WORLDS IN COLLISION: Spirituality plays an important role in the daily lives and perspectives of many members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee. While each person interprets and practices these beliefs differently, members of the community, like the Cherokee Friends of the Museum of the Cherokee Indian (above), are working to educate fellow tribal members and the non-native world on the traditions and heritage of their people and preserve it for future generations. Photo courtesy of the Museum of the Cherokee Indian

Cherokee spirituality straddles past, present and future

Posted on December 24, 2016December 26, 2016 by Max Hunt

“You have to take time to look at yourself, look at your spirit and where you come from, and let the spirit guide your interests and love.”

LET IT OUT: Expressive movement is a prominent and growing phenomenon in Asheville. “If you're sad, dance that sadness. If you're angry, dance the anger,” says Asheville Movement Collective member Marta Martin. "Just make sure you don't kick somebody.”

Ecstatic Dance movement grows in Asheville

Posted on December 21, 2016December 15, 2016 by Coogan Brennan

Expressive movement is a prominent and growing phenomenon in Asheville. While dance church is one of the largest regular gatherings, there is at least one expressive movement event every day of the week.

THIS IS THE PLACE: Admiral Dance Parties have a strong local following but also attract tourists who are looking for an “authentically unusual Asheville experience,” as Whitney Shroyer puts it. “I don’t feel like there’s anything like The Admiral.”

The Admiral ends its Saturday night DJ parties

Posted on December 3, 2016December 8, 2016 by Alli Marshall

Nine years in the making, Admiral Dance Parties continue through New Year’s Eve.

Mama Maisha is an Asheville-based nonprofit focused on preventing maternal death in Africa and developing nations. The organization has been saving lives and empowering women in Tanzanian villages. They are hosting a fundraiser and concert at Lexington Avenue Brewery on Friday, Dec. 2 at . Photo courtesy of Mama Maisha

Weekend Picks: Friday, Dec. 2 through Sunday, Dec. 4

Posted on December 2, 2016December 2, 2016 by Abigail Griffin

December is underway, and there are plenty of holiday events to choose from. Whether you are interested in local holiday art and craft sales, Christmas theater shows or a jingle-bell themed 5K — this weekend has you covered. Check out this list of weekend highlights and visit the Mountain Xpress Community Calendar for a complete list of weekend […]

Smart bets: The Nutcracker and the Mouse King

Posted on November 29, 2016November 29, 2016 by Emily Glaser

The fifth annual performance of the darkly surreal ballet will take place at Diana Wortham Theatre on Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3.

CIRCLE GAME: This year, four generations of Bannermans are involved with the annual dance camp, as well as many other friends, who initially may have come as strangers, but have become close over the decades. “It's really a community of family," says founder Glenn Bannerman.

Bannerman Family Thanksgiving Folk Dance Camp celebrates its 47th year

Posted on November 17, 2016November 10, 2016 by Coogan Brennan

The Bannerman Family Thanksgiving Folk Dance Camp began 46 years ago, when Glenn and Evelyn Bannerman traveled around the country, with their children, to attend folk dances. “We’ve always been dancers,” Glenn Bannerman says. But it was difficult to find a group that would also be engaging for their children, so the Bannerman family launched its own dance camp.

Art work by Donna E. Price from the exhibition, "drift [know no border]" at Mars Hill University

Weekend Picks: Saturday, Oct. 29 – Sunday, Oct. 30

Posted on October 28, 2016October 28, 2016 by Abigail Griffin

Halloween is just around the corner, and this weekend offers a wide assortment of treats. From autumnal festivals to community art walks, gallery openings, haunted houses and traditional Day of the Dead celebrations – this weekend has goodies for everyone. Check out this list of weekend highlights and visit the Mountain Xpress Community Calendar for a […]

Join Brother Wolf’s Howl-O-Ween festivities at the Eliada Corn Maze. Photo courtesy of Brother Wolf Animal Rescue

Halloween for days

Posted on October 26, 2016October 25, 2016 by Alli Marshall

Looking for yet more spooky celebrations? Check out our roundup.

In Photos: Fall LEAF 2016

Posted on October 25, 2016October 25, 2016 by Adam McMillan

LEAF festival, held last weekend at Lake Eden in Black Mountain, started chilly but quickly heated up with music, dance, performance and visual art. On Friday, hip-hop artist Chali 2na took the Lakeside stage with jazz-fusion band Naughty Professor and performed two songs with students from Eliada Homes. Electronic/world music collective Beats Antique headlined to […]

WHAT’S SCARIER THAN A SMART WOMAN?: Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre performs The Tenth Muse, a multimedia production inspired by the life of 17th-century Mexican poet, scholar, artist and nun Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Dancer Elizabeth Huntley is pictured. The Sugar Skulls showcase also includes a butoh work, poetry, visuals and a Day of the Dead ceremony.

