June 6, 2018

VOL. 35 / PUB. 46 JUNE 6 - 12, 2018

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A Coming-Out Story Photo by James Bowling

Panache premieres ‘Fun Home’ just in time for PRIDE Month

HODGEPODGE Vol. 35/Pub. 46

June 6 - June 12, 2018

ON THE COVER

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EVENT OF THE WEEK

Friday, 6 -8,119 a.m.

Friday,May June Masonboro Shelling Tour Families, birders and nature enthusiasts can explore Masonboro Island, an 8.4-mile marine sanctuary island, renowned for its plant and wildlife diversity. Topics include shell biology, native plant species, shorebirds, and barrier island ecology. Register with Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours (275 Waynick Blvd.) for $45 per adult and $25 per child Reservations required by calling 910-200-4002. Metered street parking only for $2.75 per hour. Visit wrightsvillebeachscenictours.com.

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

A COMING-OUT STORY, PG. 19 ‘Fun Home’ is coming-of-age story from child- to adulthood with (pictured above, back row) Gabe Homick, Jakob Gruntfest, Kathy Enlow, Jamey Stone, Michael Pipicella, (second row) Grace Berry, Rebekah Carmichael, Bay Allebach and (front row) Cathy Street. Photo by James Bowling

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MUSIC>> Durham-based singer-songwriter Autumn Ehinger shares all in her recent Moon Racer album and plans an intimate show, with just her and her keyboards, at Gravity Records this weekend.

Courtesy photo

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Art Director/Office Manager:

Susie Riddle // ads@encorepub.com

Chief Contributors: Gwenyfar Rohler, Anghus,

PG. 10

Tom Tomorrow, Chuck Shepherd, Mark Basquill, Rosa Bianca, Rob Brezsny, Linda Grattafiori, Bethany Turner, John Wolfe, Fanny Slater

Photo by Kristen Crouch

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DINING>>

Photo by Tom Dorgan

Interns: Mel Beasley, Leandra Lee SALES>

General Manager:

John Hitt // john@encorepub.com

Advertising:

Glenn Rosenbloom // glenn@encorepub.com Ashley Wixon // ashley@encorepub.com Tami Maggio // tami@encorepub.com John Hitt // john@encorepub.com Shea Carver // shea@encorepub.com Published weekly on Wednesday by HP Media.

Opinions of contributing writers are not necessarily the opinions of encore.

PG. 29

INSIDE THIS WEEK: Live Local, pgs. 4-5 • News of the Weird, pg. 8 • Music, pgs. 10-15 Art, pgs. 16-17 • Theatre, pg. 19 • Film, pgs. 20-21 • Dining, pgs. 22-29 • Beaches, pgs. 30-33 Extra, pgs. 35-36 • Crossword, pg. 35 • Calendar, pgs. 36-45

2 encore |june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com

Shea Carver // shea@encorepub.com Shannon Rae Gentry // music@encorepub.com

Artist Kristen Crouch shows her latest creation, including “A Nap in Forsyth Park, Transition No. 3” (left) in “Landscape and Memory,” now on display at Wabi Sabi Warehouse until June 16.

The crab cakes with cream corn and jicama slaw (right) are one of Rosa Bianca’s many tastes at the new Steam, overlooking the Cape Fear River at downtown’s Embassy Suites

Editor-in-Chief:

Assistant Editor:

<<ART

PG. 16

EDITORIAL>

6700 Netherlands Drive, Ste. A, Wilmington, NC 28405 P.O. Box 12430, Wilmington, N.C. 28405 email@encorepub.com www.encorepub.com Phone: (910) 791-0688 Fax: (910) 791-9534

4403 Oleander Dr., Suite H, Wilmington, NC 28403 (910) 769-5767

y l n o k e e w s i 8 1 Th 0 2 , 2 1 e n u J 5 e n tes a c i Ju f i t r e tc $15 gif for only

0 5 .

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NEWS>>LIVE LOCAL

LIVE LOCAL, LIVE SMALL: One more state to go in order for women to be protected with equal rights

BY: GWENYFAR ROHLER

R

uth Bader Ginsberg, or “The Notorious RBG,” as she is known, is the subject of a book titled after her moniker. She also is the subject of a film, “RBG,” which screened last week at Cinematique.

Jock and I are regulars at Cinematique—to the point we have favorite seats. But on Monday night, the turnout was great and by 6:40 p.m. the parquet level was filling up ... for a documentary ... about a Supreme Court Justice.

My snobbish erudite heart swelled.

Visually, it is an eye-opening film.

Watching footage of RBG’s Senate confirmation to the Supreme Court is a great example. The camera pans across the

dais, and it looks like someone hit copy and paste repeatedly to create the sea of aging white male faces making up the committee to determine whether or not she would be the second woman to sit on the Supreme Court. Included in the footage is RBG reading her prepared statement, which was about her position on the importance of reproductive rights and women having control over their bodies.

This should not have come as a surprise to anyone who had followed her career.

She had spent the ‘70s making a name for herself and arguing cases before the Supreme Court to directly address gender discrimination.

Justice Ginsberg has gone on record in

4 encore |june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com

support of ERA, or Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution.

“Section 1: Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.

“Section 2: The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

“Section 3: This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.”

Amending the Constitution is not a simple process—nor should it be. I’m sure we all remember Article Five of the U.S. Constitution from high-school civics class:

“The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two-thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the several States, or

by Conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that

So there are supporters of ERA who argue if the amendment was still “live” or on the table for ratification two centuries later, surely ERA—which has been seeking ratification only since 1972—should have the sunset removed and be viable for ratification. The strategy is referred to by The Alice Paul Institute as “The Three State Strate-

It is an election year. This is the opportunity we have to reshape government to speak for us—not to us. Perhaps some of the questions we can start asking at political forums and candidate meet-and-greets include the ERA. Because what we are really talking about here is protecting and enshrining within the Constitution the idea that women are actually people worthy of equal protection under the law—not chattel, not inferior, not superior, but equal.

WED

Rep. Deb Butler has introduced a bill into the NC General Assembly to have NC ratify the ERA. When I asked her about her hopes for the bill, she commented it will probably not leave committee. But what if it did? What if a state—maybe even our red state—became the 38th to ratify the ERA— and that recalled it to life?

starts 8PM 6/6 GRUFF GOAT COMEDY! Join host Lew with three new comics under the bridge! Zack Kennedy, Jarrod Fortune, and Matt Coghlan make for an exciting lineup this month!

Smash and Dash Food Truck, 3-6pm THURS

Now, any Constitutional amendment is noteworthy and historically significant, but this one was particularly interesting because Congress had passed on it to the states to ratify in 1789—meaning it took 202 years! North Carolina voted for ratification in 1789. The Bill of Rights was a bargaining chip for us to sign on to the Constitution at all. So we took the amendments pretty seriously then. In 1989 we voted again to ratify it as well. Why not? Making the pay schedule for Congress clear is a priority everyone can get behind, right? But ensuring the rights of half the nation is not a priority. We didn’t vote to ratify the 19th Amendment to give women the vote until 1971.

Last year, Nevada’s state legislature voted to ratify the amendment as the 36th.

Illinois Senate voted to pass an ERA Ratification on April 11, 2018. If their House passes it, then it will be another state to move things forward—37 states. That would be one state away from ratifying the ERA.

FRI

It should have been the 27th Amendment to the U.S Constitution. But when Congress passed it—they put an expiration date on it—the states had seven years to ratify it. Apparently, half the population of the United States has a “shelf date.”

Funny, we always knew it was how men saw us, but that it got put in a piece of legislation is a bit glaring. So the expiration date—let’s call it a sunset, which seems a bit more palatable—required 35 states to ratify it within seven years. Three more were needed to ratify it federally. North Carolina was not one of the 35 states whose legislature agreed to ratify the ERA. Our NC House of Representatives did vote in favor, but it did not pass the NC Senate. Congress did grant an extension until 1982 for ERA’s ratification. But the Amendment still did not muster the additional three states’ ratifications it needed.

“No law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.”

gy.” The hope is if three of the states that did not ratify it during the initial window, sign on for ratification now, the amendment could pass—and as they put it “stand up to legal challenges.”

SAT

So, in 1921, Crystal Eastman and Alice Paul got an Equal Rights Amendment proposed in Congress; it didn’t get very far at the time. But by the late 1960s the idea was gaining ground, and in 1969 Congresswomen Shirley Chisholm and Martha Griffiths championed the Equal Rights Amendment, which led to its passing in Congress in 1972 and being sent to the states for ratification.

Interestingly, since the 1982 sunset on the ERA, another proposed Amendment to the Constitution has been ratified as the 27th:

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11AM-12NOON 4-6PM

Yeh Mon 51 Food Truck, 6-9pm

Beach House Dawgs Hot Dog Cart, 2-5pm Poor Piggy’s BBQ Food Truck, 5-9pm

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no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.”

Joe Loves Lobster Rolls Food Truck, 2-6pm

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

Wine & cider are available.

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Book your next bridal or baby shower in our private space Dinner Tues - Sun starting at 5pm, Weekend Lunch from 11:30am-2:30pm

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join in the fun year-round!

tot spot preschool | after school | summer camp The YWCA Lower Cape Fear supports quality, affordable and accessible early childhood education that assists adults in moving towards economic independence. We provide children with culturally sensitive, developmentally appropriate activities that enable children to succeed in school and have fun.

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Lower Cape Fear

SUMMER CAMPS Half-day camps available. Space is limited!

Register online, fsow.org, or call 910-792-1811.

Pine Grove Campus: 207 Pine Grove Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403 Peiffer Campus: 350 Peiffer Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28409 Rainbow Camp: 2-3 year old campers - Plan to get messy and wet, so bring your bathing suit!

Exploring Spanish: 3-5 year old campers - All ability levels are welcome.

Storybook Summer: Kindergarten-2nd grade - Adventures through literature.

Big Messy Art: 3rd-8th grade campers - Tie-dye, splatter paint, paper mache and more.

Coding: 2nd-7th grade campers - Introduction to basic coding concepts and logic used in programming.

Fairy Tales Past, Present & Future: 3rd-5th grade campers - Reading, writing and technology while delving into fairy tales!

June 18-22

Animal Lovers: 3 & 4 year old campers - Art, literacy and activities all centered around our fury friends.

Centered Science: 3-4 year old campers - Yoga & science experiments.

Buggin’ Out: Kindergarten-2nd grade campers - Immerse in insect inspired learning & fun.

Coding: 2nd-7th grade campers - Introduction to basic coding concepts and logic used in programming.

LEGO® Robotics: 2nd-8th grade campers - Engineering and problem solving are awesome!

Fizz, Foam, Pop: 3rd-8th grade campers - Hands-on, messy experiments while problem-solving and team-building.

Mud & Fire Pottery: 3rd-8th grade campers - Clay exploration & imagination.

June 25-29

Mindfulness Art: 3-4 year old campers - Yoga & art activities center on peace.

Happy Campers: Kindergarten-2nd grade campers - Experience nature & outdoor play in a whole new way!

Coding: 2nd-7th grade campers - Introduction to basic coding concepts and logic used in every programming language.

LEGO® Robotics: 2nd-8th grade campers - Engineering and problem solving are awesome!

Jewelry Making: 3rd-8th grade campers - Design & learn how to make your own, unique pieces.

July 16-20

July 9-13

Montessori Nature Camp: 3-4 year old campers - Guided, independent learning about the world around us.

Road Trip Around the World: Kindergarten-2nd grade campers - Climb aboard the magic school bus and explore states and countries.

Caribbean Culture Camp: 3rd-5th grade campers - Explore the culture & traditions of various countries. ¡Vámonos al Caribe!

Welcome to the Jungle: 2-3 year old campers - Grab your binoculars and let’s go!

Summer Time Fun: 3-4 year old campers - Favorites like bubbles, water play & sidewalk chalk.

Flying Fingers: Kindergarten-2nd grade campers - Explore Deaf Culture while learning American Sign Language.

Fairy Tales Past, Present & Future: 3rd-5th grade campers - Reading, writing and technology while delving into fairy tales.

Art Outdoors: 3rd-8th grade campers - Using nature as the inspiration.

July 30-August 3

July 23-27

Montessori Nature Camp: 3-4 year old campers - Guided, independent learning about the world around us.

Flying Fingers: Kindergarten-2nd grade campers - Explore Deaf Culture while learning American Sign Language.

Brick by Brick: Kindergarten-5th grade campers - All things LEGO®!

Science Olympiad: 4th-6th grade campers - 321 Blast Off, Duct Tape Challenge and more!

encore | june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 7

DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE A janitor at Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea, may have hit the jackpot on April 26 when he discovered $325,000 worth of gold bars in a garbage bin. Investigators told The Korea Times they believe two men were transporting the gold, wrapped in newspapers, from Hong Kong to Japan, and threw away the stash for fear of being searched by customs agents. If the owner doesn’t make a claim in six months, the janitor will get the gold, thanks to South Korea’s “finders-keepers” law. However, if the treasure is found to be linked to criminal activity, the janitor will not be entitled to any of it. [The Korea Times, 4/30/2018]

HIGH TIMES A Florida Highway Patrol trooper arrived at the scene of a crash in Orlando on April 29 to find Scott Ecklund, 32, uninjured but

highly agitated. Trooper Glaudson Curado arrested Ecklund after Ecklund helpfully told the trooper he could get more meth than had been found in the search of Ecklund’s wrecked Chevy Impala if the trooper would allow him to leave the scene. “Mr. Ecklund was making no sense during our conversation,” Curado wrote in his report, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Ecklund, who was arrested earlier in April for crashing a truck into a house and claiming to be an FBI agent as he brandished an assault rifle, was charged with meth possession and driving with a suspended license and taken to the Orange County Jail. [Orlando Sentinel, 4/30/2018]

INDECENT EXPOSURE Neighbors of the “Pooperintendent,” a New Jersey school superintendent nabbed for repeatedly defecating on a high school running track, were non-

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plussed by the news. Thomas Tramaglini, 42, superintendent of schools in nearby Kenilworth, was charged April 30 in Holmdel, New Jersey, Municipal Court for defecating in public, lewdness and littering after being caught on surveillance video relieving himself on a daily basis during his run at the Holmdel High School track. The track is about 3 miles from Tramaglini’s home in Aberdeen. But neighbors told NJ.com that Tramaglini always struck them as a nice guy — “Except for pooping on the field,” one added. Another dismissed all the attention: “If he wasn’t a super, this wouldn’t even be news.” [NJ.com, 5/4/2018]

AWESOME! The Palais de Tokyo, a contemporary art museum in Paris, has made a name for itself by granting special visiting hours to nudists. On May 5, Reuters reported, naturists were invited to tour an exhibit, with about 160 attendees taking advantage of the sans-clothing event. Paris is seeing an increase in naturist events, according to Julien Claude-Penegry, communications director of the Paris Naturists Association.

“The naturists’ way of life is to be naked.

Naturists are pushing past barriers, taboos or mentalities that were obstructive,” he said. Next up for French nudists: a clubbing night later this year. [Reuters, 5/5/2018]

QUESTIONABLE JUDGMENT Angelique Sanchez, 26, of Denver was asked to provide a urine sample for a prospective employer on May 3, so, of course, she stopped off at a 7-Eleven store in Aurora to apply the final touch: She put the urinefilled bottle in a microwave and turned it on, whereupon the sample blew up. A 7-Eleven clerk, who observed a “yellow liquid ... and the smell was unquestionably urine” dripping from the microwave, confronted Sanchez, who wiped the liquid out of the microwave and onto the floor, then walked out. KUSA TV reported that police caught up with her at a nearby clinic and issued a summons for damaged property. Medical expert Comilla Sasson guessed that Sanchez was trying to restore the sample to body temperature. [KUSA, 5/4/2018]

OOOHHHH-KKKAAAAYYY Visitors to New York’s Fort Ticonderoga were in for a special treat as locks of hair from Revolutionary War general turned traitor Benedict Arnold and his first wife, Margaret, were put on display during the season’s opening weekend of May 5-6. Curator Matthew Keagle told The Associated Press Arnold’s hair was recently rediscovered in the museum’s collections and had been preserved by the family. The private historical site obtained the hair in the 1950s. Saving a lock of a deceased family member’s hair was a common practice during the 1700s. Arnold helped capture Fort Ticonderoga from the British during the opening weeks of the Revolutionary War. [Associated Press, 5/2/2018]

WEIRD CLICHE

Drivers along I-70 outside of Indianapo8 encore |june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com

lis thought it was raining money for them May 2 as $600,000 in cash tumbled out the back doors of a Brinks truck and onto the highway, the Indianapolis Star reported.

State police spokesman Sgt. John Perrine said an undetermined amount of cash has not been accounted for, as “people were jumping over fences and crawling on the ground” to pick up loose bills flying around.

In a tweet, he warned: “Finding a large sum of money is no different than other property.

If a brand-new car fell off a semi, would the 1st person to find it get to keep it? It belongs to someone else.” [Indianapolis Star, 5/2/2018]

THAT’S ONE WAY TO DO IT When Leroy Mason, 68, of Barton, Vermont, takes care of a problem, he doesn’t do things halfway. On April 30, as his smoke detector blared yet again, Mason aimed his 20-gauge shotgun at the cursed piece of electronics and fired twice. Unfortunately, the shots also hit the adjoining wall of an occupied apartment. Fire and EMS crews called to the scene had been before, according to a Vermont State Police news release quoted by Boston25 News, as “Mr. Mason has complained in the past about frequent false alarms ... and was upset that fire crews would not relocate the detector.

Mr. Mason took it upon himself to relocate the smoke detector ...” When first responders relieved him of his shotgun, Mason rearmed himself with a Colt .45 handgun and demanded his shotgun back. Mason was finally subdued and charged with aggravated assault with a weapon and reckless endangerment. [Boston25 News, 5/3/2018]

DEFINITION OF INSANITY April 11 was a great day for Markiko Sonnie Lewis of Maple Heights, Ohio — he got out of jail! Lewis, 40, served time in state prison for robbing a Cleveland Key Bank branch in November 2015. To celebrate, he returned to the same bank on April 12 and robbed it again, according to WIOI, taking about $1,000. Lewis was indicted on May 1 with one count of bank robbery. [WIOI, 5/2/2018]

SMOOTH REACTIONS Jose Arreola, 49, of Bellflower, California, was more angry than scared when a police officer drew a gun on him March 16, mistakenly thinking Arreola had stolen a roll of Mentos, which retails for $1.19. A security camera at an Orange County service station captured the incident, showing Arreola placing the Mentos on the counter along with a $20 bill. As he waited for his change, Arreola put the mints in his pocket, which is when an off-duty officer behind him pulled a gun out of the pocket of his hoody and ordered him to put the mints back on the counter. When the clerk confirmed Arreola had paid, the officer said, “My apologies.”

“It was traumatic, the whole incident,” Arreola told the Orange County Register.

“Are you seriously pulling a gun out over a pack of Mentos?” [Orange County Register, 5/4/2018]

encore | june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 9

ARTS>>MUSIC

HONEST VULNERABILITY:

Autumn Ehinger talks latest Moon Racer album, plays Gravity Records this week BY: SHANNON RAE GENTRY

S

itting in her bedroom in Durham, North Carolina, Autumn Ehinger pens and records songs while tickling her keyboard. It’s an intimate and warm set up; the way she hopes her music feels. Partial to old-school Casios, she’ll run through a few effects pedals with reverb, delay and sometimes overdrive.

“I try to get some twinkly, spacey sounds,” she says of her dreamlike melodies. Many can be heard on her latest record as Moon Racer, “Is It Really a Secret,” which was released in April 2018. Though sometimes Ehinger invites her drummer friends in Durham to play at live shows, she often prefers the intimacy and vulnerability of playing alone. Moon Racer’s show at Castle Street’s Gravity on June 8, for example, will feature just Ehinger and a couple of keyboards. Also featuring performances by Justin Lacy and Goldielux, it will be Moon Racer’s first time playing at the record store.

“I’m particularly looking forward to the Gravity show because I haven’t played by myself for some time and I think it will feel really special,” she notes. “I’m excited to come back [to Wilmington], and it will be interesting to be here in a different way this time with different songs. . . . I’ll play almost all the songs from the tape, plus some new tunes.”

“Is It Really a Secret” reflects its gradual albeit unintentional beginnings. For Ehinger, writing songs was more like keeping a diary: recording deep, intimate emotions not intended for the world to see—or in this case hear.

“I would wait ‘til I had a big feeling, and then go play and sing something,” she explains. “I’d record everything on my phone as it happened, so I could remember the words and melody exactly the way they first came out, exactly how the song first sounded and felt. When I was feeling sad, it made me feel better, to amass a weird little collection of songs, where I was working out all the feelings I didn’t have the courage or patience or desire to talk about in real life. That was really the humble purpose of these songs.”

Conflicted about letting other people listen to her songs—written so freely with quite literal lyrics and little secrets—the title “Is It Really a Secret” reflects a dichotomy

between artistic expression and revealing so much (maybe too much) of yourself and even others.

“What if someone knows who I’m singing about?” Ehinger asks rhetorically. “What if the person I’m singing about learns how I really felt? Eventually, I realized, even if the people who the songs are about heard the songs, it’s not like they could suddenly feel surprised or offended or something. (They had been there!) Also, I guess I didn’t care what they thought anymore.”

Ehinger looks at her home base in Durham as one of the most nurturing artistic cities to make and play music in. From the musicians to club owners to record-store clerks to show-goers and listeners, the love is felt tenfold. “Everyone is so supportive of one another, to an extent that is extraordinary,” she explains. “You feel safe to create and just exist, really.”

Thus in late 2016, Ehinger self-released three songs. Owen Ashworth, who plays music as Advance Base and operates Orindal Records in the Triangle, caught wind of Ehinger. He asked her if she wanted to do more.

“So I recorded the next five songs the same way I did the first three: by myself, on a four-track cassette in my bedroom,” Ehinger remembers. “He was into it, so we decided to release all eight songs on one cassette. . . . It’s definitely been a great motivation to finish the things I start and to keep going. Owen is incredibly supportive and encouraging. I feel really honored to have my music put out by one of my favorite artists.”

Despite living in the age of streaming, wherein listeners piecemeal playlists, Ehinger recorded her eight tracks as one cohesive unit. Presented in chronological order (and available on cassette tape), it’s a love story that starts in January with a big crush in “Starry Up.” It appears to wane by February (“Princess Jasmine in the Hourglass”), only to lead to a proclamation of undying love by March in “Song of the Mogwai.”

“Then onto the summer months when somehow this ordeal is still dragging on, but you suspect maybe you’re getting played out (‘Same Song All Summer Long’),” she continues. “By September [there’s] the discovery you’ve definitely been played out (‘Friendly Ghost’), but whatever (‘Meaningless’). Finally, in October, there’s relief of no

10 encore |june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com

BEGINNING AND END: Autumn Ehinger’s album is a story of love, loss and beginning again. She’ll play her latest tracks at Gravity Records. Courtesy photo.

longer missing someone who could be so careless and dumb and indifferent anyway (‘Last Kiss’).”

While one story may come to a close, another begins with the final track, “New Crush.” Starting with the line, “No one before even matters now,” it’s an optimistic close—or a pessimistic beginning of the same cycle all over again.

“After being stuck in the wringer for seven songs with someone, it felt so good to declare (and mean it completely), in retrospect, they really weren’t that big of a deal,” Ehinger muses. “You meet someone new and it’s like the world just begins again.”

songs she made, so she sheds any selfconsciousness about being honest. “I was sort of kidding myself about my ability to keep all those feelings under the radar all that time anyway,” she adds. “It’s an acknowledgement of the authenticity of everything I say—it really is all true. And it’s OK for me to be vulnerable in that way.”

Ehinger already has her sights set on the next Moon Racer project. She’s written songs and plans to have something new out before the end of the year.

DETAILS:

Moon Racer

Featuring Justin Lacy and Goldielux Friday, June 8, 7 p.m.

Gravity Records • 612 Castle St. Tickets: $5 At the same time,“Is It Really a Secret” moon-racer.bandcamp.com is about Ehinger not taking herself so seriously. At the end of the day, they are just

Enjoy a colorful & unique dining experience Fresh local flavors with a little Latin heat in a modern urban environment.

402 Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC 28401 | (910) 833-8894 | www.savorez.com Open Monday - Friday 11:30am - 10:00pm; Saturday 12:00pm - 10:00pm; Sunday 10:00am - 2:00pm encore | june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 11

A PREVIEW OF EVENTS ACROSS TOWN THIS WEEK 40 BEERS ON TAP

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THE SOUNDBOARD

THURSDAY, JUNE 7 JUSTIN FOX FRIDAY, JUNE 8 ACCESS 29 SATURDAY, JUNE 9 AWKWARD SILENTS 7324 Market Street • 910-821-8185 www.ogdentaproom.com OPEN 7 DAYS AWEEK

www.RuckerJohns.com VISIT WWW.RUCKERJOHNS.COM FOR FRIDAY MONDAY DAILY SPECIALS, MUSIC & EVENTS Cosmopolitan $4 Select Appetizers 1/2 Off after MONDAY 5pm in bar and patio areas Watermelon Martini $6.50 DAYSeasonal Big Domestic22oz.

