AVL LIFE

New + Improved Asheville Pinball Museum

This month marks the second anniversary of the Asheville Pinball Museum – and they’re in their second location! The APM moved a few months ago, to allow for more customers and just as important, more pinball machines.

#MeatlessMondays >> at VeganFest 2015

Nappy Natural Girl herself, Aisha Adams, decided to bring her family to the inaugural Asheville VeganFest on Sunday, August 16. She highlights just some of her favorite area businesses producing compassionate foods.

Looks For Less Fashion Blogger Challenge: Some Romper Saved My Life Tonight

My mission was to create an outfit from any combination of stores at the Asheville Outlets for $100 or less and then shake my blog thing about it. This is how Backstage Sass rocks a fashion challenge.

Ne-Hi Brings Their Fresh Blend of Summer Rock to the Mothlight

Chicago four-piece Ne-Hi’s songs bubble with energy not unlike those of the Paisley Underground or R.E.M., but mixed with the jangle-punk of the early Flying Nun scene.

Business Casual + My Asheville Workplace Identity

When I signed on to do the "Look for Less Challenge" with The Asheville Outlets, we were given the challenge to create a back-to-school or a professional look as we move into a new season. I love the idea.

Angela Kim + The Shape of Visibility

Designer Angela Kim explains what it means to create visibility through the various shapes of fashion and what it was like to show at the 1st ever Asheville Fashion Week.

Fight For Your Right to Vote

The Orange Peel is hosting a dance party on Friday, August 14 to raise funds for Democracy NC fighting to protect the voting rights of all North Carolinians. Grab some friends and your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie for Democracy.

Asheville's First Ever Fashion Week: This is Why We Can Totally Have Nice Things

The music is booming, the soundsystem in The Millroom pleasingly righteous. But I’m not here for a gig or to have drinks with some hot drummer I just met. It’s Asheville’s nascent Fashion Week.

Asheville Ink > Meet the Artist: Shannon Schober

Local artist Shannon Schober shares his history as a tattoo artist and the stories he's inked along the way as well as personal inspiration, with roots of American tattoo tracing back to a WNC textile worker.

5 Things To Know About the 5Point Film Festival

The 5Point Film Festival is making its Asheville debut August 14-15 at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium and promises to be more than just films about the outdoors. Lean more about what this unique event is all about and why you should check it out.

#MeatlessMonday >> Neo Burrito

The food is good. I mean, it tastes good, but the ingredients themselves are good for you too. Neo Burrito only offers ingredients that are locally grown and/or organic. Another plus is the food is still very reasonably priced.

Psych Pop Band Ancient Warfare Play The Mothlight August 5

Kentucky bred band, Ancient Warefare, is making their Asheville debut this week, in promotion of their new LP. In anticipation of their show coming up on Wednesday, I was able to ask them a few questions to get to know them and their music a little better.

#MeatlessMonday >> Medea’s Espresso & Juice Bar

Have you ever been to Medea’s in South Asheville? It is a cozy little cafe-style juice bar located off of Long Shoals Road. If not, you should definitively try incorporating it in your “Meatless Monday.” Medea’s is great for so many reasons.

Asheville Fashion Week's Youngest Designer >> Tricia Ellis

Tricia Ellis, the youngest designer in the inaugural Asheville Fashion Week, will be presenting her first line, a collection of ten looks all stitched and designed entirely by her. Find out her inspiration and what this opportunity means to her.

The Business of KatDog Couture

What do you get when you bring mass customization and private labels to a local level? Fashion designer Kati Foster may have found the answer by putting a twist on mass customization and private labels by taking them down to a local level.

West Africans + Asheville Locals = Dance Party For All

Fiending for some cultural diversity this summer? Well, in the next few weeks there are some amazing African musicians from the Ivory Coast, Mali, Senegal, and Burkina Faso performing with Asheville musicians from Toubab Krewe and Zansa.

Dear Moog...Love, Asheville

Thanks for the $14 million in economic activity. But, maybe Asheville would be even more thankful if Moog would have planned for the future and created an Asheville-appropriate event that could have been successful year after year.

#MeatlessMonday >> Your neighborhood Ingles

I wouldn’t have suggested “Meatless Monday” if snacks weren’t involved. I don’t know about you, but I am all about the snackage. I like grown people snacks though. Carrot sticks w/dressing or 12 grapes and apple slices don’t do anything for my hunger or attitude.

