beachbites
december
12/01 & 12/02
The Nutcracker
Ballet for Young Audiences’
professional touring company presents
the holiday classic in a condensed,
narrated 60-minute version perfect for
the whole family, little ones included.
Box Office: 910-632-2285
Thalian Hall
www.thalianhall.org
12/02 - 12/04 & 12/09 - 12/11
The Santaland Diaries
David Sedaris’ one-man play about his
stint as Crumpet, a Macy’s Christmas elf
during the holiday crunch.
City Stage
www.citystagenc.com
12/03 – 12/04
Old Wilmington by
Candlelight Tour
A festive tour of the finest private
homes, churches and historical sites in
the downtown Wilmington.
Tickets: $30
Latimer House & Downtown
www.hslcf.org
12/03 – 12/04, 12/11, 12/17 – 12/18
Polar Express Holiday
Show
All aboard! Make reservations early
for the annual reading of the popular
children’s story Polar Express! Santa will
be there with treats and hot chocolate
for kids young and old. $5 per person.
Wilmington Railroad Museum
www.wrrm.org
12/3
6th Annual Wilmington Fur
Ball Red Carpet Gala
A black tie, red carpet fundraising
event features lavish hors d’oeuvres,
champagne and other spirits,
dancing to the musical stylings
of the 360 Degrees band, psychic
entertainment, silent and live auctions
including several works donated by
internationally exhibited artist George
Pocheptsov. Tickets are $85 each.
www.wilmingtonfurball.com
12/04
Poplar Grove Plantation’s
Christmas Open House
The ever-busy Mr. and Mrs. Claus will
be on hand to hear Christmas wishes
and read stories in the decorated
Manor House. Head out back to the
barn for an arts and crafts show.
Poplar Grove Plantation
www.poplargrove.com
Sunday 12/04, 1 pm
Candyland Christmas
Event
Ever wonder what reindeer eat? This is
your chance to make it while you visit
with Santa and get the chance to share
your holiday wish list. Learn to make
candy cottages and ornaments; enjoy
snacks and storytelling.
Children’s Museum of Wilmington
www.playwilmington.org
12/04
City of Wilmington Holiday
Parade
The 9th annual parade begins at
N. Front and Walnut Streets at 6:15 pm.
Bundle up and come out to cheer
on your favorite school bands, local
business and nonprofits as they
march through Historic Downtown
Wilmington. Don’t forget the thermos
of hot chocolate.
www.wilmingtonrecreation.com
12/04
Philadelphia Brass Holiday
Concert
Chamber Music Wilmington presents
Philadelphia Brass during the
Candlelight Tour finale.
St. James Parish Episcopal Church
www.chambermusicwilmington.org
12/06
Good Friends Luncheon
Since 1997, Good Friends of
Wilmington has gathered in December
to raise money for disadvantaged
individuals and families in New
Hanover County whose needs are not
being satisfied by other organizations.
The goal is to reach as many families
and individuals as possible. All of the
money raised goes directly to those in
need. The event is open to the public,
but reservations are appreciated. To
save a seat, contact Louise McColl at
(910) 350-1211 or email louise@
mccoll-associates.com
The Burney Center at UNCW
12/06
Fort Fisher Holiday Open
House
Looking for great seasonal fun and that
perfect gift for the history buff in your
family? Head down to Fort Fisher State
Historic Site and enjoy wassail, music
and 15 percent off on all gift shop
purchases.
www.friendsoffortfisher.com
12/06, 7 pm & 12/07, 12 pm
Pearl Harbor
Remembrance
The Azalea Coast Amateur Radio
Club hosts a worldwide ham radio
operator event onboard the Battleship
commemorating the December 7, 1941
attack on Pearl Harbor.
Battleship North Carolina
www.battleshipnc.com
12/08 – 12/18
The Sound of Music
In their final collaboration, Rogers and
Hammerstein bring the beloved story
of the von Trapp family alive on stage.
Winner of eight Tony Awards.
Thur-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 3pm.
Thalian Hall Main Stage
Box Office: 910-632-2285
www.thalian.org
12/08, 7:30 pm & 12/11, 3 pm
Christmas @ CAM V
Ring in the season with family and
friends and enjoy holiday music with
the Wilmington Choral Society.
Members $5, non-members $10.
Cameron Art Museum
910-395-5999
www.cameronartmuseum.com
12/09
Victorian Concert with
Susan Savia
Savia performs a parlor concert
featuring music that could have
appeared 150 years ago at the Bellamy
mansion. Tickets are $20. Seating is
limited.
Bellamy Mansion Museum
www.bellamymansion.org
12/13
The Combatants
Dr. Joseph Glatthaar, author and
professor at UNC-CH and Dr. Chris
Fonvielle, author and professor at
UNCW, discuss how Southerners of
both races made the choice to fight,
and what their experiences were in
the Confederate and U.S. Armies. $5
for museum members, $7 for nonmembers.
Students free with valid ID.
Call 910-798-4362 to register.
Cape Fear Museum
www.capefearmuseum.com
12/13, 8 pm
Annual Holiday Pops
Concert
Santa is not the only one coming
to town. Join the North Carolina
Symphony for a festive celebration of
the holiday season.
UNCW Kenan Auditorium
www.ncsymphony.org
14
WBM december 2011
12/15 & 12/16
The Office Holiday Party
Interactive, dinner theater comedy
features the wackiest holiday party in
town and is Porch Theatre Company’s
grand return to its original mission: the
comical conjoining of fantastic food,
original, fully-scripted, high-spirited,
interactive entertainment — and
laughs galore. Catering by Middle of
the Island Catering Company. Tickets
are $50.
Brooklyn Arts Center at St. Andrews
www.brooklynartsnc.com
12/16-12/24
Caroling by “REINDER”
Drawn Carriage or Trolley
Tune up your pipes and snuggle under
warm blankets as you take a carriage
ride tour through historic downtown
Wilmington lit up for the holidays. $12
adults, $5 children under 12.
www.horsedrawntours.com
12/17
5K Jungle Bell Run
Don your antlers, santa suits and tennis
shoes for this 3rd annual run benefiting
the Wrightsville Beach Museum of
History. T-shirts go to the first 300
participants, so sign up soon.
910-256-2569
www.wbmuseum.com
12/17 & 12/18
Colonial Christmas
The Burgwin-Wright House will be
dressed in 1700s holiday decor.
Come sip hot wassail as you stroll
the grounds, enjoy colonial dancers,
weaving and spinning, house tours,
18th century kitchen and more.
Tickets are $10.
Burgwin-Wright House Museum
910-762-0570
www.burgwinwrighthouse.com
12/31
New Year’s Noon
Countdown
The party gets started a little earlier for
the kids — 11:30 am to be exact. Free
with admission. Call 910-254-3534 for
more information.
Children’s Museum of Wilmington
www.playwilmington.org