AVL LIFE

Look Fabulous + Feel Liberated: Going Braless
There is nothing wrong with wanting to go braless. Unfortunately, as a society we haven’t evolved to the stage where people don’t freak out. I can tell you some things to consider if you want to look fabulous and feel liberated in public without a bra.

Dispatches From the B.A.D. > Dana Hargrove in AVL 5/22
Florida-based artist Dana Hargrove will be in Asheville for the public reception of her new work, In Search of the Spectacular, currently on view at Window (Re/production | Re/presentation). She will give an informal "sidewalk art talk" on 5/22.

A Lunchtime Catharsis
Most of what I see in galleries is craft. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you run into art. That’s not a dismissal. I always hope for a jolt of rapport in each display. I don’t expect to see it all the time. It’s a rarity by its nature.

Pisgah Brewing Co. – Celebrating 10 Years of Brewing
Wild Connections is a collaboration aimed at connecting people to our places here in Western North Carolina – specifically our rich diverse ecosystems and the native wildlife that inhabit them.

Asheville Event Celebrates People, Planet + Prosperity
A dynamic group of nature-based businesses are presenting at the 2015 Accelerating Appalachia Pitch Party on Thursday, May 14th with special guest Judy Wicks, co-founder of Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) and author of, “Good Morning Beautiful Business”.

Roadkill + Paw Paws - A Love Story
For the paw paw blossom, its funk attracts a specific type of lover, one with specific tastes, like the carrion fly. Yes, the same individuals who cannot help themselves from the intoxicating smell of road kill are the same to have the hots for the humble paw paw flower...

474 Gallery Group Show Opens May 8th
474 Gallery on Haywood Road in West Asheville is having its first group show throughout May with an opening reception on Friday, May 8th featuring local artists ranging in mediums from pop realism, to abstraction, to fabric arts.

Four People of Color Walk Into a Bar....
A few Saturdays back I was able to experience two sides of Asheville in one night. Usually there's a mix, or usually I just experience one and not the other. Most of you at this point are probably wondering what I am talking about.. I'm talking about the racial divide in Asheville.

Music Video Asheville Was Everything I Expected and Couldn't Have Even Imagined
Backstage Sass heads to Music Video Asheville 2015. Silliness ensues. Check out a review of the night of music and mingling and a full list of winners. Here's to next year.

Why LEAF is one of The Best Fests Around
The 40th LEAF Festival is this weekend and we are just too excited. To get even more pumped, we decided to ask some friends to share the first thing that comes to mind when asked what it is they love most about LEAF.

Tix Still Available for Beer City Festival on May 30
Asheville's Beer City Festival returns on Saturday, May 30th featuring beer tastings from members of the Asheville Brewers Alliance plus music from regional bands.

Asheville Sister Cities Hosts Ocho de Mayo Fundraiser
Asheville Sister Cities hosts a fundraiser in honor of our two Mexican sister cities and the nonprofit that maintains these relationships by celebrating with live music, food, drinks, a raffle, and more.

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks 5/1
May is officially here and you officially need weekend plans. Asheville has plenty to offer and we've rounded up some of the best events for you to check out. So put on something fun and get out and enjoy yourself, because it's weekend.

#FANART Exhibit Opens at Downtown Books + News
This unique exhibit is where fans get to pay visual tribute to their cultural heroes, media makers and pop icons opens Friday May 1st at Downtown Books and News and remains on display through June 30. Who would you pay artistic homage to?

Get Ready for 8th Annual Music Video Asheville
Music Video Asheville 2014's big winner Marley Carroll discusses the red carpet event. Kick up your heels for this year's ceremony, Wednesday, April 29th.

An Update from the Asheville Buskers Collective
Local musician Andrew Fletcher speaks on behalf of the Asheville Buskers Collective on the continuing and necessary dialogue happening in our community on what street performers mean to Asheville.

Founder of Asheville Beat Tape Collective Plays One Stop May 8
Nigel One has been an instrumental member of Asheville's electronic music scene and founded the Asheville Beat Tape Collective, a group seeking to continue a supportive, networked community that expands our city’s presence on the national scene.

