Muslim pilgrims circle Mecca’s Kaaba; NASCAR drivers circle the Daytona speedway. Beyond imprecise geometry, is there a connection? Sure, both rituals likely seem bizarre to infidels. But more important, both rituals are infused by a sense of the sacred, which often involves a heightened awareness of human mortality. If such ponderings and juxtapositions don’t strike […]

So here’s the not-so-surprising scoop: Jason Isbell—until last April, the decorated guitar and songwriting filly of those Dixie ragamuffins, the Drive-by Truckers—is getting a little weary of chatting about his former band. Keep on … you know: Amid significant controversy, ex-Drive-by Trucker Jason Isbell strikes out on his own. It remains, however, a pertinent matter […]

While his name may not be familiar to the casual rock fan, the very mention of Adrian Belew’s name to the shoulderbag-and-black-glasses-wearing members of the rock intellegensia will get you bombarded with phrases like “prog-rock legend,” “Beatle-esque,” “guitar god” or any number of lavish superlatives. This is the fate of the well-known sideman, the moderately […]

The concept of open studio tours seems to be highly contagious. The idea first came to Asheville some 14 years ago with the River District Studio Stroll, a small gathering that now involves more than 60 artists, most of whom have workspaces in walking distance of each other. The strolls have been a boon for […]

• Do you happen to remember the abstract paintings of a German artist named Martin Conrad that were shown in Asheville about 10 years ago? Well, Conrad’s profile has raised a bit in the last decade, and his latest exhibition will open at the Goethe Institut in Hamburg later this month. But we had him […]

LaMotte Hangs Up His Guitar In local singer/songwriter circles, there are few people as well-known or well-thought-of as David LaMotte. Over the last 17 years, LaMotte has earned an enviable reputation for not only putting out an outstanding collection of work (including 10 albums, not to mention the award-winning kid’s book S.S. Bathtub), but also […]

After 2003 American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken performed in Syracuse, N.Y. (backed by the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, no less), the Web site Syracuse.com dubbed the pop singer “the beloved singing teddy bear placed near a young girl’s flouncy canopied bed.” From Idol to icon: Although American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken may lack the artistic credibility […]

Take six adults and a geriatric golden retriever named Athena, and you’ve got the makings of enigmatic theatre company’s new production, Athena, by local playwright Lucia Del Vecchio. Described as offbeat and triumphant, the play’s world premiere is part of the North Carolina Stage Company’s Catalyst Series. Headed for the doghouse: Has the enigmatic theatre […]

The mention of the name Frank Zappa brings to mind an image, not so much of a man, but of sheer musical lunacy. At first listen, Zappa’s discography consists of a bizarre combination of toilet humor, ‘50’s doo-wop, free jazz and heavy metal guitar. But upon closer inspection, Zappa’s music isn’t even that easy to […]

School boards seem to be, as a general rule, anti-preservationists. Given the choice between renovation and addition or demolition and new construction, they almost always choose the latter. When such sweeping changes are made, they often pass virtually unnoticed. But not always. School’s out: A partially restored classroom at the old Marshall High School. The […]

Eleven years, and all he gets is a chair? When Brevard Music Center Artistic Director David Effron announced plans to retire from his post last year, it was definitely a downer. Effron had been with the BMC for 11 years — nothing to sniff at for such a demanding job — and had done much […]