March 25, 2015

encore

The Cape Fear’s Alternative Voice for 30 Years!

BEST

SIMPLY

Eric Miller of L Shape Lot, winner of Best Band 2015. Photo by BlueberrCreative.

VOL. 31 / PUB 39 / FREE MARch 25 – 31, 2015

THE

Tipping our hats to the creme de la creme of wilmington. PGS. 4-15

www.encorepub.com

Vol. 31/ Pub. 39 / march 25 – 31, 2015 www.encorepub.com

on the cover

EVENT

OF THE WEEK

Sunday, March 29, 1 p.m.

Downtown Divas Drag Brunch Join Tara Nicole Brooks and her legion of at TheatreNOW (19 S. 10th Street). Serving up brunch with style, flair and fierceness, the brunch features a fun-filled drag show and delicious a la carte morning fare. The doors open at 12:30 p.m., and the show kicks off at 1 p.m. Tickets are $10, and the bar is open for business. For more information, head over to www.theatrewilmington.com or call (910) 399-3669.

Highlighting the Best, pgs. 4 - 15

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

From Best Men’s Clothing to Best Indian, we’ve written all about ‘em. Pictured above: Folks gather at encore's Best Of Party as L Shape Lot performs. Photo by Blueberry Creative.

Live Local pgs. 16-17

EDITORIAL> Editor-in-Chief: Shea Carver // shea@encorepub.com

Live Local columnist Gwenyfar Rohler muses about local economic stimulation by way of book festival.

Photo by James S. Wood, Tucson Festival of Books

Editorial Assistant: Christian Podgaysky // music@encorepub.com Art Director: Kyle Peeler // ads@encorepub.com Intern: Zachary Painter, Emily Truss, Kamerin Roth

>

Music

pgs. 20-21

Delta Rae perform a live show at the BAC this Thursday, March 26.

Photo by Jonathan Weiner.

<

Film p. 33 “The DUFF” harkens back to the days of John Hughes teen comedies but fails to deliver anything new.

>

Chief Contributors: Gwenyfar Rohler, Anghus Houvouras, Jay Schiller, Tom Tomorrow, Chuck Shepherd, Mark Basquill, Rosa Bianca, Rob Brezsny, Christian Podgaysky, Linda Grattafiori, Tiffanie DiDonato, Shannon Gentry, Bethany Turner SALES> General Manager: John Hitt // john@encorepub.com Advertising: John Hitt // Downtown // Carolina Beach // john@encorepub.com Shea Carver // Midtown, Monkey Junction // shea@encorepub.com Rose Thompson // Wrightsville Beach, N. Wilmington // rose@encorepub.com Office Manager: Susie Riddle // susie@adpakweekly.com

Distribution Manager: Boykin Wright Published weekly, on Wednesday, by HP Media.

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

Inside This Week: Best of, pgs. 4-15 • Live Local, pgs. 16-17 • News of the Weird, p. 18

Op-Ed, p. 19 • Music, pgs. 20-26 • Art, pgs. 28-29 • Theatre, p. 30 • Film, p. 33 Dining, pgs. 34-39 • Extra, pgs. 40-42 • Calendar, pgs. 44-64 2 encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com

P.O. Box 12430, Wilmington, N.C. 28405 email@encorepub.com • www.encorepub.com Phone: (910) 791-0688 • Fax: (910) 791-9534

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best of 2015

Simply the Best!

B

usinesses, artists, thespians, chefs, theatre companies, musicians, humanitarians, environmental groups, media: They’re all recognized as the town’s best hot shots in encore’s annual reader’s poll—a poll that has been taking place well over 25 years in Wilmington. To put it simply: We hold the official “Best Of” moniker.

In 2015, we culled over 20,000 voices to weigh in on their thoughts about the Best Of Wilmington. Nominations opened in midNovember and closed in mid-December 2014, before final voting opened mid-December and closed mid-January 2015. All voting was done by the community-at-large through our online voting system, featuring over 130 categories. We try to be as fair as possible, and while we encourage local businesses and groups to campaign so their patrons/fans vote for them, we do lay a few ground rules in campaigning practices: 1) No stuffing the ballot box! That means you can’t vote under multiple email addresses or encourage customers and employees to do so.

2) No voting on someone else’s behalf. If you have a list of email addresses that don’t belong to you, please, don’t fill out ballots in their names.

3) Do not entice patrons/fans into voting for you by offering specials, discounts or prizes in exchange for votes.

After voting closes, we throw our annual Best Of Party and fundraiser. This year’s event was held at Brooklyn Arts Center on February 28 and benefitted DREAMS of Wilmington—a local nonprofit and multidisciplinary arts program for at-risk youth (see our cover story from encore’s February 26 edition for full info on DREAMS; www.dreamsofwilmingon.org). Thanks to 550 tickets sold, numerous raffles, a Best Of Battle of the Bands, and a live text-to-donate program, DREAMS raised more than $11,000 and will take in $7,200 after expenses. This money allows

them to accept 45 students into their threeweek summer intensive arts program.

Our Best Of hosts, comedy troupe Pineapple-Shaped Lamps (this week’s dashing cover models), entertained with a plethora of sketches across every category of award-winners—all set to a “Back to the ‘80s” theme. Aside from nailing spoton impressions of “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventures,” they ensured audiences were rolling in laughter during their “Flashdance” and “Total Eclipse of the Heart” interpretive dance numbers. And a bonus: Those funny Pineapple kids also got to know DREAMS’ students via videos they made for the show. More so, they will be volunteering with DREAMS this summer!

We laughed a ton and stuffed ourselves silly, thanks to food passed around throughout the evening—all provided from our numerous nominees in the food and beverage categories. We danced the night away with DJ KB spinning everything from “Under Pressure” to “Rich Girl,” and especially to the bands L Shape Lot and The Midatlantic, who were duking it out for final votes during the ceremony as Best Band. While L Shape Lot came out on top, it did not deter the camaraderie between these Americana/bluegrass acts.

They closed out the night in a finale together with “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” As well, DREAMS music teacher Laura McLean and her band the New Riders of Calamity took the stage and killed it, especially with a smokin’ rendition of “She Bop.” Blueberry Creative caught all the fun on film! (So be sure to check out the pictures in the next four editions of encore, wherein we announce all winners.) Folks were dressed to the nines in ‘80s gear, including our crowned king and queen—as picked by TJ Dunn, founder of Wilmington Fashion Week, and judged by audience applause. Christian Podgaysky as Boy George and Stacia Sylvester donned all the right classics from the era, acid-wash jeans and fanny pack included.

Welcome, Best Of Wilmington class of 2015!

Tipping our hats to the crème de la crème of Wilmington By: Shea Carver & Christian Podgaysky

Above: Leanne Haskins and Jada Andre strike a pose and vogue at the encore’s Back to the ‘80s Best Of party. Photo by Blueberry Creative

4 encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com

Goods & Services

THANK YOU!

REAL ESTATE COMPANY

Intracoastal Realty has won Best Real Estate Company for quite a few years on our poll now. Yet, the win never becomes something they take for granted. “People want to do business with companies that their peers think highly of,” vice president Lake Slacum says. “We are honored to be voted as the best in the area once again by the readers of encore.”

Intracoastal’s dedication to supreme service in buying and selling homes, and overseeing their property management division for vacation homes and long-term rentals, remains the focus of their mission. In fact, the company operates with over 280 agents and multiple sales offices to ensure expansive reach.

“Intracoastal Realty founder and CEO Jim Wallace was living in Atlanta when he was hired by the developers of Station One condominiums on Wrightsville Beach to sell the 88 units in May of 1976,” Slacum explains of the company’s foundation. “After quickly selling out the project, Intracoastal Realty was founded in the fall of 1976. Jim’s success in selling real estate prompted other agents to express interest in joining his company.”

Thirty-five years later still, he oversees the first-class organization, which depends on cutting-edge marketing and technology to help make listing homes and selling them a breeze. “An example of a superior service is our state-of-the-art Home Search App for mobile devices,” Slacum explains. “This app launched in December and is receiving rave reviews from our clients, with many of them saying it’s better than national homesearch apps.”

In fact, technological advancements have propelled the real-estate market’s reach tenfold. Intracoastal took notice to get ahead of the curve.

“The proliferation of mobile devices—and the subsequent increase in home searches done from these devices—inspired us to create a ‘responsive’ website a few years ago,” she continues. “We were the first brokerage in the area to launch the technology.

The addition of the mobile app allows us to cater to a segment that prefers to use an app to search for real estate rather than to search a website on their device’s browser.”

Later this year, Intracoastal also will be upgrading their digital offerings. But Slacum is mum on the details, other than ensuring it will better serve agents and clients. Plus, Intracoastal will continue to give back to the area, including their Teacher Fund. “It was started by [Jim] in 2005,” she says. “The Teacher’s Fund is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps local public and private kindergarten-through-fifth-grade school teachers buy supplies, books, and fun learning aids they so desperately need.”

Other companies topping our reader’s poll for real estate superiority are Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty and Century 21 Sweyer and Associates.

For voting Shelley Lancaster as Best Massage Therapist

SPRINGING FOR THE BEST: Evan and Mary Margaret Folds of Progressive Gardens turned out in support of the 2015 Best Of, and were nominated in the Best Garden Store category. Photo by Blueberry Creative

PRINTING SHOP

In 1973 Charlie and Nelda Illickas opened a PIP Printing franchise, which later became an independent operation, Dock Street Printing Company. Cindy Meyers and Bill Goodwyn had been longtime employees of the company and upon the Illickas’ retirement, when the opportunity to buy the business opened, they jumped at the chance.

“Through many changes in the industry, we are proud to still be a part of Wilmington’s historic downtown,” Cindy says. Their dedication to providing marketing products to companies, from business cards to flyers, pamphlets to menus, and beyond, keeps them popular with their customers. Their attention to detail and a dedicated staff is critical to their success. And every job— whether doing invitations for a special celebration or binding annual reports for that office meeting—is treated with a critical eye.

“The staff truly cares about making our customers feel welcome and strive to make them look their best,” Cindy says. “If they look good, we look good!”

Today’s standards in printing have demanded quicker service and more color needs. Dock Street responds with efficient professionalism. “It’s a gratifying feeling when a customer smiles and extends their thanks for catching an otherwise simple, but possibly embarrassing typo or formatting issue,” Cindy says.

They can get color business cards printed within 24 hours—and they won’t charge shipping costs either. It keeps them a contender against online giants, like VistaPrint.

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“We’ve noticed a trend in the past couple years of more people wanting to support local companies,” Cindy says. “They’ve come to realize that customer service is important.

In some cases a real live person on the other end of the phone or on the other side of the counter, who genuinely cares about them and their job, more than makes up for a difference of a few dollars.”

Raking in their tenth win proves their support locally. And they’ve become known for their dedication to local causes. They have a pet donation jar on their countertop that customers willingly donate to, and funds are given to various no-kill animal shelters in the area. They’ve worked with Friends of Felines, Adopt an Angel, Sunburst Foundation, Carolina Canines for Service, SOAR, Basset Rescue and Paws 4 People, just to name a few. Every September they welcome pet photos for their annual calendar, which the public votes on via their Facebook page, and winners are selected in November.

“Being in Wilmington is fantastic,” Cindy beams. “The beaches, the great weather, the film and TV productions and beautiful historic downtown. We find it very exciting to work with new businesses in Wilmington.

Being a small part of them seeing their vision become reality is very gratifying as well. Sometimes with all the growth in Wilmington, people forget that downtown is the heart and soul of our city.”

Other shops printing onto the poll are All Ways Graphics and Copycat. —Shea Carver

dressing TO THE HILT: Stephanie Denning (left), owner of The Fairy Circle, poses with a friend at the Wilmington Best Of party. Photo by Blueberry Creative

RESALE SHOP — CLOTHING

“I have always loved visiting resale shops and finding unique pieces while shopping,” Stephanie Denning, owner of The Fairy Circle, tells. “I wanted a job where my daughter could be with me, and a consignment shop seemed like the perfect oppor-

tunity.”

Boasting a dozen Best Of wins, local consignment shop The Fairy Circle fluttered once again into the top spot for Best Consignment/Resale Clothes. In business for nearly 13 years, The Fairy Circle’s racks come chock-full of gently used fashionable and original wares.

“It is gratifying to be acknowledged as being the best at what we do,” Denning admonishes. “I love to hear [people say] this is the only place they shop.”

Unlike many consignment shops, their goods are neatly organized and easy to peruse. Add to that a dedicated, knowledgeable staff, and shopping with The Fairy Circle is easy peasy. The retailers are all ears when it comes to customer requests, and the latest trends top the list when it comes to gathering inventory.

After renovating for 2015, they also have opened shelf space for locally made, handpoured soy candles, which will soon make their debut. From bathing suits to blouses, shoes to jeans, The Fairy Circle has it all.

“We carry jewelry, stickers, and bags that feature Wilmington,” Denning adds.

With UNCW and CFCC right around the corner, the local schools provide an excellent customer base. Money-conscious youth, looking for affordable, stylish clothes, need look no further than The Fairy Circle.

As well, the folks at The Fairy Circle keeps the interests of the community forever in their hearts through donations of unsold merchandise to nonprofits throughout the area. They also provide gift cards to local fundraisers.

“After 13 years in business, my daughter and I get to shop at the store together,” Denning comments.

Wrangling in quality resale items in second and third place are Clothes Mentor and Plato’s Closet.

MEN’S CLOTHING

It’s no secret that men are becoming more and more interested in fashion. With so many suave lookers in the Port City it 6 encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com

comes as no surprise they want an outfit to match. Well, Wilmington has voted and The Gentleman’s Corner has taken home the award for Best Men’s Clothing.

The shop was launched by Chris Dalrymple, who boasts over four decades in the clothing biz, and it has locations every from Pinehurst, to Chapel Hill, to Palm Beach. It opened locally in Lumina Station in 2011.

The men’s fashion haven carries all the essentials for that first date, that night on the town or that perfect gift for any great guy in your life. Carrying brands like Peter Miller, Vinyard Vines, Best of Class, and more, Gentlemen’s corner offers up fashionable Tshirts, button-ups, shoes, jeans, and khakis.

Skinny ties also top the list of trends making their way to shelves.

Like any good clothing purveyors, they have a staff to match the quality of their goods. Each man who enters the shop can expect warm service from knowledgeable employees. Color-pairing and finding that right fit are just a few of the bits of expertise folks can expect to learn. With so many trendy locals due to the UNCW and CFCC, selling wares has been made easy for the retailers. As well, having the youthful clientele base keeps them abreast with trends and accountable for staying stocked with quality goods.

Trending into the second and third place for Best Men’s Clothing are Bloke and Belk.

SHOE STORE

From flip flops to a hot, trendy pair of boots, locals like to slide their feet into the best of the best when it comes to shoes.

There’s certainly no shortage of quality footwear at Monkees, the 2015 winner for Best Shoe Store.

Owner Deedee Shaw opened the store 20 years ago after seeing a void in Wilmington’s shoe scene. A former rep in the fashion industry, she’s honed a keen eye for stocking the store with the crème de la crème. From BCBG to Tory Burch, and from flats to sandals, boots heels, the boutique’s shelves a stocked with affordable, fashionforward finds. Folks can try on classic, timeless shoewear for one of Wilmington’s myriad galas, or adorn their foot with a funky, fun item for a night downtown.“[Our current trend is] shoes with woven and lace-up details, as well as color,” Shaw tells.

Social media has given Shaw the ability to announce deals and showcase their cutest inventory. As well, excellent customer service, provided by a fashion-savvy staff, ensures each shopper leaves feeling good about themselves and with a pair of shoes perfectly suited for them.

Folks can expect a plethora of deals, such event sales and giveaways, over throughout 2015, as the biz celebrates the big 2-0. It’s just one of the many ways Shaw and company say thank you to their patronage.

“Obviously, [winning] feels wonderful,” Shaw says. “We are in business to please our customers and it’s nice to know it’s working.”

Also cobbling up great deals in the Best

Shoe Store category are Coastal Kicks and Rack Room. —Christian Podgaysky

Food & Beverage CHEF

Hailing from Goldsboro, NC, James Doss has risen to local culinary fame within a quick three-year period in Wilmington.

Doss opened the Southern haven Rx Restaurant and Bar in the old Hall’s Drug Store building at the corner of 5th and Castle in 2012. By 2014, he had expanded and opened his second location, Pembroke’s, in the Forum Shopping Center, off Military Cutoff Road. Doss’ approach to the tastes of the South revolves around indigenous ingredients, all culled from locals.

“A daily changing menu is a concept derived from using what is at your hands, as we have great seafood and vegetables in Wilmington that allow for new ingredients everyday,” Doss tells of both eateries. “It’s a natural progression to keep inspired by area farmers and fishermen. Brainstorming starts with the ingredients and how to pair them texturally and flavor profiles to compose refined dishes.”

Doss’ mother and grandmother led by example in the kitchen in early life. They were outstanding Southern cooks, according to the chef. Time spent side-by-side in their kitchens have rooted many of Doss’ own twists on modern Southern cuisine, as tasted in items like butter bean hummus, roasted peanut and bacon mortadella, or cornbread clams casino. At Pembroke’s he utilizes cooking over an open flame in the wood fire oven.

“Pembroke’s already had a great space, with a wood grill and rotisserie,” he explains of the spacious open restaurant. “I thought it would bring out a different flavor and atmosphere.”

Doss sharpened his knife skills in Wilmington a decade ago when he worked as a line cook at Harvest Moon. He continued working under other great chefs and ended up at The Husk in Charleston, SC, working under celebrity chef Sean Brock, before returning to Wilmington to upstart his own restaurant. Purveying local foods is the mission of both Rx and Pembroke’s as Doss works with farmers like Cottle Organics, Black River Organic Farm, Red Beard, and others, while purveying fish from area markets like Mott’s Channel and Steve’s Seafood.

“I just try to do right by them and treat their ingredients with respect,” he says.

“I’ve seen other restaurants and home cooks jumping on this trend and think it is here to stay. Sharing food and ideas is the cornerstone of a strong community.”

Other chefs making the list include Catch’s Keith Rhodes and Michael Seafood’s Brandon Stark.

SALADS

It’s all about the farm to the plate at Henry’s casual American restaurant, located at 2508 Independence Boulevard. Chef Kathryn Irwin and her kitchen staff not only em-

phasize NC-grown ingredients in their daily Crate-to-Plate specials, they use them to maximize flavor in their salads. In fact, Henry’s is taking their first win for Best Salads in the Port City for 2015. “[We have a] commitment to fresh, local produce that has made Henry’s a stand out restaurant for salads,” Mindy Stroupe, brand manager, says.

And their salad menu is quite extensive and priced reasonably, from only $7.29 to $11.99. Diners can choose from a classic spinach salad, dressed with bacon, eggs, potatoes, mushrooms, tomatoes, and Kalamata olives, or a turkey Cobb, sliced steak over romaine, grilled seafood variety, plus barbecue chicken or ahi tuna. A taste of hearty freshness can be enjoyed in every bite of their harvest salad with blackened shrimp, served with mesclun greens with Danube blue cheese, candied pecans, red onions, seasonal fruit, and roasted red peppers.

Having opened in 1999, Henry’s focus always has been on serving top-notch food and offering superior quality, including careful attention to service. Currently, their staff goes above and beyond to ensure customers return. And if they can’t, sometimes the staff goes to them.

“Our bartender, Nancy, has even delivered food to guests that are sick and can’t leave their home,” Stroupe says. “That kind of service makes Henry’s a restaurant truly dedicated to its local community and clientele.”

Henry’s will be making changes in 2015 that will serve the community in its latest trend: craft beer. “We’re offering a rotating tap of North Carolina craft brews that have appealed to many of our guests,” Stroupe says. Plus, they’ll be undergoing renovations and launching a brand new seasonal menu this summer.

“Knowing that our locals support what we’re doing is an amazing compliment,” Stroupe notes. “In this industry we aim to please and being recognized for our efforts, especially our efforts to serve local produce from NC farmers, makes multiple trips to the farmer’s market worthwhile. Wilmington is the best city in North Carolina. We love serving our locals day in and day out.”

Other salads tossed onto our category include those served from Brasserie du Soleil and Rucker John’s.

BRUNCH

We have a debut category in 2015 which, quite frankly, we can’t believe it took so long to include in the Best Of game. Best Brunch hits the poll with Boca Bay basking in its glory as reader’s favorite Happy Mimosa Day! And they serve a mean mimosa, too.

Serving an all-you-can-eat buffet from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays, Boca Bay fancies up the tradition of eggs and bacon with white tablecloths and fine china. At less than $20 a person, they have a make-your-ownomelet station, where diners can concoct eggs, sausage and cheddar or veggies and Swiss. Boca Bay offers bagels and cream encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com 7

TOSSING UP THOSE WINS: Megan Henderson, from Henry’s Restaurant, and her guest happily accept their debut win for Best Salads on the encore Best Of poll, 2015. Photo by Blueberry Creative

cheese and lox, as well as eggs Benedict, Belgian waffles, hashbrowns, blintzes, and so much more. The spread suits all palates in Wilmington, young and old.

And if brunch isn’t your bag, their dinner menu will delight any day of the week. From starters like tuna tartare and ceviche to crab

dip and oysters Rockefeller, to a slew of sushi (which is half-price on Tuesdays)and raw bar items, their seafood offerings will sate any pescetarian. Plus, they do a prix-fixe every Sunday through Thursday evening for only $24.95, which includes a starter, entree and dessert.

They cater to parties with a hefty banquet menu, starting at $21.95 a person. And their nightly bar menu from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. runs $5 selections with oyster shooters at $2.

Located at 2025 Eastwood Road, Boca Bay offers outdoor seating, in a serene patio environment, and indoor dining, as well as a full bar (Wednesdays are half-price wine bottles).

Other brunches scrambling onto the reader’s poll are Rx Restaurant and Bar and The Basics.

DELI and ITALIAN

We couldn’t be happier to welcome a double win in 2015 for a Wilmington staple that’s been serving hungry diners since 1994. A Taste of Italy dominates the poll with their tasty fare, from piled-high rolls and wedges, stuffed with a pound of Boar’s Head meats or homemade chicken and tuna salad, to the best eggplant parmesan in Wilmington.

Tommy and Chris Guarino moved from New York to bring the authentic northerner deli experience to southeastern NC, using all original family recipes, passed down by their mother through numerous generations.

Their authentic taste is stamped on every sandwich, pasta dish, salad and side items, and cookies and pastries. They’re open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with weekend hours at 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Lines are found here especially during lunch, yet the efficiency of the staff keeps everyone moving through quickly and happily. Aside from daily specials, including pasta dishes like baked ziti or spaghetti and meatballs, the sandwiches are a mishmash of deliciousness—whether ordering fresh from the grill (go for their Philly cheese steak) or 8 encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com

from the saute (pasta aglio olio will not disappoint with mushrooms, black olives and pepperoni).

They also sell their meats and cheeses by the pound, as well as their deli case of side items, like macaroni salad, traditional pasta salad, potato salad, the best chicken salad in Wilmington, as well as homemade egg and tuna salads. You can even get cold dishes to go to take back to the family for an easy-peasy dinner option. Add a salad or homemade soup and dessert—don’t miss the tiramisu and double chocolate chip brownies—and it’s deliciously simple.

As if all the food served from A Taste of Italy (1101 South College Road) isn’t enough to entice, their extensive market of Italian items also make it easy to find great brands to create your own masterpieces at home.

From pasta to bread to sauces to olive oil to wine, they make shopping easy for your next meal.

Other delis on our list include Chop’s and Wayfarer, while Italian eateries that diners love to patron are Roko Italian Cuisine and Osteria Cicchetti.

INDIAN

Since 2010 T.J. and Simran Pama have operated Tandoori Bites in the old Wendy’s at 1620 S. College Road, located directly across from Hugh MacRae Park. Their fine cuisine—over 74 menu items, to be exact– ups the ante on Indian fare. Whether going for their lunch buffet to get a taste of everything (Monday - Friday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or Saturday - Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.) or dinner, don’t miss out on their samosas, no matter what! The veggie option is delightful,; a crispy turnover filled with seasoned potatoes and green peas. In fact, they have an extensive vegan and vegetarian menu so folks with dietary restrictions aren’t left out of the palate-pleasing equation.

Their homemade paneer (Indian cheese) tastes like square pockets of fluff, while the baingan bhartha is exactly as its name implies: bangin’! The eggplant comes baked, flamed and then sauteed with onions, garlic, ginger, and spices. For seafood lovers, the shrimp vindaloo, with potatoes in a rich, earthy red sauce, is the ticket. And what’s Indian dining without lamb? Their seekh kabab contains minced lamb, seasoned with onions, herbs and spices, baked in a tandoori oven.

Prices are super reasonable at Tandoori Bites, too, with nothing over $17.95, and kids meals ringing in at only $5.99. Just be sure to add their super spicy chile naan or rich, buttery garlic naan to your order to sop up the sauces served with every dish (cooked to your preference: mild, medium or spicy).

The dining area is eclectically enticing with colorful art work indicative of the far east, and jewels bedazzle the chandeliers, as rich wood accents a burnt sienna color permeating the establishment. Full ABC permits will cool off the spice factor to near perfection, and the extremely helpful staff will make you feel like a regular from the first visit onward.

Siaa also set readers’ tastebuds afire in

second place.

LATIN MEXICAN and TACOS

As their website states: “live. eat. surf.”

That wraps up the motto for K38 Baja Grill, which specializes in the baja flavors that merge when Mexican cuisine takes on California style. The K38 story starts with a group of friends who took a surf trip to Ensenada, Mexico, where they rode the waves and noshed on the best fish tacos they’d ever eaten. In 1993, they opened a restaurant in Wilmington, NC, that tips its hat to those memories.

Located at 5410 Oleander Drive, K38 not only takes Best Latin/Mexican Restaurant for the second year in a row, they’ve also solidified the first win of one of our new categories for 2015: Best Tacos. Wednesdays pack it out with $2 hard-shell tacos. The quirky space features surf videos across their TVs, and wood decorates the inside as if it’s a surf shack off the coast. Just last year, they renovated the space to include new tile work on their bar, where they serve their famed Wannabe ‘ritas, which are only $3 on Monday, as are their fish tacos. Thursdays is all about half-price Miller Lite drafts and select quesadillas, while Tuesdays offer half-price fajitas and dollar PBRs. Using chiles and spices from all across the Southwest and Mexico, they’re lengthy menu offers everything from fresh guacamole and Mexican street corn, to burritos and nachos, to their specialty rolls and wraps. Enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas, chile

rellenos, chimichangas...it’s all there, awaiting indulgence. And encore readers aren’t the only ones to take notice, either: Rolling Stone magazine reviewed it in ‘94 as “the place to go for Mexican food and drinks,” in Wilmington.

If the rock stars are doing, well, so should we!

Other Mexican/Latin eateries getting votes include El Cerro Grande and La Costa, while taco votes go to Islands and Las Olas, K38’s sister restaurant.

BURGERS and FRIES

P.T.’s Olde Fashioned Grille is quintessential Wilmington. It’s appealing to every walk of life who visits and lives here, whether a newbie college student, a retiree, a tourist on a week long beach vacation, or a hipster whose downtown street cred is as tight as his sleeve of tattoos. One of their six locations is within minutes of wherever you’re from, as customers who scribble their fave burgers, dogs, sandwiches, and such. Whether ordering a 4-ounce PT burger or their 8-ounce Olde Fashioned, a turkey or a roast beef sandwich, a black bean or a garden burger, chicken tenders or a grilled cheese, the flavors are always packed with a punch.

“The ‘fresh not frozen’ approach is the biggest thing that sets us apart from other restaurants,” Kent Williamson, general manager of the original P.T.’s on Fountain Drive, explains. “There are no freezers in any of

POINTED SUCCESS: The crowd records our funny hosts, Pineapple-Shaped Lamps, laugh through over 130 Best Of skits at the annual Best Of Party, which raised $7,200 for DREAMS of Wilmington on February 28. Photo by Blueberry Creative

our stores (except for the ice cream). The [Certified Angus] burgers are freshly ground, the chicken cut and marinated daily, and the potatoes are hand-cut before and during each shift. In addition to our fresh quality,

the ‘open’ kitchen helps to differentiate us from the competition. Customers (especially kids) love to watch the whole cooking process. “ And a sandwich at PT’s just isn’t complete without a pile of their hand-cut fries, doused in lemon pepper. Ask anyone who has ever ordered from there, and they’ll comment on the potato’s savory flavor. Add to the good food quick, efficient and friendly service, and it’s no wonder the restaurant continues to

Thank you readers of encore for voting us #1 for twelve straight years!

encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com 9

ly made pork and chicken and bursts with flavors. Folks can take the delicious treat home for only $3 a bottle so every night can feel like a night at Jackson’s.

As well, locals can grub on their savory BBQ potatoes and load up with sides of fried okra, fries, hushpuppies, and more.

A friendly waitstaff makes Jackson’s feel just like eating in Mama’s kitchen at home.

For those less keen on barbecue, they offer daily specials, like the chicken and pastry or a nice hot stew. Folks can top their meal off with chocolate pie, banana pudding or lemon pie. And, as with any right-minded Southern eatery, fresh brewed sweet tea is always flowing.

www.juliasflorist.com

THANK YOU READERS! for voting us BEST FLORIST 2015

WINE LIST

Serving Wilmington for over 25 years with flowers and gifts for all occasions: get well, new baby, anniversary, sympathy, or just because!

BURGER AND FRY SHAKEDOWN: Brandon Cheek of PT’s Grille poses with their wins for Best Burger and Best Fries categories on our 2015 reader’s poll. Photo

by Blueberry Creative

top our polls every year for three decades.

For those who can’t make it to a PT’s, have PT’s come to you! The launch of their new food truck, PT’s Grille Mobile, makes parties, corporate events, private functions, and even lunch at the office a bite better than ever. They sell their famed burgers, chicken sandwiches and fries onsite (reserve the food truck by emailing ptsgrillemobile@gmail.com).

Other burger grilling onto the poll are Five Guys Grill and Winnie’s Tavern, while Five Guys and Copper Penny secure votes for Best Fries. —Shea Carver

BARBECUE

900 S Kerr Ave • Wilmington, NC 28403 10 encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com

North Carolina never shies away from pulled-pork. With regional specialties galore, a certain pride takes hold of purveyors and diners alike. Once again encore’s Best Barbecue moniker was voted on by the public and awarded to Jackson’s Big Oak, located in midtown Wilmington on South Kerr Avenue.

