LINEAGE: “As an experimental movement research group, Anagnorisis could not have existed without the pioneering conceptual work of John Cage, Merce Cunningham and other Black Mountain faculty and alumni,” the Durham-based collective wrote in its {Re}HAPPENING proposal. From left, Porter Witsell, Silvia Sheffield and Zach Aliotta rehearse. Photo by Steven Paul Whitsitt

{Re}HAPPENING projects take cues from Black Mountain College alumni

Posted on March 22, 2017March 17, 2017 by Alli Marshall

This year’s {Re}HAPPENING, taking place Saturday, March 25, at Camp Rockmont (the location of BMC, which shuttered in 1957), features a number of performance taking cues directly from alumni of the institution.

RHYTHM IS GONNA GET YOU: "We want to have a place for the community to dress up, have fun. A place to be safe and happy," says Jamie Singh, one of the organizers of the Latin Rhythms & Salsa Saturday events at The BLOCK off Biltmore. The events also often serve as fundraisers for local and national causes.

The BLOCK off Biltmore hosts Latin Rhythms & Salsa Saturdays

Posted on March 9, 2017March 3, 2017 by Coogan Brennan

After the dance lesson, the social begins and the more practiced dancers roll in. The room can get packed during its zenith. Santana (as DJ Malinalli) plays not only salsa music, but cumbia, merengue and rhumba as well.

DOWN TO EARTH: On Asheville Butoh Festival's website, the featured dance is described as "a postmodern movement in which formal dance technique is eschewed in favor of primal and idiosyncratic styles that transform the human body and allow raw mental energies to come into being."

Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives

Posted on March 5, 2017March 3, 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 a fundraiser for Asheville Butoh Festival’s four-day event plus an eco-friendly studying aid designed by UNCA students.

IT DOES MEAN A THING: “We’re all pretty optimist-minded,” says Franklin Smith of Swing Asheville’s members. “The idea is to do more than just have a dance.” The group’s move to The BLOCK off Biltmore offered the opportunity to benefit local nonprofits.

Local dance group supports nonprofits with weekly events

Posted on February 10, 2017February 3, 2017 by Alli Marshall

The next dance takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 14, with a Valentine’s Day theme and music by The Lovebugs.

MAKE A PLAY: The residents of Almost, Maine — in a production named for the small town — “find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways.” The show runs through Sunday, Feb. 19, at 35below.

Where to celebrate, laugh about or find romance this Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 8, 2017February 8, 2017 by Alli Marshall

in and around Asheville, there’s also plenty of music, comedy, dancing, dining, volunteering and even Drag Queen Bingo to commemorate the occasion.

SOON THE NEW DAY: Talib Kweli headlines New Year's Eve at The Orange Peel. The Social activist and hip-hop artist comes to Asheville on a break between two tours. Local artists RBTS WIN and Mike L!VE open the show.

Where to ring out the old and welcome the new year

Posted on December 28, 2016December 22, 2016 by Alli Marshall

For those of us who want to kick this year to the curb and see in — albeit with some trepidation — 2017, here’s where to sip some bubbly, wear a wacky hat, dance like no one’s watching and party like it’s 1999 (there’s no shame if you secretly wish it was).

LORD OF DANCE, MUSIC AND STORYTELLING: Perennial favorite Celtic fiddler Jamie Laval continues his annual tradition of holiday season performances built upon ancient Celtic traditions. This year's show is titled “Celtic Christmas: Music and Stories for the Deep Midwinter.”

Fiddler Jamie Laval brings Celtic Christmas to Asheville and Tryon

Posted on December 27, 2016December 22, 2016 by Bill Kopp

For several years now, Celtic fiddler Jamie Laval has crafted a special December program for audiences. He presents “Celtic Christmas,” a family-friendly performance that showcases not only Christmas traditions, but observances of older pagan rituals centered around winter solstice.

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 […]

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