encore October 2 - October 8, 2019

T H E C A P E F E A R ’ S A LT E R N AT I V E V O I C E F O R 3 5 Y E A R S !

VOL. 36 / PUB. 14 OCTOBER 2 - 8, 2019 ENCOREPUB.COM

FREE

SWAMP THINGS Panic Attack welcomes all who dare to their haunted trail encore | october 2 - october24, 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 1 encore | september 18 - september

HODGE PODGE Vol. 36/Pub. 14 Oct. 2 - Oct. 8, 2019

ENCOREPUB.COM encoredeals.com

NEWS pg. 6 • By John Wolfe John Wolfe heads to UNCW to listen to a lecture on the reality of climate crisis affecting residents of southeastern NC. Find out his takeaways on page 5. Photo by Nathan Conroy

word of the week EVILITY (N) The act of being profoundly immoral and wicked.

By S

hea

Read our cover story on page 18 for the use of evility in a sentence.

Car

ver

COVER STORY • pg. 18

EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief:

Shea Carver >> shea@encorepub.com

Staff Editors:

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

Panic Attack has moved into the swampland outside of Wilmington, to provide the best haunts and thrills and chils in southeastern NC. It's time to amp up the Halloween season! Photos courtesy of Panic Attack

win of the week

THEATRE pg. 22 • By Chase Harrison Chase reviews the daffy fun of Panache's "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." Photo by James Bowling

Art Director/Office Manager: Susie Riddle >> ads@encorepub.com

Chief Contributors: Gwenyfar Rohler,

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

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

Ad Representatives

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

Gulfstream Restaurant is our deal of the week.

Wanna win a gift certificate to their eatery?

Follow us on our IG, FB and Twitter (@encorepub) to find out how. Also, win concert tickets on our socials every week!

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

SIPS pg. 33 • Joan C.W. Hoffmann Oktoberfests will get underway this month, with plenty of drinks and lederhosen to boot. Photo courtesy of Palate

Live Local, pgs. 4-5 • Climate Crisis, pg. 6 • Election 2019, pgs. 8-9 • Op-Ed, pg. 10 • News of the Weird, pg. 11 Music, pgs. 12-16 • Art, pgs. 18-19 • Film, pg. 20-21 • Theatre, pgs. 22-25 • Dining, pgs. 28-33 • Riverfest, pg. 34 Books, pgs. 37-39 • Calendar, pgs. 40-53 • Crossword, pg. 55

2 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

Caribbean Mahi from Gulfstream Restaurant

PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS:

• South Beach Grill • Oceanic Restaurant • Bluewater Grill • Boca Bay • Brasserie du Soleil • Blockade Runner/East • Cruz

• Sweet n Savory • Holiday Inn Resort • Watermans Brewing • King Neptune • Poe's Tavern • Gulfstream Restaurant encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 3

which means the discussions with them would not fall under the purview of public meeting. If indeed NHRMC and county government are trying to ensure transparency and a sense of public trust in the process, evading public meeting laws— though not technically illegal—certainly is not the way to do it.

COMMUNITY HEALTH

When County Manager Chris Coudriet first began to make his case publicly for the sale of the hospital, he focused on the financial loss created by medical care from people who cannot afford to pay. It begs the immediate question: Why would a for-profit model, located on the other side of the country, care at all about the welfare of the neediest people in our community? Before accusing me of overreacting or fear mongering, let's consider the history of NHRMC.

The discussion to sell NHRMC goes on without community support.

Photo by Shea Carver

T

HEALTHCARE

here are moments in life for which one cannot be properly prepared. One is running down a hospital corridor to get in the door of ICU before the 10 minutes of visiting time for a twohour block ends. I would know. A few years ago, my heart pounded through my ears, as the necessity to see and comfort my loved one propelled me beyond physical limits of my body and sprint the last 10 feet to the door. I made it. More so, I felt lucky to have a public hospital treat my loved one and trusted them to do what's right in care and good faith.

Right now, we, as a community, are facing a discussion about fair and equal access to healthcare for everyone in our area. More so, that public trust in the powers that be deal openly and honestly with the people they have sworn to represent.

For the last several months the proposed sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) has had our area in a quiver of confusion. “The Hospital Sale” is about public trust—or lack thereof. The speed with which the initial announcement and subsequent timeline were presented to the public left me in shock. The obvious disregard of citizen concerns was painful, as was the vote to move the process forward, despite requests by hospital staff and citizens for more time and more answers.

NHRMC is the largest employer in our region with more than 7,000 employees, according to StarNews. New Hanover County Public Schools hold second at more than 3,500. Just pause for a mo-

ILM

Gwenyfar weighs in on the intent to sell NHRMC and how history hasn't proven it serves everyone equally ment to consider that 7,000 households derive their sustenance from our local hospital.

Since the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners voted on September 16 (three in favor, two opposed) to approve an “intent to sell” resolution for the county to begin formally exploring new ownership of the hospital, I have been in turmoil trying to figure out how we got here.

I am not alone in the confusion. The revelations in days before and after the vote bring into question the transparency of the process and honesty of the information the public has received. State Senator Harper Peterson filed a formal complaint with NC Attorney General Josh Stein, citing “fundamental fiduciary, legal and procedural responsibilities have been put in question and have damaged the public’s trust in fair and open government.” He later notes he attended four

4 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

BY GWENY

FAR ROH

LER

public meetings on the topic—"listened to hundreds of citizens' comments and questions, and recognize there is great uneasiness throughout the community that this process has been rushed, and there is concern an impartial, fact-driven and inclusive process will not be followed in the future. Specifically, certain county commissioner(s) have publicly expressed a desire to sell NHRMC, have ridiculed public comment and concerns responsibly expressed at public meetings, and have suppressed and dismissed the public’s desire to extend the September 16 vote.”

In addition, upsetting revelations have eroded further trust, specifically the intentional effort to circumvent the Public Meeting Law when discussing the potential sale of NHRMC. If three county commissioners gather, the items discussed fall under "public meetings" and thus must meet public disclosure. If less than three commissioners meet, the meeting doesn’t have to be advertised 10 days in advance or have official minutes taken and published.

County Commissioner Rob Zapple has gone on the record to share his concerns regarding the way he and other commissioners were approached about the sale.

They were intentionally approached singly or in groups of two to meet with hospital officials regarding the possible sale,

Hospitals and medical care were part of segregated life in the 19th and 20th centuries in Wilmington. In 1904 William Sprunt donated $10,000 to James Walker Memorial Hospital (JWMH), located on Rankin Street, to build the “colored annex”; African-American doctors did not have the same staff privileges at JWMH until 1957. Local Civil Rights Activist and prominent physician Dr. Eaton led a lawsuit filed by African-American physicians that argued if JWMH received federal funding, all citizens were entitled to equal use of the facilities.

At the time, Community Hospital (est. 1921), on the other side of Market Street, was the African-American hospital. When the county first tried to raise a bond issue to build New Hanover Memorial, the African-American community did not support it. They were convinced, though they would be taxed equally for it, they would not receive the same services. Given the history, it seemed like a perfectly legitimate concern.

In 1962 surveyors on horseback assessed the future site of NHRMC—which was mostly pine forest. The first attempt to vote on a bond issue to build the new hospital did not pass. It took concerted effort and promises. Eventually, the African-American community was persuaded to vote in favor of the new hospital.

According to the Healing Through Time exhibit in NHRMC’s lobby, "When New Hanover opened in 1967, Community Hospital and JWMH both closed, and New Hanover Memorial merged the black and white hospitals without incident, a civil rights milestone for the region." When considering the political climate in 1967, that is pretty remarkable.

Fast forward to 2019: equal access to healthcare still should be regarded as we look at the proposed sale of NHRMC. What assurances do we, the public, have that all patients will be treated with the

same standards of care, without dramatically increasing costs to consumers? Especially when oversight to ensure equality and care would be left to a corporation not located here, with no sense of our community or our history?

This isn't the first time the sale of the hospital has been explored. On September 2, 1986, the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners voted against the proposal to privatize the hospital. In 1991 the hospital was renamed New Hanover Regional Medical Center and the NHRMC Foundation was created to fund and support the hospital. By 1997 there had been three attempts to reorganize the structure of the hospital, and one included creating a Hospital Authority, not dissimilar from the Tourism Development Authority that operates our Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. The Emergency Services for New Hanover County (EMS) were acquired by NHRMC in 1998.

Its operating cost is estimated at $2 million per year when funded by county revenue. That is another piece that hasn’t been adequately addressed: Who will own and operate EMS and at what cost to the consumers?

of 22 hospitals in one fell swoop. Cape Fear became part of our public hospital and Cape Fear Health Network was created. Perhaps that is a warning in itself about the potential for the hospital to be resold to an entity that the public has no say in choosing.

There are numerous economic pieces that have not been adequately addressed for New Hanover County residents.

NHRMC’s assets are roughly estimated at $1 billion—which is the starting number for the discussion of the sale. As Sen. Peterson noted in his letter, there is no clear schedule of what is owned by NHRMC and what is owned by the county. That should be part of the public discussion for the beginning.

In addition to healthcare and employment provided directly by NHRMC, there is the education piece that fits into this economic picture, too. In 1964 Cape Fear Tech (now CFCC) began offering a licensed nursing program; in 1967 Wilmington College (now UNCW) graduated its first class of nursing students. Both programs developed from nursing training programs built by JWMH and Community Hospital.

On May 19, 1998 NHRMC purchased In December 1972, Bruce and Dan Cape Fear Memorial Hospital for $98 milCameron funded what became the Coastlion from Columbia/HCA, during a sell-off al Area Health Education Center (Coastal

AHEC), thus turning New Hanover into a teaching hospital where pharmacists, nurses and physicians are trained. It is a significant part of the legacy of medicine and healthcare in ILM. Selling the hospital could bring with it the shuttering of AHEC and elimination of the teaching component—which has been the model with the private sale of other hospitals. Not only would it be a loss to staff, physicians, nurses and patients, it would greatly impact nursing programs offered at UNCW and CFCC. Just think of the people who move here for the nursing programs: money they spend on housing, transportation, food, entertainment, taxes, etc. That piece alone would be a huge blow to the local economy.

I am baffled that we did not learn this lesson in 1960 when the Atlantic Coastline Railroad left (the then largest employer in the area). Even more recently, we suffered economic stimulus when our film industry left after the incentive program sunset. We are making steps forward with the film industry returning, but if we lose the education piece of the hospital, it will be a loss we feel immediately—one that will hit our pocketbooks long term on a day-to-day basis.

At present we, the people of New Hanover County, have a say in the continued development and investment in an asset that has accrued in value both financially and in the most fundamental of ways: in the quality of life and safety of the people live here.

Throughout all the coverage of the potential sale of NHRMC, County Commissioner Jonathan Barfield has asked a pertinent question that has been largely ignored. On September 17 The Port City Daily reported Barfield noting a program had been devised to allow NHRMC to borrow outside the county to fund construction, which they are currently prohibited from doing. Somehow the idea of selling NHRMC has become pressing, rather than allowing NHRMC to secure capital from new sources. He said a document outlining the process to give the hospital the ability to borrow is on his desk, yet it isn’t part of the conversation.

I have to agree with Commissioner Barfield. Why are we rushing to sell one of our most valuable assets, rather than investing in it? To say it could come under the heading of "penny wise and pound foolish" might be an understatement.

3rd Annual Wilmington

Saturday

October 12TH 12-8PM

LIVE LITTLE GERMAN

BAND & Dancers

LITER BIERS and GERMAN FOOD Celebrate Every Day Throughout October!

1007 North Fourth Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 PHUNCO #19-057

encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 5

TALKING POINTS Dylan McNamara, Tancred Millers and David Gessner spoke at UNCW's coastal resiliency talk last week.

Photo by Nathan Conroy

SINKING

BY JOHN WOLFE

W

hen a storm comes at sea—when the sky turns black and the rain falls in deafening sheets upon the deck, when the awful wind howls through the rigging like a nightmare, and the waves build to ugly gray mountains beneath, and you starkly see that nothing stands between you and oblivion except a thin and fragile hull— there is no time to focus on anything except survival. What little comforts exist on a boat melt away into irrelevancy. There’s just no time. Each moment is a fight to the death between you and the ocean. You try to claw to keep hold of life as each clobbering wave tries to wrench it from you. They come in an endless succession. The ocean never tires. Your only reward for making it over each wave is the chance to do it again, to keep fighting.

This is the moment we are currently in on our ship called Earth. We, the human species, are fighting the echoes of ourselves: the worsening effects of anthropogenic climate change we have helped propel. As the waves of sea level rise, stronger, wetter, and more frequent hurricanes continue to batter our ship. On the Cape Fear coast we are way out front on the bowsprit, absolutely exposed.

While the storm rages, our officers argue about the best way to weather it, while little actual work to save the ship is get-

GIVE US A TRY... .com

! s l a e d Buyers save, businesses soar!

ting done. Some continue to deny there is a storm at all. Strangest of all, the only voice which seems to make sense is that of a young Swedish woman of only 16, Greta Thunberg. Born on the ship as the storm approached, she echoes the voices of the scientists who told us for years, the only way to save ourselves is to cast overboard the heavy practices of burning fossil fuels and emitting greenhouse gases. I want to live, the young woman screams. But few officers take her seriously, least of all the captain—her cries drowned out by the howling wind.

We are passengers on this weary and wave-tossed vessel. I am young, with still hope for future voyages ahead, but as I look around, I notice many older passengers don’t look worried. More of them exist than people my age; they have comfortable berths which weigh much more than the thin ones of youth. Most of my generation is angry about the way things are. We don’t think it’s fair we should all have to drown because of a few greedy, ignorant, and shortsighted people. We are beginning to recognize the truth of our situation—that the number of young people aboard the ship is starting to catch up. There are whispers of mutiny on the lower decks; something drastic needs to happen and soon. We are tired of waiting; waiting to take action is a luxury we can no longer afford.

I am tired, too, of writing happy little essays with optimistic endings. (That’s what this was originally supposed to be, by the way). I attended a lecture on Tuesday, the first in a monthly series of Coastal Community Resiliency Seminars put on by UNCW and the Center for Marine Science. Speakers included Tancred Miller, the coastal and ocean policy manager for the NC Division of Coastal Management; Dylan McNamara, chair of the department of physics and physical oceanography at UNCW; and David Gessner, author of many environmental nonfiction books and chair of UNCW's creative writing department. I planned on taking notes, grabbing quotes, and publish-

6 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

ing a story that could end on hope. Instead, after the lecture I found myself in a bar surrounded by other young people, with a pint of Guinness and a 1,000-yard stare.

If anything is really going to happen, it’s time to face some uncomfortable facts. David Gessner, quoting legendary (and local) poet A.R. Ammons, said it best: Firm ground is not available.

Tancred Miller agreed. "We are trying to manage our way out of a crisis.” According to Miller, it is inevitable we will have to abandon some areas of the coast and retreat. Reflecting upon his words, I had a weird image of taking a jon boat through the streets of Myrtle Beach—waves lapping against the still forms of abandoned concrete hotels, or the ruins of souvenir shops, as fish swam through the mouth of the giant plaster sharks at their old doorway.

Dylan McNamara predicted in the next 50 to 150 years we can expect two meters of sea-level rise. Wrightsville Beach, for example, has “looming instability.” In layman's terms, that means it is going to get swallowed up by the ocean. And it's happening while hurricanes like Florence will continue to drown our coasts and the rivers further inland. Hundred-year storms are now occurring a few times a decade.

The most surprising figure I heard came from local Rep. Harper Peterson. Despite all this, in 20 years our local population is expected to grow 50 to 60 percent. That equates to 120,000 new residents. So we will see more clear-cutting of our already blown-down canopy in a city that used to be more green than gray. That will look like more hideous cookie-cutter condominiums springing up all over the place, as people who already live here struggle to find affordable housing.

Our situation in Wilmington, as well as worldwide, is unsustainable. To imagine we can continue on this track in any capacity is nonsense. Quite frankly, I’m sick of it. The 16-year-old prophet told the UN last week: "We are in the beginning of a mass ex-

SHIP

Climate change will worsen, unless we take swift action tinction and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth ... how dare you?!”

The same words must be uttered to Wilmington's City Council and the mayor, to the NC General Assembly, to Congress.

The land developers and corporations, like Duke Energy, need to listen, too. So do we.

The three biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in America are industry, transportation and electricity generation.

Why aren't we embracing nuclear power as a stopgap while we transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, like wind and solar? Why are we allowing gas-guzzling vehicles to be built and driven? What is preventing us from making these changes? We desperately need a paradigm shift at every level—and it’s up to us to make it happen. If you don’t believe this is happening, or you think it’s not your problem, you’re wrong. Globally and locally, it’s time to call the situation what it truly is: an emergency.

To continue my metaphor, our ship is fucking sinking. There are no lifeboats to get into; there is no magical Coast Guard helicopter coming to whisk us away to safety. There is only the faceless, uncaring sea, which continues to rage as it has since time began.

Decisions we make now and in the next five to 10 years will determine whether the human race and much of the life on this planet gets a chance to keep fighting. Or are we destined to vanish beneath the waves forever?

114 Causeway Dr., Wrightsville Beach

Mon. - Sat. 6am-3pm, 5pm-8:30pm • Sun. 6am-2pm

$20 for only $10

THIS WEEK ONLY! October 2nd - October 8th

Only Available At encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 7

ELECTION A

s another local election campaign nears, new and familiar faces have been filing to fill three Wilmington City Council seats. Mack Coyle, Harry Smith Jr., Kimberly Spader, Kevin Spears, Scott Monroe and Matt Thrift are on the ballot, and up for re-election are Margaret Haynes, Paul Lawler and Neil Anderson (Alexandria Monroe pulled out of the race). encore has reached out to candidates to get their thoughts and views on topof-mind issues concerning our city (read them all at encorepub.com). This week we chat with Mayor Saffo about his upcoming re-election bid—the first time he has been challenged since taking office in 2006. encore (e): What have been your biggest successes and failures as mayor?

Mayor Bill Saffo (MBS): When I ran for office I said I wanted to help revitalize downtown Wilmington, and I believe that we are doing that and the Council and myself have transformed downtown Wilmington into a vibrant place.

2019

Mayor Bill Saffo talks opioid crisis, over-development and greenspace ahead of 2019 election In addition, I have been part of a group of elected leaders that have implemented two parks bonds, which have added to our park and green space; help pass a transportation bond, which has invested millions of dollars into roads and bridges; fought for film grants; and helped bring and expand businesses with good paying jobs to our city—like Verizon, Castle Branch, Live Oak Bank, nCino, National Gypsum.

A painful issue that has affected me personally and many others within our community is the opioid crisis which is a national epidemic. Friends and colleagues who have lost loved ones and are battling the effects of the addiction has been

8 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

BY ENC

ORE ST AFF

very personal. This caught all elected and health officials off guard with respect to its magnitude. e: Yeah, let's talk about that: In the last 10 years, 243 people have lost their lives in New Hanover County to opioids. What is being done right now to combat this crisis?

Do you think it’s enough?

MBS: As mayor, I convened a group of elected leaders and nonprofits, law enforcement and health officials to come together to develop a strategy to deal with this epidemic. Through those efforts, we were able to pass legislation of the Stop Act, which limits the number of opioids distributed by health officials.

In addition, we have created a fast-response team to engage citizens who are addicted to seek treatment, and have also supported the building of additional treat-

MAYORAL ELECTION Mayor Bill Saffo has served the city since 2006 and is being challenged for the first time in his candidancy in 2019.

Photo courtesy of Mayor Bill Saffo

ment facilities within the city of Wilmington. Along with the county, we were one of the first municipalities in the country to sue opioid manufacturers and distributors that helped create this crisis. e: According to the census, the poverty rate among African Americans in Wilmington is 41%—a dramatic increase from the national average of 25%. What are your plans to fix this?

MBS: A way to combat poverty is through education, job creation and affordable housing. First, we have embarked by creating an affordable housing coalition in partnership with the county.

Through the city’s housing initiatives, we have been able to place almost 400 homeowners into affordable houses.

Second, education is key to getting a job. Keeping kids in school is critical, and although we don’t have a direct input into the school system, we can help through programs, such as the Blue Ribbon Commission, which helps students find pathways to success.

We also supported the school system's creation of a vocational high school, thereby giving students the opportunity to learn a trade, which affords them the opportunity to seek employment directly out of high school.

Supporting our local community college helps to retrain and train people in different skill sets to get jobs. The Wilmington City Council, through its economic development partners, has helped to recruit a number of companies and businesses, which gives people the opportunity to apply for and obtain jobs. e: Climate change is on a steady up, and we are affected first and foremost living on the coast. What more should the city be doing to combat this? What are your ideas to help be a part of a solution?

MBS: The city will continue to lead as an environmental steward. We have passed a resolution to reduce emissions by 58% by 2050. We have passed two resolutions to oppose off-shore drilling. We have implemented a recycling program for the city. We have lobbied both the EPA, as well as our state and local officials on more regulations of the Cape Fear River to protect our drinking water. We have supported the county’s efforts to get Duke Power to convert its Sutton Power Plant from coal to natural gas, which has resulted in the American Lung Association identifying Wilmington as having some of the cleanest air in the nation. e: WAVE and our public transportation system could be one way to help decrease greenhouse gases, but how do we get people to utilize public transportation who don’t need to, i.e. car owners? Do you have a plan to invest in and encourage this use?

MBS: First, WAVE is an authority that is governed by a separate Board of Directors, not the city. The city plays an active role in supporting the initiatives and goals of the authority by helping to fund them. With a growing population in a very urbanized area, it is imperative that both city and county governments fund WAVE at the same levels to ensure additional ridership and convenience. e: Citizens aplenty are decrying the

over-development of our area, which adds to more flooding problems. How do we correct this and get ahead of it rather than further behind than we already are—especially with being located in hurricane alley?

What are your plans to attract them here?

MBS: The city has an active stormwater program that is funded through stormwater fees and over many years, has improved and alleviated flooding problems in many parts of our city. To date, there are over $100 million in stormwater projects to be done and a prioritized list of those projects has been approved.

e: What role do you see our local colleges playing in the larger community?

How might they be better utilized to support Wilmington at large?

e: How do you plan to curb development and/or reallocate development to areas of the city that need it most?

MBS: Most development is market-driven. Developments are approved or denied based on the citizen’s comprehensive land-use plan that was adopted by the city over two years ago. This plan is a road map that tells developers what can be built and where. All development where zoning changes are requested are subject to the city’s planning department approval, city’s planning commission approval and finally city council’s approval. In addition, the process is transparent and involves public hearings where the public can voice support or objections. e: Also as a problem of over-development: green space deterioration. What are you doing to ensure we aren’t turning into a concrete jungle?

MBS: Any business that helps create good paying jobs and are good corporate citizens by giving back to the community, I support.

MBS: College plays a very important role in our community and supports the city’s initiatives through its many schools and programs. They are active in helping our city and our entire region from the environment to business to social ills that affect our community. e: Rate the following in importance and explain your ideas to correct/enhance them if you already haven’t above: affordable housing; better paying/more jobs; public transportation; tax incentives; climate crisis; hurricane preparedness; systemic equity and systemic equality. What else would you put on this list and why?

MBS: They are all very important issues and after every election, the entire city council convenes to discuss its goals and objectives for the coming year. Many of the things that have been identified are already priorities of the city council yet

they are subject to change with every new council and available funding. e: What’s missing from our city that needs to be included so ALL people are equally represented? How will you get us there?

MBS: All citizens of Wilmington are represented by their local government and their voices are heard. Local government is the most accessible government to the citizens. We are seen in the grocery stores, on the street, we are your neighbors and can be contacted by phone, email and at many public community meetings.

Have follow-up questions for Mayor Bill Saffo? Be sure to leave a comment on the online article, and we will see he receives and answers them for you. His responses will be posted below the article until election day, Tuesday, November 5.

One-stop voting for the municipal elections begins on Wednesday, October 16, and will conclude on Friday, November 1.

Read all candidate interviews online at encorepub.com.

Mayor Saffo's questions were culled by Shea Carver, Gwenyfar Rohler, Jeff Oloizia and Shannon Gentry.

MBS: The city supported and with the citizen’s help, passed a $38 million parks bond to add to our 744 acres of green space. Also, all new development must include greenspace. e: Part of the mayor’s job is to build consensus with city council. How are you doing so?

