CityView Magazine

this holiday season because most of their time will be spent in a casino Las Vegas." Along with other big names, the fall season offered pop group Earth, Wind and Fire in October. "Earth, Wind and Fire was the biggest show we've ever done and the biggest show that has ever appeared on the theater stage," shared Fleishman. "The biggest challenge was fitting the show on the stage. They needed more stage than we have, but we made it work." December's offering brings Honor Flight to Fayetteville, a cultural show that incorporates a World War II veteran film tribute about the military personnel of the greatest generation. "We're expecting a lot of veterans," said Fleishman. "So we are doing the show in the arena for higher handicap access. Honor Flight is a big deal. We're working with a special community out of Fort Bragg to identify World War II veterans and bring them to the show." In addition to the quality entertainment the series brings to Fayetteville, they also have several other ways they enrich the community. First off, the concert series is mainly volunteer run. Though the board raises money to put on the shows, volunteers are the runners, ground transportation and even make sure artists are well supplied with the particulars like special teas and Fuji water. The partnership with the Crown is also a big asset. The Crown does the majority of the production and handles most of the technical process of setup. They provide the venue. "We owe a lot to the volunteers, partners, and friends who help run these concerts," said Fleishman. "There's truly a community at work to put the shows on. I can think of a lot of names, Karen Long and Tony Ragan, production manager, to just name a few of the numerous people we couldn't do without."   Yet another pilot program of the series is the Fayetteville Music Hall of Fame. "Concerts aren't all we do. The Hall is just now going into its seventh year. It was created to honor the people who have brought musical distinction to Fayetteville, people who've brought amazing music here." The hall of recipients is lengthy, with people like Raymond Codrington, a jazz musician who "can't think of life without music" and who has performed across the United States. Another recipient was Thomas Black, a rock and roll musician who calls Fayetteville his hometown. "These are people who led our churches and taught our students. They're performers who our musical community owes a lot to," Fleishman explained. "We also like to feature local artists as openers for the concerts. Just this last season, Fayetteville's Voices of the Heart opened for Gladys Knight, while the Linda Kinlaw School of Dance performed with Martina McBride. And emerging country artist Trae Edwards appeared before the Ricky Skaggs show." "People are surprised at all we reach out to do," elaborated Fleishman. "It's not just about the concerts. We're a well rounded, giving art organization that puts an emphasis on the community as well as the concerts. We have a lot of loyal supporters. Over the last ten years, we've been evolving into a true performing arts center. We're not just a nostalgia organization. We're always looking to stay fresh and shake it up. Just see how far we've come in the last seventy seven years. In the end, it's not just about the concerts. It's about the community, and how we'll make Fayetteville a better place, one production at a time." For more information about the 2013-2014 concert series, visit www.community-concerts.com. CV The upcoming artists for this Community Concert Series: • Mannheim Steamroller, November 19, 2013 • World War II Veteran Tribute, Honor Flight, December 8, 2013 • Soft Rock Artist Kenny Loggins, February 4, 2014 • Comedian Joan Rivers, March 22, 2014 "Where compassion and care run the business" Cape Fear Crematory, Inc. More cost effective than traditional burial We offer private family viewings Affordable direct cremation Services available 24 hours Family owned and operated for over 30 years 6765 Sandy Creek Road | Stedman, NC 28391 | 910.323.8898 | www.capefearcrematory.com CityViewNC.com | 57

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