Entertainment

Gilbert Play House Presents "Anne of Green Gables”

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Thursday, 12 March 2026

Written by Amber Little

Gilbert Theater’s first Play House production, Anne of Green Gables, hits the stage this weekend, Saturday, March 14, and Sunday, March 15. Although only running for two days, theater goers will have three opportunities to catch the show with two showtimes on Saturday at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. The final show will be on Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at https://ci.ovationtix.com/36002/production/1262357.
Anne of Green Gables is a literary classic that has been transformed for the big screen and the stage in many forms. Each adaptation has its own unique take on the beloved story that follows an adventurous young orphan girl who finds her new home unexpectedly with two aging siblings on their estate, Green Gables, on Prince Edward Island. From the moment of her arrival, everything about Anne shakes up the lives of those at Green Gables. An enduring story of healing, friendship, misadventures, and love, Anne of Green Gables is a must-see for audiences of all ages. And “all- ages” perfectly describes the cast of this Play House production. As a community theater, the Gilbert Theater has always supported young thespians through educational programs and opportunities on and off the stage. Play House is an extension and expansion of that, bringing young, budding actors, aged 12- 18 years old, and seasoned actors together to share the stage for a limited production. The program is built to nurture young actors in the community by working with professionally trained actors and those who have commanded the stage for decades. The cast of Anne of Green Gables includes a vibrant cast of highly talented, “low-key” funny and brilliant young actors who have taken this experience by the horns and are ready to show audiences that they will be the next headliners.
Connor Graybill “Gilbert Blythe” is no stranger to the stage, having 4 productions under their belt, two of which were with the Gilbert Theater. Graybill was excited about auditioning for Gilbert, saying, “I auditioned for my character because I think he’s pretty funny. I genuinely like his character.”
While art is Graybill’s first passion, time at the Gilbert and other theaters has made it very much a “side passion” worth pursuing. Cecilia Finley “Diana Barry,” a well-known, “experienced actress,” is gracing the Gilbert stage for the first time in this production. Although young, she has headlined several major roles in the local theater community. Her on- and offstage presence will surely ensure her longevity in her future acting endeavors. Finely has found her sweet spot in theater. “I wanted to be a farmer… and then one day I took a theater class, and I absolutely loved it. And I just kept doing theater. My first main stage production was The Wizard of Oz at CFRT… That was the first role that actually spoke to me, and {I] was like, ‘You need to do theater!’” Finely explained.
Callie Tisdale, “Anne Shirley,” is bringing her multi-state stage experience to the Gilbert stage for the second time in her early career. Taking on the main character, she is excited to show her range on stage and bring this story to life for audiences. The theater is not new to Tisdale. She’s been behind the stage with her mother since she was small, and it’s certainly left a lasting impression.

“It wasn’t until I auditioned for my first ever professional show, and got it. A lot of it is acting, but a lot of it is also just the community that comes along with doing shows. After that, it was really
no question for me about what I was going to do.” Liam Donovan “Matthew Cuthbert” is a dynamic, formally trained actor hailing from New Hampshire. A graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, he has been a great mentor for the kids during this production, especially for those thinking about pursuing an education in the arts.
Bringing her directorial chops and teacher sensibilities to the production is Marie Lowe, and rounding out the cast is an amazing group of individuals with years of combined experience and shows under their belt.
Cate Callahan “Marilla Cuthbert”
Beth Bowen “Rachel Lynde”
Jemima Castor “Mrs. Spencer”
Inez Potts “Mrs. Blewett and Miss Stacy”
Amberlyn Bullock “Mrs. Barry”
Annika Johnson “Miss Harris”