Futuristic Sexy Soul Sound: An Interview with BomBassic

Asheville's BomBassic is on the threshold of greatness as the word continues to spread about their performances. I sat down with the guys to talk about the trajectory of their relationship, the development of their sound, and all of the exciting things on the horizon for them.

LEAF's Funky Cocktail Crawl

From July 17-31, the LEAF Funky Cocktail Crawl is bringing the groove back to Asheville. Each participating restaurant or bar is competing to create the most far-out cocktail this side of funky town - and YOU get to determine who wins.

Asheville Featured in New Video

In this latest video from the Climate Listening Project we aim to encourage the kind dialogue which Pope Francis recently called for. Communities of faith have a significant role at the heart of many of these conversations and hopefully this video can help kick-start meaningful dialogues.

Greetings + Such

First, it’s probably best to introduce a few things about myself and why I’m doing this: I was born in Asheville and raised 45 minutes away in a town called Brevard. To be honest, I hated living in Brevard and fled as early as possible to go live in and travel throughout various countries.

#MeatlessMonday >> Elements Real Food

Have you heard of Elements Real Food on Liberty Avenue? They specialize in cold pressed juice, smoothies, superfood nut milks, raw vegan food and desserts. It is one of the freshest vegan spots in Asheville.

Holiday Liquor + Dance Party > Summer Luau Edition

What started as a bunch of college buddies getting together to throw a Holiday party in a garage has grown into what some have called "The Best Dance Party in Asheville," and it's having a Summer Luau Edition.

RBTS WIN Likely to Win My Heart @ Isis July 11

The sonic lovechild of Javier Bolea and Cliff B. Worsham, RBTS WIN, formed in 2008 and soon found a groove that reflected both their shared musical interests as well as their distinctive origins. They bring their electro-soul back home when they play Isis on July 11.

Dispatches From the B.A.D. | Kevin Miyazaki @ Window (Re/production | Re/presentation)

Over the course of two days (July 8th + 9th), Milwaukee artist Kevin Miyazaki will create a series of portraits of members of the Asheville community, which will be formed into a gridded composite image to be on view from July 10 through October 30, 2015.

Educating the Next Generation of Brewers

Get to know Brewmaster and Professor at AB Tech’s Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast, Jeff "Puff" Irvin, whose goals include developing mind control, becoming a Bond villain, and placing students all over the country so he can always have free beer.

Mela Hosting Benefit for Local Teacher

Upon learning of her stark cancer diagnosis, Mela restaurant regular Laurie Joens approached owner Anoop Krishnan with a request to host a benefit in the endless effort to raise money for medical expenses related to her ongoing cancer treatment.

#MeatlessMonday >> Plant in Asheville

Meatless Monday can be chic and ethical if you have reservations at Plant. Plant was recently named by PETA as one of the best vegan restaurants, and it has received similar accolades from Men’s Journal and Lusty Vegan...I literally jumped for joy when Plant invited my family out for dinner.

MISPRINTS: A Group Exhibition @ the Asheville Area Arts Council

The Asheville Area Arts Council is hosting "MISPRINTS: A Group Exploration into Printmaking, Craft, and Design" curated by and featuring Andy Herod along with 16 other Asheville area artists and crafts people. The opening reception is Friday, July 3rd.

Brewing Up A Storm with Katie Smith

At 23, she became one of Asheville's youngest brewers, inspired by a family love of beer and the local scene paved by Highland Brewing. Learn about Katie Smith of Twin Leaf Brewing in Asheville's South Slope.

BomBassic Headlines BEAT LIFE @ the Mothlight June 27

BomBassic headlines this month’s BEAT LIFE show at The Mothlight, happening on June 27. The evening promises to be another experience to remember brought to you by the Asheville Beat Tape Collective, a group of artists and producers who are at the forefront of innovation in sound.

UPDATE > King Sunny Adé Show Cancelled

The King Sunny Adé show that was scheduled for Wednesday, June 24 at New Mountain has unfortunately been cancelled leaving lovers of African music heartbroken. Check out the original post about his music, legacy, and about the show that truly should have been.

