Around Town

Nerd Nite comes to town

Nerd Nite, a monthly event that already occurs in over 100 other cities worldwide, will launch locally on Thursday, Aug. 10, at 7:30 p.m., at The River Arts District Brewing Co.

Curated by entertainer and self-proclaimed “lifelong nerd” Von Magni, the inaugural event will feature regional locals A. Rider Barnum, who will explain how your favorite superpowers could kill you;

Anna Diemer, an opera singer and vocal coach who will demonstrate making silly voices using the science of your vocal cords; and Sara Rivera, a firefly expert who will discuss fireflies’ scandalous mating habits.

Nerd Nite began in 2003 when Chris Balakrishnan, now a professor at East Carolina University, told the same story about the indigobirds of Africa so frequently at The Midway Bar in Boston that the bartenders challenged him to gather a large group so they wouldn’t have to hear him repeat it so often. Thus, the event began and shortly thereafter caught on in New York City and other metropolitan areas — and the rest is “nerdstory.”

Magni was a regular attendee at Nerd Nite Los Angeles and, upon moving to Asheville, quickly volunteered to begin a local chapter.

When asked what qualifies someone as a nerd, they replied, “A nerd is anyone for whom the answer to, ‘Hey, do you want to hear something cool about [insert any subject]?’ is a resounding ‘OF COURSE!’ Nerds are interested in the world [and] the universe around them. Nerds like museums ... watch documentaries. ... Nerds wonder aloud while driving, ‘I wonder what the origin of that street name is,’ and then tell their passengers to look it up. Fundamentally, nerds just like learning.”

Free popcorn will be served, and there will also be a food truck on-site.

The River Arts District Brewing Co. is at 13 Mystery St. For more information, visit avl.mx/cw3.

Laugh out loud

Thirty-three comedians from around the world will attempt to tickle folks’ funny bones at the 15th annual Asheville Comedy Festival from Wednesday, Aug. 9-Saturday, Aug. 12.

“Famous Showcases,” or main stage shows, will be hosted at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts at 8 p.m. and will feature eight to 10 performers each evening, along with music by the local Josh Blake

Movie Reviews

THEATER CAMP: The “mockumentary” framing device of this comedy doesn’t work. Almost everything else does.

Grade: B-plus

— Edwin Arnaudin

NERD ALERT: Von Magni is launching the Asheville chapter of international Nerd Nite on Thursday, Aug. 10 at The River Arts District Brewing Co. Photo by Magni

Trio. Late-night shows, held at various downtown breweries at 9:30 each night, have a secret lineup. An addition to this year’s festival is a nightly after-party held at Black Bear BBQ, where attendees can mix and mingle with the comedians.

Charlie Gerencer, an Austin, Texas-based event producer and comedy business veteran, co-founded the festival in 2007. His resume includes producing Netflix’s “Norm Macdonald Has a Show” and “The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale.”

“The festival ... has evolved with the city over the last 15 years,” says Gerencer. “The (first) festival was the spark that ignited the comedy scene as we know it today. We’ve made a major impact on the arts culture of Asheville, as well as helped shape it as a city that is now a routed destination for major headlining acts. We’re eclectic, progressive and hometown — all wrapped up in one.”

The Wortham Center for the Performing Arts is at 18 Biltmore Ave. For more information, visit avl.mx/cvn.

A lit podcast

A new podcast by local literary nonprofit Punch Bucket Lit debuted last month. “PBL Podcast: Writers in Conversation” features writers and poets chatting with each other about their work and related life topics.

Rachel Hanson, Punch Bucket Lit executive producer and founder, said the podcast began as a way to reach not only the local and regional literary community but also beyond. Writers are chosen from those who read in the organization’s monthly reading series, which takes place at West Asheville’s Revolve.

“Not everyone in the community can always attend the in-person readings, so the podcast is a way to further support the writers’ work,” says Hanson. “We have so many amazing writers here in Asheville, and we are proud to feature them.”

Episodes are hosted by Hanson and have featured poets such as Brandon Amico and writer and poet Emily Paige Wilson. Hanson says future episodes will include authors outside Asheville. Hosts will rotate between guests and current staff.

