Tag: Wilmington NC

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Music

KEEPING LIVE MUSIC ALIVE: Virtual festival ‘Don’t Leave Your Stoop’ gets under way Saturday

  Despite postponed and canceled events plaguing our social calendar right now, Wilmington’s music community continues to find ways to get artists and their music to listeners. Stoop Records, a local independent label founded and managed by Kevin Earl, is just one of countless recording companies that have had to think creatively to overcome the effects of COVID-19. “The main setback of COVID-19 so far … Continue reading KEEPING LIVE MUSIC ALIVE: Virtual festival ‘Don’t Leave Your Stoop’ gets under way Saturday

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Music

SILVER LINING: Mike Blair and the Stonewalls release a series of singles leading up to ‘Almanac County’

  “Somebody asked me the other day, ‘What are you doing for fun?’” singer-songwriter Mike Blair tells me over our Zoom sesh—not quite the same as grabbing a beer at Burnt Mill Creek, but we’re both getting used to it. We’re discussing the “COVID cloud” we’re all living under these days as we wait patiently (mostly?) for the return of normalcy in commerce, arts and … Continue reading SILVER LINING: Mike Blair and the Stonewalls release a series of singles leading up to ‘Almanac County’

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Music

BE PROUD: Former Seahawk Christy McDonald releases debut EP ‘PROUD’

  Last weekend was supposed to be commencement for 2020 UNCW grads. Of course, COVID-19 put the kibosh on those plans. While it’s disappointing for so many who have worked hard for years, UNCW alumni, faculty and staff have been sharing words of encouragement and congratulating graduates in an effort to remind there’s so much to celebrate. “I know this is a weird time, but … Continue reading BE PROUD: Former Seahawk Christy McDonald releases debut EP ‘PROUD’

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Music

TAKE THE MIC(TURN): MicTurn app wraps first original song contest

  Wilmington’s Jason Ashby and Kennon Young just closed entries for their first original song contest on Sunday via their MicTurn app. With 59 entries (and the nonprofit 100 Men Who Care in Wilmington matching each $5 entry donation with $10), they raised $590 for Meals For Heroes. “Nothing crazy but it feels great to give back in any way,” Ashby says. Submissions were open … Continue reading TAKE THE MIC(TURN): MicTurn app wraps first original song contest

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Music

LEARNING A NEW TUNE: Jeremy Mathews offers private online lessons in instruments, songwriting and more

  For the past few weeks, tribute videos for John Prine have flooded the internet. The folk singer-songwriter, who passed away from COVID-19 complications on April 7, was an influential figure for countless artists around the globe. Like many other musicians nationwide and here locally, multi-instrumentalist and music teacher Jeremy Mathews plans to pay tribute to Prine with covers of song such as “All the … Continue reading LEARNING A NEW TUNE: Jeremy Mathews offers private online lessons in instruments, songwriting and more

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Music

SING A (QUARAN)TUNE: Pianist Clay Whittington plays live for audiences every Thursday

  It’s been a while since I sat down with pianist Clay Whittington at Port City Java on Market Street in 2013. The Kinston-born North Carolinian had moved to Wilmington only a few months prior in order to fulfill his passion for performance in theatre, film and music. Leading up to his move, Whittington had been in shows like “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Clue,” “TEXAS,” “Disney’s … Continue reading SING A (QUARAN)TUNE: Pianist Clay Whittington plays live for audiences every Thursday

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EXTRA & FEATURES, Feature

SIMPLE BEAUTY: River Organics takes chemicals and plastics out of makeup

Originally published in encore magazine, April 7, 2020 We have a multi-layered, toxic relationship with the cosmetic industry. At its foundation, so to speak, is the deluge of products we inundate our skin with, as well as the waste of purchased items that are hardly used. A 2017 survey of 3,000 women (commissioned by SkinStore) found an average use of 16 products in the morning, … Continue reading SIMPLE BEAUTY: River Organics takes chemicals and plastics out of makeup

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Music

RAY OF LIGHT: Sean Thomas Gerard talks latest single and accompanying April 4 livestream

  For the last couple of weeks, encore (like everyone else in ILM) has gotten used to seeing the words “postponed” and “canceled” due to COVID-19. It’s a tough pill to swallow for the arts and entertainment community, especially for musicians who rely on shows and festivals for exposure and a paycheck. Among them is Sean Thomas Gerard of Onward, Soldiers, who books shows for … Continue reading RAY OF LIGHT: Sean Thomas Gerard talks latest single and accompanying April 4 livestream

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EXTRA & FEATURES, Feature

LOG ON: NHCS teachers talk new strategy as they navigate online learning

  Due to the governor’s current stay-at-home order, New Hanover County Schools announced on March 29 they will remain closed to the public through May 15. The closure includes all schools and facilities, except by appointment or at the discretion of a school’s principal. Learning continuity planning and training for teachers has been underway since March 24, and teachers are expected to launch their online … Continue reading LOG ON: NHCS teachers talk new strategy as they navigate online learning

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Film

THREE FOR THREE: Wilmington actor Carson Holmes talks about his role on ‘Ozark,’ season three premiere

  Folks who have been watching Netflix’s “Ozark” are familiar with the Langmores, especially Ruth (Julia Garner)—a smart, sassy and sometimes well-intentioned 20-something trying to do what’s right for her family. There’s also her teenage cousins, Wyatt (Charlie Tahan) and his younger brother Three, played by Wilmingtonian Carson Holmes. The Langmores are known in their community for low, petty theft crimes, but some of the … Continue reading THREE FOR THREE: Wilmington actor Carson Holmes talks about his role on ‘Ozark,’ season three premiere

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