At last year’s festival, Xpress visited Asheville’s cutest convicts at the Bele Chere Doggie Jail. A far cry (or bark) from Alcatraz, proceeds from this rather posh and comfortable hoosegow go to Animal Compassion Network, a local foster and adoption organization whose many goals include finding “lifelong, stable and loving homes” for animals. For more information about ACN, visit http://www.animalcompassionnetwork.org.
Tag: Bele Chere 2011
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Check out all these hats (Bele Chere 2011)
Who can forget last year’s Bele Chere Hats? Complete with original theme song! Let us revisit last-year’s lids as a reminder to cover up this year. 
Setting up for Bele Chere 2011 (time-lapse view)
Check out a time lapse video of Bele Chere preparations from 2011. Set to the music of Paper Tiger, this film of photos was produced by erstwhile Xpress intern, Joseph Chapman.
Let’s get real about race
Thanks to David Forbes and the Mountain Xpress for covering the lack of hip-hop at Bele Chere in the Aug. 10 issue [“Not Too Kool”]. DJ Kool and Doug E. Fresh would have been a wonderful addition to the lineup. The suggestion that they pose any sort of "risk" in comparison to other artists is […]
People are not born prejudiced
Regarding the Aug. 10 Xpress article, “Not Too Kool,” my daughter is a white, female, Jewish hip-hop artist (check her out at heidid.com). She does not drink, smoke or take drugs. She graduated valedictorian of her high school class. As my youngest son wrote at the tender age of 7, "People are not born prejudiced. […]
One festival, three days, 37,000 photos
Joe Chapman presents the Bele Chere time-lapse video that nearly did him in. It’s six minutes long, with music from the Protomen and Sonmi Suite and worth watching just for the clouds alone. 
East meets west: Burundi’s batimbo drummers visit Asheville’s drum circle at Bele Chere (video)
After traveling 7,000 miles to be part of Folkmoot, Batimbo, a drummers ensemble from Burundi in East Africa, stopped by Asheville’s weekly drum circle on Friday during Bele Chere.
Bele Chere Photo Hangover
If you are anything like me, you’re probably just recovering from Bele Chere. The madness is over and the people are gone, but the memories of that Krispy Kreme burger still haunt me.
Bele Chere: Sunday music sampler
This year’s Sunday schedule was far from a relaxed and breezy end to festivities. Check out this epic performance from The Protomen and some other music highlights from Bele Chere’s closing afternoon.
Bele Chere 2011 Sunday
Photos from Bele Chere 2011 festival in downtown Asheville, on Sunday, July 31.
Photo by Jonathan Welch
Sunday afternoon in the Bele Chere Arts Park
Xpress visited the Bele Chere Arts Park, a restful eddy on Patton Avenue.
Videos from Sunday at Bele Chere
A horn player serenaded the crowds on College Street, a uke-and-kazoo gal gave it her all on Patton and a couple of acrobats demonstrated amazing flexibility.
Sonmi Suite and Doc Aquatic at Bele Chere
Two local bands (including Sonmi Suite here, photographed by Rich Orris) perform summer-perfect music as the clouds roll in.
Bele Chere: Saturday music sampler
Festival lineups inevitably leave music fans with some tough choices, and yesterday’s Bele Chere schedule was no exception. Check out some highlights from a few of the shows (including a late night performance from Space Capone) here.
Bele Chere Streetstyle part 3
Just because Bele Chere is quieter on Sunday doesn’t mean it’s any less stylish.
Bele Chere 2011 Saturday
Photos from Bele Chere 2011 festival in downtown Asheville, on Saturday, July 30.
Paper Tiger playing on the Coxe Avenue Stage.
Photo by Jonathan Welch
Videos from Saturday at Bele Chere
We caught the Zing Kings old-time band, a zydeco dance demonstration, a marimba performance and a couple of tap dancers. Not a dull moment around here!
The Ultimate Challenge: Copy Editor vs. the Air Dogs
Xpress Editorial Assistant Jaye Bartell has his chance to defy gravity, and land in a pool, probably full of dog hair, as a reminder that he can’t defy gravity. Be there. July 31, noon, Patton and Lexington, behind the BB&T, as Jaye challenges the Ultimate Air Dogs.
Overheard at Bele Chere
We’ve been compiling some of the funny and quirky comments we overhear as we wonder the streets of Bele Chere.
Cedric Burnside at Bele Chere
Blues musician Cedric Burnside kicked off his steamy, mid-day set on the Biltmore Ave. stage playing solo guitar. And thanking his late grandfather. Cedric inherited the blues from patriarch and legendary bluesman R.L. Burnside
Video: Bele Chere 2011 street preachers
A selection of signs and sounds from the street preachers at this year’s Bele Chere festival.