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.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1488233
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 16 UCW DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2022 Book Black Women, LLC. will be hosting a Christmas concert by candlelight on Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. e event will be held at the John D. Fuller Recreational Complex on Old Bunce Road in Fayetteville. "My hope is that everyone feels the magic that is Christmas and leaves the event with joy! It's Book Black Women's final event of the year and I just want to fill the room with smiles," said Ayana Washington, the founder of Book Black Women, LLC. e concert will be held entirely in candle- light, creating an atmosphere for both the performers and the audience. "An entire show illuminated by candlelight is almost whimsical! [It's] the spirit of this season," said Washington. A Candlelight Christmas will feature several performers from the Fayetteville area, including Jerrita Waters, a professor from Fayetteville State University. Washington said Waters had not played her trumpet for concerts in a while but would come out of retirement for the show. Other performers in- clude Ashley Jones, Bryanna Williams, Roné Grant, Destiny Pritchett and Kylah Duncan. Two local vendors, Pretty Stickie and Southern Weirdo will provide concertgoers with treats and drinks. "Both businesses are black woman owned. Re- freshments and holiday beverages will be on sale for all, but VIP ticket holders will have unlimited access," said Washington. General admission or VIP tickets can be pur- chased for the event at www.eventbrite.com/e/a- candlelit-christmas-tickets-449815459147 VIP tickets are $40 and include bistro-style seating near the front of the stage. In addition, guests will receive a bottle of sparking cider at their table and refreshments are included in the cost of the VIP ticket. General admission tickets are $25. Refreshments can be purchased for an additional cost. Book Black Women, LLC. was started by Wash- ington as a way to help promote black women in the community. In an interview earlier this year with Up & Coming Weekly, Washington said she created this entity (Book Black Women) because she wanted to provide performance opportuni- ties for black women. "With colorism being loud and silent all at once, it can sometimes be hard for black women to get the shots they deserve." Now, with the final event of the first year of Book Black Women, LLC, Washington is hopeful for the next year. "Book Black Women has succeeded because of the community," she said. "My day job funds 95% of the events, I apply for artist grants which assist with the other 5%. I receive much needed advice from other nonprofits in the city but the community, the people showing up to the events and buying tickets, is what is helping Book Black Women succeed. I am so appreciative of that!" Washington plans to update Book Black Women to a 501(c)3 status. "e events we have lined up are in collabora- tion with other small businesses in the city. Being a 501(c)3 nonprofit will help ensure those events have the greatest impact possible," she said. Washington can be reached for performance and sponsor opportunities at bookblackwomen.nc@ gmail.com. Fayetteville's resident symphony orchestra is answering the call for seasonal cheer with a small holiday concert at Dirty Whiskey Craft Cocktail Bar on Friday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. e upcoming installment of Fayetteville Sym- phony Orchestra's wildly popular Symphony On Tap concert series will feature their jazz quartet and a program of festive favorites for patrons to enjoy. While mistletoe and Moscow Mules might not go immediately hand in hand, the FSO's commitment to bringing beautiful music directly to the people in the community has proven to be a savvy move. With 16 shows scheduled at various restaurants, brewer- ies and watering holes around the city this concert season, there are plenty of opportunities to create new classical music fans. FSO's Marketing Manager, Meghan Woolbright, attributes the relaxed setting to the success of the concert series. "People can look forward to experiencing our wonderful jazz quartet in a less traditional, more comfortable free flowing setting," she told Up & Coming Weekly. "e fact that it's free is also pretty neat," she continued. "You don't have to spend money to enjoy beautiful music. I think it's grown in popularity because it's become something fun and different to do on a Friday night." Both woman and veteran-owned, Dirty Whiskey offers a bevy of designer cocktails just right for a swanky holiday date night, a Dirty Santa exchange among girlfriends, or anyone looking to cel- ebrate this time of year. With seasonal offerings such as a Vanilla Chai Martini, an Orange Spiced Mule, and a Pomegranate Margarita, to name a few — it's the perfect recipe for a cozy night out. "I'm confident people will love the layout and drinks," Woolbright said. "It's very fes- tive. e decorations are up, and it's a beauti- ful space." As an added perk, Dirty Whiskey partners with Dirtbag Ales Brewery, and concertgo- ers will have an opportunity to enjoy a local favorite, Napkins BBQ, and perhaps a food truck or two as the sound of Christmas music fills the air. is concert, and others like it, are just one of the many ways the FSO acknowledges and honors the changing landscape of the community it serves. As the leading musical resource in Cumberland County and the North Carolina Region, the FSO strives to create opportunities for people from all walks of life to enjoy the power of beautiful music. In addition to Symphony on Tap, the FSO offers several other free concerts throughout the year. For over 65 years, the FSO has been on a mission to educate, entertain and inspire the citizens of Cumberland County through the arts. e FSO has honed its skills as a professional regional orchestra praised for its artistic excellence. Whether a fan of Christmas, music, fine spirits, or all three — Holiday Music at Dirty Whiskey is the perfect way to enjoy the season in Cumberland County. Dirty Whiskey is located at 5431 Corporation Drive in Hope Mills. For more information about the Fayetteville Sym- phony Orchestra and upcoming events, visit their website at https://www.fayettevillesymphony.org/. ASHLEY SHIRLEY, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200 FSO pairs with Dirty Whiskey to offer music, drink and cheer by ASHLEY SHIRLEY EVENTS Candlelight Christmas caps off Book Black Women's first year by ALYSON HANSEN ALYSON HANSEN, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com. (910) 484-6200 Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra has Symphony on Tap events scheduled monthly through June, 2023. December and February events will be at Dirty Whiskey Craft Cocktail Bar.