Downtown Asheville Blog

Jan. 28th, 2010 17-year career. 100,000 records sold. 100 gigs a year. 15,000 attendees at the 2004 Grassroots Festival. No, this is not a MasterCard commercial. It’s just that numbers don’t hold a lot of value for Donna the Buffalo. For this eclectic upstate New York band, success isn’t quantitative. It isn’t being in constant rotation on Top 40 radio stations or video networks. It isn’t how much money’s rolling in or even how many people are in the band. “We just do what we do. And it’s a very natural thing. It’s a thing we find joy in and it’s a lifestyle that we’ve pursued for… ever,” says guitarist/vocalist Jeb Puryear, one of the band’s two primary songwriters. “We don’t manipulate any of our circumstances for the market.” That includes the band’s sound, which piles reggae, rock, country, zydeco, Cajun, and folk on top of old-time fiddle music to create a combination best described as original American dance music. Donna the Buffalo at The Orange Peel

Jan. 29th, 2010 Our All That Jazz weekend has earned national recognition as one of the premiere jazz festivals of the southeast. Join us for performances from the always popular John Pizzarelli and from GRAMMY-award winner David Sanborn. Evening and afternoon concerts in our Grand Ballroom, numerous jazz performers in our Great Hall all weekend long, “Meet the Artists” receptions, and a Saturday morning jazz clinic all combine to make this weekend so rich, it will satisfy even the most discriminating jazz enthusiast.Grove Park Inn

Jan. 30th, 2010 American country singer-songwriter, author, poet, actor and activist Willie Nelson performs in Asheville. Willie Nelson at The Thomas Wolfe Auditorium

Jan. 31st, 2010 The Consultants of Swing perform at Barley’s Tap Room. A renovated 1920s appliance store is home to Barley’s Taproom in Asheville, North Carolina. This is the original Barley’s that opened in 1994. Located at 42 Biltmore Avenue, the 8,000 square foot space is in the heart of the arts and entertainment district. The main floor houses the restaurant and stage.

Jan. 21st, 2010 In glitzy jackets, glittering gloves and 80s regalia, Who’s Bad, The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band, is an infectious party production that takes audiences on a musical expedition spanning three decades of Michael Jackson’s chart-cresting music. From ABC to You Rock My World no song is forgotten in this electrifying revival of Pop Music’s Royal Highness. Founded in 2004 by Vamsi Tadepalli and spearheaded by some of North Carolina’s optimum musicians, Who’s Bad has crafted an intricate performance complete with synchronized dance routines, blaring horn section and down-deep rhythms–each delivered with a precision that could only be superseded by the King himself. Since their first standing-room only concert, audiences have crowned them must-see entertainment singing along as if the moves, the music, and the memories belong to us all. Orange Peel

Jan. 22nd, 2010 Growing up together in Columbia, Joshua Swain and Jordan Miller spent time jamming in various high school bands. Swain, a multi-instrumentalist versed in guitar, bass, and drums, left for Florida’s Full Sail University in 2001 while Miller honed his freestyle rap, guitar, and keyboard skills in Columbia. Upon returning in 2002, Swain reconnected with Miller and the two began writing songs in Swain’s garage using a drum machine and musical influences that range from Sublime to Tupac to Pink Floyd. The Movement was born. Early incarnations of the band found them as a trio consisting of Swain, Miller, and DJ Jon Ruff. They developed a loyal following as a trio and went on to release their first full length album, entitled On Your Feet. That album, recorded and mixed in 24 studio hours, was released in March of 2004 and continues to be well received by new fans worldwide.

