take-home frozen meals

■ ■ WEBSITE: pinevalleymarket.com

THE TROLLY STOP

Trolly Stop Grill and Catering is a four store franchise in North Carolina. Trolly Stop Hot Dogs opened in Wrightsville Beach in 1976. That store name has never changed. Since the Wrightsville Beach store, the newer stores sell hotdogs, hamburgers, beef and chicken cheese steaks, fries, hand dipped ice cream, milk shakes, floats and more.

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

Check our website trollystophotdogs.com for hours of operations, specific store offerings and telephone numbers, or contact Rick Coombs, 910-297-8416, rtrollystop@aol.com We offer catering serving 25-1000 people. Franchises available.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER ■ LOCATIONS: Wilmington, Fountain Dr. (910) 4523952, Wrightsville Beach (910) 256-3921, Southport (910) 457-7017, Boone, NC (828) 265-2658, Chapel Hill, NC (919) 240-4206 ■ WEBSITE: trollystophotdogs.com

ASIAN CANDLE NUT RESTAURANT

Candle Nut Restaurant makes all of its food from scratch using recipes passed down generations fol-

lowing Indonesian-Asian traditions. We use fresh turmeric, galangal, ginger, candle nuts, lemon grass and lime leaves to provide your meal with rich flavor. Many of our famous signature dishes such as Beef Rendang, Sweet Soy Eggplant, Javanese Chicken Soup and Chili Sambals, are unique in flavor and found only at Candle Nut Restaurant. We also offer delicious Vegetarian and Vegan options. Check our website, Facebook and other social media sites. Located at 2101-1 Market Street, near Port City Java and Burnt Mill Creek Bar. For reservations, and take out: Phone: 910-399-2054 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Tues.-Thurs. 11am3 pm, 5pm- 9 pm; Fri. & Sat. 11am-10pm; Sun. 11am-9 pm. Closed Monday.

■ FEATURING: Try our lunch specials from 11am – 3 pm for $7.99. Tuesday & Wednesday unwind with our wine special for $4.00/glass.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: candlenutrestaurant.com

INDOCHINE RESTAURANT

If you’re ready to experience the wonders of the Orient without having to leave Wilmington, join us at Indochine for a truly unique experience. Indochine brings the flavors of the Far East to the Port City, combining the best of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine in an atmosphere that will transport you and your taste buds. Relax in our elegantly decorated dining room, complete with antique Asian decor as well as contemporary artwork and music. Our diverse, friendly and efficient staff will serve you beautifully presented dishes full of enticing aromas and flavors. Be sure to try such signature items as the spicy and savory Roasted Duck with Red Curry, or the beautifully presented and delicious Shrimp and Scallops in a Nest. Be sure to save room for our world famous desert, the banana egg roll! We take pride in using only the freshest ingredients, and our extensive menu suits any taste. After dinner, enjoy specialty drinks by the koi pond in our Asian garden.

Located at 7 Wayne Drive (beside the Ivy Cottage), (910) 251-9229.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Tues.- Fri. 11 a.m.2 p.m.; Sat. 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. for lunch. Mon.- Sun. 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. for dinner.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: indochinewilmington.com

NIKKI’S FRESH GOURMET

For more than a decade, Nikki’s downtown has served diners the best in sushi. With freshly crafted ingredients making up their rolls, sushi and sashimi, a taste of innovation comes with every order. Daily they offer specialty rolls specific to the Front Street location, such as the My Yoshi, K-Town and Crunchy Eel rolls. But for less adventurous diners looking for options beyond sushi, Nikki’s serves an array of sandwiches, wraps and gyros, too. They also make it a point to host all dietary needs, omnivores, carnivores and herbivores alike. They have burgers and cheesesteaks, as well as falafal pitas and veggie wraps, as well as an extensive Japanese fare menu, such as bento boxes and tempura platters. Daily dessert and drink special are also on order. Check out their website and Facebook for more information. 16 S. Front St. (910) 7719151.

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: nikkissushibar.com

OKAMI JAPANESE HIBACHI STEAK HOUSE

We have reinvented “Hibachi cuisine.” Okami Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse is like no other. Our highly skilled chefs cook an incredible dinner while entertain-

SIPS DOWNTOWN MARGARITA CRAWL Sat., Aug. 3, 2 p.m.

Party Wilmington’s annual downtown Margarita bar crawl! Stop by Growlers Tavern to pick up your voting card.

Judge at least 8 of the participating bars and return your card to be in the running for some great prizes.

Registration at Growlers Tavern, 21 N Front St., 1-3 p.m. $5, enevtbrite.com ing you on the way. Our portions are large, our drinks are less expensive, and our staff is loads of fun. We are committed to using quality ingredients and seasoning with guaranteed freshness. Our goal is to utilize all resources, domestically and internationally, to ensure we serve only the finest food products. We believe good, healthy food aids vital functions for well-being, both physically and mentally. Our menu consists of a wide range of steak, seafood, and chicken for the specially designed “Teppan Grill.” We also serve tastebud-tingling Japanese sushi, hand rolls, sashimi, tempura dishes, and noodle entrees. This offers our guests a complete Japanese dining experience. Our all-you-can-eat sushie menu and daily specials can be found at okamisteakhouse.com! 614 S College Rd. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.-Thurs., 11am 2:30pm / 4-10pm; Fri., 11am-2:30pm / 4pm-11pm; Sat., 11am-11pm; Sun., 11am-9:30pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: okamisteakhouse.com

hensive 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 - 80smusic and menu prices. Sundays are the best dealdowntown - Specialty Sushi and Entrees are BuyOne, Get One $10 Off and 1/2 price Wine Bottles.Nightly Drink Specials. Gluten-Free Menu upon request. Complimentary Birthday Dessert.

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

BAGELS

YOSHI

DINNER THEATRE

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: www.yoshisushibarandjapanesecuisine.com

ROUND BAGELS Round Bagels and Donuts features 17 varieties of New York-style bagels, baked fresh daily on site in a steam bagel oven. Round offers a wide variety of breakfast and lunch bagel sandwiches, grilled and fresh to order.

Round also offers fresh-made donuts daily! Stop by Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., and on Sunday, 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

■ SERVING BREAKFAST & LUNCH ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Homemade bagels, cream cheeses,

donuts, sandwiches, coffee and more ■ WEBSITE: roundbagelsanddonuts.com

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: theatrewilmington.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: 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 compre-

encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 27

FONDUE THE LITTLE DIPPER

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

(910) 251-0433.

■ SERVING DINNER: 5pm Tue-Sun; open 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., MayOct ■ WEBSITE: littledipperfondue.com

IRISH THE HARP

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

the most delicious Irish fare! We have a fully stocked bar featuring favorite Irish beers and whiskies. We are open every day for both American and Irish breakfast, served to noon weekdays and 2 p.m. weekends. Regular menu to 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 p.m. weekends.

Join us for trivia at 8:30 on Thursdays and live music on Fridays – call ahead for schedule (910) 763-1607.

Located just beside Greenfield Lake and Park at the south end of downtown Wilmington, The Harp is a lovely Irish pub committed to bringing traditional Irish flavor, tradition and hospitality to the Cape Fear area ■ SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Greenfield Lake/DowntownSouth ■ FEATURING: Homemade soups, desserts and breads, free open wifi, new enlarged patio area, and big screen TVs at the bar featuring major soccer matches worldwide.

■ WEBSITE: harpwilmington.com

SLAINTE IRISH PUB

Slainte Irish Pub in Monkey Junction has traditional pub fare with an Irish flair. We have a large selection of Irish whiskey, and over 23 different beers on draft, and 40 different craft beers in bottles. They have a large well lit outdoor patio with a full bar also. Come have some fun! They currently do not take reservations, but promise to take care of you when you get here! 5607 Carolina Beach Rd. #100, (910) 399-3980 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 11:30 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington, Monkey Junction ■ FEATURING: Irish grub, whiskeys, beer, wine, fun.

■ WEBSITE: facebook.com/slaintemj

THANK YOU WILMINGTON! Voted “Best Burger” and “Best Fries” Great burgers and hand-cut fries.

Sandwiches and salads.

Indoor and patio seating.

Established 1990

6 Locations in the Cape Fear

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ITALIAN ANTONIO’S

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD DELIVERY OFFERED: Monkey Junction and near Independence Mall ■ WEBSITE: antoniospizzaandpasta.com

THE ITALIAN BISTRO

The Italian Bistro is a family-owned, full-service Italian restaurant and pizzeria located in Porters Neck.

They offer a wide variety of N.Y. style thin-crust pizza and homemade Italian dishes seven days a week!

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

Their warm, inviting, atmosphere is perfect for “date night” or “family night.” Let them show you why “fresh, homemade and local” is part of everything they do.

8211 Market St. (910) 686-7774

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Sun brunch, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Porters Neck ■ WEBSITE: italianbistronc.com

SLICE OF LIFE

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

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, Downtown and Wilmington South.

■ FEATURING: Largest tequila selection in town!

■ WEBSITE: grabslice.com

MEXICAN ZOCALO

Zocalo Street Food and Tequila brings a modern version of cooking traditional Mexican street food through perfected recipes, with excellent presentation.

Zócalo was the main ceremonial center for the Aztecs, and presently, it is the main square in central Mexico City. It bridges old school tradition with a twist of innovative cooking. Zocalo also has weekly events, such as their margarita and food tasting every Monday, 5-8 p.m., and a live taco station every Tuesday , 5-8 p.m.

Live Latin music Is showcased every other Saturday and Sunday brunch begins at 10 a.m. Be sure to try

Zocalo’s wide selection of the best tequilas! Owned and operated locally, locations are in Wilmington and Jacksonville, NC. Take out and delivery available through most apps.

■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER AND BRUNCH: Monday - Saturday, 11 a.m - 10 p.m.; Sunday brunch, 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; closes 9 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Pointe at Barclay ■ WEBSITE: zocalostreetfood.com

SANDWICHES J. MICHAEL’S PHILLY DELI

The Philly Deli celebrated their 38th anniversary in August 2017. Thier first store was located in Hanover Center—the oldest shopping center in Wilmington.

Since, two more Philly Delis have been added: one at Porters Neck and one at Monkey Junction.

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

We also have a great collection of salads to choose from, including the classic chef’s salad, chicken salad, and tuna salad, all made fresh every day in our three Wilmington, NC restaurants. 8232 Market St., 3501 Oleander Dr., 609 Piner Rd.

■ OPEN: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Monday -Thursday,11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Friday - Saturday.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Porters Neck, North and South Wilmington, ■ WEBSITE: https://phillydeli.com

SEAFOOD CAPE FEAR SEAFOOD COMPANY

Founded in 2008 by Evans and Nikki Trawick, Cape Fear Seafood Company has become a local hotspot for the freshest, tastiest seafood in the area. With it’s growing popularity, the restaurant has expanded from its flagship eatery in Monkey Junction to locations in Porters Neck and Waterford in Leland. “We are a dedicated group of individuals working together as a team to serve spectacular food, wine and spirits in a relaxed and casual setting,” restaurateur Evans Trawick says. “At CFSC every dish is prepared with attention to detail, quality ingredients and excellent flavors. Our staff strives to accommodate guests with a sense of urgency and an abundance of southern hospitality.”

