The Buncombe County Culture and Recreation Authority recommended $1.17 million in grants to a list of 15 local nonprofit organizations — far less than the $3.86 million they requested, but more than twice as much as County Manager Wanda Greene is recommending as she prepares to craft the county budget for the next fiscal year.
The Center for the Study of the American South, in Chapel Hill will exhibit “Useful Work,” a collection of photographs taken by Asheville photographer Ken Abbot that capture the essence of Fairview’s simultaneously historic and progressive Hickory Nut Gap Farm. The show will feature 16 images selected from the project, which Abbot completed with funding he received from an N.C. Arts Council Artist’s Fellowship in 2006.
Review by Mark-Ellis Bennett Last weekend Asheville Ballet staged Cinderella, the largest production of its 50-plus year history. Prokofiev’s powerful score, the stunning choreography and colorful new costumes and sets were enjoyed by an enthusiastic audience of all ages. According to Asheville Ballet’s artistic director, Ann Dunn, the company spent nearly a year rehearsing and … Read more
The store room of downtown’s FRS storefront turned into a hot, crowded kitchen on May 13. With the common phrases “Behind!” “Sharp knife!” “Hot pan!” being thrown out every few minutes, the competition’s participants hurried from the stove to the cutting board to the oven, then back to the cutting board. The dozens of spectators crowding around the work stations saw a blur of checkered pants, chef coats and wisps of hair under chef caps as the competitors hurried to complete their dish in the time allotted.
Oskar Blues and Carolina Cinemas have teamed up for the CANnes Film Festival: A short-film contest. While submissions are still being accepted at press time (the deadline is May 21), the idea is pretty simple: “Make a short film featuring an Oskar Blues beer can (or two, or 10) and win a chance to brew … Read more
ABSFest showcases burlesque and sideshow arts with social relevance This year’s Americana Burlesque and Sideshow Festival will include, among other spectacles, “the world’s foremost authority on sideshow,” James Taylor. Not “I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain” James Taylor — the other one, whose personal collection of sideshow memorabilia includes a taxidermied unicorn from the … Read more
Zansa kicks off big summer plans at Mountain Sports Festival Asheville Afropop band Zansa’s name comes from a Nouchi slang word from Ivory Coast meaning “combination” or “blend.” True to that moniker, Adama Dembele (lead vocals and djembe), Patrick Fitzsimons (guitar), Sean Mason (drum set), Ryan Reardon (bass) and Matt Williams (acoustic and electric violins … Read more
In a field flush with fresh grass and rimmed with friendly shade trees, a sizable crowd has gathered to watch local favorites The Secret B-Sides unleash some soulful tunes from an outdoor stage. It’s early on a Friday evening, and The Meadow is speckled with a patchwork quilt of picnic blankets harboring lawn chairs, food … Read more
Daniel Ellsworth and The Great Lakes craft the sort of contagious, instantly familiar indie-pop songs that are right at home on a playlist. The band’s live show is infused with overcaffeinated enthusiasm. “They never look the same at the end of their set; a pair of hip horn-rimmed glasses breaks in half, buttons become undone, … Read more
