Entertainment

Sweet Tea Shakespeare holds annual holiday concert

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Tuesday, 25 November 2025

Written by Aly Hansen

Sweet Tea Shakespeare will help usher in the season with Behold. The concert will be held Dec. 4-6, beginning at 7:30 p.m., at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church at 1601 Raeford Rd. The show, a mix of story telling and song, creates a unique experience meant to be thoughtful and uplifting.
“This is one of those shows that our performers (myself included) look forward to coming back to year after year. It truly is a magical, beautiful experience to blend joyful noises and contemplative sounds together. For me, it is like a breath of fresh air after rushing around all year,” said Jessie Wise, executive director and CEO of Sweet Tea Shakespeare. “It's my hope the rest of the performers and the audience get to experience that as well.”
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church serves as the backdrop to the event, a tradition that Wise says has been going on since Behold began several years ago.
“Holy Trinity Episcopal Church has graciously been hosting this concert since we began offering it many years ago. We will be performing in their Sanctuary, which is a beautiful space for this concert,” Wise said.
The concert includes select readings as well as songs from Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God and the Oh Hellos. Wise said STS likes to call the performance a folk Christmas cantata. The majority of those performing this year have been a part of Behold or other Sweet Tea Shakespeare productions in the past.
“Behold will be sung by Traycie Kuhn-Zapata, Lexi Robinson, Jeremy Fiebig, Tocarra Patrick, Taj Allen, Greg Harper, Izaiah Zapata and myself, and musicians include Jacob French (guitar), Mike Canino (bass), Jonathan Breitzer (violin), Joel Wise (drums), Dean Dibling (guitar), and Evan Bridenstine(keyboard),” Wise said.
Behold has been a fixture in the Fayetteville community for several years.
“I believe it began as a passion project from our music director, Jacob French and STS founder Jeremy Fiebig,” she said.
The passion is truly felt, as the performance leaves both the audience and performers feeling introspective. STS’s website says the performance is a way to “feel the spirit of the Season.”
It is with this in mind that STS has designated the performance as a “pay as you can” show. Tickets can be purchased through their website at https://sweetteashakespeare.com/behold-december-fayetteville/, and concert goers can choose how much they pay for their tickets.
“We want to make sure that tickets are accessible to all, especially during the holiday season when finances are tight,” Wise said. “The pay what you will option provides opportunities for us to open our performance to everyone while also allowing those who feel passionately about our productions to give back. We have used this model for some other concerts in the past, and probably will do so in the future.”
Described as an intimate concert that “blends stirring melodies and meaningful narratives,” Behold will truly be an event to bring in the holiday season. It will be a time when those who attend can breathe and feel a few moments of peace.
“This time of year, it's so easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle and stress of the season and expectations placed on ourselves, either by others or ourselves,” Wise said. “We hope that Behold is an opportunity to slow down, take a deep breath, and reflect on the stories of the season.”

City Center Gallery & Books expands author series, welcomes former NC Poet Laureate Joseph Bathanti

