Polka Party!
The 20th annual St. Stanislaus Polish Festival features a great day of family fun. Delicious Polish food — kielbasa, pierogis, kolachi, kruschiki, strudels — can be washed down with steins of St. Stan’s Baltic Porter, a delicious dark beer made with chocolate malt and crafted for the event by the Front Street Brewery. There are also a craft sale, raffle, children’s games and music from the Chardon Polka Band from Ohio. Free parking and admission. Nov. 4, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 4849 Castle Hayne Road, Castle Hayne. For info: (910) 675-2336
Major League Bargains
The Junior League of Wilmington has been promoting volunteerism and community service since its founding in 1952. On Nov. 17 and 18 the organization hosts its 64th annual Bargain Sale, a giant indoor event featuring electronics, furniture, housewares and a boutique of brand-new items sold at deep discounts. The Friday night Sip and Shop event ($20 admission) includes cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and a raffle. Saturday ($5 admission) includes half-price shopping for all items. Cash only. Proceeds from the sale are used to develop the Junior League’s volunteer training programs. Independence Mall, 3500 Oleander Drive, Wilmington. For more information, visit the Junior League of Wilmington’s Facebook page. For tickets: jlwnc.org.
A Whole New World
The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra will join forces with the Cucalorus Festival for an official Cucalorus Stage event, a performance of Dvorak’s “New World Symphony,” on Saturday, Nov. 11. Featured pianist William Hueholt is the grand prize winner of the 2014 UNCG student artist competition. Hueholt, who has studied piano since the age of 4, has performed in music festivals all over the world and most recently in a performance of Prokofiev’s Second Piano Concerto with the UNC Greensboro Orchestra. Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m. Wilson Center, 703 N. 3rd St., Wilmington. Info and tickets: (910) 362-7999 or wilmingtonsymphony.org.
Wish Upon a Chef
Make A Wish Eastern North Carolina, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, presents Wish Upon a Chef, an evening of local gourmet chefs that raises funds for children with life-threatening medical conditions. Celebrity judges will vote on signature dishes prepared by 16 top chefs from local Wilmington restaurants, and there will be a live auction with gourmet-themed packages on the block. Entertainment provided by actor/comedian Orlando Jones and Jackie Jordan. Since Make A Wish Eastern North Carolina’s establishment in 1987, the chapter has granted more than 3,400 wishes to local children. Nov.30, 6-9 p.m. Burney Center, Price Drive, Wilmington. For tickets and info: eastnc.wish.org.
Go Fly a Kite
A glorious event for kids of all ages, the 12th annual Cape Fear Kite Festival is a great way to spend a fall day at the beach. Come see an extraordinary array of kites of all sizes and shapes (a 30-foot Pegasus, octopuses and sharks among them). The festival is attended by serious kite flyers as well as first-timers, and there are no competitions or rules. Nov. 4 and 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., wind and weather permitting. Free. Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, Kure Beach. For info: (910) 520-1818.
Sister Act
Two legendary Motown singers (and sisters), Scherrie and Freda Payne, will perform together for the first time at Thalian Hall as part of its Legends Series. Scherrie was the co-lead singer of The Supremes and recently joined Diana Ross for the “Return to Love” hits tour. Sister Freda is best known as a solo singer for her hit song “Band of Gold” and later work in television and film. Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m. Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. For info and tickets: thalianhall.org.
May the Force Be With You
In honor of the 40th anniversary of Star Wars, the North Carolina Symphony will perform an evening of the music of John Williams, the most Oscar-nominated composer of all time (fun fact: He has won 23 Grammy awards), including highlights from The Force Awakens. Wesley Schulz, conductor. Tickets: $18-78. Wilson Center, Cape Fear Community College, 703 N. 3rd St., Wilmington. For info: (877) 627-6724.
Cucalorus Festival
The 23rd annual Cucalorus Festival will take place Nov. 8-12 and is expanding its scope into three broad programs: Film, Stage and Connect. The Cucalorus Connect Conference will discuss the digital effects on the future of society and startups and will feature executive speakers from several North Carolina businesses. The Cucalorus Stage program will include more than 40 live performances of dance, music, theater and comedy. And last but not least are the films. Some highlights:
The Misogynists – A satirical dark comedy by Onur Tukel set on the evening of Donald Trump’s presidential election. In a hotel room, a recently divorced businessman and his young protégé celebrate the Trump victory with an ensemble of quirky characters who wander in and out of the room over the course of the evening. Produced by Gigi Graff. Starring Dylan Baker, Ivana Milicevic, Trieste Kelly Dunn, Jamie Block and Nana Mensah. Nov. 9, 7:15 p.m. Thalian Hall.
The Definites – Canadian filmmakers Hannah Cheesman and Mackenzie Donaldson’s story about a soon-to-be-married woman who flees her soon-to-be-husband and escapes to a libidinous party weekend at Art Basel in Miami. Starring Brittany Allen, Kristian Bruun, Hannah Cheesman and Sam Coyle. Nov. 10, 7:15 p.m. Thalian Hall.
Bernard and Huey – Based on Jules Feiffer’s beloved characters, who first appeared in his Village Voice column in 1957, Bernard and Huey is a comedy about two male friends who reunite after 25 years, and their various trials and tribulations with the women in their lives. Screenplay by Oscar winner Feiffer, who wrote Mike Nichols’s Carnal Knowledge and Robert Altman’s Popeye. Directed by Dan Mirvish. Starring Richard Kind and David Koechner. Nov. 11, 7 p.m.
Sundogs – Jennifer Morrison, the star of the ABC series Once Upon a Time, makes her directorial debut in this compassionate story of a mentally challenged young man on a mission to serve his country. Starring Michael Angarano, Melissa Benoist, Allison Janney and Alvin Joiner. Nov. 11, 10:30 p.m., CFCC Union Station.
Moss – Directed by Daniel Peddle, this coming-of-age drama was filmed entirely in Carolina Beach and tells a tale of rural isolation and a young man’s initiation into adulthood (psilocybin and an attractive older woman help to move things along). Starring Mitchell Slaggert, a local actor who has gone from Cape Fear Community College student to Calvin Klein underwear model to actor in a New York minute. Also starring Christine Marzano, Billy Ray Suggs, Dorian Cobb and Erby Dalmus Burton III. Nov. 12, 1:15 p.m, Thalian Hall.
For information: See the full schedule of films, panels and activities, plus purchase advance tickets to films and multi-ticket passes (ranging from $60 to $330) at cucalorus.org.
