“Photographer” can be a identifier in Asheville, or at least an ambiguous one. When someone says they’re a painter, we tend to know they mean artist, rather than house painter. But say you are a photographer, and the artistic part isn’t so quickly assumed. The practical applications of photography seem to dominate the questioning. “Is […]
The Mountain Xpress has been quenching my need for entertainment and news for years. The investigative reporting, the columns, the calendar, the movie reviews and the cartoons of Randy Molton make my week complete. Lately, I have noticed that Molton's cartoons are not always there. I depend on him to capture a concise, humorous image […]
In response to Laura Nunley's letter contrasting the criminality of breast bearing with spousal and child abuse, I gotta say I wonder where she got her law degree, not to mention her motivation [“Equality Is Not a Crime,” March 6 Xpress]. As far as using this ridiculous subject to further some sort of utterly (no […]
Released five years apart, “Is There a Ghost” and “Knock Knock” are remarkably similar songs, energetic opening numbers that are as catchy as they are fulfilling. And yet, Band of Horses, the Charleston, S.C.-based outfit that created them, are a very different band than they were in 2007. Keying on leader Ben Bridwell — the […]
It’s easy to let brewery openings big and small grab your attention. Here in Asheville, we have a lot of that going on. But when Foothills Brewing made an announcement last week that it was taking the next step in its expansion, I had to read it twice: a 72 percent increase in capacity? Turns […]
The city of Asheville is under attack by state GOP Reps. Tim Moffitt, Nathan Ramsey and Chuck McGrady. It is a hostile and irresponsible attack on our infrastructure with their House Bill 488 that will financially cripple our city by forcibly merging Asheville’s public water utility with the Metropolitan Sewerage District. This is an outright […]
Margaret Curtis’ paintings were once described by an art critic as looking like “the day after the party.” That was 10 years ago, when hyperbolic feminine themes were rampant in Curtis’ paintings of parade floats and giant plastic flowers. At that time Curtis was one of several female artists, like Sue Williams, responding to what […]
While there is a lot of headway concerning gay-marriage rights, let's remember that discrimination towards LGBT on other matters is left to be fought. Legal discrimination on the federal level currently protects the classes of race, age, sex, nationality, religion and handicap, but not sexual orientation. For example, a restaurant or hotel can legally deny […]
At the April 13 Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Retreat, under “budget updates and discussion,” County Manager Wanda Greene's body language said it all — even her voice. Questions or the lack of questions from county commissioners to the county manager were very telling; their decision to raise taxes was and is a priority. I […]
Election season is underway for Asheville City Council. So far, a number of contenders have announced that they’ll run: Vice Mayor Esther Manheimer and former Asheville Risk Management Director John Miall will aim for the mayor’s seat (current Mayor Terry Bellamy departs and will take another shot at beating Rep. Patrick McHenry for a seat […]
Plant sales galore The soil is warming, trees are blooming and shoots of garlic are poking out of the ground. As gardeners don their gloves and turn the clay, there's only one thing missing: the plants themselves. Luckily, local botanical gardens, clubs and groups have plenty of plants to share. Plant sale season is upon […]
While it is true that a business owner needs to analyze the financials and create an effective marketing plan, success requires more. There are two other crucial ingredients, which may at first seem like a strange combination: determination and flexibility. Many of Mountain BizWork’s clients, especially the Latino immigrant entrepreneurial community, demonstrate just how powerful […]
Drum solo!: Local percussionist Reid Weigner is versatile and prolific, performing with experimental indie rock outfits like Hello Hugo, Giant Giants and Reptar. On Wednesday, April 24, Weigner steps out from behind the band for a senior recital show at The Altamont Theatre, featuring contemporary multi-percussion pieces and original compositions. Shawn Tamborini also performs. “Melody […]
Micheal Dowd used to spend his time passing out fundamentalist Christian pamphlets on the street and arguing with anyone who thought the world was more than a few thousand years old. He was directly threatened by the idea of evolution.
As Buncombe native Jason Langberg celebrated the birth of his son, he wrote a letter: “Dearest Everett Lewis… ”
Our little city is on the front lines of a full-blown worldview war — self-interest and sustainability.
River Arson District ‘Firebug Stroll’ This Weekend
Astronomer Carl Sagan once opined that you have to understand the past in order to understand the present. That’s one of the central themes of Present, from local filmmaker Joe Chang. The film premieres at the Fine Arts Theatre on Wednesday, April 17, at 7 p.m.
