Entertainment

Charlie Mike’s Pub: Celebrating twenty years

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Tuesday, 27 October 2026

Written by Jamie Bishop

The easy version of a Roaring ’20s party is all pearls, champagne towers and polished Gatsby glamour. Charlie Mike’s Pub wants wanted posters.
For its annual Halloween celebration, the Fayetteville gathering place is reaching for the grittier side of Prohibition: bootleggers, federal agents, underground speakeasies and just enough rebellion to suit a pub whose name means “continue mission.” The timing carries an added purpose. Charlie Mike’s marked its 20th anniversary April 6 and has spent the year celebrating the people who kept its mission alive.
“What better way to continue celebrating 20 years than with a Roaring ’20s Halloween party?” owner Tracy Guthrie said. “We’re not going for the fancy Gatsby look.”
The free celebration runs from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Charlie Mike’s, 195 Starpoint Drive. A live band will begin at 8 p.m., followed by a DJ playing a broad mix of music with enough jazz to preserve the speakeasy mood. Guests can compete for costume prizes, collect free Charlie Mike’s merchandise and step into a themed photo area.
The décor will include vintage wanted posters and a transformed entrance, but one part of the pub will remain untouched.
“The one thing that never changes is our memorial wall,” Guthrie said. “We never cover it, decorate over it or take away from its meaning. That wall represents our fallen, and honoring them will always come first.”
That decision reveals why Charlie Mike’s cannot be reduced to a party theme. The pub’s walls hold Special Operations Forces memorabilia, signed photographs and memories connected to the military community surrounding Fort Bragg. Celebration and remembrance occupy the same room because both are part of the pub’s identity.
“There’s room to celebrate life while always remembering those who gave theirs,” Guthrie said.
The Halloween concept also borrows from a local temperament. Guthrie sees a rebellious thread running through old Hay Street, Fayetteville’s history and generations of soldiers who have called Fort Bragg home. The party will translate that spirit through gangsters, flappers, bootleggers, and federal agents rather than pretending the 1920s were simply an elegant costume parade.
Costumes are encouraged but not restricted to the era. Guthrie said guests arriving as Dracula or in another traditional Halloween costume will be as welcome as those wearing fedoras and fringe. Her larger goal is to make the night feel open to regulars and first-time visitors alike.
“You don’t have to dress a certain way, impress anybody or be anybody other than yourself,” she said. “Come in, relax, have a drink, make a new friend or catch up with an old one.”
Guests of all ages are welcome, but everyone should expect an identification check. Guthrie said anyone drinking while underage or purchasing alcohol for a minor will be required to leave. The pub has ample parking, and guests who plan to drink should arrange a designated driver or rideshare.
Beginning at 9:30 p.m., guests who bring the event flyer can receive a food discount. No cover charge is required, and newcomers do not need an invitation or a connection to the military community.
For Guthrie, the measure of the evening will not be the number of elaborate costumes or photographs taken beneath the decorations. It will be whether someone who entered for Halloween leaves wanting to return when the wanted posters are gone.
After 20 years, that may be Charlie Mike’s most enduring act of rebellion: creating a place where nobody has to perform to belong.

James Creek Cider House turns gaze toward stars

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Tuesday, 27 October 2026

Written by Tara Kamiya

James Creek Cider House brings together the coziness of a crisp fall night and stargazing. The Cider House hosts ‘Stargazing on Tap’ on Nov. 7. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 172 U.S. 1 in Cameron, pairing hard cider with an evening of sky watching among the orchards. Admission is free, according to the event listing.
Visitors can look for stars, constellations, planets and other celestial sights visible in the November sky. No astronomy experience is required; families and friends are welcome. Organizers recommend dressing warmly and bringing a blanket or lawn chair. Viewing will depend on weather and sky conditions.
For owners David and Ann Marie Thornton, the connection between cider and the night sky predates the event. Their Stargazer Cider line takes its name from the skies above their orchards, giving the gathering a connection to the business itself.
The couple's cider story began with a desire to work more closely with the land. In January 2009, they planted 60 Southern heirloom apple trees on their Moore County farm, according to the company's history. Hard cider had been Ann Marie's preferred drink while the couple studied in London during college.
The initial trees flourished, encouraging the Thorntons to expand their farming operation. In December 2013, they purchased a Cameron farm to increase their apple acreage and establish commercial cider production.
Their orchard plantings include Southern varieties such as Grimes Golden, King David, Buckingham, Smokehouse and American Golden Russet. The farm's approach gives apples more than one destination. Attractive fruit can be sold for fresh eating, while other apples are crushed and pressed for cider.
That agricultural foundation remains central to James Creek's identity. The business makes traditional ciders using Southern heirloom apples, drawing on fruit grown in its orchards and at other North Carolina family farms.
After opening in 2016, the company added Stargazer, a separate line that explores modern cider styles alongside its traditional James Creek offerings.
Stargazer is a collection rather than a single flavor. Its celestial naming theme extends across a lineup that includes Big Dipper, a lightly sweet carbonated cider, and Mighty Hunter, a semidry carbonated cider.
Other offerings include Beehive Ginger, made with honey and ginger, and fruit combinations such as Gemini, featuring strawberry and rhubarb, and Bellatrix Blue, featuring blueberry wine. The range also includes barrel-aged selections, including Sirius and Solar Flare.
The November event announcement promises James Creek cider but does not identify specific varieties that will be poured. Visitors interested in a particular Stargazer selection can check with the cider house before attending.
For guests, the evening offers an opportunity to experience the orchard beyond its fruit and tasting menu. The same landscape that helped inspire a cider brand will provide the setting for looking upward, sharing a drink and spending time outdoors.
More information about Stargazing on Tap and the cider house is available at jamescreekciderhouse.com or by calling 910-245-9901. Guests should check for updates before traveling, especially if the forecast suggests clouds or rain.

