Mountain Xpress 01.11.17

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1/23/16

OUR 23RD YEAR OF WEEKLY INDEPENDENT NEWS, ARTS & EVENTS FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA VOL. 23 NO. 25 JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2017

C O N T E NT S C ONTAC T US

PAGE 28 THE BREAKING WAVE

Is Asheville’s restaurant boom sustainable?

On an average night in tourist season, Asheville’s restaurants look slammed.

But as the food scene continues to balloon, it begs the question: Is the bubble about to burst?

COVER DESIGN Norn Cutson

Celebrating Mountain Soul Party Martin Luther King Jr. 10 spotlights local musicians 34

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FEATURES

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NEWS

22 LETTING GO Asheville yoga and meditation instructors offer guidance for the new year

GREEN

10 CO-WORKERS WITH GOD Martin Luther King’s historic Montreat College speech

WELLNESS

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5 LETTERS 26 STONE SOUP Minerals Research Lab cooks up cutting-edge solutions

5 CARTOON: MOLTON 7 CARTOON: BRENT BROWN 8 COMMENTARY

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18 COMMUNITY CALENDAR

FOOD

20 CONSCIOUS PARTY 32 BEER SCOUT Wedge Brewing Co. is set to open its second brewery and taproom at the Foundation

22 WELLNESS 24 ASHEVILLE DISCLAIMER 26 GREEN SCENE 28 FOOD

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30 SMALL BITES 35 EVERY VOICE IS VALUED Local teens produce a bilingual online arts magazine

32 BEER SCOUT 34 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 38 SMART BETS 41 CLUBLAND 48 MOVIES

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51 SCREEN SCENE 36 FAMILY IS FOREVER Andrew Scotchie’s birthday concert honors his father’s memory

53 CLASSIFIEDS 54 FREEWILL ASTROLOGY 55 NY TIMES CROSSWORD

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O PINION

Send your letters to the editor to letters@mountainx.com.

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Elephant looms in short-term rental debate In response to “Hidden Writer With Not-so-hidden Agenda” by E.T. Wolfsohn [in the] Dec 28 issue [Xpress]: Approximately 10 years ago, I contacted a city official before establishing a vacation rental in a residential neighborhood in Asheville. This official offered no reason not to proceed, referred to eminent domain and said that the only regulation in effect would be driven by a complaint from a neighbor.

Recently, the city approved the construction of multiple new hotels in downtown Asheville, and suddenly short-term rentals became a hotly contested issue. Over the past year, the city decided to enforce a ban on residential STRs, and I had to convert my property to 30-day rentals. Many people believe, as I do, that the majority of City Council members have been influenced by the hotel lobby — the elephant standing in the city’s living room.

For over a decade, I have had both short- and long-term rentals and feel that I can offer an experienced response to the mean-spirited rant written last week by E.T. Wolfsohn.

I am in total agreement that “a bad neighbor in a desirable area

has a devastating negative impact on one’s peace and happiness.” The only tenant that created unpleasantness in my rental experience was a long-termer, and the eviction process can be very lengthy. I am a responsible landlord and have learned that even carefully vetted prospective tenants can surprisingly become the “neighborhood nuisance.”

On the other hand, my short-term guests have been quiet, respectful and appreciative of having an alternative to an expensive hotel. On one occasion, I had a complaint from a neighbor about noise, and I was able to immediately correct the problem. This would not have been as easy with a disruptive tenant with a long-term lease.

I have a great appreciation for community, consider my neighbors as friends and have had their support when I operated my STRs. I meticulously maintained my properties in order to offer them as vacation rentals, and they are among the most attractive homes in the neighborhood. It has not been my experience that my neighbors believed that “STRs contribute to anxiety, malaise and most likely lower the home values in the area.”

Many people like myself misinterpreted the earlier “wink and nod” permission implied by the city and invested money and considerable effort in creating an attractive, comfortable and welcoming property for visitors

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O P I NI O N

Send your letters to the editor to letters@mountainx.com.

to our city. It makes no sense that City Council can’t expend the same effort on creating smart regulations and collecting taxes as they are in hunting down and fining owners of STRs. Again — the huge elephant looms.

— Mary Castiglione

Asheville

The First Amendment has limits I am mystified as to why the Xpress saw fit to publish on Dec. 28 the rambling, noxious letter from Alan Ditmore, a self-described trailer-dwelling Trump supporter, in which he advocates for the unprovoked bombing of Mecca [“A Reason to Hope With Trump”].

Were you simply short a couple of column inches of copy and needing to fill that space? Or have you, as journalists, forgotten that the First Amendment does have some prudent, historical limitations. Among them, the Supreme Court has ruled that one does not have the right to yell “Fire!” in a crowded movie theater. They have also held that “advocacy of the use of force” is unprotected when it is “directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action.”

What will keep America great is not the bombing of innocents in Mecca or anywhere else, but remembering the fundamental tenets upon which our country was founded, namely: That all people are created equal and endowed with certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. What will also make America great is for Mr. Ditmore to go back inside his trailer and stay there; and for you, as journalists, to use better judgment regarding what is — and what is not — fit to print.

— Michael Breck

Asheville Editor’s response: Since a core part of Xpress’ mission is to strengthen democracy by promoting thoughtful dialogue, we believe it’s important to provide a forum for a full discussion of civic issues. The exception to the First Amendment of falsely shouting “Fire!” in a theater (to avoid starting a panic) would not seem to apply to Mr. Ditmore’s letter, which advocated for President-elect Trump to take a particular military action. He was stating an opinion, not shouting false information that could cause a stampede.

Likewise, the Supreme Court’s ruling — that the First Amendment doesn’t apply to speech that advocates the use of force that would likely incite

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imminent, lawless action — would also not seem to apply to the opinion stated in Ditmore’s letter. Even if the letter writer has Trump’s ear on the matter, launching a military action is within a president’s power, and to forbid discussion of such a possibility on these pages would inhibit our readers from weighing in about what our democratically elected leaders should or should not do in our name.

Don’t print hate speech I have spoken to someone at the Mountain Xpress office and also wanted to speak to [the Opinion editor] as a concerned and caring community member.

I am an avid reader of the Xpress, and I am deeply saddened, appalled and outraged that you would print a [letter to the editor] that advocates terrorism and hate. I truly believe it warrants an apology and regret that you printed the [letter to the editor], “A Reason to Hope With Trump” [Dec. 28, Xpress].

By printing this, you are normalizing and saying it is OK to bomb people.

Are you just going to continue to print hateful speech? This man wants to destroy the most holy land of an entire religion. It is not OK for you to print this hate speech.

I know I am not alone in my thoughts.

As a very spiritual person who wants to hope in the future of my country, please do something.

Don’t print hate speech!

I have advertised my business in the Xpress but if I continue to see hate speech, I will take my business elsewhere.

Sincerely, in peace and love for all people,

— Jenna Jaspreet Melissas

Asheville Editor’s response: The assertion that “hate speech” is contained in Alan Ditmore’s Dec. 28 letter to the editor would appear to be up for debate. (The line reference is: “I also hope [Trump] will bomb Mecca, but that hope is looking more dreamy as his nonloyalist cabinet picks are looking more likely to target Tehran or pro-choice Pyongyang.”)

Merriam-Webster defines hate speech as “speech expressing hatred of a particular group of people.” Ditmore doesn’t really explain why he hopes President-elect Trump will pursue that military action, but Ditmore also isn’t saying anything hateful or derogatory about any particular group of people.

Also, to limit discussion in the Opinion section about what our political leaders should or should not do is at odds with Xpress’ mission to strengthen democracy by promoting thoughtful dialogue.

Eateries should mind their music [In response to “Polite Company: Asheville Service Industry Professionals Offer a Beginner’s Guide to Restaurant Etiquette,” Dec. 28, Xpress]: I appreciate the comments offered by restaurant/bar staff and owners about customer etiquette, which is (or ought to be!) common-sense courtesy. Honestly, I was shocked to hear some of the examples of bad behavior, but I’ve been a server and host in several area restaurants so it would never occur to me to be so disrespectful.

At the same time, the article offered the opportunity to voice my own request to eatery staff and owners: Please be mindful of the music you select for your establishment. I have too frequently left a restaurant I’d love to patronize because someone decided that harsh music was appropriate. I’m not asking for only soft, soothing, classical music — I’m saying, is this music happy or angry? What kind of mood does this set — antagonistic or welcoming?

It’s not just the food I’m taking in; the ambiance is made of the entire tone of a place. The attitude of the kitchen and servers is communicated in many ways to diners. Maybe I should just appreciate the early indicator: If the cook or waitstaff is irritated or pissed off about coming to work and chooses music reflective of their discontent, that’s sure not a place I want to spend time. Two steps in, and I’ll know to retreat and look elsewhere for a pleasant meal.

— Michele Drivon

Asheville

Correction In our Dec. 28 article, “Curing the Winter Blues: Asheville Practitioners Offer Advice on Natural Remedies for SAD,” we included an incorrect reference to Ayurvedic teachings. Traditional Ayurvedic teachings hold that winter is actually ruled by Vata.

We want to hear from you!

Please send your letters to: Editor, Mountain Xpress, 2 Wall St., Asheville, NC 28801 or by email to letters@mountainx.com.

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O P I NI O N

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Closing Asheville’s achievement gap

BY PAT BASTIAN

Downtown Asheville’s University

Offering Master’s Degree Programs in: MBA Comm. College Administration Counseling Nursing Public Health Sustainability Studies Teaching Writing University Leadership

See Our Story on 36 Montford Avenue, Downtown Asheville Call Us Today! • (828) 407-4263 8

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In the afterglow of the holiday season, many people find themselves looking ahead to the new year’s possibilities. It’s the perfect opportunity to think about our community and how we might help at-risk children in Asheville who struggle with reading.

For many children, the tipping point comes not at age 16 or 21 but when they’re 8! Research shows that students who can’t read proficiently by the end of third grade are at least four times as likely to drop out of school and/or fall into substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, juvenile crime, etc., thus perpetuating the cycle of generational poverty.

Through third grade, students learn to read; from fourth grade on, they read to learn. Research conducted by The Annie E. Casey Foundation in 2010 and 2013 confirmed that low-income children who can’t read proficiently are “all too likely to become our nation’s lowest income, least skilled, least productive and most costly citizens tomorrow.”

Children who read well tend to finish school, complete college and compete successfully for good jobs in our hightech world. For some kids, however, this race to the top is over before they even reach the starting line. A landmark 1995 study by Betty Hart and Todd R. Risley found that by age 3, children from highliteracy homes have heard 30 million words and have a vocabulary of 1,000 words, whereas children from low-literacy homes have heard 10 million words and have a vocabulary of just 525 words.

Already greatly disadvantaged when they enter kindergarten, these children have only a slim chance of catching up. Fortunately, research also shows that with extra learning opportunities, children’s ability to grasp language can be improved dramatically, and they can overcome their early handicap.

BRIDGING THE GAP In the 2015-16 academic year, the Asheville City Schools’ third-grade endof-year reading test showed that only 26 percent of black and 33 percent of multiracial third-graders could read proficiently, compared with 85 percent

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PAT BASTIAN of white students. And since 38 percent of the system’s students are black or multiracial, unless we can boost their reading scores, the overall reading proficiency will remain lackluster at best.

In response to the 2010 Annie E. Casey research, the founders of Read to Succeed Asheville decided six years ago to focus on at-risk children in the early elementary grades. Today, R2S volunteers are in all five Asheville elementary schools plus Buncombe County’s Johnston Elementary. Last year, 129 such volunteers provided the Asheville City Schools with 3,782 hours of one-onone reading support.

“Kevin” (not his real name) is typical of the students we serve. When he entered first grade, he had no reading readiness skills, because he hadn’t attended kindergarten. He didn’t know the alphabet or the sounds associated with letters; he couldn’t distinguish between upper- and lowercase letters and didn’t recognize rhyming words, simple punctuation marks or “sight words” (commonly used words like “why” or “four” that aren’t easily sounded out).

The literacy specialist at Kevin’s school referred him to Read to Succeed for tutoring in our multisensory, phonics-based curriculum. A trained

volunteer reading coach became Kevin’s champion, working with him for three years. By the end of third grade, their hard work had paid off: Kevin’s reading ability exceeded grade-level standards.

Without that intervention, Kevin would probably have lagged behind his peers, becoming one more unfortunate statistic in the Asheville City Schools’ disturbing achievement gap.

Read to Succeed believes that learning to read proficiently early on is the best chance — perhaps the only chance — a child from an impoverished family has to rise out of poverty. Our volunteer reading coaches and “buddies” work with children in local public elementary schools one-on-one throughout the school year. Reading coaches meet with their students for 45 minutes twice a week. Their three-month, 40-hour training program includes both classroom and practicum sessions. Coaches are matched with kindergarten or first-grade students and commit to working with the student until he or she completes third grade.

Most coaches report that although they initially volunteered to give back to the community, the fulfillment they experience from this relationship is an unexpected bonus.

Our program’s results speak for themselves. Of the 129 students in the program last year, 16 were thirdgraders who worked with a reading coach; 12 of them improved by one or more grades, and 11 attained grade-level proficiency. Sadly, however, every school that Read to Succeed serves has a waiting list of students hoping to be matched with a volunteer.

The next reading coach training begins Monday, Jan. 16. Please consider turning a couple of hours a week of your time into a lifetime of opportunity for a local child.

Pat Bastian began working with Read to Succeed in 2012 as a volunteer reading coach; she’s now the executive director. To learn more, visit the website at r2sasheville.org, call Diane Amos at 747-2277 or email volunteer@r2sasheville.org. X

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NEWS

CO-WORKERS WITH GOD

Martin Luther King’s historic Montreat College speech

NO STRANGER: “He who will address you today is no stranger,” began Malcolm P. Calhoun in his introduction of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to the Montreat congregation. “You have known him, perhaps from afar, but for many years. You know that he shares our concerns, when he moves among men, preaching that you cannot serve God and hate men.” Photo courtesy of the Presbyterian Heritage Center, Montreat

BY THOMAS CALDER tcalder@mountainx.com On Aug. 21, 1965, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. addressed an audience of nearly 3,000 people in Montreat College’s Anderson Auditorium. King, the keynote speaker for the Presbyterian Church’s

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annual Christian Action Conference, had originally been scheduled to open the three-day event on the previous Thursday. But a massive riot in Los Angeles’ Watts neighborhood — which left 34 dead, over 1,000 injured and close to 4,000 arrested — had delayed his arrival here.

There was controversy before the conference even started. An Aug.

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6 Asheville Citizen-Times headline read, “King’s Montreat Talk Already Stirs Unrest.” The article went on to note opposition within the congregation to King’s invitation, which the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church had attempted to rescind earlier that year.

On the day of King’s arrival, the Citizen-Times quoted Buncombe

County Sheriff Harry P. Clay, who acknowledged the potential presence of “certain outside violent hate groups.” The sheriff went on to say, “It is my intent that this county remain peaceful and law-abiding. Recent happenings such as those in California, Chicago and Massachusetts will not occur in Buncombe County.” And in fact, there were no major disruptions.

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CAPTIVATED: King touched on several topics throughout his hour-long speech at Montreat. His major focus was on the church’s role and responsibility within the civil rights movement. Photo courtesy of Presbyterian Heritage Center, Montreat King’s speech, titled “The Church on the Frontier of Racial Tension,” lasted nearly an hour. He outlined a series of issues surrounding the civil rights movement, including social and economic inequalities, the immorality of segregation and the power of nonviolence. His primary focus, though, was the church and its duty to serve everyone.

Here are excerpts from the speech.

THE SAFE SECURITY OF STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS “Whenever a crisis emerges in society, the church has a specific and a great responsibility. It has a real responsibility in the midst of this crisis, because the problems involved are essentially moral

issues. The church, being the moral guardian of the community, cannot overlook its moral responsibility at this hour.

“Now, we must admit that all too often, the church has been lax at this point. All too often in the midst of social evil, too many Christians have somehow stood still, only to mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities. All too often in the midst of racial injustice, too many Christians have remained silent behind the safe security of stained-glass windows. ... This is the great challenge facing the church today. This is the great challenge facing every Christian in these days of racial tension.”

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NEWS THE MISLED “Prejudice is usually based on fear, suspicions and misunderstandings that are usually groundless. Prejudice means just what it says. It means to prejudge. And so some individuals are misled in life; they are improperly taught.

So often they follow the mandates of their surroundings. And so they end up with so many half-truths ... and so many stereotypes concerning minority groups, and they really believe them. So often these half-truths have been disseminated by politicians who use them to arouse the fear of their constituency in order to perpetuate themselves in political power.”

KEEPING THE DIALOGUE ALIVE

KING ON SEGREGATION: “We’ve gone a long, long way in breaking down the legal barriers, and I am convinced that legal segregation is on its deathbed and the only thing uncertain about that is how costly the segregationists will make the funeral,” the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. told the Montreat congregation. Photo courtesy of the Presbyterian Heritage Center, Montreat

MLK Jr. events

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Asheville celebrates civil rights leader’s legacy

SATURDAY, JAN. 14

SUNDAY, JAN. 15

Now in its 36th year, Asheville’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast draws hundreds of attendees from across the community.

Inspirational speaker Patricia Russell-McCloud will deliver the keynote address. Russell-McCloud is the author of A is for Attitude: An Alphabet for Living, a book of reflections that encourage readers to “move past the status quo, shift the paradigm and break out of a comfort zone.” Crowne Plaza Resort. Doors open 7:30 a.m., program starts 8:30 a.m. Advance tickets have sold out, but a limited number of individual tickets will be available at the door for $30. Arrive no later than 7:45 a.m. for tickets on the day of the event.

More information at mlkasheville.org or 281-1624.

The Celebration Singers, a youth chorus, will present a concert in honor of King. First Congregational Church at 20 Oak St., 4 p.m. Free, donations accepted at the door.

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MONDAY, JAN. 16

JOINING IN PRAISE: Asheville’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast includes musical tributes to MLK’s legacy. Photo from the 2016 breakfast by Virginia Daffron

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“At this point, the church must go all out to keep dialogue alive.

This is one of the great problems facing our society. This is one of the great problems facing our nation. Men so often hate each other because they fear each other.

They fear each other because they don’t know each other, and they

Asheville’s peace march and rally will get underway at 11:30 a.m. at St. James AME Church at 44 Hildebrand St. At noon, participants will march to CityCounty Plaza. Free.

A candlelight service will honor the contributions of area individuals and organizations to the cause of social justice. Fellowship Hall of Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church St., 6 p.m. Free.

The Kenilworth community will host its seventh annual celebration of King and his work. Potluck dinner in Kenilworth Center at 4 Chiles Ave., 5:30 p.m. Program featuring activist and Winston-Salem Black Panther party co-founder Hazel

Mack at Kenilworth Presbyterian Church at 123 Kenilworth Road (adjacent to Kenilworth Center), 6:30 p.m. Free.

TUESDAY, JAN. 17 The 2010 documentary film Freedom Riders will be screened and discussed.

The film examines the role played by more than 400 black and white Americans who risked their lives challenging Jim Crow laws in the South in 1961. UNC Asheville Highsmith Union, the Grotto., 6 p.m. Free.

THURSDAY, JAN. 19 The keynote lecture for UNC Asheville’s week of celebrations of Martin Luther King Jr. will be given

by Walter Kimbrough, president of Dillard University in New Orleans.

Kimbrough has been recognized for his research and writings on AfricanAmericans and higher education. UNC Asheville Lipinsky Auditorium, 7 p.m.

Free. — Virginia Daffron X

don’t know each other because they don’t communicate with each other, and they don’t communicate with each other because they are separated from each other. No greater tragedy can befall a community than the attempt to live in monologue rather than dialogue.”

THE MYTH OF TIME “There are those who say that only time can solve the problem. … It is a myth of time — the idea that there is something in the very miraculous flow of time that will inevitably solve the problem of racial injustice. And so the people who follow this argument say to the Negro and his allies in the white community, ‘Just be nice and patient, and wait 100 or 200 years, and the problem will work itself out.’

“Well, there is an answer to that myth. It is that time is neutral. It can be used either constructively or destructively. … I’m convinced in so many instances that the people of ill will in our nation have used time much more effectively than the people of goodwill.

It may well be that we will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and the violent actions of the bad people ... but also for the appalling silence and indifference of the good people who sit around and say, ‘Wait on time.’ Somewhere along the way, we must come to see that human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and the persistent work of dedicated individuals who are willing to be co-workers with God. Without this hard work, time itself becomes an airlock of the primitive forces of social stagnation, and so we must help time, and we must always realize that the time is always right to do rightly.”

soon the hearts will be changed and the attitudes will be changed.”

A SINGLE GARMENT OF DESTINY “So often those who ‘have’ — I’m not only talking about white persons; I’m even talking about the middleclass Negroes — so often those who ‘have’ forget the ‘have-nots.’ Jesus tells a beautiful parable in the New Testament. He talks about a rich man named Dives and a poor man named Lazarus. … Dives ends up going to hell. There is nothing in that parable that says Dives went to hell because he was rich. Jesus never made a universal indictment against all wealth.

It is true that one day a man, a rich ruler, came to him and raised some questions, and Jesus advised him to sell all. But in that instance he was prescribing individual surgery, not setting forth universal diagnosis. …

“Dives went to hell not because he was rich; he went to hell because he passed by Lazarus every day and never really saw him. Michael Harrington, in the book The Other America, calls a quarter of our country the ‘invisible poor.’ Dives went

to hell because he allowed Lazarus to become invisible. He went to hell because he minimized the maximum and maximized the minimum and allowed the means by which he lived to outdistance the ends for which he lived. He went to hell because he failed to use his wealth to bridge the gap that separated him from his brother Lazarus. He didn’t realize Lazarus was his brother and that he was his brother’s keeper. And that somehow a great man is a compassionate man, a great man is a man who has concerns for the least of these.

“I submit that this is the challenge facing the church. ... In the final analysis, we are all made to live together. Rich and poor, lettered and unlettered, tutored and untutored — somehow we are tied in a single garment of destiny, caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, and for some strange reason I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be.” X

RESTRAINING THE HEARTLESS “It may be true that morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated. It may be true that the law cannot change the heart, but it can restrain the heartless. It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can restrain him from lynching me. ... The law cannot change the hearts of men; it does change the habits of men. And when you begin to change the habits of men, pretty

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NEWS

by Dan Hesse

dhesse@mountainx.com

ADDRESSING LOCAL POVERTY Buncombe County’s first African-American commissioner talks economic justice

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“Like a monstrous octopus, poverty spreads its nagging, prehensile tentacles into hamlets and villages all over our world,” the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. declared in a March 31, 1968, sermon delivered at the Washington National Cathedral. Jan. 16 marks the 30th anniversary of the holiday named in the late civil rights leader’s honor.

Xpress took the opportunity to speak with Al Whitesides, Buncombe County’s first African-American commissioner, about some of King’s deepest concerns.

“When you talk about economic justice, I’m not talking about black and white: It’s poor people,” says Whitesides, who was appointed to the Board of Commissioners in December to fill the District 1 seat vacated when Brownie Newman was elected board chair. “That’s what Dr. King realized near the end of his life. He was pushing more for poor people: He understood that in this country, it’s rich and poor. He started advocating for poor people and what they need to move up. That is critical — and more so today than ever.”

In 2015, 37,433 Buncombe County residents — just over 15 percent — were living in poverty, census data show. The county’s median household income that year was $45,642; that was close to North Carolina’s median ($46,549) but nearly $11,000 less than the figure for the U.S. as a whole ($56,516). The median is the number halfway between the highest and lowest numbers, meaing there are many households with substantially lower and higher incomes.

“That’s frightening,” says Whitesides. “To have economic justice, we’ve got to get to the point where we’re all playing by the same rules,” he maintains. “But I think we need to understand that in order to get there, we have a lot of barriers we have to remove that stop people from having a level playing field.”

Those barriers, he notes, include

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REMOVING BARRIERS: New Buncombe County Commissioner Al Whitesides says Martin Luther King Jr.’s message of economic justice is relevant in present-day Buncombe County. Photo by Dan Hesse education, homeownership and decent wages.

In an April 4, 1967, speech delivered in New York City’s Riverside Church, King put it this way: “True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it is not haphazard and superficial.”

TEMPORARY MEASURES “Just giving people handouts … letting them live for reduced rates in lower-income housing, those are temporary measures,” says Whitesides.

“Those measures were never meant to go on for generations. Those were

measures to help put people on their feet so they could compete economically in our society.”

King, too, believed that empowerment was ultimately a more viable strategy. “The poor, transformed into purchasers, will do a great deal on their own to alter housing decay,” he said in an August 1967 speech at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference titled “Where Do We Go From Here?”

But current home prices in Buncombe County, notes Whitesides, make buying a house here a lot harder than it was when he first did so back in 1973.

As of the third quarter of 2016, 63.5 percent of Americans owned their homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. A deeper look into that statistic, however, underscores the considerable impact of factors like median income, race and ethnicity: 71.9 percent of whites, 47 percent of Hispanics and 41.3 percent of African-Americans are homeowners. Among families with a household income greater than or equal to the median, the homeownership rate is 77.8 percent; for those with lower incomes, the number drops to 49.2 percent.

“That’s where we’re going to have to come together and make a difference,” says Whitesides.

“It’s not going to come down from Washington: It’s got to go up from the local communities. That’s why I threw my hat in the ring for this seat: I’m convinced the only way to turn things around in America, especially economic-wise, we’re going to have to start at the bottom and go to the top.”

Increasing access to affordable housing, he continues, is “something that’s badly needed. We can’t continue to do it the way we’ve done it in the past with Pisgah View, Lee Walker Heights, Hillcrest. … We’ve got to do things different. I want to see us put more people in independent housing: mix them up, give them pride in taking care of their houses. That’s the way to do it. If we don’t help people economically, if we don’t make the people tax payers rather than tax takers, we are not going to be successful going forward.”

PRICED OUT For growing numbers of local people, though, notes Whitesides, finding any kind of housing is becoming ever more challenging.

“If somebody’s making minimum wage, they can’t afford to live in Buncombe County,” he points out.

“I run into more and more people who live in Madison, Transylvania, Haywood counties and also driving down the mountain to McDowell County because they can’t afford to live here. And that’s something we’ve got to change.” The minimum wage in North Carolina is $7.25 per hour; at that rate, someone working 40 hours a week makes $15,080 a year before taxes.

But even moving farther out won’t necessarily solve the problem. As of the third quarter of 2016, the median

monthly rent in the Asheville metropolitan statistical area (which includes Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson and Madison counties) was $1,044, according to Bowen National Research. For a one-bedroom apartment, the median rent was $930 a month, or $11,160 per year. The city of Asheville hired the Ohio-based consulting firm to produce the housing study in 2014; it was just updated in December.

Just Economics, an Asheville-based nonprofit, tracks employers in WNC that pay what the organization says is a genuine living wage for this area.

By the end of last year, the nonprofit had certified 337 of them in Buncombe County, though there may well be others that haven’t sought certification.

As of the first quarter of 2016, there were 8,875 business establishments in the county, according to the state Commerce Department’s Labor and Economic Analysis Division.

