SELECT ARCHIVES BELOW:



LAAFF it up this Sunday
All-local, somewhat-loco, all-original, free street festival
*IT DOESN'T GET MORE FUN OR FUNKY THAN THIS  at Arts2People's 8th annual street festival, known as the Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival | LAAFF is held on North Lexington Ave. in Downtown Asheville between College St. and I-240 overpass from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sun., Sept. 6, 2009. Everyone is invited to attend this free, family-oriented, musical, funky and fashionable, street party. | For the three-stage schedule of musical performers and events, visit Lexfestasheville.com or Click Here> | To visit the performers' website links, Click Here> | For info about Arts2people.org, Click Here>

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Attend 'Stop Torture Now' presentation Sept. 6
Asheville war resisters step up criticism at 2:30 p.m, Guantanamo detainee attorney Frank Goldsmith to speak
*ATTEND 'WNC STOP TORTURE NOW!' inaugural organizational meeting and presentation about torture, held at Fine Arts Theatre | From 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Sun., Sept 6, 2009, at the Fine Arts Theatre, 36 Biltmore Ave. in Downtown Asheville, the War Resisters League Asheville (WRL Asheville) said it will address "ongoing illegal torture of detainees being condoned by the U.S. Government, the continued rendition flights from N.C. airports, and the relationship between Blackwater mercenaries and the U.S. military adventures in Afganistan." WRL Asheville organizers Coleman Smith and Clare Harahan said attorney Frank Goldsmith will discuss his work of representing Guantanamo detainees, and how the public can support this work. | For details or carpooling info, contact Connie Nash at 828-884-9467 | For details about this new WNC chapter of the NC Stop Torture Now group, visit NCstoptorturenow.org or Click Here> 

 

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BLUE JEAN BALL: Last year's event raised $117,000 *Photo: Manna FoodBank

Some Tickets Remain: 10th Annual Blue Jean Ball June 6
*MANNA FOODBANK'S ANNUAL FUNDRAISER is typically a sell-out, so get your tickets now | This year's ball of music, food and fun will be held Sat., June 6, 2009, from 7 to 11 p.m. at Manna's headquarters, located at 623 Swannanoa River Rd., Asheville. | For online ticket sales, visit mannafoodbank.org or Click Here>

2008-2009 HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

*DEC. 30 & 31: Orange Peel | Donna and the Buffalo | Click Here>
*DEC. 31: The Champagne Ball | Benefit for Terpsicorps | Click Here>
*JAN. 4: St. Mathias | 34-Piece Chamber Orchestra | Click Here>

Concert of Holiday Music Dec. 21, 2008 at 3 P.M.
*BLUE RIDGE ORCHESTRA plays the season's traditional tunes at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway | Features tenor soloist William Martin. | Tickets available at The Wine Guy. | For directions to the Folk Art Center, Click Here> | For concert details, Click Here>

WNC's oldest and most read arts and culture publication
Semi- Annual Mountain Craft Fair
*61ST SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS CRAFT FAIR July 18, 19 & 20, 2008 | At Asheville Civic Center, 10 a.m - 6 p.m., Fri. and Sat.; 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun. ADMISSION: $6 (under 12 free), reports Rapid River Magazine. Open to the public. To view the July 2008 cover story about a superior craft fair, Click Here>

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Alonzo Bodden: Featured headliner
2nd Annual Laugh Fest Huge Success
'Laugh Your Asheville Off'
*ASHEVILLE'S COMEDY FESTIVAL 'Laugh Your Asheville Off' Features 21 Comedians | The 2nd annual Laugh Your Asheville Off comedy festival has come to town to spread the laughs around on July 17, 18 & 19. Headlining on Friday is NBC’s Last Comic Standing winner Alonzo Bodden. Headlining on Sat. is John Millwater. The week-long laugh fest includes workshops for aspiring comedians. Of the 21 comedians involved, approximately half are from the Asheville area. The fest is said to be the largest of its kind in the Southeast. No doubt it will return next year to keep the jokes coming. It's a must-see event with reasonable priced tickets to boot. Click Here>