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Tuesday, 25 November 2025

Written by Jamie Bishop

The literary heartbeat of downtown Fayetteville is growing louder as City Center Gallery & Books continues its successful Chat with an Author series. After drawing enthusiastic crowds for recent events featuring Dylan Nigh and Janet Gibson, bookstore owners Hank and Diane Parfitt say the momentum has transformed their Hay Street shop into one of the city’s most vibrant cultural hubs.
Their newest guest, Joseph Bathanti, former North Carolina Poet Laureate (2012–14) and recipient of the 2016 North Carolina Award for Literature, represents a milestone in the series and a significant moment for the region’s military and writing communities.
Bringing Bathanti to Fayetteville holds special meaning.
“The North Carolina Literary Review is excited to connect with the military community in Fayetteville and Cumberland County, to assist with writing their stories,” said Devra Thomas, digital editor of the North Carolina Literary Review. “We believe literature is an important method for increasing understanding of this important population in North Carolina, which is why we are featuring Current and Former Military authors in our 2026 Feature sections.”
According to Thomas, Bathanti’s deep ties to veterans’ writing initiatives make him a natural fit.
“Joseph Bathanti has been an important voice in North Carolina literature for decades, and he’s using his wealth of knowledge and experience to assist veterans in crafting their own stories to share. We are excited to be able to use a North Carolina Arts Council military project grant to bring Professor Bathanti to Fayetteville for this free workshop and to partner with City Center Gallery for a public reading by Professor Bathanti himself.”
The Parfitts launched Chat with an Author earlier this fall: an intimate, informal gathering where readers can pull up a chair, talk craft, and connect with writers one-on-one. The first event featured Dylan Nigh, whose memoir, Fool’s Gear: A Completely Devastating Thing I’ll Probably Do Again, explores heartbreak, healing and a winter motorcycle journey across the country.
“The turnout for Dylan set a tone we couldn’t have predicted,” Hank said. “Folks stayed long after the event ended. They needed space for real conversation, and that’s what we want this series to be.”
Shortly after Nigh, the store welcomed Janet Gibson, author of In My Heart This Morning. Gibson’s reading drew readers from across the region and ended in a warm, reflective book signing where guests shared their own stories of gratitude and loss.
“Janet offered a moment of quiet grace,” Diane said. “Everyone left feeling lighter.”
Upcoming Events at City Center Gallery & Books
With the holiday season underway, the store’s calendar is filling quickly:
All events will be held at 112 Hay Street, and are free and open to the public. City Center Gallery & Books’ phone number is 910-678-8899.
NOVEMBER 28 | 2–3 p.m.
Elliot Engel - A Dickens Holiday Presentation
NOVEMBER 29 | 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Shop Small Saturday & Ladies’ Shopping Day
DECEMBER 4 | 6 p.m.
Joseph Bathanti - Workshop & Public Reading
Presented in partnership with the North Carolina Literary Review & NC Arts Council Military Project Grant
Bathanti’s visit includes a free writing workshop designed especially for military and veteran storytellers and an evening reading open to the public.
“This event means a great deal to us,” Hank said. “Joseph Bathanti represents the highest caliber of North Carolina literature, but he also believes deeply in helping others find their voice, especially veterans. That mission aligns perfectly with Fayetteville.”
DECEMBER 6 | 4–6 p.m.
Reggie Barton - I Never Heard That Before
DECEMBER 13 | 5–7 p.m.
Starr Branch - Poetry Reading
Ask Hank Parfitt what’s happening in downtown Fayetteville, and he’ll tell you the truth: something is stirring.
“People are rediscovering that bookstores aren’t just retail spaces,” he said. “They’re gathering places. They’re where ideas catch fire.”
The couple has operated City Center Gallery & Books since 2003. They’ve weathered shifts in retail, competition with online giants, and even the ebb and flow of downtown revitalization. But this moment feels different.
“There’s a buzz in this city,” Hank said. “It’s in the air. These authors bring people together: veterans, families, young readers, long-term locals, new residents. They sit shoulder to shoulder, talking about books. That’s community.”
For Diane, the joy is in watching people rediscover reading as a shared experience.
“You see strangers walk in, then leave as friends,” she said. “Books do that. Stories make people brave enough to talk.”

(Photo: Joseph Bathanti will be at City Center Gallery & Books in December to talk about his poetry and give a writing workshop. Photo courtesy of Hank Parfitt)

Yuletide Feaste returns: Elizabethan Holiday Celebration supports Cumberland Choral Arts

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Tuesday, 25 November 2025

Written by Sheila D. Barker

Hear ye, hear ye! Cumberland Choral Arts invites the community to step back into the splendor of the Renaissance for one enchanted evening as A Yuletide Feaste returns to Cumberland County on Saturday, Dec. 6. For one night only, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and her Royal Court will welcome guests to a grand holiday banquet filled with music, merriment, wassail, and pageantry—all to support the mission of CCA and its programs.
This year’s Feaste will take place at Salem Methodist Church, located at 2165 Middle Road, chosen not only for its capacity and kitchen facilities but also as part of CCA’s ongoing effort to reach communities throughout the entire county.
“There are so many communities outside of Fayetteville's city limits that we want to reach,” explains Elizabeth Wise, CCA Vice President and the evening’s Queen Elizabeth. “We are ‘Cumberland’ Choral Arts, after all.”
The evening begins when the Queen’s Banquet Hall opens at 6 p.m., with festivities commencing promptly at 6:30 p.m. A plentiful feast will be served, offering a traditional holiday banquet complete with a hearty meal, flowing wassail to warm the spirit, and figgy pudding to sweeten the celebration.
The idea for A Yuletide Feaste blossomed during CCA’s European performance tour in April 2024.
“A small group of us sat around reminiscing about when Methodist University’s chorale put on a Yuletide Feaste,” Wise recalls. “We had the crazy idea to resurrect that event with Cross Creek Chorale, and thus the tradition has continued.”
CCA President Sandy Cage adds that the group had long sought a fundraising event that showcased their artistic strengths.
“That evening discussion in Prague was the spark. Our first attempt was more of a ‘fun’raiser—we basically broke even. We hope that with donors and sponsors, it will become a true fundraiser this year.”
Guests attending the Feaste can expect an immersive production combining medieval dining, live choral performance, and interactive theatre.
“It’s a medieval dinner theater where guests are serenaded and occasionally invited to participate in Queen Elizabeth’s Christmas feast,” Wise explains. “There will be singing, eating, and most importantly, wassail!”
The Cross Creek Chorale plays a central role in bringing the court to life.
“We are the court,” says Wise. “We provide the music and merriment through song and dramatic acting. It is our job to transport you out of Fayetteville to Elizabethan England for the evening.”
The result is a fully immersive experience—from period costumes and historic décor to traditional carols and holiday favorites.
Musically, the program blends authentic Renaissance pieces with familiar seasonal works.
“The music is a mix,” says Artistic Director Curt Kinzey. “We wanted to include authentic music of the time period, but also songs that elicit the holiday spirit.”
But beyond the festive atmosphere, the event carries an important purpose.
“All proceeds from A Yuletide Feaste go right back into the community,” Cage explains.
Funds support CCA’s concert season, collaborative musicians, venue costs, and the Campbellton Youth Chorus—a no-tuition choral program for students in grades 4 through 10.
“Concert ticket prices only cover a small percentage of costs. We rely on sponsors, donations, and grants.”
The Feaste also serves as an introduction to choral music for newcomers.
“Some may come for the holiday entertainment without knowing whether they like choral music,” Kinzey notes. “It may serve as a fun and novel introduction.”
Ultimately, CCA hopes guests leave with more than a full stomach.
“I hope they will leave with hearts full of holiday spirit and a sense that quality fine arts are alive and well in our community,” Kinzey reflects.
Cage adds that the evening closes with a meaningful message from the Queen: “Let us henceforth journey together into a new, harmonious year, and perhaps, we should pray not that we keep Christmas but that Christmas keeps us.”
A limited number of seats are available, and all tickets must be purchased online by Nov. 30. Tickets are $65 and include a regular or vegetarian meal option. While royal attire is encouraged, it is not required—only a spirit of merriment and wassail. To purchase tickets, visit https://secure.givelively.org/event/cumberland-choral-arts/a-yuletide-feaste-fundraiser.