For the culinary minds behind Jackson it’s all about tradition. Offering eat-in and take-out options, they revel in giving their customers the familiar tastes of childhood or exposing out-of-towners to the wondrous goodness that is Southern dining.

Their finger-lickin’ good house-prepped Eastern NC-style sauce has won locals over for years. It smothers their hot and delicate-

“For all of us at Wilmington Wine, the social aspect of wine was what brought us together,” Zak Kilson, manager of Wilmington Wine, says. “We have now been in operation for six years, and every day we wake up excited about sharing our knowledge, and love of the grape with the people of Wilmington.”

Wilmington Wine’s laid-back, friendly style, which rivals the traditionally thought of idea of snooty wine connoisseurs, secured them the spot for Best Wine List on the reader’s poll.

“We know how intimidating the subject of wine can be for people, and we want to provide a comfortable, friendly environment to all of our customers—whether it’s their first time in, or they are a regular,” Kilson elaborates.

Located in the Art and Antique District on Castle street, the local hub for lovers of nectar from the vine has been in operation for six years. From pinot noirs to cabernet sauvignons, red wines adorn their expansive list of wines, as well as a host of white wines, sweet wines and sparkling wines. For those less interested in tastes from the vine, they also carry beer and mixers for spirits.

Folks can enjoy their offerings through their exclusive Wine Club membership, which is available in four different levels.

The Collector, which costs $249 per month, will keep cellars stocked with two to three bottles of wine, information about the producers, personalized notes, and food pairing suggestions. The Connoisseur membership gives discounts, three premium bottles, personalized tasting notes, food pairing suggestions, and a intimate knowledge about grapes to guide the palate through their vast array of wines—all for $149 per month.

Less expensive options include The Explorer ($79) and The Student ($39).

As well, they have been involved with the Wilmington Wine and Food Festival for three years now. This year it will be at Bellamy Mansion on May 1 through 3.

“It’s a special time in Wilmington for all things food and beverage, and we feel fortunate to live in such a great little city,” Kilson says.

So many developments in the wine industry are trending right now, Kilson finds it difficult to even count. Well-made, hands-on wines have completely changed the idea of quality over quantity for wineries across the globe.

“If there is any one thing that is trending, it’s that we (arguably) live in the best time to drink wine,” Kilson quips. “To that we say, ‘Cheers!’”

For the team at Wilmington Wine, ties to the community run deep. Their work with the nonprofits and organizations that dot the area is just part of their life-blood as a business.

“Our hope is that we continue to be a boon to the community at large in a capacity that extends beyond our walls,” Kilson says.

“We love our customers, and appreciate the recognition. There are certainly a number of very well curated wine lists in Wilmington, and we’re honored to be mentioned in their company, let alone win the award.”

Also stomping grapes in the category are The Fortunate Glass and Circa 1922.

OUTDOOR DINING

The peaceful sound of wind, chiming along the Intracoastal Waterway, and a healthy dose of seafood make a perfect summer afternoon in Wilmington. Wilmingtonians have taken notice and once again decreed Bluewater Waterfront Grill Best Outdoor Dining in the 2015 reader’s poll.

The local eatery began opened in 2000, but it wasn’t until Lou Moshakos took the reins that renovations began to make Bluewater’s outdoor dining patio a perfect oasis for Wilmington diners. Since, the seafood haven has been working overtime to keep up their scenic reputation.

“We are the only restaurant on the waterway in which guests have a direct view of the sunset,” Mindy Stroupe, Bluewater’s brand manager, says. We have made the commitment to making our restaurant warm & inviting for locals and tourists alike. Bluewater is the perfect place to come and relax and enjoy a wonderful meal and superior service.”

As well, a quality waitstaff keeps diners happy; though the view is plenty to chew on, a restaurant is only as good as its dedicated employees. Drinks are always filled to the brim, and the staff ensures the coveted outdoor tables are cleaned in a prompt manner to keep wait times down. The freshest seafood and meats available are sourced, too, creating meals just as memorable as the sun’s disappearance beyond the horizon.

Their view has attracted more than just diners. “We continue to be a preferred venue for events,” Stroupe says. “[Whether it’s ]weddings, corporate meetings, galas, reunions, people love celebrating with us. We have great private event spaces and have been consistently booking more and more events.”

Likewise, Bluewater gives back to the Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach communities. After all, where would they be without a host of local yokel supporters. From weekly bridge clubs, to rotary meetings, to participation in the Azalea Festival and Wilmington Fashion Week, Bluewater revels in its ability to take part in local culture.

Come 2015, there will be updates to their menu and banquet offerings, as they continue to strive to be the best. “Continuing to win Best Outdoor Dining reinforces that the resources, time and energy we put into creating a tranquil outdoor dining space and bar at Bluewater was worth the investment,” Stroupe says.

Offering beautiful views in the second and third spot are Indochine and Dockside.

CHINESE RESTAURANT

Cultural fare has long been a part of the American culinary scene. Curious diners are always looking for that authentic taste from around the world. For Chinese food, Wilmingtonians have spoken and crowned Szechuan 132 as Best Chinese Restaurant.

With 26 years in the food industry, Szechuan 132 owner Joseph H. Hou maintains its always a joy to open his kitchen in the morning. “The restaurant is no longer our (my wife, Sally) working place: It is our good hang out place now,” he says. “The place we share fun, joy, and gratification with our customers and our restaurant family. We are the artists in our own little fun world. We “wok” and roll with different ingredients in the kitchen every day to create something that we can showcase to the world with pride.“ Their menu comes complete with a variety of authentic dishes. Their pineapple chicken comes with a kick, as the chicken is marinated and placed into a stir-fry, complete with a spicy sauce. It perfectly blends the sweet and spicy, making for a lively experience for the palate. Likewise, their rosemary lamb is combined with fresh-market seasonal veggies, while the Cape Fear Treasure offers an array of seafood. Locally sourced meat and seafood, derived from environmentally-sustainable methods, always remains a trend the eatery adheres to. They also have been focusing on children’s nutrition and glutenfree products.

Hospitality takes precedence for Hou and his team, both in-store and outside through the various nonprofits they are involved in.

“Besides business, we as human beings have a duty and responsibility to serve others,” he comments. “My favorite quote is, ‘Even the most introverted individual can influence ten thousand others during his or her lifetime, provided that he or she settles with the attitude to serve and not to be served.’

That is because giving and serving are the highest levels of living. Whether it’s spending more time with your family, developing an employee who shows potential, or helping people in the community, it is what services you can do for others. Our dedication and commitment to serving others is what makes Szechuan 132 superior.”

MAN WITH THE GOLDEN WIN: The lovely Joseph Hou accepts another win for his 26-year-old restaurant, Szechuan 132, which takes Best Chinese again in the Port City. Photo by Blueberry Creative

Their food isn’t the only thing fresh about Szechuan 132; they also have kept their digs evolving over their 26-year history. From moving the dining room to small changes with decor and lighting, they always strive to keep an aura to complement their noteworthy fare.

• • • • • •

“The little changes are undeniably worth every penny of our effort,” Hou states. “Of course, there are constant day-to-day problems that need to be rectified and fixed. We are constantly assessing what we are doing right and what we are doing wrong.”

It’s an attitude like this that earned them their coveted moniker this year. “We are very grateful for the recognition we have received for our work because we are very sure that every other nominee for this award was just as deserving of this award,” Hou says. “As we all know, there are no busi-

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FAST FOOD

IN FRONT OF THE LENS: Adam Gilber, co-owner of Blueberry Creative with Austin Stinson, provided their phenomenal services capturing all pictures at the encore Best Of Back to the ‘80’s awards party at Brooklyn Arts Center on February 28, to benefit DREAMS of Wilmington.

nesses in the world without its hurdles. We are no exception. We face challenges, obstacles, and mistakes along the way, but each setback has only strengthened us and helped to make us a better restaurateur and

better people. This award could not have been achieved without the inspiration, help, and support of our friends, family, and community. The support we have been given drives our strength to challenge ourselves to work harder and excel every day. This award belongs to our friends, family, and our community.”

Double Happiness and Lucky Star round out the category.

12 encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com

With numerous locations in the Port City (Monkey Junction, Mayfaire, Oleander, Market, and UNCW), Chick-fil-a’s iconic chicken has prevailed as the recipient of Best Fast Food. Their pickle-fried chicken sandwich sate the hunger of locals on-thego, and their sweet tea is nothing to scoff at either.

The quick eatery boasts a menu full of breakfast items and lunch and dinner items.

For those inclined to guard their health, freshly made wraps and salads also adorn the menu, offering a lighter option. As well, their milkshakes fulfill everyone’s sweettooth hankerings. Not to mention, their cow mascot is just so darn adorable.

Lines wrap Chick-fil-a’s drive-thru, but service never slows due to volume, thanks to a dedicated staff. Making the customer and community at-large happy tops the restaurant’s list of priorities. Several locations offer backstage kitchen tours on Monday, which gives diners a glimpse of how the magic is made. They also offer party-planning options for kids’ birthdays and such.

Likewise, Chick-fil-a is involved with numerous charity events and givebacks throughout the year. Folks involved with local organizations can check out their website in order to get information about give-back nights, that donate a portion of the restaurants proceeds to nonprofits. They offer a Business of the Day option, too, wherein local companies can sign up to potentially

win free lunch. Chick-fil-a has evolved to be more than just a national chain; it takes pride in becoming involved with each community it is a part of.

Serving up quick eats in the number two and three spot are Cookout and Taco Bell.

Arts, Media, and Entertainment KARAOKE

Seven nights a week the stage at Browncoat Pub and Theatre, which routinely comes alive with theatre openings and various mentalist performers, hosts locals as they put their singing chops, or lack thereof, to the test. Hosted by the one and only Aaron Moody (a.k.a. Captain Karaoke), their nightly event has landed them Best Place For Karaoke in the reader’s poll for several years now.

“The most unique aspect of karaoke at the Browncoat is our passion,” Richard Davis, owner of Browncoat, tells. “We go all in to create an amazing experience. That carries over to our regulars and new people alike. Where else can you sing karaoke on a real stage with real theatrical lighting and stadium seating for your audience. You’re a star when you sing at the Browncoat.”

Aside from their A-list treatment of karaoke singers, they also provide a platform for local, original theatre productions and upand-coming directors and actors to get their

footing. The unsung artist truly is the hero at Browncoat, and they incorporate ways to give back and expose locals to artistry any chance they get.

This deep devotion to the community came back sevenfold over the past year when Davis’ wife became ill with Stage 4 IgA Nephropathy. As Davis was preoccupied with his familial obligations, a noteworthy staff and a sea of local support stepped up to the plate and ensured this artists’ haven continued to thrive.

“I’ll steal my favorite quote from my favorite film, ‘Serenity: ’Love keeps her flying when she ought to fall down.’ Davis says.

“The way these amazing people reacted when my wife fell ill was both uplifting and humbling. It showed me that I wasn’t alone and that I hadn’t screwed everything up.

These people showed that they were my closest friends and family. We love and support each other not in spite of our flaws but because of them. Like the perpetually leaky roof at the Browncoat, our flaws add some Wabi Sabi to the vibe. I’m forever grateful to these folks. I’m so glad we’re part of this insane idea together. That goes for anyone past present or future who puts their mark on the Browncoat. Every person who comes through her doors changes her forever for the better.”

Looking toward 2015, Browncoat will continue to put on the ritz for theatre productions, entertainers and karaoke-loving locals, as a new batch of staff members take the reins. Richard Blaylock takes on the role of technical director, Nick Smith has become the new assistant artistic director, and Besse Rawtisch and Samantha Aviles have stepped in to oversee the box office.

“Some really amazing people have stepped up and taken ownership of many things that have made the Browncoat special,” Davis says. “For too long it was one person’s vision and we suffered for it. Moving forward it will reflect the ideas and efforts of more people who share the love and passion for what we do. Their energy will shape the Browncoat in ways I can’t even imagine right now. All I know for sure is that we’re so much stronger together.”

Likewise, adding in a “geek chic” theme, full of “Game of Thrones,” Star Wars,” “Doctor Who” imagery, has taken hold of the back bar. They also ha backstage reno-

STAGED FOR A WIN: Lexi Wehunt, PSL member and Browncoat bartender, poses as Browncoat scores Best Place for Karaoke yet again. Photo by Blueberry Creative.

vations slated for 2015.

Katy’s Bar and Grill and Silver Dollar also were given props in the number two and three spot as Best Place For Karaoke.

WEBSITE

“How to you balance what people need to know with what people want to know?”

That’s the question Caroline Curran and the dedicated staff at Hometown Wilmington Media’s Port City Daily, winner of Best Local Website, ask themselves every day.

Hot-button topics and local issues and successes adorn the website’s home page.

Their parent company, Local Voice, hit the world wide web in 2008, when president Tom Davis noticed the lack of trust in the local newspapers of Williamsburg, Virginia.

This seemingly stemmed from the slant caused by the staff member’s opinions. Consequently, Port City Daily has maintained their fair, accurate, balanced, and accountable information for their two and a half years in operation.

“We have to cover city council, boards of education and county commissioners meetings, but we also love to write feature

stories about the people who work, live and play here,” Curran says. “I find that’s what people respond to most [is] features about the great people who live right here in Wilmington.”

The free online publication allows readers to peruse with ease throughout their website, with a well-archived plethora of great reads. As well, they offer free obituaries (a rarity in their field). It also only has articles that are local-based, ensuring every piece is pertinent to the Wilmington browser, all of

which can be accessed at www.portcitydaily. com.

“There’s no AP or wire content,” Curran details. “We think you can get that anywhere. We want to tell you what happening right here in your community. We’re here to provide a service to our community and we feel we do that very well. There’s also the radio aspect: You can hear us on your favorite local stations 98.3 The Penguin and The Dude 106.3 and 93.7 FM.” Beginning in 2013, they began doing broadcast updates from their calendar, The Scene, which greatly increased the amount of people submitting events. Last year they added a Thursday roundup that makes viewing the local happenings for the upcoming week viewable in a convenient manner of their website.

Advancing the work they’ve already done, this year they aim to add two new reports.

They also are looking to increase their transparency through educating the masses on how to comment and spark a discussion.

In an effort to give back to the community that supports them, they began company-wide volunteer days in 2015, wherein employees donate their labor to nonprofits.

Likewise, they work with nonprofits with budget restrictions on advertising.

“My favorite compliment, which also happens to be the one I receive most, is when people tell me how much they love PortCityDaily.com because the news is fair and thorough,” Curran concludes. “To be honored with encore’s “Best Of” award for the

THANK YOU WILMINGTON! Great Burgers and Hand-cut Fries

Voted “Best Burger” and “Best Fries”

6 Locations in the Cape Fear Established 1990

www.ptsgrille.com encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com 13

FILMIE OF THE YEAR: Filmmaker Brannigan Carter topped our poll for Best Filmmaker, thanks to his work, including “TwoEleven,” which was nomoinated as Best Film. Photo by Blueberry Creative.

second year in a row is truly a great honor.”

Attracting web traffic in the second and third spot are www.encorepub.com and wblivesurf.com.

LOCAL BAND/PERFORMER

The South comes laden with a vast, rich sonic history. The tranquil shores of Southeastern North Carolina have certainly not been immune to its fair share of musicality.

Armed with guitars, drums, upright base, and an affinity toward all things Americana and bluegrass, Wilmington’s own L Shape Lot has swooned local listeners enough to become top dog as Best Local Band/Performer in 2015 after duking it out onstage at the

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encore Best of Party with The Midatlantic.

“It feels great to be recognized by your local community, especially with the amount of talent we have in our area,” acoustic guitar player and vocalist Eric Miller details. “We have received so much support over the years and couldn’t have accomplished half of what we’ve done without the support of others. We are more grateful than we can express with words.”

Comprising Miller, Alex Lanier (electric, acoustic guitar, vocals) Rick Williams ( 6 string electric bass, upright bass, vocals) and John Kovalski (drums, vocals), the band got its start over a decade ago. Their sound routinely can be heard permeating the various venues located in Wilmington, as L Shape Lot’s sound layers high-energy country that invites audiences to put their feet to use. As well, they’ve participated in a number of fundraisers over their years; their roots in the community run as deep as their bluegrass roots.

“We have seen the community come together some many times over our 14 years, it’s hard to keep count,” Miller says. We have always been honored when we are asked to participate in any kind of event that can help others. It would be hard to list them all we have done over the years, as they range from huge fundraisers, to backyards events just to help a friend. With all the support we’ve gotten over the years, we jump at the chance to pay it back when we can.”

Since forming, they’ve released seven recordings (as a troupe and a duo), received the coveted “e” award in 2011, and earned mention in Beat Magazine as Best Country Band. As well, they’ve performed as part of the Under the Radar Series at Virginia’s Floydfest.

In 2014 they got to perform on the main stage at Rooster Walk in Martinsville, VA, as well as the main stage at Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion in Tennessee. “We got to hang with Sturgil Simpson backstage,” Miller enthuses.

However, their most cherished memory from 2014 has to be their send-off of member John Kovlaski. The longtime percussionist decided to step down in an effort to free up more time. He performed a farewell show with the band at the Brooklyn Art Center on December 19.

“Even though it was bidding him farewell, it was one of the best shows we have ever had,” Miller tells. “You could feel the love in that room.”

Turning toward 2015, the band intends to continue working on new material and continuing to tour the area. They currently are focusing on filling their lineup, but until they feel like they’re in a position to make a decision about a permanent percussionist, their shows will feature revolving members.

The Midatlantic and Machine Gun also received votes in the Best Local Band/Performer category.

LOCAL ARTIST

Chosen as the 2013 Azalea Festival featured artist, local artist Elizabeth Singletary’s collage work has spoken to the

hearts of many Wilmingtonians. Her piece comprised three large azalea flowers and the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly, ushering even more color into the already vibrant spring street fair. Her flair for cheerful, upbeat imagery has earned her the title in encore’s reader’s poll as the 2015 Best Local Artist.

“I chose to do [the piece] because I am always amazed when the azaleas bloom every year,” Singletary illuminates. “The piece could be anywhere, even my backyard!”

Utilizing magazine clippings to render her work, she’s always loved working with paper, but she only began honing her skills three years ago. Collage artistry came naturally to the young talent, and has made its way into locales like the Fisherman’s Wife, Urban Revival a South Carolina Gallery. Her collages are so seamlessly prepped they look like paintings; the gathered photos combine to make an image that seems impossible to create out of the tiny clippings. She also dabbles in commissioned work. “[I am] so thankful for all the wonderful people in the community that have encouraged and supported me throughout this journey,” Singletary professes. “[It’s] a great reminder that if you dream it you can achieve it if you stay positive and work hard. [I am] so very honored!”

She will have a show at WHQR, which was the first place she ever showed with a collection she created with Penny Ames entitled “Outside,” come May, and with such an optimistic, compassionate heart, she always takes to thank the forces behind her work and give back. She’s done pieces to benefit cystic fibrosis, juvenile diabetes, and sea turtle rescue efforts.

“I like to give back to the community because I feel like God has given me a gift and blessed me beyond words,” Singletary says.

“I donate live auction items to charities close to my heart. I also always donate to silent auctions. One day I would like to write big checks, but for now, this is my way of giving back! A reminder that we all can give in different ways.”

In 2015 she plans to take her skills beyond Wilmington city limits and hold more out-oftown shows. “Being chosen as the encore Best Local Artist was an incredible feeling,” Singletary says. “I look at my plaque and still am amazed that three years ago I was just starting this.”

Also wowing locals in the Best Local Artist are Grey Pascal and Robbie Kass.

FILMMAKER

For Best Local Filmmaker Brannigan Carter, staging and shooting one-shot sketch comedy movies with GI Joes was an impetus for a cinematic career that’s just beginning.

Winning the “e” marks Carter’s first win as a filmmaker, though he’s been nominated for a plethora of awards.

Carter’s film career is guided by a fearless knack for taking risks: He shot, wrote, directed, and acted in a full-length feature film before even attending a single film class. As well, he self-financed it and made it for only $1,000.

“People thought I was crazy, but I did it,” Carter quips. “And I kind of did it just for fun.

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That’s what catapulted me in the film community here.”

Carter also has another feature, “TwoEleven,” to his credit. The film was nominated as Best Independent Film in encore’s 2015 reader’s poll. With Carter serving as cinematographer, the film cost $3,000 to make, but due to its sleekness and Carter’s skill with the camera, folks thought it was undertaken with a whopping several hundred thousand dollar budget.

“It’s a huge compliment when people say you lie about a tiny budget,” Carter says. “I’ll say this as a cinematographer: It’s my job to make everyone else look good. If you’re an actor, I’m supposed to make you seem better than George Clooney. If you’re a director, I’m supposed to make it look like you’re the next Spielberg. And that’s my mindset. If I’m not making everyone else’s face light up when they see the frame on set, I’m not doing my job right.”

Carter quips that it’s always refreshing to see an actor update their social-media accounts to include frames he’s shot. While much of his job is fun and games and fulfilling his life’s passion, life’s restriction prove a huge challenge. Money is one of the biggest, and like all burgeoning filmmakers, Carter strives to make best with small budgets. It not only impedes upon his ability to stage and shoot the film, it also generates issues when trying to find crew—most people want fiscal compensation. Luckily, Wilmington is fully stocked with a sea of locals willing to put their talents on the table for little to no money.

Despite the struggles, Carter’s resilient nature allows him to push through the hardships of the “starving artists” and continue working toward his goals.

With one class between Carter and finishing up his film studies at CFCC, he looks toward the future. Obviously, an onslaught of local, independent productions are in his fortune, but he also hopes to impart his wisdom to young, hungry minds by becoming a film professor.

“I think I have a different way of thinking when it comes to this profession, and my ‘philosophies’ and practices could probably come in handy for the next generation of independent filmmakers,” Carter states.

artistry at its finest: Elizabeth Singletary (cradling her award) and her crew are all smiles for her debut win as Best Artist on our reader’s poll in 2015.

Photo by Blueberry Creative.

As well, Carter hopes to be inducted into the American Society of Cinematographers, which he claims is even bigger than an Oscar win for him.

“I like to stay busy and each finished film for me is a milestone,” Carter reports. “I get better with each project.”

Also getting “reel” in the Best Local Filmmaker are Nakia Hamilton and Kenny Martell.

—Christian Podgaysky

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news > live local

“H

Live Local Live Small:

ey, Darlin’. I’m having a beer at Cape Fear Wine and Beer. Can I call you back in

an hour?”

“Uhm, I’m going to be with Amy Tan then, so can we touch base in a little bit?”

“Wow! So this is sounding better than you expected. You must be ecstatic!” Jock gushed.

“Well between the dehydration, time change, lack of sleep, hunger and disorientation of the celebrity, it is kind of like an acid trip with all your favorite literary heroes.”

“OK…” Jock chuckled and we agreed we would chat at some point that day. “I love you.”

“Love you, too. Be safe.”

I was in Tucson, AZ, for some business I had to take care of, and my Aunt Sara

had offered to put me up. When we made arrangements for the trip, she commented I would be there during the Tucson Festival of Books. “I’m a sponsor,” she commented offhandedly. “So we’ll do that when you’re here.”

I was expecting something like a cross between the Friends of the Library Book Sale and the Literacy Council Gala. What I found was the Azalea Festival if everything was geared toward books, reading and knowledge.

Since it launched in 2009, the Tucson Festival of Books has raised well over a million dollars for literacy programs in their area. It is an area with a tremendous disparity of wealth that is shockingly apparent as you drive through the city and its environs. Almost a fifth of the Arizona population doesn’t have a high-school diploma or equivalent.

Could a book festival like the one found in Tucson, AZ, help our local economy?

By: Gwenyfar rohler

Above: A glance at the Tucson Festival of Books. Photo by James S. Wood, Tucson Festival of Books​ 16 encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com

The festival launched in 2009 after two years of planning, and in many ways, was modeled after the L.A. Book Festival. That first year they brought 450 authors, close to 50,000 regional visitors and pulled it off with the help of around 800 volunteers.

Since it has grown to over 130,000 visitors from all over country (truly I met people from Wilmington, Virginia, Maine, and Oregon) they are attracted by many factors not the least of which is the headliners, which this year included Amy Tan, Greg Iles, Mitch Albom, Mary Karr, Joyce Carol Oates, Noam Chomsky, Alice Hoffman, Ja Jance, and more than we have space to name here. Truly, they bring in the rock stars of the writing world—I mean literally. If you read Stephen King’s book “On Writing,” it opens with him recounting the creation of a band composed of published authors that formed the garage band of his dreams for a book festival: “The Rock Bottom Remainders.” They still reunite to play various literary-themed gigs and play a mix of covers that appeal to rich, old white people reliving their adolescence and some parodies they have put together (“I’m a best-seller baby/ Shakespeare’s got nothing on me” and “Fifty shade of grey? We got 100 shades of Tan!”) I have to admit: For a book geek like me, it is a dream come true to see all these people onstage together and enjoy the energy they bring to the room even if they

really can’t sing. I guess I am just spoiled by the stunning talent I get to see perform every week in musical theatre there, but they truly are a draw. The festival currently is estimated to bring over $3 million to the Tucson economy for lodging, food, transportation, and gifts. (Truth time: I went a little over board with book buying and signing while I was out there.) But financial benefits aside, the website is quick to point out “Because the festival is provided free of charge, the greater Tucson community benefits from the celebration of the written word each March.”

Besides the big-name authors, it boasts many up-and-coming writers, as well as beginning writers. The street fair is like the Azalea Festival street fair except all the booths have literary themes. Even the C-SPAN Book TV Bus is there. Food vendors, booksellers, children’s theatre performers, and the Science City area are just a smattering of the offerings. It is total sensory overload, geared toward knowledge.

We have several festivals in the area that are important to our local economy, the Azalea Festival is coming up, Cucalorus—our internationally recognized independent-film festival—is another, and the impact on our economy from both these and the smaller events is essential for our survival. But I wonder: At a time when education is clearly under attack in

our state and our local economy is trying to find it’s footing and direction for the future, could we put together something like this? Surely Cape Fear Literacy Council and our GED programs could use an infusion of a million dollars in funding. But on a larger level, as a community, could we not benefit from an annual event that shines such a light on the power of words, ideas and thought?

A few years ago, a couple visiting from Idaho walked into my bookstore, and after speaking with me for a few minutes, the husband commented it was a shock to find someone intelligent and well-read in North Carolina. Because, you know, that’s not what you expect here. I responded that I was glad to know he found Carl Sandburg, Thomas Woolf, David Sedaris and Maya Angelou to be illiterate. He finally cut me off and said some more insulting things as I continued to list accomplished literary figures from our state. Would an infusion of $3 million dollars of tourism not help, especially now that we are starting to feel the pinch of losing the film industry? It would be like the Azalea Festival. With the multiple performance venues set up, the Tucson Festival of Books has musicians and dancers preforming throughout the weekend, as well as a plethora of activities geared toward children and families.

That’s important because there are also a lot of events aimed at adults, and there

needs to be areas where adult discussion about freedom of speech, pollution, race, gender, and more can take place. It is these venues that create an opportunity for discussions like these that plant seeds to make growth and change possible in a society.

In a community that has the vibrant literary scene we do and a state with such a distinguished literary history, we could offer something like this to not only our community but to the country. Tucson literally attracts people from all over the U.S. to come participate. Why should people be traveling from here to there when we could bring them the same thing here, and have them investing and spending their money on improving our community here?

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stability, and a mixture of the types ensures cockroaches’ legendary survivability. A Mother Nature News commentator wrote, hopefully, that understanding roaches’ personalities might make us “less quick” to “grab a shoe.”

The Continuing Crisis -- The trendy St. Pauli neighborhood in historic Hamburg, Germany, suffers its share of uncouth revelers who wander out from nightclubs seeking restroom facilities but too often choose walls of storefronts and private homes, reported London’s The Guardian in a March dispatch. The solution, according to the civic group IG St. Pauli: paint jobs with an “intensely hydrophobic” product known as Ultra-Ever Dry,” which somewhat propels liquid aimed at it right back toward the source by creating an air barrier on the surface. In other words, said an IG St. Pauli official, it’s “pee back” time, and shoes and trouser legs should expect splashes.

-- We have “139 frogs, toads, lizards, turtles,” Ms. Thayer Cuter told Seattle’s MyNorthwest.com in March, touting her

Edmonds, Washington, amphibian rescue shop, especially the heroic job done recently on Rocky, the Texas toad who came with stones in his tummy. “He had to have a lot of enemas (but) Rocky is rock-free now” and, after passing all the pebbles, is finally able to eat. Added Cuter, turtles are underrated pets, “very social” and love massages and “cuddl(ing).”

-- The Job of the Researcher: Cockroaches can be bold explorers or shy and withdrawn, according to recent work by researchers at Belgium’s Universite Libre de Bruxelles, who caught a bunch of them, affixed radio tags and studied their movements. “Explorers” are necessary for locating food sources, although, obviously, they are also most likely to find Roach Motels; “shy, cautious” roaches are necessary for survival and group

Can’t Possibly Be True -- Ranson IB Middle School in Charlotte, North Carolina, has a strict dress code (requiring, for example, only “hunter green” outerwear). Thus, on Jan. 27, when parent Chanda Spates dispatched her three kids in improperly hued coats, Ranson officials confiscated the “contraband” clothing, leaving the three (along with 20 other sartorial miscreants) to make their way home after classes with no outerwear at all -- though the temperature that afternoon was in the 30s.

(Following parental outrage, the administrators apologized.)

-- A female teacher working for the Arizona Department of Corrections was brutally assaulted in prison by a sexual predator and has sued the department, but in February the state attorney general’s office, contesting the lawsuit, told the judge, basically, that the teacher understood all along that she could get attacked in prison. She was administering inmates a GED exam, but that day had no guard support, not even one to hear her screams, and was given an emergency radio tuned to an unmonitored frequency.

Nonetheless, Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Weisbard essentially shrugged: “The risk of harm, including assault, always exist(s) at a prison like Eyman.”

