Mountain Xpress 03.07.18 by Mountain Xpress

OUR 24TH YEAR OF WEEKLY INDEPENDENT NEWS, ARTS & EVENTS FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA VOL. 24 NO. 33 MAR. 7 - 13, 2018

C O NT E NT S

PAGE 6 MINORS IN THE MOUNTAINS Asheville’s minor league sports teams have come and gone throughout the years, but its long-established baseball team is now joined by minor league soccer and football clubs that are redefining the local sports landscape. COVER PHOTO Joe Pellegrino COVER DESIGN Scott Southwick

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FEATURES

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10 ASHEVILLE TOO Arts community tackles taboo topic

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WELLNESS

21 VEGAN STRONGHOLD How healthy is a plant-based diet?

GREEN

27 FREE THE FLOW Dam removal projects restore WNC waterways

FOOD

30 MOUNTAIN ROOTS Asheville digs into the culinary uses of kudzu

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37 JOURNEY TO THE DARK SIDE New book explores how Pink Floyd recovered from the loss of Syd Barrett

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NEWS

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39 THE DRAG SHOW MUST GO ON Celeste Starr moves to O.Henry’s after more than 20 years at Scandals

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3 LETTERS 3 CARTOON: MOLTON 5 CARTOON: BRENT BROWN 17 ASHEVILLE ARCHIVES 18 COMMUNITY CALENDAR 20 CONSCIOUS PARTY 21 WELLNESS 27 GREEN SCENE 28 FARM & GARDEN 30 FOOD 32 CAROLINA BEER GUY 34 SMALL BITES 35 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 40 SMART BETS 41 THEATER REVIEW 45 CLUBLAND 51 MOVIES 52 SCREEN SCENE 54 FREEWILL ASTROLOGY 54 CLASSIFIEDS 55 NY TIMES CROSSWORD

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OPINION

Send your letters to the editor to letters@mountainx.com. STA F F PUBLISHER: Jeff Fobes ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER: Susan Hutchinson MANAGING EDITOR: Virginia Daffron A&E EDITOR/WRITER: Alli Marshall FOOD EDITOR/WRITER: Gina Smith NEWS EDITOR/WRITER: Carolyn Morrisroe OPINION EDITOR: Tracy Rose WELLNESS EDITOR/WRITER: Susan Foster

CARTOO N BY RAN D Y M O LT O N

Experience yields insights into elder care system In response to the article about elder care [“Care-full Considerations: Navigating WNC’s Long-term Care Options,” Feb. 7, Xpress], I would like to express an opinion based on my sixyear experience caring for my elderly mother within the system. Quite frankly, the way we care for the elderly in this country is appalling. As was noted in the article, most assisted living and nursing homes are owned and run by for-profit corporations — profit for shareholders is their first goal, not quality of care. So personnel and physical facilities suffer to allow for profit. Interestingly, the same problems often exist in facilities operated by nonprofit organizations as well. During my mother’s stay at a [local] corporate-owned facility, she experienced a frightening array of poor-quality care, to the point where we had to hire a private-duty person to make sure my mother was cared for appropriately. It was a horrible and draining experience. Most of her caregivers were kind (not all of them) but lacked supportive systems, thoroughness of training, or incentives to remain. The turnover was excessively high at all levels, and important supervisory positions were often vacant for long periods of time. As was also mentioned in the article, this care is extraordinarily expensive, leaving many elderly out in the cold. Large nonrefundable deposits are usu-

ally required as well as costly monthly fees. Nor is higher cost of a facility necessarily a guarantee of good-quality care. Though Medicaid covers many elderly, these beds are limited, and quality of life is often lower. I highly recommend that a resident of any large facility, no matter the cost, have a strong, caring advocate. This is especially important if there is any kind of cognitive or memory problem. There are alternatives to the large facilities. There are homes where the number of residents is small. Though still costly (but often less so), the quality of care may be far better. And, of course, there are home care choices. One must carefully explore all options, use every resource: Question caregivers/ advocates, get recommendations, read online evaluations, talk to residents, talk to the Council on Aging, MemoryCare, the [Long Term Care] Ombudsman, etc. Another difficulty: The medical system is, generally, unable to deal with the unique needs of the elderly. Many facilities have in-house medical people who can make care easier; however, this does not always work out. And “outside” doctors have little time or knowledge of how to deal with the elder care systems. Then there are the elderly who fail Medicaid’s income requirements but do not have funds for expensive elder care. What happens to these folks? Are they left to struggle on their own? Die before they need to? It seems clear that the poor quality, high expense and human cost of our current elder care system is a loud cry for a single payer/national health care

STAFF REPORTERS/WRITERS: Able Allen, Edwin Arnaudin, Thomas Calder, Virginia Daffron, David Floyd, Max Hunt, Carolyn Morrisroe CALENDAR EDITOR: Abigail Griffin CLUBLAND EDITORS: Abigail Griffin, Max Hunt MOVIE REVIEWERS: Scott Douglas, Francis X. Friel, Justin Souther CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Peter Gregutt, Rob Mikulak REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Jonathan Ammons, Liisa Andreassen, Kari Barrows, Leslie Boyd, Jacqui Castle, Scott Douglas, Tony Kiss, Bill Kopp, Cindy Kunst, Kate Lundquist, Monroe Spivey, Lauren Stepp, Daniel Walton ADVERTISING, ART & DESIGN MANAGER: Susan Hutchinson GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Norn Cutson, Scott Southwick, Olivia Urban MARKETING ASSOCIATES: Christina Bailey, Sara Brecht, Bryant Cooper, Karl Knight, Tim Navaille, Brian Palmieri, Heather Taylor INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES & WEB: Bowman Kelley, DJ Taylor BOOKKEEPER: Amie Fowler-Tanner ADMINISTRATION, BILLING, HR: Able Allen, Lauren Andrews DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Jeff Tallman ASST. DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Denise Montgomery DISTRIBUTION: Gary Alston, Russell Badger, Frank D’Andrea, Jemima Cook Fliss, Adrian Hipps, Clyde Hipps, Jennifer Hipps, Joan Jordan, Laura Stinson, Brittney Turner-Daye, Thomas Young

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OPINION

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

program. We must become a more caring nation, as we have failed our elders. — Arida Emrys Asheville

Program expansion would help address food deserts As family physicians, we were encouraged by the Nov. 29 Mountain Xpress article highlighting consequences of food des-

erts in Buncombe County [“Nutritional Wastelands: Local Agencies Battle Health Woes of Food Deserts in WNC”]. While there are many organizations that provide healthy options for patients here in Western North Carolina, our patients still face barriers to these services. Just [recently], one author met a patient from Candler who could name her community resources but faced persistent access barriers due to long work hours. The Healthy Food Small Retailer Program helps to fill this gap by enabling

local store owners to supply healthy foods in low-resource areas at a reasonable cost. Improved funding to this program would expand existing services by financially supporting store owners with fresh-produce shelving, storage, marketing and food distribution. We hope that program expansion would support our patients by providing affordable, high-quality nutrition at more convenient locations. We see firsthand the repercussions of poor access to healthy foods for our patients. While we have medications to treat many medical conditions, there is no substitute for a healthy diet. We have a long way to go before all food deserts are eliminated in North Carolina; this bill is an important step forward. We hope the citizens of our community will join us in asking our representatives to support this important program expansion. — Ben Doolittle, D.O. Matt Roe, M.D. Alyssa Shell, M.D., Ph.D. Rebecca Thomson, M.D. Asheville

In praise of stigma One of the drawbacks of living in a free society is nature’s unrelenting requirement that we balance liberties with responsibilities. Asheville has a love affair with the former, while it shuns the latter. There are many examples, but none stand out more than our full-throttle drug culture. For a view into the dark soul of that crooked enterprise, look no further than the impact of opiates. We live in a time when three times more people are killed by opiates than drunk drivers — yet we still wink at users and dealers with remarkable tolerance. Our approach to treatment is equally misguided, and though no one is really willing to talk about it, our intervention rate is abysmal. That’s partially because we’re stuck on a dated “one size fits all” disease model that is remarkable for is uselessness. Any hope of treatment success necessitates a comprehensive model that overdoses participants with personal accountability. That takes courage, realism and dedication — all of which are in short supply among a community of handwringers. Painting addicts as innocent, powerless victims is enabling — not loving. Those looking for a starting place for countering the harms of our drug culture might consider the word “stigma.” There should be massive stigma associated with selling or misusing opiates and other drugs for the same

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reason there is stigma associated with beating one’s wife; murder; molesting children; driving under the influence; misusing starlets; or — in Asheville — being a conservative. Without stigma, there is no accountability. Without accountability, we will forever be chasing the tails of relapsed and newly recruited addicts. Accountability reconsideration is not in our future. In our naiveté, the truly innocent and powerless — children, families, social workers, health care providers, employers and crime victims — will continue to suffer our permissiveness. It’s just too easy to look away — and simply wring our hands when we can’t. — Carl Mumpower Clinical psychologist Asheville

Heaven has gained a saint in Billy Graham The Cove Training Center had its staff remembrance on Friday, Feb. 23. Employees were invited to come and pay respects. Pastor [Billy] Graham’s death has been a mix of joy and sadness. Joy in that he is finally home with God, and sorrow in that we no longer have him around. I consider The Cove to be my work family, and we all share sorrows, joys and prayers. Your job is considered a ministry. We minister to guests as well as to each other. Billy’s passing was a big hit. When I heard of Pastor Graham’s passing on Wednesday, Feb. 21, I cried off and on all day. I was hoping that he would make it to his 100th birthday in December of this year. Heaven has gained a saint. America has lost its pastor. The Gospel and message of Jesus Christ being the hope for all still lives on. Thank you for your life, Billy Graham. Thank you for raising the bar of just a job at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to a higher calling, that of ministry. The kingdom work will continue. Keep calm and power on with prayers. God Bless, — Marci McGowan Asheville

Curb gun violence via the voting booth How many children and teachers have to die and how many families must endure the worst tragedy

C A RT O O N B Y B R E NT B R O W N imaginable before our government will act to stop gun violence? The spate of school shootings and mass murder has to stop. Where are the moral values and ethical compasses of our society and our congressional representatives? Inaction is collusion with murder. President Trump and the NRA want to arm teachers and basically turn our schools into armed compounds. What does this say about our society? Are we to resort to TSAtype security screenings of students every day of the school year? Must we resort to drastic measures just to ensure the right of people to purchase combat assault weapons? We all hold that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are inalienable rights. However, in our society, there are limits to civil liberties. When a person holds in their hands the life of another by action in the threat or use of lethal firepower, then the most precious of our liberties is violated in the most heinous manner possible. Therefore, gun violence is an issue of public safety. In the early [1990s], a bipartisan Congress passed the Brady Law. It outlawed assault-type weapons, limited clip size and established the federal background check for firearm purchases. When the time for renewal occurred during the Bush administra-

tion, Congress ignored the pleas of law enforcement and struck down the law in large part due to intense lobbying by the NRA. The Brady Law needs to be re-enacted and expanded. Congress should expand background checks to include misdemeanor violent offenses, close the gun show loophole that excludes gun purchasers from background checks, ban assault weapons, limit clip size to six rounds, make the sale and installation of bump stocks a federal offense, and uphold state and municipal laws that govern the carrying of concealed weapons. The Constitution guarantees the right to own firearms. But as a society, we must be willing to accept and abide by laws that protect our citizens. The time for thoughts and prayers is over. Action is needed now. If our congressional representatives, Sens. [Thom] Tillis and [Richard] Burr, and Rep. [Mark] Meadows, do not speak out, sponsor or support tough and legitimate legislation to curb gun violence, then by inaction one must conclude that NRA money is more important to them than enacting legislation to curb gun violence. To enact change, vote them out of office. — Ted Owen Hendersonville

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NEWS

MINORS IN THE MOUNTAINS

Sports teams make major plays in Asheville

BY MIKE SCHOEFFEL mikeschoeffel89@gmail.com “Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You’ll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes. Think classy, you’ll be classy.” — Crash Davis in Bull Durham Minor league sports have never been about glitz and glamour. They’re more about long bus trips and chasing an improbable dream than achieving transcendent glory. Crash Davis, glorified in the movie Bull Durham and perhaps cinema’s most celebrated minor league star, knew this truth well. Asheville has seen numerous minor league teams come and go throughout the years, but its longestablished baseball team is now joined by minor league soccer and football clubs that are redefining the local sports landscape. THE TOURISTS Asheville’s most entrenched minor league franchise is named in honor of passers-through. The Asheville Tourists are called that because one early 20th-century sports writer keenly noted that none of the players were actually from Asheville. (“It’s just a bunch of Tourists,” he reportedly said.) The baseball team was birthed in 1915, three years after the sinking of the Titanic. The organization has fared much better than the ocean liner, fielding a team each season, minus a four-year stretch (1972-75) in which the Orioles rolled into town and temporarily ousted the Tourists. The Tourists were re-established in 1976 and immediately reached the Western Carolinas League finals. Not long after the Tourists’ return, a man from Caldwell County named Dorland Winkler purchased season tickets for the first time. He’s been a fan ever since. “I don’t know whether it’s a passion or an obsession,” says Winkler. “I suppose it’s somewhere in between.” Winkler has sat in more or less the same seat behind home plate since he became a season ticket holder in the early ’80s, though he had to shift one row over after the club made structural changes to McCormick Field several years ago. 6

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BIG GOALS: The Asheville City Soccer Club averaged 2,000 fans per home game in its first season last year. It starts up again in May, and new for 2018 will be a women’s team. Photo courtesy of Asheville City SC

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McCormick has been the Tourists’ home since 1924, and Winkler believes the park’s storied history has played a pivotal role in the team’s sustained popularity. “The No. 1 draw for the team is McCormick,” he says. “Even though it doesn’t have all the ameni-

ties of modern parks, it’s simplistic and pure baseball. Plus, the history here is out of this world.” Doug Maurer has been the Tourists’ radio announcer since 2010 and has called more than 1,000 Asheville games. He says the first game at

Starting lineup Asheville Tourists

Blue Ridge Raiders

Website:

Website: www.blueridgeraiders football.com

www.theashevilletourists. com Home opener: April 12, 7:05 p.m. vs. Columbia Home field: McCormick Field (30 Buchanan Place, Asheville)

Home opener: March 10, 7:30 p.m vs. Eastern Carolina Bulldogs Home field: Asheville High School (419 McDowell St., Asheville) and Memorial Stadium (32 Buchanan Place, Asheville)

Asheville City Soccer Club Website: www.ashevillecitysc.com Home openers: May 4 for men vs. Myrtle Beach Mutiny; May 5 for women vs. Chattanooga FC Home field: Memorial Stadium (32 Buchanan Place, Asheville)

McCormick Field was an exhibition between the Tourists and the Detroit Tigers. In the Tigers’ starting lineup that day was Ty Cobb, a baseball legend who broke 90 major league records during his career. Cobb is not, however, the only baseball immortal to have come through the stadium’s front gates; Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson and Lou Gehrig also graced the diamond at 30 Buchanan Place. In fact, Bull Durham’s fictional Crash Davis, played by Kevin Costner, hit his record-breaking 247th home run as a member of the Tourists at McCormick Field. The Tourists’ management is acutely aware of the team’s singular history, embracing it and displaying it for fans. Every door in the ballpark sports a photograph of a former or current major leaguer who walked McCormick Field. Two doors display a list of every major leaguer who has donned a Tourists uniform — a list almost 600 players long. Winkler, from his spot behind home plate, has watched his fair share of those players, including modern-day major league stand-

outs Juan Pierre (now retired), Matt Holliday, and Ubaldo Jimenez. “I’ll hear people say, ‘Oh, I watched them on TV,’” says Winkler. “And I can tell them, ‘I remember when he was young. I sat with his parents one night at a game.’” That sense of closeness between fans and players is perhaps the biggest advantage minor league organizations have over their major league brethren. Where, say, the Rockies — Asheville’s major league affiliate — can charge $150 for a seat behind home plate and $10 for draft beer because fans will attend regardless, the Tourists have to be a bit more strategic. The minor leagues are a much more intimate universe, one where promotions (like the Tourists’ “Thirsty Thursdays”), player accessibility and fan contentment are just as important as the on-field product. “It may be the 120th game of the year for us, but for someone coming to the game that night, it’s their first,” says Maurer. “So we need to treat them as if it were game one for us.” If recent attendance numbers designate anything, it’s that the Tourists’ appeal is on the rise: They’ve set attendance records in each of the

past three seasons, culminating in last year’s high-water mark of 184,019 fans over 68 home games. ASHEVILLE CITY SOCCER CLUB The Tourists have set the gold standard for minor league success in Asheville; however, a recent startup, the Asheville City Soccer Club, is hoping to make its own mark. Last season was the organization’s first, and it saw the club reach the National Premier Soccer League postseason and average 2,000 fans per home game. That number put it in the top five out of 170 teams at its level, and it even outdid several professional teams in major markets. “That certainly caught the attention of some higher-level leagues,” says the club’s owner, Ryan Kelley. Like the Tourists, Asheville City SC is mainly a launching pad to lift players into bigger leagues. In fact, Jascha Glueckschalt, who played for Kelley last season, recently became the first Asheville player to sign a professional contract, joining SV Sandhausen in Germany.

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N EWS Unlike the Tourists, however, Asheville City SC is not affiliated with any major league organization and its players are not paid. Kelley has thus compiled a diverse roster ranging in age from 16 to 27. The core of the team consists of college players who want to compete in a serious summer league, though Kelley also pulls talent from local high schools, adult leagues and even international locales. Last year, the team suited up players from England, Brazil and Germany. “Our goal is to raise the talent level in Asheville,” says Kelley. “[We’re doing that] by placing the best local players in a highly competitive training and game environment with the best players that we bring in from around the country and the world.” Asheville City SC management also knows the importance of fan appeal and promotion. Last season, the team offered free authentic jerseys to all season ticket holders. Those jerseys were then used as the fans’ tickets to every home game. “In 2018, we really want to become a household name in Asheville,” says Kelley. “We want

A LEG UP: Like the Asheville Tourists baseball team, Asheville City Soccer Club hopes to serve as a launching pad to lift players into bigger leagues. Photo courtesy of Asheville City SC to attract new fans who may not know they love soccer yet.” New for the Asheville City SC this season will be a women’s team, coached by Stacey Enos, a former national champion at the University of North Carolina and a member of the inaugural U.S. Women’s National Team in 1985. The women’s team comes highly requested by fans, says Kelley, and it

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marks the club’s dedication to broadening its appeal and expanding its influence. “We got off to a great start in 2017,” he says. “But if you aren’t growing, you’re dying.” BLUE RIDGE RAIDERS Minor league football doesn’t get any respect, no respect at all. Just ask Blue Ridge Raiders owner Thomas Arnette. In the eyes of Arnette — and perhaps many sports fans — minor league football has been in a devolution for many years, morphing into little more than a pickup league played for the hell of it on Saturday afternoons. Most players are forced to supply their own equipment — at a significant hit to their bank accounts — and some have even been allowed to drink alcohol on the sidelines, according to Arnette. Arnette is trying to rise above that lax culture. He wants his team, which is in its third year, to eventually become as enmeshed in the community as minor league baseball teams and NBA D-League squads — no small task, considering the Raiders, like the Asheville City SC, are not

officially affiliated with any major league organization. “This is a serious team for serious players,” says Arnette. “We’re trying to help guys develop their skills so they can pursue a career, not just meet on the weekends and play football.” This past season, Arnette helped Raiders alumni Tony Koone and Richard Young get drafted into the Rivals Professional Football League, with each receiving a $1,000 signing bonus. Other players have also used the Raiders as a steppingstone to professional leagues, including overseas leagues and the Canadian Football League, which Arnette considers the top of the mountain for his players. “The CFL would be the biggest opportunity any of these guys would have a shot at making,” he says. Arnette covers the cost for any combine — football’s version of a job fair — that his players are interested in attending. “I’ll do whatever it takes to get them in front of professional coaches. That’s what we’re here for,” he says. A number of athletes on the Raiders’ roster were talented high school players who didn’t take the traditional college route for one reason or another — be it injury, trouble with the law or poor grades. Arnette recruits former stars who feel as though they’ve exhausted all their options, yet pine for one final chance to play professionally. “There are a lot of guys that if they had the opportunity, they could make good money,” says Arnette. “But they’re sitting on the couch, thinking they have no chance because they haven’t gone to college or they don’t want to play for a nonserious minor league team.” Arnette wants the Raiders to be Asheville’s minor league football team, a source of pride for the city. He’s taking steps in that direction: He signed up the team for

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24 to rouse interest in the team prior to its home opener on March 10 at Memorial Stadium. “A lot of these guys have ability equal to good college players;

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NEWS

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ASHEVILLE TOO

Arts community tackles taboo topic

The Asheville Survivors Coalition has brought the national “Me Too” movement to the local level. In fact, the grassroots group, whose members have chosen to remain anonymous or use pseudonyms for their own protection, says the organization predates the “Me Too” movement. “The seeds of it came during the Waking Life [Espresso] situation,” says member Eva Hesse (not her real name). In September 2015, Waking Life owners Jared Rutledge and Jacob Owens were exposed for operating a blog, Twitter account and podcast celebrating their sexual exploits. “A group of people came together during that, as kind of a similar ad hoc community grouping,” Hesse recalls. The West Asheville business closed the next month in the aftermath of public outcry following the revelations. Since then, says Hesse, “There has been a loose network of people working on this issue.” Those activists heard about “instances of people abusing their power in this local community.” Over time, realization set in that “the work was going to be long-term,” Hesse says. BLAST FROM THE PAST In recent months, the coalition’s focus has been on building greater awareness of community members’ complaints about local artist Jonas Gerard. In addition to its online activity, the organization has held public demonstrations, calling Gerard a “repeat offender” against female employees. The coalition’s website includes four anonymous accounts of alleged inappropriate behavior by Gerard. Posts on the website have generated extensive discussion on local Facebook pages including Asheville Politics and WAXWest Asheville Exchange, with some posts generating hundreds of comments. Those weighing in expressed positions ranging from support for Gerard to vehement condemnation of his alleged actions. Allen Brasington, Gerard’s community outreach coordinator, disputes the relevancy of the coalition’s claims. He also questions the tactics used by the anonymous group. “When you’re battling a sniper — these people coming out of nowhere — there’s no way to communicate with them,” he says. He believes those involved with the Survivors Coalition have remained 10

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SIGNS OF PROTEST: In December, eight masked demonstrators gathered outside Jonas Gerard’s Clingman Avenue studio. Identifying themselves as Asheville Survivors Coalition members, the protesters carried a banner that read “Multiple Women Harassed or Assaulted by Jonas Gerard.” Photo courtesy of the Asheville Survivors Coalition anonymous to avoid defamation lawsuits. “Or they’re breaking a mutual confidentiality agreement,” he continues. “Maybe these people are using fake guises because they’re bound by confidentiality agreements already and they’re grinding a really old ax.” But how old are those claims? And what does that time lag mean in the context of an issue that is now front and center in the public’s awareness? The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination, including sexual harassment. By law, all such complaints are confidential, though the agency does notify the employer in question. Brasington says that three EEOC complaints were filed against Gerard in 2014 and 2015. One of those complaints, Brasington says, was filed alongside a criminal charge of misdemeanor sexual battery. Court records show an offense

date of Aug. 22, 2015. The prosecuting witness voluntarily withdrew the matter on Jan. 8, 2016, which was also listed as the trial date. According to the record, the two parties reached what’s noted as a “civil agreement.” Staff in the office of the Buncombe County Clerk of Court say no further information about the nature of the agreement is available. In response to protests carried out by the Survivors Coalition, Gerard released a personal statement on Dec. 20, 2017. In it, he acknowledged the EEOC complaints, along with the criminal charge. The artist went on to write that he would “like to take this opportunity to tell you I am 76 years old and I admit that there are things I have said and done in past years that I’m not proud of today. For those things, I wish to share my most sincere apology to anyone hurt by my actions. Mistakes were made several years ago, lessons were learned and since that

time I have been singularly focused on becoming a better person.” Gerard’s statement also addressed the accusations of sexual assault, noting, “The criminal charge, which seems to resurface from time to time, was dropped over two years ago. Please know I have never (repeat, never) assaulted anyone. I am not a violent person. I am an expressive person. I value peace.” “There was some education that took place when we had this group of suits that happened together,” says Brasington. He notes that Gerard completed a 40-hour online workshop on sexual harassment, along with therapy. “Not an excuse at all, but an explanation [for] a man of [Gerard’s] age, of his era,” Brasington says. GENERATIONAL SHIFT The coalition’s recent activities have prompted conversations within the local arts community about the broader issue of sexual misconduct in the workplace. Lauren Patton, who owns ZaPow Gallery, believes open discussion is long overdue and a key to eliminating such behavior. “I

LEARNING FROM THE YOUNG: When it comes to the “Me Too” movement, Asheville tattoo artist Kitty Love says much of her information has come through conversations with her 21-year-old daughter. Photo by Thomas Calder think it is really important that we step forward and say, ‘This is an important issue,’” she explains. “We need to stop pretending this isn’t happening.”

Stefanie Gerber Darr, executive director of the Asheville Area Arts Council, agrees. “If you don’t move the conversation forward, nothing is ever going to change,” she says. “But the question is how and who [gets it started]? Because it is a touchy subject, and it can get really heated.” For local tattoo artist Kitty Love, the answer lies with the young. The 50-year-old former Arts Council director says she grew up in a “rough-andtumble environment” in which inappropriate sexual behavior by certain men “was just kind of par for the course.” But the “Me Too” movement and discussions with her 21-year-old daughter surrounding it have radically changed her understanding of sexual misconduct, she says. “For me, a big part of it is understanding the elements as they are being told to me by what I feel, in large part, is a younger generation that is basically standing up and saying it’s time for a cultural change.” Noël Yovovich, a recent arrival to Asheville and the River Arts District who does fine jewelry and other metalwork, echoes Love’s observation.

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MAR. 7 - 13, 2018

N EWS “Both men and women in my generation,” says the 67-year-old, “were brought up with certain expectations, including male dominance and not only women’s submission, but concern in preventing damage to the fragile male ego at almost any cost.” Yovovich believes ongoing conversation is essential to maintaining the movement’s current momentum. But ultimately, she says, “It’s a process of the older people dying off and the younger ones taking over.” NO COMMENT In the meantime, however, there is reason to believe that the topic remains taboo, at least locally. Xpress reached out to more than 35 artists and building owners in the RAD seeking comment on sexual misconduct and the community’s response to it. Fourteen declined to weigh in; only four agreed to go on the record. The rest did not respond. Chalkley Matlack, president of the River Arts District Artists, declined to be interviewed for this article. In consultation with the organization’s board of directors, Matlack released the following statement, which he said would be provided in response to any future media inquiries on workplace sexual conduct in the arts community: “The River Arts District Artists is a membership organization established to promote the common interests and well-being of its 220+ artist members. Our organization is dedicated to diversity, innovation and positive expression to promote our individual creative businesses. We aspire to be a safe space free of discrimination, harassment, abuse or other factors that do not contribute to a healthy environment. For our bylaws see our RADA website, riverartsdistrict.com.”

VANDALISM: In January, Gerard’s billboard and studio van were vandalized. A Jan. 20 police report concerning the incidents has since been closed, noting that all leads had been exhausted. Photo courtesy of Ann Sharpsteen

BUSINESSES RESPOND Even as community members engage in online discussions about the broader question of how best to address sexual misconduct, the Survivors Coalition has been calling on some local organizations and businesses to remove Gerard’s works from their premises. To Patton, this seems like a no-brainer. With so many artists in the area, the South Slope gallery owner argues, institutions have plenty of other options. Those without a history of alleged sexual misconduct, she 12

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continues, should top the list. “It’s a pretty low bar,” she says. The coalition’s urgings haven’t fallen on deaf ears. CarePartners recently decided to remove Gerard’s artwork from its building. Tracy Buchanan, the nonprofit’s president and CEO, wrote: “While we cannot know and will not cast an opinion regarding recent accusations, we do believe that in order to continue to provide a comfortable and welcoming environment for everyone — free from distraction and focused on care and healing — we needed to remove the artwork.” But in other places, such as the Asheville Regional Airport, the artist’s work remains on prominent display. In an email exchange, Tina Kinsey, the airport’s marketing and public relations director, noted that Gerard pays to have his work displayed there. “With the absence of legal convictions related to the allegations, we are not considering any action at this time,” she wrote. The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, meanwhile, has opted for a middle path: removing some, but not all, of Gerard’s works from its walls.

