Curtains up!

From live shows with music, comedy and drama to U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum exhibits, Fayetteville has plenty of entertainment to offer.

There’s something for everyone. Whether it’s singing along to Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” musical in January, enjoying a symphony in an elegant concert hall or while sipping a beer at a bar, or having some laughs at a stand-up comedy show, you won’t be disappointed.

ON STAGE

The Cape Fear Regional Theatre stages musicals, dramas, and comedies, and has educational programs for children and adults throughout the year. The 2024-25 season: “Footloose” in September/October; “Puffs” in October/November; “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” in December; “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” in January/February; “Steel Magnolias” in March/April; “Once On This Island” in May/June. Due to renovations of its building on Haymount Hill, the theater is temporarily moving its performances to the ballroom in the GoodHomes Bordeaux at 1707 Owen Drive (the former Holiday Inn Bordeaux). 910-323-4233 or cfrt.org.

The Gilbert Theater at 116 Green St., above Fascinate-U Children’s Museum, entertains audiences in a black-box theater with productions ranging from quirky to serious. The 2024-25 season’s shows: “Heathers, the Musical,” Sept. 13-29; “A Christmas Story,” Nov. 22-Dec. 8; “Misery,” Jan. 31-Feb. 16; “The Prince,” March 21-April 6; and “Little Shop of Horrors,” May 16-June 1. All productions showcase local talent. 910-678-7186 or gilberttheater.com.

Sweet Tea Shakespeare brings indoor and outdoor performances of Shakespeare and other works, including some written locally. Plus it has live music before every show. Performance locations vary. The 2024-25 season: “The Odyssey” in September; “Troilus and Cressida” in November; “Behold” in December; “Murder on the Orient Express” in January; “Pan” in April; “Robin Hood” in June; “King John” in June. 910-420-4383 or sweetteashakespeare.com.

A Yellow Beanie Project in Fayetteville will have its Science Fiction Double Feature in October and November with “The Rocky Horror Show” from Oct.16-Nov. 3 and “Frankenstein” from Nov. 1-17 in The Arts Center, 301 Hay St. yellowbeanieinfo@gmail.com and A Yellow Beanie Project page on Facebook.

Artist Village in Hope Mills has shows, concerts, and other events. “Play Music on the Porch Day,” Aug. 31 at Hope Mills Lake; “Fall Artisan Fair,” Sept. 14, 5483 Trade St.; “Dracula,” Oct. 18-19 and Oct. 25-26, 5483 Trade St.; “It’s A Wonderful Life,” Dec. 13-15, 3711 S. Main St.; Holiday Community Choir Concert, Dec. 19, 3711 S. Main St. info@artistvllagehm.com, 910-364-9512, ArtistVillageHM on Facebook and Instagram, and artistvillagehm.com.

CONCERTS

Community Concerts, which completed its 88th season in May, brings a variety of musical guests to the Crown Theatre. Last year’s season featured Gladys Knight; Josh Turner; Air Supply; Little River Band; and Rollin on The River — The Best of Tina tribute show. For information on the 2024-25 season, call 910-323-1991 or go to community-concerts.com.

The Crown Complex hosts musical acts and stage shows, as well as sports, trade shows, and more. Venues include the Crown Coliseum, a theatre, an arena, an expo hall, and a ballroom. Upcoming shows include “Ladies R&B Kickback Concert,” Sept. 28; Ali Siddiq’s comedy show “I Got A Story To Tell,” Oct. 25; TobyMac, Zach Williams, and MercyMe concert, Nov. 7; “Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet,” Nov. 14; and rock band group Kansas’ “Another Fork in The Road” 50th Anniversary Tour concert, Dec. 5. 910-438-4100 or crowncomplexnc.com

Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra fills performance venues from Seabrook Auditorium at Fayetteville State University to the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church on Green Street. The lineup includes season concerts, community concerts, and student concerts. It also presents Symphony on Tap, a musical series with free admission at local breweries.

