encore June 10-16, 2020

VOL. 36 / PUB. 49 • THE CAPE FEAR’S ALTERNATIVE VOICE FOR 35 YEARS •JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 16, 2020 • FREE

encore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com 1

HODGE PODGE

Vol. 36 / Pub. 49 June 10-June 16, 2020

ENCOREPUB.COM encoredeals.com

LIVE LOCAL pgs. 16-17 • By Joy James This week’s Live Local features guest writer Joy James, who reflects on the current state of civil unrest and communities mourning the death of another black man at the hands of police. Courtesy photo

word of the week ZEALOUT (N) A person who is fanatical about religion or politics but compromises them.

“I’ve seen a lot of zealouts since Trump took office.”

EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief:

Shea Carver >> shea@encorepub.com

Staff Editors:

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

Art Director/Office Manager:

COVER, pgs. 4-9 This week we speak to local activist Tim Joyner about his experience on the ground, speaking out throughout years of activism, how different and impactful 2020 feels in hopes of making incremental change and what those changes should look like from his point of view. We also speak to Evan Pye who has documented every night of protesting since May 31, and feature more photos from various folks who joined in on the cause.

ATTN: BUSINESSES

MUSIC pg. 24 • By Shannon Rae Gentry Call for footage! Rockers Red Gemini and The Explainers are working with local filmmaker Brannigan Carter to produce music videos with footage representing COVID and protests. Courtesy photo

Susie Riddle >> ads@encorepub.com

Chief Contributors: Gwenyfar Rohler,

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

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

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

Businesses, please, contact us to find out more about our COVID-19 relief program that can put money in your pocket now and get you ads later.

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

FILM pg. 25 • By Anghus Anghus revisits Spike Lee’s influentual film ‘Do the Right Thing,’ as it remains relevant in today’s world. Courtesy photo.

Best Of Winners, pgs. 4-9 • Protest Coverage, pgs. 10-13 • News, pg. 15 • Live Local, pgs. 16-17 • Gullible’s Travels, pg.18 OpEd, pg.19 • News of the Weird, pg. 20 • Art, pg. 22 • Gallery Guide, pg. 23 • Music, pg. 24 • Film, pg. 25 • Dining, pgs. 26-29 Extra, pg. 31 • Horoscopes/Tom Tomorrow, pg. 34 • Crossword, pg. 35

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encore Readers’ Choice Awards

WINNERS & RUNNERS-UP FOOD AND DRINK BEST APPETIZERS

FRONT ST. BREWERY Circa 1922 Dram + Morsel

BEST ATMOSPHERE

INDOCHINE RESTAURANT Dram + Morsel Dram Yard

BEST BAGEL

BEACH BAGELS

Empire Deli & Bagel Mr. Bagel Meister

BEST BAKERY

APPLE ANNIE’S BAKE SHOP One Belle Bakery The Red Eye Bakery

BEST BAR OVERALL

SATELLITE BAR AND LOUNGE Tavern Law 1832 Cape Fear Wine and Beer

BEST BAR - PLEASURE ISLAND

THE FAT PELICAN

SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar

BEST BAR - WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH

JIMMY’S AT RED DOGS The Palm Room King Neptune Restaurant

% OF BEST BURRITO VOTES FLAMING AMY’S BURRITO BARN 38% 32% 30% 67% 17% 16% 58% 25% 17% 58% 26% 16% 64% 20% 16% 42% 33% 25% 47% 27% 26%

BEST BARBECUE

JACKSON’S BIG OAK BARBECUE 44% Mission BBQ Moe’s Original Bar B Que

BEST BARTENDER

JOSH RUSSELL (BLUE POST)

Brandy Smith Tomcany (Slainte) Ron Blois (Tails)

BEST BEER LIST

CAPE FEAR WINE AND BEER Wrightsville Beach Brewery Fermental Beer & Wine

33% 23% 42% 34% 24% 36% 35% 29%

BEST BISCUIT

K-38 Baja Grill Burrito Shak

BEST CATERING SERVICE

MIDDLE OF THE ISLAND Pine Valley Market Thyme Savor

BEST CHAIN RESTAURANT

CHICK-FIL-A

Bonefish Grill Texas Roadhouse

BEST CHEESESTEAK

J. MICHAEL’S PHILLY DELI The Copper Penny Port City Cheese Steak

Josh Petty (Cast Iron Kitchen) Carson Jewell (Kitchen at Palate)

BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT

DOUBLE HAPPINESS Szechuan 132 Uncle Lim’s Kitchen

BEST COFFEE SHOP

BITTY AND BEAU’S COFFEE Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods Port City Java

BEST DELI

A TASTE OF ITALY

South College Sandwich & Deli Detour Deli

BEST DESSERTS

APPLE ANNIE’S BAKE SHOP Nothing Bundt Cakes Circa 1922

BEST DINER

DIXIE GRILL

Jimbo’s Breakfast & Lunch Goody Goody Omelet House

BEST DISTILLERY

END OF DAYS DISTILLERY

HOPS SUPPLY CO.

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar Cast Iron Kitchen

BEST BREAKFAST

DIXIE GRILL

Cast Iron Kitchen Eternal Sunshine Cafe

38% 34% 28%

BEST BREWERY

Barbary Coast Duck & Dive Pub

BEST DONUT

BRITTS DONUT SHOP Wake N Bake Donuts The Donut Inn

BEST DOOR GUY

JOSH LENTZ (CAPE FEAR WINE AND BEER)

Joey Dunn (Pour House) Bogdan Roberson (Earnest Money and Sons)

WILMINGTON BREWING COMPANY 42% BEST FAST FOOD 31% Wrightsville Beach Brewery P.T.’S OLDE FASHIONED GRILLE 27% Flying Machine Brewing Company

BEST BRUNCH

THE BASICS

Cast Iron Kitchen Boca Bay Restaurant

BEST BUFFET

FLAMING AMY’S BOWL

Boca Bay Restaurant Casey’s Buffet Golden Corral Buffet and Grill

BEST BURGER

WINNIE’S TAVERN

P.T.’s Olde Fashioned Grille Fork ‘N’ Cork

36% 35% 29% 34% 31% 30% 5% 45% 29% 26%

Chick-fil-A Cook Out

BEST FINE DINING

MANNA

Circa 1922 Port Land Grille

BEST FOOD TRUCK

CHEESESMITH FOOD TRUCK

WilmyWoodie Wood Fired Pizza Joe Loves Lobster Rolls

BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT

CAPRICE BISTRO

Brasserie du Soleil Our Crepes and More

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BEST FRIED CHICKEN

BILL’S BREW FOOD Rooster & The Crow Casey’s Buffet

BEST FRIES

PT’S OLDE FASHIONED GRILLE Poe’s Tavern - Wrightsville Beach Five Guys

BEST HOT DOG 50% 28% 22% 47% 39% 14%

KEITH RHODES (CATCH MODERN SEAFOOD) 44%

Blue Shark Vodka Mason Inlet Distillery

43% 30% 27%

51% 32% 17%

BEST CHEF

BOJANGLES’ FAMOUS CHICKEN 40% BEST DIVE BAR ‘N BISCUITS 34% The Southerly Biscuit & Pie THE FAT PELICAN 26% The Red Eye Bakery

BEST BLOODY MARY

60% 28% 12%

36% 20% 62% 26% 12%

TROLLY STOP

Paul’s Place Charlie Graingers

BEST ICE CREAM

BOOMBALATTI’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM Kilwins Bruster’s Real Ice Cream

BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT

TANDOORI BITES Nawab Little Asia Bistro

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

A TASTE OF ITALY

Roko Italian Restaurant Rosalie’s Trattoria

42% 31% 27%

43% 36% 21%

52% 30% 18%

BEST RESTAURANT OVERALL

52% 38% 10%

BEST RESTAURANT - PLEASURE ISLAND

66% 27% 7%

BEST RESTAURANT - WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH

54% 26% 20%

BEST RIBS

37% 35% Genki Sushi Okami Japanese Hibachi Steak House & Sushi 28% BEST LATE-NIGHT EATS 42% SLICE OF LIFE 30% I Love NY Pizza 28% Front Street Brewery

47% 38% 15% 42% 34% 24% 49% 43% 8% 41% 30% 29% 56% 30% 14% 45% 33% 22% 56% 32% 12% 40% 37% 23% 41% 30% 29% 39% 32% 29%

K-38 BAJA GRILL

Taqueria Los Portales El Cerro Grande Mexican Restaurant

BEST LOCAL BEER

TROPICAL LIGHTNING (WILMINGTON BREWING)

Kolsch (Waterline Brewing) Acerbic Ecstasy (Broomtail Craft Brewery)

BEST LUNCH

COPPER PENNY

Detour Deli & Cafe Tropical Smoothie

BEST MARGARITA

TOWER 7 BAJA MEXICAN GRILL

El Cerro Grande Mexican Restaurant Beer Barrio

BEST MEDITERRANEAN

PEÑO MEDITERRANEAN GRILL The Greeks Black Sea Grill

BEST MIXOLOGIST

FRED FLYNN (MANNA)

Luke Carnavale (Earnest Money and Sons) Greg Matheson (City Club of Wilmington)

BEST NACHOS

FRONT STREET BREWERY

48% 27% 25% 57% 34% 9% 67% 22% 11% 48% 29% 23% 41% 38% 21% 41% 33% 26% 47%

37% Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn Slice of Life Pizzeria & Pub Downtown 16% BEST NEW BAR

COGLIN’S WILMINGTON Seven Mile Post Earnest Money & Sons

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

ROOSTER & THE CROW

Panacea Brewing Company Dram Yard

BEST OUTSIDE DINING

INDOCHINE

Oceanic Dockside Restaurant and Bar

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar Pinpoint Restaurant

BEST PIZZA

HIRO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE

BEST LATIN/MEXICAN RESTAURANT

DOCK ST. OYSTER BAR

55% 25% 20%

BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT 50% 27% 23%

BEST OYSTERS

35% 33% 32% 37% 33% 30% 35% 33% 32%

SLICE OF LIFE

Pizzetta’s Pizzeria I Love NY Pizza

INDOCHINE

Copper Penny True Blue Butcher and Table

FREDDIE’S RESTAURANT

Michael’s Seafood Restaurant Surf House Oyster Bar & Surf Camp

TOWER 7 BAJA MEXICAN GRILL Poe’s Tavern - Wrightsville Beach Oceanic South Beach Grill

BONE & BEAN BBQ

Mission BBQ Moe’s Original Bar B Que

BEST SALADS

CHOPT CREATIVE SALAD Brasserie du Soleil Rucker John’s

BEST SEAFOOD MARKET

MOTTS CHANNEL SEAFOOD Eagle Island Seafood Seaview Crab Company

BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

CAPE FEAR SEAFOOD

Catch Modern Seafood Fish Bites Seafood Restaurant

BEST SERVER

GABRIELLE LEWIS (PT’S)

Brittany Golightly (J. Michael’s Philly Deli) Joseph Tosches (Skytown Beer Company)

BEST SMOOTHIE

TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE Clean Juice Smoothie King

BEST SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT

CAST IRON KITCHEN Casey’s Buffet Soul Flavor

BEST SOUP

PHO CAFE

Michael’s Seafood Restaurant Pine Valley Market

BEST SPORTS BAR

HELL’S KITCHEN

Tavern Law 1832 Carolina Ale House

BEST STEAK

TRUE BLUE BUTCHER AND TABLE Port City Chop House Ruth’s Chris Steak House

BEST SUB/SANDWICH SHOP

JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS Detour Deli & Cafe Sub Stop

39% 36% 25% 37% 33% 30% 46% 39% 15%

BEST TACOS

K-38 BAJA GRILL

Beer Barrio Islands Fresh Mex Grill

BEST THAI RESTAURANT

INDOCHINE

Thai Spice Big Thai Restaurant

BEST VEGAN RESTAURANT

EPIC FOOD CO

Panacea Brewing Company Sealevel City Gourmet

BEST VEGETARIAN 45% 33% 22% 33% 31% 20% 16% 38% 33% 29% 43% 32% 25%

TIDAL CREEK CO-OP

Lovey’s Natural Foods & Cafe Panacea Brewing Companyt

BEST WAITSTAFF

COPPER PENNY

PT’s Olde Fashioned Grille Front Street Brewery

BEST WINE LIST

THE FORTUNATE GLASS The Second Glass Fermental Beer & Wine

BEST WINGS

COPPER PENNY Wild Wing Cafe Rebellion NC

BEST ACUPUNCTURIST

57% 26% 17%

BEST ANTIQUE SHOP

44% 33% 23% 53% 33% 14% 48% 27% 25%

LEON MCKAY (MCKAY HEALING ARTS) Tricia Miller (Oriental Medical Therapies) Gretchen Rivas (Infinity Acupuncture)

THE IVY COTTAGE

Flea Body’s Cape Fear Jewelry & Antiques

BEST APARTMENT COMPLEX

SOUTH FRONT APARTMENTS

The Reserve at Mayfaire Belle Meade Apartment Homes

BEST AUTO MECHANIC

BLACK’S TIRE AND AUTO

MobileTech Performance Auto Specialists

BEST BARBER

QUEEN STREET BARBERSHOP Tad’s Barber Shop Beale Street Barber Shop

BEST BOOKSTORE

OLD BOOKS ON FRONT ST. Barnes & Noble Memory Lane Comics

BEST BOTTLE SHOP 38% 33% 29% 44% 36% 20% 41% 33% 26%

BEST SUSHI

YOSAKE DOWNTOWN SUSHI LOUNGE 39% The Bento Box Sushi Bar and Asian Kitchen 33% 28% Genki Sushi

76% 15% 9% 42% 38% 20% 42% 37% 21% 54% 26% 20% 43% 30% 27% 37% 34% 29%

GOODS AND SERVICES

36% 32% 32%

46% 28% 26%

44% 30% 26%

FERMENTAL BEER & WINE The Brewer’s Kettle Hey Beer Bottle Shop

39% 37% 24% 65% 23% 12% 48% 37% 15% 59% 21% 20% 46% 34% 20% 51% 28% 21% 42% 33% 25%

BEST CAR WASH

CRUISERS CAR WASH & DETAIL CENTER

45%

32% Splash-n-Dash Car Wash Coastal Car Wash of Monkey Junction 23% BEST CBD STORE

THE HEMP FARMACY

Coastal Hemp Company Hemp Garden

63% 21% 16%

BEST CHIROPRACTOR

BACK IN MOTION CHIROPRACTIC 50% Sito Chiropractic Greatest Potential Chiropractic

35% 15%

BEST CLEANING SERVICE

CAROLINA COAST CLEANING SERVICES 36% Dust Bunnies Coastal Cleaning Wanda’s Special Touch Cleaning

BEST CONSIGNMENT — CLOTHES

FAIRY CIRCLE

Vintage Values Clothes Mentor

34% 30% 41% 38% 21%

BEST CONSIGNMENT — HOME GOODS/DECOR

42% Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity ReStore 31% Home Again Wilmington 27% BEST CONTRACTOR 41% LS SMITH, INC 36% Taylor’s Heating & Air Patriot Roofing Company 23% BEST DENTIST

THE IVY COTTAGE

CAPE FEAR SMILES GENERAL & COSMETIC DENTISTRY Salling & Tate General Dentistry Renaissance Dental Studio

BEST DOCTOR

DR. POLLOCK (HANOVER PEDIATRICS)

J. Todd Kornegay, MD (New Hanover Medical Group) Perihan S. Warren NP (A Helping Hand Of Wilmington)

38% 37% 25% 44% 42% 14%

BEST ESTHETICIAN

MARCELLA HARDY (TANGLEZ SALON & SPA) 48% Laura Greenway (Relax Massage Therapy & Skin Care) 27% Holly Harrison (Carter Kayte Beauty Atelier) 25%

BEST FARMERS’ MARKET

45% Wilmington Farmers’ Market at Tidal Creek Co-op 29% Poplar Grove Plantation 26% BEST FLORIST 58% JULIA’S FLORIST Mother of Wild a Flower House & Event Co 26% Verzaal’s Florist & Events 16% BEST GARDEN STORE 38% THE PLANT PLACE 35% The Transplanted Garden Farmers Supply Co 27% BEST GIFT SHOP 60% BLUE MOON GIFT SHOPS 21% Dragonflies 19% Modern Legend

