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A Quarter of a Century
Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance Artistic Director Celebrates 25 Years
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A QUARTER OF A CENTURY
Publisher CHARLES A. WOMACK III publisher@yesweekly.com EDITORIAL Editor CHANEL R. DAVIS
Lizz Wright
Leela James
THURSDAY, OCT. 8 @ 7:30 P.M.
SATURDAY, OCT. 24 @ 7:30 P.M.
Lizz Wright is one of the great modern American singers with an illustrious 20-year career transcending social divides with her offer of love and deep sense of humanity. Wright culls inspiration from her Southern upbringing in Georgia where she was the musical director of a small church where her father was the pastor. Soon she would traverse the Great American Songbook on her path to becoming a beloved international treasure.
With a voice that’s raw, powerful, and unmistakably soul-stirring, Leela James has carved out a singular space in music where classic soul meets contemporary R&B. Since her breakout debut “A Change Is Gonna Come” in 2005, Leela has earned a reputation for blending deep, emotive storytelling with gritty vocals and timeless grooves.
2026-27 FALL SEASON
Nov. 7 Nov. 14 Dec. 14 Dec. 18-20 Jan. 23 Feb. 18 Apr. 22 May 8
Ranky Tanky & Lisa Fischer Rocky in Concert Chris Thile and Aoife O’ Donovan The Nutcracker Improvised Shakespeare Company Rioult Dance Stanley Clarke & Hiromi Eliane Elias
Acts and dates subject to change. For a full line up of events, and up to date news, visit our website.
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Discover the Thrill. VISIT: HighPointTheatre.com for more information | FOR TICKETS CALL: 336-887-3001
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To kick off its indoor concert season, Salem Band turns back the clock 50 years for “1976: A MUSICAL RETROSPECTIVE,” which will be presented at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Hanes Auditorium, Elberson Fine Arts Center, 412 Rams Drive, Winston-Salem. Admission is free. 4 DreamWorks Animation’s “FORGOTTEN ISLAND,” written and co-directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado (who earlier made 2022’s Oscarnominated “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”), is a flip, hip celebration of Filipino folklore and the bonds of friendship. 8 In 2001, Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance asked guest director JAMIE LAWSON to become its artistic director, backstage on a production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” he was directing. 11 Brevard Music Center is thrilled to invite audiences to the season opening of the 2026-27 PARKER CONCERT HALL SERIES with the radiant Stile Antico on Sunday, Oct.18, 2026, at 3 p.m. in Parker Concert Hall. 11 “LIVE MUSIC FOR THE SOUL,” a special afternoon of live music featuring Greensboro vocalist Nicole Smith, guitarist Michael “Blind-Dog” Gatewood and violinist Marta Richardson will take place on Sunday, Oct. 4, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Grapes & Grains Tavern at Revolution Mill, 2001 Yanceyville Street. 12 On Sept. 15, Greensboro City Council voted unanimously to award a $700,000 contract to Patrick Mincey, Stephen Bell, and Chad Rhoades, private attorneys assisting the city’s legal challenge to the N.C. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ).
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Salem Band celebrates the spirit of 1976
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BY MARK BURGER
o kick off its indoor concert season, Salem Band turns back the clock 50 years for “1976: A Musical Retrospective,” which will be presented at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Hanes Auditorium, Elberson Fine Arts Center, 412 Rams Drive, Winston-Salem. Admission is free. The year was 1976. It was the Bicentennial, the 200th birthday of the United States. Jimmy Carter would be elected president in November. The Olympic Games were a sensation. America’s involvement in Vietnam had ended the year before, and the disco phenomenon was on the horizon. The big movies that year included “Rocky,” “All the President’s Men,” “Taxi Driver,” “Network,” “The Omen,” “A Star is Born,” “The Bad News Bears,” and the massively hyped Dino De Laurentiis remake of “King Kong.” The concert features a encompasses a unique musical genres, including disco, jazz, musical theater, cinema, and rock ‘n’ roll, boasting such memorable ‘70s selections as “A Fifth of Beethoven,” “Saturday Night Fever” (which was actually released in 1977, but no matter), “Nadia’s Theme” (the theme song to the CBS soap opera “The Young and the Restless,” but which later became inextricably associated with Olympic gymnast Nadia Comaneci), songs from the Broadway smashes “Evita” and “A Chorus Line,” ABBA, Elton John, “Gonna Fly Now” (the Oscar-nominated theme song from “Rocky”), and many others. Salem Band soloists for this event are principal saxophonist Sara Emery playing “Evergreen” (the Oscar-winning “Love Theme from ‘A Star is Born’”) and trumpeter Alex Conrad, playing the flugel horn on “Feels So Good” (Chuck Mangione’s hit jazz single). Attendees are encouraged to don their favorite disco-era duds and be ready to boogie the afternoon away. “The fall concert is always more ‘pops’oriented, so the celebration theme works well with music from 1976,” explained Dr. Eileen Young, Salem Band music director. “Something I try to do at most of our concerts is relay stories, background, or history, and this time I am taking anecdotes from players and fans about their cherished memories of the 1976 WWW.YESWEEKLY.COM
Bicentennial and its celebratory events. So far, I have several touching stories to relay — some from our older players who lived it, and some from our younger players about their parents’/grandparents’ experiences. One of our younger players told me last year that he had recently discovered Chuck Mangione’s music and asked if Salem Band could ever play something by him. That immediately set my creative wheels in motion, and that’s how we ended up with a 1976/Bicentennial-theme concert, built around ‘Feels So Good!’ This is one of my favorite band collaborations — something that sets us apart from the professional ensembles in town. “I try hard to choose programs that challenge the players but also engage the audience,” she observed. “I figure plenty of our fans will have been part of the Bicentennial, and our players always enjoy performing musical theater, jazz, and even disco — a good mix of those are part of this program. Preparation so far has been really fun for all of us.” Like all of Salem Band’s concerts, the selections are designed to highlight the versatility of its members, shifting from one musical genre to another (and back again), thereby providing a unique concert experience that’s as enjoyable for the performers as the audience. “During this current anniversary, I think many of us are looking back on 1976 as a time of national unity and celebration — it was a colorful time for music, fashion, and dance. I was 12 years old in 1976, and it was a fun time to be a kid! “We’re looking forward to playing for a big audience, and this program has something musically for everyone,”
Young said. “While other ensembles around here seem to struggle with their identities and community outreach, a community concert band like Salem Band holds steady in delivering quality music — for that reason, I refer to us as a community concert band — while still entertaining our audiences, challenging
our fine musicians, and bringing both together with music and stories, all via free concerts.” Salem Band, the oldest, continuous mixed-wind ensemble in the nation, was established in 1771 and celebrated its 250th anniversary during the 2021-’22 academic year. All concerts are free and open to the public. “Salem Band works hard on every concer t series, and our musicians are invested in the organization because they want to play, they are attached to the band community, and they have input into programming and concert themes. It remains a joy to work with these musicians — the highlight of my job as conductor.” For more information, call 336-413-2180 or visit https://salemband.org/, or follow Salem Band on Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/SalemBandFan/. ! See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies.