Editor’s note: Xpress Managing Editor Thomas Calder is a member of Punch Bucket Lit. For more information, visit avl.mx/cvz

Hot music at Cold Mountain

Legendary soul singer Bettye LaVette will headline this year’s Cold Mountain Music Festival on Saturday, Aug. 12, at Lake Logan in Canton.

The festival, the largest annual fundraiser for the nonprofit ministries of Lake Logan — the Retreat Center, Camp Henry and the Outdoor School — begins at 10 a.m., with music starting at noon. Other performers include Asheville singer-songwriter Tyler Ramsey, soul and blues musician Eddie 9V, folk rock group Grizzly Goat, local bluegrass band Unspoken Tradition and storyteller and musician Scott T. Smith.

Festival co-chair Zebbi Sampler says organizers are excited to offer a lineup of artists with diverse backgrounds. “I thoroughly enjoy LaVette’s music, and it’s going to be a step up for us as far as being inclusive and fitting for all of our social platforms.”

Local vendors will sell handmade crafts, seven food and beverage trucks will be on-site, and nonprofits will set up information booths. Other activities include paddleboarding, boating and swimming. There’s also the option to camp in one of the recreational vehicle or tent sites.

Lake Logan is at 25 Wormy Chestnut Lane, Canton. For more information, visit avl.mx/cw0.

Kids JAM

Fiddler and guitarist Roger Howell and banjoist George Gibson will perform at “Masters of OldTime Music” on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 6 p.m at Oklawaha Brewing Co. The event is a fundraiser for the Junior Appalachian Musicians Kids of Henderson County, who will also perform. Children ages 8-17 learn regional mountain music and dance through an after-school program operated by the French Broad Valley Music Association.

Gibson, born in Knott County, Ky., and a current resident of Henderson County, is an authority on the history of the banjo in the upland South. “I believe that continuing to play banjo was my way of holding on to a past that I glimpsed only briefly,” he says in a press release. “That past is part of a world and time in Knott County that has vanished forever. As far as I know, I am the last person left playing the old Burgeys Creek banjo music. I am the last possum up the tree.”

Howell, who hails from and still lives on Banjo Branch in Madison County, learned Travis-style picking when his father bought him an electric guitar. An award-winning fiddle player, he learned the instrument from regional fiddlers Tommy Hunter and Woodrow Boone In 2015, Howell was awarded the Brown-Hudson Folklore Award by the N.C. Folklore Society for his work in preserving and celebrating regional music traditions. He helps to repair JAM students’ instruments in his luthier shop.

Oklawaha Brewing Co. is at 147 First Ave. E., Hendersonville. For more information, visit avl.mx/cw2.

ArtsAVL town hall

ArtsAVL’s first 2023 Town Hall will focus on the current state and possible future of Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. The free panel discussion will be held at Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville, Monday, Aug. 21, 3-4:30 p.m. Registration is required.

Confirmed panelists include Esther Manheimer, mayor of Asheville; Chris Corl, director of community and regional entertainment facilities for the city of Asheville; Daniel Crupi, executive director of the Asheville Symphony; and Vic Isley, president and CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, with more pending. A question-and-answer session will follow the discussion.

The city has had to reduce the auditorium’s operating capacity due to increasing maintenance issues, which has led to large losses of revenue.

Attendees are invited to register for a tour of the facility at 2:15 and 4:45 p.m.

Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville is at 87 Haywood St. For more information and to register, visit avl.mx/cw1.

For questions about free listings, call 828-251-1333, opt. 4.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9

12 BONES BREWERY

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

ALLEY CAT AVL

Karaoke Dance Party, 8pm

BLACK MOUNTAIN BREWING

Jay Brown (roots, blues, jazz), 6pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Bluegrass Jam w/The Saylor Brothers, 6:30pm

HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Songwriter Series w/ Matt Smith, 6pm

JACK OF THE WOOD

PUB

Old Time Jam, 5pm

LA TAPA LOUNGE

Bike Night w/Connor Hunt (Appalachian, country), 6pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

FBVMA: Mountain Music Jam, 6pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Latin Night w/DJ Mtn Vibez, 8:30pm

SHILOH & GAINES

Trivia Night, 7pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Poetry Open Mic, 8pm