For 2017, Just Economics has set the local living wage at $13 an hour without employer-subsidized health insurance and $11.50 with insurance, up from $12.50 and $11.85, respectively, last year. But even at $13 an hour, someone working 40 hours a week would earn $27,040 a year before taxes, which would still make it hard to afford the median one-bedroom apartment rent.

The 2014 Bowen report showed high and low rent figures as well as the median; for Buncombe, Henderson and Madison counties, the low-end rent for a one-bedroom apartment was $548 a month. That works out to $6,576 per year — a hefty chunk of the annual income for a minimum-wage worker — and those rents would also be higher by now.

REMOVING BARRIERS “If a man doesn’t have a job or an income, he has neither life nor liberty nor the possibility for the pursuit of happiness. He merely exists,” King maintained in his 1968 National Cathedral sermon.

And when you look at the last presidential election, says Whitesides, “What happened here was a lot of Americans are hurting and disillusioned with Washington, and they want to see something different. In order to do that, we’ve got to work together. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Democrat, Republican or independent. It’s going to take all of us working together to remove barriers.”

Asked about specific policies he’d like to see implemented at the county level, Whitesides said he’s not ready to show his hand yet. But he added, “I’m not there to keep a seat warm: I want to get something done.” X

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SPENDING SPREE: City voters approved a $74 million bond referendum in November. Now it’s time for city officials to begin detailed planning about how the money will be used. Graphic by Scott Southwick

BY VIRGINIA DAFFRON vdaffron@mountainx.com Now that Asheville voters have spoken in favor of $74 million in bond funding, what happens next? According to

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JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2017

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Assistant City Manager Cathy Ball, city staff members are eager to move forward. At the same time, she says, the quality of the city’s execution will be critical: “The way we do this work makes a big difference for our community.”

To guard against budget overruns, Ball explained to City Council on Dec. 13, each project budget will include a contingency amount, and all estimates used for planning purposes will include inflation projec-

tions. The city will use value engineering, a planning discipline that analyzes the cost and performance of building components to determine the lowest cost over the lifespan of the project while meeting functional requirements. Design contracts will require that projects achieve construction cost estimates equal to 90 percent or less of the project’s overall budget when the design is 90 percent complete.

Staffing up to manage the bondrelated projects over the next seven years could be a challenge. As City Manager Gary Jackson explained before the Council decided to place the bond issue on November’s ballot, the city will need to add new staff members to handle the increased load.

According to Ball, city managers decided to create a director of capital projects position to oversee all city capital projects, which include $122 million in projects under its capital improvement plan over the next five years, as well as $74 million in bond-funded projects.

An interim capital projects director will be appointed in the near future, Ball says. That person will provide leadership while the city searches for a permanent director.

The city also plans to hire six additional related employees within the Capital Projects Division.

Ensuring timely project progress and completion, Ball continued, will be accomplished through detailed project scheduling for each individual project. She described an interactive website developed by Winston-Salem to manage and communicate project information for $139.2 million in bonds approved by that city’s voters in 2014. Asheville will create a similar website, she said, which will show residents each project’s status and the total amount of money spent in real time.

In January, Ball said, an interim working team made up of members of the city’s Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and Facilities Management departments will continue planning for bond projects. Also in January, Council will hold a work session to consider next steps and priorities. As the fiscal year 2018 city budget is developed from January through June, Council will plan for bond-related projects alongside other projects in the city’s Capital Improvement Program. Council will approve the FY 2018 budget in June, she said, for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT LOSES ANOTHER DIRECTOR Jason Nortz, Asheville’s most recent development services director, vacated his post in late December. Diane Meek, who formerly served as the department’s business technology project manager, was appointed interim director.

According to both Meek and city spokesperson Polly McDaniel, Nortz left Asheville to accept a job opportunity closer to his extended family on the West Coast.

The Development Services Department oversees a range of business and construction activities. Permitting, inspections, stormwater, ordinances and enforcement all fall under its purview. At the City Manager’s Development Forum on Nov. 18, Nortz reported that the department serves an average of nearly 100 customers a day in its Development Center on South Charlotte Street. To shorten wait times, the department has issued a request for proposals for an electronic document review system, he said.

Nortz joined the city in March 2015 from Palo Alto, Calif. Wayne Clark was hired from Port Orange, Fla., to lead the department in November 2015 but left about a month later to return to his previous employer. Nortz then served as director from Jan. 22 until announcing his departure in December.

NEW HR DIRECTOR JOINS CITY Peggy Rowe assumed leadership of the city of Asheville’s Human Resources Department on Wednesday, Jan. 4. Formerly the human resources director of Hillsborough County, Fla., Rowe has also worked in public- and private-sector positions in Pinellas County, Fla., and Atlanta.

Rowe holds a master’s degree in human resources development from Georgia State University in Atlanta.

City spokesperson Polly McDaniel says that Asheville’s human resources director oversees hiring, compensation, benefits, employment policies, employee development, employee health services and wellness programs for about 1,100 full- and part-time employees.

The human resources director position had been vacant since April 2015. James Ayres served as interim director. X

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 301 N. Washington St., Hendersonville, 697-4725 • 3rd TUESDAYS, 2-4pm - Apple Users Support Group. Free.

JANUARY 11 - 19, 2017

CALENDAR GUIDELINES In order to qualify for a free listing, an event must benefit or be sponsored by a nonprofit or noncommercial community group. In the spirit of Xpress’ commitment to support the work of grassroots community organizations, we will also list events our staff consider to be of value or interest to the public, including local theater performances and art exhibits even if hosted by a for-profit group or business.

All events must cost no more than $40 to attend in order to qualify for free listings, with the one exception of events that benefit nonprofits. Commercial endeavors and promotional events do not qualify for free listings.

Free listings will be edited by Xpress staff to conform to our style guidelines and length. Free listings appear in the publication covering the date range in which the event occurs.

Events may be submitted via email to calendar@mountainx.com or through our online submission form at mountainx. com/calendar. The deadline for free listings is the Wednesday one week prior to publication at 5 p.m.

For a full list of community calendar guidelines, please visit mountainx. com/calendar. For questions about free listings, call 251-1333, ext. 137. For questions about paid calendar listings, please call 251-1333, ext. 320.

BENEFITS CELEBRATION SINGERS OF ASHEVILLE 230-5778, singasheville.org • Through MO (2/13) - Proceeds from purchasing a singing telegram Valentine's Day delivery featuring chocolate, roses and the Celebration Singers of Asheville benefit the Celebration Singers of Asheville.

Registration: 424-1463 or charmsfloral.com. $40-$200.

HENDERSONVILLE COMMUNITY THEATRE 229 S. Washington St., Hendersonville, 6921082, hendersonvillelittletheater.org • SA (1/14), 4pm - Proceeds from “A Rich Blend,” piano concert with Christopher Tavernier playing piano masterpieces, benefit the Hendersonville Community Theatre. $20-$5,000.

• SU (1/15), 4pm - Proceeds from “Cappuccino,” piano and clarinet concert with Christopher Tavernier and Matthew Hanna, benefit the Hendersonville Community Theatre. $20-$5,000.

MLK JR. PRAYER BREAKFAST 281-1624, mlkasheville.org/annual-prayer-breakfast/ • SA (1/14), 8am - Proceeds from this prayer breakfast with keynote speaker Patricia Russell-McCloud benefit the Martin Luther King Association of Asheville and Buncombe County. $25/$35 patron tickets.

Held at Crowne Plaza Resort, 1 Resort Drive

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MLK JR. CANDLELIGHT SERVICE 281-1624 • MO (1/16), 6[m - Candlelight service that honors area citizens and organizations that have dedicated themselves to the cause of social justice. Held at Central United Methodist Church, MLK JR. PEACE MARCH & RALLY 281-1624 • MO (1/16), 11:30am - Peace march and rally meets at St. James AME Church and marches to the City-County Plaza at noon. Meets at St. James AME Church, 44 Hildebrand St.

RECYCLING MADE EASY: On Saturday, Jan. 14, local nonprofit Asheville GreenWorks hosts the first of its five annual Hard 2 Recycle events for 2017. The public is invited to drop off difficult-to-recycle items from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the parking lot of Aaron’s Rent to Own at 1298 Patton Ave. in West Asheville. “This is our first event of the year, which is often a pretty busy one with people bringing in their old TVs that have just been replaced and Styrofoam packaging from the holiday gift-giving season,” says Asheville GreenWorks Executive Director Dawn Chávez. “In 2016, we collected 107,000 pounds of materials — 53.5 tons — keeping these materials out of the landfill. We’re hoping our 2017 Hard 2 Recycle events will be just as successful.” A detailed list of all items accepted is available at ashevillegreenworks.org/hard-2-recycle. Photo courtesy of Asheville GreenWorks (p. 19) NASTY WOMEN EXHIBITION facebook.com/events/599332503589003 • FR (1/13), 6-9pm - Proceeds from sales at the Nasty Women exhibition of art benefit Planned Parenthood. Free to attend. Held at Clayspace Co-op, 119 Roberts St. WORD ON THE STREET BENEFIT 398-0209 • TH (1/12), 6-9pm - Proceeds from entreies to this latte art competition with live DJ benefit Word on the Street. Free to attend.

Held at High Five Coffee, 190 Broadway St.

CLASSES, MEETINGS & EVENTS BAVARIAN DINNER COOKING CLASS (PD.) Saturday, January 14, 6pm-9pm. $65. Veal schnitzel with local wild mushrooms sour cream gravy. Potato Rosti and apple strudel w/whipped cream for finale. • Sign-up or explore more classes: www.ofrishomecooking.com/category/ classes COOKING CLASS: FISHERMAN'S STEW BOUILLABAISSE TO CIOPPINO (PD.) Local sharp cheese and crusty homemade bread and butter. BYO white wine to complete this meal to perfection. 917-5665238. www.ofrishomecooking.com POLE DANCE + AERIAL ARTS + FLEXIBILITY CLASSES AT EMPYREAN ARTS (PD.) •Exotic Pole Dance on Mondays 8:009:15pm •Beginning Pole on Wednesdays

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5:30-6:30pm, Thursdays 11:00am-12:00pm, Saturdays 11:45am-12:45pm, and Sundays 5:45-6:45pm •Flexibility on Tuesdays 8:00-9:15pm and Thursdays 1:00-2:15pm.

•Beginning Aerial Arts on Tuesdays from 11:00am-12:00pm and Wednesdays 4:155:15pm. Sign up at Empyreanarts.org.

THE GREATEST EVENT IN HISTORY IS UNFOLDING NOW (PD.) The Transformation Has Begun. Maitreya, The World Teacher is in the world. Rise of people power. Economic, Social, environmental justice. UFO sightings. Crop Circles.

Signs/miracles. Find out how these events are related. Saturday, January 21 - Asheville Friends Meeting house. 227 Edgewood Rd. 2pm. Free presentation. 828-398-0609 ANNUAL KENILWORTH CELEBRATION OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. 273-3747, kenilworthchurch.org • MO (1/16), 5:30pm - "Memoir as Manifesto: A Push for Social Justice through Community Service.” potluck and presentation by founding member of the Winston Salem Chapter of the Black Panther Party, Hazel Mack. The event will include crafts for children and a live DJ. Free to attend. Held at Kenilworth Presbyterian Church, 123 Kenilworth Road ASHEVILLE CHESS CLUB 779-0319, vincentvanjoe@gmail.com • WEDNESDAYS, 6:30pm - Sets provided. All ages and skill levels welcome.

Beginners lessons available. Free. Held at North Asheville Recreation Center, 37 E. Larchmont Road

ASHEVILLE TOASTMASTERS CLUB 914-424-7347, ashevilletoastmasters.com • THURSDAYS, 6:15pm - General meeting.

Free. Held at YMI Cultural Center, 39 South Market St. BLUE RIDGE TOASTMASTERS CLUB blueridgetoastmasters.com/membersarea/, fearless@blueridgetoastmasters.org • Through FR (1/20) - Open registration for the "Be Fearless: Speak and Lead with Confidence Workshop," taking place MONDAYS (1/23) until (2/13) from noon1:25pm. Registration required: fearless. blueridgetoastmasters.com. $20. Held at Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, 36 Montford Ave. BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/ library • WE (1/11), 6-7:30pm - "Preventing Identity Theft," workshop with OnTrack WNC. Registration: 255-5166. Free. Held at West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road • MO (12/16), 10am-noon - "Itch to Stitch," needlework group. Free. Held at Weaverville Public Library, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville ETHICAL HUMANIST SOCIETY OF

ASHEVILLE 687-7759, aeu.org • SU (1/15), 2-3:30pm - “MLK and Building Bridges” presentation by Danae Jones Aicher, Building Bridges board member. Free. Held at Asheville Friends Meetinghouse, 227 Edgewood Road

MOMS DEMAND ACTION momsdemandaction.org • 3rd MONDAYS, 4:30pm - Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense in America, general meeting. Free. Held at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 337 Charlotte St. ONTRACK WNC 50 S. French Broad Ave., 255-5166, ontrackwnc.org • WE (1/11), noon-1:30pm - "Budgeting and Debt Class." Registration required.

Free.

• WEDNESDAYS (1/11) until (1/25), 5:308pm - "Manage Your Money Series."

Registration required. Free.

• TH (1/12), 5:30-7pm - "Dreaming of a Debt Free Life," class. Registration required. Free.

• TU (1/17), noon-1:30pm - "How to Find Extra Income in Your Day-to-Day Life," workshop. Registration required. Free.

• TU (1/17), 5:30-7pm - "Understanding Credit. Get it. Keep it. Improve it."

Workshop. Registration required. Free.

SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE showingupforracialjustice.org • 3rd TUESDAYS, 7pm - Coalition building session. Free. Held at Kairos West Community Center, Haywood Road, Asheville

DANCE STUDIO ZAHIYA, DOWNTOWN DANCE CLASSES (PD.) Monday 12pm Barre Wkt 4pm Ballet Wkt 5pm Bellydance Drills 6pm Hip Hop Wkt 7pm Classical Ballet Series 8pm Bellydance with Veils Series • Tuesday 9am Hip Hop Wkt 6pm Intro to Bellydance 7pm Bellydance 2 8pm Advanced Bellydance • Wednesday 12pm 80/90s Hip Hop Wkt 5pm Hip Hop Wkt 5pm Bollywood 6pm Bhangra Series 7pm Hula 8pm Lyrical Series • Thursday 9am Hip Hop Wkt 4pm Girls Hip Hop 5pm Teens Hip Hop 6pm West African Drumming 7pm West African • Friday 9am Hip Hop Wkt 4:30pm Kids Jazz • Saturday 9:30am Hip Hop Wkt 10:45 Buti Yoga Wkt • Sunday 4:30pm Dance party 6:45pm Electronic Yoga Wkt • $13 for 60 minute classes, Wkt $6. 90 1/2 N. Lexington Avenue. www.studiozahiya.com :: 828.242.7595

SWING ASHEVILLE swingasheville.com • TUESDAYS, 8-11pm - Jazz N' Justice: Beginner swing lessons at 8pm. Open swing dance with live jazz at 9pm. $10 beginner lesson/$5 open dance. Held at The BLOCK off biltmore, 39 South Market St.

ECO 24TH ANNUAL SPRING CONFERENCE (PD.) March 10-12, 2017. Keynotes: Gabe Brown & Matthew and Althea Raiford. UNCA. 140+ practical, affordable, regionally-appropriate sessions on organic growing, homesteading, farming. Trade show, seed exchange, kid’s program.

Organicgrowersschool.org.

ASHEVILLE GREENWORKS 254-1776, ashevillegreenworks.org • SA (1/14), 10am-2pm - "Hard 2 Recycle," event for the public to drop off hard to recycle items. Free.

Held at Aaron's Rent to Own, 1298 Patton Ave.

FOOD & BEER DOWNTOWN WELCOME TABLE haywoodstreet.org/2010/07/ the-welcome-table/ • SUNDAYS, 4:30pm - Community meal. Free. Held at Haywood Street Congregation, 297 Haywood St. FLETCHER CHILI COOK-OFF 687-0751, fletcherparks.org • Through FR (1/20) - Applications accepted for cooks who wish to participate in the Fletcher Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 11:30am-2pm. Registration: FletcherParks.org.

LEICESTER COMMUNITY CENTER 2979 New Leicester Highway, Leicester, 774-3000, facebook.com/ Leicester.Community.Center • 3rd TUESDAYS, 2:30-3:30pm - Manna FoodBank distribution, including local produce. Free.

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS BUNCOMBE COUNTY SENIOR DEMOCRATS 274-4482 • TH (1/12), 6pm - Potluck dinner and general meeting featuring

speaker Heather McLaughlin.

Free. Held at Buncombe County Democratic Headquarters, 951 Old Fairview Road HENDERSON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY 905 S. Greenville Highway, Hendersonville, 692-6424, myhcdp.com • SA (1/14), 9-11am - Monthly breakfast with guest speaker Kristen Martin, executive coordinator of Thrive. $9/$4.50 children under 10.

KIDS ASHEVILLE MUSIC SCHOOL 126 College St., 252-6244, ashevillemusicschool.com • WE (1/11), 7pm - Placement auditions for the youth string ensemble.

For ages seven and up. Contact for registration and full guidelines: gabrielle@ashevillemusicschool.org or 252-6244.

BARNES AND NOBLE BOOKSELLERS ASHEVILLE MALL 3 S. Tunnel Road, 296-7335 • SA (1/14), 11am - Storytime and activities featuring the book, How Do Dinosaurs Choose Their Pets?

Free to attend.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/governing/ depts/library • WE (1/11), 4pm - After-school art club with the Asheville Art Museum.

Free. Held at Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Road, Leicester • FR (1/13), 4pm - Cosplay club with snacks for teens 13 and up. Free.

Held at Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Road, Candler FLETCHER LIBRARY 120 Library Road, Fletcher, 687-1218, library.hendersoncountync.org • WEDNESDAYS, 10:30am - Family story time. Free.

HANDS ON! A CHILDREN'S GALLERY 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville, 697-8333 • Through FR (1/13), 10am-5pm Curiosity Week: Curious George activities for children of all ages.

Admission fees apply.

• WE (1/11), 11am - "Book n’ Craft," reading of 10 Little Naughty Monkeys by Suzanne Williams followed by a craft. For all ages.

Admission fees apply.

• TH (1/12), 11am-noon - "Blue Ridge Humane Day," activities and visit an animal from the Blue Ridge Humane Society. Admission fees apply.

HAYWOOD COUNTY LIBRARYCANTON 11 Pennsylvania Ave., Canton, 648-2924, haywoodlibrary.org • TU (1/17), 3:30-5pm - "Budgeting 101," workshop for teenagers.

Registration required: 648-2924.

Free.

Jan. 12 - FULL MOON Tarot Reader: Becky, 12-6pm

Jan. 14 - Intro to Sif, AVL Edition: Hosted by Angie Kunschmann, 1-2pm, $10

MALAPROP'S BOOKSTORE AND CAFE 55 Haywood St., 254-6734, malaprops.com • WEDNESDAYS, 10am - Miss Malaprop's Story Time for ages 3-9.

Free to attend.

Jan. 15 - The Welcoming Circle: 5-6pm, Donations Jan. 16 - Astrologer: Spiritsong, 12-6pm

SMITH-MCDOWELL HOUSE MUSEUM 283 Victoria Road, 253-9231, wnchistory.org • Through TH (1/19) - Open registration for the "Morse Code Friendship Bracelets" event for children taking place Saturday, Jan. 21, from 1:30am-12:30pm.

Registration: wnchistory.org or 235-9231. $7.

Jan. 17 - The Psychic Mediumship Development Circle: 6-8pm, $30 Jan. 21 Magical Beeswax Candle Making Class: 3-5pm, $25

SPELLBOUND CHILDREN'S BOOKSHOP 640 Merrimon Ave., #204, 708-7570, spellboundchildrensbookshop.com • SATURDAYS, 11am - Storytime for ages 3-7. Free to attend.

STEPHENS LEE RECREATION CENTER 30 George Washington Carver Ave. • Through FR (1/20) - Open registration for "Tot Time: Mixed Up + Messy," toddler art program with the Asheville Art Museum that runs Monday, Jan. 23 through Friday, Mar. 17. Registration required: 350-2058.

OUTDOORS ASHEVILLE AMBLERS WALKING CLUB ashevilleamblers.com • SA (1/14), 9:30am - 5K or !0K group walk in Brevard's Downtown.

Free. Meet at Food Lion parking lot, College Square mini-mall, Brevard

Buying, Selling or Investing in Real Estate?

(828) 210-1697

www.TheMattAndMollyTeam.com

Magical Offerings

Over 100 Herbs Available!

555 Merrimon Ave. (828) 424-7868 Daily readers including Scrying, Runes, Tarot, & More! Walk-ins welcome!

Intent to Apply and Public Hearings Notice Community Action Opportunities (CAO) will submit an application for $625,148 to the Office of Economic Opportunity-Community Services Block Grant in order to continue operating a selfsufficiency project in FY 2017-18. CAO provides comprehensive case management services to Buncombe, McDowell and Madison citizens who meet the federal income guidelines and work/able to work.

Further details about the program can be found at http://www.communityactionopportunities.org/lifeworks.html.

CAO will host four public hearings: 1) Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at Madison County Library-Mars Hill Branch at 11:30am 2) Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at McDowell County Library-Marion Branch at 4:30pm 3) Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at CAO Main Office [25 Gaston Street-Asheville] at 12:00pm and 4) Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at Black Mountain Library at 3:30pm. CAO’s Board of Directors-Executive Committee will meet to review and approve the grant application Monday, January 23, 2017 at CAO Main Office at 1:30pm. The public is welcome to attend in person or via webinar any of these events.

Email trudy.logan@communityactionopportunities.org the webinar you wish to attend at least 24 hours prior to the event in order to receive the log-in information.

In case of inclement weather, all events will occur via webinar. Call 828-252-2495 or email for additional information.

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C O N S C I O U S PA R T Y

By Kat McReynolds | kmcreynolds@mountainx.com

Nasty Women Exhibition

C OMMUNITY C ALE NDAR LAKE JAMES STATE PARK 6883 N.C. Highway 126, Nebo, 584-7728 • SA (1/14), 8:30am - "Winter Bird Hike."

Ranger led easy walk on the Holly Discovery Trail. Free.

• SA (1/14), 11am - "100 Mile Challenge Hike," 4-mile moderate ranger-led hike around the Mill’s Creek trail. Part of the challenge to hike 100 miles in 2017. Free.

• SU (1/15), 9:45am - "Open Water Birding Expedition," ranger led boat tour focused on water birds. Registration required. Free.

PISGAH ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE 1 PARI Drive, Rosman, 862-5554, pari.edu • FR (1/13), 7pm - "Is the Sky Falling?"

Presentation and campus tour followed by stargazing. Registration required. $20/$15 seniors and military/Free for children under 11.

PISGAH CHAPTER OF TROUT UNLIMITED pisgahchaptertu.org/New-Meetinginformation.html • 2nd THURSDAYS, 7pm - General meeting and presentation by Jeb Hall, fly fishing guide and instructor for Davidson River Outfitters. Free to attend. Held at Ecusta Brewery, 36 E Main St., Brevard SWANNANOA VALLEY MUSEUM HIKES 669-9566, swannanoavalleymuseum.org • WE (1/11), 7pm - Informational meeting for the Swannanoa Valley Museum 2017 hikes.

Free to attend. Held at Black Dome Mountain Sports, 140 Tunnel Road • TH (1/12), 7pm - Informational meeting for the Swannanoa Valley Museum 2017 hikes.

Free to attend. Held at REI Asheville, 31 Schenck Parkway

“Red Guinea Chicks Stacker”

by Cornbread

Cornbread and Other Artists

Saturday January 14, 2017 10am-4pm Leicester Community Center 2978 Leicester Hwy 20

JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2017

DIRT DON’T HURT: Clayspace Co-op member Kristin Schoonover is collecting artwork from self-proclaimed “nasty women” in Western North Carolina and beyond for a Planned Parenthood fundraiser. Due to the nature of her network, many of the pieces are clay-based art. Photo courtesy of the artist WHAT: A multiartist exhibit benefiting Planned Parenthood WHERE: Clayspace Co-op WHEN: Friday, Jan. 13, 6-9 p.m. (opening reception); Saturday, Jan. 14, and Tuesday-Thursday, Jan. 17-19, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHY: During a presidential debate, President-elect Donald Trump responded to a jab from Hillary Clinton, calling her “such a nasty woman.” That word pairing resonated among feminists, many of whom reclaimed it as mark of empowerment in online posts.

Local women are also borrowing the phrase for an upcoming event that aims to “demonstrate solidarity among artists who identify with being a ’nasty woman’ in the face of threats to roll back women’s rights, individual rights and abortion rights.”

Kristin Schoonover, a member at the Clayspace Co-op, began soliciting art donations after her fellow studio mates agreed to transform one of their shared gallery rooms into a pop-up art shop.

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“We all kind of feel the same way about the election and the future — and having anxiety about it,” she says.

So, “everybody was down” to host a fundraiser.

Schoonover has already surpassed her initial goal of collecting 60 pieces, which will be up for sale at set prices suggested by each artist. On opening night, when Schoonover expects most items to sell, she’ll also offer refreshments to shoppers.

“We’ve gotten some of everything,” she says of the mediums. That includes photographs, paintings, illustrations, woodworks and plenty of clay-based artwork. Plus, Schoonover adds: “If anybody wants to buy any of [Clayspace members’] items that aren’t in the show, we’re going to donate 10 percent of anything sold the night of the opening to Planned Parenthood.”

Visit nastywomenexhibitionavl.com for more information on the event. Admission is free. X

SENIORS YMCA OF WNC 210-2265, ymcawnc.org • Through WE (1/11) - Open registration for "A Matter of Balance," eight week evidence based workshop series for fall prevention.

Information: healthyagingnc.com. Registration required. Free. Held at Reuter YMCA, 3 Town Center Blvd.

SPIRITUALITY ABOUT THE TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION TECHNIQUE • FREE INTRODUCTORY TALK (PD.) Deep within everyone is a wellspring of peace, energy and happiness. With proper instruction anyone can access that rejuvenating inner source—effortlessly—and enjoy great results from every meditation. Learn how TM is different from mindfulness, watching your breath, common mantra meditation and everything else. NIH-sponsored research shows deep revitalizing rest, reduced stress and anxiety, improved brain functioning and heightened well-being. Thursday, 6:30-7:30pm, Asheville TM Center, 165 E. Chestnut. 828-254-4350.

TM.org or MeditationAsheville.org ASTRO-COUNSELING (PD.) Licensed counselor and accredited professional astrologer uses your chart when counseling for additional insight into yourself, your relationships and life directions. Readings also avail-

by Abigail Griffin

Send your event listings to calendar@mountainx.com

able. Christy Gunther, MA, LPC. (828) 258-3229.

FULL MOON TRANSMISSION MEDITATION (PD.) Want to help the world? Group meditation that 'steps down' energies from the Masters of Wisdom for use by people working for a better world. Non-sectarian. No fees. A simple altruistic service for the world. Free. Wednesday.

January 11. 7pm. Crystal Visions.

