VOL. 36 / PUB. 37 • THE CAPE FEAR’S ALTERNATIVE VOICE FOR 35 YEARS • MARCH 18-24, 2020 • FREE
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HODGE PODGE Vol. 36 / Pub. 37 March 18-24, 2020
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MUSIC pg. 10 • By Jeff Oloizia Open Wire is a local hard rock band whose brotherhood runs deep. Jeff gets the story. Photo by Nathan Conroy
>>word of the week<< PUNDEMIC (N) An outbreak of internet puns caused by an overabundance of people working from home. “With writers now effectively banished to Twitter, a pundemic is all but assured.”
EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief:
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COVER COVID-19 has arrived in America and folks are officially hunkered down in self-isolation, others are social distancing, and even more are reaching out to help community. A few stories this week focus on how locals have responded to the pandemic, including a concierge service offering free errands for seniors, a website that will cull restaurant deliveries and “social distancing specials” in one place, and organizations and restaurants who are feeding kids while they’re out of school. As we were sending encore to press, Governor Cooper ordered all restaurants and bars to close for dine-in service. Thus we apologize in advance for any incorrect ads or editorial that contradicts the executive order.
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Chief Contributors: Gwenyfar Rohler,
Anghus, Tom Tomorrow, Mark Basquill, Rosa Bianca, Rob Brezsny, John Wolfe, Joan C.W. Hoffmann
Interns: Lauren Sears, Darius Melton, Brooke Suddeth
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Megan Henry >> megan@encorepub.com John Hitt >> john@encorepub.com Shea Carver >> shea@encorepub.com Brian Venegas >> brian@encorepub.com Published weekly on Wednesday by HP Media; opinions of contributing writers are not the opinions of encore.
ALSO INSIDE THIS WEEK P.O. Box 12430, Wilmington, N.C. 28405 encorepub.com • (910) 791-0688
DINING REVIEW pg. 26 • By Rosa Bianca A flight of mimosas is one of many appealing orders at Mayfaire’s new restaurant, Brunches. Photo by Rosa Bianca
EXTRA pg. 30 • Shannon Rae Gentry An exhibit on old-time contraception and women’s health will make viewers scratch their heads in disbelief. Photo by Shannon Gentry
Letter from the Publisher, pg. 4 • Live Local, pgs. 6-7 • News of the Weird, pg. 9 • Music, pg. 10 • Film, pg. 13 Gallery Guide, pg. 17 • Theatre, pg. 18 • Dining, pgs. 20-26 • Extra, pgs. 27-31 • Carpe Librum, pg. 32 Fact or Fiction, p. 34 • Crossword, pg. 37
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BY JOHN HITT
I
keep hearing there’s a good chance the way we live our lives will soon change. I think it’s safe to say change has already begun. Readers, you’ll probably agree things have felt different for the past week or two, as cancellations, postponements and closings have been announced amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Perhaps we as a country should have started taking it seriously a lot sooner than now. I’ll save that debate for later. My wife and I are watching all of this from our mutual self-quarantine. She got sick on Friday night, went to the doctor Saturday, and was tested for the flu. When it came back negative, they listened to her lungs, handed her a mask, with orders to get the hell home, and to call the health department Monday morning. The health department representative, who clearly had taken similar calls for days, refused to do a test—as did my wife’s physician. She was told they only have a few tests and needed to keep them for high-risk patients. It’s frustrating that test kits are in limited supply. We as a country should have better access to tests like the rest of the world. Again, I’ll save that debate for later. All we can focus on now is our safety and preserving our way of life. By “we” I mean all of us in the Cape Fear. We’re accustomed to facing natural disasters and coming together to help each other in times of crises. Those of us who have been around long enough can attest to how the hurricanes just run together. “When did we lose the roof? Was that Fran or Floyd or Florence?” With COVID-19, we’re looking down the barrel of a much different gun. This crisis is affecting us all—not just Wilmington, not just the East Coast, not just the United States. The entirety of society has been and will continue to be changed. If things get as bad as we fear (“Could everything
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As a small business, we at encore are concerned about the future, and we know our fellow mom-and-pops are, too. We’re WILMINGTON STRONG working on programs for businesses, John and Susan Hitt at Airilie restaurants and retailers to do more virtuGardens in Wilmington, NC. al business and even bounce back when Courtesy John Hitt our economy picks up again. We have so many wonderfully quirky retail spots and delicious restaurants and bars to conshutter through June, July?”) I believe the tinue promoting even during a downturn entire world will come together on some (including the most secretive and possilevel and do what’s right to protect our bly fake fast-food restaurant ever to exist; we’re looking at you, Taco Roos). global community. In Wilmington we have an advantage. We’re used to acts of nature causing disruptions in our lives; we know how to help each other rebuild in the aftermath. But if we have a flaw, it’s that we’re too used to it. We’re used to storms not being as catastrophic as they could have been. We’re used to joking about the empty bread and milk aisles. We’re used to beer aisles and ABC stores emptying even faster. We’re used to that time period after a hurricane, when we get back to life, debriefing on how many trees we lost or how long we were without power. There’s no National Hurricane Center to track this one. There’s no evacuating, no boarding windows, no hurricane parties. Though, we can look at how nations ahead of us are dealing with the virus and shift our focus to taking better precautions. Also, we can take advantage of skills we’ve learned from adversity we’ve faced. We love where we live; we know how to protect our neighbors and ourselves. But we have to listen to real guidance: practicing social distancing, not shaking hands or hugging, constantly washing our hands, not hoarding toilet paper and selling it out of the back of our trucks like assholes.
We promise to keep an open line of communication with you about all events happening or cancelling in coming weeks, and to provide human interest pieces that showcase the best of us during the worst of times. While we switch our focus away from event-based coverage, as public gatherings are being discouraged, we hope our citizens will continue to support our artistic community regardless. We are home to the oldest community theatre company in the country (Thalian Association), not to mention other companies that bring more than 40 productions to life annually. We have an amazing film studio (Screen Gems) and independent film community. We have a plethora of fabulous writers and poets, musicians and bands, and visual and performing artists working in all media—not to mention the nonprofits that help lift up folks from all walks of life. While so many in our creative community will suffer economically by not performing or by postponing exhibits, sales and book launches, we ask you to reconsider before getting a refund for that local concert, theatre production or charity event that cancelled. Consider it a donation to help strengthen community. Or make a donation to the nonprofits that have had to slash so many fundraisers this spring— usually a season rife with funds that better every corner of Wilmington.
I’m proud to say encore has published every week since 1985, with the lone exception coming during one of those hurricanes (we think it was Fran). We work hard to make it happen, and we believe what In the end we need to stick together we do is important: helping mold a tighteven if we are apart. In the end we are knit community through arts and enter#WilmingtonStrong. tainment, food and fun, lengthy calendars Kindly, that tell you where to go and what to do, not to mention pointing you to a bevy of John Hitt advertisers who are all local. We support Publisher small businesses across our town; they’re among the most important factors in keeping our vibrant, beautiful city appealing.
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GAINING REPRESENTATION Gwenyfar weighs the importance of the U.S. census for Congressional representation, despite problems
I
t seems like such a simple and obvious equation: If we have a government based upon representation by the people, then periodically those people need to be counted to ensure adequate and accurate representation. A provision in the Constitution states that every 10 years, the population of the United States should be counted, and representation and taxation apportioned. This is known as the U.S. Census. In 2020, if the count and numbers bear out expectations, North Carolina is projected to add an additional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. In order to represent the people, we need to know who the people are and where they are, right? This seems obvious enough. But when talking about a beast the size and complexity of the U.S. population, it is far from a simple matter. According to a history by the U.S. Census Bureau, both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were expecting a larger population figure than the 3.9 million counted in the first census of 1790. Census-takers were not given a standard form to fill in, just asked to tabulate and collect information for the following: • Free white males of 16 years and up • Free white males under 16 years • Free white females • All other free persons
The census has since changed; enumerators no longer scribble on paper. Over the years, standardized forms have been developed and introduced, and in 2020 much of the reporting is expected to happen online. Indeed, today I received a letter instructing me to go the census website and enter the unique pin number for my address to fill out the census. In previous years there has been a big push to remind people to participate in the census and to try to get as many people counted as possible. Usually, the hiring of census enumerators is a matter of course; these are temporary jobs that typically pay above the usual hourly wage of an area. I have seen very little activity of that kind this year. As distrust in the government has grown, and Americans have become increasingly mobile, it has become more and more difficult to get an accurate census count. From the U.S. Census Bureau: “Studies after the 1950 and 1960 censuses revealed those censuses had undercounted certain segments of the population. Researchers also noted a growing distrust of government and resistance to responding to the Census, despite an increasing need for accurate information in
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BY GWE NYFAR R OHLER both the private and public sectors.” The U.S. Census Bureau website, which has a really wonderful interactive history of all previous censuses, describes at great length efforts to get people to participate (it’s been historically difficult to count communities). In the last census, curriculum was made available to American history classes concerning the history and purpose of the census. There was also a national advertising campaign, a toll-free hotline for help filling out forms, a road show that went to NASCAR and the Super Bowl, and more. (A visit to the North Carolina Census website is rather drab. They are pretty blunt about being underfunded—to the point we do not even have a regional census office opening in North Carolina.) The 2020 census has been fraught for some time prior to its launch. In early 2018 a controversy began about the inclusion of a question identifying citizenship on the upcoming census. From the NC Counts Coalition: “A citizenship question will significantly
STRENGTHENING THE PATRIARCHY Folks who don’t answer race or gender on the 2020 US Census will be marked as ‘white male.’ Stock photo
increase the cost of the 2020 Census and result in far less accurate data, and ultimately in a loss of federal funds to North Carolina communities.” Last June the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the removal of the citizenship question from this census. However, significant damage to public perception remains. As NC Counts notes, “It is necessary to rebuild trust within North Carolina’s most vulnerable communities.” Last week another blow to public trust hit the Census, as brought to light by County Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, who also serves as the co-chair of the Complete Count Committee with Mayor
Bill Saffo. The Complete Count Committee is composed of leaders from our municipalities and ambassadors from historically undercounted groups who are trying to ensure New Hanover County achieves an accurate census count. Many media outlets, encore included, received a notice from New Hanover County’s Office of Communications and Outreach that included the following: “During a March 5 meeting of the Complete Count Committee, a Census Bureau partner specialist shared with the group that if respondents to the 2020 Census survey did not answer questions about race or gender, the census would not follow up with those respondents and would instead default them as ‘white’ and/or ‘male.’“ Commissioner Barfield was justifiably concerned by this news and sent a request to the U.S. Census Bureau that they reconsider this position. We reached out to New Hanover County to ask if any response had been received. Jessica Loeper, chief communications officer for NHC, responded, as of press time, the county had not yet received any acknowledgment. She added, “We received this information on March 5 at our Complete Count Committee, and it is our understanding that our regional partner specialists had
only learned of it recently as well.” In addition to the possibility of additional Congressional representation, the U.S. Census figures are used to allocate federal funding. The NC Counts Coalition cites over $16 billion dispersed annually to North Carolina for programs that benefit housing, transportation, human services, education and healthcare. “A single missed person is almost equivalent to a forfeited $16,000 in funding for North Carolina over a 10-year period.” There are a variety of reasons why a person might choose not to answer a question identifying race or gender. Now more than ever, conversations about binary gender and gender identity are coming to the fore. Newer generations of census responders might feel uncomfortable with identifying along a gender binary or as the gender assigned to them at birth. Perhaps allies, in a show of solidarity, might choose not to answer the question. Though it may sound absurd at first brush, please, remember we are the state known for “The Bathroom Bill,” which legally required people to use a bathroom assigned to their birth gender. Also, half the world’s population is not male. Why is the default assumption male? For years I have avoided that question on surveys, sensing for some reason if I identify myself as female, I am immedi-
ately relegating my answers to the rubbish heap. Have I ever been told outright that would be the case? No. But every meeting I sit in on, or decision I watch get made in a group re-enforces that, if the idea or information doesn’t come from someone masculine, powers that be are not interested. Funding for programs that support women’s, prenatal and early childhood healthcare depend upon census reporting. If people choose not to self-report, or the census fails to include a gender option that recognizes non-binary people, those numbers will be skewed to show a higher male population. Therefore, the census could show less need for programs like WIC that provide support and care for nursing mothers and infant children. Thus, we are all as a community losing out.
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I have never, personally, felt comfortable checking a box that says “white” on any form. I am clearly of European dissent: a blend of Dutch, German, and pretty much every part of the pale of Russia. I have a hard time separating the term “white” or “Caucasian” from images of carefully marked, separated drinking fountains. I have a hard time seeing myself with that label: as a person who would want or would accept the perceived benefit or value of a separate drinking fountain. If anything, the whole idea makes me feel like vomiting. I started marking “other” in school on all forms, but for the purpose of the census, I am about as European as they come, and, yes, I fill in that blank accurately. I have to imagine there are people in the world who have a similar feeling about answering a question regarding race on this form.