“Even though there have been no convictions, there is enough concern from some of my members that we’ve decided we’re going to rotate out some of Jonas’ loaned works in an effort to provide other artists and businesses an opportunity for exposure in the visitor center,” says Kit Cramer, the nonprofit’s president and CEO. Works previously donated by the artist, however, will remain on display. BEHIND THE MASKS In December, eight masked demonstrators gathered outside Gerard’s Clingman Avenue studio. Identifying themselves as Survivors Coalition members, the protesters carried a banner that read “Multiple Women Harassed or Assaulted by Jonas Gerard.” Brasington says they don’t know what the organization wants. “I’d love to ask coalition members, but unfortunately we’re not able to speak to them directly because they’re wearing masks,” he says. According to Hesse, what the group wants is accountability. Members, she maintains, are willing to remove their

masks and meet with Gerard and his representatives at a public press conference. Meanwhile, Gerard’s publicist, Ann Sharpsteen, has expressed a willingness to have Gerard and his team meet with group members, but not in the context of a press conference. “I do think every woman’s story is valid and should be heard,” she says. “I wish there was a way to remove the mask, come together and actually talk.” To date, neither party has agreed to the other’s terms. Distrust remains strong on both sides. The Survivors Coalition says it fears retaliation; Gerard’s team maintains that such concern is baseless, and both Brasington and Sharpsteen have voiced fears about their own safety, citing the Jan. 18 vandalism of Gerard’s van and billboard as evidence of an escalating conflict. A Jan. 20 police report concerning the incidents has since been closed, noting that all leads had been exhausted. In an email responding to a request for comment, Hesse said the coalition had had no role in the “creative alterations to Gerard’s vehicle or billboard. Perhaps someone is trying to speak to him in his own language? Paint splatters are harmless, but sexual violence hurts us all. ASC wishes to focus on the actions of Jonas Gerard and the goal of keeping the community safe.” BREAKING THE ICE Despite the current impasse, Gerber Darr of the Arts Council sees reason for hope. “We’re still at the beginning of the ‘Me Too’ movement,” she points out. “It would be great to see a huge change overnight, but I don’t think it’s possible. I think it’s going to take a lot more time to figure it all out. … I think this is a great way to start — having articles and one-on-one or group conversations — but I don’t think there is going to be a big change until there is a larger conversation about it.” RAD artist William Henry Price echoes Gerber Darr’s observation. “At the moment it’s just awkward,” he says. “But I don’t think it will prevent the conversation. … I see this as the ice breaking off of the river: This is a thaw. I think it’s very good.” And for Kitty Love, there’s no turning back. “The gauntlet has been thrown,” she declares, adding, “Where do you stand on this issue?” X

MOUNTAINX.COM

MAR. 7 - 13, 2018

B U N C O M B E B E AT

Candidates line up for 2018 elections The filing period for the 2018 elections closed at the end of February with a surprising announcement from an Asheville politician. Democrat Keith Young, who is in his first term on Asheville City Council, filed to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in District 12, which includes Charlotte. The seat is held by Democrat Alma Adams, who won a special election for the seat in 2014. Young ran unsuccessfully for Buncombe County Board of Commissioners in 2012 and 2014 before being elected to City Council in 2015. The filing period for candidates in state, federal and most county elections in North Carolina ended at noon on Feb. 28. Primary elections will occur on May 8, and the general election will take place Nov. 6. Voter registration information can be found on the Buncombe County Board of Election Services website at avl.mx/3xc. The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, on which members

serve staggered four-year terms elected through partisan elections, has three seats open this year, but one, the District 1 seat held by Al Whitesides, a Democrat, has no challengers. Districts 2 and 3 will have primaries on May 8 to narrow the field to one Democrat and one Republican candidate from each district to square off in the November election. District 3 Commissioner Robert Pressley has no challenger in the Republican primary but will face one of three Democrats in the fall. Current Democratic county commissioner for District 2, Ellen Frost, did not file for re-election. The race for Buncombe County sheriff includes eight candidates to replace Van Duncan, the three-term sheriff who announced his retirement last year. In the primary, the field will get narrowed to the top vote-getter from each political party. Here’s a final list of candidates who will appear on the May 8 partisan primary ballots in Buncombe County:

ASPIRATIONS BEYOND ASHEVILLE: Keith Young, who was elected to Asheville City Council in 2015, has filed to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 12th District, which is centered around Charlotte. Photo by Carolyn Morrisroe U.S. House of Representatives, District 10: David Wilson Brown (D), Gina Collias (R), Patrick McHenry (R)*, Jeff Gregory (R), Ira Roberts (R), Seth Blankenship (R), Albert Lee Wiley, Jr. (R). Republican primary only. U.S. House of Representatives, District 11: Philip G. Price (D), D. Scott Donaldson (D), Steve Woodsmall (D), Mark Meadows (R)*, Chuck Archerd (R), Clifton B. Ingram, Jr. (L). Democratic and Republican primary contests only.

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N.C. State Senate, District 48: Norm Bossert (D), Chuck Edwards (R)*. No primary. N.C. State Senate, District 49: Terry Van Duyn (D)*, Mark Crawford (R), William Meredith (L). No primary. N.C. House of Representatives, District 114: Susan C. Fisher (D)*, Kris A. Lindstam (R). No primary. N.C.House of Representatives, District 115: John Ager (D)*, Nathan West (R), Amy Evans (R). Republican primary only. N.C. House of Representatives, District 116: Brian Turner (D)*, Marilyn A. Brown (R). No primary. District Attorney, District 40: Todd M. Williams (D)*, Ben Scales (D). Democratic primary only. No general election challenger. Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, District 1: Al Whitesides (D)*. Unopposed. Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, District 2: Amanda Edwards (D), Dereck Lindsey (D), Nancy Nehls Nelson (D), Patrick Fitzsimmons (D), Glenda P. Weinert (R). Democratic primary only. Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, District 3: Taylon Breeden (D), Donna Ensley (D), Catori Swann (D), Robert Pressley (R)*. Democratic primary only. Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court: Steven Cogburn (D)*. Unopposed. Buncombe County Sheriff: R. Daryl Fisher (D), Rondell Lance (D), Quentin Miller (D), Randy Smart (D), Chris Winslow (D), Shad L. Higgins (R), Tracey Debruhl (L), Michael Morgan (L). Democratic and Libertarian primary contests only. * denotes incumbent D = Democrat R = Republican L = Libertarian

— David Floyd X

Bridge over troubled water: Asheville hears from McGrady

HOLDING FORTH ON WATER: State Rep. Chuck McGrady makes the case for regionalization of water and sewer systems to Asheville City Council. Photo by Carolyn Morrisroe At the Feb. 27 Asheville City Council meeting, it became clear that tensions still simmer in a tussle over regional water systems that goes back decades. The broader context includes a 2016 N.C. Supreme Court decision that ruled unconstitutional a 2013 bill co-sponsored by Hendersonville Rep. Chuck McGrady that would have transferred ownership of Asheville’s municipal water system to Buncombe County’s Metropolitan Sewerage District. Then, in December, MSD voted down a proposal, which McGrady supported, to include Henderson County’s Cane Creek Water and Sewer District in in the MSD. The move would have given Henderson County representatives three seats on an expanded 15-member board. Cane Creek currently uses its own lines to transport sewage to the MSD plant in Woodfin, but McGrady and Henderson County officials have complained its customers pay more for the service than do MSD customers. According to MSD General Manager Tom Hartye, the utility charges the same consumption rate to all its customers, including its 4,000 accounts in Cane Creek. But Cane Creek residents pay a flat fee of $16.42 per month, which is set by the Henderson County Board of Commissioners, who serve as the trustees for the Cane Creek Water and Sewer District. Other MSD customers pay a $9 monthly flat fee, Hartye says. Now, McGrady is making the rounds of local government bodies to talk up a new study committee in the state legislature set up to explore regionalization of water and sewer systems. He spoke at the Hendersonville City Council on Feb. 6, at the Buncombe County

Board of Commissioners on Feb. 20, and at the Henderson County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 21. On Feb. 27, it was Asheville City Council’s turn to hear what he had to say. In his presentation to Council, McGrady bemoaned the MSD decision not to include Henderson County representation and he appealed to Council to approve a new interlocal agreement. He laid out two pitches: “My first is if you will take up the water agreement and hopefully largely deal with water issues between Henderson County and the city of Asheville, and then secondly, that you’ll help me work on the MSD issue,” McGrady said. “I would love to have your help on getting to a better place on that.” Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, who along withVice Mayor Gwen Wisler sits on the MSD board, clarified that the interlocal agreement establishes an understanding between Henderson County and Asheville for waterline extensions, should the need arise. She added that it would let Asheville have the final say in decisions related to line extensions, and she hopes to bring the interlocal agreement before Council around the same time as it comes up at the Henderson County Commission. Getting to the crux of the matter, Council member Julie Mayfield asked McGrady to speak to past concerns in Asheville about McGrady’s efforts to legislate a takeover of Asheville’s water. “What I’m hearing you say is that we are past the time when anyone is looking to force a merger or take over or otherwise seize or remove from the control of the city of Asheville its water system,” she said.

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McGrady appeared to agree with that statement, but left the door open. “No, I have absolutely no interest in going down that road. Unless I’m forced, and I don’t think I’m going to be forced, because I’m trying to disconnect these issues from each other,” he said. “I do not expect I will have any legislation having to do with Asheville’s water system.” Council member Vijay Kapoor asked McGrady under what circumstances he might be “forced,” to which McGrady responded, “We don’t take care of the MSD issue, then I’m going to have to figure out how to push it. Because my constituents are paying too much for their sewer and they are underrepresented. And if Buncombe County and its various cities can’t help me figure out how to get around that, then the question becomes, what do I do about it?” The “underrepresentation” to which McGrady referred reflects a common refrain in his remarks, that 70 percent of Hendersonville water customers live outside city limits and so do not have elected officials they can go to (or vote out) when they are unhappy about their rates. Manheimer said she understands McGrady’s concern about customers not having representation but alluded to the ongoing challenge of working with state legislators while the fight for Asheville’s water still haunts the conversation. “It’s hard to strike a deal, as it were, when there’s this looming sort of unknown threat,” she said. “We have been acting under a looming threat since I’ve been in office, since 2009. I would say we’re in a calmer time period than we have been, so that’s good. It was quite a fight to hold on to our water system.” McGrady acknowledged his difficult relationship with Asheville City Council. “There’s a lot of mistrust here. I get that,” he said. “But you don’t gain trust by not trying to take small steps and move forward, and that’s what I’m trying to do here.” Manheimer remained cautiously open to further discussion on regional water issues. “I’m hopeful we can find some resolution around all this, because I think some of these things are ultimately probably good,” she said. Residents who spoke during public comment on McGrady’s presentation were not as conciliatory. Asheville resident Beth Jezek said, “We heard Rep. McGrady say just a few minutes ago, ‘If I’m forced to, we will use the legislature

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NEWS BRIEFS

N EWS to take the water, if you don’t give me what I want.’ I didn’t know that was the way democracy worked.” Woodfin resident Barry Summers pointed out that the fight over regionalization of water systems goes back to the 1990s. “The attractive solution is to blame Asheville and Buncombe County for Henderson County’s inability to build and maintain and operate and have control of their own water and sewer infrastructure. I think that’s what’s been driving this for the past 20 years,” he said. He added that he’s not opposed to regionalizing water systems, but he implored McGrady not to use force to do so. Asheville resident Sam Speciale also raised the specter of the disagreement over Asheville’s water. “The courts and our citizens soundly rejected that attempt to seize the water, going so far as defeating two of the three of the local legislators who pushed for the water system, leaving Mr. McGrady left to fight that battle,” he said. “But he is not without weapons: Voilá, he became co-chair of the house committee to study rates and transfers/public enterprises, a long name for something that might give free rein for all sorts of actions, espe-

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cially that GOP favorite, privatization.” Speciale brandished a thick volume of Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America as he warned against the tyranny of the majority. ASHEVILLE STANDS AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE In the wake of the Feb. 14 shooting at a school in Parkland, Fla., that killed 17 people and renewed the debate over gun control, Asheville City Council unanimously approved a resolution on the prevention of gun violence at its Feb. 27 meeting. Manheimer read aloud the resolution, which calls for a ban on the manufacturing, transferring and possession of assault weapons, and received applause from some in the audience. “I personally am pretty tired of political tension around this issue and would hope that the Congress would act immediately to reinstitute the ban on assault weapons,” she said. “Given the conversation that’s happening in this country right now … I felt like it would be a good thing for the Asheville City Council to make their opinion known on this issue.” During public comment, seniors from T.C. Roberson High School issued pleas that local, state and national government officials take the issue of gun violence seriously. “While sending condolences to the victims and survivors is appropriate and appreciated, further action needs to be taken. Enough is enough. Change is long overdue,” student Caroline Bowers said. “To those who say this movement is just another flare-up and rallying cry from the youth that will die down in a few months with no true legislative change, I would argue that this instance is different. It has to be different. Tangible change is in fact feasible, and it is just on the horizon.” Student Sean McDowell referenced the 1999 Columbine High School incident and the many shootings since then in depicting the tension his generation feels each day at school. “Due to the fact that I am only 18 years old, I do not know what’s it’s like to live in a country without mass school shootings,” he said. He advocated for more legislation to protect students and all Americans, including tighter background checks on gun sales, increased security at schools and a ban on semiautomatic rifles. After public comment, Manheimer said while she understands the calls for better mental health services and school security, she is “personally very exasperated” about the parts of the conversation that don’t deal directly with regulating guns. That said, she admitted there’s not much Asheville can do about it. “Just to be clear, cities and counties in North

by Max Hunt | mhunt@mountainx.com OUR VOICE HOSTS SURVIVOR, ACTIVIST ELIZABETH SMART Buncombe County rape crisis and prevention nonprofit Our VOICE will host an evening with sexual trauma survivor, activist and author Elizabeth Smart on Thursday, March 8, at 8 p.m. in the Mission Health Conference Center at A-B Tech. Smart, who was abducted from her home and held captive for nine months in 2002-03 at the age of 14, will discuss her healing journey from survivor to advocate. Local musician Rhoda Weaver will also perform, and state Sen. Terry Van Duyn and North Carolina first lady Kristin Cooper will offer remarks. The event is in conjunction with International Women’s Day. Copies of Smart’s new book, Where There’s Hope, There’s Healing, will also be available for purchase. All proceeds from book sales will directly support Our VOICE’s 24/7 rape crisis and advocacy services. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $10 for students and $100 for the VIP package. More info: avl.mx/4r5 or email angelicaw@ ourvoicenc.org

ASHEVILLE COUNCIL, BUNCOMBE COMMISSION PLAN JOINT MEETING Asheville City Council and the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will hold their annual joint meeting on Tuesday, March 13, at 3 p.m. in the first-floor conference room at 200 College St., downtown Asheville. The two governmental agencies will discuss items and matters of mutual interest during the meeting. The meeting is open to the public. More info: email mburleson@ashevillenc.gov ASHEVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETS MARCH 13 Asheville City Council will hold its next formal meeting Tuesday, March 13 at 5 p.m. in Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall in downtown Asheville. The meeting will include a public hearing session. Scheduled public hearing topics include a resolution to permanently close a portion of Peachtree Street at Jake Rusher Park; a resolution to permanently close an unopened right of way near 85 Deaver St. in West Asheville; and a res-

Carolina have very limited authority over gun control,” she said. Mayfield mentioned that on March 24 there will be a March for Our Lives held in Asheville and encouraged people to attend if they are interested in the issue. IN OTHER BUSINESS City Council approved a resolution proclaiming March 10 as “Zelda Fitzgerald Day” and one proclaiming March 19-25 as “Asheville Climate Week.” It also approved a resolution in memory of the Rev. Billy Graham, a longtime Montreat resident who died Feb. 21.

olution to close another unopened right of way at the end of Deaver Street, south of Howard Street, in West Asheville. A full meeting agenda will be posted online prior to the meeting at avl.mx/3xb GE AVIATION INVESTS $105 MILLION IN ASHEVILLE OPERATIONS GE Aviation recently announced plans to invest $105 million in its Asheville-based operations. The money will go toward upgrades in technology, machinery and equipment, and is expected to add 131 new positions to the company’s workforce. New jobs are estimated to pay 30 percent above the Buncombe County average wage. The investment includes an expansion of GE Aviation’s Ceramic Matrix Composite production program at its Sweeten Creek Industrial Park site, in addition to expanding its legacy nickel alloy rotating parts production capacity. The production expansion will also sustain about $12.8 million in annual labor income and support another $7.5 million in annual federal, state and local tax income. More info: avl. mx/4r4 X

Not everyone in attendance at the meeting was supportive of City Council’s decision to honor Graham, however. Asheville resident Casey Campfield read several quotes in which Graham spoke derogatorily of homosexuality, the AIDS epidemic, Martin Luther King Jr. and Jewish people in the American media. “The fact that you would use this platform to honor Billy Graham without even a single mention of his checkered past is beyond cowardly and a great disappointment to many of your constituents,” Campfield said.

— Carolyn Morrisroe X

COMMUNITY CALENDAR MARCH 7 - 15, 2018

CALENDAR GUIDELINES 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 ASHEVILLE LYRIC OPERA • SU (3/11), 4:30-6pm - Proceeds from this concert featuring poet Gavin Geoffrey Dillard, soprano Jennifer Bryant Pedersen and baritone Matthew Queen benefit the Asheville Lyric Opera. $25/$20 advance. Held at White Horse Black Mountain, 105 Montreat Road, Black Mountain CONDOM COUTURE condomcoutureavl.org • SA (3/10), 7pm Proceeds from this annual fashion show featuring clothing created from condoms benefit Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. $25/$150 VIP. Held at Orange Peel, 101 Bilmore Ave. GIVENS ASSISTANCE MINISTRY 828-253-3316, centralumc.org • SU (3/11), 3pm Donations at this piano concert featuring Edward John Tipton playing Bach, Chopin, Debussy and Beethoven, benefit the Givens Communities Resident Assistance Ministry. Free to attend. Held at Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church St. OPENDOORS OF ASHEVILLE ART AFFAIR opendoorsasheville.org • SA (3/10), 6pm Proceeds from this live and silent art auction and

MAR. 7 - 13, 2018

live music gala benefit OpenDoors of Asheville. $125/$175 VIP. Held at Highland Brewing Company, 12 Old Charlotte Highway OUR VOICE 828-252-0562, ourvoicenc.org/ trauma-education-series • TH (3/8), 7pmProceeds from the "Where There’s Hope, There’s Healing" lecture by Elizabeth Smart, with reception and live music by Kat Williams benefit Our Voice. $25/$10 students/$100 VIP champagne reception. Held at A-B Tech Mission Health Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Drive THE VANISHING WHEELCHAIR 175 Weaverville Road, Suite L., 828-645-2941, VanishingWheelchair.org • 2nd & 4th FRIDAYS, 7pm - Proceeds from “Magic, Mirth & Meaning,” family-friendly, hour-long production featuring storytellers, singers, jugglers, and magicians benefit The Vanishing Wheelchair. $10/$5 children. UNITED WAY & VFW FUNDRAISER 828-883-8822 • SA (3/10), 6pm Proceeds from the “Trivia Challenge and Dance,” with DJ Rick Selimos, a silent auction and hot dog dinner benefit United Way of Transylvania County early childhood education mobile unit fund and VFW’s local veterans’ relief fund. Call for

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ASHEVILLE CHESS CLUB 828-779-0319, 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

tickets. $20. Held at VFW Lodge, 50 Veterans Circle, Brevard

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY A-B TECH SMALL BUSINESS CENTER 828-398-7950, abtech.edu/sbc • WE (3/7), 6-9pm "SCORE: Basic Internet Marketing," seminar. Registration required. Free. Held at A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Road, Candler • SA (3/10), 9am-noon "Write a Better Website," seminar. Registration required. Free. Held at A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Road, Candler

ASHEVILLE NEWCOMERS CLUB ashevillenewcomersclub. com • 2nd MONDAYS, 9:30am - Monthly meeting for women new to Asheville. Free to attend. ASHEVILLE TAROT CIRCLE meetup.com/ Asheville-Tarot-Circle/ • 2nd SUNDAYS, noon - General meeting. Free to attend. Held at Firestorm Cafe and Books, 610 Haywood Road

PARDEE HOSPITAL 800 N Justice St., Hendersonville • WE (3/14), 10am-6pm Certified nursing assistant job fair. Information: 828-696-4209. Free. WESTERN WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER 828-506-5101, carolinasmallbusiness.org • MO (3/12), 9am-noon - "Celebrating Women's History Month," presentation regarding collaborative strategies to help grow businesses. Registration required. Free. Held at A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Road, Candler

CLASSES, MEETINGS & EVENTS EMPYREAN ARTS CLASSES (PD.) Beginning Aerial Arts on Sundays 2:15pm, Mondays 6:30pm, Tuesdays 1:00pm, Thursdays 5:15pm . Beginning Pole on Sundays 3:30pm, Mondays 5:15pm, Thursdays 8:00pm. Floor Theory Dance on Wednesdays 7:30pm. Intro to Sultry Pole on Sundays 6:15pm - more Information at EmpyreanArts.org Call/ text us at 828.782.3321.

EARTH AND LAND: In her work as an independent journalist, Sarah Sunshine Manning covers such topics as education, parenting, culture, environmentalism, tribal justice, social justice and feminism. A citizen of the Shoshone and Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation in northern Nevada and southern Idaho, and a descendent of the Chippewa and Cree Tribes of Rocky Boy, Mont., she currently lives in South Dakota on the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation. On Thursday, March 8, at noon, in UNC Asheville’s Karpen Hall, Laurel Forum, Manning weaves her background and professional interests into a talk titled We Are the Earth, We Are the Land. Free. Photo courtesy of UNC Asheville (p. 20) THE MUSIC OF GURDJIEFF/DE HARTMANN (PD.) March 13, 7-8pm. Free public event exploring the music of Gurdjieff/de Hartmann including opportunities for questions and discussion. Details: info@ gurdjieffasheville.org or www.gurdjieffasheville.org.

NC CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUN COURSE (PD.) Held in a clean, comfortable, safe classroom and state-of-the-art shooting range. Mature, professional, friendly, and highlyqualified instructors. $85. (828) 575-0028. www.skylandtraining.com

VILLAGERS... (PD.) ...is an Urban Homestead Supply store offering quality tools, supplies and classes to support healthy lifestyle activities like gardening, food preservation, cooking, herbalism, and more. 278 Haywood Road. www.forvillagers.com

BIG IVY COMMUNITY CENTER 540 Dillingham Road, Barnardsville, 828-626-3438 • MO (3/12), 7pm Community meeting. Free. BLUE RIDGE TOASTMASTERS CLUB blueridgetoastmasters. com/membersarea/, fearless@ blueridgetoastmasters. org • MONDAYS, 12:151:30pm - Learn-bydoing workshop in which participants hone their speaking and leadership skills in a supportive atmosphere. Free. Held at Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, 36 Montford Ave. BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • Through TU (4/17), 10am-4pm - Free tax preparation for taxpayers with low and mod-

erate income. Mondays & Wednesdays at Pack Memorial Library. Tuesdays at West Asheville Library. Thursdays at Weaverville Library. Free. HOMINY VALLEY RECREATION PARK 25 Twin Lakes Drive, Candler, 828-242-8998, hvrpsports.com • 3rd THURSDAYS, 7pm - Hominy Valley board meeting. Free. LEICESTER COMMUNITY CENTER 2979 New Leicester Highway, Leicester, 828-774-3000, facebook.com/Leicester. Community.Center • 2nd TUESDAYS, 7pm - Public board meeting. Free. • 3rd THURSDAYS, 7pm - The Leicester History Gathering, general meeting. Free. LITERACY COUNCIL OF BUNCOMBE COUNTY 31 College Place, Suite B-221 • FR (3/9), 8:30-9:30am - Coffee and tour to learn how literacy changes students' lives. Registration required: litcouncil.com/literacychanging-lives-tour/. Free. MOMS DEMAND ACTION AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE momsdemandaction. org • WE (3/7), 6-7:30pm - Monthly meeting to address issues as well as future legislative agenda. Free. Held at West Asheville Public Library, 942 Haywood Road N.C. ARBORETUM 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, 828-6652492, ncarboretum.org • Through SU (5/6) - Roots of Wisdom: Native Knowledge, Shared Wisdom, exhibition showcasing the relationship between indigenous peoples

and cutting-edge science. Admission fees apply. NORTH ASHEVILLE RECREATION CENTER 37 E. Larchmont Road • TUESDAYS (3/13) until (5/15), 7:30-8:30pm - Peace Education Program, ten-week course of selfdiscovery based on work by Prem Rawat. Free. ONTRACK WNC 50 S. French Broad Ave., 828-255-5166, ontrackwnc.org • WE (3/7), 5:30-7pm & TU (3/13), noon-1:30pm - "Understanding Credit. Get it. Keep it. Improve it." Registration required. Free. • MO (3/12), 6-7:30pm - “Budgeting and Cash Flow,” workshop. Registration required: 828-669-9798. Free. Held at Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministries, 101 N. Ridgeway Ave Black Mountain • WE (3/14), 5:30-7pm "Budgeting and Debt," class. Registration required. Free. ROOTS + WINGS SOCIAL JUSTICE SERIES 828-255-8115 • TU (3/13), 7-9pm - “LGBTQ Equality,” presentation and discussion. Free to attend. Held at Firestorm Cafe and Books, 610 Haywood Road

DANCE Please see the dance section in our A&E calendar for dance related events (p. 42)

FOOD & BEER ASAP COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE FAIR asapconnections.org • TH (3/15), 3-6pm - Familyfriendly fair to learn about farmers' markets, meet area farmers, browse farmers’ CSA programs and products, and sign up. Free to attend. Held at New Belgium Brewery, 21 Craven St.

FAIRVIEW WELCOME TABLE fairviewwelcometable.com • THURSDAYS, 11:30am1pm - Community lunch. Admission by donation. Held at Fairview Christian Fellowship, 596 Old Us Highway 74, Fairview

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS BLUE RIDGE REPUBLICAN WOMEN’S CLUB facebook.com/BRRWC • 2nd THURSDAYS, 6pm - General meeting. Free to attend. Held at Gondolier Restaurant, 1360 Tunnel Road. BUNCOMBE COUNTY REPUBLICAN WOMEN'S CLUB 828-243-6590 • TH (3/8), 12pm - General meeting and keynote speech by Becki Gray, senior vice president at the John Locke Foundation. Arrive by 11:30am for lunch. Free to attend. Held at J&S Cafeteria, 800 Fairview Road CITY OF ASHEVILLE 828-251-1122, ashevillenc.gov • WE (3/7), 6pm - Citizens Police Advisory Committee community meeting. Free. Held at Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center, 285 Livingston St. • TU (3/13), 5pm - Asheville City Council public hearing. Free. Held at Asheville City Hall, 70 Court Plaza INDIVISIBLE COMMON GROUND-WNC Indivisible-sylva.com • 1st WEDNESDAYS, 6:308pm -General meeting. Free. Held at St. David’s Episcopal Church, 286 Forest Hills Road, Sylva LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF HENDERSON COUNTY lwvhcnc.org • TH (3/8), 11:30am1pm - Lunch & Learn: Presentation by attorney Sam Fritschner regarding open meeting laws

and advice on observing public board meetings. Registration required. Bring your own lunch. Free. Held at Interfaith Assistance Ministry, 310 Freeman Road, Hendersonville

KIDS APPLE VALLEY MODEL RAILROAD & MUSEUM 650 Maple St, Hendersonville, AVMRC.com • WEDNESDAYS, 1-3pm & SATURDAYS, 10am-2pm - Open house featuring operating model trains and historic memorabilia. Free. ASHEVILLE ART MUSEUM 175 Biltmore Ave, 828-253-3227 • 2nd TUESDAYS, 11am12:30pm - Homeschool program for grades 1-4. Registration required: 253-3227 ext. 124. $4 per student. ASHEVILLE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE 43 Patton Ave., 828-2547162, colburnmuseum.org • 2nd & 4th FRIDAYS, 9-9:45am - Little Explorers Club: Guided activities for preschoolers (with their caregivers). Admission fees apply. • 2nd FRIDAYS, 5:307:30pm - "Night at the Museum," parents night out event for children 4-10 years old. Event includes pizza, movie and activities. Registration required. $15. BARNES AND NOBLE BOOKSELLERS ASHEVILLE MALL 3 S. Tunnel Road, 828-296-7335 • SA (3/10), 11am - Story time for children age 3-8. Free to attend. BLUE RIDGE BOOKS 428 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville • MO (3/12), 10am "Book Babies," informal storytime for children two and under. Free to attend.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • WE (3/7), 4pm - After School Book Club: The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. Free. Held at Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Road, Candler • FR (3/9), 4pm - Fandom Friday Cosplay Club, for ages 12 and up. Free. Held at Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Road, Candler • SA (3/10), 10am-2pm - "Adventure Play!" outdoor activities for kids. Free. Held across from Pack Library. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. • 2nd SATURDAYS, 1-4pm & LAST WEDNESDAYS (1/31), 4-6pm - Teen Dungeons and Dragons for ages 12 and up. Registration required: 828-250-4720. Free. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. • MONDAYS, 10:30am - Spanish story time for children of all ages. Free. Held at Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Road, Candler • WE (3/14), 4pm - Art activities for school-aged children with the Asheville Art Museum. Free. Held at Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Road, Leicester • WE (3/14), 4pm - Teen "Pi Day Pie Party" to learn to make pie crust with BAKED Pie Company. Registration required: 828-250-4720. Free. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. CAMP CEDAR CLIFF 5 Porters Cove Road • MO (7/30) through FR (8/3) - Open registration for Camp Cedar Cliff "Week of Joy" for children who have been touched by cancer. Sponsored by Mission Hospital. Registration: 929-450-3331. Free. FIRESTORM CAFE AND BOOKS 610 Haywood Road, 828-255-8115 • SATURDAYS, 10:3011:15am - Spanish class for children aged 3-5. Free to attend. • SATURDAYS, 11:15am12:30pm - Spanish class for

children aged 6-10. Free to attend. FLETCHER LIBRARY 120 Library Road, Fletcher, 828-687-1218, library. hendersoncountync.org • WEDNESDAYS, 10:30am - Family story time. Free. HANDS ON! A CHILDREN'S GALLERY 828-697-8333, handsonwnc,org, learningisfun@handsonwnc. org • TH (3/8), 4-5pm "Science on Wheels," science acitivities for kids. Registration required: 828-697-4725. Free. Held at Hendersonville Public Library, 301 N Washington St., Hendersonville • WE (3/14), 4-5pm "Science on Wheels," science acitivities for kids. Registration required: 828-687-1218. Free. Held at Fletcher Library, 120 Library Road, Fletcher HOT WORKS FINE ART SHOW hotworks.org/ artistapplications • Through TU (5/1) Submissions accepted for the 2018 youth art competition. For ages 5-13. MALAPROP'S BOOKSTORE AND CAFE 55 Haywood St., 828-254-6734, malaprops.com • WEDNESDAYS, 10am - Miss Malaprop's Story Time for ages 3-9. Free to attend. RIVERLINK 828-252-8474, riverlink.org • Through MO (3/19) Submissions accepted for the RiverLink Art and Poetry Contest. Open to pre-kindergarten to 12th grade students. See website for full guidelines. SWANNANOA VALLEY MUSEUM 223 W State St., Black Mountain, 828-669-9566, history. swannanoavalleymuseum. org • 2nd & 4th SATURDAYS, 2-4pm - Historically orient-

ed crafts and activities for children. Free to attend.

