Brevard Mountain Christmas Festival seeks craft and food vendors, volunteers and musicians

From a press release: Heart of Brevard is now accepting craft and food vendor applications for Brevard’s annual Mountain Christmas Festival, the Twilight Tour. In addition to vendors, the Heart of Brevard also hopes to gather groups of volunteers and musicians to assist and perform for the evening. “It is our hope to revitalize the […]

Authors Fiona Ritchie and Doug Orr to hold lecture at Warren Wilson College

From a press release: Fiona Ritchie and Doug Orr, authors of the recently published “Wayfaring Strangers: The Musical Voyage from Scotland and Ulster to Appalachia,” will present the annual Harwood-Cole Memorial Lecture Nov. 15 at Warren Wilson College. The presentation, marking the event’s 25th anniversary, starts at 4 p.m. in Canon Lounge of Gladfelter Student […]

Brevard College Opera Ensemble presents Fantastic Tales on Nov. 2

From a press release: Brevard College’s opera ensemble will present their Fantastic Tales scenes program on Sunday, November 2 at 3:00 p.m. in Dunham Music Building’s newly renovated Ingram Auditorium. The program for Sunday’s performance draws mostly from fairy tales and fantasy. Scenes include the macabre (the séance scene from Menotti’s The Medium and the […]

Smart bets: UWABE — Art in the Park

Theater devotees and outdoor enthusiasts unite for two evenings of free alfresco performance. UWABE — Art in the Park meanders throughout Grove Park (338 Charlotte St.) to present three dances, each derived from the natural landscape. During “Biosphere,” a giant puppet among open fields probes into our changing planet’s effects on the human condition. “Radiant […]

Smart bets: Resonant Rogues’ variety show

You’ve got to admire the forethought of Resonant Rogues, an Asheville band holding a variety show to kick off its Kickstarter campaign. The event, called Revue Nouveau, promises an “unparalleled collection of local talent” to visually supplement the old-time and gypsy jazzers’ vocal harmonies and string-heavy instrumentation. Puppeteer Madison Cripps, burlesque afficionado Memphis Moonshine and […]

Smart bets: Jabali Acrobats

Visiting from Mombasa, Kenya, for their LEAF performance, the agile Jabali Acrobats aptly demonstrate the “link between athletics and arts,” transitioning from dance to human pyramids, chair balancing, complex footwork and other contortions — all to the beat of a stimulating musical backdrop. “These phenomenal acrobats combine the artistry of fast-paced movement, music, dance and […]

Smart bets: V.O.V. triple-CD release party

Led by local music maven Lenny Pettinelli, Vibration of Versatility (V.O.V.) is a collaborative Asheville-based recording project that has already drawn from the talents of 70 instrumentalists. V.O.V. aims to produce albums from 12 genres in 12 months. With hip-hop, electronic, reggae and singer-songwriter genres already covered, Pettinelli is excited to release volumes 5 (jazz) […]

Sip and Speak language series pairs wine and words

“This is about the fusion of two passions,” says French instructor and wine enthusiast Allison Weems, explaining the inspiration behind her new continuing education series, Sip and Speak. The Asheville French School founder approached Metro Wines owners Gina Trippi and John Kerr earlier this year with the idea of offering in-store classes exploring basic language […]

CityMac announces new location in Biltmore Village

CityMac will open in Biltmore Village at the new Asheville Market (across from the Asheville Mall) in mid November, according to a company press release. The new location promises easier access, better parking and more. “CityMac is your Apple Headquarters,” says the press release. The company will offer grand opening specials in November, along with […]

The Fresh Market holds wine gala to benefit the Asheville Symphony Guild, Oct. 29

From a press release: The Fresh Market on 1378 Hendersonville Road invites Asheville’s community members to raise their glasses for a feel-good food and wine event. The Wine Gala, hosted on Wednesday, October 29 from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., will benefit the Asheville Symphony Guild. Guests can sample a selection of wines while savoring shrimp […]

LGBT Democrats of North Carolina issues statement on marriage equality

From a press release: This week’s sudden and surprising legal events, which will open the door to same sex marriage in North Carolina is joyous news for all citizens who have advocated for equality. The LGBT Democrats of North Carolina join with our brothers and sisters across the state in celebrating this giant step forward […]

Permit pileup: Following the paper trail for Asheville’s growing food economy

Nicknames like “Beer City USA,” “Foodtopia” and “Paris of the South” all acknowledge Asheville’s increasing significance as a food and drink haven. But for city development officials, keeping pace with the permitting needs of a burgeoning food industry has been a hard bite to swallow. THE RESTAURATEUR’S HOLY GRAIL A certificate of occupancy must be […]

Tech talk: the Federal Reserve holds an Asheville roundtable

Several representatives from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond gathered in an A-B Tech classroom Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 8, to host a discussion among local business owners. “This has been a fascinating visit for us,” said bank president Jeff Lacker. “It’s a really unique part of our district and country.” The bank serves the Federal Reserve’s […]

Open air art exhibit with French Broad River theme to benefit RiverLink, Oct. 23

From a press release: Fourteen of Asheville’s  most accomplished  artists will capture the rapidly changing river with a  plein air art exhibit to benefit RiverLink’s riverfront revitalization efforts. Artists interpret the French Broad River through drawing and painting, much of it from direct observation. All of this artistic reflection will culminate in an initial private […]

Lead Through Change event hosts world-renowned leaders Nov. 12, at Eblen Charities event

From a press release: (Asheville, NC) On Wednesday, Nov. 12, world renowned leaders will take part in the largest leadership event of the year that will bring to Asheville a group that has never been assembled anywhere to speak about leading through difficult times. Seven of America’s and the world’s leading authors, thought leaders and […]

Chimney Rock offers favorite ways to see Fall colors in the mountains

From a press release: CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. (Oct. 7, 2014) — Chimney Rock’s panoramic 75-mile views capture the full spectrum of Western North Carolina’s legendary fall foliage, and it’s getting easier to know when to catch it at the peak. Weekly fall color and wildflower reports are available at chimneyrockpark.com to help you know where […]