"Return of the Zombies" -- As a recreational hub, the French Broad River has come back from the dead -- and legions of zombies are eager to prove it. Conceived as a creative celebration of the river's continuing revival, organizers of the first-ever "Tube-ocalypse" are aiming to break the world record for the most tubers floating together. And they're hoping to do it in style, encouraging participants to dress as the undead.
arts
Art in Autumn: Crafts, commerce and community in Weaverville
The first brainstorming session for Weaverville’s Art in Autumn festival took place in December, 2006. “We were desperately seeking ways to bring more foot traffic to the downtown area of…Smart bets: Heritage Weekend
This September marks the 34th year for Heritage Weekend, a free festival that explores traditional Appalachian customs like beekeeping, coopering, heritage toy making, broom and furniture making, spinning and natural…Smart bets: BookOpolis
If it sounds massive that’s because, when it comes to book arts, creativity incubator Asheville BookWorks is a really big deal. The West Asheville-based center hosts BookOpolis — three days…Tube-ocalypse now: Asheville shoots for world tubing record with ‘zombie float’
As a recreational hub, the French Broad River has come back from the dead — and legions of zombies are eager to prove it. Conceived as a creative celebration of…Smart bets: OK Go
Sure, vocal tracks often have an intelligible rhythm, but frontman Damian Kulash nearly drives the drum set to obsolescence with his staccato vocals in OK Go‘s latest tune, “Turn Up…Smart bets: A Tribe Called Red
It’s tricky to find a clique of electronic musicians whose message resonates as much as the bass it’s dubbed over. A Tribe Called Red, composed of three like-minded Canadian DJs,…Southeast B-Boy Championships return to Asheville
Three of hip-hop culture’s four pillars — MCing, DJing and graffiti writing — are alive and well in Asheville. As for B-boying, while it has flourished in Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro…Local documentary “Buskin’ Blues” premieres
by Paul Clark The biggest challenge to making a movie about the busking scene in downtown Asheville, says Erin Derham, was knowing when to stop. New buskers cycled through town all…Asheville Butoh Festival presents thought-provoking modern dance
A woman stands in a ragged white kimono. Her dark hair is vehemently disheveled. Her mouth hangs open in her painted-white face. This is not your mama’s modern dance. It’s…To All My Dear Friends funds new album through busking
If the band name To All My Dear Friends doesn’t ring familiar, the music will: It’s the indie-classical project of violinist Marc Hennessey, who performs on the streets of Asheville.…Economic Impact Study: Moogfest generated $14 million
This year’s Moogfest generated $14 million for Buncombe County, according to an analysis by the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County and the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. The five-day April…food
Tasty trade: Asheville Food Swap shares the harvest
Money will buy you nothing at the Asheville Food Swap. The goal and mission of the food swap, as stated on the group's website, is to "create an outlet for…Small Bites: Patio Party at West End Bakery & Café
Back in July, West End Bakery & Café embraced the summer season by adding a covered outdoor seating area to its landmark West Asheville property. Around the same time, the…Car-ready and kid-friendly: The search for healthy drive-thru options in Asheville
Every parent has been there: a hungry child in the backseat, a forgotten snack and several errands left to run before heading home. The big-name fast food chains make these…Beer Scout: Blog all about it
Next summer, Asheville will host a small but influential group of bloggers for the first time: The Beer Bloggers Conference will descend upon the city July 17-19.living
Conscious Party: Karaoke 4 a Cause
Ben’s Tune Up and Veterans Helping Veterans WNC have partnered to present “Karaoke 4 a Cause,” a singing competition featuring Rolling Stones’ songs. Competitors will be judged by a panel…Musical mission: Exploring the art of sound healing
“Sound healing” — what exactly is it? If you have been in Asheville for longer than a week, you’ve probably heard of it or seen a flyer for musical healing…news
Council, developer butt heads over rent rates in rezoning proposal
Contention sprung from unexpected corners at the Asheville City Council meeting on Sept. 9, as Council members and a land developer stared each other down on rental rates and safety…opinion
Meager Pay Hikes
Saving the big red maple
When Council discussed ideas for renovating Pritchard Park downtown AT A DATE WORKSESSION, then-Mayor Russ Martin suggested using a 1940s trolley as a central piece to the parkThe groove is gone, and history is small consolation
I truly enjoyed the last edition [Sept. 3] of Mountain Xpress. There was the sense of history, “been-there-done-that” and what it was and what it has become, but that is where…A call to drums: A view of Asheville’s drum-circle history
I moved to Asheville in 1996 from Santa Barbara, Calif. We had a great drum circle community out there. Every Sunday at a park, down by the beach, from early…Remember when, Asheville?
Remember when Stone Soup was the happening place to be seen eating lunch and the Gilberts greeted you with a smile every day with their homemade bread and soups? Remember…Out-of-towner thankful for kindness
As an out-of-towner spending the month of August in Asheville, I was amazed at the friendliness of the people and the welcoming atmosphere of the city. And then the following…New marijuana documentary can be a game-changer
I am honored and thrilled to announce that The Culture High, the sequel to the award-winning documentary The Union, is set to be shown at Carmike 10 in Asheville on…It takes a village: How a cast of thousands transformed downtown Asheville
Moving from a wasteland of vacant, dirty streets, partial demolitions, lifeless buildings, and adult bookstores and theaters to the “top 10” lists in just about every category is truly a…How Asheville became (and continues to be) the most exciting small city
Does anyone remember the early 1990s in Asheville, a time when Bill Clinton was president, Jim Hunt the governor of North Carolina, and there wasn’t a parking or traffic problem…Asheville groove, part 3: Cherishing our sense of place
For well over a century, Asheville has attracted creative people. So, whatever good deeds have been done in the recent past should be seen as growing out of the incredible…Asheville Disclaimer 9/17/14
The one that got away.French Broad Food Co-op played major role in Asheville
As a 40-year resident of Asheville, it’s been fun reading the reminiscences. But so far I’ve seen no mention of the role of the French Broad Food Co-op, and that…Fair Tale
Setting the record straight on raw pu-erh teas
Thank you for the nice article on healing teas [“What’s in the Pot: A Peek at Asheville’s Fresh and Seasonal Teas,” Sept. 10, Xpress]. I am the owner of Panther…Asheville: where I found myself
In 1994, Asheville was just a weekend place that I escaped to from Greenville, S.C., with my then husband, Blane Sherer. I thought it was just a getaway; I did…