Draft Domestic Beers $2 Draft SamALL Adams Blue Pool Martini $6$5 Pizzas Bottles $3 TUESDAY TUESDAYSATURDAY 1/2 Off SelectLIVE Bottles of Wine IN THE Peach BAR Tea Shiner $6 JAzz Absolut Dream $5 22oz Deschutes Half Price Bottles of Wine Black Butte $ 50$5 Porter NC CraftAbsolut Bottles $3 2 Dream $5 • Pacifico 22oz Weeping Willow Wit WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAYBeer $5 1/2 Off Nachos after 5pm in bar andMiller patio Light areas Pints $150 Coronoa/ SUNDAY $ 50 Domestic Pints $1.50Lite All 2 $6 after 5pm Corona Bottles Flat Breads $ in bar and patio Corona/Corona Lt. $2.50 Margaritas/Peach Margaritas 4 areas Bloddy Mary $4 16oz Hi WireAmerican Lager Draft $4 THURSDAY Domestic Pints $1.50 Margaritas on the Rocks $4.50 $ Appletinis $4, RJ’s Painkiller 5 $5 White Russians THURSDAY

Red Stripe Bottles $250

Truly Lime Spiked and 5564 Carolina Beach Road $ 50 2 Fat Tire Bottles Sparkling Water $3 (910)-452-1212 22oz.BellsTwo Hearted IPADraft $5 FRIDAY Visit our website Sinking Bahama Mama $7 $4,www.RuckerJohns.com Cosmos 007 $350 for daily $ specials, music and 1/2 Off All Premium 3 Guinness Cansupcoming Red Wine Glasses events $

Island Sunsets 5 SATURDAY Baybreeze/Seabreeze $4 22oz. Blue Moon Draft $3 Select Domestic Bottles $2 SUNDAY Bloody Marys $4, Domestic Pints $150 Hurricanes $5

5564 Carolina Beach Road, (910) 452-1212

DYNAMIC PERCUSSION: The New Orleans-based septet The Revivalists will return to rock Greenfield Lake Amphitheater on June 10 at 7 p.m.

Photo by Tom Dorgan.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6 Improv Comedy (7pm; $3)

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

Jazz Piano w/ J. Jarvis (7pm; Free)

—The Blind Elephant, 21 N. Front St., Unit F

FireDrums & Tarot Thursdays (8pm; Free)

Musician’s Open Mic (9pm; Free)

Jesse Jewell (7pm; $3; Singer-Songwriter)

—Ibiza, 118 Market St.; (910) 251-1301 —Bottega Art Bar and Gallery, 723 N. 4th St.

Singer/Songwriter Circle (9pm; Free)

THURSDAY, JUNE 7

Jared Sales & More (9pm; Free)

—Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St.

—Bottega Art Bar and Gallery, 723 N. 4th St. —Satellite Bar and Lounge, 120 Greenfield St.

The Vagabonds (9:30pm; Free) —The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.

Extreme Music Bingo (10pm; Free)

—Fox and Hound, 920 Town Center Dr.

Offering a variety of craft beer, ciders and wine

Karaoke (8pm; Free)

Hank Barbee (6pm; Free; Singer-Songwriter) Concerts in the Park (6:30pm; Free)

—Leland Municipal Park, 102 Town Hall Dr.

Open Mic Comedy (7pm; $0-$3)

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

A Class Act (7pm; $3)

Entangled Dreams ft. Drummer Holly Fucili (7pm; Free)

Open Mic Night (6pm; Free)

Trivia Night w/Party Gras Ent. (7:30pm; Free)

—Ted’s Fun on the River, 2 Castle St. —Tidal Creek Cooperative, 5329 Oleander Drive;

Al DiMarco (7pm; Free; Piano)

—Platypus & Gnome, 9 S Front St;

HOW TO SUBMIT A LISTING:

—Fermental, 7250 Market St.; 910-821-0362 —Fox and Hound, 920 Town Center Dr.; 910-509-0805

Trivia from Hell’s (7:30pm; Free)

—Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.; 910-763-4133

—Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St; 910-763-2223 —Ted’s Fun on the River, 2 Castle St.

Adult Hip Hop Class (6:30pm; $8-$12)

—The Dance Element, 7211 Ogden Business Lane #205; 685-3787

Singer/Songwriter Circle (9pm; Free)

—Bottega Art & Wine, 723 N. Fourth St.

Rockin’ On The River (3:30pm; Free) —Marina Grill, 18 Harnett St.

Port City Music Festival (5pm; Free)

—Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S 17th St.

Hank Barbee (6pm; Free; Folk)

—Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St.

Riverfront Music Series (6pm; Free) —Marina Grill, 18 Harnett St.

Chase Johanssen (6pm; Free; Singer)

—Wrightsville Beach Brewery, 6201 OleanderDr.

Marc Siegel (7pm; Free; Acoustic Guitar) —Platypus & Gnome, 9 S Front St.

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

12 encore |june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com

Rocky Pleasant (7:30pm; Free; Singer)

—Pour Taproom, 201 North Front street;

FRIDAY, JUNE 8

Lukas Nelson (6pm; $32; Singer) —Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre

Hey Johnny Park (6:30pm; Free; Rock) —Riverfront Park, 5 N. Water St.

—The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St. —Satellite Bar and Lounge, 120 Greenfield St.

Liquid Culture Fam & Fire! (9pm; Free)

—Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St.; 910-763-2223

Bacon Grease (9:30 pm; Free; Funk) —Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.

Moon Racer (7pm; $5; Rock Band)

SUNDAY, JUNE 10

Port City Trio (7pm; $3; Gospel)

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

—Gravity Records, 612 Castle St.

—Ted’s Fun on the River, 2 Castle St.

Chris Luther Jazz Trio (7pm; Free)

—Platypus & Gnome, 9 S Front St.

Rich Vos (7pm, 9:30pm; $17; Comedy)

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

David Dixon (7:30pm; Free; Singer )

—Pour Taproom, 201 North Front St.

James Jarvis (8pm; Free; Jazz)

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

—Wrightsville Beach Brewery, 6201 Oleander Dr.

The Revivalists & More (5pm;$45;Rock) —Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre

Reggae Festivus (7pm; Free)

—Lazy Pirate Sports Grill, 701 N Lake Pk Blvd.

Open Mic Night (7pm; $3)

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

—Ted’s Fun on the River, 2 Castle St.; 910-231-3379

Fred Flynn/Wes Sayer (8pm; Free; Rock)

Sunday School Undergrnd (8pm; Free)

—Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St.

—Lazy Pirate Sports Grill, 701 N Lake Pk Blvd.

Gene Gregory (8pm; Free; Singer)

—The Sour Barn, 7211 Market St.

Soul Stew Band NC (9pm; Free; Funk)

—Satellite Bar and Lounge, 120 Greenfield St.

First Real Drag Show (9pm; Free)

—Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St.

Hip Hop & Drag (9pm; Free)

—Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St. 763-2223

Josh Soloman (9:30pm; Free; Singer) —The Harp, 1423 S. 3rd St.

Plenty of Pastures (9:30pm; Free; Rock ) —Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.

Travis Shallow (10pm; Free; Singer) —The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.

Wham Bam Glitter Glam (10pm; Free) —The Calico Room, 115 N. 2nd St.

SATURDAY, JUNE 9

Kidstock (12pm; Free; Kid’s Music)

—Wrightsville Beach Brewery, 6201 Oleander Dr.

Category 4 (6pm; Free; Blues)

—The Sour Barn, 7211 Market St.

Catesby Jones (7pm; $3; Country)

—Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St.; 910-763-2223

MONDAY, JUNE 11

Trivia from Hell’s (7:30pm; Free)

—Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.; 910-763-4133

Open Mic w/ James Jones (8pm; Free)

—Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St.; 910- 763-2223

TUESDAY, JUNE 12 Comedy Bingo (6pm; $2)

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

Trivia Night (7pm; Free)

—The Sour Barn, 7211 Market St.

Johnny Pemberton (7pm; $10; Comedy)

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

Karaoke Kong w/ DJ Damo (9pm; Free) —The Harp, 1423 S. 3rd St.

Open Mic Night (7pm; Free)

$2.75 Miller Lite • $4 Wells, 1/2 price bottles of wine $2 off a dozen oysters Live music from Jeremy Norris

$3 Corona/ Corona lt • $4 Mimosa $4 Bloody Mary Live music from L-Shape Lot duo 3pm and Clay Crotts 8pm

WEDNESDAY

SUNDAY

! s l a de

$3.50 Pint of the Day $4 Fire Ball

$3.75 Sweetwaters $4.50 Absolute Lemonade

$5 Mimosas $5 Car Bombs

$3.75 Sweet Josie $4 Margaritas

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

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

KARAOKE

w/DJ Damo, 9PM

2 KILLIANS • 4 MAGNERS $ 00

Thursday ________________________________________

TRIVIA

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

Friday & Saturday __________________________

LIVE MUSIC 2 BUD & BUD LIGHTS

$ 00

Sunday ___________________________________________

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

Improv Comedy (7pm; $0-$3)

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

The Jillettes (7pm; $3; Rock)

Alternative Vision (7pm; $5; ‘90s Rock)

Al DiMarco (7pm; Free; Piano)

Just Yesterday (8pm; Free; ‘90s Grunge)

Karaoke (8pm; Free)

Mark Webb Jr. (8pm; Free; Singer)

Improv Night (8pm; $3)

Rock & Roll Dance Party! (8pm; Free)

Extreme Music Bingo (10pm; Free)

—Lazy Pirate Sports Grill, 701 N. Lake Pk Blvd.

$3 Miller Lite $4 Deep Eddy Lemon Drop shots $5 Deep Eddy Grapefruit and Soda All floors open

—Tidal Creek Cooperative, 5329 Oleander Dr.

Rich Vos (7pm, 9:30pm; $17; Comedy)

—Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St.

SATURDAY

$3 Fat Tire & Voo Doo $5 Jameson • $2 Tacos Pub Trivia on Tuesday Live music from Rebekah Todd

Open Mic Night (6pm; Free)

James Jarvis (7pm; Free; Jazz Piano)

—Buffalo Wild Wings, 5353 Carolina Beach Rd.

TUESDAY

$3.75 Hay Bale Ale

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

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13

Jon Hill Trio Live! (7pm; Free)

—Reel Cafe, 100 S. Front St. 251-1832

$2 Select Domestic • $3 Draft $4 Flavored Bombs 1/2 Price Apps Live Music from Tony and Adam

FRIDAY

$2.75 Michelob Ultra $3.25 Stella $4.50 Lunazul Tequila All Floors open

—Goat & Compass, 710 N 4th St.

Songwriter Session #15 (7pm; $5)

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

MONDAY

$ 50

—Ted’s Fun on the River, 2 Castle St.; 910-231-3379 —Platypus & Gnome, 9 S. Front St.

100 S. FRONT ST. 910-251-1832 LIVE MUSIC in the courtyard 7 days a week

$2.50 PBR 16oz cans $3.50 Sam Seasonal and Hoppyum IPA draft $5 Redbull and Vodka 1/2 price wings Live music from Josh Solomon

.com

Chillin’ Dixie (8pm; Free; Country

THURSDAY

Willard Green (9pm; Free; Singer)

—Brooklyn Arts Center, 516 North 4th St. —The Blind Elephant, 21 N Front St. Unit F; —Ted’s Fun on the River, 2 Castle St. —Platypus & Gnome, 9 S Front St. —Ibiza, 118 Market St. 251-1301 —Dead Crow Comedy Room, 265 N. Front St.

• 16 NC brews on tap • 8 big screen TV’s • Sports packages

• Bar games • Free popcorn machine

Ch eers!

Trivia Night & FREE Wings Every Tuesday @ 9pm Sip & Spell Adult Spelling Bee Every Wednesday @ 9pm Free Hot Dog Station and Pot Luck Every Sunday 106 N 2nd Street

(Located next to 2nd Street parking deck) Hours of operation: Mon. - Fri. 2:00pm-2:00am Sat. & Sun. noon-2:00 am

—Fox and Hound, 920 Town Center Dr.

Unaka Prong (9pm; Free; Rock) encore | june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 13

14 encore |june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com

CONCERTS OUTSIDE OF SOUTHEASTERN NC

SHOWSTOPPERS

RAPID FIRE RAPPING: American hip hop recording artist Snow Tha Product will lay down some lyrics at The Underground in Charlotte June 17 at 8 p.m. Courtesy Photo.

NEIGHBORHOOD THEATRE NORTH DAVIDSON ST., CHARLOTTE, NC (704) 358-9298 6/7: Bruno Major 6/8: King’s X 6/9: Japanese Breakfast 6/10: The Posies 6/11: The Regrettes 6/13: Angelo Moore THE FILLMORE 820 HAMILTON ST., CHARLOTTE, NC (704) 916-8970 6/8: Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls 6/9: GrungeFest 2018 6/10: LANY 6/14: Royal Blood 6/18: The Neighborhood THE UNDERGROUND-FILLMORE 820 HAMILTON ST., CHARLOTTE, NC (704) 916-8970 6/9: Project X - The National Party Tour 6/11: Hayley Kiyoko 6/16: Enrage Against the Machines 6/17: Snow Tha Product MOTORCO MUSIC HALL 723 RIGSBEE AVE., DURHAM, NC (919) 901-0875 6/6: Brick + Mortar 6/7: DumpstaPhunk 6/8: Big Sam’s Funky Nation 6/9: The Pinnacle II 6/10: The LL Orchestra

RED HAT AMPHITHEATER 500 SOUTH MCDOWELL ST., RALEIGH, NC (919) 996-8800 6/7: Khalid 6/14: The Revivalists 6/15: Paramore 6/16: Arctic Monkeys LINCOLN THEATRE 126 E. CABARRUS ST., RALEIGH, NC (919) 821-4111 6/7: Tash Sultana (moved to The Ritz) 6/8: Cipha Sounds Hip Hop Improv Show 6/9: Reckless Kelly 6/13: Rufu Du Sol CAT’S CRADLE 300 E. MAIN ST., CARRBORO, NC (919) 967-9053 6/6: Parquet Courts 6/7: The Regrettes 6/8: Shredders (of Doomtree) 6/9: Drag Queens are Coming 6/10: Wand THE ORANGE PEEL 101 BILTMORE AVE., ASHEVILLE, NC (828) 398-1837 6/7: Tyler Childers 6/8: Lee Camp 6/9: Antibalas 6/10: Gomez

FREE! • FRIDAY NIGHTS! • RIVERFRONT PARK • MUSIC STARTS AT 6:30PM

MAY 25

JULY 20 Funky Monks

JUNE 1 Red Zeppelin

JULY 27 Breakfast Club

JUNE 8 Hey Johnny Park

AUG 3

JUNE 15

AUG 10

JUNE 22 The Core

AUG 17 Skydog

JUNE 29 20 Ride

AUG 24 Abbey Road Live

JULY 6

AUG 31 Satisfaction

JULY 13 Departure

Beer and wine for sale with valid ID; outside beverages, food, coolers, and pets prohibited.

encore | june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 15

ARTS>>ART

SPIRITUAL JOURNEY:

Kristen Crouch discusses her most challenging work yet in ‘Landscape and Memory’

S

BY: SHEA CARVER

alt has various meanings in life, depending on the context from which one measures it—from the Bible to the periodical table to the dinner table.

Since ancient history it’s been known for its seasonal, preservative and medicinal uses and was often used in ceremonial offerings. For local artist Kristen Crouch, in medium and in inspiration, salt is at the forefront of “Landscape and Memory,” an art exhibit on display through June 16 at Wabi Sabi Warehouse.

Crouch, whose work in ILM most notably has been seen in group shows, is taking a step in a solo direction unlike ever before.

She began experimenting with copper sulfate pentahydrate—a salt compound of copper—two years ago on 35mm slides and film. The blue that arises from the crystallization on the film provides a rich contrast to the crumpled, digitally distorted snapshots.

Second Skin Vintage

The imagery merges various aspects of people and places who have affected Crouch. She created an original algorithm to help create the imagery. “Trigonometry, geographic location data, numerology, birthdays, and life events all inform the manipulation,” she tells. Crouch prints the work on distressed aluminum foil via an inkjet printer and finishes them with mixed media.

Photo by Ben Minor

615 Castle Street • 910.239.7950 www.secondskinwilmington.com

She also included a memory of her childhood directly, by asking her brother, who is a chef, to create “memory tastes.” He devised homemade Cracker Jacks, grilled cheese and tomato soup, along with apple pie and Cool Whip, among other menu items.

“The sheets are built up first with a grinder/sander, gesso, handwriting and contour drawing based on the composition of the digital image,” she explains.

“I’ve made metal sculptures from the printed memoryscapes as well. And an overhead projector was used to trace the memoryscapes to the gallery walls, building up a foundation and direction for the rest of the installation.”

Crouch began devising the show after researching the text of the Torah, specifically the tale of destruction as told in Sodom and Gomorrah. “Most notably the act of Lot’s wife being transformed into a pillar of salt after looking longingly back toward her hometown being destroyed,” Crouch details. “I was intrigued by this response to her nostalgia, if you will, and knew I wanted to incorporate salt in my art.

It serves as a reminder to let go, move on and trust the unknown ahead.”

Just as well, the artist was reading Simon Schama’s 1995 book “Landscape and Memory” during the planning process. The text explores the idea of our cultural experiences and memories being derived from landscapes around us: “of rediscovering what we already have, but which somehow eludes our recognition and our appreciation.

Instead of being yet another explanation of what we have lost, it is an exploration of what we may yet find…”

true vintage clothing and accessories

“The viewer can reach in a bowl of cotton balls and deconstruct the custom blend, or wear a dust mask holding the scent as they walk through the gallery,” Crouch explains.

Once Crouch ran the idea of the show past mentor Beth Handler Riebe—a trustee at Cameron Art Museum, who once worked for the MOMA and now runs LOCAL: Art + Ideas—Crouch’s motivation snowballed.

Riebe guided the artist for a year on concept and development. “She encouraged I practice with more depth and intellect than I have before,” Crouch notes.

The installation is representative of Crouch’s past, present and future mental landscapes, which according to the artist, “are not restricted by a linear passage of time.” Found slides are called “Alienum Me-

16 encore |june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com

“A typewriter in place of a guestbook added a sound element,” Crouch notes. “When all of these things are curated alongside the visual work, as an artist, I’ve created a more personal experience for the viewer. They feel cared for and welcomed in the space.

It is all intentional.”

The outcome has pushed Crouch to new heights. She calls the making of “Landscapes and Memory” a spiritual journey.

UNTITLED: Kristen Crouch’s crumpled memory, made on inkjet printed photo, with copper sulfate and string, 3 x 4 x 3. Courtesy LOCAL: art + ideas

moriam” (foreign memory), while 50 hanging prints make up “Locorum Memoriam” (local memory in Latin). They represent personal thoughts and borrowed memories, which are suspended throughout the gallery like fragmented thoughts. “They float across the gallery and cast shadows and react to the elements,” she says.

During Crouch’s opening reception last Saturday she took her “Landscapes and Memory” idea one step further. She devised the opening of the show as a multi-sensory experience—to reach all five senses. She took her favorite childhood smell and incorporated it to complement the art work and keep the audience interacting with the concept to create a meta experience of building more memories.

“Scent has the strongest tie to memory and inspired further exploration into how all senses contribute to memory-making,” she explains. Crouch worked with Jennifer Vanderfleet of Third Generation Herbal to create custom-blended essential oils. She wanted to include smells of the happiest moments of her life and thus labeled them “genius loci,” or “spirit of the place.”

“I realize that pillar of salt could be me if I hold too much to all of these things I try to control in my work and life,” she says.

“I’m learning to move on and let go of parts of my past. Seeing this expression outside of myself allows me to approach the next chapter with clarity. It is a shedding of skin; I feel refreshed.”

Up next for Crouch will be a move to the West Coast come September. Though there isn’t a closing reception planned for “Landscapes and Memory,” folks can visit Wabi Sabi during gallery hours or view and purchase the work online at LOCAL: art + ideas.

DETAILS:

Landscape and Memory Art work by Kristen Crouch On view through June 16 Wabi Sabi Warehouse 19 N. 9th St. Hours: June 4-6, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

June 7, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

June 8, 2 p.m. - 8 p.m.

June 9-10, noon - 5 p.m. www.local-art-ideas.com

WHAT’S HANGING AROUND THE PORT CITY

GALLERYGUIDE ARTEXPOSURE!

Cocktails,1001 N. 4th Street.

“Unearthed: Landscape Paintings by Topher Alexander and Kirah Van Sickle” at Pinpoint Restaurant,114 Market Street.

One-man show “Escape into Plein Air” features Robert Rigsby. The show will highlight oil paintings from Rob’s 6 month trip visiting all fifty national parks.

Rob also wrote a book about his journey and it is available under the same name on Amazon.

CHARLES JONES AFRICAN ART

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

ART IN BLOOM GALLERY

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

Art in Bloom Gallery is in a renovated 19th-century horse stable and presents an eclectic mix of original art by emerging and established artists. Join us for a new exhibit June 1 - 23, “Pathways to Understanding: Paintings by Joanne Geisel & New Ceramics by Brian Evans.” Both artists are exhibiting new work: traditional and abstract paintings

by Joanne Geisel in conjunction with new sculptural work by ceramist, Brian Evans. In addition to our monthly featured exhibit, view our collection of original paintings, ceramics, sculpture, collage, mobiles, jewelry, photography, and mixed media.

ART OF FINE DINING www.aibgallery.com

In addition to our gallery at 210 Princess Street, Art in Bloom Gallery partners with local businesses to exhibit original art in other locations. Current exhibits include: “Waking from Dreams: Paintings by Mark Gansor” at Platypus & Gnome Restaurant, 9 South Front Street. Meet the artist and enjoy a free champagne toast and appetizers on Thursday, June 14th, 6-8 pm.

“Reflexiones de Costa a Costa (Reflections: Coast to Coast)” by Carolina Corona at Waterline Brewing Company, 721 Surry Street. Meet the artist and enjoy a free special wine and cheese reception, Wednesday, June 13th, 6-8 pm.

“Archival Ink Transfer Prints by Bob Bryden” at The District Kitchen and

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

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

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

as an artist, designer, and map-maker to combine vibrant, layered color and multiple dimensions to recreate the places he visits. “Making Maps: A Revisit” runs through June 16.

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

through June 15th.

Located at 200 Hanover Street, across from Wilson Center. Open Monday-Friday 12-5pm.

Sign up at:

www.encoredeals.com

The Wilma Daniels Gallery is excited to announce the first ever CFCC Technicians Art Show. This show will highlight the work and skill of those who assist in the studio and other departments of Cape Fear Community College. Those whose work will be featured are Ashly Farley, Christof Maupin, Kristen O’Neil, Heather Lee Mclelland, and Melissa Wilgis. The Technicians Show will be up

EXPO 216

216 N. Front St, Wilmington, NC (910) 769-3899 Wed. – Sun., Noon – 6 PM www.expo216.com

Sign up to receive sweet deals right in your inbox!

and be the first to know about the best deals around town SPECIALS:

Voted Best Fine Dining 2018

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

Expo 216’s one-year expositions are theme-driven, currently addressing Death & Dying. Works by local artists, including Joan McLoughlin, Niki Hildebrand, and Janette Hopper, are on display.

Exhibits, such as The History of Funeral Care and Hair Work provide an educational element. Expo 216 is a supporter of the Wilmington music scene and provides live music during Fourth Friday Gallery Night.

NEW ELEMENTS GALLERY

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

New Elements has been offering the best of regional and national fine art and craft since 1985. The gallery is honored to welcome Wilmington artist and CFCC professor James L. Williams to the gallery. Williams combines his formal art training from the UNCG, with his fascination with cartography and architecture to create contemporary mixed-media art.

Reminiscent of Wasily Kandinsky and Paul Klee, he approaches his practice

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

ig: @rxrestaurantandbar fb: facebook.com/rxwilmington

WWW.RXWILMINGTON.COM 421 C astle s t . (910) 399 - 3080 encore | june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 17

ARTS>>THEATRE

A COMING-OUT STORY:

Panache premieres ‘Fun Home’ just in time for PRIDE Month BY: SHANNON RAE GENTRY

C

hildren often view the world through a fresh lens, buffed with love and optimism and not yet scuffed by others or harsh realities. Even if interpreted with a bit of naïveté, there’s wisdom unbeknownst to us adults, and vice versa. When adults reflect upon their childhoods, new revelations emerge. Alison Bechdel’s graphic-novel memoir “Fun Home” (2006) received much critical acclaim as a humorous yet poignant comingof-age story, which was adapted into a Tony Award-winning musical by Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori in 2009.

Michael Lauricella (ML): My husband and I saw the production three times in New York and once in Columbia, South Carolina. Each time we saw new things that were funny or touching.

