Laxative rock: David Childers, far right, with the Modern Don Juans. Years ago, in a honky-tonk bar, a gentleman strode in dressed as the Devil. Onstage was David Childers — a firebrand, Southern-born performer once ironically dubbed “General Sherman — positively intent on burning down the house.” Childers already reeked of legend. Lawyer by day, … Read more
Flavor: Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, North AfricanAmbiance: Rich, Moroccan lookService: Friendly, but at times lackadaisical Whenever the weather turns, my mind turns with it to the foods of the season. When the wind begins to blow sharp and chill, I dream of hearty stews and porter by the fire, root vegetables and winter greens. When spring … Read more
CD reviews Paperboy, Unreleased (You Do the Math): Three Stars • Genre(s): Pop punk. • You’ll like it if: You enjoy punk music that doesn’t need to address strife every time out. • Defining song: “Creature on the Beach” — Punk goes surf. “Let’s have fun,” lead singer Ann Bush dares the listener on Paperboy’s … Read more
Hitting the Big Screen 2006 has been an active year for local filmmakers. Writer/director Lis Anna recently announced that two of her short films, The Joy Cafe and Rutherford County, will have their world premieres at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Another of Anna’s short films, Waiting for Jilly, recently screened at the Fiery Film … Read more
• Looks like the still-homeless “Conversation Piece” may not go to the relatively safe haven of Asheville Airport after all — the folks in charge say they want to feature regional crafts instead. Imagine that! • ‘Tis the season — local colleges and universities are showcasing their students’ best work with juried exhibits. Warren Wilson, … Read more
“Green Sea/Amber Sea,” by Leslie Noell, 8″ x 8″ (digital photo, oil wax on canvas) Because it so rarely happens, it’s wonderful when expectations are exceeded. Leslie Noell, exhibiting at Black Mountain Center for the Arts, references Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s line in Biographia Literaria about “that willing suspension of disbelief for the moment, which constitutes … Read more
Keeping it clean: Burning Spear. Burning Spear believes that “music is so strong, [it] can change people.” So long as the people don’t turn around and change the music, that is. Reggae, says Spear from his home in New York, “[tells] people about all good things” — not about “all the little negative things.” Now … Read more
Larry Benner looks tired. He takes a deep pull from his hand-rolled cigarette, and stares thoughtfully at the ice in his soda. He’s like a clutch caught between gears, alternating gleeful relief with nervous anxiety. It’s not surprising: The premiere of his second feature film, The Nudger, is only days away — and it’s still … Read more
