VOL. 35 / PUB. 36
FREE MARCH 28 - APRIL 3, 2018 encorepub.com
HODGEPODGE Vol. 35/Pub. 36
Friday, 6 - 11 a.m. Best May Of Misnomer
WWW.ENCOREPUB.COM
ON THE COVER
RETRACTION!
March 28-April 3, 2018
FORGIVE OUR OVERSIGHT... Last week we stated in Best Of coverage, in the purple header box, that Best Brewery went to Wrightsville Beach Brewery. But the winner is Wilmington Brewing Company, which was reflected in the writeup. Forgive our oversight!— Help celebrate with Wilmington Brewing Co.—along with more than a dozen other breweries—in a local showcase at Audi on April 14, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Tickets are $32.50. Food trucks will be onsite and music will be played by Massive Grass. lighthousebeerandwine.com
‘BRIDGES’ IMPRESSES, PG. 17 Thalian Association have brought a NC premiere to Thalian Hall, which encore reviewer Gwenyfar Rohler claims her favorite musical of 2018 thus far. Read why she loved “The Bridges of Madison County,” including the sizzling chemistry between its two leads, Brenton Scraff and Heather Setzler. Photo by Mark Deese
M
MUSIC>>
T
Shannon Rae Gentry // music@encorepub.com
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
Interns: Nikki Kroushl, Jessica Russell
Rosa heads over to Waterman’s Brewing for a quick, delicious bite of both food and flights of their homemade brew. Photo by Ashley Wixon
F
FEATURE>> We’re in week four of Best Of coverage. Find out who won Best Arcade Room, Best Tacos, Best Dentist and Best Nonprofit, plus more! Photo by Jessica Russell
Editor-in-Chief:
Assistant Editor:
<<DINING
PG. 31
EDITORIAL>
Shea Carver // shea@encorepub.com
Jenny Pearson talks inspiration, passion and her love for Wilmington’s music scene in this week’s feature by Shannon Rae Gentry. Courtesy photo
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.
SALES>
General Manager:
John Hitt // john@encorepub.com
Advertising:
Glenn Rosenbloom // glenn@encorepub.com Ashley Wixon // ashley@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.
PGS. 32-44
INSIDE THIS WEEK: Live Local, pgs. 4-5 • News, pg. 6 • News of the Weird, pg. 7 Music, pgs. 9-13 • Art, pgs. 14-16 • Theatre, pg. 19 • Film, pg. 21 • Dining, pgs. 22-31 Extra: Best Of, pgs. 32-43 • Extra: Books, pg. 46 • Extra: Crossword, pg. 49 Extra: Calendar, pgs. 48-61
2 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
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
Monday, april 2 at 7:30 pM Ticket Central 910.362.7999 www.CapeFearStage.com
encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 3
NEWS>>LIVE LOCAL
LIVE LOCAL, LIVE SMALL: Gwenyfar talks passion project and her book mobile BY: GWENYFAR ROHLER
BOOK MOBILE: Gwenyfar Rohler shows off her passion project: rebuilding a ‘67 VW bus. She plans on using it as a book mobile to pop up at festivals, fairs and other events—the first of which will be the Earth Day Festival at Hugh MacRae Park on April 21. Photo by Elise Seifert
“W
ee-hello,” Jock answered the phone with his signature greeting.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” I responded with a mixture of drowsy excitement. “Oh! Hey! Hey, how did everything go last night?” Jock asked with genuine curiosity. It was just after 8:30 in the morning and I was standing in the backyard of the bed and breakfast project, sipping coffee while Hilda, the furry love light in dog form, ate breakfast. It is one of the happi-
est moments of my life. Regular readers of encore are aware I have spent the last several years very slowly working on a restoration of “The Argus,” my ’67 VW camper van. The human mind is capable of many things; one is finding multiple justifications for a large ticket purchase—or in my case, a multiyear commitment to a project. Partly, I embarked upon this adventure as the fulfilment of a lifelong dream to own and drive a VW bus—to travel around the country and see a little bit of the world, preferably with Jock and the dogs. I admit to being heavily influenced by
4 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
nostalgia for my early childhood, when many of the images of VWs were firmly entrenched in my (sub)conscious mind. When my father passed, Jock actively got behind the VW project as an alternative to grief counseling, and rationalized it would be far more beneficial in the long term, with probably better results. Then there is a writing project I have been gestating for several years that would benefit from a trip in the camper van. Of course, the entrepreneur’s mind I have immediately began spinning through ideas for using the camper for business purposes. (Surprise.)
So part of the plan all along was to get The Argus road worthy and use her at fairs, festivals and events as a mobile book booth of sorts. I bought a tent that attaches to the side of the vehicle (by the double doors on the passenger’s side) three years ago with this in mind. It has sat in the living room of the B&B (along with my VW’s interior) for years—just waiting for us to get this far. At the end of this month, we are finally making our first public appearance with the VW booth—at the Handmade in NC event at the Brooklyn Arts Center. In April we are going to Earth Day at Hugh Mac-
Rae Park. Elise and I agreed we needed to at least set up the tent once before we had to do it for real at events. So on Tuesday morning last week, with Hilda in the copilot’s seat, I drove The Argus into the backyard of the B&B, parked in front of the sundial and locked the gate. We were a full hour ahead of Elise’s scheduled arrival. “Starting already?” Allison asked with a chuckle. “It was worse than Christmas Eve last night. I couldn’t sleep at all I was so excited! So I gave up, got up, and we are here now.” Hilda ran the perimeter to make sure everything was shipshape. I got her a bowl of water and started bringing tent pieces out to the yard. Four hours later, Elise and I declared lunch in lieu of victory. It was the flexible rods for the awnings that finally did us in. After almost another hour, we decided the awnings would just have to wait (possibly indefinitely) and what we had managed thus far was going to suffice for Handmade in NC, Earth Day and possibly eternity. The tent would provide a wonderful space for a booth and the next time we set it up we should be able to manage it in less than half a day (gods willing). We also would not make the mistake of relying on instructions clearly written with the purpose of confusing the enemy in a time of war, should the tent fall into the wrong hands. We ran an extension cord and plugged in some heat to start warming up the van and picked up working on the renovation of the B&B for the rest of the afternoon (with Hilda’s supervision, of course.) If the wait night before was difficult, that afternoon was 10 times worse. Every time I looked outside, my heart leaped with excitement. But a lingering doubt floated around me: What if this didn’t go well? What if Hilda wouldn’t settle down and sleep? What if she barked all night long and kept the neighbors up? It was part of the plan with our trial run in the backyard of the B&B: If things went really badly, we were not too far away from resources or (if gods forbid) an evacuation was necessary, we could manage it quickly. But the only times Hilda had spent the night away from home since she came to live with us were when she was hospitalized. Camping? In the bus? Completely beyond her experience. “She’s going to love it,” Jock assured in the days leading up to our trial run. “Your neighbors might not. But she will have a great time.”
When I called her she trotted into the van with no reticence at all. However, she would not settle down. I snuggled into the covers and read with a flashlight while she stood guard over the engine compartment, so she could look out all the windows. I must have drifted off to sleep when she let out one of her serious alert barks. They are deafening, and it is hard to believe such a decibel-shattering sound can come from a 45-pound creature. In a metal box, the noise reverberated off the walls and made it worse. “What? What is it?” I pulled myself up to look out the windows. “Oh, someone is walking a dog in the alley.” Looking at the clock, I noted it was midnight. That’s kind of a weird time to walk your dog, especially in an alley instead of on a sidewalk, I thought. Unless you work third shift. Stop being-self centered, Gwenyfar, I admonished myself. It took Hilda about two more hours to calm down from the alert. I rubbed her ears and tried to reassure her, but she was on watch and nothing was getting past her. Then, shortly after 2 a.m., she very gently and gingerly curled up on the covers, put her head in my lap and went to sleep.
www.juliasflorist.com THANK YOU READERS! for voting us
BEST FLORIST 2018
Serving Wilmington for over 26 years with flowers and gifts for all occasions: get well, new baby, anniversary, sympathy, or just because!
Silently tears began to trickle out of my eyes. I had wanted this for so long. Every moment was worth it then: the hours and hours of sanding paint down to bare metal; the frustration at the body shop that ended in me and my cousin, Austin, taking the bus and departing without the agreedupon work even beginning; the years of staring at parts in the living room, wondering how old I would be when I finally got to enjoy The Argus in a mobile state, rather than on blocks in the garage. But here we were, together in the VW, warm and happy and safe. We cuddled together and dozed under the stars, and I dreamed of all the places we will go camping together and our big trip across the country. “So I would say it was a success,” I answered Jock during our morning phone call. “Hilda seems happy.” “How about you?” “I am beside myself with delight.” I paused. “But now Elise and I have to figure out how to take the tent down and get ready for our booth—easier said than done.”
900 S Kerr Ave • Wilmington, NC 28403 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 5
NEWS>>FEATURE
THE KINGDOM OF SILENCE AND AWE:
Brunswick County’s inaction on resolution opposing offshore drilling jeopardizes beloved beaches
T
until the Brunswick County commissioners decide to represent the people of the county rather than making this a nonpartisan issue political. With resolutions against offshore drilling and seismic testing having already been passed in 13 out of 19 towns in the county, the evidence is clear. We will continue to fight for the health of our coast.”
BY: JOHN WOLFE
he coastline of Brunswick County is the southernmost stretch in the Land of the Longleaf Pine. It extends from the South Carolina border near Calabash, and includes the barrier islands which hold the beaches at Ocean Isle, Holden and Caswell. At Oak Island it leaps across the river to encapsulate Bald Head, and terminates at the geographic projection from which our entire region takes its name: Cape Fear. George Davis, attorney general of the Confederacy, once described the cape as “a naked bleak elbow of sand jutting far out into the ocean. Immediately in its front are the Frying Pan Shoals, pushing out still farther twenty miles to the south. Together they stand for warning and for woe… the kingdom of silence and awe, disturbed by no sound save the seagull’s shriek and the breaker’s roar.” As encore has reported previously, there is increasing pressure from the federal level to turn the kingdom of silence and awe into the “Trump™ National Petroleum Park for Very Loud Seismic Blasting and Oil Rigs.” Despite strong local opposition to opening the Atlantic Coast for oil exploration, last week the Brunswick County Commissioners voted to remove from their agenda a resolution against offshore drilling and seismic exploration. It’s important to recognize it was not a vote in favor of or opposed to offshore drilling; rather, it was a vote to not vote on it one way or another. It’s a curious motion indeed, considering the room
The easiest way to save money at local businesses!
.com
! s l a de
Every coastal governor (except one, Maine’s Paul LePage), on both the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans, opposes oil and gas exploration off the coasts they govern. Most are seeking waivers for exemption from the process, like the one given to Florida Governor Rick Scott. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper stated last July, “It’s clear that opening North Carolina’s coast to oil and gas exploration and drilling would bring unacceptable risks to our economy, our environment, and our coastal communities—and for little potential gain.” TO DRILL OR NOT? Protestors from ILM swarm the North Raleigh Hilton on Wake Forest Rd. to oppose offshore drilling at the public meeting of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Photo by John Wolfe
on Monday night was full of people from Oceana and the Brunswick Environmental Action Team, all vehemently opposed to offshore drilling, who sought to have their voices heard by elected representatives. The highlights of the three-page resolution included reference to a 2015 letter sent to President Obama, signed by 75 leading marine scientists, which stated, “Opening the U.S. East Coast to seismic airgun exploration poses an unacceptable risk of serious harm to marine life at the species and population levels, the full extent of which will not be understood until long after the harm occurs.” The resolution pointed to research conducted by the Institute for Marine and Arctic Study at the University of Tasmania in 2017; the research stated “marine seismic surveys used in petroleum exploration could cause a two- to three-fold increase in mortality of adult and larval zooplankton.” Zooplankton, the base of the food chain in the ocean, are tiny animals which float with currents and are eaten by fish, whales, and other marine life. Exploratory and commercial offshore drilling, the resolution continued, poses a
6 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
substantial risk of a spill. No need look further than the Gulf of Mexico, with their poisoned fisheries and tarball-laden beaches, for evidence. Drilling also requires “substantial onshore infrastructure,” like refineries and pipelines, which the resolution said “will further risk the health and safety of the environment, character, and natural beauty of North Carolina’s coast.”
Cooper’s rallying cry of “Not Off Our Coast” has been echoed by NC’s head of the DEQ, Michael Regan, as well as by NC Attorney General Josh Stein. Thirtythree cities, towns and counties in North Carolina (including New Hanover) and 140 municipalities up and down the East Coast have passed formal resolutions opposing drilling off the coast.
The resolution argued Brunswick County’s economic survival depends solely on sustainability of the existing environment. Brunswick County, once the most forested county in the state, has a plethora of places like the ecologically diverse maritime forest, or estuaries and salt marshes which provide a nursery ground for seafood and a natural buffer against hurricane impacts. The place with the most to lose from drilling is of course the beach, a habitat itself, as well as a draw to the area for tourists and locals alike. It has a unique ability to bring us within shouting distance of the sublime. If the government of the county is committed to being a good steward of the special places, why not vote to protect them?
By the Commissioners’ act of choosing inaction and silence, in the face of irreparable environmental harm, Brunswick County sticks out among its East Coast neighbors like the Cape Fear itself, standing, as Davis said, “for warning and for woe.” Many disasters have already taken place on the ragged sandbars of Frying Pan: the sharp-toothed shoals have sunk Confederate blockade runners and ironclads, Victorian-era sloops and schooners, turn-of-the-century steamers, and freighters which ran aground while dodging German submarines in the second World War, to name only a few.
The Brunswick County Commissioners had a chance to say all of this last Monday, but by a measure of four-to-one, they chose to remain silent. Citizens they represent have not yet given up hope for official action. Dan George, fisherman and representative of the grassroots environmental advocacy group, Brunswick Environmental Action Team, says, “BEAT will be persistent
Yet, the greatest disaster of all, one from which the spirit of the land and people would never recover, would be to lose the natural community of our Southern beaches—the pelicans and herons who hunt myriad fish, teeming in the waters, the loggerhead turtles who nest upon our beaches, the playful dolphins who remind humanity intelligence was not a gift given solely to us ... under an inevitable and deadly black tide of oil.
WHO KNEW? The much-maligned pigeon was recently found by researchers to be as skilled as humans at distinguishing between slides of benign versus malignant human breast tissue. Writing in the journal PLOS ONE, specialists from the University of Iowa and University of California, Davis lauded the birds’ processing of color, contrast, brightness and image compression, marveling that pigeons see more wavelengths of light than humans, even though their brains are one-thousandth the size. (Birds are already known to distinguish “hostile” humans in celebrated dive-pecking incidents.)
UNCLEAR ON THE CONCEPT
(1) Angel Rivera, 49, was arrested in December in Orlando, Florida, on allegations that he punched a child in the face because the boy was not getting dressed for church fast enough. (The boy was wearing an ankle brace, which slowed him down.) (2) Ryan Dailey, 28, was arrested in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in February on several charges after, police said, he beat his mother by pounding her with a Bible. His explanation, police said, was that when he asked her who her soul belonged to, she repeatedly declined to answer.
CAT CULTURE
nary parking space in the garage at 845 Union Street in the Park Slope neighborhood: $300,000 (also carrying a $240-amonth condominium fee and $50 monthly taxes). That’s similar to the price of actual one-bedroom apartments in less ritzy Brooklyn neighborhoods like Gravesend (a few miles away).
COMPELLING EXPLANATIONS
Saginaw, Michigan, defense lawyer Ed Czuprynski had beaten a felony DUI arrest in December, but was sentenced to probation on a lesser charge in the incident, and among his restrictions was a prohibition on drinking alcohol — which Czuprynski acknowledged in March that he has since violated at least twice. However, at that hearing (which could have meant jail time for the violations), Czuprynski used the opportunity to beg the judge to remove the restriction altogether, arguing that he can’t be “effective” as a lawyer unless he is able to have a drink now and then. (At press time, the judge was still undecided.)
FINE POINTS OF THE LAW
Residents in southern Humboldt County, California, will vote in May on a proposed property tax increase to fund a community hospital in Garberville to serve a web of small towns in the scenic, sparsely populated region, and thanks to a county judge’s March ruling, the issue will be explained more colorfully. Opponent Scotty McClure was initially rebuffed by the registrar when he tried to distribute, as taxpayer-funded “special elections material,” contempt for “Measure W” by including the phrase “(insert fart smell here)” in the description. The registrar decried the damage to election “integrity” by such “vulgarity,” but Judge Timothy Cissna said state law gives him jurisdiction only over “false” or “misleading” electioneering language.
Longtime National Symphony cellist David Teie announced in November that his crowdfunding project was hugely successful, freeing him to produce an album of music meaningful to cats. (Cats, for example, relax in response to the earliest sound of their mother’s purring, which Teie clocked at 23 harp notes a second.) Teie’s work, according to an October Washington Post feature, includes examining waveforms of realtime purrs and creating an organ sound to mimic the opening and closing of a cat’s vocal chords. His KickStarter pitch raised so much money that he might also try creating music for bored zoo elephants or stressedCAN’T POSSIBLY BE TRUE out whales. In tests, cats responded well to News of the Weird has written several Teie’s music, according to a 2015 journal times (as technology progressed) about article (but with less curiosity at the WashMatt McMullen’s “RealDoll” franchise — ington cat cafe Crumbs & Whiskers). the San Marcos, California, engineer’s richly detailed flexible silicone manneLOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION quins that currently sell for $5,500 and A highlight of the recent upmarket surge up (more with premium custom feain Brooklyn, N.Y., as a residential and retail tures). Even before the recent success of favorite, was the asking price for an ordi- the very humanish, artificially intelligent
(AI) android “hosts” on TV’s “Westworld,” McMullen revealed that his first AI doll, “Harmony,” will soon be available with a choice of 12 “personalities,” including “intellectualism” and “wit,” to mimic an emotional bond to add to the sexual. A recent University of London conference previewed a near future when fake women routinely provide uncomplicated relationships for lonely (or disturbed) men. (Recently, in Barcelona, Spain, a brothel opened offering four “realdolls” “disinfected after each customer” — though still recommending condoms.) Scientists at Columbia University and the New York Genome Center announced that they have digitally stored (and retrieved) a movie, an entire computer operating system and a $50 gift card on a single drop of DNA. In theory, wrote the researchers in the journal Science, they might store, on one gram of DNA, 215 “petabytes” (i.e., 215 million gigabytes — enough to run, say, 10 million HD movies) and could reduce all the data housed in the Library of Congress to a small cube of crystals. An office in the New York City government, suspicious of a $5,000 payment to two men in the 2008 City Council election of Staten Island’s Debi Rose, opened an investigation, which at $300 an hour for the “special prosecutor,” has now
cost the city $520,000, with his final bill still to come. Despite scant “evidence” and multiple opportunities to back off, the prosecutor relentlessly conducted months-long grand jury proceedings, fought several court appeals, had one 23-count indictment almost immediately crushed by judges, and enticed state and federal investigators to (fruitlessly) take on the Staten Island case. In March, the city’s Office of Court Administration finally shrugged and closed the case.
PEOPLE DIFFERENT FROM US
Every major event in my life has been about insects,” Aaron Rodriques, 26, told The New York Times in December, home in New York City during a winter break from his doctoral research at Purdue University on the “sweet tergal secretions” of German cockroaches, and on his way to buy a supply of crickets and hornworms. (“Hornworms,” he said, have an “amazing defense” where they “eat tobacco for the nicotine, which they exhale as a gas to scare away predators.”) “When I’m feeling stressed out,” Rodriques said, he might take one out to “calm me down.” He met his first girlfriend when she was attracted to his pet giant African millipede (as long as a human forearm), but admits that “for the vast majority” of time in school, “I was alone.”
Diamond Food Enterprises
Catering All of Southeastern North Carolina Since 1991
encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 7
8 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
ARTS>>MUSIC
FAMILY INSPIRATION:
Jenny Pearson continues to play across ILM, prepares to enter recording studio in 2018 share [with] the public. He has been very personal and honest with me, and every musician who wants to be good needs this kind of persuasion.”
BY: SHANNON RAE GENTRY
L
ocal singer-songwriter and guitarist Jenny Pearson has been making rounds across ILM’s music scene for a few years now. Though she’s turning a mere 24 this week, as well as preparing to graduate with a degree in biology from UNC-Pembroke in December, she plans to continue to celebrate life and 2018 with a lot of music.
Locals can hear all of Pearson’s originals at her live shows. She’ll play next at Slainte in Monkey Junction on March 31. Jenny and the Hatch Brothers play Jimmy’s at Red Dogs (5 N. Lumina Ave.) in Wrightsville Beach on April 20 at 10 p.m.
DETAILS:
Pearson’s overall solo sound and style match her sonnets with acoustic-meetspop vibes, a la Jack Johnson, John Mayer or Jason Mraz. It’s more often relatable songwriting about falling in love, breaking up, personal struggles, or lifting oneself into a better state of being.
Jenny Pearson
March 31, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Slainte in Monkey Junction 5607 Carolina Beach Rd., #100 Free
“I write about it all,” she adds. “I would define my original music to be right out of my own personal diary. Every song is from experience. I feel 100 percent comfortable sharing it to the public because I hope they can relate. If you truly want to understand the person I am, you should listen to my music.” While she manages to carve out time to pursue her passion as a solo artist, she also collaborates with multiple musicians and projects throughout Wilmington. Pearson tours about town as a duo with her brother, Chris Pearson, of Just Yes- RELATABLE TUNES: Jenny Pearson celebrates life terday and Stereotype, who also sings with music throughout Wilmington. Courtesy photo. and plays guitar. “Chris definitely makes our job of play- Hatch Brothers is definitely a project I am ing music fun,” Pearson tells. “He knows proud of.”
me better than anyone and is my biggest Pearson mixes her own solo sets with fan for sure. I don’t know what I would originals and favorite covers to please do without him. It is also fantastic quality crowds. She showcases some of her work time.” on Facebook (Jenny Pearson Music), but Pearson fronts an amped-up version of folks have to catch her live to hear songs local Americana by brothers Paul (bass, like “Lullaby.” A personal favorite, and vocals, ukulele) and Sam (lead vocals, one Pearson is most proud of, “Lullaby” acoustic guitar, piano) Hatch. Jenny and was written after her great-grandmother, the Hatch Brothers, along with drummer Estelle Fowler, passed. John Hamilton, match Pearson’s soulful vocals and energy on stage with years of musical chemistry. The brothers and Pearson are like family themselves. Pearson’s played with Sam since she was 12 years old.
“I had to figure how I could cope,” Pearson tells. “[My great-grandmother] was the one who taught me my first chords on guitar. She also was a singer-songwriter and inspired a lot of who I am today. Writing my lullaby helped me say goodbye to “We grew up as neighbors and would my angel and develop an understanding teach each other music,” she reminisces. “To this day, I would say playing with Sam is very special. The band Jenny and the
of why things happen. The song is very metaphoric and very beautiful.” Another Pearson original, “Ghost,” helps define the inner demons we face as human beings. “I wrote this song in a struggling state of my younger years,” she tells. “The song explains how we reflect on our own demons and it shows us how to face our weaknesses. The hardest thing to do is to admit we are wrong, but sometimes we have to learn to live with it.” While she hasn’t cut any songs for an album yet, Pearson hopes to enter Big Rude Recording Studio to work with Worth Weaver and Chase O’Neal in 2018. “I am a huge fan of local musician Monica Jane and . . . she pointed me to Worth Weaver,” Pearson recalls. “I trust Weaver to produce my album to sound awesome. I am looking to record about 10 songs to
WWW.ENCOREPUB.COM encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 9
10 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
A PREVIEW OF EVENTS ACROSS TOWN THIS WEEK
1423 S. 3rd St. DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON (910) 763-1607
THE SOUNDBOARD
Wednesday _____________________________________
KARAOKE
w/Elite Entertainment
9PM-2AM • $400 GUINNESS
Thursday ________________________________________
TRIVIA WITH STEVE
8:30 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
WATCH YOUR FAVORITE TEAM HERE!
VOICE OF THE DEVIL HERSELF: Megan Jean and the Klay Family Band are known for their 1920’s flapper-jazz vocals and percussionheavy propulsion. They bring their eccentric sound to Satellite Bar and Lounge on March 31. Courtesy photo
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28
Dogfish Head Brewery with Live Music from Eric Keely (5pm; Free; Singer-Songwriter) —Fermental, 7250 Market St.; 910-821-0362
Trivia Night w/Party Gras Entertainment (7pm; Free) —Hoplite Pub and Beer Garden, 720 N. Lake Park Blvd.
Improv Comedy (7pm; $3)
—Dead Crow Comedy Room, 265 N. Front St.
Jazz Piano with James Jarvis (7pm; Free)
—The Blind Elephant, 21 N. Front St. Unit F
Trivia with Sherri ‘So Very’ (7pm; Free)
—Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery, 11 Van Campen Blvd.
The Jillettes (7pm; $3; Rock)
Free; Electronic)
Open Mic Comedy (7pm; $0-$3)
The Expanders (8pm; $10-$15; Reggae)
Chris Nash (7pm; $3; Country)
—Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St; 910-763-2223 —Reel Cafe, 100 S. Front St.; 910-251-1832
Extreme Music Bingo w/ Party Gras (10pm; Free) —Fox and Hound, 920 Town Center Drive; 910-509-0805
THURSDAY, MARCH 29
Tyler Mckaig Live (6pm; Free; Singer-Songwriter)
—Wrightsville Beach Brewery, 6201 Oleander Drive
Wrightsville Beach Brewery with Live Music from Elliott Humphries (6pm; Free; Singer-Songwriter) —Fermental, 7250 Market St.; 910-821-0362
—Ted’s Fun on the River, 2 Castle St.; 910-231-3379
Chris Frisina (6pm; TBD; Folk)
Hooked on Sonics: Record Release Party! (8pm;
Sunset Cruise with Live Music by Jarrett Raymond (6:30pm; $27; Singer-Songwriter)
HOW TO SUBMIT A LISTING:
—Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St.
—Wilmington Water Tours, 212 S. Water St.
—Dead Crow Comedy Room, 265 N. Front St.
v Writers Night Mondays: $4 red wine specials v Starving Artists Tuesdays: $2 sangria, $2-$4 beer v Singer/Songwriter Open Mic Wednesdays: 9pm-midnight v Karaoke Thursdays: 8pm ‘til v Jazzy Fridays: with James Jarvis, 8-11pm v Drum Circle Saturdays: 5-8 pm v Second and Fourth Saturday Poetry v Sunday Funday: 4pm ’til: $4 mimosas
723 N 4th St.
—Ted’s Fun on the River, 2 Castle St.; 910-231-3379
Live Guitar with Marc Siegel (7pm; TBD; Acoustic) —Platypus & Gnome, 9 S. Front St.
Trivia Night w/Party Gras Ent. (7:30pm; Free) —Fox and Hound, 920 Town Center Drive; 910-509-0805
Trivia from Hell’s (7:30pm; Free)
• 16 NC brews on tap • 8 big screen TV’s • Sports packages
—Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.; 910-763-4133
Jazz Night with James Jarvis (8pm; Free) —Tails Piano Bar, 115 S. Front St.
CharlestheFirst, Supertask, Grime Theory & potions (9pm; $20; Electronic) —The Calico Room, 107 S. Front St.; 910-762-2091
Just Yesterday (10pm; TBT; Grunge)
• 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
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.
(Located next to 2nd Street parking deck) Hours of operation: Mon. - Fri. 2:00pm-2:00am Sat. & Sun. noon-2:00 am
encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 11
—The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.