It’s revealing that the census is making an assumption of both gender and race for people who don’t readily identify as white and male—or, it would be for anyone who didn’t already realize institutionalized racAre there enough words in the world to ism and chauvinism are the basis for daily describe how we see ourselves? Or how life in our country. What’s more surprising is the U.S. Census Bureau openly admit- we would describe ourselves to others? No. Frankly, I do not trust the decision ting this fact. makers on high. But we need better repreThe constructs of race and ethnicity are sentation in Congress, and we owe it to the fraught. I understand statisticians like cat- most vulnerable parts of our community egories, but grouping and identifying peo- to try to bring as much help as possible. A ple isn’t easy nowadays. Having an under- rising tide lifts all boats. standing of the changing face of America is important, especially when allocation of
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ters, then passed it in its excrement, sparking a fire in the pen’s hay. The culprit was the copper in the battery reacting with the pig poo. No pigs were hurt in the fire; let’s hope they’re getting all their steps in as usual. [Fox News, 3/9/2020]
CONTINUING CRISIS
LEAD STORY: COVID-19 — Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely is on trial in Athens, Alabama, facing 11 counts of theft and ethics charges related to his job. On March 6, Blakely went to the hospital, where his lawyers told the court he was being tested for COVID-19, the disease associated with coronavirus. But in a special hearing on March 7, Dr. Maria Onoya told Judge Pride Tompkins that while Blakely was indeed admitted to the hospital, and received multiple tests, none of them was for COVID-19. In fact, she said there was no evidence to suggest he should be tested for it, The News Courier reported. Judge Tompkins ended the hearing with harsh words for Blakely’s defense team: “I don’t know what your tactic is, but it’s condemned by the court,” he said. He went on to note that he was “very disturbed” by the defense’s mention of COVID-19 in the motion to continue, calling it irresponsible, reckless and unfair to the community. [The News Courier, 3/7/2020] — Meanwhile, in Queensland, Australia, people are panicking about running out of toilet paper during the coronavirus pandemic. Which makes Haidee Janetzki of Toowoomba extra popular, after she made an error in her regular online TP order with Who Gives a Crap. “When it asked for quantity, I put 48,” she told 7News, “thinking that would be a box of 48 (rolls). Turned out it was 48 boxes.” At first she thought it was the online retailer’s fault -- until she checked her credit card, which showed an expense of $3,260 plus almost $400 shipping. Janetzki is selling the hot commodity to friends at a slight markup, hoping to raise money to send her kids on a school trip to Canberra. She’s now known Down Under as the Queen of the Toilet Paper. [7News, 3/5/2020] — Two state attorneys general and the Food and Drug Administration are cracking down on disgraced televangelist Jim Bakker, who is now the host of “The Jim Bakker Show” on cable TV. The New York attorney general’s office on March 3 sent a cease-and-desist order to Bakker, and on March 10, the Missouri attorney general filed suit against him. At issue is Bakker’s hawking of “Silver Solution,” a “med-
ication” made from silver that supposedly cures all sorts of ailments, for use in treating COVID-19. On Feb. 12, The Washington Post reported, Bakker asked a guest on his show whether the gel could cure the coronavirus. “It hasn’t been tested on this strain of the coronavirus, but it’s been tested on other strains of the coronavirus, and has been able to eliminate it within 12 hours,” said “naturopathic doctor” Sherrill Sellman. In the letter, the “extremely concerned” Lisa Landau, chief of the attorney general’s health care bureau, called the segment false advertising and said it violates New York law. She gave Bakker 10 days to comply. [The Washington Post, 3/5/2020]
A Polish tattooist known only as Piotr A. has pleaded not guilty to causing blindness in model Aleksandra Sadowska, 25, from Wroclaw, Poland. Sadowska engaged the artist to dye her eyeballs black in 2016. Following the procedure, she had pain in her eyes, which the tattooist said could be treated with painkillers. But she lost sight first in her right eye, and doctors told her there was nothing they could do to prevent the same fate for her left eye. “There is clear evidence that the tattoo artist did not know how to perform such a delicate procedure,” Sadowska’s lawyers said, according to the Daily Mail. “And yet he decided to perform it, which led to this tragedy.” As he awaits his trial, the tattooist continues to run his salon in Warsaw, where he mainly pierces ears. [Daily Mail, 2/27/2020]
CRIME REPORT On Feb. 28, fourth-grade teacher Nancy Sweeney, 45, was arrested in Niles, Illinois, for assaulting a neighbor and calling her “a (expletive) Nazi.” According to the Chicago Tribune, Sweeney attacked the 87-year-old woman, who is of German descent, in the parking ga-
rage of their condominium building, where the woman was exercising. The victim was struck in the face with a purse and fell, suffering cuts and bruises. The Cook County state’s attorney’s office approved not only an aggravated battery charge, but also a hate crime charge, based on the Nazi reference. The Park RidgeNiles school district placed Sweeney on paid leave on March 4 upon learning of the charges, district spokesman Peter Gill said. [Chicago Tribune, 3/10/2020]
RESOURCEFUL Professor Peter Davies, 70, is an expert in tuberculosis at the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital in England -- and a lay leader of the Church of England. He admittedly also has a porn addiction, which caught up with him in late 2018, when it was discovered that Davies had been engaging in “inappropriate browsing activity” on his work computer -- including viewing someone having sex with a horse and a dog. According to Metro News, Davies told the Medical Practitioners’ Tribunal Service: “In 2010 I made a confession to my wife. ... She put a filter on all my computers ... I had some counseling and I stopped for a period of two years. ... But when I came back to it, I realized that I was in really deep trouble.” Davies was scheduled to go before the General Medical Council on March 11, which conceded that Davies had “shown insight and took some steps to remedy his conduct.” [Metro News, 3/11/2020]
— A man in Vilnius, Lithuania, with help from his sons, reportedly locked his wife in their bathroom after she expressed worry to him that she had contracted COVID-19 from traveling to Italy, where she came in contact with some Chinese people. The husband called a doctor, who suggested she isolate herself; she contacted police because her husband wouldn’t let her out. It’s unclear how long she was locked in the bathroom, but Delfi.lt reported that she was tested for the virus and did not have it. [Delfi.lt, 2/28/2020] — The U.S. State Department has advised people, particularly older adults, to avoid cruise ships and air travel during the coronavirus onslaught. But some travelers just can’t be dissuaded. Take, for example, Ben Stults, a sophomore at Florida State University, who will head out on a cruise to Mexico this week for spring break. He’s hoping to “hit the sweet spot” -- get there and get home before the virus takes hold in Mexico. To be safe, however, he’s bringing along a respirator face mask and a deck of cards in case, you know, quarantine. The Daily Beast asked Stults if he thought his plan was a sound one, to which he replied, “Honestly, no.” [Daily Beast, 3/10/2020]
ANIMAL ANTICS Firefighters were called to a farm near Bramham, Leeds, in England on March 7 to put out a fire in a large pigpen. At this particular farm, the pigs wear pedometers to prove that they’re free-range, Fox News reported, but one of those gadgets was the probable cause of the blaze, firefighters said. They theorize that one of the pigs ate one of the pedome-
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Open Wire bandmates (from left) Eric LeRay, Phil Milligan, Dan Wuensch and Matt Thies describe themselves as ‘a brotherood.’
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BY JEFF OLOIZIA
Photo by Nathan Conroy
H
ow close are the members of Wilmington hard-rock band Open Wire? For years, whenever one of its members was facing a major life decision or having relationship troubles, the band would gather atop a discarded skateboarding ramp behind its Monkey Junction rehearsal space to hash things out.
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“Someone would announce, ‘It’s time for the halfpipe of truth,’ and we would lay out there with our drinks and just, like, brutally break things down,” says guitarist Dan Wuensch. “And that was how we worked through our problems together.” The band’s rehearsal space, in the childhood home of drummer Phil Milligan, doubles as a de facto clubhouse. On most Tuesday nights since 2011, Open Wire bandmates—frontman Matt Thies, Wuensch, Milligan and bass player Eric LeRay— are all there, as are Milligan’s parents. In the band’s early days, it wasn’t uncommon for up to 40 people to gather at the house, drinking, playing music and generally raising hell. Eventually, those jam sessions led Open Wire to begin playing shows around Wilmington. “It was, ‘Let’s take this format,’ which was partying, playing music, ‘and bring it to the world,’” Wuensch says. “We were playing packed shows at [now defunct downtown venue] Ziggy’s to 1,000-plus people, but it was still a bunch of guys fucking off and having fun. The same show you get in the room is the same that you get on the stage.” That all-for-one, mischief-seeking spirit
1 Coronoa/ is prevalent throughout Open Wire’s 2012 $ 50 $5.50 Wheat Domestic Pints $1.50Lite Bottles 2 Corona debut, “Naked Dreams.” The album was re$ SUNDAY Corona/Corona Lt. $2.50 Margaritas/Peach Margaritas 4 cently rereleased to streaming platforms, after 5pm All Flat Breads $6 Margaritas on the Rocks $4.50 THURSDAY in bar and patio areas and serves as a mission statement for the THURSDAY $ $ $3 Mimosa Appletinis 4, RJ’s Painkiller 5 band’s hard-partying lifestyle. Opener “10 Truly Lime Spiked and $ 50 Mary $4 2 Red Stripe BottlesBloddy on 2 (And a Pack of Reds)” was written afSparkling Water $3 Domestic $ 50 Pints $1.50 2 Fat Tire Bottles ter Open Wire played a wedding in Cross22oz. Tropical Lightning 5564 Carolina Beach Road ville, TN—notable for being on the timeline IPA $5.50 FRIDAY(910)-452-1212 $ 50our website Sinking Bahama Mama $7 $4, 007Visit between Eastern and Central time zones. Cosmos 3 www.RuckerJohns.com $ 1/2 Off All Premium “We had just gotten past last call,” WuenGuinnessfor Cans daily3specials, music and Red Wine Glasses events $ sch says, “and had the realization we had a 5 Island Sunsetsupcoming SATURDAY 10 encore | march 18 - march 24, 2020 | www.encorepub.com $
BAND OF
DETAILS OPEN WIRE Debut album, “Naked Dreams,” now available on all streaming platforms openwirerocks.com drinking time machine in our grasp.” The band’s hometown plays a prominent role in its songs, too. “Armed & Hammered,” for example, contains the lyric, “We’re not drunk, we’re from Wilmington!”—inspired, in part, the band says, by Urban Dictionary’s definition of Wilmington (“90,000 alcoholics camped out on a sand dune”). Another unreleased track, “Oleander Drive,” recounts the time Thies passed out for several hours in the major Port City thoroughfare, causing police to shut down traffic in both directions. (“That’s a power nap!” LeRay jokes.) “When we’re on the road, we’re basically preaching the gospel of Wilmington,” Wuensch says. “The culture, the drinking, the ridiculous shit we’re always doing to entertain ourselves.” They wear that pride when closer to home, too. While the band laments the ways in which Wilmington has changed over the years (“A lot of developers have come in and tried to turn it into some weird Charleston hybrid,” Thies says), they are quick to praise venues such as Reggie’s 42nd Street Tavern for keeping the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll alive in town. [Ed note: Open Wire’s March 21 concert at Reggie’s has been postponed until further notice.] “It’s the last place you can go and play a real show,” Thies says of Reggie’s. “When you go to a show, there’s lights, there’s
BROTHERS In the ‘halfpipe of truth’ with Wilmington’s ambassadors of rock
sound—it’s a whole experience. It’s not a lounge act.” He cites hard rock and heavy metal bands Black Label Society, Van Halen, KISS, Mötley Crüe and Guns n’ Roses as influences both onstage and off. “We’re not playing the fucking Holiday Inn. We’re not there for background music; we’re the entertainment.” Open Wire has been writing material for a new record, which they hope to record as soon as they’re able. In the meantime they’ll continue to gather for regular rehearsals and events like “Steakokalypse,” a seminannual steak cook-off held at LeRay’s house “whenever meat goes on sale at Harris Teeter.” The band admits its “boys first” mentality can sometimes make maintaining romantic relationships difficult. ”If they can’t come to band practice and have a good time, if they can’t come to a show and have a good time, they’re not going to last,” Thies says. But it also keeps their bond afloat. “I always describe Open Wire as a brotherhood,” says Wuensch. “It’s not necessarily just about being a band. We’ve always said, if circumstances changed and we didn’t do this anymore, it wouldn’t really fundamentally change things.” Though the halfpipe is no longer there, the spirit of openness and honesty within the band remains. Says Thies, “The halfpipe of truth is within us now.”
Monkey Junctionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only wine Bar! Wine and beer on tap
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5226 S. College Rd, 9B (910) 338-4027 T-Th 11am-8pm, F-Sa 11am-10pm, Sunday Noon-6pm www.soifdevin.com
Special musical guest
Galen
plays Saturdays 7-9pm
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Formerly Greenline Steaks and Pizza, but with the same great menu and flavors! Philly Cheesesteaks
Mediterranean Pizza
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FUELED BY DIESEL Vin Diesel takes on another big-budget spectacle filled with unintentional laughs. Photo courtesy Sony Pictures
UNAPOLOGETICALLY
TRASHY
BY ANGHUS
I
am fascinated by Vin Diesel. The rough, doughy, gravelly voiced actor has managed to become one of the world’s biggest movie stars, in spite of the fact most of his films range from “ludicrous” to “terrible.” For nearly 20 years, he’s been anchoring the multi-billion-dollar “Fast & Furious” franchise, which has given him the kind of freedom and fortune for which most actors would kill. When he’s not making movies about fast cars and saying “family” in his monosyllabic baritone, he appears in bloated, big-budget spectacles that audiences tend to ignore. “Bloodshot” is like every action movie I saw in the early 2000s—blockbuster films churned out before Marvel came along and changed the landscape of big-screen entertainment. Think “The One” with Jet Li or “Aeon Flux” with Charlize Theron or any film with Dwayne Johnson, back when he was still referred to as The Rock. Pair a little science-fiction with some over-thetop action, and you get something thinly plotted and poorly acted with almost abusive amounts of computer effects. Vin Diesel plays Slab Anderson, a bloated meat puppet that walks and talks like a man. After attending the world’s most prestigious flower-arranging academy, L’orgasme Floral, Slab meets and falls in love with a Portuguese vintner. She has a strange affliction that makes both of her eyes appear perpetually bloodshot. Can Slab learn to love someone that looks stoned 24 hours a day while graduating at the top of his class and winning the annual World Floral Arrangement Competition? Sadly, that is not the plot of “Bloodshot.” The actual story involves Ray Garrison, a beefy soldier who is killed and brought back to life with amazing superpowers— because every damn blockbuster nowadays has to be a comic-book adaptation about how some random asshole gets amazing abilities. Ray is injected with millions of tiny robots that help repair his body, augment his strength and heighten his senses. Basically, Ray can smell anyone sneaking around with a Taco Bell cha-
DETAILS BLOODSHOT Rated PG-13, 1 hr 49 mins
but laugh. “Bloodshot” is plagued with mediocre plotting, terrible dialogue and seizure-inducing editing. It’s a movie trying to move very quickly, in order to give the audience zero time to consider the goofiness being perpetrated. Diesel is flanked by a half dozen actors doing their best to turn flimsy, stereotypical supporting characters into something marginally entertaining. The most interesting character is a computer genius, trying to get story notes on the fake memories he’s creating, only to be told he’s using every known cliché in the book.
