The one who “transfigu­res American music”

Will Oldham, the Palace/Palace Music/Palace Brothers chameleon, who has been releasing a series of stunning albums and weird EPs since 1999’s I See A Darkness under the Bonnie Prince Billy moniker, will be making a rare Asheville stop in support of his excellent new album, Beware (Drag City). Someday Bonnie Prince will come: Fans have […]

Artillery

The Urban Loft + Art Tour sponsored by the Asheville Art Museum last week provided an interesting glimpse at the lifestyles and interiors of Asheville’s downtown dwellers. The apartments and condos that rise above this little city provide some breathtaking views, and it’s hard to not feel a hint of envy at the plebian’s limited […]

Spork

There’s so much to spork this week, you better start shovelin’. We got big news and it might take an extra tine or two to get it all in. Photographer George Masa’s early 20th-century photos of the Great Smoky Mountains must be seen at the Asheville Art Museum before July 5. Filmmaker Paul Bonesteel, who […]

SoundTrack

Humble Thumb, the fragmented version of The Brothels from Knoxville and Asheville, recently opened for Buffalo at Fred’s Speakeasy. The small crowd—surprisingly quiet for a Saturday night—finally hit its enthusiastic stride when Buffalo took the stage with a young but mature approach to old-time roots, country, and bluegrass. Buffalo at Fred’s Speakeasy. Photo by Lydia […]

“This isn’t Oklahoma”

Will a production of The Who’s Tommy, the staged rock opera based on the album of the same name, bring about a resurgence of pinball wizards and boardwalk-style arcades lined with the chiming, flashing games? Tommy can you hear me? Get the 60s sonic experience at the Asheville Arts Center show. Photo by Jonathan Welch. […]

Building a better block party

Back in the day, a couple traffic barricades, a boom box and a barbeque equaled a fete fit for an entire neighborhood. Asheville’s historic Montford neighborhood—the tree-lined clutch of homes and businesses just north of downtown—has been capitalizing on that very concept for the past five years, turning a meet-your-neighbors gathering into a celebration of […]