Story by Hal Goodtree and photo by Bill Gracey. Lindsey Chester edits the Calendar of Events.

Cary, NC – With January’s mild weather weather stretching into February, it’s a great weekend to get out and have some fun in Cary. Friday through Sunday, the Calendar lists 30 events for this weekend around town. Here are a few highlights.

A Fifth of Blues at RallyPoint

Okay, this is a shameless plug for my band. We’ll be making a rare Cary appearance this Saturday night at Rallypoint.

A Fifth of Blues, one of the Triangle’s most popular bands, plays everything from BB King to Ray Charles, Wilson Picket, Muddy Waters, Cream, the Allmans, Etta James and more. Lonesome Larry O’Connor on lead guitar, the Reverend Gary Lee Ford on harmonica,  Doctor Michael-Pelz Sherman on keyboards, Gary Caddell on drums and your’s truly on bass.

Put on your dancing shoes and c’mon out Saturday night! Music starts at 9:00 PM.

A Fifth of Blues
Saturday, Feb 11, 2012 at 9 PM
RallyPoint
1837 N Harrison Ave,
Cary, NC 27537
No cover

Olympic Table Tennis Trials

All weekend, the nation’s best table tennis players will be vying for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.

Competition goes on all day at Bond Park. If you can’t get to London this summer, here’s your chance to see Olympic hopefuls right here in Cary. More info.

Theater – 2 Shows this Weekend

F.A.T.E. – Free Association Theater Ensemble – presents Pterodactyls by Nicky Silver this weekend in Cary. Their description:

A family in shock finds strange comfort in some old bones found in the back yard. This dark comedy gives new meaning to the phrase “Families are like fudge – mostly sweet, with a few nuts.”

*This show contains adult material, and is not recommended for young children. Discretion is advised.

F.A.T.E. presents Pterodactyls
February 10 & 11 and February 16-18
All shows at 8pm; doors open at 7:30
Performances at the FATE Space, in the Harrison Pointe Shopping Center in Cary
Tickets are $10 – $15

For reservations, email FATEreservations@gmail.com or call 919-228-8184. You can also pay by cash and credit cards at the door, and tickets can be purchased in advance with a credit card by calling 919-228-8184.

Also on the boards this weekend, Cary Players continues their current run with Agatha Christie’s classic mystery And Then There Were None. Description:

Eight guests who have never met one another are lured to an island house and along with two servants, stranded. A mysterious voice accuses each of having gotten away with murder, just as one drops dead!

It’s a great show that brings a new level of production to the Cary theater scene. Read Lindsey Chester’s review of the show.

Cary Players present And Then There Were None
February 11th at 7:30pm  •  February 12th at 3:00pm
Cary Arts Center
101 Dry Ave.
Cary, NC

Tickets available from Cary Players or at the Cary Arts Center box office.

Art and Music at Page-Walker

Also of note this weekend, Page-Walker Art & History Center in Cary is hosting two unique and exciting events.

On Saturday from 11 AM to noon, join artist LéGrant Taylor to view his new show MLK Jr. –  Dreamfest and Dream of History. It’s part of the community celebration of Black History Month. The event and exhibition are free.

On Sunday at 4 PM, North Carolina Symphony Concertmaster and Violinist Brian Reagan will perform as part of the Friends of Page Walker Winter Concert Series. Tickets are $15.

More Weekend Events

There’s live jazz at UnWine’d on Friday night (downtown Cary), Menchie’s Yogurt has its grand opening on Saturday at the new Waverly Place plus about 25 other things to do this weekend on the CaryCitizen Calendar of Events.

Now get out there!

Story from staff reports. Photo by Sarita.

Cary, NC – Our friends at Carolina Parent run a great Summer Camp & Educational Fair. This year, the fair is on Sunday, February 19, 2012 right here in Cary.

One-Stop Shopping for Camp

Clearly, the best thing about the Summer Camp & Educational Fair is that you can gather a whole lot of info in one afternoon.

Last year, 65 camps and education sumer programs had booths at the fair.

How Would You Like $1000?

We love Carolina Parent – positive news, good information, an asset to the community.

They also run very good events.

At the Sumer Camp fair, you can enter a raffle to win $1000 toward camps and education programs offered at the fair.

They will be other games and prizes as well. Great Outdoor Provision Company will bring a backpack and a variety of camping items. Everyone who attends the fair can take a guess at how much would the full backpack weighs. Closest guess wins the backpack and its contents.

