Wilmington NC Events Jan-Feb 2014

Event Calendar
Looking to fill your social calendar? We've got the rundown on what to do this winter season.

Cabaret

Jan 2 - 5; Jan 9 - 12

Thalian Hall and City Stage present "Cabaret", a dramatic and satirical production about young adults performing at the "Kit-Kat" Cabaret to achieve fame and riches. Thursday to Sunday. 8pm, Sundays 7:30pm. Thalian Hall, 910-264-2602. citystagenc.com

Jazz at the CAM with Gregg Gelb Jazzet

Jan 9

The fourth season of the popular seven concert series offers a mixture of new and familiar musicians in a variety of combinations performing a range of jazz genres for your listening pleasure. Based in Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, Gregg Gelb and Jazzet featuring pianist/vocalist Steve Wing bring their New Orleans, Swing and Bebop influenced jazz to the series. 6:30-8pm. Weyerhaeuser Reception Hall, 910-395-5999. cameronartmuseum.com

149th Anniversary of the Battle of Fort Fisher: Medical Services of Fort Fisher

Jan 18

Big guns boom across the Cape Fear, soldiers drill, ladies of the camp visit settlers hawking goods. Each year, the reenactment of the fall of Fort Fisher attracts visitors from across the nation and this year's anniversary is no different with a focus on Civil War medicine and surgery of both sides of the struggle. Living history actors will set up displays illustrating various medical tools and the care of the wounded, injured and sick soldiers. 10am-4pm. Fort Fisher State Historic Site, 910-458-5538. nchistoricsites.org/fisher

6th Annual Cold Stroke Classic

Jan 18

Coastal Urge's annual Cold Stroke Classic will be held on the beautiful Intracoastal Waterway off Wrightsville Beach. With 2 divisions, paddlers can opt to do the 3.5 mile Recreational course or the 7 mile Elite course. Throughout the day there will be an exhibitor's expo open to the public with free demos. Cash prizes will be spread across the top finishers in each division. All racers are required to have a USCG approved PFD and a leash in case the wind blows. 9:30am. Blockade Runner Beach Resort, 910-256-7112. coldstrokeclassic.com

East Coast Shag Classic

Jan 30 - Feb 2

This annual weekend event is for beach music lovers along the east coast to come and enjoy the sights and sounds of shagging at Wrightsville Beach. Thursday, enjoy The Craig Woolard Band while Friday jam to the tunes of Jim Quick & Coastline. Saturday listen and dance with the exciting Joey Warren Show with the Band of Oz and compete in the ECSC Shag Competition at noon. Sunday join in The Big Kahuna's Beach Party. Holiday Inn Resort, 910-256-2231. eastcoastshagclassic.com

SPONSORED EVENT: Wilmington Wine and Chocolate Festival

Jan 31 - Feb 2

Friday night is the Grand Tasting - pick your pleasure as regional vintners and chocolatiers offer their best for sampling and sale. Delicious hors d'oevres, live music performed by The Schoolboys and shopping artisan exhibits. The Grand Tasting will preview the Marketplace. Saturday & Sunday: Marketplace - Sip, Nibble & Sigh!  Enjoy this European style marketplace with a tasting tour of the best Carolina wineries, sample sweet sensations from the region's signature chocolatiers and revel in the good things in life with specialty foods and fine artisan products. Enjoy entertainment, food demonstrations, raffles and of course more chocolate all overlooking the gorgeous Cape Fear Riverfront. Fri 7-10pm, Sat 11-6pm, Sun 12-4pm. Coastline Event Center, 910-742-0120. wilmingtonwineandchocolatefestival.com

34th Annual NC Jazz Festival

Feb 6 - 8

This is one of the largest traditional jazz festivals in the Southeast and a STS Top 20 Event. Kick off Thursday night featuring 3 hours of different styles of jazz which will open with Brazilian singer Maucha Adnet and a Tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim. The second set of the evening will feature Wilmington's own Grenoldo Frazier and his tribute to Louis Armstrong. Friday and Saturday nights we will present our thirteen All-Star musicians in the traditional seven sets of six or seven players, each set with a different leader. These concerts will be 41/2 hours of beautiful jazz by the most talented musicians. Hilton Riverside Hotel, 910-793-1111. ncjazzfestival.com

SPONSORED EVENT: 9th Annual Red Dress Luncheon

Feb 7

The New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation Red Dress Project honors these women with a special event designed to bring more women together in the battle against heart disease. Together, the Foundation and the NHRMC Heart Center is helping more women learn the signs and symptoms of heart disease, get screened, and take steps to keep their hearts healthy. 11:30-1pm. Wilmington Convention Center, 910-815-5002, nhrmc.org/reddress

SPONSORED EVENT: Cape Fear Heart Ball

Feb 8

This annual black tie event celebrates The American Heart Association’s mission of building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke and raises funds to support research and education. The red carpet rolls out with an incredible silent auction and cocktail reception.  Over 450 guests representing the Cape Fear’s top business, medical, civic and social leaderswill enjoy an exciting gourmet dinner, live auction and musical entertainment. One of the largest fundraising events, research funded by the American Heart Association has yielded important discoveries and new lifesaving techniques such as CPR, life-extending drugs, pacemakers, bypass surgery and surgical techniques to repair heart defects. 6PM. Wilmington Convention Center , 910-538-9270.