THE ODD

Sick Ride, Spill Mill & Tight (rock, disco-rock, garage), 7pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK

MOUNTAIN Irish Music Circle, 7pm

THURSDAY, AUGUST 10

AMAZING PUBCYCLE

The Office Trivia Night, 6pm

ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR

Robert Thomas Band (jazz, rock), 8pm

BATTERY PARK BOOK EXCHANGE

Mike Kenton & Jim Tanner (jazz), 5:30pm

BLACK MOUNTAIN

BREWING

Ashley Heath (Americana, blues), 6pm

CROW & QUILL

Sparrow & Her Wingmen (swing, jazz), 8pm

FLEETWOOD'S

Colossal Human Failure, Blistering Dissonance & Call the Next Witness (punk), 9pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Jerry's Dead (Grateful Dead & JGB Tribute), 6pm

HIGHLAND BREWING

DOWNTOWN

TAPROOM

Not Rocket Science Trivia, 6pm

JACK OF THE WOOD

PUB

Bluegrass Jam w/Drew Matulich, 7:30pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

Paul Edelman (folk, rock'n'roll), 7pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

Jody Carroll (Americana, folk, blues), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

André Lassalle Frequencies (soul, blues), 8pm

OUTSIDER BREWING

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

PISGAH BREWING CO.

Brushfire Stankgrass (bluegrass), 6:30pm

SALVAGE STATION

Trouble No More (Allman Brothers tribute), 7pm

SHILOH & GAINES Karaoke Night, 8pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Django Jazz Jam, 7pm

THE DFR LOUNGE

Steve Simon & The Kings of Jazz (Latin, jazz), 7pm

CROSS-CULTURAL EXPERIENCE: On Tuesday, Aug. 15, Ivy Eld and Friends perform at The Grey Eagle, starting at 7 p.m. Eld and her band will showcase folk rock tunes from the singer’s debut album and will host special guests who hail from a variety of cultural identities and heritages. Photo by Jacqueline Franquez

THE GREY EAGLE

The Supersuckers w/ The Rumours (rock, punk), 8pm

THE ODD Graveyard Shift: Goth Dance Party, 9pm

THE ROOT BAR

Kendra & Friends (multiple genres), 6pm

URBAN ORCHARD Trivia Thursday, 7pm WNC OUTDOOR COLLECTIVE Trivia, 6:30pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK

MOUNTAIN

David Cody & Michael J, 7:30pm

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11

27 CLUB

Sacrilege: Goth Dance Party, 10pm

ALLEY CAT AVL

Karaoke Dance Party, 8pm

ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR

Mr Jimmy's Friday Night Blues, 8pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

Kursa, Flintwick, Wessanders, Funkbox & Poetic (dance, electronic), 9pm

BLACK MOUNTAIN

BREWING

Seth & Sara (modern-western), 6pm

BOTANIST & BARREL TASTING BAR +

BOTTLE SHOP

Chris Norred & Friends (Appalachian, swing, bossa), 6pm

CORK & KEG

The Uptown Hillbillies (honky-tonk, country), 8pm

D9 BREWING CO.

AL “StumpWater” Lyons (Celtic, folk), 7pm

FLEETWOOD'S

The Swell Fellas, The Silver Doors & Smoke (psych, rock), 8pm

GINGER'S REVENGE

CRAFT BREWERY & TASTING ROOM

Harry Potter Tri-Wizard Trivia Tournament, 7pm

HIGHLAND BREWING

DOWNTOWN

TAPROOM Peggy Ratusz (blues), 7pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

• Honky-Tonk Fridays w/Jackson Grimm, 4pm

• The Wallet Chains (country, swing), 9pm

LA TAPA LOUNGE

Open Mic Night w/ Hamza, 8pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

The Big Throwback w/ Blake Ellege (country), 8pm

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

Cash Machine (progfunk, rock), 10pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

5J Barrow Friday Nights (folk), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Magenta Sunshine (blues, folk, soul), 8pm

PISGAH BREWING

CO.

