The festival’s 19th edition features shows designed for online presentation, plus a few socially distanced outdoor events.

The festival’s 19th edition features shows designed for online presentation, plus a few socially distanced outdoor events.
Community leaders and local musicians bring the annual celebration of African American culture online, a local screenwriter’s film debuts online and more area arts news.
Asheville Music School and A Swannanoa Solstice go digital for the holidays, Moves places a song on TV and more area arts news.
The arts-based after-school program centers the leadership and creativity of Black and Brown youths ages 13-19.
Fringe Digital Summer offers a virtual alternative. It returns via the Zoom conferencing platform on Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Solo dance workshops are especially accessible for quarantined dance enthusiasts and, Annie Erbsen points out, “There’s also still a lot of music being streamed.”
“Right now, I’m focused on putting out singles with music videos that tell stories,” says Asheville guitarist/singer/songwriter Ben Phantom, formerly known as Ben Phan.
“This is an experiment for us to try a different concept with what’s called ‘new dance,’” says Susan Collard. “[It] involves a lot of projection, video and film, and almost everyone in this concert is using some type of collaboration with a filmmaker, a video projector or experimental music.”
The acclaimed dance company performs at Diana Wortham Theatre, Feb. 14 and 15.
More than 40 local and national acts are scheduled for this year’s Asheville Fringe. The four-day ticketed portion of the festival runs Thursday-Sunday, Jan. 23-26, with additional parties and free events taking place now through Sunday, Jan. 26.
The party takes place at Eleven on Grove on Monday, Jan. 6.
Where will you welcome in the next decade? Check out Xpress’ extensive list of ideas.
The holiday tradition returns to Asheville Community Theatre on Dec. 28.
Local offerings range from classic ballets, poignant soul searches and snarky send-ups of this month of family drama and heightened emotions.
The 50th edition of the annual folk dance camp returns to Blue Ridge Assembly, Nov. 28-Dec. 1.
The “fabulous night of dancing and joy” takes place at Sly Grog Lounge on Saturday, Nov. 23.
With Halloween proper falling mid-week, the opportunities to celebrate span several days leading up to and following the quintessential autumnal observance.
Combining dance, speaking and singing (to pre-recorded music), the one-woman show is “designed to push the edge of personal and collective freedom,” performer Elle Swan explains.
The Philly contemporary ballet company performs Oct. 11-12 at the Wortham Center.
The 52nd celebration of authentic mountain music and dance returns to Mars Hill University on Oct. 5.
The 29th season kicks off Oct. 4-5 at the BeBe Theatre.