Arts

"The Great Gatsby" ballet comes to Fayetteville

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Tuesday, 08 April 2025

Written by Lisa Stevens

On April 23, prepare to be captivated as World Ballet Company brings a dazzling new production to Fayetteville. Witness the world premiere of “The Great Gatsby” at the Crown Theatre, 1960 Coliseum Drive, at 7 p.m. This ballet promises to be an unforgettable experience that reimagines F. Scott Fitzgerald's iconic tale of love and ambition through the enchanting lens of dance.
This Broadway-style adaptation transports audiences back to the lavish decadence of the Roaring Twenties, where glamour and heartbreak intertwine in a vibrant tapestry of movement and music. Featuring an all-star creative team, including choreography from Ilya Zhivoy and a lively original jazz score by Anna Drubich, this production is set to ignite the senses and leave attendees breathless!
Witness the poignant journey of a young man named Nick Carraway, who, now older and wiser, sifts through the sands of memory to piece together a tale that once consumed him. As he begins to write, a series of events unfolds—thrilling yet devastating—a kaleidoscope of wealth, love, betrayal, and tragedy that transcends time.
With a cast of 40 professional dancers, Arsenty Lazarev landed the role of Jay Gatsby. Born in Siberia, Arsenty began his dance journey at the tender age of seven, showcasing his talent in a folk-dance ensemble. He quickly gained recognition for his precise execution and artistic flair. By age ten, he was already making waves at the Novosibirsk State Choreographic College, participating actively in competitions and school life.
As a laureate of the “Ak-Kuu” International Competition and recipient of scholarships from esteemed organizations like the Galina Ulanova Foundation and Svetlana Zakharova Charitable Foundation, Arsenty's accolades speak volumes about his commitment to excellence. After graduating, he joined the prestigious Bolshoi Theatre before transitioning to Ural Ballet as a soloist in 2017. His exceptional performances led to a well-deserved promotion to premier in 2019—a testament to his skill and artistry.
Arsenty’s talent has garnered critical acclaim; he was nominated for “Best Male Role” at the National Theatre Award “Golden Mask” in both 2020 and 2022, further solidifying his status as one of ballet's rising stars. His appearances on shows like “Bolshoi Ballet” have introduced him to wider audiences who admire his excellent coordination, light jumps, and dynamic turns.
In "The Great Gatsby" ballet, Arsenty Lazarev doesn’t just perform; he invites the audience into a world rich with emotion, aspiration, and nostalgia—a world where every leap tells a story, every turn captivates the heart. Don’t miss this chance to witness an artist who is truly redefining ballet for our times!
Founded by visionaries Gulya Hartwick and Sasha Gorskaya, World Ballet Company operates without corporate or donor backing but thrives on decades of entertainment expertise. Their dedication not only expands audiences for ballet but also creates a new structure for captivating productions that resonate with both newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts alike.
This ballet not only captures Fitzgerald's timeless narrative but also immerses audiences in its emotional depths through movement and music—a reminder that even amidst wealth and glamour lies an intricate web woven by human desires and flaws. Come along on this extraordinary journey where each pirouette echoes longing; each leap symbolizes hope, and each gesture reveals heartbreak—all culminating in an unforgettable exploration of love lost and found within "The Great Gatsby."
Tickets are on sale now at the Crown Box Office, Fort Bragg Leisure Travel Office, and online on Ticketmaster.com. For additional details, visit worldballetcompany.com.

Arts Council Celebrates contributions of our Young Community Members in Spring Exhibitions