THURSDAY
100 S. FRONT ST. 910-251-1832 LIVE MUSIC in the courtyard 7 days a week
MONDAY
$2 Select Domestic • $3 Draft $4 Flavored Bombs 1/2 Price Apps Live Music from Tony and Adam TUESDAY
$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
Lumber: A NC Barrel Aged Beer Celebration with Live Music from the Rob Williams Duo (6pm; Free; Americana) —Fermental, 7250 Market St.; 910-821-0362
FRIDAY
$2.75 Michelob Ultra $3.25 Stella $4.50 Lunazul Tequila All Floors open SATURDAY
$3 Fat Tire & Voo Doo $5 Jameson • $2 Tacos Pub Trivia on Tuesday Live music from Rebekah Todd
$3 Miller Lite $4 Deep Eddy Lemon Drop shots $5 Deep Eddy Grapefruit and Soda All floors open
$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
FRIDAY, MARCH 30
SUNDAY
5607 Carolina Beach road Monkey Junction (910) 399-3980 FB: @slaintemj ••• Sunday •••
$5 Mimosa • $5 Bloody Mary • 1/2 Price Wine
••• Monday •••
$5 Jameson • $4 Irish drafts $2 Domestic (bottles or cans)
••• TueSday •••
TRIVIA TUESDAYS @ 7:30
$4 Yuengling, Red Oak, Harp, Miller Lite & Bud Light Drafts
••• WedneSday •••
25% OFF Select Irish Whiskey
••• ThurSday •••
$3 Pint Guiness • $6 Car Bomb $5 Spiked Lemonade
••• Friday •••
Live Music • Select Drink Specials
FEATURE YOUR LIVE MUSIC, FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS (as little as $29 a week!)
Call 791-0688
$3.50 Red Oak Draft $4 Wells 65 Wings, 4-7pm $3.50 Sweetwaters $4.50 Absolute Lemonade Cheeseburger & Pint $12
$3.50 Sweet Josie $4 Margaritas
Pie & Pint $12
$3.50 Pint of the Day $4 Fire Ball $5 Mimosas $5 Car Bombs $5 Bloody Mary’s & Mimosas *Drink Specials run all day
Offering a variety of craft beer, ciders and wine
Deadline every Thurs., noon!
—Old Books on Front St., 249 N. Front St.; 910-76-BOOKS
Awkward Silents (4pm; Free; Singer-Songwriter)
Doug McFarland (7pm; $3; Folk)
Bluegrass Sunday (6pm; Free)
Cafe Nouveau (7pm; TBD; Jazz)
Open Mic Night (7pm; $3)
—Bill’s Front Porch, 4328 Market St.
—Ted’s Fun on the River, 2 Castle St.; 910-231-3379 —Platypus & Gnome, 9 S. Front St.
L Shape Lot (7pm; Free; Americana)
Piano Jazz (8pm; Free)
—Bottega Art & Wine, 723 N. Fourth St.
Randy McQuay (8pm; Free; Singer-Songwriter) —Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St.
David Dixon (8pm; Free; Blues, Rock, Soul)
—Waterline Brewing Company, 721 Surry Lane
Friday Night Karaoke (9pm; Free)
—Ten Pin Alley, 127 S. College Road #1; 910-231-1625
—Bluewater Grill, 4 Marina St.;
—Waterline Brewing Company, 721 Surry Lane
—Satellite Bar & Lounge, 120 Greenfield St.; 910399-2796 —Ted’s Fun on the River, 2 Castle St.; 910-231-3379
Sunday School Underground (8pm; Free; Electronic) —Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St.; 910-763-2223
MONDAY, APRIL 2
Port City Trivia w/Dutch (7pm; Free)
—Buffalo Wild Wings, 140 Hays Lane #B15
College Night (8pm; Free)
—The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.
Open Mic Hosted by James Jones (8pm; Free)
—Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St.; 910-763-2223
TUESDAY, APRIL 3
Jerry Garcia Band Cover Band (9pm; TBD; Rock)
Comedy Bingo (6pm; $2)
Will Stewart Band w/Alex Culbreth (9pm; Free; Folk, Rock)
Metropolitan Detroit Youth Chorus (7pm; Free)
Beatz Da God (10pm; TBD; Electronic)
—Kenan Auditorium (UNC Wilmington), 601 S. College Road; 910-962-3500
—The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.
—Satellite Bar & Lounge, 120 Greenfield St.; 910399-2796 —The Calico Room, 107 S. Front St.; 910-762-2091
SATURDAY, MARCH 31
Kim Dicso Live (3pm; Free; Folk)
—Wrightsville Beach Brewery, 6201 Oleander Drive
OverTyme (7pm; TBD; Rock)
—Bill’s Front Porch, 4328 Market St.
—Dead Crow Comedy Room, 265 N. Front St. —Pine Valley Church of Christ, 3601 S. College Road
UNCW Presents: Maria Schneider Orchestra (7:30pm; $25-$75)
The Drum Circle with Drum & Dance Downtown (7:30pm; Free) —The Calico Room, 107 S. Front St.; 910-762-2091
DJ Elementary (10pm; Free)
—The Palm Room, 11 E. Salisbury St.
Big Dumb Hick (7pm; $3; Singer-Songwriter)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4
Randy McQuay (7pm; Free; Singer-Songwriter)
—Hoplite Pub and Beer Garden, 720 N. Lake Park Blvd.
—Ted’s Fun on the River, 2 Castle St.; 910-231-3379
—Holiday Inn Resort, 1706 N. Lumina Ave.
Full Moon Cruise with Live Music by Susan Savia (7:30pm; $27; Variety) —Wilmington Water Tours, 212 S. Water St.
Trivia Night w/Party Gras Entertainment (7pm; Free) Improv Comedy (7pm; $3)
—Dead Crow Comedy Room, 265 N. Front St.
Jazz Piano with James Jarvis (7pm; Free)
—The Blind Elephant, 21 N. Front St. Unit F
Uptown Easy (8pm; TBD; Variety)
Trivia with Sherri ‘So Very’ (7pm; Free)
Hank Barbee (8pm; Free; Singer-Songwriter)
A Class Act (7pm; $3; Jazz, Swing)
—Rusty Nail, 1310 S. Fifth Ave.
—Waterline Brewing Company, 721 Surry Lane
Just Yesterday (9pm; Free; Grunge)
—Jimmy’s at Red Dogs, 5 N. Lumina Ave.
—Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery, 11 Van Campen Blvd. —Ted’s Fun on the River, 2 Castle St.; 910-231-3379
Daniel Korzelius (8pm; Free; Piano)
Jerry Garcia Band Cover Band (9pm; TBD; Rock)
—Tails Piano Bar, 115 S. Front St.
Megan Jean and the Klay Family Band (9pm; Free;
—Fox and Hound, 920 Town Center Drive; 910-509-0805
—The Whiskey, 1 S. Front St.
12 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
Books, Beer & Jazz Piano (3pm; Free)
Kyle Lindley (6:30pm; TBD; Singer-Songwriter)
—Wilmington Water Tours, 212 S. Water St.
—St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 16 N. 16th St.
5564 Carolina Beach Road, (910) 452-1212
SUNDAY, APRIL 1
Waterfront Music Series: Machine Gun (4pm; Free; Variety)
Choir of St. Paul’s Concert: The Crucifixion by John Stainer (7:30pm; Free)
WEDNESDAY sunday Wednesday Miller Light Pints $150$ Coronoa/ 5 All$2Flat 50 Breads 1/2 off Nachos Corona Lite Bottles $ 50 $4 Bloody$ Marys 1 Domestic Pints Margaritas/Peach Margaritas 4 Pints $ 50 $ 50 1 Domestic 2 Corona/Corona Lt. $ 5 White Russians $ 50 4 Margaritas on theTHURSDAY Rocks Visit our $website Appletinis $4, RJ’s Painkiller 5 Thursday www.RuckerJohns.com $ 50 2 Red Stripe Bottles $ 50 for daily specials, music and 2 Fat Tire Bottles $ 50 2 Fat Tire Bottlesupcoming events $ 00 3 22oz. Goose Island IPA $ 95 4 Irish Coffee FRIDAY5564 Carolina $ 50 Cosmos $4, 007 Beach 3 Road 1/2 off ALL Premium $ Red Wine Glasses 3 Guinness Cans (910)-452-1212 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
—Satellite Bar & Lounge, 120 Greenfield St.; 910399-2796
Sunset Cruise with Live Music by Kim Disco (6:30pm; $27; Folk)
—Holiday Inn Resort, 1706 N. Lumina Ave.
www.RuckerJohns.com VISIT WWW.RUCKERJOHNS.COM FOR Friday Monday DAILY SPECIALS, MUSIC & EVENTS Select Appetizers halfMONDAY off $ 4 Cosmopolitan $ 2 Big Domestic Draft Beers $550 Caramel Apple Martini ALL DAY $ 95 22oz. Domestic Draft $ 4 RJ’s Coffee 3 Sam Adams and Blue $5 Pizzas Moon Seasonal Bottles Tuesday TUESDAY 1/2 off Select Bottles of Wine saTurday LIVE(sugar JAzz IN THE BAR $ 5 Absolut Dream rim) $ 6 All Southern Half Price Bottles of Wine Shiners $ 3 NC Brewed Bottles $ $ 50 3-22oz Blue$2Moon Draft • Pacifico Absolut Dream (Shotgun, Buckshot, High $ 550 2 Select Domestic Bottles Roller and Hoppyum)
Americana)
Extreme Music Bingo w/ Party Gras (10pm; Free)
CONCERTS OUTSIDE OF SOUTHEASTERN NC
SHOWSTOPPERS
PUT A SPELL ON YOU: Former American Idol contestant Casey Abrams celebrates releasing his new single “Put a Spell on You” at Neighborhood Theatre on April 2. Photo by Shervin Lainez
NEIGHBORHOOD THEATRE NORTH DAVIDSON ST., CHARLOTTE, NC (704) 358-9298 3/28: The Nick Moss Band and Dennis Gruenling 3/30: Stop Light Observations 3/31: Elephant Convoy, Lovely Budz and Monjah 4/2: Casey Abrams 4/3: Broken Social Scene and The Belle Game 4/4: Wishbone Ash 4/6: Maxo Kream and Cuz Lightyear THE FILLMORE 820 HAMILTON ST., CHARLOTTE, NC (704) 916-8970 3/28: Miguel 3/31: El Gran Combo 4/4: Rainbow Kitten Surprise 4/5: Kip Moore, Drake White and The Big Fire 4/6: Why Don’t We THE UNDERGROUND-FILLMORE 820 HAMILTON ST., CHARLOTTE, NC (704) 916-8970 3/29: Cigarettes After Sex 3/30: Big K.R.I.T. 4/5: Gunna 4/6: 3TEETH and Ho99o9 MOTORCO MUSIC HALL 723 RIGSBEE AVE., DURHAM, NC (919) 901-0875 3/28: Betsayda Machado and La Parranda El Clavo 3/29: Trio Da Kali Mali 3/30: Aurelio 3/31: Mother Madness, Bar Ghost and more 4/2: Twin Peaks, The Districts and The Nude Party 4/3: Japanese Breakfast and Art School Jocks 4/5: Taylor Bennett 4/6: Boulevards, ZenSoFly and N’Kogniito
LINCOLN THEATRE 126 E. CABARRUS ST., RALEIGH, NC (919) 821-4111 3/29: Jerry Garcia Band Cover Band 3/30: The Breakfast Club and Night Shift Band 3/31: Delta Rae and Sawyer 4/5: Everyone Orchestra and Psylo Joe 4/6: Runaway Gin CAT’S CRADLE 300 E. MAIN ST., CARRBORO, NC (919) 967-9053 3/28: Our Last Night, Jule Vera and more 3/28: Movements, Can’t Swim and more (back) 3/29: The Bluegrass Experience (back) 3/30: Cigarettes After Sex 3/30: Dissimilar South (back) 3/31: Stoplight Observations (back) 4/1: Shinigami, nothing, nowhere. and more (back) 4/2: Udo Dirkschneider 4/3: Rogue Wave and Dear Boy 4/4: Dylan LeBlanc and The Artisanals (back) 4/5: That 1 Guy (back) 4/6: Griffin House (back) 4/6: Sarah Shook & The Disarmers and more THE ORANGE PEEL 101 BILTMORE AVE., ASHEVILLE, NC (828) 398-1837 3/28: Between the Buried & Me, Leprous and more 3/30: Who’s Bad 3/31: Rainbow Kitten Surprise and Sensation of Falling 4/6: Papadosio and The Broadcast 4/7: Papadosio and Higher Learning HOUSE OF BLUES - MYRTLE BEACH 4640 HWY 17 S, NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (843) 272-3000 3/31: On the Border
721 Surry Street • Wilmington waterlinebrewing.com
Located Under The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Free parking & brewery tours. Wine & cider are available.
encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 13
ARTS>> ART
THE SKY, THE SEA AND THE SUBLIME: Janette K. Hopper evokes romantic grandeur in her new show ‘Water & Sky’
H
scape of bare trees, gestural evergreens, and fields of deliberately loose ochres, lavenders, greens, and blues. Hopper’s wintry Fayetteville is a confident display of brushwork, rendering vacant acreage into a scene that becomes emphatically occupied. Moreso than that, it’s a gentle reminder to enjoy what surrounds us for what it is.
BY: JAMES MCCREA
opper’s artistic career has been unswervingly busy, as proven by seemingly countless exhibitions throughout the States and all across Europe. She even taught painting in Germany and Denmark for a spell, and used the opportunity to find inspiration in the same landscapes that captivated so many great Romantic painters of the 1700s. Although Hopper values all forms of art throughout history, Romanticism holds a special place in her heart. As a neo-romanticist, she hopes to instill a sense of awe drawn from an emotional response to the majesty of nature. “For me, romanticism represented expressing your deepest emotions through what you paint and through the natural world,” she elaborates. “Even the scientists and philosophers—everyone was interested in the natural world. I would like our age to be like that too. I don’t want to see us have any more extinct animals. I don’t want to see us
“I love the rural world,” Hopper muses. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be the most dramatic spot to bring a great feeling to you. It can have a feeling of familiarity. How often do we get on a little dirt road like this? Well, not too often anymore. We’re on fast freeways where we don’t see very much. Getting to wind through the hills, through the trees into the light’s back there, you get great distance.”
WOMAN OF ART: Janette K. Hopper stands in front of “Kalalau Valley Mists,” one of many paintings evoking the romantic sublime. Courtesy photo.
not having drinkable water. I want to save the wild places. While this feels like an escape for me in a way, because I leave out the destruction in this series, it’s also an appeal to save these kinds of places that serve as an inspiration for all of us, for our thinkers, our children, for everyone, really, to become refreshed. It’s a spiritual experience that changes you.” However, Hopper’s hopes of preservation aren’t patronizing. She pays reverence to nature as something far removed from fragile. Rather, we are the ones who ought to be worried about what the natural world will do to us in response to what we do to it. Just as painters like Caspar David Friedrich tried to convey a sense of terror in nature’s wrath unveiled, so too does Hopper embrace it in what the romantic writers called “the sublime.” “Which meant ‘be a little fearful,’” she elaborates. “Be a little fearful of the cliffs, and the great distance. If you stand on that edge, it’s a big drop-off. So that’s another element, the vigor of the landscape. Nature is powerful and it’s getting more and more powerful with our storms, and with global warming. We’re going to see more of that sublime in nature, which is a little bit scary.” Certainly, Hopper does not shy away from this aspect of landscape painting. Her clouds look like entire skies in tumult, defiantly painted so thickly gobs of paint themselves
14 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
cast shadows on the painted surface. Clouddarkened skies reach out to seize you while seascapes flow with a deceptive stillness that promises to pull you in like a riptide. These expanses of air and water often dominate the painting, seeming to extend forever, compared to tiny dirt roads that shrink to meet the horizon beneath them. But there’s more to the sublime than gathering storms and impending doom. English poet William Wordsworth wrote about finding the sublime in awe-inspiring landscapes, and trying to grasp something so much bigger than yourself that the mind can’t fully grasp it. At this point, the mind gives up and the spirit takes over for a spell. Hopper’s skies, oceans and fields seem to go on forever, even without tumultuous clouds and perilous cliffs. One such sight was influenced by an unlikely vantage point. “This one, ‘Winter Morning,’ is inspired by a trip to Fayetteville,” she exclaims. “When you drive through the countryside in North Carolina, you’re always looking through a lace of trees. So here the sun comes up and the moon is still up. I wanted to get that feeling when you look out through the landscape. Maybe that landscape isn’t beautiful any other time of day.” Hopper’s view of Fayetteville is directly tied to the time of day she experienced it. A saturated blue sky fades to distant yellow glow as the sun sets on one side while the moon is held up on the opposite side nestled in accumulating clouds of rich peach and cream tones. A lonely road bends abruptly toward lonely barn-houses. The rest is a sparse land-
Of course, the fields of Fayetteville are not purple and gold. Hopper deviates from the romanticist norm and applies a touch of unreal color to her naturalistic sights, much like Paul Cézanne. It is true of all her paintings, not just those about North Carolina. By adding a touch of color, or by changing the way light shines through the clouds, Hopper commemorates the view and the feeling she had at that very moment. “I use a lot of artistic license,” she clarifies. “A lot of artists paint in the same color palette, but my color palette is very affected by the scene that’s inspiring me. It’s not just a snapshot of the scene, it’s a development of the particular place, trying to get a sense of the place—but it’s not really the place exactly.” Aside from revering nature and nostalgia, Hopper also hopes to encourage a sense of comfort. By reminding us about the splendor of nature and the problems humanity faces in damaging the natural world, she also shows us our troubles seem bigger than what they are. They, too, will be forgotten in time, no matter how dire they seem. “If you’re overwhelmed by your problems and you look at these paintings, hopefully you’ll realize they’re really not that important,” she says with a laugh. “They’re going to pass. Everything is going to change, and there are way bigger issues going on. We’re not the center of the Earth; we’re just a little small part.”
DETAILS:
Water & Sky: Paintings by Janette K. Hopper On view at PinPoint Restaurant 114 Market St. Presented by Art in Bloom Gallery www.janettekhopper.com
ARTS>> ART
A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE: Trifecta of artists found ILM’s first international art museum
T
yard in Paris and took photographs. He almost got stuck overnight in a lot of snow with a large wall to scale. One of his collectors wanted to purchase a photograph from this adventure, and Bahr sold it to him—so long as he promised he would visit Paris.
BY: ALEXA WILLIAMS
he towering yellow mansion at 510 Orange Street has served numerous purposes over the years: The leading family of the Protestant Episcopal Church built it in 1905 to be the residence for the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina. The mansion was home to several bishops over the years. In the ‘60s, it was occupied by Dunlea Broadcasting Industries Inc., and in the early ‘80s, to Village Radio of Wilmington, before the Bahr family acquired it in 1984. Since their ownership, they have pioneered its renovation from dilapidation to a beautiful home, and most recently, an art studio, an “arthaus,” so to speak—or as they call it, “Bahrhaus: An International Art Museum.” The home showcases a large and unique art collection acquired by the family from local, regional and international artists. Johnny Bahr III, local artist and resident of Bahrhaus, says there is so much art in the home, it’s impossible to display it all. They showcase multi-media from Ecuador, Switzerland, Mexico, Argentina, Russia, Japan, and Australia, among others. Bahr’s favorite of the collections from his family’s travels are the Swiss clocks, which have been gathered over the years. “They are very ornate and impressive as mechanically functioning objects, and the cuckoo clock is hard not to notice everyday,” he says. Bahrhaus also houses artists with hopes of adding to Wilmington’s creative city and becoming an arts destination. Made up of a trifecta, Johnny Bahr III, Nick Mijak and Jahde Justad, each artist currently residing in the house has owned a studio, gallery or art business, in some fashion—many in familiar buildings of downtown: The Trust Building, City Market, The Murchison building. Their personal art can be seen all over Wilmington as well. Bahr III has a mural featuring the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge on a wall outside of Slainte on Front Street. He also is the resident artist at YoSake Downtown Sushi Lounge. Mijak can be seen about downtown nearly any day of the week, painting watercolors of the historic area. He currently has an exhibit at Panacea Brewing Company featuring drawings of “Old Wilmington’s Old Trees,” which also were exhibited at Thalian Hall last year. Justad currently has her work displayed in Front Street’s Port City Java, as well as in a window display at Bar Local. She is currently engaged in many projects including a womaninspired series where she will be using strong women’s poetry, artwork, photography, and interviews to inspire her own work and explore the confidence, grace, and power of women who inspire her. She is doing a painting of one
“A year later, he went to Paris, having never been before,” Bahr tells. “I think it is amazing. A piece of art inspired someone to go have an experience. I think worldwide art has the ability to allow us to see a different perspective, to show us there are other things out there, to inspire us, and to teach us about ourselves and most importantly to make us feel. People here can’t always afford to travel, so I want to open up a space so they can come see something different.”
(BIG)FOOTING THE ART: Bahrhaus International Art Museum opens its next show, Mixed Media, on Mar. 29. Courtesy photo.
discovered in the home, which belonged to his father before he passed in 2016. Bahr found postcards dating back to 1906, with different old scenes of Wilmington.
of the gnomes for Airlie Garden’s “Gnome Invasion,” on display from June until October later in the year. Three artists intrinsically woven into the fabric of our beautiful town are now strengthening their connection by living within Bahrhaus; collecting and creating for their own art museum.
“Many of them my father acquired were through an online auction from the destinations they were sent to,” Bahr says. “It is a bit romantic, these pieces of history left as notes from people here experiencing Wilmington in a time before text and e-mail—when writing and postcards specifically were the only way to communicate.”
Bahr’s mother always has shared with her son a passion for art. They often frequented museums together, and she had mentioned the idea of opening a “little store” or “museum” in past conversations. After the patriarch of the family passed, Bahr and his mother decided to turn the idea into reality. “With the house being empty, it felt like it was time to do something with the space,” Bahr says. Mijak and Justad moved in not too long thereafter, and the idea began to fall into place. The starting off point was a mixed-media exhibit last summer. In September they showcased “Colors of Ecuador” with international art collected by the Bahr family over generations. Bahr’s mother is from Ecuador, so the country has been a travel destination, with the family collecting new art each visit. It included a collection of ancient Incan artifacts his grandmother used to acquire archeologically for banks and museums in Ecuador. Bahr loves the biodiversity of Ecuador and complexity of color stemming from it. “The color spectrum of flora and fauna is unlike anything I have ever seen, and you definitely see all those colors reflected in the artwork,” he explains. Then they hosted “The Art of the Postcard” in January, and featured postcard art by Bahr, Mijak, and Justad. It also offered a collection Bahr
Bahr felt a connection to the postcards instantly as they were his father’s attempt to collect art that could represent the visual history of Wilmington and its surrounding areas. The cards were displayed from inside a glass case and included scenes of the Wrightsville Beach rail trolley from downtown, The Lumina Pavilion, the cable car ride above the Carolina Beach Steel Pier and scenes from the past of historic downtown Wilmington. Most recently, in line with Valentine’s Day, they presented “HeARTache,” an art experience about unrequited love. The exhibit displayed largely local artwork by Bahr and Mijak, as well as “heart-related” sculptures by Nathan Verwey. Among displays was a projection screen spanning a wall, which flashed various break-up texts, e-mails, and messages received from past romances of Bahr. The core group of Bahraus have a grand view of their future: Mainly, they want to focus on international art. They want to expose folks to works that add flair to the world-at-large. Bahr wishes to challenge the more conservative nature of local art, and inspire people to desire different experiences outside of the comfort of their immediate surroundings.
Bahr also envisions a residency program, with artists from around the world coming to create while living in Bahrhaus. What they create will then be exhibited and promoted from the home. “I think it would bring in a different perspective to Wilmington and start connecting dots around the world,” he continues. “I’d also be curious to see how a foreign artist would interpret our town and the scenery here, and how it might influence their art.” In the past years they have had visitors from Russia, Argentina, Japan, Switzerland, France, and Italy, all of whom have left behind artifacts. “I’d like to continue to cultivate that idea; an international art community.” As well, Mijak envisions giving art lessons at the house, perhaps outside in the beautiful and spacious yard. Bahrhaus International Art Musuem’s next show will be held March 29, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m., featuring mixed-media, including photography, paintings, paper crafts, collages, video projections, and animations. It will feature work by Johnny Bahr III, and pieces from multiple international collections will be viewable during the exhibit, including Ecuadorian paintings from the previous show. The event is open to the public. “The hope is to get more people in experiencing art,” Bahr says. “That’s what my life is about: creating art and sharing it. . . . I want Wilmington to become a world art destination—a beacon of inspiration for art, film, music and all things creative.”
DETAILS:
Mixed Media
Bahrhaus I’tnl Art Museum 510 Orange St. • Free Show opening Mar. 29, 6 - 10 p.m. www.bahrhaus.com
For example, Bahr once snuck into a graveencore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 15
WHAT’S HANGING AROUND THE PORT CITY
GALLERYGUIDE ARTEXPOSURE! 22527 Highway 17N, Hampstead, NC (910) 803-0302 (910) 330-4077 Tues. - Sat. 10am - 5pm (or by appt.) www.artexposure50.com
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.
ART IN BLOOM GALLERY 210 Princess St. Tues. - Sat. 10am - 6pm (or by appt., Sun. and Mon.) (484) 885-3037 www.aibgallery.com
“Ink on Paper by Bob Bryden” & “Photographic Reflections by Harold Hodges” is a new exhibit combining the work of two
artists working in two very different media. The exhibit dates are March 16th - April 28th. Join us for the opening reception on Friday, March 23rd, 6-9 p.m. during Downtown Wilmington’s Fourth Friday Gallery Night. Visit with artists and enjoy refreshments with live music by Rebekah Todd. Established in October 2015, Art in Bloom Gallery is in a renovated 19th century horse stable in historic downtown Wilmington. The gallery presents an eclectic mix of original paintings, ceramics, sculpture, blown glass, stained-glass mosaics, photography, mobiles, jewelry, limited-edition prints, and mixed media by established and emerging artists.
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
v Showcasing more than 100 artists v Handmade clothing and jewelry v Nightly beer and wine specials v Nightly entertainment
e
(see Soundboard ad)
v Outdoor patio
Current art show features the works of Brian Kerrigan and Luis Adorno 16 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
CHARLES JONES AFRICAN ART 311 Judges Rd., Unit 6-E cjart@bizec.rr.com (910) 794-3060 Mon. – Fri. 10am - 12:30 pm 1:30 pm - 4 pm Open other hours and weekends by appointment www.cjafricanart.com African art: Museum quality African Art from West and Central Africa. Traditional African art for the discerning collector. 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.
723 N. 4th St.
Thank you, Wilmington, for voting Bottega Best Art Gallery!
other locations. Current exhibits at other locations include: “Between You and Me: Bradley Carter at The District” with paintings at The District Kitchen and Cocktails,1001 N. 4th St. “In the Light: New Paintings by Debra Bucci” & “Art Explosions by Jeffery Geller” at Waterline Brewing Company, 721 Surry St. “Water and Sky” with paintings by Janette K. Hopper at Pinpoint Restaurant,114 Market St. “Ordinary Beauty, Closely Observed: Scanographs by Susan Francy” at Platypus & Gnome Restaurant, 9 S. Front St.
EXPO 216 216 N. Front St, Wilmington, NC (910) 769-3899 Wed. – Sun., Noon – 6 PM www.expo216.com
Over 5,000 square feet in historic downtown of thought-provoking art and fashions! Expo 216’s one-year expositions are theme-driven: currently addressing Death & Dying. Works by local artists, Joan McLoughlin, Niki Hildebrand, Chad Starling, and many more will intrigue you. Fashions, such as Flatliner and The Cyclist’s Widow, will stun you. Exhibits, such as The History of Funeral Care and Mourning Practices, provide an educational element. Preview of Near Death Experience, Mar. 22, 4-6pm, for free. Be the first to journey through this mirror-lined chamber housing
an array of endless LED lights. The viewer walks toward a light but at the last minute is diverted to the main room. The formal opening is March 23, during Fourth Friday Gallery Night. Expo 216 is a supporter of the Wilmington music scene and provides live music during the Fourth Friday Gallery Night. Expo 216 is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
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. We invite you to learn more about the artists we represent, featured exhibitions, and gallery news. We regularly update the work available online, so return often to view our many different selections if you can’t drop into the gallery.
WILMA W. DANIELS GALLERY 200 Hanover St. (bottom level, parking deck) Mon.-Fri., noon-5pm http://cfcc.edu/danielsgallery
Wilma Daniels Gallery would like to welcome the first show of 2018, The Photo Invitational: Out of the Pines. Out of the Pines features work in photography by instructors from North Carolina Colleges and Universities. Featured artists are: Erin Arsenault, Kevin Eams, Dhanraj Emanuel, and Jay Capers, Randolph Community College; Jeff Murphy, Heather Freeman, Aspen Hochhalte, and Ann Kluttz, UNCC; Rose Jerome, Winston-Salem State; Courtney Johnson, UNCW; Daniel Josip Kariko and Angela Franks Wells, ECU; Larry Lean, University of Mount Olive; Jennifer Mace, CFCC; Leigh Ann Parrish, Western Carolina University; Richard Tichich, Western Carolina University; Charity Valentine, Pitt Community College; Will Willner, Wake Forest University; Joe Young, Catawba Vally Community College; Scot Taylor and Ryan Adrick, Carteret Community College.
