Out & About Magazine December 2015

Also In This Issue: Go-To Shopping Destinations How Local Coffee Shops Survive 'Tis the Season for a Spa Session

Holiday Jolt

Suggestions to help you—and Santa—deliver this season

DECEMBER 2015 CO M P L I M E N TA R Y VOL. 28 | NO. 10

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This holiday, give them a gift that can make their dreams come true. Delaware Lottery games offer tons of variety and endless excitement—from our $1 Instant Games to our jackpots that start at $40 million. This season, spread a little extra holiday cheer. Give the gift of dreams.

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E X P E R I E N C E

2015-16 Single Tickets Now On Sale TheGrandWilmington.org

LIVE IS ALWAYS BETTER! Whitehorse

featuring Special Guest Aaron Lee Tasjan

Swing’n The Holidays!

UK’s Premier Swing Band The Jive Aces perform energetic Christmas classics

Canadian husband and wife folk rock duo known for exceptional guitar playing and beautiful harmonies

WED | DEC 9 | 8PM | $18

WED | DEC 9 | 2PM | $31-$39

Punch Brothers

Band of the Royal Marines

featuring Special Guest Gabriel Kahane

Progressive bluegrass band blends traditional tunes with classical form

Musical arm of the royal navy perform popular classics in first US tour

FRI | DEC 11 | 8PM | $36-$43

WED | JAN 13 | 8PM | $36-$42

Manhattan Transfer

The Exclusive, Authorized by Peter Gabriel, Re-creation of Genesis’ “Foxtrot”

Sponsored by

THE MUSICAL BOX:

NYC jazz pop group with thrilling harmonies

SAT | JAN 16 | 8PM | $37-$45

English rock group with outstanding artistry and musicianship

SUN | JAN 17 | 7PM | $32-$39

TheGrandWilmington.org | 302.652.5577 | 800.37.GRAND | 818 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

THEGRAND

All tickets subject to box office service charges.

Artists, dates, times and programs are subject to change.

THIS PROGRAM IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY GRANTS FROM THE DELAWARE DIVISION OF THE ARTS. A STATE AGENCY DEDICATED TO NURTURING AND SUPPORTING THE ARTS IN DELAWARE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.

Arden Concert Gild, The Green Willow, Brandywine Friends of Oldtime Music, African American Community Advisory Council, and the Latino Community Advisory Council are valued partners for many performances in the 2015-16 season.

BRAND NEW!

Download The Grand On The Go mobile app and buy tickets, watch videos, and more!

DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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Di Ma

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“Happy hour” takes on a whole new meaning when you’re spending it in jail. Then there’s the suspended driver’s license and up to $6,300 in fines, too. A DUI will always cost you, and it’s never worth it.

Don’t let a DUI redefine you.

For a list of checkpoints in your area, text CHECKPOINT to 99000.

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Out & About Magazine Published each month by TSN Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Mailing & business address: 307 A Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

20

our staff Publisher Gerald duPhily • jduphily@tsnpub.com

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Director of Publications Jim Hunter Miller • jmiller@tsnpub.com Contributing Editor Bob Yearick • ryearick@comcast.net Associate Editor Krista Connor • kconnor@tsnpub.com Director of Digital Media & Distribution Marie Graham Poot • mgraham@tsnpub.com Creative Director & Production Manager Matthew Loeb, Catalyst Visuals, LLC. matt@catvis.biz Graphic Designer Tyler Mitchell, Catalyst Visuals, LLC. tyler@catvis.biz Contributing Designer Ryan Alexander, Catalyst Visuals, LLC Contributing Writers Mark Fields, Pam George, Paula Goulden, Rob Kalesse, Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald, Robert Lhulier, Allan McKinley, Andréa Miller, John Murray, Larry Nagengast, Scott Pruden, Eric Ruth, Matt Sullivan

Contributing Photographers Dennis Dischler, Joe del Tufo, Tim Hawk, Les Kipp, Matt Urban Intern Matt Moore Special Projects Sarah Green, John Holton, David Hallberg

41 what’s inside

FEATURES

START

WILMINGTON

7 The War on Words 9 Worth Trying 10 By the Numbers 13 F.Y.I. 15 From the Publisher 17 Big Buzz About Diner

50 Art on the Town 52 Theatre N 53 City News 56 On the Riverfront

17 Big Buzz About Diner

DRINK

20 A Different Grind

The cult film Diner, now a musical written

by Sheryl Crow, is selling out fast.

By Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald

12 Become Your Best in 2016

61 Holiday Treats 65 Experts’ Holiday Picks 67 Sips

Independently-owned and operated coffee shops are holding their own against the national chains by creating a sense of local identity.

FOCUS

WATCH

By Krista Connor

20 A Different Grind 26 Coffee Around the World 29 Shop Local This Holiday 35 Spas: ‘Tis the Season

69 Brooklyn & Spectre 73 Hollywood Goes to War

LEARN

LISTEN

74 5 Questions with Dawes 75 5 Questions with Matisyahu 41 De La Coeur: A French Twist 78 Tuned In 45 Coffee As Ingredient 47 Food Notes 81 Santa Crawl On the cover: 83 Snap Shots

EAT

PLAY

Brew HaHa! in Trolley Square is ready for Santa.

Latte art by Allison McKenney Photo Joe del Tufo, Moonloop Photgraphy

Editorial & advertising info: 302.655.6483 • Fax 302.654.0569 Website: outandaboutnow.com Email: contact@tsnpub.com

29 Shop Local This Holiday Season Here are some go-to suggestions from our staff and contributors.

35 December: A Perfect Time For Spas Follow these suggestions to ‘de-stress, detox and get into the holiday spirit.’

By Pam George

74-75 Q&A with Dawes & Matisyahu Folk-rockers Dawes bring Southern California sound to the Grand on Dec. 6, and Jewish reggae star Matisyahu hits there Dec. 12.

By Krista Connor

DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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Handmade Dessert Shoppe

Made the way it should be Visit our shop at: 1006 North Union St., Wilmington, on the web at: sweetsomethingsdesserts.com

DE 19805

302-655-7211

www.facebook.com/SweetSomethingsDesserts

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A writer/editor’s slightly snarky and relentless crusade to eliminate grammatical gaffes from our everyday communications

Compiled from the popular column in Out & About Magazine

THE WAR ON WORDS A monthly column in which we attempt, however futilely, to defend the English language against misuse and abuse

Media Watch • Philadelphia Eagles play-by-play man Merrill Reese, in September: “The team must find a way to make a 360-degree turn.” He meant 180 degrees, but unfortunately the Eagles continued to play badly, which would amount to a 360.

• From The News Journal, courtesy of Larry Nagengast, O&A contributing writer: "‘It hasn't changed a wit since Pete du Pont created it 30 years ago,’ Perkins said.” The word is whit, meaning the least bit; an iota.

• TNJ again, this time from a column by Carron Phillips: “(David Simon, author of The Wire) was a former journalist in the city of Baltimore.” Either he is a former journalist, or he was a journalist.

And “the city of”? Redundant.

• From The Newark Post: “Lang said the building shrunk by 20 to 25 percent.” The past tense of shrink is shrank.

Then again, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids has confused an entire generation of moviegoers.

• Xfinity headline: “The problem with mens’ growing waistlines.”

Amazing how many people think mens is the plural of man.

There is no such word, unless an apostrophe is inserted between the n and the s.

• From the New York Times: “Sen. Marco Rubio has been laying low for much of the summer . . .” Similarly, Peter MacArthur on WDEL: “The toy was found laying in 18 inches of water.” Lay means to place; lie means to recline or rest. In both cases, the correct word is lying.

• Actor William Shatner, in a USA Today interview, speaking of negative inclinations: “The older you get, either the further buried they become or they become extant.” He meant extinct.

Extant means virtually the opposite: existing. (In fairness to Capt. Kirk, the writer may have misheard him.)

• Lini Kadaba in The Philadelphia Inquirer: “A good mood ‘has a positive affect on creativity,’ he says.” That’s the verb. Effect is the noun.

• A reader heard a KYW radio report about a hostage situation in which the reporter said authorities had moved into the building in order to talk with the hostage-taker “verbally, instead of on the phone.” We’re guessing the reporter meant “in person.”

Quotation of the Month "It would be an excellent thing for the purity and vigour of English if an Act of Parliament were passed making it a criminal offence to distort, mispronounce and murder our English words."

—S.P.B. Mais, The Writing of English (1935).

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By Bob Yearick

Department of Redundancies Dept.

Courtesy of Sports Illustrated, here’s a double redundancy that never occurred to me: The Los Angeles Angels. In Spanish, los means the and angeles means angels.

Getting Political Continuing our mining of the presidential campaign for War gold: MSNBC reporter Peter Alexander, How long, Oh Lord, how long?: prefacing a question to a Joe Biden You can get a personalized but grammatically-challenged clock aide: “Based on your loyalty to he and like this one at a shop in the his platform . . .” To is a preposition; Boothwyn Farmers Market. (No apostrophe needed in Kellys.) it calls for the objective case—him!

Also, Terry Plowman, editor of Delaware Beach Life, notes that a presidential candidate’s town hall meeting has devolved into simply “a town hall.” Says Terry: “I always think it sounds weird when a TV reporter says something like, ‘Hillary Clinton will hold a town hall this morning.’ I get a picture of Superwoman holding a building in the air.”

Notes of All Sorts: My newest pet peeve: “Reach out to,” as in, “I’ll reach out to my friends in the industry.” Whatever happened to “contact,” “call” or a simple “ask”?

And what’s with all the extra prepositions in such phrases as focus in on, welcome in, met up with, over top of, adding on, underneath of and off of.

Ever notice? People have a problem with the participle of the verb “to drink.” It’s drunk: I have drunk, I had drunk. May sound strange, but it’s not drank. (Similarly, shrunk and shrank—see Media Watch.)

And a Reminder The War on Words, a paperback collection of columns from 2007 to 2011, makes a great stocking stuffer. Get it at Ninth Street Books in Wilmington, Hockessin Bookshelf, or call O&A at 6556483. Cost is $9.95 plus $3 shipping. Credit cards accepted.

Follow me on Twitter: @thewaronwords

Seen a good (bad) one lately?

Send your candidates to ryearick@comcast.net

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Worth Trying Suggestions from our staff and contributors

Delaware Center for Horticulture

The Bullets at Oddity Bar

The DCH offers a Low Cost Tree Sale where city residents can purchase trees for just $10 while non-city residents pay $40. This is a great opportunity to help add beauty to your yard and neighborhood. I got four trees for $40 and could not be happier! I look forward to watching them bloom year after year. For more information, check out thedch. org/content/low-cost-tree-sale.

For those who have dared to venture there, Oddity Bar lives up to its name. It’s a twisted, tongue-in-cheek take on the neighborhood corner bar, where arcane art hangs from the dark red walls, reconfigured Ouija boards function as table tops, and Magic 8-Balls serve as bar guides for those who can’t decide which of the 100-plus craft beers and ciders to try. Amid the off-kilter fun, The Bullets have found a fitting home. In addition to their own rollicking originals, the long-standing rockabilly trio brings a Brian Setzer-type swing to unlikely radio hits by David Bowie, Oasis, and, yes, even Pink Floyd. With the help of the band’s faithful following, there’s revelry at the Oddity every Thursday night.

—Kelly Loeb, Account Manager, Catalyst Visuals, LLC

—Jim Miller, Director of Publications

City Theater Company’s Love’s Labour’s Lost OK, so I haven’t actually seen it yet. But I saw CTC’s production of American Idiot last spring, and then I went to the launch party for the upcoming season a few weeks ago. And if those shows were any indication, then you’re in for a treat. I can’t wait! Dec. 4-19, city-theater.org.

—Marie Graham, Director of Digital Media

Caramel Apple Pancakes at Drip Café My fiancée and I decided to check out Drip Café on a whim after trying food from their Brunch Box food truck a while back. I couldn't believe we hadn't been there sooner—the coffee and food were nothing short of amazing. I tried the caramel apple pancakes, and was blown away from the first bite: two huge, fluffy pancakes topped with bits of smoked bacon, roasted apple slices, and a house-made salted caramel sauce. If you aren't drooling by now, I suggest you go find out for yourself in Hockessin's Lantana Square.

—Tyler Mitchell, Graphic Designer

Have something you think is worth trying?

Send an email to Jim with your suggestion to jmiller@tsnpub.com

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s a m t s i r h iNN v E

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2pm – 8pm thu., dec. 24th

Now Accepting Dinner Reservations Special A La Carte Menu Festive Entrées

by the numbers

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A few wine figures worth noting

3,985 The number of bottles of wine that a single acre of grapevines produces.

The United States’ rank in the world wine-drinking market.

party INN the NEW

YEAR!

Book Your January Party Now… …To Receive A $75 Gift Card • For Parties Of 20+ Booked By 12/15/15

7,000 The number of wineries in the U.S. Special NYE Dinner $ 75per 5pm - 10pm Open Bar Packages Available 10pm – 2016!

332,000 The number of U.S. restaurants and bars that serve wine.

1-5 302.571.1492 www.ColumbusInn.net 2216 Pennsylvania Ave. Wilmington, DE 19806

615,000 The number of acres of wine grapes grown in California.

The ranking, in order, of Sonoma County, Calif., Napa Valley, Calif., Willamette Valley, Ore., Finger Lakes, N.Y., and Long Island, N.Y. among the top wine destinations in the U.S.

10 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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the musical Music & Lyrics by nine-time Grammy Award®-winner

Book by Academy Award®-winner

SHERYL CROW

BARRY LEVINSON

Directed and Choreographed by three-time Tony Award®-winner

KATHLEEN MARSHALL TICKETS SELLING FAST! Select performances already have limited seating! Check out the calendar below and get your tickets today!

DEC 2015

LIMITED SEATING

Baltimore, Christmas: 1959. A circle of childhood friends reunite for the upcoming wedding of one of them.

Well, only if his fiancée passes a football trivia test. From the comfort of their all-night diner, the men, now in their early-twenties, confront the realities of adulthood: co marriage, careers, money and the ever-mysterious opposite sex. But no matter where life takes them, they know they’re welcome back at the diner, the one place they’ll always belong.

This holiday season, experience the development of a Broadway musical right here in Delaware for a fraction of the cost!

December 2 - 27 For Tickets: DelawareTheatre.org | 302-594-1100

DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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LEARN

BECOMING YOUR BEST IN 2016 Six New Year’s Inspirations

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ake the most of 2016 by taking positive steps toward your best self. Here are some ideas to get you started, courtesy of Wilmington University.

FEED YOURSELF WELL. Fresh, nutritious food is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. However, research shows that our eating habits are strongly ingrained, which can make a complete diet overhaul seem daunting. Try this: Start simply: 1) focus on improving one meal a day, 2) try simple recipes using familiar ingredients, and 3) if you find a healthy dish you like, repeat often!

TAKE A CLASS. At any age, taking a class can help you advance your career, make new friends and boost your brainpower. In fact, several studies have linked higher educational attainment with a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s. Universities that specialize in education for working adults make the transition easy. Try this: Investigate Wilmington University’s 120+ degree and certificate programs. Enjoy day, evening or weekend classes at their 14 area locations or online. Visit wilmu.edu for more information.

SCHEDULE YOUR PERSONAL TIME. Most people have their work time completely scheduled out.

Why not schedule your free time? According to Forbes.com, studies suggest that the most productive people are not actually the busiest but are those who prioritize and plan out free time to follow their passions. Researchers have increasingly been concluding that the best way to improve performance and focus is to reserve time to refresh yourself. Try this: Schedule one block of 60 minutes per week to do what enlivens your spirit.

VOLUNTEER. While self-improvement can greatly increase your happiness, improving the lives of others can take your contentment to the next level. And according to Health.com, happiness is truly good for your health! A 2010 study found that people with positive emotions were about 20% less likely than their gloomier peers to develop heart disease. Try this: Check out VolunteerDelaware.org to see how you can make a difference locally.

CREATE. Find your creative outlet! Try this: Explore WilmU’s noncredit course offerings at their Rehoboth site. Drawing, jewelry making, introductory languages, fiction writing—even Tea Tasting 101—there’s an affordable class for everyone! Learn more at wilmu.edu/Rehoboth/Noncredit.

MAINTAIN GOOD HABITS. 21habit is an app that lets you create a new habit and track it for 21 days. The free mode version has no monetary obligation and is just a fun tracking tool. The committed mode lets you invest $21 in yourself. For each day that you keep your habit, you receive $1 back. Each day you break your habit, $1 goes to charity.

Learn more at 21habit.com.

Wilmington University wishes you all the best for 2016 and beyond!

Unwrap the gift of a higher education.

Apply now through January 9, 2016 and we’ll waive your $35 application fee. Get started at wilmu.edu/Gift.

A gift for you from

12 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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F.Y.I.