5426 Asheville Hwy. Information: 828-398-0609.

METAPHYSICAL COUNSELING AND ENERGY HEALING (PD.) New to Asheville. 33 years experience. Pechet Healing Technique: experience intuitive counseling and energy work directed toward permanent resolution of core issues! Trauma, depression, anxiety and more. Call today. Ellie Pechet, M.Ed. 508-237-4929. www.phoenixrisinghealing.com SHAMBHALA MEDITATION CENTER (PD.) Wednesdays, 10-midnight, Thursdays, 7-8:30pm and Sundays, 10-noon • Meditation and community. Admission by donation.

60 N. Merrimon Ave., #113, (828) 200-5120. asheville.shambhala.org BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/governing/ depts/library • FR ( 1/13), 6:10pm - "Healing on the Spiritual Path." Information: brunoasheville.com. Free. Held at North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave. CENTRAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 27 Church St., 253-3316, centralumc.org • WEDNESDAYS (1/11) until (3/29), 6pm - Yoga class with a focus on faith and spirituality. Free.

CREATION CARE ALLIANCE OF WNC creationcarealliance.org • TH (1/12), 5:30-7pm - General meeting. Free. Held at First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak St. GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 1245 Sixth Ave., W. Hendersonville, 693-4890, gracelutherannc.com • Through WE (1/11) - Open registration for the "When God's Spirt Moves," Bible study group taking place on Wednesdays from Jan. 17 through Feb. 21. $8.

• 2nd FRIDAYS, 1-2pm - Nondenominational healing prayer group. Free.

URBAN DHARMA 225-6422, udharmanc.com/ • THURSDAYS, 7:30-9pm - Open Sangha night. Free. Held at Urban Dharma, 29 Page Ave

SPOKEN & WRITTEN WORD BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/governing/ depts/library • SA (1/14), 10am - Book Club: Just Kids by Patti Smith. Free.

Held at West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road • SA (1/14), 12pm - Reading by Meta Commerse from her novel, The Mending Time. Free. Held at West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road • TU (1/17), 7pm - Fairview Book Club: What Do You Buy The Children of Terrorists Who Tried to Kill Your Wife, a memoir by David Harris-Gershon. Free. Held at Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Road, Fairview • TU (1/17), 7pm - Mystery Book Club: Dear Irene by Jan Burke.

Free. Held at Black Mountain Public Library, 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain FLETCHER LIBRARY 120 Library Road, Fletcher, 687-1218, library.hendersoncountync.org • 2nd THURSDAYS, 10:30am Book Club. Free.

• 2nd THURSDAYS, 1:30pm Writers' Guild. Free.

MALAPROP'S BOOKSTORE AND CAFE 55 Haywood St., 254-6734, malaprops.com • WE (1/11), 6pm - Alan Bernheimer and Ronald Manheimer present, Lost Profiles: Memoirs of Cubism, Dada and Surrealism. Free to attend.

• TU (1/12), 6pm - Poetry readings by Luke Hankins and Claire Bateman. Free to attend.

• FR (1/13), 4PM - "Poetry on Request," with local poets. Free to attend.

• FR (1/13), 6pm - "Hamilton Trivia Night," with raffle, refreshments and prizes. Free to attend.

• SA (1/14), 6pm - Rose Senehi presents her novel, Saturday, Carolina Belle. Free to attend.

• SU (1/15), 3pm - "Writers at Home Series" with Tommy Hays and work from The Great Smokies Review. Free to attend.

• TU (1/17), 6pm - “An Evening of Fantastical Insanity,” with John Hartness and Jake Bible.

NORTH CAROLINA WRITERS' NETWORK ncwriters.org • Through MO (1/30) Submissions accepted for the 2017 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize. See website for full guidelines.

• Through SU (1/15) - Submissions accepted for the 2017 Rose Post Creative Nonfiction Competition.

Contact for full guidelines.

SPELLBOUND CHILDREN'S BOOKSHOP 640 Merrimon Ave., #204, 708-7570, spellboundchildrensbookshop.com • MO (1/16), 6pm - Susan Dennard​ presents her young adult fantasy, Windwitch. Free to attend.

SYNERGY STORY SLAM avl.mx/0gd • WE (1/11), 8-10pm - Storytelling night on the theme "Fame."

Sign-ups at 7:30pm. Free to attend. Held at Odditorium, 1045 Haywood Road WILMA DYKEMAN LEGACY 458-5813, wilmadykemanlegacy.org, stokely.jim@gmail.com • 2nd THURSDAYS, 5:30pm Thomas Wolfe Book Club. Free.

Held at Thomas Wolfe Memorial, 52 North Market St.

VOLUNTEERING TUTOR ADULTS IN NEED WITH THE LITERACY COUNCIL (PD.) Literacy and English language skills help people rise out of poverty and support their families.

Volunteer and give someone a second chance to learn. Sign up for volunteer orientation on 2/22 (9:00 am) or 2/23 (5:30 pm) by emailing volunteers@litcouncil.com. www.litcouncil.com HANDS ON ASHEVILLEBUNCOMBE 2-1-1, handsonasheville.org • WE (1/11), 4-5:30pm - Volunteer to help keep up with the maintenance of the Veneer Community Garden. Registration required.

• SA (1/14), 9am-noon- Volunteer to help pack food items into backpack-sized parcels that are distributed to local schools.

Registration required.

• SA (1/14), 10:30am-noon Volunteer to help create book packages for people recently placed in new housing by Homeward Bound of Asheville.

Registration required.

• SU (1/15), 1-2:30pm - Volunteer to knit hats for community members in need. All skill levels welcome. Registration required.

• MO (1/16), 6-8:30pm - Volunteer to help bake homemade cookies for hospice patients and their families. Registration required.

MOUNTAINTRUE 258-8737, wnca.org • SA (1/14) & TU (1/17), 10am4pm - Volunteer to help plant livestakes along eroding riverbanks.

Registration: mountaintrue.org/ eventscalendar/ For more volunteering opportunities visit mountainx.com/volunteering

COMING SOON! 2017

specialty shops issue

Contact us today!

828-251-1333 x 320 advertise@mountainx.com MOUNTAINX.COM

JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2017

21

WELLNESS

LETTING GO Asheville yoga and meditation instructors offer guidance for the new year

LIVING WITH KINDNESS: “My resolution is to release the previous year and step into the new one with a wiser, kinder and more loving self,” says Sierra Hollister, a yoga instructor at Asheville Yoga Center. Photo courtesy of Asheville Yoga Center

BY KATE LUNDQUIST kvlundo@gmail.com With so many resolutions swirling around this time of year, yoga and meditation instructors in Asheville share their own intentions and offer guidance for the coming year.

While we set intentions for ourselves, they remind us to use the resources of the community around us to maintain our focus as well as broaden it to the larger world.

“I set up a handful of important themes for the new year,” says

22

JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2017

Ryan Oelke, meditation teacher and psychologist. “A lot of people do new things like a random challenge, but to me it has to tie in to what is really organically relevant to your life.”

You have to get honest with yourself, says Oelke, who last month launched a side business in Asheville called Awakening in Life, which offers meditation practices and life coaching. “If you want a regular meditation practice to be part of life, maybe that means for the first 30 days the goal is 10 minutes a day and then reassess after

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that time. It needs to be personally relevant and remain open to how it takes form,” Oelke says.

“I’m trying to help people feel the relevance and depth and path of awakening in their lives and to see if meditation can be used for awakening,” Oelke continues. “To me that makes it easier. You don’t need to go somewhere else, because in daily life there are opportunities to open up in deeper ways.” Oelke says his online courses provide accountability, which can make it much easier to maintain resolutions and practices.

Vanessa Caruso, massage therapist and yin yoga instructor at Anjali Yoga Studio in Asheville, has been focusing on not being afraid of pain and discomfort. “I’ve been trying to let go of fear, because I think it will allow more space for transformation,” she says. “That is what I bring into my practice as well. By cultivating a gentleness and a patience for my own healing, I can bring that more to my sessions with my clients. Tension and stress cannot be forcefully released.”

Caruso notes that we have a need for connection and commu-

nity around healing and transformation. “For 2017, I am hoping that we can each find that support and encourage each other to be more true to ourselves,” says Caruso, who holds these intentions not only for herself and the Asheville community but also for the world. “That is why for me the community piece is important,” says Caruso. “We can get distracted and fall into our own little worlds. We need to keep coming together for the purpose of feeling, connecting and reminding each other what is really important.”

The word “resolution,” says Sierra Hollister, a yoga teacher in Asheville since 1995, “comes from the Latin noun ‘resolutio,’ and this word means ‘to loosen or release.’

So to me, the energy of resolution is an energy of letting go. The foundation of moving forward into the new year begins with a letting go of, a releasing of, the previous year.”

The need to release is especially important at this time, she adds, as 2016 was a tough year for many people as well as the planet. “I am looking forward to releasing any incorrect perceptions and negative emotions I have had, as well as those of

the collective,” says Hollister, a leader in the Asheville yoga community. She traveled to Standing Rock, N.D., to bring attention to the protest about water, and she co-founded the local nonprofit Light a Path, which brings yoga to underserved populations such as the incarcerated, atrisk youths, people in recovery and the economically disadvantaged.

“To me, yoga is love,” says Hollister. “It is the highest potential of what we are and what we can be. If yoga is a union of body, mind and spirit, I want my union of self to radiate more love, to be able to move with more compassion and more wisdom. My resolution is to release the previous year and step into the new one with a wiser, kinder and more loving self.”

Especially in these turbulent times, we need to take the time to ensure that our actions and words are reflecting the love and kindness of our most present, wise self, she continues. “We need to tend to our own body temples, simply because we need the energy, vitality and well-being to rise up and be the light, be the love,” says Hollister.

“Without the balance of self-care and action in the world, we miss the mark. We can only run so far if our tank is empty.

“Those of us that have the good fortune of having practices of wellness to nourish ourselves need to take the fruit of our practice out into the world and share it,” Hollister says. “It is on us to discern where our heart is calling us and where we can stand on deck and make a difference. Now more than ever before, so much hangs in the balance, in not only humanity but our entire planet. ... I believe that we are capable of this immense task. It is why we are here, now.” X

MORE INFO Ryan Oelke awakening.life Vanessa Caruso facebook.com/geodebodywork Sierra Hollister sunlotusyoga.com

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Sunday, January 29th 3-5pm, $25 Le Coeur 602 A Haywood Rd., West Asheville Join me for a hands-on workshop that will help you take back the power in your life and fully express your whole self. Using movement and other resources, we will: DISCOVER what drains your energy and keeps you from fulfillment.

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JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2017

23

H U MOR

WELLN ESS CA LEN DA R

WELLNESS LET YOUR LYMPH SYSTEM WORK FOR YOU (PD.) Clear stuffy heads, heal quicker, reduce stress, detoxify, decrease fluid retention.Discover Manual Lymph Drainage Massage with Jean Coletti, PT. 828-2733950. ColettiPT.com HARRIS WOMEN’S CARE 70 The Village Overlook, Sylva • TH (1/12), 6pm - "Health, Hope and Happiness thru Midlife and Beyond," presentation by nurse practitioner Kathy Walsh. Registration required: 631-8894.

Free.

QIGONG/CHI KUNG COMMUNITY PRACTICE GROUP allen@ashevilleqigong.com • FRIDAYS, 9:30am - Qigong/Chi Kung class. All levels welcome. Free to attend.

Held at The Alternative Clinic, 23 Broadway THE MEDITATION CENTER 894 E. Main St., Sylva, 356-1105, meditate-wnc.org • 2nd WEDNESDAYS, 6-8pm - "Inner Guidance from an Open Heart," class with meditation and discussion. $10.

SUPPORT GROUPS ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS & DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES adultchildren.org • Visit mountainx.com/support for full listings.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS • For a full list of meetings in WNC, call 254-8539 or aancmco.org

CHRONIC PAIN SUPPORT 989-1555, deb.casaccia@gmail.com • 2nd WEDNESDAYS, 6 pm – Held in a private home. Contact for directions.

CODEPENDENTS ANONYMOUS 242-7127 • FRIDAYS, 5:30pm - Held at First United Methodist Church of Waynesville, 556 S. Haywood Waynesville • WEDNESDAYS, 7-8pm & SATURDAYS, 11am – Held at First Congregational UCC of Asheville, 20 Oak St. • TUESDAYS 7:30pm - Held at Asheville 12-Step Recovery Club, 370 N. Louisiana Ave., Suite G4 DEBTORS ANONYMOUS debtorsanonymous.org • MONDAYS, 7pm - Held at First Congregational UCC of Asheville, 20 Oak St. DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR SUPPORT ALLIANCE 367-7660, depressionbipolarasheville.com • WEDNESDAYS, 7pm & SATURDAYS, 4pm – Held at 1316-C Parkwood Road FOOD ADDICTS ANONYMOUS 423-6191 or 242-2173 • SATURDAYS, 11am- Held at Asheville 12-Step Recovery Club, 370 N. Louisiana Ave., Suite G4 FOUR SEASONS COMPASSION FOR LIFE 233-0948, fourseasonscfl.org • THURSDAYS, 12:30pm - Grief support group. Held at SECU Hospice House, 272 Maple St., Franklin • TUESDAYS, 3:30-4:30pm - Grief support group. Held at Four Seasons Checkpoint, 373 Biltmore Ave.

ASHEVILLE WOMEN FOR SOBRIETY 215-536-8026, womenforsobriety.org • THURSDAYS, 6:30-8pm – Held at YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave.

G.E.T. R.E.A.L. phoenix69@bellsouth.net • 2nd SATURDAYS, 2pm - Group for people with chronic 'invisible' auto-immune diseases. Held at Fletcher Community Park, 85 Howard Gap Road, Fletcher

ASPERGER'S TEENS UNITED facebook.com/groups/ AspergersTeensUnited • For teens (13-19) and their parents.

Meets every 3 weeks. Contact for details.

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS gamblersanonymous.org • THURSDAYS, 6:45pm - 12-step meeting. Held at Basillica of St. Lawrence, 97 Haywood St.

675 Hr. Massage Program Begins in April Discount Available!

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JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2017

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HIV/AIDS SUPPORT GROUP 252-7489 • 1st & 3rd TUESDAYS, 6-7:30pm - Sponsored by WNCAP. Held at All Souls Counseling Center, 35 Arlington Street LIFE LIMITING ILLNESS SUPPORT GROUP 386-801-2606 • TUESDAYS, 6:30-8pm - For adults managing the challenges of life limiting illnesses. Held at Secrets of a Duchess, 1439 Merrimon Ave. LIVING WITH CHRONIC PAIN 776-4809 • 2nd WEDNESDAYS, 6:30pm - Hosted

by American Chronic Pain Association.

Held at Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston St., Swannanoa LUPUS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA, NC CHAPTER 877-849-8271, lupusnc.org • 2nd WEDNESDAYS, 7-8pm - Lupus support group for those living with lupus, their family and caregivers. Held at All Souls Cathedral, 9 Swan St. LYME DISEASE SUPPORT 230-3724 • SA (1/14), 2-4:45pm - Monthly meeting with lyme literate nutritionist speaking.

Free. Held at Skyland/South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road MINDFULNESS AND 12 STEP RECOVERY avl12step@gmail.com • WEDNESDAYS, 7:30-8:45pm Mindfulness meditation practice and 12 step program. Held at Asheville 12-Step Recovery Club, 370 N. Louisiana Ave., Suite G4 MY DADDY TAUGHT ME THAT mydaddytaughtmethat.org • MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS, 6-8pm Men's discussion group. Free. Held in 16-A Pisgah Apartment, Asheville NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS 505-7353, namiwnc.org, namiwc2015@gmail.com • 3rd TUESDAYS, 6pm - Connection group for individuals dealing with mental illness.

Held at NAMI Offices, 356 Biltmore Ave. • 3rd TUESDAYS, 6pm - For family members and caregivers of those with mental illness. Held at NAMI Offices, 356 Biltmore Ave. OUR VOICE 35 Woodfin St., 252-0562, ourvoicenc.org • Ongoing drop-in group for female identified survivors of sexual violence.

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OVERCOMERS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 665-9499 • WEDNESDAYS, noon-1pm - Held at First

Christian Church of Candler, 470 Enka Lake Road, Candler

T.H.E. CENTER FOR DISORDERED EATING

OVERCOMERS RECOVERY SUPPORT GROUP rchovey@sos-mission.org • MONDAYS, 6pm - Christian 12-step program. Held at SOS Anglican Mission, 1944 Hendersonville Road

337-4685, thecenternc.weebly.com

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS • Regional number: 277-1975. Visit mountainx.com/support for full listings.

RECOVERING COUPLES ANONYMOUS recovering-couples.org • MONDAYS 6pm - For couples where at least one member is recovering from addiction. Held at Foster Seventh Day Adventists Church, 375 Hendersonville Road REFUGE RECOVERY 225-6422, refugerecovery.org • THURSDAYS, 7:30pm - Held at Sunrise Community for Recovery & Wellness, Unit C4, 370 N. Louisiana • FRIDAYS, 7-8:30pm & SUNDAYS, 6-7:30pm - Held at Urban Dharma, 29 Page Ave • TUESDAYS, 7pm - Held at Shambhala Meditation Center, 60 N Merrimon Ave., #113 SEX ADDICTS ANONYMOUS saa-recovery.org/Meetings/UnitedStates • SUNDAYS, 7pm - Held at First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak St. • MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS, 6pm - Held at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 789 Merrimon Ave. SHIFTING GEARS 683-7195 • MONDAYS, 6:30-8pm - Group-sharing for those in transition in careers or relationships. Contact for location.

SMART RECOVERY 407-0460 • WEDNESDAYS, 6:30-8pm - Held at Sunrise Community for Recovery & Wellness, Unit C4, 370 N. Louisiana Ave. SUNRISE PEER SUPPORT VOLUNTEER SERVICES facebook.com/Sunriseinasheville • TUESDAYS through THURSDAYS, 1-3pm - Peer support services for mental health, substance abuse and wellness. Held at Kairos West Community Center, Haywood Road, Asheville SUPPORTIVE PARENTS OF TRANSKIDS spotasheville@gmail.com • 2nd WEDNESDAYS, 7pm - For parents to discuss the joys, transitions and challenges of parenting a transkid. Held at First Congregational UCC of Asheville, 20 Oak St.

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JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2017

25

GREEN SCENE

STONE SOUP

Minerals Research Lab cooks up cutting-edge solutions can help ensure that mining companies are living up to the terms of their permits.

“The public, particularly in Spruce Pine, started noting when the river would turn white from too much runoff and began calling the state and the mine directly,” he recalls, adding that residents can also weigh in when mining permits are up for renewal. “If a permit’s no good, then you can discharge a lot of pollutants without breaking the law. I think there will be some opportunities for public engagement in the coming months or year.”

BY MAX HUNT mhunt@mountainx.com Asheville’s once-neglected South Slope neighborhood has become the city’s trendy spot to grab a beer, drive in circles looking for parking and succumb to the allure of gentrification. But amid the seemingly endless proliferation of craft breweries and construction projects, one organization continues quietly working to revolutionize North Carolina’s mining industry.

For 70 years, the Minerals Research Laboratory on Coxe Avenue has collaborated with mining companies and educational institutions to develop more efficient processes for extracting the state’s mineral resources as well as ways to reuse harmful byproducts.

POINTING THE WAY Robert Mensah-Biney’s low-key manner fits the profile of the research facility he’s overseen since 2012. Softspoken and affable, he has an encyclopedic knowledge of local minerals.

The lab, originally a joint initiative of the Tennessee Valley Authority and N.C. State University, was founded in 1946; TVA’s involvement ended in 1950.

The facility’s mission, says MensahBiney, is threefold. The crown jewel is a pilot plant, the only one of its kind in the United States, with a variety of equipment that can be moved and adjusted to fit the particular project’s needs. This enables engineers and interns to calculate the amount of time and materials needed as well as the cost of building and operating a full-scale version of such a processing plant. The resulting data is then shared with the mining company that commissioned the research.

The lab also provides analytics and technical support for state-sponsored projects aimed at expanding North Carolina’s mineral industry, such as the integrated phosphate mine and chemical plant in Aurora.

Additionally, the mineral lab provides educational opportunities for kindergarten through college-level students around the region. Besides assembling and sending out free rock sample kits, DVDs and posters to teachers around the Southeast, the lab hosts field trips and does outreach in classrooms, senior process engineer Hamid Akbari explains.

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JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2017

BALANCING THE NEEDS

ROCK STARS: For 70 years, the Mineral Research Laboratory in Asheville’s South Slope neighborhood has worked with mining companies around the world to come up with efficient ways to harvest and process minerals, as well as educate the public on North Carolina’s mineral resources. Utilizing its unique pilot plant (above), the lab has the capability to provide data on the cost and scale of operations for companies to use in commercial enterprises. Photo courtesy of the Mineral Research Laboratory In 2008, the research facility partnered with UNC Asheville to create a mineral processing curriculum. “We‘ve had 50 to 60 students go through it,” Mensah-Biney reports. “Next semester, I’ll be teaching a course in flotation,” a method of separating the minerals in ore.

THE HARD ROCK CAFE The Coxe Avenue facility’s work provides key support for one of the state’s least heralded but economically significant industries. “As of 2000, there were over 700 active mines in North Carolina,” notes Mensah-Biney, citing the most recent survey of in-state mining operations. That same year, he continues, “The annual sales from mining here were about $800 million, and the estimated employment was over 100,000.”

Those operations focus mostly on industrial materials such as mica, olivine, pyrophyllite, feldspar, sand, gravel and phosphate. Spruce Pine, for example, is the world’s No. 1 producer of high-quality quartz, which is used in electronic devices such as cellphones and computers.

“We are a linchpin in the global technology industry,” says D.J. Gerken, an attorney with the nonprofit Southern Environmental Law Center. “In 2004, when the hurricanes came through and access to Spruce Pine was temporarily MOUNTAINX.COM

shut down, apparently there was a freakout in Silicon Valley because their supply got disrupted.”

MONITORING THE MESS But while the environmental impact of North Carolina’s mining operations pales compared with the havoc wreaked by mountaintop removal and hydraulic fracturing in other areas, excavating minerals can still adversely affect the surrounding ecosystem, says Gerken.

“A lot of the mines are old industrial operations,” he explains. “Like any old industrial operation, you can have old problems that have never been fixed.”

In Western North Carolina, those problems include runoff contaminating sensitive waterways, toxic chemicals embedded in the rock that are released during excavation, disruption of natural hydrology when fill is dumped in watersheds, particulates in the air and pollution associated with operating heavy machinery.

Once a mineral is extracted, the runoff of “spoil” materials left behind can have devastating effects on aquatic life, says French Broad Riverkeeper Hartwell Carson. “It smothers the habitat, clogs their gills.” A few years ago, he continues, a fisherman in the North Toe River “was burned by some of the runoff.”

Citizen groups like the Toe River Watershed Partnership, notes Carson,

Coal isn’t mined here, but burning it in power plants also causes problems.

“There’s a coal ash crisis in North Carolina that’s been going on for years,” says attorney Frank Holleman, a colleague of Gerken’s at the Southern Environmental Law Center. The advocacy group has pressured Duke Energy and other utilities in the region to clean up the ponds where the ash is stored.

Last March, Duke agreed to a $7 million settlement of groundwater contamination issues at all 14 of its coal-fired power plants in North Carolina.

“Then we had the explosion of public concern when Duke — while denying all the issues we were raising — was proven not to be telling the truth about its Dan River site in February 2014,” Holleman continues. In one of the worst such spills in U.S. history, a broken stormwater pipe sent massive quantities of coal ash and contaminated water into the river.

Since then, he says, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials have stepped up their monitoring of companies like Duke. But at the state level, Holleman asserts, “The regulatory agencies have done a pathetic job. What is now called the Department of Environmental Quality has been, if anything, a negative force: For the last four years, it’s actually fought citizen law enforcement under the Clean Water Act and opposed excavation of ash at some sites that Duke and the environmental groups had agreed needed to be cleaned up.”

Environmental regulators, Gerken maintains, are under intense pressure from powerful lobbyists in Raleigh and Washington, D.C., to overlook violations.

“When you have an important industry, it’s so tempting for the regulators to give them a pass. We’re certainly very happy to see people in WNC having jobs in productive industry, but we feel strongly that you have to do it well and balance it.”

LESSONS LEARNED Asked for a response, spokesperson Danielle Peoples said: “Duke Energy immediately accepted responsibility for the release and undertook immediate and ongoing actions to address it and provide notice to appropriate governmental authorities. We were operating in full compliance with our NPDES [National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System] permit prior to the release and had been undertaking regular inspections of the ash pond dikes as required. The failure of the pipe was sudden and unintentional.”

Since then, continued Peoples, Duke has taken the lessons learned from the Dan River incident to make sure the company is complying with new state and federal laws regulating coal ash storage and disposal, while working to close old storage ponds around the state.

“When you think about the history of coal ash management for over a century now, the industry has been continually improving as new technologies and additional research becomes available,” she pointed out. “I am proud to work with a team of dedicated professionals who are always looking for ways to improve the way we manage ash. At the core of it all, SELC is advocating for the same things we are working hard on every day: continued safety and protection of our communities, environment and resources.”

SCIENCE VS. POLITICS The Minerals Research Laboratory has also played a role in identifying potential uses for coal ash. Over the past decade, Mensah-Biney and his team have worked with Duke and others to develop innovative solutions for dealing with the byproduct.

Coal ash, stresses Holleman, “is not a resource: It’s a waste.” But he supports genuinely safe recycling methods, noting, “There’s no evidence of any leaching over time of the byproducts in concrete. If the ash can be used in any responsible way, we embrace that.”

From 2000-06, Mensah-Biney led a consortium of utility representatives, Land of Sky Regional Council staffers and academics that explored costeffective ways to reuse coal ash in construction materials.

The researchers extracted carbon from the coal ash for use in steel production; the remaining material would be used to make concrete. “We were proposing a process where you can reduce the carbon and then sell the ash to the concrete people to use right now,” Mensah-Biney recalls. The proposed plant, he notes, would have been able “to treat about 1,000 tons a day, so over 300,000 tons a year.”

Ultimately, however, Duke opted for other ash-removal strategies.

“I’ve had to give that up,” says Mensah-Biney. “I can understand the viewpoint of these companies: The majority of the public doesn’t understand it. My concern is, if you’ve spent all this money for research, why wouldn’t you educate the public and tell them this is what we can do?”

RAMPING UP RECYCLING In an effort to do just that, notes Peoples, Duke has created an ash management webpage (duke-energy.com/ ash-management), with “lots of materials, resources and videos. We seek to share this information with the public and our plant communities as often as we can.”

Duke Energy, she continues, employs an entire team dedicated to evaluating and implementing reuse opportunities. In 2016, the company recycled “more than 80 percent of the ash and other coal combustion products produced at our plants.”

Those waste products became components in concrete, cement, wallboard and “structural fills” such as the one at the Asheville Regional Airport’s ongoing land reclamation project.

Under revised North Carolina law, Duke is required to make at least 900,000 tons of ash available for use in the concrete market annually, says Peoples. “To do this requires a large investment in technology designed to reprocess coal ash from basins and make it more suitable to recycle into concrete products. Often, coal ash contains too much carbon to be used as aggregate material in concrete.”