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‘Forgotten Island’ is a romp to remember BY MARK BURGER
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reamWorks Animation’s “Forgotten Island,” written and co-directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado (who earlier made 2022’s Oscar-nominated “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”), is a flip, hip celebration of Filipino folklore and the bonds of friendship. The bouncy narrative traces the trajectory of Jo (voiced by Kailey Crawford) and Raissa (voiced by newcomer Kayla Teruel), who meet as schoolmates while cooling their heels outside the principal’s office. Jo is brash, Raissa is bookish — but they quickly bond over Jo’s enthusiasm for the folktales told to her by her beloved grandmother Lola (voiced by Dolly de Leon) regarding the mystical realm of Nakali. Years later, following Lola’s death, Jo and Raissa (now voiced by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano, respectively) remain steadfast pals, but when Raissa is accepted to Caltech, Jo is bereft, facing an uncertain future without her friend by her side. Those cherished stories about Nakali now seem insignificant remnants of a shared past that is quickly fading. On their last night together, Jo discovers the magical sand dollar that provides them with passage to Nakali, and impetuously they proceed to embark on the proverbial adventure of a lifetime, one that could either dash their friendship altogether or make it infinitely stronger. (No points for guessing which.) The island of Nakali is populated by a menagerie of strange but lovable creatures and demons, some of which thrive on the memories of others — hence its reputation as a “forgotten” island. No sooner have Jo and Raissa arrived than they realize they’ve misplaced the sand dollar and are therefore unable to return to the real world. Not only must they face various perils, but they must also rediscover the childhood wonder that brought them together — and now to Nakali. Crawford and Mercado have crafted the quintessential fairy tale in “Forgot-
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ten Island,” albeit one with a contemporary sensibility and attitude. One of the nicest aspects is that Mercado and several cast members are of Philippine descent, lending the proceedings a measure of respect and cultural authenticity, which is neatly balanced with an appealing irreverence. The pacing is so breathless that some nuances, such as they are, get lost in the shuffle. There is also a plethora of characters to keep track of, and for the same reason some of them don’t have much opportunity — or time — to really be established. That probably won’t matter to the film’s intended audience, which will likely be so enchanted by the dazzling effects work as not to care. The actors bring energy to their roles, with Jenny Slate, Dave Franco, Manny Jacinto, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng, Kevin McCann, and Lea Salonga rounding out the star-studded voice-over line-up. “Forgotten Island” may not rank among the pantheon of classic animated features, but it hardly matters. This is an enjoyable, entertaining way to spend two hours, basking in the friendly vibes and upbeat messages the film has to offer while reveling in the visual panache. It’s good fun for all ages. ! See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies. © 2026, Mark Burger.
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[VIDEO VAULT] BY MARK BURGER
“ANGELIQUE”: COMPLETE FIVE FILM COLLECTION (Kino Lorber Studio Classics): The best-selling 1956 novel “Angelique: Marquise des Anges” by Anne and Serge Golon (and its followups) inspired this popular big-screen period franchise pairing leading lady Michele Mercier (as the titular character) with screenwriter/director Bernard Borderie: 1964’s “Angelique,” co-starring Robert Hossein and Jean Rochefort; 1965’s “Angelique: The Road to Versailles” (originally titled “Merveilleuse Angelique” and also released as “Marvelous Angelique”) co-starring Rochefort and Jean-Louis Trintignant; 1966’s “Angelique and the King” (originally titled “Angelique et le Roy”), with Rochefort and Hossein encoring; 1967’s “Untamable Angelique” (originally titled “Indomptable Angelique”), again with Hossein; and 1968’s “Angelique and the Sultan” (originally titled “Angelique et le Sultan”), again with Hossein. The threedisc Blu-ray selection retails for $79.95. Each film is in French with English subtitles, bonus features include audio commentary for the first, second, and fourth films. “THE BORROWERS” (Mill Creek Entertainment/Alliance Entertainment): Peter Hewitt directed this award-winning but underwhelming 1997 adaptation of Mary Norton’s classic 1952 children’s novel about a four-inch family whose existence is threatened by crooked lawyer John Goodman, with Bradley Pierce as the boy who helps them, with Jim Broadbent, Celia Imrie, Tom Felton (in his feature debut), and Flora Newbigin (in her feature debut) as the diminutive Clock family, as well as Hugh Laurie, Mark Williams, and Ruby Wax in supporting roles. Goodman is an appealingly antic villain, and the special effects are great, but the basic storyline is hokey and predictable — although this does have its devotees. The “Retro VHS” Blu-ray retails for $27.99. Rated PG. “CATCH A FIRE” (Kino Lorber Studio Classics): The Blu-ray bow ($29.95 retail) of director Phillip Noyce’s awardwinning 2006 political thriller set in ‘80s Apartheid-era South Africa, pitting Derek Luke as an innocent man radicalized when he is unjustly accused of crimes by hard-nosed colonel Tim Robbins, leading to further betrayal and violence. Bolstered by location shooting, this is WWW.YESWEEKLY.COM
comedy/thriller depicting a botched Christmas-weekend drug deal from three different perspectives, boasting a starstudded ensemble cast including Sarah Polley, Katie Holmes, Timothy Olyphant, Taye Diggs, Scott Wolf, William Fichtner, Jane Krakowski, Jay Mohr, Desmond Askew, Breckin Meyer, J.E. Feeeman, James Duval, and Melissa McCarthy (in her feature debut). The film’s format intentionally echoes Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” (1994) and there are some bright, inspired moments, but ultimately parts are greater than the whole. Still, it’s worth a look and has a big following. Bonus features include audio commentaries, collectible booklet, retrospective interviews, vintage featurette, deleted scenes, screenwriter John August’s 1998 short film “God” (with audio commentary), theatrical trailer, image gallery, and more. Rated R.