(Photo courtesy of James Creek Cider House's Facebook page)

A theater built for shadows: Poe returns to Cameo

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Tuesday, 27 October 2026

Written by Jamie Bishop

At the Cameo Art House Theatre, a story can change a room before the first line. Dim lights, close seating and a historic screen give the theater an intimate feel, a natural setting for Edgar Allan Poe.
The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy: Chapter Two returns to the Cameo on Friday, Nov. 6, and Saturday, Nov. 7, with performances at 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. The 90-minute production by touring company Midnight Creative pairs four Poe works with four cocktails.
Brian Adam Kline, founding artistic director of the nonprofit Cameo Collective, said the theater can feel “spooky if she wants to.” The Cameo hosted the first chapter more than a year ago. Kline contacted Midnight Creative and asked the company to return.
The new program features “The Pit and the Pendulum,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” “Annabel Lee” and “The Fall of the House of Usher,” paired with cocktails named Swing of Fate, Montresor’s Revenge, Lover’s Lament and Roderick’s Ruin. Performers presented as Poe historians guide guests through the anthology. Prior attendance is not required.
Kline said the Cameo’s approach is simple.
“We dim the lights and allow the storytelling to be the most important part of the night. The drinks shape the experience, but Poe’s language and the performers’ work stay central. Midnight Creative produces the show, Fever manages ticketing, and the Cameo hosts it.”
The partnership fits the Cameo’s next chapter. After a quarter-century under its founding owners, the theater transitioned to the nonprofit Cameo Collective earlier this year. The organization aims to preserve independent film while expanding into live performance, education and special events. Kline hopes to learn from audience response and build more programming of this kind.
“All companies are welcome at the Cameo,” he said.
The intimate room suits Poe’s sealed chambers, wine cellars and doomed houses. As lights fall and the actors take the room, the story becomes a shared experience. The Cameo’s historic atmosphere gives the performance a sense of place.
Fever lists general admission at $55, including entry and four cocktails. VIP front-row admission is $70 and was marked sold out when checked. Kline advises arriving 30 minutes early; seating is general unless a guest has a VIP ticket.
Age guidance needs confirmation before guests buy. Fever’s listing says attendees must be 21 or older with valid ID. Kline said, all ages are welcome and that guests requesting mocktails may not need to show ID. The answers differ, so guests should confirm the current entry policy directly with Fever or Midnight Creative. The listing says mocktails are available upon request and identifies the Cameo as ADA compliant.
Kline said the event is in the first-floor theater, with street parking and the Franklin Street garage nearby. Refund requests go through Midnight Creative. Guests should contact Fever or the producer about late entry and ticket policies.
For the Cameo, the Poe Speakeasy offers a glimpse of what a nonprofit art house can hold beyond the screen: a room where literature, performance, and atmosphere meet, and where a touring company can find a local home. Kline said the theater hopes to make experiences like this part of its future.
Poe’s stories ask audiences to listen for what lies behind the wall. At the Cameo, the darkness is part of the invitation.

