Entertainment

Business Journal’s “Power Breakfast” nurtures networking

10"Everything is so virtual," Faith Hatton, editor of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal said of the business world. She explained that many community members know of community leaders but have yet to meet them in person.
The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal wants to change that dynamic with its Power Breakfast Series, which features food, networking opportunities and a discussion panel.
"You can actually meet [community leaders] at our power breakfast," Hatton shared. She said the event is about community involvement and gives attendees the chance to have a conversation with people they might not otherwise meet.
The upcoming Sept. 24 Power Breakfast is titled "Creative Impact." It will highlight the impact of the Arts on participants' business lives and the local economy and what community members can do to foster that impact. But it's not only about community members meeting leaders. Hatton hopes the connections formed will help leaders as well. "We want to give [leaders] a spotlight, give them a position to talk to people who might be able to help or support them."
Conversations are underway with several Arts community leaders who will serve as panel members at the breakfast. They are helping craft the questions that will guide the panel discussion. "The arts community here is a very close-knit community," Hatton explained. She described a collaborative dynamic during the question-crafting process, where many participants already knew each other and had mutual acquaintances.
Panel members include Mary Catherine Burke, Artistic Director of Cape Fear Regional Theatre; Christopher B. Hoffman, CEO of Cape Fear Botanical Garden; Anna Meyer, Executive Director of Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra; and Robert C. Pinson, President/CEO of The Arts Council of Fayetteville.
Hatton expects the panel members will have a very productive conversation. They will address a number of topics that affect Fayetteville. The conversations will cover information about programs run by each organization represented, their growth over the last several years, new programs, and community impact.
Equipped with her experience hosting TV interviews, Hatton will be taking the panel format in a new direction this year. In previous years, an emcee has asked questions of panelists from a podium. This time, Hatton says she'll sit at the same level as panelists and offer minimal direction in what she hopes will be a free-flowing conversation.
Throughout the event, attendees can text questions that may be featured in the Q+A session later on. "It is just a way for the community to be in on those conversations a little bit and also kind of get inspired as to how they can contribute to these organizations, " she shared.
The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal has been hosting Power Breakfasts since it began publishing in 2021. Hatton said past popular topics included their "Big Challenges" Power Breakfast and "New Leaders and New Directions" Power Breakfast.
According to the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal, the "Big Challenges" panel highlighted how area businesses were solving problems within the Fayetteville community, while the "New Leaders and New Directions" panel introduced the community to professionals newly occupying leadership positions in local organizations.
Each Power Breakfast has highlighted a particular business sector and brought leaders and community members together over shared goals. Hatton describes it as an opportunity to spend time with like-minded people.
At the Creative Impact Power Breakfast, first-time visitors can expect networking to start at 7:30 a.m.. There will be assigned tables and breakfast foods such as pastries, eggs, and coffee served by Two Brothers Catering. After a word from the event sponsors, the panel discussion will start at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 9:30 a.m., with a Q&A session included.
Hatton recommends purchasing tickets from Eventbrite quickly if interested in attending. She noted that before ticket sales opened, they were already receiving calls from interested attendees.
"I don't want to say they sell out, but they go really, really quickly, " she explained.
The breakfast will be at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden in the Ralph and Linda Huff Orangery. The location itself underscores the event theme.
"It is art and science all in one." Hatton described. "I don't think people really think about that when they think of horticulture."
She anticipates business connections, partnerships, and friendships will form as professionals connect over the arts, "We're just excited to get these panelists in front of some of the business community!"

(Photo: Presenters sit on the stage during a Greater Fayetteville Business Journal Power Breakfast. These breakfasts encourage networking with Cumberland County leaders. Photo by GFBJ)