DVD PICK OF THE WEEK: “THE FIRST DEADLY SIN” (Vinegar Syndrome Labs) The big news about director Brian G. Hutton’s moody, melancholy 1980 adaptation of the best-selling 1973 Lawrence Sanders novel was that it marked the return of Frank Sinatra to the big-screen after a 10-year absence. Sinatra (also an executive producer) plays Edward X. Delaney, a veteran New York homicide detective nearing retirement. Although preoccupied with his beloved wife Barbara (Faye Dunaway), languishing in a hospital with a kidney disorder, Delaney investigates a brutal murder in Manhattan and begins to suspect a serial killer is at large. The killer is Daniel Blank (David Dukes), the quintessential Yuppie: Handsome, affluent, comfortably ensconced in a luxurious highrise, and completely unhinged — a precursor to Bret Easton Ellis’ best-selling 1991 novel “American Psycho.” Unlike Sanders’ novel, in which Barbara actively assisted Delaney’s investigation, here it falls to Brenda Vaccaro and Martin Gabel, both in fine form — the former as the widow of one of Blank’s victims and the latter (in his final feature) as the slightly dotty but diligent arms curator of the Metropolitan Museum, who ascertains the specific weapon Blank uses in his crimes. They bring some warmth to the otherwise chilly proceedings. Dunaway, on the other hand, remains bedridden and ailing throughout. The narrative, which could have been tighter, prefigures the looming slasher boom but is more a psychological thriller than a whodunit (because we know whodunit). The sturdy cast includes James Whitmore as the coroner, Anthony Zerbe as Delaney’s dismissive superior, and a memorable Joe Spinell as the doorman of Blank’s apartment building. Other familiar folk on hand include Jeffrey DeMunn, George Coe, Eddie Jones, and Victor Arnold. Bruce Willis makes his feature debut as an extra in a “blink-and-you’ll-miss-him” moment. Of course, this is Sinatra’s show all the way, and Ol’ Blue Eyes effortlessly carries the film with a weary dignity and determination. Discounting a cameo in “Cannonball Run 2” (1984), this would be Sinatra’s final feature and is leagues ahead of his previous film, the lamentable Western spoof “Dirty Dingus Magee” (1970). This was a good one to go out on, giving Sinatra one last opportunity to display his dramatic abilities in a multi-faceted role. Both the standard-edition Blu-ray ($34.98 retail) and limited-edition slipcover Blu-ray ($44.98 retail) include audio commentaries, retrospective featurettes and interviews, original trailer, and still gallery. Rated R. well-acted and well-intentioned yet falls short of truly catching fire. Bonus features include audio commentary, deleted scenes, and theatrical trailer. Rated PG-13. “THE CAVEMAN’S VALENTINE” (Kino Lorber Studio Classics): The Blu-ray bow ($24.95 retail) of the 2001 adaptation of screenwriter George Dawes Green’s best-selling 1994 novel, directed by Kasi Lemmons and starring Samuel L. Jackson as a former musical prodigy-turned-homeless schizophrenic who stumbles across a dead body in Central Park and becomes obsessed that it was a murder committed by famous
“NADINE” (Mill Creek Entertainment/ Alliance Entertainment): Writer/director Robert Benton specifically crafted the titular character of this 1987 farce for Kim Basinger, as a woman who attempts to recover cheesecake photos of herself but instead witnesses a murder, propelling her and estranged husband Jeff Bridges into a wacky odyssey of doubleand triple-crosses. Bridges and Basinger are an attractive and likable screen duo, but this bumpy (and remarkably short) screwball romp is forced to coast solely on their appeal, although Rip Torn, Gwen Verdon, Glenne Headly, Jerry Stiller, and scene-stealer Jay Patterson add a little spark. This was definitely one of Benton’s lesser efforts, as well as a box-office flop. The “Retro VHS” Blu-ray retails for $31.99. Rated PG.
photographer Colm Feore, with Aunjanue Ellis (as Jackson’s policewoman daughter), Tamara Tunie, Anthony Michael Hall, Rodney Eastman, and scene-stealer Ann Magnuson in support. Jackson dominates a provocative storyline with a deeply felt turn, but the convoluted narrative repeatedly unravels, yielding an interesting failure that’s worth a look — if only once. Bonus features include audio commentary, deleted scenes, and theatrical trailer. Rated R. “GO” (Arrow Video/MVD Entertainment Group): A limited-edition 4K Ultra HD ($49.95 retail) of director Doug Liman’s flashy, award-wining 1999
“NINJA WARS” (Toy Robot Video/ MVD Entertainment Group): The North American Blu-ray bow ($34.95 retail) of director Kosei Saito’s 1982 adaptation of Futaro Yamada’s 1964 novel (originally titled “Igo Ninpocho”) combining martial arts and supernatural mysticism set in feudal Japan, starring Hiroyuki Sanada as a wandering ninja caught up in a battle between rival clans. In Japanese with English subtitles, bonus features include audio commentary, retrospective interviews, theatrical trailer and VHS edition. ! See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies. © 2026, Mark Burger.
