The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra has planned an unlikely pairing of classical music and beer for a truly unique moviegoing experience.

Following its successful debut last fall, Symphony Movie Night returns Friday, May 13, at Dirtbag Ales Brewery, starting at 8 p.m.

1921 silent film "The Kid," directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin, will light up the outdoor screen as the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra performs Peter B. Kay's arrangement of the score live.

"We did our first movie night back in October with a showing of Nosferatu," said community engagement manager Anna Meyer. "It was a great success and a bit of a surprise to many of the patrons there. We're hoping to get the word out well ahead of time so more people can come and enjoy the show."

"This is a fun, lighthearted film, and even to those unfamiliar with silent films, people tend to recognize Charlie Chaplin. We thought it would be a good choice for the spring," she explained.

Meyer, who's been with the orchestra for a year and has a background in theater and arts management, is excited to be a part of the bustling cultural movement in Fayetteville. She's passionate about creating opportunities to engage with the community.

Events like this and Symphony on Tap, which brings classical music to local breweries, are a few initiatives geared toward keeping the symphony connected to the community it serves.

"This event is in tune with what I love to do," she told Up & Coming Weekly. The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra has been here a long time. We want to focus on bringing the symphony to people instead of expecting people to come to us."

The symphony began in 1956 as a community orchestra, humbly rehearsing out of musicians' living rooms before securing a space of its own. Over the past six decades, the orchestra has grown into an institution, a professional orchestra with the best of the best North Carolina musicians on its roster.

"I think we provide cultural enrichment to the community. We offer a lot of exposure to different kinds of music," Meyer said of the symphony's importance in the community. "From classical music at our traditional concerts to jazz and pop covers at Symphony On Tap, we try to have something for everybody.

"This is just such a vibrant community," she said, speaking of downtown Fayetteville's arts and culture movement. "There are so many affordable options and opportunities for people to experience."
Symphony Movie Night is free to the public, and all are encouraged to attend. Weather permitting, the event will take place on the patio, with a plan to move indoors if necessary.

"We're hoping to reach everyone," said Meyers. "Kids are welcome, and Dirtbag is very family-friendly, but I think it would make a great date night," she suggested.
Symphony Movie Night was initially scheduled for Saturday, May 7, but has been rescheduled for Friday, May 6.

Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom is located at 5435 Corporation Dr. in Hope Mills.
For more information about the event and the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, visit their website at www.fayettevillesymphony.org/.