Compelling Explanations Clueless in Florida’s Panhandle: (1) Debra Mason, 58, was arrested for theft of a pickup truck in Destin, Florida, in January -- and according to police, Mason said she knew it was stolen property but “didn’t think it was ‘that’ stolen.” (2) Ten miles away in Mary Esther, Florida, in February, Robert Pursley, 54, was arrested for DUI and was asked about items in his truck. According to the police report, Pursley insisted that everything was

his -- “except for anything illegal.” A baggie of cocaine was in the truck’s center console.

U-S-A! U-S-A! -- Americans Abroad: (1) American sisters Lindsey, 22, and Leslie Adams, 20, were convicted, fined and deported by Cambodia’s Siem Reap Court in February after taking several nude photos of each other at the Preah Khan temple, apparently for their social media “friends.” The Angkor Archaeological Park, where the temple is located, is reportedly the world’s largest religious monument. (2) Two other American women were arrested in March for carving 8-inch initials into a wall at Rome’s ancient Colosseum and then snapping selfies for their friends.

-- Recurring Theme: Among the most recent lives ruined by badly botched prosecutions: (1) Joseph Sledge, now 70, was released from prison in North Carolina in January after wrongly serving 36 years for a double murder; hair samples (revealing another man’s DNA), long thought to be lost, were discovered in a court clerk’s storage room. (2) Kirk Odom, 52, served 22 years after his wrongful Washington, D.C., conviction for rape and robbery; a court in February awarded him $9.2 million in compensation, but on the other hand, after several prison rapes, he had contracted HIV. (Odom is one of several D.C. men convicted of rape or murder based on erroneous analysis by an “elite” FBI hair-analysis unit.)

Least Competent Criminals Not Ready for Prime Time: (1) Tyler Lankford, 21, attempting a robbery of Minerva’s Bakery in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, in January, committed (according to police) the rookie mistake of laying his gun on the counter so he could pick up the money with both hands. The clerk grabbed the gun, and Lankford fled but was arrested in March. (2) There are expert counterfeiters, and then there is Cass Alder, 22, convicted by a court in Canada’s Prince Edward Island of trying to pass $100 bills that had been printed on napkins but affixed by Alder onto thicker paper.

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Road Weary:

news > op-ed

An outside perspective of NC By: Mark Basquill

L

ast week I drove to Fayetteville with a colleague, for a training to stay up-to-date in our mental health profession. Along the way, I got a chance to admire some low-country deforestation just off Route 87. As far as I know, the trees are coming down so that a pellet plant can make fuel pellets and ship ‘em off to Europe, as it transitions from fossil fuel. If we had local investigative journalism, this might be something to look into. But with the Star News firing quality folks left and right, that’s unlikely. All politics may be local, but the news is being Google-ized and globalized.

Instead of admiring the pines, Terry and I talked the whole tiring drive. We’re both gray, so we were not at all uncomfortable with this arrangement. We’re used to talking without using our thumbs.

Terry was lured to NC around the time of President Obama’s first election by the promise of stable purposeful employment, progressive education, (apparently) progressive politics, and the fantastic climate.

He was frustrated that in this right-to-work state, he and several other professionals were arbitrarily let go after a little while, just because. Terry’s well-educated, highly skilled, works hard, and has other unearned advantages, so he found work relatively quickly. But he was still disappointed at being recruited like a hedge-fund manager, and let go without a thought. He has not been disappointed by the climate.

Terry asked a lot questions on local matters other than the climate: “Do people really feel safer here sitting at the Burrito Barn across from a table of four young men with holstered Glock’s? Why do so many drivers love playing chicken? Why the number of suicide-turns on local roads and no public transit? Why are so many people proud they voted against their economic interests in the last state elections? Why have community health and mental health, public education, and most investments in a sustainable future been defunded? And why the reflexive rejection of anything Obama, particularly Obamacare?”

Terry also noted that in his dealings with locally bred professionals, alongside genuine welcoming kindness, he sometimes detects something else. “It’s like I get the hairy eyeball. Like why are you down here, anyway?” The hairy eyeball especially gets going when he pals around with an electrical engineer friend who happens to

be black.

It felt good to be listening to these questions instead of asking them. I told Terry people I found people here are as loving and foolish as people everywhere else, and I loved it here. I then steered the conversation back to the climate, which is marvelous here. Winter’s cool but not cold.

Summer’s warm, but not too hot. It was a glorious spring day, and our Carolina blue sky covers just about all our sins.

Terry went silent, and I felt the hairy eyeball thing. “OK,” I said. “I’ve only been here 20 years, but here’s what I got.”

With growing fatigue, I explained we vote values no matter what the cost. Burritos or not, we’re comfortable carrying to church on Sunday. (Not Wednesday night; those small discussion groups can get a little testy.) Jesus built the first internal combustion engine. WWJD means “What Would Jesus Drive?” Everybody knows Jesus would drive a big, honking pick-up, with gun rack in back and four PVC pipes in front, so he and his pal Jim Crow can fish. Jesus would never take the bus because public transit, public health, public education, and public anything are the work of the devil, as are labor unions and Obamacare. Even though the Affordable Care Act has helped over 15 million people get insurance, unemployment is 5.5 percent, the stock market is setting all sorts of records—suggesting that at least wealthy Carolinians should be singing his praises, President Obama is clearly the worst president ever—and that assessment is not about race. The Civil War, 1898 Revolt, Wilmington 10, and opposition to civil rights were all minor aberrations in an otherwise affectionate and righteous relationship between all races, colors and creeds.

Terry and I both sighed—satisfied with Carolina, with our career choices in the helping professions, and tired after a long ride. I guess if we get road-weary enough, we could quit speaking out for better education, social and economic justice, against racism, and go back to being welleducated white guys with health insurance and jobs. But we’ll keep going, knowing that not every road-weary traveler has that freedom of choice.

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arts > music

I

Making Waves With Intense Raes

n a roar of harmonies that hit with the force of a jet engine, Delta Rae brings intensity to their music in the best way possible. Heavy distortions merge with acoustic guitar, piano and drums, as four of the band’s six members unite their voices to create a hip-hop, rock ‘n’ roll sound all their own. Debuting songs off their upcoming release, “After It All,” and with a new violinist accompanying them onstage, Delta Rae will kick off their tour right here in Wilmington at the Brooklyn Arts Center, Thursday, March 26.

“We’re going to have a brand new show for those who come out for the concert,” Grant Emerson, upright bassist for Delta Rae and graduate from UNCW, says. “We’ve been working on a lot of new stuff.”

Siblings Ian, Eric and Brittany Hölljes first started the band with old friend Elizabeth Hopkins in 2009. The brothers wrote song lyrics, and the girls used their powerful, old-soul voices to create the band’s sound. It wasn’t until 2010 that Emerson and drummer Mike McKee joined to make it what it is today.

“I met the band through Mike,” Emerson tells. “I knew Mike and had played with him in all sorts of bands—from jazz to rock. We played anything and everything we could. Then Mike met Eric and introduced me to him and the rest of Delta Rae, and things just went from there.”

Delta Rae played its first show as a six-person band at Capital Ale house in Richmond, Virginia. From there they toured and honed their collective abilities at live shows. They

Delta Rae comes to Brooklyn Arts Center in support of their forthcoming album By: Kamerin Roth

Above: Delta Rae. Photo by M. Eric Honeycutt 20 encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com

earned a reputation for incredible concert performances, sometimes pushing through half-working sound systems.

Delta Rae’s onstage presence resounds with audiences, as they often come offstage and sing in the middle of audiences. It makes their sonic prowess an up-close-and-personal experience for the crowd. Sometimes they ratchet up the energy and emotion by screaming their lyrics, filling arenas and concert halls with passion. It’s all a matter of getting their voices and music heard in a way that affects listeners. If their music survives the push-and-pull test of performances, their songs will be strong and ready when they enter the recording studio. It’s a philosophy that has served them since their inception, and continues to showcase their raw power.

“When I started playing with Delta Rae, I felt like I was doing something right,” Emerson says. “When we recorded the video to ‘Bottom of the River,’ we were all on our own. We did it all ourselves, out in the rain with a generator, with the risk of electrocution hanging over our heads. But that’s the fun part: the storytelling and creative process.”

Delta Rae’s music runs deep with muscularity, tenderness, and at times vulnerability.

Their first album, “Carry the Fire,” combines the band’s histories and influences from life and the land around them into a 12-track hit.

The Americana style of music intertwines gospel, bluegrass, blues, and pop with their love of deep-rooted storytelling, folklore and mythology.

One song, “Surrounded,” tells the story of their relationship with Durham, NC, where the siblings grew up and the band now lives.

In the almost five-minute song, they bring to life tales about their ghosts with the city and their relationships between friends and loved ones. Much of their music touches on personal inspirations and things that matter most to them.

“We want people to stand up for what they believe in,” Emerson says. “We support gay and women’s rights and sing about the things that matter to us. I guess what we want to impart on people is that it’s OK to care about something and to stand up for it.”

Delta Rae was hand selected by VH1 as their “You Oughta Know” artist of the month

in October 2012. As well, they performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and again when Conan played host. They even shared the stage with first lady Michelle Obama when they performed during a democratic rally at UNC Chapel Hill.

The band has gone from sold-out performance to sold-out performance over the last year. During the summer, they traveled to the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, and Canada, and brought their harmonious, deep-rooted Carolina music to ears around the world.

“It’s not easy,” Emerson says. “All the long hours touring and performing add up, and things can’t always be pretty—but that’s because everyone cares. We’re trying to make the best music we can, and we have to call out each other on our bullshit. In the end, it all works out, and we face our challenges as they come.”

Such an unexpected event occured in April when their brand new tour van slid off the road in Minnesota. However, Delta Rae didn’t let the unfortunate stroke of luck deter them.

“Everyone was fine, but our van had a big dent in it,” Emerson tells. “[It’s] just how it happens.”

Following their breakout debut album, Delta Rae’s sophomore album, “After It All,” is set to be released April 7. In preview to the album, the band released a music video to the new song “Scared.” The album pulls heart and soul from every one of the members of the band and promises to live up to Delta Rae’s reputation.

Folks can get a sample of their work this week. Doors at the Brooklyn Arts Center will open at 7 p.m., and the show will kick off at 8 p.m., with opening band Jeanne Jolly. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 day of the show.

DETAILS:

Delta Rae w/opening act Jeanne Jolly Brooklyn Arts Center, 516 N. 4th St. Thursday, March 26, 9 p.m.

Tickets: $20-$25 www.brooklynartsnc.com www.deltarae.com

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Harmonies and Southern Charm:

arts > music

Four-piece bluegrass, folk outfit Mipso come to Thalian Hall By: Zachary Painter

I

t’s an established fact that North Carolina is a breeding ground for bluegrass music with an undeniable Southern charm. The Chapel Hill four-piece Mipso are a band of musicians that have taken note of their Appalachian roots and are now sharing that heritage all over the country and beyond. They are scheduled to play Thalian Hall this Saturday, March 28.

Mipso started out like many bands in this day and age: A few university students with mutual interests and tastes crossed paths, which resulted in a fun and spastic parttime college band. Their fanbase consisted entirely of friends and devoted family. Four university students met by fate and at the strike of the first chord, heard lightning and felt the low bellow of thunder. Or maybe it was just that churning in their gut confirming that they were on to something. With obvious chemistry, rapid success soon followed.

Jacob Sharp (mandolin), Wood Robinson (upright bass) and Joseph Terrell (gui-

tar) formed The Mipso Trio in 2011. Violinist Libby Rodenbough officially joined in 2014, but she’s played alongside Mipso since their inception and appears on both releases, “Long, Long Gone” (2012) and “Dark Holler Pop” (2013). Word quickly spread about Mipso, wherein they sold out multiple shows at Carrboro’s Cat’s Cradle and even had Grammy-award winning bluegrass giants Steep Canyon Rangers and David Holt play in support of their “Dark Hollar Pop” release show.

To add a cherry on top, Sharp, Robinson and Terrell all had the opportunity to tour Japan in 2014. The trip resulted in a 15-minute Vimeo documentary created by Jon Kasbe, which became a Vimeo staff pick. The film showcases the band playing in various venues for curious Japanese audiences, taking lots of photos, and gorging on sushi and sake.

Not all of Mipso’s members grew up with direct exposure to bluegrass, though. “I actually discovered traditional music via stuff from the ‘60s folk revival,” Rodenbough

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Don’t miss mipso: Chapel-Hill based quartet Mipso will get folks humming with their twangy ways. Photo

by Leon Godwin.

says. “It was very popular at this folk music school I attended in Chicago.”

During the infantile stages of Mipso, Rodenbough took a year off school to live in Chicago. She took classes at Old Town School of Folk Music, an institution that offers music to children, teens and adults.

“It all seemed to coincide beautifully, so I took the leap [and intended] to stay for two months,” Rodenbough tells. “But then I fell in love with the whole experience.”

Rodenbough recalls her experiences with classical piano and violin, neither of which ever appealed to her as a child. “These folk music jams were entirely geared toward beginners and usually consisted of several hours worth of two- and three-chord songs,” she says. “I found myself all of a sudden in this bizarre foreign environment where I got to make up all the notes. It was thrilling and terrifying and it was sort of my first step toward where I’ve ended up these days, playing music for a living.”

“We are all from different musical backgrounds,” Rodenbough continues. “Classical, jazz, a little rock-n-roll, a little jam band-dom. We are all from NC, though, and so we all grew up exposed to traditional Southern American music to some degree. Joseph’s family plays bluegrass, so that’s where he got the bug, and he kind of passed it on to the rest of us.”

One aspect of Mipso and modern bluegrass/Americana bands in general is the relevancy factor of the music. While they maintain the age-old traditions that any elitist demands, the music also leaps past the

confining borders of genre, and ventures deeper into poppy melodies, chord progressions and culturally relevant lyrics.

“A Couple Acres Greener” off 2013’s “Dark Hollar Pop” is a perfect example.

The opening guitar progression will immediately bring to mind a dozen pop songs from the ‘90s and early aughts. However, Sharp, Terrell and Robinson’s three-part harmonies and melodic vocal leads are what set it apart. Tracks like “Red Eye to Raleigh” have a definite country twang and an easy-going tempo that make for a pleasant listen. Rodenbough’s violin leads are a beautiful accompaniment to the song as well, and add an extra harmony and raspy fiddle timbre that is so intrinsic and essential to bluegrass and country music.

“We’re grateful that, so far at least, listeners to this kind of music haven’t held us to terribly specific aesthetic and musical formulas,” Rodenbough says. “We feel free to make our own original music, drawing from various traditions of American string bands in ways that speak to us rather than carry some burden as exemplars of a genre.”

Mipso truly embraces the genre, which is part of their charm. The music lends itself to young and mature audiences of bluegrass.

“A lot of times we get people who know a lot about bluegrass or the contemporary Americana world,” Rodenbough details.

“But other times there are folks who might not have thought of themselves as fans of acoustic music. Both kinds are great.”

Future plans for the band are not confirmed, except that they have recently recorded a new full-length, which will be released soon. “The producer on the upcoming album is Andrew Marlin of Mandolin Orange,” Rodenbough informs. “He’s steadily taking over the world of acoustic music, and we’re trying to hang with him as long as we can.”

Folks can get down to Mipso’s Southerndrenched stylings this Saturday.

DETAILS:

Mipso Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. Saturday, March 28, 7:30 p.m.

Admission: $18-$32 www.thalianhall.org www.mipsomusic.com

encore |march 25 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com 23

A preview of events across town this week —Juggling Gypsy Cafe & Hookah Bar, 1612 Castle St. Kim Dicso (9pm; folk) —Costello’s Piano Bar, 211 Princess St. The Keith Butler Trio (9pm; Free) —The Blind Elephant, 21 N Front St Unit F Jazzy Jam Open Mic (9pm; Free) —Bellas Bar LoCAL, 19 Market St. Crywolf (9pm; $10) —Ziggy’s By The Sea, 208 Market St. Open Mic Comedy (8pm; $3) —Dead Crow Comedy Room, 265 N. Front St. Trivia with Party Gras Entertainment (9:30pm; Free) —Fox and Hound, 920 Town Center Dr. Karaoke (10pm; Free) —Banks Channel Pub & Grille, 530 Causeway Dr.

Friday, March 27 James Jarvis Plays Piano (3pm; Free) —Old Books on Front St., 249 N. Front St. Live Piano with Ben Privott (6pm; Free) —The Blind Elephant, 21 N Front St Unit F

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Mike & Mark (7pm; Free; eclectic mix) —Gabby’s Lounge, 1706 N. Lumina Ave.

Wednesday night at The Blind Elephant and every Friday evening at Old Books on Front St. Courtesy photo.

Clay Crotts (7pm; Free) —Reel Cafe, 100 S. Front St.

Wednesday, March 25 Rob Nathanson (5:30pm; Free; Classical Guitar) —CAM Cafe, 3201 South 17 St. james jarvis (6pm; Free; jazz) —The Blind Elephant, 21 N Front St Unit F Trivia Night (6:30pm; Free) —Beach House Bar ‘n’ Grill, 7219 Market St. Benny Hill (6:30pm; Free; Jazz) —Sweet & Savory Cafe, 1611 Pavilion Plc. Trivia Night (7pm; Free) —Hoplite Pub and Beer Garden, 720 N. Lake Park Blvd.

Open Jam Wednesdays (7pm; Free) —Halftime Sports Bar and Grill, 1107 New Pointe Blvd.

Dutch Trivia (7pm; Free) —Joe’s Oasis, 6400 Carolina Beach Rd. Donnell Leahy and Natalie MacMaster Visions of Cape Breton (7:30pm; $20-$36) —Thalian Hall Ballroom, 310 Chestnut St. Team Trivia (8pm; Free) —Buffalo Wild Wings Eastwood, 206 Old Eastwood Rd.

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birthday improv and nutt street improv (8pm; $3) —Dead Crow Comedy Room, 265 N. Front St. Karaoke (9pm; Free) —Ibiza, 118 Market St. Cosmic Owl (9pm) —Costello’s Piano Bar, 211 Princess St. Kamikaze Karaoke Contest (9:30pm; Free)

—Fox and Hound, 920 Town Center Dr.

Thursday, March 26 Clay Crotts (5:30pm) —Goat and Compass, 710 N 4th St. Pub Trivia (6pm; Free) —Low Tide Pub, 4540 Fountain Dr. Tarot Thursday + Firedrums + Electroswing DJs (6pm; Free) —Juggling Gypsy Cafe & Hookah Bar, 1612 Castle St.

Port City Trio (7pm; $3; jazz) —Ted’s Fun on the River, 2 Castle St. Mary Louise Knutson (7:30pm; $10-$30) —Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, 310 Chestnut St. UNCW Jazz Festival: Wessell Anderson Quartet (7:30 pm; $6) —Beckwith Recital Hall, UNCW Cultural Arts Building, 5270 Randall Dr. Jason Ashby (8pm; Free) —Fermental, 7250 Market St.

Delta Rae (7pm; $20; folk) —Brooklyn Arts Center, 516 North 4th St.

ONWE, Pet Names Mineral Girls, Nicholas Nicholas (8pm; $5; rock) —The Calico Room, 107 S. Front St.

Trivia With Sherri “So Very” (7pm; Free) —Whiskey Trail at the Creek, 4039 Masonboro Loop Rd.

Tribal Seeds & The Movement (8pm; $17-$20) —Ziggy’s By The Sea, 208 Market St.

Mu Phi Epsilon Music Student Recital (7:30pm; Free) —Beckwith Recital Hall, UNCW Cultural Arts Building, 5270 Randall Dr.

The BabelOn Sessions (8pm; $5) —Juggling Gypsy Cafe & Hookah Bar, 1612 Castle St.

Kirtan (7:30pm; $15) —Longwave Yoga, 203 Racine Drive #200 Open Mic Night with Dennis Brinson Karaoke with DJ Rob (8pm; Free) —Locals Tavern, 6213 Market St. Unit D Karaoke (8pm; $3-$5) —SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar, 227 Carolina Beach Ave N. Karaoke Dance Party (8pm; Free) —Halftime Sports Bar and Grill, 1107 New Pointe Blvd.

Tarot Thursdays Firedrums, Electroswing DJ (8pm; Free)

Spare Change (8pm; $3-$5) —SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar, 227 Carolina Beach Ave N. Slade Ham (8pm; $13) —Dead Crow Comedy Room, 265 N. Front St. Live Music (8:30pm; Free) —The Harp, 1423 S. 3rd St. Randy McQuay (9pm; Free; soul) —Satellite Bar & Lounge, 120 Greenfield St. Tom & Jane (10pm) —Costello’s Piano Bar, 211 Princess St. Justin Fox (10pm; Americana) —Goat and Compass, 710 N 4th St.

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

24 encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com

Seneca Guns (10pm; Free; rock) —Wild Wing Cafe, 1331 Military Cutoff Rd.

Tyler McKaig (6:30pm; singer/songwriter) —Palm Room, 11 East Salisbury St.

Friday Night Fun House Follies (10:30pm; Free) —Ibiza, 118 Market St.

Open Mic Night (7pm; $3) —Ted’s Fun on the River, 2 Castle St.

Saturday, March 28

Vincent Van Gelder (7:30pm; $6) —UNCW Beckwith Recital Hall, 5270 Randall Dr.

Live Piano with Daniel Veit (6pm; Free) —The Blind Elephant, 21 N Front St Unit F It’s the Gypsy’s Roof Party Variety Show (6pm; Donate what you can) —Juggling Gypsy Cafe & Hookah Bar, 1612 Castle St. Randy McQuay (7pm; Free; pop & classic) —Gabby’s Lounge, 1706 N. Lumina Ave. Rob Ronner (7pm; Free; americana) —Reel Cafe, 100 S. Front St. South Hammock Bluegrass Band (7pm; $3) —Ted’s Fun on the River, 2 Castle St. Tallis Chamber Orchestra 10 Year Anniversary Concert (7:30pm; Free concert/donations accepted for Dreams of Wilmington) —St. Pauls Episcopal Church, 16 North 16th St.

Reggae Sundays (9pm; $3) —Ziggy’s By The Sea, 208 Market St. Griffin Limerick (9pm) —Costello’s Piano Bar, 211 Princess St. Travis Shallow (10pm; Free; Americana) —Duck & Dive, 114 Dock St.

Monday, March 30 Trivia (7:30pm; Free) —Hell’s Kitchen-Wilmington, NC, 118 Princess St. Magic Micro Multimedia Monday Open Mic (8pm; Free) —Juggling Gypsy Cafe & Hookah Bar, 1612 Castle St. Heather Rogers (9pm) —Costello’s Piano Bar, 211 Princess St.

UNCW Jazz Festival: Tom Garling, Trombone (7:30pm; $6) —Beckwith Recital Hall, UNCW Cultural Arts Building, 5270 Randall Dr.

Tuesday, March 31

Charm City Devils with Open Wire & Sons of Sam (8pm; $10-$18, $5 Underage Surcharge) —Cardinal Bands and Billiards, 5216 Carolina Beach Rd.

Open Mic (7:30pm; Free) —Goat and Compass, 710 N 4th St.

The Cut (8pm; $3-$5) —SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar, 227 Carolina Beach Ave N. Slade Ham (8pm; $13) —Dead Crow Comedy Room, 265 N. Front St. Karaoke with DJBe (9pm; Free) —Low Tide Pub, 4540 Fountain Dr. Saturday Night Dance Party (9pm; $5-$10) —Ibiza, 118 Market St. Live Blues w/ Snake Malone & the Black Cat Bone (9pm; $3) —The Calico Room, 107 S. Front St. Mike Blair and the Stonewalls, Rebekah Todd (9pm; Free) —Satellite Bar & Lounge, 120 Greenfield St. Steven Compton (10pm) —Palm Room, 11 East Salisbury St. Stoney Creek (10pm; Americana) —Goat and Compass, 710 N 4th St. Chasing Opal (10pm; Free; folk) —Hell’s Kitchen-Wilmington, NC, 118 Princess St. The Hatch Brothers (10pm) —Costello’s Piano Bar, 211 Princess St. Southern Trouble (10pm; Free; rock) —Wild Wing Cafe, 1331 Military Cutoff Rd.

Wrightsville Beach, NC

Subversive Films and Experimental Music (8pm; Free) —Juggling Gypsy Cafe & Hookah Bar, 1612 Castle St.

Mipso (7:30pm; $18-$32; acoustic) —Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, 310 Chestnut St.

Roger Davis (8pm; Free; jazz) —Fermental, 7250 Market St.

W I N N E R

Pub Trivia (6pm; Free) —Low Tide Pub, 4540 Fountain Dr.

Trivia With Sherri “So Very” (7:30pm; Free) —Carolina Ale House Wilmington, 317-C College Rd. Cape Fear Blues Jam (8pm; Free) —Rusty Nail, 1310 S 5th Ave. Fortunate Youth w/HIRIE, SensaMotion (8pm; $10-$13) —Ziggy’s By The Sea, 208 Market St. Open Mic Night (8:30pm; Free) —The Calico Room, 107 S. Front St. College Night Karaoke (9pm; Free) —Costello’s Piano Bar, 211 Princess St. DJ Riz (9:30pm) —Palm Room, 11 East Salisbury St.

LIVE MUSIC 7–10PM FRI.

MAR 27

Mike & mark Eclectic Mix

SAT.

randy Mcquay Pop & Classic

FRI.

overtyme Eclectic Mix

SAT.

mikeDance o'donnell & Classic

Mar 28 APRIL 3 april 4

1706 North Lumina Ave. • (910) 256-2231

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

MONDAY S.I.N. NIGHT $2 Domestics • $3 All Draft Selections • $4 Flavored Bombs 50% off Apps 6pm til close NEW BELGIUM TUESDAY $3 New Belgium selections (Fat Tire, Ranger IPA) $5 Jameson • Wing Special WEDNESDAY $2.75 Miller Lite, $4 Wells, Half off All Bottles of wine Live Music @ 8pm THIRSTY THURSDAY $2.50 PBR 16oz cans $3.50 Sam Adams Seasonal & Hoppyum Pints $5 Redbull & Vodka, 50¢ Steamed Oysters and Shrimp FRIDAY $2.75 Michelob Ultra • $3.25 Stella $4.50 José Cuervo Silver • Live Music on the Patio SATURDAY $2.75 Coors Light • $3.25 Red Stripe • $4.50 Ezra Brooks Cinnamon Whiskey • Music on the Patio SUNDAY $3 Coronas/Corona Lite • $10 Domestic Buckets (5) $4 Mimosas • $4 Bloody Mary’s

$2.50 Budweiser Draft $4 Wells 65 Wings, 4-7pm $3.50 Sweetwaters $4.50 Absolute Lemonade 65 Wings, 4-7pm

$2.75 Yuengling Draft $2.75 Domestic Bottles 65 Wings, 4-7pm

$3.50 Sweet Josie $4 Margaritas $3.50 Pint of the Day $4 Fire Ball $5 Mimosas $5 Car Bombs $5 Bloody Mary’s & Mimosas *Drink Specials run all day

Wednesday, April 1 james jarvis (6pm; Free; jazz) —The Blind Elephant, 21 N Front St Unit F Benny Hill (6:30pm; Free; Jazz) —Sweet & Savory Cafe, 1611 Pavilion Plc. Trivia Night (7pm; Free) —Hoplite Pub and Beer Garden, 720 N. Lake Park Blvd.

Open Jam Wednesdays (7pm; Free) —Halftime Sports Bar and Grill, 1107 New Pointe Blvd.

Dutch Trivia (7pm; Free) —Joe’s Oasis, 6400 Carolina Beach Rd. Days of Struggle (8pm; $0-$5; hardcore rock) —Cardinal Bands and Billiards, 5216 Carolina Beach Rd.

Thursday ________________________________________

TRIVIA WITH STEVE

8:30 p.m. • PRIZES! • $250 yuengling drafts

Friday ____________________________________________

Sunday, March 29

birthday improv and nutt street improv (8pm; $3) —Dead Crow Comedy Room, 265 N. Front St.

LIVE __________________________________________ MUSIC

Downtown Divas Drag Brunch (1pm; $10) —TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10th St.

Karaoke (9pm; Free) —Ibiza, 118 Market St.

BREAKFAST BUFFET

UNCW Jazz Honor Band Student Concert (2pm; Free) —Beckwith Recital Hall, UNCW Cultural Arts Building, 5270 Randall Dr.

Chase Bryant, Old Southern Moonshine Revival (9pm; $10-$15; country) —Ziggy’s By The Sea, 208 Market St.

Sam Melvin & Friends (2pm; $3-$5) —SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar, 227 Carolina Beach Ave N.

Kamikaze Karaoke Contest (9:30 pm; Free) —Fox and Hound, 920 Town Center Dr.

Sunday

9:00 A.m.- 2:00 P.M.• $4 BLOODY MARY’S AND MIMOSA’S 1423 S. 3rd St. DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON (910) 763-1607

www.RuckerJohns.com VISIT WWW.RUCKERJOHNS.COM FOR Friday Monday DAILY SPECIALS, MUSIC & EVENTS Select Appetizers halfMONDAY off $ 4 Cosmopolitan $ 2 Big Domestic Draft Beers $550 Watermelon Martini $ 95 22oz. Domestic Draft ALL DAY 4 RJ's Coffee $ 3 Sam Adams and Blue $5 Pizzas Moon Seasonal Bottles Tuesday TUESDAY 1/2 off Select Bottles Saturday LIVE JAzz IN THE BAR of Wine $ $ 6 All Half Price Bottles of Southern Wine Shiners 5 Absolut Dreams $ 50 $ Blue$2Moon Draft 3 NC Brewed Bottles • Pacifico Absolut Dream $$5503-22oz 2 Select Domestic Bottles Wednesday WEDNESDAY Sunday 1/2 offMiller Nachos Light Pints $150$ Coronoa/ $ 50 5 All$2Flat 50 Breads 1 Domestic Pints Lite Bottles Corona $ 50 $4 Bloody$ Marys 2 Corona/Corona Lt. Margaritas/Peach Margaritas 4 Pints $ 50 $ 50 1 Domestic 4 Frozen Margarita $ 5 White Russians THURSDAY (pick your flavor) Visit our $website Appletinis $4, RJ’s Painkiller 5

Thursday www.RuckerJohns.com $ 50 2 Red Stripe for Bottles $ 50 daily specials, music and 2 Fat Tire Bottles $ 50 2 Fat Tire Bottles upcoming events $ 50 2 Flying Dog IPA 1/2 off ALL Red WineFRIDAY5564 Carolina $ 50 Glasses Cosmos $4, 007 Beach 3 Road

$ (910)-452-1212 3 Guinness Cans Island Sunsets $5 SATURDAY Baybreeze/Seabreeze $4 encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 www.encorepub.com 25 22oz.|Blue Moon Draft $3

JUST ANNOUNCED!