‘Bloodshot’ is a hypnotic dumpster fire What I liked about “Bloodshot” is how unapologetically trashy it is. There are no attempts to elevate this material to another level. This is a film that aspires to be a ridiculous action spectacle, and it ends up being stupidly entertaining. I can’t in good faith recommend it to anyone wanting to see something good. But as far as dumpster fires go, this one is hypnotic.
Directed by Dave Wilson Starring Vin Diesel, Guy Pearce, Eiza González lupa in his pocket from a mile away. Like all heroes from comic-book adaptations, Ray has to find the person responsible for killing a loved one and exact bloody vengeance. Initially, all his rage and anger is focused on the man he believes killed his wife, but Ray learns his memories might not be completely reliable. Ray’s resurrection is financed by Dr. Emil Harting (Guy Pearce), a wealthy mad scientist who has assembled a team of ex-soldiers to use as cybernetic guinea pigs. As Ray digs deeper into the shady organization that is turning him into an impenetrable killing machine, he learns there may be ulterior motives and truths about his origins and powers. Gasp! I didn’t hate “Bloodshot.” That’s an important point to make. It is predictable, unoriginal, and there are some unintentionally hilarious moments, but I was always entertained. There’s a line near the beginning of the film where Ray and his military buddies are getting back from their mission. He sees his beautiful wife in the distance, and utters the line, “See that: That’s what we’re fighting for,” with such cringe-inducing sincerity I couldn’t help encore | march 18 - march 24, 2020 | www.encorepub.com 13
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CAA CANCELS ALL REMAINING COMPETITIONS – UNCW SEAHAWK ATHLETICS Richmond, Viriginia – Following extensive discussions with the conference’s institutional administrators, in light of new developments and in an in attempt to mitigate the further spread of the coronavirus, the Colonial Athletic Association has decided to cancel all conference and non-conference competitions for the remainder of the winter and spring sports seasons. The CAA has also indefinitely suspended all in-person, on-and off-campus recruiting. The CAA will continue to monitor what is a very complex and fluid situation, and will communicate any additional and pertinent information at a later date. The top priority of the conference will always be the well-being and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, adminIstrators and fans.
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GALLERY art exposure!
22527 Highway 17N Hampstead, NC (910) 803-0302 • (910) 330-4077 Tues. - Sat. 10am - 5pm (or by appt.) www.artexposure50.com
ArtExposure will be hosting “Metal and Fiber, a show featuring the metal work of Vicki Thatcher and the Fiber work of Jan Lewis. The show will run until the end of August. Check outartexposure50.com for upcoming events and classes!
ART IN BLOOM GALLERY
210 Princess St. • (484) 885-3037 Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, noon - 5 p.m. • aibgallery. com
View a Group art exhibit, “ New Art by Helen Lewis, Debra Bucci & Naomi Jones with Photographer, Brian Peterson,” March 13 - April 19, 2020. Join us on Friday, March 13, 6-9 pm for an opening reception. Meet the artists, enjoy refreshments, and listen to live music by violinist, Shirley Lebo. All receptions are free and open to the public including Fourth Friday Gallery Night, March 27th, 6-9 pm. The Group art exhibit showcases original art in a variety of mediums. “Ancient Practice: Encaustic Art by Helen Lewis” is a new body of work investigating new directions with an ancient practice fusing pigment and beeswax on wooden panels. Debra Bucci is known for her vibrant and engaging floral paintings (oil on canvas). Naomi Jones is known for her colorful and soulful animal paintings (acrylic on canvas). And our featured photographer, Brian H. Peterson is a passionate explorer of the creative life. Peterson’s photographs are in the collections of more than a dozen major museums including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Amon Carter Museum, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Denver Art Museum, The Milwaukee Art Museum, and the Library of Congress.
ART IN BLOOM SATELLITE VENUES www.aibgallery.com
In addition to our gallery at 210 Princess Street, Art in Bloom Gallery partners with local businesses to exhibit original
GUIDE
art in other locations. Current exhibits include: “The Ways of Wax: Works by Liz Hosier,” February 4th - May 4th at Platypus & Gnome Restaurant, 9 South Front Street. The restaurant is open every day of the week except Tuesday. The exhibit features new paintings by North Carolina abstract artist Liz Hosier and celebrates the versatility of beeswax as a primary medium. Included are works in oil with cold wax, encaustics (an ancient hot wax painting technique), and encaustic monotypes (a printmaking technique with encaustic pigment).
NEW ELEMENTS GALLERY
271 N. Front St. • (919) 343-8997. Tues. - Sat. 11am - 6pm (or by appt.) newelementsgallery.com
“Juncture,” featuring art by BF Reed and jewelry by Aja Butler-Burns, is a conceptual exhibition combining Reed’s geometric shapes and organic offerings, and Butler-Burns jewelry that uses geometric crystals and organic metal shapes to create connections that elevate consciousness and brings us closer to nature. It will be running from March 27 through April 18, 2020. Please join us at New Elements Gallery for the Fourth Friday opening reception, March 27, 2020 from 6 to 9pm.
WILMA DANIELS GALLERY
200 Hanover St. (bottom level, parking deck) Mon.-Fri., noon-5pm http://cfcc.edu/danielsgallery
See artists Zak Duff, Jacob Parker, Angela Rowe, and Nathan Verwey for a CFCC alumni art exhibit.
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I OPEN AT THE CLOSE A true Harry Potter fan, Amanda Young plays the Narrator in PSL’s ‘Puffs.’
Photo courtesy of Pineapple-Shaped Lamps
‘PUFFS’
POSTPONED
BY GWENFYAR ROHLER
“W
ell, this might be the last show we see for a while,” my date commented as we filed into the Ruth and Bucky Stein Studio Theatre at Thalian Hall. “Yep, Broadway’s shut down,” Kevin Lee-y Green informed us. “Oh, my.” Well, if I had to pick a show to get me through an indefinite theatre hiatus, Pineapple-Shaped Lamps and Techmoja’s joint production of “Puffs” by Matt Cox is a winner (and not just third place). Really, the entire evening is magical, joyful and a powerful reminder of what makes life worth living. Unfortunately, after opening one weekend, PSL had to shut down the production per a mandate from Thalian Hall, which has closed and halted all shows in light of COVID-19 threatening our community and others across the U.S. Here’s the simplest way to explain the plot to “Puffs”: It is “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern” for the Harry Potter universe. In an hour and a half, the show condenses the action of seven books and connected films (and stage show), as seen through the eyes of the minor characters. Amanda Young narrates the show. In real life, she is one half of “The Fox and the Foxhound,” a podcast about “love, marriage, and Harry Potter.” Since this is essentially a show about the minor characters in Harry Potter’s world (some of them so minor as to not have names), she is perhaps the perfect local to cast as the narrator. She has a great sense of comedic timing (including an understanding of the dry, rapid-fire British humor necessary to move along the plot), an encyclopedic knowledge of the Potterverse, and a passion for the work that radiates from every molecule of her body while onstage.
DETAILS PUFFS, OR: SEVEN INCREASINGLY EVENTFUL YEARS AT A CERTAIN SCHOOL OF MAGIC & MAGIC Presented by Pineapple-Shaped Lamps Postponed until further notice More info: pslcomedy.com Instead of getting introduced to a certain boy wizard with a lightning scar on his forehead, we meet Wayne Hopkins (Brett J. Young), who was raised in the American Southwest by his cowboy-hillbilly uncle (Eddie Waters). Wayne had no idea he was a wizard, but once he gets his letter and arrives at wizard school, he is certain he is the one marked for greatness. He gets sorted into one of four houses. His house, the “Puffs,” are not necessarily taking home any trophies. They are, however, a sweet blend of misfit kids with one incredibly cool standout: Cedric (Matthew Carter). Wayne befriends Oliver Rivers (Ben Hart), also new to the wizarding world, and Meghan Jones (Grace Carlyle Berry), the very angsty, would-be-evil daughter of a follower of he-who-shall-not-be-named. To see the handsome and charming Ben Hart as a geeky, awkward, math savant, complete with hypothyroid bulging eyes, is a bit of mental leap, but he convinces. It’s weird in the way that seeing Val Kilmer portrayed as awkward instead of sexy
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might be. Watching Berry’s journey from angry, bitter teenager to an adult who has faced decisions that change you forever is pretty remarkable. Carter’s Cedric is, of course, hard to wrench your gaze from: He has charisma, vitality and is clearly everyone’s hero. When he tries to help Wayne study, it is a lovely moment that shows us the person who will soon become a martyr. The cast brings to life a host of other characters from the Potterverse, including Ernie Mac (Wesley Brown), Hannah (Anna Gamel Huber), J. Finch Fletchley (Eddie Waters), Leanna (Holly Cole Brown), Sally Perks (Beth Corvino) and Susie Bones (Jamie Harwood). Folks can also expect to see nods to Neville Longbottom, their favorite Hogwarts professors, the death eaters, and of course, a certain wizard and his two best friends. Each scene and all characters cycle through at such a fast and furious pace that, honestly, when we got to curtain call I was shocked by how few people actually got up onstage and made so much magic happen! It is a real compliment to the cast that each character was distinct, believable, recognizable and contributed to forwarding the story. Part of what made “The Cursed Child” (the Harry Potter stage show) so sensational was the incredible stage magic that was built into the script. So one can imagine special effects or the completely overthe-top art direction of the films would be the aspiration for a project like this. Instead, scenic designer Eddie Key has produced a stripped-down playground with a double-sliding door system that allows for quick venue changes and even a shadow puppet play or two. Costume designer Amber Heck manages to nail the ‘90s vibe and the key pieces to signal character changes without getting bogged down in cumbersome costumes
Pineapple-Shaped Lamps brings the magic, but puts production on hold due to COVID-19 that would make such changes impossible. Visually, she communicates each point simply, effectively and with humor. “It reminds me of PSL’s early shows, you know, when we fell in love with them,” I commented to my date. “You mean back when they had no budget but big hearts and bigger dreams?” he said with a grin. “Yeah, it was brilliant and it felt a lot like those early shows. I loved it.” The magic of this show isn’t expensive special effects that wow audiences. The lesson in the books is that love is the strongest magic in the world—both love between a parent and child, and love between friends. The magic of this show is the love the performers have for the material and each other. It fills the stage and touches the hearts of the audience. It captures exactly what theatre is: a magical moment when a group of people come together to make something greater than the sum of their parts. Thalian Hall is currently closed because of public health concerns. As Tony Rivenbark reminded in his notice to patrons, the theatre closed for the yellow fever outbreak, too, but it opened again. We will have theatre again in Wilmington. And when we do, PSL plans to reopen “Puffs” and continue its run. Don’t miss it. Thank you, PSL and Techmoja and the entire cast and crew, for giving us a magical reminder to hold onto while we get through the next few weeks: The Puffs decide together they are stronger than apart, and we must remember that, too.
DISCOVER NEW MUSIC AT 98.3 THE PENGUIN PLAYLIST SAMPLE MARGO PRICE - TWINKLE TWINKLE STURGILL SIMPSON - IT AIN'T ALL FLOWERS TYLER CHILDERS - HOUSE FIRE RAY LAMONTAGNE - TROUBLE NORAH JONES - COLD COLD HEART
NEIL YOUNG - CORTEZ THE KILLER AMOS LEE - ARE YOU READY FOR THE COUNTRY? GRETA VAN FLEET - FLOWER POWER MUDDY WATERS - MANNISH BOY SUSAN TEDESCHI - YOU GOT THE SILVER
UPCOMING PENGUIN SHOWS DARK STAR ORCHESTRA
3/28 & 3/29 GLA
KT TUNSTALL
4/26 GLA
DARK STAR ORCHESTRA (GLA 3/28 & 3/29) ILLITERATE LIGHT (BOURGIE NIGHTS 3/31) KARL DENSON'S TINY UNIVERSE W/ DUMPSTAPHUNK (GLA 4/11) THE HEAD AND THE HEART (GLA 4/23) KT TUNSTALL W/ZACH DEPUTY (GLA 4/26) THE BIG WHAT? WILMINGTON W/ BIG SOMETHING (GLA 5/1 & 5/2) BÃ&#x2030;LA FLECK & ABIGAIL WASHBURN (GLA 5/3) RIVAL SONS (GLA 5/8) BILLY STRINGS (GLA 5/15) LYLE LOVETT W/ JOHN HIATT (GLA 5/16) SOLD OUT!