PORT CITY FOOD LOVERS,
REJOICE! Join us for the most delicious week of spring
encore’s Wilmington
SPRING RESTAURANT WEEK S U E MEN N I L ONOW! N
Food from Dram+Morsel. Photo by Lindsey A. Miller Photography.
April 4 - April 11 participating restaurants downtown wilmington Anne Bonny's Bar and Grill Caprice Bistro Circa 1922 Dram + Morsel Elijah’s Fortunate Glass Wine Bar The Little Dipper Nikki’s Fresh Gourmet & Sushi On A Roll Paddy's Hollow Pilot House Ruth's Chris Steak House Savorez Steam Restaurant and Bar YoSake
MIDTOWN A Taste of Italy Antonio's Pizza & Pasta Carolina Ale House Casey’s Buffet Hops Supply Co. J. Michael's Philly Deli Jamaica's Comfort Zone La Costa Mexican Restaurant Los Portales Taqueria Munchies Okami Japanese Steakhouse RoadHouse of Wilmington Round Bagels and Donuts Yoshi Sushi
SOUTH wilmington Antonio's Pizza & Pasta Henry's Restaurant and Bar Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries J. Michael's Philly Deli Jamaica House Sports Bar & Grill Niche Kitchen & Bar Osteria Cicchetti Slainte Irish Pub
NORTH wilmington The Italian Bistro J. Michael's Philly Deli La Costa Mexican Restaurant The Melting Pot Osteria Cicchetti
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH Antonio's Pizza & Pasta Bluewater Waterfront Grill Boca Bay Oceanic Restaurant South Beach Grill
PLEASURE ISLAND Freddie's Restaurant HopLite Irish Pub and Restaurant Kure Beach Diner Lazy Pirate Island Sports Grill Michael's Seafood Restaurant
www.encorepub.com encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 17
RESPON SI BLE I T SO L UT IO NS
&HUWLĂ&#x20AC;HG $SSOH DQG :LQGRZV 6XSSRUW 5HSDLU 3URPSW 3URIHVVLRQDO &RXUWHRXV 6HUYLFH Giving money to panhandlers often supports drug and alcohol addiction. Wilmington has a variety of social service agencies that can help people in need. Please give smart to ensure your donation has the most positive impact possible. Donate at
www.GiveSmartWilmington.org or text â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heartâ&#x20AC;? to 910.817.4301
'DWD 5HFRYHU\ Â&#x2021;9LUXV 5HPRYDO Â&#x2021;:LĂ&#x20AC; 6HFXULW\ %XVLQHVV RU 5HVLGHQWLDO Â&#x2021; 2Q VLWH 6HUYLFH Â&#x2021; 5HIHUHQFHV
Call us at 910.392.0078 www.Computer-Medics.biz help@Computer-Medics.biz
Endorsed by: Rescue Mission of Cape Fear, The Salvation Army, The United Way of the Cape Fear Area, and Vigilant Hope
SAVINGS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! HALF-PRICE SUNSET CRUISES: $13.50
HALF-PRICE SERVICES: $12.50
HALF-PRICE SKATE PACKAGE: $13.50
HALF-PRICE BOWLING PACKAGE: $25.00
WILMINGTON WATER TOURS
THE BUMP AND BEYOND
JELLYBEANS FAMILY SKATE CENTER
CARDINAL LANES SHIPYARD
SIGN UP NOW AT ENCOREDEALS.COM AND SEE ALL THE SAVINGS! 18 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
STAGE RIGHT
ARTS>>THEATRE
‘BRIDGES’ IMPRESSES:
in local theatre BECOMING DR. RUTH
Thalian Association musical premiere is a showstopper
T
BY: GWENYFAR ROHLER
halian Association brings the NC musical premiere of “The Bridges of Madison County” to the main stage of Thalian Hall. It is based upon the 1992 runaway bestselling novel by Robert James Waller, which was made into the 1995 film starring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood. In 2014, the adaptation, with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown and the book by Marsh Norman, opened on Broadway. Thalian’s production is directed by Chandler Davis (also the association’s artistic director), and it is filled with romance, longing, sweetness, and a touch of joyful eroticism. It can make even the heaviest SIZZLING CHEMISTRY: Heather Setzler heart sigh, and it would have been a great Val- and Brenton Schraff have great chemistry in ‘Bridges.’ Photo by Mark Deese entine’s Day show. The show opens in 1965 with Francesca (Heather Setzler) singing “To Build a Home,” the saga of her journey from war-torn Italy to Iowa, as the bride of an American solider, Bud (Mark Deese). Little by little, she has become the perfect mid-century housewife and mother to two children, Carolyn (Logan Tart) and Michael (Gregory Beddingfield). It has taken a lot of hard work, and there isn’t much room for self-expression, excitement or luxury. But it is a good, solid, safe life. In fact, Bud is taking Carolyn to the National 4-H competition for the weekend to compete with her steer, Stevie, for the national title. Her brother, Michael, is being dragged along as well. It will be good for the kids to spend time with their father, and Francesca is looking forward to four days of quiet and no chores. (Aren’t we all?) About the time Bud and the kids are pulling out of town, Robert Kincaid (Brenton Schraff) is arriving to shoot pictures of the famous covered bridges of Madison County, Iowa. It is a small town, and everyone has noticed his arrival, and they even know where he has booked a room for the night. Only, he can’t find the last bridge—the Roseman Bridge—on his list. He stops at Francesca’s farm to ask for directions. She agrees to take him there. Alone with Robert at the bridge, well, things start to move quickly. Francesca’s next door-neighbor, Marge (Lisa Bohbrink), is following Robert’s progress with the aid of binoculars. Her husband, Charlie (Jon Wallin), admonishes her to stop, but they both gossip about Francesca’s behavior. At the moment of capitulation, while Francesca and Robert are dancing in the kitchen, Marge actually sings the song playing on the radio for them: “Get Closer” a cabaret number that is like Patsy Cline crossed with Marilyn Monroe, singing “Happy Birthday Mr. President.”
(Whew!) Davis scored a home run with casting the show. Setzler is phenomenal as Francesca: confined, ready to burst at the seams, and desperate to be seen as something more than just a housewife—in spite of crossing an ocean and starting a new life, still very innocent, inexperienced and sheltered. Deese’s Bud is a down-home decent guy. He shows love by making sure he provides a good home for his wife and family. Is he exciting? Sophisticated? Demonstrative? Imaginative? No. Between his big songs (“You’re Never Alone,” “Home Before You Know It” and “Something From A Dream”), we know he is the stand-up kind of guy who tries, but still isn’t sure how he wound up with her. He treats her the way other men around him treat their wives—but he clearly wishes he knew how to do something more wonderful for her. A lot of the success of this show hinges on the casting of Robert Kincaid. The audience has to genuinely believe Francesca is tempted into an affair, and seriously wrestles with possibility of throwing away her home, her family, and her children to be with another man. Yes, Robert must be gorgeous—and Schraff is. But it isn’t just his debonair looks: He gives an amazing performance and captures everything we want Robert to be: charismatic, sophisticated, mysterious, gentle. He journeys from having carefully constructed indifference to being completely, believably vulnerable. Schraff and Setzler’s chemistry is the kind the audience physically can feel as the third person in a room with them. If they were to go out in public together, the whole town would know. It only takes one look at them to be caught up in it. The triangle of Setzler, Schraff
and Deese is wrenching for the audience—we honestly aren’t sure which team to pull for. Do we hope she gives into passion and joy and runs away with him? Or do we hope she finds the strength to recognize how much her husband loves her and how badly her children need her? Honestly, either outcome looks pretty desirable. Lance Howell has designed a really phenomenal set which shows off many dimensions of the characters’ lives. The Roseman Bridge, for example, is created with two peaks and two railings, all rolled into position by members of town who slowly exit the stage. It creates a community that surrounds and watches their every move within an isolated little bubble of their own making—their perfect private world. One of the peaks form the bridge and doubles as the peak of Francesca’s house—which is really a powerful visual link through the storyline. In spite of the phenomenal performances, great writing, an innovative set and Debbie Scheu’s beautiful costumes, for the entire ride home, all my date could talk about was how much he adored Katie Deese’s sound design. “It’s the first time in years I could follow every word at Thalian Hall!” He gushed over and over again. I have to admit, especially with musicals, it can be frustrating to lose so much of the story from not being able to hear the lyrics—but not this time. He heard every word perfectly, and considering how beautifully the entire cast sang, audiences would not want to miss a note. Hands down, “The Bridges of Madison County” is my favorite musical I have seen yet in 2018. In many ways it’s a show I have been waiting for; I needed so much to see Setzler in this role and believe her struggle with these two men. The cast really brings to life the many facets and struggles of love, not just romantic, but familial—and loving thy neighbor. It is beautifully put together and offered the audience a reminder why musical theatre continues to shine.
DETAILS:
The Bridges of Madison County
Through April 1, 7:30 p.m. on Fri. and Sat., and 3 p.m. on Sun. Tickets: $32 Thalian Hall • 310 Chestnut St. www.thalianhall.org
Ruth and Bucky Stein Theatre, Thalian Hall • 310 Chestnut St.
Through April 1, Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m., and Sundays, 3 p.m. Tickets: $20 • www.thalianhall.org
Special encore presentation of “Becoming Dr. Ruth”—with a limited two week run. Holli Saperstein, (recipient of the Best Actress award for the same role), returns as the one and only Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Learn the story behind a remarkable woman, who, among other things, was a Holocaust survivor and an Israeli sharpshooter before becoming the world famous “sex therapist.” A funny and touching story that will leave you laughing and crying. (See review of last summer’s show online at www.encorepub.com.)
AZALEA FEST QUEEN
TheatreNOW • 19 S. 10th St.
Mar. 30-Apr. 28, Friday-Saturday, 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show. Tickets: $20-$42 (latter includes three-course meal) www.theatrewilmington.com
TheatreNOW’s next dinner show is written by local playwright Joel Perry and directed by his husband, James Bowling. When the new-money Jonathan family tries to buy their daughter the Azalea Queen crown, things fall apart in the funniest of ways. Starring: Heather Costello, Kathy Cagney Rossi, Rich Deike, Nicholas Taylor, Kitty Fitzgibbon, Elizabeth Michaels, and Skip Maloney. (See preview online at www.encorepub.com.)
encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 19
20 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
REEL TO REEL
ARTS>>FILM
TOMB RAIDER OR BIKE MESSENGER?
films this week CINEMATIQUE
Latest iteration of Lara Croft would be better as the latter
W
Thalian Hall • 310 Chestnut St. 7 p.m. • $7
BY: ANGHUS
April 2-4 (additional 4 p.m. screening on April 4): “Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool” will be shown in Thalian Hall’s Main Stage Theatre. Based on Peter Turner’s memoir, the film follows the playful but passionate relationship between Turner and the eccentric Academy Award-winning actress Gloria Grahame in 1978 Liverpool. What starts as a vibrant affair between a legendary femme fatale and her young lover quickly grows into a deeper relationship, with Turner being the person Gloria turns to for comfort. Their passion and lust for life is tested to the limits by events beyond their control. (Rated R, 106 min.)
e are living in fascinating times. Change is happening all around us, bubbling from the periphery of our ever-evolving culture and demanding action. For example, were you aware a large percentage of people have little to no interest hearing about which actresses I find attractive? It’s true. Apparently, discussing the physicality and attractiveness of actors and actresses has the potential to offend some readers. So that means I won’t spend any time in my column discussing how awesome it was to watch a grunting, sweat-covered Alicia Vikander for 107 minutes. Because that would be wrong. The track record for movies adapted from video games ranges from “serviceable” to “piss poor.” The challenge of taking something fun and interactive and adapting it to film is a real challenge, one that few succeed at doing. Take “Super Mario Brothers”: How do filmmakers capture the magic of playing a Super Mario Brothers game on the big screen? I could tell them things not to do, but it would probably be easier to pop in the disaster that is 1994’s “Super Mario Brothers” (filmed right here in Wilmington). Such live-action movies are a master class in disasters and expose a lot of problems with adapting video games into film. Which parts of the game should be adapted? And is it an adaptation of the material to replicate colors, sounds and characters, pixel by pixel? To be fair, a movie like “Tomb Raider” is a much easier game to adapt than something like “Super Mario Brothers.” For one thing filmmakers don’t have to try and figure out how to work in mushroom people and giant turtles that spit fireballs. Based on the 2013 relaunch of the series, “Tomb Raider” features young Lara Croft (Vikander) who is living the life of a pauper in London and works as a bike courier who takes MMA classes in her spare time. It turns out Lara is the heir to a massive fortune and corporation, but hasn’t been able to get over the supposed death of her father. She’s finally coaxed into a lawyer’s office to sign paperwork that will declare her father dead and have her take control of his company. Just before she can sign on the dotted line, she is handed a Japanese puzzle box she quickly solves. Inside is a message directing her to a hidden location where she discovers her father was a globe-trotting adventurer, trying to keep some powerful artifacts out of the hands of the sinister Trinity organization. He tells her to destroy
STRANGE MOVIE: Alicia Vikander may be a beautiful film star, but the “Tomb Raider” remake isn’t so nice to sit through. Photo courtesy of MGM
everything she finds to help prevent anyone from using his life’s work to evil gains. So of course she disregards his final wishes and follows the trail to find out what happened. Being an international adventurer/treasure hunter means Lara has to go to the middle of nowhere and make a left. In this case, the left turn takes her into the Sea of Japan and “The Devil’s Sea,” which doesn’t sound like the kind of place to go to find a Sandals resort. Lara enlists the help of a Chinese boat captain (Daniel Wu) who takes her into the dark waters, and eventually the two of them stumble onto a small island where Walter Goggins and a crew of evil A-holes are searching for the same ancient doo-dad as her father.
was in wasn’t so poorly written and woefully staged. The third act is a series of unfortunate anti-climaxes leading to an unfulfilling conclusion setting it up for a sequel—but I don’t want one. Unless that sequel involves Lara ditching the Tomb Raider gig for a bikedelivery gig and hanging out with her friends.
DETAILS:
ACE FILMS
Fisher Student Center Lumina Theater 1006 UNCW campus
Tomb Raider Rated PG-13 Directed by Roar Uthaug Starring Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Walton Goggins
Saturday, April 7, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. 2018 Academy Award-winning “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” will be shown in Fisher Student Center Lumina Theater 100, starring Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell. Free!
What are the odds? “Tomb Raider” is a strange movie. The world-spanning adventure portion never really does anything new or interesting. It’s a direct copy of the plot to the game, except the part where they remove all the utterly bombastic elements of the game to deliver a more gritty, grounded kind of action adventure. The films’ first 20 minutes are far more entertaining than the rest of the movie, so much so I kind of wish the film was called “Lara Croft: Bike Courier.” Those scenes were more engaging and entertaining than any of the low-rent Indiana Jones elements of the movie. Vikander is great in the role, and she pulls off the vulnerable tough-girl routine very well. I just wish the movie she
• Doughnuts • Real New York bagels • Coffee • And More
113 Village Road, Leland • 910-399-7548 Tuesday - Sunday 6:30am-2pm
encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 21
SOUTHEASTERN NC’S PREMIER DINING GUIDE
GRUB & GUZZLE
SOUTH BEACH GRILL •
www.southbeachgrillwb.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 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 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 thru Saturday, inspired “small plates” on Wednesday nights, an elegant yet approachable dinner on Thursday and brunch every Sunday. Look for a com-
22 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF SOUTH BEACH GRILL
bination 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, 11am-2pm; Thursday evening, 5pm-9pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: www.camcafe.org ELIJAH’S Since 1984, Elijah’s has been Wilmington, NC’s outdoor dining destination. We feature expansive indoor and outdoor waterfront dining, with panoramic views of riverfront sunsets. As a Casual American Grill and Oyster Bar, Elijah’s offers everything from fresh local seafood and shellfish to pastas, sandwiches, and Certified Angus Beef selections. We offer halfpriced oysters from 4-6 every Wednesday & live music with our Sunday Brunch from 11-3. Whether you are just looking for a great meal & incredible scenery, or a large event space for hundreds of people, Elijah’s is the place to be. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun-Thurs 11:3010:00; Friday and Saturday 11:30-11:00 ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown 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 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
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 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 two-story 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 Best-Of awards in catering, gourmet shop and butcher. Now, Kathy Webb and Christi Ferretti are expanding their talents into serving lunch inhouse, so folks can enjoy their hearty, homemade meals in the quaint and cozy ambience of the market. Using the freshest ingredients of highest quality, diners can enjoy the best Philly Cheesesteak in Wilmington, along with numerous other sandwich varieties, from their Angus burger to classic Reuben, Italian sub to a grown-up banana and peanut butter sandwich that will take all diners back to childhood. Served among a soup du jour and salads, there is something for all palates. Take advantage of their take-home frozen meals for nights that are too hectic to cook, and don’t forget to pick up a great bottle of wine to go with it. 3520 S. College Road, (910) 350-FOOD. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.-Fri.10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Sun. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Daily specials and take-home frozen meals ■ WEBSITE: www.pinevalleymarket.com
■ 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 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
RISE Serving up the best dang biscuits and donuts in Wilmington, Rise is not any typical breakfast spot. Our donut menu includes an assortment of ‘old school, new school, and our school’ flavors; and our buttery, flaky biscuits filled with country ham, bacon, sausage, fried chicken, and fried eggplant “bacon” are crave-worthy. Lunch is on the Rise with our new chicken sandwiches on potato rolls and fresh salads. 1319 Military Cutoff Rd. (910) 239-9566 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.- Sun. 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wrightsville Beach ■ WEBSITE: http://risebiscuitsdonuts.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.
Hot Dog in Wilmington for decades. Check our website trollystophotdogs.com for hours of operations, specific store offerings and telephone numbers, or contact Rick Coombs, 910297-8416, rtrollystop@aol.com We offer catering serving 25-1000 people. Franchises available ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER ■ LOCATIONS: Wilmington, Fountain Dr. (910) 452-3952 Wrightsville Beach (910) 256-3921 Southport (910) 457-7017 Boone, NC (828) 265-2658 Chapel Hill, NC (919) 240-4206 ■ WEBSITE: www.trollystophotdogs.com
ASIAN
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 drive-thru 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
Check out our daily/weekly specials Always a vegan/vegatarian/gluten free option
125 Grace Street • (910) 622-2700 Mon-Sat., 11 a.m. - 4 p.m
sammies. soups. salads. sides. wraps
encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 23
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 11am9pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, North Wilmington, Hampstead
The most authentic Greek food in town. • Gyros slow cooked on a spit • Greek salads fresh made to order
FAST • HEALTHY • AUTHENTIC
■ WEBSITE: www.hibachitogo.com INDOCHINE RESTAURANT & LOUNGE If you’re ready to experience the wonders of the Orient without having to leave Wilmington, join us at Indochine for a truly unique experience. Indochine brings the flavors of the Far East to the Port City, combining the best of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine in an atmosphere that will transport you and your taste buds. Relax in our elegantly decorated dining room, complete with antique Asian decor as well as contemporary artwork and music. Our diverse, friendly and efficient staff will serve you beautifully presented dishes full of enticing aromas and flavors. Be sure to try such signature items as the spicy and savory Roasted Duck with Red Curry, or the beautifully presented and delicious Shrimp and Scallops in a Nest. Be sure to save room for our world famous desert, the banana egg roll! We take pride in using only the freshest ingredients, and our extensive menu suits any taste. After dinner, enjoy specialty drinks by the koi pond in our Asian garden. Located at 7 Wayne Drive (beside the Ivy Cottage), (910) 251-9229. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Tues.- Fri. 11 a.m.2 p.m.; Sat. 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. for lunch. Mon.- Sun. 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. for dinner. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: www.indochinewilmington.com NIKKI’S FRESH GOURMET For more than a decade, Nikki’s downtown has served diners the best in sushi. With freshly crafted ingredients making up their rolls, sushi and sashimi, a taste of innovation comes with every order. Daily they offer specialty rolls specific to the Front Street location, such as the My Yoshi, K-Town and Crunchy Eel rolls. But for less adventurous diners looking for options beyond sushi, Nikki’s serves an array of sandwiches, wraps and gyros, too. They also make it a point to host all dietary needs, omnivores, carnivores and herbivores alike. They have burgers and cheesesteaks, as well as falafal pitas and veggie wraps, as well as an extensive Japanese fare menu, such as bento boxes and tempura platters. Daily dessert and drink special are also on order. Check out their website and Facebook for more information. 16 S. Front St. (910) 771-9151. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.-Thurs., 11am-10pm; Fri.-Sat., 11am-11pm; Sun., 12pm10pm. Last call on food 15 minutes before closing. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: www.nikkissushibar.com/
24 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
OKAMI JAPANESE HIBACHI STEAK HOUSE We have reinvented “Hibachi cuisine.” Okami Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse is like no other. Our highly skilled chefs cook an incredible dinner while entertaining you on the way. Our portions are large, our drinks are less expensive, and our staff is loads of fun. We are committed to using quality ingredients and seasoning with guaranteed freshness. Our goal is to utilize all resources, domestically and internationally, to ensure we serve only the finest food products. We believe good, healthy food aids vital functions for well-being, both physically and mentally. Our menu consists of a wide range of steak, seafood, and chicken
for the specially designed “Teppan Grill.” We also serve tastebud-tingling Japanese sushi, hand rolls, sashimi, tempura dishes, and noodle entrees. This offers our guests a complete Japanese dining experience. Our all-you-can-eat sushie menu and daily specials can be found at www.okamisteakhouse.com! 614 S College Rd. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.-Thurs., 11am-2:30pm / 4-10pm; Fri., 11am-2:30pm / 4pm11pm; Sat., 11am-11pm; Sun., 11am-9:30pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: www.okamisteakhouse.com SZECHUAN 132 Craving expertly prepared Chinese food in an elegant atmosphere? Szechuan 132 Chinese Restaurant is your destination! Szechuan 132 has earned the reputation as one of the finest contemporary Chinese restaurants in the Port City. Tastefully decorated with an elegant atmosphere, with an exceptional ingenious menu has deemed Szechuan 132 the best Chinese restaurant for years, hands down. 419 South College Road (in University Landing), (910) 799-1426. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Lunch specials ■ WEBSITE: www.szechuan132.com YOSAKE DOWNTOWN SUSHI LOUNGE Lively atmosphere in a modern setting, Yosake is the delicious Downtown spot for date night, socializing with friends, or any large dinner party. Home to the never-disappointing Shanghai Firecracker Shrimp! In addition to sushi, we offer a full Pan Asian menu including curries, noodle dishes, and the ever-popular Crispy Salmon or mouth-watering Kobe Burger. Inspired features change weekly showcasing our commitment to local farms. Full bar including a comprehensive sake list, signature cocktails, and Asian Import Bottles. 33 S. Front St., 2nd Floor (910) 763-3172. ■ SERVING DINNER: 7 nights a week @ 5PM; SunWed 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: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Homemade bagels, cream cheeses, donuts, sandwiches, coffee and more ■ WEBSITE: www.roundbagelsanddonuts.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. Familyowned 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 mouth-watering 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., 11:45am-9pm. 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
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; Seasonal hours are open 7 days a week, Memorial Day through October ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING: Tasting menu every Tues. with small plates from $1-$4; Ladies Night every Wed; $27 4-course prix fixe menu on Thurs.; “Date night menu,” $65/couple with beer and wine tasting every Fri. and half price bottles of wine on Sun. ■ MUSIC: Mondays and Memorial Day-October, 7-9pm
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
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 table-side. 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
FONDUE
THE LITTLE DIPPER Wilmington’s favorite fondue restaurant! The Little Dipper specializes in unique fondue dishes with a global variety of cheeses, meats, seafood, vegetables, chocolates and fine wines. The warm and intimate dining room is a great place to enjoy a fourcourse meal, or indulge in appetizers and desserts outside on the back deck or in the bar while watching luminescent jellyfish. Reservations are appreciated
Leland’s friendly neighborhood Irish Pub with the best pub fare in town. uuuuuuuuuuuu
Specials: TUES NIGHT: 1/2 Price wines by the glass WED NIGHT: 1/2 Price Draft beers
Dinner Daily: Tuesday - Saturday starting at 5pm Sunday Brunch: 10am-2pm featuring DIY Mimosa = 1 bottle of sparkling wine and a mason jar of hand squeezed OJ
www . rxwilmington . com
421 c astle s t • (910) 399-3080
• Food & drink specials daily • Trivia every Wednesday • Live music Fridays & Saturday’s starting in April • 26 Draft beers • 3 Irish whiskeys on tap • New, updated menu
uuuuuuuuuuuu 1174 Turlington Ave., Leland 910-408-1400 www.thejoyceirishpub.com
F acebook : Facebook . com / rxwilmington / or Follow us on instagram rxrestaurantandbar encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 25
dipping evening of dinnertime fun. ■ WEBSITE: www.meltingpot.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 comfortstyle 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 Friday and Saturday 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 thincrust pizza and homemade Italian dishes seven days a week! The Italian Bistro strives to bring customers a variety of homemade items made with the freshest, local ingredients. Every pizza and entrée is made to order and served with a smile from our amazing staff. Their warm, inviting, atmosphere is perfect for “date night” or “family night.” Let them show you why “fresh, homemade and local” is part of everything they do. 8211 Market St. (910) 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 FAT TONY’S ITALIAN PUB
Fat Tony’s has the right combination of Italian and American influences to mold it into a unique familyfriendly 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 27-tap 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 am-10 pm; Fri.-Sat., 11 am-Midnight; Sun., noon10 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 highest-quality ingredients in all of our food, and our dough is made daily with purified water. Voted “Best Pizza” and “Best Late Night
Two locations to serve you! 4403 Wrightsville Ave 7122 Market Street, Suite 105 in Ogden Lunch: Mon.-Sat. 11-3 • Dinner: Mon.-Sat. 5-10 26 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
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 wellknown for their large portions of classic Italian food, anyone who has dined at Freddie’s will recommend their staple item: a large bone-in 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-whitecheckered 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 8:00am-8:00pm, 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
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
16 S. Front St. • 910.772.9151 Downtown Wilmington
sushI SPECIALs Voted Best Sushi
Two specialty rolls for $19.95
Three regular rolls for $12.95
Specials valid only at the downtown location
encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 27
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., 4pm10pm; Sun., 4pm-8:30pm. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, north Wilmington and Leland ■ WESBITE: www.capefearseafoodcompany.com
erfront Dining, free on-site parking ■ MUSIC: Outside Every Friday and Saturday ■ WEBSITE: www.pilothouserest.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) Handcrafted 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
Wine
LOS PORTALES TAQUERIA • ■ WEBSITE: www.catchwilmington.com DOCK STREET OYSTER BAR Voted Best Oysters for over 10 years by encore readers, you know what you can find at Dock Street Oyster Bar. But we have a lot more than oysters! Featuring a full menu of seafood, pasta, 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
List
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 28 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
www.taquerialosportales.com
is locally owned and operated by Shelly McGowan and managed by her team of culinary professionals. Michael’s aspires to bring you the highest quality and freshest fin fish, shell fish, mollusks, beef, pork, poultry and produce. Our menu consists of mainly locally grown and made from scratch items. We count on our local fishermen and farmers to supply us with seasonal, North Carolina favorites on a daily basis. Adorned walls include awards such as 3 time gold medalist at the International Seafood Chowder Cook-Off, Entrepreneur of the Year, Restaurant of the Year and Encores readers’ choice in Best Seafood to name a few. 1206 N. Lake Park Blvd. (910) 458-7761 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 7 days 11 am – 9 pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Carolina Beach ■ FEATURING: Award-winning chowder, local seafood and more! ■ WEBSITE: www.MikesCfood.com OCEANIC Voted best seafood restaurant in Wilmington, Oceanic provides oceanfront dining at its best. Located in Wrightsville Beach, Oceanic is one of the most visited restaurants on the beach. Choose from a selection of seafood platters, combination plates and daily fresh fish. For land lovers, try their steaks, chicken or pasta dishes. Relax on the pier or dine inside. Oceanic is also the perfect location for memorable events, such as wedding ceremonies & receptions, birthday gatherings, anniversary parties and more. Large groups welcome. Private event space available. 703 S. Lumina Avenue, Wrightsville Beach. (910) 256.5551. ■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER & SUNDAY BRUNCH: Mon – Sat 11am – 11pm, Sunday 10am – 10pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wrightsville Beach ■ FEATURING: Dine on renovated Crystal Pier. ■ WEBSITE: www.OceanicRestaurant.com THE PILOT HOUSE The Pilot House Restaurant is Wilmington’s premier seafood and steak house with a touch of the South. We specialize in local seafood and produce. Featuring the only Downtown bar that faces the river and opening our doors in 1978, The Pilot House is the oldest restaurant in the Downtown area. We offer stunning riverfront views in a newly-renovated relaxed, casual setting inside or on one of our two outdoor decks. Join us for $5.00 select appetizers 7 days a week and live music every Friday and Saturday nigh on our umbrella deck. Large parties welcome. Private event space available. 910-343-0200 2 Ann Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun-Thurs 11am9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm and Sunday Brunch 11am3pm. Kids menu ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Riverfront Downtown Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Fresh local seafood specialties, Riv-
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. (910458-7380) and our second location is at 109 Market Street in Historic Downtown Wilmington (910-8338622). The Shack is the place you want to be to catch your favorite sports team on 7 TV’s carrying all major sports packages. A variety of fresh seafood is available daily including oysters, shrimp, clams, mussels, and crab legs. Shuckin’ Shack has expanded its menu now offering fish tacos, crab cake sliders, fried oyster po-boys, fresh salads, and more. Come in and check out the Shack’s daily lunch, dinner, and drink specials. It’s a Good Shuckin’ Time! ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Carolina Beach Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-2am; Sun: Noon-2am, Historic Wilmington: Sun-Thurs: 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat: 11am-Midnight. ■ NEIGHBORHOODS: Carolina Beach and Downtown ■ FEATURING: Daily lunch specials. Like us on Facebook! ■ WEBSITE: www.TheShuckinShack.com SOUTH BEACH GRILL South Beach Grill has served locals and guests on Wrightsville Beach since 1997 with consistent, creative cuisine—Southern-inspired and locally sourced, from the land and sea. Diners can enjoy a great burger outside on their patio for lunch or experience the unique, eclectic, regional dinners crafted by their chef. The chef’s menu highlights the bounty of fresh Carolina coastal seafood right at their front door. South Beach Grill overlooks the scenic anchorage on Banks Channel, located on beautiful Wrightsville Beach, 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 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
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 in-house every day. Founded in Eastern North Carolina in 1991, Hwy 55 reflects founder Kenney Moore’s commitment to authentic hospitality and fresh food. Lunch and
dinner is grilled in an open-air kitchen, and they serve you at your table—with a smile. 6331 Carolina Beach Rd., (910) 793-6350 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Monday - Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. . ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Delicious burgers and homemade shakes! ■ WEBSITE: www.hwy55.com/locations/wilmington-carolina-beach-rd J. MICHAEL’S PHILLY DELI The Philly Deli celebrated their 38th anniversary in August 2017. Thier first store was located in Hanover Center—the oldest shopping center in Wilmington. Since, two more Philly Delis have been added: one at Porters Neck and one at Monkey Junction. The Philly Deli started out by importing all of their steak meat and hoagie rolls straight from Amoroso Baking Company, located on 55th Street in downtown Philadelphia! It’s a practice they maintain to this day. We also have a great collection of salads to choose from, including the classic chef’s salad, chicken salad, and tuna salad, all made fresh every day in our three Wilmington, NC restaurants. 8232 Market St., 3501 Oleander Dr., 609 Piner Rd. ■ OPEN: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday, 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Friday - Saturday. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Porters Neck, North and South Wilmington, ■ WEBSITE: https://phillydeli.com MUNCHIES The most unique restaurant in Wilmington is Munchies. Located adjacent to the UNCW campus, Munchies provides a new take on classic American fare. Selling items unavailable anywhere else such as the famous “Fat Sandwiches”, decadent milk
shakes, and fried desserts set Munchies apart, while the incredible flavor of traditional items such as burgers and wings make Munchies stand out. Open until 3 am daily, and offering dine in, take out, and delivery options, as well the choice of ordering online, Munchies is a new American classic for todays modern world. Perfect for lunch, dinner or a late night snack, and totally customizable, Munchies makes sure you get your food, your way, all day. 419 S. College Rd., Unit 35, 910-798-4999. Dine in. Delivery. Take out ■ OPEN LUNCH AND DINNER: 12pm - 3 am daily ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: munchiesfoodco.com ON A ROLL Roll on into OAR—a fusion of American-JewishItalian deli fare, interspersed in seasonal specialties with a Southern accent. Every customer will receive freshly made-to-order sandwiches, wraps and salads, with the freshest of ingredients, all to ensure top quality. And when the place is hopping, it is well worth the wait. Whether choosing to dine in or take out—we deliver!—On a Roll is the downtown deli to enjoy homemade grub. Come make us your favorite! 125 Grace Street, (910) 622-2700 ■ SERVING LUNCH: Open Mon-Sun., 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. 24-hour catering available. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: Check us out on Facebook!
