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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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM MAY 24 - 30, 2023 UCW 15 EVENTS From anime to crochet: Here comes the Nerd Market by KATHLEEN RAMSEY Mariel Kunz pulls colorful crochet hats out of a bag. She shows one and then, without much hesitation, reaches in for another followed by another. Much like a magician, she continues to pull more and more hats that unfold in her hands to display bright and intricate patterns. Each one is a little different from the next. Kunz bends down to grab another hat from the zippered plastic bag. is time she pulls out a pink hat covered in white spots and framed by braided tassels that hang down from the ears. "is is the hat that started it," Kunz says. e original hat was one she made for her sister, then more people started asking her for hats. Kunz's hair is pulled back tight in a bun. She is admittedly tired but still extremely animated when she speaks about her hobby turned business. She laughs a lot in be- tween pulling more hats. For her, yarn has become a constant com- panion. She says she gathers little bits of time in-between errands, being a mom or working to make another hat or other crocheted projects. "I hate going to the movies now without a ball of yarn and a hook," she laughs. And thankfully for Kunz, she doesn't need much more than a hook and some yarn. When asked about how she gets so many pat- terns, she simply replies, "I don't follow any patterns, I write them." Kunz and about 20 other vendors will adorn Hay, Person and An- derson Streets on Friday, May 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. for the Cool Spring District's annual Nerd Market. e event will be incorporated into the monthly Fourth Friday with its regular gathering of artisans and entertainment. is month it will also host Kawaii Trolley — a kara- oke trolley — throughout downtown Fayetteville where residents can ride and sing to their heart's content. "I love the anime and comic book community," says Lauren Falls, Marketing and Events Director for the Cool Spring District. "ey have been wonderful and generous." Kunz says she is excited for the upcoming event. "Is wearing a nerdy hat ever out of season?" She laughs, spinning a hat on her hand. As a vendor, she'll bring crocheted game-themed hats and gigantic crochet-beaded lizards that cus- tomers can make on the spot with her. She holds up bags of crocheted beads the size of golf balls. All of them are bright colored separated into groups. ese beads take about 5-6 min- utes each for her, but each lizard will require dozens of beads. She turns her attention back to the hats. "It's fun to make wearable art," she says holding up another hat, this one a long green, pointed hat. "You get to see people enjoying what you make." e event will also include food from Scotty's All American Food truck, a cosplay contest broken up by age groups and the MM Digging site that allows kids to play with toy construction vehicles. In 2021, the Nerd Market hosted about 600 guests. Falls and others are hoping for the same turnout or more. And if event-goers are look- ing to take a little throwback to the 90s, they can stop and see Made By Mariel and make a giant crochet- beaded lizard. Gates Four Concert Series takes you back to the 80s by CHAYENNE BURNS e sunnier days and warmer temperatures always have a way of enticing us to go outside and spend time with friends, enjoying wonderful food, drinks and music. anks to the Gates Four Summer Concert Series, citizens of Fayetteville and surrounding areas have the chance to enjoy a stellar performance and the wonderful summer weather! e Concert Series has become more well- known as the local music scene in Fayetteville has grown. is year's Concert Series consists of five different events and each of them is head- lined by a phenomenal band. e series was postponed numerous times due to bad weather last year which resulted in the Concert Series ending in October, 2022. However, if everything runs smoothly this year, the event will end in September. "e whole concept of the concert series is to create a quality entertainment venue on that side of the county, the Hope Mills area," said Bill Bow- man, publisher, Up & Coming Weekly. Bowman is also one of the people responsible for organizing the concert series. Are you prepared to travel back in time? Kids in America is a high-energy, power-packed six-piece band that pays homage to the totally tu- bular 1980s. All genres from this amazing decade are represented on the set list. Kids in America has been bringing back the groovy vibe of the 80's since 2017. e tribute band consists of male and female vocals that sing their very own renditions of classics from artists such as Prince, Bon Jovi and Phil Collins. On June 2, the 1980's tribute band will perform at Gates Four Golf & Country Club. e event is free to the public. Guests are asked to bring a chair unless they would like to purchase VIP seats and tables which can be bought at www. fayettevilledinnertheatre.com or onsite the day of the event. "ere are so many really good bands going out there this year; it's just phenomenal," said Greg Adair, who helps organize the Gates Four Con- cert Series. "To be able to have a quality concert in a classy environment like Gates Four is wonderful," he added. "e bands appreciate the atmosphere as well." Gates Four Golf & Country Club requests that no one brings animals. Food, drinks, water and adult drinks provided by Healy Wholesale will be available for purchase. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner and fellowship starts at 6 p.m., and the band will hit the stage around 7 p.m. "e whole evening is centered around fun, good music, contributing to the community and giving young artists a chance to be seen," said Bowman. Gates Four Golf & Country Club is located at 6775 Irongate Drive in Fayetteville. For more information, visit www.fayette- villedinnertheatre.com/. KATHLEEN RAMSEY,Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? editor@upand- comingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. CHAYENNE BURNS, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200.