SEEN AND UNSEEN: Nicole Townsend, left, came to activism through her concern about HIV stigma and LGBTQ rights. While performing poetry and spoken word pieces at benefits, she began to realize that “things are not as pretty as they seem,” she says. “It shifted me toward questioning why people of color aren’t really visible in Asheville.”

Local spoken-word artist creates a platform for dialogue about race

Posted on March 29, 2017March 22, 2017 by Ami Worthen

Nicole Townsend’s upcoming production, Existing While Black, was created because she was “wanting a platform to where we can go deeper and talk about things that are uncomfortable, that hurt, and that make people angry.”

SAFE SPACE: Providing a place of respite away from thumping music, bright lights and festival crowds, Harmonia aims to equip individuals with tools for inner calm and self-betterment. Meditation, intentional decision-making and tactful communication skills are among the practices that Harmonia representatives discuss with those who wander into the nonprofit's tent.

Conscious party: Harmonia by the River

Posted on March 25, 2017March 24, 2017 by Kat McReynolds

Harmonia brings sanctuary spaces to festivals of various sizes, and on Sunday, April 9, the nonprofit will host its own event — a donation-based fundraiser at Salvage Station.

LINEAGE: “As an experimental movement research group, Anagnorisis could not have existed without the pioneering conceptual work of John Cage, Merce Cunningham and other Black Mountain faculty and alumni,” the Durham-based collective wrote in its {Re}HAPPENING proposal. From left, Porter Witsell, Silvia Sheffield and Zach Aliotta rehearse. Photo by Steven Paul Whitsitt

{Re}HAPPENING projects take cues from Black Mountain College alumni

Posted on March 22, 2017March 17, 2017 by Alli Marshall

This year’s {Re}HAPPENING, taking place Saturday, March 25, at Camp Rockmont (the location of BMC, which shuttered in 1957), features a number of performance taking cues directly from alumni of the institution.

MAESTRO MADNESS: “Mozart loved art and he loved wine and he loved sopranos and he loved theater,” says David Whitehill, executive director of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra. Asheville Amadeus touches on all of these areas, including a production by Igudesman & Joo, trained musicians whose shows combine classical music, comedy and pop culture.

Asheville Symphony’s Amadeus festival returns

Posted on March 8, 2017March 3, 2017 by Alli Marshall

Asheville Amadeus — held Friday, March 10-Sunday, March 19 — is about music, of course, but it also includes art, wine, comedy, sing-alongs, theatrical productions and a symphony-meets-hip-hop EP.

Phil Mechanic Studios, photo by Christina Geneve

The Young Society: Art is Power/Art is You

Posted on February 26, 2017February 22, 2017 by Christina Geneve

Local artist Adam McMillan recently launched the project Art is Power/Art is You at the Phil Mechanic building in the River Arts District. The inaugural event took place Feb. 5.

Smart bets: WORD! Honoring Black History

Posted on February 22, 2017February 15, 2017 by Emily Glaser

Hosted in conjunction with The Friends of the Buncombe County Library, WORD! takes place at the Pack Memorial Library auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 25.

Smart bets: The Vagina Monologues

Posted on February 21, 2017February 15, 2017 by Emily Glaser

The local production, benefiting Helpmate, takes place at The Orange Peel on Saturday, Feb. 25.

Smart bets: Salvation in Steel

Posted on February 7, 2017February 10, 2017 by Emily Glaser

Roach and The Fly By Night Rounders play at The Mothlight on Sunday, Feb. 12.

'Almost, Maine' runs Friday, Feb. 3 through Sunday, Feb. 19 at 35below. In the mythical town of Almost, Maine, residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected ways. Photo courtesy of Asheville Community Theatre

Weekend Picks: Friday, Feb. 3 – Sunday, Feb. 5

Posted on February 3, 2017February 3, 2017 by Abigail Griffin

Check out this list of weekend highlights and visit the Mountain Xpress Community Calendar for a complete list of weekend events! FRIDAY Asheville Gallery of Art February 2017 Art Show 82 Patton Ave., 828-251-5796, ashevillegallery-of-art.com WE (2/1) through TU (2/28) – For the Love of Art, group painting exhibition. Reception: Friday, Feb. 3, 5-8pm. The Funky […]

HERITAGE AND HOPE: Hood Tours founder and guide DeWayne Barton poses with a sculpture at the Burton Street Community Peace Gardens. In poor areas, especially those with histories of violence, “There should be a green space, a space of beauty where we can go and process information,” he says.

Hood Tours share the history and future of black Asheville

Posted on January 25, 2017January 25, 2017 by Alli Marshall

The tour, which grew out of a discussion about changes to Asheville’s black neighborhoods, businesses and landmarks, will be free to local African-Americans during February in honor of Black History Month.

NEW PERSPECTIVES: In his stage production, Black! Michael Washington Brown explores what it means to be black, not only in America, but all over the world.

