Local talent. Local establishments. Local economy.

My personal philosophy of late has been to analyze the decisions I am facing and choose the ones that I hope will help my local economy and keep local people employed.

~~Use the Internet to do my Christmas shopping or shop locally. SHOP LOCALLY! (See bottom of email for Wilmington shopping opportunities.)
~~Green grocer or Farmer’s market? FARMERS!
~~Mom-n-pop store/restaurant or chain? MOM-N-POP! (Kudos to Orillas, The Rebel and Lapp’s for successful openings, good reports and a great sense of community.)
~~Peach or Pomegranate? PEACH! (OK, that’s an inside joke. But peaches were once one of Delaware’s top exports, so it makes me FEEL like a locavore.)
~~Go to Philly for a late night of dancing or check out local talent. CHECK OUT LOCAL TALENT!

I say this because in these busy and expensive times, I hope you can take a minute and apply a philosophy to how you spend your time and how you spend your money. (And because I know you missed me and my random blog topics which all lead back to getting you to come out to events.)



So, with that segue, on to events:

If you are a Facebook friend, you may also be part of the “I Heart Wilmington House Music DJs.” One of the purposes of the group is to bring together people who recognize that non-commercial dance music will make Wilmington a better place to spend leisure time. What it has inadvertently done is to bring the DJ community closer together and given birth to some great collaborations that uplift us all. Support local talent and check out local DJs at any of the following events:

Tuesday 12/9: Pdub at Union City Grille for Happy Hour
Weds 12/10: DJ Zip at Deep Blue for Wilmington After Work Happy Hour
Weds 12/10: Bis at Irish Christmas at Kildares for late night
Thursday 12/11: Pdub at Union City Grille for Happy Hour
Friday 12/12: Pdub at Deep Blue for Friday Night Flights Happy Hour
Weds 12/17: Skinny White at Deep Blue for Wilmington After Work Happy Hour
Friday 12/19: Zip at Deep Blue for Friday Night Flights Happy Hour
Friday 12/19: Bis* at CW Harborside for late night
Friday 12/26: Bis* at CW Harborside for late night
*Occasional special guest, Zip

We still might have a Thursday night event to announce this week, so my apologies if I send out another message tomorrow. For more good stuff, check out DJ JNH's weekly Thursday "International Night" at Pat's MVP in Newark. Also, Bis often pairs up with Andrew Hugh at Klondike Kates.



MORE EVENTS:

Thru the 24th ~ DTC injects comedy into the holiday season with PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE, by actor/comedian Steve Martin. In a legendary bar in 1904 Paris, a chance encounter between the young Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso sets sparks and stars flying. Their views on sex, fame and the future collide amidst a colorful constellation of characters. Tickets $36-$49, with discounts available for students and seniors. Order at 302.594.1100 or www.delawaretheatre.org

Frid, Dec 5th ~ Champagne dinner, featuring Moet & Chandon champagnes, in the Green Room at the Hotel duPont. Hors d’oeuvres at 6:30 • Dinner 7:00 featuring an 8-course specialty dinner to include: Seared Jumbo Scallop, Foie Gras Crème Brûlée, Strudel of Braised Rabbit, Breast of Pheasant, Cyprus Groove Blue Moon Goat Cheese, Hotel duPont Dessert. And to enhance your dining experience, there will be a guest speaker from United Distributors along with John McCullough on keyboard. For more information and reservations, please call 302.594.3154.

Tues, Dec 9th – 14th ~ Frost/Nixon at DuPont Theatre. Just after the national elections, legendary stage and screen actor Stacy Keach stars as Richard Nixon in this new national tour. Keach leads a cast of 10 in this fast-paced Tony Award™-nominated play written by Peter Morgan, author of screenplays The Queen and The Last King of Scotland. While the Watergate scandal shook the executive office and ultimately lead to Richard Nixon's 1974 resignation, it was not until an unlikely 1977 interview that the former president admitted his role. Now, see the nail-biting behind the scenes story of the interview that lifted the curtain on Nixon's involvement with Watergate.

Thurs, Dec 11th ~ HD Concert Series: Steve Miller Band Live in Chicago at 7:30 pm. Special engagement- No passes accepted. Shot with 14 HD cameras during the band's 2007 summer tour. There will be a cash bar for beer and wine, plus movie concessions, including popcorn at Theatre N.

