| Wilmington,
NC – January 2015 / Newsmaker Alert / Trade the winter blues
for water views when you visit Wilmington,
North Carolina and the island beaches of Carolina
Beach,
Kure Beach and Wrightsville
Beach, where you’ll find romantic settings at every turn. Imagine walking
hand-in-hand as the sun sets along America’s Best Riverfront (#1 “Best
American Riverfront,” USA TODAY 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards). Or, envision
jogging in tandem along a wide, sandy beach as the sun rises over the ocean’s
horizon. From the river to the sea, there are many ways to romance the
coast in Wilmington and its island beaches.
Winter strikes romantic chords,
beginning with the East Coast Shag Classic (Jan. 30-Feb. 1) and the 35th
Annual North Carolina Jazz Festival (Feb. 5-7), symphony performances,
jazz concerts and musical theatre. You can also satisfy your sweet cravings
and sample regional wines at the Wilmington
Wine & Chocolate Festival (Jan. 30-Feb. 1). And since Valentine’s
Day falls on a Saturday, you can spend a romantic weekend that includes
special Valentine tours and cruises and private horse-drawn
carriage rides of Wilmington’s historic river district. Or, spend some
time antiquing, gallery-hopping, hiking at a state park or cycling along
the new Gary Shell Cross-City Trail. In the evening, take in dinner and
a show at one of our elegant theatres. Dining options include a variety
of restaurants to suit every palate and budget, along with fresh seafood
specials. Accommodations range from oceanfront and riverfront hotels to
vacation rental homes and more than a dozen cozy bed-and-breakfast inns.
With accommodations in all price ranges, a winter escape at shoulder-season
rates won’t break the bank. Check out featured events, activities and special
offers at www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/season/2015-winter-highlights.
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Here’s a Sampling of
Romance-Inspired Events:
Jan. 29-Feb. 1: East Coast
Shag Classic. This popular beach music weekend features live
bands (The Band of Oz, The Embers, Jim Quick & Coastline, The Entertainers),
shag dance lessons, dancing and the East Coast Shag Classic Competition.
There’s also a Late Night Dance Party with DJ Joey Warren & Ken Jones
on Saturday,and a Gospel Train on Sunday morning with Joey Warren &
The Big Kahuna. Admission charge. Registration required; packages available.
Proceeds benefit Women of Hope. Holiday Inn Resort, Wrightsville Beach.
For event details and package info, visit: www.eastcoastshagclassic.com
Jan. 30-Feb. 1: Wilmington
Wine & Chocolate Festival. Fri. (grand tasting gala) 7pm-10pm.
Sat. (wine & chocolate marketplace) 11am-6pm; Sun. 12pm-4pm. Admission
charge. Coastline Event & Conference Center, Wilmington. 910-512-9948
or 910-742-0120; www.wilmingtonwineandchocolatefestival.com
Jan. 30-31 & Feb.
7-8; 14-15: “Love Happens” 7pm. A romantic comedy. Dinner theatre or
show only options. Special Valentine’s Day menu and show on Feb. 14.
Admission charge. Reservations. TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10th St., Wilmington.
910-399-3NOW; www.theatrewilmington.com
Feb. 5-7: 35th N.C. Jazz
Festival (STS Top 20 Event). 15 traditional jazz artists perform in
a cabaret-style setting. Admission charge/advance reservations. Hilton
Wilmington Riverside. 910-793-1111; www.ncjazzfestival.com
Feb. 5-8; 12-15: “Ring
Of Fire.” Thur.-Fri.-Sat. 8pm; Sun. 3pm. Admission charge. Thalian
Hall Main Stage, Wilmington. 910-632-2285 or 800-523-2820. www.thalian.org
FEB. 5-8, 12-15, & 19-22:
“DEARLY BELOVED” a wedding comedy. 8pm. Admission charge. Cape Fear Playhouse,
Wilmington. 910-367-5237; www.bigdawgproductions.org
Feb. 7: Bach Fest.
8pm. Wilmington Symphony Orchestra presents the music of J.S. Bach. UNCW
Kenan Auditorium, Wilmington. 910-791-9262; www.wilmingtonsymphony.org/bachfest.html
Feb. 8-15: Valentine Horse-Drawn
Carriage Ride. Moonlight carriage ride with private French evening
coach, rose, chocolates. Admission charge. Reservation only. Downtown Wilmington.