Cape Fear Seafood Company has been recognized by encore magazine for best seafood in 2015, as well as

by Wilmington Magazine in 2015 and 2016, and Star News from 2013 through 2016. Monkey Junction: 5226 S. College Road Suite 5, 910-799-7077. Porter’s Neck: 140 Hays Lane #140, 910-681-1140. Waterford: 143 Poole Rd., Leland, NC 28451 ■ SERVING LUNCH AND DINNER: 11:30am-4pm daily; Mon.-Thurs.., 4pm-9pm; Fri.-Sat., 4pm 10pm; Sun., 4pm-8:30pm.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, north Wilmington and Leland ■ WESBITE: capefearseafoodcompany.com

CATCH

Serving the Best Seafood in South Eastern North Carolina. Wilmington’s Native Son, 2011 James Beard Award Nominee, 2013 Best of Wilmington “Best Chef” winner, Chef Keith Rhodes explores the Cape Fear Coast for the best it has to offer. We feature Wild Caught & Sustainably raised Seafood. Organic and locally sourced produce & herbs provide the perfect compliment to our fresh Catch. Consecutively Voted Wilmington’s Best Chef 2008, 09 & 2010. Dubbed

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

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

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

DOCK STREET OYSTER BAR

Voted Best Oysters for over 10 years by encore readers, you know what you can find at Dock Street Oyster Bar. But we have a lot more than oysters! Featuring a full menu of seafood, pasta, and chicken dishes from $4.95-$25.95, there’s something for everyone at Dock Street. You’ll have a great time eating in our “Bohemian-Chic” atmosphere, where you’ll feel just as comfort able in flip flops as you would in a business suit. Located at 12 Dock St in downtown Wilmington.

Open lunch and dinner, 7 days a week. (910) 762-2827.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 7 days a week.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING: Fresh daily steamed oysters.

■ WEBSITE: dockstreetoysterbar.net

MICHAEL’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Established in 1998, Michael’s Seafood Restaurant is locally owned and operated by Shelly McGowan and managed by her team of culinary professionals.

Michael’s aspires to bring you the highest quality and freshest fin fish, shell fish, mollusks, beef, pork, poultry and produce. Our menu consists of mainly locally grown and made from scratch items. We count on our local fishermen and farmers to supply us with seasonal, North Carolina favorites on a daily basis. Adorned walls include awards such as 3 time gold medalist at the International Seafood Chowder Cook-Off, Entrepreneur of the Year, Restaurant of the Year and Encores readers’ choice in Best Seafood to name a few.

1206 N. Lake Park Blvd. (910) 458-7761 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 7 days 11 am – 9 pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Carolina Beach ■ FEATURING: Award-winning chowder, local se food and more!

■ WEBSITE: MikesCfood.com

OCEANIC

Voted best seafood restaurant in 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: OceanicRestaurant.com

THE PILOT HOUSE

The Pilot House Restaurant is Wilmington’s premier

EARLY BIRD 12 TASTES (OR MORE!) OF CHRISTMAS Dec. 12, 2019 • Brooklyn Arts Center, 516 N 4th St. Featuring more than 30 eateries and drinkeries, vying for Best Bite, Sip and Decorated Booth. Plus Best Dressed (male and female) prizes given, set to the theme “A Christmas Story.”

25% off early-bird VIP and GA tickets: 910tix.com Benefits NourishNC 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 Saturday nigh on our umbrella deck. Large parties welcome. Private event space available. 910-343-0200. 2 Ann Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun-Thurs 11am9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm and Sunday Brunch,. 11am3pm. Kids menu ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Riverfront Downtown Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Fresh local seafood specialties, Riverfront Dining, free on-site parking ■ MUSIC: Outside Every Friday and Saturday ■ WEBSITE: pilothouserest.com

CASEY’S BUFFET

In Wilmington, everyone knows where to go for solid country cooking. That place is Casey’s Buffet, winner of encore’s Best Country Cookin’/Soul Food and Buffet categories. “Every day we are open, somebody tells us it tastes just like their grandma’s or mama’s cooking,” co-owner Gena Casey says. Gena and her husband Larry run the show at the Oleander Drive restaurant where people are urged to enjoy all food indigenous to the South: fried chicken, barbecue, catfish, mac‘n’cheese, mashed potatoes, green beans, chicken‘n’dumplings, biscuits and homemade banana puddin’ are among a few of many other delectable items.

5559 Oleander Drive. (910) 798-2913.

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

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

■ WEBSITE: caseysbuffet.com

RX RESTAURANT & BAR

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

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

SPORTS BAR CAROLINA ALE HOUSE

Voted best new restaurant AND best sports bar of 2010 in Wilmington, Carolina Ale House is the place to be for award-winning food, sports and fun. Located on College Rd. near UNC W, this lively sports-themed restaurant. Covered and open outdoor seating is available. Lunch and dinner specials are offered daily, as well as the coldest $2 and $3 drafts in town. 317 S. College Rd. (910) 791.9393.

SERVING LUNCH, DINNER & LATE NIGHT: 11am2am daily.

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

WEBSITE: CarolinaAleHouse.com

TAPAS/WINE BAR THE FORTUNATE GLASS WINE BAR

Under new ownership! Tom Noonan invites you to enjoy his remodeled space, featuring a new sound system and new bar, in a warm, relaxed environment.

Taste 40 craft beers, over 400 wines by the bottle, a wide selection of cheese and charcuterie, with gourmet small plates and desserts to go! And don’t miss their weekly wine tastings, every Tuesday, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

SERVING DINNER & LATE NIGHT: Mon., Closed; Tues.-Thurs., 4 p.m. - 12 a.m.; Fri., 4 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Sat., 2 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Sun., 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.

NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown, 29 S Front St. WEBSITE: fortunateglass.com

Changing the World One Bagel at a Time Find out more on Facebook @Seasidebagels

SHUCKIN’ SHACK

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar has two locations in the Port City area. The original Shack is located in Carolina Beach at 6A N. Lake Park Blvd. (910-458-7380) and our second location is at 109 Market Street in Historic Downtown Wilmington (910-833-8622). The Shack is the place you want to be to catch your favorite sports team on 7 TV’s carrying all major sports packages. A variety of fresh seafood is available daily including oysters, shrimp, clams, mussels, and crab legs. Shuckin’ Shack has expanded its menu now offering fish tacos, crab cake sliders, fried oyster poboys, 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:11amMidnight.

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

■ WEBSITE: TheShuckinShack.com

SOUTHERN

• We are a 5 star Ocean Friendly Establishment • Many Plant Based Menu Options • Homemade Vegan Egg • New Cold Brew Coffee 6400 Carolina Beach Rd. (2 miles south of Monkey Junction) Open 6:30am-2pm everyday • 910-769-1827 encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 29

AWARD-WINNING BREWS: Mad Mole will accept America’s Favorite Solar Craft Microbrewery award from Solar United Neighbors on Saturday.

SUN

JOAN WILKERSON HOFFMANN

W

hat started out for bar manager Molly Braxton of Mad Mole Brewing as simple research has ended in award-winning recognition.

Wilmington’s newest brewery is cloaked as America’s Favorite Solar Craft Microbrewery.

“Honestly, it was a random chain of events,” Braxton tells. “I Googled ‘brewed by the sun’ to see if we’d pop up because we use the term in a lot of our advertisements.”

However, a competition called “Brews from the Sun” popped up, as hosted by Solar United Neighbors (SUN)—a 501(c)3 national organization dedicated to representing

Courtesy of Mad Mole Brewing

AND SIPS Mad Mole Brewing celebrates win for America’s Favorite Solar Craft Microbrewery the needs and interests of solar owners and supporters (solarunitedneighbors.com). Ac-

Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi 614 South College Road 910.399.3366 www.okamirestaurant.com

Check With Our Staff About Our ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI MENU • HIBACHI • SUSHI • TEMPURA • DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS

Hibachi Early Bird Mon. - Fri., 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Sat. - Sun., 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Choice of two: steak, chicken, calamari, and shrimp

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DETAILS SOLAR CELEBRATION Mad Mole Brewing 6309 Boathouse Rd. Saturday, July 27 • Free Featuring Trifecta and John Rogers, food trucks with Pepe’s Tacos andJoe Loves Lobster Rolls, and Solar United Neighbors award presentation cording to Mad Mole co-owner Ole Pedersen, “the brewery has 63 panels that provide 22 kilowatts of power. The solar array panels are tied in to our electrical main, so what it generates can be used by everything that needs power. If we happen to produce more than we use, it goes to the grid and gives us credit.

Currently the panels account for about 1/3 of our electrical usage.”

With a one-week deadline looming in Braxton’s Google search, she quickly began working to get Mad Mole on the nominee list. “I didn’t really think much of it at the time,” she tells.

On June 19 the brewery announced on their Facebook page, “The Mole train takes it home.” They hosted an event on June 15 called “SUNstainable Saturday” to raise money for Cape Fear River Watch, which happened to also be the last day of the six-week long people’s choice competition. $1,000 was raised for the River Watch, and the event aided in Mad Mole crossing the finish line into first place.

The competition had three categories for entry: Brewpub had eight competitors; Microbrewery had 21; and Regional had 15. Mad Mole won with 1,630 votes. Second and third places also went to North Carolina breweries, Birdsong Brewing Company in Charlotte and Wiseman Brewing in Winston-Salem.

Contestants shared information about the

benefits of solar power to their fans and followers to encourage votes. They also received a digital media kit and package of materials to give away to patrons.

“The breweries who have historically gotten the most votes are those who incorporate in person voting collection and those who come up with creative ways to spread the word about the competition,” according to Brews from the Sun. Mad Mole teamed up with Cape Fear Solar Systems to help spread the word. Cape Fear Solar Systems did a raffle for a $25 Mad Mole gift card to whomever voted for the brewery and commented on their Facebook post. Combined with a strong social-media presence and the event on the 15, Mad Mole claimed victory.

Mad Mole has always proudly brandished their sustainable setup, but Braxton thinks the win will provide an even stronger association.

“It has definitely had an impact on how we are known to people,” she says. “I’ve heard people coming in that do so solely on the fact we are solar powered. Having that name and getting recognition is a major perk in itself.”

On Saturday, July 27, there is going to be an awards ceremony at the brewery called the “Solar Celebration.” There will be music and food trucks all day, featuring artists Trifecta and John Rodgers, as well as Joe Loves Lobster Rolls and Pepe’s Tacos. Representatives from SUN will be present to reward Mad Mole.