Jaga Jazzist Plays New Mountain Tuesday June 23

Ultimately unclassifiable, Jaga Jazzist's music, which has been alternately regarded as nu jazz, acid jazz, electronica, and post-rock, is infectious. Characterized by the creative melding of sounds across genres, performances are energetic, virtuosic, and not to be missed.

Let's Agree

That you have one day to respond to a text without becoming dead to the recipient; one hour for a sext, half-hour for a sext with nude attached; allowances made for legitimate excuses such as being actually on fire.

People Have the Answers, So Listen: Tap Into the Creative Capacity of Your Organization

On June 19, there will be a one day workshop meant to provide a hands-on introduction and overview for both practitioners and organizations in Asheville interested in learning how Dynamic Facilitation can stimulate creative conversations across differences.

How To: 5 Bear Safety Tips

The recent bear attack involving campers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a stark reminder that black bears aren't the cuddly critters they're sometimes mistaken for. Here are some tips we can all put into practice to promote safety as we enjoy the mountains!

CUSSES to Rock The Odditorium June 14

CUSSES is a trio of musicians with one main goal; to play really loud music. This Georgia based band brings their bold mix of metal and grunge to The Odditorium on June 14. Get ready to rock your face off.

"The Merchant of Asheville" at The Magnetic Theatre

In its new “locally sourced comedy,” The Magnetic Theatre is again daring, experimental, and thought-provoking. 'The Merchant of Asheville' runs through July 4 at the company's new permanent home, Magnetic 375.

5 Things You Probably Don’t Know About Asheville in 1915

What was Asheville like in 1915? If you want to know, you can attend a free multimedia presentation, “Asheville: 100 Years Ago,” at Pack Memorial Library’s Lord Auditorium at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10.

Left Unsaid at Avl Grit Anniversary Party

You heard me checking in and shouted that you followed me on Twitter and it was A Sweet Moment and made me feel like less of a sophomore at a senior dance, which is exactly what I acted like, not introducing myself.

Psych-rockers Marion Walker Play Tiger Mountain June 6

Marion Walker is a trio of artists and musicians who come together to create a sound that is dreamy, fuzzy, a little dark and a little technicolor. They fell in love with Asheville awhile back, made friends, and return to play Tiger Mountain for June 6. And it's free.

Asheville Grit Celebrates its 1st Anniversary

Last Thursday Mother Nature came through with a beautiful evening as we celebrated a great year of Asheville Grit with fabulous people, food, music, and drinks at one of the coolest new spots in town - the Smoky Park Supper Club. Asheville sure knows how to party.

Beach Goth @ New Mountain: An Evening with the Growlers June 10

The psychedelic sounds of the Growlers, purveyors of “Beach Goth,” are coming your way on June 10th to New Mountain AVL. The band’s music melds darkly poetic lyrics with the jangly guitar of surf-rock. It’s a midnight bonfire on a haunted beach, and you’re invited.

You Know You Have Been to Beer City Festival When…

It is no secret that Asheville is most definitely a beer town. Beer City Festival is just one big party to remind us that just when we thought we knew the beer scene in and out, these breweries will throw something new at you to keep you on your toes.

5 Reasons Why You Should go to Beer City Festival

If you are a beer drinker, there's probably not much holding you back from enjoying Asheville Beer Week and getting pumped for its finale – Beer City Festival on Saturday, May 30.

5 Questions with Asheville Tourists' Doug Maurer

In honor of some original Asheville tourists – our baseball team – and their 100th season, we asked Doug Maurer, Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for the Asheville Tourists, what we can expect from this season and more.

Listen to This: Real People, Real Stories + Real Good Times

The last Thursday of every month means it’s time for “Listen to This – Stories in Performance.” This month's show takes place at 7:30 on Thursday, May 28 at 35 Below under Asheville Community Theatre and the topic is funerals, wakes, and memorials.

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks > 5/22

If you're not packing up the car to head out of town for the three day weekend, we've got you covered. As usual Asheville is hosting great events this weekend meaning there's plenty to do. So, throw on something fun, grab your friends, and hit the town.

Vaski w/Marley Carroll + Lucidea @ New Mountain May 21

Dubstep may be a dirty word, but Minneapolis-based Vaski assures us it can stay fresh with careful craftsmanship and a sonic sensitivity that ranges from chilled, melodic electro to high-energy party bass. He's been crushing the scene since he was a teenager.