RIVERFRONT FARMERS’ MARKET

BEST GOLF COURSE

BEAU RIVAGE GOLF & RESORT

Wilmington Municipal Golf Course Castle Bay Golf Course

BEST GOURMET STORE

PINE VALLEY MARKET

Cape Fear Spice Merchants The Seasoned Gourmet

BEST GROCERY STORE

TRADER JOE’S

Harris Teeter Tidal Creek Co-op

BEST GYM

PLANET FITNESS

Nir Family YMCA Amplifly: RIDE, LIFT, FLOW

BEST HAIR SALON

TANGLEZ SALON & SPA The Rockin’ Roller Salon Hill & Klutch Studio

42% 39% 19%

BEST KIDS’ AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM

DREAMS OF WILMINGTON

Nir Family YMCA Cape Fear Isshin-Ryu Karate & After-school

BEST KIDS’ CAMP

NIR FAMILY YMCA

No Sleeves Magic Wilmington Christian Academy

BEST KIDS’ CLOTHING STORE

ONCE UPON A CHILD Memories of a Child Harper Rose Boutique

BEST LAW FIRM

COLLINS & COLLINS ATTORNEYS Shipman & Wright, LLP The Shotwell Law Group, PLLC

BEST MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL

SHOSHIN RYU NC

Master Yu’s Dynamic Martial Arts Cape Fear Isshin-Ryu Karate & After-school

TIDAL CREEK CO-OP

Lovey’s Natural Foods and Cafe Whole Foods

BEST HOLISTIC MEDICINE

NATIVE SALT CAVE & WELLNESS McKay Healing Arts Infinity Acupuncture

51% 31% 18% 50% 33% 17% 45% 35% 20%

BEST MEN’S CLOTHING

BLOKE APPAREL & SUPPLY Gentlemen’s Corner Baldini For Men

37% 20% 57% 32% 11%

BEST MORTGAGE COMPANY

66% 24% On Q Financial - Wilmington Mortgages - Resource Financial Services, Inc. 10% BEST MOVING COMPANY 53% TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Few Moves Moving Company 27% Little Guys Movers Wilmington 20% BEST NAIL SALON 56% GDN NAIL BAR 24% Unwind Nails & Bar 20% Classy Nails & Spa

ALPHA MORTGAGE

BEST NEW CAR DEALERSHIP

HENDRICK TOYOTA

Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Coastal Kia

BEST NEW COMPANY

NATIVE SALT CAVE & WELLNESS Queen Street Barbershop Beauty and Bloom

49% 32% 19%

LAMAINE WILLIAMS

(CAMBRIDGE FITNESS WILMINGTON)

Amy McCauley (A Body Empowered) Kerri K Davis (Fit to You Personal Training)

49% 33% 18%

BEST PET GROOMING

39% 31% 30%

BEST PET SUPPLY STORE

42% 38% 20%

BEST PILATES STUDIO

22% 43% 33% 24% 46% 38% 16%

BEST HOTEL

49% 32% 19% 40% 31% 29% 44% 34% 22%

BEST JEWELER

PERRY’S EMPORIUM REEDS Jewelers Lumina Gem

30% 53% 25% 22%

Shoe Carnival Cape Fear Footwear

MAYFAIRE TOWN CENTER

The Cotton Exchange The Pointe at Barclay Shopping Center

Grooming By Jess

UNLEASHED, THE DOG & CAT STORE Aunt Kerry’s Pet Stop PetSmart

REBEL YOGA AND PILATES Club Pilates A Body Empowered

Pet’s Pal Inn Pet Bazaar NC

BEST PLACE TO BUY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

FINKELSTEIN’S

The Music Loft of Wilmington Music & Arts

BEST PRINT SHOP

DOCK ST. PRINTING

RELAX! MASSAGE THERAPY AND SKIN CARE Willow Retreat Spa Carter Kayte Beauty Atelier

BEST SURF SHOP

SWEETWATER SURF SHOP Aussie Island Surf Shop Hot Wax Surf Shop

BEST TANNING SALON

TANGLEZ SALON & SPA Sun Tan City Saule Tanning Salon

ARTFUEL INC.

Jade Monkey Tattoo Studio Family First Tattoo

BEST USED CAR DEALERSHIP

AUTO WHOLESALE

Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Seasell Auto

Copycat Print Shop PrintWorks

BEST WEDDING VENUE

BROOKLYN ARTS CENTER Wrightsville Manor Bakery 105

BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING

LULA BALOU

Harper Rose Boutique Wrightsville Ave Boutique

BEST YOGA STUDIO

TERRA SOL SANCTUARY Rebel Yoga and Pilates Longwave Yoga

BEST RECORD STORE

GRAVITY RECORDS

JEFF PHILLIPS

Fracaswell Hyman Hyrum Van Slyke

BEST ACTRESS

ALLIE POOLEY

Holli Saperstein LaRaisha Dionne

42% 33% 25%

BEST ART GALLERY

38% 34% 28%

BEST ARTS MARKET

49% 38% 13%

BEST BAND

55% 31% 14%

BEST BOWLING ALLEY

Yellow Dog Discs Record Bar

61% 28% 11%

42% 39% 19% 49% 26% 25% 51% 25% 24%

ART IN BLOOM GALLERY Bottega Art & Wine Eclipse Artisan Boutique

SEAGLASS SALVAGE MARKET Orange Street Arts Festival Artisan Locale

L SHAPE LOT

Striking Copper Uptown Easy

CARDINAL LANES SHIPYARD Ten Pin Alley Cardinal Lanes Beach Bowl

BEST COMEDY TROUPE

PINEAPPLE-SHAPED LAMPS Nutt House Improv Troupe Daredevil Improv

BEST CULTURAL PROGRAMMING

WHQR

Wilson Center at CFCC Bellamy Mansion Museum

BEST DANCE CLUB

IBIZA NIGHTCLUB Goodfellas Pravda

TECHNIQUES IN MOTION

Studio 1 Dance Conservatory Danzquest

BEST DJ

DJ BRIAN HOOD

Active Entertainment Randall Canady

KNOT TOO SHABBY EVENTS A. Noble Events and Design Shauna Loves Planning, LLC

IBIZA

Tails Piano Bar Bottega Art and Wine

BEST INDOOR SPORTS/REC FACILITY

NIR FAMILY YMCA

Off The Wall Sports LLC Club Golf Indoor

BEST KARAOKE BAR Bourbon St. Varnish Ale & Spirits

41% 37% 22%

BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE (<600)

59% 25% 16% 45% 28% 27%

38% 34% 28% 49% 31% 20% 48% 44% 8% 46% 28% 26% 60% 28% 12%

REEL CAFE

BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE (>600)

43% 35% 22%

50% 35% 15%

BEST GAY CLUB

35% 34% 31%

MEDIA, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BEST ACTOR

BEST DANCE SCHOOL

BEST EVENT PLANNER

PAWS & CLAWS ANIMAL HOSPITAL 43% 31% Porters Neck Veterinary Hospital 26% Wilmington Animal Healthcare

26%

63% Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage 25% 12% Regina Drury Real Estate Group

71% 21% 8%

BEST VETERINARIAN

Jungle Rapids The Sideboard

47% 37% 16%

53% 27% 20%

BEST SPA

VON BARKEE’S DOG SPA & BAKERY 46% BEST ARCADE / GAME ROOM BLUE POST 28% Pet’s Pal Inn

BLOCKADE RUNNER BEACH RESORT 39% BEST REAL ESTATE COMPANY Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront 31% INTRACOASTAL REALTY Hotel Ballast Wilmington

SOUL SHOETIQUE

BEST TATTOO PARLOR

MARY BETH REDMAN (WILLOW RETREAT SPA) 43%

CHRISTINA JUNAK (TANGLEZ SALON AND SPA) 42% BEST PLACE TO BOARD A PET THE DIGGS AT PAWS & CLAWS Blythe Lundy (Rockin’ Roller Salon) 36% Mercedes Meza (Rockin’ Roller Salon)

59% 26% 15%

BEST MASSAGE THERAPIST

Stephanie Arnold (Relax!)

Colton Schultz (Carter Kayte Beauty)

BEST SHOE STORE

BEST SHOPPING PLAZA

BEST PERSONAL TRAINER

BEST HAIR STYLIST

BEST HEALTH FOOD STORE

59% 26% 15%

BEST OUTDOOR SPORTS/REC FACILITY

CAPT’N BILLS BACKYARD GRILL Ogden Park Blue Clay Bike Park

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER

SUSIE LINQUIST PHOTOGRAPHY Lightbloom Photography Erin Whittle Photography

BEST POOL HALL

BLUE POST BILLIARDS

Orton’s Billiards and Pool Room Breaktime Billiards

BEST RADIO STATION

98.3 THE PENGUIN Z107.5 91.3 WHQR

BEST THEATRE COMPANY

THALIAN ASSOCIATION

Opera House Theatre Company Pineapple Shaped Lamps

52% 39% 9% 38% 35% 27% 44% 34% 22% 50% 26% 24% 51% 34% 15%

BEST THEATRE PRODUCTION — MUSICAL 54% LA CAGE AUX FOLLES Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Lizzie: The Musical

27%

Jitney The Roses of Oshiro Village

28% 26%

19%

GREENFIELD LAKE AMPHITHEATER 72% BEST THEATRE PRODUCTION — PLAY 25% Wilson Center at CFCC 46% WOLFCRUSH The Shell 3%

BROOKLYN ARTS CENTER Reel Cafe Bourgie Nights

BEST LOCAL ARTIST- FEMALE

SARAH RUSHING DOSS Mary Ellen Golden Carleigh Sion

BEST LOCAL ARTIST- MALE

MARK HERBERT Kyle Legates Colby Byrd

BEST LOCAL FILMMAKER

HONEY HEAD FILMS Dogma Cape Fear Alicia Inshiradu

53% 25% 22%

BEST THEATRE VENUE

40% 37% 23%

BEST TOUR OF ILM

35% 33% 32%

BEST TRIVIA NIGHT

58% 27% 15%

BEST WRITER

BEST LOCAL INDIE FILM

THALIAN HALL

Wilson Center at CFCC The Cape Fear Playhouse

63% 31% 6%

GHOST WALK OF OLD WILMINGTON 54% Wilmington Water Tours Epic Excursions

HELL’S KITCHEN

The Sour Barn Meeser Eddie’s Funtime Trivia

39% 7% 54% 38% 8%

John Wolfe Brent Holland

46% 29% 25%

Laney High School Theatre Snow Productions

33% 14%

GWENYFAR ROHLER

WHAT THE RIVER KNOWS (ALICIA INSHIRADU) 36% BEST YOUTH THEATRE (18 AND UNDER) The Deep End (Emma Grace Wright) 35% THALIAN ASSOCIATION Pizza My Heart (Holly Cole Brown) 29% 53% CHILDREN’S THEATRE (TACT)

66% 17% 17%

BEST LOCAL NEWSCAST

39% 35% 26%

BEST LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY

46% 36% 18%

BEST LOCAL WEBSITE

42% 40% 18%

BEST MORNING RADIO SHOW

WECT

WWAY WSFX

BEAU GUNN: THE PENGUIN 98.3 Foz: Z 107.5 Randy Slack: Modern Rock 98.7

PORTCITYDAILY.COM

WhastOnWilmington.com StarNewsOnline.com

FOZ IN THE MORNING: Z 107.5

Bob and Sheri in the Morning: WGNI The Morning Alternative with Randy Slack: Modern Rock 98.7

51% 37% 12%

BEST MUSEUM

48% 33% 19%

BEST MUSICIAN — FEMALE

42% 36% 22%

BEST MUSICIAN — MALE

62% 28% 10%

BEST NEWSCASTER - FEMALE

42% 39% 19%

BEST NEWSCASTER - MALE

48% 34% 18%

BEST OPEN MIC

CAMERON ART MUSUEM

Cape Fear Museum Children’s Museum of Wilmington

JENNY PEARSON Monica Jane Emily Roth

RANDY MCQUAY Chase Johanson Randall Canady

ASHLEA KOSIKOWSKI (WECT) Frances Weller (WECT) Kim Ratcliff (WECT)

JON EVANS (WECT)

Gannon Medwick (WECT) Randy Aldridge (WWAY)

DEAD CROW COMEDY CLUB Goat and Compass Bottega Art and Wine

75% 23% 2% 44% 33% 23% 52% 33% 15% 41% 32% 27%

BEST WRITE-IN CATEGORY BEST INSURANCE AGENCY WELLS INSURANCE

Carter Kayte Beauty Atelier Best Waxing Salon Insurance Agent: David Ager, Allstate

ORGANIZATIONS & COMMUNITY BEST ACTIVIST GROUP

CAPE FEAR RIVER WATCH

Women Organizing for Wilmington Cape Fear Sierra Club

BEST ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP

CAPE FEAR RIVER WATCH

Plastic Ocean Project North Carolina Coastal Federation

49% 30% 21%

BEST FESTIVAL

38% 34% 28%

BEST LOCAL HUMANITARIAN

58% 22% 20%

BEST NONPROFIT

38% 35% 27% 43% 30% 27% 53% 29% 18%

44% 40% 16%

59% 34% 7% 52% 35% 13%

NORTH CAROLINA AZALEA FESTIVAL 53% Cucalorus Lighthouse Beer and Wine Festival

BO DEAN

Jock Brandis Steve McCrossan

NOURISH NC

Good Shepherd Center Lower Cape Fear LifeCare

BEST POLITICIAN

DEB BUTLER

Devon Scott Bill Saffo

BEST TEACHERS

MANDY HUMPHREY

(ROLAND GRISE MIDDLE SCHOOL)

Brent Holland (Laney High School) Steve Wood (Laney High School)

26% 21% 47% 28% 25%

49% 35% 16% 41% 30% 29% 52% 29% 19%

encore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com 5

WINNER WRITEUPS WINNER WRITEUPS WINNER WRITEUPS WINNER WRITEUPS Our nominations for the 2020 Best Of Wilmington awards opened mid-January and ran through mid-February. 47,226 nominations were cast to determine the top three contenders in more than 200 categories.

During the final round of voting, from mid-February to the end of April, 257,195 votes were cast—making this our most widely voted Best Of Wilmington in encore’s history.

On May 16, after COVID-19 prevented us from hosting an actual fes-

Does anyone remember life before everything shut down? You know, before Zoom meetings, Zoom social parties, Zoom appointments, Zoom classes, Zoom concerts...

“Hugging and shaking hands.” It’s what L Shape Lot’s Mykel Barbee misses most. According to his bandmate Alex Lanier, their last live show was March 13 in Beaufort, NC. “Friday the 13th of all days,” he punc-

tuates. “I’m not superstitious, though [it’s] crazy to think it’s been three months since then!”

tival to celebrate winners, we put on the next best thing: a Bestival Livestream, in which hosts Pineapple-Shaped Lamps (PSL) announced the winners.

The show featured music from nominees, including Randy McQuay, Emily Roth and L Shape Lot, plus standup comedy and sketches by PSL. We also raised money for Nourish NC, a local nonprofit that continues to help feed hungry kids across southeastern NC.

ing up in the following weeks we will be interviewing winners about life in COVID-19, how they’re adapting and generally learning a little more about them and what they offer our community.

Thank you, everyone, who continues to support encore and all local businesses, people, places and organizations that make our community so wonderful. And, congratulations, For folks who missed the show, we to everyone—you’re all winners in our —Shea Carver have run the full list of winners and book. nominees on the previous page. Com-

BEST BAND

L SHAPE LOT

L Shape Lot was able to make a threesong performance during encore’s Bestival livestream on May 16, a fundraiser for Nourish NC. They also secured, once again, the award for Best Band in 2020.

Hopefully, Wilmingtonians will get to see Barbee and Lanier alongside bandmates Rick Williams and Eric Miller on the live

stage again soon. encore (e): What’s your favorite part of living in Wilmington?

Rick Williams (RW): Just the awesome variety it offers for a mid-size city. I feel so fortunate to have access to such incredible natural beauty, great dining, a variety of breweries, and a smorgasbord of quality entertainment, without all the traffic, pollution, and cost of living that typically comes along with major U.S. cities. Wilmington is truly the best of all worlds.

Mykel Barbee (MB): Talent, food, beaches.

Alex Lanier (AL): Definitely the community. This place and the people in it felt like home the first time I came here to visit back in ‘99. e: What do you think is our town’s best hidden secret?

AL: If I told you, it wouldn’t be a secret anymore.

MB: Mad Mole Mole Party.

