Smart Bets

Footloose!

At first it was a Kevin Bacon vehicle with an '80s-reminiscnet soundtrack. Footloose came back this year on the big screen with dancer Julianne Hough as the love interest. In between, the Kenny Loggins-fueled spectacle made it onto Broadway. Catch the musical version in Asheville: Bioflyer productions mounts the show as a benefit for Eblen Charities. It runs from Thursday, April 21 to Saturday, April 23 at Diana Wortham Theatre (8 p.m. nightly, also 2 p.m. Saturday). Local band Orange Krush performs the music. $14-$22. dwtheatre.com.

Decline night

The brief recap is this: During the 1990s, some Asheville punk bands spawned a grit-rock scene, two CDs and a cassette tape all under the "Decline of WNC" moniker. These days there's underground/internet Decline Radio and the occasional but well-edited show that recalls that '90s zenith while furthering the current punk and metal scene. Such as Decline Night at the Get Down on Sunday, April 24 with The Floridiots, Fun at the Farm and Darkridge. $6. declineradio.com.

One Flea Spare

The teaser reads, at first, like a verse from Gilligan's Island: "The gentleman. His wife. The sailor and the young girl." But One Flea Spare, at NC Stage, is no tropical romp. The dark drama (reviewers use phrases like "grief and loss and suffering beyond endurance" and "tragedy of almost inexpressible dimensions") centers around four strangers quarantined together for 30 days while a plague ravages London. Tough themes from brilliant playwright Naomi Wallace. On stage through Sunday, May 1. Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. $16 on Wednesday, $25 on Thursdays and Sundays, $28 on Fridays and Saturdays. ncstage.org.

who: Taj Mahal Trio, with The Dirty Guv’nahs
where: The Orange Peel
when: Thursday, April 14 (9 p.m., $26/$28. theorangepeel.net)
when: Wednesday, Oct. 6 (8 p.m. $47.25. ticketmaster.com)

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2 thoughts on “Smart Bets

  1. mc chileanseabass

    FUN AT THE FARM!! the last time they played we thought the floor was going to break

  2. Dr Howiefeltersnatch

    It is rumored that Fun At The Farm will include: Dr Z, Dr X, the Mysterious Dr Paul Conrad, Nurse Rubella, Stevie D and Dr Tile…

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