The Mad Mole team is excited and especially grateful for support given from around the Port City. “It was an awesome grassroots movement at the start and the whole Mad Mole team got really involved,” Braxton says. “We reached out to almost everyone we knew to try and win. It was an amazing bonding experience . . . We are so grateful to the Wilmington community for voting and are so lucky to live in a place that values sustainability and good beer.”

Speaking of which, the brewery released its very first cans on Thursday, July 18. Sippers can snag a 4-pack of 16-ounce Boston Mole Party New England IPA in the Mad Mole taproom.

Thank you, Wilmington, For continuing to vote us best wine list!

small plates

OVER 400 WINES & over 40 CRAFT BEER

29 S. FRONT ST. (910) 399-4292 FREE WINE TASTING TUESDAYS, 6-8PM @THEFORTUNATEGLASS

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STRAIGHT FROM THE KITCHEN Carson Jewell is churning out deliciousness with a new menu at The Kitchen at Palate every Thursday through Saturday.

Photos by Rosa Bianca

SNAPPER

BY ROSA BIANCA

W

hen I moved to Wilmington in 2012, the food trucks were just taking off in ILM. Fast-forward seven years, and it’s now the norm to order chilled heirloom gazpacho and whole snapper from a walkup window on wheels.

Someone casually mentioned to me several months back that Palate (North 4th Street’s premier bottle shop) was getting a food truck. As I thought back to when an eccentric taco joint adhered to a South Front Street bar two years earlier (see: BlockTaco meets Satellite), I wondered what kind of fare the mobile eatery would produce. I assumed “pub grub”—nachos, jumbo buffalo wings....

I assumed so very wrong.

I began following The Kitchen at Palate on social media long before ever experiencing it myself. What I witnessed was wildly inventive, stunningly plated creations unlike anything I had ever seen come out of Wilmington—let alone, a truck parked at a bottle shop. The masterpieces were vibrant and made with unquestionably local ingredients (as farmers and fishermen were often tagged alongside their foraged goods).

And then I met Carson Jewell.

OK, not really. I just said that to be dramatic. In all honesty, I’ve yet to have the pleasure of meeting Jewell, but one bite of his food and I became an instant fan. Jewell has an impressive résumé and Wilmingtonians likely have eaten his cuisine in the kitchens of Caffe Phoenix and Rx. He also has cooked with Raleigh restaurant queen Ashley Christensen and Chef & The Farmers’ Vivian Howard (both James Beard award winners). Nowadays, he’s rolling solo on four wheels in The Kitchen.

I walked up to the red truck’s sliding window on a humid Saturday night.

OH!

DETAILS THE KITCHEN AT PALATE 1007 N 4th St. Open Thursdays Saturdays, 5 p.m. www.palatenc.com Knock, knock.

Who’s there?

Whole vermillion snapper.

After eyeing the menu (which varies weekly based on the freshest ingredients Jewell can get his hands on), I made a very important decision: to order everything.

My husband and I were sharing bites and brews with two of our closest friends (plus a hungry child), and five items seemed like the perfect amount to pass around. I was right, and it was so nice, we did it twice.

Seriously, we ordered almost everything on the menu two times.

To start: the whole fried fish was a thing of wonder. The rosy-red vermillion snapper was golden-brown and thoughtfully garnished with fresh cilantro, thinly sliced red chilies, crunchy shards of red cabbage, and baby tomatoes. On the base of the plate: a swoop of thick, tangy sauce (likely an aioli of sorts).

The fried exterior was crisp and delicate, and the flaky inside was sweet and meaty. Juicy bursts of tomato and grassy notes of cilantro gave each mouthful an

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acidic freshness.

Next up was the hickory smoked BBQ. We’re in the land of pulled pork, and I find this type of sandwich can become redundant. However, Jewell’s version was executed flawlessly from the top of its buttery brioche bun to the bottom of its simple, creamy slaw and smoky pork shreds.

Somehow, it felt remarkably memorable.

Though both dishes were hearty and satisfying, it was the light bites that tugged on my heart strings. First, the heirloom tomato gazpacho with cucumber and crème fraiche was silky smooth, refreshing, balanced and bright. This level of perfection can only be achieved by someone with an expert palate. The bowl was a blended representation of summer tomatoes in their sweetest, most flavorful form.

When I encounter a chef cultivating outstanding food (especially in a town trying to stand out in its culinary landscape), finding fault isn’t easy. That being said, if I had one grievance with The Kitchen at Palate, it would be with the fried okra.

Though the breading of the green pod (in its whole, not sliced, form) was crispy and well-seasoned, the texture of the okra itself was not so pleasant. Many know the

The Kitchen at Palate wows with adventurous seafood and other delicacies biggest downfall of the veg is its tendency to be slimy. The okra’s consistency didn’t seem to bother anyone else in my group (we ended up with two more orders of the slender nuggets, to prove as much is true). The slimiest piece I had was the first, so maybe I picked the short straw.

The herbed buttermilk dip for them was, again, perfection.

Jewell is taking full advantage of the bounty of seasonal tomatoes, and I am completely OK with that. Sliced Cherokee purples with velvety crab aioli, fresh basil, olive oil, and flaky sea salt were the hit of the evening. The thick-skinned succulent heirlooms were earthy and exploding with smoky sweetness, and the whole basil leaves brought a floral, peppery bite.

Just when we thought we had consumed all of the produce Wilmington had to offer, Jewell surprised our table with a black-pepper-honey-drizzled stack of watermelon with tart blackberries and rich crème fraiche. Did he do that because he knew I would be writing this review? Nope. He has no idea who I am. We just happened to have eaten his entire menu (twice), so he generously tacked on something sweet for the little one in our group.

In town where old-fashioned Southern cuisine and fried shrimp baskets reign supreme, The Kitchen at Palate is a real breath of fresh air. I have no doubt Jewell will continue to elevate and educate Wilmington as a leader of modern regional seafood—and we’re all aboard.

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TH

ANNIVERSARY COMING SOON

d try the Come an K ESESTEA E H C T S BE g to accordinaders e encore r

• Music entertainment • 2-79’ sandwiches, one Philly Cheese steak and one Philly Chicken cheese steak for the public to enjoy • Cheese steak eating contest

3 locations to serve you Hanover Center 3501 Oleander Drive 910-763-6466 Monkey Junction 609 Piner Rd 910-332-5555 Porters Neck 8232 Market Street 910-686-0070

THE CHILDREN’S EVERYDAY SUPPLY DRIVE a donation drive to support the children of domestic violence Supplies needed: baby wipes, bottles, formula, new cloths, unopened over-the-counter medications, and new toys and non-perishable food items J. Michael’s Philly Deli will give Philly Deli certificates for Cheesesteaks with donations to the Supply Drive

DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED

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

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

Broadway Beginnings · Chem Tech Investigation Engineering Fun · It's All Write · Sew Much Fun Stop Motion Animation and more!

SUMMER CAMPS

A

A (

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

T

ges 8 - 16

910 ) 362 - 7199

cfcc . edu / summercampJune 34 encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

26 - July 3 only at encoreDEALS.com

Your LOCAL ticketing source!

Selling tickets to an event?* Find out more!

Email John Hit t at john@encorepub.com or call 910-352-0341

N I T I D E R C D A N EAR encore S. HU T I W T S I L U O Y N WHE encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 35

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UPCOMING CRUISES TO BOOK NOW Sunday, August 4th ~ Breakfast with the Birds Sunday, August 11th ~ Civil War Cruise with Chris Fonvielle

BIZZY BEE WATER TAXI

Daily 9am - 7pm

SUNSET CRUISES with light narration

LIVE MUSIC ON OUR SUNSET CRUISES

Be on the lookout for these upcoming

Deals of the Week y an p m o C g in w re B ’s an m er at W 1: 3 ly u J August 7: Roll On In August 14: Rebellion NC

Tuesday & Wednesday Boarding @7pm Departing @7:30pm

On Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights we take to the water with a local musician on board. What better way to enjoy the sunset than on the water with a cold beverage & great music to soothe your soul.

Boarding @7pm • Departure @7:30pm $30

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

Follow us

August 21: Cast Iron Kitchen h as W ar C ss re p Ex o rb Tu 2 H : 4 September September 11: Topsail Steamer

BAR ON BOARD WITH ALL ABC PERMITS

Complete Schedule: wilmingtonwatertours.net encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 37

PINTS FOR A PURPOSE

July 31, 6pm: Join us on July 31st from 6-9pm in support of the local non-profit, The Coastal Land Trust! $1 of every pint purchased will be donated in an effort to conserve + protect the NC coast. Plus- WilmyWoodie Food Truck will join us from 5-9pm.

Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St.

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

events

SUNSET MUSIC CRUISE

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

KURE BEACH MARKET

Thurs., 8am: Come shop the Kure Beach Market held every Tuesday through August 27 from 8am-1pm! Shop for local hand crafted goods while enjoying beautiful ocean views! Located at the Kure Beach Ocean Front Park and Pavilion! Ocean Front Park, 105 Atlantic Ave.

FAMILY FUN NIGHT

July 27, 5pm: Fun evening of games, crafts, face painting, nature activities, live music with Mr. Mark, food trucks, inflatable obstacle course, Port City Gymnastics Flip N’ Fun bus and more! Tickets are $5/person in advance and $9 on event day (children ages 3+ need to purchase a ticket). All proceeds from this event benefit the care of Reilly, the working goose dog of Airlie. Airlie Gardens, 300 Airlie Rd. airliegardens.org

KURE BEACH BOOGIE IN THE PARK

Every 1st & 3rd Sunday, through Oct 20, 5pm-7pm, skips Labor Day weekend. Free concerts at Kure Beach’s Ocean Front Park.

Bring your beach chair or blanket, friends, family, and neighbors and enjoy the music!

May 5, 5pm-7pm, will be featuring the Wilmington Big Band bringing timeless standards and hip pop music! Purchase your Boogie in the Park gear at the link provided. shop. spreadshirt.com/tokb. Ocean Front Park, 105 Atlantic Ave.

charity/fundraisers

LIVE ON THE LOOP!

Live On The Loop is back for our 2019 Season! Every Thursday from 6-9pm at The Sailfish! Experience some of Wilmington’s best local artists with drink specials and delicious food options! 7/25: Folkstone Stringband; 8/1: Selah Dubb; 8/8: Justin Cody Foxx; 8/15: Dos Eddies; 8/22: Crystal Fussell; 8/29: Desperado Duo; 9/5: Access 29; 9/12: Cross Creek Band; 9/19: The Casserole; 9/26: Signal Fire Acoustic. Sailfish, 2570 Scotts Hill Loop Rd.

BOWLING FUNDRAISER

July 27, 2pm: UNCW Police Bowling with Badges Law Enforcement Torch Run Event at Cardinal Lanes in Wilmington features an afternoon of fellowship and bowling with all proceeds benefitting Special Olympics North Carolina. Adult participants may register individually for $20 which includes three games and shoe rental. Children under 12 can register for only $3! Individuals can create a new team or join an existing one.

