Entertainment

Lafayette Society to hold dance workshop

10The city of Fayetteville is cordially invited to attend a regency era dance workshop hosted by the incomparable Charles Steplively on Nov. 3 at 3 p.m. at the Hay Street United Methodist Church gym.
Steplively will be joined by members of the Lafayette Society to teach these dances to the public in an effort to help bring the authenticity of time period dances to the National Celebration of the Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour in March 2025. The March celebration will include the Lafayette Bicentennial Ball, and organizers hope the ball will be a place to showcase the dancing the Marquis de Lafayette would have experienced during his time in Fayetteville in 1825.
“The idea for the workshop came about because we thought since the dances are so different from modern dances, it would make the ball more enjoyable if you had previous exposure to English Country Dances,” said Sylvia Bisbee, an organizer for the dance event.
“English Country Dances are great, because you get to dance with people. You are part of something, and it is such a blast. It is always great to see people enjoying themselves and so many times, at first people are like, ‘I don't know how to dance,’ and we always tell them, if you can walk, you can dance. And it really is true,” she said. “English Country Dancing does not have difficult steps you have to learn. If you can walk forwards, backwards and sideways you are qualified. Well, and sometimes there is also a little clap involved and a turn.”
Jeremy Gershman, a dance master who goes by the pseudonym “Charles Steplively,” will be coming down from Virginia to help teach the dances.
“The dance class was the idea of the dance master, Mr. Steplively. The idea is to teach the dances we’ll perform at the ball and to generate interest in attending the ball. I’m sure they didn’t have a class back in the day but they already knew the dances,” said Janelle Prement, co-chair in charge of the Lafayette Farewell Tour Ball. “Personally, I’m looking forward to celebrate with people that enjoy lessons from history and appreciate the historical presence of Lafayette.”
The dance workshop is not a one-off; other dance workshops will be held until the Bicentennial Ball in March to help keep the dances fresh in people’s minds.
“We plan on having additional workshops for free between the November workshop and the ball in March, just to keep the dances in the muscle memory. We will be opening these practices up to anyone who is interested. This will also be in conjunction with the Bridgerton Youth Ball the library is planning in March,” said Bisbee.
Bisbee is a passionate dancer. While she is not part of the Lafayette Society, she jumped at the chance to help the group organize dancing lessons for the people of Fayetteville.
“I met Hank [Parfitt] because we started dancing at the Dickens Festival many years ago. By ‘we,’ I mean myself and my beautiful dance sisters Michele, Katie and Amanda. So, when the subject of a ball came up, I said count me in and so did the rest of the gang. They will also be helping with the additional workshops we plan,” she said. “I absolutely love to dance and learning new dances is always a plus.”
Bisbee is excited to be a part of the ball in March, and expressed her hopes that attendees will show up dressed to impress.
“It is so much fun when everyone shows up all dressed up. These days, this is rare. So, part of the ball is also to show off your beautiful gown and also enjoy all the other beautiful gowns and see the gentlemen in their handsome suits. This creates a special and magical atmosphere,” she said.
Tickets to this first workshop are $20 a person and can be purchased at https://www.lafayettesociety.org/the-grand-tour-bicentennial/. For those who have already purchased tickets to the Bicentennial Ball, the workshop is free of charge by visiting the link above.

