The Wild Array lead singer debuts her solo project with this straightforward yet memorable video.
Street performers contemplate their future in Asheville
Local buskers chat with Xpress about the current challenges they face in Asheville. From the pandemic to robbery, life as a street artist isn’t always an upbeat song.
Green in brief: Ecusta Trail land purchase complete
On Aug. 12, a subsidiary of nonprofit Conserving Carolina completed the $7.8 million purchase of the currently unused Ecusta rail line, stretching 19 miles between Hendersonville and Brevard, from the Blue Ridge Southern Railroad.
MerleFest adapts with fall gathering
After being canceled in 2020, the revered music fest returns to Wilkes Community College, Sept. 16-19.
Strength in Pride Project empowers LGBTQ+ community
Local photographer Lauren Merrell discusses her latest project and its impact on her life and those of others.
Around Town: Paved Paradise music pop-up stops at Archetype Brewing
Paved Paradise music pop-up stops at Archetype Brewing. Plus, blu29 showcases underrepresented artists, North Carolina honors Rafael Guastavino, and the Blue Ridge Orchestra marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
Q&A with Erica Abrams Locklear, professor of English at UNCA
Update, Sept. 6, 2021: This piece was updated to reflect that Natasha Tretheway’s book Native Guard is a collection of poetry. Growing up in Leicester, Erica Abrams Locklear imagined becoming a pediatrician one day. She loved to read, though, and remembers enjoying Southern authors Jill McCorkle and Clyde Edgerton. But Abrams Locklear didn’t become aware […]
Asheville Archives: Literary expectations hound Thomas Wolfe, 1931
Despite public outcries over his 1929 debut novel, Look Homeward, Angel, local residents were still eager to know what Thomas Wolfe had planned next. As pressure mounted to deliver his next book, Wolfe begged his mother to not leak any information to the Asheville press.
Harriet Tubman statue comes to Sylva
Western North Carolina is grappling with a controversial part of its history: monuments erected in commemoration of Confederate figures. In May, after months of debate and consideration by a specially appointed task force, Asheville began removing the Vance Monument, an obelisk honoring the late Confederate military officer and former Gov. Zebulon Baird Vance. And in […]
Ria Young named ACT’s inaugural Artistic Partner
The yearlong fellowship includes funding for a new work, a full production of her play “Transition,” an internship for youths of color and a public play-reading series.
Around town: Goombay Festival celebrates 40 years
The Goombay Festival celebrates African and Caribbean heritage in Asheville. Plus, the N.C. Apple Festival returns for its 75th year, Weaverville gets ready to open a new community center and a local author publishes a children’s book.
LEAF Downtown returns
Following last year’s pandemic-related pause, LEAF Downtown returns to Asheville for its sixth annual gathering.
Ritch Shydner explores stand-up comedy history in two-part show
The veteran comedian performs “A History of Stand-up Comedy” Aug. 27-28 at Attic Salt Theatre Co.
Around town: Cat Fly Film Fest returns with live events
The Cat Fly Film Fest returns with live events after last year’s virtual gatherings. Plus, the Asheville Fringe Arts Festival offers a sneak peak, a South Carolina musician brings jazz to downtown Hendersonville, and a UNCA professor is on the move.
New book explores 1936 slaying at the Battery Park Hotel
After nearly a decade’s worth of research, local author Anne Chesky Smith celebrates the publication of her new book, Murder at Asheville’s Battery Park Hotel: The Search for Helen Clevenger’s Killer.
Travis Book and Johanna Hagarty discuss the wild world of podcasting
The Infamous Stringdusters bassist draws on unusual inspirations for his podcast, while the Biz Radio host is exploring newer interactive platforms.
Po’folk, Wild Array and The Chariot release new albums
Hip-hop, R&B, synth rock and folk are represented across these three superb full-length projects.
Around town: Marshall’s Mermaid Parade returns to its roots
Downtown Marshall once again hosts the Mermaid Parade, but with some changes. Plus, Come to Leicester offers tours of artists’ studios; WNC author talks about the Tar Heel State; and the Moog Foundation raffles off a vintage synthesizer.
Asheville Printmakers unite for inaugural Invitational Group Show
The independent alliance of artists broadly define the medium of “the print” to encompass a wide range of processes and content, using creative approaches both traditional and experimental.
Around town: Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre returns to indoor shows
The Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre prepares to greet live audiences again. Plus: Panelists will discuss Asheville’s historic Shiloh community; Hendersonville gives an up-close look at its vehicles; and the Sourwood Festival returns.
The Mountain Dance and Folk Festival celebrates its 94th year
The long-running showcase of Southern Appalachian music, dance and storytelling takes place Aug. 5-7 at UNCA’s Lipinsky Hall.