Teams of five players may also register together. All ages and skill levels are welcome to participate! Cardinal Lanes, 3907 Shipyard Blvd. bowlcardinal.com

BEATS + COFFEE BENEFIT

July 27, 6pm—Free. Join Cape Fear Clinic for a benefit concert at Palate Bottle Shop featuring Beats & Coffee. Proceeds from select beverages will benefit Cape Fear Clinic.

The clinic provides compassionate and affordable patient-centered healthcare to low income individuals and families in the Cape Fear region regardless of their ability to pay.

Beats & Coffee is an instrumental music collective from NC that aims to create a platform where producers can showcase their music. Event is free and donations are gladly welcomed.1007 N 4th St.

CARNIVAL OF HEALING

DOWNTOWN SUNDOWN

July 31, 6pm: Survivors Best Friend and Spoonfed Kitchen & Bake Shop host a Carnival of Healing to benefit a wonderful cause!

Nourishing food, delicious cocktails, and backyard games. 100% of proceeds benefit Survivors Best Friend, a non-profit organization that unites survivors of sexual assault and/or domestic abuse with animals from shelters, granting both a new leash on life!

Donations and proceeds go directly towards covering adoption related costs, emotional support animal certification, and providing a supportive community for survivors. $20.

Spoonfed Kitchen & Bakeshop, 1930 Eastwood Rd #105. Tickets at eventbrite.com.

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Downtown Sundown concert series, presented by Outdoor Equipped, each Friday night through August 30. Free concerts are from 6:30pm to 10pm and feature both local performers and touring bands. Ligon Flynn Parking Lot, 20 S. 2nd St.

LIVE MUSIC IN THE ALLEY CARNIVAL OF HEALING The new nonprofit Survivors Best Friend will team up with Spoonfed Kitchen and Bake Shop for a benefit to help rescue quadreped friends who will be united with sexual assault or domestic abuse survivors.

Photo courtesy Survivors Best Friend

Every Thurs., 7-10pm. Schedule: July 25, Clay Crotts; Aug. 1, Wes Sayer; 8, John Haussmann; Aug 15, Monica Jane; Aug 22,; Sept 12, Wes Sayer; Sept 19 , Monica Jane; Sept 26, John Haussman. Rebellion NC, 15 S. Front St.

AIRLIE GARDENS CONCERTS SERIES

Airlie’s 2019 Summer Concert Series runs every 1st and 3rd Friday through September 20, 6pm-8pm. In the case of rain, Airlie not make a decision to cancel until after 4pm and

post on website and Facebook page. Seating is open-lawn, and all outdoors lawn chairs are permitted. All GA and member parking at 230 Government Center Dr., with free shuttle service running continuously throughout the evening. Front Street Brewery & Noni Baca Winery will sell food & beverage items. Outside food and beverages are permitted. July 19, 6pm: Wilmington Big Band. Advanced tickets only: airliegardens.org. Airlie Gardens, 300 Airlie Rd.

OPERA WILMINGTON’S “LA BOHĂˆMEâ€?

July 26, 7pm; 21, 28, 3pm: Opera Wilmington presents Puccini’s “La Bohème,â€? set in 19th century Paris. One of the top operas ever written, the story focuses on young bohemians who live in poverty, find love, and finally experience loss. It is accessible, romantic music. Our young rising stars, Jemeesa Yarborough and Jonathan Kaufman, star as Mimi and Rodolfo. Join us for a spirited adventure! Cultural Art Building, 5270 Randall Pkwy. operawilmington.org

SHANA TUCKER “CHAMBER SOUL�

July 25, 10:30am: Chamber Soul best describes what the listener should expect when experiencing Shana’s music. A front-line advocate of arts education, Shana is a newly-designated A+ (Arts Integration) Schools Apprentice Fellow, and has been a teaching artist with Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning through the Arts (NC and NV) since 2015.

She has also been a teaching artist with United Arts Council of Raleigh/Wake County NC and The Smith Center for Performing Arts – Las Vegas. Kenan Auditorium, 601 S. College Rd. uncw.edu/arts

JACOB WANG CONCERT

July 26, 5:30p: Lumina Festival of the Arts in Wilmington presents a Concert with the Ronald Sachs Concerto Competition Prizewinner Jacob Wang, who will perform excerpts from Bach’s French Suite No. 5 in G, Schumann’s Fantasy in C maj, Op. 17. MÊditation from Tchaikovsky’s 18 Morceaux, Op. 72, and Andante Maestoso from The Nutcracker.

Beckwith Recital Hall, UNCW 5270 Randall Dr. uncw.edu/arts/lumina/2019/concerts19. html#mossman

FUNDRAISER: FAMILY CONCERT

July 28, 5pm—Family Concert at Trinity UMC Family Life Center in Wilmington, NC, features The Clams. Food truck on site. A love offering benefits Nourish NC. Trinity UMC Family Life Center, 4008 S. College Rd. trinitynow.net

film PLANETARIUM

July 25, 6pm: “Incoming Asteroid, Comets, and the Hard-Hitting Stories of our Cosmis Origins,â€? narrated by George Takei. Discover what impacts from above can teach us about the history of our planet, the solar system, and the universe! Fulldome film from California Academy of Sciences. (26 min.) • July 26-27, 2pm: “From Dream to Discovery: Inside NASAâ€?—When humans dare to dream, we create truly amazing things! Full dome film from Museum of Science, Boston.

(30 min.) Free for members or with GA. Cape Fear Museum, 814 Market St. capefearmu-

seum.com

PHOENIX, OREGON

July 27, 7:30pm: The Lumina Festival of the Arts at UNCW presents a Cucalorus Film Screening at Kenan Auditorium in Wilmington featuring Phoenix, Oregon. The film follows two friends who quit their jobs to restore an old bowling alley and serve the “world’s greatest pizza. Screening at Kenan features Q&A session with the filmmaker follows. Commemorative “Phoenix, Oregon� movie T-shirts and $10 movie download cards will be available for purchase (each download includes the director’s commentary). The film is written and directed by Gary Lundgren and produced by Annie Lundgren and Luis Rodriguez. Kenan Auditorium, 601 S. College Rd. www.uncw.edu/arts

MOVIE AT THE LAKE

July 28, dusk: Movie at the Lake at Carolina Beach Lake Park features Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation. Concessions available.

No alcohol or glass allowed. Film begins at dusk. Running time: 1 hour, 37 minutes. Rated PG. Carolina Beach Lake Park, Atlanta Ave and S lake Park Blvd.

NC SUMMER FILM SERIES

July 28, 2-4pm: The NC Summer Film Series at the Main Library in Wilmington features Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002).

Filmed in multiple locations across southeastern North Carolina including Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Burgaw.

Rated PG-13. Main Library, 201 Chestnut St. nhclibrary.org

CINEMATIQUE PRESENTS: “NON-FICTION�

July 29-August 2, 7pm; additional screening on Wednesday at 4pm in Thalian Hall’s Stein Theatre.Juliette Binoche and Guillame Canet reunite with acclaimed director Olivier Assayas for this wry, slyly seductive tale of sex, lies and literature. Set amidst the Bohemian intelligentsia of the Parisian publishing world, “Non-Fiction� traces the romantic and emotional fallout that results when a controversial writer begins blurring the line between fact and art. Balancing dry wit with keen observations on the tensions between art, commerce, and technology, “Non-Fiction� is a buoyant, breezy delight from a master director at his most effortlessly brilliant. Thalian Hall, 301 Chesnut St. thalianhall.org

theatre/auditions SHAKESPEARE BRUNCH

TheatreNOW hosts Shakespeare brunch, abridged readings of one of the Bard’s classic plays. Reserved seating. Doors open at 11:30am. $5 of every ticket sold will go to a local Shakespeare educational outreach program. Brunch and dessert with choice of entrÊe included in ticket.

Aug. 18: “Romeo & Juliet.� TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10th St.

OEDIPUS WRECKED

“Oedipus Rex� by Sophocles—the ancient Greek tragedy. Maybe you read it in class in school or are familiar with the complex?

Well, we took that show, cut the boring parts, kept the inappropriate bits, and cre-

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encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 39

Thousands of families struggle when school is out.

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ated a drinking game! “Oedipus Wrecked” showcases local acting legends Steve Vernon, J Robert Raines, Grace Carlyle Berry and Rebekah Carmichael in a theatrical immersive experience you’ll want to talk about Monday morning. Performing at Whiskey Tango Foxtrot every Sunday evening in July & August. www.revelryplayers.info; tickets can be purchased online and at the door starting at 5:30pm on show nights. 111 Grace St.

CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATIONS

July 25-28 & Aug. 1-4, 8pm or, Sun. matinees, 3pm: Presented for the first time in Wilmington as well! Marty, an acting teacher, holds an “Adult Creative Drama” class at the local community center. Her students include a recently divorced carpenter, a reserved high school junior, a former actress and Marty’s husband. Marty takes her “students” through various acting exercises, where they act like trees, beds and baseball gloves. Through these harmless games, hearts are quietly torn apart, and tiny wars of epic proportions are waged and won. In one exercise, they act as one another and tell their life stories. As a possible romance begins, each of the group slowly reveal themselves. A beautifully crafted diorama, a petri dish in which we see, with hilarious detail and clarity, the antic sadness of a motley quintet. Tickets: $18-$25. www. bigdawgproductions.org.

CLUE: THE MUSICAL

Through Aug. 24, 7pm: See review on page 21. Book by Peter DePietro, music by Galen Blum, Wayne Barker and Vinnie Martucci, and lyrics by Tom Chiodo. Fri & Sat nights only; complimentary Valet Parking. Tickets $22-$52—3-course meal with $52 tickets. $10 off during opening weekend only. Directed by Mike Thompson, with musical direction

by Linda Markas, the musical is based on everyone’s favorite board game­—a ‘whodunnit’ dinner musical that gets the audience involved on solving the mystery! TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10th St.

Visit stopsummerhunger.org.

Presenting

Gold

Platinum

Silver

Bronze

FROZEN JR.

July 26-27, 3pm and 6pm: When their kingdom becomes trapped in perpetual winter, fearless Anna joins forces with mountaineer Kristoff and his reindeer sidekick to find Anna’s sister, Snow Queen Elsa, and break her icy spell. With music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, this Performance Club Kids stage production directed by LJ Woodard will surely entertain all ages! Don’t miss Frozen Jr, starring Wilmington’s finest young talent at Thalian Hall’s Ruth & Bucky Stein Theater. Tickets available at the Box Office. Performance Club Studio Theater is ranked by BACKSTAGE as one of the top children’s theater companies in the country producing quality semi professional children’s theater every summer! Thalian Hall, 301 Chesnut St. thalianhall.org

RUSTY’S ROMPERS

Supporters

40 encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

Stunning burlesque show at the Juggling Gypsy! You don’t want to miss what these amazing ladies have in store! Featuring:Polaris Van Samus, Franki Boom-Boom, Meccakhan, Lacy Blaze, Rusty Dawn. Advance tickets: $10. Day of show: $15. brownpapertickets.com/event/4298799. The Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4298799.

