
Homemade Holiday Tunes: Holiday album features originals from NC artists
Published in Wilma Magazine, December 11, 2020 For anyone looking for an extra dose of holiday spirit, local indie musician and singer-songwriter Justin Lacy has answered the call with “The Clamplamp Parade, A Holiday Compilation, (Do Not Gather, 2020).” Released on Dec. 8, the album features 11 original holiday tracks from North Carolina artists. “Just being in touch with all these musicians and sharing the … Continue reading Homemade Holiday Tunes: Holiday album features originals from NC artists
Dining Destination: Burgaw BBQ restaurant sustains itself while aiming for expansion
Published in Wilma Magazine, November 1, 2020 Shannon Gentry, Photography by Erin Costa Customers. Community. Smoked barbecue. It’s a not-so-secret recipe for success at MeMa’s Chick’n’ & Ribs in Burgaw. In a short time since opening in a nondescript shopping center in 2017, MeMa’s has become a North Carolina barbecue landmark already too big for its proverbial britches. The restaurant’s vast number of visitors in … Continue reading Dining Destination: Burgaw BBQ restaurant sustains itself while aiming for expansion
SHE PERSISTS: Cellist Shana Tucker returns for Come Hear NC concert series
Cellist and singer-songwriter Shana Tucker will perform live this Thursday night with the “She Persists” exhibition as part of Cameron Art Museum’s Come Hear NC concert series celebrating North Carolina. Starting at 6 p.m., the concert is free with museum admission. Back in 2019, Tucker explained how “songwriters are called to do something that much of the world can’t do, which is to put … Continue reading SHE PERSISTS: Cellist Shana Tucker returns for Come Hear NC concert series
SHE ROCKS, TAKE 2: ‘She Rocks the Vote’ will launch as a virtual event
Last March I remember standing in Dr. Jennifer Le Zotte’s office at UNCW staring in wonder, awe and confoundment at her collection of contraception of yesteryear, peddled to women in the last 100 years. It was all a part of an exhibit of birth control in North Carolina as part of the “She Rocks the Vote” at UNCW’s Randall Library, which was postponed due to … Continue reading SHE ROCKS, TAKE 2: ‘She Rocks the Vote’ will launch as a virtual event
LOOK TO LEME: Leme Nolan will perform at Long Leaf Park this Saturday
“Music is powerful and can reach billions, no matter the genre,” singer Lemetrius “Leme” Nolan told encore back in January 2020. Nolan’s own style varies and includes jazz, gospel, country, funk, soul and R&B. She hones her grasp of each, as heard during her gospel number “Standing in Your Glory” or country track “The Smell of Freedom.” “I don’t just fit into one genre … Continue reading LOOK TO LEME: Leme Nolan will perform at Long Leaf Park this Saturday
INSANE AND FUN: Toothsome to release a two-song EP this Friday
A few weeks ago, Greensboro-based band Toothsome found themselves rocking out to Reggie’s 42nd Street Tavern’s livestream fundraising event. It reminded vocalist Tom Sowders of the good old days of rocking out during live sets with their catchy beats and plucky punk tones. “I am looking forward to the private party with the same line up when all this shit is over,” Sowders notes. … Continue reading INSANE AND FUN: Toothsome to release a two-song EP this Friday
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN: Tours lost but music is still found, Billy Strings
This week was supposed to bring us three nights of Billy Strings at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. Well … you know the rest. For folks who originally purchased those tickets online, they were automatically refunded upon cancellation. Refunds for tickets purchased at either Redix locations became available on July 12. While there’s no word yet on when Strings and other 2020 acts will be rebooked … Continue reading UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN: Tours lost but music is still found, Billy Strings
NUTS ABOUT SQUIRRELS: Airlie Gardens opens latest outdoor exhibit ‘SQUIRRELS!’
Originally published in encore magazine, August 26, 2020 There are still a few activities 2020 and COVID have yet to take away from Wilmingtonians, and one is strolling through Airlie Gardens. Maybe I don’t go often enough, but it just never gets old. Though there aren’t a lot of changes from season to season with the flora and majestic live oaks, the familiar grounds always … Continue reading NUTS ABOUT SQUIRRELS: Airlie Gardens opens latest outdoor exhibit ‘SQUIRRELS!’
IN SHORT, PART 2: ‘Whirligigs at Night’ screens Wednesday with Tarheel Shorties
Folk artist Vollis Simpson’s kinetic sculptures called “whirligigs” in Wilson, North Carolina, are the subject of William “Bill” Howard’s documentary short “Whirligigs at Night.” Part of Cucalorus’s virtual Tarheel Shorties Film Festival this week, August 25-27, “Whirligigs at Night” will screen in Wednesday’s Playing with Portraits block starting at 8 p.m. According to the filmmaker, Wilson Whirligigs are now calling cards of sorts for … Continue reading IN SHORT, PART 2: ‘Whirligigs at Night’ screens Wednesday with Tarheel Shorties
IN SHORT, PART 1: Wilmington filmmaker’s short will screen at Tarheel Shorties Film Festival
Filmed at an old-timey barbershop in Elizabethtown, North Carolina, “Long Drive to Yadkin” is familiar to me in many ways. I’m originally from Mount Airy, NC and this barbershop and town are both very reminiscent of the timeless Main Street and Floyd’s Barbershop I know. “I am well aware of Floyd’s Barbershop up there [in Mount Airy] and even thought of that as a … Continue reading IN SHORT, PART 1: Wilmington filmmaker’s short will screen at Tarheel Shorties Film Festival