Last in Asheville for the inaugural Moogfest, Pretty Lights (aka composer/producer Derek Vincent Smith) returns with a new electro-hip-hop-soul show. Smith debuted cutting-edge material (new sounds, styles and techniques) at Bonnaroo early this summer, and in the months since, he's been refining and evolving the live performance. And there's a visual component (otherwise, what would … Read more
When you think of reggae you probably don't immediately consider the tropical breezes of Savannah, Ga., or the production techniques of various enduring punk bands. But Passafire might just change that. The Savannah-based reggae-rockers (formed in 2003 by SCAD students) just-released fourth album Start From Scratch under the tutelage of Butthole Surfers, Sublime and Meat … Read more
It's been a long time coming, but the several-times-delayed production of Pete 'n' Keely is finally on stage at Altamont Theatre Company. The off-Broadway show, set in 1968, is the story of "America's swingin' sweethearts" who reunite on a live TV special to relive their career highlights, despite the fact that they haven't spoken since … Read more
The year was 1981, Reagan was president and a trio of Senate staffers set out to stage a holiday program of songs and skits that parodied the headlines of the day, along with many of their coworkers. And so The Capitol Steps was born, and continues to this day. The group has so far released … Read more
When The Magnetic Theatre says adult comedy, they're not joking about mature themes. Shangri-La, a premiere by local playwright Lucia Del Vecchio, is set in a senior citizen retirement trailer park in Florida. According to press, the characters "deal with nosy neighbors, gossip, possibly inappropriate behavior and dress, Internet dating, golden years’ love and sex, … Read more
Got those change-of-season allergies? It’s no coincidence that WNC’s apple season officially kicks off when the sniffles start — a local apple a day keeps the doctor away, right? If you didn’t get your fall supply at the North Carolina Apple Festival earlier this month, don’t worry. September is all about apples in ASAP’s Get … Read more
I always take out-of-town visitors to the magical spot on the parkway where the entire French Broad valley opens for a long-range view of the Biltmore Estate, downtown and the Grove Park Inn, and have always hoped that an overlook would one day be built. There are existing overlooks where you can see Enka-Candler, several … Read more
I suppose I appreciate City Council thinking about our recycling bins and making them bigger and costlier, but couldn't we keep things the way they are and just have the trucks come around every week instead of every two weeks? I need to empty my recycling bins every week, not my garbage. Can we be … Read more
As the upcoming and very important City Council elections approach, I encourage my fellow Asheville residents to vote for Jan Davis. Mr. Davis has served our city very well for the past eight years as a cohesive and coalition-building voice on City Council. Davis is a life-long resident, a successful downtown small-business owner and former … Read more
