• Whodunit? Who wrote the anonymous letter to city inspectors citing code violations in River District studios? Gentrification raises its ugly head once more. • Summer color runs rampant in the galleries just now: Ruth Ilg at Asheville Gallery of Art and Tim Lewis at Iris Photo + Digital Imaging both play with strong color […]
Outdoor literature snubbed?
I enjoyed Alli Marshall’s article on WNC’s literary scene [“Literary Evolution,” May 30], but she left out whole genres of books and publishers. OK, so she didn’t include my book, Hiking the Carolina Mountains, maybe because it is a hiking guide—although a pretty literary one. But my publisher, Milestone Press, www.milestonepress.com , should have been […]
Free Kurt Cobain
For music lovers, the gratis goodies never end.
The continuing migration of Celtic musicians to Asheville
Champion Celtic duo Jamie Laval and Ashley Broder recently introduced themselves (and their considerable talent) to their newly adopted hometown.
Benefit Concert for Donny Barnes
Hannah Flanagan’s Pub hosts an all-day 15-band benefit concert for Donny Barnes (wife of local guitarist Mike Barnes), who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
Have some art with that wine (and cheese)
Art openings are like chic little parties to which you don’t have to bring a hostess gift. And even if you don’t leave with something new for your walls, you gain an increased appreciation for local talent and Asheville’s strong art scene.
Menage comes home
After getting bumped from the Peel, Menage finally finds a venue for the release of Tell Me. The band will play at their old haunt, the Westville Pub, for the first time in more than two years.
Pat & Alli’s Weekly Winners
Wondering what to do this weekend? Xpress A&E reporter Alli Marshall and WOXL-96.5 DJ Pat Ryan team up to bring you their top entertainment picks for Thursday, June 7-Saturday, June 9.
Hokey is the new highbrow
Flute players are generally stereotyped as high-strung hypercompetitors who wouldn’t waste time on anything that doesn’t edge them closer to first-chair status. From Strasbourg to show-and-tell: Elizabeth Baptista-Gaston relinquished lofty orchestral aims. Now she brings her flute to the people. So it’s strange to hear flutist Elizabeth Baptista-Gaston tread dangerously close to spiritual mumbo-jumbo territory […]
Chew on this
Even with nearly 100 barbecue teams set to smoke thousands of pounds of swine at this weekend’s 14th Annual Blue Ridge BBQ Festival in Tryon, the festival food getting the most attention this time out is a bushel of carrots. This is what’s left of last year’s Blue Ridge BBQ Festival, composted into soil to […]
Are you experienced? (You don’t have to be)
Virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro doesn’t let much faze him. Not a worldwide fan base, not a touring gig with Jimmy Buffett, not critics comparing him to the other Jim: guitar god Jimi Hendrix. George Harrison’s widow flew to Hawaii to hear Jake Shimabukuro. “I don’t light ukuleles on fire on stage,” he quips. But he does […]
Culture watch
Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer’s Play? Sure, you can knock the Montford Park Players for inspiring whole casts of middling performers to don threadbare costumes and well-worn tights, treading about on the humblest of sets and trying their best not to butcher the Bard’s words. But, when it comes to the old-school DIY […]
You don’t have to drink Pepsi to admire the can art
Local artist Eddie Gumm recently entered Pepsi’s Design Our Pepsi Can contest, hurdling into the competition’s final five. The problem? According to the designer, Pepsi has no idea where Asheville, N.C., is.
Stephanie’s Id: Endangered no more
Booking issues resolved, Stephanie’s Id is ready to launch Grus Americanus at the Biltmore Garage.
No scary clowns: promise!
Locally organized Palooza features a five-concert series for kids
The weekend is here … are you ready?
Waiting ‘til the last minute to make weekend plans? Here are some likely picks for entertainment.
AVH: Asheville Video Hits
Curious about local music, but don’t feel like leaving the house? Thank goodness for YouTube.
Blog Alert: The big blog round-Up
Missed out on the latest from the local blogosphere? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Smashing Pumpkins: What do YOU want to know?
Why Asheville? Why now? Are what’s up with the rest of the band … not to mention Billy Corgan’s hair. Got questions? Let Xpress ask them for you.
The Residents’ residence: A local response to the Pumpkins
The moans of the ticketless are still audible in the wake of the Orange Peel’s Smashing Pumpkins ticket sale, but local bands are already organizing to provide an alternative music … ahem … alternative.
Eliza Lynn rising
Local folk musician Eliza Lynn tells us a little about getting picked for Putumayo’s new Americana compilation.