Category Archives: Entertainment

Fifty-five Years of Doctor Who

The Doctor Is Calling – Ingram Planetarium Celebrates
Fifty-five Years of Doctor Who by Presenting Arrows of Time

Ingram Planetarium invites you to celebrate Doctor Who, one of the world’s most recognized science fiction series. Starring Colin Baker, ten Doctors battle it out with their darkest enemy ever in this first multi-Doctor, multi-verse, full dome planetarium show. Prepare to be taken on the adventure of your lifetimes as they battle The Given, an evil force older than the universe itself, in a desperate attempt to thwart his plans and save the universe from destruction. Do you have what it takes to become the ultimate companion?

This high-resolution full dome show features animated biometric talking avatars, stunning visuals, and a brand-new story culminating in the ultimate tribute to the world’s favorite sci-fi hero. It features the amazing voice talents of Colin Baker, the Sixth Doctor, as The Narrator, John Guilor, the voice of the First Doctor in the BBC’s official fiftieth-anniversary story, “The Day of the Doctor,” Jacob Dudman, Big Finish’s newest star, Christopher Thomson, Peter Walsh and Elliott Crossley. This truly is a fan’s dream come true.

The Arrows of Time: A Tribute to Dr. Who event premiers on November 23 at 8:30 PM. Encore showings take place on November 25 at 3:00 PM and December 26 at 8:00 PM. General admission tickets are $9.50 for adults, $8.50 for seniors (62+), and $7.50 for children (3-12). Members and children age 2 and under are free. No discounts are applicable for this program.

Ingram Planetarium is located at 7625 High Market Street in Sunset Beach, NC. For more information, call 910-575-0033, visit www.museumplanetarium.org, or like us on Facebook.com/IngramPlanetarium.

 

Myrtle Beach International Film Festival

The 12th Annual Myrtle Beach International Film Festival is set for Wednesday through Saturday, April 19-22, at Grand 14 Movie Theater at The Market Common. 

The exciting event features films and filmmakers from around the world, many presenting their film as world premieres. 

For tickets, visit www.myrtlebeachfilmfestival.com or call 843-497-0220.  All ticket sales occur by MBIFF staff in the lobby, online or by-phone.  All-access passes (include all films and events) are $50 per person.  Individual tickets are $10 per person for each two-hour block of time. 

Visit http://myrtlebeachfilmfestival.com/assets/mbiff12.bookletpamphlet.pdf to see a full list of movies titles, times and descriptions.

Brookgreen Gardens Cool Summer Evenings Jazz July 6 & 8

Enjoy Brookgreen Gardens in the cool of the evening when the gardens remain open late on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from through August 5. Wednesday and Friday evenings, music fills the air with outdoor concerts, evening boat rides, and on Thursday evenings there are special programs just for kids. Food service is available all three evenings. Entertainment and programs are included in garden admission which is good for seven days! (boat rides are an additional fee – adults $8, Children $4.) uni

Wednesday, July 6 at 7 p.m. – U “N” I, Jazz 

Thursday, July 7 – Family Night  with a “A Pirate’s Journey Along the Creeks” aboard The Springfield. The pontoon boat rides are at 5, 6, and 7 pm. At the end of the trip, you’ll find the treasure chest and kids pick a keepsake coin from the chest to take home. Each child also gets a pirate hat and a treasure map that is theirs to keep. Arrrgh… don’t be a landlubber and miss the boat! (Regular boat ride tickets required) The Children’s Discovery Room is open until 7 pm and has 30,000 LEGO® bricks available for kids to play with during their visit. There will be a LEGO movie showing at 6:30 pm in the Lowcountry Center Auditorium and Nature Connects Art with LEGO Bricks® will be open until 8 pm in the Zoo!

Friday, July 8 at 7 p.m. Javier Jazz Project 

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to Wednesday and Friday performances. The Lowcountry Trail, the Zoo with the new exhibit “Nature Connects Art with LEGO Bricks”, Butterfly House, and Enchanted Storybook Forest close at 8 p.m. The gardens are open until 9 p.m. Pontoon boat rides are available all three evenings at 5, 6 & 7 p.m.Pirate Boat Tour is Thursday evening only.