Cathy Street (CS): I have not seen the show, but I was familiar with the music and had seen a couple of clips. It’s nice to have a reference point but not having seen it gives me the opportunity to . . . start from the ground up. I have spent a lot of time watching Alison Bechdel lectures and interviews to try to get a sense of who she is, and I have read her graphic novel, “Fun Home.” What a luxury to have such amazing insight into her thoughts and “Fun Home” revolves around Bechdel’s refeelings right from the book. lationship with her father, Bruce, and her comJamey Stone (JS): I was not previously ing out as a lesbian—only to realize Bruce was a closeted homosexual himself (whose familiar with the show. Once I heard what it extra-marital affairs included underage men). was about, I was fascinated. Then I heard the Four months after Bechdel reveals her sexual- soundtrack, and I fell in love the music. I went ity, tragedy strikes the family with the untimely online and watched a recording of the Broaddeath of her father. As the first Broadway musi- way show to get a feel for it. The hardest thing cal with a lesbian protagonist, director Michael is not being influenced by the choices those acLauricella is excited to bring the production to tors made. Wanting to create the character of life thanks to Panache Theatrical Productions. Bruce Bechdel that was true to the script and “Fun Home” will make its premiere just in time my research and not overly influenced by the for LGBTQIA Pride Month, June 7-17, at The actor who originated the role was something I relied heavily on the Panache creative team for.

Ruth & Bucky Stein Theatre at Thalian Hall.

“We have an amazing cast of women (and men) with very insightful takes on the women they play,” Lauricella tells. “Ultimately, the bigger challenge is playing the real Alison Bechdel as a flawed human and not a cardboard stereotype.”

e: How closely do adult actors work with younger actors to develop characters who represent the same person at different times during life?

encore (e): What’s everyone’s familiarity with the script?

e: The production tackles a lot of social and familial issues. In what ways do your characters approach them?

ML: The issues are dealt with in an honest way, but only when Alison becomes of college age. As young children, they are not aware of Going from Bechdel’s childhood to an secrets kept by their parents. (Many of us can adult, young Alison is played by Bay Alle- relate.) As the actors age, each character has bach while Cathy Street plays the adult lead. their own moments to deal with these issues.

Two other youth actors will take the stage, CS: To me this show is all about communitoo, Gabriel Homick and Jakob Gruntfest cation (and lack thereof in this family). For me, play Bechdel’s brothers. the most powerful scene is one where Alison “Bay brings a very natural manner to [young] Alison,” Lauricella observes, “a beautiful voice, and a bit of playful stubbornness to the role. Gabe is the comic relief in the family, while Jakob adds a thoughtful take and great vocals.”

and her father are in the car together. It is what turns out to be their final chance to talk about everything—finally open up about their lives, find common ground … and they just can’t do it. It is so painful. What might have they done differently if they could have?

While the Broadway musical was staged in the round, Panache’s production will not; however, it will reflect the same intimacy. As well Panache will host a “talk-back session” with the audience during the first Sunday performance.

JS: There’s places were Bruce is seriously conflicted. It’s like every once in a while, there is a brief flash of understanding in Bruce that his approach or actions are not productive.

It seems for a moment he might do the right thing, but he just can’t help himself.

e: Tell us about your characters and how encore spoke more about “Fun Home” with Lauricella, along with actors Cathy you relate to them—or not.

Street and Jamey Stone, the latter of whom CS: I grew up in a very open, communicaplays Bruce Bechdel.

18 encore |june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com

ML: It has been a joy to see the cast bond as a family throughout rehearsals. They like to sit and talk together, enjoy cookies or laughs.

I think it’s imperative for a cast to make connections outside of rehearsals. The true relationships are always reflected in good performances, especially when playing a family or the same person at different stages in life.

CS: I have the luxury of watching my “younger selves” onstage so I can observe their mannerisms, etc., and hopefully create some continuity through them.

CASTING LIGHT: From l. to r.: . Photo courtesy of Panache Theatrical Productions.

tive family as opposed to Alison, but that being said, I think we all have these bits and pieces of memories from growing up. It can be challenging to put them together and remember the context as adults. I can relate to her putting together a jigsaw puzzle and trying to put the pieces into place to make sense of her fragmented memories.

JS: There are things about Bruce’s personality I had to work hard to wrap my head around. No, I don’t know what it’s like to have to hide who you really are from everyone around you and be constantly in fear of being outed.

Other stuff [hit] a bit closer to home. For instance, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve become less self-centered, more self-aware, and more patient and tolerant of things I can’t control around me. In order to get into Bruce’s head, I had to take all of that last 20 years of personal growth and throw them in the garbage. e: As the first Broadway musical with a lesbian protagonist, is there an added pressure to “get it right,” so to speak?

CS: To me the show is about secrets; a recurring phrase is, “Listen to me.” The reason I think the sexuality is important is because it was a secret for her father, which consumed him, and ultimately made Alison’s coming-out very complicated. I don’t feel a pressure to “get it right” other than the fact I am playing a real person and I want to do her story justice. I just work from a place of finding her truth.

JS: They’re pros. It’s amazing to me how seriously they take it and how gifted they are.

Maybe I could learn a thing or two from them. e: Tell us more about the “talk-back” after Sunday’s performance.

CS: I love talk-backs because they are for the audience and go wherever the audience wants them to! It is a chance for them to have a voice and ask questions, make statements and share stories. Theatre should ideally open dialogue—and what a treat to be able to have that dialogue in an interactive format so we can all further share the experience together. e: Is there anything else you’d like to add about “Fun Home”?

JS: One of the underlying themes I love about the show is the idea that when you look at your parents through adult eyes, everything changes. Things that never made sense start to make sense. Behavioral patterns that seemed arbitrary, pointless, domineering, controlling, confusing, etc. become a little more clear when you realize your parents were products of their environment, era, societal expectations, successes, failures, and sometimes they did the best they could under the circumstances. Or sometimes as parents, frankly, they just pretty much bombed. As an adult, you have to come to terms with that one way or another.

DETAILS: Fun Home

June 7-17, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.

The Ruth & Bucky Stein Theatre at Thalian Hall • 310 Chestnut St. Tickets: $23-28 www.thalianhall.org.

STAGE LIFE

ARTS>>THEATRE

THE BARD ABIDES:

more to see

ROMEO AND JULIET

‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’ is a lovely evening of entertainment But the show was written for a female monarch; thus it is the merry wives of Windsor who get the upper hand and are the real heroines of the story. Katzmann and Watkins are delightful. They are both beautiful (it is not hard to believe that Jackson’s Ford is driven mad with love for her). They’re smart, resourceful, and they seem to enjoy a good laugh at the expense of the men in their lives (both welcome and not). How appropriate for a queen beset on all sides by men convinced she needs their guidance and tutelage. Really if these two were not convincing, the show would fall apart—no matter how funny Falstaff could be.

BY: GWENYFAR ROHLER

C

ape Fear Shakespeare on the Green (CFSOG), Wilmington’s annual Shakespeare in the Park summer experience, offers “The Merry Wives of Windsor” at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater through June.

Aside from being one of the best productions CFSOG has put on in years, it’s a free experience for folks to enjoy local theatre in the surroundings of a natural park, perhaps with a picnic and the company of family and friends.

The quiet world of Windsor is shaken up by the exploits of Sir John Falstaff (Zeb Mims), the lecherous, drunken knight. Perhaps the easiest way to explain Falstaff is to compare him to “The Big Lebowski’s” Dude—at least the Dude would aspire to be him if he could aspire to anything. Falstaff’s latest scheme involves trying to seduce married women: Alice Ford (Bailey Watkins) and Margaret Page (Tamica Katzman). Now the thing with Falstaff is, he is the gods’ gift to women—but only in his own mind and only after he’s had enough to drink to have the courage and denial to move forward. Mistress Ford and Mistress Page are not as flattered by his advances as he expected them to be and they devise a plot to humiliate the knight.

Meanwhile, Mistress Page’s household is also busy trying to negotiate the labyrinth of getting her daughter Anne (Georgia Cole) engaged to be married. As a young lady with a sizable dowry—and beauty to match—there are several contenders. Anne has her heart set on young Fenton (Aidan Malone), who doesn’t seem to have much going for him other than his ability to moon over her like a lovesick puppy. Her mother wants her to marry Dr. Caius (Murphy Turner), a French doctor who has settled in the neighborhood and gives the appearance of financial stability. Turner’s portrayal of Dr. Caius is an impassioned and terrifying experience that looks like an unholy alliance between John Leguizamo and John Cleese. It’s funny. It’s also raving mad.

Please, don’t marry that poor unsuspecting girl to a mad man. Her father (also played by Murphy Turner) has been persuaded by the local council of busy-body older men, headed

by Robert Shallow (Caylan McKay), to give Anne to Shallow’s cousin Slender (Aidan Van Nynatten)—a socially awkward and irritating little slug. But the guys like him, so of course their council is more important than his wife’s or his daughter’s, right?

As the household struggles with sorting out this major step in all their lives, Page’s friend

June 12-14, 19-20, 8 p.m.

The Bard wrote some really wonderful roles for the assembled company. Clearly, the show is fun for all, from start to finish.

Caylan McKay’s aged Robert Shallow steals all the laughs onstage with his creaky old man’s voice and a gait straight from the head of the bank in “Mary Poppins”; he nails both physical comedy and delivery.

Francis Ford (Jackson Cole) gives into his irrational jealousy and decides to visit Falstaff in disguise to see if the knight can help him determine if his wife is faithful to him.

Now Jackson is handsome, charismatic and an attentive husband—but if he would just behave like a reasonable person where his wife is concerned, he would have nothing to worry about. Instead, he is determined to create a self-fulfilling prophecy. As he leads the men of the neighborhood on absurd and embarrassing searches of his house, hoping to catch his wife in an assignation with Falstaff, one has to wonder what exactly is wrong with this man? When you have Damian Lewis, why would you hook up with James Lipton?

Shakespeare wrote “Merry Wives” in response to Queen Elizabeth’s request for something with her favorite character, Sir John Falstaff. Indeed, much of the show does hang on him. I adore Falstaff as a theatrical character, but as a friend to hang out with?

Not so much. So the portrayal of Falstaff can be completely over the top, or it can be completely real—as in a drunk, self-obsessed man with very little comprehension of how the world sees him. We all know that guy— the one who, if he put half as much effort in to earning a living as he did scheming to not have to work, would be unbelievably successful. Mims gives us the latter. Yes, his Falstaff is funny, but he plays him more toward his choices and motivation over laughs, and it makes for a better performance.

And how can you not love Mistress Quickly? As a character type, she has survived down the ages: riding a line of illegal activity with flexible morals, she is a survivor with only one loyalty. Quincey Rife plays a younger, sexier version than I am used to seeing, but her charm and charisma shine at every turn to make the career in front of her believable.

However, my favorite of the ensemble was the host of the Garter Inn (Henry Fox). Think of a bartender who really should be the front man in a jam band. He has a heart of gold and does the right thing, but he hates every minute of it. Why do people fight and make trouble when we could all just get along? Part of it is that he really does have some of the best lines in his variety of peace-making speeches and one can’t help but love him for hi aid to our young lovers. (His help is far more effective than the Friar’s in “Romeo and Juliet”).

For all the fun “The Merry Wives of Windsor” is, I am surprised it is not better known.

In many ways, it is what Kathryn Hepburn screwball comedy films always aspired to be.

The production delivers on that promise. It is a night of great fun, laughs and a lot of rejoicing. It’s a truly magical evening in the park with the Bard and this band of players.

DETAILS:

The Merry Wives of Windsor

June 15-17, 22-24, 8 p.m.

Greenfield Lake Amphitheater 1941 Amphitheatre Dr. www.capefearshakespeare.com

Greenfield Lake Amphitheater 1941 Amphitheater Drive • Free! www.greenfieldlakeamphitheater.com

The Shakespeare Youth Company presents Romeo and Juliet at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater in Wilmington, NC. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

The most famous love story in the world and written over 400 years ago remains relevant today. So many people today struggle with diversity, especially our young people.

The Shakespeare Youth Company dedicates this production to our collective youth, giving them voice in a time when our world feels more divided than ever.

MY FAIR LADY

June 6-10, 15-17, 22-24., 8 p.m., or Sundays, 3 p.m.

Thalian Hall • 310 Chestnut St. Tickets: $32 www.thalianhall.org

Book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, and music by Frederick Loewe. Adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s play and Gabriel Pascal’s motion picture “Pygmalion.” A rare musical following the arrogant phoneticist Henry Higgins, who encounters a dirty, disheveled Eliza Doolittle in Covent Garden, he proclaims that in six months’ time he can “make a duchess of this draggle-tailed guttersnipe.” The resulting clash of cultures sparks a funny and ferocious battle of the sexes and launches -both professor and pupil into a transformation that neither of them could have anticipated.

SOUTHERN FRIED BITCH June 8-July 28., 7 p.m.

TheatreNOW 19 S. 10th St. Tickets: $18-$40 (includes three-course dinner with higher priced tickets) www.theatrewilmington.com

Written by Celia Rivenbark, Nee Nichols is a cooking show star whose off-camera antics would make a sailor blush! Add in her philandering husband and two Kardashianlike kids and you never know what’s going to happen with this family. But when Nee’s rivalry with fellow cooking host Rose Ravenel heats up, will the network be able to put out the fire? (Significant profanity and naughty talk, so be warned!)

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ARTS>>FILM

DREAM SCREENINGS:

Locally filmed ‘Empire Records’ will show in downtown location, Rebellion NC

U

BY: SHEA CARVER

pon arrival to ILM as a resident, one of the first magical moments I had (aside from shucking oysters at downtown’s Icehouse, seeing the Lemonheads at the Mad Monk and scooping up CDs at CD Alley—RIP to all) was being shown the building where the cult classic “Empire Records” was filmed. It was 1995 and I was ready to take on the world at a mere 18 years young, just like my fave angsty teens of the time, Corey (Liv Tyler), Lucas (Rory Cochrane), Gina (Renée Zellweger), A.J. (Johnny Whitworth), Mark (Ethan Embry), and Debra (Robin Tunney).

Their coming-of-age story continues to garner fans (and will even more so once it becomes a Broadway musical, slated for a 2020 release). For Wilmingtonians, though, the film has more personal meaning: a testament to the bustling days of our local film industry providing an economic boom to our city. The footage of the final dance

ough (the original Michael Meyers home is in South Pasadena, CA), he has picked out quite a few horror flicks to show as part of the On Set series—some of which he admits are really bizarre.

scene and much of the interior scenes of the record store were shot at 15 S. Front St.—around then known as The Palladium in downtown Wilmington, which now houses Rebellion NC, a restaurant and bar. To mark its effect on our town and celebrate all that’s cool about Rex Manning (I mean “Say No More, Mon Amour” was filmed on Wrightsville Beach, after all), On Set Cinema has arranged a screening of “Empire Records” at Rebellion on June 9.

“‘The Strangers: Prey At Night’ will be shown at a pool [on August 25 in Falmouth, KY],” he notes, “while ‘The Mutilator’ will be at a privately owned beach house [in Atlantic Beach on September 22]. It’s all a work-inprogress; I do everything by myself. This is a total passion project!”

Filmmaker and On Set Cinema founder Kenny Caperton knows how a movie or TV show can affect a city. The tourism that comes from it alone can keep funds boosting an economy years after the film wraps.

Just look at the “One Tree Hill” conventions and Hollywood Locations Tours still housed in ILM. Caperton himself often takes vacations to places where his top-rated screeners were shot. Now he’s going in the opposite direction and bringing the films to towns that originally hosted them.

Caperton also has scheduled “The Strangers” for August 18 in Florence, SC, and will end the series on December 7 with “Final Exam” in Gaffney, SC. He wants attendees to step into a time warp, to a favorite time in their lives when they saw movies that helped them escape or related to them on a personal level.

“I’ve been wanting to do On Set Cinema for about four or five years now,” he admits. “‘Empire Records’ has always been my dream first screening. It’s one of my favorite movies of all time! I’m a teen of the ‘90s and it completely captures that era. It’s just an incredible film: great cast, great characters, great soundtrack.”

The Rebellion screening will be the first of six showings on location across the South in 2018. On July 7 On Set will screen “I Know What You Did Last Summer” at Harrell’s Department Store in Burgaw, NC. “It was where Helen Shivers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and her sister Elsa (Bridgette Wilson) worked in the film,” Caperton notes.

“It is also where one of the greatest horrormovie chase scenes ever took place. I will be screening the film in the appliance section of the store—in the exact spot where Elsa gets killed by the fisherman.”

A huge horror fan, Caperton wrote, filmed and released his own passion project, “Honeyspider,” independently and even received worldwide distribution (trailer: youtu.be/K7C1p2lHtrk). His love of the slasher-flick genre began with John Carpenter’s famed “Halloween” flicks. Caperton even purchased a Hillsborough, NC, home and renovated its exterior and some of its interior as an exact replica of the Michael Meyers’ house. The fanatic lives in the home and every Halloween throws a bash, with the 10th anniversary celebration coming up on October 27. Though he won’t be showing “Halloween” in Hillsbor-

20 encore |june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com

“Do you remember how it felt when you first saw it?” Caperton asks rhetorically.

“Maybe you were a child or possibly a teenager in high school. Did you watch it with your best friend or on a first date? Remember when your heart skipped a beat when the killer jumped out from behind the door? Or when you heard that theme music for the first time? Each time you rewatch that movie, you are somehow transported back to the first time. When you’re a true fan of something, you want to be surrounded by it and live in it if you could.”

Caperton is helping fans get closer to that goal. In Wilmington it means a bevy of locations are rife for the taking. Hundreds of films and TV shows have had camera dollies roll across its cobblestone streets. And, yes, some of the most popular—a la showing “Dawson’s Creek” first three episodes—are on Caperton’s wish list, too.

“It’s just an exciting way for fans to experience the films and shows they love up close, in person and at the filming locations where they were shot!” Caperton tells. “I basically create events I would want to go to— but I doubt Rebellion would allow me to set up a projector to watch ‘Empire Records’ in their restaurant for my own personal enjoyment—so this is the long way going about doing that.”

DETAILS:

Empire Records

Free screening • June 7, 7-10 p.m.

Rebellion NC, 15 S. Front St. myershousenc.com/onsetcinema

ARTS>>FILM

MOVIE-OF-THE-WEEK THRILLER: ‘Breaking In’ premise is good, execution not so much

W

BY: ANGHUS

ho doesn’t love a good, claustrophobic thriller? A dark, sweaty pot-boiler with characters pushed beyond their breaking points and forced to plum the depths to find the strength to overcome insurmountable odds and survive. There have been a number of fantastic contained thrillers in recent years: “Panic Room,” “Red Eye,” “Don’t Breathe,” “Hard Candy,” “Phone Booth,” “The Killing Room,” and “Buried,” to name a few. Then there are classics like “Rear Window” and “Misery.” The genre can be a lot of fun when done right—or it can devolve into a cliché-filled mess resembling a high-end Lifetime original movie like “Breaking In.” I was hoping for some cheesiness with “Breaking In.” I thought the film would have fun with its exploitative elements and showcase a bad-ass heroine the audience could cheer for. Shaun Russell (Gabrielle Union) is on her way to her father’s house to dig through his possessions after an unexpected death. She brings along her two kids to help sort out the estate. Shaun’s strained relationship with her dearly departed daddy makes things a little heavy and forces her to deal with some longburied drama.

They arrive at the house, which has been outfitted with a high-tech security system that is going off. Her old man had some secrets he wanted kept and spent a lot of money to ensure they stayed that way. Soon Shaun realizes they’re not alone. Four criminals have entered the house and cut the phone line to the security system. Mom gets trapped outside while the kids are held hostage by a random collection of criminal stereotypes. We learn the bumbling burglars only have 90 minutes from the time the phone line was cut until the security company will call the police. Can Mom outwit these low-rent criminals and save her kids?

“Breaking In” is like a reverse-engineered “Panic Room.” The criminals are on the inside and mom has to break in the house to save her kids (roll credits).

It’s not a bad set-up for a claustrophobic-contained thriller. Unfortunately, the movie never gets more interesting than the set up. The premise is novel, but the resulting story was not. We labor through Shaun’s multiple attempts to trick the

REEL TO REEL films this week CINEMATIQUE

Thalian Hall • 310 Chestnut St. 7 p.m. • $7

June 11-13, 7 p.m. (additional screening at 4 p.m. on Wednesday)—Set in Japan, Wes Anderson’s latest stop-motion animation flick, “Isle of Dogs,” follows a boy’s odyssey in search of his lost dog. Stars: Bryan Cranston, Koyu Rankin, Edward Norton.

MOTHER HEN: Gabrielle Union plays a protective mother to Ajiona Alexus and tries to save her child from burglary and harm. Photo courtesy of Breaking In Pictures

human Beagle Boys and save her kids.

There are multiple moments aimed at proving how much smarter Shaun is than the criminals, but that’s readily apparent from the film’s first 15 minutes. The guys make the crew from “Reservoir Dogs” seem like Rhodes Scholars.

The whole fun of a premise like this is seeing the lengths to which a normal person will go in order to protect and/or save someone. Take Sam Peckinpah’s excellent “Straw Dogs,” as an example. Yet, “Breaking In” is extremely tame; it never dives into glorious violence or allows Shaun to become unrecognizably brutal in her attempt to save her family. There’s a bit at the end that shows audiences her commitment, but it never seemed like her character had tapped into a dark side to achieve her goals. There was a matter-of-fact vibe to the performance that made the stakes feel remarkably low.

Speaking of low-stakes: As I mentioned, the criminals in the movie are bad at burglary and intimidation. It was like watching a group meeting for drunk driving rehabilitation. There was no sense of dread—no fear induced by the sight of a middle-aged Billy Burke or the platinum blonde 20-something who looked more like someone accused of texting dick pics to classmates. The one absolute psycho in the group was so laughably over-thetop in his scenery-chewing he never felt threatening. Even the actors playing kids

seemed unimpressed as they looked barely inconvenienced in most scenes.

There’s a couple of halfway decent moments in the movie, but they are far outweighed by a production that feels way too relaxed for the genre. What should have been a vehicle to show Gabrielle Union’s depth and range becomes a movie-of-the week thriller with no real thrills.

DETAILS: Breaking In

Rated PG-13 Directed by James McTeigue Starring Gabrielle Union, Billy Burke, Richard Cabral

June 18-20, 7 p.m. (additional screening at 4 p.m. on Wednesday)— A grieving father experiences the absurd circumstances around the death of his son in this latest critical reflection on military culture from Israeli filmmaker Samuel Maoz (Lebanon). Michael and Daphna Feldmann (Lior Ashkenazi and Sarah Adler) have barely begun to accept the horrific news about their son, when they discover that all is not what it seems.

Thank you to our loyal customers! We appreciate your 12 years of support as Wilmington’s original, all natural pet store!

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encore | june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 21

SOUTHEASTERN NC’S PREMIER DINING GUIDE

GRUB & GUZZLE

wonderful find. This is the perfect place to enjoy a fresh Seafood & Steak dinner while dinning outside overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Chef Eric invites you to experience his daily specials in this magnificent setting. (910) 256-2231.

1706 N. Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach.

■ SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER: Sun.-Sat. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wrightsville Beach ■ FEATURING: Waterfront dining ■ WEBSITE: www.holidayinn.com

Courtesy photo

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

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

OCEANIC • www.oceanicrestaurant.com

AMERICAN

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

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

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

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

features a special each night along with our favorite house entrees: Braised Beef Brisket, Mojo Pork and Mahi. All of our entrees are as delicious as they are inventive. We also have a full beer and wine list. Come try the “hidden gem” of Wilmington today. 250 Racine Drive Ste. 1, Wilmington 910-523-5362.

■ SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER: Monday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Breakfast served until noon each day!

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Daily Specials, Gluten Free Menu, Gourmet Hot Chocolates, Outdoor Patio, New Artist event first Friday of every month and Kids Menu.

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

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

BLUE SURF CAFÉ Sophisticated Food…Casual Style. We offer a menu that has a heavy California surf culture influence while still retaining our Carolina roots. We provide a delicate balance of flavors and freshness in a comfortable and inviting setting.

We offer a unique breakfast menu until noon daily, including specialty waffles, skillet hashes and unique breakfast sandwiches. Our lunch menu is packed with a wide variety of options, from house roasted pulled pork, to our mahi sandwich and customer favorite, meatloaf sandwich. Our dinner ELIJAH’S

22 encore |june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com

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

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Daily blackboard specials.

■ WEBSITE: www.henrysrestaurant.com HOLIDAY INN RESORT Oceans Restaurant located in this oceanfront resort is a

JOHNNYLUKES KITCHENBAR Good eats, good drinks, and great times is what JohnnyLukes KitchenBar is all about. JohnnyLukes KitchenBar serves Wilmington, NC a variety of 19 rotating craft beers on tap, a hand selected eclectic American wine list, fun cocktails, and of course, exceptional food. Our twostory layout brings the best of both worlds under one roof.

Downstairs at JohnnyLukes KitchenBar pair your beer or wine with our Parmesan Crusted Pork Chop, Chicken Pot Pie, Ribeye, or one of our many main entrees and sharable plates. Or, join us upstairs at JL’s Loft and pair a beer with one of our multiple burgers, JL’s roast beef sandwich, meatball sandwich, or one of our many appetizers (we recommend both!). So next time you are looking for a new and exciting restaurant in Wilmington, NC where you can experience both great craft beer and amazing food, be sure to head over to JohnnyLukes KitchenBar and JL’s Loft!

