http://www.mountainx.com/ae/ en webmaster@mountainx.com Copyright 2010 2010-02-08T17:25:25+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/yonder_mountain_string_band_does_40_miles_from_denver http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/yonder_mountain_string_band_does_40_miles_from_denver#When:17:25:25Z Videographer Jesse Hamm captures the band and the crowd on night two of YMSB’s Orange Peel run. Yonder Mountain String Band live at the Orange Peel from Jesse Hamm on Vimeo. From fan 2010-02-08T17:25:25+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/edgy_mama_feed_kids_boost_local_businesses_help_haiti http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/edgy_mama_feed_kids_boost_local_businesses_help_haiti#When:13:25:32Z At some point, I want, no I need, to write about Haiti and about talking to my kids about what’s happening there. But right now, like many folks, I’m still trying to get my head around it all. So I’m going to throw out a little something pro-active that we can all do in the meantime. I’m going to offer you a deal. I’ll tell you about a bunch of inexpensive and kids-eat-free restaurant options locally, so you can save money while feeding your children. But you have to promise me that you’ll send any cash you save to Haitian relief programs. I recommend that you donate to the American Red Cross Haitian Relief Program at http://www.redcross.org or to locally-based Mission Manna at http://www.missionmanna.org. You can donate to both on-line with a few clicks. I trust you to keep track of how much you’re saving and send it on your own. Even be…... 2010-02-08T13:25:32+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/help_haiti_heal_2-day_benefit_concert_starts_tonight_in_black_mtn_watch_liv http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/help_haiti_heal_2-day_benefit_concert_starts_tonight_in_black_mtn_watch_liv#When:15:38:14Z Help Haiti Heal Benefit, a two-day concert, starts Saturday, Feb. 6 and continues on Sunday. It promises to showcase a wide range of local talent. The event takes place at White Horse, in Black Mountain, a 22-seat venue in downtown Black Mountain. The concert will include performances by: David Holt, Kat Williams, Mariam Matossian, Free Planet Radio, River Guerguerian, Akira Satake, Nikki Talley, Sons of Ralph, Menage, Members of Steep Canyon Rangers, Paco Shipp, Sirius.B, Buyaka, Peggy Ratuscz, Taylor Martin’s Engine, Daniel Barber, RiYen Roots, Skinny Legs and All (feat. Jesse Barry), Kimberly Hughes and Richard Inman ... and more All ticket sales and other donations go directly to the work of SOIL, Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods (a non-profit organization working with the people of Haiti). For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.helphaitihealbenefit.com/ 2010-02-06T15:38:14+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/weird_weather_causes_cancellations http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/weird_weather_causes_cancellations#When:20:52:33Z What’s off: Asheville Community Theatre has cancelled tonight’s performance of Short Order Durang at 35Below, and the screening of Welcome to the Saudi Arabia of Coal. Check ashevilletheatre.org for information on rescheduling, and The Americana project of former Barrel House Mama Eleanor Underhill, Habibigy, has cancelled its planned show at the Garage at Biltmore tonight. Look for the band at the venue again in March. A “Pops” Concert featuring the music of Paul Whitehead, has been cancelled. It was scheduled for tonight at UNCA’s Lipinsky Auditorium. Tryon Fine Arts Center has rescheduled Bo Eason’s Runt of the Litter for March 26. Tickets for the original performance will be honored. More details at 828-…... 2010-02-05T20:52:33+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/love_and_cake_and_music_and_burlesque_will_keep_us_together http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/love_and_cake_and_music_and_burlesque_will_keep_us_together#When:14:30:26Z Friday, Feb. 12 • Malaprop’s hosts a chocolate and wine tasting. “Join us for a pre-Valentine’s hedonists’ paradise!” says the press release. A sommelier from Weinhaus discusses several wine varieties, chocolates are from The Chocolate Fetish and each ticket holder receives a rose from Bloomin’ Art. Seating is limited. 6 p.m., $15. Info: 254-6734. • Canadian Classical-crossover group Destino jump-starts Valentine’s weekend at Diana Wortham Theatre. The trio of trained tenors blend opera, pop, gospel and soul. 8 p.m., $30/$28 seniors/$25 students/$12 children. • Cabaret/Burlesque collective 2010-02-05T14:30:26+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/willie_nelson_show_cancelled_refunds_to_be_issued http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/willie_nelson_show_cancelled_refunds_to_be_issued#When:21:30:30Z The City of Asheville today announced that the Willie Nelson concert scheduled for Jan. 30 at the Thomas Wolfe auditorium will not be rescheduled. The event was initially postponed because of the weekend’s snowstorm. Refunds will be issued at the point of sale, according to the announcement. The press release from the City of Asheville is below. — Brian Postelle, staff writer ———————————————————————— Willie Nelson concert cancelled, refunds issued ASHEVILLE - The Willie Nelson concert at the Asheville Civic Center originally scheduled for Jan. 30 and postponed until a later date has now been cancelled and will not be rescheduled. Tickets will be refunded at the original point of purchase. Fans who purchased tickets at the Asheville Civic Center can receive their refund by vi…... 