(Queen Elizabeth welcomes Feaste goers during A Yuletide Feaste in 2024. Cumberland Choral Arts is bringing their Feaste back again this year. Photo courtesy of Cumberland Choral Arts)

Arenacross comes to Crown

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Tuesday, 18 November 2025

Written by Lena Simmons

“Four wheels move the body; two wheels move the soul” (STUDDS)

The ALL-AMA Partzilla Regional Arenacross Series Fayetteville takes place at the Crown Coliseum, Crown Center in Fayetteville on Nov. 21 and 22, at 7 p.m. The Crown Coliseum is located at 1960 Coliseum Drive. Transworld Motocross presents this event. Ticket prices range from $51 and up, depending on seating. Tickets are available at the Crown Box Office, Fort Bragg Leisure Travel Office, and online at Ticketmaster.com.
The Arenacross has roots in motocross. The sport’s history is tied to the evolution of motocross in the UK during the early 1900s and eventually spread to the United States. The American Motorcyclist Association approved rules for motocross in 1961, and by the 1970s, both motocross and its indoor counterpart, AMA Supercross, had gained massive popularity. Arenacross emerged as a distinct discipline, taking the core elements of motocross and adapting them to an indoor seating arrangement, according to the AMA.
Arenacross is a dirt bike racing event held in an arena with man-made tracks filled with obstacles, tight turn berms, jumps and woops. Woops are specific bumpy parts of the track designed to test the rider’s skill in speed regulation, and can increase the technical difficulty of a track.
Arenacross is a type of indoor motocross racing held on man-made obstacles. It is known for its fast-paced action and often includes entertainment like pyrotechnics and music. Riders greet the guests, making it a family-friendly event. The races cater to different skill levels, from professional to amateur, and follow the guidelines of the AMA.
Gary Rogers, Director of Marketing, Oak View Group, shares his enthusiasm.
“Get ready for heart-stopping action as the AMA Partzilla Regional Arenacross Series rolls into the Crown Coliseum on Nov. 21 and 22,” he said. “Fans of high-octane two-wheeled mayhem won’t want to miss this pulse-pounding event, where the top athletes in indoor motocross will battle for the gate, the checkered flag, and arena bragging rights. Expect gravity-defying jumps, tight turns, screaming motors and non-stop excitement. Whether you are a devoted motocross fan or looking for an electrifying night out, Arenacross has something for everyone: friends, family, music, entertainment, fast bikes, and unforgettable memories. We are so excited to get Dirty at the Crown! We are hauling in 2050 cubic yards of red clay so Arenacross top athletes can race, jump, and compete. The athletes may inspire the next generation of motocross athletes. We are excited.”
See the dirt fly! Feel the heart pump with gravity-defying jumps. The AMA Partzilla Regional Arenacross Series Fayetteville will be held at the Crown Center on Nov. 21 and 22 at 7 p.m.