Circles Around the Sun (rock), 6:30pm

POINT LOOKOUT

VINEYARDS

Too Much Sylvia (multiple genres), 7:30pm

RABBIT RABBIT

Sold Out: Jason

Isbell & The 400 Unit w/S.G. Goodman (folk, Southern-rock, country), 7pm

SHILOH & GAINES

Dirty Dead (Grateful Dead tribue), 9pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Orange Doors w/Seismic Sutra & Impending Joy (psych-rock, garage), 8pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Julian Lage (jazz), 8pm

THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING

CO.

Isaac Hadden, Logan

Jayne & Ben Bjlorlie (funk), 7pm

THE ORANGE PEEL

Christie Lenee & Amy

Steinberg (folk-pop), 8pm

THE OUTPOST

Lua Flora & Rockstead (Appalachian, folk, reggae), 6:30pm

WXYZ BAR AT ALOFT

StomperKitty (rock, blues, country), 7pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN

The Andy Buckner Band (Americana, country), 8pm

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12

ALLEY CAT AVL

Karaoke Dance Party, 8pm

ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR

Sal Landers (rock), 8pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

Lazr Luvr (80's tribute), 8pm

BATTERY PARK BOOK

EXCHANGE

Dinah's Daydream (jazz), 5:30pm

BLACK MOUNTAIN

BREWING

Syrrup (jazz, soul, and blues), 6pm

CORK & KEG

Gray's Lawn Care (bluegrass, old-time, Appalachian), 8pm

CROW & QUILL

Doc Docherty (magic), 8pm

FLEETWOOD'S

Bad Sleepers w/Green

Quams & Tight (garage punk), 9pm

FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON

Comedy Hypnosis w/ Jon Dee, 8am

HARRAH'S CHEROKEE CENTER

In This Moment & Motionless In White (rock, metal), 6:30pm

HIGHLAND BREWING

DOWNTOWN

TAPROOM

In Flight (prog-rock, jazz), 7pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Nordmoe & The Rodeo (country), 9pm

LA TAPA LOUNGE

Karaoke Night, 9pm

OKLAWAHA

BREWING CO.

The Get Right Band (psychedelic, indierock), 8pm

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

Mama & The Ruckus (blues, soul), 10pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

• Parker McCown & Dan Signor (Americana, soul, funk), 4pm

• Queen Bee & The Honeylovers (swing, jazz, Latin), 9pm

RABBIT RABBIT

Silent Disco: Funk It Up Party, 9pm

SHILOH & GAINES

Free Flow Band (funk), 9pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Goetia w/Cystic

Nourishment & Paezor (death-metal, grindcore), 8pm

THE BURGER BAR

Best Worst Karaoke, 9pm

THE GREY EAGLE

• Patio: Hot Rod Walt

Duo (rockabilly, honkytonk), 6pm

• Rah Digga & Sa-Roc (hip hop, rap), 9pm

THE MEADOW AT

HIGHLAND BREWING

CO.

Hearts Gone South (country, honky tonk), 6pm

THE ODD

• Asheville Punk Drag, 2pm

• Party Foul Drag:

Saturday Night Tease, 8pm

THE ORANGE PEEL

Trial by Fire (Journey Tribute), 8pm

THE OUTPOST

Adam Knights Buried

Alive (Phish Tribute band), 7pm

URBAN ORCHARD CIDER CO. SOUTH

SLOPE

Salsa Night, 9pm

WXYZ BAR AT ALOFT

• Livin’ on the Ledge Series w/Phantom

Pantone, 2pm

• DJ RexxStep, 7pm

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13

27 CLUB

Park National, Mary's Letter, Paper Pills & Filern (emo, post, indierock), 9pm

Trivia Wednesdays & Karaoke Thursdays

Songwriters Night - Tuesdays

Your neighborhood bar no matter where you live.

ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO.

Slice of Comedy: Standup Comedy, 6:30pm

BLACK MOUNTAIN BREWING

Dark City Kings (garage-rock, country, pop), 2pm

CATAWBA BREWING

CO. SOUTH SLOPE ASHEVILLE

Modelface Comedy

Presents: Improv Hour, 6:30pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Reggae Sunday w/ Chalwa, 3pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

• Bluegrass Brunch, 1pm

• Traditional Irish Jam, 3:30pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

Steve Durose (alt-rock), 3pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Sunday Jazz Jam, 1:30pm

PISGAH BREWING CO.