JUST ANNOUNCED!

6/20/15 | On Sale Friday!

7/11/15 | On Sale Friday!

CAMPING OUT FOR MELLENCAMP: Legendary performer John Mellencamp will traverse the Carolinas

JUST ANNOUNCED!

THIS SATURDAY!

this week. He will play a set at the North Charleston PAC/Coliseum on 3/26, Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte on 3/27, and the Durham PAC on 3/31. Courtesy photo.

LINCOLN THEATRE 126 E. Cabarrus stREET, raleigh, nc (919) 821-4111 3/27: Yarn 3/28: The Breakfast Club 3/30: Mat Kearney

3/28/15 | On Sale Now

4/10/15 | On Sale Now

LIMITED TICKETS REMAIN!

4/3/15 | On Sale Now

4/11/15 | On Sale Now

COMING SOON

4/17 moe.

4/18 Blackberry Smoke 4/20 All Time Low 5/1 Tyler the Creator

5/2 Tesla 5/3 Marilyn Manson 5/8 Flogging Molly 5/29 Heart Brigade - A Tribute to Heart

… and much more, visit hob.com/myrtlebeach for complete listing!

26 encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com

ZIGGY’S 170 W. 9th st., winston-salem, nc (336) 722-5000 3/26: Corey Smith 3/27: 9th Wonder/Jamla Records showcase 3/28: Tribal Seeds; Twinn Zeus and Hedera THE FILLMORE 1000 Seaboard stREET, charlotte, NC (704) 549-5555 3/25: Ledisi 3/26: Curren$y 3/28: Bruce in the USA NEIGHBORHOOD THEATRE NORTH DAVIDSON ST., CHARLOTTE, NC (704) 358-9298 3/26: Northern Faces, Vinyl Thief, Jesse Clasen 3/27: Waka Flcoka Flame 3/28: Asleep at the Wheel, The Mike Strauss Band 3/29: Rittz and Kxng Crooked 4/1: Defeater THE ORANGE PEEL 101 bILTMORE AVE., ASHEVILLE, NC (828) 398-1837 3/25: Smokin’ 3/26: Dr. Dog 3/27: Father John Misty 3/28: Keller Williams, The Stray Birds 3/29: tUnE-yArDs 4/1: GRiZ HOUSE OF BLUES 4640 Hwy. 17 sOUTH, myrtle beach, sc (843) 272-3000 3/28: Ledisi

DURHAM PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 123 vivian ST., DURHAM, NC (919) 680-2727 3/26: Josh Turner 3/31: John Mellencamp MOTORCO MUSIC HALL 723 RIGSBEE AVE., durham, NC (919) 901-0875 3/27: In the Pocket 3/28: Jonas Sees in Color 3/31: Defeater 4/1: Shadow of the Giant

NORTH CHARLESTON PAC/COLISEUM 5001 Coliseum dr., n. charleston, sc (843) 529-5000 3/26: John Mellencamp 3/28: Hootie and the Blowfish OVENS AUDITORIUM 2700 E. Independence blvd., charlotte (704) 372-3600 3/27: John Mellencamp THE ARTS CENTER 300-G EAST MAIN STREET, CARRBORO, NC (919) 929-2787 3/25: Lloyd Cole 3/26: Nels Cline & Norton Wisdom 3/27: Lise Uyanik & the Mobile City Band CAT’S CRADLE 300 E. MAIN STREET, CARRBORO, NC (919) 967-9053 3/25: SomeKindaWonderful, Marc Scibilia 3/27: Swans 3/28: Twin Shadow, Lolawolf 3/30: Jared & The Mill 4/1: PROM, Rickolus, The Dear Old Blighties

encore |march 25 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com 27

Showcasing Youth:

arts > art

‘30 Under 30’ opens this Friday at Acme Studios By: Christian Podgaysky

Y

outh always has its hand in the wave of the future. They are the minds of tomorrow, and they control the trajectory of the cultural landscape. As such, Acme Studios is holding a special exhibition, entitled “30 Under 30,” which opens this Friday, March 27. It will be complete with painting, photography, printmaking, bookmaking, collage, mixed media, sculpture, installation, and video, all from feature artists from across the globe. Wilmington-native and resident Acme artist Kristen Crouch is responsible for the show, along with jurors Sami Woolhiser and Blair Nidds. Crouch returned to Wilmington last June and since has immersed herself in the local scene by becoming involved with outlets like Cameron Art Museum, Kids Making It and Cucalorus Film Festival.

“I put out a call for entry, with the only specification being age,” she tells. “I started getting international submissions. It happened really beautifully because I didn’t put a lot of restrictions on it. I wanted it to be under 30 because I

wanted an outlet for young artists to be recognized. In my opinion, much of Wilmington’s art scene has been influenced by vintage traditions.

I want to break down all of that.”

The SCAD graduate, who majored in photography and minored in sculpture, recently showcased her photography collection, “I Will Live On,” at Artfuel Inc. The collection debuted in Savannah and deals with the tragic passing of her brother. In this show, Crouch will display a piece from the collection, “Multiple Blunt Impact Injuries Torso and Head.”

“Nothing of this world makes sense except for art,” Crouch says. “I am at the beginning of my journey and I’m learning everyday. That is key. I stopped thinking of all this as work. It is just necessary to being happy and fulfilled.”

Her passion takes her through 18-hour days and forces her to delve into each creative inkling that pops into her head. As well, a tightly knit band of positive and supportive people have kept her working toward her artistic dreams. The work of young artists holds a special place in her heart because of the camaraderie derived from young people having both similar and divergent

OFFICIAL

AFFILIATE

28 encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com

Perception of turth: Leslie Andrade will showcase her painting, “You And Humps Through Carried His,” at “30 Under 30.” Photo, courtesy the artist.

cultural stimuli thrown at them. As creatives, their only response, naturally, is to create.

“They are the ones who are carrying the weight of the art world—or are conversely defying it—and subsequently will be the ones to define the art era we are in,” Crouch tells.

Two artists whose work she notes will be specifically exciting are 23-year-old Los Angeles dweller Cindy Conrad, who will show an untitled painting on turf glass. Likewise 27-year-old Israeli visionary Eden Mitsenmacher will screen a video entitled “A Poem For You.” Also displaying work will be 21-year-old Leslie Andrade. Growing up in Quito, Ecuador, Andrade was exposed to art by her photographer father. She began by tracing over images and eventually found she could mimic an image just by viewing it. Purple crayons and graphic paper make up Andrade’s earliest forays into artistry.

Being raised in a third-world country has guided her artistic interests.

“Even as a young girl, my mother would make my siblings and I take the public bus from our home in the countryside into the city,” Andrade says. “She wanted us to truly love our country for its entirety. The reality I saw while living in Ecuador has created a yearning to travel and see more of the world.”

Andrade went on to graduate from Sweet Briar College in 2014, with a bachelor of arts in studio art and a certificate in arts management, as well as minors in art history and Spanish. It was there she began to discover her passion for painting; her senior exhibition included eight oil paintings. Likewise, a study abroad to Seville, Spain, helped her realize a love for abstract, contemporary styles.

Currently, Andrade lives in South Florida. At “30 under 30” she will display her painting “You And Humps Though Carried His.” The piece is part of her “Astral Plane” series that she completed in 2013-2014. This specific piece began with the image of a cherry, which can found on the humps of a camels.

“My main focus during this series revolved around understanding and capturing my interpretation of the physical dimension and the realm of illusion,” Andrade tells. “Physical vision inhibits the mind of a human from being able to logically translate the reality seen in the subconscious.

This is because any form of visual language is automatically corrected by one’s conscious perception of ‘truth.’ As a result, what the mind sees in the astral plane is unexplainable in the language of ordinary speech and therefore becomes an illusion.”

Also showing as part of the exhibit is full-time artist Tim Kent, who attended college at SCAD, alongside Crouch. Though they never had class together, they bumped into each other at the occasional gallery exhibit.

Kent has set up his own studio and woodshop in Atlanta, and currently works on canvases hand-shaped from wood. He draws inspiration from light and space-oriented artists, like Robert Irwin and James Terrell. In “30 Under 30,” he will display “Orange Chroma,” a 36-by-30-by-4 painting, and “Iridescent Chroma,” an 18-by-18by-4 painting. They examine the nature and its colors in relationship to the environment.

“These paintings represent a new direction in my series,” Kent details. “I have been creating shaped canvases for a while, but these strainers are built so the works really play on the threedimensionality of a canvas.”

“Orange Chroma” illuminates the vibrant hue of bright orange, and catches light and shadows through outer bevel, inner bevel, and a smaller canvas inside. Likewise, “Iridescent Chroma” is made with a unique pigment that changes color as the viewer circumnavigates the piece. With his work, he maintains an overarching goal to convey a sense of mystery to gallery-goers.

“30 Under 30” opens during Fourth Friday Gallery Night at Acme Art Studios on South 5th Avenue, with an opening reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. this Friday.

DETAILS:

30 Under 30: A Young Artist Group Exhibition Acme Art Studios, 711 N. 5th Ave. Hangs 3/27-4/16 (910) 763-8010 www.acme-art-studios.com

Artfuel.inc

2165 Wrightsville Ave. Mon.-Sat., noon-7 p.m. www.artfuelinc.com • (910) 343 5233

Artfuel is pleased to host Vol. 40, featuring Kristen Crouch, Rebekah Todd, Todd Carignan, Joanna Frye, and Saggy Jug Pottery.

New Elements Gallery

201 Princess St. (919) 343-8997 Tues.-Sat.: 11 a.m.-6p.m. (or by appt.) • www.newelementsgallery.com

River to Sea Gallery 225 S. Water St., Chandler’s Wharf (free parking) • (910)-763-3380 Tues.-Sat. 11am-5p; Sun. 1-4pm.

River to Sea Gallery showcases the work of husband and wife Tim and Rebecca Duffy Bush. In addition, the gallery represents several local artists. The current show will enthrall visitors with its eclectic collection of original paintings, photography, sculpture, glass, pottery and jewelry. “Morning Has Broken” features works by Janet Parker. Come see Janet’s bold use of color and texture to reveal local marsh creeks and structures.

SUNSET RIVER Marketplace 10283 Beach Dr., SW (NC 179) (910) 575-5999 Tues.- Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. www.sunsetrivermarketplace.com

In the historic fishing village of Calabash, NC, over 10,000-plus square feet of fine arts is showcased. Clay art and pottery; oil paintings, watercolors, mixed media, pastels and acrylics; plus award-winning metalworks, wood pieces, hand-blown glass, fiber art, artisan-made jewelry and more.

Sunset River Marketplace has become a popular destination for visitors, a gathering place for artists and a center of the community, thanks to its onsite pottery studio, complete with two kilns; a custom master framing department; and art classrooms for workshops and ongoing instruction.

WILMA W. DANIELS GALLERY

200 Hanover St., CFCC parking deck, first level 910-362-7431

NOW OPEN!

Cape Fear Community College’s Wilma W. Daniels Gallery presents the 2015 Annual Student Exhibition, which opens March 24 and features over 100 original works of art. The show runs through May 4, with Fourth Friday Receptions on March 27 and April 24. Winners will be announced and prizes awarded at the opening reception on March 27. Admission is free. Regular gallery hours are Tuesdays-Thursdays from 12-5pm and Fridays from 12-3:30pm.

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Join us on March 27, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., for downtown's Fourth Friday Gallery Nights and the opening of Primavera, New Elements' 30th anniversary celebration.

Mayor Bill Sappho will help us commemorate this milestone with a ceremonial cake cutting. We will also be presenting special door prizes from 7-9pm. Participants must be present to win.

Enjoy all the fun and festivities we have to offer.

Primavera welcomes springtime with figurative and abstract paintings, vibrant glass, ceramic pieces, and other fine art and craft by our galley artists. Primavera will remain on view until April 18, 2015.

UPSCALE URBAN LIVING

C I T Y B L O C K A PA R T M E N T S is a brand new luxury apartment community at 3rd and Brunswick St. within the Brooklyn Arts District. We offer luxury apartments with upscale finishes and cityscape/river views. Our access controlled building features elevators, gated parking lot/deck, additional storage units, fitness studio, cyber cafe and lounge, as well as an outdoor veranda with a grilling station. All within walking distance of Front Street and the Riverwalk!

OFFICE HOURS:

MON - FRI: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM S AT: 1 0 A M - 5 P M SUN: 1 PM - 5 PM

814 N. 3rd Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 Tel: 1-910-341-0200 www.cityblockapartments.com encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com 29

Passionate Raconteur:

arts > theatre

Danny Mullen’s take on Louis Armstrong will offer an intimate night of theatre By: Shea Carver

A

one-man show is a brave undertaking for any actor to endure. Little lies between the artist and audience, aside from a set. There aren’t other actors to help carry the show, meaning the script must be well-written and impactful, and the artist performing it must know every nuance of the character. Charlotte thespian Danny Mullen is powerful in Browncoat Pub and Theatre’s “Backstage with Louis Armostrong,” which is being produced for only six shows over two weekends, with its final run this Friday through Sunday.

Mullen wrote the script, which takes on the famed New Orleans jazz musician, as he greets fans, i.e. the audience, in his dressing room after a performance in North Dakota. It’s something Armstrong was known to do: host luminaries, politicians and celebrities, as well as everyday folks, after his concerts. “Backstage with Louis Armstrong” is an up, close and personal portrayal of Satchmo, complete with that signature gruff voice and boisterous laugh. Perhaps one of the more interesting aspects of Mullen’s portrayal is

P embroke ’ s

1125 A, M ilitAry C utoff r d .

(910) 239-9153

SPECiAlS:

tUESDAY: 1/2 off bAr MEnu froM 5-7PM And $3 SElECt drAftS. WEDNESDAY: 1/2 PriCE bAr MEnu And $2.50 rEd oAk lAgEr And rEd oAk HEllES. THURSDAY:1/2 off glASSES of WinE And $8 WinE SAMPlEr. SUNDAY BRUNCH: EvEry SundAy froM 10AM til 3PM. SUNDAY NIGHT: $2 off old fASHionEd CoCktAilS.

WWW . PEMbrokESCuiSinE . CoM 30 encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com

the dichotomy we see between the funny man Armstrong was onstage, as he inserted jokes and quips into his performance, and the darker, more introspective man whose troubled upbringing molded a great deal of his life. Mullen carefully walks the audience through his past in a nonlinear fashion—through the destitution of being reared by a single mother, who turned to prostitution to feed her family, to meeting a helpful, white Jewish family, the Karnofskys, who bought his first horn and encouraged his playing, to finding a mentor in Joe “King” Oliver, the main person Armstrong forever remained indebted to for an inspiring career.

Though everyone expects a bio of Armstrong to be filled with music—and it is—what’s most surprising of this script is Mullen’s in-depth research. He set the show in 1957, right in the midst of Armstrong’s stance against the mistreatment of black students in the South—specifically the Little Rock Nine, nine students who attempted to enter Little Rock Central High School but were prevented from then-governor, Orval Faubus. Armstrong was set to tour the U.S.S.R., as asked by President Eisenhower, at the time, as a good will of sorts to help bridge the gap between the struggles of eastern Europe and the U.S. Born at the turn of the 20th century, Armstrong was from a family of slaves. Many African Americans of the time criticized him for not publicly taking more of a stance for civil rights; some, specifically Dizzie Gillespie, even called him Uncle Tom, as Armstrong always remained grateful to the white folks who helped propel his career. He was one of the main black performers of the day whose audiences made up mostly white people, and even his own race accused him of denigrating their heritage.

Yet, the Little Rock Crisis was a major change in the celebrity, politicizing right and wrong. He found it despicable that a white teacher would spit in the face of a black student just for entering school. At the time, the student should have been protected

by Brown v. Board of Education—a law in 1953 that found segregation in schools unconstitutional, and required the desegregation of all schools throughout the nation. Satchmo was in the midst of a media junket and when a reporter asked him about the Little Rock Nine, the musician was very vocal about his disappointment in the way the president was allowing his race to be treated. He told the reporter the president should be down in Little Rock, publicly escorting in the nine black students to set an example of solidarity. He also told the press he would not be touring Russia.

It seems at this point in the play, it would have been a perfect introduction to Mullen taking on Armstrong’s powerful “When It’s Sleepytime Down South,” yet it wasn’t included. Audiences do hear the standards as expected: “Moon River,” “What a Wonderful World,” “C’est Le Bon,” and even an unexpected and wonderful “Sunrise,

Sunset,” compliments of “Fiddler on the Roof.”

It’s an effective nod to Armstrong’s gratitude to the Karnofsky family (he even wore a Star of David cross throughout his life).

Mullen’s interjection of passion truly carries the performance. He becomes all the stories he is telling, which are illuminating, chilling, and fulfill a rounded picture of a human’s trials and tribulations, successes and highlights, at least as much as it can over 90 minutes. Some details are left out, like his third and fourth wives, and his adopted disabled son, whom Armstrong took care of his whole life. Still, the show is intimately moving, thanks to a natural raconteur who utilizes props to carefully and thoughtfully animate Armstong, including his passion for food (he makes gumbo while decompressing from the show) and even his gastro-intestinal troubles (he sips on laxatives throughout the show). Mullen truly engages the crowd, addressing them with staunch eye contact and exasperated introspection.

The downfall of the show unfortunately comes in the singing and the music. Though Mullen gives it his all, harmonies fall flat and the scatting isn’t up to par. The beauty of Armstrong is that his gravelly voice wasn’t without vocal perfection; he hit notes that always were crisp and clear. More so, the sound system mutely plays the powerful horns and jazz sounds that should jubilate the whole theatre. A full band would bring this show to life, and insert the zest and zeal needed to match Mullen’s phenomenal storytelling. Also, it would help invigorate the single scene we see the jazz trumpeteer “blow” his horn, which really needs to jounce the audience into believing how his power of music affected jazz as a whole.

(As an aside: Hearing Armstrong’s take on new jazz that was coming of age then—jazz that didn’t carry much harmony or melody, in his opinion, and I can’t help but think he may have been referring to the likes of Miles Davis—also piques interest and sets up a lot of conversation about where this music came from and where it’s gone.)

Still, “Backstage with Louis Armstrong” is worth the price of admission. Music lovers will revel in it, as will anyone who enjoys biographies and wants to learn more about a small pocket in our long, harried history of civil rights.

DETAILS: Backstage with Louis Armstrong ★★ ★ ★ ★ Browncoat Pub and Theatre 111 Grace St. •browncoattheatre.com March, 27-29, 7:30 p.m.; Sun. 4:30 p.m.

Tickets: $10-$15

encore |march 25 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com 31

13 Stages of "Traditional Plus" Music!

Dwight Yoakam

The Marshall Tucker Band

Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn

The Avett Brothers

Hot Rize

Trampled By Turtles

The Del McCoury Band

Steep Canyon Rangers

Sam Bush Band

Robert Earl Keen

Lee Ann Womack

April 23-26, 2015

MerleFest and WCC are 100% Tobacco Free.

The views presented are not necessarily those of

Wilkes Community College or endorsed by the college.

MerleFest.org • 1-800-343-7857 W i l k e s b o r o ,

N o r t h

32 encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com

C a r o l i n a

North Mississippi Allstars

Plus many more performers!

arts > film

Hues of Hughes:

‘The DUFF’ is enjoyable but still retreaded territory

films this week Cinematique

By: Anghus

Cinematique at Thalian Hall 310 Chestnut Street • $8-$10 www.thalianhall.org

M

uch like the popular jock who has a soft spot for the cute nerdy girl, I have secret, hidden feelings about teen comedies. I still love them despite being long-removed from my teenage years. They are formulaic and often ridiculous tales, but damn it, I kind of love them. I suppose this affliction stems from growing up in the era of John Hughes classics. When you grew up in the 1980s with films like “Sixteen Candles” and “The Breakfast Club,” it’s easy to become enamored with the genre. To dream of taking Molly Ringwald to the dance, go to a party at Ferris Bueller’s, and drive her home in a chrome gray Delorean, with a time machine built into the back ... I might be remembering the wrong movie.

“The DUFF” is a solid attempt at the teen genre. It’s not perfect by any stretch, but it’s a charming little piece of highschool dramedy, and features some likable characters and extremely familiar plot points. “DUFF” stands for “Designated Ugly Fat Friend”: the acronym assigned to the unfortunate member of a social circle deemed the least attractive.

According to the central narrative, every group of friends has a DUFF. They serve as liaisons to the super-hot, fielding questions from would-be suitors.

Bianca (Mae Whitman) is a smart but shlumpy teen with two very good looking friends. She is blissfully unaware of her DUFF-ness, until a hunky-but-blunt acquaintance, Wesley (Robbie Amell), points out her designated social role. It’s like a curse. Once she hears it, the news begins to ruin her life. Like any kid with an ounce of self-respect, Bianca hates the idea of being a DUFF. Sure, she’s a little awkward and quirky, but what high-school teen movie protagonist isn’t? Rather than embrace her differences, she enlists Wesley’s aid to shed the DUFF designation to help her get the confidence to win over a guitar-playing, flaxen-haired boy that makes her weak at the knees.

If we’re talking modern teen comedies, the benchmark is the still-excellent “Mean Girls.” “The DUFF” extracts a lot of similar themes from Tina Fey’s well-written look at high-school bitchiness. Instead of Rachel McAdams’ ultimate alpha female, Regina, we have a watered-down version in the form of Bella Thorne’s Madison.

Madison amuses. She refers to herself as “pre-famous” and has a lackey follow her around to film every activity for her

reel to reel

3/25-27: Don’t miss “Timbuktu.” Settled peacefully in the dunes on the outskirts of Timbuktu, Kidane and his family live happily. They are undeterred by the Jihadists that are causing so much trouble for the population of Timbuktu.

In Timbuktu everything from music to laughter is

Designated teen archetypes: Mae Whitman and Bella Thorne deliver quality performances as the hero and mean girl. Courtesy photo.

inevitable reality show. Sadly, this level of entitlement is hardly implausible based on current celebrity-obsessed, always-online culture.

What I liked about “The DUFF” was Mae Whitman’s Bianca. The best highschool movies require a likable main character, and Bianca is easy to root for. She’s smart but a little flighty. Wellintentioned but socially clueless. She’s Cher from “Clueless” without the fashion sense. She’s Laney from “She’s All That” but more prone to emotional outbursts.

Bianca’s journey is a well-traveled road.

She has to learn how to become comfortable with herself, and thankfully realizes “we’re all DUFFs” because there’s always somebody better looking or more popular with which we have to contend.

Right out of the “Revenge of the Nerds” playbook.

It’s unfortunate we don’t see more teen comedies. I’m not sure why exactly the landscape has so drastically changed.

“The DUFF” feels like an anomaly in our current cinematic culture. We get so few movies of this type anymore. While I’m always hopeful for these types of movies, “The DUFF” is merely an average entry into the genre, saved by the likability of Mae Whitman and some great supporting players like Allison Janney and Ken Jeong. I like “The DUFF” enough to rec-

ommend it, but it’s more likely to make you pine fondly for the teen comedies of yesteryear instead of being blown away by its excellence. “The DUFF” is like the DUFF of teen comedies. It’s not the prettiest or the most popular, but it has value.

DETAILS: The DUFF

★ ★ 1/2 ★ ★ ★ Starring Mae Whitman, Bella Thorne and Robbie Amell Directed by Ari Sandel Rated PG-13

6

banned. Women are forced to have little to no function in society, and the new, improvised law is enforcing more tragic and absurd rules everyday. In this stunningly rendered film, Kidane and his family are abruptly thrown in the ring against these seemingly insurmountable forces in a fight that leaves viewers both enamored and empowered. Nominated for the Best Foreign Film Oscar, “Timbuktu” has won top prize at many film festivals. (PG-13, 1 hr. 37 min.)

3/30-4/1: Featuring an award-winning performance by Timothy Spall, legendary filmmaker Mike Leigh’s new film, “Mr. Turner,” follows the eccentric artist J.M.W. Turner through the last quarter century of his life. Follow Turner as he paints, travels, is strapped to the mast of a ship so he can paint a snowstorm, visits brothels, and finds himself to be a subject of both celebration and derision for the British aristocracy. (R, 2 hr 29 min) 4/13-15: In the gripping drama,” Still Alice,” Alice Howland (Julianne Moore, who won the Academy Award for this performance), a happily married mother of three, who is also a renowned linguistic professor, starts to forget words. Her momentary forgetfulness quickly unfolds into a diagnosis for Early Onset Alzheimer’s. In a battle in which Howland proves herself as brave and sensitive, she fights the loss of her family, her career and eventually herself. (PG-13, 101 min.)

All area movie listings and paragraph synopses can be found at encorepub.com

encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com 33

grub&guzzle

Southeastern NC’s premier dining guide

The Little Dipper 138 South Front St.

(910) 251-0433

American BLUEWATER

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

Large parties welcome. Private event space available. BluewaterDining.com. 4 Marina Street, Wrightsville Beach, NC. (910) 256.8500.

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

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

Blue surf cafÉ

Sophisticated Food…Casual Style. We offer a menu that has a heavy California surf culture influence while still retaining our Carolina roots. We provide a delicate balance of flavors and freshness in a comfortable and inviting setting. We offer a unique breakfast menu until noon daily, including specialty waffles, skillet hashes and unique breakfast sandwiches. Our lunch menu is packed with a wide variety of options, from house roasted pulled pork, to our mahi sandwich and customer favorite, meatloaf sandwich.

Our dinner features a special each night along with our fa-

vorite house entrees: Braised Beef Brisket, Mojo Pork and Mahi. All of our entrees are as delicious as they are inventive.

We also have a full beer and wine list. Come try the “hidden gem” of Wilmington today. 250 Racine Drive, Wilmington 910-523-5362.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Monday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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

■ WEBSITE: www.bluesurfcafe.com

BUFFALO WILD WINGS

If you’re looking for good food and an atmosphere that’s fun for the whole family, Buffalo Wild Wings is the place! Award winning wings and 20 signature sauces and seasonings.

Plus…salads, wraps, flatbreads, burgers, and more. Tons of Big screen TVs and all your favorite sports. We have daily drink specials, a HUGE draft selection, and Free Trivia all day every day. Come in for our Weekday Lunch Specials, only $5.99 from 11am-2pm. Visit us for Wing Tuesdays with 60 cent wings all day long, or Boneless Thursdays with 60 cent boneless wings all day long. Buffalo Wild Wings is a great place to dine in or take out.

■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER & LATE NIGHT: MondaySaturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: 2 locations-Midtown (910-798-9464) and Monkey Junction (910-392-7224) ■ MUSIC: Live music Friday and Saturday in the Summer ■ WEBSITE: www.buffalowildwings.com

\

34 encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com

East oceanfront dining at blockade runner

Award-winning cuisine accompanied by the sounds of breaking surf + a soothing coastal breeze, that's East Oceanfront Dining. Our chef, Ben Ramsey, will pleasure your palate with fresh local seafood, produce from our own gardenscape + other harvest from local purveyors. Chef Ramsey is focused on the best of what our region has to offer and he + his staff are delighted to serve you. You'll dine in the comfort of our relaxing restaurant or if you choose, our canopied, oceanfront deck provides a memorable ambiance for any evening.

If you're looking for a more casual bite or maybe just a drink or two before dinner, have a seat in the Aquarium Lounge. A great selection of wine, beer or spirits can provide just what you're looking for as you settle in for an evening of coastal culture. For reservations and information concerning best rates and packages, please call 1-800-541-1161.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: The Blockade Runner Beach Resort, 275 Waynick Blvd.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wrightsville Beach ■ WEBSITE: www.blockade-runner.com

Elijah’s

Since 1984, Elijah’s has been Wilmington, NC’s outdoor dining destination. We feature expansive indoor and outdoor waterfront dining, with panoramic views of riverfront sunsets.

As a Casual American Grill and Oyster Bar, Elijah’s offers everything from fresh local seafood and shellfish to pastas, sandwiches, and Certified Angus Beef selections. We offer half-priced oysters from 4-6 every Wednesday & live music with our Sunday Brunch from 11-3. Whether you are just looking for a great meal & incredible scenery, or a large event

space for hundreds of people, Elijah’s is the place to be.

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

eternal sunshine cafÉ

Wilmington’s new unique restaurant, Eternal Sunshine Café, is conveniently located between downtown and Wrightsville Beach, also close to UNCW. It is a great spot to savor a gourmet breakfast, like cinna-swirl pancakes with coffee cream cheese syrup or a southwest benedict with chipotle hollandaise on a made from scratch biscuit. The lunch menu is filled with fresh delectable salads, sandwiches on house baked breads, and pitas. Come experience the innovative twist on breakfast classics and a casual lunch guaranteed to make you a regular customer. May the tranquility of Eternal Sunshine Cafe’s atmosphere shine upon your face and reinvigorate your day. Serves breakfast all day. Dinner COMING SOON! ■ SERVING BREAKFAST & LUNCH: MondayWednesday 7-2, Thursday-Friday 6:30-2, Saturday 7-2, Sunday 8-2 ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: North Wilmington ■ WEBSITE: www.eternalsunshinecafe.com

Halligan's pub

“Failte,” is the Gaelic word for “Welcome,” and at Halligan’s Public House it’s our “Motto.” Step into Halligan’s and enter a world of Irish hospitality where delicious food warms the heart and generous drinks lift the spirit. Be sure to try Halligan’s house specialty, “The Reuben,” number one with critics and of course

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our customers. One bite and you’ll understand why. Of course, we also serve a full selection of other delicious entrees including seafood, steak and pasta, as well as a wide assortment of burgers, sandwiches (Halligan’s Cheese Steak), and salads. And if you are looking for a friendly watering hole where you can raise a glass or two with friends, new and old, Halligan’s Public House boasts a comfortable bar where fun-loving bartenders hold court daily and blarney fills the air. Stop by Halligan’s Public House today, “When you’re at Halligan’s....you’re at home.” With 12 beers on tap and 16 flat screen TVs, you can watch your favorite game and enjoy your favorite drink. Enjoy two locatons: 3317 Masonboro Loop Rd., and 1900 Eastwood Rd. in Lumina Station.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 7 Days a Week Monday-Wednesday 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOODS: Masonboro Loop & Lumina Station ■ FEATURING: The Best Reuben in Town! $5.99 lunch specials, Outdoor Patio ■ WEBSITE: www.halligansnc.com

■ FEATURING: Tasting menu every Tues. with small plates from $1-$4; Ladies Night every Wed; $27 4-course prix fixe menu on Thurs.; "Date night menu," $65/couple with beer and wine tasting every Fri. and half price bottles of wine on Sun. ■ MUSIC: Mondays and Memorial Day-October, 7-9pm ■ WEBSITE: www.littledipperfondue.com

Dog), all-beef (Sabrett), pork smoked sausage, Fat Free (Turkey) & Veggie. Recognized as having the Best Hot Dog in the Best of Wilmington Awards in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Call Individual Stores for hours of operation or Look at our website trollystophotdogs.com Catering available, now a large portion of our business. Call Rick at 297-8416 for catering and franchise information.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER

kabuki korean cafÉ and sushi

Family-owned and operated, Kabuki Korean Café and Sushi is Wilmington's only authentic Korean restaurant, freshly renovated and boasting a brand new menu! They feature delectable Korean BBQ, and are best known for traditional items like their bibimbop and bulgogi. But they also feature a large variety of Asian cuisine, from fresh sushi to fried rice to teriyaki dishes, dumplings, edamame and more. Open daily, Kabuki welcomes diners for lunch from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and dinner 4:30 to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday. Stop by Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 10 p.m. 4102 Oleander Drive, Suite 2, at the corner of 41st Street, behind the Hess gas station. 910-350-3332.

