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.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/24822
Carolina Philharmonic Brings Exceptional Music to N.C. by STEPHANIE CRIDER The Carolina Philharmonic has had an impressive season of performances in Fayetteville. It started with the Latin Serenade, followed by In Memoriam — In Celebration of the Faithfully Departed. The orchestra celebrated the holidays with Christmas in New York — Jazz Piano with Joshua Wolff and Twelfth Night. Now Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and the philharmonic is set to impress once again with Valentine’s Soiree — The Night They Invented Champagne Movie Music From the Golden Era which will be performed at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church on Feb. 13. Fairly new to the Fayetteville music scene, the Carolina Philharmonic debuted in February of 2009 as the West Side Chamber Orchestra to standing ovations. The group then joined Maestro David Michael Wolff’s New York orchestra, The Manhattan Chamber Philharmonic, at Carnegie Hall on April 4, 2009. Again, the group received accolades and were invited back to perform on March 3, 2011. Since then the orchestra has incorporated, and has changed its name to the Carolina Philharmonic, while continuing to impress and inspire local audiences. The musicians currently remain a chamber orchestra, and are dedicated to meeting the needs of the community through solo performances, small chamber groups, small and large chamber orchestra formations, as well as occasional expansions to a full symphonic orchestra. The Carolina Philharmonic website notes, “If there’s a defi ning feature of the Carolina Philharmonic, much more than its virtuosity, it’s the tangible joy of musical expression that brings its audiences repeatedly to their feet, from Fayetteville to Carnegie Hall.” Kathy Wilford, the Carolina Philharmonic spokesperson, credits the group’s success to Maestro David Michael Wolff. “The heart and soul of the philharmonic is our maestro, principal conductor and artistic conductor,” said Wilford. “He is an exceptional human being, number one, but an amazing musician, too. We are a growing organization. Like our website says, we are still a small philharmonic — with big ideas.” With Music from An American in Paris, Casablanca, An Affair to Remember, Gone with the Wind, My Funny Valentine, Fats Waller’s Valentine Stomp and The Night They Invented Champagne, music lovers are sure to delight in this latest performance. “This was our maestro’s idea,” said Wilford. “This is an era that has exceptionally elegant music and it kind of came together as a natural combination.” Musicians will include David Michael Wolff on the piano, Young Mee Jun, Maestro David Michael Wolff will lead the Carolina Philharmonic in its Valentine’s Day Performance. soprano, Yang Xi on the violin and viola, Izabela Spiewak on the violin and Nate Leyland on the cello. There will be a champagne reception as well. “We are trying to bring exceptional music back into the mainstream of America, and we are starting in North Carolina,” Wilford said. “Our audiences are growing exponentially, we’ve been very blessed in that, and it is coming together nicely. Once you see what we can produce you will just be amazed.” The performance starts at 4 p.m. Tickets start at $5 for students and go up to $25. They can be purchased by calling 910.687.4746. Bring Your Love Downtown on Valentine’s Day by STEPHANIE CRIDER Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and the downtown merchants and restaurateurs are doing everything they can to make it easier than ever to impress, please and woo that special someone. In addition to romance, downtown wants to share some good fortune with those who could use a hand this year. Through Valentine’s Day merchants will be collecting canned goods and nonperishable items for Second Harvest Food Bank. Look for the red heart in the window and take your donations inside. While there is plenty to do, here are just a few fun ideas if you are at a loss on how to impress your date. Show up at their door with a traditional sweet treat. The Chocolate Lady is offering confectionery delights that will satisfy most anyone’s sweet-tooth. Get a box of chocolate covered strawberries for $20. Call her at 480-2000 and place your order while there is still time. Just Desserts is offering Valentine’s Day treats like chocolate covered strawberries, heart shaped cookies and red-velvet cake, as well as many other goodies that will impress your sweetheart. Give them a call at 860-2253. They are accepting advanced orders. Then treat your Valentine to a carriage ride through historic downtown. Rides are available from 1-8 p.m. Feb. 12 and last about 20 minutes. Tickets are $15 per person if you don’t mind sharing the carriage, (kids under 12 are $5) or book a private ride for $50. Call City Center Gallery & Books at 678- 8899 to make your reservation. From there, check out one of the many deals that the local restaurants have for couples. Circa 1800 is offering specials on Feb. 12 and 14 for a three-course dinner and wine fl ight. Discount movie tickets are included in the price. Give them a call at 568-4725 to make a reservation or get more details. Blue Moon is celebrating Valentines Day with fondue — for two. A cheese fondue entree to share followed by a round of chocolatey fondue WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM goodness for dessert. For $50 Lido’s is offering an appetizer, two entrees, two glasses of wine and a dessert. They’ve got dancing and entertainment later in the evening, too. Enjoy a laid back dinner at Haymont Grill where a surf and turf dinner for two costs $34.95 and includes a salad, potato and dessert. For more information, give them a call at 484-0261. Stop by Huske Hardware for a dinner of salad. N.Y. Strip steak, a side, dessert and wine or champagne — for two. This special will run you $49.99. Pierro’s is having a sweetheart of a special, too. It costs $59.99 and includes wine, appetizer, salad, an entree and dessert for two. Hang around downtown and dance the night away or check out the Cameo Arthouse Theater. They are having a special showing of Blue Valentine, which earned awards in 2010 at the Independant Spirit Awards, the London Film Critics Association and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Call the theater for show times at 486-6633. Adventurers seeking something different for their sweethearts may want to consider Zipquest. Just off Ramsey Street, Zipquest was named one of USA Today’s 10 great zip lines and it’s right here in our own backyard. It costs $79 per person and is an adventure you won’t soon forget. Then head home with a nice bottle of wine to enjoy the rest of the evening. Bob & Sheree’s Beer & Wine Shoppe Wine Shoppe has his and her baskets fi lled with wine and chocolate — Sweetheart baskets for the ladies and Lionheart baskets for gents. Baskets start at $50. Mention downtown’s “Have a Big Heart” program and receive $5 off. Of course those are just a few of the options for a fun Valentine’s Day date. Check out pages 18 and 19 and see what else is going on downtown. STEPHANIE CRIDER, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or editor@upandcomingweekly.com. FEBRUARY 9-15, 2011 UCW 9 STEPHANIE CRIDER, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or editor@upandcomingweekly.com.