Best Of WNC memories, part 2

Xpress cover, 2011

In part 1, we revisited purple wigs, long-suffering pets, long-lost eateries and the 2004 demand for more adult entertainment.

To inspire votes for this year’s Best Of WNC, we’ll try to keep things wholesome for this next look back at Best Of’s past.

From the 2006 ballot notes:

“Music fans proved faithful to local favorites like Mad Tea Party, Stephanie’s ID and Toubab Krewe — as well as a handful of newcomers. Just about a year on the scene and Custard Pie has already racked up a second place (with as many bands as Woody Wood is in, someone needs to give him an award).”

The thing to pay attention to here is the changing names. Mad Tea Party became Mad Tea, became Krekel and Whoa. Stephanie’s ID became the much more stylized stepaniesid (with a cool accent mark over the second I that this keyboard won’t make). Woody Wood became Aaron “Woody” Wood, and Zeppelin cover band Custard Pie is, sadly, no more.

Xpress cover, 2012
Xpress cover, 2012

From the 2007 ballot notes:

What’s most revealing about the year’s A&E section is the crop of new talent emerging. Just-added category “best local dance teacher” brought votes for spicy salsa instructor Maria Voisin, ballet aficionados Ann Dunn and Heather Malloy, hip-hop instructor Jodi Taylor and West African dancer Kelly Davis. The point? Xpress readers love all manner of booty shaking.

You also told us who to check out in the visual arts: Photographer Jen Lepkrowski and anime painter Taiyo la Paix are new names in this section. And you clued us in on what bands have been flying under our radar. While funk quartet Ol’ Hoopty garnered enough of a following to place among the best local rock groups, neo-soul act the Secret B-Sides, indie-rockers the Broomstars and folk-punk artists Sirius.B are, according to Xpress readers, the ones to watch.

From the 2008 ballot notes:

Readers know a good new thing when it comes along. This summer’s Alison Krauss and Robert Plant show leaped to the winning slot for “Live show of 2008: music.” Among artists to watch, voters named designer Stu Helm, painter Jonas Gerard, musical acts Deep River, Bugs Multiply, Somni Suite and high school-age band Skinny Legs & All.

Ready to cast your vote and make your mark on local history? Do it here!

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About Alli Marshall
Alli Marshall has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years and loves live music, visual art, fiction and friendly dogs. She is the winner of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize and the author of the novel "How to Talk to Rockstars," published by Logosophia Books. Follow me @alli_marshall

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