The acronym may be borrowed, but the music of AVAS — the Acoustic Vibration Appreciation Society — is some of the freshest newgrass to hit the scene in years. AVAS is made up of members of several hot local groups, and their self-titled debut CD (Little King, 2000) is proof that they merit recognition among … Read more
There’s a different sort of energy generated when women gather without men to make art. Of course, 50 percent of the world’s population should already be aware of this — though the other half may choose to ignore, denigrate or fear that energy. Or, they could explore it: Women working together (if I may be … Read more
He’s written from the point of view of a middle-aged woman racked with disappointment and regret, and a lonely elderly man reminiscing about long-dead friends and family. Sure, John Prine’s chameleonic metamorphosis into his characters in songs like “Angel From Montgomery” and “Hello in There” (both from his 1971 debut album) is impressive. But the … Read more
On first view, Susie Brandt’s large wallhanging, “After Albers,” is simply a spirited study in earth tones — a pleasingly textured work with about the same visual appeal as, say, a bowl of mixed nuts. Once you learn what it’s made of, however, the piece becomes exhausting. Brandt constructed the entire tapestry from the pantyhose … Read more
This Saturday, four of the world’s pre-eminent steel-string-guitar players will land in Asheville — but chances are, you haven’t ever heard of them. Although fellow musicians speak these artists’ names in hushed tones, the performers billed on the Masters of the Steel String Guitar national tour play second fiddle to their own instruments. And though … Read more
[Editor’s note: As we went to press, news arrived that the Haywood County Commissioners had voted on Feb. 25 to withdraw from the two-county WNC Regional Air Pollution Control Agency, effective July 1, sending agency board members and staff into turmoil. A special meeting of the board has been called for Wednesday, March 1 at … Read more
[Editor’s note: A “baghouse,” industry’s cheapest and most commonly used air-pollution-control device, is a box filled with conical or cylindrical filters — like giant vacuum-cleaner bags — that trap particulates in dirty air before it is sent out the smokestack.] Natural gas burns much cleaner than regular gasoline — which is why the APCA is … Read more
After killing the proposed Parks and Open Spaces Ordinance by a 3-3 vote, the Asheville City Council, at its Feb. 22 formal session, directed city staff to explore the possibility of establishing conservation easements for all city-park properties. (A tie vote automatically kills any item coming before Council.) The easements would deter the city from … Read more
Little plastic pill bottles filled with a mucky, chocolate-brown substance sit on a counter, waiting to be processed at the nation’s largest lab for detecting intestinal parasites. The parasitology lab is one of six at the Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory, which is tucked away on the picturesque campus of the former Highland Hospital in Asheville’ … Read more
Change doesn’t always go over easy: Come May 2, many Buncombe County voters will find they must report to a new polling site. The Board of Elections has created seven new precincts, split off from existing ones in Asheville, Black Mountain, Riceville and Swannanoa, explains Director Trena Parker. And three existing precincts have new polling … Read more