Pisgah Sunday Jam, 6:30pm

RABBIT RABBIT

Death Grips (hip-hop, electronic), 8pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Aaron Woody Wood (Appalachia, soul, Americana), 7pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Wastoid w/On the Block & DSHK (punk, hardcore), 8pm

TACO BOY WEST ASHEVILLE

Daytime Disco Sunday Brunch, 10am

THE GREY EAGLE

• Patio: Country Brunch w/Jessie & The Jinx, 12pm

• Crystal Bowersox w/ Ryan Taylor Price (folkpop, rock, blues), 8pm

THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING

CO.

Deep River (country), 2pm

THE ODD

Charlie Hill, Vandiver & Leah Lawson (Indie, country), 7pm

ZILLICOAH BEER CO.

PubSing, 5pm

PLĒB URBAN WINERY

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 4pm

MONDAY, AUGUST 14

27 CLUB Karaoke Monday, 10pm

DSSOLVR

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

HIGHLAND BREWING

CO.

Totally Rad Trivia w/ Mitch Fortune, 6pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Quizzo! Pub Trivia w/ Jason Mencer, 7:30pm

NOBLE CIDER DOWNTOWN Freshen Up Comedy Open Mic, 6:30pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

It Takes All Kinds Open Mic Nights, 7pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

Open Mic Downtown, 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Mashup Mondays w/ The JLloyd Mashup Band, 8pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Shotwell w/Yeth

Hounds & Busy Weather (garage-doom, punk), 8pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Greg Howe w/Sammy Boller (rock), 8pm

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

Mr Jimmy & Friends (blues), 7pm

THE MONTE VISTA HOTEL

Music Mondays, 5pm

THE RAD BREW CO. Trivia w/Billy, 7pm

TUESDAY, AUGUST 15

27 CLUB

Sean O'hara, Lady Kabela, DD Island & Impending Joy (pop, indie-rock), 8pm

FLEETWOOD'S

Cam Girl & No Loves (punk), 9pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

OKLAWAHA

BREWING CO.

Team Trivia, 7pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

The Grateful Family Band Tuesdays (Grateful Dead tribute), 6pm

SHILOH & GAINES

Songwriters Night, 7pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Weekly Open Jam hosted by Chris Cooper & Friends, 6:30pm

THE BURGER BAR

C U Next Tuesday Trivia, 9pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Ivy Eld & Friends (folk, Celtic, Cherokee), 7pm

THE ODD

Open Mic Comedy, 8pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK

MOUNTAIN

White Horse Open Mic, 7pm

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16

12 BONES BREWERY

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

ALLEY CAT AVL

Karaoke Dance Party, 8pm

BLACK MOUNTAIN

BREWING

Jay Brown (roots, blues, jazz), 6pm

FLEETWOOD'S

Ken Mujo, Seismic

Sutra & Half Blind Eyes (noise, Japanese), 9pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Bluegrass Jam w/ The Saylor Brothers, 6:30pm

HIGHLAND BREWING

CO.

Songwriter Series w/ Matt Smith, 6pm

JACK OF THE WOOD

PUB

Old Time Jam, 5pm

LA TAPA LOUNGE

Bike Night w/Connor

Hunt (Appalachian, country), 6pm

OKLAWAHA

BREWING CO.

FBVMA: Mountain Music Jam, 6pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Latin Night w/DJ Mtn Vibez, 8:30pm

RABBIT RABBIT

Sold Out: Queens of the Stone Age w/

Phantogram & The Armed (rock), 6pm

SHILOH & GAINES Trivia Night, 7pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA Poetry Open Mic, 8pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Chepang w/ Decultivate, Bandit, Manas & Falling Behind (grindcore, hardcore), 8pm

THE GREY EAGLE

David Childers & The Serpents w/Tin Roof Echo (folk, punk), 8pm

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

Rod Sphere (rock, pop), 6pm

THE ODD

Overgrown Throne, DShK & Burning Question (punk), 7pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN

