Category Archives: Events

CJ Wright as Michael Jackson (center) w/the Jackson 5 “Motown the Musical” First National Tour
(Photo by Joan Marcus)

My wife and I have seen a lot of wonderful shows at the Durham Performing Arts Center but we both agree this week that “Motown the Musical” has to be one of our favorites. The music and performers were all top notch and the show literally had people dancing in their seats throughout the evening. The touring production is performing at DPAC this week through Sunday and I HIGHLY recommend you go see the show before it leaves town.

The show is absolutely packed with songs with over 40 hits from the Motown Era spanning the 1960’s through the 80’s. The story follows the 25 year journey of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s from his early years as a struggling boxer to becoming the music mogul who launched Motown Records and the music careers of such icons as Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, and The Temptations. It is virtually a non-stop journey through all of your favorite Motown hits while educating the audience along the way.

Chester Gregory is fantastic embodying the spirit of Motown founder Berry Gordy. He has to work very hard throughout the evening as he appears in almost every scene and sings so many times I lost count, but each time is an absolute treat. Gregory does a nice job capturing the drive of Gordy and his struggle to make Motown Records a success and keep the family of singers together. He is equally convincing in later scenes as he falls into despair and anger as the stars he created begin to abandon him and the label to move on with their careers and more lucrative music contracts elsewhere.

Chester Gregory (Berry Gordy) and Allison Semmes (Diana Ross) “Motown the Musical” First National Tour
(Photo by Joan Marcus)

Allison Semmes, is spectacular as Diana Ross, Gordy’s love interest. Her singing was beautiful and was not merely a mimicry of the iconic Ross. Instead she brought some of her own personality to the role and truly made it her own in a special way.  She is fantastic throughout and truly shines when she interacts with the audience during the “Reach Out and Touch” number. The relationship between Ross and Gordy becomes the more prominent them in the second act, but it is a perfect vehicle for capturing the overall arc of Motown’s evolution and transformation over time.

While the “Motown” ensemble as a whole is impressive throughout, there are few notable standout moments. Like seeing the spirit of the Jackson 5 captured on stage and the amazing performance given by North Carolina’s Own Malcolm Armwood as Marvin Gaye,  exhibiting a rebellious streak as Gaye sometimes finds himself in conflict with his boss. Armwood’s rendition of “What’s Going On” was one of the biggest crowd pleasers of the night.

The Temptations “Motown the Musical” First National Tour”
/i>(Photo by Joan Marcus)

It was striking that after all these years the message of that popular song is maybe even more relevant today than ever. While most of the show is a celebration of the music of Motown, there are a few more serious moments that provide an emotional reminder of the challenges and discrimination that had to be overcome during the rise of Motown and the success of its singers in a world that was not always as accepting of them as people as they were of their music.

It really is hard to capture just how much fun this show was. There were literally people in the seats next to me dancing and clapping along to the songs all night long. I truly loved seeing these talented performers recreate the hits of the Motown icons, and a learned quite a bit about how the Motown movement came to be and the industrious spirit of Berry Gordy and its founding pioneers that created such a wonderful musical family that has stood the test of time.

“Motown the Musical” has performances at DPAC through Sunday, August 6th. For tickets visit https://www.dpacnc.com/events/detail/motown-2017.

The Sir Walter Miler is this Friday at Meredith College

Breaking the 4 minute mile barrier is amazing accomplishment in the running world and this Friday you can watch some of the best local and national elite runners attempt this incredible feat.  The public is welcome to watch these amazing runners take on the speed challenge at the 2017 Sir Walter Miler this Friday, August 4th at the Meredith College track.

Adding to the fun racing atmosphere Friday night there will also be a pre and post race party  at Raleigh Brewing Company featuring several NC beers on sale to help raise money for the East Coast Greenway Alliance.  The evening will also include a local run club relay and the the Raleigh “Denim Mile” through a partnership with Citius Mag and Raleigh Denim, where brave runners will wear blue jeans instead of your typical running shorts. The winner of the Denim Mile will earn eternal glory and take home a $100 prize.

2105 Sir Walter Miler 
(Photo Courtesy Cheryl Treworgy)

This event is FREE and open to the public but it would great to RSVP on Facebook and share with your friends to help spread the word so the visiting athletes can see just how much the Triangle community supports them. One of the truly special things about this event is the community vibe. It’s the only track event I’ve ever been to where spectators can cheer on the runners from right alongside the track itself. It adds an incredible energy to the event!

The races don’t start until 8:15pm so it is a great event to catch after hitting up First Friday in downtown Raleigh. If you would like to learn more about the Elite runners their Bios are located here. For updates and results be sure to follow Sir Walter Miler on facebook, twitter, and Instagram and share your photos using the hashtag #SirWalterMiler. See you on Friday!

Sir Walter Miler 2017 Schedule (Friday, August 4th)

• 6pm – Pre-Race Party at Raleigh Brewing Company
• 8:15pm – Citius Mag presents the Raleigh Denim Mile
• 8:30pm – Run Club 4X400 Relay
• 8:45pm – Fans can enter the track area
• 9:00pm – National Anthem
• 9:05pm – Women’s Elite Mile
• 9:20pm – Men’s Elite Mile

Following the last race there will be an awards ceremony at 9:30pm at Meredith College Track followed by post-party at Raleigh Brewing Company.

