March Beat Rocks!

March Beat Rocks! Local Venues Ramp up for Spring Kick Off Story by Ami Brown Celebrate March, St. Patrick’s Day and the return of Spring by checking out these local performances. Whatever age, genre or style... there is something for everyone in the family this month. The Cape Fear Stage at the Wilson Center offers a variety of entertainment, starting their 2018 season with a bang with the March 2nd Midtown Men! And don’t miss Daughtry (one of my favorites) and local duo - The Kennedy’s. And if musical theatre is your preferred night out, Little Brunswick Theatre presents “Me and My Girl” - a show not to miss.

Cape Fear Stage presents The Midtown Men – 4 Stars from the Original Cast of Jersey Boys Friday March 2, 2018 Showtime: 7:30pm Doors: 6:30pm They took Broadway by storm in one of the biggest hits of all-time. Now on their 7th national tour, THE MIDTOWN MEN are bringing their magic to audiences everywhere, singing their favorite “Sixties Hits” from The Beatles, The Rascals, The Turtles, Motown, The Four Seasons and more. This sensational production reunites Four Stars from the Original Broadway Cast of Jersey Boys. Tony Award winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony Award nominee J. Robert Spencer star in this one-of-a-kind concert experience celebrating the music that defined the ’60s. These talented entertainers shared the Broadway stage for over a thousand performances in the mega-hit Jersey Boys. Now, as The Midtown Men, they’ve thrilled crowds on concert stages across the US, Canada and in Beijing, performing over 600 shows and singing with 31 major symphony orchestras. They’ve delighted television audiences on “The Today Show”, “Good Morning America,” “Access Hollywood,” “Katie,” and “The Chew.” The Men recently released their first radio single, “All Alone on Christmas,” written and produced by rock icon and Sopranos and Lilyhammer star Steven Van Zandt and backed by Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. They were honored to perform the song at the White House for the National Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington DC. The group has released two successful public television concert specials: The Midtown Men Live in Concert, taped at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s majestic Prudential Hall, and Meet the Midtown Men, which goes behind the songs to get an inside, personal look at the Men and their music. Both are currently airing in markets nationally. Their recent show at NYC’s famed Beacon Theater was a sellout smash and featured guest stars Shirley Alston Reeves from the Shirelles, La La Brooks from The Crystals, Gene Cornish from The Rascals and Petula Clark, who had 3000 people up on their feet for “Downtown.” Don’t miss this electrifying and soulful new production with its top-shelf choreography, incredible vocal performances and legendary onstage chemistry. Not a Performance Of, Not Affiliated With the Show Jersey Boys. Approx. Run Time: 90 min., w/ intermission. Each person, regardless of age. must have a ticket.

New Hanover County Schools present Best Foot Forward 2018 Saturday March 10, 2018 Showtime: 2:00pm Doors: 1:00pm Saturday March 10, 2018 Showtime: 6:00pm Doors: 5:00pm New Hanover County Schools Presents Best Foot Forward: An annual presentation of artistic excellence featuring elementary, middle and high school students. Acting, dancing, singing, and playing instruments to musical selections from across the decades, over 400 students will impress you with their performance abilities. Doors open 45 min. prior to showtime, Preshow begins 30 minutes prior to showtime. **Each person, regardless of age, must have a ticket. Lap seating is strongly discouraged, however we do have booster seats for your young children.

Cape Fear Stage presents Daughtry Thursday, March 15, 2018 Showtime: 7:30pm Doors: 6:30pm Tickets for this performance range $46 – $88 + taxes & fees* As the frontman for the band bearing his name, Chris Daughtry has become one of the most visible and consistent rock & roll torchbearers of the 21st Century. Since rising to prominence on the fifth season of American Idol, he has released four albums, all of which reached the Billboard Top Ten and have combined sales over 8 million copies in the U.S. Ten years after launching with a massive splash, Chris Daughtry claims that he and the band have grown the most on stage, and that it’s altered his whole sense of his work. “When we first came out, I’d only known what I’d seen,” he says. “I didn’t know how to be vulnerable, with no pretense. Now it’s walk onstage and, especially in our acoustic shows, just be flat-out honest and open. It’s really helped me realize that’s actually what fans want—they want 100 percent honesty and feeling like they got to know you better.”

