Brave New Radio

Bridget Conn teaches photography at Walters State Community College in Tennessee. Her mixed-media work will be on display at PUMP Gallery in June, and she is one of the artists…

Arts writer Ursula Gullow met up with local mixed-media artist Bridget Conn to discuss some of the art you might see at the downtown Asheville galleries this month. The following…

Almost every fathomable form of art exists in this city of artistic milk and honey. And it certainly diversifies the works on display at each of the Asheville Downtown Gallery…

In the hyper-cathartic song, “Riotriot,” tUnE-yArDs front woman Merrill Garbus sings, “There is a freedom in violence that I don’t understand.” It’s a surprising statement on an album (2011’s critically-acclaimed…

Jonathan Scales has a look that suggests both Mos Def and Thelonious Monk. His appearance is, of course, incidental to his music, but it does speak to the diverse musical…

Alejandro Escovedo’s career dates back to first-wave punk band The Nuns (San Francisco, circa 1975 — the same year the Sex Pistols got their start in London). By the '80s,…

Local used bookstore and Lexington Avenue staple Downtown Books & News is having a birthday. The shop is a Gemini. Or maybe a Cancer. Doesn’t matter — the anniversary (its…

Proving. Grounds is the new collection of images by local music/events/fashion photographer Micah Mackenzie. "I had a dream to see Asheville as the new Paris. With this collaboration, we are…

Ironically, the musical production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee might not be appropriate for some children. It gets a PG-13 rating due to some adult language, and…

Take your morning jog off the sidewalk and into the forest as REI presents "Trail Running Basics" an introduction to "technique, training, clothing and footwear specific to the sport of…

Fighters: Caroline Whatley and Kim Dryden. Specialty: Luscious pizza pies. Plan of attack: Salty, sweet, nutty, bitter. Super powers: Kim has unusually long orangutan arms, so she will be able…

Fighters: Nate and Cynthia Kelly. Specialty: We create meals that we have fond memories of, and it allows us to put heart and soul into every bite. Our truck Earl's…

Fighter: Marni Graves. Specialty: Authentic, Southwestern style red and green chili. Plan of attack: We might have to smoke the others out. Secret super powers: Taco fluffers. Favorite vegetable: An…

Fighters: Craig Schulz and Shaun Parcels. Specialty: Falafel — Duh. Plan of attack: Annihilate our opponents with ample amounts of 375-degree peanut oil. Secret super powers: Chickpea flour. Favorite vegetable:…

Fighters: Capuchina Taylor and Josh Armbruster. Specialty: Savory food, fresh spring rolls, rich broth and tasty variations on pig. Plan of Attack: Have great ingredients, pair them with great local…

Engines revving, Asheville food trucks are idling at pole position. Fighting an eventually successful campaign to vend downtown may not have been enough to satisfy the food-truck owners’ taste for…

Welcome to Asheville Beer Week Asheville Beer Week guides should still be floating around town. By the time this column goes to print, the inaugural 11-day “week” will be halfway…

Is the book closed? Books and Breadboard, a charming breakfast/lunch eatery and bookstore housed in an 1895 Biltmore Village building, has closed its doors because of issues with its lease,…

• APD Audit: Evidence from missing-evidence investigation now missing

I find it very frustrating that an article about changes in the River Arts District due to New Belgium's arrival doesn't even mention what they will be replacing when they…

I don't get why everyone is so crazy about beer. I have never been much of a beer drinker, and probably never will be. It may be more than "just…

I must join the recent letter writer who lamented your inclusion of “Asheville Disclaimer” at the expense of “News of the Weird” [“Where's My Dessert,” May 9 Xpress]. Almost all…

I am an old lady with arthritic knees. But I've always been able to get to Earth Fare at Westgate using the bus. No longer. It doesn't really even go…

This week, spurred by the Strive Not to Drive ethos and the great weather, I gave riding my bike to work a shot. Before, I was afraid of traffic. But…

The city administrators are striving to create a business improvement district, or BID program. The defined area will include all the businesses and every property owner in that district. Instead…

North Carolina Rep. Tim Moffitt and his study committee recommended to the General Assembly that Asheville city water be taken over by the state; this bill is expected to be…

I want to congratulate Patsy Keever on winning the Democratic nomination for Congress, but it is hard to know what to say. If I say “Congratulations on your win,” that…

Obesity has taken North Carolina by storm. Over one-third of North Carolina youth ages 10-17 are overweight or obese. This ranks North Carolina as 11th highest in the nation for…

In the May 16 cover story “Headbangers, Y’all,” Xpress incorrectly identified two bands. Gutterhound is not a side project of Ironside. Also, Gutterhound is not a black metal band, but…