FAYNC DREAMERS BRINGS A THREE-DAY HOMETOWN EXPERIENCE TO FAYETTEVILLE SEPTEMBER 21–23
- Christina Miles
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FAYNC DREAMERS BRINGS A THREE-DAY HOMETOWN EXPERIENCE TO FAYETTEVILLE SEPTEMBER 21–23
Local creatives unite to celebrate Fayetteville through music, art, culture, community and citywide experiences ahead of J. Cole’s hometown concert
FAYETTEVILLE, NC — September 7, 2026 — FAYNC Dreamers, a community-driven cultural experience created by a team of Fayetteville creatives, will take place September 21–23, 2026, bringing together local music, art, entrepreneurship, community, media, local businesses and Fayetteville culture in the days leading up to J. Cole’s hometown concert.
FAYNC Dreamers was created around a simple idea: Fayetteville is more than the hometown of a global artist. It is a city full of artists, entrepreneurs, musicians, makers and storytellers, with neighborhoods, landmarks, businesses and cultural spaces worth exploring.
The three-day experience is designed to give residents and visitors a meaningful introduction to the Ville before the spotlight turns to the stage. Rather than creating one centralized destination, FAYNC Dreamers activates spaces throughout Downtown Fayetteville and surrounding neighborhoods, connecting art, music, food, business, media, community and culture into one shared hometown experience.
THE DREAM TEAM BEHIND THE EXPERIENCE
FAYNC Dreamers is being produced by a team of local creative changemakers who represent different areas of Fayetteville's creative ecosystem:
Zairis T. Miles — Creative Director / Content Lead
Christina Miles — Communications & Design Lead
Al Bowman — Creative Curator & Producer
Johnathan Brown — Music Production & Audio Lead
Malcolm Chester — Music Artist Experience Lead
Isaiah Jones — Media Team Lead
Courtney Cheatham — Media Team Lead
Karena Atkinson — On-Site Coordinator
Together, the Dream Team is creating an experience rooted in Fayetteville itself — one that gives local creatives and businesses a platform while inviting residents and visitors to experience the city from multiple perspectives.
THREE DAYS IN THE VILLE
FAYNC Dreamers will unfold through a series of official experiences from Monday, September 21 through Wednesday, September 23.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
3:00 PM–8:00 PM
Sponsored by: The Region Six Project and The Creative Studio by Jae Renee
The experience begins at The Region Six Project, the official FAYNC Dreamers community hub. Opening Day will give attendees an opportunity to connect with fellow Dreamers, pick up the FAYNC Dreamers Fayetteville City Guide and purchase FAYNC Magazine's first print edition. All culminating to the tune of live music as the citywide celebration gets underway.
The Pop-Up will also support The Region Six Project's “272 Years — Silenced but Not Erased” 272 Campaign.
OPENING DAY MUSIC
6:00–7:00 PM — Back-to-back DJ Set: Zairis TéJion + Tommi Lee
7:00–7:30 PM — Live Performance: Jericho the KingSmith
7:30–8:00 PM — Live Performance: William Prize
The opening-day programming brings together DJ culture and live local music to officially kick off the FAYNC Dreamers experience.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
12:00 PM–9:00 PM
Region Six Project
Sponsored by: The Region Six Project and The Creative Studio by Jae Renee
The FAYNC Dreamers community hub continues into Tuesday with the Community Exchange, giving residents and visitors an opportunity to explore local nonprofits and brands, shop exclusive FAYNC Dreamers and Fayetteville-inspired merchandise, and connect with fellow Dreamers.
The Community Exchange provides a daytime community component before Tuesday evening's media and nightlife programming.
5:00 PM–7:00 PM
Croo Studios | RSVP Only
Sponsored by Prima Elements Holistic Wellness Center
The Warm-Up is an exclusive welcome reception for publishers, editors, journalists, broadcasters, media business owners, communications professionals and invited Fayetteville community stakeholders.
Hosted at Croo Studios, the reception is designed to connect visiting and local media with the leaders, organizations and institutions helping shape Fayetteville's future.
7:00 PM–11:00 PM
Before the city takes center stage, the Ville links up. The Villest Link Up is a pre-concert community gathering centered around music, drinks and hometown pride. Residents and visitors will have an opportunity to connect while enjoying DJ sets from:
DJ Tommi Lee
DJ Zairis TéJion
The evening serves as a bridge between the community-focused programming of Tuesday and the full-scale celebration taking place throughout the Ville on Wednesday.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Every dream starts somewhere. Dreamers Cafe will open the final day with a curated morning gathering where coffee, conversation and community come together before Fayetteville celebrates one of its own.
Attendees can enjoy FAYNC Dreamer curated handcrafted drinks, fresh pastries and meaningful connections while experiencing the ambition, creativity and hometown pride that continue to shape Fayetteville. This morning event also includes sounds by local music artist PME performing curated beats and remixes setting the tone for the Ville to awaken for the last day of the FAYNC Dreamers experience.
12:00 PM–5:00 PM
Region Six Project
Sponsored by: The Region Six Project and The Creative Studio by Jae Renee
The official FAYNC Dreamers community hub returns for the final day, featuring local brands and nonprofits, exclusive FAYNC Dreamers and Fayetteville-inspired merchandise, and opportunities to connect with fellow Dreamers.
Local DJ Whoa Swazzey will provide a live set throughout the finale.
Pop-Up FINALE MUSIC
DJ Whoa Swazzey — 12:00–5:00 PM
Host: Karena Atkinson
THE FINALE: FAYNC DREAMERS VILLE CRAWL
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 | 12:00–5:00 PM
DOWNTOWN FAYETTEVILLE
The FAYNC Dreamers experience culminates with the Ville Crawl, Curated by Al Bowman Creative. This curated downtown experience is designed to encourage locals and visitors to explore Fayetteville through multiple businesses, creative spaces and cultural destinations.
