Mardi Party Asheville style
Volume
21
/ Issue 29
Cover Design Credit:
Anna WhitleyCover Photography Credit:
Hayley Benton
In the early 2000s, Fat Tuesday in Asheville was a loosely organized pub crawl attended by a handful of New Orleans transplants and their friends. These days, the observance has expanded to include krewes, the crowning of a king and queen and a parade viewed by thou- sands of revelers. Learn more about how local Mardi Gras celebrations laissez les bons temps rouler, Asheville-style.
arts
Smart bets: Dirty Dozen Brass Band
“This is a special collaboration of forces in Asheville — Isis [Restaurant & Music Hall], New Mountain, Pisgah [Brewing Co.] and FATE come together for a evening of brass funk,”…State of the Arts: The Etched Fable
Each January, Blue Spiral 1 debuts artists and makers that are new to its collection, and often to Asheville, in its annual group exhibition New Times Three. The name derives from…Bluegrass “character actor” Bryan Sutton takes a starring role
The Asheville music scene has its share of local-boy-makes-good stories. And with his 1997 debut onto the national scene, guitarist and Asheville native Bryan Sutton quickly made a major impression…The evolution of the Asheville Mardi Gras Parade
Back in 2001, such a level of popularity and public acceptance seemed unlikely. But if the weather cooperates on Sunday, Feb. 15, Asheville Mardi Gras will draw an estimated 5,000…Smart bets: Jackson Scott
Inspiration from existential crises is nothing new in the music world. Psych-rocker Jackson Scott, however, ups the ante by blending both the highs and lows of 20-something Asheville life in…Smart bets: Sisters of Song Review
Led by eclectic musician Dawn Carol, the Sisters of Song Review draws on the talent of three local ladies — Carol, Tawney Sankey and Kim Smith — for an evening…Smart bets: Robyn Hitchcock
British solo artist Robyn Hitchcock pairs five cover songs with five original tunes in his latest self-described “elegiac record,” The Man Upstairs. “I am, after all this time, a guitarist…Many splendored things: Valentine’s events in and around Asheville
To those who think the celebration of romantic love is just a Hallmark company construct: not quite. Since the 1700s, lovers have been giving each other handwritten cards, flowers and…food
Heart of the matter: Fabulous feasts for Valentine’s Day
Asheville often expresses its ardor on a plate — especially around Valentine’s Day. This year, local restaurants are dishing up everything from farm-to-table to flamenco for the occasion.Beer Scout: HiveMind Brew House
HiveMind Brew House is coming to the South Slope, Twin Leaf celebrates its first anniversary, Catawba Brewing is hiring, Oskar Blues is expanding its taproom and some crazy Valentine's Day…living
Medical intuitives: Seeing the way to better health
One day in massage school Teresa Eidt “saw” the inside of her client’s abdomen. “I was in awe. I was shown a cancerous ulcer on the internal wall of her…Conscious Party: A roaring good time
WHAT: “Zelda and Scott Loved Dance” benefit WHERE: Homewood Estate, 19 Zillicoa St., Asheville WHEN: Friday, Feb. 13, 8-11:00 p.m. WHY: The Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre, started 36 years ago…Preserving food security: Canning foods for donation
For many of us, when we think of preserved foods, we picture our grandparents carefully canning tomatoes from their garden, or the menu at a trendy restaurant featuring sauerkraut or…news
Asheville students win grant to help environment by replacing Styrofoam lunch trays
A student-generated idea to help the environment by getting rid of Styrofoam lunch trays in the school cafeteria is becoming a reality at Asheville’s Vance Elementary School.UNCA and Asheville City schools announce dual enrollment opportunity
For high school students looking to get an early feel for the college experience, UNC Asheville will be providing an opportunity for dual-enrollment starting with the fall 2015 semester. Students…What’s our grade? School leaders anticipate release of state grades
The 1.5 million children enrolled in North Carolina’s public schools this year will not be the only ones receiving grades soon. State officials plan to release a performance-based, letter-graded report…opinion
Mega-whats
Letter writer: Asheville needs looping technology to help those with hearing loss
[Xpress has] been carrying articles related to wellness, emphasizing the whole person. But if you are going to deal with the health of the whole person, you need to consider…Letter writer: Will Asheville make Oregon’s density mistakes?
In the late ’70s, Oregon embarked on a strategy to limit urban sprawl and became the first state to adopt an aggressive “Smart Growth” methodology of zoning. Its goals were…Letter writer: Asheville drivers should share the road with runners
Asheville, N.C., Voted Worst Place to be a Runner! Well, not exactly the worst place to be a runner by any means. To be fair, Asheville is probably one of…The gospel according to Jerry: Confessions of a recovering racist
I received an email article from a couple of my right-wing friends who are constantly trying to validate their extreme positions especially on racial issues and hatred of President Obama.Letter writer: Set a better example, Urban Outfitters
I am writing to express my dismay when I drive or walk by the Urban Outfitters store in downtown Asheville and see their large double doors propped wide open, no…Time to act, while there’s something left to save
No doubt you have already noticed that with the passing of each year, there is less and less of what many of us love the most about living in Asheville.…