One of the wonderful (and sometimes confusing) things about instrumental music is how open to interpretation it can be. While lyrics and instrumentation go hand in hand, the introduction of words does effectively contextualize a song. Of course there are other markers — rhythm, key, the instruments being played — that set a mood, but […]
The musical A Chorus Line ran on Broadway from 1975 to 1990 and won practically every award that existed for theater during its run. Asheville Community Theatre’s production is presented by Aloft, and runs through Sunday, March 1. It’s directed by Chanda Calentine with musical direction by Gary Mitchell and choreography by Tina Pisano-Foor. Mother-daughter […]
Prolific singer/songwriter Chris Carrabba — the poster child of the emo genre and frontman for Dashboard Confessional, Further Seems Forever and a solo project — is cozying up to a new sound with his latest roots-inspired quintet Twin Forks. In anticipation of the band’s Tuesday, Feb. 17 stop at The Orange Peel — along with Los […]
“This is a special collaboration of forces in Asheville — Isis [Restaurant & Music Hall], New Mountain, Pisgah [Brewing Co.] and FATE come together for a evening of brass funk,” says a press release. The star in that equation is, of course, New Orleans-based outfit Dirty Dozen Brass Band. In celebration of its 35th anniversary, […]
Each January, Blue Spiral 1 debuts artists and makers that are new to its collection, and often to Asheville, in its annual group exhibition New Times Three. The name derives from the show’s basic structure — new works by new artists shown in the new year — which allows for an open-ended, uncorrelated mix of styles […]
The Asheville music scene has its share of local-boy-makes-good stories. And with his 1997 debut onto the national scene, guitarist and Asheville native Bryan Sutton quickly made a major impression in bluegrass and the wider music community. Named the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Guitar Player of the Year eight of the last 15 years, Sutton also […]
From the side-splittingly funny, fanny-exposing opening to the tear-jerking conclusion, NC Stage Company‘s production of Sharr White’s Annapurna is a tour de force on every level. Charlie Flyn-McIver’s direction is spot on, and the play is set within the tiny, messy slum of a single-wide trailer. That set, by scenic designer Julie K. Ross and […]
Back in 2001, such a level of popularity and public acceptance seemed unlikely. But if the weather cooperates on Sunday, Feb. 15, Asheville Mardi Gras will draw an estimated 5,000 people to line Wall Street, Battery Park Avenue, Haywood Street and Page Avenue for the annual parade.
Inspiration from existential crises is nothing new in the music world. Psych-rocker Jackson Scott, however, ups the ante by blending both the highs and lows of 20-something Asheville life in his sophomore album Sunshine Redux, due for an April 28 release. “[It’s] about my own dichotomy of euphoria and despair,” explains the self-described apocalyptic pop […]
Led by eclectic musician Dawn Carol, the Sisters of Song Review draws on the talent of three local ladies — Carol, Tawney Sankey and Kim Smith — for an evening of eclectic musical performances backed by bass guitarist Buddy Davis. Known for her “solid, distinctive guitar work, passionate, heartfelt songwriting and sultry persona,” Carol surprisingly […]
British solo artist Robyn Hitchcock pairs five cover songs with five original tunes in his latest self-described “elegiac record,” The Man Upstairs. “I am, after all this time, a guitarist and a singer as much as I am a songwriter,” he says, not “just another singer/songwriter laying their freshest eggs.” The hybrid creation, suggested by […]
To those who think the celebration of romantic love is just a Hallmark company construct: not quite. Since the 1700s, lovers have been giving each other handwritten cards, flowers and sweets. It wasn’t until the 19th century that Valentine’s Day cards were mass-produced. But 200 years of tradition doesn’t mean you have to give in […]
The performance, the first in a planed series, is called Temple of the Muse: Reclamation of Stolen Fire and features puppets and butoh, cabaret and theatrical dance performances by local and visiting artists.
Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features a sharpie artist’s quest to screen print her work and an outdoor learning space at Owen Middle School.
Alt-country singer/songwriter Bobby Bare, Jr. was at the Grey Eagle recently. He took a few minutes before hitting the stage to perform a couple of songs for Xpress. “Your Adorable Beast” “Sad Smile”
Odyssey Community School’s students have been doing a lot more than traditional reading, writing and arithmetic lessons. The institution’s middle schoolers recently spent two weeks of their semester devoting all of their time and energy into creating a collaborative music video. The song, “Soaring on Strings,” and video were written, performed and edited by the […]
Twice monthly, my blog 30 Days Out spotlights upcoming music shows and events of note, shining a light into some less well-lit corners, where some fascinating artists schedule performances. I do my best to give ample advance notice so that you can adjust your budget and calendar in a way that lets you get to […]
After landing her first acting gig in a commercial at age 4 and taking improvisation classes as a teen, comedian Kelli Cayman Cozlin became “hooked” on the art of performing. Roughly two decades later, she’s carved a niche for herself in Asheville’s lively comedy scene by dipping her hand “in quite a few cookie jars.” […]
Toy Box Theatre’s Keith Shubert created the concept for this kid-friendly puppet show in 2011. With help from Madison J. Cripps (Cripps Puppets) and Tiny Wonder puppeteer Valerie Meiss, Shubert took his mischievous marionette on the road, amassing an increasing fanbase since.
In 2015, nearly every concertgoer carries a smart phone with a built-in camera, so snapshots of the onstage performers aren’t exactly a rare commodity. But there’s a long and proud tradition of legitimate concert photography, and it’s no hyperbole to call it an art form. Some of the most iconic images in music have come […]
“The ‘Projecting’ series happened organically, as all my work does. Most of the time, I feel like the camera is using me instead of the other way around,” says cocktail guru and artist Samir Osman, who will be in Asheville Feb. 9-11.
