Whether you enjoy the art of picnicking, the thrill of fireworks, the challenge of a road race or just chillin' at home, there's plenty to do on the Fourth of July.
arts
Smart bets: Krista Allison + Hannah Dansie
Although the term “canoe” usually conjures images of river veneers and summer camp activities, in the case of fiber artist Krista Allison, the homophone Canoo equals soft toys from felted…Teenage dream: Posh Hammer shows off a mature sound
A good number of establishments still won’t book local rockers Posh Hammer. It’s not because they trash dressing rooms or reduce sound men to tears — it’s because of the…Smart bets: The Slide Brothers
Most musicians are lucky to get props for shredding or ripping or killing it. But Nashville/Atlanta/Rochester N.Y.-based blues, rock and soul act The Slide Brothers have been dubbed “godfathers of…Smart bets: Burning CAN
The can part of Burning CAN Beer Fest at Oskar Blues in Brevard is easy — more than 30 breweries that can their beer will be on hand to share…Tell it like it is: Stories on Asheville’s Front Porch series spotlights diversity
Before coming to Asheville, Sarah Larson, the founder/director of the Stories on Asheville’s Front Porch series, taught storytelling to high school students through a required course in genealogy. She encouraged…Sibling revelry: The Felice Brothers’ ode to servers, travel and Asheville burritos
“Bird on Broken Wing,” the lead track to Favorite Waitress — the new record from upstate New York folk-rockers The Felice Brothers — opens with a barking dog. It sounds…Smart bets: Matt Townsend
Musician Matt Townsend spent two years writing songs in secret before going public with his work in 2010. “Initially busking on the streets of Burlington, Vt. and playing local coffeehouses,…Animal instincts: Even the Animals releases sophomore effort, The Lonesome Sea
An album release is cause for celebration — the long hours in the studio; the funds raised through gigs, jobs and the kindness of friends and fans; the songs finally…“Cash Crop,” new exhibit at YMI, looks at African slave trade and current trade economics
Between 1502 and the mid-1860s, more than 15 million people were placed in chains and loaded onto boats that sailed from West African shores to Brazilian ports, Caribbean sugar plantations…food
Elvis-flavored excess at Off The Wagon’s luau
By 9 p.m. on June 20, most seats were filled at Off the Wagon’s first themed event: an Elvis-inspired Hawaiian luau. There were several large groups, one table of…Small bites: RibFest gets a makeover
As in summers past, WNC residents can expect a barbecue rib festival to happen this month at the WNC Agricultural Center. But this year there's a new RibFest in town.…Le pique-nique: Celebrating the Fourth of July by eating outside
The art of picnicking goes way back. Omar Khayyam waxed poetic on the perfect outdoor dining experience in the 12th century (“A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and…Grab it and go: Area restaurants make picnics easy
As you head out to enjoy a picnic, whether at a downtown park or in the wilds of the Blue Ridge Mountains, why not designate some of the packing duty…Say cheese! Asheville’s artisanal creamery culture
Looking Glass Creamery opened its facility in 2009. Jennifer Perkins had been working as the cheese maker at the famed Blackberry Farms in Tennessee. When “it got to a point…Beer Scout: Burial Beer puts down roots in South Slope
In late June, David Paul Seymour — the man who creates all of Burial Beer’s artwork — started posting pictures of can designs for Scythe Rye Pale Ale on Instagram.…living
Asana party: YogaFest brings together local yogis, musicians and activists
In a town that graduates over 750 yoga teacher trainees a year from several studios, it seems it was only a matter of time before a yoga festival took root…Neuromedicine: Local psychologist hopes to spread awareness of new PTSD treatment
Psychologist George Lindenfeld’s office at 138 Charlotte St. displays an eclectic mix of art nouveaux, art deco and arts and crafts. It’s telling that a box of facial tissue is always…Leaving fairyland: Wamboldtopia’s creators say goodbye to their garden home
Since 1999, Wamboldtopia has been the ever-growing home and garden of artists Damaris and Ricki Pierce. It began as a steep, shady hillside covered in grass, but after 15 years…For your health: local wellness news and events
Buncombe County receives Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize Buncombe County was recently announced as a recipient of the 2014 RWJF Culture of Health Prize awarded by the Robert…news
Recent Asheville burglaries highlight the issues
On the night of April 12 and into the early morning hours of April 13, a spate of burglaries hit Joyner Avenue, a small side street off Riverview Drive in…Fun on the Fourth: Independence Day events span the spectrum
You might celebrate Independence Day by getting up at dawn to run a 5K. Or perhaps you’re the sort who cooks veggie burgers on the grill or sips wine with…opinion
Coal Ash Fracking
Revitalize 7th Ave.
Red Sight District
Fracking leads to lifetime of losses
It strikes me that the blind impulse for quick money from fracking has a price tag we won’t want: a lifetime of losses. What amount of money is worth it?…Local library system is impressive
I must applaud our wonderful library system. I have always been an avid reader and years ago discovered the benefits of getting my books from a library rather than buying…Asheville Art Museum should be more kid-friendly
Earlier this year, my husband and I visited the Asheville Art Museum with our children. After paying for our admission, we were told that we were required to leave our…Include prices in food reviews
Conspicuously absent from Jonathan Ammons’ review of Vue 1913 at the Grove Park Inn [“Post-tablecloth dining at Vue 1913,” June 18, Xpress] was any mention of prices. By contrast, Gina…