CAMPFIREBALL

July 28 6:30pm: Lumina Festival of the Arts: Campfireball featuring Dance-a-lorus Lab at Kenan Auditorium. Presented by Cucalorus, the production blends intimacy and absurdity in a live, improvisational variety show and story-based social media. 601 S. College Rd. www.uncw.edu/arts/lumina

art MEET LOCAL ARTISTS

Meet working artists, and see works in progress. 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. artscouncilofwilmington.org

TINY WORLDS

Chelsea Lea’s “Tiny Worlds” on display at Waterline Brewery. Body of work explores imaginary places made inside cigar boxes.

Larger than life sculptures surround miniature dioramas. ChelseaLeaMetals.com. 721 Surry St.

“ASYLUM: COLLAGES

Meet the artist and enjoy complimentary champagne and appetizers. Free and open to the public. Elizabeth Darrow has made Wilmington her home since 1977. Born in Hartford, Conn. Darrow is a 1967 graduate of Oberlin College (Oberlin, Ohio), where she majored in painting. She has been working in oil and collage throughout her career, usually in the manner of Abstract Expressionism.

Each piece takes her on a journey of discovery where she hopes to lose herself to the process. Exhibit continues through Sept. 30.

MOONS

A series of photographs of real and artificial moons. by Courtney Johnson In addition to photographs of the earth’s moon, photographs were made of temporary sculptures of sand, dirt, flour, dough, papier-mâché, and clay, as well as camera-less digital and analog photographs made with moonlight. The images emphasize photography’s ability to deceive, raising questions about collective memory, belief, and reality. The tension between natural and artificial, along with the logistics of creating detailed images of the moon’s surface, also addresses technological advancements and human impact.

Moons, which explores cycles from light to dark, warm to cool, birth to death, coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon launch. Exhibit hangs through August 30. UNCW CAB Art Gallery, 5270 Randall Dr.

CLOSING RECEPTION: RANDY MCNAMARA

July 26, 6pm: Closing Reception for Randy McNamara Exhibition. Light refreshments provided with a chance to meet the artist.

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Black River Nature Cruise: Wednesday, 7/31

On this 4 hour Black River Nature Cruise, just minutes after leaving the dock, guests will experience: • Miles of scenic wilderness just outside downtown Wilmington • Expert narration on the local plant and wildlife from local coastal ecologist Andy Wood, a local legend!

• A river that appears almost as it did to the early explorers • The relaxing sounds of the breeze through beautiful trees Nature enthusiasts and photographers alike will enjoy the slow-moving, amber-colored waters, framed by spectacular swamp forests. Highlights include seasonal wildflowers and ancient old-growth cypress trees.

BOOK NOW. Only $50 per person

NOW BOOKING Lunch (for groups only), Sightseeing, Sunset Cruises and Private Charters • A/C and Open Air Deck • Historical Narrations • Beautiful Sunsets • All ABC permits Phone: (910)343-1611 • Email: info@cfrboats.com 101 S. Water Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 * at the corner of Dock Street and Water Street* *over 700 parking spaces within 2 1/2 blocks* cfrboats.com

encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 41

Wilma Daniels Gallery at Cape Fear Community College, 200 Hanover St. cfcc.edu/danielsgallery.

IMPRESSIONS: LOVING THE CAPE FEAR ORIGINAL WORKS BY OWEN WEXLER

Through August 24 for the “Impressions: Loving the Cape Fear” art exhibit at the Bellamy Mansion Museum featuring original art by Owen Wexler. There will be an artist’s reception on Friday, July 26 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Light refreshments will be available.

Bellamy Mansion, 503 Market St. bellamymansion.org

IMAGES OF DISTINCTION

Opening reception: July 26, 6pm, free. Cape Fear Camera Club presents the “Best of the Best” Grand Ribbon Winners from over 400 images entered in club competitions, plus members’ images that received recognition in international competitions of the Photographic Society of America. See the images, enjoy refreshments, and meet the artists.

Aces Gallery, 221 N. Front St. capefearcameraclub.org

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BOLD STROKES

Thorugh Aug. 7: Catherine C. Martin, UNCW alumnus and accomplished expressionist painter, debuts new work in “Bright Lights, Bold Strokes.” Martin combines everything she has learned through years of painterly experience in a collection of evocative figurative, landscape, and architectural pieces.

New Elements Gallery. 271 N. Front St. newelementsgallery.com

CARVED, PAINTED AND PRINTED

July 26, 6pm—Free. There will be the opening reception for artists at Acme Art’s Fourth Friday Gallery Night. Featured will be custom furniture by Jack Barnes, paintings by Trey Moore, and prints by Ben Billingsley. ACME Art Studios, 711 N 5th Ave.

DETAILED COMPLEXITY

July 26, 6pm: A new exhibit at Art in Bloom Gallery features artist and printmaker Bob Bryden; artist and illustrator Heather Divoky; and painter H.M. Saffer II. Meet the artists, hear about their processes, and enjoy refreshments and live music by pianist Myron Harmon. The exhibit will be on view through September 1, 2019 with a Fourth Friday Gallery Night reception on August 23 from 6-9pm. Art in Bloom Gallery, 210 Princess St. aibgallery.com.

GAYLE TUSTIN ART SHOW

July 30, 5:30pm—The Gayle Tustin Art Show and Champagne Toast at PinPoint Restaurant in Wilmington, NC, features Twenty-Two

by Thirty: From the Flat Files of Gayle Tustin, a selection of mixed media artwork all in the size of 22 x 30. The event includes complimentary champagne and appetizers.

Pinpoint Restaurant, 114 Market St. pinpointrestaurant.com

dance CAPE FEAR CONTRA DANCE

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 Method-

42 encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

ist, 409 S. 5th Ave.

BABS MCDANCE

Group classes for all levels are designed for beginner, intermediate, and advanced dancers! We will begin the class with the basics and instruct you through a few exciting dance moves! Mon., 7pm: International Rumba Class • Mon., 8pm: Argentine Tango • Tues., 7pm, West Coast Swing; 8pm, East Coast Swing. • Wed., 7pm, Bachata; 8pm, Hustle • Thurs., 7pm: Shag Level 1; 8pm, Shag Levels 2 and 3. All classes are $10 per person, $15 per couple, $5 for military/students with ID. $5. • Sat., July 27, 7pm: Come out and join us for a night of Swing Dancing!

You won’t want to miss it! $10 per person, $15 per couple. Babs McDance Social Dance Club & Ballroom, 6782 Market St.

76ERS SQUARE DANCE CLUB

Inviting all mainstream and plus square dancers to join us for our weekly evening of dance on Thursdays from 8-9:30 pm at Senior Resource Center, 2222 S. College Rd. (entrance on Shipyard Blvd.). Cost is $5/person/dance. Join the club for $17.50/person/ month.

AN EVENING OF CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY WORKS

July 27, 6pm: Leland Cultural Arts Center and the US International Ballet presents An Evening of Classical and Contemporary Works.

The US International Ballet, the only professional ballet company in eastern North Carolina, performs classical works set by Stacey Schlicter, former soloist at the Atlanta Ballet Principal. A variety of choreographers will present original neo-classical and contemporary works. The Executive Director will interview performers, giving the audience a peek into the lives of professional dancers. A meet and greet with the dancers follows. $5.

Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way. townofleland.com

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. (910) 763-2223, after 3pm for details. jugglinggypsy.com.

GRUFF GOAT COMEDY

First Wed. ea. month, Gruff Goat Comedy features Three Guest Comics Under a Bridge.

No Trolls. Waterline Brewing Company, 721 Surry Lane.

PRIMETIME COMEDY

See some of NC’s best stand-up comedians in a world class venue! This month’s talented performers: Brett Williams, Cordero Wilson, Grant Sheffield, Louis Bishop, and Tyler Wood. Hosted by: Wills Maxwell. N Front Theatre (formerly City Stage), 21 N Front St.

LUCKY JOE COMEDY SHOW

First Sat. ea. month is free at Lucky Joe Craft Coffee on College Road, presented by Regretful Villains. The show features a new

style of stand-up called Speed Joking. Enjoy a night of laughs! 1414 S College Rd.

LIVE RIFFING AND VINTAGE TV

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

DAREDEVIL IMPROV COMEDY TROUPE

DareDevil Improv Classes teach the fundamentals of the funny! Learn to be more spontaneous, trust your instincts, and create oneof-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/sign-ups: daredevilimprov.com. Hannah Block Community Arts Center, 120 S. 2nd St.

BOMBERS COMEDY OPEN MIC

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

DEAD CROW

Open mic every Thursday, 8pm. Sign up is in person, 7pm. There’s no cost to participate, and each comedian is allotted three minutes of stage time. More info? info@DeadCrowComedy.com • deadcrowcomedy.com. 265 N. Front St.

museums CAMERON ART MUSEUM

On exhibit: “Minnie, Clyde, Annie, Vollis: Outsider Art Rebels” through Sept. 22. Admission: $8 – $10. Exhibit features two-dimension and sculptural three-dimension art. All were created with non-traditional materials by self-taught artists and local legends Minnie Evans, Clyde Jones, Annie Hooper and Vollis Simpson. Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10am to 5pm (and 9pm on Thursdays). Admission is $8-$10.

“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. CAM Café open and serving delicious menu with full bar. Brunch, Sat. and Sun., 10am-2pm; Tues.-Fri., 11am2pm; Thurs. 5-9pm. Museum, 10am-5pm; Thurs., 10am-9pm. www.cameronartmuseum.org. 3201 S. 17th St.

CAPE FEAR MUSEUM

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. • Museum Summer Pop Ups: Free

Fresh From the Farm The Riverfront Farmers Market is a curbside market featuring local farmers, producers, artists & crafters.

Downtown Wilmington’s Riverfront Farmers Market

DOWNTOWN (Dock St., on the

NEW N O LOCATI

block between Front and 2nd Streets)

Each Saturday

March 23rd - November 24th • 8:00am - 1:00pm (no market Apr. 6 & Oct. 5)

- FRUITS - VEGETABLES - PLANTS - HERBS

- FLOWERS - EGGS - CHEESES - WINE

- PICKLES - KOMBUCHA - ART & CRAFTS

- MEATS - SEAFOOD - HONEY - BAKED GOODS

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.

