Up & Coming Weekly

January 21, 2020

Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.

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12 UCW JANUARY 22-28, 2020 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Fourth Friday brings cold-weather fun to downtown by OLIVIA BURKE Enjoy sledding at Segra Stadium the Fourth Friday. EVENTS 'Shrek' opens at Cape Fear Regional Theatre by APRIL OLSEN "Shrek: e Musical" plays at Cape Fear Regional eatre Jan. 23-Feb. 16. January in Fayetteville can be a fun and busy time with community activities. is week locals can play in the snow at Segra Stadium, catch a Marksmen game at the Crown, or watch Oscar contenders at the Cameo. For adventure seekers who want to step into a fairy tale and tag along with a hero and his trusty steed to rescue a princess, well, the Cape Fear Regional eatre has just the thing. "Shrek: e Musical" opens at CFRT Jan. 23 and brings with it lavish set pieces and costumes, local and national talent and enough song and dance to make the Times Square New Year's Eve Party look weak. Based on the Oscar-winning animated film, the musical is a Tony Award winning feat of its own. Creating fairy tale misfits and fire-breathing dragons in animation is fun to watch, but CFRT is presenting them right on stage in the 'Ville. e technical team has been working behind the scenes to make sure local audiences are thrilled with the results, said CFRT Artistic Director Mary Kate Burke. Truckloads of set pieces and costumes were rented and brought in for the show, Burke said, but CFRT tech- nical crew regulars finished up set and costume work to make "Shrek" a "visual feast" for local audiences. With the truckloads brought in behind the scenes, 19 songs, 31 cast members and one flying dragon, "It's an ogre-size show in every sense of the word," Director Tif- fany Green said. e characters you love (or don't) from the movie will be onstage: Shrek, Donkey, Princess Fiona and Lord Far- quaad. Not to worry if you haven't seen (or don't remember) details from the movie. Burke said audiences will have no trouble following the story. Ogre Shrek and his sidekick, Donkey set off on a quest to rescue the beauti- ful Princess Fiona, who is guarded by a love-sick dragon. e vertically chal- lenged Lord Farquaad wants to marry Fiona and become king. ere will be some trouble, some romance, a secret revealed, big laughs and a lot of singing and dancing. e show is appropriate for all ages and presents themes that resonate with humans and fairy tale creatures alike, Green said. "It is about love, acceptance, tolerance and joy," Green said. "It is about putting light out into the world. It's re- ally a show for everyone." e large cast includes Nicholas J. Pearson as Shrek, Marc De La Concha as Donkey, Becca Vourvoulas as Princess Fiona, and Gabe Belyeu as Lord Farquaad. e youth ensemble includes Zoi Pegues as Teen Fiona. Both Vourvoulas and Pegues appeared in CFRT's pro- duction of "Annie" last season. "Shrek: e Musical" has music by Jeanine Tesori. e book and lyrics are by David Lindsay-Abaire. e show is choreographed by Sebastiani Romagnolo and music is directed by David Maglione. "Shrek: e Musica"l runs Jan. 23 until Feb.16. CFRT has scheduled several special events during the show's run. You can also treat your little ogre to a VIP Experi- ence after matinee showings in February. For more information on special events or to purchase tickets, visit cfrt.org or call 910-323-4233. Special Events PJ Party, Jan. 23 and Feb.7 e perfect excuse to wear your pajamas in public and enjoy a pre-show popcorn bar and friendship bracelet making. Opening Night Dance Party, Jan. 25 following the performance. Join the cast, creative team and CFRT staff for an opening night dance party and reception. Military Appreciation Night Jan. 29 All military per- sonnel receive a 25% discount on tickets with valid ID. Swamp Soiree, Jan. 30 Preshow games and activi- ties that are perfect for all the fairy tale creatures in the audience. Teacher Appreciation Night, Jan. 31 All educators receive a 25% discount on tickets with valid ID. Ogre and Princess Party, Feb. 1 Dress as your favor- ite ogre, princess or fairytale creature. Decorate your own crown and color pictures before the show. Sensory Friendly Performance, Feb. 2 Lighting and sound effects are decreased and there is a "safe zone" with sensory experiences and tactile objects for anyone to use. Galentines's Day, Feb. 13 Enjoy a mimosa bar with your best girlfriends. If you are looking for something fun to do on a Friday night at the end of the month, look no further than the Fourth Friday celebration that takes place right here in Fayetteville. Every fourth Friday of the month, downtown Fayetteville puts on a variety of events and forms of entertainment available to everyone. And it's free to attend. Many of these events are sponsored by the Cool Spring Downtown District. e Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County and local busi- nesses and galleries participate go all-out for Fourth Friday festivities as well. is event is filled with music, the arts and so much more. It is essentially a celebration of down- town Fayetteville and the arts. People of all ages and all walks of life are able to enjoy the local talents of Fayetteville through the display of their exhibits and often performances throughout the downtown area. Small businesses are spread all throughout the four- and-a-half-block radius of downtown Fayetteville. Bianca Shoneman is the president of the Cool Spring Downtown District. Since its inception, the Cool Spring Downtown District participated in Fourth Friday. When asked about what goes into the behind the scenes of the events, Shoneman said, "It depends month to month on what the activity level is. Each month is unique and varies. Sometimes it involves street programming like bussers and vendors and artist performance, and other times it requires more of a large-scale event. It takes months of planning and collaboration in communication across various channels, including the media, the arts community, municipal services, et cetera." e Cool Spring Downtown District is always look- ing for ways to improve upon participance in Fourth Friday. Shoneman said, "We are looking to do some larger events in Fourth Friday in the coming year. In February, we have something really special to celebrate black history month." Metoya Scott is the public relations manager for the Arts Council of Fayetteville. Regarding the Arts Council's role in Fourth Friday, Scott said, "Recent- ly we have been doing a parking lot party. We are not doing it outside because of the weather, but we have exhibits that open on Fourth Friday. So, it just kind of varies." Scott added that she hopes to engage even more people than the Arts Council already reaches with its many programs and educational initiatives. "Let- ting people know that we are open to new people moving here that we are an open gallery that is open seven days a week (is important)," said Scott. "(As is) increasing the amount of people who know what the Arts Council is, and of course, the amount of people attending our events." is Fourth Friday, don't miss sledding at Segra Stadium, complete with four snow hills. Search Sled- Gra on Eventbrite for tickets and information. To learn more about Fourth Friday, visit theartscouncil.com or visitdowntownfayette- vile.com. OLIVIA BURKE, Contributing writer. COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. 910- 484-6200. APRIL OLSEN, Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com 910-484-6200.

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