World-beat percussion fused to electronica in a unique fashion would be the best description for the solo act known as Thunderdrums. Orange Peel

Jan. 23rd, 2009 One of Hollywood’s most versatile leading men. A brilliant stage actor, currently on Broadway in the multi Tony award-winning smash hit God of Carnage on Broadway. And, a lesser known phenomenon: an incredibly talented musician and vocalist who has been writing songs for more than 30 years. Don’t miss the fantastic treat of seeing the one and only Jeff Daniels for his singer/songwriter show. Diana Wortham

Jan. 24th, 2009 Join us for a special blow-out day and night of Swing Dance music. Our one-night package features a workshop with Michael Gamble and Jaya Dorf, an evening dance and concert with The Russ Wilson Orchestra and breakfast for two adults. Dancers will not want to miss this wonderful day filled with the best of music and the opportunity to enjoy our large dance floor supplemented by two auxiliary floors. Come join us and be a part of the inaugural Swing Dance Sunday at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa! Swing Dance Sunday line-up: Sunday: Dance instruction, dance and concert with The Russ Wilson Orchestra and DJ Michael Gamble Grove Park Inn

Daily, 9-5. Stroll through gardens, newly renovated conservatory and along paths and trails throughout the Estate not normally seen by visitors. Water and camera are musts. Recommend trail shoes or hiking boots for walk and even a walking stick. Carry a snack. For additional 2 km, walk through 250 room chateau built by George Vanderbilt at the end of the 19th Century. No pets allowed in the house. A short video and 3D Diorama of the Estate grounds available at the registration area. Adult $50 Sun - Fri. $55.00 Sat. Seniors over 65 $10.00 discount to enter Estate. See www.biltmore.com for special events and more detail of fees.

Jan. 14th, 2010 The Machine - A Tribute To Pink Floyd  The Orange Peel Social Aid & Pleasure Club of Asheville, North Carolina was voted one of Rolling Stone magazine’s Top 5 Rock Clubs in the country. Acts appearing on stage have included Bob Dylan, Flaming Lips, Ben Harper, Blondie, Spoon, Sonic Youth, My Morning Jacket, Dinosaur Jr, Smashing Pumpkins, The Arcade Fire and many more. Our warm atmosphere and beautiful facilities are also ideal for private parties and events of all kinds.

Jan. 16th, 2010 Wedding Festivals owners Marc and Colleen Wheeler have been producing bridal trade shows since 1990, and produce 8 shows a year in the Upstate of South Carolina and Western North Carolina. Our show brings together everything for the wedding and puts it under one roof. Our formula for success begins with convenient show locations. We then add spectacular fashion shows and exhibits by the areas leading wedding professionals. We create excitement with an extensive multi-media advertising program, unique promotions, and thousands of dollars in gifts and prizes. The result is the areas premier bridal event…and your business can be a part of it.

Jan. 16th, 2010 Asheville’s Best Free Wine & Beer Tasting Sat’s 11-3 4-8 also host an indoor winter tailgate market. 2-B Huntsman Place, Asheville, NC 28802

Jan. 8th, 2010 La Catrina Quartet presented by Asheville Chamber Music.

Jan. 9th, 2010 In 1995, Zoso was formed to create the most mesmerizing and accurate portrayal of “the biggest band of the 1970’s” - Led Zeppelin (Rolling Stone Magazine). Each member was selected to portray both the appearance and playing styles of Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Bonham, and John Paul Jones. Zoso almost immediately developed an outstanding regional reputation and were awarded “Best Tribute Act in California” by Rock City News. In 1999, Zoso began touring nationally, playing a remarkable 2,400 live performances, honing their show to become one of the most musically and visually rewarding acts in North America. Their passion, musical ability, showmanship and precise attention to detail earned them critical acclaim, name recognition and a large loyal following. The Los Angeles Times hailed the group as being “head and shoulders above all other Zeppelin tributes,” and the Chicago Sun-Times declared Zoso to be “the closest to the original of any tribute.” Orange Peel

Jan. 9th, 2010 This short film made in 1992 reveals the artist Ruth Asawa at home and in the studio. Her unique sculptural method and her life as a working artist and mother are vividly and beautifully shown in this wonderful documentary. Held in conjunction with Ruth Asawa: Drawing in Space. Asheville Art Museum