The Gin Game resounds with witty humor by poking fun at the matters of aging. It then cleverly challenges our comfort-zone with deep drama, scolding us for making light of such a serious subject.
Smart Bets: Valentine’s Day at Fleetwood’s
The mass fake wedding extravaganza returns for a second year on Feb. 14.
Asheville Fringe Arts Festival expands to a full week
One of the nation’s fringier fringes celebrates its 17th year, Jan. 20-27.
Smart Bets: We Shall Overcome
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. receives a diverse musical tribute on Jan. 22 at Diana Wortham Theatre.
Harlem Globetrotters to make a fun-filled stop in Asheville
Don’t doubt that the Globetrotters are all-American athletes. They defeated the world champion Minnesota Lakers in 1948 and ’49, victories that helped integrate the National Basketball Association.
Outstanding local theater
As this year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on some truly extraordinary theater ranging from splashy musicals, moving dramas and locally written plays.
Creative resistance
In Western North Carolina, 2018 held numerous examples of the arts-infused actions aimed at collective liberation.
Six occasions when geeks ruled WNC
Costumes and comic books Batman: 2018 was a big year for geek culture in Asheville.
Poet Erin Fornoff releases video for “Home”
The work, filmed between Harold’s Cross and airports in Dublin, New York, Charlotte, and finally at Fornoff’s child hood home in Asheville, North Carolina, contrasts the excitement of going home with the mixed melancholy of returning.
A new group reignites competitive poetry in Asheville
“People are saying their deepest fears, people are challenging the system … but at the same time they’re also getting scored,” says Justin Blackburn. “Not only is it this empowering performance, [but it’s also] a game.”
Smart Bets: Mischief Managed
Asheville’s premier “nerdlesque” troupe performs a night of Christmas-themed burlesque on Dec. 22 at The Crow & Quill.
Local group produces the thought-provoking ‘Black Nativity: Liberation Holiday’
Produced by Southside Rising and supported by partners such as Asheville Creative Arts, the show opens on Saturday, Dec. 15, and will be staged throughout the city.
Roy Harris finds the universal in personal tales
The Thursday, Dec. 15 performance, featuring Roy Harris and Kathy Gordon, will center on holiday-themed tales.
Smart Bets: An Appalachian Christmas Carol
The local historical twist on the Dickens classic will be performed Dec. 6-8 at the Vance Birthplace.
Smart Bets: WORD — Smorgasbord of Styles
The collection of “storytelling superstars” perform Nov. 9 at Habitat Tavern and Commons.
Smart Bets: Tar Heel Tellers Storytelling Festival
The North Carolina Storytelling Guild’s annual event takes place Nov. 3 at the Henderson County Library.
Top tellers compete in Asheville Moth GrandSLAM
Held monthly at The Mothlight, The Moth StorySLAMs in Asheville were an immediate sensation.
Smart Bets: Festival of Heroes
The combination Medieval Market and Viking Fight Night takes place Oct. 13 at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre.
Smart Bets: Asheville Circus
The electric Americana band hosts “3 Ring Shenanigans” art and music events Oct. 8-10 at Ambrose West.
Theater review: ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ at Hendersonville Community Theatre
Those yearning for a thorough version of this classic will find it here. The cast rises to the emotional challenge and reminds us how wild and untamed Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof can be.
Queer Girls Literary Reading celebrates 10 years
Co-organizers Lori Horvitz and Lockie Hunter reflect on the groundbreaking series’ history.