RW: It’s the talent within our musical community. Under normal circumstanc6 encore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com

es, I get really excited about having a weekend night off where I can pop in on two or three different live performances downtown, and many of the breweries will start live music in the afternoons or early evenings, so this old guy doesn’t have to stay up late, either. I’m always inspired by and learning from the talented musicians of Wilmington. I won’t even start naming names, because there are too many to do that without leaving someone out. e: What has this pandemic taught you about yourself? About your community?

About the world at large?

RW: It’s taught me to slow down. I needed that, and I needed that extra time with my family. Kids grow up fast, and it’s been like hitting the pause button right in the middle of my son’s childhood. That part has been great. It has also reminded me that playing music with these guys is infinitely more fun than playing music by myself. The range of impact of the pandemic on different folks has been so broad, and I have loved seeing the kindness that our community has shown to those who are suffering. There are al-

WINNER WRITEUPS WINNER WRITEUPS WINNER WRITEUPS WINNER WRITEUPS ways a few bad apples out there who will take advantage, but for the most part, we all care about each other.

AL: Pajama pants should be worn for more than just sleeping! [laughs] I think the shutdown has shown us that humans are not meant to be separated. I miss playing music with my friends. I miss the people that come to see us that are like family to us now. I miss the feeling of a good fist bump or a hug from a perfect stranger! e: What’s the best concert/theatre event/art show you’ve ever been to here?

Most families recognize Mark Herbert as a musician in the Broccoli Brothers Circus—a kids friendly local band that entertains at preschools, festivals and venues all over town. As a music teacher, Herbert gets to share the joy of performance art with kids daily. However, his artistic influence goes back two decades in ILM: as a founding musician of the funky rock outfit, Cosmic Groove Lizards, but also as a UNCW art school grad and visual artist, who has participated in a variety of exhibits, markets and fundraisers throughout the years.

It’s Herbert’s first time making an appearance on our readers’ poll. We spoke to him about his work and win as Best Male Artist 2020. encore (e): Have you been working on new art projects through the pandemic?

Mark Herbert (MH): I have! I have been working on a lot of new projects, including some animation and music video projects. As an educator musician and visual artist, I have been spending a lot of time learning new skills in digital art, video editing and lots of animation techniques. e: What else have you done in the last year to help advance your artistic journey?

MH: I have consolidated my websites all into a central platform at portcityart. com and have been cataloging my works.

It’s quite a job in itself, and I also have been doing a lot of research about techniques to increase traffic and sales e: Though it’s been a wild 2020 thus far, do you have plans for the rest of the year per any shows or sales, exhibits or classes, techniques you want to try or new media—tell us everything.

MH: Still doing a few limited socially distant markets but really trying to make my online presence a priority these days,

MB: Helmet l’ve at Soapbox Lounge.

RW: You are just a mean person for making me pick just one! I guess I have to go with Willie Nelson and Family at Greenfield Lake. The whole thing just felt surreal. I had been wanting to catch a Willie show for many years, and then for the opportunity to be at GLA just made it perfect.

AL: Greenfield Lake is a pretty special place. Lots of great shows and musicians have graced that stage and we’ve been fortunate enough to share it with some of the best. I think I’d have to say Umphrey’s McGee in 2019 was probably one of my favorite shows I’ve been to there, but it might be

taking a wait-and-see approach on some events scheduled for the fall but was actually trying to transition away from so many markets and shows and make things a bit more simple and streamlined e: What are you finding inspiration from nowadays per your artwork?

MH: I have noticed I tend to go in cycles of being uninspired then inspired, and then somewhat overwhelmed with creative possibilities—drawing from nature and imagination, as well as [inspired by] the many creative folks around me. I consider myself a forever student, so there is always something new to learn about, and it usually leads to inspiration. Lately, I have been really fascinated with bugs e: How have you etched out a living as an artist in the middle of the pandemic?

MH: I have was blessed with a lot of commission work right before the pandemic hit and was able to save a little back. I also got to work with the set decoration department on “The Lost Boys” right before.

I have always enjoyed giving to the community and started a weekly online 50/50 auction, with a different nonprofit each week (four in total). I was able to raise over $1,000 collectively, and I think it will get even better with consistency and momentum. A full schedule of upcoming auctions is on my website e: What’s the best art show you’ve ever been to here?

MH: A lot of great ones. I really enjoy having a booth at Hugh MacRae park for Earth Day, and I enjoy Fermental’s Arts and Drafts. UNCW’s Art for the Masses was good the last time I was there and Poplar Grove Plantation [markets] are always fun, as well as Carolina Beach Farmers Market—

something else if you ask tomorrow. e: If you were granted one wish for ILM, what would it be? How would you like to see our city grow?

RW: Right now I would just wish for this pandemic to be over so that folks around here could have some more of their suffering alleviated. So many folks are just getting by during what is supposed to be peak season for business in this area. We need jobs. We need hugs and high-fives.

We need our people.

AL: Considering I live in Brunswick County, my wish for ILM would be a nice

BEST ARTIST

skyway bridge like they have in Charleston. Traffic is a lot better than it used to be, but I think everybody would appreciate that.

MB: Safe. Happy. Healthy. A community united. e: Any new music in the works?

RW: We are finally making some progress on a new recording with Trent Harrison at Hourglass Studios. No projected release date. When we have one, we will announce it on our Facebook page.

—Shannon Rae Gentry

MARK HERBERT to succeed, and there is a great network of folks who share info about upcoming shows, tips and techniques e: How are you processing the uproar of voices being heard worldwide in the aftermath of George Floyd’s brutal killing? How has it affected you toward personal change?

Inspiring community change?

Your art?

MH: Definitely doing a lot of learning and listening. I want to advocate for my brothers and sisters out there in pain, and have been feeling a lot of so many to choose from. sadness and anger toward the e: What do you think our city should do system. But I am heartened by the peaceto help evolve into a true artistic hub? What fulness of protests and resolve our community has. do we need to take it to the next level?

I’m educating myself as much as I can MH: I would love to see more murals in about history of oppression and trying to this town; it has started to progress, but I’d offer my support through organizations love to see lots more where that came from that promote equality. e: Let’s say COVID-19 suddenly disape: What’s your one wish for Wilmington? pears, and all of Wilmington is reopen.

What does your first day back in the world MH: Wilmington has been through a lot— look like? just to keep staying strong and building MH: That’s a tough one! Coming out of up our outreach programs and to keep an the COVID cave has been a lot more diffi- open mind, be less quick to react and pass cult than I ever imagined. I seem to have judgment. introvert tendencies these days, but I do e: Anything else you want to share? miss some of the large-scale shows, espeMH: Just want to say thanks for the concially with my band Broccoli Brothers Cirtinual encouragement and support and to cus. I was really bummed we were not able those aspiring artists out there. Make sure to play Shakori Hills this year and UNCW you keep it up and don’t get discouraged Kenan Auditorium. as obstacles present themselves because e: What do you think is our town’s best they inevitably will. I am happy to help with hidden secret? Why? advice on things that work stay tuned for MH: Definitely the people—we are lucky lots more and wishing everyone a safe to have so many artists who want everyone healthy summer.—Shea Carver encore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com 7

WINNER WRITEUPS WINNER WRITEUPS WINNER WRITEUPS WINNER WRITEUPS bracing social distancing, hand-washing, and mask-wearing, and new plexi-glass shields will be installed at the visitor services desk, the shop and the café.

BEST MUSEUM

CAMERON ART MUSEUM

The café will reopen with a new menu and a newly renovated courtyard for outdoor seating. The café will also have curbside pickup. e: When you do reopen what will be in store for visitors?

Cameron Art Museum is one of many artistic pillars holding up Wilmington’s creative power. Each year the museum welcomes 60,000 visitors through its doors, as staff and more than 100 volunteers present numerous exhibitions, performance art pieces, classes, programs and even concerts in CAM Café.

We interviewed deputy director Heather Wilson, director of development John McDowell, curator of exhibitions and collections Bob Unchester, director of lifelong learning September Krueger and director of community engagement Nan Pope about how the museum has kept up its artistic output through the pandemic. encore (e): Clearly, the pandemic has really changed life at CAM. Give us an idea of how you’ve adjusted.

Heather Wilson (HW): We’re doing the best we can to stay connected with our community through our online offerings—virtual Art Explorers for children 0-5, lesson plans for students, Live@CAM music on Thursday nights, Escape Into the Vault Facebook Live programs with executive director Anne Brennan, member Zoom calls with curators and artists, and weekly meditation sessions. Our curator of exhibitions and collections, Bob Unchester, also launched six virtual exhibitions on our website to give our community a chance to visit the museum, virtually.

Of course, a big part of our relevancy strategy is our art park, Pyramid Park. During this time, the ducks on our grounds—and looking out through the window—have really inspired visitors.

Our community has loved walking the grounds and visiting with and discovering the ducks, who remind everyone to wash your webs. e: Do you guys have a date slated to open back up? When and what will that look like per following social-distancing measures and public safety rules?

HW: We will open when the state gives us the OK to do so—hopefully, in the next phase at the end of June. We will be em-

HW: We are so excited to welcome our community back to CAM. In July we’ll have a new exhibition, “She Persists,” showcasing women artists in our collection that connects with the women’s suffrage centennial and the idea of persistence in women’s lives. e: What other fun stuff do you have planned for us, through all your outreach sectors, for 2020?

HW: All kinds of things! Anne Brennan will continue to bring us closer to the collection with her “Escape Into the Vault” series on Facebook Live; feminist artist Audrey Flack, whose work “Medea” is featured in She Persists, will join us for a member Zoom call in July; and our online youth and family programs will continue with Art Explorers on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m., and two new lesson plans for teachers and families each week.

We’re working with local schools on preparing virtual field-trip options and outreach sessions for school children. The Come Hear NC music series is also slated for fall 2020. Elizabeth Bradford’s beautiful exhibition, “A House of One Room,” will open in the fall as well.” e: Have there been any silver linings for the museum during the pandemic?

HW: Our community has really rallied around us online. It’s been gratifying to see our online community grow and stay engaged. e: What’s your favorite part of living in Wilmington?

John McDonnell (JM): My two favorite things about Wilmington are the ocean and our amazing, vibrant arts scene. The ocean is good for the soul and has the power to heal, just like the arts. We are blessed to have both. e: What’s the best visual art and/or performance art event you’ve ever been to here?

Bob Unchester (BU): I would consider State of the Art: Art of the State to be my favorite [held at CAM]. I feel the entire event is a performance piece for 24 hours straight, [artists line up to meet with curators for feedback on their art and then to hang their works in CAM]. We all performed: the museum staff, guest curators, the volunteers, community members and, of course, the artists.

8 encore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com

COMMEMORATING BLACK TROOPS Durham-based artist Stephen Hayes cast the features of descendants and United States Colored Troops re-enactors for a sculpture, to be unveiled on CAM grounds in November 2021. The sculpture commemorates the 1,600 brave African-American soldiers who fought for their freedom and the freedom of their families at the Battle of Forks Road of the Civil War. Photo by Heather Wilson

September Krueger (SK): The current exhibit of Belden prints is so fresh and powerful in my mind. The Big Print event at Carolina Beach had that same kind of memorable energy and great work.

In terms of performance, Mark Morris’ group at the Wilson Center (I think a year ago) for Veteran’s Day had a piece that took us back to WWII and another for 9/11.

The works really captured the contrast in events in our military history and expression of patriotism. e: What do you think is our town’s best hidden secret? Why? HW: The CAM Café is a hidden gem and it delivers fresh, creative cuisine in the heart of the museum. We host Thursday nights at CAM Café with half-price bottles of wine, delicious food, and live music is the city’s best secret. With our newly renovated courtyard for outdoor dining and new menu focusing on high-quality fresh local ingredients, I’m afraid it won’t be a secret for long. e: If you were granted one wish for ILM, what would it be? How would you like to see our city grow?

Nan Pope (NP): A bridge. Not the bridge that will get cars back and forth across the

river (but that is desperately needed and I hope we see its construction), but the bridge we need to build is one that will foster healthy and healing dialogue between all citizens of our community. Passionate, yes, but peaceful. Let us understand each other and each other’s needs. Let’s talk! Together.

My wish for the world is a safe vaccine— soon!

Looking to the future of our area, I dream of more green space and green endeavors and public squares, more affordable housing, and a long break from hurricanes.” e: How are you processing the uproar of voices being heard worldwide in the aftermath of George Floyd’s brutal killing?

HW: The killing of George Floyd and the protests in the aftermath have again laid bare the stark inequalities that exist in our nation. Of course, this is not new—systemic racism is deeply ingrained in our society. We at CAM acknowledge we are part of the problem; we need to hold ourselves accountable in tangible ways, and we are a viable part of the solution as well.

We know art—visual arts, music, dance, literature, and theater—help us to process, heal and find common ground. CAM is committed to helping our community to use art as a way to process this and to create dialogue to bring about an understanding of our common history and humanity, and to bring about change. Our advice to artists: Use your art as a means to process what is going on in the world right now and speak your truth. This experience will bring needed change at CAM and in the community, and we feel that our upcoming United States Colored Troops Public Sculpture Project by NC artist Stephen Hayes is more important now than ever before.

WINNER WRITEUPS WINNER WRITEUPS WINNER WRITEUPS WINNER WRITEUPS lots of pen-and-ink drawings in my future.

I’m not quite sure what this year will hold, so I’ve been planning only for the short term.

Art, family, business and community or intricately intertwined for 2020’s Best Female Artist, Sarah Rushing Doss. With her husband Chef James Doss, she is in charge of food photography, art curation and marketing at his Castle Street restaurant Rx. Her bold and bright works have been seen all over ILM, including her 2019 exhibit “Choosing Happiness” at Flytrap Brewing and her murals, as seen on Benny’s Big Time and Rx. While social distancing has kept her more seperated from the arts community she holds dear over the last three months, she tells encore how she’s staying involved regardless. encore (e): Have you been working on new art projects through the pandemic?

Tell us about them.

Sarah Rushing Doss (SRD): I have done some painting and drawing, but I’ve really been grateful for the time to focus on observing and tucking away bits of inspiration, a necessary part of the artistic process. e: What else have you done in the last year to help advance your artistic journey?

SRD: I began taking wheel-throwing classes and fell in love! I have professional potters in my family (my aunt and uncle make all of the pottery we use at Rx), so it’s always something I’ve been exposed to and interested in. I only wish I had pursued it sooner. There is something about finding that perfect balance with the clay that is so meditative to me. e: Though it’s been a wild 2020 thus far, do you have plans for the rest of the year per any shows or sales, exhibits or classes, techniques you want to try or new media—tell us everything.

SRD: I went into this year thinking murals and ceramics would be my focus. My ceramics class is still not being offered due to the pandemic. In its absence as a meditative outlet, my interest has been shifting back toward drawing. I anticipate

BEST FEMALE ARTIST

SARAH RUSHING DOSS

I’m involved with No Boundaries International Art Colony, and we recently hosted an outdoor drive-by art show in the Chestnut Heights area, benefiting Good Shepherd and Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard.

The show was a success and every participating artist sold work. It was so nice just seeing people walk, bike, and drive by and come together (at a distance) to spend time visiting, and feeling a little bit more normal for those two hours. We’re working to plan another outdoor art show for July. And then one of these days I’m going to finish up at Rx; I still want to paint the backside of the building by our parking lot. e: What are you finding inspiration from nowadays per your artwork?

SRD: My plants! We’ve had the most beautiful spring I can remember; the weather has been perfect. My husband and I put in five new raised beds and filled them with vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers.

It’s so fun putting together salads from our yard and constructing them using principles of design. I imagine more garden-inspired paintings or drawings will emerge sooner than later. e: Have you had any new and exciting commissions you can tell us about?

SRD: Yes, I’ve been working with the Residents of Old Wilmington, who are interested in commissioning at least one mural for the downtown area. We’re still in the developmental phase of the project, and I’m still creating sketches and getting close to a final design—location to be determined. e: What’s your favorite part of living in Wilmington?

SRD: The people. I love our community— there are so many kind, funny, interesting, creative folks here. e: What do you think our city should do to help evolve into a true artistic hub? What do we need to take it to the next level?

SRD: I think we need to have a serious discussion about how to beautify our city through public art. I think we need an organized selection committee with a clear vision, and I think at least half of that committee should comprise folks with design experience.

