Want a behind-the-scenes look at Wilmywood in action?
EUE/Screen Gems Studios is once again opening its doors to film buffs and fans of locally shot television shows.
Tours will resume Saturday at the Wilmington studios, where visitors can get an inside peek at the largest studio complex east of California and learn about EUE/Screen Gems’ three decades of production.
The tours had been a tradition for 15 years but ended in 2011 with the wrap of CW’s “One Tree Hill.” EUE/Screen Gems decided to pick back up with the public tours last spring and summer, bringing in more than 1,000 visitors from across the globe.
“We are quite proud of the attachment fans have for this facility and its production history,” tour director Pam Stilwell said.
As with last year’s tours, you’ll get the chance to walk the 10-stage working lot and go behind the scenes of the CBS series, “Under the Dome.” The diner, a centerpiece for the show’s activity, is always a crowd favorite.
New this time around is a tour of the house used in the new ABC series, “Secrets and Lies.” Posters and memorabilia from previous shows on the lot will be also be on display in the Commissary building and, for the first time, visitors will be allowed to use to their cameras in that waiting area.
There will also be a visual history of North Carolina film in the onsite screening theater, where many well-known producers, directors and actors have reviewed footage of productions shot at the studio.
The approximately one-hour tours are scheduled for 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, throughout the spring and summer. Those attending are advised to wear comfortable shoes and bring along rain gear if appropriate.
“We are indoors and out, and on our feet—all over this production complex—so we want to make sure our guests have a great experience, rain or shine,” Stilwell noted.
Guests should check the tour hotline before traveling for the latest updates. Tours can be cancelled or delayed at the last minute due to inclement weather or changes in shooting schedules on the lot. Guests should arrive at the studios, 1223 23rd St., 15 to 20 minutes ahead of time to purchase tickets (cash only).
Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for students, seniors and military with a valid ID; $5 for children 5-12; and free for children under five.
Click here for more information.
Are you craving more entertainment in action? Never fear. We’ve got you covered with our weekly showcase of area arts and entertainment.
In the list below–taken from our free online calendar, The Scene–you’ll find everything from free live music to laugh-out-loud stand-up performances, and even a dark comedy and zany variety act thrown in the mix.
Music
Guitar guru Laura McLean plays Ted’s Fun on the River at 7:30 tonight. McLean will sing some tunes from “Sheven Deadly Shins,” as well as some unusual covers.
The Juggling Gypsy hosts “Fire and Drums” at 8 p.m. each Thursday. The event is a meet-up of fire dancers and area drummers, with deejays spinning tunes beginning at 10 p.m. Participants are welcome to bring their percussion instruments and fire and juggling toys. A Tarot card reader will be on hand between 6 and 10 p.m. Admission is free.
Jazz pianist Mary Louise Knutson performs at Thalian Hall at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Knutson tours regularly with former “The Tonight Show” bandleader trumpeter Doc Severinsen and his big band. She has performed with such jazz greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby McFerrin, Dianne Reeves Music, Bobby Shew, Slide Hampton and Peter Erskine. As a show player, she has performed with Reba McEntire, Michael Bolton, Jordin Sparks, Trisha Yearwood, Donny Osmond and Smokey Robinson. Tickets are $30 ($10 for students).
Sea Notes Choral Society holds its 2015 spring concert,“Songs from the 60s,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Hatch Auditorium on the grounds of the N.C. Baptist Assembly at Fort Caswell. Admission is free but donations are welcomed.
Reggae band Tribal Seeds takes the Ziggy’s By The Sea state Friday, with The Movement and Leilani Wolfgramm. Tickets are $17 in advance and $20 the day of the show. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8. VIP Suite and Platinum Table reservations are available.
Wilmington’s own Coleman Daley performs a free show at 9 p.m. Friday at Bombers Bev. Co. Daley will perform a variety of tunes, from 90s hip hop and reggae to new age funk.
Flytrap Brewing presents an evening of free live music with Jesse Jewel and Richard Welch at 8 p.m. Saturday. Vittles Food Truck will be onsite.