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[KING CROSSWORD] DOING PUBLIC RELATIONS
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“Eat — eaten” (law of the jungle) One prayed to during a drought Laboratory substance Schnitzel meat Redenbacher of popcorn Chevron motor oil brand Manage to avoid the introductory music? Cousin of a musical Cousin of a mouse Look at These fast musical passages, in Spain? Customary actions of a World War II coalition? Agnus — (Mass prayer) Potential picnic pest Potential picnic pest Politician DeSantis Expected Revise copy Catch by luring Advancement made by a ferocious female? “Don’t panic!” Like a 30-pound cat, say Impel forcibly Former rival of Pan Am With life, musically Divining deck Fill a bishop with joy? Blasting stuff Film director Gus Van — Peru’s capital “— that the truth!” Fishnet stuff Previously Let off steam
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Father Bury Johannes Gutenberg? 79 Homer epic 81 High schoolers, e.g., slangily 83 Long period 84 Apartment sharer, e.g. 86 — -Detoo (sci-fi droid) 87 School-related 92 Fishing for large shrimps from atop a rooflike shelter? 95 2006 Olympics host in Italia 96 Hershey’s toffee bar 97 Mariner’s “Mayday!” 98 “Of course!” 100 Potential picnic pest 101 Vardalos of film 104 Poem variety 106 Give novelist Marcel the boot? 109 Goading person who’s stranger? 115 Tic-tac-toe win 116 Pekoe, e.g. 117 Marine stuff with a hard, pinkish skeleton 118 The process of deciding how much the frosting should cost? 122 Many a pre-toast tale 123 Band tour follower 124 Allay 125 Emphasized 126 Baskers may acquire them 127 Some jeans, familiarly
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Really astonishes Drug reducing muscle strain “Guardians of the Galaxy” co-star Dave Antiquity, archaically Cow catcher Amount of money owed “— had it!” Nothing at all Epoxies, e.g. Car make until ‘04 Bug spray ingredient Selected Less sad At all times “Encore!” Dots in la mer Big town, in Italian Writer Chekhov Minimum Psychic skill Port south of Kiev Nimble Motorola tablet introduced in 2011 Gerund suffix Alternative to cash or credit “I volunteer to help” ER worker “— Rhythm” Crime of some traitors Entr’— Cat’s “toe bean,” e.g. Novelist Jaffe One stroking a cat, say Off-target Wall bracket for candles “English” or “Irish” dog Cow catcher
58 — -rock (music genre) 59 How many freelancers work 61 “Mistress of the Dark” of TV and film 62 Hide out, as a criminal 63 Membrane enclosing an embryo 64 Japanese floor mats 65 Make lovable 67 Part of ENT 71 Spanish for “month” 75 Bisected 76 Glowing signs 77 Sci-fi empath Deanna 78 — -Chinese 80 Rinky- — 82 Wiped away 85 Psyche part 87 Matures 88 Therefore 89 Trivial details 90 Kind of 91 Small, simple houses 93 Divide into fair shares 94 Sch. in Manhattan 99 Visit for a bit 101 Dunn and Ephron 102 Birth cert., e.g. 103 Sum finder 105 Meted (out) 106 Stellar hunter 107 Sweat outlets 108 King, in Caen 110 Cicero’s “Lo!” 111 Cones’ counterparts 112 Cons’ counterparts 113 Likes, slangily 114 Light beige 119 Trail mix bit 120 H.S. transcript stat 121 Toon frame
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A Quarter of a Century: Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance artistic director celebrates 25 years
n 2001, Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance asked guest director Jamie Lawson to become its artistic director, backstage on a production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” he was directing. Twenty-five years, hundreds of productions, thousands of performers and volunteers, several theaters and one permanent home later, Lawson is still there directing actors upstage and downstage, pulling props, erecting platforms, selling concessions, collecting costumes, and changing rolls of bathroom tissue … whatever needs to be done to make the show go on. In 2026, Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance celebrates Jamie Lawson’s 25th anniversary as artistic director, recognizing a quarter century of leadership that helped transform a small, nomadic community theater into one of the Triad’s (perhaps one of the state’s, by sheer volume) most prolific theatrical organizations, presenting a staggering 20-30 productions annually. During his tenure, Lawson has directed, produced, or overseen more than 350 plays, musicals, staged readings, special events, and theatrical productions, while helping generations of actors, singers, dancers, technicians, and volunteers find a place onstage, backstage, and within the greater Winston-Salem arts community.
FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance traces its origins to 1983, when director Fred Gorelick, then teaching acting classes at the Little Theatre of Winston-Salem, began mounting showcase productions so his students could share their work with the public. That effort evolved into a permanent theater organization and eventually an incorporated nonprofit. Its earliest productions included “The Royal Family” at Reynolda House and “Crimes of the Heart” at Wake Forest University, followed by works including “The Real Thing,” “The House of Blue Leaves,” “The Crucible” and “True West.”
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Theatre Alliance did not have a theater of its own. Instead, it went wherever there was a stage and an opportunity. Through the years, productions were mounted at locations including Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Augsburg Community Center, Wake Forest University, and the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA, now named North Carolina Museum of Art, Winston-Salem). During the 1990s, Artistic Director Michael Huie helped the organization expand its programming and organizational structure. Seasons grew increasingly ambitious, combining musicals such as “Nunsense” and “Pump Boys” and “Dinettes” with dramas including “Burn This” and “The Heidi Chronicles” and comedies such as “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).” Then came 2001. After working with Theatre Alliance as a guest director, Lawson was asked to become artistic director. What followed was a period of extraordinary growth. Lawson expanded Theatre Alliance’s programming, eventually building seasons of approximately a dozen mainstage productions annually while overseeing virtually every aspect of production — from selecting seasons and directing shows to casting, design, marketing, audience development and the countless practical details required to get a curtain up. As longtime volunteer and former Board Member Becki West recalls, “What I remember most was Jamie’s attention to every aspect of Theatre Alliance and his desire to build the organization and its community. Working with Jamie means working fast and diligently to create the stories that Theatre Alliance brings to the stage. Jamie has great vision/talent in casting and directing. Casts and crew often form tight little communities of their own.” Under Lawson’s leadership, Theatre Alliance became known for an unusually broad theatrical vocabulary. There were beloved musicals and American classics. There were contemporary plays, regional premieres, cult
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STAFF REPORTS
Jamie Lawson musicals, challenging dramas, family productions, and titles other theaters might hesitate to tackle. Productions during the Lawson era have included titles as varied as “Cabaret,” “The Laramie Project,” “Bat Boy: The Musical,” “Love! Valour! Compassion!,” “Sordid Lives,” “Take Me Out,” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Hair,” an annual production of The “Rocky Horror Show,” “Steel Magnolias,” “I Love You, You’re Perfect,” “Now Change,” and hundreds more. In more recent seasons, Theatre Alliance has continued that tradition with productions including “A Chorus Line,” “Ragtime,” “1776,” “Side Show,” “Jagged Little Pill,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie,” “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” “Shear Madness,” “Young Frankenstein,” “White Christmas” and many others. Local performer (and Theatre Alliance fixture himself) Gray Smith stated, “Jamie has made an incredible amount of sacrifice to make live theater accessible to many people. No one will ever know the dedication he puts toward every production and every season.”
