Summertime in Southport is officially here. The smell of back yard barbeques, the sound of live music spilling from our Downtown eateries, white sails dotting the Cape Fear River mouth, and front porches once again are the place to take it all in. May started with much appreciated cooler that normal temps followed by summer-like teases. It’s ALL good!I want to give a little heads up on Southport’s June happenings while I have a chance. There is an awful lot of fun stuff going on this month before the big 4th of July Celebration trumps the Summer schedule.
First off on June 2nd, come out and enjoy a community Open House at the Robert Ruark Inn on Lord St. This event is in honor of local owner Jeff Ward, who died suddenly earlier this month. Visitors will be able to see the beautiful renovation work Jeff did inside to the historic Adkins-Ruark House, now a wonderful Bed and Breakfast. Hors d'ouvres and light refreshments will be served. Performing outdoors at 7pm in the side garden porch will be Wilmington-based performer Susan Savia, accompanied by P.D. Midget. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 6pm. Bring your chairs!
A great new tradition added to Southport this year is Shop to the Beat. This Downtown, Midtown, and Uptown event will be held on the first and third Thursday until November 17th. The kick off was on the 19th and believe me, it was festive! Live music on various corners, shopping and dining specials, lots of colorful entertainment everywhere you look. Sponsored by the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce. 457.6964On June 4th, is the annual St. Philip's Episcopal Church Lobster and Bake
Sale. ORDER DEADLINE: May 31st, 4:30pm. Live or Cooked Lobsters. Pick Up June 4th Cooked Lobsters from 10-4pm and Live Lobsters from 10-1pm. Lobster bibs, picks, and lobster crackers for sale. Also featuring homemade slaw, pies and other baked goods. St. Philip's Episcopal Church Parish Office on Dry Street next to City Hall. Call 457-5643 or go to their website. Cost $17.00 live or cooked. Normally if you miss the deadline, they may still have a few extras for sale the day of.
Southport's In Bloom Garden Tour on June 5th to celebrate "National Garden Week." Downtown Southport, Inc. and the Southport Garden Club are sponsoring the first annual "Southport's in Bloom" Garden Tour. I am really anxious to see what’s hiding in the little hidden back yards of Southport. Contact: Peg McDonald at 279.4616. Admission $10. Sponsored and organized by The Southport Garden Club, Downtown Southport, Inc. Tickets available at the Southport Visitors Center.June 8 - 11 - 7:30 PM Amuzu Theatre of Southport Presents "Let's Rock Again!" 2nd annual rock and roll show. Come sing, dance and enjoy the entertainment. The biggest show of local stars performing classic hits 1950-1964. Cathy Furpless and her Band. $15/person… Tickets available at Art @ 211 The Ricky Evans Gallery , and Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce. Here's a video from last year.
June 9 - 7 - 9:00 pm, Playhouse 211 presents Behind the Blues with Rick Toby and Chicken Head Blues. Monthly concert series featuring regional and national blues groups with an in depth discussion and performance of blues music. Contact: Richard D'Anjolell – 200.7785. Tickets: $12 and $15.June 10, 2011 - 6:30 - 8:30 pm Concerts on The Coast - "Like Flint" is a Wilmington cover band performing a variety of classic rock, pop, beach, shag, oldies, country, jazz, funk and blues on the Garrison Lawn at Fort Johnston. Contact: Maureen 457.7945. FREE event sponsored by the Brunswick County Parks and Rec and the City of Southport Tourism Department. Bring your chairs and blankets!
June 11 - 8:30am - NC Maritime Museum @ Southport Kayak Tours - Rice Creek Tour. A member of the NC Maritime Museum of Southport will join the kayak tour and give an historical view of what life would have been like on the river from days gone by. The Adventure Kayak Company staff will lead a basic kayak lesson and guided tour. Participants must pre register. Space will be limited. Call 457.0607. Meet: Exxon Station on Highway 17 and Highway 87 in Winnabow. Cost: $45 for kayak, paddle and life jacket and tour. Bring your own equipment, tour only $15. Clink the link above for a beautiful short video of Rice Creek.
June 11 - 12-4pm - Southport Marina Celebrates National Marina Day – Self-guided tours of the entire marina will allow participants to enjoy numerous exhibits, including Coast Guard tours on a 47' utility boat and 25' SAFE boat, travel lift and forklift demonstrations in the Dry Storage area, onsite presence of the NC Aquarium, and opportunity to meet with Gregory Poole and Valtect representatives. Face painting, free Bruster's Ice Cream and Trolley Stop hot dogs from 12-2 at the Tiki Bar. Dan Guetschow, guitarist, will entertain from 2-5.
June 12 - 7-9pm - Playhouse 211 presents Phoebe Legere from New York City. Phoebe Legere is a dynamic performer on piano, accordion, cello, Native American flute, and synthesizer and has a four and a half octave range. AND I might mention a former Playmate of the Year. Wow I have never heard of her, but she is quite famous! After watching a few of her videos, I’m in shock she is actually coming to Southport. It’s not my kind of thing but I might just have to go anyway! The original Lady Gaga… Contact: Richard D'Anjolell at 200-7785. Tickets are $12 and $15.June 12 - September 25 – 2-4pm - Summer Sundays in the Park- Concert Series – Every 2nd and 4th
Sunday over the Summer and every Sunday in September. Musical Entertainment- schedule of performers TBA for 2011. All Concerts will be at Keziah Park on the corner of Lord and W Moore next to the Visitor's Center.June 14, 2011 - 7-9pm - St. Philip's Summer Concert Series - The Langley Winds, a woodwind ensemble based at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, will perform a free concert for the public. St. Philip's Episcopal Church is on 205 E. Moore Street. Contact Steve Skillman at 457-5653.
June 18, 2011 – 9am - NC Maritime Museum and Southport Bicycle Tours - The Adventure Kayak Company bicycle tour guide will take participants through the live oak canopied streets and along the waterfront, explaining its history as you pedal by Fort Johnston, Brunswick Inn, the Old Brunswick Jail, the Crimes of the Heart Home, The Indian Trail Tree, along the Cape Fear River and more. Bikes are single-speed, pace is slow, and all participants must wear helmets. Space is limited. Two day advanced registration is required. Cost is
$20 for bike/helmet rental and tour. Bring your own bike, tour only fee $15. 454-0607June 25 – 8pm -Annual NC 4th of July Festival Freedom Run - 5K Freedom Run/Walk and a 1 mile Freedom Run/Walk. Shirt pickup and registration will be Friday, June 24th from 6-8pm and Saturday, June 25th from 6:15-7:55am on race day. Southport Waterfront Park Bay Street – Registration:$20 - Check out this great video from last year’s run.
Whew, what a busy time and this is just a drop in the bucket for the next few weeks! Are you still with me? I admit to getting sidetracked as this blog started out to be about my personal favorite Southport pastime … porch sittin'. All my fellow Southport front porch sitters, you know exactly what I’m talkin' about. So I'll leave you with a little slideshow of some of my favorite Southport porches. Happy sitting!
Here is a link for those looking for a sneak peek at the upcoming Southport 4th of July Festival schedule of events. It'll be here before you know it! Opening ceremonies on the 25th!
Click HERE for slideshow.
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