The Ville Crawl will feature dedicated venues and spaces hosting a range of Fayetteville- and Cole-adjacent experiences, including DJ sets, art installations, an art walk, art markets and exhibitions, makerspace experiences, meet-and-greets, pop-up shops and musical showcases.
The result is an afternoon where the city itself becomes the experience.
FAYNC DREAMERS VILLE CRAWL LOCATIONS & PROGRAMMING
DREAMERS POP-UP
Region Six Project Inc.
The Region Six Project continues as one of the primary FAYNC Dreamers community hubs.
The Ville Crawl activation will include:
Pop-up experiences
Vendors
Photo activation
Makerspace
MUSIC
DJ Whoa Swazzey 12:00–5:00 PM
Host: Karena
The Region Six Project also serves as the home of the FAYNC Dreamers Pop-Up throughout the three-day experience.
THE DREAMERS CLOSET
Fayetteville Preloved Market at Prima Elements
Prima Elements will host The Dreamers Closet, featuring Fayetteville Preloved Market.
The activation brings fashion, shopping and local resale culture into the Ville Crawl, creating an opportunity for attendees to discover curated pre-loved pieces while exploring downtown.
DREAMERS DEN
Gaston Brewing will serve as a Ville Crawl destination for food drinks and family-friendly environment. The location provides another social destination for attendees as they move throughout the crawl.
DREAMERS INK
Gallery 13 will host Dreamers Ink, featuring a tattoo pop-up running 11:00 AM–3:00 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday. The activation adds an interactive art and body-art component to the FAYNC Dreamers experience.
DREAMERS TERRACE
The rooftop experience at Faye's Rooftop a 21+ experience running from 12:00–5:00 PM will provide one of the Ville Crawl's major music and social destinations. The first floor will feature the restaurant, while the rooftop will host music and additional programming.
ROOFTOP TALENT:
DJ Don't Come Ugly
LIVE MUSIC
A.G.A.M.E.
Kitheartist
YEA
Mac DaBlackSheep
DREAMERS SOCIAL LOUNGE
The Sip Room will host the Dreamers Social Lounge, a 21+ experience running from 12:00–5:00 PM.
Attendees can expect:
Games
Social activities
A dedicated lounge atmosphere
Live set by local DJ: DJ Candy
Music performance by local music artist: NajiyahK
The Social Lounge adds a more intimate social experience to the Ville Crawl while continuing the music programming throughout the afternoon.
DREAMERS PUB
Charley's Pub will host Dreamers Pub, a 21+ experience featuring a live rock-band performance.
LIVE PERFORMANCE
Militia2Six
The performance adds a live-band element to the otherwise DJ- and hip-hop-centered music programming throughout the Ville Crawl.
DREAMERS GARDEN
Stevies on Hay will host Dreamers Garden, a family-friendly outdoor experience.
The space will feature:
Outdoor seating
Cotton candy
Family-friendly programming
A curated playlist provided by FAYNC Dreamers
The Garden creates a space for families and attendees of all ages to enjoy the Ville Crawl.
LIVE ART EXPERIENCE
Awesome Tattoos will feature a live, J. Cole-inspired large art piece by Johnny of Awesome Tattoos, alongside a tent in front of the business where attendees can purchase original artwork and prints created by Awesome Tattoos artists. The activation connects the Ville Crawl's music-driven programming with Fayetteville's visual-art community.
DOLLAR + A DREAM DOWNTOWN ART WALK
SELF-GUIDED ART EXPERIENCE
12:00–5:00 PM
The Ville Crawl will also feature the Dollar & A Dream Downtown Art Walk, inviting attendees to explore Fayetteville's visual-art landscape through a self-guided walking experience.
Featured destinations and works include:
Downtown Fayetteville murals
Johnny Awesome's Koi Fish Mural — 214 Hay Street
J. Cole Mural adjacent to Fayetteville State University
Cool Springs Downtown District — 222 Hay Street Alley art installation
The Art Walk gives attendees another way to experience Downtown Fayetteville while moving between Ville Crawl locations.
MUSIC THROUGHOUT THE EXPERIENCE
Music is one of the central threads connecting FAYNC Dreamers' three-day programming.
Across the official events and Ville Crawl, the experience will feature 15 local music artists and DJs, including live performers, DJs and a live rock band.
Music Artists:
DJs:
The talent represents different sides of Fayetteville's music culture — from DJs and emerging solo artists to live bands and featured performances — and will be woven throughout the three-day experience rather than confined to one stage.
MORE THAN A CONCERT
At its core, FAYNC Dreamers is about giving Fayetteville its own moment.
The experience positions the Ville as a creative hub, a cultural destination and a community — a place filled with artists, entrepreneurs, musicians, makers and storytellers, and a city with neighborhoods, landmarks, businesses and experiences worth exploring.
From the Region Six Project to Croo Studios, Haymount Truckstop, Vagabond Cafe and the businesses and creative spaces participating in the Ville Crawl, FAYNC Dreamers creates a path through the city that allows residents and visitors to experience Fayetteville through its people and places.
Three days. Multiple experiences. One hometown.
FAYNC DREAMERS
September 21–23, 2026
Downtown Fayetteville + participating local businesses
More information: fayncmagazine.com/dreamers
MEDIA CONTACT:
FAYNC Dreamers
SPONSORSHIP
FAYNC Dreamers is currently open to sponsorship opportunities for organizations and businesses interested in supporting the larger cultural experience and its impact across Fayetteville.
Sponsorship inquiries: fayncdreamers@gmail.com
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