The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra's season closer, Bad to the Bones, is one not to be missed. Scheduled for Saturday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Seabrook Auditorium, it will feature Joseph Alessi. Alessi is not only the principal trombonist of the New York Philharmonic and a Grammy award-winning musician, he is also a friend and mentor to the FSO's music director, Stephan Sanders. Sanders shared, “Joe Alessi changed my life! His artistry and discipline inspired me to dream big and work hard. I am so grateful to consider him a mentor and friend. Our Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra musicians and audience are in for an unforgettable experience with Joe, the greatest trombonist of all time.” Alessi has showcased his musical talent alongside symphony ensembles across the globe, and now the FSO is privileged to have him grace the Fayetteville community with a captivating performance alongside the entire orchestra. Alessi's talents will be on full display during Nino Rota’s Trombone Concerto and Launy Grøndahl’s Trombone Concerto. Nino Rota was known for composing pieces that gave opportunities to instruments not usually showcased or highlighted in the orchestral repertoire like the harp, bassoon, and the trombone. Danish composer Launy Grøndahl composed Trombone Concerto in 1924. This work was inspired by the trombone section of the Casino Theatre Orchestra in Copenhagen. Grøndahl was a violinist in the orchestra which he joined at the young age of thirteen. Looking for a lift to the concert? There will be a trolley service provided. The shuttle will collect passengers at the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra office, located at 310 Green Street, in the main parking lot. The pick-up time is at 6:30 p.m. sharp, and it will bring you back after the concert. No reservations are needed, and it's completely free to use. Bad to the Bones will be the last performance of the 2023-2024 season. A new season announcement is expected soon, says Meghan Woolbright, the FSO’s Marketing & Office Manager. “We will be announcing our 2024-2025 season in early May before this concert. Expect to hear a combination of pops, classical, and chamber music for all to enjoy with some incredible collaborations from artists worldwide!” Also, mark your calendars for the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra's Independence Day Concert at Festival Park on July 4. There will not only be incredible music from the FSO, but from Cumberland Choral Arts and the 82nd Airborne Division All-American Band as well. Tickets for the Bad to the Bones concert range from $5-$32 and can be purchased at https://www.fayettevillesymphony.org/ or call the office at 910-433-4690.
Alexis Tidwell, like other dazzling singers, finds herself singing on her treadmill to keep up with the talent in her current show. This is hard, she may admit, because this isn’t a talent of flesh and blood but rather a fictional diva who can sing and dance and perform at a non-stop pace. A Vegas showgirl who often steals the stage. By any means, Tidwell will do the same. “You have to hit the gas and go 90 then come to a full stop,” she says. “I want to compromise the vocals as little as possible.” Tidwell laughs and says that when she’s out at a public gym on the treadmill, instead of belting it out, she’ll take all the breaths needed for the songs instead. “All the technical things of singing without the phonating. I think that’s something people don’t think about.” Her love interest in the show, played by actor Joshua Walker, says he finds himself out of breath too after his musical number. When asked how many numbers he will have to perform, he laughs and holds up just his pointer finger. “It's not as much,” he laughs, admitting he’s in some group numbers too. “ … and it’s not in heels.” Tidwell will be jumping in heels and dresses and of course, a nun’s costume since she will be playing Deloris Van Cartier in the upcoming production of Sister Act at Cape Fear Regional Theatre. Walker will be playing the detective Eddie Souther. “We call him sweaty Eddie,” he laughs. “Well, they call me sweaty Eddie.” This has much to do with, Walker says, the fact that his character is often nervous. He’s the good cop who wants to be the bad cop. For Eddie, the play will show a dynamic journey for his character who starts out as a nervous wreck. “Anytime you see him, he’s sweating,” Walker laughs. And then suddenly, Walker goes by the alter ego Sweaty Eddie. The show will include 20 big song numbers and 30 in total. For Director West Hyler, it’s what he would call a “monumental musical.” Hyler was approached first about directing the show and the moment he accepted he could think of no better Deloris than Tidwell. He had gotten to see her perform through his wife’s assistant directing job in a production of Beautiful. “The show is on her shoulders,” he said. “It’s a marathon performance.” This also explains Tidwell’s take to the treadmill to ensure she could keep up the vocals with all the dancing that is required in this production. Unlike the movie starring Whoopi Goldberg, the musical Sister Act has original music, leaving out all of the doo whoops of Whoopi’s days. “You get to see a lot of the characters' internal thoughts and wants,” Hyler says. “It allows a disco style. It’s a very dance-forward show.” Each of the songs in the show will have dance breaks in them. For Hyler, choosing Deloris’s love interest wasn’t as straightforward. He knew that Eddie in this production would need to sing. He needed someone to do all that and find the comedy and love interest piece of the show. “You have to have someone that is immediately likable,” Hyler says. Mary Kate, the Artistic Director for Cape Fear Regional Theatre, suggested Walker. Walker, of course, accepted the role but says he has found the challenge in the cohesiveness of the story. For Walker, he has to go on stage and make the “story make sense.” “I am on the spectrum,” he says. “When things just go through the alphabet things go a little easier for me.” This isn’t always the case in musical theater. Pivoting is key. The theatre, its current actors and Hyler, all feel like the upcoming show is a great responsibility. It is the last show in the theatre before the renovations begin this summer. “It’s the ultimate show to do it with,” says Ashley Owen, Marketing Director for the theatre. The production will run from May 2nd until May 26th. Tickets are on sale online with one night already being sold out. The folks at the theatre will host a military appreciation night and teacher appreciation night with 25% off of ticket prices. There will also be a “Disco Diva Night” featuring snacks and drinks prior to the feature as well as a “Boogie” with L-Boogie the choreographer for the show. Tickets range from $19-$37. For more information visits www.cfrt.org.