Backwoods Terror Ranch brings chills and thrills

16Sweet Valley Ranch is again getting into the spirit of the season, this time with their annual haunted tour known as Backwoods Terror Ranch.
The legend of Backwoods Terror Ranch begins with Dr. Frederick Surgeon. In 1895, Dr. Surgeon was fired from a plastic surgery practice in Greenwich, Connecticut. His drive to find eternal youth brought him to the North Carolina countryside, right outside of Fayetteville.
It was here that he continued his extreme medical experiments, and the Fayetteville medical community welcomed his breakthroughs in animal splicing. His Fayetteville colleagues didn't realize his experiments encompassed more than animals.
Backwoods Terror Ranch began scaring attendees in early October, but the fun continues at the ranch from Oct. 25-27, and Oct. 31-Nov. 2. Each night, the haunting experience begins at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at their website at https://backwoodsterrorranch.com/tickets/
This year, Backwoods Terror Ranch will have three separate attractions.
"The Dystopian Abyss, the Haunted Trail that will leave you questioning your sanity," the website boasts, is a trail taken throughout the ranch's back woods property. A covered wagon pulled by a tractor will take attendees to the start of the trail, where the fun begins. "Lost souls" lurk in the shadows, waiting to surprise unsuspecting guests. Individual tickets to the Dystopian Abyss are $25.
The second attraction, the Slaughterhouse, showcases gory experiments conducted by the infamous Dr. Surgeon.
"This abandoned abattoir is home to a host of horrifying haunts, each more terrifying than the last," according to the website. Individual tickets for this attraction are $15.
The final attraction, and new to Backwoods Terror Ranch this year, is called the Sunnyside Asylum. Surgeon Manor, a "grand ghostly mansion," is full of ghostly surgeons and patients for guests to encounter throughout their tour. The Asylum was Dr. Surgeon's cover story for the screams coming from his property. Individual tickets for the asylum are $15.
For those wanting to partake in all three attractions, an all access pass can be purchased for $45. VIP tickets are also available for $60. VIP ticket holders get to skip the lines and head straight into the terrifying twists and turns of Sweet Valley Ranch's Backwoods Terror Ranch.
Backwoods Terror Ranch can be visited at 2990 Sunnyside School Rd. in Fayetteville. For more information about Sweet Valley Ranch and their programs, call 833-787-4368.

(Photo: The Sunnyside Asylum at Backwoods Terror Ranch is the latest attraction to the popular haunted house. Photo courtesy of Backwoods Terror Ranch Facebook page)

Lumbee Tribe Cultural Showcase teaches students traditions

11“In southeastern North Carolina, amongst the pines, swamps, and dark waters of the Lumbee River, you will find the heart and homeland of the Lumbee People. The ancestors of the Lumbee came together in the shelter of this land hundreds of years ago - survivors of tribal nations from the Algonquian, Iroquoian, and Siouan language families, including the Hatteras, the Tuscarora, and the Cheraw.” (from https://www.lumbeetribe.com/history-and-culture) The rich culture of the Lumbee Tribe is a part of the fabric of this region of North Carolina and has been for centuries. This culture - music and dance, the stories, the clothing and jewelry, the traditions handed down for generations-is preserved and shared by The UNC Pembroke American Indian Heritage Center and the Museum of the Southeast American Indian.
North Carolina has the highest American Indian population east of the Mississippi River, and the Lumbee Tribe is the 9th largest tribe in the nation, out of more than 500 different tribes. The Lumbee people are known as the People of the Dark Water, so-called because of the dark waters of the Lumbee River. Their tribal lands span the areas now known as Robeson, Hoke, Scotland, and Cumberland Counties, one of the largest geographical areas of tribal land in the region.
In honor of American Indian Heritage Month in November, the American Indian Heritage Center will present The Lumbee Tribe Cultural Showcase at Givens Performing Arts Center on Nov. 7. During two performances, students in kindergarten through 8th grade from Robeson and surrounding counties will see performances of traditional dances, people wearing traditional clothing, jewelry, and headdresses, telling stories significant to the Lumbee tribe. However, they will also learn about the significance of those aspects of the Lumbee culture. Hosted by John Oxendine of the Lumbee Tribe, students will learn why these pieces of the Lumbee culture are important, and what they mean to the people who perform them as well as to those who see and hear them.
Tribe members will perform many kinds of dances: fancy shawl dance, shuffle dance, war dance, Woodland style dances, and more.
One type of dance that students will see is called a jingle dance. Jingle dances originated with the Ojibwa tribe in the early part of the 20th century. In these dances, young women wear a jingle dress: a dress that has multiple rows of metal cones that make a jingling sound as the women dance. It is believed that this sound drives away sickness and that jingle dances are dances of healing. The dances are accompanied by drums and singing.
The significance of the drums used in these performances is also an important part of what the audience will learn at the showcase. The drums are more than just musical accompaniment for the dancing. For example, is believed that the water drum, called this because it is hollowed out and has water in it, was given to the Lumbee’s ancestors by animals to help drive away sadness and depression.
Headdresses are another important part of the Lumbee culture. Tribe members wear various different types of feathered headdresses and there is an explanation of the meaning and significance of those pieces: how they became part of the Lumbee culture, what they signify, and how it is believed that they affect the people who wear them.
It is believed by many American Indians, including the Lumbee people, that thunderstorms were to be respected and revered. Tradition dictates during a thunderstorm, you should be quiet and respectful, not talking, laughing, playing music or even cooking or taking a shower. Aspects of the Lumbee culture and traditions such as these are part of what is shared in the Cultural Showcase program.
The showcase will also talk about the history of the Lumbee people, and the history of struggles among American Indians. Host John Oxendine explains that in the not-too-distant past, the dances that are such a significant part of Lumbee culture and spiritual beliefs were not legal to perform. Until the passage of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act was passed in 1978, fines could be imposed for the performance of these dances.
These elements, and many others, will make up the Nov. 7 event at Givens Performing Arts Center. While this event is specifically for invited audiences made up of elementary and middle school-aged children, it is just one event produced by the American Indian Heritage Center in Lumberton, NC. This organization provides “cultural, social and academic program[s] for American Indian students as well as educational programming for non-Native faculty, staff, and students.” (https://www.uncp.edu/academics/american-indian-heritage-center)

