Christmas Jam returns for its 32nd year. Plus, SART offers “pay-what-you-wish” tickets for its annual Christmas revue; 250 nativity sets on display; and more.
12 Baskets Café’s arts programs build community
The nonprofit’s writing, craft and visual arts groups forge a strong sense of belonging among participants.
Around town: A psychedelic circus comes to town
A local rock band’s musical circus at Asheville Music Hall. Plus, Asheville’s annual holiday parade; a new album from Blue Ridge Music Trails; and more.
Poet Evan Gray writes against Appalachian stereotypes in debut collection
“I think some folks definitely have assumptions about what makes a book or a poem ‘Appalachian.’ I find most Appalachian writing buying into some of the marketable stereotypes from the region instead of saying or doing anything interesting,” says poet Evan Gray. “I’m not interested in that.”
NaNoWriMo resources help local writers achieve their goals
“The brilliant thing about NaNoWriMo is that it’s not about writing a good book in a month. It’s about just finishing something,” says Asheville-based author Stephanie Perkins.
Around town: Day of the Dead
Asheville Sister Cities brings a Day of the Dead celebration to Weaverville. Plus, a moonlit paddle down the French Broad River; the return of Surreal Sirkus; and more.
Memoir explores parenting a child struggling with mental health issues
“There is so much pressure in our society for mothers to be perfect,” Batchelder remembers. “So when my daughter got depressed in high school, I wondered if it was my fault, what did I do wrong, what should I have done differently. Was I too much or not enough?”
Around town: An evening of scary stories from Appalachia
Seasonal regional tales at the Vance Birthplace State Historic Site’s annual event. Plus, the 14th annual Queer Girls Literary Reading; a new collection of poems from Hendersonville writer; and more.
Poet Tina Barr on the power of juxtapositions
“I love poetry that requires the engagement of the reader’s imagination,” says poet Tina Barr. “I like opaque language, rather than transparent language.”
Asheville’s literary podcast scene blossoms
The creators/hosts of “Listen & Be Heard,” “PBL Pod” and “Rock Is Lit” discuss their shows.
Around town: The Lovely Asheville Annual Fall Festival returns
The Lovely Asheville Annual Fall Festival returns for a second year. Plus, former Kentucky poet laureate speaks at UNCA; a new book of poems from local author; and more.
Around town: Local musicians pay tribute to John Prine
The Knotty Gs put together the second annual John Prine tribute at The Grey Eagle. Plus, Mars Hill Brewing Co. hosts live music fundraiser for a postal worker who was carjacked; “Ben and Angela” premieres at the BeBe Theatre; and more.
Four of a Kind: Clint Bowman talks local poetry scene
The poet talks new projects and the area’s literary scene.
Around town: Making things happen at Rare Bird Farm
Rare Bird Farm receives green light to hold events in Madison County. Plus, Blue Ridge Pride; a graffiti tour in the RAD; and more.
Ron Rash on his latest (and possibly last) novel
On Tuesday, Sept. 26, author Ron Rash will celebrate the release of his 20th publication. His latest novel, The Caretaker, is set in Blowing Rock in 1951. “To me, this is a book about love,” Rash says. “Not in a sentimental way. It’s about the destructiveness of it. How we misuse the word — exploit it.”
Around town: Celebrating Dirty Dead’s long strange trip
A Grateful Dead cover band celebrates a milestone. Plus, a new book from Asheville native; a celebration for the Hominy Creek Greenway; and more.
Around town: A weeklong celebration of women musicians
The second annual Women to the Front Festival expands to a weeklong celebration. Plus, “The Village Witch” releases her new book; A-B Tech’s student and faculty literature and arts publication “The Rhapsodist”; and more.
Look Homeward: Wiley Cash on popular misconceptions of the hillbilly stereotype
New York Times bestselling author, Wiley Cash, joins Xpress for our recurring feature on the life and literary works of Thomas Wolfe.
Asheville’s unique ties to ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’
The Asheville area is home to two authors who’ve written books on the film, 30 years apart.
William Forstchen’s ‘Five Years After’ concludes post-apocalyptic saga
The Black Mountain-based author discusses the conclusion of his acclaimed post-apocalyptic saga.
Poet Chelsea Lynn LaBate on mental health and the creative process
Chelsea LaBate wrote her latest poetry collection, ‘Free Roses,’ while experiencing several psychotic episodes, which resulted in multiple hospitalizations. Her hope is readers walk away from the works “poetically informed by the mania and the bliss.”