In the coming years, she adds, new technologies will enable the company to expand its recycling capability. The company recently conducted a study with the Electric Power Research Institute focusing on Thermal Beneficiation technology and its potential to improve ash characteristics for reuse purposes.

In October, Duke announced plans to install recycling units at three sites in North Carolina, including the retired Buck Steam Station in Rowan County and the H.F. Lee Plant in Goldsboro. The third site has not yet been named, but Peoples says Duke is “evaluating all of our sites based on proximity to market demand, transportation costs, quality of ash” and other factors.

“We do work to recycle as much material as we can, but this is driven by many factors, including market demand, quality of ash and transportation costs,” Peoples explains. “Ultimately, we seek to make investment and recycling decisions that benefit our customers.”

EITHER/ORE Meanwhile, the lab is continuing to develop new ways to repurpose other mining waste products, such as quarry “fines” (small particles left over from aggregate production), and reduce the need for cement, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in concrete production.

The research facility is also exploring the feasibility of exploiting the sizable lithium concentrations found around Kings Mountain. “North Carolina has the best lithium ore in the entire United States,” says Mensah-Biney. “We used to produce all the lithium in the country.”

Those mines shut down because they couldn’t compete with cheaper and easier-to-process South American ore. Now, however, Mensah-Biney hopes to develop a pilot program that would make North Carolina’s ore competitive again.

“The lithium from North Carolina is lithium silicate, which needs to be processed to get the lithium carbonate they use for making batteries,” he notes. In partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey, says Mensah-Biney, “We want to start new mining of lithium here.”

Yet another point of interest is the abandoned Tungsten Queen Mine in Vance County. “The tailings have this nice quartz, and we’re trying to process that so the material can be used for solar cells, LED lights,” he explains. “That’s an inactive hazardous waste site right now. We want to help clean that up and recover those materials.”

ESSENTIAL AGGREGATE The lab, though, is not some top-secret, off-limits facility, notes Mensah-Biney.

“This is your building: You can walk in, ask any questions, take a tour. We’re happy to help.”

And with exciting new projects on the horizon, he believes the lab will continue to play an important role. “What we do is special: We’re the only facility in the United States that does what we do, solely on industrial minerals.” North Carolina’s mining operations, stresses MensahBiney, make an invaluable contribution to modern life.

“People don’t look at it that way, but aggregate is more important, mineralwise, than almost anything else. If you want to build a house, the concrete comes from aggregate; if you’re installing a plant, you need a foundation that comes from aggregate. Roads — aggregate; sidewalks — aggregate; airports — aggregate.

Without the aggregate, we could not survive the way we do now.” X MOUNTAINX.COM

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27

FOOD

THE BREAKING WAVE

Is Asheville’s restaurant market oversaturated?

BY JONATHAN AMMONS jonathanammons@gmail.com “With the right kind of eyes you can almost see the high-water mark — that place where the wave finally broke and rolled back.”

— Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas It’s a drizzly Friday night in winter.

A couple huddle under the awning of a busy restaurant, scrutinizing the display menu while the red, yellow and green of the traffic light flickers through the bubbles of rain that have gathered on the fogged windowpanes.

Inside, the tables are full, and a line butts up to the door; even outside, you can hear the muffled chatter within.

The couple move on.

On an average night in tourist season, Asheville looks slammed. There are lines at many of the more than 100 downtown eateries, and places like Cúrate and Cucina 24 may have reservations booked months in advance.

But as the restaurant scene continues to balloon, it begs some questions: When do we reach the peak? When does the market become so saturated that it simply can’t hold any more?

When do those tables begin to sit empty? Is the bubble about to burst?

NUMBERS GAME On a national level, statistics show that certain sectors of the restaurant industry are in decline. A 2016 study by the NPD Group reports that the total number of independent restaurants in the U.S. fell 2 percent that year, with the steepest downturns in the full-service and quick-service categories. But is Asheville, with its booming tourist trade and tight-knit community of restaurateurs, following that trend?

“I do feel as though Asheville is a very special market, and it has truly achieved heights that I have always wanted to see it reach,” says Vijay Shastri, whose Flying Frog Café, a downtown anchor for over a decade, shuttered in 2011. Since then, the city’s restaurant scene has blossomed from a handful of reputable chefs to an onslaught of James Beard Award nominations and top ranking after top ranking. Everyone from Frommer’s to National Geographic Explorer to Bon Appétit has sung the city’s praises.

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LOCAL LOVE: Asheville’s restaurant scene may be centered downtown, but a growing trend is to open new businesses on the outskirts of the city. Michel Baudouin, owner of downtown landmarks Bouchon and Creperie Bouchon, is poised to open a new Bouchon in East Asheville where locals can take advantage of abundant parking, and the spacious building promises shorter wait times. “The purpose of the second location is to keep our locals: I don’t want to lose the people who allow us to be where we are today,” he says. Photo by Cindy Kunst “The real issue with Asheville is the sheer amount of places,” Shastri continues. “There are way too many restaurants for the amount of people there are. The amount of tables that are available year-round does not match the amount of feet that are available year-round.”

After the Flying Frog’s demise, Shastri tried his hand at another local venture: Mr. Frog’s, on South Market Street. But a year later, he left town to launch a consulting career in Highlands; he now has clients all over the country. And more often than not, Shastri’s advice to entrepreneurs looking to invest in restaurants here is don’t do it.

“It’s less risky to do business in a place like New York City than it is in a place like Asheville,” he observes.

People who lack the initial capital, Shastri maintains, “are drawn to places like Asheville where, as restaurants come and go, it can be relatively easy to pick up a restaurant for a fairly small amount of money. The setup cost is small, but the return is not good.”

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CREAM RISES TO THE TOP Other local restaurateurs take the opposite view.

“Our feeling has always been the more restaurants, the more good press for Asheville — and the better for us,” says Charlotte Fahy, who manages all five restaurants in Chai Pani’s mini-empire.

From its initial 13-table eatery downtown, the Chai Pani Restaurant Group has grown to include MG Road, Buxton Hall Barbecue and two Atlanta outposts.

“The more Cúrates and Limoneses and Rhubarbs that open where people are having these nice dinners, they have to eat somewhere the next day,” she points out. “So with our fast-casual model and lower price point, we’ve always felt pretty positive about that.”

Amber Arthur, who founded Izzy’s and BattleCat Coffee Bar as well as PennyCup Coffee, takes a similar view.

Asked if Asheville’s dining scene is maxed out, she says, “No, absolutely not. More restaurants will just weed out the sh**ty ones. The great restaurants are always packed when I go.

We’re evolving. ... The best will survive,

hopefully, and we’ll soon become a culinary destination.”

Most owners of local food and drink establishments seem to echo Arthur and Fahy, saying the restaurant boom is a good way to separate the gems from the grit, and citing full tables as a benchmark for how the market is trending.

SPREAD THIN But in a city like Asheville, market saturation can be hard to gauge, notes Tom Tveidt of SYNEVA Economics.

“Saturation is not an exact science, and the tourism market would make it hard to compare the number of Buncombe restaurants to the ‘average county,’” he explains.

Crunch a few numbers from the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, however, and you realize that there’s now about one restaurant for every 122 people in the 28801 ZIP code. In an industry that ebbs and flows with the waves of tourists washing up in the mountains (or not), a slow week or month can take a major toll on a busi-

ness and its staff — and God forbid we should see an entire slow season.

Which leads us to another complicating factor: By the time the problem starts showing symptoms like empty restaurant seats or meager reservation lists, the hitch in the giddyup will already be in full swing. But long before those things become evident, the first warning signs will come from within.

“It’s definitely started to have an effect on the ability of good places to staff themselves with good cooks,” says downtown line cook Katrin Dohse, who formerly worked at the James Beardnominated Knife & Fork. “There are not enough cooks.”

A-B Tech’s culinary arts curriculum and the GO Kitchen Ready program are training more chefs, but that’s addressing only part of the problem, notes Dohse. “Asheville no longer has the affordable housing necessary to house cooks, and restaurants rarely have the means to pay employees an Asheville living wage,” she points out. “On top of that, the parking and public transportation infrastructure in town seem to be built around tourism and not downtown employees, so add that fee on to those already just scraping by.”

Judging by my informal inquiries, most line cooks in Asheville seem to start out earning about $10 an hour, with the average rate somewhere around $12 to $13. That doesn’t go far in an area where the median monthly rent is about $1,044, according to a report by the consulting firm Bowen National Research. Statistics from the Chamber of Commerce show that Asheville’s hospitality industry employed 26,760 people last year, up 0.8 percent from 2015.

That’s a significant chunk of the city’s population (88,512, according to the chamber), and there’s still a demand for more workers. But a burst of the hospitality bubble, due either to oversaturation or a dip back into recession, would hit those folks hard. Even one slow month can be devastating to someone who’s relying on tips, particularly when the local customer base is already spread so thin.

LABOR PAINS “Why do I think we’ve already reached oversaturation?” continues Dohse. “Because I see the best restaurants in Asheville advertising for cooks every summer. And, call me oldfashioned, but I feel like there should be so many aspiring chefs banging on the back door of these restaurants asking for a job that staffing is never an issue.”

And on this point at least, Fahy agrees. “I think if we’ve noticed any

real oversaturation, it would be the labor pool in Asheville,” she says. “On one level, it’s a good problem to have: It drives employers to really examine their pay rates and benefits and try to be the best employers they can be. But it’s harder to find employees, and a lot harder to keep employees, than it was three years ago.”

One of the biggest challenges in retaining talented staff, she observes, has been the flood of new openings, which encourages workers to keep moving on to the next big thing after only a few months on the job.

Bartender Scott Dagenhart sounds a similar complaint. After working at Nightbell, the Corner Kitchen and Chestnut, he headed for Chicago’s greener pastures before winding up back in his hometown, New Orleans. In both Asheville and New Orleans, says Dagenhart, “The real problem I ran into is staffing. There’s also a dearth of bottom-level kitchen talent in Asheville: plenty of good chefs, but not anyone who wants to do the grunt work.”

The Big Easy, though, has the population to sustain its industry better than Asheville can: Even in a seasonal lull, there will still be enough full tables to make it through the heat of summer.

ON THE FRINGE Meanwhile, Asheville’s dining scene isn’t limited to downtown. “There’s close to 700 to 800 restaurants in the Asheville/Buncombe area,” says Shastri, who’s been tracking the numbers for decades. “The way I always look at this is that you want to be in a scenario where, worst case, there’s at least 1.75 to two people per seat.” And most Asheville residents, he points out, don’t live in the city center. “So you might have that draw, but it’s not there all the time: They have places to eat near their own neighborhoods too. So it’s a question of getting those people to come downtown.”

The trend, however, seems to be going the other way. In East Asheville, for example, you have the East Village Grille, Filo and the Post 70 Indulgence Bar. Zambra’s Adam Bannasch opened the Copper Crown there in October 2015, and Post 70 just opened another branch, Post 25, in South Asheville.

Even Bouchon, a downtown fixture, plans to open an east-end operation targeting locals rather than tourists.

“The purpose of the second location is to keep our locals: I don’t want to lose the people who allow us to be where we are today,” says Michel Baudouin, who owns Bouchon and Crêperie Bouchon and also founded the short-lived Lafayette. “For me, when

THE MORE THE MERRIER: Charlotte Fahy, who manages the Chai Pani Restaurant Group’s five eateries, says there’s plenty of room at the table in Asheville’s restaurant scene. “Our feeling has always been the more restaurants, the more good press for Asheville — and the better for us,” she says. Photo by Cindy Kunst I opened downtown 11 years ago, our clientele were the locals. Asheville was not what it is today. But now a large number of locals are staying away from downtown because it has gotten to be too busy. Parking is also an issue. If it takes you 10 to 20 minutes to find a parking space and then you come to the door and we ask you to wait an hour for a table … when you’re on vacation, that can be one thing, but when it’s a school day, you’re not going to be able to do it. Our new location will have 47 parking spaces, and it’s really directed toward the locals. I’m not even going to put up a sign.”

Asked if he’s concerned that drawing all the locals to his east side location will take business away from his downtown restaurants, Baudouin replies, “I’ve given it a lot of thought. If we didn’t have 2,000 hotel rooms opening within the next year or two, I would be a little bit worried about it. But Bouchon is only 50 or 60 seats. So even if we lose a little bit of business, if our wait time goes down from an hour and a half to 30 minutes, we’re not going to lose anything.”

A FLUCTUATING GAME The shift to the outskirts might help those downtown restaurants that choose to open outlying branches. But if easy parking and shorter wait times lure more locals to those outposts, it will only further dilute the pool of potential patrons MOUNTAINX.COM

in the city center, leaving other downtown eateries high and dry. Almost like a saturation through sprawl, or as Tolkien put it, “stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread.”

“I am absolutely the biggest cheerleader for the city of Asheville,” says Shastri, who still maintains a home here even though he now spends most of his time traveling for work. “I’ve seen it go from one extreme to where it is now. But when you really do your homework, Asheville is a really hard place to make money in an industry that’s already incredibly difficult to make money in. When you couple low margin with saturation ... low margin and low volume is a definition of a dangerous investment.

“I think Asheville is in another transitional period, and it’s just going to be precarious for a while. I truly believe that once things start to stabilize, Asheville will have to lose 15 to 20 percent of the restaurants — above what normally closes and opens — to have any stability,” he continues. “The good people will always do well, and the bad people will always go out of business, but unfortunately, the people on top still suffer. It’s always a fluctuating game, and it just fluctuates too much when there are too many choices.” X JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2017

29

SMALL BITES

FOOD

by Thomas Calder | tcalder@mountainx.com

Cider City

Rhubarb hosts a panel discussion on cider

melaasheville.com 70 N. LexiNgtoN aveNue 828.225.8880

mojokitchen.biz

COME TOGETHER: On Thursday, Jan. 19, Urban Orchard Cider Co. will join other local cidermakers in a panel discussion at Rhubarb.“It’s always fun to get together with other cidermakers and discuss our craft,” says Urban Orchard co-owner Josie Mielke, pictured. “Especially when you’ve got an audience that is interested in what you’re doing.” Photo by Jeff Anderson, marketing and creative director Urban Orchard Cider Co. Many are familiar with the story of John Chapman — better known as Johnny Appleseed — the American pioneer who traversed the ever-expanding country barefoot with a pot atop his head, a walking stick in hand and a sack full of apple seeds that he spread across the land. What is less known in the Chapman narrative is the purpose behind his actions.

“Jonny Appleseed was actually planting apple trees from seed for cider,” says Josie Mielke, co-owner of Urban Orchard Cider Co. In the early 1800s, Mielke explains, water was not potable.

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MOUNTAINX.COM

Cider, therefore, was both the beverage of choice and the drink of necessity.

On Thursday, Jan. 19, Rhubarb will host a discussion on the topic as the second installment in Edible Asheville magazine’s ongoing FED Talks (Food. Education. Discussion) series.

Representatives from Urban Orchard, Noble Cider and Black Mountain Ciderworks will participate in a panel discussion and provide cider samples, while a selection of small plates will be prepared by Rhubarb’s kitchen. The food menu has not been finalized, but Rhubarb marketing manager Jasper

Adams says it will be a hybrid affair, merging Appalachian cuisine with Western European recipes.

The history of cider will be one focus of the presentation. “The Colonial days definitely saw more cidermaking than beermaking,” says Trevor Baker, co-founder of Noble Cider. Baker notes that beer didn’t see a rise in popularity in this country until the mid-1880s when German immigrants arrived on the scene and the westward expansion to the Great Plains provided ideal conditions and plenty of land for growing grain. “That is when you saw

a pretty big decline in cidermaking,” says Baker.

More recently, though, the cider industry has experienced a renaissance, which will be another talking point at the event. Particular attention will be given to the resurgence of cider in Western North Carolina and the relationship of that growth to the local apple business. “We have Hendersonville right down the road,” says Mielke. “They produce about 85 percent of the state’s apples.”

Baker views the FED Talk as as an opportunity to further connect people with the product. “In my opinion, the more educated consumers we have, the better off the industry is,” he says.

Mielke agrees. “It’s always fun to get together with other cidermakers and discuss our craft,” she says. “Especially when you’ve got an audience that is interested in what you’re doing.”

The Cider City FED Talks event takes place 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, at Rhubarb, 7 S. Pack Square. Tickets are $20 and include a cider tasting and small plates. For tickets, visit avl.mx/3a2.

TEAS FOR WELLNESS Local herbalist and educator Melissa Fryar will present a Teas for Wellness workshop this week in the upstairs Movement and Learning Center at the French Broad Food Co-op. Cost is $20 for the public, $15 for co-op members.

Teas for Wellness happens 6-8 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 12, at the French Broad Food Co-op, 90 Biltmore Ave. Preregister for the class at frenchbroadfood.coop.

BASICS OF FERMENTATION Fermenti, a small gourmet business specializing in fermented foods, will host a basic fermenting class at Artisun Gallery in Hot Springs. The two-hour workshop will be led by Meg Chamberlain, founder and owner of Fermenti. Participants will learn the principles and process of fermentation and will be able to put together their own pint of seasoned sauerkraut to take home. The session concludes with a Q&A. The class runs 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, at Artisun Gallery, 16 S. Andrews Ave., Hot Springs. Tickets are $15 for those who RSVP; $20 at the door. For tickets, contact fermentifoods@gmail.com.

WINES OF PORTUGAL Santé Wine Bar & Tap Room will host Wines of Portugal, a pop-up Flight Night event on Tuesday, Jan. 17. The

tasting will be led by Kate Stamps of Proof Wine and Spirits. Guests will have the chance to sample a flight of Portuguese wines for $20, and bottles will be for sale at discounted prices.

“Wines of Portugal” runs 7-9 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 17, at Santé Wine Bar & Tap Room, 1 Page Ave, Suites 146/152, inside the Grove Arcade. Tickets are $20.

RSVPs are requested. For more information, visit avl.mx/3a6.

EARLY BIRD TICKETS FOR ROOT BOUND Root Bound is a full-immersion weekend of food, spirits, music and “edutainment” that happens FridaySunday, Feb. 24-26, at the Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands. Dinners and food demonstrations will be led

by Appalachian chefs Travis Milton, Adam Hayes, Denny Trantham, Shelly Cooper, Sheri Castle, Louis Osteen, Lisa Donovan and Old Edwards executive chef Christ Huerta. Discounted early-bird tickets are $365 and are available through Monday, Jan. 23. Pricing does not include overnight accommodations, taxes or gratuity.

Old Edwards Inn and Spa is at 445 Main St., Highlands. For more information, visit avl.mx/3a7. X

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What’s WOWING Me Now

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Yakamein at Root Down Food Truck: Just in time for the chill of winter, Root Down offers this New Orleans staple. The oddball soup was the brainchild of Chinese immigrants to the Big Easy back in the 1900s who were striving to emulate the food of their homeland with available ingredients. The Root Down iteration is a concoction of spaghetti noodles, pulled beef, softboiled egg, green onions and a thick, spicy and savory broth. When I ate it, people at the next table leaned over, asking, “What is that? It smells so good!”

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31

BEER SCOUT

FOOD

by Scott Douglas | jsdouglas22@gmail.com

Wedge Brewing expansion nears completion The explosive growth of the Asheville beer industry has affected every brewery in town, and perennial favorite Wedge Brewing is no exception. While the small River Arts District operation has long resisted distribution of its beer — and will continue to do so — a new expansion facility in the nearby Old Lyman Street structure that once housed the historic Hans Rees Tannery will open to the public in early February.

The new location is currently referred to as “Wedge at the Foundation” in reference to a nearby skateboard park on the 14-acre site.

The building will house a large bar area with adjoining event space and production floor, adding sorely needed capacity to one of Asheville’s smallest tasting rooms. Wedge owner Tim Schaller had no intention of expanding when he stumbled across the location in the search for additional cold storage for the brewery, but he recognized the potential of the site immediately. “Once I saw it, I realized that if I don’t do it, somebody else will,” he says.

The 118-year-old building has been painstakingly restored, and a new 7-barrel brewhouse from Canadian manufacturer Specific Mechanical Systems is in place and ready to brew. The system features a combination mash/brew kettle that allows for decoctions and cereal mashes, unique processes employed by Wedge brewmaster Carl Melissas to highlight specific malt characteristics and facilitate the use of unmalted grain, respectively.

Five fermenters, consisting of three 7-barrel and two 14-barrel brite tanks, will nearly double the original brewery’s capacity. But according to Andy Shepard, who will head up brewing operations at the new facility in partnership with Ian Leightner, the goal is to produce interesting new additions to Wedge’s lineup rather than simply augment the supply of its current offerings.

“The Wedge you know and love will still be the Wedge,” explains Shepard. “All of Carl’s beers will still

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The brewery’s second location at the Foundation doubles brewing capacity and features a more spacious taproom

NEW FOUNDATION: Wedge Brewing’s new spot is in a renovated 118-year-old building on 14 acres near the Foundation skatepark on Old Lyman Street. The brewery adjoins the soon-to-open new iteration of 12 Bones Smokehouse. Photo by Scott Douglas be produced over there; this second brewery is just here for us to expand our repertoire.”

He and Leightner intend to craft lower-gravity beers to complement Melissas’ high-gravity brews, with beers being regularly transferred between the two locations. “We don’t have plans to box ourselves in, but Ian and I both tend to enjoy sessionable beers. We’ll make the beers we want to drink, and let the public decide what we keep brewing.”

Beers expected to be produced initially at the Foundation will include Cold Beer Cream Ale, Narrow Gauge Session IPA, a nitrogenated pub ale and a chocolate rye porter. A 1-barrel pilot system will also allow for further experimentation, but Shepard says a sour program is not on the immediate horizon for the Wedge. Shepard and Lighter plan to use local ingredients whenever possible and have already reached out to Riverbend Malthouse to secure supplies of malt as well as unmalted locally grown grain for their cereal mashes.

MOUNTAINX.COM

The climate-controlled tasting room will boast two bars housing 16 taps each at the outset, with future additions likely.

The room itself is planned to have multiple intimate seating areas, and ample outdoor space will further increase the facility’s already substantial capacity.

An adjacent event venue can comfortably house 100 people standing or 75 seated, and a second-story mezzanine level is in the works to provide extra space. One of the primary advantages of the location is its almost limitless parking, which will appeal to drinkers tired of circling the South Slope in search of a legal spot.

A number of new front-of-house hires are expected for both the bar and event venue, with job postings likely to emerge in the coming weeks. Shepard and Leighton’s brewing positions at the original production facility have been filled

by Eric Diehl, former head brewer at Triangle Brewing of Durham, and David Graham, a longtime Wedge regular.

The Foundation will also be the new home of 12 Bones Smokehouse, which is

expected to open Wednesday, Feb. 1.

The two businesses are connected by a shared hall that can be closed from either end as operating hours demand.

Wedge at the Foundation and the new 12 Bones are also united by a common aesthetic, achieved through the reclamation of construction materials from the historic building and the preservation or repurposing of sophisticated graffiti found on site, in keeping with the original brewery’s distinctively eclectic style.

The pre-existing artwork has been supplemented by a mural featuring cherubs that graces the front of the new facility, painted by local artist Ian Wilkinson, and a work by Wedge Studios artist Julie Ambruster will adorn the primary bar.

The bar surface itself was constructed by Wedge front-of-house manager Julian Harris from wood restored by the nearby Old Wood Co. According to Schaller, the refined DIY aesthetictic is intended to both correspond to the original Wedge and honor Wedge Studios founder John Payne.

“We tried to maintain as much of the aesthetic as possible. We cleaned the place up, but not totally,” Schaller says. “At the original, I was building the first outdoor table out of an old door; I cut it in half and put four legs on it. John said, ‘That’ll work, but everything’s an opportunity, so take it apart and put something together that you’re proud of.’ I keep trying to remember that.”

Wedge has carefully managed its growth to stay close to the brewery’s roots and maintain its appeal to locals, points out Wedge general manager Shelton Steele. “Our goal is to continue to engage our neighborhood drinkers, the people who come in every day. We want to always have new beers that they can come in and try alongside their favorite staples.”

Wedge at the Foundation is at 339 Old Lyman St., off Amboy Road less than a mile from the current Wedge location. The opening date is expected to be confirmed soon. Look for updates on Wedge Brewing’s Facebook page. X

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A R T S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T

HIGHER CALLING

Mountain Soul Party shines a spotlight on local artists

BY ALLI MARSHALL

to make sure he’s covered all his musical bases), revisiting the altcountry music he was interested in during college.

“It’s wonderful when genres mesh — [it] creates its own vibe,” says Scott.“When combining hip-hop with soul music, it’s almost always in the area of conscious hip-hop, where the message of the lyrics is positive and thought-provoking.”

There will be plenty of soul and hip-hop mashups at the Jan. 13 show. “Bryan ‘Colston’ Godleski [of CrazyHorse & Colston] and Chachillie and basically all the rappers will be collaborating with The Secret B-Sides,” says Holladay.

Plus, after Lyric’s set, it’s likely she, Holladay and Barber will perform together. And, during the early lounge set, Holladay will share the stage with Morgan, singer-songwriter Indigo De Souza and Santos in various configurations.

These creative pairings reflect Holladay’s current approach to making art: He jokes that he’s been less ambitious, career-wise, but “my enjoyment has increased.”

It’s a sentiment that would likely sit well with Scott. His hope for the Mountain Soul Party — beyond sonic experimentation — is that “everyone has an awesome time and dances their butt off,” he says, and that the event creates a sense of community around the shared love of local sounds.

“Music is about getting out there and expressing yourself,” Scott says, “and coming together to have a great time.” X

amarshall@mountainx.com Not everyone gets to meet an idol, let alone share the stage with one.

But local singer-songwriter Leeda “Lyric” Jones recently opened for R&B and gospel legend Mavis Staples. “It was unreal. She just has so much love,” Lyric says. And when the two women spoke, Staples’ “main thing that she kept saying was, ‘Just keep going. … There’s going to be people who tell you no, but keep knocking on the door, and it will open eventually.’”

Lyric — for whom doors are opening, and whose near future includes opening for “American Idol” winner Candice Glover — will share her own love as part of Mountain Soul Party. The event, now in its second year, showcases Asheville’s soul musicians. The production takes place at Isis Restaurant & Music Hall on Friday, Jan. 13. It begins with a lounge show featuring Stephanie Morgan and Jonathan Santos’ project, Santos Glocal Soul, and guests. Later, Lyric, The Secret B-Sides, hip-hop artists Chachillie and Spaceman Jones and others take over the main stage.

Although the evening offers a recommended daily allowance of soul sounds, that particular genre tends to be overlooked on the local music scene. “There’s a lot of rock, there’s a lot of bluegrass, even some country here,” says Jones. “But there’s not a lot of soul bands — especially soul bands that play originals.” Mountain Soul Party, launched by local musician and talent booker Gregory Scott, along with Lyric and The Secret B-Sides frontman Juan Holladay, seeks to give a platform to exactly those artists.

“Juan and I started talking, and we wanted to put a show together, and we were looking for a direction to take it,” remembers Scott.

“We decided to focus on the soul aspect of music and surrounding genres — funk, hip-hop, R&B — and bring those together.” The inaugural event, held just over a year ago, was headlined by Lyric and The Secret B-Sides with vocalist Ryan RnB Barber and hip-hip collective Free Radio. The show highlighted not only each artist but collaborations among groups.

