They are doctors, teachers, bus drivers and homemakers — some married, some single, some old, some young. They are diverse, but they are unified — and they sing in harmony. They are Womansong, Asheville’s oldest and largest women’s community chorus. The group was established in 1986 by Linda Metzner, a local teacher and composer, as … Read more
Of note More grabbing and growling: Not content with the success of Grab a Root and Growl, local bluegrass heroes Sons of Ralph have begun working on a new album. Tune to This should see release this September. “We’ve written a lot of new stuff,” said guitarist Marty Lewis of the project, “and a couple … Read more
There are more festivals in WNC this weekend than stamens in a flame azalea. Besides the opening of the Brevard Music Festival (see feature story in this issue), revelers can look forward to a new music festival in Cullowhee, the second annual Zendik Farm music festival, and two beloved local institutions — The Blue Ridge … Read more
David Holt is a busy man: touring with Doc Watson, filming public television’s Folkways series, hosting Public Radio International’s Riverwalk program, publishing books and appearing in movies — who would have guessed folk music could be so time-consuming? With so many irons in the fire, it’s a good thing, both for himself and his audiences, … Read more
This year, Chimney Rock Park is celebrating its centennial anniversary. Here are some of the changes and landmarks that have advanced the park over the past century: • 1870s: Jerome B. Freeman purchases the rock and surrounding land from a speculating company. The price: $25. • 1885: Freeman and some partners create a trail up … Read more
With a cheerily patriotic title of “America! Conceived in Liberty,” you might expect a program that glosses over some of our country’s less-than-glorious moments. But that’s not the case with this year’s Buncombe County Chautauqua, a week’s worth of thoughtful entertainment in which five costumed scholars will portray early American historical figures under a big … Read more
The Russians are coming … and they’re ready to play some serious music with their American cohorts in the American Russian Young Artists Orchestra (ARYO). ARYO will play Brevard Music Center’s summer music festival for the first time, compliments of well-connected alumni. “One of our trustees, Joe Robinson, who plays principal oboe with the New … Read more
Before there were extreme sports, there were only fun brothers. For about six years of my life, beginning part way through college, I was part of a loose network of comrades whose ultimate goal was to spend all available cash on trips to go rock climbing, back-country skiing, fly fishing, ice climbing, bow hunting, kayaking, … Read more
The $2 billion state budget shortfall has Asheville City Council members tangled up in a gnarly knot. If the governor doesn’t turn over millions in utility-franchise fees and other monies owed Asheville (and other local governments across the state), Council members will have to choose between a property-tax increase or draconian cutbacks — such as … Read more
The girl in the kayak couldn’t have been more than 5 years old. Her wet blond hair framed a cherubic face, eyes big and cheeks plump. She was so quiet after making it through a helper-assisted roll in the pool that you thought she might cry … for a moment. Then, in a quiet, firm … Read more