FROM BORROWED STAGES TO A HOME OF ITS OWN
Lawson’s 25 years also tell the story of Theatre Alliance finally finding a home. For years, Theatre Alliance packed
costumes, props, scenery and performers into temporary and borrowed spaces, from garages and basements to empty warehouses and living rooms. SECCA became an especially important home for numerous productions during the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 2008, the organization took a major step forward by renting an intimate 88seat theater at 1047 Northwest Blvd., at the corner of Reynolda Road and Northwest Boulevard, while SECCA underwent a lengthy renovation. It was modest. Dressing, storage, and backstage space were limited. But it was Theatre Alliance’s home, “and we could run the hazer as much as we wanted, and no one could tell us not to use sand or confetti onstage,” quipped Lawson. “All very important aspects of Theatre,” he laughed. And audiences came. As attendance increased, the theater was reconfigured and expanded to approximately 120 seats, allowing Theatre Alliance to accommodate its growing following. “Jamie Lawson’s leadership style is visionary, dynamic, and resourceful. He is willing to take risks to bring exciting and provocative art to the stage, and he is willing to put in the work to make those risks pay off,” said former board president and current board member Stephen Robinson. “Jamie has the ability to take any space, any available resources, and any group of volunteers with a variety of talents, and combine those elements to create authentic, thoughtful, and entertaining theater for our community. “ Despite the success of Northwest Boulevard, multiple performances (sometimes upward of 22 performances of one production to meet audience demand) was a lot to ask of volunteers. Lawson, the board of directors, and Theatre Alliance supporters dreamed of something more: a larger, permanent home that belonged to the organization. That dream became reality in 2019, when, through the Homecoming Capital Campaign and extraordinary community support — including significant support from the Ihrie family — Theatre Alliance purchased the former Blue Bird Cab WWW.YESWEEKLY.COM
Company property at 650 West Sixth St. in the downtown Winston-Salem Arts District, with the renovation executed by Omega Construction, overseen by Project Manager Jeffrey Driver, and designed by Alliance Architecture of the Triad. After the extensive renovation, which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, Theatre Alliance opened its new 188-seat theater in August 2021. The expansion did not stop there. In 2024, Theatre Alliance added the intimate Beall Theatre, a black-box performance space, as well as the outdoor Gray Smith Stage, transforming the Sixth Street property into a three-stage theatrical campus capable of presenting an even wider range of productions. For an organization that spent decades borrowing other people’s stages and storage, it was a welcomed transformation. Robinson elaborated on the move: “Under Jamie’s leadership, WSTA took a big chance to move from Northwest Boulevard to Sixth Street. The same energy that made WSTA a hidden treasure on Northwest Blvd. has expanded into the new space to become the Triad’s busiest theater producing a wide variety of shows in three venues, and, as a result, a wide variety of exciting opportunities for local performers and other artists.” Supporter and donor Bob Ihrie offered, “My wife Maureen and I like to support the quality organizations in town, and Jamie has built the best, most inclusive theater in town that offers the highest quality productions on everything from old standards to edgy, thoughtprovoking plays. It has been amazing to see TA [Theatre Alliance] under Jamie’s leadership evolve from a hand-to-mouth organization to one that is thriving in the best independent facility in town. No one does it better!”
MORE THAN 300 PRODUCTIONS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE
Numbers tell only part of Lawson’s story. Yes, there have been well over 300 productions and events. There have been thousands upon thousands of rehearsals. Countless costumes. Sets built and torn down. Opening nights and closing nights. Auditions, callbacks, tech weekends and late-night, last-minute problem-solving. But Lawson’s greater legacy can be measured in people. For 25 years, Theatre Alliance has opened its doors to people throughout the community — experienced performWWW.YESWEEKLY.COM
ers and people auditioning for the first time; teenagers discovering theater and adults returning to it decades later; actors, musicians, designers, costumers, technicians, stage managers and volunteers. Theatre Alliance describes itself as an all-volunteer, all-inclusive community theater, and under Lawson’s leadership that philosophy has remained central to its identity. “Theater Alliance became a place I could call home, where I could be entirely myself, where I felt loved by everyone around me,” stated Emerson Carroll, one of the troupe’s younger volunteers. Lawson has championed theater that provides opportunities for people who have not always seen themselves represented onstage. Theatre Alliance has presented stories centered on LGBTQ+ lives, race, family, faith, identity, disability, aging, mental health, social justice, and the complicated experiences that make people human. Theatre Alliance has provided a place for people to find one another. It has become a community, including where people meet to form lifelong relationships. Some have even tied the knot right on the stage or by the Sixth Street location’s Memory Garden. As volunteer Jalik Roberson puts it, “I came to Theatre Alliance because I wanted a place where my creativity, my voice, and my love of the arts could find a home. I stayed because Theatre Alliance became so much more than a theater — it became a family, a community, and a place where I could grow both on and off the stage. Some of the most important people in my life are people I met through Theatre Alliance. John C. Wilson, Jamie Lawson, and Gray Smith have each played a meaningful role in my journey. Their encouragement, guidance, friendship, and belief in me have helped shape the person and artist I continue to become. Theatre Alliance taught me that theater isn’t just about the stories we perform; it’s about the people we meet, the memories we create, and the lives we touch along the way. As the saying goes, “Theater is the art of telling the truth in the moment.” Theatre Alliance gave me a place to do exactly that — to be seen, to be heard, to create, and to belong. I came for the theater, but I stayed for the people — and I will always be grateful for the family I found along the way.”
THEATER THAT GIVES BACK
Lawson also helped establish Theatre Alliance’s “By the Book” staged-reading
series, through which readings have been presented free to audiences while accepting donations benefiting other local nonprofit organizations. The concept embodies a philosophy that has defined much of Lawson’s tenure: theater does not exist apart from its community. It is part of that community. Theatre Alliance also continued creating work during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding ways to present virtual and outdoor performances at a time when traditional live performance was extraordinarily difficult. Through changing venues, economic uncertainty, cultural changes and even a global pandemic, the mission remained remarkably consistent: to inspire, transform and unite the people of the Triad through unique, diverse and unconventional theatrical experiences.
THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE
Lawson’s anniversary also recognizes the extraordinary community that has surrounded Theatre Alliance throughout those years — board members who kept believing, donors who gave, designers who created, musicians who played, costumers who sewed, technicians who built, actors who performed, volunteers who worked the box office and audiences who continued buying tickets. Theatre Alliance choreographer, director, and costumer John Wilson elaborated, “Jamie Lawson is a true visionary and innovator, but, more than that, he is an incredible mentor. With his guidance, tenacity, and gumption, he has created a space in which multitudes of performers and production team members can flourish at Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance and helped show the theater community and the city of Winston-Salem plays and musicals that they might never have seen before and may never see again. Jamie’s creativity and knowledge of theater is limitless, and it shows with the numerous and varied shows he produces at TA. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Jamie and Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance.” And of course, no theater can exist without an audience. Sally Brown, a stalwart patron, wasted no time sharing her thoughts. “We became interested in Theatre Alliance 21 years ago. It is absolutely our favorite form of entertainment! The talent within this theater is mind-blowing! More than that, we are so attached to the people, we feel like they are family!”
