"I'm at the epicenter, so I think I know a thing or two about it," singer/songwriter Austin Lucas says of the current cowpunk resurgence. Sure, punk bands have been drawing inspiration from and even turning to country sounds for decades. Rank & File led the charge in the '70s, Mojo Nixon always mixed his post-punk […]
SoundTrack
This is what I keep hearing about Kovacs & the Polar Bear: "I liked them more than I thought I would." And, indeed, following their middle-of-three-bands set at a Rocket Club showcase, most of the audience cleared out: Unfortunate for the band that had to follow Kovacs' excellent performance. Front man Nicholas Kovacs bears a […]
Craft community still reeling from HandMade director’s departure
Many voices in the craft community are still shocked by the sudden departure of HandMade in America’s former executive director last month.
Brews News: Ladies drink beer, too
My Southern belle grandmother used to say ladies don’t drink beer. Here’s hoping the definition of “lady” has evolved since then to include beer-quaffing mamas like me.
Louisiana artist and sculptor Loren Schwerd at UNCA
She’ll talk about her current exhibit, Mourning Portrait, up at the Center for Craft, Creativity and Design; part of which is a series of memorials to New Orleans communities, drawing on the tradition of hairwork and incorporating human hair.
Review of True West
The two leads have teamed before, and are well-known and much-appreciated as a light-comic duo. In this play, they also explore dark recesses that may surprise those familiar with their more farcical romps.
Edgy Mama: Guys, if you can’t put the lid down, then sit down
All we ask, guys, is that if you’re going to insist on standing, playing with your pipe and leaving a mess behind, just close the lid afterward.
Video a-go-go
Watch local notables strut their stuff (for a good cause), improve your creative ability (either through planning or chaos), find out about Asheville’s recent Twestival doings, and more — in this week’s video round-up.
Review of Short Order Durang
There’s something to be said for knowing one’s place in the world, and a show presented at “The Usual Joli Grey Admiral’s Vault, Social Aid, Yacht Club, and Speakeasy off Broadway” is one that is definitely not afraid to embrace the local.
Into the Forums: A video report
Clive The Boarding Robot gives us the forecast for the weekend’s posting.
SoundTrack Web Extra: Ahleuchatistas
Ahleuchatistas’ Shane Perlowin releases his solo debut, The Vacancy in Every Verse. With video from a recent show.
Winter layers part 2
Photos by Rachael Bennett
Mountain Jam at the Feed & Seed
It’s all about the music at Will Ray’s weekly pickin’ session.
Winter layers part 1
Photos by Halima Flynt
This weekend on a shoestring
A music-filled (hopefully not snow-filled) weekend is on the horizon with an eclectic range of offerings. A DJ-infused art opening, a free show at the UNCA Grotto, piano players, Gypsy jazz, AC/DC covers, one man bands and a group of teen rockers who have already held their own with Johnny Winter. And it’s all $5 or less.
Why we went local
This year, the Xpress wedding guide was born from photos sent in by the community of local wedding-service providers. We appreciate their help and the lovely images we received, and regret we weren't able to use all of them. As you flip through the pages of our album, know that the photos are authentic to […]
The venue, the flowers, the ring
Photo courtesy Christopher Smith photography We fell in love with with the mountains and wanted to have our wedding right there. It was the scenery that attracted us here, and seemed like a pretty epic decision — binding ourselves to each other, and to the mountains, too. Here, at Max Patch. Still, WNC is blessed […]
What she wore
Photo courtesy Wedding Inspirations "One of the many blessings that come from an original tailored garment is the opportunity to incorporate personal, poetic and sentimental touches," explains local designer R. Brooke Priddy of Ship to Shore. "Often my clients bring items from loved ones of generations past." It's a concept that goes far beyond the […]
What we ate: Local food
Photos courtesy Artisan Catering Top 10 reasons to buy local food include: Better tasting food, sustaining rural heritage and protecting the natural beauty of the mountains, says the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project. For your wedding, tapping into the bounty of local farms has never been easier. "When you buy local food, you help keep local […]
Love is love
Photo courtesy BobbyMark’s designs Land of the Sky United Church of Christ supports marriage equality for gays and lesbians and officiates same-sex commitment ceremonies. "We believe that marriage equality is an important justice issue and our community of faith includes families that are affected every day by the status quo that says they cannot enter […]
How we ate cake
Photos of delicious cakes below It seems like every wedding movie has the requisite scene where the bride- and groom-to-be perch on fussy little chairs and sample an array of pastel-hued slivers of cake. Words like "butter cream" and "fondant" are tossed around and eventually lead to something massive and white and tiered like a […]