Sound Check: Balsa Gliders

Last week, Charlotte/Raleigh/Philadelphia-based Balsa Gliders blew through town for an all-too-brief visit. Before the band’s energetic set at The Odditorium, they talked about keeping the creative impetus going and remaining current in the regional music scene. Click through for the video interview and exclusive performance. Photo by The Balsa Gliders on Instagram.

Still going strong: Christmas Jam celebrates 25 years of benefit concerts with two-night blowout

Reflecting on his 25 years of annual Christmas Jam benefit concerts, Warren Haynes says there’s been “too many highlights to list.” The event’s grown from a small concert at the now-defunct 45 Cherry nightclub into one of the city’s biggest entertainment events, held this year on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13-14, at the U.S. Cellular Center. With proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity, the shows are meant to celebrate Asheville’s philanthropic and artistic values, says Haynes.