910-251-8889; www.horsedrawntours.com/id2.html
Feb. 11: Natalie Douglas:
Tribute To Nina Simone. 7:30pm. Acclaimed jazz vocalist. Thalian Hall,
Wilmington. 910-632-2285 or 800-523-2820. www.thalian.org
Feb. 12: Jazz At The Cam.
Concert by Gregg Gelb Jazz Quartet. 6:30pm. Admission charge. Cameron Art
Museum, Wilmington. 910-395-5999; www.cameronartmuseum.com
Feb. 12-14: Hold-Your-Honey-Tight
Fright Night Tours. Guides tell stories of love gone wrong. Ghost Walk:
Fri.-Sat.-Sun. (Feb. 12-14; Friday is the 13th!) at 6:30pm; Haunted Pub
Crawl: Fri./Sat. (Feb. 13-14) at 7:30pm. Admission charge. Reservations
required. 910-794-1866; www.hauntedwilmington.com
Feb. 13 & 14: Hugs
& Fishes Valentine’s Day Lock-In. 6pm-9am. Need a romantic
evening? Not sure what to do with the kids? The N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher
invites children, ages 5 to 12, to a Valentine’s sleepover with games,
crafts and animal programs. Dinner, snacks and breakfast provided. Admission
charge; prepaid reservations required. NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, 900
Loggerhead Rd., Kure Beach. 910-458-8257; reservations.ncaquariums.com/fortfisher/Info.aspx?EventID=31#sthash.zyz1fhN8.dpuf
Feb. 13: Sweetheart Friday
Cruise. 6:30pm-9pm; Cruise, buffet meal, entertainment, cash bar aboard
the Henrietta III riverboat. Boards half-hour prior to cruise (6pm). Advance
pre-paid reservations required. Cape Fear Riverboats, departs at Dock &
Water sts., Wilmington. 910-343-1611; 800-676-0162; www.cfrboats.com
Feb. 13: Cupid’s Cocktail
Cruise Valentine’s Day Cruise. 5:30pm. Swoon under the stars with your
Valentine on a 90-minute river cruise featuring light hors’ d’oeuvres,
champagne and music (departs at 5:30pm). Admission charge. Dock: 212 S.
Water St., Wilmington. 910-338-3134; www.wilmingtonwatertours.net
Feb. 14: A Valentine’s
Day Love Affair. Concert 8pm; doors open 7pm. Music by Levert II, Men
At Large, Rude Boys, Glenn Jones. Admission charge. Wilmington Convention
Center, Wilmington. 877-993-8499; www.ez-tixx.com
Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day
Cruise On The Henrietta III. 6:30pm-9pm; Cruise, buffet meal, entertainment
and cash bar aboard the Henrietta III riverboat. Boards at 6pm. Advance
pre-paid reservations required. Departs at Dock & Water sts., Wilmington.
910-343-1611; 800-676-0162; www.cfrboats.com
Feb. 14: Romantic Harbor
Cruise Valentine’s Day Cruise. 5:00pm. Swoon under the stars with your
Valentine on this 2-hour river cruise with Italian dinner, champagne, and
acoustic music (departs at 5:00pm). Admission charge. Dock: 212 S. Water
St., Wilmington. 910-338-3134; www.wilmingtonwatertours.net
Feb. 14-15: Valentine’s
Day Cruise At Wrightsville Beach. 11am-4pm (departs on hour). Wrightsville
Beach Scenic Tours. Cruise, chocolate & beverage. Admission charge;
advance reservations. 275 Waynick Ave., Wrightsville Beach (across from
Blockade Runner). 910-200-4002; www.wrightsvillebeachscenictours.com
Feb. 23: Beethoven’s 7th.
7:30pm. NC Symphony presents Beethoven’s 7th. Admission charge. UNCW
Kenan Hall, Wilmington. www.ncsymphony.org
Feb. 28: Tidewater Camellia
Club Show & Sale. 12:30pm. An American Camellia Society juried
show. Free admission. New Hanover County Arboretum, Wilmington. www.tidewatercamelliaclub.org
Feb. 28: Wilmington Wine
& Beer Walk. 1pm-6pm. Starts at Ziggy’s By The Sea, 208 Market
St., Wilmington. www.wineandbeerwalk.com/info_wilmington.html#sthash.WBcbPuT8.dpuf
And that’s not all; there
are lots more February happenings. For a complete calendar and visitor
information, visit www.GoWilmingtonAndBeaches.com
or call 866-266-9690 to request a 2015 Official Visitors Guide Events often
change without notice. Prior to travel, please confirm details with event
organizer. For seasonal specials and featured events: www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/season/2015-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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