Valentine's Day Cruise

Feb 14

This year, treat your special someone to this wonderful dinner & dance cruise on the scenic Cape Fear River. Enjoy an appetizing buffet, entertainment, and a cash bar with full ABC permits aboard North Carolina's Largest Riverboat for your romantic Valentine's Dinner. Board 6pm, cruise 6:30-9pm. Cape Fear Riverboats, 910-343-1611. cfriverboats.com

Seussical Jr.

Feb 14 - 16; Feb 21 - 23

The Thalian Association Children's Theatre presents Seussical Jr.This play is a journey into the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss, which melds many of his most famous characters into an original work about loyalty, friendship, and the power of the imagination. A fantastical conglomeration of the best-loved Seuss story lines and characters, this magical show hones down the full-length Broadway production into a fast-paced, neon extravaganza. Fri 7pm, Sat 3pm or 7pm, Sun 3pm. Hannah Block Historic USO & Community Arts Center, 910-341-7860. thalian.org

Sweetheart Saturday Cruise

Feb 15

Invite your special someone to cruise on the scenic Cape Fear River. Enjoy an appetizing buffet, entertainment and a cash bar will full ABC permits aboard North Carolina's largest riverboat. 6:30-9pm. Downtown, end of Market St., 910-343-1611. cfrboats.com

ACS Spring Home Show

Feb 21 - 23

The Home Show is an event designed for homeowners in all stages of remodeling, landscaping and decorating their homes. Each event includes hundreds of home improvement and landscaping exhibits with product demonstrations and sample interior and exterior vignettes. With a combination of new products and expert advice from the pros, the Home Show inspires homeowners with countless ideas on enhancing their home's comfort and functionality, as well as its aesthetic appeal and overall value. Parking is available at the attached parking deck. Fri 11-8pm, Sat 10-8pm, Sun 10-6pm. Wilmington Convention Center, 910-251-5101. acshomeshow.com

Art For All

Feb 21 - 22

The Brooklyn Arts Center is excited to announce Art for All 4, Wilmington’s cutting-edge art show. 50-plus of the region’s finest present their work in the magnificent BAC. Expect fabulous paintings, illustrations, sculpture, photography, watercolors, glass, metal, and woodwork, and more, all affordably priced. Fri 3-9pm, Sat 11-7pm. Brooklyn Arts Center, 910-538-2939. brooklynartsnc.com

Wilmington Winter Wine & Beer Walk

Feb 22

This self-guided bi-annual tasting tour of downtown Wilmington's finest popular restaurants and drinking establishments is a blast! Discover new and different beers and wines available at these local spots while you also discover your new favorite downtown hangout, bar, or restaurant. To make it even better, receive two free samples at each location. This event always sells out as tickets are limited, so purchase your tickets in advance. 1-6pm. Downtown Wilmington (see website for starting location), 216-374-8884. wineandbeerwalk.com

Special Olympics Polar Plunge

Feb 22

The 10th Annual Polar Plunge along with the year old 5K Run-N-Plunge will be held on Feb.22 so start to get that costume ready and a dance or skit prepared! Last year 122 runners participated in the 1st annual 5K Run-N-Plunge and 296 shivering plungers braved cold, rainy conditions to dive in a chilly Atlantic Ocean! The 5K Run-N-Plunge is all about fun! Dress up or find your inner superhero. The day begins at 11am with live music. The 5K Run/Walk is at 2pm followed by the costume contest for all 5K and Polar Plunge participants. At 3pm, the Polar Plunge begins as hundreds of people plunge into the cold ocean at Carolina Beach. Please check out the Run-N-Plunge page for more information and register for the 5K Run, the Polar Plunge or both. 11-3pm. Carolina Beach Boardwalk, 910-341-7253. plungenhc.com

6th Annual Festival of Flowers

Feb 26

Join Celebrity Tara Guerard of Tara Guerard Soiree, for an informative and lively discussion about flower and event design for the discerning client.  Tara will share her wealth of knowledge, along with visual aids, of the various clients she has served over the years.  She will also guide you step by step in producing your own floral table piece to take home for your enjoyment. Proceeds benefit Lower Cape Fear Hospice. 4:30pm. Cape Fear Comunity College, 910-796-7900. hospiceandlifecarecenter.org

Jimmy Webb

Feb 27

Jimmy Webb is one of the most accomplished songwriter's and composers of his generation. Best known for the instant classics he provided for such artists as Glen Campbell, Richard Harris, the Fifth Dimension, Art Garfunkel, Linda Ronstadt and more. But Jimmy Webb hasn't stopped there, now he's on tour and coming to Wilmington so come see the face and talent behind so many hit. 8pm. Thalian Hall, 910-632-2241. thalianhall.org