Local Americana band Stoney Creek plays acoustic music at Goat and Compass at 10 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free.
Theater/Comedy
UNC-Wilmington’s Department of Theater presents the Student Lab Series production, “MilkMilkLemonade,” by Joshua Conkel and directed by Kristina Auten, at 8 p.m. tonight through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday in the SRO Theater of the university’s Cultural Arts Building. The wacky, darkly humorous play follows the story of a young boy who is being raised by his strict, homophobic grandmother on a chicken farm. In the midst of being told to “act less like a girl,” the young boy faces other challenges such as his next-door neighbor who simultaneously bullies and attempts to seduce him. To further complicate matters, the young boy’s best friend is a chicken that he is desperately trying to save from certain death. Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for general admission and can be paid in cash at the door at 7 p.m.
Big Dawg Productions presents Neil Simon’s “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, at Cape Fear Playhouse. Tickets are $16-$22.
TheaterNOW presents “Still Bitchin’: Rude Bitches Make Me Tired 2” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. This comedic etiquette dinner theater features author Celia Rivenbark and is adapted for the stage by Zach Hanner. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $18-$28.
“The Bob and Tom Show” regular Slade Ham comes to the Dead Crow Comedy Room this weekend. Ham, who has opened for Ralphie May, will perform stand-up at 8 and 10:30 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $13.
The Juggling Gypsy presents “Babel On: An Evening of Comedy” at 8 p.m. Friday. The event features a “Make Me Laugh” live show, sketch comedy, spoken word, stand-up a comedian round table with Zack Burk, John Felts, Steve Marcinowski, Lew Morgante. Tim Joyner and Owen Rothschild, Wills Maxwell Jr., Jordan Randolph Bench and other special guests will be on hand. Admission is $5 but if you can hold down your giggles as a contestant on “Make Me Laugh,” you’ll get your money back.
Danny Mullen puts on the one-man show, “Backstage With Louis Armstrong,” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday at Browncoat Pub and Theatre. Tickets are $10-$15.
Hearkening back to the old days of the telethon, The Juggling Gypsy hosts a variety show telethon fundraiser at 6 p.m. Saturday. The event, to raise funds for the Gypsy’s roof repairs, includes live performances, variety acts, stupid human tricks, comedy, musical acts and live webcasts to generate funds for necessary repairs. Admission is by donation.
Film
Cinematique presents “Timbuktu” at 7 tonight in Thalian Hall’s Bucky and Ruth Stein Theatre. The film tells the story of a man and his family as they face the strict social restrictions within the outskirts of Timbuktu. Admission is $8.
Art
Cape Fear Community College’s Wilma W. Daniels Gallery holds a reception for the 2015 Annual Student Exhibition from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. The exhibit, which features more than 100 original works of art, runs through May 4. Winners will be announced and prizes awarded at the opening reception Friday. Admission is free and complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
Crescent Moon Gallery celebrates Fourth Friday with an event at 6 p.m. Art and handmade items will be available for purchase. Eric Miller, lead singer/songwriter with L-Shape Lot and 98.3 FM The Penguin host, will perform. Red bourbon and lager punch samples will be served, and puppies will be onsite for adoption. Admission is free.
Acme Art Studios hosts a reception for “Thirty Under 30: A Young Artist Group Exhibition” at 6 p.m. Friday as part of the Fourth Friday Gallery Walk. This juried exhibition of 30 international artists–from Wilmington to Israel–under the age of 30 showcases painting, photography, printmaking, bookmaking, collage, mixed media, sculpture, installation and video. Admission is free.
Dance
The two-day Wilmington Dance Festival gets underway at 8 p.m. Friday and continues at 8 p.m. Saturday at City Stage. Hosted and produced by the Dance Cooperative, the festival features local choreographers and dancers, as well as guest artist Melissa Pihos with the Van Dyke Dance Group and John Gamble Dance Theatre. Tickets are $15 in advance ($18 at the door) and are available from the Dance Cooperative, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to offer affordable, high quality dance education and performances throughout the Wilmington area.
Hilary Snow is a reporter at Port City Daily. Reach her at (910) 772-6341 or [email protected].