Event Details

Carolina Parent Summer Camp & Educational Fair

Sunday February 19, 2012
Noon – 4:00 PM

Cary Academy
1500 N. Harrison Ave.
Cary, NC

Cost: Free

For more details, visit Carolina Parent.

Editor’s Note: If like knowing about the history of Cary, you’ll enjoy this free program on Tuesday, January 24, from The Friends of Page-Walker:

Where will you find a mural depicting the Town of Cary and its citizens both past and present? Join the Friends of the Page-Walker in welcoming local artist, Val Fox, who will solve this mystery and share her story of creating the “Cary Then and Now” mural.

Val will take us on a journey of the local places and people depicted in the famous mural and share the role each has played in our Town’s history.

This free program is offered as part of the Friends of the Page-Walker’s Historic Preservation Series.

• Preservation Speaker Series: “Who Is That Guy? The Story Behind the Cary Mural”
• Page-Walker Arts & History Center, Main Gallery
• Date: Tuesday, 24 Jan 2012 7:30 PM

More information and online registration: Preservation Speaker Series: “Who Is That Guy? The Story Behind the Cary Mural”

Story from staff reports. Photo by Andy Helsby.

Cary, NC – The dark nights of January prove the perfect time for drama – stage plays, comedy, farce and all manner of theater. Fortunately, we are rich in theater offerings here in Cary, NC. This weekend is no different, with two different original productions treading the boards in town.

Duped

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, FATE presents Duped.

A stay-at-home father recounts the troubled journey he takes in raising his son. Duped is a one-man play about life’s heartbreaks, its sweet lessons, and all the surprises in between.

Starring John Paul Middlesworth. Written and directed by Mark Cornell. Original theater here in Cary.

Duped
FATE Theater
Harrison Point Shopping Center
Cary, NC

January 20 & 21 at 8pm
January 22 at 3pm
$10-15

FATEreservations@gmail.com
919-228-8184

Cary Playwrights’ Forum – Short Works

The 2012 Winter Festival of Short Plays, presented by Cary Playwrights’ Forum, is the kind of thing one might enjoy in New York’s Soho, but it’s right here in Cary.

6 short works – original plays – presented as staged readings by an ensemble cast. It promises to be marvelous fun in the intimate setting of the Marcus Dry Room at Cary Arts Center.

• SIGHT by Don Quiett
• GONDOLA FARE by Phil Lewis
• A VERY BRADY WESTERN by Laura E. Towne 
• INSPIRATION FROM A SPIDER by Catherine Thoits
• OFF THE BEATEN PATH by Nancy Young
• THE TENNESSEE WALTZ by Patti Merz 

Directed by Phil Lewis, Thom Haynes, Mike Rogers, Angela Lowden, Keith Barber, Stuart Jonap.

Starring Alexandra Merz, Griffin Cece, Jack Chapman, Jennifer Howard, Laura Bradford, Paul Yosim, Randy Rime, Elaine Quagliata, Jack Berry, Roger Ehrlich, Julie Tomlin, Marina Queen, Karen Raines, Thom Haynes, Amar Chawla, Lesi Jonap, Rita Dimoulas, Roger Ehrlich, Stephanie Schuft, Nicola Lefler.

2012 Festival of Short Works
Cary Playwrights’ Forum

Friday 1/20  and Saturday 1/21 at 8:00 pm
Marcus Dry Room, Cary Arts Center
101 Dry Av., Cary, NC
Free admission.  (Suggested $10 donation)
Doors open at 7:30

More on the CaryCitizen Calendar

For more events around Cary, check the CaryCitizen Calendar.

Story by Lindsey Chester.

Cary, NC – The Cary Players continue their performances based on movie adaptations with Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None opening February 3 at Cary Arts Center.

And Then There Were None

Mystery lovers are in for a treat this February as Cary Player presents the classic thriller by the quintessential queen of suspense!

Tina Vance directs the full stage production of this literary masterpiece at the beautiful Cary Arts Center in downtown Cary.

In the story, eight strangers are lured to an island off the English coast. Each guest arrives by boat, under the various ideas of why they are traveling to this remote island. Some come for employment, others to meet friends- but all are mistaken.
David Serxner will design the 1930′s era costumes and the set, designed by Glen Vance will capture a mood of a British Isles summer home.