MBS: I have made it my goal to work across party lines to get things done whether it’s with our congressional delegation in Washington or Raleigh, the county commissioners or the many advocacy groups that exist or fellow elected leaders in the region. My goal has always been to build relationships and be a consensus builder. e: Do you support district representation on council? Why or why not?

MBS: I would if the district lines are drawn by a committee of citizens of the city of Wilmington. If they are drawn by the state legislator, I would not. e: What projects do you want to see included in long-range city planning that are currently neglected? How would you motivate council to accomplish those goals?

MBS: All projects are subject to longrange planning and involve the input of the entire city council. e: What kinds of businesses do you think Wilmington most urgently needs? encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 9

ZOMBIE

UNDO

2019

FEST 10-year

BY MARK BASQUILL

"W

onderful,” my friend said as we sat on his Hampstead patio, overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. The sun reflected deep pink and peach shades off the roofs and siding of homes in a new luxury development across the water.

anniversary!

SATURDAY

OCT 26

SATELLITE BAR & LOUNGE

ADVance TIckets $18 • at the DOOR $20

tickets are on sale at Satellite and gravity records

THE HILLBILLY HELLCATS THE PHANTOM PLAYBOYS DEADLY LO-FI • THE BEAU RIKKIS

COSTUME CONTEST

$200

GRAND PRIZE

Doors open 6pm • first band 7pm • 120 Greenfield St. • www.facebook.com/theyrecomingtogetyou 10 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

IT! Slowing down will do good in more ways than one unintentionally made science a key player in sport politics. Partly because of Al Gore, rather than see science as an impartial observer or referee in our sport politics, many Americans have put science on the team. They split "science" into Republican science and Democratic science. Optimistic Republican science says the climate is doing fine.

Business as usual. Keep overworking. Go shopping. It’s good for the economy.

My recently retired friend continued, “I’ve Pessimistic alarmist Democrat science only been here a couple years, but it’s easy and naïve children like Greta Thunberg to see Wilmington is quickly overdeveloping scream, “The house is on fire” every election itself. It doesn’t seem like a place I’d want to cycle. work myself to death. Why do that?”

So which science wins?

Good question.

It may disappoint Democrats and RepubOur great-great-grand-children will be surflicans alike, but science isn’t a registered ing Burgaw’s beaches. Yet, we insist working member in any political party. And science ourselves to death by clear-cutting pinelands isn’t about “winning.” for development and building three-story On the question of climate change, science homes on stilts in the wetlands adjoining the continues to strongly support the contention Intracoastal Waterway and Cape Fear River. that human activity is hastening climate After enjoying a lovely lazy evening, I drove change, and climate change will dramatihome, listened to young climate activist Greta cally change human lifestyles. Even those Thunberg's interview and reflected on Septhat refuse to get behind the science of clitember’s seminar at New Hanover Regional mate change should be able to see that, as Medical Center with lifestyle medicine piowe clear-cut whole forests, dump kilotons neer Dr. Dean Ornish. Ms. Thunberg urges of waste in the oceans, we are destroying the grownups in the room (if any) to forego Earth’s fellow inhabitants. Our ever-accelerthe “fairy tale of eternal economic growth,” ating economic progress is destroying the and make efforts to undo the dismal ecologbiodiversity that is necessary for our longical and environmental damage of humanity’s term survival. rapid industrialization.

It’s not all doom and gloom. There may For 40 years, Dr. Dean Ornish has found be a path to a “bright and wonderful future.” heart and diabetes patients, and people with Dr. Ornish suggests we slow down to extend other chronic illnesses, can undo damage the length and quality of our individual lives. partly caused by our fast-paced, fast-food Greta Thunberg suggests we slow down our lifestyle. Patients willing to commit to eating visions of eternal economic growth to extend wisely, exercising moderately, staying conour collective human lives. Thunberg’s “Frinected with loved ones, and slowing down day’s for the Future” campaign, taking Friday tend to live longer, fuller lives. off to call attention to the climate crisis, may Why do we insist on overdeveloping the re- be a way to help the individual and environgion? Working ourselves to death? ment.

Change isn’t easy. That’s an inconvenient One of the best ways to lower our blood truth. pressure is to stop stressing out at work.

Most people who have heart attacks or dia- Taking Friday off to meditate, pray, exercise, betes don’t dramatically change their lifestyles connect with people we love, will help undo for very long. Many don’t even take pills they the damage of our fast-paced, overworked are prescribed. Unless catastrophe breaks lifestyle. One of the best ways to help our down the door, we’ll pretty much stay in our human habitat is to slow down the engines busy little bubbles, working too hard, worrying of industry. The temporary slowdown of the too much, and eating thick burgers and fries. economic crisis a decade ago may have been bad for business, but it was good for Business as usual. the environment. Perhaps if we keep working Thunberg wants us to slow down the well- together toward climate solutions, and stop oiled machines of industry. She wants us to working ourselves to death, we can undo “unite behind the science.” But uniting behind some personal and collective damage and the science hasn’t been easy since Al Gore enjoy a “bright and wonderful future.”

up for their NFL home opener on Sept.

15 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Accordingly, so was some of their pyrotechnic equipment -- which caught fire during player introductions, spreading flames and thick, black smoke near one end zone. According to Bleacher Report, no one was hurt, and flames were extinguished quickly. But the NFL, taking its usual proactive stance, placed a ban on “all flame effects and pyrotechnics used on its playing fields” until an investigation can be completed. [Bleacher Report, 9/20/2019]

CAN’T POSSIBLY BE TRUE A Trumbull County (Ohio) sheriff’s deputy pulled over an Amish buggy on Donley Road early on the morning of Sept. 15 after the officer noticed a few oddities about the vehicle. For one, there were two Amish men inside who were drinking, and on the buggy’s roof rode a 12-pack of beer. And, according to Fox 8, the old-fashioned conveyance sported an unlikely modern convenience: a stereo system with large

speakers. As soon as the buggy came to a stop, the two men jumped out and escaped into heavy woods near the road.

Meanwhile, the horse, trailing the buggy, took off. The officer was able to catch up with the horse and have the buggy towed; the drivers were still at large. The buggy “is a vehicle, it’s on the roadway and the ... laws do apply,” said Chief Deputy Joe Dragovich. “You’re not allowed to drink and drive or operate a buggy.” [Fox 8, 9/17/2019]

SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME The Tennessee Titans were all fired

body and determine the cause of death.

[WMTW, 9/18/2019]

LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINALS

Two football-crazed fans of Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes couldn’t quite pull off a heist in Lawrence, Kansas, on Sept. 16. Pulling up to a McDonald’s, the two ran inside, grabbed a life-size cardboard cutout of Mahomes and ran out, stuffing the promotional piece into their car. Lawrence Police spokesman Patrick Compton told the Lawrence Journal-World that as they received the call Police arrived at the home of Vernelle about the theft, they were working a car Jackson, 83, in Norway, Maine, on Sept. crash nearby -- in which one of the vehi17, inquiring about the whereabouts of cles just happened to have a Mahomes another unnamed woman in her 80s who cutout in the back seat. Officers queshad reportedly lived with Jackson. As tioned the suspects and ordered them police excavated the back yard and the to appear for alleged theft. Flat Pat was story unfolded, Jackson admitted to au- returned to the McDonald’s. [Lawrence thorities and WMTW News 8 that she was Journal-World, 9/18/2019] the one who buried the woman, about 18 months ago. “She begged me when she WAIT, WHAT? passed away that she didn’t have enough Paramedics responded to a home in insurance to bury her, and I don’t have it. And she said, ‘Will you promise me Detroit on the evening of Sept. 21 where to bury me in your yard so I’ll be close?’ a man was suffering from a heart attack. ... I finally agreed to do it to satisfy her,” But as they worked on the victim, another Jackson explained. “I put her in a tarp. I man took a woman into a bedroom in the didn’t carry her. I have COPD. I couldn’t home and stabbed her. Then he ran out breathe that good.” She was surprised to of the house and, according to Fox2, is learn that she would have needed a per- still on the loose. The woman died at the mit to legally bury her friend in her yard, scene, and the heart attack victim did not and she’s still unclear whether she’s in survive. Police are still trying to figure trouble with the law. The State Medical out the relationships between the three Examiner’s office is working to ID the people. [Fox2, 9/23/2019]

encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 11

I WANT YOU TO WANT ME Cheap Trick will be performing at the Wilson Center on Tuesday, October 8th.

Courtesy photo

SOUND

BOARD

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2 Open Mic Night w/Bob Sarnataro (5:30pm) —Tidal Creek Co-Op, 5329 Oleander Drive. #100

Music Bingo w/DJ Sherri ‘So Very’ (7pm; free) —Local’s Tavern, 1107 New Pointe Blvd.

Wine Down Wednesday & Karaoke (8pm)

—Fox & Hound, 920 Town Center Dr.

Wet Wednesdays (10:30pm; Dubstep/DJ) —The Calico Room, 107 S. Front St.

Weekly Wine Down Open Mic (6pm)

—Ibiza Nightclub, 118 Market St.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3

Extreme Music Bingo w/Party Gras (10pm; free)

Sunset Cruise with Live Acoustic Music (7pm; $30)

ON OUR LOT

Tuesday __________________________________________ > > > THURSDAY

$3.75 Red Oak Draft $4.00 Wells 65¢ Wings, 4-7pm

$3.75 Hay Bale Ale

> > > Tuesday $3.75 Sweet Water $4.00 Absolute Lemon Drop

> > > WEDNESDAY $3.75 Wicked Weed $4.00 Margaritas

> > > FRIDAY $3.75 Pint of the Day $4.00 Fireball

> > > saturday $4.00 Green Tea

> > > SUNDAY $5.00 Bloody Marys & Mimosas

N. Water Street & Walnut street, Downtown Wilmington 910-762-4354

—Wilmington Wine, 605 Castle St.

—Tarantelli’s, 102 So. 2nd St.

Live Jazz with Chris (6pm; free)

Elliott Smith (6pm; free; )

THURSDAY

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

FREE PARKING

> > > Monday

—Wilmington Water Tours, 212 S Water St

KARAOKE

w/DJ Damo, 9PM

2 KILLIANS • $400 MAGNERS

$ 50

Thursday

________________________________________

TRIVIA

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

Friday & Saturday __________________________

$3.00 PBR 16oz cans $3.00 Coors Light $6 Redbull and Vodka

100 S. FRONT ST. 910-251-1832

LIVE MUSIC in the courtyard on Friday & Saturday MONDAY

$2.75 Domestic $3.50 Select Drafts $4 Fireballs!

TUESDAY

$3.50 Local Draft Brew

LIVE MUSIC

(Foothills Hoppyum IPA, Red Oak)

Sunday ___________________________________________

WEDNESDAY

2 BUD & BUD LIGHTS

$ 00

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

12 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

$5 Jameson

$3 Lagunitas $6 Knob Creek 1/2 price bottles of wine

FRIDAY

$3.00 Michelob Ultra $5.00 Lunazul Tequila All Floors open SATURDAY

$3 Miller Lite $3.50 Modelo $4 Smirnoff Lemon Drop shots $5 Raspberry Smirnoff w/mixer All Floors open SUNDAY

$3 Corona & Corona Light $4 Mimosa $4 Bloody Mary $5 Margarita

Your neighborhood drafthouse with a menu full of lowcountry favorites.

Join us for a hot meal and a cold pint.

40 BEERS ON TAP #TAPTUESDAY...THE BEST DAY OF THE WEEK: $3 SELECT PINTS & TEAM TRIVIA

Outdoor Concert Series

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 ACCESS 29 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 DAVE’S NOT HOME SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 OVERTYME 7324 Market Street • 910-821-8185 www.ogdentaproom.com OPEN 7 DAYS AWEEK

—Satellite Bar and Lounge, 120 Greenfield St.

—Wilmington Water Tours, 212 S Water St

—Ocean Front Park, 105 Atlantic Ave.

Perry Smith at Flytrap (6pm; free; acoustic guitar)

Randy McQuay (7pm; free; Acoustic/Soul)

Music Trivia 7pm; free)

—Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St.

—Cloud 9 Rooftop, 9 Estell Lee Pl..

Trivia from Hell’s (7:30pm; Free)

Live Music (Artist TBA; 7pm; free)

—Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.

JAZZ@CAM Series: Sidecar Social Club (6:30pm) —Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St.

—The Harp

—The Rusty Nail, 1310 South 5th Ave.

Sheila E (7:39m; $29.50-$68)

1423 S 3rd St.

2101 MarkeT sT uniT 7 (910) 599-4999

—The Wilson Center, 703 N. 3rd St.

Hiroya Tsukamoto in Concert (7pm; $20) —Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Wilm-

Monday Mules $5

Marc Siegel (7pm; free; Live Guitar)

ington, 4313 Lake Ave.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7

—Platypus and Gnome Restaurant, 9 S. Front St

North Fourth Funky Fridays (8pm)

Trivia from Hell’s (7:30pm; free)

Throwback Thursday Karaoke w/DJ Camo (8pm)

—Palate, 1007 N 4th St..

—Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St.

—Reggie’s 42nd St. Tavern, 1415 S. 42nd St.

Jim Quick and the Coastlilne (8pm)

Anything Goes Open Stage (8pm; free)

Bill Engvall (8pm; $43-$119; comedian)

—The SeaWitch Cafe and Tiki Bar, 227 Carolina

—The Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St.

—The Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St.

Beach Ave N.

Thirsty Thursday (8pm)

Drag Me to Ibiza (9pm)

—Ibiza Nightclub, 118 Market St.

—Ibiza Nightclub, 118 Market St.

Rockin’ Trivia w/Party Gras Entertainment (10pm, free) —Fox & Hound, 920 Town Center Drive

Mike O’Donnell (8:30pm; Live Requests) —The Reel Cafe, 100 S. Front St.

Trivia (9pm; free) —The Harp, 1423 S 3rd St.

Emily Roth (10pm; Solo Guitar) —Duck & Dive Pub, 114 Dock St.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4

Open Mic Presented by Hourglass Studios (6:30pm; free) Cheap Trick (7:30pm; $43-$92) —The Wilson Center, 703 N. 3rd St.

Sunset Cruise with Live Acoustic Music (7pm, $30)

The Drum Circle (8pm; free)

—Wilmington Water Tours, 212 S Water St

—Bottega, 723 N. 4th St.

An Evening With Bhramari Brewing: Fermental (5pm)

Anything Goes Open Stage (8pm; free)

—Fermental, 7250 Market St.

Karaoke w/DJ Damo (9pm; free)

Emily Roth (7pm; free; solo guitar)

—The Harp, 1423 S. 3rd St.

—The Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St.

Kure Beach Farewell Summer Jazz 97pm; free)

Live Music (7pm; Artist TBA)

—Kure Beach Ocean Front Park and Pavilion,

—The Harp, 1423 S. 3rd St.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9 Open Mic Night w/Bob Sarnataro (5:30pm) —Tidal Creek Co-Op, 5329 Oleander Drive. #100

Music Bingo w/DJ Sherri ‘So Very’ (7pm; free)

105 Atlantic Ave.

—Local’s Tavern, 1107 New Pointe Blvd.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6

Wine Down Wednesday & Karaoke (8pm)

Sunset Cruise with Live Acoustic Music (7pm, $30)

—Ibiza Nightclub, 118 Market St.

—Wilmington Water Tours, 212 S Water St.

Extreme Music Bingo w/Party Gras (10pm; free)

Fundraiser for Opera Wilmington (1:30pm; $74.99)

—Fox & Hound, 920 Town Center Dr.

—The Whiskey, 1 South Front St.

—Osteria Cicchetti, 1125 Military Cutoff Rd.

Wet Wednesdays (10:30pm; Dubstep/DJ)

Sunset Cruise with Live Acoustic Music (7pm; $30)

Kure Beach Boogie in the Park (5pm; free)

TV-MA: 21+ Erotic Art Show (8pm; $7) —The Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St.

Outtake 13 (10pm; free; alt rock)

—The Calico Room, 107 S. Front St.

Emily Roth (9:30pm; acoustic guitar)

List your live music, trivia and open mic nights

FREE

online and in print!

It’s super easy!

1. Go to www.encorepub.com 2. Click on calendar tab 3. Click on red add your event button and fill in the info

Benny Hill’s Jazz Jam Every Sunday, 7-10pm

Iya Terra Oct. 22, 7-11:59pm

www.encorepub.com

227 CAROLINA BEACH AVE N. (910) 707-0533 • seawitchtikibar.com

THIS WEEK AT THE WITCH

—Might As Well, 250 Racine Dr., #15 —Pour Taproom, 201 N Front St. Suite G101

Oct. 4 L Shape Lot Duo, 8pm

—Goat & Compass, 710 N Fourth St.

—Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St.

—WHQR Gallery, 254 N. Front St. #300

—Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut Street

serving over 22 craFT beers • all abc perMiTs

Julia Rothenberger (8pm; free)

Justin Fox (8pm; free)

The Fustics (8pm; free)

Tuesday 1/2-price wine bottles

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5

WHQR’s A Little Lunch Music (12pm; free)

Mon.-Thurs.: 4pM-12:30 aM Fri.-saT.: 4pM - 1:30aM sun: 4pM-11pM

WED 10/2 JUSTIN FOX AND DAVID MORSE FRI 10/4 JIM QUICK & COASTLINE

THUR 10/3

ZION O RO TZ DUO SAT 10/5 PARTY OF 6IX

www.RuckerJohns.com VISIT WWW.RUCKERJOHNS.COM FOR FRIDAY MONDAY DAILY SPECIALS, MUSIC & EVENTS Cosmopolitan $4.50 Select Appetizers 1/2 Off after MONDAY 5pm in bar and patio areas Watermelon Martini $6.50 DAYSeasonal Big Domestic22oz.

Draft Domestic Beers $2 Draft SamALL Adams Blue Pool Martini $6$5 Pizzas Bottles $3 TUESDAY TUESDAYSATURDAY Jack Be Chill $7.50 1/2 Off SelectLIVE Bottles of Wine IN THE JAzz BAR 22oz Deschutes Black Butte Absolute Dream $5 Half Price Bottles ofPorter Wine $5.50 $ 50 NC CraftAbsolut Bottles $3 5 • Pacifico 2 Willow Wit Dream $22oz Weeping WEDNESDAY Beer $5.50 WEDNESDAY 1/2 Off Nachos after 5pm 22oz $ 50 Edward Teach Peach in bar andMiller patio Light areas Pints

1 Coronoa/

$ 50 $5.50 Wheat Domestic Pints $1.50Lite Bottles 2 Corona $ SUNDAY Corona/Corona Lt. $2.50 Margaritas/Peach Margaritas 4 Margaritas on the Rocks $4.50 All Flat Breads $6 after 5pm THURSDAY in bar and patio areas THURSDAY $ $ $3 Mimosa Appletinis 4, RJ’s Painkiller 5 Truly Lime Spiked and $ 50 Mary $4 Bloddy 2 Red Stripe Bottles Sparkling Water $3 Domestic $ 50 Pints $1.50 2 Fat Tire Bottles 22oz. Tropical Lightning 5564 Carolina Beach Road IPA $5.50 FRIDAY(910)-452-1212 $ 50our website Sinking Bahama Mama $7 $4, 007Visit Cosmos 3 www.RuckerJohns.com $ 1/2 Off All Premium Guinnessfor Cans daily3specials, music and Red Wine Glasses upcoming events $

Island Sunsets 5

encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 13 SATURDAY

BEACH, BLUES, ROCK & R&B Jim Quick and the Coastline Band will be performing at SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar on Friday, October 4th.

Courtesy Photo

—Jimmy’s at Red Dogs, 5 N. Lumina Ave.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10

—Tarantelli’s, 102 So. 2nd St.

—Little Dipper Fondue, 138 S Front St.

Thirsty Thursday (8pm)

Raphael NamÌ (6pm; guiatar)

The Expendables w. Signal Fire and Medicated Sunfish (7:30pm; $18)

—Ibiza Nightclub, 118 Market St.

—Brooklyn Arts Center, 516 N. 4th St.

Rockin’ Trivia w/Party Gras Entertainment (10pm; free)

Trivia from Hell’s (7:30pm; free)

—Fox & Hound, 920 Town Center Dr.

Marc Siegel (7pm; Live Guitar)

—Hell’s Kitchen, 118 Princess St

Mike O’Donnell (8:30pm; free; Live Requests)

—Wilmington Wine, 605 Castle St.

—Platypus and Gnome Restaurant, 9 So. Front

Live Jazz with Chris (6pm; free)

St.

Throwback Thursday Karaoke w/DJ Camo (8pm; free)

—Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St.

Sunset Cruise with Live Acoustic Music (7pm; $30)

Jeremy Matthews (6pm; free)

—Wilmington Water Tours, 212 S Water St

—Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut S.

Weekly Wine Down Open Mic (6pm; free)

Emily Roth (7pm; free; acoustic guitar)

—Reggie’s 42nd St. Tavern, 1415 S. 42nd St.

—The Reel Cafe, 100 S. Front Street

Trivia (9pm; free) —The Harp, 1423 S. 3rd St

Your LOCAL ticketing source!

List your events today!

Contact john@encorepub.com for more info 14 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

WILMINGTON CONCERT TIX ON SALE NOW! FRIDAY,

FEEL THE GROOVE

OCT 5

Perpetual Groove plays two dates in NC. Neighborhood Theater on October 5th and the Lincoln Theater on October 6th.

Photo by David Limentani.

THE ORANGE PEEL 101 BILTMORE AVE., ASHEVILLE, NC (828) 398-1837

REGIONAL 500 SOUTH MCDOWELL ST., RALEIGH, NC (919) 996-8800 10/5: Zedd 10/8: Sara Bareilles 10/25: Bastille

THE REEVES THEATER & CAFE 129 W. MAIN ST., ELKIN, NC (336) 258-8240

LINCOLN THEATRE 126 E. CABARRUS ST., RALEIGH, NC (919) 821-4111

NEIGHBORHOOD THEATRE N. DAVIDSON ST., CHARLOTTE, NC (704) 358-9298

10/2: Sierra Ferrell 10/3: John Medeski’s Mad Skillet 10/4: Perpetual Groove With The Mammoths 10/5: Jimmy Herring And The 5 Of 7 10/6: Tobi Lou - Happy + Extra Sad Tour 2019 10/7: Justin Townes Earle 10/8: Ian Noe With Special Guest Jeremy Ivey

THE FILLMORE

820 HAMILTON ST., CHARLOTTE, NC (704) 916-8970 10/3: Taking Back Sunday 10/4: Taking Back Sunday 10/6: Andy Grammer - Don’t Give Up On Me Tour

THE FILLMORE UNDERGROUND

820 HAMILTON ST., CHARLOTTE, NC (704) 916-8970 10/5: Kero Kero Bonito 10/8: Built To Spill

DURHAM PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 123 VIVIAN ST. DURHAM, NC (919) 688-3722 10/2-26: Aladdin

RED HAT AMPHITHEATER

The Tarheel

CONCERTS

10/3: Joseph 10/4: Whitey Morgan 10/5: Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe 10/6: Waltz Night 10/7: Wale 10/8: Coin

10/4: RiverRun presents Fiddlin’ 10/5: The Martha Bassett Show - James Maddock 10/6: Josh Fest: A Benefit Concert 10/11: Reeves House Band plays The Allman Brothers

MUSHROOMHEAD at

OCTOBER 5 MUSHROOMHEAD The Tarheel:Jacksonville

10/3: Whitey Morgan w/ Alex Williams 10/4: Jimmy Herring and the 5 of 7 10/5: Perpetual Groove

OCTOBER 13 BLACK LABEL SOCIETY

MOTORCO MUSIC HALL 723 RIGSBEE AVE, DURHAM, NC (919) 901-0875

The Tarheel:Jacksonville

10/3: The Way Down Wanderers/ Infielder 10/4: Sheer Mag 10/6: Kero Kero Bonito / Negative Gemini 10/7: Team Dresch / Des Ark 10/8: White Denim / Abram Shook

CAT’S CRADLE 300 E. MAIN ST., CARRBORO, NC (919) 967-9053 10/2: B Boys 10/3: Blanco White 10/4: Vegabond 10/5: Electric Six 10/6: Built To Spill 10/7: Luna performing Penthouse 10/8: Elizabeth Moen

KOKA BOOTH AMPHITHEATER 8003 REGENCY PKWY., CARY, NC (919) 462-2052 10/2: Lorraine Jordan & Friends 10/5: Tacos ‘N Taps 10/12: Cary Diwali 2019 10/16: Wilco

PNC ARENA

1400 EDWARDS MILL RD., RALEIGH, NC (919) 861-2300 10/17: Post Malone 10/19: Bon Iver 10/20: MercyMe

w/The Black Dahlia Murder

OCTOBER 20 INFLAMES The Tarheel:Jacksonville

NOVEMBER 2 HIPPO CAMPUS Greenfield Lake Amphitheater

SUNDAY,

OCT 13

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY

W/THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER at The Tarheel

Purchase tickets at: www.ENCtickets.com encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 15

DANCE, DANCE UNCW wins Up & Up Festival competition to bring dance DJ and singer-songwriter Elephante to GLA. Photo by Nikki Netzer, Monster Energy

UP, UP,

BY SHANNON RAE GENTRY

A

t face value Monster Energy’s Up & Up Festival competition seems like a pretty simple numbers game: a contest between participating colleges across the country to see who can cull the most votes/pre-sale tickets in 48 hours. The top five schools get to host an Up & Up concert in their city. With roughly 17,000 students, UNCW is an underdog compared to the 99,000 student body at Penn State.

