This week, Xpress takes a look at some of the big ideas and amazing things local people and institutions are dreaming up and trying out — from resilient agriculture to strategies to help middle school students succeed. A special advertising section
features even more local big ideas.
arts
Conscious party: Blues, not boredom
The Rotary Club of Asheville-Metro's inagural Beat the Winter Blues Ball is a themed event offering music, dancing, drinks and prizes in exchange for supporting the Coins for Alzheimer's Research…Taylor Brown’s ‘Fallen Land’ was inspired by Asheville
The first half of Taylor Brown’s novel, Fallen Land, takes place in the Blue Ridge as a pair of orphaned lovers flee a group of bounty-reward seeking marauders. The book…Asheville band leader launches yearlong history of jazz concert series
Asheville's Godfather of jazz, Russ Wilson, is mounting a concert series that he calls Russ Wilson's History of Jazz. The year-long Sunday evening series at Isis Restaurant & Music Hall…Smart bets: Palehound
Opening for Nashville rockers Bully, Palehound plays the Mothlight Sunday, Jan. 24, at 9:30 p.m.Phil Cook’s Mothlight show continues commitment to N.C. music
The Durham folk rocker's "Southland Mission" was written and recorded entirely in-state with fellow North Carolina musicians.Smart bets: Django Reinhardt’s Birthday Party
Following a home fire that immobilized two of his fingers, Django Reinhardt invented his own method of navigating the guitar's fret board. Multiple artists celebrate his life and music at…The Asheville Fringe Arts Festival defies genres
The Asheville Fringe Arts Festival, which runs Thursday to Sunday, Jan. 21-24, features more than 30 local and imported performing artists.Smart bets: Koresh Dance Company
The Philadelphia-based touring ensemble begins its residency at Diana Wortham Theatre runs Thursday to Saturday, Jan. 21-23.Smart bets: Nick Dittmeier & the Sawdusters
Now touring its first full-length album, the Louisville, Ky.-based quartet plays a free show at One Stop Thursday, Jan. 21, at 10:30 p.m.food
Choose your own chili: Asheville eateries offer varied takes on a winter favorite
Whether it's bean-heavy, meat-only or completely vegetarian, everyone has their own favorite style of chili. And winter is the perfect time to sample some of Asheville's offerings.Small bites: Arancini transforms into a wine bar
Shortly after opening, West Asheville newcomer Arancini morphed from a fast-casual Italian eatery to a wine bar; Fifth Season Gardening Co.'s event schedule now includes Friday evening beer samplings plus…Behind the scenes of Sierra Nevada and Wicked Weed Funkatorium tours
Take a peek at what happens during Sierra Nevada and Wicked Weed Funkatorium tours.Winter warmers: Comforting drinks for Asheville’s chilly season
From sipping chocolates to cayenne-infused coffees, Asheville businesses are whipping up warming drinks to chase away the winter blues.movies
Screen scene: Local film news
Asheville Brewing hosts British Invasion Week films, UNCA offers two free screenings and submissions open for Music Video Asheville.news
Misbehaving kids? What you probably don’t know
Early childhood education workers are helping children develop coping strategies to deal with the effects of trauma and toxic stress.Beyond stalemate: New decision-making models foster better solutions
Can new ways of structuring the rules that govern how organizations gather information and make decisions help our community move beyond entrenched positions and polarizing rhetoric? Some local consultants say…In Asheville and beyond, creative problem solvers are hatching new solutions
Carl Sandburg called Chicago the “city of the big shoulders”; if he were alive today, he might describe Asheville as “the city of the big thinkers,” acknowledging the passion so…opinion
Letter writer: Gordon Smith is experienced, informed
"I don't know anyone who cares more about the future of our beautiful corner of the world and the people who live here and make it what it is. "Letter writer: ‘Gray Baby’ was moving, revealing
"Ms. Hickman presented an intensely personal and anguished account that was by turns moving, revealing and thought-provoking."A bouquet of democracy
Letter writer: Smith leads us toward decent living for all
"Standing for living wages, bus service on weekends, more flexible housing standards that can include small and “tiny” houses, he leads us toward decent living for all."Body of Evidence
Invisible yet everywhere: Recognizing white privilege
Wait! White privilege? Me? I’m no more privileged than anyone I know… It was Week 3 of a nine-week lesson in awareness that I hope I’ll never forget — and…