Sunday in the South means church, and up until recently, the “high church” ruled the area. For those unfamiliar with the term “high church”, it simply is the word for attention put on ritual. Southern Sundays consist of rising early, putting on your Sunday best, and heading to church to pray, tithe and hear the Word. Most Sunday afternoons are then spent congregating with family around a home-cooked meal. While “high church” is a beautiful tradition, it is not the preferred method of worship for all, especially with millennials. With the changing of the tide and the needs of the “flock”, it is up to church leaders to ensure they are providing worship experiences that attract everyone. First Presbyterian Church, located at 102 Ann Street, right in downtown Fayetteville, is reimagining the church, offering two uniquely diverse ways to connect with the Church and God. Associate Pastor, Jeff Shaver, is leading the charge with Theology of Tap and Cross Creek Fellowship. Theology on Tap is a new idea, that incorporates old psychology. As Pastor Jeff said, “I don’t care if you doubt. None of us wake up in the morning and is like ‘hey I have this all figured out.’ We’re all just trying to figure out what's real and what's not…and I’m one of them. So having a safe place like Theology on Tap, where it’s that sanctuary you can bring your doubts, you can bring your questions, you can bring whatever, I don’t care." "This is not about trying to argue with you. It’s just good conversation over a drink or two," he said. Cross Creek Fellowship is an extension of Theology of Tap. “Our first sermon series is going to be called ‘The Church of Misfit Toys.’ I love Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and there’s an island of misfit toys, well I think there are a lot of people, and I’m one of them, that in traditional churches don’t feel like… I feel like I’m a misfit toy. So I’ve always felt you could create a whole other church from people who feel like that…. "You’re not here for it, it’s here for YOU. Meaning that if you don’t show up on a Sunday, you’re not going to get bombarded with ‘where are you,’.... I do these things and sometimes I’ll get 15 people and sometimes I’ll get two. And I don’t care. The numbers aren’t important to me. It’s about creating these little places where people can go and just feel like, ‘oh this is here when I need it.’ … Being able to be in somebody’s life, even as a spiritual person, that's a privilege. That’s a privilege, that’s not a right,” Pastor Jeff said. First Prez, as it’s affectionately known, has a full calendar for every member of the family. Kingdom Kids is a Christian Education and music program for kids Pre-K to high school. They meet every Sunday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Vacation Bible School will begin soon with the theme, Scuba Diving into Friendship with God. VBS will run from June 17 to 20, from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration is now open. First Prez is much more than its historical building; it is a lively community, of loving and active Christians, seeking to better the community not just through words, but action.
(Photo: Paster Jeff Shaver of First Presbyterian Church. Photo by Amber Little)
Are you looking for a fun and exciting way to celebrate two fantastic holidays in May? Look no further! This year celebrate the whole weekend by combining your love for Star Wars Day and Cinco de Mayo by attending a great local event. By combining these two celebrations, you'll have an unforgettable weekend filled with lightsabers, tacos and plenty of festive cheer.
Star Wars Day May the 4th Be With You, Star Wars Day, is celebrated on May 4th and is for anyone and everyone that LOVES Star Wars! Here are some great local events to help you nerd out. Wednesday, May 1 at 7 p.m. Star Wars Trivia at World of Beer 1944 Skibo Rd, Fayetteville Join in an extraordinary journey across the galaxy at Star Wars Trivia Night! Challenge yourself with questions about the power of the Force, monumental conflicts, and legendary individuals. Whether you are a novice apprentice or an experienced master, this occasion is one that you absolutely cannot afford to overlook. https://tinyurl.com/56d33ph8 Saturday, May 4 at 2 p.m. Star Wars Yoga at Hugger Mugger Brewing 229 Wicker St, Sanford Join the team at Hugger Mugger as they begin May the 4th with an enjoyable and laid-back yoga session! This class will take place outdoors and is suitable for both kids and pets. So, dress up, and get ready to have a great time and enjoy yourself. https://tinyurl.com/msuy77e8 Saturday, May 4 at 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. May the 4th Be With You at Hugger Mugger Brewing 229 Wicker St, Sanford Nerds rejoice! Hugger Mugger Brewing is celebrating all things Star Wars with an afternoon full of fun. Dress up and enjoy some of the afternoon's events: Princess Leia buns with Vivid Salon, temporary tattoos with Ink Therapy, gaming with Raven Forge Games, Star Wars themed accessories from Craft 3D, space beers and more! https://tinyurl.com/5yvht7jh Saturday, May 4 at 8 p.m. May the 4th Be With You Star Wars Trivia & Paint Night at Wine & Design 2180 Skibo Rd, Ste C, Fayetteville Wine & Design is ready to celebrate May 4th with a painting party! The class will last approximately 2 hours. Reservations are required. Bring your own beer/wine/champagne, non-alcoholic beverage or snack of your choice to enjoy while you paint. https://tinyurl.com/42xz4cbp
Cinco de Mayo Cinco de Mayo, held May 5th, is a vibrant and festive holiday celebrated in Mexico and by people of Mexican descent all over the world. The holiday commemorates the Mexican army's victory over the French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Here are some great local events to mark down in your calendar. Sunday, May 5 at 9 a.m. Cinco de Mayo at Black Ops Paintball 2142 River Rd, Fayetteville Come and join Black Ops Paintball for an exciting one-day celebration filled with scenario games that will keep you entertained all day. And don't forget about the mouthwatering tacos that will be available! This event is ideal for families, as no prior experience or skill level is necessary. https://tinyurl.com/wt2ydnhp Sunday, May 5 at noon Cinco de Mayo at Stewart's Tavern 116 N. Main St, Raeford Join the Stewart's Tavern crew for tacos, nachos and drink specials! https://tinyurl.com/2rctk56z