SHOOTING STARS

Things worth knowing

ast December, the Delaware Sports Commission resurrected a holiday tradition in Sussex County by bringing back the Slam Dunk to the Beach high school boys basketball tournament after a 10-year absence. The event drew rave reviews, more than 10,000 spectators over three days, and generated more than $1 million in economic impact. Bolstered by that success, the event returns to Cape Henlopen High Dec. 27-29 with a field of 19 teams and 36 players ranked among ESPN’s Top 100 nationwide. A host of national high school powers will be in attendance, including Paul VI Catholic (Fairfax, Va.), La Lumiere School (LaPorte, Ind.), Friendship Collegiate Academy (Washington D.C.), Roman Catholic (Philadelphia), The Patrick School (Elizabeth, N.J.) and Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.). Six of Delaware’s top high school basketball teams for the 20-15-16 season will be represented: Sanford School, Dover, Cape Henlopen, Appoquinimink, Mount Pleasant and St. Elizabeth. Visit slamdunktothebeach.com.

SECOND BOOK FOR LOCAL AUTHOR Proceeds to benefit rural Kenya

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. A. Frank, a longtime resident of Elkton, Md., has published Saving Seoul, an adventure novel filled with international espionage, technology and romance set in South Korea. Frank, a former credit card technology specialist, got into the book business two years ago on a dare from her son. “He joked that I should write a book, so I picked a subject that he had gotten me interested in and included elements that appeal to young readers as well as adults,” says Frank, whose first book is titled K-Pop Summer. Proceeds from both books benefit Water is Life Kenya, a non-profit headed by Newark resident Joyce Tannian that helps give rural Kenyan villages better access to water. Frank’s books can be found at most retailers, including Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble and Apple iBookstore.

For more on Frank and her writings, visit thisislafrank.com.

CREATIVE THINKING Delaware Fun-A-Day announces call for art

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rtists and non-artists are invited to join the challenge of creating an item a day for the month of January. Delaware Fun-A-Day is a community art project that is free and open to all ages and skill levels. You simply have to create a piece of art—any art—for the 31 days of January. Submissions will then be displayed at the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts during the Feb. 5, Art Loop. The deadline to register is Dec. 31. For details, visit delawarefunaday.com.

National field set for Slam Dunk to the Beach

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HOLIDAY FAVORITE Wilmington loves The Nutcracker

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wo of Delaware’s most respected ballet companies will continue a holiday tradition that began more than four decades ago. Wilmington’s Academy of the Dance first presented The Nutcracker at Wilmington’s The Playhouse in 1967. That tradition continues on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12 and 13, with matinee and evening performances on both days. First State Ballet, Delaware’s professional ballet company, will present the Tchaikovsky classic the following weekend, Dec. 19 and 20, at The Grand Opera House.

Tickets to shows by either company can be purchased at ticketsatthegrand.org.

RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES 50 YEARS New officers announced

T

he Delaware Restaurant Association hosted its 14th Cornerstone Awards in November at World Cafe Live at The Queen and used the opportunity to celebrate its 50th anniversary as well as remind the crowd of more than 450 the importance of the restaurant industry in the state’s economy. According to the DRA, the state has approximately 2,000 restaurants that currently employ more than 45,000 people (10 percent of the state’s labor force) and create more than $1.7 billion in annual sales. The DRA also announced its executive committee officers for 2016.

Steve Montgomery, operating owner of The Starboard and a partner in Bethany Blues as well as a variety of other restaurant ventures, was named president. Jeff Cook, owner of 2 Fat Guys in Hockessin and Greenville, was named vice-chairman. Scott Kammerer, president of SoDel Concepts, which consists of eight restaurants, was named treasurer.

NEW LIFE FOR CITY’S CUSTOM HOUSE IT company relocates headquarters to Wilmington

A

lpha Technologies, an IT support services and software development firm currently located in Doylestown, Pa., is moving its headquarters to Wilmington’s central business district. The company employs more than 375 workers around the world and plans to add an additional 242 employees by 2019, with many of those based at Alpha’s new headquarters at 704 N. King St. Alpha purchased the 87,000-square-foot building.

CORRECTION In last month's story on Honeygrow restaurant we mispelled the name of chief brand officer Jen Denis. Honeygrow is open daily 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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11/23/15 10:22 AM

COMING SOON TO MARKET STREET!

MERCHANT BAR

426 MARKET STREET January 2016

627 MARKET STREET Now Open!

827 MARKET STREET Summer 2016

Joining the growing and thriving ranks of established dining and entertainment venues, making Downtown Wilmington an exciting place to Live, Work and Play

608 & 627 MARKET STREET NOW LEASING WWW.RESIDEMKT.COM

MORE TO COME

STAY TUNED!

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From The Publisher

GETTING OUR HANDS DIRTY W

ith all due respect to TV’s Mike Rowe, I’ve had summer and it was perhaps the worst stretch in my life. Three many dirty jobs in my life. And there was very little more months…who knows? that was entertaining about the experiences.

Since I was a 12-year-old with a paper route (another dirty I worked on an assembly line at a pickle factory; crawled job), work has given me focus, self-discipline, a place to go, a into hot attics wearing a respirator and installed insulation; place to belong, a sense of accomplishment, a reason to enjoy baled hay for 10-hour shifts in July and August; cut three-acre the “after-work” beer. To say it has been my deliverance is not lawns with a push mower; and worked half a summer breaking an overstatement. up concrete with a sledge hammer.

So while we work on better policing, improved access to I learned two important things from those dirty jobs. One: education, renewed family values, let’s throw a life preserver to I never want to do any of them again. Two: Even the worst job those paddling frantically in a sea of despair. Let’s throw them is better than no job. a job…as fast as we can.

Truth is, I didn’t want to do those jobs in the first place.

Oh, I know: “Easier said than done.” There are mental health But when you’re a teenager, you have few skills, and you want issues, transportation issues, addiction issues…but do we really money to spend, you take what you can get. Then you develop have a choice? Two years ago, I attended a special viewing of skills and work your way Yassar Payne’s The People’s up from that dirty job…as Report, a provocative Why bust your ass when you can deal drugs? fast as you can shovel. documentary on structural Or maybe you take violence and crime in Why sweat in the hot sun when you can hustle another route. Why bust Wilmington. After the your ass when you can film, members of Payne’s people for money? No question crime pays deal drugs? Why sweat in research team (guys from better than baling hay. But it has no honor. the hot sun when you can the streets of Wilmington hustle people for money? who appeared in the film) No question, crime pays were asked: “What’s the better than baling hay. But it has no honor. one thing right now we could do to help address this problem?”

That’s the lesson you learn with a job, any job: There is “Provide jobs,” they collectively answered. honor in an honest day’s work. If Wilmington could be blessed A load of bull? Perhaps. But then I thought about my with any Christmas gift to address its current plight, I would own experiences. ask for the blessing of hundreds of low-skill jobs to provide More entry-level jobs won’t save everyone. Most of us that experience to many who simply aren’t that hire-able at this know the frustration of trying to help someone hell-bent on point in their lives. Give them the chance to work their way up. going the other way. But those jobs will save those willing to be An entry-level job bank, if you will. saved. And that makes it a job worth doing.

Quite honestly, I can’t imagine what I’d do without a job for an extended period of time. I was unemployed for just a — Jerry duPhily

DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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WINTER ARTS FESTIVAL FriDay, DEcEmbEr 11 . 5 Pm – 8 Pm SaturDay, DEcEmbEr 12 . 10 am – 4 Pm 2301 Kentmere Parkway | Wilmington, DE 19806 302.571.9590 | delart.org Left to right: Works by Kathy Robinson, Carole Fox, Angela Colasanti/VIELA Jewelry, and Pamela M. Levin/Nivell Jewelry.

Celebrate the holiday season at the Museum! Browse handmade items by 16 diverse local artisans, tour festive works in the collection, enjoy holiday music, and more. Cash bar and snacks available. Free for Members, $5 Non-Members.

16 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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Photo Breck Willis, Delaware Theatre Company

Generating Big Buzz— And Big Sales The DTC's set is automated: the "diner," shown here, actually moves.

Diner, the new musical based on the 1983 film, is selling out fast. Sheryl Crow discusses how the female point of view was strengthened for the stage show.

By Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald

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or months, area theater enthusiasts have been abuzz about the arrival of Diner, a stage musical based on the classic 1982 film of the same name. That buzz has turned into feverish action as the production prepares for its Delaware Theatre Company debut on Dec. 2 (running through Dec. 27). Advance sales have already broken DTC pre-sale records and look to exceed its all-time sales revenues. So far, more than 4,500 tickets have been purchased, and six performances have been sold out. To meet the demand, DTC released 75 additional seats by taking down the removable walls built into the theater.

Much of this ticket-buying frenzy is fueled by the popularity of the film, which quickly became a cult favorite. Heavy on dialogue, quotable quotes and “guy banter,” the plot follows closeknit twentysomething pals (Eddie, Shrevie, Boogie, Billy, Fenwick and Modell) in 1959 Baltimore. While wrestling with and resisting

impending adulthood, they reunite on the eve of Eddie’s wedding.

The movie is famous for its “popcorn box” scene and a classic Baltimore Colts quiz that Eddie insists the bride-to-be must pass. It helped launch the careers of several cast members, including Kevin Bacon, Paul Reiser, Steve Guttenberg, Mickey Rourke and Ellen Barkin, and is still mentioned in many “best of” movie lists. It’s even been called the precursor to shows like Seinfeld and The Office.

The movie has been adapted for the stage by Academy Awardwinning film and television director/producer Barry Levinson, who wrote the screenplay for and directed the film. Levinson (Rain Man, Good Morning, Vietnam, Homicide: Life on the Street, and, most recently, Rock the Kasbah) recruited Grammy Award-winning singer/ songwriter/rock star Sheryl Crow to pen the music and lyrics.

The anticipated appearance of these two icons before and during the opening has ramped up fervor for the stage production. ► DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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GENERATING BIG BUZZ— AND BIG SALES continued from previous page

Photo Breck Willis, Delaware Theatre Company

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Sheryl Crow and Barry Levinson watch a rehearsal of DTC's Diner.

Headed for Broadway

Adding one more element to the buzz: this preview has its sights set on the Great White Way. Nostalgia for the film, Broadway cachet and the Levinson/Crow connection make this the perfect storm of productions, says Company Executive Director Bud Martin. “Of course, I think Barry’s and Sheryl’s star power is a draw,” he says, “but I’ve talked with many people who’ve said, ‘I just bought tickets to see Diner…I love that movie!’”

Martin “found” the musical through New York City Producer Scott Landis, who was looking for a theater to try out the production after it was workshopped in 2012. Landis sent the recording and script to Martin, but at the time it was a more expensive show than DTC could mount. Instead, it went to Signature Theatre of Arlington (Va.) in December 2014, with rewrites and songs added afterward.

Around the same time, Landis had pitched another show to Martin: Because of Winn-Dixie. It was also seeking a preview home, Martin happily obliged, and the show became a smash for DTC in April. During rehearsals of Winn-Dixie, Martin recalls, Landis turned to him and asked, “So, you want to do Diner here next season?” The production budget had been enhanced and Landis’ wife—three-time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall—was on board as the show’s director/choreographer. And the rest, as they say, is (Delaware theater) history.

The cast includes an array of Broadway “ veterans”: Ari Brand as Eddie (Off-Broadway’s My Name is Asher Lev); Aaron Finley as Billy (Broadway’s It Shoulda Been You and Rock of Ages); Derek Klena as Boogie (Broadway’s Wicked and The Bridges of Madison County); Ethan Slater as Modell (NYMF Award for Outstanding Performance in Claudio Quest); Matthew James Thomas as Fenwick (Pippin in the Tony Award-winning 2013 revival), and Noah Weisberg as Shrevie (Broadway’s South Pacific and Legally Blonde).

The women’s point of view

For Sheryl Crow, penning this musical—or any musical—wasn’t necessarily on her artistic bucket list. “It just wasn’t in my realm of possibility, really,” she said during a recent phone interview.

Crow, 53, who lives in Nashville with her two young sons, grew up loving song and dance movies like Oklahoma and My Fair Lady, and admits to a childhood crush on Gene Kelly. “There were so many amazing musicals I grew up with that had big songs, big stories and big emotion.” She laughs, “I think I was kinda hoping that life was like that…people just breaking into song.”

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Crow and Levinson are both rookies in the world of stage musicals.

But in a way, Crow says, adapting wasn’t difficult. “Maybe because I grew up a fan of stuff like West Side Story—I loved the way themes wound all the way through the story—it was really fun to write.”

Levinson called Crow about four or five years ago to gauge her interest in helping adapt his movie for stage. “I was really excited for the chance to work with Barry,” says Crow. “He is so gifted, has great taste in production and is the consummate storyteller.”

It’s a tricky story in that there are a lot of characters and a lot of dialogue, Crow says of the original movie. Her challenge was figuring out how to make the story more colorful. “It isn’t anything like writing a record,” says Crow, who released her latest album— the very personal Feels Like Home—in 2013. “It’s more like writing ‘on assignment’; writing what these characters feel, their emotions.”

Changing the Diner menu

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One thing to note about the movie: It really is all about the guys. Its female characters have little screen time. That's where the stage version departs. Crow (and Levinson) really wanted it to put more emphasis on the women in the story -- their emotions, their obstacles, their desire to break out of the "traditional" roles of the time. Martin recalls that when Levinson asked Crow to write the music, she replied, "Not if it's just for guys." Subsequently, female roles were expanded and the characters' internal doubts and frustrations are as integral to the story as the men's. Elyse, whose face you never see in the film, becomes a major character; Beth's plight is realized in more depth; and Barb's story, which is a reflection of modern feminism, is explored.

“Barry was great to let me write from a female point of view," Crow says.

Martin believes the changes are an improvement. “When I heard Sheryl’s music and the voice it gave to the women, I felt like [the show] became even more relevant to a wider audience,” he says. “It really demonstrates the birth of ‘feminism’ before that term was ever used.”

Martin says the music definitely has a “Sheryl Crow flavor” to it. “You can tell she’s written like she would sing. She’s written a great song called ‘Tear Down These Walls,’ sung by a woman who is questioning her marriage, and it’s just riveting.”

Martin says he’d love to hear Crow sing that piece herself, adding, “She really can write a power ballad for a woman.”

Martin describes the set as automated—the diner itself moves —that’s something DTC has never done before.

Indeed, the whole production is “a big _______ deal,” as Vice President Biden might say. For one thing, the budget is $700,000. “Our normal season production budget is approximately $600,000,” says Martin. That, and the presence of Levinson and Crow serve to ratchet up the pressure on the DTC’s executive director.

“It’s a little daunting because of the scale,” he says, “but it’s exciting. We’re trying to make this as close to a Broadway experience as possible. I want [everyone] to say, ‘Wow, they do a great job at DTC.’ I want people to come here and feel like it’s a wonderful place to develop work. That’s the pressure for me.”

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FOCUS

A Different G Independently-owned-and-operated coffee shops are holding their own against the national chains by creating a sense of local identity

By Krista Connor

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or the majority of Americans, the day hasn’t officially begun until a cup or two of coffee jolts us awake. With millions of people stopping on the way to work to grab a morning brew or partaking of an afternoon caffeine fix, this clearly creates demand. One might think this in turn would lead to brutal competition between national chains like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts and independent coffee shops and local chains.

But it appears as if that’s not the case.

In Delaware, at least, the local players seem to be keeping their customers coming in day after day, essentially unaffected by large chains. They’re not simply existing; they’re thriving, thanks to creative strategies and a sense of community that transcend the standard sugary jolt of Joe. ► Local shops continue to expand. Brandywine Coffee Roasters opened in the back of Trolley Square Brew HaHa! in June. Photo Joe del Tufo, Moonloop Photography

DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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via Chef Rudy

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Take Brewed Awakenings, for example. During a recent chilly November afternoon, the modest, warmly-lit space on Newark’s Main Street is a sanctuary from the cold.

Local art hangs from the walls, a student quietly works on homework by a window, and a cluster of young people are engaged in conversation, seated at tables beneath a floor-length shelf of old books.

Surveying the room, owner J.D. Willetts doesn’t appear concerned about the future of local coffee shops. In fact, he smiles and nods in the direction of the group of people hanging out, as if their presence holds an answer. And in a way, it does.

“They work here, but they’re not on the clock—they’re just here to hang out,” he says.

“And I don’t know how true that is at the big chains. But here, we’re a family.”

Willetts ticks off examples of the sense of community Brewed Awakenings enjoys: one customer fixes the shop’s internet for free; another does artwork; someone else takes care of accounting in exchange for a few lattes on the house.

Newark resident Zac Bartosh, who frequents independent coffee shops, agrees that they’re a personal experience, and what keeps him coming back to places like Brewed Awakenings is the welcoming environment. “The advantage of locally-owned coffee shops is much more than just the coffee. The employees know you by name, and have a genuine interest in you as a person,” Bartosh says.

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When Willetts, who worked as a psychologist for 25 years, purchased the coffee shop this past summer, he knew he personally wouldn’t be making any profit from Brewed Awakenings. He brought the shop under his nonprofit Abide Foundation, and from the beginning he has worked fulltime as a volunteer. He also immediately implemented the Community Cup, which is a pay-it-forward option—customers can donate any amount of money toward a future customer’s beverage or meal.

