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/1497864
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2023 UCW 13 Members of the community looking for a fun family event can head to Dirtbag Ales on May 6 for Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra's Movie Night. e double feature event will begin at 8 p.m., and is free to attend. "e Tramp" starring Char- lie Chaplain will be the first movie shown, fol- lowed by Buster Keaton's "One Week." e films will be accompanied by a live ensemble, with music arranged by Peter B. Kay. "e FSO started Symphony Movie Nights in 2021 along with our Symphony on Tap series," said Meghan Woolbright, Marketing and Office Manager for FSO. "Every October since 2021, we've held our fall movie showing of 'Nosferatu,' a 1922 gothic silent film at Dirtbag Ales. ese movie nights have been really well received, so why not do another in the spring?" "Community" is what the FSO is all about. Several events throughout the year are held for free, all for the benefit of the Cumberland County community. "e FSO loves engaging with our community. One way we do that is by offering free commu- nity concerts like our various Symphony on Tap events, and our Independence Day concert held at Festival Park on July 4," said Woolbright. e FSO has been a staple in Fayetteville since 1956. A group of musicians who dreamed of sharing their passion with the community came together to create the first Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. e main orchestra is currently comprised of about 70 musicians. FSO has had six music direc- tors since its inception. Dr. Stefan Sanders is the current director. He is in his fifth year. e orchestra provides several free concerts to the community throughout their season, and Movie Night is just one more way the musicians give back to Fayetteville. "ese events allow our beloved community of Fayetteville to come together and enjoy a free movie and listen to a small ensemble perform in a comfortable environment like a restaurant or a taproom," said Woolbright. "e Tramp" is one of Charlie Chaplin's most well known silent films. Chaplain, as the charac- ter of the Tramp, has several misadventures in the 26 minute runtime. It debuted in 1915. "One Week," also a silent film, has a runtime of 19 minutes. Starring Buster Keaton, the story centers around a newly wed couple as they build a house together using a do-it-yourself kit. It debuted in 1920. e two comedies will be accompanied by an ensemble from members of the Fayetteville Sym- phony Orchestra. e event on May 6 is open and free to the public. For more information, visit https://www. fayettevillesymphony.org/. EVENTS FSO celebrates community with free Movie Night by ALYSON HANSEN Ultimate Lip Sync Showdown set to entertain, raise funds for the Child Advocacy Center by ASHLEY SHIRLEY Get ready for a night of "music, fun and frivol- ity" as Fayetteville's Ultimate Lip Sync Showdown returns for its fifth year on May 6 at the Crown Center Ballroom in Fayetteville. is epic event will benefit the Child Advo- cacy Center and is considered "one of the most fun fundraisers you can attend in Cumberland County." Up & Coming Weekly spoke with Tim Edwards, co-chair for the CAC's fundraising committee, about how this special event came to be. "We were trying to come up with a new event that people would get excited about," Edwards explained. "Lots of people can't sing or dance— but they can entertain." With the popularity of "Dancing with the Stars" and "Lip Sync Battle," a friendly competition seemed like just the ticket. For Fayetteville's Ultimate Lip Sync Showdown, acts sign up to perform songs of their choosing, design their sets, gather their costumes, and set their sights on super stardom. Over the years, "people have really taken it and run," Edwards joked. is year's stage will include performances from Ursula the Sea Witch, Elvis, the legendary pairing of Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, the cast of "Matilda," and a group of young perform- ers who go by the rather intriguing name of Alien Horse Hotwheels. "Every year, this event keeps getting bigger and bigger," said Edwards. It's been an exciting fund- raiser over the years. "You get to raise money for a nonprofit and have a good time." Cocktail hour will begin at 6 p.m. with the showdown set for 7 p.m. Tickets for the event are $75 for standard seating and $99 for VIP. Groups of eight can call and arrange a table to enjoy the action together. e ticket price includes a menu of heavy hors d'oeuvres, live music, a round of desserts, and coffee service during intermission. ough entertainment is high atop the list of priorities for the evening, fundraising is the ulti- mate goal. A combination of efforts accompanies this aim as groups compete not only for bragging rights but also to see who can inspire the most charitable giving on behalf of the CAC. Performers sell raffle tickets before and during the showdown. ose funds go toward their final contribution, and local groups or businesses can choose to sponsor an act from various sponsor- ship tiers. After the show, the audience will have an op- portunity to vote for their favorite act. Groups will be awarded prizes in three categories: Top Overall Prize for Performance, Top Prize Overall for Fundraising, and the People's Choice. "e acts get excited about bragging rights; the competition is fierce but fun. Our acts hit the stage and really ... go all out. ey really want to raise as much money as possible," Edwards explained. To purchase tickets, visit the CAC's website at https://www.cacfaync.org/. "I really want to encourage people to come out," Edwards said. "I give it the Tim Edwards Guarantee. If you go and don't have a good time — come see me after the show." e Ultimate Lip Sync Showdown will be held May 6 at the Crown Center Ballroom. e event is sure to entertain while rais- ing funds for the Child Advocacy Center. ASHLEY SHIRLEY, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200 ALYSON HANSEN, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com. (910) 484-6200 Charlie Chaplin stars in "e Tramp" (left) and Buster Keaton stars in "One Week" (right). Both classic films will be accompa- nied by music of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra.