In the moment: WNC gets spiritual
Volume
26
/ Issue 21
Cover Design Credit:
Scott Southwick
For our annual In the Spirit issue, Xpress takes at look at spirituality from several angles — from Ashevilleans who seek religion without a deity to mindful strategies for coping with political upheaval to how local music ministries soundtrack the worship experience and more.
arts
Tryon couple open a multifocused creative and retail space
Inherited vintage clothing, previously online-only, recently opened as not only a brick-and-mortar store in downtown Tryon, but also as a collaboration with Heise’s husband, the singer-songwriter and recording artist Steven…How local music ministries soundtrack spiritual experience
Xpress looks into the musical ministries of a number of local churches and explores what such programs, at the intersection of art and worship, offer to parishioners as well secular…Smart Bets: Jamie Laval’s Celtic Christmas
The holiday tradition returns to Asheville Community Theatre on Dec. 28.Russ Wilson hosts annual Christmas show and releases career retrospective album
“We've got a few new arrangements that we're bringing in, but we're going to play all the old favorites,” Wilson says. “Wendy [Jones] has a big band arrangement of ‘White…Smart Bets: Elves in the Piano
Pianist David Troy Francis, cellist Franklin Keel and singer Carol Duermit perform a Christmas program at White Horse Black Mountain on Dec. 22.Smart Bets: PrettyPretty
The Asheville alt-pop duo's monthlong Fleetwood's residency continues Dec. 20 and 27.Smart Bets: Giri and Uma Peters
The youthful brother-sister old-time duo opens for Pretty Little Goat on Dec. 20 at Isis.food
Spiritual organizations’ hunger relief efforts nourish body and soul
Faith-based organizations in WNC have historically worked to alleviate the daunting problem of hunger, pooling resources, collecting food and volunteering at nonprofits.Chill Cereal Bar & Cafe is a mother-and-son venture
Patricia and Elijah Waters take their cereal-focused pop-up concept to events from bridal showers to volunteer group meetings.Small bites: Home for the Holidays Fundraiser returns
Several local restaurants and breweries are participating in the eighth annual Home for the Holidays Fundraiser. Also: Southern Appalachian Brewery hosts Gospel Brunch with Redneck Mimosa; The Cut Cocktail Lounge…Human rights activists protest New Belgium’s pending sale
New Belgium's potential future parent company Kirin has business ties with a military-run conglomerate that’s been linked with genocide in Myanmar.Carolina Beer Guy: DSSOLVR brewery joins the Asheville scene
The 40th brewery in Buncombe County has its grand opening Dec. 13.living
Coping with political upheaval and spiritual malaise
Whether it’s local issues such as gentrification and overdevelopment or, at the national level, things like health care, the Green New Deal and military spending, the conversations have gotten toxic.…Lay leaders tie faith and environmental action
For the first time, the Creation Care Alliance’s annual retreat, taking place at the Montreat Conference Center on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7-8, will include both clergy and lay leaders.…movies
Screen Scene: Local film news
Bong Joon-ho’s "Parasite" wins top honors from the Southeastern Film Critics Association.news
Contextual Harassment
ASHEVILLE, N.C.Asheville Archives: The life and work of Lucius B. Compton
People came by the hundreds to attend the Rev. Lucius B. Compton's annual revival services at Eliada in the early part of the 20th century. Known for his deep understanding…Ashevilleans seek religion without a deity
Some spiritual seekers find meaning and truth in forms of religion that don't require belief in a divine being. They say a nondogmatic, nontheistic approach meets their needs for community,…Christmas Spirit
ASHEVILLE, N.C.Need or ‘invasion’? Crossroads debate continued to Jan. 23
After hearing roughly seven hours of testimony on Dec. 11, the Buncombe County Board of Adjustment continued its deliberations on the approval of Crossroads West Asheville until Thursday, Jan. 23.…South Slope development approved despite traffic concerns
Downtown traffic is about to get a lot worse, according to Asheville City Council member Sheneika Smith. “Because this project is so massive and we’ve already accommodated for almost 1,000…opinion
Letter: Recent jail coverage sets the right tone
"In the final analysis, the dehumanizing discourse of 'removing undesirables,' which has become sadly normalized and increasingly vicious as of late, is irreconcilable with achieving the county’s stated goals."Letter: City and county should save Ravenscroft trees
"Cutting down a tree unnecessarily is like throwing the original 'Mona Lisa' into a fire. There is great urgency to save the Ravenscroft acreage."Letter: More coverage needed on ‘off-market health plans’
"I find what’s happening is unbearable to people of Western North Carolina, and we need to talk about what’s happening. We need to continue to be educated."Fewer trees can create a better canopy (with fewer bears)
"By letting the urban forest become too dense over the last several generations, and by failing to clear away the underbrush bears love, we have invited them back in from…