CROP Hunger Walk marks 35 years of feeding families

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Tuesday, 10 March 2026

Written by Amber Little

The 2026 CROP Hunger Walk is fast approaching. A fun, family-friendly event dedicated to eliminating hunger locally and internationally, the Hunger Walk is hitting a milestone this year, 35 years of Ending Hunger One Step At A Time. CROP Hunger Walk is a national walk, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to Fayetteville Urban Ministry and World Church to combat food insecurity. This year’s walk will take place on Sunday, March 22 at First Baptist Church on Anderson Street (parking available on Maiden Lane). Team meetup and sign-in start at 2 p.m., and the walk will begin at 3 p.m.
There is still time to create a team or walk solo. There is no registration fee; this is a donation-only walk. To pre-register, visit https://events.crophungerwalk.org/chweams?event=cumberlandcountync.
Same-day registration and donation will be available at the meetup. Pets are welcome, but owners are solely responsible for cleaning up after them. Although called a walk, participants can walk or run; this is a set-your-own-pace event.
The CROP Hunger Walk is a national event, with walks all across the country, serving different communities, all with the purpose of eliminating hunger around the world. It was created to support Church World Service, an international organization focused on food security in high-risk areas around the world.
The CROP Hunger Walk was founded to help support that mission while filling the need in the United States. When it first started in 1947, it asked farmers to donate a portion of their crops to postwar Europe and Asia to help feed neighbors who had been ravaged by the war. Over time, it became the event it is today, with the first walks occurring in Bismarck, North Dakota and York, Pennsylvania. There are now hundreds of walks all over the country. CROP Hunger Walk is far more than just a walk. It’s a fundraiser within a fundraiser. Once a team is signed up, they will receive an individual CROP Hunger Walk page, where people can donate to their team. These funds go directly to the local and international mission. Cumberland County CROP Hunger Walk is a joint effort of community volunteers, Haymount Street United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church-Anderson. Together, these organizations and the passionate people who run them make it possible to host this event.
According to Feeding America, 1 in 7 adult North Carolinians and 1 in 5 North Carolinian children face hunger. At last check, there were over one million North Carolinians facing hunger. In homes that receive help from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, 38% have children. Hunger doesn’t just affect adults; it’s generational. With the rising cost of food, housing, and basic goods, the numbers are expected to rise. For more information on hunger in North Carolina and nationwide, visit Feeding America. Everyone can make a difference. Everyone can give in some way. To learn more about CROP Hunger Walk and Church World Service, visit https://events.crophungerwalk.org/chw/event/cumberlandcountync.

(Photo courtesy of the CROP Hunger Walk Fayetteville NC-Cumberland County's Facebook page)

Sheena Easton to perform at Bradshaw Performing Arts

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Tuesday, 10 March 2026

Written by Tara Kamiya

The Bradshaw Performing Arts Center in Pinehurst will welcome an international music icon when singer Sheena Easton performs live for audiences in the Sandhills. The concert on March 20 will take place at the venue located at 3395 Airport Rd., and is expected to draw fans from across the region for a night of classic pop hits and celebrated vocals. Tickets can be found at https://www.sandhillsbpac.com/. The concert begins at 7 p.m.
Dedicated in 2019, the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center has quickly established itself as one of the most modern arts venues in the Sandhills.
The center has become a cultural destination for residents and visitors alike. More than 80,000 people attend events at the facility each year, representing audiences from all 50 states.
Easton’s upcoming appearance adds another major performer to the venue’s growing lineup of national and international acts. Concert organizers say the performance will offer audiences a rare opportunity to experience a globally recognized recording artist in a more intimate theater setting.
Fans attending the concert can expect an evening filled with some of Easton’s most recognizable songs. Her catalog includes a wide range of pop and adult contemporary hits that have remained staples on radio playlists for decades. Songs such as Morning Train Nine to Five, For Your Eyes Only, Strut, Telefone Long Distance Love Affair and Almost Over You helped define the sound of 1980s pop music and continue to resonate with longtime listeners.
The performance reflects the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center’s mission to bring diverse entertainment experiences to the Sandhills region. By presenting artists with international recognition alongside regional performers and educational programming, the venue has positioned itself as a key contributor to the cultural life of Moore County.
Easton’s career spans more than four decades and includes major accomplishments in music, film and theater. She first gained widespread attention in the early 1980s after appearing on the British television program The Big Time, which documented her rise from music student to professional recording artist.
Her debut success came quickly. Morning Train Nine to Five reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and introduced Easton to a global audience. Over time, she built a catalog that crossed multiple genres, including pop, R & B and adult contemporary music.
Easton has sold more than 20 million records worldwide during her career. She achieved the rare distinction of placing songs on five major Billboard charts simultaneously, reflecting her wide appeal across different audiences and musical styles.
Her recording For Your Eyes Only, the theme song for the James Bond film of the same name, became one of her signature performances and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. The track demonstrated her ability to combine pop vocals with dramatic orchestral arrangements.
Easton is also a two-time Grammy Award winner. She received the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1981 during the early stage of her career. Later, she earned another Grammy for the hit duet U Got the Look with Prince, a collaboration that blended pop and funk and became a major international success.
In addition to her recording achievements, Easton has built an impressive career on the stage. She has appeared in Broadway productions, including Grease and Man of La Mancha and performed in London’s West End in the musical 42nd Street. She has also toured internationally and performed with symphony orchestras, continuing to showcase her vocal range and stage presence.
With decades of hits and an enduring reputation as a powerful live performer, Easton remains one of pop music’s most recognizable voices. Her upcoming appearance in Pinehurst offers Sandhills audiences the chance to experience a celebrated performer whose music has reached listeners around the world.

