Up & Coming Weekly

A New Twist on the Blues by STEPHANIE CRIDER Since 2005 Claudia Swartz has been coordinating blues showcases to give local talent a venue to entertain the community and to give the community another fun event to attend. In the past, these events have been held at the library. There is a new twist to this event — a few new twists actually. The fi rst is that Swartz is teaming up with The Rock Shop owner Shawn Adkins to bring Fayetteville a bigger and better Blues Showcase. In case you missed it, The Rock Shop (newly christened The Rock Shop Music Hall) has moved to King Street, and while they still have that fun and funky atmosphere going on, there is a lot more space to spread out and relax … and jam. — Robbie Reid Band, Corky Jones, Bradley Muffet, Puncho Forrest, Chris Cox Band, David “Thumbs” Johnson, Willie Bradley, Blues Enigma, Claudia Swartz, Ray King and blues phenomenon Lakota John. “Lakota John, the 13 year-old blues kid, is our pride and joy. He just turned 13 in April and he has been a blues musician since he was ten,” said Swartz. “He just sounds so amazing. He sounds like a grown man playing the blues. He is a really charismatic young man and he motivates a lot of young folks. We are proud and happy to bring him out on the big stage at The Rock Shop Music Hall.” Local musician Corky Jones. “This is going to be a major step up from the library showcases. We have put together a truly great blues show with all the best musicians here in town,” said Swartz. “Hopefully this will get a lot of people in. I am hoping that by bringing this to a bigger venue we can really pack them in.” The other twist in this event is that the funds will be used to start a foundation to help local disabled musicians. The funds will be used to cover medical and living expenses for these artists. A few of the people that the foundation is looking to help are Chris Cox, Pat Vines, David “Thumbs” Johnson and Jerry B. “ “There are so many great artists here in Fayetteville that have suffered tragedies that have left them disabled,” said Swartz. “I just want to be able to help them out in their hour of need.” The artists scheduled to perform are names you’ve probably heard before If you’ve never attended a local blues showcase, Swartz promises that it is is something that you will want to mark on your annual entertainment calendar. “It is a very vibrant scene and I am happy that I can do what I am doing by promoting these terrifi c talents,” said Swartz. “It is just a wonderful, wonderful, magical show — it will be like a theatrical production. I hope that people will come. The best musicians in Fayetteville deserve support from the community, especially since we are trying to help less fortunate musicians who have played here for a long, long time.” The fun kicks off at 8:30 p.m. and lasts until 1:30 a.m. Tickets are available at Edwards Music Company on McPherson Church Road for $10. Tickets will be $12 at the door on the night of the event. For more info give the Rock Shop Music Hall a call at 321-ROCK. STEPHANIE CRIDER, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or editor@upandcomingweekly.com. Library, Arts Council Invite County Residents to Stretch Their Imaginations a STAFF REPORT On June 19, the Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center will host its annual Local Authors Showcase. The public is invited to meet and learn more about some of our area’s homegrown authors from noon until 4 p.m. in the Pate Room of the Headquarters Library, 300 Maiden Lane. If you are interested in writing and would like to hear fi rst-hand from those who have published books, this will be a great opportunity to not only browse some locally- written titles, but also learn the ins and outs of self-publishing. Books will be on sale, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Friends of the Library. Participating authors and their books, include: Bryan Avery, Olde Averasborough, Cape Fear River Town Suzanne Brandt, True Love Essie B. Bryant, My True Love Christian-Michelle Dickerson, The Razor and The Mirror Annette Dunlap, Frank: The Story of Frances Folsom Cleveland, America’s Youngest First Lady Robert Gable, Escape to Haven Naim S. Hasan Sr., Alien from the 8th Heaven Esther Holcombe, The Intruder Dorothy Hughes, The Journey Was Not Easy Ro-Shonda King, Plain Ice The Writer Karl W. Merritt Sr., From the Rough Side of the Mountain: Refl ections of a Country Preacher WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Theresa Slaughter, Raped by Man Saved by God Sherrell Straker-Valdezloqui, The Hurting Woman For more information about additional library programs and services, visit www.cumberland.lib.nc.us, call 483-7727 or fi nd us on Facebook. Neighborhood Art Attack The Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County knows that art lives in more than its building. So, in an attempt to let art breathe and move, the agency has been going from community to community within Cumberland County to bring art to the people. On Saturday, June 19, Hope Mills residents will get a chance to live and breathe art, as Arts Council’s Neighborhood Art Attack comes to town. Arts organizations from around the county participate and actively engage residents in the diverse arts offerings in our community. The entertainment stage features a mix of professionals and local talent including students. Make plans to join the Arts Council from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Hope Mills Municipal Park for a free Neighborhood Art Attack. At this mini arts festival, enjoy hands-on activities with Cape Fear Basketmakers, Writers’ Ink Guild, Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center, painter Brian Steverson, 910moms.com, the Arts Council and many more agencies! Entertainment at the Art Attack includes: Storyteller Gran’daddy Junebug, music of Brian Morgan & Friends, music by A Different Drum, magician John Tudor, Jef the Mime, sketch artist Patricia DiGiammarino and Alex the Minstrel. The Arts Council’s 2010 Neighborhood Art Attacks are all sponsored by Miller-Motte College - Fayetteville Campus. The June 19 Art Attack is also sponsored by The Fayetteville Observer. For more information about Neighborhood Art Attacks, visit the Web page at www.theartscouncil.com. JUNE 16-22, 2010 UCW 13 David Johnson jams at a previ- ous Blues Fest.

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