OUTDOORS CHIMNEY ROCK STATE PARK (PD.) This Ridge Hike on Saturday, March 24, from 9am-1pm, takes you off-the-beaten-path to places that you never knew existed at Chimney Rock. Preregistration required. Info: chimneyrockpark.com ANNE ELIZABETH SURATT NATURE CENTER AT WALNUT CREEK PRESERVE 179 Wood Thrush Lane, Mill Spring, 828-625-1122, walnutcreekpreserve.com/ • SA (3/10), 10:30am-noon - Conserving Carolina Speaker Series: "Let's Talk About Scat," presentation from Wildlife Conservation Educator, Ann May. Registration: 828-859-5060. Free. FRIENDS OF THE SMOKIES 828-452-0720, friendsofthesmokies.org, outreach.nc@ friendsofthesmokies.org • TU (3/13) - Classic Hike of the Smokies: "Deep Creek Waterfall Loop," easy, guided 5.5-mile hike loop that highlights three waterfalls. Registration required. $35/$20 members. LAKE JAMES STATE PARK 6883 N.C. Highway 126 Nebo, 828-584-7728 • FR (3/9), 12:45pm - "Hike the River Section," rangerled hike to explore sections of the Catawba River. Free. MOUNTAINTRUE 828-258-8737, mountaintrue.org • TH (3/8), 6:30-8:30pm - "Know Before You Go: Guide to the French Broad Paddle Trail," presentation by Headwaters Outfitters. Free to attend. Held at Wedge Brewing Co., 125 B Roberts St.

PISGAH CENTER FOR WILDLIFE EDUCATION 1401 Fish Hatchery Road, Pisgah Forest, 828-877-4423 • TU (3/13), 9am-3pm - "Introduction to Fly Fishing," class for ages 12 and up. Registration required. Free. • TU (3/13) & WE (3/14), 6-9pm - Hunter education course for all ages. Registration required. Free. • TH (3/15), 10am-3pm - "On the Water: Little River," fly-fishing workshop for ages 12 and up. Registration required. Free. PISGAH CHAPTER OF TROUT UNLIMITED pisgahchaptertu.org/ New-Meeting-information. html • 2nd THURSDAYS, 7pm - General meeting and presentations. Free to attend. Held at Ecusta Brewery, 36 E Main St., Brevard SWANNANOA VALLEY MUSEUM 223 W State St., Black Mountain, 828-669-9566, history. swannanoavalleymuseum. org • SA (3/10), 9am - Valley History Explorer Hike: Moderate, guided, 3-mile hike at Bee Tree (Watch Knob). Registration required. $35/$25 members.

PARENTING BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF WNC 828-253-1470, bbbswnc.org • TH (3/8), noon Information session for single parents with children ages 6-14 interested in learning more about connecting children with a mentor. Free. Held at Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC, 50 S. French Broad Ave. Suite #213. BLACK MOUNTAIN COUNSELING CENTER 201 N. Ridgeway Ave., Black Mountain • WEDNESDAYS (3/7) through (4/11), 9-10am - Grandparent & Kinship

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Parenting, support group. Registration required: 828-669-9798 or blackmountaincounseling. org/sign-up. Free.

PUBLIC LECTURES ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION 828-251-9973, ashevilledowntown.org • WE (3/7), 5:30-7pm Building Our City Speaker Series: Lecture by Ellen Dunham-Jones, director of the Urban Design Program at Georgia Tech. Registration required: buildingourcityavl.eventbrite.com. Free. Held at Asheville Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE 180 W Campus Drive, Flat Rock, 828-412-5488, phoenixrisinghealing.com • TH (3/15), 11am-1pm Discover Diversity Week: Lecture by Madeline Delp, Ms. Wheelchair USA 2017. Free. Held in the Blue Ridge Conference Hall BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • TH (3/15), 6-7:30pm - "Highland Hospital: Practices, Treatment, and Mental Health," lecture by Dr. Daniel Johnson regarding psychiatric practices that took place at Highland Hospital during Zelda Fitzgerald’s era. Free. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. PUBLIC LECTURES AT MARS HILL mhu.edu • WE (3/7), 3pm - "Native American and African American Nurses in Appalachia," lecture by LaShanda Sell, assistant professor of nursing at Appalachian State University. Free. Held at Broyhill Chapel, 338 Cascade St., Mars Hill • TH (3/8), 6pm - "The View from Home: Images of Appalachia and the 'Rural-Urban Divide,'"

MAR. 7 - 13, 2018

C O N S C I O U S PA R T Y by Edwin Arnaudin | earnaudin@mountainx.com

Trivia Challenge and Dance WHAT: A trivia challenge and dance to benefit the United Way of Transylvania County and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4309 WHEN: Saturday, March 10, 6 p.m. WHERE: Veterans of Foreign Wars Lodge, 50 Veterans Circle, Brevard WHY: Staff members and volunteers for United Way of Transylvania County know a good collaboration when they see one. By partnering with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4309 for the inaugural Trivia Challenge and Dance on Saturday, March 10, at the VFW Lodge in Brevard, the two nonprofits will be able to combine each’s assets, resources and skill sets, inform each other’s supporters of their respective work and benefit both groups’ special projects. “They’re providing a great venue and great volunteers, and we’re providing marketing and media — and great volunteers,” says H. Hammond George, executive assistant and publicity director for the United Way of Transylvania County. The evening begins with a social hour where hot dog and hamburger plates will be available for purchase, along with access to a cash bar. Prior to and in between the subsequent four rounds of trivia, local DJ Rick Selimos will spin music for attendees to dance to and play “Name that Tune.” Selimos runs trivia nights around town and is writing all of the questions, which he’ll dole out in increments of 10 per round to teams of four or six players. Winners for each round receive a prize and Carol Hamann, aka the Silent Auction Queen, will have additional goodies on which to bid. “She has about 30 different items, anywhere from a $10 estimated value up to a couple of hundred dollars,” George says. Funds raised benefit the United Way of Transylvania County’s Early Childhood Education Mobile Unit Fund and Post 4309’s Local Veterans’ Relief Fund. 20

MAR. 7 - 13, 2018

COM M U N I TY CA LEN DA R

lecture by Tim Marema, editor of the Daily Yonder, regarding perceptions of contemporary Appalachia. Free Held in the Ramsey Center in Renfro Library at Mars Hill University, 265 Cascade St., Mars Hill PUBLIC LECTURES AT UNCA unca.edu • TH (3/8), noon - “We Are the Earth, We Are the Land,” lecture by Shoshone-Paiute journalist and educator Sarah Sunshine Manning. Free. Held at UNC Asheville Karpen Hall, 1 University Heights • MO (3/12), 7pm "Judaism, Science, and Medicine in Historical Perspective," lecture by Hava Tirosh-Samuelson. Free. Held at UNCAsheville Reuter Center, 1 Campus View Road • TU (3/13), 7:30pm World Affairs Council Great Decisions Series: "China and America: the New Geopolitical Equation," lecture by Julie Snyder, who worked for 30 years with the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service. $10. Held at UNCAsheville Reuter Center, 1 Campus View Road PUBLIC LECTURES AT WCU

COMMUNITY ROYALTY: “Silent Auction Queen” and volunteer Carol Hamann regally inspects some of the items that will be available at the March 10 Trivia Challenge and Dance. Photo courtesy of the United Way of Transylvania County

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“Our relief fund is used strictly to help local veterans in need,” says Steve Powell, VFW Post 4309 commander. “Whatever we can do to help ease the burden for a fellow veteran going through difficult times, that is our goal.” The Early Childhood Education Mobile Unit Fund was created to help counteract the 34 percent of kindergartners in Transylvania County Schools who tested below “proficient” on the 2016-17 end-ofyear assessment. The endeavor’s goal is to deliver high-quality early childhood resources to families with children ages 5 and younger who live in remote and underserved areas of the county. The United Way of Transylvania County’s and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4309’s Trivia Challenge and Dance takes place Saturday, March 10, at 6 p.m. at the VFW Lodge in Brevard. $20. 828-883-8822 X

wcu.edu • TH (3/15), 7:30pm "Astronomy for Everyone: Planets: What are They? The Inner Solar System," presentation and discussion. $15/$12 advance. Held at WCU at Biltmore Park, 28 Schenck Parkway, Suite 300

SENIORS BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • WE (3/7) through (3/21), (4/4), (4/11) & (5/9), 1pm - Chair yoga class series for seniors. Free. Held at North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave. JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES OF WNC, INC. 2 Doctors Park, Suite E, 828-253-2900 • TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS, 11am-2pm - The Asheville Elder Club, group respite program for individuals with memory challenges and people of all faiths. Registration required: 828-253-2900. $30. • WEDNESDAYS, 11am2pm - The Hendersonville Elder Club for individuals with memory challenges and people of all faiths. Registration required: 828-253-2900. $30. Held at Agudas Israel Congregation, 505 Glasgow Lane Hendersonville

WNC BAPTIST RETIREMENT HOME 213 Richmond Hill Drive • TH (3/8), noon-1pm "Simplify, Streamline and Reduce Stress-Spring Cleaning Tips," workshop with lunch. Registration required: 828-254-9675 or sdavis@brh.org. Free.

SPIRITUALITY ABOUT THE TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION TECHNIQUE • FREE INTRODUCTORY TALK (PD.) Meditation is fully effective when it allows you to transcend—to effortlessly settle inward, beyond the busy or agitated mind, to the deepest, most blissful and expanded state of awareness. TM is a tool for personal healing and social transformation that anyone can use to access that field of unbounded creativity, intelligence, and wellbeing that resides within everyone. NIH research shows deep revitalizing rest, reduced stress and anxiety, improved brain functioning and heightened mental performance. Thursday, 6:30-7:30pm, Asheville TM Center, 165 E. Chestnut. 828-254-4350. TM.org ASHEVILLE INSIGHT MEDITATION (PD.) Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation. Learn how to get a Mindfulness Meditation practice started. 1st & 3rd Mondays. 7pm – 8:30. Asheville Insight Meditation, 175 Weaverville Road, Suite H, ASHEVILLE, NC, (828) 808-4444, www. ashevillemeditation.com. 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 available. Christy Gunther, MA, LPC. (828) 258-3229. EXPERIENCE THE SACRED SOUND OF HU (PD.) In our fast-paced world, are you looking to find more inner peace? Singing HU can lift you into a higher state of consciousness, so that you can discover, in your own way, who you are and why you’re here. • Sunday, March 11, 2018, 11am, fellowship follows. Eckankar Center of Asheville, 797 Haywood Rd. (“Hops and Vines” building, lower level), Asheville NC 28806, 828254-6775. (free event). www.eckankar-nc.org

by Abigail Griffin

GROUP MEDITATION (PD.) Enjoy this supportive meditation community. Mindfulness meditation instruction and Buddhist teachings at Asheville Insight. Thursday evenings at 7pm and Sunday mornings at 10am. www.ashevillemeditation. com. CHABAD HOUSE 660 Merrimon Ave., 828-505-0746, chabadasheville.org • 2nd THURSDAYS, 10:3011:30am - "Torah and Tea," ladies morning out with the Jewish Women's Circle. Registration required: 828-505-0746. Free. FIRESTORM CAFE AND BOOKS 610 Haywood Road, 828-255-8115 • 2nd SUNDAYS, 2:30pm - Pagans for a Just Asheville, general meeting. Free to attend. GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 1245 6th Ave W., Hendersonville, 828-693-4890, gracelutherannc.com • 2nd FRIDAYS, 1-2pm Non-denominational healing prayer group. Free. GURDJIEFF FOUNDATION OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA info@gurdjieffasheville.org, gurdjieffasheville.org • 7-8pm - "The Music of Gurdjieff/De Hartmann," presentation and discussion. Register for location. Free. SHAMBHALA MEDITATION CENTER 60 N Merrimon Ave., #113, 828-200-5120, asheville.shambhala.org • THURSDAYS, 7-8:30pm & SUNDAYS, 10amnoon - Meditation and community. Admission by donation. ST. EUGENE'S CATHOLIC CHURCH 72 Culver St., 828-254-5193 • TH (3/8), 7-9pm - "War No More: The Path to Nonviolence ," lecture by Marie Dennis, copresident of Pax Christi International. Free. URBAN DHARMA 828-225-6422, udharmanc.com/ • THURSDAYS, 7:30-9pm Open Sangha night. Free. Held at Urban Dharma, 77 Walnut St.

VOLUNTEERING CHILDREN FIRST CIS OF BUNCOMBE COUNTY 828-259-9717, childrenfirstbc.org • SA (3/10), 8:30-11:30am - Volunteer to help at the Race to the Taps 5K water

station. Registration: 828-620-9091 or JodiF@ childrenfirstbc.org. Held at Catawba Brewing South Slope, 32 Banks Ave., Suite 105 CONSERVING CAROLINA 847 Case St., Hendersonville, 828-697-5777, carolinamountain.org • FR (3/9), 10am-3pm Volunteer to help restore native habitat at Lewis Creek Nature Preserve. Registration required: 828697-5777 or volunteer@ conservingcarolina.org. Carpool at 9:30am. HAYWOOD STREET CONGREGATION 297 Haywood St., 828-246-4250 • 1st & 3rd THURSDAYS, 10am-noon - Workshop to teach how to make sleeping mats for the homeless out of plastic shopping bags. Information: 828-707-7203 or cappyt@att.net. Free. LAKE JUNALUSKA CONFERENCE & RETREAT CENTER 91 North Lakeshore Drive Lake Junaluska • SA (3/10), 9am Volunteer to help clean up debris along shorelines at Lake Junaluska. Registration: rwatkins@ lakejunaluska.com or 828-454-6702. LITERACY COUNCIL OF BUNCOMBE COUNTY 828-254-3442, volunteers@litcouncil.com • TU (3/13), 5:30pm & TH (3/15), 9am - Information session for those interested in volunteering two hours per week with adults who want to improve reading, writing, spelling and English language skills. Held at Literacy Council of Buncombe County, 31 College Place, Suite B-221 MOUNTAINTRUE 828-258-8737, mountaintrue.org • TH (3/8) & TU (3/13) Volunteer to help fight sediment erosion by planting live stakes along the French Broad River. Registration required. STITCHES OF LOVE 828-575-9195 • MO (3/12), 7-9pm - Volunteer to stitch handmade articles for local charities. Free. Held at New Hope Presbyterian Church, 3070 Sweeten Creek Road For more volunteering opportunities visit mountainx.com/ volunteering

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BY SAMMY FELDBLUM sfeldblum@gmail.com As plant-based diets grow in popularity, vegans still field misconceptions on such topics as protein intake, athletic capacity and eating disorders. But what do local nutritionists say about a lifestyle that avoids animal products? In late January, Asheville internist Dr. Carly Brown hosted a public panel alongside Stepfanie Romine, Hendersonville health coach and co-author of The No Meat Athlete Cookbook, and Jason Sellers, chef and co-owner of Asheville vegan restaurant Plant. The discussion at Brown’s Ashewell Clinic in the River Arts District took up the question of “How to heal from within.” The panelists’ answer? Eat wholefoods, plant-based diets that feature fruits, vegetables, tubers, whole grains and legumes and exclude or minimize meat, chicken, fish, dairy and eggs, oils, fats and sugars. Largely — and for each of the three panelists — that recommended diet translates to veganism: abstaining from all products derived from animals, including eggs and dairy. Brown emphasized the transformative impact of these dietary changes, which she said affect the root causes of illness, unlike pharmaceutical “attempts to slap a Band-Aid on things that started years and years ago.” Brown drew on recent research suggesting that sharply reducing intake of animal products lowers the risk of cardiovascular illness, diabetes and cancer. “Think about all the money that we spend on medical care and on drugs,” she said. “If we spent that money on food, we’d be in a lot healthier place.” With heart disease the most common cause of death in the United States — and diabetes and stroke also among the 10 most common — proponents believe plant-based diets could be central to balancing American eating habits. Paul Berry, executive director of Asheville-based Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, attests to the health

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LIFESTYLE OUTLOOK: Stepfanie Romine, co-author of The No Meat Athlete Cookbook, says vegan eating works best as part of broader healthy changes. Photo of meatless chorizo tostadas courtesy of No Evil Foods benefits of his vegan diet. Twenty-five years ago, he says, “I was working in the corporate world and had some health-related issues and went to a heart specialist. He put me on a hearthealthy diet. My girlfriend back then, now my wife, said, ‘That’s a vegetarian diet.’ I said, ‘Nah, that’s political, man; this is about heart health.’” Berry says the dietary change reversed all his symptoms in a matter of weeks. “Within the symptoms they were tracking — my cholesterol, fat level in my blood, heart rate and blood pressure — it reversed all of those warning signs,” he says. Brother Wolf Animal Rescue now hosts Asheville’s annual VeganFest event, which welcomes between 10,000 and 15,000 festivalgoers a year in a city that is consistently rated among the top vegan destinations in the country. EATS AND CAVEATS The panel made sure to emphasize that a healthy vegan diet is not as

simple as eating some plants and voilá. Animal products offer a supply of certain nutrients that vegans should pay careful attention to maintain. Vitamin B12 is found only in animal-based products (with small amounts in certain algae and mushroom species); Brown recommends taking supplements to avoid B12 deficiency, which can lead to neurological issues, anemia and jaundice. Nutritional yeast can also help to make up the shortfall, but only because it is fortified with B12. Vegans should likewise pay special attention to their calcium and omega-3 fatty acid intakes, both of which are most readily available and easiest to absorb in animal products. Calcium is available in dark leafy greens and firm tofu, and usually fortifies nondairy milks. Omega-3s can obtained through dietary supplements, walnuts and flax seeds. Zinc, iron and vitamin D are also commonly cited as dietary needs worthy of consideration for those eschewing animal products. But the most common question vegans get, says Sadrah Schadel, is,

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W ELL NESS “Where do you get your protein?” Schadel is a co-founder of Ashevillebased No Evil Foods, which makes a line of vegan protein products, but she is quick to point out that meat substitutes are far from the only way to go. “The truth is that protein is everywhere,” she says. “For example, a potato, the average potato the size of your hand — that’s got 4 grams of protein in it.” Schadel says the essential amino acids, or protein building blocks, that the human body needs are not specific to the animal kingdom. “When you think about where the protein comes from, the protein that’s found in meat and dairy products is only there because the animals have eaten plants,” she says. “So why don’t we just get our proteins from plants, too?” Romine cited another macronutrient often neglected in typical diets but abundant in a vegan diet: fiber. “It keeps you regular, it keeps you fuller, and almost every American has a fiber deficiency,” she said. Statistics from the National Institutes of Health suggest that 95 percent of Americans fail to meet their daily need, but fruits and vegetables are fiber-rich, making them well suited to solve that shortfall. Still, as with any dietary choices, eating vegan doesn’t necessarily mean eating healthy. Sarah Haske, a general dietitian in Asheville specializing in women’s health, said by email that the overarching concerns are consuming a diet too high in refined fats and oils, added sugars, highly processed foods and fast foods — all of which could potentially fit into a vegan diet. “It is important to think about context. Just because you follow the ‘rules’ of a particular diet does not mean it is necessarily healthy for you,” she says. While veganism is not a shortcut to health, it can point practitioners in the right direction, Haske believes. “It

MAR. 7 - 13, 2018

PLANT PANEL: Panelists, from left, Stepfanie Romine, Jason Sellers and Dr. Carly Brown speak in Asheville on the power of a whole-foods, plant-based diet to heal. Photo courtesy of Sarah Nix

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is true though that a plant-predominant diet will offer great health benefits,” she says. “Consuming a diet high in plant foods offers high fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals [compounds found in plants], which all can contribute to reducing rates of cancer, obesity and diabetes.” Vegan eating works best as part of broader healthy changes, according to Romine. “A whole-foods, plant-based diet is a whole-foods, plant-based lifestyle — diets do not work,” she said. THE CHINA STUDY Why do misconceptions seem to persist around plant-based eating? “I think there’s a lot of misinformation for anything nutrition-related, not just veganism,” says Denise Barratt, a dietitian in Asheville who does not work exclusively with plant-based diets. “There’s a lot of people out there that don’t have a degree going around telling people what to eat.” Supporters of a whole-foods, plantbased diet point to a landmark study of eating habits in China and Taiwan — written up in the 2005 book, The

China Study — as offering proof of the benefits of the diet. The 20-year study, funded by the University of Oxford, Cornell University and the Chinese government, compared diet and health outcomes across populations in rural China and found that cancer and cardiac disease rates among those eating a plant-rich diet were significantly lower than those among carnivores. But other doctors and health writers have quibbled with the study’s methods and conclusions, accusing the authors of sloppy data interpretation and cherrypicked findings. The China Study’s thrust has roughly been repeated elsewhere. Research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, for instance, shows that vegetarians who avoid refined grains and sweets are significantly less likely to develop heart disease than those who partake and than nonvegetarians. The American Institute for Cancer Research found that “limiting the amount of red meat and avoiding processed meat reduces the risk of certain types of cancer,” and recommends meals made up of at least two-thirds vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans.

Ann Green, president of the Asheville Vegan Society, moved to the city in 2004 after finding that it was already much more veganfriendly than her old home of central Florida. Since then, she has seen the diet’s popularity climb and her group’s membership swell accordingly. “I think that the evidence showing how much healthier it is than a standard American diet is becoming more and more mainstream,” she explains. “It’s moving away from ‘it’s just this weird thing that some hippies do’ to something that makes sense for a lot of different reasons.” While The China Study recommends cutting out meat entirely from the diet, other dietitians take a less absolute approach. “I encourage people being flexitarian, but eating mostly plant-based,” says Barratt. “If we try to eat from the colors of the rainbow as many days of the week as we can, then we’re getting a variety of these phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals in the fruits and vegetables.” IMAGE MANAGEMENT Others take a harder stance against veganism. In 2016’s Vegan Betrayal, Mara Kahn writes of her journey to veganism and back, saying her energy and health gradually faded while keeping vegan. In 2015’s Breaking Vegan, ex-vegan blogger Jordan Younger details how she returned from the brink of malnourishment and “orthorexia,” or obsession with eating only healthy foods, by reincorporating animal products in her diet. Only by leaving the vegan fold, claim these authors, were they able to find a sustainable relationship with food and with their own bodies. Haske acknowledges that veganism might not be right for everyone. “I would say for someone who already has a history of eating disorders or disordered eating that, yes, this could lead to risky behavior when following any type of restrictive diet plan.” Western Carolina University professor Laura Wright tackled perceptions of veganism, including seeing the diet as a form of eating disorder, in her 2015 book The Vegan Studies Project: Food, Animals, and Gender in the Age of Terror. “It’s completely threatening,” she tells Xpress. “If you’re claiming to be vegan, it means at least that you are investigating some, if not all, of the underlying ways in which we’ve been taught to

exist and to consume. People don’t want to reflect on what they’re eating or where it came from.” Wright describes being caught in the crosshairs of the battle for the vegan narrative. “I’ve been vegan since 2000, I’m a long-distance runner, I don’t smoke — and I had a massive heart attack in 2013. It was genetic. I wasn’t expecting it, and it has nothing to do with my lifestyle. But when it happened to me, suddenly everybody was looking at me and going, ‘If it can happen to her, it can happen to anyone.’ There was the counternarrative out there like, ‘Was it because she was vegan?’ ... I felt like I’d let down all veganism by having a heart attack.” Wright says people adopting a vegan diet shouldn’t be surprised by negative responses. “Your existence is a confrontation, no matter how unassuming or how indirect you’re being, just trying to exist,” she says. “Anytime there is a minority that is acting in some way that is not seen as the mainstream, then there’s going to be pushback to try to get them back into the mainstream.” To combat the image of herbivores as weak, prominent vegans have been at pains lately to emphasize the ben-

efits of the diet for athletes. Director James Cameron debuted his documentary Game Changers in January at Sundance. It follows a cadre of vegan athletes who compete in sports from mixed martial arts to surfing to ultramarathons, their muscles rippling impressively in high definition. Schadel points to the rising number of vegans in the National Basketball Association. She says these examples “promote the idea that people who are in very high-stamina, endurance sports can thrive on a vegan diet.” Boston Celtic Kyrie Irving speaks about the benefits of the diet, as does Denver Nugget Wilson Chandler. But even the NBA’s vegans are playing out some of the same dramas of the wider community — Portland Trailblazer Damian Lillard broke his vegan diet this year after losing “a little bit too much weight.” Still, Schadel says the perception is changing.“I think that the image of the pale, frail vegan is finally on its way out, and it’s starting to be associated with a lot more strength and thriving,” she says. “Because it’s a great lifestyle, and you feel good, and you feel like you’re doing good, and the food is awesome.” X

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BY KIM DINAN dinankim@gmail.com Here’s the first thing you need to know about fat: It’s complicated. “Fat is confusing for everybody because we don’t agree,” says Taft Draper, a Hendersonville-based registered dietitian. “The body is very complex, and everyone is different.” On the surface, it seems fairly simple. There are three main types of fat — unsaturated, saturated and trans fats. For years, the message has been that saturated and trans fats are bad and unsaturated fat is good. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find that it’s not so cut-and-dried. “How fat affects the body has been debatable for decades,” says Kendra Gaffney, a registered dietitian at Nutritious Thoughts in Asheville. What the scientific community is coming to terms with now, she says, “is

that the body needs both saturated and unsaturated fats.” But it’s hard to shake the ingrained belief that some fats are better for our bodies than others. Picture the comic strip where one avocado says to the other, “I said you were the good fat.” Still, even the notion of good and bad fat is being contested these days. “There are roles for fat and there are roles for saturated fat in our body,” says Denise Barratt, a registered dietitian in Asheville and owner of Vine Ripe Nutrition. In other words, the topic of fat isn’t as black and white as we used to believe it was. SATURATED FAT Saturated fats are found in animal products and tropical oils and are usually solid at room temperature. Think butter, lard and coconut oil.

Yes, coconut oil. Though it may be the new, trendy oil, according to the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, “solid fats, including coconut oil and palm oil, have deleterious effects on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk factors. Current claims of documented health benefits of the tropical oils are unsubstantiated, and use of these oils should be discouraged.” The Academy of Nutrition and Dietitians states that “virgin coconut oil is high in lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid that raises both good and bad cholesterol levels.” Draper explains that dietary medium-chain triglycerides have been shown to radically reduce the production of a variety of proinflammatory markers, increase the activity of the histamine-clearing enzyme, increase mucus production, and support gut-barrier healing. Draper adds that “coconut oil also has diverse antimicrobial properties and thus may be great for people with bacterial or yeast overgrowth.” But even with these benefits, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietitians still warns that coconut oil is a saturated fat, and one should “use coconut oil in moderation and buy the kind labeled ‘virgin.’” So should we avoid all saturated fats? The American Heart Association says that “decades of sound science have proven that it can raise your bad cholesterol and put you at higher risk for heart disease.” And yet, without some saturated fats our bodies will suffer. According to current dietary thinking, the human body uses some saturated fats for physiological and structural functions. The catch, however, is that the body itself makes more than enough saturated fats to meet those needs. Therefore, the guidelines state that individuals 2 years and older have no dietary requirements for saturated fats. Yet other studies have shown that there is no scientific evidence linking saturated fats to coronary heart disease or cardiovascular disease. “They used to believe that because we had fats in our bloodstream, that these fats must be the cause of clogged arteries,” says Gaffney. “What they’re actually finding now is that a large part of developing high cholesterol stems from a genetic predisposition. Saturated fats don’t necessarily cause harm; they’re just more of a neutral fat.” UNSATURATED FAT Unsaturated fats are the fats that have historically been considered healthy, and they come in two forms: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. Monounsaturated fats are found in olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil and pea-

nut butter, avocados, nuts and seeds and are generally considered to benefit the body by reducing cholesterol and lowering the risk of heart disease. Polyunsaturated fats come in two forms: omega-3 and omega-6. Salmon, trout and other fatty fish, walnuts and flax seed are all good sources of omega-3’s. Much like monounsaturated fats, omega-3’s are thought to provide health benefits. But here’s where unsaturated fats get tricky. Omega-6 polyunsaturated fat is found in many grains and vegetable oils. “The problem with omega6 is that, because of processed foods in our diet, we tend to get too many of those when compared to omega-3’s,” says Barratt. The implication, explains Draper, is that high omega-6 levels can lead to inflammation, which can lead to illnesses and diseases. “It leads to autoimmune conditions and a decrease in the quality of life. It can lead to cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” he says. Stated plainly, too many omega-6 fats, especially when combined with too little omega-3 fats, can throw your body out of whack.