2010-02-04T21:30:30+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/asheville_arts_center_and_musicworks_students_claim_prestigious_awards http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/asheville_arts_center_and_musicworks_students_claim_prestigious_awards#When:18:04:59Z Congrats are in order for the young thespians and musicians who excelled at the 2010 Junior Theater Festival, a weekend celebration of musical theatre held in Atlanta last month. Among the 1,600 participants were two groups of students from the Asheville Arts Center in Asheville and one from Musicworks! Studio of the Performance Arts in Waynesville. Gathering with peers from across the nation, the AAC Jr. company and Musicworks! Students participated in an array of activities including structured and improvisational group performances, competitions and interactive workshops with teachers and professional Broadway actors. The AAC company presented excerpts from its recent produc…... 2010-02-04T18:04:59+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/soundtrack http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/soundtrack#When:14:33:45Z Journal of Retreat by Saint Solitude Saint Solitude is the brainchild/alter ego/band of singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Dup Crosson — though “band” is a bit of misnomer since Crosson (who doesn’t reveal his birth name) plays all the parts. The one man band of recent years (White House, Sparklehorse) is a far cry from a solo artist with a guitar, a harmonica and — coordination allowing — a kick drum. Saint Solitude’s sound is rich and layered; Retreat is likely a journey into a kinetically creative psyche. Retreat is the debut release by newly formed local label Alive & Well Records, but it’s Crosson’s second full-length effort; a fo…... 2010-02-04T14:33:45+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/smartbets.php http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/smartbets.php#When:04:53:06Z 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 …... 2010-02-04T04:53:06+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/yonder_mountain_string_band_at_the_orange_peel http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/yonder_mountain_string_band_at_the_orange_peel#When:16:30:53Z Here’s the deal on Yonder Mountain, from Ann at Red Light Management: The Yonder Mountain String Band, whose “Sepia-toned Americana … clean harmonies and breathtaking fretwork” (Metroland) have wowed fans and critics across the country ... They’ll be performing music from their new studio album The Show, a rollicking 13-song showcase for their unique rock-inflected style of modern bluegrass, released Sept. 1 on Frog Pad Records. Jeff Austin (mandolin), Ben Kaufmann (bass), Dave Johnston (banjo) and Adam Aijala (guitar) fill their set lists with fan favorites from their 10-year deep catalogue and inventive covers of some of their favorite songs by bands like David Byrne, The Beatles, Elvis Presley and more. “The pickers from Colorado had the audience dancing and shaking, kicking up a joyful storm of dust into the cool summer sky.” — CNN Details on the pre-parties sponsored by Charlottesville…... 2010-02-03T16:30:53+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/this_weekend_on_a_shoestring581 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/this_weekend_on_a_shoestring581#When:13:33:45Z Friday, Feb 5 • “Catch a buzz with the Bees,” says Blues rockers Erika Jane & Remember the Bees, who welcome the weekend with a performance at Highland Brewing Company (12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Asheville, 299-3370). Brewery tours and tasting room at 4 p.m., music begins at 5 p.m. Tips. • Echo Gallery at Biltmore Park (8 Town Square Blvd., Asheville, 687-7761) hosts a reception for works by member artists (painters Genie Maples, Barbara Fisher, Susan Finer and Cindy Walton; ceramic artist Lori Theriault, textile artist Susan Webb Lee, photo artist Laurie McCarriar and ceramic sculptor Anna Koloseike) and guest artists (clay artists Dawn Dalto and Jenny Mastin, furniture maker Brian Fireman and blacksmith/metal artist Tekla). The show runs through March 21; the rece…... 2010-02-03T13:33:45+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/020310redhanded_a_songe_forre_the_loste http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/020310redhanded_a_songe_forre_the_loste#When:05:00:35Z These are not pretty pictures. kore loy wildrekinde-mcwhirter's etchings are drawn with great care, but they are far from pleasing. In 1898, in his What is Art, Leo Tolstoy wrote, "To evoke in oneself a feeling one has once experienced ... then, by means of movements, lines, colors, sounds, or forms expressed in words, so to transmit that feeling that others may experience the same feeling — this is the activity of art." librarianflye onne the walle mudrahe / gemeindescchtunde, line etching. all work by kore loy wildrekinde-mcwhirter. wildrekinde-mcwhirter does this. "I made this work as an enduring testimony to the vulnerability and resilience of children," the artist writes in the catalogue for her brave exhib…... 