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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FEBRUARY 17-23, 2016 UCW 11 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Get ready, Fayetteville, to burn it down. Jason Aldean is coming to the Crown on Saturday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m. as part of his "We Were Here" tour. Aldean has been the Academy of Country Music Male Vocalist of the Year three times and is currently nominated as Entertainer of the Year. He is also recog- nized by RIAA as the top male digital country artist in history with sales totaling more than 21.5 million downloads. With 14 number one hits and a host of platinum albums under his coun- try belt buckle, Aldean is sure to entertain. "Jason is a huge name and this is his second time in Fayetteville," said Katie Mikos, director of marketing for the Crown Complex. "The community response has been great. Country always does well in our market, although we do diversify our shows throughout the year." Also performing are special guests, Thomas Rhett and A Thousand Hors- es. Rhett's singles "Make Me Wanna" and "Die a Happy Man" are all over country music stations while A Thousand Horses' single "Smoke" continues to rock the southern charts. Rolling Stone even called A Thousand Horses the best up-and-comer. These beginning acts are well worth seeing and have long futures ahead of them. "This production is fantastic. They will put on a great show," said Mikos. Tickets range from $34.50 to $64.75 and can be purchased at www.cape- feartix.com. There is a ticket limit of four on all orders. VIP packages are available by visiting www.livenation.com. Package includes a private acous- tic performance by Jason Aldean, an exclusive question and answer session, a special gift, a VIP laminate and preshow access to the Crazy Town lounge. General admission floor tickets are also available in advance; however, tick- ets will be held at will call for pickup the day of the show and you must have the credit card used to purchase the tickets and a photo ID with you. Jason Aldean We Were Here Tour Makes a Stop at the Crown by JAMI McLAUGHLIN JAMI McLAUGHLIN, Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? news@upandcomingweekly. com. 910.484.6200. The Fayetteville arts community be- lieves development of cultural arts and entertainment in the community can enhance economic development as well as quality of life. That's the reason the Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County commissioned a feasibility study in 2014. One of the recommendations to come out of that study was development of an arts and entertainment district. This month, officials of the Cultural Planning Group of Los Angeles were in Fayetteville to update initial planning efforts for a pos- sible Arts and Entertainment District. Fayetteville architect Eric Lindstrom is chairman of the Arts Council's Public Art Committee. His hope is that recom- mendations the consultants come up with will be endorsed by city and county governments. "Downtown has the greatest critical mass" for an arts district, he said. The idea as conceived is an area of the city where a continuing series of cultural happenings would be ongoing, not necessarily events. The engagement of local artists is considered essential to success, according to Lindstrom. Consultant Martin Cohen told people attending a public forum that objectives of an arts and entertainment district would be to further revitalize downtown, make the city more attractive and inviting and create a "cool" place for young people among others. Development of a district is the ultimate goal for public art, which is planned and developed to be staged in the public domain, usually outside and accessible to all. Early examples of arts districts locally include visionary high-profile works of sculptor Tom Grubb, including the Sprint Voyager near the Rowan Street Bridge and Star Gate 2003 near the downtown library. Newer modern art can be found on the grounds of the North Carolina Veterans Park on Bragg Boulevard. And there are at least four local galleries in the center city. CPG is working on devel- opment of a public art master plan for downtown Fayetteville. Public involvement is seen as critical to the success of the project. "Every voice offers a valuable perspective of the arts and culture industry," said Debo- rah Mintz, executive director of the Arts Council. Steering committees for both projects are comprised of nearly 40 participants, including private developers, local government and professionals in the field, according to Mintz. An arts and entertainment district is envisioned as a "walkable area" said Cohen. So, boundaries have to be defined and well-marked with universal design stan- dards. Project officials hope to have a final report by summer, which will then be presented to city council and county commissioners for adoption. Fayetteville's Arts and Entertainment District in Planning Stages by JEFF THOMPSON NEWS AND EVENTS Jason Aldean Advertising to Grow Your Business www.upandcomingweekly.com For effective advertising call 910.484.6200 today! Fayetteville architect Eric Lindstrom, chairman of the Arts Council's Public Art Committee, hopes that recom- mendations for a new art district downtown will be endorsed by city and county governments. Invest In Advertising Opportunities We can show you how to market your business! 910.484.6200 www.upandcomingweekly.com