Valentine's Day is over, but we've still got a whole lotta love. For bikes. For music videos. For hope of spring.
This year marks the fourth installment of the wildly popular, hella fun Bike Love, featuring live music, raffles, pizza and camaraderie. Does it get better than that? Likely not. Asheville on Bikes organizes the fiesta, along with Arts 2 People and French Broad Brewery.
The lineup is stellar: The Secret B-Sides bring a smooth brand of space-y soul music. Jonathan Scales Fourchestra (featuring Jeff Sipe) is always a treat, and it's a rare public appearance for Red Dirt Floor (featuring Marty Gallagher of Pro Bikes).
It's happening on Saturday, Feb. 20. Doors at 8 p.m., and $15 gets you in, plus beer. The venue has moved from the Wedge to Dr. Neon's Laboratory at 11 Richland St.
A list of "Bike Love Enhancements," courtesy Mike Sule, founder/director of Asheville on Bikes:
• A bicycle raffle (Liberty Bicycles has donated a Trek 7.1 FX commuter/hybrid bicycle to be raffled at Bike Love (The winner can choose between the bicycle or a $440 gift certificate to put toward the purchase of another bicycle);
• Rolling Stone Pizza Company will have their mobile wood-fired pizza oven,
• Castell Photography hosts a bicycle photo booth, so be sure to style up your attire and capture the evening with a photo ($10);
• Jeff Zimmerman will capture the evening with stop-motion photography; and
• Arts director Rachel Reeser will present a slideshow of Asheville's vibrant bicycle culture."
The money raised this year will be used to help buy six collapsable bike racks to be used at bike corrals during community events. So put on that helmet, pedal on over and let the good times roll.
Speaking of good times rolling, they'll be rolling across the big screen at the third annual Music Video Asheville event. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 10, at Cinnebarre behind Biltmore Square Mall. It's a packed show each year, understandably, as one of the area's only showcases of local music videos. Which are rad.
Last year featured Toubab Krewe, Ear Power, Laura Reed, Bugs Multiply, The Poles, Shapetastic, Angi West, Buncombe Turnpike, Velvet Truckstop, Mad Tea Party, LS and MJ Grillo, The Broomstars, Arizona, Custard Pie, Josh Phillips, Ice Horse, The Cheeksters, Chakra Bird, Nights Bright Colors, Tyler Ramsey, Quetzatl, Custard Pie, Silver Machine and Now You See Them. Last year's winner was Ice Horse with their supremely awesome vid, "Cheese Pirates."
This year promises a bevy of local bands as well, and the videos range from documentary-style live footage to animation to downright silly, all with decidedly local flair. Tickets are $5 and definitely get there early for a seat. That's why we're telling you so far in advance…
What happened to the Wedge?