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WHOLE LOTTA LOVE: Mountain Soul Party, now in its second year, features local musicians who put unique spins on soul sounds. From left, Jonathan Santos, Juan Holladay, Leeda “Lyric” Jones, Stephanie Morgan and Michael Martinez are among the artists who will take the stage at Isis Restaurant & Music Hall. Photo by Blaine Cone “In Asheville, there are so many musicians who love the opportunity to work together that it naturally works out that way,” Scott told Xpress before last year’s Mountain Soul Party. This year’s lineup is stacked with wellknown collaborators: Chachillie and Spaceman Jones recently released the EP Grateful Meds, a joint project (see the Jan. 4 issue of Xpress for more information); Morgan, the former frontwoman of indie-pop band stepha-

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niesid, has embarked on a solo career that sees her sharing stages with local acts such as The Get Right Band and Les Amis.

Holladay, when not fronting The Secret B-Sides or working on his own forthcoming album of acoustic guitar songs, is part of the hip-hop project Conspirators Inc. with Spaceman Jones. He’s also working on a song with Barber, another with local singer-songwriter Kellin Watson and (just

WHAT Mountain Soul Party with Lyric, The Secret B-Sides, Chachillie, Spaceman Jones, Stephanie Morgan, Santos Glocal Soul and guests WHERE Isis Restaurant & Music Hall 743 Haywood Road isisasheville.com WHEN Friday, Jan. 13, 7 p.m. lounge show (sold out at press time), 9 p.m. main stage show $8 advance/$12 day of show

A&E

by Alli Marshall

amarshall@mountainx.com

EVERY VOICE IS VALUED

Local teens produce a bilingual online arts magazine

WORDS WITH FRIENDS: Members of the Word on the Street squad make signs that were used in the magazine’s pilot issue.

The bilingual online arts publication is produced by teens as part of an Asheville Writers in the Schools & Community program.

Photo courtesy of Word on the Street With the pilot launch of Word on the Street — a bilingual, multimedia online magazine created by students of the Asheville Writers in the Schools & Community-created program — “We’re asking the youth to show us their talents,” says squad member Serenity Lewis. “We’re getting the youth to think critically about what they see and how to put it into their artwork. … how does this dance video connect to you and what you want to say through your dancing and how that song expresses you.” Word on the Street is teaming up with High Five Coffee on a latte art competition, which takes place Thursday, Jan. 12.

Lewis, a high school student, is part of the magazine’s design team. Other departments, carrying out tasks from editing to marketing, are helmed by students from various middle and high schools, as well as some who are home-schooled. Word on the Street is volunteer-run. A $500 grant from All Souls Cathedral Outreach Committee helped with the purchase of simultaneous interpretation technology — headsets so that everyone can understand what’s being said.

“Initially we didn’t know we’d have monolingual Spanish speakers who would want to be part of the program,” says AWITSC teaching artist and writer Tamiko Ambrose Murray. The Center for Participatory Change helped with accessing equipment and setting it up. That unique aspect of Word on the

Street’s operation likely makes it the only program of its kind in the country.

“The space that we’ve created is called a language justice space,” Murray continues. “That means there is no ‘other’ language. Everybody’s voice, no matter what language they speak, is equally valued.”

Also equally valued are all the many talents it takes to create a magazine.

Although art is what’s featured, those working behind the scenes hone the necessary skills to envision, create and manage the web-based publication. About half of the students involved identify themselves as artists — Lewis, for example, has studied African and hip-hop dance and is also a visual artist and photographer — but their focus with Word on the Street deals with videography, layout, reviewing submissions, editing and other tasks. “It’s an arts magazine, and they’re holding that space,” Murray explains.

The students also created the infrastructure for the publication during a weekendlong learning retreat in Hot Springs. “Before that, we didn’t really know each other,” says squad member Tanya Davilia. The program was originally intended for 10 students.

Seventeen were accepted to the squad, and currently 16 staff the magazine.

During the retreat, “We got to know, ‘Why are we here? Why are we doing this?’” says Davilia. “We all had different answers.”

“We had to adjust from translating to agreeing to disagree,” says Zyá Brown, another member of the Word on the Street squad. “I know I’d get frustrated when someone didn’t understand what I was saying. But now that we’ve adapted, it’s easier.”

At a two-week summer institute, held at the Arthur R. Edington Education & Career Center, where the teams meet weekly, “We made a family outside of our own family,” says Lewis.

From that basis of trust and understanding, the students hope to inspire other young people. “Everyone’s voice matters, no matter how young or how old,” says Brown. “A lot of times people of color — Hispanic, African-American — because we’re considered minorities, sometimes [we feel like] we don’t matter as much.”

But Word on the Street offers a platform for self-expression and a place where those voices not only count but find an audience. “It makes me proud of being Mexican and embracing that and bringing it to the table,” says Davilia.

From its inception, the project “felt really, really good,” says Word on the Street coordinator Daniel Suber. “It’s very powerful, and every bit of it is valuable. It teaches me a lot.”

Most important to Suber is “keeping the young people involved — they are Word on the Street.”

To increase awareness about the magazine, which was preparing to pub-

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lish its first full online issue at press time, the marketing team has been making connections in the community. That group — Davilia, Brown and two other students — forged a cross-promotional relationship with High Five Coffee for its Thursday Night Throwdown. In the competition, baristas go head to head to see who can produce the prettiest designs with steamed milk and espresso.

Word on the Street squad member Quantasia Williams designed the flier for the event, where the $5 buyin benefits the teen-produced magazine and also showcases yet another form of creativity.

Plus, even for those who aren’t competing, DJ Lil’ Meow Meow will spin dance music all evening — it’s the perfect setting to cheer on the latte artists and the talented team behind Asheville’s new bilingual arts magazine.

Learn more at wordonthestreetmag. org X

WHAT Thursday Night Throwdown latte art competition with music by DJ Lil’ Meow Meow WHERE High Five Coffee 190 Broadway highfivecoffee.com WHEN Thursday, Jan. 12, 6-9 p.m. $5 for baristas to enter proceeds benefit Word on the Street

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35

LOVE YOUR LOCAL

A&E

by Bill Kopp

bill@musoscribe.com

FAMILY IS FOREVER Andrew Scotchie’s birthday concert honors his father’s memory

advertise@mountainx.com

CELEBRATION AND TRIBUTE: The annual musical event celebrating Andrew Scotchie’s birthday features the musician’s local inspirations such as Aaron “Woody” Wood, The Patrick Dodd Band, Ashely Heath and Jack Mascari. Photo by Adam McMillan Andrew Scotchie’s birthday bash began three years ago, celebrating the Asheville singer-guitarist’s 21st birthday. Now in its third iteration, the bash will be held Saturday, Jan. 14, at Isis Restaurant & Music Hall and will feature Scotchie’s band The River Rats, plus several guest stars.

To some attendees, Scotchie’s annual event might seem nothing more than a fun party with a topnotch lineup of Asheville-based musicians providing the soundtrack. In fact, there’s a back story to the event.

Scotchie says that the 2013 show “was the first time I actually played on my birthday. I noticed that it got a really good turnout, and people really enjoyed it.” But he was also beginning to come to terms with the connection between the anniversary of his birth and his father’s death.

Thomas Scotchie was shot and killed by a former employee at his business on Haywood Road on Jan. 16, 2008, one day before his son’s 15th birthday. “Especially in the last few

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years,” Andrew Scotchie says, “I’ve realized how much my Dad is a part of my story, my music, my lyrics, and my overall understanding of life.” So while he downplayed that part of the annual event, focusing publicly on its celebratory aspect, in truth Scotchie has always thought of the birthday bash as a tribute to his father as well.

“Try to imagine what this would be like,” Scotchie says. “I was just about to turn 15. I had a conversation with him at the dinner table the night before. Dad was a real family man — he worked, he came home. It was a very blue-collar situation.”

Earlier that day, the then-burgeoning musician had gotten himself kicked out of a band. “I had jumped into a drum pit, broken something onstage … I can’t remember exactly what it was,” Scotchie says, laughing at the memory. “Just some teenager bullsh*t.”

His father listened to him tell the story and replied, “Listen, friends are going to come and go. Bandmates will

come and go. But family — me, your mom, your brothers, your aunts and uncles — we’re all going to be here for you forever.”

But by the next morning, Thomas was gone. “Family is forever,” Scotchie says. “That’s what he’d say.

And then the next morning a crazy person shot him.”

Scotchie’s mom went on to raise him and his brothers on her own. “I really lean on her,” he says. And as he’s established and grown his musical career, Scotchie has taken the time around his father’s death and his own birthday — the beginning of each new year — as an opportunity to go forward with renewed purpose.

“The birthday bash doubles as a way to remember a great person,” Scotchie says. “Someone who pushed me to enjoy life, treat people the best I can treat them and believe wholeheartedly in what I’m doing.”

But while Scotchie’s celebration honors his late father’s memory, it’s anything but a solemn event. “As

far as my heart and soul goes, it’s the best way for me to start the new year,” he says. “We just don’t play Asheville that much anymore.

And whenever we do, we try to put together the best lineup possible.”

Scotchie notes that he draws all of his inspiration from local artists.

This year’s event lineup includes a set by the Patrick Dodd Band with special guest Ashley Heath. “Them coming together onstage is something that doesn’t happen often,” Scotchie says. “Ashley’s one of my favorite musicians.”

Aaron “Woody” Wood will play a set as well, in addition to guesting with The River Rats. “Woody was one of the first local artists that I actively went out and saw,” Scotchie says. “It just made sense to pull somebody in who’s been such an inspiration to me.”

Local charity Grateful Bread will be on hand to collect winter clothing for those in need. The bill will also include appearances by David Earl and Jack Mascari. “Jack actually went to Asheville High School with my Dad,” Scotchie says.

The musician emphasizes that he’s chosen guests who mean a great

deal to him in his life and work. “But they’re also people who are benefiting the community and who have a connection to my father.

“For years, I didn’t talk about all this,” he admits. “And then, quite recently, I realized that there’s nothing to hide. It’s part of who I am. In my songs, I end up alluding to many things that my dad taught me, things that he said. So it only makes sense that he is honored throughout the process.” X

THE GEEK THE COLLECTOR THE ENTHUSIAST THE FANatic THE connoisseur THE aficionado

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GET YOUR FIX. VINYL RECORDS, CDS, DVDS

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299-1145 • www.mrksusedbooks.com

WHO Andrew Scotchie and The River Rats with Aaron “Woody” Wood, The Patrick Dodd Band, Ashely Heath and more WHERE Isis Restaurant & Music Hall 743 Haywood Road isisasheville.com WHEN Saturday, Jan. 14, 9 p.m. $10 advance/$12 at the door

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37

SMART BETS

A&E

by Emily Glaser | Send your arts news to ae@mountainx.com

An Evening of Fantastical Insanity Writers John Hartness and Jake Bible share a state (North Carolina) and a trade (fantasy writing). Though they’ve sat on panels together at conventions like DragonCon and World Horror Con, the two have never done a tandem bookstore event — until now.

Hartness will read from his “Black Knight” series, and Bible from Reign of Four, in a night they’ve dubbed “An Evening of Fantastical Insanity.” “We know that lots of writers come to Malaprop’s events, so we’ll be talking a lot about how to make a living as a writer working only with small-press publishers,” says Bible. “John can touch on selfpublishing too, while I’ll talk about how being prolific (I write a novel a month) allows me to write full time.” The dark fiction writers will read at Malaprop’s on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 6 p.m. malaprops.com. Photo of Bible courtesy of the author

38

The Band of Heathens Americana group The Band of Heathens will celebrate its 10th anniversary with the release of its new album, Duende, on Friday, Jan. 13. Named for the passion and spirit of artists, the album explores the integrity of art in a modern, digital age. Fans of the band will still hear that country-rock ring definitive of Band of Heathens in songs like “Trouble Came Early,” a guitar-fueled tale of a long night of drinking gone wrong.

The album explores new genres too, with twists of Latin and psychedelic rock. The Band of Heathens will play its new album along with older tunes at The Grey Eagle on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 8 p.m. The National Reserve opens. $12/$15. thegreyeagle.com.

Photo by Greg Giannuko

The Paper Crowns Band

Eine Kleine Rhine Musik

After putting in a guest appearance with Phuncle Sam, Spiro and Nicole Nicolopoulos of The Paper Crowns are joining with members of the group to form a full electric band. The Paper Crowns Band will perform dynamic, improvisational electric blues and psychedelic rock. “In the duo, we are coordinating playing drums with our feet while playing guitar and singing all at the same time,” explains Spiro of the inspiration for the new project. “In the band, we can focus on performing on one instrument at a time, which is less technical and more liberating for improvisation [and] is like having a musical conversation. With this band, the players are all so good that the conversation is always exciting and dynamic.” The Paper Crowns Band will play its first gig at Pisgah Brewing Co. on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 8 p.m. Free. pisgahbrewing.com.

Photo by Mike Ingram

Germany and Austria were fertile grounds for composers in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The Asheville Symphony Orchestra will celebrate that era’s musical masters — Joseph Haydn, Johannes Brahms and Robert Schumann — with an evening of Germanic composers. Guest conductor Courtney Lewis, the renowned director of the Jacksonville Symphony and assistant conductor of the New York Philharmonic, will guide the show. The evening will begin with Brahms’ “Variations on a Theme

by Joseph Haydn,” followed by Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C featuring prodigy cellist Cicely Parnas, who is lauded for her silky style. The performance will close with Schumann’s Symphony No. 3, “Rhenish.” The Asheville Symphony Orchestra will perform its “Eine Kleine Rhine Musik” program at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 8 p.m. $22-$62. ashevillesymphony.org.

Photo of Cicely Parnas by Christian Steiner

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A& E CA L E N DA R

by Abigail Griffin

‘KINETIC ORIGINS’: Beginning Friday, Jan. 13, and running through Saturday, May 13, The Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center is hosting the Zola Marcus: Kinetic Origins exhibition, which includes Zola Marcus’ early representational and Cubist works as well as his more abstract later paintings. Marcus attended the 1953 Summer Institute at Black Mountain College, and the show explores the impact that his short time at the college had on his life and practice and how his work has contributed to the college and its legacy. On Saturday, Jan. 14, at 2 p.m. the museum hosts a public discussion on Marcus’ work that includes his niece, art lecturer Eva Bares and professor Garry L. Hagberg.

For more information about the exhibition and discussion, visit blackmountaincollege. org. Untitled painting by Zola Marcus courtesy of the BMCM+AC (p.40) ART APPALACHIAN PASTEL SOCIETY appalachianpastelsociety.org • SA (1/14), 10am-noon - "Pastel Paint Around," presentation and general meeting. Free. Held at Grace Community Church, 495 Cardinal Road, Mills River ART AT UNCA art.unca.edu • FR (1/13), 11:30am - Lunch & Learn: "Southern Folk Art," presentation by collector Ann Oliver. Attendees can bring their own lunch. Held at the Reuter Center Café BLACK MOUNTAIN COLLEGE MUSEUM & ARTS CENTER 56 Broadway, 350-8484, blackmountaincollege.org • SA (1/14), 2pm - "Zola Marcus," discussion by Dr. Eva Bares, Professor James H. Ottaway and Julie Feinsilver, niece of painter Zola Marcus,. $5/Free for members and students.

ART/CRAFT FAIRS ONE DAY ONLY! FOLK ART SALE (PD.) Saturday, January 14. Many artists, featuring Cornbread.

10am-4pm, Leicester Community Center, 2979 New Leicester Hwy., Leicester.

ODYSSEY COOPERATIVE ART GALLERY 238 Clingman Ave., 285-9700, facebook.com/odysseycoopgallery • SA (1/14), & SU (1/15), 11am5pm - "Annual Seconds Sale," with art for sale, demonstrations and live music. Free to attend.

AUDITIONS & CALL TO ARTISTS 35BELOW 35 E. Walnut St., 254-1320, ashevilletheatre.org • MO (1/16) & TU (1/17), 6:30pm - Open auditions for Peter and the Starcatcher. Contact for full guidelines.

ASHEVILLE AREA ARTS COUNCIL 258-0710, ashevillearts.com • Through WE (2/15) Submissions accepted for the Asheville Art in the Park Arts & Community Grant application. Contact for full guidelines.

Information session: Wednesday, Jan. 18, 5pm. Held at The Refinery, 207 Coxe Ave. • Through MO (5/15) -

Applications accepted for the 2017 Professional Development Grant for Artists. Contact for full guidelines.

ASHEVILLE SYMPHONY CHORUS ashevillesymphonychorus.com • TU (1/17), 3-8pm - Open auditions with the Asheville Symphony Chorus. Registration required: mlancastercond@gmail. com. Held at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 10 North Liberty St. CALDWELL ARTS COUNCIL 601 College Ave., SW Lenoir, 754-2486 • Through TU (1/31) - Portfolio submissions accepted for 2018 exhibitions. Information: caldwellarts.com/157-guidelines/ CALDWELL. TRANSYLVANIA COMMUNITY ARTS COUNCIL 349 S. Caldwell St., Brevard, 884-2787, tcarts.org • Through TU (2/7) - Open call for submissions for the Folk Art exhibition taking place Friday, Feb. 10 through Tuesday, Feb. 28. Submission accepted Monday, Feb. 6 and Tuesday, Feb. 7. Contact for full guidelines.

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39

GALLERY DIRECTORY ART AT UNCA art.unca.edu • Through FR (2/10) - Exhibition of new works by printmaker, Jonathan Fisher. Reception: Friday, Jan 20, 4-7pm. Held in Ramsey Library.

ASHEVILLE BOOKWORKS 428 1/2 Haywood Road, 255-8444, ashevillebookworks.com • Through TU (2/28) - Let the Good TImes Roll, printmaking exhibition.

BLACK MOUNTAIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS 225 W. State St., Black Mountain, 669-0930, blackmountainarts.org • Through FR (2/17) - Clay studio exhibit of 12 local potters and pottery market.

BLACK MOUNTAIN COLLEGE MUSEUM & ARTS CENTER 56 Broadway, 350-8484, blackmountaincollege.org • FR (1/13) through SA (5/13) - Zola Marcus: Kinetic Origins, exhibition of the paintings of Zola Marcus. Reception: Friday, Jan. 13, 5:30-8pm.

BLUE SPIRAL 1 38 Biltmore Ave., 251-0202, bluespiral1.com • TH (1/12) through (3/24) - Exhibitions featuring work in four different galleries. Reception: Thursday, Jan. 12, 5-8pm.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library • Through TU (1/31) - Swannanoa High School…

Past and Future in Pictures, exhibition. Held at Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston St., Swannanoa

MLK Week Keynote Address

CARLTON GALLERY 10360 Highway 105 S. Banner Elk, 963-4288, carltonartgallery.com • Through TU (1/17) - Winter Group and Small Works Exhibition.

CRUCIBLE GLASSWORKS 60 Clarks Chapel Road, Weaverville, 645-5660, crucibleglassworks.com

Thursday, January 19

MUSIC

UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky Auditorium 7 p.m.

President of Dillard University

DR. WALTER KIMBROUGH free & open to the public Join us for a weeklong campus observance promoting the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. cesap.unca.edu | msp.unca.edu 40

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VILLAGE MARIMBA CLASSES • ALL AGES (PD.) New session of classes beginning January. Sue Ford, voted Best Music Teacher in WNC, Mountain Xpress, 3 years in a row. Registration/information: (828) 776-7918 or suef444@gmail.com ASHEVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 254-7046, ashevillesymphony.org • SA (1/14), 8pm - Masterworks Series: "Eine Kleine Rhine Musik," concert featuring music from Germanic composers Brahms, Haydn, and Schumann. $22 and up.

Held at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, 87 Haywood St. BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/governing/ depts/library • SA (1/14), 2pm - Jazz trio plays the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Free. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St.

• Ongoing - Exhibition of the glass work of Michael Hatch.

FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER 2160 US Hwy 70, Swannanoa, 273-3332, floodgallery.org/ • Through MO (1/30) - Outsider painting exhibition featuring works by Scarlett Swann.

GREEN SAGE CAFE SOUTH 1800 Hendersonville Road, Hendersonville • Through TU (1/31) - Exhibition of paintings by John Haldane.

HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM 1 Historic Courthouse Square Hendersonville, 694-1619, hendersoncountymuseum.org • Through SU (6/4) - Exhibition of works from the Baker-Barber museum collection.

MORA CONTEMPORARY JEWELRY 9 Walnut St., 575-2294, moracollection.com • Through TU (1/31) - Exhibition of the jewelry of Lisa Klakulak.

PUSH SKATE SHOP & GALLERY 25 Patton Ave., 225-5509, pushtoyproject.com • Through MO (1/23) - Running From Madness, a group show curated by Maxx Feist.

THE ASHEVILLE SCHOOL 360 Asheville School Road, 254-6345, ashevilleschool.org • Through FR (3/3) - Counterpoint, abstract oil and cold wax paintings by Douglas Lail. Reception: Thursday, Jan. 12, 6-8pm.

TRANSYLVANIA COMMUNITY ARTS COUNCIL 349 S. Caldwell St., Brevard, 884-2787, tcarts.org • Through FR (1/13) - Transylvania Vocational Services art exhibition.

• TU (1/17) through FR (2/3) - Faces of Freedom, group exhibition. Reception: Friday, Jan. 17, 4:306:30pm.

Contact the galleries for admission hours and fees

CELEBRATION SINGERS OF ASHEVILLE 230-5778, singasheville.org • SU (1/15), 4pm - "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Concert." Admission by donation. Held at First Congregational UCC of Asheville, 20 Oak St. MUSIC AT UNCA 251-6432, unca.edu • FR (1/13), 3pm - "Symphony Talk," with WCQS host Chip Kaufman and Asheville Symphony Orchestra Director Daniel Meyer. Free. Held in the Reuter Center TRYON FINE ARTS CENTER 34 Melrose Ave., Tryon, 859-8322, tryonarts.org • SA (1/14), 8pm - Sierra Hull, Americana concert. $17-$35.

• FRIDAYS through SUNDAYS until (1/22) - Musical of Musicals (The Musical!). Fri. & Sat.: 7:30pm, Sun.: 2:30pm. $20.

CITY OF MORGANTON MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM 401 South College St. Morganton, 433-SHOW, commaonline.org • TH (1/12), 7:30pm - The Game Show. $12-$20.

MALAPROP'S BOOKSTORE AND CAFE 55 Haywood St., 254-6734, malaprops.com • SA (1/14), 2pm - Preview performance of Jeeves in Bloom by the NC Stage Company. Free to attend.

THE MAGNETIC THEATRE

THEATER 35BELOW 35 E. Walnut St., 254-1320, ashevilletheatre.org

375 Depot St., 279-4155 • THURSDAYS through SATURDAYS until (1/21), 9pm - "The Great American Strip-Off," burlesque improvisation. $24/$21 advance.

CLUBLAND CROW & QUILL Carolina Catskins (gritty ragtime jazz), 10:00PM FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB Paper Crowns (folk, rock), 9:00PM FRENCH BROAD BREWERY Dave Dribbon (Americana), 6:00PM ISIS RESTAURANT AND MUSIC HALL Sister Ivy w/ Rachel Waterhouse (modern soul, jazz), 7:00PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Bluegrass jam, 7:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Hank Bones ("The man of 1,000 songs"), 6:30PM ODDITORIUM The Revolting Party w/ Egg Eaters, The Dirty Badgers & Hard Rocket (rock, punk, benefit), 9:00PM OLE SHAKEY'S O.S.O.M. Open Mic, 10:00PM ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Mitch's Totally Rad Trivia Night, 6:30PM Tweed w/ The Landing (jam, rock), 10:00PM PULP Slice of Life Comedy open mic w/ Cliff Hall, 9:00PM PACK'S TAVERN Mark Keller (acoustic rock), 8:00PM PISGAH BREWING COMPANY January Thursday Residency w/ Hustle Souls (funk, soul), 6:30PM PURPLE ONION CAFE Gigi Dover & Eric Lovell (Southern world music), 8:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Jamison Adams (Americana), 7:00PM THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Unite! Open mic night (sign up @ 7 p.m.), 7:30PM

STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND: Nashville-based quintet Forlorn Strangers are no strangers to the roots of American music.