For more race day info and parking details visit the official Sir Walter Miler website.

Below are my top picks for the last weekend in July. While you are out and about I also recommend stopping by Sola Coffee or Brew Coffee Bar for an Affogato (espresso poured over ice cream). It is one of my favorite summertime coffee treats. While I am on the topic of coffee there is also a new coffee shop in downtown Garner called Full Bloom Coffee Roasters that I keep hearing good things about. Happy Exploring!

Friday – July 28th

Berlin Brothers at Mystery Brewing in Hillsborough
The Berlin Brothers are bringing their NINE world-famous singing sisters to Mystery Brewing! Opening the show is Pittsburgh finest surfrock band – The Maverick Hodads! The Berlin Sisters include: Shea Broussard Juliana Finch Ally Johnson Jess Klein Anastasia Maddox Dana Marks Tonya Lamm Alexandra Valladares Katharine Whalen PS. This will be the last chance to see The Berlin Brothers until the Christmas show on DEC 23rd! So don’t miss this one! Music starts at 8pm

Saturday – July 29th

Bull Moon Ride in Durham
Bull Moon is an event that benefits Habitat of Humanity of Durham, NC. The 12 mile bike ride starts at 7:30pm and the 5k run starts at 7:45pm. Bikers and Runners can both enjoy the super after party. Find more information at www.BullMoon.org.

Sunday – July 30th

Cary Food Truck Rodeo
Sunday from 12:30-5pm along Academy Street next to Cary’s new Downtown Park. Check out 30 of your favorite food trucks, along with local beer and wine vendors, will line the street along with seating areas and music from local performers throughout the day. View a list of trucks here.

Grilled Cheese Cook-Off

The Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market’s annual celebration of all things cheese returns this Wednesday, July 26th. The highlight of the day is the grilled cheese competition were local chefs go head to head creating and sampling their own grilled cheese masterpieces. Participating restaurants in the grilled cheese competition this year include:

Buku raleigh
Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar
Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen
State of Beer NC
Linus and Pepper’s

The competition and sampling will last from 11:30-1:30pm, samples are available until supplies run out. The event is free but donations are accepted. While you’re there be sure to also shop around the market and visit all of the other great local vendors to pick up some fresh produce and baked goods.

Downtown Raleigh Farmers Market
City Plaza (Fayetteville Street) in Downtown Raleigh
Wednesdays from April 19th until October 11th from 11am-2pm.

Chester Gregory as Berry Gordy (center right) and cast of “Motown the Musical”
(photo by Joan Marcus)

On Tuesday, August 1st “Motown The Musical” opens at DPAC with shows running through Sunday August 6th. Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, this musical tells the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from a former featherweight boxer drawn to Detroit to work in the auto industry, to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of such icons as Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and many more.

The show features more than 40 classic hits such as “My Girl” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” and explores how the whole Motown family fought against the odds to create the soundtrack of change in America.

The tour guide on this journey exploring the Motor City of the late 1960s and ’70s, and the show’s principal character, is Berry Gordy (played by Chester Gregory), the founder of Motown Records. I recently had the chance to speak to Gregory by phone about what it is like to play the this icon of Motown.

Chester Gregory (Berry Gordy) & Allison Semmes (Dianna Ross) in “Motown the Musical”
(photo by Joan Marcus)

Chester Gregory has always been a fan of the music of Motown and the artists who got their break and eventually achieved stardom by way of the famous record company. Previous to joining Motown, Gregory gained a lot of attention and praise  for his role as Jackie Wilson in “The Jackie Wilson Story”. He also performs as a recording artist by the name of Chess, and has starred in multiple shows on Broadway and in in touring productions such as “Sister Act,” “Hairspray,” “Shrek,” and “Dreamgirls”.

“Having played Jackie Wilson, and now having the opportunity to play Berry Gordy, the founder of the Motown record label is an amazing opportunity,” says Gregory. Chester also once performed for Michael Jackson. “MJ was very influential in the development of my career. He changed the face of pop culture. Now getting the chance to play Gordy, who wrote songs for Jackie Wilson, who in turn influenced MJ, well it sort of feels a little like things coming full circle for me in terms of the characters I play”.

When asked how the show is different from other musicals, Gregory explains it this way – “We’ve  all either heard of or been to other shows that have been inspired by Motown-like stories, but this is how it all started. Most importantly this is the story as written by the man himself, Berry Gordy, who put it all together.”

Gregory hopes the show will give audiences an intro a glimpse of the interesting backstories behind their favorite Motown tunes and transport them back in time to moments shaped by the music performed on stage. “What I hope they take away is not only celebrating Motown’s legacy, but learning more about how it all came together and the man who was the visionary behind it all.”

“Motown the Musical” opens at DPAC Tuesday, August 1st with performances through Sunday, August 6th. For tickets visit https://www.dpacnc.com/events/detail/motown-2017.