Where do people turn when faith runs dry and they start to question what they believe? A number of Asheville-based faith leaders say those who experience doubt aren’t alone, and freely admit to struggling with faith in their own lives.
Diverse Muslim community finds common ground in Asheville
“You could say I was hungry for the truth without even realizing I was searching for it,” says Western North Carolina native Joseph (Yusuf) Gantt, “and that led to a journey of maybe 10 or 15 years in which I finally recognized Islam. It satisfied my hunger.” Two of Gantt’s family members, his mother and […]
Ecstatic Dance movement grows in Asheville
Expressive movement is a prominent and growing phenomenon in Asheville. While dance church is one of the largest regular gatherings, there is at least one expressive movement event every day of the week.
Asheville’s synagogues celebrate the miracle of oil with Hanukkah foods
At Asheville’s Hanukkah celebrations, potato pancakes, doughnuts and other fried foods symbolize the ancient miracle of the oil that lasted eight days in the Temple of Jerusalem.
Holiday happenings around Asheville
The holiday season is in full swing, and there’s so many celebratory possibilities that it would be easy to miss out on something big — lights shows, a trolley tour, a naughty elf and good music are all on the list.
Asheville clergy offer wisdom in election aftermath
In the wake of the Nov. 8 election, local faith leaders representing many different denominations and religions are seeking answers and providing guidance for their congregations.
Brothers in arms: Local nonprofits give back to WNC veterans
With Veterans Day fast approaching, the customary forms of American celebration will be prominently on display: parades through city streets, moments of silence briefly interrupting broadcast media, solemn ceremonies at landmarks across the country, special discounts at restaurants and shops. Beyond those symbolic gestures, however, stands a large and growing need to support the many […]
Weekend Picks: Friday, Nov. 4 through Sunday, Nov. 6
FRIDAY Downtown Asheville First Friday Art Walks downtownashevilleartdistrict.org 1st FRIDAYS, 5-8pm – Downtown Asheville museums and galleries open doors to visitors. Visit the website for participating venues and full details. Free to attend. Culture Vulture Film Festival 692-8062, saveculture.org FR (11/4), 6pm – Proceeds from this film festival benefit the Center for Cultural Preservation. $25. Held […]
A photo essay: Urban Dharma celebrates fifth anniversary in Asheville with sand mandala ceremony
Last week, Urban Dharma, the Tibetan Buddhist Center on Page Street in downtown Asheville, celebrated its fifth anniversary with a week-long schedule of programs, including the construction of a special Vasudhārā sand mandala. In Tibetan Buddhism, Vasudhārā is the deity of abundance, openheartedness, generosity and magnanimity. Throughout the week, the Asheville community was invited to watch […]
WNC locals support protesters at Standing Rock
The Dakotas may be far from Asheville, but many WNC locals have traveled to the Standing Rock Sioux reservation since protests began there in late August over a disputed oil pipeline that crosses tribal lands. Others in Asheville have donated money or supplies to support the tribe’s efforts to block construction of the Dakota Access pipeline.
Weekend Picks: Friday, Oct. 7 – Sunday, Oct. 9
From zombie walks to train shows, family festival to art openings – this weekend has no shortage of exciting events! Check out this list of weekend highlights and visit the Mountain Xpress Community Calendar for a complete list of weekend events! FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7 Autumn Rails Train Show FR (10/7), noon-7pm & SA (10/8), 10am-4pm – Autumn […]
Urban Dharma to host an Evening of Spiritual Food
In an effort to bring together and celebrate different faiths, the event marks the completion of a sand mandala highlights food traditions from various religions.
In Photos: Barnaroo Music Festival 2016
Andrew Scotchie is a steady force in the local music scene. Frontman of Andrew Scotchie & The River Rats, Scotchie is one of the most active touring musicians in town and the founder and coordinator of Asheville Barnaroo Music Festival, a three-day event held at Franny’s Farm in Leicester. “First and foremost, it’s a big […]
Qoya emerges as a new feminine movement modality in Asheville
One of Asheville’s newest activities embraces dance, yoga, shamanic ritual, pilgrimage and community connection, says local astrologer Virginia Rosenberg. It’s called Qoya (pronounced COY-uh), and “the guiding principle is there is no way you can do it wrong,” she says. ‘Qoya,’ which means ‘queen’ in Quechuan, a pre-Incan language in Peru, captures the empowerment women […]
St. Matthias Church celebrates 150 years
At a time when the nation is reeling from racially fueled violence and grieving the losses of young African-American men and five Dallas police officers, a small haven of racial love, respect and understanding in downtown Asheville is gearing up to celebrate its success with a 150th birthday party (see box, “If You Go”). […]
Asheville-area practitioners provide care for spiritual emergence
The Center for Spiritual Emergence and local therapists provide care for individuals undergoing a spiritual or existential crisis. Providers rule out psychotic episodes and medical conditions to help those undergoing a powerful, life-changing experience of a spiritual nature.
Solidarity in grief and love: Ashevilleans stand in vigil for the victims of mass shooting at Pulse Bar in Orlando
To honor the victims of the deadliest mass shooting carried out by an individual in our nation’s history, Asheville people gathered for words of encouragement, an urging toward actions of love, a friendly embrace and a moment of silence. On Monday evening, streams of people filed in on foot, on bikes, and in cars to […]
Body and soul: 12 Baskets Cafe offers free meals and fellowship to all
In a town where tourists come for the food, people who live on the margins of society often feel unwelcome in restaurants, even if they have the money to pay for a meal. But at 12 Baskets Café, they are welcome and valued.
Local Vedic astrologers decipher map for healing inner cosmos
Through the remedial practices and harmonizing of planetary influences, Vedic astrologers claim that we can bring ourselves back into harmony with nature and through that process realize the most fundamental aspect of our being.
Prodigal children: Returning to covenant from the spiritual playground
“Just for the record, I’m spiritual, not religious.” If you live in Asheville, this probably sounds familiar. But when does spiritual exploration become more of a distraction than a path to a deepening connection with others and our best selves?
Holiday events roundup for 12/23 through 12/31
ART/CRAFT FAIRS Caldwell Arts Council 601 College Ave. SW, Lenoir, 754-2486 • Through WE (12/23) – “Satie’s Holiday Sale,” 75 crafters and artists exhibiting. Mon.-Fri.: 9am-6pm. Sat.: 10am-3pm. Free to attend. BENEFITS Dancing, Drums, and Dreams Benefit AshevilleRhythm.org • TH (12/31), 8:30pm – Tickets to this New Year’s Eve celebration with music by Free Planet Radio and Kevin Spears benefit […]