(The Lumbee Tribe Cultural Showcase will help to teach students about the Lumbee and other native peoples' traditions at the Givens Performing Arts Center. Photo courtesy of GPAC)

WIDU 1600AM celebrates anniversary after 5-year hiatus

14WIDU 1600AM is a locally owned, community radio station. Owners Wes and Sandra Cookman have been the people and the passion behind the airwaves. Providing AM radio programming for Cumberland County, WIDU is “your station for inspiration and information,” with seven days of live shows, podcasts, and a generous mix of inspirational and gospel music. Listeners can tap in for their morning motivation daily from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. For the latest on community events and initiatives, the Wakeup 9 a.m. segment features community voices like pastors, law enforcement, and organizational leaders. Saturday and Sunday are dedicated to giving local churches a broader voice and platform to spread love and Christian education. After a five-year hiatus, mainly due to COVID-19, WIDU is finally bringing back its grand 2-day anniversary celebration at the Crown Expo Center and the Crown Coliseum.
Festivities kick-off on Thursday, Oct. 24 at noon with the Women’s Empowerment Luncheon at the Crown Expo Center, 1960 Coliseum Drive. This event is aimed at bringing area women together to encourage and empower each other. Headlining this year’s event is Memphis Gospel artist Jekayln Carr. Tickets are $49 and can be purchased at https://bit.ly/4ePFvjG
The first day of celebration ends at Kingdom Impact Global Ministries (2503 Murchison Rd) with the talent show to rival all talent shows, Carolina BEST. Starting at 6:30 p.m., this talent competition brings out the best and most promising artists in the area. This year’s competition will feature 16 contestants competing in 5 categories (Solo, Youth, Quartet, and Choir/Ensemble).
They will all be vying for the coveted title of Carolina BEST, an award that crowns the best of the best among the contestants. The winner of this year’s competition will receive $1000 and the opportunity to open ceremonies on Friday. Judging this year’s competition are Award-winning Gospel singer Kim Burrell, Le’andria Johnson, third season winner of BET’s Sunday’s Best, and last year’s Carolina BEST winner and “No Ordinary Worship” artist, Kelontae Gavin.
Gavin will perform a mini-concert before the winners are announced. Tickets are $20-$50 and can be purchased online at https://bit.ly/3NxHw8i
WIDU is a point of inspiration for the community, so it’s only fitting that anniversary festivities include prayer and fellowship over a meal. The WIDU Prayer Breakfast starts at 9 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 25 at the Crown Expo Center. Gospel singer Kim Burrell will perform and prolific Atlanta Pastor Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant will deliver the message for the morning. Tickets are $49 and can be purchased online at https://bit.ly/4faQHam.
Ending the festivities on Friday at 6 p.m. will be the WIDU Anniversary Celebration, the area’s premier gospel concert. Coming back after a five-year hiatus, this year’s lineup is packed with big names.
“Get ready to be enthralled by a diverse lineup of artists at the WIDU Anniversary. We will hear the soulful Pastor John P. Kee & the New Life Community Choir, the powerful Le'Andria Johnson, the talented Pastor Tim Rogers, the spirited Doc McKenzie & The Hi-Lites, Fayetteville's own McDonald Sisters, and The Mickens. This year we have something for everyone. Join us as we celebrate 66 years of community radio on WIDU.”
Tickets can be purchased at https://bit.ly/4dUA3L4.