Irish Music Circle, 7pm

THURSDAY, AUGUST 17

AMAZING PUBCYCLE

The Office Trivia Night, 6pm

ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR

The MGB's (acoustic), 8pm

BATTERY PARK BOOK EXCHANGE

Mike Kenton & Jim Tanner (jazz), 5:30pm

BLACK MOUNTAIN

BREWING

The Blushin' Roulettes (folk), 6pm

CROW & QUILL

Queen Bee & The Honeylovers (swing, jazz, Latin), 8pm

FLEETWOOD'S

Totally Slow, Small Doses & Night Night (hardcore, punk), 9pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Jerry's Dead (Grateful Dead & JGB Tribute), 6pm

HIGHLAND BREWING

DOWNTOWN

TAPROOM

Not Rocket Science Trivia, 6pm

JACK OF THE WOOD

PUB

Bluegrass Jam w/Drew Matulich, 7:30pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

Kid Billy (roots, blues, ragtime), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

Patrick French (Americana, bluegrass, blues), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Lee Allen, Isaac Hadden & Thommy Knoles (multiple genres), 8pm

OUTSIDER BREWING

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

PISGAH BREWING CO.

Saylor Borthers (bluegrass), 6:30pm

SALVAGE STATION Matisyahu, G.Love & Special Sauce w/ Cydeways (hip hop, reggae, blues), 6pm

SHILOH & GAINES Karaoke Night, 8pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Havoc & Open (garagepunk), 8pm

THE DFR LOUNGE

Steve Simon & The Kings of Jazz (Latin, jazz), 7pm

Freewill Astrology By Rob Brezsny

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In Stephen King’s novel It, a character named Beverly is in love with a man who projects a sense of authority but also listens well. He is strong-minded but receptive; confident but willing to be changed; self-possessed but open to influence. That’s an apt description of the allies I wish for you to attract into your life in the coming months. Whether they are lovers or partners, companions or collaborators, friends or colleagues, you need and deserve the high-quality, emotionally intelligent exchanges they offer.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Seventy-year-old Taurus-born Eric Bogosian is a prolific playwright and author renowned for his hard-edged satire. The title of one of his books is Pounding Nails in the Floor with My Forehead. But one critic speculates he may be softening as he ages, noting that he “seems more amused than disgusted by the decaying world around him, as if his anger has been tempered by a touch of hope.” The coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to cultivate a comparable reshaping, dear Taurus. Can you tenderize what has been tough? Is it possible to find redemption or entertainment in situations that have been challenging? Are you willing to add more levity and geniality to your perspective?