Dirtbag Ales celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

8Sept. 15 started the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, and there will be plenty of celebrations going on around the country, state, and city.
Kicking off the festivities in Cumberland County, Dirtbag Ales located at 5435 Corporation Drive, Hope Mills, is hosting the 2024 Latin Celebration on Sept. 21 from noon to 10 p.m. A family-friendly event, the celebration will be jam-packed with food, music, vendors, and a celebration of the vibrant Latin heritage. This event is free to all and a great opportunity to engage and explore all of the beautiful and delicious offerings of the Latin community.
This year’s event is presented by Dirtbag Ales, Dirty Whiskey, and sponsored by Black Hive Ink & Arts and promises a full day of activities centered around Latin culture. Starting the festivities with a good dance, attendees can catch a noon Zumba class to get warmed up for the DJ performances.
At 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m., there will be live performances of Honduran Folklore and Punta by Xiomara Gris and Tonya Ford will be performing Salsa routines for the crowd to enjoy. For those unfamiliar with Honduran Folklore, dances tell a story, oftentimes of traditions, religious ceremonies, and families, carrying the tradition of the community on through dance.
Punta is a type of Honduran Folklore dance, used in social settings such as parties. Punta is a more modern version of HF dancing, that includes heavy drums and lively tempos.
Both have origins in Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Salsa originated in Cuba in the 1900’s, traveled to Puerto Rico and sparked a new life in New York. A seductive and sensual dance, salsa is meant to ignite the flame between dancers.
DJ Sixx and DJ Q will hit the turntables from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., keeping the energy high and the celebration going. Nestled among the woods right off I95, Dirtbag Ales will provide the perfect backdrop to salsa or bachata the evening away under the Carolina stars.
Local vendors will be set up for browsing and shopping. And no Latin Celebration would be complete without food. At the heart of many cultures, food is the thing that brings the people together. It’s the part of one's culture that is easiest to share.
Latin food will be on full display at the celebration. With all of the great food options, there is NO outside food and drink allowed. This year’s food lineup includes:
Latin Flavours Street Cuisine
Taco Arepa
Baja Dogs
Hollywood Taco Truck
Lo Diferente Mexican Truck
Flakis Mexi Snacks
Allisons
Dirtbag Ales has been supporting Latin Heritage events for over 3 years.
“We were the co-host for the local Chinchorreo with Boricuas EN NC for 3 years. The event outgrew our facility in 2022. We have hosted smaller Latin celebrations since,” said Shannon Loper, Dirtbag Ales Operation Manager.
Organizers and sponsors are looking forward to another year of fun, food and celebration.

Join the fun at the FTCC Trojan Color Run on Oct. 12

18Are you ready to join the fun at the color run? Sign up today for the 4th annual FTCC Trojan 5K Color Run on Saturday, Oct. 12, on the Fayetteville campus of Fayetteville Technical Community College. Proceeds from the Trojan Color Run benefit scholarships at FTCC. This event is presented by Mercedes-Benz of Fayetteville.
The FTCC Trojan Color Run is a fun event for serious runners and casual walkers. It is a celebration of life and happiness and supporting a worthy cause. What makes it unique from other races is that the participants start the race wearing clean white shirts and end the race covered in a rainbow of color powder. Creativity is encouraged and fun costumes are welcome. It’s all part of the fun!
The color powder is a mix of food-grade corn starch and color dyes. While the powder is nontoxic, those with respiratory concerns and young children should avoid breathing it in.
On the day of the race, check-in begins at 9 a.m. behind the Tony Rand Student Center. The party begins at 9:30 a.m. with the opening ceremony with music, dancing, and a warm-up on the big stage.
The race starts at 10 a.m. with the runners first, followed by the walkers and strollers. The race takes you across FTCC’s beautiful campus including the Camellia Trails, fountains, and the Rose Garden. There will be two routes available – a 5K run and a fun walk, appropriate for families with strollers.
Volunteers will be along the route cheering on the participants, ringing cowbells, and blowing bubbles. Hydrate yourself at one of the water stations and run through the rainbow at six color stations. You have the option of bypassing the color stations if being covered in color powder is not your thing.
Several FTCC programs will be featured along the route including lineworker students sprinkling powder from the utility poles, music students performing in the Rose Garden, nursing students staffing the first aid tent, and fine arts students face painting at the after-party.
The party continues as you cross the finish line and receive your race medal. Join the after-party and celebrate with hundreds of your new friends in a rainbow cloud. Take selfies and stick around to enjoy music, dancing, and food, plus visit with health and fitness vendors.
Race shirts will be guaranteed for the first 500 registered participants who pick up their shirts during early packet pickup Oct. 8-11. On the day of the race, the participants will choose from the sizes available. Paid participants will receive a race shirt and bib. All finishers with a race bib will receive a medal.
It takes many volunteers to make the FTCC Trojan Color Run a success. Youth groups are welcome to volunteer with adult supervision. To volunteer as an individual or group, contact FTCC Foundation at 910-678-8441 to register.
Individual registration is $35 per person. For more information and to register to run or volunteer, visit runsignup.com/Race/NC/Fayetteville/FTCCTrojan5KRunWalk, scan the QR code, or call 910-678-8441.