We need our leaders to approach this with an open mind and get creative in their thinking—leaders who understand support of the arts can enhance our local economy, drive foot traffic and foster pride within our community. Kinston is a great example to look to: Their smART Kinston City Project Foundation is committed to growing Kin-

PAINTERLY FASHION Sarah Rushing Doss paints a mural on the side of the restaurant, Rx, which she and her husband/ chef James Doss own.

Courtesy photo

ston’s economy through the arts and recruit artists by offering incentives such as affordable housing, fellowships, and community arts development. e: Let’s say COVID-19 suddenly disappears and all of Wilmington is reopen.

What does your first day back in the world look like?

SRD: Ideally, live music and lots of hugging! e: Have there been any silver linings for you during the pandemic?

SRD: Absolutely, the biggest one being the forced slower pace of life and the extra time with my husband, dogs and friends (outdoors and at a distance, of course).

ences, inspiring change in communities across America. We must honor these voices and work to create change in our own.

On a personal note, I feel it is my responsibility to help lift others up. James and I are donating 5% of total sales at Rx to one local charity committed to equity per week, for the next three weeks. The first charity we’ve selected is DREAMS of Wilmington, whose mission is to provide equitable access to arts education for children and teens.

I’m also working with my fellow No Boundaries board members to plan another outdoor, drive-by art show for July, which will benefit the Brigade Boys and Girls Club.

As for the future, I feel we must collectively and unwaveringly commit to making this world a safer and more hospitable place for everyone. —Shea Carver

e: How are you processing the uproar of voices being heard worldwide in the aftermath of George Floyd’s brutal killing?

How has it affected you toward personal change? Inspiring community change?

Your art?

SRD: It has been so difficult to process the brutal murder of George Floyd. I understand that I can never fully comprehend the fear and oppression faced by generations of black people in America. Despite this, countless men and women of color have dug into their own pain and have lent their voices to shed light on their experiencore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com 9

RALLY TOGETHER Tim Joyner rallies with the crowd of protesters at City Hall steps over the last week..

Photo by Bryce Wilson

ON

MESSAGE

BY SHEA CARVER

A

t Bespoke Coffee last Friday afternoon, Tim Joyner sips a cup of hot tea to soothe his raspy voice while talking to me about the past week of protests in downtown Wilmington. Joyner always has maintained a loud voice within his community. Activism is embedded in his soul—a calling instilled in him from his mother and father, both pastors from Greenville, NC. He remembers attending his first protest when he was only 6 or 7.

“My dad took me to a Piggly Wiggly in my grandmother’s neighborhood,” he says. “They were protesting because the grocery store was price gouging: cashing people’s checks but taking more money out of it than a check-cashing place because it was located where low-income, elderly and marginalized people live. . . .

So my grandmother came to the store and headed toward the door. I said, ‘Grandma, don’t go in.’ She said, ‘I’mma go in; you move out of my way.’ I looked at my dad, and he said, ‘That’s life.’”

Joyner’s parents led by example, doing boots-on-the-ground outreach throughout his life, whether bringing in FEMA trailers filled with free clothes and food for neighborhoods in need, or generally organizing communal events that kept them face-to-face with people. His father marched with the Black Panther Party in Greenville, and his mother was a part of integrating the middle school during Dr. King’s activism.

Joyner has been a part of Wilmington protests since 2014. The 34-year-old UNCW grad has supported local organizations like Black Lives Matter, NAACP, Black Leadership Caucus, Support the Port, Advanced Youth Outreach, LINC Inc., and more. He’s volunteered at schools like D.C. Virgo and Rachel Freeman School of Engineering, reading to kids in the morning, or working with them after school on poet-

ry, while also managing his full-time job at Port City Tattoo.

“I was always told I wouldn’t be able to work with [kids] looking the way I do,” he tells, his skin pierced and dotted with tattoos. “But, now, because of the way I look, they want me to work with them. Someone at the protest a few days ago said, ‘Oh, I know who you are; you came to my school a few months ago.’”

Judgments fall by the wayside outside City Hall, where Joyner can be seen nightly alongside young folks who have shown up every day since May 31 to protest the murder of George Floyd and the systemic racism running rampant in the U.S. Joyner has spoken words of comfort over the megaphone in the past week. He’s also offered hugs and solace, including to his friend Destiny Davis, whose uncle Brandon Smith was shot by sheriff’s deputies while unarmed on October 13, 2013. Smith was accused of shooting an officer in the Creekwood neighborhood of Wilmington on October 10, though his family maintains his innocence. His name has been spoken among many others at the daily protests.

“We are adding a name every night,” Joyner tells. “We can’t keep up.”

The heaviness of the May 31 protest, which turned riotous after New Hanover County Sheriff’s Department launched tear gas and fire bangs, weighed on Joyner on Monday morning. He awoke to messages that burned his core from people he thought knew him better: “I heard you had a gun; please, tell me you didn’t,” or “Did you throw a Molotov cocktail?”

He did neither.

He began texting his dear friend and neighbor, Lily Nicole, who has garnered national media attention for easing tensions between police and protesters Sunday evening. Joyner asked how she was. Her response: “Safe, but not OK.”

10 encore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com

“It’s how I felt, too,” he says. “After leaving downtown Sunday night, I cried. I cried Local activist Tim Joyner because the youth got gassed. I cried because a mother was covering her child as focuses on creating we ran from the library to another spot for meaningful change safety. I cried because that’s not us. Because it hurts. I cried. There was no other way. I cried because I knew we were going to be vilified. I cried because I knew that evWhen Joyner got home that evening, he saw erything was going to turn on us.” a post Spears had put on on Facebook: “I know I know; don’t tread on the young peoNot to be deterred, Joyner and Nicole ple. I’m not, but if Black Lives really Matter, returned the next day to the steps of City then you have to quit hogging all of the city/ Hall to stand with the youth again. The ex- county resources to the downtown area. perience was one of unity, and resulted in There was a shooting earlier today. Anoththe group securing seven days of permits er shooting 2 days ago and a stabbing. Not to host protests daily. That number grew to mention that 2 recent killers walking the to 365 days of permits by Friday, June 5, to streets free. Protestors are tired, law enlast through June 6, 2021. forcement is tired, I’m tired, you’re tired and The protests have become more orga- you’re all standing too damn close to one nized in a very short time. The organizers another because the Coronavirus has not have begun reaching out to counselors left town!” and therapists who wish to be onsite to offer help to those suffering from any traumas incurred by the unbalanced equality happening in our nation. There are daily themes taking place, like Women of Color Wednesday, Community Leaders Saturday or Peaceful Sundays—all of which include speakers that match the theme. Nicole and Joyner both have shared their own stories, and speakers from local chapters of Black Lives Matter and NAACP have spoken. A Native American, lovingly known as Momma Jane, recently closed out the evening before their 9 p.m. curfew with 9 minutes of silence, representing the amount of time Derek Chauvin had his knee on George Floyd’s neck.

Even councilman Kevin Spears —the city’s only black representative on council—came out. “Kevin Spears is my accomplice, my brother,” Joyner says. “I even got him to speak, but it was clear he was nervous being out there because of COVID.”

Joyner confirms protest organizers are handing out masks and offering hand sanitizer, all culled from donations. Nights when protests draw less people, they can space out more, but when 700 show up, like last Thursday, it’s impossible. Still, Joyner believes the cause transcends any potential health concerns. Stopping unnecessary police force to black Americans and people of color remains priority number one.

“I wish the police knew how to use their budget better,” Joyner says with regards to Spears’ post. “Councilman Spears has to say what a councilman has to say, I get it— but I wish back in the day, when they would send six cops out to swarm one incident, they used their [budget] more responsibly.

I wish they would respond to killings more . . . we can’t let the cops give us such an answer and expect it to be OK because, of course, they’re going to say what they could do only if—how fitting. It’s like, ‘Let’s take some heat off of us: Want us to stop the

killings, how about you stop the protests?’” as it takes to incite incremental change.

Defunding and abolishing the police It’s nothing new for him, really. He admits are hot topics currently nationwide, espe- things do feel more impactful this time cially after the Minneapolis City Council around. The tenacity of this new generation announced its intent to disband their de- of activists is inspiring him more. partment and the LAPD banned the use of chokeholds. Joyner, too, supports in reconstructing the current system. “I believe if there is a model in existence this wrong that have repeatedly resulted in injustices on [black Americans], sometimes even legally—if an experiment that has that many black eyes on it hasn’t worked, it has to be destroyed and restructured.”

“We have the whole nation out—the whole world—it’s amazing and it feels different,” he says. Acknowledgment from organizations and businesses, though it sometimes seems pandering, feels like long-deserved recognition. Joyner cites Cartoon Network going dark for 9 minutes, as well as statements from companies locally, like Boombalattis, and nationally, like Joyner would like to see more commu- Ben and Jerry’s, as hopeful. nity policing and unbiased people holding “There are so many things coming,” he officials accountable. He also is in support predicts. “And we have to make sure we of a community review board that consid- know what ideology we are going by and ers all police officer complaints. stick together—no matter if you’re Repub“We need community accountability lican, Democrat, anarchist, socialist, Comreports more rapidly,” he says. “We don’t munist, Libertarian, whatever.” need to just see [New Hanover and Pender County District Attorney] Ben David when everything goes wrong. A lot of meetings are happening and happening and happening . . . but these meetings happen when working people cannot be there. Measures should be taken to increase de-escalation training but also community members should become watchdogs. Maybe we could have an independent filmmaker record every meeting, and record how officers are being retrained, and then community members run the YouTube and social media channels for the city and county institutions, and make sure the videos are uploaded for full transparency.”

That being said, Joyner encourages everyone to fulfill their civic duty by voting come November—no matter what. While he understands many cannot protest due to health concerns surrounding the pandemic—”no one thought three months ago we would be here”—it doesn’t mean folks can’t be active in other ways. He points to three items that can make a difference:

Donate to Wilmington’s protest bail fund, which also helps provide protest supplies.

“If you want us to stop diverting resources, a.k.a. police at protests, well, donate to our causes that help us reach equitable justice,” Joyner says. It also includes donations to local organizations, like Black Community ties must strengthen be- Lives Matter, NAACP, Black Leadership tween citizens and authorities, according Caucus, Support the Port, Advanced Youth to Joyner, to build trust with youth as well. Outreach, LINC Inc. Though interim police chief Donny Williams “Watch the narrative, and once you see of Wilmington Police Department already it being spun a certain way, correct it. One has initiated community policing—includ- negative spin can ruin our platform.” If mising officers riding around neighborhoods to information is spread on social media, he make connections and sincerely talk with says to screenshot and correct it. “I love citizens, not patrol, and continuing pro- that media has all eyes on us—but, yes, all grams like Santa Cop, Cop Camp and Port eyes are on us, so we need to think how City Super Girls Community Watch—Joyner our voices are being used on various platsays we need more. “Donny Williams is forms. Share links to events and to correct only one man,” he says. “There needs to information.” be more of that from him and more of that Most importantly, he encourages everyfrom other officers.” one, especially white people, to examine More so, he says, when transparency their friend and family circles. Are you livis evident, everyone is held accountable. ing what you preach? Is there diversity in That includes officers who sometimes are your friend group? Take stock of your comdiscriminated against for standing up for panions and their beliefs. “I know many what’s right. people who mean well but don’t really live “Of the same accord, if [an officer] is so what they preach,” Joyner says. More so, upstanding, he or she should be taking a lot don’t avoid hard discussions with family. more accountability and standing up for all “It gives them an echo chamber against who suffer from the thin blue line, the blue us,” Joyner says. “And I know it’s hard but shield. But when they stand up, what hap- these constant videos we see are hard. pens? They get left out in the line of fire.”

Tamir Rice was hard. Mike Brown was hard.

Joyner will continue to protest for as long Philando Castile was hard.”

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A WEEK OF PROTESTS

All photos courtesy of freelancer photographer Terah Brook. See more at encorepub.com.

12 encore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com

MAN ON THE STREET: Evan Pye with Momma Jane, who was been speaking daily at the protests, along with ???

CINEMA

Photo by Evan Pye

BY SHEA CARVER

E

van Pye has become a notable name for Wilmingtonians who have followed his protest streams on Facebook Live over the last 12 days. Every night (and sometimes during the day, when protests are scheduled), his on-the-ground raw footage provides an intimate look at the crowds who convene on City Hall and then march through downtown.

What has been most apparent from June 1 onward: They all have been peaceful.

It almost didn’t start that way. On Sunday, May 31, Pye, a resident of Carolina Beach, zoomed in on the tense action when 100 or 200 protesters communed on 3rd Street without a permit. “That’s when the problems began,” he remembers. The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office (NHCSO) called in riot police. Pye admits tensions were building from a few folks riling up the group verbally. He isn’t certain whether they were local or from out of town. “But they weren’t busting windows or throwing fireworks,” he clarifies. From his camera angle, the cops threw tear gas and firebangs first, which incited a standoff with protesters throughout downtown until roughly midnight.

“I did see people go down alleyways and come back with big rocks,” Pye says. “I also saw someone throw a Molotov cocktail, but [he] lit himself on fire and dropped it.”

The two-hour footage from Sunday (available on encore’s Facebook page, along with all footage from the daily protests) now has over 200,000 views. It shows Pye forewarning protesters when tear gas is coming or talking people down as to not be affected by police force. Commenters questioned if he was an instigator or merely a protester caught up in the heat of it all. Pye is a 25-year-old with a passion for videography, cameras, drones and photojournalism. He didn’t go to school for any of those things (he’s an electrician by day), and his only claim to fame is a video and interview he did on Hurricane Florence that aired on CBS in 2018. Most importantly, he is not affiliated with any organization or movement, especially ones that incite violence, a la Boogaloo Bois, Proud Boys or loose groups associated with the anti-fascists (Antifa) movement.

“I’m trying to be as unbiased and transparent as I can,” he tells. “I would really like to

be a bridge between citizens/protesters and police.”

Everyday he has captured the permitted gatherings from beginning to end. He even recorded the march held by Wilmington Police Department last week, in between youth citizen protests. The latter have largely been made up of high school and college students, plus families and seasoned activists. Viewers can see Pye interacting with them all, from organizers like Lily Nicole, to police officers, the crowd (many of whom often come up and thank him for the livestreams), to his viewers.

Live chats take place frequently, with viewers becoming watchdogs, even from their couches. Sometimes, Pye will ask them to screenshot certain frames for him. One day he got word to be on the lookout for folks wearing “crisp” (new) T-shirts from local businesses, as that is often a sign of out-oftown agitators trying to blend in. He also has been asked a lot, “Do you see random stacks of bricks anywhere downtown?” Unsubstantiated rumors have run rampant through mainstream media about bricks suspiciously showing up in protest cities to become weapons against police—some even suggesting police have put them there. Pye has not spotted any downtown.

“A truck drove by with bricks a few days ago, and I got excited and asked the viewers, ‘Oh, my god! Did you see that? The truck with bricks?’ Folks had to calm me down, like, ‘Evan, it was just a construction crew.’ Everything I do comes from the heart; I’m not a professional.”

His earnestness is palpable, endearing him to others. He often passes out water to protesters and lends a helping hand to set up or break down the events. His viewers even have dropped off cases of water, while others have donated battery packs to help keep Pye’s equipment charged through long rallies (a few times at the beginning of the week, he lost power on his phone, which left vocal viewers in the lurch). Some even contributed via Venmo to pay for his drink of choice, Red Bull, or to fill his gas tank when they saw it running on “E” during Pye’s after-hours downtown drivethroughs. Each night after the 9 p.m. curfew, Pye drives up and down side streets, with the camera rolling, to see if rogue protesters have ended up neck to neck against WPD or NHC-

SO.

VERITE

When he awoke one morning last week, Pye was stunned to find more than $300 in his Venmo account. “I immediately donated it all to the cause,” he says. He contacted organizers Lily Nicole and Josh Zieseniss to ensure the money went to the jail bond fund they’d set up for protesters who get arrested locally (only nine have been arrested so far, all on Sunday, May 31). Money from the fund also helps with protest supplies, like water, food, First Aid, etc., with leftovers going to local civic and/or nonprofit organizations in ILM.

Carolina Beach native livestreams Wilmington protests

kept saying, ‘Evan, shut up, you’re gonna make it worse.’ At the time, I wasn’t really focused on it being worse for my black friends, but more on how all of our rights were being infringed upon. When they were going through the car, my black friends were shaking, and I was like, ‘Dude, what’s going on? Is there something in the car that shouldn’t be?’ He was like, ‘No, dude, I just don’t like cops.’ They eventually let us go, but looking back, I’m pretty sure we got searched for probable cause because of my friends’ skin color. We likely also got off because of mine.”