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TRANS FATS There are two types of trans fat. The first is naturally occurring fat produced in the gut of some animals and found in some animal products that we eat. The second is artificial trans fat. Trans fat is primarily found in partially hydrogenated oils, which find their way into many of our processed foods. “Another word for artificial trans fat is hydrogenated,” explains Barratt. “And that means that it was probably a healthier fat, but some of the double or single bonds in the fat were artificially removed in a factory and extra hydrogen was artificially added to make it thick and creamy and to extend shelf life.” The American Heart Association claims that trans fat raises your bad cholesterol levels, lowers your good cholesterol levels and increases your risk of stroke, heart disease and developing Type 2 diabetes. And yet, in 2015 a study in Germany claimed that trans fat might not be as bad for our health as we once feared. With all of this conflicting information, what should we believe? “Part of the whole thing is, if there’s hype and sensationalism, it sells,” says Barratt. “A lot of things we see may not be based on hard research or clinical trials.” Barratt says that in her own life she tries to eat one-third of her diet as monounsaturated fats, one-third as

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THE DAYS OF LOW FAT ARE OVER

In the ‘90s the low-fat craze swept our country. Fat made you fat, or so the story went. Has our thinking evolved? The idea that fat makes you fat was always the message, says Gaffney. “There are three kinds of macronutrients, which are nutrients required in large amounts by living organisms — carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Fats got the bad rap because people assumed that if you ate fat you would automatically gain fat on your body, which isn’t the case.” “Fat only makes you fat if you have too many calories in the day,” says Barratt. Draper agrees: “Anything can make us fat. There’s more to it than that. In every cell in our body, trillions of cells, the membrane is made up of fat,” he explains. “So in order to absorb nutrients we have to have good integrity in our cell membrane. Fat is hugely important. We are not eating enough fat and especially healthy fat. Fat is good for sustainable energy, good for our brain and our immune system.” Fat, in other words, is an essential part of our diet. Fats help with brain development, controlling inflammation, energy and blood clotting. They also help other nutrients be more efficient in the body. “Fats help absorb certain vitamins in our body,” says Gaffney. That includes vitamin A, which helps with vision; vitamin E, which helps with skin and lubrication; vitamin D, which supports bone health and mental

health; and vitamin K, which assists with blood clotting. “We use fats for all different types of purposes in our body, and they’re extremely important. In a balanced diet we need that variety,” she says. Fats also help us feel satisfied. “When we don’t have fats in our diet, oftentimes there’s more frequent hunger,” says Gaffney. So is there such a thing as too much fat? “It depends on the individual,” explains Gaffney. “Someone who follows a vegetarian diet may have a higher percentage of fat in their diet due to the need for increased intake of higherfat foods such as oils, nut butters, nuts and seeds.” BALANCE IS THE KEY According to current dietary guidelines, the recommended amount of total calories per day from fat is about 35 percent. “But for some people it might be a little more and for some a little less,” says Gaffney. Draper says that the most important thing to remember about fat is to include a healthy fat at each meal. “When we consume fat along with protein, it isn’t going to raise our blood sugar up as much, and it’s not going to digest quickly,” he says. “We should all work on becoming a fat burner, and to do that we should focus on vegetables, eating a good amount of healthy fat and getting a good amount of protein.” Barratt adds that for the food we eat, “What it comes down to is to have a balance of fats.” X

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GREEN SCENE

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Dam removal projects restore WNC waterways fewer drops of the water create less need to portage boats. “It becomes more accessible for families to get out and recreate on the stream,” McCombs says. CLEARING THE WAY

COMING DOWN: A trackhoe begins demolishing the Dillsboro Dam in 2010. Ecology provides the primary impetus for most dam removal projects. Eliminating these barriers allows native species to reach previously inaccessible habitats. Photo by Gary Peeples, courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

BY DANIEL WALTON danielwwalton@live.com In the mid-1960s, the U.S. Forest Service decided it had a problem with Santeetlah Creek, a stream in Nantahala National Forest to the southwest of Asheville. None of the usual suspects, such as bank erosion, industrial pollution or agricultural runoff, were at play. There were simply too many native fish. “Anglers weren’t buying licenses to pursue those fish,” explains Jason Farmer, fisheries biologist for the Cheoah Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest. “Management agencies reasoned they should just get rid of the natives and replace them with non-native rainbow and brown trout, thinking that the native fish were competing for limited food.” An 80-foot-long, 8-foot-high concrete barrier was erected across the creek to prevent native fish from swimming upstream; the water above the new dam was poisoned to kill off those that remained. Subsequent monitoring found that, while this dramatic intervention eliminated native smallmouth bass from the creek, it had no effect on overall trout numbers. Yet until 2017, the dam remained in place, a relic of an abandoned goal for the waterway.

The Santeetlah Creek fish barrier is far from a unique case, says Erin McCombs, conservation director for the Southern Appalachia region with American Rivers. “In North Carolina, we’re aware of over 6,300 dams on our streams, and many of these structures are no longer serving any purpose,” McCombs points out. Barriers once put up to provide power for grist mills or textile plants, for example, have lasted long after their associated industries moved away. Nonprofits, community groups and government agencies throughout Western North Carolina are now working to remove this legacy of outdated dams. Although challenging, the process offers benefits for the wildlife, safety and recreation potential of the area’s waterways. HEALTHY RIVERS RUN Ecology provides the primary impetus for most dam removal projects. At the most basic level, eliminating these barriers allows native species to reach previously inaccessible habitats. “We have the highest freshwater species diversity in the country right here in the southeastern U.S.,” says Farmer. “We now manage our streams to give those species the greatest opportunity to persist and expand into other areas.”

Even when a species is already present both above and below a dam, removal can strengthen the health of the population through recombining genetically separate groups. Farmer says that this was the case for the hellbender salamander in Santeetlah Creek. When the Forest Service removed the dam, the two once-fragmented populations began mixing to mate. The additional diversity reduces inbreeding and improves the hellbender’s prospects in the area. McCombs adds that humans derive direct benefits from dam removal as well. “When rivers have room to move, flooding becomes less dangerous in comparison with highly restricted rivers,” she says. Waterways with access to their natural floodplains may experience small floods more frequently, but these areas also slow and spread water overflows, reducing the risk of more catastrophic events. Below the surface of the water, dams can create strong recirculating currents known as hydraulic rollers, which pose threats to those directly downstream. “A lot of people don’t realize the liability and risk that come with owning a dam,” says McCombs. “Even an Olympic swimmer wouldn’t be able to get out of the current that forms at the base of these dams.” Removing dams eliminates these rollers, making the water safer for swimmers and paddlers. In addition,

However, these benefits come at a sizable cost: McCombs estimates that a small dam removal project can run anywhere from $15,000 to $150,000. About 75 percent of that total accounts for the actual dam demolition and stream restoration, while the remaining 25 percent covers the necessary design, engineering and permitting. One of the largest expenses is the removal of the sediment that accumulates behind the dam over the course of its lifespan. Heavy equipment is usually necessary to dredge loads of muck from the streambed, and toxic waste disposal may be required for sediment associated with industrial dams. In especially vulnerable environments, endangered species surveys and relocation tack on further costs. Even when funding is available, finding qualified staff to carry out the project poses its own challenge. “It’s a specialized activity — you need contractors trained in upstream restoration techniques and engineers that are familiar with the process,” says Farmer. Beyond removal of the dam itself, restoration of the stream’s original flow often requires additional planning to correct for erosion of the streambed. In translating that plan into reality, dam removal projects can encounter unexpected difficulties. Farmer points to surges of stormwater runoff as a particular challenge to a process all about the control of water. “You can draw something up on paper that looks good, but once you get out there, conditions may necessitate a change of plans,” he says. “You just have to be flexible and adjust to the landscape.” STRONGER TOGETHER Given the many complications of dam removal, McCombs notes that the most successful projects involve collaborations between an array of

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RUNNING WILD: Until 2017, a fish dam in this spot held back Santeetlah Creek, a stream in Nantahala National Forest to the southwest of Asheville. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service groups with different expertise. “Most of my work is about cultivating partnerships,” she explains. “The beauty of this approach is that you can build a lot of capacity and momentum to get more projects done.” Lynn Sprague, executive director of the Southwestern North Carolina Resource Conservation and Development Council, agrees with that assessment. In 2016, the organization began planning the removal of an old gristmill dam in the Beaverdam community of Canton. The project quickly expanded to include the town of Canton, Haywood Soil and Water Conservation District, Haywood Waterways Association and a number of other groups. Involving community members is also key to success. “At our stakeholder meetings with the public, we found that people like to contribute the stories of the gristmill and give you some background on when they last saw it as an active dam,” Sprague says. By fostering that sense of connection with the project, his group developed good relationships with local landowners and got access to their property for much-needed measurements. With local groups contributing project management and public engagement, larger organizations such as American Rivers have a much easier time accomplishing dam removals. “Having individuals that are integrated in a community is important to get a project to a place where we can move forward on it,” McCombs 28

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says. “We have to have a willing landowner on board, so finding people who understand the benefits of dam removal and can do that landowner outreach is crucial.” WALLS COME TUMBLING Momentum for dam removals is building, both in North Carolina and across the United States. The Forest Service found that 548 dams were removed throughout the country from 2010 through 2015, more than the combined total from 1920 through 2009. McCombs says American Rivers was involved in eight dam removal projects throughout the state in 2016, a record for the organization, and she estimates that a similar number will take place in 2018. Local groups also have several projects planned for the upcoming year. Sprague says that the Southwestern North Carolina Resource Conservation and Development Council hopes to tackle a dam associated with an old icehouse on Shepherd’s Creek near Bryson City, while Farmer and the Forest Service plan to remove a log fish barrier in the Hiawassee River watershed. For now, however, Farmer is watching for the Santeetlah Creek removal to bear fruit. “We’re hoping that smallmouth bass and other species can recolonize the blocked-off sections of the waterway,” he says. “I think a lot of people have come to realize that there is value in having that diversity.” X

FARM FRESH: A fair hosted by the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project on March 15 will give prospective community-supported agriculture subscribers the opportunity to meet with farmers and hear more about what they offer and how they grow. Photo by Chelsea Lane

BY MAGGIE CRAMER mcramerwrites@gmail.com For proof that interest in local food remains on the rise, perhaps there’s no better place to look than communitysupported agriculture farm shares. For a seasonal fee paid in early spring, CSA members receive a share of a local farm’s output all season long via a weekly supply of produce or meats and other farm products. According to the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project and its Appalachian Grown Producer Survey, only 12 Southern Appalachian farms offered CSAs in 2002. In 2018, local foodies can pick from 124 CSA shares throughout the region. How to decide from such an array? Enter ASAP’s CSA Fair on Thursday,

March 15, 3-6 p.m. at New Belgium Brewing Co. Fifteen farms will be there, each with weekly pickup locations in Buncombe County. (Find every WNC and Southern Appalachian farm offering a 2018 CSA through ASAP’s online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org.) The fair provides a chance for prospective buyers to find their farm match by spending a few minutes talking with farmers about the style of CSA they offer, the foods they produce and their growing methods. Many farms offer a traditional share, in which the farmer selects the items to be included in each week’s CSA and delivers boxes to set pickup locations (such as a farmers market or workplace). But according to event coordinator Robin Lenner, WNC farmers offer more flexible and diverse CSA options every year.

“Now, you can choose a market share, where you still pay upfront but get to decide for yourself the foods you want each week and shop for them directly at your farmers tailgate market booth,” she explains. “Other farms offer half shares for individuals or families worried they can’t eat all the produce in a week, while still others offer season extensions, including fall shares chockfull of sweet potatoes and root veggies.” Some CSA farms focus on salad fixings, some on fresh and cured meats, and some even specialize in flowers. That means it’s possible to find the perfect fit no matter one’s lifestyle and food preferences. Lenner stresses that the fair isn’t just a place for those familiar with CSAs to find their ideal farm but also for those who’ve never heard of or tried a farm share to learn about the process. “It’s a fun, informal, low-pressure environment,” she says. “People can talk easily with farmers and discover how eating locally with a CSA directly benefits their farming neighbors as well as their own family.” X

ECO 25TH ANNUAL SPRING CONFERENCE (PD.) March 9-11, 2018. at UNCA. 150+ practical, affordable, regionallyappropriate workshops on organic growing, homesteading, farming, permaculture. Trade show, seed exchange, special guests. Organicgrowersschool. org. (828) 214-7833 CITIZENS’ CLIMATE LOBBY citizensclimatelobby.org • SA (3/10), 10am-1:30pm - Climate advocate training workshop focusing on lobbying. Registration: lucybutlerslp@gmail.com. Free. Held at Henderson County Public Library, 301 N. Washington St., Hendersonville HENDERSONVILLE GREEN DRINKS 8286920-385-1004, facebook.com/ hvlgreendrinks • TH (3/8), 5:30-7pm “The Value of Prescribed Burns,” lecture by Adam Warwick, fire and stewardship manager for the Nature Conservancy’s Southern Blue Ridge Program. Free to attend. Held at Black Bear Coffee Co., 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville

MALAPROP’S BOOKSTORE AND CAFE 55 Haywood St., 828-2546734, malaprops.com • FR (3/9), 6pm - Sally Atkins presents her book, Nature-Based Expressive Arts Therapy: Integrating the Expressive Arts and Ecotherapy. Free to attend. MOUNTAINTRUE

Find your farmer WHAT ASAP’s Eighth Annual CSA Fair WHEN Thursday, March 15, 3-6 p.m. WHERE New Belgium Brewing Co., 21 Craven St., outside on the green weather permitting WHY To sign up for a weekly box of farm-fresh produce or meats this growing season. DETAILS The fair is free to attend. For more information, including a list of participating farms, visit asapconnections.org.

FARM & GARDEN ASHEVILLE GARDEN CLUB 828-550-3459 • WE (3/7), 9:30am General meeting and presentation by Lisa Wagner, plant ecologist. Free. Held at All Souls Cathedral, 9 Swan St.

828-258-8737, mountaintrue.org • MO (3/12), 5:30pm Community forum on landslide risks with the Center for Cultural Preservation and Appalachian Landslide Consultants. Free. Held at Hendersonville Public Library, 301 N Washington St., Hendersonville • TH (3/15), 6-7:30pm - “The Future of the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests,” expert panel discussion. Free. Held at Jackson County Public Library, 310 Keener St., Sylva

BUNCOMBE COUNTY EXTENSION MASTER GARDENERS

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION OF ASHEVILLE

buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • WE (3/14), 6pm - “AgroForestry and Silvopasture Systems,” presentation by agro-forester and educator Geoffrey Steen. Free seedlings for attendees. Free. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St.

1 Edwin Place, 828-2546001, uuasheville.org • FR (2/9), 7pm Environmental & Social Justice Film Series: Burned, film screening. Free.

828-255-5522, buncombemastergardener. org, BuncombeMaster Gardeners@gmail.com • TH (3/15), 10am-noon “Planning Your Vegetable Garden,” workshop with master gardener, Mary Alice Ramsey. Registration required. Free. Held at Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Office, 49 Mount Carmel Road BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES

CITY OF HENDERSONVILLE cityofhendersonville.org • THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS until (5/13) - Seasonal mulch and composted leaves giveaway. Thurs. & Fri.: 3:307pm. Sat.: 8am-noon. Free. Held at the old Waste Water Treatment Plant, 80 Balfour Road, Hendersonville DR. JOHN WILSON COMMUNITY GARDEN 99 White Pine Drive, Black Mountain • TUESDAYS (3/13) through (4/24) - Organic gardening class series on all aspects of growing: planning, planting, production and pests. Taught by Diana Schmitt McCall at a different location every week. Registration required. $35 per pair of classes/$90 for the series. HAYWOOD COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS 828-456-3575, sarah_scott@ncsu.edu • Through FR (3/16) Proceeds from this plant sale featuring edibles, native plants and perennials benefit plant sale fund education-related horticulture projects in Haywood County. To order: 828-456-3575 or mgarticles@charter.net.

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MOUNTAIN ROOTS

Asheville digs into the culinary uses of kudzu

BY GINA SMITH gsmith@mountainx.com Kudzu can be found almost everywhere in Western North Carolina, and apparently it’s here to stay. So, instead of fighting it with herbicides and mowers, why not bring it to the table? Although it tops the list of the South’s most notorious invasive plant species, the much-maligned vine has some stalwart fans in the Asheville area. And they’re hoping that by learning to appreciate kudzu’s finer qualities, such as its multiple culinary and medicinal uses, Southerners can develop a healthier relationship with their landscape. “Rather than have this defeatist attitude about the plant, let’s get to know it,” says Justin Holt, co-organizer of the biannual Kudzu Camp in Sylva. Holt is captivated by what he calls the “hidden story” of kudzu, which has been revered in Asia for millennia as a source of nutrition and medicine. Used with great success in the American South during the Dust Bowl era to curtail catastrophic soil erosion caused by deforestation, it fell from grace when it began to spread uncontrollably — established vines can grow at a rate of more than one foot per day, according to The Nature Conservancy. “Kudzu is this really dramatic plant,” he says. “It’s hard to ignore. It kind of makes you marvel and wonder how a plant can be so vigorous.” FRIENDS WITH THE ENEMY At the three-day Kudzu Camp workshops, held in late winter and late summer, participants get training and hands-on experience in harvesting, processing and using all parts of the plant for various purposes, including everything from basketry to cuisine. Because there are no leaves or flowers out in the cold months, the upcoming winter workshop, scheduled for Friday through Sunday, March 16-18, focuses on the roots. For those harvesting kudzu during the spring and summer, one of Holt’s go-to resources, The Book of Kudzu by William Shurtleff and Akido Aoyai, provides recipes for numerous dishes that can be made from fresh kudzu leaves that are boiled, sautéed fried

DIGGING DEEP: Permaculture educator Justin Holt excavates kudzu roots in North Asheville. Holt will share techniques for harvesting, processing and cooking with the roots of the fast-growing vine at the upcoming Kudzu Camp. Photo by Morgan Ford and pickled. And the plant’s beautiful purple flowers, notes Asheville ethnobotanist Marc Williams, are known for making a lovely jelly. But the fibrous roots are a different story. They are too tough to be eaten as a vegetable. But when freshly harvested, they can be washed and chopped then dried to be used as a medicinal tea. And with some additional processing, there are many more applications. “Kudzu starch is our best local source of starch for thickening,”

says Williams, who favors it over cornstarch and arrowroot for making puddings, soups and sauces. Asheville permaculture enthusiast Todd Smith, who follows a macrobiotic diet, also incorporates kudzuroot starch into his meals as a locally sourced replacement for arrowroot, cornstarch and flour. Like Williams, he uses it to make puddings as well as jams, and in place of flour as a base for a tamari béchamel sauce that he serves with vegetables.

Smith notes that in macrobiotic philosophy, a plant-based regimen that originated in Japan, kudzu is commonly used as a culinary ingredient based on its healing properties. “In macrobiotic cooking, food is primarily regarded as medicine,” he says. He, Holt and Williams all point out that kudzu (known as kuzu in Japan), is used in Asian healing traditions as a remedy for everything from headaches to diarrhea to hangovers. And some studies show that an isoflavone in the kudzu root can help reduce alcohol consumption in those who regularly imbibe. KUDZU CULTURE During Kudzu Camp’s communal meals, Holt and fellow organizer Zev Friedman serve kudzubased dishes made with starch prepared during the previous winter’s gathering. Some favorites have emerged during the eight years of the camp, including maple hickory-nut kudzu pudding and kudzu matcha mochi (a chewy rice cake made with matcha green tea). And the camp’s many regular participants must find great satisfaction in enjoying the fruits of the previous year’s labors, because extracting starch from kudzu roots is a labor-intensive process. First, the intrepid foragers must find and dig up the roots, which Holt says can weigh up to 300 pounds, although the largest he’s come across so far in WNC is about 70 pounds, and the majority are much smaller. “The largest roots are the ones from vines that are actually growing on trees,” he notes. “They basically use the tree as a trellis to get more sunlight, so they have much less competition from plants growing on the ground and can channel all the photosynthetic energy into one root.” Next, campers scrub the roots clean and chop them into about 1-inch pieces with a machete. The pieces are loaded into metal cauldrons where they are pounded by hand. The resulting fibrous pulp has a deceivingly delicious appearance. “It really looks exactly like pulled pork,” Holt remarks. “Every year, someone makes a comment about how we should start a vegan barbecue.” But to get to the good stuff, the root mash has to be submerged in cold water and vigorously kneaded, then the mixture has to sit for about 12 hours to allow the starch-

ROOT OF THE MATTER: Although processing kudzu roots is labor-intensive, the edible white starch they yield is a useful pantry item that’s also known to have numerous medicinal applications. Photo courtesy of Justin Holt

es to settle out. After that, the water is siphoned off, fresh water is added, and the process begins again — and again and again. “Sometimes it takes up to a couple of weeks to get it fully purified to pure white starch with no bits of fiber or other impurities,” Holt says. So, no, camp attendees don’t get to take any starch home with them. But in addition to the knowledge they gain, they have the option to leave with fresh roots and sometimes vines for basketry and other crafts. And there are some more farreaching benefits. “We kind of built the whole event around sharing food and sharing stories and exploring these permaculture concepts and trying to build what we refer to as ‘kudzu culture,’” Holt says, adding that a group of camp devotees have formed a cooperative that harvests the fresh roots and markets them to herbalists throughout the U.S. “Kudzu is actually just something we perceive to be a problem because of our cultural attitudes and norms. If we can create a culture around kudzu, that kind of flips the script and opens up a lot of opportunities that are waiting there in the soil for us to discover.” The next Kudzu Camp takes place Friday through Sunday, March 16-18, at a kudzu patch in Sylva. The event is open to all ages, and there is no cost to participate, although donations are accepted. For details and to register, visit kudzuculture.net or send an email to kudzuculture@gmail.com. X

Happy Hour every day 4 to 6pm Join us for our specials including Oysters, Shrimp Cocktail and Charcuterie menu! Manic Monday ALL OYSTERS $1.50 Wine Down Wednesday 1/2 PRICE BOTTLES Flight Friday $9 (Reg. $15) LIVE MUSIC Friday: Adi the Monk on guitar Saturday: TBA 2 HENDERSONVILLE RD • BILTMORE STATION • 828.676.2700 MOUNTAINX.COM

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by Tony Kiss | avlbeerguy@gmail.com

Apples to apples Beer may get the most attention of any alcoholic beverage in the Asheville area, but the region’s cider scene continues to grow and spark its share of related events. On Saturday, March 10, noon-10 p.m., the first West Asheville Cider Crawl will stretch along the busy Haywood Road corridor, where venues including bottle shops, restaurants and more will showcase the popular beverages. There’s no admission charge — just hit the street and visit the venues to savor ciders, either by the glass or with a bite to eat at participating restaurants. Urban Orchard Cider Co. and Botanist and Barrel cidery of Hillsborough are collaborating to host the cider crawl. The idea originated with Lyndon Smith, an Asheville resident with extensive experience in the wine industry and whose family operates Botanist and Barrel.

CIDER STREET: The West Asheville Cider Crawl on March 10 will showcase ciders at more than a dozen locations along Haywood Road. Photo courtesy Botanist and Barrel “I used to be in wine distribution,” Smith says. “The opportunity came up to take over a blueberry farm.” The Smiths then opened a winery and, finally, a cider-making operation. Botanist and Barrel started releasing ciders in July 2017 and has strong distribution of its bottles statewide, including the Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh and Durham markets. “The purpose of the cider crawl is to show how versatile cider can be, all the different styles that there are,” Smith says. “What I do and what Urban Orchard does are completely different. Urban has these beautifully balanced flavors, and the cider is carbonated. I’m higher alcohol, bone dry, and [the cider] is still.”

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Smith refers to himself as “more of an old-school, Old World-style cider” producer and sees the Cider Crawl as another outlet for bringing exposure to Botanist and Barrel. “West Asheville was the perfect fit,” he says. “You have places like the Westville Pub with ciders on tap. And it’s walkable and has a lot of variety. You have high-end cocktail bars and regular bars, you have restaurants, you have a couple of bottle shops.” Over a dozen locations have signed up for the Cider Crawl, including The Black Cloud, The Hop West, The Whale Craft Beer Collective, West Asheville Lounge and Kitchen, Pizza Mind, Hops & Vines, Haywood Common, Local 604 Bottle Shop and BimBeriBon. Its footprint runs from Urban Orchard at Beacham’s Curve to the Odditorium performance and art venue at the other end of Haywood Road near Patton Avenue. “It’s a self-guided crawl,” Smith says. “I don’t expect people to hit every place.” He’s planning to post a map with more details on the event’s Facebook page. “Some people will put on full entrée food pairings, like Foothills Meats. They will do two food pairings, one with Urban and one with Botanist with different butcher cuts. Sunny Point Café will have pairings, and Jargon will have cocktails.” Jeff Anderson, Urban Orchard’s marketing and creative director, supported Smith’s vision from the start. As the only cidermaker in West Asheville, Urban Orchard is primed to be a big

destination on the crawl. “We’re just hoping that people will stop by for a drink, but we want people to visit these other establishments,” he says. Anderson also hopes that the Cider Crawl will encourage more restaurants to use cider in their dishes. “It’s way more versatile than beer or wine in food,” he says. He expects Urban Orchard will be pouring at least nine ciders during the crawl, ranging from Bizarre Love Triangle, made with cocoa nibs and strawberries, to Covfefe, made with coffee and featuring hints of vanilla and chocolate. As evinced by those creations, Anderson believes there is really no limit to the ingredients that can go into a successful cider. But however inspiration strikes, he notes that the starting point for any Urban Orchard creation is apples sourced from Hendersonville. While cider-making has spread across the state, Western North Carolina has many producers, including Bold Rock Hard Cider in Mills River, Noble Cider in Asheville, Black Mountain Ciderworks + Meadery and Flat Rock Cider Works in downtown Hendersonville. Also in the mix is Daidala Ciders, a small-batch cider company based in Asheville and run by nomadic cidermaker Chris Heagney. “Western North Carolina has a bunch of really talented people making really fun cider,” Smith says, adding that the region is also “blessed with apples.” But even with the locally grown fruit and passionate community of craftspeople, events like the Cider Crawl can go a long way in raising awareness of cider, which Anderson stresses is “still a growing category in the craft beverage market.” X

WHAT West Asheville Cider Crawl WHERE Participating businesses along Haywood Road WHEN Noon-10 p.m. Saturday, March 10 avl.mx/4qk

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SMALL BITES by Thomas Calder | tcalder@mountainx.com

Rezaz hosts a grand reopening “We feel that restaurants need to be reborn, or they risk being inconsequential,” says Brian Smith, chef and co-owner of Rezaz. In 2015, he and his wife, Laura, bought the Biltmore Village business after working in its kitchen for several years. From the beginning, Brian notes, it’s been important for the couple to respect the restaurant’s past while looking toward the future. After closing for renovations on Feb. 18, the restaurant, which was established by Reza Satayesh in 2002, reopened with a fresh look on March 6. Walls have come down to expand the dining room, bar and private dining space. The menu has also been updated. “We’re calling it pan-Mediterranean cuisine,” Brian explains. Regional dishes from Israel, Morocco, France, Italy, Greece and Spain are featured, with highlights such as Andalusian octopus and scallop ceviche,

SUNDAY POP-UPS AT GAN SHAN WEST On Sunday, March 11, Gan Shan West will host its latest Japanese Izakaya 2018 Sunday Pop-up. The ongoing series takes place every other Sunday and features casual Japanese small plates with Khan Kogure of Charinko Catering. The menu will vary at each pop-up. (See “Quick Dish: Q&A with Khan Kogure of Charinko,” Nov. 5, 2017, Xpress) Gan Shan West is at 285 Haywood Road. The pop-up series happens 4-9 p.m. on alternating Sundays. For the latest menu, visit avl.mx/4q8. THE INN ON BILTMORE ESTATE EARNS ACCOLADES

THE NEXT CHAPTER: Rezaz owners Brian and Laura Smith are pictured in front of one of the new additions to their restaurant. The wine wall was built by Asheville furniture designer Nathan Hoeh. Photo by Thomas Calder

LADIES NIGHT

THUR. 3/29 4:30-7:30 pm Enjoy Live Music & Enter a Gift Basket Drawing

Please come early, Seating is Limited

Available in bar & patio areas only.

