Entertainment

CARE Clinic's beachy fundraiser brings music, dancing to Gates Four

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Tuesday, 05 August 2025

Written by Katie Herring

On Sunday, Aug. 17, the Gates Four Country Club ballroom will be transformed into a beach music wonderland, complete with live music, food, and dancing-Shag dancing, of course.
From noon until 6 p.m., beach-goers can eat, tap their toes to the sounds of classic beach music performed by KHP recording artists Classic Soul, and take a spin on the dance floor, all in the comfort of the air-conditioned ballroom, and all for a great cause. The Beach Blast is a fundraiser that will benefit the CARE Clinic of Fayetteville.
Beach Music 101
Beach music is a style made popular in the Carolinas in the 1950s. It combines many styles that may include Rhythm and Blues, Soul Music, and a little bit of Disco. Truly, the genre defies strict definitions.
According to Dr. Warren McDonald, local beach music performer, “When you ask the question, 'What is Beach Music?' you will hear a wide variety of answers. Some may try to define the genre; some may simply describe the feeling they get when they hear that special sound. Old School DJs will tell you something different than guys that have only been playing in bands for a few years. Shag dancers will have different definitions from the fans of the bands. You may hear varied answers depending on which state the person lives in or was born in.”
Suffice it to say that beach music blends cultures, styles, and sounds from a lot of different traditions. In the decades since it was made popular by bands such as the Embers, the Catalinas, and the Entertainers, it has moved from outdoor beach venues at Myrtle Beach—and others up and down the North and South Carolina coasts—to venues all over the US and even some international destinations.
Classic Soul
Classic Soul is the musical trio that will provide the entertainment for the Beach Blast. The group is composed of three musicians who have been performing beach music separately and together for years.
Warren “Doc” McDonald founded the group, The Expressions, in the late 1960s, which quickly became very popular across North and South Carolina, and beyond. The group performed with music legends, such as the Drifters, the Coasters, the Temptations and Four Tops, Clifford Curry, and many more. He was an early collaborator at the Emerald Isle Beach Music Festival.
In the 1980s, he played with Sea Breeze and later with the final iteration of the Fabulous Kays.
Terri Gore is known throughout the world as the “Original Carolina Girl.” She possesses a rare vocal ability that distinguishes her both as a top performer and recording artist.
She has won numerous awards for her music, including 19 Carolina Beach Music Awards; Female Vocalist of the Year 5 consecutive times from 1996 to 2000; and two Solo Album of the Year awards. Gore has recorded with artists such as the Embers, the Catalinas, the Chairmen of the Board and the Legends of Beach. Terri had her own group for many years, The Kruse Band, and was also featured for many years with The Coco Loco Party Band.
Fessa’ John Hook of the Rhythm and Beach Network said it best when he stated, “Terri Gore has become a part of both the culture of the Carolinas and our musical conscience.”
Keith Pollard started playing music around 1972 in a hometown band called Harmony, Inc., playing bass guitar and singing. Later, he was in a group that specialized in playing oldies and Motown.
In the 80s, he joined some former members of the Castaways, a group called “Split Image,” also playing oldies, Motown, country and covers of popular music of the time. Before long, he connected with Beach Music Hall of Fame musician Al Williams, and they, along with Ron Stancil and Charlie Clark, formed the Time Machine Band.
Keith played keyboard and trumpet for over 15 years with this group. This led to a move to work with Tommy Black and Blooz, and finally The Carolina Breakers. His hits include “I Love You 1,000 Times” (CBMA nominated), “Beach Boogie and Blues” which Pollard wrote, “I’ve Been Lovin You Too Long” and “You’re The One.”
Shag Dance
Beach music and Shag dancing go together like peanut butter and jelly; you can have one without the other, but why would you want to?
True to that idea, there will be opportunities to hit the dance floor at the Beach Blast. If you are new to shag dancing and have always wanted to learn, you are in luck. Award-winning performers and instructors Chris and Angela Jestes will be at the Beach Blast to demonstrate their skill and help others learn this high-energy, fast-paced dance.
Joining Chris and Angela on the dance floor will be National Shag Dance Champion, Tucker Brown and his partner.
The CARE Clinic
All of the proceeds raised at the Beach Blast will be donated to the CARE Clinic of Fayetteville. The name stands for Compassion, Assistance, Referral, Education; according to their website thecareclinic.org
“Our mission is to provide free, quality healthcare to the low-income, uninsured adults of Cumberland and bordering counties.”
Since 1993, the clinic has offered basic medical and dental care, provided by medical professionals-doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, dental assistants, and pharmacy techs-who volunteer their time and expertise to the clinic patients.
Located at 239 Robeson Street, the Clinic relies on volunteers, grant funding, and community support, including funds raised by events such as the Beach Blast.
It’s a winning combination for a great summer afternoon: food, outstanding music, fun dancing, all in an air-conditioned ballroom, and all for a good cause. Individual tickets are $100 in advance and $125 at the door, and are available by contacting thecareclinic.org or reaching out to wgmphd@aol.com. Corporate tables can also be purchased for $750.
Don’t miss out on the food, music, and fun on Sunday, Aug. 17, from noon until 6 p.m. at the Gates Four County Club.