2010-02-03T05:00:35+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/020310getting_sirius http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/020310getting_sirius#When:05:00:34Z "When you're doing pop and jazz, ugly sounds are encouraged," says cellist Franklin Keel. Not the case in classical group Opal String Quartet or as first cello in the Asheville Symphony — two of Keel's musical engagements. But, as the newest member of self-described "absurdist gypsy folk funk punk" sextet Sirius.B, Keel is making nice with the ugly sounds. "I have been doing this kind of thing for a little while," says Keel of the transition from classical to the many nonstructured styles that make up Sirius.B. But the first time the cellist embarked on a rock project, "It was like the difference between reading something on a piece of paper and holding a conversation. When you're improvising, you have to speak through your instrument and that takes a …... 2010-02-03T05:00:34+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/020310flutter_like_a_goldfinch_scream_like_a_hawk http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/020310flutter_like_a_goldfinch_scream_like_a_hawk#When:05:00:33Z If ever there were a Northwestern style of ballad singing, Brandi Carlile's voice would be the model. Not a traditional ballad singer in the Southern folk sense, she's an honest rock singer whose voice can flutter like a gold finch and scream like a hawk. Her sound echoes the romantic, electric shores of Bruce Springsteen and the wooden tenderness of Emmylou Harris. A sound that produced 2007's The Story, the title track to which stole the thunder from a Grey's Anatomy episode, and solidified a core audience who have been selling out her concerts ever since. Timeless sentiment: Carlile's music goes straight to the heart of a situation and comes back with a bandana tied around the wrist, raising a voice to sing. Photo by Jeremy Cowart. Brandi&…... 2010-02-03T05:00:33+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/020310when_pops_was_tops http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/020310when_pops_was_tops#When:05:00:32Z About a year ago, Asheville swing-jazz conductor Russ Wilson was touring when he received an e-mail from Raleigh trombone player Bob Gregory. "He'd been noodling on the internet, looking at old sheet music, anything vintage, and he came across a Web site with transcripts of old dance band recordings," says Wilson. "The note said 'It's an interesting Web site,' and 'There's some Paul Whiteman material on here.'" The famous jazz-age duo Vernon and Irene Castle show off the dance they invented and made famous, the "Castle Walk." The image was originally featured in a Victrola advertisement circa 1915-1920. Photo courtesy Sherri McLendon. Little did Wilson know he'd just opened a window on the past that wou…... 2010-02-03T05:00:32+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/020310junkes_blues http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/020310junkes_blues#When:05:00:31Z Winter sure is hard on creatures that try to live off of the land, and junkers are no exception. This is the time of year when all right thinking foragers spend their time in hibernation, living off the stores of scores they've made throughout the more productive months. Better to be warm, safe and secure in the pack rat's nest than scuttling around in the grey cold hideousness of a January Saturday morning poking for scraps.  Illustration by Nathanael Roney. But, as I've said numerous times in this column, the pursuit of junk is an addiction, and the junker must feed the jones, even when it's not necessary to do so. The junker with the full storage facility, the crammed antique booth, the brimming eBay store and scads of stuff clogging whatever passes fo…... 2010-02-03T05:00:31+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/020310soundtrack http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/020310soundtrack#When:05:00:30Z Crowded into the stage area of BoBo Gallery, five-piece indie-pop group Do It To Julia (newcomers to Asheville as of last September) seem to have already outgrown the venue. But more than the sold-out room, the band's head count and the sprawling keyboard, it's the presence of DITJ's members that suggests amplitude. From the opening notes of a song, frontman Ryan O'Keefe introduces as "a new tune about the housing market," the small crowd is ready to dance. And, within a few numbers, pretty blond violinist Halli Anderson is flinging off her cardigan and dancing with abandon among the audience. From Boone with Love: Do it to Julia now calls Asheville home. Photo by Alli Marshall. For clarity, Anderson — the sole female in the band &#8…... 2010-02-03T05:00:30+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/weavervilles_wallace_shealy_declared_champion_bold-faced_liar http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/weavervilles_wallace_shealy_declared_champion_bold-faced_liar#When:21:33:43Z Laurinburg, NC, January 25 — The Storytelling Arts Center of the Southeast by jury declared Weaverville resident Wallace Shealy the Bold-Faced Liar Champion of 2010. In accepting the award, Shealy said, “I am not sure if this makes me the biggest liar in the Southeast or simply that I told the most original tall tale today.”   Shealy, who coaches other pastors on the establishment of churches, won his accolade after telling a story based on the biblical account from the fifth chapter of Mark, about Jesus casting out a legion of demons. With a twinkle in his eye, he allowed that, “Of course I embellished the story slightly.” Maybe more than slightly: When the text says that Jesus sent a legion of demons into a herd of 2,000 pigs that fly off a cliff, Shealy added, “That of course this is the first recorded case of Swine Flu.” He also suggested this text might explain legionnaire’s disease. And when the pi…... 