25 YEARS — AND THE CURTAIN IS STILL RISING
When Jamie Lawson accepted the artistic director position in 2001, Theatre Alliance did not own a theater. There was no Jamie Lawson Auditorium at Ihrie Theatre, Beall Theatre, or Gray Smith Stage. Twenty-five years later, Theatre Alliance has a permanent home at 650 West Sixth St., multiple performance spaces, an extensive production history, and generations of artists and audience members who have been part of its story and rocking out up to 30 productions a year, all within a donation-based 501(c)3. And Lawson is still doing what he began doing a quarter century ago: Selecting shows. Gathering people. Taking chances. Creating theater. And making sure there is a place in Winston-Salem where people who want to tell stories — and people who want to experience them — can come together. Twenty-five years inevitably produces favorite productions, unforgettable performers, spectacular successes, occasional disasters, unexpected challenges, and more stories than could ever fit into one anniversary celebration. Asked what has kept him at Theatre Alliance for a quarter century, Lawson said, “Theatre Alliance is such a rare and special organization. Its tenacity is the result of so many people. Like in our lives, some people stay and play for years, and some leave, moving on to the next chapter, but the indelible mark left on the group by anyone who has helped or continues to help us stay solvent, meaningful, and thriving is as part of TA as I am. I am most proud of the work I get to do for the community, many times alongside my life partner, making people laugh, cry, reflect, remember, and squeeze every bit of life out of our time here. Entertaining people and creating a workspace for artists of all ages to grow is a gift and really the best way to spend a life that I can imagine.” Smith concluded, “When people look back at Jamie’s contribution to the arts in Winston-Salem and beyond, I hope they remember his legacy not just as an entertainer, but also his ability to create community. What he built in Theatre Alliance isn’t just a theater troupe; he challenged norms, encouraged equality, inspired hope, and promoted dreams. Any artist will tell you how important those are.” Here’s to the next act! !
SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 6, 2026 YES! WEEKLY
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2026 Apple Festival at Historic Bethabara Park 9.26.26 | Winston-Salem | Photos by Natalie Garcia
Greensboro Greek Festival (Day 2) 9.26.26 | Greensboro | Photos by Natalie Garcia
SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 6, 2026
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tunes
HEAR IT!
Brevard Music Center opens Parker Concert Hall Series with international vocal ensemble Stile Antico
B
PRESS RELEASE
revard Music Center is thrilled to invite audiences to the season opening of the 2026-27 Parker Concert Hall Series with the radiant Stile Antico on Sunday, Oct.18, 2026, at 3 p.m. in Parker Concert Hall. One of the world’s most innovative and renowned vocal ensembles, Stile Antico is a UK-based group specializing in Renaissance-era sacred music. “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Stile Antico back to Brevard to open our Parker Concert Hall Series,” remarks Nick Tzavaras, senior director of artistic planning and educational programs. “Their first appearance here was truly unforgettable, and I can think of no better way to begin the season than with the extraordinary warmth, beauty, and vitality they bring to Renaissance polyphony.” Through Stile Antico’s curated program “Polyphonic Postcards,” listeners will be transported on a journey through 17th century Europe, from Venice, Seville, and Rome, to Paris, Lisbon, and Munich. These musical snapshots glimpse into the life and culture at the apogee of European Renaissance and concludes with American composer Christopher Cerrone’s “It looks quite curious,” a piece set to a letter written by Walt Whitman and commissioned especially for this program. Stile Antico is one of the world’s most accomplished and innovative vocal ensembles. Working without a conductor, its twelve members have thrilled audiences on four continents with their vibrant and colorful performances of Renaissance polyphony. Its bestselling recordings have earned accolades including the Gramophone Award for Early Music, Diapason d or de l année, Edison Klassiek Award, and Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik. The group has received three Grammy nominations, and performed live at the 60th Grammy Awards at Madison Square Garden. Stile Antico has appeared at many of Europe’s leading venues, including Wigmore Hall, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Leipzig Gewandhaus and Madrid’s Auditorio Nacional, and regularly features at such prestigious festivals as the BBC Proms, Laus Polyphoniae Antwerp, and the Utrecht and York Early Music festivals. The group frequently tours to the US and Canada, performing annually in Boston and New York, and has appeared at Ravinia, Washington National Cathedral, and in some twenty-five U.S. states. Stile Antico has also appeared in Mexico, Colombia, Hong Kong, Macau, and South Korea. Stile Antico is passionate about sharing its repertoire and working style with the widest possible audience. The group taught regularly at Dartington, and now leads courses for its successor, the Music Summer School at Gresham s School, and for Zenobia Música in Ávila, alongside its own “Come and Sing” days. The support of the charitable Stile Antico Foundation has enabled the group to offer bursaries to talented young ensem-
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Three local musicians will come together for an intimate afternoon celebrating the healing power of live music PRESS RELEASE
bles, and to run an annual Youth Consort course. In addition to its core repertoire, Stile Antico has premiered works by Kerry Andrew, Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Joanna Marsh, John McCabe, Nico Muhly, Giles Swayne, and Huw Watkins, and collaborated with such diverse artists as Fretwork, Folger Consort, Marino Formenti, Lemn Sissay, B’Rock, Rihab Azar, and Sting. The group’s 18th album, “Toward the Dawn,” is released in early 2027. ! THE BREVARD MUSIC CENTER (BMC) is one of the nation’s premier summer music training programs and festivals. Each summer, it welcomes over 1,000 gifted students of all ages, with a broad national reach and growing international participation. Under Keith Lockhart’s artistic direction, BMC presents over 100 public performances, including orchestra, opera, chamber music, jazz, bluegrass, and film with live orchestra. Learn more at brevardmusic.org.
What if an afternoon of beautiful live music could offer more than entertainment? What if it could provide a chance to slow down, reconnect and simply breathe? That is the inspiration behind “Live Music for the Soul,” a special afternoon of live music featuring Greensboro vocalist Nicole Smith, guitarist Michael “Blind-Dog” Gatewood and violinist Marta Richardson on Sunday, Oct. 4, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Grapes & Grains Tavern at Revolution Mill, 2001 Yanceyville Street. The intimate performance will bring together jazz, blues, folk, pop and more, creating a relaxed musical experience designed to encourage listeners to put aside the demands of everyday life and simply be present with the music. The event is rooted in a simple idea: music can nourish the soul. Rather than a traditional concert built around spectacle, “Live Music for the Soul” is intended to be an inviting, intimate experience where the music takes center stage and audiences can share an afternoon of beauty and connection. “Sometimes all it takes is a small room, great musicians and people who genuinely want to listen to create something unforgettable,” Smith said. !