Cape Fear Stage presents HOU YING: TU TU Friday March 23, 2018 Showtime: 7:30pm Doors: 6:30pm Hou Ying, the company’s artistic director, was trained in traditional Chinese classical dance, folk dance, ballet, traditional Chinese opera, and martial arts. In the United States, she also studied dance techniques from dance masters such as Martha Graham, Jose Limon, Merce Cunningham and Trisha Brown. Hou Ying has devoted her life to exploring how to integrate the eastern rhythm and spirit that includes the natural movement of the body with the western post-modern dance techniques that involve the deconstruction of the body. As a result, she has formed a unique and highly recognizable dance form — where the idea of body-mind holism is the key to showing how consciousness drives the mind, the mind in turn drives the body and the body reflects the mind. The piece, Tu Tu, de-constructs the way the body moves, by using release techniques and four dimensional spatial recognition to continually explore and investigate how physical movement is influenced by time and space.

Cape Fear Stage presents Rockin’ Road to Dublin Monday, March 26, 2018 Showtime: 7:30pm Doors: 6:30pm Rockin’ Road to Dublin is the new sensation changing the Irish Dance world. A fusion of rock and Irish dance, Rockin’ Road combines the best of both worlds to thrust Irish Dance back into the spotlight. This stylish, can’t-miss spectacle is the perfect balance between concert and stage show!

“Rockin’ Road to Dublin is that all-important one-two punch of style and mastery… the cast exudes a fabulous mix of charisma and personality. However, the fun vibe is solidly backed by the highly original choreography and technical mastery of every performer onstage; world-class, although this crew is making it all look easy. Scott and Chris have made some magic here.” – Irish Dancing Magazine

Little Brunswick Theatre Me and My Girl March 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 7:30 PM March 18 & 25, 3:00 PM Director: Debbie Skillman, Choreographer: Bev Veenker The show revolves around an unapologetically unrefined cockney gentleman named Bill who learns that he is the 14th heir to the Earl of Hareford. However, he will only receive his inheritance if Sir John and the Duchess approve of him. The Duchess feels that with a little grooming, Bill will be suitable to inherit the title – and the money. However, she insists that Bill break up with his cockney girlfriend, Sally. Bill refuses to accept the title if he cannot keep Sally as his girl. Eventually, Sally is groomed to become more lady-like. Thus, Bill is allowed to inherit the title and keep his girl. - Brunswick Little Theatre. 8068 River Road Southeast, Southport,

Listen Up Brunswick: Sunday, March 11 The Kennedy’s www.kennedysmusic.com Doors 7pm / Show 7:30pm

Odell Williamson Since 2011, “The Heart Behind The Music” has been bringing to the stage some of the world’s best singers and songwriters who share the meaning and...music behind their hit songs. This show provides an up close and personal insight into some of the greatest music ever written, and performances by some of the music industry’s most talented musicians. Artists appearing on this show are Teddy Gentry of Alabama, John Berry, Linda Davis, Lenny LeBlanc and Nadine from “Larry’s Country Diner’ on RFD-TV Saturday, March 10, 2018 7:00 PM

Odell Williamson

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET The new smash-hit musical inspired by the famed recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time. On December 4, 1956, these four young musicians gathered at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions ever. MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life, featuring a score of rock hits including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “That’s All Right,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Walk the Line,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Matchbox,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Hound Dog” and more. This thrilling musical brings you inside the recording studio with four major talents who came together as a red-hot rock ‘n’ roll band for one unforgettable night. Don’t miss your chance to be a fly on the wall of fame... at MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET! Friday, March 30, 2018, 7:00 PM