Brookgreen Gardens, a National Historic Landmark and non-profit organization, is located on U.S. 17 between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island, South Carolina, and is open to the public daily. For more information, visit our web site at www.brookgreen.org or call 843-235-6000.

CAPE FEAR SHAKESPEARE ON-THE-GREEN FESTIVAL

The time is nigh and the stage is set for the 2016 Cape Fear Shakespeare on the Green festival, held every weekend in June at the Hugh Morton Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. Now in its 24th season, the annual free-to-the-public Cape Fear Shakespeare on the Green festival, in association with the City of Wilmington, will present two shows: “Twelfth Night” and “The Two Gentlemen of Verona.”

 

Themes of William Shakespeare’s plays continue to resonate with modern audiences. Have you ever wondered where oft-quoted lines originated? For instance: “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them…” and “They do not love, that do not show their love.” These memorable quotes are from Shakespeare’s masterpieces “Twelfth Night” and “The Two Gentlemen of Verona,” respectively. Both plays are slated for the 2016 season of Cape Fear Shakespeare on the Green and will be staged on select dates in June.

 

The Cape Fear Shakespeare Youth Company kicks off the season performing The Bard’s first romantic comedy, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona.” This playful show, directed by CFSOTG artistic director Cherri McKay, is about privileged youths with no real responsibility who are living in a world where adults are on the parameter. Cape Fear Shakespeare Youth Company performances are suitable for families and will be staged at 8:00 p.m., Monday through Wednesday, June 6-8 and Monday through Thursday, June 13-16.

 

“Twelfth Night,” directed by Adrian Monte, is this year’s feature production. Among Shakespeare’s most perfect comedies, the romantic plot revolves around separated twins, misplaced passions, and mistaken identity. Meanwhile, a satirical subplot unfolds as a self-deluded steward who dreams of becoming a count is derailed by the merrymakers he wishes to suppress. Put all these people together and you have a delightful poignant symphony of miscommunication, misconception and non-comprehension, all fueled by romantic desire. Add the lush backdrop of Greenfield Park and you have the makings of a perfect summer outing. Performances are staged each weekend at 8:00 p.m., beginning Saturday, June 4 through Sunday, June 26. Performance dates for “Twelfth Night” are June 4-5; 10-12; 17-19; and 24-26, with an additional Actor Appreciation show on Thursday, June 23.

 

Cape Fear Shakespeare on the Green is among Wilmington’s most anticipated summer traditions. Visitors and residents enjoy free productions of The Bard’s works in a family atmosphere at the Hugh MortonGreenfield Lake Amphitheater. Located in the heart of Wilmington on the lake’s edge, the stage is surrounded by stately moss-draped cypress trees and well-manicured gardens of Greenfield Park. With 900 seats, the amphitheater is the only one of its kind in Southeastern North Carolina and is among Wilmington’s largest entertainment venues. Performances of Cape Fear Shakespeare on the Green are free to the public and donations are always welcome and appreciated. Gates open at 6:30 pm; shows begin at 8:00 p.m.

 

For an evening of laid-back fun that brings the arts and nature together, arrive early and bring a picnic or enjoy a snack from the concession stand. Greenfield Lake Amphitheater is located at 1941 Amphitheater Drive, Wilmington. For more details call 910-399-2878, email shakespeareonthegreen03@yahoo.com or visit www.capefearshakespeare.com.

 

Go with the flow and see where the water takes you. Wilmington, N.C. & Island Beaches is a convenient drive along US 74 (from Charlotte) or I-40 (from Greensboro and Raleigh).  For a free Official Visitors Guide for Wilmington, and the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach, call 1-866-266-9690. For summer highlights and events: www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/season/2016-summer-highlights.

Myrtle Beach International Film Festival

The 11th Annual Myrtle Beach International Film Festival is set for Wednesday through Saturday, April 20-23, 2016, at Carmike Cinema 17, Broadway at the Beach. 

