Briana Duggan

From Soviet Romania To Front Stage: Charlotte Symphony's Concertmaster

Briana Duggan — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:38:20 +0000

The Charlotte Symphony begins its summer outdoor concert series this weekend. And before the conductor steps onto Symphony Park stage, steps the orchestra’s highest ranked member: the concertmaster. He takes the seat to the left of the conductor.

For the last ten years, one man has occupied that chair: Romanian born violinist, Calin Lupanu. WFAE's Briana Duggan met with the concertmaster and discovered that the route to that chair has been a tumultuous one.

Forget 'Buffy', A Local Writer's Spin On A Vampire Slayer

Briana Duggan — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:37:06 +0000

If you saw Wonder Woman or Frodo Baggins near the university area this weekend, don't worry, it wasn't your eyes. It was probably someone from ConCarolinas, a sci-fi and fantasy convention that attracted about 1,300 filmmakers, writers, and enthusiasts.

Some writers didn't have to travel far. WFAE's Briana Duggan profiles a Charlotte-based writer who has found quite a following, thanks to one shape-shifting Cherokee vampire slayer.

Dancing Out True Tales Of Murder

Briana Duggan — Wed, 29 May 2013 15:57:11 +0000

Not all love stories have a happy ending. Consider one of the most famous ballets of all time, Swan Lake. The story ends with two lovers drowning themselves when they can’t be together.

But then again, that is fiction. A dance performance this weekend portrays true stories from our region. We already know how these relationships end: with murder in the first degree.

The Latest Exercise Fad: Run From Zombies

Briana Duggan — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:19:17 +0000

Running is a chore for many, and that can make the business of putting on races extra challenging. But on Sunday, one 5K race attracted a crowd of 3,500 people. It featured some unusual extras: a helicopter, smoke machine, and, oh yes, zombies.

WWII Vet Didn't Want To See War Memorial, But Now He's Going

Lisa Miller and Briana Duggan — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:18:03 +0000

Seventy-seven World War II veterans from upstate South Carolina are on their way Tuesday morning to see their memorial in Washington DC. They’re taking what’s called an Honor Flight. These flights have transported thousands of vets to DC free of charge since the memorial opened in 2004. With an estimated 600 World War II vets dying every day, there’s a real urgency to these flights.

Vince Adametz is one vet on the flight who thought he’d never make the trip.

Providing Distraction At Hospital, Thanks To A Couple Of Red Buttons

Briana Duggan — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:55:37 +0000

Medicines, needles, strange buttons, there are plenty of things in hospitals you can’t touch – and are tempting for kids to touch. But a new art installation at the Levine Children’s Hospital turns that on its head. Children are supposed to touch it.

When A Poet Throws Rhymes, And A Right Hook

Briana Duggan — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:28:40 +0000

Boxing requires physical strength to be sure, but a boxer’s words can also pack a punch.Perhaps the best known wordsmith is Muhammad Ali, who is known for his clever rhymes, like in 1974 when he said “I have wrestled with an alligator, I done tussled with a whale, I done handcuffed lighting, thrown thunder in jail,". One local boxer also embraces poetry, Spidey “The Boxing Poet” Williams.

Breaking Into The Fashion Industry From The Kitchen Table

Briana Duggan — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:47:27 +0000

Passport for Fashion is Charlotte’s largest spring fashion show and is estimated to attract around 3,000 people to the NC Music Factory. Around 200 models will wear designs from fashion industry professionals, as well as work from local aspiring designers. WFAE's Briana Duggan spoke with one of them.

Folk Society Blends Bluegrass With Some Latin Romance

Briana Duggan — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:26:34 +0000

For over 30 years, the Charlotte Folk Society has given free monthly concerts to share the region’s traditional music. At this Friday's concert, North Carolina’s bluegrass meets a Latin import, bolero. And this music – was made for romance.

A Blumey-ing Theater Program in Belmont

Briana Duggan — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:39:54 +0000

Just about every high school has its cliques, groups like the jocks, and the theater crowd. South Point High School in Belmont is no different.

The school gets a lot of recognition for its football team, which has won a long list of conference and state titles over the last forty three years. But last year, the drama crowd gained some ground with its own title.