Alas, never underestimate the underdog.

2019 is the second year in a row UNCW students rallied enough votes to get Up

& Up to ILM. They placed first out of 40 schools, and share the win with four others: Penn State, Dayton, Wazzu and Ohio Athens.

“That’s huge!” notes Jesse Merrill, UNCW student and Up & Up ambassador. She and Nate Daniels were among UNCW students marketing the competition across socials for weeks. She says running a successful campaign is all about evoking school pride that isn’t always tapped into in traditional college fashion, like with sports.

“I think the reason UNCW students were so excited about having a festival come to Wilmington is because . . . [w]e don’t have

UP & UP FEST W/ ELEPHANTE Monday, October 9, 5 p.m.

Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, 1941 Amphitheatre Dr Tickets: $22 - $30 upandupfestival.com football games or tailgates, we don’t have a big parents weekend or fall fest," she explains. "I believe Up & Up was something that was able to bring UNCW together as a community and was something different coming to Wilmington.”

Dine In • Take Out • Catering • Grocery • Deli

A Truly Authentic Family Owned Italian Delicatessen Hot Meals Meats Sandwiches Party Platters Desserts Salads Breakfast All Day 1101 S College Rd., Wilmington, NC • (910) 392-7529 • www.atasteofitalydeli.com Hours: Mon - Fri 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM • Saturday 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM • Sunday 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

16 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

DETAILS

Last year’s Up & Up featured Slushi at Pier 33. On October 9 dance DJ and singer-songwriter Tim Wu, a.k.a. Elephante, at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. UNCW sophomore McRay Granelli, known as “Chasewater,” will open.

“I started my career doing a lot of college shows,” Wu says. “I remember how important shows like that were when I was in college, and playing a number of dusty basements and jury-rigged speaker setups. So that’s always been a big, core part of my fan base. When Monster reached out, I thought it was a cool opportunity to kind of bring it full circle. . . . They really make it about the fans’ choice.”

Matching the energy and excitement surrounding Up & Up’s competition, Elephante threads together upbeat music to dance and sing along to. The artist says he thrives on the challenge and excitement with each new show and crowd. But he’s not simply standing around, pressing “play.” Wu says that’s like saying a drummer on stage is hitting things. While it’s not entirely wrong, it’s not an entirely accurate depiction. Wu focuses on tapping into collective energy.

“One thing I like to do is pick a couple

& AWAY! UNCW wins contest to bring Elephante to GLA people in the crowd that are really into it,” he describes."And you kind of connect with them on an individual level—because once you lock in with a small group of people, that energy is contagious. You don’t have to win over the entire crowd, all you gotta do is win over a handful of people up front.”

Wu came up in the rock world as a singer-songwriter for years before producing music. These days he’s coming back full circle by singing a lot of his own music during live shows. His latest 2019 release, “Diamond Days,” is his first single to feature his vocals. His previous album, “Glass Mansion” (2018), also included his first original song. There’s a lot of new originals to come, too. “[Singing live] is another way of trying to engage the crowd and keeping things fresh,” he says. “When I started producing music, I could work with all these amazing singers and use different talents than my voice. Over the last few years, I’ve been figuring out how to make my voice work on these records.”

Up & Up concertgoers can expect compelling visuals and light shows at GLA. It sets the stage for an almost short-film experience set to music, Wu describes.

“I’m excited to see all of the lights and lasers and visuals go with the music,” Merrill shares. “I love to see the crowd’s reaction when he plays a good song that people know.” With the venue change comes plenty of bathrooms, parking and Uber/Lyft pickup and dropoff. There also will be food and alcohol for purchase.

“Up & Up is something that has brought me so much happiness and friends,” Merrill says. “Without Up & Up I wouldn’t be living with my current best friend, Haley, or have met so many amazing UNCW students who love to go to festivals. I think we will expand a bunch next year and get way more students involved. We are thinking about possibly even starting a club!"

encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 17

BE A DOLL...

Life-sized dolls welcome visitors to the swampland of Panic Attack.

SWAMP

BY SHEA CARVER

A

n hour or so southwest of Wilmington in Nakina—between Lake Waccamaw and Shallotte—swampland has been transformed into a haunted attraction of epic proportions.

Over the last 10 years Panic Attack has been the place to face all fears during Halloween—whether in the form of coming face-to-face with creepy vermin, like rats,

snakes, spiders and alligators, or watching human torture and disembodiment. Eerie dolls, insane cannibals, mental patients and zombies lurk behind every crevice, ready to pounce on their prey. By moving from ILM's 30,000-square-foot spook factory on 15th Street, Panic Attack now places visitors in the middle of nowhere to amp up the thrills to an 11 on a scale of 10.

"We have spent the majority of 2019 re-

THINGS

Panic Attack welcomes all who dare to their haunted trail building the attraction," owner Eric Pino says. "It's a super-creepy location in the swamp. We throw a party in the swamp while visitors wait to go."

The design of the attraction is in the hands of creatives who have worked in the film industry and with Universal Studios and Six Flags. The detail in their design is of the highest caliber, with animatronics coming straight out of Hollywood.

Though there is no specific theme, the attraction covers a wide array of bone-chilling encounters.

"We have a whole swamp fishing village with Bubba's Fish Market," Pino tells of the new addition. "You come face-toface with two great sharks. We have Pine Level Asylum and a trick-or-treat house where kids will do anything to get back their candy."

When Panic Attack first hit Wilmington 10 years ago, it was in a 10,000-squarefoot space and tripled in size and evility before moving. Now it's even more sprawling as an hour-long outdoor haunted trail. By being situated on a large swath of land, Panic Attack can grow into a daring destination. "We want to become a tradition," Pino says.

Panic Attack hits on everyone's darkest terrors, from chainsaws to clowns to a life-sized dollhouse to a military zone and, naturally, swamp monsters. "You'll go underground into the mind shaft and come

18 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

Photo by Chris Lee

DETAILS PANIC ATTACK Haunted Attraction Sept. 27-Nov. 2, 7 p.m. - midnight Friday and Saturday only $20 • 910tix.com 3245 Pine Level Church Rd. Nakina, NC 28455 up facing some of your favorite movie characters, like Pennywise from 'It' and Jason from 'Friday the 13th.'"

Pulling off the showdown are upward of 50 to 60 actors. Pino hosts auditions annually. "A lot of them have acting experience and have worked with Panic Attack in the past," he confirms.

Makeup and airbrush artists are local, and costumes come from Matt Valentine, who most folks may know from Syfy's "Face Off." Valentine finds wares from thrift stores, as well as movie costume houses. "The costumes get distressed and prepared on site," Pino says.

Panic Attack 2019 comes with more actors, props, sets, sounds and smells.

In other words, the attraction attacks all senses for a fully immersive experience.

"We are 100% about the customer's experience," Pino says. "We have created scenes that makes every visitor feel like they're in a horror movie, so everybody can get a terrified experience."

GALLERY art exposure!

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

GUIDE

ArtExposure will be hosting “Metal and Fiber, a show featuring the metal work of Vicki Thatcher and the Fiber work of Jan Lewis. The show will run until the end of August. Check out our new website at www.artexposure50.com to see upcoming events and classes!

Point Restaurant, 114 Market Street. These stunning oil paintings explore the movement of food from farms and waters to markets and to table. Woven through these paintings are food memories and stories, a sort of autobiography in food of the artist.

ART IN BLOOM GALLERY

CHARLES JONES AFRICAN ART

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

Art in Bloom Gallery is in a renovated 19th-century horse stable and presents an eclectic mix of original art by emerging and established artists. In Gallery 1, view " “Transference: New Art by Joan McLoughlin.” This body of work includes abstract paintings as well as a new direction using photo transfers incorporated into the compositions. This new series has evolved in order to evoke nostalgia by illustrating memories of the past alongside the contemporary art of the present.The exhibit continues through October 6th. Art in Bloom Gallery is open until 9 pm on Fourth Friday Gallery Nights including October 25th.

ART OF FINE DINING

www.aibgallery.com In addition to our gallery at 210 Princess Street, Art in Bloom Gallery partners with local businesses to exhibit original art in other locations. Art Exhibits include: "Asylum: Collages by Elizabeth Darrow" ends on September 30th at Platypus & Gnome Restaurant, 9 South Front Street. Most of the imagery that comes to Elizabeth Darrow seems to hatch of its own accord, emerging from the process.

A Pop-Up Art Exhibit, "It's About Time: Art

by Elizabeth Darrow, Virginia Wright-Frierson + Friends" continues through November 29th at 216 N. Front St. (the former Expo216 Building).

View the art Tuesday-Sunday from noon until 5 pm and until 9 pm on Fourth Friday Gallery Nights including October 25th and November 22th. Experience a unique exhibit including a wonderful selection of larger works by iconic Wilmington artists Elizabeth Darrow (oil painting, oil pastel and collage), Karen Paden Crouch (welded-bronze sculpture), Gayle Tustin (narrative ceramic vessels), Virginia Wright-Frierson (oil on canvas), and other artists.

"Homegrown: New Paintings by Angela Rowe runs from October 4 to January 13, 2020 at Pin-

311 Judges Rd., Unit 6-E • (910) 794-3060 • Mon. – Fri. 10am - 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm - 4 pm Open other hours / weekends by appt. cjafricanart.com

African art: Museum quality African Art from West and Central Africa. Traditional African art for the discerning collector.

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

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

NEW ELEMENTS GALLERY

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

We’re bringing back the huge tent, the region’s best Oom-pah band, games (including the famous Stein holding competition), food, liter steins, our annual Oktoberfest Beer, “Most Festively Dressed” contest and more!

• FOOD TRUCKS WITH SPECIAL GERMAN FOOD MENUS: 2 Bros Coastal Cuisine, 1pm A&Ms Red Food Truck, 1pm Little Chef, 1pm Bill’s Brew Food, 6pm

Durham artist Victoria Primicias creates incredible abstracts and layered abstract landscapes that isolate the viewer but invite exploration, like that mirage on the horizon that rewards you with that first cool drink of water. Come experience “Oasis” with Victoria Primicias.

• WICKED GOOD DEEP FRIED PRETZELS, 1pm

WILMA W. DANIELS GALLERY

• LIVE MUSIC, The Famous Harbour Towne Fest Band, 1-6pm

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

Pamela Toll: Landscape and Memory will close Sept. 27, 6 to 9pm, at Wilma D. Daniels Gallery Pam Toll, an associate professor at UNC Wilmington, has been drawing and painting since childhood, and this physical way of thinking is fundamental to her work. Toll received a BA in Art and English Literature from UNC Chapel Hill, and is a co-founder of both Acme Art Studios (Wilmington, NC 1991) and No Boundaries International Art Colony (Bald Head Island, NC 1998). This exhibition pursues the energy around trees, and comes from a lifetime spent among them.

THIS WEEK’S UPCOMING EVENTS: Wed., 10/2: GRUFF GOAT COMEDY, 8pm; Wheels Pizza Thur., 10/3: LIVE MUSIC, 6-8pm; Wilmy Woodie Pizza 6-9pm Fri., 10/4: BLUEGRASS JAM WITH BIG AL, 7-10pm; Catch the Food Truck 6-9pm

721 Surry Street Wilmington waterlinebrewing.com

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

Wine & cider are available.

encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 19

JUST SWELL The Carolina Surf Film Festival returns to Waterman’s for two nights of films, food, music and beer in an al fresco setting; (below) Chad Davis (left) with 2017 Carolina Surf Filmmaker Award Winner Logan Marshall, former partner Chuck Gainey and 2018 Carolina Pioneer Award winner Nicole Nason.

N

Founded by lifelong surfer Chad Davis, the Carolina Film Festival returns to Waterman’s Brewing this weekend for the third time. This is the fourth year for the festival in Wilmington overall—it was first held at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater in 2016. A sister event will be held in Davis’ hometown of Charleston, South Carolina October 18-19.

Four feature films will be shown over the two nights, along with 10 shorts. Among the feature offerings are “The Electric Acid Surfboard Test,” starring seven-time world champion surfer Stephanie Gilmore, and “Dimensions,” the third film from Outer Banks wunderkind Logan Marshall. Marshall won the festival’s Carolina Surf Filmmaker of the Year award in 2017 as just a high-school junior.

Submissions are open to filmmakers from all over this world. That diversity is reflected in this year’s entries, which hail from Cuba, New Zealand, Australia, Alaska, Hawaii, California, Rhode Island and elsewhere.

In addition to the films, there will be food and drink for sale throughout both nights.

Vendors at Waterman’s will include Sweetwater Surf Shop, Current All Natural cosmetics, Sea Bones eco-friendly apparel, Kanga Coolers, several different surfboard companies and more.

WAVE

Courtesy photo

BY JEFF OLOIZIA

ext to its vape shops and tattoo parlors, Wilmington is perhaps best known for its beaches and film industry. Thus, it made sense to combine those things into one epic festival.

RIDING THE

DETAILS CAROLINA SURF FILM FESTIVAL October 4-5, 5 p.m.-11 p.m.

Waterman’s Brewing 1610 Pavilion Pl. Tickets: $5-$35 carolinasurffilmfestival.com proached by the surf filmmaker Taylor Steele, who needed music for a film. That began a two-decade career working as a music supervisor for action sports movies—an endeavor that took him to festivals all over the world. In 2003, he joined the Warped Tour, the groundbreaking, cross-country music festival that combined skateboard culture with alternative and punk rock music. At the end of four months, homesick and without a place to live, he took up an offer to live at his parents’ house in Oak Island. It was his first time living on the East Coast in almost a decade.

Eventually, Davis was inspired to start the Carolina Surf Film Festival after attending a similar event in Florida. By that point, he had moved back to Charleston and had established film contacts around the world.

“The two guys who were running it were a firefighter and an accountant,” Davis says.

“I was just like, ‘Oh, I’m in the surf industry.

Why am I not doing this in Charleston?’”

Now 47, Davis has an upbeat disposition and zeal for surf culture that has earned him the unofficial title “Minister of Stoke.”

The moniker began as a joke among friends but eventually stuck: it’s printed on his business cards.

Davis brought the festival to Wilmington in 2016 after seeing how successful it was in Charleston. The move was a no-brainer: “I knew the surf community here was probably a little stronger than Charleston’s, just because the surf is a little better. A lot of the Mid-Atlantic surf reps are based in Wilmington, and with UNCW and Cape Fear Community College, it’s a good surf market.” Plus, he says, “I just wanted to spend more time up here.” In March, he made Wilmington his full-time home.

Tickets for both festivals can be purchased online at carolinasurfbrand.com.

Options range from single-night passes for $12 to the $35 Trident Pass, which includes admission for two nights, a festival T-shirt and a bag of local goodies. Admission for kids aged 7-12 is $5.

Davis’s personal story sounds like something out of a movie. After graduating from the College of Charleston in 1991, he decamped to California, where he worked in the music industry—first for Maverick Records, and later for Warner Bros. “I just tired of waiting on hurricane waves,” he jokes.

In addition, raffle tickets will be available for $5 each or five for $20. Proceeds go to the nonprofit Hope From Helen, which supports local and global organizations dedicated to health, education, animal welfare, the environment, and individuals and families in need. The foundation is named for Helen Buter, the late mother of Wrightsville Beach surfer Tony Butler. Raffle prizes include merchandise from Davis’ clothing company Carolina Surf Band, Rip Curl wetsuits, Smith sunglasses, Apis Mercantile CBD honey, a Blue Shark Vodka gift basket and more.

While living in San Diego, Davis was ap-

Davis credits the heightened popularity

Doors open at 5 p.m. and movies start at dark.

20 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

Carolina Surf Film Festival is a dream realized for Wilmington’s ‘Minister of Stoke’ of surfing for the success of the festival, which he says drew over 1,000 attendees in 2018. He chalks that popularity up to a rise in surf schools, rapidly improving wave pool technology, and hard work by the World Surf League (WSL), which helped make surfing an official sport at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Still, he says, there’s plenty of reason to attend the festival even if you're not a surfer.

“My dad doesn’t surf, and he loves it,” says Davis. “I hear that from a lot of people. They come to attend the festival almost on accident, and they’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is so amazing.’”

CHAD DAVIS’ TOP 10 SURF FILMS September Sessions (2002) Point Break (1991) Death 2 Hipsters (2014) Big Wednesday (1978) Mad Wax (1987) North Shore (1987) Hit & Run (2000) Chasing Mavericks (2012) Self Discovery for Social Survival (2019)

*

The Allnighter (1987) playing at the 2019 Carolina Surf Film Festival

*

HIDE AND GO SEEK

NOT CLOWNING AROUND

Zach Galifianakis (left) and Sylvester Stallone play very different action heroes in 'Between Two Ferns: The Movie' and 'Rambo: Last Blood.'

The Losers Club is all grown up in ‘It Chapter Two.’ Courtesy photo

Courtesy photos

BY ANGHUS

I

’m not sure I’ve ever seen such absurd movies back to back. I was morbidly curious about both features for very different reasons.

“Rambo” is one of those franchises that gets resuscitated once a decade—a relic from a bygone action era that usually delivers some brutal action and halfbaked ideas. “Between Two Ferns” is a popular internet show that typically delivers awkward laughs for the fully baked and that, for some reason, has made the leap from computer screen to the slightly larger screen of a Netflix-compatible television. Both of these movies are completely insane, and I’m still trying to work out if that’s a good thing.

“Rambo: Last Blood” is a mind-blowing piece of action cinema that, like its star Sylvester Stallone, feels like it's from a completely different era: one in which indiscriminately murdering droves of minorities was perfectly acceptable. The series hasn’t aged particularly well. The original 1982 movie is still an absolute classic, but each sequel has produced diminishing returns. Everything about the series feels totally antiquated, and the movie’s failure to match the far superior “First Blood,” thus providing a satisfying bookend, feels like a missed opportunity.

“First Blood” introduced the hero, John Rambo (Stallone), as a homeless Vietnam Vet who is harassed by a redneck sheriff. This triggers Rambo’s PTSD and turns him into a brutal, law-enforcement maiming machine. It was about a man who had been thrown away by society after serving his country—an unwanted byproduct of American imperialism who struggled to find acceptance. This final installment finds a now-retired Rambo living in the border region near Mexico.

Will the filmmakers have Rambo help save Mexican immigrants struggling to find acceptance in modern society, thus continuing the first film’s themes?

Hell no. Instead, they fill the movie with

DETAILS RAMBO: LAST BLOOD Rated R, 1 hr 29 mins

Directed by Adrian Grunberg Starring Sylvester Stallone, Paz Vega, Yvette Monreal

BETWEEN TWO FERNS: THE MOVIE

TV-MA, 1 hr 22 mins Directed by Scott Aukerman Starring Zach Galifianakis, Matthew McConaughey, Will Ferrell Mexican cartel stereotypes, providing Rambo with a disposable army of Hispanics to brutally murder (and he dispatches every single one with extreme prejudice).

There are some fun action sequences in “Last Blood,” but the movie feels so insanely out of touch with anything happening in the world. Mind you, not every movie has to tap into the zeitgeist. However, “First Blood” established Rambo’s story as a deeper examination of the brutal nature of humanity. “Last Blood,” by comparison, has no levels. It’s a brutal, dumb action movie—not terrible, but nothing we hav-

en’t seen before. It’s a film for people who found “Taken” too cerebral.

“Between Two Ferns” also feels like something we’ve seen before. Especially for those of us who have been fans of Zack Galifianakis’ crazy, cringe-inducing berating of celebrities and awkward delivery. The fact that there’s a movie based on a 10-minute internet talk show is creatively ... interesting.

We’re introduced to Galifianakis as the host of a public access talk show in southeastern North Carolina that manages to attract all sorts of popular, A-List celebrities. His boss, Will Ferrell (playing an amped up version of himself), is a crazy, cocaine and click-addicted CEO who needs Zack to get him 10 more episodes. If he can deliver, Zack will achieve his dream of having his own professional late-night talk show. Galifianakis gathers his rag-tag crew of public access nerds and hits the road, where he interviews a variety of big-name celebrities.

It’s always weird watching short-form comedy adapted for film. “Between Two Ferns” is basically a bit stretched out into a movie, akin to features made out of “Saturday Night Live” sketches. The quality of the film depends on the ability of the characters and premise to support a longer run time. This one slightly misses the mark, mostly because there are precious

BETWEEN TWO

FILMS

‘Between Two Ferns’ and ‘Rambo’ outings are cringe-inducing for different reasons

few moments that are as good as the actual interviews. In fact, the outtakes during the credits are the best seven minutes of the entire film. Watching Galifianakis try to hold his shit together while A-List celebrities burst into laughter is so infectious, you can’t help but enjoy yourself.

I suppose the takeaway from these two creative endeavors is that sometimes you can find moments of enjoyment from complete absurdity. “Last Blood” somehow manages to generate as many awkward winces as “Between Two Ferns,” which devotes itself entirely to the pursuit of comedic cringe. I suggest skipping the former and watching the latter, unless you really want to watch a septuagenarian steroid abuser brutally murder people. If that’s something you’re actively seeking out, maybe it’s time to change your medication.

Check out the Deal of the Week on Page 7 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 21

THE OVERACHIEVER Caitlyn Wolfe plays Marcy Park in Panache's latest show.

Photos by director James Bowling

WACKY

BY CHASE HARRISON

B

ringing to mind the mockumentary-style storytelling of Christopher Guest, Panache Theatrical Productions scores a win with the wacky farce “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." The production will have audiences roaring with laughter, doubting their own spelling acumen and questioning if they are in fact a good or bad sport.

That’s the query at the core of musicals: How does an individual bask in glory or succumb to defeat? Masterfully produced

by Panache and directed with a soft hand

by James Bowling, “The Bee" tells the story of a group of bright-eyed and dictionary-minded kids. They're competing to represent Putnam County at the National Spelling Bee, and the audience gets to see their strange tricks and tics as they recall the nefarious underbelly of the spelling world. It’s a hilarious musical, mixing the internal strife of the documentary “Spellbound” with the external pageantry of Guest’s “Best in Show.” While feeling cluttered at times, it never fails to be enjoyably fun or funny.

First and foremost, Panache has made an ingenious venue selection. Staging their production at the historic Hannah Block USO/Community Arts Center is an exercise in maximizing minimalism. The auditorium already evokes memories of school assemblies, so very little is needed to create the correct ambiance. With just a simple short-stake of bleachers and a table present onstage, the show does little with set dressing. It achieves authenticity, despite the stage feeling overtly stuffed as actors step over each other. Banners hang to promote a bully-free school zone and show pride in the mascot, the Putnam Piranhas.