The exciting event features films and filmmakers from around the world, many presenting their film as world premieres.  The Myrtle Beach International Film Festival has been selected as the recipient of national and international awards, including Movie Maker Magazine’s List of Top 25 Film Festivals for filmmakers to submit their work. 

For tickets, visit www.myrtlebeachfilmfestival.com or call 843-497-0220.  All ticket sales occur by MBIFF staff in the lobby, online or by-phone.  All-access passes (include all films and events) are $50 per person.  Individual tickets are $10 per person for each two-hour block of time.

For a full list of movies titles, times and descriptions, visit http://www.myrtlebeachfilmfestival.com/assets/mbiff-11-booklet.pdf.

California Roots presents The Carolina Sessions Reggae Music Festival

Join the reggae music fun at the inaugural California Roots presents The Carolina Sessions Reggae Music Festival from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday, April 9, at the Pavilion site, Ninth Avenue North and Ocean Boulevard.  The best reggae bands travel to Myrtle Beach to play tropical jams for the crowd, so bring a large blanket to sit on and simply enjoy the happy vibes. Food, beer, wine and gift vendors will be on site, and food vendors will offer vegetarian and vegan options, too!  The music festival is a family friendly event.  Security will be at the front gate, near stages and roaming throughout the festival grounds.  Children, ages 10 and under, get in free with a paying adult ticketholder.  Tickets from the previously cancelled festival (October 3, 2015) will be accepted for the April 9 show.  For more information, visit http://californiarootscarolina.com/.

Music Laser Shows at Ingram Planetarium

Enjoy a wide array of music from classic rock, pop, and country albums set to mesmerizing laser graphicsat Ingram Planetarium in Sunset Beach, NC during February 2016.

Feb. 19            6 pm — Laser Retro – Go back in time and enjoy some rock classics from 80’s bands such as Red Rider, Duran Duran, The Police, The Eurythmics, Tears for Fears, and more.

Feb. 19            7 pm – Laser Michael Jackson – “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” of this laser show featuring the greatest hits from the King of Pop. Let “The Gloved One” entertain you with songs such as Black or White, Thriller, Bad, and Man in the Mirror.

Feb. 20            6 pm – Laser Country – Set to the all-American sounds of modern and classic country hits, Laser Country will appeal to generations of all ages. This show includes music from iconic country stars such as Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline to contemporary country musicians like Carrie Underwood and Little Big Town.

Feb. 20            7 pm – Laser Pop – Enjoy laser graphics set to pop music throughout the decades. This lively playlist includes music from The Beatles, N’Sync, Sting, The Beach boys, and others.

Complete playlists are available at www.museumplanetarium.org.

Ingram Planetarium is located at 7625 High Market Street in Sunset Beach, NC. Consider becoming a planetarium member; admission is free for members. Non-member admission (including NC sales tax) is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors (62+), $7 for children (3-12), and free for age 2 and under. For more information, call 910-575-0033 or visit www.MuseumPlanetarium.org.

Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Joins SplashPlay’s Groundbreaking Fundraising Program

SplashPlay, Inc. announced today that Friends of the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, whose support helps promote and perpetuate activities relating to the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, is the newest member of SplashPlay’s growing fundraising partnerships. The USS North Carolina Battleship serves as the State’s Memorial to the over 11,000 North Carolinians who served and died during World War II. The battleship is a powerful symbol of our gratitude and pride for those who served in World War II and for all who serve in our nation’s armed forces and their families.

Splash Play Tent Card
“It is our mission to transform social media and mobile engagement to empower social causes like the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA by generously sharing our industry’s prosperity creating the most powerful fundraising vehicle in America.” said Thomas Banks, Co-Founder of SplashPlay, Inc. “We believe the power of social media and mobile technology can be turned to positively benefit social causes rather than exploiting prurient interests,” added Banks.
“Since the founding 29 years ago, Friends of the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA have been committed to educating the public on the accomplishments and sacrifices of American patriots, and to engage our guests in unique and exciting ways that bring the ship to life by connecting the past with the future,” said Heather Loftin, Promotions Director for the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA.
“We see over three hundred thousand visitors per year visiting Battleship NORTH CAROLINA who appreciate the role she played in shaping U.S. and world history,” said Loftin. “We believe our new partnership with SplashPlay will assist us in educating the public in an innovative and entertaining way. Additionally, the funding that will be received from SplashPlay game play will go towards the preservation efforts of the ship.
“SplashPlay’s mobile social gaming model represents a genuine Sea change in crowdfunding. Very simply, SplashPlay donates 40% of our revenue to worthy causes establishing a new standard for corporate responsibility,” said Banks. “We invite all fundraising organizations, from charities to schools, to become SplashPlay fundraisers by visiting www.splashplay.com. Our program is completely Free of Charge to fundraisers and game players alike and is committed to providing significant and transformative funding through a new and entertaining manner,” added Banks.
To play the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA game, visit www.splashtrivia.com/a203.

