The Lenoir Community Foundation is announcing its Cultural and Performing Arts Series for 2023 with the first production of Loves Bites, an evening of anti-romance at 7 p.m. Feb. 24 in the William I. Herring, Sr. Culinary Arts Center located in the Waller Building on LCC’s campus. This is a one night only event that you won’t want to miss.

“This first production is in partnership with Elysian Players of New Bern and we are so excited to bring this incredibly talented group to the Turner Stage as the first performance of the year,” LCC President Dr. Rusty Hunt said. “We are looking forward to this partnership and what it will mean to enhancing our Cultural and Performing Arts Series.”

LCC Executive Director of the Foundation Jeanne Kennedy agreed saying that 2023 will bring more productions and events for the community to enjoy. “We have some amazingly talented and creative people on our campus and in our communities and this series is a way to showcase their work. We hope to see this grow as we move forward in the year and next.”

Enjoy an evening of dessert theatre featuring “The Lonely Hearts Club,” a support group for those who have been burned and spurned by love. Listen in as our regular attendees share their hearts – or what’s left of them – in song form. This motley crew is sure to rain on your parade as they sing through the pangs of heartache. Despite their distress, they’re a warm and welcoming bunch if Cupid doesn’t walk through the door.

Love Bites is an original Elysian Players production that will keep you entertained as we discover that sometimes, Love Bites! Tickets may be purchased online at www.lenoircc.edu/lovebites. The cost is $25 and includes a glass of wine, dessert, and entertainment.

Upcoming productions in the College’s Cultural and Performing Arts Series include:

• Secret Society LIVE! Live Concert & Live Karaoke: April 22. Show time is 7 p.m.

Formed in 2008, Secret Society, the brainchild of Washington-area musician Bryan Mills, was created to bring the “Live Band” sound back to today’s heavily computerized music market. Their repertoire is deep and full of history, tradition, and diversity combined with the band's captivating talent and years of experience. A myriad of influences stemming from the seeds of John Coltrane, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Police, Rick James and a host of others, gives this band their own unique sound and identity. The group likes to use the simplistic description of “Feel Good Music” to define exactly what it is that they offer. 

• Matilda the Musical: July 14, 15, 16 and July 21, 22, 23

Matilda the Musical, is a stage musical with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and a book by Dennis Kelly, based on the 1988 novel Matilda by Roald Dahl. The musical's narrative centers on Matilda Wormwood, a precocious 5-year-old girl with the gift of telekinesis, who loves reading, overcomes obstacles caused by her family and school, and helps her teacher to reclaim her life.

• Disney's The Little Mermaid: September 22, 23, 24 and September 29, 30, and October 1

Based on Hans Christian Andersen's beloved tale and the classic animated film, Disney's The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. With timeless music by Academy Award winner, Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater and a compelling book by Doug Wright, this fishy fable continues to capture hearts with its irresistible songs, including "Under the Sea," "Kiss the Girl" and "Part of Your World."  

• White Christmas the Musical: December 1, 2 (Two shows) and December 8, 9, and 10. Show time is 7:30 p.m. Saturday matinee, 2 p.m., and Sunday matinee time is 3 p.m.

Dance your way through the holidays with Irving Berlin’s classic song White Christmas! The Musical is based on the Paramount Pictures 1954 film of the same name. Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, two iconic song-and-dance men, follow a sister act to Vermont, only to discover that the nearly-bankrupt lodge they were to perform at is owned by their former commanding general.

For more information about how you can support the Lenoir Community College Foundation Cultural and Performing Arts Series, please contact Jeanne Kennedy at (252) 233-6812 or email jmkennedy48@lenoircc.edu.