Zoning Out

The Jonathan Scales Fourchestra has hit its stride — as a trio. But the discrepency of the name works itself out in the local steel pan-fusion band’s favor, says Scales.…

It was during a 2006 interview that singer-songwriter Dave Desmelik revealed his plan to someday release an instrumental album. The time has finally come, in the form of Instrumental Swim,…

“I feel like I have a rock ‘n’ roll heart, but it comes out as country,” says Salley Williamson, bassist of local Americana trio Underhill Rose. Songs on the band’s…

The Pure Heart Ensemble is the quintet of local visionary composers and musicians Richard Shulman, Adriana Contino, Kate Steinbeck, Dielle Ciesco and Bob Hinkle. The group has just released Bliss…

These days, “punk rock” encompasses a lot. Lending a snarling edge and dense distortion to lithe orchestrations that take cues from classic rock titans like The Who and U2, Toronto’s…

Nonprofit arts organization Opera Creations holds the next performances in its Dueling Soprano series on Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1. "The show is a comedy with singing that…

"Ziggy played guitar / jamming good with Weird and Gilly / and the Spiders from Mars." We can't say for sure who, in this David Bowie tribute lineup, is Weird…

Electronic/metal band Kings of Prussia got its start in Miami before relocating to Asheville in '06. According to the group’s bio, "The band’s show covers a wide range of territory,…

Making a living as an artist of any kind requires as much perspiration as it does inspiration — not to mention a sound budget and clear fiscal goals. “One thing…

Jeremy Rose, the lead singer and guitarist for local indie-rock band Total War (with bassist Ory Petty and drummer Adam Woleslagle), grew up in Raleigh and went to college at…

“Bring the noise”: The Grey Eagle keeps the focus close to home on Thursday, May 30 with an Asheville showcase featuring noise rock trio Telecine, anthemic shoegaze outfit Knives and…

Owners Brian and Tiffany Lee also head up the Altamont Theatre, just down Church Street from the casual eatery.

Zak Yancey has harnessed the telescopic powers of the rolled tortilla to peer into the distance. The owner of Neo Burrito, is looking ahead for his business — way ahead.…

Maybe you don’t want to miss a single Asheville Beer Week happening. Maybe you want to plan a strategic approach to the dozens of events that culminate in Beer City…

When in doubt, throw an egg on it — that's the tack Another Broken Egg Café seems to take, judging by the menus of its two dozen (or so) locations…

Feast your eyes on the newly released Mountain Xpress Eats & Drinks guide. You can find the glossy pamphlet at news boxes around town and at your favorite bars, restaurants…

Many wonderful things come from the Wedge — the beer, the food truck fare, the pigeons. And now, Asheville's first locally made cider is available at there too. On Wednesday,…

Ladies' night out Dirt under the fingernails is a merit badge in the world of gardening, but sometimes ladies need a little pampering after a long day of planting. Whether…

An unassuming patch of ground on East Chestnut Street embodies a critical debate confronting Asheville: How does a rapidly changing city balance the unique virtues of local character and the…

Taryn Gentry calls her business a concierge service, but really she’s a matchmaker. It’s just that instead of matching sweethearts, she’s busy hitching tasks with talent.

Summer meal sites Any Asheville or Buncombe County child can receive free summer meals at the following locations: First Presbyterian Church of Swannanoa Carver Community Center, Black Mountain Owen Pool,…

‘Automobiles’ may soon be added to downtown transportation options

I just read Jake Frankel’s May 22 article, Biking the Sharrows,” on biking as a way of “Striving Not to Drive.” All involved are to be congratulated, especially Council member…

So I see that Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, Mich., both came out ahead of Asheville in the Beer City poll. But the fact is they are still in Michigan ……

Thank you, Asheville Downtown Association, for 25 years of harassment dancing at Downtown After 5. Back then you wanted only pretty young women in front of the bands dancing. Now…

For more than 25 years, the Asheville Downtown Association and our volunteers have worked hard to produce safe and fun events that bring hundreds of thousands of people to downtown.…

Cruelty is now the result of the legislature and the governor's ambition. Shifting the tax burden from the wealthy and businesspeople onto the rest of us will cause North Carolina…

I am doing a T-shirt benefit fundraiser for the animals and pets of Moore, Okla., affected by the recent tornado. All proceeds will go to the city’s Animal Welfare Department.…