For more information: www.riverfrontfarmersmarket.org

encore

Voted Best 16 S. Front St. • 910-772-9151 Dowtown Wilmington Sushi encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 43

Martini mondays! $3 off all martinis!

for members or with general admission Play, build, create and always learn something new in these short, drop-in programs. Activities change weekly and will “pop-up” in exhibits all summer long. Adult participation is required. Fun for all ages! Dates: July 24 & 25: Time Travelers (in Playtime! exhibit); July 31 & August 1: Eco Adventures (in Discovery Gallery exhibit). Free for members or with general admission • July 20, all day: Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, lunar landing and moonwalk, with Little Explorers: Good Morning Moon, Planetarium Adventures: We Choose Spac, Science Cycle: Moon Exploration, Lab: Mission to the Moon, and Smithsonian Channel Film, “The Day We Walked On The Moon.” Free with admission. CF Museum, 814 Market St. www.capefearmuseum.com

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH MUSEUM

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

WILMINGTON RR MUSEUM

#Onlyatroko

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

• Local family-run business • Chef Jadran has been creating fresh entrees for 30+ years • Mama Vojka makes all desserts with the finest ingredients • Menu is crafted from family recipes passed down

Dinner: Mon.-Sat. 5:00pm-10:00pm • Closed Sundays 6801 Parker Farm Dr Ste 105 | (910) 679-4783 • www.RokoItalian.com 44 encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

Victorian Italiante style home built in 1852, the restored home features period furnishings, artwork and family portraits. Tours offered Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm, and Sat, 12-5pm.

Walking tours are Wed and Sat. at 10am. $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 Museum in the heart of Wilmington’s Historic District, is the oldest museum house in NC, restored with 18th and 19th century decor and gardens. Colonial life is experienced through historical interpretations in kitchen-building and courtyard. 3rd/Market St. Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm. Last tour, 3pm. 910-762-0570. 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 ar-

tisans, 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.

BATTLESHIP 101

July 25, 10am-3pm: Free with Battleship admission. Friendly, knowledgeable volunteers stationed throughout the ship engage visitors in specific subjects and areas including gunnery, radar, sick bay, galley, engineering, and daily shipboard life. Try on helmets, raise signal flags, “text” using semaphore flags, tap out your name using Morse code, type on vintage typewriters and more! A great event for all ages. Bring questions and cameras!

THE VIETNAM TRAVELING MEMORIAL WALL

July 27-29, 12pm: American Honor Guards of North Carolina and Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 885, present The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall at Mayfaire Town Center in Wilmington. The Wall, a 288-foot replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, is open 24 hours a day. Mayfaire Town Center, 6835 Main St. mayfairetown.com

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. $1. Halyburton Park, 4099 S. 17th St.

LITTLE EXPLORERS

Meet your friends in Museum Park for fun hands-on activities! Enjoy interactive circle time, conduct exciting experiments, and play games related to a weekly theme. Perfect for children ages 3-6 and adult helpers. Cape Fear Museum, 814 Market St.

STORYTIME BY THE SEA

Wed. through Aug. 14, 10am-11:30am— Come join the Princess and her fairytale friends from Fairytales and Dreams by the Sea at Kure Beach’s Ocean Front Park for stories, crafts, and games! Fun activities for both boys and girls! Don’t forget your camera to get a picture with the Princess! Ocean Front Park, 105 Atlantic Ave.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM CAMPS

Through July 26: Adventure with The Children’s Museum of Wilmington this summer in our camps! There will be full and half day camps available full of fun and educational activities. There are five amazing camps to choose from. Learn all about your favorite super heroes in Super School, get inspired

by Monet and Salvador Dali in our Adventure in the Arts camp, explore the science behind foods in Cooking Concoctions, Nutrition Ninja is about tying together ‘eating, playing and learning’ for kids, and learn about various animal’s habit, diet and care and get some

DISCOVER NEW MUSIC AT 98.3 THE PENGUIN PLAYLIST SAMPLE

NEW MUSIC ADDED

MY MORNING JACKET - OFF THE RECORD NEIL YOUNG - CORTEZ THE KILLER ALABAMA SHAKES - ALWAYS ALRIGHT STEVIE WONDER - SUPERSTITION WILCO - IMPOSSIBLE GERMANY DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS - CARL PERKINS' CADILLAC NORAH JONES - LONESTAR

WHISKEY MYERS - ROLLING STONE J.S. ONDARA - LEBANON TYLER CHILDERS - ALL YOUR'N

UPCOMING PENGUIN SHOWS GUSTER

7/31 GLA

GIN BLOSSOMS

8/6 GLA

GRIZMAS IN JULY (GLA 726 & 27) SOLD OUT! DAWES (GLA 8/8) SOJA (GLA 8/9 & 8/10) STEEP CANYON RANGERS (GLA 8/11) UMPHREY'S MCGEE (GLA 8/18) SOLD OUT! ST. PAUL & THE BROKEN BONES (GLA 9/6) SOLD OUT! JENNY LEWIS (GLA 9/7) SHAKEY GRAVES & DR. DOG (GLA 9/9) SOLD OUT!

STEEL PULSE (GLA 9/10) JJ GREY & MOFRO (GLA 9/11) SOLD OUT! LETTUCE (GLA 9/15) G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE (GLA 9/20) SHOVELS & ROPE (GLA 10/8) BLUE OCTOBER (GLA 10/6) LAKE STREET DIVE (GLA 10/13) THE WOOD BROTHERS (GLA 10/18) THIEVERY CORPORATION (GLA 11/1)

SPECIALTY SHOWS:

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

WWW.983THEPENGUIN.COM

encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 45

close up visits with those animals in Critter Crazy. 1/2-day: $150, members; $190, nonmembers. Full day camps: $230, members; $285, nonmembers. Full schedule: playwilimington.org. Children’s Museum of ILM, 116 Orange St.

MAIDES PARK SUMMER CAMP

Through Aug 16, 9am-1pm: Ages: 5-10 Cost: $15/week. (No camp the week of July 1). Activities include: arts and crafts, field trips, sports activities and more! Must provide birth certificate & register in person.

Maides Park, 1101 Manly Ave.

CREATIVE ARTS CAMP 2019

6 weeks full of creativity and fun for campers ages 4 and up. Throughout the summer we will cover all aspects of creative arts from performing arts, technical theatre, visual arts, ceramics, filmmaking, and more! Ages 7 and up there is a full day option from 9am4pm with a 1 hour supervised lunch from Noon - 1pm. There is no extra charge for the lunch time supervision. Full day campers must pack their own lunch. “Show and Share Friday” will be a variety of music numbers, dance routines, rehearsed skits/scenes, art exhibit and more put on for friends and family. Final performance at end of each camp.

Camps are $85 and up. Community Arts Center in the Hannah Block Historic USO Building, 120 S. 2nd St. (corner of Orange and 2nd sts.) (910) 341-7860.

MLK SUMMER CAMPS

Through Aug. 16, Ages: 8 - 12 Cost: $25/ week. Time: 7:45am-5:30pm ( No camp the week of July 1). Activities include: arts and crafts, field trips, sports activities and more!

Must provide birth certificate & register in person. Space is limited. Please register early! MLK Community Center, 401 S. 8th St., 910-341-7866

PRESCHOOL POPUP SCIENCE

Program locations alternate between MLK Center and BRC-Hemenway Center Meet new friends in your community for fun hands-on activities! New activities and circle time each week. Perfect for children ages 3 to 6 and their adult helpers. At BRC Community Center, 507 McRae Street (the BRC-Hemenway Center)—July 25: Little Critters. At MLK Center, 401 South 8th Street—July 4: No Program [MLK Center is closed]; July 18: Race to the Moon.

ECO-ADVENTURE CAMP

Through July 26, 8am-5pm, ages: 10-13. $200/week, lunch not included. Explore the wonders of Southeastern North Carolina through field trips such as mountain biking, hiking, surfing, and canoeing. Campers will learn to appreciate the wonders of nature and learn to enjoy the outdoors through these field trips. Halyburton Park, 4099 S. 17th St. 910.341.0075

BELLAMY MANSION MUSEUM CAMPS

Week-long, half-day summer camps for 7 and 8-year-olds (July 15-19) are available.

Kids will learn about how a museum works, history, architecture, preservation, and restoration. Other activities include a tour of the private collections at the Cape Fear Museum, a visit to the Burgwin-Wright House and Gar-

46 encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

dens and a boat trip up the Cape Fear River with Wilmington Water Tours. They will explore what life was like in the 19th century, experiment with green cleaning/building techniques, and even conduct an archaeological dig! Cost is $120 per camper and includes daily snack and lunch, camp supplies, admission to outside activities and a t-shirt.

Space is limited! Register your camper: Leslie at 910-251-3700 ext. 305 or lmorton@ bellamymansion.org. 503 Market St.

BASKETBALL CLINICS

Through August 21: Cost: $30 for 7 sessions ( total cost) Ages: 10 - 14. Times: 6:30 - 8 pm. 910-341-0057 for more information.

MLK Center, 401 S. 8th St.

FENCING CAMPS

All fencing equipment is supplied by the association. Camp cost is $195 plus $10 USA Fencing membership if you are not already a member. Membership will be good through July 31, 2020. Students need to provide their own lunch. Camp will provide snacks, water, and gatorade. Camp is for ages 8-18. Camp hours 9am-5pm, Mon.-Thurs., 9am – 3pm, Friday. Advanced Epee, July 29-August 2 and 5-9. Tileston Gym, 412 Ann St.

WATER WORKS

August 16, 9am-12pm. Ages 5 & under; $5 per child ( included with general admission).

No pre-registration required. Ready for a day of Fit For Fun in the sun? Bring your swimsuit, towel, and a change of clothes and get ready to dash and play in the sprinklers! Cool off with some sweet, colorful ice pops! $5. Fit For Fun, 302 S. 10th St. wilmingtonnc.gov/ departments/parks-recreation/fit-for-funcenter

POWERFUL PARENTS

July 24, 3-4pm: $5 per adult; only 20 adults with strollers. Age of children in class: newborn to 2 years of age. Parents is a functional, total-body conditioning workout designed for parents and guardians with kids in tow.

Each 45-minute workout is comprised of strength training, cardio and core restoration, all while entertaining little ones with songs, activities and fun for everyone involved! This class is being offered to parents and guardians of newborns to 2 yrs, strollers are welcome! Fit For Fun Center, 302 S. 10th St

HAPPY WATERMELON DAY!

Aug. 3, 9am-1pm: Watermelon served at 10:30am! Ages 5 & under, $5 per child ( included with general admission).No pre-registration required. Ready for a day of Fit For Fun in the sun? Celebrate National Watermelon Day with some yummy watermelon and good friends! We’ll have lawn and water games, bubbles, and watermelon themed crafts. Watermelon snack served at 10:30 am/ Bring your swimsuit, towel, and a change of clothes and get ready to dash and play in the water! Fit For Fun Center, 302 S. 10th St.