Combining bluegrass sensibilities with elements of blues, jazz and rock ’n’ roll, the eclectic stringsters weave four part harmonies and dynamic hooks into a sound that Vinyl Magazine compares to “an ‘Americana Fleetwood Mac.’” Forlorn Strangers sweeps into The Grey Eagle in Asheville on Thursday, Jan. 19 for an 8 p.m. show. Photo by Jennifer Elrod Photography WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Les Amis (African folk), 8:00PM 550 TAVERN & GRILLE Karaoke, 8:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Brad Hodge & friends (singer-songwriter), 7:00PM

Woody Wood Wednesdays (rock, soul, funk), 5:30PM ISIS RESTAURANT AND MUSIC HALL Boogying Down for Clean Water w/ Hustle Souls & Marking Progress (benefit, soul, roots), 8:30PM

THE SOCIAL LOUNGE DJ Phantom Pantone (international soul, R&B), 8:00PM TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Blues & Soul Jam (blues, soul), 9:00PM

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Old-time session, 5:00PM

WILD WING CAFE Iggy Radio (acoustic), 8:00PM

LOBSTER TRAP Ben Hovey (dub, jazz), 6:30PM

WILD WING CAFE SOUTH Paint Nite "Red Cardinal in a Winter Pine", 7:00PM Jordan Okrend, 8:00PM

BARLEY'S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA Dr. Brown's Team Trivia, 8:30PM

ODDITORIUM Synergy Story Slam w/ Todd Lester, 7:00PM 80s/90s Dance Party, 10:00PM

BEN'S TUNE-UP Soul Magnetics (soul, R&B, funk), 7:00PM

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Disclaimer Lounge Comedy Open Mic, 9:30PM

BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Open Mic w/ Mark Bumgarner, 7:00PM

ONE WORLD BREWING Kylie and Her Mutts, 8:00PM

BONFIRE BARBECUE Trivia Funtime w/ Kelsey, 8:00PM

ORANGE PEEL ZOSO (Led Zeppelin tribute), 9:00PM

BROADWAY'S Broadway HumpDay Variety w/ DJ NexMillen, 9:00PM

THURSDAY, JANUARY 12 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Pleasure Chest (blues, rock, soul), 8:00PM

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR Tricky Trivia w/ Sue, 8:00PM THE RIDGE AT NEW MOUNTAIN AVL Protozoa w/ Spundose & Shanti, 9:00PM TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Jesse Barry & The Jam (dance), 9:00PM UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Blues Dinner Show w/ Peggy Ratusz, Eric Congdon, Richard J Gibson & Riyen Roots, 7:00PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Kaitlyn Raitz & Ben Plotnick (folk, bluegrass), 7:30PM WILD WING CAFE Hope Griffin Duo (acoustic), 9:00PM WILD WING CAFE SOUTH Mike Snodgrass, 8:00PM WXYZ LOUNGE AT ALOFT HOTEL WXYZ Unplugged w/ Soldado, 8:00PM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13

ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Will Ray & The Space Cooties, 7:00PM

185 KING STREET Clint Roberts Band, 8:00PM

PILLAR ROOFTOP BAR 3 Cool Cats (50s & 60s vintage rock, swing), 7:00PM

BARLEY'S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA Alien Music Club (jazz), 9:00PM

5 WALNUT WINE BAR Ryan "R&B" Barber (funk, soul), 9:00PM

BYWATER Cocktail night w/ DJ Kyuri, 9:00PM

SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Karaoke, 7:00PM

BEN'S TUNE-UP Chris Coleman Blues Experience, 8:00PM

550 TAVERN & GRILLE Ryan Perry Band (country), 9:00PM

CROW & QUILL Sparrow & Her Wingmen (swing jazz, dance lessons), 9:00PM

STATIC AGE RECORDS Benjy Ferree (pop, singer-songwriter), 8:00PM

BLACK MOUNTAIN ALE HOUSE Bluegrass Jam w/ The Big Deal Band, 8:00PM

ALTAMONT THEATRE Reasonably Priced Babies (comedy), 8:00PM

THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Bob Loiacono (jazz, folk, classic rock), 8:00PM

BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Patrick Fitzsimons (roots music), 7:00PM

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR Bag of Tricks, 7:00PM

BONFIRE BARBECUE Social Function, 8:30PM

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL An evening w/ Phuncle Sam (Grateful Dead tribute), 10:00PM

THE MOTHLIGHT WNC String Ensemble w/ DJ Walkhome & Alec Sturgis, 9:00PM

BYWATER Thursday Tap Takeover with Bhramari Brewhouse & Jack & Zak (of Midnight Snack), 7:30PM

GOOD STUFF Jim Hampton & friends perform "Eclectic Country" (jam), 7:00PM GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Sean Patton w/ Tom Peters (comedy), 9:00PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY

MOUNTAINX.COM

BEN'S TUNE-UP Vinyl Night w/ DJ Kilby, 10:00PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Acoustic Swing, 7:00PM

JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2017

41

C L UB L AND BYWATER Jordan Okrend Experience (Americana, rock, folk), 9:00PM CATAWBA BREWING SOUTH SLOPE In the Round Trio (singer-songwriter, country, Americana), 7:00PM CORK & KEG The Resonant Rogues (Gypsy jazz, old-time, swing), 8:30PM CROW & QUILL Krekel & Woah w/ Lora Pendleton (rock n' roll), 10:00PM FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER Classic World Cinema, 8:00PM

42

CORK & KEG The Old Chevrolette Set (country, Americana), 8:30PM

FRENCH BROAD BREWERY Stray Local (folk, pop), 6:00PM GOOD STUFF The Great American (rock), 8:00PM Modern Strangers (jangle-pop), 9:00PM GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Michael Tracy w/ The Dirty Soul Revival (Americana, rock, country), 9:00PM HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS Tripping Into Darkness w/ DJ sours & DJ acidfive, 8:00PM

UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Anya Hinkle Bluegrass Dinner Show, 7:00PM Circus No. 9, 9:30PM

HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Wiseapple & GrassDance reunion show (progressive jazz, bluegrass), 7:00PM

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN The Asheville Jazz Orchestra, 8:00PM

ISIS RESTAURANT AND MUSIC HALL The Cheeksters, 7:00PM Andrew Scotchie’s B-Day Bash, 9:00PM

WXYZ LOUNGE AT ALOFT HOTEL WXYZ Electric w/ Ben Hovey, 8:00PM

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14 185 KING STREET Bill Mattocks Band w/ Virginia & the Slims, 8:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Riyen Roots & Scott Spinner (blues, roots), 6:00PM Coconut Cake (world music), 9:00PM

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB The Resonant Rogues (Gypsy jazz, old-time, swing), 9:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Sean Mason Trio (jazz), 6:30PM NEW MOUNTAIN THEATER/AMPHITHEATER SunSquabi & Cloudchord, 9:00PM ODDITORIUM Hot Vibes Series 3: "DanceHall Reggae vs Hip-Hop", 10:00PM ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL After Funk (funk, rock), 10:00PM

PISGAH BREWING COMPANY The Ragbirds w/ Alexa Rose, 9:00PM

550 TAVERN & GRILLE Bingo w/ Boxer Butts and other mutts (benefit), 3:00PM Jason Whitaker (acoustic, rock), 8:00PM

ORANGE PEEL Abbey Road LIVE! Matinee w/ Vance Elementary Chorus (Beatles tribute), 4:00PM Abbey Road LIVE! (Beatles tribute), 8:00PM

SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Sean Bendula (singer-songwriter), 8:00PM

ALTAMONT THEATRE Mike Dillon Band (punk, jazz), 8:30PM

PACK'S TAVERN Flashback (classic rock), 9:30PM

ONE STOP

(Jamtronica/Space-Pop)

1.13 9 PM

AMH

(Dead) $10

JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2017

TWISTED LAUREL Request-powered dance party w/ Phantom Pantone, 10:30PM

ODDITORIUM Blinding Isaac w/ Amnesis (metal, rock), 9:00PM

1.12 10PM

FREE!

TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Company Swing (swing), 7:00PM Jesse Barry & The Jam (dance), 10:00PM

WILD WING CAFE Ashli Rose Duo (acoustic), 9:00PM

PACK'S TAVERN DJ MoTo (pop, dance hits), 9:30PM

Jouwala Collective

TIGER MOUNTAIN Friday Nite Mash Up w/ B-Boy Evan & Nex Millen, 10:00PM

LUELLA'S BAR-B-QUE BILTMORE PARK Chris Jamison (Americana), 8:00PM

ORANGE PEEL The Infamous Stringdusters w/ Billy Strings (bluegrass, folk, jam), 8:00PM

FREE!

CATAWBA BREWING SOUTH SLOPE Dave Desmelik Trio (singer-songwriter, Americana, folk), 7:00PM

FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB Wild Card Trio (funk, jam), 10:00PM

ONE WORLD BREWING Pretty Little Goat Stringband (old-time, acoustic), 9:00PM

After Funk

THE MOCKING CROW Trivia and karoke night!, 9:00PM

THE SUMMIT AT NEW MOUNTAIN AVL Sol Vibes: Wilsdorf w/ GuLion, Infiinite Geometry & DJ Greenwood, 9:00PM

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Free Dead Fridays w/ members of Phuncle Sam, 5:00PM Free Mason & The Madmen (jam, rock), 10:00PM

FREE!

BYWATER Third Nature (live electronica, electro-soul, groove), 9:00PM

GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN The Subdudes (Southern rock, pop, roots), 8:00PM

LUELLA'S BAR-B-QUE Carver & Carmody (singer-songwriter, Americana), 8:00PM

Free Mason & The Madman

THE DUGOUT FineLine, 9:00PM

CROW & QUILL Red Hot Sugar Babies (Dixieland jazz), 10:00PM

LOBSTER TRAP Calico Moon (Americana), 6:30PM

Phuncle Sam

BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Andy Ferrell (folk, Americana), 7:00PM

THE SOCIAL LOUNGE Ultra Lounge w/ Phantom Pantone, 10:00PM

K LOUNGE DJ Phantom Pantone (Korean pop, trap, dance), 10:00PM

An Evening with

BLACK MOUNTAIN ALE HOUSE Asheville Aces (blues), 8:00PM

GOOD STUFF Freestone August (indie, folk, singer-songwriter), 8:30PM

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Mike Mitchell Band (bluegrass, Americana), 9:00PM

w/ The Landing

THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Kevin Spears Kalimba Live! (world music), 6:30PM DNA Dance Party w/ DJ Audio, 10:00PM

THE MOTHLIGHT The Moon & You w/ Rob Nance & The Lost Souls (Americana, indie folk), 8:00PM

ISIS RESTAURANT AND MUSIC HALL Stephanie Morgan w Santos (pop noir, modern soul), 7:00PM 2nd Annual Mountain Soul Party ft. LYRIC & Secret B-Sides (soul, funk, hip-hop), 9:00PM

FREE!

SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN BREWERY Pleasure Chest, 8:00PM

BEN'S TUNE-UP Gypsy Guitar Trio (gypsy folk), 3:00PM The WildCard (funk, dance), 9:30PM

FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB Window Cat (funk, jazz), 10:00PM

HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Calvin Get Down (funk), 7:00PM

TweeD

SCARLET'S COUNTRY DANCE CLUB Open Mic night w/ Sam Warner, 8:00PM

1.13 10PM

ONE STOP

1.14 10PM

ONE STOP

(Funk/Rock)

1.15 10PM

ONE STOP

(World)

MOUNTAINX.COM

PILLAR ROOFTOP BAR The Crown Jewels Band w/ Paula Hanke (dance music, 1940s-today), 7:00PM PISGAH BREWING COMPANY The Paper Crowns (Americana, rock 'n' roll), 8:00PM

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Bluegrass brunch w/ Aaron "Woody" Wood, 11:00AM PILLAR ROOFTOP BAR Pizza Karaoke , 8:00PM

PURPLE ONION CAFE The Moon and You (folk), 8:00PM

PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Sunday Travers jam w/ "Hurricane" Bob Travers, 6:00PM

SALVAGE STATION The Chuck Lichtenberger Collective, 8:00PM

SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN BREWERY The Wintervals, 5:00PM

SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Yoga w/ Cats with Blue Ridge Humane Society, 10:00AM Further to Fly (Americana, rock), 8:00PM

THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Sunday Hippie Revival Brunch w/ Forrest Rivers, 2:00PM Martin Luther King Reception w/ Robert Zachary, 4:30PM Los Bad Hombres (originals & covers), 6:30PM

SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN BREWERY Big Block Dodge, 8:00PM THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Conscious Comedy Night, 7:00PM International Salsa Dance Party, 10:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT The Carolina Wildmen w/ Sammy Guns & The Franks (roots, rock, Americana), 9:30PM THE SOCIAL LOUNGE Ultra Lounge w/ Phantom Pantone, 10:00PM THOMAS WOLFE AUDITORIUM Asheville Symphony Masterworks: 'Eine Kleine Rhine Musik', 8:00PM TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES The King Zeros (delta blues), 7:30PM Jim Arrendell & The Cheap Suits (live music, dance), 10:00PM TWISTED LAUREL Dance Party w/ Phantom Pantone, 10:30PM UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY LazyBirds, 9:30PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Yes The Raven (folk, indie, alternative), 8:00PM WXYZ LOUNGE AT ALOFT HOTEL WXYZ Live w/ Circus Mutt, 8:00PM

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Resonant Rogues (old-fashioned originals), 7:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Guitar Bar Jam, 3:30PM BARLEY'S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA Like Mind Trio, 7:30PM BEN'S TUNE-UP Dub Kartel (reggae, dub), 6:00PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Larry Dolamore (acoustic), 7:00PM BYWATER Grateful Sunday (Grateful Dead covers), 8:00PM FLOOD GALLERY True home open mic (sign-up @ 5 p.m.), 5:30PM GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Mike Doughty w/ Wheatus (alt. rock, alt. hip hop), 8:00PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Reggae Sunday w/ Dennis "Chalwa" Berndt, 1:00PM ISIS RESTAURANT AND MUSIC HALL Up Jumped Three (original modern jazz), 5:30PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Irish session, 5:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Hunnilicious (Americana, folk), 6:30PM NEW MOUNTAIN THEATER/AMPHITHEATER Our First Stand: Save Health Care Rally, 1:00PM ODDITORIUM 80s/90s Dance Party, 9:00PM

THE IMPERIAL LIFE DJ Phantom Pantone (french pop, disco house), 9:30PM

Comedy • Swing • Salsa • Open Mic More at theblockoffbiltmore.com 39 S. Market St., Downtown Asheville

THE MOTHLIGHT Obsideoneye w/ Shadow Show & Call The Next Witness (rock, 5th wave), 9:30PM

Bywater

THE STRAND @ 38 MAIN Ward Davis (singer-songwriter), 7:30PM

MONDAY, JANUARY 16 185 KING STREET Open mic, 8:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Brie Capone & Friends (indie, folk, rock), 8:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR AGB Classical Guitar Mondays, 7:00PM BEN'S TUNE-UP Open Mic Night, 7:00PM BYWATER Open mic w/ Rooster, 8:00PM GOOD STUFF Songwriter's "open mic", 7:30PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Quizzo, 7:00PM Open Mic Night, 9:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Bobby Miller & Friends (bluegrass), 6:30PM ODDITORIUM Risque Monday Burlesque w/ Deb Au Nare, 9:00PM OLE SHAKEY'S Honky Tonk Karaoke, 9:00PM ORANGE PEEL Aesop Rock w/ Rob Sonic & DJ Zone (hip hop), 9:00PM THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Altamont Poetry Series, 7:30PM THE JOINT NEXT DOOR Trivial trivia w/ Geoffrey & Brody, 8:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT Big Thief w/ Sam Evian & Adrienne Ammerman (rock), 8:00PM THE SOCIAL LOUNGE Rooftop movies w/ Phantom Pantone DJ Collective, 8:00PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Jay Brown and The Everydays (roots, acoustic), 7:00PM

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17

Fri•Jan ri•Jan 13

Calvin Get Down 7-9pm

UPCOMING MUSIC JAN

13

FRI

Sat•Jan 14

Wiseapple and GrassDance Reunion Show 7- 9pm Sun•Jan 15

Reggae Sunday

JAN

14

SAT

MON

OPEN MIC

ft. ROOSTER

6pm

SPIN JAM 9pm

Tue•Jan 17

Woody Wood

9pm

OPEN DRUM CIRCLE TUE

Wed•Jan 18

THIRD NATURE

8pm

Dennis “Chalwa” Berndt

Dr. Brown’s Team Trivia 6-8pm

9pm

WEEKLY EVENTS

hosted by

1-4pm

JORDAN OKREND EXPERIENCE

WED

COCKTAIL NIGHT ft. DJ Kyuri 9pm

THU

5:30-7:30pm

BHRAMARI TAP TAKEOVER ft. Jack & Zak from Midnight Snack 7:30pm

185 KING STREET Vinyl Night, 8:00PM

SUN

5 WALNUT WINE BAR The John Henrys (hot jazz), 8:00PM

GRATEFUL SUNDAY 8pm

ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR AGB Gypsy Jazz Jam Tuesdays, 7:00PM ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Tuesday night funk jam, 11:00PM

796 RIVERSIDE DR. ASHEVILLE, NC BYWATER.BAR MOUNTAINX.COM

JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2017

43

CLU B LA N D

COMING SOON wed 1/11 8:30PM – BOOGYING DOWN

FOR CLEAN WATER thu 1/12

7:00PM –SISTER IVY (IN THE LOUNGE) fri 1/13 7:00PM – STEPHANIE MORGAN W/

SANTOS GLOCAL SOUL 9:00PM – 2ND ANNUAL

MOUNTAIN SOUL PARTY sat 1/14

7:00PM –THE CHEEKSTERS

(IN THE LOUNGE)

9:00PM –ANDREW SCOTCHIE’S

B-DAY BASH

sun 1/15

5:30PM –UP JUMPED THREE:

ORIGINAL MODERN JAZZ

tue 1/17 7:30PM – TUESDAY BLUEGRASS SESSIONS wed 1/18 195 HILLIARD AVE.

JANUARY LINEUP MONDAY: 7-10 Open Mic Jam Session Tuesday: 7-10 Eleanor Underhill Americana/Roots/Fusion Wednesday: 7-10 Soul Magnetics Soul/R&B/Funk

7:00PM –INDIGO DE SOUZA

(IN THE LOUNGE) thu 1/19

7:00PM –DEBRA COWAN 9:00PM –NICK MOSS BAND fri 1/20 7:00PM –SARAH TUCKER (IN THE LOUNGE) 9:00PM –CARRIE NEWCOMER sat 1/21 7:00PM – PETER MULVEY 9:00PM – JAHMAN BRAHMAN

Thursday: 8-11 Brews N’ Blues w/ The Cris Coleman Blues Experience

(ALBUM RELEASE PARTY)

Friday: 10-1 Vinyl Night w/ DJ Kilby

5:30PM – THE BELLE HOLLOWS 7:30PM – WENDY JONES ROMANCING THE DUKE: A TRIBUTE TO DUKE ELLINGTON ISISASHEVILLE.COM

Saturday: 3-6 Gypsy Guitar Trio Instrumental Jazz Saturday: 9:30-12:30 The WildCard Feel-Good Funky Dance Party Good Vibe Sundays 6-10 w/ the Dub Kartel Roots/Rock/Reggae 44

JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2017

& BACKUP PLANET sun 1/22

DINNER MENU TIL 9:30PM LATE NIGHT MENU TIL 12AM

TUES-SUN 5PM-until 743 HAYWOOD RD 828-575-2737

MOUNTAINX.COM

BEN'S TUNE-UP Eleanor Underhill (Americana, roots, fusion), 7:00PM

BONFIRE BARBECUE Trivia Funtime w/ Kelsey, 8:00PM

BLACK MOUNTAIN ALE HOUSE Trivia Night, 7:30PM

BROADWAY'S Broadway HumpDay Variety w/ DJ NexMillen, 9:00PM

BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Patrick Fitzsimons (roots music), 7:00PM

BUFFALO NICKEL David Joe Miller Spoken Word Open Mic, 7:00PM

BONFIRE BARBECUE Thunder karaoke w/ Jason Tarr, 8:00PM

BYWATER Cocktail night w/ DJ Dr. Filth, 9:00PM

BYWATER Open Drum Circle, 6:00PM Spin Jam, 9:00PM

CROW & QUILL Sparrow & Her Wingmen (swing jazz, dance lessons), 9:00PM

CORK & KEG Old Time Jam, 5:00PM

GOOD STUFF Jim Hampton & friends perform "Eclectic Country" (jam), 7:00PM

CROW & QUILL Boogie Woogie Burger Night (burgers & rock n' roll), 9:00PM GOOD STUFF Old time-y night, 6:30PM GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN TAARKA w/ Ian Ridenhour (folk rock, experimental, jazz), 8:00PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Dr. Brown's Team Trivia, 6:00PM ISIS RESTAURANT AND MUSIC HALL Tuesday bluegrass sessions w/ Caleb Hanks & Copernicus, 7:30PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Cajun Two-steppin' Tuesday w/ Cafe Sho's (Cajun, zydeco, dance), 7:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Jay Brown (folk, singer-songwriter), 6:30PM ODDITORIUM Odd Open Mic Comedy, 9:00PM OLE SHAKEY'S Booty Tuesday, 11:00PM ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Turntable Tuesdays, 10:00PM ONE WORLD BREWING Trivia! w/ Ol' Gilly, 7:00PM PILLAR ROOFTOP BAR The Remedy (blues), 7:30PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Taco and Trivia Tuesday, 6:00PM THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Swing Asheville & Jazz-n-Justice Tuesday w/ The Posey Quartet, 9:00PM Late Night Blues Dance, 11:00PM

GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN The Band of Heathens w/ The National Reserve (Americana, folk rock, country), 8:00PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Woody Wood Wednesdays (rock, soul, funk), 5:30PM ISIS RESTAURANT AND MUSIC HALL An evening w/ Indigo De Souza (shoegaze, pop, songwriter), 7:00PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Old-time session, 5:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Ben Hovey (dub, jazz), 6:30PM ODDITORIUM The Nightshirts (blues), 9:00PM ONE WORLD BREWING Billy Litz, 8:00PM ORANGE PEEL Dweezilla On The Road w/ Dweezil Zappa (guitar masterclass), 3:00PM 50 Years of Frank w/ Dweezil Zappa (Frank Zappa tribute), 8:00PM PILLAR ROOFTOP BAR 3 Cool Cats (50s & 60s vintage rock, swing), 7:00PM THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Western North Carolina Female Musician's Hang w/ Peggy Ratusz (open mic), 7:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT Oariana w/ Jake Pugh, Mojavenaut & Matt Barlow, 9:00PM THE SOCIAL LOUNGE DJ Phantom Pantone (international soul, R&B), 8:00PM TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Blues & Soul Jam (blues, soul), 9:00PM

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR Open jam w/ Rob Parks & Chuck Knott, 7:00PM

WILD WING CAFE Paint Nite "Blue Moon Cherry Blossoms", 7:00PM Jordan Okrend (acoustic), 9:00PM

TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Early Jazz & Funk Jam (funk, jazz), 9:00PM

WILD WING CAFE SOUTH Ashley Heath, 8:00PM

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Irish sessions & open mic, 6:30PM WILD WING CAFE Sons of Ralph & The Dixie Darlins, 6:00PM

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Pleasure Chest (blues, rock, soul), 8:00PM

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18

ALTAMONT THEATRE Window Cat (funk, neo-soul), 8:00PM

5 WALNUT WINE BAR Les Amis (African folk music), 8:00PM

ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Will Ray & The Space Cooties, 7:00PM

ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Brad Hodge & friends (singer-songwriter), 7:00PM

BARLEY'S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA Alien Music Club (jazz), 9:00PM

ASHEVILLE MUSIC SCHOOL Gypsy Jazz 101 Workshop, 7:00PM

BEN'S TUNE-UP Chris Coleman Blues Experience, 8:00PM

BARLEY'S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA Dr. Brown's Team Trivia, 8:30PM

BLACK MOUNTAIN ALE HOUSE Bluegrass Jam w/ The Big Deal Band, 8:00PM

BEN'S TUNE-UP Soul Magnetics (soul, R&B, funk), 7:00PM

BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Matt Sellars (Americana, blues, roots), 7:00PM

BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Open Mic w/ Billy Owens, 7:00PM

BONFIRE BARBECUE Social Function, 8:30PM

CROW & QUILL Carolina Catskins (gritty ragtime jazz), 10:00PM FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB Dao (jazz fusion), 9:00PM FRENCH BROAD BREWERY The Paper Crowns (indie rock), 6:00PM GOOD STUFF John the Revelator (folk, swamp stomp), 7:00PM GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Old Salt Union & Forlorn Strangers (bluegrass), 8:00PM ISIS RESTAURANT AND MUSIC HALL Debra Cowan (folk, singer-songwriter), 7:00PM Nick Moss Band, 9:00PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Bluegrass jam, 7:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Hank Bones ("The man of 1,000 songs"), 6:30PM ODDITORIUM The Mudbottoms, Mr. Mange, Milo In the Doldrums (rock), 9:00PM OLE SHAKEY'S O.S.O.M. Open Mic, 10:00PM ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Mitch's Totally Rad Trivia Night, 6:30PM Jouwala Collective (world music), 10:00PM ONE WORLD BREWING Pendulum Jazz Trio, 8:00PM ORANGE PEEL Appetite For Destruction (Guns N' Roses tribute), 9:00PM PACK'S TAVERN Hope Griffin Duo (acoustic rock, folk), 8:00PM

CRANFORD HOLLOW JORDAN OKREND

PISGAH BREWING COMPANY January Thursday Residency w/ Hustle Souls (funk, soul), 6:30PM

Brewing Company

Brewing Company

PURPLE ONION CAFE Mark Stuart, 8:00PM SALVAGE STATION Fish & Friends, 7:00PM

JAN

12 THU

SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Bryce Denton (singer-songwriter), 7:00PM THE JOINT NEXT DOOR Tricky Trivia w/ Sue, 8:00PM

And

THE MOTHLIGHT The Moth: True Stories Told Live ("voyage" theme), 7:00PM TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Jesse Barry & The Jam (live music, dance), 9:00PM UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Vince JR Blues Band Dinner Show, 7:00PM WILD WING CAFE Jordan Okrend, 8:00PM Kincaid Dos (acoustic rock), 9:00PM WILD WING CAFE SOUTH Jason Whittaker, 8:00PM WXYZ LOUNGE AT ALOFT HOTEL WXYZ Unplugged w/ Steve Weems, 8:00PM

BREWS

East Asheville’s Craft Beer Destination • 29 Taps

$3.50 DAILY PINTS

MON Burgers & Trivia 7pm

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20 185 KING STREET Spalding McIntosh & Cody Siniard (singer-songwriter), 8:00PM

TUE

Tacos + Blues w/ Matt Walsh - 6pm

WED

Wings & Roots & Friends Open Mic Jam - 7pm

THU

Jordan Okrend - 7pm

FRI

Fish n’ Chips + Riyen Roots - 7pm

JAN

13 FRI

JAN

14

SAT JAN

15

SUN

6pm EARLY SHOW FREE

JANUARY THURSDAY RESIDENCY

HUSTLE SOULS Funk and Soul 9:00 PM

$10/12

THE RAGBIRDS W/ ALEXA ROSE World-Beat/Americana 8:00 PM

FREE

THE PAPER CROWNS BAND Americana

6pm EARLY SHOW FREE

TRAVERS JAM HOSTED BY “HURRICANE” BOB TRAVERS Open Jam

Coming up 1/20 1/21

CRANFORD HOLLOW JORDAN OKREND

M-W: 4pm-9pm TH-F: 2pm-9pm* M-T: Closed W: 4pm-8pm* TH-F: 2pm-10pm* SA: 12pm-9pm* SU: 2pm-9pm* SA: 12pm-10pm* 1pm-9pm *Nights w/ liveSU: music may go later *Taproom open til midnight or later on nights with music

(singer/songwriter)

(blues/roots)

SAT

BBQ Nachos + Nate Robinson - 7pm (singer/songwriter)

SUN

Football Nachos & FOOTBALL!

$5 Piglet Menu (12 & under)

All the

NFL, NHL & SEC action on our 10 TV’s Call us to book your next Party!

Parties of 10+, please call ahead

MOUNTAINX.COM

JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2017

45

CLU B LA N D

TAVERN

5 WALNUT WINE BAR Goldie & The Screamers (rock, soul), 9:00PM

Downtown on the Park Eclectic Menu • Over 30 Taps • Patio 14 TV’s • Sports Room • 110” Projector Event Space • Shuffleboard Open 7 Days 11am - Late Night

14 TV’s!

FOOTB ALL RGERS, PIZZA &, BUEER! B

THU. 1/12 Marc Keller

550 TAVERN & GRILLE Flashback Sally (rock), 9:00PM

Where The Blue Ridge Mountains Meet the Celtic Isles

MONDAYS Quizzo – Brainy Trivia • 7:30pm Open Mic Night • 9pm

(acoustic rock)

FRI. 1/13 DJ MoTo

CAJUN TWO STEPPIN’ TUESDAYS Every Tuesday in Nov. • 7pm Gumbo, Po Boys and more!

(pop, dance hits)

SAT. 1/14 Flashback

(classic rock)

WEDNESDAYS Asheville’s Original Old Time Mountain Music Jam • 5pm

20 S. Spruce St. • 225.6944 packStavern.com

1/11

wed series: wednesdays in january

1/13

fri

1/14

sat

1/15

sun

1/16

wnc string ensemble

FRI MIKE MITCHELL BAND 1/13 9PM / $5 SAT RESONANT ROGUES 1/14 9PM / $5

w/ rob nance & the lost souls

the carolina wildmen

FRI UPLAND DRIVE 1/20 9PM / $5

obsideoneye

SAT PIERCE EDENS 1/21 9PM / $5

w/ sammy guns, the franks

ALTAMONT THEATRE Love Trumps Fear Inauguration Day w/ I, Star & Santos and friends, 8:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Joe McMurrian, 7:00PM ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Dead 27's w/ The Freeway Revival (rock), 9:00PM BEN'S TUNE-UP Vinyl Night w/ DJ Kilby, 10:00PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Acoustic Swing, 7:00PM

mon free monday!

free!

