Think of steel drums, and what comes to mind? Probably images of white-sand beaches, rum punch, coconut palms and that happy, rhythmic music that goes hand-in-hand with Caribbean vacations. The beat of a different drummer: Jonathan Scales is bringing the steel drum into the realm of jazz. Photo By Jonathan Welch Unless, that is, those […]
SoundTrack
Readers have been asking for more local-music coverage, and Xpress agrees that it’s time to revisit a column dedicated to the shows, side projects, recordings and insider news of the local-music scene. Each week, our writers track the sounds of Western North Carolina. Help us out by sending your news and feedback to amarshall@mountainx.com. Sophisticated […]
Great Scot!
Consider the caber. By “caber,” we mean “big log.” Its girth is that of a telephone pole, slightly tapered on one end. It’s about 20 feet long and can weigh 100 to 140 pounds. Now consider giving it a hug and a heave. By “heave,” we mean a calculated upward and outward thrust, so that […]
Edgy Mama: Home is where the chaos is
While it’s great to have a nice home, the shell isn’t nearly as important as the lives that are lived within.
Book Report: Warren Wilson MFA program readings
The local college offers a series of readings and lectures for graduating writers as well as noted fiction and poetry authors.
Speedsquare: On the road again
Asheville’s busking piano-and-drums duo gets set to head out on the open road once again. What will this summer’s tour bring for C. Scott and Billy Sheeran? The group’s pianist offers his predictions.
Welcome to the happiest place in America
The word “happiness” is pounded into our skulls from a young age. “If you’re happy and you know it,” we sing, dutifully clapping our hands. We’re greeted with “Happy birthday!” and “Happy New Year!” We’re cajoled with “Don’t worry, be happy.” Slightly misquoted: In spite of what you may have heard, Geography of Bliss author […]
Oh, say can you see
When I was growing up, the birth of our nation meant one thing—and it wasn’t liberty and justice for all. Nope, it was hand-cranked chocolate-chip ice cream at my Aunt June’s annual Fourth of July party. Honestly, I still don’t think that sentiment is wrong. Much of what makes our nation worth celebrating is the […]
To hate or not to hate?
“To be or not to be” is not really the question. This summer, it’s all about Hamlet himself: to hate or not to hate the famous prince of Denmark? That is the question theatergoers will be asking during the performance of I Hate Hamlet. Not to be, already! Soap-opera star Andrew Rally (Cody Magouirk, right) […]
Of skulls and love beads
When you first hear the name The Warlocks, it’s hard not to imagine a band of leather-jacket-wearing, Tolkien-quoting metal heads with jet-black hair and a definite urge to crank up the amp until the lights dim. But, were you to listen to a few snippets of their album without hearing their name, chances are you’d […]
Simple materials, complex works
An occasional trickle of excitement breaks through Tony Bradley’s reserved demeanor when he begins talking about his new work, and who can blame him? For the past 10 months, Bradley has been using new processes in the creation of a fresh set of drawings, resulting in pieces that are startlingly simple but rendered with dense, […]
Edgy Mama: Mom, what are we going to do today?
Now that we’re deep into summer vacation—and the joy of no school has faded into a whiny chorus of “Mom, what are we going to do today?”—I’m searching for entertainment. Preferably of the low-cost, expend-lots-of-kid-energy, kill-the-whinys variety.
Xpress’ new gastronomic guide hits the streets
Think of yourself as a ravenous animal, stalking Asheville’s restaurants and bars for just the right place to satisfy your hunger. It’s a jungle out there, but Mountain Xpress’ Eats & Drinks is here to help.
Food, music mix at Vortex
Bring two cans of nonperishable food items to the Asheville Civic Center Friday or Saturday and you could win one of two acoustic guitars signed by local musicians.
Book Report: The 351 Books of Irma Arcuri
There’s nothing easy or simple about The 351 Books of Irma Arcuri: A Novel. But, despite Spanish phrases, travel instructions, decaying relationships, unraveling affairs, passages from the likes of Don Quixote and mathematical equations, this complex mystery is far from impenetrable.
Sizing up the Moog guitar
Asheville-based Moog Music unveiled its new guitar last week, and the reviews are just starting to come in.
Groundation: Rooted in reggae
Sonoma-county collective Groundation has the earthy pulse, driving rhythms and deep island grooves that make reggae instantly recognizable. But the band is pulling from more than a Jamaican tradition.
Pat & Alli’s Weekly Winners
Each week Xpress reporter Alli Marshall and WOXL DJ Pat Ryan team up to bring you their entertainment suggestions.
Graphic insight
The black eyeliner around Hope Larson’s doe-like eyes curls up at the outside edges. It’s a tiny flourish, one that might go unnoticed, unless you know that Larson’s work and art consists of drawing lines similar to those she paints across her eyelids. Home is where the art is: Asheville native Hope Larson is one […]
A few more days in the sun
To describe the music of the Sun City Girls in the short space of this article is next to impossible. Their music combined sea shanties, free jazz, Middle Eastern-inspired jams and out-and-out noise improvisations into a sonic stew that openly defied categorization. Still standing: Richard Bishop and brother Alan Bishop are completing one last tour […]
Reigning men
Dancer Joseph Watson grew up in Baltimore. When he was a child, his dad took him to see Tap, the infectious 1989 dance movie that provided little plot but plenty of platform for tappers Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis Jr. The film had young Watson dancing in the aisles, “and I haven’t stopped since,” he […]