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/250051
Community Concerts Celebrates Its 78th Season by STEPHANIE CRIDER Fleishman is excited to have Kenny Loggins as a part of this season but this There are just two shows left in this year's Community Concerts season. If you particular concert is special for another reason, too. There will be a new induction missed Earth, Wind and Fire, Manneheim Steamroller and Honor Flight, there is still time to enjoy two outstanding shows. Kenny Loggins comes to the Crown Feb. 4 and to the Fayetteville Music Hall of Fame just before the concert kicks off. "This is Joan Rivers closes out the season on March 22. a very different year — our Hall of Fame inductee is very special. It is our first Community Concerts is in its 78th season. Each year group to be inducted. It is the 82nd Airborne Chorus," the all-volunteer organization strives to bring "the finest said Fleishman. "It is kind of different, this year. We in top-notch entertainment to Fayetteville, N.C., and the wanted to pay special tribute to them because they Fort Bragg/Cumberland County Community." While the bring a lot to this community." organization does just that each year, its reach goes far You may not consider yourself a fan of Kenny beyond the stage. Loggins, but chances are that you are probably familiar Michael Fleishman, attractions director for the with his work. For well over three decades, Loggins Community Concerts, is excited about this season. "It has has entertained on a variety of levels. He has written been a fantastic season. Everyone has had a good time songs, and performed them, too, and covered several and we've had great audiences." genres along the way. In the early 1970s, Loggins was With Earth, Wind and Fire, Community Concerts a guitarist for the Electric Prunes. He wrote songs for hosted its biggest show on record. Honor Flight, while the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, one of which was "House unconventional, was truly a once-in-a-lifetime event for at Pooh Corner." many in the audience. In 1972 he released Kenny Loggins with Jim Since 2004, Community Concerts has awarded Messina Sittin' In. The album was a big hit and scholarships to local high school graduates. Twenty-two Loggins and Messina spent the next several years scholarships have been awarded since the inception of recording and touring together. The pair split in this program. 1976, but Loggins set out on his own, recording "We are most proud of Honor Flight," said Fleishman. the albums Celebrate Me Home, and Nightwatch "We ended up having a lot of people come to this, and featuring "Whenever I Call you Friend" with Stevie more importantly, a lot of World War II vets attended. Nix, Keep the Fire, which included the hit "This Is The star of the show was the Honor Flight movie about It" and High Adventure. what it means to be an American. It tells the stories of Blending jazz, rock and pop, Loggins made a name Worl War II vets." for himself in the industry winning Best Male Pop This is significant because a lot of veterans are very Vocal Grammy for "This Is It." He continued to write reluctant to talk about their war-time experiences. songs as well and won the Song of the Year at the 1979 "This captured it in a real way," said Fleishman. "We Grammys for co-writing "What a Fool Believes" with had an a capella group and the all county band perform Michael McDonald, of the Doobie Brothers. that night as well. This show fired on all cylinders. The Loggins really hit his stride in the 1980s writing stars were the vets that were able to attend. We just lost Community Concerts brings musician Kenny Loggins to movie theme songs including "I'm Alright" (from Dr. Ed Garber. I met him for the first time at the show, the Crown on Feb. 4, as the fourth production in a five- Caddyshack), "Footloose" (from Footloose), "Danger and that was probably one of the last things he did with show season. Zone" (from Top Gun), and "Nobody's Fool" (from his family." Caddyshack II). In the 1990s he released Leap of In addition to some amazing World War II vets that attended, N.C. Governor Faith, which included "Conviction of the Heart," a song that Al Gore claimed as Pat McCrory was there to present a $125,000 check to the Friends of the Sandhills the "unofficial song of the environmental movement." State Veterans Cemetery. This presentation was on behalf of the N.C. General He released two children's CDs in 1994, The Unimaginable Life in 1997, a Assembly, which pledged in July to match funds for the cemetery. Local business Christmas album in 1998 and It's About Time in 2003. professionals, Ginny and Dean Russell, donated $125,000 to the cause as well. "Kenny Loggins is a great entertainer and he always puts on a good show," "It has been an unbelievable season so far. We have heard nothing but compliments said Fleishman. "You are going to know every single song this on Honor Flight," Fleishman said. guy sings. This is a favorite — he plays all his hits and is very Always looking for ways to promote the arts and connect local talent with opportunity, engaging." the organization showcases local artists as a way to involve the community in musical Find out more about Community STEPHANIE CRIDER, Editor COMendeavors. During the 2012/2013 season, local music group Voices of the Heart Concerts and purchase tickets at MENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly. opened for Gladys Knight, the Linda Kinlaw School of Dance performed with Martina www.community-concerts.com. com. McBride and Trae Edwards performed with country legend Ricky Skaggs. Our store is packed with name brand deals! Skip the mall & the high prices! New items arriving daily. Lily Kat's is bigger & better than ever at our new location! Women's & Children's New & Pre-Owned Fashion www.lily-kats.com www.applecratenc.com www.applecratenc.com Organic Foods • Gluten Free • Vitamins • Herbs • Essential Oils Live, Learn... Be Healthy 817 Elm St. • Fayetteville, NC Fayetteville 2711 Raeford Rd. #110 Hope Mills 5430 Camden Rd. #103 In Eutaw Shopping Center just 5 doors down from our former location. M-Sat 9am-8pm • Sun 11am-5pm M-Sat 9am-8pm • Sun Closed 910-223-0170 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 426-7777 432-8800 JAN. 29 - FEB. 4, 2014 UCW 11