Woodpecker Pie

OPEN MON-THURS AT 3 • FRI-SUN AT NOON

Yoga at the Mothlight

CRAFT BEER, SPIRITS & QUALITY PUB FARE SINCE 1996

Details for all shows can be found at

95 PATTON at COXE • Downtown Asheville

5pm to last call

Tues., Thurs., and Sat. 11:30am

themothlight.com

JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2017

252.5445 • jackofthewood.com

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K LOUNGE DJ Phantom Pantone (Korean pop, trap, dance), 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Asheville Gypsy Jazz Trio, 6:30PM LUELLA'S BAR-B-QUE Chris Flanders, 8:00PM LUELLA'S BAR-B-QUE BILTMORE PARK Mark Bumgarner, 8:00PM ODDITORIUM Advance Base, Lisa/Liza & Gold Grace (indie, rock, exp.), 9:00PM

CATAWBA BREWING SOUTH SLOPE In the Round Trio (singer-songwriter, country, Americana), 7:00PM CORK & KEG Zoe & Cloyd & Friends (bluegrass), 8:30PM

ONE WORLD BREWING Roots & friends, 9:00PM

CROW & QUILL Tom Waits for No Man (Tom Waits covers), 10:00PM

ORANGE PEEL Steep Canyon Rangers w/ Del McCoury (bluegrass), 8:00PM

DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE Paula Poundstone (comedy), 8:00PM

PACK'S TAVERN Dance for Food Connection (DJ party), 8:00PM DJ MoTo (pop, dance hits), 9:30PM

FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER Classic World Cinema, 8:00PM FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB Jaliete (funk, jam), 10:00PM FRENCH BROAD BREWERY Community Center (orchestral rock), 6:00PM GOOD STUFF Gracie Lane (folk, Americana), 8:00PM GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Greyhounds w/ The Digs (rock), 9:00PM ISIS RESTAURANT AND MUSIC HALL An evening w/ Sarah Tucker (pop, songwriter) - 7pm, 7:00PM An evening w/ Carrie Newcomer (singersongwriter), 9:00PM

1/12 - 7pm Peggy Ratusz, Stevie Lee Combs, Richard J Gibson, Riyen Roots (Folk) Free!

Traditional Irish Music Session • 3-9pm

Savory and Sweet Hand Pies!

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB The Freeway Revival w/ Jay Bragg (rock), 9:00PM

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Free Dead Fridays w/ members of Phuncle Sam, 5:00PM Masseuse w/ Na'an Stop (funk, rock), 10:00PM

Eve w/ SupaTiIRISH s ghtSUNDAYS r a e 9:30pm Y w e Nbig thief Irish Food and Drink Specials w/ shadow show, call the next witness

w/ sam evian, adrienne ammerman

46

THURSDAYS Mountain Feist • 7pm Bluegrass Jam • 9:30pm Bourbon Specials

w/ dj walkhome, alec sturgis a benefit for the aclu

the moon and you

Send your listings to clubland@mountainx.com

2-28-17

PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Cranford Hollow (Americana, rock 'n' roll)), 8:00PM SALVAGE STATION Same As It Ever Was (Talking Heads tribute), 9:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Carver & Carmody (Americana), 8:00PM SCARLET'S COUNTRY DANCE CLUB Open Mic night w/ Sam Warner, 8:00PM SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN BREWERY King Possum, 7:00PM THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE The Election Monologues, 6:00PM

1/13 - 7pm Anya Hinkle (Bluegrass) Free!

1/13 - 9pm Circus No 9 (Bluegrass) 1/14 - 9:30pm Lazy Birds (Jazz)

UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Station Underground , 9:30PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Oleanna (David Mamet play), 8:00PM WXYZ LOUNGE AT ALOFT HOTEL WXYZ Electric w/ DJ Phantome Pantone, 8:00PM

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21 185 KING STREET Josh Erwin & Troy Harris (Americana, bluegrass), 8:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Dave Dribbon (Americana), 6:00PM Eleanor Underhill & Friends (Americana, soul), 9:00PM 550 TAVERN & GRILLE DJ karaoke & dance party, 9:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR January Birthday Pizza Party, 5:00PM ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Red Clay Revival & friends (funk, bluegrass), 9:00PM BEN'S TUNE-UP Gypsy Guitar Trio (gypsy folk), 3:00PM The WildCard (funk, dance), 9:30PM BLACK MOUNTAIN ALE HOUSE Ryan Furstenberg (folk, rock), 8:00PM

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Locochino w/ Electric Kif & Space Time Travelers (rock), 10:00PM ONE WORLD BREWING Free Dance Party w/ DJ Marley Carroll & Brandon Audette, 8:00PM ORANGE PEEL Steep Canyon Rangers w/ Del McCoury (bluegrass), 8:00PM

PILLAR ROOFTOP BAR The Crown Jewels Band w/ Paula Hanke (dance music, 1940s-today), 7:00PM

8PM DOORS 7PM DOORS 8PM DOORS 7PM DOORS

1/17

Michael Tracy

W/ THE DIRTY SOUL REVIVAL

OPEN MIC NIGHT 6PM SLICE OF COMEDY OPEN MIC 9:30PM

TA A R K A

HOSTED BY MACON CLARK

W/ IAN RIDENHOUR

THE BAND OF HEATHENS OLD SALT UNION + FORLORN STRANGERS GREYHOUNDS + THE DIGS 8TH ANNUAL DJANGO REINHARDT’S BIRTHDAY OPEN MIC MONDAYS AT 6PM

PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Jordan Okrend Experience w/ Jonkandy & Billy Presnell (singer-songwriter), 8:00PM PURPLE ONION CAFE Citizen Mojo (funk, soul), 8:00PM SALVAGE STATION Phuncle Sam, 8:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Yoga w/ Cats with Blue Ridge Humane Society, 10:00AM Jamison Adams Project(Americana, rock), 8:00PM SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN BREWERY The Pea Pickin' Hearts, 8:00PM THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Conscious Comedy Night, 7:00PM THE DUGOUT Twist of Fate, 9:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT The Missing Stares w/ Kitty Tsunami, The Chickenhawks & The Mudbottoms (rock), 9:00PM

CATAWBA BREWING SOUTH SLOPE Dave Desmelik Trio (singer-songwriter, Americana, folk), 7:00PM

THE SOCIAL LOUNGE Ultra Lounge w/ Phantom Pantone, 10:00PM

CORK & KEG Russ Wilson and the Wrong Crowd (swing jazz), 8:30PM

TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES The King Zeros (delta blues), 7:30PM Ruby Mayfield & The Friendship Train (live music), 10:00PM

DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE Judy Carmichael Trio, 8:00PM

1/16

W/ JUNCO PARTNER

W/ WHEATUS

1/18 1/19 1/20 1/21

PACK'S TAVERN Lyric (funk, pop, soul), 9:30PM

BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Ben Phan (indie, folk, singer-songwriter), 7:00PM

CROW & QUILL House Hoppers (swing jazz), 10:00PM

1/15 MIKE DOUGHTY

T H E SU B D U D ES

W/ TOM PETERS

6PM DOORS

TWISTED LAUREL Request-powered dance party w/ Phantom Pantone, 10:30PM

ODDITORIUM The Grateful Meds & Friends (hip-hop), 9:00PM

1/14

STAND UP COMEDIAN

SEAN PATTON

7PM DOORS

TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Gracie Lane (folk, americana), 7:00PM The Jordan Okrend Experience (blues, dance), 10:00PM

LOBSTER TRAP Sean Mason Trio (jazz), 6:30PM

WED

TIGER MOUNTAIN Friday Nite Mash Up w/ B-Boy Evan & Nex Millen, 10:00PM

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Pierce Edens (Americana), 9:00PM

FRI

THE SUMMIT AT NEW MOUNTAIN AVL Sol Vibes: 2 Dance Floors of Techno, DnB, Psy & Breaks, 9:00PM

1/13

SAT

THE SOCIAL LOUNGE Ultra Lounge w/ Phantom Pantone, 10:00PM

1/11

SUN

THE MOTHLIGHT The Heads Are Zeros w/ Weather Lore & Weak Wrists (punk, softgrind), 9:30PM

ISIS RESTAURANT AND MUSIC HALL Peter Mulvey (Americana, folk, jazz), 7:00PM Jahman Brahman album release party w/ Backup Planet, 9:00PM

MON

THE MOCKING CROW Trivia and karoke night!, 9:00PM

GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN 8th annual Django Reinhardt's Birthday w/ Frank Vignola, Vinny Raniolo & more, 7:00PM

TUE

THE DUGOUT FineLine, 9:00PM

TWISTED LAUREL Dance Party w/ Phantom Pantone, 10:30PM

FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB Murmuration (funk, jam), 10:00PM

UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Baby Kudzu & The Business w/ Rooster (homegrown folk), 9:00PM

FRENCH BROAD BREWERY Sugar Still (acoustic duo), 6:00PM

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Gray Family Benefit, 12:00PM

GOOD STUFF Kerchief (alt. rock), 8:00PM

WXYZ LOUNGE AT ALOFT HOTEL WXYZ Live w/ Naked Scholar, 8:00PM

MOUNTAINX.COM

JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2017

47

MOVIES

REVIEWS & LISTINGS

BY SCOTT DOUGLAS, JOHNATHAN RICH & JUSTIN SOUTHER

HHHHH = H PICK OF THE WEEK H

Liam Neeson branches out in A Monster Calls

A Monster Calls HHHH

DIRECTOR: J.A. Bayona PLAYERS: Lewis MacDougall, Felicity Jones, Liam Neeson, Sigourney wWeaver,Toby Kebbell, Ben Moor, James Melville, Oliver Steer, Dominic Boyle, Jennifer Lim, Geraldine Chaplin FANTASY DRAMA RATED PG-13 THE STORY: A young boy learns to confront the fear and anger inspired by his mother’s illness with the help of a magical tree monster.

48

JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2017

THE LOWDOWN: A deeply meaningful film that will struggle to find an audience due to its weighty subject matter, its bold aesthetic and narrative conceits warrant consideration in spite of its difficult themes.

A Monster Calls holds a unique distinction in the modern landscape of children’s cinema, in that it actually respects the intelligence of its target audience.

Unfortunately the marketing team doesn’t share that sentiment, as its ad campaign misleadingly presents Monster as an uplifting tale about a bullied boy

MOUNTAINX.COM

and his mom. In some ways it’s just that — but it’s also a far darker film than the trailers imply, dealing with very adult themes of loss and death. This is at once Monster’s greatest virtue and biggest problem; it’s probably a little too heavy for younger audiences and a little too simplistic for more mature ones.

However, that simplicity belies an emotional nuance that may not be readily apparent at first glance.

Adapted by Patrick Ness from his award-winning YA novel — itself based on an unfinished work by Siobhan Dowd,

M A X R AT I N G who succumbed to cancer before the book could be completed — Monster deals with an introverted young Irish boy who withdraws into a fantasy world when faced with the impending death of his mother. If there’s nothing particularly original about the premise of a child struggling with social pressures and the harsh realities of an unforgiving world, the film goes in visual and narrative directions that are compelling in the simultaneity of their inventiveness and classicism.

Our preadolescent protagonist Connor, played with a minimum of objectionable missteps by Lewis MacDougall, is confronted with genrestandard conflicts ranging from classroom bullying to an overbearing grandmother that will soon become his primary caregiver, no thanks to his absentee man child of a dad (Toby Kebble).

But the crux of this story harkens back to traditional fairy tale logic rather than contemporary YA tripe, and therein lies the strength of the film.

As Connor clings to hope that his mother (Felicity Jones, turning in a heart-rending performance almost unrecognizable in comparison to her leading turn as Jyn Erso in Rogue One) will miraculously recover and that he’ll avoid the fate of living with his stern grandma (an unfortunately accented Sigourney Weaver), he encounters a magical yew tree that rises up in humanoid from a nearby churchyard to visit every night like a gruff, but benevolent, Ent. Voiced with gravely gravitas by Liam Neeson, the tree monster offers up parables with a peculiarly Irish sort of recursive logic, designed to help young Connor tap into the wisdom and maturity that will see him through his existential crisis. Each story is presented as an animated vignette, visually taking on the characteristics of watercolor illustrations that will prove to be particularly significant in the film’s closing scenes. By the time the true meaning of these tales are revealed in the third act, the film has taken on a level of significance and frankness that is far from apparent in the movie’s promotional material.

The monster is a truly impressive feat of effects wizardry, and the interstitial

animated segments are genuinely beautiful works in and of themselves. Dirrector J.A. Bayona wears his influences on his sleeve, referencing Harryhausen’s King Kong early and often. However, he also displays an admirable aptitude for CG spectacle that should serve him well when he helms the next Jurassic World picture. Monster is a visually ambitious film, but those ambitions are at the service of a narrative purpose that more than justifies the cinematic grandiosity on display.

Not since Val Lewton and Jaques Tourneur delved into the imaginal mindscape of childhood in Curse of the Cat People has a film so successfully addressed the unique difficulties inherent to the psychology of children. And like that film, A Monster Calls will likely be of interest to families well beyond the average lifespan of other movies targeted at a similar demographic. It’s not exactly a feel good film — and might not be the best casual fare for passing an idle afternoon at the movies with the kids — but parents looking for a way to open a dialogue with their children about how best to address the emotional turmoil contingent with the loss of a loved one will find A Monster Calls to be a great starting point. There may be easier movies on the market right now, but few that are likely to be as valuable in years to come. Rated PG-13 for thematic content and some scary images .

Now Playing at Carmike 10, Regal Biltmore Grande, Epic of Hendersonville.

REVIEWED BY SCOTT DOUGLAS JSDOUGLAS22@GMAIL.COM

Hidden Figures HHHH DIRECTOR: Theodore Melfi PLAYERS: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Mahershala Ali, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Kimberly Quinn.

BIOGRAPHICAL DRAMA RATED PG THE STORY: Three African-American women working at NASA in the sixties make an indelible contribution to the space race in spite of overwhelming institutional opposition.

THE LOWDOWN: Uncomplicated and uplifting while avoiding divisive social

commentary, Hidden Figures plays things safe to generally favorable results.

I don’t see many movies in crowded theaters these days, typically attending late night shows, press screenings or watching advance prints from the comfort of my couch. But our recent spate of inclement weather led to theater closures and impassable roads that resulted in my having to catch a nearly sold out matinee of Hidden Figures very close to my deadline, so I had to sit between two strangers in a movie theater for the first time in years. The reason I mention all of this is because, in the modern age of streaming media, it can be all too easy to forget what a powerful effect a receptive audience can have on the moviegoing experience. I can’t say for sure, but there’s a distinct possibility that I enjoyed Hidden Figures about thirty percent more than I would have had I viewed it at home or in a screening room populated exclusively by my fellow critics.

The response of the crowd was overwhelmingly positive, and not without good reason, as Figures is distinguished by solid performances, a strong script and an uplifting story.

It’s not without its flaws as a piece of filmmaking, but as a heartwarming rendition of an uplifting true story the film pulls off its heartstring tugging with admirable efficiency. Though it can come across as contrived pandering at times, this is an uncomplicated film with an important message and a richly deserved happy ending.

Based on an unfortunately overlooked chapter in the 1960s space race, Figures chronicles the struggles of three African-American women working for NASA in segregated Virginia.

As such, the film touches on issues of institutional sexism and racism while never examining these societal ills too deeply. Director and co-writer Theodore Melfi is found distinctly lacking when he takes a stab at visual stylization, but he plays things prudently safe in the story department.

By glossing over much of the ugliness inherent to the truth behind the story he’s presenting while bolstering the proceedings with a large dose of comedy, he manages to deliver a film that’s lightly likable without indulging in heavy-handed moralizing.

The primary reason all of this works is the film’s exemplary cast, without whose talents the proceedings would almost certainly have devolved into saccharine sermonizing. Our central protagonists are three young women with prodigious mathematical talents struggling to advance in a world dominated by white males; Mary Jackson

(Janelle Monáe) has aspirations of becoming NASA’s first female engineer, Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) is doing the work of a supervisor without adequate recognition or compensation and Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson) is one of the most gifted mathematical minds in the organization, capable of great contributions to our country’s efforts to put a man in space if only people would stop mistaking her for the janitor. While their performances are occasionally on the broad side, these three highly capable actresses acquit themselves admirably and clearly have a vested interest in the characters they’re portraying.

One of the narrative masterstrokes of the film is its structural capacity to shift between Johnson’s A-plot and the concurrent B-threads of Jackson and Vaughn, breaking up a ponderously paced second act that would have felt interminable without the added complexity of these peripheral character arcs. Henson, Spencer and Monáe have an easy rapport that carries interest when the story falters, and an exceptional supporting cast including Kevin Costner, Mahershala Ali and Jim Parsons (playing slightly against type) yield just enough context to keep the film from becoming tediously pat.

Hidden Figures is the very definition of inoffensive filmmaking, recounting a true story that everybody can get behind while never delving into the reality of that story deeply enough to make anybody uncomfortable. The cynic in me most likely would have applauded this film’s message while eviscerating its cinematic shortcomings had it not been for that audience, whose open appreciation for the film on its most superficial merits subverted my capacity for more scathing critical analysis. I’m not too proud to admit that I got swept up along with them, and the odds are good that even the most stone-hearted viewer will find it difficult not to do the same. True, it’s not the most complex or accomplished film I’ve ever seen, but not everything has to be high art. Hidden Figures is a film about courageous women that reached for the stars, but as cinema it keeps its feet firmly on the ground — and I doubt anyone will complain about the results. Rated PG for thematic elements and some language.

Now Playing at Carmike 10, Carolina Cinemark, Regal Biltmore Grande, UA Beaucatcher, Epic of Hendersonville.

THE ATE R INFO R M ATIO N ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO. (254-1281) ASHEVILLEBREWING.COM/MOVIES CARMIKE CINEMA 10 (298-4452) CARMIKE.COM CAROLINA CINEMAS (274-9500) CAROLINACINEMAS.COM CO-ED CINEMA BREVARD (883-2200) COEDCINEMA.COM EPIC OF HENDERSONVILLE (693-1146) EPICTHEATRES.COM FINE ARTS THEATRE (232-1536) FINEARTSTHEATRE.COM FLATROCK CINEMA (697-2463) FLATROCKCINEMA.COM GRAIL MOVIEHOUSE (239-9392) GRAILMOVIEHOUSE.COM REGAL BILTMORE GRANDE STADIUM 15 (684-1298) REGMOVIES.COM UNITED ARTISTS BEAUCATCHER (298-1234) REGMOVIES.COM

REVIEWED BY SCOTT DOUGLAS JSDOUGLAS22@GMAIL.COM

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49

M OVI ES

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Things to Come HHH

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DIRECTOR: Mia Hansen Love (Eden) PLAYERS: Isabelle Huppert, Andre Marcon, Roman Kolinka, Edith Scob DRAMA RATED PG-13 THE STORY: A philosophy teacher suddenly finds herself amidst a slew of life changes.

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KIDS ISSUE Coming MARCH 15 50

JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2017

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THE LOWDOWN: Though propped up by a strong Isabelle Huppert performance, the film doesn’t offer more than character study.

I spent a good chunk of Mia Hansen Love’s Things to Come contemplating what, exactly, I want out of film today.

As much as I might kvetch on here (or in my own brain) about the avalanche of comic book sequels and reboots and tiresome explode-a-thon spectacles, I don’t exactly want the opposite either. Things to Come is that opposite — a quiet film about intelligent, well-read people.

There’s no violence, no sex, just a lot of languid shots of people discussing books or walking across apartment living rooms. On paper, I should find this type of film refreshing. And I do, to an extent, welcome it. I just can’t get excited about it, let alone fully recommend it.

You’ll notice, of course, when I mentioned watching the movie, I didn’t talk about actually paying attention to the thing. That’s because it’s so restrained it’s nearly ephemeral. The film follows Nathalie (Isabelle Huppert), a philosophy teacher in a long-lasting marriage with two nearly grown children. After a lot of setup, we find that her husband (Andre Marcon) has met another woman and has decided to leave Nathalie. This sets her off down a road of adjustment and numerous life changes, all in her middle age.

Huppert plays the role with an underlying sense of anxiety. While Nathalie faces the world with a strong sense of self, refusing to show much public emotion, we do see her, in private moments, broken down emotionally by the enormity of her situation. It’s these small moments of vulnerability, when she has a breakdown in bed with her cat — or once on the bus — that make her truly likable. But these are rare and far between. Nathalie, as intelligent and innately frustrated a character as she

is, is simply too emotionally removed to truly connect with consistency.

Yes, she’s fully formed and wonderfully human, but the ways in which Hansen Love chooses to show her life lack any real verve. The film’s style is nonexistent, usually unraveling into static shots of characters talking or walking short distances. (If you cut out all the walking you’d have a 45-minute movie on your hands.) The idea here is to document some sort of truth, some sort of realness. The problem, however, is that truth can be a bit boring, and Things to Come — as intelligent as it is — is pretty inert. Even the title (which sounds like something Nancy Meyers would somnambulistically throw together) keeps drifting from my memory.

I don’t think that movies should always be about escapism, but they shouldn’t always be about the minutiae of life, either. We get enough of that, you know, living. Yes, Huppert, as always, is great. If you have the very specific patience for this type of slice of life filmmaking, have at it. Just don’t expect the parameters of cinema to be pushed very much. Or at all. Rated PG-13 for brief language and drug use.

Now playing at Grail Moviehouse.

REVIEWED BY JUSTIN SOUTHER JSOUTHER@MOUNTAINX.COM

Underworld: Blood Wars HS DIRECTOR: Anna Foerster PLAYERS: Kate Beckinsale, Theo James, Tobias Menzies, Lara Pulver, Charles Dance, James Faulkner, Peter Andersson, Clementine Nicholson, Bradley James, Daisy Head, Oliver Stark ACTION HORROR RATED R THE STORY: A long-running war between vampires and werewolves continues, as a high-ranking vampiric hitwoman finds her estranged daughter at the heart of the conflict.

THE LOWDOWN: The Underworld saga continues — despite being a bit long in the tooth — with this tepid and uninspired fifth installment.

When I say Underworld: Blood Wars sucks, it’s more than just a vampire pun — it’s a warning. I risked life and limb to see this film, braving hazardous, icy road conditions in the hopes that my valued readers will heed the admoni-

SCREEN SCENE tion to stay far away from this fifth installment in a franchise that never should have garnered a sequel in the first place. The people responsible for the ad nauseam continuation of these films certainly must take vampirism seriously. They’ve been beating the same dead horse for so long the only rational explanation conceivable is that they think it comes to life at night and roams the countryside feeding on the blood of the living. Those with no preexisting attachment to the series will be massively disappointed, and even Underworld completists will be thoroughly underwhelmed. I’ll gladly take this one for the team if it convinces a few people to stay home. Just don’t let my efforts be in vein (last pun, I promise).

Before screening Blood Wars, I had to do some research to figure out just how many of these films I’ve seen, so indistinguishable they are in my mind. As it turns out, I’ve only missed a couple, but the film openly acknowledges that most people lost interest in its antecedents years ago by providing a recap of the pertinent plot points in the first five minutes. To say this bit of profoundly uninspired narrative construction is an indication of the apathy to come would be an understatement.

But then, these films were never notable for meticulous scripting, and I’m probably voicing a minority opinion by opining the lack of a compelling story or well-developed characters.

Kate Beckinsale is back as Selene, a vampiric assassin in service to an undead aristocracy who look like they do all of their shopping at Hot Topic and the local BDSM supply store. The vampires are still at war with the Lycans, a group of werewolves consisting exclusively of bearded, long-haired men (my membership card must’ve gotten lost in the mail) who are now searching for the hybrid child conceived by Selene and one of their own in a prior installment. As far as MacGuffins go, this one is particularly pointless, setting the stage for political backbiting (okay, maybe one more pun) among a cast predominantly composed of character actors who have died on Game of Thrones. Why is Charles Dance in these movies? Why do the filmmakers insist on unceremoniously killing off the best performer in their cast before he’s allowed to contribute anything meaningful? And, if they’re dead set on going down this road in the first place, why isn’t Sean Bean here to die as well? Feel free to ponder these questions at length — they’re far more interesting than anything that happens on screen.

Poor Selene has been through so many Hero’s Journey arcs at this point

she should probably quit killing werewolves and just narrate the audio book of Robert McKee’s Story (but at least we know this one’s important because she comes out of her resurrection with frosted tips). While the Underworld franchise certainly can’t be misconstrued as a high-water mark for the art of screenwriting, that was never the point. Its appeal has always been based on a flair for gory, stylized violence and CG set pieces. But Blood Wars disappoints on this front too, with fight choreography that somehow manages to be lazier than the scripting, and special effects that look like they’re stuck a dozen years in the past (where all this nonsense started — and should have stopped). At least the sets are kind of nice to look at, with Gothic castles and Nordic fortresses providing a modicum of visual interest. The problem is, you have to sit through the inane story to get there.

If I’ve gotten through an entire review with nothing to praise about a film beyond its sets, you know the situation is pretty dire. For all its faults, Blood Wars is not the worst film I’ve seen recently (that would be Office Christmas Party), but those in need of an action fix would be better served by checking out Assassin’s Creed or watching Rogue One again. In Blood Wars’ hastily tacked-on summational voice-over narration, Selene informs the audience that she no longer fears death — which doesn’t seem like much of an accomplishment for a vampire. I can only hope the filmmakers share this sentiment and will finally let this property go gentle into that good night. Rated R for strong bloody violence and some sexuality.

Now Playing at Carolina Cinemark, Regal Biltmore Grande, UA Beaucatcher, Epic of Hendersonville.

