SMART BETS
A&E
by Edwin Arnaudin | Send your arts news to ae@mountainx.com
Fruit Bats
Soul on Fire Founded in 1983 by local art educator Shirley Whitesides and her fellow Delta Sigma Theta sorority members, Delta House provides a safe learning environment for those in need, focusing on character development and empowering students to become confident, responsible and caring citizens. On Saturday, Nov. 16, the fundraiser Soul on Fire seeks to help continue those efforts with an evening that celebrates heritage through art, culture and music. Offerings include an opening reception for My Soul Looks Back, an art exhibit featuring Whitesides’ work from the past 50 years; live painting by her former student, tattoo artist Miya Bailey; and two sets of dancing to the tunes of the Free Flow Band. It all takes place at A-B Tech’s Conference Center, 5-11 p.m. $30-$75. avl.mx/6om. Photos of Whitesides, left, and Free Flow Band courtesy of the artists
Healer by Day/ Hooker by Night Known for her crystal bowl sound bath classes, Asheville-based artist Kristin Reitter reflects on those kinds of vibrations as well as others in her hourlong cabaret Healer by Day/Hooker by Night. Advertised as “perfect for bachelor/bachelorette parties,” the show features 11 new songs that Reitter will perform with a band composed of Matt Foglia (piano), Sam Cobb (drums), Susie Comet (bass) and Michale Heinerth (guitar). Profanity and “hysterical content that may involve waving vibrators in the air, promoting safe sex and healthy boundaries” are also very much likely, while dancing and laughter are promised. All of the above converges at The BLOCK off Biltmore on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 7:30 p.m. $15. theblockoffbiltmore.com. Photo by Erica Mueller
66
NOV. 13 - 19, 2019
MOUNTAINX.COM
A strong candidate for Album of the Year, Fruit Bats’ Gold Past Life offers an intoxicating mix of tempos and styles. Over the course of 10 expertly crafted songs, Eric D. Johnson takes listeners from the upbeat jams of “Drawn Away” and the title track to the contemplative ballads of “Cazadera” and “Ocean” before cranking things back up with “A Lingering Love” and sending listeners off with the peaceful, sonic bliss of “Two Babies in Michigan.” Released in the warm glow of summer, the collection’s sunshine remains potent as winter’s cold becomes increasingly present. Johnson brings this extraordinary versatility to The Mothlight on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The evening begins at 8 p.m. with a set by Merge Records label-mate Joyero, the side project of Wye Oak’s Andy Stack. $17 advance/$20 day of show. themothlight.com. Photo by Annie Beedy
Missy Andersen A native of Detroit, vocalist Missy Andersen has been fronting bands since she was a teenager. Shortly thereafter, she began booking studio sessions and became an indemand backup singer, eventually making her way to San Diego. There, she met Heine Andersen, a veteran guitarist in town from Denmark. The two wound up marrying and formed the band Tell Mama. Now touring under the moniker “Missy Andersen and Her One-Man Band,” the duo presents stripped-down versions of originals and covers that explore numerous corners of blues and soul traditions. The unified team swing by White Horse Black Mountain on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m. $12 advance/$15 day of show. whitehorseblackmountain.com. Photo courtesy of Andersen