SUPER KIDS

Aug. 9, 9am-noon: Ages 5 & under, $5 per child (included with general admission). No pre-registration required.Fit For Fun friends, Assemble! Join us for a day of supe dressup, games, and prizes that will help your little one embrace their inner hero. We will have

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crafts, cape-making, and medals for our heroic participants! Fit For Fun Center, 302 S. 10th St.

ROLLER GIRLS DOUBLE HEADER

July 27, 5pm—The Cape Fear Roller Girls July Madness Doubleheader at The Edge in Wilmington features the CFRG All Stars vs. Low Country High Rollers (Charleston, SC), and the Black Harrts vs. Black and Blue Grass Roller Girls (Kentucky). Kids under 7 get in free. Partial proceeds benefit PAWS for People. The Edge, 7207 Ogden Business Lane. www.capefearrollergirls.com

BIG KID DAYS

Mon. & Tues., Aug. 19-20, 9amnoon & 1-4pm, ages 9 & under. $5/ child (included with general admission). No pre-registration req.

Enjoy some fun activities for big kids along with all normal offerings, Younger children welcome to play as usual. Fit For Fun Center, 302 S. 10th St.

classes/seminars

LUNCH & LEARN: FIRE IS EVERYONE’S FIGHT

July 25, 11:30am-12:30pm: Lunch & Learn at Pine Valley Library in Wilmington, NC, features Fire is Everyone’s Fight, which teaches how to be fire safe at home and how to respond to fire threats. Bring a lunch. Participants can register to win an NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio. Free. Pine Valley Library, 3802 S. College 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, register on calendar, NHCLibrary.org.

910-798-6371. NHC NE Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd.

SEASIDE YOGA

LUNCH WITH CHARACTERS

Wed., 8am: Join a certified teacher in our seaside gardens for a relaxing morning yoga practice. Perfect for all levels of experience. One hour practice. We partner with Longwave Yoga to provide relaxing and memorable yoga experiences daily at the resort.

Blockade Runner Beach Resort. 275 Waynick Blvd.

July 29, 11:30am -1pm: Lunch with Characters at Crave Hot Dogs and Barbecue in Wilmington, NC, features Port City Princess Parties hosting a Princess Day with Beauty and Snow White. Admission fee includes one kid’s meal. Crave Hot Dogs and Barbecue, 1407 Barclay Pointe Blvd Unit 401. iwantcrave. com

ADULT CRAFTERNOONS

PARK RANGER FROM CB STATE PARK

July 31, 6pm: Park Ranger from Carolina Beach State Park to learn about the diversity of carnivorous plants in southeastern North Carolina and what NC State Parks is doing to protect them. Ages: 5 and up. Free. Halyburton Park Event Center, 4099 S 17th St.

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, 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.

HIKES AND BIRDING

First Friday bird hikes, ages 5/up; free. We’ll search for migrants, residents, and point out year-round species too. These walks are for beginner birders and all are welcome. Halyburton, 4099. S. 17th St.

FIRST FRIDAY BIRD HIKES

Aug. 2, 9am: Join parkstaff for a leisurely bird-watching stroll around Halyburton Park the first Friday of each month. We’ll search for migrants and point out year-round bird species too. These walks are for beginner birders and all are welcome. 5 and up, free.

Halyburton Park, 4099 S 17th St.

TEEN GAME NIGHT

Ages: 13-17. Free, 6-9pm. Video games, board games, other activities and refreshments. Pre-registration required. MLK Center, 401 S. 8th St. 910-341-7866. wilmingtonrecreation.com. MLK Community Center, 401 S. 8th St.

FREE RUNNING CLINICS

Every Mon. and Thurs.: Free Running Clinics for 6 weeks. Venue locations will be updated periodically on Noexcusestc.com and are designed for all levels. Clinics are limited to 25 runners to maintain that personal instruction level. Downtown Hills/Wade Park, Water St.

EARLY FLIGHT EXCURSION

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

WILMINGTON SHARKS

July 26, 7pm: The Wilmington Sharks square off against Edenton Steamers (Wednesday) and the Morehead City Marlins (Thursday) in Coastal Plain League games. • July 31, 7pm: Wilmington Sharks square off against Edenton Steamers (Wednesday) and the Morehead City Marlins (Thursday). Buck Hardee Field—Legion Sports Complex, 2149 Carolina Beach Rd. wilmingtonnc.gov/departments/ parks-recreation/legion-sports-complex

New monthly meet-up for adults who enjoy crafting. Drop in on the first Monday afternoon of every month at the Northeast 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 NHCLibrary.org; 910-798-6371or asevett@nhcgov. com or 910-798-6371. 1241 Military Cutoff Rd.

COMMUNITY YOGA

Join Longwave Yoga teachers on the 1st Saturday of each month as we come together as a community to support Plastic Ocean Project. Enjoy a 1-hour yoga class on the Whole Foods Market patio followed by a pint of kombucha, locally crafted by Panacea Brewing Co. Register day of at Whole Foods: $20 cash, BYOM (bring your own mat). Proceeds benefit Plastic Ocean Project, a local nonprofit with a mission to educate through field research, implement progressive outreach initiatives, and incubate solutions to address the global plastic pollution problem.

TWEEN YOGA

Thurs, 6pm: A playful, casual and very active class encouraging tween to explore their creativity. Dynamic postures presented in a simple step-by-step format. No experience is necessary, and this yoga class is offered to tweens only, ages 11-14. Wilmington Yoga, 5329 Oleander Drive, Ste. 200

FULL MOON BEACH YOGA

Surround yourself in nature in our full moon

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beach yoga class. Move and breathe to the sounds of mother ocean. Bathe in the light of the moon. Leave your mat at home. We recommend that you bring a beach towel.

We will meet on the sand at Tennessee Avenue in Carolina Beach. All levels welcome.

Preregister for this class; $16 drop-in or use your class pass. Salty Dog Yoga & Surf, 915 A North Lake Park Blvd. www.saltydogyogasurf.com

MEDITATE AND CHILL

Join Jesse Stockton, Rachael Kinsey, Alexis Abbate + Jenny Yarborough every Tuesday, 7:30-8:30pm, Terra Sol Sanctuary. We’ll guide you through a 20-30 minute meditation to help you take a deep breath. Relax.

Let go. $10; no need to register in advance.

507 Castle St. www.terrasolsanctuary.com

CHANGING TIDE ARE YOU RIDING THE WAVE?

July 25: Established in 1950, the Wilmington Regional Safety and Health School is a non-profit organization committed to bringing important safety and health information to the public. It is the oldest such safety school in North Carolina. This year the school is offering 3 concurrent tracts for safety, medical and human resources professionals. CEU’s available for Physical Therapists and Nursing. Parking is free.

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

WILMINGTON SAFETY SCHOOL: THE CHANGING TIDE ARE YOU RIDING THE WAVE?

July 25: Established in 1950, the Wilming-

ton Regional Safety and Health School is a non-profit organization committed to bringing important safety and health information to the public. It is the oldest such safety school in North Carolina. This year the school is offering 3 concurrent tracts for safety, medical and human resources professionals. CEU’s available for Physical Therapists and Nursing. Parking is free for this event. Wilmington Convention Center, 515 Nutt St.

FREE SELF DEFENSE CLASS

July 25, 7pm: Wilmington is an incredible place to live, but like every town, there are bad, violent people who want to do harm to others. Monthly self-defense class is designed to give good women and men the skills and training to defend themselves so they will not be a victim. Shoshin Ryu is offering the free monthly self defense class as a way to help our community stay safe. Fill out form: shoshinnc.org. Students should wear clothing appropriate for the gym, and will be barefoot on the training mat. 709 N 4th St.

lectures/literary KURE BEACH TURTLE TALK

Turtle Talk is held every Monday beginning June 10 through August 26 from 7pm8pm. The program is held at the Kure Beach Ocean Front Park and Pavilion. Learn about

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local nesting sea turtles with the Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project! Ocean Front Park, 105 Atlantic Ave.

GOOD READ, GREAT NIGHT DOWNTOWN

Through July 31: Everyone loves a good book and the CAM Museum Shop has great books!For each book purchase you make at the Museum Shop during the month of July, you will receive an entry to win a double-deck of book-themed playing cards

by Piatnik, plus one night’s stay at the Top Shelf: A Literary Loft above Old Books on Front Street ($250 value).Museum Shop is open on Thursday until 9pm. Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St. ameronartmuseum.org

UNDERSTANDING IS THE NEW HEALING

July 26, 5pm: Mary Helen will share personal examples from her latest work, Understanding Is the New Healing. Her message is that we can heal our lives in the most incredible ways by understanding and embracing the Universal truth that nothing and no one can harm who we really are. From past-life memories and Near-Death Experiences to encounters with spirits and beings “in, but not of” this world, Mary Helen will take you on a life-changing adventure that may just re-shape the way you view your own rich tapestry of experiences in life. Pomegranate Books, 4418 Park Ave. pomegranatebooks. wordpress.com

clubs/notices

BIKE NIGHT

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

Mac’s Speed Shop, 4126 Oleander Dr.

SPILLS HAPPEN BUSINESS & COMMUNITY MIXER

July 30, 6-7:30 pm—Join businesses, communities, Surfrider, Oceana, Sierra Club, 350 Wilmington, UNCW and Environment NC to take a stand to protect our coast! Threats of drilling and seismic blasting are still present and never worth the risks. The evening will feature speakers from Wavelength Charters, Good Hops Brewing, Sweetwater Surf Shop and Dr. Kyle Horton followed by opportunities to network with fellow advocates. Spills Happen coasters and stickers will be available for businesses in attendance at the event. Jimmy’s at Red Dogs, 5 North Lumina Avenue

PCYP

No membership required; all ages and professions welcome. Look for PCYP Ambassadors with silver name tags to get acquainted. Free food, networking, raffles, business-casual attire. Dates: July 25 PCYP Private Event Rounds Golf & Lounge; August 21 hosted by TBD Sponsored by Live Oak Dental; September 18 hosted by KBT Realty Group—associated with Keller Williams and Cavik Insurance Sponsored by TBD; October hosted by Hanover Lakes by Bill Clark Homes; November 20 hosted by Poe’s Taver—Wrightsville Beach; Dec 4 at Homewood

d? e d o o l F r Ca

We Can Help!!!

Call for Canvas & Awning Repair Don’t Throw That Old Funiture Away!

Go Green & Re-Upholster!

Fast Turn-around Time Let our experts turn your old, drab furniture into exciting new decor.

Full Service Shop ~ Insured Award Winning Custom Interiors 910.799.8746 (TRIM) 6609 Windmill Way

Ask about our “re-purposed” furniture Do not despair, we can make the repair... let us fix separation anxiety

• Wings • Salads • • Sandwiches • Seafood • • Steaks • Ribs • Chicken • Pasta •

16 Cold Draft Beers

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dairy products, meat and seafood, treats for dogs and more. Free parking. Municipal Lane.