The Independence Concert and fireworks show are scheduled for July 4 at Festival Park. The 2024-25 season includes “Music of the Knights” concert paying tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber, Elton John, and Paul McCartney, Sept. 21; “Handel’s Water Music Suite,” Nov. 23; “Sounds of Lafayette,” Jan. 25; “The New World Reimagined” concert with music by Ahmed Al Abaca, Brittany J. Green, and Antonín Dvorˇák, Feb. 22; “Mallet Madness” percussion ensemble performance led by Assistant Conductor and Percussionist Dr. Daniel McCloud, March 14-15; and “Beethoven V” concert, April 26. Single tickets range from $7 for children to $36 for adult general admission. Discount ticket pricing is available for seniors, Cumberland County Schools employees, military and college students. 910-433-4690 or fayettevillesymphony.org.

Symphony on Tap events: Jazz Quartet performance at Dirtbag Ales, June 22; String Quartet performance at James Creek Cider House, Aug. 30; String Quartet performance at Haymount Truck Stop, Sept. 8; Jazz Quartet performance on Mardi Gras at Heckler, March 4; and Jazz Quartet performance at District House of Taps in honor of Star Wars, May 4.

Fayetteville State University brings musical acts, national artists, and more to Seabrook Auditorium. 910-672-1724 or uncfsu.edu/community/seabrook

STAND-UP COMEDY

Paddy’s Irish Pub, 2606 Raeford Road, has comedy shows on Thursdays. paddysirishpub.com

The Locals Comedy holds shows at various locations in and around Fayetteville. Shows are announced on Facebook. facebook.com/TheLocalsComedy

White Rabbit Pub, 3030 Fort Bragg Road, has open mic comedy on Mondays. facebook.com/WhiteRabbitPub.2017

Heckler Brewing Co., 5780 Ramsey St., has open mic comedy every other Friday. hecklerbeer.com

GALLERIES

The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County is a nonprofit organization that serves as a link between artists and cultural organizations, and provides grants to local artists. It celebrated its 50th anniversary on June 6. The organization’s Art Center Gallery hosts free exhibits throughout the year. The Arts Council is at 301 Hay St. in downtown Fayetteville. 910-323-1776 or theartscouncil.com

The Art Gallery at Fayetteville Technical Community College displays exhibitions each semester that feature the artwork of students, faculty, and outside artists. Exhibitions are free and open to the public, and they run year-round. The gallery is in the foyer of the Paul H. Thompson Library at 2221 Hull Road. 910-678-0092

Cape Fear Studios offers art lessons and hosts a community of artists in residence. The nonprofit organization is in downtown Fayetteville. It includes a retail gallery and a main gallery that exhibit artworks in an array of media by local, national, and international artists. The exhibits are free and open to the public. The studio is at 148 Maxwell St. 910-433-2986 or capefearstudios.com

Rosenthal Art Gallery, in the Rosenthal Building on the campus of Fayetteville State University, is part of the university’s Department of Performing and Fine Arts. It hosts exhibits of works by students, staff, and internationally known artists throughout the year. 910-672-1057

MUSEUMS

U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum has exhibits on the past, present, and future of the Army’s airborne and special operations forces. It is owned and operated by the Army. The museum, which also hosts special programs and guest speakers, is at 100 Bragg Blvd. Admission is free and open to the public. 910-643-2778 or asomf.org

Fascinate-U Children’s Museum, in the heart of downtown Fayetteville at 116 Green St., is a hands-on interactive museum created to educate as well as provide hours of fun for children up to 12. The museum offers family memberships, art classes, and children’s birthday packages. 910-829-9171 or fascinate-u.com

Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex features exhibits bringing the Cape Fear region’s diverse history to life with living-history programs, tours, special events, interactive programs, and demonstrations. The Poe House, a restored 1897 home, and Arsenal Park, the remains of an ordnance factory from the Civil War era, make up the historical complex at 801 Arsenal Ave. 910-500-4240 or museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov

Paul Woolverton performs in Sweet Tea Shakespeare productions outside of his reporting work.

Read the e-edition of the 2024-2025 issue of DestinationFAY here.