Fayetteville Roller Derby double header at the Crown

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Tuesday, 10 March 2026

Written by Tara Kamiya

Roller derby fans in the Sandhills will have a full evening of action when Fayetteville Roller Derby hosts a double header event featuring regional competition and a community mixer. The event will bring together athletes, supporters, and families for two bouts that highlight the growing popularity of the sport in North Carolina.
The first game begins at 5 p.m. at Crown Complex Exposition Center at 1960 Coliseum Dr. on March 21, with the Fayetteville Roller Derby Rogue All Stars facing the Appalachian Boonshiners. The matchup pits the Fayetteville league’s top competitive team against a well-known opponent from the Appalachian region, creating a contest that organizers expect to draw both local fans and traveling supporters.
Following the opening bout, the evening will continue at 7 p.m. with the Flamin' Frenzy Mixer, a second game designed to showcase skaters from multiple teams in a collaborative format. Mixer bouts typically allow athletes from different leagues to compete together, creating a fast-paced and unpredictable event that emphasizes community connection within the roller derby world.
Tickets purchased for the event will grant admission to both games. Organizers say the double header format is intended to offer fans a full evening of entertainment while introducing newcomers to the sport’s competitive and social elements. Children ages seven and under will be admitted free of charge, making the event accessible for families interested in experiencing roller derby for the first time.
Public ticket sales opened Feb. 3 at 3 p.m., with organizers encouraging residents to attend and support local athletes. Tickets can be purchased at https://bit.ly/4rgfcIP
Beyond the competition on the track, the event also serves as a fundraising and outreach opportunity for the Fayetteville Roller Derby league. League organizers are inviting businesses and community groups to participate as sponsors, emphasizing the role that local partnerships play in sustaining amateur sports organizations.
League representatives say sponsorship support helps cover operational expenses such as practice space, travel costs, equipment, and event production. In return, participating organizations receive visibility within the community and association with a growing athletic program known for teamwork, discipline, and resilience.
Fayetteville Roller Derby is recognized as the premier Women’s Flat Track Derby Association league in Fayetteville. WFTDA is the international governing body for women’s flat track roller derby, setting rules, rankings, and competition standards for leagues across the world. Membership within the association places the Fayetteville team within a network of competitive leagues that includes teams throughout the United States and internationally.
Roller derby has a long and distinctive history in American sports culture. According to the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, the sport began in the United States during the 1930s when promoter Leo Seltzer organized endurance skating competitions that simulated cross country races on roller skates. Early events involved teams skating long distances around a track over multiple days, combining athletic competition with spectacle.
By the late 1930s and 1940s, the sport evolved into a contact team game where skaters raced around an oval track while attempting to pass opposing players. The new format introduced physical blocking, strategy, and clearly defined scoring roles. Roller derby quickly became a popular spectator sport and gained national attention through touring teams and radio broadcasts.
Television exposure during the mid-twentieth century helped expand the sport’s audience. Matches were broadcast in several major markets and star skaters developed dedicated fan bases. However, roller derby experienced periods of decline in the late twentieth century as television interest shifted and several professional leagues dissolved.
The modern revival of roller derby began in the early 2000s when grassroots leagues started forming across the United States. These leagues emphasized community organization, athletic competition, and skater-driven governance. The creation of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association helped standardize rules and provide a global structure for competition.
Today, roller derby leagues operate in hundreds of cities worldwide. The sport continues to emphasize athleticism, strategy, and strong community culture. Many leagues are run entirely by volunteers and skaters who manage everything from training programs to event promotion.
Fayetteville Roller Derby is part of that modern movement, providing local athletes with a competitive outlet while building a network of supporters and volunteers across the region.
Organizers say events such as the upcoming double header highlight the league’s mission to promote sportsmanship, resilience, and community pride. By bringing together skaters, fans, and sponsors, the league hopes to strengthen both the sport and its local impact. The league currently has events booked out until October of this year, with more to be announced.
With two games scheduled and a welcoming environment for new spectators, the upcoming event is expected to showcase the intensity and teamwork that have helped roller derby remain a unique and enduring part of American sports culture.

(Photo courtesy of Fayetteville Roller Derby Rogue All Stars)