No Fear: The Asheville Fringe Arts Festival confronts bold ideas

Posted on January 19, 2017January 31, 2017 by Thomas Calder

Issues of sexuality and race are among the topics explored at this year’s Asheville Fringe Arts Festival, Thursday through Sunday, Jan. 26-29.

Smart bets: Asheville, I Love You

Posted on January 18, 2017January 12, 2017 by Emily Glaser

The ode to Asheville takes place at Malaprops on Sunday, Jan. 22.

Beginning today, Friday, Jan. 13 and running through Saturday, May 13, The Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center is hosting the Zola Marcus: Kinetic Origins exhibition, which includes Zola Marcus’ early representational and Cubist works as well as his more abstract later paintings. Marcus attended the 1953 Summer Institute at Black Mountain College and the show explores the impact that his short time at the college had on his life and practice and how his work has contributed to the college and its legacy. Untitled painting by Zola Marcus courtesy of the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center.

Weekend Picks: Friday, Jan. 13 – Sunday, Jan. 15

Posted on January 13, 2017January 13, 2017 by Abigail Griffin

Check out this list of weekend highlights and visit the Mountain Xpress Community Calendar for a complete list of weekend events! FRIDAY ‘Zola Marcus: Kinetic Origins’ at Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center 56 Broadway, 828-350-8484, blackmountaincollege.org FR (1/13) through SA (5/13) – Zola Marcus: Kinetic Origins, exhibition of the paintings of Zola Marcus. Reception: […]

Mora Contemporary Jewelry is highlighting fiber artist and jeweler Lisa Klakulak during the month of January. The opening reception is Friday, Jan. 6 from 5-8 p.m. Photos of Lisa Klakulak's jewelry courtesy of Mora Contemporary Jewelry

Weekend Picks: Friday, Jan. 6 – Sunday, Jan 8

Posted on January 5, 2017January 5, 2017 by Abigail Griffin

Check out this list of weekend highlights and visit the Mountain Xpress Community Calendar for a complete list of weekend events! EXHIBITIONS ‘Running From Madness’ at PUSH Skate Shop 25 Patton Ave., 225-5509, facebook.com/PushSkateShop/ Through MO (1/23) – Running From Madness, a group show curated by Maxx Feist. Lisa Klakulak Jewelry Exhibition at Mora Contemporary Jewelry 9 Walnut […]

LAUGHS MEET LUST: The Great American Strip-Off creator Kathleen Hahn will host the show in her burlesque persona, Boo Velvet.

‘The Great American Strip-Off!’ comes to The Magnetic Theatre

Posted on January 3, 2017December 28, 2016 by Coogan Brennan

“I’ve gathered together contestants from the burlesque, dance and comedy world in Asheville to compete against each other in what I hope to be a sexy, silly competition,” Kathleen Hahn says. The shows start Thursday, Jan. 5, at The Magnetic Theatre.

SOLSTICE SOUNDS Amy White, pictured, and others celebrate winter with music, song and dance from Celtic, Appalachian, Scots-Irish and world traditions.

Holiday happenings around Asheville

Posted on December 14, 2016December 9, 2016 by Alli Marshall

The holiday season is in full swing, and there’s so many celebratory possibilities that it would be easy to miss out on something big — lights shows, a trolley tour, a naughty elf and good music are all on the list.

In Photos: Warren Haynes Christmas Jam 2016

Posted on December 14, 2016December 14, 2016 by Adam McMillan

It was a (quite literally) jam-packed night with tons of guests sitting in with each group’s sets.

Mama Maisha is an Asheville-based nonprofit focused on preventing maternal death in Africa and developing nations. The organization has been saving lives and empowering women in Tanzanian villages. They are hosting a fundraiser and concert at Lexington Avenue Brewery on Friday, Dec. 2 at . Photo courtesy of Mama Maisha

Weekend Picks: Friday, Dec. 2 through Sunday, Dec. 4

Posted on December 2, 2016December 2, 2016 by Abigail Griffin

December is underway, and there are plenty of holiday events to choose from. Whether you are interested in local holiday art and craft sales, Christmas theater shows or a jingle-bell themed 5K — this weekend has you covered. Check out this list of weekend highlights and visit the Mountain Xpress Community Calendar for a complete list of weekend […]

Smart bets: The Nutcracker and the Mouse King

Posted on November 29, 2016November 29, 2016 by Emily Glaser

The fifth annual performance of the darkly surreal ballet will take place at Diana Wortham Theatre on Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3.

The artful life of Lady D’Arbanville

Posted on November 24, 2016November 17, 2016 by Kai Elijah Hamilton

Through her art, actress, muse and model Patti D’Arbanville tells many stories. She can often be found honing her craft at Tryon Arts and Crafts School; she’s now a resident of Tryon will be the featured in The Artist of the Year Gallery Show in February.

Pussy Riot performs in Moscow's Red Square. Photo courtesy of UNC Asheville

Russian activists discuss punk-rock feminism at UNCA

Posted on November 22, 2016November 23, 2016 by Katia Martinez

Two members of the Russian punk rock protest band Pussy Riot participated in a panel discussion at UNC Asheville on Wednesday, Nov. 16.

Performance Art