(Photo: Runners participate in the FTCC Trojan Color Run in 2023. To register for the run, scan the QR code. Photo provided by FTCC)

First Presbyterian Church hosts the annual Calvin Lectures Series

       It’s election season and the commercials and ads have bombarded the airwaves and internet. The climate of this election is turbulent, and citizens are looking for information and guidance. For people of faith, moral beliefs guide everyday life, including voting, which begs the question, how is the church supposed to approach politics? First Presbyterian Church is hosting its annual Calvin Lecture Series and this year’s topic is Christian Citizenship: What Is The Church’s Role In Politics and Government? “This Calvin Lectures series is a Biblically-based discussion of Christianity’s response to politics in today’s United States.”
A two-day lecture series, the Calvin Lectures will run from Sept. 14 to 15 at the church located at 102 Ann Street. There are three lectures on Saturday, starting with What is Government For?, at 9:15 a.m. This lecture “will provide insights from the Bible and Christian tradition on the purpose of government and civil authority.” The second lecture, What is Government Not For?, starts at 10:45 a.m. and “will discuss the limits of the government’s role in supporting the Church and its missions.”

     Lunch will be at noon in Eller Hall and attendees can purchase a box meal for $12. Options range from cold-cut sandwiches to chicken salad. After lunch is the last lecture for the day, The Practice of Christian Citizenship, starting at 1 p.m., and “will present faithful and practical ways Christians can live out their citizenship in our time.” The final lecture, “The Keys of the Kingdom”, will be Sunday’s Sermon and will be given at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the chapel. To learn more about the Calvin Lecture Series visit www.firstprez.com/CalvinLectures. To register visit bit.ly/2024CalvinLectures.

     This year’s guest speaker is Dr. Paul D. Miller, a former White House staffer who worked under the Bush and Obama administrations. Dr. Miller authored The Religion of American Greatness: What’s Wrong with Christian Nationalism, a history of Christian Nationalism in America before and post the 2006 election. He has also contributed to The Washington Post and Christianity Today. As a veteran, scholar, and Christian, Dr. Miller, looks to distinguish the lines that have been blurred. Senior Pastor, Dr. Mike Garrett and the other members of the Calvin Lecture Series committee are hopeful this series will bring clarity to the roles the church plays in government for parishioners and leaders. “What do Christians need to think about? You know, as opposed to being driven to their ministers, becoming advocates for one camp or another. What is it that we are supposed to be bringing to the table during this process other than partisanship,” Dr. Garrett said.

     The Calvin Lectures are open to everyone in the community regardless of religion or denomination. “We are extended invitations, direct invitations to members of the academic community… that is going to include invitations to individuals at Methodist University, FSU, Campbell University, Campbell Divinity School, and Fayetteville Tech. We are also inviting local area pastors to come, particularly in the downtown area. The downtown pastors and all of their congregations are invited to come. It really is open to the public,” he said.

Courage and creativity: Cape Fear Studios' ART Exhibit

17“Truth and courage are not always comfortable, but never a weakness. Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, and authenticity"
— Brene Brown
Cape Fear Studios announces the 2024 Alpha Romeo Tango Exhibition. The exhibit features local military-affiliated artists. The artwork will be on display until Sept. 24 at the Cape Fear Studios Main Gallery at 148 Maxwell Street.
The 2024 Alpha Romeo Tango will feature a People’s Choice Award for first, second, and third places. The winner will be announced on social media at the close of the exhibit. The Public is invited to cast their vote for their favorite art piece and artist until Sept. 21 at the studio. Cape Fear Studios hours are Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Military service teaches and cultivates leadership skills, access to education, training, and personal growth. Personal growth is enhanced maturity, self-improvement, self-awareness, and resiliency.
“The arts force you to reflect with your life, how you feel about it, and what it means to you,” according to Art Engine, University of Michigan.
The art pieces in this exhibit capture a moment in time for the artist. It is the visual expression of the nuances of the artist’s soul. The public and the artist experience a meaningful moment of connection.
“The ART exhibit, Alpha Romeo Tango, is an annual exhibition for Cape Fear Studios, presenting the artwork of our military community. The military community is such an integral part of Fayetteville and the Cumberland County area. We like to offer an exhibit where military artists and their families can display their artwork. This year’s entries include works in clay, acrylic, oil, watercolor, and collage. This yearly exhibit is free to enter and visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite art/artist for the People’s Choice Award. The voting will end on Saturday, September 21,” shares Pandora Autry, Board President, Cape Fear Studios.
Experience connection with the artists of the Cape Fear Studios, 2024 Alpha Romeo Tango Exhibition at Cape Fear Studios until Sept. 24. Admission is free for the exhibit.

(Photo: The Alpha Romeo Tango Exhibit at Cape Fear Studios showcases art from military members and their families. The show runs until Sept. 24 at the studio on Maxwell St. Photos by Lena Simmons)

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