This year, Independence Day falls on a Saturday, which leaves you with more freedom to explore what this historic day has to offer.
Smart bets: Moni Hill
The painter’s decidedly hopeful “Messengers” collection will be featured in the F.W. Front Gallery at Woolworth Walk for the duration of July with a meet and greet opening reception on Friday, July 3, from 5-7 p.m.
Dave Desmelik debuts 10th album at Grey Eagle show
The local singer-songwriter talks about his newest release, his forthcoming projects, and gives an update on his son, Holmes, currently in treatment for a brain tumor.
Sound Track: “Where Were You” by PJ Bond
PJ Bond’s catch phrase for his sound is “honest music about real things” — and that’s a damn good summation, but it suggests bit more earnestness than the 11 tracks of Where Were You actually reveal. Not that the songs are without integrity. In fact, with continued play, they seem to peel back layers, revealing strata of meaning, insight and imagery.
Creative embrace: “In the Arm of Flowers” at BMCM+AC
According to the press release, “two women inhabit a mythic landscape of sand and ice, inviting inclusive spectrums of connection through voice, body, and object relations” in the interdisciplinary performance by Megan Ransmeier and Julia Rich.
Acoustic Asheville: Christian Lopez Band
Rising country music act Christian Lopez Band made its Asheville debut at Jack of the Wood recently. Ahead of the show, the musician played two songs from their debut record, Onward, exclusively for Acoustic Asheville. “Morning Rise” “This Romance”
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 a life-sized equestrian art installation by Nora Hartlaub, Gypsy Queen Cuisine’s new brick-and-mortar home, an action-packed board game and a comic series created by three locals.
Theater Review: “The Underpants” by Attic Salt Theatre Company
The Underpants is a play adapted by Steve Martin from an early 1900s German work by Carl Sternheim — and the results are just as madcap as you might imagine. It’s currently being staged by Attic Salt Theatre Company as part of the Catalyst Series at N.C. Stage Company.
Ted Warner, former Broadway’s owner and local nightlife influential, exits the business
Warner finalized the sale of his Lexington Ave. bar to husband and wife team Khio and Mindy Dinh of Morganton after a serious heath scare cemented his decision to exit the industry. Although he’s divesting his involvement, Warner’s legacy in the local club scene remains significant.
Soliloquy: The Magnetic Theatre’s new home and renewed mission
The Merchant of Asheville launches — after more than years of looking for a home — the grand opening production of The magnetic Theatre’s new space at 375 Depot Street (strangely enough, just across the street from its original building). The play’s first lines also sum up the theater’s mission statement.
Smart bets: Esley: The Life and Musical Legacy of Lesley Riddle
Jeff Messer turns his focus to the folk and country music contributions of Burnsville native Lesley Riddle. Esley: The Life and Musical Legacy of Lesley Riddle, runs at Parkway Playhouse Saturday, June 27-Saturday, July 11.
“Rites of Summer” at New Mountain, June 27
Local troupe Trillium Dance Company stages “Rites of Summer” on Saturday, June 27. The show includes performances by The Fox & Beggar Theater with music from Starseed, Morphonic, Earthtone Soundsystem and MeltYum.
Back from knee surgery, Michael Franti and Spearhead play New Mountain
The multiplatinum recording artist and the man behind the ubiquitous 2009 hit “Say Hey (I Love You)” plays the New Mountain Amphitheater with his band, Spearhead, on Friday, June 26. The show was originally slated for Feb. 18 at The Orange Peel, but was rescheduled when Franti tore the meniscus in his left knee in late January.
Smart bets: Matthew Quick
Matthew Quick, author of Silver Linings Playbook, reads and signs his latest novel Love May Fail at Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe on Monday, June 29, at 7 p.m.
Songwriters talk process and craft at panel presentation
Local organization Asheville Music Professionals teamed up with the Grammy-affiliated Recording Academy for a panel discussion on songwriting, followed by a songwriters-in-the-round performance.
In photos and words: Make Music Day Asheville
This year marked the inaugural Make Music Day in Asheville, with a number of free events held on Saturday and Sunday, June 20 and 21. Xpress stopped by Moog Music, The Mothlight and the Asheville Percussion Festival.
Exposure: Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance takes its rehearsals outside the studio
The public rehearsals for Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance’s new show, The Elements, have attracted the attention of everyone from tourists and passersbys to Asheville moms groups. “It’s really wonderful because we don’t usually get that much exposure to young people, and I love that aspect of it,” says executive director and choreographer Heather Maloy.
Smart bets: Underhill Rose
Tyler Nail Trio opens for Underhill Rose’s CD release show at the Grey Eagle on Saturday, June 27, at 9 p.m.
Vortex Doughnuts shows support for ‘Kite Runner’ with free books
The publishers at Random House Publishing have partnered with Vortex Doughnuts in an effort to raise awareness of the recent removal of Khaled Hosseini’s novel The Kite Runner from a class reading list at A.C. Reynolds High School.
The Wood Brothers’ be here now playlist
The magic of The Wood Brothers — who return to Asheville for a show at Pisgah Brewing Co. on Thursday, June 25 — are at work on new album, Paradise. Due out in October, it’s the first record the band has produced itself, and the first its members made while all living in the same town.
Smart bets: Sol Driven Train
The eclectic and ever-smiling band plays in support of their aptly titled 12th album Dance! at New Mountain on Friday, June 26, at 10:30 p.m.