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
of 2010 in Wilmington, Carolina Ale House is the place to be for award-winning food, sports and fun. Located on College Rd. near UNC W, this lively sports-themed restaurant. Covered and open outdoor seating is available. Lunch and dinner specials are offered daily, as well as the coldest $2 and $3 drafts in town. 317 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
RX RESTAURANT & BAR Located in downtown Wilmington, Rx Restaurant and Bar is here to feed your soul, serving up Southern cuisine made with ingredients from local farmers and fishermen. The Rx chef is committed to bringing fresh food to your table, so the menu changes daily based on what he finds locally. Rx drinks are as unique as the food—and just what the doctor ordered. Join us for a dining experience you will never forget! 421 Castle St.; 910 399-3080. ■ SERVING BRUNCH & DINNER: Tues-Thurs, 5-10pm; Fri-Sat, 5-10:30pm; Sun., 10am-3pm and 5-9pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: www.rxwilmington.com
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
SPORTS BAR
TAPAS/WINE BAR
CAROLINA ALE HOUSE Voted best new restaurant AND best sports bar
DON’T MISS THESE UPCOMING EVENTS A lost piece of Civil War history has been found and highlights the existence of a forgotten U.S. Colored Troop based in NC—the 135th U.S. Colored Troop (USCT). To learn more, plan to attend the 135th USCT Living History Weekend. A pop up museum, exhibits, guest speakers, period music, and encampment will be free and open to the public. A special banquet will be held and tickets can be purchased ahead of time. For details & special packages, visit visitgoldsboronc.com/shop, 135usct.org or call 919.734.7922.
Run for a Child Greater Goldsboro 10k | 5k | 1m
40TH ANNUAL GREATER GOLDSBORO ROAD RUN
APRIL 14, 2018 GOLDSBORO, NC
Discover
A Missing Piece of Civil War History 135TH USCT LIVING HISTORY WEEKEND: THE LOST TROOP
APRIL 6–8, 2018 GOLDSBORO, NC
Experience one of the oldest road runs in North Carolina. The event is a fundraiser to help support our purpose of assisting the children and youth of our community. The funds generated from event sponsorships and participants go toward financial support for over 20 local organizations that assist the needy children and youth of Wayne County. For more information, visit runtheeast.com. The Hampton Inn Goldsboro is the host hotel for both the events and offering special rates. 919.778.1800
visitgoldsboronc.com • 919.734.7922
encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 29
GRUB & GUZZLE>>BREWS
ILM’S FIRST BEER CO-OP: Tidewater Brewing sets site in Soda Pop District, to open in June
the development will be for the whole area,” hALL divulges, citing rumors of new housing, office space, restaurants, and possibly a grocery store joining the Soda Pop District.
BY: BETHANY TURNER
A
cooperative is an interesting concept. In elementary school we learn to cooperate with others by simply “playing nice.” Utilized as a business model, a cooperative offers two main components: one, to fund aspects of the business; and two, to support a community mindset or goal.
Hall and Horton found the location, the former garage for Coca-Cola vehicles, roughly two years ago. The equipment from Azalea Coast was being leased to Beer Army in Trenton, NC. When Beer Army relinquished its brewing side of the business, Hall had the equipment ready to go. As longtime members of the local brewing community, Horton and Hall linked up to pursue a new avenue in 2018.
Some may be familiar with REI Cooperative. Outdoor enthusiasts sustain the nationwide company through product sales and lifetime memberships. They’re rewarded with a yearly dividend, a percentage of dollars spent throughout the year, and various workshops and discounts annually. A portion of the profits goes back to wildernesscentric charities. Locally, Tidal Creek Co-op offers a piece of its proverbial pie through annual equity ownership. As Wilmington’s communityowned natural grocery store, Tidal Creek has been a nonprofit for more than 30 years. While our area is no stranger to such business, Wilmington will be welcoming its first cooperative brewery in coming months. Located in the Soda Pop District at the corner of Princess and 10th streets, Tidewater Brewing Company will join the ranks of two other cooperative North Carolina breweries, both based in the Triad. The enterprise is founded by three local brewing alumni: Ethan Hall, Lydia Berzonsky and John Horton. The team is hoping to open in June. Hall began his career 14 years ago when he founded Azalea Coast Brewing.
The duo scooped up the cooler and some furnishings from the former Old Chicago restaurant on Market Street, including several booths and barstools, to fill the 2,500-squarefoot taproom. The atmosphere of Tidewater will be reminiscent of English or Irish pubs— warm and lived in, only with a coastal twist. SODA POP GONE SUDS: Downtown’s Soda Pop District will see the rise of a brewery in the old Coke building. Photo courtesy of Tidewater Brewing
Life led him through a sales director position at Millennium Beverage distributing and as head brewer for Thomas Creek Brewery in Greenville, SC. Most recently, he was the former head brewer for Wilmington’s Ironclad Brewery. Berzonsky is a brewer and lab technician, with a degree in biology and will be responsible for ensuring quality control at Tidewater. Prior to involvement in the brewery, Horton was the director of operations for Cape Fear Beer Festival and Cape Fear Brewing Company, also recognized as Kind Beers.
We have issues.... get them every Wednesday
The trio is joined by a handful of investors and craft-beer enthusiasts, but the founding members are taking a different approach to their endeavor. “We’ve done something kind of interesting for the brewery, following somewhat the model of Burlington Beer Works, Sebastian Wulfrom’s new place in Burlington, NC [as well as] Lucky City Brewing in Reidsville, NC,” Hall shares. “We’re actually selling cooperative ownerships in the brewery. We’re releasing 1,000 shares initially, at $200 per share is a lifetime buy-in. We’ll create a customer loyalty program, like REI does.” The loyalty program will be dubbed “Sand Dollars,” wherein cooperative members will receive a gift card up to 10 percent of the yearly total spent in the taproom. Likewise, owners can vote for two seats on the board of directors and have an opportunity to serve if they choose. Tidewater intends to host quarterly owners-only events and offer first dibs on limited beer releases. “We’ll have some focus groups where our membership can bring things to the board, where they help make decisions on what beers are coming down the pipe next,” Hall details. While the goals of the cooperative are to fund big-ticket items for the brewery, such as a canning line or satellite taprooms, Hall’s main goal is to create a more personable atmosphere. Guests are owners and they, too, can take a sense of pride in the business. “It was just something different,” he tells. “To me it seems like it’s going to be more of a neighborhood brewery, considering what
30 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
“Roughly 6,200 square feet will be for brewing space, including Lydia’s lab and a specialty grain storage area,” Hall describes. “Our goal is to have two grain silos outside, so our specialty malts will go in the room, but then our silos will have all of our base malt in it.” As for core, year-round beers, patrons can expect a lager Berzonsky and Hall developed at Ironclad, which garnered a gold medal at the 2016 Carolina Championship of Beer. Nash Fralick was Hall’s assistant brewer at Ironclad and will be rejoining him at Tidewater. Together they developed a red ale the team will revisit at the new space. Hall’s Navigator Lager, a 10.5-percent doppelbock from Azalea Coast, will be pursued as well. From there they plan to experiment with hoppy beers and other unique varieties. Folks can expect a taproom to open eventually near Hampstead, possibly featuring a pilot system in which limited releases will be brewed on-site. If successful, they’ll make their way to Princess Street for larger production. While Burlington Beer Works raised over $400,000 through the co-op to date, and the thought of future investments seems fruitful, Hall’s main goal is to reach a more involved consumer. “Something to make it a little more personable,” he says. “I wanted people to be able to feel like this is the place they can come hang out.” For more information on purchasing shares of Tidewater or to follow development, visit www.tidewaterbrew.com.
NIP SIP
GRUB & GUZZLE>>REVIEW
SURF’S UP, SUDS DOWN:
foodtastic events
Waterman’s crushes the craft beer and pub grub game
A
homemade ranch (or sharp, creamy blue cheese dressing) and I was like, Buffalo, who?
BY: ROSA BIANCA wise Kenny Chesney once said, “The sun and the sand and a drink in my hand with no bottom.”
I can’t be certain, but I’d like to think he was sipping on Waterman’s West Coast Pale Ale. With novel breweries popping up left and right in our waterside town, locals have become quite familiar with discerning the good from the great. It is beer, after all, so as my friend Ina Garten says, “How bad could it be?” OK, I’ll stop name dropping now. The point is: There are taprooms where patrons sit and stay a while, and those where PO’ BOY DELISH: The shrimp po’ boy and a one-and-done will suffice. When the news quiunoa tabbouleh salad is fresh and delightful from dropped that Wrightsville Beach’s long- Waterman’s Brewing. Photo by Ashley Wixon time lush-hole Fibber McGee’s was out and a new craft beer bar was in skepticism seeped into our salty air. But once Water- I like them); the American Red Ale with hints man’s opened their doors, it’s safe to say of warm malt; the Shoal Digger, a zippy rye saison spiked with fruit; and a robust Belgian they paddled directly into our hearts. strong ale as recommended by our server. It only takes one foot in the door to real- Of course I had my preferred picks over othize the phrase “the beauty is in the details” ers, but each brew radiated its own unique must have struck a chord with the owners as personality. they flipped Fibbers. The redesign results in The menu at Waterman’s reflects its rustic an elegant, industrial atmosphere accented charisma: laidback, yet chic with an emphaby exposed brick, a wood-burning fireplace, sis on sandy toes. In a previous visit, I had and hanging neon lamps over the bar that boast the Waterman’s logo—not to mention partaken in the homemade floppy chips and the decked outdoor patio with string lights beer-infused queso, and recalled a pop from and tables producing the ideal summer spot pickled jalapeños and bright carrot sticks which gave the dish new life. I also tried the for day drinking. blackened tuna taco with kohlrabi cabbage So, what about the beer? Does it hold up and once again remembered high marks as to locals’ picky palates? Insert enthusiastic the cuisine had a creative, tropical energy nod from all of Wilmington. behind it. I popped in for lunch one weekday afterFor this feast, I spotted a new item on the noon, and my date and I saddled up to cor- appetizer lineup. How could I possibly turn ner seats at the bar. We were immediately down a dish called “If Pigs Could Fly”? The greeted with waters, beverage lists and food pork-cicles stood out from standard ribs, as menus. I typically go straight for an IPA, but the meat was shaped to mock a drumstick. with a beer board as catchy as Waterman’s The sticky sweet BBQ slipped right off the it’s hard to turn down a five-pour flight. The bone and each moist, succulent bite was styles won’t scare off customers by being worth every napkin. outrageous. Expect familiar varieties, fused Next on deck: dry-rubbed grilled chicken with assertive hop combinations and distincwings (because one meat-stick is never tive flavors and aromas. As we sipped the enough). It’s not an easy feat for chefs to Plate Shifter (a West Coast pale ale), my date and I passed our tiny pint back and impress via chicken wings around here, as forth. Lemon? Pine? I dig when something most make them precisely on point or surhits my tongue and throws me for a loop. prisingly forgettable. Waterman’s jumbo This soft, resinous varietal was our first sip chicken drummies and wings were speckled of the flight and it immediately sparked con- with a smoky, salty and sweet aromatic rub, versation (as quality beer and food should). whose aroma I would consider wearing as perfume. Thanks to choosing grilling over In addition, we sampled the rotating IPA deep-frying, the addictively juicy meat burst selection (floral, bitter, and citrusy—just how with smoke. A dunk into their perfect, herby
For the grand finale, my date and I planned on splitting a sandwich. What we got was a New Orleansstyle shrimp bed big enough to sleep two people comfortably. Lieutenant Dan, is that you back there in the kitchen? Po’ boy from top to bottom, it was a fluffy, split-open buttery toasted French bread, stacked with a mountain of gloriously breaded shrimp, shredded lettuce, tomato, and tart pickle. The seasoned shrimp were crisp and light as air, and the vinegary bite from the pickle gave each mouthful another layer of flavor. As opposed to being overdressed with a heavily mayonnaise sauce, the seafood was simply accented by an exceptionally awesome, tangy remoulade. It got on my cheeks, my forehead, and in between my fingers. Not only did this enormous sandwich contain some of the most flawlessly fried shrimp I’ve ever tasted, but the price point was beyond reasonable. On the side came Waterman’s quinoa tabouli—a nice diversion from a side salad. The garlicky bowl of nutrient-dense whole grains was crunchy, fresh and lemony. Between the excellent customer service, eclectic menu that’s impressive without being pretentious, and the absolutely on-point house brews, Waterman’s is going to earn back every penny they put into the building. If you need to find me this summer, you know where I’ll be.
DETAILS:
Waterman’s Brewing Company
1610 Pavilion Pl. Mon.-Tues., 11:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. Wed.-Fri. 11:30 a.m. - 12 a.m. Sat., 10 a.m. - 12 a.m. Sun., 10 a.m . - 10:30 p.m. (910) 839-3103 www.watermansbrewing.com
CAPE FEAR CRAFT AND CUISINE Mar. 31, 6 p.m. Airlie Gardens
300 Airlie Rd. Tickets: $85 www.capefearcraftandcuisine.com/ Cape Fear Craft Beer Week is coming to a close with the mother of all tastings taking place at Airlie Gardens on Saturday. Folks will be able to mingle on the banks of Bradley Creek and nibble on the best bites from 25 local chefs, paired with sips from 25 breweries. Scoop up tickets now online; event starts at 6 p.m.
BELLAMY TEA SERIES Apr. 8-9, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Bellamy Mansion Museum
503 Market St. • (910)-251-3700 Tickets: $53.50
The Bellamy Tea Series is the museum’s annual fundraising event to showcase the elegance and grandeur of the 10,000 square foot Bellamy mansion. Teas include gourmet tea sandwiches, scones, and luscious desserts fully catered by local restaurateurs. Along with hot tea, we also offer a custom cocktail at each event as well as raffles which feature local businesses and organizations.
encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 31
2018 WINNERS — AS VOTED ON BY ENCORE READERS! The annual encore Best Of awards were given out on Saturday, February 24, at Brooklyn Arts Center, in our annual celebration of 141 winners! The part was a fundraiser for DREAMS of Wilmington—the winner of 2018’s Best Local Nonprofit—which works with at-risk youth in arts education, teaching dance, music, art, media, and so much more. We are happy to annoounce we raised $8,000 for them. Over the next five weeks, encore will write about every 2018 winner and publicize pictures from the party, courtesy of Chris Brehmer Photography. Below is the list of every winner! Cheers and congrats to all! RADIO STATION THE PENGUIN 98.3
media, arts, entertainment
RECORD STORE GRAVITY RECORDS TATTOO PARLOR ARTFUEL INC. THEATRE COMPANY THALIAN ASSOCIATION
BOOK STORE OLD BOOKS ON FRONT ST.
KIDS CLOTHING STORE ONCE UPON A CHILD
BOTTLE SHOP FERMENTAL
LAW FIRM DAVID & ASSOCIATES INJURY ATTORNEYS
CAR WASH CRUISERS CAR WASH AND DETAIL CENTER CHIROPRACTOR SITO CHIROPRACTIC
MASSAGE THERAPIST MARY BETH REDMAN MASSAGE/BODYWORK AUTO MECHANIC BLACK’S TIRE & AUTO SERVICE
ARCADE/GAME ROOM THE BLUE POST
THEATRE PRODUCTION YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
ART GALLERY BOTTEGA ART & WINE
THEATRE VENUE THALIAN HALL
ARTIST SARAH RUSHING
THESPIAN TONY RIVENBARK
BAND/PERFORMER L SHAPE LOT
TOURIST ATTRACTION NC AQUARIUM AT FT. FISHER
BOWLING ALLEY CARDINAL LANES SHIPYARD
TOUR OF WILMINGTON HAUNTED PUB CRAWL
COMEDY TROUPE PINEAPPLE-SHAPED LAMPS
WEBSITE PORTCITYDAILY.COM
DANCE CLUB IBIZA NIGHTCLUB
WRITER GWENYFAR ROHLER (ENCORE)
ESTHETICIAN MARCELLA HARDY (TANGLEZ)
PERSONAL TRAINER LAMAINE WILLIAMS (TRAIN WITH LAMAINE)
DJ DJ BATTLE
WRITE-IN CATEGORY PARTY ENTERTAINER: NO SLEEVES MAGIC
FARMERS’ MARKET RIVERFRONT FARMERS’ MARKET
SHOPPING PLAZA MAYFAIRE TOWN CENTER
PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE THE LITTLE DIPPER
PRINT SHOP DOCK STREET PRINTING CO.
FLORIST JULIA’S FLORIST
REAL ESTATE INTRACOASTAL REALTY
GARDEN STORE THE PLANT PLACE
SHOE STORE SOUL SHOETIQUE
GIFT SHOP BLUE MOON GIFT SHOPS
SPA HEAD TO TOE DAY SPA & SALON
GOLF COURSE BEAU RIVAGE GOLF & RESORT
SURF SHOP SWEETWATER SURF SHOP
GOURMET STORE PINE VALLEY MARKET
TANNING SALON TANGLEZ OF WILMINGTON
GYM O2 FITNESS
PLACE TO BUY USED CAR AUTO WHOLESALE
HAIR SALON ROCKIN’ ROLLER SALON
VETERINARIAN COLLEGE RD. ANIMAL HOSPITAL
HEALTH FOOD STORE TIDAL CREEK CO-OP
WEDDING VENUE AIRLIE GARDENS
HOTEL BLOCKADE RUNNER
WOMEN’S CLOTHING ISLAND PASSAGE
FILMMAKER MEGAN PETERSEN INDEPENDENT FILM WE ONLY WENT OUT AT NIGHT PLACE TO BUY MUSIC INSTRUMENTS FINKELSTEIN’S PLACE FOR KARAOKE THE REEL CAFE POOL HALL THE BLUE POST LIVE MUSIC VENUE GREENFIELD LAKE AMPHITHEATER MORNING RADIO SHOW MORNING CHILL (PENGUIN, 98.3) MUSEUM CAPE FEAR MUSEUM LOCAL NEWSCAST WECT (NBC) LOCAL NEWSCASTER FRANCES WELLER (WECT) RADIO PERSONALITY BEAU GUNN (PENGUIN, 98.3)
humanitarian & environmental ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP KAREN BEASLEY SEA TURTLE RESCUE & REHABILITATION CENTER LOCAL HUMANITARIAN BO DEAN NONPROFIT DREAMS OF WILMINGTON
goods & services ADULT STORE ADAM & EVE
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE THE HEMP FARMACY ANTIQUE SHOP THE IVY COTTAGE PLACE TO BOARD A PET PUPS PLAY AND STAY BOARDING, DAYCARE & GROOMING
32 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
CONSIGNMENT/RESALE - CLOTHES THE FAIRY CIRCLE CONSIGNMENT/RESALE DECOR THE IVY COTTAGE DENTIST BOZART FAMILY DENISTRY DOCTOR DR. HOLDSWORTH (WILMINGTON HEALTH) DOG GROOMER
VON BARKEE’S DOG SPA & BAKERY
JEWELER PERRY’S EMPORIUM
MEN’S CLOTHING BLOKE APPAREL & SUPPLY MORTGAGE COMPANY ALPHA MORTGAGE MOVING COMPANY TWO MEN AND A TRUCK NAIL SALON LUXE NAILS PLACE TO BUY A NEW CAR STEVENSON HONDA
food & drink
APPETIZERS FRONT STREET BREWERY
ATMOSPHERE, RESTAURANT OVERALL, THAI RESTAURANT INDOCHINE THAI & VIETNAMESE
BUFFET, CHICKEN, SOUL FOOD CASEY’S BUFFET BURGER, FRIES PTS OLDE FASHIONED GRILLE BURRITO FLAMING AMY’S BURRITO BARN
BAGEL BEACH BAGELS
CATERING SERVICE, GOURMET STORE PINE VALLEY MARKET
BAKERY, DESSERTS APPLE ANNIE’S BAKE SHOP
CHAIN RESTAURANT PANERA BREAD
BARBECUE JACKSON’S BIG OAK BARBECUE
CHEESESTEAK J. MICHAEL’S PHILLY DELI
BAR SATELLITE BAR & LOUNGE
CHEF KEITH RHODES (CATCH )
BARTENDER TRISTA NICOSIA (GOAT AND COMPASS)
CHINESE RESTAURANT DOUBLE HAPPINESS
BEER LIST CAPE FEAR WINE & BEER BISCUIT, DINER THE DIXIE GRILL BREAKFAST CAST IRON KITCHEN BREWERY WILMINGTON BREWING CO. BRUNCH SWEET N SAVORY CAFE
COFFEE SHOP BITTY & BEAU’S COFFEE DELI A TASTE OF ITALY
FOOD TRUCK CATCH THE FOOD TRUCK
OYSTERS DOCK STREET OYSTER BAR
FRENCH FOOD CAPRICE BISTRO
PIZZA, LATE-NIGHT EATERY SLICE OF LIFE PIZZERIA & PUB
HOT DOG TROLLY STOP
RIBS POOR PIGGY’S BBQ AND CATERING
ICE CREAM KILWIN’S ICE CREAM, CHOCOLATES & FUDGE
SALADS CHOPT CREATIVE SALAD CO.
INDIAN FOOD TANDOORI BITES
SEAFOOD CAPE FEAR SEAFOOD CO.
ITALIAN OSTERIA CICCHETTI
SPORTS BAR THE COPPER PENNY
JAPANESE RESTAURANT YOSAKE DOWNTOWN SUSHI LOUNGE
STEAK PORT CITY CHOP HOUSE SUSHI NIKKI’S SUSHI
MEDITERRANEAN FOOD OLYMPIA
TACOS K38 BAJA GRILL
LATIN/MEXICAN K38 BAJA GRILL
VEGETARIAN SEALEVEL CITY GOURMET
DONUT BRITTS DONUT SHOP
LUNCH, SUB/SANDWICH SHOP, HOMEMADE SOUP CHOP’S DELI
FAST FOOD CHICK-FIL-A
NEW RESTAURANT SAVOREZ
FINE-DINING EATERY RX RESTAURANT AND BAR
OUTSIDE DINING BLUEWATER WATERFRONT GRILL
WAITSTAFF THE COPPER PENNY WINE LIST THE FORTUNATE GLASS WINGS HELL’S KITCHEN
Thank you for voting us
BEST AUTO MECHANIC 4 LOCATIONS in Wilmington!
Dependable Auto Service and the Best Price on Tires!
Wilmington 1417 Castle Hayne Rd. (910) 763-4601
Wilmington 5311 Market St. (910) 799-1611
Wilmington 2828 Carolina Beach Rd. (910) 791-0056
Wilmington 2015 Oleander Dr. (910) 763-3324
www.blackstire.com encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 33
goods & services
NEW CAR DEALERSHIP: STEVENSON HONDA Picking out a new car is not a simple decision. The options are wide-ranging and the decision is lasting. Pat Koballa of Stevenson Honda knows he and his employees are a big part of that decision.
37% votes
“When someone buys a vehicle they are spending a lot of money and they need to feel good about where that money is being spent,” Koballa tells. “I preach the Golden Rule to employees: Customers [are] the first priority.”
Koballa says one of his favorite parts of the business is watching his employees grow. And he has had many in his threeplus-decade career managing many dealerships in town. In the end, his employees become like family. “Watching someone start their career, begin dating, getting married, buying their first house, having a child and progressing within the organization brings a certain level of fulfilment to me,” he says. “I like to make people happy.” Stevenson Honda opened back in 1983 (making them just a couple of years older than encore). Ever since, Koballa says they’ve been winning awards, includ-
MASSAGE THERAPIST: MARY BETH REDMAN
52% votes returned once again to massage therapy to ease her pain.
