One of the nation’s fringier fringes celebrates its 17th year, Jan. 20-27.
Smart Bets: We Shall Overcome
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. receives a diverse musical tribute on Jan. 22 at Diana Wortham Theatre.
Smart Bets: Steep Canyon Rangers
The bluegrass stalwarts welcome Hiss Golden Messenger for their annual homecoming show, Jan. 19 at the U.S. Cellular Center.
Tellico releases its second album, ‘Woven Waters’
Tellico used a back-to-basics approach to recording, tracking live in the studio instead of layering individual performances. That approach is key to the record’s organic, you-are-there sonic quality.
Smart Bets: Erin Foley and Jason Dudey
The veteran standups bring their Come Out Laughing Comedy Tour to The Grey Eagle on Jan. 19.
Asheville Archives: Live music hits the streets, 1919
On May 25, 1919, the Berry Municipal Band performed its first live set in Asheville. The ensemble played a series of free outdoor shows throughout the summer in an effort to expand the city’s appeal to tourists.
Why There Are Words literary series launches in Asheville
Six poets and prose writers — Christine Hale, Luke Hankins, Mackenzie Kozak, Thoreau Lovell, Mark MacNamara and former North Carolina Poet Laureate Shelby Stephenson — will kick off the first event of what will continue as a quarterly series.
Smart Bets: Church Girls
The Philadelphia-based rock/punk quartet plays The Odditorium on Jan. 18.
Acoustic Asheville: Tellico
With the recent release of its sophomore record, Woven Waters, Tellico continues to evolve a traditional country music sound with an innovative and original style.
Submit student art, writing for 2019 Kids Issues
What would you do if you had superpowers for a day? Xpress wants to know! Submit student art, essays and poems by Feb. 8 to be considered for the 2019 Kids Issues.
Video release: “Fake Buddha’s Inner Child” by Jonathan Scales
The film, directed by Daniel Judson, features a number of artists from the Asheville music scene and is set in part at Edisto Island.
Album review: ‘Bright Hills’ by the Appalucians
The debut album from Asheville-based folk quartet the Appalucians, reveals a charming and close-knit vibe within seconds of its opening track.
Guitar League’s Asheville chapter reconvenes in January
Paul Heumiller, owner of Dream Guitars in Weaverville, will be the featured presenter at the Jan. 14 meeting.
Flatiron Writers Room launches a co-working space
Set to launch in March, the organization’s three-room West Asheville co-working space will accommodate up to 12 writers at a time. Along with desk space, free Wi-Fi and limitless coffee, membership will also include discounts on future workshops.
Tuareg guitar hero Mdou Moctar returns to Asheville
As a young musician, Moctar was heavily influenced by Tuareg folk music, called “takamba,” but he also fell in love with the wild guitar mastery of Eddie Van Halen.
Smart Bets: Helen Money
Alison Chesley brings her experimental solo cello project to The Mothlight on Jan. 15.
Smart Bets: Sam Bush
The mandolin master and his band play Isis on Jan. 13.
Local author shares mindfulness strategies in new book
Bryan Robinson, a licensed psychotherapist and professor emeritus at UNC Charlotte, wrote #Chill to leverage his expertise on work addiction for a broader audience. “[The book is] not just for workaholics by any means; it’s [about] how all of us can chill, take the time to take care of ourselves and pay attention to the knee-jerk reactions that we make,” he says.
30 Days Out: a look at upcoming concerts
This installment marks the five-year anniversary of the column.
Acoustic Asheville: Freewheelin’ Mamas
The band has a performance coming up on Saturday, Jan. 19, at One World Brewing’s downtown location.
(SATIRE) Crowd-source campaigns worth the ante
Inspired by “Emily Dickinson’s Patreon” by Riane Konc in The New Yorker, Xpress dreamed up for arts-related Kickstarter projects (led by local and international personalities) that would surely be worth funding — if only for the choice perks.