(Top Photo: Classic Soul will be playing at the Beach Blast at Gates Four. From left to right: Warren "Doc" McDonald, Terri Gore, and Keith Pollard. Photo courtesy of Dr. Warren McDonald.  Bottom Photo: The Gates Four Golf and Country Club will be playing host for the CARE Clinic Beach Blast. Photo courtesy of Gates Four Facebook page)

Downtown Rodeo takes over Festival Park with Cupid

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Tuesday, 29 July 2025

Written by Amber Little

“Where them fans at?” The summer of line dancing is showing no signs of slowing down. The crowds are steady, the dances are multiplying, and the fun is expanding far beyond the country fields where the trend was born from a lifestyle.
A common place along the dusty roads and open barns of the Carolinas, line dancing's origins are rooted in African American culture, a gathering of community with a shared love for the country life and good music. Fayetteville and other cities across the country and the world have tapped into the electrifying and contagious spirit of line dancing, bringing a newfound love for cowboy boots, hats, and tassels.
226 The Warehouse, downtown, has been the line dancing headquarters for most of the summer, hosting the monthly, Downtown Rodeo, featuring the area’s premier line dancing Queen and instructor, Stephanie Kegler, and dance/step teams from across the region. Each event has created a new fan, no pun intended, and the party is growing far beyond the walls of its current home.
On Saturday, Aug. 16, the Downtown Rodeo will take over Festival Park for the biggest line dancing event of the season. Join hosts Stephanie and Domanique for a full day of fun for the whole family. Attendees can look forward to 6 food trucks, a variety of vendors, photo stations, game stations, art popups, and… a mechanical bull. It wouldn’t be a line dancing extravaganza without a major headliner.
Bringing the fun and the nostalgic steps of millennial high school past is the creator of the legendary Cupid Shuffle, Cupid.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Cupid, the internationally known recording artist behind the viral hit ‘Cupid Shuffle.’ With over 20 million YouTube views and a career spanning decades, he’s earned the title of Line Dance King for a reason. His high-energy performances bring people together through rhythm, movement, and fun,” said Ayana Washington, one of the event organizers and Creative Producer.
While attendees get down, they can enjoy performances by some of the region's best line dance and step teams, including DWS Movement Steppers and Heart N Soul. General admission tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/wx239bm/lp/250bffa3-7aeb-4256-b41b-009175e8fc65. All attendees over the age of 12 will need to buy a ticket. VIP will be available for this event and includes a shaded sitting area, priority entrance into the park, private bar and food, an exclusive Meet & Greet with Cupid, and access to the After Party. Vip tickets start at $65, and group options are available. Already a Downtown Rodeo fan? Make sure to secure official event merchandise early to be photo-ready online at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/wx239bm.
The Downtown Rodeo is a joint effort of the creative producer, Ayana Washington of Book Black Women; operations lead Cerina Thomas of No Longer Bound; vendor coordinator Da’Nice Green of 910 Wine Nest; volunteer coordinator Robert Savage of 226 The Warehouse; and the Cool Spring District. For information on performing or vending, visit https://www.226thewarehousenc.com/downtown-rodeo.