Armed with knowledge on how massage therapy helps, Redman decided to pursue a path in the practice. Now, she owns her own private practice, and does for others what she was able to experience as a child.
HEALING HANDS: Mary Beth Redman continues to take home the award for Best Massage Therapist and will open her own spa, Willow Retreat, on Princess St. in April. Photo by Chris Brehmer Photography
Mary Beth Redman provides her clients with the best quality massages possible because she knows the benefits of excellent massage therapy. When she was younger, Redman trained in gymnastics, but the life of any kind of athlete means sore muscles. She would regularly undergo massages to help with the soreness. As a teenager experiencing terrible migraines, which seemingly no treatments would help, Redman
“I am passionate about massage because I can sincerely help people overcome and deal with stresses that come along with everyday life,” Redman says. “It’s hard to stop and take a breath sometimes; we get lost in life and forget to take care of ourselves. I love being the most relaxing part of someone’s day!” Redman sees many clients walk through the doors of her practice with various needs. Regardless, but mission remains the same for each one: provide them with the best quality massage.
“My clients are a diverse array of people,” she explains. “I have no specific type of client. I believe in healing for all! I think because I take pride in what I do and take a therapeutic approach toward every massage, the clients feel I sincerely listen to and this ensures they receive maximum benefits. I don’t do cookie-cutter massages.”
34 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
HIS WORD IS ON IT! Mr. Pat Koballa, owner of Stevenson Honda, accepts the award for Best Place to Buy a New Car. Photo by Jessica Russell
ing this year’s win for Best Place to Buy a New Car. “The Best Of Award speaks about our commitment,” he says. “By this I mean our commitment to our customers. There are a lot of choices in today’s environment, and if we do not make customers feel like they made a good decision when they turned in our driveway, they are going elsewhere to buy.” While Stevenson is accepting the win for new cars, Koballa stresses their used car sector is becoming more and more important. Inflation is making the price of new cars rise, after all. “I expect there to be much more pressure on preowned inventory,” Koballa tells. “The demand of preowned vehicles will continue to climb. Preowned prices will remain strong due to demand, making it easier for customers to trade.”
and the Stevenson team are up for the challenge. He predicts new cars will become more attractive in the near future with vehicle manufacturers offering incentives on cars, trucks and SUVs Making it easier for buyers is one focus of Stevenson Honda that continues to make them the best of the best. Many of their clientele are repeat buyers, in fact. “They have purchased their last two, three ... or some as many as 20 vehicles from us,” he praises. “The staff has made our customers feel good about their decision to buy from us. We have great products and stand behind what we sell,” he says, adding the famous phrase you’ve heard in their commercials: ‘If it has our name on it, You have our word on it.’”
He also says it may present difficulty to procuring needed inventory. Still, Koballa
Other new car dealerships parking on our poll are Bob King Automall (33%) and Jeff Gordon Chevrolet (30%).
In between sessions, Redman recommends ingesting a healthy diet to complement the healing properties of massage. “It’s a great preventative measure for overall health,” she notes. She also suggests keeping stress levels down, with short, meditative stretching sessions daily. Most importantly, Redman encourages her clients to drink plenty of water.
manicures, and pedicures.
“It helps deliver oxygen through the body, flushes toxins, lubricates joints, allows cells to grow and reproduce and much more,” she assures. Redman will be opening Willow Retreat Spa with her fiancé, Jamison Congleton, in April 2018. The couple named the spa after their one-and-half-year-old daughter, Charlee Willow. The location will be at 802 Princess St. and the spa will provide services in therapeutic, hot-stone, prenatal, cranial sacral, deep-tissue, and more. Services also will include yoga, meditations,
When Redman is not providing massages to the Wilmington community, she is often acting. In 2014, she won encore’s award for Best Thespian. She also holds a bachelor’s in biology from UNCW with an emphasis in marine biology and minor in psychology. “I am so thankful to have such amazing and loyal clients take their time to nominate and vote for me,” Redman notes. “It means so much to and also helps remind me how I sincerely am making a difference in people’s lives! That is the most rewarding aspect of all!” Other massage therapists kneeding the encore readers’ poll are Haley Walk at Wilmington Massage and Rehabilitation Center (27%) and Gregg Policari at Back In Motion (21%).
TANNING SALON: TANGLEZ OF WILMINGTON At Wilmington’s best tanning salon, the magic is in the lack of UV rays. At Tanglez Salon and Spa, spray-tan technician Denise Carver has been helping customers glow up since she joined the team in 2010. “We believe our tanning salon is the best in Wilmington because of Denise’s ability to customize your tan to your skin tone,” office manager Sharon Pool says. “Her experience, coupled with her dedication to perfection, is bar none.” Carver is Tanglez’s one and only purveyor of the sunless spray tan. Originally trained in 2005, she has been refining her skills for more than 10 years. She prioritizes making clients as comfortable as possible. At Tanglez getting a tan is a quick, easy and convenient process. After a spray from Carver’s high-pressure spray gun on desired areas—which takes as few as 5 minutes—the tan dries fast and lasts seven to 12 days. Tanglez also has “quick tans” available for a busy customer who needs to shower as soon as two hours after the appointment (normally, spray tans need to set at least six hours before a wash).
One Tanglez tan session with Carver costs $30. Customers chasing a constant bronze finish can get discounts: two sessions for $50 or a package of five sessions for $100. All sessions are one-onone and customized to the client’s needs and desires. Spray tans can remedy tan lines, achieve instant results and elimi-
43% votes nate the risk of skin cancer that comes with sun tanning and tanning beds. The goal of a Tanglez spray tans— along with any of their other spa and salon services—is to make customers look and feel their best. Tanglez offers skincare and makeup services, brow waxing and tinting, facial and body waxes, eyelash extensions. The salon offers haircuts, styles and coloring, texture and treatments. It uses a full range of professional products, stays open six days a week, and has locations across southeastern North Carolina from Wilmington to Carolina Beach to Castle Hayne.
Salon owner Donnie Canady founded the salon in 2009 and has been working in beauty since 1982. After traveling the U.S. as an educator of stylists, he returned to Wilmington to run several salons in Independence Mall before opening his own. Canady aims to imbue Tanglez with a family-like atmosphere that extends to both staff and customers. In fact, on Saturday mornings, visitors can find “Momma” Ernestine Canady sitting in a chair while her son styles her hair. Just as well, Canady has real love for community and giving back. In 2017, Tanglez donated to the local chapters of the American Red Cross, Muscular Dystrophy Association, National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Special Olympics. Its beneficiaries also include local organizations, such as the NC Nurses Association, Thalian Hall, the Cape Fear Equine Rescue, Art in the Arboretum, Going Beyond
GARDENING STORE: THE PLANT PLACE Dee Ivey has worked for The Plant Place and its owners Bill and Bobbie Edwards for 34 years. Each morning she looks forward to greeting longtime customers and helping newbies navigate the Market St. garden store. She offers the best advice on anything from finding flowers for sun or shade gardens, to repotting plants. “We are family at The Plant Place and our customers become our family,” Ivey says. “They are most important to us.”
As their family continues to grow, so does their recognition as one of Wilmington’s go-to shops for all things plants and gardening. The Plant Place picked up this year’s prize for Best Local Garden Store. “This year’s win puts a big smile on our faces,” Ivey says. “Bill and Bobbie began building The Plant Place in 1976, and they are the most wonderful bosses anyone could ask for. . . . Our award makes us so very proud we won. We do love our customers and we love what we do.” The store’s clientele stretches across the tri-county area, from Southport to Jacksonville. They’ve even seen an increase in college students, who have been known to prefer easy-to-grow succulents, perfect for busy lives and schedules. Ivey says folks are often looking for indoor foliage to help clean the air, and it’s not
FROM BRONZE TO GOLD: Tanglez Salon owner Donnie Canady shows off a new win for the salon, Best Tanning, with tan technician Denise Carver. Photo by Chris Brehmer Photography
the Pink and area high schools.
Other tanning salons procuring votes
are Timeless Tans (30%) and Saule Tanning Salon (27%).
39% votes
hard to find something special for inside or outside planting from The Plant Place’s 34 greenhouses. And if they don’t grow it, they’ll find it upon request. It is, however, hard to choose a favorite.
“The sun impatiens really draw my eye for the ‘wow’ factor,” she offers. “Container gardening is hot right now. You would be surprised what you can grow in pots on your balcony, deck or just sitting in your yard. Cheryl is our lead container designer, you can bring your container in or choose one from our wide selection.” Spring is here and The Plant Place is stocked with beautiful annuals, perennials, grasses, herbs, and hanging baskets—all grown onsite. No matter what gardeners are trying to accomplish, Ivey advises starting with good quality plants grown locally, and amending flower beds with good soil. “Our knowledgeable staff can show you which flowers will work best in sun, shade and drought-tolerant areas,” she adds. “Shawna, Mr Bill’s head grower, keeps us informed on everything growing.”
Also sprouting up on our poll are Farmers Supply (25%) and The Transplanted Garden (36%).
“We would like to thank the community, our loyal customers, family and friends for voting us #1 best place to buy a preowned vehicle.” -Sincerely, Paul Tracy and the Auto Wholesale team
Our goal is to have the cleanest, nicest used cars at the best prices, along with making the buying process simple, easy, and transparent. We sell mostly late model used cars from 3 years old to present with low mileage and in pristine condition. Most are one-owner cars!
NO HASSLE PRICING • SAVE BIG 6003 Market St. • (910) 792-6100 www.autowholesalenc.com encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 35
MOVING COMPANY: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Moving is rarely easy and if it is, the stress of planning, packing and transporting seemingly never ends. Nicole Utz, the general manager of Two Men and a Truck, lists moving as “one of the top three most difficult experiences in life.” With the help of Wilmington’s Best Moving Company, though, such stress may not seem so daunting.
Two Men and a Truck began as a side job for two high schoolers in Lansing, MI, during the 1980s. At the time, brothers Brig and Jon Sorber helped people move around their area in an old pickup truck, while their mother, Mary Ellen Sheets, developed a logo for them for use in the local newspaper. Eventually, the brothers left home for college, but Sheets continued to take calls for moving services. Without the help of her sons and their truck, though, she needed to hire movers and find a new means of transportation. Thus, Two Men and a Truck began. Sheets began franchising the company in 1989 and started with a location in Atlanta, GA. Twenty-nine years later, the company has expanded their franchises to reach 43 states and include a fleet of 2,800 trucks. One of their franchise locations happens to be in Wilmington.
The local company provides full-service moving and storage and can move both homes and businesses, while also providing packing materials for purchase when needed. The moving company does not just move locals from one end of Wilmington to the other; they can also assist in moves across states.
61% votes “When we move long distance, our customer’s belongings are on a dedicated truck not combined with other shipments,” Utz promises. “One major advantage to this is that it allows us to have an agreed upon delivery date for our customers.” Two Men and a Truck do more for the community than just assist in the process of moving. They also support and work with organizations like Junior League, Pender County Humane Society and Welcome Home Angel.
Each year, the company helps give back to mothers in need every Mother’s Day through their Movers for Moms program. Movers collect personal-care items for women living in domestic violence shelters, with help from local businesses and organizations like RE/ MAX Essential and Bill Clark Homes. The Wilmington recipient of donations is The Open Gate, and anyone interested in becoming a collection partner for the program should contact Utz at 910-763-7990. Helping give back to the community is just one of the ways Two Men feel honored by the work they do. The team cares about customers and remain dedicated to them through big shifts in their lives.
“Being honored with the Best Of Award lets customers know we are a company committed to exceeding our customers’ expectations,” Utz explains. “I am very proud to be a part of Two Men and a Truck and grateful to our team for their hard work and dedication to our customers.”
Matt Keen, the former manager of Manifest, was not prepared to let the record store era die, however. Soon after Manifest’s closing, Keen decided to open Gravity Records—Wilmington’s new hotspot for musical needs. According to Keen, “The rest is history.” When Gravity first opened in 2004 it focused more towards CDs, since the compact discs miraculously remained popular throughout the early 2000s. As vinyl records became increasingly popular again in the late 2000s and early 2010s, the store evolved to cater to the renewed interest. Now, the store provides an almost exclusively vinyl catalog. And it’s customer base has not slowed down. “[Records] are tangible,” Keen explains.
Finkelstein’s is one of the first buildings visitors see when they head downtown toward the riverfront—a landmark and historic site in its own right. Perched on the juncture of Market and Front streets, only a block from the Cape Fear River, Finkelstein’s has been a literal cornerstone of Wilmington since its 1906 opening. “People come through these doors looking for experience, be it an engagement ring or a guitar,” owner Bobby Hamelburg says. “Finkelstein’s is a refuge for people of all backgrounds to feel free and welcome. It’s been a community hub for over 112 years.” Perhaps that’s why it clinched the 2018 Best Place to Buy Musical Instruments title. The store carries high-end brands for serious musicians from around the world: Fender and Martin guitars, Peavey speakers, Peal drums and more. Finkelstein’s employees are not only experts, but friendly folks who take the time to get to know regulars and locals. It’s the kind of place where a starry-eyed kid (or grownup) can walk in knowing nothing about music and walk out inspired with their first instrument and practice book, It’s also where ILM’s professional players can pick up the latest and greatest tools of the trade. “A lesson in the upstairs studio is a travel into one of the coolest, most authentically historic second stories in downtown Wilmington,” Hamelburg points out. “Our students have been coming back for years, and the store provides the creative freedom so necessary
61% votes for musical advancement and confidence of students of any age.”
It is a home for musicians, by musicians. The store greets newcomers with walls covered instruments and drumsticks piled neatly in an organized cubby next to a flock of Zildjian cymbals. Amps line the perimeters and drum sets crowd together in a cozy musiclover’s dream world. In addition to expertise and instrument sales, Finkelstein’s offers occasional classes and clinics; the upstairs private lessons in drums, bass, guitar and ukulele; setups; restrings; and amplifier and instrument repair. And in addition to the fun sounds coming out of Finkelstein’s, their jewelry counter, nestled in the center of the store, is another attraction. Hamelburg runs the show as a registered gemologist, having learned the trade from Ann Finkelstein. He has been designing custom pieces for more than 35 years.
“Wilmington can expect to see Finkelstein’s continue to grow with the next generation, whose perspective will integrate progress and defend the small business through the test of time,” Hamelburg says. In fact, the store is currently undergoing renovations but continues to remain open and serve its loyal clientele.
Other musical instruments shops servicing the town and showing up on the poll are Music Loft (30%) and Guitar Pickers (9%).
Other movers climbing the poll include Few Moves Moving Company (22%) and Miracle Movers Wilmington (17%).
RECORD STORE: GRAVITY RECORDS When one of Wilmington’s few remaining record stores, Manifest Discs & Tapes, closed in 2004, it seemed like the era of the record store was dead. With the rise of online music sales, physical CDs and vinyl records slowly started to become obsolete. A change in how people listened to music meant record stores found it hard to keep up with the times and closed as a result.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS: FINKELSTEIN’S
62% votes “To listen to a record you have to literally put it on the player and get up and flip it. It’s a true listening experience. You are forced to pay attention. As long as you have even a decent record player, they tend to sound better, too.”
A quality selection of records is not the only factor keeping customers coming back to Gravity, though. What sets the store apart, according to Keen, is its musical knowledge base, turntable repair service and general kindness toward people. It also helps when Keen’s three dogs, Mookie, Murdoch and Monkey frequently monitor the store and pose for cute pictures on its social media pages. Keen believes Gravity Records’ live performance space helps it stand out among the competition. The store’s stage provides a place for both local and out-oftown musicians and bands to perform in Wilmington. While the space is open for local groups, Keen says they tend to look out for bands touring the East Coast but can’t get a date in Wilmington. Some of the groups who have performed include Black Bouquet of Raleigh, D & D Sluggers of Wilmington, and Talk Me Off of Rich-
36 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
KEEPING ILM IN A SPIN: Matt Keen poses with his “e” with li’l helper Mookie at Gravity Records on Castle St. Photo by Jessica Russell
mond, VA. Bands interested in booking a gig in the record store can e-mail gravityrecordsbooking@gmail.com. “We have our ear to the ground for the kind of bands that are on the verge of something bigger,” Keen says.
No matter ones musical tastes, Gravity aims to deliver in both live music and available records. From oldies like The Clash and Tom Petty, to the new age of artists, like Childish Gambino and Kend-
rick Lamar, Gravity Records provides a quality selection for everyone.
“[Customers] can expect to find great vintage vinyl curated with care,” Keen describes, “a safe welcoming and inclusive environment, great live music, Turntable’s new and vintage, and a local record store experience not quite like any other.” Other records stores spinning onto the encore readers’ poll are Yellow Dog Discs (30%) and Angie’s Records and Hair (8%).
BOOKSTORE: OLD BOOKS ON FRONT STREET Old Books on Front Street looked a little different when Mr. Daughtry opened it in 1982. After serving in WWII and selling appliances at Sears for many years, he found himself bored with retirement. He needed somewhere he could go and do something he felt was meaningful, so he decided to open Old Books on Front Street in the Gaylord building downtown to satisfy his craving.
Old Books on Front has changed some since Mr. Daughtry opened it in the 80s. He sold the shop to the Rohler family, and in 2010 the bookstore relocated to 22 N. Front St. where it is now managed by Gwenyfar Rohler—local author (encore writer) who also was a loyal patron of the store since its beginning. “It’s one of the most significant honors I have received in my life,” Rohler says about Mr. Daughtry’s request to have her succeed him as the primary manager of his passion project. Rohler carries on his legacy and her parents’ legacies—both of whom passed away and were partners in taking over the shop—through the bookstore. She credits her parents with instilling a set of values she embraces in her work everyday. “[It includes] a worship of the written word, a staunch defense of the freedom of information and the press, and a sense of stewardship for things in life that are more important than money,” she notes.
One day Rohler hopes to pass on the legacy once again to a rightful successor, just as Mr. Daughtry did for her.
41% votes The bookstore has evolved in more than just leadership and location. When Mr. Daughtry ran the store, he never accepted credit cards. Cash-reluctant patrons need not worry, though, Old Books accepts them all. The store also stocks many new books, as well as their self-titled “old books,” and myriad board games. There are some ways the store has not changed, however. “We hand-write receipts,” Rohler explains, “and we don’t have a computerized inventory because the experience of talking with you and sharing with you is what we focus on—not fighting with a beeping machine.”
Old Books has branched off into other ventures since Rohler has taken the reins. One is The Top Shelf, a literary loft above the bookstore where guests can sleep among the works of writers new and old. There is even a lifesized Scrabble board to entertain guests.
According to Rohler, “The loft is designed to celebrate and honor NC’s writers.” Specifically, the loft honors writers who many people do not realize are from area, like the author of “Ender’s Game,” Orson Scott Card, and Kathy Reichs, whose books inspired the popular TV series “Bones.” Rohler hopes to bring attention to writers who deserve more than they receive, like George Moses Horton, an African-American poet who managed to publish his first book while still enslaved, by selling poetry to UNC students to pay for the time he was away from the plantation. Along with The Top Shelf, Rohler also
PAGE-TURNING WIN: Gwenyfar Rohler, owner of Old Books on Front St., and her siginificant other, Jock Brandis of Full Belly Project, accept the award for Best Bookstore. Photo by Chris Brehmer Photography
helped create the two-hour Literary History Walking Tour, offered every Saturday. On it she discusses local history and writers who have ties to our area. As if her schedule isn’t packed enough, she currently is working toward opening a North Carolina literary-themed bed-andbreakfast, Between The Covers, located in her childhood home. Rooms will have themes dedicated to North Carolina writers like Maya Angelou, Zelda Fitzgerald and Nicholas Sparks.
for the hard work,” Rohler notes. “When you come in and are unbelievably excited to talk about a new author you have just discovered whose work you have become enamored with—that is what we love. We want you to experience something unique and special here. We want it to be tactile and real as opposed to digital and ephemeral. We want you to be thrilled and excited by the discovery and to share that with us.”
“When you come around the corner of the Other bookstores turning up are Barnes and first shelves and say, ‘Wow!’ that is the pay off Noble (35%) and Pomegranate Books (24%).
Thank you, Wilmington, for voting Pine Valley Market Best Catering Services and Best Gourmet Store. We are grateful for your ongoing support and recognition.
Owner Christi Ferretti
HOURS: Mon-Fri: 10am-6pm Sat: 10am-4pm • Sun: Closed 3520 S. College Rd. • 910-350-FOOD(3663) pinevalleymarket.com encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 37
FARMERS’ MARKET: RIVERFRONT FARMERS’ MARKET Nowadays eating locally-sourced foods has never been more popular. Almost every restaurant menu stresses their ingredients are local, and more and more consumers are looking to add locally-grown produce to their home menus. What better place to get fresh and local wares than right from the source?
WINNER FOR 17 YEARS IN A ROW! “BEST ANTIQUE SHOP” AND “BEST CONSIGNMENT/RESALE -HOME DECOR” MID CENTURY • RECLAIMED INDUSTRIAL • CLASSIC KITSCH • FUN
OVER 100,000 ITEMS IN INVENTORY
3030 MARKET STREET, WILMINGTON 28403 (910) 815-0907 THREECOTTAGES.COM
The Riverfront Farmers’ Market (RFM) is a great place for Wilmingtonians to get their local fix. According to R.T. Jones, market manager, the RFM started in 2004 when a small group of motivated local farmers, growers and citizens with support from the City of Wilmington organized in 2004 with handful of vendors along Water Street. “And here we are celebrating our 15-year anniversary!” Jones says. As the RFM has grown over the past decade, the farmers, artisans and vendors have grown with it. They can market their goods and wares directly to customers in historic downtown Wilmington, along the Cape Fear River.] “Many vendors sell products to local chefs/restaurants they’ve met at the market and some who have used the market as a springboard to further success,” Jones tells.
The market’s direct relationship with producers is one of the things that makes RFM so attractive to consumers: “You get to know and talk to the folks that are actually growing and making the products you consume and the vendors get your feedback on their
61% votes products and how to improve. We have vendors who have been with the market since it started, and develop relationships with customers. We see their kids grow up and bring their kids to the market.”
It’s a busy scene at RFM, with a wide range of people browsing and buying. Much can be found from a standard range of vegetables, as well as fresh eggs, herbs, meats, and cheeses. There are also local bakeries and arts and craft vendors to round out the experience.
“The market was developed . . . to educate consumers about local farming and seasonal eating and local distinctive art and crafts,” Jones says. “We want to encourage and promote the use of locally grown farm products and artisan offerings and to enhance quality of life in Wilmington by providing a community activity that fosters social gathering and interaction.” The Riverfront Farmers Market kicks off the season on Saturday, March 31, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and runs through November 17.
“We are very grateful for the community support,” says Jones, “and proud of the wonderful relationships developed, like the one with encore, who has been with us since inception.”
Other markets delivering fresh goods to the public are Poplar Grove Farmers’ Market (26%) and Wrightsville Beach Farmers’ Market (13%).
DENTIST: BOZART FAMILY DENISTRY
56% votes
Thank you to our community for awarding us as the best bagel in Wilmington! We are very honored and look forward to more bagel filled years! Our bagels are kettle-boiled then baked; the traditional way. Serving Breakfast and Lunch 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM every day.
MILES OF SMILES: Bozart Family Denistry’s Kelly Colwell takes home their “e” for Best Dentist 2018. Photo by Chris Brehmer Photography
2 Locations to serve you
Going to the dentist is not on the top of most people’s list for fun. It fact, for many it’s darn-near scary. That’s why the choice of dentist can be so important. Dr. Albert Bozart of Bozart Family Dentistry knows how forming good relationships with each patient is key. While textbooks contain knowledge needed to care for people’s
7220 Wrightsville Avenue 910-256-1222 5906 Oleander Drive 910-769-4232
www.beachbagels.biz 38 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
teeth, Bozart states, “The textbook does not take into account the patient’s situation. The textbook fails to recognize financial or time constraints, personal desires, fear, etc.” BOZART CONTINUED
LOCAL FILM PRODUCTION: WE ONLY WENT OUT AT NIGHT Though the Wilmington film industry took quite a hit a few years ago with NC government nixing the incentive programs, it doesn’t mean film isn’t happening in Wilmington. While major productions have largely avoided our area, there remains a strong base of creative people in town who continued to push their love for filmmaking and doing so independently. They’re mak-
40% votes ing their own things happen regardless if Hollywood comes a knockin. Enter Brannigan Carter.
Carter’s “We Only Went Out at Night” is 2018’s winner for Best Local Independant Film. The short was shot on a shoestring budget and Carter found ways to get around needs like high-end editing or even location
scouting.
“All was shot basically around downtown Wilmington for a zero dollar budget,” he says, “except the $5 I spent on fake blood for one shot.” Carter wrote, shot, directed and edited the film. “There wasn’t much sound design needed, as it’s narration driven,” he adds. “The only time we needed a boom mic, we hung it off a tree limb.”
arts, media, entertainment
The film, is a unique take on the vampire genre with a love-story twist. Originally he created it for the 2017 MyRodeReel Competition for RØDE Microphones. “I do it every year and I always do a supernatural themed film,” Carter tells. “Oddly enough, the entire thing came about solely because of the available actors at the time.” He cast local actress Carolyn Foland in the lead and as narrator of the film. Local actors Robert Gregory Cole and Aaron Beck played her love interests. VAMPIRE LOVE STORIES: Brannigan Carter’s “We Only Went Out at Night” wins 2018 Best Local Independent Film, starring Carolyn Foland in the lead role. Photo courtesy of Brannigan Carter BOZART CONTINUED
Like with most industries dealing with the public, knowing the customer is among the most important things about being successful. Bozart must be treating clients with the utmost care as they continue soaring on the readers’ poll and take another win for Best Dentist in 2018. A North Carolina native, Dr. Bozart graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and from an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency, which allowed him to study more complex and diverse patient cases while working with over 20 board certified specialists. “While UNC provided a solid academic foundation,” he admits, “the AEGD residency gave the clinical skill and confidence through treating difficult cases in all areas of dentistry.” Dr. Bozart’s dental schooling was provided by a full military scholarship, and in return, he agreed to become a dentist for the US Army after graduation. “This turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life,” he tells. He even had the honor of treating soldiers at Fort Gordon and Fort Benning, in Georgia.
ARCADE/GAME ROOM, POOL HALL: THE BLUE POST When I was a kid, there was only one way for me to play video games. Atari and Nintendo existed, but they were too expensive for my family. We had to do what most kids had to do at the time: save quarters.
Three dollars worth of quarters could keep me busy for a couple of hours while standing in front of a massive computerized box full of wonder. The arcade was a special place for me and millions of other kids. Moving characters around with joysticks. Shooting things with imaginary guns. Riding pretend motorcycles and jumping over the pretend Grand Canyon. What I remember most of all is the smell
47% votes
of the electronics mixed with popcorn and candy. It hit me in the face as I walked in, and the olfactory memory lasted for days.
At the Blue Post, this year’s winner for Best Arcade/Game Room and Best Pool Hall, the smell is decidedly more hoppy, but the feeling is the same. What opened 20 years ago, The Blue Post boasts various video games, table games and of course pool tables. They’re first and foremost a bar; however, they cater to adults like me, who want to play while they drink.
“I have just finished the final cut for my own debut feature film, titled ‘The Brannigan Account,’ which will screen privately for cast and crew soon and will be on Amazon Prime later this year,” he notes. Other films reeling the Best Of poll are Luv Life Entertainment’s “Beautifully Insecure/Still Beautiful” (29%) and “Drought” by Hannah Black and Megan Petersen (31%).
44% votes ginning.
“Boy was I wrong,” she quips. “People like to have something fun to do when they’re out, and the old arcade games are a blast.”
The Blue Post has become a must-stop establishment in downtown Wilmington. It’s always been the go-to bar in the alley between 2nd and Water streets. And Weetman is thankful. “We love the support Wilmington has given us for the past 20 years,” she says. “We feel a really strong commitment to the community and hope we keep going forever.”