A roundup of local Halloween events

Posted on October 24, 2016October 25, 2016 by Alli Marshall

Ride a bike, cut a rug, revisit Neil Young, tour a haunted house or celebrate the spookiest season with poetry and pie. There are as many ways to commemorate All Hallows Eve as there are sexy zombie costume possibilities.

Tibetan Monks of Drepung Loseling Monastery

Weekend Picks: Friday, Oct. 21 – Sunday, Oct. 23

Posted on October 21, 2016October 20, 2016 by Abigail Griffin

Whether you are raring to go to the Women & Money Conference, a scary open mic, a benefit in a castle, or a low country boil, Asheville has you covered this weekend! Check out this list of weekend highlights and visit the Mountain Xpress Community Calendar for a complete list of weekend events! FRIDAY ‘SCARY […]

Q+A with LEAF performer Lisa Zahiya

Posted on October 18, 2016September 27, 2016 by Alli Marshall

“I think my favorite LEAF was the last time Beats Antique was there. I am lucky enough to dance with the band on the East Coast. It was raining outside and inside the tent the energy was awesome.”

Courtesy of the Crystal Bright and the Silverhands website

Q+A with LEAF performer Crystal Bright

Posted on October 14, 2016October 14, 2016 by Clara Murray

The band’s haunting and mystical sound exudes folkloric qualities accompanied by a wide assortment of instruments such as the musical saw, the adungu — a Ugandan harp — and the guitarlike vihuela, common to Mariachi groups.

Weekend Picks: Friday, Oct. 14 – Sunday, Oct. 16

Posted on October 13, 2016October 13, 2016 by Abigail Griffin

Whether you are gearing up for Halloween with a walking tour of Riverside Cemetery or just wanting to enjoy some autumn cider at CiderFest, this weekend will not disappoint! There are plenty of shows, gallery exhibition openings and family events to choose from. Check out this list of weekend highlights and visit the Mountain Xpress […]

THE POWER OF THE PARTY: The LEAF festival's Carnival of Wonder offers a place "where we are igniting imaginations, inspiring people to follow their dreams and passions and showing them something beautiful,” says performing arts director Ehren Cruz. “It’s a good time for us to reconnect with how powerful music and art is when we come together in peace.”

LEAF celebrates creativity and connection

Posted on October 13, 2016October 7, 2016 by Alli Marshall

“What we’re hoping to accomplish with this festival is really empowering people to remember that coming together in a positive way is important,” says Ehren Cruz, performing arts director. “We don’t have to be pro or against anything, we can just be for human connection.”

Smart bets: Motown Memories

Posted on October 12, 2016October 5, 2016 by Kat McReynolds

Longtime local dancer and choreographer Sharon Cooper and Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre present Motown Memories for a second time at BeBe Theatre on Friday-Saturday, Oct. 14-15.

Smart bets: Bascom Lamar Lunsford Festival

Posted on September 27, 2016September 22, 2016 by Kat McReynolds

Bascom Lamar Lunsford Festival celebrates its 49th year of championing and preserving Southern Appalachian traditions at Mars Hill University on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Smart bets: The Art of the Word

Posted on September 25, 2016September 14, 2016 by Kat McReynolds

The interdisciplinary performance is at Weaverville Yoga Studio on Friday, Sept. 30, at 7.30 p.m.

NEVER TIRE: Local youths pull debris out of the Swannanoa River while volunteering for Asheville GreenWorks – a nonprofit that regularly attracts young helpers. “[We] try to foster a sense of love, respect and responsibility in the next generation of environmental stewards,” volunteer coordinator Kate Nelson says.

Conscious party: Lyric headlines Asheville GreenWorks’ Root Ball

Posted on September 24, 2016September 26, 2016 by Kat McReynolds

Asheville GreenWorks’ upcoming fundraiser, which features dancing and barbecuing, takes place at Asheville Outdoor Center on Thursday, Sept. 29.

SEASONAL SHOWCASE: Megan Jones Medford performs as part of Asheville Ballet’s Fall into Dance production. The annual show features the work of eight resident choreographers; percussionist Jeff Sipe will score one dance. The performance is held outdoors and is free and open to the public.

Asheville Ballet stages its fall-themed outdoor production

Posted on September 21, 2016September 15, 2016 by Coogan Brennan

The program will include a range of dance styles, from ballet to contemporary, and live music provided by renowned percussionist Jeff Sipe of Aquarium Rescue Unit.

Smart bets: Fiesta Hendersonville

Posted on September 20, 2016September 15, 2016 by Kat McReynolds

Enjoy sounds, tastes, dances and artistry from about 20 Latin American countries at Hendersonville’s Main Street on Sunday, Sept. 25.

Dance