On Monday, Jan. 6, storytellers from across the region will present true stories at the Henderson County Library’s Kaplan Auditorium.
Comedy troupe Reasonably Priced Babies keeps the laughs coming
Reasonably Priced Babies return to Ambrose West on Friday, Jan. 17. The troupe also performs at Black Mountain Center for the Arts on Friday, Jan. 24.
Justin Ray releases a pair of big band EPs
“I wanted to make swinging big band music, but I didn’t want it to be a ’20s/’30s tribute,” Ray says. “This is a style that can be vibrant and communicative now.”
Album review: ‘Brassterpiece Theatre’ by Empire Strikes Brass
‘Brassterpiece Theatre’ is a fully realized effort that demonstrates the facility of this powerful musical outfit.
Smart bets: Asheville Mardi Gras Twelfth Night
The party takes place at Eleven on Grove on Monday, Jan. 6.
(HUMOR) Local music news
The Asheville music community rallies around an ailing colleague, a busker ups her game and a prolific keyboardist’s secret is revealed.
New year, new party anthem
Matt Williams featuring Royal Suits share the feel-good single, “2020.”
Clubland editor Lauren Andrews and Community Calendar editor Deborah Robertson reflect on 2019
From exhibits to fundraisers, Lauren Andrews and Deborah Robertson kept readers up-to-date on the latest happenings around town in 2019.
Acoustic Asheville: Arouna and Biko
The duo once called Asheville home and were back in town earlier this year for a tour stop.
Alli Marshall reflects on the creative triumphs and tribulations of 2019
The year in local art could be summed up in hellos, goodbyes and triumphant returns.
Life Like Water celebrates its first full-length release
The globe-spanning vibe of ‘I Am Listening’ will be captured at the Grey Eagle album release show with the help of guest musicians River Guerguerian (percussion) and flautist Scott Sheerin.
Nancy J. Cable reviews of her top five reading list in 2019
Nancy J. Cable, chancellor of UNC Asheville, reviews her best reads in 2019.
WNC’s New Year’s Eve celebrations usher in the ’20s
Where will you welcome in the next decade? Check out Xpress’ extensive list of ideas.
Local artists and influencers recount their favorite happenings
From theater and live music to art exhibitions and literature, 2019 produces great works across genres.
Smart Bets: Papadosio
The Asheville-based electro-synth/prog-rock quintet plays Dec. 27-28 at Isis.
Smart Bets: Ashley Heath
The local singer/songwriter debuts new songs in acoustic form, Dec. 27 at The Grey Eagle.
Tryon couple open a multifocused creative and retail space
Inherited vintage clothing, previously online-only, recently opened as not only a brick-and-mortar store in downtown Tryon, but also as a collaboration with Heise’s husband, the singer-songwriter and recording artist Steven Fiore (aka Young Mister), who runs Reunion Tour, a recording studio and skate and music shop in the same space.
How local music ministries soundtrack spiritual experience
Xpress looks into the musical ministries of a number of local churches and explores what such programs, at the intersection of art and worship, offer to parishioners as well secular fans of a good concert.
Smart Bets: Jamie Laval’s Celtic Christmas
The holiday tradition returns to Asheville Community Theatre on Dec. 28.
Russ Wilson hosts annual Christmas show and releases career retrospective album
“We’ve got a few new arrangements that we’re bringing in, but we’re going to play all the old favorites,” Wilson says. “Wendy [Jones] has a big band arrangement of ‘White Christmas.’ And last year we started doing ‘Silent Night.’”
Smart Bets: Elves in the Piano
Pianist David Troy Francis, cellist Franklin Keel and singer Carol Duermit perform a Christmas program at White Horse Black Mountain on Dec. 22.