Pye says Thursday night’s protest was the largest yet, bringing in around 700 people, and remained peaceful. He has seen many of the same faces come out daily since May 31. Rumors have at times circulated that outPye interviewed local lawyer Lawrence of-town agitators could show up, but Pye has Shotwell last week about some of the ways seen little to confirm those suspicions. in which police make arrests based on prob“I did see people on Thursday who were able cause. He took questions from viewers wearing all black and had full-blown equip- in an effort to educate folks from the inside ment, like Ziploc bags of wet rags to go over out. Pye also interviewed County Commistheir eyes in case tear gas was thrown,” he sion Chair Julia Boseman with questions from admits. “Field medics and other folks who protest organizers and viewers. Many cenhave helped organize protests keep their eyes tered around NHCSO tactics and reformation, peeled for anything that looks off, especially to which Boseman denied knowing answers. to help calm the group. Sometimes they ask The difference in watching a very green Pye me to catch things on video that are suspi- interview someone like Boseman versus a cious, just in case, but it’s really not to offend seasoned journalist is his willingness to acanyone; it’s mainly so we can be mindful to cept questions from the constituents live in keep the peace, in order to keep the protests real-time, without a filter. This also means accepting answers at face value. Clearly, his going.” learning curve is still steep. Yet, when he asks The unity and solidarity coming out of for feedback from viewers after the experithese events have been eye-opening for Pye. ence, it bolsters accountability and opens diHe has listened to speakers share personal alogue between citizens on how their officials stories about firsthand effects of racism and are serving them. has heard more names than he would like The irony: Pye isn’t political. According to of lives lost to police brutality. He, too, has the Center for Information Research on Civic played witness to police discrimination.

Learning and Engagement, Pye is among an “One time I was in the car with two of my estimated 50% of US citizens aged 18-29 that black friends when we got pulled over for did not vote in the 2016 election. In fact, Pye something minor, like a California stop at a has never voted, but he says that’s changing sign,” he remembers. “The cop asked for ev- in 2020. eryone’s IDs in the car. I refused to give them “Second-class citizenry has to stop,” he mine—I was in the passenger seat—and asked why my other friend in the backseat had to states. “People have a voice, and if you besince he wasn’t driving. Then three more cops lieve in something, and want to fight for it, then showed up and told us to get out of the car. stand up for it . . . I never thought a lot about I told them we hadn’t done anything wrong policy before because I don’t trust politics. But and questioned them; my friends didn’t say I’m making a concerted effort to change that; anything. Of course, we got searched and had [the protests have] really opened my eyes to to sit on the curb for no reason. My friends voting—at least in local government.”

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#BUYBLACK

and even be inspired by black business affairs in Wilmington and surrounding areas.”

According to a 2012 Census, minority-owned businesses make up just 13.5% of all Wilmington businesses— this in spite of the fact that racial and ethnic minorities make up roughly 24% of the city’s population. Despite steady growth in recent years, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency found in 2010 that minority-owned businesses are less likely to be approved for financing than those with white owners. They also receive smaller loan amounts with higher interest rates and shorter pay-back durations. It’s a problem people like McLucas and the recently formed African American Business Council are looking to address.

Port City Gazette serves as advocate for black and minority-owned businesses

A

s protests continue in Wilmington and across the nation, calling for an end to police brutality and justice for the killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others, countless Americans have shown their support by shopping at blackowned businesses.

In New York City, Aurora James, founder of the sustainable accessories brand Brother Vellies, launched the 15 Percent Pledge—a charity calling for major retailers, such as Target and Sephora, to pledge 15% of their shelf space to black-owned businesses. In San Francisco the crowd-sourced reviewing site Yelp announced a new tool that will make it easier for users to search for black-owned businesses.

Here in Wilmington, screenshots have circulated on social media of a directory listing black-owned area businesses. It’s all part of a sustained effort to attack systemic racism by funneling money back into black communities, many of which have also been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The screenshots, it turns out, are from Port City Gazette. The biannual, free periodical allows black and minority-owned businesses to list their services and events free of charge. It also contains articles on everything from weight loss, to small business marketing, to tips for protecting your health.

“The whole purpose is to increase the city’s knowledge of what our black businesses have to offer and, more importantly, how to contact them,” says Shannon McLucas, Port City Gazette’s co-founder and editor-in-chief.

McLucas started the magazine with her husband in 2016. The couple had previously published a collection of ad pages for Wilmington-area beauty salons and barbershops called “Style Scene” from 2006 to 2008. In 2007 they opened Choices Design Copy & Print, a family-run print shop on Princess

“Building credit, let alone business credit is hard enough without having any double standards being applied,” says McLucas. “Organizations that cater to minority-owned businesses not only help more minorities feel confident about starting and sustaining a business but they could help make funding more available. I believe if the public sees more strong black and minority businesses being successful it will add to the credibility of the market and paint minority businesses in a more favorable light.”

EXTRA EXTRA! In addition to providing free listings to black and minority-owned businesses, Port City Gazette regularly spotlights issues central to Wilmington’s black community.

Courtesy photo

Street downtown. Soon after, the Great Recession hit. McLucas says their business wouldn’t have survived if it weren’t for the support of black customers.

“During the course of our 10-plus years at Choices, I was aware that many black people were concerned with the lack of support for black businesses,” she says. “It occurred to me one of the problems may have been just not knowing what black businesses existed in Wilmington. We then came to realize the plethora of black businesses in all categories that had utilized our services over the years.”

Four years later, Port City Gazette has grown to include listings for over 125 business and counting. “We want to see that number at least double,” says McLucas.

The magazine depends on a volunteer staff working remotely and is funded

BY J

EFF

OLOI

ZIA

entirely through advertisement sales.

It can be picked up at Choices and at Fu Wangz on Carolina Beach Road, as well as storefront locations of its advertisers. A new issue will be released on June 16 and will be updated every two months through November.

McLucas says she has noticed an uptick in both business listings and traffic to the Port City Gazette website. She is also grateful for the added exposure the protests have brought her business.

“The more business listings, the better the magazine,” she adds. “To have so many people have the same feeling of the need to support our black businesses, especially during these times, makes me feel proud of our community in particular because we are taking action.”

She is also quick to point out that, while Port City Gazette aims to uplift black businesses, it “is not a local magazine ‘for black businesses only.’ It’s a platform for people who are interested in and want to contribute to, learn from

Business owners can submit their business or event listing by emailing all pertinent information to listings@ portcitygazette.com. Ads can be sent to ads@portcitygazette.com. Ad rates and specifications, as well as an editorial calendar, can be found in the magazine’s media kit at portcitygazette.com.

To become a distributor, sign up at portcitygazette.com/become-a-distributor.

DETAILS PORT CITY GAZETTE New issue out June 16 (910) 763-1366 portcitygazette.com

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openly disregard those who are trying to help, letting your anger override logic.

A highlight of Sunday came when a male protester told Lily Nicole she could not speak for him when police in riot gear came face-to-face with protesters. Indeed, she could and did speak for him. Lily Nicole understood his anger and desire to channel it somewhere, but she also understood what was happening was not the best way to be heard. And, so, she talked down the police for a brief moment to calm tensions.

Change will not be made if no one is listening, and no one listens to someone who is belligerent and does not share the same courtesy. Lily was speaking for that one protester but also for all others, so they wouldn’t be locked up behind bars; so they wouldn’t have their limbs locked up by tasers; so they could continue to have a peaceful platform to be heard. So, yes, she spoke for all of us that night.

LIVELOCAL

As a black woman, I am afraid. My skin is the same brown skin of the males who have been victims of our nation’s structural racism. Black women are not exempt. Growing up, I never feared police. Now, with the things I have seen in my adult years, I do tense up whenever I see a police officer—and, heaven forbid, if I get pulled over. I shouldn’t have this uneasiness, but it’s there because I know I am not exempt. Now, I think twice about taking walks in neighborhoods other than my own. Now, I am beginning to wonder more and more what people are really thinking about me. Do they see me as a pleasant young lady or am I that very nice black lady?

Regardless, I will not let fear rule my life.

Poet Joy James calls for self-examination and change

When I first started wearing head wraps in Wilmington, I was surprised at the reactions I received. The looks were long, some quizzical. Head wraps make one seem even more “black.” Some equate it with being more culturally rooted and some see it as being radical. Where I’m from, head wraps are the norm, and when I realized I was bringing something different here, I embraced it.

I don’t mind exposing others to the richness of a culture other than their own. I don’t mind making myself and my culture accessible.

BY JO Y JAM ES, A KA LI This week’s Live Local features the talented performance artist Joy VITY, THE P James, a.k.a. Livity, the Poet. She graciously and generously took the OET time to share her insights and experiences with encore readers on the heels of George Floyd’s brutal killing and the protests for justice that took place in cities worldwide in its aftermath.

N

o one should die like that. That was my first thought when I saw the video of how George Floyd died.

It’s a time of considerable strain for many of us. We’ve been struggling to understand COVID-19 and its effects, and we’ve been dealing with how drastically it has changed our ways of life. Unfortunately, this latest proof of yet another black life unjustly taken has driven many to the ends of their wits. It has tipped the scales for me, as well.

I am trying to make sense of the world around me. I still have questions: Why did this man have to die like this? How could someone who knew he was being recorded so casually kill another human being? How does the store owner feel knowing what he caused? How are we going to handle

this one? Why does this death, in particular, strike me so deeply?

I have been in Wilmington for five years.

We have several protests a year and I’ve known them to be peaceful. The protest on Saturday, May 30, was yet another testament to how dignified our community can be. Then Sunday happened. I was shocked to see the live videos and news feeds declaring the disturbances and harm that had been unleashed during what began peacefully. I went from seeing the police complimenting protesters to seeing people I knew fleeing from tear gas and cursing the police because they felt unjustly treated. No one seemed to truly understand what was happening. It was a very sad day for our city.

Mistakes were made on both sides, and I think we’ve seen the reconciliation process in action as, daily, more peaceful protests

16 encore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com

FACING THE CHALLENGES Local writer and activist Joy James, a.k.a. Livity, the Poet, talks about her attendance in Sunday’s May 31 protest in downtown ILM and the aftermath of George Floyd’s brutal death.

Courtesy photo

and marches have since taken place.

Being a black woman in Wilmington has challenges. I know derision causes division.

When we have citizens cursing at police, I understand from where the frustration comes. However, that frustration can’t be misguided. When the police asked protesters to get out of the street because it was a safety issue, why did some immediately turn to defy them? The police, or anyone who needs to hear you, will not listen if you

I remember one specific occasion when a friend and I attended a musical at Thalian Hall. I had on a fairly ornate head wrap with a matching dress. He wore traditional African garb (kufi and dashiki). We were most definitely in the minority of not only those who dressed up, but also patrons who were people of color. The stares we received were memorable. Personally, I felt like royalty and acted as such. That was reflected in the compliments we received. We were examples that evening of how something that looked different was also beautiful.

I didn’t feel out of place because I was comfortable in my own skin. As a poet and an actress, I have to be. I have to be confident in who I am and what I have to contribute to the arts. That’s why it was disheartening to learn that seeking to create a black theatre troupe was deemed unnecessary.

During a recent theater fair at Thalian Hall, a black director and black actor had an in-

formal discussion with a white theatre manager. These are all well-respected people in our theatre community. The director mentioned efforts being made to create a black acting troupe. The manager, unknowingly, made a comment that would be considered a microaggression. He asked if it would really be necessary because he and another theatre manager had already worked out a schedule where one black production would be offered each year, and companies would alternate which theatre hosted it.

ger close his ears. I will teach my son to ask questions and listen for the answers, and I will teach him how to make informed choices that do not allow someone else’s bias lead him. I will teach my son not to ignore or allow prejudice or oppression. I will teach my son to maintain his dignity.

We know what we are taught, but what matters the most and what causes change is questioning ourselves, then actively seeking truthful answers. If a change needs to be made, we should ask: “What can I do about

Lift your head and never let it fall Realize the mission to which you’ve been called Don’t you know you have great things to achieve?

Open those eyes to see through things meant to deceive You are more than other people’s perceptions and rejections More than your past reflections Or what you think are your silly imperfections More than any low-set ceiling Or any lies they have people believing You are more than the images of belligerence and violence More than the nooses meant to keep your silence RAISE UP! And be who you are called to be.

—Excerpt from “Raise Up” by Joy James, aka Livity, the Poet If we feel underrepresented in productions here, why wouldn’t it be necessary to form a group that united us in an effort to be heard? How can more people learn to be comfortable with our skin if we are not seen, or if our stories are not heard from our perspectives? As a result, I believe having that discussion opened eyes, and we’ve since seen quite a few more predominantly black productions come to life. However, there is so much more needed growth and open discussions with both sides listening. This is what helps to create real change.

it?” Then, follow our words and thoughts with action and do it. Just like racism can be ingrained in us through generations, so, too, can the ability to defeat racism.

Teach success. Lead our sons and daughters to take positions that affect government policy and become business owners. Be mentors in our community and teach the next generation how to be better than our own. Donate to organizations doing something for the cause. Channel anger into logical decisions to maintain dignity.

And vote for those who represent you. VotThe George Floyd hate crime has affected ing does matter. me more deeply as a mother. Here I am, tryThe goal of any engine of change is to ing to protect my young son against bumps alter the perceptions of people who don’t and scratches and COVID-19, only to be resee us the way we see us. It is not to perminded of a more raging disease: racism. petuate stigmas that already exist by beI am reminded of the world I have brought coming violent. Just like there should have him into. As a mother, I am scared. I am been someone on that Minneapolis street wondering if the world in which my son will to be an agent of change by stopping Derbe a man will be any better than it is now. I ek Chauvin from killing George Floyd, in our wonder if what I do will be good enough to community, we need to be the person who keep his name off of a growing list, but I will becomes an agent of change. It is time to do what I can. end the Facebook Live venting and backyard I will teach my son to be a man of change, complaint sessions if there are no calls to growth, determination and power, who is action at the end of them. Change is poslogical yet compassionate. I will teach my sible. Racists have been known to change. son to channel his negative energy into pro- It takes conscious effort over time from all ductive means. I will teach my son to love of us. For those who want real change, this and respect himself and to have love for all question must be answered: What am I gopeople. I will teach my son to never let an- ing to do about it?

11am-10pm Mon.-Sat. 11am-9:30pm Sunday

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GULLIBLE’S SATIRE BY KELLYANNE CONWAY’S DOG

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lthough many businesses have negative feelings about the scheduled Downtown Enhancement Project, there is one group that can’t wait to see it happen: coffee shops. They admit digging up all of Front Street, from Chestnut to Walnut streets, for six months will keep a lot of people away, but the coffee shops will see a huge boost when it’s done. I spoke with Ted Jitter, owner of Jitter’s CafeBasemenTorium, located under the post office, for some clarification.

Ted Jitter (TJ): Not a lot of people realized when phase one opened NC after COVID-19 a few years ago, it wasn’t just sewer, water, gas, electricity and communications that got a makeover. The Downtown Coffee Association also had a piece of the project. For years we have all realized it is inefficient for each of our cafes to be brewing our own coffee. We don’t have our own wells for drinking water or our own sewage disposal or electric generators.

We share a common system. So why not a central coffee-brewing facility?

It’s just not practical for employees to take the time to brew each batch and then pour each cup. All those small production units multiply the maintenance issues. Once we get to phase three, the new 1,000-gallon-per-hour brewer in the rear of the old Masonic Temple Building will come online. Our high-pressure line will stretch from Walnut to Market. We’ve been able to access existing communications conduit to branch up to 2nd Street and serve Bespoke and Dunkin’ Donuts.

Kellyanne’s Dog (KD): That sounds like some innovative tech.

TJ: We learned a lot from the way crude oil from the tar sands of Northern Canada ends up in the gas tank of your car. Their model persuaded us to pump it all out as espresso under high pressure. Automatic machinery in each cafe will dilute or mix it to make cappuccinos, Americanos or whatever. All the barista has to do is top it with foam, sprinkles or whatever. They will also be getting 3D printers to do the fancy latte foam designs. A simple touchscreen can get you Teddy Roosevelt, Gandhi, Jerry Garcia’s butt—any design you want.