5500 Market Street, Suite 130. (910)-769-1798 ■ OPEN: JohnnyLukes KitchenBar: Mon to Sun: 11:30am to 10pm; JL’s Loft: Mon to Sun: 11:30am to 2am ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: North Wilmington ■ WEBSITE: www.johnnylukeskb.com KURE BEACH DINER George and Frankie Turner opened the Kure Beach Diner in 2012. Once located beside the old 1923 Kure Beach Pier, once Hurrican Hazel wiped out the two-story building, the pier house tackle shop moved across the lane and housed the Seaside Café. The stories of the original days and of the beach in a bygone era are still told on the Kure Beach Diner’s walls, which today is known for some of the best grits and hushpuppies around. The laidback local joint prides itself on its old-school vibe, serving American food from morning to night. 101 K Ave, Kure Beach, (910) 458-8778 ■ SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER: Breakfast is served 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. daily. Lunch and

dinner are served 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Kure Beach ■ WEBSITE: wwwfacebook.com/Kure-Beach-Diner-276729072381968 THE LAZY PIRATE The Lazy Pirate is a place where the food will hold your tastebuds down and tickle them silly, as drinks flow like an ice cold river. The menu is delicious—not pretentious. After having an ice-cold beverage—virgin or not—you can start a culinary safari with one of our delicious homemade appetizers. The epicurean’s adventure will continue with a main entree, ranging from stacked juicy burgers to fresh seafood, as well as exquisite specialty items. The diner’s last stop on this tantalizing trip, which is literally the icing on the cake, will come with a plethora of scrumptious homemade desserts only Willy Wonka could match. It’s all to be enjoyed inside or in our outside courtyard, where games and activities will make you feel like a kids again! 701 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, 458-5299 ■ SERVING LUNCH AND DINNER: Open Monday through Thursday, 5-10 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, noon - 11 p.m. through April 30, 2018.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Pleasure Island ■ WEBSITE: www.lazypiratesportsgrill.com ■ WEBSITE: www.littledipperfondue.com NICHE Niche Kitchen and Bar features an eclectic menu, a large wine list, and a warm and inviting atmosphere. Close to Carolina Beach, Niche has a great selection of dishes from land to sea. All dishes are cooked to order, and Sundays features a great brunch menu!

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

Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling 910-399-4701.

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington ■ WEBSITE: www.nichewilmington.com PINE VALLEY MARKET Pine Valley Market has reigned supreme in servicing the Wilmington community for years, securing encore’s BestOf awards in catering, gourmet shop and butcher. Now, Kathy Webb and Christi Ferretti are expanding their talents into serving lunch in-house, so folks can enjoy their hearty, homemade meals in the quaint and cozy ambience of the market. Using the freshest ingredients of highest quality, diners can enjoy the best Philly Cheesesteak in Wilmington, along with numerous other sandwich varieties, from their Angus burger to classic Reuben, Italian sub to a grown-up banana and peanut butter sandwich that will take all diners back to childhood. Served among a soup du jour and salads, there is something for all palates. Take advantage of their take-home frozen meals for nights that are too hectic to cook, and don’t forget to pick up a great bottle of wine to go with it. 3520 S. College Road, (910) 350-FOOD. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.-Fri.10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Sun. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Daily specials and take-home frozen meals ■ WEBSITE: www.pinevalleymarket.com ROADHOUSE OF WILMINGTON Roadhouse is an American-style restaurant and focuses on homemade, classic dishes, cooked to order, using fresh ingredients. They are located at in the old Saltworks building on Wrightsville Avenue and open at 8:00 a.m. for breakfast and lunch, and 5:00 p.m. for dinner. Breakfast is served 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., lunch from 11:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Look for daily specials and other important information online at www.facebook.com/roadhousewilmington, or call (910) 765-1103. Please, no reservations.

■ SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER: 8 a.m. breakfast and lunch; 5 p.m. dinner ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: facebook.com/roadhousewilmington

SPOONFED KITCHEN & BAKE SHOP Newly opened Spoonfed Kitchen & Bake Shop is bringing their love for great food and customer service to Wilmington! Spoonfed Kitchen & Bake Shop specializes in creating wholesome, delightful foods to feed your lifestyle. Please join us in our cafe for breakfast, lunch & weekend brunch.

We offer coffee & pastries, great foods to go from our deli & freezer cases (appetizers, salads, entrees & sides), bakery items (scones, cinnamon rolls, cookies, brownies, pies & more), gluten-free bakery items, and specialty market, cheeses & beverage. Catering is also available for all budets from personal to corporate to events. #feedyourlifestyle. 1930 Eastwood Road, Suite 105, Wilmington, NC 28403, (910) 679-8881. Open Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sat. - Sun. 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

■ SERVING BREAKFAST & LUNCH ■ SERVING BRUNCH: Sat. & Sun. 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wrightsville Beach ■ WEBSITE: www.spoonfedkitchen.com

The Owners of The Greeks proudly present

THE TROLLY STOP Trolly Stop Grill and Catering is a four store franchise in North Carolina. Trolly Stop Hotdogs opened in Wrightsville Beach in 1976. That store name has never changed.

Since the Wrightsville Beach store, the newer stores sell hotdogs, hamburgers, beef and chicken cheese steaks, fries, hand dipped ice cream, milk shakes, floats and more.

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

Check our website trollystophotdogs.com for hours of operations, specific store offerings and telephone numbers, or contact Rick Coombs, 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) 256-3921 Southport (910) 457-7017 Boone, NC (828) 265-2658 Chapel Hill, NC (919) 240-4206 ■ WEBSITE: www.trollystophotdogs.com

ASIAN

HIBACHI TO GO Hibachi To Go is a locally owned, family business serving only the freshest ingredients with three locations. We invite you to try our menu items at either our Hampstead drivethru location, where you can walk-up, take-out, or call in and pick up your meal or our Ogden location with dine-in or take-out options. Our new Wilmington location (894 South Kerr Avenue) offers dine-in, take-out or drive-thru service.

We’re convenient for lunch and dinner. Open 7 days 11 am - 9 pm. Our popular Daily Lunch Specials are featured Monday-Saturday for $4.99 with selections from our most popular menu items! We always have fresh seafood selections at Hibachi To Go, like delicious hand peeled shrimp, fresh local flounder and always a fresh catch fillet in-house.

We scratch make every item on our menu daily. We offer your favorite hibachi meals and some of our originals like our pineapple won tons. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for the most up to date information on Hibachi To Go. Always fresh, great food at a super good price. Hampstead Phone: 910.270.9200. • Ogden Phone: 910.791.7800 Wilmington Phone: 910-833-8841 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Open 7 days 11am-9pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, N. Wilmington, Hampstead ■ WEBSITE: www.hibachitogo.com

DAILY SPECIALS: >>>MONDAY >>>TUESDAY >>>WEDNESDAY 1/2 PRICE ENTREE

Show us your movie ticket from that day to get a second entree at half price

DATE NIGHT!

PRIX FIXE MEAL

Half price bottle of 3-course meal for one for $40. wine with the purchase Or two 3-course meals for of two entrees two for $70

>>>THURSDAY DESSERT SPECIAL!

>>>FRIDAY & SATURDAY

Free dessert with the purchase of an entree

FREE SPREAD

Show us your movie ticket and get a free appetizer with the purchase of an entree!

890 Town Center Dr. (located in Mayfaire Town Center) 910-239-9051 • www.symposiumnc.com Hours: Monday-Thursday 4pm-9pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm

INDOCHINE RESTAURANT & LOUNGE If you’re ready to experience the wonders of the Orient without having to leave Wilmington, join us at Indochine for a truly unique experience. Indochine brings the flavors of the Far East to the Port City, combining the best of Thai

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

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: www.indochinewilmington.com

Yoshi Sushi Bar and Japanese Cuisine is offering something the greater Wilmington area has never seen before: True New York Style Sushi to Wilmington, with classic sushi and sashimi, as well as traditional rolls and some unique Yoshi Creations.

We offer a variety of items, including Poke Bowls and Hibachi - and we also are introducing true Japanese Ramen Bowls! Come try it today!

Happy Hour Sun.-Thur., 4-6pm.

Featuring discounted appetizers and select sushi rolls!

Regularly priced menu items only

Displayed is our Saketini, the Princess Peach, and behind that (from left to right) is a bowl of Ramen in the Tonkostu (pork) broth. Next to that is our appetizer, Takoyaki, which is an fried round of octopus. Beside that is a Salmon Poke bowl. Beneath is the dinner portion of steak and chicken Hibachi!

260 Racine Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403 (910) 799-6799 Hours: Mon. - Sat. 11am - 10pm Sunday 12pm - 10pm 24 encore |june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com

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

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: www.nikkissushibar.com/ OKAMI JAPANESE HIBACHI STEAK HOUSE We have reinvented “Hibachi cuisine.” Okami Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse is like no other. Our highly skilled chefs cook an incredible dinner while entertaining you on the way. Our portions 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-youcan-eat sushie menu and daily specials can be found at www.okamisteakhouse.com! 614 S College Rd. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.-Thurs., 11am2:30pm / 4-10pm; Fri., 11am-2:30pm / 4pm-11pm; Sat., 11am-11pm; Sun., 11am-9:30pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: www.okamisteakhouse.com SZECHUAN 132 Craving expertly prepared Chinese food in an elegant atmosphere? Szechuan 132 Chinese Restaurant is your destination! Szechuan 132 has earned the reputation as one of the finest contemporary Chinese restaurants in the Port City.

Tastefully decorated with an elegant atmosphere, with an exceptional ingenious menu has deemed Szechuan 132 the best Chinese restaurant for years, hands down. 419 South College Road (in University Landing), (910) 799-1426.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Lunch specials ■ WEBSITE: www.szechuan132.com

YOSAKE DOWNTOWN SUSHI LOUNGE Lively atmosphere in a modern setting, Yosake is the delicious Downtown spot for date night, socializing with friends, or any large dinner party. Home to the never-disappointing Shanghai Firecracker Shrimp! In addition to sushi, we offer a full Pan Asian menu including curries, noodle dishes, and the ever-popular Crispy Salmon or mouth-watering Kobe Burger. Inspired features change weekly showcasing our commitment to local farms. Full bar including a comprehensive sake list, signature cocktails, and Asian Import Bottles.

33 S. Front St., 2nd Floor (910) 763-3172.

■ SERVING DINNER: 7 nights a week @ 5PM; Sun-Wed until 10pm, Thurs until 11pm, Fri & Sat until Midnight.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING: 1/2 Price Sushi/Appetizer Menu nightly from 5-7, until 8 on Mondays, and also 10-Midnight on Fri/Sat. Tuesday LOCALS NIGHT - 20% Dinner Entrees.

Wednesday 80S NIGHT - 80s music and menu prices.

Sundays are the best deal downtown - Specialty Sushi and Entrees are Buy One, Get One $10 Off and 1/2 price Wine Bottles. Nightly Drink Specials. Gluten-Free Menu upon request. Complimentary Birthday Dessert.

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

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

BAGELS

BEACH BAGELS Beach Bagels is the best spot for breakfast and lunch in Wilmington. Serving traditional New York Style Bagels is our speciality. We boil our bagels before baking them, which effectively sets the crust and produces a perfect bagel made with love. Don’t forget about our selection of custom sandwiches that are always made to order. Try out our breakfast options like The Heart Attack filled with Egg, Country Ham, Bacon, Sausage, and American Cheese, or the Egg-White Dun-Rite with Egg Whites, Avocado, Pepper Jack Cheese, Spinach, and Tomato. Our Boar’s Head meats & cheeses are the perfect accoutrements for assembling the perfect sandwich, every time! Check out our Cuban Chicken Lunch Sandwich, complete with Boar’s Head Chicken Breast, Ham, Swiss, Pickles, Lettuce, Mayo, and Yellow Mustard.

You can also make your own! Not in the mood for a bagel? Don’t worry, we have ciabatta bread, croissants, Kaiser rolls, biscuits, wraps, salads, bowls, omelettes, and more!

Make your lunch a combo for $1.50 more, and get a small drink, potato salad or chips, and a pickle spear. Visit us at 5906 Oleander Drive or 7220 Wrightsville Avenue right before the drawbridge to Wrightsville Beach. Look out for our third location, coming to Monkey Junction soon!.

■ SERVING BREAKFAST & LUNCH ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown and Wrightsville Beach ■ FEATURING: Homemade bagels, biscuits, croissants, sandwiches, and more!

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

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

CARIBBEAN

JAMAICA’S COMFORT ZONE Tucked in the U-shape of University Landing, a block from UNCW is Wilmington’s fave Caribbean restaurant, serving diners for over nine years. Family-owned and -operated, Jamaica’s Comfort Zone provides a relaxing atmosphere along with a blend of Caribbean delights. Our guests have graced us with numerous compliments over the years: “explosive Caribbean culinary experience”; “every year we are here on vacation—you are our first stop”; “flavors just dance in my mouth.” From traditional Jamaican breakfast to mouthwatering classic dishes such as Brownstew chicken, curry goat, oxtail, and jerk pork, our selections also include many vegetarian and select seafood options. Student meal options are $6.99, and catering options are available. University Landing, 417 S. College Road, Wilmington SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Tues-Sat., 11:45am9pm. Closed Sun. and Mon. NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown WEBSITE: www.jamaicascomfortzone.net, and follow us on Facebook or Twitter JAMAICA HOUSE SPORTS BAR AND GRILL Jamaica House provides diners with the real taste of the island! They offer a wide variety of Caribbean dishes, such as oxtail, curry goat jerk chicken, rice and beans, steamed cabbage, beef or chicken patty, and more! Their chefs and staff are dedicated to give you a real Jamaica experience every single time you walk through the door. 2206 Carolina Beach Rd. (910) 833-8347 SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Buffet hours are Tues. Thurs., 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sun., 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.

NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington

DINNER THEATRE

THEATRENOW TheatreNOW is a performing arts complex that features weekend dinner theater, an award-winning weekly kids variety show, monthly Sunday Jazz Brunches, movie, comedy and live music events. Award-winning chef, Denise Gordon, and a fabulous service staff pair scrumptious multi-course themed meals and cocktails with our dinner shows in a theatre-themed venue. Dinner theater at its best! Reservations highly suggested. 19 S. 10th Street (910) 399.3NOW (3669). Hours vary.

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

FONDUE

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

■ SERVING DINNER: 5pm Tue-Sun; open 7 days/week seasonally, May-October ■ SERVING WEEKEND LUNCH: Sat & Sun, 11:30am2:30pm, seasonally May-October

THE MELTING POT Fondue is a meal best enjoyed with friends and family, so bring them along when visiting The Melting Pot. At our gourmet fondue restaurant, we provide a full four-course fine-dining treat for hungry guests. We are an excellent choice for diners looking who want to have a few drinks with bites of chocolate and cheese. No matter the mood, we have something for all tastes. The dining adventure starts with a bubbling pot of cheese, blended and seasoned tableside. Seasoned veggies and artisanal breads can be dipped into a choice cheese, while freshly made salads cleanse the palate. Entrees are customizable, and we finish off the evening with decadent chocolate fondue. What’s not to love? 855 Town Center Dr., (910) 256-1187 ■ SERVING LUNCH AND DINNER: Open Mon. - Thurs., 5 p.m. - 10 p.m., Fri., 4 p.m. - 11 p.m., Sat., 12 p.m. - 11 p.m., and Sun., 12 p.m. - 9 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: North Wilmington, Mayfaire ■ FEATURING: Fresh veggies and meats, cheeses and breads, chocolates and other sweet treats for dipping evening of dinnertime fun.

■ WEBSITE: www.meltingpot.com

GREEK

SYMPOSIUM RESTAURANT AND BAR After moving to Wilmington Chef George Papanikolaou and his family opened up The Greeks in 2012 and with the support of the community was able to venture out and try something different with Symposium. Symposium is an elegant experience consisting of recipes that Chef George has collected his whole life. Many of the recipes are family recipes that have been handed down through the years, one is as old as 400 years old. With a blend of fresh local ingredients, delicious longstanding family recipes, and Authentic Greek cuisine Symposium is a restaurant that is unique in its cooking and unforgettable in the experience it offers. Everything on the menu is a mouthwatering experience from the charred octopus, to the lamb shank with papardelle pasta, to the homemade baklava and galaktoboureko! Happy Eating OPA!! Located in Mayfaire Town Center at 890 Town Center Dr, Wilmington, NC 28405 (910) 239-9051. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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

IRISH

THE HARP Experience the finest traditional Irish family recipes and popular favorites served in a casual yet elegant traditional pub atmosphere. The Harp, 1423 S. 3rd St., proudly uses the freshest ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible, to bring you and yours the most delicious Irish fare! We have a fully stocked bar featuring favorite Irish beers and whiskies. We are open every day for both American and Irish breakfast, served to noon weekdays and 2 p.m. weekends.

Regular menu to 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 p.m. weekends.

Join us for trivia at 8:30 on Thursdays and live music on Fridays – call ahead for schedule (910) 763-1607. Located just beside Greenfield Lake and Park at the south end of downtown Wilmington, The Harp is a lovely Irish pub committed to bringing traditional Irish flavor, tradition and hospitality to the Cape Fear area.

■ SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Greenfield Lake/Downtown South ■ FEATURING: Homemade soups, desserts and breads,

free open wifi, new enlarged patio area, and big screen TVs at the bar featuring major soccer matches worldwide.

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

■ WEBSITE: www.facebook.com/slaintemj HOPLITE IRISH PUB AND RESTAURANT Now in its eighth year, Hoplite Irish Pub and Restaurant is Pleasure Island’s favorite neighborhood spot for great food, gathering with friends and enjoying drinks. Their outdoor patio fills with sounds of local musicians on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as karaoke on Tuesdays and trivia on Wednesdays.

Offering reasonably priced homemade comfort-style pub grub, folks can dine on chicken salad sandwiches, Shepard’s Pie, Angus beef burgers, veggie burger, shrimp ‘n’ grits, homemade mac ‘n’ cheese balls, fresh-battered onion rings, fresh-made daily desserts, and so much more.

720 N Lake Park Blvd., (910) 458-4745 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Open Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. and Fri. and Sat. until midnight.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Pleasure Island ■ WEBSITE: www.hopliterestaurant.com

ITALIAN

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

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

The Italian Bistro strives to bring customers a variety of homemade items made with the freshest, local ingredients.

Every pizza and entrée is made to order and served with a smile from our amazing staff.

Their warm, inviting, atmosphere is perfect for “date night” or “family night.” Let them show you why “fresh, homemade and local” is part of everything they do. 8211 Market St. (910) 686-7774 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Sun.brunch, 10 a.m.

- 2 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Porters Neck ■ WEBSITE: www.italianbistronc.com

Wilmington’s newest upscale café • Coffee • Breakfast • Ice cream • Lunch sandwiches • Desserts • Salads

Come visit us in the River Lights Community 109 Pier Master Point, Suite #110 • (910) 833-0906 Mon. - Fri. 7am-5pm • Sat. 8am-6pm • Sun. 8am-5pm

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FAT TONY’S ITALIAN PUB Fat Tony’s has the right combination of Italian and American influences to mold it into a unique family-friendly restaurant with a “gastropub” feel. Boasting such menu items as Veal Saltimbocca, Eggplant Parmigiana, USDA Prime Sirloin, and award-winning NY style hand-tossed pizzas, Fat Tony’s is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Their appetizers range from Blue Crab Dip to Grilled Pizzas to Lollipop Lamb Chops.

Proudly supporting the craft beer movement, they have an ever-changing selection of microbrews included in their 27tap lineup – 12 of which are from NC. They have a wide selection of bottled beers, a revamped wine list, and an arsenal of expertly mixed cocktails that are sure to wet any whistle.

Fat Tony’s offers lunch specials until 3pm Monday through Friday and a 10% discount to students and faculty at CFCC. They have two pet-friendly patios – one looking out onto Front Street and one with a beautiful view of the Cape Fear River. With friendly, excellent service and a fun, inviting atmosphere, expect to have your expectations exceeded at Fat Tony’s. Find The Flavor…..Craft Beer, Craft Pizza!

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Monday-Thursday 11 am10 pm; Fri.-Sat., 11 am-Midnight; Sun., noon-10 pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: www.fatpub.com ■ FEATURING: Daily lunch specials until 3pm and late night menu from 11pm until closing.

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 highestquality ingredients in all of our food, and our dough is made daily with purified water. Voted “Best Pizza” and “Best Late Night Eatery.”All ABC permits. Visit us downtown at 125 Market Street, (910) 251-9444, in Wrightsville Beach at 1437 Military Cutoff Road, Suite 101, (910) 256-2229 and in Pine Valley on the corner of 17th and College Road, (910)

799-1399.

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, Downtown and Wilmington South.

■ FEATURING: Largest tequila selection in town!

■ WEBSITE: www.grabslice.com FREDDIE’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT Freddie’s Restaurant has been serving the Pleasure Island area since 1995. While well-known for their large portions of classic Italian food, anyone who has dined at Freddie’s will recommend their staple item: a large bonein pork chop. It’s cut extra thick from the center and has become the signature dish, served in a variety of ways, such as with cherry peppers and balsamic glaze. With traditional red -and-white-checkered tablecloths, Frank Sinatra playing in the background, Freddie’s has the reputation as one of the area’s most romantic eateries. And they’re open year-round, seven days a week at 4:30 p.m. Call for reservations for parties of five or more. 111 K Ave., (910) 458-5979 ■ SERVING DINNER: Opens daily, 4:30 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Kure Beach ■ WEBSITE: www.freddiesrestaurant.com A TASTE OF ITALY Looking for authentic Italian cuisine in the Port City? Look no further than A Taste of Italy Deli. Brothers, Tommy and Chris Guarino, and partner Craig Berner, have been serving up breakfast, lunch, and dinner to local and visiting diners for twenty years. The recipes have been passed down from generation to generation, and after one bite you feel like you’re in your mamas’ kitchen. Along with the hot and cold lunch menu, they also carry a large variety of deli sides and made-from-scratch desserts. Or, if you’re looking to get creative in your own kitchen, A Taste of Italy carries a wide selection of imported groceries, from pasta to olive oils, and everything in between. And last but certainly not least, allow them to help you make any occasion become a delicious Italian experience with their catering or call ahead ordering.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Monday-Friday 8:00am8:00pm, Saturday 8:30am-7:00pm, Sunday 9:30am-4:30pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: www.atasteofitalydeli.com ■ FEATURING: Sclafani goods, Polly-O cheese, Ferrara Torrone and much, much more!

MEXICAN

LA COSTA MEXICAN RESTAURANT With three locations to serve Wilmingtonians, La Costa is open daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m with lunch specials. Their full dinner menu (from 3 p.m. on) offers the best in Mexican cuisine across the city. From top-sellers, like fajitas, quesadillas and burritos, to chef’s specialty items, like molcajete or borrego, a taste of familiar and exotic can be enjoyed. All of La Costa’s pico de gallo, guacamole, salsas, chile-chipotle, enchilada and burrito sauces are made in house daily. Add to it a 16-ounce margarita, which is only $4.95 on Mondays and Tuesdays at all locations, and every meal is complete.

Serving the Port City since1996, folks can dine indoors at the Oleander and both Market Street locations, or dine alfresco at both Market Street locations. 3617 Market St.; 8024 Unit 1 Market St.; 5622 Oleander Dr. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun-Thurs until 11 a.m. 10 p.m.; Fri. and Sat. until 11 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown and Ogden ■ WEBSITE: www.lacostamexicanrestauranwilmington. com LOS PORTALES Taqueria Los Portales has been open since 2006, and serves street food from their heritage. It’s a perfect stop for diners looking for a great traditional Mexican dinner, with fast service in a family friendly atmosphere! The variety of meats used to prepare their tacos is the characteristic that sets the taqueria apart from other Mexican restaurants! 1207 S. Kerr Ave. 910-799-5255 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Daily 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: www.taquerialostportales.com

ORGANIC

Located on Carolina Beach Boardwalk Open weekends until Memorial Day @dohtogocb

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Friday 3pm-9pm Saturday 11am-9pm Sunday 11am-3pm

LOVEY’S NATURAL FOODS & CAFÉ Lovey’s Natural Foods & Café is a true blessing for shoppers looking for organic and natural groceries and supplements, or a great place to meet friends for a quick, delicious and totally fresh meal or snack. Whether you are in the mood for a veggie burger, hamburger or a chicken Caesar wrap, shoppers will find a large selection of nutritious meals on the a la carte Lovey’s Cafe’ menu. The Food Bar—which has cold, organic salads and hot selections—can be eaten in the newly expanded Lovey’s Cafe’ or boxed for take-out. The Juice Bar offers a wide variety of delicious juices and smoothies made with organic fruits and vegetables. Specializing in bulk sales of grains, flours, beans and spices at affordable prices.

Lovey’s has a great selection of local produce and receives several weekly deliveries to ensure freshness. Lovey’s also carries organic grass-fed and free-range meats and poultry. wheat-free and gluten-free products are in stock regularly, as are vegan and vegetarian groceries. Lovey’s also carries Wholesome Pet Foods. Stop by Lovey’s Market Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 am to 6 p.m.. Located at 1319 Military Cutoff Rd in the Landfall Shopping Center; (910) 509-0331.

