Enjoy heartwarming stories at WHQR's Homemade Holiday Shorts - live radio storytelling and music followed by a wonderful party. Tickets are $50 and required for entry. Purchase your tickets on our Eventbrite page now!
For one evening each year in December, friends of WHQR gather in our MC Erny Gallery and around their radios at home to listen to holiday stories read live by entertaining guests. This year, our storytellers, Wiley Cash, Mahlaynee Cooper and Jemila Ericson will read emotional and funny tales of the season. Our special guest MC is Rob Zapple and our musical guest is Dear MariBella and the Pigkickers. The program is followed by a wonderful holiday party with food and wine.
Our Speakers:
Wiley Cash
Wiley Cash is the New York Times bestselling author of five novels from William Morrow/HarperCollins, including the forthcoming Same River Twice. He’s been a fellow at Yaddo and the MacDowell Colony, and he teaches fiction writing and literature at the University of North Carolina-Asheville, where he serves as the Executive Director of the Literary Arts. He lives in North Carolina with his wife, photographer Mallory Cash, and their daughters. He and Mallory are co-owners of Floodplain Books, an independent bookstore in historic downtown Wilmington, NC.
Mahlaynee Cooper
Mahlaynee Cooper, a multifaceted artist hailing from NYC, embarked on her creative journey at the age of 7, influenced by her father's teachings and admiration for Malcolm X. Relocating from Queens to Brooklyn at 12, Mahlaynee's involvement in the arts thrived throughout her school years, where she honed her skills in writing song lyrics and singing. Transitioning into adulthood, Mahlaynee's passion for poetry and spoken word led to the establishment of Speak Ya Peace NC LLC in Eastern NC, inspired by the tragic death of George Floyd.
Jemila Ericson
Jemila Ericson was WHQR’s Classical Host and much more for over twenty years. Jemila is also an actor, storyteller, minister and Animal Communicator.
With Musical Guest Dear MariBella and the Pigkickers
Dear MariBella and the Pigkickers are an up-and-coming sibling bluegrass band. Born and raised near Wilmington, NC, the band formed in 2023 when the siblings decided that there was no reason not to! The band features Isabella on the fiddle, AnnMari on the guitar, Pete on the banjo, Chris on the mandolin and Dad on bass. They are set to serenade your soul with their captivating melodies, and fun sibling banter. Catch a live show and get ready to be swept off your feet as they infuse their performances with a blend of faith, kinship, and a whole lot of heart.
Homemade Holiday Shorts is a live broadcast and begins at exactly 6:00 PM on Sunday, December 13th.
- Doors Open: 5:15pm
- Live Radio Show: 6pm
- Reception: 7pm
*Guests will be seated by 5:50 PM to start the live broadcast promptly at 6:00 PM.
This event is broadcast live on WHQR 91.3fm at 6:00 PM. The MC Erny Gallery at WHQR is located on the third floor of 254 N. Front Street in downtown Wilmington.