Banjo player Nic Coker from the Swannanoa-based country swing band The Screech Owl Serenade was catching the final hours of hassle-free downtown busking on Thursday, as the city transformed itself for Bele Chere. Here, he performs an instrumental version of traditional tune “Bully of the Town.”
Photo by Halima Flynt
We asked our readers to share some of the things they’ve overheard others saying as they wonder the streets. In this post, we’ve aggregated some of the more funny and quirky comments that were overheard and then reported to us via Twitter. They show that some of the most entertaining moments at Bele Chere are coming at unexpected times.
We recruited our friend Ami Worthen from local band Mad Tea Party to take us backstage before last night’s Southern Culture on the Skids show at Bele Chere. In this interview, drummer Dave Hartman shares stories from the road and gives us the scoop on the southern-fried rock band’s new album. Video by Jake Frankel
A few scenes from the set by local duo Jason Krekel and Ami Worthen on the Haywood Street Stage
This year’s race had a lower turnout and a much hotter temperature, resulting in slower finishing times. But spirits were high and runners showed plenty of heart on the grueling course.
Bele Chere festivities in the heart of Asheville on Friday, June 23. Check out a photo gallery from day one! Photos by Halima Flynt.
With their high-voltage style, musical saw and general whimsy, novelty jazz band Blind Boy Chocolate and the Milk Sheiks may be one of the most easily recognized bands in Asheville’s street music scene. Here, the group perform their version of the Mississippi Mud Steppers’ tune “Jackson Stomp.”
Even the best performers and athletes can get a little performance anxiety. That’s as true for people as it is for Bele Chere favorites the Ultimate Air Dogs, as this video proves.
The Kent, Ohio-based indie-rockers started their westward tour off with a Friday set at the Battery Park stage.
Photos from of Bele Chere festival in downtown Asheville on Friday afternoon, July 23.
Photo by Jonathan Welch
The air dogs take flight (if only in their dreams).
Photo by Jonathan Welch
Annual celebration of international culture and heritage runs for two weeks.
There’s more to Bele Chere than bratwurst, bands and beer. There’s shopping!
Photo by Halima Flynt
In this podcast, Xpress staffers Jake Frankel and Rebecca Sulock sit down with Mad Tea Party’s Ami Worthen to drink and dish about Bele Chere’s best bands and events. Listen here to get the inside scoop on Southern Culture on the Skids, Toubab Krewe, the Ultimate Air Dogs and much more.
People watching plus photography plus a snarky list of targets equals the best Bele Chere photo scavenger hunt of all time.
Castell Photography hosts a fine art photo booth during Bele Chere on Saturday, July 24.