KD: What about decaf? Do you have a

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TRAVELS

Downtown coffee shops to adopt centralized brewing parallel system?

TJ: That’s where we stay old-school.

Think about it: Is there any greater oxymoron than the phrase “a good cup of decaf”?

We will stick with our current system of bulk brew and deliver to each store in used 55-gallon oil drums once every two weeks. I’ll chop off my left nut if anyone can tell the difference in a blind taste test.

It’s still just brown water.

KD: Some people might miss the hissing and percolating sounds, or the warm smell of java on a cold morning.

TJ: Remember, we are talking about people who meet up with their friends only to spend an hour and a half staring at their smartphones. It’s not like they came in looking for a genuine experience. They could be in the waiting room of a tire repair shop in Rocky Point, for all they notice.

Some stores will get barista-at-work sound loops and automatic aerosol odor dispensers. Jitter’s is getting a full-sized, lifelike cow with a different kind of milk in each teat. There’s even one for soy! The teats have a lifelike feel when you squeeze, for all those people who want a genuine experience. Every once in a while, the cow passes gas, and it’s set up to sound like a coffee percolator, and the fart smells like fresh Blue Mountain. Now that’s a real experience!

I think it will be a great kid-pleaser, because, clearly, the adults are all too busy updating their Facebook profiles to talk about what the kids have going on in their lives. And what kid doesn’t like anything to do with farts?

KD: Well, your industry has come a long way from when we used to sit down at the counter of Futrelle’s on 2nd and Princess and order the kind of coffee that won World War II. TJ: World War II? Did I miss that while binge watching “Tiger King”? There’s a lot going on.

PYROPRESIDENT

BY MARK BASQUILL

“I starts.”

s this the worst it’s ever been?” my son asked as he lifted weights in the garage few nights after Ol’ 45 tweeted, “When the looting starts, the shooting

“The world is always burning,” I said.

“Whether we use water or gasoline? That’s our call.”

“Well, that’s optimistic,” he grunted as he finished a set of bench presses.

I think “the world is always burning” is a realistic and optimistic assessment, but that’s a longer conversation. In the garage—with a son under 30 distressed by the use of teargas on peaceful downtown protesters, an ongoing pandemic, and a POTUS intent on pouring gasoline on every fire he sees—my role was to listen, not lecture. (George W. Bush said the same thing in a well-crafted statement about George Floyd’s homicide: “[T]his is not the time for us to lecture. It is time for us to listen.”)

My son completed his workout, strengthening his body for certainty of future challenges, and I listened. He finished with a question: “Why does the president need a Twitter account?”

My son performs and writes comedy. I figured, having gotten weighty questions off his mind, he was working on new material. I played the straight man.

“I don’t know,” I deadpanned. “Why does the president need a Twitter account?”

“I’m not joking.” He glared. “If I said what he does on social media, I’d get fired or never get hired.”

Many people under 30 have learned the hard way that their social media posts have real-life consequences. They have lost jobs or been charged with crimes for inciting violence. A Marquette University student recently had her scholarship revoked because of a racist post about George Floyd’s death. Why should the president get a pass?

My son headed back downtown under the watchful eye of a law-enforcement helicopter. He looked worried. But after more than 100,000 COVID-related deaths, 40 million unemployed and a summer heating up with the prospects of more racial violence during an election year, worried looks are a dime a dozen.

“Why does the president need a Twitter?” I mused.

In the musical “Camelot,” King Arthur (chan-

Trump’s use of Twitter inflames conflict neling the people of Camelot) sings, “I wonder what the King is thinking tonight.” Americans no longer have to wonder such things. In a “60 Minutes” segment taped November 11, 2016, then President-elect Trump said regarding his planned Twitter use as POTUS, “I’m going to do it very restrained, if I do it at all.” Four deplorable years later, the social media platform broadcasts the raw sewage of the king’s dark soul on an hourly basis, and mainstream and factionalized media dutifully amplify the middle-school muck. America has accepted the president has the inalienable right to ragetweet whenever he chooses.

Does he, though? Can’t “we the people” curtail or stop this abuse of presidential power?

Our acceptance of a president’s use of Twitter is Obama’s fault. President Obama used social media judiciously and maintained a now non-existent boundary between the personal and professional, the formal and the informal. He did not pour gasoline on fires.

How quickly would the GOP have written laws restricting the president’s use of social media if President Obama routinely had used the social-media bully pulpit to bypass Constitutional process, viciously attack personal enemies, promote his own businesses, relentlessly campaign for his next election and incite violence?

Political discourse is only a few steps removed from bloodshed; however, they are vital. They mark the short distance between the primitive and progressive, between civilization and the “American carnage” Ol’ impeached 45 spoke of in his inaugural address: an “American carnage” that history may use to describe his presidency.

Franklin D. Roosevelt used the emerging technology of radio to deliver about 30 “Fireside Chats” directly to the nation. Cabinet members were often appalled when he read initial drafts full of vitriol, personal insults and profanity. Many revisions later, he crafted compassionate communications to the nation that undoubtedly helped Americans endure the heat and droughts of the Great Depression and the fires of World War II. The world was burning then. Then again, the world is always burning. But we do not have to tolerate leaders that pour gasoline on it.

encore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com 19

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LEAD STORY —Alex Masmej of Paris, France, is a 23-year-old with a strong sense of self-worth. So strong, in fact, that he sold shares of himself via an initial coin offering, or ICO, in April. Masmej sold tokens, called $ALEX, to 30 investors, raising more than $20,000, which he plans to use to move to San Francisco. Investors in $ALEX reportedly receive a share of any money he makes over the next three years, up to $100,000; a vote on some of his life decisions; and promotion from Masmej on his social media channels, Decrypt reported. (He has a whopping 3,200 followers on Twitter and 517 on Instagram.) “Since there are no legal contracts,” Masmej said, “I can technically run away with the money.” But he won’t because “it will hurt my reputation amongst those very people I need help from. It’s more likely that I just don’t make money and pay back very little.” Mmm hmmm. [Decrypt, 4/18/2020]

DOUBLE TROUBLE Some folks never learn. On May 9, a New Hampshire State Police trooper pulled over Nicole George, 31, in Newington. George was driving 90 mph in a 50 mph zone; after the traffic stop, she went on. But only 13 minutes later, a second trooper clocked her doing 111 mph in a 65 mph zone in Rochester. The first trooper responded to assist at the second traffic stop, NECN reported, and she was arrested for reckless operation. However, after her arrest, authorities found about 40 grams of fentanyl and some methamphetamine in George’s possession; they seized her Honda Pilot, and they suspect criminal activity was the reason for her big hurry. [NECN, 5/10/2020]

PRIORITIES

20 encore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com

As rioters looted and vandalized stores and other businesses in Seattle on May 30, one woman, wearing a cloth mask and a

backpack, was caught on news cameras calmly walking out of the Cheesecake Factory with a whole cheesecake, adorned with undisturbed strawberries on top. A KIRO news crew captured the footage as others threw bottles of liquor and broke windows.

“With everything going on, sometimes you just have to take a moment to treat yourself,” one Twitter user commented. [KIRO, 5/31/2020]

OOPS —Dang those tricky Zoom calls. As at least 12 government officials met online on May 29 in Mexico, Sen. Martha Lucia Micher thought her camera was off and changed her top as her colleagues looked on. Micher, 66, issued an apology, saying: “In one part of the session, without realizing and while the camera of my computer was on, I got changed showing my naked torso. ... Thanks to a call from [other] senators ... I realized my error.” She went on: “I am a woman who has fought for the left for almost 40 years and who has occupied various public roles in my fervent commitment for the defense of human rights, I am a woman who is not ashamed of her body.”

According to the Daily Mail, she blamed the mistake on her lack of technological savvy. [Daily Mail, 6/3/2020] —Car buffs who were able to snag a 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 were lucky: Coronavirus shut down production before too many of them could be built. So imagine how angry the owner of one of the prized autos was when he took his car to a Chevy dealership in Jacksonville, Florida, for service on June 1 -- and the car was dropped off the lift. According to CarBuzz, the new ‘Vette has a different weight distribution than its predecessors, and service techs didn’t know the right way to position it on the lift. Car owner Jake Anthony posted a photo of the wrecked hot rod on his Instagram account, where he noted that “I’ve spoken with [GM] executives, I’m not interested in a new base model.” [CarBuzz, 6/2/2020]

encore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com 21

WINDOW

TREATMENT

Artist Johnny Bahr III projects support for downtown protests

I

f you happened to be walking downtown last Thursday night, you may have noticed a new projection in the upstairs windows of the historic Atlantic Trust Building at Front and Market streets.

Earlier in the week, multimedia artist Johnny Bahr III was working in his studio on the fourth floor when he looked down to see riot police advancing on protesters. Feeling the need to capture his emotions, he created a simple projection that spanned the length of three windows. “BLM” and “ILM” flashed at regular intervals, with only the letters “B” and “I” rotating to represent both the Black Lives Matter movement and Wilmington’s airport call letters. Bahr recorded the installation and posted it to Instagram, where it quickly became an emblem of support for Wilmington’s peaceful protests.

was able to meet people from all kinds of different countries, cultures, and backgrounds at a young age.

DETAILS JOHNNY BAHR III Multimedia artist Instagram: @bahr_iii bahriii.com

I have been using a technique called projection mapping in my art installations at my studio where I use a combination of hardware (projectors, computers) and software to direct light to a specific area or areas. In the past I have projected animated imagery onto the window curtains so they are visible from outside. With everything going on, it felt like it was the best way for me to show support within my own community. It worked out that I have three In a caption accompanying his June 4 In- south-facing windows and that both ILM and stagram post, Bahr wrote: “Racism, injustice, BLM are made out of three letters. prejudice, and bigotry is rooted in the fearful e: What has been the response on and off and I hope those cursed by it can right their social media? Have you heard from any local wrongs, change their ways, and learn to think leaders? with open minds and open hearts and treat JB: I primarily use Instagram since I am a all people like people with fair judgment and without harm.… I hope this is a movement in visual artist. I think the short clip of the install has gotten the most views within a few days the right direction for everyone.” than anything else I have posted. No one has encore caught up with Bahr over email late reached out, specifically, but I have had some last week.

I consider community leaders up in my studio encore (e): Tell us about this particular in- before. I think art definitely has an important stallation. Where did the idea come from? role to play in all communities, and can send How was it constructed? powerful messages and unite people.

The child of an Ecuadorian mother, Bahr grew up downtown immersed in the arts. His work mixes photography and pop art iconography with video and other digital technologies, and is often marked by a sense of mischief. In one mixed media piece from his 2018 “Creatures of Cape Fear Series,” the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man looms ominously over the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.

Johnny Bahr III (JB): I was up at my studio working on Sunday night when the protestors and riot police came down Front Street, and I got to witness it from a bird’s-eye view. It was pretty surreal, like something you see in a movie.

e: We’ve seen “Black Lives Matter” painted on the street outside the White House, and numerous boarded-up businesses showcasing murals of George Floyd and messages of love and peace. Can you tell us how you’ve processed some of the street art you’re seeing in

22 encore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com

BY JEFF OLOIZIA BEHIND THE CURTAIN Artist Johnny Bahr III’s digital projection in the windows of the Atlantic Trust Building was created in solidarity with those protesting against police brutality.

I have lived in bigger cities (Atlanta, D.C., L.A.), but I haven’t found somewhere more beautiful than Wilmington yet. For me it is home, and I have met people here [who are] doing interesting things all over the world who have inspired me to establish my art practice here. e: Where else can encore readers find your art right now?

JB: I post regularly on Instagram and use that as my primary social media (@bahr_iii).

I also have shows at my studio regularly, or if anyone is curious they can drop by with an apScreenshot by Jeff Oloizia pointment. I like working with local businesses and you can find my work hanging at YoSake, response to the protests nationwide?

Capricho [and] Slainte. I also have a projector JB: I follow a lot of artists from all over on so- installation running at the Wilson Center. cial media and there is some really powerful ime: Do you have plans to make more art agery being created and circulating. I think the around themes of racial and social justice? most powerful art I’m seeing is footage from JB: Yes. I think throughout history art has protestors all over the world. This is going to be more than just a part of American history—it’s definitely been a means of protest and can both inspire and offend people simultaneousgoing to go down as history of the world. ly. I think creating and viewing art is a means Honestly, what has moved me the most is the of introspection; if you like or don’t like someresponse from people and the unity and solithing you have to ask why and be able to andarity. Especially coming out of the COVID-19 swer to yourself or explain it. Art is a good vescrisis, which has separated us all, it’s amazing sel to extract truth. I find that sometimes the to see people standing together and uniting best way for me to speak out about an issue over an issue that has kept us divided us for a is to create, and I will continue to do that in my long time. work for things that I feel strongly about. e: Have you been involved in the protests in I’m looking to get involved with the Dreams any other way? program here in town and would like to expose JB: Crowds kind of make me nervous, but the kids to some of the new media that’s out seeing the protestors and riot police marching there. Ive met with the director and had him down my street from the studio, it was surreal at my studio and I think focusing on the youth but inspiring and I knew I couldn’t just be qui- is a good way to bring positive impact to the et. As a visual artist, I think sometimes the best community. thing to do is take those emotions and feelings e: Is there anything else you’d like encore and create something. readers to know? e: How has living in Wilmington informed JB: Wilmington is an amazing community. I your art? am very happy and fortunate to have grown up JB: I grew up in a diverse downtown neigh- here and to be making art here now. I have lots borhood and my parents exposed me to lots of of love for this place and all the amazing peodifferent cultures growing up. Perhaps because ple I have met here and hope we can prosper my mom was an immigrant and my dad was collectively and set an example and be an inan adventurer, they sought out other families spiration to others. My goal is to make Wilmin Wilmington that were from other places, so I ington a worldwide art destination.

GALLERY

GUIDE

art exposure!

22527 Highway 17N Hampstead, NC (910) 803-0302 • (910) 330-4077 Tues. - Sat. 10am - 5pm (or by appt.) www.artexposure50.com ArtExposure will be hosting “Metal and Fiber, a show featuring the metal work of Vicki Thatcher and the Fiber work of Jan Lewis. The show will run until the end of August. Check outartexposure50.com for upcoming events and classes!

ART IN BLOOM GALLERY

210 Princess St. • (484) 885-3037 Temporarily closed or call for appt. aibgallery.com Art in Bloom Gallery is open by appointment by calling 484 885 3037. View and purchase original art at aibgallery.com/ artists/. We provide free local delivery, curb-side pick up, and shipping for rea-

colorful, and optimistic about the time spent alone, and relishes in the pleasures of rediscovering nature and the ocean anew. Come delight in this show with the reassurance that the sense of possibility of the future is undiminished. This virtual exhibition will go live Saturday, May 16th, 2020 at 6 PM EST. For more information, visit

https://newelements-

gallery.com/change-of-scene/.

WILMA DANIELS GALLERY

200 Hanover St. (bottom level, parking deck) Mon.-Fri., noon-5pm http://cfcc.edu/danielsgallery At this time CFCC and the Wilma Daniels Gallery is closed and will reopen once the COVID-19 pandemic passes and we are clear to get business back to normal.

sonable fees to other locations. We follow social distancing, mask wearing, hand washing, and cleaning protocols. We wish everyone health and safety during this difficult time..

NEW ELEMENTS GALLERY

271 N. Front St. • (919) 343-8997.

Tues. - Sat. 11am - 6pm (or by appt.) newelementsgallery.com “A Change of Scene” is an exhibition consisting of fresh work that Ann Parks McCray has created during this unusual time disruption. With her eternally positive attitude, the body of work is upbeat, encore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com 23

CALL TO ROCK Bands Red Gemini and The Explainers (pictured) are working with local indie-filmmaker for two music videos using pandemic and protest footage.

Courtesy photo

COMMUNITY

BY SHANNON RAE GENTRY

I

t’s hard to find words for the shit show that is 2020. Between a global pandemic our country wasn’t ready for and the ongoing protests against police brutality (a systemic problem we’ve ignored for far too long), it’s barely June and we’re already longingly looking at 2021 with cautious optimism. As a woman who plays rock ‘n’ roll, Red Gemini’s Addie Wuensch currently lives by the following motto: “A lot of people will dismiss what you have to say, but you just have to say ‘fuck that.’”

