In a time of increasing — some would say alarming — corporate control of mass media, feisty independent local journalism appears to be thriving here in Asheville, with no less than six weekly and two monthly indie newspapers on the street. Admittedly, many are labors of love produced on shoestring budgets, but together they ensure … Read more
“Is this, in our country, a great time to be alive?” So goes one of the questions posed by teachers Gary Pisano and Michael Reardon in Elementary Hues and Residues, an installation at Artemisia Gallery. They hang over our heads like Damocles’ sword! Those bands of color: blue, green, yellow, orange, and the dreaded RED. … Read more
Believe what the alt-country press has to say about Robbie Fulks and you’ll think he’s just a few chords short of toppling the pop-country regime. As depicted, Fulks is a battle-hardened ex-Nashville musical malcontent, hell-bent on lyrical and melodic mayhem. In fact, a recent article in No Depression even implied that Fulks’ music is only … Read more
If the Bluff Mountain Festival ever claims an icon, it should be Roger Howell. Both the festival and the person are long-time champions of preservation. The former began 10 years ago in Hot Springs as a grassroots effort to save Bluff Mountain from logging. The first three years raised $6,000 for the Bluff Mountain Defense … Read more
“Pop culture is amazing,” muses Jonathan Bree, songwriter with Kiwi indie-pop outfit the Brunettes, by e-mail. He adds, rhetorically, “Is it strange to [fill] your heart with it and sing of the inspiration it brings? Most of life’s heartfelt moments and experiences come via the TV or movie screen, right?” — and then concedes: ” … Read more
Flavor: Japanese and Pacific RimAmbiance: Asian-themed decorService: Congenial and earnest To me, the Asian Grill is sort of like an old, out-of-touch friend. We used to spend a lot of time together, but now, because of scheduling conflicts, distance and life in general, we see little of each other. And so, with a feeling of … Read more
Blue Moon blues:After more than a decade of providing sweet treats, heavenly breads and savory sandwiches to the Asheville community, the Blue Moon Bakery at 60 Biltmore Ave. has closed its doors for good. “We just didn’t have the sales to keep it going,” Marin Mitchell, one of the establishment’s six co-owners, told Xpress. “When … Read more
To a first-time gardener, weeds don’t seem to be much of an issue at this time of year. They’re so puny, and the plants you’ve set out are so robust. What kind of threat do these interlopers pose? But native weeds are generally better suited to the local climate than most of the exotic annuals … Read more
Go to the head of the class Education is a lot of things to a lot of people: It’s a foot in the door, a chance for self-improvement, a head start on the career path. It’s also expensive. That’s why the Asheville Buncombe Community Relations Council is bringing back the annual Sherrill/Forney Scholarship Gala. Named … Read more