It's Time Yet Again To Dine Out For Life on April 30
April 30 is the 13th annual Dining Out For Life where by eating out at participating area restaurants you help raise funds for the Western North Carolina AIDS Project

Dispatches From the B.A.D.
"How does/can this dialogue lead artist and audience to determine what is successful, or valuable? And, isn’t the very nature of experimental work to take the type of risks that can often result in failure?" {Re}HAPPENING and Back to the Drawing Board – A Response (Part II)

"The Other Place We Live" > A Satellite Gallery Exhibit
SLUG: The Other Place We Live – Explorations in Dreams and Hypnagogia opens at The Satellite Gallery with a reception on Friday, May 1, and strives to "awaken personal and collective experiences of the unconscious human mind."

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks
The final days of April are here and we can't believe it. So if you're one of the few who didn't score a ticket to MerleFest, have no fear, we've got you covered. In true fashion, we've rounded up some of the best concerts and events Asheville has to offer. So let you hair down and get a little weird, it's the weekend!

New Mountain Announces Change to Grand Opening Weekend
No fear, the long-awaited Grand Opening Weekend of New Mountain's Amphitheater is still bound to be one of THE musical events in Asheville of the season. There's just a slight change to Friday night's kick off with the Black Lips.

Learning to Fly > Q+ A with Asheville Aerial Arts Founder Christine Aiken
Asheville is home to countless dedicated artists, and Christine Aiken is no exception. When she saw a void in the market for aerial arts, she jumped at the opportunity. A single mother, a mortgage professional and now owner of Asheville Aerial Arts, she is literally figuratively superwoman, and she makes it look so easy.

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks
The saying goes April showers bring May flowers and Asheville is in full bloom and booming with killer music and events. Check out just a few of our top picks for this weekend and get out and have some fun!

Sneak Peek at Asheville Outlets Set to Open May 1
A few days ago I got a sneak peek of the splashy new Asheville Outlets under construction on the former site of the Biltmore Square Mall. The amount of progress they've made is amazing, and they're set to open Friday, May 1st.

Eat Your Weeds: A Recipe For Wild Greens Pesto
The mountains are booming with greens everywhere, and many of them are edible. It's just a matter of knowing what they are, harvesting them, and using them! That seems easy, but once I've had a salad or twelve, I start to get bored. What else can one do with all of these greens?!

April's Asheville Vaudeville Installment at Toy Boat
Asheville Vaudeville returns to Toy Boat Community Art Space for two shows Saturday night, April 18, promising to keep Asheville weird and showcase homespun creative experimentation throughout the show.

I AM AVL > Your Live Music Channel
Into it's third year, Independent Arts and Music of Asheville a.k.a. iamavl.com released a short video explaining their purpose and mission. With over 450 shows in the archives, IamAVL continues to promote and preserve the vibrant music and arts scene in Asheville NC.

Gàn Shān Station Serves up Fuel for the Soul
Gas stations are easy to spot. They’re located on busy highways or street corners and have customer parking spaces, which is partially why Patrick O’Cain, owner and co-chef at Gàn Shān Station, chose an old fill-up station on Charlotte Street as the location for his restaurant.

Asheville Brewery Tours Owner Drives into a New Venture
Get to know Josh Bailey, owner of Asheville Brewery Tours and partner in one of Asheville's newest brewing site, Bhramari, opening this summer on South Lexington Avenue.

All Star Line up TONIGHT > Asheville Music Hall
This month’s BEAT LIFE is a chance to see exceptional nights of music at the One Stop and Asheville Music Hall in downtown Asheville.

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks
Spring has finally sprung and it's time to break out the shorts and tank tops and hit the town. As always, we've rounded up just a few of the best events this town has to offer. So get up and go have some fun!

Donnie Pratt of Cucina24 Wins Bar Wars AVL 2015!
Ten competed. Four were finalists in the MIx Off where they prepared Drambuie Cocktails. One walked away the overall winner – mixologist Donnie Pratt of Cucina24.