“You’ll Love it at Lovey’s!”

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Café open: Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.(salad bar open all the time). Market hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: North Wilmington in the Landfall Shopping Center ■ FEATURING: Organic Salad Bar/Hot Bar, Bakery with fresh, organic pies and cakes.

■ WEBSITE: www.loveysmarket.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 its growing popularity, the restaurant has expanded from its flagship eatery in Monkey Junction to a second location in Porter’s Neck, and coming soon in 2017, their third location in Waterford in Leland. “We are a dedicated group of individuals working together as a team to serve spectacular food, wine and spirits in a relaxed and casual setting,” restaurateur Evans Trawick says. “At CFSC every dish is prepared with attention to detail, quality ingredients and excellent flavors. Our staff strives to accommodate guests with a sense of urgency and an abundance of southern hospitality.” Cape Fear Seafood Company has been recognized by encore magazine for best seafood in 2015, as well as by Wilmington Magazine in 2015 and 2016, and Star News from 2013 through 2016. Monkey Junction: 5226 S. College Road Suite 5, 910-799-7077. Porter’s Neck: 140 Hays Lane #140, 910-681-1140. Waterford: 143 Poole Rd., Leland, NC 28451 ■ SERVING LUNCH AND DINNER: 11:30am-4pm daily; Mon.-Thurs.., 4pm-9pm; Fri.-Sat., 4pm-10pm; Sun., 4pm8:30pm.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, north Wilmington and Leland ■ WESBITE: www.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, 910799-3847.

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: North Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Acclaimed ■ WEBSITE: www.catchwilmington.com

Wine

List

DOCK STREET OYSTER BAR Voted Best Oysters for over 10 years by encore readers, you know what you can find at Dock Street Oyster Bar. But we have a lot more than oysters! Featuring a full menu of seafood, pasta, and chicken dishes from $4.95-$25.95, there’s something for everyone at Dock Street. You’ll have a great time eating in our “Bohemian-Chic” atmosphere, where you’ll feel just as comfort able in flip flops as you would in a business suit. Located at 12 Dock St in downtown Wilmington. Open for lunch and dinner, 7 days a week. (910) 762-2827.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 7 days a week.

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

■ WEBSITE: www.dockstreetoysterbar.net MICHAEL’S SEAFOOD’S RESTAURANT Established in 1998, Michael’s Seafood Restaurant is locally owned and operated by Shelly McGowan and managed by her team of culinary professionals. Michael’s aspires to bring you the highest quality and freshest fin fish, shell fish, mollusks, beef, pork, poultry and produce.

Our menu consists of mainly locally grown and made from scratch items. We count on our local fishermen and farm-

ers 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 CookOff, 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 seafood and more!

■ WEBSITE: www.MikesCfood.com

NC, located across from the public docks at Wynn Plaza.

The best sunsets on Wrightsville Beach! The restaurant is accessible by boat! Serving lunch and dinner daily. Limited reservations accepted. 100 South Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Beach, (910) 256-4646 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Open daily, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Mondays.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wrightsville Beach ■ FEATURING: Homemade, Southern-inspired fine cuisine, with the freshest ingredients, for both lunch and dinner.

■ WEBSITE: www.southbeachgrillwb.com

OCEANIC Voted best seafood restaurant in Wilmington, Oceanic provides oceanfront dining at its best. Located in Wrightsville Beach, Oceanic is one of the most visited restaurants on the beach. Choose from a selection of seafood platters, combination plates and daily fresh fish. For land lovers, try their steaks, chicken or pasta dishes. Relax on the pier or dine inside. Oceanic is also the perfect location for memorable events, such as wedding ceremonies & receptions, birthday gatherings, anniversary parties and more. Large groups welcome. Private event space available. 703 S. Lumina Avenue, Wrightsville Beach. (910) 256.5551.

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

■ WEBSITE: www.OceanicRestaurant.com

STEAM RESTAURANT AND BAR Steam is bringing American cuisine to Wilmington using locally sourced goods and ingredients. With an extensive wine and beer selection, plenty of cocktails, indoor/ outdoor seating, and beautiful views of the Cape Fear River, Steam is the area’s new go-to restaurant. Reservations recommended. Open seven days a week!, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

9 Estell Lee Pl, (910) 726-9226 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Lunch: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Dinner: 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Bar: 11 a.m.-Until. Menu Bar: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: www.steamrestaurantilm.com

THE PILOT HOUSE The Pilot House Restaurant is Wilmington’s premier seafood and steak house with a touch of the South. We specialize in local seafood and produce. Featuring the only Downtown bar that faces the river and opening our doors in 1978, The Pilot House is the oldest restaurant in the Downtown area.

We offer stunning riverfront views in a newly-renovated relaxed, casual setting inside or on one of our two outdoor decks. Join us for $5.00 select appetizers 7 days a week and live music every Friday and 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, FriSat 11am-10pm and Sunday Brunch 11am-3pm. Kids menu ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Riverfront Downtown Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Fresh local seafood specialties, Riverfront Dining, free on-site parking ■ MUSIC: Outside Every Friday and Saturday ■ WEBSITE: www.pilothouserest.com

SANDWICHES

HWY 55 BURGERS, SHAKES AND FRIES Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries in Wilmington—on Carolina Beach Rd.—is bringing a fresh All-American diner experience with never-frozen burgers, sliced cheesesteaks piled high on steamed hoagies, and frozen custard made inhouse every day.

Founded in Eastern North Carolina in 1991, Hwy 55 reflects founder Kenney Moore’s commitment to authentic hospitality and fresh food. Lunch and dinner is grilled in an open-air kitchen, and they serve you at your table—with a smile. 6331 Carolina Beach Rd., (910) 793-6350 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Monday - Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. .

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

■ WEBSITE: www.hwy55.com/locations/wilmington-carolina-beach-rd

■ WEBSITE: www.rxwilmington.com

hour catering available.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: Check us out on Facebook!

SPORTS BAR

SOUTHERN

CASEY’S BUFFET In Wilmington, everyone knows where to go for solid country cooking. That place is Casey’s Buffet, winner of encore’s Best Country Cookin’/Soul Food and Buffet categories.

“Every day we are open, somebody tells us it tastes just like their grandma’s or mama’s cooking,” co-owner Gena Casey says. Gena and her husband Larry run the show at the Oleander Drive restaurant where people are urged to enjoy all food indigenous to the South: fried chicken, barbecue, catfish, mac‘n’cheese, mashed potatoes, green beans, chicken‘n’dumplings, biscuits and homemade banana puddin’ are among a few of many other delectable items. 5559 Oleander Drive. (910) 798-2913.

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

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

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

■ SERVING BRUNCH & DINNER: Tues-Thurs, 5-10pm; FriSat, 5-10:30pm; Sun., 10am-3pm and 5-9pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown

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

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

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

■ WEBSITE: www.CarolinaAleHouse.com

TAPAS/WINE BAR

THE FORTUNATE GLASS WINE BAR The Fortunate Glass is an intimate venue showcasing globally sourced wines, plus creative small plates and craft beers. The serene ambiance is created by the beautiful wall mural, elegant glass tile bar, castle rocked walls and intimate booths. There are wines from all regions, with 60 wines by the glass and 350 wines available by the bottle. The food menu consists of numerous small plates, fine cheeses, cured meats and decadent desserts that will compliment any wine selection.

■ SERVING DINNER & LATE NIGHT: Tues. - Thur., 4 p.m.

- midnight; Fri., 4 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Sat., 2 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. - midnight.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown, 29 S Front St. ■ FEATURING: Weekly free wine tasting Tues., 6 - 8 p.m.

Small plates, and wine and beer specials.

■ WEBSITE: www.fortunateglass.com

J. MICHAEL’S PHILLY DELI The Philly Deli celebrated their 38th anniversary in August 2017. Thier first store was located in Hanover Center—the oldest shopping center in Wilmington. Since, two more Philly Delis have been added: one at Porters Neck and one at Monkey Junction.

The Philly Deli started out by importing all of their steak meat and hoagie rolls straight from Amoroso Baking Company, located on 55th Street in downtown Philadelphia!

It’s a practice they maintain to this day.

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

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

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

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

■ NEIGHBORHOODS: Carolina Beach and Downtown ON A ROLL ■ FEATURING: Daily lunch specials. Like us on Facebook!

Roll on into OAR—a fusion of American-Jewish■ WEBSITE: www.TheShuckinShack.com Italian deli fare, interspersed in seasonal specialties with a Southern accent.

SOUTH BEACH GRILL Every customer will receive freshly made-to-order South Beach Grill has served locals and guests on Wrightsville Beach since 1997 with consistent, creative cuisine— sandwiches, wraps and salads, with the freshest of Southern-inspired and locally sourced, from the land and ingredients, all to ensure top quality. And when the place is sea. Diners can enjoy a great burger outside on their patio hopping, it is well worth the wait.

Whether choosing to dine in or take out—we deliver!— for lunch or experience the unique, eclectic, regional dinners crafted by their chef. The chef’s menu highlights the On a Roll is the downtown deli to enjoy homemade grub. bounty of fresh Carolina coastal seafood right at their front Come make us your favorite! 125 Grace Street, (910) 622door. South Beach Grill overlooks the scenic anchorage on 2700 Banks Channel, located on beautiful Wrightsville Beach, ■ SERVING LUNCH: Open Mon-Sun., 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. 24-

encore | june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 27

40 BEERS ON TAP Great beer needs some great food to go along with it, and we’ve got both! We also have a Lil’ Tappers Kids Menu, so bring the whole family to OTap.

7324 Market Street 910-821-8185

Monday - Thursday: 11:00 am - 12 midnight Friday - Saturday: 11:00 am - 1:00 am Sundays: Noon - Midnight

www.ogdentaproom.com Sunset Cruises • 6 nights a week!

Boarding at 7pm • Departure @ 7:30 • $27

The Sunset is our backdrop for an incredible time on the river. Sit back with a tasty libation from the bar and let all your worries float away.

Tuesday & Wednesday - Champagne Sunset Cruise: Champagne with a souvenir cup included Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday - Sunset Cruise with LIVE Music

e

BEST OF 2 0 1 7

W I N N E R

Visit us on the Riverwalk!

212 S. Water Street

910-338-3134

info@wilmingtonwt.com

Complete Schedule: wilmingtonwatertours.net

BAR ON BOARD WITH ALL ABC PERMITS HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE

28 encore |june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com

Follow us

Early Flight Excursion (previously known as Black Water Adventure)

Friday & Saturdays @ 9am ~ $27 This is one of our most popular cruises. This excursion will take you approx. 7 miles up the NE Cape Fear river, giving you an up close adventure with nature & wildlife, with narration. Help us count the osprey & take a peak at their baby chicks. This cruise is 1 hr 45 min. Fresh brewed coffee & the best Bloody Mary on the river available from our full bar.

Fathers Day

Hot Dog Cruise Sunday June 17th @ 12noon 90 min • $30 Get out of the backyard & onto the water.

Hot Dogs & all the trimmings catered by Bon Appetit.

NIBBLES & SIPS

GRUB & GUZZLE>>REVIEW

STEAM RISES:

foodtastic events

FREE WINE TASTING

Embassy Suites’ eatery plates tasty, local New American fare

B

Wednesdays, 7 p.m.

Sweet n Savory Cafe 1611 Pavilion Pl. www.sweetnsavory.cafe

BY: ROSA BIANCA

eing the face of food at the newest, most anticipated riverfront hotel is a hefty amount of pressure. Luckily for us, Steam rose to the challenge.

Every Wednesday we uncork six wonderful wines for you to sample.

Come with friends, chat and relax after a hard day of work. Order some amazing appetizers or something for supper. Come a little later to catch Benny Hill Jazz starting at 7 p.m.

It’s not uncommon in a beachy tourist destination for restaurants to quickly and carelessly throw open their doors, sloppily put together a menu, and superficially crown themselves “best in town.” My first visit to Steam happened to be within 48 hours of their soft opening—and from the very first fabulously fried Carolina oyster I enjoyed on New Year’s Eve to the luscious crab cake I devoured last week, the flavors and care put into each dish have remained (and reigned) supreme.

There were a few hiccups during my first dining experience (a too-sweet cocktail, a few confused checks), which I bring up for several reasons: Other than the fact it was NYE and they UPDATE ON A COBB: Traditional Cobb Salad were brand-spanking new, our party included receives an update with shrimp and lump crab meat over a dozen people. Point: Steam handled our at Steam. Photo by Tom Dorgan loud, rowdy party like pros, so paired with divine food, I knew I’d be back for more. ferred—always a plus when we don’t have to be Diners should not miss the drink menus. Be- the one to make all the suggestions. The only hind the bar stands a true mixologist who can part of the salad’s description a touch misleadcraft to order. Plus, the drafts are diamonds—Os- ing was the Carolina prawns. The shrimp were kar Blues Ted Fidy Imperial Stout and occasional chilled and simply seasoned, but (at least in my opinion) prawns signify an oversized crustacean rotating local brews. and Steam’s appeared to be fairly average-sized Steam’s interior is spacious and classy, with- large shrimp. Overall, the salad was a rock-star out feeling stuffy or pretentious. The best seats light lunch. The mixed greens came generously in the house are on the enclosed patio, perfect to dressed in slightly creamy vinaigrette (go for it share a quiet lunch or hang by the bar and catch tossed), and the crunchy bacon, fluffy chopped a sick summer view of the river without sweating egg, and sweet crab made for glorious forkfuls through your clothes. of happiness.

Price-wise, the tabs add up to be pretty much With crab cakes being my go-to comfort food, what is expected for a hotel restaurant. That the menu item was a no-brainer. The generbeing said, while younger, millennial-ish locals ously sized patty came on a bed of lardon-laced might not be regular guests, for special occa- creamed corn with a refreshing fennel-jicama sions or dropping in at cocktail hour, Steam is citrus salad. My only grievance was the execusteaming up the Port City. tion of the plating. As far as looks go, the lightly

browned crab cake floating in the luxurious sea of golden creamed corn was beautifully balanced by the brightness of the salad’s vibrant citrus segments in the salad. Though it was gorgeously presented, having the moist, velvety creamed corn against the rich, creamy crab cake resulted in the two melding together more than I would have preferred. The bottom of the patty lost its crispness. Completely taking that out of the equation, (had, for example, the creamed corn been on the side) every element was practically flawless with flavor. The corn was hearty yet fresh, the citrus salad added a bright crunch, and the The “Cape ‘Cobb’ Salad” caught my date’s inside of the crab cake was swimming with barely eye (they had him at bacon). Our server deany filler—yet lots of necessary aromatics like scribed the buttermilk vinaigrette as zesty with fresh parsley and chopped chives. hints of cayenne. He offered it on the side if preMy date and I dropped in for a midday meal on the patio and I’m pleased to say, from start to finish (customer service to full meal), everything was exceptional. Our young male server was attentive, knowledgeable and genuinely kind. With the dining room mostly bare, he could have slacked but instead chose to be professional and courteous, while answering all of my specific menu questions with grace and detail.

Major nods for hiring a team whose thoughtfulness matches the quality of the overall restaurant itself.

A comfort-food homerun came with the “No Temp Burger Burger.” Although they only say it twice, it will feel more like three layers of delicious beef on this colossal handheld, which is basically Steam’s spin on the classic Big Mac. Had I not been so busy licking the special sauce out from in between each finger, I would have given it a massive round of applause. The everything brioche bun was dotted with toasty onion crisps and poppyseeds and offered an ideal burger-to-bun ratio. It was fluffy without being overly thick or bready, and the house bread-and-butter pickles were tart and sweet, alongside thinly sliced white onion, gooey American cheese and a tangy spread. Each bite was as addictive as the next.

The patties were juicy, but don’t expect a pink medium-rare—hence the name. The meat is meant to be griddled thin and well done.

Speaking from experience, the from-scratch chips are hard to beat, but the Caesar (also entirely house-made) was cold, garlicky, creamy, and everything wanted and needed in a traditional salad.

Hungry yet?

DETAILS:

Steam Restaurant and Bar

9 Estell Lee Pl. (inside Embassy Suites) (910) 765-1888 Sun. - Thurs., 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Fri. - Sat., 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.

(910) 726-9226 steamrestaurantilm.com

CATCH THE FOOD TRUCK

Thurs., June 7, 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Flytrap Brewing 319 Walnut St. www.flytrapbrewing.com

Flytrap Brewing will host Catch the Food Truck on June 7, which will serve up their famed white truffle and Parmesan Brussels sprouts, not to mention a slew of delish fish tacos, among other items.

Plus, live music will be performed

by Hank Barbee, singer-songwriter and guitarist. Free to attend; cash and/or credit for booze and food.

encore | june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 29

JUST BEACHY WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH

SUMMER 2018 ALOHA TIKI!

Y

es! It’s true—you can board up five of your closest friends and hop aboard Aloha Tiki Charters for an afternoon of imbibing and water fun! The water vessel is a tiki bar, also called the Tiki Alpha, and goes out three times a day on two-hour excursions. Each trip departs from Bradley Creek Marina to explore the local channels and waterways behind Wrightsville Beach.

Bring your own beer and food, and sail away your troubles. Book it today: (910) 262-3399 or www.alohatikicharters.com.

GNOME ART EXHIBIT

A

re you ready for a gnome invasion?

Historic Airlie Gardens will be transformed into an art exhibit come July 6, with giant 5-foot gnomes (yes, you read that right) peppered throughout the maincured landscape. Whether or not these guys will be into mischief is yet to be determined, but the fiberglass gnomes will be artistically decorated and adorned by local artists. Cost is $3 to $9 during garden hours.

AIRLIE CONCERTS TOUCH TANK nderneath the four-century-plus-old TUESDAY Airlie Oak are tons of lawn chairs and

U

umbrellas, picnics and cocktails, and lots of bodies dancing to the sounds of live music during summers at Airlie Gardens (300 Airlie Rd.). Every other Friday through September, the historical gardens host local bands to play a bevy of music, including jazz, rock, beach, blues, funk, and soul.

Tickets: $3 (children 4-12) to $9. Next up is June 15: Massive Grass. Full schedule: airliegardens.org.

N

C Coastal Federation (309 W. Salisbury St.) welcomes the public every Tuesday through August, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., to learn about plant and marine life.

Participants will be able to hold purple sea urchins, red and green algae, blue crabs, orange horse conchs, and more. It’s free but donations are welcome to continue educational programming. Call 910-509-2838 ext.

204 for more information.

30 encore |june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com

WECT SOUNDS OF SUMMER

M

usic permeates the island thanks to the WECT free concert series event taking place Thursday, June 14 through August 2. The park welcomes picnics, lawn chairs and blankets, but no alcohol. Bands will include Southern Trouble, Striking Copper, Machine Gun, Sonic Spectrum, Overtyme, Port City Shakedown, Bantum Rooster, and The Imitations. More info: www.townofwrightsvillebeach.com.

WB FARMERS' MARKET

E

very Monday through October 29, at the Wrightsville Beach Municipal Grounds, food vendors, alongside arts and craft vendors, line up to sell their wares at he WB Farmers’ Market. Bring cash to enjoy treats from Great Harvest Bread Company, Panacea Brewing Company, Sea Love Sea Salt, Shipwrecked Seasonings, 2 Chicks with Scents, Alchemy Ranch and many others!

O'NEILL SWEETWATER PRO-AM

C

ome August 18-20, Wrightsville Beach will welcome the East Coast’s second largest surfing contest. Amateurs and pros alike will attend the three-day event (past competitors include Rob Machado, Fisher Heverly and Avon Cormican).

As part of the event, live bands often play WB Park on Saturday, and arts and craft vendors set up, alongside a kids’ zone. Find out more on the event Facebook page.

LUMINA DAZE

A

ugust may be winding down the summer, but it’s also still hot to trot with the annual Lumina Daze celebration slated for the 26, 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Taking place at Blockade Runner, the event hosts a swing contest, live music from Wilmington Big Band, Dixieland All-Stars, and beach music with The Imitations. It’s the annual fundraiser for Wrightsville Beach Museum of History, with tickets only costing $35. More info can be found at wbmuseumofhistory.com/events/lumina-daze.

A New Way to Café

1127 Military Cutoff Rd. Suite C (Next To Boombalattis)

Hours: Monday - Saturday 8:00am - 8:00pm • Sunday 9:00am - 8:00pm

Kids Eat Free! with purchase of adult entree

14-inch one topping $7.99 25% off online orders Code: MJ25

P calzo izza, pa and nes, sa sta, m hom e de mies, liver y!

5120 S. College Rd. • 910-792-0000 Monkey Junction, Carolina Beach 3501 Oleander Dr. #2 • (910)228-5999 UNCW, Downtown and Market Street

W NO NG! I R I H 7041 Wrightsville Ave. • (910)679-8386

Now Open

Wrightsville Beach

Mon.-Thurs. 11 am- 9 pm Fri. & Sat. 11 am - 10 pm Sun. 11:30 am - 9 pm ORDER ONLINE: http://antoniospizzaandpasta.com encore | june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 31

JUST BEACHY PLEASURE ISLAND

SUMMER 2018 BOARDWALK MUSIC SERIES

MOVIES BY THE CB LAKE

P

E

FAMILY NIGHT

STORY TIME

BY THE SEA

leasure Island summer officially kicks off with their free weekly fireworks display and live music series every Thursday. On June 7 they welcome rock and classic rock by Rivermist out of Fayetteville, NC. A good place to post up for the show and fireworks display is on the historic Carolina Beach Boardwalk near the gazebo stage. Music starts at 6:30 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9 p.m. Check Facebook for weather delays, changes and updates.

T

he Broccoli Brothers Circus is coming to the Carolina Beach Boardwalk Gazebo on Tuesday nights. Folks can bring the entire family for free from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to enjoy a bounce house, face painting, entertainment, characters, crafts and more. While the Broccoli Brothers Circus will return again on June 26 and August 7, other acts are lined up throughout the summer, all of whom can be found at pleasureislandnc.org.

ver wonder what Fluffy and Snowball do all day? On June 10, you can find out in “The Secret Life of Pets” (PG), which screens at Carolina Beach Lake Park.

This kid-friendly flick is about a favorite pet’s life turned upside-down when his owner brings home a sloppy mongrel. Folks are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs and BYO food and beverages, or purchase cotton candy, popcorn, candy, soft drinks and more. Free. Movie starts at dusk.

J

oin Carolina Beach’s very own princess and her fairytale friends for free “Fairytales and Dreams by the Sea” at Kure Beach’s Ocean Front Park. From 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. every Wednesday morning through August 29, there will be stories, crafts and games, plus photo ops with the princess herself.

32 encore |june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com

TURTLE TALK

L

iving in a coastal community means sharing the beach and ocean with wildlife, so why not learn about them?

Threatened and endangered sea turtles nest and hatch on our beaches from May until October. Folks can learn how they can help protect them at the Monday night sea turtle talks from June 11 - August 27 at 7 p.m. Presented by Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project, these talks are free at the Kure Beach Pavillion. For more info, email info@ seaturtleproject.org. Next event is June 11.

CASH BINGO

S

ay it with me: B-I-N-G-O! Sure, it’s fun to play, but even more so when there’s cash involved, right? From the first ball called at 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., each Wednesday night is a chance to win at Boardwalk Cash Bingo. Early bird games are $5, regular is $10 or both for $15, with prizes ranging from $25-$75. For an additional $5 bucks, folks can play Big Cash Bonanza to win $200. Come with daubers and don’t forget the tape, so those bingo cards don’t go flying across the Boardwalk!

KB FARMERS' MARKET

O

pen Tuesdays, Kure Beach Market welcomes shoppers from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. until August 28 at Kure Beach Ocean Front Park. Folks can chat with farmers while they shop for locally grown produce. They can also meet the artists who hand craft goods and specialty items. It’s totally free to attend, though, you better bring cash to rack up the wares.

JEWELRY AND MIMOSAS!

T

he crafty-at-heart can let their creative juices flow while sipping on mimosas at Island Beverage (1206 N. Lake Park Blvd.), starting at 1 p.m. on June 10.

For $25 crafters get all the materials they need to make a pair of leather, silk or chain earrings. To top it off, they’ll sip on a sparkling mimosa for an extra kick of fun! Call 910-707-1423 to sign up.

Our steaks are FULLA BULL and tender as a mother’s love!

open 7 days a week lunch: 11 A.M. - 2: 30 P.M. dinner: 5 P.M. - 9 P.M.

12 s. lake park blvd., carolina beach 910-707-0321

www.thesqueezesteakandseafood.com

The Most Fun On Pleasure Island.

We Have Something For Everyone.

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10 S. Lake Park Blvd.

Carolina Beach

Open 7 Days A Week 6:30am - 9:00pm

CORN HOLE • BEACH VOLLEYBALL CRAB SHACK & OYSTER BAR INDOOR & OUTDOOR SEATING

910-599-1555

701 N Lake Park Blvd., Carolina Beach • 910.458.5299 • www.lazypiratesportsgrill.com

LIVE MUSIC FRIDAYs SATURDAYs and SUNDAYs

MAJIK BEANZ

••• ••• FRIDAY, JUNE 8: Chillin’ Dixie (Carolina Country Beach Bash) ••• ••• SATURDAY, JUNE 9: DJ and Randy Jones of the Village People (Rock & Roll Dance Party ••• ••• SUNDAY, JUNE 10: D.H.I.M. (Reggae Festivus)

Coffee • Assortment of Flavored Beans • Fruit Smoothies • Frappe • Ice Cream

come by today for a yummy treat or a little pick me up.