HENRY’S

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

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

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Daily blackboard specials.

■ WEBSITE: www.henrysrestaurant.com

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER:

Ogden Tap Room

Oceans Restaurant located in this oceanfront resort is a wonderful find. This is the perfect place to enjoy a fresh Seafood & Steak dinner while dinning outside overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Chef Eric invites you to experience his daily specials in this magnificent setting. (910) 256-2231. 1706 N. Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach.

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

Wilmington’s go to Southern Gastro-Pub. With a menu featuring some southeast favorites and a few from the bayou. Ogden Tap Room offers a selection the whole family will enjoy. With 40 beers on tap from around the world, The O Tap is a Craft Beer Enthusiast dream come true. Ogden Tap Room also has a great wine selection as well as a full bar featuring the areas largest Bourbon selection. You are sure to leave Ogden Tap Room a happy camper.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon-Thurs 11am - Midnight, Fri & Sat 11am - 1am, Sunday Noon Midnight.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Ogden ■ FEATURING: Live Team Trivia Tues 7:30-9:30pm ■ MUSIC: Every Thursday 8 - 10pm ■ WEBSITE: www.ogdentaproom.com

HOPS SUPPLY CO.

pine valley market

Holiday Inn Resort

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

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

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; Seasonal hours are open 7 days a week, Memorial Day through October ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown

daily for the $4.69 lunch special and $4 sushi. Bring the little ones in on Sundays to the Ogden location and they can eat for only $0.99!

Visit us at our Ogden location where you can dine- in or takeout or our Hampstead location where you can drive-thru, walk-up, or take-out.

■ Serving Lunch & dinner: 11am- 9pm Everyday ■ Neighboorhood: Ogden- 6932 Market Street Wilmington, NC 28411 (910) 791-7800 Hampstead- 15248 Highway 17 North Wilmington, NC 28411 (910) 270-9200 ■ Featuring: $4.69 lunch specials ■ Website: www.hibachitogo.com

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 ambience of the market.

Using the freshest ingredients of highest quality, diners can enjoy the best Philly Cheesesteak in Wilmington, along with numerous other sandwich varieties, from their Angus burger to classic Reuben, Italian sub to a grown-up banana and peanut butter sandwich that will take all diners back to childhood.

Served among a soup du jour and salads, there is something for all palates. Take advantage of their take-home frozen meals for nights that are too hectic to cook, and don’t forget to pick up a great bottle of wine to go with it. 3520 S. College Road, (910) 350-FOOD. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.-Fri.10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Sun. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Daily specials and take-home frozen meals ■ WEBSITE: www.pinevalleymarket.com

The trolly stop

Trolly Stop Hot Dogs is a five-store franchise in Southeastern North Carolina. Since 1976 they have specialized in storemade chili, slaw and various sauces. As of more recently, select locations (Fountain Dr. and Southport) have started selling genuine burgers and cheese steaks (Beef & Chicken). Our types of hotdogs include beef & Pork (Trolly

36 encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com

Mon-Fri, 11am-2:30pm; Sat-Sun, noon-10pm.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, off Oleander Drive.

■ FEATURING: Wilmington's only authentic Korean restaurant!

■ LOCATIONS: Wrightsville Beach (910) 256-3921 Southport (910) 457-7017 Fountain Dr. (910) 452-3952 Boone, NC (828) 265-2658 Chapel Hill, NC (919) 240-4206 - COMING SOON! ■ WEBSITE: www.trollystophotdogs.com

Asian BIG THAI II

From the minute you walk through the door to the wonderful selection of authentic Thai cuisine, Big Thai II offers you a tranquil and charming atmosphere - perfect start to a memorable dinner. For the lunchtime crowd, the luncheon specials provide a great opportunity to get away. The menu is filled with carefully prepared dishes such as Pad Thai (Chicken, Beef, Pork or Tofu pan-fried rice noodles with eggs, peanuts, bean sprouts, carrots, and chives in a sweet and savory sauce) and Masaman Curry (The mildest of all curries, this peanut base curry is creamy and delicious with potatoes, cashew nuts and creamy avocado). But you shouldn’t rush into a main entrée right away! You will be missing out on a deliciously appetizing Thai favorite, Nam Sod (Ground Pork blended with fresh chili, green onion, ginger and peanuts).

And be sure to save room for a piece of their fabulous Coconut Cake! A trip to Big Thai II is an experience that you’ll never forget. If the fast and friendly service doesn’t keep you coming back, the great food will! 1319 Military Cutoff Rd.; 256-6588 ■ Serving Lunch: Mon-Fri 11 a.m. -.2:30 p.m.

■ Serving Dinner: Mon-Thur 5 p.m. -.9:30 p.m.; Friday 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday 4 p.m. -.10 p.m.; Sunday 4 p.m. -.9:30 p.m.

■ Neighboorhood: Mayfaire ■ Featuring: Authentic Thai Cuisine ■ Website: www.bigthainc.com

hibachi to go

If you want fresh food fast, check out Hibachi To Go! It is a family-owned business with a professional and friendly staff serving the freshest local ingredients. Everything on the menu is done right on-site, from hand trimming the meat to making every sauce! They offer affordable appetizers such as crab, pork, or pineapple wontons, green bean fries, spring rolls, and edamama along with specialties like Teriyaki or Hibachi chicken, hand-trimmed ribeye, scallops, tempura or grilled shrimp, and fresh fish with veggies and rice. Drop by

KYOTO ASIAN GRILLE

Kyoto Asian Grille specializes in crafting mouth-watering food and providing superb customer service. We serve a plethora of Asian cuisines, from Chinese to Japanese to Thai, and have an unwavering commitment to flavor. All of our ingredients are fresh, cooked to order, with artistic culinary flair.

We also serve everything from sushi to traditional Chinese dishes, a plethora of curries to Pad Thai, hibachi and teriyaki dishes, and more. Come give us a try where you will find nothing in the freezer but the ice cream. Open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday. Located at 4102 Market Street, (910) 332-3302.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon - Thu: 11am - 3pm and 5pm - 9:30pm or Fri - Sat, 11am - 3pm and 5pm - 10pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: An array of Asian cuisines, from Japanese to Chinese, Thai and more.

indochine restaurant & lounge

If you’re ready to experience the wonders of the Orient without having to leave Wilmington, join us at Indochine for a truly unique experience. Indochine brings the flavors of the Far East to the Port City, combining the best of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine in an atmosphere that will transport you and your taste buds. Relax in our elegantly decorated dining room, complete with antique Asian decor as well as contemporary artwork and music. Our diverse, friendly and efficient staff will serve you beautifully presented dishes full of enticing aromas and flavors. Be sure to try such signature items as the spicy and savory Roasted Duck with Red Curry, or the beautifully presented and delicious Shrimp and Scallops in a Nest. Be sure to save room for our world famous desert, the banana egg roll! We take pride in using only the freshest ingredients, and our extensive menu suits any taste. After dinner, enjoy specialty drinks by the koi pond in our Asian garden. Located at 7 Wayne Drive (beside the Ivy Cottage), (910) 251-9229.

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

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

southern thai

Our menu is centered around authentic Thai cuisine and features traditional dishes as well as chef-inspired dishes. We always deliver authentic Thai cuisine mixed with southern hospitality. Thailand can be culturally divided into 4 main regions: North, North Central, Central & South. The diverse

topography and cultures lend their way to creating unique cuisines in each region. Meals are prepared by all generations coming together in the kitchen. Recipes are passed on this way through the generations so that the food you are tasting today is influenced by the knowledge of the past.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon - Thur 11am to 3pm and 4:30 to 9:30pm; Fri 11am to 3pm and 4:30 to 10pm; Sat 12 to 10pm; Closed Sunday ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Authentic Thai Cuisine ■ WEBSITE: www.southernthairestaurant.com

thai spice

From the flavorfully mild to the fiery spiced, Thai Spice customers are wooed by the dish that’s made to their specifications. Featuring a tasteful menu of traditional Thai standards to numerous delectable house specials, it’s quickly becoming the local favorite for Thai cuisine. This family-run restaurant is sure to win you over. If you haven’t discovered this gem, come in and be charmed. Whether it be a daytime delight, or an evening indulgence, your visit will make you look forward to your return. Located in Monkey Junction at 5552 Carolina Beach Rd., Ste. G. (910) 791-0044.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Tue.-Th.: 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sat.: 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; Sun.: 11:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wilmington South ■ WEBSITE: www.ThaiSpiceWilmington.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

yosake downtown sushi lounge

Lively atmosphere in a modern setting, Yosake is the delicious Downtown spot for date night, socializing with friends, or any large dinner party. Home to the never-disappointing Shanghai Firecracker Shrimp! In addition to sushi, we offer a full Pan Asian menu including curries, noodle dishes, and the ever-popular Crispy Salmon or mouth-watering Kobe Burger.

Inspired features change weekly showcasing our commitment to local farms. Full bar including a comprehensive sake list, signature cocktails, and Asian Import Bottles. 33 S. Front St., 2nd Floor (910) 763-3172.

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING: 1/2 Price Sushi/Appetizer Menu nightly from 5-7, until 8 on Mondays, and also 10-Midnight on Fri/Sat. Tuesday LOCALS NIGHT - 20% Dinner Entrees. Wednesday 80S NIGHT - 80s music and menu prices. Sundays are the best deal downtown - Specialty Sushi and Entrees are Buy One, Get One $10 Off and 1/2 price Wine Bottles.

Nightly Drink Specials. Gluten-Free Menu upon request.

Complimentary Birthday Dessert.

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

Dinner Theatre theatrenow

TheatreNOW is a performing arts complex that features weekend dinner theater, an award-winning weekly kids variety show, monthly Sunday Jazz Brunches, movie, comedy and live music events. Award-winning chef, Denise Gordon, and a fabulous service staff pair scrumptious multi-course themed meals and cocktails with our dinner shows in a theatre-themed venue. Dinner theater at its best! Reservations highly suggested. 19 S. 10th Street 910.399.3NOW (3669).

Hours vary.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown Wilmington and Greater

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

gREEK The greeks

The Greeks is a two-store (going on three), family-ownedand-operated Greek restaurant. Since 2011 Chef Georgios Papanikolaou and his family have been giving unwavering attention to detail to their food, which represents Greek culture. The chef picks fresh local produce and proteins on a daily basis. The spices and herbs are imported from Greece, where they are picked wild from the mountains, sealed and then transported here. The family keeps their Greek roots close to their heart; with each dish they are recreating exactly the same flavors that a person will experience should they be in Greece. With a plethora of recipes to choose from and the best gyro in town, the family hopes to expand without compromising an iota of the experience.

124 Princess St.; 910-343-6933 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Monday 10:00AM to 3:00PM Tuesday-Sunday 10:00AM to 9:00PM ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown and Monkey Junction ■ WEBSITE/SOCIAL MEDIA: www.the-greeks.com or www. facebook.com/thegreeksnc

Healthy

daily cruises & private charters

Azalea Festival Firecracker Cruise Saturday 4/11 - 6:30pm

Start the night off with a Captains reception at the dock, then a 1&1/2 hour cruise... Heavy Apps and a Front Row spot to view the fireworks display. Full Bar, Spacious Bathroom & Incredible FUN !! Book Now as seats are Limited... all this for $55.

CLEAN EATZ cafÉ

This café is your one stop shop to start living a healthy lifestyle. Everything on the menu is under 500 calories and 10 grams of fat unless you order otherwise.

The café offers dine in, carryout, or get an entire weeks worth of meals by signing up for our weekly prepackaged meal service. We also do customized food prep to fit anyone's diet needs. Stop by Clean Eatz today to start a new you. You only have one life, Make it count!

Lifestyle tip: Resolutions usually fail due to the stress we put on ourselves to change so quickly. Make simple changes one by one. We didn’t get where we are at overnight. Baby lifestyle steps: Eliminate fried foods, drive thrus, alcohol, or sugar first. Add a new goal each week. You got this! 203 Racine drive,Wilmington NC 28403. (910) 452-3733.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Monday- Friday: 11-7, Saturday: 11-3 ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: North Wilmington ■ WEBSITE: www.cleaneatz.net

Indian tandoori bites

Located on College Road, just opposite Hugh MacRae Park, Tandoori Bites offers fine Indian cuisine at affordable prices. Try one of 74 dishes on their lengthy menu, featuring a large range of side dishes and breads. They have specialties, such as lamb korma with nuts, spices and herbs in a mild creamy sauce, as well as seafood, like shrimp biryani with saffron-flavored rice, topped with the shellfish and nuts. They also have many vegetarian dishes, including mutter paneer, with garden peas and homemade paneer, or baingan bharta with baked eggplant, flamed and sautéed with onions, garlic and ginger. Join their cozy eatery, where a far east escape awaits all diners, among a staff of friendly and helpful servers, as well as chefs who bring full-flavored tastes straight from their homeland. Located at 1620 South College Road, (910) 794-4540.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon. - Fri. 11-2:30 pm (Lunch Buffet) & 5-10 pm (Dinner), Sat. - Sun. 11:30 -3:00 pm (Lunch) & 5-10 pm (Dinner) ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Lunch buffet ■ WEBSITE: www.tandooribites.net

Cruise to Castle Hayne Mon. March 30th - 9am - $50 This cruise will travel up the Northeast Cape Fear approximately 25 miles to Castle Hayne.. This is a cruise that we only do a few times a year, and one that you will always cherish as the river becomes yours. The Northeast Cape Fear is absolutely remarkable, especially in early Spring. The water will be so black, clear, and reflective it will mesmerize you. The journey is about a three hour trip up and we will then shuttle you back to Wilmington via ground transportation.

On the way up we will pass through one of Captin Doug’s favorite sections of the river we call “Otter Island.” The island is an oxbow with a narrow passage that often creates a whirlpool as the river channels through it. You will see several historic locations, such as the Rose Hill Plantation, White Cliffs, Cowpens Landing, Pleasant Meadows Plantation, and Turkey and Morgan Creek Spring is here and our ospreys are back from their winter journey south and are building nest and preparing for the next generation to be brought into the world. The water of the Northeast this far up river is also extremely reflective this time of year and should provide you with some spectacular photo opportunities.

2 Great Morning Cruises

Black Water Adventure - Wed, Fri & Sat: 2 hour Eco/History & a chance to get up close to the Osprey New History & Mystery - Thurs: 2 hour - Different topic each week as we travel south on this mighty river Call for more info regarding these two excursions

A Relaxing Recipe

For a complete list of scheduled Tours, Excursions, and Fees, visit

wilmingtonwatertours.net HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE

JUST ADD WATER!

Visit us on the Riverwalk!

212 S. Water Street

910-338-3134

info@wilmingtonwt.com

Follow us

BAR ON BOARD WITH ALL ABC PERMITS

encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com 37

Italian ELIZABETH’S PIZZA

A Wilmington favorite since 1987! At Elizabeth’s you’ll find authentic Italian cuisine, as well as some of your American favorites. Offering delicious pizza, salads, sandwiches, entrees, desserts, beer, and wine. Elizabeth’s is known for their fresh ingredients, where even the bread is baked fresh daily.

A great place for lunch, dinner, a late night meal, or take out.

Elizabeth’s can also cater your event and now has a party room available. Visit us at 4304 ½ Ma rket St or call 910251-1005 for take out.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 10am-Midnight every day ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown (Corner of Market St and Kerr Avenue).

■ WEBSITE: www.epwilmington.com ■ FEATURING: Daily specials, kids menu and online coupons.

eddie romanelli's

Eddie Romanelli’s is a family-friendly, casual Italian American restaurant that’s been a favorite of Wilmington locals for over 16 years. Its menu includes Italian favorites such as Mama Romanelli’s Lasagna, Baked Ziti, Rigatoni a la Vodka and, of course, made-from-scratch pizzas. Its American influences include tasty burgers, the U.S.A. Salad and a 16 oz. Marinated Rib Eye Steak. Romanelli’s offers patio dining and flat screen TVs in its bar area. Dine in or take out, Romanelli’s is always a crowd favorite. Large parties welcome. 503 Olde Waterford Way, Leland. (910) 383.1885.

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wilmington South/Leland ■ FEATURING: Weekly Specials ■ WEBSITE: www.RomanellisRestaurant.com

Fat Tony’s Italian Pub

Fat Tony’s has the right combination of Italian and American influences to mold it into a unique family-friendly restaurant

with a “gastropub” feel. Boasting such menu items as Veal Saltimbocca, Eggplant Parmigiana, USDA Prime Sirloin, and award-winning NY style hand-tossed pizzas, Fat Tony’s is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Their appetizers range from Blue Crab Dip to Grilled Pizzas to Lollipop Lamb Chops.

Proudly supporting the craft beer movement, they have an ever-changing selection of microbrews included in their 27-tap lineup – 12 of which are from NC. They have a wide selection of bottled beers, a revamped wine list, and an arsenal of expertly mixed cocktails that are sure to wet any whistle. Fat Tony’s offers lunch specials until 3pm Monday through Friday and a 10% discount to students and faculty at CFCC. They have two pet-friendly patios – one looking out onto Front Street and one with a beautiful view of the Cape Fear River. With friendly, excellent service and a fun, inviting atmosphere, expect to have your expectations exceeded at Fat Tony’s. Find The Flavor…..Craft Beer, Craft Pizza!

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Monday-Thursday 11 am10 pm; Friday-Saturday 11 am-Midnight; Sunday Noon-10 pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: www.fatpub.com ■ FEATURING: Daily lunch specials until 3pm and late night menu from 11pm until closing.

siena trattoria

Enjoy authentic Italian food in a beautiful, warm, casual setting. Whether dining indoors or in our courtyard, Siena is the perfect neighborhood trattoria for the entire family to enjoy. From our delicious brick oven pizza to elegantly prepared meat, seafood, and pasta specials, you will find a level of cuisine that will please the most demanding palate, prepared from the finest and freshest ingredients.

■ SERVING DINNER: at 4 p.m. Daily.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wilmington South. 3315 Masonboro Loop Road, 910-794-3002 ■ FEATURING: Family style dinners on Sundays ■ WEBSITE: www.sienawilmington.com

Slice of life

sophisticated food...casual style

“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 a week, 365 days a year.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, Downtown and Wilmington South.

■ FEATURING: The largest tequila selection in Wilmington ■ WEBSITE: www.grabslice.com

a taste of italy

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

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Monday-Friday 8:00am8:00pm, Saturday 8:30am-7:00pm, Sunday 11:00am6:00pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: www.ncatasteofitaly.com ■ FEATURING: Sclafani goods, Polly-O cheese, Ferrara Torrone and much, much more!

Jamaican JAMAICA’S COMFORT ZONE

Tucked in the corner of University Landing, a block from UNCW is the hidden gem of Wilmington’s international cuisine scene - Jamaica’s Comfort Zone. This family owned restaurant provides a relaxing blend of Caribbean delights – along with reggae music – served up with irrepressible smiles for miles. From traditional Jamaican breakfast to mouth-watering classic dishes such as curry goat, oxtail, jerk and curry chicken, to our specialty 4-course meals ($12.00) and $6.99 Student meal. Catering options are available.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Tuesday - Saturday 11:45am - 9:00pm and Sunday 1:30pm - 8:00pm. Monday - Closed.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown – University Landing 417 S. College Road #24 ■ FEATURING: Weekly Specials updated daily on Facebook

WWW.BLUESURFCAFE.COM SPRING MENU COMING IN APRIL GREAT OUTDOOR PATIO EXPANDED BEER AND WINE MENU 250 Racine Drive • Wilmington, NC Racine Commons • 910.523.5362 38 encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com

■ WEBSITE: www.jamaicascomfortzone.net

Latin American CEVICHE'S

Come enjoy the tropical flavors of Panama and Central America...from our fresh fish to our handmade empanadas, traditional arroz con pollo to fresh inspired salads, We hope you will be transported to simpler time with warm, friendly service, and festive vibe. Large selection of beer and wine, including red and white sangria, tropical mimosas, drink specials daily. Just before the bridge at Wrightsville Beach. 7210 Wrightsville Ave. 910-256-3131.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon - Sun 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

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

San Juan Café

Offering the most authentic, gourmet Latin American cuisine in Wilmington. With dishes from countries such as Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Cuba you’ll be able to savor a variety of flavors from all over Latin America. Located at 3314 Wrightsville Avenue. 910.790.8661 Follow us on Facebook/Twitter for live music updates!

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon - Sat. 11 a.m.2:30 p.m. and from 5-10 p.m. Closed Sunday.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Nightly specials ■ WEBSITE: www.sanjuancafenc.com

Mexican San felipe

At San Felipe, we pride ourselves in offering the best Mexican cuisine combined with a Mexican inspired dining experience that will instill a sense of “familia” with our patrons.

Ditch the regular fare and try one of our Mexican inspired favorites such as our sizzling Certified Angus Beef Fajitas or our Carolina Chimichanga. Visit any of our 10 North Carolina locations to see for yourself and while your at it, try one of our delicious Margaritas! See you soon Amigos!

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wilmington, Leland & Southport ■ WEBSITE: www.sanfelipenc.com

Organic LOVEY’S natural foods & CafÉ

Lovey’s Market is a true blessing for shoppers looking for organic and natural groceries and supplements, or a great place to meet friends for a quick, delicious and totally fresh meal or snack. Whether you are in the mood for a veggie burger, hamburger or a chicken Caesar wrap, shoppers will

A FAR EAST CAFE Thai • Vietnamese

Thank you Wilmington for your continued support and voting us

Best Thai/vietnamese , Best Restaurant overall & Best Atmosphere!

Tues - Sat: Lunch 11am - 2pm NOW OPEN MONDAY EVENINGS! Mon - Sun: Dinner 5pm - 10pm

7 Wayne Drive

(Market Street at Forest Hills)

910-251-9229 • www.indochinewilmington.com

find a large selection of nutritious meals on the a la carte Lovey’s Cafe’ menu. The Food Bar—which has cold, organix salads and hot selections—can be eaten in the newly expanded Lovey’s Cafe’ or boxed for take-out. The Juice Bar offers a wide variety of delicious juices and smoothies made with organic fruits and vegetables. Specializing in bulk sales of grains, flours, beans and spices at affordable prices.

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

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown FEATURING: Organic Salad Bar/Hot Bar, New Bakery with fresh, organic pies and cakes. Newly expanded.

■ WEBSITE: www.loveysmarket.com

whole foods market

Whole Foods Market offers one of the most expansive freshly prepared foods options in the city! With 4 bars featuring hot dishes & salads, a sandwich station, sushi station, and pizza station, you are apt to satisfy everyone in your group.

All of the ingredients are free of any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives so food is fresh and flavorful from farm, ranch, or dock to your fork! Dine in the cafe or carry out. On any given day the selection offers an array of organic, local, vegan/vegetarian, and healthy options. Voted Best Salads by encore readers.

■ SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER: 7 days a week. Monday - Sunday. 8am - 9pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Seasonal, healthy, organic, vegan/vegetarian ■ WEBSITE: www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Seafood CATCH

Serving the Best Seafood in South Eastern North Carolina.

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

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

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

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

DOCK STREET OYSTER BAR

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

2827.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 7 days a week.

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

■ WEBSITE: www.dockstreetoysterbar.net

fish bites

Home of the freshest seafood in town, and Wilmington’s only Live Lobster Tank. Try one of our signature entrees like Fish Bites Tuna Filet, Stuffed Flounder or The Fishermans Stew. We have unique appetizers like Oyster Bombs, Shrimp Bombs, or Grouper Cheeks(who knew Groupers had cheeks!!). Have your Fresh Catch prepared to your delight, pan seared, grilled, blackened, broiled or fried. We will accomodate any taste. The Daily Special Board features creative dishes that highlight our Chef’s creative culinary skills. We make a fantastic steamer platter with Crab Legs, Shrimp, Clams, Oysters and Mussels.

The possibilities are endless. We have the largest selection of seafood in the area. Not only are we a seafood restaurant, but a fresh market as well. Take home your Fresh Seafood selection and cook it your favorite way. We also have take out. Don’t forget our made from scratch desserts. Come in and enjoy a fresh beverage from our full service “Bottems Up Bar”. Whether you just need something to curb your appetite or a full meal, we have something for everyone. Daily food specials and Drink Specials offered. Kids Menu available. So come in and enjoy the most amazing seafood you have ever tasted!

6132-11 Carolina Beach Rd. (910) 791-1117 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Tue-Sat 11am - 9pm, Sun 11am - 3pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington ■ FEATURING: The freshest seafood in town, and Wilmington’s only Live Lobster Tank!

■ WEBSITE: www.fishbitesseafood.com

oceanic

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

Private event space available. 703 S. Lumina Avenue, Wrightsville Beach. (910) 256.5551.

■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER & SUNDAY BRUNCH:

Mon – Sat 11am – 11pm, Sunday 10am – 10pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wrightsville Beach ■ FEATURING: Dining on the newly renovated Crystal Pier ■ WEBSITE: www.OceanicRestaurant.com

the pilot house

The Pilot House Restaurant is Wilmington’s premier seafood and steak house with a touch of the South. We specialize in local seafood and produce. Featuring the only Downtown bar that faces the river and opening our doors in 1978, The Pilot House is the oldest restaurant in the Downtown area. We offer stunning riverfront views in a newly-renovated relaxed, casual setting inside or on one of our two outdoor decks.

Join us for $5.00 select appetizers 7 days a week and live music every Friday and Saturday nigh on our umbrella deck.

Large parties welcome. Private event space available. 910343-0200 2 Ann Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun-Thurs 11am-9pm, FriSat 11am-10pm and Sunday Brunch 11am-3pm. Kids menu ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Riverfront Downtown Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Fresh local seafood specialties, Riverfront Dining, free on-site parking ■ MUSIC: Outside Every Friday and Saturday

SHUCKIN' SHACK

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar is thrilled to now serve customers in its new location at 109 Market Street in Historic Downtown Wilmington (910-833-8622). It’s

the place you want to be to catch your favorite sports team on 7 TV’s carrying all major sports packages. A variety of fresh seafood is available daily including oysters, shrimp, clams, mussels, and crab legs. Shuckin’ Shack has expanded its menu now offering fish tacos, crab cake sliders, fried oyster po-boys, fresh salads, and more. Come in a check out Shack’s daily lunch, dinner, and drink specials. It’s a Good Shuckin’ Time!

The original Shack is located in Carolina Beach at 6A N. Lake Park Blvd.; (910) 458-7380.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon-Sat 11am-2am; Sun noon-2am ■ NEIGHBORHOODS: Carolina Beach and Downtown ■ FEATURING: Daily lunch specials, join the mailing list online ■ WEBSITE: www.pleasureislandoysterbar.com

of downtown’s Rx Restaurant. Pembroke’s focuses on the same values and excellent service as its sister restaurant, purveying local companies for the best in seafood, proteins and produce. They work with local fisherman and farmers to ensure your meal will be freshly grown and hand chosen. A new dinner menu is churned out daily to ensure the chefs are working with the freshest ingredients. Plus, the bartenders are creating new drink menus daily as to never bore your taste buds. 1125 A Military Cutoff Rd. 910-239-9153.

■ SERVING BRUNCH & DINNER: Open for dinner TuesSun, 5pm-close, with live music Fri-Sat nights. Sunday brunch, 10am-3pm.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: North Wilmington ■ WEBSITE: www.pembrokescuisine.com

smoothies and more

hell's kitchen

Tropical smoothie cafÉ

Tropical Smoothie Café’s menu boasts bold, flavorful food and smoothies with a healthy appeal, all made to order from the freshest ingredients. Our toasted wraps, sandwiches, flatbreads and gourmet salads are made fresh with highest quality of meats and cheeses, topped with fresh produce and flavorful sauces, available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The fun atmosphere and unparalleled hospitality brings customers back to Tropical Smoothie Café again and again. At Tropical Smoothie, we are guided by one simple belief: When you eat better, you feel better and when you feel better, all is better. It's part of our mission to inspire a healthier lifestyle by serving amazing food and smoothies with a bit of tropical fun. 2804 S. College Road, Long Leaf Mall.

■ SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mon-Fri; 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sat-Sun ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, at Shipyard Blvd. and College Rd.

Southern Casey's Buffet

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

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

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

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

Rx Restaurant & bar

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

421 Castle St.; 910 399-3080.

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

pembroke's

A seasonally inspired and locally sourced Southern cuisine dining experience, Pembroke’s was created by the owners

Sports Bar This is downtown Wilmington’s Sports Pub! With every major sporting package on ten HDTVs and our huge HD projection screen, there is no better place to catch every game in every sport. Our extensive menu ranges from classics, like thick Angus burgers or NY-style Reuben, to lighter fare, such as homemade soups, fresh salads and vegetarian options. Whether meeting for a business lunch, lingering over dinner and drinks, or watching the game, the atmosphere and friendly service will turn you into a regular. Open late 7 days a week, with free WiFi, pool, and did we mention sports?

