Sound and the Fury: Has amplification marred the busking scene?
Volume
29
/ Issue 10
Cover Design Credit:
Scott Southwick and Eleanor AnnandCover Photography Credit:
Irene Olds
Some days in downtown Asheville, amplified music dominates the sonic landscape. That means businesses and residents can be subject to hours of loud performances each day. We spoke with downtown workers, city officials and buskers about the balance between art and noise.
arts
Poet Brit Washburn on literature’s highest purpose
Poet Brit Washburn discusses the importance of specificity within poetry, forms of inspiration and the ways a poem can help readers feel less alone.Local theaters embrace experimental approaches
Actors and directors discuss the importance of pushing boundaries in local theater.Around Town: The Haunted Trail returns with family-friendly fun
The Haunted Trail brings family-friendly fun to The Adventure Center Of Asheville. Plus, horror is on the bill at Cat Fly Or Die, a new trail and website honor an…County commissioner candidates participate in AAAC’s Arts AVL Town Hall
Al Whitesides, Anthony Penland, Martin Moore, Amanda Edwards and Don Yelton participated in the second of three Town Hall events.food
What’s new in food: Newstock opens brick-and-mortar in River Arts District
Newstock launched at Riverview Station. Also: Rhubarb introduces Tuesday Table; Dilbar brings Indian street food to Biltmore Avenue; and plenty more!living
Recovery community seeks to stop more overdoses with naloxone
On Sept. 13, Buncombe County Health & Human Services issued an alert on social media and to local groups like the Homeless Coalition about a spike in overdoses in the…news
Buskers, downtown businesses grapple over amplification
Buskers are visible ambassadors of Asheville’s artistic community, and some downtown businesses say street performances create a convivial atmosphere. But for others who live and work downtown, amplified sound is…WNC explores tiny homes as housing solution
Western North Carolina leaders have been thinking big when it comes to the region’s affordable housing crisis, with Buncombe County alone aiming to create or preserve up to 3,150 affordable…Development roundup: Asheville proposes changes to manufactured home rules
Currently, Asheville prohibits the replacement of any manufactured home by another after its spot has been vacant for 180 days. City planners want to ease that rule and others to…Asheville gets one-year update on noise ordinance
Before the noise ordinance was passed last September, most noise complaints were called in to the Asheville Police Department nonemergency line. While APD still handles nighttime noise complaints and those…opinion
Dusk ’til dawn
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"In so doing, Jasmine Beach-Ferrara will represent us in the 11th Congressional District and Cheri Beasley will represent us in the U.S. Senate because freedom of choice is key to…Letter: Berthiaume shows compassion, interest in listening
"What’s just as important to me has been seeing Maggie demonstrate compassion, a genuine interest in listening to all parties, an ability to build coalitions and a relentlessly positive drive…Letter: Brush kill leaves ugly mark
"Nowhere did I see the type of ugly, burnt band of chemical brush kill that I see all over North Carolina’s highway margins."Letter: Important bonds depend on your vote
"Please vote 'Yes' for the housing bond, which will support affordable homes for people serving our community."Letter: Earth Day action expresses radical hope
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"Too much emphasis is put on the achievers, and so many children are left behind."Leaf it alone