We have the best coffee, espresso, lattes and Ice cream.

See ya soon!

encore | june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 33

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

Downtown Wilmington’s Riverfront Farmers Market

DOWNTOWN - Each Saturday

March 31st - November 17th • 8:00am - 1:00pm (no market Apr. 14 & Oct. 6)

DOCK, DINE & DRINK NOW OPEN! The best Waterfront view in downtown Wilmington!

• Daily Drink Specials • Scratch Made Menu • Great Selection of Wine & Cocktails • 30 NC Beers On Tap - FRUITS - VEGETABLES - PLANTS - HERBS

- FLOWERS - EGGS - CHEESES - WINE

- PICKLES - KOMBUCHA - ART & CRAFTS

For more information: www.riverfrontfarmersmarket.org

encore 34 encore |june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com

- MEATS - SEAFOOD - HONEY - BAKED GOODS

$5 HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS: weekdays 4-6pm & 10pm-close 18 Harnett St. by land, Port City Marina by water.

Live music every Thursday from 6-9 PM in the Boat Yard benefiting NHRMC Foundation

• 5/31 — Dos Eddies • 6/7 — Machine Gun

Live music every Sunday from 1-4 PM 6/3: Signal Fire 6/10: Massive Grass 6/17: Zion Roots 6/24: Sons of Paradise

EXTRA>>WRITING

REAL TALK, REAL WRITING:

Athenian workshop teaches writers how to be emotionally exposed

ers similar themes as Abraham’s book, such vulnerability as a black female artist in a predominantly white or male arena. With today’s political climate, Rae sees a lot of value in this kind of writing. People who are open to letting down their guards can inspire others to step out into the limelight to share their stories.

BY: MEL BEASLEY

“A

piece of writing is vulnerable when it exerts a feeling without being overcompensated by metaphors, excessive wordiness, and flowery language,” explains Munazza Abraham, a poet and the leader of the next writing workshop at Athenian Press. The class is one of many planned at the small nonprofit organization this year.

Fluffy writing can sometimes act as a sheet to cover up the organic essence of what an author may have intended to share originally.

“Exposure is how we break open the self and get to the heart of the matter,” Rae says.

“I think vulnerability humanizes the writing and makes it more approachable—humanizing is so important to connect and bridge gaps. . . . By being as personal as possible, we can tackle political and social issues in a unique way.”

Although metaphors can be useful for writers, they can sometimes detract from the clarity of the author’s message. Abraham says she’ll discuss why writers shouldn’t “smother” their pieces with too much of this language. More specifically, she plans to focus on vulnerability and how writers channel their emotional exposure so their work connects with readers who may have similar life experiences.

Rae is currently working on her second and third books. She plans to concentrate on sexuality, her childhood and desires—that which motivates her in the current political climate. Rae will sit in on the workshop to offer supportive participation for Abraham and attendees, and possibly offer feedback to

“We never know how many lives we can THE REVEAL: Poet Munazza Abraham will lead touch until we put ourselves out there and a writing workshop at Athenian on June 9 and 16. reach,” Abraham says. “Not only should we Photo by Marie Otero write our truth but remember and capture the feeling of that truth.”

On the second day, participants will have Currently, an employment counselor at the opportunity to present their writing samStepUp Wilmington—which helps people ples. Abraham and workshop peers will give overcome unemployment, poverty and ecoconstructive feedback on the pieces. “We’ll nomic instability—Abraham uses her love of discuss how to use the full depths of one’s writing by facilitating empowerment sessions voice by tapping into emotion, tone, breath, with prose and poetry. She hopes to encourand restraint,” Abraham says. age individuals to claim their strength and Director and founder of Athenian Press success. Already in 2018 she self-published a 48-page chapbook, “Dear Vagina… Forgive and Workshops, Khalisa Rae, met Abraham Me,” of personal spoken-word pieces. The when they worked together at The Carousel collection of poetry and confessions focus on Center—a nonprofit resource for children taboo thoughts and behaviors, unique to the who have fallen victim to child abuse. As female condition. With a master’s degree in spoken-word artists—an artist who publicly clinical psychology from Capella University, performs writing pieces with a focus on word Abraham says she plans to study for her PhD play, inflection and intonation on stage—Rae in the fall at the University of Baltimore Mary- and Abraham often found themselves readland as a clinical-community psychology PhD ing their work in the same spaces around Wilmington. student.

The poetry workshop will span over two days; she will focus on cutting fluff in writing on the first day. Participants will be given a writing prompt, or they can free-write their own or bring a personal draft to edit during the workshop to practice the technique.

“Wilmington is small and only has a certain number of places to perform and read your work,” Rae says. “There are very few black women poets in Wilmington as well, so Munazza and I connected instantly for that reason.”

No stranger to vulnerable writing tech“We’ll cover how to dig deeper and convey the truth beneath the metaphor,” Abraham niques, Rae self-published a collection of tells. “Participants will take a given metaphor spoken word poetry in 2014 called “Real Girls Have Real Problems,” which she also to extend and fully express it.” brought to stage earlier in the year. It cov-

participating writers as needed and pulling personal craft techniques from her own tool belt as a published author. Athenian Press will host more workshops to center around unique aspects of craft not often discussed.

Those with facilitation experience, teaching backgrounds or writers with published works are leaders Athenian looks to work with in the future.

Folks interested in attending Munazza Abraham’s poetry workshop can do so on June 9 and 16 starting at 6 p.m. Entrance requires a $7 to $10 donation.

DETAILS:

Munazza Abraham Poetry Workshop June 9 and 16, 6 p.m.• $7-$10 Athenian Press and Workshops 2231 Wrightsville Ave. (910) 769-3824 athenianpw.org

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www.KidsBowlFree.com We are an OFFICIAL PARTICIPATING CENTER

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encore | june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 35

EXTRA>>BOOKS

CARPE LIBRUM:

Welborn publishes a good beach read about local landmarks, people and places BY: GWENYFAR ROHLER

W

ilmington’s literary community keeps gaining accolades (two National Book Awards nominees in 2015) and attention in the press. With multiple established publishers in the state (Algonquin, John F. Blair) and new smaller presses gaining traction (Eno, Bull City), it is timely to shine a light on discussions around literature, publishing and the importance of communicating a truthful story in our present world.

Welcome to Carpe Librum, encore’s biweekly book column, wherein I will dissect a current title or maybe even an old book—because literature does not exist in a vacuum but emerges to participate in a larger, cultural conversation. I will feature many NC writers; however, the hope is to place the discussion in a larger con-

text and therefore examine works around the world.

Crazy Beach: Disc One L. R. Welborn 2018, pgs. 368

LR. Welborn has put together a memoir that reads like a Simpson’s episode if it traced Bart from age 11 to 16. Set in and around Carolina Beach in the late 1960s, it is a fabulous coming-of-age tale, told in first person. Welborn uses events as the spine of the narrative—surrounding he and his friend Davey sowing away in a VW camper bus Davey’s sister and her boyfriend took to Woodstock. The sister and boyfriend didn’t notice their additional passengers until Richmond, VA. In spite of a forced confessional phone call home, Welborn and his buddy were still among the youngest gate crashers at the mythic music festival. Their adventure is interspersed with tales of exploits around the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, including young love and entrepreneurship.

Locals familiar with local history will realize parts of the memoir read like a greatest hits list. He spends time around a campfire with Mister Robert, also known as “The Fort Fisher Hermit.” The hermit was one of North Carolina’s star tourist attractions, and his death remains one of the great unsolved crimes in our area. Our protagonist works at Britt’s Donut Shop— the landmark of the Boardwalk. The description of the donut-making process is mouthwatering and intensifies any latent donut cravings. He also doesn’t shy away from some tougher parts of our history: When did “The Academy,” as he refers to the private high school in the area, start and why? Why did some of his friends go to school there and others didn’t?

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

16 Cold Draft Beers

36 encore |june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com

For all the crazy escapades he recounts, (and some of them are very crazy—like crazy to the point of questioning the wisdom of putting them in print), what emerges is actually a very touching and compelling story of young consciousness.

In the midst of his exploits, he has to make choices, live with the consequences, and learns a lot about himself and what he thinks is important. Young love isn’t easy, but it is a rite of passage that sets the tone for so much of how we view personal relationships that come afterward. Though

Welborn is at best an anti-hero in his own memoir, he does it all as a gentleman with a big heart.

There are several pieces of the picture that make this book compelling—and I mean compelling. By the last six pages I told both of my dogs they were going to have stop asking for a W-A-L-K until I finished!

Welborn writes exactly the way he speaks. Reading the book is like spending an afternoon with him telling stories.

There is no fourth wall. There is not narrative distance. He also grows as a storyteller as his character experiences more and understands more of what is occurring around him. That’s not easy to pull off in prose, especially with a memoir. Jeanne Houston does it really well in “Farewell to Manzanar.” Welborn accomplishes it, too, and the audience grows with him.

Now, I admit: There are a lot of reasons I am predisposed to like “Crazy Beach”: Volkswagens, for one. The spine tale of the book involves traveling cross-country in a camper van to, of all places, Woodstock. It’s like someone wrapped up two of my favorite preoccupations and put them in one book. There is also a dog that belongs to one of Welborn’s friends.

Obviously, I would be hooked. But his descriptions of seeing the acts at Woodstock live are worth every penny: Santana and his epic set; the author’s homage to Janis Joplin and what seeing her live was like. With the Stones still touring, it can be hard for some of us to really realize with Pearl we are talking about less than a decade of performances. Are you going to stay awake for The Who? What about when Abbie Hoffman burst onto stage in the middle of their set? His description of a sleepy morning electrified by Jimi Hendrix and caped with a dip in the pond—in lieu of a shower before loading up the van to start the long drive back to Carolina Beach—it’s like a magical morning that will stay with you forever.

It’s the time of year that people talk about “beach reading,” and, well, L.R. Welborn has produced a different take on it. It will change the way you think of Carolina Beach and remind you why adventure is what makes life worth living, whether you are 11 or 55.

www.encorepub.com

CROSSWORD

Creators syndiCate CREATORS SYNDICATE © 2017 STANLEY NEWMAN

THE NEWSDAY CROSSWORD

WWW.STANXWORDS.COM

6/18/17

Edited by Stanley Newman (www.StanXwords.com)

FOR FATHER’S DAY: Featuring phrases in one family

by Gail Grabowski ACROSS 1 Barton of the Red Cross 6 Party thrower 10 Bucks and bulls 15 Microwave setting 19 Valentine bouquet 20 Disney chief 21 Thrifty, in brand names 22 Sprinkler attachment 23 Oust 24 Courtroom statement 25 Upscale Honda 26 Stir up 27 High point in excellence 30 Gem from Australia 31 Hence 32 Lightning attractor 33 Winter bug 34 Provide permanent funding for 36 Justice Sotomayor 38 Without much clarity 40 Dives like an eagle 44 Research survey 49 Brazilian dance 53 Physics particle 54 Pretends to be 55 Brownish photo tint 56 Tangible honor 57 Heeds 60 Touchdown stat 61 Still to be decided 62 Troublesome entanglement 64 Prop up 66 Software for 37 Down 68 “Benevolent” brothers 69 All-you-can-ride fair promotion 73 Cashless deal

77 78 79 81 85 88 90 91 92 94 95 96 101 102 103 107 110 111 113 115 118 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133

Scoundrel Lower oneself, in a way Camel cousin Burning Outdo in performance Grand __ National Park Drill bit Ruled, as paper Pakistan neighbor Hieroglyphics reptile Lock of hair West Coast catch Radio crackling Hair-raising Gets wind of Antagonist Org. once headed by Tim Kaine Briny expanse Herbal drinks Industry mogul Altruistic business philosophy Tomato type Any Elvis tune Pre-euro currency Acapulco pal Much of the time Fruit skins Unrepaired Not noteworthy Swelter Wins over Fully protected Public row

DOWN 1 Crinkly fabric 2 Aficionados 3 Hard Italian cheese 4 Surmise, colloquially 5 Regarding 6 Hulking herbivore 7 Stared at

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 28 29 35 37 38 39 41 42 43 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 58 59 63 65 67 70 71 72 73 74

Clairvoyant Vehicles on the road Antony’s apology S&L customer Donald Duck nephew Erstwhile energy giant Good-for-nothing Make more accessible Earring shape About 3/4 of Russia “Now that you mention it . . .”

Haus wife Ticklish Muppet Admits (to) Apple tablets Moolah “Oh no!”

Bumbler’s comment Ballet bend Deck chair strip Tell-all book, perhaps Hotel area Accounting figure Designer Mizrahi Unvaried USAF truant Gospel writer French arm Pull hard Detection from the air Hot-spring resort Swordplay weapon Potpie morsel Story for storage Seal up again with cellophane Admission of defeat Urge on Hourly pay

75 76 77 80 81 82

Hotshot pilots Golf standards Freshwater minnow Carpentry machine Swiss range Ferrari’s former parent company Ancient Andean Say again Spanish gold Rate of walking

83 84 86 87

89 93 97 98 99 100 104 105 106

Fresh Air airer Superfluous Frozen treats Duncan of the Obama cabinet Actor Cage British bloke Extremely small Purify Former name of Ho Chi Minh City

108 109 111 112 114 115 116 117 119 120 121

Free-for-all Mountain music Calligraphy stroke Obliterate Mall tenant Zodiac creature Defender of Dreyfus Frenzied Caplet, for instance Travel document Plows into

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

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HAPPENINGS & EVENTS ACROSS WILMINGTON

TO-DO CALENDAR

events

HDWM ARTISAN MARKET

Join us every Sunday until Oct. 28 along the scenic, historic Wilmington riverfront for a weekly artisan market featuring some of Wilmington’s finest artists and crafts people.You’ll find everything from fine art to functional with a diverse assortment of painters, illustrators, woodworkers, metal workers, upscale crafts and more! Located at Riverfront Park on N. Water Street between Market and Princess from 10am-3:30pm every Sun., weather permitting. This is a City of Wilmington event. Riverfront Park, 5 N. Water St.

WILLARD STREET POP-UP MARKET

June 9, 11am-9pm: Live music from Masonboro Sound (12pm) and Wax Imperials w/ JaggerMouth

(9pm). More than 50 local arts and crafts vendors set up all day at Satellite, in the South Front district.

Food truck onsite! Free admission; beer/food/wares individually priced. 120 Greenfield St.

charity/fundraiser TROLLY STOP FLAG DAY

June 14, 11am: All sales of food and drinks at Trolly Stop Hot Dogs on June 14th, 2018, will be donated to the Friends of the Battleship North Carolina for ongoing restoration and education projects. There will be Friends volunteers on-site to sell flags and answer questions about the ship and about Friends of the Battleship memberships. Come out, buy a dog and a drink, and support the Battleship North Carolina! Trolly Stop Hot Dogs, 4502 Fountain Dr.

MASQUERADE BALL

June 15, We are so excited to present our first Annual Masquerade Ball to benefit Make-A-Wish Eastern NC! There will be live music, hors d’oeuvres, and of course, wine! Dance the evening away and help make a child’s wish come true. Don’t forget your mask! Sponsored by Wilmington Wine and the Bellamy Mansion Museum. All proceeds to benefit Make-A-Wish Eastern NC. Bellamy Mansion Museum, 503 Market St.

SUMMER OF LOVE

June 15, 7pm: Dust off your best flower power duds and let your freak flag fly at the grooviest party of the summer. Dance to the far out music of the Cosmic Groove Lizards Munchies catered by Bon Apetit Have a “summer of love” drink at the BAC cash bar Prizes for best dressed and best dancers. Brooklyn Arts Center, 516 North 4th St.

FRIENDS OF BATTLESHIP DAY

June 16, 9am: The Friends of the Battleship are hosting several events to promote membership at the Battleship and honor the mission of the Battleship North Carolina. With admission to the ship, there will be free specialty guided tours of the Battleship offered from 10-12 and 2:00-3:30. There will be two free presentations about World War II German UBoats off the Mid-Atlantic Coast, at 12:30 and 4:00 PM. There will be a picnic in Battleship Park, with food trucks from Trolly Stop Hot Dogs and Ironclad Brewery, from 4:00-9:00 PM. At 7:30, there will be a free showing of a classic World War II film (TBD).

Bring picnic blankets and chairs. 1 Battleship Rd.

music/concerts SUNSET MUSIC CRUISES

Live music along the Cape Fear River aboard Wilmington Water Tours at the sunset; various musicians and cruises weekly. www.wilmingtonwatertours.net or call us at (910) 338-3134. 212 S. Water St.

LELAND CONCERTS AT THE PARK

All ages! Bring a blanket or a lawn chair, beverages, and your friends and family! Local food trucks will be on site selling food! Please remember, no smoking or e-cigarettes are allowed on Town property.

Thurs., 6:30-8:30pm. Free! May 10 Chocolate Chip & Co. (soul, etc.) w/Poor Piggy’s Food Truck. May 24 The Tams (beach) w/T’Geaux Boys Food Truck.

June 7 Gump Fiction (The Ultimate 90s Tribute) w/ Tasty Tee’s Snack Shack Food Truck. Leland Municipal Park, 102 Town Hall Dr.

BOOGIE IN THE PARKS

Sun.: 5-7 p.m. (1st/3rd Sun., May through Oct.).

Bring your beach chair or blanket and enjoy free, live music by the sea! Free and open to the public!

Ocean Front Park, 105 Atlantic Blvd.

OPEN-MIC AT TIDAL CREEK

Comedians, singers, songwriters, poets, yodelers!

Come out the co-op on Wednesday night & show us what you got! Free coffee & tea for all performers! Mic is yours from 6 pm until about 8:45! Hosted by the always entertaining Bob Sarnataro, this open mic is a laid back, no pressure opportunity for performers of all kinds to stretch those creative muscles. All ages welcome. Tidal Creek Co-op, 5329 Oleander Dr.

SUNDAY SCHOOL UNDERGROUND

June 10, 8pm: Sunday School Underground is a collective of like minded DJs with interest in growing the underground electronic music scene. Every Sunday, we commune at the Juggling Gypsy Cafe to preach beats and vibes that will fill your soul. The Juggling Gypsy has the right atmosphere to cater a chill underground community of DJs. Located on the corner of 16 St. and Castle St. Come smoke a hookah, try one of the many craft beers, bounce around the patio, or just lounge with the beats. Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St.

ANNEX SINGER-SONGWRITER SESSION

June 13, 7pm: Five amazing local artists will be performing original tracks, live and unplugged, in the

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BAC’s original 1910 schoolhouse: Jim Nelson, Haley Heath, John Fonvielle, Todd Dengler and Vicki Burton. The Annex is set up perfectly for live music, and you won’t want to miss the comeback of Songwriter Sessions—now happening quarterly, every second Wednesday. A&M Red Food Truck will be outside ready to provide guests with their famous sliders and tacos, and the BAC Cash Bar will be open and fully-stocked inside. $5 at the door; doors at 7pm, and the show will begin at 8. Free parking!

Brooklyn Arts Center, 516 North 4th St. DOWNTOWN SUNDOWN

Concert series presented by Outdoor Equipped runs each Friday night through August 31. Free concerts are from 6:30pm to 10pm and feature both local performers and touring bands. June 15: Operner Stick Em Up w/headliner Tuesday’s Gone (Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute). Wristband sales benefit the nonprofit: New Hanover Cheerleading. Outside beverages, food, coolers and dogs are prohibited.

Rain or shine, so check Facebook for updates. Riverfront Park, 5 N. Water St.

LCAC CONCERT W/JEANNE JOLLY

June 15, 7pm: Jeanne Jolly’s artistry encompasses the heartfelt confessional quality of the singer-songwriter tradition, the earthiness of American roots music, a hint of jazz sophistication, and the smoldering emotionality of soul balladry. http://jeannejolly.com.

Tickets can be purchased online at eventbrite.com and in person at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way

theatre/auditions ROMEO AND JULIET

June 12-14, 19-21, 8pm: Cape Fear Shakespeare proudly continues the 25 year tradition of bringing free Shakespearian performances produced specifically for the outdoors. The 2018 season opens with a reimagining of “Romeo and Juliet,” as perform by Shakespeare Youth Company. The most famous love story in the world and written over 400 years ago remains relevant today. Dedicated to our collective youth, giving them voice in a time when our world feels more divided than ever. Rain or shine; capefearshakespeare.com. 910 399 2878. Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre, 1941 Amphitheatre Dr.

MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR

June 15-17, 21-24, 8pm: Cape Fear Shakespeare proudly continues the 25 year tradition of bringing free Shakespearian performances produced specifically for the outdoors. The show follows the fumbling adventures of Sir John Falstaff a rascally knight, with a lusty eye on two very married women.

Feminine wit, strength, and wisdom prevail as these very merry wives teach him a very merry lesson.

Rain or shine; capefearshakespeare.com. 910 399 2878. Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre, 1941 Amphitheatre Dr.

MY FAIR LADY

June 6-10, 15-17, 22-24, 8pm or 3pm on Sundays.

Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, and music by Frederick Loewe. Adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s play and Gabriel Pascal’s motion picture “Pygmalion.” A rare musical following the arrogant phoneticist Henry Higgins, who encounters a dirty, disheveled Eliza Doolittle in Covent Garden, he proclaims that in six months’ time he can “make a duchess of this draggle-tailed guttersnipe.” The resulting clash of cultures sparks a funny and ferocious battle of the sexes and launches -both professor and pupil into a transformation that neither of them could have anticipated. Tickets: $32. (910) 632-2285 or www.thalianhall.org. Thalian Hall Cen-

ter for the Performing Arts, 310 Chestnut St. FUN HOME

Panache Theatre presents the premiere of “Fun Home”—winner of five 2015 Tony Awards and based on Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic memoir. In this groundbreaking musical, graphic novelist Alison dives deep into her past to tell the story of her father. Moving between past and present, Alison relives her unique childhood playing at the family’s funeral home, her growing understanding of her own sexuality, and the looming, unanswerable questions about her father. “Fun Home” is a refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes, directed by Michael Lauricella and featuring a cast of Wilmington favorites plus several new faces (including three young actors under the age of 13!). June 7-17, Thurs.-Sat., 7:30pm, and Sun., 3pm. First Sunday performance features a talk-back where the audience is invited to stay for a post-show discussion with the cast and creative team of the production.

Tickets are $23-28 and are available at www.thalianhall.org. Ruth & Bucky Stein Theatre at Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St.

COME ALIVE!

June 15, 6pm: Dedicated students of Wilmington Conservatory of Fine Arts are proud to bring you an evening of performing arts. Through a selection of classical ballet favorites, a tribute to the famed modern dance trailblazer, Isadora Duncan, and a collection of scintillating ensemble performances inspired

by The Greatest Showman, which, according to Roger Ebert, is an “unabashed piece of pure entertainment…celebrating diversity, and the importance of embracing all kinds.” Come Alive! with the Wilmington Conservatory of Fine Arts! Wilson Center, 703 N. 3rd St. Tickets: www.capefearstage.com.

SOUTHERN FRIED BEACH

ed on Town Property. Concessions will be available for purchase. June 2: Despicable Me 3; June 16: Leap. Free, no registration required. Leland Municipal Park, 102 Town Hall Dr.

art MEET LOCAL ARTISTS

Meet working artists, and see their works in progress. Everything from sculptures to fine jewelry in this unique location. Free parking, fun for everyone.

Over 45 artist’s works to enjoy. Free, and we participate in the 4th Friday Art Walks, 6-9pm, 4th Fri. ea. mo. theArtWorks, 200 Willard St.

WEIGHT OF WALLS

“The Weight of Walls” art show by Nathan Verwey now hanging at Coworx in The Cargo District. Open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm. On display through July 30.

1608 Queen St.

FOURTH FRIDAY GALLERY NIGHT

Fourth Friday Gallery Nights, Wilmington’s premier after-hours celebration of art and culture, 6-9pm, fourth Friday of ea. month. Features art openings, artist demonstrations, entertainment and refreshments. Administered by the Arts Council of Wilmington & New Hanover County, numerous venues participate. Full list: artscouncilofwilmington.org

NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE

Journey through this mirror-lined chamber housing an array of LED lights. The viewer walks toward a light but at the last minute is diverted to the main room. Lethe, chance art by Leslie Milanese, depicts the first recorded NDE (Plato, 381 BC). Expo 216 gallerium, 216 N. Front St. Wed-Sun, noon-6pm, 910-769-3899, www.expo216.com

LIFE ITSELF

Closing June 8: Life Itself is a prevalent theme throughout both artists’ work. Topher’s printmaking work depicts scenes and figures from everyday life. Within his pieces, technological effects on people and the world around them are also represented. Kristen’s mixed-media drawings and paintings utilize human and botanical subjects. In her more current work, she aims to create harmony between the flora and their illustrated likenesses, via synthesis and movement. In both development and style, Kristen and Topher approach their processes with an interactive, gestural fervor, to produce highly dynamic and expressive compositions. MC Erny Gallery, 254 North Front St. WAKING FROM DREAMS

June 14, Join us for a special champagne toast and reception at Platypus & Gnome Restaurant to celebrate the paintings of Mark Gansor Decorative Painting and our partnership with Checker Cab productions and local restaurants. Reception is free and open to the public. 910-769-9300. Platypus & Gnome, 9 S Front St.

dance LEARN TO SWING DANCE

June 9, 3pm: Libraries Rock!” is the theme for Summer Reading 2018 at New Hanover County Public Libraries. Members of the Cape Fear Swing Dance Society are helping kick things off with this free hour of swing dance lessons at Northeast Library! No registration is required for this free event.

