CONG RATU LATION S, G RADUATE S!
www.carolinaclassifieds.com POST YOUR AD AT
Carolina C arrol olina
CLASSIFIEDS CL CLASSIF FIEDS.com
ADD PHOTOS & MORE! OR CALL
Our 33rd Year
828-248-1408
• Over 25,000 Weekly Readers
ISSUE NO. 23 • June 5, 2025 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408
YOUR CLASSIFIED AD RUNS IN 3 PAPERS!
“Night of 1,000 Stars” features local performers Article by Jean Gordon. Contributed Photos.
of wine or non-alcoholic beverages. “It’s a fun novelty that is going to be special to Night of 1,000 Stars, so anyone who’s wanted to be on the stage but not perform can get that chance,” said Tyler. Since Rutherford Stage has converted from the former Rutherford County Arts Council, Tyler said, “We are wanting to pick up where the former theatre left off in providing everyone in Rutherford County an opportunity to get onstage and showcase their talent.” Tyler said the event is an “opportunity to pride ourselves in being a space to foster the next generation of artists and performers.” “Night of 1,000 Stars” is a name Tyler came up with, inspired by the many hidden gems of talent throughout Rutherford County. “Last year we did a kind of test run at our former space at Maple Street (Rutherfordton) and we had only seven performers.
Tyler Graeper and Mary Lynn Bain.
This year I’m ecstatic to say we have nearlyy rs 30 performers gracing The stage Foundation’s stage, representing some of the best performers in Rutherford County,” he said. Among performers are four - Jessica Spainhour, Madison Snyder, Laura Link, and Tyler Graeper - who performed in Rutherford County Arts Council productions directed by Dianne and Matthew McEnnerney. Lori Greene, Erica Stogner, Hannah Marks, Lauren Monsanto, Chris and Rachel Knobil, David Graeper, are performing with Rutherford Stage for the first time. Others performers include Alison Moore, Angelo Parks, Caroline Jackson, Chelsea Jordan, Ella Jackson, Emma Harwell, Gabrielle Williams-Kosap, Jonah
• Friday, June 13- VIP tickets $30 and will grantt access to the pre-show meet & greet, silent auction and refreshments. Doors will open at 5:30pm with the pre-show beginning at 5:306:30pm. Performance will start at 7pm. Regular tickets will be $15 tickets for general admission ($12 for students/seniors/military). • Saturday, June 14- Doors open at 2pm, performance at 3pm. Tickets are $15 for generall admi ad miss ssio ion n ($ ( 12 for stu tude dent nts/ s//se seni nior ors/ s//mi mili lita tary ryy). )
WE WILL BUY YOUR CAR TODAY!
For tickets visit FoundationShows.org.
Donna Kersey and Rachel Knobil.
565 Oak Street, Forest City, NC
828-245-1626 www.legendaryford.com
©communityfirstmedia
“The stage is set, the stars are aligning and Rutherford Stage is inviting everyone to an “unforgettable evening,” says Tyler Graeper, the director of “Night of 1,000 Stars” fundraising concert set Friday, June 13 at 7pm and Saturday, June 14 at 3pm at the Foundation Performing Arts Center at Isothermal Community College. The event begins with a VIP Starlight Reception at 5:30pm Friday and the Night of 1,000 Stars Musical Revue Performance beginning at 7pm. The VIP Starlight Reception is the primary fundraising event for the concert. This is an opportunity for the audience to mingle with the cast, get exclusive access to additional performances, a silent auction, appetizers, and other fundraising games that will take place over the course of the reception. Two of the cast members, Kat Brinnier and Tish Zimmerman, will be making special appearances as The Queen and ‘The King’ of the reception, promising once in a lifetime interactions and photo opportunities for those lucky enough to attend, said Tyler. “If someone really wants to be a supporter of Rutherford Stage and the impact we have made on the multiple generations of artists in Rutherford County, they should make it a priority to join the stars in our VIP Starlight Reception,” said Tyler. Also at the reception a pair of stage seats will be auctioned for those who like to be as close to the action as possible. It will include a small gift basket and choice
Millwood, Kat Brinnier, Lily Harwell, Makayla Martin,Tabatha Robinson, Rachel Knobil, Tish Zimmerman, Mary Lynn Bain, Donna Kersey and Charlotte Ware Epley. Broadway show tunes, both classic and modern, as well as Jazz standards and other genres of music will be presented. “We will be showcasing music created by composers such as Stephen Sondheim, Rodgers & Hart, Jason Rob Brown, Stephen Schwartz, Sara Robert Bar Bareilles, and ABBA. There will be solos, due trios, and large ensemble group duets, nu numbers,” said Tyler. T Tyler says Rutherford Stage hopes tto continue the legacy set in place by the former Arts Council while also branching out to create art and performances that audiences in R Rutherford County haven’t witnessed. “T “This fundraising concert will play a hu part in our ability to bring bigger huge and better performances to our own corn of the world. We plan to bring corner Sh Shakespeare back to the area in a way that is more interactive and down to earth than people may think,” he added. “People should come to this event because of the people who came together to make Rutherford Stage exist in the first place,” said Tyler. “There are hundreds of kids and adults who come to this theatre to not only showcase their talents, but to form bonds, laugh, and discover who they are, it’s irreplaceable, and I beg anyone reading to help support the future of this community.”