Entertainment

Veterans Day Parade to honor heroes at home

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Tuesday, 01 November 2022

Written by Hannah Lee

The tenth annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown Fayetteville will kick off Heroes Homecoming week this year. The Cumberland County Veterans Council created Heroes Homecoming in 2011 as a way of showing all veterans that the community remembers and appreciates their courage, sacrifice and everything they did to defend our freedom.

Michele Harling, a committee chair for the parade says that this year’s theme for Heroes Homecoming Week is “Honoring the Heroes at Home.”

“We made the decision that we would like to honor the heroes that hold the home front. This includes the veterans who stay on post while their units are being deployed. This includes the family members that have to hold the homestead together while their family member is deployed. It's about the veteran community that comes and supports what happens at Fort Bragg,” Harling said.

The committee was looking for a family that would represent the heroes at home and found the Davis family. Harling said that their experiences as a military family and Fayetteville natives make them great representatives of the huge number of families in the community who have supported their family members' military career.

Chris Davis is a veteran, a Pastor of the Force of Life church in Fayetteville, and previously served as a Fayetteville council member.
His wife, Demetria, is the North Carolina Mother of the Year. She is the mother of five children and grandmother to one. Davis, also known as “Mama Dee” was awarded earlier this year by American Mothers Inc., a national nonprofit organization that provides mentoring, grants and other support for mothers and children.

The parade will feature several JROTC groups, multiple high school marching bands, military equipment, various organizations, color guards, churches and groups, such as Scouting and the Shriners. Local sports teams and their mascots will also be making an appearance.

The parade will especially feature members of the Fort Bragg community, including the 18th Airborne Corps and the U. S. Special Operations Command. According to the Cumberland County Veterans Council, there are about 52,000 veterans that live in Cumberland County. That doesn’t include the Fort Bragg population of 52,280 active duty soldiers and their family members.

The parade route has changed. It will start on Person Street, just after B Street, and then move down Person Street to Hay Street, ending just before Segra Stadium. Previously, the parade had to cross the train tracks in downtown Fayetteville, which was a safety hazard.

“We don't have to worry about slowing them down or stopping them on that Saturday, and it'll give everybody a chance to slow down and kind of take their time on the route. In years past, we have been trying to make sure that we got everybody across the road before the train came,” Harling said. “This year, we don't have to worry about the trains coming, so there will be opportunities for various groups to basically perform for the VIP grandstand along the route so that people can see what some of our organizations do.”

The parade will kick off on Nov. 5 at 10 a.m. The City of Fayetteville’s Veterans Day Ceremony will follow the parade at the North Carolina Veterans Park. The ceremony will feature a mayoral proclamation, county and city elected officials offering remarks, a keynote speaker, and a flag ceremony.

Spectators are recommended to arrive early to find parking.

Poe House offers historical haunt with Night Tours

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Tuesday, 25 October 2022

Written by Hannah Lee

Visit a local haunt and get your spook on at the 1897 Poe House. The Cape Fear Museum of the Historical Complex is hosting night tours with a Halloween historical twist. Visitors to Halloween Revels: Night Tours will be transported back in time and witness a series of short vignettes. The guests will become immersed in early 20th-century cultural norms, music and poetry.

“You're actually watching a scripted play with different scenes and skits in each of the rooms of the historic Poe House. So you get guided through. And what makes it fun, of course, is it's after dark, it's at night. And we have the actors from the Gilbert portraying members of the Poe family, and they do different Halloween scenes, including customs, poems, and music that would have been appropriate for the time period of the early 1900s. So you're kind of traveling back in time to a Halloween 100 years ago, over 100 years ago.” Megan Maxwell, the education coordinator of 1897 Poe House at the Museum of the Cape Fear Complex, said.

The tour is played out like a scripted historical theater show. Actors from the Gilbert Theater will give the night tours even more realism. One of those actors is a local fan-favorite, James Dean. Dean recently was in “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.” He's also played Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” in the past. He will be taking on the role of Mr. Poe this year.

This will be the eleventh year that the Museum has held these ‘spooky’ Halloween tours. It first started as a free and small event with actors who mainly improvised as there was no script. Two years into that, a script was finally written and every year it changes.

“I try and change the script up every year so people that come every year don't see the same thing," Maxwell said. “So this year we have a new script, new scenes, new actors. So if you’re a repeat visitor, it's not going to be the same show. You're going to see something different this year.”

The tours are family-friendly; however, it is dark and spooky. Parents must make their own judgment on whether their child can handle it. The $5 tickets must be bought beforehand; however, if the tour is not sold out, there may be tickets at the door. Tickets are only good for the time slot purchased.

Guests should arrive at least 15 minutes before their tour time. Check-in is at the front table in the front yard.

“It's going to be a little dark because we like it spooky. So when people come up, they get a program, they check in, they can relax on the front porch until it’s their tour time and then they’ll have guides that lead them through the house, so they'll get an introduction about what to expect. And then we’ll start the show,” Maxwell said.

