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

SWEET ‘GRASS: Sweet Potato Pie kicks off 20th anniversary tour with UNCW holiday show

    It’s Thanksgiving week, which means sweet potato pie time! While most folks will gobble up a slice for Turkey Day dessert, they’ll be able to have leftovers of a different kind come Sunday, December 1. The all-female bluegrass band, also known as Sweet Potato Pie, will make their way to UNCW’s Kenan Auditorium this weekend. Now going on 20 years of making music, … Continue reading SWEET ‘GRASS: Sweet Potato Pie kicks off 20th anniversary tour with UNCW holiday show

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Art, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

LIGHT AND DARK: Bahola ‘B’ Johnson brews new series of art at PCJ

In 1993, Tim Burton found a way to marry—or at least have fun with—America’s two favorite times of year in “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” It’s a classic tale of Halloweentown’s Jack Skellington discovering Christmas and wanting to share it with his scary world … in all the wrong ways. Originally a poem written by Burton in ‘82 while he was working as an animator at … Continue reading LIGHT AND DARK: Bahola ‘B’ Johnson brews new series of art at PCJ

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Theater

SEE, HEAR, FEEL: ‘Awakening’ debuts November 22 at Thalian Hall

It’s been a busy couple of weeks for choreographer Alyona Amato. Her piece, “Crook,” was among almost a dozen performances featured in Dance-a-lorus at Cucalorus 25 on November 13. Amato brought her experimental piece to life with fellow dancer and filmmaker Emily Bannerman. Accustomed to collaborating with painters, visual artists and musicians, the Russian-born dancer grew up in Siberia, where she became enamored with dance … Continue reading SEE, HEAR, FEEL: ‘Awakening’ debuts November 22 at Thalian Hall

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Film, Music

VISUAL POETICS: G Yamazawa joins Shirlette Ammons and Kid Ethnic for Cucalorus’ Visual/Sound/Walls

“I actually came up and was raised by the poetry community in Durham and North Carolina,” says poet and emcee George Masao Yamazawa Jr., a.k.a. G Yamazawa. “So I can kind of speak a little bit more toward  that community, as opposed to the music community. There’s a lot of intersections but it’s just a very tight-knit, family-oriented experience.” Now living in Los Angeles, Yamazawa … Continue reading VISUAL POETICS: G Yamazawa joins Shirlette Ammons and Kid Ethnic for Cucalorus’ Visual/Sound/Walls

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Theater

WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE: (Dis)connect with ‘OK GURGLE’ at Cucalorus 25

“Just like Ariel [from ‘The Little Mermaid’], we all wanna be where the people are,” artist Alexis Powell says. She’s talking about connectivity—especially between artists, musicians and working creatives in the digital age. “Big tech knows that and uses it to its advantage.” “I love the internet,” Candace B. Thompson adds. “I was an early smart-phone adopter, and I use Instagram constantly in my work … Continue reading WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE: (Dis)connect with ‘OK GURGLE’ at Cucalorus 25

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Music

COMMUNITY TIES: Carolina Pines Fest returns after three-year hiatus

  Carolina Pines Fest is back in full swing this weekend after a three-year hiatus. Having made it official with a comeback party in June, followed by a series of house parties and small shows, Carolina Pines relaunches with two days of live music Friday at Satellite and Saturday at Waterline Brewing. While original festival cofounder Anna Mann says she’s a little nervous about this … Continue reading COMMUNITY TIES: Carolina Pines Fest returns after three-year hiatus

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Food, FOOD & DRINK

HERE TO SERVE: Flavor of NC returns for sixth year with Southern grub

“Pulled pork, shrimp and grits, butter bean succotash, smoked gouda mac and cheese, smoked turkey, collard greens.” Jane Birnbach, senior development director at Good Shepherd Center, lists the menu for this year’s decadent fundraiser. The sixth annual Flavor of NC is Saturday, November 9, at Carolina Yacht Club. Aside from soulful Southern fare, Coastal Beverage has donated NC craft beers and wines, plus a silent … Continue reading HERE TO SERVE: Flavor of NC returns for sixth year with Southern grub

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

SOUNDS LIKE FALL: ILM’s music scene going strong into November

This week leads into the final days of October with the end of 2019 shortly closing in. Despite outdoor venues wrapping up their summer roster, we aren’t seeing a slowdown in live music throughout ILM quite yet, even as winter approaches. Here are just a few highlights from the coming days—and be sure to see the rundown of live music on encore’s Soundboard in print … Continue reading SOUNDS LIKE FALL: ILM’s music scene going strong into November

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Cover Story, Music

LIVE FEARLESSLY: Andy Frasco & The U.N. headline show at BAC

  Andy Frasco & The U.N. aren’t just a soulful rockin’ party band; they are the band that brings the party. “I love entertaining,” Frasco says over the phone before his October show at the Brooklyn Arts Center was moved to Sunday, November 3. “That’s what keeps me alive, I think. It’s like all this horrible stuff I do to my liver, and my body … Continue reading LIVE FEARLESSLY: Andy Frasco & The U.N. headline show at BAC

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EXTRA & FEATURES, Live Local

SPOOKY ADVENTURES: Haunted highlights leading up to All Hallow’s Eve

  The only thing more terrifying than ghost stories and bloody entrails is the fact we don’t have enough room to print all of the Cape Fear’s Halloween happenings. Trunk-or-treats, haunted trails, pumpkin carvings, costume contests, spooky theatre, murderous music, movie screenings, fearsome festivals… Hold onto your butts, it’s Halloween. October 24, 7 p.m. Pumpkin Carving Contest Palate, 1007 N. 4th St. Free entry Know … Continue reading SPOOKY ADVENTURES: Haunted highlights leading up to All Hallow’s Eve

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