Ali McGhee

Rhinoleap's The Tempest is Gorgeous, Innovative || Review

Rhinoleap, a production company made up of NC School of the Arts alums and current students, is staging a beautiful version of The Tempest at Asheville's Masonic Temple through Sunday.

Rhinoleap Performs The Tempest @ the Masonic Temple << June 9-12

Rhinoleap, a production company made up of North Carolina School of the Arts alumni and current students, are bringing their production of The Tempest to Asheville as part of their first North Carolina tour. It's a retelling of Shakespeare's classic work, complete with puppets and an original score.

PUJOL @ Ole Shakey's || Ticket + Track Giveaway

Nashville-based band PUJOL comes to Ole Shakey's this Saturday night @ 7 pm. We've got two pairs of tickets to give away, and the winners will also get a free track download. To enter, share our Facebook post about the on your page. We'll announce the winners on Friday at midnight!

Nive and the Deer Children. Source: artist's website

Nive & the Deer Children @ the Altamont Theatre << Thursday, June 2

Nive & the Deer Children have come all the way from Greenland to bless your ears with their otherworldly sounds this Thursday at downtown Asheville's Altamont Theatre.

Big Chief Juan Pardo Promises "One Hell of a Good Time" @ Beer City Festival || 5/28

"Believe it or not, Asheville parties the way New Orleans does." Asheville Grit interviewed headliner Big Chief Juan Pardo (of the Golden Comanche Mardi Gras Indians) about what we can expect at this year's Beer City Festival!

Mykki Blanco plays Saturday night at Motorco

The Mid-Moogfest Report: 6 Things to See Saturday + Sunday

We're halfway through a fabulous Moogfest in Durham. Here's what we're most excited to see today and tomorrow.

Beer City 2016 Spotlight || The Resonant Rogues

Asheville's own Resonant Rogues play Beer City Festival 2016 this year. We talked with Sparrow about the festival, their performance, their tour plans, and their new Kickstarted album. Don't miss them at Beer City!

An Interview with Zombi // Moogfest 2016

Synth duo Zombi plays Moogfest on Thursday, May 19 @ Motorco. I talked with them about the festival, the evolution of their sound, and how they both embrace and break away from their influences to create a totally new sound experience.

Oppression, detail, 2013, stoneware, 25” x 13” x 8”

Roberto Lugo @ CCCD << Thursday, 5/12 @ 6:30

Philadelphia-based ceramic artist Roberto Lugo, who is shifting conversations around pottery and identity, will speak on "Ghetto Craft: A Place Where Poverty and Porcelain Intersect," at the CCCD on Thursday, May 12th @ 6:30 pm. The talk is free and open to the public.

Free Range Asheville Presents Roomful of Teeth

This Thursday, 4/28 at the Masonic Temple, Free Range Asheville presents the experimental, boundary-pushing, and strangely beautiful a cappella group Roomful of Teeth. The show starts at 7 pm.

BEATLIFE @ Mothlight << 4/29 w/ Futexture

On Friday, 4/29, BEATLIFE throws down at the Mothlight with Futexture, eMe, Koresma, Vietnam Jerry, and Bobby FKN White. The show starts at 9 pm and costs $5.

6 Moogfest Must-Sees

Our list of 6 must-sees on the Moogfest schedule this year include the cyborg Neil Harbisson, playtime with the Oculus Rift, performance artist and rapper Mykki Blanco, and Asheville band RBTS WIN.

Austin Artist Mobley Plays the One Stop Friday 4/22

Austin-based world traveler and multi-instrumentalist Mobley plays a free show at the One Stop on Friday, 4/22 @ 10 pm. We interviewed him to get the scoop on his new EP and his unique style.

Yumiko Yushioka. Photo courtesy of Asheville Butoh Festival.

Dance of Darkness: The Asheville Butoh Festival Returns 4/7-4/10

The 10th Asheville Butoh Festival brings world-class performers, both international and local, to explore the edges of expression via this uniquely fascinating dance form.

