Swannanoa Gathering Director Jim MaGill (with his family) warns that all Celtic jams are not created equal. “St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in this country, for the most part, are American expressions,” claims Jim Magill, director of the Swannanoa Gathering. “It’s an excuse for a party.” His idea of an authentic jam? Forget “Danny Boy.” “At … Read more
Cliffhangers, controversy … and paragliding grandpas. Some Banff films have begun to explore the existential side of adventure. Return2Sender-Bugout, ©Jean-Michel Casanova, courtesy of the Banff Centre Extreme-sports fans are wary of any activity that doesn’t come saddled with warnings and disclaimers, so here are a few for the ever-popular Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, … Read more
Typically, when bands reach a certain age, their intent is to evoke a musical maturity rich with wisdom and distance from the folly of youth. The four members of Animal Collective are quite content to be heading in the opposite direction. From their playful aliases – Avey Tare (David Porter), Panda Bear (Noah Lennox), Geologist … Read more
Skeletons in the jukebox “Skeletons” provides a forum for local musicians, artists, record-store owners, etc., to erase cool points by expressing their unseemly affection for an unhip album from their past. Billy Joel Glass Houses, by finger-style guitarist Patrick Fitzsimons The cover says it all. Billy with a rock in his hand about to chuck … Read more
Talk of the town: Changes abound at downtown eateries. The former Beanstreets space. Photo by Jodi Ford Downtown Asheville is booming, and restaurants are riding the winds of change with varying degrees of success. The culinary scene here is always in flux, of course, but given the spate of recent changes, Xpress decided to hit … Read more
Veggin out: Feeling a little too meaty? Then mark your calendar: On Monday, March 20, vegetarians across the country will be celebrating the 22nd annual Great American Meatout, which bills itself as the “world’s largest grassroots diet-education campaign.” Locally, the Asheville Vegetarians club is urging community members to “usher in spring with a health meat-free … Read more
Designer finds on a thrift-shop budget • Who she is: Maria Blakeman • What she’s wearing: Turquoise and black skirt from Street Fair; black leather Sak tote she received as a Christmas gift; onyx and silver pendant, also a gift; blue scarf in her hair she tells us is “a Vera [Neumann]. They’re from the … Read more
On the first of this month, I received an e-mail from a fellow gardener (my brother) with the subject line, “March in like a lamb,” and it’s true that the month launched on a balmy note. As far as that goes, aside from a widely scattered couple of days, winter was a nonstarter this year … Read more
Game of chance: Mayor Terry Bellamy, flanked by a referee and a Ghostrider, conducted the coin toss. The Carolina Ghostriders, Asheville’s newest sports franchise, is, by all accounts, off to a shaky start. Until 10 weeks ago the Ghostriders, part of the 16-team American Indoor Football League, didn’t even have a home, and their arrival … Read more
