March on: Asheville celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.
Volume
22
/ Issue 25
Cover Design Credit:
Alane MasonCover Photography Credit:
Virginia Daffron
Xpress interviews Oralene Anderson Graves Simmons, founder of Asheville’s long-running Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast. Meanwhile, local leaders reflect on King’s influence and legacy.
arts
Author Jake Bible hosts a group focused on the business of books
The the monthly Asheville meeting — which begins on Monday, Jan. 18, at Malaprop’s — takes its cues from the Writers Coffeehouse launched by New York Times best-selling author Jonathan…Smart bets: HOMME
The Few opens for HOMME at The Mothlight Sunday, Jan. 17, at 9 p.m.The Americans play a free show at The Grey Eagle
In a geographic sense, "The Americans" may refer to any two or more people residing from Águila Islet to Cape Columbia. Musically, that name specifically applies to the Los Angeles…Smart bets: Mediterranean Blues
Oakley United Methodist Church hosts Asheville Baroque Concerts' recital of Renaissance and Baroque music Sunday, Jan. 17, at 3 p.m.Rock drummer Freda Love Smith pens a memoir with recipes
When Smith’s eldest son, Jonah, was in his last year of high school, she decided to give him a series of cooking lessons so he’d be self-sufficient when he left…Smart bets: The DuPont Brothers
The DuPont Brothers return to Asheville to play an opening slot for local roots band Tellico at The Altamont Theatre on Saturday, Jan. 16, at 8 p.m.Local duo plans fundraiser to reach international blues competition
Local blues vocalist Peggy Ratusz and pianist Aaron Price are set to compete at the 32nd annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis later this month.Smart bets: Andrew Scotchie & The River Rats
For his 23rd birthday concert, Scotchie has planned a musical sampling of the South, which takes place at Isis Restaurant & Music Hall Saturday, Jan. 16, at 9 p.m.Conscious party: Blue Dragons jam for LEAF Community Arts
Before the Dragons unleash their funk- and Americana-inspired jams, fans can warm up with opening act Fritz Beer and the Crooked Beat. DJ Molly Parti closes the fundraiser with a…food
On the side: Asheville chefs further food causes beyond the kitchen
Whether advocating for change or dishing about microgreens, Asheville is filled with chefs who hold community close to heart.Chasing white squirrels: A foodie tour of Brevard
Just a stone's throw from Asheville, the little town of Brevard is building a dining scene that's well worth a daytrip — or two.Beer Scout: Burial Beer enters a growth spurt
Burial is planning a large-scale brewing expansion and more for its new 1.4-acre property.living
Combining yoga and physical therapy accelerates healing
When used together, yoga and physical therapy can speed up healing for limited/impaired populations.movies
2015 at the Movies: The Great, the Good, the Underrated, the Overrated and the Just Plain Awful
The 2015 movie year was a rich and somewhat strange one. It was rich in that there were a lot of good — even great or near-great — films, but…Screen scene: Local film news
Asheville School of Film offers a Keaton/Lloyd weekend seminar, Western Carolina Film School unveils a student short and the North Asheville Library goes South Pacific with a twist.news
New Comic Characters #43
Bees here now: Home Depot and Lowe’s to phase out neonic-treated plants
In the past few months, two major chain retailers have been busy bees. Both The Home Depot and Lowe’s have begun phasing out the sale of flowering plants containing pesticides…What would MLK say?
Local leaders reflect on King’s influence and legacy nearly half a century after his assassination on April 4, 1968. Whether or not they were alive during King's lifetime, all agree…Small bites: ASAP goes on the air
WNCW and Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project have teamed up to launch a new radio series called Growing Local; Villagers hosts a class on fermenting garden products into alcoholic beverages; Living…A change is gonna come: Prayer breakfast honors King’s legacy
Oralene Simmons founded Asheville's Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast in 1982 for residents of the neighborhood surrounding the Montford Recreation Center. It quickly grew into an Asheville tradition that's…Give!Local raises $37,000-plus for nonprofits
From Oct. 30 to Dec. 31, the Mountain Xpress Give!Local campaign raised $37,679 for 30 local nonprofits. Every dollar donated will go toward the nonprofit of the donor's choice, from…opinion
Letter writer: Anyone want to stage a Civil War play?
"Do we have a theater in Asheville that would love to perform this amusing and history-filled play?"Letter writer: UDO favors cars over immigrants
"It's hard to imagine a document or a policy that causes more cars per immigrant despite Council’s laughable rhetoric to the contrary; and it's no accident."Letter writer: Cyclists should avoid Blue Ridge Parkway during rush hour
"Of course, there are jerks driving the parkway and bicycling the parkway just as there are anywhere."Letter writer: Asheville and Buncombe County should work to reduce poverty
"The time has come for Asheville and Buncombe County to take advantage of the Invest Health opportunity, take charge and assess the extent of poverty, examine the history behind the…