Music, drama, comedy, art! There is a wealth of entertainment right in Harnett County at least that is what the Cape Fear Friends of the Fine Arts and their cooperative agencies are trying to make people understand. “The trick is to make Harnett County residents aware of these entertainment resources right in their own back yard,” said Ester Howard, chair of the Cape Fear Friends Executive Committee, at a recent meeting. “That is why the Friends, the county schools and the Harnett County Arts Council are working together to do more to enhance the arts in this area.” Founded in 1995, the purpose of the Cape Fear Friends is to promote an appreciation and interest in the fine arts through a variety of programs and activities. Partnering with the Harnett County Schools and the Arts Council is a natural extension of that purpose, Howard explained. Howard reported that the Friends has grown from 20 to 220 members and now has an endowment of $33,979. Dr. Ran Whitley, chair of the Division of Fine Arts at Campbell, explained the many ways in which Campbell has cooperated with the Friends to help improve awareness and offer fine arts programs for both children and adults. “We’ve provided continuing education courses for teachers in music and the arts and have in-service training specific to the teachers’ areas,” Whitley said. Of course, the Community Concert Series, jointly sponsored by the Friends and Campbell University, draws stars like the North Carolina Symphony, the Lawrence Welk All-Stars, the Von Trapp Children singers and others. A summer music conservatory camp, C-4, for youth, grades 4-7, in which children receive instruction in music theory, vocal technique, creative musicianship and movement, is also provided annually at Campbell. The camp culminates in a formal concert at Scott Concert Hall which showcases the musical skills acquired at camp. In addition, Cape Fear Friends also offers an annual fine arts scholarship to students in the areas of art, music and theatre. Gail Neville, coordinator between the Cape Fear Friends and the Harnett County Arts Council, said the council is really working to rejuvenate itself. “We now have a board of directors and a $7,000 endowment which is being distributed over five areas, including the C-4 Camp, children’s theatre performances and bringing authors to Harnett County libraries to read their own works. Neville said that if the council receives all of the grants and contributions it is expecting to receive, it should be a sum of $40,000. “We would like to designate someone from each school to request grants for arts projects and performances,” Neville said. Superintendent of Schools for Harnett County Dan Honeycutt, who also attended the meeting, said that he knew teachers and principals who would gladly make application for grant money if they know about it. “I want the Harnett County Schools to work with your organizations and be good partners,” he said. “We value our association.” Season highlights for the Cape Fear Friends of the Fine Arts and Campbell University’s Community Concert series will feature: Mickey Rooney, on Sept. 12, in “Let’s Put on a Show,” which includes songs and reminiscences from Rooney’s heyday in the 1940s; the Moore Square Dixie Landers, on Nov. 2, featuring Lawrence Welk stars Ava Barber and Bob Havens, and the fall musical “The Boyfriend” plus many more. To find out more about Cape Fear Friends of the Fine Arts and how to become a member, contact the Division of Fine Arts at Campbell University at (910) 893-1495 or (800) 334-4111, ext. 1495.Photo Copy: Members of the Executive Committee of the Cape Fear Friends of the Fine Arts: bottom row, from left, Dr. Bruce Blackmon, Ester Howard (chair), Dan Honeycutt, superintendent of schools for Harnett County, Dr. John Roberson, vice president for Marketing and Planning for Campbell University, Susan Morrow and Dr. David Steegar, chair of the Foreign Language Department at Campbell. Top row, from left, Lawrence Buffaloe, assistant vice president for Corporate Relations for Campbell, Betty Hrush, of the Fine Arts Division, Gail Neville, coordinator for the Harnett County Arts Council and the Cape Fear Friends, Ran Whitley, chair of the Fine Arts Division, and Colon Jackson, member of the Campbell University Board of Trustees. (Photo by Scott Capell)Highlights from this season’s Fine Arts schedule for 2006-2007Tuesday, September 12, 8 p.m.Mickey Rooney: “Let’s Put on a Show.”Turner AuditoriumMonday, November 27, 8:00 PMThe Campbell University Choir Christmas at CampbellTurner AuditoriumThursday, March 29, 8:00 PM*The Cape Fear Wind Symphony”Sousa Live”Scott Concert HallFriday, Saturday, October 20-21, 8 p.m.; Saturday, October 21, 1:30 pm;Thursday, Friday, Saturday, October 26-28, 8 p.m.”The Boyfriend” Ellis TheaterThursday and Friday, November 30-December 1, 8:00 PMThe Paul Green One Act FestivalEllis TheaterTuesday, April 17, 8:00 PM*The University Wind Ensemble in Concert; pops Concert, “Great Love Songs”Scott Concert HallThursday, November 2, 8:00 PMThe Moore Square Dixie-Landers with Lawrence Welk stars Ava Barber and Bob HavensTurner AuditoriumSunday, December 3, 4:00 PMThe University Choral Society in ConcertScott Concert HallFriday & Saturday, April 20-21, 8:00 PM**Thursday, Friday & Saturday, April 26-28, 8:00 PM**”Scapin” by Moliere, DramaEllis TheaterMonday, November 20, 8:00 PMCampbell Jazz Ensemble and Campbell Voices in ConcertScott Concert HallFriday & Saturday, February 16-17, 8:00 PM**Thursday, Friday & Saturday, February 22-24, 8:00 PM**Winter Drama, TBAEllis TheaterTuesday, April 24, 8:00 PMCampbell Jazz Ensemble and Campbell Voices in ConcertScott Concert Hall
Cape Fear Friends promotes fine arts in Harnett County