Culture watch

All Aboard The Booty Boat

Asheville-based funk group Yo Momma’s Big Fat Booty Band is shortly to be living my personal vision of hell: Being stuck for five days in the middle of the ocean with nothing but jambands and their fans. They were recently selected to be part of this year’s Jam Cruise, a floating music festival and Caribbean cruise that features more than 20 jam bands, a full casino and a seemingly endless supply of time-killing activities (such as the Guitar Hero Playstation contests, Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments, and the pirate costume night). The “Booty Band,” as they are affectionately known, beat out more than 600 other bands vying for a spot on the tour through a contest sponsored by online music promotion group Sonicbids. Those jam-fans fortunate enough to be able to afford the $1,000-plus price tag for the January cruise will enjoy sets by the Disco Biscuits, Derek Trucks Band, Galactic and many more. Ironically, even though the Jam Cruise spends most of its time in international waters, they enforce a strict drug-free environment. No word yet on the lineup for the significantly less popular Four Crusty Punks In A Dingy Cruise.

SeepeopleS on YouTube

Transplanted genre-hopping local band SeepeopleS recently released the music video from the title track of their new album, Apocalypse Cow. The video, which was filmed entirely at The Grey Eagle, was conceived, shot and edited in the space of 24 hours. According to a press release from the band, the video attempts to capture the “homegrown aesthetic” of the Asheville music scene. The video is available for viewing at YouTube.com.

$50,000 Down, $22,450,000 To Go

The Mill Center for the Arts was recently awarded $50,000 toward completion of their $22.5 million cultural and performing arts space by the Henderson County-based Perry N. Rudnick Donor Advised Fund. The Mill Center will be the first space of its kind in Hendersonville, and is currently in the “conceptual design” phase by Boston-based Brian Healy Architects. The remaining funds are expected to come from grants, public bonds and private donations.

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