TYCHO W/ COM TRUISE (GLA 5/26) MT. JOY (GLA 6/12) BRUCE HORNSBY & THE NOISEMAKERS (KENAN 6/23) MOE. (GLA 6/30) CITIZEN COPE (GLA 7/21) UMPHREY'S MCGEE (GLA 8/6) TRAMPLED BY TURTLES (GLA 8/20) SOLD OUT! TOMMY EMMANUEL W/ THE GIBSON BROTHERS (GLA 9/9)
SPECIALTY SHOWS:
THE EVENING EXPERIMENT WITH ERIC MILLER, WEDNESDAYS 7-9PM THE FRIDAY NIGHT PANIC JAM FRIDAYS AT 8PM ACOUSTIC CAFE SATURDAYS FROM 7-9AM ETOWN SATURDAYS AT 9AM PUTUMAYO WORLD MUSIC HOUR SUNDAYS AT 8AM
WWW.983THEPENGUIN.COM
103 N Lake Park Blvd #B Carolina Beach, NC (910) 458-5226 elcazadormex.com encore | march 18 - march 24, 2020 | www.encorepub.com 19
DINING
GUIDE
J. Mic hael’s Philly Deli 3 location s • phil lydeli.c om • Co u
rtesy p hoto
AMERICAN
BLUEWATER WATERFRONT GRILL
Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of sailing ships and the Intracoastal Waterway while dining at this popular casual American restaurant in Wrightsville Beach. Lunch and dinner are served daily. Favorites include jumbo lump crab cakes, succulent seafood lasagna, crispy coconut shrimp and an incredible Caribbean fudge pie. Dine inside or at their award-winning outdoor patio and bar, which is the location for their lively Waterfront Music Series every Sunday April - October. Large parties welcome. Private event space available. BluewaterDining.com. 4 Marina Street, Wrightsville Beach, NC. (910) 256-8500. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon-Fri 11a.m. - 11 p.m.; Sat & Sun 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wrightsville Beach ■ FEATURING: Waterfront dining ■ MUSIC: Music every Sunday in Summer ■ WEBSITE: bluewaterdining.com
ELIJAH’S
Since 1984, Elijah’s has been Wilmington, NC’s outdoor dining destination. We feature expansive indoor and outdoor waterfront dining, with panoramic views of riverfront sunsets. As a Casual American Grill and Oyster Bar, Elijah’s offers everything from fresh local seafood and shellfish to pastas, sandwich-
es, and Certified Angus Beef selections. We offer half-priced oysters from 4-6 every Wednesday & live music with our Sunday Brunch from 11-3. Whether you are just looking for a great meal & incredible scenery, or a large event space for hundreds of people, Elijah’s is the place to be. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: SunThurs 11:30-10:00; Friday and Saturday 11:30-11:00 ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ILM; kids menu
PINE VALLEY MARKET
Pine Valley Market has reigned supreme in servicing the Wilmington community for years, securing encore’s Best-Of awards in catering, gourmet shop and butcher. Now, Kathy Webb and Christi Ferretti are expanding their talents into serving lunch in-house, so folks can enjoy their hearty, homemade meals in the quaint and cozy ambiance of the market. Using the freshest ingredients of highest quality, diners can enjoy the best Philly Cheesesteak in Wilmington, along with numerous other sandwich varieties, from their Angus burger to classic Reuben, Italian sub to a grown-up banana and peanut butter sandwich that will take all diners
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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 takehome frozen meals ■ WEBSITE: pinevalleymarket.com
THE TROLLY STOP
Trolly Stop Grill and Catering is a four store franchise in North Carolina. Trolly Stop Hot Dogs opened in Wrightsville Beach in 1976. That store name has never changed. Since the Wrightsville Beach store, the newer stores sell hotdogs, hamburgers, beef and chicken cheese steaks, fries, hand dipped ice cream, milk shakes, floats and more. Our types of dogs are: Southern (Trolly Dog, beef and pork), Northern (all beef),
Smoke Sausage (pork), Fat Free (turkey), Veggie (soy). Voted Best Hot Dog in Wilmington for decades. Check our website trollystophotdogs.com for hours of operations, specific store offerings and telephone numbers, or contact Rick Coombs, 910-297-8416, rtrollystop@aol.com We offer catering serving 25-1000 people. Franchises available. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER ■ LOCATIONS: Wilmington, Fountain Dr. (910) 452-3952, Wrightsville Beach (910) 256-3921, Southport (910) 457-7017, Boone, NC (828) 265-2658, Chapel Hill, NC (919) 2404206 ■ WEBSITE: trollystophotdogs.com
ASIAN INDOCHINE RESTAURANT
If you’re ready to experience the wonders
of the Orient without having to leave Wilmington, join us at Indochine for a truly unique experience. Indochine brings the flavors of the Far East to the Port City, combining the best of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine in an atmosphere that will transport you and your taste buds. Relax in our elegantly decorated dining room, complete with antique Asian decor as well as contemporary artwork and music. Our diverse, friendly and efficient staff will serve you beautifully presented dishes full of enticing aromas and flavors. Be sure to try such signature items as the spicy and savory Roasted Duck with Red Curry, or the beautifully presented and delicious Shrimp and Scallops in a Nest. Be sure to save room for our world famous desert, the banana egg roll! We take pride in using only the freshest ingredients, and our extensive menu suits any taste. After dinner, enjoy specialty drinks by the koi pond in our Asian garden. Located at 7 Wayne Drive (beside the Ivy Cottage), (910) 251-9229. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Tues.- Fri. 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.; Sat. 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. for lunch. Mon.- Sun. 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. for dinner. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: indochinewilmington.com
NIKKI’S FRESH GOURMET
For more than a decade, Nikki’s downtown has served diners the best in sushi. With freshly crafted ingredients making up their rolls, sushi and sashimi, a taste of innovation comes with every order. Daily they offer specialty rolls specific to the Front Street location, such as the My Yoshi, K-Town and Crunchy Eel rolls. But for less adventurous diners looking for options beyond sushi, Nikki’s serves an array of sandwiches, wraps and gyros, too. They also make it a point to host all dietary needs, omnivores, carnivores and herbivores alike. They have burgers and cheesesteaks, as well as falafal pitas and veggie wraps, as well as an extensive Japanese fare menu, such as bento boxes and tempura platters. Daily dessert and drink special are also on order. Check out their website and Facebook for more information. 16 S. Front St. (910) 771-9151. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.Thurs., 11am 10pm; Fri.-Sat., 11am-11pm; Sun., 12pm-10pm. Last call on food 15 minutes before closing. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: nikkissushibar.com
OKAMI JAPANESE HIBACHI STEAK HOUSE
We have reinvented “Hibachi cuisine.” Okami Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse is like no other. Our highly skilled chefs cook an incredible dinner while entertaining you on the way. Our portions are large, our drinks are less expensive, and our staff is loads of fun. We are committed to using quality ingredients and seasoning with guaranteed freshness. Our goal is to utilize all resources, domestically and internationally, to ensure we serve only the finest food products. We believe good, healthy food aids vital functions for well-being, both physically and mentally. Our menu consists of a wide range of steak, seafood, and chicken for the specially designed “Teppan Grill.” We also serve tastebud-tingling Japanese sushi, hand rolls, sashimi, tempura dishes, and noodle entrees. This offers our guests a complete Japanese dining experience. Our all-you-can-eat sushie menu and daily specials can be found at
okamisteakhouse.com! 614 S College Rd. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.Thurs., 11am 2:30pm / 4-10pm; Fri., 11am2:30pm / 4pm-11pm; Sat., 11am-11pm; Sun., 11am-9:30pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: okamisteakhouse.com
SZECHUAN 132
Craving expertly prepared Chinese food in an elegant atmosphere? Szechuan 132 Chinese Restaurant is your destination! Szechuan 132 has earned the reputation as one of the finest contemporary Chinese restaurants in the Port City. Tastefully decorated with an elegant atmosphere, with an exceptional ingenious menu has deemed Szechuan 132 the best Chinese restaurant for years, hands down. 419 South College Road (in University Landing), (910) 799-1426. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Lunch specials ■ WEBSITE: szechuan132.com
YOSAKE DOWNTOWN SUSHI LOUNGE
Lively atmosphere in a modern setting, Yosake is the delicious Downtown spot for date night, socializing with friends, or any large dinner party. Home to the never-disappointing Shanghai Firecracker Shrimp! In addition to sushi, we offer a full Pan Asian menu including curries, noodle dishes, and the ever-popular Crispy Salmon or mouth-watering Kobe Burger. Inspired features change weekly showcasing our commitment to local farms. Full bar including a comprehensive sake list, signature cocktails, and Asian Import Bottles. 33 S. Front St., 2nd Floor (910) 763-3172. ■ SERVING DINNER: 7 nights a week, 5pm; Sun-Wed. ‘til 10pm, Thurs ‘til 11pm, Fri-Sat, ‘til Midnight. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING: 1/2 Price Sushi/Appetizer Menu nightly from 5-7, until 8 on Mondays, and also 10-Midnight on Fri/Sat. Tuesday LOCALS NIGHT- 20% Dinner Entrees. Wednesday 80S NIGHT - 80smusic and menu prices. Sundays are the best dealdowntown - Specialty Sushi and Entrees are BuyOne, Get One $10 Off and 1/2 price Wine Bottles.Nightly Drink Specials. Gluten-Free Menu upon request. Complimentary Birthday Dessert. ■ WEBSITE: yosake.com. @yosakeilm on Twitter & Instagram. Like us on Facebook.
FONDUE THE LITTLE DIPPER
Wilmington’s favorite fondue restaurant! The Little Dipper specializes in unique fondue dishes with a global variety of cheeses, meats, seafood, vegetables, chocolates and fine wines. The warm and intimate dining room is a great place to enjoy a four-course meal, or indulge in appetizers and desserts outside on the back deck or in the bar while watching luminescent jellyfish. Reservations are appreciated for parties of any size. Located at the corner of Front and Orange in Downtown Wilmington. 138 South Front Street. (910) 251-0433. ■ SERVING DINNER: 5pm Tue-Sun; open daily from Memorial Day through October ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING Sunday half-price wine bottles; Monday beer and wine flights on special; Tuesday Local’s Night $11/person cheese and chocolate; Wednesday Ladies Night; Thursday $27 4-course prix fixe; Friday “Date Night” $85/couple for 3 courses and a bottle of wine. ■ MUSIC: Tuesdays & Thursdays, MayOct., 7– 9 p.m. (weather permitting) ■ WEBSITE: www.littledipperfondue.com
IRISH THE HARP
Experience the finest traditional Irish family recipes and popular favorites served in a casual yet elegant traditional pub atmosphere.
cheeses, donuts, sandwiches, coffee and more ■ WEBSITE: roundbagelsanddonuts.com
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
WITH PURCHASE OF ADULT ENTREE
PIZZA • CALZONES PASTA • SAMMIES
ROUND BAGELS
■ SERVING BREAKFAST & LUNCH ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Homemade bagels, cream
SLAINTE IRISH PUB
KIDS EAT FREE
BAGELS Round Bagels and Donuts features 17 varieties of New York-style bagels, baked fresh daily on site in a steam bagel oven. Round offers a wide variety of breakfast and lunch bagel sandwiches, grilled and fresh to order. Round also offers fresh-made donuts daily! Stop by Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., and on Sunday, 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The Harp, 1423 S. 3rd St., proudly uses the freshest ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible, to bring you and yours the most delicious Irish fare! We have a fully stocked bar featuring favorite Irish beers and whiskies. We are open every day for both American and Irish breakfast, served to noon weekdays and 2 p.m. weekends. Regular menu to 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 p.m. weekends. Join us for trivia at 8:30 on Thursdays and live music on Fridays – call ahead for schedule (910) 763-1607. Located just beside Greenfield Lake and Park at the south end of downtown Wilmington, The Harp is a lovely Irish pub committed to bringing traditional Irish flavor, tradition and hospitality to the Cape Fear area ■ SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Greenfield Lake/ DowntownSouth ■ FEATURING: Homemade soups, desserts and breads, free open wifi, new enlarged patio area, and big screen TVs at the bar featuring major soccer matches worldwide. ■ WEBSITE: harpwilmington.com
ORDER ONLINE: antoniospizzaandpasta.com
14-inch one topping $7.99
25% off online orders Code: MJ25
5120 S. College Rd. • 910-792-0000 Monkey Junction, Carolina Beach
3501 Oleander Dr. #2 • (910)228-5999
UNCW, Downtown and Market Street
Mon.-Thurs. 11am- 9pm • Fri. & Sat. 11am - 10pm • Sun. 11:30 am - 9 pm
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Carolina Beach Rd. #100, (910) 399-3980 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 11:30 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington, Monkey Junction ■ FEATURING: Irish grub, whiskeys, beer, wine, fun. ■ WEBSITE: facebook.com/slaintemj
BITES BEER, BOURBON, BBQ FESTIVAL
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 topnotch experience, whether dining in, taking out or getting delivery, to generous portions, the Antonio’s experience is an unforgettable one. Serving subs, salads, pizza by the slice or pie, pasta, and more, dine-in, take-out and delivery! 3501 Oleander Dr., #2, and 5120 S. College Rd. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun., open at 11:30 a.m.) ■ NEIGHBORHOOD DELIVERY OFFERED: Monkey Junction and near Independence Mall ■ WEBSITE: antoniospizzaandpasta.com
THE ITALIAN BISTRO
The Italian Bistro is a family-owned, fullservice Italian restaurant and pizzeria located in Porters Neck. They offer a wide variety of
March 21, noon Legion Stadium, 2149 Carolina Beach Rd. Wilmington’s Festival is back and Better than Ever! Get ready to enjoy beer, bourbon, barbecue, boots, bacon, biscuits, bluegrass, and smoked beasts! Souvenir glass for each guest. Tickets: $35-$55 Eventbrite.com N.Y. style thin-crust pizza and homemade Italian dishes seven days a week! The Italian Bistro strives to bring customers a variety of homemade items made with the freshest, local ingredients. Every pizza and entrée is made to order and served with a smile from our amazing staff.