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MAR. 7 - 13, 2018

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Israeli chicken soup and roasted rack of lamb. Rezaz also now offers a daily 3-5 p.m. Mangia Pasta Hour. “It’s for people who want to come in for a glass of wine or a snack between lunch and dinner,” says Brian. Bowls are $12 with a $2 country garlic bread side. Options include bucatini and tomato basil sugo, orecchiette and Sicilian puttanesca, gemelli and veal Bolognese, and fettuccini and spinach Parmesan fonduta. Another addition is a late-evening menu, served 8:30-10 p.m., which features quick snacks, salads and pastas. To celebrate its grand reopening, Rezaz will host an all-day benefit on Thursday, March 8. That day, 15 percent of total sales will be donated to Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. The same evening, the restaurant will also host two separate events: A fivecourse Hi-Wire beer pairing dinner is scheduled 6-8 p.m (tickets are $51.68), and a five-course chef’s tasting that highlights the new pan-Mediterranean menu takes place 6-9 p.m. (tickets are $81.24). Both events also benefit the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate. In many ways, the ongoing evolution of Rezaz reflects its owners’ personal and professional growth. “This is where we met. This is where we fell in love.

This is who we are,” says Laura. “We obviously want to pay homage to what Rezaz is as an institution and what it was and what it’s going to be. But to make something succeed and be what it needs to be, changes have to happen.” Rezaz is at 28 Hendersonville Road. For hours and tickets to the upcoming events, visit avl.mx/4qw. NOBLE CIDER’S THIRD ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF Noble Cider will host its third annual chili cook-off, benefiting Girls on the Run of WNC. Founded in 2002, Girls on the Run is a nonprofit that aims to inspire girls in grades three to eight to be joyful, healthy and confident through activity-based programs. This year’s cookoff will include the following categories: traditional, vegetarian and most creative. All proceeds will benefit the nonprofit’s 1,000 Girls Campaign, which seeks to raise funds to cover program’s costs for 1,000 participants. Noble Cider’s Chili Cookoff runs 3-5 p.m. Sunday, March 11, at Noble Cider, 356 New Leicester Highway. Tickets are $10 to sample entries and $15 to compete. For tickets and more information, visit avl.mx/4pt.

For a 17th consecutive year, Forbes Travel Guide has recognized The Inn on Biltmore Estate as a four-star hotel. Forbes Travel Guide’s anonymous professional inspectors also awarded the Dining Room at the Inn on Biltmore Estate as a four-star restaurant. In a press release, the inn’s general manager, Charles Thompson, states: “We are especially proud to have received four-star status at the Dining Room for the first time this year. … This designation comes down to maintaining an incredible level of consistency in the finest of details — everything from perfection in lighting to unparalleled quality in cuisine to warmth of the plate.” For more, visit avl.mx/4pu. EDNA’S OF ASHEVILLE HAS CLOSED After six years in business, Edna’s of Asheville has closed. In an email exchange with Xpress, owners Mike Zukoski and Tom Cash write: “Our fondest memories are of our devoted staff and customers over the years. One of the most special memories was at our grand opening when Edna, our pug, dressed in royal attire, sashayed down the pink runway to the sound of ‘I’m Sexy and I Know It’ to officially open Edna’s. She was better than RuPaul that night!” The couple have no future plans in the food and beverage industry but intend to remain active in Asheville’s spiritual, arts and LGBTQ communities. X

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

DEAREST ZELDA

Weeklong festival recognizes a Jazz Age giant and educates the community on mental illness Decades later, mental illness continues to define their life narratives, especially Zelda’s. Though known for her cigarette-smoking, gin-drinking socialite persona — the “first American flapper” as described by Scott — she was also a novelist, dancer and artist with extraordinary range. She sketched the Brooklyn Bridge in grays and blues, painted gouaches of the Smoky Mountains and made droll paper dolls for her daughter, Scottie. A Renaissance woman living in her husband’s shadow, Zelda never received the acclaim she deserved. Celebrate Zelda! seeks to right those wrongs. Now in its third year, and with more events than ever before, the weeklong festival, running Friday, March 9, to Friday, March 16, includes art exhibits, cocktail parties, gaming competitions and more. The brainchild of Jim MacKenzie, the festival honors Zelda’s unfettered lifestyle.

(And what better way than with jazz and Prohibition-era martinis?) But something bigger is at work, too, says Lori Greenberg, the event’s co-organizer. “Seven years ago, I started working with a homeless woman who happened to be an artist. She had pretty much lost everything because of domestic violence,” says Greenberg. Wanting to display the woman’s work, Greenberg contacted several galleries, but no one would take her pieces. Thus, in 2012, Greenberg opened Aurora Studio & Gallery, a creative space for those experiencing mental health issues, addiction and homelessness. “These individuals have been marginalized in our community,” says Greenberg. “They have seen the revolving door of services.” A self-described “figurative expressionist painter,” Aurora artist Dawn Eareckson feels a certain

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PIECES OF PARADISE: Dawn Eareckson, an artist at Aurora Studio & Gallery, can relate to Zelda Fitzgerald, inset. Eareckson says the carefree flapper attitude carried into Fitzgerald’s artwork. Eareckson photo by Brook Reynolds, Fitzgerald photo courtesy of Aurora Studio & Gallery

BY LAUREN STEPP lstepp98@gmail.com Tender yet troubled, the touch-andgo marriage of American novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald and Southern belle Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald rocked the Roaring ’20s and well beyond Black

Tuesday. Though the two cared deeply for one another, a darkness shrouded their matrimony. Beleaguered by a family history of alcoholism and what he called “a two-cylinder inferiority complex,” Scott drowned his sorrows in spirits while his wife grappled with schizophrenia, checking in and out of Asheville’s Highland Hospital. MOUNTAINX.COM

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kinship with Zelda, whose emotive style spurned her era’s artistic conventions. On Saturday, March 10, at Trackside Studios in the River Arts District, Eareckson will present several pieces inspired by the Jazz Age celebrity. “It Won’t Stop,” for instance, meditates on Zelda’s emotional life in the years preceding her stay at Highland Hospital. Here, Zelda is very much alive — flames radiating from her mouth, eyes an emerald green. “I wanted to portray

her vividly, not as a static figure from decades ago,” says Eareckson. “After” offers less intensity, calling instead to Zelda’s innate joie de vivre. Painted in cool blues and warm burgundies, the flapper rests after an intimate encounter with F. Scott. Belly round and glowing, Zelda is pregnant with what Eareckson describes as her “own creative fire.”

According to Greenberg, it’s not uncommon for artists to experience their first exhibition while at Aurora. “Folks who I work with, for the most part, haven’t had any gallery experiences,” she says, Eareckson included. Though many lack resources to market their work, Greenberg also thinks mental health plays a role. “What makes me both happy and sad is that there’s a beauty, creativity and genius in those struggling with mental illness,” she says. “It just goes unrecognized.” Asheville psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Johnson will unpack this stigmatization during his discussion, “Highland Hospital: Practices, Treatment and Mental Health,” on Thursday, March 15, at Pack Memorial Library. The first practitioner to join the Celebrate Zelda! festivities, Johnson will take a hard look at early 20th-century intervention plans, discussing treatments like insulin coma therapy, a method where patients are injected with large doses of insulin to induce a coma. Records suggest Zelda was awaiting electroshock therapy, a different but equally disturbing practice, when the Highland Hospital caught fire.

Johnson will also speculate as to what caused Zelda’s gradual decline. Was it genetics? Was it her very public lifestyle? Or maybe the sheer amount of alcohol she and Scott imbibed? (Scott purportedly drank 37 beers on a good day.) “It may have affected her brain,” says Greenberg. “Back then, people drank differently, and alcohol was made differently.” But Greenberg goes on to suggest that the reason for Zelda’s “crackup,” as some crudely put it, might not matter. “We can’t get into her head,” she says. Nonetheless, Zelda’s psyche has long been up for speculation while male artists like Ernest Hemingway, whose depression and alcoholism drove him to take his own life, receive less scrutiny. “Zelda wasn’t taken seriously because of her health, but also because she was a woman,” Greenberg says. As such, depictions of Zelda are hit or miss. Eareckson, though, seems to understand her Roaring ’20s muse: “Freewheeling, disaffected, unbridled,” she describes. “A provocative free spirit.” X

Celebrate Zelda! schedule Friday, March 9 • Up For Discussion: The Forgotten Lives of Zelda Fitzgerald, Asheville Art Museum On the Slope, 175 Biltmore Ave. 12 p.m. Free • We Sing of Peace: Exploring Emotional Stability, Health, and Wellness through Song with Asher Leigh at Base Camp, 56 Ravenscroft Drive. 6-7:30 p.m. Free

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Saturday, March 10 • Zelda’s Flowers: Painting and Drawing Workshop with coinstructors Pamela Lanza and Glenn Hirsch at the Asheville Art Museum On the Slope, 175 Biltmore Ave. 10:30 a.m.-3p.m. $75 museum members/$85 nonmembers.

• Art opening at Trackside Studios, 375 Depot St. 11a.m.-5p.m. Free • Zelda’s Cocktail Party: A Roaring ’20s Evening at The Pillar Rooftop Bar, 309 College St. 7-10 p.m. Free Sunday, March 11 • “The Legend of Zelda” gaming raffle at Orbit DVD, 781 Haywood Road. 3 p.m. Free Tuesday, March 13 • Discussion Bound book group: Villa America by Liza Kauffmann at Malaprop’s, 55 Haywood St. Noon. Free Thursday, March 15 • Highland Hospital: Practices, Treatment and Mental Health, discussion hosted by Dr. Daniel Johnson at

the Lord Auditorium in the Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. 6-7:30 p.m. Free Friday, March 16 • Zelda Fitzgerald’s Jazz Age Literary Karaoke with readings by Tom Downing, Michael Crosa and Allison Stinson at Malaprop’s. 6 p.m. Free • Monika Gross of At-ASite Theater will be offering one-on-one readings of Zelda Fitzgerald’s writings at Malaprop’s. 7-8:30 p.m. Free This year’s Celebrate Zelda! activities are sponsored by a grant from the Asheville Area Arts Council. Donations are welcome. Information at aurorastudio-gallery.com

by Doug Gibson

doug@douggibsonwriter.com

JOURNEY TO THE DARK SIDE New book explores how Pink Floyd recovered from the loss of Syd Barrett In 1967, soon after the release of its first album, an English rock group was getting decent press and having some success touring. The band even had a contract for another album with EMI, the same label as The Beatles. But the group’s charismatic lead guitarist and vocalist, who had provided the band’s drive and vision, was growing unstable under the influence of mental illness and psychedelic drugs. It soon became clear: If the group was to succeed, it would have to do so without the man who had so far written almost all of its songs. The band was Pink Floyd; the leader Syd Barrett. And for Asheville-based writer (and Xpress contributor) Bill Kopp, the group’s nadir led to a mystery: After coming so close to the brink of failure, how did Pink Floyd recover? How was it that, six years later, the musicians could release The Dark Side of the Moon, one of the best-selling and most influential rock albums of all time? That’s a question Kopp tries to answer in his book Reinventing Pink Floyd, which he’ll launch Thursday, March 8, at Malaprop’s. Kopp is a longtime writer on popular music, with dozens of articles to his name (and hundreds of entries on his website, blog.musoscribe.com). He may have been born to write this book. Asked in elementary school to draw himself as a grown-up, he says, he sketched a man with long hair, sunglasses and a beard. He gestures at himself. “I looked like this. And I was a rock critic.” He laughs. “That’s what I was going to do when I was a grown-up.” Kopp read rock criticism from an early age. “It really colored my understanding and appreciation of music, as opposed to just listening to it,” he says. An admirer of Pink Floyd, he would listen to the group’s late ’70s albums repeatedly, picking out the keyboard parts on a synthesizer he bought with his own money and expanding his appreciation of what went into the production of an album. And, although he majored in marketing in college and worked corporate jobs for decades, he continued writing rock criticism on the side. In 2015, Kopp turned to writing full time. One of the first projects he pitched was a survey of Pink Floyd’s complete works. A publisher expressed

Pink Floyd’s early years, including Peter Jenner, the band’s original manager. He also spoke with alternative rocker Robyn Hitchcock, who has been heavily influenced by Syd Barrett’s work and prefers the Pink Floyd of that era. Even if fans of the group’s later music don’t move all the way to Hitchcock’s position, Kopp hopes that readers will come to appreciate Pink Floyd’s early efforts and come away inspired by the creative journey that led to one of rock’s most important albums. “I’d like to think that when somebody reads this, they’re going to be inspired to go and listen,” he says, “and appreciate it for what it is.” X

WHAT Bill Kopp reads and signs Reinventing Pink Floyd WHERE Malaprop’s 55 Haywood St. malaprops.com WHEN Thursday, March 8, 6 p.m.

NO WALLS: Live performance played a substantial role in Bill Kopp’s research: He owns hundreds of Pink Floyd bootleg recordings, he interviewed tribute bands, and, last summer, Kopp even participated as a keyboardist in a local tribute to Pink Floyd’s early work. Author photo by Annelise Kopp interest but asked for other angles. Kopp came back with the idea of tracing the band’s recovery after the loss of Barrett, expecting the publisher to take months considering. A week later, on vacation in California with his wife, he got an email. “It says, ‘Your proposal has been accepted, here’s your contract,’” Kopp recalls. “And I started crying.” So how did Pink Floyd rebound? Reinventing explores several strands of the story, but asked to name one, Kopp describes the group’s experiments in assembling a sequence of songs in order to form an implicit narrative. By 1969, the musicians put together the stage show The Man and The Journey — two suites of songs with an intermission dividing them. “In a lot of ways,” Kopp says, “this was a template for what they would do in Dark Side of the Moon.” Pink Floyd also grew through its live shows. Kopp uses The Beatles as a counterexample: “They and a lot of other bands wrote in the studio, did all their material in the studio, and then record-

ed.” By contrast, Pink Floyd would write for live performances and use that experience to prepare for its recordings. Many songs on Dark Side of the Moon, Kopp says, “weren’t written until they’d been doing Dark Side live for months.” As it happened, live performance played a substantial role in Kopp’s research: He owns hundreds of bootleg recordings of Pink Floyd’s live shows from that time. He interviewed tribute bands, who make a living figuring out how to re-create Pink Floyd’s music. And, last summer, Kopp even participated as a keyboardist in a local tribute to Pink Floyd’s early work, a four-hour show organized by Ian Richardson of the local band Alarm Clock Conspiracy. “It was the closest thing I could have done to going back in time and being in the studio,” he says. “It added so much to my appreciation and understanding of the music.” Kopp also drew on archives of contemporaneous criticism and conducted interviews with people involved with MOUNTAINX.COM

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A&E

by Bill Kopp

bill@musoscribe.com

CONCENTRATING TIME AND SPACE Combo Chimbita brings its brand of ‘tropical futurism’ to Asheville

COMBO MENU: New York City’s Combo Chimbita starts with a foundation of Colombian cumbia and updates it with synthesizers to create a kind of modern psychedelic world music. Photo by Itzel Alejandra Martinez New York City-based quartet Combo Chimbita plays its music in the present, but the band claims to live in the future. With an exotic and intriguing style of music the group calls tropical futurism, Combo Chimbita melds the most rewarding elements of socalled world music with an urban sensibility. Embarking on its first full-scale national tour in support of the debut album, Abya Yala, Combo Chimbita plays The Mothlight on Thursday, March 8. Three of the group’s members — all except vocalist Carolina Oliveros — have adopted pseudonyms to differentiate their work in Combo Chimbita from their other musical projects. But in some ways, the effort is redundant; the group’s sound is wholly original, even within the rich and varied musical landscape of New York City. Bassist/ synthesizer player Prince of Queens explains that tropical futurism “is a way of reimagining the future — where we are and where we’re going — based more on our ancestors than on sci-fi.” That unusual approach has its roots in the work of Sun Ra, and Combo Chimbita’s musicians acknowledge a 38

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clear debt to the pioneering jazz artist who claimed to be from Saturn. But what they take from his work has more to do with a concept than a specific sound. Sun Ra developed a musical philosophy built around Afrofuturism, blending ethnic culture with science fiction. Combo Chimbita jettisons the space trappings and transfers the cultural grounding to a Latinx aesthetic. Sun Ra “had a vision for music that was out of this world and ahead of its time,” says Prince of Queens. “That ambiguity — that idea of concentrating time and space — is something that grabs our attention.” And Combo Chimbita’s musical identity is also informed by what Prince of Queens calls its members’ “binational” character. All four were born in Colombia, eventually immigrating to the United States. “I’ve been here more than half my life,” he says. “So New York is home. But also, home is Colombia. That’s why there’s the influence of the immigrant experience in our music.” The musical genre known as cumbia has its origins in Colombia, where it began as a part of courtship rituals among people of African ancestry. In

the 1940s, the music’s popularity spread throughout the country. Today, cumbia continues to exert a great influence on the Colombian music scene. The band members’ early years in South America found them immersed in the style, and it forms part of the basis of the Combo Chimbita sound. But it’s merely a starting point. “Cumbia keeps evolving,” says Prince of Queens. “It’s very basic, but in every country, it takes a different form; it keeps experimenting and changing.” For generations, New York City has been home to many of the world’s best used record stores. And all members of Combo Chimbita — including guitarist Niño Lento and drummer Dilemastronauta — are avowed cratediggers. “We all have a pretty big passion for record collecting,” says Prince of Queens. That passion yields interesting finds, and those records inform the group’s original music, adding the flavors of Haitian kompa (modern mérengue), African drumming and modern cumbia variants from Mexico and Argentina. Prince of Queens says he draws inspiration from Haitian groups including Shleu-Shleu and DP Express, both of which have been making music for

decades. “Back in the day, they started incorporating synthesizers and electronic instruments in a way that was interesting and exciting,” he says. “I’m particularly interested in music that transcends time; it can be old but still sound fresh.” The four musicians variously played together in other groups before pursuing the unique approach of Combo Chimbita. “We have traveled to different places with music,” says Prince of Queens, “and we have a very deep connection. It’s like family, almost. When it comes to making music, the hardest thing is to find the right people to make it with. And I feel incredibly lucky and privileged to be able to create music and perform it in front of an audience with my bandmates.” The group released its debut EP, El Corredor del Jaguar, in October 2016. On the heels of that release, Combo Chimbita ventured beyond New York City for the first time as a band, playing dates in Chicago and Los Angeles. Initially, the musicians weren’t sure how they would be received. “We don’t sing in English,” Prince of Queens points out. “And we have some very not-mainstream ideas. But it’s fascinating to go to places where you don’t expect that music to resonate and have impact.” But audiences were enthusiastic, and, with the October 2017 release of Abya Yala, the band is now ready to introduce tropical futurism to a wider array of locales, including smaller cities like Richmond, Va.; Boise, Idaho; and Asheville. “The experience is going to nurture our musicality tremendously,” Prince of Queens says. “After 30 shows, we’re gonna be playing pretty tight.” X

WHO Combo Chimbita with DJ Malinalli, DJ Red Iyah and Marty Chutrovich WHERE The Mothlight 701 Haywood Road themothlight.com WHEN Thursday, March 8, 9 p.m. $8 advance/$10 day of show

by Kai Elijah Hamilton

kaielijahhamilton@gmail.com

THE DRAG SHOW MUST GO ON Celeste Starr moves to O.Henry’s after more than 20 years performing at Scandals One of the signature celebrity impersonations of Celeste Starr — the drag persona performed by local artist Robb Smith — is Cher. Initially, Smith was apprehensive to take on the ravenhaired icon, but Art Fryar, the original trailblazing owner of Scandals Night Club, threatened to fire the thenburgeoning drag artist if the impression wasn’t performed true to Fryar’s vision. “So, I did Cher, and that was actually when I won Miss Scandals,” Smith recalls. “[Fryar] came backstage, grinned at me and goes, ‘Aren’t you glad I told you to do Cher?’ And ever since then it’s been a staple of mine.” It was Fryar who mentored Smith into becoming Celeste Starr, and Smith performed at the Grove Street gay bar for more than 20 years. However, after a recent New Year’s Eve booking misunderstanding with current club owner Jeff Davis, Smith parted ways with Scandals. Asheville’s longest-working drag queen will now appear at North Carolina’s oldest gay bar, O.Henry’s. Upcoming performance dates include Saturdays, March 10 and 17. The news rattled fans. “It was a business decision I had to make. I do drag as a job. This is it. This is what I do for a living,” Smith explains. “I have nothing against Scandals, whatsoever. I don’t have anything against the queens, the owners or the staff.” Smith hopes that one day he’ll be invited back for a guest appearance. “You know, I stayed there for 23 years to continue the legacy that Art gave me,” Smith says. “But, going over to O.Henry’s, I can still take that legacy with me.” And O.Henry’s jumped at the chance to have local legend Celeste Starr perform as a house cast member. Smith was born on a navel base north of Chicago. His grandmother pushed him into acting, and a turning point in his life was starring in Mount Morris High School’s production of Bye Bye Birdie. “I started doing drag in 1990,” Smith says. “It was a joke in high school. It was our homecoming lip-sync contest. I was making fun of one of the cheerleaders who had to do a sexy dance in the production.” Madonna had just appeared in Dick Tracy, so Smith decided to perform “He’s a Man,” a song inspired by that film.

BOSS LADY: “It was like 1999 when I started winning pageants left and right,” says Robb Smith, who performs as drag queen Celeste Starr. “A light just switched on, and everything I had trained for was suddenly there, and I’d made it.” Photo by Roxy Taylor Photography Eyebrows rose at Smith’s lampoon. Over the crowd’s cheers and laughter came the derogatory f-word. “The bullying got worse after that,” Smith says. “It got real bad. I was bullied all my life, growing up. Everybody knew I was gay, apparently, before I did.” After his 1994 graduation, Smith left town. Like a story from an independent gay movie, he jumped on a Greyhound bus bound for Asheville, where he started a new life with the help of an accepting uncle. “It was scary,” Smith says. “But it was the best move I ever made.”

Smith discovered the underground nightclub Scandals. The Grove Street venue, established in 1982, is open to ages 18 and older, so it’s known as a right of passage for any young gay man coming out. “It was grueling back in the day. But if you did what you were told, it paid off,” Smith says. “Art wanted the best of the best. He saw something in me that I didn’t see. He really pushed me hard, and my drag mom, Aurora Borealis (T.J. Haynes), took her time to help mold me.”

He continues, “It was like 1999 when I started winning pageants left and right. A light just switched on, and everything I had trained for was suddenly there, and I’d made it.” Because of Fryar’s and Haynes’ support, Smith developed a large following over the years. He’s won every pageant title at Scandals and even competed for the elite title of Miss North Carolina Entertainer of the Year bestowed at a contest held at the Legends Nightclub in Raleigh. His bookcases are full of crowns to prove his legacy. Fryar died from cancer in 2006; a chandelier was erected above Scandals’ main stage to honor his drag persona, Crystal Chandelier. The recent sale of the Grove Street building housing Scandals makes the future of the quintessential club uncertain. Many clubgoers among the gay crowd have shifted to O.Henry’s; many more are longtime patrons of the venue. Recently, at the Haywood Street nightclub, Smith donned a shimmering dress and blonde-ambition wig and paid homage to his high school performance that started it all. “It’s funny, because the patrons at O.Henry’s are the people who saw me throughout my career,” Smith says. “I grew up with them, so it’s nice to be back with the old gang.” Nowadays, inspiration for the Celeste Starr persona comes from silver screen siren Joan Crawford. “Old Hollywood is like drag,” Smith explains. “You get to a certain age, they expect you to retire. Joan fought tooth and nail to continue to do what she loved. I know if she can do it, I can do it.” X

WHAT Celeste Starr drag show WHERE O.Henry’s 237 Haywood St. ohenrysofasheville.com WHEN Saturdays, March 10 and 17, at midnight. Free for members/$3-6 guests. Performance tips appreciated

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SMART BETS

A&E

by Edwin Arnaudin | Send your arts news to ae@mountainx.com

The Pauses

OpenDoors Art Affair

Nearly seven years have passed since self-proclaimed “three-piece indierocktronica band” The Pauses released their debut album, A Cautionary Tale. In the interim, the Orlando, Fla.-based group has opened for the likes of Weezer and The Zombies, put out a few tracks and invented a live, interactive media show component called Interact-OVision. “More importantly, that time has afforded us the opportunity to harness our skills as musicians and people [and] to create a whole new batch of songs, which we took up to the Magpie Cage in Baltimore to record with the excellent J. Robbins (Jawbox; Burning Airlines),” the band says on the webpage for the crowdfunding campaign for its forthcoming LP, Unbuilding. As part of a mini-tour through North Carolina and Georgia, The Pauses stop by The Odditorium on Thursday, March 8, at 9 p.m. $7. ashevilleodditorium.com. Photo courtesy of the band

Funds raised at OpenDoors of Asheville’s annual Art Affair gala are crucial to the nonprofit succeeding at its mission “to break the cycle of poverty with local students through advocacy and opportunities for education and enrichment.” The 2018 edition takes place Saturday, March 10, at Highland Brewing Co., which will be adorned with lanterns created by students in the One Neighborhood arts enrichment program. The evening includes live, interpretive performing artists, an open bar, hors d’oeuvres and a live auction with more than 75 items on which to bid, including original works of art, photography, jewelry and travel packages. There’s also an after-auction party with Empire Strikes Brass. VIP admission ($175) includes a preparty at 6 p.m. and reserved premier seating at the auction. General admission ($125) begins at 7 p.m. opendoorsasheville.org. Photo by Renato Rotolo

Momentum Gallery exhibitions Doubling down on the mindset that two are better than one, Momentum Gallery opens dual exhibitions pairing gallery artists on Sunday, March 11. In his Asheville gallery debut, local printmaker Bill Hall has his minimalist compositions that play with one’s perception of depth set against vintage lithographs and mezzotints from the 1950s and ’60s by the late modernist Maltby Sykes (1911-’92). Elsewhere in the space, Drew Galloway’s new landscape paintings on asymmetrical sheets of found metal are matched with works from wood sculptor Christian Burchard, who uses green, unpredictable wood from Pacific madrone burls. An artist reception for both exhibitions takes place 5-8 p.m. The duets run through April 28. Free. momentumgallery.com. Pictured, “White Gate” by Christian Burchard

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Craft Your Commerce The brainchild of Mountain BizWorks, UNC Asheville and host site The Center for Craft, the new workshop series Craft Your Commerce aims to connect, elevate and advance emerging and established makers and designers who’ve started craftinspired businesses. Photographer Nicole McConville leads “Capture and Convey: Telling Your Story Through Images” ($40) on Thursday, March 15, 9-11:30 a.m. Then the founders of Bloodroot Blades (Athens, Ga.) and Asheville’s East Fork Pottery co-lead a panel discussion and workshop, on Tuesday, April 10, 4-6 p.m., Sustainable Growth Strategies: Exploring Creative + Profitable Maker Pathways ($20). There’s also a five-week cohort series ($375) that runs Thursday mornings, April 26-May 24, and provides a comprehensive assessment of artists’ experiences producing and selling to date, while also addressing current opportunities and challenges. craftyourcommerce.com. Photo courtesy of East Fork Pottery

T H E AT E R R E V I E W by Jeff Messer | upstge@yahoo.com

‘Rumors’ at Hendersonville Community Theatre

IT’S COMPLICATED: The cast of Neil Simon’s Rumors brings confusion and chaos in Hendersonville Community Theatre’s latest show. Photo by Daniel Dyer Hendersonville Community Theatre surprises with its creative approach to intimate theater. For the latest production — the Neil Simon farce, Rumors, onstage through Sunday, March 18 — Bobby Foster has created an intricate set, filling every inch of the stage, giving us a large bay window through which the audience views the well-appointed mini-bar. There’s even a small patio that can be seen through the large stage windows. The set design is every bit as clever as the twists and turns of Simon’s play. The story is simple, yet becomes complicated when the titular rumors begin to fly. Deputy Mayor Charlie and his wife, Moira, are celebrating their 10th anniversary. They’ve invited four couples to their house for the party, but something is amiss. The guests arrive to discover a distraught Charlie (whom we never meet) upstairs with a bottle of sleeping pills and a pistol. He has shot himself in the earlobe. Was it a suicide attempt? Where’s Moira? What’s really going on?