Under the title Ten Little Indians, the book was first  published in the UK in November 1939. The novel has sold over 100 million copies,  making it the world’s best-selling mystery ever, and one of the best-selling books of all time!  It has been adapted into several plays, films, and even a video game.

Show Times & Tickets

Show Times

February 3-5 and 9-12
7:30 pm Thursday,Friday & Saturday
3:00 pm Sunday

Tickets

Adults:  $18
Seniors (55+):  $16
Students:  $16
Groups (20+)  $15 each  (For the group rate, tickets must be purchased at Cary Arts Center box office.)

Individual tickets can be purchased in one of three ways:

• In person at the Cary Arts Center, Mon-Fri (10am-8pm) or Sat (10am-1pm).
• By phone through the Etix Phone Center, 800-514-3849
• Online at CaryPlayers

The performance on Sunday February 12th at 3 pm will be audio described by Arts Access.

Story by Mary Beth Phillips. Photo by James Brandon.

Cary, NC – Patti Zordich did not plan to become an expert on trauma and attachment theory, but after earning her doctorate with a focus on attachment theory and then working with children who had experienced trauma, it all came together.  The fruits of her experience led her to write a book for newly adoptive parents: Gotcha! Welcoming Your Adopted Child Home.

Positive Attachments 

Patti Zordich will share some of her experiences at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 804 High House Road in Cary, on Tuesday, January 17, at 7:00 p.m.  She’ll offer tips to help parents establish positive attachments with their adopted child as well as to facilitate emotional development and minimize behavioral problems.  She’ll share her approach called Cocooning™, an approach that has helped many adoptive families.

Works For All Parents

Much of her message is appropriate for any parent, as she will explore children’s temperaments, and how to help a child manage emotions, but the evening is geared toward those who are considering adoption or have already adopted.  We will also hear from a panel of parents who have adopted children domestically and internationally and parents of foster children.

Dr. Zordich

Dr. Zordich moved to Cary in 2007 and set up her practice, Triangle Psychological Services, in 2008.  She is located at 1125 Kildaire Farm Road, Suite 202.  She works with a variety of clients, including adoptive children and parents, approaching her practice from a faith-based perspective.  One of her focuses is building stronger relationships between parents and children.  Her early professional experience in the Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh doing forensic evaluations to determine termination of parental rights was very sad, she said.  Many times, after spending time with parents to be sure that termination would not be harmful to the child, she would see ways that agencies could have given parents interventions to strengthen relationships.  She would uncover issues that were never addressed.  Many parents had their own attachment problems.

Cocooning as an Alternative

Her method, cocooning, differs from Reactive Attachment Disorder which is talked about in the media these days.  She said it can be harmful to simulate putting the baby back in the womb, or to hold them and force them to make eye contact.  Children who missed having their nurturing needs met as an infant can have those building blocks filled in by just spending gentle time with them, she said.  If the child is not ready, don’t force physical contact, she said.  Let them choose whether or not to sit in your lap for a story.  Most importantly, keep things simple, don’t try to take them to group events with lots of other children, or have big parties to welcome them.

Project Rachel

In her spare time, Patti volunteers with Project Rachel, a post-abortion healing ministry.  She is married and has a 13-year-old son, who she homeschooled until this year.  She will have copies of her books available for signing at the event on Tuesday.

Event Details

Adoption & Parenting Seminar
St. Michael’s Church
804 High House Road
Cary, NC
Tuesday, January 17, at 7:00 p.m.

Light refreshments will also be served at the event.

For more information about the evening, please contact Martina Young at martina.young@kcubes.com or 919-467-8575.

Story and photo by Lindsey Chester
Cary, NC – Cary is rich in the performing arts with many theater, dance and musical productions. But did you know we also have a group that writes original works? They are called Cary Playwrights’ Forum and I spoke with one of the group’s founders, Lydia Sbityakov.

The group started in 2007 after a Cary Players’ sponsored a play writing workshop. When an audition failed to land Lydia a role, she started asking around about interest in a play writing group, as there were none close by. She mentioned this to Laurel Wetsork, whose background included teaching screenwriting in California, and Linda Depo. Together the three formed the Cary Playwrights’ Forum. For the first few years the group was sponsored by the Cary Players, but in 2011 became its own independent group, seeking to file as a 501 (c)3 this year.

Each month they gather to read any new works that folks wish to share. Works are read aloud and members offer critiques. Meetings are held monthly on the 3rd Wednesday, in the Cary Arts Center’s conference room.