“Harper Peterson and I were sitting in the back of a 1920’s taxi cab for about three days shooting a Lucky Strike commercial and had nothing else to do but They’re planning a 20th anniversary talk,” says owner Barbara Weetman of the Blue Post’s origins. She and Peterson party in 2018, so follow The Blue Post on (now running for NC Senate), along with Facebook for details. Another perk offered by Bozart Family co-owner Gil Johnson, were looking to Orton’s Pool Hall (31%) and Ten Pin Dentistry is a 0-percent financing option for start a business. Alley (24%) continues to attract billiards those without insurance or those who have “We went downtown and had a look and lovers, while Tin Pen (12%) and Jungle insurance but want to minimize out-of-pocket it just sort of took off from there,” she re- Rapids (41%) bring in kids of all ages for exposure. Some procedures can be expengame-room fun! sive, and their financing option keeps health members. “We did it all out of our headsin tip-top shape for many—and without finan- there was no architect or designer, we just figured it out and jumped in.” cial stress. They wanted to build a community envi“This is the aspect of dentistry I dislike the ronment, Weetman says. most,” Dr. Bozart admits of financing. “I wish the business side of dentistry did not exist, “We knew we wanted to create the kind like in the Army, but it is a necessary evil.” of place that we would have a good time Other dentists taking top place in our read- going to, and I guess we did.” ers’ poll include Treman and Treman FamThe Blue Post wasn’t always going to ily Dental Care (19%) and Salling and Tate be a game room. Weetman admits she (25%). wasn’t on board with the idea in the beencore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 39
! s l a de .com
After his military service, Dr. Bozart set up shop in Wilmington with his family. His practice has grown to offer a comprehensive list of services with nine other dentists working at Bozart. Services range from basic cleaning and checkups to orthodontics, teeth whitening and implants. They also offer solutions for those of us who experience anxiety when visiting the dentist.
“Once I knew I had those actors, I came up with something we could do with that cast for cheap,” Carter says.
Readers can find the film on YouTube, including the original black and white cut for the MyRodeReel competition. Carter will continue his love for film and has plans to moving toward full-length films in the future.
Thank you Wilmington for voting us best jeweler 2018! We're looking forward to continuing to earn your trust this year!
nonprofit & humanitarian NONPROFIT: DREAMS OF WILMINGTON
40% votes
DAY DREAMIN’: The staff of DREAMS Center for Arts Education pose for their win for Best Nonprofit at the annual Best Of Awards Party. DREAMS was the beneficiary for Best Of 2018, and $8,000 was raised for the nonprofit, which will send 100 kids to camp this summer. Photo by Chris Brehmer Photography
We have the largest bridal selection in town. 2520 Independence Blvd #100, Wilmington, NC 910.392.6721 www.perrysemporium.com 40 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
The DREAMS of Wilmington story began with Tracy Wilkes in 1996: It was her mission to create a youth development organization committed to transforming, empowering and inspiring the underserved youth of Wilmington through classes and programs in literary, visual, digital, and performing arts. After serving as the nonprofit organization’s executive director for 18 years, she stepped down in 2014. Her mission did not end there, though. DREAMS continued to support Wilmington’s underserved youth through its new executive director, Matt Carvin.
explains Kevin Blackburn, assistant director of DREAMS, “and they are the most susceptible to influences both good and bad. DREAMS is here to make sure youth, particularly those most in need, are receiving quality programming that simultaneously enriches their lives and empowers them to live a life of positivity.”
“Our youth will grow up to lead the future,”
DREAMS CONTINUED NEXT PAGE
Some of the programs provided by DREAMS include ballet, guitar, photography, pottery, sewing, and jewelry making. The programs are art-based because DREAMS believes “every child has a right to self-expression.” More so, through self-expression The nonprofit started its journey in the back they are able “to grow into the person that of the Children’s Museum when Wilkes found- they are and wish to become.” ed it in 1996. DREAMS was then moved to a The teaching artists who educate students church located on Ann St, before finally gaining through the programs include both local and its own center at 901 Fanning St. As the organi- even award-winning individuals, like Fritzi Huzation grew, so did the number of students they ber and Ben Billingsley. reached. Through DREAMS’ Youth Entrepreneurship DREAMS is now able to provide arts pro- program, students gain real-world experience gramming to over 600 students in New Hanover where they can value, market and even sell County. The programming includes more than artwork they create. The programs also help 60 classes per week through 30 teaching art- DREAMers exhibit works in local galleries, ists at 15 different sites in the Wilmington area, shops and community events. including places like city recreation centers and “We hope to instill a sense of pride in our after-school programs.The way DREAMS truly helps, though, is by providing their program- students, and build connections between ming free of charge to the students and families DREAMers and their community,” Blackburn who benefit from them.
DREAMS CONTINUED
continues.
The current project for DREAMS is renovating their catering space into a fully scaled learning kitchen for students, with help from the Landfall Foundation capital grant. The renovation will help DREAMS provide new programming for sustainable living, and health and wellness.
Over the years, DREAMS has received multiple recognitions and awards for their support of youth in Wilmington, like 2008’s Coming Up Taller Award, the highest honor in the nation for after-school and out-of-school programs. They also were recognized by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. UNCW awarded the organization the Razor-Walker Award for distinguished services to youth.
BUFFET, FRIED CHICKEN, SOUL FOOD: CASEY’S BUFFET, BARBECUE
61% votes
37% votes
43% votes
AND HOME COOKIN’ A lot of restaurants claim to offer homecooked food “just like mom used to make.” Some succeed to varying degrees, but in Wilmington it’s Casey’s Buffet, Barbecue, and Home Cookin’ who continuously wins the prize. Casey’s takes home 2018’s coveted “e” for Best Buffet, Best Fried Chicken and Best Soul Food. Casey’s has established a loyal customer base who keep coming back for his fare.
pork BBQ and chitlins, to chicken gizzards, pot roast, meatloaf, and all other Southern staples, like fried okra, squash casserole, hushpuppies, and collards, to banana puddin’ and cobblers galore. Casey’s is known statewide and nationally for its buffet and was ranked on Yahoo Travel’s list for best buffet in NC in 2016. But it’s the fried chicken that stands out for many.
“Every customer is treated equally,” Lar“Nobody makes fried chicken the way I ry Casey tells us. “We are grateful for each do,” Casey promises. and every [diner].” Casey’s all-you-can-eat buffet is a chal“It started when Larry was a kid, cook- lenge lots of folks happily accept as they ing with his mother and grandmother and make second and third trips for their favorite barbecuing pigs with his father and uncles,” dish featured on the line that day. And if it’s “Working in a fast-paced, high-impact non- says Larry’s wife Gina Casey. not on the line, then it’s being fried up fresh profit can be taxing and full of challenges,” Ever since, the family has grown their life- and offered by the helpful staff who come Blackburn says, “but seeing the success of our long passion for Southern cuisine into one through with fresh seafood offerings, too, mission statement every day in the smiling faces of the most successful restaurants in Wilm- like shrimp and catfish. of children as they come through the door every ington. Casey’s recipes date as far back as “We are the only restaurant in Wilmington day renews you and makes it all worthwhile!” the 1800s, having been passed down from who serves whole, on the bone, farm-raised The Carousel Center (29%) and Kids Mak- family member to family member. On their catfish,” Casey praises. ing It (31%) top the nonprofit list of nominees buffet, folks will find everything from pulledGreen beans, mac ‘n’ cheese, black-eyed as well. peas, stewed cabbage, limas, chicken and pastry, roast beef, and dozens of other offerings keep the Casey’s line growing out the 46% OYSTERS: DOCK STREET OYSTER BAR door. And for customers who can’t dine in, votes rest assured. Catering is a big part of their Louise Forbes and Steve Maillard shared with the options of shrimp, clams, mussels, a desire for fresh, local seafood in a fun, laid and crab. And they aren’t the Calabash-style back atmosphere in 1999. Instead of look- fish camp most Southerners are used to dining elsewhere for their inspiration, though, ing at around town. At Dock Street, food is they decided to create their own space in served steamed, broiled and grilled. Folks June of the same year. Dock Street Oyster who aren’t seafood eaters will find offerings Bar became their passion project. of pulled pork or chicken tacos and chicken “We have incorporated all of our Carib- sandwiches. bean travels into our menu,” Forbes says, Dock Street does more than just serve “and try to bring back a little something ev- quality food. They help give back to the ery time. A lot of places advertise ‘fresh and Wilmington community through donations local,’ but we deliver.” of the restaurant’s proceeds. “We take our The restaurant boasts a talented and role in community very seriously and have dedicated staff. They even have brought in directed most fundraising to local causes,” Forbes mentions. “One near to our hearts is a new head chef, James Roberts muscular dystrophy in children.” “[He] constantly is looking for new ideas When visiting the infusion center at Duke to incorporate into his dishes,” Forbes Children’s Hospital, Forbes took notice of notes. “We are also very fortunate to have with us Chef Jacob Stone who has owned the DVDs the children in the center watched. and worked at numerous award-winning Many were old and scratched. Forbes donated a percentage of the restaurant’s prorestaurants up and down the East Coast.” ceeds to help update the collection. Dock Street’s business is not just boomThrough such well-meaning ventures and ing from their well-thought-out menu and inspiring staff, though. As their namesake a quality selection of seafood, with friendimplies, a large portion of their business re- ly staff and a fun, laid back atmosphere lies on the sale of quality oysters. Why else Forbes and Maillard have found a recipe would they have received the Best Oysters for success. It keeps patrons coming back again and again. award for 18 years in a row? “We are constantly humbled and proud “One of the great things that has happened over the years is the abundance of to have won Best Oysters with encore newly leased oyster beds popping [up in 18 of the 19 years we have been in busiplaces] like Masonboro Island and other ness,” Forbes concludes. “We will continue local areas,” Forbes notes. “We are very to strive to be the best in everything we do blessed to have such a wide variety to pick and want to thank encore readers for their continued support.” from year round.” Other restaurants cracking open the poll The restaurant’s variety includes multiple types of oysters, such as Imperial and for Best Oysters are The Boathouse (13%) Rockefeller, while also providing customers and Shuckin’ Shack (41%). Still, their greatest achievement has been the success of their very own students. Of the 600 students in New Hanover County DREAMS helps, 99 percent of them graduate and go on to graduate from high school and college as well.
FRIED RIGHT: Casey’s continues to take home numerous awards in 2018, including Best Fried Chicken. Photo by Holland Dotts
business, so they can bring home cooked flavor directly to your next event. Take-out specials and plates are available, too, for folks in a hurry to get home for dinner.
Other buffets lining up the votes go to Boca Bay for their Sunday brunch (30%) and Golden Corral (9%). Fried chicken contenders are Smithfields Chicken n Bbq (31%) and Bill’s Front Porch (32%). Southern soul food staples like The Basics (37%) and Sawmill Restaurant (20%).
encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 41
RIBS: POOR PIGGY’S BBQ & CATERING With a bright red paint job and a long line of customers, it is hard to miss Poor Piggy’s BBQ & Catering food truck. Though the line may seem overwhelming, the food always promises to be well worth the wait. It’s why Poor Piggy’s is receiving Best Ribs, after all. Ed Coulbourn III started Poor Piggy’s in 2010; he would cater parties and participate in various barbecue competitions. In 2011, he was finally able to start up the food truck and bring his award-winning ribs all across the community. A couple years ago, he stepped down from his position as general manager of the truck to focus on a real estate career. He handed the reins to long-time employee Harley Bruce, who still continues to serve their signature ribs. “Our ribs are the best because of the way we smoke them and the way we finish them,” Coulbourn explains. They use St. Louis cut spare ribs and start the process with their signature Piggy Rub, then a sprinkling of a special spicy rub. They smoke the ribs until the meat is easy to bite but still provides a good texture. Once done smoking, they finish the ribs with honey.
“This is what makes our ribs stand out,” Coulbourn tells. “Sauce never touches them and that surprises a lot of people because that is status quo.”
37% votes Unfortunately, the truck does not serve their signature ribs every day. Typically, they will serve them about once a week because the lengthy process is difficult to complete for it to be an ongoing menu item. When they do serve them, however, they make announcements on their social media sites because the ribs sell out quickly.
On the days when Poor Piggy’s is not serving their iconic ribs, they instead provide the basic staples of BBQ and brisket. Some days they will mix it up and serve smoked chicken and smoked burgers as well. Their latest hit is their homemade mac and cheese. Poor Piggy’s can be found on UNCW’s campus at Cameron Hall on Mondays and Tuesdays and at the Fisher Student Center on Wednesdays and Thursdays. They also attend the UNCW baseball games. The food truck even visits other locations, like factories for lunch and breweries for dinner, and even will be coming to encore’s home in downtown’s Cargo District this Friday on Mar. 30. (1608 Queen St.) As well, they often make appearances at local festivals and events, such as last weekend’s Beer, Bourbon and BBQ festival and the One Tree Hill convention two week’s ago. The best way to stay up-to-date with the truck is follow their Facebook page: www. facebook.com/PoorPiggys.
HERE, PIGGY, PIGGY, PIGGY! encore’s Best Ribs welcomes a newbie to the category win, Poor Piggy’s BBQ & Catering. Crystal Borror, Joel Hurst and Harley Bruce happily accept the award. Photo by Jessica Russell
If you are having trouble catching the Poor Piggy’s truck, though, fret not. Coulbourn, who still helps with the business from time to time, says a physical location may be in the future. For now, eager customers can still utilize the truck’s catering services for any upcoming events they have planned.
e 42 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
“When we open our brick and mortar we will have at least one day a week designated as ‘Rib Day,’” Coulbourn hints.
Other ribs keep our readers finger-lickin’ happy are Texas Roadhouse (28%) and Moe’s Bar B Que (34%).
BEER LIST: CAPE FEAR WINE AND BEER While it may seem difficult to imagine in 2018, in the early 2000s ILM wasn’t offering such a hotbed of craft brews. Cape Fear Wine & Beer saw the lack of businesses as a call to action. Maaike Brender à Brandis, the co-owner of Cape Fear Wine & Beer, confirms. “We were filling a void.” The original Cape Fear Wine & Beer opened on Water St. as a bottle shop in a small 800-square foot unit. They did not even have draft beer until 2007. There also was another huge obstacle holding them back: North Carolina’s restriction of beer with an alcohol content above six percent brewed or sold within the state.
North Carolina was one of only five states at the time to have such a restriction, which substantially hurt the business of the state’s local bars and bottle shops. To bring an end to the archaic ban, many business owners rallied together in 2005 to support House Bill 392, or “Pop the Cap,” which would raise the cap from six percent alcohol content to 15. The bill passed in August 2005, largely, thanks to businesses like Cape Fear Wine & Beer. Lector Bennett, a fellow co-owner of Cape Fear Wine & Beer, was one of many business owners who drove to the capitol in support of the bill. Bennett spoke with state senators about how beneficial it would be to pass. Thirteen years later, Cape Fear Wine & Beer is thriving. They have moved into a space on Front St. qua-
44% votes
druple the size of their original and delved further into the beer world. “We’ve seen hundreds of breweries start distributing in our market,” Brandis says. “I fondly remember launching Bell’s, Stone, Founders, Oskar Blues, and so many more. At this point most people can’t remember a time when those brands weren’t here. “
While Cape Fear Wine & Beer’s history is exciting, it’s not the sole reason customers keep coming back. According to the social beer app, Untappd, the bar has the fastest rotating beer list in the world. Publications in the City of Wilmington, around North Carolina, and across the nation have recognized the bar and its unique approach to brews. Another factor setting Cape Fear Wine & Beer apart from others is their knowledgeable and talented staff. Though there are few of them, all members of the team are Cicerone Beer Server certified. Essentilaly, each bartender has demonstrated a “mastery of beer service and styles.” Having such knowledge helps them tailor recommendations from 300 varieties of cans and bottles or 25 beers on tap to the regulars who rely on them to do so. “Even though we’re so knowledgeable, we’re not snobby,” Brandis promises. “No one likes a snob; that type of behavior tends to turn people off. We try to be very accommodating.”
LISTICLE LOWDOWN: Lector Bennett (above) and Maaike Brandis have the Best Beer List in ILM for 2018 at their bar, Cape Fear Wine and Beer. Photo by Chris Brehmer Photography
ence at the bar, though, is the atmosphere provided for them. They hold an extensive collection of both B-list horror and Kung Fu films. They celebrate Massage Mondays where a licensed therapist provides 10-minute sessions for $10. Wednesdays they ask customers to bring their own trivia for gift certificate prizes from local businesses.
“Our atmosphere is very unique,” Brandis notes. “We’ve been described as equal parts English pub, German bier hall, record shop, and tattoo parlour.” Other beer lists leaving sippers sated with happiness come from The Brewers Kettle (25%) and Fermental (32%).
What truly shapes a customer’s experi-
®
SIGN UP NOW
2
FOR Y FREE GAMES EVER PROGRAM DAY ALL SUMMER LINE CHECK ON S FOR DETAIL
www.KidsBowlFree.com We are an OFFICIAL PARTICIPATING CENTER
3907 Shipyard Blvd. 799-3023 bowlcardinal.com
• • • • • • •
Local and Long Distance Packing and Unpacking Services Climate Controlled Storage Fully Insured and Bonded FREE ESTIMATES Office Relocation and Inter-office moves Designer and Commercial Furniture Warehousing and Installation
Thank you for voting us “Best Moving Company” 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018!
Home & Business Moves www.twomenandatruck.com • 3861 US Highway 421 N. • 910-763-7990 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 43
LATIN/MEXICAN RESTAURANT, TACOS: K-38 BAJA GRILL Everyone loves tacos. And those who don’t ... well, really, I have no words. I mean, what’s not to love tortillas (preferably corn, but, hey, I have no qualms with flour either), stuffed with yummy fillings? Avocado? Check. Fried fish? Check. Grilled shrimp? Check. Pico de gallo? Check. Lettuce, beans, onions, cotija cheese? Check. Check. Check. Check. And the folks over at K-38 Baja Grill continuously keep encore readers happily sated everyday of the week, not only Taco Tuesdays. They also score Best Latin/Mexican on our poll year in, year out. Welp, 2018 is no different. K-38 reigns supreme in tacos and Latin/Mexican cuisine on our poll. With two K-38’s set up to serve Wilmingtonians—the original on Oleander Drive and the secondary location in Porter’s Neck, not to mention their sister restaurants like Wrightsville Beach’s Tower 7 or Cruz and their K-Bueno restaurants— everyone can go crazy over fajitas, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, margaritas, cerveza, and of course endless chips and salsa. Most days at K-38 are reason enough to celebrate like it’s Cinco de Mayo, with Mondays offering $3 Wannabe Margaritas and Baja fish tacos; Tuesdays serving up half-price fajitas and $1 PBRs; Wednesday’s bringing out $2 hard-shell tacos; and Thursdays dolling out half-price domestic draft and select quesadillas. But even if there isn’t anything on spe-
52% votes
48% votes
cial, the menu is always tempting, and much of the time with unexpected items that don’t scream Latin/Mexican but taste undeniably delicious all the same. For instance, ever had the Cobb salad at K-38? I know, right? It’s insanely good, chock full of grilled chicken, diced avocado, tomatoes, bacon, and the most succulent pickled onions ever. Top with cilantro vin for tastebudpopping insanity. And those popular rolls? You know the ones: flour tortilla, stuffed with a variety of fillings, like achiote-marinated chicken, Roma tomato, guacamole, red cabbage and Monterey jack cheese, with chipotle aioli. that’s called the Stetson and it’s every bit of as sophisticated on the palate as it sounds.
Vegetarians and vegans will find a lot to love on the menu, too, so all dietary restrictive diners are welcome here with open arms. With a hip, surfer vibe in all restaurants, quite perfect for our beach town, it feels like summer year round at K-38. And much of the time, the popularity of the eatery will make you think the city has been hit with tourists; it’s often packed on special food nights, so plan ahead if you don’t wish to wait.
VOTED BEST MEN’S CLOTHING IN THE PORT CITY
216 Princess Street | Downtown, Wilmington NC | www.BlokeApparel.com | (910) 679-4137 44 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
TACO ‘BOUT DELICIOUS: encore’s Best Tacos and Best Latin/Mexican eatery goes to K-38 Baja Grill. Above Claire Kalb and manager John Runkle accept the awards. Photo by Jessica Russell
With top-notch service and about a gazilion options of hot sauce to spike up flavors on everything, the K-38 eateries never stear wrong a hungry crowd. Whether college students, surfers, beach bums, young professionals, or anyone in between, K-38 pleases all.
STEAK: PORT CITY CHOP HOUSE When Wilmingtonians crave a dripping ribeye or a juicy pink filet Mignon, they go for local flavor and luxury. For the past 20 years, Port City Chop House has kept their top-notch recipes, atmosphere and customer service consistent—and, of course, their steaks, which won them the 2018 Best Of for Best Steak. “The team worked hard to get things right from day one, and I think our regular guests have come to rely upon our consistency,” restaurant manager Elizabeth Yasuk muses. “Special care is taken in everything from amazing soups to fresh salads from local seafood to our award-winning steaks.” Steaks aren’t the only delicacy on the Port City Chop House menu, either. They pride themselves on fresh seafood, being in a beach town and all. “Our Carolina crab cakes are out of this world,” Yasuk praises. “Twin five-ounce cakes, pan-seared to perfection, served over honey pecan remoulade, with baby greens tossed in olive oil and fresh herbs on the side.”
As spring descends on Wilmington, the steak house also plans to bring back its signature Key lime pie. Guests can also expect to see the tuna poke bowl—a staff and customer favorite—added to the regular lunch menu. Chef Matt Kahrs presides over Port City Chop House’s menu. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America—the first college in the U.S. to teach culinary arts—Kahrs is beginning his 18th year with the restaurant. He prepares dishes with ingredients of the
Other Latin American/Mexican eateries spicing up the poll are San Felipe Mexican Restaurant (13%) and El Cerro Grande (34%). Taco eateries crunching up the poll include Beer Barrio (23%) and Islands Fresh Mex (29%).
43% votes highest quality available. “Matt is a great mentor to the younger members of our kitchen crew,” Yasuk adds. The mentorship is an important component of continuing the Chop House’s legacy of consistent excellence and creating a positive culture within the restaurant. In 2018 the Port City Chop House plans to revamp its patio to beautify the restaurant’s outdoor space, which will complement the elegant emerald-green interiors dotted with colored chandeliers, watercolor prints and a cozy fireplace. The only thing better than the best steak in town is the best steak in town plus an ILM sunset, which is especially beautiful at the Chop House because it’s barely a mile from Wrightsville Beach. “We want our guests to enjoy the beautiful North Carolina weather as much as we do,” Yasuk adds. The Chop House is an excellent place for unwinding after a long day of work, meeting a friend for drinks, business lunches, or parties—the restaurant even features private dining areas available free of charge if a minimum guest requirement is met. The staff at the Chop House are grateful to be voted 2018’s best steak in town. It’s an honor that reflects hard work, customer service and community consciousness. “Our entire staff strives to provide a fantastic experience for everyone [who] walks through our door,” Yasuk says. Ruth’s Chris Steak House (29%) and Texas Roadhouse (28%) also make the cut.
bloomin’ flowers, rockin’ concerts...
Big hats and Bowties
...the only thing missing is You
NOR T H C A R OL INA A ZA L E A F E S T IVA L W I L M I N G TO N , N C
//
APRIL 11-15, 2018
We are excited to celebrate the 71 annual North Carolina Azalea Festival with you! The Festival presents a variety of events that appeal to a large audience. We look forward to another great Azalea Festival and hope you will share your experiences with us through our social media! #NCAF #visitNC st
2018 EVENTS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11
THURSDAY, APRIL 12
QUEEN’S CORONATION - FREE Riverfront Park | 3:00 PM Be a part of the tradition as the Queen is officially crowned the North Carolina Azalea Festival Queen!
FESTIVAL WEEKEND STREET FAIR PRESENTED BY WELLS FARGO - FREE Downtown Wilmington Enjoy the sights, sounds, and mouth-watering smells of the 2018 Street Fair along the Cape Fear River in historic downtown Wilmington.
BILLY CURRINGTON WITH DRAKE WHITE AND THE BIG FIRE AND KENTON BRYANT The Main Stage| 7:00 PM Billy Currington’s latest album bears the breezy title Summer Forever, but the talented Georgia native has spent more than a decade in the spotlight proving he’s truly a man for all seasons.
FRIDAY, APRIL 13
SATURDAY, APRIL 14
38 SPECIAL The Main Stage | 7:00 PM After more than three decades together, 38 SPECIAL continue to bring their signature blast of Southern Rock to over 100 cities a year. SEE ALL EVENTS AT NCAZALEAFESTIVAL.ORG!
LUDACRIS WITH CHILDISH MAJOR The Main Stage | 7:00 PM The multitalented CHRIS “LUDACRIS” BRIDGES can best be described as remarkable. Ludacris has sold over 19.5 million units in the United States, and approximately 7 million overseas.
TICKETS ATNCAZALEAFESTIVAL.ORG | BOX OFFICE 910-794-4650 encore |march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 45
EXTRA>>BOOKS
CARPE LIBRUM:
Rohler writes about a story of the film industry, kidnapping and ultimately love
A Kim Jong-Il Production: The Extraordinary True Story of a Kidnaped ilmington’s literary community Filmmaker, His Star Actress, and A keeps gaining accolades (two Young Dictator’s Rise To Power
BY: GWENYFAR ROHLER
W
National Book Awards nominees in 2015) and attention in the press. With multiple established publishers in the state (Algonquin, 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 and 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 context and therefore examine works around the world.
by Paul Fischer Flatiron Books, 2015
Carpe Librum might seem like a bit of a departure from our NC theme. However, given the significance of the film industry to North Carolina’s economy from 1984 until 2015, perhaps not. I have a tendency to get Jock books about the film industry. He came to Wilmington as a gaffer with Dino DeLaurentiis when the movie studio was first built in the early 1980s. But he had been working in film for well over a decade by that time. His taste includes everything from Janus Film to Roger Croma. So Akira Kurosawa’s memoir was part of his Valentine’s Day celebration (yep, we really are a pretty geeky couple when you get down to it).
COFFEE WIFI WORK All your business needs under one roof. With a Coworx Hot Desk, you get access to a great workspace when you need it - for a simple, monthly price. Just show up Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, grab and open seat in our coworking space, and get to work.
Fully-equipped workspaces start at $150 per month Fiber Internet | Coffee & Tea | Meeting Space | Printer & Copier COWORXSPACE.COM 1608 QUEEN STREET 910.208.0286 /COWORXSPACE
46 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
eigners on film are just a few of the innovations introduced. Film-watching was compulsory for the North Korean citizenry but they had never seen anything like this, and most of the population had never seen an image of anything beyond their own borders since 1945. Internationally, Shin and Choi’s film received acclaim and awards. Eventually, they were able to orchestrate Paul Fischer tackles a fascinating and an escape to the US embassy while in Vicrazy story, and using his background in enna, but that is not the end of their story. filmmaking, writes a captivating narrative. Fischer’s book does a remarkable job of Actually, encore readers who have read putting the growth of Asian cinema in the any of Anghus Houvorus’ (encore’s film reviewer) fiction will find many similarities. 20th century into a comprehensible conThey both come out of a cinematic back- text for Westerners. Without getting lost in the minutiae, Fischer takes his audience ground and write in a cinematic style. through WWII, The Korean War, and the The book opens with South Korean film- partition of the country and specific relamaker Shin Sang-ok, known in the US as tionship between Japan and the two Kore“Simon Sheen”—the producer of the “3 as. Then, with a framework firmly in place, Ninjas” kids’ movie with Disney. He wakes he introduces cultural life of all three counup in a prison hospital in North Korea af- tries and how they interact. ter a hunger strike. Shin was one of the Readers don’t have to know Kurosawa’s most famous film directors in South Korea and he married Choi Eun-hee, the actress work intimately, but it does help. Even more who seems to be the Korean equivalent of powerfully, he switches to a second-person Marilyn Monroe and Meryl Streep rolled narrator (using “you”) for one chapter to ilinto one powerhouse of a performer. Like lustrate what daily life of a person born into many film marriages, their personal lives North Kore looks like in the early 1980s. were closely linked to their professional Since most of his story centers around the fortunes, and their celebrity played out in world of Kim Jong-Il who lives anything but the South Korean press with great excite- a normal life, the disparity between his inner circle and everyone else really needed ment, including their divorce. to be clearly illustrated in order to underAs business declined, Choi traveled to stand the three audiences for Shin and Hong Kong where she was kidnapped by Choi’s films: Kim, The North Korean peoNorth Korean agents and taken to Kim ple (who attended films and subsequent Jong-Il. Shin searched for her and held briefing sessions about the message of the a press conference where he stated his films on compulsion or faced prison camp), belief she had been abducted by North and the artistic circles of European film fesKorea. Shortly thereafter, the same fate tivals. That is a complicated triad to please. befell him. For us in North Carolina the arguFor years they were kept separate from ments about film center on money. With each other. Choi played the part demand- last week’s “One Tree Hill” convention, ed of her, but Shin attempted twice to es- I watched people pour into the city to cape—each time ending up in increasingly spend money here—thrilled to wander more awful prison conditions. Finally, Kim around with their Karen’s Café coffee Jong-Il personally reunited them and pro- cups from Java Dog. Perhaps the power nounced them remarried. Next, they were of what film can be is something we lose to start a film production company with the sight of in the midst of our daily lives. “A express purpose of making films that could Kim Jong-Il Production” powerfully recompete at the major European film festi- minds what film can do on a national and val and bring awards to North Korea—all international level, while telling an amazwhile fulfilling the ideological demands of ing story of two people’s struggle for surthe dictatorship. vival and a love transcending barriers Under Shin and Choi’s tenure North that defy the imagination. Korean cinema changed forever: the first onscreen kiss, the use of multiple camera angles, shooting locations outside of North Korea, and non-North Koreans playing forWhen “A Kim Jong-Il Production: The Extraordinary True Story of a Kidnaped Filmmaker, His Star Actress, and A Young Dictator’s Rise To Power” materialized in the book store, I brought it home to Jock. It seemed right up his alley. Once I cracked the cover, however, I was the one who couldn’t put it down.