There is a level of participation in "The Bee," as four audience members are asked to be stand-ins for missing spellers. It’s a

DETAILS THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE Oct. 3-6, 7:30 p.m. or 3 p.m. Sundays Hannah Block USO/Community Arts Center, 120 S. Second St. Tickets: $26-$28 panachetheatre.com neat aspect to the show. As a poor speller, I was terrified to go up, but a cast this well assembled will leave audiences with little to fear. It's clear adults are playing the pre-pubescent characters. With actors' ages so skewed, the gag doesn’t land as strong as it could, since some of the cast are rather baby-faced. That is not to say it is to the production’s detriment. Each member embraces the oddball National Lampoon-like musical to present funny, but more importantly, endearing characters. I was upset when any of the kids would get their words wrong. Their innocent looks of confidence swerved into defeat and were uncomfortable to watch— which speaks highly of both the writing and acting.

Kicking off the musical’s action is Rona Peretti, the moderator and former Putnam County Spelling Bee Champion. Played by Jamie Nelson, she brings a manic love for the Bee and the word "syzygy." During the opening number, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” contestants file in and explains a little of the backstories of what brought them here.

Cutting the most imposing figure is Chip

22 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

Tolentino (Mark Deese)—last year’s winner. With his merit-badge-covered Boy Scout uniform, and his chest-pounding toxic masculinity, Deese oozes with “I’m special” privilege. Being something of the group’s bully, he gets his comeuppance which he tries to explain away in the hilarious and self-explanatory number, "My Unfortunate Erection."

Completely owning his role's zaniness is Anthony Reynolds as Leaf Coneybear, a home-schooled kid who everyone doubts even deserves to be at the Bee. Reynolds has boundless energy which never seems to falter. Like Martin Short, he possesses the rare ability to present a character so desperately annoying, it's impossible not to care for him. His number “I'm Not That Smart" is a nice ode to anyone who strives to be authentic. Caitlyn Wolfe brings an eerie, Stepford-esque approach to the role of Marcy Park—a stressed-out kid teetering on the edge of a nervous breakdown.

Of the entire cast, it has to be Emily Graham who embodies the concept of adults playing kids the best. The perfectly personified nervous energy she brings to the politically minded, woke Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre is spot on in its attention to detail. She really elevates her performance, from the way she grabs and pulls at her pant legs to her constant, can’t-stay-still happy feet.

While all contestants give an honest reason why they should win the Bee, none are more compelling than Rebekah Carmichael’s Olive Ostrovsky. Carmichael exudes an earnest nature that makes it almost impossible not to root for Ostrovsky to win it all. [Spoiler alert!] So when she doesn’t, a powerful moment of childhood abandonment and bashed hopes goes on full display in “The I Love You Song." It's a true example of survival through imagination.

WIN

Panache scores big with 'The Bee' Jordan Hathaway takes on the role of the prodigal son William Barfee, the boy with the magic foot. As his nickname suggests, Hathaway uses his super-powered foot to visualize words before spelling them out loud. His physicality is awesome; stepping over imaginary words as to not disturb the spelling adds such a nice touch. Hathaway really brings genuine weight to the absurd practice. His vocal control is good, too, as Barfee is under an allergy attack throughout the show.

Hathaway incorporates sinus assaults into his number “Magic Foot” to show off a well-rounded role.

While it is the kids' show, hands down "The Bee" is anchored by Michael Lauricella’s vice principal, Douglas Panch.

Honestly, the entire production could have been awash and his performance would be worth the price of admission. He brings humor, from slight chuckles to full-on belly laughs, but never steals the light. Folks who decide to go see it this weekend and volunteer to be filler spellers: Make sure to ask for the definition of the words and to have it used it a sentence. Any chance to have Lauricella provide laughter should be taken full advantage of.

The first step towards any goal comes with a 50/50 chance of both victory and defeat. But it's the journey that teaches us to process and handle whatever lies ahead. With “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," Panache continues their journey of feeling the thrill of victory.

NOT- SO - SECRET ADMIRERS Onstage couples Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal and Sheryl Lee and Judd Nelson (pictured) will appear in consecutive weekend performances of A.R. Gurney’s 1988 play 'Love Letters' at Kenan Auditorium.

Courtesy photo

YOU’VE GOT

BY JEFF OLOIZIA

S

napchats and Instagram stories may be fleeting, but handwritten notes are forever. At least that’s the hope behind Persist Theatrical’s new production of “Love Letters,” coming to Kenan Auditorium this month. Since premiering in 1988, A.R. Gurney’s epistolary play—which depicts two erstwhile lovers sitting side-by-side, reading 50 years of letters to each other—has been performed hundreds of times in theater spaces worldwide.

The play has long attracted a string of busy name actors, as it requires little preparation and discourages participants from memorizing lines. Among famous pairs to read it are Alan Alda and Candice Bergen, Elizabeth Taylor and James Earl Jones, Tom Hanks and real-life wife Rita Wilson, Sigourney Weaver and Jeff Daniels, and Lynn Redgrave and John Clark (who performed the play for sequestered jurors during the O.J. Simpson trial at the request of Judge Lance Ito). A TV version, starring Laura Linney and Stephen Weber, aired on ABC in 1999.

What’s so special about a play that is, in essence, a table read? “Twin Peaks” star Sheryl Lee, who appears alongside Brat Pack alum Judd Nelson on October 12, says the show’s allure is hard to place. “It’s a bit magical in that way,” says Lee. “I remember the first time I saw it, thinking, ‘How does this work?’ And it just does.”

Her co-star is more direct: “The reason it works so well is because Gurney’s writing is so good. . . . He’s really one of the great American playwrights and just doesn’t get the credit he deserves.”

Nelson would know. He previously appeared in “Love Letters” opposite soap star Valerie Bertinelli in 1991. Lee has also performed the play before—once with the late Luke Perry, and once with “Wings” star Tim Daly. Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal, who broke hearts as star-crossed lovers in the 1970 box office hit “Love Story,” and who appeared in Gurney’s play in 2015, will re-

DETAILS LOVE LETTERS Featuring Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal Saturday, October 5, 7 p.m.

Featuring Sheryl Lee and Judd Nelson Saturday, October 12, 7 p.m.

Kenan Auditorium, 515 Wagoner Dr. Tickets: $70-$125 events.uncw.edu prise their roles on October 5.

Gurney never set out to write “Love Letters” in its current form. Known for his plays about upper-crust life in the American northeast, Gurney was coming off the success of “The Dining Room” (1982) when he suspected he’d had enough of theatre. He pitched a novel-in-letters to “The New Yorker,” only to receive a swift rejection. Instead of despairing, he rewrote it as a two-hander, in which both actors read letters back and forth to one another. Soon after, he staged an impromptu performance at the New York Public Library with friend and actress Holland Taylor. “We started at four, and I put in an arbitrary intermission at five, saying, ‘Well, I’m sure a lot of you have to go,’” Gurney told BOMB Magazine in 2006. “And nobody wanted to leave!

So I figured we had something.”

Three decades (and one Pulitzer Prize nomination) later, the play remains a hit. Lee believes in today’s rapidly-changing world— in which people are constantly tethered to their phones and rarely take the time for handwritten correspondence—theater-goers are drawn to “good old-fashioned romance of love letters. No matter how fast

MAIL

Four beloved actors take on A.R. Gurney’s timeless play about romantic pen pals the world moves forward, and how much technology takes over our culture, we are still humans with hearts, and we need love.”

She applies that same philosophy to meeting fans. Despite identifying as an introvert, Lee is pragmatic about doing pre- and post-show meet-and-greets ($125), during which fans are often eager to ask her about her time as Laura Palmer on “Twin Peaks.”

“As I’ve gotten older, there’s a sweetness of gratitude and appreciation that comes with these moments where we meet each other,” she says.

Nelson, too, recognizes the importance of such moments: For many fans, his roles as John Bender in “The Breakfast Club” and Alec Newbary in “St. Elmo’s Fire” represent formative cultural touchstones. “To be able to ride a fast horse like ‘The Breakfast Club’ that has a lot of fans,” he says, “I’m lucky to have been part of it.”

“Love Letters” also marks a return to Wilmington for both actors. A longtime Angeleno, Nelson came to Wilmington in 1986, to film the courtroom dramedy “From the Hip” at De Laurentiis Entertainment Group Studios, now EUE/Screen Gems. Lee was last in town in the mid 2000s, for a nine-episode arc of the popular TV show “One Tree Hill.”

It’s a welcome homecoming—both to the area and to Gurney’s play. “Wilmington holds a very special place in my heart,” Lee says. “I did this in my 20s, and now I’m doing it at 52.

I don’t want to assume anything about what that experience is going to be like. I just want to go in and be present with it.” encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 23

LARGER THAN LIFE Regan Shumate as Matilda (center), Eduardo Flores as Bruce and Alona Murrell as Lavender bring mad energy to the stage in Thalian Association's season premiere, 'Matilda.'

Photo by Mark Steelman

BY GWENYFAR ROHLER

T

halian Association is starting the school year off with a love letter to young readers. They have brought a fabulous, high-energy production of Roald Dahl’s "Matilda The Musical" to the main stage of Thalian Hall. Directed by Cathy Street and choreographed by Jason Aycock, the multiple Tony-winning adaptation provides a great night to share with the smart, imaginative children in your life.

Matilda Wormwood is a precocious little girl (about 5 for most of the story) who has superpowers in the form of a truly stunning mind. Born to Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood (Katie Richmond Deese and Jordan Wolfe)—she is an amateur ballroom dancer and he is a used car dealer (with a wardrobe that must be seen to be believed)—Matilda is not what they expected or even wanted. Whereas the children around her are considered to be "miracles," "angels" and "gifts from heaven," Matilda is an unexpected inconvenience— and furthermore not a boy. We learn this in the vastly over-the-top, captivating songand-dance number “Miracle."

Her older brother, Michael (Eli Oescheger), fits right in with family. He is obsessed with TV and suitably dumb. When Matilda starts school, she can do complicated math problems in her head and reads Charles Dickens.

Her unappreciative and angry parents just do not understand why she at least isn't an embarrassment—even if she does have to exist. If she would stop reading and going to the library, it would be an improvement.

But the library is Matilda's magical place and where she finds her first real friend, the librarian, Mrs. Phelps (Leslie Williams).

In addition to encouraging Matilda, Mrs. Phelps is a devotee of Matilda's stories. Williams’ Mrs. Phelps is everything wanted in a children’s librarian: She shows kindness, respect and admiration for young minds. She just knows Matilda’s parents must be so proud to have a smart, brave daughter. Little does she realize, she is the only person in Matilda’s life who recognizes such qualities.

Matilda might be brilliant, but she is also an abused, small child, and she takes her

DETAILS MATILDA Sept. 27-Oct. 6, Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m.

Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. Tickets: $32 thalianhall.org revenge the only way she can: pouring her mother’s hair peroxide into her father’s hair oil, causing Mr. Wormwood to accidentally dye his hair green just before a big sales meeting ("Naughty").

Matilda starts school and the big kids (Elle Carter, Caleb Hector, Elissa Hall, Sydney Short, Kaylen Rave, Garrett Reider, Devon Jones, Max T. Iapalucci, Jorja Wells, Rileigh Pedersen, Jessi Hoadley, Noelle Smith, Zoe Hemingway, Jakob Gruntfest, Kelsey MCray, and Eli Bright) torment the new, younger children (Kiley Carter, Sophie French, Braelyn Sudduth, GiGi Spargo, Rebecca Deese, Milo J. Iapalucci, Ella Greene, and Chloe Skane). Aycock has choreographed a war dance for "School Song" that brings to life all the terrors of the first day: a place where you will be taken and prevented from leaving, cut off from help and allies, at the mercy of scary adults, and even more scary roving bands of larger kids with no mercy for the innocent.

Speaking of adults, two at school represent the yin and yang of the world: Miss Honey (Megan Golden), Matilda’s kind teacher, has more in common with Matilda than either of them first expect. And there is the headmistress, Agatha Trunchbull (George Domby), a born bully. She has found a place where she can control and

24 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

terrify people who are literally smaller and cannot stand up to her—every bully’s dream.

For all that one can’t help loving, Golden’s Miss Honey, Domby’s Trunchbull is the perfect Roald Dahl villain: terrifying, imposing and funny-looking. Don’t get me wrong, Domby’s Trunchbull is genuinely scary, but in the Dahl sort of way that kids always manage to get their own back.

Dahl tends to portray adults as punchlines because he writes about the world as kids see it: us (kids) vs. the powers in control of our lives, them (adults). Mrs. Wormwood represents all the worst messages about womanhood that could be sent to a smart little girl: dye your hair, spend your husband’s money, worry about clothes and dressing. Deese grasps the humor of it and overplays the sheer awfulness. Her dance partner, Rudolpho (Timothy Mills), has a funny, show-stopping cameo. It is up for debate if he or the audience has more fun during his brief appearance.

Hands down, my favorite of all the adults in the show is Jordan Wolfe’s Mr. Wormwood. Costumer Jen Iapalucci has achieved a minor miracle getting this show costumed.

The pinnacle is Mr. Wormwood’s wardrobe of unbearably loud and tacky suits. The one he wears for most of the show could stop traffic on an unlit street after midnight. It would take quite a performance to live up to that suit, but Wolfe fulfills that promise with zest and verve. His plea for kids to stop reading books and start watching TV ("All I Know") is the best: It combines farce and musical comedy with a phenomenal delivery.

Regan Shumate’s Matilda is truly a heroine. She sings and dances beautifully, and is believable as a brilliant little girl saddled with awful and foolish parents. Yet, she still determines to fight injustice wherever she finds it.

Shumate is far from the only stand-out of the children’s performers, though. Alona Murrell, who plays Matilda’s best friend Lavender, is wonderful. She is excited and rambunctious and just a little too pleased with herself. (As my date said every time Murrell came out onstage, “Give this kid a Tony.”)

“I love the set!” I exclaimed to my date as

PURE MAGIC

Thalian Association puts a multitude of talent on the stage in 'Matilda' soon as the curtain rose. Scenic designer Andy Bleiler has filled the stage with set pieces that are giant books! "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe," "Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats," "The Jungle Book," and more children’s classics—literally the building blocks of Matilda’s world, her mind, and her superpowers. Jen Iapalucci has outdone herself with costuming this cast, from Mrs. Wormwood’s ballroom dancing ensemble to the gray-scale school uniforms communicating the prison like nature of their school experience. Visually, it is captivating and stimulating.

“Where did they find so many kids who can perform like that?” my date asked as we left the theater.

“That is the product of Thalian Association Children’s Theatre,” I answered. "Think about it: After eight years of working with professionals in TACT, the kids' level of training equates to thousands of dollars spent at a conservatory program. It is no surprise a director like Cathy Street can select a large ensemble and feature performers under the age of 16 that will knock your socks off."

Directly in front of me, a young lady about 3 alternately sat entranced by the action onstage or dancing in her seat. To my left, three of my young friends ranging in age from 9 to 12 visibly pumped their fists in the air and cheered while singing along with “Revolting Children." As the audience tried to exit the theater after curtain call, these three were looking up karaoke versions of the music from "Matilda." That’s who the show is written and performed for, and it's their response, really, that speaks volumes.

A WOMAN'S WORLD The ladies in UNCW's 'Diana of Dobson's' showcase a woman's struggle in 20th century England mirrors 21st century modern age.

Photo courtesy of UNCW Department of Theater

MODERN

BY GWENYFAR ROHLER

U

NCW Department of Theatre opens their season with Robin Post’s production of Cicely Hamilton’s "Diana of Dobson’s." Set in Edwardian England, the themes and situations are as pertinent today as when Hamilton adapted the play in 1908 from her novel of the same name.

The action commences in a dingy basement dormitory for Dobson’s Department Store. At the time, it was not unusual for employers to provide lodging and board to employees (sometimes deducted from their wages), especially if they did not actually pay enough for the employees to support themselves. Somerset Maugham recounts this vividly in "Of Human Bondage."

Randall A. Enlow’s set for the dormitory is suitably dank and depressing. It is clearly a basement and one step up from a jail cell.

Miss Smithers (Dajah Glenn) and Kitty Brant (Renee Hapeman) are discussing Brant’s impending escape: She is getting married in three months and will no longer endure long hours and soul-crushing torment of life at Dobson’s. Smithers has been at this for most of her adult life and clearly is living in resigned resentment.

The ladies are stressed and overworked.

Brought up in a middle-class lifestyle, Diana (Charlotte Linighan) clashes with the powers that be. She will not conform to the reality of surviving this labyrinth or structures of the class system.

In many ways Linighan’s Diana is what I always imagined Jane Eyre to be: full of passion, fire and intelligence, only crammed into restraints of a female body, decades ahead of recognizing her basic humanness. She receives an unexpected inheritance of 300 pounds—far more money than she has held in her hand in a long time­—but not enough to sustain her indefinitely. Miss Smithers urges her to save it and invest wisely, but Diana insists it is her freedom. She can enjoy life to the fullest. I

DETAILS DIANA OF DOBSON'S October 3-6, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m.

UNCW’s Cultural Arts Building, main stage theater Tickets: $6-$12 uncw.edu/theatre/thrbuilding/facilities.html

couldn’t help but applaud Linigham’s freedom cry, despite her lack of pragmatism.

Part of Post’s directorial vision for the piece includes the “performance” of all the labor on stage. So rather than going to full dark for scene changes, she even choreographs the ladies packing up their belongings to depict “performing” their work.

Post effectively returns to this motif for all scene changes, including creating the staged entrance of Mrs. Cantaloupe (Brandi Simmons).

Diana makes her way to a resort in the Swiss Alps (by way of Paris for clothes, of course), presenting herself as a wealthy widow. She befriends the idle classes and enjoys all the things she has dreamed of but could never afford. Mrs. Cantaloupe is saddled with a dissolute nephew, Captain Victor Bretherton (Davis Wood), who can not seem to live within his means of 600 pounds a year. She needs to marry him off to a wealthy woman who can support him.

Staying at the same resort is Sir Jabez Grinley (Michael Pipicella), a self-made millionaire who owns a string of stores. He

THEMES

UNCW theatre opens new season strong with 'Diana of Dobson's' has enough money to conjure friendly acquaintances but still struggles to really fit into high society.

In the play's second tableau, the audience starts to understand more fully what the writer is trying to show. "Diana of Dobson's" is partly about class but also gender, gender power and expectations. There is no question Simmons’ Mrs. Cantaloupe is far more intelligent, capable and competent than her nephew. Without her support, he surely would starve. Simmons’ Cantaloupe is infuriating and irritating to watch. Her trilling, grating laugh and nasty social backstabbing and maneuvering definitely infuriate in their perfect execution. It is like watching a slice of the Azalea Festival Garden Party isolated on stage. I couldn't help but wonder: If she had the opportunity to actually apply her considerable force of nature to something worthwhile, what could she accomplish?

It is a hard choice to decide which is the less appealing of the two suitors: Jabez or Bretherton. Pipicella’s Sir Jabez certainly has more substance and grit. He’s a bit greasier in appearance and always has the preoccupied stare of a man whose mind is really taken up with business interests. It's telling to watch his hands in his pockets, constantly looking for his reminder notes.

When he proposes to Diana, it is a business transaction; he fails to understand she can’t let herself live in luxury on the backs of people just like her. Diana's conscience

won’t allow her to betray her experiences and friends; yet, Sir Jabez sees it as success. The most subtle and convincing part of Pipicella’s performance is his response to her refusal. When faced with rejection, he both resigns and relishes how he still has his work. It is such a real response for an entrepreneur: This is the thing I love, that I am good at—what I think about day and night.

In contrast to Sir Jabez, it's maddening to watch Wood’s idea of acceptable behavior and refusal to accept responsibility for his actions. He plays the victim, but of what I'm unsure. Diana calls out his deficient self-reliance—how he lacks a spine and conviction. It is a stomach-wrenching argument and the message of this “message play." Linighan’s anger and declaration is so self-righteous, it reminds me of an Arthur Miller play—but from a woman.

There seems to be no remedy. If a man were delivering this speech, he would be a hero, but a woman is just a harpy. Because that is the double standard for women in 1908 and in 2019.

Though written at the turn of the 20th century, "Diana of Dobson's" could easily be produced in modern dress. The themes are as real today as they were 120 years ago in the Edwardian era. The costumes and sets are beautiful and a wonderful use of the resources at UNCW. If anything, utilizing the clothing of the time reminds me, especially in the second act, this is a comedy of manners—and those manners haven't really changed. I’ve been to parties and watched, word-for-word, Hamilton’s exact exchanges play out. Her work is really surprising. Since it's a message play, I expected it to suffer many shortcomings, as these works usually do, but it takes the audience on a legitimate and very affecting emotional journey. Hats off to Post and the cast for a great night of theatre.

encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 25

A taste of Southern hospitality...

AVOCADO TOAST

HELL IN A HAND-BASKET BURGER

SHRIMP ‘N’ GRITS

WEEKEND BRUNCH

SERVING AWARD-WINNING CHICKEN AND WAFFLES • Locally prepared, fresh-fromscratch breakfast & lunch • Heart-healthy items available • Traditional Southern dishes

3704 Carolina Beach Rd. • (910) 769-8112 • savorsouthernkitchen.com Tues.-Fri., 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. • Sat. - Sun., 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

26 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

House made falafel, tzatziki and hummus Salads Gy Gyros Subs Dinner Platters TWO LOCATIONS NOW OPEN!

4401 OLEANDER DR. (behind Dunkin’ Donuts) • 910.399.1898 5120 S. College Rd, Suite 107 • 910.313.3000

www.thegreeksnc.com encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 27

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

- 10 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington ■ WEBSITE: nichewilmington.com

DINING

PINE VALLEY MARKET

Pine Valley Market has reigned supreme in servicing the Wilmington community for years, securing encore’s Best-Of awards in catering, gourmet shop and butcher. Now, Kathy Webb and Christi Ferretti are expanding their talents into serving lunch in-house, so folks can enjoy their hearty, homemade meals in the quaint and cozy ambiance of the market. Using the freshest ingredients of highest quality, diners can enjoy the best Philly Cheesesteak in Wilmington, along with numerous other sandwich varieties, from their Angus burger to classic Reuben, Italian sub to a grown-up banana and peanut butter sandwich that will take all diners 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: pinevalleymarket.com

GUIDE

THE TROLLY STOP

Fortu

nate

Glass

29 S F ront S t. •

AMERICAN BLUEWATER WATERFRONT GRILL

www. fortun ategl ass.co m•P

Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of sailing ships and the Intracoastal Waterway while dining at this popular casual American restaurant in Wrightsville Beach. Lunch and dinner are served daily. Favorites include jumbo lump crab cakes, succulent seafood lasagna, crispy coconut shrimp and an incredible Caribbean fudge pie. Dine inside or at their award-winning outdoor patio and bar, which is the location for their lively Waterfront Music Series every Sunday April - October. Large parties welcome. Private event space available. BluewaterDining.com. 4 Marina Street, Wrightsville Beach, NC. (910) 256-8500.

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

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

CAM CAFÉ

CAM Café, located within the CAM delivers delightful surprises using fresh, local ingredients. The café serves lunch with seasonal options Tuesday through Saturday, inspired “small plates” on Thursday nights, an elegant yet approachable dinner on Thursday and brunch every Sunday. Look for a combination of fresh, regular menu items along with daily specials. As part of dining in an inspiring setting, the galleries are open during CAM Café hours which makes it the perfect destination to enjoy art of the plate along with the art

hoto

by To m Do rgan

of the museum. 3201 S 17th St. (910) 777-2363.

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

ELIJAH’S

Since 1984, Elijah’s has been Wilmington, NC’s outdoor dining destination. We feature expansive indoor and outdoor waterfront dining, with panoramic views of riverfront sunsets. As a Casual American Grill and Oyster Bar, Elijah’s offers everything from fresh local seafood and shellfish to pastas, sandwiches, and Certified Angus Beef selections. We offer 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 11:3010:00; Friday and Saturday 11:30-11:00 ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ILM; kids menu

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

28 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

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: henrysrestaurant.com

NICHE

Niche Kitchen and Bar features an eclectic menu, a large wine list, and a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Close to Carolina Beach, Niche has a great selection of dishes from land to sea. All dishes are cooked to order, and Sundays features a great brunch menu!

Niche’s heated covered patio is perfect for anytime of the year and great for large parties. And their bar has a great assortment of wines, even offered half off by the glass on Tuesdays-Thursdays. Open Tues. Sun. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling 910-399-4701.

Trolly Stop Grill and Catering is a four store franchise in North Carolina. Trolly Stop Hot Dogs opened in Wrightsville Beach in 1976. That store name has never changed. Since the Wrightsville Beach store, the newer stores sell hotdogs, hamburgers, beef and chicken cheese steaks, fries, hand dipped ice cream, milk shakes, floats and more.

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

Check our website trollystophotdogs.com for hours of operations, specific store offerings and telephone numbers, or contact Rick Coombs, 910-297-8416, rtrollystop@aol.com We offer catering serving 25-1000 people. Franchises available.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER ■ LOCATIONS: Wilmington, Fountain Dr. (910) 4523952, Wrightsville Beach (910) 256-3921, Southport (910) 457-7017, Boone, NC (828) 265-2658, Chapel Hill, NC (919) 240-4206 ■ WEBSITE: trollystophotdogs.com

ASIAN INDOCHINE RESTAURANT

If you’re ready to experience the wonders of the Orient without having to leave Wilmington, join us at Indochine for a truly unique experience. Indochine brings the flavors of the Far East to the Port City, combining the best of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine in an atmosphere that will transport you and your taste buds. Relax in our elegantly decorated dining room, complete with antique Asian decor as well as contemporary artwork and music. Our diverse, friendly and efficient staff will serve you beautifully presented dishes full of enticing aromas and flavors. Be sure to try such signature items as the spicy and savory Roasted Duck with Red Curry, or the beautifully presented and delicious Shrimp and Scallops in a Nest. Be sure to save room for our world famous desert, the banana egg roll!

We take pride in using only the freshest ingredients, and our extensive menu suits any taste. After dinner, enjoy specialty drinks by the koi pond in our Asian garden. Located at 7 Wayne Drive (beside the Ivy Cot-

tage), (910) 251-9229.

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: indochinewilmington.com

NIKKI’S FRESH GOURMET

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

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: nikkissushibar.com

OKAMI JAPANESE HIBACHI STEAK HOUSE

We have reinvented “Hibachi cuisine.” Okami Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse is like no other. Our highly skilled chefs cook an incredible dinner while entertaining you on the way. Our portions are large, our drinks are less expensive, and our staff is loads of fun. We are committed to using quality ingredients and seasoning with guaranteed freshness. Our goal is to utilize all resources, domestically and internationally, to ensure we serve only the finest food products. We believe good, healthy food aids vital functions for well-being, both physically and mentally. Our menu consists of a wide range of steak, seafood, and chicken for the specially designed “Teppan Grill.” We also serve tastebud-tingling Japanese sushi, hand rolls, sashimi, tempura dishes, and noodle entrees. This offers our guests a complete Japanese dining experience. Our all-you-can-eat sushie menu and daily specials can be found at okamisteakhouse.com! 614 S College Rd. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.-Thurs., 11am 2:30pm / 4-10pm; Fri., 11am-2:30pm / 4pm-11pm; Sat., 11am-11pm; Sun., 11am-9:30pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: okamisteakhouse.com

SZECHUAN 132

Craving expertly prepared Chinese food in an elegant atmosphere? Szechuan 132 Chinese Restaurant is your destination! Szechuan 132 has earned the reputation as one of the finest contemporary Chinese restaurants in the Port City. Tastefully decorated with an elegant atmosphere, with an exceptional ingenious menu has deemed Szechuan 132 the best Chinese restaurant for years, hands down. 419 South College Road (in University Landing), (910) 799-1426.

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

YOSAKE DOWNTOWN SUSHI LOUNGE

Lively atmosphere in a modern setting, Yosake is the delicious Downtown spot for date night, socializing with friends, or any large dinner party. Home to the never-disappointing Shanghai Firecracker Shrimp!

In addition to sushi, we offer a full Pan Asian menu including curries, noodle dishes, and the ever-popu-

lar 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) 7633172.

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING: 1/2 Price Sushi/Appetizer Menu nightly from 5-7, until 8 on Mondays, and also 10-Midnight on Fri/Sat. Tuesday LOCALS NIGHT- 20% Dinner Entrees. Wednesday 80S NIGHT - 80smusic and menu prices. Sundays are the best dealdowntown - Specialty Sushi and Entrees are BuyOne, Get One $10 Off and 1/2 price Wine Bottles.Nightly Drink Specials. Gluten-Free Menu upon request. Complimentary Birthday Dessert.

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

YOSHI

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

BAGELS ROUND BAGELS

Round Bagels and Donuts features 17 varieties of New York-style bagels, baked fresh daily on site in a steam bagel oven. Round offers a wide variety of breakfast and lunch bagel sandwiches, grilled and fresh to order.

Round also offers fresh-made donuts daily! Stop by Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., and on Sunday, 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

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

■ WEBSITE: www.littledipperfondue.com

IRISH THE HARP

Experience the finest traditional Irish family recipes and popular favorites served in a casual yet elegant traditional pub atmosphere. The Harp, 1423 S. 3rd St., proudly uses the freshest ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible, to bring you and yours the most delicious Irish fare! We have a fully stocked bar featuring favorite Irish beers and whiskies. We are open every day for both American and Irish breakfast, served to noon weekdays and 2 p.m. weekends. Regular menu to 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 p.m. weekends.

Join us for trivia at 8:30 on Thursdays and live music on Fridays – call ahead for schedule (910) 763-1607.

Located just beside Greenfield Lake and Park at the south end of downtown Wilmington, The Harp is a lovely Irish pub committed to bringing traditional Irish flavor, tradition and hospitality to the Cape Fear area ■ SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Greenfield Lake/DowntownSouth ■ FEATURING: Homemade soups, desserts and breads, free open wifi, new enlarged patio area, and big screen TVs at the bar featuring major soccer matches worldwide.

■ WEBSITE: harpwilmington.com

SLAINTE IRISH PUB

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

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

■ WEBSITE: facebook.com/slaintemj

ITALIAN ANTONIO’S

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD DELIVERY OFFERED: Monkey Junction and near Independence Mall ■ WEBSITE: antoniospizzaandpasta.com

THE ITALIAN BISTRO

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

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

SUSHI ON A WHOLE NEW LEVEL Sushi Burritos | Sushi Bowls | Sushi Tacos Sushi Donuts | And More

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

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

(910) 251-0433.

■ SERVING DINNER: 5pm Tue-Sun; open daily from Memorial Day through October ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING Sunday half-price wine bottles; Monday beer and wine flights on special; Tuesday Local’s Night $11/person cheese and chocolate; Wednesday Ladies Night; Thursday $27 4-course prix fixe; Friday “Date Night” $85/couple for 3 courses and a bottle of wine.

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

3224 N College Rd Suite A, Wilmington, NC 28405 Open daily 11am - 9pm

encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 29

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

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

8211 Market St. (910) 686-7774

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Porters Neck ■ WEBSITE: italianbistronc.com

SLICE OF LIFE

“Slice” has become a home away from home for tourists and locals alike. Our menu includes salads, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, homemade soups, subs and, of course, pizza. We only serve the freshest and highest-quality ingredients in all of our food, and our dough is made daily with purified water. Voted “Best Pizza” and “Best Late Night Eatery.”All ABC permits. Visit us downtown at 125 Market Street, (910) 251-9444, in Wrightsville Beach at 1437 Military Cutoff Road, Suite 101, (910) 256-2229 and in Pine Valley on the corner of 17th and College Road, (910) 799-1399.

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

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, Downtown and Wilmington South.

■ FEATURING: Largest tequila selection in town!

■ WEBSITE: grabslice.com

MEXICAN ZOCALO

Zocalo Street Food and Tequila brings a modern

version of cooking traditional Mexican street food through perfected recipes, with excellent presentation.

Zócalo was the main ceremonial center for the Aztecs, and presently, it is the main square in central Mexico City. It bridges old school tradition with a twist of innovative cooking. Zocalo also has weekly events, such as their margarita and food tasting every Monday, 5-8 p.m., and a live taco station every Tuesday , 5-8 p.m.

Live Latin music Is showcased every other Saturday and Sunday brunch begins at 10 a.m. Be sure to try Zocalo’s wide selection of the best tequilas! Owned and operated locally, locations are in Wilmington and Jacksonville, NC. Take out and delivery available through most apps.

■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER AND BRUNCH: Monday - Saturday, 11 a.m - 10 p.m.; Sunday brunch, 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; closes 9 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Pointe at Barclay ■ WEBSITE: zocalostreetfood.com

SANDWICHES J. MICHAEL’S PHILLY DELI

The Philly Deli celebrated their 38th anniversary in August 2017. Thier first store was located in Hanover Center—the oldest shopping center in Wilmington.

Since, two more Philly Delis have been added: one at Porters Neck and one at Monkey Junction.

The Philly Deli started out by importing all of their steak meat and hoagie rolls straight from Amoroso Baking Company, located on 55th Street in downtown Philadelphia! It’s a practice they maintain to this day.

We also have a great collection of salads to choose from, including the classic chef’s salad, chicken salad, and tuna salad, all made fresh every day in our three Wilmington, NC restaurants. 8232 Market St., 3501 Oleander Dr., 609 Piner Rd.

■ OPEN: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Monday

EATS BEACH, BEER AND BACON FEST October, 12, 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Carolina Beach Lake Park, $5 A friendly culinary competition pits the creativity of local chefs presenting unique and tasty bacon-inspired offerings that can be paired with several choices of Beer and Wine. Judges Choice, People’s Best Overall, Most Original, Best Savory and Sweetest, in addition to the Best Decorated Tent and Most Enthusiastic Tent. Guests will receive five tasting tickets; additional ones available for $1 each. pleasureislandnc.org -Thursday,11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Friday - Saturday.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Porters Neck, North and South

Wilmington, ■ WEBSITE: https://phillydeli.com

SEAFOOD CAPE FEAR SEAFOOD COMPANY

Founded in 2008 by Evans and Nikki Trawick, Cape Fear Seafood Company has become a local hotspot for the freshest, tastiest seafood in the area. With it’s growing popularity, the restaurant has expanded from its flagship eatery in Monkey Junction to locations in Porters Neck and Waterford in Leland. “We are a dedicated group of individuals working together as a team to serve spectacular food, wine and spirits in a relaxed and casual setting,” restaurateur Evans Trawick says. “At CFSC every dish is prepared with attention to detail, quality ingredients and excellent flavors. Our staff strives to accommodate guests with a sense of urgency and an abundance of southern hospitality.”

Cape Fear Seafood Company has been recognized by encore magazine for best seafood in 2015, as well as

by Wilmington Magazine in 2015 and 2016, and Star News from 2013 through 2016. Monkey Junction: 5226 S. College Road Suite 5, 910-799-7077. Porter’s Neck: 140 Hays Lane #140, 910-681-1140. Waterford: 143 Poole Rd., Leland, NC 28451 ■ SERVING LUNCH AND DINNER: 11:30am-4pm daily; Mon.-Thurs.., 4pm-9pm; Fri.-Sat., 4pm 10pm; Sun., 4pm-8:30pm.

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

CATCH

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

30 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

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.-Sat. 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: North Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Acclaimed Wine List ■ WEBSITE: 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 lunch and dinner, 7 days a week. (910) 762-2827.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 7 days a week.

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

■ WEBSITE: dockstreetoysterbar.net

MICHAEL’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Established in 1998, Michael’s Seafood Restaurant is locally owned and operated by Shelly McGowan and managed by her team of culinary professionals.

Michael’s aspires to bring you the highest quality and freshest fin fish, shell fish, mollusks, beef, pork, poultry and produce. Our menu consists of mainly locally grown and made from scratch items. We count on our local fishermen and farmers to supply us with seasonal, North Carolina favorites on a daily basis. Adorned walls include awards such as 3 time gold medalist at the International Seafood Chowder Cook-Off, Entrepreneur of the Year, Restaurant of the Year and Encores readers’ choice in Best Seafood to name a few.

1206 N. Lake Park Blvd. (910) 458-7761 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 7 days 11 am – 9 pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Carolina Beach ■ FEATURING: Award-winning chowder, local se food and more!

■ WEBSITE: MikesCfood.com

OCEANIC

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

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

■ WEBSITE: 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

DOWTOWN WILMINGTON -

35 N Front St.

(910) 762-4050 www.bourbonstreetilm.com Mon-Fri 11AM- 2AM • Sat & Sun 8AM-2AM

encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 31

restaurant in the Downtown area. We offer stunning riverfront views in a newly-renovated relaxed, casual setting inside or on one of our two outdoor decks.

Join us for $5.00 select appetizers Sunday-Thursday and live music every Friday and Saturday nigh on our umbrella deck. Large parties welcome. Private event space available. 910-343-0200. 2 Ann Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun-Thurs 11am9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm and Sunday Brunch,.

11am-3pm. Kids menu ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Riverfront Downtown Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Fresh local seafood specialties, Riverfront Dining, free on-site parking ■ MUSIC: Outside Every Friday and Saturday ■ WEBSITE: pilothouserest.com

SHUCKIN’ SHACK

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar has two locations in the Port City area. The original Shack is located in Carolina Beach at 6A N. Lake Park Blvd. (910-4587380) and our second location is at 109 Market Street in Historic Downtown Wilmington (910-8338622). The Shack is the place you want to be to catch your favorite sports team on 7 TV’s carrying all major sports packages. A variety of fresh seafood is available daily including oysters, shrimp, clams, mussels, and crab legs. Shuckin’ Shack has expanded its menu now offering fish tacos, crab cake sliders, fried oyster po-boys, fresh salads, and more. Come in and check out the Shack’s daily lunch, dinner, and drink specials. It’s a Good Shuckin’ Time!

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

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

Facebook!

■ WEBSITE: TheShuckinShack.com

SOUTHERN CASEY’S BUFFET

In Wilmington, everyone knows where to go for solid country cooking. That place is Casey’s Buffet, winner of encore’s Best Country Cookin’/Soul Food and Buffet categories. “Every day we are open, somebody tells us it tastes just like their grandma’s or mama’s cooking,” co-owner Gena Casey says.

Gena and her husband Larry run the show at the Oleander Drive restaurant where people are urged to enjoy all food indigenous to the South: fried chicken, barbecue, catfish, mac‘n’cheese, mashed potatoes, green beans, chicken‘n’dumplings, biscuits and homemade banana puddin’ are among a few of many other delectable items. 5559 Oleander Drive. (910) 798-2913.

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

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

■ WEBSITE: caseysbuffet.com

RX RESTAURANT & BAR

Located in downtown Wilmington, Rx Restaurant and Bar is here to feed your soul, serving up Southern cuisine made with ingredients from local farmers and fishermen. The Rx chef is committed to bringing fresh food to your table, so the menu changes daily based on what he finds locally. Rx

Daily Burger Specials • Wings Salads • Sandwiches • Milkshakes 11 Market Street - Downtown Wilmington (910) 769-0755

Open 11am-11pm daily

32 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

drinks are as unique as the food—and just what the doctor ordered. Join us for a dining experience you will never forget! 421 Castle St.; 910 399-3080.

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

SPORTS BAR CAROLINA ALE HOUSE

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

SERVING LUNCH, DINNER & LATE NIGHT: 11am2am daily.

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

WEBSITE: CarolinaAleHouse.com

STEAKS TRUE BLUE BUTCHER & TABLE

True Blue Butcher & Table opened in the Forum Shopping Center in January 2018 at the point, 1125AA Military Cutoff Rd. as Wilmington’s finest neighborhood butcher shop and restaurant. A menu of globally-inspired, local ingredients is served during lunch, dinner and weekend brunches. But the real ex-

perience is visiting the butcher counter to take home the best cuts of meat in Wilmington (and the world), while also given expert cooking and food advice from the chef/owner himself, Bobby Zimmerman. True Blue has a magnificent bar, handcrafted cocktail menu and bar menu and offers weekday specials.

(910) 679-4473 ■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER & WEEKEND BRUNCH: Lunch Tues.-Fri., 11am-2pm; Dinner, Tues.-Sun., 5-10pm; Brunch, Sat.-Sun., 10:30am2:30pm; Butcher counter Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: The Forum off of Military Cutoff Road ■ FEATURES: Wed. Burger Night, Thurs.

1/2-priced wine bottle & prime steak upgrades; Friday 1/2-priced bar menu ■ WEBSITE/SOCIALS: wearetrueblue.com. IG: @ truebluebutcherandtable. FB: facebook.com/TrueBlueButcherAndTable

TAPAS/WINE BAR THE FORTUNATE GLASS WINE BAR

Under new ownership! Tom Noonan invites you to enjoy his remodeled space, featuring a new sound system and new bar, in a warm, relaxed environment.

Taste 40 craft beers, over 400 wines by the bottle, a wide selection of cheese and charcuterie, with gourmet small plates and desserts to go! And don’t miss their weekly wine tastings, every Tuesday, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

SERVING DINNER & LATE NIGHT: Mon., Closed; Tues.-Thurs., 4 p.m. - 12 a.m.; Fri., 4 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Sat., 2 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Sun., 4 - 10 p.m.

NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown, 29 S Front St. WEBSITE: fortunateglass.com

PROST! Numerous Oktoberfest celebrations will get underway in the coming weeks, including the annual event at Waterline Brewing under the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.

Photo courtesy of Waterline

OKTOBERFEST

BY JOAN C.W. HOFFMANN

O

ktoberfest is an annual party held in Munich intended to celebrate the union of Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. Today, however, most know it for beers and brats.

The breweries of Munich make traditional märzen and festbier for the occasion so attendees can hoist their liters and give a hearty "prost" (German for "cheers") to their fellow man and woman. This year's two week festival ends on October 6, so curious travelers still have time to get to Bavaria. But if that's not in the budget, plenty of options abound in our port city and beyond.

A few thoughts and insights on the events: For folks who want to bring their little furry friends, well, maybe reconsider. In my experience these events attract a lot of people, and a lot of people drinking a lot of booze can cause a lot of trouble if pets are involved.

It's also important to remember parking will be in short supply most places. But the real takeaway is: while you may be able to drive to these celebrations, you probably can't drive away from them. So either come with a DD or hail a taxi or call an Uber/Lyft. Throw on your finest dirndl or lederhosen and round up the crew, it's time to get planning...

4th Annual Oktoberfest Under the Bridge Waterline Brewing Company Saturday, Oct. 5, 1-9 p.m. Free! waterlinebrewing.com I can personally attest this is one wild party. The brewery lines up a plethora of traditional activities like a stein holding competition, the region's best Oom-pah band, and plenty of food trucks as well as pretzels to soak up all the suds. There's also a contest for folks who think they're best dressed in their finest festival gear, so attendees will want to bring their A-game. Pre-order VIP packages include a liter stein and com-

memorative t-shirt, but felt Alpine hats and a 2-ounce mug option are also available.

Oktoberfest 2019 Salty Turtle Beer Company Saturday, Oct. 12, noon - 11 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 13, noon - 9 p.m. Free! facebook/saltyturtlebeer Topsail area folks won't miss out, as Surf City's favorite brewery is taking TWO days to celebrate! Half-liter steins and t-shirts will be available for purchase, and Oktoberfest beer will be flowing. Details about music on Saturday are forthcoming, but Sunday the Seth Brand Band will be rocking out. The food trucks on Saturday are E&B Mobile Catering from noon until 4 p.m. and Jasmine Thai from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday snacks will be provided by E&B Mobile Catering once more from 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.

3rd Annual Wilmington Oktoberfest Palate Bottle Shop & Reserve Saturday, Oct. 12, noon-8 p.m. Free! facebook.com/palateNC Join the North 4th Street bottle shop as they welcome the Little German Band & Dancers for a raucous celebration of fall!

They'll be pouring liters of Paulaner Oktoberfest, one of Munich's own celebratory brews.

(And here at encore we're not-so-secretly hoping that Chef Carson Jewell whips up something fabulous to serve from the Kitchen @ Palate, the shop's food truck.)

Oktoberfest 2019!

Ogden Tap Room Saturday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Free! facebook.com/ILMOktoberfest The great Wilmington wiener dog races are a playful addition to this Ogden area Oktoberfest. Kids are also welcome and accommodated with bounce houses! Festival attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to this event, as it is always packed. They can also expect all the German beers and brats their hearts desire, as well as entertainment

from the Harbor Townfest Band.

Quattroberfest Audi Cape Fear Saturday, Oct. 19, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Free! audicapefear.com Our local Audi dealership is throwing a party to celebrate all things German—including their trademarked German superior ingenuity. Attendees can enjoy free snacks

CELEBRATIONS

from The Foxes Boxes and beers from Mad Mole Brewing while feasting their eyes on the 2019 Audi Q3 and the brand new all-electric Audi e-tron. The event will include activities for children and adults alike, as well as some giveaways!

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

16 Cold Draft Beers

encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 33

FALL

D

espite the high-80 and low-90 temps we've been experiencing over the last week, fall officially has arrived in southeastern NC. While Riverfest always has been the kickoff to the "cooler season" in Wilmington, its postponements over the last few years, due to hurricanes and the like, have moved it into November (about the time we actually wear sweaters and flannel around these parts). However, Riverfest's return to the first weekend of October in 2019 brings with it 40 years of festivities celebrating downtown Wilmington.

"Riverfest was originally organized to bring people back to downtown Wilmington to revitalize the local shops [in 1979]," says Chris Snowden, past president of Riverfest, who now oversees PR and marketing. "It's is still focused on showcasing not only the magnificent river but also the vibrant downtown scene."

The weekend welcomes 130 arts and crafts and food vendors, set up along Front and Market streets between Front and Water, and on Water between Market and Princess streets. Thirty-two will provide eats, from giant turkey legs, to sausage and onion sammies, to fried everything imaginable. Ninety-five percent of the artisans curated for the street fair handcraft all items. Among them is Linda Callison of Out of Chaos. "I have been making jewelry and wind chimes and more for 25 years," Callison tells. "Most everything is one-ofa-kind."

Callison has represented her business in numerous art fests and craft fairs throughout the years. She does custom work and specialty requests, like repairs on jewelry and the like. Her interest in wind chimes came out of happenstance in her kitchen, when she dropped a small, metal salt shaker and the sound resonated with her.

"I have been off and running with it for years," she says. "What separates me from most jewelers is my simplicity and

ARRIVES Riverfest in downtown Wilmington officially welcomes the 'cool' season

uniqueness of materials, finding the rare and unusual. My wind chimes are mostly one-of-a-kind beaded jewelry for the home and yard. I try to always have something for everyone, in different themes and colors."

Out of Chaos' booth will be located at Princess and Market streets.

While the main focus for the 114,000 attendees is to merely have fun at Riverefest, behind the scenes, the festival continues to give back to the community at large tenfold. Scholarships and monies are awarded annually, with donations coming from community businesses and organizers.

"Riverfest has contributed more than $130,000 to a scholarship fund at Cape Fear Community College Marine Sciences," Snowden says. "In the past few years we have donated to the Cape Fear River Watch as well. This year we intend to continue the donations to CFCC and hopefully announce a new organization that will benefit from the festival."

performers both Friday and Saturday.

BEER GARDEN AND LIVE MUSIC Next to the Kidz Zone in the Ligon Flynn Parking Lot (20 S. 2nd St.) is the beer garden, where folks can enjoy adult beverages while listening to free live music throughout the day.

On Friday from 6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., local original act Striking Copper will take the stage. The Zac Brown Tribute Band, 20 Ride, will take over from 8 p.m. - 10 p.m.

On Saturday at noon, L Shape Lot will open the afternoon of live entertainment.

Josh Solomon and Eric McGuinness will play at 1:45 p.m. and The Kolby Oakland Band at 3 p.m. At 4:45 p.m., Starkey takes over, followed by Massive Grass at 6 p.m., and the Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band, Tuesday's Gone, at 8 p.m.

CAR SHOWS

KIDZ ZONE

Both Saturday and Sunday will feature refurbished hot rods and antique cars galore for automotive enthusiasts. On Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Suncoast Cruisers car club will have their rides on display, including General Motors, Ford, Chevrolet, Mopar, street rods, rat rods and more.

Located in the Ligon Flynn Parking Lot (20 S. 2nd St.) at 2nd and Market streets (where Downtown Sundown was held throughout summer), families are welcome to bring the kids to enjoy bouncing on multiple inflatables. Also, the raptor center will be on hand, and the kidz stage will have

On Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Cape Fear Chapter of the Antique Auto Club of America will showcase their numerous rides. All AACA cars have been restored and preserved to their original condition, with vehicles being at least 25 years or older.