Karen Chandler Trust hosts annual concert to support cancer patients and their families

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Tuesday, 05 August 2025

Written by Amber Little

In insurance, there is a saying that we are all one major medical event away from financial trouble. A cancer diagnosis can put an individual in debt before treatment even begins. According to the National Cancer Institute, the average cost of treatment can range from $100,000 to $300,000, depending on the location of the cancer. On top of being physically sick, patients then face the dilemma of how to maintain everyday life bills with the added burden of the cost of treatment. The ripple effect of a cancer can be felt throughout the patient's entire life, from family, to friends, to work, every part of their life is affected by the sickness. North Carolina residents are fortunate enough to receive some financial relief if they are treated at the UNC through Charity Care (https://www.unchealth.org/records-insurance/financial-assistance-programs). Charity Care is a financial assistance program that helps eliminate or reduce the amount residents pay for treatment at the hospital. This does not cover transportation, lodging, or household bills. That is where organizations and nonprofits come in to fill in the gap by providing resources, services, and offering monetary help.
The Karen Chandler Trust is a local nonprofit with a mission to help alleviate some of the financial stress. “The Mission of The Karen Chandler Trust is to support cancer patients and their families and promote community awareness.” Those who serve on the board are 100% volunteers, and 100% of all funds raised are given directly to patients through Cape Fear Valley Hospital for expenses such as gas, rent/mortgage, food, and utilities. The organization uses its fundraising events to not only raise money but to educate the community on the economic hardship that a cancer diagnosis causes. The Karen Chandler Trust doesn’t just fundraise and educate. They are also a resource for patients, connecting them with agencies that can provide long-term assistance. Mike Chandler, the founder of the nonprofit, is the brother of the organization's namesake and has been the figurehead for almost two decades. Recently, he stepped down, and the reins of Director were handed to the capable hands of local comic book store owner and Fear State frontman, Bernie Mangiboyat.
Normally, the nonprofit puts on a weekend-long beach music festival, but has scaled back this year, but scaling down doesn’t mean that the fun will. This year’s annual concert fundraiser will be held at Louie’s Sports Pub located at 2417 Robeson St., on Sunday, Aug. 17 from noon to 7 p.m. The goal is to raise more or at least match the fundraiser's record-breaking amount of $6,000, more than quadrupling the inaugural year of $1,300.
The concert will feature a full lineup of some of the best rock bands and a deliciously catered meal by Ragin’ Rooster (Bobby Jackson/owner). Kicking off the event is Southern rock band, Harely and Big Country. Performing from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. is local fan favorite, award-winning, and concert alum, Reflections ll. At 3:30, Rivermist hits the stage with their smooth vocals and electrifying energy. Headlining the event is The 3rd Crush Band, jamming the stage from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Come out, enjoy good food, good music, and raise money for a cause. The entry fee for the event is a $5 donation or more at the door. Advanced tickets will not be sold.

(Photo: Karen Chandler was a local musician and mother of two who was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her brother, Mike Chandler, started the Karen Chandler Trust in her honor. The trust has donated over a million dollars to cancer patients and families in the over 20 years since the start of the charity. Bernie Mangiboyat is the new president of the KCT and is continuing the legacy. Photo courtesy of Karen Chandler Trust Facebook page)

Subliminal Songs film anthology presents "The Ghost"

