CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 11 Arts Council of Fayetteville- Cumberland County has a mission to connect communities, embrace diversity, promote creativity and advance economic development. Along with the N.C. State Arts Council, it provides grants to help arts agencies meet operating costs, artist support, technical assistance and more. e council supports the Artists in Schools program, art exhibits, public art and more. e International Folk Festival showcases the diversity of the Fayetteville community with food, music, fashion and culture, represented best in the Parade of Nations. Bob Pinson, president and CEO of the Arts Council, says the Army brought him to Fayetteville 34 years ago. Aer retiring from the 82nd Airborne Division, he wanted to help make the community a better place for all. "Art is a common denominator in each of our lives," Pinson says. "Just getting dressed in the morning and deciding what to wear is art in action. Our hope is that art will The International Folk Festival is a celebration of music, dance and colorful costumes representing the diversity of our world. Photo by Sabreena Czarnecki spark conversations and that through these conversations, we learn more about each other and have a better understanding of our world views." For more information, call 910-323-1776, email admin@theartscouncil.com or go to theartscouncil.com. Cape Fear Ballroom Dancers promotes ballroom dancing, "an elegant, sophisticated, adult experience that in some ways reminds us of a better time." e club celebrated its 30th anniversary in September with a formal dinner-dance at Highland Country Club. Members take turns at the foxtrot, swing, waltz, cha cha, salsa, tango, and other dance styles. Newcomers are welcomed with a free dance lesson. e club owns a broad selection of dance music from Glenn Miller's 1940s, through the rock 'n' roll 1960s, Latin standards, retro 1980s, classic beach music, and jazz. At times, some disco or country-western music sneaks in. e club hosts a monthly dance party, usually on the third Saturday at Roland's Dance Studio. "Dress up" themes celebrate Valentine's Day, patriotism and Halloween. Tickets are $20, or $15 for members. A holiday formal, featuring music by the Duke Ladd Orchestra, is set for Dec. 20 at Highland Country Club. Tickets are $100 and $75. "Quarterly, our parties are classy, formal dinner-dances," says Drew Ziegler. "e gentlemen look dashing in their tuxedos, and the ladies are gorgeous in their long gowns or short cocktail dresses. With all the martini glasses, it has the look and feel of a James Bond movie. 'Shaken, not stirred!' "With social dancing like ours, there are no mistakes, no scorecards," Ziegler adds. "Even if you've never danced before, nobody's going to know. Just give it your best shot, be creative, have fun, and everybody will pat you on the back." For more information, call 910-987-4420, email info@capefearballroomdancers.org, or go to capefearballroomdancers.org.

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