Here's a rundown of how to celebrate fall in Wilmington on Saturday, October 5, and Sunday, October 6.

34 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

BY SHEA C

ARVER

CRUISIN' INTO THE WEEKEND Sun Coast Cruisers will have numerous cars on display during Riverfest on Saturday, from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Courtesy photo

Both car shows will be lined up on Front Street between Market and Dock.

BMX SHOW Team Gold Medal will feature some of the biggest names in BMX that have competed in contest, such as the X-games and The Dew Tour. These athletes are also competing for a spot on team USA’s newly formed Freestyle BMX team for the 2020 summer Olympics.

Attending athletes for the 2019 Wilmington Riverfest include: Isaiah Jordan, Lane George, Keith Schmidt , Alex Johann, Jacob Lenta, and Rob Armour. There will be a potential appearance by Daniel Dhers.

The show will take place on Front Street, between Red Cross and Walnut.

FIREWORKS No seasonal celebration is complete in downtown Wilmington without fireworks over the Cape Fear River. Riverfest will shoot explosions in the sky as soon as the sun sets. Be sure to arrive early and secure parking; expect downtown traffic to be heavy.

UPCOMING EVENTS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 | 7:00PM |

Women’s Soccer vs College of Charleston

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 | 7:00PM |

Volleyball vs William & Mary

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 | 1:00PM |

Volleyball vs Elon

Tickets on Sale Now!

1.800.808.UNCW OR UNCWSPORTS.COM/BUYTICKETS

encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 35

book your holiday parties now!

Private room up to 30 people

Offering cheese, fresh meats and seafood along with many dessert fondues including melted chocolate, caramel, peanut butter and marshmallows!

We wil open 2pm New Year’s Day

36 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

PHONEMIC

AWARENESS

BY TIFFANIE GABRIELSE

C

hristopher Brantley, a recent UNCW graduate, says he believes being unique and different is something to be embraced and celebrated—not feared or frowned upon. To prove it he’s releasing his first comic, "Phonetic Boy," in time for October's National Dyslexia Awareness Month.

Christopher Brantley releases comic book in time for National Dyslexia Awareness Month

The book features many of the same challenges Brantley faced in reading and writing throughout his entire life. "I hated reading," Brantley admits. "I couldn't comprehend fast enough for my grade level and I had to go through extra tutoring just to keep up with the other kids. I had so much fear being called on to read aloud. One day I was taking some tests. I found out I was doing so poorly, and next I was being pulled out of class in front of everyone. I was told I had to relearn specific things or I would fail. I remember how alone I felt and how stupid it made me feel that I wasn't 'good enough' for my

“There’s a misconception of dyslexia and it perpetrates the issue,” explains Donna Gargett, the state leader for Decoding Dyslexia North Carolina. The grassroots parent movement seeks advocates to help create stronger legislation in North Carolina.

“Dyslexia is a processing issue that truly goes beyond just phonics," Gargett continues. "It affects learning and the breakdown of putting sounds together.

So, when dyslexic children begin to learn to read, they’re missing important cues.

When we look at dyslexia as a whole it’s not just the language, it carries over to writing. A lot of times people with dyslexia have poor spelling and a lot of times this gets misconstrued as poor comprehension. When children are in school it’s important to begin looking at the warning signs—how are they developing their language?”

Gargett is the founder of Blank Canvas Awareness Art, a nonprofit organization assisting Brantley with his release. Gargett is dyslexic, too, and wanted to found an organization to provide resources for those with dyslexia and ADHD through tutoring, educating, advocating and mentoring.

Written and illustrated by Brantley, "Phonetic Boy" was conceptualized in his professional writing class. It asks two things of its readers: What does it mean to be a kid in 2019? More importantly, what does it mean to be a kid who is dyslexic in 2019?

The graphic novel centers around a fifth-grader named Derek Hillis who discovers he has the power of dyslexia. Eventually, but not without first battling through many internal and external struggles, he becomes a test-conquering, bully-defeating, mystery-solving ace of The Decoders. Soon enough, he goes from average kid to Phonetic Boy! Think Sherlock Holmes—where he can slow down time and break apart each piece of action to its most finite point, in order to maneuver through the world better. Only Phonetic Boy does it more efficiently. But there’s something more to the superhero: Phonetic Boy is deeply personal.

culty; 85% are indeed dyslexic.

During elementary school, Gargett was held back and lacked proper remediation to learn phonemic awareness. If she had received it, she says she believes her life would look different.

“I probably wouldn’t still need it today," she says. "Parents and educators just aren’t informed enough about dyslexia. This is where Chris’ comic comes in. It’s a great way to think outside the box and help spread awareness about multitude struggles those with dyslexia and ADHD face but don’t often talk about.”

The two hope to help others through Brantley's comic. This medium is one of the best vessels to spread educational strategies, promote literacy, self-acceptance, and induce confidence on a large scale, all while being digested in small, manageable bites, according to Brantley.

While he didn't face too many hurdles through his creative process for "Phonetic Boy," it was hard for Brantley to give himself permission to get into the head of his protagonist. This "method writing" pushed Brantley to enter a truthful mindset and confront hard emotions he felt as a child. He had to acknowledge Derek Hillis was more than just a main character; it was Brantley as an elementary school kid.

"From that point I was able to complete the voice for 'Phonetic Boy,'" Brantley tells, "and write with the thought in mind of what I wished I had: a friend to tell me it's OK. Once I did that, the course of the art, dialogue, narrative, and even the style suddenly came naturally."

The Northeast Library will celebrate Brantley's comic release, and there will be activities, information, and swag tables hosted by the creator of Milk and Honey Comics and Apparel. Giancarlo D’Alessandro, along with members of The Hill School of Wilmington, will be on hand as well. The first 100 people will receive a signed copy of "Phonetic Boy." For more information about dyslexia, important warning signs, and how you can help bring awareness, visit blankcanvasawarenessart.com and decodingdyslexianc.org.

DETAILS

Anxiety. grade level."

Not officially diagnosed, Brantley joins over 30 million adults in the United States who have gone formally undiagnosed for the specific learning disability. One in five individuals (making up 15%-20% in classrooms) are affected by it.

But what is dyslexia?

Dyslexia is the most under-diagnosed, under-recognized, and most common language-based learning disability worldwide, according to The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity. It is indiscriminate and affects just as many women as it does men across all ethnicities. Eighty percent of children with an IEP have reading diffi-

Fear.

PHONETIC BOY COMIC RELEASE

Dread.

Feelings of inadequacy.

And those are only a few of the internal struggles dyslexic children and even adults silently endure.

Gargett met Brantley as a guest speaker at a professional writing class. Since then, the two have become great friends.

For National Dyslexia Awareness Month Northeast Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Road October 5, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. • Free!

encorepub.com encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 37

OCTOBER 5-6, 2019

Beautiful downtown on the water • www.wilmingtonriverfest.com • BMX Bike Show • Free kids zone with inflatables, presentations by the raptor center, performances from local dance schools • Over 150 arts and crafts vendors • More than 30 food vendors.

• Antique car display on Saturday and Sunday

Concerts brought you by Friday, October 4th 6:30 PM- 7:45 PM- Striking Copper 8:00 PM- 10:00 PM- 20 Ride (Zac Brown Tribute) Saturday, October 5th 12:00 PM- 1:30 PM- L-Shaped Lot 1:45 PM- 2:45 PM- TBA 3:00 PM- 4:30 PM- TBA 4:45 PM- 5:45 PM- Starkey 6:00 PM- 7:30 PM- Massive Grass 8:00 PM- 10:00 PM- Tuesday’s Gone (Skynyrd Tribute)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT

WWW.WILMINGTONRIVERFEST.COM Sponsored by:

38 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

CARPE

LIBRUM

A new book by a local historian sheds light on the Cape Fear region’s European roots

BY GWENYFAR ROHLER

W

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

Welcome to Carpe Librum, encore’s biweekly book column, wherein I will dissect a current title and/or an old book—because literature does not exist in a vacuum but emerges to participate in a larger, cultural conversation. I will feature many NC writers; however, the hope is to place the discussion in a larger context and therefore examine works around the world.

Charles Towne on the Cape Fear: The Rise and Fall of the First Barbadian Settlement in Carolina Jack E. Fryar, Jr. Dram Tree Books, 2019, pgs. 238 The process of writing a book is time-consuming at best. There are plenty of books, blogs and workshops that promise the secret to writing a book in a month, or in 15 minutes a day over a weekend, or while upside down, treading water on the moon. But the reality is: A well-drafted, carefully-edited and polished book takes persistence and time.

For almost a decade, Jack Fryar, local historian and founder of Dram Tree Books, has been promising me his history of the Charles Towne settlement— the first major European settlement in our area. A couple of months ago, Fryar came by the bookstore with an autographed copy. Have you ever waited so long for a book that, when it finally arrives, you are torn between devouring it in one sustained messy ready and drawing it out to linger over every care-

colonize the area for the English—Fryar brings Charles Towne to life as the key to the development of this area. We follow the restoration of Charles II to England’s throne and the loyal men who put him there. We see, step by step, the charter of the Carolinas and the circumstances that brought people to this wild and dangerous corner of the world.

How did the sugar trade and slavery connect to the development of our area?

How did the restoration of Charles II to the throne make the settlement of the Carolinas a possibility, let alone a priority for the English government? Why are all these pieces important? Because the new world, and our area, were not created in a bubble. There were important factors at work across the globe that made investment of money, time, resources and people worthwhile.

Who were the key players? Who were the Lords' proprietors and how did they shape this endeavor? If you have ever considered such questions, Fryar’s book answers in clear, accessible language.

It's obvious he spends his days teaching high school history; he is used to carefully talking others through events that have shaped our world.

The Cape Fear’s Charles Towne Settlement was actually considered a failure. It led to the much more popular and wellknown Charles Towne Settlement farther

South. Fryar lays out the miscalculations and struggles that led to the abandonment of the site—and the long-term ramifications, which include family relationships responsible for the building of later, permanent settlements in our area. If anything, Fryar makes certain his readers understand the human factor in shaping our history.

I think that is what makes me love his work so much: He is a gifted historian and includes all necessary documentation and references. Rather than getting caught in a dry recitation of facts and dates, he keeps human fallibility at the center of his story. That is what drove the decisions, and it is what makes modern readers connect with the events. For clarity of writing and purpose, there isn't a more approachable historian than Jack Fryar.

Don’t get me wrong: There are a plethora of maps and portraits for history and cartography lovers. Most importantly, there is an invitation to connect with the brave, selfish, desperate and entirely fallible humans who laid the groundwork for our community today.

The holidays are coming up, and all history buffs on your shopping list will see this book as a great addition to their collection.

fully chosen sentence, map and picture?

If so, you understand where I was.

Fryar has a personal mission to make local history accessible to people who wouldn’t even know where to start looking for it. One of the more important and lesser-known pieces of our local history is the early Charles Towne settlement.

Really, everything in this area stems from that. Were it not for Charles Towne, Orton Plantation would not exist. Nor would Brunswick Town have come into being, nor really the settlement on this side of the river as it is today. That is part of what is so interesting about Charles Towne: The settlement itself is gone, but its history is still felt.

Fryar really does make it come alive.

He takes his readers first to Barbados, which was pivotal in control of the New World by European powers. How did the enslavement of Africans become the dominant norm in the Americas? Why is that significant to the history of our area? We watch the development of the sugar plantations on Barbados and how owning and managing them played into European politics. Within that economic climate, Fryar situates the restoration of the English monarchy and the return of Charles II. Rather than treating it like an isolated aberration—a failed attempt to

encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 39

music OPEN-MIC AT TIDAL CREEK

Comedians, singers, songwriters, poets, yodelers! Come out the co-op on Wednesday night & show us what you got! Free coffee

SUNSET MUSIC CRUISE

Fri., 6:30pm: Looking for something different to do? Look no further! Come aboard The Wilmington, our comfortable catamaran, for a fun cruise down the Cape Fear River as we cruise into the sunset. Grab a tasty cocktail or drink from our full bar and sit back and relax as you listen to live music from local musicians. One-of-a-kind music venue in Wilmington and this cruise is one of our most popular excursions, so be sure to book early!

Wilmington Water Tours, 212 Water St.

events HISTORIC DOWNTOWN MARKETPLACE

KURE BEACH BOOGIE IN THE PARK

Every Sun., 10am-3pm: Open air artisan market in downtown Wilmington, NC. It meets Sundays through Oct. 27 at Riverfront Park.

Riverfront Park, 5 N Water St.

Every 1st & 3rd Sun., through Oct. 20, 5pm7pm, skips Labor Day weekend. Free concerts at Kure Beach’s Ocean Front Park. Bring your beach chair or blanket, friends, family, and neighbors and enjoy the music! Purchase your Boogie in the Park gear at the link provided. shop.spreadshirt.com/tokb.Ocean Front Park, 105 Atlantic Ave.

PANIC ATTACK

Oct. 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 24-25, 31-Nov. 2: Formerly located in Wilmington, NC, Panic Attack is now back— bigger and better then ever before in Nakina, NC. We look forward to exceeding all your expectations this haunt season with movie quality sets, special effects, and monsters straight from your worst nightmares. Come face to face with your deepest fears this haunt season with us here at Panic Attack. 3245 Pine Level Church Road, Nakina, NC 28455. www.panicattackhaunt.com

LIVE ON THE LOOP!

Live on the Loop is back for our 2019 season! Every Thursday from 6-9pm at The Sailfish! Experience some of Wilmington’s best local artists with drink specials and delicious food options! 9/19: The Casserole; 9/26: Signal Fire Acoustic. Sailfish, 2570 Scotts Hill Loop Rd.

CF MINORITY ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT WEEK

October 2-4, free! The fifth annual Cape Fear Minority Enterprise Development Week Conference, slated for Oct. 2-4, provides opportunities for networking and business development workshops. The event kicks off with a roundtable breakfast on Oct. 2 in conjunction with the Greater Wilmington Business Journal and Small Business Coalition at Cape Fear Community College’s Union Station. Other events include a networking reception at tekMountain (Oct.3) and workshops (Oct. 4) at the UNCW Burney Center. J. R. Gorham, author and first African American brigadier general in the National Guard, is the keynote speaker. Full schedule and register: uncw.edu/medweek. Deadline to register is Sept. 29. UNCW Burney Center, 4941 Riegel Rd.

KURE BEACH FAREWELL TO SUMMER

Oct. 4, 7pm: As we close the door on another summer season, we once again pay tribute with the Kure Beach Farewell Summer Jazz Funeral at Ocean Front Park. Festivities kick off at 7pm with Smokehouse Ramblers leading the procession, starting at L Avenue and heading toward pavilion, with a concert to follow. T’Geaux Boys food truck will be on site serving up traditional New Orleans cuisine. The town will have masks and beads available. Wear your fancy hats, lacy parasols, and finest dress to join the parade. 105 Atlantic Ave.

charity/fundraisers

LIVE MUSIC IN THE ALLEY

Every Thurs., 7-10pm. Schedule: Sept. 19, Monica Jane; Sept 26, John Haussman. Rebellion NC, 15 S. Front St.

THE DRUM CIRCLE

OPERA WILMINGTON

Oct. 6, 1:30-4pm: Join us for “A Night In Italy II” fundraiser. The afternoon will consist of of Italian food, wine and song as we introduce the cast of Opera Wilmington’s 2020 production, “The Magic Flute,” and hear them sing arias and Italian classics. This delicious and festive event is a fundraiser for Opera Wilmington, which brings you the only live opera programs in the Cape Fear. Osteria Cicchetti, 1125 Military Cutoff Rd.

JR. LEAGUE'S FALL HARVEST

Oct. 6, 2-6pm: Celebrate fall with the Junior League of Wilmington, NC Inc. at Waterman’s Brewing! On Sunday, October 6th from 2-6pm the Junior League will hold a family-friendly event. Event has kid friendly activities, raffle items, and live music by Jared Michael Cline.

Tickets are $20 each. They can be purchased on the Junior League website www.jlwnc.org via the E-Store. Each ticket includes heavy appetizers and your choice of one drink.

Check out our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for sneak peaks of raffle

40 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

items. 10% of the proceeds from additional food and beverages that day will be donated to the Junior League of Wilmington courtesy of Waterman’s Brewery. Dogs are welcome on the deck outside! Waterman’s Brewing Company, 1610 Pavilion Pl.

GOOD SHEPHERD GOLF TOURNEY

Hit the links at Magnolia Greens to benefit Good Shepherd Center’s work with the hungry and homeless in Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender Counties. This Golf Tournament and Games Day—Bridge, Mah Jongg, Mexican Train, Hand & Foot, and Poker—is a day of fun while raising important funds for Good Shepherd’s mission to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and foster transition to housing. Games Day -($40 per person) includes a delicious lunch served before play; Golfers -($100 per person) will enjoy dinner and awards immediately following play.

Guests are welcome to join golfers for the dinner, $35. Magnolia Greens Golf Plantation, 1800 Tommy Jacobs Dr. goodshepherdwilmington.ejoinme.org/bg201registration. sgeist@goodshepherdwilmington.org.

Every Tues., 8-11pm, longest continuous Drum Circle for over 6 year provides an open forum, featuring djembe, dounbek, conga, bongo, cajon, yosika and other hand drums and percussive instruments. Friendly environment for the enjoyment of rhythm & dance. All levels, rhythms welcome! Loaner drums available. Free. Hosted by Ron at Bottega Art & Wine Bar, Brooklyn Arts District.

723 N. Fourth St.

JAZZ AT CAM

Tickets to the eight-concert series, playing a range of jazz genres in an intimate listening room performance. All concerts are 6:308pm, 1st Thurs., Sept. 2019-April 2020 at Cameron Art Museum. Presented by CAM and Cape Fear Jazz Society: CAM/CFJS Members: $17; non-members: $25; students with valid college ID $12 (tax and fees not included). Oct. 3, Sidecar Social Club; Nov. 7, Ron Brendle Quartet; Dec. 5, Paolo André Gualdi; 2020: Jan. 9, Stanley Baird Group; Feb. 6, Andrew Berinson Trio; Mar. 5, Lenora Zenzalai Helm; Apr. 2, John Brown Quintet. CAM, 3201 S. 17th St. cameronartmuseum.org.

HIROYA TSUKAMOTO

Oct. 4, 7pm: In concert at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Wilmington, Tsukamoto plays a special fusion of jazz, folk and

world music. He has engaged and enchanted audiences around the U.S. In addition to numerous accolades, Hiroya recently won 2nd place at the 2018 International Finger Style Guitar Championship. Tickets may be purchased at the door or by emailing tickets@ uufwilmington.org. 4313 Lake Ave.

WHQR LUNCH MUSIC

Oct. 4, noon: Beverly Andrews, violin and Barry Salwen, piano will perform an intriguing two movement Mozart, four dances from Hungary and Slovakia, and a full blown four movement Grieg, interwoven with engaging commentary about the music. Bring your lunch (if you’d like) and enjoy! WHQR Gallery, 254 N. Front St., #300

SHEILA E

Oct. 6, 7:30pm: Sheila Escovedo picked up the drumsticks and started making music at the precocious age of three. Sheila delivered her first solo performance to a live audience two years later and has since established herself as one of the most talented percussionists/drummers and performers in the world. Best known to music fans as Sheila E., she became a top session and touring musician before the age of 20, performing and/or recording with George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Billy Cobham, Con Funk Shun, Marvin Gaye (on his final world tour), Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan, Patti LaBelle, and Stevie Nicks among others. Sheila E. continues to produce and perform music throughout the world. Her current studio project and tour, ICONIC, is Sheila’s continued contribution to

the music industry and her efforts to raise awareness of the importance of social issues and humanitarianism. Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St.

CHEAP TRICK

October 8, 7:30pm: With over 5,000 performances spanning four decades and 20 million records sold worldwide, Cheap Trick is undoubtedly one of the most influential classic rock groups of the past 50 years. The band was formed in 1974 and while it has evolved throughout the years, Cheap Trick has continued to reach mainstream and critical success. Hits such as “I Want You To Want Me,” “Dream Police,” and “Surrender” have cemented the group as one of America’s top rock ‘n’ roll bands of all time. $43 – $92. Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St. capefearstage.com

film

THE FAREWELL

October 7-9, @ 7-9pm; additional screening at 4pm on the 9, $9: In this funny, uplifting tale based on an actual lie, Chinese-born, U.S.-raised Billi (Awkwafina) reluctantly returns to Changchun to find that, although the whole family knows their beloved matriarch, Nai-Nai, has been given mere weeks to live, everyone has decided not to tell Nai Nai herself. To assure her happiness, they gather under the joyful guise of an expedited wedding, uniting family members scattered among new homes abroad. As Billi navigates a minefield of family expectations and proprieties, she finds there’s a lot to celebrate: a chance to rediscover the country she left as a child, her grandmother’s wondrous spirit, and the ties that keep on binding even when so much goes unspoken. Thalian Hall, 301 Chesnut St. thalianhall.org

theatre/auditions

MIKE WALLACE IS HERE

Through Oct. 2, 7-9pm; additional screening at 4 on Oct. 2: For over half a century, 60 Minutes’ fearsome newsman Mike Wallace went head-to-head with the world’s most influential figures. Relying exclusively on archival footage, the film interrogates the interrogator, tracking Mike’s storied career and troubled personal life while unpacking how broadcast journalism evolved to today’s precarious tipping point. Thalian Hall, 301 Chesnut St. thalianhall.org

LOVE LETTERS

ng

FOURTH FRIDAY GALLERY NIGHT

Fourth Friday Gallery Nights, Wilmington’s premier after-hours celebration of art and culture, 6-9pm, fourth Fri. ea. month. Art openings, artist demonstrations, entertainment and refreshments. Administered by the Arts Council of Wilmington and NHC, numerous venues participate. www. artscouncilofwilmington.org Twenty-Two by Thirty: From the Flat Files of Gayle Tustin is a selection of mixed media artwork all in the size of 22 x 30. On display at Pinpoint Restaurant, 114 Market St. pinpointrestaurant.com

DIANA OF DOBSON'S See page 23.

MATILDA

See page 24.

CHROMA

25 ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE See page 25.

PORT CITY PLAYWRIGHTS’ PROJECT

loca

art

GAYLE TUSTIN ART SHOW

See page 22.

A community of writers for the stage and

Servi

screen, holds its next meeting on October 5, 11am-1pm, at the new Pine Valley Branch Library, 3801 S. College Rd. (at the intersection of 17th St. behind Slice of Life pizza). Anyone with an interest in scriptwriting, regardless of experience level, i www.portcityplaywrightsproject. wordpress.com or email portcityplaywrightsproject@gmail.com. New Hanover County Pine Valley Branch Library, 3802 S. College Rd.

ls a

nd

w Vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry custard served daily w Three specialty flavors each week w Additional flavor on Saturdays and Sundays w New menu options: custard pies, cakes, and various other frozen custard styled desserts

tou r

ists

Custard can also be purchased by the pint and quart.

Coco Clem is an independent fashion brand that seeks to encourage playful self expression while utilizing sustainable production methods. Designer Courtney

ali k e for 20 years Check out o Facebook ur p a ge for monthly schedule of our flavo rs

encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 41

The number one reason you need a butcher in your life...

Decadence

1125-A Military Cuttoff RD. WIlmington, NC 28405 l 910-679-4473 l wearetrueblue.com 42 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 43

Rivenbark presents her exclusive illustrated fabric collection with Chroma, an exhibition of intense color relationships. Coco Clem partners with seamstress Lauren Lassiter to hand-make clothing featuring illustrations displayed in Chroma, with the customer’s unique body measurements in mind. Our intention is to create quality clothing for whimsical people that can be passed down through generations. Waterline, 721 Surry St.

