Hot topics

Two of 2010’s hottest news stories were written by frequent Mountain Xpress contributors Anne Fitten Glenn and Nelda Holder. Both women are longtime journalists: Glenn now writes our Edgy Mama and Brews News columns; before retiring late last year, Holder was our associate editor, in charge of the letters and commentary sections. Here are their […]

Setting our Sightlines on local theatre

We continued another year of the heavily trafficked Sightlines theatre-review project (mountainx.com/theatre). A collaboration between Xpress and contributors John Crutchfield, Lucia Del Vecchio Gray, Steven Samuels and guests, the online-only reviews attempt to provide honest and thoughtful criticism of almost every local theatre production. Watch for changes this year, as Samuels opens the Magnetic Field […]

“Flooding and Rebuilding­: Momentous and Magical Realms in Paint on Canvas”

With so many talented artists in Asheville to write about, it is difficult to choose a single favorite column of 2010. I always enjoy getting to know artists through the interview process, and for this reason I especially enjoyed writing profiles about people like Tim Barnwell, Luca Dipierro,  Peter Parpan and Anna Jensen. Then there […]

“Eighty-Eight Keys, Many Hands”

Classical music had an active year in Asheville in 2010. The Asheville Symphony began its 50th season; the Classical Guitar Society began hosting concerts; the Chamber Music Society continued performances in its 58th season; and the Asheville Area Piano Forum hosted its 10th annual Fall Benefit Concert. My first story for the Xpress, “Eighty-Eight Keys, […]

“Asheville Sirens”

The Sirens cartoon (published June 16), which used the popular myth as a metaphor for the duplicitous allure of Asheville, is my favorite from 2010. I enjoyed creating it because: I was able to use a simple pen-and-ink style (with the benefit of not having to color) as well as an over-flowery narrative; I got […]

“Dunkin’ Booth Baptism”

Dunkin’ Booth Baptism (published Sept. 28), featuring Buncombe County Republican Party chairman Chad Nesbitt, was my favorite cartoon for 2010. I especially enjoyed drawing the characters. In fact, the characters, the concept and the writing were quite easy for me to develop. In earlier years, I loved lampooning Carl Mumpower, because he seemed a little […]

The “Burlesque­” Cover

Although I could settle on either of a few, my internal politic unanimously rests with Those Legs. It came and then went with a fluidity quite rare in the grand compromise we call Commercial Art. Two Colors (both dark), One Image, No Photo, Small Teaser. After meeting the story's author just a few days ago, […]

“The Big Parade: Grammy-Winning Kids’ Singer Leads a Chorus Line of Famous Friends&#8221

The first time I really became aware of Dan Zanes he was plinking a mandolin on an episode of Sesame Street, gathering a bunch of kids and Williamsburg-style hipsters around him, Pied Piper-like, on the steps of some Brooklyn brownstone. With his owl's-nest hair, craggy features and scrawny, aging-rocker bod, he physically reminded me of […]

The “Art Walk” Cover

I really enjoy getting to put art from local artists on the cover. It's always beautiful and dynamic. The collage style of this cover allowed me to exhibit the variety of art on display at the season's first art walk. This cover, like the Gabriel Shaffer (Jan. 6)  and Alli Good (Oct. 6) covers I […]

An inside job

As the Gregorian calendar tick-tocks its way into 2011, many Ashevilleans will make resolutions hoping to change their lives for the better. Many start out with good intentions, but according to national polls, about 75 percent won't succeed. Gary Rollins, a local personal and professional development coach, suggests that the usual efforts don't create lasting […]