Up & Coming Weekly

Coconut Groove Band Returns to Fayetteville After 5 by STEPHANIE CRIDER After more than a decade of providing free summertime entertainment to the community, Fayetteville After 5 continues to bring seasonal entertainment that the whole family can appreciate. Everyone from Grandma to the youngest member of the family can enjoy the wholesome atmosphere and great music. It is not uncommon to see folks of all ages dancing on the Festival Park promenade, grown-ups sitting and chatting together and youngsters playing games of tag and darting between blankets that have been spread out picnic style in the grass in front of the stage at Festival Park when the third Thursday of the month rolls around. This is the 13th season for the popular concert series where proceeds directly benefi t the Fayetteville Museum of Art and this support has never been as important. The museum closed its doors on May 31 until further notice. The museum’s board of directors has hopes that it can reopen at a future date, with the funds raised through Fayetteville After 5 used to maintain the museum’s permanent art collection in a secure, climate-controlled environment. Not only will the public have a great time at the concerts this summer, by showing up you are also showing support for an important institution and for the arts in our community. “This month enjoy the sounds of The Coconut Groove Band! We like to refer to it as feel good music that is loved by all ages,” said Fayetteville Museum of Art President Meredith Stiehl. Madame Melville: A Coming of Age Story by ASHLEY YOUNG Madame Melville, by Richard Nelson, is an enticing coming-of- age play about a lonely 15-year-old American boy named Carl who is compelled into maturity by his literature teacher, Claudie Melville. Madame Melville is making its debut on the Gilbert Theater stage June 10 through June 27. The story is told by a man in his 50s who is recalling the memory of the play from the apartment of Madame Melville in Paris. Madame Melville schooled Carl in everything, and while her life was perhaps not what she would truly want it to be she creates a fond memory for Carl which he holds dearly in his heart for the remainder of his life. The part of “Carl” will be played by Topher McLean. “I think it’s a story that shows emotional experiences as common human experiences and provides a greater understanding of the adolescence coming of age,” said Marcela Casals, who is playing the part of Madame Melville. Casals is no stranger to Gilbert patrons having directed a number of plays at the theater. It is a rare treat to see her on stage, and one the Gilbert faithful is sure to enjoy. “The purpose of any art WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM is to be a mirror of us and look at part of ourselves we many not look at otherwise,” said Casals. Madame Melville was originally performed in the Vaudeville Theatre of London, in 2000, and drew rave reviews, particularly for its subject matter. “Nelson, in his 100-minute play, intertwines two familiar themes: the sexual initiation of the young and the confrontation of American innocence by European experience. But what gives the play its peculiar charm is the tender collision between two people at different stages of their emotional cycle: Carl has what Henry James called “the hungry futurity of youth” while the messed-up Claudie has the restless solitude of the permanent other woman,” noted Michael Billington of The Guardian. The curtain opens Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets will be $10 per person. For group rates and ticket purchases please call: (910) 678-7186. For more information contact the Gilbert Theater at (910) 678-7186. ASHLEY YOUNG, Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or editor@upandcomingweekly.com. On June 17, the band will provide entertainment for the second concert of the 2010 season. The Charlotte-based band used to play this venue several years ago and has been invited back to entertain us once more. “We are just a hard working band who likes to get together and play good music and entertain people,” said Rick McClanahan. “We started out playing a lot of Jimmy Buffet-type music and have added classic rock, rhythm and blues and a fair share of jam music from a lot of different artists from the ‘70s and ‘80s.” The park opens around 5 p.m. with local bands performing before the headliners take the stage around 7 or 7:30 p.m. and jam until 10 p.m. Bring a blanket, a lawn chair, your family and friends. The concert is free and so is the fellowship. No pets or coolers are allowed at the park, although there will be concessions available for purchase. And as for the Coconut Groove Band, well, they are looking forward to offering some great music and some good old fashioned fun. “We are very pleased to be invited again we are looking forward to being there,” said McClanahan. “It remains a privilege to work with our generous sponsors. Their meaningful contributions support the museum and at the same time allows for these events to be free to the public,” concluded Stiehl. STEPHANIE CRIDER, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or editor@upandcomingweekly.com. Get a Sneak Preview of the Latest Up & Coming Weekly! Sign up online for our E-Edition at www.upandcomingweekly.com OPEN AUDITIONS ! Be a SINGERS• ACTORS• DANCERS Boys & Girls 11 to 13 Years Old (Boys wi ys with unchanged voices) ces) Kidsville News! is a national reading and educational resource. Kidsville Kids have fun singing and dancing their way across the region while developing their talents and gaining valuable experience in the performing arts. They encourage and inspire reading and literacy, good character traits and high values.   www.kidsvillenews.com/cumberland JUNE 9-15, 2010 UCW 13

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