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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Join the Cumberland Oratorio Singers for Handel’s Messiah by STEPHANIE CRIDER The Cumberland Oratorio Singers will perform George Frideric Handel’s Messiah during a free concert scheduled Dec. 4 beginning at 4 p.m. at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Michael Martin, director of Choral Activities and Music Education at Methodist University and COS artistic director, leads and conducts the 18-year-old group of ap- proximately 60 singers. This holiday tradition is scheduled a little earlier than it has been in past years, but the format is still the same. It’s called a Christmas concert, but the group is really trying to represents more of a holiday theme. There is a spiritual, a Hanukkah piece and we have some seasonal pieces associ- ated with the holidays. “It is the opening for us, of the Christmas season,” said Cumberland Oratorio Singers President Mary Potter. “In fact, this year we are doing it a week earlier than we normally do. We’ll be right ups there at the beginning of the season to sing.” If you are new in town or if this will be your first time to view the walk-in Messiah here in Fayetteville, this is how it works. Walk-in means that the Cumberland Oratorio Singers are performing the piece, but they welcome anyone to join them — for that song. “We have a few traditional Christmas and Hanakkuh songs to sing before Cumberland Oratorio Singers artistic direc- tor and conductor Michael Martin their own scores as we dont’ have any score to give them.” There will be a practice at 10 a.m. on Dec. 4, if you are planning to participate and want to practice with the- COS for that part of it. Adding some holiday splendor to an already impres- sive performance, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra is providing the instrumental music. “It really is a community effort to put this on,” said Potter. “The church and the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and the singers who com to join us — it is fun and it kicks off the season. It stars things off right the holi- days and boosts everyone’s morale.” This long-standing tradition usually packs the house, so Potter suggests coming early to get a good seat (or any seat really). While there are usually extra chairs in the back, the modest space is usually standing-room only. “My favorite thing about this is that it is for the com- munity,” said Potter. “Anyone can come and join us — it is an open call. Come sing with us — that to me is more of a community feeling that we are offering to our Fayetteville brothers and sisters, that we are asking them to come join us for this yearly per- formance. That, to me, is what community is about. Whether you are joining the walk-in or enjoying the perfor- we sing the Messiah. The songs we do in the beginning celebrate everyone’s holi- days,” said Potter. “But when it comes time to sing the Messiah we welcome any- one to come join us up front — or to sing in their own seats, should they bring mance from the pew, you can find out more at www.cumberlandora- toriosingers.org by STEPHANIE CRIDER If you’ve never had the Loft Tours Light Up Downtown pleasure of visiting a downtown loft, the candlelight loft tour is a can’t miss event. Not only are the homes quirky and in- teresting, they are decorated in Christmas splendor and ready to impress. Have you ever won- dered what the space is like above the Cameo Theatre, or what about that space above McDuff’s Tea Room? Who spends their evenings looking down from the balcony over Bob & Sheree’s Beer & Wine shop? Well, now is your chance to find out. This year, as in years past, several of downtown’s residents are throwing open their doors and inviting the public into their homes to share their way of life and give us a peek at the histori- cal abodes above the shops. Make your way downtown on Dec. 12 for this once-a-year peek into the downtown lofts. some regular properties on the tour that everyone looks forward to seeing. This year we hope to have a few lofts that have not been on the the tour in a while.” Villa didn’t mention any names but, the spaces are so varied and individual- ized, that every year is a treat — and a bit of a surprise. Buy a ticket, ($10 in advance through the Downtown Alliance, Rude Awakening and City Center Gallery and Books and $13 on the day of the event) grab a map and wristband and begin your downtown adventure. Tours will run from 5-8 p.m. For Get a peek into some of downtown’s prime residential real estate with the Downtown Alliance’s Candlelight Loft Tour. tickets and more info., call 222-3382. Be sure to stop at the Downtown Alliance office on Hay Street before you start out. Tour volunteers won’t let you into the buildings without a wristband and the Downtown Alliance is the only place to get one. STEPHANIE CRIDER, Staff Writer COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or Stephanie@upandcomingweekly.com The North Carolina State Ballet presents The Nutcracker Directed by Charlotte Blume Sun, December 5 Sat, December 11 Sun, December 12 Curtain Time: 3:00 p.m. THEATER Tickets on sale at the Crown Center Box Office and . “The tour will have 10 or so homes and is self guided so you can set your own pace,” said Chris Villa, Downtown Alliance spokesperson. “There is always something new and different to see — and then we have 16 UCW DECEMBER 1-7, 2010 STEPHANIE CRIDER, Staff Writer COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or Stephanie@upandcomingweekly. com Dr. Michael J. Ruff www.ncstateballet.com WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM