Smart Bets

Posted on by Xpress staff

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)

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

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…

Leave a Reply to Dr Howiefeltersnatch ×

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.