To Ben Cordova, general manager at LOMA Coffee on Market Street in Wilmington, such above-and-beyond methods fall under the heading “passion for people.” Cordova refers to local coffee shops as a “third space” to relax between home and work.

In fact, when Hockessin’s Sycamore Hill Church opened LOMA five years ago, the goal was strictly to serve a need in the community by creating a shared space. He says that’s one reason LOMA is still flourishing, with growing numbers each year.

22 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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“These are environments to come to, have a nice beverage and sandwich, and chat,” says Cordova. “It’s about bringing people together to commune with them. They’re consuming a product, yes, and we’re preparing a product, but together we’re one unit, aiming to encourage and uplift each other.”

Greg Vogeley, owner of Drip Café in Hockessin, has noticed that the community desperately wants a sense of local pride. Like Willetts, who celebrates increased involvement, Vogeley wants to encourage the community’s sense of ownership.

“People really want to have their hometown coffee shop,” Vogeley says. “They still want that to be theirs, to call it ‘mine.’”

Brew HaHa! owner Alisa Morkides stands with the other local shops. Even though she has opened nine New Castle County locations during her 20 years in the business, she emphasizes the importance of tailoring each one to its community. She views Brew HaHa! as a “boutique collection,” and says it will always be a Delaware thing.

“The way we succeed is through local identity,” says Morkides. “It is challenging, because obviously a big chain has so many more economic advantages than we do. But here, it’s all about the people.”

Room for both?

And more and more, “the people” are opting for local, giving the major chains a run for their money, Morkides says. Third wave coffee (a movement focusing on producing high-quality, artisanal coffee) has been on the rise over the last several years, Cordova notes, which has made a huge dent in the market share.

And according to these area shopkeepers, not only are big players not comparable to their cafes, but they’ve never even been a challenge.

“They’re two completely different animals, Starbucks and the local shop,” says Cordova. “I shop at Costco, but I also love shopping at my local neighborhood store. That’s the difference, and there’s room for both. Two Starbucks have opened in the city now, and our business has not been affected.”

Willetts and Vogeley also have seen major chains open near their shops, and they share the same opinion—they’re simply no competition. Willetts says the only thing they have in common is coffee, and from there they diverge.

“If you want to make a lot of money, get a Starbucks. If you want to make a lot of friends, have a coffee shop,” Willetts says.

Somewhat surprisingly, Willetts and Cordova not only respect the business models of chains like Starbucks, but compliment them. Cordova argues that Starbucks paved the way for the thirdwave independent coffee bar scene, and he is grateful.

In fact, Willetts’ son is “working for the big boys” as a Starbucks manager. “He’ll do more business in a week than I’ll do in a month or two, and that’s okay,” says Willetts.

What’s more, Willetts owns stock in Starbucks, not because he’s “rah-rah Starbucks,” but simply because the stock does well.

“To me, that’s not inconsistent at all, because I don’t see them as competition—they’re selling a different product,” he says.

“I think people know where they fit in by now,” Drip Café’s Vogeley says. “If you’re doing your job right as a small business owner, it doesn’t matter what others are doing.”

Willetts says Brewed Awakenings is frequently complimented on its low prices and the “little extra things” that baristas do, like transferring coffee to to-go cups and topping them off. These touches say, “Hey, you’re important,” Willetts says. “I want to keep the quality as high as I can, the cost as low as I can, and have the friendliest people employed.” ►

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Aside from good quality coffee, these shops feature fresh, local, handcrafted food, such as Drip Café’s pancakes and Brewed Awakenings’ customizable salads.

And you just don’t get that at big chains, where food is typically pre-packaged, Willetts says.

Expansion and what’s brewing

The consensus seems to be that local shops are on the rise. Morkides is confident that even more independent coffee shops and roasters – like her Brandywine Coffee Saturday & Sunday 10am-3pm Roasters, which opened at the Trolley Live Music Thursday - Saturday nights Square Brew HaHa! location in June – will Build Your Own Mimosa bar (includes refills) be on the scene in the future. She’s excited about the expansion of the Greenville Brew HaHa!, which will be open by spring or early summer 2016. The current FRESH DELIVERY AVAILABLE! Must be within a 5-mile radius location will move to a larger space in the same shopping center, Powder Mill Square. The new 3,000-square-foot shop feature all coffee-brewing methods, Home Grown Cafe delivers Local will Flavor. have later hours, and serve alcohol.

Fresh, made from scratch food, an amazing Vogeley says Drip Café is wrapping things up for the season with its successful craft beer selection, over 20 wines food by truck, theThe Brunch Box, but look for it be on the streets again in March. glass, unique libations, 4 nights of live tomusic, LOMA’s Cordova is opening his own a whole weekend of brunch, and an amazing coffee bar at 10th and Market streets in Citizens Bank Building lobby. Called staff are a few of the things that makethe Home Coffee Mode, it’ll open between Christmas January, and will feature “over-theGrown Cafe stand out. HGC’s in houseandpastry top, freshly prepared coffee” with a highchef creates desserts “Quality.also Price. Service.

Since 1934”phenomenal end New York-style feel. Cordova will continue managing LOMA including a few vegan and gluten Willetts freesays he’s openasforwell. a Brewed selections. Stop by for a great time Awakenings’ today! expansion, but there is nothing planned right now. In the meantime, the shop is hosting Thursday night open mics each week until 10 p.m. A board game night also is in the works.

From Delivering Office Luncheons to Full-Service Parties to In-Store Pickup Brewed Awakenings will be closed for a week between Christmas and New Year’s Day to get freshly-painted walls, and customers and staff are volunteering their time alongside Willetts to help out, while enjoying some free coffee.

“It’ll be a fun time,” says Willetts. “Just Full menu and prices available online people who care about the shop doing stuff ChocolateWaterfall.com | Bachettis.com together.” Which is the essence of local 302.994.4467 | 4723 Kirkwood Hwy. Midway Plaza coffee shops.

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WHAT’S BREWING AROUND THE WORLD

By Krista Connor

C

offee is served and sipped around the world in a variety of creative ways, from the intriguing (with cheese curds in Finland) to the practical (Japan’s canned brew). Here’s a global guide to both familiar and little-known styles and traditions associated with this popular beverage:

BAKKIE TROOST: Translating to a “cup of comfort,” this Dutch coffee typically comes black and is served alongside a single spice cookie. When in the Netherlands, it’s important to know your terminology: a bruine kroeg (brown cafe) is a pub-like bar; a koffieshop (coffee shop) is one of Amsterdam’s infamous places to get marijuana; a koffiehuis will sell coffee and light meals, and a café is similar to a restaurant with a bar. Coffee is available at all of them.

BUNA: From the birthplace of coffee, this Ethiopian beverage is traditionally served with salt or butter. If you’re invited into someone’s home for an elaborate coffee ceremony, a tradition often lasting up to two hours, it’s best to keep drinking until you’ve had a third cup, which is considered a blessing.

CAFEZINHO: Meaning “a little coffee” in Portuguese, this Brazilian national brew is filtered through a cloth strainer and often served in small plastic or china cups, and is very sweet and strong. Brazil produces almost a third of all the world’s coffee beans, which may be why a cafezinho often is complimentary at the end of a meal in Brazilian restaurants.

CAFÉ DE OLLA: This spiced Mexican coffee is brewed in an earthenware pot with cinnamon sticks. If you order a cup, don’t add sugar; the coffee comes presweetened with piloncillo— unrefined dark brown sugar.

CAFÉ AU LAIT: This popular French morning coffee is made with added hot milk. Croissants or baguettes often accompany the drink, which is why many cups are wide-rimmed, for dunking.

26 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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ESPRESSO: A perfect cup of Italy’s legendary coffee drink is layered on top with caramel-colored crema, thick enough to hold a spoonful of sugar for a few seconds before breaking. When in Italy, make sure you down your espresso in one gulp while standing at the bar. If you grab a table, you’ll have to pay up to four times more. Also, don’t even think about ordering a cappuccino—an espresso with milk and froth—late in the day.

IRISH COFFEE: This classic after-dinner drink is served in a stemmed whiskey goblet with hot coffee, sugar, Irish whiskey and a scoop of thick cream. The layer of cream will float on the surface without mixing—the coffee is meant to be drunk through the layer. This coffee style was created by Chef Joseph Sheridan in the 1940s to warm up tired travelers.

KAAPI: This South Indian coffee, also known as Indian filter coffee, is brewed with chicory, and includes a layer of foam that’s formed during the cool-down process. In India, it’s customary to offer a cup of coffee to any visitor.

KAFFEOST: This Finnish dish and drink is made by dunking chunks of leipäjuusto, a cheese curd from cow or reindeer milk with a caramelized crust that makes it look like bread, into a cup of black coffee, fishing it out, then drinking what remains. A rural treat, it’s more often made at home than purchased at a café.

KAHWA: This Saudi Arabian staple, a bitter, cardamom-flavored coffee, is almost always offered with sweet snacks or desserts like dates, which counter the bitterness of the coffee. Kahwa is poured in very small cups because it’s typically served boiling hot, and larger portions would take too long to cool. Traditionally, a younger person is expected to pour coffee for elders.

TÜRK KAHVESI: An unfiltered Turkish coffee, this brew has a long and rich history dating back to the 15th century. A proverb sums it up: “Coffee should be black as hell, strong as death, and sweet as love.” A thick sludge forms at the bottom of the cup once you’re down to the final sips; it’s best to avoid it.

KAN KOHI: This Japanese canned coffee was introduced in 1969, and is found in most grocery stores and vending machines. It’s dispensed hot in the winter and cold in the summer. However, watch your manners—don’t drink it just anywhere. Eating or drinking on Japanese subways is considered impolite.

DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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JUNE 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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Go-To Holiday Shopping Destinations

FOCUS

Suggestions from our staff and contributors WILMINGTON ARTS Give a unique “locally-grown” gift and support artists in your community! Think CDs of “provocative pairings” from Mélomanie; early music from Brandywine Baroque; new releases from singer-songwriter Jessica Graae or “dork-rock” duo HOT BREAKFAST! Grab tickets to “Carols in Color” (Christina Cultural Arts Center), Love’s Labour’s Lost (City Theater Company) or Diner (Delaware Theatre Company).

— Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald, Contributing Writer

GROOVES AND TUBES Vinyl is back, and if you don’t believe it just ask my kids. Both have conned me into a visit to Grooves And Tubes, a vintage electronics shop in Centreville, where owner Gerald Young has an impressive collection of used receivers, turntables, speakers, LPs and 45s. The prices are reasonable, he takes trade-ins, and now my kids are experiencing the magic of buying albums and listening to the inimitable sound of needle on vinyl. For me, it’s a satisfying trip down memory lane. 5716 Kennett Pike, Bldg. C, Frederick’s Country Center, Centreville; 652-3140.

— Jerry duPhily, Publisher

EUNICE LAFATE ART Jamaican-born folk artist Eunice LaFate, a 2014 recipient of the Governor’s Arts Award, has opened a new gallery in the 200 block of Market Street. The compact but attractive gallery features her colorful, vibrant art, including her oils and watercolors, which capture a variety of Caribbean and American scenes. She also sells some prints and notecard versions of her art. LaFate Gallery, 227 N. Market St., Wilmington; 656-6786.

— Mark Fields, Movie Reviewer

GRASSROOTS For the females on your gift list, you can’t go wrong with Grassroots, which has a North Wilmington popup shop on Marsh Road near Branmar Plaza, as well as a larger Main Street shop in Newark. Both have unique, hand-crafted, guaranteed-to-please clothing, jewelry and clever niche gifts. The store has a cool vibe with lots of local artists represented.

93 E. Main St., Newark; 453-9751.

— Suggested by both Julie Miro Wenger, Principal, Event Allies, and Joe del Tufo, Contributing Photographer

THE WINE & SPIRIT COMPANY OF GREENVILLE My go-to gift for most people in my family is a bottle of their favorite booze or something I think they might like to try. Usually this means a nice wine or a large format bottle of craft beer. This is where The Wine & Spirit Company of Greenville comes in; their staff are experts on wine and beer and do an excellent job selecting something.

Usually they just ask, “What kind of wine do they like?” and then take it from there. 4025 Kennett Pike, Greenville; 658-9463.

— Tyler Mitchell, Graphic Designer

HAGLEY MUSEUM STORE Located on the grounds of the museum next to the pedestrian entrance to the museum, the shop offers a variety of craft, decorative, historical and technologically themed items that includes books, toys, kits, decorative, educational games and household objects, whirligigs, utensils, candles, etc. 200 Hagley Creek Rd., Wilmington; 658-2400, ext. 274.

— Les Kipp, Contributing Photographer DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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FOCUS GO-TO HOLIDAY SHOPPING DESTINATIONS continued from page 29

FRANK’S WINE Every year, I need to locate last-minute holiday gifts, and every year, I pop into Frank’s Wine on North Union Street. The diverse collection of wines, spirits and beers allows me to shop for a variety of friends and family. Frank’s even offers a growler bar for when I want to treat myself. 1206 N. Union St., Wilmington; (800) 283-7265.

— Matt Loeb, Creative Director & Production Manager

SHOP MAMIE This boutique located at the corner of Gilpin Avenue and Union Street is a great option for gifts for the ladies on your holiday shopping list. They sell cute, trendy, affordable clothes and accessories—everything in the store is under $100. And the women who work there are always friendly and helpful. 942 Gilpin Ave., Wilmington; 655-1686; shopmamie.com.

— Marie Graham, Director of Digital Media

RAINBOW BOOKS & MUSIC Some of the most wonderful things on earth are reading and listening to music, and at downtown Newark’s Rainbow Books & Music on Main Street, I always find the best of both. The independently-owned shop features brand new albums, CDs, cassettes and books, perfect for your holiday gift stop. And if your giftee is more into vintage albums or the look of older novels with their classic charm, used options are available as well.

— Krista Connor, Associate Editor

THE GARDEN SHOP AT LONGWOOD GARDENS As anyone who has ever visited the one-time du Pont estate knows, Longwood Gardens offers plenty of wonders for the senses. Likewise, its Garden Shop, while not large, covers a lot of area in terms of gift ideas. Young nature lovers might enjoy playing with the two-way bug viewer or high-end coloring books, while older gift-getters will appreciate the selection of live seasonal plants and gardening resources. My pick this year: The Drunken Botanist: The Plants That Create the World’s Great Drinks. I know plenty of folks who will appreciate the gesture.

1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square. Pa.; (610) 388-1000.

— Jim Miller, Director of Publications

JANSSEN’S MARKET The aisles are full of gifts that any foodie would love to get in his or her Christmas stocking: top-notch olive oils and vinegars, intriguing spice rubs, locally-made gourmet gems like pickles from Crisp & Co. (recently featured in Bon Appetite magazine). I love getting things at the holidays that I wouldn’t necessarily buy for myself (truffle mustard?), but have always wanted to try, and Janssen’s is full of them.

3801 Kennett Pike, Wilmington; 654-9941.

— Matt Sullivan, Contributing Writer

NINTH STREET BOOK SHOP I prefer bookstores that are staffed by readers and not distracted teenagers, so I usually find my way to Ninth Street Book Shop. Gemma and Jack Buckley provide excellent service for their customers, many of whom are regulars. They are always quick with a thoughtful suggestion. 730 N. Market St., Wilmington; 652-3315.

— Mark Fields, Movie Reviewer

BELLEFONTE You never know what you’ll find, but there’s always something on Brandywine Boulevard to fit your budget. For art work, try Bellefonte Arts, then head to Bellefonte Vintage for antiques, home accents, jewelry and accessories. Cross over to Eclectica for funky jewelry and an ever-changing array of amusing and uplifting accessories for your home. Tired of shopping? Enjoy a leisurely—and healthy—lunch at the Bellefonte Cafe.

— Larry Nagengast, Contributing Writer

TRAIL CREEK OUTFITTERS For high-quality outdoor gear, most people know about the big brands like REI and EMS. But my go-to is Trail Creek Outfitters in Glen Mills. I love to buy local, but not if it’s costly or lacking in selection; neither is the case at Trail Creek. The store also has a stellar track record of being involved in the local outdoor community. Glen Eagle Square, Glen Mills, Pa.; trailcreekoutfitters.com.

— Allan McKinley, Contributing Writer DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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BOOTHS CORNER FARMERS MARKET This eclectic collection of shops and stores offers a cornucopia of food, crafts, clothes, toys, trinkets, furniture, collectibles, a few antiques, some items that can only be described as junk, and much more. Open only on Fridays and Saturdays, its narrow aisles are sure to be crowded during the holidays, but everyone is friendly, and dealing with the occasional human traffic jam is well worth the experience. 1362 Naamans Creek Rd., Garnet Valley, Pa.; (610) 485-0775.

— Bob Yearick, Contributing Editor

THE PALETTE & THE PAGE Located at 120 E. Main St., Elkton, Md., this is my go-to shop. It specializes in artists from the tri-state area and has a wide variety of interesting and unusual works. You can find calligraphy, jewelry, glass, clay, textiles and wood. Paintings

by Geraldine McKeown and charcoal art work by Patti Paulus are some of the highlights. December will feature two artists in the Exhibit Gallery: Brad Hagamayer is a ceramicist specializing in animals like bears, fish and octopuses, and Mary Lou Griffin is a pastel artist known for her unique abstracts and landscapes. (410) 398-3636.