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Tuesday, 01 April 2025

Written by Sara Busman, Arts Council of Fayetteville

The Arts Council is showing the impact of youth on our community throughout their Spring exhibitions Fayetteville FutureScapes, the CCS High School Juried Art Show, and The Fourth Grade Project.
To coincide with the 200th anniversary of Fayetteville’s visit from the Marquis de Lafayette, the Arts Council asked the youth artists at Greater Life of Fayetteville to imagine what our city will look like 200 years in the future. Led by President and CEO Georgeanna Pinckney, Greater Life of Fayetteville is a non-profit organization that educates and inspires at-risk and behaviorally challenged youth with innovative and culturally sensitive programs in order that they may thrive academically, socially, and morally. The students’ original artworks filled the Local Artist Spotlight Gallery on March 1-5 with images of flying cars zooming through a highway in the sky, innertubes gliding down the Cape Fear River, and visitors drinking some intergalactic coffee from “Space Rude Awakening.”
Innovative artistic expressions by the next generation continued into March with the return of the annual Cumberland County High School Juried Art Show. The Arts Council Main Gallery was bursting with digital art, sculpture, drawing, multimedia, and painting by students from Cumberland County Schools (CCS). Kemoya Hilton-Young, Administrative Assistant for CCS Arts Education, understands the importance of the Juried Art Show. “I want [the students] to feel pride and self-worth just to know that this is a step closer to where they want to be in life, and I want them to have that sense of ‘I made it,” says Hilton-Young. The annual show gives students a goal to work toward. “Especially if I have a beginning student, they are going to keep producing year after year and making it better and better. It’s a big deal,” remarks Manuela Smith, Visual Arts Teacher at Pine Forest High School. The High School Juried Art Show aligns with Youth Art Month across North Carolina with this year's theme "Healing Through Color."
In April and May, the Arts Council hosts The Fourth Grade Project, a traveling exhibition organized by ExhibitsUSA, a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance. The exhibition features photographs by artist Judy Gelles. Gelles interviewed fourth-grade students from 11 countries and asked them the same three questions: Who do you live with? What do you wish for? What do you worry about? The exhibit allows students to speak in their own words alongside Gelles’s unique photographic style. “A notable commonality across all schools is that every group of fourth-graders has very little contact with or knowledge of people from cultural or socioeconomic backgrounds different than their own.” Gelles said “The project allows students to learn about others’ lives in a uniquely personal way and to use the project as a catalyst for their own
explorations.” The exhibition hopes to connect viewers to the individual stories of each student while allowing space for them to see connections to their own experiences. The Fourth Grade Project will be on display in the Arts Council’s gallery April 9 until May 28. For regular updates on the Arts Council, follow the organization @artscouncilfay on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and/or YouTube.

FSAFA celebrates Saint Avold visit with film screening

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Tuesday, 08 April 2025

Written by Adam Taylor

On Thursday, April 10, at 7 p.m., the Fayetteville-Saint Avold Friendship Alliance will host an exclusive, one-time screening of The Girl Who Wore Freedom at the Cameo Art House Theatre. This deeply moving documentary captures the untold stories of D-Day 1944, as told by the men, women, and children who lived through the Nazi occupation and experienced the Allied liberation of Normandy, France.
Following the screening, the film’s producer, co-writer and director, Christian Taylor, will take part in a special Q&A session, offering insights into the making of the documentary and the incredible personal stories it brings to light.
“This film is a unique opportunity to hear from the people who experienced the war firsthand,” Taylor said. “Their voices are a testament to the resilience and gratitude that the people of France still feel toward the Allied forces who liberated them.”
This screening is more than just a film event—it is a moment to reflect on history and celebrate the enduring friendship between Fayetteville and Saint Avold, France, two sister cities with deep military and cultural ties.
“I hope viewers walk away with a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made during World War II and the unbreakable bonds of gratitude and friendship that continue to this day. The documentary is a tribute to those who fought for freedom and to the citizens of Normandy who have never forgotten their liberators. It’s a reminder of the human cost of war and the lasting impact it has on people, families, and communities. Most importantly, I want viewers to feel inspired to honor the past and ensure that the stories of these veterans and their sacrifices continue to be shared and remembered,” says Taylor.
A Sister City Connection
The upcoming screening was made possible through a longstanding relationship between Fayetteville and Saint Avold, which was first established by Madame Raymonde Schwietzer, Deputy Mayor of Saint Avold, and strengthened by dedicated individuals committed to historical remembrance.
A delegation of five visitors from Saint Avold will arrive in Fayetteville on Wednesday, April 9, where they will be hosted by FSAFA board members Bud Lafferty and Stacie Ferry. Their visit will include an in-depth exploration of Fayetteville’s military history and its connection to France.
Their itinerary includes a visit to the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, led by Rob Patton, Executive Vice President of the Fayetteville Economic Development Corporation. That evening, they will be welcomed at an All-American Cookout, providing an opportunity to build friendships between the French delegation and the Fayetteville community.
On Thursday, the group will take a guided tour of Fayetteville with retired City Historian Bruce Daws, followed by a visit to the 82nd Airborne Museum, hosted by Brig. Gen. (R) John Aarsen, museum director and curator, and an FSAFA member. After a dinner downtown, they will attend the special screening at Cameo Art House Theatre. Although their visit will be brief—the group departs early Friday morning—the FSAFA is committed to making their time in Fayetteville memorable and meaningful.
A Trip of Memory and Friendship
For the delegation from Saint Avold, this visit is deeply personal. Their journey is dedicated to honoring the Americans who liberated France.
"In 1944, Captain Winters' plane crashed where we live, leaving behind in Florida a newborn son he had never seen," said Nadège Hauck-Pansera, one of the delegation members. "Billy Winters, his son, contacted the right people, and in 2014, a memorial was established. Billy visited for the first time and also saw the Lorraine American Cemetery in Saint Avold, where his father rests."
Fayetteville also shares a direct connection to this history through Pvt. William Shaw, a local soldier who was killed in action on September 12, 1944, near Nancy, France. He is buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery, the largest American WWII cemetery in Europe. His youngest sister, Mrs. Gillie Shaw Revelle, will be attending the film screening.
The FSAFA continues to honor these legacies through events like this screening, as well as future projects, including the Bastille Day Silent Auction and Membership Drive on Saturday, July 12, at Sanford House at Heritage Square.
The Delegation from Saint Avold
The five delegates from Saint Avold are all deeply connected to Captain Winters' story and are actively involved in historical
preservation efforts:
• Dany Heckel – Deputy Mayor of Wolfskirchen, where Captain Winters' plane crashed. He has been preserving the memorial since 2014.
• Carmen Hocevar – Lays flowers at the Lorraine American Cemetery for the American World War II Orphans Network, including on Captain Winters’ grave.
• Lucien Drommer – Vice President of SHAB, a local historian specializing in graves and monuments, and the organizer of the Captain Winters booklet.
• Paul Anthony – President of the Société d'Histoire de l'Alsace Bossue, a history teacher, and historian actively engaged in various remembrance organizations.
• Nadège Hauck-Pansera – Granddaughter of a WWII political resistance fighter deported to Dachau, English teacher, President of the local chapter of Le Souvenir Français, and Secretary of SHAB.
Keeping History Alive Through FSAFA
The Fayetteville-Saint Avold sister city relationship was established in 1993 thanks to the efforts of the late Martha Duell, a French war bride dedicated to strengthening ties between the U.S. and France. While Saint Avold is not in Normandy, the effects of D-Day were deeply felt throughout France, particularly in the Lorraine region, which was liberated months later on November 27, 1944.
The suggested donation for attending the screening is $5 for FSAFA members and $10 for non-members. This event is more than just a film screening—it is a powerful tribute to memory, sacrifice, and the friendships that continue to grow across generations and continents.