Remembering Shag The Movie

“It’s been an honor to hear from so many people how much Shag the movie has meant to them,” said screenwriter Lanier Laney.  He is from Spartanburg, SC, and the movie is a retelling of his summers growing up at Pawleys Island watching his older brother going across the street to the Pawleys Pavilion to listen to the African American beach music bands and dance the Shag, a dance which had originated in the black clubs next to Ocean Drive in North Myrtle Beach. Shag poster (1)

The movie was set in pre-integration South Carolina, and it was white kids from upper class families who first starting going to hear black bands at the beach pavilions of South Carolina.  In upcountry towns like Greenville, Spartanburg and Charlotte, the only way the kids could hear the music was by tuning into powerful radio stations broadcasting from Nashville and buying records. The music was dubbed “race music” by their segregationist parents, and many white children were forbidden to listen to the music at the time.  But that did not stop it from becoming THE music and dance of several generations of South Carolina beachgoers.  Shag was named the State Dance of South Carolina in 1990 and when the movie was filmed here, it brought more than $5 million into the local economy.

“It was a miracle that Shag was ever made. It had no big stars, and it was about four girls from the South. Something that was not considered big box office at the time,” Laney said. “The total credit for that movie getting made goes to my co-screenwriter Terry Sweeney who sold it on a pitch to Guy MacElwane, then the head of MGM in California.”

Said MacElwane (after Terry’s pitch to him of what the movie would be about and what sort of things the girls would say) “I don’t know a thing about South Carolina or what the heck Shag is, but I do know you’re funny! Go write your movie.”

Terry and Lanier at Pawleys Island

Terry and Lanier at Pawleys Island

Laney and Sweeney wrote the movie at the Tip Top Inn on Pawleys.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Sweeney’s new book Irritable Bowels and the People Who Give You Them was released in 2015. Sweeney is remembered for his writing and performance on “Saturday Night Live” where he imitated Nancy Reagan and made history as the first openly gay performer on American television.

photo by Terry and Lanier

photo by Terry and Lanier

Sweeney and his husband Laney left their writing careers in Hollywood to make a life in Beaufort, SC .

Long Bay Symphony Orchestra Presents Pomp & Circumstance

Maestro Charles Evans will lead the Long Bay Symphony Orchestra (LBSO) in the presentation of Pomp & Circumstance: English Splendour on Sunday, March 8, 2015, at 4 p.m. at the Myrtle Beach High School Music & Arts Center.Jessica_Lee

The Long Bay Symphony continues its 27th season – Great Masterpieces, Masterfully Performed –with the incomparable riches of the English classics. Be enthralled by the splendor of Elgar’s marches; relax and enjoy the delicate interweaving of Vaughan Williams’’ folk songs; get excited by Britten’s “Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra.” This concert also highlights returning guest artists Jessica Lee performing Walton’s Violin Concerto.

Concert Preview with Maestro Evans at 3:15 pm. Dr. Evans discusses the musical and historical features of the works and their composers in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. This educational event is FREE to all ticket holders.

Program Details
Dr. Charles Jones Evans, conductor
Jessica Lee, violin soloist

Purchase tickets for Musical Postcards by calling 843.448-8379 or online at www.LongBaySymphony.com. You may also visit the Box Office located at 1107 48th Avenue N., Suite 310-E, Myrtle Beach.

Admission: Tickets range from $20 to $50, student discount available.