Their warm, inviting, atmosphere is perfect for “date night” or “family night.” Let them show you why “fresh, homemade and local” is part of everything they do. 8211 Market St. (910) 686-7774
■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Sun brunch, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Porters Neck ■ WEBSITE: italianbistronc.com
SLICE OF LIFE
“Slice” has become a home away from home for tourists and locals alike. Our menu includes salads, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, homemade soups, subs and, of course, pizza. We only serve the freshest and highest-quality ingredients in all of our food, and our dough is made daily with purified water. Voted “Best Pizza” and “Best Late Night Eatery.”All ABC permits. Visit us downtown at 125 Market Street, (910) 251-9444, in Wrightsville Beach at 1437 Military Cutoff Road, Suite 101, (910) 256-2229 and in Pine Valley on the corner of 17th and College Road, (910) 799-1399. ■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER & LATE NIGHT: 11:30 a.m.-3 a.m., 7 days/week, 365 days/ year. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, Downtown and Wilmington South. ■ FEATURING: Largest tequila selection in town! ■ WEBSITE: grabslice.com
MEXICAN ZOCALO
Join The n Rebellio Today OFFERING TAKE OUT AND DELIVERY! CHECK OUR FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS FOR UPDATES ON MENU AND HOURS
• American comfort food, with a Southern twist • Handpicked bourbons and whiskeys • House-made barrel-aged cocktails • Excellent wine selection • 34 beers on draft Mon. 4pm-12am • Tues.-Thurs. 11:30am-12am Fri. & Sat. 11:30am-1am • Sun. 11:30am-12am
15 S. Front St. 910-399-1162 www.rebellionnc.com
22 encore | march 18 - march 24, 2020 | www.encorepub.com
Zocalo Street Food and Tequila brings a modern version of cooking traditional Mexican street food through perfected recipes, with excellent presentation. Zócalo was the main ceremonial center for the Aztecs, and presently, it is the main square in central Mexico City. It bridges old school tradition with a twist of innovative cooking. Zocalo also has weekly events, such as their margarita and food tasting every Monday, 5-8 p.m., and a live taco station every Tuesday , 5-8 p.m. Live Latin music Is showcased every other Saturday and Sunday brunch begins at 10 a.m. Be sure to try Zocalo’s wide selection of the best tequilas! Owned and operated locally, locations are in Wilmington and Jacksonville, NC. Take out and delivery available through most apps. ■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER AND BRUNCH: Monday - Saturday, 11 a.m - 10 p.m.; Sunday brunch, 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; closes 9 p.m. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Pointe at Barclay ■ WEBSITE: zocalostreetfood.com
SANDWICHES J. MICHAEL’S PHILLY DELI
The Philly Deli celebrated their 38th anniversary in August 2017. Thier first store was located in Hanover Center—the oldest shopping center in Wilmington. Since, two more Philly Delis have been added: one at Porters Neck and one at Monkey Junction. The Philly Deli started out by importing all of their steak meat and hoagie rolls straight from Amoroso Baking Company, located on 55th Street in downtown Philadelphia! It’s a
practice they maintain to this day. We also have a great collection of salads to choose from, including the classic chef’s salad, chicken salad, and tuna salad, all made fresh every day in our three Wilmington, NC restaurants. 8232 Market St., 3501 Oleander Dr., 609 Piner Rd.
■ OPEN: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Monday -Thursday,11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Friday Saturday. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Porters Neck, North and South Wilmington, ■ WEBSITE: https://phillydeli.com
SEAFOOD CAPE FEAR SEAFOOD COMPANY
Founded in 2008 by Evans and Nikki Trawick, Cape Fear Seafood Company has become a local hotspot for the freshest, tastiest seafood in the area. With it’s growing popularity, the restaurant has expanded from its flagship eatery in Monkey Junction to locations in Porters Neck and Waterford in Leland. “We are a dedicated group of individuals working together as a team to serve spectacular food, wine and spirits in a relaxed and casual setting,” restaurateur Evans Trawick says. “At CFSC every dish is prepared with attention to detail, quality ingredients and excellent flavors. Our staff strives to accommodate guests with a sense of urgency and an abundance of southern hospitality.” Cape Fear Seafood Company has been recognized by encore magazine for best seafood in 2015, as well as by Wilmington Magazine in 2015 and 2016, and Star News from 2013 through 2016. Monkey Junction: 5226 S. College Road Suite 5, 910-799-7077. Porter’s Neck: 140 Hays Lane #140, 910-681-1140. Waterford: 143 Poole Rd., Leland, NC 28451 ■ SERVING LUNCH AND DINNER: 11:30am4pm daily; Mon.-Thurs.., 4pm-9pm; Fri.-Sat., 4pm 10pm; Sun., 4pm-8:30pm. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, north Wilmington and Leland ■ WESBITE: capefearseafoodcompany. com
CATCH
Serving the Best Seafood in South Eastern North Carolina. Wilmington’s Native Son, 2011 James Beard Award Nominee, 2013 Best of Wilmington “Best Chef” winner, Chef Keith Rhodes explores the Cape Fear Coast for the best it has to offer. We feature Wild Caught & Sustainably raised Seafood. Organic and locally sourced produce & herbs provide the perfect compliment to our fresh Catch. Consecutively Voted Wilmington’s Best Chef 2008, 09 & 2010. Dubbed “Modern Seafood Cuisine” we offer an array Fresh Seafood & Steaks, including our Signature NC Sweet Potato Salad. Appetizers include our Mouth watering “Fire Cracker” Shrimp, Crispy Cajun Fried NC Oysters & Blue Crab Claw Scampi, & Seafood Ceviche to name a few. Larger Plates include, Charleston Crab Cakes, Flounder Escovitch & Miso Salmon. Custom Entree request gladly accommodated for our Guest. (Vegetarian, Vegan & Allergies) Hand-crafted seasonal desserts. Full ABC Permits. 6623 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28405, 910799-3847. ■ SERVING DINNER: Mon.-Sat. 5:30 p.m.-9
Casey’s Buff et 5559 Olean der Dr. • caseys buffet.com • Ph oto by Ho p.m.
■ NEIGHBORHOOD: North Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Acclaimed Wine List ■ WEBSITE: catchwilmington.com
lland Dotts Ph otography
Voted Best Oysters for over 10 years by encore readers, you know what you can find at Dock Street Oyster Bar. But we have a lot more than oysters! Featuring a full menu of seafood, pasta, and chicken dishes from $4.95-$25.95, there’s something for everyone at Dock Street. You’ll have a great time eating in our “Bohemian-Chic” atmosphere, where you’ll feel just as comfort able in flip flops as you would in a business suit. Located at 12 Dock St in downtown Wilmington. Open lunch and dinner, 7 days a week. (910) 762-2827. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 7 days a week. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING: Fresh daily steamed oysters. ■ WEBSITE: dockstreetoysterbar.net
in 1978, The Pilot House is the oldest restaurant in the Downtown area. We offer stunning riverfront views in a newly-renovated relaxed, casual setting inside or on one of our two outdoor decks. Join us for $5.00 select appetizers Sunday-Thursday and live music every Friday and Saturday nigh on our umbrella deck. Large parties welcome. Private event space available. 910-343-0200. 2 Ann Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun-Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm and Sunday Brunch,. 11am-3pm. Kids menu ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Riverfront Downtown Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Fresh local seafood specialties, Riverfront Dining, free on-site parking ■ MUSIC: Outside Every Friday and Saturday ■ WEBSITE: pilothouserest.com
MICHAEL’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
SHUCKIN’ SHACK
DOCK STREET OYSTER BAR
Established in 1998, Michael’s Seafood Restaurant is locally owned and operated by Shelly McGowan and managed by her team of culinary professionals. Michael’s aspires to bring you the highest quality and freshest fin fish, shell fish, mollusks, beef, pork, poultry and produce. Our menu consists of mainly locally grown and made from scratch items. We count on our local fishermen and farmers to supply us with seasonal, North Carolina favorites on a daily basis. Adorned walls include awards such as 3 time gold medalist at the International Seafood Chowder Cook-Off, Entrepreneur of the Year, Restaurant of the Year and Encores readers’ choice in Best Seafood to name a few. 1206 N. Lake Park Blvd. (910) 458-7761 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 7 days 11 am – 9 pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Carolina Beach ■ FEATURING: Award-winning chowder, local se food and more! ■ WEBSITE: MikesCfood.com
THE PILOT HOUSE
The Pilot House Restaurant is Wilmington’s premier seafood and steak house with a touch of the South. We specialize in local seafood and produce. Featuring the only Downtown bar that faces the river and opening our doors
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 Mon. & Tues.
Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar has two locations in the Port City area. The original Shack is located in Carolina Beach at 6A N. Lake Park Blvd. (910-458-7380) and our second location is at 109 Market Street in Historic Downtown Wilmington (910-833-8622). The Shack is the place you want to be to catch your favorite sports team on 7 TV’s carrying all major sports packages. A variety of fresh seafood is available daily including oysters, shrimp, clams, mussels, and crab legs. Shuckin’ Shack has expanded its menu now offering fish tacos, crab cake sliders, fried oyster poboys, fresh salads, and more. Come in and check out the Shack’s daily lunch, dinner, and drink specials. It’s a Good Shuckin’ Time! ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Carolina Beach Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-2am; Sun: Noon-2am, Historic Wilmington: Sun-Thurs: 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat:11am-Midnight. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Carolina Beach/Downtown ■ FEATURING: Daily lunch specials. Like us on Facebook! ■ WEBSITE: TheShuckinShack.com
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■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Pig’s feet and chitterlings. ■ WEBSITE: caseysbuffet.com
RX RESTAURANT & BAR
Located in downtown Wilmington, Rx Restaurant and Bar is here to feed your soul, serving up Southern cuisine made with ingredients from local farmers and fishermen. The Rx chef is committed to bringing fresh food to your table, so the menu changes daily based on what he finds locally. Rx drinks are as unique as the food—and just what the doctor ordered. Join us for a dining experience you will never forget! 421 Castle St.; 910 399-3080. ■ SERVING BRUNCH & DINNER: TuesThurs, 5-10pm; Fri-Sat, 5-10:30pm; Sun., 10am-3pm and 5-9pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: rxwilmington.com
STEAKS TRUE BLUE BUTCHER & TABLE
True Blue Butcher & Table opened in the Forum Shopping Center in January 2018 at the point, 1125-AA Military Cutoff Rd. as Wilmington’s finest neighborhood butcher shop and restaurant. A menu of globally-inspired, local ingredients is served during lunch, dinner and weekend brunches. But the real experience is visiting the butcher counter to take home the best cuts of meat in Wilmington (and the world), while also given expert cooking and food advice from the chef/owner
24 encore | march 18 - march 24, 2020 | www.encorepub.com
himself, Bobby Zimmerman. True Blue has a magnificent bar, handcrafted cocktail menu and bar menu and offers weekday specials. (910) 679-4473 ■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER & WEEKEND BRUNCH: Lunch Tues.-Fri., 11am-2pm; Dinner, Tues.-Sun., 5-10pm; Brunch, Sat.-Sun., 10:30am-2:30pm; Butcher counter Tues.Sat., 10am-6pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: The Forum off of Military Cutoff Road ■ FEATURES: Wed. Burger Night, Thurs. 1/2-priced wine bottle & prime steak upgrades; Friday 1/2-priced bar menu ■ WEBSITE/SOCIALS: wearetrueblue.com. IG: @truebluebutcherandtable. FB: facebook. com/TrueBlueButcherAndTable
TAPAS/WINE BAR THE FORTUNATE GLASS WINE BAR
Under new ownership! Tom Noonan invites you to enjoy his remodeled space, featuring a new sound system and new bar, in a warm, relaxed environment. Taste 40 craft beers, over 400 wines by the bottle, a wide selection of cheese and charcuterie, with gourmet small plates and desserts to go! And don’t miss their weekly wine tastings, every Tuesday, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. SERVING DINNER & LATE NIGHT: Mon., Closed; Tues.-Thurs., 4 p.m. - 12 a.m.; Fri., 4 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Sat., 2 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Sun., 4 10 p.m. NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown, 29 S Front St. WEBSITE: fortunateglass.com
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TO ALL THE BRUNCHES I’VE LOVED BEFORE Huevos rancheros (pictured) and mimosa flights are just two of the reasons to check out Brunches at Mayfaire. Photo by Rosa Bianca
BRUNCH-DRUNK BY ROSA BIANCA
I
don’t know about the rest of the population, but sometimes my brunching needs to fall on a day other than Saturday or Sunday. In fact, I would say that happens regularly. Most recently it was the day after six of my girlfriends and I had our annual dinner date with a side of Blue Post. Naturally, we needed mimosas and a carb-loaded breakfast to set us straight after a late night. So, three of us jumped in the car, and off we went to Brunches at Mayfaire to satisfy our weekday brunch cravings. We arrived around 10:30 a.m. on a Wednesday—and the place was packed. Luckily, there was a four-top ready for our trio
and we were seated immediately. A quick glance over the beverage menu and it was a no-brainer: two mimosa flights, please! The slogan of the restaurant (and the website URL) is “mimosas made me do it,” so I had to know. What would mimosas make me do? Would my day go off the rails? Would I need an alibi? In reality, they just made me go back to the house and rewatch “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before,” but the day could have taken a turn. I just know it. The flight included four 5-ounce pours of different varieties of juice, garnish and of course bubbles. There was a traditional mimosa with OJ, a bellini with peach juice,
a tropical one with pineapple, and another with cranberry. My favorite was the tropical, but they were all sparkly and yummy. There was an option to get the flight “loaded” with accompanying flavors of Absolut vodka, but since I drove to brunch, I wanted to be able to drive home. The menu has all of the brunch staples, such as benedicts and chicken and waffles. There’s another section where any combination of things can be made into a burrito, a bowl or an omelette, which was nice and lent variety. I went with the Notorious BLT, and my friends decided on the crab cake benedict and huevos rancheros. I like to have something sweet at brunch, so I ordered the tres leches French toast for the table. My sammie was a little fancier than the classic, swapping out reguular tomatoes for fried green ones, adding an egg cooked-toorder and bacon jam, in addition to bacon. I wish when I read the menu I noticed the sandwich is sans condiments. Rather than over-medium, I would have gotten my egg over-easy instead so the yolk could act as a condiment. The fried green tomatoes were sliced medium-thin and perfectly crispy, and the bacon was cooked the way I like it: mostly crisp with a little chew on the fatty ends. The bacon jam didn’t do it for me. It was quite sweet and not much else, and, actually, the sweetness overwhelmed the sandwich. When our kind server took my order, she confirmed fries for my side. Alas, the fries never arrived. My meal was a swing and, well, not quite a miss, but I wouldn’t order it again. The huevos rancheros were rich and refined. The roasted pork was cooked perfectly, carnitas-style. There were lots of bright tomatoes; the ranchero sauce and guacamole were acidic, hearty and citrusy. The only thing that fell short were the refried beans. The table agreed black beans would have improved the texture. While still meaty, they are just a little more elevated than refried beans. With two over-easy eggs on top, the dish was still tasty as can be. The crab cake benedict was my favorite thing on the table. I’ve been disappointed by many a benny where the English muffin wasn’t
26 encore | march 18 - march 24, 2020 | www.encorepub.com
LOVE
Recently opened Mayfaire eatery lives up to its name toasted, so Brunches was already way ahead of the curve. The crab cakes had just enough mayo, not too many bread crumbs and yummy spices, including a little bit of zing from cayenne. I gotta give a nod to the kitchen, too, because every egg on our table was cooked perfectly, including the poached eggs on the benedict. They were runny and a little jammy, without any uncooked whites. Score. The tres leches French toast was very decadent. I particularly appreciated the strawberries generously sprinkled on top, which offered brightness. I loved the taste of the French toast, and the dreamy caramel on top made it luscious. I found it to be a little soggy overall, so I think a little crunch or caramelization would have given it a boost. We did take a peek at the lunch menu, after we saw a server whisk by with a tray of handhelds. A Buffalo chicken sandwich caught my eye, as did a plate of BBQ pork nachos. I’ll definitely come back when I’m feeling less brunchy and more lunchy.