At first, there are attempts to keep secrets, but once whispered rumors begin to add to the confusion, the guests must become accomplices in covering up a mystery they are still trying to solve. Jonathan Forrester has become one of HCT’s most reliable directors. He has assembled a wealth of local talent. Decidedly, the women shine in this cast. Meredith Kuhn’s Chris starts the show secretly smoking and openly drinking and builds upon that to comic perfection. Tessa Martin is always a solid actor and is great as Claire. Joria Ursin’s TV chef, Cookie, is a hoot to watch (she pairs well with Bob Reece, who plays her doting but befuddled husband, Ernie). As the new-age, crystal worshipping wife of a fast-talking state senate candidate, Beth Bristol adds to the lunacy. As Ken, Mark Lieberman gets to contribute to the mania when his temporary deafness sets up rolling laughs at misheard details. Bryan Byrd plays Glen Cooper, the would-be candidate, with slippery glee. Chris Kingsley’s Lenny is quick with the quips and ends up being

drafted into service to concoct a story of what really went down (even though no one has a clue) when the cops arrive. Opening night had its clunky moments, sure. Farce is hard to do. But the charm of the cast and the passion of the theater shined through and carried the production to a satisfying conclusion. X

WHAT Rumors WHERE Hendersonville Community Theatre 229 S. Washington St. Hendersonville hendersonvilletheatre.org WHEN Through Sunday, March 18. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. $12-22

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by Abigail Griffin

FIDDLING AROUND: The 12th annual Fiddlers of Madison County show provides its yearly reminder that some of the best traditional music may be found in this section of Western North Carolina. On Saturday, March 10, at 3 p.m., in Mars Hill University’s Broyhill Chapel, elite area fiddlers will showcase their skills, including Bobby Hicks, Arvil Freeman (accompanied by The Midnight Plowboys and his protégé Bryan McDowell), Roger Howell and The Junior Appalachian Musicians of the Madison County Arts Council. Also on the bill are The Sons of Ralph, making their first performance without the group’s late patriarch, Ralph Lewis. The concert doubles as a benefit for the Madison County Arts Council. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 day of show. For more information, visit www.madisoncountyarts.com. Photo of Hicks by Pat Franklin (p. 43) ART APPALACHIAN PASTEL SOCIETY appalachianpastelsociety. org • SA (3/10), 10am-noon - "Seeing and Painting Beyond the Obvious," general meeting and presentation by Diane Pike. Free. Held at Grace Community Church, 495 Cardinal Road, Mills River ART AT MARS HILL UNIVERSITY mhu.edu • WE (3/7), 6pm - "ArtSide Chat," event featuring discussion between Ann Peiffer, psychology professor and chair of the Women's Studies program,and artist Connie Bostic. Free. Held at Mars Hill University, Weizenblatt Gallery, 79 Cascade St., Mars Hill ASHEVILLE AREA ARTS COUNCIL 828-258-0710, ashevillearts.com • MONDAYS through (4/30), 10am-1pm "Explorative Fibers," fiber workshop for veterans. Registration required: 828-258-0710. Free. Held at Local Cloth, 207 Coxe Ave. • MONDAYS until (3/26), 2-5pm - Weaving class for veterans. Registration required.

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Free. Held at Local Cloth, 207 Coxe Ave. BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • TU (3/13), 7pm "Around the Galaxy," presentation by astrophotographer Bill Lynch. Free. Held at Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Road, Fairview CAROLINA’S NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION asheville.cnpa-regions. org/ • SU (3/11), 6pm "Winter Photo-Op Critique," general meeting and critique opportunity. Free. Held at UNC-Asheville Reuter Center, 1 Campus View Road FOLK ART CENTER MP 382, Blue Ridge Parkway, 828-298-7928, craftguild.org • TH (3/15) through SA (3/17), 10am-4pm - Top of the Morning, exhibition of quilts by Southern Highland Craft Guild member Connie Brown. Event features quilt making and basket making demonstrations. Free to attend. ODYSSEY COOPERATIVE ART GALLERY 238 Clingman Ave., 828-285-9700,

facebook.com/ odysseycoopgallery • 2nd SATURDAYS, 11am-5pm - "Second Saturday Celebration," event with food, music and artist demonstrations. Free to attend. THE CENTER FOR CRAFT, CREATIVITY AND DESIGN 67 Broadway, 828-785-1357, craftcreativitydesign.org/ • TH (3/15), 9am11:30am - "Capture & Convey: Telling Your Story Through Images," entrepreneur's workshop in conjunction with Mountain Bizworks. $20-$40. THE GALLERY AT FLAT ROCK 702-A Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, 828-698-7000, galleryflatrock.com/ • THURSDAYS through SUNDAYS until (3/31) Artist demonstrations. Thurs.-Sat.: 1-5pm. Sun.: 1-3pm. Free to attend.

ASHEVILLE ART MUSEUM 828-253-3227, ashevilleart.org • Through SA (3/31) Submissions accepted for Appalachia Now! An Interdisciplinary Survey of Contemporary Art in Southern Appalachia, exhibition. See website for full guidelines. FLETCHER AREA ART FAIR director@ fletcherartsheritage.com, 828-691-1255 • Through SA (3/31) Vendors accepted for the Fletcher Area Art Fair taking place on Saturday, April 7.

DANCE

AUDITIONS & CALL TO ARTISTS

COUNTRY DANCE (PD.) Friday, March 9th, 7-10:30pm, Asheville Ballroom. • Line-Dance lesson 7-8pm. • Dance 8-10:30pm. Dance/ Lesson $15, Dance $10. 828-333-0715, naturalrichard@mac.com • www.DanceForLife.net

35BELOW 35 E. Walnut St., 828-254-1320, ashevilletheatre.org • TU (3/13), 10:30am2:30pm - Open auditions for The Dresser. See website for full guidelines.

EXPERIENCE ECSTATIC DANCE! (PD.) Dance waves hosted by Asheville Movement Collective. Fun and personal/community transformation. • Fridays, 7pm, Terpsicorps Studios, 1501 Patton Avenue. • Sundays,

8:30am and 10:30am, JCC, 236 Charlotte Street. Sliding scale fee. Information: ashevillemovementcollective.org STUDIO ZAHIYA, DOWNTOWN DANCE CLASSES (PD.) Monday 8am Bootcamp 12pm Bootcamp 12pm Barre Wkt 5pm Teen Dance Fitness & Technique 6pm Hip Hop Wkt 6pm Bellydance Drills 7pm Bellydance Special Topics 7pm Irish Level 1 7pm Sassy Jazz 8pm Fusion Bellydance 2 8pm Lyrical 8pm Raks Azure Pro Bellydance Troupe • Tuesday 9am Hip Hop Wkt 6pm Intro to Bellydance 7pm Bellydance 2 8pm Creating a Solo • Wednesday 8am Bootcamp 10am Hip Hop 12pm Bootcamp 5pm Flow and Glow Yoga 6pm Bhangra Series 6pm Hula 7pm Tap 1 7pm Classical Ballet 8pm Tap 2 8pm Modern • Thursday 9am Hip Hop Wkt 3:15pm Kids Hip Hop and Creative Movement 4pm Kids Hip Hop and Creative Movement 5pm Teens Hip Hop 6pm Stiletto Sculpt Dance 7pm Liberated Ladies 8pm West Coast Swing 8pm Show girl choreography • Friday 8am Bootcamp 12pm Bootcamp • Saturday 9:30am Hip Hop Wkt 1pm Hip Hop • $14 for 60 minute classes, Wkt $8. 90 1/2 N. Lexington Avenue. www.studiozahiya.com :: 828.242.7595 ASHEVILLE BUTOH COLLECTIVE ashevillebutoh.com • THURSDAY through SUNDAY (3/8) until (3/11) - Proceeds from the Noguchi Taiso, Water Body Movement, movement workshop with Mari Osanai benefit Asheville Butoh Collective. See website for full schedule and registration. $45-$80

per class/$225 entire workshop. Held at BeBe Theatre, 20 Commerce St. • MONDAYS, 6:308:30pm - "Aspects of Butoh," butoh dance practice with the Asheville Butoh Collective. $15-$20. Held at 7 Chicken Alley ASHEVILLE MONDAY NIGHT DANCE 828-712-0115, oldfarmersball.com • MONDAYS, 7:3010:30pm - Community contra dance. $7. Held at Center for Art & Spirit at St. George, 1 School Road DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE 18 Biltmore Ave., 828-257-4530, dwtheatre.com • WE (3/7) & TH (3/8), 8pm - Bodytraffic dance company performance. $45/$40 student/$20 children. OLD FARMER'S BALL oldfarmersball.com • 2nd SUNDAYS, 3-5pm - Family contra/square dances for families with children ages 6-12. All ages welcome. Free. Held at Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Road • THURSDAYS, 8-11pm - Contra dance. $7/$6 members/$1 Warren Wilson Community. Held in Bryson Gym Held at Warren Wilson College, 701 Warren Wilson Road, Swannanoa

MUSIC AFRICAN DRUM LESSONS AT SKINNY BEATS DRUM SHOP (PD.) Saturdays 5pm, Wednesdays 6pm. Billy Zanski teaches a fun approach to connecting with your inner rhythm. Drop-ins welcome. • Drums provided. $15/ class. (828) 768-2826. www.skinnybeatsdrums. com

35BELOW 35 E. Walnut St., 828-254-1320, ashevilletheatre.org • FRIDAYS through SUNDAYS until (3/18) - Putting it Together, musical revue featuring the works of Steven Sondheim. Fri.-Sat.: 7:30pm. Sun.: 2:30pm. $22. A CAPELLA ALIVE wbellnc@yahoo.com • THURSDAYS, 7-9pm - A Cappella Alive! womens choral group practice. Free. Held at Givens Gerber Park, 40 Gerber Road ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY THEATRE 35 E. Walnut St., 828-254-1320, ashevilletheatre.org • FR (3/9), 7:30pm & SA (3/10), 3:30pm Broadway Bootcamp spring showcase featuring Broadway songs by local performers. $7. DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE 18 Biltmore Ave., 828-257-4530, dwtheatre.com • FR (3/9), 8pm Dervish, Irish & celtic music concert. $32/$27 student/$20 children. HENDERSONVILLE COMMUNITY BAND hcbmusic.com • SU (3/11), 3pm "March Winds," spring concert featuring the Asheville Clarinet Ensemble. $10/Free for students. Held at Blue Ridge Community College, 180 W Campus Drive, Flat Rock J.E. BROYHILL CIVIC CENTER 1913 Hickory Blvd SE. Lenior, broyhillcenter.com • SA (3/10), 7:30pm - Caldwell Traditional Musicians Showcase, concert featuring Strictly Clean and Decent and local musicians. $11/$5.50 children.

MADISON COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL 828-649-1301, madisoncountyarts.com, info@ madisoncountyarts.com • SA (3/10), 3pm "Fiddlers of Madison County," concert featuring Bobby Hicks, Arvil Freeman, Bryan McDowell, Roger Howell and many local musicians. $30/$25 advance. Held at Broyhill Chapel, 338 Cascade St, Mars Hill MUSIC AT MARS HILL mhu.edu • TH (3/8), 7:30pm Clarinet recital featuring Denise Gainey. Free. Held at Broyhill Chapel, 338 Cascade St, Mars Hill PUBSING 828-254-1114 • 2nd SUNDAYS, 6-8pm - Gospel jam and singalong. Optional snack time at 5:30pm. Free to attend. Held at French Broad Brewery, 101 Fairview Road TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 900 Blythe St., Hendersonville, 828-692-6114, trinitypresnc.org • SA (3/10), 7pm - The Singing Men of Ohio, concert featuring an ensemble of 60 undergraduate and graduate students from Ohio University. Free. TRYON FINE ARTS CENTER 34 Melrose Ave., Tryon, 828-859-8322, tryonarts.org • FR (3/9), 8pm Concert with Irish quintet, Goitse. $35-$40/$17 students. UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP OF HENDERSONVILLE 2021 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville, 828-693-3157, uufhnc.org • SA (3/10), 7pm Bluegrass to Bach

Kids Issues

Coming March 14 & 21

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MAR. 7 - 13, 2018

A& E CA LEN DA R

Concert Series: Vintage Vinyl, 60s and 70s rock band concert. Free.

SPOKEN & WRITTEN WORD ASHEVILLE TOASTMASTERS CLUB 914-424-7347, ashevilletoastmasters. com • THURSDAYS, 6:157:45pm - General meeting to develop leadership, communication and speaking skills within community. Free. Held at YMI Cultural Center, 39 South Market St. ASHEVILLE WRITERS' SOCIAL allimarshall@bellsouth. net • 1st WEDNESDAYS, 6-7:30pm - N.C. Writer's Network group meeting and networking. Free to attend. Held at Battery Park Book Exchange, 1 Page Ave., #101 BLUE RIDGE BOOKS 428 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville • SA (3/10), 2-4pm - Bill Everett presents his books, Red Clay, Blood River Turnings: Poems of Transformation and Sawdust and Soul: A Conversation on Woodworking and Spirituality. Free to attend.

1561 Alexander Road, Leicester • TU (3/13), 7pm Michael Reno Harrell, Appalachian storytelling and songs. Free. Held at Weaverville Public Library, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville • TU (3/13), 7pm - Mull It Over Beer and Book Club: Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly. For adults over 21. Free to attend. Held at The Whale: A Craft Beer Collective, 507 Haywood Road, #10 • TH (3/15), 2:30pm - Skyland Book Club: Above the Waterfall by Ron Rash. Free. Held at Skyland/South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road FIRESTORM CAFE AND BOOKS 610 Haywood Road, 828-255-8115 • WE (3/7), 6pm - Jordan Makant reads from his debut chapbook, Impossible Angles. Free to attend. • 2nd & 4th FRIDAYS, 2:30pm - Wild Words writing group. Free to attend. FLETCHER LIBRARY

BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • SA (3/10), 3pm - West Asheville Book Club: The Leavers by Lisa Ko. Free. Held at West Asheville Public Library, 942 Haywood Road • FR (3/9) & SA (3/10) & MO (3/12), 10am-4pm Used book sale. Free to attend. Held at Skyland/ South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road • TU (3/13), 1pm - Book Club: Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon. Free. Held at Leicester Library,

GALLERY DIRECTORY

by Abigail Griffin

120 Library Road, Fletcher, 828-687-1218, library. hendersoncountync.org • 2nd THURSDAYS, 10:30am - Book Club. Free. • 2nd THURSDAYS, 1:30pm - Writers' Guild. Free. FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER 2160 US Highway 70, Swannanoa, 828-273-3332, floodgallery.org/ • SUNDAYS, 2-5pm - Halcyone Literary Magazine meeting for writers, reviewers, poets and artists interested in reviewing submissions, reading and submitting and helping with the formation of the magazine. Free.

JACKSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 310 Keener St., Sylva, 828-586-2016, fontanalib.org/sylva/ • TH (3/15), 6:30pmHolly Kays presents her book, Shadow of Flowers. Free to attend. MALAPROP'S BOOKSTORE AND CAFE 55 Haywood St., 828-254-6734, malaprops.com • WE (3/7), 6pm Brendan Reichs presents his young adult book, Genesis. Free to attend. • WE (3/7), 7pm Malaprop's Book Club: A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith. Free to attend. • TH (3/8), 6pm - Bill Kopp presents his book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to the Dark Side of the Moon. Free to attend. • MO (3/12), 6:308pm - "Writers Coffee House," monthly meeting for writers to come together to discuss the business of writing, gather shared knowledge and network. Free to attend. • MO (3/12), 7pm Mystery Book Club: In Farleigh Field, by Rhys Bowen. Free to attend. • TU (3/13), noon Discussion Bound Book Club: Villa America, by Liz Klaussmann. Free to attend. • TU (3/13), 6pm Elizabeth Kostova presents her book, The Shadow Land. Free to attend. • WE (3/14), 6pm - Maira Kalman presents her books and illustrations. Free to attend. • TH (3/15), 6pm - Chris Bohjalian presents his book, The Flight Attendant. Free to attend. NC STATE POETRY COMPETITION go.ncsu.edu/ poetrycontest • Through MO (3/12) Submissions accepted for the NC State poetry contest.

SWANNANOA VALLEY MUSEUM 223 W State St., Black Mountain, 828-669-9566, swannanoavalleymuseum. org • 2nd FRIDAYS, 11:30am - Swannanoa Valley Museum Book Club: Welcome to Our City, by Thomas Wolfe. Free. THE COFFEE BAR 317 White St., Hendersonville • SA (3/10), 10:30am Renee Kumor presents her book, 500 Kisses. Free to attend. THOMAS WOLFE MEMORIAL 52 North Market St., 828-253-8304, wolfememorial.com • TH (3/8), 5:30-7pm Polyphemus, short-story discussion led by Dan and Ana Clare. Free.

THEATER FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE 2661 Highway 225, Flat Rock, 828-693-0731, flatrockplayhouse.org • THURSDAYS through SUNDAYS until (3/25) - Seussical the Musical. Thurs. & Fri.: 7:30pm. Sat.: 11am. Sat. & Sun.: 3pm. $14-$28. MAGNETIC 375 375 Depot St., themagnetictheatre.org • THURSDAYS through SATURDAYS until (3/10), 7:30pm - Mountain Political Action Committee, comedy. $16. NC STAGE COMPANY 15 Stage Lane, 828-239-0263 • WEDNESDAYS through SUNDAYS (3/14) until (4/8) - Other Desert Cities. Wed.-Sat.: 7:30pm. Sun.: 2pm. Additional matinees: Saturday, March 31 & April 7, 2pm. $16-$34.

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MAR. 7 - 13, 2018

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HOPES SPRINGS ETERNAL: A man of many talents, David Brendan Hopes is a professor of literature and humanities at UNC Asheville, a poet, playwright and novelist (the forthcoming Night, Sleep, and the Dreams of Lovers). He’s also a painter whose latest creations, titled simply David Hopes: Recent Paintings, are currently on display at the Flood Fine Arts Center. The exhibit debuted March 3 and will be available to view through Saturday, April 7. For more information, visit www.floodgallery.org. Image courtesy of Hopes ART AT MARS HILL UNIVERSITY mhu.edu • Through FR (3/9) - When All God's Children Get Together: A Celebration of the Lives and Music of African-American People in Far Western North Carolina, exhibition curated by Ann Miller Woodford. Held at Rural Heritage Museum at Mars Hill, 100 Athletic St., Mars Hill • Through TU (3/13) Exhibition of artwork by Connie Bostic and the MHU Women's Studies Program. Held in Weizenblatt Gallery at Mars Hill University, 265 Cascade St., Mars Hill ART AT UNCA art.unca.edu • Through FR (3/9) - they/ them: a sculptural exploration of gender fluidity, exhibition of sculptural woks by Al Slydel. Held at UNC Asheville - Owen Hall, 1 University Heights • Through FR (3/23) Exhibition of the artwork of the late James Spratt. Reception: Friday, March 9, 6-8pm & Friday, March 23, 6-8pm. Held at UNC Asheville - Owen Hall, 1 University Heights • Through FR (3/30) Spheres of Influence, exhibition of abstract paintings by Linda Gritta. Held at UNC Asheville Ramsey Library, 1 University Heights • Through FR (3/30) Celebrating Middle School Success, exhibition of works of art by middle school students from four Buncombe County schools. Held at UNC Asheville Sherrill Center, 227 Campus Drive ART AT WCU 828-227-2787, bardoartscenter.wcu.edu • Through FR (5/4) - Lining: Sheathing, interactive

installation and exhibition of work by Denise Bookwalter and Lee Emma Running. Reception: Thursday, April 19, 5-7pm. Held at The WCU Bardo Arts Center, 199 Centennial Drive • Through FR (3/30) - 50th Annual Juried Undergraduate Exhibition. Held at The WCU Bardo Arts Center, 199 Centennial Drive ART COUNCIL OF HENDERSON COUNTY 828-693-8504, acofhc.org/art-on-main. html • FR (3/9) through FR (3/16) - Artists of Tomorrow, featuring artwork by Hendersonville County secondary students. Reception: Friday, March 9, 5:30-7pm. Held at First Citizens Bank, 539 N. Main St., Hendersonville ASHEVILLE AREA ARTS COUNCIL 828-258-0710, ashevillearts.com • Through FR (3/30) AAAC Juried Members Show, group exhibition. Held at The Refinery, 207 Coxe Ave. CALDWELL ARTS COUNCIL 601 College Ave SW, Lenoir, 828-754-2486 • Through SU (3/29) - Close to Home, group exhibition of photography, paintings and portraits. DOWNTOWN BOOKS & NEWS 67 N. Lexington Ave., 828-348-7615, downtownbooksandnews. com • Through FR (3/9) Exhibition of paintings by Chris Phillips.

FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER 2160 US Highway 70, Swannanoa, 828-273-3332, floodgallery.org/ • Through SA (4/7), Recent Paintings, exhibition of works by David Hopes.

TRACEY MORGAN GALLERY 188 Coxe Ave., TraceyMorganGallery.com • Through SA (3/31) Future Past: Experiments in Photography, group exhibition.

HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS

TRANSYLVANIA COMMUNITY ARTS COUNCIL

174 Broadway, habitatbrewing.com • SA (3/10) through SA (4/7) - Exhibition of paintings by Sheri Cross. Opening reception with live music by Captain EZ and fashion from Honeypot Vintage: Saturday, March 10, 7-10pm.

349 S. Caldwell St., Brevard, 828-884-2787, tcarts.org • FR (3/9) through FR (3/30) - Men of the Mountains, invitational exhibition. Reception: Friday, March 9, 5-7pm.

HAYWOOD COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL

TRYON ARTS AND CRAFTS SCHOOL

86 N Main St., Waynesville, 828-452-0593, haywoodarts.org/ • Through SA (4/28) Watercolor & Wax, group painting exhibition.

373 Harmon Field Road, Tryon, 828-859-8323 • Through FR (3/16) - RedCarpet Artist of the Year, group exhibition.

OPEN HEARTS ART CENTER

WAYNESVILLE BRANCH OF HAYWOOD COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

217 Coxe Ave. • Through FR (3/30)- Creative License: Expression in Color, exhibition of artworks by Oshin. PUBLIC LECTURES AT MARS HILL mhu.edu • Through SA (3/31) - Innuendo, group exhibition. Held at ZaPow!, 150 Coxe Ave., Suite 101 THE HAEN GALLERY 52 Biltmore Ave., 828-254-8577, thehaengallery.com • Through SA (3/24) Wintertide 2018, group exhibition.

678 S. Haywood St., Waynesville, 828-452-5169 • Through SA (3/31) Waynesville and Environs: A Black and White Perspective, exhibition by Linda Dickinson. WEDGE FOUNDATION 5 Foundy St., wedgebrewing.com/ location-wedge-foundation/ • Through SU (4/1) Exhibition of works by mother and daughter Bee Sieburg and Molly Courcelle. Contact the galleries for admission hours and fees

CLUBLAND

BOUND TO BOOGIE: While funk-punk troupe Bella’s Bartok might hail from Western Massachusetts, the origins of its danceinducing freak-folk-meets-Mardi Gras sound stretches back to the Old World tunes their grandparents brought to America. Meshing Balkan melodies and vaudeville aesthetics with funk-tinged brass lines and Americana sensibilities, Bella’s Bartok is less a band than a three-ring circus set to music. Step right up to see the strange when Bella’s Bartok comes to Asheville Music Hall on Saturday, March 10 for 10 p.m. show with Dr. Bacon. Photo courtesy of event promoters WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7 185 KING STREET Vinyl Night, 6:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Les Amis (African Folk), 8:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Brad Hodge & Friends, 7:30PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Open mic w/ Mark Bumgarner, 7:00PM DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE BODYTRAFFIC, 8:00PM DOUBLE CROWN Western Wednesday w/ Bryan Marshall and His Payday Knights & DJ Dave Gay, 9:00PM

HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Woody Wood Wednesdays (rock, soul, funk), 5:30PM ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 The Sea The Sea, 7:00PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Old Time Open Jam Session, 5:00PM LAZY DIAMOND Killer Karaoke w/ KJ Tim O, 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Cigar Brothers, 6:30PM MG ROAD Salsa Night w/ DJ El Mexicano Isaac, 8:00PM NOBLE KAVA Open Mic (sign-up at 7 p.m.), 7:00PM ODDITORIUM 1476, Volur & All Hell (metal), 9:00PM

FLEETWOOD'S A Deer, A Horse w/ Morbids & Sluggy, 9:00PM

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Evil Note Lab, 10:00PM

FUNKATORIUM John Hartford Jam w/ Saylor Bros (bluegrass), 6:30PM

ONE WORLD BREWING DYADO (folk, Americana, country), 9:00PM

GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Wallows w/ Field Medic, 8:00PM

ORANGE PEEL Lewis Black [SOLD OUT], 9:00PM POLANCO RESTAURANT 3 Cool Cats, 8:00PM

SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY French Broad Mountain Valley Acoustic Jam, 6:30PM THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE HempYeah! (hemp networking event), 6:30PM DJ Phantom Pantone, 8:30PM THE IMPERIAL LIFE The Berlyn Jazz Trio, 9:00PM THE JOINT NEXT DOOR Bingo Night w/ Bag O' Tricks, 7:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT Shopping w/ French Vanilla & KONVOI, 9:30PM

TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES JJ Kitchen All Star Jam (blues, soul), 9:00PM

CAPELLA ON 9@THE AC HOTEL Capella on 9 w/ Lincoln McDonald, 8:00PM

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Jazz Night, 7:30PM

CROW & QUILL Carolina Catskins (gritty ragtime jazz), 9:00PM

WILD WING CAFE SOUTH Cody Siniard Duo (alternative), 9:00PM

DOUBLE CROWN Chris Acker & His Growing Boys (New Orleans country), 7:00PM Sonic Stew w/ DJ Alien Brain, 10:00PM

THURSDAY, MARCH 8 185 KING STREET Doug Deming & the Jeweltones, 8:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Pleasure Chest (blues, rock, soul), 8:00PM

THE PHOENIX & THE FOX Jazz Night w/ Jason DeCristofaro, 7:00PM

ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Weekend Cafe, 10:30AM Will Ray & The Space Cooties, 7:30PM

THE SOCIAL LOUNGE The Bonnie Jazz Band, 9:30PM

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL The Human Experience, 9:00PM

THE SOUTHERN Disclaimer Comedy Open Mic, 9:00PM

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

TIMO'S HOUSE Psychedelic Wednesday w/ Touch Samadhi, 8:00PM TOWN PUMP Open Jam w/ Billy Presnell, 9:00PM

BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Benjo Saylor, 7:00PM BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER Redleg Husky, 7:00PM

FLEETWOOD'S David Venhuizen (comedy), 9:00PM FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB Magenta Sunshine (funk, soul), 9:00PM FRENCH BROAD BREWERY Cynthia McDermott, 6:00PM GOOD STUFF Jim Hampton & friends perform "Eclectic Country" (jam), 7:00PM GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Yonatan Gat w/ Ouroboros Boys & Wasting, 9:00PM HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS Asheville Improv Collective Student Showcase, 7:00PM

MOUNTAINX.COM

MAR. 7 - 13, 2018

CLU B LA N D HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Roots & friends open jam (blues, rock, roots), 6:30PM ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Beppe Gambetta (CD release), 7:00PM Revelator Hill & Virginia and The Slims, 8:30PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB The Clydes pre-jam, 7:00PM Bluegrass Open Jam Session, 9:00PM LAZY DIAMOND Heavy Night w/ DJ Bootch, 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Hank Bones, 6:30PM NATIVE KITCHEN & SOCIAL PUB Daydream Creatures, 7:00PM NOBLE KAVA Ping Pong Tournament, 8:00PM ODDITORIUM The Pauses, Wyla & Boy Band (rock), 9:00PM ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Mitch's Totally Rad Trivia, 7:00PM Naked Scholar, 10:00PM ONE WORLD BREWING Clair Brockway (singer-songwriter), 6:30PM Sarah Tucker (singersongwriter), 9:00PM ORANGE PEEL Lewis Black [SOLD OUT], 9:00PM

North Carolina’s First Cider Bar Family Owned & Operated Seasonal, craft-made hard ciders and tasting-room delights from local farmers & artisans.

West Asheville Cider Crawl March 10th All Day!