How to Survive Your Own Death (223). Images Courtesy of Colby Caldwell and Hemphill Fine Arts.

Digital Photography + Phantom Practices: Colby Caldwell on Photo+Craft

Colby Caldwell of REVOLVE Gallery on Photo+Craft, the panel and screening he's organized, and how advances in the digital realm are shifting the our perceptions of art and of the world.

Finding Craft in the Photograph: Robert Asman's Photo+Craft Workshop at the Asheville Darkroom

The Grit sat down with Bridget Conn of the Asheville Darkroom to talk about Photo+Craft, the workshop she's organized, and all things Darkroom.

All That Jazz: An Interview with Pianist Andrew Fletcher

Jazz pianist Andrew Fletcher talks music history, silent film, and the Asheville music scene.

Caro Savanti Experience. Photo: Rodney Smith (Tempus Fugit)

Review: The Caro Savanti Experience is a Full Helping of Lighthearted Fun

The Caro Savanti Experience, now at Magnetic 375, is a hilarious send-up of foodie culture with a surprisingly sweet finish.

photo+craft Brings WNC Creative Community Together (March 31-April 3)

This inaugural photo+craft event takes place March 31-April 3 in arts spaces around Asheville. It's the first event of its kind to unite not only two areas within the arts--photography and craft--but also to unite the larger Asheville arts community.

"Under the Sink": Larkin Ford's Intersections of the Grotesque + the Beautiful

UNCA alumnus + painter Larkin Ford returns to Asheville to present his solo exhibit, "Under the Sink." The opening reception is Friday, January 19 from 6-8 pm in Owen Hall (on the UNCA campus).

For Love & Yoga: A Valentine's Event @ Go Yoga Asheville

This Valentine's Day, Go Yoga Asheville is hosting a special couple's event that pairs romance with yoga and aphrodisiacs.

Talk Uncovers the Racially Charged Roots of the Cake Walk (2/11)

On Thursday, 2/11 @ 7 pm, artist Anna Helgeson explores the history and evolution of the Cake Walk in a conversation at Revolve Asheville.

Your Sacred Life: The Mysteries of Saira Raza's Inertia

Multi-instrumentalist Saira Raza's new album is an experimental journey into the worlds of mysteries, dreams, and the experience of the soul.

Asheville Fringe Festival: Julian Vorus talks Mothertongue

Local playwright Julian Vorus talks about his new piece, Mothertongue, which will premiere at the 2016 Fringe Festival.

Avant-Garde + Punk Rock: An Interview with Jozef van Wissem (Big Ears 2015)

From Big Ears 2015: an interview with lutenist Jozef van Wissem, whose work on the "Only Lovers Left Alive" film soundtrack earned him the Cannes Soundtrack Award.

Aligning Minds Recordings Launch Party @ The Orange Peel | Saturday, 12/19

Aligning Minds Recordings hosts its launch party this Saturday, 12/19, at the Orange Peel. Headliner and AMR artist A Path Untold headlines, with support from Futexture, Aligning Minds, and BomBassic, as well as a plethora of multimedia artists.

Big Ears Line-Up Promises Innovation + Diversity

The line-up of the Big Ears Festival, happening in Knoxville in March 2016, is what distinguishes this event as one of the most unforgettable music events of the year.

Meeting the Shadow: An Interview with Xero God

An interview with Xero God about their new self-titled album. All photos: Sarah Carballo. Album design: Kent Hernandez. Logo: Mariano Oreamuno.

Green Man Brewery's Holly King. Design: Rob Hunt

Green Man's Holly King Release @ Satellite Gallery

Thursday, 12/3, marks the date for the pre-release of Green Man's Holly King Holiday Ale, with a celebration of local artist Rob Hunt at Satellite Gallery.

Muhammad Ali Biographer Davis Miller To Speak at Malaprop’s

Author Davis Miller will be speaking about his new biography, Approaching Ali, at Malaprop's this coming Tuesday, 12/1.