WANNA go? See Stile Antico in Parker Concert Hall, Brevard Music Center, 365 Andante Lane, Brevard, NC 28712, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026 at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at brevardmusic.org or by calling 828-862-2105. SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 6, 2026 YES! WEEKLY
11
feature
City council supports lawsuit against agency restricting chemicals in drinking water
O
n Sept. 15,
Greensboro City Council voted unanimously to award a $700,000 contract to Patrick Mincey, Stephen Ian McDowell Bell, and Chad Rhoades, private attorneys assistContributor ing the city’s legal challenge to the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). That agency wants tighter restrictions on the dangerous chemical 1,4-Dioxane in Asheboro’s wastewater. While the DEQ has not attempted to impose similar restrictions on Greensboro, the Triad’s largest city has joined the battle against them, arguing the agency did not follow correct regulatory procedure and its requirements are unsupported by science. The primary local source of Dioxane is the Chicago-based company Hallstar, which generates it as an unintended byproduct of its local facility at 520 Broome Road, and which pays Greensboro to treat its wastewater. From the city’s TZ Osborne water treatment plant, the effluent flows into Buffalo Creek and the Haw River, which has resulted in contamination of drinking water in downstream communities like Pittsboro. Long-term exposure to 1,4-Dioxane can cause liver and kidney damage. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies it as a likely carcinogen. Three Triad cities first appealed Dioxane restrictions in 2023, when Asheboro filed a petition in the state Office of Administrative Hearings. Greensboro and Reidsville subsequently joined in that legal challenge to DEQ notices of violation. In Sept. 2024, administrative law judge Donald Van der Vaart ruled in favor of the cities, which allowed Asheboro to greatly increase discharge levels of the compound, as reported in
Aidan Lawrence
(Above) This graphic shows the downstream flow from Greensboro and Asheboro to Pittsboro.
Tammi Thurm the Feb. 19, 2025 YES! Weekly article “Lawsuit leads to increased levels of ‘likely carcinogen’ in drinking water.” In his decision, Van der Vaart ruled that the EPA’s classification of the compound as a “likely” rather than proven carcinogen is evidence the DEQ “erred” by citing statutes that apply to carcinogens. Van der Vaart, who formerly served as DEQ Secretary under Governor Pat McCrory, has been an outspoken critic of environmental restraints on industry. In February 2026, a Superior Court judge reversed Van der Vaart’s ruling in favor of the DEQ, prompting the cities
12 YES! WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 6, 2026
to take their case to the state Court of Appeals. Council’s vote to award the contract to the private firm helping it to challenge the DEQ restriction was 8-0, as District 4’s Adam Marshall had an excused absence. Before the vote, Aidan Lawrence of Protect Guilford County asked council members to reconsider the city’s participation in the lawsuit. “I believe that North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality was well within their right to have our state take direct action. DEQ has such limited authority and resources, and while I agree that regulatory processes should absolutely be transparent, I don’t see why we are pushing against an agency that has received lots of weakening from the federal government, when they’re trying to take action to better protect the health and safety of all North Carolinians. I would love to see city council invite someone from Southern
The city is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to eliminate PFAS and PFOAs in our water system and in our wastewater. The challenge is that different communities have been given limits and requirements that are beyond the capability of current science right now ... WWW.YESWEEKLY.COM
In 2021 there was a surge in Dioxane levels at treatment plant. Environmental Law Center, or another statewide water expert to share some other angles on how we can better keep our water in Greensboro safe.” Lawrence also spoke of the danger posed by another polluting compound, PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), one of a group of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) often called “forever chemicals” because they do not easily break down in the environment or the human body. 1,4-Dioxane is also often called a forever chemical because it resists breakdown in soil or groundwater. District 5’s Tammi Thurm, who has in the past criticized Southern Environmental Law Center support for Dioxane restrictions, responded. “The city is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to eliminate PFAS and PFOAs in our water system and in our wastewater. The challenge is that different communities have been given limits and requirements that are beyond the capability of current science right now. Asheboro was given PFAS and PFOA limits for which there is no known way of reducing to those levels. If Greensboro were held to the same standard, based on our quotes that we’ve received and what we think it would cost, it could be as much as a billion dollars for us to reach those levels. Because science hasn’t caught up with the levels yet. What we’re asking for and what we’re saying in this lawsuit is: don’t hold us to a standard that the science isn’t there for. “It is absolutely our commitment to do everything we can to keep us from releasing PFAS, PFOAS, and 1,4-Dioxane further downstream or have it in our water. We intend to take, or are taking, WWW.YESWEEKLY.COM
every action that we can right now. But we can’t ask our community to foot, or any community to foot, hundreds of millions and possibly a billion dollars into a system that the science doesn’t even know whether that billion dollars would work.” The next day, Southern Environmental Law Center attorney Hannah Nelson sent the following response to Thurm’s statement. “The idea that Greensboro has to install billions of dollars in treatment technology is a complete fallacy. As City Water Manager Mike Borchers explained in the meeting, the 1,4-Dioxane in the city’s wastewater comes from industries that pay the city to accept their waste. Greensboro has full legal authority to tell those industries to treat or entirely eliminate 1,4-Dioxane pollution before it ever reaches the city’s wastewater plant. If Greensboro did so, it would not have to install any additional treatment. The 1.3 billion-dollar problem the city claims to be fighting is simply not real. Greensboro is continuing to pay for a lawsuit aimed at stripping North Carolina of its ability to keep toxic chemicals out of our drinking water. By doing so, Greensboro advocates that downstream communities should be the ones to pay for industry’s toxic chemical pollution. Industries responsible for polluting water should be paying to remove toxic 1,4-Dioxane from their waste, not our families, churches, schools, and local businesses downstream.” ! IAN MCDOWELL is an award-winning author and journalist whose book “I Ain’t Resisting: the City of Greensboro and the Killing of Marcus Smith” was published in September of 2023 by Scuppernong Editions.