All Are Welcome

If you are writing a play, you are welcome to attend. Be prepared for some friendly criticism. There are no costs associated with becoming a member. The group is always on the lookout for actors and directors to help perform the public staged readings, held twice a year in January and June. Lydia explained that “seeing how a play transforms itself when its performed…and taking that sheet of paper onto the stage in front of an audience” are great benefits to the members. Many have never had works performed before, as they all have day jobs and write as a hobby or aspiration.

In fact, the staged reading coming up at the end of January gives several members their first turn at seeing their works performed for an audience. A staged reading is a little different from a full production. This show will take place in the Marcus Dry Room at the Arts Center, without sets. Seasoned actors have auditioned for the roles and have rehearsed to perform each of six short plays. Each one is a complete work, not an excerpt from a larger piece.

Submissions Accepted

Lydia mentioned that for their June show, they will move the performance to the auditorium in the Cary Arts Center. The plan is to have this be a ticketed event. A firm date is not yet set, but the group is currently accepting submissions to be performed. Deadline for submissions is March 1. Submissions must be 5-20 minutes in length and written in standard play format. Here’s the link for more info about how to submit your work.

Filling  a Need

Not only are writers looking for a place to get help with their craft, but Lydia explains area theater groups are beginning to seek them out for their original works. Lydia stated the groups goal is not to become another area theater group. This organizations’ emphasis is on writing.

January Show

The Winter Festival of Short Plays by Cary Playwrights’ Forum will run later this month.  Each play is about 10 minutes long with no intermission. Writer Phil Lewis also directs a work, and director Thom Haynes performs a reading. In this group, members literally perform many roles.

Event Details

Winter Festival of Short Plays
Presented by Cary Playwrights’ Forum
Friday and Saturday, January 20 & 21, 2012 at 8:00 pm
Marcus Dry Room at the Cary Arts Center

The Plays:

• Gondola Fare by Phil Lewis
• Sight by Don Quiett
• A Very Bad Western by Laura E. Towne
• Inspiration From A Spider by Catherine Thoits
• Off the Beaten Path by Nancy Young
• The Tennessee Waltz by Patti Merz

This is not a ticketed event, a $10 donation is suggested.

Story by Leslie Huffman. Photo by Calamity Sal.

Cary, NC – Tuesday evening, December 20, 2011, beginning at 4 p.m. come to the Cary Arts Center to participate in the Jewish Cultural Festival. This event takes place on the first night of Hanukah, celebrating the Jewish Festival of Lights.

The Town of Cary is partnering with the Chabad of Cary, The Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary and Beth Shalom to host the first Jewish Cultural Festival in Cary. All citizens are welcome to join in the festivities.

“I am glad we have this Festival,” says Rabbi Ariel Edery of Beth Shalom Synagogue. “It is great for our community to celebrate our common values and ideals, but also to honor and cherish the richness of the variety of our different cultures, traditions, ethnic heritages and religious beliefs.”

Rabbi Edery continued, “Interestingly, this what the Hanukah holiday is actually about. When we remember the Maccabbees’ struggle to practice their religion in freedom, and light the candles of the Menorah, we affirm both our belief in the American value of freedom of religion, and in appreciating how our community is made stronger and richer by a plurality of traditions being kept and honored, and – as we do here – coexisting, cooperating, and sharing.”

Fun, Unique, & Educational Activities

Enjoy traditional Jewish foods, crafts and hands-on activities for children, entertainment, educational displays and the lighting of a nine-foot Menorah!

• Artistic Menorah and dreidel displays
• Candle dipping
• Clay dreidel making
• Make your own menorah
• Olive oil pressing
• Educational displays

Performances Times

• 4:30 p.m.    Jewish / Israeli Dance
• 4:45 p.m.    Olive Oil Pressing Demonstration
• 5 p.m.        Beth Shalom Children’s Choir & Play
• 5:30 p.m.    Jewish / Israeli Dance
• 5:45 p.m.    Beth Shalom Singers
• 6 p.m.        The Only One Club – Storytelling & puppetry by Andrea & Rabbi Ariel Edery
• 6:45 p.m.    Lighting of the Menorah
• 7:30 p.m.   Performance by nationally known musician Dan Nichols.