DETAILS BRUNCHES 110-6800 Parker Farm Drive Sat. - Wed., 7 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Thurs. - Fri., 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. (910) 679-4075 mayfaire.com/store/brunches
FEEDING THE
KIDS
BY SHEA CARVER
W
hen there are mandatory closings statewide for schools—especially for two weeks (effective Monday, March 16), as enacted by Governor Cooper to mitigate the spread of COVID-19—worries arise beyond disseminating a deadly virus. Kids who depend on free breakfast and lunch through New Hanover County’s Community Eligibility Programs certainly will be affected. To put that in perspective, the following schools offer free meals to all students: Alderman Elementary, Blair Elementary, Bradley Creek Elementary, Career Readiness Academy at Mosley, Castle Hayne Elementary, College Park Elementary, College Road Early Childhood Center (CRECC), Forest Hills Global Elementary, Freeman The International School at Gregory, Holly Shelter, Middle Howe Pre-K Center, JC Roe Center, Johnson Pre-K Center, Lake Forest Academy, Mary C. Williams Elementary, Murrayville Elementary, NHHS Pine Valley Elementary. Rachel Freeman Elementary, SEA TECH, Snipes Academy, Sunset Park Elementary, Trask Middle, WECH Williston Middle, Winter Park Elementary and Wrightsboro Elementary. Already, local organizations and restaurants are getting ahead of the fallout that families with food insecurities will face in coming weeks. Below is a rundown of places keeping kids nourished during this vulnerable time.
Fridays 9 a.m.- 3 p.m., or have items shipped to Nourish NC. Right now, they’re mostly in need of: pasta, canned pasta sauce, regular size cereal, peanut butter, jelly, mac and cheese, and hearty soups and stews. Also watch their FB page for volunteer opportunities. Families who need help can call Nourish at 910-458-5299. MEAL DISTRIBUTION SITES Brigade Boys & Girls Club, 2758 Vance Street Houston Moore Housing Authority, 1601 S. 13th Street Starting Monday, March 16, the club will feed families with children ages 5-18. Those eligible will be able to receive both breakfast and lunch, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Two locations will be set up including: The Brigade Boys and Girls Club’s Teen Center at 2759 Vance Street, and Houston Moore Housing Authority at 1601 S. 13th Street. NEW HANOVER COUNTY SCHOOLS The following sites will open 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Meals will be given via drive-thru or walk-up only for any child, ages 0-18. Families should tell staff how many meals are needed; they will be provided lunch and the following day’s breakfast. • Rachel Freeman School of Engineering • Castle Hayne Elementary • Wrightsboro Elementary
The list will continue to be updated online, as we receive information from the community at large. Feel free to email shea@encorepub.com to add to it.
• Mary C. Williams Elementary
NOURISH NC
• D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy: UNCW
601 Greenfield Street • (910) 465-0995
• Pine Valley Elementary • Sunset Park Elementary • Emma B. Trask Middle School
The local nonprofit feeds area students through various programs all year long, ensuring kids are fed during weekends, holidays, spring and summer breaks, and now during the COVID-19 shutdown.
• College Park Elementary
Aside from donating money at nourishnc. org/donate/, you can also drop off needed items Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and
• Winter Park Elementary
• Snipes Academy of Arts & Design • New Hanover High School • Edwin A. Alderman Elementary • Mary Washington Howe Pre-K Center
LAZY PIRATE 701 N Lake Park Blvd. • (910) 458-5299
Local organizations and restaurants offer free meals for K-12 students as schools close due to COVID-19
Starting Tuesday, March 17, the Carolina Beach eatery will offer free lunches to any Carolina or Kure Beach child in need. Parents can come by during the week from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. to pick up food.
WAKE N BAKE DONUTS
MAGNOLIA SOCIAL CAFE
Wake N Bake will offer a free donut to school kids who need breakfast. Call 910470-4348 to learn more.
109 Pier Master Point • (910) 833-0906
114-A Princess St. • (910) 470-4348
The cafe will offer children out of school one free kids meal a day until further notice.
KATY’S AT JERRY ALLEN’S
SWEET N SAVORY CAFE
Starting Monday, March 16, for as long as students are out of school, free kids meals will be offered to affected families.
1611 Pavilion Place • (910) 256-0115 Children who need breakfast or lunch, Monday through Friday, will be offered a free meal.
1054 S College Rd. • (910) 395-5289
STELLA’S PIZZA
ETERNAL SUNSHINE CAFE
7134 Market St. • (910) 821-8191
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Stella’s will offer free lunch to all kids who receive free lunch at school. They also will waive all delivery fees and offer curb-side pickup for the foreseeable future.
Kids 12 and under will eat free through the month of March with the purchase of an adult entree. Available only Monday through Friday. MISTER BAGEL MEISTER 2028 Northstar Pl. • (203) 505-8830 The Leland franchise will offer a free breakfast sandwich to kids. BUZZ’S ROOST 8 Pavilion Avenue South • (910) 599-5593 Starting Tuesday, March 17, Buzz’s Roost at the Beach will have free bagged lunches (containing ham and cheese or turkey and cheese sandwich, bag of chips and a cookie) for pickup noon-5 p.m. The lunches will be offered Monday through Sunday for as long as New Hanover County Schools are closed. If pickup isn’t an option, please, call for delivery: 704-560-6552. IRV’S SIGNATURE CATERING (910) 508-8808 Irv’s will offer free egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches. Call 910-508-8808 to place orders and let them know where to deliver.
FOR SENIORS NEW HANOVER COUNTY SENIOR RESOURCE CENTER 2222 S. College Rd. • (910) 798-6400 New Hanover County Senior Resource Center staff will provide a drive-thru lunch option for those customers who participate in the congregate program and/or are 60 or older. Registered Congregate Participants are encouraged to pick-up a carryout lunch Monday-Friday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Senior Resource Center, or Monday-Wednesday between 12 and 12:30 p.m. at the Castle Hayne location (4544 Parmele Rd., Castle Hayne, NC). Congregate participants are encouraged to call at least one day prior to reserve a meal pick-up at 910-7986420. The Senior Resource Center will continue operating the Home Delivered Meals Program for its registered homebound participants.
encore | march 18 - march 24, 2020 | www.encorepub.com 27
BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER The Cape Fear Bridge overlooking downtown Wilmington’s busy CBD. Courtesy photo
CARING TO
BY SHEA CARVER
I
t’s a typical Sunday in the midst of COVID-19 self-isolation. Though I don’t have the coronavirus, I have taken social distancing to heart and barely left my house over the weekend. So, in between snuggling my pup Shadow Wolf, scrubbing the entire house with Lysol and Clorox, doing all laundry, and restructuring encore’s output from event-based coverage to community-building stories during a crisis, I did what every American was doing while locked inside their homes: scrolled through social media and news headlines. Facebook had posts popping up left and right from folks encouraging others to “get out and buy local” and “support local restaurants”—words that usually make my heart sing, but, during a pandemic, give me anxiety at the idea of being in crowds. Inevitably, comments revolved around how restaurants were evolving services into curb-side pickup and delivery, since folks won’t be dining out as much in coming weeks. These are important steps to keep from disseminating the virus. However, they also mean businesses are facing an economic downfall. Then I came across a post that contained a link for Caring to Deliver—a form asking businesses about their “social distancing specials” or “delivery area/ fees,” along with general questions regarding menus and safety precautions employed during the COVID-19 crisis. The email address on it connected to Michele Bouse. Bouse and her friend, Allison Luckadoo, have known each other for six years. Like me, they were sorting through all the information on social media and tex-
ting about the best way to keep it organized and in one place for easy reference while hunkering down over the next two weeks with their kids, who are mandated by Governor Cooper to stay home from school. Their conversation concluded with Bouse—who used to be in nonprofit management—coding a new website: caringtodeliver.com. Their intention is to have a place where local businesses can post current offerings and delivery specials, and keep the public up to date on ensuring safe services for as long as businesses remain open during the COVID-19 crisis. We interviewed Bouse and Luckadoo about their idea, which in its infancy continues to evolve. They’re hoping to launch the site this week. encore (e): So tell us how you came up with Caring to Deliver? Allison Luckadoo (AL): After going out to eat last night, and waking up to news articles that clearly helped me realize my error, Michele messaged me about whether we should continue to go out. In a matter of minutes, we came up with a safer option. While it isn’t 100% germ proof, our hope is we can help get the word out on deliveries in the area to encourage social distancing, help others stay safe, and help our friends and neighbors who own restaurants. We have zero interest in profit. My nephew is fighting two terminal illnesses, so this pandemic hits super close to home for me and my family. He is someone who would most likely not survive this. Michele Bouse (MB): There are too many posts and tweets about local busi-
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nesses and what they are offering floating around right now. It is hard to decipher and keep it organized to have handy for the next two to four weeks [or longer]. So we thought it would be great to compile all the information on who delivers and what they are offering during this difficult time into one website to assist local business and patrons. e: What are its goals/mission? MB: The mission is to help provide income, and support local business that are remaining open, while giving patrons the ability to still enjoy their favorite establishments and bring new experiences they haven’t tried yet to their door. e: Who’s participating and what all will be delivered? MB: The idea is uncharted territory, so right now we have a drop-down menu including restaurants, shopping and retail, food and grocery, and other. I am hoping to expand this menu with the more information we compile, and educate Wilmington on who delivers and what they deliver. e: Can you specify exactly what businesses have given you feedback and who has filled out your form? MB: Not enough. We have Beach Bagels, Thoughty, Wrigglesworth Ace Hardware, Hops Supply Co. and Noonie Doodle Sweets so far. We are hoping for more. We are trying to get the word out as much as possible, but I know businesses are trying to figure out protocol and lots of other logistics right now. This is the link to the form businesses can fill out: https://forms.gle/ztMaq7LHZsy7pTgM6. e: So the individual businesses cover delivery on their own, and this isn’t just another delivery service like Postmates, Uber, etc., right?
