Up & Coming Weekly

Arts Alive Expands, Adds Gallery Space by STEPHANIE CRIDER For the past two months there has been a new component to 4th Friday. While the monthly events that we’ve come to know and love downtown — the music, dancing, speakers, exhibits, vendors and more — still grace Hay Street and the surrounding area, Arts Alive has been added to the monthly event to share the world of art with the community in a new and refreshing way. Artists spend three hours, from 6-9 p.m. on the fourth Friday of the month making their art in the studios, in the galleries and even in the streets along Maxwell and Franklin Streets. “Arts Alive is really a way for us to accomplish two goals,” said Chris Kastner, executive director of Cape Fear Studios, one of the Arts Alive participating galleries. “It gives local artists a chance to exhibit their work and share their knowledge of their craft, and it educates the public about art which is part of our mission statement.” This format is designed to bring a richer experience to the folks who take the time to come downtown and enjoy the monthly festivities. Coming to Arts Alive is the difference between seeing a pretty painting hanging on a wall and talking with the painter about their work and their technique as they mix shades of vibrant colors on the palette, layer them on the canvas and assemble an image, right before your eyes. It is the difference between seeing a shiny, multicolored raku pot on a gallery shelf and watching the potter apply the fi nish, pull the pot from the fl aming kiln and scrub away the ashes to reveal a one of a kind vessel, explaining the process, entertaining Greg Hathaway, a local artists paints on maxwell Street, while a musician performs. questions and engaging the crowd the entire time. And on and on it goes. The woodcarver — why does he use that particular wood, is it native or exoti, and why that particular chisel or lathe? Where does the photographer fi nd her subjects, her inspiration? Why did the basket weaver choose the reed she did and why did she make the Nantucket basket instead of the Iroquois water basket? These are questions that can only be answered by watching artists as they work, by asking questions and engaging in the process. The jeweler, the glassblower, the classical guitarist, the poet, the songwriter — who knows which one you will fi nd at Arts Alive and what secrets they will share with you … what lessons, artistic treasures and memories you will take home? As the Arts Council reaches out to local artists and invites them to submit their works for jurying into Arts Alive, look for 4th Friday and Arts Alive to continue to grow and to offer new experiences. In fact, this month, on July 23, there will be a new exhibit space along Maxwell Street. Just across from the Arts Council Building parking lot. Look for a window display featuring the works of Arts Alive participants. As the number of artist participants grows each month, the window display will refl ect their contributions. “This is really an attempt to reach out to local artists and give them another place to exhibit their work,” said Mary Kinny, marketing manager of the Arts Council of the new window exhibit. “While there are other exhibiting spaces in town, this is a way to tie those windows to our Arts Alive event. It is a way of having Arts Alive all month long and it gives a sense of the divesity of art that we have here.” For more information about becoming involved in Arts Alive contact Ashley Hunt, Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County special events coordinator at 323-1776. STEPHANIE CRIDER, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or editor@upandcomingweekly.com. Summer Jam Moves to the Crown by STEPHANIE CRIDER The summer is hot, and it’s going to get a lot hotter when Summer Jam, an annual Fort Bragg event, returns this month. Only this time, the event, which is usually held on the hot pavement of the Fort Bragg Fairgrounds will chill a little, as it makes the Crown Coliseum its new home. Summer Jam XXIV is slated for July 24, and while the venue may be different the same phenomenal talent and fun that has made it such a successful event has not changed. Admittedly, there are some pros and cons to the new location. “We don’t have to worry about things like parking and heat-related illness,” said Rhett Stroupe, special events coordinator at Fort Bragg Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR). “Although the seating capacity is 8,200 at the Crown, at the fair grounds it is 12,000, and usually that is fi lled up.” Sponsored by Fort Bragg MWR and local radio station Foxy 99, the entertainment is scheduled to include Ludacris, Monica, Rick Ross, Lyfe Jennings, Gyptian, J Cole, Cali Swag District, Party Boyz and Danny Bee. “Our line up is very good this year,” said Stroupe. “It is probably one of the best that we’ve had as far as artists go, and last week we added Fantasia to the list as well. I think the word is out among the artists that this is a very good show and it is also an opportunity to entertain our soldiers.” The pre-party starts at noon in the lower parking lot of the Crown Center. Doors for the concert open at 4 p.m. and the concert starts at 5:30 p.m. The concert is open to the public. While Summer Jam is a popular event that the soldiers and community look forward to every year, Stroupe sees this as more than just at show. “This is an opportunity to provide quality entertainment for our soldiers and 10 UCW JULY 21-27, 2010 the local community and to provide them an escape from the stressors of every day life,” he said. In addition to putting on a top notch event, the organizers have added a new twist this year for certain audience members. “One thing we are doing different this year is that active-duty military are eligible for one free ticket. They have to go to the Tickets and Tours offi ce here on post to get it, and the deadline is close of business Wednesday, July 21,” he said. A valid military ID card must be presented in order to receive a free ticket. Please note that ID cards will be checked at the venue as well. Stroupe recommends that soldiers picking up a free ticket who are planning to attend the event with friends and family should consider purchasing tickets when they pick up theirs to be sure that seats will be together. Tickets range in price from $20 to $40, and they can be purchased through the Crown Coliseum box offi ce, Tickets and Tours on Fort Bragg, Ticketmaster or Foxy99 Ticket Stops. All sales are fi nal and tickets are nonrefundable. For more information, visit the Website at www.fortbraggmwr.com or call 396-9126. STEPHANIE CRIDER, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or editor@upandcomingweekly.com. WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM

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