(Photo: Performers at the 2016 WIDU Anniversary event sing for the crowd at the Crown Arena.)

GFBJ honors health care workers

10For the second year in a row, the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal will highlight noteworthy healthcare workers in the Fayetteville area at their Health Care Hero Awards.
“Our area’s healthcare providers do so much for so many and, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to shine a light on the heroes in our area,” said Faith Hatton, Editor of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal and emcee for the event.
She says they intend to honor those making an impact on healthcare by:
• Giving members of the health care community a chance to connect in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
• Celebrating individuals who go well beyond expectations to provide excellent care for our community.
• Awarding scholarships to up-and-coming members of the health care community.
Anyone can nominate a healthcare worker from Cumberland, Hoke, or Harnett Counties for an award. Nominators fill out an online form describing the nominee whose work and impact they find inspiring. There are nine award categories: Lifetime Achievement, Community Achievement, Health Care Executive, Innovation in Health Care, Physician, Nurse, Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant, Unsung Hero, and Volunteer.
Judges then consider each nominee and choose three finalists in each category except Lifetime Achievement, in which they directly choose a winner. Judges include sponsors, healthcare leaders, and representatives from healthcare organizations.
After the finalists are chosen, Greater Fayetteville Business Journal will publicize their names and stories on November 1st in preparation for the awards ceremony. The final winner in each category will remain unannounced until the awards ceremony, when those who originally nominated the winners may share a few words as winners are announced and awards are presented.
Last year’s Lifetime Achievement winner was Dr. Ashok Jain of KidzCare Pediatrics. According to the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal, he shared this perspective on his professional practice, saying, “The day I opened my practice, I put it on my website in bold, ‘I will take care of any patient who walks into my office.’ Any child who is sick, I will take care of them. Whether they have money or no money, insurance or no insurance. I don't care, I will take care of a sick child.’”
Hatton explained that over the past two years, the Journal has received stories from people who worked alongside or were helped by the individual they nominated — sometimes receiving life-saving care from them.
“We have considered so many incredible stories of sacrifice and healing; it’s incredible the impact these healthcare workers are making, not only on a wide scale but individually as well,” she described.
Hatton praised the finalists and winners for their humility, saying, “No one who is announced as a finalist is expecting any praise for the hard work they do. These people see the nitty gritty of humanity every day and they’re just trying to heal and help people.”
She described an outpouring of love and respect at last year's event, which saw over 200 attendees. This year will be held at a larger venue, the Cape Fear Botanical Garden.
The event is from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 7, and attendees can expect a cocktail hour and dinner with a presentation of awards. Tickets are limited and can be purchased for $75 at fayettevillehcheroes.com.

(2023 Lifetime Achievement winner Ashok Jain, MD of KidzCare Pediatrics (center) and his team gather for a group photo with GFBJ Publisher Marty Cayton (front right) and Editor Faith Hatton (center right). Photo courtesy of GFBJ)

Latest Articles

  • Federal pause: States should reclaim responsibilities
  • Opinion: What a difference four years can make
  • Fayetteville police chief: Homicides not ‘random acts of violence’
  • PFAS filters to be installed at Gray’s Creek, Alderman Road elementary schools
  • The Blueprint Concert, Awards hosted by Book Black Women
  • 7th Annual Lafayette Lecture highlights history of Fayetteville’s name with Dr. Lloyd Kramer
Up & Coming Weekly Calendar
  

Login/Subscribe