Modern Moonshining
Volume
21
/ Issue 48
Cover Design Credit:
Elizabeth BatesCover Photography Credit:
George Etheredge
Enthusiasm for craft brewing and a loosened federal permitting process have stimulated interest and entrepreneurship in a time-honored Appalachian tradition.
arts
Soliloquy: The Magnetic Theatre’s new home and renewed mission
The Merchant of Asheville launches — after more than years of looking for a home — the grand opening production of The magnetic Theatre's new space at 375 Depot Street…Smart bets: Esley: The Life and Musical Legacy of Lesley Riddle
Jeff Messer turns his focus to the folk and country music contributions of Burnsville native Lesley Riddle. Esley: The Life and Musical Legacy of Lesley Riddle, runs at Parkway Playhouse…Back from knee surgery, Michael Franti and Spearhead play New Mountain
The multiplatinum recording artist and the man behind the ubiquitous 2009 hit “Say Hey (I Love You)” plays the New Mountain Amphitheater with his band, Spearhead, on Friday, June 26.…Smart bets: Matthew Quick
Matthew Quick, author of Silver Linings Playbook, reads and signs his latest novel Love May Fail at Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe on Monday, June 29, at 7 p.m.Exposure: Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance takes its rehearsals outside the studio
The public rehearsals for Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance's new show, The Elements, have attracted the attention of everyone from tourists and passersbys to Asheville moms groups. "It’s really wonderful because…Smart bets: Underhill Rose
Tyler Nail Trio opens for Underhill Rose's CD release show at the Grey Eagle on Saturday, June 27, at 9 p.m.The Wood Brothers’ be here now playlist
The magic of The Wood Brothers — who return to Asheville for a show at Pisgah Brewing Co. on Thursday, June 25 — are at work on new album, Paradise.…Smart bets: Sol Driven Train
The eclectic and ever-smiling band plays in support of their aptly titled 12th album Dance! at New Mountain on Friday, June 26, at 10:30 p.m.food
Hendersonville’s food scene makes it own mark
Owner-operated food and drink establishments in the apple capital hope a shift in demographics and perception will widen the culinary spotlight to include Asheville's surrounding communities.Small Bites: Essence
The Asheville Wine and Food Festival's Essence features showdowns among local chefs and mixologists; it's time for Food Truck Friday at Reynolds Village; two local breweries collaborate to support Asheville…living
Conscious Party: Feeding the hungry
The Leicester Community Center has allowed the Leicester Welcome Table to operate out of its location since its inception almost five years ago, helping assist with its mission of feeding…Gluten-related medical conditions can be difficult to diagnose
Diets containing gluten can cause a long list of symptoms, some related to celiac disease and others to gluten sensitivity. Testing for these conditions, however, may not be accurate. Some…movies
Screen scene: Local film news
This week in local film, the Directors Series continues at Carolina Cinemas, Asheville School of Film offers a summer filmmaking course for teens and a local inventor launches the RunPee…news
Ever ready: Local ham radio operators provide vital link
In the age of smartphones and the Internet, ham radio strikes many as an outmoded technology destined to go the way of eight-track tapes and film cameras.Step by step: New Belgium greenway plans finalized
The design for a key link that will help create the longest continuous stretch of greenway in Asheville has been finalized. The roughly 1-mile section will run through the New…New program connects land conservation, education and local food production
A new program from Organic Growers School, WNC FarmLink and Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy called Farm Pathways will combine peer support and land access with a structured curriculum centered around…Bottled lightning: Appalachian moonshining in the 21st century
Western North Carolina is now home to a growing number of craft distillers making legal moonshine. Blending traditional recipes with new technology and methods, these pioneers are bringing Appalachia's most…Making it: What works (and doesn’t) for Asheville food businesses
Asheville is a hotbed for culinary entrepreneurship, but the path to success can be rocky. What does it take beyond a tasty product or a knack for cooking to build…opinion
Room tax honesty
Letter writer: Recent letter describing power generation and distribution was inaccurate
"Stephen Schulte's description of the power generation and distribution process is inaccurate [“In Substation Issue, Electrical Current Law Doesn’t Bend for Kids, June 10, Xpress]."Letter writer: Playing field for short-term rentals isn’t so level after all
"This article could have been titled, 'Leveling the playing field in favor of HomeAway and VRBO.'"Surf and Turf War
Letter writer: Online petition calls for saving Collier Avenue trees
"We started an online petition requesting the city of Asheville to avoid sacrificing the precious wooded area on Collier Avenue in Asheville’s central business district to a new apartment building."When past is present: Zeb Vance and his monument
"Wouldn’t it be nice have a few more parks, squares, green spaces, libraries and Urban Trail stops named after other important figures in Asheville’s and Western North Carolina’s history? You…Letter writer: In same-sex marriage issue, magistrates must treat everyone equally
"A magistrate is funded and entitled to perform the services by a/the government. The government must treat everyone equally, therefore this magistrate must treat people equally."Letter writer: Roadside tribute on Interstate 240 is tragic in several ways
"There is an appropriate place for an outpouring of grief and a laying of tributes — it is the graveside service at a cemetery and not beside public roads."Letter writer: Let’s get realistic about the decay of Asheville’s charm
"Asheville’s charm has been decaying fast, and will cease to be very soon. It is unavoidable. Sadly, it’s just business."Letter writer: Local Citizens Climate Lobby chapter offers avenue for climate change activism
"A local chapter [of the Citizens Climate Lobby] has formed in Asheville and is preparing to participate in and support Congressional Climate Message Day on June 22."