Mountain Dance and Folk Festival preserves traditions

The Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, now in its 88th year, returns to the Diana Wortham Theatre, Thursday to Saturday, Aug. 6 to 8. Entertainers at this year’s three-night gathering include ballad singers, bluegrass and old-time bands, gospel groups, solo and duet instrumentalists and vocalists, clogging teams, buck dancers, flat-footers and traditional Appalachian smooth dancers.

Exposure: Terpsicorp­s Theatre of Dance takes its rehearsals outside the studio

The public rehearsals for Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance’s new show, The Elements, have attracted the attention of everyone from tourists and passersbys to Asheville moms groups. “It’s really wonderful because we don’t usually get that much exposure to young people, and I love that aspect of it,” says executive director and choreographer Heather Maloy.

Music Video Asheville spotlights local musicians and videograph­ers

“On Wednesday, April 29, Diana Wortham Theatre will roll out the red carpet — literally — for local musicians and videographers. Those artists will pull up in stylish cars on loan from Harmony Motors and step out, dressed to the nines, to a swarm of waiting photographers (“paparazzi”) whose pictures soon end up as Facebook profile shots for many participants.”

Smart bets: The Three Davids

The accomplishments of renowned local musicians David Holt, David Wilcox and David LaMotte are impressive singularly. Collectively, the trio (performing as The Three Davids) boasts thousands of performances across the globe, endless collaborations with roots notables, dozens of lauded records and even a handful of Grammy Awards from Holt. First names aside, the three find […]

Many splendored things: Valentine’s events in and around Asheville

To those who think the celebration of romantic love is just a Hallmark company construct: not quite. Since the 1700s, lovers have been giving each other handwritten cards, flowers and sweets. It wasn’t until the 19th century that Valentine’s Day cards were mass-produced. But 200 years of tradition doesn’t mean you have to give in […]

Smart bets: Wuthering Heights and The Tempest

New York-based Aquila Theatre Company’s annual “two plays in two days” tradition sees the same cast performing two different productions on back-to-back nights in Asheville. The first show follows the plight of English lovers thwarted by fate in a new production of Emily Brontë’s mid-1800s classic Wuthering Heights, while the second calls on William Shakespeare […]

Smart bets: Die Fledermaus

“Die Fledermaus,” a libretto often rewritten and performed with local flair, will soon transform into its Asheville incarnation with the help of Asheville Lyric Opera. Set in Western North Carolina’s famous Giltmore home and based around the Southern mountain charm of the Vanerburgh family, ALO’s adaptation is intended to “create a deeper sense of appreciation […]

Farm to fashion: Project Handmade Fashion Show returns on Sept. 11

This is not your typical catwalk event: “The fashion show is about showcasing the use of local materials, local models and local fashion and textile artists,” says Melanie Wilder, supervisor of the fiber arts program at Warren Wilson College. She’s talking about the Project Handmade Fashion Show, which returns to the Diana Wortham Theatre for […]

Everybody’­s doing a brand-new dance now: From MOTION’s choreograp­hic laboratory comes cutting-edge performanc­e

“At 21 years old, it had been decided for me the roles I was capable of dancing for the rest of my life,” says choreographer Nick Kepley. “That was kind of silly.” It’s also, at least in part, the reason he created MOTION Dance Theatre, a choreographic laboratory and three-week residency. From that comes a […]