The 43rd annual celebration of Southern Appalachian music, dance, arts and crafts takes place Saturday, Sept. 30 at Western Carolina University.
Miss Blue Ridge Pride Pageant challenges gender norms
“It’s a platform that can be used to vocalize LGBTQ+ issues that our community is currently facing,” says Ginger Von Snap, Miss Blue Ridge Pride 2016. Since taking the title, Ginger (aka Kaleb Sisco) has used her position to raise awareness of underrepresented subdivisions on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, like transgender youth and those who are gender-fluid.
Smart Bets: Bascom Lamar Lunsford Festival
The 50th edition of the annual festival runs Oct. 2-7 on and around the campus of Mars Hill University.
Theater review: ‘King Mackerel’ at N.C. Stage
Before those summertime memories start slipping away, make a quick trip to the beach — or to the musical comedy King Mackerel and the Blues are Running, on view at N.C. Stage Company through Sunday, Oct. 8. Director Neela Munoz does a fine job with this heartfelt show, written by Bland Simpson and Jim Wann […]
Conscious Party: GoodyAcre Farm Music Festival
The benefit festival for Haywood County fire departments takes place from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30 at GoodyAcre Farm in Waynesville.
Theater review: ‘Amadeus’ at Flat Rock Playhouse
Amadeus is actually more about Salieri, the exalted musician who finds Mozart’s rapid rise to fame as a personal affront to his more measured success. Salieri is a skilled musician, but the revolutionary spirit of Mozart threatens to overshadow him.
Acoustic Asheville: Lilly Hiatt
At Isis Music Hall for a recent tour stop, Hiatt took time out to give a stripped-down performance of two songs exclusively for Xpress and Acoustic Asheville.
Album review: ‘Pearl Diver’ by Yonder
Percussion is a rarity on Pearl Diver, but something like it crops up on “Hayabusa Terra,” along with stringed instruments. The album’s ever-present subtlety means that those instruments are used less as means to convey a melody and more to insert deft splashes of tone color here and there.
Video release: ‘Lost In The Sauce’ by King Garbage
The song appears on the duo’s album ‘Make It Sweat,’ which debuts Friday, Sept. 22.
In ‘The Last Castle,’ Denise Kiernan tells the story of the Biltmore Estate
As it happens, the author has some things in common with the historic figures whose story she tells. Like Vanderbilt, Kiernan was born in New York City, and like the scion and his wife, Edith, Kiernan traveled widely (including a stint in Italy reporting on soccer for ESPN) before settling in Asheville.
Stephen Evans and the True Grits revisit the past with a new EP
Reflecting on his development between when he first wrote the songs on Under the Bridge and now, Stephen Evans says the years have mellowed his approach. “Fame isn’t really the goal. We just want to keep making better and better records and having fun with it,” he explains.
Daniel Meyer conducts his last concerts with the Asheville Symphony
His tenure with the Asheville Symphony will conclude with the New Year’s Eve Gala. He conducts his final Masterworks concert — the season opener for the symphony’s 2017-18 season — on Sunday, Sept. 24.
Smart Bets: Fiesta Hendersonville
The celebration of Latin American culture takes place Sunday, Sept. 24, in downtown Hendersonville.
Houston soul ensemble returns to Asheville
As far as the hurricane that struck Houston last month, Franklin says that those in and around the group remained safe and accounted for. “Everyone’s been volunteering and — as much as we can — trying to provide emotional support to those who have lost everything,” she says, characterizing the response to Harvey as one big, city-wide effort.
Smart Bets: Fortune Feimster
The Charlotte native and ‘Mindy Project’ cast member visits The Grey Eagle for 7 and 9:30 p.m. shows on Friday, Sept. 22, and Saturday, Sept. 23.
Smart Bets: North Carolina Ceramic Arts Festival
The inaugural festival takes place Saturday, Sept. 23, at French Broad River Park.
Theater review: ‘Better Strangers’ at The Magnetic Theatre
As layers are peeled away and details revealed, some viewers will be squirming in their seats — particularly in the second act. It’s a riveting ride and in no way a light night of entertainment.
Smart Bets: King Mackerel and the Blues Are Running
The beloved play runs through Sunday, Oct. 8 at North Carolina Stage Company.
30 Days Out: A look at upcoming concerts
This edition previews Asheville shows in a variety of styles: rock, prewar jazz, EDM and a kind of jazz/hip-hop hybrid.
Acoustic Asheville: Wintervals
The band will be performing new and old songs at Highland Brewing Co. on Saturday, Sept. 16.
Album review: ‘Is it Exquisite?’ by Floating Action
The phrase “late night album” applies to Floating Action’s Is it Exquisite? It’s a collection of songs best experienced via attentive listening.