Right after this dance lesson, proceed to Northeast Library’s Paynter Auditorium for a couple of hours dancing to the music of the 208th Army Band’s Kool Kats swing band! Annice Sevett at asevett@

Written by Celia Rivenbark with Kevin Parker directed by Beth Swindell at TheatreNOW, Jun 8-Jul 28, Fri.-Sat., 7pm. Doors open at 6pm. Tickets $20$46 with discounts for seniors, students, military and groups. Nee Nichols is a cooking show star whose off-camera antics would make a sailor blush! Add in her philandering husband and two Kardashian-like kids and you never know what’s going to happen with this family. But when Nee’s rivalry with fellow cooking host Rose Ravenel heats up, will the network be able to put out the fire? (Significant profanity and naughty talk, so be warned!) Dinner and show tickets, served with a three-course meal, $46. Showonly tickets available, $20. www.theatrewilmington. com. TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10th St.

DRAM TREE AUDITIONS

June 11-12, 7pm: Auditions for Dram Tree’s “Romeo and Juliet” scheduled to run Oct. 25-28 and Nov 1-2 at Thalian Hall, downtown Wilmington, as part of the 160th anniversary of the original opening of the theatre. Don Baker will be directing the production the multi-racial production, embracing “color-conscious casting, reflecting the heritage and culture of each actor to help illuminate the story and the theme.” No previous acting experience in Shakespeare is required but certainly welcome. Participants will be asked to read a selection from “Romeo and Juliet.”

Hannah Block Community Arts Center, 120 South 2nd St. Advance audition appointments are not required. 910-762-3545. www.dramtreeshakes.org

film MOVIES IN THE PARK

All ages on Saturday at sunset. Join us in the park and watch a family movie under the night sky. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs, a picnic and your family, but please no pets or alcohol. Smoking is also prohibit-

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nhcgov.com or 910-798-6371. NHC Northeast Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd. CAPE FEAR CONTRA DANCERS

Come on out for two hours of energetic, contemporary American country dancing with live music by Box of Chocolates band—fiddle, percussion, guitar, dulcimer, bass, mandolin and more! Dress cool & comfortable, soft-soled shoes. All ages. 2nd/4th Tues, 7:30pm. United Methodist, 409 S. 5th Ave.

ADULT HIP-HOP CLASS

Adults in the Wilmington NC area are invited to join Dance Instructor, Krystal Smith for a weekly dance party, in this fun hour of fitness, wellness, and Happy (Hip Hop) Dancing! No previous experience needed. These classes provide both exercise and enjoyment for “Beginners” as well as experienced dance students. “Drop-In” to enjoy this fun opportunity at your convenience, and only pay for the classes you attend. $12 for 1 class; $50 for 5; $80 for 10. $80. www.thedanceelement.com. 7211 Ogden Business Ln. #205

SHEA-RA-NICHI AFRICAN CLASS

Community African Dance Class with Shea-Ra Nichi the first Saturday through June, 10:30-12pm, for a Community multigenerational African dance class.

Open to anyone in the community to encourage those who may not be able to afford African dance class regularly. No pre-reg. required. Sliding Scale $5 - $15 per person (by honor system). Shea-Ra Nichi at shearanichi@gmail.com or 910-474-1134.

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

DANCING WITH YOUR LIBRARY

June 9, 4pm: Break out your dancing shoes and get ready to move! Libraries Rock is the theme for Summer Reading 2008, and this free dance party is the kickoff event for adult readers. No registration is

needed to attend. Live music from the 208th Army Band’s Kool Kats swing band will keep your toes tapping as you jive, swing, groove, shag, or twostep the afternoon away. Friends of the Library will offer refreshments, and librarians will push information about special summer programs. Annice Sevett at asevett@nhcgov.com, 910-798-6371. NHC Northeast Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd.

comedy OPEN MIC

The wildest open mic in town ... anything goes. (except cover songs). Stand-up comedy, slam poetry, video, live music, odd talents—performances of all kinds. Hosted by 6-beer Steve. Sign up, 8pm, and runs all night. Juggling Gypsy 1612 Castle St. ILM, (910) 763-2223 daily after 3pm for details. jugglinggypsy.com.

COMEDY BINGO

Brent Blakeney headlines comedy bingo at Dead Crow, Tuesday nights, 8pm. Free show featuring the best comics from all over the Southeast, all while playing bingo along with the words they say! Win prizes and enjoy discount tacos! Hosted by Louis Bishop with in-booth side kick comedian Lew Morgante. Dead Crow Comedy Club, 265 N. Front St.

GRUFF GOAT COMEDY

On the first Wed. ea. month, Gruff Goat Comedy features Three Guest Comics Under a Bridge. No Trolls. Waterline Brewing Company, 721 Surry Lane

PRIMETIME COMEDY

Come see some of North Carolina’s best stand-up comedians in a world class venue! This month our super talented performers are: Brett Williams, Cordero Wilson, Grant Sheffield, Louis Bishop, and Tyler Wood. Hosted by: Wills Maxwell. N Front Theatre

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(formerly City Stage), 21 N Front St. CAROLINA COMEDY CUP

Wed. 9pm: Comedy King of the Carolina’s, Louis Bishop, will be bringing the Carolina Comedy Cup to the Lazy Pirate again this year. Louis started this well-anticipated Comedy Show here over 6 years ago and it is now the longest-running independent Comedy Competition in the Carolinas. More than 50 aspiring comics will be competing for beloved CCC Trophy and a grand prize of $500. For more details on the show and how to compete contact Louis Bishop. facebook.com/louisbishopcomedy.

Lazy Pirate Island Sports Grill, 701 N Lake Pk Blvd.

LUCKY JOE COMEDY SHOW

First Sat. ea. month is free comedy show at Lucky Joe Craft Coffee on College Road presented by Regretful Villains. The show features a new style of stand-up called Speed Joking. Come enjoy a night of laughs and find your Comedic Soulmate! 1414 S College Rd.

DEAD CROW COMEDY ROOM

June 8-9, 7pm/9:30p: Raised in New Jersey, Rich Vos is a no-holds-barred performer who destroys in comedy clubs around the country. A comedian’s comedian, he can be heard regularly on Opie and Jimmy and as a guest on the most popular podcasts including WTF with Marc Maron and Rogan.

• June 12, 7pm/9:30pm: Johnny Pemberton will next be seen in the upcoming film “Action Point” for Paramount premiering on June 1st, and the upcoming NBC series “I Feel Bad,” which premieres this Fall. Johnny is an actor, writer and comedian, who was most recently seen starring in the Phil Lord and Chris Miller Fox series “Son of Zorn.” Johnny also recurs on NBC’s hit series “Superstore.” • June 15, 7pm/9:30pm: Brooklyn born Brian Scolaro is an actor and stand-up comedian. He got his start at the The Comedy Cellar in NYC, and he is most known

for his appearances on “CONAN”, his half hour Comedy Central special “Comedy Central presents: Brian Scolaro”, as Doug on TBS’s “Sullivan and Son,” and as Stuart on FOX’s “Stacked”. About his role of Stuart Miller on “Stacked”, The LA Times said “Scolaro is terrific. An actual sitcom find.” About his role as Doug on “Sullivan and Son”, Brian DoyleMurray (Caddyshack) said Brian is “one of the best I’ve ever seen.” Dead Crow, 265 N. Front St. IMPROV WEDNESDAYS!

Every Wednesday you can join us at Dead Crow Comedy for Improv night. Cute Boys Club Improv gets the night started, followed by the Encore award winning Nutt House Improv. As always you can expect some cheap and delicious food and drink specials too! Admission is only $3, doors at 7pm.

265 N. Front St.

museums CAMERON ART MUSEUM

State of the Art/Art of the State: (through July 8): Focusing on contemporary art by artists currently living in, or native to, the state of North Carolina. Artists bring a single work of art to be installed in the museum, delivering the work within 24‐hour period.

No fee. During this time frame, four curators from North Carolina institutions greet each artist and talk about their work. The design of this project provides any participating artist equal opportunity to meet a significant curator working in the field of contemporary art today. CAM organized with a visual schematic for reference to the over 600 intensely installed artworks. • CAM Café open and serving delicious menu with full bar, 5pm-9pm. Tues.-Sun., 11am-2pm; Thurs. nights, 5pm-9pm 910-395-5999. cameronartmuseum.org. 3201 S. 17th St.

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH MUSEUM

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

303 W. Salisbury St. www.wbmuseum.com.

WILMINGTON RAILROAD MUSEUM

invention of the camera in 1839, there was no way to instantly capture the environment around you. In less than 200 years, cameras have progressed from complicated contraptions only used by professionals, to simple boxes with a roll of film anyone could operate, to handheld computers that create digital images shared with the world. 86 cameras and 145 photographic accessories showcases changes in technology and styles, from the late 1800s through the early 2000s. www.capefearmuseum.com/programs. $20/members; $30/non-members. CF Museum, 814 Market St.

Explore railroad history and heritage, especially of EXPO 216 the Atlantic Coast Line, headquartered in WilmingExhibit feat. end-of-life issues. Enter Grandma’s ton for 125 years. Interests and activities for all ages, House and address the elephant in the room. Pick including historical exhibits, full-size steam engine up an advance directive. Review the History of Hosand rolling stock, lively Children’s Hall, and specpice . Contemplate individual responses of compastacular model layouts. House in an authentic 1883 sion in the arena. Expo 216 gallerium, 216 N. Front freight warehouse, facilities are fully accessible and St. Wed.-Sun., noon-6pm. www.expo216.com. on one level. By reservation, discounted group tours, caboose birthday parties, and after-hours meetings or mixers. Story Time on 1st/3rd Mon. at 10:30am, only $5 per family and access to entire Museum. Admission only $9 adult, $8 senior/mili- SATURDAY STORY HOUR Miss Shannon will lead interactive story hours for tary, $5 child, ages 2-12, and free under age 2. 505 kids ages 3-6 on the first and third Saturdays of Nutt St. 910-763-2634. www.wrrm.org.

May at the Main Library in downtown Wilmington.

LATIMER HOUSE Saturday Story Hour is free and no pre-registration Victorian Italiante style home built in 1852, the reis needed. Opens with a picture book and end with stored home features period furnishings, artwork a project or activity at the end, and include time to and family portraits. Tours offered Mon-Fri, 10amplay, learn, and laugh in between. Ea. child should 4pm, and Sat, 12-5pm. Walking tours are Wed and bring a participating adult. Shannon Vaughn: 910Sat. at 10am. $4-$12. Latimer House of the Lower 798-6303. 201 Chestnut St. Cape Fear Historical Society is not handicapped acMUSEUM EXPLORERS cessible 126 S. Third St. Sat., 2pm: Ignite your curiosity! Discover history, sciBELLAMY MANSION ence and cultures of the Lower Cape Fear through One of NC’s most spectacular examples of antebelhands-on exploration and unique artifacts. Our aclum architecture, built on the eve of the Civil War by tivities are designed to stimulate curiosity and enfree and enslaved black artisans, for John Dillard courage families to have fun together. Themes vary.

Bellamy (1817-1896) physician, planter and busiIdeal for ages 5 and up. Approximately 45 minutes ness leader; and his wife, Eliza McIlhenny Harriss each time slot. Adult participation is required. Free (1821-1907) and their nine children. After the fall of for members w/admission. Cape Fear Museum, 814 Fort Fisher in 1865, Federal troops commandeered Market St. the house as their headquarters during the occupation of Wilmington. Now a museum, it focuses on MESSY HAND TODDLER ART June 7, 10am: Toddlers and their adults are invited history and the design arts and offers tours, changto enjoy a messy, hands-on art experience where ing exhibitions and an informative look at historic they focus on exploring art materials and processpreservation in action. 910-251-3700. bellamymanes, rather than on the end product. Children ages sion.org. 503 Market St. 2 to 4, and each child must be accompanied by an BURGWIN WRIGHT HOUSE adult. Everyone should make sure to wear clothes 18th century Burgwin-Wright House Museum in the that can get messy. Free but space is limited and heart of Wilmington’s Historic District, is the oldest advance registration is required. www.nhclibrary. museum house in NC, restored with 18th and 19th org or by calling 910-798-6303. Krista Dean at 910century decor and gardens. Colonial life is experi798-6368 or Raquel Fava at 910-798-6365. Please enced through historical interpretations in kitchencall for info. NHC Main Library, 201 Chestnut St. building and courtyard. 3rd/Market St. Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm. Last tour, 3pm. 910-762-0570. burgwin- KIDS STOCK June 9, noon: Did you miss our kids concert event wrighthouse.com.

Lollipopalooza in September? Well, we’re doing CAPE FEAR MUSEUM another one in the Spring...KidStock! Join us for 3 Hundreds of toys and games are on view in Playhours of peace, love and kids music as we partner Time!—classics, like Lincoln Logs, toy soldiers, an with the Misfits & Monsters Family Group and ReErector set and a Mr. Potato Head, and even old volver Music Productions who will be providing acts faves like wooden tops, blocks and dolls. Rememincluding Rainbow Bridge and others. Vendors, ber those toys that, for whatever reason, we just games and other activities to be announced. Check had to have? Some of those fad favorites like the back for more details. Wrightsville Beach Brewery, Rubik’s cube and 1960s Liddle Kiddle dolls are on 6201 Oleander Dr. exhibit along with toy figures from fast food kids’ meals. Explore toy history in custom label books. • NATURE DISCOVERY CAMP Ages: 5-7, June 11 - 15 8 a.m. – noon. $100. DeadSee NC through the eyes of Wilmington-born pholine to Register: June 1 www.halyburtonpark.com. tographer Hugh MacRae Morton (1921-2006). His Each day different habitats will be explored, learning captivating images will be featured in the traveling all about dragonflies, butterflies, spiders, snakes, exhibit “Photographs by Hugh Morton: An Uncomfrogs, toads, birds and other wildlife. Halyburton mon Retrospective,” is now open at Cape Fear Park, 4099. S. 17th St. Museum. The exhibit is on loan from the UNC Library’s NC Collection Photographic Archives and MAIDES PARK SUMMER CAMP will be on view through September 2018. • Camera Half-day, ages 5-11. $15/week. Camp runs June Collections! With today’s smart phones and digital 11 - Aug. 17, 9am–1pm (no camp the week of cameras, photography is everywhere. But until the

kids stuff

July 2). Activities include: arts and crafts, field trips, sports activities and more! Pre-registration required: www.wilmingtonrecreation.com. 1101 Manly Ave., 910.341.7867 BASKETBALL CAMP

Ages: 7-14, $30/week. Mon. June 11 - Thurs. June 14, 9am - noon. Pre-registration: www.wilmingtonrecreation.com. Fee assistance is available. If you are in need of fee assistance, please register in person at MLK Center. Fee assistance is for Basketball Camp only. MLK Community Center, 401 S. 8th St. 910.341.0057

PRESCHOOL MATH AND SCIENCE

June 14, all day: Play, learn and explore math and science concepts at this interactive storytime, which includes hand-on science experiments and exploration stations. The program is designed for children ages 3 to 6, and each child must be accompanied by an adult. It’s free, but space is limited and preregistration is required on the calendar at www.nhclibrary.org. Raquel Fava (rfava@nhcgov. com) or Krista Dean (kdean@nhcgov.com) at 910798-6368. Northeast Regional Library, NHC, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd.

DIY WIND CHIMES

June 15, 10am: Adults attending this workshop will create a wind chime out of vintage pendants to make music on a porch, as part of “Libraries Rock,” NHC Library’s Adult Summer Reading theme. This hands-on workshop is free and supplies will be provided, but space is limited. To make sure you have a seat, register on the calendar at www.NHCLibrary. org or by calling 910-798-6371. NHC Northeast Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd.

HEROES AND HEROINES

June 16, 9am: Do you think your child has what it takes to become a real superhero? There is only one way to find out! Join us to hone in on your child’s superhero powers through our specially designed, hero themed games and activities. Don’t forget to come dressed in your best superhero costume!

Event is free with regular museum admission: $9.75 for children/adults $8.75 for seniors/military $4.87 for Weekday members Free for anytime/ACM members. Feel free to wear your favorite hero outfits.

Children’s Museum of Wilmington, 116 Orange St.

SUMMER READING KICKOFF

June 16, 10am: A free concert by the Broccoli Brothers Circus in Story Park next to New Hanover County’s Main Library. Libraries Rock is the theme for Summer Reading 2008. The Broccoli Brothers Circus is a family-friendly creative/educational performance group providing positive content through music, shows, and media (www.facebook.com/ broccolibrothers). Kids can take rock star selfies, get temporary tattoos, paint kindness rocks, pick up summer reading bags, and of course Read books!

Sharky from the Wilmington Sharks will make a special appearance! Free! Jamie Schrum at jschrum@ nhcgov.com or 910-798-6303. NHC Main Library, 201 Chestnut St.

Sit back, relax and embrace the wondrous scenery of the Cape Fear waterways as we embark on this special cruise. Relax and enjoy the comfortable seating, sipping on your drink of choice, the afternoon breeze and all the relaxation that Cape Fear holds!There will be Discussion by our local Civil War expert who will bring the Civil War to life on the Cape Fear River. Seats are limited so we recommend reserving your seats. wilmingtonwatertours.net or 910-338-3134. Adults, $50; kids, $25. Wilmington Water Tours LLC, 212 S. Water St.

WALK WITH A DOC

Join us the 3rd Saturday of every month at 9am for a fun and healthy walk—held at the Midtown YMCA. Each walk beings with a brief physician-led discussion of a current health topic, then he/she spends time walking, answering questions and talking with walkers. Choose your own pace and distance. Free and open to anyone. YMCA Midtown, George Anderson Dr.

DOLPHIN SUNSET CRUISE

Bid farewell to the setting sun with a 1 ½ hour Sunset Cruise. Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours offers several versions of its famed Sunset Cruise to celebrate the sunset. All sunset cruises depart the Blockade Runner Dock. Routes vary with season, weather, and whim on the Basic Sunset Cruise but may include Masonboro Island, Bradley Creek, Money Island or some other combination. Water, marsh, Shamrock, sunset – it’s a simple combination but very satisfying. Also from experience this is the best time to sight Dolphins in the bay. $35 per adult $15 per child. RSVP: 910-200-4002 or wbst3000@gmail.com. http://wrightsvillebeachscenictours.com. Metered street parking only. Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours, 275 Waynick Blvd.

BIRDING CRUISE

Join the Cape Fear Naturalist as he guides you on an open water exploration of the Intracoastal Waterway, inlet passages, and sandy barrier islands of Wrightsville Beach and Masonboro Island. Topics will include a strong emphasis on shorebird identification and ecology, as well as coastal salt marsh function. $45 per passenger; RSVP. 910-200-4002 or http://wrightsvillebeachscenictours.com. Metered street parking only. Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours, 275 Waynick Blvd.

TIDAL CREEK TUESDAYS

Join Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours for an hour and a half boat tour focused on the ecology of local tidal creeks! We will discuss water quality, pollution sources, and the flora and fauna of the area.

While discussing the functions of our salt marshes, we will assist you in identifying local plant and bird species. $45 a person; must RSVP. 910-200-4002 to book your trip. Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours, 275 Waynick Blvd.

classes PAPERMAKING CLASSES

recreation/sports HARBOR CRUISE

CIVIL WAR CRUISE

Weds, 3pm: Set sail on the Shamrock for a cruise around Wrightsville Beach’s Harbor Island—the island which separates the barrier island of the beach proper from the mainland. Locations of historical, ecological and cultural note will be featured.

Learn what year the first buildings on Wrightsville Beach were built. Additionally, learn about the different types of marsh grasses, shorebirds, and fish we have teeming in the water surrounding the beach. RSVP rqd. $15-$25. WB Scenic Tours, 275 Waynick Blvd.

Wed., 6pm: Adults explore different papermaking techniques so you can make each sheet of paper unique. All materials included, but we encourage bringing in some of your own materials that you can include into your paper—such as flat mementos and plants. See samples on our Facebook and website. Adult and children classes held on Sat., 2pm. Sign up: www.alunaworks.com. Aluna Works, 603 Castle St.

ART CLASSES W/LOIS DEWITT

Mon. Morning Still-Life Drawing, 10am. • Mon. Afternoon Watercolor Basics, 2pm • Tuesday Afternoon Watercolor, Beachscapes, 2pm • Wed. Morn-

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ing Sketching, 10am • Thurs. Afternoon Still Life Painting, 2pm. • Sat. Morning Sketching, 10am.

Sign up: www.free-online-art-classes.com/wilmingtonncartclasses.html Sun Room Studio, 6905 Southern Exposure YOGA 101

Phyllis Rollins is a certified intermediate Iyengar teacher and practitioner of yoga for 37 years. Her classes incorporate the philosophy of yoga and the role of the mind in practice. She enjoys working with students on their individual difficulties to find avenues for growth. Phyllis is the founder of the first yoga studio in Charlotte. $30 per class. All four, $110. Friday night required for Sat. classes due to progressive nature.

ADULT CRAFTERNOONS

A new monthly meet-up for adults who enjoy crafting. Drop in on the first Monday afternoon of every month at the Northeast Library. A different usable craft project will be featured each month. Free program, with all supplies provided by a Friends of NHC Library LEAD Award. Reserve spot on calendar at www.NHCLibrary.org or 910-798-6371.

Librarian Annice Sevett: asevett@nhcgov.com or 910-798-6371. 1241 Military Cutoff Rd.

MEDITATE + CHILL

Addie Jo Bannerman, Melissa Middlebrook + Jenny Yarborough every Tuesday from 7:30-8:30pm at Terra Sol Sanctuary. We’ll guide you through a 20-30 minute meditation to help you take a deep breath. Relax. Let go. Make space. After our meditation, we’ll make space to chill. Find connection.

Talk things out. Meet + greet. No need for Netflix.

Let’s get real. All levels welcome. Terra Sol Sanctuary, 507 Castle St.

FINISH IT

Wed, 4pm: Do you knit, crochet, needlepoint, or

enjoy another craft? Got unfinished projects lurking in your closets? Bring a project to the library and work on it with other crafty people, on the first Wednesday of every month from 4-6 pm (no July date). This library group is free and no reservations are needed. Annice Sevett at asevett@nhcgov.com or 910-798-6371.NHC Northeast Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd. RESTORATIVE SOUND BATH

June 10, 6:45pm: Make time to soak up the sweetness of life! In a 2-hour restorative class, you will receive Thai therapeutics, sacred sound with instruments and voice, and meditation. Be bathed by the gentle and cosmic sounds of harmonium, guitar, singing bowls, and sacred mantra. Eddy and Mary will offer serenades as you passively receive yoga supported by blocks, bolsters and blankets in restorative postures and Thai massage-assisted yoga therapeutics. Rachael Goolsby will be offering her generous Thai Massage assists throughout. $25 adv.; $30 day of. Longwave Yoga, 203 Racine Drive #200

JUNE COASTAL AMBASSADOR TRAINING

June 11, 11am: Southeast Coastal Ambassadors will go on a saltmarsh field trip to see what is living in our local coastal waters. Participants will learn about the important roles the plants and animals play in the ecosystem and get a behind-the-scenes look at what is involved when preparing for a touch tank program. Reach out for more information: Jessica Gray, coastal outreach associate, at jessicag@nccoast.org or 910-509-2838 ext. 204. Fred and Alice Stanback Education Center, 309 W Salisbury St.

DOWNLOADING MUSIC

June 11, 5pm: At this free class you can learn to download music to your smart phone or tablet, using your New Hanover County Public library card.

Bring your device and your library card to class, and load up on tunes for summer trips! Class is free but space is limited, so please register on the calendar at www.nhclibrary.org or by calling 910-798-6301.

Natasha Francois at nfrancois@nhcgov.com or 910798-6301. NHC Main Library, 201 Chestnut St. MAKE IT MONDAYS

June 11, 1pm: The theme for Summer Reading is Libraries Rock! Pleasure Island Library invites adults who enjoy crafting to upcycle old audio CDs into coasters. This hands-on workshop is free but space is limited. To make sure you have a seat, register on the calendar at www.NHCLibrary.org or by calling 910-798-6385. Teresa Bishop at tbishop@nhcgov. com or 910-798-6385. NHC Pleasure Island Library, 1401 N. Lake Blvd.

NUTRITION ADULT PROGRAMS

June 12, 11:30am: Sample healthy foods, get a cookbook, water bottle, and spice jar to keep, and info to help control sodium, fat, and added sugar.

Learn through six engaging and interactive sessions: Marae Lindquist, 910-341-7872 or marae. lindquist@wilmingtonnc.gov. Sherriedale Morgan Boxing & Physical Fitness Center, 302 S. 10th St.