Diamond Brand Outdoor Diva Day April 9th
Diamond Brand Outdoors is inviting all of Western North Carolina’s outdoor loving women to join them April 9th for their 2015’s Spring Diva Night at their new location on Hendersonville Road in Asheville.

One of the Oldest Bars in Asheville You've Probably Never Heard Of
Right on the corner of Craven Street and Haywood Road is a pretty non-descriptish, light blue and white building you might know well, or, not at all. It’s the Burger Bar and many consider it to be The Oldest Bar in Asheville. And no, they don’t serve burgers.

8 Questions with The River Rats Front Man > Andrew Scotchie
Passion, hard work and a dash of style is what truly sets apart the good from the great, and Andrew Scotchie has talent - and style. I had the pleasure of sitting down with the rocker to talk about the origin of The River Rats, their new album, and what the future holds.

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks
It seems as though we blinked and the last week of March was upon us. But no worries, the weekend is here and we've got you covered with our picks of just some of the best events going on around town. So, get up and go have some fun, Asheville.

Looking For the After Party? BomBassic Knows Where It's At
Is anyone throwing "official" after parties for local electronic shows? BomBassic’s increasingly popular After Hours are the only ones I'm hearing about and attending. Let's make these guys official, for goodness' sake.

5 Questions with Local Fashion Designer Brooke Priddy
Get to know local designer Brooke Piddy who has been making one-of-a-kind dresses and gowns in Asheville for years.

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks
It's the weekend again and you know what that means? We've rounded up just a few of the best events in town for you to check out. So get out and have some fun.

Luzius Stone's Album Release Show @ The Mothlight > Friday March 20
Self-described “mountain boy” and “electronic art rock”-er Luzius Stone is finally unleashing his long-awaited album at his album release party this Friday at the Mothlight.

Sarah Merrell > Changing Asheville's Fashion Game
Sarah Merrell is an Asheville based marketer and event planner, has a strong passion for fashion – and Asheville – and over the last few years has combined her skills to work towards elevating and growing the local fashion community and industry.

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks
It might be a little rainy and gloomy, but it's finally starting to feel like Spring is peeking its head out, so pack the puffy coats away and get outside. We've rounded up some of this weekend's picks.

Into the Fire with Chef Mark Rosenstein - An Asheville Food Pioneer
Chef Mark Rosenstein is widely seen as sort of one of the pioneers of the farm-to-table movement in Western North Carolina and is at his best when he is creating and cooking, with fire. We find out what he's up to now and even get him to share one of his delicious recipes.

The NEW Wedding Industry > Why Change is Good
Asheville is well known as a desirable wedding destination. But how has our community embraced and invested in the new wedding industry? What local vendors and resources are available for same-sex couples looking to marry in Asheville?

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks
Looks like Asheville is finally starting to shake off the worst of the winter (hopefully?!) and it's time to get out and enjoy the first weekend in March. Here is a small list of suggestions of what to do in and around town.

My First Bikram Hot Yoga Class
The class began and as I looked around I was shocked. Everyone was half dressed. Tiny shorts and even tinnier sport bras. Grown men and women with stretch marks and beer guts, completely baring their bodies with no shame. It was incredible and empowering. I was already liking this.

Asheville Bars Invited to Enter Bar Wars AVL 2015
It's time to enter! Ten Asheville bars will get to pick a nonprofit to represent while they compete for best Bar Wars AVL cocktail 2015.

Tickets On Sale for the 6th Annual {Re}HAPPENING
The 6th annual {Re}HAPPENING takes place on Saturday, April 4th from 3pm to 10pm on the grounds of the former Black Mountain College at Lake Eden and tickets are now on sale. This unique, multimedia, truly experiential event is a must for any art lover.

Let the Kids Run Wild at Mountain Play Lodge
With snow and more cold (and snow) headed for our area, we escaped our cabin fever by visiting Mountain Play Lodge where you can get out of the house and let kids be kids