— John Murray, Contributing Writer

FINE FOOD MAKES A FABULOUS GIFT This holiday, surprise everyone on your list with something special from Janssen’s Market.

From unique cheeses and gourmet fare to delicious bakery treats, we have something for everyone!

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DEEP MUSCLE THERAPY CENTER If you’re looking to give a gift that will not only make someone very happy but is going to help their physical and emotional wellbeing, look no further than Deep Muscle Therapy Center. I recently had a massage by Tom and can tell you that it was wonderful. His knowledge and expertise allow him to really focus on what the client needs and truly helps you feel better. During this holiday season, if you purchase a gift card at dmtcmassage.com you will receive a discount. 5700 Kirkwood Highway, Suite 206.

— Kelly Loeb, Account Manager, Catalyst Visuals, LLC

ONE-OF-A-KIND CRAFTMANSHIP For those looking for unique gifts, Creations Gallery in Hockessin offers an array of one-of-a-kind, wooden craft goods such as natural-wood picture frames, natural-edge vessels and bubinga desk boxes 443 Hockessin Corner, Hockessin; 235-2310). For those with a larger budget and perhaps more particular needs, local woodworker Jim Buckley of JKB Design (who admittedly is a friend of mine) creates custom wood furniture specific to your home’s needs (jbuckley.net).

— Jim Miller, Director of Publications

32 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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FOCUS

Fabrizio Salon and Spa makeup artist Cody Wood working his magic in the salon’s private makeup and bridal loft.

‘Tis the Season for a Spa Session Follow these suggestions to ‘de-stress, detox and get into the holiday spirit’

By Pam George

A

Photos by Joe del Tufo

lthough one of the busiest months of the year, December is actually an ideal time to schedule a spa treatment. A cold snap and dry indoor heat can make skin look drab and flaky, which is a problem if your December weekends are booked with holiday parties. Meanwhile, the stress of juggling shopping, decorating, and celebrating can take a toll on even the merriest disposition. Here are several ways you can de-stress, detox and get into the holiday spirit. ► DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM NOVEMBER

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To plump up skin for a youthful look, head to the sumptuous Spa at Montchanin Village, situated on the same picturesque grounds as the Inn at Montchanin Village.

The spa recently began offering the HydraFacial, featuring products by Darphin, a French line that dates back to 1958. The proprietary facial includes cleansing, exfoliation, extractions, and hydration. You can build onto the facial by adding an antiaging treatment and lymphatic drainage (treatments that promote removal of waste from the body’s tissues).

“There’s no redness and no downtime,” says Rebecca Enrico, spa manager. “You can leave here, go out, and have photos taken.” (The spa also has a large space for couples’ treatments and spa parties, so bring your friends.)

At Via Medical Day Spa near Trolley Square, owner Terri Dominick Graves recently added paraffin facials to the spa menu. Warm paraffin wax heats up the blood vessels to boost circulation, she says, adding, “This helps tighten your skin.” It also opens pores to help naturally loosen dirt. “Whiteheads and blackheads are effectively removed,” she says. The treatment also includes a moisturizing step. The result, according to Graves: “Your skin looks softer and smother after an intensive paraffin facial session.”

Buff and brighten

Unless you have rosacea, which causes redness and small bumps, you can also go from the spa to a celebration after experiencing a micro-phototherapy at Videll’s Day Spa in Trolley Square. The treatment softens lines and helps fade age spots. It also improves the skin’s texture.

“It’s not like Botox,” says Videll W. Long.

“There’s no invasion of the skin. You’re not putting anything into your system. Males and females have this service done.”

Sherif Zaki Salon & Oasis Day Spa in Greenville this season is offering the Holiday Luminating Facial. “It visibly improves luminosity, skin tone, and texture,” says Manager Emon Zaki.

Ingredients are designed to minimize redness, reduce the appearance of age spots, and combat pigmentation (color variations in the skin). “It leaves the skin immediately brighter, softer and illuminated,” Zaki says.

34 DECEMBER OCTOBER 2015 36 2015 | | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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Take time for yourself

Fabrizio esthetician Tina Mauro Golt pampers a customer with a diamond microdermabrasion treatment in the second-floor urban retreat spa.

Linda Yenshaw of Faces First Day Spa in Wilmington offers the Ayurvedic “modern miracle” facial. During the treatment, she massages pressure points on the head and face to promote drainage and help create a more “uplifting appearance,” she says.

“It’s extremely relaxing and perfect on the morning of a special occasion event, because the results make you look as though you just had a facelift. The afterglow will last for days.”

With shopping, baking and carting kids to events, time can be at a minimum. (Of course, that’s not uncommon at any time of the year.) For the time-strapped, Salon 828 in Wilmington features mini-skin treatments that are $35 for 30 minutes. “It’s all business with big results,” says owner Holly Grist. “Each treatment is targeted to your own specific needs. Acne, aging, dryness— whatever it is that your skin needs, we’ve got you covered.”

Pagave Salon & Spa in North Wilmington features mini versions of some of its most popular body treatments, including the Phyto Scalp Treatment and massages for the back, neck, shoulders, arms, hands and feet. The spa also does neuromuscular proprioceptive taping, also known as Kinesio or “rock taping.” Using latex-free tape, the spa professional will wrap areas that have joint or chronic pain to improve blood circulation and encourage good posture.

The mini-treatment version involves one area.

Express facials and half-hour Swedish massage are available at the spa at Michael Christopher in Wilmington. Those on a tight schedule in Middletown can slip into Ecco Centric Salon & Spa, which offers mini pedicures and a polish-only service for hands or feet.

In addition to offering an array of massage options ranging from deep-tissue to hot stone, Sanctuary in Newark provides nontraditional services such as acupuncture, Reiki and yoga. Along with these body treatments, this self-described healing center also focuses on the mind and spirit in its holistic approach. ►

DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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Fabrizio offers everything from makeup application to false eyelashes.

Warm up

Heat is a common element of many treatments—and it’s a welcome one at this time of year. At Videll’s Day Spa, clients lie on a massage table—face up or face down—with a canopy covering their bodies. The heat stays trapped underneath the canopy to open the pores, theoretically ridding the body of toxins, and helps break down the fat in cellulite, which the body then naturally removes, Long says.

The treatment can soothe the pain from chronic injuries. “It’s also great for people who get cold in the winter months and can’t thaw out,’” Long says.

Go glam

From the office party to New Year’s Eve, it’s the season to pull out all the stops. At Fabrizio Salon & Spa in Trolley Square, you can get everything from makeup applications to false eyelashes that stay on for up to two weeks.

Eyelash extensions are one of the hottest services on the market, says Graves of Via Medical Day Spa. Holly Grist of Salon 828 agrees.

“Lash extensions are a glamorous new way to extend the length and thickness of natural eyelashes,” Grist says. “They are a practical, convenient and a beautiful alternative to the daily use of mascara.”

(There are synthetic, silk and mink extensions.)

Because the artificial lash is carefully bonded to a single natural lash, the lashes last until your real eyelashes naturally grow and fall out. Get them early in the month to last through the party season.

The application process takes time, so plan accordingly. But fans say it’s worth it. “The final result is difficult to detect even close up,” Grist says.

Prepping for parties also involves a good manicure and pedicure, which makes Robin Glanden a big fan of Trilogy Salon & Day Spa in Newark. “Absolute perfection every time,” Glanden says. The staff is adept at handling manicure emergencies, such as a broken nail, she adds.

Treat your teen

Since it’s a season of giving, take your teen to Salon 828 for treatments designed for all the standard complexion woes, from oily skin to acne. The facial includes a deep cleanse, exfoliation, and masque. At $40 each, it doesn’t break the bank, Grist notes.

Currie Hair Skin Nails, with locations on the Wilmington Riverfront as well as in nearby Glen Mills and Kennett Square, offers treatments that target the chest and back—frequent problem areas for teens (and many adults as well). Services also include a pre-teen makeup instruction, with brow shaping.

Wash away 2015

Along with making resolutions, take time to regroup by adding the LotusWei Flower Alchemy Ritual to any massage at Sanctuary Spa in North Wilmington. A blend of scents from flowers, the treatment promises to rid you of “negative, internal thoughts and inspire your own inner calm.”

If one of your resolutions is to save money, you can start before the clock hits midnight on Dec. 31. New Beginnings Spa at Dawn Career Institute, located in Wilmington, offers services at a reduced fee if you schedule a service with a student. (The staff oversees the services.) Call to see how you can experience beauty on a budget.

36 OCTOBER 38 DECEMBER2015 2015 | | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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EAT

The 18-seat eatery features fresh pastries, crepes, and robust coffee.

Forty Acres Gets A French Twist De La Coeur takes over the former Fresh Thymes location

By Rob Kalesse Photos by Joe del Tufo

T

he little café on the corner of Lovering Avenue and Lincoln Street in Wilmington recently acquired some new tenants. Called De La Coeur, this French-inspired spot, whose moniker translates to “From The Heart,” offers fresh pastries, homemade crepes, and robust coffee for lunch and dinner.

Open Wednesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., De La Coeur is the brainchild of Gretchen Brizendine and fiancé Alex Sianni. Together, the two decided to enter into a lease for the 18seat eatery when the former owners of Fresh Thymes decided to close up shop in September.

“We had been going to Fresh Thymes for years, and Jenn and Jane (Adams) had become friends,” says Brizendine. “When they mentioned that they were closing and heading to Costa Rica, we were saddened, but Alex immediately saw an opportunity.”

According to the 24-year-old Brizendine, Sianni nearly made an agreement to start their business on the spot, and called her to share the news. “He told me to put in my two weeks [notice], because we were buying a restaurant. He knows that’s always been my dream, and I was 100 percent for it,” says Brizendine.

Brizendine, who had been working at Market Street’s La Fia bistro as a baker, needed to figure out some particulars first, paramount among them being how she would acquire the funds to buy the restaurant. But her business plan was already in place.

A graduate of the University of Delaware’s Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management program, Brizendine had written a restaurant business plan as part of her UD course work. Since she had the outline already written for a place she always wanted to call “De La Coeur,” things moved quickly. ►

DECEMBER OCTOBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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Crépe with mixed berries and cinnamon cream cheese is a star of the menu.

“Within a few weeks, we were here working alongside Jenn and Jane, and starting to make things our own,” says Brizendine.

“We did some painting, changed the décor a little, and they closed on Sept. 18. We opened Oct. 10 and the neighborhood has really welcomed us with open arms.”

Despite Brizendine’s young age for a restaurateur, she and Sianni, 35, have plenty of experience. Brizendine served an internship for one of Delaware’s most celebrated chefs, Dana Herbert, and Sianni has managed restaurants in London and Greece.

While their menu features a French influence, with éclairs, croissants and omelets, Brizendine also wants to provide food “people are familiar with.” She also says she’s committed to providing customers with mostly local and organic goods.

“We work with the same suppliers that Fresh Thymes used, like Powers Farm in Townsend for our eggs and Against The Grain Farm [formerly Bayberry Farms] for a lot of our produce,” says Brizendine. “We also kept one item from the Fresh Thymes menu, since we don’t offer as many vegetarian options as they did.”

That item is the Heartwarmer ($7), a warm mix of quinoa millet, apples, bananas, nuts, maple syrup and cinnamon. Another item that jumps off the menu is the Espresso in a Cookie Cup ($4), which Brizendine describes as a “four-bite treat” that has been a hit with customers.

“I got the idea from a TV show where they used the bottom of an ice cream cone as a sort of edible cup for a drink,” says Brizendine. “I take shortbread mix and bake it in a muffin tin, then coat the inside with chocolate. It melts as the espresso is poured in and makes for a sweet coffee drink.”

42 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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Spicy garlic stir fry with chicken is a popular Honeygrow dish.

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New owners Gretchen Brizendine and fiancé Alex Sianni have plenty of experience in the restaurant business.

According to Sianni, just about all the menu items and corresponding recipes belong to Brizendine. “The kitchen is her domain, but I’m the best pot-washer in the city,” he says. “I think the overwhelmingly good response we’ve gotten from customers is a testament to her talent in the kitchen. We’ve been slammed, especially on weekends.”

Woody Dries, a property development manager for Dewson Construction, helped facilitate the lease with Brizendine and Sianni. The Forty Acres resident, who walks to De La Coeur for breakfast several times a week, says the restaurant is in good hands.

“They came off as young and energetic but with a lot of restaurant experience and an impressive resumé,” says Dries. “Also, their sense of the menu they would offer—French cuisine and light fare—made sense for the area. They’re a great fit.”

The new owners may be focused on “light fare,” but they already have tried their hands at entertaining a dinner crowd.

Once a month, they’re serving five-course dinners for one seating on a pre-determined Friday night. The $80 prix-fix meal kicked off in November with a menu that featured fall items like butternut squash, pork chop with sweet potato puree, and pumpkin doughnuts. It attracted 16 guests.

“We didn’t fully sell out, but we didn’t really advertise and still managed to just about fill the place,” says Brizendine. “I think that’s a positive sign for us, and we have dinners scheduled through June of next year.”

Reservations can be made by calling 660-7178 or going to delacoeurcafe.com. De La Coeur also will be selling homemade pastries and pies to customers for upcoming holiday parties.

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44 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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COFFEE AS INGREDIENT The Arabica bean, in particular, helps chefs create more diverse flavors

By Chef Robert Lhulier

V

irtually every country has its own form of coffee history, traditions, service customs and idiosyncrasies. One of the world’s most beloved and most consumed non-alcoholic beverages (along with water and tea) is rooted in the cultures of every continent. From out of huts and into the monasteries and later the social gathering places of cafes in the civilized world, the beverage is now having a new moment: coffee as ingredient.

While there are many interpretations of when coffee first emerged in society, it is thought that in the 15th century in Ethiopia a monk noticed his goats eating the berries of the plant, after which they began “buzzing” about. Out of curiosity, he took the berries back to the monastery to tinker with them, and coffee was born. While the tale may or may not be true, coffee nevertheless eventually spread to the Middle East, Persia and the Horn of Africa before moving to the Balkans, Eastern, then Western Europe, and finally the Americas.

As the culinary world looks for its next darling ingredient, coffee has emerged beyond the fad phase and is settling in as a trend in the ongoing desire for chefs to create more diverse flavors. As a cook, it’s not hard to see the connection from exploring the uses of coffee in cooking. What glorious flavors arise from my steaming cup must certainly also make for a soulenhancing seasoning, right?

There are flavors people commonly think of when identifying food sensations, such as the usual sweet, salty, bitter and sour; but in The Elements of Taste, by Chef Gray Kunz and Peter Kaminsky, those four basics are expanded to include floral, herbal, spiced, aromatic, funky and bulby, among others, for a total of 14. Their categories include “tastes that push,” or heighten the other flavors in a dish (salty, sweet and picante), and "tastes that punctuate" (sharp, bitter flavors like that of horseradish). ► DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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EAT COFFEE AS INGREDIENT continued from previous page

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It is not unlike the diverse vocabulary established by oenophiles to vocalize the various nuances they experience when tasting wine. And like the oyster, while there are only five varieties in the world, each area an oyster is harvested from is like the “terroir” or soil associated with land crops, as in coffee crops or vineyards. What the roaster does with it afterward is where the artistry and style comes into play.

The perfect bean to drink and cook with if low bitterness is desired is the Arabica bean, from North Africa. Cultivated at 1,300 and 1,700 meters above sea level, the extremes of super-hot days and super-cold nights allow for a far more sophisticated flavor than beans that produce the big, bitter smack of a standard cup of Joe. Arabica beans possess the intensity of flavor people desire in Italian espresso.

Similar short, concentrated brews are also favored in diverse cultures such as France, Turkey, Greece and Peru. When coffee is roasted to a balanced perfection, bitterness is less noticeable and more integrated so that subtleties such as smoke, cocoa, cherry and toasted grains can provide a sensuous experience to the drinker.

When I first heard of using coffee in a recipe, it seemed like a bad idea to me. Coffee can be bitter. Why would I deliberately add bitterness to food? With sweets like chocolate, it’s a natural, but would it work for savory? It stood to reason that using the Arabica with its low-bitterness factor would be no different than choosing a particular spice or butter for its desired qualities. And so a coffee bean as an artisanal ingredient makes perfect sense.

In a beef stew, a 4-oz. shot of Arabica can add a layer of flavor in a way that is as mysterious as using the ubiquitous bay leaf. What does that thing do, anyway? A wise chef once told me, “The bay leaf is like a cello in the symphony; you only notice when it’s not there.” Smoky roasts and ribs, barbecue marinades and spice-based soups and stews can all benefit from a blast of good quality java.

But a word of caution to those who care to venture into cooking sweet or savory dishes with coffee: Unlike the alcohol that cooks out in wine or liqueurs, caffeine remains. Use it sparingly; otherwise you may find yourself buzzing around in the pasture or backyard after dinner.

