During the gear-raiser on Saturday, Aug. 22, supporters can tour Experience Music’s Merrimon Avenue studio and enjoy refreshments and live music.
Electronica duo Aligning Minds on their early years, new label and genre-busting approach
Daniel Merrill and Mike Folk, aka electronica duo Aligning Minds, headline The Orange Peel on Friday, Aug. 21. The band blends rural roots with synths and effects-processing. They’re also launching an eponymous label.
Smart bets: Barn Raisin’ Concert
The concert to benefit the Appalachian Barn Alliance kicks off at the Ebbs Chapel Performing Arts Center in Mars Hill on Sunday, Aug. 23, at 3 p.m.
Smart bets: The Wilhelm Brothers
The duo’s CD release celebration takes place at the Paintbox’ new stage on Thursday, Aug. 20, at 6 p.m.
John Crutchfield debuts new play at The Magnetic Theatre
John Crutchfield’s latest play is built upon a small selection from a much larger unpublished work in prose called The Intimate Journals of Jacob Higginbotham. It runs at The Magnetic Theatre Thursday-Saturdays, Aug. 22-Sept. 12.
Smart bets: Love Right
Funk-rockers The Get Right Band and folk-rockers Lovestruck Suckers share a stage at Isis Restaurant & Music Hall and 185 King Street in Brevard.
Smoke Signals, Sketchbook Crafts partner for Smörgåsbord Fall Equinox Feast
With the cool crispness of fall nearly upon us, two Marshall artisan businesses — Smoke Signals wood-fired bakery and Sketchbook Crafts — are partnering to celebrate the shift of seasons with food, friends and art.
Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives
Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features one artist’s random, magnetic acts of kindness and a filmmaker’s depiction of his spiritual journey in and out of India.
Sound track: “Gentle Spotted Giants” by Alex Krug Combo
Each song on the Alex Krug Combo’s new EP, Gentle Spotted Giants, is delivered with absolute care, even as its wrung from the singer’s guts. The album is launched at a release party at Isis Restaurant & Music Hall on Saturday, Aug. 22, at 8:30 p.m.
30 Days Out: a look at upcoming concerts
There’s something for most every musical taste in this edition of 30 Days Out. Unpredictable, experimental jazz; high-energy musical hijinks; indie sounds from Nashville and some of the newest songwriting talent WNC has to offer. Check ’em out.
Acoustic Asheville: Roots and Dore
The latest episode of Acoustic Asheville features blues/roots/soul duo Roots and Dore. Shot at the French Broad River Park, they covered songs from Cab Calloway and Elmore James.
Theater preview: Accordion Time Machine’s “Silent Ballroom”
Founder Kristen Aldrich was inspired by the non-illusory theater aesthetic of the neo-futurists in Chicago. Because of this foundation, pieces are often personal and there is no “fourth wall” separating audience and performers. Accordion Time Machine’s Silent Ballroom runs Friday and Saturday, Aug. 14 and 15.
Smart bets: Ne-Hi
Local rock groups Shallows and Isaacson open for Ne-Hi, which is currently touring the country in support of Drag, at the Mothlight on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 9 p.m.
Book signing: Asheville native Sheila Simmons’ memoir inspired by Minnie Riperton
Asheville is just one of the settings in Sheila Simmons’ Memoir of a Minnie Riperton Fan, which the Asheville native will sign Saturday, Aug. 15, at 6 p.m. at Firestorm Café & Books, 610 Haywood Road, in West Asheville. Simmon’s book examines the life and times of her childhood idol, Minnie Riperton, a 1970s singer […]
ACT ends 69th season with ’60s farce
The British farce Not Now, Darling, written by by John Chapman and Ray Cooney, seems so fabulously retro now. In reality, it was just another modern play of the era. But these days, thanks to TV shows like “Mad Men,” “Pan Am,” “The Astronaut Wives Club,” and the subsequent wave of nostalgia, audiences are getting a whole new look at that bygone era.
Smart bets: Jeff Alt
The author will hold a free talk and book signing at Malaprop’s Bookstore and Café on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 3 p.m.
Upcycled fashion creates an eco-friendly and uniquely Asheville look
In a way, upcycling is like the recycling we do with our cans and bottles: It also uses that concept of reusing and reducing waste material — but it’s not exactly cut from the same cloth.
A healthy dose of music and friendship to help Kenny Capps battle cancer
Days before heading to Atlanta for surgery and a month of isolation to combat an aggressive form of bone marrow cancer, Black Mountain resident Kenny Capps will be the guest of honor at a benefit concert organized by his friends. White Horse Black Mountain hosts the show on Thursday, Aug. 13.
Former Xpress staffer Jaye Bartell releases new video
The singer-songwriter, now based in Brooklyn, shares a video for his song “Dance with Me.”
5Point Film Festival establishes regional hub in Asheville
The 5Point Film Festival, held on Friday, Aug. 14 and Saturday, Aug. 15, is based in Colorado but celebrates the WNC community and hopes to inspire environmental stewardship and outdoor industry development.
Smart bets: Andrew Tyson
The young pianist brings his talents to Haywood County Arts Council’s Young Artist Series, performing at Waynesville’s First United Methodist Church on Friday, Aug. 14, at 7:30 p.m.