BET Talent! A Show - Kevin Evans Photo by Byron Tenesaca.jpg

Smart Bets: Talent! A Show

Posted on April 18, 2018April 10, 2018 by Edwin Arnaudin

The star-studded benefit for Our VOICE is set for April 23 at The Mothlight.

SWEET AND SOUR: Charlotte-based stand-up Mimi J Benfield says she’s grateful for every experience in the comedy industry and takes the good with the bad, which she feels improves her material. “Challenges are important,” she says. “No wants to hear a very happy person telling jokes. I went to Hawaii years ago with my family and saw an open mic out there — and they sucked. 'You guys are too happy. You live in paradise. You need to move to Detroit for a while.'”

Eyes Up Here showcase brings women’s stand-up to Fleetwood’s

Posted on March 20, 2018March 20, 2018 by Edwin Arnaudin

Producers Erin Terry and Melissa Hahn and comedian Mimi J Benfield discuss the impact Eyes Up Here has had on the North Carolina standup scene.

PROUD WEIRDO: Arish Singh says he's long had an absurdist approach to comedy, which aligns him with the old Chicago term for the style: weirdo. "I’m a weirdo at heart — I’ve definitely got that comedy heritage," says the Windy City-based stand-up, who plays Fleetwood's on Feb. 25.

Arish Singh brings political comedy to Fleetwood’s

Posted on February 22, 2018February 19, 2018 by Edwin Arnaudin

The Chicago-based comedian performs on a bill with Harpeet Ess and Liz Greenwood on Feb. 25 at Fleetwood’s.

Smart Bets: Mo Alexander

Posted on February 14, 2018February 9, 2018 by Edwin Arnaudin

The Memphis-based standup comedian performs at The Southern on Feb. 17.

RED-HOT: Author and visionary Bobbi Williams, aka DJ Smokifantastic, will give an erotic reading and book signing from her ‘Zine Exotica’ at Asheville Raven & Crone.

Valentine’s Day events around Asheville

Posted on February 8, 2018February 1, 2018 by Alli Marshall

Celebrate the multifaceted emotion this year, with a multitude of local events.

Smart Bets: Chanel Ali

Posted on January 16, 2018January 16, 2018 by Edwin Arnaudin

The New York City standup comedian plays The Southern on Jan. 20.

OPERATORS ARE STANDING BY: The SuperHappy Productions team presents the inaugural SuperHappy Telethon, Jan. 19-20 at The Magnetic Theatre. Proceeds from ticket sales, as well as on-site and online donations, benefit Arms Around ASD.

Conscious Party: SuperHappy Telethon

Posted on January 14, 2018January 11, 2018 by Edwin Arnaudin

The two-day comedy/variety extravaganza to benefit Arms Around ASD takes place Jan. 19-20 at The Magnetic Theater.

TRIPLE THREAT: Clifton Hall, center, and his wife, Dana, right, co-founded the Asheville Improv Collective in 2016. Recently, fellow improviser George Awad, left, partnered with the couple.

Asheville’s comedians take on the big issues

Posted on January 4, 2018January 4, 2018 by Thomas Calder

Local comedians talk craft and the potential for Asheville’s comedy scene.

Smart bets: Brendan Gay

Posted on December 20, 2017December 20, 2017 by Alli Marshall

The Chicago-based comedian performs at The Southern Kitchen and Bar on Saturday, Dec. 23.

Smart Bets: Found Footage Festival

Posted on December 11, 2017December 8, 2017 by Edwin Arnaudin

Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher guide viewers through oddball VHS offerings culled from thrift stores and garage sales on Dec. 15 at The Grey Eagle.

REASON FOR THE SEASON: From "Jingle Bells" to "Mean Girls," Christine Garvin's "Ho-Ho-Holiday Rewind" theatrical dance production is all about the laughs.

‘Ho-Ho-Holiday Rewind’ variety show brings seasonal cheer

Posted on December 4, 2017December 1, 2017 by Hayley Benton

On Saturday, Dec. 9, Christine Garvin, her dance students and her professional dance troupe will be bringing back a much-loved seasonal tradition, Ho-Ho-Holiday Rewind — a hilariously entertaining holiday-themed variety show that’s had Asheville audiences giggling since 2012.

Smart Bets: The Crooner and the Clown

Posted on October 12, 2017October 3, 2017 by Edwin Arnaudin

Country/folk musician Austin Lucas and comedian Ryan Singer stop by The Odditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 8 p.m.

Smart Bets: Fortune Feimster

Posted on September 19, 2017September 12, 2017 by Edwin Arnaudin

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.

CELEBRATION SONGS: Following a Kickstarter launch party at Asheville Music Hall, the musicians in local soul and funk act Hustle Souls set off on a two-week tour of their home state and Virginia.

Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives

Posted on August 27, 2017August 22, 2017 by Kat McReynolds

Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features the first album by local band Hustle Souls, a new location for Urban Dharma, and Poetry Cabaret’s reflections on performing at Capital Fringe Festival.

EVERY KIND OF FUNNY: This year’s Laugh Your Asheville Off features comedians from a wide variety of backgrounds, from Japanese/Korean actress, dancer and comic Aiko Tanaka to Indian (by way of Brooklyn) comedian Sagar Bhatt, an LYAO alumnus. Florida-based comic Shereen Kassam, pictured, focuses on relating with her audiences to challenge the Muslim stereotype.

Laugh Your Asheville Off draws performers from across the country

Posted on August 7, 2017August 7, 2017 by Daniel Walton

Each night of the festival features a completely different showcase of comics, most of whom are making their first appearance in Asheville. “We keep a very wide revolving door with fresh talent coming in,” says executive producer Charlie Gerencer.

MAGNETIC PROPHETIC: A new set of 444 refrigerator magnets is designed keep new agers laughing as they traverse the ever-expanding all.

Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives

Posted on July 16, 2017July 14, 2017 by Kat McReynolds

Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features ultra conscious refrigerator magnets, a new album by David Wilcox and a writer’s bike journey to inspire her new book.

MAKING A SPLASH: Marcy McGuigan, Paige Posey, Betsy Bisson, Tauren Hagans and Nancy Johnston perform in The Dixie Swim Club, penned by the Southern-fried comedy team of Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten. Photo courtesy of Flat Rock Playhouse

Theater review: ‘The Dixie Swim Club’ at Flat Rock Playhouse

Posted on July 10, 2017July 10, 2017 by Kai Elijah Hamilton

Since the play is set in our home state, it helps bring a sense of realism to this production. This is a show to see with friends. It’s an absolute laugh riot, and the hysterical cast is truly outstanding.

Matilyn Hull and Blake Smith star in Significant Other.

Theatre review: ‘Significant Other’ at Hendersonville Community Theatre

Posted on July 3, 2017July 3, 2017 by Kai Elijah Hamilton

If you like traditional rom-coms, this is the play for you. Significant Other, written by local playwright and Xpress contributor Jeff Messer is showing on HCT’s second stage through Sunday, July 9.