NC Stage earns organization’s first Shubert Foundation grant

Currently in its 13th year of operations, North Carolina Stage Company has received its first Shubert Foundation grant — a fund “dedicated to sustaining and advancing the live performing arts in the United States, with a particular emphasis on theatre.” “We are honored and privileged to be a recipient of a Shubert Foundation grant,” says […]

Where’s Waldo? The lanky character stops in Asheville this July in support of shop local movement

If you don’t know him from the lanky body and long face, the red-and-white striped shirt and prominent spectacles will definitely give it away. Waldo (of Where’s Waldo) will be making quite a few appearances in downtown Asheville this July in support of shopping local. Those who wish to participate in the movement — by […]

Experimental saxophone and synth player Jonah Parzen-Johnson plays the Mothlight, June 21

Jonah Parzen-Johnson pairs saxaphone and synth with portentous results in his latest release “I Wrote a Story About You, Without You.” The stripped down, experimental tune appears on album Remember When Things Were Better Tomorrow (due out Tuesday, June 2), for which the artist is currently touring. He plays the Mothlight on Sunday, June 21, […]

The Magnetic Theatre to christen new location with a comedic take on life in Asheville

“I don’t know that anyone has really written or produced a play about Asheville, per se — what [the city] is today, what the different populations are, what the economic situation is, how things are changing in relation to tourism and beer and everything else,” Magnetic Theatre’s artistic director Steven Samuels says. “That’s what this play is really all about.”

Anonymous donor to match business donations toward local Habitat for Humanity’s “Business Bungalow” home

An anonymous donor through the Community Foundation of WNC has offered to match donations to the local Habitat for Humanity chapter up to $25,000 in an effort to “address the affordable housing shortage head-on,” according to a media release from Habitat. Funds will support the nonprofit’s forthcoming (and first ever) “Business Bungalow” house in West […]

Marianna and Bill Bailey, Charls Bolno and Peggy Kirkpatrick named ‘Asheville Living Treasures’

Asheville Living Treasures, an organization that exists to extend gratitude to the eldest contributors to the local community, will honor Marianna & Bill Bailey, Charls Bolno and Peggy Kirkpatrick at a reception with speakers including Asheville mayor Esther Manheimer, Buncombe County Board of Commissioners chair David Gantt and the honorees’ friends and family. The free […]

Habitat for Humanity welcomes community to celebrate the completion of three new homes in West Asheville, May 29

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity — a local division of the international nonprofit dedicated to providing those in need with access to “safe and decent housing” at zero profit — will celebrate the completion of three new houses in the Hudson Hills neighborhood of West Asheville on Friday, May 29, beginning at 11:30 a.m. The […]

Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfundi­ng initiative­s

Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features Hall Fletcher Elementary school’s outdoor learning space, Roots + Wings School of Art and Design’s expansion onto a new campus and local band The Circus Mutts’ quest to raise funds for a new tour vehicle.

Aloft Asheville Downtown launches rooftop music series to support local charities

Aloft Asheville Downtown is launching a summer music series, Live@Aloft, from the hotel’s rooftop venue, beginning this Sunday, May 24. The public events ($5 suggested donation per evening) each feature a popular local band, with proceeds from ticket sales benefiting a different local nonprofit every week. So far, the Sundays-only lineup includes The John Henry’s […]

Upbeat country trio Wisewater plays Isis, June 5

Fronted by Grand Ole Opry veteran Kate Lee and mandolin prodigy Forrest O’Connor and backed by guitarist Jim Shirey, Wisewater plays a contemporary folk set in Isis Restaurant and Music Hall’s upstairs lounge on Friday, June 5. The Nashville-based band, notable for its members’ virtuosity and sweet male-female vocal harmonies, has shared the stage with […]