Wuensch is Red Gemini’s frontwoman, as well as the owner of Bottega Art & Wine on North Fourth Street. Like hundreds of thousands of people around the world, she’s taken to the streets to protest George Floyd’s killing at the hands of Minneapolis police by attending a handful of downtown protests so far. For Wuensch and so many others, change and justice are the only paths forward. Until they’re implemented (and enforced), it’s important to stay vigilant in standing up for what’s right in both music and life.

“It doesn’t matter what negative shit is thrown at you,” Wuensch says. “As an artist just speak your mind, speak your heart into your music and your art, and you will find those who celebrate what you do. And you will find peace with the truth you create.”

Red Gemini is currently working with local indie-filmmaker Brannigan Carter, who is producing two music videos—including one for the band’s 2017 song “Secret”—that reflect these tumultuous times. The other is for Wilmington punk band The Explainers’ “Intolerant of Intolerance.”

Describing his band as a “musical political cartoon,” Eric Lawson says The Explainers started off writing a song spoofing the Trump administration’s Space Force. But the song ends up being a middle-finger and series of face-punches to hare speech, racism and white supremacy associated with Trump’s MAGA:

DETAILS RED GEMINI THE EXPLAINERS Call for video clips representing BLM protests and COVID 19 Email Brannigan Carter at rudejestermedia@gmail.com or send footage via Wetransfer.com “There’s no room for white supremacy / in the land of the free. / So fuck their tiki torches, / and fuck their tangerine! / And if you’re a fucking Nazi, / there’s something I’ve got to say / It starts with my boot, / and ends with your face!”

Lawson says making music has been cathartic for him and his crew since November 2016. “Intellectually it’s still very upsetting,” he notes of Trump’s election, “but working it out emotionally in song gives some relief.”

Aside from “Intolerant of Intolerance,” The Explainers’ are working on a new album encompassing their throwback sounds of ‘80s and ‘90s punk (think: Dead Kennedys, Minor Threat, Cock Sparrer), of which they’ll announce soon on Facebook.

For each of the two music videos, Carter plans to include shots of performances from the bands alongside amateur/ non-professional footage and news coverage of the pandemic and protests from across the country.

“There are two very different ideas for the videos,” Carter says, “though, I’m not too picky about the video [footage] we need.

[There are] two categories: pandemic and

24 encore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com

protests. Literally, any video of these two things works. I want it all. I want the good, the bad and the ugly. We want every race and walk of life involved in this.”

CALLING!

Those who wish to submit their footage (and receive credit) can email Carter at rudejestermedia@gmail.com or send the footage via Wetransfer.com.

Local bands weave protest and pandemic footage into forthcoming videos

Carter had been in talks to create video projects with both bands for a while. In fact, the original concept for “Secret” revolved around a shoot with longtime Dead Kennedys guitarist East Bay Ray, who helped write the song. But there were scheduling conflicts—and COVID-19—followed by a historic worldwide civil rights protest.

“It’s definitely been pretty wild to see the entire country shut down over COVID and then erupt over racial tensions,” he notes.

“It’s a cliché, but this is a year for the history books. 2020 is make or break for America. I honestly think we will come through stronger.”

“When all the pandemic business happened, [Addie] wanted to do a video of that,” Carter remembers, “but I’m a truck driver, so I got super busy during all this. That’s when The Explainers got a hold of me (I know all them from Cape Fear Wine and Beer). They wanted to do a video for a song of theirs that’s very relevant to the protests happening now. So I contacted Addie to see if she also wanted to weave in the protests for Red Gemini. All in all, it will be two different projects, each a very different style and musical tone, where both have a commentary on the very broken state of things in America right now.”

While Carter’s responsibilities as a father and experiencing PTSD from his days as a soldier have kept him away from protests, the videos represent an opportunity to engage with issues he finds important. “I [also] just yell at racists on Facebook,” he quips.

With a degree in film production from CFCC, Carter was forced to get creative about his income after state legislation ended North Carolina’s film incentives in 2014. He’s been able to make the occasional music video or short film, but most of his income comes from driving trucks. Being on the road has afforded him a unique perspective on the pandemic and nationwide protests.

With phase two in effect in North Carolina, Wuensch still isn’t sure when Red Gemini will perform live again. (To complicate matters, all of her bandmates are in California right now.) Wuensch has opened Bottega’s gallery by appointment only, and she’s looking forward to eventually reopening with social-distancing measures in place for live performances in Bottega’s backyard, including tapings of the gallery’s radio series, Bottega Live, which airs every fourth Friday on WHQR, 91.3 at 8 p.m. Wuensch and WHQR reporter Vince Winkel recorded an episode featuring Dead Kennedy’s East Bay Ray and Ramones’ producer Ed Stasium a few weeks ago, set to air June 26.

Stasium also has been working with Wuensch (vocals) and her Red Gemini bandmates, East Bay Ray (guitar), Phil X of Bon Jovi (guitar) and Anthony “Tiny” Biuso of T.S.O.L. (drums), in Royal Worth Weaver’s local studio. Wuensch and her brother Dan—who plays in local band Open Wire— have been penning new music for Red Gemini, with help from Stasium, as well.

“I’m excited to get a new spin and tweaking of the sound thanks to Ed,” Wuensch says. “He and I are kindred spirits and we love creativity, expression, and rock and roll.”

CULTURAL RELEVANCE Spike Lee and Danny Aiello in “Do The Right Thing,” which is was deemed “culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress, in its first year of eligibility, and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.

Courtesy photo

PROFOUND

BY ANGHUS

T

he murder of George Floyd is the latest tragedy in a long line of indignities and brutal afflictions waged on black Americans since before this country even declared its independence.

Sovereignty has never been fairly distributed to people of color in America, and acknowledging that is the first step necessary to start moving toward a state of true equality.

DETAILS DO THE RIGHT THING

I’ve been focused of late on how anyone can disagree with the previous statement, and am aghast as I listen to police chiefs, Rated R, 2 hrs politicians and various famous figures Directed by Spike Lee insert their feet into their mouths as they Starring Spike Lee, Rosie Perez, make the bold claim that America is not a systemically racist society. I suppose Danny Aiello it’s easy for people to delude themselves about the prejudiced nature of this country when they’re standing behind the po- Thing” wasn’t a movie that immediately lice lines, watching further atrocities being stood out to me while planning my summer committed from afar. of cinema. It ranked far below the must-see, While movies feel like an unimportant big-budget blockbusters like “Ghostbusters part of the national discussion on this II” and “Star Trek V.” Still, there was a huge topic, it’s worth mentioning the valuable buzz around filmmaker Spike Lee, who had educational role they play in providing made waves with his first film, “She’s Gotta perspective to those who grew up with- Have It,” at a time when the words “indeout an awareness of racism. I was a white pendent film” were meaningless to me. kid, growing up in a white community in 1989, going to a Catholic school that exposed me to very few people of color. I was fortunate enough to have parents who raised me on the tried-and-true principles of kindness, empathy and equality for all. However, I had no life experiences that required me to exhibit these principles, and as a result, I woefully lacked real-world perspective on the impacts of racism and the stories of those suffering under its suffocating effects.

Seeing “Do the Right Thing” wasn’t imperative until I learned of theater chains disinterested in showing the movie; they feared potential violence would break out at screenings. The nervousness created by the film suddenly made it a must-see.

an amazing, immersive ensemble; Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, John Turturro and Lee himself fire on all cylinders. Even smaller moments from iconic actors like Samuel L. Jackson and the late, great Robin Harris help give the world texture and depth.

For audiences who have yet to see this masterpiece, the film revolves around Sal’s Pizzeria—the last remnant of whiteowned businesses in what has become a predominantly African American neighborhood. Sal (Danny Aiello) serves slices along with his two sons, one of whom is deeply racist and wants his father to close down and relocate. Mookie (Spike Lee) works at the pizzeria doing deliveries and finds himself at odds with his employer and members of his community. In part, Mookie and his friend Buggin’ Out (Esposito) view Sal’s Italians-only “Wall of Fame” as a slap in the face to the mostly black clientele.

The film is often remembered for its third act, which chronicles the eruption of violence as racial tensions explode. Still, there are so many perfect, surgical examinations of people and perspectives from each side of the racial divide.

CINEMA ‘Do the Right Thing’ remains an electrifying classic

For a sheltered white kid from South Florida, “Do the Right Thing” opened the door to a world I didn’t know existed. It electrified a part of my brain and made me desperate to know more. It also made me more empathetic to the plight of those forced to deal with stifling racism on a daily basis, and forced me to consider that my worldview and the things I considered to be problems might pale in comparison to actual injustices.

Spike Lee used his voice to tell a story that asked important questions and taught me movies can be something more than thoughtless entertainment. I’ve loved movies for as long as I can remember, but I hadn’t realized the raw power of cinema and its transformative properties until I saw “Do the Right Thing.”

Thirty-one years later, the movie hasn’t lost a single watt of power or ounce of relevance.

There are only a handful of cinematic experiences I would refer to as “profound”— “Do the Right Thing” tops the list. Spike Lee provided a window into his world—one with which I was completely unfamiliar. His film is a sweaty, unflinching look into Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, and the people who live there. The characters are wonderfully portrayed, with great care given to providing a number of different voices.

The summer of 1989 is finely etched into my memory. I was 15, working my first job as a bag boy at Publix in the sweltering heat and humidity of South Florida. I had already seen “Batman” four times, “Lethal It feels almost a disservice to call out Weapon 2” three times and “Indiana Jones specific performances in a movie that has and the Last Crusade” twice. “Do the Right

encore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com 25

DINING

GUIDE

Rx Res tauran t and B ar 421 Castle S t. • www .rxwilmin gton.co m • Pho to by Ho lland Do tts

AMERICAN

BLUEWATER WATERFRONT GRILL

Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of sailing ships and the Intracoastal Waterway while dining at this popular casual American restaurant in Wrightsville Beach. Lunch and dinner are served daily. Favorites include jumbo lump crab cakes, succulent seafood lasagna, crispy coconut shrimp and an incredible Caribbean fudge pie. Dine inside or at their award-winning outdoor patio and bar, which is the location for their lively Waterfront Music Series every Sunday April - October. Large parties welcome.

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

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

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

ELIJAH’S

Since 1984, Elijah’s has been Wilmington, NC’s outdoor dining destination. We feature expansive indoor and outdoor waterfront dining, with panoramic views of riverfront sunsets. As a Casual American Grill and Oyster Bar, Elijah’s offers everything from fresh local seafood and

shellfish to pastas, sandwiches, and Certified Angus Beef selections. We offer half-priced oysters from 4-6 every Wednesday & live music with our Sunday Brunch from 11-3.

Whether you are just looking for a great meal & incredible scenery, or a large event space for hundreds of people, Elijah’s is the place to be.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun-Thurs 11:30-10:00; Friday and Saturday 11:30-11:00 ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ILM; kids menu

PINE VALLEY MARKET

Pine Valley Market has reigned supreme in servicing the Wilmington community for

Photogr aphy

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 ba-

nana 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.

PLEASE, CALL AHEAD TO MAKE SURE RESTAURANTS ARE OPEN DURING THE COVID-19 SHUTDOWN. SOME MAY BE DOING

26 encore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com

DELIVERY AND/OR TAKEOUT ONLY.

■ 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) 452-3952, Wrightsville Beach (910) 2563921, Southport (910) 457-7017, Boone, NC (828) 265-2658, Chapel Hill, NC (919) 240-4206 ■ WEBSITE: trollystophotdogs.com

ASIAN INDOCHINE RESTAURANT

If you’re ready to experience the wonders of the Orient without having to leave Wilmington, join us at Indochine for a truly unique experience. Indochine brings the flavors of the Far East to the Port City, combining the best of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine in an atmosphere that will transport you and your taste buds.

Relax in our elegantly decorated dining room, complete with antique Asian decor as well as contemporary artwork and music. Our diverse, friendly and efficient staff will serve you beautifully presented dishes full of enticing aromas and flavors. Be sure to try such signature items as the spicy and savory Roasted Duck with Red Curry, or the beautifully presented and delicious Shrimp and Scallops in a Nest. Be sure to save room for our world famous desert, the banana egg roll! We take pride in using only the freshest ingredients, and our extensive menu suits any taste. After dinner, enjoy specialty drinks by the koi pond in our Asian garden. Located at 7 Wayne Drive (beside the Ivy Cottage), (910) 251-9229.

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

Mon.- Sun. 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. for dinner.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: indochinewilmington.com

NIKKI’S FRESH GOURMET

For more than a decade, Nikki’s downtown has served diners the best in sushi. With freshly crafted ingredients making up their rolls, sushi and sashimi, a taste of innovation comes with every order. Daily they offer specialty rolls specific to the Front Street location, such as the My Yoshi, K-Town and Crunchy Eel rolls. But for less adventurous diners looking for options beyond sushi, Nikki’s serves an array of sandwiches, wraps and gyros, too. They also make it a point to host all dietary needs, omnivores, car-

nivores 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., 12pm10pm. Last call on food 15 minutes before closing.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: nikkissushibar.com

OKAMI JAPANESE HIBACHI STEAK HOUSE

We have reinvented “Hibachi cuisine.” Okami Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse is like no other. Our highly skilled chefs cook an incredible dinner while entertaining you on the way.

Our portions are large, our drinks are less expensive, and our staff is loads of fun. We are committed to using quality ingredients and seasoning with guaranteed freshness. Our goal is to utilize all resources, domestically and internationally, to ensure we serve only the finest food products. We believe good, healthy food aids vital functions for well-being, both physically and mentally. Our menu consists of a wide range of steak, seafood, and chicken for the specially designed “Teppan Grill.” We also serve tastebud-tingling Japanese sushi, hand rolls, sashimi, tempura dishes, and noodle entrees. This offers our guests a complete Japanese dining experience. Our all-you-can-eat sushie menu and daily specials can be found at okamisteakhouse.com! 614 S College Rd. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.-Thurs., 11am 2:30pm / 4-10pm; Fri., 11am-2:30pm / 4pm-11pm; Sat., 11am-11pm; Sun., 11am9:30pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: okamisteakhouse.com

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 comprehensive sake list, signature cocktails, and Asian Import Bottles. 33 S. Front St., 2nd Floor (910) 763-3172.

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING: 1/2 Price Sushi/Appetizer

Leland’s friendly neighborhood Irish Pub with the best pub fare in town.

We are open!

Come check out our newest menu.

Look forward to serving you soon!

1174 Turlington Ave., Leland 910-408-1400 www.thejoyceirishpub.com encore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com 27

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 ROUND BAGELS

Round Bagels and Donuts features 17 varieties of New York-style bagels, baked fresh daily on site in a steam bagel oven. Round offers a wide variety of breakfast and lunch bagel sandwiches, grilled and fresh to order. Round also offers fresh-made donuts daily! Stop by Monday Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., and on Sunday, 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

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

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

FONDUE 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 daily from Memorial Day through October ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING Sunday half-price wine bottles; Monday beer and wine flights on special; Tuesday Local’s Night $11/person cheese and chocolate; Wednesday Ladies Night; Thursday $27 4-course prix fixe; Friday “Date Night” $85/ couple for 3 courses and a bottle of wine.

■ MUSIC: Tuesdays & Thursdays, May-Oct., 7– 9 p.m. (weather permitting) ■ WEBSITE: www.littledipperfondue.com

IRISH THE HARP

Experience the finest traditional Irish family recipes and popular favorites served in a casual yet elegant traditional pub atmosphere. The Harp, 1423 S. 3rd St., proudly uses the freshest ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible, to bring you and yours the most delicious Irish fare! We have a fully stocked bar featuring favorite Irish beers and whiskies. We are open

every day for both American and Irish breakfast, served to noon weekdays and 2 p.m. weekends.

Regular menu to 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 p.m. weekends. Join us for trivia at 8:30 on Thursdays and live music on Fridays – call ahead for schedule (910) 763-1607. Located just beside Greenfield Lake and Park at the south end of downtown Wilmington, The Harp is a lovely Irish pub committed to bringing traditional Irish flavor, tradition and hospitality to the Cape Fear area ■ SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Greenfield Lake/DowntownSouth ■ FEATURING: Homemade soups, desserts and breads, free open wifi, new enlarged patio area, and big screen TVs at the bar featuring major soccer matches worldwide.

■ WEBSITE: harpwilmington.com

SLAINTE IRISH PUB

Slainte Irish Pub in Monkey Junction has traditional pub fare with an Irish flair. We have a large selection of Irish whiskey, and over 23 different beers on draft, and 40 different craft beers in bottles. They have a large well lit outdoor patio with a full bar also. Come have some fun! They currently do not take reservations, but promise to take care of you when you get here!

