dvaughan@heraldsun.com; 419-6563
DURHAM – The Durham Performing Arts Center again led the way for live entertainment in Durham in 2011. The year began with the Broadway tour of Disney’s “The Lion King,” which held court and filled the seats in Durham for nearly a month in January.
It was followed by the Broadway tour of “In the Heights,” a lively, heartfelt look at a day in the life of Latino neighborhood Washington Heights in New York City. The rest of the spring season included “Blue Man Group” and “Shrek: The Musical.” Fall began with “Come Fly Away,” which featured the music of Frank Sinatra, the 80s hair-band ride of “Rock of Ages” and the “Radio City Spectacular Starring the Rockettes” at DPAC for more than two weeks.
The Rockettes performance included one high-kicker who lives here year-round, Summer Renner of Chapel Hill. There’s another Chapel Hill Rockette, though she left the Radio City stage in the 1940s – Alice Mennell, now retired.
Many famous musicians graced the stage at DPAC this year, including actor-turned-banjo-player Steve Martin, who performed with the Carolina-grown Steep Canyon Rangers in a sold-out show in May. Two big concerts were postponed: Aretha Franklin, who had a conflict with the MLK National Memorial dedication, and British star Adele. Franklin rescheduled for February, and Adele will tour again after she heals from vocal health issues. DPAC has a major lineup of stars slated for 2012, too, including Bill Cosby, “Memphis” and Kelly Clarkson in January alone.
FULL FRAME
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival makes Durham a destination for filmmakers from around the world every April. This past year’s festival brought out many films, filmmakers and their subjects that have gone on to wider acclaim, including Kevin Clash, the man behind Elmo in the film “Being Elmo.” Filmmaker Steve James’ “The Interrupters,” about the Chicago organization CeaseFire, won the Special Jury Award at Full Frame and has gained more awards and attention. “Buck,” about a horse whisperer, has been a success at the box office and will be shown Jan. 18 at the Carolina Theatre as part of the Full Frame Winter Series. Passes for this year’s festival go on sale Jan. 5. It will be held April 12-15 downtown.
