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Ooh La La
While photography exhibits are nice — some challenging, some evocative — few include live burlesque. Happily, Ooh La La, the art opening at Castell Photography (2C Wilson Alley in Asheville), involves just that. Bootstraps Burlesque troupe will perform during the reception for a collection of intimate fine-art nude and boudoir photographs by Brie Castell. In keeping with the theme, local lingerie company On the Inside launches a new line of organic cotton and bamboo skivvies. Top off all the provocation with champagne cocktails and decadent desserts. Says gallery manager Heidi Gruner, "It's sexy; it's fun ... It's such an exciting way to get in the mood for Valentine's Day." Friday, Feb. 5, 7-10 p.m. (The exhibit will be on display through March 27.) http://www.castellphotography.com or 255-1188.
Saint Solitude CD release
Newly formed local indie label Alive and Well Records may have a small catalog (hint: it's under "artist" — singular — on the Web site) but this is a case of quality over quantity. Debut release Journal of Retreat by indie-pop act Saint Solitude (the brain child of singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Dup Crosson) has a slickly professional sound and look. As for the music, Saint Solitude's style might be too mellow for dancing, but warm beats, hooky melodies and Crosson's dusky tenor create an atmosphere of dreamy anticipation. Saint Solitude and Alive and Well hold a CD-release party at The Boiler Room on Friday, Feb. 5, 9:30 p.m. Knives & Daggers and Darien also perform. http://www.aliveandwellrecords.com.
Amy Bloom
Author Amy Bloom has an impressive enough resumé: She's nominated for both the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award, she's written for The New Yorker and The New York Times Magazine, she teaches at Yale. When local bookseller Malaprop's named Bloom as "store favorite"; well, that's a serious notch in the literary belt. Bloom's latest book, Where the God of Love Hangs Out, is a collection of linked short stories dealing with the complexities of love, family and friendship. Bloom makes a stop at Malaprop's on Monday, Feb. 8, for a reading, book signing and wine-and-cheese reception. 7 p.m. http://www.malaprops.com or 254-6734.
Charles Counts
There's no shortage of crafts these days, and that's as Charles Counts knew it would be: "If I were to stand again on the westward slope of Lookout Mountain near Rising Fawn to watch the inevitable sundown of any midsummer moment, I would swear to you without any doubt that the future of making things by hand was as certain as that sunset, and as inevitable as the coolest dawn," he said. Counts was an expert potter, weaver, teacher and writer, whose influence looms large over American craft tradition. The Folk Art Center hosts a large retrospective of Counts work, up through May 2, with a reception Friday, Feb. 5, from 4 to 6 p.m. Featuring ceramics, quilts, rugs, drawings, paintings and archival material, this is a don't miss. More information at 298-7928 or http://www.craftguild.org.
Secret B-Sides/Foul Mouth Jerk
The word's getting around. Foul Mouth Jerk isn't really a jerk, but he is damn talented. And the Secret B-Sides aren't so secret, spreading groovy dino-spacey soul sounds throughout the land. The two acts share a bill at the Emerald Lounge, with DJ Football and some special guests. "Our goal is to put on a really kick-ass show for people on the cheap," writes Foul Mouth. "To get them to shake off the cabin fever after all this snow we've been having. Also we feel like fans of my music would enjoy the Secret B-Sides & vice versa, so we thought we'd introduce them to each other. A bit of a crowd cross over." Sounds like a good time. Friday, Feb. 5. 10 p.m. $5.
Féile Bríd
"Even now, in the sleep of winter, the seeds are starting to tremble under the snow ... Imbolc is the Celtic holiday celebrating the return of spring and honoring Brighid, Celtic Goddess and Saint, and her Four Fires: Inspiration, Creation, Healing, and Justice," says the Web site for Asheville's Gaelic group Brighid's Mantle. Celebrate Féile Bríd with a potluck dinner, open mic with poetry, story and song, a candlelight ceremony, live Celtic music from the band Wise Child and fire spinning. All are welcome. The event is free, but donations are accepted. Appalachia School for Holistic Herbalism in West Asheville. RSVP to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 505-3368. http://www.brighidsmantle.com.