INTRO MICROSOFT WORD

June 13, 3pm: Want to get started using Microsoft Word, or brush up your skills? This free class at the Northeast Library covers the basics of using Microsoft Word to create documents. Topics will include an overview of Microsoft Word and its capabilities, basic functions, and a look at using templates.

Participants should have basic computer skills to benefit from this free class. Space is limited and registration is required; www.nhclibrary.org or 910798-6371. Annice Sevett at asevett@nhcgov.com or 910-798-6371. NHC Northeast Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd.

CROCHET IT!

June 13, 4pm: Crocheters of all levels are invited to a casual workshop hour at Myrtle Grove Library.

Experienced crocheters can bring their current projects to work on, and beginners can learn to make a basic granny square and get advice about projects that will build their next level of skills. A limited amount of supplies will be available, so if you own crochet hooks, thread, and yarn please bring them along! Hands-on workshop is free for adults and teens. Space is limited; RSVP www.NHCLibrary.org or 910-798-6391. Myrtle Grove Library Manager Patricia Dew at pdew@nhcgov.com or 910-798-6391. NHC Myrtle Grove Library, 5155 S. College Rd.

GET STONED

June 13, 7:30pm: A monthly workshop about the healing power of stones––tools found in nature that we can use as reminders for self-inspiration, healing, awareness + empowerment. The first portion of our class will be guided by Monica Sevginy who will gift each participant with a selected gemstone or crystal of the month. Monica will lead us through a brief history of the stone, its properties + meanings. Based on this, Jenny Yarborough will guide the second half of our workshop which will enable participants to place personal meaning behind the take-home stone. Using a hand-crafted paper created by local artisans at Aluna Works, we’ll each set a special intention to place with our stone to serve as daily reminders to take home. Bring your own blanket, pillow or yoga mat to sit on as our workshop will take place on the floor like a traditional yoga class. Neon Fox Studio, 201 N. Front St.

DIY WIND CHIMES

June 15, 10am: Create a wind chime out of vintage pendants to make music on a porch, as part of “Libraries Rock,” NHC Library’s Adult Summer

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Reading theme. This hands-on workshop is free and supplies will be provided, but space is limited.

To make sure you have a seat, register on the calendar at www.NHCLibrary.org or by calling 910798-6371. Annice Sevett at asevett@nhcgov.com or 910-798-6371. NHC Northeast Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd.

lectures/literary BEGIN THE CONVERSATION CLINICS

Lower Cape Fear Hospice will host free Begin the Conversation clinics from 10-11 a.m. the third Fri. of ea. mo., Phillips LifeCare & Counseling Center, 1414 Physicians Dr. Free, 18 and older, will provide attendees information and resources to think about and plan for future healthcare decisions. Attendees will receive specific strategies for initiating conversations that can significantly reduce family stress and improve quality of care. Advance directives supplied so healthcare instructions can be legally documented. Jason: 910-796-7943. jason. clamme@lcfh.org.

LIVING WITH GRIEF:

Lower Cape Fear Hospice is offering a no cost grief group for those coping with the loss of a loved one.

Living with Grief: Growth and Education Group for Adults Coping with Grief will meet Wednesdays through May 23 (no meeting on May 2). There is no cost to attend. Preregistration is required; to register call 910.796.7991. Most of us have loved and lost special people in our lives and we understand that coping with grief is a challenging process. If you and/or your friends and family are having difficulty dealing with the loss of a loved one, we are here to help. Throughout the year, we offer compassionate care, educational and enrichment opportunities

that support many types of loss in safe and familiar environments. Leland Library, 487 Village Rd. • Also meeting at 4 p.m. through May 23 on Wednesdays at Dr. Robert M. Fales Hospice Pavilion, Conference Room, 1406 Physicians Dr. LET’S TALK BOOKS

Join a different kind of book club! Weekly meeting, Wed., 11am, offers book lovers a chance to meet and compare notes about favorite books and authors. Attendance is free and advance registration is not needed, just drop in! Teresa Bishop at tbishop@ nhcgov.com / 910-798-6385. NHC Pleasure Island Library, 1401 N. Lake Blvd.

WALK WITH A DOC

3rd Sat. of every month at 9am for a fun and healthy walk—held at the Midtown YMCA. Each walk beings with a brief physician-led discussion of a current health topic, then he/she spends time walking, answering questions and talking with walkers. Choose your own pace and distance. Free and open to anyone. YMCA MIdtown, George Anderson Dr.

DISCUSSION AND DISCOVERY

Wed., 6pm: Discover women and femme identified writers! Come to our weekly book club and free write where no advance reading is necessary. Every week we will read excerpts from thought provoking essays, stories, and poems to expand our wheel house and continue our exploration of diversity.

We will be selecting excerpts from books carried in-house and delving into discussions on themes and perspectives that we may have grasped from immersing ourselves in these texts. Don’t worry, no prior reading is needed! With titles changing weekly and free writing during our discussions, Discussion & Diversity is not something you’ll want to miss out on! Athenian Bookstore & Lounge, 2231 Wrightsville Ave.

WHAT’S IN OUR WATER?

June 7, 6:30pm: On the year anniversary of the public discovery of GenX in our water supply, Cape Fear Surfrider is hosting a lively and informative panel conversation with water quality experts.

“What’s in Our Water?” will explore what we’ve learned in the last year and what’s on the horizon.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their questions to this free event. WHQR’s Vince Winkel will moderate. Panelists include: Dr. Jane Hoppin, lead researcher studying the effects of GenX; Dana Sargent, campaign coordinator for Cape Fear River Watch’s Clean Water Matters Campaign and president of the board of Cape Fear River Watch; Jim Fletchner, CEO of Cape Fear Public Utility Authority; Dr. Larry Cahoon, distinguished prof. biology and marine biology, UNCW; Dr. Jamie DeWitt, associate prof. at ECU and head of the DeWitt Laboratory in the Dep’t of Pharmacology and Toxicology; and Dr. Susanne Brander, faculty, Dep’t of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry at OSU. CFCC, Union Station Auditorium (U-170), 411 N. Front St.

MAKE IT MONDAYS!

June 11, 1pm: Summer reading is libraries rock!

Pleasure Island Library invites adults who enjoy crafting to upcycle old audio CDs into coasters.

This hands-on workshop is free but space is limited. www.NHCLibrary.org or 910-798-6385. Pleasure Island Manager Teresa Bishop at tbishop@ nhcgov.com or 910-798-6385. NHC Pleasure Island Library, 1401 N. Lake Blvd.

clubs/notices WILMINGTON FENCING CLUB

Adults meet Tues/Thurs, 7:45-9pm, and Youth

meet Wed, 6:45-7:45pm. Class is open to the community, beginners welcome, and all equipment is provided! Sessions are 6 weeks long and the cost is just $5 per class! Fencing incorporates agility, strength, coordination, balance, and timing. In fencing, physical ability is just as important as having a strong mental edge. Competitors of a fencing match wear protective gear including a jacket, glove, and head gear. Sport of fencing features three different levels, which are categorized by the type of weapon used in each level. The weapons used include the epee, foil, and the saber. Fencing is an aerobically challenging sport. In order to condition one’s body, initial fencing training consists of challenging conditioning exercises. Express YMCA, 11 S. Kerr Ave. ATHENIAN AT LARGE

Sun., 3pm: Athenian Press & Workshops is reintroducing its At Large series. Every Sunday, we will hold a town-hall style community meeting in which woman and femme creators (artists, writers, arts entrepreneurs, etc.) are invited to discuss current events. Provides an opportunity to connect with fellow creators and survivors of marginalization, and it offers a forum to use writing as healing. Each week the Athenian team invites its guest to participate in a writing prompt at the end of the meeting. Following will be Athenian Yoga with Heather Gordy, who curates a practice that allows guests to decompress, explore creativity, and reflect upon the discussion (although both events can occur independently if guests cannot attend both). Pomegranate Books, 4418 Park Ave.

BOARD

June 11, 3:30pm: Drop in to play board games at Northeast Library! This is a new family event scheduled for the second Monday afternoon of the month. Different games will be featured each month. Board at the Library is free fun for all ages,

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and you do not need to register in advance.

Leigh Thomas at lethomas@nhcgov.com or 910-798-6371. Northeast Regional Library, NHC 1241 Military Cutoff Rd. ABILITY GARDEN PLANT SALE

June 16, 9am: Don’t miss the Ability Garden’s Monthly Plant Sale! Our stock includes; Native Plants, herbs, houseplants and seasonal vegetable starts. Please support this unique therapeutic gardening program by coming out to purchase our high quality plants grown by our participants.

100% of the proceeds go back into the Ability Garden. For more information contact Heather Kelejian, Ability Garden Director at hkelejian@ nhcgov.com – 910-798-7682. NHC Aboretum, 6206 Oleander Dr.

culinary FERMENTAL

Free tasting every Friday, 6pm. Third Wed. of each month feat. musical and brewing talents alongside an open mic night, as well as the opportunity for homebrewers to share, sample, and trade their creations: an evening of beer and an open stage. PA and equipment provided. All genres and beer styles. www.fermental.net. 910821-0362. 7250 Market St.

FREE BREWERY TOURS AND TASTINGS

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

PORT CITY FARMERS’ MARKET

Tues., 5pm: Join us for a wonderful, exciting night of fun. Port City Farmer’s Market at Waterline Brewing Co. 100% local, 100% handmade.

Shop among some incredible local vendors, artists and farmers. Support small businesses in your area. Fresh local produce, beef and pork products, sweets, pickled items, handcrafted jewelry and art. Waterline Brewing Company, 721 Surry Ln.

SHAKESPEARE BRUNCH

Shakespeare brunch, Sun., 12-2pm. $20. ($8, show only). Monthly featuring a greatly abridged reading of one of Shakespeare’s classic plays.

Brunch and dessert with choice of entrée included in ticket. Drinks and gratuity not included.

Portion of proceeds donated to Shakespearean educational outreach programs. June 17: The Tempest. TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10th St. www.theatrewilmington.com.

ARIES (Mar. 21–April 20)

According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you would be wise to ruffle and revise your relationship with time. It would be healthy for you to gain more freedom from its relentless demands; to declare at least some independence from its oppressive hold on you; to elude its push to impinge on every move you make. Here’s a ritual you could do to spur your imagination: Smash a timepiece. I mean that literally. Go to the store and invest $20 in a hammer and alarm clock. Take them home and vociferously apply the hammer to the clock in a holy gesture of pure, righteous chastisement. Who knows? This bold protest might trigger some novel ideas about how to slip free from the imperatives of time for a few stolen hours each week.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Promise me that you won’t disrespect, demean, or neglect your precious body in the coming weeks. Promise me that you will treat it with tender compassion and thoughtful nurturing. Give it deep breaths, pure water, healthy and delicious food, sweet sleep, enjoyable exercise, and reverential sex.

Such veneration is always recommended, of course—but it’s especially crucial for you to attend to this noble work during the next four weeks. It’s time to renew and revitalize your commitment to your soft warm animal self.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

Wrightsville Beach Brewery, 6201 Oleander Dr, Thursdays 2-6pm, year-round, excluding major holidays. Support local farmers and artisans in the beer garden Thursday afternoons. Shop for

The coming weeks will be a favorable time for happy endings to sad stories, and for the emergence of efficient solutions to convoluted riddles. I bet it will also be a phase when you can perform some seemingly clumsy magic that dispatches a batch of awkward karma. Hooray! Hallelujah! Praise Goo! But now listen to my admonition, Libra: The coming weeks won’t be a good time to toss and turn in your bed all night long thinking about what you might have done differently in the month of May. Honor the past by letting it go.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

“Dear Dr. Astrology: In the past four weeks, I have washed all 18 of my underpants four times. Without exception, every single time, each item has been inside-out at the end of the wash cycle. This is despite the fact that most of them were ‘not’ inside-out when I threw them in the machine. Does this weird anomaly have some astrological explanation? —Upside-Down Scorpio.” Dear Scorpio: Yes. Lately your planetary omens have been rife with reversals, inversions, flipflops, and switch overs. Your underpants situation is a symptom of the bigger forces at work. Don’t worry about those bigger forces, though. Ultimately, I think you’ll be glad for the renewal that will emerge from the various turnabouts.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Between 1967 and 1973, NASA used a series of Saturn V rockets to deliver six groups of American astronauts to the moon. Each massive vehicle weighed about 6.5-million pounds. The initial thrust required to launch it was tremendous. Gas mileage was seven inches per gallon. Only later, after the rocket flew farther from the grip of Earth’s gravity, did the fuel economy improve. I’m guessing that in your own life, you may be experiencing something like that seven-inches-per-gallon feeling right now. But I guarantee you won’t have to push this hard for long.

As I sat down to meditate on your horoscope, a hummingbird flew in my open window. Scrambling to herd it safely back outside, I knocked my iPad on the floor, which somehow caused it to open a link to a Youtube video of an episode of the TV game show “Wheel of Fortune,” where the hostess Vanna White, garbed in a long red gown, revealed that the word puzzle solution was use it or lose it. So what does this omen mean? Maybe this: You’ll be surprised by a more-or-less delightful interruption that compels you to realize that you had better start taking greater advantage of a gift or blessing that you’ve been lazy or slow to capitalize on.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Mars, the planet that rules animal vitality and instinctual enthusiasm, will cruise through your astrological House of Synergy for much of the next five months. That’s why I’ve concluded that between now and mid-November, your experience of togetherness can and should reach peak expression.

Do you want intimacy to be robust and intense, sometimes bordering on rambunctious? It will be if you want it to be. Adventures in collaboration will invite you to wander out to the frontiers of your understanding about how relationships work best.

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LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

Which astrological sign laughs hardest and longest and most frequently?

I’m inclined to speculate that Sagittarius deserves the crown, with Leo and Gemini fighting it out for second place. But having said that, I suspect that in the coming weeks you Leos could rocket to the top of the chart, vaulting past Sagittarians. Not only are you likely to find everything funnier than usual; I bet you will also encounter more than the usual number of authentically humorous and amusing experiences. (P.S.: I hope you won’t cling too fiercely to your dignity, because that would interfere with your full enjoyment of the cathartic cosmic gift.)

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

According to my analysis of the astrological omens, a little extra egotism might be healthy for you right now. A surge of super-confidence would boost your competence; it would also fine-tune your physical well-being and attract an opportunity that might not otherwise find its way to you. So, for example, consider the possibility of renting a billboard on which you put a giant photo of yourself with a tally of your accomplishments and a list of your demands. The cosmos and I won’t have any problem with you bragging more than usual or asking for more goodies than you’re usually content with.

You’re in a phase when you’ll be smart to bring more light and liveliness into the work you do. To spur your efforts, I offer the following provocations. 1. “When I work, I relax. Doing nothing makes me tired.” —Pablo Picasso. 2. “Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them.”

—Ann Landers. 3. “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” —Aristotle.

4. “Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” —Scott Adams. 5. “Working hard and working smart can sometimes be two different things.” —Byron Dorgan. 6. “Don’t stay in bed unless you can make money in bed.” —George Burns. 7. “Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the work.” —Mark Twain.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

“There isn’t enough of anything as long as we live,” said poet and short-story writer Raymond Carver. “But at intervals a sweetness appears and, given a chance, prevails.” My reading of the astrological omens suggests that the current phase of your cycle is one of those intervals, Aquarius. In light of this grace period, I have some advice for you, courtesy of author Anne Lamott: “You weren’t born a person of cringe and contraction. You were born as energy, as life, made of the same stuff as stars, blossoms, breezes. You learned contraction to survive, but that was then.” Surrender to the sweetness, dear Aquarius.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

Between you and your potential new power spot is an imaginary 10-foot-high, electrified fence. It’s composed of your least charitable thoughts about yourself and your rigid beliefs about what’s impossible for you to accomplish. Is there anything you can do to deal with this inconvenient illusion? I recommend that you call on Mickey Rat, the cartoon superhero in your dreams who knows the difference between destructive destruction and creative destruction. Maybe as he demonstrates how enjoyable it could be to tear down the fence, you’ll be inspired to join in the fun.

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veggies, meat, eggs, honey and hand-made crafts while enjoying one of the Brewery’s many delicious beers. Stay afterward for live music! wbbfarmersmarket@gmail.com • Riverfront Farmers, Sat., 8am: Market features all local produce, products and artisan works. A seasonal, open-air market located along the first block of North Water St. and in adjoining Riverfront Park in historic downtown Wilmington along the Cape Fear River. Locally grown and produced fruits and vegetables, baked goods, meats, plants, locally caught seafood, handmade artisan works, fresh-cut flower bouquets and more are available. 5 N. Water St. Church Of the Good Shepherd, 515 Queen St.

support groups WILMINGTON PRIDE YOUTH GROUP

Grades 7-12: Wilmington Pride Youth Group is a safe space for youth who identify as LGBTQIA+ and their straight allies. An adult supervised, safe space for kids to talk about orientation, gender, racial equality, political consequences, religion, self care. Also a great opportunity to meet and socialize with peers from the greater Wilmington area. Meets Thurs., 7pm. Needed: youth facilitators, especially those who are trained to work with kids, and speakers to talk about important topics. wpyg2016@gmail.com.

LIVING WITH GRIEF

Lower Cape Fear Hospice is offering a no cost grief group for those coping with the loss of a loved one. Living with Grief: Growth and Education Group for Adults Coping with Grief will meet Wed., through May 23 (no meeting on May 2).

There is no cost to attend. Preregistration is required; to register call 910-796-7991. Most of us have loved and lost special people in our lives and we understand that coping with grief is a challenging process. If you and/or your friends and family are having difficulty dealing with the loss of a loved one, we are here to help. Compassionate care, educational and enrichment opportunities that support many types of loss in safe and familiar environments. Leland Library, 487 Village Rd. COPING WITH GRIEF

Lower Cape Fear Hospice is offering a no cost grief group for those coping with the loss of a loved one.

Living with Grief: Coping with the Loss of a Parent will meet Wednesdays, March 14-April 18, 4pm.

Free; prereg. is rqd; 910-796-7991. Dr. Robert M. Fales Hospice Pavilion, Conference Rm., 1406 Physicians Dr.

ANXIETY / OCD SUPPORT GROUP

Group meets 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month.

Pine Valley United Methodist Church, 3788 Shipyard Blvd. Building B. Christopher Savard, Ph.D., with Cape Fear Psychological Services, gives a presentation the 1st Thursday of each month. 3rd Thursday meeting is member led. Everyone 18+ welcome. 910-763-8134

MS SUPPORT GROUP

Those with MS, families and friends welcome.

Meets 2nd Thursday each month, 7 p.m., 1st floor conference room, New Hanover Rehabilitation Hospital, 2131 S. 17th St., Wilmington (behind Betty Cameron Women’s Hospital). Sponsored by Greater Carolinas Chapter, National MS Society. Details: Anne, 910-232-2033 or Burt, 910-383-1368. New Hanover Regional Medical Center, 2131 S. 17th St.

LUPUS SUPPORT GROUP

Meets third Saturday each month. Free; drop-ins are welcome. Group provides participants an opportunity to receive introductory info about lupus, encourage the expression of concerns, provide an opportunity to share experiences, encourage and support positive coping strategies, and emphasize the importance of medical treatment.

Guest speakers, DVD presentations and open group discussion. info@lupusnc.org or at 877849-8271, x1. lupusnc.org. Northeast Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd. PFLAG

First Mon/mo. at UNCW, in the Masonboro Island Room #2010, 7pm.

tours CAM WEEKLY EXHIBITION TOURS

Cameron Art Museum allows participants to explore current exhibitions with Anne Brennan, CAM’s executive director, in a new series of public tours. Free for CAM members. Wed., 1:30pm. 3201 S. 17th St.

LITERARY HISTORY WALKING TOUR

Explore the rich culture of our talented Southern town with a 90 minute walking tour of the literary history of downtown Wilmington, NC. Visit “The Two Libraries.” Walk the streets of your favorite novels, and stand where Oscar Wilde did when he lectured here. Saturdays, 1:30pm, Old Books on Front. 249 N. Front St. www.brownpapertickets. com/event/1282390

INSIDER’S TOUR

Explore the history of community at Cape Fear Museum. Take the Insider’s Tour offered the 2nd Tues-

day of each month at 10am. Tours are free with admission and include a “behind the scenes” sneak peek. Pre-reg. is required: 910-798-4362 or cfmprograms@nhcgov.com. Free w/general admission or membership. Cape Fear Museum, 814 Market St. GHOST WALK

6:30 & 8:30pm. Costumed guides lead visitors through alleyways with tales of haunted Wilmington. Nightly tours, 6:30pm/8:30pm. Admission.

Water & Market sts. RSVP rqd: 910-794-1866. hauntedwilmington.com

BELLAMY MANSION

Guided tours start on the hour; self-guided tours start at any time. Mon. is only self-guided tours.

Follow curved oyster-shell paths through our lush Victorian garden shaded by 150-yr.-old magnolia trees. See the elegant main entrance surrounded by soaring columns and gleaming windows.

Hear stories of Bellamies, as well as those of the free and enslaved black artisans who built the home and crafted intricate details throughout the house. Adults $12; senior and military discount, $10; students, $6; children under 5, free. Bellamy Mansion, 503 Market St.

OAKDALE HISTORY TOUR

June 16, 10am-noon: The Friends of Oakdale will sponsor a historical walking tour of North Carolina’s oldest rural cemetery, which will be led by Eric Kozen, Oakdale Superintendent. Mr Kozen will focus on the early history of the cemetery and will discuss the varied funerary art found in the cemetery. He will tell tales of many who are laid to rest here. Tours are canceled in the event of inclement weather. $10/person. Free for members of The Friends of Oakdale. 520 N 15th St.

CARGO DISTRICT

TM

LIVE + WORK A P A R T M E N T S

NOW ACCEPTING DEPOSITS | ONLY 9 UNITS AVAILABLE

Reserve Yours Today - Move in August 2018 Built from locally-sourced shipping containers, one-bedroom container homes are under construction at The Cargo DistrictTM .

Castle

Queen

17th

16th

15th

Water | Sewer | Trash | Basic Internet | Washer / Dryer Reverse Osmosis Filtration | Off-Street Parking | Pet-Friendly

14th

Deposit $1050, Monthly Rent $1050

LIVE + WORK

Wooster

INFO@CARGODISTRICT.COM

46 encore |june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com

910.208.0286

CARGODISTRICT.COM

CORKBOARD Available for your next CD or Demo

KAREN KANE MUSIC PRODUCTIONS 33 year veteran Producer/Engineer

200 album credits

Dreaming Of A Career In The Music Industry?

AUDIO ENGINEERING CLASSES Music Recording, Mixing, Pro Tools, Studio Production

Classes offered in Jan., Apr. and Sept.

(910) 681-0220 or mixmama.com

NEW

CANNABIS HYPNOTHERAPY NOW AVAILABLE! CALL: 910-343-1171 Find Out What All the Buzz is About!

Get Some Half Price Apps 4 to 6pm & after 10pm Every Day at the Brewery.

Front Street Brewery 910.251.1935 9 North Front Street, Downtown Wilmington FrontStreetBrewery.com

CUSTOM TILE

Installation & Repairs

•Kitchens •Bathrooms •Entryways •Fireplaces •And More Free Estimates

910-616-0470

Piano Lessons... @ Old Books on Front St.

Call James 910-232-6080

DISCOVER NEW MUSIC AT 98.3 THE PENGUIN

Want t

PLAYLIST SAMPLE: THE BEATLES - GET BACK SLY & THE FAMILY STONE - FAMILY AFFAIR HOLLY WILLIAMS - THE HIGHWAY ZIGGY MARLEY - REBELLION RISES SAM LEWIS - ONE AND THE SAME HAYES CARLL - KMAG YOYO THE RECORD COMPANY - LIFE TO FIX THE STAPLE SINGERS - I'LL TAKE YOU THERE EMMYLOU HARRIS - RED DIRT GIRL TRAMPLED BY TURTLES - WHERE IS MY MIND

4W

C

NEW MUSIC ADDED: DAWES - LIVING IN THE FUTURE FLORENCE + THE MACHINE - HUNGER JUNGLE - HAPPY MAN THE TRAVELIN' MCCOURYS - LET HER GO

UPCOMING PENGUIN SHOWS:

LUKAS NELSON & PROMISE OF THE REAL (GLA 6/8) SOLD OUT! THE REVIVALISTS (GLA 6/10) SOLD OUT! G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE (GLA 7/14) MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD (GLA 7/28 & 7/29 ) SOLD OUT! CHRIS ROBINSON BROTHERHOOD (GLA 8/3) THE MARCUS KING BAND (GLA 8/16) SHOVELS & ROPE (GLA 8/24) TRAMPLED BY TURTLES (GLA 9/19) KALEO (GLA 9/20) RAINBOW KITTEN SURPRISE (GLA 9/21 AND 9/22)

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

WWW.983THEPENGUIN.COM

encore | june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 47

te y! a r leb h Cla e e C y wit $24 m Co ’s Da rt at er s sta h t Fa icket T

Country Music Star

S unday , J une 17 • 7:30 pm CapeFearStage.com 910.362.7999 48 encore |june 6 - june 12, 2018 | www.encorepub.com