Free downtown lunchtime delivery on weekdays; we can accommodate large parties. (910) 763-4133.

■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER & ■ LATE NIGHT: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. daily ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING: 1/2 priced select appetizers Monday

- Thursday 4-7 p.m.

■ WEBSITE: www.hellskitchenbar.com

Carolina Ale House

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

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: 0 HD TVs and the biggest HD projector TVs in Wilmington.

■ WEBSITE: www.CarolinaAleHouse.com

vegetarian/Vegan sealevel restaurant

The Sealevel family is settling in to making the cozy most of sweater season, with a variety of soups and hot beverages: mulled cider, nondairy hot cocoa, ginger-hibiscus tea, and hot sake. You won't need a coat after a cup of the regularly featured Thai-style hot 'n' spicy coconut curry soup, made without meat or dairy products, with Thai chilies and lemongrass.

Commune with your lentil burger-lovin' soul over a portobello melt and a side of hot potato chips with vegan chipotle dip.

Desserts are shifting into seasonal favorites: gluten-free and vegan sweet potato and apple pies; gluten-free brownies with non-dairy chocolate frozen cream; and assorted vegan and gluten-free cookies round out the sweet fare. Ask about delivery. Party space/dance hall available! Lunch everyday, 11am2pm, except Tuesdays. Dinner Thurs.-Sat., 5-9pm. Check our specials, updated daily on Facebook. 1015 S. Kerr Ave. 910833-7196.

■ SERVING LUNCH AND DINNER 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., daily; Thurs-Sat., 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Closed Tuesdays ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, near UNCW ■ FEATURING: Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, lactoseintolerant and seafood-friendly fare!

■ WEBSITE: www.sealevelcitygourmet.com

encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com 39

extra > fashion

Gaming With the Scots:

T

he Cape Fear Highland Games (CFHG) will host their inaugural games exhibition on March 28.

North Carolina has one of the highest concentrations of Scottish lineage in the nation, making this event an exciting opportunity for Wilmington residents to gain an inside look at the heritage found in many of their fellow citizens. While several other Highland Games have taken place in North Carolina, including the 70-year-old Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, this is the first time the Highland Games have made their way to the coast.

Highland Games bring Scottish charm to the Cape Fear area By: Emily Truss Above: Byron Hamilton, one of the participants in the Cape Fear Highland Games. Courtesy photo.

40 encore |march 25 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com

The Highland Games in Scotland are ancient, originating in Ireland in approximately 2000 B.C. The games came to Scotland with the immigrants who traveled from Ireland during the fourth and fifth centuries. The games are field events held throughout the year to celebrate Scottish heritage, as well as the Highlands. There are seven games in the event, each a test of strength. The games include the caber toss, stone put, Scottish hammer throw, weight throw, weight for height, sheaf toss, and maide leisg (lazy stick). Generally a festival sur-

rounds the event, incorporating traditional Scottish music and food to add to the experience. CFGH will involve many of the same elements.

“Probably the most well-known event is the caber toss,” coordinator Ben Shaw says. “It basically involves a guy holding a telephone pole or trunk of a tree. What he has to do is flip the object end over end to try to make a complete circle. It can weigh up to 160 pounds.”

The games will run throughout the entire day. There will be approximately 30 men and 10 women clad in kilts, each competing in the events. Up to three people will compete at a time, except in the hammer throw; only one person competes in this event. The hammer throw will involve throwing a 12 to 22 pound metal ball attached to the end of a four-foot long shaft.

“Most of the athletes have competed in games from other areas,” Shaw says.

“We have competitors coming from Tennessee, South Carolina and Virginia.”

The object of each game will be explained before they begin. Later in the day, guests will be given an opportunity to test their own strength by lifting the weights used in the competition.

There will be a break in the middle of the day for lunch. Attending vendors include

Rebel Baking, Momma Rock’s and Poor Piggy’s. Cape Fear Brewery and White Street Brewery (outside Wake Forest) also will be offering North Carolina craft beers, and Bud Light will be available, too.

This is a family-friendly event and parents are encouraged to bring their children; plenty of activities will be on hand, including face painting, tug of war, and even a few of the Highland games, featuring miniature versions of the equipment.

There will be two live bands performing at the festival: The Blarney Brogues and Barrowburn Celtic Band. There will be a bag-pipe performance to open the ceremony. Providing entertainment along with the bands will be the reenactment of the Battle of Kursk by members the Moores Creek National Battlefield.

“There will also be several Scottish clan heads educating visitors on the history of the Scottish clans and the games as well,” Shaw divulges. “The Scottish Society of the Southeast will also be there to help educate people on the history of the Scottish heritage and the tartan, which is the plaid pattern of the kilt.”

CFHG will be raising money for the non-profit organization Raising Raiders.

Raising Raiders aids in the personal and professional resiliency of Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) sol-

diers and their families. Raising Raiders was founded by four spouses of MARSOC soldiers, who work to provide programs that enrich and empower the children of MARSOC families. They are advocates of awareness in the areas of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and traumatic brain injury in veterans.

Tickets will be $10 at the door, and they will be available beforehand at the Pour House Bar in downtown Wilmington and online (www.capefearhighlandgames. com). The event takes place off Randall Parkway, behind the IRS building. Children ages 10 and under will be admitted for free.

DETAILS: Cape Fear Highland Games 3400 Randall Parkway (behind the IRS building) Saturday, March 28, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Tickets: $8 adv/$10 at door www.capefearhighlandgames.com

encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com 41

The Nine Lives of Xen

extra > fact or fiction

Chapter Six: I Am Not a Number: I’m a Free Cat By: Anthony David Lawson

B

efore I met M., I was free. Free to go where I wanted. Free to sleep when I wanted. Free to do nothing all day if that was what I chose to do.

Now I hardly sleep, and when I do, it’s full of anxiety. At first I would try to sleep when M. did, but I was constantly wondering if she had stopped breathing or fallen off her bed, or if Turks had swept in from the night and absconded with her. (You may laugh, but I remember a time and place where that was a valid concern.) I was counting worstcase scenarios instead of sheep. I would catch quick naps throughout the day—yes, we could technically call these cat naps—so I could keep vigilant watch during the night.

I would slip out early in the morning, during the shift change, as to not be detected.

I still had the freedom to go where I pleased, but that freedom was used more often than not to be in close proximity to M. So this freedom, I kept telling myself I had, was beginning to feel less and less free.

When I wasn’t near M., I was searching for my next victim. The search, however, was becoming more desperate. I realized I had to know how much time M. had left. So, one night I jumped up onto her midsection and listened.

One year at best.

If things continued the way they were, she would be dead in a year.

•

•

•

I had noticed that Ms. Buckman had developed a rather nasty cough. The only moment I had to test her was during the daily Jell-O break. As the residents gummed spoonfuls of neon-colored gelatin, I jumped onto Ms. Buckman’s lap. She had three months to live, which was surprising, given the severity of the cough.

The second harvesting went off without a hitch. Ms. Buckman was snoring loudly one second, and the next moment her essence was sliding over her lips and into my mouth.

As I let the silver mist pass from my mouth to M.’s, I was treated to glimpses of Ms.

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Buckman’s life.

Here she was looking down at her newborn son. Here was a life spent raising him, planning birthday parties, watching him graduate, seeing him ship off to the Army, crying as he returned from “that stupid, pointless war,” laughing as she played a wrong note on the piano, while her son and his new bride danced in the reception hall.

And she had done it all herself. Her life had been her own until it was for him. And then it had been theirs.

A few weeks ago I wouldn’t have understood her actions or the sense of joy and accomplishment that came with them, but now it made perfect sense. To be honest: That scared me more than just a little. Just before the morning shift change, I decided enough time had passed for the essence to have been absorbed. I jumped up for a quick check. Fourteen months. A little over a year. It was working.

I left her room, exhausted from staying up all night to keep watch but much too exhilarated to get any actual sleep. The early part of the day was spent in a sleep-deprived, euphoric daze. By that afternoon, I was going to be in trouble.

It was craft day in the recreation room.

A time, along with game day, that made M. light up. Lately, these were my favorite times as well, and I would never usually miss a chance at seeing a smile in her eyes, but the events of the night were weighing on me and I decided to take a nap. So there I was, sleeping on the window sill, basking in the sun—very much aware of the list of clichés I was perpetrating. Just as I was drifting off, I heard this awful, screeching voice scream across the room.

“Mom, over here, Mom! MeMaw is over here!”

One eye popped open and searched for the source of the offending voice. The cubby little demon was circling a poor old woman who was trying to work on making a paper picture frame. The little boy’s swollen hands darted in and out of her pockets, presumably looking for something else to shove in his mouth. I was hoping he’d be successful; anything to shut him up.

“MeMaw! MeMaw! Where’s the candy?

You always have candy!”

Even though the last thing this walking billboard for childhood diabetes needed was candy, I was praying he would find some and fill his screeching mouth. And for good measure choke.

“Bobby, be quiet.” Was his mother’s only half-assed attempt to control the situation.

I was about to close my eyes again and pretend that sleep was in my future when I saw the satan spawn walk toward M. “What’s wrong with her? She looks like a retard! Mom, look she’s a retard. A weetawd. Mom! Look at the weeee-taaawd.”

I looked at the mother, who had no intention of silencing her crime against humanity.

I looked at M. and saw the pain in her eyes.

She was tearing up and I was jumping off the sill.

“Weee-tawwded! Oww!” I barely heard his cries as my mouth filled with the coppery taste of his blood. I could swear there was a touch of vanilla as well.

I raked my claws down his fleshy calf for good measure and darted under the table before his mother turned around.

“Something bit me, Mom!” The mother finally tried to act the part.

“Nurse? Nurse? Something bit my son!

I could sue you! I’ll sue this whole place!”

An attendant came over (was it Jody or Janice?) and calmly explained, “There are no animals in here, he must have scraped his leg on the table. If you come with me, we’ll patch him up.”

“Do I look stupid? I know what a bite looks like; I’ll have you fired!”

“No, you won’t,” the nurse said. “What you will do is take your wailing child, who is upsetting our guests, out of this room immediately. And you will work really hard on your parenting skills before bringing him back. Good day.”

The woman, shocked into compliance, ushered her brat out the door.

I heard a knock on the table.

“Stay under there for a while just in case.

I know she’s your friend, but you have to be careful.”

As she walked away, I thought, “My friend?” I must not be as sneaky as I thought.

Just then a piece of butterscotch hit the floor. I peered out from under the table, but MeMaw had already gone back to her frame.

“I’m glad the little bastard is gone.”

Me too, MeMaw. Me too.

Anthony David Lawson is the author of “Novel,” as well as a local playwright, director and actor. He will write a piece of prose presented in parts every other week in encore throughout 2015, entitled “The Nine Lives of Xen.”

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events WILMINGTON BIZ CONFERENCE AND EXPO Wilmington’s largest business-to-business conference, where professionals come to learn, network and grow their business. Takes place 3/25, 11:30am-7pm. Keynote lunch, Expo Hall with more than 100 exhibitors, free seminars on a range of timely topics, Wilmington’s largest annual after hours party. Join more than 2,500 people for a day of learning and new connections! Exhibitor packages available for booths, $600 and up. Sponsorship opportunities and larger booths: Melissa Pressly at (910)343-8600, x 203, or mpressley@wilmington-

biz.com.

2015 BACK TO THE BEACH CAR SHOW 3/27-28: Sun Coast Cruiser is having their 2015 Back to the Beach Car Show, Fri., 3/27. Cruise-In at Smithfield Chicken n BBQ at 17th Street and College Rd., 3-6pm • Sat., 3/28, 2015 the Back to the Beach Car Show at the Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area, Kure Beach. Registration at 9am. Registration fee is $25; awards 4pm. Music, vendors, 50/50, raffles, and door prizes and food. Free to the public. Rain or shine. Fort Fisher Air Force Rec Area.

DRESS TO SUCCESS FASHION SHOW 3/27, 12:15am: UNCW’s Communication Studies Society is hosting the 13th Annual Dress for Suc-

cess Fashion Show. The Fashion Show is an opportunity for students, faculty, alumni, and the community to participate in an event preparing students for life after graduation. The show features business casual and business professional attire provided by Belk and White House Black Market as well as an informative skit produced by Studio TV students. Throughout the skit and fashion show, students learn the differences between business casual and business professional attire, as well as how to prepare for an interview, and how to create their personal image through everything they communicate--from the clothes they wear, how they act, choices they make, and what they say. UNCW’s Warwick Center Ballroom, 601 S. Col-

lege Road TARTAN DAY CELILIDH 3/28, 7pm: The Scottish Society of Wilmington presents its annual Ceilidh (say “Kay-lee”) to celebrate Tartan Day and the Cape Fear Highland Games. Entertainment includes traditional Celtic ensemble Barrowburn (Raleigh NC) and the Port City Pipe & Drum Band. Cash bar and dinner menu available. The public is welcome. More info at 910-256-3798 or 5127009. Front Street Brewery, 9 N Front St. GYPSY ROOF PARTY VARIETY SHOW 3/28, 6pm: It’s the Gypsy’s Roof Party Variety Show Live Telethon! Harkening back to the old days of the Telethon, The Juggling Gypsy on March 28th will hold a variety show telethon fundraiser, in an evening filled with live performances, comedy, musical acts and live webcasts to generate funds for necessary repairs. Prepare yourself for Feats of daring and stupidity, dares for donations, and some of the strangest variety acts & Stupid human tricks anyone could ask for....all for a good cause. Come be a part of the live in-studio audience or tune in live via the web. Donate what you can. Juggling Gypsy Cafe & Hookah Bar, 1612 Castle St HERB AND GARDEN FAIR 3/28-29: Poplar Grove Plantation hosts the area’s largest and longest running garden event on Saturday, 9am-4pm, and 10am-4pm. Free and extensive classes and activities, all offered by our local experts throughout the two days. You can go on a bird and nature hike; learn about square foot gardening, local birds and how to create wildlife habitats; discover 10 native plants for your front yard; learn about pollinators and the honey industry; explore the miniature world of fairy gardens, and even more. www. poplargrove.org. Vendors selling annuals, perennials, shrubs, native plants, vegetable starts, herbs, container gardens, and other types of plant material.

Artisan crafters will offer one-of-a-kind decorative pieces to complete your horticulture needs. Interested in meeting our furry friends? Tour the Barnyard, 10am-2pm, on Saturday, and then jump on the wagon for a ride through the woods. $5 Barnyard Tour fee includes both activities. Closed-toe shoes are required. Poplar Grove’s Manor House will be open for tours both days, 1-4pm. Enjoy a glass of wine as you walk through our newly renovated Greek revival home. Docents will share the history of one of the oldest existing plantations in southeastern NC. 10200 US Hwy 17 N PUT THE BRAKES ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING 3/31, 10am: NC is one of the top 10 worst states for human trafficking in the US, with Wilmington being one of the leading cities and there are thousands of victims around the world every year that suffer from the brutality of modern slavery. Prevention and awareness have become some of the key components in stopping human trafficking. 3/31, head to UNCW and help spread the word about the prominence of human trafficking in our community! With a presentation by Five14 Revolution, a screening of the documentary “Not My Life,” a panel featuring many important figures in the fight against HT, and booths provided by both local and nonlocal organizations. Guests include: Lindsey Roberson, assistant DA; The Rape Crisis Center of Coastal Horizons; A

44 encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com

Creators syndiCate CREATORS SYNDICATE © 2015 STANLEY NEWMAN

WWW.STANXWORDS.COM

3/29/15

THE NEWSDAY CROSSWORD Edited by Stanley Newman (www.StanXwords.com)

ON THE MOVE: Some noun + verb mashups

by Fred Piscop ACROSS 1 Tuna-and-cheese sandwich 5 Totally exhausted 10 Scandinavian capital 14 Freud collaborator 19 Parts of some portfolios 20 In the know 21 Ostrich relative 22 Repetitive practice 23 Computer hardware 25 Seaside promenades 27 Score 100 on 28 Dillydally 29 Utah national park 30 Inflatable boats 31 Get dry and wrinkly 33 Buttonholes, essentially 35 Toad feature 36 Man cave, maybe 37 Book’s backbone 38 Era or epoch 42 Handled roughly 45 Journeys from bar to bar 47 Prefix for metric 48 Airport stats 49 Dear: Fr. 51 Jamie Foxx Oscar film 52 Blackboard material 54 Items on a “must” list 55 Banned picnic game 59 Comic-strip segment 60 Siri speaks for them 63 Genders 64 Chopper parts 65 Sports shoe 66 Manning of the NFL 67 Potato-processing tool 68 ’50s Porsche model 70 River through Nottingham 72 Loosens, as laces 75 Spanish national hero 76 Print quantities

78 Mauna __ 79 Chicago mayor before Emanuel 80 Psi preceder 81 Art Deco designer 82 Diner sandwiches, for short 83 Enjoyed 82 Across 84 Flies close to the ground 88 Potion portions 89 What the septum separates 92 Educator Montessori 93 Comprehend 94 Slippery swimmers 95 Alloted, with “out” 96 Hunger Games skill 100 Electrified 102 Driver’s warning 103 Coloratura’s solo 104 Churchill signal 105 High-security storage spots 107 Bugs in genetics research 110 See things the same 111 Green Hornet’s sidekick 112 Special Forces headgear 113 Subside 114 Formal footwear 115 Princes’ prep school 116 World Cup powerhouse 117 Tip-jar filler DOWN 1 Mythical greedy monarch 2 Author __ Maria Remarque 3 Light-show light 4 “Naughty boy!”

5 Prison chief 6 Volunteer’s offer

7 Apply asphalt 8 Before, to bards 9 __ Moines, IA 10 Satellite, by definition 11 Drives off 12 Low in fat 13 Crew-team member 14 Invasive apps 15 Works in progress 16 Cheery tune 17 Some lodge brothers 18 Treasure Island monogram 24 Did a jackknife, say 26 Vial measures 29 Metal in pennies 32 “Beware the __ of March” 33 Brushes aside 34 Ad-__ 35 Full of guile 37 Jet forth 38 “Jabberwocky” starter 39 Inserts for self-playing instruments 40 Late-blooming flower 41 Christmas songs 42 Nail treatment, for short 43 Sitting on 44 Laundry steps 46 Creative fields 49 Unmistakable 50 Own, old-style 52 Sci-fi logician 53 Approach the wee hours 56 Farm-equipment brand 57 Wheel bars 58 Horse holders 61 Blast from the past 62 Indigent 64 Dentist’s instruction 67 Least of a litter

68 Coupe counterpart 69 Pupil of Socrates 70 High-school math 71 Fearful 73 Pledge-drive premium 74 Talk trash to 76 High degs.

77 Celestial bear 80 Animation collectibles 82 “You and me __” 84 Poet Doolittle 85 Thoreau pal

86 Abominate 87 Source of gold 88 Tea choice 90 Studs who wrote Working 91 Actor Keanu 93 Courageous 95 “Be Prepared,” e.g.

96 Shakespearean sprite 97 French water source 98 Milton Hershey colleague

99 Go-aheads 100 Fight, as a war 101 Regarding 102 No longer bubbly 103 Distinctive air 105 Scrooge shout 106 Luau strings 107 Clarice Starling’s employer 108 No longer active: Abbr.

109 MGM mascot

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

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Safe Place; New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office; Five14 Revolution; and more, 10am-3pm. UNCW’s Warwick Center Ballroom, 601 S. College Road EGG HUNT AT HALYBURTON 4/2, 9am: Nature activities for the day include animal eggs, nests, egglympics, story time and a spring nature hike. Space is limited so please register early! Ages: 2-7. Halyburton Park, 4099. S. 17th Street HOT WAX SUBMERGED FASHION SHOW 4/3, 8pm: Doors at 7pm. Live music by The Midatlantic. Middle of the Island Catering. Silent auction benefitting s.h.a.r.e mTicket information: $20 in advance @ Hotwax Surf Shop and Lula Balou. For more information about reserving tables contact: Candance Lea, 910-616-2930. Brooklyn Arts Center, 516 North 4th Street EASTER CELEBRATION 4/5, 7am: 15th Annual Easter Celebration at the Beach. Breakfast tent, live music, Jack the Clown, stuff for the kids, the puppet-toons from Reaching Hearts, Easter message and more. Sponsored by North Pointe Community Church. Oceanic Pier, 703 S Lumina Ave. SEASIDE SPRING RENEWAL RETREAT Spring will be here before you know it so start planning now to attend our 2nd annual Seaside Spring Renewal Retreat coming up 4/9-12. Four day/three night retreat is all about health, wellness and renewal just in time for summer! The event begins with an early check-in oat 3:00pm complete with a wine and cheese reception at the Beacon House Inn Bed & Breakfast on Thursday from 5:30-7:30pm. Healthy, artisan breakfast each morning accompanied by raw cold pressed juice and smoothie from Island Wellness Market. Three yoga classes at Salty Dog Yoga and Surf, a three course group dinner at the Surf HoCRAFT SABBATHuse Cafe‘, smoothie and shopping coupon for Island Wellness Market and a goody bag

to take home! Packages start at $343 per person (double occupancy). Super saver package starting at $246 per person! 910-458-6244 or 877-BEACON6.

Beacon House Inn Bed & Breakfast, 715 Carolina Beach Ave N. MONSTER EXCITEMENT Wilmington, there’s a monster heading your way—a monster truck, that is! On 4/10-11, check out what the excitement is all about when the legendary Ram sponsored monster truck, Raminator rolls into Neuwirth Motors on 219 South College Rd. Guests of all ages are invited to see how they measure up against the towering 5’5’’ tires, meet the talent behind the wheel and receive an autograph and take a photo with a member of the Hall Brothers Racing team. Since 2002, two of the most iconic and most feared opponents in monster truck racing have been sponsored by the Ram Truck brand—Raminator and Rammunition. In December 2014, Raminator and Driver Mark Hall broke the Guinness World Record® for the Fastest Speed for a Monster Truck, hitting a record speed of 99.10 miles per hour. www.Raminator.com. Neuwirth Motors, 219 South College Road AZALEA CELEBRATION SPRING FLING Azalea Celebration presented by The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, Sat., 4/11, 11am.

Pine Valley UMC, 3788 Shipyard Blvd, Wilmington NC 28403. Silent auction, luncheon, and musical entertainment by Curtis Campbell. Tickets $20.

Proceeds benefit the Salvation Army’s “Center of Hope.” 343-0620 for more Information or tickets.

Pine Valley UMC, 3788 Shipyard Blvd.

charity/fundraisers VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Cape Fear Volunteer Center is seeking volunteers

Jesse

Michael

for The First Tee of the Cape Fear Region. The position is volunteer coach. Their responsibilities are to deliver the First Tee’s nine core values and life skills curriculum through the game of golf at an after school program. This is a volunteer commitment lasting through Thursday, June 4, 2015. There will be a lead instructor at each location. Training is provided and will be provided by Program Director. Interested?

Contact Annie Anthony at (910) 392-8180 or cfvcdirector@gmail.com. Cape Fear Volunteer Center, 214 Walnut Street HEROES IN HEELS Through 3/26: There’s just something about a man in high heels that turns a few heads and, hopefully raises a few dollars. At least that’s the idea behind Coastal Horizons Center’s online campaign to support its Rape Crisis Center. “Heroes in Heels” features portraits of a dozen unsung heroes in regional health care, law enforcement, education, advocacy and military service—each in a pair of sparkly teal high heels, and all to educate the community and raise money for the rape response and sexual assault non-profit that serves New Hanover and Brunswick counties. The 12 heroes will compete, via social media shares and posts, to generate the most votes and raise the most dollars to win and earn the top hero status. The campaign runs through 3/26, when a rally and reception in downtown Wilmington will celebrate the day-to-day work of all, and reveal the hero with the most dollars raised. The high heel portraits and hero profiles are posted athttps:// www.crowdrise.com/heroesinheels. Voting through 3/26. Each vote costs a minimum of $10.

WOMEN OF HOPE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION 3/27, 7pm: Women of Hope is pleased to announce A Birthday Celebration for Women of Hope and Cancer Survivors on Friday, March 27, 2015 at the Coastline Convention Center in downtown Wilmington, NC beginning at 7:00 pm. Women of Hope will be celebrating “Five Years” on March 9, 2015. It will be an evening of hors d’oeuvres, music and dancing.

Entertainment will be provided by DJ Joey Warren and heavy hors d’oeuvres provided by Giorgio’s Italian Restaurant. The celebration would not be complete without a Birthday Cake by Eat Dessert First. It is sure to be a wonderful evening for all who attend.

Free but guests must have a free ticket to attend. www.womenofhopenc.org. Coastline Convention Center, 501 Nutt St. LCF HOSPICE FOUNDATION SKEET SHOOT Fourth Annual Lower Cape Fear Hospice Foundation Skeet Shoot, presented by First Citizens Bank, begins at 8am, Sat., 3/28, at Buccaneer Gun Club, 1460 Goose Pond Rd in Leland. Reg. gets underway at 7am. All shooters will be assigned a shooting time. Buccaneer is a certified skeet facility. Participants will enjoy onsite instruction, two full rounds of skeet shooting, additional skeet shooting opportuni-

ties, an event swag bag including commemorative T-shirt, and lots of fun. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. All shooters must provide their own gun and shells. Shooters will compete in teams of four.

Those who sign up without a team will be paired.

This tournament will be scored on the Lewis Class System. The system is based on the final scores as they are posted when the shoot has been completed. This system gives every contestant an equal chance to win regardless of shooting level. Prizes will be given for first, second and third places, as well as ladies and youth prizes. Participants will also have the opportunity to purchase tickets for a shotgun to be raffled. Tickets $25 ea. or five for $100. 910-7968099 ext. 6 or www.hospiceskeetshoot.org. Lindsey Champion at 910-796-8047 or lindsey.champion@ lcfh.org INDOJAX SURF CHARITIES BENEFIT 3/28, 4pm: Hot yoga class and raffle to benefit Indo Jax Surf Charities Trip to India. Buy raffle tickets anytime from now until the 28th. Great prizes—10 class card at Wilmington Bikram Yoga, Hydro flask, handmade jewelry, Gift baskets from Tatooed Mermaid and Mary Kay, gift certificate from Loveys Market and more! Proceeds support the Indo Jax’s crew sixth year working with the girls from the Homes of Hope Orphanage located in Kochi, India. www.indojaxsurfschool.com or www.wilmingtonbikramyoga. com. Class is cash donation. Raffle tickets 1 for $5 and three for $10. Wilmington Bikram Yoga, 5424 Oleander Dr. ENGLISH TUTORING Cape Fear Volunteer Center is seeking English Tutor for Speakers of Other Languages (ESL) at Interfaith Refugee Ministry. Work with individuals or groups of refugees who are learning English. Practice English conversation, reading, and writing. Materials and tutor training are available through a partnership between IRM-W and Cape Fear Literacy Council. This is a long-term commitment with one ESL tutor per refugee family. Must have willingness to work with diverse populations; willingness to work in the field (home visits); cross-cultural communication skills and interest. No maximum number of volunteers needed.

Indirect supervision and training provided. Volunteers are needed two or more hours per week, 6 month commitment preferred (1 semester minimum commitment for students). Dates and times are flexible.

Training is provided by IRM-W Employment/Resource Developer (optional ESL Tutor Training Certificate through Cape Fear Literacy Council) at the IRM-W (and Cape Fear Literary Council).

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UPCOMING EVENTS Wednesday March 25 Softball vs East Carolina 4:00pm and 6:00pm

Tuesday March 31 Women’s Tennis vs Delaware 2:00pm

Thursday March 26 Women’s Tennis vs East Carolina 2:00pm

Tuesday March 31 Baseball vs Tulane 6:00pm

Sunday March 29 Men’s Golf hosts Seahawk Intercollegiate All Day at Country Club of Landfall (Nicklaus Course)

Tuesday March 31 Softball vs South Carolina 5:00pm

Monday March 30 Men’s Golf hosts Seahawk Intercollegiate All Day at Country Club of Landfall (Nicklaus Course)

Game Sponsored by Campus Walk I & II

To order tickets or for more information, please contact the UNCW Ticket Office at (910) 962-3233 www.UNCWSports.com encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com 47

LLOYD’S SALES AND STORAGE 6505 Market St., Wilmington

Come See Us For All Your Moving & Storage Needs!

Storage Dept. 910-791-4337 We Install Trailer Hitches For All Vehicles

Atmospheric Monthly Rates 5x5 $35 5x10 $55 10x10 $80 10x15 $95 10x20 $105 10x25 $135 10x30 $150 Climate Control Monthly Rates 5x10 $75 10x10 $100 10x15 $125 10x20 $145

FREE Truck With Move In 48 encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com

Call For Price

LLOYD’S SALES AND STORAGE 6505 Market St., Wilmington

Come See Us For All Your Moving & Storage Needs!

Storage Dept. 910-791-4337 We Install Trailer Hitches For All Vehicles

Atmospheric Monthly Rates 5x5 $35 5x10 $55 10x10 $80 10x15 $95 10x20 $105 10x25 $135 10x30 $150

Call For Price

Climate Control Monthly Rates 5x10 $75 10x10 $100 10x15 $125 10x20 $145

FREE Truck With Move In encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com 49

Student Lab Series production MilkMilkLemonade

by Joshua Conkel, being directed by Kristina Auten.

One of Conkel’s most popular plays, MilkMilkLemonade follows the story of a young boy who is being raised by his strict, homophobic grandmother on a chicken farm. In the midst of being told to “act less like a girl,” the young boy faces other challenges such as his next-door neighbor who simultaneously bullies and attempts to seduce him. To further complicate matters, the young boy’s best friend is a chicken whom he is desperately trying to save from certain death. Wacky, crazy, and fun while also attacking important, controversial issues such as homophobia, gender as a shifting label rather than as a set identity, animal rights, and many others. Dark comedy. Performances 3/26-29 in the CAB SRO and are $3/students and $5/all other audience members paid in cash at the door at 7pm, an hour before the show starts at 8pm. 601 S. College Rd. RUDE BITCHES MAKE ME TIRED 2’ 3/27-5/3, Fri.-Sat., 7pm, by Celia Rivenbark, adapted by Zach Hanner. Doors open at 6pm. Sundays starting April 12 at 3pm. Tickets $38. $22 for show only. Local author, Celia Rivenbark’s latest novel gets a second dinner theater makeover. This time with some additional stories not found in the book, but with all the irreverance you’ve grown to love.