CATHERINE LUDWIG DONLEYCOTT’S SEASCAPES

Ocean breezes, wind swept sea oats, white capped waters, and lazy summer beaches fill our thoughts during these hot summer months. Catherine Ludwig Donleycott’s Unique Seascapes collection captures summer moments on canvas using oils, watercolors and acrylics. Donleycott’s collection is currently installed and available for viewing and purchase downtown at River to Sea Gallery. River to Sea Gallery & Wine, 224 S Water Street, #1B. rivertoseagallery.com

AS I SEE IT

Through Oct. 13, 6pm: “As I See It” art exhibit at the Bellamy Mansion Museum featuring original art by Jenny McKinnon Wright. There will be an artist’s reception on Friday, September 27, 6-8pm. Light refreshments will be available. Event is free to the public. Bellamy Mansion, 503 Market St. cgonzalez@bellamymansion.org

TRANSFERENCE

“Transference: New Art by Joan McLough-

lin” is an exhibit featuring new paintings by the Wilmington based artist. This body of work includes abstract paintings as well as a new direction using photo transfers incorporated into the compositions. The new series has evolved in order to evoke nostalgia by illustrating memories of the past, as well as the contemporary art of the present. Enjoy refreshments and live music by violinist Shirley Lebo. On view until October 6. Art in Bloom Gallery, 210 Princess St.

GLASSWORK

UNCW CAB Art Gallery presents Glasswork.

The exhibit features a variety of techniques and approaches that define contemporary glass-making in a group exhibition. It will show how design and process are broken apart to reveal the state of glasswork today.

The series of work is from NC glass artists and represents various approaches to the challenging material. Conceptual, textured, pate de verre and traditional murrine are some of the techniques featured in the show.

UNCW CAB Art Gallery, 5270 Randall Dr. www. uncw.edu/art/gallery/index.html

ELLA FRIBERG

Flytrap presents Ella Friberg's first art show, “Free Flow.” Paintings of varied mediums including oil, cold wax, acrylics, watercolors and pastels. Each giving the paintings beautiful texture and depth. Check out more of her work @Ella Create. 319 Walnut St.

ABSTRACTED REALITY

Lisa Creed is a Durham based artist that has been showing at New Elements since the

gallery began in 1985. Drawn to the wildness and light of the ocean landscape that she remembers from her childhood, her sea and sky series evokes a feeling of awe and tranquility. Contrast this with the amazing abstracts she creates using sunny colors and graphic details, and you have a dreamlike show. New Elements Gallery, 271 N. Front St.

IT'S ABOUT TIME POP-UP ART SHOW

“It’s About Time: Art by Elizabeth Darrow, Virginia Wright-Frierson, and Friends” during Fourth Friday Gallery Night at Art in Bloom.

Experience a unique, pop-up exhibit including a wonderful selection of larger works by gallery artists. This show will be exhibited on the First Floor of 216 N. Front Street (the former Expo 216 Building). Featured artists will include Karen Paden Crouch, Elizabeth Darrow, H.M. Saffer, II, Traudi Thornton, Gayle Tustin, Virginia Wright-Frierson among other guest artists. Exhibit will be on view during special hours through Nov. 29, Tues-Sun. noon-5pm.

OPENING THE CURTAIN: 50 YEARS OF IMAGE, WORD & SONG

Featuring artist Brian H. Peterson, the opening reception of "Opening the Curtain" will have more than 150 photographs from 16 bodies of work (1979-2019) featuring original videos books and music from artist Brian H. Peterson. The reception and art exhibit are open and free to the public. Regular hours: Thurs.-Sun., noon to 5pm through Nov. 10, 2019. Gallery talks/readings will take place October 26 and November 3 at 2pm. brianhpetersonwordimage.com/about. ArtWorks,

200 Willard St.

PAM TOLL EXHIBIT

Assistant professor in the art and art history separtment at UNCW, Toll cofounded Acme Art Studios, a work place for artists, which also hosts art events and exhibitions, most recently in conjunction with the Wilmington Fourth Friday Gallery Crawl. In 1998 she and two partners established the No Boundaries International Art Colony whose mission is to lay aside national boundaries in favor of cross cultural exchange, bringing over 150 artists from Europe, Africa, South America, Australia, Asia and North America to southeastern NC. cfcc.edu/danielsgallery. Wilma Daniels Gallery at CFCC, 200 Hanover St.

TV-MA

An immersive, autonomous evening. Prepare to be transported into a world of erotic intrigue at the Gypsy. The sensual, sexual, erotic art show features artists from as far Canada and DJs from across the state.

Performance art will include fire spinning, live painters and more feeding off the energy created by you beautiful people as we celebrate our hedonistic sides. Art/Performances by: Design Judge, Josh Zarambo, Jenee Harrison, Autumn Sorrow. Music by: Pixel Dust, Ay Yo Mario, Sursee, Rio, and Psynatra. Live Painting by: Zack Weaver, Shaun Fenix, Brian Jones, Rebecca Estevan, Sarah Heist, and Stephen Rullo. Guests are absolutely encouraged to wear costumes, masquerade, wigs, masks, or anything that makes you feel fun and frivolous. Event will be filmed; guests encouraged to take

2nd Anniversary Celebration

FRIDAY FREE DJ APPS OCT 4 from 5-8pm

9pm-12am

62 CRAFT BEERS ON TAP AND 8 WINES • ALL FOOD UNDER $10 SPECIALS: STARTING ON SEPT 30TH SUNDAY'S: $3 MIMOSA MONDAY FOOTBALL: 1/2 PRICE WINGS ALL DAY TUESDAY: TRIVIA 7-9PM WEDS MUSIC BINGO: 7-9 - WINE DOWN WEDS: 1/2 PRICE WINE/CIDER THIRSTY THURS: 20 LOCAL TAPS UPSTAIRS LOCAL BEERS $4.00/PINTS FRI LIVE MUSIC 9-12AM • SATURDAY: LIVE MUSIC 9-12AM FRIDAY: 44 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

910.769.1980 WILMINGTON.POURTAPROOM.COM 201 N FRONT ST WILMINGTON, NC 28401

@pourtaproomwilmington

Fresh From the Farm

Coming oCtober 22

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

Downtown Wilmington’s Riverfront Farmers Market

DOWNTOWN (Dock St., on the

NEW N O LOCATI

block between Front and 2nd Streets)

Each Saturday

March 23rd - November 24th • 8:00am - 1:00pm (no market Apr. 6 & Oct. 5)

- FRUITS - VEGETABLES - PLANTS - HERBS

- FLOWERS - EGGS - CHEESES - WINE

- PICKLES - KOMBUCHA - ART & CRAFTS

For more information: www.riverfrontfarmersmarket.org

- MEATS - SEAFOOD - HONEY - BAKED GOODS

MORE UPCOMING LIVE MUSIC October 4: L Shape Lot Duo October 22: Iya Terra Benny Hill’s Jazz Jam every Sunday

encore

serving over 22 CraFT Beers • all aBC perMiTs

Mon.-Thurs.: 4pM-12:30 aM • Fri.-saT.: 4pM - 1:30aM sun: 4pM-11pM • 2101 MarkeT sT., uniT 7 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 45

their own films and email them to gypsyvisualarts@gmail.com to be edited for master cut. The Juggling Gypsy, 1612 Castle St.

dance CAPE FEAR CONTRA DANCE

Two hours of energetic, contemporary American country dancing with live music. Dress cool & comfortable, soft-soled shoes. All ages. 2nd/4th Tues, 7:30pm. United Methodist, 409 S. 5th Ave.

76ERS SQUARE DANCE CLUB

Inviting all mainstream and plus square dancers to join us for our weekly evening of dance on Thursdays from 8-9:30 pm at Senior Resource Center, 2222 S. College Rd. (entrance on Shipyard Blvd.). Cost $5/person/dance.

Join the club: $17.50/person/month.

SENIOR LINE DANCING

At Maides Park, Thursday’s 11am-noon.

Free! Pre-registration is not required. 1101 Manly Avenue

OVER 50'S DANCE

Mission is to provide a venue for ballroom and social dancing. Welcome dancers of all levels—great form of exercise and to socialize with others who also like to dance. The club holds a dance on the second Tuesday of each month. Variety of DJ’s play all kinds of dance music—ballroom, Latin, shag, rock & roll, country, slow nightclub. Cost $8/person.

New Hanover Sr. Resource Ctr, 2222 S. Col-

lege Rd. facebook.com/over50sdance

COMMUNITY AFRICAN DANCE CLASS

Oct. and Nov., all levels. Expose the community to the African Diaspora Culture through African dance for all ages and all levels. NOvember’s second class will start from 1 p.m.

– 3:30 p.m. $20 per class. Group prices include: $15 each for two; $10 each three or more; $5 for all children 6-16 years old.

DRAG ME TO IBIZA

Every Friday at Ibiza Nightclub—home to some of the areas most talented female impersonators. Our exclusive drag shows take place at 10:30pm and midnight. Afterward our dance floors is yours as our resident DJ spins a variety of House, Hip hop, Top 40 & EDM until 2:30am. 18+ with Valid ID. Ibiza Nightclub, 118 Market St.

comedy OPEN MIC

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

GRUFF GOAT COMEDY

First Wed. ea. month, Gruff Goat Comedy features Three Guest Comics Under a Bridge. No trolls. Waterline Brewing, 721 Surry Lane.

PRIMETIME COMEDY

See some of NC’s best stand-up comedians in a world class venue! This month’s talented performers: Brett Williams, Cordero Wilson, Grant Sheffield, Louis Bishop, and Tyler Wood. Hosted by: Wills Maxwell. N Front Theatre (formerly City Stage), 21 N Front St.

LUCKY JOE COMEDY SHOW

First Sat. ea. month is free at Lucky Joe Craft Coffee on College Road, presented by Regretful Villains. The show features a new style of stand-up called Speed Joking. Enjoy a night of laughs! 1414 S College Rd.

LIVE RIFFING AND VINTAGE TV

Every Wed. join Dead Crow Comedy for improv night. Join local comedians for a TV party at Dead Crow! Interactive improvised comedy show. 265 N. Front St.

DAREDEVIL IMPROV COMEDY TROUPE

Wilmington’s finest improvisors have partnered with veteran performers from the smash hit, family-friendly “Really Awesome Improv Show” at the world-famous Second City Hollywood to create a whip smart, high-energy improv comedy show for the whole family! A perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. This show relies on audience suggestions and participation to create a one-of-a-kind experience that your kids will love! It’s a live-action “Whose Line is it Anyway?” that’s perfect for children ages 5 and up! $2. Hannah Block Community Arts Center, 120 S. 2nd St.

BOMBERS COMEDY OPEN MIC

Sign up at 8:30; show’s at 9. Bring your best to the mic. Bomber’s Beverage Company, 108 Grace St.

DEAD CROW

Open mic every Thursday, 8pm. Sign up is in person, 7pm. There’s no cost to participate, and each comedian is allotted three minutes of stage time. • Oct. 4-5, 7/9:30pm: Samantha Ruddy is a comedian and writer who hails from Scranton, Pennsylvania. She recently made her TV debut on CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Samantha has performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Limestone Comedy Festival, Women in Comedy Festival, and Laugh Your Asheville Off, and she hosts the weekly show, “Too Many Cooks” in NYC. Samantha brings to the stage a world of goofy observations, witty one-liners, and the fresh perspective of a modern millennial. She has been featured on Comedy Central, in Bust, and was named one of the “50 Funniest People in Brooklyn” by Brooklyn Magazine. Samantha is a contributing writer to Collegehumor, Someecards, and Reductress and keeps her over 24k Twitter followers entertained daily @samlymatters. deadcrowcomedy.com. 265 N. Front St.

BILL ENGVALL

Oct. 3, 8-10:30pm: Bill Engvall is a Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum-selling recording artist and one of the top comedians in the country. Most recently, Bill was a contestant on season 17 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, and as a fan favorite, he made it to the finals. Bill also lent his voice to the ani-

Experience the ‘Buzzed Bull Difference’ A family friendly liquid nitrogen creamery with small batch ice creams and milkshakes specializing in buzzed (alcohol infused for 21+) and non-buzzed flavors.

Always fresh and made-to-order.

Millions of flavor combinations.

3224 N College Rd Suite B, Wilmington, NC 28405 (910) 520-8546

buzzedbullcreamery.com 46 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

mated comedy series Bounty Hunters, which aired on CMT. He previously starred in, and executive produced, the TBS sitcom The Bill Engvall Show. Bill was part of the enormously successful Blue Collar Comedy concert films, which sold over nine million units and received a Grammy nomination. He also starred on the WB’s hit sketch comedy show Blue Collar TV and in several solo specials for Comedy Central. In 2012 he reunited with Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy on the Them Idiots Whirled Tour, which aired as a special on CMT. $43 – $119. capefearstage. com. The Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St.

museums CAMERON ART MUSEUM

On exhibit: A Time When Art Is Everywhere, teamLab, through Oct. 20: Dreamlike landscapes, fantasized fauna and flora and creatures of the sea are reimagined in this visual and immersive experience presented by the art collective teamLab. A dynamic collaborative of over 500 artists, programmers, engineers, CG animators, mathematicians and architects make up the teamLab team. They aim to explore new relationships between humans and nature, and between oneself and the world through art. • Recuérdame/ Remember Me: Through November 10, 2019: Diego Camposeco’s (Mexican-American, 1992-2019) work illuminates aspects of contemporary immigrant identities and the integration of the Latinx identity in the larger popular culture. His photoraphy juxtaposes media representations of Latinxs in popular culture against the reality of agricultural labor for the lives of many living in the US and specifically in NC. Charlotte, NC artist Rosalia Torres-Weiner (American, b. Mexico City, 1961) uses her art to document social conditions and raise awareness about issues affecting immigrant communities like family separation, racism and moving beyond common stereotypes. Across Charlotte her public murals celebrate the rich history and changing demographics of the South. • Oct. 22-April 26, 2020: The Eye Learns - Modernist prints from the Louis Belden Collection— In 2017 CAM was given an unprecedented bequest of works of art from San Francisco art collector Louis Belden. The collection of 135 prints offers an endless range of expression, experimentation and expansion of the terrain of postwar modernism and includes original artworks from the leading artists, the change-makers, the radicals, the early modernist European expats, seeking asylum in this country. Among others, artists in the exhibition will include Josef Albers, Helen Frankenthaler, Wayne Thiebaud, Richard Diebenkorn, Ellsworth Kelly, Robert Rauschenberg. • Oct. 22-April 26, 2020: Structure in Space and Time - Photography by Phil Freelon—Throughout his prodigious career, award-winning architect Freelon (American, 1953-2019) found photography essential to his design vision and creative process: Photography is one of the vehicles that I use to share my view of the world. As an architect, the expression of structure is central to my design process, bringing a sense of order to the final composition. These photographs

examine thestructure that exists all around us—both in the natural and built environment.

Everyone at CAM is deeply saddened by the passing of Phil Freelon on July 9, 2019. If you would like to honor his legacy you may make contributions to the North Star Church of the Arts. • CAM Café open and serving delicious menu with full bar. Brunch, Sat. and Sun., 10am-2pm; Tues.-Fri., 11am-2pm; Thurs.

5-9pm. Museum, 10am-5pm; Thurs., 10am9pm. www.cameronartmuseum.org. 3201 S. 17th St.

CRUISE ON THE NEW HENRIETTA!

CAPE FEAR MUSEUM

Ongoing: Explore the history of the 20th century in this new gallery designed, curated and fabricated by the Cape Fear Museum team.

The revamped 20th century gallery is the final chapter of the Museum’s core exhibit, Cape Fear Stories. The new exhibit paints a picture of New Hanover County and the dramatic social, cultural and economic transformations that shaped life in the 20th century and beyond. • Ongoing: Michael Jordan, known worldwide for his spectacular basketball skills, grew up in Wilmington. He achieved phenomenal success in basketball, and he worked hard to achieve his goals at every level. "Michael Jordan: Achieving Success" showcases his early years and Wilmington roots. Several artifacts are on display including an unworn pair of 1987 Air Jordan 1 shoes.

• Ongoing: Space Place: Hands-on STEM interactives include a robotic arm, microscopic experiments and a glove box challenge.

Visual elements offer real-time information about the International Space Station’s location and daily operations. • Ongoing: Williston Auditorium: Education in Wilmington has a long, rich tradition, and the name “Williston” has been associated with schooling here since the 1860s. What began as an American Missionary Association school became—between 1923 and the day it closed its doors in 1968—the only high school for African Americans in New Hanover County. • Through Feb. 2, 2020: Once considered an essential part of a wardrobe, the fashion hat has experienced a steady decline in popularity since the 1960s. Today, many people associate stylish hats only with a Sunday church service or a special event. This selection of hats reflects a number of the popular styles worn in the Cape Fear area from the 1940s through the 1960s.• Through Oct. 6, 2019: Play Time!, an exhibit that explores how we play, create, and use our imagination as children and adults.

The display includes items from the museum’s historic toy collection and hands-on activities ranging from creating art to playing dress-up. • Through Feb. 23, 2020: Dinosaur Discovery explores the world of modern paleontology and the discoveries that reveal how dinosaurs lived, moved and behaved.

Everything we know about these prehistoric animals comes from fossils unearthed by paleontologists. These scientists study ancient life by examining their finds and piecing together clues from the past. This exhibit was developed by the Virginia Museum of Natural History. CF Museum, 814 Market St. capefearmuseum.com

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH MUSEUM

WB Museum of History, housed in the turn of the century Myers Cottage, exists to pre-

WE HAVE A COVERED WAITING AREA WITH RESTROOMS

SUNSET CRUISES

Thursday - Saturday •7pm (1 1/2 hour cruise) Adults $20 • Children $10 (2-12 yrs) Call ahead to check shedules & prices

NARRATED SIGHTSEEING CRUISES

Wednesday - Sunday 1 hour cruises: 2pm • 3:30pm Adults $15 • Children $5 (2-12 yrs)

FULL BAR Call ahead to check schedules & prices

1 HR. SIGHTSEEING CRUISE

4 HR. BLACK RIVER NATURE CRUISE

7 Days a week April - October 11AM Adult $12 • Child $5 Check online for schedule

Andy Wood on board with narration.

See the river as the early explorers saw it.

8/28, 9/18, 9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 10/30

Tickets are available the DAY OF THE CRUISE at the boat or ticket booth on South Water Street. Tickets can also be pre-purchased on our website.

910-343-1611 • info@cfrboats.com 101 S. Water Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 (at the corner of Dock St. & Water St. - over 700 parking spaces with 2 1/2 blocks)

cfrboats.com encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 47

DISCOVER NEW MUSIC AT 98.3 THE PENGUIN

serve 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 yr. history of WB. (910) 256-2569. 303 W. Salisbury St. www.wbmuseum.com.

WILMINGTON RR MUSEUM

PLAYLIST SAMPLE LEON BRIDGES - BAD BAD NEWS BRANDI CARLILE - THE STORY STEVE EARLE - COPPERHEAD ROAD PAUL CAUTHEN - COCAINE COUNTRY DANCING MARGO PRICE - HURTIN' ON THE BOTTLE JERRY GARCIA BAND - DEAL

TOM PETTY - SOUTHERN ACCENT SLY & THE FAMILY STONE - FAMILY AFFAIR ROBERT RANDOLPH & THE FAMILY BAND - BAPTISE ME ALABAMA SHAKES - ALWAYS ALRIGHT

UPCOMING PENGUIN SHOWS BLUE OCTOBER

10/6 GLA

LATIMER HOUSE

Victorian Italiante style home built in 1852, the restored home features period furnishings, artwork and family portraits. Tours offered Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm, and Sat, 12-5pm.

Walking tours are Wed and Sat. at 10am. $4$12. Latimer House of Lower CF Historical Society is not handicapped accessible 126 S. 3rd St.

BURGWIN-WRIGHT HOUSE

18th century Burgwin-Wright House Museum in the heart of Wilmington’s Historic District, is the oldest museum house in NC, restored with 18th-19th century decor and gardens.

Colonial life experienced through historical interpretations in kitchen and courtyard. 3rd/ Market St. Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm. Last tour, 3pm. 910-762-0570. www.burgwinwrighthouse.com.

SHOVELS & ROPE

10/8 GLA

BLUE OCTOBER (GLA 10/6) SHOVELS & ROPE (GLA 10/8) LAKE STREET DIVE (GLA 10/13) ) SOLD OUT!

Explore railroad history and heritage, especially of the Atlantic Coast Line, headquartered in Wilmington for 125 years. Interests and activities for all ages, including historical exhibits, full-size steam engine and rolling stock, lively Children’s Hall, and spectacular model layouts. House in an authentic 1883 freight warehouse, facilities are fully accessible and on one level. By reservation, discounted group tours, caboose birthday parties, and after-hours meetings or mixers.

Story Time on 1st/3rd Mon. at 10:30am, only $5 per family and access to entire Museum.

Admission only $9 adult, $8 senior/military, $5 child, ages 2-12, and free under age 2. 505 Nutt St. 910-763-2634. www.wrrm.org.

BELLAMY MANSION

THE WOOD BROTHERS (GLA 10/18) THIEVERY CORPORATION (GLA 11/1) ANDY FRASCO & THE U.N. (BAC 11/3) HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER (BAC 1/9/20)

SPECIALTY SHOWS:

THE EVENING EXPERIMENT WITH ERIC MILLER, WEDNESDAYS 7-9PM THE FRIDAY NIGHT PANIC JAM FRIDAYS AT 8PM ACOUSTIC CAFE SATURDAYS FROM 7-9AM ETOWN SATURDAYS AT 9AM PUTUMAYO WORLD MUSIC HOUR SUNDAYS AT 8AM

WWW.983THEPENGUIN.COM 48 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

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, it focuses on history and the design arts and offers tours, changing exhibitions and an informative look at historic preservation in action.

kids stuff SNAKE AND TURTLE FEEDING

Brief presentation about live animals on display in the events center and watch them feed. At least one snake and turtle will be fed during the demonstration. Ages: 3 and up.

First Wednesday of every month, $1. Halyburton Park, 4099 S. 17th St.

NATURE IN A NUTSHELL

An educator will be giving a ” Nature in a Nutshell” lesson on topics correlating with the weekly Little Explorers program theme. Our nature themes will be brought to life through stories, songs, games, hikes, and other hands-on activities, Please dress for the weather (including closed-toe shoes) to be ready for outdoor fun! This is an extension of our current Little Explorers classed for those who would still like to sign up for these popular programs. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Ages: 2-5. Cost: $3/ person. Day-use area right of Picnic Shelter # 2. Animals in the Dark, 10/19, 10-10:30am • Fantastic Fall Colors, 11/9, 10-10:30am • Time for Thanksgiving! 11/23, 10-10:30am.

Halyburton Park, 4099 S 17th St.

KIDS AT CAM WITH HP FANGS

Oct. 5, 11am-5pm: Using our ‘Recuérdame – Remember Me’ exhibition as inspiration, artist and educator Happyfangs (Greyson D.) will show children how to design their own sugar skulls using a variety of color and crafting materials! Greyson D. is an artist and the art teacher at GLOW Academy. Check out his website: www.hpfangs.com Fun for all ages! Suggested donation $5 per child.

Parental supervision required at all times.

No pre-registration necessary. Classes are offered once a month on select Saturdays.

Each Kids @ CAM provides an enriching museum experience for all ages. They will go through gallery exploration and handson art projects inspired by the works on display. 3201 S. 17th St.

HAPPY LITTLE SINGERS

Oct. 8, 9:45am: Happy Little Singers is an affordable, creative early childhood (Pre-K) music and movement program, designed for infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers and young students up to age 6 (older children and siblings enjoy the program, as well!). With every nurturing and creative class, you will see your child expressing themselves in new ways, developing new skills and competency, matching rhythm and singing, playing instruments.

You may also notice a significant increase in both fine and gross motor skills, eye-hand coordination, language and listening skills, social skills and self-esteem. The class will also help reinforce the bond between you and your child. Held every Tuesday from 9:45 am to 11:30 am at the Hannah Block Community Arts Center. $10 per family. 910-777-8889.

120 S. 2nd Street.

recreational WALK WITH A DOC

Join us the 3rd Saturday of every month at 9am for a fun and healthy walk—held at the Midtown YMCA. Each walk beings with a brief physician-led discussion of a current health topic, then he/she spends time walking, answering questions and talking with walkers.

Choose your own pace and distance. Free and open to anyone. YMCA, George Anderson Dr.

EARLY FLIGHT EXCURSION

Start your day on the water in search of wildlife and many of our feathered friends, while

listening to interesting commentary about the rich history of this area. 2 hour cruise; full bar, serving coffee and the best Bloody Mary on the river. Photographers, birders, and nature buffs love the variety of wildlife and native plants that adorn the river banks. We may see osprey, alligators, sea turtles, and river otters, just to name a few. Bring your camera so you won’t forget the untouched beauty of this early morning adventure. Cruise through the Castle Hayne Aquifer and by the bluffs of the Rose Hill Plantation. $10-$20. ILM Water Tours, 212 S Water St.

