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 16-22, 2018 UCW 13 K & Q Productions and the Cumberland County Tourism Development Author- ity present The Alumni Weekend Music MegaFest Friday, May 25, from 5-10 p.m. and Saturday, May 26, from 4-10 p.m. in Festival Park. "The purpose of the event originated as a fundraising event for the E. E. Smith Alumni Association and its charity ac- tivities," said James Simpson, executive producer of K & Q Productions. "I am an alumnus of E. E. Smith High School and part of their leadership team. Our goal is to try to raise awareness to get us into a better position as far as fundraising." Simpson added the event is designed to attract a cross section of ages and ethnic groups based on the music genre. "Friday will be an old-school rhythm and blues music genre, and then, Satur- day, there is a little bit of hip-hop inter- mingled with R & B," said Simpson. "Then we have a jazz f lavoring that will lead into a Sunday after-party." Friday night's lineup features The Temptations with special guests Con Funk Shun and The Gap Experience. Sat- urday's lineup features BlackStreet with special guests the Ying Yang Twins, Pastor Troy and Mr. Cheeks. "We will also have a live DJ that will play music in between acts for people that want to dance, and he will facilitate the dance contests," said Simpson. Bring your chair or blanket and enjoy good music, food and dancing at this outdoor concert during the Memorial Day weekend. Vendors will be on-site to sell their merchandise. Beer, wine and food will be available for purchase. The after-party is Sunday, May 27, at Bordeaux Convention Center at 7 p.m., featuring an "Evening of Jazz" with Eric Darius and special guest Black Seed. The after-party admission is $20 at the door with proof of voided Music MegaFest ticket and $25 without proof of ticket. For more information, call 910-779-2006. Gates open Friday at 5 p.m. and Satur- day at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $65; there is also a VIP package available. For more infor- mation or to purchase tickets, visit w w w. alumnimusicfest.com or call the event hotline at 910-778-3632. E.E. Smith's Alumni Weekend hosts Music MegaFest by DR. SHANESSA FENNER EVENTS On May 25, Cool Spring Downtown District will host 4th Friday, Fayetteville's monthly ex hibition of art and culture, in conjunction with E. E. Smith High School. This month's theme is high school reunion. "A joyful time, to be sure," said Janet Gibson of 4th Friday, director of market- ing and communi- cations of the Arts Council of Fayetteville and Cumberland Count y. "Unique stores and restau- rants are abuzz with activit y. The streets are often filled with music and dance. Art is ever y where to be found." One of t he highlights of t he event w ill be t he opening of t he annual art ex hibition called "Public Works," sponsored by Fayettev ille Public Works Commission. This w ill be t he t hirteent h annual ex hibition. "For the people and by the people, anyone can enter," Gibson said. "It doesn't matter if you're three or 93, you can enter. If you're into paint- ing or photography, you can enter." The only rule for submission is that you must live in Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson or Scotland County, Fort Bragg or Pope Army Air Field. This time-honored exhibit is something the community looks forward to every year and is a celebration of the many talented artists in the area. The art will be displayed within the art center gallery. "It will look like almost every square inch of the gallery will be filled with art," Gibson said. There will be a people's choice winner, which will be voted for online. The Arts Council is one of many places to visit during 4th Friday. There will also be a show of songs and stories from the '50s to the '80s at Headquarters Library, present- ed by The Parsons folk group from 7 to 9 p.m. A third highlight of the event will include arts and crafts with Fascinate-U Children's Museum, where children can create spoon maracas out of recycled plastic eggs and explore the museum. Fascinate-U Children's Museum will have free entry for the event. Additional exhibits include several art and history installations, such as displays at the Fayetteville Area Trans- portation and Local History Museum and the Cape Fear Studios Members' Anniversary Exhibit. Gibson described 4th Friday as a celebration of the community. "You can feel the energy; it's a great time to celebrate the arts, visual and performing, and it's really heating up with spring and summer," she said. "People get off work on Friday, they come down, they bring their families, and it's a joyful celebration of every- thing we have down here." Visit w w w.visitdowntownfayetteville.com/ visit/4thfriday or w w w.theartscouncil.com/things- to-do/fourth-fridays or search for Fourth Friday Fayetteville on Facebook for more information. Celebrate the arts at 4th Friday by MATTHEW SKIPPER MATTHEW SKIPPER, Contribut- ing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. Eric Darius is set to perform at the Music MegaFest after-party on May 27. DR. SHANESSA FENNER, Principal, WT Brown Elementary School. COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. 910-484-6200.