Advice on etiquette from these Southern gals will keep you in stiches. Three-course meal included. www.theatrewilmington.com. TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10th St. THE LIVING CROSS MUSICAL March 27, 29, 31, 4/3, 7:30pm. Doors will open for seating at 6:30 PM. Admission: an offering will be taken. Wrightsboro Baptist Church, 2736 Castle Hayne Rd.

MUSICAL DRAMA 3/29, 5pm: Please Come out to our church and watch “Mercy Walked In” our Easter Musical Drama! Castle Hayne Church of God, 60 Crowatan Rd. ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD UNCW Department of Theatre feat. Tom Stoppard’s “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead,” directed

by Ed Wagenseller. Acclaimed as a modern dramatic masterpiece, the play is a fabulously inventive tale of Hamlet as told through the worm’s-eye view of the bewildered Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two minor characters in Shakespeare’s work. In Tom Stoppard’s best-known work, this Shakespearean Laurel and Hardy finally get a chance to play the lead roles.

Runs at 8pm. Thurs-Sat, with Sun matinees at 2pm.

April 16-19 and 23-26 on the Mainstage Theatre in the UNCW Cultural Arts Building. Tickets are $12 for members of the general public, $10 for seniors, UNCW employees, and alum, and $5 for students.

Kenan Box Office: 910.962.3500. uncw.edu/arts/ boxoffice.html.Kenan Auditorium, 601 S. College Rd.

comedy DEAD CROW COMEDY CLUB Ongoing schedule: Mon, Comedy Bingo and $1 tacos; Tues, free Crow’s Nest Improv (long-form), 8pm; Wed, Nutt House Improv Show, 9pm, $3; Thurs, free open-mic night, 9pm; Fri-Sat, national touring comedians/comediennes, 8pm/10pm $10$15; Sun, closed. • 11:45pm: Late Fear with Willis Maxwell, Wilmington’s Late Night Talk Show, taped every 1st and 3rd Saturday night at midnight in the Dead Crow Comedy Room, Late Fear is a hilarious and fun showcase for Wilmington’s creative talent and small business. • Tracy Smith, 3/27, 8pm. 3/24,

50 encore |march 25 – 31, 2015 | www.encorepub.com

8pm: A traveling celebration of life and people, our Jordin Sparks, Trisha Yearwood, Donny Osmond, talents and mistakes, the connections that we make, and Smoky Robinson. $10 for students, $30 for and all of our many imperfections. Stand-up comedy, adults. 310 Chestnut St. www.thalianhall.org stories, music, chances to win fabulous prizes, and UNCW JAZZ FESTIVAL you.Dead Crow Comedy Room, 265 N. Front Street.

3/27, 7:30pm: Wessell “Warmdaddy” Anderson PSL PRESENTS brings his renowned quartet to open the annual UNCW Jazz Festival. A long-time member of the 4/8, 8pm: Pineapple-Shaped Lamps presents an evening of original sketch comedy! Bar and kitchen Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Anderson brings inwill be open! TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10th St. www.thenovation, warmth and vitality to his playing. Tickets atrewilmington.com will be on sale one hour prior to performance. Beckwith Recital Hall, UNCW Cultural Arts Building, 5270 Randall Driven

music/concert

DONNELL LEAHY & NATHALIE MACMASTER 3/25, 7:30pm: Performing on the fiddle, 7:30 p.m. at Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. 910-632-2285. $20.

Thalian Hall Ballroom, 310 Chestnut St. MU PHI EPSILON MUSIC STUDENT RECITAL 3/26, 7:30pm: Students in the Department of Music peform an evening of classical music in solo and small ensembles. Free. Beckwith Recital Hall, UNCW Cultural Arts Building, 5270 Randall Dr. JAZZ PIANIST MARY LOUISE KNUTSON 3/27, 7:30pm: Mary Louise Knutson, Award-winning pianist and composer at Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. TICKETS: or 910-6322285. Called “one of the most exciting and innovative artists to happen to jazz piano in quite some time,” Knutson tours regularly with former Tonight Show bandleader trumpeter Doc Severinsen and his big band. She has performed with such jazz greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby McFerrin, Dianne Reeves Music, Bobby Shew, Slide Hampton, and Peter Erskine. As a show player, she has performed with such artists as Reba McEntire, Michael Bolton,

TALLIS CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT 3/28, 7:30pm: The Tallis Chamber Orchestra Ten Year Anniversary Concert will be held Sat., 3/28, 7:30pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal. Orchestra will perform a wide variety of Classical music. The concert is free with donations accepted to benefit Dreams of Wilmington. Please contact Philip Singleton for more information 910-620-7207. Free concert/donations accepted for Dreams of Wilmington MIPSO (ACOUSTIC) 3/28, 7:30pm: The renegade traditionalists of Mipso are doing their part to take three-part harmony and Appalachian influences into new territory. These three North Carolina songwriters have wandered off the path blazed by Earl Scruggs and Doc Watson to find a near clearing for their Southern string band sound. This evening of strings is sure to get toes tapping and leave you smiling. Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. CLOTHESLINE MUSE 3/28, 8pm: Six-time Grammy-nominated vocalist Nnenna Freelon’s new theatrical work explores through music, dance and theatre - the role of the clothesline in African-American culture. Admission:

$20 general public $16 faculty & staff $8 students & youth. Kenan Auditorium, 601 S. College Rd. VINCENT VAN GELDER 3/29, 7:30pm: International prize winning pianist Vincent Van Gelder performs an evening of piano.

Cultural Arts box office opens one hour prior to performance. UNCW Beckwith Recital Hall, 5270 Randall Drive PIANO MASTERWORKS SERIES 4/2, 8pm: Resident pianist Norman Bemelmans perfoms solo works as part of UNCW’s ever-popular Piano Masterworks Series, featuring classical music’s most beloved and enduring repertoire for the keyboard. Entitled The Romantic Impulse, the April 2nd program includes selected works by Beethoven, Scriabin and Liszt.Admission: $18 general public $15 faculty and staff $8 students and youth. Kenan Auditorium, 601 S. College Rd. SWEET ADELINES 4/6, 6:30pm: Azalea Coast Chorus Of SWeet Adelines Inc. Sing out! Open house, 4/6, 6:30pm. Ladies, do you love to sing? (A Capella), making new friends, w/ some fabulous women ?Harmonizing in the barbershop tradition?! like a fun evening out? No experience needed. 910-791-3846. Masonboro Baptist Church, 1501 Beasley Rd.

dance WILMINGTON DANCE FESTIVAL 3/27-28: The Wilmington Dance Festival is a twoday celebration of dance. Hosted and produced by the Dance Cooperative, the festival features local choreographers and dancers and guest artist Melissa Pihos. Melissa Pihos has an MFA from UNC-Greensboro and extensive training in dance and choreography. Currently with the Van Dyke Dance Group and John Gamble Dance Theatre, Melissa has choreographed and danced in productions throughout the United States. An advocate for those with Alzheimer’s disease, Melissa is based out of Greensboro, North Carolina. https://mpihos.wordpress.com/ The Dance Cooperative is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to offer affordable, high quality dance education and performances throughout the Wilmington area. www.thedancecooperative. org. City Stage Co., 21 North Front St. ZUMBA Wednesdays at the Hannah Arts Center (old USO building) in downtown Wilmington at 120 S. Second Street. Two classes, back to back from 5-5:55pm and 6-6:55pm. $5 per class; cash only. Parking is available. Zumba infuses low-intensity and high-intensity moves for a fun, interval-style dance fitness party using low lights and a disco ball. All ages are welcome. 910-399-3669. Hannah Block Historic USO/

Community Arts Center, 120 S. Second St. LINE DANCING LESSONS 4/6, 6:30pm: Learn how to do the latest line dances from our insrtuctor. Halftime Sports Bar and Grill, 1107 New Pointe Blvd, Leland.

art/exhibits ORANGE FEST ARTISTS NEEDED The Thalian Association is seeking artists for the 20th Anniversary Orange Street ArtsFest, Memorial Day weekend, Sat., 5/23, 10am-6pm; Sun., 5/24, 10am-5pm. Street fair is held on Orange Street next to the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, with some exhibitors inside the building.

The popular juried show is the largest arts festival in downtown Wilmington and will feature over 60 artists with $550 in prize money. Applicants must submit a color photo of original work in acrylic, oils, watercolor, sculpture, drawing, graphics, wearable arts, leather jewelry, clay, glass, fiber, metal work or mixed media.

Photographically or commercially reproduced work is also acceptable in limited editions, signed and numbered by the artist. For information about booth rental, deadlines and application process please visit wilmingtoncommunityarts.org or email Samantha Herrick, Community Arts Center Director at slherrick@thalian.org.

STAINED GLASS/ART GLASS OPEN HOUSE 3/26, 6pm: Coastal Designer Glass is hosting a stained glass and architectural art glass open house, highlighting the work of Artist-In-Residence, Niki Hildebrand. Ms. Hildebrand, a native of the UK, and graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design in glassmaking, is an expert in stained glass, blown glass, cast glass and art glass. Her creations and restorations have been featured at museums, churches, and galleries around the U.S. Examples of Ms. Hildebrand’s work will be on display along with several other artists and craftsmen that work with Coastal Designer Glass. The evening will feature live music and include a drawing for a beautiful piece of art glass. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Coastal Designer Glass, 5424 Oleander Drive, Suite 3 MOMENTS OF OUR PAST 3/27, 6pm: WHQR welcomes local talents Bradley Carter and Jason Parker to the MC Erny Gallery. Be sure to stop by for some wine, light refreshments and to see their mesmerizing collection “Moments of the Past.” MC Erny Gallery, 254 North Front Street PRIMAVERA Primavera opens at New Elements Gallery Friday, March 27th. This exhibit welcomes springtime with figurative and abstract paintings, vibrant glass, ceramic pieces, and other fine art and craft by our gal-

lery artists. Primavera will remain on view until 4/18.

New Elements Gallery, 201 Princess St. ARTIST’S JOURNAL 3/31, 10am: Be guided through fun phases of making your own artist’s journal. Collect papers, memorabilia, and photos; learn how to assemble them in your book, making a creative time line and using a variety of collage and mixed media techniques. For beginning or experienced students. Supply list available.

Maximum 4 students. Individual guidance. Sunroom Studio, 6905 Southern Exposure.

CANDY PEGRAM 4/2, 6:30pm: Candy Pegram is Artful Living Group’s featured artists for April with her whimsical Folksy Art collection. She is a renown local artist whose paintings take us back to simipler times when yoyos and pogo sticks were the best toys. Her paintings are on display through April. Come join us for the opening reception on April 2nd to meet Candy and enjoy fun artwork. Artful Living Group, 112 Cape Fear Blvd.

ART AND WINE NIGHT 4/3, 6:30pm: Get your friends together and become an artist. Just like Wine and Design in Wilmington NC, you will go home with a finished piece of artwork that you can hang in your home. $25 for Tmuffin members, $35 for non-members. Tmuffin, 3534 S. College Rd Unit I. WAA SPRING ART SHOW The Wilmington Art Association will host its 33rd Annual Juried Spring Art Show and Sale during the 2015 North Carolina Azalea Festival Friday April 10Suday, April 12. Over 150 artists will be selected to display their work including 2-D and 3-D selections.

Hannah Block Community Arts Arts Center, 120 S Second St. HARRY TAYLOR EXHIBIT SALT Studio is proud to present Harry Taylor’s pho-

tography exhibition, “Requiem: Views from the Cape Fear.” Featuring never seen before tintype photography (wet plate collodion process) and large scale fine art archival photographic prints from Taylor’s on going Cape Fear River series. Prints will range in size from 16x20 inches to 40x60 inches and will be affordably priced for both new and experienced collectors of fine art. Taylor’s tintype photography will be featured in the forthcoming April 2015 issues of Garden & Gun and Our State magazines. The Cameron Art Museum recently showed Harry’s “Requiem,” a greenhouse constructed of 280 ambrotypes and glass negatives of Taylor’s tableaux vivants of the Civil War in the Cape Fear Region. Hangs through 4/17. 805 N 4th St; 910-367-5720.

ART CLASSES Mon, 10am: Basic drawing—Learn how to shade to depict light and shadow, line drawing, work from a photo or imagination and how to draw anything.

• Tues., 2pm: Paint with watercolors—Learn how to work from a photo or imagination, create light and shadow, vibrant color layering, washes, splashes, sponging and masking. • Wed., 10am: Learn acrylic or oil painting basics—how to work from a photo or imagination, paint light and shadow, employ color and brush dynamics and explore various painting techniques. • Thurs, 10am: play draw. Four really fun projects using pencil, charcoal, pen and ink and oil pastels, create amazing drawings! • Fri., 10am: Painting w/acrylics. For beginning or experienced students. Supply list is available. Maximum 4 students. Individual guidance. Sun Room, 6905 Southern Exposure ARTISTS’ RECEPTION Port City Pottery & Fine Crafts features Dianne Masi, Gourd Artist and Mary Holden-Hall, Potter thru April 21st, The Cotton Exchange. Reception Friday, March 27, 6-9 PM. Refreshments served.

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FOURTH FRIDAY GALLERY NIGHT “Fourth Friday Gallery Night” is now coordinated by The Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County, feat. 16 local art galleries and studios that will open their doors to the public in an after-hours celebration of art and culture, from 6-9pm, every fourth Friday of the month through 2014. Rhonda Bellamy at 910-343-0998, 221 N. Front St. Suite 101. www.artscouncilofwilmington.org

museum CAPE FEAR MUSEUM Exhibits: Nano Days: Dive into a miniscule world where materials have special properties and new technologies have spectacular promise. Enjoy fun hands-on activities demonstrating the special and unexpected properties found at the nanoscale and examine tools used by nanoscientists. Nationwide festival of educational programs is organized by the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (NISE Net). Parental participation required. Free for members with admission. Cape Fear Museum, 814 Market St. • Make It Work, through 9/13/15: Encourages visitors to explore the six types of universal simple machines to learn how they make work easier. Lift levers, work with wedges, and encounter other maritime-related hands-on activities. View historic objects and images from the museum’s collection related to Wilmington’s boat and ship building history and make connections to simple machines.

Sponsored by Landfall Foundation. • Fort Fisher: 150 Years, through 7/13/15: Includes hundreds of artifacts that document the history of Fort Fisher and its changing role in the community. View a selection of objects and images that shed light on the past 150 years. Examine artifacts from when Fort Fisher was

a battle site. See some of the different the ways the site has been used since 1865. • World War II: A Local Artist’s Perspective: In time for the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landing and the Normandy campaign, Cape Fear Museum will be exhibiting one of the region’s most powerful collections of World War II artifacts. • Cape Fear Stories presents artifacts, images, models, and 3D settings to explore people’s lives in the Lower Cape Fear from Native American times through the end of the 20 century. • Search It: 3/29, 1:30, 2:30 & 3:30pm. Free for members or with admission. Venture into the cosmos and take a virtual journey of the solar system during our SkyQuest program. Space is limited. Parental participation is required. • SkyQuest: 3/29, 1:30pm: Come discover the exciting world of astronomy in Cape Fear Museum’s digital planetarium as we take a virtual journey to explore our solar system and beyond. This stateof-the-art equipment creates a realistic view of stars, planets, and other celestial bodies in our own galaxy and provides a look even farther into the universe.

Themes vary. Space is limited. Parental participation required. Free for members with admission • Wave It: Free for members or with admission. Investigate the science of light, sound, and ocean movement with fun, hands-on experiments! Parental participation is required • Break It: 4/1, noon: Unleash your destructive forces as you make it and break it! Parental participation is required. Free for members or with admission. Cape Fear Museum, 814 Market Street • Flip It: 4/2, noon: Free for members or with admission. Create artistic mirror images, explore paper shapes, and make a mini-movie flipbook to take home. Parental participation is required.• Squish It: Free for members or with admission. Use your senses and your imagination to produce mushy, slimy, gurgling concoctions! Parental participation is required. • Michael Jordan Discovery Gallery, Williston Auditorium, giant ground sloth, Maritime Pavilion

and more! 910-798-4370. Hours: Tues-Sat, 9am5pm; Sun., 1-5pm. $5-$8. Free for museum members and children under 3. New Hanover County residents’ free day is the first Sun. ea. month. 814 Market St. www.capefearmuseum.com CF SERPENTARIUM World’s most fascinating and dangerous reptiles in beautiful natural habitats. See “Bubble Boy” a 12foot saltwater crocodile, and “Sheena”, a gigantic Reticulated Python big enough to swallow a human being whole! There are dozens of other incredible live specimens, from huge anacondas to deadly bushmasters from the Amazonian jungle. King Cobras 15 ft long erect their hoods and amaze you. Black Mambas, Spitting Cobras, Gaboon Vipers, Puff Adders, Fer-de-lances and more! Over 100 species, some so rare they are not exhibited anywhere else.

New Christmas exhibit features “Chomp” a gigantic alligator snapping turtle with a head the size of a basketball. Also brand new is the Inland Taipan from Australia, the snake having the world’s deadliest venom. Winter schedule is Wed-Sun, 11 am - 5 pm (until 6 pm on Saturday). Address: 20 Orange St., across from the Historic Downtown Riverwalk, Front and Water St. (910)762-1669. www.capefearserpentarium.com WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH MUSEUM The Wrightsville Beach Museum of History, housed in the turn of the century Myers Cottage, exists to preserve and to share the history of Wrightsville Beach. Visitors to the cottage will find a scale model of Wrightsville Beach circa 1910, exhibits featuring the early days of the beach including Lumina Pavilion, our hurricane history and information about the interaction between the people and our natural environment which have shaped the 100 year history of Wrightsville Beach. (910) 256-2569. 303 West Salisbury St. wbmuseum.com.

WILMINGTON RAILROAD MUSEUM Explore railroad history and heritage, especially of the Atlantic Coast Line, headquartered in Wilmington for 125 years. Interests and activities for all ages, including historical exhibits, full-size steam engine and rolling stock, lively Children’s Hall, and spectacular model layouts. House in an authentic 1883 freight warehouse, facilities are fully accessible and on one level. By reservation, discounted group tours, caboose birthday parties, and after-hours meetings or mixers. Story Time on 1st/3rd Mondays at 10:30am, only $4 per family and access to entire Museum. Admission only $8.50 adult, $7.50 senior/military, $4.50 child age 2-12, and free under age 2. 505 Nutt St. 910-763-2634, www.wrrm.org.

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

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at 10am. $4-$12. The Latimer House of the Lower Cape Fear Historical Society is not handicapped accessible 126 S. Third St. 762-0492. www.latimerhouse.org BELLAMY MANSION One of NC’s most spectacular examples of antebellum architecture, built on the eve of the Civil War by free and enslaved black artisans, for John Dillard Bellamy (1817-1896) physician, planter and business leader; and his wife, Eliza McIlhenny Harriss (18211907) and their nine children. After the fall of Fort Fisher in 1865, Federal troops commandeered the house as their headquarters during the occupation of Wilmington. Now a museum, itf ocuses on history and the design arts and offers tours, changing exhibitions and an informative look at historic preservation in action.910-251-3700. www.bellamymansion.org.

503 Market St. CAMERON ART MUSEUM Exhibits: Matter of Reverence: For over 40 years, Hiroshi Sueyoshi (Japanese, b. 1946) has worked in the medium of clay. This exhibition explores the evolution of his art and philosophy as well as his major influences including Isamu Noguchi, Peter Voulkos and Ruth Duckworth. Featuring work from CAM’s permanent collection as well as loans from private and public collections including the Renwick Gallery, Washington, DC, the Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC and the Asheville Art Museum, Asheville, NC. Free for members. • In honor of the life and legacy of local artist and native Wilmingtonian, Claude Howell the Cameron Art Museum is presenting a centennial celebration, ClaudeLIVE! Corner of South 17th St. and Independence Blvd. Tues-Sun,10am-5pm; Thurs: 10am-9pm. Museum members free, $8 non-members, $5 students with valid ID, $3 children age 2 -12. • CAM Café hrs: Tues-Sat, 11am-3pm; Sun, 10am-3pm; Thurs. dinner. 910-395-5999. www. cameronartmuseum.org

sports/recreation F.A.R. OUT FAMILY ADVENTURE RACE 3/28, 11am: The mission of F.A.R. Out is to encourage families to build teamwork, communication, physical fitness and respect of the environment, all while having FUN! Family teams of two or three will navigate trail running, mountain biking, optional kayaking and two out of four possible team challenges. Towing Division (4 yrs old and under) through Teen Division options available, so this race is for all families! $30/adult for Towing Division. Brunswick Nature Park, 2601 River Road.

SBHS 5K COLOR RUN 3/28, 9am: 1st Annual South Brunswick High School Athletic Booster 5K Color Run/Walk. Fundraiser for

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athletics so come out and enjoy a great race or run for fun. You can also walk and bring friends. Awards will follow and then recognition of our spring athletes. S. Brunswick High School, 280 Cougar Rd. HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS 3/29, 3pm: Throughout their history, the Original Harlem Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 120 countries and territories on six continents, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience. Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans—among them popes, kings, queens, and presidents. The line-up has included some of the greatest players ever, including Wilt Chamberlain, Marques Haynes, Curly Neal, and Connie Hawkins, just to name a few, and they have appeared in their own movies and TV shows. The Harlem Globetrotters continue a world famous tradition of ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry, and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that continues to thrill fans of all ages. Trask ColiseumUNCW, 601 S. College Road THE WONDER OF BIRDS 3/29, 1:30pm: Discover the wonderful world of birds by exploring interactive learning centers that will be set up at the downtown public library on Sunday afternoon, March 29. Parents and children can move through the stations at their own pace, exploring topics such as survival, migration, feathers, skeletons of birds compared to humans, and beginning birding. Members of the Cape Fear Audubon Society will be on hand during the afternoon to talk with kids and adults about birds and about the group’s conservation efforts. For more information about the Cape Fear Audubon Society visit http://www. capefearaudubon.org/index.html. Contact Children’s Librarian Julie Criser, jcriser@nhcgov.com / 910-798-

6303. Main Library, NHC, 201 Chestnut Street SNAKES: SEPARATING MYTH FROM REALITY 4/4, 10am: For centuries snakes have been perceived as vicious monsters. But are these perceptions reasonable or has this mysterious creature been victimized by the human race? Come and learn the truth about these beautiful and useful reptiles and the important role they play in keeping the balance of a healthy ecosystem. Learn about the snakes that live in our area. Meet at the Visitor Center at 10:00 a.m. Live animals will be on scene but touching is not required. For more information call 910-458-8206.

Carolina Beach State Park, 1010 State Park Road YOGA WITH MARIA 4/7, 5:45pm: Satya Flow Yoga. Come practice with courage to reveal your uniquely radiant truth through a dynamic and restorative flow using asana, mantra, and meditation. All ages and levels welcome! $5 for first class at Harmony Yoga Studio, 5201 Oleander Drive.

ILM BEACH FOUNDATION RUN/WALK 4/11, 8am: The Bobby Brandon Real Estate Team, Intracoastal Realty and Wrightsville Beach Foundation present the 3rd Annual Pier2Pier2Pier Run/walk and Kids Crab Crawl. Adult Run/Walk, $20 before March 28th AND $25 after March 28th. Kids 14 and under, $15 before March 28th and $20 after March 28th. Run is approx. 3.44 miles. T-shirts to first 300 entries. Wrightsville Beach Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, 23 East Salisbury St. PICKLEBALL Part tennis, part ping-pong, and part badminton, Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports today.

Pickleball is played with a perforated plastic baseball, similar to a whiffle ball, and wood or composite paddles. The game is easy to learn, but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game! Pickleball les-

sons: Tues/Thurs, April 21, 23, 28, & 30, 9-10:30am.

Adult coed and doubles ladder registration open!

Play begins May 11 and August 28. Call for entry fees. Wrighstville Beach Parks and Recreation, 1 Bob Sawyer Dr.

film FILM CLUB Film Club teaches kids how to make their own movies! Over the course of three lively, interactive sessions, participants work with each other and director Mr. Scooter to create a short film. Through creating their own story on film, children develop narrative skills, practice negotiating conflicts, and learn about the parts of a story, all of which helps them engage with literature when they read. For kids ages 10 to 15. Sessions will take place on March 26th. Participants must attend all three sessions, and must preregister using the online calendar at www.nhcgov. com, or by calling 910-798-6393, or by emailing Mr. Scooter at shayes@nhcgov.com. Main Library, NHC, 201 Chestnut Street WILMINGTON FEMALE FILMMAKERS 3/26, 7:30pm: Any females interested in making movies please join Wilmington Female Film Makers for a get down get together. A chance for women in all aspects of film making from camera operator to screen writer to meet each other and make things happen. In this male dominated industry the chance for women to connect, support each other and make things happen can mean the difference between dreams and success. Shannon Silva Associate Professor of Film Studies at UNCW will be our guest speaker. This group will meet the last Thursday of every month. Community Action Center, 317 S. Castle St.

BEHIND THE GARAGE Behind the Garage Series: Subversive Films & Experimental Music. Subversive films shown every Sunday at 8pm, followed by experimental musical guests. 8PM: Controversial, eye-opening and entertaining films & documentaries shown weekly.

10PM: Experimental, avant garde, noise, and other unclassfiable musical performances at 10.

Hosted by Karl Tyler Perry. Juggling Gypsy Cafe & Hookah Bar, 1612 Castle St SPRING BREAK MOVIES 3/31, 2pm: New Hanover County’s Main Library is planning fun and creative activities for kids during Spring Break week! On Tuesday, March 31, kids can hear the classic story Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett, and then watch the movie version. Play movie critic, after the film, and discuss how well the original book was translated to the screen. Which medium do you prefer? No registration is needed to attend this free event, and you may bring light snacks and covered drinks to enjoy during the movie. • 4/2, 2pm: New Hanover County’s Main Library is planning fun and creative activities for kids during Spring Break week! On Thursday, April 2, kids can hear a classic story by Chris Van Allsburg, and then watch the movie version. Play movie critic after the film, and discuss how well the original book translated to the screen. Which medium do you prefer? No registration is needed to attend this free event, and you may bring light snacks and covered drinks to enjoy during the movie. Julie Criser, jcriser@nhcgov.com / 910-798-6303. Main Library, NHC, 201 Chestnut St.

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3/25, 3:30pm: Play, learn, and explore math and science with your child! Kids ages 3 to 6 and their parents will learn about spatial awareness through an interactive story time, hands-on experiments, and exploration stations. This free program is offered three times in January at different New Hanover County Library branches. Please use the calendar at www. nhclibrary.org to register for the session of your choice. Raquel Fava rfava@nhcgov.com / 910-7986365. Northeast Regional Library, NHC, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd. KIDS CARING FOR KIDS 3/26, 6pm: Fundraiser to benefit Methodist Home for Children. Kids from Williston Middle School will be there to entertain you and to showcase their musical talents including the Williston Middle School 7th & 8th grade band, 7th & 8th grade choir and the New Hanover High School jass band.  Methodist Home for Children is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, based out of Raleigh that serves some of themost vulnerable people in our state--children whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been through revolving short-term foster placements, who were born addicted to drugs, whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve suffered physical and psychological abuse and other destructive behaviors.  They serve families on the verge of dissolving and losing everything precious to life.  Through residential and community-based services,they work to create safe, loving homes for children and to stop the causes of abuse and neglect. And they need your help.  It takes $1000 per kid per year, above reimbursements from their partner agencies, to provide the care that is necessary to change just one childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. $5 donation per adult is suggested.  Also, gift cards from Wal-Mart of any amount are also great appreciated. Shirley Clawson: thelionroars@verizon. net. Williston Middle School Gym, 401 S. 10th St. SPRING BREAK LEGOS 3/30, 2pm: New Hanover Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Main Library is

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planning fun and creative activities for kids during Spring Break week! On Monday, March 30, kids can drop in to create Lego masterpieces of their own imagining. This session is free, as usual, and you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to preregister. All NHC Libraries offer a regular monthly Lego Club with specific challenges for kids, because creating with Legos requires higher order thinking, encourages creativity, and develops fine motor skills and problem solving abilities. Check the online calendar at www.nhclibrary.org to preregister for these regularly scheduled Lego sessions, as space is limited. Julie Criser, jcriser@nhcgov.com / 910-798-6303. Main Library, NHC, 201 Chestnut St. CRAFTS SMORGASBORD 4/1, 10am: New Hanover Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Main Library is planning fun and creative activities for kids during Spring Break week! On Wednesday, April 1, parents and kids can work with a variety of crafts materials to create their own projects. This workshop time is free for families with preschoolers and elementary school aged children. No preregistration is needed. Julie Criser, jcriser@nhcgov.com / 910-798-6303. Main Library, NHC, 201 Chestnut Street EASTER EGG HUNT AND CARNIVAL 4/3, 10am-2pm; $5 per person (including adults). Children 2 & under are free. Join us for a fun-filled Easter Egg Hunt Carnival in Battleship Park. Children will find pony rides, eggs, bounce houses, candy, games, and the Buddy, the Battleship Easter Bunny! Egg hunts will be continuous throughout the day. This event is weather dependent. Battleship North Carolina, 1 Battleship Road LEGOS AT MYRTLE GROVE 4/14, 3:30pm: Monthly Lego challenge at the Myrtle Grove Library is a fun way for Elementary School age kids to practice problem solving, creativity, critical thinking, visualizing three dimensional structures, communication, and motor skills! Participants

may work alone or in teams. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free, thanks to the Friends of NHC Library. Make sure thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s space for your child by preregistering on the calendar at www. nhclibrary.org or calling 910-798-6393. Max Nunez, mnunez@nhcgov.com. New Hanover County Myrtle Grove Library, 5155 S. College Rd. PERFORMANCE CLUB: YOUTH ACTING For boys and girls ages 7-14. This 8 week session gives kids and teens an exciting opportunity to practice their performance skills and develop their craft under the guidance and direction of LJ Woodard. This series will focus on presence, projection, memory skills, character breakdown and acting for the stage. Â We will utilize one of the most well-known and beloved scripts out there - â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Little Mermaidâ&#x20AC;?! Â From Salty Sailors, Beautiful Mermaids, Hilarious Fish, Absurd Chefs and Dramatic Sea Witches, the characters will challenge and teach these young performers the fundamentals of theater performance. Â The Wrightsville Beach Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Theater in the Park is a tuition based theater program directed by LJ Woodard of the Performance Club! Â No audition necessaryâ&#x20AC;Śwe learn by playing and play by acting in a stress free and positive environment! All levels are accepted and ideal for parents who seek an easy rehearsal schedule. Final performance at the WB Amphitheater is free for friends, family and the community! (A minimum of 8 students is required and a maximum of 18 students is allowed for each class). Admission: $240 WB Residents, $288 NonResidents. Wrightsville Beach Parks and Recreation Dept., 1 Bob Sawyer Drive

lectures/readings BOOK TALK W/DR. CHRIS FONVIELLE JR 3/26, 11am:Â Join the Lower Cape Fear Historical

Society as Dr. Chris Fonvielle, Jr. talks about his book â&#x20AC;&#x153;To Forge a Thunderbolt: Fort Anderson and the Battle for Wilmington.â&#x20AC;? This will be the third in a series of monthly book talks through April by local authors on local history. The Book Talk will be  held at the Latimer House at 126 South Third Street starting at 11am and will be followed by an â&#x20AC;&#x153;optionalâ&#x20AC;? lunch at noon in the Tea Room. Reservations are required and the deadline is Tuesday on the week of the talk.