Check Chef Robert Lhulier’s new website: Lhulier.com.

46 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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CHANGES AT DEEP BLUE Restaurant gets new name and menu

FOOD NOTES Tasty things worth knowing

CHESAPEAKE & MAINE TO DEBUT IN FEBRUARY Dogfish Head owners bring new restaurant to Rehoboth

I

n February, Rehoboth will have a new seafood restaurant, Chesapeake & Maine, in place of the former Finbar Pub & Grill, on Rehoboth Avenue. The team at Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, which is located right next door, will manage the new venture.

The restaurant is inspired by Dogfish founder Sam Calagione’s childhood summers in Dogfish Head, Maine. The dinner-only restaurant, open from 4-10 p.m., will feature New England cuisine like Maine lobster. The restaurant will have a maritime theme, including oyster shell chandeliers and porthole windows.

In the meantime, the Dogfish brewpub next door will undergo a $4 million renovation. Dogfish Head will tear down the two-decade old establishment to create a new eatery, which includes an outdoor courtyard. Completion dates are TBA, although the brewpub will remain open during construction, which will be done in two stages.

W

ilmington seafood restaurant Deep Blue Bar & Grill closed last month for renovations, but owner Dan Butler expects to reopen Dec. 1. Changes include a new name, which had yet to be announced at O&A press time.

Butler, who also owns Piccolina Toscana in Trolley Square, opened Deep Blue more than 16 years ago. The new theme will include a casual steakhouse focus, with an expanded bar area and televisions—16 of them. Cocktails, wine and 16 craft beers on tap will be available, along with additional bottled options. Gourmet burgers, pasta dishes, and seafood will be on the menu, with a focus on steak.

“It’s a modern American restaurant with really terrific steaks,” says Butler.

An expanded dining room is part of the changes, and there will be a 1,000-squarefoot space for private dining for groups of up to 60.

“One thing we learned from Deep Blue —we don’t want to exclude anyone, like non-fish eaters, for example,” says Butler.

“So the new place will be more inclusive.”

AT T H E Q U E E N

SATURDAY AT 3PM

TICKETS AT WORLDCAFELIVE.COM

NEW CREOLE EATERY NorthQuarter brings deep South cuisine to Union Street

P

reviously a catering company, NorthQuarter Creole opened at the end of November as its own eatery, featuring deep South cuisine like Cajun and Creole.

The restaurant, headed up by Chef Michael Goodwin, was inspired by his grandmother’s cooking. As a child he helped her prepare meals, which were typically southern-style comfort foods like chicken and dumplings.

As he grew older he began to perfect her recipes—which he still makes today, some of which are featured on the NorthQuarter menu.

Goodwin brings more than 20 years of catering and cooking experience to the table.

Located at 837 N. Union St. in Wilmington, the restaurant serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 4-9 p.m. Call 6917890 for reservations.

500 N MARKET ST. WILMINGTON, DE 302.994.1400 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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AFFORDABLE LUXURY A PA R T M E N T S D O W N T O W N

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village.residemkt.com | msv@residemkt.com | 302.607.7488 Leasing Office: 5 East 9th Street, Wilmington, DE 48 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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11/22/15 1:39 PM

Get full details for hundreds of events going on around town!

inWilmingtonDE.com

JULY 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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CITY OF WILMINGTON

On the Town

Janis Fitch at Station Gallery.

THE WILMINGTON ART LOOP FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 5 - 9 p.m.

cityfestwilm.com/artloopwilmington

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO THE ART LOOP. STEP 1: Select exhibitions that interest you.

STEP 2: Map out your choices and select transportation. You may want to walk, drive or take the downtown DART Trolley. A limited number of seats are available on the Art Loop shuttle. Please reserve your seat by calling

cityfest

302.576.2100 or email artloop@WilmingtonDE.gov.

STEP 3: Meet local and regional artists while enjoying

ALSO IN THIS SECTION:

the newest exhibitions to open in Wilmington and the

This Month at Theatre N

STEP 4: Enjoy one of Wilmington’s excellent restaraunt

Redevelopement of Harper Thiel Site

section of inwilmingtonde.com.

Shop Downtown Wilmington 50 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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surrounding areas.

or nightlife locations. Please visit the food and drink

STEP 5: Repeat the first Friday of every month!

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11/22/15 1:41 PM

THE WILMINGTON ART LOOP

For more details log on/check out: cityfestwilm.com/artloopwilmington

THIS MONTH’S PARTICIPATING VENUES DOWNTOWN LOOP Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts 200 S. Madison Street • Wilmington, DE 302.656.6466 • thedcca.org Featured Artists: William Lamson & Willie Birch Extreme Pizza 201 N Market Street • Wilmington, DE extremepizza.com Featured Artist: Eunice LaFate Film Brothers Movie Co-Op 205 N. Market Street • Wilmington, DE www.filmbrothers.com Featured Artist: Charlie Rose Sweets

Gallery 801 801 N. West Street • Wilmington, DE connectionscsp.com Featured Artist: Knicoma Frederick THE WEST END LOOP The 3rd Place 801 N. West Street • Wilmington, DE connectionscsp.com Featured Artists: Group Show The Howard Pyle Studio 1305 N. Franklin Street • Wilmington, DE 610.644.5440 • howardpylestudio.org Featured Artist: Roe Murray

LaFate Gallery 227 N. Market Street • Wilmington, DE lafategallery.com Featured Artist: Eunice LaFate

Blue Streak Gallery 1721 Delaware Avenue • Wilmington, DE 302.529.0506 Featured Artists: Kevin P. Coogan; Maggi Debaecke, Pam Levin, Maxine Rosenthal, and Susan Schulz,

LOMA Coffee 239 N. Market Street • Wilmington, DE 302.893.2000 • lomacoffee.com Featured Artists: UrbanPromise Academy students

Blue Streak Gallery @ Fit Fitness 62 Rockford Road • Wilmington, DE 302.429.0506 Featured Artist: Michael Gunselman

Christina Cultural Arts Center 705 N. Market Street • Wilmington, DE 302.690.8092 • ccade.org Featured Artist: Milton Downing

Station Gallery 3922 Kennett Pike • Greenville, DE 302.654.8638 • stationgallery.net Featured Artists: Anna Biggs, Frank DePietro, Marjorie Egee, Janis Fitch, Michele Green, Ann Guidera-Matey, Estelle Lukoff, George Martz, Laura McMillan, Fran Miller, Sylvia Naylor, Barbara Straussberg, Minori Thorpe.

Spaceboy Clothing 711 North Market Street Wilmington, DE • 302.743.0937 spaceboyclothing.com Featured Artists: New Wilmington Art Association artists Poppycock Tattoo 115 W 8th Street • Wilmington, DE poppycocktattoo.com Featured Artists: Tina Marabito, Eric Hendrickson, Dave Mele and Jeff Madonna Levitea 228 W. 9th St • Wilmington, DE leviteawilmilngton.com Featured Artist: Jimmy McGlone Redding Gallery 800 N. French Street • Wilmington, DE 302.576.2135 Featured Artists: Carl Bailey and Ken Carley Mezzanine Gallery 820 N. French Street • Wilmington, DE artsdel.org Featured Artist: Robert Bickey

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Manning Gallery 101 Stone Block Row, Breck’s Mill, 2nd Floor Greenville, DE 302.652.0271 • www.somervillemanning.com Featured Artists: Greg Mort, Jon Mort. Greg and Jon Mort.

NORTH WILMINGTON LOOP Colourworks Photo/Art Space 1902 Superfine Lane • Wilmington, DE colourworks.com Featured Artists: Group Show North Wilmington Library Branch 3400 N. Market Street • Wilmington, DE wilmington.lib.de.us Featured Artist: Florence Collins-Hardy Bellefonte Arts 803 Brandywine Boulevard • Bellefonte, DE 302.762.4278 • bellefontearts.com Featured Artists: Group Show Artopia 903 Brandywine Blvd • Bellefonte, DE 302.762.7878 • artopiaboutique.com Featured Artist: Patricia Stout DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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Theatre N at Nemours

theatren.org

PRICES: $8 | general admission $6 | seniors and children

*Theatre N reserves the right to change the film schedule at any time. Please visit our website at www.theatren.org for the most up to date information for all film and events at Theatre N.

302.576.2565 Monday - Friday

1007 N. Orange Street Wilmington, DE 19801

302.571.4075 Nights & Weekends theatren.org THE WONDERS

NR | 1 hr 50 mins | December 4-10 Fri. 1pm, 7pm | Sat. 4pm | Sun. 1pm, 7pm Tues. 4pm | Thurs. 7pm Italian with English subtitles The dynamic of their overcrowded household is disrupted by the simultaneous arrival of a silently troubled teenaged boy taken in as a farmhand and a reality TV show (featuring a host played by Monica Bellucci) intent on showcasing the family. Both intrusions are of particular interest to the eldest daughter, Gelsomina (Maria Alexandra Lungu), who is struggling to find her footing in the world.

JAFAR PANAHI’S TAXI

NR | 1 hr 22 mins | December 4-10 Fri. 4pm, 10pm | Sat. 1pm | Sun. 4pm Tues. 7pm | Thurs. 4pm Farsi with English subtitles Internationally acclaimed director Jafar Panahi drives a yellow cab through the vibrant streets of Tehran, picking up a diverse (and yet representative) group of passengers in a single day. Each man, woman, and child candidly expresses his or her own view of the world, while being interviewed by the curious and gracious driver/director. His camera, placed onthe dashboard of his mobile film studio, captures a spirited slice of Iranian society while also brilliantly redefining the borders of comedy, drama and cinema.

THEEB

NR | 1 hr 40 mins | December 11-16 Fri. 4pm, 10pm | Sat. 2pm, 8pm Sun. 1pm, 7pm | Tues. 4pm | Thurs. 7pm Arabic with English subtitles 1916. While war rages in the Ottoman Empire, Hussein raises his younger brother Theeb (“Wolf”) in a traditional Bedouin community that is isolated by the vast, unforgiving desert. The brothers’ quiet existence is suddenly interrupted when a British Army officer and his guide ask Hussein to escort them to a water well located along the old pilgrimage route to Mecca.

SLEEPING WITH OTHER PEOPLE R | 1 hr 41 mins | December 11-16 Fri. 1pm, 7pm | Sat. 5pm | Sun. 4pm Tues. 7pm | Thurs. 4pm

Can two serial cheaters get a second chance at love? After a one-night stand in college, New Yorkers Lainey (Alison Brie) and Jake (Jason Sudeikis) meet by chance twelve years later and discover they each have the same problem: because of their monogamy-challenged ways, neither can maintain a relationship.

52 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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ZARAFA

NR | 1 hr 18 mins | December 18-22 Fri. 1pm, 7pm | Sat. 5pm | Sun. 1pm, 7pm Tues. 7pm | Thurs. 4pm Under the cover of darkness a small boy, Maki, loosens the shackles that bind him and escapes into the desert night. Pursued by slavers across the moon-lit savannah, Maki meets Zarafa, a baby giraffe – and an orphan, just like him – as well as the nomad Hassan, Prince of the Desert. Hassan takes them to Alexandria for an audience with the Pasha of Egypt, who orders him to deliver the exotic animal as a gift to King Charles of France.

LABYRINTH OF LIES

R | 2 hrs 3 mins | December 18-22 Fri. 4pm, 10pm | Sat. 2pm, 8pm | Sun. 4pm Tues. 4pm | Thurs. 7pm German with English subtitles Frankfurt 1958: nobody wants to look back to the time of the National Socialist regime. Young public prosecutor Johann Radmann comes across some documents that help initiate the trial against some members of the SS who served in Auschwitz. But both the horrors of the past and the hostility shown towards his work bring Johann close to a meltdown. It is nearly impossible for him to find his way through this maze; everybody seems to have been involved or guilty.

LIFE

R | 1 hr 51 mins | December 26-30 Sat. 2pm, 8pm | Sun. 4pm Mon. 7pm | Tues. 4pm LIFE is inspired by the true story of a friendship that developed between Magnum photographer Dennis Stock (Pattinson) and actor James Dean (DeHaan) when Stock was commissioned to photograph the actor for LIFE magazine in 1955. The assignment, which took the pair on a photographic journey across the US, from LA to New York and on to Indiana would change Stock’s life and provide the world with some of the most iconic images of the age.

MEDITERRANEA

NR | 1 hr 47 mins | December 26-30 Sat. 5pm | Sun. 1pm, 7pm Mon. 4pm | Tues. 7pm

Italian, French, Arabic with English subtitles

This remarkably timely, eye-opening look at an all-too-real issue charts the death-defying struggle of African migrants as they risk everything to start a new life in Europe. Ayiva (first time actor Koudous Seihon in a revelatory performance) and Abas (Alassane Sy) are close friends from Burkina Faso determined to make it to Italy in order to find work and provide for their families back home.

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO OUT & ABOUT MAGAZINE

11/22/15 1:43 PM

Mayor Williams Announces Redevelopment of Historic Ninth Ward Harper Thiel Site

CITY OF WILMINGTON

A rendering of the boutique shopping plaza planned to be built at the Historic Harper Thiel Site.

M

By Tonya R. Richardson, Public Relations & Communications Officer Mayor’s Office of Communications

ayor Dennis P. Williams recently joined State, County, and City officials to announce the redevelopment of the historic Harper Thiel site into a boutique shopping plaza in the Ninth Ward neighborhood of Wilmington. Among the partners in attendance were Deputy Secretary Kara Coats of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), and Ralph Pepe, founder of Concordia Holding Corporation.

Harper Thiel is a well-known landmark in the Ninth Ward area of Wilmington. It is a 2.3-acre brownfield parcel located directly next to Miller Road, across the street from Haynes Park. The site has sat vacant and unused for many years. The site is now poised for redevelopment through a partnership and collaborative efforts between the Wilmington Urban Development Action Grant Corporation (UDAG), the City’s Office of Economic Development, DNREC, and Concordia Holding Corporation.

This redevelopment project aims to make this area of the Ninth Ward into a more walkable and pedestrian-friendly neighborhood.

Redeveloping the Harper Thiel site will complement recent transportation enhancements and investments made by Delaware Department of Transportation along Miller Road. Specifically, the re-paving and re-striping of the street created new traffic patterns that are now more convenient to pedestrians.

The Harper Thiel site has a long history of industrial use that began when Francis Irenee DuPont, Director of the first Experimental Station and great-grandson to E.I. DuPont, purchased the land in 1916 and established a personal laboratory there. From 1946 until 2000, the Harper Thiel Company electroplated materials using chrome, nickel, cadmium and copper for major clients such as the DuPont Company and the US Navy. Although a successful business, these processes unfortunately contaminated the property.

Using state Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act funds of $3 million, DNREC’s Site Investigation and Remediation Section

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directed the cleanup of the property. Five buildings and other auxiliary structures were demolished and about 3,600 tons of contaminated soil were excavated and disposed of safely. Prior to excavation of the soil, the foundation of the historic building was stabilized to prevent damage to the structure. EA Engineering served as the construction contractor for the brownfield cleanup.

Since 2006, the Harper Thiel site was owned by the Wilmington UDAG Corporation and currently is under a redevelopment agreement with Concordia Holding Corporation. Concordia Holding owner, Mr. Pepe, oversaw the growth and development of the Talleyville Towne Shoppes and also restored and renovated one of Delaware’s oldest historic buildings, the Brandywine Grange #13. Mr. Pepe’s development and entrepreneurial experience will positively impact the redevelopment of the Harper Thiel site and transform it into a positive amenity for the surrounding neighborhood.

Through the redevelopment process, Mr. Pepe’s development corporation will maintain the original building structure, which was built in approximately 1917 and is in the Mission/Revision style.

Pepe and Concordia will rehab the property to maintain the historical architectural elements of the site. DNREC Secretary David Small shared that “The Harper Thiel property is a prime example of how collaboration among partners can breathe new life into a vacant, contaminated site and create shovel-ready opportunities for redevelopment. The investments made here are providing jobs, economic growth and a safer and healthier community.”

Mayor Williams noted that “For years, members of the community around the Ninth Ward and citywide have advocated for the redevelopment of Harper Thiel’s historic structure.”

The Harper Thiel site will be developed into mixed-use space that offers key amenities to the neighborhood maintaining much of the strong historical value. Presently, the site is being stabilized to prepare for construction, which is expected to begin in the spring of 2016.

DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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CITY OF WILMINGTON

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11/22/15 1:44 PM

CITY OF WILMINGTON

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO OUT & ABOUT MAGAZINE

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DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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1. Amtrak Station 2. Opera Delaware Studios/City Theater Co. 3. Wilmington Youth Rowing Assn., WYRA.ORG 4. Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park 5. Residences at Christina Landing 6. Harry’s Seafood Grill / Riverfront Market, HARRYS-SAVOY.COM 7. Delaware Theatre Co., DELAWARETHEATRE.ORG 8. FireStone Roasting House, FIRESTONERIVERFRONT.COM 9. Cosi at the Barclays Crescent Building, GETCOSI.COM 10. Hare Pavilion/Riverwalk 11. AAA Mid-Atlantic Travel Center, AAAMIDATLANTIC.COM 12. Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, THEDCCA.ORG

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13. Justison Landing, Currie Hair, Skin & Nails, CURRIEDAYSPA.COM Veritas Wine & Spirits, VERITASWINESHOP.COM Starbucks on the Riverfront 14. Kooma, KOOMASUSHI.COM Goju Training Center, GOJUROBICS.COM 15. Delaware Children’s Museum, DELAWARECHILDRENSMUSEUM.ORG Riverwalk Mini Golf, RIVERWALKMINIGOLF.COM 16. Joe’s Crab Shack, JOESCRABSHACK.COM 17. Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, IRONHILLBREWERY.COM 18. Public Docks 19. Big Fish Grill, BIGFISHRIVERFRONT.COM

11/22/15 10:59 AM

NOW OPEN!

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Visit RiverfrontWilm.com for info on events happening at the Riverfront!

20. Frawley Stadium, BLUEROCKS.COM Delaware Sports Museum & Hall of Fame 21. Chase Center on the Riverfront, CENTERONTHERIVERFRONT.COM 22. Dravo Plaza & Dock 23. Shipyard Center Planet Fitness, PLANETFITNESS.COM 24. Timothy’s Restaurant, TIMOTHYSONTHERIVERFRONT.COM Molly’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream, MOLLYSICECREAM.COM Ubon Thai Restaurant 25. Wilmington Rowing Center, WILMINGTONROWING.ORG 26. Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge/ DuPont Environmental Education Center, DUPONTEEC.ORG

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27 Riverfront Commuter Lot, RIVERFRONTWILM.COM/PARKING 28. Penn Cinema Riverfront IMAX, PENNCINEMARIVERFRONT.COM 29. CrossFit Riverfront, CFRIVERFRONT.COM 30. The Residences at Harlan Flats, HARLANFLATS.THERESIDENCES.NET 31. Stratosphere Trampoline Park, WILMINGTONTRAMPOLINEPARK.COM 32. The Westin Wilmington, WESTINWILMINGTON.COM River Rock Kitchen, RIVERROCKKITCHEN.COM 33. Delaware Humane Association, DEHUMANE.ORG Photo by Joe del Tufo

11/22/15 11:00 AM

LO C AT I O N

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Happy Holidays!

From Peco’s Liquors

Delaware’s premier source for wine, spirits, craft beer, and growlers since 1936

60 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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DRINK

TTreats for Your Holiday Enjoyment They’re exotic, intriguing, and unusual: Recommendations from area experts.

By John Murray

I

’ve been in the beverage industry for 40-plus years, and I am still excited, intrigued and learning. Every vintage is unique and challenging, offering a whole new learning process every year.

The basic science of converting sugar to alcohol has remained the same, but flavor profiles have changed.

Yeast strains, rootstock, varietal clone selection, canopy management, soils, weather and farming techniques all come into play. The artistic creation of wine is done

through the winemaker’s idea of what he wants to express in the fruit he receives.

Janice Robinson, in her book Wine Grapes, lists 1,368 varietals known to be produced as wine. No, I haven’t tasted them all, but I will continue to make a valiant effort to do so.

While I can’t list and explain all, I will attempt to provide insight into some of these grapes and their fermentation styles. I’ll wrap up with some thoughts for your holidays— ideas from me and my State Line colleagues.

Cowan Cellars Ribolla Gialla 2012—$29.99. This is a medium-bodied, straw-colored wine with hints of apricots and honey. It has good structure and is well balanced with a white pepper finish. There are only two vineyards in California currently growing this grape.

Also from owner/winemaker Jim Cowan is ISA—$24.99.

It is 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc fermented with extended skin contact, leaving a golden orange color. Its brightness and minerality give way to a tangerine rind component with a lasting herbal basil finish. If you want wines with personality and quality at a reasonable price, try Cowan Cellars.

Stony Hill Winery Chardonnay 2010 – $44.99. This is not your typical California fruit bomb. It’s lean, bright and delicate.

Located high up on the northeast slope of Spring Mountain on the Bale Lane side, the McCreas have farmed this fruit for more than 50 years. Dry farmed, eco-friendly fruit is crafted by Mike Chelini, winemaker for decades, into an elegant and age-worthy wine.

Minimum skin contact, neutral barrels inoculated with Montrachet yeast and no malolactic fermentation keeps the fruit clean, with great acidity, preserving the citrus and mineral expressions of Chardonnay. This is the finest example of Chardonnay in North America, rivaling anything from Burgundy. ► DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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DRINK

Retail Wine Shopping at its Best!

Free wine tasting Free Wine Tasting every Saturday Every Saturday (1-5pm) 1-5pm

Retail Wine Shopping at its Best!

Season’s Greetings...

Holiday Gift Ideas10am -9pm; Closed on Sunday Monday-Saturday Gift Certificates 5810 Kennett Pike (next to Buckley’s) Gift Baskets made to order Centreville, DE 19807 Wine School Classes www.collierswine.com (302) 656.3542 Bottle of the Month Club colliersconcierge@gmail.com Colliers Case – 12 bottles to please (302) 367.5390 your palate and your pocket – $99

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Dashe Cellars old vine Carignane Evangelho Vineyards TREATS FOR YOUR 2014 - $29.99. From Contra Costa, HOLIDAY ENJOYMENT Calif., fruit from 125-year-old vines continued from previous page is planted on its own root stock and dry farmed. The grape is usually blended with Zinfandel and Petite Syrah. Exotic spices with cassis, pomegranate, and mineral flavors burst on your palate. It’s vibrant with balanced, lush flavors of black cherry and strawberry. There were a whopping 159 cases made and Mike Dashe gave me five.

Neyers Mourvedre Evangelho Vineyard 2010 - $39.99. This is grown on the same property as the Dashe Carignane . Bruce Neyers and his wife, Barbara, are from Wilmington, graduates of Mount Pleasant High School and the University of Delaware. Bruce began his career in the Napa Valley in 1972 with stints at Mayacamas and Joseph Phelps before beginning his venture at Neyers. Mourvedre planted here is also more than 120 years old. Its exotic, rich, black currant fruits add great complexity to this wine, which is fermented in used French oak for a year and bottled without fining or filtration.

It shows earthy, gamey notes with soft structured fruit flavors, perfumed blackberries with exotic ginger and herbal flavors.

Holiday Suggestions Here are some more picks for your holidays from the State Line Staff, starting with mine: Andrew Will Champoux 2010 - $39.99. This is a traditional Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Red and black fruits are very pronounced here. Cassis, blackberries, blueberries with hints of cedar and tobacco intertwine with earthy, dark spices and cocoa. Champoux Vineyard is located in the Horse Heaven Hills appellation of Washington State.

Ramey Wine Cellars 2012 Chardonnay Woolsey Road $69.99. David Ramey is an icon in the California wine industry, famous for his ability to create a seamless balance of fruit and flavors in his wine. He has worked for such greats as Matanzas Creek, Dominus and Chalk Hill Winery. The 2012 vintage was a long yet moderate, ideal growing season and is considered a great vintage. It is aged sur lie, on the dead yeast cells, for 18 months in one-third new oak with no filtering. Rich and delicate with citrus, lemon, and pear flavors, this wine is bright with lots of complexity.

It’s rich and has good acidity, helping to prolong the flavors.

Iron Horse Brut Rose - $49.99. A bright rose color from extra skin contact during fermentation, this mostly Pinot Noir gives a rich, creamy texture, finishing dry with light, delicate bubbles. It’s a perfect sparkling wine for your festive holidays, especially the New Year.

Joe Buchter’s Selections:

Domaine Nerantzi 2012 Pentapolis, Greece - $19.99. Forty percent Malagouzia, 30 percent Assyrtiko, 30 percent Asprouda Serron, Pentapolis takes its name from five city states that existed in Greece circa 5500 B.C., long before the vines were planted for this wine. Though the grapes may be unfamiliar, the easiest thing to compare it to would be a full-bodied Chardonnay. The wine's richness and weight make it stand up tall alongside all sorts of holiday meals.

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Red: Azienda Agricola Foradori 2012 Teroldego - $24.99. Elisabetta Foradori is a winemaker dedicated to tradition, the environment, and the betterment of her wines through hard work in the vineyard.

To grow her Teroldego, a grape that is most easily comparable to Pinot Noir, she uses a holistic approach to vineyard management called biodynamic farming.

Sparkling: J-M Seleque Brut Rose - $44.99. As a gift, as a celebratory bottle, or as a pair for your holiday meals, J-M Seleque is a hip grower champagne that one can afford. This dry rose delivers smaller production and more unique wine year to year than the grand marques, which are designed to be identical industrial products.

Rick Ostrand’s Selections:

Wigle Walkabout Pennsylvania Organic Apple Whiskey - $69.99 (750 ml). This product from Pittsburgh’s micro distiller Wigle is made from barrel-aged wheat and rye whisky that is brought proof by the addition of apple cider, which is sourced from an organic farm and is a blend of five local varieties of apples. Add a splash of Fernet Branca and a dash of apple-cinnamon bitters for a cocktail to take the autumn chill away.

Vapor Distillery Pumpkin King Cordial – $34.99 (750 ml), $19.99 (375 ml). This Colorado distillery cordial is made with roasted Baby Bear Pie Pumpkins that are pureed and blended with clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger with a bit of pure cane sugar. The result a less sweet, well balanced pumpkin cordial that is the best we have ever sold. It’s bottled at 60 proof, so it mixes well with ginger beer or apple cider and can also be added to a cafe latte or eggnog.

State Line Liquors Family owned & operated Since 1937 — 4 Generations!

www.statelineliquors.com

Stocking over 3000 different beers • Singles, packs & cases Special Events and Tastings Visit us on the web for details

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Offering the areas largest variety of seasonal beers.

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BBC

TAVERN & GRILL

Open 7 days a week

4019 KENNETT PIKE 4019 KENNETT PIKE GREENVILLE, DE 19807 302.655.3785 BBCTAVERNANDGRILL.COM

Great Menu Casual Atmosphere Gift Certificates Available

Robert Murray’s Selections:

This time of year, Brewers from around the world put their best foot forward with their delicious Christmas Ales. Two excellent examples of these styles are Troegs Brewery Mad Elf from Pennsylvania and Belgium’s St. Bernardus Christmas Ale. Mad Elf is a cheerful ruby red creation reminiscent of ripened cherries, raw honey and cocoa with notes of cinnamon, clove and allspice.

St. Bernardus Christmas Ale, at 10 percent ABV is characterized by its fruity aromas and deep, dark color. A creamy thick head leads to a full-bodied and velvety taste.

And finally, from the staff at State Line Liquors, we wish all a safe and Happy Holiday Season!

LADIES NIGHT EVERY THURSDAY, 3PM- CLOSE • $6 Fattoria Capolsaldo Pinot Grigio’s • $6 Tall Skinny Girl Vodka Drinks • $6.50 Svedka Cosmos HAPPY HOUR every weekday from 4-7pm featuring $1 off all craft beer draughts as well as 50¢ wings and half price off our famous BBC Nachos.

BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY PARTY AT BBC TODAY!

DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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Sixpoint Sensi Brewery Ommegang's Harvest

Hennepin Farmhouse Saison

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If you like the Flying Fish IPA a shot. Ale, you should definitely Farmhouse try this one. Why the name? Belgian explorer Father Louis Hennepin was credited with bringing international attention to Niagra Falls, a few hours away from Cooperstown, N.Y., where this beer is brewed. – Jim O’Donoghue – Jim O’Donoghue

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64 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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DRINK

2

Area Wine Experts Pick Holiday Favorites

It’s the season to give and, yes, to celebrate. Whether it’s an office holiday party, Christmas dinner with the extended family, or New Year’s Eve with good friends, here are some choice wine suggestions from local people in the know.

From Linda Collier at Collier’s of Centreville

From Michael Whitwell at Premier Wine & Spirits

Under $25 The Clos Cibonne Rosé from Provence is a beautifully-balanced blend composed of 90 percent Tibouren and 10 percent Grenache.

One can taste earthy tones of dried cherry, mineral, herbs, raspberry and spice. As a result, it pairs well with turkey with all the fixings, seared duck breasts, goose and tomatoes provencales.

Under $25 The Bliss Family Winery, Sauvignon Blanc ($14.99) is sustainably grown at their 60-year-old, third-generation winery.

Bliss wines are perfectly priced, everyday wines, and the Sav Blanc is balanced with citrus and tropical flavors with notes of straw, herbs and grass. I keep a few bottles of all their varietals in the house for whoever stops by.

Over $25 The Salon 2002 Champagne is an exotic and voluptuous grand cru hailing from the village of Les Mesnil-Sur-Orger. This magnificent Blanc de Blanc is hard to come by, but if you can find it, it promises to make your holiday special.

From Ed Mulvihill at Peco’s Liquors Under $25 Dry Creek Valley Vineyard’s Meritage is a favorite wine of mine. This Sonoma County Bordeaux blend is sure to impress this holiday season. A full bodied red, it has wonderful notes of cocoa and red berry, balanced out with silky smooth tannin. Great for holiday gift giving or for pairing with your holiday feast. It’s a steal at only $24.99.

Over $25 From the same great Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley Vineyard’s Endeavour is a Cabernet for the true Cabernet lover. Only 298 cases were produced for the 2011 vintage, meaning get some while you can!

This is a true expression of just how good Dry Creek Valley cab can be. It’s elegant, full flavored and masterfully balanced. At $65.99, you can drink now or cellar for years to come.

Over $25 Crosby Roamann is a husband-and-wife collaboration of single vineyard, single appellation hand-crafted wines making only about 1000 cases annually. The 2010 Oak Knoll Napa Merlot ($49.99) is a 90pt wine described as lush, blackberry and cherry, rich tannins, easy to drink with hints of rose and violet. Only 178 cases made … get yours now.

From Stephen Allegretto at Wine & Spirit Co. of Greenville Under $25 With the cold weather upon us, I would recommend a hearty wine from the south of France, particularly from the region of Bandol: Domaine Terrebrune, Terre d' Ombré 2014 ($20.99).

Referred to as a "Baby" Bandol, it is a blend of 80 percent Mourvedre, 10 percent Grenache, 10 percent Cinsault, from the Domaine's younger vines. It shows bright black currant, cassis fruit immediately on the nose and palate. It has nice mid-palate fruit and medium to firm tannins. You can drink now or hold for a few years. A great match with cheeses, stews and red meats.

Over $25 A great way to finish a meal, to warm up from a cold day, or as a soothing nightcap is to have a glass or two of Taylor-Fladgate 20-Year-Old Tawny Port ($61.99). This famous Portuguese Port House ages this wine in barrels for an average of 20 years before bottling it. This fortified wine takes on the amber color from the barrels and a flavor profile of toffee, nuts and orange with hints of spiciness and a smooth, mellow finish.

DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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Special Discounted Room Rates 1 Block away at the Doubletree Hotel if you mention either restaurant when reserving!

66 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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DRINK

THEFIFTYBEST CHOOSES PAINTED STAVE VODKA

SIPS

Here's what's pouring

By Matt Moore

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS IN FAIRFAX

S

ince 1985, a small team of friends and family have owned and managed Fairfax Discount Liquors on Concord Pike. Now celebrating 30 years in business, they are offering an enhanced shopping experience featuring wine tastings, limited supply libations and a 20-door cooler, which chills dozens of beers from around the world. The festivities start on Friday, Dec. 4, and will continue through Sunday, Dec. 6.

T

heFiftyBest.com has presented Smyrna’s own Painted Stave Distillery with the gold medal for “Best Flavored Vodka.” Chosen out of 51 contenders during a blind tasting held in New York City, Painted Stave’s Time Warp Vodka is distilled using espresso beans that are locally roasted by the Young Bean coffee shop in Clayton.

WINTER PAIRING DINNER ON THE WATER

N

ow through April, beat the cold and step inside the Cape MayLewes Ferry Terminal for fine food and brew. Food prepared by the ferry’s chefs will be paired with beer from Dogfish Head Brewery on Friday, Dec. 4, and 16 Mile Brewery on Friday, Dec. 18. Tickets are $59. Dinner is from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

No Price Fix here…just a special menu whipped up by our Chef. And some great beer to boot!

HEAVY SEAS: 20 YEARS OF BEER

B

altimore-based brewery Heavy Seas Beer celebrates 20 years of craft brewing this month.

To commemorate the occasion, the brewery will release “Winter Storm” —a recreation of the first beer ever tagged “Heavy Seas”—but in a strong, 10 percent ABV, barrel-aged version. In addition, another anniversary beer, “20 Year Storm,” features imported UK malt and local Domino sugar (which is made in Baltimore) and was aged in bourbon barrels for approximately 75 years. There will be several anniversary events in Baltimore, including the world premiere of “20 Year Storm” on Monday, Dec. 7, at the Heavy Seas Alehouse; the “20 Beers for 20 Years” event on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at Ryleigh’s Oyster, and the official release party for “20 Year Storm” at the Heavy Seas Tap Room on Wednesday, Dec. 9.