#1 Best Place to Drink Cider in U.S.A. - Food & Wine Magazine

210 Haywood Road, West Asheville, NC 28806 (828)744-5151 www.urbanorchardcider.com 46

MAR. 7 - 13, 2018

MOUNTAINX.COM

OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Sliding Rockets (rock), 6:00PM PISGAH BREWING COMPANY The Paper Crowns Band, 6:30PM PURPLE ONION CAFE Keith Davis Trio, 7:30PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Daniel Sage, 7:00PM SLY GROG LOUNGE Vibrant Troubadours w/ The Styrofoam Turtles & Mr. Mange, 9:00PM SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN BREWERY Hipbones Two-Bass Hit, 7:00PM STRAIGHTAWAY CAFE Open Mic, 7:00PM

SUMMIT COFFEE ASHEVILLE Open Mic w/ Dylan Moses, 6:00PM THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Jaha's Promise (film screening & Q&A), 6:00PM Latin music & dance w/ Liley Arauz, 9:00PM THE IMPERIAL LIFE The Burger Kings, 9:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT Combo Chimbita w/ DJ Malinalli and DJ Red Iyah & Marty Chutrovich: Club Organ, 9:00PM TIMO'S HOUSE Squad CTRL & Friends, 8:00PM TOWN PUMP Eric Congdon (blues, rock), 9:00PM TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Jesse Barry & The Jam (blues, dance), 9:00PM US CELLULAR CENTER Cole Swindell w/ Chris Jansen & Lauren Alaina (country), 7:30PM UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Old Sap, 7:00PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN The Steel City Rollers, 7:30PM WXYZ LOUNGE AT ALOFT HOTEL WXYZ unplugged w/ Ben Phan, 8:00PM

FRIDAY, MARCH 9 185 KING STREET Max Hightower & Shane Pruitt, 8:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Eleanor Underhill & Friends (Americana soul), 9:00PM AMBROSE WEST An evening w/ Bumper Jacksons, 8:00PM ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Hayley Jane & The Primates, 9:00PM BEN'S TUNE UP Vinyl Dance Party w/ DJ Kilby, 10:00PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Matt Sellars, 7:00PM BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER Cult of Kings, 6:00PM

CAPELLA ON 9@THE AC HOTEL Capella on 9 w/ Phantom Pantone, 9:00PM CORK & KEG Frank Lee & Allie Burbrink, 8:30PM CROW & QUILL Ragbag Productions (burlesque, sideshow), 9:00PM DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE Dervish (world music), 8:00PM DOUBLE CROWN Rock 'n' Soul Obscurities w/ DJ Greg Cartwright, 10:00PM FLEETWOOD'S Sang Sarah, Blitch & Secret Bleeders, 8:00PM FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER Classic World Cinema, 8:00PM FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB Scoundrel’s Lounge (jam, rock), 10:00PM FRENCH BROAD BREWERY Corey Hunt Band (country, Americana), 6:00PM FUNKATORIUM 3 Cool Cats, 8:30PM GINGER'S REVENGE Robin Lewis, 7:30PM GOOD STUFF Shaw Davis & The Black Ties, 8:30PM

NOBLE KAVA Woody Wood Trio, 9:00PM ODDITORIUM Bleedseason, Annabel Lee, Abhorrent Deformity & Reflect Refine (metal), 9:00PM ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Free Dead Fridays w/ members of Phuncle Sam, 5:30PM El Dub (funk, jam, reggae), 10:00PM ONE WORLD BREWING Roots & Dore (blues, soul, rock 'n' roll), 9:00PM ORANGE PEEL The Flaming Lips w/ Chappo [SOLD OUT], 9:00PM OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Michael Cronin, 5:00PM AMIGO, 6:00PM PACK'S TAVERN DJ Moto (dance, pop), 9:30PM PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Alarm Clock Consipiracy w/ Hard Rocket, 8:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Carolina Bound, 7:00PM SLY GROG LOUNGE Dry Reef, 9:00PM

GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN That 1 Guy w/ Breadfoot, 9:00PM

THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Ton Of Hay (Grateful Dead tribute), 9:30PM

HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS Blacklist Improv on Craigslist, 9:00PM

THE IMPERIAL LIFE Select DJ sets, 9:00PM

HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Winter Drum Circle, 6:00PM The Snozzberries (funk fusion), 7:00PM ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Brian Ashley Jones, 7:00PM Big Sound Harbor & Brother Roy, 9:00PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Gruda Tree (blues, rock, funk), 9:00PM JARGON The Holstein/Parish Trio (jazz), 10:00PM LAZY DIAMOND Fervor Fridays w/ DJs Chrissy & Jasper (rock 'n' soul vinyl), 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Calico Moon, 6:30PM

THE MOTHLIGHT Everything Is Terrible w/ Orbit DVD, 9:00PM Official Flaming Lips afterparty w/ Brothers Griin, 11:00PM TIMO'S HOUSE Infexzion w/ Jagger, 8:00PM TOWN PUMP Appalachian Renegades (rock), 9:00PM TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Lenny Pettinelli (live music), 7:30PM Jesse Barry & The Jam (blues, dance), 10:00PM UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Cynefin (acoustic, progressive, newgrass), 8:00PM

WED

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Bill & the Belles, 8:00PM

AMBROSE WEST Somewhat Petty (Tom Petty tribute), 8:00PM

BROYHILL CHAPEL 12th annual Fiddlers of Madison County, 3:00PM

DOUBLE CROWN Soul Motion Dance Party! w/ DJ Dr. Filth, 10:00PM

WILD WING CAFE SOUTH A Social Function (80's, 90's and today), 10:00PM

ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Weekend Cafe, 10:30AM Shadowman, 7:30PM

BYWATER Miss Cindy & The Knockin' Boots, 9:00PM

FLEETWOOD'S Burger Records Revolution 6, All day

WXYZ LOUNGE AT ALOFT HOTEL WXYZ electric w/ DJ Zeus, 8:00PM

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Bella's Bacon w/ Bella's Bartok & Dr. Bacon, 10:00PM

CAPELLA ON 9@THE AC HOTEL Capella on 9 w/ The Anne Combs Trio, 9:00PM

BLACK MOUNTAIN ALE HOUSE Ben Phan (Americana), 7:30PM

CHESTNUT Jazz Brunch, 11:00AM

FRENCH BROAD BREWERY Dave Desmelik (Americana), 6:00PM

CORK & KEG Rev. Sparks & The Jubilee, 8:30PM

GINGER'S REVENGE One Year Anniversary Celebration, 12:00AM

DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE An intimate evening w/ Graham Nash, 8:00PM

GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN LIttle Tybee & The Reign Of Kindo, 9:00PM

SATURDAY, MARCH 10 185 KING STREET ERIC CONGDON ELECTRIC TRIO, 8:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Jesse Barry & The Jam (blues, funk), 9:00PM

BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Larry Dolamore, 7:00PM BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER Deep River, 7:00PM

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

THU

FRI

WALLOWS YONATAN GAT

THAT 1 GUY

FRI

W/ BREADFOOT

LITTLE TYBEE + THE REIGN OF KINDO

SUN

EZRA FURMAN

THU

W/ OUROBOROS BOYS, WASTING

SAT

MON

W/ FIELD MEDIC

THE REVELERS

JOHN KADLECIK BAND OF FURTHER, DSO

SAT

FOUR LEAF PEAT

SUN

HANNAH KAMINER

17 18

W/ ANNA BURCH

OPEN MIC NIGHT

ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION

W/ DOSS CHURCH

Asheville’s longest running live music venue • 185 Clingman Ave TICKETS AVAILABLE AT HARVEST RECORDS & THEGREYEAGLE.COM

THIS WEEK AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

THIS WEEK AT THE ONE STOP:

THU 3/8 FRI 3/9 SAT 3/10

DO CA$

NA H T

IO N$ Naked Scholar - [Soul Groove/R&B/hip-hop] El Dub - [Funk/Jam/Reggae] The Grateful Brothers - [Dead/Allmans Brothers]

UPCOMING SHOWS - ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL:

3/15 3/16 3/17

THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE THU 3/8 - S HOW 9 pm (D OORS 8 pm) - adv. $10

HAYLEY JANE AND THE PRIMATES w/ The Paper Crowns

BELLA’S BACON FT. BELLA’S BARTOK + DR. BACON

FRI 3/9 - S HOW 10 pm (D OORS 9 pm) - adv. $10

SAT 3/10 - S HOW 10 pm (D OORS 9 pm) - adv. $8

3/24 3/29

Kung Fu Lose Yourself to Dance w/ DJ Marley Carroll Jon Stickley Trio + Horseshoes and Hand Grenades w/ Heather Taylor & Sean Jerome Sunsquabi w/ Exmag & Litz Fruition

Tickets available at ashevillemusichall.com @avlmusichall MOUNTAINX.COM

@OneStopAVL MAR. 7 - 13, 2018

CLU B LA N D HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS Art.Fashion.Dance, 7:00PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Kick the Robot, 7:00PM ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Ellis Dyson & The Shambles, 7:00PM

COMING SOON WED 3/7

7PM–THE SEA THE SEA THU 3/8

7PM–BEPPE GAMBETTA 8:30PM–REVELATOR HILL AND VIRGINIA AND THE SLIM FRI 3/9

7PM–BRIAN ASHLEY JONES 9PM–BIG SOUND HARBOR AND BROTHER ROY SAT 3/10

7PM–ELLIS DYSON AND THE SHAMBLES SUN 3/11

5:30PM–SEZESSIONVILLE ROAD

EP DEBUT SHOW 7:30PM–JEFF THOMPSON’S WHAT FOUR TUE 3/13

7:30PM–TUESDAY BLUEGRASS SESSIONS WED 3/14

7PM–BRIAN DUNNE W/ TRIO 8:30PM–SAMMY MILLER AND THE CONGREGATION

Open daily from 4p – 12a

MONDAY 5 MAR:

THU 3/15

ASHLEY HEATH

7PM–MICHAEL BRAUNFELD AND SHERMAN EWING CD RELEASE 8:30PM–MS ADVENTURE

7:00PM – 10:00PM

WEDNESDAY 7 MAR:

FWUIT

FRI 3/16

7:00PM – 10:00PM

7PM–ANDREA BEATON AND TROY MACGILLIVRAY

THURSDAY 8 MAR:

RUSS WILSON SWING BAND

SAT 3/17

7PM–ALEXA ROSE 9PM–ASHEVILLE VAUDEVILLE

7:00PM – 10:00PM

FRIDAY 9 MAR:

LINDA & THE LIVE WIRES 7:00PM – 10:00PM

SUN 3/18

5:30PM–JAMES RUFF – EARLY CELTIC

SATURDAY 10 MAR:

MILLIE PALMER TRIO 8:00PM – 11:00PM

309 COLLEGE ST. | DOWNTOWN | (828) 575-1188

w w w. p i l l a r a v l . c o m 48

MAR. 7 - 13, 2018

MOUNTAINX.COM

7:30PM–TALL TALES ISISASHEVILLE.COM DINNER MENU TIL 9:30PM LATE NIGHT MENU TIL 12AM

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

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Ian Harrod's Love Bomb Band (rock 'n' roll), 9:00PM JARGON The Ray/Felix Organ Trio (jazz), 10:00PM LAZY DIAMOND Sonic Stew w/ DJ Alien Brain, 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Sean Mason Trio, 6:30PM MG ROAD Late Night Dance Party w/ DJ Lil Meow Meow, 10:00PM NATIVE KITCHEN & SOCIAL PUB Momma Molasses, 7:30PM NOBLE KAVA Lulo, 9:00PM ODDITORIUM Sinister Southeast Slaughter Fest (metal), 7:00PM ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL The Grateful Brothers, 10:00PM ONE WORLD BREWING King Garbage (R&B, soul), 9:00PM OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Kevin Williams (acoustic), 6:00PM PACK'S TAVERN Big Deal Band (bluegrass, rock), 9:30PM PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Tom Waits For No Man, 8:00PM PURPLE ONION CAFE The Lonesome Road Band, 8:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Yoga w/ Pets, 10:00AM Scoundrel's Lounge, 8:00PM SLY GROG LOUNGE Austin Sterling w/ Skunk Ruckus & Morgan Of The Pines, 9:00PM THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Salsa & Latin Dance Party w/ DJ Edi Fuentes (dance lesson @ 8 p.m.), 9:00PM

THE MOTHLIGHT Burger Revolution 6! (local showcase, day show), 12:00PM A Cosmic & Earthly History of Recorded Music According to Mississippi Records, 9:00PM

GOOD STUFF Open Mic w/ Fox Black & friends, 6:00PM

TIMO'S HOUSE Fame Douglas (hiphop), 8:00PM

HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Reggae Sunday w/ Chalwa, 1:00PM

TOWN PUMP The Egg Eaters (new wave), 9:00PM TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Ryan R&B Barber (R&B), 10:00PM UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Earleine (Americana), 8:30PM WHISTLE HOP BREWING CO. Cynthia McDermott, 4:00PM WILD WING CAFE SOUTH Free Flow Band (70's funk), 10:00PM WXYZ LOUNGE AT ALOFT HOTEL WXYZ live w/ Special Affair, 8:00PM

SUNDAY, MARCH 11 185 KING STREET Sunday Sessions Open Electric Jam, 4:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Steelin’ Time (vintage steel guitar), 7:00PM AMBROSE WEST An evening w/ Michelle Malone, 7:00PM ARCHETYPE BREWING Post-Brunch Blues w/ Patrick Dodd, Ashley Heath & Joshua Singleton, 3:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Classical Guitar Society Meeting & Player's Circle, 1:30PM Musicians Jam & Pot Luck, 3:30PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Chris Jamison, 7:00PM DOUBLE CROWN Killer Karaoke w/ KJ Tim O, 10:00PM FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER True Home Open Mic (5 p.m. sign-up), 5:30PM FUNKATORIUM Gypsy Jazz Sunday Brunch, 11:00AM

GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Ezra Furman w/ Anna Burch, 8:00PM

ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Sezessionville Road (EP debut), 5:30PM Jeff Thompson’s What Four, 7:30PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Traditional Celtic Jam, 3:00PM JARGON Sunday Blunch w/ Mark Guest & Mary Pearson (jazz), 11:00AM LAZY DIAMOND Punk Night w/ DJ Chubberbird & Frens (killer punk vinyl), 10:00PM ODDITORIUM Brucemont, Dentist Antiphons & Indigo De Souza (rock), 9:00PM ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Bluegrass Brunch, 10:30AM OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Trivia Night, 5:00PM PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Sunday Travers Jam, 6:00PM SLY GROG LOUNGE Sly Grog Open Mic, 7:00PM THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Hebron (film screening, Q&A), 3:00PM The Mountain Chamber Jazz Ensemble w/ Michael Jefry Stevens, 7:00PM THE IMPERIAL LIFE Select DJ sets, 9:00PM THE OMNI GROVE PARK INN Bob Zullo (pop, rock, jazz, blues), 7:00PM TIMO'S HOUSE Bring Your Own Vinyl w/ Nighttrain, 8:00PM TOWN PUMP Redleg Husky (folk, Americana), 9:00PM UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Yoga in the Taproom, 1:00PM Cinema Sunday: Labyrinth, 7:00PM

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Gavin Geoffrey Dillard, 4:30PM

MONDAY, MARCH 12 185 KING STREET Open Mic Night, 6:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Siamese Sound Club (R&B, soul, jazz), 8:00PM ARCHETYPE BREWING Old Time Jam, 6:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Classical Guitar Mondays, 7:30PM DOUBLE CROWN Country Karaoke w/ KJ Tim O, 10:00PM FLEETWOOD'S The SWITCH, 9:00PM GOOD STUFF Bingo Wingo Thingo, 6:00PM GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Open Mic Night, 6:00PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Game Night, 4:00PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Quizzo Trivia Night, 7:00PM Open mic, 9:00PM LAZY DIAMOND DJ Arieh (funk, soul), 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Bobby Miller & friends, 6:30PM MG ROAD The Living Room Series, 7:30PM ODDITORIUM Risque Monday Burlesque w/ Deb Au Nare, 9:00PM OLE SHAKEY'S Karaoke From Muskogee w/ Jonathan Ammons & Take The Wheel (live band karaoke), 9:00PM ONE WORLD BREWING Open Mic Night (7:30 p.m. sign up), 7:30PM OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Mountain Music Mondays, 6:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Open-Mic Night, 7:00PM

THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Porch Magazine's 531 (storytelling, music), 6:30PM

ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Tuesday Bluegrass Sessions w/ JigJam, 7:30PM

THE IMPERIAL LIFE Ghost Pipe Trio, 9:00PM

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Honky Tonk Jam w/ Tom Pittman, 7:00PM

THE MOTHLIGHT M.T. Sullivan w/ VVitchboy & Fawn, 9:00PM THE OMNI GROVE PARK INN Bob Zullo (pop, rock, jazz, blues), 7:00PM

LAZY DIAMOND Rock & Metal Karaoke w/ DJ Paddy, 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Jay Brown, 6:30PM

THOMAS WOLFE AUDITORIUM MGMT w/ Cola Boyy, 7:00PM

MG ROAD Keep it Classic Tuesdays w/ Sam Thompson, 5:00PM

TIMO'S HOUSE MasterClass Monday: Ableton Workshop, 8:00PM

ODDITORIUM Free Open Mic Comedy w/ Tom Peters, 9:00PM

TOWN PUMP Andrew Thelston (singer-songwriter), 9:00PM TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Ryan Barber's RnB Jam Night (R&B, jam), 9:00PM UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Monday Bluegrass Jam w/ Sam Wharton, 7:00PM WILD WING CAFE SOUTH Family Fun Night!, 5:30PM

TUESDAY, MARCH 13 5 WALNUT WINE BAR The John Henrys (hot jazz), 8:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Gypsy Jazz Jam Tuesdays, 7:30PM ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Tuesday night funk jam, 11:00PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Larry Dolamore, 7:00PM DOUBLE CROWN Groovy Tuesdays (boogie without borders) w/ DJs Chrissy & Arieh, 10:00PM FIRESTORM CAFE AND BOOKS Bible Belt Abortion Storytelling Tour, 6:00PM GOOD STUFF Old time-y night, 6:30PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Dr. Brown's Team Trivia, 6:00PM

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14 185 KING STREET Vinyl Night, 6:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Les Amis (African folk), 8:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Brad Hodge & friends, 7:30PM

BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Open mic w/ Billy Owens, 7:00PM Double Crown Western Wednesday w/ Brody Hunt & The Handfuls, DJ Dave Gay, 9:00PM FLEETWOOD'S Blank Spell, Poor Excuse & Red Bait, 9:00PM FUNKATORIUM John Hartford Jam w/ Saylor Bros (bluegrass), 6:30PM

HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Woody Wood Wednesdays (rock, soul, funk), 5:30PM ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Brian Dunne w/ Trio (Americana, folk rock, singer-songwriter), 7:00PM Sammy Miller & The Congregation, 8:30PM

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Old Time Open Jam Session, 5:00PM LAZY DIAMOND Killer Karaoke w/ KJ Tim O, 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Cigar Brothers, 6:30PM MG ROAD Salsa Night w/ DJ El Mexicano Isaac, 8:00PM

International Women’s Day Screening Jaha’s Promise Thursday, March 8th • 6pm

39 S. Market St. • theblockoffbiltmore.com

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Turntable Tuesday, 10:00PM POLANCO RESTAURANT Taco Tuesday & Blues w/ Michael Filippone's Blues Review, 8:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Taco and Trivia Tuesday, 6:00PM SLY GROG LOUNGE Open Road, 8:00PM STATIC AGE RECORDS Ben Ricketts, Space Tyger & Tin Foil Hat (experimental pop), 9:00PM THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Swing Asheville & Jazz-n-Justice Tuesday w/ Queen Bee & The Honeylovers (dance lessons @ 7 & 8 p.m.), 9:00PM TIMO'S HOUSE Flow Jam w/ XII Olympians, 8:00PM TOWN PUMP Stevie Lee Combs (singer-songwriter), 9:00PM TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Early Tuesday Jazz & Funk Jam (jazz, funk), 9:00PM UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Open Mic Night w/ Arrow Sound, 6:30PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Irish jam & open mic, 6:30PM

MOUNTAINX.COM

MAR. 7 - 13, 2018

CLU B LA N D

3/7 3/8

wed

shopping

w/ french vanilla, konvoi thu

combo chimbita

w/ dj malinalli & dj red iyah, marty chutrovich: club organ

3/9

fri

everything is terrible!

3/9

fri

official flaming lips after-party w/ brothers griiiin!!!

3/10 sat burger revolution free! 12-5 pm 6! day show

NOBLE KAVA Open Mic (sign-up at 7 p.m.), 7:00PM

POLANCO RESTAURANT 3 Cool Cats, 8:00PM

ODDITORIUM Synergy Story Slam, 7:00PM The Boobies, The Velvet Wolves & Shutterings (rock), 9:00PM

THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Spoiler Alert (comedy, film screening), 9:00PM

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Evil Note Lab, 10:00PM

THE IMPERIAL LIFE The Berlyn Jazz Trio, 9:00PM THE JOINT NEXT DOOR Bingo Night w/ Bag O' Tricks, 7:00PM

THE MOTHLIGHT An Improvised Live Score to House (Hausu), 9:00PM THE PHOENIX & THE FOX Jazz Night w/ Jason DeCristofaro, 7:00PM THE SOCIAL LOUNGE Zapato, 9:30PM THE SOUTHERN Disclaimer Comedy Open Mic, 9:00PM

TIMO'S HOUSE Open Mic w/ Jj smash & genetix, 8:00PM TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES JJ Kitchen All Star Jam (blues, soul), 9:00PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Lenoir Sax & Rhythm (jazz), 7:30PM WILD WING CAFE Paint Night, 7:00PM

Mountain Xpress

3/10 sat a cosmic and earthly history of recorded music according to mississippi records Yoga at the Mothlight

Tuesdays and Thursdays- 11:30am Details for all shows can be found at

themothlight.com

TAVERN 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

Over 35 Beer s on Tap ! FRI. 3/9 DJ MoTo (dance hits, pop)

SAT. 3/10 Big Deal Band (bluegrass, rock, classics)

20 S. Spruce St. • 225.6944 packStavern.com 50

MAR. 7 - 13, 2018

MOUNTAINX.COM

X AWARDS ‘18 Voting starts soon

MOVIES

REVIEWS & LISTINGS BY SCOTT DOUGLAS, FRANCIS X. FRIEL & JUSTIN SOUTHER

HHHHH = H PICK OF THE WEEK H

Director Sebastián Lelios and star Daniella Vega deliver a riveting portrait of a trans woman on the verge in A Fantastic Woman.

A Fantastic Woman HHHH

DIRECTOR: Sebastián Lelio PLAYERS: Daniela Vega, Francisco Reyes, Luis Gnecco, Aline Kuppenheim, Nicolas Saavedra DRAMA RATED R THE STORY: When a transgender singer’s boyfriend dies suddenly, she must confront the intolerance of both his family and a societal establishment that marginalizes her gender identity and denies her fundamental human rights. THE LOWDOWN: A deeply moving film that represents the trans experience without relegating it to a sense of Otherness, distinguished by a remarkable star turn from actress Daniela Vega. As one of the few Oscar winners that I actually agreed with this year, I’m happy to say that a fantastic film will be opening at Fine Arts this week. Chilean director

Sebastián Lelio gets what many filmmakers seem to miss about LGBT representation — namely, that gender identity is a fact of life and not a story in and of itself — and that leaves his latest feature, A Fantastic Woman, in somewhat rarefied company. While films like Boys Don’t Cry or The Danish Girl have mined the trans experience for fetishized awards bait starring cisgendered performers, Lelio instead prudently cast transgender singer and TV star Daniela Vega, who delivers a riveting performance. As Marina Vidal, a waitress and nightclub chanteuse whose wealthy older boyfriend Orlando (Fransisco Reyes) dies unexpectedly, Vega imparts a remarkable degree of pathos and relatability to a narrative that revels in its De Sica-esque sense of improbable tragedy. That Marina’s boyfriend dies, and that his family has a big problem with her is believable enough. That he dies on her birthday, that they steal her dog, that they physically accost her for attending her lover’s funeral —

these are the kinds of story beats that delve into a kind of heightened emotional reality. That sense of subtle expressionism is what Lelio is going for here, and he manages to get his point without the slightest sense of sanctimony or sermonizing. As the audience is brought further into accord with Marina’s plight, greater insight into her internal landscape is revealed, and Lelio accomplishes all of this through cinematic means. A fantasy sequence that plays like Busby Berkeley in a gay bar, a walk up an implausibly windy hill that could have been lifted from Keaton or Tati — these gambits could have come across as a function of style over substance had Lelio not so expertly laid the narrative groundwork and were Vega not presenting them so convincingly. The triumph of A Fantastic Woman is not in its examination of irrational bigotry, but in its depiction of a human being fighting to live her own truth in defiance of a cruel and indifferent world. It’s no great shock that Orlando’s family is full of intolerant jerks or that his brother Gabo (Luis Gnecco) is sympathetic but entirely ineffectual — these tropes are almost archetypal. What drives the drama here is Marina’s strength, her indefatigable willingness to suffer the slings and arrows of a world systemically aligned against her. In her own words, she is a survivor. Lelio’s film is not without its flaws — its narrative structure is uneven, and its climax falls short of true catharsis. At times it can be a bit on the nose, as when Marina listens to Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” on her way to confront Orlando’s ex-wife, but the film nevertheless retains an inherent charm under the ugliness of its story world. And yet despite such caveats, it renders a sensitive portrait of trans life that never sensationalizes its subject, A Fantastic Woman accomplishes something truly special. Spanish with English subtitles. Rated R for language, sexual content, nudity and a disturbing assault. Opens Friday at Fine Arts Theatre. REVIEWED BY SCOTT DOUGLAS JSDOUGLAS22@GMAIL.COM

M A X R AT I N G Xpress reviews virtually all upcoming movies, with two or three of the most noteworthy appearing in print. You can find our online reviews at mountainx.com/movies/reviews. This week, they include: BOMBSHELL: THE HEDY LAMARR STORY HHHS DEATH WISH

A FANTASTIC WOMAN (PICK OF THE WEEK) HHHH RED SPARROW

HHS

Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story HHHS

DIRECTOR: Alexandra Dean PLAYERS: Mel Brooks, Jeanine Basinger, Peter Bogdanovich, Diane Kruger, Robert Osborne BIOGRAPHICAL DOCUMENTARY RATED NR THE STORY: Screen icon Hedy Lamarr’s life is examined in detail, including a surprising aptitude for invention that demands a re-evaluation of her legacy. THE LOWDOWN: An uneven documentary treatment that succeeds on the basis of its intriguing subject. If documentarian Alexandra Dean’s debut theatrical release falls short in some aspects, it’s not for lack of a fascinating subject. Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story details the hidden world

MOUNTAINX.COM

MAR. 7 - 13, 2018

SCREEN SCENE

MOVIES

T H E ATE R I N F O R M ATI O N

patent, dismissed largely because of her status as a Hollywood sex symbol, sat unused for decades in a government file cabinet. She was never compensated for her work. Dean’s film recounts Lamarr’s biographical backstory through her own words as well as through the anecdotal recollections of a number of notable filmmakers and film historians, running the gamut from Mel Brooks to TCM’s Robert Osborne. Osborne, billed here as a close friend of Lamarr, speaks of the star as a study in contradictions, a person both beholden to her public persona as a glamorous sex symbol and defiantly striving for acknowledgment for her intellectual prowess. The film details Lamarr’s early career scandal in the Czech exploitation movie Ecstasy, her troubled first marriage to a Nazi-sympathizing arms manufacturer, her introduction to Louis B. Meyer and subsequent work for MGM, her tumultuous home life and failed marriages, and her final days as an alienated recluse. Throughout all of this exposition, Dean manages to bury the lead, devoting as much time to Lamarr’s late-in-life proclivity for plastic surgery as she does on the inventive mind that should have revitalized Lamarr’s image long after her screen career had ended. The film reads as though Dean is too close to her subject to adequately edit herself, and her directorial style is distinctly heavy-handed while contributing little to the story. Occasional examples of in-frame animation detract from archival footage and stills, and an overreliance on talking-head interviews harken back to Dean’s earlier work on made-for-TV docs. Still, the narrative at the core of Bombshell is fascinating in its implications, providing a potent example of our society’s propensity to pigeonhole people, especially beautiful women, rather than allowing them the capacity to fully realize their true potential. While Dean’s documentary stumbles in its execution, Lamarr’s story more than merits any audience’s attention. Not Rated. Now Playing at Grail Moviehouse.

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of one of early cinema’s most divisive and misunderstood figures, Austrian actress and unacknowledged inventor Hedy Lamarr. Dean’s expression of Lamarr’s narrative is, at times, disjointed to the point of distraction, but ultimately the facts of the matter overcome the inadequacies of Dean’s direction and provide a timely and compelling look at an unduly marginalized genius. Lamarr, neé Kiesler, was born to a wealthy Viennese family and was, by her own account, an “enfant terrible.” A precocious child, young Hedy displayed an impressive intellect that was tragically overshadowed by her beauty, and inherited an affinity for science from her beloved father. It is this aspect of her dichotomous personality, her self-proclaimed knack for invention, that provides the most engaging aspects of Bombshell. Largely unbeknown to her peers and contemporaries until late in her life, Lamarr was responsible for the invention of a technique for encrypting radio transmissions known as “frequency hopping,” devised for use in Allied torpedoes during the early days of World War II and critical to modern cellphones. Lamarr’s

FILM FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER 2160 US Highway 70, Swannanoa, 828-2733332, floodgallery.org/

MAR. 7 - 13, 2018

• FR (3/9), 8-10pm Classic World Cinema: The Return, by Andrey Zvyagintsev, film screening. Free to attend. THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE 39 South Market St.,

REVIEWED BY SCOTT DOUGLAS JSDOUGLAS22@GMAIL.COM

828-254-9277, theblockoffbiltmore.com • SU (3/11), 3pm Jewish Voice for Peace presents a film screening and discussion with the filmmaker of the documentary Hebron. Free to attend.

