The experimental group, featuring up to four (!) drummers, plays the Apothecary on Friday, August 9.
Book Report: Local literary news
Authors Susan Reinhardt, Bob Mustin, Leslee N. Johnson and Veronica Watts launch new books.
She said, She said: Asheville Community Theatre’s Steel Magnolias
Dramady “Steel Magnolias” was first staged in ’87. The story, about a group of women in Natchitoches, La., was written by playwright Robert Harling around the death of his sister. The local production at Asheville Community Theatre is directed by Michael Lilly and runs through Sunday, Aug. 18. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.. Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Mother-daughter reviewers Becky Upham and Cicely Upham discuss.
This weekend on a shoestring
This weekend, enjoy a scenic hike, outdoor festivals, a float down the French Broad and more. As always, Xpress brings you the best in low-cost entertainment.
Just Announced: Del the Funky Homosapien coming to Isis
The legendary hip hop artist will make a special last-minute stop in West Asheville.
Fresh faces
If you still have never heard of the Laugh Your Asheville Off Festival, Asheville’s premiere celebration of stand-up comedy, the joke’s on you. The festival, now in its seventh year, runs from Aug.13 through Aug. 17 at a variety of locations downtown. The event was conceived by producer Charlie Gerencer and producer/stand-up comedian Greg Brown […]
No Come Down
“Run the Jewels,” the opening salvo from El-P and Killer Mike’s duo debut, accomplishes a lot. It’s the title track from a self-titled LP, tasked with proving their chemistry and establishing a vibe. It gets the job done. The beat, a concussive mix of thunderous bass and tirelessly looping tambourine and snare, is a perfect […]
Further Downstream
Haw, the new LP from Durham’s Hiss Golden Messenger, is not a jubilant record. Sure, the songs move with a loose country amble, but they’re shaded with searing guitar solos, eerie strings and the knotty croon of leader M.C. Taylor, a distinctive instrument that slinks through this album like a snake through the garden, moving […]
The Way It Is
“Beth/Rest” is the closer to Bon Iver’s immensely successful sophomore album. That LP — strangely titled Bon Iver, Bon Iver — reached No. 2 on Billboard’s U.S. album chart — and its densely layered yet feather-soft orchestrations, along with the uniquely chilly croon of leader Justin Vernon, landed the band a bukoo of high-profile gigs […]
A stand-up guy
The last time Rob Delaney played Asheville, in 1999, he was starring as Sir Lancelot in a traveling production of the musical Camelot. In the years since, he’s survived alcoholism, depression and an epic car wreck, ultimately settling into a fertile mix of sobriety, married life, childrearing and a multipronged comedy attack that brings his […]
Smart Bets: Kelcy Mae
Singer-songwriter Kelcy Mae is based in New Orleans, but don't plumb her music for jazz or brass band influences. Instead, she draws from "traditional Southern bluegrass and country instrumentation with an independent rock sound," according to her website. "She leaves simplistic odes to love or lust or heartbreak to other artists and instead dwells in […]
Smart Bets: A Mid-Summer Night’s Mardi Gras
Unlike Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, set in a single fairy-enchanted evening, this weekend's “A Mid-Summer Night's Mardi Gras” spans two sundowns. And instead of fairies, the events are under the spell of Dixieland — from food and drinks to music and dance. Take a Cajun dance lesson, partake in two-steps and waltzes and taste […]
Smart Bets: Big Love benefit
After being rained out earlier this year, Big Love festival was rescheduled for the fall (Sunday, Sept. 15). But Big Love fans don't have to wait for September to celebrate all that's great about Asheville (music, crafts, food and beer) — there's a pre-party this week. Pleasure Chest provides the soundtrack and there's a raffle […]
Smart Bets: RiverFest
"It wouldn't be summer without the Anything that Floats Parade," says press for this weekend's RiverFest, the 14th annual celebration of the French Broad River, put on by RiverLink. The aforementioned parade involves "watercraft of all kinds" created by various local groups. The day full of family-friendly fun also includes food trucks, local beer, activities […]
Calendar highlights: Root Ball and AT tales
Clubland features: JJ Grey and Mofro, Wayne Robbins and the Hellsayers
Mail artist en masse
Anything Goes — Everything Shows posts an eclectic world at the Phil Mechanic Building’s Courthouse Gallery.
“Creative expression, spiritual practice and astonishing music”
This year’s Wild Goose Festival takes place at Hot Springs Campground, Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 8-11. Speech and Indigo Girls headline, with many more musicians, speakers, presenters and performers.
The Booty Band’s ode to the posterior
Asheville’s funk collective performed “Badonkadonk” live at Bele Chere. Click through for the video.
Feral Chihuahuas experiment with Genetically Modified Comedy
The comedy troupe finally brings Asheville something genetically modified we can all agree on.
CalCast: Aug. 2-4
Learn about topbar beekeeping, tour a hops yard and see local art this weekend. Podcast hosted by Ms. Amandi of Asheville Free Media’s Bombshell-ter Radio.