Seating is limited for lunch so make your reservation today by calling 910-762-0492 (leave a message after hours) The cost is $5 for the talk and $15 for the talk and lunch. The Latimer House is not handicap accessible. Latimer House, 126 S. 3rd Street BARNES AND NOBLE 3/28, 11am: Duck & Goose. Duck doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t much care for Goose at first, and Goose isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fond of Duck. But both want the egg that each claims to be his. Hands-on activities! â&#x20AC;˘ 3/30, 2pm: Spring Break Special Event: Red: A Crayonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Story. Come join the fun for Storytime and hands-on activities. Special Cafe items sure to delight the whole family. â&#x20AC;˘ Venus Flytrap Storytime: 4/1, 2pm: This â&#x20AC;&#x153;carnivorousâ&#x20AC;? event is a free and open to the public.  This is a  family-friendly educational event including the costume character of a Venus Flytrap is courtesy of the NC Coastal Land Trust. Special activities too! â&#x20AC;˘ 4/2, 2pm: Pat the Bunny storytime with a visiting live rabbit courtesy of the 4-H Rabbit Club! Rabbit-holding and other fun, hands-on activities. Barnes & Noble Wilmington, 750 Inspiration Drive LATINO BOOK CLUB 3/28, 7pm: Join Latino Book Club for the next book discussion of Isabel Allendeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s El juego del Ripper/ Ripper. Spanish speaking is not required, and anyone is welcome! Pomegranate Books, 4418 Park Avenue GOING GREEN BOOK CLUB 4/7, 6pm: Active Hope: How to Face the Mess

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We’re in Without Going Crazy, Joanna Macy. Books available at Old Books on Front St at discount to book club members. 249 N. Front St. NC COASTAL FEDERATION SPEAKERS Gain a greater understanding about cutting edge sea level rise research with Paul Hearty, Ph.D. of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Dr. Hearty will present on findings of the PLIOMAX project, which aims to increase the accuracy of sea level rise estimates by studying carbon dioxide levels during past geologic eras. Join the discussion as experts bring life to coastal topics such as oyster farming, sea level rise, gardening with native plants, and pressing issues such as Titan Cement and the hardening of our coast. All presentations take place at the Fred and Alice Stanback Coastal Education Center in Wrightsville Beach from 7-8:30pm. Speakers Series, free to members with a suggested $10 donation for non-members. Fred and Alice Stanback Education Center, 309 West Salisbury Street WOMEN, LAW AND COURT, POST CIVIL WAR 4/13, 6pm: Angela Robbins Marritt will speak about how Tarheel women used the courts and new laws to protect their assets and support their families in the unstable years following the Civil War. Her lecture to the Old New Hanover Genealogical Society (ONHGS) is made possible by the NC Humanities Council’s Road Scholars program. Admission is free and the public is invited. Marritt, Ph.D., is an instructor at UNC-Greensboro and Salem College. Her experience researching historical court records will be of special interest to local historians and genealogists. For more information contact Local History and Genealogy Librarian Jennifer Daugherty at 910798-6305 or jdaugherty@nhcgov.com. Information about ONHGS is at their website,http://www.onhgs. org/. Learn more about the NCHC Road Scholars athttp://nchumanities.org/programs/road-scholars.

Northeast Regional Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd SPEAKEASY IN ANY MEDIUM 4/15, 8pm: Speakeasy Wilmington (Wilmington’s monthly storytelling competition) is putting on a special edition show, Storytelling in any medium. This show will be open to performers of all genres, as long as the performance conveys some sort of narrative. We’re looking for five minute stories- told through spoken word, dance, circus, music, dramatic monologue, anything besides conventional storytelling. Just like the normal Speakeasy, performers are welcome to sign up to tell their story the day of the show, but e-mail Ariel at typewriterkeys@gmail.com to reserve your spot ahead of time. Admission by donation. TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10th Street FLICK OR FICTIN BOOK CLUB Third Monday of the month: April: “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Books available at Old Books on Front St 15% discount for club members. Old Books on Front St., 249 N. Front St.

classes/workshops FAMILY EDUCATION WORKSHOP 3/25, 3pm: Are you caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or Dementia? During this free workshop you will learn more about challenging or combative behaviors and what works best to control them. Also learn about special engagement activities and how they can be beneficial. Call Ann LaReau at 910-3420455 or 910-470-2378 for more information. Home Instead Senior Care, 2505 South 17th Street SERV SAFE CERTIFICATION Get ServSafe Certified. You must make an appointment prior to the scheduled dates. New Hanover County Public Library, 201 Chestnut St. www.

servsafe.com ADULT AND YOUTH TENNIS LESSONS 3/30, 3:15pm: Tennis lessons are offered for Adults, Youth ages 9-12, and QuickStart for ages 6-8. Group lessons currently meet on Mondays and Wednesdays. Other days are available for your group of 6 or more. Admission: $55 WB Residents, $70 NonResidents. Wrightsville Beach Parks and Recreation Dept., 1 Bob Sawyer Drive 4-H COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP 4/1, 1pm: New Hanover County 4-H will be holding a free public speaking/communication workshop for youth in our area. This workshop is open to anyyouth age 5 - 18 and you do not have to be a member of 4-H. Participants will gain public speaking skills in a positive environment. For more information and to register for the workshop, go to: http://arboretum. nhcgov.com/4-h-gardens-programs/ or contact Leslie Dill, NHC 4-H Agent @ (910) 798-7660. New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Drive 4-H ARTS AND CRAFTS CLASS 4/1, 9am: In need of activities for the kids during the NHC School Spring break? Join us at the Arboretum for an expressive arts “just for fun” class on Wednesday, April 1st. Materials will be provided for three fun projects that will be set up in stations allowing kids to work at their own pace. Ages 5-18. Cost is $5. Space is limited. Your kids do not have to be current 4-H members to participate. To register: http://newhanover.ces.ncsu.edu/categories/4-hyouth-development. New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Drive AFTERSCHOOL FENCING CLASS 4/6, 3:30pm: Cape Fear Fencing Association 8 week afterschool fencing class starts the week of April 6th at 3:30 pm in the basement of the Tileston gym. Class will meet for 1 hour, Students should

attend twice per week, once Monday/Tuesday and once Wednesday/Thursday. All fencing equipment provided, students should wear loose fitting clothing and sneakers. Appropriate for 2nd - 8th grade. Cost is $50 plus a $10 membership to USA Fencing good until July 31, 2015. Taught by Internationally accredited instructor. Tileston Gym at St. Mary, 5th and Ann ALZHEIMER’S/DEMENTIA 4/8, 1:30pm: As people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia progressively lose the ability to put their feelings and needs in words, friends and family members need new ways to connect. Attitude, tone of voice, facial expression, and body language become critically important. Peggy Best of the Alzheimer’s Association offers helpful suggestions for decoding verbal and behavioral messages from loved ones with cognitive degeneration, and strategies to help you connect and communicate at each stage of the disease. This free informational program requires no registration. Consumer Health Librarian Mary Ellen Nolan, mnolan@nhcgov.com / 910-798-6307.

NHC Northeast Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd. CRAFT SABBATH 4/12, 1:30pm: Join us for the last Craft Sabbath until Fall 2015! We will first dive into a creative mandala flow! Afterwards, allow the swirling energy to come to life on your canvas - your canvas being your choice of a white Longwave Yoga shirt! Pre-registration is required by 6pm, 4/11, as materials must be prepared in advance. Longwave Yoga, 203 Racine Dr. #200 SHIFT HAPPENS 4/13, 5:30pm: Life keeps changing, both by choice and by chance. Motivational speaker Syble Solomon will inspire you to be more proactive about steering your course through change. She has a wealth of tips for making each day special, securing your future, and adding purpose to your life. Syble Solomon is

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President of LifeWise Strategies, creator of Money Habitudes, and an executive coach who lives in Wilmington. Learn more at her website, http://www. moneyhabitudes.com. Sponsored by NHC Library and by WIN, the Women’s Impact Network of New Hanover County. WIN is a group of women who passionately believe that informed, empowered women build stronger families, communities and economies.

They invite others to join them in realizing the power that collective philanthropy can have in our community. www.nccommunityfoundation.org/section/newhanover-county-womens-impact-network. Free but space is limited and preregistration is requested, on the calendar atwww.nhclibrary.org, or by contacting Business and Law Librarian Justine Roach at 910798-6306 orjroach@nhcgov.com. NHC Northeast Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd.

ARIES (Mar. 21–April 20): The term “jumped the shark” often refers to a TV show that was once great but gradually grew stale, and then resorted to implausible plot twists in a desperate attempt to revive its creative verve. I’m a little worried that you may do the equivalent of jumping the shark in your own sphere. APRIL FOOL! I lied. I’m not at all worried that you’ll jump the shark. It’s true that you did go through a stagnant, meandering phase there for a short time. But you responded by getting fierce and fertile rather than stuck and contrived. Am I right? Now you’re on the verge of breaking out in a surge of just-the-right-kind-of craziness.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Give yourself obsessively to your most intimate relationships. Don’t bother cleaning your house. Call in sick to your job.

Ignore all your nagging little errands. Now is a time for one task only: paying maximum attention to those you care about most. Heal any rifts between you.

Work harder to give them what they need. Listen to them with more empathy than ever before. APRIL FOOL! I went a bit overboard there. It’s true that you’re in a phase when big rewards can come from cultivating and enhancing togetherness. If you want to serve your best relationships, you must take very good care of yourself.

ORANGE STREET POTTERY CLASSES Orange Street Pottery is accepting students for the spring classes! Day Class is from 9am to noon Monday thru Thurs. Evening Class is from 5:30 to 8:30pm. All classes are a a 2 day class, For more information, orangestreetpottery@gmail.com.Hannah Block Community Arts Center, 120 S. Second St.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): If you happen to be singing lead vocals in an Ozzy Osbourne cover band, and someone in the audience throws what you think is a toy rubber animal onto the stage, do not rambunctiously bite its head off to entertain everyone. It most likely won’t be a toy, but rather an actual critter. APRIL FOOL! In fact, it’s not likely you’ll be fronting an Ozzy Osbourne cover band any time soon. I hope you will avoid having to learn a lesson similar to the one that Ozzy did during a show back in 1982, when he bit into a real bat—a small, flying mammal with webbed wings—thinking it was a toy. Don’t make a mistake like that. What you think is fake or pretend may turn out to be authentic.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): It’s after midnight. You’re half-wasted, cruising around town, looking for wicked fun. You stumble upon a warehouse laboratory where zombie bankers and military scientists are creating genetically engineered monsters from the DNA of scorpions, Venus flytraps and Monsanto executives. You try to get everyone in a party mood, but all they want to do is extract your DNA and add it to the monster. APRIL FOOL! Everything I just said was a lie. I doubt you’ll encounter any scenario “that” extreme. You are at risk for falling into weird situations that could compromise your mental hygiene. To minimize that possibility, make sure the wicked fun you pursue is healthy, sane wicked fun.

HOMESCHOOL BEGINNING FENCING Cape Fear Fencing Association 8 week beginning fencing class for homeschool students starts April 1st at 1:00 pm in the basement of the Tileston gym. Class will meet for approximately 1 hour on Wednesdays. All fencing equipment provided, students should wear loose fitting clothing and sneakers. Appropriate for ages 8 - 18. Cost is $40 plus a $10 membership to USA Fencing good until July 31, 2015. Taught by Internationally accredited instructor.

Tileston Gym at St. Mary, 5th and Ann

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In the spring of 1754, Benjamin Franklin visited friends in Maryland. While out riding horses, they spied a small tornado whirling through a meadow. Although Franklin had written about this weather phenomenon, he had never seen it. With boyish curiosity, he sped toward it.

At one point, he caught up to it and lashed it with his whip to see if it would dissipate. This is the kind of adventure I advise you to seek out, Gemini. APRIL FOOL! I half-lied. I don’t really believe you should endanger your safety by engaging in stunts like chasing tornadoes. I do think now is a favorable time to seek out daring exploits that quench your urge to learn.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): If you were a ladybug beetle, you might be ready and eager to have sex for nine hours straight. If you were a pig, you’d be capable of enjoying 30-minute orgasms. If you were a dolphin, you’d seek out erotic encounters not just with other dolphins of both genders, but also with turtles, seals and sharks. Since you are merely human, however, your urges will probably be milder and more containable. APRIL FOOL! In truth, Sagittarius, I’m not so sure your urges will be milder and more containable.

TAI CHI FOR HEALTH This class will get you started in the practice of Tai Chi, a good way to reduce stress, improve balance and your overall health. Continuing students and beginners welcome. Instructor Katherine Yakimovich is certified by Tai Chi for Health & Tai Chi Arthritis Foundation. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and shoes that will stay on your feet (no flip-flops or open back shoes). Ongoing class that will continue to accept new students. If you are interested in joining this class please contact bjryan@poplargrove.org; Mondays, through April 27, 11:30 - 12:15. Poplar Grove Plantation, 10200 US Hwy 17 N.

clubs/notices/tours VIRTUAL DEMENTIA TOUR 3/26, 3:30pm: Are you caring for a loved one with Dementia or Alzheimer’s? Ever wondered what it is really like for them? The Virtual Dementia tour is a simulation tool created for people seeking to understand the physical and mental challenges of those with Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. By learning what it’s like for those suffering with the disease—it

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Novelist L. Frank Baum created the makebelieve realm known as Oz. Lewis Carroll conjured up Wonderland and C. S. Lewis invented Narnia. Now you are primed to dream up your own fantasy land and live there full-time, forever protected from the confusion and malaise of the profane world. Have fun in your imaginary utopia, Cancerian! APRIL FOOL! I half-lied. It’s true that now would be a good time to give extra attention to cultivating vivid visions of your perfect life. But I wouldn’t recommend that you live there full-time.

tors syndiCate

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “The national anthem of Hell must be the old Frank Sinatra song ‘I Did It My Way,’” declares Richard Wagner, author of the book “Christianity for Dummies.” “Selfish pride is Hell’s most common trait,” he adds. “Hell’s inhabitants have a sense of satisfaction that they can at least say ‘they’ve been true to themselves.’” Heed this warning, Leo. Tame your lust for self-expression. APRIL FOOL! I was making a little joke. The truth is not as simplistic as I implied. I actually think it’s important for you to be able to declare “I did it my way” and “I’ve been true to myself.” But for best results, do it in ways that aren’t selfish, insensitive or arrogant.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): No matter what gender you are, it’s an excellent time to get a gig as a stripper. Your instinct for removing your clothes in entertaining ways is at a peak. Even if you have never been trained in the art, I bet you’ll have an instinctive knack. APRIL FOOL! I lied. I don’t really think you should be a stripper. I do recommend you experiment with a more metaphorical version of art. For instance, you could expose hidden agendas that are causing distortions and confusion.You could peel away the layers of deception and propaganda that hide the naked facts and the beautiful truth.

Austrian psychotherapist Alfred

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “The past is not only another country where they do things differently,” writer Theodore Dalrymple says, “but also where one was oneself a different person.” With this as your theme, Capricorn, I invite you to spend a lot of time visiting the Old You in the Old World.

Immerse yourself in that person and that place. Get lost there. And don’t come back until you’ve relived at least a thousand memories. APRIL FOOL! I was exaggerating. While it is a good time to get reacquainted with the old days and old ways, I don’t recommend that you get utterly consumed by the past.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Some Aquarian readers have been complaining. They want me to use more celebrity references in my horoscopes.

They demand fewer metaphors drawn from literature, art and science, and more metaphors rooted in gossipy events reported on by tabloids. “Tell me how Kanye West’s recent travails relate to my personal destiny,” wrote one Aquarius. So here’s a sop to you kvetchers: The current planetary omens say it’s in your interest to be more like Taylor Swift and less like Miley Cyrus. Be peppy, shimmery and breezy, not earthy, salty and raucous. APRIL FOOL! In truth, I wouldn’t write about celebrities’ antics if you paid me. Besides, for the time being, Miley Cyrus is a better role model for you than Taylor Swift.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Annie Edson Taylor needed money. She was 63 years old and didn’t have any savings. She came up with a plan: to be the first person to tuck herself inside a barrel and ride over Niagara Falls. (This was back in 1901.) She reasoned that her stunt would make her wealthy as she toured the country speaking about it. I recommend you consider out-ofthe-box ideas like hers, Pisces. It’s an excellent time to get extra creative in your approach to raising revenue. APRIL FOOL! I half-lied. It’s true that now is a favorable time to be imaginative about your financial life. But don’t try outlandish escapades like hers.

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can help you better care for them. Call 910-470-2378 or 910-342-0455 and ask for Ann Lareau to schedule your free tour. Times available: March 26th at 3:30 pm or 5:30pm. Home Instead Senior Care, 2505 South 17th Street CAPE FEAR ORCHID SOCIETY 3/28: “You Can Grow Orchids Too.” Day long seminar for everyone interested in learning more about growing & blooming orchids at home. Multiple speakers will share information on growing orchids. 9:30 AM-3:30PM. Must pre-register by March 23. Fee includes seminar, lunch & an orchid plant. Make checks payable to: Cape Fear Orchid Society and mail to 237 Cherokee Trail, Wilmington, NC 28409. NHC Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Dr. CAPE FEAR BOATING CLUB MEETING 3/30, 6pm: The Cape Fear Sail & Power Squadron®, “Cape Fear Boating Club,” is having its membership meeting at the Bluewater Restaurant in Wrightsville Beach, 4 Marina St. The real value of membership is increasing your boating knowledge through education, off and on the water. We provide basic boating education and offer advanced courses as a civic service to the general public. You can participate in cruises with large, medium, and small boats. Additionally, you will be able to take advantage of many special benefits and discounts on a wide range of products, services, and boating insurance. The speaker for this evening will be Bob Keistler to discuss an Army Corp of Engineers update on navigation and dredging. www.capefearsailandpowersquadron.org.

TREMOR SUPPORT GROUP Wednesdays, 4pm: Support Group for individuals with essential tremor and their families and friends.

New Hanover County Senior Center, 2222 S. College Road.

OAKDALE CEMETERY TOUR 4/2, 2pm: Easter Sunday Tour with Architectural His-

torian Janet Seapker who will explain the evolution of the rural garden cemetery and the establishment of the 1855 opening of Oakdale Cemetery. Mrs. Seapker will focus on the meanings of Victorian funerary art and the history of the cemetery along with the lives of those buried here. $10 for non-members; free for members. Tour begins at 2pm. Tours are cancelled in event of inclement weather. Oakdale Cemetery, 520 N. 15th Street ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF GREATER ILM An all-volunteer chapter of a national nonprofit organization. Annually, National Assistance League returns over $38 million to local communities assisting over 1.2 million people. The 26,000 member volunteers in over 120 chapters who contribute to the over 2.8 million service hours make this possible. Our local chapter of over 100 members works together to make our community a better place. We have no paid employees. All funds raised are turned to the greater Wilmington community. Meetings are usually held on the first Thursday of every month (September through May) at 9:30. Our next meeting will be held 4/2 at 9:30 at the New Hanover Northeast Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd. All welcome. info@ algw.assistanceleague.org. New Hanover Northeast Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Road CHURCH WOMEN UNITED SPRING FORUM 4/3, 9:30am: The Wilmington Church Women United Spring Forum will be held Friday, April 3, at Union Missionary Baptist Church, 2711 Princess Place Drive, Wilmington. Registration and Coffee are at 9:30 a.m., followed by worship service at 10 a.m. Contact: Angel P. Dualeh at 910-833-0167. Union Missionary Baptist Church, 2711 Princess Place Dr. AZALEA COAST EXECUTIVE NETWORK 4/6, 5:30pm: Women helping women grow through Networking, Professional Development and Leadership while increasing business efficiency of all members; promoting good relations between members;

Contact us for current program information: (910) 256-7925 ~ parksandrecreation@towb.org Or visit our website for a complete program list: www.townofwrightsvillebeach.com

SPRING YOUTH PROGRAMS: Performance Club begins April 9th — Kids’ Cooking begins April 13th Youth Basketball Instructional League begins April 9th Cape Fear Cotillion begins April 21st — Tennis Lessons (ongoing) Safe Sitter® Babysitter Training 1-Day Course on May 16th

REGISTER NOW FOR SUMMER YOUTH CAMPS: Youth Art Camps — Parent & Child Art Camp — Performance Club Camps Cotillion Manners Camp — Tennis Lessons & Camps Basketball Camps — Hammerheads Soccer Camp — Lacrosse Camp Kids’ Cooking Camp — Junior Lifeguard Program

assisting members in a social business and educational way; and assisting women in the community to better themselves through education. Dinner included for $15, guest speaker. https://www.facebook.com/groups/110830212303409. Cape Fear Seafood, 5226 S. College Rd, Ste 5 ASG CAPE FEAR, NIGHT STITCHERS 4/8, 6pm: Sewing enthusiasts meet. Non-members are welcome to attend two meetings; thereafter membership is required. Sew Happens, University Landing Shopping Center, 413 S. College Road

culinary TOTAL FOOD MAKEOVER 3/27, 3pm: How much of what you hear and read about diet and nutrition is reliable, and how much is dangerous myths? Dr. Samantha Chirichella, Chiropractor at Maximized Living, helps sort it all out at this free informational program. You’ll get suggestions about re-vamping eating habits and making lifestyle changes. She’ll explain how to understand nutrition labels, plan healthful meals on a budget, and give your pantry a makeover. No reservations required. Mary Ellen Nolan, mnolan@nhcgov.com or 910-798-6307.

201 Chestnut St. DOWNTOWN DIVAS DRAG BRUNCH 3/29, 1pm: Here’s your chance to catch up with Tara Nicole Brooks and her coterie of amazing drag performers at TheatreNOW! Doors open at 12:30, show starts at 1 and wraps up around 3. Admission is $10 and brunch is a la carte. Bar is open! Come and enjoy some of the finest performers in the Southeast and they display their finest garb and perform your favorite songs! TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10th Street Downtown. www.theatrewilmington.com.

WINEDOWN WEDNESDAYS Free tastings from around the globe, hosted by a winery representative or vendor to teach you about the selections. All wines offered at a discount as well as an additional 10%off 6 packs and 15%off cases.

Come winedown after a long humpday. Palate Bottle Shop & Reserve, 1007 N. 4th St. WINE TASTING Ongoing bimonthly wine tasting, taking place on the first and third Thurs. of each month. A Tasting Room will be pouring a new selection of high quality small production wines and chef Tomm Mills will prepare tasty nibbles to pare for your enjoyment. Wines can be ordered that night and we will schedule convenient delivery right to your door. We are looking forward to tasting with you! The Front Room @ Little Pond Caterers, 2016 Princess Place FARMERS’ MARKETS Fruits, vegetables, plants, herbs, flowers, eggs, cheese, meats, seafood, honey and more! Poplar

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TASTING HISTORY TOURS Tasting History Tours of Pleasure Island; guided walking tours. From its beginnings as a tourist destination, the island has weathered destructive fires, tragic hurricanes, naval battles and more. Tasting History takes you through the streets of Carolina Beach and into a few of the restaurants to taste some of what the locals have to offer. Join us for an afternoon of interesting history and tasty eats. $32.50, www.tastinghistorytours.com. 910-622-6046.

PORT CITY SWAPPERS Port City Swappers is a monthly food and beverage swap where members of a community share homemade, homegrown, or foraged foods with each other.

Swaps allow direct trades to take place between attendees, e.g., a loaf of bread for a jar of pickles or a half-dozen backyard eggs. No cash is exchanged, and no goods are sold. Diversify your pantry and go home happy and inspired while meeting your neighbors! facebook.com/PortCitySwappers.

we sell 20 Ft. or 40 Ft. Shipping Containers Perfect For

• Storage • Garage • Office • Boat • Campsites • ATVs • Hurricane Protection

Barre Fit — Vinyasa Yoga — Pilates — Gentle (Hatha) Yoga Boot Camp — Tone, Strengthen & Stretch — Low Impact Aerobics Men’s Basketball & Flag Football Leagues — Tennis Lessons Shag & Line Dancing — Men’s & Women’s Singles Tennis Ladders Bridge Lessons—Pickleball Lessons & Coed Doubles Ladder

FEAST DOWN EAST BUYING CLUB Enjoy the quality, value and convenience of the Feast Down East Buying Club. It costs nothing to join.

The benefits are immeasurable. It is a great way to eat healthier, while knowing you support your local farm families and community. Log on at www.FeastDownEast.org and start buying fresh local food, sourced from Southeastern NC farms. Choose a pick-up spot, and check out at the online cashier and you are done! Orders must be placed by 11am Monday for Thursday delivery. Consumer pickup is Thursday 3:30-6pm at: the CAM, THE POD (located next to Dunkin Donuts on UNCW campus) or the Burgaw Historic Train Depot.

no storage space?

ONGOING FITNESS PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS: OTHER PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS:

Grove, Apr-Nov, Wed, 8am-1pm. 910-686-9518. www.poplargrove.com • Riverfront Farmers’ Market open on Water St., downtown, every Sat., through Dec., 8am-1pm. Food, arts/craft vendors and live music www.wilmingtondowntown.com/farmers-market • Carolina Beach Farmer’s Market every Sat., MaySept, 8am-1pm, around the lake in Carolina Beach.

Free parking; vendors align the lake, from artists and crafters and musicians. www.carolinabeachfarmersmarket.com. • Wrightsville Beach Farmers’ Market, 21 Causeway Dr. Fresh NC-grown produce, seafood and other locally produced consumables. A variety of unique craft vendors have also been added to the market this year. Mon., 8am-1pm, first Mon. in MayLabor Day. • Town of Leland Farmers’ Market at Leland Town Hall, alternating Sundays, 11am-3pm, MayAug. Focused on local food and agricultural products.

• Oak Island Farmers’ Market, Mon., April-Nov., 7am1pm. Middletown Park, Oak Island • Southport Waterfront Market, Wednesdays, May-Sept., 8am-1pm.

Garrison Lawn in Southport, NC. • St. James Plantation Farmers’ Market, Thurs., May-Oct., 4-7pm, at the Park at Woodlands Park Soccer Field.

Pictured Here Is A Converted Container, PERFECT OFFICE SPACE!

WHY PAY FOR STORAGE?

Call Us 350-1303 Anytime!

CORKBOARD Available for your next CD or Demo

KAREN KANE MUSIC PRODUCTIONS 33 year veteran Producer/Engineer

200 album credits

Dreaming Of A Career In The Music Industry?

AUDIO ENGINEERING CLASSES Music Recording, Mixing, Pro Tools, Studio Production Classes offered in Jan., Apr. and Sept.

(910) 681-0220 or mixmama.com ORDER YOUR LAB TESTS ON-LINE!

DISCOUNTED FEES, CONFIDENTIAL NO Doctor’s Order Needed. ANALYSIS BY LARGEST CERTIFIED REFERENCE LAB IN USA.

www.YourBloodTests.com

Your local Health Coach: 616-0278

GASTRIC BYPASS WITHOUT SURGERY! IT’S EASY WITH HYPNOSIS!

CALL NOW

FOR FREE CONSULTATION 910-343-1171 www.solomonhypnosis.com

COASTAL HOT TUB

Hot Tub & Spa Repair

www.coastalhottub.com

910-274-1416

SPRING SPECIAL

Paradise Bodyworks & Day Spa

$10 OFF any one service over $70.

Not valid w/any other discount 3803 Peachtree Ave.

910-367-2387 or 910-341-7943 paradisebodyworksdayspa.com

A Night ON the tOwN

Three Girls

5’5”, 36DDD, Very Assertive

were spotted eating $8.99 dinners at the Brewery last night. that left them with plenty of money to enjoy a microbrew & homemade chocolate scottish ale ice cream too! Lucky girls! But the guys who met them there were even luckier!

For Executives and Refined Gents Brunette Model/Social Companion

910-616-8301 tAtiANA36ddd@AOl.cOm Want to Get the Word out about Your business...

AdVeRtiSe ON the

CORKBOARD

4weeKS - ONlY $50 cAll 791-0688 FOR detAilS

Front Street Brewery 910.251.1935 9 North Front Street, Downtown Wilmington FrontStreetBrewery.com

Now Hiring

WELCOME to

FABULOUS ENTERTAINMENT

910-726-5323

Wilmington Friends/Quakers Meeting Silent Worship... “gathered together in My Name” First Days (Sundays) 10-11 a.m.

202 North 5th Avenue

Reiki I Class with Janis Pulliam, Reiki Master

DAY SPA ExPANDING

Exotic Dancers

In-Out Calls • Casual Events Two Girl Show • Bachelor Parties 24/7 Dancers • Serious Inquiries Only Now Hiring

Sunday March 22 from 10am-6pm.

Costs $125, includes certification as a Reiki I Practitioner.

Call 910.620.5765 for more info or to pre-register for class. janispulliam.com

THERAPISTS NEEDED Rooms for rent.

Ideal for massage therapist and holistic healers.

Call 910-367-2386

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