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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14 UCW NOVEMBER 20-26, 2019 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Sweet Tea Shakespeare presents "Behold: A Folk Christmas Cantata" Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Methodist University at 7 p.m. e remaining shows are for Dec. 5-7 and Dec. 12-14 and will take place at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church at 7 p.m. "Our annual Christmas concert returns with a splash of honey, featuring the familiar gospel music that is always at the heart of 'Behold,'" said Jennifer Pommerenke, master of disposition and order at Sweet Tea Shakespeare. "Our 2019 offering includes a special focus on the Mary story and the women of Sweet Tea Shakespeare, but dudes are around too." Pommerenke added it tells the Old and New Testament stories with simplicity and grace during this time of joy and reflection. "Behold's" reputation as a stirring and heartfelt Christmastime celebra- tion always holds true for this warm and comforting seasonal blend. e concert features community and company members who are musicians and singers ranging from school-aged children to adults. Jacob French is the music director, and Jeremy Fiebig will direct the tone and vision of "Behold." "e musical selections are from Andrew Peterson's 'Behold the Lamb of God' as well as a few pieces that reflect on the Mary story," said Pommerenke. "ere will be a handful of songs we've never included in 'Behold' before, and we are really looking forward to bringing them to the community." e event is a celebration of the winter season and an evening of communion meant to warm hearts and focus minds on Advent and Christmas. "is is a beautiful event with a tremendous heart for what this season means, and it's a time to reflect on the year behind and the year ahead," said Pommerenke. "It's a time to be with loved ones and a time to slow down and really remember what is important to us all." Sweet Tea Shakespeare is a nonprofit theater company and training ground inspired by Shakespeare and the early modern period in its spirit and operations. Its mission is to gather a diverse community around a common table to delight in the magic of story, song and stagecraft. Preshow music begins at 6:15 p.m. and will be provided by local choirs, musicians, friends and com- munity groups. "It is a magical time for families, friends and the community to gather for merriment and reflection," said Pommerenke. "We look forward to seeing every- one at the concert." Ticket cost is pay what you will $10 -$50. Tea, beer, wine and signature cocktails will be available for pur- chase. Outside food and drinks are not permitted. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www. sweetteashakespeare.com or call 910-420-4383. 'Behold' Sweet Tea Shakespeare's Christmas cantata by DR. SHANESSA FENNER EVENTS ere is something about a good adven- ture. As the adventure unfolds, you find yourself participating in an experience that will be yours forever. e congre- gation of the Camp Ground Methodist Church sets out to guide you through a Christmas adventure with its 2nd Annual Festival of Trees in the historic Owen Cha- pel Dec. 6 and 7. e chapel is transformed into a melo- dious visual representation of the theme, "ere's a Song in the Air." Not only will attendees see the extraordinarily adorned trees, but they'll hear the specifically cho- sen song — and see it, too. Chairperson and event organizer Sandy Holland said, "ere are 11 trees throughout the historic Owen's Chapel, and each one has a musi- cal theme." Guests are encouraged to fully partici- pate in the experience by bringing an ornament or something that is related and relevant to the theme of the tree. It truly is designed to be an interactive, festive experience. "Guests will enter into the chapel and be given a bulletin to explain why the particular music was chosen for each tree. While it is a self-guided tour, there are a few people standing throughout the chapel welcoming them and available if they have any questions," Holland said. ere are two dates for the event. Friday, Dec. 6 from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 7 from 4-6 p.m. On the first evening, guests will be greet- ed by the adorable voices of the 4- and 5-year- olds, who attend preschool at the church, as they perform Christmas carols. After the tour, people will be directed to the fellowship hall to enjoy cookies, hot cocoa, coffee and a visit with Santa. On the second evening, Saturday, Dec. 7, when the tour has ended at 6 p.m., the evening isn't over yet. Attendees will be directed into the fel- lowship hall for a celebration of love, community and food. is is the second year for the church to host a Moravian Love Feast, a traditional Method- ist gathering. According to Holland, "is is a communal meal that's goal is to bind the community together. It is a free event for all, whether you purchased a ticket for the festival of trees or not." On both nights, the congregation at the Campground Methodist Church hope guests will create memories and that their hearts will be filled with the joy of the season and the love of community. As they depart from their time at the church, at- tendees will be handed an advent booklet with a devotional written by members of the Campground Methodist congregation. Tickets can be purchased at the Camp Ground Methodist Church office on Camp- ground Road, Fredrick's Hair Salon on Sycamore Dairy Road across from CarMax or the Ritz Salon on Raeford Road. Call Sandy Holland at 910-867-9436 or 910-308- 6112 for additional information. Children under the age of 11 are free. All proceeds go to maintain Owen Chapel, which has been a place of worship for the Meth- odist church since the 1840s. e church is located at 4625 Campground Road. Festival of Trees uses musical theme to usher in Christmas cheer by CAROLINE SCHAFER e 2nd Annual Festival of Trees, held in Camp Ground Methodist Church's his- toric Owen chapel, is a festive Christmas adventure. DR. SHANESSA FENNER, Prin- cipal, WT Brown Elementary School. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200. Sweet Tea Shakespeare's "Behold" runs Dec. 4-14. CAROLINE SCHAFER, Con- tributing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly. com. 910-484-6200.