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Brass in pocket: Empire Strikes Brass releases debut album
Volume
23
/ Issue 31
Cover Design Credit:
Scott SouthwickCover Photography Credit:
Jenna Chitwood
A successful Kickstarter campaign allowed Empire Strikes Brass — already well-known at festivals and parades — to record a pair of debut albums.
arts
Jacob and Gwendolyn Lawrence and the integration of Black Mountain College
It was Josef Albers who invited the Lawrences for the 1946 summer session. They were provided with private transportation to shield them from segregation.Ladysmith Black Mambazo plays two nights at Diana Wortham Theatre
The South African a cappella group reflects on 30 years of international acclaim and U.S. touring.Empire Strikes Brass celebrates its debut album
The band came together in 2012 almost by accident, according to saxophonist Pauly Juhl. “A friend's sister was getting married,” he recalls, “and she wanted a New Orleans-style brass band…Smart bets: WORD! Honoring Black History
Hosted in conjunction with The Friends of the Buncombe County Library, WORD! takes place at the Pack Memorial Library auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 25.Anam Cara creates ‘devised’ theater around the Orlando nightclub tragedy
The production will open at Toy Boat Community Arts Space on Friday, Feb. 24.Smart bets: The Vagina Monologues
The local production, benefiting Helpmate, takes place at The Orange Peel on Saturday, Feb. 25.Smart bets: Lowland Hum
Lowland Hum performs at The Grey Eagle on Sunday, Feb. 26.Smart bets: Scott Kelly
Joe Buck Yourself and Nate Hall of USX open the show at The Odditorium on Friday, Feb. 24.Conscious party: WNC Solidarity Concert Series
Music educator Jason DeCristofaro has planned a dozen benefit concerts to support various nonprofits. The next event takes place at The BLOCK off Biltmore on Sunday, Feb. 26, and features…food
Mile by mile: Improving bus service could help alleviate Asheville’s food deserts
Expanded bus routes and hours could help more Asheville residents gain consistent access to healthy food. But a more effective city transit system may be a little way down the…Beer Scout: Burial’s Mardi Gras grows; Hi-Wire hosts N.C. Small Batch Festival
Breweries fete New Orleans and North Carolina with upcoming events.Small bites: Celebration time at Short Street Cakes
Cake, cocktails and music will be in play at Short Street Cakes' eight-year anniversary event. Also this week: tequila tastings, a Winter Beer Dinner, New Orleans cuisine and more.living
WNC programs offer strategies for overcoming substance abuse problems
Substance abuse programs in WNC focus on education and collaboration, spreading the message of hope and encouragement while acknowledging that much work remains to be done.movies
Screen scene: Local film news
Asheville filmmakers' works will screen at festivals in Richmond and New York City.multimedia
Asheville-based ‘Echo Sessions’ join UNC-TV programming
“We’re really proud of this series,” says Marisa Blake, IamAVL’s marketing manager. “The main purpose of it is to provide a unique musical experience by blending the magic of a…news
Show ’em your plans
AshevilleHere to help
AshevilleUniversal preschool access could help next generation thrive
An diverse and influential group looks to incrementally implement universal preschool in Buncombe County. Xpress takes an in-depth look at the organization, logistics and potential costs behind the effort.In situ remediation could revitalize hazardous waste sites
A group of innovative strategies collectively known as “in situ remediation” could dramatically improve the prospects for addressing groundwater and soil contamination at several local hazardous waste sites more quickly…opinion
Letter writer: Law needed for trash problem
"I feel the best solution is for the city, county or state government to impose and enforce a law on property, home and business owners to routinely clean up around…Letter writer: Why the #DeleteUber movement gets it wrong
"What was once a solid path to the middle class has been destroyed in the name of lower prices."Letter writer: Practice what you preach
"If a friend, co-worker or neighbor shows support or even an open mind toward the president, he or she is ridiculed, cursed, derided, even smeared. Does that show love, tolerance…Letter writer: Groups cooperate to help kids learn to read
"The passionate and well-trained volunteer tutors at the Literacy Council’s Augustine Project and R2S fill a critical need within our community. They help students overcome barriers to educational success, building…Letter writer: Kids have right to protest
"More power to these 10-year-old protest organizers. They show more guts and honesty than a lot of grown-ups I hear whining about — and doing little about —the state of…The Gospel According to Jerry: Ragtime and ruin
"Land values went sky high, and huge inns were built to accommodate the visitors. The kingdom was awash in gold, and ornate schools and offices were being built at a…A polite way to put it: Xpress issues civility challenge
We’re challenging our readers to strive for more civil, respectful discourse in the online comments on our site.