REVIEWED BY SCOTT DOUGLAS JSDOUGLAS22@GMAIL.COM

FILM BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library • TU (1/17), 6pm - Free Film Series: Easy Rider. Free. Held at North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave. FILM AT UNCA 251-6585, unca.edu • TU (1/17), 6pm - MLK Jr. Celebration Week: Freedom Riders, documentary screening. Free. Held in the Highsmith Union Grotto FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER 2160 US Hwy 70, Swannanoa, 273-3332, floodgallery.org/ • FR (1/13), 8pm - Shoot the Piano Player, film screening. Free to attend.

by Edwin Arnaudin | edwinarnaudin@gmail.com

OUT OF TIME: R.E.M. is one of several bands featured in Athens, GA: Inside Out, Tony Gayton’s documentary about the college town’s rise to national music prominence. Photo by Frank Ockenfells III • The North Asheville Public Library’s monthlong America, America film series — featuring works that wrestle with the idea and reality of America — continues Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 6 p.m., with a screening of Easy Rider (95 min., rated R). Dennis Hopper’s classic 1969 road movie follows motorcyclists Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Hopper) as they search for a purpose to their lives on the U.S. highways. Jack Nicholson co-stars as alcoholic American Civil Liberties Union lawyer George Hanson. Free and open to the public. avl.mx/1d0 • Grail Moviehouse’s and Harvest Records’ latest collaborative screening will be Athens, GA: Inside/Out (82 min., not rated) on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 7:15 p.m., at the Grail. Tony Gayton’s 1987 documentary chronicles how the college town vaulted onto the national music scene through bands such as R.E.M. and the B-52s, giving rise to a new independent sound. Interviews with subjects including celebrated Georgia folk artist Howard Finster and performances by Pylon, B-B-Que Killers, Time Toy, Jim Herbert, Flat Duo Jets, Love Tractor, Kilkenny Cats and Squalls provide further insight into the regional and cultur-

MOUNTAINX.COM

al factors that made Athens a distinct music destination. Tickets are available online and at the Grail box office. The cost is $7 for students and seniors and $9 for adults. avl.mx/3a3 • The West Asheville Public Library’s monthly Pixar film series continues Friday, Jan. 20, at 4:30 p.m., with Cars (117 min., rated G). The animated feature focuses on celebrity race car Lightning McQueen (voiced

by Owen Wilson) and the changes he undergoes during an unexpected stopover in the small town of Radiator Springs. The film will be preceded by the Pixar short One Man Band. Free and open to the public. avl.mx/1z5 • The Hollerin’ Contest at Spivey’s Corner is available to view for free online via Vimeo. Brian Gersten’s documentary short chronicles the history, characters and sounds of the National Hollerin’ Contest, which was held annually in the Sampson County town from 1969 to 2016. The film follows the stories of three former champions as they strive to reclaim their titles and keep the tradition of hollerin’ alive. vimeo.com/128667339 X

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by Scott Douglas

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Babette’s Feast HHHS No additional bookings have been confirmed as of press time. Please contact local theaters for up-to-date information on this week’s showings.

Hands of Stone A new thriller directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Isabelle Huppert, according to the studio: “Michèle seems indestructible. Head of a leading video game company, she brings the same ruthless attitude to her love life as to business. Being attacked in her home by an unknown assailant changes Michèle’s life forever. When she resolutely tracks the man down, they are both drawn into a curious and thrilling game—a game that may, at any moment, spiral out of control.”(R)

DIRECTOR: Gabriel Axel PLAYERS: Stéphane Audran, Bodil Kjer, Birgitte Federspiel, Jarl Kulle, Jean-Philippe Lafont, Achille Papin,Bibi Andersson DRAMA Rated G While it’s not exactly to my taste (pun intended), I can certainly appreciate why Danish writer-director Gabriel Axel’s Babette’s Feast took home the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar in 1988. Axel’s adaptation of, Isak Dinesen’s story (Dinesen being a pseudonym for Karen Blixen) of a French refugee confronted with the Puritanical strictures of her involuntarily adopted Danish community is replete with the sort of aggrandizement of art through metaphor that Academy voters have always loved. The metaphor here is food, as the title would imply, but this is really a film about the conflict between repression and sensual indulgence with a distinctly Scandinavian streak of nihilism.

It’s a beautiful film in many regards — but for my money, if I’m in the mood for a nihilistic feast featuring Stéphane Audran, I’d prefer the aborted meals of The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie. The Hendersonville Film Society will show Babette’s Feast on Sunday, Jan. 8, at 2 p.m. in the Smoky Mountain Theater at Lake Pointe Landing Retirement Community, 333 Thompson St., Hendersonville.

Nothing Sacred HHHHS DIRECTOR: William Wellman PLAYERS: Carole Lombard, Fredric March, Walter Connolly, Charles Winninger, Sig Ruman SCREWBALL COMEDY Rated NR William A. Wellman’s very aptly titled Nothing Sacred (1937) begins with a series of titles informing us, “This is New York, skyscraper champion of world, where the slickers and know-it-alls peddle gold bricks to each other, and where truth, crushed to earth, rises again more phony than a glass eye.” That effectively captures the tone of the film, which is quite probably the single most cynical of all screwball comedies. Wellman’s film — and Ben Hecht’s screenplay — takes no prisoners in its jandiced look at not only the cult of manufactured celebrity, but the people who attach themselves to cause celebre cults. If you’ve ever felt a little skeptical of the business of people aligning themselves with tragedies that have no actual bearing on their lives, this is your movie. It’s a film that sets up sacred cows and then happily leads them to the abattoir — and yet it does so with such good humor that it’s ultimately more funny than bitter. How it all plays out is somewhat at odds with what you might expect, and that’s what makes Nothing Sacred something special in the realm of classic screwball comedies. Don’t miss this one. This excerpt was taken from a review by Ken Hanke published on Nov. 6, 2012. The Asheville Film Society will screen Nothing Sacred on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at The Grail Moviehouse, hosted by Xpress movie critic Scott Douglas.

Patriot’s Day Director Peter Berg reunites with Mark Whalberg and an ensemble cast featuring Kevin Bacon, John Goodman, J.K. Simmons and Michelle Monaghan for this fact-based melodrama recounting the events surrounding the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the four-day manhunt that ensued. (R)

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JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2017

Shoot the Piano Player HHHHS DIRECTOR: François Truffaut PLAYERS: Charles Aznavour, Marie Dubois, Nicole Berger, Michèle Mercier, Serge Davri CRIME/THRILLER Rated NR François Truffaut’s Shoot the Piano Player (1960) is one of those celebrated films that I had somehow just never seen till this weekend. Oh, I’d seen clips and knew a little about it — and I’d suspected that the phony gangster-movie opening of Ken Russell’s 1966 TV film on composer Georges Delerue, Don’t Shoot the Composer, was based on the Truffaut film (which it was), but I’d just never seen it. The experience was a sheer delight of the “Why hadn’t I seen this before?” variety. The film is a kind of a film-noir homage, but it’s rarely very serious about it and refuses to stay in a given genre. It’s a preposterous noir with a kind of art film backstory in the middle of it. It’s a comedy and a romance — and it always pretends to take itself seriously in each capacity. What follows is a deliciously wild ride — and one of those rare movies that you’re sorry to see end. This excerpt was taken from a review by Ken Hanke published on Sept. 16, 2009. Classic World Cinema

by Courtyard Gallery will present Shoot the Piano Player on Friday, Jan. 13, at 8 p.m. at Flood Gallery Fine Art Center, 2160 Hwy 70, Swannanoa.

Spider Baby, or the Maddest Story Ever Told HHHH DIRECTOR: Jack Hill PLAYERS: Lon Chaney Jr., Carol Ohmart, Quinn K. Redeker, Beverly Washburn, Jill Banner, Sid Haig HORROR Rated NR Despite its full title, Spider Baby (1968) probably isn’t the maddest story ever told, but it’s in the running — at least as schlock exploitation film is concerned. Enjoyably trashy and occasionally downright amateurish, it’s the fairly silly story of a house full of folks suffering from some inexplicable form of mental degeneration that turns them into homicidal maniacs. They’re kept more or less in check by the old family retainer (Lon Chaney Jr. in a surprisingly touching performance) — at least till interlopers wanting the estate show up. You can kind of fill in the rest, but only kind of, since this is seriously demented. This excerpt was taken from a review by Ken Hanke published on April 1, 2014. The Thursday Horror Picture Show will screen Spider Baby, or the Maddest Story Ever Told Thursday, Jan. 12, at 9:15 p.m. at The Grail Moviehouse, hosted by Xpress movie critic Scott Douglas MOUNTAINX.COM

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MARKETPLACE REA L E S TAT E | R E N TA L S | R O O M M AT ES | SERV ICES | JOB S | A N N OU N CEMENTS | M I ND, BO DY, SPI R I T CL AS S E S & W OR K S HOP S | M U S IC IA N S’ SERV ICES | PETS | A U TOMOTIV E | X C HANG E | ADULT Want to advertise in Marketplace? 828-251-1333 x111 tnavaille@mountainx.com • mountainx.com/classifieds If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Remember the Russian proverb: “Doveryai, no proveryai,” trust but verify. When answering classified ads, always err on the side of caution. Especially beware of any party asking you to give them financial or identification information. The Mountain Xpress cannot be responsible for ensuring that each advertising client is legitimate. Please report scams to ads@mountainx.com RENTALS APARTMENTS FOR RENT

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HOMES FOR RENT

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ROOMMATES ROOMMATES ALL AREAS ROOMMATES.COM Lonely? Bored? Broke? Find the perfect roommate to complement your personality and lifestyle at Roommates.com! (AAN CAN) EAST ASHEVILLE Mature female wanted for furnished room and bath. $425/month. First and last months rent required. Must pass criminal background check. Safe, peaceful environment. (828) 7076470.

EMPLOYMENT GENERAL TROLLEY TOUR GUIDES If you are a "people person," love Asheville, have a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and clean driving record you could be a great TOUR GUIDE! Seasonal FULL & PART-TIME positions available. Training provided

for upcoming season. Contact us today! www.GrayLineAsheville. com; Info@GrayLineAsheville. com; 828-251-8687.

SKILLED LABOR/ TRADES SANITATION TEAM MEMBER Annie’s Bakery is looking for a full-time sanitation work in a food manufacturing plant (bread baking). Housekeeping and deep cleaning of equipment and facility is required daily. Sanitation certifications a plus, but not required.

Please send resumes to: Mark@ anniesbread.com

ADMINISTRATIVE/ OFFICE ASHEVILLE PROGRAM MANAGER The Asheville Program Manager will assist in the creation, sales, marketing, recruitment, coordination, and implementation of the Asheville Homestay Camp Program. Full job description on xploreusa.org-contact-Work for Xplore. 816-589-6462 emily. terry@xploreusa.org RECEPTIONIST The Receptionist is responsible for providing greeting and direction to guests and callers at First Baptist Church of Asheville, overseeing the facility use process, and supporting the overall focus of daily communication in the church. The receptionist is responsible for providing support to the Coordinating Pastor in ministry and administrative routines. Please email resumes to dblackmon@fbca.net. www.fbca.net

SALES/ MARKETING LOCAL COMMUNITY COORDINATOR XPLORE USA Local Community Coordinators assist with community outreach, and finding host families for our international students that are here for 3 weeks during the summer.

Paid by commission per family recruited, starting at $150; Bonuses offered up to $600. 816-5896462 emily.terry@xploreusa.org www.xploreusa.org

RESTAURANT/ FOOD DEMO TASTER Annie’s Bakery is looking for an experienced demo taster to work 2-3 days/ week (Thursday-Saturday) to perform tastings at local grocers.

Employee will be responsible for scheduling demos and coordinating with sales team. Applicants should be presentable and professional. Please send resumes to Mark@anniesbread.com

DRIVERS/ DELIVERY LOCAL DRIVERS WANTED! Be your own boss. Flexible hours.

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Must be 21 with valid U.S. driver’s license, insurance and reliable vehicle. 866-329-2672. (AAN CAN)

HUMAN SERVICES CYBERPALS COORDINATOR Pathways for the future, inc. dba DisAbility Partners Asheville Office. Part-Time Non-Exempt.

Pathways For The Future, Inc. dba DisAbility Partners is dedicated to partnering with individuals and the community to enhance, advocate for and support personal choices, independent living and community inclusion. • DisAbility Partners Asheville office has an immediate opening for a CyberPals Coordinator. This is a part-time exempt position approximately 25 hours per week.

The CyberPals Program places affordable donated, refurbished computers in homes of people with disabilities. Email krowe@ disabilitypartners.org for application packet or come in person to 108 New Leicester Hwy, Asheville, NC, 28806. No Phone Calls Please.

GO JOB OPPORTUNITY: COMMUNITY RESOURCE SPECIALIST Green Opportunities is currently accepting resumes for a full-time Community Resource Specialist.

Compensation for this position is $16.00 per hour, please visit www.greenopportunities.org for more information.

GO JOB OPPORTUNITY: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Green Opportunities is currently accepting resumes for a fulltime Executive Director. Compensation for this position is $70,000 per year, please visit www.greenopportunities.org for more information.

PROFESSIONAL/ MANAGEMENT

FUNDRAISING EVENT PROFESSIONAL The Community Housing Coalition of Madison County (CHC) seeks a Fundraising Event Professional to coordinate a spring 2017 signature event. CHC is taking applications for an experienced contractor to work closely with a dedicated BOD committee and staff. For over 15 years CHC’s mission has been to create healthy and safe living conditions for Madison County neighbors. • Application deadline is 1/20/17 with a hire date of 2/6/17. A detailed RFP can be found on the Web: www.chcmadisoncountync.org

TEACHING/ EDUCATION CANOPY GUIDE-NAVITAT CANOPY ADVENTURES Now hiring for spring/summer 2017.

If you are looking for a thrilling, educational and inspiring seasonal opportunity check us out at www.navitat.com.

HIGH SCHOOL BIOLOGY TEACHER Asheville recovery program for teen boys has an immediate opening for a high school biology teacher (PT, temp). Call Jackie Williams at 828-229-7757 for information or send resume/cover to jwilliams@montfordhall.org.

INFANT AND YOUNG TODDLER TEACHERS Full-time, Nonexempt. Resume deadline: Ongoing until filled. Verner Center for Early Learning is a state of the art learning environment providing the highest quality early care and education and so much more! Free nutritious lunches prepared on site, plenty of outside play on our natural learning environments, and continuing educational opportunities provided through staff development trainings and to qualifying teachers based on availability of funds are some of the many qualities that our teachers enjoy!

• Verner currently seeks teaching professionals for children ages 0-2 who are nurturing, skilled in supporting the development of very young children, and can be an asset to our model, progressive program. Teachers work in classroom teams of two to three, therefore, all candidates applying should be energized by and work well in a team environment.

• Current open positions are in the Early Head Start program at West. • Qualified candidates for Early Head Stat Classrooms must have a minimum of an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, a CDA, or an Infant/ Toddler Certificate, in addition to current SIDS certification and experience working with children ages 0-2. Individuals with a related degree and at least 18 semester hours in infant/ toddler coursework will be considered.

All permanent full-time Verner positions offer a competitive benefits package including voluntary medical/ dental/ matching 403b, life ins, PTO, Holiday Pay, CEU’s, and more! Verner is an EEO employer. Apply online at www.vernerearlylearning.org/ jobs

INTERESTED IN WORKING AT A-B TECH? Full-Time, Part-Time and Adjunct Positions available.

Come help people achieve their dreams! Apply for open positions at abtcc.peopleadmin.com MALE VOICE TEACHER WANTED Asheville Music School is looking for an experienced male voice teacher. Familiarity with multiple styles a plus. Music degree required. Contact Ryan Reardon ryan@ashevillemusicschool.org, (828) 252-6244 (828) 252-6244 ryan@ashevillemusicschool.org

TEACHER WANTED Trails Carolina Wilderness, a year-round experiential and adventure based therapeutic wilderness program for boys and girls ages 10-17 based in Transylvania County North Carolina, is seeking a Licensed Teacher to join its staff.

Interested applicants should email copies of their resume, teaching license, 3 letters of reference, and any

pertinent wilderness certifications (WFR, CPR, etc.) to jwhitworth@trailscarolina.com www.trailscarolina.com YMCA HORIZON PROGRAM Y Horizon Program Lead Youth Mentors tutor, coach, mentor and facilitate activities with middle school students across Buncombe County. Program hours: 2:306:30pm, Monday-Thursday with intermittent meetings/events. $11/hour. www.ymcawnc.org/ careers

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES PAID IN ADVANCE! Make $1000/week mailing brochures from home! No experience required. Helping home workers since 2001! Genuine opportunity. Start immediately! www.

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SERVICES ART/WRITING EDITING/LAYOUT SERVICES TO WRITERS Author of novels & how-to books will edit your manuscript, design covers, prep for CreateSpace. Contact to discuss project & for quote. Google me. michael@michaelhavelin.com (828)712-5570 michaelhavelin.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT HANDY MAN HIRE A HUSBAND • HANDYMAN SERVICES Since 1993.

Multiple skill sets. Reliable, trustworthy, quality results. $1 million liability insurance. References and estimates available. Stephen Houpis, (828) 280-2254.

ARTS/MEDIA

ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS

GRAPHIC DESIGNER NEEDED Highly skilled designer needed for page layout and creating compelling advertising, The ideal candidate has excellent graphic design and layout skills for print publication, has experience working with style guides and adhering to brand structures, understands project management, can thrive in a fast-paced environment, is exceptionally organized and deadline-driven, and has excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail, an exceptional creative eye and a desire to ensure high quality output. You must have the proven ability to create original, effective advertising and marketing materials, and to assist in the layout of our weekly print publication and guides. Candidates must: • Be able to simultaneously handle multiple projects • Be proficient in Adobe CSC programs (inducing, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat) • Be able to prepress and troubleshoot a variety of file types and to work interdepartmentally to organize, schedule and maintain workflows.

• Be fluent in the Mac OSX platform • Be able to interface with other departments in the company. • Have a minimum of 2-3 years graphic design experience Newspaper, and web-ad design experience a plus. This is a part time time position with opportunity to become full-time. Other skills such as admin or writing ability are a plus. Email cover letter explaining why you believe you are a good fit, your resume, and either a URL or PDF of your design portfolio to: design@ mountainx.com No applications or portfolios by mail, and no phone calls or walk-ins, please.

CASH FOR CARS Any Car/Truck 2000-2015, Running or Not! Top Dollar For Used/Damaged. Free Nationwide Towing! Call Now: 1-888-420-3808 (AAN CAN) MAKE THE CALL TO START GETTING CLEAN TODAY Free 24/7 Helpline for alcohol & drug addiction treatment. Get help! It is time to take your life back! Call Now: 855-732-4139. (AAN CAN) PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Call us first. Living expenses, housing, medical, and continued support afterwards.

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CLASSES & WORKSHOPS CLASSES & WORKSHOPS LEARN RADICAL SUSTAINABILITY AT SCHOOL OF INTEGRATED LIVING Gain wholelife skills for radical sustainability through SOIL’s Permaculture and Ecovillage Immersion at Earthaven Ecovillage, June 10– August 11. Program includes Permaculture Design Certification. Learn more and register at schoolofintegratedliving.org.

MIND, BODY, SPIRIT BODYWORK

LOCAL INDEPENDENT MASSAGE CENTER OFFERING EXCELLENT BODYWORK Best bodywork in Asheville for very affordable rates. All massage therapists are skilled and dedicated. Deep Tissue, Integrative, Prenatal, Couples, Reflexology, Aromatherapy. Complimentary tea room. Beautifully renovated space. Convenient West AVL location. Free parking in lot.

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COUNSELING SERVICES

DEEP FEELING EMOTIONAL RELEASE THERAPY - GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM Nell Corry, LCSW, NCGCll, Certified Primal Therapist | 828-747-1813 | | nellcorrytherapy.com ncc.therapy@gmail.com | Emotional Release Therapy uncovers the source, allows healing of depression, anxiety, addictions, trauma, PTSD. Call for free halfhour chat.

KHIKI STILLS-DAVIS - PROFESSIONAL LIFE COACH Khiki StillsDavis studied coaching at CTA and has been coaching for over 10 years. Coaching is available in Asheville and Atlanta by appointment, either in person or by phone. Specialties: relationships, emotional intelligence, personality type coaching, transitions, disabilty/injury, LGBT issues, creativity, non-traditional relationships (structured, poly, etc.). Sliding scale - contact for more info. coach.khiki@gmail.com

RETREATS

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JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2017

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PRESENTS:

2017

Wellness Issues

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY ARIES (March 21-April 19): In Norse mythology, Yggdrasil is a huge holy tree that links all of the nine worlds to each other. Perched on its uppermost branch is an eagle with a hawk sitting on its head. Far below, living near the roots, is a dragon. The hawk and eagle stay in touch with the dragon via Ratatoskr, a talkative squirrel that runs back and forth between the heights and the depths. Alas, Ratatoskr traffics solely in insults.

That’s the only kind of message the birds and the dragon ever have for each other. In accordance with the astrological omens, Aries, I suggest you act like a far more benevolent version of Ratatoskr in the coming weeks. Be a feisty communicator who roams far and wide to spread uplifting gossip and energizing news.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You have a divine mandate to love bigger and stronger and truer than ever before.

It’s high time to freely give the gifts you sometimes hold back from those you care for. It’s high time to take full ownership of neglected treasures so you can share them with your worthy allies. It’s high time to madly cultivate the generosity of spirit that will enable you to more easily receive the blessings that can and should be yours. Be a brave, softhearted warrior of love!

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): I love and respect Tinker Bell, Kermit the Frog, Shrek, Wonder Woman, SpongeBob SquarePants, Snow White, Road Runner, and Calvin and Hobbes. They have provided me with much knowledge and inspiration. Given the current astrological omens, I suspect that you, too, can benefit from cultivating your relationships with characters like them. It’s also a favorable time for you to commune with the spirits of Harriet Tubman, Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie or any other historical figures who inspire you. I suggest you have dreamlike conversations with your most interesting ancestors, as well. Are you still in touch with your imaginary friends from childhood? If not, renew acquaintances.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): “I never wish to be easily defined,” wrote Cancerian author Franz Kafka. “I’d rather float over other people’s minds as something fluid and non-perceivable; more like a transparent, paradoxically iridescent creature rather than an actual person.” Do you ever have that experience? I do. I’m a Crab like you, and I think it’s common among members of our tribe. For me, it feels liberating. It’s a way to escape people’s expectations of me and enjoy the independence of living in my fantasies. But I plan to do it a lot less in 2017, and I advise you to do the same.

We should work hard at coming all the way down to earth. We will thrive by floating less and being better grounded; by being less fuzzy and more solid; by not being so inscrutable, but rather more knowable.

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LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Here’s my declaration: “I hereby forgive, completely and permanently, all motorists who have ever irked me with their rude and bad driving. I also forgive, totally and forever, all tech support people who have insulted me, stonewalled me, or given me wrong information as I sought help from them on the phone. I furthermore forgive, utterly and finally, all family members and dear friends who have hurt my feelings.”

Now would be a fantastic time for you to do what I just did, Leo: Drop grudges, let go of unimportant outrage, and issue a blanket amnesty. Start with the easier stuff — the complaints against strangers and acquaintances — and work your way up to the allies you cherish.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): There are some authors who both annoy me and intrigue me. Even though I feel allergic to the uncomfortable ideas they espouse, I’m also fascinated by their unique provocations. As I read their words, I’m half-irritated at their grating declarations, and yet greedy for more. I disagree with much of what they say, but feel grudgingly grateful for the novel perspectives they prod me to discover. (Nobel Prize-winner Elias Canetti is one such author.) In accordance with the current astrological rhythms, Virgo, I invite you to seek out similar influences — for your own good!

BY ROB BREZSNY

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Now would be an excellent time to add new beauty to your home. Are there works of art or buoyant plants or curious symbols that would lift your mood? Would you consider hiring a feng shui consultant to rearrange the furniture and accessories so as to enhance the energetic flow? Can you entice visits from compelling souls whose wisdom and wit would light up the place? Tweak your imagination so it reveals tricks about how to boost your levels of domestic bliss.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In 2017, you will have unprecedented opportunities to re-imagine, revise and reinvent the story of your life. You’ll be able to forge new understandings about your co-stars and reinterpret the meanings of crucial plot twists that happened once upon a time. Now check out these insights from author Mark Doty: “The past is not static, or ever truly complete; as we age we see from new positions, shifting angles. A therapist friend of mine likes to use the metaphor of the kind of spiral stair that winds up inside a lighthouse. As one moves up that stair, the core at the center doesn’t change, but one continually sees it from another vantage point; if the past is a core of who we are, then our movement in time always brings us into a new relation to that core.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The Tao Te Ching is a poetically philosophical text written by a Chinese sage more than two millennia ago. Numerous authors have translated it into modern languages. I’ve borrowed from their work to craft a horoscope that is precisely suitable for you in the coming weeks. Here’s your high-class fortune cookie oracle: Smooth your edges, untangle your knots, sweeten your openings, balance your extremes, relax your mysteries, soften your glare, forgive your doubts, love your breathing, harmonize your longings and marvel at the sunny dust.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I recently discovered “Tree of Jesse,” a painting by renowned 20th-century artist Marc Chagall. I wanted to get a copy to hang on my wall. But as I scoured the Internet, I couldn’t find a single business that sells prints of it. Thankfully, I did locate an artist in Vietnam who said he could paint an exact replica. I ordered it, and was pleased with my new objet d’art. It was virtually identical to Chagall’s original. I suggest you meditate on taking a metaphorically similar approach, Capricorn. Now is a time when substitutes may work as well as what they replace.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “It is often safer to be in chains than to be free,” wrote Franz Kafka. That fact is worthy of your consideration in the coming weeks, Aquarius. You can avoid all risks by remaining trapped inside the comfort that is protecting you. Or you can take a gamble on escaping, and hope that the new opportunities you attract will compensate you for the sacrifice it entails. I’m not here to tell you what to do. I simply want you to know what the stakes are.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “All pleasures are in the last analysis imaginary, and whoever has the best imagination enjoys the most pleasure.” So said 19th-century German novelist Theodor Fontane, and now I’m passing his observation on to you. Why? Because by my astrological estimates, you Pisceans will have exceptional imaginations in 2017 — more fertile, fervent and freedom-loving than ever before.

Therefore, your capacity to drum up pleasure will also be at an all-time high. There is a catch, however. Your imagination, like everyone else’s, is sometimes prone to churning out superstitious fears. To take maximum advantage of its bliss-inducing potential, you will have to be firm about steering it in positive directions. X

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T H E NE W Y OR K TI M ES CR OSSWOR D PU ZZLE

ACROSS

1 One of two in “Hamilton” 4 Back end of a horse 8 Form an impression of 13 Question asked with an open mouth 14 Border with many posts 15 Some are restricted 16 *Expense independent of production 18 Hoops 19 Pop open, as a bottle 20 Does something naughty 22 Bird on Canada’s $1 coin 23 *How Clayton Kershaw pitches 28 “Frankenstein” author 30 ___ Duncan, Obama education secretary 31 Org. that investigated Al Capone 34 Munch Museum’s city 35 Disposed (to) 36 *One of a dozen for a sweetheart 38 *Decathlon event 40 Surrounding

41 Phobia 42 Girl in the fam 43 Things that may be locked or sealed 44 High-end British sports car 47 *Something to make up 49 Fried ___ (Southern dish) 53 Designated dwarf planet since 2006 54 A.P. Latin reading 56 Trickery 58 Like either word in the answers to the five starred clues 61 Disjointed 62 Essayist’s starting point 63 “Sure do” 64 Final authority 65 Adirondack chair part 66 Certain female soldier

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edited by Will Shortz

7 Diminutive, fashionwise 8 Obese “Star Wars” character 9 Some street scenes 10 Spy communication spots 11 Square dance party?

12 Subj. for many green card seekers 14 Only four-term prez 17 Many, many years 21 Unlikely to ask someone out 24 Vogue competitor 25 ___ Rida (“My House” rapper) 26 Jaded feeling 27 Specifics, slangily 29 “I don’t give a ___” 31 Bluff-busting words 32 Florida senator Marco 33 Blows the whistle 35 Dermatologist’s concern 37 Cattle thieves 38 Actor Penn of “Milk” 39 Working diligently 41 Bug that thrives in the winter 44 “I pity the fool” speaker 45 Takes over 46 Zip

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48 Zip 50 Mombasa is its secondlargest city 51 Up 52 Skilled 55 Besides others: Abbr.

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