FIRST FRIDAY BIRD HIKES

Join park staff for a leisurely bird-watching stroll around Halyburton Park the first Friday of each month. We’ll search for migrants and point out year-round bird species too. These walks are for beginner birders and all are welcome. Free. Ages: 5 and up. Halyburton Park, 4099 S 17th St. wilmingtonnc.gov/departments/parks-recreation/halyburton-park

ROCK N RUN

Oct. 4, 12:30am: A Rock ‘n Run is 0.5K race and family-friendly festival all tied into one, and for a great cause. It’s the run for everyone and we want runners of all ages and abilities to participate. Sprint to the finish line or take a more leisurely pace. There’s even a “VIP” option (see below). And young children are welcome to zoom through the course on their tricycles or training wheel bikes. Rock ‘n Run isn’t just for “runners,” it’s for spectators, too!

Bring your family and friends to cheer you on while you make your way around the course (all 1640 feet of it!). There’s no charge for them to attend, and after you cross that finish line you all can relax, listen to the band, enjoy the food trucks, and more! Olsen Park, 5510 Olsen Park

classes/seminars SEASIDE YOGA

Wed., 8am: Join a certified teacher in our seaside gardens for a relaxing morning yoga practice. Perfect for all levels of experience.

One hour practice. We partner with Longwave Yoga to provide relaxing and memorable yoga experiences daily at the resort. Blockade Runner Beach Resort. 275 Waynick Blvd.

COMMUNITY YOGA

Join Longwave Yoga teachers on the 1st Saturday of each month as we come together as a community to support Plastic Ocean Project. Enjoy a 1-hour yoga class on the Whole Foods Market patio followed by a pint of kombucha, locally crafted by Panacea Brewing Co. Register day of at Whole Foods: $20 cash, BYOM (bring your own mat). Proceeds benefit Plastic Ocean Project, a local nonprofit with a mission to educate through field research, implement progressive outreach initiatives, and incubate solutions to address the global plastic pollution problem.

TWEEN YOGA

Thurs, 6pm: A playful, casual and very active class encouraging tween to explore their creativity. Dynamic postures presented in a simple step-by-step format. No experience is necessary, and this yoga class is offered to tweens only, ages 11-14. Wilmington Yoga,

5329 Oleander Drive, Ste. 200

MEDITATE AND CHILL

Join Jesse Stockton, Rachael Kinsey, Alexis Abbate + Jenny Yarborough every Tuesday, 7:30-8:30pm, Terra Sol Sanctuary. We’ll guide you through a 20-30 minute meditation to help you take a deep breath. Relax. Let go. $10; no need to register in advance. 507 Castle St. www.terrasolsanctuary.com.

MINDFULNESS STRESS REDUCTION

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program provides a structured format for looking more deeply into oneself thereby supporting positive life changes. The essential outcome is to provide participants with simple tools to practice, incorporate and apply mindfulness in everyday life. Instructor: Paula Huffman, BS, RN, ERYT. Morning sessions: Friday, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25, 9:30am-noon; Oct. 12, 10am4pm Reg.: uncw.edu/chhs/community/ coned.html • Evening sessions: Thurs., Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 6-8:30pm; Oct. 12, 10am-4pm.

Register: uncw.edu/chhs/community/coned. html or email centerforworkforcedevelopment@uncw.edu or 910-962-2527. Center for Innovation and Entrepeneurship, 803 S. College Rd. Ste. G

FREE SELF-DEFENSE CLASS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

Oct 3, 7pm: Wilmington is an incredible place to live, but like every town, there are bad, violent people who want to do harm to others.

Our monthly self defense class is designed to give good women and men the skills and training to defend themselves so they will not be a victim. People who attend the class can expect to learn the mindset and specific techniques that can help them be prepared in a self defense situation. Students will be led through a series of real life situations with practical defenses that can help protect themselves. Studies show that attending self defense classes can lower incidences of unwanted sexual contact. Shoshin Ryu is offering the free monthly self defense class as a way to help our community stay safe.Contact us through the form on our website with your name and date you’d like to attend. Students should wear clothing appropriate for the gym, and will be barefoot on the training mat. 709 N 4th St.

Tuesdays and Thursdays. All fencing equipment provided. Sudents should wear loose fitting clothing and sneakers. Class covers history, footwork, bladework, tactics, and rules as well as Olympic Fencing history.

Finishes with an in class tournament Appropriate for ages 8 – 80. Cost is $50 plus a $10 membership through USA Fencing at usafencing.org good until July 31, 2020.

Taught by Internationally accredited instructor whose students have won gold medals at world championships. Tileston Gym, 412 Ann St.

lectures/literary REDEFINING THE ‘SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP’: WEST GERMANY AND ISRAEL, 1965-1974

Oct. 3, 5-6:30pm: Join Dr. Carol Fink of the UNCW History Department as she discusses the changes in the historically-fraught relationship between West Germany and Israel, and also places it in an international Cold War context. Kenan Hall (KE Auditorium 1111), UNCW campus. uncw.edu/hst/westgermanyfinkposter-1.pdf

BEGINNING FENCING CLASSES

Cape Fear Fencing Association 6 week beginning fencing class starts October 8th at 6:30 pm in the basement of the Tileston gym.

Class will meet for approximately 1 hour on

WALKING TOUR OF CAROLINA BEACH

Walking Tour of the Historic Carolina Beach Boardwalk meets at the Visitors Bureau Kiosk just south of the new Hampton Inn and features members of the Federal Point Historic Preservation Society leading a 50-minute tour into the past, answering questions like: Where did the “birth of the Shag” take place?

Did you know there was a movie theater called The Wave on the Boardwalk? How long has Britt’s Donuts been on the Boardwalk, and has it always been in the same place?

Why was the Red Apple so popular? Where was the largest dance floor south of Washington DC located? Society asks for a $10 donation. Children under 12 tour free. Carolina Beach Board Walk, Cape Fear Blvd.

WEEKLY EXHIBITION TOURS

clubs/notices BIKE NIGHT

Bike Night at Mac’s Speed Shop, beer, bikes, BBQ. Featuring in concert: South Starr band playing great classic-southern R&R music!

Mac’s Speed Shop, 4126 Oleander Dr.

Cameron Art Museum: Explore, discuss and learn more about the artwork currently on view at CAM. Members: free. Museum admission all others. CAM, 3201 S. 17th St. cameronartmuseum.org

ed?

Car Flood

n a C e W Help!!!

LOVE YOUR HOME FALL WORKSHOP

This October create a home you love returning to each day. Join professional organizer Lydia Fields at Pomegranate Books for a four-week workshop series designed to provide practical tips and strategies for organizing your home. The group will read and discuss “Simple Organizing 50 Ways to Clear the Clutter” by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Michaels and each participant will select an area in the home to undergo a total transformation. The workshop will be held at Pomegranate Books (4418 Park Ave) from 9-10am the first four Fridays in October (10/4, 10/11, 10/18, 10/25). Registration Fee: $45 (includes all materials). Space is limited.

RSVP Lydia Fields: lydia@seasidestyling.com

lery tours led by museum staff that are sometimes irreverent and silly, but always provide a charming and engaging behind-thescenes perspective on current exhibitions.

But what if I’m really thirsty before the tour?

Join us for happy hour beforehand to loosen up your brain and chat about art. Brown Wing. CAM Members: Free, non-members.

Museum admission. Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St.

Call for Canvas & Awning Repair Don’t Throw That Old Funiture Away!

Go Green & Re-Upholster!

Fast Turn-around Time Let our experts turn your old, drab furniture into exciting new decor.

Full Service Shop ~ Insured Award Winning Custom Interiors 910.799.8746 (TRIM) 6609 Windmill Way

Ask about our “re-purposed” furniture Do not despair, we can make the repair... let us fix separation anxiety

encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 49

PCYP

No membership required; all ages and professions welcome. Look for PCYP Ambassadors with silver name tags to get acquainted.

Free food, networking, raffles, business-casual attire. Dates: September 18 hosted by KBT Realty Group—associated with Keller Williams and Cavik Insurance, sponsored by TBD; October hosted by Hanover Lakes by Bill Clark Homes; Nov. 20 hosted by Poe’s Tavern—Wrightsville Beach; Dec. 4 at Homewood Suites by Hilton Wilmington/Mayfaire; Dec. 13 members only Christmas party, sponsored

by River Landing, hosted by St Thomas Preservation Hall/City Club. Memberships: $25$35. pcyp.thrivecart.com/annual-membership. RiverLights, 109 Pier Master Point #100

UNRAVELED

First Thurs. every month, 10am, a morning of knitting or crochet and conversation. This is a self-guided drop-in program. All skill levels welcome. Bring your own materials and projects to work on; supplies not provided.

Northeast Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd.

SPECIAL PEDALS BIKE TUNE-UPS

Bring your bike for a tune-up or buy a refurbished one from Special Pedals at Flytrap Brewing on October 5, 1-4pm! Special Pedals is a nonprofit with a mission to offer individualized training and employment opportunities for adults with exceptional needs. Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St.

LADIES NIGHT AT TIME TO RAGE

Oct. 8, 10am: Half off basic packages for the ladies every Tuesday! Recent breakup? Exam

got you stressed? Need to hit something so you don’t hit someone? #GetItAllOut at a discount! Book online at http://time2rage.com.

Time to Rage, 1112 S 2nd St.

culinary FERMENTAL

Free tasting every Friday, 6pm. Third Wednesday of each month feat. musical and brewing talents alongside an open mic night, as well as the opportunity for homebrewers to share, sample, and trade their creations: an evening of beer and an open stage. PA and equipment provided. All genres and beer. • Fermental proudly welcomes the crew from Bhramari Brewing of Asheville, North Carolina for evening of tastings, giveaways, multiple drafts, packaged goods, live music, a local food truck, and more: Saturday, October 5th, 5pm-10pm.

Food Truck: Mari’s Hella Fat Food 6pm/Live Music: Adrian + Meredith 7pm www.fermental.net 910-821-0362. 7250 Market St.

FREE BREWERY TOURS AND TASTINGS

3pm, 3:45pm, 4:30pm, everyday at Front Street Brewery, 9 N. Front St. Learn how we brew our beer, meet brewers and get two free samples.

RIVERFRONT FARMERS’ MARKET

Sat., 8am-1pm: Local farmers, growers, producers and artisans to sell their goods directly to consumers, to encourage and promote the use of locally-grown farm products and artisan offerings. Vegetables, herbs, plants, annuals, perennials, native plants, fresh-cut flowers, baked goods, NC wines, dog treats,

50 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

eggs, honey, goat cheeses, seafood, kombucha, meats, marina & fra diavolo sauce, smoothies and more. Artisan works of handmade jewelry, woodwork, silkscreen t-shirts & totes, photography, bath and body products, pet accessories, pottery, drawings and more. N. Water St., historic downtown, along the beautiful Cape Fear River. riverfrontfarmersmarket.org.

SWEET N SAVORY WINE TASTING

Wed, 5-8pm: Sample some of the most delicious wines you can try for free with optional $25 food pairing, designed specifically to go with each wine. Benny Hill Jazz always starts at 7 pm with his cool jazz styles. Sweet n Savory Cafe, 1611 Pavilion Pl.

PORT CITY GREAT BURGER CHALLENGE

In 30 mins, eat 48 ounces of burger meat with three toppings and fries! Beat it and we take care of the bill and put your face on the Wall of Glory! Fail, and straight to The Wall of Shame you go. Bring your stretchy pants and good luck! Offer is daily. 11am-11pm, Port City Burgers & Brews, 11 Market St.

tours LITERARY HISTORY WALKING TOUR

Explore the rich culture of our talented Southern town with a 90-minute walking tour of the literary history of downtown Wilmington, NC. Visit “The Two Libraries.” Walk the streets of your favorite novels, and stand where Oscar Wilde did when he lectured here. Saturdays, 1:30pm, Old Books on Front. 249 N. Front St.

brownpapertickets.com/event/1282390

GHOST WALK

6:30-8:30pm. Costumed guides lead visitors through alleyways with tales of haunted Wilmington. Nightly tours, 6:30pm/8:30pm.

Water and Market sts. RSVP rqd: 910-7941866. www.hauntedwilmington.com

BELLAMY MANSION

Guided tours start on the hour; self-guided tours start at any time. Mon. is only self-guided tours. Follow curved oyster-shell paths through our lush Victorian garden shaded by 150-yr.-old magnolia trees. See the elegant main entrance surrounded by soaring columns and gleaming windows. Hear stories of Bellamies, as well as of the free and enslaved black artisans who built the home and crafted intricate details throughout the house. Adults $12; senior and military discount, $10; students, $6; children under 5, free. 503 Market St.

MASONBORO SHELLING TOUR

Explore Masonboro Island and discover the wonder of the Carolina coast. This tour option is ideal for families, birders, and nature enthusiasts. Masonboro Island is an 8.4mile marine sanctuary island, renowned for its plant and wildlife diversity. Topics will include shell biology, native plant species, shorebirds, and barrier island ecology. Adult $45, child $25 RSVP: 910-200-4002. Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours, 275 Waynick Blvd

OFF THE RECORD TOURS

Thurs., 6:30pm: Start weekend early with gal-

Changing the World One Bagel at a Time

-

Find out more on Facebook @Seasidebagels

-

-

-

-

-Salt Therapy Sessions -Massage Therapy -Reiki & Spiritual Services -Main Cave fits 12 -Treatment/Children’s Cave

-

1540 S 2nd St Suite 130, Wilmington, NC 28401 (910) 399-3638

-

-

• We are a 5 star Ocean Friendly Establishment • Many Plant Based Menu Options • Homemade Vegan Egg • New Cold Brew Coffee 6400 Carolina Beach Rd. (2 miles south of Monkey Junction) Open 6:30am-2pm everyday • 910-769-1827

www.nativesaltcaveandwellness.com Eagle Island Cruises 50 min. narrated cruise

Black River Cruise Oct. 15th - 10am - $49

If 50 min is just not long enough we have another solution for you...

Our even hour cruises go North on the river, bring you up close with the river walk downtown, then behind battleship to see wildlife and learn about the eco history of the area. Our odd hours travel south on the river going down to the state port... do both ways for 1 hour 40 min for only $23

Rise & Fall of Charles Town Sun., Oct. 6th • 9am • $27 The North Carolina colony, Charles Towne is the direct result of British colonization efforts in the New World: it was also the place where the first English settlement was built and mysteriously disappeared.

Come aboard & let Jack Fryer unravel the mystery. He is the author of the newly released book “Charles Towne on the Cape Fear”

Visit us on the Riverwalk! 212 S. Water Street 910-338-313 4 • email: info@wilmingtonwt.com

HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE

Follow us

BAR ON BOARD WITH ALL ABC PERMITS

Complete Schedule: wilmingtonwatertours.net

4 HOUR EXCURSION IN COMFORT UP TO BREATHTAKING SCENERY • Photographers / Nature lovers dream cruise • We will cruise up this wonderous river enjoying the variety of wildflowers, wildlife and spectacular trees. Come on board and sit back and enjoy this narrated cruise. Bring your binoculars & cameras and get ready for a memorable cruise. The Black River is characterized by the meandering river and oxbows, artesian springs and mature swamp forests. As tannins from decaying vegetation leach into the water, the river is stained its characteristic dark tea color. Pack a picnic basket and enjoy lunch while cruising.

encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 51

Massage Therapy and Private yoga instruction available blueberrysagemassageyoga.com Featuring sushi, poke bowls, teriyaki and hibachi entrees, bento boxes, vegetarian, and sandwiches.

Daily food and drink specials.

SUSHI SPECIALS

@beckyblueberrysage

Two specialty rolls

for $19.95

Three regular rolls

for $12.95

Specials only valid at the downtown location.

Voted Best 16 S. Front St. • 910-772-9151 Dowtown Wilmington Sushi 52 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

thru November

support groups WILMINGTON PRIDE YOUTH GROUP

Grades 7-12: Wilmington Pride Youth Group is a safe space for youth who identify as LGBTQIA+ and their straight allies. An adult supervised, safe space for kids to talk about orientation, gender, racial equality, political consequences, religion, self care. A great opportunity to meet and socialize with peers from the greater Wilmington area. Meets Thurs., 7pm. Needed: youth facilitators, especially those who are trained to work with kids, and speakers to talk about important topics. wpyg2016@gmail.com.

ANXIETY/OCD SUPPORT GROUP

Group meets 1st & 3rd Thurs. of each month.

Pine Valley United Methodist Church, 3788 Shipyard Blvd. Bldg B. Christopher Savard, Ph.D., with Cape Fear Psychological Services, gives a presentation the 1st Thursday of each month. 3rd Thursday meeting is member led.

18+ welcome. 910-763-8134

LUPUS SUPPORT GROUP

Meets third Sat. ea. month. Free; drop-ins are welcome. Group provides participants an opportunity to receive introductory info about lupus, encourage the expression of concerns, provide an opportunity to share experiences, encourage and support positive coping strategies, and emphasize the importance of medical treatment. Guest speakers, DVD presentations and open group discussion. info@ lupusnc.org (877) 849-8271, x1. lupusnc.org.

NE Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd.

PFLAG

First Mon/mo. at UNCW, in the Masonboro Island Room #2010, 7pm.

MS SUPPORT GROUP

Those with Multiple Sclerosis, families and friends welcome. Meets 2nd Thursday each month, 7 p.m., at the New Hanover Rehabilitation Hospital, 1st floor conference room, 2131 S. 17th St. (behind the Betty Cameron Women’s Hospital). Sponsored by Greater Carolinas Chapter, National MS Society. Details: Anne (910) 232-2033 or Burt (910) 3831368. New Hanover Regional Medical Hospital, 2131 S. 17th St.

ARIES (Mar. 21–April 19)

In 1956 the U.S. federal government launched a program to build 40,000 miles of high-speed roads to connect all major American cities. It was completed 36 years later at a cost of $521 billion. In the coming months, I'd love to see you draw inspiration from that visionary scheme. According to my analysis, you will generate good fortune for yourself as you initiate a longterm plan to expand your world, create a more robust network, and enhance your ability to fulfill your life's big goals

gage in a life review. It lasts for many hours. I begin by visualizing the recent events I've experienced, then luxuriously scroll in reverse through my entire past, as if watching a movie starring me. It's not possible to remember every single scene and feeling, of course, so I allow my deep self to highlight the moments it regards as significant. Here's another fun aspect of this ritual: I bestow a blessing on every memory that comes up, honoring it for what it taught me and how it helped me to become the person I am today. Dear Libra, now is an excellent time for you to experiment with a similar celebration.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Taurus-born YouTube blogger Hey Fran Hey has some good advice for her fellow Bulls, and I think it'll be especially fresh and potent in the coming weeks. She says, "Replacing 'Why is this happening to me?' with 'What is this trying to tell me?' has been a game changer for me. The former creates a hamster wheel, where you'll replay the story over and over again. Victimized.

Stuck. The latter holds space for a resolution to appear."

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

Novelist John irving asked, "Who can distinguish between falling in love and imagining falling in love? Even genuinely falling in love is an act of the imagination." That will be a helpful idea for you to contemplate in the coming weeks. Why? Because you're more likely than usual to fall in love or imagine falling in love—or both. Even if you don't literally develop a crush on an attractive person or deepen your intimacy with a person you already care for, I suspect you will be inflamed with an elevated lust for life that will enhance the attractiveness of everything and everyone you behold.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

I know people of all genders who periodically unleash macho brags about how little sleep they need. If you're normally like that, I urge you to rebel.

The dilemmas and riddles you face right now are very solvable if and only if you get sufficient amounts of sleep and dreams. Do you need some nudges to do right by yourself? Neuroscientist Matthew Walker says some of the greatest athletes understand "sleep is the greatest legal enhancing performance drug." Top-tennis player Roger Federer sleeps 12 hours a day. During his heyday, world-class sprinter Usain Bolt slept 10 hours a night and napped during the day. Champion basketball player LeBron James devotes 12 hours a day to the rejuvenating sanctuary of sleep.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

Actor and dancer Fred Astaire was a pioneer in bringing dance into films as a serious art form. He made 31 musical films during the 76 years he worked, and was celebrated for his charisma, impeccable technique and innovative moves. At the height of his career, from 1933 to 1949, he teamed up with dancer Ginger Rogers in the creation of 10 popular movies. In those old-fashioned days, virtually, all partner dancing featured a male doing the lead part as the female followed. One witty critic noted that, although Astaire was a bigger star than Rogers, she "did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backward and while wearing high heels." According to my reading of the astrological omens, you may soon be called on to carry out tasks that are metaphorically comparable to those performed by Rogers.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Your number-one therapy in the coming weeks? Watching animals. It would be the healthiest thing you could undertake: relax into a generously receptive mode as you simply observe creatures doing what they do. The best option would be to surrender to the pleasures of communing with both domesticated and wild critters. If you need a logical reason to engage in this curative and rejuvenating activity, I'll give you one: It will soothe and strengthen your own animal intelligence, which would be a tonic gift for you to give yourself.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

"Depression is when you think there's nothing to be done," writes author Siri Hustvedt. "Fortunately, I always think there's something to be done." I offer this hopeful attitude to you, Scorpio, trusting it will cheer you up. I suspect the riddles and mysteries you're embedded in right now are so puzzling and complicated, you're tempted to think there's nothing you can do to solve or escape them. I'm here to inform you, if that's how you feel, it's only temporary. Even more importantly, I'm here to inform you there is indeed something you can do—and you are going to find out what it is sooner rather than later.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

"How inconvenient to be made of desire," writes Sagittarian author Larissa Pham. "Even now, want rises up in me like a hot oil. I want so much that it scares me." I understand what she means—and I'm sure you do, too. There are indeed times when the inner fire that fuels you feels excessive and unwieldy and inopportune. I'm happy to report your mood in the coming weeks is unlikely to fit that description. I'm guessing the radiant pulse of your yearning will excite you and empower you. It'll be brilliant and warm, not seething and distracting.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

I envision the next 12 months as a time when you could initiate fundamental improvements in the way you live. Your daily rhythm 12 months from now could be as much as 20 percent more gratifying and meaningful. It's conceivable you will discover or generate innovations that permanently raise your long-term goals to a higher octave. At the risk of sounding grandiose, I predict you'll welcome a certain novelty resembling the invention of the wheel or the compass or the calendar.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Modern literary critic William Boyd declared Aquarian author Anton Chekhov (1860–1904) was "the best shortstory writer ever," and "the first truly modern writer of fiction: secular, refusing to pass judgment, cognizant of the absurdities of our muddled, bizarre lives and the complex tragi-comedy that is the human condition." Another contemporary critic, Harold Bloom, praised Chekhov's plays, saying that he was "one of the three seminal figures in the birth of early modernism in the theatre." We might imagine, then, that in the course of his career, Chekhov was showered with accolades. We'd be wrong about that, though. "If I had listened to the critics," he testified, "I'd have died drunk in the gutter." I hope that what I just said will serve as a pep talk for you as you explore and develop your own original notions in the coming weeks.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

Pisces-born Dorothy Steel didn't begin her career as a film actress until she was 91 years old. She had appeared in a couple of TV shows when she was 89, then got a small role in an obscure movie. At age 92, she became a celebrity when she played the role of a tribal elder in "Black Panther," one of the highest-grossing films of all time. I propose we make her one of your inspirational role models for both the coming weeks and the next twelve months. Why? Because I suspect you will be ripening fully into a role and a mission you were born to embody and express.

Every time my birthday season comes around, I set aside an entire day to en-

encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 53

54 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com

CROSSWORD

Fantastic 3BD 2.5BA custom built home in The Cape!

Located just a stones throw to Paradise Island and Carolina Beach, this home is over 2500 sq. ft. of upgrades.

Full finished room over the garage.

The large 2 car garage has a built in gardening station or workshop plus a storage.

Heather O’Sullivan | Realtor | Network Real Estate | 804.514.3197 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com 55

AN EVENING WITH

Bill Engvall

October 3, 2019 at 8:00 pm Wilson Center Ticket Central • 910.362.7999

WilsonCenterTickets.com 56 encore | october 2 - october 8, 2019 | www.encorepub.com