Album Review > Xero God Drops Their Latest

When these guys work together, there’s an automatic flow of creativity that results in invention and beauty.

BEAT LIFE Presents Xero God @ The One Stop > 9/23

Xero God is the ultimate dream team—a jazz-infused, electronic hip-hop duo who have, amazingly, created a truly new sound.

A Path Untold Releases Secret Subtle Light on Aligning Minds Recordings

The latest solo project from Daniel Merril is a lush, expressive record that’s ethereal, psychedelic, and atmospheric in a way that the best dreams often are.

Heavy Dreaming: KYLESA Celebrates 'Exhausting Fire' @ New Mountain > 10/10

Savannah-based KYLESA just dropped a new album and are bringing their unique, dark, "dream rock" / metal to New Mountain.

Thinking Machines > Autechre at the Orange Peel 10/8

Massively influential electronic duo Autechre are gracing The Orange Peel with their conceptual, abstract, and always enthralling sounds Thursday, October 8. The duo shift the way we think about what music is, how it’s made, and where it’s headed.

This Month’s BEAT LIFE > Hosted by the Asheville Beat Tape Collective Sept 25

This month’s BEAT LIFE, hosted by the Asheville Beat Tape Collective at the Mothlight, brings an eclectic mix of performers to the stage on Friday, September 25. It’s going to be literally impossible not to dance your face off.

Fall Into Dance: Ballet Celebrates Local Artists, Autumn in Asheville

The Asheville Ballet's first Fall performance (which is free and looks freaking amazing) is this Friday and Saturday, September 25-26 at 7:30pm. They will take place at the Masonic Temple downtown, and did I mention are free?

Homeboy Sandman with Xero God @ New Mountain SOL Bar > 9/8

New Mountain’s SOL Bar hosts a night of hip hop, wordsmithing, and deep beats on Tuesday, September 8th. The intimate venue is ideal for an up close and personal night with some of the best emcees and DJs in Asheville and beyond.

Pulitzer Prize Winning Author, Adam Johnson, Comes to Malaprop’s

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Adam Johnson will be speaking at Malaprop’s Bookstore and Café this Friday, September 4th at 7 pm. His newest book is a collection of short stories that are beautifully drawn, lyrical, and emotional reflections on human life.

Aligning Minds Announces New Record Label

Regional favorites and visionary producers Aligning Minds (Mike Folk and Daniel Merrill) have been heavy hitters in the local scene for years now. Now, Aligning Minds is also turning their attention to production and artist representation with the founding of Aligning Minds Recordings.

Tanlines @ The Mothlight Wednesday July 22

Brooklyn-based duo Tanlines have a new record out that is heartfelt without ever being cynical, nostalgic without pretension, danceable without cliches. The excitement I feel for this album is only eclipsed by the thrill I get when I realize they're playing in Asheville at our very own Mothlight...

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.

Brian Panowich, Author of Bull Mountain @ Malaprop’s 7/15

Brian Panowich pulls from a deep well of knowledge of Southern culture—its music, geographies, and flavors. His debut novel is fascinating, and talking with him was like focusing a magnifying glass on the wild traditions that make these mountains so special.

Author of Silver Linings Playbook @ Malaprop's June 29

Matthew Quick, New York Times bestselling author of Silver Linings Playbook, will be sharing his newest novel, Love May Fail, at Malaprop’s Bookstore and Cafe with a reading, Q&A, and signing on Monday, June 29 at 7 p.m.

Michael Franti + Spearhead @ New Mountain Friday 6/26

Michael Franti and Spearhead's infectious sound, based in roots-rock rhythms and swelling, immersive chords, is an expression of the absolute joy of being alive – even when taking on darker subjects.

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.

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.

Memento Mori: Francesco Lombardo’s Skulls at Izzy’s

Francesco Lombardo wants you to think more about death. The painter, a long-time resident of Marshall, NC, will be sharing some of his newest works with the Asheville community in a show that runs June 5 – July 2 at Izzy’s Coffee Den

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.

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.