Up & Coming Weekly

10 UCW MARCH 17-23, 2010 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Throughout the year, the lights shine brightly on the stage of the Givens Performing Arts Center. Everything from Broadway hits, to classical dance, to symphonic concerts makes up the annual season for the cultural center on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. That doesn't come cheap. Each year the cost of presenting touring Broadway events and top-of-the-line entertainers continues to rise. As can be witnessed at a lot of facilities, those costs are passed on to the patrons. That isn't the case at Givens. In an effort to keep ticket prices affordable without sacrifi cing the quality of presentations, the GPAC counts on the generous support of its local and regional community partners, not only as annual sponsors, but also during its fundraising events. On Saturday, March 20, GPAC will host its annual fundraiser, which consists of a silent auction, dinner and an evening of dancing featuring Jim Quick and Coastline. The band has an eclectic blend of soul, blues and rock. From hard-driving Carolina back beats, to Georgia southern rock, from Cajun inspired grooves, to Texas and Delta blues; Coastline truly defines the sound of historical Southern music. With finesse, the pure forms of southern music are transformed into a modern contemporary art form. Patricia Fields, the GPAC director, noted that while most people come to sit in seats at the theater, on this evening, they will have the opportunity to take to the stage and dance the night away. But before they hit the dance fl oor, she hopes they will hit the auction block and make bids for the eclectic items in the silent auction. To date, the center has gathered a wide number of signed photos and CDs from musical greats. A unique item up for bid is a signed print from The Wizard of Oz. In addition to these one-of-a-kind memorabilia, local and regional businesses will contribute items for the auction including spa packages, restaurant gift certificates and much more. Tickets for the event are $150 per couple; $550 for a corporate table (table for eight and recognition in program); $1,000 corporate event sponsor (table for eight, recognition in program, on GPAC Web site and on the GPAC marquee). To contribute or make reservations for the fundraiser, please contact the GPAC staff at 910-521-6287. Fundraiser Keeps the Lights Bright on Givens' Stage a STAFF REPORT Garden Party Celebrates Spring by ASHLEY YOUNG In today's society, a lot of the etiquette seen in the Victorian era has been lost and people have strayed from the ideals accepted in that time. The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex hopes to remind today's society of those ideals by holding a Women's History Month Garden Tea Party at the 1897 Poe House on Saturday, March 20, the fi rst day of Spring. The party will last from 2 to 4 p.m. and men and women of all ages are invited. The Poe house is located at the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex at 801 Arsenal Ave. in Fayetteville. "We're super excited about this event!" said Heidi Bleazey, 1897 Poe House education coordinator. This is the fi rst time the tea party is held in conjunction with Women's History Month and the tea party will focus on that. Guests are encouraged to dress in Victorian-era clothing, but it is not required. You can bring a garden hat, a simple blouse with lace or a fl oral- patterned scarf to add a bit of history to your tea. Guests should also bring their own tea cup and saucer to enjoy hot or iced tea along with scones, jams, cucumber sandwiches and other sweets. Historical recipes will also be available to guests. If you do not have a tea cup and saucer both are available in the Cape Fear Museum's gift shop or you can bring your own mug. Carol Fleitz, director of horticulture and facilities at the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens, is the guest speaker. She will talk about the different varieties of roses, planting, preparation and care for them. Bleazey will also talk about Victorian etiquette including the social customs and practices that strictly defi ned that era. Bleazy hopes that guests bringing their own tea cup and saucer will help them sit up a little straighter and act a bit more proper in the 1897 Poe House setting. Bleazy said the tea party is perfect for any mother and daughter pair, Girl Scout or Red Hat Society, though men are invited, too. Bleazy feels that this tea and garden party came at an excellent time with the fi rst day of Spring and the release of Alice in Wonderland, a movie which has a tea party in it. In case of rain the tea party will be moved inside to the Museum of the Cape Fear. The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex is located on the corner of Bradford and Arsenal avenues in Fayetteville. The historical complex is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $5 and can be paid by cash or check to the Cape Fear Museum. Space is limited and tickets will be sold on a fi rst come, fi rst served basis. Tickets that have not been sold prior to the party will be available at the door. For more information call 910-486- 1330 or visit www.museumofthecapefear.ncdcr. gov..

• Cover