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU

Call soon for reservations

I

n light of the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens film, Iron Hill Brewery will host The Dark Side Party Multi-Tap at its Wilmington location. Set for Saturday, Dec. 19, from 1-5 p.m., it will feature eight beers, including “Millennium Falcon,” “Chewbacca Chocolate Stout,” “Galaxy Far Far Away Black IPA” and “Wookey Jack.”

DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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VALID FOR HOLIDAY GIFT CARDS SHOWN NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal U.S. residents age 18 or older. Void in FL, NY, RI and where prohibited by law. Not valid in Canada or Mexico. Promotion Period runs 11/23/15-2/29/16. Blazin’ Bonus® Coupon Distribution Period runs 11/23/15-12/31/15, or upon distribution of all Blazin’ Bonus coupons, whichever occurs first. Blazin’ Bonus coupons available only while supplies last. Redeem original Blazin’ Bonus coupon (no copies or facsimiles accepted) 1/1/16 through 2/29/16 at participating U.S. Buffalo Wild Wings® locations to use toward the purchase of food or nonalcoholic beverages. Obtain one Blazin’ Bonus coupon for every $25 in holiday gift cards purchased at participating Buffalo Wild Wings locations (not applicable to gift cards purchased online) (gift card cannot be used for four (4) hours after purchase) during the Blazin’ Bonus Coupon Distribution Period. To obtain Official Rules or a Blazin’ Bonus coupon without gift card purchase, visit www.bwwbonusentry.com and follow instructions for submitting an SASE by 12/31/15. Each request must be mailed separately. Limit four (4) Blazin’ Bonus coupons per person regardless of method of participation. See www.buffalowildwings.com for Official Rules, prize details, odds and limitations. Sponsor: Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. 5500 Wayzata Blvd., Suite 1600, Minneapolis, MN 55416. ©2015 Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. BWW2015-2733. Display from 11/23/15-12/31/15.

68 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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WATCH

Brooklyn

4

STARS µµµµµ Emory Cohen as Tony and Saoirse Ronan as Eilis Lacey in Brooklyn. Photo Kerry Brown. © 2015 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS Saoirse Ronan’s sterling performance is the highlight of this romantic drama

By Mark Fields

S

aoirse Ronan, the talented and beautiful young IrishAmerican actress, first captured filmgoers’ attention with her nuanced, heartbreaking performance in 2007’s Atonement.

The role earned her an Academy Award nomination at the age of 13.

Since then, she has played the murdered girl in The Lovely Bones; a teen assassin in Hanna; and a baker’s assistant in The Grand Budapest Hotel. None of those roles—though several were leads – have provided Ronan (whose Gaelic first name is pronounced seer-sha) with the opportunity to again showcase her unnervingly precocious acting skills. Brooklyn, a romantic drama set in 1950s Ireland and New York, promises to rectify that.

As Eilis Lacey, an Irish girl who finds new life, new purpose, and new romance in the borough of Brooklyn, Ronan captivates the screen—and the film—with her luminescent beauty and tranquil demeanor. But under that serene exterior dwells an adventurous heart just waiting for the right catalyst to awaken it.

Eilis finds that spark in smitten, persistent Tony (Emory Cohen).

Their tentative flirtation transforms the homesick Eilis from wallflower to womanhood.

Tony and Eilis’ fledgling romance is tested when she must return to Ireland for a family emergency. Once home, Eilis finds herself torn between two very different worlds, the impinged life in Ireland she knows and the unknown possibilities of new opportunities in America.

Eilis’ dilemma is captured in Ronan’s extraordinary performance. Without flash or theatrics, she adroitly conveys the integrity of her character and the bone-deep conflict she faces in choosing between what is familiar and what is unknowable.

Through her portrayal, the filmgoer feels a strong connection to Eilis and great compassion for her quandary.

Ronan is aided by subtle yet rich performances from Cohen as Tony, as well as Fiona Glascott as her sister Rose; Jim Broadbent as a protective priest; Julie Walters as her sharp-tongued landlady, and Domhnall Gleeson as a boy back home. ► DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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The health & wellness of our community is very important to us. We are constantly working hard to find better, healthier, and more sustainable food resources.

Our steak, short rib, braised pork and chicken come from animals that are respectfully treated and responsibly farmed, as well as the highest standard of being 100% antibiotic-free. If anything is temporarily unavailable we will let you know.

As more sustainable and healthier resources become available and affordable, you have our commitment that we will do all we can, when we can, to bring them to you.

- Dean, Roger & Shannon

MAIN STREET NEWARK • TROLLEY SQ. • BRANMAR PLAZA 70 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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WATCH

Photo Jonathan Olley. © 2015 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

The physical production of Brooklyn can only be described as lovely. The set and art direction convey a BROOKLYN HEIGHTS love for locations on both sides of the Atlantic, and Yves continued from page 69 Bélanger’s radiant cinematography gives a glow to the entire film, especially capturing Ronan’s delicate features.

Director John Crowley keeps the film’s momentum slowly but steadily focused, allowing the story to unfold at its own pace. Nick Hornby’s screenplay (from the original novel by Colm Toíbín) breaks no new ground but nonetheless evokes a sweetness in this small but well-crafted film.

Ultimately, the film belongs to Ronan; and with this performance, she does set her sights on a new horizon, well beyond the borders of Brooklyn.

Spectre

2

STARS µµµµµ Daniel Craig stars as James Bond in Spectre.

SPECTRE Mailing it in

As the immediate successor to Skyfall, arguably the best James Bond film in the entire canon, Spectre was likely doomed from the outset. By no means is it on the travesty level of A View to a Kill or Die Another Day, but it is still a shocking disappointment on the heels of Skyfall.

That shortcoming has been made possible by the perfunctory efforts of everyone involved. Lead actor Daniel Craig, director Sam Mendes, co-star villain Christoph Waltz, and the four (count ‘em, four) screenwriters seem stymied, or perhaps bored, by the ponderous weight of the accumulated Bond mythology. What could have represented an interesting complication to the overarching story (no spoilers here) gets lost among the admittedly spectacular set-piece stunts and chases. Even the cinematography and locations seem dull in comparison to the luminous Skyfall.

Despite all this, the film is off to more record-breaking ticket sales, so there’s little chance that it will be the last of Bond, even though the script frequently references his sought-after retirement. But clearly, Craig appears done with the role (saying in an interview with Time Out that he would rather slash his wrists than play Bond again). Let’s hope the next installment can revive 007’s resilient allure.

DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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ther is Warm Drinks are Cold - Come Enjoy Our 2 tory Deck!

The Deer Park Tavern

DECEMBER

Entertainment Schedule

EVERY TUESDAY

Jefe & DJ Andrew Hugh

EVERY WEDNESDAY

Country Night with Zodiac Jack

EVERY THURSDAY & FRIDAY:

DJ Willoughby

SATURDAYS:

NEW YEARS EVE PARTY with DJ Dance Party w/ DJ Willoughby, Champagne Toast, and Party Favors!

5th-Vigilantes 12th- Radio Halo 19th-Full Carbon Get Up 26th-Fat Daddy Has Been A Reunion Through The Years

SUNDAY NIGHT: Chorduroy

Open New Years Day for Brunch 10am-2pm and Dinner 3pm-Close!

MONDAYS ½ Price Appetizers (5pm-Close)

TUESDAYS ½ Price Burgers ALL DAY! $4 Double LIT’s

WEDNESDAYS - MEXICAN NIGHT! ½ Price Nachos & Quesadillas ALL DAY! $3 Coronas & Margaritas • $1.50 Tacos

THURSDAYS ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT Wings (5pm-Close) ½ Price Burgers (11:30am-3pm) • $2 Rail Drinks

Gift Cards Make GREAT GIFTS! 302.369.9414 | 108 West Main Street, Newark | www.deerparktavern.com

Be our friend on Facebook!

72 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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SIX-PACK CINEMA

WATCH

Hollywood Goes to War

By Mark Fields The recent release of Steven Spielberg’s Cold War-era drama Bridge of Spies has evoked memories of other great conflicts and other terrific movies. We recommend these cinematic tales of war. Some are hallucinatory; some comedic; and some utterly heart-wrenching. But from a variety of star and directorial perspectives, they capture the valor, poignancy, and occasional absurdity of human conflict in the extreme.

Vietnam - Apocalypse Now

(1979)

Director Francis Ford Coppola used the core narrative of Joseph Conrad’s novella Heart of Darkness to frame this engrossing meditation on American military involvement in Vietnam. Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall and an unbelievably young Laurence Fishburne (credited as Larry Fishburne) star in this strange, unpredictable film.

Coppola’s intention was to not just depict the insanity of the Vietnam conflict but take the viewer right into the war experience. Flawed but brilliant.

Korea - M*A*S*H

(1970)

Robert Altman tells the story of a mobile army hospital during the Korean War in this offbeat comedy starring Donald Sutherland and Elliot Gould. Although the story became better known as one of the most popular and successful sitcoms in TV history, the film is enjoyable in its own shambling way. Hawkeye and Trapper cope with the horrors of wartime injury and death with a mixture of humor, hi-jinks, and homemade hooch. Also starring Robert Duvall, Sally Kellerman, and Gary Burgoff.

World War II - Saving Private Ryan (1998) The first 20 minutes of this Steven Spielberg masterpiece—the early moments of the Normandy invasion— is one of the most horrific, searing depictions of battle ever captured in a fictional film. What follows is a wrenching story of eight men sent behind enemy lines to recover a soldier whose brothers have all died in other fights. A cast that includes Barry Pepper, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Giovanni Ribisi and Matt Damon is led by Oscar-nominated Tom Hanks. Spielberg won an Academy Award for his direction.

World War I - Paths of Glory (1957) Kirk Douglas and Ralph Meeker are among the powerless infantry men stuck in the trenches of World War I Europe in this gripping drama by Stanley Kubrick. When a group of French soldiers refuse to conduct another futile mission to take the German line, they are hauled in front a court martial, and Colonel Dax (Douglas) volunteers to defend them. The ensuing sham trial reveals the sharp distinctions between the upper-class generals who plan strategies without personal consequence and the lower-class soldiers who carry out those orders.

American Civil War - The General (1926) A genius of the genre, Buster Keaton stars in this silent comedy about a Southern railroad engineer who singlehandedly, if not altogether on purpose, defeats the Union Army in an accidental battle of wits. Filled with terrific physical comedy and a spectacular climactic bridge stunt, the film is, at its heart, a romantic triangle involving hapless Johnny Gray (Keaton), his girl Annabelle (Marion Mack), and his locomotive, The General.

Persian Wars - 300 (2006) Sensationalist director Zack Snyder (Watchmen, Sucker Punch) is out of his league among these other master directors, but this frenetic telling of the Battle of Thermopylae best demonstrates Snyder’s amped-up talents.

Drawn from the graphic novel by Frank Miller (The Dark Knight), the film deliberately amplifies the twodimensional spectacle of the source’s comic-book sensibility. Glossy and relentlessly gory, 300 is a triumph of fanboy style over narrative substance.

DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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5

LISTEN

L-R: Taylor Goldsmith, Griffin Goldsmith and Wylie Gelber. Photo Dan Martensen

DAWES The folk-rockers bring their Southern California sound to the Grand on Dec. 6 STEPHANIE DUNCAN BANKER & HEADBANGER

WHAT’S #INWILM THIS MONTH

Diner Wed, Dec 2 - Sun, Dec 27

DE Century Farm Portraits thru Saturday, December 19

Art Works for the Holidays Fri, Dec 4 - Thurs, Dec 24

DCM’s Snowflake Festival Saturday, December 19

Get details for these events, plus hundreds more at: inWilmingtonDE.com

T

he three-piece, lyrically-minded folk rock band Dawes has been busy this year touring and sharing music from their newest album, All Your Favorite Bands.

Made up of guitarist and vocalist Taylor Goldsmith, his brother Griffin Goldsmith on drums, and bassist Wylie Gelber, Dawes was formed in 2009, and with three additional albums under their belts between then and All Your Favorite Bands (released in June), the band has been described as having a Southern California/Laurel Canyon sound reminiscent of artists like Crosby, Stills, and Nash and Neil Young.

Taylor Goldsmith recently chatted with O&A by phone about the new album. He was taking a rare, short break in his Los Angeles home between the band’s European fall tour and their current winter East Coast tour, which will bring them to the Grand on Sunday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. Goldsmith seemed eager to get back on the road.

1. You approached your newest album, All Your Favorite Bands, by performing brand new songs live to test them out, and recorded them after that. What made you choose this route, and would you do it again for another record? ►

74 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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5

QUESTIONS WITH...

302.658.6626 • FireStoneRiverfront.com • 110 West St., Wilmington, DE 19801

AN EVENING

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Photo Jake Butters

premium open bar 9pm – 1am dinner buffet from 9pm – 1am midnight champagne toast access to inside/outside bars complimentary valet & coat check amaZing live bands and dJ noJ at eacH bar!

MATISYAHU Jewish reggae star Matisyahu takes to the road, arriving at the Grand on Dec. 12

M

atthew Miller, better known by his Hebrew and stage name, Matisyahu, has been through quite a transformation over the past few years.

Born 36 years ago in West Chester, Pa., Miller grew up in White Plains, N.Y., where he honed his musical skills and became a Jewish reggae-meets-alternative-hip-hop artist. He burst onto the music scene and Top 40 charts in 2005 with his single, “King Without a Crown.”

As Matisyahu, he skyrocketed to fame that year, and Esquire dubbed him "the most intriguing reggae artist in the world" in 2006. He embraced his heritage and Hasidic Jewish traditions; he grew a long beard, wore a yamaka, and observed the Sabbath as a day of rest, which meant not performing shows on Fridays.

He had always been known for incorporating religious and spiritual themes into his music, but in 2011 Matisyahu stepped back from Hasidism, and his most recent studio album, Akeda, released last year, reflects his personal transformation. Meanwhile, Live at Stubb’s III – A 10-Year Journey, a live recording released this past October, celebrates 10 years of fan favorites written throughout his career.

O&A caught up with Matisyahu by phone before his tour to chat about his new recordings, his personal journey, and his love for social media.

Look for him Saturday, Dec. 12, at 8 p.m. at the Grand, in his show, Festival of Light: An Intimate Evening with Matisyahu. ►

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DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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LISTEN

On June 18, 2015, Gov. Jack Markell signed House Bill 39 (HB39), making Delaware the 20th state to enact a law removing the threat of arrest and jail time for possessing a small amount of leaf marijuana.

HB39 becomes law on December 18, 2015 Ages 21+ •Possession or private use of 1oz. or less of leaf marijuana (personal use quantity), no criminal record. • $100 civil penalty and leaf marijuana forfeited.

Ages 18 - 20 •1st offense possession of 1oz. or less of leaf marijuana: $100 civil penalty and no criminal record. Leaf marijuana forfeited.

•2nd offense possession of 1oz. or less of leaf marijuana: $100 criminal penalty and unclassified misdemeanor offense. Leaf marijuana forfeited.

•Conviction of unclassified misdemeanor for a 2nd or subsequent offense possession may petition to have expunged from records upon reaching 21.

Ages 18 and Under • Still a criminal offense.

Paraphernalia •Possession of marijuana paraphernalia— $100 civil penalty.

•Unclassified misdemeanor or assessed civil penalty for marijuana possession can’t be assessed a civil penalty for possession of paraphernalia.

Compounds, derivatives and preparations of marijuana Public Use including sidewalks, streets, areas accessible to the public Driving under the influence Brought to you by:

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We wanted to make sure they all functioned on stage and stood 5 QUESTIONS WITH... up on their own two feet when we DAWES played them as a live set, rather than continued from page 74 recording an entire album first in the studio only to find out they wouldn’t work live. I think we’ve always had that mindset about recording albums, but we were really committed to the concept this time. At the same time we don’t want to limit ourselves to anything for the future. I’m up for whatever on the next record. We’ll do what we do best, whatever that may mean, and always try to challenge ourselves on new approaches and ways of recording.

2. Dawes often focuses on nostalgic topics but in a relatively upbeat manner, and as the band’s songwriter you seem to keep the lyrics balanced between sentimental and edgy. What’s the inspiration behind the band’s style?

I never really set out to say, “I want to be this kind of songwriter,” or “this kind of band.” For us, it really is all about the moment we put our instruments in our hands, about what I want to write, about what comes out naturally. Over the years, it’s become this thing where people will say, “Dawes, you’re kind of this rock band but with a singer-songwriter focus,” but it was never something we set out to do in the first place. We always just say, “Let’s see what this sounds like,” and go from there.

3. Most musicians spend years trying to record and get a following, but your band released its first album, North Hills, in 2009, the same year you guys started playing together as Dawes. This album includes your arguably most wellknown single, "When My Time Comes." Did fame affect your friendships with each other, and to what do you owe your rise to international fame over the past few years?

We came from a band called Simon Dawes and didn’t get anywhere with it, but we loved touring around and doing music.