Frid, Dec 12th ~ Kreston Wine & Spirits 25th Annual Champagne Shoot-Out is an event designed to give you the opportunity to experience the very best champagnes and sparkling wines available. We have also included specialty wines, spirits and beers, including new products and specialty drinks. An incredible selection of food is offered as well. Time: 7:00pm to 9:30pm @ Brandywine Country Club Cost: $70.00 PER PERSON

Frid, Dec 12th ~ Beef and Beer for 93rd Academy Class of the Wilmington Police Department. Enjoy food, drinks, DJ, silent auction and 50/50 from 7PM until midnight. The event will be held at the Cranston Heights Fire Hall, 3306 Kirkwood HWY. Tickets are $25 per person and include all you can eat and drink! Tickets are limited and must be purchased by November 19. To purchase tickets, contact Recruit Ball (302)743-0807, Recruit Ivey (617)233-2288, Recruit Lucyk (856)266-0947 or email boz090801@comcast.net. Hope to see you there!

Sat, Dec 13th ~ Holiday House Tour. Self-guided tour of Wilmington homes and artist studios decorated for the holidays, an annual tradition presented by the Museum Council. The Delaware Art Museum is part of the tour, and besides enjoying the current exhibitions, visitors can meet local artisans and choose their art as holiday gifts; hear live holiday music; purchase raffle tickets for a decorated tree and wreath; and take a break in the café. Tickets are $25. 10-4pm. Delaware Art Museum

Sat, Dec 13th ~ The 32nd Annual Grand Gala will feature a unique evocation of the music of The Beatles by The Fab Faux. Fully orchestrated with strings and brass, this show features the greatest hits from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Abbey Road, The White Album, and more. Festivities begin at 8 p.m. at The Grand in Wilmington with a star performance in the historic opera house followed by a series of black-tie after parties at the Hotel du Pont – complete with live entertainment, dancing, body painting, delicious food spreads, and unlimited spirits to enchant even the most seasoned of Gala guests.

Mon, Dec 15th ~ Monday Night Football: Cleveland Browns at Philadelphia Eagles at 8:30 pm at Theatre N. Free Admission! Watch the game on the 15'x30' screen with Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound. $2 beers $4 wine free popcorn!

Tues, Dec 16th ~ Tis the season for something wild! Domaine Hudson co-chefs Jason and Mark have prepared a gourmet menu of wild game dishes for a 5-course wine pairing dinner. Fresh meats and vegetables in tasty sauces are the highlights of this unforgettable menu, which can be viewed online. Don't miss it! Free off-street parking is available a half block away in the well-lit Wilmington Hospital Annex parking lot. Click here for the menu http://www.domainehudson.com/documents/GameWineDinner_121608.pdf $75pp + gratuity. Reservation required: (302) 655-9463

Sat, Dec 20th ~ The Wilmington Children's Chorus presents A Candlelight Holiday Concert, 7:00 pm First & Central Presbyterian Church 1101 N. Market Street Tickets: $15 adults, $10 students & seniors, Free for children under 16, Call (302) 762-3637 to reserve today! www.wilmingtonchildrenschorus.org

Wed, Dec 31st ~ Ring in 2009 with a bang at First Night Wilmington, and we don’t just mean fireworks. Wilmington’s shindig, Puttin’ on the Ritz, starts in Rodney Square at 4pm. Traditional ballroom dancing and live big band music are main attractions, but a nearby youth tent boasts marionette shows, dancers, musicians and a moon bounce. Best of all, the Market Street skating rink returns. For Wilmington, visit delawareonline.com/firstnight or call 576-2138.

Frid, Feb 6th ~ Enjoy an evening of fine wine and gourmet food at the Delaware Theatre Companies 20th Annual Wine Feast and Auction at the Chase Center on the Riverfront 6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. $150 Patron Tickets* $90 General Admission $65 Young Friends (21-35 yrs. Old) *Includes one raffle ticket and auction program book listing http://www.delawaretheatre.org/support/SpecialEvents.html

Frid, Feb 6th ~ ART LOOP RETURNS. More info to come.



This year, many of Wilmington’s downtown merchants are offering discounts to those who wear the new holiday "in" pin. So do some shopping downtown! Participating businesses include:
Al's Sporting Goods, The Perky Bean Café, The Rebel, Subway, Hi Sound Electronics, SneakerVilla, Shivam's Paradise, Rainbow, Expressions, Gennelle's Restaurant, Grand Sports, Collars n' Cuffs, Sports Connection, Shingar Designs, Fashion Place, Nzinga's Cultural Connection, Jay's Family Fashions, Yoly's Place, SM Jewelry , A.R. Morris, Lapps Kitchen, Minster's Jewelers, Boyd's Flowers.