LEAF turns 20
Volume
21
/ Issue 40
Cover Design Credit:
Alane MasonCover Photography Credit:
Steve Atkins, Fox Cove Photography
With the May 7-10 festival, LEAF celebrates 20 years of world music, arts, camping and community. But the organization does much more than book bands — LEAF Schools & Streets and LEAF International programs make a big impact, too, and this year sees the launch of new local initiatives.
arts
Sound values: How LEAF’s eclectic lineup defines the festival’s ethos
The 2015 lineup for LEAF, which prides itself on its globally conscious reach, is unsurprisingly excellent. Topping the bills each night are acts that range from soul revival firebrand Charles…LEAF celebrates 20 years of music, art, culture and community
How do you sum up 20 years of festivals? That’s two decades of twice-yearly campouts, dances, new musical discoveries and fond favorites; of friends made and family bonds strengthened; of…Smart bets: Ouroboros Boys
Featuring intriguing and textural instrumentals with unexpected influences and surprising end results, Ouroboros Boys will come to the Mothlight to share a bill with fellow locals Analog Moon, an experimental…Smart bets: The Other Place We Live
The collection aims to evoke thoughts on both individual experience and the “collective unconscious” as they relate to the colorful spectrum of dream states.Langhorne Slim on songwriting, collaborating and getting grounded
Folk-rock troubadour Langhorne Slim is known for spending nine months of the year on the road. He’s a true road warrior who’s built a dedicated fan base through constant touring,…Asheville Wordfest shifts focus to local speakers, Wolfe inspirations
The 2015 Wordfest takes place Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2, at Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Asheville campus. The festival is a chance to see narrative as a connective force across…Smart bets: The Ghost Wolves
The Austin-based couple's latest effort, Man, Woman, Beast, marks their first full-length album and offers “more of a complete picture of where we are at as a band."Smart bets: Asheville Magic Festival
From illusionists to jugglers, conjurers to balloon artists, storytellers to face painters, the second Asheville Magic Festival brings more than 20 entertainers downtown for a “nonstop celebration of wonder.”French Broad River Festival and RiverMusic return
It’s official. Festival season is here, marked by two favorite local spring celebrations. Both show boatloads of love for the French Broad River: RiverLink’s RiverMusic series, which began in 2012,…food
Letter writer: Raw-milk debate misses point: Why drink cow’s milk anyway?
"Why are humans drinking cow’s milk in the first place? The idea that people should drink cow’s milk has gone the way of Donna Reed and TV dinners."The buzz in Arden: Beehive Coffee Bar provides new South Asheville gathering spot
Stepping through the door of the Beehive Coffee Bar from the parking lot of its nondescript little strip mall in Arden is a bit like entering a space-time wormhole —…By bread alone: Asheville Bread Bakers Festival celebrates the art of dough
Each spring, the Asheville Bread Bakers Festival brings together local bread artisans to network and learn about their craft, while offering bread enthusiasts an opportunity to admire and sample a…Beer Scout: Tasty Beverage Co. opens on the South Slope
The taps are flowing at Tasty Beverage Co., and saisons are in season at Burial Beer Co.'s Sharpen the Blades festival.living
Backyard chicken keeping not as easy as it’s cracked up to be
Recent relaxing of city restrictions mean Asheville is “chickening” like never before. But many would be chicken-keeepers don’t realize the birds stop producing eggs early in their life, yet still…Conscious Party: Vanquish the violence
More than 15 local musicians will converge on Isis Restaurant & Music Hall to perform Paul Simon’s Graceland in its entirety to support Helpmate, Buncombe County's nonprofit agency providing safety,…movies
Screen scene: Local film news
• A screening of Sweet Dreams at the Fine Arts Theatre on Thursday, April 30, at 7 p.m. benefits Asheville-based cross-cultural partnership Africa Healing Exchange. The documentary is about Kiki…news
Brevard’s proposed electric vehicle charging station could alter WNC map
A proposal to establish Transylvania County’s first public charging station could expand options for electric vehicle owners across Western North Carolina.Boon or bane: Buncombe residents speak out against manufactured housing
A steady stream of Buncombe County residents queued up April 7 to voice opposition to loosening restrictions on mobile homes. The concern stemmed from local media reports that the county…Letter writer: City of Asheville works with partners to house veterans
"Through a partnership with Homeward Bound, the city of Asheville provides support to implement the federal Supportive Services for Veteran Families grant. Homeward Bound was awarded $2.7 million in federal…Letter writer: Let’s increase sales tax for affordable housing
"I moved here in June from West Virginia and have fallen in love with the diversity and beauty of our area. Unfortunately, part of that diversity is a disparity of…Walk a Mile raises awareness of sexual violence
What started out as a challenge to men to walk their talk against sexual violence is taking a step toward inclusivity. In a change of pace, Our VOICE, Buncombe County’s…opinion
A bear to cross
Safety concerns on certain city thoroughfares make the idea of going out of town for dangerous thrills redundant.On the road in our house: Living large with a small footprint
"Initially, we were skeptical because of the large carbon footprint — poor gas mileage, plus the need for propane when not plugged into the grid. We nearly rejected the idea…Letter writer: Young drivers caused traffic hazard after ballgame
"If you know of a group of young men who were at the baseball game tonight, April 20, who were driving a gold SUV, and acting quite spunky, ask them…Letter writer: Best of WNC campaigns try to game the contest
"Although I don't personally participate, as a repeat Best Villain winner, I thought I'd reinforce my credentials. Some of your readers are cheaters."Letter writer: Raw-milk problems have been reduced by vaccines, better sanitation
"In my comments about raw-milk problems in the 1800s, I provided a few examples of the problems that occurred. I never intended to suggest that the examples I mentioned were…Letter writer: What is the city doing to end veterans’ homelessness?
"Some time ago, an announcement was made public that Asheville’s mayor had accepted [first lady] Michelle Obama’s challenge to end veterans’ homelessness. Since then, I have not seen or heard…