Record Store Day: Celebrate vinyl, exclusive releases on April 12

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Tuesday, 01 April 2025

Written by Sheila D. Barker

Since its inception in 2008, Record Store Day has become a cultural phenomenon, drawing attention to independently owned record stores worldwide. Initially conceived to celebrate and support these local institutions, it has grown to encompass a wide array of events, special releases, and community gatherings.
The day is a reminder of the important role record stores play in their communities. They are not just places to buy music. They are cultural hubs where people connect over a shared love of music. The staff, customers, and artists contribute to making Record Store Day a unique and cherished event.
This year's Record Store Day promises a plethora of exclusive releases that will excite music enthusiasts. Highlights include A-HA's Hunting High and Low-The 1984 demos, a crystal clear vinyl pressing of the band's original demos. This edition features unseen images and a design evocative of its 1985 release, including demos of hits like "Take On Me" and "The Sun Always Shines on T.V."
Tori Amos fans will be thrilled with Diving Deeper Live (Bonus Tracks), a limited edition vinyl featuring four additional live recordings from her '22/’23 Ocean to Ocean world tour. This release is limited to just 2,500 copies and includes a signed art card by Tori.
Check out David Bowie's double LP Ready, Set, Go! (Live, Riverside Studios '03). On September 8th, 2003, David Bowie created a groundbreaking moment by orchestrating the most extensive interactive music satellite broadcast ever witnessed. The exclusive concert was transmitted via satellite from London's Riverside Studios, reaching 50,000 viewers across 86 theaters in 26 nations worldwide, from Hong Kong to Helsinki, captivating audiences with an unprecedented live showcase of his newest album, Reality.
Record Store Day 2025 marks the debut release of this performance, offered on 180g heavyweight vinyl and CD formats, complete with a reproduction of the original event poster.
There will be special releases from Black Sabbath, Fleetwood Mac, Peter Gabriel, The Killers & Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Ice Tea, Grateful Dead, Sam Smith, and so many more. For a full list of what is being released, visit https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialReleases
Don't forget to support your neighborhood vinyl shops. Back Around Records, located at 1 Market Square, offers a vast collection of albums from floor to ceiling. You'll find selections matching any musical preference or style. 2nd & Charles, at 1920 Skibo Road, also offers a nice variety of vinyl. To see a full list of record stores nearby, visit https://recordstoreday.com/Stores
In recent years, physical media, especially vinyl, has seen a resurgence in popularity. This trend can be attributed to several factors, including the tactile experience of handling physical records and the superior sound quality many audiophiles believe vinyl provides.
Moreover, physical formats offer a sense of nostalgia and a tangible connection to the music that digital formats often lack. Collectors and new generations of music lovers alike are drawn to the unique artwork, liner notes, and the overall experience of owning a physical piece of music history.

(Photo: The interior of Back Around Records at 1 Market Street. Photo courtesy of Back Around Records' Facebook Page)