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UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION OF ASHEVILLE 1 Edwin Place, 828-2546001, uuasheville.org • FR (2/9), 7pm Environmental & Social Justice Film Series: Burned, film screening. Free.

by Edwin Arnaudin | earnaudin@mountainx.com

YOU COMPLETE ME: Los Angeles-based found footage video remixer collective Everything Is Terrible! brings its latest movie and live show to The Mothlight on March 9. Photo courtesy of the artists • On Friday, March 9, at 9 p.m., Orbit DVD presents Everything Is Terrible! at The Mothlight, 701 Haywood Road. The stop is part of the Los Angelesbased found footage video remixer group’s tour of its latest movie and live show, The Great Satan. Featuring new puppets and costumes, the performance is the result of clips from more than “2,000 satanic panic, religious kook, and D-horror VHS tapes” that have been reworked into a narrative feature. The collective also continues its pursuit of every copy of Jerry Maguire in the world, and attendees are invited to bring their own VHS of Cameron Crowe’s film to the show. Tickets are $10 and available online and at The Mothlight box office. themothlight.com • The BLOCK off Biltmore, 39 S. Market St., hosts a screening of Hebron on Sunday, March 11, at 3 p.m. The documentary is by Palestinian filmmaker and current Asheville resident Yousef Natsha, who began filming the struggles and resistance of his community at age 19. The 40-minute film will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A. Free. theblockoffbiltmore.com • The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, continues its Environmental & Social Justice film series on Friday, March 9, at 7 p.m. with Burned. The 2017 documentary investigates the accelerating destruction of forests for fuel. Free uuasheville.com

• Unexpected Pleasures, Asheville’s shadow cast for the Rocky Horror Picture Show, translates its talents to the film adaptation of Clue on Saturday, March 10, at 10 p.m., at Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co., 675 Merrimon Ave. Tickets are $6 and may be purchased at Asheville Brewing’s main bar. ashevillebrewing.com • Designed to allow viewers to use film as their window into the minds and culture of Israel, the monthly Israeli Film Series — a collaboration between Grail Moviehouse, 45 S. French Broad Ave., and the Asheville Jewish Community Center — continues Sunday, March 11, at 2 p.m. with Holy Air. Shady Srourg’s 2017 comedy centers on Adam, a Christian Arab living in Nazareth, who seeks to make his fortune by selling the air the Virgin Mary breathed during her annunciation. A discussion will follow the film. Tickets are $8 and available online or at the Grail box office. grailmoviehouse.com • Grail Moviehouse’s monthly Silent Sundays series continues March 11, at 7 p.m., with a quartet of Western short films: The Great Train Robbery (1903), Billy and His Pal (1911), Out West (1918) and The Paleface (1920). Film historian Frank Thompson will introduce each film and participate in a post-screening Q&A. Local stride pianist Andrew J. Fletcher will provide a live, improvised score. Tickets are $12 and available online or at the Grail box office. grailmoviehouse.com X

STA RTI NG F RI DAY

A Wrinkle in Time

Disney adaptation of Madeleine L’Engel’s well-known tween-lit fantasy novel, helmed by Ava DuVernay with an ensemble cast including Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Michael Peña, Storm Reid, Zach Galifianakis and Chris Pine. No early reviews. (PG)

Gringo

Action comedy starring David Oyelowo, Charlize Theron, Joel Edgerton, Amanda Seyfried, Thandie Newton and Sharlto Copley, directed by Nash Edgerton. According to the studio: “An exhilarating mix of dark comedy, white-knuckle action and dramatic intrigue, Gringo joyrides into Mexico, where mild-mannered businessman Harold Soyinka (Oyelowo) finds himself at the mercy of his back-stabbing business colleagues back home, local drug lords and a morally conflicted black-ops mercenary. Crossing the line from law-abiding citizen to wanted criminal, Harold battles to survive his increasingly dangerous situation in ways that raise the question: Is he out of his depth — or two steps ahead?” No early reviews. (R)

Thoroughbreds

Sundance hit from writer/director Cory Finley, starring Olivia Cooke, Anya TaylorJoy, and Anton Yelchin in his final role. According to the studio: “Childhood friends Lily (Taylor-Joy) and Amanda (Cooke) reconnect in suburban Connecticut after years of growing apart. Lily has turned into a polished, upper-class teenager, with a fancy boarding school on her transcript and a coveted internship on her resume; Amanda has developed a sharp wit and her own particular attitude, but all in the process of becoming a social outcast. Though they initially seem completely at odds, the pair bond over Lily’s contempt for her oppressive stepfather, Mark, and as their friendship grows, they begin to bring out one another’s most destructive tendencies. Their ambitions lead them to hire a local hustler, Tim (Yelchin), and take matters into their own hands to set their lives straight.” Early reviews positive. (R)

Strangers: Prey at Night

Sequel to the 2008 home invasion thriller The Strangers. According to the studio: “A family’s road trip takes a dangerous turn when they arrive at a secluded mobile home park to stay with some relatives and find it mysteriously deserted. Under the cover of darkness, three masked psychopaths pay them a visit to test the family’s every limit as they struggle to survive.” No early reviews. (R)

SP E CI AL SCREENI NGS

Algiers HHHS

DIRECTOR: John Cromwell PLAYERS: Charles Boyer, Sigrid Gurie, Hedy Lamarr, Joseph Calleia, Alan Hale, Gene Lockhart CRIME DRAMA Rated NR Director John Cromwell could aptly be called a master of melodrama, though I wouldn’t necessarily consider such a distinction a compliment. A perfect case in point would be Algiers (1938), an American remake of French director Julien Duvivier’s Jean Gabin vehicle Pépé Le Moko (1937). Cromwell’s take is inferior in almost every way — Charles Boyer is no Jean Gabin, and even with screenwriting contributions from James M. Cain, the film constantly hovers on the verge of outright camp. If there’s one thing that places Algiers a cut above other potboiler crime thrillers of the period, it’s the electrifying screen presence of Hedy Lamarr, making her U.S. screen debut under contract to MGM. Anyone unfamiliar with Lamarr beyond the recent doc Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story need only come to the AFS’ screening of Algiers to see what all the fuss was about. The Asheville Film Society will screen Algiers on Tuesday, March 13, at 7 p.m. at the Grail Moviehouse, hosted by Xpress movie critic Scott Douglas.

The Last of the Mohicans HHHH

DIRECTOR: Michael Mann PLAYERS: Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Russel Means, Eric Schweig, Wes Studi HISTORICAL EPIC Rated R For a film with such a strong local connection, it’s somewhat surprising that Michael Mann’s The Last of the Mohicans (1992) doesn’t play in town more often. Possibly not the best work of either Mann (notoriously uneven) or star Daniel Day-Lewis (consistently fantastic), Mohicans is an accessible and entertaining historical epic. Bearing more in common with the 1936 version starring Randolph Scott than with its James Fennimore Cooper source material, Mann’s film is lush in all the right ways, and it’s difficult to think of any other film that has presented the Blue Ridge Mountains quite so exquisitely. Although it’s somewhat overblown, Mohicans is a great movie if you can get past Madeline Stowe’s representation of the mouth-breather school of acting. The Hendersonville Film Society will show The Last of the Mohicans on Sunday, March 11, at 2 p.m. in the Smoky Mountain Theater at Lake Pointe Landing Retirement Community, 333 Thompson St., Hendersonville. MOUNTAINX.COM

MAR. 7 - 13, 2018

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY ARIES (March 21-April 19): The men who work on offshore oil rigs perform demanding, dangerous tasks on a regular basis. If they make mistakes, they may get injured or befoul the sea with petroleum. As you might guess, the culture on these rigs has traditionally been macho, stoic and hard-driving. But in recent years, that has changed at one company. Shell Oil’s workers in the U.S. were trained by Holocaust survivor Claire Nuer to talk about their feelings, be willing to admit errors and soften their attitudes. As a result, the company’s safety record has improved dramatically. If macho dudes toiling on oil rigs can become more vulnerable and open and tenderly expressive, so can you, Aries. And now would be a propitious time to do it. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): How will you celebrate your upcoming climax and culmination, Taurus? With a howl of triumph, a fist pump and three cartwheels? With a humble speech thanking everyone who helped you along the way? With a bottle of champagne, a gourmet feast and spectacular sex? However you choose to mark this transition from one chapter of your life story to the next chapter, I suggest that you include an action that will help the next chapter get off to a rousing start. In your ritual of completion, plant seeds for the future. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): On April 23, 1516, the Germanic duchy of Bavaria issued a decree. From that day forward, all beer produced had to use just three ingredients: water, barley and hops. Ever since then, for the last 500+ years, this edict has had an enduring influence on how German beer is manufactured. In accordance with astrological factors, I suggest that you proclaim three equally potent and systemic directives of your own. It’s an opportune time to be clear and forceful about how you want your story to unfold in the coming years. CANCER (June 21-July 22): What’s your most frustrating flaw? During the next seven weeks, you will have enhanced power to diminish its grip on you. It’s even possible you will partially correct it or outgrow it. To take maximum advantage of this opportunity, rise above any covert tendency you might have to cling to your familiar pain. Rebel against the attitude described by novelist Stephen King: “It’s hard to let go. Even when what you’re holding onto is full of thorns, it’s hard to let go. Maybe especially then.” LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In his book Whistling in the Dark, author Frederick Buechner writes that the ancient Druids took “a special interest in in-between things like mistletoe, which is neither quite a plant nor quite a tree, and mist, which is neither quite rain nor quite air, and dreams, which are neither quite waking nor quite sleep.” According to my reading of the astrological omens, in-between phenomena will be your specialty in the coming weeks. You will also thrive in relationship to anything that lives in two worlds or that has paradoxical qualities. I hope you’ll exult in the educational delights that come from your willingness to be teased and mystified. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The English word “velleity” refers to an empty wish that has no power behind it. If you feel a longing to make a pilgrimage to a holy site, but can’t summon the motivation to actually do so, you are under the spell of velleity. Your fantasy of communicating with more flair and candor is a velleity if you never initiate the practical steps to accomplish that goal. Most of us suffer from this weakness at one time or another. But the good news, Virgo, is that you are primed to overcome your version of it during the next six weeks. Life will conspire to assist you if you resolve to turn your wishy-washy wishes into potent action plans — and then actually carry out those plans.

MAR. 7 - 13, 2018

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In the 2002 film Spiderman, there’s a scene where the character Mary Jane slips on a spilled drink as she carries a tray full of food through a cafeteria. Spiderman, disguised as his alter ego Peter Parker, makes a miraculous save. He jumps up from his chair and catches Mary Jane before she falls. Meanwhile, he grabs her tray and uses it to gracefully capture her apple, sandwich, carton of milk and bowl of jello before they hit the floor. The filmmakers say they didn’t use CGI to render this scene. The lead actor, Tobey Maguire, allegedly accomplished it in real life — although it took 156 takes before he finally mastered it. I hope you have that level of patient determination in the coming weeks, Libra. You, too, can perform a small miracle if you do. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpio mathematician Benoît Mandelbrot was a connoisseur of “the art of roughness” and “the uncontrolled element in life.” He liked to locate and study the hidden order in seemingly chaotic and messy things. “My life seemed to be a series of events and accidents,” he said. “Yet when I look back I see a pattern.” I bring his perspective to your attention, Scorpio, because you are entering a phase when the hidden order and secret meanings of your life will emerge into view. Be alert for surprising hints of coherence. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I suspect that in July and August you will be invited to commune with rousing opportunities and exciting escapades. But right now I’m advising you to channel your intelligence into well-contained opportunities and sensible adventures. In fact, my projections suggest that your ability to capitalize fully on the future’s rousing opportunities and exciting escapades will depend on how well you master the current crop of well-contained opportunities and sensible adventures. Making the most of today’s small pleasures will qualify you to harvest bigger pleasures later. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): If you saw the animated film The Lion King, you may have been impressed with the authenticity of the lions’ roars and snarls. Did the producers place microphones in the vicinity of actual lions? No. Voice actor Frank Welker produced the sounds by growling and yelling into a metal garbage can. I propose this as a useful metaphor for you in the coming days. First, I hope it inspires you to generate a compelling and creative illusion of your own — an illusion that serves a good purpose. Second, I hope it alerts you to the possibility that other people will be offering you compelling and creative illusions — illusions that you should engage with only if they serve a good purpose. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I do a lot of self-editing before I publish what I write. My horoscopes go through at least three drafts before I unleash them on the world. While polishing the manuscript of my first novel, I threw away over a thousand pages of stuff that I had worked on very hard. In contrast to my approach, science fiction writer Harlan Ellison dashed off one of his award-winning stories in a single night and published it without making any changes to the first draft. As you work in your own chosen field, Aquarius, I suspect that for the next three weeks you will produce the best results by being more like me than Ellison. Beginning about three weeks from now, an Ellison-style strategy might be more warranted. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): According to my assessment of the astrological omens, you’re in a favorable phase to gain more power over your fears. You can reduce your susceptibility to chronic anxieties. You can draw on the help and insight necessary to dissipate insidious doubts that are rooted in habit but not based on objective evidence. I don’t want to sound too melodramatic, my dear Pisces, but THIS IS AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY! YOU ARE POTENTIALLY ON THE VERGE OF AN UNPRECEDENTED BREAKTHROUGH! In my opinion, nothing is more important for you to accomplish in the coming weeks than this inner conquest.

MOUNTAINX.COM

MARKETPLACE

BY ROB BREZSNY

REA L ESTATE | REN TA L S | R O O M M ATES | SER VI C ES JOB S | A N N OU N CEM ENTS | M I ND, BO DY, SPI R I T CL A SSES & WORKSH OPS | M USI C I ANS’ SER VI C ES PETS | A U TOMOTI VE | 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 REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE SERVICES SUSTAINABILITY PROPERTIES We specialize in offering land and/or homes in Western North Carolina or East Tennessee with sustainability features such as: natural water sources, alternative power potential, conditions conducive to growing one's own food, and properties located in close proximity to National Forest land or Appalachian Trail. Licensed NC & TN real estate brokers. Let us know what you are looking for or what you may have to offer. E-mail SustainabilityProperties@ yahoo.com. Text or call (828) 575-6792.

RENTALS APARTMENTS FOR RENT

AMAZING DOWNTOWN LOCATION! 1BR and Efficiency apartmensts. Newly renovated with nice kitchen appliances, updated bathroom fixtures and fresh paint. Water included. One off-street parking spot. $795 or $1050/ month. Year lease. No pets. Gas heat; no a/c. (828)252-6664 rentals@rawlingsrem.com www.RawlingsProperties.com

CONDOS/ TOWNHOMES FOR RENT 2BR CONDO DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE 2BR, 2BA condo available 4/1. Second floor, 40 foot deck. Views! Use of community pool. W/D, off-street parking. $1,485/month, $1,485 security deposit and $30 credit check. On Windswept Drive on Beaucatcher Mountain. Sorry, no pets, no smokers. Call 828242-3088. 828-242-3088. NORTH ASHEVILLE TOWNHOUSES 2BR, 1BA: $845 • 3BR, 1BA: $945 • 1 mile from downtown. • Hardwood floors. • (no pets policy). (828) 252-4334.

SHORT-TERM RENTALS 10 MINUTES TO ASHEVILLE Separate entrance apartment vacation/short term rental in Weaverville, pets allowed/ pet deposit. Complete with everything including internet. $100/day (2 day minimum, $650/week, $1500/month. duffwhazzup@gmail.com 15 MINUTES TO ASHEVILLE Guest house, vacation/short term rental in beautiful country setting. • Complete with everything including cable and internet. • $150/day (2-day minimum), $650/week, $1500/ month. Weaverville area. • No pets please. (828) 658-9145. mhcinc58@yahoo.com

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. Full-time and seasonal

part-time positions available. Training provided. Contact us today! 828 251-8687. Info@GrayLineAsheville.com www.GrayLineAsheville.com

ADMINISTRATIVE/ OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT • OFFICE MANAGER Manage a busy, one-person consulting office and provide support to owner. Conduct all business, financial & admin functions. Strong computer skills, with attention to detail for quality document production; with proficiency in Word, Excel, Quick Books & Database (ACT! preferred). Good verbal & written communication skills; organized & detail-oriented. Able to function both independently and within established structures. Prior experience required. 20-30 hrs/wk, salary based on experience. Send resume and cover letter to askall@askier.com DISPATCHER / OFFICE MANAGER If you are: Patient, Efficient, Detail Oriented, Like to Solve Puzzles and Problems, and are Responsible then you might be the Dispatcher/Office Manager we are looking for. To apply, please call 828-351-3000, listen to the recording, and follow the directions.

SALES/ MARKETING UNDERWRITING ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE Asheville FM community radio seeks ambitious salesperson to secure, develop and maintain business accounts. Customer service and communication skills. One year sales or marketing experience. Broadcast media a plus! Equal opportu-

nity employer. Send resume to: hiring@ashevillefm.org • Full job description at www.ashevillefm.org

RESTAURANT/ FOOD KITCHEN STAFF Looking for experienced Baker/Prep cook and Line cooks with potential to grow in craft beer inspired kitchen. Experienced candidates send resume to info@ lexavebrew.com or walk in at 39 N Lexington.

DRIVERS/ DELIVERY

MOUNTAIN XPRESS DELIVERY Mountain Xpress is seeking an energetic, reliable, independent contractor to contract for part time weekly newspaper delivery. The contractor must have a clean driving record, a reliable large-capacity vehicle with proper insurance and registration, and be able to lift 40 lbs. Distribution of papers is on Tuesday afternoons and early evening and typically lasts about 7-8 hours per week. E-mail jtallman@mountainx. com. No phone calls please.

MEDICAL/ HEALTH CARE MEDICAL COORDINATOR SUWS of the Carolinas is a Wilderness Therapy program that operates in the Pisgah National Forest, 30 miles east of Asheville. We specialize in the treatment of youth ages 10-17, both male and female. Clients include adolescents who present with a wide variety of DSM-V Axis I diagnoses, substance abuse difficulties and/ or Asperger's (ASD) issues, or nonspecific learning disorders.

This is a full-time position with occasional on-call duties. Duties and responsibilities include: coordinate with a local pharmacy to help manage student medications, weekly medical checks for students, transport students to doctors, psychiatrists, and emergency rooms as needed, address student medical issues, update parents on students' health, and facilitate staff trainings. The Medical Coordinator is part of the Emergency Response Team and rotates on an on-call system. The Medical Coordinator checks on students in the field therefore must be able to hike in strenuous terrain. A successful applicant will be detail oriented with strong paperwork, organizing, and filing skills. Licensure or certification as an RN, LPN, EMT or W-EMT preferred. Applicants must have a valid driver's license and pass a background check, including a motor vehicle record check, and a drug screen. Please apply at: https://recruiting.ultipro.com/ACA1001/ JobBoard/f24b6286-a80b4d02-e4e1-ad04762a00de/ OpportunityDetail?oppo rtunityId=ca7bc0e7-abfd4177-95a6-9c4a5def7735 www.suwscarolinas.com/

HUMAN SERVICES COUNSELOR POSITION Looking to hire an LPC or LCSW to work at a private Christian Therapeutic Boarding school for At Risk Teens. Must be comfortable providing Individual Therapy to teens ages 13-18. jeremey@wolfcreekacademy. org • wolfcreekacademy.org DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE This position is responsible for creating and overseeing the implantation of a strategic approach to fundraising which includes major gifts, corporate donations, event development/ management, and recording of donations. This is a 20 hour a week position. thrive4health. org/about-us/working-atthrive/ DIRECTOR OF POLICY & PROGRAMS The Campaign for Southern Equality, which promotes LGBTQ equality in the South, is hiring this new position to direct programs, implement strategy, and supervise staff. More info: southernequality. org/about/jobs-internships/ HALF-TIME YOUTH SERVICES DIRECTOR FOR UNDER ONE SKY VILLAGE FOUNDATION Offering camp-based programs for youth in foster care, this position directs services. For job posting and application instructions, email jobsunder1sky@ gmail.com. Include “MtX YSD info” in subject line. jobsunder1sky@gmail.com www.under1sky.org INDEPENDENT LIVING SPECIALIST Full-time (non-exempt). The Independent Living Specialist is a strong voice for disability rights and independent living, working to assist consumers in maintaining their lives independently in the community. Promotes Disability Partners in the seven county service area and collaborates with community agencies to best assist the consumer to reach goals for independent living. The Independent Living Specialist will provide general information and referral for consumers and the community as requested and core services. • Application packets can be picked up at the Disability Partners office at 108 New Leicester Hwy, Asheville 28806 or requested via email at krodriguez@ disabilitypartners.org • No Phone Calls Please.

PARAPROFESSIONAL Paraprofessional staff needed to provide services to individuals with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities all over the county (& nearby counties), in their home, in the community, and at their job. 828350-1111 michelle.kozma@ eastersealsucp.com http:// www.easterseals.com/NCVA/ QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL • HENDERSONVILLE Turning Point Services is looking for a full-time dedicated Qualified Professional. Must have a 4 year human services degree and 2 years post-grad experience working with the IDD population. If interested, please apply online at turningpointhires. com. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

PROFESSIONAL/ MANAGEMENT FUNDRAISER Development pro with 3+ yrs exp. engaging individual donors. Candidates should have commitment to equity, inclusion and social change. EOE/FT/Health/ Dental/401K and more. Learn more/apply: unitedwayabc. org/employment-opportunities. VICE PRESIDENT FINANCE AND OPERATIONS Advances our organization's mission through leadership in the areas of financial management and accounting, human resources, general administration and facilities management. Learn more/ apply: unitedwayabc.org/ employment-opportunities

TEACHING/ EDUCATION

INTERESTED IN WORKING AT A-B TECH? Full-Time, PartTime and Adjunct Positions available. Come help people achieve their dreams! Apply for open positions at https://abtcc. peopleadmin.com

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Previous residential properties now zoned to be used for commercial purposes. It’s a new day! Live & work from the same location! E-mail SustainabilityProperties@ yahoo.com. Text or call (828) 575-6792. Let us know your interests. Sustainability Properties-licensed NC & TN real estate brokers (taxes are lower in TN!)

T H E N E W Y OR K TI M ES CR OSSWOR D PU ZZLE

5 Politician’s time 6 Area traversed by Marco Polo 7 Sort of person heavily into eyeliner 8 One-named New Age singer 9 Personal enmity 10 Transports for Tarzan ACROSS 39 Letters 11 Sir Walter Scott novel 43 Actor Cariou 1 Not seen by the 12 “English” and “Irish” theater audience 44 Makes an unabridged canines humor book? 9 Company that 14 Wear acquired Zipcar in 47 Multi-armed mollusk 15 Lads’ loves 2013 49 Lead-in to mensch 19 Aid in climbing the 13 Emulates the teacher 50 Calculated … or a corp. ladder in “Ferris Bueller’s Day punny hint to 18-, 24-, 20 Juice brand with a Off” 32- and 44-Across distinctive bottle 14 Speak partly through 55 Pushkin’s “___ Onegin” 21 Virgin ___ (record the nose 56 Vitamin brand with a label) 16 Women rush to get hyphen between its 22 Kurosawa’s adaptation into it last two letters of “King Lear” 17 Hit it! 60 “Dirty Harry” director 25 Herbert of the “Pink Don 18 Some wonderful times Panther” movies in Nebraska? 61 Kept on the down-low? 26 Before, in poetry 20 ___ walk 62 Like much folk music: 27 Itch Abbr. 23 Brief encounters, as 28 Extremely fancy? with the law 63 Important stat for QBs 31 Court officials whose 24 Good name for politico jobs have now been Martin’s jazz band? replaced by technology DOWN 29 Extraction target, often 1 Has too much, for 33 Special ___ 30 Small version of a 34 Spirit once made in short bathtubs popular cookie 2 To’s opposite 35 Tour grp. 31 Untouchable leader 3 A word between the 36 Runs off (with) 32 Portentous fashion two A’s in N.A.A.C.P. magazine? 4 Reggae persona for a 37 New enlistee noted rapper 36 Poetic Ireland 38 It has no point

XCHANGE MEDICAL SUPPLIES EMF EMF electromagnetic biomat 7000mx. Used a few times. With suitcase. Paid $1,500, sell $850. 407 342-0630.

SERVICES

No. 0131

CELEBRITY CROSSWORD

This puzzle is a collaboration by the actor Josh Radnor, the star of the CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother,” as well as the writer/director of two films (to date), working together with Jeff Chen, a writer in Seattle. This is Jeff’s 80th crossword for The Times. More information about the making of today’s puzzle appears in the Times’s daily crossword column (nytimes.com/column/wordplay).

HOME

HEATING & COOLING

KILL BED BUGS AND THEIR EGGS! Buy Harris Bed Bug Killers/KIT Complete Treatment System. Available: Hardware Stores, The Home Depot, homedepot. com (AAN CAN)

MAYBERRY HEATING AND COOLING Oil and Gas Furnaces • Heat Pumps and AC • • Radiant Floor Heating • • Solar Hot Water • Sales • Service • Installation. • Visa • MC • Discover. Call (828) 658-9145.

LEGAL DENIED CREDIT? Work to repair your credit report with the trusted leader in credit repair. Call Lexington Law for a Free credit report summary and credit repair consultation. 855-6209426. John C. Heath, Attorney at Law, PLLC, dba Lexington Law Firm. (AAN CAN)

CAREER TRAINING AIRLINE CAREERS BEGIN HERE Get started by training as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 800-725-1563 (AAN CAN)

edited by Will Shortz

ONLINE MEDIATION SERVICES Divorce isn't fun. We offer friendly, easy, online services to help you through a separation or co-parent situation as cost effectively as possible. (828) 279-8166 SARABENSMAN@GMAIL. COM www.sarabensman.com.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

ENTERTAINMENT

HANDY MAN

DISH NETWORK-SATELLITE TELEVISION SERVICES Now over 190 channels for only $49.99/month! HBO-Free for one year, Free Installation, Free Streaming, Free HD. Add Internet for $14.95 a month. 1-800373-6508. (AAN CAN)

HIRE A HUSBAND • HANDYMAN SERVICES Since 1993. Multiple skill sets. Reliable, trustworthy, quality results. Insured. References and estimates available. Stephen Houpis, (828) 280-2254.

ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS 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) NOTICE OF UNCLAIMED PROPERTY The following is a list of unclaimed and confiscated property at the Asheville Police Department: electronic equipment; cameras; clothing; lawn and garden equipment; personal items; tools; weapons (including firearms): jewelry: automotive items; building supplies; bikes and other miscellaneous items. Anyone with a legitimate claim or interest in this property has 30 days from the date of this publication to make a claim. Unclaimed items will be disposed of according to statutory law. For further information, or to file a claim, contact the Asheville Police Department Property and Evidence Section, 828-232-4576. NOTICE OF DISPOSITION The following is a list of unclaimed and confiscated property at the Asheville Police Department tagged for disposition: audio and video equipment; cameras; clothing; lawn and garden equipment; personal items; tools; weapons (including firearms): jewelry:

automotive items; building supplies; bikes and other miscellaneous. All items will be disposed of 30 days from date of posting. Items to be auctioned will be displayed on www.propertyroom.com.

MIND, BODY, SPIRIT BODYWORK $60 TWO-HOUR MASSAGE AT YOUR HOME Please check out my FaceBook page[Transformational Massage Therapy through Frank Solomon Connelly:LMBT#10886] for information. Practicing professionally since December 2003. (828) 707-2983. Creator_of_Joy@Hotmail.com. ALL OF LIFE COMES TO ME WITH EASE & JOY & GLORY Access Consciousness Bars® can clear the limitations you have in your life and body. Want a different relationship to money, aging, sexuality, health and other areas? Call Rebekah 828-348-4925. www.pleasureevolution.com

COUNSELING SERVICES

PUZZLE BY JOSH RADNOR AND JEFF CHEN

40 High ball 41 Squeeze (out) 42 Être : French :: ___ : Spanish 44 Had a first night in a theater 45 Wear on a runway 46 Mean Amin

Self-Hypnosis, Emotional Freedom Technique, Neuro- Linguistic Programming, Acupressure Hypnosis, Past Life Regression. Find Michelle’s books, educational audio and videos, sessions and workshops on her website.

57 Lifesaving locales, for short 58 Word on many a wedding announcement 59 Bank offerings, for short

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS NY TIMES PUZZLE

FOR MUSICIANS MUSICAL SERVICES MUSICIANS HEARING PROTECTION We offer custom fitted earplugs that enable you to hear while playing, yet filters harmful decibals. Lots of color and style options! (828) 713-0767. thehearingguync@ gmail.com

AUTOMOTIVE AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES WE'LL FIX IT AUTOMOTIVE • Honda and Acura repair. Half price repair and service. ASE and factory trained. Located in the Weaverville area, off exit 15. Please call (828) 275-6063 for appointment. www.wellfixitautomotive.com

Paul Caron

Furniture Magician • Cabinet Refacing

ADULT

• Furniture Repair

ADULT LIVELINKS Chat Lines. Flirt, chat and date! Talk to sexy real singles in your area. Call now! 1-844-359-5773 (AAN CAN). POSITIVE HYPNOSIS | EFT | NLP Michelle Payton, M.A., D.C.H., Author | 828-681-1728 | www.MichellePayton.com | Michelle’s Mind Over Matter Solutions include: Hypnosis,

48 Symbol for the resistance? 51 Try 52 In the thick of 53 Day worker 54 Singer Franklin who was Aretha’s elder sister

WORK IN ADULT FILMS No experience, all types, sizes, races and ages (18+). Work in films, magazines, or from home on live streaming websites. Call United Casting Now: 212-7262100. (AAN CAN)

• Seat Caning • Antique Restoration • Custom Furniture & Cabinetry (828) 669-4625

MOUNTAINX.COM

• Black Mountain

MAR. 7 - 13, 2018

MOUNTAINX.COM