If it seems like the new stage inside Trade and Lore sprang up overnight, that’s because it did. “We literally built it in one night,” says the downtown coffee shop’s booking agent, George Awad. “A long, long night.”
And while the stage itself came about quickly, the exact details of its purpose remain a work in progress. Improv troupes, small theater, storytelling and drag poetry shows are among the possibilities for future programming.
One certainty, however, is Tuesday Tease — a weekly event that features amateur and professional burlesque dancers. The show, which is led by Deb Au Nare, headmistress and founder of the Burlesque Academy of Asheville, debuted on June 21.
“We had a lot of positive feedback about the new venue,” says Nare. “Personally, I’m very excited about … having this opportunity to do a weekly burlesque show right in the middle of downtown.”
Opportunity seems to be the main driver behind the new stage. Trade and Lore co-owner Brock Kehoe notes that the space was built to provide an environment that celebrates small acts, and he hopes it will help generate income for the performers. “We’re not trying to make any money off this stage,” he says. “We’re trying to make sure all the ticket sales go to the artists performing.”
Nare says that no two Tuesday Tease lineups will be the same. While a few regulars will perform each week, the 20-person group will offer an ever-changing cycle of dancers. “[You’ll] definitely see a lot of diversity,” Nare says.
Taking place in the evening after the coffee shop has closed, events on the stage will offer customers a rotating selection of beer and wine as well as coffee-based drinks. Products from New Belgium Brewing Co., Jester King Brewery and Prairie Artisan Ales are among current beer choices; the wine selection includes Domaine Duffour and Chateu Trinquevedel.
Trade and Lore co-owner Sarah Winkler underscores the role diversity will play in scheduling acts for the stage. “We wanted to use the space [for events] that were a little bit different than other places in town,” she says. “The idea behind it was to have people that were just as into their craft or performance as what we’re [into] doing behind the bar.”
Tuesday Tease happens at 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Trade and Lore, 37 Wall St. Tickets are $10 for ages 21 and older, $15 for ages 18-20. For details on other upcoming events, visit tradeandlore.com.
Shine Light on Lyme
Urban Orchard Cider Co. will host Shine Light on Lyme, a benefit to help raise funds for former employee Melina Coogan, who was recently diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease. Urban Orchard’s marketing and creative director, Jeff Anderson, says the community response has been wonderful. “There’s a ton of different organizations — everything from MB Haynes to Highland Brewing to Blue Dream Curry — donating things,” he says. The benefit will include talks by experts on the severity of the disease and prevention methods, as well as free healing food courtesy of Trader Joe’s. A raffle and silent auction will also be in the mix. The event is free, with 10 percent of the proceeds from donations, raffle tickets and the silent auction going to the LymeLight Foundation. The remaining 90 percent will go toward helping Coogan’s medical expenses. Urban Orchid Cider Co. will donate an additional 15 percent of its sales that evening toward Coogan’s medical expenses as well.
Shine Light on Lyme happens 2-5 p.m. Sunday, July 10, at Urban Orchard Cider Co., 210 Haywood Road. For additional information, visit avl.mx/2qf.
Bartending class at The Imperial Life
The Imperial Life craft cocktail bar will host a class for home bartenders Sunday, July 10, that will explore how to make two very different drinks — the daiquiri and the Manhattan. Designed for all skill levels, the workshop will provide instructions on how to mix the cocktails and a discussion of bartending basics. The two cocktails, small bites to munch on during the class, an information packet and a bag of bar swag are included in the $20 admission. Space is limited.
The class is at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 10, at The Imperial Life, 48 College St. To reserve a spot, contact Table at info@tableasheville.com or 254-8980.
The Montford Pull Up
The Montford Pull Up opened in late May in the convenience store next to Nine Mile in Montford. Owned and operated by Asheville natives, Christopher Cox and Matthew Howell, the venue, which advertises itself as a “fast casual deli and grill,” serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu features hot sandwiches, salads, wings, breakfast sandwiches and burritos and a variety of sides. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.
The Montford Pull Up is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday at 231 Montford Ave. For more information, visit facebook.com/themontfordpullup2016.
An Evening with California Winemaker Guy Davis at Canyon Kitchen
Canyon Kitchen executive chef Adam Hayes and Sonoma County, Calif., vintner Guy Davis will host a celebration of food and wine on Wednesday, July 13. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will kick off the gathering followed by food and wine pairings. Hayes will use produce from the restaurant’s gardens as well as local and regional items to create the featured dishes, and Davis will pour his award-winning wines and offer a magnum bar for guests. Live music will play throughout the evening.
Canyon Kitchen is at 150 Lonesome Valley Road, Sapphire. The event runs 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, July 13. Tickets are $125 per person. For additional information visit lonesomevalley.com, call 743-7967 or go to opentable.com.
Great write up about the Tuesday Tease, but…. Burlesque names are usually a clever word play or a bawdy joke and he got hers wrong. It’s Deb Au Nare. Get it? Debaunare?
Got it! Not sure how I missed it. Thanks for the correction.