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Decca is a UK-based record label that has produced the work of many major musicians, including Billie Holliday, the Rolling Stones and Tori Amos. They made a huge mistake in 1962, though. A fledgling group named the Beatles tried to get signed to Decca. An executive at the company declined, saying, “We don’t like their sound. Groups of guitars are on their way out.” Oops. The Beatles eventually became the best-selling and most influential band of all time. I don’t think you’re at risk of making as monumental a misstep, Gemini. But please be alert to the possibility of a key opportunity coming into view. Don’t underestimate it, even if it’s different from what you imagine you want.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): I’m a Cancerian who used to be overly reactive to people’s carelessness. If someone was in a bad mood and flung a rash insult at me, I might take offense too easily. If a friend misunderstood me, even with no malice intended, I may have sulked. Thankfully, over time, I have learned to be more like a honey badger, whose thick skin protects it well against stings and pricks. I bring this up because the coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to practice my approach. First step: Understand how people sometimes direct their frustration about life toward undeserving recipients. Second step: Vow to take things less personally. Third step: Give yourself regular compliments. Actually say them aloud.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Now and then, there comes a time when I acquire an uncanny knack for seeing the totality of who you really are. I tune in to everything you do that few others know about or appreciate. I behold the big picture of your best possible future. One of those magic moments has now arrived. And it’s no accident that your energy matches mine. In other words, my power to consecrate you reflects your ability to bless yourself. So give yourself the ultimate gift, please.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In the 17th century, Virgo musician Johann Pachelbel composed a piece of music he called the Canon in D. It soon went out of style and disappeared into obscurity. But over 250 years later, a French chamber orchestra rediscovered it, and by the 1980s, it was everywhere. Ever since, Pachelbel’s Canon has been used in many pop songs and is a common anthem at weddings and funerals. I’m predicting a comparable revival for you, Virgo. An influence, creation, or person that has been gone for a while will re-emerge as a presence in your life. Be decisive in adopting it for your benefit.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Author Iain S. Thomas tells us, “There is magic even in gridlock, in loneliness, in too much work, in late nights gone on too long, in shopping carts with broken wheels, in boredom, in tax returns.” He says it’s the same magic that prompted Joan of Arc to believe that God spoke to her and empowered her to lead an army. I wouldn’t agree that it’s the same magic. But I do advise us all to be alert for enchantment and interesting mysteries even in the most mundane affairs. I am a champion of the quest for holiness, delight and marvels in seemingly unlikely locations. In the coming weeks, Libra, you will have a special talent for finding these revelatory joys.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Poet Rainer Maria Rilke said, “Self-transformation is precisely what life is.” If that’s true, you are in luck. Of all the zodiac signs, you are the most skillful self-transformer. Moreover, you are entering a prolonged phase when your instinct and talent for self-transformation will be even more potent than usual. I plan to observe you closely in the hope of learning your tricks for changing into an ever-better version of yourself. Show us all how it’s done, dear Scorpio!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Born under the sign of Sagittarius, Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) was one of history’s most influential composers of classical music. His elegant, lyrical works are still widely played today. He was also a revolutionary innovator who expanded the scope of many musical genres. One composition, Piano Sonata No. 32, prefigures elements of ragtime, jazz and boogie-woogie — 70 years before those styles emerged. In this spirit, I invite you to plant a seed for the future. You will soon get glimpses of creative shifts that will someday be possible. And you will have an enhanced ability to instigate the inventive momentum that generates those shifts.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Let’s be honest. Most of us — maybe all of us! — fail to grasp the world objectively. Our perceptions get filtered through our opinions and beliefs and habit minds. The events we think we see are shaped by our expectations about them. Our projections often overrule the possibility of unbiased impartiality. We are serial misinterpreters. But there’s no need to be ashamed! It’s a universal human tendency. Having said all that, however, I believe you will have a special knack, in the coming weeks, for observing reality with more clarity and open-mindedness than usual. You will have an unprecedented opportunity to see accurately and gather fresh, raw truths.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Is this a phase of your cycle when you’ll be prone to saying things like “Why do you take me for granted?” and “I’m feeling cranky” and “It’s not what you said, it’s the way you said it”? Or are you in a time when the following expressions are more likely to emerge from your mouth: “I have come to understand you in a totally new and interesting way” and “Life has blessed me by removing one of my unnecessary obstacles” and “I would love to learn more about the arts of cooperation and collaboration”? Here’s what I think, Aquarius: Which way you go will depend on how clearly you set your intentions. Life will respond in kind to the moods you cultivate and the specific requests you make.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Our bodies are imperfect. They are often less than 100 percent completely healthy. They don’t always do what we wish they would. Yet even when we feel less than our best, our body continually carries out millions of biochemical marvels, mostly below the level of our conscious awareness. As the creation of an evolutionary process that has unfolded for eons, our precious organism is an amazing work of art that we have every right to regard as miraculous. According to my astrological reckoning, the coming weeks are the best time this year to honor and celebrate your body. What does it need to flourish? Ask your intuition to show you.

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16

65 Debaucherous deity

DOWN

1 Introduction to magic?

2 Cheese that’s often smoked

3 Also-ran

4 They’re not from around here, in brief

5 Ill-fated lover of Pyramus

6 Gas station with an arrow in its logo

30 “Oh!,” in Augsburg

31 Actor John of “Star Trek” films

32 “That. Is. Nuts.”

33 The Horned Frogs of the Big 12 Conf.

34 Org. that was central to 1998’s Good Friday Agreement

35 Rapper with the 2014 hit “Hangover”

37 “Look!,” to Lucretius

38 What’s put on in a theater

39 Rake in

43 Pointy bits of camping gear

44 Well ventilated

45 Many modern warehouse workers

46 “What Richard Wright wrote” could be the first line of one

47 Like one of two Roman Plinys

48 Worker in the insurance business

49 Legal, in a way

50 “Good golly!”

54 Unit for a review

56 Deficit in knowledge, e.g.

57 U.S. 1, for one: Abbr.

58 Canon camera 59 “___, mi gaming device, informally