Community Concerts Welcomes Martina McBride
by KAREN POPPELE
Christmas is the favorite time of the year for Martina McBride, and she is
coming to town with a show that she hopes will "become a holiday tradition for
everyone." Presented by Community Concerts, an
all-volunteer, nonprofit arts organization, The Joy
of Christmas Tour comes to Fayetteville on Monday,
Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the Crown Theatre, 1960
Coliseum Drive. Tickets are available and range from
$34 to $63.
The show is quite a feather in the cap for
Community Concerts, Fayetteville's oldest arts
organization, now in its 77th season.
"It has taken two years to bring this show to
Fayetteville," said Michael Fleishman, attractions
director of Community Concerts. "That's how long
we have been working on this, and we're one of only
two East Coast markets that are getting the show this
holiday season, Atlanta and us. This is a big show.
It's well put together. It's got a lot of fun elements to
it. She's one of the first ladies of country, and this is
one of the most sought-after Christmas shows in the
United States."
The 16-city tour features McBride backed by a
12-piece band playing in intimate venues, where she
can mingle with her fans in the audience, one of her
favorite parts of the show. Musical selections include
pop classics like "Let it Snow" and "I'll Be Home For
Christmas" as well as hymns, like "O Come All Ye
Faithful" and "O Holy Night."
In addition to a great musical performance,
audience members will experience the joy and spirit of the season as a video
screen presents busy shoppers, snowy mountains, wintery street scenes
and more. McBride promises multiple wardrobe changes, a duet with "The
King," local celebrities reciting "The Grinch" and a home video of the her
family on Christmas morning.
According to her website, McBride's goal "…is to
put everyone in the Christmas spirit by bringing every
aspect of Christmas to life on stage. I love Christmas,
and I've put together a show that is powerful and full
of emotion, as well as fun for the whole family."
Fleishman agrees. "This is an enormous show.
People will love this show. We're very fortunate to
have her."
The McBride show is the second in a series
of concerts that kicked off the Community
Concerts' current season that Fleishman
acknowledges as "stellar."
The organization has grown remarkably over the
years," Fleishman said.
"We've got Styx coming in January, Kool & the
Gang coming in February — those seats are also on
sale now. To finish it off, we've got Ricky Skaggs in
April," said Fleishman.
Fleishman also expects The Joy of Christmas to
sell out. "Out of our last four shows, three have
been sellouts."
Don't miss your chance to experience The Joy of
Christmas. For more information, about this show or
the Community Concerts season and memberships,
visit www.community-concerts.com.
For reservation information, contact
Fleishman at 910-323-1991, and
for ticket inquiries, email tickets@
community-concerts.com.
Our Target...
KAREN POPPELE, Contributing
Writer, COMMENTS? Editor@
upandcomingweekly.com.
The North Carolina State Ballet
Nutcracker
The
presents
Directed by Charlotte Blume
Sat, December 8
Sun, December 9
Curtain Time: 3:00 p.m.
THEATER
Tickets on sale at the Crown Center Box Office and
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BUSINESS!
Call for advertising information
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This project is supported by the Arts Council in part by contributions from businesses and
individuals, and through grants from the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the
North Carolina Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Cultural Resources.
DECEMBER 5-11, 2012 UCW
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