Author: Shannon Rae Gentry

I’m a writer, collaborator, and community-minded creative working to reimagine encore magazine, our region’s longest-running alt-weekly, not just as a newspaper, but as a shared space where culture, civic life, and local voices meet.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Music

CREATING CONCEPTS: Water Wingz release concept EP, play Modern Legend

  “I like the idea of concept albums,”  Water Wingz’s Adam Fenton muses. “One of my favorites, actually, is tattooed on me: ‘Animals’ by This Town Needs Guns.” With song titles like “Chinchilla,” “Baboon,” “Pig,” “Zebra,” “Animals” was what the  singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist had in mind (if only subconsciously) when making his debut EP, “Sick Songs.” Each of the EP’s six songs undercuts the one … Continue reading CREATING CONCEPTS: Water Wingz release concept EP, play Modern Legend

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Cover Story, EXTRA & FEATURES, News

MARCH TO POWER: Fourth annual women’s march gets under way January 18

  At the time of ILM’s 2020 Women’s March and Rally this Saturday, Women Organizing for Wilmington (WoW!) will have protested for 150 consecutive weeks—just six weeks shy of three years—at the corner of Third and Princess streets. “And we will continue to protest until a new president is elected,” notes WoW! founder Lynn Shoemaker. Shoemaker and WoW! have utilized these last three years as … Continue reading MARCH TO POWER: Fourth annual women’s march gets under way January 18

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Theater

REPETITION AND IMAGINATION: Ashley Strand dives deep once again into ‘King James Live’

  Repetition and imagination. That’s how Ashley Strand says he was able to memorize the massive Biblical text for his two-hour, one-man performance of “King James Live.” Specifically, he’s referring to a technique for leveraging visual memory: “the memory palace.” “What’s interesting is there’s feedback between rote techniques, like the memory palace, and deeper imagination work,” Strand explains. “So when I had to remember the … Continue reading REPETITION AND IMAGINATION: Ashley Strand dives deep once again into ‘King James Live’

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Music

ADDED DIMENSION: Instrumentalist Andrew Kasab returns to Fermental

  “Big stages are fun,”says string instrumentalist Andrew Kasab, “but I love the intimate, right-next-to-your-audience shows. There’s nothing quite like making jokes with folks while entertaining the pants off them.” True to form, the Raleigh-based musician is returning to play Wilmington’s Fermental on January 4. He describes Fermental as a home away from home, where he can share belly laughs and good times. While Kasab … Continue reading ADDED DIMENSION: Instrumentalist Andrew Kasab returns to Fermental

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Music

DECADE IN MUSIC: Shannon looks back on memorable people, moments and music in ILM

  Just like the beginning of the decade, the idea of writing a reflection on roughly 10 years of conversations in music started off as an exciting endeavor. Just like actually living through the decade, I’m exhausted. Once I started shuffling through my mind’s filing system and scribbling down names of musicians, I quickly realized: “I’ve talked to a lot of fucking people.” Don’t get … Continue reading DECADE IN MUSIC: Shannon looks back on memorable people, moments and music in ILM

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Books

FINDING REPRESENTATION: Travis Corpening reads from his children’s book, ‘The Adventures of Lucas and Alyci’

  The Pew Research Center reported in January 2018 that, while there’s widespread support of racial and ethnic diversity in science, technology, engineering and math jobs, lack of diversity and representation in STEM fields is a problem as we approach a new decade. There are underlying reasons rooted in educational opportunities—or in this case, lack of access. However, a third of people working in STEM … Continue reading FINDING REPRESENTATION: Travis Corpening reads from his children’s book, ‘The Adventures of Lucas and Alyci’

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

HOLIDAY JOY: ‘Elf: The Musical’ kicks off at Thalian Hall this Friday night

  “Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color?” “Santa! I know him! I know him!” “I just like to smile; smiling’s my favorite.” “Christmas is more than just Santa Claus” is actor Jeff Hidek’s favorite quote from Buddy the Elf. Hidek will play the hallmark character—first made famous by Will Ferrell in the 2003 film “Elf”—in Thalian Association’s stage adaptation, “Elf: The Musical,” opening Friday … Continue reading HOLIDAY JOY: ‘Elf: The Musical’ kicks off at Thalian Hall this Friday night

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Music

QUIET MEDITATIONS: Patrick Carr set to play solo show at Ted’s

“When the Road Darkens” is an apt title for singer-songwriter Patrick Carr’s 2017 EP. While not a sad collection, per se, there’s a soberness to his folksy storytelling and instrumentals. An English major and self-described “book nerd,” Carr’s songs are filled with literary references. One will recognize the nod to the green light from “The Great Gatsby” in “Don’t Let It Break Your Heart.” “I … Continue reading QUIET MEDITATIONS: Patrick Carr set to play solo show at Ted’s

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Theater

TRULY TAILORED: Holiday ballet celebrates the season at the Wilson Center

  “I know Christmas is coming soon when I find ‘Nutcracker’ sheet music in my mailbox,” muses  Beverly Andrews, concertmaster of the City Ballet Orchestra. “Opening the familiar score is like greeting a favorite old friend again.” Andrews and City Ballet Orchestra members’ homes have been filled with sounds of Sugar Plum Fairies for months. They’ve been preparing the return of “A Carolina Nutcracker” to … Continue reading TRULY TAILORED: Holiday ballet celebrates the season at the Wilson Center

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Music

ENHANCED DREAMS: Outtake 13 trio play Gravity Records, prep for spring 2020 release

  In 2017 encore spoke with twin sister duo Michaela and Annabelle Sanchez of Entangled Dreams about their second full studio album, “Afterthought.” Their goal at the time was to make an impact with their music. Wanting to move away from session collaborations and find a permanent full band, the two added drummer Calen Barbour and changed their name to Outtake 13 in 2019. Settling … Continue reading ENHANCED DREAMS: Outtake 13 trio play Gravity Records, prep for spring 2020 release

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