.com
! s l a e d Brought to you by:
encore magazine
Sign up to receive sweet deals right in your inbox! Sign up at:
www.encoredeals.com
and be the first to know about the best deals around town
Do not despair, we can make the repair...let us fix separation anxiety Full Service Shop ~ Insured Award Winning Custom Interiors 910.799.8746 (TRIM) 6609 Windmill Way
Fast Turn-around Time
Let our experts turn your old, drab furniture into exciting new decor.
Ask about our â&#x20AC;&#x153;re-purposedâ&#x20AC;? furniture
encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 47
HAPPENINGS & EVENTS ACROSS WILMINGTON
TO-DO CALENDAR
events
SPRING EGGVENTURE
Mar. 29, 9am: Ages: 2-9.Join the eggcitement at Halyburton Park. Programs and activities for the day include egg hunts, animal eggs, and nests, Egglympics, storytime, and spring nature hike. Egg Hunts will take place: 9:30am, ages 2-3; 10:30am ages 4-5; and 11:30am ages 6-9. Pre-registration required for all programs. Register online at www.halyburtonpark.com. Halyburton Park, 4099. S. 17th St.
LADIES GET PAID
Mar. 29, 7pm: Topic of the evening is “Negotiation and Confidence.” Negotiation is hard. Having the confidence to even think about negotiating for more pay, more benefits, or more respect is hard. Let’s figure this out! We have gathered a panel of confident, strong-minded women to give us their best tips and strategies for getting you what you want! Speakers include: Rhonda Bellamy, executive dxirector of Wilmington Arts Council, broadcaster and author; Janelle James, lead recruiter at CastleBranch; JoAnna Carpentier, copywriter and founder, Salthaus Collective; Tracie Brisson,
attorney and mediator. Moderated by Shea Carver, editor of encore. Tickets: $15. Athenian Bookstore & Lounge, 2231 Wrightsville Ave.
NIGHT HUNT
Mar. 29, 7:30pm: Night Hunt, special event is adults only. Get your flashlights ready Leland and get ready to rock with us! Come dressed in your best rock outfits to hunt eggs in the dark and enjoy a performance from Trial By Fire (Journey Tribute Band)! There will be prize eggs with gifts from local businesses hidden throughout the park! Food will be available for purchase from Poor Piggy’s BBQ and T’Geaux
Boys Food Trucks! Adult beverages will also be available for purchase. If you are looking for a slower paced egg hunt experience, check out our Master’s Division. (Suggested ages 50+) Must be 21+ to attend. (Valid IDs are required for entry at gate.) Pre-reg needed. $5. Leland Municipal Park, 102 Town Hall Dr. EASTER EGG HUNT
Mar. 30, 9am: Join us for our annual Easter Egg Hunt! We will have two hunts in our courtyard: 10am for 4 and under aged children; 11am will be for all ages! Come join us and celebrate! ACM, Anytime, and Weekday Members are free. GA: $9.75 or military/seniors, $8.75. Children’s Museum of Wilmington, 116 Orange St.
MADE IN NC
Made In NC, a gorgeous and diverse community craft show! Happening on Saturday, March 31, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, April 1, from Noon- 5 p.m Admission to the show is $5 at the door—good for both days and includes a raffle ticket (kids 12 and under are free). Parking in the North Fourth neighborhood is free. Local Wilmington food trucks, BAC cash bar and Wilmington’s Fabulous Food Trucks, and over 50 vendors all in one place! We can’t wait to see you at the BAC! 516 North 4th St.
EGG HUNT
Mar. 31, 10am: Egg Hunt ages 0 – 10. Event features egg hunts for children divided into six age groups (0-12 months, 13-23 months, 2-3 years, 4-5 years, 6-7 years, and 8-10 years), prizes and more! Bring your basket and prepare for a visit from Mr. E.B. himself who will arrive after the hunts are completed! Free. North Brunswick High School, 1395 Scorpion Dr.
EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA
Mar. 31, noon: Beach Community Church is hosting our 4th Annual Easter Eggstravaganza. Join us for FREE egg hunts, face painting, bounce houses, crafts, games, prizes, cake walks, raffles, food and more! We will be selling BBQ plates with all the fixings and raffle tickets for great prizes. The fun is absolutely free. We are also providing free hot dogs for the kids. You don’t want to miss this! For questions contact: BCCEasterEggstravaganza@ gmail.com.Beach Community Church, 5 N. 4th St.
charity/fundraiser THIRD DREAM BUILDERS: ARTISTS WHO INSPIRE
Featuring visual art and performances from the amazing teaching artists of DREAMS of Wilmington, a nonprofit dedicated to serving youth in need through high-quality,free-ofcharge arts programming. On display through Apr. 15 in The Ruth & Bucky Stein Theatre at Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St.
DIAPER BANK OF NC
48 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
CROSSWORD
Voted Wilmington’s Best Hair Salon!
1015-E South Kerr Ave. Wilmington, NC, 28403 910-796-2034 Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm
Unique people have unique hair. • Hair • • Facials • • Waxing • • Lashes • • Nails • encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 49
Apr. 1, all day: Be a rainmaker! It’s almost time for April Showers, when we invite the community to pour on the love with diaper drives. Help us meet our goal of 30 drives in 30 days! Gather your co-workers, worship group, school, neighbors, or friends for support. Sign up online to register your drive by clicking this link: https://diaperbanknc.wufoo.com/forms/zvnctd400scsp7/ and get lots of tips and tools to make hosting easy. You can even host a virtual drive! Share: https:// yougivegoods.com/aprildiapershowers with your networks and on social media so folks can click and send the items we most need! Facebook, @LowerCapeFearDiaperBank or www.ncdiaperbank.org. 401 Grace St.
music/concerts SUNSET MUSIC CRUISES
Live music along the Cape Fear River aboard Wilmington Water Tours at the sunset; various musicians and cruises weekly. 3/22: Kim Dicso. Reservations recommended: www.wilmingtonwatertours.net or call us at (910) 338-3134. 212 S. Water St.
CHOIR OF ST. PAUL’S
Mar. 30, 7:30pm: The Choir of Saint Paul’s performs The Crucifixion by John Stainer with tenor and bass soloists and organ. Admission is free. Donations accepted in support of the Choir of St. Paul’s. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 16 N 16th St.
UNCW PRESENTS: MARIA SCHNEIDER
Apr. 3, 7:30pm: Maria Schneider’s music has been hailed by critics as “evocative, majestic, magical, heart-stoppingly gorgeous, and be-
yond categorization. Schneider’s music blurs the lines between genres, making her long list of commissioners quite varied, stretching from Jazz at Lincoln Center, to The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, to collaborating with David Bowie. She is among a small few to have received GRAMMYS in multiple genres, have received the award in both jazz and classical categories, as well as for her work with David Bowie. Her recent collaboration with her orchestra and David Bowie resulted in his single called, “Sue (Or In A Season of Crime),” and brought her a 2016 GRAMMY (Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals). Schneider and her orchestra also received a 2016 GRAMMY for their latest work, The Thompson Fields (Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album). Tickets: http:// bit.ly/MariahSchneider. 601 S. College Rd.
theatre/auditions AZALEA FEST QUEEN
See page 17
BECOMING DR. RUTH
See page 17.
BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY
See page 17.
OUT NC
Mar. 29, 7pm; Mar. 30, 2pm; Mar. 31, 2pm: Smart, engaging young adult theatre by Mouths of Babes (www.mouthsofbabestheatre.com). Their latest production is Out, NC an original documentary interview-based play that explores the Wilmington LGBTQ communities many stories. An interview-based work in progress play, MoB interviewed people in the community on “coming out” and being LGBTQ in
the south and turned the interviews into various scenes and monologues. “In creating this play, we’ve been moved by stories of people who survived the AIDS crisis, stories of love, stories of family, stories of struggle, and many, many more.” $8 or $5 for students or groups of 10 or more. Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St. PERFORMANCE TROUPE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
Apr. 3, 7pm: UNCW Performance Studies, and COM 211: Storytelling and Culture course, invite the Wilmington community to the premiere of “Unfiltered,” an autobiographical and interactive production where students give voice to their experiences with social injustice. “Just Us Performance Troupe for Social Justice” is in its third year. Students use autoethnography, a research method that explores cultural phenomena through personal experiences, to bring their own histories and relationships to the course and ultimately to the production. “’Unfiltered’ is the culmination of a semester of hard work by these passionate students, whose stories illuminate current campus and national social issues. The production aims to create a discussion about the moments of injustice people witness and how they can speak up not only for themselves, but also for their neighbors. Leutze Hall 125 on the UNCW campus; and on Tuesday, April 17th at Old Brooks on Front Street (249 N. Front St.). Both performances are free and open to the public. Dr. Julie-Ann Scott-Pollock, (207)991-8393 or scottj@uncw.edu.
film CHANGING THE WORLD
NHC Main Library celebrates Women’s History Month with free documentary film screen
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.
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
HOLDING ON TO TRADITION
“Holding on to Tradition: A View of Changing Cultures,” photographer Barbara Michael and painter/photographer Evin Leek explore cultural changes in pre-war Yemen and post-war Guatemala. Through paintings, photographs, and displays of traditional clothing, these artists offer a view into the daily lives of two unique cultures. Although they are geographically distanced, both communities share a common desire to preserve fading traditions. This exhibition tells the stories of survivors, and gives insight into the challenges they face on the brink and in the aftermath of tragedy. On display through April 13. MC Erny Gallery at WHQR, 254 N. Front St.
50 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
BRADLEY CARTER ART RECEPTION
Abstract expressionist paintings of Bradley Carter in“Between You and Me: Painting” will be on view until May 21 at The District. Free and open to the public. 910-769-9300. Carter is an award winning, international selling artist who grew up pursuing his passion for art in Virginia before moving to the North Carolina in 2007, where he currently resides in Wilmington. He predominately works in the medium of painting with his passion in Abstract Expressionism, but his works also include collage, paint skins, and furniture. 1001 N. 4th St.
MIKE WATERS ART OPENING
Local painter Mike Watters has spent his entire life connected to the ocean. With his newest series, “Vanishing Depths,” Mike has fine tuned his niche within the nautical realm. These striking and ghostly paintings of fish bones speak to the decline of animals in their natural habitats. Kickoff Watter’s solo exhibition while Bob Russell and Arepa St. dish out jazz and Venezuelan street food. Watters’ work will be on display through April 30. Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St.
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
dance 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.
LINE DANCING CLASS
The Dance Element presents classes for adults and seniors w/Sheryl Pacelli on Mon., 1-2pm, in the Ogden Business Park. No previous experience Is necessary; no advance enrollment required. Drop in for inrto session which runs 7 weeks through Mar. 19. $7-$35. thedanceelement.com. 7211 Ogden Business Ln. #205
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. “DropIn” 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
MAX, VAL AND PETAL: LIVE ON TOUR
Apr. 2, 7:30pm: Confidential is the all-new dance tour from the stars of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Valentin Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd. How do you follow up the smash hit Our Way national tour that was all about family? You make the family bigger! The greatest performances come from artists with deep emotional connec-
Fresh From the Farm Join our loyalty program and earn credit towards future meals
10% off initial sign up $5 credit for every $50 spent.
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)
- FRUITS - VEGETABLES - PLANTS - HERBS
- FLOWERS - EGGS - CHEESES - WINE
- PICKLES - KOMBUCHA - ART & CRAFTS
- MEATS - SEAFOOD - HONEY - BAKED GOODS
For more information: www.riverfrontfarmersmarket.org
encore encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 51
tions to their work. Confidential provides the deepest connection possible, with the cast able to draw upon their own family bonds, lives and love stories. Confidential will be their most honest show yet, revealing secrets, hopes and dreams. The show will inspire and delight, and by learning a little more about Maks, Val and Peta you might learn a little bit more about yourselves. You are invited to come and be part of the family for an evening, to celebrate dancing, love and life. Wilson Center, 703 N. 3rd St.
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. www.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 standup 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 (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 longestrunning 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. www.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.
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, 5pm9pm. 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
Explore railroad history and heritage, especially of the Atlantic Coast Line, headquartered in Wilmington for 125 years. Interests and activities for all ages, including historical exhibits, full-size steam engine and rolling stock, lively Children’s Hall, and spectacular model layouts. House in an authentic 1883 freight warehouse, facilities are fully accessible and on one level. By reservation, discounted group tours, caboose birthday parties, and after-hours meetings or mixers. Story Time on 1st/3rd Mon. at 10:30am, only $5 per family and access to entire Museum. Admission only $9 adult, $8 senior/military, $5 child, ages 2-12, and free under age 2. 505 Nutt St. 910-763-2634. www.wrrm. org.
LATIMER HOUSE
Victorian Italiante style home built in 1852, the restored home features period furnishings, artwork and family portraits. Tours offered Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm, and Sat, 12-5pm. Walking tours are Wed and Sat. at 10am. $4-$12. The Latimer House of the Lower Cape Fear Historical Society is not handicapped accessible 126 S. Third St.
CAPE FEAR SERPENTARIUM
World’s most fascinating and dangerous reptiles in beautiful natural habitats, feat. a 12-foot saltwater crocodile, “Bubble Boy” and “Sheena,” a 23-ft long Reticulated Python that can swallow a human being whole! Giant Anaconda weighs 300 lbs, w/15 ft long King Cobras hood up and amaze you. See the Black Mamba, Spitting Cobras, Inland Taipans, Gaboon Vipers, Puff Adders, and more! Over 100 species, some so rare they are not exhibited anywhere else. One of the most famous reptile collections on earth. Open everyday in summer, 11am5pm (Sat. till 6 pm); winter schedule, Wed-Sun. 20 Orange St., across from the Historic Downtown Riverwalk, intersecting Front and Water St. 910-762-1669. capefearserpentarium.com.
BELLAMY MANSION
One of NC’s most spectacular examples of antebellum architecture, built on the eve of the Civil War by free and enslaved black artisans,
52 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
for John Dillard Bellamy (1817-1896) physician, planter and business leader; and his wife, Eliza McIlhenny Harriss (1821-1907) and their nine children. After the fall of Fort Fisher in 1865, Federal troops commandeered the house as their headquarters during the occupation of Wilmington. Now a museum, it focuses on history and the design arts and offers tours, changing exhibitions and an informative look at historic preservation in action.910-251-3700. bellamymansion.org. 503 Market St. BURGWIN WRIGHT HOUSE
18th century Burgwin-Wright House Museum in the heart of Wilmington’s Historic District, is the oldest museum house in NC, restored with 18th and 19th century decor and gardens. Colonial life is experienced through historical interpretations in kitchen-building and courtyard. 3rd/Market St. Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm. Last tour, 3pm. 910-762-0570. www.burgwinwrighthouse. com.
CAPE FEAR MUSEUM
See NC through the eyes of Wilmington-born photographer Hugh MacRae Morton (19212006). His captivating images will be featured in the traveling exhibit “Photographs by Hugh Morton: An Uncommon Retrospective,” is now open at Cape Fear Museum. The exhibit is on loan from the UNC Library’s North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives and will be on view through September 2018. To create Photographs by Hugh Morton, Stephen Fletcher, photographic archivist at UNC Library’s North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives, selected images from the library’s collection of Morton’s estimated quarter-million negatives and transparencies. Shows experiences as a photojournalist; as a soldier in the Pacific Theater during World War II; and as owner and operator of Grandfather Mountain tourist attraction in Linville. Exhibits more than 50 images feature dozens of his lesser known or unpublished photographs, as well as some classics. Will feature brochures, postcards and prints. Tickets: www. capefearmuseum.com/programs. $20 for members; $30 for non-members. CF Museum, 814 Market St.
EXPO 216
Newly opened exhibit feat. end-of-life issues. Enter Grandma’s House and address the elephant in the room. Pick up an advance directive. Review the History of Hospice . Contemplate individual responses of compassion in the arena. • Preview of Near Death Experience: Thurs., March 22, 4-6pm. Free. Be the first to journey through this mirror-lined chamber housing an array of endless LED lights. The viewer walks toward a light but at the last minute is diverted to the main room. The formal opening is March 23 during Fourth Friday Gallery Night. • Cultural Traditions Around Dying: Expo 216 addresses conscious dying though Tibetan art and a traditional Tibetan Thangka (Debra Alpert Collection); animism through sub-saharan African funerary artifacts (Charles Jones Collection); and Japanese Jizo traditions through the art and photography of Carole Osman. Expo 216 gallerium, 216 N. Front St. Wed.-Sun., noon-6pm. expo216.com.
kids stuff STORY EXPLORERS
Cameron Art Museum, every Thurs., 1010:30am: Admission by donation. Bring your infant, toddler or preschooler for story time, gal-
lery exploration and an art project! georgia@ cameronartmuseum.org for more info. 3201 S. 17th St. LITTLE EXPLORERS
Thurs. and Sat., 10am: Meet your friends in Museum Park for fun hands-on activities! Enjoy interactive circle time, conduct exciting experiments, and play games related to a weekly theme. Perfect for children ages 3 to 6 and their adult helpers every Friday. Free! Cape Fear Museum, 814 Market St.
SATURDAY STORY HOUR
Miss Shannon will lead interactive story hours for kids ages 3-6 on the first and third Saturdays of May at the Main Library in downtown Wilmington. Saturday Story Hour is free and no pre-registration is needed. Opens with a picture book and end with a project or activity at the end, and include time to play, learn, and laugh in between. Ea. child should bring a participating adult. Shannon Vaughn: 910798-6303. 201 Chestnut St.
HALYBURTON LITTLE EXPLORERS
It Starts with a Seed: Thurs, 4/5, 10-11am, or Fri, 4/6, 10-11am or 11:30-12:30pm; Oh My Deer: Thurs, 4/19, 10-11am, Fri, 4/20, 1011am or 11:30-12:30pm. Pre-reg rqd for programs: www.NHCLibrary.org.
LEGO BUILD
Apr. 4, 3:30pm: Ready, Set, BUILD! Kids ages 5-10 are invited to create their own Lego version of a theme. This popular activity is free but space is limited, so registration is required, on the library’s calendar or by calling 910-798-6385. Meaghan Weiner at mweiner@nhcgov.com. NHC Pleasure Island Library, 1401 N. Lake Blvd.
FRENCH PLAYGROUP
Thurs., 10am: Chantez! Jouez! Rencontrez des nouveaux amis! Sing, play, and meet new friends at French Playgroup at the main library! Informal hour where young kids and parents/caregivers can hear and try out some French words. Free and no advance registration is needed. Main Library Children’s Room at 910-798-6303 or sdemarco@nhcgov.com. NHC Main Library, 201 Chestnut St.
recreation BLACKWATER ADVENTURE CRUISE
Two-hour cruise up the Northeast Cape Fear River, still largely unchanged and underpopulated as it was when Wilmington was colonized in the late 1600’s. Cruising through the Castle Hayne Aquifer and by the Bluffs of the Rose Hill Plantation. A narrated cruise based of the history and ecology of the area. 910338-3134. ILM Water Tours, 212 S. Water St.
HARBOR 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.
DANCIN IN THE PARK
New Hanover Regional Medical Center and the YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina are
sponsoring Dancin’ in the Park, a free and fun 8-week outdoor fitness celebration in Wilmington. Locally organized health initiative has a mission of promoting physical activity, healthy lifestyle choices, and community relationships within the Northside community of Wilmington. The public is invited to attend. Instructors will showcase styles like Zumba, line dancing, hiphop, and more. Open to all ages and fitness abilities and will include music, giveaways and food. Every Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., starting March 17 and ending May 5. Portia Hines Park, 400 N. 10th St. N.EAST CF RIVER EXCURSION
Mar. 30, 9am: A relaxing, scenic 1 hour 45 min cruise from downtown Wilmington up the Northeast Cape Fear River. The ideal way to spend an unforgettable morning. This has become our signature cruise & Captain Doug’s favorite. Join us as we head up the Northeast Cape Fear River to the upper reaches of the black water system of this mysterious river. Start your day on the water in search of wildlife & many of our feathered friends. All while learning some of the rich history of this area. Visit our full bar for a fresh brewed coffee or for the Best Bloody Mary on the river. Seats are limited, so we recommend you reserve your seats. You can book your tickets at www.wilmingtonwatertours.net or give us a call at 910-338-3134. 13.50-$27. Wilmington Water Tours LLC, 212 S. Water St.
CAPE FEAR ROLLER GIRLS
Mar. 31, 6pm: The Cape Fear Roller Girls, Wilmington’s only flat track roller derby league, play the Carolina Hurticanes in our first home game of 2018 season. Ticket pre sale $10, $12 at the door for 12 years old and above, 7-11 $5, and kids 6 and under are free. www.capefearrollergirls.com. Jellybean’s Family Skate Center, 5216 Oleander Dr.
hang, with a professional gallery finish.Choose from a matte finish or a crystal clear, glass like epoxy finish.This makes an amazing gift for mother’s day. Appropriate for any skill level. Recommended for ages 4 and up. All supplies included. One accompanying adult per child. One canvas per child. Registration is complete and confirmed when payment is received and processed. Due to the nature of the supplies needed, refunds will not be issued for non attendence. All sales are final. Menagerie Design Studio, 805A N 4th St. IF DISNEY RAN YOUR BUSINESS
3/28, 1pm: Repeat business and customers is the lifeblood of every business. Outstanding customer service is the key. This seminar highlights important customer service practices that business owners can take back to implement in their own businesses. Learn the secrets to create a Disneylike experience, and success culture in your business. John Formica, an “ExDisney Guy,” and leading authority in the Hospitality Service Industry, organizational culture and business growth, is “America’s Best Customer Service Experience Coach.” As a former successful Disney hotel leader, John will share his incredible experience, best practices and proven Disney success strategies to help you create magical experiences for your customers, and keep them coming back for more. CFCC Wilmington Campus, Union Station Building, Room: U-170, 1-3 p.m. Free. 502 N. Front St.
TWITTER 101
Mar. 28, 3pm: Learn everything you need to know about getting started on Twitter at this free tech workshop at Northeast Library! Topics will include signing up for a Twitter account, tweet-
ing basics, and how to follow posts from other tweeters. If you plan to tweet using the Twitter app on your mobile device, bring your device to the workshop. 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 910-798-6371. Annice Sevett at asevett@nhcgov.comor 910798-6371. Northeast Regional Library, NHC, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd. CROCHET IT!
Mar. 29, 4pm: Crocheters of all levels are invited to a casual workshop hour at Northeast 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! This hands-on workshop is free for adults and teens. Space is limited so please reserve your seat by registering on the calendar at www. NHCLibrary.org or by calling 910-798-6371. Northeast Regional Library, NHC, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd.
FULL MOON CRUISE
Mar. 31, 7:30pm: Join Wilmington Water Tours for a 90min Full Moon Cruise! Watch the sunset and the full moon take its place. Enjoy the view while sipping on a drink from our full bar and listening to the music by local musician Susan Savia. Tickets are $27. Reservations are recommended. Make a reservation either online at www.wilmingtonwatertours.net or call us at (910) 338-3134. Wilmington Water Tours, 212 S. Water St.
classes PAPERMAKING CLASSES
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.
JOB SEARCHING W/NC WORKS ONLINE
Mar. 28, 9:30am: Looking for work? At this free program Paula Giles, Career Advisor, will show you how to use NCWorks Online, North Carolina’s official job search portal. Once you create your profile NCWorks Online, you can apply for jobs across North Carolina and find out about training opportunities near you. You can also dig into labor market information, and locate other services in your community that may assist you during your job search. This session is free to the public and no registration is needed.Natasha Francois at 910-798-6301 or nfrancois@nhcgov.com. NHC Main Library, 201 Chestnut St.
FLUID ART FREESTYLE
Mar. 28, 10am: Discover the most addicting, fascinatingly beautiful act of acrylic pouring. This is an original work of art completely unique to your little one. They choose the colors and control the movement of the paint to create truly delightful happy accidents. The 12x12 canvas is perfect for little hands and comes ready to
SKINNY SHAKE Skim milk and vanilla are blended with ice cream and ice to create a skinny version of your favorite treat.
FOLLOW US ON encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 53
Think your pet has star quality? We want to see it! encore’s annual Pet Cover Contest is taking entries through April 17. The winner will be featured on the April 25 cover of encore magazine, with a feature inside about the winner, along with cover photo and two (or more photos) featured inside the magazine. Winner receives a goodie bag of items from local pet-friendly businesses. Top six runners up will have their photos featured as well.
TO ENTER: • E-mail hi-res, large photos to ads@encorepub.com by Apr. 17th. • Include three various photos that are at least 10” wide at 200dpi. • Pay your $10 entry fee (entry fee per 3 photos of same pet). You can mail
in check to Encore, P. O. Box 12430, Wilmington, NC 28405 or pay by debit/credit card (call 910-791-0688).
Proceeds going to a local pet rescue (to be announced the week of the contest)
Questions? E-mail ads@encorepub.com
54 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
EASTER SUNSET CRUISE ON CAPE FEAR
Apr. 1, 6:30pm: Join Wilmington Water Tours for a 90 min Sunset Cruise on the Cape Fear River to round out the Easter Holiday weekend! The sunsets on the Cape Fear River rarely disappoints! Enjoy the sunset, sip on a drink from our full bar. Tickets are $27. Reservations are recommended. Make a reservation either online at www.wilmingtonwatertours.net or call us at (910) 338-3134. Wilmington Water Tours, 212 S. Water St.
ADULT CRAFTERNOONS
Apr. 2, 2:30pm: Adult Crafternoons is 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. Adult Crafternoons is a free Library program, with all supplies provided by a Friends of NHC Library LEAD Award. To make sure you have a seat and enough supplies, please reserve your spot on the calendar at www.NHCLibrary.org or by calling 910-7986371. Annice Sevett at asevett@nhcgov.com or 910-798-6371. Northeast Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd.
FINISH IT
Apr. 4, 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. This library group is free and no reservations are needed. Annice Sevett at asevett@nhcgov.com or 910-7986371. Northeast Regional Library, NHC, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd.
INTRO TO PROJECT BUDGETS
Apr. 4, 2pm: Nonprofit fundraising involves lots of grant writing, which involves lots of detailed budgets showing how much money is needed and how it will be spent. If budgeting is holding your grant proposals back, this free workshop is for you! Step-by-step class will offer instructions on how to generate a standard project budget for a foundation proposal. Topics will include the basic components of a project budget, estimating the realistic costs of a project, and other financial documents you may need to submit with your proposal. 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 910-7986301. NHC Main Library, 201 Chestnut St.
lectures/literary GILL BURNETT: BENCH MARKS
Mar. 29, 11am: Come join the Lower Cape Fear Historical Society for this fascinating book talk from a local author. Retired Judge Gil Burnett will be speaking about his book “Bench Marks.” All book talks are Thursdays at 11 am with an optional lunch following in the Tea Room at noon. Nonmembers: $5 for the talk, $15 for talk and lunch. LCFHS members: free entry, $10 for lunch. Latimer House: 910-762-0492 (leave message after hours) to make a reservation for talk/lunch by Tuesday on the week of the presentation. Tickets for the talk can be purchased at the Latimer house in person or over the phone 910-762-0492 in advance or the day of the talk.Latimer House, 126 S. 3rd St.