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 Pavilion Place

RIVERFRONT FARMERS’ MARKET

Suites by Hilton Wilmington/Mayfaire; December 13 Members Only Christmas Party Sponsored by River Landing hosted

by St Thomas Preservation Hall owned by City Club. Memberships costs: $25-$35. https://pcyp.thrivecart.com/annual-membership. RiverLights, 109 Pier Master Point #100

culinary

BEER CELEBRATION: Fermental will celebrate on Saturday with Allagash Brewing, for an evening of tasting, giveaways, live music and food trucks! Plus, a fundraiser to benefit Surfrider Foundation Photo courtesy of Allagash

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. • July 27, 5pm: Fermental proudly welcomes Allagash Brewing for an an evening of beer tastings, fundraising, giveaways, live music, food trucks, and more. Allagash focuses on being an environmentally and socially responsible member of the brewing community, with comprehensive sustainability initiatives and a focus on reducing waste and using less water and power. Keeping with the bounty of beer and benevolence, this event is also a fundraising effort for the Surfrider Foundation, an international national nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves, and beaches through a powerful activist network. A portion of each Allagash beer purchased during the event will go towards the Surfrider Foundation.

Food truck: WilmyWoodie Wood-Fired Pizza, 6pm; live music: Category Four [funksoul-blues] 8pm. www.fermental.net 910821-0362. 7250 Market St.

POPLAR GROVE FARMERS’ MARKET

Wed., 8am-1pm: Under the shade of the Magnolia and ancient Oak trees of Historic Poplar Grove Plantation you’ll find one of Wilmington’s longest running farmers’

markets. Come stroll the grounds, pick up a hot cup of coffee or icy cold lemonade and shop for farm fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers, food and beverages of all types as well as artisan crafted goods. We are family friendly with activities for the kid’s and barnyard animals dropping by to say hello. Every Wednesday, 8am-1pm, through September 25th for the 2019 season. Poplar Grove Plantation, 10200 US Hwy 17 N

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.

ILM LOCAL FARMERS’ MARKET

Wed., 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.

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH FARMERS MKT

Wrightsville Beach Farmers’ Market meets Monday mornings through Sept. 30 near Seawater Lane at the town’s municipal grounds. The market features vendors offering fresh and local produce, plus flowers, crafts, bread and other baked items, herbs,

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Sat., 8am-1pm: Local farmers, growers, producers and artisans to sell their goods directly to consumers, to encourage and promote the use of locally-grown farm products and artisan offerings. Vegetables, herbs, plants, annuals, perennials, native plants, fresh-cut flowers, baked goods, NC wines, dog treats, eggs, honey, goat cheeses, seafood, kombucha, meats, marina & fra diavolo sauce, smoothies and more. Artisan works of handmade jewelry, woodwork, silkscreen t-shirts & totes, photography, bath & body products, pet accessories, pottery, drawings and more.

N. Water St. in historic downtown Wilmington, NC along the beautiful Cape Fear River. riverfrontfarmersmarket.org.

SWEET N SAVORY WINE TASTING

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

DAWG WAGON FOOD TRUCK

July 26, 6pm. Free. Dawg Wagon is back at The Sour Barn. They’ll be cooking up some great Southern grill food to go with the cold brews—burgers, dogs, fries, wings, and more, 6pm! The Sour Barn, 7211 Market St.

SMOKIN’ JOES BBQ

July 27, 6pm: Smokin’ Joe’s BBQ Truck.

Brisket, ribs, pulled pork and more! The Sour Barn, 7211 Market St

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/GA 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 columns 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 8.4mile marine sanctuary island, renowned for its plant and wildlife diversity. Topics will include shell biology, native plant species, shorebirds, and barrier island ecology. Adult $45 Child $25 RSVP: 910-200-4002. Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours, 275 Waynick Blvd.

OFF THE RECORD TOURS

Thurs., 6:30pm: Start your weekend early with gallery tours led by museum staff that are sometimes irreverent and silly, but always provide a charming and engaging behind-the-scenes perspective on current exhibitions. But what if I’m really thirsty before the tour? Join us for happy hour beforehand to loosen up your brain and chat about art. Brown Wing. CAM Members: Free, non-members. Museum admission. Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St.

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

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.

COPING WITH THE DEATH OF A SPOUSE

Lower Cape Fear Hospice will offer a sixweek, no-cost grief program for those coping with the death of a spouse or partner in Wilmington on Wed. through Aug. 14. The group will meet 10 a.m. to noon at the Dr. Robert M. Fales Hospice Pavilion Conference Room, 1406 Physicians Drive in Wilmington. Pre-registration is required; call 910-796-7991 to register. Most of us have loved and lost special people in our lives and we understand that coping with grief is a challenging process. If you or your friends and family are having difficulty dealing with the loss of a loved one, Lower Cape Fear Hospice is here to help. Dr. Robert M. Fales Hospice Pavillion, 1406 Physicians Dr.

MS SUPPORT GROUP

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

Details: Anne (910) 232-2033 or Burt (910) 383-1368.

ARIES (Mar. 21–April 19)

“Dear Diary: Last night my Aries friend dragged me to Karaoke Bowling Alley and Sushi Bar. I was deeply skeptical. The place sounded tacky, but after being there 20 minutes, I had to admit \ I was having a fantastic time. It just got better and more fun as the night wore on. I’m sure I made a fool of myself when I did my bowling ball imitation, but I can live with that. At one point I was juggling a bowling pin, a rather large piece of sweet potato tempura, and my own shoe while singing Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir”—and I don’t even know how to juggle. I have to admit this sequence of events was typical of my adventures with Aries folks. I suppose I should learn to trust they will lead me to where I don’t know I want to go.”

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

In his poem “Wild Oats,” poet W. S. Merwin provided a message that’s in perfect alignment with your current astrological needs: “I needed my mistakes in their own order to get me here.” He was not being ironic in saying that; he was not making a lame attempt to excuse his errors; he was not struggling to make himself feel better for the inconvenience caused by his wrong turns. No! He understood that the apparent flubs and miscues he had committed were essential in creating his successful life. I invite you to reinterpret your own past using his perspective.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

Even if you’re an ambidextrous, multi-gendered, neurologically diverse, Phoenician-Romanian Gemini with a fetish for pink duct tape and an affinity for ideas that no one has ever thought of, you will eventually find your sweet spot, your power niche, and your dream sanctuary. I promise.

Same for the rest of you Geminis, too. It might take a while. But I beg you to have faith that you will eventually tune in to the homing beacon of the mother lode that’s just right for you. P.S.: Important clues and signs should be arriving soon.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

What would a normal, boring astrologer tell you at a time like now? Maybe something like this: “More of other people’s money and resources can be at your disposal if you emanate sincerity and avoid being manipulative. If you want to negotiate vibrant compromises, pay extra attention to good timing and the right setting. Devote special care and sensitivity to all matters affecting your close alliances and productive partnerships.” As you know, Cancerian, I’m not a normal, boring astrologer, so I wouldn’t typically say something like what I just said. But I felt it was my duty to do so because right now you need simple, basic, no-frills advice. I promise I’ll resume with my cryptic, lyrical oracles next time.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

Let’s check in with our psychic journalist, LoveMancer, who’s standing by with a live report from inside your imagination. What’s happening, LoveMancer? “Well, Rob, the enchanting creature on whose thoughts I’ve been eavesdropping has slipped into an intriguing frontier. This place seems to be a hot zone where love and healing interact intensely. My guess is that being here will lead our hero to breakthrough surges of love that result in deep healing, or deep healing that leads to breakthrough surges of love— probably both.”

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Virgo figure skater Scott Hamilton won an Olympic gold medal and four World Championships. He was a star who got inducted into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame and made a lot of money after he turned professional. “I calculated once how many times I fell during my skating career—41,600 times,” he testified in his autobiography. “But here’s the funny thing: I also got up 41,600 times. That’s the muscle you have to build in your psyche—the one that reminds you to just get up.” In accordance with current astrological omens, Virgo, I’ll be cheering you on as you strengthen that muscle in your psyche during the coming weeks.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

What’s the story of your life? Psychologist James Hillman said that in order to thrive, you need to develop a clear vision of that story. How do you do that? Hillman advised you to ask yourself this question: “How can I assemble the pieces of my life into a coherent plot?” And why is this effort to decode your biography so important? Because your soul’s health requires you to cultivate curiosity and excitement about the big picture of your destiny. If you hope to respond with intelligence to the questions and challenges that each new day brings, you must be steadily nourished with an expansive understanding of why you are here on earth. I bring these ideas to your attention, Libra, because the coming weeks will be an excellent time to illuminate and deepen and embellish your conception of your life story.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

“Artists are people driven by the tension between the desire to communicate and the desire to hide,” wrote psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott. I think that description fits many people born under the sign of the Scorpio, not just Scorpio artists. Knowing how important and necessary this dilemma can be for you, I would never glibly advise you to always favor candid, straightforward communication over protective, strategic hiding. But I recommend you do that in the coming weeks. Being candid and straightforward will serve you well.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Sagittarian poet Aracelis Girmay writes, “How ramshackle, how brilliant, how haphazardly and strangely rendered we are. Gloriously, fantastically mixed & monstered. We exist as phantom, monster, miracle, each a theme park all one’s own.” Of course that’s always true about every one of us. But it will be extraordinarily true about you in the coming weeks. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you will be at the peak of your ability to express what’s most idiosyncratic and essential about your unique array of talents and specialties.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Sometime soon I suspect you will arrive at a crossroads in your relationship with love and sex, as well as your fantasies about love and sex. In front of you: a hearty cosmic joke would mutate your expectations and expand your savvy. Behind you: an alluring but perhaps confusing call toward an unknown future. To your left: the prospect of a dreamy adventure that might be only half-imaginary. To your right: the possibility of living out a slightly bent fairytale version of romantic catharsis. I’m not here to tell you what you should do, Capricorn. My task is simply to help you identify the options.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

How many handcuffs are there in the world? Millions. Yet there are far fewer different keys than that to open all those handcuffs. In fact, in many countries, there’s a standard universal key that works to open most handcuffs. In this spirit, and in accordance with current astrological omens, I’m designating August as Free Yourself from Your Metaphorical Handcuffs Month. It’s never as complicated or difficult as you might imagine to unlock your metaphorical handcuffs; and for the foreseeable future it will be even less complicated and difficult than usual for you.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

People who sneak a gaze into your laboratory might be unnerved by what they see. You know and I know that your daring experiments are in service to the ultimate good, but that may not be obvious to those who understand you incompletely. So perhaps you should post a sign outside your lab that reads, “Please, don’t leap to premature conclusions! My in-progress projects may seem inexplicable to the uninitiated!” Or maybe you should just close all your curtains and lock the door until your future handiwork is more presentable. P.S. There may be allies who can provide useful feedback about your explorations. I call them the wounded healers.

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CROSSWORD

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56 encore | july 24 - july 30, 2019 | www.encorepub.com