DELIVER
New website organizes local restaurant and business info in one place MB: Yes, we are hoping to combine in one place what all the businesses provide. Some don’t normally offer delivery but are now. Some are using extra safety measures and we are asking what those are, too. I envision the website will have a simple table-like page where patrons can sort by name, business type and delivery area. I will also have a tab where businesses can submit their information and logos. e: Is this just in response to COVID-19, or what’s your long-term vision? MB: Originally, this morning [Sunday, March 15] it was a response to COVID-19, but the more Allison and I talked about it, we have a vision of it being used all year round. There are always circumstances where people need delivery services in every aspect of their lives, like if they have surgeries or have illnesses and need meal trains, so I think this information can be helpful all year round. e: If we go into mandatory quarantine, and the government shuts down restaurants, shops, bars, etc., will you still launch? And what will it look like then? MB: That is an excellent question! I think we will have to see what happens and launch based on what services can still be legally provided by local businesses—any way we can help!
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encore | march 18 - march 24, 2020 | www.encorepub.com 29
WHAT THE DOUCHE? While ‘She Rocks the Vote’ at UNCW is postponed, folks will eventually see some relics of birth control, including old-time condoms and Lysol douches (below), serving as reminders that science, being informed and voting matter. Photos by Shannon Gentry
BY SHANNON RAE GENTRY
L
ike nearly everything else in March, next Thursday’s “She Rocks the Vote” exhibit at UNCW’s Randall Library has been postponed. Spearheaded by Randall’s humanities librarian Lisa Coats and Jennifer Le Zotte, assistant professor of U.S. history and material culture, the curated event to help celebrate Women’s History Month will have a new date as soon as possible. “She Rocks the Vote” encompasses a history of birth control in North Carolina, and while Le Zotte says it is not specifically about political control of women, this exhibit connects political issues and women’s health. Its themes surrounding women’s history, health, voting rights, suffrage and feminism remain eerily timeless. They’re relevant to what we as a nation are experiencing right now amid an election season and public health crisis. The takeaway: to be informed, to seek information and sort through misinformation. “One direct parallel I see are in news stories about people spraying their children with Lysol in order to prevent coronavirus,” Le Zotte says, “which is not the wisest way to do so and not medically advised. . . . Yes, Lysol kills germs but it also kills good germs and good bacteria and there are proper ways of using medical equipment.” Lysol, apparently, has a long history of misuse. More on that in a moment. As part of a statewide initiative “She Changed the World,” Coats and Le Zotte applied for funding through the State Library of North Carolina’s Institute of Museum and Library Services Diversity and Inclusion Mini-Grants program. Between Le Zotte and two history grad students, Kyra McDonald and Rebecca Mullins, they have collected an incredible stash of everything from weird and odd practices to historic WTF moments in contraception history.
“In the broad scope of things, as a historian, I get less and less surprised by what people do,” Le Zotte quips. “Artifacts include types of birth control used in the last century and about 120 years. We also talk a little bit about eugenics in North Carolina, which is pretty interesting history—going all the way up to the early 2000s when North Carolina offered reparations to victims of post-forced sterilization as part of that eugenics movement.” While the exhibit highlights the extent of forced sterilization in North Carolina, it also includes a “Better Babies” handbook, complete with a large bronze coin; used for Better Baby contests held across the United States in the early 1900s. Designed to measure children’s health and educate in better child-rearing practices, the contests were more or less judged on ideal condition, looks and behavior of babies. Also among exhibit materials are condoms made of vulcanized latex circa 1920s, packaged in what could pass as Altoid tins; an old diaphragm box with directions; and an “Effectiveness of Contraceptives” chart (1986-1997) with “Abstinence” and “Withdrawal” bookending a list of pregnancy prevention practices. “We also have examples of types of birth control that are definitely not legitimate,” Le Zotte explains. “For example, people used to use a Lysol douche in order to prevent pregnancy, which led to a lot of health problems.” The glass measuring receptacle rests in a rusted copper-toned stand, and just at the bottom peeps out a douche nozzle. The display is complete with a small, empty glass bottle of Lysol. Displays also highlight product advertisements of the 1940s and ‘50s. During that time it was illegal to advertise or send information through the mail about birth control. Thus companies would use
30 encore | march 18 - march 24, 2020 | www.encorepub.com
WTF IN
instructive wording like “cleanse unwanted materials” as a way around explicit labels of birth control.
HISTORY
“People ought to seek out legitimate scientific information and go by that rather than rumors and privately gleaned information,” Le Zotte iterates. “The significance of it in this historical story of birth-control misinformation stems from the fact there were laws against appropriate communication and scientific fact and data. So becoming a transparent and well-informed society is key to proper health management.”
complacency.
With the exhibit’s broadly aligned theme of women in politics, Coats and Le Zotte invited keynote speaker Rep. Deb Butler to help tie the importance of civic engagement as it relates to women’s health and reproductive rights. Butler, who has been endorsed by Lillian’s List for a number of years, is running for re-election this fall.
“I think we’ve become too willing to let somebody else do the talking out of fear of failure or fear of criticism, out of fear of being in the spotlight,” she muses. “I think it’s about just finding the courage to stand up for what you believe and fight for it, consequences be damned. And it’s hard to do. But we’ve all got that capacity.”
“[Deb Butler] is just very approachable and accessible and very on-point,” Coats adds. “I always look for that—for people who are personable, who will talk to people, who will have conversations.” Butler gained national attention in September 2019 when she refused to stand down as Republicans voted to override Governor Cooper’s veto of the state budget during a surprise vote on the anniversary of September 11 (when nearly all House Democrats were not present). A video of Butler addressing NC House Speaker Tim Moore (most memorably with “I will not yield!”) went viral within an hour. “It was just surreal,” Butler remembers. “Then my phone started buzzing in my hand. . . . By the time I left the room [Twitter] was humming, and I went from 1,000 Twitter followers to 25,000 in one day.” Butler hit a nerve, in a good way, and she tries to remember that as a means to incite others to do something in times of
‘She Rocks the Vote’ exhibit postponed, carries multiple themes relevant to today
A LITTLE HELP FROM YOUR FRIENDS TAY Lifestyle Management will pick up groceries, food, medications, run errands and more for free for seniors through March during the COVID-19 outbreak. Stock photo
CLEAN
HANDS
BY SHEA CARVER
W
hen Lynne D’Eramo started her concierge service, TAY Lifestyle Management a few years ago, she didn’t really think a disaster plan would need to be in effect—specifically one that involved a pandemic like COVID-19. However, here we are. “We are all in this together, and we are here to help any businesses or individuals as best we can, for as long as we can, during this crisis,” D’Eramo says. Through March 31 the company will offer free errand services for seniors. “This will include anything from picking up medications, meals, grocery shopping, and other errands they might need,” D’Eramo says. As April nears, TAY will reassess the need to continue its offer. D’Eramo decided to help the elder community, as their needs hit close to home. She moved her mother to North Carolina recently to be closer to family. “She is 83, and due to her age, and because she has lung and heart disease, she is at high-risk,” D’Eramo continues. “She has my daughter and me to ensure she doesn’t have to leave the house, has food, her medications, but there are many who do not have that luxury, whether it is because their family doesn’t live nearby or perhaps they have no family at all.” For grocery deliveries or item pickup, TAY creates online orders and estimates the bill’s total ahead of shopping. Then customers can pay for groceries, medications or other needs via credit/debit card, cash, check or Venmo, ApplePay or CashApp. TAY works in various facets of organization and errands for all ages. The business focuses on personal, residential and corporate services, with an aim to free up time for customers to enjoy life. Now, amid COVID-19 they’re switching gears to help
DETAILS TAY LIFESTYLE MANAGMENT Concierge services Free senior services during COVID-19 outbreak until March 31 taylifestylemanagement.com (910) 239-7701 in areas folks may need first and foremost during self-quarantine and social-distancing mandates: errands, personal shopping, personal admin, in-home wait services, vacation planning/AirBnB services, and business and real-estate support. They work with experts and top-tier vendors to help accommodate requests. “Making travel plans probably isn’t at the top of anyone’s list right now,” D’Eramo admits, “but cancelling and rescheduling them might be. We have been helping clients with their travel arrangements, whether it be cancelling reservations, helping with refunds or rebookings, or getting loved ones home. We are helping clients devise plans for their business and personal lives, in the event they have to or choose to quarantine. Plus, we can also deliver prepared foods to any people working from home.” The idea for TAY Lifetsyle Management began in Connecticut, D’Eramo’s home state. When she moved to North Carolina, she switched jobs, eventually landing in real estate, which often had her working seven days a week. It left her with little time to do much else—which ended up working in her favor. She realized her TAY
business model could take off in ILM, and so she switched gears to be an entrepreneur once again. “My vision is to create effective, organized systems in order to make more time for the passions and people we love most. I am extremely eager to help others enjoy their own lives before time and opportunity passes by.” TAY is used to providing seasonal business, like check-ins for vacation AirBnBs or second homes. Living in a tourist area brings such supply and demand. “A majority of owners live out of the area or even out of state,” D’Eramo says. “We arrange cleaning, stock essentials, coordinate maintenance, or anything else they may need.” TAY also helps with college student’s needs, by easing their transition into independence. D’Eramo says TAY basically provides parental reassurance. “Should their child need help, we are there to give it to them,” she says. “We can make sure they are stocked up with everything from toilet paper and toothpaste, to easy-to-cook meals and even fresh fruits and veggies. . . We can arrange moving on or off campus, summer storage, travel arrangements and care packages.” The TAY Lifestyle Management team is taking all necessary precautions when it comes to COVID-19. The goal is to keep services offered at a time of insecurity for so many, and when folks most need them. The TAY team members are washing hands upon entry to every home, as well as hand-sanitizing and disinfecting to ensure minimal exposure. “We are also practicing social distancing and will never send an employee who is sick into a home or workplace,” D’Eramo tells. Aside from offering current free services to seniors, they work toward giving back to
ON
DECK
Local concierge offers free delivery and errand services for seniors through March
the community year-round. As president of The Marty Lyons Foundation North Carolina Chapter, D’Eramo helps fulfill wishes for kids ages 3-17 years who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. “We are unique in that [Marty Lyons Foundation] will grant a second wish to a deserving child,” D’Eramo says. They have hosted numerous fundraisers in their first year as a chapter—which covers North and South Carolina—including a golf tournament, breakfast with Santa, playoff viewing and Super Bowl parties. They currently are planning their second annual golf tournament in Charlotte. For now, however, all clean hands are on deck to help the community. TAY team members will take care of others as long as curfews or mandatory business closings aren’t in place. “My main concern is the health of myself and my team,” D’Eramo says. “I am staying on top of the news, with rumors spreading faster than the virus itself, but I look to reputable sources for facts. Since we work with the public on a regular basis, we continue to keep our workplace safe, and remind employees to practice basic hygiene, as they would during cold and flu season.”
encore | march 18 - march 24, 2020 | www.encorepub.com 31
the big names associated with it: Alex and Frank Manley, Hugh MacRae, Alfred Waddell, William Rand Kenan, and James Sprunt. Yet, Zucchino extends the net and makes this ensemble cast truly see the sheer number of players it encompasses. Pieces of the military coup come together with the Light Infantry, The Naval Reserves and the Red Shirts. We meet and spend time with the named targets, both African American and white. We watch several attempt to live through it, and see people either get forcibly removed from the city or flee of their own accord.
CARPE
LIBRUM BY GWENYFAR ROHLER
W
ilmington’s literary community keeps gaining accolades (two National Book Awards nominees in 2015) and attention in the press. With multiple established publishers in the state (Algonquin, Blair) and new smaller presses gaining traction (Lookout, Eno, Bull City), and a pair of well-regarded literary magazines out of UNCW, it is timely to shine a light on discussions around literary publishing. More so, it shows the importance of communicating a truthful story in our present world. Welcome to Carpe Librum, encore’s biweekly book column, wherein I will dissect
Gwenyfar reviews a Pulitzer Prize winner’s research on Wilmington 1898 a current title and/or 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. Wilmington’s Lie By David Zucchino Atlantic Monthly Press, 2020, 448 pages Pulitzer Prize winner David Zucchino has turned his interest to Wilmington—specifically to the much-discussed, much-reported upon and much-researched coup of 1898. Mr. Zucchino’s national reputation shines a greater light on the subject.
In the year 1898, Wilmington, Norht Carolina was the site of a successful government coup that included a massacre of the African-American community. It was premeditated, organized and well-funded. In short, it was humanity at its worst. Wilmington was home to the African American-owned newspaper The Daily Record, managed and produced by Alex and Frank Manly. The Record was firebombed during the violence, with the Manleys barely escaping. At the core of 1898 was the intention to silence the African-American community: The newspaper was destroyed, people were killed and the terror unleashed on the community was aimed at making sure African Americans didn’t raise their voices, or demand to be treated as full citizens of the United States. So, the first question: Do we need another book by a white person about 1898? Whose voice do we need to hear?