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Submissions should be sent to artdirector@yesweekly.com by Friday at 5 p.m., prior to the week’s publication. Visit yesweekly.com and click on calendar to list your event online. HOME GROWN MUSIC SCENE | Compiled by Shane Hart
CARBORRO
CAT’S CRADLE
300 E Main St | 919.967.9053 www.catscradle.com Sep 30: Big Mistake, Bedrumor, Charlie Paso Oct 1: The Format, The Get Up Kids Oct 1: Ryan David and the Roadhouse Band, Stryofoam Winos
CHARLOTTE THE FILLMORE
1000 NC Music Factory Blvd | 704.916.8970 www.livenation.com Sep 30: Ryan Beatty Sep 30: Soccer Mommy and Snail Mail Oct 2: Noah Rinker
14 YES! WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 6, 2026
SPECTRUM CENTER
333 E Trade St | 704.688.9000 www.spectrumcentercharlotte.com Oct 2: Kacey Musgraves Oct 3: Weezer
DURHAM
CAROLINA THEATRE
THE IDIOT BOX COMEDY CLUB
503 N. Greene St | 336.274.2699 www.idiotboxers.com Oct 1: Sergei Putinski Oct 2: Mike Good
JAMESTOWN
309 W Morgan St | 919.560.3030 www.carolinatheatre.org Oct3: Heartland Marimba Oct 3: Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
THE DECK
GREENSBORO
LIBERTY
COMEDY ZONE
1126 S Holden Rd | 336.333.1034 www.thecomedyzone.com Oct 2: Jessica Michelle Singleton Oct 7: Aaron Branch
FLAT IRON
221 Summit Ave | 336.501.3967 www.flatirongso.com Oct 1: Fancy Gap w/ Young Mister Oct 2: Magenta Wave w/ Vision Arcade Oct 3: Everything Yes
GARAGE TAVERN
5211 A West Market St | 336.763.2020 www.facebook.com/GarageTavernGreensboro Oct 3: Radio Revolver Oct 10: Retro Vinyl
HANGAR 1819
1819 Spring Garden St | 336.579.6480 www.hangar1819.com Oct 2: Watch Party with Burlap Circus & Kars Oct 10: Pageant with Dazr & Parallel Lives
RODY’S TAVERN
5105 Michaux Rd | 336.282.0950 www.facebook.com/rodystavern Sep 30: Kelsey Hurley Oct 2: Darrell Hoots
STEVEN TANGER CENTER 300 N Elm Street | 336.333.6500 www.tangercenter.com Oct 1: Zach Williams Oct 2: Outlander In Concert Oct 4: Black Violin
118 E Main St | 336.207.1999 www.facebook.com/TheDeckJamestown/ Oct 2: BOOYAH! Oct 3: Brother Pearl
THE LIBERTY SHOWCASE THEATER
101 S. Fayetteville St | 336.622.3844 www.TheLibertyShowcase.com Oct 3: The Bellamy Brothers
RALEIGH
LINCOLN THEATRE
126 E. Cabarrus St | 919.831.6400 www.lincolntheatre.com Oct 1: Honestav Oct 2: Carter Faith w/ Jackson West Oct 2: Brett Dennen Oct 3: High June w/ Cadalay Oct 4: Andy Frasco & The U.N Oct 6: Public Image LTD
RED HAT AMPHITHEATER
500 S McDowell St | 919.996.8800 www.redhatamphitheater.com Oct 1: Dylan Gossett & Charles Wesley Godwin, Max Alan Oct 4: Dermot Kennedy Oct 6: Bleacher Forever, This Is Loreleit
WINSTON-SALEM
THE RAMKAT
170 W 9th St | 336.754.9714 www.theramkat.com Oct 1: Shinyribs, Patrick Sweany Oct 2: Paul Thorn, Calling Coyotes
WISE MAN BREWING
826 Angelo Bros Ave | 336.725.0008 www.wisemanbrewing.com Oct 2: Souljam Live Oct 3: Barefoot Modern
WWW.YESWEEKLY.COM
STARS] last call [SALOME’S Week of October 5, 2026
[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You should be seeing some progress on a new workplace situation. Meanwhile, family matters might demand more attention, and you’ll want to set aside time to deal with them. [CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A relationship might suddenly present some challenges that you never expected. After talking things out, you might want to consider taking some time to assess what you’ve learned. [LEO (July 23 to August 22) A disappointing response to a request might dampen the Lion’s spirits. But you might want to ask what the reasoning is behind it. What you learn can be of great importance in a future undertaking.
[SCORPIO (October 23 to November
21) Emotions can run high when they involve personal matters that no one really wants to talk about. But this could be a good time to create the means to a workable outcome.
[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A positive response to a workplace request could lead the way to other long-sought-out changes. Congratulations! A personal situation also takes a welcome turn. [CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Patience pays off as a once-overwhelming work situation continues to become easier to handle on a one-by-one basis. Look for positive news from a colleague. [AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) It might be a good idea to take more time to reassess your next move in working out a complex situation. You could benefit from a new perspective on the matter. [PISCES (February 19 to March 20) You might want to consider making time to discuss a change of plans with everyone concerned. Be prepared to explain your actions. Also, be prepared to listen to alternatives.
[1. GEOGRAPHY: Almost 90% of
the world’s population lives in which hemisphere?
[2. AD SLOGANS: Which major retailer
uses the ad slogan, “Save money. Live better”?
[3. MOVIES: Which district is Katniss from in “The Hunger Games”?
[6. U.S. STATES: Which U.S. state is the only one with its own power grid?
[7. TELEVISION: Where does Fred
Flintstone work on the animated series “The Flintstones”?
[8. MUSIC: Which band released the hit song “Don’t Stop Believin’”?
[9. HISTORY: What is the Code of
[4. FOOD & DRINK: What was singer
Hammurabi?
Elvis Presley’s favorite sandwich?
[5. LITERATURE: Who wrote the poem “Paradise Lost”?
[10. MYTHOLOGY: What is the name of the two-faced Roman god?
answer 6. Texas. 7. Slate Rock and Gravel Company. 8. Journey. 9. An early written legal code. 10. Janus.
[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) This week favors relationships. Take time to renew old ones and make time to go where new friends can be found. On a more practical note, expect news about a business deal.
into a personal situation could create complications. It’s best to resolve the matter now before too much harm can be done.
by Fifi Rodriguez
1. Northern. 2. Walmart. 3. District 12. 4. Peanut butter, bacon and banana. 5. John Milton.
[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Although practical situations continue to dominate this week, there’s time for the Lamb to indulge in the fun things in life — like maybe taking a special someone out for a great evening!
[TRIVIA TEST]
© 2026 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A once-volatile situation should be settled by now, giving you a chance to refocus on a project that you’ve been planning for. Look for an interested party to rally to your support.
strong sense of what’s right and you try to work from this foundation. Your friends and employers see you as reliable.
TR ASURE
[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22)
© 2026 by King Features Syndicate
A D U L T E N T E R TA I N M E N T A N D S P O R TS B A R & C LU B
[BORN THIS WEEK: You have a
A business matter that unexpectedly turns
answers [CROSSWORD] crossword on page 6
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[WEEKLY SUDOKU] sudoku on page 6
The
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