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Tuesday, 29 July 2025

Written by Katie Herring

“It all started with a pill. This pill has a mysterious effect: you can take it, go to sleep as you listen to music or some other audio that conjures up a memory, then, as you sleep, you will relive that memory in your dream.”
This is the premise of a film anthology entitled Subliminal Songs and was imagined by Judson Clark, a local filmmaker with an active imagination, a DSLR camera purchased with COVID stimulus funds, and a fascination with film anthologies like Black Mirror.
In 2023, “Forsaken,” the first episode of Subliminal Songs, premiered at the Cameo Art House Theatre in downtown Fayetteville. After the success of that film, he sent the idea of “the pill” to other writers and creatives he knew and asked, “Can you find a story here?” Some of the responses have led to more stories being crafted and produced. On Aug. 10 at 6 p.m., there will be an exclusive screening of the fourth and latest episode, “The Ghost” at the Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County on Hay Street.
In “The Ghost,” we meet Adeliaide Conroy, a young stand-up comedian who is dealing with lots of difficulties, such as past trauma and temptation related to substance abuse. “The pill” is the common through line of all the episodes of Subliminal Stories, but explaining fully how it impacts Adelaide would give away too much, so no spoilers! Adelaide, played by Fayetteville native Carsyn Harkey, is haunted by voices and visions from her past.
There are a lot of things that make “The Ghost” a unique film. One is Clark’s dedication to using all local talent, both onscreen and in production roles. In all four episodes of Subliminal Songs, the cast and crew have been from the Fayetteville area. In fact, in the first film, “Forsaken,” everyone involved in its production was working on their first film project.
Another unique feature of these films is where the filming takes place: “The Ghost” was filmed in a few locations around Fayetteville and in downtown Clinton. Clark has a personal connection with Clinton, having started his acting career at Sampson Community Theatre in downtown. There is also an art piece on Main Street that has always fascinated the writer and director, who found the perfect opportunity to incorporate “Milling Around” into the landscape of this project. He said it was a big ask to have the actors and crew drive that far for a day of filming, but everyone was accommodating. The other three episodes that have already been completed were also filmed locally. Clark states that he not only wants to showcase local talent, but he also wants to highlight the beautiful and interesting vistas in the Fayetteville area that often go overlooked and under appreciated.
Clark’s vision of the entire project is encapsulated in what he refers to as “maximalist production.” Yes, the films are short projects and they’re filmed by local artists, some of whom are brand new to filmmaking; and they’re filmed using simple equipment; and they’re filmed in Fayetteville, which is not considered to be a big market for filmmaking. But the project is still a big deal.
All the artists are compensated for their time and work; they may not be members of SAG-AFTRA (film actors’ union), and they may not get rich making one or more of these films, but they will be paid fairly. Care is taken in how the filming takes place to ensure that the simple film equipment captures high-quality picture and sound, and the acting is compelling.
The films are shown on a big screen (well, not "The Ghost," but there’s a reason for that; more on that shortly). They are available to stream on Amazon, or will be soon, and have an IMDB page. These factors help lend to the credibility of the work; these are not just hobby projects, they are real, professional, high-quality short films.
The exclusive, one-night screening of "The Ghost" on Aug. 10 is a free event, but seating is limited. It is held in the basement of the Arts Council at 301 Hay Street. The location for this screening is significant, first because the Arts Council provided a grant that helped pay production costs for the film. The Arts Council basement is a location for a pivotal moment in the film. Watching a film in a setting and then actually seeing that setting onscreen is a unique experience. Finally, Clark thought that this movie in particular would best be viewed in an intimate setting, through a projector, as opposed to seeing it on a big screen.
There will be a question-and-answer session following the screening of the film. People will be able to ask questions of Clark, as well as some of the cast and crew.
Subliminal Stories is a project with no specified timeline or finish line.
Clark says, “It will keep running as long as the stories keep coming.”
He is excited to continue to grow the network of creative people involved in the anthology and invites anyone who is interested in being involved to reach out via social media channels or attend the screening on Aug. 10. Clark additionally extends his love and gratitude to everyone who has played a part in "The Ghost" or any of the other films in the anthology.