2010-02-02T21:33:43+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/photos_from_justin_townes_earle_at_the_grey_eagle http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/photos_from_justin_townes_earle_at_the_grey_eagle#When:20:31:49Z Justin Townes Earle played the Grey Eagle on Friday night, despite the snowstorm. Check out these photos from Rich Orris, a freelance music photographer who shot the show for Xpress. Grey Eagle co-owner Brian Landrum said, “We decided to go ahead with the show primarily because Justin was already here and eager to perform by the time the snow really started, and we knew there were a couple hundred people in town who had been looking forward to it for some time. Despite the weather, over half of them were able to come out and enjoy the show.” Xpress writer Dane Smith’s story on Earle from last week. ... 2010-02-02T20:31:49+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/donna_the_buffalo_at_the_orange_peel http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/donna_the_buffalo_at_the_orange_peel#When:17:51:27Z Jesse Hamm took this footage of Donna the Buffalo at last Thursday’s Orange Peel show. Donna the Buffalo live at the Orange Peel from Jesse Hamm on Vimeo. Last week’s 2010-02-01T17:51:27+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/rulin_footage_of_snow_canoeing http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/rulin_footage_of_snow_canoeing#When:16:24:11Z Nathan Zumwalt writes in: “Some friends and I took advantage of Asheville’s second big snow for the second installment of ‘Hey, what happens if we ride the canoe downhill?’” Also in this video: Nicole Perreault. Filmed at Montford Community Center and West Asheville. Here was the first installment, from the Dec. 19-21 blizzard. 2010-02-01T16:24:11+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/video_a-go-go11 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/video_a-go-go11#When:23:49:28Z One of the best things about a heavy snowfall in Asheville is the strange peace and quiet that falls over downtown. It becomes a place of eerie beauty, very much contrasting the normal hustle and bustle. Of course, it’s hard to appreciate this if you don’t happen to live close enough to downtown to actually get out and see it for yourself. Thankfully, these days we have YouTube, which is the next best thing.   All that snow got you down? Getting a little cabin fever already? Remember those carefre…... 2010-01-31T23:49:28+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/edgy_mama_barleys_pizza_and_other_baby-birthing_inducement_tricks http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/edgy_mama_barleys_pizza_and_other_baby-birthing_inducement_tricks#When:17:12:07Z Neither of my babies wanted to vacate my womb. I needed them out of there, but both had to be forced — the first via Caesearian section, the second via Hoover-matic. The down side, of course, is once they’re out, there’s no sticking them back in. Wouldn’t it be great, in those newborn weeks, to be able to reattach the umbilical cord for a few hours? Just so the baby’s fed, warm and safe while mom falls into a coma? That would rock. I was reminded of my attempts to induce my babies to check out of the uterine hotel when I realized that it’s Barley’s Pizzeria and Taproom’s 15th anniversary this year. What does Barley’s have to do with inducing labor? A lot, if you believe some local moms who swear that a big slice of Barley’s pie sent them running for labor and delivery. When, after 42 weeks of pregnancy, my first kid hadn’t made an appearance, my obstetricia…... 2010-01-31T17:12:07+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/snow_day_in_west_asheville_photos http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/snow_day_in_west_asheville_photos#When:18:52:48Z Here are a few photographs from the scene of the storm taken this afternoon in West Asheville. Though residential roads are still quite treacherous, Haywood Road and Clingman Ave. have been plowed and look safe. Be sure to drive slow. Or, better yet, build a snowman, go sledding and enjoy the beauty of this winter wonderland.  Claire’s creative snowman: Cars covered in snow: Looking down Clingman Avenue: Haywood Road: Another look at Haywood Road: 2010-01-30T18:52:48+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/entertainment_cancellations_for_this_weekend http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2010/entertainment_cancellations_for_this_weekend#When:16:40:39Z Updated for Saturday, Jan. 30: • Club 828 is open tonight with a Hip Hop dance party featuring Blame Money Entertainment. • Hookah Bar says, “Dj A.d.d.ict is joint Selector Cleofus for the Temple of Shroom at The Hookah Bar. Parking lot is plowed and roads are clean. We are open!” • Rocket Club reports, “Monotonix is on. Soft Opening and Thee Birds ov Paradise will start it off.” • The Garage at Biltmore WILL BE OPEN all night tonight for The Asheville Full Moon Gathering • From NC Stage: “Some Beautiful Johanna cast members can’t get to theatre. Tonight’s performance cancelled. Still on for the make up performance on Sunday at 2 p.m. • Kinjac …... 2010-01-29T16:40:39+00:00