Thirsty Monk opens in Woodfin

Thirsty Monk’s original downtown location had character built right in. Even in Asheville’s funky downtown, it’s hard to miss a corner building that’s painted bright purple. Both the upstairs bar and the downstairs Belgian bar have their quirks — the latter is literally in the basement — and the entire building has a comically low capacity. So […]

Smart Bets: Truth & Salvage Co.

The last time Americana rockers Truth & Salvage Co. rolled through Asheville was in 2013 when the band headlined a Downtown After 5 concert. It’s been nearly a decade since Scott Kinnebrew, Walker Young and Bill “Smitty” Smith — all former members of local swampy ragtime outfit Scrappy Hamilton — moved to L.A. There, they […]

The secret in the sauce

From Asian-inspired, vegan mayonnaise to simple and spicy mustard aioli — homemade condiments offer something a little more special than what you might find in a ketchup bottle. “The trick to creating a uniquely delicious condiment is to put your signature on something based in tradition, so the result is reminiscent of the product that inspired you,” […]

Beyond running

Twin events aim to help Mexico’s Tarahumara people What do a Harvard professor, the editor of Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine, an Asheville expatriate living in a canyon in Mexico and a local film director all have in common? They’re all fascinated by the Tarahumara, the indigenous people of Mexico’s Copper Canyon. While their interests in […]

Transfigur­atively speaking: Harvest Records announces Transfigur­ations II lineup

Harvest Records announces Transfigurations II lineup Unless you work for, say, AC Entertainment, or are just a glutton for punishment, you probably don’t want to organize music festivals on a regular basis. That’s kind of how Harvest Records owners Mark Capon and Matt Schnable felt after pulling off their highly regarded Transfigurations Festival — and […]

Buncombe agency recommends $1.17 million for nonprofits­, denies Moogfest applicatio­n

The Buncombe County Culture and Recreation Authority recommended $1.17 million in grants to a list of 15 local nonprofit organizations — far less than the $3.86 million they requested, but more than twice as much as County Manager Wanda Greene is recommending as she prepares to craft the county budget for the next fiscal year.

Small bites: Food news to go

The Center for the Study of the American South, in Chapel Hill will exhibit “Useful Work,” a collection of photographs taken by Asheville photographer Ken Abbot that capture the essence of Fairview’s simultaneously historic and progressive Hickory Nut Gap Farm. The show will feature 16 images selected from the project, which Abbot completed with funding he received from an N.C. Arts Council Artist’s Fellowship in 2006.

Asheville Ballet’s Cinderella

Review by Mark-Ellis Bennett Last weekend Asheville Ballet staged Cinderella, the largest production of its 50-plus year history. Prokofiev’s powerful score, the stunning choreography and colorful new costumes and sets were enjoyed by an enthusiastic audience of all ages. According to Asheville Ballet’s artistic director, Ann Dunn, the company spent nearly a year rehearsing and […]

Whacked!

The store room of downtown’s FRS storefront turned into a hot, crowded kitchen on May 13. With the common phrases “Behind!” “Sharp knife!” “Hot pan!” being thrown out every few minutes, the competition’s participants hurried from the stove to the cutting board to the oven, then back to the cutting board. The dozens of spectators crowding around the work stations saw a blur of checkered pants, chef coats and wisps of hair under chef caps as the competitors hurried to complete their dish in the time allotted.

Agent provocateu­r: ABSFest showcases burlesque and sideshow arts with social relevance

ABSFest showcases burlesque and sideshow arts with social relevance This year’s Americana Burlesque and Sideshow Festival will include, among other spectacles, “the world’s foremost authority on sideshow,” James Taylor. Not “I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain” James Taylor — the other one, whose personal collection of sideshow memorabilia includes a taxidermied unicorn from the […]

Drums + dance

Zansa kicks off big summer plans at Mountain Sports Festival Asheville Afropop band Zansa’s name comes from a Nouchi slang word from Ivory Coast meaning “combination” or “blend.” True to that moniker, Adama Dembele (lead vocals and djembe), Patrick Fitzsimons (guitar), Sean Mason (drum set), Ryan Reardon (bass) and Matt Williams (acoustic and electric violins […]

Smart Bets: Alice in Wonderland

Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre celebrates 35 years of modern dance while the New Studio of Dance marks its 45th anniversary of dance education. The local artistic strongholds commemorate those milestones with a performance of Alice in Wonderland. “You may already know Alice, the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts, but how long has it […]