This week’s roundup includes Goldie & the Screamers, Ahleuchatistas, Rick Dilling and BJ Barhamn.
Conscious party: The Center for Craft, Creativity & Design celebrates 20 years
The Center of Craft, Creativity & Design’s upcoming fundraiser offers four floors of art, live music, food and drinks, and other entertainment on Thursday, Aug. 11.
Asheville Art Talk: Joe Wakefield and his many birdhouses
Joe Wakefield’s creations come in many shapes – some look like people, others take on the dreamlike shapes of a Salvador Dali painting, while a few look like, well, your typical birdhouse.
Laugh Your Asheville Off turns 10
This year the festival has gone from four nights to five, beginning with a two-night launch party at Highland Brewing Co. on Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 9 and 10. The festival then moves to the Diana Wortham Theatre from Thursday, Aug. 11, to Saturday, Aug. 13.
Acoustic Asheville: Pierce Edens
Pierce Edens plays a farewell to The Dirty Work show at The Grey Eagle on Saturday, Aug. 6.
Mountain Dance and Folk Festival celebrates 89 years
Now the longest-running folk festival in the country, it celebrates its 89th anniversary this year with performances — different each night — at the Diana Wortham Theatre on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 4, 5 and 6.
Smart bets: Deona Fish and Celia Barbieri
Both artists’ work will be featured in Woolworth Walk’s FW Front Gallery throughout the month of August, and their opening reception takes place Friday, Aug. 5.
The Get Right Band holds Aug. 5 release party for “Who’s in Charge?”
To make it in the post-label world of today’s music industry, artists have to supplement their musical prowess with an understanding of how to promote that music.
Smart bets: Ellie Ali
American Folk Art presents Ali’s retrospective exhibit from Aug., 4-24, with an opening reception on Friday, Aug. 5.
Theater Review: “Grease” at Parkway Playhouse
Parkway Playhouse was forced to replace West Side Story with Grease, having lost the rights to the former when the authors boycotted North Carolina in protest of House Bill 2. Grease may ultimately be the better pick.
Smart bets: How I Became a Pirate
Performances of the musical are at Magnetic 375 on Friday-Sunday, Aug. 5-7, and Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 11-14, at various times.
Conscious party: Bikes and bands support veterans’ healing
Helios Warriors’ fundraiser kicks off with a group motorcycle ride on the parkway and ends with a party at Ole Shakey’s. The activities take place on Sunday, Aug. 7.
Feast to the Beat and Jam in the Van, Aug. 4 and 5
The national tour celebrating — and raising funds for — National Parks and National Heritage Areas rolls into Asheville for a two-day event.
Smart bets: Vincent Cross
Cross will play from his stripped-down solo album at Isis Restaurant and Music Hall on Saturday, Aug. 6.
Robert Morgan’s latest novel takes readers across the Appalachians
Robert Morgan’s latest novel, Chasing the North Star, is set against the backdrop of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Ac. The story chronicles the escape of 18 year-old Jonah Williams, who flees from his life as a slave on a South Carolina plantation.
In photos: The Mobros and Sweet Claudette at Isis
Wednesday night brought a great showcase of soul, blues, folk and Motown to West Asheville.
Sound track: The Event Horizon by Mandara
Each of the three songs on Mandara’s new EP is heavy-hitting and politically charged.
Acoustic Asheville: The Get Right Band
The Get Right Band will be releasing its third full length record, Who’s in Charge? on Friday, Aug. 5.
Author Barbara J. Taylor presents “All Waiting Is Long” at Malaprop’s
“I never write historical fiction with an agenda in mind, modern or otherwise. I simply sit down to write what I hope will be a good story. That said, given the current political climate and the seeming need of politicians to legislate women’s bodies, it wasn’t a far stretch for me to write about a society that restricted women.”
Folkmoot parade through Pack Square
As part of its finale weekend, Folkmoot’s dance troupes paraded through downtown Asheville and gave short performances at Pack Square. Read more about the folk dance and cultural festival here.
Asheville Fashion Week showcases local talent
Asheville Fashion Week, now in its second year, seeks to raise awareness of the local apparel and design scene. The event features more than 100 models and showcases the talents of over a dozen designers.