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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Romeo and Juliet at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden by JEFF CASHWELL Sweet Tea Shakespeare offers theatrical fun for audiences this summer with the classic tragic romance, Romeo and Juliet. Although the theater group is only in its second year of operation, it has garnered a healthy following that continues to grow. Sweet Tea Shakespeare is a collaborative effort between the Fayetteville State University Foundation, the FSU Fine Arts Series, the Gilbert Theater and the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Sweet-tea refreshments coupled with the firefly-laden nights at the botanical garden bring an entertaining, whimsical performance like no other. Free watermelon, sweet tea and lemonade will be plentiful at play performances. William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet has shaped the world of literature since it was first written in the 16th century. The story revolves around two star-crossed lovers who find themselves trapped between their feuding families. What solution do the two lovers come to in order to conquer life's difficulties? Difficult decisions, naïve love and endangerment for the name of love run rampant throughout the story. Shakespeare's style of writing also injects humor into the play in order to raise suspense. "He wrote most of his plays for outdoor environments," Jeremy Fiebig said, director of Romeo and Juliet and the brainstorm behind Sweet Tea Shakespeare. "It allows us to perform the play in its original setting." The botanical garden offers the perfect environment for these kinds of plays, allowing guests to "sit underneath the stars" and enjoy Romeo and Juliet brings magic to the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. the performance for how it's meant to be viewed. Sweet Tea Shakespeare practices crossgender casting, meaning gender characters will oftentimes be played by the opposite sex. Sweet Tea Shakespeare is also different by its means of theatrical expression. "We started rehearsals in March and we rehearsed it for a couple of weeks without directors," Fiebig said. "The cast put it together themselves then a couple of weeks later they presented it to the directors." Allowing the cast to formulate its own interpretation of the play allows more artistic freedom to the cast and gives them the opportunity to create scenes in their own way. "The thing that draws me to Romeo and Juliet is the great language of the play," Fiebig said. "There's a lot of other beautiful language that resonates even today. After you get past the 'Shakespeare' barrier it really washes over you." Experiencing the English language as it was centuries ago creates an authentic experience that guarantees to entertain anyone who is a fan of English history. The performances will run July 17-21 by the Cypress Pond at the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens. The July 20 performance is an indoor matinee. Tickets include admission to the garden and cost $10 for garden members, $12 for non-members, $7.50 for students, $5 for children between the ages of 6 and 12, free for children 5 and younger and $5 for FSU students. Tickets can be purchased on site or JEFF CASHWELL, Intern reserved COMMENTS? Editor@upandby calling comingweekly.com. 672-1724. 2nd Saturdays Arts Fest Returns to the Poe House by ERINN CRIDER of livelihood. One visitor said to us, 'How nice it was to find The Fayetteville area is unique in its history and is overflowing affordable art.' We think that says it all." with creativity. For years the Poe House, built in 1897, has been Over the years the festival has seen incredible growth in the center of history and heritage in the community, but this participation. "We have seen an increase in the number and variety summer it will be a center of creativity as well. The Museum of of artists who take advantage of the opportunity to show and the Cape Fear will use the Poe House as the location for its 2nd sell their wares, take commissions, and it makes people aware of Saturdays Arts Fest. the caliber of artists that live and work in our community. 2nd This festival brings together artists of many mediums and the Saturdays started as a way to help stimulate the economy and show community. This event is family friendly and there is a multitude of that the creative industry plays a role in doing so. Visual artists in a activities for adults and children alike to enjoy. Leisa Greathouse, historic/cultural setting make a great partnership that people can the curator of education for the Museum of the Cape Fear says, identify with and, I believe, find unique." Greathouse said. "The variety of artists include basket makers, mesh wreaths, This year, special programs will take place at 2 p.m. each custom jewelry, children's hair bows, hand-painted novelty items, 2nd Saturdays features kid-friendly activites including watercolor painting. festival day. For July, Michael Hardy — a Civil War author pottery and paintings. In addition to all the artists whom families and historian — will lecture, with funding coming from the will encounter, the museum offers two very child-friendly activities: N.C. Humanities Council Speakers Bureau. In August, participants will have the candle dipping and water coloring. Both activities are free and the children get to opportunity to attend a workshop on geocaching. This workshop will promote keep what they make. In other words, they will take home a beeswax candle and a geocaching on the local "Trail Trek," which was created by the Fayetteville Area watercolor painting of their own work." Convention and Visitors Bureau. Big Ed's Creek Sauce and Catering will be on hand offering BBQ sandwiches and Mike's Tropical Gourmet Icees for a cool delicious desert. Entertainment will The 2nd Saturdays Arts Fest is slated for July 13 and August 10 from 11 a.m. to also be provided by local musicians such as Evan Young. 4 p.m. Admission is free, but the majority of vendors only take cash. Another important role the festival plays in the community is supporting local The Poe House, where the Arts Fest is located, is at 801 Arsenal Ave. artists. Greathouse explains that goal by saying "2nd Saturdays Arts Fest is about For more information, contact the Museum ERINN CRIDER, Staff Writer, highlighting the artists and showing the viable role they play in the economy. of the Cape Fear at 486-1330 or visit www. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomThis is important since many times artists are often discounted for their choice museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov. ingweekly.com. 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