Sidewalk Strummers: Local buskers discuss their future in Asheville
Volume
28
/ Issue 6
Cover Design Credit:
Scott SouthwickCover Photography Credit:
Cindy Kunst
For decades, buskers have performed on the sidewalks of downtown Asheville. But for many current street performers, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, continued development, rising crime rates and the city’s impending noise ordinance all spell trouble for Asheville’s busking community.
arts
Street performers contemplate their future in Asheville
Local buskers chat with Xpress about the current challenges they face in Asheville. From the pandemic to robbery, life as a street artist isn't always an upbeat song.MerleFest adapts with fall gathering
After being canceled in 2020, the revered music fest returns to Wilkes Community College, Sept. 16-19.Strength in Pride Project empowers LGBTQ+ community
Local photographer Lauren Merrell discusses her latest project and its impact on her life and those of others.Around Town: Paved Paradise music pop-up stops at Archetype Brewing
Paved Paradise music pop-up stops at Archetype Brewing. Plus, blu29 showcases underrepresented artists, North Carolina honors Rafael Guastavino, and the Blue Ridge Orchestra marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11.food
What’s new in food: Benne on Eagle welcomes new chef
Benne on Eagle hires a new chef, We Give a Share welcomes an executive director, the Getaway fries fish on the river and more local food news.living
Grieving doesn’t have to happen alone in WNC
Losing a loved one is one of the few truly universal life experiences. Despite its universality, however, grieving can feel totally unpredictable — and totally isolating. Some bereaved people might…Q&A with Craig LeHoullier, tomato expert
Craig LeHoullier is consumed by tomatoes. He has written two books about growing them: Epic Tomatoes and Growing Vegetables in Straw Bales: Easy Planting, Less Weeding, Early Harvests. He lectures about…Green in brief: Ecusta Trail land purchase complete
On Aug. 12, a subsidiary of nonprofit Conserving Carolina completed the $7.8 million purchase of the currently unused Ecusta rail line, stretching 19 miles between Hendersonville and Brevard, from the…news
Is Asheville failing residents with disabilities?
Suppose you’re trying to cross a busy intersection: Most of us simply approach the crosswalk, push the button and wait till the signal says it’s safe. Now imagine what it…COVID relief, free tuition help defray college costs
It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic is causing belts to tighten. But even at the best of times, the cost of a higher education can be out of reach…Census data paves way for WNC redistricting
The N.C. General Assembly must take census results into account as members create new voting district boundaries that reflect the state’s population growth and follow strict legal criteria. Western North…Citizen guide to land development coming in January
As part of the Local News Ideas-to-Action Series, the Virginia-based national media nonprofit American Press Institute awarded Xpress a $9,300 grant to create a guide to local government decision-making for…Buncombe awards $9.3M in pandemic recovery grants
The largest single grant of $4 million will support broadband infrastructure expansion in unserved areas of the county. Brownie Newman, chair of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, said that…opinion
Letter: Pandemic intensifies need for Medicaid expansion
"By refusing to expand Medicaid despite this increased need from North Carolina families, our state budget and residents’ health remains compromised."Letter: How can democracy work without public schools?
"The schools may need help, better-educated teachers, more money for students in every district, not just one’s own, but without some commonly accepted knowledge, how will our nation survive?"Letter: Thoughts on home schooling
"I’m a home-schooled recluse, not sorry for that, but don’t ask me to serve my country again (in this or my next life, if any)."Letter: When are we going to address community’s core issues?
"It is easy to blame politicians for their shortcomings, but when are we going to address the fact that our private, for-profit hospitals have been intentionally under- and defunded to…Letter: A win-win in BCS’ dropping enrollment
"With fewer children in school because of home schooling, class size could now be an advantage for those who choose or have no choice but Buncombe County Schools."Letter: Mission Health should require vaccinations
"How can we ever end this pandemic when even our health care providers remain lax and unwilling to make the hard choice to get and to require vaccinations?"Letter: Amazed by support for mask mandates
"It’s amazing to see all the letters in support of mask mandates, with no peer-reviewed scientific studies to back them up."Letter: We don’t feel safe in Asheville
"I live in Asheville, and I’m wondering why people care more about the homeless than the police who are deciding to quit because of the people in charge not backing…Letter: Public schools deliver more than academic learning
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" I loved the emblem of Harriet Tubman with her right hand protectively spread across the chest of a frightened little girl. It speaks volumes to me."