Day: January 21, 2014
Fringe benefits
“Asheville Fringe Festival is an invaluable resource for performers and writers,” says playwright and actor Julian Vorus, whose full-length show The Bog will premiere at The Bebe Theater during Fringe 2014. The organizers, he notes, say, “Try anything: We’ll not only support you, but we’ll make a big deal about it. The Fringe Festival pushes … Read more
Smart Bets: Blu-Bop
“Bela [Fleck] was very supportive when I told him what we were planning and essentially gave it his blessing,” says Blu-Bop band leader and banjoist Hank Smith. “He said those were some of the best years of his life and he was happy that someone else wanted to take up the music and have as … Read more
Voice on transit
My name is Tyshaun Johnson. I am a senior at Asheville High School, an employee at Ingles market and a part of the youth staff of the amazing nonprofit organization known as Youth Empowered Solutions (YES!). In addition to these things, I am also among the numerous ART transit riders calling for a reform to … Read more
Mountain Mobility can do more
I have never been to any of your cultural events, small restaurants, craft fairs, films, etc. You name it, I haven’t been there. Ditto for places and events in Asheville Citizen-Time’s The Scene, or anything in the Mountain Xpress’ Go Local Guide. I have lived in Asheville for just over a year. Unfortunately, I can … Read more
Smart Bets: Carrie Elkin and Danny Schmidt
Austin-based songwriters Carrie Elkin and Danny Schmidt’s poetic-yet-relatable lyrics and raw-but-sweet vocals are a match made in country-folk heaven. The Austin Chronicle calls Elkin “an earthy combination of strength and compassion … reminiscent of the winsome beauty created by a young Nanci Griffith,” while Schmidt is lauded as a “timeless troubadour in the tradition of … Read more
Doing the work
It didn’t work out that way, but the songs on Southeastern would have made for a fine acoustic album. Jason Isbell’s fourth effort since departing the Drive-By Truckers is all about raw and desperate emotions: loneliness, confusion, dejection. Intense feelings that would have contrasted powerfully with spare strums and an unadorned croon, a power apparent … Read more
