February Calendar
What's going on this month in the area
CHEFS’ SHOWCASE
Hotel Ballast
The North Carolina Azalea Festival holds its annual Chefs’ Showcase as one of its prefestival events. A lineup of chefs including Don Drake of Magnolias in Charleston, Matthew Register of Southern Smoke BBQ, and Pastry Chef Jamie Turner of The Asbury in Charlotte serve up a five-course meal. Fine wine pairings, light entertainment, silent-auction items, and a luxury vacation raffle also are on tap for the event, which takes place 1-4:30 p.m. Tickets are $75.
Info: ncazaleafestival.org
JAKI SHELTON GREEN
Bourgie Nights
North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green headlines the third annual Writers’ Night, hosted by Friends School of Wilmington. Proceeds from the event, which starts at 7 p.m., benefit Friends School of Wilmington. Green was inducted the state’s ninth Poet Laureate last year, becoming the third woman and first African American in the position. A poet, teacher, community arts advocate, and the author of eight collections of poetry, she teaches at Duke University’s Center for Documentary Studies. New York Times best-selling author Wiley Cash serves as master of ceremonies for the Writers’ Night event. Tickets are $50.
Info: fsow.org
WAITRESS
CFCC Wilson Center – Through Feb. 6
The touring production of Waitress stops in Wilmington this month, with three shows at the Wilson Center. Based on the 2007 film, the Tony Award-nominated musical follows the story of waitress Jenna Hunterson, who sees a baking contest as her chance to escape the challenges of her life. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. February 4-6. Tickets are $46-$96.
Info: wilsoncentertickets.com
HEART OF THE MATTER
Hotel Ballast
Tambry Harris, a leadership and life coach and survivor of childhood sexual abuse, is the guest speaker for The Carousel Center’s annual lunch 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for The Carousel Center, Southeastern North Carolina’s only National Children’s Alliance-accredited Child Advocacy Center.
Info: carouselcenter.org
AILEY II
UNCW Kenan Auditorium
Founded in 1974 by Alvin Ailey, the Ailey II dance company combines the energy of young dance talent and emerging choreographers. Its tour comes to the Port City, with a 7:30 p.m. performance as part of UNCW Presents and is co-presented with Countywide CDC. Tickets for the dance performance are $25-$50.
Info: uncw.edu/ arts/presents
VALENTINE RUN
Wrightsville Beach
It’s a race to get the heart pumping. The Wrightsville Beach Valentine Run starts at Wrightsville Beach Park. A 5K takes off at 8 a.m., with the 10K starting at 9 a.m., or you can run both for a Double Trouble 15K distance. Enjoy an early Valentine’s date, with awards for the fastest runners as well as costume awards. Proceeds benefit the Wrightsville Beach Parks & Recreation Department.
Info: its-go-time.com/wbvalentine- run
FEAST DOWN EAST
UNCW Burney Center
Feast Down East holds its annual Local Food Conference, bringing together farmers and fishermen, food retailers and establishments, foodies, advocates, and community leaders. Workshop topics include agricultural and gardening techniques, cooking demonstrations and food tastings. Registration includes a locally-sourced breakfast and lunch.
Info: feastdowneast.org
KIDS AT CAM
Cameron Art Museum
Artist and educator Ben Billingsley introduces kids to printmaking. Families can create their own prints to take home using simple techniques, while Cape Fear Community College art students offer demos of more advanced printmaking techniques using print presses. The suggested donation for Kids at CAM, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., is $5 per child.
Info: cameronartmuseum.org
LEAH HAWKINS
UNCW Beckwith Recital Hall
Met (Metropolitan Opera) rising star Leah Hawkins performs at Opera Wilmington’s Caterina Jarboro Memorial concert, which also features the Snipes Academy Chorus. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 for adults and $8 for children/students with ID.
Info: operawilmington.org
ART FOR ALL
Brooklyn Arts Center – Through Feb. 23
Art for All 10 brings together more than fifty local and regional artists. The show is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5, which is good for both days. And children age twelve and under get in free.
Info: brooklynartsnc.com
CHARACTER BREAKFAST
Cape Fear Country Club
The Children’s Museum of Wilmington holds its 2020 Character Breakfast. Kids can get autographs and photographs with some of their favorite superheroes, princesses, storybook characters, and more. The event is 8:30-10 a.m., and tickets are $25 for children and $30 for adults.
Info: playwilmington.org/characterbreakfast
CAPE FEAR HEART BALL
Wilmington Convention Center
The Cape Fear American Heart Association’s Heart Ball fundraising gala takes place 6-11:30 p.m. The black-tie event includes a cocktail reception, dinner, live and silent auction, music, and more.
Info: “Cape Fear Heart Ball” on Facebook
A SUPREME ACT
The Wilson Center
Award-winning singer Diana Ross visits Wilmington this month, performing at the Wilson Center on February 28 at 7:30 p.m. for what is expected to be a sold-out show. From her early Motown days heading up The Supremes in the 1960s, Ross racked up seventy hit singles with the group and also as a solo artist – “Where Did Our Love Go” to “Endless Love.” Ross also found success on the small screen and in movies, acting in Lady Sings the Blues, Mahogany, and The Wiz.
Info: wilsoncentertickets.com
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