The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority announced its 2018 tourism product development funding grant awards, to the tune of nearly $10 million. Trained staff are standing by to assist with Affordable Care Act enrollment through Saturday, Dec. 15, and residents can learn more about plans to widen Sweeten Creek Road in South Asheville at a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 13.
The first installment in the 2018 Community Engagement Social series takes place June 14 at Pisgah View Apartments.
The spring festival — held Thursday, May 10, to Sunday, May 13 — features more then 20 percent women-led acts, including its headliners and the entire Lakeside main stage schedule for Friday.
East Fork Pottery introduces the One Bowl Dinner fundraising series. Also: Edible Asheville hosts its latest FED Talk, Luella’s Bar-B-Que celebrates 10 years, Hickory Nut Gap Farm hosts a butchery class and Virgola opens in Biltmore Village.
Diarra is a n’goni & balafon player from Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso in West Africa. He’s been in Asheville for nearly five years and has fronted West African groups Mande Foly and now The AZA Band with multi-instrumentalist Biko Cassini and percussionist Jessie Lehmann.
The reggae band is currently at work on a forthcoming album with producer Damien Marley. Though Third World is not touring, the group made an appearance at fall LEAF on Saturday night.
LEAF Downtown, which returns on Saturday and Sunday, July 30-31, has a decidedly local focus.
Before the Dragons unleash their funk- and Americana-inspired jams, fans can warm up with opening act Fritz Beer and the Crooked Beat. DJ Molly Parti closes the fundraiser with a dance party, which the Grey Eagle hosts on Friday, Jan. 15.
Asheville-based musician and composer Marcel Anton answered questions in the LEAF press lounge on Saturday. He discussed his history in the music business and his plans for a forthcoming album.
At LEAF, the Barn is always a great spot to discover new music, and the Roots Family Stage showcases experimental talents.
Some highlights from this season’s festival, including LEAF Schools & Streets performances and Spirit of NOLA acts.
“The California Honeydrops don’t just play music—they throw parties,” says the website for the San Francisco Bay area band. The group performs on The Lakeside Stage Friday, Oct. 16, at 6:15 p.m. and in Eden Hall, at 9:15 p.m.
Local jazz-swing-folk-old-time outfit The Resonant Rogues have two shows in the works for Saturday at LEAF. They’ll perform in The Barn and on the Roots Family Stage.
Charleston-based roots-rockers Sol Driven Train will perform two sets at LEAF, including one with LEAF Schools & Streets students.
Asheville-based performance troupe The Faerie Kin is a collective of “of enchanted stiltwalkers and merry elves.” They roam throughout LEAF all weekend and perform at Elfhaven Village and the Roots Family Stage.
Local musician Matt Townsend is a regular at songwriter events and also fronts his band, The Wonder of the World. Townsend performs at The Barn Saturday, Oct. 17, at 6 p.m. with the Alex Krug Combo.
Rock and soul band The Revivalists are based in New Orleans. The group, led by vocalist David Shaw, formed in 2007, and recently released its latest studio album, Men Amongst Mountains, which seems fitting considering this festival’s concept.
“Overall, I’m extremely grateful for the phenomenally positive energy, cultural enrichment and platform for our great community that LEAF [Community Arts] brought to downtown [on the Aug. 1-2] weekend.”
Local absurdist/gypsy/folk/funk/punk collective Sirius.B has been playing fewer shows lately, but by the sounds of things, that’s about the change. The group launches a busy spring and summer season at Lake Eden.
Grammy-nominated kid-hop artist Secret Agent 23 Skidoo has been regularly making the trip back to LEAF from his new home base in California. Here, he talks about the festival, plans for his own musical trajectory, and his special equation for LEAF maximization.