There are two nights left for the tours — Oct. 27 and Oct. 28. Tours will run on the half hour each night and will be limited to 15 people per tour. Touring hours begin at 6 p.m. and finish at 10 p.m.

FSO brings “Something in the Wind” to local audiences

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Tuesday, 25 October 2022

Written by Ashley Shirley

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra invites one and all to experience “Something in the Wind” on Saturday, Nov. 5 at St. John's Episcopal Church. The mellow sounds of brass and woodwind instruments are the perfect accompaniment to the falling leaves and autumn weather as the calendar picks up speed toward the holidays.

The 75-minute concert will feature string performances while bringing special attention to the trumpet, bassoon, flute and oboe.

“I know for certain these instruments and their beauty will provide such a warm feeling in a venue like St. John,” shared Meghan Woolbright, marketing manager for the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. “It’s the perfect way to start the season.” 

From the pews of St. John’s, guests will be treated to selected pieces from Guissepe Torelli's “Concerto in D Major,” Vivaldi’s “Concerto for Bassoon,” and other uplifting selections which will highlight the skills and talents of four FSO soloists.

Dr. Timothy Altman will perform a trumpet solo during the event. Patrick Herring will solo on bassoon, Sarah Busman on flute, and Jessica Miller on oboe will bring the music of classical masters beautifully to life in a concert meant to stir the heartstrings.

“I believe everybody, no matter where you come from or who you are, deserves the opportunity to be inspired by beautiful music,” Woolbright stated. “We strive to entertain, inspire and educate people with the music we play — we believe our music can resonate emotionally with people, and we want to share that.”

November 5th’s ticketed performance is the first of four to be held in churches around the city this concert season. Events are a mix of ticketed, and community concerts focused on the holidays and will infuse some musical joy into the most wonderful time of the year.

Early December will bring a collaboration with Cumberland Choral Arts to perform Handel’s “Messiah” and a festive concert entitled Holiday Brass. In January, the symphony will perform Dan Forrest's “Jubilate Deo” at First Presbyterian Church.

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra has been a mainstay of the arts community for more than 50 years. Their professionalism and genuine love for the craft of music have made them a leading force behind music and arts education in the region.

First and foremost, the FSO believes in promoting, supporting and creating beautiful music easily accessed by the public in an effort to build a more culturally engaged community.

“I believe anyone who enjoys music and live performances will love this show,” Woolbright admitted. “Anyone who seeks to be entertained, educated, and inspired should come to listen —it’s an awesome opportunity to spend time with your family and friends. The orchestra isn’t for any certain class of people — we try to make sure our concerts are for everybody.”

Guests can purchase tickets by calling 910-433-4690 or online at www.fayettevillesymphony.org. Tickets are $32 for adults and $25 for seniors, military and Cumberland County School employees. Student and children's tickets are $8 and $5.

St. John's Episcopal Church is located at 302 Green St., and guests are permitted to park at the church during the performance which begins at 7:30 p.m.

Zombie Walk and Prom set for downtown

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Tuesday, 25 October 2022

Written by Chayenne Burns

On the Fourth Friday of every month from March to November between 6 and 10 p.m., museums, galleries and businesses in the downtown Fayetteville historic district become artistic venues, featuring the arts in all forms, for all ages. Fourth Friday is like an old-fashioned art crawl combined with the performances and fun of a street fair. Folks of all ages get a taste of Fayetteville’s arts and entertainment while enjoying the local independent galleries, bookstores, bistros and shops full of unique items.

On the Fourth Friday of this month, downtown Fayetteville will be hosting the 12th annual Zombie Walk and Prom. Hay Street is turned into a scene from a zombie flick, with creatures and characters on display.

All are invited to come downtown with your best zombie costume and enter the costume contest. If you need a little help adding that extra flare to your costume by adding some makeup, don’t fret because the Paul Mitchell Hair and Makeup School will be painting faces at the beginning of the Zombie Walk.

Ring Wars Carolina will be performing on the corner of Hay Street and Ray Avenue during the Zombie Walk. Ring Wars provides quality entertainment that’s fun for the entire family. Wrestlers will be dressed in their zombie best. Come out and cheer them ringside.

If you get a little tired of walking during the Zombie Walk and Prom, take a ride on the Rocky Horror Singalong Trolley. Janet! Brad! Dr.Scott! will take you on a strange journey for the Rocky Horror Singalong Trolley at 7 and 8 p.m. featuring A Yellow Beanie Project. Tickets are $30 a person. The Trolley will depart from Bright Light Brewing Company located at 444 West Russell Street.

The Zombie Walk and Prom will also have live musical performances from Lotus Sun and the Living Dead and Nirvani: A Nirvana Tribute Experience that will perform.

As with regular Fourth Friday events, guests can expect food trucks, vendors, performers, artists and more.
For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/events/849249152747861.