| Wilmington,
NC – January 2016 / Newsmaker Alert / Don’t let the winter blues
get you down. Trade those winter blues for water views when you visit Wilmington,
North Carolina and its island beaches. Enjoy life’s simple pleasures:
ocean sunrises, river sunsets, fresh seafood and winter festivals that
indulge the senses, including the Wilmington
Wine & Chocolate Festival (Jan. 29-31) and the North
Carolina Jazz Festival (Feb. 4-6) which are held on back-to-back
weekends.
January ends on a sweet note
with the Wilmington Wine and Chocolate Festival (Jan. 29-31) at the Coastline
Event Center (503 Nutt Street, Wilmington). Wine and chocolate
connoisseurs can sip, nibble and buy delectable delights from regional
wineries, chocolatiers, specialty foods and artisans. A Friday night Grand
Tasting (7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.) kicks off with live music, heavy hors d’oeuvres
(by Catering Thyme) and a fine art exhibit. “El Jaye Johnson & the
Port City All-Stars” will have everyone on their feet dancing to popular
funk, soul, jazz, R&B, blues and reggae tunes while wine and chocolate
purveyors tantalize with tastings. Next door at the Riverview Room and
Terrace, the comedy, beer & cigar bar will feature returning comedian
“Basile” (8:00 p.m.). Wilmington’s own Broomtail Craft Brewery and Atomic
Cigars will provide craft beer and hand-rolled cigars. On Saturday (11:00
a.m. - 6:00 p.m.) and Sunday (12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.), the European-style
wine and chocolate marketplace features more than 50 fine vintners, chocolatiers,
bakers, specialty food purveyors, artists and musicians. Marketplace diversions
include food demonstrations by Chef Sam Lawler of Catering Thyme, GAMMS
and more. There’s also a Funtime Kids’ Korner with inflatables, art and
planting activities. Saturday’s musical lineup includes Benny Hill (saxophone),
Susan Savia (guitar/vocals), LaCi (variety duo) and El Jaye Johnson (one-man
band). Sunday’s entertainment includes Darryl Donnell Murrill (saxophone)
and Rebekah Todd (folk/blues singer/songwriter). All this adds up to a
decadent weekend along Wilmington’s award-winning riverfront. The admission
charge benefits the New Hanover County Senior Center’s programs. Grand
Tasting tickets are based on availability. Saturday and Sunday marketplace
tickets are good for one day only. Discounts for children (ages 6-12)/seniors
(60+)/military. Group rates available. For details, schedule, advance tickets
and partner hotels, call 910-742-0120 or www.wilmingtonwineandchocolatefestival.com.
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February starts on a jazzy
note with the 36th Annual North Carolina Jazz Festival, a winter tradition
since 1980 that brings world-class artists to Wilmington, North Carolina.
On February 4th through 6th, fourteen traditional and swing jazz musicians
will take the stage for three days in an intimate setting at the Hilton
Wilmington Riverside’s ballroom. Cabaret-style seating and All-Star
musicians distinguish this as one of the largest traditional jazz festivals
in the Southeast. The 2016 North Carolina Jazz Festival kicks off on Thursday
night with a 3 ½-hour “Styles of Jazz” concert featuring Galen &
Friends (gypsy jazz), Professor Cunningham’s Old School Tribute (big band),
jazz master pianist Hod O’Brien and vocalist Stephanie Nakasian with a
Tribute to Ladies of Jazz. The evening will come to a rousing close with
a traditional jazz jam of Thursday evening’s All-Stars. Friday and Saturday
evening features an All-Star musician lineup in a traditional presentation
of seven sets with different leaders. This year’s artists include: Kevin
Bales and Rossano Sportiello (piano); Jim Fryer and Dion Tucker (trombone);
Herman Burney and Nicki Parrott (bass); Jonathan Russell (violin); Nate
Najar (guitar); Randy Reinhart and Bria Skonberg (trumpet); Chuck
Redd (vibes); Adrian Cunningham and Ken Peplowski (reeds); Quentin Baxter
and Chuck Redd (drums); Adrian Cunningham, Vincent Gardner, Nicki Parrott
and Bria Skonberg (vocals). Other highlights include workshops, master
classes and a Patron’s brunch and jam with the All-Stars. Events take place
at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside (301 N. Water Street, Wilmington). Admission
charge. For N.C. Jazz Festival tickets and details, call 910-793-1111 or
visit www.ncjazzfestival.com.
Tickets are available
online via the festival website and for purchase at Audio Lab, 5732
Oleander Dr., Wilmington. For hotel reservations and festival rates, contact
Hilton Wilmington Riverside: 910-763-5900; www.wilmingtonhilton.com.
City + Beaches: Between
sips and sets, visitors can enjoy Wilmington’s 1.75-mile Riverwalk with
more than 200 shops, restaurants, and attractions, all within easy walking
distance. Prefer an ocean view? The island beaches of Carolina
Beach,
Kure Beach and Wrightsville
Beach are just a few minutes’ drive from the historic river district.
For a free 2016 Official Visitors Guide, call 1-866-266-969 or download
a copy. For seasonal highlights and special offers, visit www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/season/2016-winter-highlights.
Media
Contact:
Wilmington
and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau
Connie
Nelson
Communications/PR
Director
910-332-8751
866-266-9690
ext. 120
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The
New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority d/b/a Wilmington and Beaches
Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization
of New Hanover County, North Carolina that stimulates economic development
through the promotion of travel and tourism.
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