No story about Ahleuchatistas would be complete without drawing a comparison between their inimitable name and indefinable sound. Even in the Midst: After a half-decade together, the Ahleuchatistas have finally found a foothold in the experimental-music world. Photo By Joshua Hoffman But for a band that began with a classified ad seeking players to make … Read more
A wooden cross in the front yard of a house at 176 S. French Broad Ave. in Asheville holds a small plywood sign whose red letters proclaim: Safe at home: For some, Zacchaeus House is a regular residence. From left to right: Paula Argoe, Rachael and Adrian Nisbetch and Rev. Amy Cantrell. Photos By Jonathan … Read more
Thirty years ago, music listeners didn’t have to wait long for their next shot at bombast. Every artist worth their mettle felt as if they had another Sergeant Pepper’s in them—a genre-breaking, grandiose, epic album just waiting to be brought forth. But for every Dark Side of the Moon, there are at least three albums … Read more
In 1968, then-unknown writing and composing duo Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber decided to follow up their rock-music-meets-musical-theater experiment Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with something a little bigger. Updating biblical themes was an interesting challenge, so the duo opted to take on what has been called “the greatest story ever told.” The … Read more
Asheville Hardware (91 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 252-8088) is not just your one-stop shop for woodworking supplies, renovation materials and classes—the new business also sells great T-shirts. Here, sales clerk (and local artist) Kim Dryden models one. The store also sells a men’s long-sleeved version in black. Speaking of shirts, the Downtown After Five committee is … Read more
At its March 11 meeting, the Asheville City Council unanimously approved an 11-story, mixed-used building planned for downtown’s south end. Movin’ on up: The planned 11-story Zona Village North One condos will add more vertical scale to downtown’s southside, joining the 15-story Zona Loft planned nearby. Slated to include condos as well as office and … Read more
Whatever your line of work, you’ve probably been forced to attend a company retreat at some point. And too often, they’re events to be endured rather than genuinely enjoyed. Are we having fun yet?: Psychotherapist and corporate-retreat leader Marla Chalnick aims to make the oft-dreaded retreats a meaningful experience. Whether it’s dry speeches or fire-walking … Read more
Recently I was at Pack Library downtown and asked why they had moved the ongoing sale of used books upstairs. I was told that the library is scheduled to undergo major reworking of the street floor, which will result in a permanent reduction of space for books. In anticipation, the library is in the process … Read more
Each year about this time, the wind in Asheville carries with it the funk of yeast, the tang of sourdough culture and the warm aroma of freshly baked bread. Yes, it’s true: The Asheville Artisan Bread Bakers’ Festival is back, and you’re invited to get a piece. The fourth-annual event begins next Saturday, March 29, … Read more
Flavor: Decadent Ambiance: Snazzy coffeehouse vibe Jael and Dan Rattigan will cure you of eating cheap chocolate forever. I’m not much of a chocolate fan: I’d much rather finish my meal with a cheese course than something sweet. If any of my tastebuds were tuned up to enjoy the stuff, their enthusiasm was tamped down … Read more