Canned Food Collection & Art Displays

Marvel at a menorah constructed out of donated canned goods. Donations will be accepted at the Cary Arts Center from December 5 – 19th.  Donations not only helps create the “Can-struction Menorah”, but also supports those in need in the community. All canned food donations will go to Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, who will then distribute donations to local shelters and pantries.

Cornell Box Art Displays by the Beth Or 3rd and 4th graders are unique shadow boxes modeled after the artist Joseph Cornell. These shadow boxes reflect Jewish and personal themes from their daily lives.

Happy Hanukah!

How Many Ways Can You Spell Hanukah?

Hanukah is a Hebrew word, so there is no correct (or incorrect) English spelling.

Chanukah, Hanukkah, Chanuka, Channukah, Chanuka,Hanuka, Hannukkah – they are all the Jewish Festival of Lights.

Story by Matt Young. Photos courtesy of the Ritter Family.

Cary, NC – One of Cary’s most unique traditions is the Lochmere Christmas Flotilla, started by Former Mayor Harold Ritter in 2005. It’s this Sunday night and we’ll tell you where to go to watch.

Former Mayor Launches a Tradition

Mayor Ritter (served Cary from 1983 – 1987) and his wife Gerry told me about starting the Lochmere Christmas Flotilla in 2005. “It started with two boats and a canoe with a flashlight,” the former Mayor quipped.

Now, it’s a big event with dozens of boats and hundreds of spectators.

There will be lots of sailboats, jon boats, pontoon party boats and even full size skiffs with lots of beautiful lights.

The flotilla (led by the Ritters’ grandchildren, I am told) sing carols as the boats make the voyage around both sides of the lake. Neighbors come and watch from docks all around the lake.

Join the Flotilla

If you’ve got a boat on Lake Lochmere and want to join the flotilla, decorate your vessel and assemble at the Ritter’s dock around 5:15 pm.

Mayor Ritter has even designed a schematic for running Christmas lights on your boat using a car battery and a power inverter. If you’re in need of advice, the flyer says “Ask the Pro – Call Harold Ritter, Flotilla organizer and handyman at 919-851-5444. You have questions, he has answers.”

Event Details for Spectators

Lochmere Christmas Flotilla
Sunday, December 18, 2011
6:00-8:00 PM

Spectators can watch from the dam over Lake Lochmere on Lochmere Drive (Map). Parking may be tight – try Lochmere Swim & Tennis just up the road. Bring some folding chairs, blankets and a thermos of hot chocolate. Or whatever floats your boat.

The CaryCitizen Calendar of Events is edited by Lindsey Chester. Photo by Hal Goodtree.

Cary, NC – The holiday spirit is in full swing this weekend in Cary with a stocking stuffed full of events on the CaryCitizen Calendar.

Thursday December 15

Business of Women Luncheon – Presented by the Cary Chamber of Commerce at Prestonwood Country Club, 12-1:30 pm. Members $15, non-members $20. More info.

Champagne & Cavier – Umstead Hotel 6-8 PM. $65 pp. Call (919) 447-4200.

African American Book Club – Barnes & Noble on Maynard, 7-8 pm. Free.

Friday December 16

International Ballet Academy Holiday Suite – Featuring excerpts from the Nutcracker and Raymonda. Cary Academy, Friday & Saturday. $12 adults, $10 kids. Call (919) 303-7200.

Cary Ballet Company Very Cary Christmas – Cary Arts Center, Friday & Saturday. Tickets: $15 Adults, $12 Children. For more, (919) 481-6509 or www. caryballetconservatory.com. 

Saturday December 17

Auditions for Briar Patch Youth Improv – F.A.T.E. Free Association Theatre is looking for three new members of their youth troupe. Ages 10 and up. Auditions are from 1-4 pm and by registration only. To register, please email FATEinfo@gmail.com.

IBA Holiday Suite – see above. Two shows on Saturday.

CBC Very Cary Christmas – see above. Two shows on Saturday.

Sunday December 18

Kings Tavern Madrigal at Page Walker – It’s a Renaissance holiday with music, wit, costumes and fun. 4-6 pm. Presented by The Friends of Page Walker. Tickets $15. Purchase tickets online at eTix.com, by phone at 1-800-514.3849 or at the Cary Arts Center box office.

Lochmere Christmas Flotilla – It’s a parade of boats, decorated for Christmas, circling the lake and singing Christmas carols. Spectators can watch from Lake Lochmere dam. 6-8 pm. Free.

More Weekend Fun in Cary

Visit the CaryCitizen Calendar of Events.