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32 encore | march 18 - march 24, 2020 | www.encorepub.com
As one friend asked me, “Is there anything new in the book?” As in, is there anything new that hasn’t been covered in the variety of other books on the topic? Well, yes and no. As far as laying a broad groundwork for post-reconstruction life in Wilmington, Zucchino does that with a wider lens than I expected. Included is material on Abraham Galloway, plantation life, the cotton exporting business, the lineage of several families that controlled business and land interests, and the challenges of daily life in the changing post-war South. Zucchino does what a good journalist or historian should do: shines a light on the factors that came together over a period of time to create the storm that erupted in the coup. He cites institutional racism and such common occurrences in the Union Army (African American soldiers being paid less than their white compatriots) as examples of what led to the coup. He also discusses
Zucchino follows several of these people in the coupl’s aftermath—which is perhaps the piece that interests me the most. I was familiar with Manley’s story and Congressman White’s, but I had remained curious as to how others attempted to rebuild their lives in the wake of such tragedy. Zucchino follows step by step the codification of the coup into law, and the legalizing of the aims of the coup in the subsequent months and years. Though he talks extensively about voter suppression and the tactics employed, I wish he would have touched more on the changes made to our local government and the long-term effects of it. The book is about a government coup. Technically the coup has not been overthrown, and our local government was dramatically altered to ensure it would continue to be controlled by a small and select group of people who care little for the welfare of the whole. For example, we have at-large representation, instead of ward-style representation in local government. It was a tactic frequently employed in that part of the century to prevent African-American voters from electing African-American representation to local government and was instituted here in the wake of the coup. However, Zucchino draws very specific parallels with the voter suppression tactics at the turn of the 20th century and what’s currently employed in North Carolina at a state level. That is the real reason to study the coup and learn from it—because we are so close to repeating those events if we don’t learn from them. Zucchino interviewed descendants of several victims who note no real effort at healing has been made during their lifetimes. Certainly, the events of the Wilmington 10 happened in 1971 and are related to 1898, so many residents of this city do remember. Zucchino’s book certainly adds to the conversation. It’s worth reading. It’s also worth seeking out books about the events by people of color. There are several titles currently available now, including “The Marrow of Tradition,” “Hanover: Or the Persecution of the Lowly” and “We Have Taken a City.” In addition, LeRae UmFleet’s book, “A Day Of Blood,” is a remarkable and detailed nonfiction report upon the events.
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Eventually, his inability to care about the thoughts and feelings of others affected his relationship with Ivy. She was searching for meaning and connections, which were concepts Eddie often referred to as “total bullshit.” Once the sex began to suffer, Eddie ended the relationship through a series of passive-aggressive press releases and off-the-record comments, yelled at gossip columnists through half-opened limousine windows.
BURNING
SENSATION BY ANGHUS Chapter 3
I
t’s hard to picture the word “sex” without thinking about Ivy Gams. In 1981 she was responsible for 64% of the self-achieved orgasms in the western world. Ivy was liquid intercourse poured into a human-shaped mold: big blue eyes that every man wanted to swim in and legs long enough for the Concorde to land on. Her band, Venus Possessed, was praised by critics and admired by contemporaries. It was an altrock maelstrom that donkey-punched the testicles of the music industry while making the first assault of the male-dominated rock charts. Their debut album, “Aikido Libido,” seized all eyes and ears between spring and winter of 1981. Every magazine begged her for access. Entire media empires were holding precious space available until the last minute over the mere possibility of a photo from their roving hordes of paparazzi. Competition became fierce as rival publications were offering obscenely high rates, prompting photographers to adopt brutal tactics. A visit to her obstetrician prompted a small fight to break out between two tabloid photographers, leading to a bloody six-day skirmish now referred to as “The Flash War.” Her reluctance to engage with the media had earned Ivy a reputation of “Ice Queen”—a moniker she gladly embraced
An Eddie Inferno Rock ‘n’ Roll Adventure
and began to weave into her public persona. She even dyed her hair platinum white and adorned blue eyeliner. Ivy broke every rule and challenged every convention. The very moment you became comfortable with her identity, she changed it with the power and fluidity of an emotionally turbulent tidal wave. Her pairing with Eddie Inferno felt like an inevitability—rock ‘n’ roll’s most fiery personality, and the music industry’s most frigorific femme fatale. Their first meeting happened at a reception for Guatemala’s most proactive performance artist, Esteban Shit-Stain Inarritu. He was preparing to unveil his newest human installation: a 14-piece anus organ and puppet show, using repurposed anatomically precise courtroom dolls. After taking in the performance, which was described as “painfully graphic,” they ventured off into the solarium and shared a bottle of finely aged Quaaludes. While no one was there to hear the conversation, renowned celebrity lip-reader Shamus “Gum Flap” O’Donnell claims the discussion centered on the dining habits of waterfowl. The attraction and molecular connection between the world’s most fuckable celebrities was instant. While there is no direct confirmation of their first sexual tryst, a 3.6 magnitude earthquake was recorded later that night, with the epicenter identified near or around villa #3 of the Château Marmot. The world could barely contain their frantic enthusiasm for the coupling of Eddie Inferno and Ivy Gams. Some publications
started referring to their union as “Fire and Ice,” while less lazy periodicals with a higher caliber of writers dubbed them “Ragnarok.” They toured across the nation, filling stadiums, ruining hotel suites and making fashionable night spots uninhabitable. Their combined entourage rivaled the population of quaint rural communities and challenged the fire code of every bar, club and dining establishment they frequented. While their genitalia were perfectly compatible, their personality types clashed at a molecular level. Reports from nosy onlookers incapable of minding their own business suggested Eddie struggled with emotions— specifically, Ivy’s emotions. While he became famous for freely expressing every and any thought that crossed his mind at a ridiculously high volume, his capacity to listen to anyone else was practically nonexistent—so much so, he was barely able to maintain a reasonable attention span for even the briefest of human encounters. He also struggled to hold interest in basic conversations. Interview questions were mandated to be limited to four words supported by flash cards, while orders at popular fast-food restaurants could take upward of 48 minutes.
Their breakup was the start of Eddie’s descent into debauchery and ascension into godhood. Ivy soothed her wounded spirit with an eight-week bender of sobriety and abstinence, helping her achieve clarity that had eluded a generation of perpetually stoned performers. While Eddie was performing an acrobatic deep-dive into a dirty downward spiral, Ivy was becoming a more accomplished musician—and, frankly, a better human being. Free of Eddie and his toxic influence, she became the kind of icon the world was desperate for: a rock star who actually had a genuine concern for other human beings. She used her celebrity to bring attention to righteous causes and was capable of feeling empathy for people who weren’t famous. Ivy’s newfound decency sent shock waves through the music community. The idea of considering the “non-famous” as actual people worthy of cogitation was something the rock ‘n’ roll community found repugnant. As Grant Cox, lead singer of Scunthorpe’s most famous musical export, the Throbbing Cox, famously said, “What’s the point of becoming famous if you can’t treat the unwashed masses like human garbage?” In spite of mounting opposition, Ivy would lead herself and the rock ‘n’ roll community to a better place. There were consequences; she was ostracized by her peers, who begrudgingly followed her lead into a more reputable and less exciting space. Her name would be left off VIP guest lists and award nominations. She helped introduce an element of decorum into the music industry, and for her efforts, they escorted her to the other side of the velvet rope. To her credit Ivy Gams never faltered or expressed regret for her choices—even after accusations that her campaign was an attempt to take a vindictive kingdom that Eddie Inferno helped erect. Had the decision been hers, Ivy would never again engage in semi-civilized discourse with the man she both loved and loathed. But circumstances changed, and something terrible was brewing in the margins of society and threatening to topple a world they helped build. Ivy knew she couldn’t do it alone. She needed help from the last person on Earth she wanted to see.
34 encore | march 18 - march 24, 2020 | www.encorepub.com
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TO OUR SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY Rx will be closed until further notice. It is a difficult decision, but it is the right decision. We must take precautions to protect the health of our staff, and ensure we are able to weather this financial storm.
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W
e interrupt your regularly scheduled horoscopes to offer insights about the virus-driven turning point that the whole world is now experiencing. As you’ve probably guessed, all of us are being invited to re-evaluate everything we think we know about what it means to be human. I refer to this unprecedented juncture as The Tumultuous Upgrade or The Disruptive Cure. It’s fraught with danger and potential opportunities; crisis and possible breakthroughs. And while the coronavirus is the main driving force, it won’t be the only factor. We must be ready for more Rough, Tough Healings disguised as Bumpy Challenges in the coming months. Here’s the astrological lowdown: Throughout 2020, there’s a rare confluence of three planets in Capricorn: Pluto, Saturn, and Jupiter. They are synergizing each other’s impacts in ways that confound us and rattle us. In the best-case scenario, they’ll also energize us to initiate brave transformations in our own personal lives as well as in our communities. Below is a profile of each planet’s meaning. When we are in intense and intimate relationship with Pluto—as we are now—we’re invited to dive down deeper: to see life from the soul’s perspective rather than from the ego’s; to seek wealth and meaning not as they’re defined by the material world but as they’re understood by the part of us that’s eternal. Descending into the mysterious Plutonian depths can be disruptive to our conscious beliefs and intentions, but may ultimately be profoundly regenerative. When we are in intense and intimate relationship with Saturn, we’re invited to get more serious and focused; to register the fact that we don’t have unlimited time and energy, but must firmly decide what’s important and what’s not. We’re asked to be ruthlessly honest about the roles that are most likely to bring out the best in us. When we are in intense and intimate relationship with Jupiter, we’re invited to risk growth and expansion; to take proactive responsibility for seeking the rich experiences that our souls long for; to aggressively enhance our lust for life. Now I invite you to meditate on the potent mix of Plutonian, Saturnian, and Jupiterian energies. I encourage you to respond to the convulsion by deepening your understanding of how profoundly interconnected we all are and upgrading the way you take care of yourself, the people you love, and our natural world. In the horoscopes below, I suggest personal shifts that will be available to you during this once-in-a-lifetime blend of planetary energies.
ARIES (Mar. 21–April 19)
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Possible crises in the coming months: 1. Your power spot may be challenged or compromised. 2. Your master plan might unravel. 3. There could be disruptions in your ability to wield your influence. *Potential opportunities:* 1. You’ll be motivated to find an even more suitable power spot. 2. A revised master plan will coalesce. 3. You’ll be resourceful as you discover novel ways to wield your influence.
Friends and associates could change in ways that are uncomfortable for you. 2. Images and expectations that people have of you may not match your own images and expectations. *Potential opportunities:* 1. If you’re intelligent and compassionate as you deal with the transformations in your friends and associates, your relationships could be rejuvenated. 2. You might become braver and more forceful in expressing who you are and what you want.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
Possible crises in the coming months: 1. Your vision of the big picture of your life may dissipate. 2. Old reliable approaches to learning crucial lessons and expanding your mind could lose their effectiveness. *Potential opportunities:* 1. You’ll be inspired to develop an updated vision of the big picture of your life. 2. Creative new strategies for learning and expanding your mind will invigorate your personal growth.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Possible crises in the coming months: 1. There may be breakdowns in communication with people you care about. 2. Contracts and agreements could fray. 3. Sexual challenges might complicate love. *Potential opportunities:* 1. You’ll be inspired to reinvent the ways you communicate and connect. 2. Your willingness to revise agreements and contracts could make them work better for all concerned. 3. Sexual healing will be available.
CANCER (June 22-July 22) Possible crises in the coming months: 1.
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Possible crises in the coming months: 1. Your job may not suit you as well as you wish. 2. A health issue could demand more of your attention than you’d like. *Potential opportunities:* 1. You’ll take innovative action to make your job work better for you. 2. In your efforts to solve a specific health issue, you’ll upgrade your entire approach to staying healthy long-term.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Possible crises in the coming months: 1. Love may feel confusing or unpredictable. 2. You may come up against a block to your creativity. *Potential opportunities:* 1. You’ll be energized to generate new understandings about how to ensure that love works well for you. 2. Your frustration with a creative block will motivate you to uncover previously hidden keys to accessing creative inspiration.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Possible crises in the coming months: 1. You may experience disturbances in your relationships with home and family. 2. You may falter in your
ability to maintain a strong foundation. *Potential opportunities:* 1. Domestic disorder could inspire you to reinvent your approach to home and family, changing your life for the better. 2. Responding to a downturn in your stability and security, you’ll build a much stronger foundation.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Possible crises in the coming months: 1. There may be carelessness or a lack of skill in the ways you and your associates communicate and cultivate connectivity. 2. You may have problems blending elements that really need to be blended. *Potential opportunities:* 1. You’ll resolve to communicate and cultivate connectivity with a renewed panache and vigor. 2. You’ll dream up fresh approaches to blending elements that need to be blended.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-December 21) Possible crises in the coming months: 1. Money may be problematic. 2. Your personal integrity might undergo a challenge. 3. You could get lax about translating your noble ideas into practical actions. *Potential opportunities:* 1. You’ll find inventive solutions for boosting your wealth. 2. You’ll take steps to ensure your ethical code is impeccable. 3. You’ll renew your commitment to translating your noble ideals into practical action.
CAPRICORN (December 22-Jan. 19) Possible predicament during the coming months: You may have an identity crisis. Who are you, anyway? What do you really want? What are your true intentions? Potential opportunity: You’ll purge self-doubts and fuzzy self-images. You’ll rise up with a fierce determination to define yourself with clarity and intensity and creativity.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-February 18) Possible crises in the coming months: 1. You’ll be at risk for botched endings. 2. You may be tempted to avoid solving long-term problems whose time is up. *Potential opportunities:* 1. You’ll make sure all endings are as graceful and complete as possible. 2. You’ll dive in and finally resolve long-term problems whose time is up.
PISCES (February 19-March 20) Possible crises in the coming months: 1. Due to worries about your self-worth, you may not accept the help and support that are available. 2. Due to worries about your self-worth, you might fail to bravely take advantage of chances to reach a new level of success. *Potential opportunities:* 1. You’ll take dramatic action to enhance your sense of self-worth, empowering you to welcome the help and support you’re offered and take advantage of chances to reach a new level of success.
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