What we wanted with Dawes was to get to that same place of touring again, so we had to ask ourselves, “How do we make a record to get back into the life of a touring musician?” There’s always this dream of “I want to play to 10,000 people and be held in high esteem.” Obviously that’s a dream for everybody no matter what they do. We definitely didn’t see it as an immediate success, though. When I looked at a lot of friends’ bands, like Mumford and Sons, who went from being little-known at Bonnaroo playing a set in the middle of the day to super huge within a few months, it puts it into perspective for us to show it’s been a slow burn. But thankfully for us, it’s been an easy thing where our fans are so open to us making the records we want to make, and with each one we feel like more people are noticing. But it was never instantaneous.

As far as friendship with each other, we always just wanted to go on tour with our best friends – and that’s all we thought about or cared about.

4. What’s next for Dawes?

After this tour is over at the end of the month, we’re heading right into the studio. We want to be recording by early 2016 and hopefully have a record out by next year.

5. Any ideas for the next record?

As of now, not really. With us, writing and recording is always the same sort of zone – I write songs and we work them out as a band, like how close we want a song to sound to other songs or records. And all of that is part of the process that reveals itself later on in the journey. The material has always dictated it, and we’re just not quite there yet to know what direction it’ll go in.

Tickets range from $32-$39. Purchase at tickets.thegrandwilmington.org.

—Krista Connor

76 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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1. What made you return to Stubb’s—the Austin, Texas, BBQ spot and the venue where you made two other live recordings in 2005 and 2010—for a third, Live at Stubb’s III? What makes this one special?

Basically, this year is a 10-year-anniversary of performing. I’ve been touring pretty constantly for the past decade or so, and my music has gone through different stages, evolutions and phases, but I’m still playing old songs. I still try to find nostalgia within songs that people feel the connection to, along with where I’m headed and what I’m feeling currently. The songs are always kind of morphing and changing, but I want to keep their original charm. For Live at Stubb’s III, I wanted to put together a band of musicians I’ve played with over the past 10 years— like the Dub Trio I’ve been touring with for five years—so each member is there for a reason to add to the sound in a very specific way. Also, at 10 years, it made sense to do another live record, and to keep the cycle going with recording at Stubb’s. Whether recording live or performing, I always want to focus on improvisation, not replaying the same exact sound from shows the night before. So we should be in a pretty good place when we get to you in Delaware.

2. Much to fan surprise, in 2011 you shaved your beard and since then stopped wearing a yamaka and dyed your hair blond, saying you felt trapped by Hasidism, which had played an important role in your image and music. Can you describe your journey from then to now? Is there ever a time you wish religion didn’t play such a large role in your public image?

Basically, I went through a big transition over the years. I started out as a Hassidic reggae artist, and that was what I became known as, with it being such a specific, unique thing. The image is connected very strongly to the music. It’s all a journey, it’s all a life, it’s my life, not a record or a tour. So, changing the way I dress, for example, wasn’t in line with my original idea. Ultimately what happened is I got to a point where I felt I didn’t need to be dictated to anymore about what my facial hair should look like, or about all the rules of Orthodox Judaism. I felt it was time to change. That’s what happened. I don’t really wish things were any different, because that just falls under the category of spending time thinking about things that don’t matter. Things are what they are. You can only affect the future and where you are presently, and can’t spend too much time thinking, “I wish it was this way or that way.”

3. How do you think your personal changes are reflected in your music and your most recent studio album, Akeda?

The change that went on was documented by the music, and each phase is representative of new segments. This is the segment of me taking ownership of my life in a lot of different ways, like breaking out of a lot of things, whether it’s relationships that weren’t good for me, divorce or religion. I’m getting away from anyone or anything that is trying to mold me. This record is about freedom, ups and downs and what happens when you make a big decision. There’s hope, redemption and freedom, matched with sadness.

4. The idea of exploring self-identity—and being true to it—seems to play a large role in your songs and how you present yourself, despite how followers and critics may react to your decisions. What’s the driving factor that allows you to base your decisions on what’s best for you personally, not what would make other people most happy?

I think at the end of the day, a person has to be happy himself. I spent a lot of periods of time in my life ruminating on what people would like, what would make people feel good. I always had this struggle, battle, between doing what others want me to do and doing what my intuitive nature knows it needs. If you’re kind of different from most, a unique person or artist, you struggle with that a lot because it takes a certain amount of strength and wisdom to trust yourself. But I’m a 36-year-old man, a father of four, and I’ve been doing this music thing for a little bit of time now. I’ve come to this place where the thing that matters the most to me is not the fame or the money or making people feel good, it’s what’s creating the most authentic, truest art that I can make. That to me in the end is what will really help people. And help me, as well.

5. What’s next for you?

I have a couple things coming up. I’m touring in South America in January, and in March I go back in the studio with the band, where we’ll start working on stuff for a new record. I also have a fan club (dreampatron.com/matisyahu) for people to subscribe to and hear exclusive songs, win VIP tickets, be a part of meet-and-greets, and view backstage footage and photos from tours. I livestream all the time, and have Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter and a blog. Some artists like to make a real distinction between music and their lives, but I think it’s fun to let people into the quirky or normal aspects of life. I love art and taking pictures, so I’m also on Instagram.

Tickets for Festival of Light: An Intimate Evening with Matisyahu range from $32-$38, and they can be purchased at tickets.thegrandwilmington.org.

—Krista Connor 5 QUESTIONS WITH...

MATISYAHU continued from page 75

‘80s Era Video Games Classic Pinball • Skeeball 15 Beers on Tap • Area Craft Brews

DEC. 5 @ 8pm: Our 4th B-day!

Drink Specials, Food & More!

ALL ARCADE GAMES WILL BE FREE!!!

2511 W. 4th Street, Wilmington 302-384-6479 • 1984wilmington.com

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LISTEN

WORLD CAFE LIVE

AT THE QUEEN

WILMINGTON DEC

26

MonTana WILDaxe

DEC

27

DAR WILLIAMS

TUNED IN SPECIAL Share The Cheer!

. . . with singing, dancing and some classic holiday performances. Here are our recommendations, ranging from family-friendly concerts to New Year’s Eve celebrations.

DEC

31

JAN

10

THE SPRING STANDARDS

W/ CORY BRANAN

1/9 KATEGORY5’S REWIND TO VINYL 1/13 BADFISH: A TRIBUTE TO SUBLIME w/ SUN DRIED VIBES 1/23 ECHOES - A PINK FLOYD TRIBUTE 1/30 AN EVENING w/ RAUL MALO 2/3 STANLEY CLARKE 2/6 SPOKEY SPEAKY’S 5TH ANNUAL BOB MARLEY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION @ W C L ATT H E Q U E E N WORLDCAFELIVE.COM

500 N MARKET ST W I L M I N G TO N , D E (302) 994.1400

James Cleare, Heather Robb and James Smith of the independent three-piece folk-rock Spring Standards first discovered their mutual love of music as teenagers, singing ‘70s rock in the car driving around on back roads along the DelawarePennsylvania border. Since then, they’ve toured the country, released albums and are currently based in Brooklyn. Each year they return to Arden, their hometown, for the annual Boxing Day Show. This year is no different, and they can be seen and heard on Saturday, Dec. 26, at Arden Gild Hall at 8 p.m. Tickets are $17 for members and $20 for general admission.

NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH THE DAVID BROMBERG QUINTET

Multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter David Bromberg has performed with legendary artists Bob Dylan, Beastie Boys, George Harrison, Emmylou Harris and more. He began studying guitar at 13, eventually enrolling at Columbia University as a musicology major. The Greenwich Village folk scene in the mid’60s drew him to the downtown clubs and coffeehouses where he watched and learned from the best, including his inspiration and teacher, Rev. Gary Davis. The David Bromberg Quintet is a great band to welcome the New Year with on Thursday, Dec. 31, at The Queen in Wilmington. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. and the show begins at 10. Tickets start at $40.

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New Sweden playing at the 2014 Firefly Music Festival.

CARTOON CHRISTMAS TRIO RETURNS TO THE QUEEN

The Cartoon Christmas Trio returns to The Queen with special guests The Wilmington Children’s Chorus on Sunday, Dec. 20, under the direction of Kimberly Doucette. A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the chorus, which provides a tuition-free experience for young musicians. Hear the classic tunes from A Charlie Brown Christmas with piano, upright bass, drums and singing. The Cartoon Christmas Trio was started in 1995 by bassist Rob Swanson for the sole purpose of playing music from classic Christmas cartoons, especially the music of Vince Guaraldi, the composer of the Peanuts soundtracks. Tickets are $12 and the event starts at 7 p.m.

UPSTAIRS IN DECEMBER ALL SHOWS AT 8PM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED GABLE MUSIC VENTURES PRESENTS

WE KIDS ROCK BAND’S HOLIDAY SHOW

Get ready for the holidays with We Kids Rock Band on Saturday, Dec. 19, at The Queen.

We Kids Rock has a mission: to create fun, upbeat musical experiences for families. The band features catchy originals as well as traditional favorites in musical styles that include rock ‘n’ roll, rhythm & blues, punk, ska and country. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. and tickets are $10.

THE JIVE ACES

From London, The Jive Aces are renowned for their superior musicianship and spectacular stage show, and have been called the UK’s premier swing band. Their Swing’n the Holidays show on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the Playhouse on Rodney Square will feature fresh arrangements of swing, jive and R&B classics, keeping fans dancing all afternoon.

The concert starts at 2 p.m. Tickets are $31-39.

CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS

The Eric Mintel Quartet returns to the baby grand with their special Charlie Brown Jazz Holiday Concert Live on Saturday, Dec. 12. The quartet will perform Vince Guarldi tunes like “Linus and Lucy,” “Skating,” “Christmas is Coming,” “Christmas Time Is Here” and more while also including a special visual element for the entire family. Pianist and composer Eric Mintel and the Eric Mintel Quartet have thrilled audiences of all ages with this concert that has become a staple of the holidays. It features Mintel on piano, Nelson Hill on alto sax, Dave Mohn on drums, and Jack Hegyi on bass. They will be joined by a local choir on some selections. The concert begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are $26.

EVERY WEDNESDAY (7PM

FREE)

DEC 3 JUDY SINGS THE BLUES 4 GABLE MUSIC VENTURES PRESENTS LILI AÑEL w/ SPECIAL GUEST JOY IKE (7PM) 5 ARNOLD “SEVEN” TUCKER & THE INFAMOUS BAND w/ TERRETTA’S STORM 10 GIRLS GUNS AND GLORY 11 MARCUS GOLDHABER 12 RUNNIN’ LATE HOLIDAY SHOW 17 GOOCH AND THE MOTION 19 KATE VOEGELE & TYLER HILTON 20 HEAVENLY HASH (7:30PM)

SINATRA CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Celebrate what would have been Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday on Saturday, Dec. 12, with Delaware’s resident Sinatra vocalist, Sean Reilly, and his six-piece Sinatra Centennial Orchestra at the Schwartz Center for the Arts in Dover. While this isn’t a holiday show, listeners can look forward to one or two cozy Christmas songs. The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $27-$30.

HAVE YOU HEARD OF SOMETHING? Email tuned-in@tsnpub.com with ideas, and they could be added to our list.

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PLAY

Show Some Spirit Have an ugly sweater?

It could pay off at this year’s Santa Crawl.

There’s something about seeing a Santa cap that makes you smile. And there’s something about seeing someone sporting a tacky holiday sweater that makes you chuckle. Fortunately for those attending this year’s Santa Crawl, both fashion statements will gain you free entry into any of the 15 participating nightspots.

Once again, Out & About Magazine is adding an entertaining twist to this holiday bar crawl, set for Friday, Dec. 11. In fact, not only will wearing an “ugly” holiday sweater gain you free admission, you could be a winner as our Ugly Sweater patrol will be cruising around the Loop and awarding instant prizes to sweaters that make a statement. Of course, those wearing a Santa cap or dressed in holiday attire will also get in free. The bottom line: Show some spirit, otherwise you pay a $5 cover.

This year’s venues include: 8th & Union, Anejo, Catherine Rooney’s, Chelsea Tavern, Club Lavish, Dead Presidents, Ernest & Scott, Firestone, Gallucio’s Café, Grotto Pizza, Kelly’s Logan House, Satsuma, Shenanigans, Timothy’s Riverfront and The Wicked Vine. Public shuttles begin at 8p.m. and will run until 1:15 a.m.

Partial proceeds from the Santa Crawl benefit Wilmington Children’s Chorus, a community chorus of area youngsters ages 8-18 that was founded in 2002.

WCC is holding its annual Candlelight Holiday Concerts this month at First and Central Presbyterian Church, 1101 N. Market St., in downtown Wilmington.

For more on the organization visit WilmingtonChildrensChorus.org.

For complete Loop information visit outandaboutnow.com.

—Out & About

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THE GIFT OF

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~ Serving throughout the State of Delaware ~ DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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FRESH NEW LOOK. MORE GREAT CONTENT. OutAndAboutNow.com www.creationsgallery.com Free Gift Wrapping & Free Shipping!

82 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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SNAP SHOTS 1.

2.

5.

3.

4.

7.

6.

6.

Photos by Jim Miller 1. The Game of Thrones crew cause a stir on the Loop: (l-r) Bruce Wayne, Steve Rogers, Chris Zane and Christy McConnaughy.

2. Loopsters catch the Halloween Loop shuttle in Trolley Square.

3. (l-r) Martina Monroe, Ruben Monroe, Adam James, and Tiara McKenzie on their

5. These two super dudes are having an X-cellent time at FireStone.

6. Things got funky all around town during the 37th Annual Halloween Loop.

7. Kenrea McGee, Dominque Robinson, and Jasmine Jackson are sporty, smart and seasonal for the Loop.

way to Catherine Rooney’s.

4. Randy McClure (aka Kramer) is ready to giddy-up during the Halloween Loop.

DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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WHAT’S #INTUNE THIS MONTH

RKVC MUSICIANS

Dawes Sunday, December 6

Swing’n The Holidays The Tony Smith Trio Wednesday, December 9 Wednesday, December 16

Dar Williams Sunday, December 27

Get full details for these events, plus hundreds more at: inWilmingtonDE.com

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84 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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SNAP SHOTS 1.

2.

4.

3.

5.

1. Delaware City Mayor Stanley Green with Randy Inglis Cup Winners (top male & female times) Robert Wasch (Wyoming, Pa.) and Robin Schroyer (Wilm.) during the Delaware Time Trial Championships at the River Towns Festival & Ride.

Photo by Kristyne McDonough

2. Beer historian John Medkeff, Jr., author of Brewing in Delaware, chats with Jennifer Jaqueth during a Wilmington Beer Week book signing event at Chelsea Tavern. Photo by Matt Urban

6.

4. (l-r) Dennis Gallagher, Lynne Sinsabaugh, Mary Ellen Hassett, Venu Gaddamidi, and Manny Hassett at Chelsea Tavern during Wilmington Beer Week.

Photo by Matt Urban

5. Frank Pagliaro, of Franks Wine, serves tastings at DCCA’s Contemporary Gala.

Photo by Matt Urban

6. Governor Jack Markell, the honorary co-chair of the DCCA’s Contemporary Gala, chats with guests. Photo by Matt Urban

3. The Bullets get the crowd moving at DCCA’s Contemporary Gala.

Photo by Matt Urban

DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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Luncheons

Meet the 2015 honorees! upsTATe

December 10

Women in business

The chase center on the Riverfront in Wilmington Keynote speaKer: AlisA Morkides, Founder and owner, Brew Ha Ha! Hosted By nBC10 anCHor, trACy dAvidson

doWnsTATe

December 2 Atlantic sands hotel & conference center in Rehoboth beach Keynote speaKer: donnA Covington, dean oF tHe College oF Business, delaware state university

tickets & info: delawaretoday.com 302.504.1364 | tickets@delawaretoday.com

Custom sponsorships available at a variety of price points. For more information: 302.504.1326 or sales@DelawareToday.com

Certified Public Accountants and Consultants

Colors are currently set for Process printing. If using Spot, change dark blue to Pantone 287, Light Blue to Pantone 287 (52%), Red to Pantone 179, and Orange to Pantone 143. In the monochrome logo, the Orange becomes Pantone 287 (75%). The B&W logo uses Pantone Black (100%, 75%, and 52%).

United Way of Delaware UWDE.org

86 DECEMBER 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

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United Way of Delaware

United Way of Delaware

UWDE.org

UWDE.org

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presents

OUT & ABOUT MAGAZINE’S

SCRAWL anta

Fri, Dec 11 • 8PM • $5 Cover Wear a Santa Hat or Ugly Sweater and

DON’T PAY A COVER! Partial proceeds benefit Wilmington Children’s Chorus

15

CLUBS 8th & Union Kitchen Anejo Catherine Rooney’s Chelsea Tavern Club Lavish Dead Presidents Ernest & Scott FireStone Gallucio’s Cafe Grotto Pizza Kelly’s Logan House Satsuma Asian Kitchen & Bar Shenanigans Timothy’s Riverfront The Wicked Vine

Ugly

Sweater CONTEST! MAKE US LAUGH

OutAndAboutNow.com • 302.655.6483

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