5607 Carolina Beach Rd. #100, (910) 399-3980 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 11:30 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington, Monkey Junction ■ FEATURING: Irish grub, whiskeys, beer, wine, fun.

■ WEBSITE: facebook.com/slaintemj

ITALIAN ANTONIO’S

Curbside pickup will still be provided.

Open Sunday 11am-9:30pm; Monday - Saturday 4pm-10pm

We are OPEN! Temperature checks upon entering restaurant

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

HIBACHI SUSHI TEMPURA

For reservations please text 910.262.1883

Japenese Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi 28 encore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com

614 South College Road 910.399.3366 www.okamirestaurant.com

The Italian Bistro is a family-owned, fullservice Italian restaurant and pizzeria located in Porters Neck. They offer a wide variety of N.Y. style thin-crust pizza and homemade Italian dishes seven days a week!

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

Their warm, inviting, atmosphere is perfect for “date night” or “family night.” Let them show you why “fresh, homemade and local” is part of everything they do. 8211 Market St. (910) 6867774

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Porters Neck ■ WEBSITE: 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.

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■ 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, 910799-7077. Porter’s Neck: 140 Hays Lane #140, 910-681-1140. Waterford: 143 Poole Rd., Leland, NC 28451 ■ SERVING LUNCH AND DINNER: 11:30am4pm daily; Mon.-Thurs.., 4pm-9pm; Fri.-Sat., 4pm 10pm; Sun., 4pm-8:30pm.

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

CATCH

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

Dubbed “Modern Seafood Cuisine” we offer an array Fresh Seafood & Steaks, including our Signature NC Sweet Potato Salad. Appetizers include our Mouth watering “Fire Cracker” Shrimp, Crispy Cajun Fried NC Oysters & Blue Crab Claw Scampi, & Seafood Ceviche to name a few. Larger Plates include, Charleston Crab Cakes, Flounder Escovitch & Miso Salmon. Custom Entree request gladly accommodated for our Guest.

(Vegetarian, Vegan & Allergies) Hand-crafted seasonal desserts. Full ABC Permits. 6623 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28405, 910-7993847.

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

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

s s Voted Best Oysters for over 10 years by ene core readers, you know what you can find at C 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,

DOCK STREET OYSTER BAR

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

dinner, and drink specials. It’s a Good Shuckin’ Time!

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Carolina Beach Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-2am; Sun: Noon2am, Historic Wilmington: Sun-Thurs: 11am10pm; Fri-Sat:11am-Midnight.

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

■ WEBSITE: TheShuckinShack.com

MICHAEL’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

SOUTHERN

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

THE PILOT HOUSE

The Pilot House Restaurant is Wilmington’s premier seafood and steak house with a touch of the South. We specialize in local seafood and produce. Featuring the only Downtown bar that faces the river and opening our doors in 1978, The Pilot House is the oldest restaurant in the Downtown area. We offer stunning riverfront views in a newly-renovated relaxed, casual setting inside or on one of our two outdoor decks. Join us for $5.00 select appetizers Sunday-Thursday and live music every Friday and Saturday nigh on our umbrella deck. Large parties welcome. Private event space available.

910-343-0200. 2 Ann Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun-Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm and Sunday Brunch,. 11am-3pm. Kids menu ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Riverfront Downtown Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Fresh local seafood specialties, Riverfront Dining, free on-site parking ■ MUSIC: Outside Every Friday and Saturday ■ WEBSITE: pilothouserest.com

SHUCKIN’ SHACK

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar has two locations in the Port City area. The original Shack is located in Carolina Beach at 6A N. Lake Park Blvd.

(910-458-7380) and our second location is at 109 Market Street in Historic Downtown Wilmington (910-833-8622). The Shack is the place you want to be to catch your favorite sports team on 7 TV’s carrying all major sports packages. A variety of fresh seafood is available daily including oysters, shrimp, clams, mussels, and crab legs. Shuckin’ Shack has expanded its menu now offering fish tacos, crab cake sliders, fried oyster po-boys, fresh salads, and more.

Come in and check out the Shack’s daily lunch,

■ 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 In Wilmington, everyone knows where to go ■ WEBSITE: rxwilmington.com 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 Under new ownership! Tom Noonan invites run the show at the Oleander Drive restaurant you to enjoy his remodeled space, featuring where people are urged to enjoy all food indig- a new sound system and new bar, in a warm, enous to the South: fried chicken, barbecue, relaxed environment. Taste 40 craft beers, catfish, mac‘n’cheese, mashed potatoes, green over 400 wines by the bottle, a wide selection beans, chicken‘n’dumplings, biscuits and home- of cheese and charcuterie, with gourmet small made banana puddin’ are among a few of many plates and desserts to go! And don’t miss their other delectable items. 5559 Oleander Drive. weekly wine tastings, every Tuesday, 6 p.m. - 9 (910) 798-2913. p.m.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Open Wednes- SERVING DINNER & LATE NIGHT: Mon., days through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed; Tues.-Thurs., 4 p.m. - 12 a.m.; Fri., 4 and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed p.m. - 2 a.m.; Sat., 2 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Sun., 4 - 10 Mon. & Tues. p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown, 29 S Front St. WEBSITE: fortunateglass.com ■ FEATURING: Pig’s feet and chitterlings.

CASEY’S BUFFET

TAPAS/WINE BAR

THE FORTUNATE GLASS WINE BAR

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

Inside and Outside Dining Curbside and Take-out Available Hours: 11am to 5pm Sunday - Wednesday 11am to 8pm Thursday - Saturday

encore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com 29

Thank you for voong us Best ne List!

wine | beer| cheese and charcuterie gift certificates

30 encore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com

DING

DONG

DUST The sisterhood arrives across the tri-county, spreading uplifting joy

A

little joy goes a long way nowadays, and more than 6,000 ladies are looking to spread it in the Facebook group Sisterhood of the Traveling Spirits New Hanover/Pender/ Brunswick Counties. Close friends Sarah Lee, 39, and Alyssa Starr, 43, founded the group in early May, after Starr had been part of a similar group in Maryland. Hundreds of similar sisterhoods are popping up on Facebook, from Florida to Kansas, as well.

DING DONG DUST Morgan Kotnik creates themed gift bags to leave at strangers’ doorsteps via Sisterhood of the Traveling Spirits New Hanover/Brunswick/Pender Counties.

Courtesy photo

“I cannot take full credit for the idea,” says Starr. “I only started the local group.

The ladies involved are what make it so extraordinary.”

knacks, plants, skin-care items, flowers, booze and more. When the gifts are ready, members can post to the group discussion asking for addresses of ladies in need of uplifting.

It only took a few days for the local chapter to catch on. With over 1,000 requests to join the group daily and approximately 30 posts an hour, the group has grown rapidly—so much so Starr reached out to Lee for help managing it. “She ended up being thrown into the position of full-time admin to keep up with rising demand,” Starr says.

“I thought it was an amazing opportunity to spread love and kindness back and forth to those needing a pick-me-up during these difficult times,” says Brunswick County resident and avid duster Alyssa Nicole. “This group brings me joy because I see so many amazing women wanting to spread happiness when so much sadness and hatred is going on in the world.”

Much like the book and film series from which it takes its name, “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” Sisterhood of the Traveling Spirits aims to connect women in communities through positive, compassionate support. Members anonymously leave gift baskets on random doorsteps (known as “dusting”) or merely offer positive vibes and prayers for shared hardships.

Some women are even going above and beyond by creating personalized baskets, with themes like barbecue, caretaking and even gardening. Some ladies have adopted full-on businesses to dust, especially in the healthcare industry, and have dropped off numerous gift baskets at local practices. Another popular basket among dusters is what some are calling a “quarantine kit,” filled with cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer—both essential items during the ongoing pandemic.

So how does one join the sisterhood?

Members must be female and at least 21 (alcohol often shows up in gift baskets). They also must live in New Hanover, Brunswick or Pender counties. Once approved, group members put together “dusting baskets” featuring items such as candy, koozies, candles, puzzles, knick-

Some folks choose to remain anonymous, while others sign their names on the cards accompanying the baskets. But most of the fun is the dusting itself, when members deliver baskets to someone’s home. The official name is “fairy dusting,”

BY CORA and some members even get into character by wearing costumes and wings. Gifts are left a la TikTok’s famous “Ding Dong Ditch”—ringing someone’s doorbell and running away—and fairies often post videos and pictures on the Facebook feed so folks can share in on the fun.

Morgan Kotnik, a 29-year-old New Hanover County duster, has put together a crew to join her on dusting rounds. “We’ve decided to call ourselves ‘The Themed Dusters’ because every dusting we do has a certain aesthetic: Harry Potter (each basket represented a Hogwarts house), Marvel Avengers, Disney Princess,” she says. “We all wear fairy wings when we deliver our goodies. The ding-dong-ditch technique is our go-to and part of the thrill is not getting caught!”

Kotnik joined in May after a friend mentioned the group. She likes giving more than receiving, and prefers including homemade items in her basket for a more personal touch.

L NAUDET

a lifetime with people they never would’ve met otherwise.”

While the group is restricted to only women, husbands and children sometimes participate in the actual dusting, though they can’t receive gifts (however, similar Facebook groups have emerged for the hubbies and kids to get a chance to join in on the fun).

Lee and Starr have already made plans for the group after the pandemic ends, but their ideas remain under wraps as to not spoil the fun. For now, they encourage dusters to maintain proper social distancing and thoroughly wash their hands with warm water and soap before and after dusting.

For more information on how to get involved, visit: facebook.com/ groups/863252577489729.

Though gifts are a large part of creating camaraderie, the group isn’t only about giving tangible items. Posts can be found merely asking for good vibes and prayers, as women in the group undergo surgery, endure the loss of a loved one, or care for a parent or sick child.

“The whole purpose of this group is empowering women during hard times,” Starr says. “During COVID, we are all a hot mess and need our own outlet. Something for just us. This is a place to vent, cry, spread love, laugh [and] joke, but most of all just have fun. It’s beyond rewarding to see so many ladies creating bonds that will last encore | june 10 - june 16, 2020 | www.encorepub.com 31

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CROSSWORD ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

During her 90 years on the planet, actor and singer Marlene Dietrich reinvented herself numerous times.

She had superb insight into the nature of shifting rhythms, and a knack for gauging the right moment to adapt and transform. Good timing, she said, came naturally to people like her, as well as for “aerialists, jugglers, diplomats, publicists, generals, prize-fighters, revolutionists, financiers, and lovers.” I would add one further category to her list: the Aries tribe.

Make maximum use of your talent in the coming weeks.

TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20)

Author and theologian Frederick Buechner writes, “There is treasure buried in the field of every one of our days, even the bleakest or dullest, and it is our business to keep our eyes peeled for it.” In alignment with current astrological potentials, Taurus, I’ll name that as your key theme. More than usual, breakthroughs and revelations and catalysts are likely to be available to you in the midst of the daily slog—even when you’re feeling bored. Make it your business to be on high alert for them.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

According to novelist Octavia E. Butler, “Positive obsession is about not being able to stop just because you’re afraid and full of doubts.” That’s what I wish for you in the coming weeks, Gemini: positive obsession. It’s also what I expect! My analysis of the astrological omens suggests that you will have the pluck and craftiness necessary to veer away from murky, disturbing versions of obsession. Instead, you’ll embrace the exhilarating kind of obsession that buoys your spirit in moments of uncertainty. I foresee you making progress on your most important labor of love.

CANCER (June 22-July 22)

William Thomson, also known as Lord Kelvin (1824–1907), was a Cancerian physicist and mathematician who contributed to the understanding of thermodynamics and other areas of scientific and engineering knowledge. Despite his considerable intelligence, however, he was myopic about the possibility that humans might one day fly through the air while seated inside of machines. In a 1902 interview—a year before the Wright Brothers’ breakthrough experiment—he declared, “No aeroplane will ever be successful.” I suspect you could be on the verge of passing through a Lord Kelvin phase, Cancerian. You may at times be highly insightful and at other times curiously mistaken. So I urge you to be humbly confident and confidently humble!

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

Author Marianne Williamson tells us, “Spiritual growth involves giving up the stories of your past so the universe can write a new one.” And what exactly does it mean to “give up the stories of your past”?

Here’s what I think: 1. Don’t assume that experiences you’ve had before will be repeated in the future.

2. Don’t assume that your ideas about the nature of your destiny will always be true. 3. Even good things that have happened before may be small and limited compared to the good things that could happen for you in the years to come. 4. Fully embrace the truth that the inherent nature of existence is endless transformation—which is why it’s right and natural for you to ceaselessly outgrow the old plot lines of your life story and embrace new ones.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Philosopher and astrologer Marsilio Ficino wrote, “Mortals ask God for good things every day, but they never pray that they may make good use of them.”

I hope that in the coming weeks, you Virgos will disprove that cynical view of human beings. As I see it, you will be more likely than usual to actually receive the blessings you ask for. And I hope—in fact, I predict— that when you receive the blessings, you will then aggressively seek the help of God or Life or your deepest wisdom to make good use of them.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

I was hiking under a blue sky in a favorite natural location: the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, just north of San Francisco, where sublime vistas provide views of ocean and mountain. Although I was in a good mood, at one point I spied empty Budweiser cans amidst the wild jewelflowers. “What kind of nature-hater was so careless as to despoil this wonderland”? I fumed. For a few moments I was consumed with rage and forgot where I was. By the time I recovered my bearings, the bobcat and red-tailed hawk I’d previously been observing had disappeared. That made me sad. My anger was justified but wasteful, irrelevant, and distracting. It caused me to lose touch with some glorious beauty. Don’t be like me in the coming days, Libra. Keep your eyes on the prize.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

I was hiking under a blue sky in a favorite natural location: the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, just north of San Francisco, where sublime vistas provide views of ocean and mountain. Although I was in a good mood, at one point I spied empty Budweiser cans amidst the wild jewelflowers. “What kind of nature-hater was so careless as to despoil this wonderland”? I fumed.

For a few moments I was consumed with rage and forgot where I was. By the time I recovered my bearings, the bobcat and red-tailed hawk I’d previously been observing had disappeared. That made me sad. My anger was justified but wasteful, irrelevant, and distracting. It caused me to lose touch with some glorious beauty. Don’t be like me in the coming days, Libra. Keep your eyes on the prize.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you’re primed to navigate your way through a sweetly gritty, tenderly transformative,

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epically meaningful turning point in the history of your relationship with your favorite collaborator or collaborators. If that sounds too intense, you could at least accomplish an interesting, stimulating, educational shift in the way you fit together with your best ally or allies.

It’s up to you, Sagittarius. How much love and intimacy and synergy can you handle? I won’t judge you harshly if you’d prefer to seek the milder version of deepening right now. Besides, you’ll probably get a chance to go further later this year.

Last spring, torrential rains there caused a “superbloom” of poppies. Millions of the golden-orange wildflowers covered many acres of Walker Canyon.

They attracted another outbreak of beauty: thousands of painted lady butterflies, which came to visit. The magnificent explosion was so vast, it was visible from a satellite high above the earth. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re experiencing a metaphorical superbloom of your own right now, Aquarius. I hope you will find constructive ways to channel that gorgeous fertility.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 19-Mar. 20)

Actor Emma Thompson tells us, “I wish I wouldn’t have to say this, but I really like human beings who have suffered. They’re kinder.” Adding to what she observes, I’ll say for many people, their suffering also has made them smarter and more soulful and more compassionate. Not always, but often, it’s the pain they’ve suffered that has helped turn them into thoughtful companions who know how to nourish others. I urge you to make a special point to converse with people like this in the near future. In my estimation, you will benefit from intense doses of empathetic nurturing.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Lake Elsinore is a city in southwestern California.

Lucumi is an Afro-American religion with Yoruban roots. Its practitioners worship their ancestors, and seek regular contact and communion with them. According to Lucumi priestess Luisah Teish, “Sometimes the ancestors deem certain information so important that they send it to the subconscious mind without being consciously asked.” It’s my belief that all of us, whether or not we’re members of the Lucumi religion, can be in touch with the spirits of our ancestors if we would like to be—and receive useful guidance and insight from them.

The coming weeks will be a time when you Pisceans are especially likely to enjoy this breakthrough. It’s more likely to happen if you have an intention to instigate it, but it may come to pass even if you don’t seek it.

CROSSWORD

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