An outsider art exhibit hangs at Monte Vista Inn through Sept. 1.
Smart Bets web extra: Alt-country takes over Club Metropolis
Five bands (local and nationally touring) perform a showcase on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
Book Report: The Road from Gap Creek
Author Robert Morgan reads and signs his new book at Malaprop’s on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 2 p.m.
Happy birthday, YMI
*The Young Men's Institute Band specialized in classical and jazz. Dr. William J. Trent, seated on the floor left, was on the first YMI board of directors and went on to become president of Livingstone College in Salisbury, N.C. Photo from the NC Collection, Pack Memorial Library, Asheville, N.C. *Pictured here in 1953, the Market […]
State of the arts: Setting the bar with the basics
Drawing is often just a stage of the artistic process. But as a well-done end in and of itself, it often has arresting power. The dark, near-black tones rendered by a heavy hand, balanced with delicate, feather-like highlights offer a simple purity. Asheville doesn’t get a lot of this. Several drawings by Asheville artist Tamie […]
Sound Track web extra: Forgotten Albatross
Local indie-rocker outfit The Luxury Spirit holds a release party for its new album on Saturday, Aug. 24 at Emerald Lounge. Click through for an early listen.
Night moves
“In some ways I feel like I’m a translator, not a writer,” says Marisha Pessl. The Asheville-raised, New York-based author managed to “translate” two Moleskine notebooks full of thoughts, ideas and photos into the darkly suspenseful, wonderfully addictive new novel, Night Film. Clocking in at just under 600 pages, the dreamy (sometimes nightmarish), thriller winds […]
They (don’t) hate music
Touring is like riding a bike, says Jim Wilbur, guitarist for Chapel Hill indie-rock outfit Superchunk. The group, formed in 1989 by by Mac McCaughan, Laura Ballance, Chuck Garrison and Jack McCook, has plenty of experience (the bike kind, and the playing stages across the world kind). Wilbur replaced McCook after Superchunk’s debut record. (Jon […]
Gas to glass
The EnergyXchange in Burnsville is in the innovation business. Built on the site of a former landfill, the complex includes four greenhouses, three cold frames, a retail craft gallery, a visitor center, clay studio and glass studio. And most of it's fueled by decomposing trash. Methane, that is. Glassblowing and ceramics studios are notorious for […]
Smart Bets: The Luxury Spirit
Local indie rockers The Luxury Spirit are set to release new album Forgotten Albatross. The first single, "Light," crackles with electricity and layered guitars. Drums snap and pulse below the melee, but the song, for all of its expansive inclination and amplitude, still maintains its taut structure. Singer Bob Burnette's tenor glides through waves of […]
Smart Bets: La Reina
"Multimedia" barely begins to describe the production La Reina which, according to a press release, "draws from 12 different texts which span nearly 4,000 years of theatrical tradition." Beyond the script, the stage show also incorporates baroque costuming (by local fashion designer Alexis Gault), circus arts, puppetry, modern dance and a live electronic soundtrack composed […]
Calendar highlights: vintage photography, ceramics and a giant steamroller
Clubland features: New Madrid, Mobb Deep, Secret B-Sides
Late-August craft fairs
Even in this lull between full-on summer and the pre-autumn of Labor Day, the craft scene hasn’t slowed down. A number of arts and crafts fairs line the calendar, along with a special quilt show and a fiber sale.
Friends of Panthertown picnic
Friends of Panthertown will host a picnic and concert to celebrate its members and encourage new volunteers on Tuesday, Aug. 20.
Video: Songs of Water
The haunting world-fusion band returns to Asheville on Saturday, Aug. 24. They’ll perform an all-ages show at Isis.
Serial Killer: Killer Mike Does it Again
It was only a few months ago that Atlanta hip-hop heavyweight, Killer Mike, celebrated his birthday with an exhilarating performance on The Orange Peel stage while opening for mentor and fellow Atlantan, Big Boi. Last Thursday, the southern fried soul man returned to Asheville alongside rapper, producer and Def Jux founder, El-P, in the midst of their Run the Jewels tour. Photos by Rich Orris.
Smart Bets web extra: The Whappers and The Greasy Beans
The two local bands (one rocks, one picks) make a triumphant return. They’ll play The Grey Eagle on Tuesday, Aug. 20. All ages show. 9 p.m., $8 at the door.
Acoustic Asheville: Hiss Golden Messenger
The Durham/Brooklyn-based folk outfit played Apothecary on Aug. 10. Click through for a video of M.C. Taylor’s exclusive performance.
SoundTrack web extra: Telepathic Love
New York-based neo-new wave band Heaven (fronted by former Carolinian Matt Sumrow) plays The Lab (with Knives & Daggers) on Saturday, Aug. 17. Here’s why you should check out their just-released debut album.
CalCast: Aug.16-18
Celebrate the filming of Dirty Dancing and Laugh Your Asheville Off this weekend. Podcast hosted by Ms. Amandi of Asheville Free Media’s Bombshell-ter Radio.