Holly Day Fair returns for its 59th year at Crown

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Tuesday, 27 October 2026

Written by Mahalia Cooks

Prepare to shop until you drop at the Holly Day Fair from Thursday, Nov. 5 to Sunday, Nov. 8 at the Crown Expo Center. The Junior League of Fayetteville, a women’s organization dedicated to supporting women in leadership roles and advancing the local community through scholarships, volunteering and other resources, hosts this yearly holiday shopping event.
The fair began as a way to raise funds for community initiatives while offering thoughtfully made holiday crafts. Over the decades, it has grown into the largest holiday gift and craft show in eastern North Carolina, pulling in thousands of shoppers each year. The proceeds raised from the Holly Day Fair go toward Community Assistance Program grants and other community impact programs run by the Junior League of Fayetteville. Entities they have supported through CAP include the Cape Fear Valley children’s hospital wing, the Two-Six Project and multiple schools, alongside providing scholarships for high school seniors and funding the Cape Fear Regional Theatre through their Community Research Project Development grant.
“We award multiple grants through CAP, it’s our community assistance program, and if you’re a school program or a nonprofit or any type of area entity and need support within your program, you are free to apply for a CAP grant,” explained Juelle McDonald, co-chair of the Holly Day Fair and Fund Development VP. “A portion of that money goes toward the training of women volunteers to support our community, because that’s the mission of the Junior League.”
Hundreds of Holly Day Fair vendors sell everything from jewelry and furniture to pet products and Christmas ornaments, offering a range of price points so that all customers can shop within their budget. The fair’s Food Court offers food vendors such as B&B Outdoors, Dorothy’s Catering and Freddie’s Kitchen for down-home Southern meals and festive desserts. But this isn’t just a hometown affair; you can even buy from out-of-state vendors who’ve come down to the Tar Heel State to sell their wares.
“During my first few years of being involved with the Holly Day Fair, getting to meet some of the vendors and learning where they’re coming from; I think there’s one vendor that comes from California, and I was completely amazed,” said Chelsea Perkins, co-chair of the Holly Day Fair. “That just, to me, shows how impactful this show is.”
Attendees can easily keep track of all vendors, see the event floorplan and create a personal shopping plan through the Holly Day Fair app at https://www.jlfay.org/hdf-mobile-app/.
The Holly Day Fair kicks off at 9 a.m. on Nov. 5 at 1960 Coliseum Dr. Thursday offers early-access Super Shopper hours until noon, with tickets going for $15. Attendees can get in before the large crowds and start filling up their complimentary shopping bags. Each year brings a different theme for these collectable totes, and this year’s theme is “Oh What Fun!”
Sip & Shop — a fan-favorite that typically sells out — will occur at the same time as the Super Shopper event that Thursday morning. With their $30 ticket, shoppers can enjoy unlimited mimosas, food and a swag bag with curated gifts alongside the many other finds they’ll discover at the vendor booths. General admission hours begin at noon and last until 8 p.m.
General admission hours for Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7 start at 9 a.m., then switch to 11 a.m. on Sunday.
Friday will bring plenty of VIP fun for female shoppers with the second year of Ladies’ Night Out, held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $50. Bring your besties for an adults-only night of leisurely, no-rush shopping, including unlimited food and drinks in a separate VIP lounge, a red-carpet welcome with champagne and several other special surprises. Enjoy tunes spun by the DJ, and take pictures in the on-site photo booth so you can cherish your memories of the occasion for many more holiday seasons.
Regarding Ladies’ Night Out, Perkins said, “We want you to have the best experience ever. This is going to be an elevated experience, curated just for these ladies.”
“It’s a new event, so we really do need the community’s support,” said McDonald. “It is a special curated experience, and so we promise you won’t be disappointed.”
While Sip & Shop and Ladies’ Night Out offer something memorable for the adults, the little ones can also have their fun on Sunday by taking a photo with Santa Claus, starting at 2 p.m. The Photos with Santa event costs $15 and welcomes children aged 5 to 11; it includes cookies, a story time session and a meet-and-greet with both Santa and Mrs. Claus.
General admission for each of the four days of festivities is $10. See the prices for all Holly Day Fair events and buy tickets online at https://www.crowncomplexnc.com/events/detail/holly-day-fair-2. If you want to skip the Ticketmaster fees, tickets are also available at the Crown Complex Box Office. Ladies’ Night Out tickets will close out before the event, so get them while you can.
This ambitious event is made possible each year by its numerous donors and sponsors. Just a few of the sponsors for 2026 include Warren Insurance Group, Cape Fear Valley Health, Professional Early Intervention Services, LLC, and the Farmer’s Cat Cafe.
“It’s just a thank-you to our community,” said McDonald. “We couldn’t do it without this community. We thank you, Fayetteville and surrounding communities, and the Junior League of Fayetteville is not thinking that it’s ‘us’ at all; we would be remiss to think it’s us. We know that it’s the community ... We try to make as much profit as possible to give back to the community, and so we’re thankful for those in our community that believe in our mission.”
The Holly Day Fair provides the best two-for-one deal of all: Do all of your holiday shopping over one weekend while having an amazing time with your friends. Plus, the proceeds contribute to improving lives in Fayetteville and communities across Cumberland County.
For any questions about the 2026 Holly Day Fair, reach out to the Junior League of Fayetteville at chair@hollydayfair.com or on the event Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/hollydayfair.

(Photo: The Junior League of Fayetteville is bringing Ladies' Night Out for a second year in 2026. This adult only event includes food and drink and a red carpet welcome)