PATHWAY TO SUCCESS BREAKFAST
Apr. 4, 7:30am: Join us for our annual breakfast to learn about our Summer Jobs Program and support BRC programming for 2018! Coastline Convention Center, 501 Nutt St.
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.
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 / 910-7986385. NHC Pleasure Island Library, 1401 N. Lake Blvd.
NHC HAZWAGON
New Hanover County encourages residents to safely dispose of toxic materials with its new mobile collection unit, the HazWagon. stationed various days at three different locations in New Hanover County to collect household hazardous waste and electronics free of charge. Residents can bring items to the following locations each week: Mon., 10am-2pm, at Ogden Park ball fields; Wed., 10am-2pm at Wrightsville Beach Municipal Complex in the Farmers’ Market field by the recycle center; Fridays at Carolina Beach Mike Chappell Park (in the south side of the park across from the tennis courts), 10am-2pm.
BIRTH CIRCLE
Every 3rd Sat. come for our Birth Circle, something always different every month. Check out website for more details of what we have in store this month & exact time of each event! www.thebumpandbeyond.com. Bump & Beyond, 4712 New Centre Dr. #106.
CHRISTIAN MYSTICISM
clubs/notices LA LECHE LEAGUE
meeting for you. La Leche League Leaders are experienced mothers who have breastfed their own babies and who have been trained and accredited by La Leche League International to help mothers and mothers-to-be with all aspects of breastfeeding. Bump & Beyond, 4712 New Centre Dr. #106.
Sat., 10am, meetings are informal and open to pregnant women, mothers, babies and children. If you have questions or just would like to meet other breastfeeding mothers, this is the
We explore God using the methods and guidance of Moses, Jesus, the prophets and a rich sampling of delightful saints including Theresa of Avila, Meister Eckhart and Thomas Aquinas. We will meet twice a month for fellowship, poetry, instruction in spiritual practices, group meditations and playful spiritual fun. First and
Italian Sandwiches • Meatballs Spaghetti • Party Catering Breakfast All Day 1101 S College Rd. • (910) 392-7529 www.atasteofitalydeli.com encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 55
third Sundays of each month, 2pm. Parking on 15th St. Respond to me, John Evans, at insightbuilders@gmail.com. Morning Glory Coffeehouse, 1415 Dawson St. 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. BRIGHTSTAR CARE OF WILMINGTON
Mar. 29, 4pm: BrightStar Care of Wilmington and Brunswick Counties for their open house ,2709 Market Street, Suite 201. At 5 p.m., the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce will host a special ribbon cutting ceremony. Enjoy Asian fusion hors d’oeuvres from Indochine Restaurant and an array of exciting raffle prizes. A selection of beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages will be served. Free and open to the public. About BrightStar Care of Wilmington and Brunswick County: BrightStar Care of Wilmington and Brunswick County specializes in providing the highest standard of premium home care services to infants through seniors in New Hanover and Brunswick County. They are Joint Commission accredited and a medical staffing provider. www.facebook.com/BSCWilmington
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. • Mar. 28, 5pm: An evening with Dogfish Head Brewery
56 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
featuring tastings, giveaways, live music, food trucks, brewery staff, and more. Founded by beer-celebrity Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head continues to cr eate award winning ales alongside their lengthy list of continual beers and seasonal specialties, resulting in a 400+ beer library. The team will come armed with rare and limited releases alongside several year-round varieties. Food Truck is Beach House Dawgs Hot Dog Cart and live mnusic is by Eric Keely, 7pm. • Mar. 29, 6pm: To honor one of our local favorites, Fermental welcomes the team from Wrightsville Beach Brewery for an evening dedicated to their craft: with rare and limited releases alongside several flagship varieties and plenty of giveaways, live music, food truck offerings and more. Food Truck is Arepa Street, 6pm; and music is from Elliott Humphries, 7pm. • Mar. 30, 6pm: Aging beer in barrels has been a part of brewing history since Old World times when oak barrels were used for conditioning most beers. To celebrate barrels and the beer aged inside them, Fermental hosts an evening dedicated to barrel aged beers from North Carolina: Lumber—multiple draft offerings alongside a few local brewery folks, live music from Rob Williams, and food truck from 2 Bros Coastal Cuisine. www.fermental.net. 910-8210362. 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, Sundays, 12-2pm. $20. ($8 Reading Only). Reserved seating. Monthly Sunday Brunch featuring a greatly abridged reading of one of Shakespeare’s classic plays. Brunch and dessert with choice of entrée included in your ticket. Drinks and gratuity not included. Portion of proceeds donated to Shakespearean educational outreach programs. Apr. 22: Hamlet; May 20: Two Gentleman of Verona; June 17: The Tempest. TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10th St.
SWEET N SAVORY CAFE
Every Wed. we uncork 5-7pm delicious wines from all over the world. You never know what we have planned for the week, but our weekly newsletter will keep you updated. • Tues. Couples Night: Purchase any dinner entrees & any bottle of wine to enjoy a free shared appetizer and a free shared dessert. • Fri.: $10 off all bottles of wine over $35 from 650+ wine selection. Epicurean Dinner Menu changes monthly— amazing dishes at affordable prices; full menu at sweetnsavory.cafe/epicurean-wilmington-nc. $2 pints daily. www.sweetnsavory.cafe/winetasting-wilmington-nc. Sweet n Savory Cafe, 1611 Pavillion Pl.
SMIFCO SEAHAWK LUNCHES
Join Steveiemack’s International Food Co. every Thurs., 11am, during the regular school year, at UNCW’s Fisher Student Center. We ac-
Serving the Wilmington Area Since 1973 110 Dock Street Wilmington, NC 28401 (910) 763-8476
www.dockstreetprinting.com THANK YOU ENCORE READERS!! For Voting us “BEST PRINT SHOP” 13 YEARS RUNNING!
Fast, Affordable Digital Color Traditional, Quality Single & Multi-Color Offset Business Cards • Rack Cards • Brochures • Postcards • Posters Let us make good impressions for you with:
ü Envelopes ü Pictures ü Letterheads ü Reports ü Posters ü NCR Forms ü Folders ü Art Prints ü Newsletters ü 13x26 Panoramic Prints ü Bindery & Fax Service
Your pet friendly, people friendly print shop! FREE OFF-STREET CUTOMER PARKING • Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5pm Convenient Paid Parking For All Mon-Fri 6pm - 7am & All Weekend
Cruisers Car Wash and Detail Centers
The Cruisers team humbly thanks you for voting us the #1 Car Wash in Wilmington! We promise to continue our daily commitment to excellence. “Any Time” Car Wash Cruisers Car Wash & Detail Cruisers Car Wash and Detail Long Beach Road 3835 Oleander Drive 325 South College Road Southport 799-6511 799-0070
Express Car Wash 1500 Shipyard Blvd. Next to Arby’s
encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 57
cept UNCW Food Dollars and Seahawk Bucks; as well as our normal payment methods. We offer delicious, fresh and healthy options along with some more decadent choices. UNCW, Fisher Center, 601 S. College Rd. BEER BINGO
Every Thursday night for beer bingo. No charge for cards. Great prizes. Food and drink specials. Capt’n Bills Backyard and Grille, 4240 Market St.
NEMA LOUNGE AND EATERY
Hump Day Happy Hour: 5-7 pm every Wednesday at NeMa Burger & Pizza Lounge! $5 Angus beef burgers and $2.50 16 oz Buds/ Bud Lights. Martini Tastings every Friday and Saturday, 4-8 pm. 5 tastings + one small order of NeMa Fancy Fries, $20/person. NeMa Lounge & Eatery, 225 S. Water St. Chandler’s Wharf
support groups WILMINGTON PRIDE YOUTH GROUP
Middle school and high-school students: Wilmington Pride and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation have joined together to create and facilitate a youth group for children/ youth (middle school and high school) who are LGBTQIA, plus straight allies. A safe space for kids to talk about orientation, gender, racial equality, political consequences, religion, self harm and self-care. Needed: youth facilitators, especially those who are trained to work with kids, and speakers to talk about important topics. Meets Thurs., 7:30pm, UU Congregation
ALL Y HIBACHI ••• SUSHI ••• TEMPURA ••• DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS
Check Wi
OU C
of Wilmington, 4313 Lake Ave, (across from Roland Grise Middle School). Sue Graffius: dre@uufwilmington.org). ANXIETY / OCD SUPPORT GROUP
Group meets 1st and 3rd Thursday, 7-8:30pm, of each month at 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. The 3rd Thursday meeting is member led. Everyone 18+ welcome. Alayne: 910-763-8134
TEEN TRANSGENDER SUPPORT GROUP
Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Support Group, free, facilitated by TR Nunley and Jamie Alper. This group will focus on the mental health needs unique to transgender and gender non-conforming adolescents (13 years old -18 years old). Topics covered will include but are not limited to: understanding one’s own gender, bullying, discrimination, and violence, family dynamics, coming out, being misgendered, handling invasive personal questions from others, safety and safe spaces, anxiety and mood stability. Nova Swanstrom first at (910) 442-8480 x3009 with Delta Behavioral Clinic.
CELEBRATE RECOVERY
Life Community Church, located inside Independence Mall, will have a recovery meeting every Monday evening at 6:30 pm starting with fellowship followed by a large group meeting at 7pm. Support groups for men and women follow at 8 pm. The meeting is in the Extension located across from Branches bookstore and the church auditorium. Jodie: 910-547-8973,
th Our St
AN EA
791-3859 or Lifecc.com. 3500 Oleander Dr. EXPECTING MAMA’S CIRCLE
Sat, noon: Chat with other pregnant mamas who are going through the same thing as you! Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, Breastfeeding USA counselor, and Postpartum Doula, Jess Zeffiro will moderate a free Pregnancy Meetup Group. Expectant mothers are invited to pop into the group at any time to share their stories, ask questions, and connect with great area resources. Share stories and have any pregnancy and birth related questions answered in a supportive environment. The Bump & Beyond, 890-3 S. Kerr Ave.
CHADD
Wilmington Area CHADD meets on the 2nd Monday of every month from 7-9pm at the Pine Valley United Methodist Church, 3788 Shipyard Blvd., Building B. This free support group is open to a growing group of parents, grandparents and individuals affected by AD/HD who understand what it takes to face its daily challenges. Free. Pine Valley United Methodist Church 3788 Shipyard Blvd., bldg B. WilmingtonCHADD.org
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; 910-7967991. 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,
A Taste of Award-Winning Seafood aff About
T SUS
Our
HI ME
BY ENCORE, STAR NEWS AND WILMINGTON MAGAZINE READERS!
NU
614 South College Road | 910.399.3366 | www.okamirestaurant.com 58 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
VOTED BEST SEAFOOD WITH THREE LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU...
Monkey Junction 5226 S. College Road Suite 5 Wilmington, NC 28412 910-799-7077 Porters Neck 140 Hays Lane #140 Wilmington, NC 28411 910-681-1140 Waterford 143 Poole Road Belville, NC 28451 910-399-6739 CAPEFEARSEAFOODCOMPANY.COM
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. 910-7638134 WILMINGTON MS SUPPORT GROUP
Wilmington MS Support Group will resume regular monthly meetings on Thurs., Jan. 11. New Hanover Regional Medical Center Campus, 2131 S. 17th St.
PFLAG
First Mon/mo. at UNCW, in the Masonboro Island Room #2010, 7pm.
LUPUS SUPPORT GROUP
Meets third Saturday each month. Free; dropins 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 877-849-8271, x1. lupusnc. org. Northeast Regional Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd.
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.,
DISCOVER NEW MUSIC AT 98.3 THE PENGUIN
Thank you encore readers for voting for The Penguin! BEST RADIO STATION BEST RADIO PERSONALITY BEAU GUNN BEST MORNING SHOW - THE MORNING CHILL
We couldn’t be more grateful and feel so lucky to get to be the different kind of bird we are. Thanks for the love!
Cozy watering hole that specializes in North Carolina brewed craft beer and cocktails. • 16 NC brews • Bar games on tap • Free popcorn • 8 big screen TV’s machine • Sports packages
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 Check us out on
WWW.983THEPENGUIN.COM encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 59
BARS & RESTAURANTS SPECIALS LIST YOUR
FREE
ONLINE
FOR
Just follow these three easy steps... 1 2 3
Go to www.encorepub.com and click on the CALENDAR tab. Click the “Add an Event” button at the top right corner. Fill out the event details and submit!
60 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
417 S College Rd #24, Wilmington, NC 28403 (910) 399-2867 Hours Tuesday - Saturday 11:45am - 9:00pm
Tuesday WEDNESday THURSday Social Media Day 1/2 price Free Post a photo of dessert appetizer yourself or your with each meal purchase
FRIDAY & SATURDAY
Meat Lover’s Weekend with any Full meal from Jamaica’s 4 Meats, Portion Meal Comfort Zone 2 Side Dishes 20% off Purchase your meal purchase $19.99
1:30pm. 3201 S. 17th St. LITERARY HISTORY WALKING TOUR
Explore the rich culture of our talented Southern town with a 90 minute walking tour of the literary history of downtown Wilmington, NC. Visit “The Two Libraries.” Walk the streets of your favorite novels, and stand where Oscar Wilde did when he lectured here. Saturdays, 1:30pm, Old Books on Front. 249 N. Front St. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1282390
INSIDER’S TOUR
Explore the history of community at Cape Fear Museum. Take the Insider’s Tour offered the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10am. Tours are free with admission and include a “behind the scenes” sneak peek. Pre-registration is required: 910-798-4362 or cfmprograms@nhcgov.com. Free w/general admission or membership. Cape Fear Museum, 814 Market St.
HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE TOURS
Narrated horse drawn carriage and trolley tours of historic Wilmington feature a costumed driver who narrates a unique adventure along the riverfront and past stately mansions. Market and Water sts. $12/adult, $5/child. (910) 251-8889. www.horsedrawntours.com
GHOST WALK
6:30 & 8:30pm. Costumed guides lead visitors through alleyways with tales of haunted Wilmington. Nightly tours at 6:30pm and 8:30pm. Admission charge. Water & Market sts. RSVP rqd: 910-794-1866. hauntedwilmington.com
BELLAMY MANSION
Guided tours start on the hour, as well as selfguided tours, which start at any time. Mondays is only self-guided tours.* Follow curved oyster-shell paths through our lush Victorian garden shaded by 150-year-old magnolia trees. Climb the stairs to the elegant main entrance surrounded by soaring columns and gleaming windows. Hear the stories of the Bellamy family, as well as those of the free and enslaved black artisans who built the home and crafted intricate details throughout the house. Know that you are walking through history. Bellamy Mansion Museum, one of NCs most spectacular examples of Antebellum architecture. Adults $12; senior and military discount, $10; students, $6; children under 5, free. Bellamy Mansion, 503 Market St.
HISTORY WALKING TOUR
ARIES (Mar. 21–April 20)
A few years ago, a New Zealander named Bruce Simpson announced plans to build a cruise missile at his home using parts he bought legally from eBay and other online stores. In accordance with current astrological omens, I suggest you initiate a comparable project. For example, you could arrange a do-it-yourself space flight by tying a thousand helium balloons to your lawn chair. APRIL FOOL! I lied. Please don’t try lunatic schemes like the helium balloon space flight. Here’s the truth: Now is a favorable time to initiate big, bold projects, but not foolish, big, bold projects. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) The point is to be both visionary and practical.c There’s a narrow waterway between Asia and Europe. In the fifth century B.C., Persian King Xerxes had two bridges built across it so he could invade Greece TAURUS (April 20-May 20) with his army. But a great storm swept through and smashed his handiwork. The Finnish word “kalsarikännit” means getting drunk at home alone in Xerxes was royally peeved. He ordered his men to whip the uncooperative sea your underwear and bingeing on guilty pleasures. It’s a perfect time for and brand it with hot irons, all the while shouting curses at it, like “You are a turyou to do just that. The Fates are whispering, “Chill out. Vegetate. Be ambid and briny river.” I recommend that you do something similar, Scorpio. Has bitionless.” APRIL FOOL! I told a half-truth. In fact, now is a perfect time Nature done anything to inconvenience you? Show it who’s the Supreme Boss! to excuse yourself from trying too hard and doing too much. You can acAPRIL FOOL! I lied. The truth is, now is an excellent time for you to become complish wonders and marvels by staying home and bingeing on guilty more attuned and in love with a Higher Power, however you define that. What’s pleasures in your underwear. But there’s no need to get drunk. greater than you and bigger than your life and wilder than you can imagine? Refine your practice of the art of surrender. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Actor Gary Busey is very sure there are no mirrors in heaven. He has other specific ideas about the place, as well. This became a problem when he was filming the movie *Quigley,* in which his character Archie visits heaven. Busey was so enraged at the director’s mistaken rendering of paradise that he got into a fist fight with another actor. I hope you will show an equally feisty fussiness in the coming weeks, Gemini. APRIL FOOL! I lied, sort of. On the one hand, I do hope you’ll be forceful as you insist on expressing your high standards. Don’t back down! But on the other hand, refrain from pummeling anyone who asks you to compromise.
CANCER (June 21-July 22)
In the Scots language still spoken in parts of Scotland, *eedle-doddles* are people who can’t summon initiative when it’s crunch time. They are so consumed in trivial or irrelevant concerns that they lose all instinct for being in the right place at the right time. I regret to inform you that you are now at risk of being an *eedle-doddle.* APRIL FOOL! I lied. In fact, the truth is just the opposite. I have rarely seen you so well-primed to respond vigorously and bravely to Big Magic Moments. For the foreseeable future, you are King or Queen of “Carpe Diem.”
tors syndiCate A two-hour exploration of downtown Wilmington with author Dan Camacho! A $10 donation is suggested. .bellamymansion.org or email info@bellamymansion.org with any questions. Bellamy Mansion Museum, 503 Market St.
example, a benefactor may finance your vacation to a gorgeous sacred site or give you the deed to an enchanted waterfall. I won’t be surprised if you’re blessed with a solid gold bathtub or a year’s supply of luxury cupcakes. It’s even possible that a sugar daddy or sugar momma will fork over $500,000 to rent an auditorium for a party in your honor. APRIL FOOL! I distorted the truth. I do suspect you’ll get more goodies than usual in the coming weeks, but they’re likely to come in the form of love and appreciation, not flashy material goods. (For best results, don’t just wait around for the goodies to stream in; “ask” for them!)
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
Paul McCartney likes to periodically act like a regular person who’s not a famous musician. He goes grocery shopping without bodyguards. He rides on public transportation and strikes up conversations with random strangers. I think you may need to engage in similar behavior yourself, Leo. You’ve become a bit too enamored with your own beauty and magnificence. You really do need to come down to earth and hang out more with us little people. APRIL FOOL! I lied. The truth is, now is prime time to hone your power and glory; to indulge your urge to shine and dazzle; to be as conspicuously marvelous as you dare to be.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
The coming days will be an excellent time to concoct an alchemical potion that will heal your oldest wounds. For best results, mix and sip a gallon of potion using the following magic ingredients: absinthe, chocolate syrup, cough medicine, dandelion tea, cobra venom, and worm’s blood. APRIL FOOL! I mixed a lie in with a truth. It is a fact that now is a fine time to seek remedies for your ancient wounds. But the potion I recommended is bogus. Go on a quest for the real cure.
LIBRA (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Fifteenth-century Italian painter Filippo Lippi was such a lustful womanizer that he sometimes found it tough to focus on making art. At one point, his wealthy and politically powerful patron Cosimo de’ Medici, frustrated by his extracurricular activities, imprisoned him in his studio to ensure he wouldn’t get diverted. Judging from your current astrological omens, Sagittarius, I suspect you need similar constraints. APRIL FOOL! I fibbed a little. I am indeed worried you’ll get so caught up in the pursuit of pleasure that you’ll neglect your duties. But I won’t go so far as to suggest you should be locked up for your own good.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Now is a favorable time to slap a lawsuit on your mom in an effort to make her pay for the mistakes she made while raising you. You could also post an exposé on social media in which you reveal her shortcomings, or organize a protest rally outside her house with your friends holding signs demanding she apologize for how she messed you up. APRIL FOOL! Everything I just said was ridiculous and false. The truth is, now is a perfect moment to meditate on the gifts and blessings your mother gave you. If she is still alive, express your gratitude to her. If she has passed on, do a ritual to honor and celebrate her.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Aquarian author Alice Walker won a Pulitzer Prize for her novel “The Color Purple.” She has also published 33 other books and built a large audience. But some of her ideas are not exactly mainstream. For example, she says that one of her favorite authors is David Icke, who asserts that intelligent extraterrestrial reptiles have disguised themselves as humans and taken control of our planet’s governments. I bring this to your attention, because I think it’s time that you, too, reveal the full extent of how crazy you really are. APRIL FOOL! I half-lied. While it’s true that now is a favorable time to show more of your unconventional and eccentric sides, I don’t advise you to go full-on whacko.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
Warning! Danger! You are at risk of contracting a virulent case of cherophobia! And what exactly is cherophobia? It’s a fear of happiness. It’s an inclination to dodge and shun joyful experiences because of the suspicion that they will disappoint you or cause bad luck. Please do something to stop this insidious development. APRIL FOOL! I lied. The truth is that you are currently more receptive to positive emotions and delightful events than you’ve been in a log time. There’s less than a one-percent chance you will fall victim to cherophobia.
I expect you will soon receive a wealth of exotic and expensive gifts. For
encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 61
SEAHAWK CLUB
11th Annual Golf Tournament Presented by:
Owens Insurance Agency & Financial Services, Inc. 5704 Oleander Dr, Ste 101 Wilmington, NC 28403 910.392.1985
www.stephenowensagency.com
11th Annual Seahawk Club Golf Tournament Monday, May 21, 2018 at River Landing in Wallace, NC Shotgun Starts: 8:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. Registrations: 7:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. Format: Captain’s Choice Lunch: 12:30 – 2 p.m.
Deadline to enter: May 14, 2018 The Seahawk Club’s primary goal is to raise funds for student-athlete scholarships at UNCW. All athletic scholarships are privately funded. We rely heavily on the support of alumni, fans and the corporate community to help fund these scholarships. One of the biggest fundraising events we host each year is our annual golf tournament. We invite you to enjoy a fun-filled day of golf with other Seahawk faithful while having the opportunity to interact with UNCW coaches and athletics staff. Participants will have the opportunity to win par 3 prizes as well as a longest drive competition. Rucker Johns will provide lunch for all contestants.
“The opportunity to represent UNCW and the city of Wilmington is a tremendous honor. It’s a great feeling to know you have the entire Seahawk family supporting you.” Pat Cover Men’s Golf
Thank you for your continued support of UNCW Athletics and each student-athlete.
11th Annual Seahawk Club Golf Tournament Registration Participation Level
UPCOMING EVENTS:
FRIDAY, MARCH 30 | 11:00 A.M. Women’s Tennis vs. Charlotte FRIDAY, MARCH 30 | 3:00 P.M. Softball vs. James Madison FRIDAY, MARCH 30 | 5:30 P.M. Softball vs. James Madison FRIDAY, MARCH 30 | 11:30 A.M. Beach Volleyball vs. Carson-Newman at Dig & Dive FRIDAY, MARCH 30 | 3:00 P.M. Beach Volleyball vs. College of Charleston at Dig & Dive
62 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com
FRIDAY, MARCH 30 | 6:00 P.M. Beach Volleyball vs. Missouri Baptist at Dig & Dive SATURDAY, MARCH 31 | NOON Softball vs. James Madison SATURDAY, MARCH 31 | 2:30 P.M. Beach Volleyball vs. North Florida at Dig & Dive TUESDAY, APRIL 3 | 5:00 P.M. Softball vs. UNC-Chapel Hill
£ Corporate Fee: $700 includes team entry fee, exclusive hole signage, lunch and 4 UNCW logo tumblers £ Team Entry Fee: $600 includes team entry fee, lunch, 4 UNCW logo tumblers £ Individual Entry Fee: $150 includes cart and green fees, lunch, UNCW logo tumblers £ Hole Sponsor: $100 signage on tee £ Mulligans: 2 for $20 (maximum two per person) Corporate/Team Name ____________________________________________________________________________ Shotgun start preference (20 teams per shotgun start)
8:30 a.m. _____ 2 p.m. _____
Player #1
Player #3
Name ___________________________________________
Name ___________________________________________
Address _________________________________________
Address _________________________________________
City _____________________ ST ______ Zip___________
City _____________________ ST ______ Zip___________
Phone_______________________ Handicap__________
Phone_______________________ Handicap__________
Email ____________________________________________
Email ____________________________________________
Seahawk Club Member Y N
Seahawk Club Member Y N
Player #2
Player #4
Name ___________________________________________
Name ___________________________________________
Address _________________________________________
Address _________________________________________
City _____________________ ST ______ Zip___________
City _____________________ ST ______ Zip___________
Phone_______________________ Handicap__________
Phone_______________________ Handicap__________
Email ____________________________________________
Email ____________________________________________
Seahawk Club Member Y N
Seahawk Club Member Y N
**Please make checks payable to: UNCW Seahawk Club. Include SHC Golf Tournament in the memo line.
Email registration forms to wadet@uncw.edu
Checks and registration forms can be mailed to: UNCW Seahawk Club 601 S. College Road Wilmington, NC 28403-5913
CORKBOARD Available for your next CD or Demo
KAREN KANE MUSIC PRODUCTIONS 33 year veteran Producer/Engineer
NEW
CANNABIS HYPNOTHERAPY NOW AVAILABLE! CALL: 910-343-1171 Find Out What All the Buzz is About!
SATISFY ALL YOUR CRAVINGS
Dreaming Of A Career In The Music Industry?
with our huge menu that has over 70 food items Including our famous $6.99 Lunches & $8.99 Dinners
Classes offered in Jan., Apr. and Sept.
Front Street Brewery 910.251.1935 9 North Front Street, Downtown Wilmington FrontStreetBrewery.com
200 album credits
AUDIO ENGINEERING CLASSES Music Recording, Mixing, Pro Tools, Studio Production
(910) 681-0220 or mixmama.com Want To Get The Word Out About Your Business...
ADVERTISE ON THE
CORKBOARD
4WEEKS - ONLY $100
CUSTOM TILE Installation & Repairs
event promotion at the click of a button
Have an event, show, or fund-raiser that you’d like to promote? Follow these three easy steps... 1
2
3
Go to www.encorepub.com and click on the CALENDAR tab. Click the “Add an Event” button at the top right corner. Fill out the event details and submit!
Add venue location, event time & details, image and links, and contact information... You can even sell event tickets!
•Kitchens •Bathrooms •Entryways •Fireplaces •And More
Call 791-0688 For Details
ONLINE C A L E N D A R
Free Estimates
910-616-0470
Your event will automatically be added to encore’s print calendar in that week’s issue (space permitting). powered by
Full Moon Cruise
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
Complete Schedule: wilmingtonwatertours.net
info@wilmingtonwt.com
BAR ON BOARD WITH ALL ABC PERMITS HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE
Follow us
Saturday, March 31st 7pm • $27 Cruising under the moonlight of a full moon, live acoustic music by Susan Savia. Join us at 7pm for a Captains Reception at the dock, then get settled in and comfy. We will depart the dock @7:30 for a 1 1/2 hr. cruise.
Easter Sunday Sunset Cruise with LIVE Music
Featuring Coleman Daly as your musician Take your company out & you will finally be able to sit back & relax . Enjoy the views of the area & wonderful music on board while cruising. Full bar on board with a wide array of cocktails for purchase. Also have a selection of snacks on board from Veggie Wagon. Upcoming Cruises: Azalea Firecracker Cruise - April 14th • Civil War Cruise - April 22nd encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 63
BEST
photo courtesy of Lindsey A. Miller Photography
FRIED CHICKEN BUFFET SOUL FOOD
WE ALSO DO CATERING! 5559 Oleander drive 910.798.2913
Wednesday-Saturday 11am-9pm Sunday 11am- 8pm Closed - Monday and Tuesday Visit our website - www.CaseysBuffet.com 64 encore | march 28 - april 3, 2018 | www.encorepub.com