Ashton and Rama Cheromaya are hardly strangers to the local busking scene, having passed through town regularly for the last several years. Although not Asheville residents, the couple claim that the city is their “base in the Southeast,” and opted to perform their original tune “Mayan Queen” for their Busk Break debut.
In this week’s roundup: A hike at the North Carolina Arboretum, a foggy ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway, ice cream for dogs, questionable art history and a glimpse at Shindig on the Green.
While he wasn’t too forthcoming with his full name, traveling Dobro player Dustin was more than happy to perform his original tune “Caroline” for Busk Break. Like what you hear, and want more? Sorry to disappoint, but Dustin claims he doesn’t have an online musical presence yet, has no downloadable tracks and is merely passing through town. This may well be your only chance to hear him in action.
Photos from Shindig on the Green at Pack Square Park Saturday, July 3.
Photo by Jonathan Welch
Photos from the 43rd annual Mountaineer Antique Car Show and Flea Market at the WNC Agricultural Center.
Photo by Jonathan Welch
Informal busking groups are commonplace on the streets of downtown Asheville during the summer, and these short-lived bands can make for some very interesting, now-or-never listening experiences. Here’s the pickup group of Elie Herzog (vocals, bass), Eric Merchant (guitar, vocals) and Erica Schinasi (violin) performing the cross-genre standard “Hesitation Blues.”
A recap of some favorite summery looks from Asheville Streetstyle.
Her hat is from Cosmic Vision (34 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 285-0073).
Country rocker John Brannen’s Bravado is immaculately-produced, sometimes-predictable and full of swagger.
Knew it was coming; now it’s official. We’re excited.
Death, loss, mother-in-laws and the Bible. All that, and RUTH manages to be a surprisingly light, beautiful and moving play.
Jesse Hamm talked to rock band Marah at their Wednesday night Grey Eagle show.
Marah in Asheville, NC for Mountain Xpress from Jesse Hamm on Vimeo.
A little explanation: Don Clark here has, for 20 years, “made it his personal mission to spread the joy of American music through his Bluegrass Bus Museum.” The bus stopped off in Asheville on the way to the Red, White & Bluegrass Festival.
Winning films screened at the Fine Arts Theatre last night. Didn’t get to go? We have some the award-garnering films right here.
Can social media help the masterful Woody Wood make a record? Three days in, the campaign’s already raised 20 percent of the goal.
Sunset on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Wednesday, June 30.
Photo by Jonathan Welch
In this week’s podcast, Xpress film critics Ken Hanke and Justin Souther: delve into Grown Ups, Knight And Day, Solitary Man and Harry Brown; discuss the Asheville Film Society screening of Blue Velvet; wax nostalgic about failed attempts to see Blood For Dracula (this week’s Thursday Horror Picture show); and show limited enthusiasm for upcoming releases The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and The Last Airbender.
Despite the fact that Little Orphan Annie’s comic strip ended earlier this month with our heroine kidnapped by a Balkan war criminal and held hostage indefinitely in Guatemala, Annie is alive and well in Burnsville at the Parkway Playhouse.
The indie-rock trio may not have been with winning act, but their Wednesday, June 23 performance is worth revisiting.
Diana Wortham hosts a two-night run of innovative musical collaboration, featuring Col. Bruce Hampton, Acoustic Syndicate and many, many more.
